Wednesday, June 19, 2013

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Educators, artists, lawmakers urge more emphasis on the arts - Education - The Sacramento Bee

Educators, artists, lawmakers urge more emphasis on the arts - Education - The Sacramento Bee:

Educators, artists, lawmakers urge more emphasis on the arts

By Renee Schoof
McClatchy Washington Bureau

Published: Wednesday, Jun. 19, 2013 - 7:53 pm

Dennis Van Tine / Abaca Press/MCT

Documentary filmmaker Ken Burns supports the humanities

Read more here: http://www.sacbee.com/2013/06/19/5509624/educators-artists-lawmakers-urge.html#mi_rss=Education#storylink=cpy

WASHINGTON -- America needs to invest more in the humanities and social sciences in order to preserve its cultural identity and economic competitiveness, according to a new report on the role those subjects play in shaping the national character

The report issued Wednesday by American Academy of Social Sciences, entitled “The Heart of the Matter,” argues that the humanities and social sciences are essential, but under-funded and under-appreciated. They include subjects like literature, history, film and languages and the arts, as well

Read more here: http://www.sacbee.com/2013/06/19/5509624/educators-artists-lawmakers-urge.html#mi_rss=Education#storylink=cpy

Jersey Jazzman: An Exchange With Jonah Rockoff

Jersey Jazzman: An Exchange With Jonah Rockoff:

An Exchange With Jonah Rockoff

by Duke

This is a long post, but I think it's valuable. Let me set it up a bit:

Earlier this month, I was given a remarkable piece of audio: testimony by Jonah Rockoff, professor of finance and economics at Columbia University, before the New Jersey State Board of Education. Rockoff's subject was the use of test score data in teacher evaluation, which is obviously a subject near and dear to my heart. I've reposted the audio below if you care to listen.

After I posted the audio, I wrote a series of posts on Dr. Rockoff's presentation: here, here and here. Bruce Bakerat Rutgers also weighed in: I'd suggest Bruce's post stands as a comprehensive counterargument to the wholesale embrace of test-based teacher evaluation.

My posts, on the other hand, are a bit more parochial. Here in New Jersey, as in so many other states, our

"WTU Alerts Teachers About a "Fake Debate Scheduled for McKinley Tech High School." The Washington Teacher

The Washington Teacher:

"WTU Alerts Teachers About a "Fake Debate Scheduled for McKinley Tech High School."

WTU Dust-up

Today right before the close of the school day, the WTU President Nathan Saunders had a major meltdown and sent out an email blast to WTU members titled "WTU Alerts Teachers About a "Fake Debate Scheduled for McKinley Tech High School." What caught my attention was that Saunders actually sent the first email from his own WTU email account. Followed by a second email blast minutes later from the WTU Communication Director. Saunders email to union members stated "This is yet another attempt by individuals to misinform and mislead our members..... The individuals who are promoting this debate have put WTU members in great jeopardy for not following WTU membership and DCPS guidelines." It was suggested by Saunders that someone used the WTU logo to mislead members into thinking that the event was union sponsored. Saunders made a not so suttle threat to his members in closing when he indicated that WTU could not represent members who trespass on DCPS property for any event unauthorized by WTU. Saunders ended with "We hope to discover who initiated this false information, so that appropriate action can be taken." You can't make this stuff up really. So I decided to contact Liz Davis, my running mate for WTU President in the upcoming WTU election. Davis stated, "No one ever represented the debate as being formerly sponsored by the WTU leadership, the election committee, or inappropriately used the WTU logo. The organizers had reached out to both candidates and thought the debate was on. It is also not true that private insurance must be posted to hold any and all meetings in school facilities. These are scare tactics are simply being used to inhibit the democratic process." I'm saddened that WTU members have to

An 18-Year-Old’s Partially Successful Campaign for School Board Student Voice

Student Voice:

An 18-Year-Old’s Partially Successful Campaign for School Board

by Miranda Hubbard

In April 2013, I launched a campaign for a position on the Norwich City School District Board of Education. I just happened to be the youngest candidate for office in the history of my district, city, and county. Unfortunately I did not win; I did, however, receive over a third of the vote in a seven person race for three seats, which I believe is an achievement on its own.
Most 18-year-old candidates for school board run on a typical platform (bring a student’s perspective to education and other general reforms). My campaign, however, was different and unique—even for an 18-year-old. I discussed 3 critical issues in my campaign: long-term fiscal security, academic achievements, and technology. I ran as someone concerned for the distant future of my school district, something no other candidate wanted to talk about. I asked the troubling questions, such as: “How are we going to pay for staff pensions in 15 years?” or “What are we doing for the economically disadvantaged students in our schools?” and “Are our classrooms technologically efficient for the 21st century?” These are issues students need to be concerned about because

Big Education Ape Nite Cap 6-19-13 #thankateacher #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

Sacramento News & Review - Hmong Innovating Politics shakes up Sacramento political establishment - News - Local Stories - June 20, 2013

mike simpson at Big Education Ape - 12 minutes ago

Sacramento News & Review - Hmong Innovating Politics shakes up Sacramento political establishment - News - Local Stories - June 20, 2013: Hmong Innovating Politics shakes up Sacramento political establishment HIP announced federal injunction filings against the Sacramento City Unified School District last week By Raheem F. Hosseini raheemh@newsreview.com This article was published on 06.20.13. Learn more about Hmong Innovating Politics athttp://hipsacramento.tumblr.com . *Related stories:* Culture shock Sacramento’s gang-prevention efforts may not work on Asian kids. SN&R, 12.15.11...more »

Seattle Schools Community Forum: Harsh Words at Seattle Weekly about the Board

mike simpson at Big Education Ape - 12 minutes ago

Seattle Schools Community Forum: Harsh Words at Seattle Weekly about the Board: Harsh Words at Seattle Weekly about the Board by Melissa Westbrook What does Adele say in her soundtrack song, Skyfall? "This is the end. Hold your breath and count to ten." I guess so for Director Michael DeBell who lets loose in a damning article against the entire School Board (and I think he forgets - he's a member of that august body). Any thought about a Board working together over the next six months seems out the door. Good work, Director DeBell and I point out here, he has just violated ... more »

solidaridad: Speaking even more truth to Parent Revolution plutocrat power

mike simpson at Big Education Ape - 12 minutes ago

solidaridad: Speaking even more truth to Parent Revolution plutocrat power: Speaking even more truth to Parent Revolution plutocrat power by Robert D. Skeels * rdsathene First published on @TCFKSM on June 19, 2013 ------------------------------ * * * * * * *"The resolution by board member Steve Zimmer requires the district to independently verify the signatures and how they're gathered by Parent Revolution, the group that helps to organize parents in efforts to take over schools. The district will also increase the amount and types of information available, such as an analysis of fiv... more »

Is Michelle Rhee a Fraud? | Taking Note

mike simpson at Big Education Ape - 19 minutes ago

Is Michelle Rhee a Fraud? | Taking Note: Is Michelle Rhee a Fraud? by John Merrow “Thank you for showing the world that Michelle Rhee is a fraud.” The woman who said that to me at a banquet at the Harvard Club last week is known to serious education wonks. “I have been sending your exposé to governors and legislators all over the country,” she added. “In fact, Governor (name withheld by me) told me he was grateful for your one-man crusade against Rhee because she is hurting the teaching profession.” This was a crowded and noisy social event, and so I could correct only one part o... more »

The American School for Indentured Servants | Reclaim Reform

mike simpson at Big Education Ape - 39 minutes ago

The American School for Indentured Servants | Reclaim Reform: The American School for Indentured Servants by kenpreviti [image: indenture]Corporate pillage and plunder of school children is not limited to testing, charters, etc. in Kindergarten through 12th grade. Remember indentured servants? College age students are being legally indentured. Here are start-up companies that specialize in this. HERE. For those of you Vulture Capitalists and Sadists who enjoy inflicting pain while making an obscene profit, you may invest in Upstart, Pave, CareerConcept or a bunch of other creative e... more »

Opinion poll: teacher leader certification | InterACT

mike simpson at Big Education Ape - 51 minutes ago

Opinion poll: teacher leader certification | InterACT: Opinion poll: teacher leader certification by David B. Cohen [image: IMG_1343]In my last blog post, I wrote about the Teacher Leader Certification Academy in Riverside County, California. Their approach to teacher leadership has much in common with the 2012 ACTreport on teacher compensation and career pathways. Our report suggested a statewide approach to teacher leader development and certification, similar to the one currently used in New Mexico. Here’s your chance to register an opinion on this topic. (Prior reading about or ... more »

Video: History of the Common Core | Truth in American Education

mike simpson at Big Education Ape - 2 hours ago

Video: History of the Common Core | Truth in American Education: Video: History of the Common Core by Shane Vander Hart Here is a great short video on the origins of the Common Core released by FreedomWorks. Popout The post Video: History of the Common Core appeared first on Truth in American Education.

850 Laid Off from Chicago School System, 3,783 in Philly: But $500 Million for Prisons | Politic365

mike simpson at Big Education Ape - 3 hours ago

850 Laid Off from Chicago School System, 3,783 in Philly: But $500 Million for Prisons | Politic365: *850 Laid Off from Chicago School System, 3,783 in Philly: But $500 Million for Prisons | Politic365* [image: school6] digg *Build a Prison Close a School:* 54 schools closed in Chicago (88% black), 23 closed in Philadelphia (81% black), 26 in New York (60% black). What’s the difference between the Democrats and Republicans again I forgot? Hundreds of teachers and school staff are being laid off in two of the largest cities in the country — both run by Democrats. In Chicago and... more »

Evaluation or agenda? - Emporia Gazette: Opinion

mike simpson at Big Education Ape - 3 hours ago

Evaluation or agenda? - Emporia Gazette: Opinion: Evaluation or agenda? Ken Weaver, Dean of the Teachers College, Emporia State University | 0 comments A current trend in American education is private organizations grading the quality of states’ public education using criteria based on their school-reform agendas. The American Legislative Exchange Council (ALEC) publishes its annual “Report Card on American Education.” Similarly, studentsfirst produces its annual “State Policy Report Card.” The National Council on Teacher Quality (NCTQ) publishes its annual “State Teacher Policy Yea... more »

Diane in the Evening 6-19-13 Diane Ravitch's blog | A site to discuss better education for all

mike simpson at Big Education Ape - 3 hours ago

Diane Ravitch's blog | A site to discuss better education for all: Breaking News: Secret Penn. Poll funded by Pro-Voucher Group PennCAN by dianerav An earlier post described a secret GOP poll that acknowledges Governor Corbett’s weakness and recommends that he could gain popularity by attacking the Philadelphia teachers’ union. The strategy is that he can portray himself as a “leader” and “reformer” trying to solve the Philadelphia fiscal disaster by blaming the union. New documents Secret Poll Urges Pa. Governor to Attack Philly Union to Improve His Image by dianerav A secret p... more »

NYC Educator: King Reformy John Makes Yet Another Brilliant Discovery

mike simpson at Big Education Ape - 3 hours ago

NYC Educator: King Reformy John Makes Yet Another Brilliant Discovery: King Reformy John Makes Yet Another Brilliant Discovery I've got a little better handle on why King Reformy John decreed that city teachers need to hit 15 of 20 to be effective, while the state says it's only 9. A more informed UFT source tells me it has to do with conversion charts. While this sounds kind of nuts, it has to do with hitting a target. For example, if you hit your target, 60%, in King's Park or Gainesville NY, you get 3 points. However, if you hit your target, again 60%, in NYC, you get 13 points.... more »

REVIEW: Teach For America and the Struggle for Urban School Reform, Crawford-Garrett | the becoming radical

mike simpson at Big Education Ape - 4 hours ago

REVIEW: Teach For America and the Struggle for Urban School Reform, Crawford-Garrett | the becoming radical: REVIEW: Teach For America and the Struggle for Urban School Reform, Crawford-Garrett Posted on June 19, 2013 by plthomasedd In her Chapter 3 for *Becoming and Being a Teacher*, Katherine Crawford-Garrett (University of New Mexico) “trace[d] the experiences of one cohort of first-year TFA corps members teaching in Philadelphia during the 2010-2011 school year at a time when the School District faced intense pressure to reform” (p. 27). This chapter is a examination of several... more »

Republicans' No Child Left Behind Bill Passes House Committee, Moving Away From Bush's Vision

mike simpson at Big Education Ape - 4 hours ago

Republicans' No Child Left Behind Bill Passes House Committee, Moving Away From Bush's Vision: Republicans' No Child Left Behind Bill Passes House Committee, Moving Away From Bush's Vision by Joy Resmovits The House Education and the Workforce Committee on Wednesday passed the Student Success Act, chairman Rep. John Kline's (R-Minn.) rewrite of the No Child Left Behind Act with a 23-16 vote along party lines. "Our students deserve more than a short-term fix," Kline said. "They deserve a better law." Kline's bill goes further than any No Child Left Behind reauthorization... more »

Mother Crusader: Education Bloggers; Filling The Education Journalism Void

mike simpson at Big Education Ape - 4 hours ago

Mother Crusader: Education Bloggers; Filling The Education Journalism Void: Education Bloggers; Filling The Education Journalism Void by darciecima I was fortunate to spend last night in the company of some amazing people, including the incomparable NYC teacher bloggers Gary Rubinstein and Arthur Goldstein, at the Class Size Matters 5th Annual Skinny Awards. If you have not checked out their work, please do. They are both tireless public education advocates, using their blogs to bring attention to issues ignored by the ever dwindling corps of mainstream education reporters. Gary wr... more »

Oregon Save Our Schools: Six Million Dollar Plan (and Counting)...

mike simpson at Big Education Ape - 4 hours ago

Oregon Save Our Schools: Six Million Dollar Plan (and Counting)...: Six Million Dollar Plan (and Counting)... by Oregon SOS [image: Oregon SOS] Times are tough. Money is tight. Teachers are losing jobs. Programs such as music, PE, art, and library are being eliminated. Class sizes are ballooning. Suddenly, you have six million dollars! What would you spend it on? Smaller class sizes? A music, library teacher, or counselor for your school of 500? No, that would be too obvious. Let’s think outside of the box and away from the classroom….miles away. Instead, you th... more »

Throughout Summer: Reflect, Refresh, Recharge — Whole Child Education

mike simpson at Big Education Ape - 4 hours ago

Throughout Summer: Reflect, Refresh, Recharge — Whole Child Education: THE WHOLE CHILD BLOG [image: Klea Scharberg]Throughout Summer: Reflect, Refresh, Recharge June 19, 2013 by Klea Scharberg Summer for educators is often a time to look back on the past year—and look forward to the coming one. What worked, what didn't, and what will you change? Educating the whole child and planning for comprehensive, sustainable school improvement requires us to be "whole educators" who take the time to recharge, reflect, and reinvigorate. Where should we put our effort? What aspects of a whole chi... more »

25,000 Sign Declaration Calling For A New Direction In Education Policy

mike simpson at Big Education Ape - 5 hours ago

25,000 Sign Declaration Calling For A New Direction In Education Policy: 25,000 Sign Declaration Calling For A New Direction In Education Policy by Jeff Bryant As a populist wave of discontent with top-down education mandates continues to sweep the country, more than 25,000 concerned citizens have coalesced behind an Education Declaration to Rebuild America. If you haven’t already, show your support for the Declaration here. And be sure to keep up with the progressive movement for public education by subscribing to the EON weekly e-newsletter here. *A Declaration With Broad Support... more »

In New York's Mayoral Race, Who Will the Teachers' Union Endorse? - Dana Goldstein

mike simpson at Big Education Ape - 6 hours ago

In New York's Mayoral Race, Who Will the Teachers' Union Endorse? - Dana Goldstein: In New York's Mayoral Race, Who Will the Teachers' Union Endorse? by Dana Goldstein This evening, the United Federation of Teachers, the nation's largest teachers' union, will endorse a candidate for mayor of New York City. Most close observers believe the pick will be either Bill Thompson or Bill de Blasio. Thompson is the former city controllor and former head of the now defunct Board of Education, which was abolished when Mike Bloomberg gained mayoral control of the city's schools. In 2009, Thom... more »

CA officials dispute national teacher quality study’s findings SI&A Cabinet Report – News & Resources

mike simpson at Big Education Ape - 6 hours ago

SI&A Cabinet Report – News & Resources: CA officials dispute national teacher quality study’s findings A study calling more than three-quarters of the nation’s teacher colleges ‘mediocre at best’ is flawed and fails in its mission to fairly evaluate their quality, according to the chair of California’s Commission on Teacher Credentialing and the state’s superintendent of public instruction. The report, released Tuesday by the non-profit National Council on Teacher Quality, rated 608 institutions using a four-star system and found that 78 percent earned two or fewer stars, “ratings ... more »

The Missionary Position | EduShyster

mike simpson at Big Education Ape - 6 hours ago

The Missionary Position | EduShyster: The Missionary Position by edushyster2012 *n.* *pl.* *mis·sion·ar·ies* 1. One who is sent on a mission, especially one sent to do religious or charitable work in a territory or foreign country. 2. People from one culture who travel to another culture to share their religious beliefs. 3. One who attempts to persuade or convert others to a particular program, doctrine, or set of principles; a propagandist. 4. Young teachers, often from wealthy communities, who have been dispatched to an urban school system in

The art of reading political polling: Headlines aside, latest poll is VERY bad news for Malloy - Wait, What?

mike simpson at Big Education Ape - 7 hours ago

The art of reading political polling: Headlines aside, latest poll is VERY bad news for Malloy - Wait, What?: The art of reading political polling: Headlines aside, latest poll is VERY bad news for Malloy by jonpelto A quick sweep of this morning’s news headline reveals the following: CT Mirror headline: First 2014 poll shows Malloy trailing Foley by 3 points CT Newsjunkie headline: Poll: Foley Beats Malloy By 3 Points Hartford Courant headline: Latest Poll: GOP’s Tom Foley Leads Gov. Malloy, 43 Percent To 40 Percent All three statements are “true” but none of them accurately repor... more »

UPDATE: FCMAT » Cali Education Headlines Wednesday, June 19, 2013

mike simpson at Big Education Ape - 8 hours ago

FCMAT » Fiscal Crisis & Management Assistance Team: *EdSource: Critical report on teacher preparation programs sparks debate* Education Headlines *Wednesday, June 19, 2013* Principal to oversee Tracy district expansionThe Jefferson Elementary School District in Tracy has selected a new superintendent. The Board of Trustees is expected to approve the hiring of longtime Jefferson Elementary School Principal James Bridges at tonight's meeting. Monterey Peninsula USD budget approvedMonterey Peninsula Unified School District trustees late Monday approved a $58 million spending plan ... more »

Ed Notes Online: Video: Great NYC Bloggers Honored at Class Size Matters Skinny Awards

mike simpson at Big Education Ape - 8 hours ago

Ed Notes Online: Video: Great NYC Bloggers Honored at Class Size Matters Skinny Awards: Video: Great NYC Bloggers Honored at Class Size Matters Skinny Awards *For too many years Americans have had no choice but to suffer with ineffective reporters accountable to nobody .... blogs are the charter schools of the education reporting - minus of course the cheating and embezzlement .... * *Gary Rubinstein at Skinny Awards dinner, June 18, 2013* The huge turnout at last night's 5th annual Skinny Awards dinner for Leonie Haimson's Class Size Matters is an indication of how important the ... more »

Eduwonky » Blog Archive » Are Arne Duncan And Randi Weingarten Running Just As Fast As They Can?

mike simpson at Big Education Ape - 8 hours ago

Eduwonky » Blog Archive » Are Arne Duncan And Randi Weingarten Running Just As Fast As They Can?: Are Arne Duncan And Randi Weingarten Running Just As Fast As They Can? It’s starting to look like Tommy James and the Shondells might be the new theme music over at the Department of Education. Federal elementary and secondary education policy, already a barely cohesive mess because of the Administration’s waiver program, just got even more complicated. Yesterday Secretary of Education Arne Duncan announced that – if they apply for a waiver from their existing waiver – states can del... more »

Modern School: Are Humans Getting Dumber (or is it Just Journalists and Sociobiologists?)

mike simpson at Big Education Ape - 9 hours ago

Modern School: Are Humans Getting Dumber (or is it Just Journalists and Sociobiologists?): Are Humans Getting Dumber (or is it Just Journalists and Sociobiologists?) by Michael Dunn Human intelligence is on the decline, according to the Huffington Post, writing about a recent study suggesting that westerners have lost 14 I.Q. points since the Victorian Era. Study co-author, Dr. Jan te Nijenhuis, professor of work and organizational psychology at the University of Amsterdam, says that because women of higher intelligence tend to have fewer childrenthan do women of lower intelligence... more »

UPDATE: Karen Lewis to the City Club of Chicago: On baseball and budgets. “When I was a kid, I used to dream that one day I’d play right along-side Minnie Minoso or Sandy Koufax.” | Fred Klonsky

mike simpson at Big Education Ape - 9 hours ago

Karen Lewis to the City Club of Chicago: On baseball and budgets. “When I was a kid, I used to dream that one day I’d play right along-side Minnie Minoso or Sandy Koufax.” | Fred Klonsky: Here it goes. Occupy Lafayette. by Fred Klonsky [image: 1000417_566911110014833_1293591656_n] “School occupation in progress at Lafayette Elementary! Parents and students are occupying, and students are blockading doors to prevent the removal of supplies, but they need back up. 2714 W Augusta.” – From Occupy Rogers Park. Occupied’: Protesters blockade Chicago elementary school to protest closing ... more »

Perdido Street School: NYCDOE Loses State Tests, Punishes Students With Summer School

mike simpson at Big Education Ape - 9 hours ago

Perdido Street School: NYCDOE Loses State Tests, Punishes Students With Summer School: NYCDOE Loses State Tests, Punishes Students With Summer School by reality-based educator This is outrageous: A Brooklyn intermediate school flunked an entire eighth-grade class and told the kids they’d have to attend summer school — because bungling education officials lost their state English exams, The Post has learned. Panicked 13- and 14-year-olds at IS 227 in Bensonhurst said their dreams of a fun summer were dashed yesterday when they were handed letters that barred them from attending th... more »

LISTEN TO DIANE RAVITCH 6-19-13 Diane Ravitch's blog | A site to discuss better education for all

mike simpson at Big Education Ape - 10 hours ago

Diane Ravitch's blog | A site to discuss better education for all: [image: Click on picture to Listen to Diane Ravitch] This Is a Great Organization, Good Video by dianerav The National Opportunity to Learn Campaign is funded largely by the Schott Foundation for Public Education. Schott is one of the few national organizations that supports public education, not privatization. This is a good video that it funded. Takes only a minute to watch. NSBA: Dems Support Federal Control of Education by dianerav On a party-line vote, Democrats on the Senate committee reported out a bill that e... more »

6-19-13 @ THE CHALK FACE knows SCHOOLS MATTER

mike simpson at Big Education Ape - 10 hours ago

@ THE CHALK FACE knows SCHOOLS MATTER: [image: gears] The End Might Be Near for Common Core by John Thompson Especially in the last few months, John Merrow has hit some tape-measure home runs. Merrow’s strike outs can be just as amazing. His last whiff, is a doozy. Merrow tried to used some humor and experimental prose to criticize the recent trend where, supposedly, “the arrival of the Common Core apparently means the end of the […] Chief Wonk tells a funny, interesting enough if it wasn’t also milquetoast by Chalk Face, PhD It’s this guy, Rotherham. Bellwether, or what have yo... more »

Louisiana Educator: School Grading System a Farce

mike simpson at Big Education Ape - 10 hours ago

Louisiana Educator: School Grading System a Farce: School Grading System a Farce by Michael Deshotels The school grading system in Louisiana is a farce. It results in the stigmatizing and unfair condemnation of professional educators, the constant uprooting of innocent children from educationally nurturing environments, transfers from one failed charter to another, the use of gifted and talented to boost grades, the shunning of students with disabilities to boost scores and generally all manner of manipulations that have nothing to do with education. There is no way to fix the gra... more »

National Council on Teacher Quality report is deeply flawed | EdSource Today

mike simpson at Big Education Ape - 10 hours ago

National Council on Teacher Quality report is deeply flawed | EdSource Today: National Council on Teacher Quality report is deeply flawed - by Linda Darling-Hammond / commentary by Linda Darling-Hammond / commentary This week, the National Council on Teacher Quality (NCTQ) issued a report, *NCTQ Teacher Prep Review*. Billed as a consumer’s guide, the report rates teacher preparation programs on a list of criteria ranging from selection and content preparation to coursework and student teaching aimed at the development of teaching skills. While the report appropriately focuses on t... more »

A ‘reform-to-English’ dictionary

mike simpson at Big Education Ape - 10 hours ago

A ‘reform-to-English’ dictionary: A ‘reform-to-English’ dictionary By Valerie Strauss, Published: June 19, 2013 at 6:00 amE-mail the writer 1 Comments More [image: (Merriam-Webster Inc. )] (Merriam-Webster Inc. ) If it’s sometimes hard to understand the world of school reform, it’s no wonder, given that things don’t always mean what their names or titles suggest. Here by way of explanation is a “reformy-to-English” glossary by Karen McKeegan Fraid, a public school parent and volunteer in Chicago. You can follow her on Twitter @*KarenMFraid. *The following is an edited version of her... more »

No Child Left Behind Act At Center Of House Hearing, Sparring Philosophies

mike simpson at Big Education Ape - 10 hours ago

No Child Left Behind Act At Center Of House Hearing, Sparring Philosophies: No Child Left Behind Act At Center Of House Hearing, Sparring Philosophies by Joy Resmovits [image: no child left behind act] John Kline is frustrated. The Republican representative from Minnesota and chair of the House Education Committee says his constituents have been telling him for years of the federal government's intrusion into their classrooms. "I've been hearing ... for years now that the current system does not give them the ability to move money where they need it," he told The Huffington Post i... more »

Is DA's case against APS educators collapsing? | Get Schooled | www.ajc.com

mike simpson at Big Education Ape - 10 hours ago

Is DA's case against APS educators collapsing? | Get Schooled | www.ajc.com: Get Schooled: Is DA's case against APS educators collapsing? View Larger [image: Former Atlanta schools Superintendent Beverly Hall photo] KENT D. JOHNSON / AJC Former Atlanta schools Superintendent Beverly Hall was the leader of a corrupt organization that used students’ test scores to earn bonuses if they rose, or intimidation and termination if they fell, according to a 65-count indictment returned March 29, 2013. Previous Posts - Employers can teach workers technology. They can't "teach them to ... more »

Put On Your Hip Boots: NCTQ Is At It Again. | deutsch29

mike simpson at Big Education Ape - 10 hours ago

Put On Your Hip Boots: NCTQ Is At It Again. | deutsch29: Put On Your Hip Boots: NCTQ Is At It Again. by deutsch29 Today, the National Council on Teacher Quality (NCTQ) released its “first ever” “comprehensive” report to the American public “with *US News and World Report* as publisher.” And according to the NCTQ press release, the results of this sure-to-be-high quality report are “dismal.” Actually, what is “dismal” is how incredibly lame this report is. NCTQ believes that it can sell the American public a piece of propaganda so blatantly foolish that the public would have no cho... more »

UPDATE Seattle Schools Community Forum: Washington State Charter News Comes With Questions

mike simpson at Big Education Ape - 10 hours ago

Seattle Schools Community Forum: Washington State Charter News Comes With Questions: Inquiring Minds Want to Know (and see if the Board Does Its Oversight Job) by Melissa Westbrook I recently wrote an e-mail to the Board about two subjects on tonight's Board agenda. One was the newly-minted Seattle Teacher Residency program. The other is the Highly Capable Grant application. Both are on the Intro agenda. The STR has a number of glaring issues and the Highly Capable Grant application has one (plus a curious reworking of SPS history). Issues with *STR*: - the MOA had been missin... more »

Another Casualty of Excessive Testing: Great Teachers | toteachornototeach

mike simpson at Big Education Ape - 10 hours ago

Another Casualty of Excessive Testing: Great Teachers | toteachornototeach: Another Casualty of Excessive Testing: Great Teachers by aristotlethewise Another Casualty of Excessive Testing: Great Teachers by Elaine Weiss Signs that standardized tests are overused and misused continue to emerge. State and local affiliates of Parents Across America host webinars on the ills of testing and “zombie” rallies, and parent members are opting increasing numbers of their children out of the tests. FairTest’s National Resolution on High-Stakes Testing has garnered over 11,000 individual and 400... more »

Mike Klonsky's SmallTalk Blog: NCTQ 'study' of teacher prep programs is good for something...

mike simpson at Big Education Ape - 10 hours ago

Mike Klonsky's SmallTalk Blog: NCTQ 'study' of teacher prep programs is good for something...: NCTQ 'study' of teacher prep programs is good for something... by Mike Klonsky Darling-HammondYesterday, on my Schooling in the Ownership Society blog, I wrote a sharply critical review of the new so-called "study" by NCTQ, of the nation's ed schools. The group, led by a gaggle of corporate-reform types, follows *Arne Duncan's* lead in lambasting nearly all teacher preparation programs, labeling them as "an industry of mediocrity," that churns out teachers ill-prepared to work in elementar... more »

LAUSD passes guidelines for Parent Trigger, seeks law's repeal - LA Daily News

mike simpson at Big Education Ape - 10 hours ago

LAUSD passes guidelines for Parent Trigger, seeks law's repeal - LA Daily News: LAUSD passes guidelines for Parent Trigger, seeks law's repeal by By Barbara Jones, Staff Writer Following a ruckus over the use of the Parent Trigger law at two Los Angeles Unified schools, the board set guidelines Tuesday for to better deal with efforts to handle the takeover and transformation of low-achieving campuses. The resolution by board member Steve Zimmer requires the district to independently verify the signatures and how they're gathered by Parent Revolution, the group that helps to organiz... more »

Why So Serious? [On Demeanors In The Classroom] - The Jose Vilson | The Jose Vilson

mike simpson at Big Education Ape - 11 hours ago

Why So Serious? [On Demeanors In The Classroom] - The Jose Vilson | The Jose Vilson: Why So Serious? [On Demeanors In The Classroom] by Jose Vilson [image: Serious cat.] Serious cat. “Why are you so serious all the time, Mr. Vilson?” The students just finished giving me my student evaluations, something I thought I’d try this year, but probably waited too long in the year to do. “Well, it depends …” And before I could finish, my co-teacher put me on blast by saying that it depends on the situation. The yearbook has a picture of me smiling for the first time all year, sometime during ... more »

Special Late Nite Cap UPDATE 6-18-13 #SOSCHAT #EDCHAT #P2

mike simpson at Big Education Ape - 20 hours ago

*Nite Cap UPDATE* * * *UPDATE UPDATE UPDATE UPDATE* ** *CORPORATE ED REFORM* Review of Khan Academy’s “American History Overview Part 1: Jamestown to Civil War” by ldorazio1 Popout I had not been a huge fan of Khan Academy. Even before I started working with one of its competitors, I generally took a dim view of anyone that though they could do better than a teacher with just a computer and a voice recorder. However, Salman Khan’s little creation, originally meant to help his own cousin in math, has been a founding father of today’s explosion in virtual pedagogy. Practically every... more »

Diane in the Evening 6-18-13 Diane Ravitch's blog | A site to discuss better education for all

mike simpson at Big Education Ape - 1 day ago

Diane Ravitch's blog | A site to discuss better education for all: Michael Feuer: The Flaws of the NCTQ Report by dianerav Some in the mainstream media have given credence to the report of the Nationsl Council on Teacher Education about teacher preparation. They should have talked to some of the institutions that were graded before venturing an opinion. In this post, Dean Michael Feuer of the George Washington University School of Education explains how far wrong the report was about his school, its programs, and its students. Robert Skeels Attends a pRev Meet and Greet by dia... more »

Big Education Ape - SPECIAL Mid Day Banana Break 6-18-13 #soschat #edreform

mike simpson at Big Education Ape - 1 day ago

*Big Education Ape - Mid Day Banana Break* Testing reform in the news: June 6-12, 2013 by ed notes online From Fair Test: Many major stories about assessment reform progress this week -- Texas significantly reduces standardized exam mandates; a rally in Albany opposes testing overkill, and major national groups call for a moratorium on Common Core tests. All our weekly newsblasts are posted on the web at http://www.fairtest.org/news/other - this one will be up shortly. Texas Governor Signs Bill Eliminating Two-Thirds of Required High-Stakes Exams http://blog.chron.com/texaspolit... more »

Reflecting on Technology — Whole Child Education

mike simpson at Big Education Ape - 1 day ago

Reflecting on Technology — Whole Child Education: THE WHOLE CHILD BLOG [image: Chuck Bloch]Reflecting on Technology June 18, 2013 by Chuck Bloch I am a school principal. And I turned 50 recently. I know, it's just a number, but on watershed moments like these I find myself a bit more reflective than normal. Among many things, I have been thinking about how things have changed in my working life. I taught in the classroom for 11 years and have been in administration for 15 years now, and I can honestly say that it has been a great career so far. So many great people to work with and ... more »

AFT - NCTQ’s Review of Teacher Preparation Programs Needs Improvement

mike simpson at Big Education Ape - 1 day ago

AFT - A Union of Professionals - NCTQ’s Review of Teacher Preparation Programs Needs Improvement: NCTQ's Review of Teacher Preparation Programs Needs Improvement *AFT's Weingarten: "It's disappointing that for something as important as strengthening teacher preparation programs, NCTQ chose to use the gimmick of a four-star rating system without using professionally accepted standards, visiting any of the institutions or talking with any of the graduates."* *WASHINGTON—*Statement by American Federation of Teachers President Randi Weingarten on the National Council on Teacher Qualit... more »

Arne Duncan: Common Core Transition Will Give States More Time To Make Evaluations Count

mike simpson at Big Education Ape - 1 day ago

Arne Duncan: Common Core Transition Will Give States More Time To Make Evaluations Count: Arne Duncan: Common Core Transition Will Give States More Time To Make Evaluations Count by Joy Resmovits [image: Arne Duncan Common Core] In what some see as a tacit recognition of the Obama administration's overreach into nitty-gritty management of America's schools, U.S. Secretary of Education Arne Duncan will give states a reprieve from certain aspects of teacher evaluations' consequences and the new wave of testing tied to the Common Core. Duncan said Tuesday that he will allow the firs... more »

Don’t just test … Don’t just teach #BeABadAss | Continuing Change

mike simpson at Big Education Ape - 1 day ago

Don’t just test … Don’t just teach #BeABadAss | Continuing Change: Don’t just test … Don’t just teach #BeABadAss by gatorbonbc Popout Back in 67, the year I was born, there were some bad ass young folks speaking up all around the streets of America – this song represented the resistance. Today, those same bad asses are not just kids anymore; they are wiser and stronger. And, they have joined

Schooling in the Ownership Society: Another attack aimed at colleges of education

mike simpson at Big Education Ape - 1 day ago

Schooling in the Ownership Society: Another attack aimed at colleges of education: Another attack aimed at colleges of education by Mike Klonsky That great "revolutionary" thinker Arne Duncan, set the stage back in '09, when he discredited all colleges of education, labeling them as "mediocre" and calling for "revolutionary change—not evolutionary tinkering." Now the National Council on Teacher Quality has taken Duncan's cue and has come out with what it's calling "the first comprehensive review" of university-based teacher ed programs, which it labels as "an industry of mediocr... more »

NYC Educator: UFT on Evaluation System

mike simpson at Big Education Ape - 1 day ago

NYC Educator: UFT on Evaluation System: UFT on Evaluation System by NYC Educator On Sunday I posted about the new evaluation system, and about how effective ratings started at 9 according to NYS statute, but started at 15 in Reformy John's decree. Today I spoke to a UFT source, who told be this was not accurate, because we start with 13. When I asked what that meant, he said if we reached the target, which was 60%, we would get the 13 points. My source was not able to answer my question---60% of what. My source was also unaware whether this 13-point head start applied to state, loc... more »

Parents United statement on proposed education funds from City Council | Parents United for Public Education

mike simpson at Big Education Ape - 1 day ago

Parents United statement on proposed education funds from City Council | Parents United for Public Education: Parents United statement on proposed education funds from City Council by parentsunitedphila This is a defining moment for public education in the City of Philadelphia. Never has so much been on the line – from thousands of essential jobs for Philadelphians to fundamental educational programs and services. In the past month, thousands of Philadelphians have marched at City Hall and lobbied City Council on behalf of supporting Philadelphia public schools and the children wh...more »

CALIFORNIA LAWMAKERS, STUDENTS RALLY AT STATE CAPITOL IN SUPPORT OF SUMMER LEARNING FOR NATIONAL SUMMER LEARNING DAY

mike simpson at Big Education Ape - 1 day ago

Home | Summer Matters: *CALIFORNIA LAWMAKERS, STUDENTS RALLY AT STATE CAPITOL IN SUPPORT OF SUMMER LEARNING FOR NATIONAL SUMMER LEARNING DAY* State Superintendent of Public Instruction Tom Torlakson, California Legislators, School District Leaders, Students and Civic Leaders Rally for Expanded Access to High Quality Summer Learning Programs at *“Reading Rocks! National Summer Learning Day Read-In @ the California State Capitol”* *Media & VIP Event* *WHAT: H**undreds of California students, educators, parents and school district and civic leaders will take to the steps of the Cali... more »

Remedial Education: Federal Education Policy - Council on Foreign Relations

mike simpson at Big Education Ape - 1 day ago

Remedial Education: Federal Education Policy - Council on Foreign Relations: Remedial Education: Federal Education PolicyProgress Report and Scorecard [image: Remedial Education: Federal Education Policy - remedial-education-federal-education-policy] Download Now PublisherCouncil on Foreign Relations Press Release DateJune 2013 26 pages Share 131[image: Share] 96[image: Tweet] Overview The U.S. education system is not as internationally competitive as it used to be; in fact, the United States has slipped ten spots in both high school and college graduation rates over the past three d... more »

New problems with New York’s teacher evaluation plan found

mike simpson at Big Education Ape - 1 day ago

New problems with New York’s teacher evaluation plan found: New problems with New York’s teacher evaluation plan found By Valerie Strauss, Published: June 18, 2013 at 1:22 pmE-mail the writer APPR [image: ap]Here’s a new post from award-winning Principal Carol Burris of South Side High School in New York about the state’s controversial new educator evaluation system. Burris has for more than a year chronicled on this blog (she calls it Star Wars here, and other things here and here and here, for example) the implementation of the system, which ignores research by using student stan... more »

Perdido Street School: How Is This Guy Still Running A School?

mike simpson at Big Education Ape - 1 day ago

Perdido Street School: How Is This Guy Still Running A School?: How Is This Guy Still Running A School? by reality-based educator Just another example of how principals in Bloomberg's NYCDOE can do pretty much anything: New York City investigators are probing a Bible-quoting school principal who sources say threatened to don “a vest like the terrorists” and blow up faculty at his Bronx middle school, the Daily News has learned. Neifi Juan Acosta, 56, made the frightening remark at a post-Hurricane Sandy meeting Nov. 2 at Intermediate School 232, according to several staff members... more »