Big Education Ape: Jun 23, 2013

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

Seattle Schools Community Forum: Seattle Schools This Week

mike simpson at Big Education Ape - 3 minutes ago

Seattle Schools Community Forum: Seattle Schools This Week: Seattle Schools This Week by Melissa Westbrook Even though school is out there are several important meetings this week. *Tuesday, June 25th* Work Session on Growth Boundaries, 4:30-6:30 pm, no presentation yet available. This is the Work Session that Tracy Libros referenced in her remarks to the Board at the School Board meeting last Wednesday. She mentioned that Lucy Morello of BEX would also be presenting in conjunction with capacity management. Community Meeting about the Wilson-Pacific projects, 7:30 pm at W-P *We... more »

The Educated Reporter: EWA Webinar: How Does U.S. Education Spending Compare Internationally?

mike simpson at Big Education Ape - 3 minutes ago

The Educated Reporter: EWA Webinar: How Does U.S. Education Spending Compare Internationally?: EWA Webinar: How Does U.S. Education Spending Compare Internationally? by Emily Richmond How much of the U.S. gross domestic product is spent on education? How does that education spending break down for early childhood education, K-12 education and higher education? How much private spending is dedicated to education, compared to public spending? What is the link between higher education degrees and unemployment rates in the U.S. and other countries? The answers to these questions and m... more »

Sour Grapes DeBell | Seattle Education

mike simpson at Big Education Ape - 8 minutes ago

Sour Grapes DeBell | Seattle Education: Sour Grapes DeBell by seattleducation2011 [image: Former Superintendent Dr. Goodloe-Johnson and Board Director Michael DeBell.] Former Superintendent Dr. Goodloe-Johnson and Board Director Michael DeBell. Michael DeBell is *lashing out*after first losing his leader in all things ed reform, our previous Broad superintendent Dr. Goodloe-Johnson, and in response to other unexpected twists and turns. After expending time, energy and money to create a board that voted in lock step to all the superintendent brought to the school board for ... more »

Teaching in a Dystopic State ! : For What It's Worth??

mike simpson at Big Education Ape - 8 minutes ago

Teaching in a Dystopic State ! : For What It's Worth??: For What It's Worth?? by Walter Sautter *I have many questions:* ************** * *Should RU continue its quest to become an athletic powerhouse?** * *And can this even be achieved ?* * **What is the true motivation behind this attempt to bring "big time" sports to RU?* * **If accomplished will it really help the universities' prestige?* *And if so, how ?* *Is providing unpaid *

DIARY OF A PUBLIC SCHOOL TEACHER!: "That Teacher": A Blessing or a Curse?

mike simpson at Big Education Ape - 10 minutes ago

DIARY OF A PUBLIC SCHOOL TEACHER!: "That Teacher": A Blessing or a Curse?: "That Teacher": A Blessing or a Curse? by Lisa M In February I read an article by Angela Watson, "Should All the Toughest Kids Be Placed With the Best Teacher?" I clicked the box to notify me of follow-up comments because I thought it was such an interesting topic. A lot of discussion ensued, and even now, I still get a comment notification regarding the blog post. As we approached the end of the 2012-2013 school year, Angela's question popped into my

Diane in the Evening 6-23-13 Diane Ravitch's blog | A site to discuss better education for all

mike simpson at Big Education Ape - 10 minutes ago

Diane Ravitch's blog | A site to discuss better education for all: Mini-Lesson: How Common Core Warps Choice Time in Kindergarten by dianerav Renee Dinnerstein is an early childhood educator with many years of experience. In this post, she shows how the overly prescriptive approach encouraged by the Common Core can ruin the concept of Choice Time in kindergarten. She writes: “Choice Time is not a time to give children tasks. It should be an opportunity for children to direct their own play and therefore, their own learning. The teacher carefully sets up centers with material... more »

Peg with Pen: Be Ready #optout #refusethetest

mike simpson at Big Education Ape - 15 minutes ago

Peg with Pen: Be Ready #optout #refusethetest: Be Ready #optout #refusethetest by Peggy Obama is planning to roll out high speed internet connection for our public school students within the next 5 years. This was my comment on FB after reading Stephen Krashen's post: Cut off from good nutrition, health care, libraries much more serious than cut off from the web. *While hungry children wrap food in napkins and hide it in their backpacks for later in the day. While children grab seconds on the school breakfast and leave other children with nothing. While children fill their week... more »

Tier parcel tax relief will take another year SI&A Cabinet Report – News & Resources

mike simpson at Big Education Ape - 18 minutes ago

SI&A Cabinet Report – News & Resources: Tier parcel tax relief will take another year Earlier this month, the state Supreme Court let stand a ruling invalidating a tiered parcel tax measure put before voters in 2008 by Alameda Unified. The move also held open an invitation to the Legislature to weigh in on the question of ‘rational classification’ of tax rates. While there had been some hope that the issue would be taken up this year, Assemblyman Rob Bonta – who represents the Alameda area– said last week such a legislative fix is not likely to be pursued until next year. Bonta, D... more »

Perdido Street School: Indiana Sues McGraw-Hill Over Online Testing Debacle - Why Won't NYC?

mike simpson at Big Education Ape - 18 minutes ago

Perdido Street School: Indiana Sues McGraw-Hill Over Online Testing Debacle - Why Won't NYC?: Indiana Sues McGraw-Hill Over Online Testing Debacle - Why Won't NYC? by reality-based educator McGraw-Hill, as incompetent as Pearson when it comes to pulling off high stakes standardized testing systems,really screwed up the state tests in Indiana and now that state wants damages: INDIANAPOLIS — The superintendent of Indiana’s public schools announced Friday she would seek more than $614,000 in damages from CTB/McGraw-Hill, the same day company President Ellen Haley apologized to lawmak... more »

Join me ‘live’ tomorrow on my internet video talk show | Gary Rubinstein's Blog

mike simpson at Big Education Ape - 18 minutes ago

Join me ‘live’ tomorrow on my internet video talk show | Gary Rubinstein's Blog: Join me ‘live’ tomorrow on my internet video talk show by Gary Rubinstein It has been a while since I’ve done an episode of ‘Talking Ed.’ Last year I did four episodes which, unfortunately, were wiped out when Spreecast’s server crashed. Now, with the school year almost over, and with TFA inductions and institutes starting to happen, I’ve decided to do another live show tomorrow, June 24th at 9:00 PM EST. Go to this link to watch or participate. You can participate on camera or anonymously through ty... more »

Was adopting Common Core a mistake? | toteachornototeach

mike simpson at Big Education Ape - 25 minutes ago

Was adopting Common Core a mistake? | toteachornototeach: Was adopting Common Core a mistake? by aristotlethewise *Was adopting Common Core a mistake?* *California signed on to new curriculum standards under pressure. But will they help?* by The Times editorial board Think back to the dark days of 2009, when school districts in California and across the nation faced dire budget shortfalls. States would have done almost anything for extra money, and when the Obama administration dangled Race to the Top grants in front of them, many of them did indeed race to adopt the policies that w... more »

Ed Notes Online: Carol Burris on Problems with APPR and the English Regents

mike simpson at Big Education Ape - 26 minutes ago

Ed Notes Online: Carol Burris on Problems with APPR and the English Regents: Carol Burris on Problems with APPR and the English Regents by ed notes online Wouldst our union do a tenth of the work Carol is doing to expose the Marching on NY State Ed Deptbullshit from the crooks at the NY State Ed Department, the leaders of whom if justice is ever served, would be removed in handcuffs. Carol suggests writing them. My suggestion would be to go after them with pitchforks. Please consider sharing this with principals, teachers, union reps and parents who would care about this. So much ... more »

The Amistad Schooner: An $8 million plus state bonding project gone amok - Wait, What?

mike simpson at Big Education Ape - 27 minutes ago

The Amistad Schooner: An $8 million plus state bonding project gone amok - Wait, What?: The Amistad Schooner: An $8 million plus state bonding project gone amok by jonpelto What happens when our elected officials think their “management responsibilities” end with the ribbon cutting? A replica of the Schooner *Amistad* was built at the Mystic Seaport, at taxpayer expense, and launched in March 2000. In 2003, the Connecticut General Assembly made the Amistad Connecticut’s state ship. Although paid for with Connecticut taxpayer funds, the ship is actually owned by Amistad America, Inc... more »

Public Education Suffering from Parasitic Profiteers - Living in Dialogue - Education Week Teacher

mike simpson at Big Education Ape - 27 minutes ago

Public Education Suffering from Parasitic Profiteers - Living in Dialogue - Education Week Teacher: Public Education Suffering from Parasitic Profiteers by Anthony Cody Paul Krugman's recent column describes the unproductive forms by which many of our largest and most profitable corporations are making money. As I read, I got a disturbing image in my head. In education, it seems as if our leaders are purposely re-engineering the system to introduce a plethora of profit-seeking parasites into the workings of our schools. *To understand what I mean, let's begin by defining what is e... more »

Jersey Jazzman: Latest "Chiefs For Change" Fail: Barresi in OK

mike simpson at Big Education Ape - 31 minutes ago

Jersey Jazzman: Latest "Chiefs For Change" Fail: Barresi in OK: Latest "Chiefs For Change" Fail: Barresi in OK by Duke *You're doin' a heckuva job, Janet!* The fails of Jeb! Bush's "Chiefs For Change" keep coming; here's Janet Barresi in Oklahoma: *State schools Superintendent Janet Barresi drew sharp criticism this week — on Facebook — when it was revealed that she denied a request that would have helped cash-strapped Moore Public Schools as it continues to recover from the deadly tornadoes and storms that struck in May*. During an informal phone conversation following the storms... more »

Breaking: Local School Councils voting to reject CPS budget cuts. UPDATED. | Fred Klonsky

mike simpson at Big Education Ape - 33 minutes ago

Breaking: Local School Councils voting to reject CPS budget cuts. UPDATED. | Fred Klonsky: Breaking: Local School Councils voting to reject CPS budget cuts. UPDATED. by Fred Klonsky [image: extralarge] *Blaine’s LSC has rejected the board’s budget cuts. Now Roosevelt has done the same. Next?* Two days ago the Blaine Local School Council voted to reject the $600,000 budget cut ordered by the CPS board. *LAKEVIEW — Blaine Elementary’s Local School Council wanted to send a message to CPS Thursday night after hearing that a $600,000-plus shortfall would mean the loss of seven staffers: ... more »

NYC Public School Parents: Crony capitalism and the inequities of NYC charter funding: Julian Robertson and the case of the billionaire scion's preschool

mike simpson at Big Education Ape - 34 minutes ago

NYC Public School Parents: Crony capitalism and the inequities of NYC charter funding: Julian Robertson and the case of the billionaire scion's preschool: Crony capitalism and the inequities of NYC charter funding: Julian Robertson and the case of the billionaire scion's preschool by Leonie Haimson The portion of the NYC budget going into the pockets of charter school operators is growing fast, according to the Independent Budget Office, and will top $1 billion next school year. See graph below. (Source: GothamSchools from IBO data) In addition, there are many hidden funding source... more »

Vulture Capitalism in Education with ALEC | Reclaim Reform

mike simpson at Big Education Ape - 36 minutes ago

Vulture Capitalism in Education with ALEC | Reclaim Reform: Vulture Capitalism in Education with ALEC by kenpreviti [image: ALEC] *Joni Lindgren*, Guest Blogger It is surprising that people are still unaware of the secretive dark-money organization that is behind the climate change denial movement, the assault on women’s rights and LBGT rights, “right to work” legislation, slashing Obama care, “stand your ground” laws, passing voter ID laws that limit some people from voting, de-funding public education, privatizing attempts of prisons, schools, airports, water supply, Social Secur... more »

Government Domestic Spying Unsettling News for Campuses - Higher Education

mike simpson at Big Education Ape - 36 minutes ago

Government Domestic Spying Unsettling News for Campuses - Higher Education: Government Domestic Spying Unsettling News for Campuses by cmaadmin Ameena Qazi, a staff attorney in Los Angeles for the Council on American–Islamic Relations, says Muslim parents are urging their children not to get involved in campus activities. [image: Ameena Qazi]In light of recent news on the federal government spying on Americans via phone records and electronic correspondence and the lawsuit filed by the American Civil Liberties Union and the New York Civil Liberties Union in response, the question of... more »

Daily Kos: Brothers and Sisters: Holding Someone in the Light

mike simpson at Big Education Ape - 36 minutes ago

Daily Kos: Brothers and Sisters: Holding Someone in the Light: Brothers and Sisters: Holding Someone in the Light by rss@dailykos.com (teacherken) Back when I was sitting my wife's hospital room on January 27, I raised the subject of her illness with a diary I titled Quakers ask people to hold them in the light. As I take my periodic turn to offer Brothers and Sisters, I thought I would offer some thoughts on this Friendly practice, sharing some thoughts of others as well as my own. i invite you to continue reading. And remember: *Welcome to Brothers and Sisters, the weekly meetu... more »

Short Notes: What Exactly Is Emancipation? - The Jose Vilson | The Jose Vilson

mike simpson at Big Education Ape - 36 minutes ago

Short Notes: What Exactly Is Emancipation? - The Jose Vilson | The Jose Vilson: Short Notes: What Exactly Is Emancipation? by Jose Vilson [image: My student Ashley draws me.] My student Ashley draws me. A few notes: - My latest post at The Collaborateurs talks about my own journey as an alternative certification teacher to where I am now. [CTQ] - Phillippe Copeland questions the meaning of Juneteenth, especially when there are more black men incarcerated than were enslaved back then. Just saying. [GOOD] - Diane Ravitch’s latest target is Michael Bloomberg, who uses... more »

Retired Lt. Colonel from Georgia becomes National PTA... | Get Schooled | www.ajc.com

mike simpson at Big Education Ape - 2 hours ago

Retired Lt. Colonel from Georgia becomes National PTA... | Get Schooled | www.ajc.com: Get Schooled: Retired Lt. Colonel from Georgia becomes National PTA president. First black male to lead PTA. View Larger [image: New PTA president: Retired Lt. Colonel from Georgia] Betsy Landers, National PTA President 2011-2013, hands the gavel over to Otha Thornton at today's installation. (Lifetouch photo) Previous Posts - Condensing high school to three years June 22, 2013 - Common Core, common politics: Can someone throw a bucket of water on Cobb board? June 21, 2013 - ... more »

NYC Educator: Wolfson's Miraculous Feat

mike simpson at Big Education Ape - 3 hours ago

NYC Educator: Wolfson's Miraculous Feat: Wolfson's Miraculous Feat by NYC Educator It's kind of hard to believe the level of nonsense that passes as information yesterday. Despite Mike Bloomberg's education programs having improved, conservatively, nothing, his paid propagandist Howard Wolfson has a piece in the Daily News insisting thatThompson can't be mayor, as he'd be a tool of the union. That's even more absurd than the union endorsement of Thompson. For one thing, Thompson supports Mayor Bloomberg's unilateral decision to give virtually all city employees but teachers a raise... more »

All Things Education: The opting out conundrum

mike simpson at Big Education Ape - 3 hours ago

All Things Education: The opting out conundrum: The opting out conundrum by Rachel Levy I've had this post in the cooker for a few months. This article about a group of Virginia superintendents stepping up to the plate to protest high-stakes testing (the SOLs) has prompted me to finish and publish it. Also motivating is that I am scheduled to host #vachat this Monday, June 24th at 8 pm where I plan to discuss high-stakes testing. Please join us! Okay, so last spring we were in the midst of third grade testing mania, which I wrote about here and here. We ended up opted one of our c... more »

Daily Kos: Fifty years later . . .

mike simpson at Big Education Ape - 10 hours ago

Daily Kos: Fifty years later . . .: Fifty years later . . . by rss@dailykos.com (teacherken) Tomorrow will be the exact date and day, because it was Monday June 24, 1963 that 348 members of the Class of 1963 at Mamaroneck High School officially graduated. This weekend was our 50th reunion, about which I offered some preliminary reflections yesterday. I drove home to Virginia this morning, remarkably making the trip from Rye NY where I was staying in 4 hours. Along the way I reflected about the weekend, about the past, and even pondered the future. A number of my classmates are Fac... more »

Jersey Jazzman: Latest "Chiefs For Change" Fail: Skandera in NM

mike simpson at Big Education Ape - 11 hours ago

Jersey Jazzman: Latest "Chiefs For Change" Fail: Skandera in NM: Latest "Chiefs For Change" Fail: Skandera in NM by Duke New levels of reformy incompetence from Jeb! Bush's "Chief For Change" in New Mexico, ACTING Education Secretary Hanna Skandera: *School districts around New Mexico are now being asked to pay back money they received due to an accounting error*. The state Public Education Department acknowledged in May that the funding errors affected about 50 districts. At the time, the department said those that were overpaid would not have to return the money. Education Secret... more »

Schooling in the Ownership Society: Privatization and the Snowden affair

mike simpson at Big Education Ape - 11 hours ago

Schooling in the Ownership Society: Privatization and the Snowden affair: Privatization and the Snowden affair by Mike Klonsky With all the talk about Snowden, it's easy to lose sight of the real issue here --- the surveillance and collection of massive amounts of information on US citizens – from emails, to telephone calls, to videos, under the Prism program and other Fisa court orders. As juicy to the media as Snowden escape story, or his pole-dancing girlfriend may be, his story is just a sideshow to the debate his whistle-blowing has opened up around the government's violation... more »

Perdido Street School: Why Are Wolfson And Bloomberg Attacking Thompson?

mike simpson at Big Education Ape - 11 hours ago

Perdido Street School: Why Are Wolfson And Bloomberg Attacking Thompson?: Why Are Wolfson And Bloomberg Attacking Thompson? by reality-based educator Political hack Howard Wolfson has been given three pages in the Daily News to attack the UFT and Bill Thompson while shilling for Bloomberg's education policies and legacy. I'm going to leave the lies and manipulated data Wolfson spews to sell Bloomberg's policies and agenda for others to knock down. What I'm interested in is why Wolfson and Bloomberg are feeling the need to attack Thompson. To be frank, while Thompson is talking so... more »

Summer Sundays mornings on the screen porch. | Fred Klonsky

mike simpson at Big Education Ape - 11 hours ago

Summer Sundays mornings on the screen porch. | Fred Klonsky: Summer Sundays mornings on the screen porch. by Fred Klonsky [image: brazil] *Sao Paulo. “Health and education. Not the Cup.”* *CPS corruption.* The foxes are guarding the chicken coop. *They break the rules, commit crimes* – but remain Chicago cops. *Rahm’s new CPS board member knows how to make money from public education.* Here’s her business web site. *Her name is Deborah Quazzo.* She replaced another rich, white person. Penny Pritzker is now in Obama’s cabinet. *Better working conditions and benefits for workers* doesn’t ... more »

How my original “Opt Out Letter” was converted to a “form” | Crazy Crawfish's Blog

mike simpson at Big Education Ape - 11 hours ago

How my original “Opt Out Letter” was converted to a “form” | Crazy Crawfish's Blog: How my original “Opt Out Letter” was converted to a “form” by crazycrawfish At the June 18th BESE meeting John White relayed that he did not recall seeing my opt-out letter and did not reply because it was something he characterized as a “form letter.” Technically this was true. Mine was the first letter to get sent, so it was not a form letter, however Tom Aswell at the Louisiana Voice republished it after redacting my personal info so other parents could likewise opt their children out of any d... more »

6-23-13 @ THE CHALK FACE knows SCHOOLS MATTER

mike simpson at Big Education Ape - 12 hours ago

@ THE CHALK FACE knows SCHOOLS MATTER: [image: gears] Chief Kevin Huffman Leads Effort To Kill Teacher Recruiting in Tennessee by Jim Horn We know that Tennessee has become the poster state for every untried corporate reform idea that ALEC can craft in a statute and pass on to the semi-literate Republican Taliban which now runs the State–with the support of homegrown oligarch, Bill (Pilot Oil) Haslam. And thanks to coaching by Gates Foundation drones in late 2009, […] *6-22-13 @ THE CHALK FACE knows SCHOOLS MATTER* mike simpson at Big Education Ape - 18 hours ago @ THE CHALK F... more »

Jersey Jazzman: JerseyCAN Can't

mike simpson at Big Education Ape - 12 hours ago

Jersey Jazzman: JerseyCAN Can't: JerseyCAN Can't by Duke Some stuff in the reformy world is just so dumb it makes your jaw drop: A nonprofit education advocacy group released report cards today for all of New Jersey's the state's public schools and ranked elementary, middle and high schools based on test scores on graduation rates, the group's executive director Janellen Duffy said. Formed in March, JerseyCAN is an off-shoot of a national non-profit group called 50-CAN, which advocates for education policies the group believes can close the achievement gap between wealthy and lo... more »

Excellent Letter sent to BESE by one of my readers about data sharing and inBloom | Crazy Crawfish's Blog

mike simpson at Big Education Ape - 12 hours ago

Excellent Letter sent to BESE by one of my readers about data sharing and inBloom | Crazy Crawfish's Blog: Excellent Letter sent to BESE by one of my readers about data sharing and inBloom by crazycrawfish Dear BESE member, I am writing to voice my concern over the massive student data sharing scheme with InBloom and whomever else is on track to receive information on our students, and even teachers and parents. Please understand our concerns for this unprecedented and massive information sharing by companies and individuals who may or may not have the best interests of our childr...more »

NYC Public School Parents: During the last days of session, the Assembly passes two bills to protect student privacy; Senate fails to act

mike simpson at Big Education Ape - 13 hours ago

NYC Public School Parents: During the last days of session, the Assembly passes two bills to protect student privacy; Senate fails to act: During the last days of session, the Assembly passes two bills to protect student privacy; Senate fails to act by Leonie Haimson *In the last few days of the legislative session, two bills to protect student privacy were approved by the NY Assembly: A.7872**, introduced by Education Chair Cathy Nolan, which would allow parents to opt out of their children’s personal identifiable information from being shared with third parties, and A.6059A, in... more »

Best of the Ed Blogs | National Education Policy Center

mike simpson at Big Education Ape - 13 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. Did You Ever Expect to Hear Eloquence at a School Board Meeting? Best of the Ed Blogs Diane Ravitch June 21, 2013 What the War on Education is All About Best of the... more »

Common Core State Standards: A threat to our values - The York Daily Record

mike simpson at Big Education Ape - 14 hours ago

Common Core State Standards: A threat to our values - The York Daily Record: Common Core State Standards: A threat to our values FRANCES FULTON Updated: 06/20/2013 05:06:47 PM EDT Proponents of Common Core State Standards adamantly assert that these standards are "state-led," "rigorous," and lead to "college and career readiness." They repeat the mantra but provide no meaningful evidence to support their assertions. There were no pilot studies before Common Core was rolled out. The marketing and propaganda are powerful, but the rhetoric doesn't match reality. And the lemming-lik... more »

LISTEN TO DIANE RAVITCH 6-23-13 Diane Ravitch's blog | A site to discuss better education for all

mike simpson at Big Education Ape - 14 hours ago

Diane Ravitch's blog | A site to discuss better education for all: [image: Click on picture to Listen to Diane Ravitch] New BTA Takes Off, 10,000 Strong by dianerav The new, utterly distinguished Badass Teachers Association is roaring to life. It has a website, a Twitter account, a blog site, and 10,000 members. These are teachers who say a loud No to corporate reform that seeks to turn us all into data points, aggregate us, disaggregate us, buy and sell our schools, and put us into a portfolio. Ed Berger: A Test for the Reformers by dianerav We know that reformers love tests, The... more »

Lisa Nielsen: The Innovative Educator: 3 ways to use the old-school phone to enrich learning

mike simpson at Big Education Ape - 14 hours ago

Lisa Nielsen: The Innovative Educator: 3 ways to use the old-school phone to enrich learning: 3 ways to use the old-school phone to enrich learning by noreply@blogger.com (Lisa Nielsen) One of the oldest forms of mobile social networking is the old-school phone call. Innovative educators like Will Richardson and Marc Prensky have said, “Life is an open phone test.” Except at school. Why is it that in the real world we are valued for our ability to address and use connections to solve our problems, but in school we call that cheating? In its most primitive form, the cell phone is a g... more »

Perdido Street School: NYSED Commissioner John King Rigs ELA Regents Scores

mike simpson at Big Education Ape - 14 hours ago

Perdido Street School: NYSED Commissioner John King Rigs ELA Regents Scores: NYSED Commissioner John King Rigs ELA Regents Scores by reality-based educator Via Norm Scott at Ed Notes Online and Carol Burris, here's a letter in full from a teacher at South Side High School to NYSED Commissioner/rookie teacher John King calling him out for rigging the ELA Regents scoring chart so that passing rates will fall: English teacher: The “high stakes” testing agenda is shameful By carolcorbettburris, June 22, 2013 A South Side English teacher, Chris Webster, speaks out about the changes ... more »

NPE News Briefs ← from The Network for Public Education

mike simpson at Big Education Ape - 14 hours ago

NPE News Briefs ← from The Network for Public Education: 1 2 3 4 5 6 … 226 Next » Major Rally in Harrisburg, Pa., on June 25 | Diane Ravitch’s blog JUN 18 2013 A new group called GPS (Great Public Schools) Pittsburgh plans a major rally at the state Capitol in Harrisburg to demand adequate funding for public education across the Keystone State. The state funds low-performing cyber charters and expands the number of privately managed schools that perform no better than public schools. Meanwhile the lights are ... read more → **Activism · Pennsylvania · Philadelphia · Politicians Pr... more »

The Decline and Fall of the English Major | toteachornototeach

mike simpson at Big Education Ape - 14 hours ago

The Decline and Fall of the English Major | toteachornototeach: The Decline and Fall of the English Major by aristotlethewise *The Decline and Fall of the English Major* By Verlyn Klinkenborg In the past few years, I’ve taught nonfiction writing to undergraduates and graduate students at Harvard, Yale, Bard, Pomona, Sarah Lawrence and Columbia’s Graduate School of Journalism. Each semester I hope, and fear, that I will have nothing to teach my students because they already know how to write. And each semester I discover, again, that they don’t. They can assemble strings of jargon and... more »

Patriotism Defined | Bill Ayers

mike simpson at Big Education Ape - 14 hours ago

Patriotism Defined | Bill Ayers: Patriotism Defined by billayers *Patriotism* includes the manufactured and sometimes imposed capacity to see similar sets of facts in dramatically different ways. Torture, rendition, imprisonment without trial, extrajudicial killings, assassinations, drone strikes and the bombing of civilians—all of this and more is condemned as evil or embraced as good by the governing class and nationalist/patriots depending on only one item: who does the deed. “American Exceptionalism” is the magic potion patriots drink in order to justify these specific atrocit... more »

Bridgeport Board of Education schedules emergency vote Monday to formally make Vallas permanent superintendent - Wait, What?

mike simpson at Big Education Ape - 23 hours ago

Bridgeport Board of Education schedules emergency vote Monday to formally make Vallas permanent superintendent - Wait, What?: Bridgeport Board of Education schedules emergency vote Monday to formally make Vallas permanent superintendent by jonpelto This coming Monday and Tuesday, a Connecticut superior court judge will be holding two days of testimony and arguments in the case of whether Paul Vallas is legally entitled to serve as Bridgeport’s Superintendent of Schools.Instead of waiting and respecting the process, Kenneth Moales, Jr. the Chairman of the Bridgeport Board of Educat... more »

Seattle Schools Community Forum: Have You Been to a Mayoral Forum Yet?

mike simpson at Big Education Ape - 23 hours ago

Seattle Schools Community Forum: Have You Been to a Mayoral Forum Yet?: Have You Been to a Mayoral Forum Yet? by Melissa Westbrook Or are you waiting to see how it all shakes out after the primary on August 6th? On the one hand, the one person I did not want to be mayor - from a public education standpoint - was Tim Burgess. He made it much easier because he walked away. (But he made it clear he hoped for a new mayor in the fall.) I am continuing to talk with all the candidates and it makes for some interesting discussions. What I plan to do is offer tidbits of those conversat... more »

Education programs funding - U.S. Congress - OpenCongress

mike simpson at Big Education Ape - 1 day ago

Education programs funding - U.S. Congress - OpenCongress: Bill Introduced: S.1156 Understanding the True Cost of College Act of 2013 Open Congress : Major Bill Actions in Education programs funding - 31 minutes ago A bill to amend the Higher Education Opportunity Act to add disclosure requirements to the institution financial aid offer form and to amend the Higher Education Act of 1965 to make such form mandatory. Bill Introduced: H.R.2338 To Aid Gifted and High-Ability Learners by Empowering the Nation's Teachers Act Open Congress : Major Bill Actions in Education programs fundi... more »

We All Need To Relax | Connected Principals

mike simpson at Big Education Ape - 1 day ago

We All Need To Relax | Connected Principals: We All Need To Relax by Bill Carozza Ogunquit, Maine beach on a calm day. [image: beach]It has been a few rough weeks for me, some of the toughest I’ve faced in a while. There’s nothing on paper to explain this. My wife and kids are doing great. My oldest son is ready to move out to be closer to grad school where he is working on his doctorate. My daughter found a solid teaching job and my new high school graduate is heading to college in Boston. Ok…I have to figure out how to pay for his tuition – that’s stressful, but all in all, everyt... more »

Seattle Schools Community Forum: From the Seattle Council PTSA

mike simpson at Big Education Ape - 1 day ago

Seattle Schools Community Forum: From the Seattle Council PTSA: From the Seattle Council PTSA by Melissa Westbrook *Thank you* *to Lauren McGuire, her Board and all those who serve on PTA Boards. * It's a busy and sometimes tough job so thank you for your time and efforts. Lauren is a kind, calm and dedicated person (and is also a good sport). Her letter to members: Dear Seattle PTA and PTSA Members, Summer is here! I hope you all find time to spend with your kids and enjoy some recreational time. Before I sign off as Seattle Council PTSA President, I'd like to thank the c... more »

Ed Notes Online: Leonie: Mayoral Candidate Pledges on hot-button ed issues - Thompson Finishes Last

mike simpson at Big Education Ape - 1 day ago

Ed Notes Online: Leonie: Mayoral Candidate Pledges on hot-button ed issues - Thompson Finishes Last: Leonie: Mayoral Candidate Pledges on hot-button ed issues - Thompson Finishes Last by ed notes online Another right on post from Leonie Haimson: *UPDATED: Here are scanned copies of the signed pledges of each of the candidates, responding whether they would support each one of our demands. If the next mayor is one of these individuals, you can be sure we will hold them to their promises! Sal Albanese (D), Adolpho Carrion Jr (I), Bill de Blasio (D),Anthony Gronowicz (G), John L... more »

Diane in the Evening 6-22-13 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: Will Kevin Huffman Cut His Own Pay? by dianerav When Kevin Huffman was sworn in as state commissioner in Tennessee, he was offered a salary of $200,000 a year, 11% more than his predecessor. Granted that he believes experience and degrees are worthless, wouldn’t an else yak sense of fairness compel him to cut his salary, having cut salaries of teachers across the state? After all, a teacher with a masters and a doctorate and 20 years experience will make less than $60,000. Who provides greater value? *LISTEN T... more »

6-22-13 @ THE CHALK FACE knows SCHOOLS MATTER

mike simpson at Big Education Ape - 1 day ago

@ THE CHALK FACE knows SCHOOLS MATTER: Who’s Building the “Army of Teachers” by Kris Nielsen The National Center for Teacher Quality is a bogus organization, since it comes to us from a non-scientific point of view and tons of people who know next to nothing about teaching. When an agenda and a bunch of policy ideas are predetermined, and the studies comes later, you know something’s going on. But the […] End slacktivism in education by Chalk Face, PhD I modeled this image off of a very poignant UNICEF campaign, that “liking” Facebook pages and groups, while important init... more »

Koch Brothers Exposed

mike simpson at Big Education Ape - 1 day ago

*Koch Brothers Exposed* *Documentary detailing the crimes of the Koch brothers and the hijacking of US politics.*

Indiana suing firm over standardized-testing problems

mike simpson at Big Education Ape - 1 day ago

Indiana suing firm over standardized-testing problems: Indiana suing firm over standardized-testing problems By Valerie Strauss, Published: June 22, 2013 at 1:13 pmE-mail the writer 0 Comments More [image: (By Sarah Garland)] (By Sarah Garland) The state of Indiana is suing CTB/McGraw-Hill following problems last month when students were taking standardized tests online. Nearly 80,000 students were affected when their computers froze during the testing, the results of which are used to evaluate teachers and schools. Indiana was one of several states that reported numerous problems with... more »

New documentary sheds light on U.S. ‘juvenile lifers’ | The Raw Story

mike simpson at Big Education Ape - 1 day ago

New documentary sheds light on U.S. ‘juvenile lifers’ | The Raw Story: New documentary sheds light on U.S. ‘juvenile lifers’ By Agence France-Presse Saturday, June 22, 2013 12:57 EDT [image: Juvenile lockup facility via AFP] Topics: Brian Draper ♦ Cassie Jo Stoddart ♦ Joshua Rofe Jacob Ind got the idea of killing his mother and stepfather, at the tender age of 15, from a friend who came over to his Colorado house one day and remarked how his mom was such a “bitch”. Torey Adamcik and Brian Draper, both 16 at the time, took inspiration from the Wes Craven horror movie “Scream” when t... more »

Perdido Street School: The ELA Regents Exam: Set Up By The Regents And The NYSED To Fail Both Students And Teachers

mike simpson at Big Education Ape - 1 day ago

Perdido Street School: The ELA Regents Exam: Set Up By The Regents And The NYSED To Fail Both Students And Teachers: The ELA Regents Exam: Set Up By The Regents And The NYSED To Fail Both Students And Teachers by reality-based educator There are two good pieces on the brutal scoring chart that the NYSED and Regents are using for the 2013 June ELA Regents exam. Gotham Schools covered the story yesterday: Bronx Center for Science and Math Assistant Principal Stephen Seltzer sent a letter to State Education Commissioner John King expressing frustration about the new conversion chart ... more »

PD planning | Connected Principals

mike simpson at Big Education Ape - 1 day ago

PD planning | Connected Principals: PD planning by Amber Teamann [image: bb-staff-development]This was cross posted from Technically yours, Teamann. Had the privilege of meeting Brian Pete and Robin Fogarty at ASCD in FL a few years ago. Their session on training was probably one of the best I’d ever been too! If you haven’t ever heard of them, they have two books that I highly recommend. From Staffroom to Classroom, I & II. They give you a number of ways to conduct training with your staff that the teachers can then turn around and use in the classroom. It serves a dual purpose…gi... more »

Jersey Jazzman: The Rhee-Energence of Rhee

mike simpson at Big Education Ape - 1 day ago

Jersey Jazzman: The Rhee-Energence of Rhee: The Rhee-Energence of Rhee by Duke Does it seem to you that Michelle Rhee has been keeping a low profile lately? After the abysmal failure of her book (in spite of a dream publicity tour), the stunning revaluations about her role in the Washington, D.C.cheating scandal, and StudentsFirsts's endorsement of an anti-gay crusader, Rhee hasn't made much of a peep these last few weeks. Well, it turns out she's like this brood of cicadas we've got here in Jersey: just give her a little time, and she's sure to pop up somewhere... The annual Chart... more »

Hogwarts University for Education Reform | EduShyster

mike simpson at Big Education Ape - 1 day ago

Hogwarts University for Education Reform | EduShyster: Hogwarts University for Education Reform by edushyster2012 What if there was a way to combine the two fiercest urgencies of today: college preparation and reforming our failed and failing public schools? Reader: I’ve got some great news. Pack up the beer pong table and the Mötley Crüe poster—we’re headed to college. Welcome to50CAN University, the college for people who want to put other people on a path to college. *Meet the faculty* The most important part of any higher education experience is the drinking games and the casual ... more »

UPDATE Saturday coffee. | Fred Klonsky

mike simpson at Big Education Ape - 1 day ago

Saturday coffee. | Fred Klonsky: Saturday coffee. by Fred Klonsky [image: extralarge] Reading the reports of a million demonstrators in streets of Brazillian cities this past week, it is hard not to think of my own city. Protesters chanted, *“When your son is ill, take him to the stadium.”* And, *“Any good teacher is worth more than Neymar,”* in reference to the Brazillian soccer star. And my favorite. *“The people, united, are a gigantic bunch of dudes.”* Money on sports stadiums instead of schools? Wait. Are we talking abou Rich white people get married. by Fred Klonsky [image: ch20... more »

LISTEN TO DIANE RAVITCH 6-22-13 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: [image: Click on picture to Listen to Diane Ravitch] Student: Why Is There Money for Teating But Not For Music? by dianerav I received the following email: Hi, Dr. Ravitch: I am a film teacher at a Buffalo Public School (www.cityhonors.org) and one of my students made a video on her own time about the draconian cuts that the Buffalo Public Schools is making with its instrumental music program. This is a direct effect of the per pupil funding that has been instituted in the BPS. I thought you might like to see it. ... more »

“those teachers are failures” | Gary Rubinstein's Blog

mike simpson at Big Education Ape - 1 day ago

“those teachers are failures” | Gary Rubinstein's Blog: “those teachers are failures” by Gary Rubinstein It is nearly July which means that it is the time of year, again, where I offer my unsolicited, and generally unwanted, analysis of some of the blog entries by the newest cohort of TFA corps members. I generally take a lot of criticism for doing this, even from people who regularly read my blog. Mainly this is because people don’t understand my intentions or because they don’t believe that my intentions are what I say they are. So, for the record: I am not trying to pass jud... more »

Sunday, June 23, 2013

James Baldwin said it best:

"For these are all our children, and we will profit by or pay for whatever they become."