Sunday, January 27, 2013

by NYC Educator

There was a monster hit song by some guy named Psy, who I never heard of. It was called Gangnam Style. As far as I could determine, understanding no Korean whatsoever, in Gangnam everyone jumps up and down like a horse when they dance. Everyone was talking about it. A music teacher I know was horrified. It was garbage, he said. But most people seemed to like it.

On the other hand, New York is a tough town. Our style is completely different. Frank Sinatra said if you could make it here, you could make it anywhere. Governor Andrew Cuomo doesn't dance. It would probably be dangerous for him, as he lives with Sandra Lee. I've seen her cook, and that food looks toxic at

Newark Parents and Activists Take School Closure Complaint to D.C. for Civil Rights Hearing - NJ Spotlight

Newark Parents and Activists Take School Closure Complaint to D.C. for Civil Rights Hearing - NJ Spotlight:

Newark Parents and Activists Take School Closure Complaint to D.C. for Civil Rights Hearing
Complaint contends that Christie's school turnaround plan does nothing for poor black and Hispanic students

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By John Mooney, January 28, 2013 in Education |Post a Comment

Sharon Smith, activist and mother of three, who filed the Newark civil rights complaint.

Forty Newark parents and activists boarded a charter bus to Washington, D.C., late yesterday to join in what is becoming a growing backlash to public school closures in cities across the country.

The contingent is headed to a hearing at the U.S. Department of Education on Tuesday to deal with civil rights complaints filed in Newark and nearly a dozen other cities against the increasing use of closures as part of so-called school turnaround efforts.

The state-run Newark Public Schools last year closed six facilities that were deemed underperforming and underenrolled. Some were then reopened or rented out to charters. More public schools are expected to be evaluated for the coming academic year.

As in other states, the Newark closures have been criticized as destabilizing to neighborhoods and not offering any improvement for students, who are predominantly poor and African-American or Hispanic.

That was the gist of the complaint filed by a Newark mother and student to the U.S. Department of Education’s Office of Civil Rights last July, part of what is becoming a well-organized and funded nationwide effort pushing back against the closures.

The Office of Civil Rights accepted the Newark complaint and said in a letter this month that the

DIARY OF A PUBLIC SCHOOL TEACHER!: I'm Not That Super Teacher: When Teaching Takes Its Toll!

DIARY OF A PUBLIC SCHOOL TEACHER!: I'm Not That Super Teacher: When Teaching Takes Its Toll!:

I'm Not That Super Teacher: When Teaching Takes Its Toll!

by Lisa M

My eyes are burning.

My blood pressure is high for the first time in 53 years.
My doctor swears that I have mild arthritis in my knees.

"Faster than a speeding bullet, more powerful than a locomotive, and able to leap tall buildings in a single bound"

Nope, not me, I'm not that Super Teacher.

I think it's all getting to me.

No, I am not quitting. Withstanding all the ~~crap~~ stuff that comes with the job, I still love teaching.

But, I wonder...

Do my eyes bur

Davos Considers Learning’s Next Wave - NYTimes.com

Davos Considers Learning’s Next Wave - NYTimes.com:

Davos Forum Considers Learning’s Next Wave

By ALISON SMALE

Published: January 27, 201

DAVOS, Switzerland — She may not have been the youngest speaker ever at the World Economic Forum in Davos, but Khadija Niazi, 12, was certainly captivating.

Hundreds of the conference’s well-heeled attendees listened intently as Ms. Niazi, of Lahore, Pakistan, described her experience with massive open online courses, known as MOOCs, that are spreading rapidly around the globe.

MOOCs are vastly extending the reach of professors at some of the world’s best universities, particularly at Stanford, Harvard, M.I.T., Yale, Princeton, the University of Pennsylvania and Duke.

Ms. Niazi has been taking courses, free so far, from Udacity and Coursera, two of the earliest providers of this new form of instruction. Her latest enthusiasm is for astrobiology, because she is fascinated by U.F.O.’s and wants to become

One Teacher's Perspective: Far Right, But Far From Right

One Teacher's Perspective: Far Right, But Far From Right:

Far Right, But Far From Right

by Imagine Wisconsin

What’s right for public education is complicated. Opinions on what’s right are as diverse as the variables that affect school performance. My opinion of what’s right for public schools includes a Broader, Bolder Approach to Education, a culture of collaboration, teacher leadership, integration (racially and economically), respect for the teacher’s voice, ongoing professional development, student-centered learning, school-led community partnerships, recognition that learning is beyond measure, differentiated instruction, and, above all, extensive social and academic support for our neediest students. My opinion alone is complicated.

In formulating comprehensive education ideas, I lean on the thoughts of model teachers (like Dwain

Pension Panic Fueled by Anti-Worker Politics? | MyFDL

Pension Panic Fueled by Anti-Worker Politics? | MyFDL:

Pension Panic Fueled by Anti-Worker Politics?
By: Michelle Chen Friday January 25, 2013 8:50 pm	Tweet5

Pew Center on the States

Originally posted at In These Times

It’s a common refrain in local papers: State faces pension funding crisis! Retiree benefits out of control! Public pensions bog down taxpayers! Pension costs seem to loom over so many state and local budget battles like a sinister sword of Damocles, a dark reminder of Big Government’s tyrannical profligacy.

Should we panic? Well, according to a new report by the Pew Center on the States, 61 cities face a collective fiscal retirement burden of more than $210 billion, in part because consistent underfunding of benefits leaves yawning gaps in long-term cost projections. The report surveyed all U.S. cities with populations over 500,000, along with the most populous city in each state. Some cities are doing better than others in maintaining funds, but gaps persist, according to Pew’s estimates for fiscal years 2007-

Defend public schools, our children, our democracy « Larry Miller's Blog: Educate All Students!

Defend public schools, our children, our democracy « Larry Miller's Blog: Educate All Students!:

Defend public schools, our children, our democracy

by millerlf

Jan. 26, 2013

This op-ed was submitted by 11 leaders of community and education organizations in Milwaukee.
We need communitywide discussion and action to protect the future of the Milwaukee Public Schools.
We welcome input from all who believe in and support quality public education for all children.
We represent thousands of parents, community members and educators who have been working – and will continue to work – to ensure that all children receive a first-class education comparable to anywhere else in the state.
A Jan. 20 Crossroads op-ed by the executive board of Milwaukee Succeeds highlights the need to secure a

Students Last: Infraction Transaction: City To Fine Students For Misbehaving

Students Last: Infraction Transaction: City To Fine Students For Misbehaving:

Infraction Transaction: City To Fine Students

by Students Last

New York City - Facing a shortfall of almost half a billion dollars because his administration has failed to reach an agreement with city teachers over an evaluation system, Mayor Bloomberg has devised a new way to raise funds for education. He's going to allow schools to begin fining students for violating Department of Education policies.

"The idea of there being consequences for actions is not a new one," said hizzoner on Friday at a press conference announcing the new program entitled "Infraction Transaction." "It's just that this time, the consequences will contain a financial pinch. Beginning next year, students will be fined if they break school rules. While the amounts will be minimal, anywhere from a quarter to $5.00 per infraction, we expect the results

Engaging Parents In School… » This Week’s #PTchat On Twitter

Engaging Parents In School… » This Week’s #PTchat On Twitter:

This Week’s #PTchat On Twitter

by Larry Ferlazzo

Guest post by Gwen Pescatore

This Week’s #PTchat on Twitter – 9PM EDT – Wed, Jan 30th
Tweetchat Link (for non-twitterers)

Image credit: 25.media.tumblr.com

Literacy is defined as the ability to read for knowledge and interest, write coherently, and think critically about the written word. The importance of good reading and writing skills will never disappear, and they cannot be achieved at school alone.

This week on #ptchat we’ll share ideas on how can we encourage kids to take the time to read beyond what’s required; for their own personal satisfaction, outside of school assignments, amidst busy schedules and technology distractions? What are some ways to encourage deeper thought so students can make the connection between what they’ve read and their experiences (both in the past and future)?

Joining us for the chat are two great literacy minds: Aliscia Lee (@AlisciaLee), Title 1 Reading Specialist at Knapp Elementary in Lansdale PA; and Penny Kittle (@PennyKittle), author, English teacher and literacy coach at Kennett High School in Conway, NH and in the summer at University of New Hampshire Literacy Institutes in Durham, NH.

Thanks to moderator Gwen Pescatore for facilitating this week’s #ptchat!

Harris-Perry: Schools targeted for closure have ‘predominantly minority kids’ | The Raw Story

Harris-Perry: Schools targeted for closure have ‘predominantly minority kids’ | The Raw Story:

Visit NBCNews.com for breaking news, world news, and news about the economy

Harris-Perry: Schools targeted for closure have ‘predominantly minority kids’

By Samantha Kimmey Sunday, January 27, 2013 20:21 EST

On Melissa Harris-Perry on Sunday, she and a panel of journalists and advocates discussed the closure of underperforming schools in the country.

Harris-Perry said that there were discussions of closing “17 in NYC, 37 in Philadelphia, 15 in Washington, D.C., and possibly as many as 15 or more in Chicago.”

“The catch?” she asked. “The vast majority of them are filled with children who are predominantly minority kids and from low-income families.”

Harris-Perry is referring to the movement to close

On Tuesday, “students, parents, and advocacy representatives from 18 major cities are taking their case to the U.S. Department of Education in Washington, D.C. Their argument: those who decide which schools to close are unfairly targeting poor and mostly African American schools. And that constitutes a civil rights violation.”

Zakiyah Ansari, advocacy director for Alliance for Quality Education, called it an “epidemic.”

The coalition wants a national moratorium on school closings and colocations, to meet with

SI&A Cabinet Report – Teachers get hands-on instructing algebra to at risk middle school students

SI&A Cabinet Report – News & Resources:

Teachers get hands-on instructing algebra to at risk middle school students
By Tom Chorneau
Monday, January 28, 2013

There was a time when Mike Moser’s math classes at Park Middle School in Antioch would probably have looked a lot like every other in America.

Students sitting in straight rows; eyes up front. No talking to neighbors and, certainly, everyone does their own work. Moser, too, would have led the room in a conventional manner, with his back mostly to the kids, scribbling on the board while explaining the problem that some students would understand and other might not.

Things are different today.

The students huddle in groups of two’s and three’s, quietly comparing notes; struggling; challenging; collaborating.

Moser’ role has also been recast. No longer standing static at the front of the room, he roams about. Engaging some, pushing others; providing hints with a nod or a shrug. The burden is clearly on the kids.

There’s unfamiliar stuff too. Construction paper, sometimes folded neatly into cubes that resemble pieces in a Tetris

New federal athletic guidance calls for equal opportunity for disabled

Few would deny that athletics are an integral part of school activities in the United States. Yet for many students with disabilities full participation in these programs has often been blocked if not overtly denied.

Big Education Ape Nite Cap 1-27-13 #SOSCHAT #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 CAP

School Choice Week: Are We Leaving Children Behind by Design? - Living in Dialogue - Education Week Teacher

coopmike48 at Big Education Ape - 5 minutes ago

School Choice Week: Are We Leaving Children Behind by Design? - Living in Dialogue - Education Week Teacher: School Choice Week: Are We Leaving Children Behind by Design? by Anthony Cody *Part 1 of 2* * * *National Association of Charter School Authorizers (NACSA) Group: 1 in 5 charter schools not doing well enough to stay open* A group that oversees more than half of the nation's 5,600 charter schools said as many as one in five U.S. charter schools should be shut down because of poor academic performance. *http://seattletimes.com/html/nationworld/2019784379_charterschools29.htm... more »

Jersey Jazzman: Where Is Chris Cerf's Accountability?

coopmike48 at Big Education Ape - 8 minutes ago

Jersey Jazzman: Where Is Chris Cerf's Accountability?: Where Is Chris Cerf's Accountability? by Duke LEAP Academy, a charter school in Camden, has lost its non-profit status, which puts $8.5 million in bonds at risk for default. Since these bonds are guaranteed by Rutgers-Camden, either state taxpayers or tuition-paying students will have to take a haircut if the bonds go south. In addition, the school has been under-performing academically, not having made Adequate Yearly Progress (AYP) for the last two years. And yet, just this past fall, NJ Education Commissioner Chris Cerf prou... more »

School Tech Connect: In Which I Refer To Vomit

coopmike48 at Big Education Ape - 12 minutes ago

School Tech Connect: In Which I Refer To Vomit: In Which I Refer To Vomit by noreply@blogger.com (Tim Furman) I've been working the phones for my local school organization and not paying much attention to other issues, but I see that my friends have been flagging this astonishing post from Greg Hinz about the private pipeline Juan Rangel has to Illinois taxpayer money. I only just now read the whole thing, and I narrowly avoided vomiting directly onto the keyboard. Juan Rangel is behaving as a politically connected magnate is expected to behave, so I really have nothing to say a... more »

Diane in the Evening 1-27-13 Diane Ravitch's blog

coopmike48 at Big Education Ape - 2 hours ago

Diane Ravitch's blog: What Hath Reform Wrought? by dianerav Veteran teacher Marc Epstein surveys the wreckage of “school reform” and wonders who will come along to put our nation’s education system back together again. He writes: “Today’s education reform rests on the premise that the civil rights movement that overturned Plessy and Chicago Charter Fines Mom $3,000 for Her Son’s Misbehavior by dianerav No excuses! The Noble Network of charter schools in Chicago is proud of its high test scores. Mayor Rahm Emanuel says Noble has some “secret sauce” that produces great success. ... more »

Va Dept of Ed Blows Off 60% of Virginia Students « PWC Education Reform Blog

coopmike48 at Big Education Ape - 2 hours ago

Va Dept of Ed Blows Off 60% of Virginia Students « PWC Education Reform Blog: Va Dept of Ed Blows Off 60% of Virginia Students by pwceducationreform Va Dept of Ed Blows Off 60% of Virginia StudentsJanuary 27, 2013 — pwceducationreform This summer, after receiving a wavier from NCLB’s 100% passing requirements, the VA Dept of Ed established new goals for the percentage of students passing the SOL in all school divisions and public schools in the state. The new targeted percentage passing was set for the state overall and for groups of students; groups that are based on race. Th... more »

“Be More Interested Than Interesting” | Connected Principals

coopmike48 at Big Education Ape - 2 hours ago

“Be More Interested Than Interesting” | Connected Principals: “Be More Interested Than Interesting” by Chris Wejr Be more interested: Listen. cc licensed ( BY NC ND ) flickr photo by Bindaas Madhavi: http://flickr.com/photos/mkuram/5961100771/ *Originally posted at The Wejr Board blog.* At some point in the past year (for a variety of reasons) the how, the why, and the when of social media slightly changed for me. I have been reflecting a ton on the purpose of social media to me – both professionally and personally (see Social Media in Education: Who Is It Really About?). I have ... more »

A Turning Tide? U of Puerto Rico Rolls Back Student Fees «

coopmike48 at Big Education Ape - 3 hours ago

A Turning Tide? U of Puerto Rico Rolls Back Student Fees «: A Turning Tide? U of Puerto Rico Rolls Back Student Fees from Student Activism by Angus Johnston The University of Puerto Rico announced that it will roll back a huge fee increase that sparked years of massive student protests throughout the island, as Puerto Rico’s new governor pledged to increase funding to the university. This is big. Students shut down ten of eleven UPR campuses for two months in the spring of 2010 in an effort to stop the fee hike, but university administrators later reneged on a pledge to withdraw i... more »

Ed Notes Online: Eva Violation: Using Parents of Success Chater Schools Funded With Public Money for Poliitcal Operation

coopmike48 at Big Education Ape - 4 hours ago

Ed Notes Online: Eva Violation: Using Parents of Success Chater Schools Funded With Public Money for Poliitcal Operation: Eva Violation: Using Parents of Success Chater Schools Funded With Public Money for Poliitcal Operation by ed notes online The Success Charter outrages continue. It is time to call for an investigation of the use of schools to create a political operation. If they were private without feeding at the public trough, gey gezunt. But not with OUR money. Imagine if a public school principal organized parents to picket mayoral candidates and used school resources to... more »

Vallas in Wonderland Part II - Sentence first, verdict afterwards reappears - Wait, What?

coopmike48 at Big Education Ape - 4 hours ago

Vallas in Wonderland Part II - Sentence first, verdict afterwards reappears - Wait, What?: Vallas in Wonderland Part II – Sentence first, verdict afterwards reappears by jonpelto The Queen of Heart’s strategy of “Sentence first, verdict afterwards” has reared its ugly head again in Bridgeport. A new week is beginning and more drama has surfaced related to the never-ending saga of the Bridgeport Board of Education’s effort to extend Paul Vallas’ contract as Superintendent of Schools. Almost ten days ago, out of the blue, and just barely meeting the state of Connecticut’s Freedom of... more »

THE FOUNTAIN OF YOUTH, ELDORADO, SHANGRI-LA, HOLY GRAIL, FRENCH REVOLUTION, AND EDUCATION REFORMERS « Teachers Fight Back

coopmike48 at Big Education Ape - 4 hours ago

THE FOUNTAIN OF YOUTH, ELDORADO, SHANGRI-LA, HOLY GRAIL, FRENCH REVOLUTION, AND EDUCATION REFORMERS « Teachers Fight Back: THE FOUNTAIN OF YOUTH, ELDORADO, SHANGRI-LA, HOLY GRAIL, FRENCH REVOLUTION, AND EDUCATION REFORMERS by alkleen Oh the excitement, the anticipation, the potential ! Yes, it is now upon us. Beginning on February 1st, the State of Illinois will be launching its new state survey on education. The survey, believed to be one of the largest state surveys of its kind in the nation is supposed to provide crucial information that will lead to improved schools. The sur... more »

Seattle Schools Community Forum: Special Meeting This Thursday for Interim Plan Vote

coopmike48 at Big Education Ape - 5 hours ago

Seattle Schools Community Forum: Special Meeting This Thursday for Interim Plan Vote: Special Meeting This Thursday for Interim Plan Vote by Melissa Westbrook From President Smith-Blum: SCHOOL BOARD TO VOTE ON CAPACITY MANAGEMENT PLAN AT JANUARY 31st SPECIAL MEETING The School Board is expected to vote on the Short Term Capacity Management Plan during a special meeting *at 5 p.m. on Thursday, January 31st at the auditorium* of the John Stanford Center for Educational Excellence. On January 23rd, the Board decided to delay the vote by a week to review 2013-14 enrollment project... more »

IEA President Cinda Klickna banned this petition from the IEA website. Will that stop you from signing it? « Fred Klonsky

coopmike48 at Big Education Ape - 5 hours ago

IEA President Cinda Klickna banned this petition from the IEA website. Will that stop you from signing it? « Fred Klonsky: IEA President Cinda Klickna banned this petition from the IEA website. Will that stop you from signing it? by Fred Klonsky [image: banned] IEA President Cinda Klickna banned this petition from the IEA website. Will that stop you from signing it? From reposting it? From sending it to your colleagues, family and friends? We are approaching 3,000 signatures. The Illinois Retired Teachers Association put it on their website. Illinois Federation of Teachers President D... more »

Florida BOE to Local School Boards: Raise Property Taxes to Pay for Our Charter School Priorities | Scathing Purple Musings

coopmike48 at Big Education Ape - 5 hours ago

Florida BOE to Local School Boards: Raise Property Taxes to Pay for Our Charter School Priorities | Scathing Purple Musings: Florida BOE to Local School Boards: Raise Property Taxes to Pay for Our Charter School Priorities by Bob Sikes The roll-out of Tony Bennett’s FLDOE budget included capital outlay for charter schools, but none for public schools. Consider this bit of nuance in Jason Shultz’ *Palm Beach Post *story which the FLDOE uses to justify their position : The state’s budget request reflects the Board of Education’s priorities to assist charter schools, said Pam Stewa... more »

Kelly: Despite hurtful words, teacher didn't deserve to be fired - NorthJersey.com

coopmike48 at Big Education Ape - 6 hours ago

Kelly: Despite hurtful words, teacher didn't deserve to be fired - NorthJersey.com: Kelly: Despite hurtful words, teacher didn't deserve to be fired SUNDAY JANUARY 27, 2013, 12:36 PM By MIKE KELLY RECORD COLUMNIST PAGES: 1 2 > DISPLAY ON ONE PAGE | PRINT | E-MAIL JENNIFER O’Brien is not America’s poster child for free speech. Maybe it’s time to anoint her. O’Brien is the Paterson teacher who was fired almost two years ago for writing on her Facebook page that she does not feel like an educator in the classroom but the equivalent of a “warden for future criminals.” Was she insult... more »

Exploring the Origins of the Common Core « Diane Ravitch's blog

coopmike48 at Big Education Ape - 6 hours ago

Exploring the Origins of the Common Core « Diane Ravitch's blog: Exploring the Origins of the Common Core by dianerav Jim Martinez decided to research the sources of the Common Core State Standards. Given their importance as a redesign of the nation’s highly decentralized education system, we can expect to see many more such efforts to understand the origins of this important document. “Engaging the nonsense – a brief investigation of the Common Core” A teacher asked me where the Common Core came from, another suggested that I “teach” the Common Core in my Master’s degree level cou... more »

Excellence Happens in Vegas | EduShyster

coopmike48 at Big Education Ape - 6 hours ago

Excellence Happens in Vegas | EduShyster: Excellence Happens in Vegas by edushyster2012 It’s time once again to climb aboard the rephorm express. Today we’re headed west, to Vegas, baby: home to the legendary Strip, the Hoover Dam, and these days, plenty of excellence, Teach for America style. Alas, what happens in Vegas likely won’t be staying there for long… First, allow me to lay it on you historical style. Once upon a time, back at the peak of the economic boom, Nevada’s most populous county was opening upwards of 10 schools and hiring 2,000 new teachers—*every year*. Then the ... more »

USATODAY.com - Thousands of black teachers lost jobs

coopmike48 at Big Education Ape - 6 hours ago

USATODAY.com - Thousands of black teachers lost jobs: Thousands of black teachers lost jobs By Greg Toppo, USA TODAY In the spring of 1953, with the Brown vs. Board of Education desegregation case pending in the U.S. Supreme Court, Wendell Godwin, superintendent of schools in Topeka, sent letters to black elementary school teachers. Painfully polite, the letters couldn't mask the message: If segregation dies, you will lose your jobs. "Our Board will proceed on the assumption that the majority of people in Topeka will not want to employ negro teachers next year for White children,"... more »

The Sunday Mail. « Fred Klonsky

coopmike48 at Big Education Ape - 7 hours ago

The Sunday Mail. « Fred Klonsky: The Sunday Mail. by Fred Klonsky [image: logansquare07]*Logan Square El station. 1954.* *Young folks* stepping up. *Teacher unions.* We can fall apart or stand together. What’s it gonna be? *Alfie Kohn joins Debbie Meier at Bridging Differences.* Why punishment doesn’t work. *So what happens when teachers join forces* and make a carefully considered–and, importantly, collective–decision about what their students need? *How Senator Steans* greased the UNO charter deal. *The Los Angeles Times* has always hated teachers and public schools. *Why doesn’t ... more »

National Public Voice: Robin Lane: Dont Do Teach For America

coopmike48 at Big Education Ape - 7 hours ago

National Public Voice: Robin Lane: Dont Do Teach For America: Robin Lane: Dont Do Teach For America Why Not Teach For America (Guest Post by Robin Lane) LINK POSTED BY DLOITZ ⋅ DECEMBER 13, 2012 ⋅ 1 COMMENT *FILED UNDER* GUEST POST, NOT TEACH FOR AMERICA, TEACH FOR AMERICA [image: not teachforamerica]Well, it’s about that time of year — when seniors start frantically applying for fellowships and internships and jobs, the socially conscious among them aching for a career that will allow them to change the world, others looking for something they can put on their application for law ... more »

A revenue solution. A bill has been introduced in the Illinois General Assembly calling for a graduated income tax. « Fred Klonsky

coopmike48 at Big Education Ape - 7 hours ago

A revenue solution. A bill has been introduced in the Illinois General Assembly calling for a graduated income tax. « Fred Klonsky: A revenue solution. A bill has been introduced in the Illinois General Assembly calling for a graduated income tax. by Fred Klonsky * [image: House Joint Resolution Constitutional Amendment HC0002]* John Laesch of Northern Illinois Jobs With Justice writes to tell me that a bill has now been introduced in the General Assembly calling for a constitutional amendment creating graduated income tax. Such an amendment would then be placed on the 2014 ballot. ... more »

Best of the Ed Blogs | National Education Policy Center

coopmike48 at Big Education Ape - 7 hours ago

Best of the Ed Blogs | National Education Policy Center: Best of the Ed Blogs *Best of the Ed Blogs* features a frequently updated selection of interesting and insightful blog posts on education policy. The views expressed by the bloggers on our blog roll are thoughtful, original, and entirely their own. We hope you make *Best of the Ed Blogs* your first stop for concise takes on today's most important education topics. The Secret Strategy of Corporate School Reform? Best of the Ed Blogs Diane Ravitch January 25, 2013 Are Charter Schools Better Able To Fire Low-Performing Teachers? ... more »

Testing education: Pisa envy | The Economist

coopmike48 at Big Education Ape - 7 hours ago

Testing education: Pisa envy | The Economist: Pisa envyResearch comparing educational achievement between countries is growing. Drawing conclusions from it is harderJan 19th 2013 |From the print edition - - PARENTS pore over them. Teachers protest about them. Politicians preen when they are positive—and blame their predecessors if they are not. International league tables have acquired a central role in debates about education policy. Data duels are a recent phenomenon. The OECD (a Paris-based developed-country think-tank) has published its PISA (Programme for Internati... more »

Florida ed reform: ‘A danger of all this imploding’

coopmike48 at Big Education Ape - 8 hours ago

Florida ed reform: ‘A danger of all this imploding’: Florida ed reform: ‘A danger of all this imploding’ Posted by Valerie Strauss on January 27, 2013 at 10:59 am - [image: Smaller Text] [image: Larger Text] Text Size - Print - Reprints - Share: - - - More » [image: President Obama and Jeb Bush in 2011 (by Joe Raedle/Getty Images North America)] President Obama and former Florida governor Jeb Bush in 2011. (Joe Raedle/Getty Images North America) Educators in Florida have been screaming for some time about the irrationality of the state’s standardized test-ba... more »

Howard Zinn and the Failure of Standards Movements in Education | the becoming radical

coopmike48 at Big Education Ape - 8 hours ago

Howard Zinn and the Failure of Standards Movements in Education | the becoming radical: Howard Zinn and the Failure of Standards Movements in Education Posted on January 27, 2013 by plthomasedd The Zinn Education Project notes, “Howard Zinn passed away three years ago, on January 27, 2010. At the time, writer and activist Naomi Klein spoke for many of us: ‘We just lost our favorite teacher.’” The life and work of Zinn represents the personification of confronting the world from roles of authority that have historically been positioned as neutral—historian, teacher. But as Zinn came... more »

The Weekly Update: Seattle teachers stand firm, testing push back around the country, a parent offers ideas for those opt-out days and Yong Zhao on testing and standardization | Parents Across America

coopmike48 at Big Education Ape - 8 hours ago

The Weekly Update: Seattle teachers stand firm, testing push back around the country, a parent offers ideas for those opt-out days and Yong Zhao on testing and standardization | Parents Across America: The Weekly Update: Seattle teachers stand firm, testing push back around the country, a parent offers ideas for those opt-out days and Yong Zhao on testing and standardization by DoraTaylor *The Weekly Update for the news and views you might have missed.* [image: weekly] It’s been quite a week in our fair city. Many of us here in Seattle have watched the destruction of the teaching... more »

How My ESL Class Evaluated Me This Semester | Larry Ferlazzo’s Websites of the Day…

coopmike48 at Big Education Ape - 8 hours ago

How My ESL Class Evaluated Me This Semester | Larry Ferlazzo’s Websites of the Day…: How My ESL Class Evaluated Me This Semester by Larry Ferlazzo As usual, during the semester finals, I had my students provide anonymous evaluations of classes and me. I always tell them (and always follow-through) that I will be posting the results — warts and all — on my blog and also share it directly with colleagues. I doing that enhances the odds of their taking it seriously. I tell them that I put a lot of time into helping them become better learners, and now it’s their turn to help me bec... more »

A Student's Guide to Global Climate Change | US EPA

coopmike48 at Big Education Ape - 8 hours ago

A Student's Guide to Global Climate Change | US EPA:

Privatizing Public Education, Higher Ed Policy, and Teachers - Alec Exposed

coopmike48 at Big Education Ape - 9 hours ago

Privatizing Public Education, Higher Ed Policy, and Teachers - Alec Exposed: Increasing Profits for School Companies, Undermining Teachers, and Promoting "Conservatives" on Campus [image: Privatizing Public Education, Higher Ed Policy, and Teachers] *This page reveals how ALEC bills would privatize public education, crush teacher's unions, and push American universities to the right.* Among other things, these bills make education a private commodity rather than a public good, and reverse America’s modern innovation of promoting learning and civic virtue through public schools staff... more »

Sub-par options: Charter schools as a class don't measure up - Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

coopmike48 at Big Education Ape - 9 hours ago

Sub-par options: Charter schools as a class don't measure up - Pittsburgh Post-Gazette: *Sub-par options: Charter schools as a class don't measure up* Now that the test scores for Pennsylvania charter schools have been recalculated, parents and taxpayers will be able to make more of an apples-to-apples comparison with the performance of traditional public schools. Until the U.S. Department of Education stepped in last year, charter schools in the state were evaluated under a less rigorous method, as if they were school districts and not individual schools. With that formula, 7... more »

MORNING UPDATE: LISTEN TO DIANE RAVITCH 1-27-13 Diane Ravitch's blog

coopmike48 at Big Education Ape - 9 hours ago

Diane Ravitch's blog: [image: Click on picture to Listen to Diane Ravitch] Exploring the Origins of the Common Core by dianerav Jim Martinez decided to research the sources of the Common Core State Standards. Given their importance as a redesign of the nation’s highly decentralized education system, we can expect to see many more such efforts to understand the origins of this important document. “Engaging the nonsense – a brief investigation of the Common Core” A teacher asked me where the Common Core came from, another suggested that I “teach” the Common Core in my Master’s degre... more »

Jersey Jazzman: Aftermath of the Newark Teachers Contract

coopmike48 at Big Education Ape - 9 hours ago

Jersey Jazzman: Aftermath of the Newark Teachers Contract: Aftermath of the Newark Teachers Contract by Duke *This blog proudly supports AFTNJ, the NTU, the AFT, and the Paterson Education Association.* I hate to say "I told you so," but... PATERSON, NJ – About 400 city teachers rallied at Wednesday night’s Board of Education meeting at the Kennedy High School complex, protesting because they are in their third year without a new labor contract. Chanting phrases like “Settle now!” and holding protest signs, the raucous crowd of educators complained that they have not received a pa... more »

Diminishing Returns « @ the chalk face

coopmike48 at Big Education Ape - 9 hours ago

Diminishing Returns « @ the chalk face: Diminishing Returns by Chris Cerrone Recently New York Governor Cuomo discussed how he plans to improve the schools of the Empire State by moving to longer school days and extended school years. Governor Cuomo claimed he would fully fund these objectives if local districts signed on. I would wonder where the money would come from with schools across the Empire State making significant cuts to teachers and programs. Some districts have actually stated that they may reach the point of insolvency in the next year or two. *If Governor Cuomo... more »

‘Irrational exuberance’ over MOOCs

coopmike48 at Big Education Ape - 10 hours ago

‘Irrational exuberance’ over MOOCs: ‘Irrational exuberance’ over MOOCs Posted by Valerie Strauss on January 27, 2013 at 8:00 am - [image: Smaller Text] [image: Larger Text] Text Size - Print - Reprints - Share: - - - More » [image: (by Katherine Frey - The Washington Post)] (by Katherine Frey – The Washington Post) Conversations about higher education these days always find their way to MOOCS, otherwise known as Massive Open Online Courses that some think will revolutionize higher education. Here’s an argument that they won’t by Larry Cuban, a high school so... more »

Schools Matter: Bubble Bursts for Pennsylvania Charter School Scores

coopmike48 at Big Education Ape - 10 hours ago

Schools Matter: Bubble Bursts for Pennsylvania Charter School Scores: Bubble Bursts for Pennsylvania Charter School Scores by Jim Horn Ron Tomalis is Secretary of Education for Pennsylvania. He holds a Bachelors Degree in Political Science, which makes him at least as qualified as Margaret Spellings was for her job as former Secretary of Education for the U. S under Bush II. Before Margaret Spellings, there was Rod Paige, whose leadership during fraudulent Houston Miracle era earned him a spot as W's first Secretary of Ed. Paige had a Deputy Secretary from Pennslyvania by the n... more »

Missouri Education Watchdog: NY School District Regains Local Control and "Opts Out" of the Food Line

coopmike48 at Big Education Ape - 10 hours ago

Missouri Education Watchdog: NY School District Regains Local Control and "Opts Out" of the Food Line: NY School District Regains Local Control and "Opts Out" of the Food Line by stlgretchen The real fight is between federal control and schools reclaiming local control. A school district says "no thanks" to Federal policy and gives up federal money for its school lunch program. Life goes on, the food is better and the district has control over its own lunch menu. The district is actually a better steward of resources as students probably won't be throwing as much food away that w... more »

In which I mention a couple of awards « JD2718

coopmike48 at Big Education Ape - 10 hours ago

In which I mention a couple of awards « JD2718: In which I mention a couple of awards by jd2718 Today I am receiving two awards for union service. At first I didn’t think it was such a big deal, but here we are, moment is about to arrive, and I’m pretty pleased. A ten year chapter leader pin doesn’t sound like such a big deal. I remember, twelve or thirteen years ago, filling in for my chapter leader at the Bronx HS DR meeting (Shulman back then)… every CL in the room must have had ten years… maybe a few a few less, probably a bunch a bunch more. Fast forward to today though… I ha... more »

Leading Educators Support Teacher Test Boycott - Coalition for Public Education/Coalición por la Educación Pública

coopmike48 at Big Education Ape - 10 hours ago

Coalition for Public Education/Coalición por la Educación Pública: Leading Educators Support Teacher Test Boycott January 21, 2013 by rethinkingschoolsblog *In a public statement released today, more than sixty educators and researchers [UPDATE: now 130+], including some of the most well-respected figures in the field of education, pledged support for the boycott of the Measures of Academic Progress (MAP) test initiated by the teachers at Garfield High School in Seattle, calling the action a “blow against the overuse and misuse of standardized tests.” Among the signers of the st... more »

Why won’t IEA President Cinda Klickna support rank and file efforts to defend our pension? « Fred Klonsky

coopmike48 at Big Education Ape - 23 hours ago

Why won’t IEA President Cinda Klickna support rank and file efforts to defend our pension? « Fred Klonsky: Why won’t IEA President Cinda Klickna support rank and file efforts to defend our pension? by Fred Klonsky [image: klickna] Pension blogger and activist Glen Brown created an online petition calling for a revenue solution to the pension issue. Thousands have signed, including Dan Montgomery of the Illinois Federation and other members of the We Are One Coalition. But not only has IEA President Cinda Klickna not signed it, she responded to Glen’s request to have it linked to *o... more »

The Washington Teacher: Journey For Justice

coopmike48 at Big Education Ape - 1 day ago

The Washington Teacher: Journey For Justice: Journey For Justice by noreply@blogger.com (Candi Peterson) *Journey for Justice* *"A National Grassroots Education Movement"* *Members:* * * *Atlanta, GA* ** *Project South* * * *Baltimore, MD * ** *Baltimore Algebra Project* * * *Boston, MA* ** *Boston Youth Organizing Project* *Chicago, IL* *Kenwood-Oakland Community Organization* *Cleveland, OH* *Common Good Ohio* * * *Detroit, MI* ** *Keep the Vote/NO Takeover* *Eupora, MS* *Fannie Lou Hamer Center* *Hartford, CT* *Parent Power* * * *Kansas City, MO* ** *Full Potential* * * *Los Angel... more »

Chief Sealth High School’s resolution on the MAP test. « Fred Klonsky

coopmike48 at Big Education Ape - 1 day ago

Chief Sealth High School’s resolution on the MAP test. « Fred Klonsky: Chief Sealth High School’s resolution on the MAP test. by Fred Klonsky *SEATTLE EDUCATION * The Battle 4 SEATTLE: Seattle Schools Under Siege Part 2 Seattle Education blog: Chief Sealth High School teachers just issued the following resolution: Whereas, the students, parents, teachers & staff find the MAP test to be negatively costly in the amount of educational time, money and resources required for its administration; Whereas, the Seattle Public Schools and its teachers already administer the HSPE, the End of ... more »

Press conference with Seattle schools’ boss Superintendent Banda. « Fred Klonsky

coopmike48 at Big Education Ape - 1 day ago

Press conference with Seattle schools’ boss Superintendent Banda. « Fred Klonsky: Press conference with Seattle schools’ boss Superintendent Banda. by Fred Klonsky *Seattle Schools Community Forum* * * The Battle 4 SEATTLE: Seattle Schools Under Siege Part 1 From Melissa Westbrook’s blog: * Update: I reviewed my notes and realized, based on questions about opting out, that I had missed one answer.* *I had asked the Superintendent about what would happen to the teachers who boycotted MAP and what would they do with students who opt out (given, for example, that word is that at lea... more »