Friday, December 27, 2013

Morning Wink 12-27-13 AM Posts #BATsACT #RealEdTalk #EDCHAT #P2


BIG EDUCATION APE - MORNING WINK  AM POSTS


LISTEN TO DIANE RAVITCH 12-26-13 Diane Ravitch's blog | A site to discuss better education for all
Diane Ravitch's blog | A site to discuss better education for all: Gulen Charter Schools Embroiled in International DisputesSharon Higgins has followed the expansion of the Gulen charter chain for years. The Gulen schools are now the largest charter chain in the nation. They were founded by allies of a reclusive Turkish cleric, Fetullah Gulen, who lives in the Poconos. She writes: A political cris
12-27-13 Ed Notes Online
Ed Notes Online: Not a Wonderful Life: Education Writer’s BlockThe Wave - Published Friday, Dec. 27, 2013 - www.rockawave.comby ed notes online / 3h 12-26-13 Ed Notes OnlineEd Notes Online: Farina Delay: Charter lobby, ed deformers and UFT and allies working behind the scenes?Who might be opposing a Farina appointment? I know some people are left scratching their heads at what seems on the surface
12-27-13 The Answer Sheet
The Answer Sheet: The invisibility of teachersIt’s one of the great ironies of modern school reform that the very people who you would think should have some input into policy decisions — teachers —  don’t. They are, for that purpose, invisible (though they someone wind up front and center when it comes time for reformers to find people to blame for […]    by Valerie Strauss / 35min hide  //  save
Mike Klonsky's SmallTalk Blog: How about telling the Tale of 2 Cities in Chicago?
Mike Klonsky's SmallTalk Blog: How about telling the Tale of 2 Cities in Chicago?: How about telling the Tale of 2 Cities in Chicago?Lovely Warren (left) celebrates victoryThe two-cities movement is spreading beyond New York City, where it swept Mayor-elect Bill de Blasiointo office. This same focus on inequality is also what led to the election last month of Lovely Warren as Mayor of Rochester.Ac
12-27-13 Larry Ferlazzo’s Websites of the Day… | …For Teaching ELL, ESL, & EFL
Larry Ferlazzo’s Websites of the Day… | …For Teaching ELL, ESL, & EFL: Infographic: “Good Luck Food for New Year”I’m adding this infographic to The Best Sites For Learning About New Year Celebrations: by angelvicky. Explore more infographics like this one on the web’s largest information design community – Visually. Via Gourmandiaby Larry Ferlazzo / 8h 12-26-13 Larry Ferlazzo’s Websites of the
12-27-13 Fred Klonsky | Daily posts from a retired public school teacher who is just looking at the data
Fred Klonsky | Daily posts from a retired public school teacher who is just looking at the data.: Mayoral Tutorial. Our pensions situation is not a crisis.  Me, Don Washington and Chicago Newsroom’s Ken Davis. From my friend Don Washington, The Mayoral Tutorial: Our pension situation is not a crisis in the sense that pensions will suddenly run out of money or not be able to pay benefits. – Don Was
12-27-13 Engaging Parents In School… | Going Beyond Parent "Involvement"
Engaging Parents In School… | Going Beyond Parent "Involvement": Ed Week Reports On How School Reformers Are Using Parents As “Foot Soldiers”Newer Advocacy Groups Find Foot Soldiers in Parents is a very interested new Education Week article highlighting how “school reform” groups are trying to involve parents in their efforts. Though substantial portions of the article make clear that so
12-27-13 teacherken at Daily Kos: Eugene Robinson on The GOP’s growing divide
Daily Kos: Eugene Robinson on The GOP’s growing divide: Eugene Robinson on The GOP’s growing divideThe Republican Party, which should have the wind at its back, enters 2014 in disarray bordering on open warfare. That is how the Pulitzer Prize winner begins this column in today's Washington Post The "should" can be derived from the recent CNN poll showing a 5 point preference for a generi
12-27-13 @ The Chalk Face
@ THE CHALK FACE: Spellings Doubles-Down on “Incredibly Complicated” High-Stakes TestingWhile political and popular debates teeter on the brink somewhere between surreal and catastrophic—consider the mess that is Sarah Palin homophobic-splaining the Phil Robertson controversy—the media access afforded Margaret Spellings may be reaching a level that rises about worse-of status for just a single yea
12-27-13 With A Brooklyn Accent Go BATs
With A Brooklyn Accent: Tough Questions to Ask About Charter SchoolsThe powers that be in the Democratic Party, including our President, have made Charter Schools their main vehicle for educational renewal in low income communities. And there are more than a few civil rights leaders, and elected officials in Black and Latino communities who view them as a chance to give families in their neighborh
12-27-13 the becoming radical | A Place for a Pedagogy of Kindness
the becoming radical | A Place for a Pedagogy of Kindness (the public and scholarly writing by P. L. Thomas, Furman University): The Answer Sheet: The invisibility of teachersThe Answer Sheet: The invisibility of teachersby plthomasedd / 3min hide  //  saveSpellings Doubles-Down on “Incredibly Complicated” High-Stakes TestingSpellings Doubles-Down on “Incredibly Complicated” High-Stakes Testing.1 
12-27-13 Perdido Street School
Perdido Street School: No Chancellor Pick Announcement Again TodayFrom Daily Politics:Mayor-Elect de Blasio is in Connecticut. There are no public events scheduled.More and more it's looking like come January 2, some of the same demented people running the NYCDOE now will still be in charge.by reality-based edu... / 1h  12-26-13 Perdido Street SchoolPerdido Street School: Governor Cuomo Is Vulnera
“Creative Disruption” Destroys Public Education in Chicago’s Bronzeville | janresseger
“Creative Disruption” Destroys Public Education in Chicago’s Bronzeville | janresseger: “Creative Disruption” Destroys Public Education in Chicago’s BronzevillePosted on December 27, 2013 by janressegerPortfolio school reform is the theory that underpins much of what is happening across the school districts in America’s biggest cities.  It is the idea that a school district should be managed like
empathyeducates – Education Reform: Our Field, Our Voices Simply Do Not Matter
empathyeducates – Education Reform: Our Field, Our Voices Simply Do Not Matter: Education Reform: Our Field, Our Voices Simply Do Not MatterBy Paul L. Thomas, Ed.D. | Originally Published at The Becoming Radical. December 26, 2013“I am an invisible man,” announces the unnamed narrator of Ralph Ellison’s Invisible Man, adding:I am invisible, understand, simply because people refuse to see me….When
The Weekly Update: The corporate empire of public education and where that leaves the rest of us, ALEC, Gates and charter schools | Seattle Education
The Weekly Update: The corporate empire of public education and where that leaves the rest of us, ALEC, Gates and charter schools | Seattle Education: The Weekly Update: The corporate empire of public education and where that leaves the rest of us, ALEC, Gates and charter schoolsSo much news, so little time.From Real News:U.S. Student Homelessness Up 10% Since Last Year Highest increases of homele
Petition circulates to appoint former administrator to L.A. school board | Pass / Fail | 89.3 KPCC
Petition circulates to appoint former administrator to L.A. school board | Pass / Fail | 89.3 KPCC: Petition circulates to appoint former administrator to L.A. school boardAnnie Gilbertson | December 27th, 2013, 6:00amThe campaign to pick a successor to Los Angeles Unified board member Marguerite LaMotte, who died earlier this month, is gaining steam.A single sentence petition, "Appoint Dr. M
NYC Educator: UFT's Road Not Taken
NYC Educator: UFT's Road Not Taken: UFT's Road Not TakenLet's say our union has to decide who represents it at conventions. Since only 14% working teachers find it worthwhile to even vote in union elections, and since Unity-New Action has had an ironclad monopoly on elections for over half a century, it pretty much comes out to who Unity-New Action sees fit to nominate. So let's look at who they c

YESTERDAY

Darling-Hammond Deplores Failure of No Child Left Behind and Test-and-Punish | janresseger
Darling-Hammond Deplores Failure of No Child Left Behind and Test-and-Punish | janresseger: Darling-Hammond Deplores Failure of No Child Left Behind and Test-and-PunishPosted on December 27, 2013 by janressegerThis morning, December 26, Linda Darling-Hammond spoke with Steve Inskseep on National Public Radio’s Morning Edition.  You can listen or read the transcript here.Darling-Hammond is the Stan
The Educated Reporter: Guest Post: Making Sense of MOOCs
The Educated Reporter: Guest Post: Making Sense of MOOCs: Guest Post: Making Sense of MOOCsWith the year winding down, higher education journalists and pundits are wondering whether 2013 will be remembered as a tipping point for MOOCs - massive open online courses. Earlier this month a new study from the University of Pennsylvania's Graduate School of Education found MOOCS had "relatively few
Some Governors and Common Core: “Hot Friends Cooling” | deutsch29
Some Governors and Common Core: “Hot Friends Cooling” | deutsch29: Some Governors and Common Core: “Hot Friends Cooling”December 26, 2013Hoping to advance your own political career? Better be quiet about Common Core.Amazing how a number of formerly outspoken, pro-CCSS governors have strategically opted for silence (or some other form of distance) regarding the now-highly-charged CCSS.New York: And
Why School Reform Advocates Aren’t So Businesslike After All | TIME.com
Why School Reform Advocates Aren’t So Businesslike After All | TIME.com: Why School Reform Advocates Aren’t So Businesslike After AllBy Rick Wartzman @DruckerInstDec. 18, 20131 Comment   inShare3 Read LaterEmail  PrintShare  Comment Follow @TIMEBusinessIn her book Curriculum Mapping, education consultant Kathy Glass invokes Peter Drucker—and his deep knowledge of the corporate world—to help explai
Growing Up Jewish in Texas: Christmas | Diane Ravitch
Growing Up Jewish in Texas: Christmas | Diane Ravitch: Growing Up Jewish in Texas: ChristmasPosted: 12/25/2013 1:15 pmI was born and raised in Houston, Texas.I am third of eight children.My parents were both Jewish, as am I.Yet every year we celebrated Christmas.Is this puzzling? It wasn't at all puzzling to me and my siblings.Every Christmas, the family bought a Christmas tree, and we all joined
#4 on Your Hit Parade: War on Public Education, the Battle Against Teachers | Reclaim Reform
#4 on Your Hit Parade: War on Public Education, the Battle Against Teachers | Reclaim Reform: #4 on Your Hit Parade: War on Public Education, the Battle Against TeachersPosted on December 26, 2013by Ken PrevitiAlterNet and ThinkProgress have looked back over the year and chosen nine societal abuses that are incredibly important yet generally ignored by major media. The #4 spot tells of the “Hit” a
12-26-13 Fred Klonsky | Daily posts from a retired public school teacher who is just looking at the data
Fred Klonsky | Daily posts from a retired public school teacher who is just looking at the data.: We need a fair income tax in Illinois.  Ken Griffin, hedge fund manager and head of Citadel LLC, is Illinois’ richest person and is worth $4.4 billion. He pays the same state income tax rate as an associate at Walmart. Want to know why Illinois is broke? Maybe that’s why Representative Elaine Nekritz,
12-26-13 Ed Notes Online
Ed Notes Online: Farina Delay: Charter lobby, ed deformers and UFT and allies working behind the scenes?Who might be opposing a Farina appointment? I know some people are left scratching their heads at what seems on the surface an unholy alliance. Can we talk?We know that de Blasio has been getting pressure from the Obama administration to appoint a pro-test person. As Naison says, given that she
Nite Cap 12-26-13 #BATsACT #RealEdTalk #EDCHAT #P2
James Baldwin said it best: "For these are all our children, and we will profit by or pay for whatever they become."A BIG EDUCATION APE NITE CAPSchooling in the Ownership Society: Big bucks to be made in K-12 edSchooling in the Ownership Society: Big bucks to be made in K-12 ed: Big bucks to be made in K-12 edThere's big money to be made in K-12 education, especially in the technology ar
Schooling in the Ownership Society: Big bucks to be made in K-12 ed
Schooling in the Ownership Society: Big bucks to be made in K-12 ed: Big bucks to be made in K-12 edThere's big money to be made in K-12 education, especially in the technology area. So says the New Schools Venture Fund which bankrolls much of what passes for school reform these days. According to the NSVF blog,"Venture investment in K12 education technology was up 6% in 2013 totaling $452 mi
Five New Year’s Resolutions for Teachers | InterACT
Five New Year’s Resolutions for Teachers | InterACT: Five New Year’s Resolutions for TeachersDECEMBER 26, 2013by David B. CohenLooking ahead to the new year often involves taking stock of where we’re at and how we might improve – as people, and as teachers. Drawing my inspiration from the National Board’s Five Core Propositions, I offer the following suggestions for resolutions that I think would
What kind of Jihad is This? Gulen Charter Schools in America -Turkish probe marks AKP-Gulen power struggle
Turkish probe marks AKP-Gulen power struggle - Features - Al Jazeera English: About Gulen charter schoolsIn 1999, members of the Gulen Movement, a secretive and controversial cult-like religious group,opened their first charter school in the U.S. (in Ohio). Rapid expansion of the Gulen Movement's network has resulted in the largest charter school chain in the U.S.  (See my guest article in the Was
12-26-13 Jersey Jazzman
Jersey Jazzman: Give @digby56 & @EduShyster Some Holiday LoveThere are several bloggers I look to for inspiration. Diane Ravitch, of course, is the heart of the edu-bloggosphere. Bruce Baker forces us all to raise our games. Darcie remains a moral compass for me; Blue Jersey keeps me up to date on the state news. Bob Braun has the chops that only come from years of practicing journalism. And e
Ignorati Honor Roll 2013: Pundit Version | School Finance 101
Ignorati Honor Roll 2013: Pundit Version | School Finance 101: Ignorati Honor Roll 2013: Pundit VersionPosted on December 26, 20130       1 VotesAs 2013 comes to an end, it’s time to review some of the more ridiculous claims and arguments made by pundits and politicians over the course of the past year.A definition of “Ignorati” is important here:Elites who, despite their power, wealth, or influen
Hobsbaum’s ‘Cities and Insurrections’ - Online University of the Left
Hobsbaum’s ‘Cities and Insurrections’ - Online University of the Left: Hobsbaum’s ‘Cities and Insurrections’Posted by carl4davidsonEric J. Hobsbawm is a well-known UK-based Marxist academic historian. This article is an adaptation of a chapter that was originally published in his book Revolutionaries (London: Weidenfeld & Nicolson, 1973).===========Cities and InsurrectionsBy Eric J. HobsbawmWh
FERPA does not protect student privacy, and never did | Crazy Crawfish's Blog
FERPA does not protect student privacy, and never did | Crazy Crawfish's Blog: Crazy Crawfish's BlogZesty Louisiana Education PoliticsFERPA does not protect student privacy, and never didPosted on December 26, 20130I’ve been debating for a few months on how to tackle this topic in a way that is both informative and engaging while providing firmly grounded sources that back up my analysis. I’ve fin
Fitch Rates Sacramento City Unified School District JPFA, CA's LRBs 'A'; Outlook to Negative
Fitch Rates Sacramento City Unified School District JPFA, CA's LRBs 'A'; Outlook to Negative: Fitch Rates Sacramento City Unified School District JPFA, CA's LRBs 'A'; Outlook to Negative12/26/2013 | 01:46pm US/EasternRecommend:0Fitch Ratings assigns an 'A' rating to the following Sacramento City Unified School District Joint Powers Financing Authority, California bonds:--$40.8 million lease revenu
The Educated Reporter: Measuring the Impact of More - and Better - Time For Learning
The Educated Reporter: Measuring the Impact of More - and Better - Time For Learning: THE EDUCATED REPORTERCOMMENTARY ON EDUCATION COVERAGE, WRITING AND A FEW OTHER THINGSTHURSDAY, DECEMBER 26, 2013Measuring the Impact of More - and Better - Time For LearningThis week we're catching up with sessions from EWA's National Seminar, held at Stanford University. Today's guest blogger is Debbie Cafazzo o
Poverty doesn’t matter! Really? | Seattle Education
Poverty doesn’t matter! Really? | Seattle Education: Poverty doesn’t matter! Really?“Homelessness and poverty up close is hard. It smells, actually in my room this year, it takes from the very fiber of a being, it is destructive to those that stand in uselessness looking as well as those suffering it. I’m dealing with a woman and her child suffering terribly now — she should never be alone in this
12-26-13 Wait What Kicking the can down the road….
Wait What?: Kicking the can down the road….Governor Malloy styleAs the end of 2013 approaches we are reminded that unlike Gepetto’s wooden puppet, many politicians have taken lying and misrepresenting the truth to unprecedented levels, without suffering the ignominious consequences that affected Pinocchio. If that wasn’t the case, Connecticut’s Governor Dannel Malloy would be having an extremely h
12-26-13 @ The Chalk Face
@ THE CHALK FACE: The Fordham Strong Arm of Letter Grades for State StandardsIn my previous post, The Importance of Common Core for Nationally-pervasive Ed Reform, I cite the 2009 Broad Foundation report in which a number of major reformer “participants” told America of the reforms it might expect to be in place in 2012– one of which is the Common Core State Standards (CCSS). Among the list of “pa
I Will Be The Muhammad Ali Of Education Writing (My Top Ten Posts of 2013) - The Jose Vilson | The Jose Vilson
I Will Be The Muhammad Ali Of Education Writing (My Top Ten Posts of 2013) - The Jose Vilson | The Jose Vilson: I Will Be The Muhammad Ali Of Education Writing (My Top Ten Posts of 2013)by JOSE VILSON on DECEMBER 26, 2013in JOSEGeorge Foreman vs. Muhammad AliDear reader,The reason I haven’t spoken about Kanye West all year is because, in some ways, I’ve occupied a similar space that he does in edu
The Fordham Strong Arm of Letter Grades for State Standards | deutsch29
The Fordham Strong Arm of Letter Grades for State Standards | deutsch29: The Fordham Strong Arm of Letter Grades for State StandardsDecember 26, 2013In my previous post, The Importance of Common Core for Nationally-pervasive Ed Reform, I cite the 2009 Broad Foundation report in which a number of major reformer “participants” told America the reforms it might expect to be in place in 2012– one of w
Government Shutdown Beats Ravitch, Common Core as Hottest Topics - Politics K-12 - Education Week
Government Shutdown Beats Ravitch, Common Core as Hottest Topics - Politics K-12 - Education Week: Government Shutdown Beats Ravitch, Common Core as Hottest TopicsBy Alyson Klein on December 26, 2013 1:01 PMWe're coming into the home stretch of 2013—a rollercoaster year on the federal budget front, and a pivotal point for the administration's Elementary and Secondary Education Act waivers and its
12-26-13 Jersey Jazzman: The Reformy Addiction to Closing Schools, Newark Style
Jersey Jazzman: The Reformy Addiction to Closing Schools, Newark Style: The Reformy Addiction to Closing Schools, Newark StyleOne of Barack Obama's signature education policies is to close "failing" schools. Mostly, I imagine, because actually fixing a "failing" school requires a lot of work and money - things the president, good "moderate" that he is, has never reall
How Education Expert Views Miss the Mark on Low Income Students
How Education Expert Views Miss the Mark on Low Income Students « NewsTaco: How Education Expert Views Miss the Mark on Low Income StudentsBy Ray Salazar, NewsTacoAs my students develop their argumentative writing, I push them to ask themselves “What are the implications of my argument?”  In other words, if our high-school community accepts their idea, what will the argument encourage the audience
2013 in Review Part Two: The Year the Common Core Began to Unravel - Living in Dialogue - Education Week Teacher
2013 in Review Part Two: The Year the Common Core Began to Unravel - Living in Dialogue - Education Week Teacher: 2013 in Review Part Two: The Year the Common Core Began to UnravelBy Anthony Cody on December 25, 2013 3:05 PMIt was supposed to be easy. The campaign was one of shock and awe, intended to overpower and silence anyone with the nerve to criticize. Most of us first heard of the Common Co
Mike Klonsky's SmallTalk Blog: Trib's "magic moment" of 2013. Mine too.
Mike Klonsky's SmallTalk Blog: Trib's "magic moment" of 2013. Mine too.: Trib's "magic moment" of 2013. Mine too.This from today's Chicago Tribune:Protesters of 'Persepolis'-gateMarch 15, Lane Tech College Prep High School, ChicagoMassive school closings, epic teacher layoffs. Chicago Public Schools officials had plenty to answer for in 2013. So much that their decision in the
Amid mass school closings, a slow death for some Chicago schools | MSNBC
Amid mass school closings, a slow death for some Chicago schools | MSNBC:  Walter Dyett High School, pictured here, is being phased out by the Chicago Public Schools. Since 2001, the district has closed, phased-out or turned around about 150 schools. The vast majority of the students affected by the school closures have been poor or African American.TRYMAINE LEE FOR MSNBCAmid mass school closings,
Common Core: We once wanted to beat the Soviets. Now, we are... | Get Schooled | www.ajc.com
Common Core: We once wanted to beat the Soviets. Now, we are... | Get Schooled | www.ajc.com: Common Core: We once wanted to beat the Soviets. Now, we are following their lead in education. COMMENT(1) 0 5 3 8View Larger Marching in lockstep toward Common CorePrevious PostsCommon Core tests: Will Georgia's go-it-alone version be PARCC like or PARCC lite? December 23, 2013Is it possible no one at Gr
Sacramento News & Review - Bee uncritical, SCUSD loves lawyers - Bites - Opinions - December 26, 2013
Sacramento News & Review - Bee uncritical, SCUSD loves lawyers - Bites - Opinions - December 26, 2013: Bee uncritical, SCUSD loves lawyersBy Cosmo Garvin cosmog@newsreview.comThis article was published on 12.26.13.What’s the old cliché? A big lie is more easily believed than a small one. Something like that. It came immediately to mind when the mayor and company unveiled yet another stupendous
Morning Wink 12-26-13 AM Posts #BATsACT #RealEdTalk #EDCHAT #P2
BIG EDUCATION APE - MORNING WINK  AM POSTSLISTEN TO DIANE RAVITCH 12-26-13 Diane Ravitch's blog | A site to discuss better education for allDiane Ravitch's blog | A site to discuss better education for all: Teacher: Child Abuse in My ClassroomMark Naison, co-founder of the BATs, sent me this story by a teacher: The Child Abuse Imposed by Testing: By Bronx Teacher Chris Whitney I had a student leav