Teachers For Social Justice: Milwaukee Schools Under Attack-Need Our Help!

Teachers For Social Justice: Milwaukee Schools Under Attack-Need Our Help!:

Milwaukee Schools Under Attack-Need Our Help!

SEPTEMBER 16, 2013 LEAVE A COMMENT

Come to Milwaukee w/ TSJ for a March and Rally Saturday Sept 21-Public Education is a Civil Right!

Milwaukee public school educators, parents, and students need your help. The assault on public schools is increasing in Milwaukee.  We have called for Public Education is a Civil Rights March and Rally for Saturday, September 21 in response.  We hope that you can join us to demonstrate to the entire state that we are united in our demand that public education be supported, not abandoned. IF YOU WANT TO COME WITH US, EMAIL Jessica of TSJ, we will leave Saturday AM and return that afternoon-we will either be on a bus w/ CTU and/or car pooling. WEAR YOUR TSJ T-SHIRT!!! The most recent attack on public schools in Milwaukee has come in the form of a proposal from the Metropolitan Milwaukee Association of Commerce that would create a New Orleans's style "recovery zone" in Milwaukee. Dozens of "low performing" schools would be removed from the democratic control of the school board, and placed in a new school district or zone that has an appointed superintendent. That superintendent would then turn those public schools over to privately-run charter schools. This is essentially what happened in New Orleans -- all the teachers were fired in that district as part of the conversion. This is also happening in parts of Tennessee and Michigan.  We are asking for you to stand in solidarity with public schools in Milwaukee. For over 20 years Milwaukee has been ground zero for this assault on public education and we are drawing the line. We are saying "no more." Over 50 organizations have endorsed the march. John Stocks, NEA Executive Director is going to be joining the march and will be a speaker. We need a large turnout. We need you. Follow these links to a flyer and list of co-sponsors.  The MTEA is willing to contribute $100 to any uniserv or local or community organization from outside of Milwaukee to defray cost of a rented bus to come to Milwaukee. We will support the first ten bus requests that we receive. If you have questions please contact me directly. In Solidarity, Bob Peterson President, Milwaukee Teachers Education Association (and close friend of TSJ!)

Highlights from Terri’s Alabama Teacher Town Hall video – A MUST WATCH! « inspirEDucation

Highlights from Terri’s Alabama Teacher Town Hall video – A MUST WATCH! « inspirEDucation:

Highlights from Terri’s Alabama Teacher Town Hall video – A MUST WATCH!

A commentor by the name of “Jack” was kind enough to post details of Terri’s wonderful video, that captures Michelle Rhee’s Teacher Town Hall in Birmingham last Thursday in all its shameful glory. Here is the video once again and Jack’s comment:

Regarding this video from Birmingham,
here are some highlights:

Rhee mocks Hannah Nguyen at about
02:13 – 02:40 — quoting out of context
and distorting what Hannah wrote to her
in her email.

At 05:05, Terri Michal (MIKE-uhl) attempts to
voice her opinion—and others followed suit,
saying, “I did, too,” and watch how she’s
treated.

At 06:08, they rip the mic away from
her (though you can see it because
she had to hide the camera, because
cameras were not allowed… resulting
in a bad camera angle).

As the caption indicates, forum participant
Steve “unionized-teachers-are-roaches”
Perry then does not answer the Terri’s

Jersey Jazzman: Chicago Mayor Emanuel Closes New School Before It Opens! [parody]

Jersey Jazzman: Chicago Mayor Emanuel Closes New School Before It Opens! [parody]:

Chicago Mayor Emanuel Closes New School Before It Opens!

CHICAGO -- Rahm Emanuel has become the first big city mayor to close a school before it has even been built. "When I announced I was building this new [expletive deleted] school yesterday, I thought you [expletive deleted] in the press would leave me alone!" yelled Emanuel, shouting in front of a group of parents gathered in the Far Southeast Side. "Then the [expletive deleted] Tr

2 by Duke / 39min 

9-14-13 Jersey Jazzman

Jersey Jazzman: Hilarious Ode to Charlotte Danielson!If you are a teacher, trust me on this one: Danielson, oh Danielson, I still hear your domains calling, My data's down, my numbers falling, I became a "one" When I met Danielson. Based on Glenn Campbell's "Galveston"; how these guys came up with that choice I have no idea, but well done, folks! My sense is that Charlotte Dani

by mike simpson / 8h 

Let It Reign! | Gary Rubinstein's Blog

Let It Reign! | Gary Rubinstein's Blog:

Let It Reign!

by Gary Rubinstein

The reformers can wait for Superman all they want.  We’ve got Wonder Woman.

‘Reign Of Error:  the Hoax of the Privatization Movement and the Danger to America’s Public Schools,’ released today, is what Arne Duncan would call a ‘game changer.’  This will bring a new and wider audience to Dr. Diane Ravitch’s analysis of the current fads in education which will, I expect, get her air time on mainstream television to spread the truth even further.

Education ‘reform,’ she describes in the first pages of the book is based on the narrative that our country’s schools are, in general, ‘failing’ and are in a wild free fall from the unspecified ‘glory days’ of public education.  The situation, the reformers say, is so desperate, that the public has been convinced that it is, indeed, time to panic and to be willing to try radical and untested remedies.  The problem with all this is that schools, though not perfect, are not truly ‘failing’ and the reckless strategies now called ‘reform’ are not making things any better and are, in many ways, making things worse.

The average reader will be shocked by chapters 5 through 9 in which Ravitch uses data to demonstrate that there is no international test score comparison crisis, high school graduation rates are at an all time high, and that NAEP test scores are also at an all time high.  No, this does not mean that we don’t keep working to make schools better, but it does mean that the initial 

Preserving Public Education | Crazy Crawfish's Blog

Preserving Public Education | Crazy Crawfish's Blog:

Preserving Public Education

Posted on September 16, 2013

1

Next stop, Atlanta!

Looks like I’ve hit the big time (or at least the southern regional time) guys! I was invited to speak on a plenary panel, along with some pretty heavy hitters, at a Southern Regional Conference in Atlanta this coming weekend. I’ve been working on my intro speech and rallying cry for the past couple of weeks. My hope is to not make a complete fool of myself so I’ve been harassing friends and family with my drafts, and practicing (something I almost never do for anything), on my intro. My 4 and 6 year old are not as attentive as I’d like, but my son told me he’ll listen as long as I need him to, so long as I’m giving him a piggy back ride while doing it. (I hope that doesn’t lead to any same state learning issues or I may have to make a very awkward request of the most diminutive attendee I can find.) I’m gonna try and nail it without cards or notes. I usually speak without them, but I also usually ramble and take about 3 times longer than I should and confuse people when I’m done, so preparing something ahead of time that is succinct and rehearsed will be something new for me! The only thing I have going for me is that I passionately believe in what I’m going to say, (and my flight will take around 4 or 5 hours with all my bizarre connections) so I think I have a decent shot of pulling this off.

Send your prayers and feelings of goodwill my way. Believe it or not, I’m sometimes a little shy and self-conscious in person, but when I read your comments or private e-mails they really do lift me 

States Tackle Chronic Absence in Schools | toteachornototeach

States Tackle Chronic Absence in Schools | toteachornototeach:

States Tackle Chronic Absence in Schools 

By Adrienne Lu

School attendance is about more than figuring out who is playing hooky.

Until recently, schools mostly looked at the student body’s overall attendance rate and the truancy–or unexcused absences–of individual students.

Now a growing number of states and school districts are increasing their focus on students who are “chronically absent” from school–whether the absences are excused or unexcused. States have different definitions of chronic absence, but it is often defined as missing at least 10 percent of the school year for any reason.

Chronic absence is a key indicator for problems such as dropping out and lower academic achievement, according to recent research, so educators are hoping to identify students early enough to intervene.

“When it comes to instructional time, a day missed is a day missed,” said Hedy Chang, 

9-16-13 teacherken at Daily Kos

teacherken at Daily Kos:

Awaiting the chance to offer some news

about Leaves on the Current.  Wish I could say more, but we are on hold until she talks with her oncologist, probably tomorrow. Don't worry.  The discussion is because of how well she is doing. But it could represent some major changes in the short term. In the meantime, given my new teaching position and ensuring she gets the best care, I am dropping almost everything other than school and taking

2 by rss@dailykos.com ... / 38min  

9-15-13 teacherken at Daily Kos

teacherken at Daily Kos: Reign of Error: the important new book by Diane RavitchThe testing, accountability, and choice strategies offer the illusion of change while changing nothing.  They mask the inequity and injustice that are now so apparent in our social order.  They do nothing to alter the status quo.  They preserve the status quo.  They are the status quo. Those words appear on p. 225 of R

by mike simpson / 2h 

9-16-13 Ed Notes Online

Ed Notes Online:

Even Forbes Mag Gets It: Charter School Gravy Train Runs Express To Fat City

Charter schools are frequently a way for politicians to reward their cronies.... Too bad the kids in charter schools don’t learn any better than those in plain-vanilla public schools... Unimpressive, especially when you consider charter schools can pick and choose their students....Nor does the evidence show that charters spend taxpayers’ money more efficiently.... About the only thing charters do

3 by ed notes online / 7min mark as read  //  save

Tuesday: Ravitch Book Publication Date and Video of Ravitch at Judson Church

I am rushing to finish the book for my review. It is so packed with info I have to keep going back to reread in order for my weak brain cells to absorb it all.I know there are so many talented bloggers out there I can't imagine being able to say much more than they will. Bloggers with advanced copies will start reviewing tomorrow when the book is officially published.Here is video I shot of Diane

1 by ed notes online / 7min 

9-15-13 Ed Notes Online

Ed Notes Online: Compare and Contrast Reactions to Teacher Evaluation: In Mexico 10,000 Teachers Protest, In NYC Union Leaders Defend the Undermining of the ProfessionThe education issues in Mexico and in this country and in other parts of the world are the same. That should tell you something. That the union misleaders who are wearing buttons that say Dec. 31, 2013 to mark the end of the Bloomber

by mike simpson / 3h 

PTA Meeting on 9/17/13 at PS 29 Queens Concerning Principal Jennifer Rogers.southbronxschool.com

http://www.southbronxschool.com:

PTA Meeting on 9/17/13 at PS 29 Queens Concerning Principal Jennifer Rogers

Hi folks, remember PS 29 in College Point? I certainly do! How could I forget? Over 200 comments (And still counting), accusations of who, or is it whom? (Somebody please share), is boinking whom or who, pubic lice, mental illness, 4th cousins twice removed, several threats to me, and one person thinking I would cry over some bogus p**** name they called me a long, long, long time ago.

I heard a lot of about PS 280 in the comments section and more juicy stuff that I heard privately from former staff members at PS 280. Shocking!

But again, we must leave personal information out of the comments section and no sharing of administrators genitalia malfunctions.

The Crack Team at SBSB came across the parent survey for PS 29 and it does not look so good.

   PS 29 Survey

Apparently, the teachers of PS 29 feel that Principal Jennifer Jones does not place the needs of the 

New Ravitch Book Exposes Bush-Obama School Reform as Reign of Error | janresseger

New Ravitch Book Exposes Bush-Obama School Reform as Reign of Error | janresseger:

New Ravitch Book Exposes Bush-Obama School Reform as Reign of Error

You don’t need to be an expert on education policy to enjoy and learn from Diane Ravitch’s new book, Reign of Error: The Hoax of the Privatization Movement and the Danger to America’s Public Schools, published tomorrow, September 17, by Alfred A. Knopf.  Packed with details and surprises, the book will answer just the questions you may have after trying to sort through the rhetoric of the education policy wars.

And if you know quite a bit about this issue already, you’ll also be engrossed.  My personal favorite chapter on first-reading the book is “Trouble in E-Land,” an exploration of the history of for-profit virtual charter schools and their growth in particular states at the expense of the public education budget.  While I already knew a lot about this topic, the chapter connected the dots for me in new ways.

This book should feel threatening to supporters of today’s school “reform.”  Ravitch has built and documented a formidable critique of their movement and a deeply principled defense of public education.

You’ll learn who is pushing hard for school “reform” and privatization—Americans for Children, American Legislative Exchange Council, Better Education for Kids, Black Alliance for Educational Options, Center for Education Reform, Chiefs for Change, ConCANN along with 50CAN and other state affiliates, Democrats for Education Reform, the Education Equality 

Last Stand for Children First: Ravitch's New Book Demonstrates She Still Hates Children

Last Stand for Children First: Ravitch's New Book Demonstrates She Still Hates Children:

Ravitch's New Book Demonstrates She Still Hates Children

Today, Diane Ravitch's Reign of Error came out.  Her newest book claims to explore the hoax of privatization and the danger that America's public schools are facing.  Sadly, Diane's new book is just another misguided screed aimed at the hedge fund managers and education reformers who seem to be the only people who still care about our country's children.

While I didn't actually read Ravitch's book, I think I've gotten a pretty good feeling for what it's about by reading the cover which is widely displayed on line and several negative comments from people I admire for their no excuses approach to education reform and this unfortunately, is where Ravitch comes up short.

Ravitch's very title suggests that privatization is a threat to our nation's public schools.  However, to believe that you'd have to believe in crazy conspiracy theories like the somehow the 50 neighborhood schools in Chicago closed this Summer are related to the 50 charter schools that the Chicago Public Schools wants to open up.  It seems to me that if privatizers were going to threaten our public schools, we wouldn't be pushing to 

California Father: Hannah Nyugen takes on Failed DC Chancellor Michelle Rhee

California Father

I met Hannah after she took on Michelle Rhee at a recent town hall meeting in Los Angeles. Here I talk to her about charters, privatization and the youth movement against the corporate takeover of public schools.

Rhee's Road Show Offers Nothing New - California Teachers Association

Rhee's Road Show Offers Nothing New - California Teachers Association: RHEE'S ROAD SHOW OFFERS NOTHING NEWLast night StudentsFirst founder and self-proclaimed education reformer Michelle Rhee held the first of a series of nationwide “teacher town halls” in Los Angeles, in what Rhee describes as an effort to move beyond “the extreme rhetoric and personal attacks overshadowing what’s important: gett

3 by mike simpson / 23h 

Student takes on Failed DC Chancellor Michelle Rhee

Student takes on Failed DC Chancellor Michelle Rhee : Student takes on Failed DC Chancellor Michelle Rhee By Valerie Strauss, Published: September 7 at 9:52 amE-mail the writerSchool reformer extraordinaire Michelle Rhee hasbegun a three-city event where she is hosting town halls in what she says is an effort to have a “real talk” with teachers, who for years have viewed her as anything but a frie

by mike simpson / 8h 

Nite Cap 9-16-13 #BATsACT #RealEdTalk #EDCHAT #P2 #Cheats4Change

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

District Budget Advisory Committee (DBAC) - Sacramento City Unified School District

2013-2014 DAC Regular Meeting Agendas - Sacramento City Unified School District: September 16, 2013Three important meetings coming this week.One call for a DAC Bylaws discussionHello,First an apology. Some of you may have received an email from my company, Alpine Adventures, about skiing in Europe and Canada. I am using the same email sending company -Constant Contact- for both my Company email an

2 by mike simpson / 11min 

Chicago Teacher: Inhumane Working Conditions are Inhumane Learning Conditions - Living in Dialogue - Education Week Teacher

Chicago Teacher: Inhumane Working Conditions are Inhumane Learning Conditions - Living in Dialogue - Education Week Teacher: Chicago Teacher: Inhumane Working Conditions are Inhumane Learning ConditionsBy Anthony Cody on September 16, 2013 5:45 PMGuest post by Sarah Chambers.At my large elementary school on Chicago's southwest side, the mercury on the thermometer soars to a scorching 90 degrees. S

by mike simpson / 24min 

School leaders lobby Brown to kill teacher misconduct bill SI&A Cabinet Report – News & Resources

SI&A Cabinet Report – News & Resources: School leaders lobby Brown to kill teacher misconduct billBy Kimberly BeltranMonday, September 16, 2013As the mid-point in the legislation session ended last week, advocates for school districts turned their attention to lobbying the governor to either support or veto pressing issues.Toward that end, the Association of California School Administrator

by mike simpson / 2h 

Mother Crusader: Hebrew Immersion Charter Cheerleader Doesn't Seem To Think Hatikvah Is a "Government" School

Mother Crusader: Hebrew Immersion Charter Cheerleader Doesn't Seem To Think Hatikvah Is a "Government" School: Hebrew Immersion Charter Cheerleader Doesn't Seem To Think Hatikvah Is a "Government" SchoolSilly ideologue, you think charters are public schools? I got a comment on a post I wrote about the impact the Hatikvah International Academy Charter School in East Brunswick ha

by mike simpson / 2h 

There Joel Klein goes again…

There Joel Klein goes again…: There Joel Klein goes again…By Valerie Strauss, Published: September 16 at 3:45 pmE-mail the writer0CommentsMoreJoel Klein (The Washington Post)A story in the latest edition of the New York Times Magazine titled “No Child Left Untableted,” by Carlo Rotella, is getting a lot of attention in part because of statements made in it by former New York City schools chancello

by mike simpson / 2h 

Diane in the Evening 9-16-13 Diane Ravitch's blog | A site to discuss better education for all

Diane Ravitch's blog | A site to discuss better education for all: Why Are the 1% Getting Richer?As states cut the budget for public schools, lay off teachers, increase class sizes, fire librarians and social workers, guidance counselors and teacher aides, we hear the same refrain: Sorry, the money’s all gone. But is it? Read this article and you will find where the money went.by dianerav / 1min m

by mike simpson / 2h 

Built to Last Tour - Year 2013

Built to Last Tour - Year 2013 (CA Dept of Education): State Schools Chief Tom Torlakson Announces National Best Practices Tour of California Green Ribbon SchoolsSACRAMENTO—State Superintendent of Public Instruction Tom Torlakson today announced that the California Department of Education (CDE) will co-host the West Coast Tour Leg of the Education Built to Last best practices tour, the national U.

by mike simpson / 2h 

Philadelphia Graph of the Day | School Finance 101

Philadelphia Graph of the Day | School Finance 101: Philadelphia Graph of the DayPosted on September 16, 20130       Rate ThisI just can’t drop the Philly issue, because of the complete absurdity of the reformy rhetoric about Philly schools and persistent willful ignorance regarding the role of equitable and adequate funding for Philly schools and the Commonwealth’s failure to provide any reasonab

by mike simpson / 3h 

REVIEW: “Reign of Error,” Ravitch 3.0 | the becoming radical

REVIEW: “Reign of Error,” Ravitch 3.0 | the becoming radical: REVIEW: “Reign of Error,” Ravitch 3.0Posted on September 16, 2013 by plthomaseddWhen faced with the many competing narratives of the religions of the world, comparative myth/religion scholar Joseph Campbell explained to Bill Moyersthat Campbell did not reject religion, as some scholars have, but instead reached this conclusion:Every rel

by mike simpson / 3h 

Families try to cope with neighborhood school closings | Philadelphia Public School Notebook

Families try to cope with neighborhood school closings | Philadelphia Public School Notebook: Families try to cope with neighborhood school closingsIn North Philadelphia, families were confronted with a shrinking pool of school options.by Connie Langland and Mark McHugh="" style="color: rgb(76, 153, 72); cursor: pointer; float: left; padding: 0px 2px;">Share on emailCOMMENTS (5

by mike simpson / 3h 

NYC Educator: Principals' Blooper Reel

NYC Educator: Principals' Blooper Reel: Principals' Blooper ReelImagine all the principals getting together and having a big party. They've bought pizza, big heroes, all sortof drinks, and they're wearing lampshades on their heads. They look completely out of control until they all focus on that big TV. And there we are. Oops. You're wearing one black and one brown shoe. Hilarity ensues. Everyone

by mike simpson / 3h 

Educational apartheid a disgrace | Larry Miller's Blog: Educate All Students!

Educational apartheid a disgrace | Larry Miller's Blog: Educate All Students!: Educational apartheid a disgraceFiled under: Civil Rights Movement Today — millerlf @ 12:25 pm Continued budget cuts, growth in voucher schools demonstrate separate is not equalBy Peggy SchulzSept. 13, 2013 MJSOn Sept. 21, concerned Milwaukeeans will gather for the Public Education is a Civil Right March and Rally. Part

by mike simpson / 3h 

Parents Across America

Parents Across AmericaWhy we asked our Board of Education to stop our state’s new testsPOSTED ON SEPTEMBER 16, 2013 BY PAGRUNDYThis past Tuesday, a group of North Carolina parents and educators asked our local school board to stop giving a set of federally mandated tests known as Measures of Student Learning (MSLs). Essentially, we are calling on our board members to consider civil disobedience. I

by mike simpson / 6h 

9-16-13 Wait What?

Wait What?: A weekend of interesting news and commentary posts about Bridgeport – in case you missed them….Bridgeport Community Bank that Bridgeport’s BOE Chair Kenneth Moales Jr won’t pay back goes under (Saturday) In an article entitled, “State Has First Bank Failure In A Decade, the Hartford Courant reported last night that, “The Community’s Bank, with its headquarters and one branch in Bridgep

by mike simpson / 7h 

9-16-13 Seattle Schools Community Forum: This Week in Seattle Public Schools

Seattle Schools Community Forum: This Week in Seattle Public Schools: This Week in Seattle Public SchoolsTuesday, September 17Board Work Session on Growth Boundaries, 4:30-6:30pmNOTE: This will be the first look at the likely plan. Any changes from this plan will only come with great difficultly. No agenda available yet.Wednesday, September 18Regular Legislative Board Meeting, 4:15 - 8:00pmAgendaT

by mike simpson / 7h 

The Promise Of The Common Core

Shanker Blog » The Promise Of The Common Core: The Promise Of The Common CorePosted by Leo Casey on September 16, 2013In recent months, the Common Core has come under increasing criticism from a number of different quarters.An op-ed in the New York Times’ Week in Review is emblematic of the best of this disapproving sentiment. Yet even it mixes together fundamental misconceptions about the entire

by mike simpson / 7h 

Cali Education Headlines Monday, September 16, 2013

FCMAT » Fiscal Crisis & Management Assistance Team: Deputy Supt. Aquino departs L.A. Unified with warningEducation HeadlinesMonday, September 16, 2013Fewer Galt students starting school with recommended vaccinationsLess than 90 percent of Galt’s River Oaks Elementary School 76 students who entered kindergarten last year were up-to-date on their childhood vaccinations, putting them at higher ri

by mike simpson / 7h 

Study: Learning cursive in the first grade helps students | Get Schooled | www.ajc.com

Study: Learning cursive in the first grade helps students | Get Schooled | www.ajc.com: Study: Learning cursive in the first grade helps students COMMENT(6) 0 1 2 5View Larger Cursive is disappearing from many American schools, but study out of Canada suggests that teaching cursive writing has benefits. (AJC Photo)Previous PostsA Georgia high school graduate: Common Core would have improved my edu

by mike simpson / 7h 

9-16-13 Schools Matter @ The Chalk Face

SCHOOLS MATTER @ THE CHALK FACE: Tone, Tone, Tone: Prelude to REIGN OF ERRORAs a prelude to Diane’s book and my review to be posted tomorrow, my tone series: http://radicalscholarship.wordpress.com/2013/09/15/tone-pt-1-does-tone-matter-in-the-education-reform-debate/ http://radicalscholarship.wordpress.com/2013/09/16/tone-pt-2-on-hostile-rhetoric-laziness-and-the-education-debate/ http://radicalsc

by mike simpson / 7h 

Morning Wink 9-16-13 AM Posts #BATsACT #RealEdTalk #EDCHAT #P2 #Cheats4Change

BIG EDUCATION APE - MORNING WINK  AM POSTSTODAYDial Down Reactive Behavior—Theirs and Ours! — Whole Child EducationDial Down Reactive Behavior—Theirs and Ours! — Whole Child Education: THE WHOLE CHILD BLOGDial Down Reactive Behavior—Theirs and Ours!September 16, 2013 by Mary FowlerYou might have heard the old joke about the guy who goes up to a doctor at a party. "Doc," he says as he pok

1 by mike simpson / 7h 

Dial Down Reactive Behavior—Theirs and Ours! — Whole Child Education

Dial Down Reactive Behavior—Theirs and Ours! — Whole Child Education: THE WHOLE CHILD BLOGDial Down Reactive Behavior—Theirs and Ours!September 16, 2013 by Mary FowlerYou might have heard the old joke about the guy who goes up to a doctor at a party. "Doc," he says as he pokes his stomach, "Whenever I touch this spot it hurts. What should I do?""Stop touching it,

by mike simpson / 7h 

The Richest People in America List - Forbes

The Richest People in America List - Forbes: RankNameNet WorthAgeResidenceSource1Bill Gates$72 B57Medina, WashingtonMicrosoft2Warren Buffett$58.5 B83Omaha, NebraskaBerkshire Hathaway3Larry Ellison$41 B69Woodside, CaliforniaOracle4Charles Koch$36 B77Wichita, Kansasdiversified4David Koch$36 B73New York, New Yorkdiversified6Christy Walton & family$35.4 B58Jackson, WyomingWal-Mart7Jim Walton$33.8

by mike simpson / 9h 

Back-to-School Bus Tour ED.gov Blog

ED.gov Blog: Sunrise to Sunset, Bus Tour Stops in ArizonaThere is no lack of sunshine in Arizona, and Secretary Arne Duncan, joined by U.S. Secretary of Transportation Anthony Foxx discovered this first hand early Wednesday morning at the Tucson Unified School District Bus Depot. The early-morning visit kicked off day three of Secretary Duncan’s Strong Start, Bright Future, back-to-school bus tour

by mike simpson / 9h 

LISTEN TO DIANE RAVITCH 9-16-13 Diane Ravitch's blog | A site to discuss better education for all

Diane Ravitch's blog | A site to discuss better education for all: United Opt Out Will Sponsor Book Club Discussion of “Reign of Error”Three years ago, when my last book was published, I heard from a professor in Pennsylvania named Tim Slekar who asked if I would join the opt-out movement. I told him no. I thought it was too extreme. I don’t think so anymore. Testing has become extreme. It is now

by mike simpson / 10h 

9-16-13 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.: The in box. The pension committee Gang of Ten is offering a plan with slim chance of passing.  Republican, pension bomber and ALEC member, Representative Darlene Senger.  Rich Miller in the Southtown: Several members of the Illinois General Assembly’s special pension reform committee told me last week

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Mike Klonsky's SmallTalk Blog: WEEKEND QUOTABLES

Mike Klonsky's SmallTalk Blog: WEEKEND QUOTABLES: WEEKEND QUOTABLESLake Mary, FL resident Santiago Rodriguez"Zimmerman is a Sandy Hook, Aurora waiting to happen." -- Email to chief of policeUNO's departing Board Chair Martin CabreraCabrera told the Sun-Times that he quit “because of a difference of philosophy and mission.” He declined to elaborate. -- Sun-Times John Wilson Secretary Dunc

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9-16-13 Larry Ferlazzo’s Websites of the Day… | …For Teaching ELL, ESL, & EFL

Larry Ferlazzo’s Websites of the Day… | …For Teaching ELL, ESL, & EFL: My Newest Lesson At The NY Times Is On Teaching “Grit”My newest lesson at The New York Times for English Language Learners is on “grit” & includes a student interactive & teaching ideas. I’m adding it to The Best Resources For Learning About The Importance Of “Grit.” You can see all my NY Times posts here.2 by Larry

by mike simpson / 10h 

Ravitch Seeks Broad Reforms to End Reign of Error | InterACT

Ravitch Seeks Broad Reforms to End Reign of Error | InterACT: Ravitch Seeks Broad Reforms to End Reign of ErrorSEPTEMBER 16, 2013tags: book review, diane ravitch, Reign of Errorby David B. CohenDiane Ravitch (Jan. 2012; photo by the author)Just in time for its official release tomorrow, I’ve finished reading an advance copy of Diane Ravitch’s new book, Reign of Error:  The Hoax of the Privatizatio

by mike simpson / 10h 

Ravitch’s Reign of Error: My Review | deutsch29

Ravitch’s Reign of Error: My Review | deutsch29: Ravitch’s Reign of Error: My ReviewSeptember 16, 2013In considering my review of education historian Diane Ravitch’s latest book, Reign of Error: The Hoax of the Privatization Movement and the Danger to America’s Public Schools, I decided to write with traditional public school teachers in mind as my audience.For one, I am a genuine public school te

by mike simpson / 10h 

The Crawfish Bump! | Crazy Crawfish's Blog

The Crawfish Bump! | Crazy Crawfish's Blog: The Crawfish Bump!Posted on September 15, 20130 Congratulations Crawfish patriots!In the last 48 hours after making this post we helped Shannon Puckett increase her funding for herKickstarter Documentary Defies Measurement by more than 23% and contributors by almost 40%!Since this is my first endorsement, and since I can plausibly say I had something to

by mike simpson / 10h 

9-16-13 Perdido Street School

Perdido Street School: Fred Dicker Says Cuomo And De Blasio Won't Get AlongFrom Fred Dicker's radio mic to God's ears:Gov. Cuomo and all-but-certain Democratic mayoral candidate Bill de Blasio are on a collision course certain to explode next year — over taxes, class warfare, charter schools, and Brooklyn’s Long Island College Hospital — if de Blasio is elected mayor, insiders agree.What’s more, t

by mike simpson / 10h 

9-15-13 Truth in American Education

Truth in American Education: Common Core Forum in Sioux Falls, SDThere will be a Common Core forum in Sioux Falls, SD on Tuesday, September 17.  A Common Core discussion will be held during the Siouxland Republican Monthly Business Meeting from 7:00p – 8:30p.   It will be held at the Good Samaritan Society, Jerstad Retreat Center (4800 W 57th St. Sioux Falls).Panelists include:In favor of the Comm

by mike simpson / 10h 

New Teach For America study: What it really proves

New Teach For America study: What it really proves: New Teach For America study: What it really provesBy Valerie Strauss, Published: September 16 at 5:00 amE-mail the writer0CommentsMoreA new study on Teach For America by Mathematica has been released, and it is been hailed as some kind of proof that TFAers are more effective than other teachers. But does it really prove that? Here’s a piece on it

by mike simpson / 11h 

solidaridad: SM@TCF: Los Angeles parent-activist sounds off on CCSS

solidaridad: SM@TCF: Los Angeles parent-activist sounds off on CCSS: SM@TCF: Los Angeles parent-activist sounds off on CCSSFirst published on LA Schools Matter on September 14, 2013"We had 23 different language groups at my son's school. How can one common core be relevant to all of these very different people?" —Teresa Sitz, LAUSD Parent-ActivistI foundedCommunities & Families Resis

by mike simpson / 11h 

YESTERDAY

Common Core opponents shift attention to new national science standards SI&A Cabinet Report – News & Resources

SI&A Cabinet Report – News & Resources: Common Core opponents shift attention to new national science standardsBy Carrie MarovichMonday, September 16, 2013As the push for common academic standards in schools gains steam around the nation, a new front in the opposition is forming – this time against the Next Generation Science Standards.Developed by educators and scientists from 26 states,

by mike simpson / 19h 

Endangering Intelligent Conversation: Comments on the Latest Hanushekian Crisis Manifesto | School Finance 101

Endangering Intelligent Conversation: Comments on the Latest Hanushekian Crisis Manifesto | School Finance 101: Endangering Intelligent Conversation: Comments on the Latest Hanushekian Crisis ManifestoPosted on September 16, 20130       Rate ThisI had the displeasure of coming across this completely ridiculous and deceitful video the other day:http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e8aeEr2qk9sWhich was cr

by mike simpson / 19h 

NYC Public School Parents: The MOST nonsensical co-locations of all

NYC Public School Parents: The MOST nonsensical co-locations of all: The MOST nonsensical co-locations of allJoel Klein and others at DOE repeatedly accused parents of only protesting  charter co-locations, and not the numerous others that DOE has pushed forward  in recent years, that of new public schools inserted into the buildings of existing public schools. Certainly among the 40 or so co-loca

by mike simpson / 19h 

Mother Crusader: People Who Care About Education Think Christie Is Oh-So-Very-Wrong

Mother Crusader: People Who Care About Education Think Christie Is Oh-So-Very-Wrong: People Who Care About Education Think Christie Is Oh-So-Very-WrongJust a quick post to point out something I thought was pretty important.Those of us who follow education policy in this state didn't need a poll to know that Christie's education policies have hamstrung our public schools.But the numbers in this rec

by mike simpson / 20h 

UOO Book Club: Reign of Error by Diane Ravitch | United Opt Out National

UOO Book Club: Reign of Error by Diane Ravitch | United Opt Out National: UOO BOOK CLUB: REIGN OF ERROR BY DIANE RAVITCHJoin us for our book club which will commence on September 17th. We will be digging into Diane Ravitch’s new book,Reign of Error: The Hoax of the Privatization Movement and the Danger to America’s Public Schools.Diane supports opt out/refusing the test.On September 9th on her blo

by mike simpson / 20h 

Short Notes: Nas Is Like, 40 Years Old Now - The Jose Vilson | The Jose Vilson

Short Notes: Nas Is Like, 40 Years Old Now - The Jose Vilson | The Jose Vilson: Short Notes: Nas Is Like, 40 Years Old Nowby JOSE VILSON on SEPTEMBER 15, 2013in SHORT NOTESNasA few notes:Check out my revamped Tumblr, where I share clips of everything I like from around the web. [MathematiquesNoir]These pretty math posters are going up in my classroom sooner than later. [Explore]Comedian Russell Br

by mike simpson / 20h 

Peg with Pen: The Reign of Error: My New Activist Handbook

Peg with Pen: The Reign of Error: My New Activist Handbook: The Reign of Error: My New Activist HandbookI am currently reading Diane Ravitch's new book, The Reign of Error. Simply put, it is excellent.Diane has covered all aspects of the privatization of public schools – she clearly articulates how the corporate reformers’ ideas don’t work - while offering research-based solutions which indeed DO

by mike simpson / 21h 

How the Anti-War Movement Won the Hearts and Minds of the Public by Bernardine Dohrn | Bill Ayers

How the Anti-War Movement Won the Hearts and Minds of the Public by Bernardine Dohrn | Bill Ayers: How the Anti-War Movement Won the Hearts and Minds of the Public by Bernardine Dohrn  A decade of protests paved the way for Americans to say ‘no’ to Syrian strikes.This moment of popular resistance to the military option as the only option shows that what we do does make a difference. Not immediate

by mike simpson / 21h 

LAUSD AS PRESENTLY CONSTITUTED HAS TO GO - Perdaily.com

LAUSD AS PRESENTLY CONSTITUTED HAS TO GO - Perdaily.com: LAUSD AS PRESENTLY CONSTITUTED HAS TO GO(Mensaje se repite en Español) The Los Angeles Unified School District (LAUSD) as presently constituted has to go. After generations of squandering the potential and destroying the lives of its predominant poor and minority student populations, those opposed to it have to finally understand that even h

by mike simpson / 22h 

Nite Cap 9-15-13 #BATsACT #RealEdTalk #EDCHAT #P2 #Cheats4Change

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 CAPTODAYsolidaridad: Developmentally Inappropriate Common Core Standardssolidaridad: Developmentally Inappropriate Common Core Standards: Developmentally Inappropriate Common Core StandardsDr. Megan Koschnick discusses the inappropriateness of the C

1 by mike simpson / 22h