Big Education Ape: Jul 12, 2013

Friday, July 12, 2013

That's what some people call us. But I'm not a glorified babysitter. I'm a real one.

My 17-year-old daughter lined up a nice babysitting gig for herself. Then she got an opportunity to spend two weeks in Ontario visiting family and dumped the gig on us. It works out well for our friend, the mom, since we don't take pay for our services.

The girl's almost three years old and speaks mostly Spanish. She seems to like me, but barely speaks to me at all. She prefers to gesticulate when around me. I can't really figure it out. I can speak Spanish. But it doesn't matter whether I speak Spanish or English--all I get is a lot of finger-pointing. I get my share of smiles too, so it's not all that bad.

In contrast, with my wife, she chatters like a little parrot. She comments on everything, asks questions about me, talks about everything, sings

Nite Cap 7-12-13 #BATsACT #thankateacher #EDCHAT #P2 #HEREPASTJUNE

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

TODAY

Teachers, Coal Miners and ALL of Us | Reclaim Reform

Teachers, Coal Miners and ALL of Us | Reclaim Reform: Teachers, Coal Miners and ALL of UsPosted on July 12, 2013Illinois public employees at the State capital.by kenprevitiThe Illinois Teacher Pension pillage by its own state legislature is one part of the overall War Against the Middle Class by mega-corporate billionaires. The state claims it wants to write off debt; the political/corporate reali

by mike simpson / 2min

What every parent should know about our juvenile justice system

What every parent should know about our juvenile justice system « MomsRising Blog: What every parent should know about our juvenile justice systemPosted July 12th, 2013 by Sarah BryerI’m one of those moms who sees danger in every corner. I check for ticks, apply sun screen, and make sure my child is buckled into her car seat. I take it as my personal responsibility to ensure her safety. This ta

by mike simpson / 4min

Meet the Teach for America Resistance Movement That's Growing From Within - Zach Schonfeld - The Atlantic Wire

Meet the Teach for America Resistance Movement That's Growing From Within - Zach Schonfeld - The Atlantic Wire: Meet the Teach for America Resistance Movement That's Growing From WithinReuters Share Print article Email article CommentZACH SCHONFELD5:51 PM ETA network of Teach for America alumni and corps members is organizing in Chicago this weekend, as part of the national Free Minds, Free People

by mike simpson / 6min

Expert Testimony Details Irreparable Harm from School Closures

July 12, 2013 at 3:30pmExpert Testimony Details Irreparable Harm from School ClosuresPlaintiffs and Community Await U.S. District Judge Mueller’s Decision on a Preliminary InjunctionSACRAMENTO, CA – Today, U.S. District Judge Kimberly J. Mueller listened to plaintiffs make their case about the Sacramento City Unified School District’s (District) intentional discrimination against low-income and mi

by mike simpson / 15min

President of Failed DC Chancellor Michelle Rhee’s group leaves - Byron Tau - POLITICO.com

President of Failed DC Chancellor Michelle Rhee’s group leaves - Byron Tau - POLITICO.com: President of Failed DC Chancellor Michelle Rhee’s group leaves The president of the education reform group founded by former D.C. schools chancellor Michelle Rhee is stepping down, POLITICO has learned.After less than a year on the job, Kahlil Byrd will leave his post as president of the group StudentsFirst,

by mike simpson / 1h

The Billionaires' War Against Public Education

The Billionaires' War Against Public Education: The Billionaires' War Against Public EducationMonday, 08 July 2013 15:26By Peter Dreier, Truthout | Op-Ed246font size Print EmailStudents during a meeting at the guidance office at Akins High School in Austin, Texas, April 4, 2013. (Photo: Ben Sklar / The New York Times)Ever since the emergence of talking pictures, schools have been a major subject

by mike simpson / 1h

CAUGHT ON AUDIO YET AGAIN!! DR Alison Coviello: YOU LACK COURAGE!!!!! southbronxschool.com

http://www.southbronxschool.com: CAUGHT ON AUDIO YET AGAIN!! DR Alison Coviello: YOU LACK COURAGE!!!!!On June 18, I was summoned by the grand exalted poobah, Prinicpal DR Alison Coviello of PS 154 in the Bronx to yet a another disciplinary conference regarding stuff that any other teacher in the school would have been left alone.Basically, there was one teacher, in fact two, that whined about my t

by mike simpson / 2h

Diane in the Evening 7-12-13 Diane Ravitch's blog | A site to discuss better education for all

Diane Ravitch's blog | A site to discuss better education for all: An Eloquent and Incredibly Brave Child Speaks at the UNMalala Yousafzai, the teenager who was shot in the head by Taliban thugs who don’t want girls to be educated, spoke at the United Nations and was amazingly eloquent in calling for free, compulsory education for every child. What an incredible and heroic young woman. Some heard

by mike simpson / 2h

Hanging Chad | Gary Rubinstein's Blog

Hanging Chad | Gary Rubinstein's Blog: Hanging ChadI know that people always get upset, no matter how many times I issue this disclaimer, when I use a blog post or tweet from a new corps member to illustrate some of the problems with the TFA ‘mindset’ training. These are never intended to be personal attacks. I just like to do them as a way of helping people, particularly the new CMs, understand

by mike simpson / 4h

A reply to Herman Benson: The Chicago Teachers Union is a different kind of labor union | New Politics

A reply to Herman Benson: The Chicago Teachers Union is a different kind of labor union | New Politics: A reply to Herman Benson: The Chicago Teachers Union is a different kind of labor union Lois WeinerJuly 12, 2013The exchange between Herman Benson and Dan La Botz highlights one, if not the primary, issue that has to be resolved if we are to turn back the tidal wave of anti-union and anti-democr

by mike simpson / 4h

Stellar Roster of Rising Education Leaders, Veteran Education Advocates and Twitterati Lined up for 2nd Annual Bammy Awards | Fort Mill Times - Fort Mill, SC

Stellar Roster of Rising Education Leaders, Veteran Education Advocates and Twitterati Lined up for 2nd Annual Bammy Awards | Fort Mill Times - Fort Mill, SC: Stellar Roster of Rising Education Leaders, Veteran Education Advocates and Twitterati Lined up for 2nd Annual Bammy AwardsDennis Van Roekel, Eric Sheninger, John Merrow, Angela Maiers, Dan Domenech, John Musso, Adam Bellows, Donna Mazyck, C

by mike simpson / 5h

Kicking Off the 2013 Let’s Read! Let’s Move! Summer Series | ED.gov Blog

Kicking Off the 2013 Let’s Read! Let’s Move! Summer Series | ED.gov Blog: Kicking Off the 2013 Let’s Read! Let’s Move! Summer SeriesPosted on July 12, 2013 by Kelsey DonohueSecretary Arne Duncan joined Michelle Kwan, member of the President’s Council on Fitness, Sports & Nutrition and Olympic figure skater, Sam Kass, executive director of Let’s Move! and senior policy advisor on nutrition, and

by mike simpson / 5h

Thinking (& Writing) About Education Research & Policy Implications | School Finance 101

Thinking (& Writing) About Education Research & Policy Implications | School Finance 101: Thinking (& Writing) About Education Research & Policy ImplicationsPosted on July 12, 20130 Rate ThisEducation reporters out there… here are a few thoughts for you as you embark on whatever may be your next article pertaining to an education research study.FIRST, do a Google Scholar (eas

by mike simpson / 5h

For laid-off Philly teachers it's a mix of waiting, hoping and leaving | Philadelphia Public School Notebook

For laid-off Philly teachers it's a mix of waiting, hoping and leaving | Philadelphia Public School Notebook: For laid-off Philly teachers it's a mix of waiting, hoping and leavingby thenotebook on Jul 12 2013 Posted in Latest news="" style="color: rgb(76, 153, 72); cursor: pointer; float: left; padding: 0px 2px;">Share on emailCOMMENTS (0)PRINTLaid-off teacher Bernadette McHenry will spend her su

by mike simpson / 5h

Perdido Street School: NYSED Commissioner John King Carries Out A Vendetta Against Buffalo Schools

Perdido Street School: NYSED Commissioner John King Carries Out A Vendetta Against Buffalo Schools: NYSED Commissioner John King Carries Out A Vendetta Against Buffalo SchoolsNYSED Commissioner/rookie teacher John King has told the Buffalo school district that they must allow students from two turnaround high schools to attend classes outside of the district because "the district is simply incapa

by mike simpson / 5h

Black Caucus hearing decries state control of Paterson schools - NorthJersey.com

Black Caucus hearing decries state control of Paterson schools - NorthJersey.com: Black Caucus hearing decries state control of Paterson schoolsFRIDAY JULY 12, 2013, 12:31 PMBY ED RUMLEYPATERSON PRESSPAGES: 1 2 > DISPLAY ON ONE PAGE | PRINT | E-MAILPATERSON – The state’s ongoing takeover of public schools in Paterson, Newark and Jersey City came under fire during a hearing on Wednesday of the New

by mike simpson / 5h

Wait, What? - Working to educate, persuade and mobilize through "perceptive and acerbic" observations about Connecticut Government and Politics

Wait, What? - Working to educate, persuade and mobilize through "perceptive and acerbic" observations about Connecticut Government and Politics: CT Post editorial says enough is enough – Start planning for post-Vallas school systemCategories: Bridgeport Kenneth Moales Malloy Mayor Bill Finch Paul Vallas Stefan PryorTags: BridgeportKenneth Moales Jr.MalloyMayor Bill FinchPaul VallasStefan PryorOver

by mike simpson / 6h

Updated screening test for English learners targeted for 2015-16 SI&A Cabinet Report – News & Resources

SI&A Cabinet Report – News & Resources: Updated screening test for English learners targeted for 2015-16By Tom ChorneauFriday, July 12, 2013State officials appear on track for developing a new test by 2015-16 for identifying students whose home language is not English and who need help improving their language skills.Adoption last fall of new English Language Development Standards for K-12

by mike simpson / 6h

Mike Klonsky's SmallTalk Blog: '63 School Boycott revisited

Mike Klonsky's SmallTalk Blog: '63 School Boycott revisited: '63 School Boycott revisitedThe Hyde Park Union Church was packed last night for the remembrance of the historic 1963 Chicago school boycott. It was the kick-off of this weekend's Free Minds, Free Peoplenational conference.We got a sneak peek at a new Kartemquin film about the boycott (you can watch it here). The highlight of the evening

by mike simpson / 6h

Cali Education Headlines Friday, July 12, 2013

FCMAT » Fiscal Crisis & Management Assistance Team: Teachers Union gives LAUSD Superintendent John Deasy an 'F'Education HeadlinesFriday, July 12, 2013McElrath: Schools, districts need freedom to realize new funding system’s potentialAs we start the task of implementing this significant reform, let’s work together to find the balance required between those who fear a lack of tight restrictions

by mike simpson / 6h

Tony Bennett-Prioritizes Common Core-PARCC in School Grade Recommendations | Scathing Purple Musings

Tony Bennett-Prioritizes Common Core-PARCC in School Grade Recommendations | Scathing Purple Musings: Tony Bennett-Prioritizes Common Core-PARCC in School Grade RecommendationsPosted on July 12, 2013by Bob Sikes Rate ThisIn his letter detailing his recommendations to the Florida BOE Commissioner Tony Bennett wrote:…….Between now and the 2012-2015 school year the biggest issue confronting our

by mike simpson / 7h

"Go Public" - Finally, A Film That Celebrates Public Schools!

"Go Public" - Finally, A Film That Celebrates Public Schools!: "Go Public" - Finally, A Film That Celebrates Public Schools!Monday, 08 July 2013 15:26By Peter Dreier, Truthout | Op-Edfont size Print EmailStudents during a meeting at the guidance office at Akins High School in Austin, Texas, April 4, 2013. (Photo: Ben Sklar / The New York Times)Ever since the emergence of talking pictures, school

by mike simpson / 8h

Morning Wink 7-12-13 AM Posts #BATsACT #edreform #EDCHAT #P2

BIG EDUCATION APE - MORNING WINK AM POSTSTODAYInside Report: School reform fights raging | Opinion | The Advocate — Baton Rouge, LAInside Report: School reform fights raging | Opinion | The Advocate — Baton Rouge, LA: Inside Report: School reform fights ragingBY WILL SENTELLCapitol news bureauJuly 12, 20139 COMMENTSAfter months of legislative and court battles, the seemingly endless tussle over h

by mike simpson / 8h

Inside Report: School reform fights raging | Opinion | The Advocate — Baton Rouge, LA

Inside Report: School reform fights raging | Opinion | The Advocate — Baton Rouge, LA: Inside Report: School reform fights ragingBY WILL SENTELLCapitol news bureauJuly 12, 20139 COMMENTSAfter months of legislative and court battles, the seemingly endless tussle over how to improve Louisiana’s teacher ranks has entered a new phase.Rather than high-profile fights, the issue is sparking lots of behin

by mike simpson / 8h

Janet Napolitano, Homeland Security chief, to head UC - latimes.com

Janet Napolitano, Homeland Security chief, to head UC - latimes.com: Janet Napolitano, Homeland Security chief, to head UCComments14EmailShare1KU.S. Homeland Security Secretary Janet Napolitano is being named the next president of the 10-campus UC system. (Alex Wong / Getty Images / July 18, 2012)By Larry GordonJuly 12, 2013, 7:00 a.m.Janet Napolitano, the U.S. secretary of Homeland Security and f

by mike simpson / 8h

Education Law Center | IS WASHINGTON'S CHARTER SCHOOL ACT UNCONSTITUTIONAL?

Education Law Center | Home: IS WASHINGTON'S CHARTER SCHOOL ACT UNCONSTITUTIONAL?July 12, 2013On July 3, 2012, community groups, educators, and parents filedLeague of Women Voters of Washington v. State, claiming that the state's newly approved Charter School Act ("the Act") violates the Washington Constitution.In their Complaint filed in State Superior Court, plaintiffs assert that the new law "v

by mike simpson / 8h

7-12-13 Fred Klonsky | Daily posts from a retired public school teacher who is just looking at the data.

Fred Klonsky | Daily posts from a retired public school teacher who is just looking at the data.: Drummond Montessori forced to cut only Spanish teacher.A follow up to Drummond parent Chris Barrett’s guest blog post: BUCKTOWN — When students return to a top-rated Bucktown elementary school in the fall, they won’t be learning how to speak or write Spanish and they will be spending less time in the

by mike simpson / 10h

Free Minds, Free People Fight the (Corporate) Power

Free Minds, Free People: RECENT POSTSTaking the Organized Resistance to TFA National at FMFPFight the (Corporate) PowerTeaching Palestine: More Relevant than Ever

by mike simpson / 10h

LISTEN TO DIANE RAVITCH 7-12-13 Diane Ravitch's blog | A site to discuss better education for all

Diane Ravitch's blog | A site to discuss better education for all: Indiana: “It’s the Money, Stupid”Karen Francisco writes that she is often asked to explain what a charter school is. She used to say that it was a publicly- funded school that is exempt from many state regulations in exchange for higher accountability. But now she sees falling charter schools turn into voucher schools or go shoppin

by mike simpson / 10h

How mad are some teachers? This mad

How mad are some teachers? This mad: How mad are some teachers? This madBy Valerie Strauss, Published: July 12 at 5:00 amE-mail the writer1CommentsMoreThe group’s logoEducators who are sick and tired of being blamed for whatever woes exist in the public education system have banded together in a group named to show their disgust and defiance: the Badass Teachers Association.In the short time that

by mike simpson / 10h

solidaridad: LASM: AALA and UTLA Presidents write LAUSD Board Members with serious concerns over Superintendent's irresponsible comments and behavior

solidaridad: LASM: AALA and UTLA Presidents write LAUSD Board Members with serious concerns over Superintendent's irresponsible comments and behavior: LASM: AALA and UTLA Presidents write LAUSD Board Members with serious concerns over Superintendent's irresponsible comments and behaviorFirst published on LASM on July 11, 2013Deasy stayed at the Gates Foundation only a year and a half, practicing t

by mike simpson / 10h

Sac City argues in court against overturning school closures - Education - The Sacramento Bee

Sac City argues in court against overturning school closures - Education - The Sacramento Bee: Sac City argues in court against overturning school closuresBy Loretta Kalblkalb@sacbee.comPublished: Friday, Jul. 12, 2013 - 12:00 am | Page 1BAttorneys for Sacramento city schools told a federal judge Thursday that blocking seven elementary campuses from closing would be costly for the district.Such a

by mike simpson / 10h

What They Don’t Want You to Know about Standardized Testing | GoingPublic

What They Don’t Want You to Know about Standardized Testing | GoingPublic: What They Don’t Want You to Know about Standardized TestingTwo of our granddaughters visited with us this week. The youngest is 5. She’s been reading for a year and can handle chapter books like the Amelia Bedelia series. She’s the philosopher in the family. She recently asked, “Are bad people bad because they’re really bad

by mike simpson / 10h

7-12-13 Ed Notes Online

Ed Notes Online: Success Academy Evil Moskowitz Sues on State Audit to Keep Dead Bodies Buried While Grabbing More Real EstateIs this a new way of being able to steal without consequences? True public schools have to have an accountability of every dollar. The charter schools that are occupying our community schools need to be held to the same standards. ... comment at nycednews UPDaTeD: Let's ge

by mike simpson / 10h

Daily Kos: Eugene Robinson on "The Party of No"

Daily Kos: Eugene Robinson on "The Party of No": Eugene Robinson on "The Party of No"byteacherkenFollowtakes apart the Republicans on immigration reform in this delicious Washington Post op ed.He begins thusly: Self-delusion is a sad spectacle. Watching Republicans convince themselves that killing immigration reform actually helps the GOP is excruciating, and I wish somebody would make it stop.Tr

by mike simpson / 10h

Having teachers at the table instead of on the menu | Get Schooled | www.ajc.com

Having teachers at the table instead of on the menu | Get Schooled | www.ajc.com: Having teachers at the table instead of on the menu COMMENT(6) 3 46 0 51RelatedView Larger Retired Montgomery County superintendent Jerry WeastPrevious PostsA rare day in education when we can say something's workingJuly 11, 2013EOCT results: New higher math standards present challenge to Georgia studentsJuly 10, 201

by mike simpson / 11h

7-12-13 Schools Matter @ The Chalk Face

SCHOOLS MATTER @ THE CHALK FACE: Microsoft Gives Spy Agencies Encryption Codes for Email, Chat, Skype, and Cloud StorageThese are the people who are at the forefront of developing data surveillance systems for every aspect of your child’s education. James Risen has the story for the NYTimes, which appeared first in The Guardian. A clip: WASHINGTON — Microsoft has collaborated with the National Se

by mike simpson / 11h

YESTERDAY

Supporters Rally At Hearing Over Sacramento School Closures

Supporters Rally At Hearing Over Sacramento School Closures « CBS Sacramento: Supporters Rally At Hearing Over Sacramento School ClosuresFamililes are saying the closures disproportionately affect lower-income communities, while the district claims it was only shuttering underenrolled schools

by mike simpson / 18h

Steve Zimmer (LAUSD) on Why Class Size Matters Choosing Democracy:

Choosing Democracy: Steve Zimmer (LAUSD) on Why Class Size Matters: Thursday, July 11, 2013Steve Zimmer (LAUSD) on Why Class Size Matters

by mike simpson / 18h

UTLA: 85% of teachers rate superintendent below average | Pass / Fail | 89.3 KPCC

UTLA: 85% of teachers rate superintendent below average | Pass / Fail | 89.3 KPCC: UTLA: 85% of teachers rate superintendent below averageAdolfo Guzman-Lopez | July 11th, 2013, 6:18pmTami Abdollah / KPCCUTLA President Warren Fletcher in 2012. He says the union's teachers aren't happy with the superintendent's performance.L.A. Unified's teachers' union has again come out swinging at the superintend

by mike simpson / 18h

The Bridgeport Mess: Vallas Camp Is Right on Merits, Not on Law :: Frederick M. Hess

The Bridgeport Mess: Vallas Camp Is Right on Merits, Not on Law :: Frederick M. Hess: The Bridgeport Mess: Vallas Camp Is Right on Merits, Not on Lawby Frederick M. Hess • Jul 11, 2013 at 7:07 pmCross-posted from Education WeekYesterday, a Superior Court judge ruled that Bridgeport Superintendent of Schools Paul Vallas must resign his post immediately. It was the latest development in a saga tha

by mike simpson / 18h

The Reflective Practice of Teaching — Whole Child Education

The Reflective Practice of Teaching — Whole Child Education: THE WHOLE CHILD BLOGThe Reflective Practice of TeachingJuly 11, 2013 by Kenneth BernsteinAs a teacher, I cannot imagine not reflecting as a regular part of my teaching practice.Part of this is because as a shy person who was also an extravert, I had to think about how to interact with other people. I would even as a child take time to st

by mike simpson / 18h

What A Bunch of Maroons!: Senate student loan interest rate bill fails on procedural vote

Senate student loan interest rate bill fails on procedural voteVideo: Senators failed to overcome a procedural hurdle, leaving student interest rates on subsidized student Stafford loans at 6.8 percent. w/ LyricsBy Jenna Johnson, Published: July 10 E-mail the writersA Senate bill that would restore a low interest rate on one type of federal student loan for another year failed to clear a procedura

by mike simpson / 22h

Report Card: Sacramento school plaintiffs allege faulty data behind closures

Report Card: Sacramento school plaintiffs allege faulty data behind closures: Sacramento school plaintiffs allege faulty data behind closuresBy Loretta Kalblkalb@sacbee.comA witness in the lawsuit seeking to block Sacramento City Unified from closing seven elementary schools testified today that the district overstated capacity of some campuses when it decided which ones to close.The testimony cam

by mike simpson / 23h

Daily Kos: The Reflective Practice of Teaching

Daily Kos: The Reflective Practice of Teaching: The Reflective Practice of TeachingbyteacherkenFollowThe following was written for the blog of the Whole Child Initiative of the Association for Supervision and Curriculum Development, where it went live today. You can see the originalhere As a teacher, I cannot imagine not reflecting as a regular part of my teaching practice.Part of t

by mike simpson / 23h

The End of Your Career Book Club, Part III: Influence, Inspiration and Instruction - Teacher in a Strange Land - Education Week Teacher

The End of Your Career Book Club, Part III: Influence, Inspiration and Instruction - Teacher in a Strange Land - Education Week Teacher: The End of Your Career Book Club, Part III: Influence, Inspiration and InstructionBy Nancy Flanagan on July 11, 2013 6:42 PMThanks to all those who read through my list and Claudia Swisher's list of books that shaped our beliefs and careers--and commented or shar

by mike simpson / 23h mark as read // save

Nite Cap 7-11-13 #neara13 #RYH4Ed #BATsACT #thankateacher #EDCHAT #P2 #HEREPASTJUNE

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 CAPTODAYTeachers union gives poor grade to L.A. schools Supt. Deasy - latimes.comTeachers union gives poor grade to L.A. schools Supt. Deasy - latimes.com: Teachers union gives poor grade to L.A. schools Supt. DeasyBy Howard BlumeJuly 11, 2013, 3:08 p.m.The L

by mike simpson / 1d