A BIG EDUCATION APE NITE CAP
Failed DC Chancellor Michelle Rhees memoir: What you can learn from reading it: Failed DC Chancellor Michelle Rhee’s memoir: What you can learn from reading it Posted by Valerie Strauss on February 4, 2013 at 5:42 pm - [image: Smaller Text] [image: Larger Text] Text Size - Print - Reprints - - - - Michelle Rhee’s memoir, “Radical,” is coming out Tuesday and you may be wondering what, if anything, you could learn from reading the book. Plenty of things — like, for example, how the first time she fired someone was as a college sophomore while she managed a... more »
Jon Stewart’s betrayal: #michellerhee – @ the chalk face: Jon Stewart’s betrayal: #michellerhee by Timothy D. Slekar [image: @TCF on Blog Talk Radio] *Tonight: Jon welcomes author Michelle Rhee. Her new book on education reform is called “Radical.” 11/10c.* I know. I know. Someone has to say it! WTF Jon? Really? You spoke at the SOS rally two years ago in favor of public school teachers. Your mom was a teacher. You have been the lone “media” voice pointing out the ridiculous claims made by the idiots (education reformers) that disparage teachers. And now your going to allow “... more »
Seattle Schools Community Forum: Ingraham PTSA Speaks on MAP: Ingraham PTSA Speaks on MAP by Michael Rice January 29, 2013 Dear Superintendent Banda, The board of the Ingraham High School PTSA respectfully requests that the district suspend all MAP testing at the high school level, effective immediately. Our PTSA represents the diverse community of parents, teachers, and students at Ingraham. We want our teachers to have the support they need to teach our students and effective tools to measure academic progress. An overwhelming majority of the teachers at our school have expr... more »
Questions and issues for discussion at the school closure meetings: | The Sacramento Coalition to Save Public Education: Questions and issues for discussion at the school closure meetings: by Kate_Lenox *Why is the district closing schools in the light of the passage of prop 30 and the Governor's new policy initiative to change the way schools are funded? *Sac City is 73% free and reduced lunch students. It could receive an infusion of funds. The district has sighted the Sacramento County Office of Education's requirement that that district have a balanced budget 3 years out or ... more »
Superintendent Apologizes for 'Several Factual Errors' in CFO Interview - Voice of San Diego: Education: Superintendent Apologizes for 'Several Factual Errors' in CFO Interview - Story - Comments (11) - Image *(1)* ShareShare PrintCreate a hardcopy of this pageFont Size:Default font sizeLarger font size - Photo by Sam Hodgson Bill Kowba RELATED DOCUMENTS *Kowba Statement re: Stan Dobbs Interview* Posted: Monday, February 4, 2013 12:36 pm | *Updated: 12:39 pm, Mon Feb 4, 2013.* - By *WILL CARLESS* San Diego Unified School District Superintendent B... more »
*Big Education Ape - Mid Day Banana Break* The cradle-to-prison pipeline by Bill McKenzie / Editorial Columnist *Stand for Children-Dallas is part of the Stand for Children-Texas network. The goal of the organizations is to increase access to quality public schools for Texas children living in poverty.* Stand for Children-Dallas recently looked at zip codes with a high number of residents in Texas prisons. It turned out that 10 Dallas zip codes had the largest number within our city. Then the organization looked at data for the high schools in those zip codes. It wanted to see h... more »
It Takes a Whole School: School Librarians' Roles in The Whole Child — Whole Child Education: THE WHOLE CHILD BLOG [image: ASCD Whole Child Bloggers]It Takes a Whole School: School Librarians’ Roles in The Whole Child February 4, 2013 by ASCD Whole Child Bloggers *Post submitted on behalf of whole child partner American Association of School Librarians by Marcia A. Mardis, assistant professor with the School of Library and Information Science and associate director of thePartnerships Advancing Library Media (PALM) Center iSchool at Florida State University* "It takes a whole village... more »
Mother Crusader: An Unbelievable Teacher/Student Story: An Unbelievable Teacher/Student Story by darciecima I "like" Humans of New York on Facebook. It is the photography of a guy named Brandon who walks around the streets of the city taking portraits of interesting characters he meets along the way. This morning, the photo and the story behind it took my breath away. photo credit Humans of New York Here's the story. Grab a Kleenex. "I never had any family growing up. But I still went to school everyday. One day, when I was in eleventh grade, my English teacher came up to me an... more »
School Tech Connect: Labor Beat Coverage at Truman: Labor Beat Coverage at Truman by noreply@blogger.com (Tim Furman) Many familiar faces in this Labor Beat coverage of the recent school-closing "hearing" at Truman College. Popout I don't have a good feel for how the subsequent "hearings" are going. I've seen some Twitter comments, but haven't had time to get to another one or read the coverage. My sense is that CPS changed the format to give
Grading Jerry Brown’s Education Agenda: Grading Jerry Brown’s Education Agenda by JIM MILLER on FEBRUARY 4, 2013 · 0 COMMENTS in CALIFORNIA, ECONOMY, EDUCATION, UNDER THE PERFECT SUN [image: jerry_brown1f]It’s the beginning of the new semester at San Diego City College where I work, so I thought this would be a good time to evaluate some of Jerry Brown’s bold moves on the educational front. In terms of funding, the passage of Proposition 30 has stopped much of the bleeding in schools and colleges across the state, but it still does not do enough to restore all that has been cut in r... more »
ACTE :: Career and Technical Education Month: Career and Technical Education Month - Home - About ACTE - Membership - CTE Information - Policy & Advocacy - Events - CareerTech VISION 2012 - Career and Technical Education Month - ACTE National Policy Seminar - 2012 National Leadership Forum - ACTE Events Calendar - ACTE Future Meetings - Publications & E-Media - Vendor Resource Center - Educator Resource Center - Press Center - Awards Program - Webinars - Shop ACTE - Job Bank - [image: Click here to view o... more »
- Education Experts: Tension on School Closings By *Fawn Johnson* February 4, 2013 | 8:30 a.m. Give credit to Education Secretary Arne Duncan for showing up at a hearing last week where hundreds of irate students and parents complained that the department's position on closing schools has resulted in harm for low-income students of color. Allegations of civil rights violations and the legal-speak "disparate impact" are too tame to reflect the raucous, angry tone of the meeting. "I came here to demand. I ain't asking for, not a damn thing. I am telling you that I am demanding an e... more »
It's Time to Take On Concentrated Poverty and Education | News & Notes, What Matters Today | BillMoyers.com: It’s Time to Take On Concentrated Poverty and Education February 4, 2013 by Greg Kaufmann and Elaine Weiss *We’re proud to collaborate with* The Nation *in sharing insightful journalism related to income inequality in America. The following is an excerpt from *Nation* contributor Greg Kaufmann’s “This Week in Poverty” column.* ------------------------------ [image: Students] Students listen to a news conference with Philadelphia Mayor Michael Nutter in April 2012. (AP Photo/M... more »
Web 2.0 Taxonomy - The Educator's PLN: Web 2.0 Taxonomy - Posted by Synessa Debro on February 4, 2013 at 12:31pm - View Blog Educators are undoubtedly familiar with Bloom's Taxonomy and how it has impacted which activities teachers design for learning activities.Teachers are also keenly aware of how technology can impact and motivate student engagement. This graphic organizer brings the two together and gives teachers an "Easy button" when deciding which Web 2.0 tools to explore at each level of the taxonomy. As you design your lessons, consider this visual aid to help... more »
Missouri Education Watchdog: English Teacher Quits Because of Common Core: English Teacher Quits Because of Common Core by stlgretchen Reprinted from Conservative Teachers of America:* Common Core Standards and the Destruction of Minds and Freedom.* A former English teacher speaks out about Common Core standards.* * * * ***************************************************************** *Submission by R. D. Hughes* When the new Common Core Standards—a “nation-wide” set of standards—was introduced into Georgia Public Schools last year, I was a high school English teacher at a metro... more »
Opposition to Common Core Grows Across the Political Spectrum - Living in Dialogue - Education Week Teacher: Opposition to Common Core Grows Across the Political Spectrum by Anthony Cody The drive towards Common Core State Standards and standardized assessments to enforce them has been described as an unstoppable train, and teachers are warned that we had better get on board with the process, or risk being run over. But opposition to this juggernaut is emerging from some surprising places, which creates the possibility of some unusual alliances. Education Week reports today that... more »
Schooling in the Ownership Society: Where are the federal prosecutors? Are Rahm, Rangel too big to take down?: Where are the federal prosecutors? Are Rahm, Rangel too big to take down? by Mike Klonsky UNO Soccer Academy Elementary Charter School The Sun-Times is doing all the heavy lifting on this one. Another expose of the sickening blend of school and City Hall corruption that is driving Chicago's so-called "school reform." Closing possibly hundreds of the city's neighborhood schools and handing them over private charter school prifiteers like UNO's Juan Rangel has become the cen... more »
Schools Matter: Cut welfare if students get bad grades? We disagree.: Cut welfare if students get bad grades? We disagree. by skrashen State Sen. in Tennessee proposes cutting welfare payments to families with students with bad report card. We respond. Campfield proposal would hurt youths Published in Knoxville News Sentinel, Knoxville, TN, Feb 3,2013. http://www.knoxnews.com/news/2013/feb/03/letters-feb-3-2013/ State Sen. Stacey Campfield's proposal to cut welfare payments for students with bad report cards is backwards. Poverty is the major cause of poor school performance. Pover... more »
The “Me” Curriculum at the DOE: Why we need to stop telling students “Narrative writing is all about me.” | Get Schooled: The “Me” Curriculum at the DOE: Why we need to stop telling students “Narrative writing is all about me.” by Maureen Downey Dr. Mark Bauerlein [image: Dr. Mark Bauerlein]Here is a terrific guest column by *Emory University’s Mark Bauerlein*, author of the 2008 book “The Dumbest Generation: How the Digital Age Stupefies Young Americans and Jeopardizes Our Future.” This is a good piece for teachers to discuss. By Mark Bauerlein You couldn’t get much farther from t... more »
FCMAT » Fiscal Crisis & Management Assistance Team: الشركات استيلاء التعليم العام *Just Like Michelle Rhee's* * Students first **Astroturf lobbying** **(only Better) * L.A. parent group applies lessons from Compton, Adelanto efforts to take over school Education Headlines *Monday, February 4, 2013* Fontana Unified School District board to mull rifles, counselingThe school counselor issue and the school police department's recent purchase of 14 military-style rifles were moved to the special meeting to allow more time for deliberations and comments, Superintendent Cali Olsen-Binks...more »
Expelled Student Activist Wins $50K Court Judgment Against University President «: Expelled Student Activist Wins $50K Court Judgment Against University President by Angus Johnston An environmental activist expelled from Georgia’s Validosta State University (VSU) has won a $50,000 award in a lawsuit against the university president who kicked him out of school in 2007. In a dramatic rebuke to President Ronald Zaccari, the federal jury that heard the case found Zaccari personally liable for violating Hayden Barnes’ due process rights. The case emerged from a dispute over a planne... more »
Big Surprise: Yet Another Ed Reform Turns Out to be Bogus | Mother Jones: Big Surprise: Yet Another Ed Reform Turns Out to be Bogus —By Kevin Drum | Mon Jan. 28, 2013 8:55 AM PST 59 - - *WOW! Who Knew?* Do high schools with higher standards get better performance from their students? If you require everyone to take college prep classes, will more kids go to college? The San Jose school district has long been a poster child for this notion, but guess what? It turns out it was all a crock: San Jose Unified has quietly acknowledged that the district overstated its accompl... more »
More School Districts Suing States For Education Funding | NEA Today: Feb. 6 – National Day of Action to Support Seattle MAP Test Boycott by twalker On Wednesday, February 6, educators, students, parents and supporters of public education nationwide will take action in support of Garfield High School teachers and all teachers in Seattle Public Schools refusing to administer the MAP test. Supporters can participate in actions to show support for this effort. Visit Scrap The MAP! for more information. More School Districts Suing States For Education Funding by twalker *By Tim Walke... more »
Student Voice: Christian Isaac- Good Riddance: 3 Small Steps for Mankind by admin “The only thing that interferes with my learning is my education” ~ Albert Einstein ** Education is a simple virtue. Teachers teach, and we students learn. That is the envisioned goal of education, specifically public education; to give knowledge to individuals; and by this, give them power. Education’s mission in its existence is to enrich our minds, give us the steps necessary for both extrinsic and intrinsic advancement, and to give us the tools we need to complete the tasks of life that we want... more »
Mike Klonsky's SmallTalk Blog: Running covert ops at City Hall and CPS: Running covert ops at City Hall and CPS by Mike Klonsky Col. TyrellA desperate and seemingly dispirited *Barbara Byrd-Bennett*, faced with a bubbling community revolt, is now relying on a highly-paid retired Marine colonel with a staff of 40 to organize her *covert-ops* Chicago's mass school-closing fiasco. His name is *Tom Tyrell *and his preparation for this coming assault on the city's black and Latino communities is his "prisoner-exchange" work in Kosovo. Metaphors abound. No they didn't, you say? Yes they ... more »
Can We Trust Teachers To Successfully Manage Whole Schools? (Kim Farris-Berg) Part 1 | Larry Cuban on School Reform and Classroom Practice: Can We Trust Teachers To Successfully Manage Whole Schools? (Kim Farris-Berg) Part 1 by larrycuban *Can we trust teachers with authority to manage whole schools? Would teachers even want the opportunity to manage schools? And, when they are in the position to manage schools, will it make any difference in student achievement? Kim Farris-Berg explores these questions in this three-part guest blog .* * Farris-Berg is a Senior Associate with Edu... more »
The Quick and the Ed » The Student Loan Problem is Worse than I Thought: The Student Loan Problem is Worse than I Thought by Andrew Gillen Over at Zero Hedge, Tyler Durden highlights the findings of a new FICO report on student loans (available at the very bottom of his post). With all the news stories about the crushing weight of student loans, it would be hard to underestimate the magnitude of the problem. And yet that is precisely what I’ve done. I don’t put a lot of weight on anecdotes and extreme outliers, so while I thought the student debt problem was bad and getting wors... more »
Shanker Blog » Why Nobody Wins In The Education "Research Wars": Why Nobody Wins In The Education “Research Wars” by Matthew Di Carlo In a recent post, Kevin Drum of *Mother Jones* discusses his growing skepticism about the research behind market-based education reform, and about the claims that supporters of these policies make. He cites a recent *Los Angeles Times* article, which discusses how, in 2000, the San Jose Unified School District in California instituted a so-called “high expectations” policy requiring all students to pass the courses necessary to attend state univers... more »
New on-line only charter school, Connections Academy, gobbles up New Mexico: New online-only charter school, Connections Academy, gobbles up New Mexico state by Danny Weil This fall public school students across New Mexico could start getting their education completely online by the largest member of the text book cartel, Pearson, out of England. Pearson also recently bought the GED tests many students take in order to graduate from high school and are buttoning up their takeover of public education at alarming speed. Education Secretary Designate Hanna Skandera recently approve... more »
Alabama Pulls Out of PARCC and SBAC | Truth in American Education: Alabama Pulls Out of PARCC and SBAC by Shane Vander Hart Edweek reported late Friday that Alabama has pulled out of both testing consortia that it was involved in. In an email to EdWeek, the state’s assessment director, Gloria Turner, confirmed that Alabama has bowed out of both the Partnership for Assessment of Readiness for College and Careers, orPARCC, and the Smarter Balanced Assessment Consortium. She said the department of education “has decided to go in another direction,” but didn’t offer any more detail. ... more »
Modern School: Sacramento to Shutter 11 Low Income Elementary Schools: Sacramento to Shutter 11 Low Income Elementary Schools by Michael Dunn Huck/Konopacki Labor Cartoons Sacramento City Unified School District plans to close 11 elementary schools, primarily in low income neighborhoods around South Sacramento and the downtown area, the WSWS reports. With only 50 public elementary schools in the city, this amounts to closing one-fifth of the city’s elementary schools. The district’s rationale for closing the schools is that they are “underutilized,” operating at 40% of capacity. H... more »
Mike Klonsky's SmallTalk Blog: WEEKEND QUOTABLES: WEEKEND QUOTABLES by Mike Klonsky Daisy Rittgers, 105 year-old retired teacher depends on her 3% pension COLA to survive. (E. Jason Wambsgans) Daisy Rittgers *"Why should anybody take it away from me? Right's right, and wrong's wrong." *-- Chicago Tribune, "Pension reform could hit oldest retired teachers the hardest" Sun-Times Editorial *Crime grows like a weed from the ground up; cops and prosecutors can only lop off the ugly blooms. If we as a city are truly fed up with the killing, no longer able to look away, we must pour ou... more »
Tell Speaker Madigan on Friday: You must talk to the unions to find real pension solutions. « Fred Klonsky: Tell Speaker Madigan on Friday: You must talk to the unions to find real pension solutions. by Fred Klonsky [image: bilde] There is no question that Michael Madigan is a rich and powerful man. He is Chairman of the Illinois Democratic Party. He is Speaker of that motley bunch we call members of the Illinois House. But does he have the power to ignore the leaders of the state’s public employee unions when talking about our West Chicago District 33 teachers on strike. by Fred Kl... more »
Ed Notes Online: Arne Duncan Gets Push-Back on Closing Schools: Arne Duncan Gets Push-Back on Closing Schools by ed notes online JAISAL NOOR: PUBLIC SCHOOL PARENTS AND STUDENTS FROM 18 CITIES ACROSS THE COUNTRY GATHERED IN WASHINGTON, DC THIS WEEK TO DEMAND A NATIONWIDE MORATORIUM ON SCHOOL CLOSINGS. FEDERAL PROGRAMS LIKE RACE TO THE TOP OFFERED FINANCIAL INCENTIVES TO CITIES AND STATES FOR RADICALLY CHANGING THEIR SCHOOLS, INCLUDING FIRING STAFF AND SHUTTING SCHOOLS DOWN. WHILE THE OBAMA ADMINISTRATION TOUTED THE COMPETITIVE MULTI-BILLION DOLLAR PROGRAM AS A WAY TO IMPROVE EDUCA... more »
“What Is the Matter, My Lord?” – @ the chalk face: “What Is the Matter, My Lord?” by plthomasedd The virtual connectedness of the Internet era—through the magic of blogs, online publications, Twitter, and other social media—I often find myself in discussions by email, Twitter, or online discussions with advocates for and leaders in the corporate education reform movement, what I have labeled “No Excuses” Reform. A disturbing aspect of that reform movement is that an inverse correlation exists between expertise/experience and power/influence in education: Those with the most power... more »
3 Websites for High School Teachers to Try in 2013 - High School Notes (usnews.com): 3 Websites for High School Teachers to Try in 2013 By KELSEY SHEEHY February 4, 2013 RSS Feed Print [image: Teachers can tap into free Web resources to incorporate tech into their lessons.] Teachers can tap into free Web resources to incorporate tech into their lessons. Technology continues to make inroads into high school classrooms via bring-your-own device initiatives, 1:1 proposals that put a tablet or laptop in front of every student, and blended learning models that mix online courses with in... more »
Failed DC Chancellor Michelle Rhee: ‘Probably’ Shouldn’t Have Fired School Principal on National TV - ABC News: * Failed DC Chancellor Michelle Rhee**: ‘Probably’ Shouldn’t Have Fired School Principal on National TV* During her three years as Washington D.C. public schools chancellor, Michelle Rhee raised eyebrows with her tough-love approach to fixing a failing school system. And when I sat down with Rhee on “This Week,” the controversial education reformer made no apologies for her rough-and-tumble philosophy. “My style is very deliberative and very focused on doing what’s righ... more »
Joy Resmovits: Failed DC Chancellor Michelle Rhee's Regrets, School Voucher Fight: Ed Today: Failed DC Chancellor Michelle Rhee's Regrets, School Voucher Fight: Ed Today Posted: 02/04/2013 8:06 am *Rhee-grets, She Has A Few?* Former Washington, D.C. schools chancellor Michelle Rhee is out with a new memoir this week (called "Radical"), and she's making the talk show rounds to promote it. Yesterday, she told George Stephanopolous on "This Week" that maybe she shouldn't have fired that principal on TV. "My style is very deliberative and very focused on doing what's right for kids... more »
Diane Ravitch's blog: [image: Click on picture to Listen to Diane Ravitch] Is This What Bill Gates Means by Good Education? by dianerav Last week, Bill Gates wrote an opinion piece for the Wall Street Journal in which he explained how to solve the world’s biggest problems. The article was titled, modestly, “My Plan to Fix the World’s Biggest Problems.” The answer is simple: Measurement. To prove his point in education, he pointed to the Eagle Valley High School, near Vail, Colorado. He said that the school adopted his recommendations about measuring teacher quality, and test score... more »
Resolution on Montgomery/Weprin Bill to Modify the PEP « JD2718: Resolution on Montgomery/Weprin Bill to Modify the PEP by jd2718 *I motivated the following resolution at the January 22 UFT Exec Board. Three Unity members rose to speak against it (cutting short the work of the UFT committee on School Governance was the strongest of three weak reasons. Claiming that we only get one chance to get it right was another – this is our third chance, guys.). Strike while the iron is hot, I say. Every day that the mayor’s dictatorial powers go unchallenged is an affront to students, teach... more »
Something is wrong in Maryland: Something is wrong in Maryland Posted by Valerie Strauss on February 4, 2013 at 4:00 am - [image: Smaller Text] [image: Larger Text] Text Size - Print - Reprints - Share: - - - More » [image: maryland map]For years, Maryland has been known for its excellent public schools. That doesn’t mean they are all of equal quality, but the state has been ranked No. 1 for five straight years byEducation Week, which, if you put any stock in rankings, is the best on this subject because of the multiple indicators it considers. And for year... more »
Missouri Education Watchdog: Fifth Grade Traditional Math Problem vs Common Core Math Problem.: Fifth Grade Traditional Math Problem vs Common Core Math Problem. by stlgretchen 2 + 2 = 4 is not a good enough answer in Common Core. Students will not get full credit unless they *analyze, evaluate and create.* Diane Ravitch featured an article comparing a traditional math problem to a common core math problem. She writes: The New York State United Teachers urged the state education department to slow down the rush
E-mails Link Bush Foundation, Corporations and Education Officials: E-mails Link Bush Foundation, Corporations and Education Officials by Server E-mails Link Bush Foundation, Corporations and Education OfficialsOriginally Published on January 30, 2013. By Valerie Strauss. *The Answer Sheet. Washington Post.* A nonprofit group released thousands of e-mails today and said they show how a foundation begun by Jeb Bush, the former Florida governor and national education reform leader, is working with public officials in states to write education laws that could benefit some of its corpo... more »
Bill would allow charging commercial properties a bigger parcel tax | EdSource Today: Bill would allow charging commercial properties a bigger parcel tax ** February 3rd, 2013 | Add a Comment | By John Fensterwald Share on twitterShare on facebookShare on emailShare on print More Sharing Services A newly elected assemblymember has introduced a bill that could make parcel taxes more attractive to school districts by allowing them to impose different tax rates on residential and commercial properties. The bill, AB 59, by Assemblymember Rob Bonta, D-Oakland, would nullify a state Appe... more »
The Eagle Has Landed | Gary Rubinstein's Blog: The Eagle Has Landed by Gary Rubinstein On October 15th, 2012 Bill and Melinda Gates visited Eagle Valley High School in the Eagle County school district in Colorado. Eagle County, in which ski mecca Vail is located, is a demographically unusual place with almost exactly 50% white students and 50% Hispanic students. Many of the Hispanic students have parents who work in the various ski lodges and resorts. As the Gates’s only visit one school a year, this one was surely carefully chosen. Three months later the school is mentioned by... more »
SI&A Cabinet Report – News & Resources: *Slower population growth means teacher shortage likely averted* *By Tom Chorneau* Monday, February 04, 2013 New population estimates released last week by the governor’s Department of Finance may give relief to planners worried about a potential teacher shortage, as a modest increase in school age children by 2020 was set to collide with mass retirements of educators in the coming decade. Although challenges remain for ensuring California classrooms will have highly qualified teachers in the future, the revised population estimates show Ca... more »
Ed Notes Online: MORE Educator Book Club! Starts With Ravitch Book Feb 12th, Join us!: MORE Educator Book Club! Starts With Ravitch Book Feb 12th, Join us! by ed notes online MOREs are certainly busy bees and not just interested in union politics. Diane Ravitch's book is first up in the MORE book club and rumors are she will be (unconfirmed) at Julie's place for the discussion. Her place is not that big so RSVP if interested. I have a course that night so can't make it and besides don't want to take up someone else's spot. MORE is proud to sponsor this opportunity to read and lear... more »
Schools as Community Centers – @ the chalk face: Schools as Community Centers by Kris Nielsen My friend, Dr. Mark Naison, wrote a beautiful piece a while ago about his vision for education, which he graciously allowed me to reprint. I loved his idea of schools as community centers. I wanted to talk to about that for a minute: I’ve worked in schools that began using their personnel and resources to offer community programs and assistance–in effect, becoming the community center of the neighborhoods in which they serve. One fantastic example is Leslie Middle School in Salem, Or... more »
Statement by U.S. Secretary of Education Arne Duncan on Death of Dr. Arlene Ackerman | U.S. Department of Education: Statement by U.S. Secretary of Education Arne Duncan on Death of Dr. Arlene Ackerman FEBRUARY 3, 2013 *America's educators have lost a leader, and I have lost a friend and mentor. Whether in Philadelphia, San Francisco, or Washington, Arlene Ackerman cared deeply about America's urban schools and students. As a young superintendent in Chicago, I looked up to Arlene and learned a lot from her tenacity, courage and commitment to children.*
School turnarounds prompt community backlash - SFGate: School turnarounds prompt community backlashBy CHRISTINA HOAG, Associated PressUpdated 1:04 pm, Sunday, February 3, 2013 [image: In this photo taken Tuesday, Jan. 15, 2013, parents, teachers and students of Crenshaw High School protest outside the Los Angeles Unified School District headquarters to try to stop the conversion of the school to a magnet program in Los Angeles Tuesday, Jan. 15, 2013. A backlash against drastic school reforms is growing across the nation. Photo: Damian Dovarganes] In this photo taken Tuesday, Jan. 1... more »
Student Unions of Portland Opt Out Campaign Press Conference: February 6th | United Opt Out National: Student Unions of Portland Opt Out Campaign Press Conference: February 6th by admin *Student Unions of Portland state:* Come support the Student Unions of Portland at our press conference about the opt-out campaign! All over Portland Public Schools students will be opting out of taking their standardized OAKS tests. The Student Unions of Portland are encouraging students to opt-out to send a greater message about how standardized tests are an inaccurate representation of student k... more »
*Published on Dec 6, 2012* Thurgood Marshall Elementary School students in Washington, D.C. speak up against proposed school closing. Way to stand up for yourselves, Journey (3rd grade) and Marquis (2nd grade)!!
HBO Gets honest for 3 minutes....mostly. | MyFDL: [image: User Picture]HBO Gets honest for 3 minutes….mostly.By: cmaukonen Saturday February 2, 2013 7:44 pm [image: Tweet]Tweet [image: digg] [image: stumbleupon] This 3 minute clip has been getting some play on the Internet. I don’t know how many people have shared it on YouTube and FB but it has been quite a few. The opening of the new series NEWSROOM, though not having cable I will not be able to see just how honest it will remain. Most series have at least 3 minutes worth watching. Now I do have to disagree to a small extent ... more »
NYC Public School Parents: Two new proposals to revamp mayoral control; about time!: Two new proposals to revamp mayoral control; about time! by Leonie Haimson State Sen. Velmanette Montgomery on steps of City Hall todayState Senator Velmanette Montgomery of Brooklyn and Assemblymember David Weprin of Queens announced they were introducing a new bill that would end mayoral control, by taking away his supermajority on the Board of Education, now called Panel for Educational Policy. The Board would continue to have 13 members: five appointed by the borough presidents, all public s... more »
The Weekly Update: Cyber buck$, high stake$ testing and charter school$. It’s all about the children, right? « Seattle Education: The Weekly Update: Cyber buck$, high stake$ testing and charter school$. It’s all about the children, right? by seattleducation2011 *The Weekly Update for the News and Views You Might Have Missed* [image: cartoon] Some of our state representatives are not asleep at the wheel. On Friday I posted information regarding two bills that are up for public hearings this coming week. That same day three of our representatives questioned the motives of the legislat... more »
Peg with Pen: Listen up Mainstream Media. Teachers Know How to Assess.: Listen up Mainstream Media. Teachers Know How to Assess. by Peggy [image: Corporate Media = Corporate Lies] We do not need better tests. We do not need teachers to grade Pearson's tests. We do not need any of these tests. And we do not need an alternative - the alternative is what we once did and can still do - real learning assessed through portfolio, project, performance and more. Teacher friends, we must make sure this message is clear - teachers know how to assess - mainstream media via the corporations ... more »
Kimble's Corner: How Groundhog Day Saved Christianity: How Groundhog Day Saved Christianity by Representative Kimble Like many people this season I enjoyed the heartwarming story of how Christianity’s message was spread using the Christmas Carrol *The Twelve Days of Christmas*. There are a lot of seemingly secular holidays and traditions in our society that have a Christian tradition behind them. In the middle ages Christians throughout Europe were persecuted and in many countries the teaching of Christian doctrine was forbidden. The Christians of the time being men and women ... more »
No Struggle, No Progress — Leading Educators Support Teacher Test Boycott: Leading Educators Support Teacher Test Boycott *JANUARY 21, 2013* *LEADING EDUCATORS SUPPORT TEACHER TEST BOYCOTT* In a public statement released today, more than sixty educators and researchers [UPDATE: now more than 250], 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 standard... more »
