Monday, October 7, 2013

Saving Public Ryan | Gary Rubinstein's Blog

Saving Public Ryan | Gary Rubinstein's Blog:

There’s nothing more dangerous than a first year TFAer who is having an easy time. And don’t tell them that they’re having an easy time or they will protest that it is not easy, but actually the toughest thing they’ve ever done in their lives. But the fact is that although most new TFAers are struggling to control their classes and around 10% won’t even complete their first year, a few fortunate souls, for various reasons, have first years that are relatively good.

Ryan Heisinger is a 2013 TFA corps member who I’m on quite friendly terms with. I first became aware of him over a year ago when I critiqued a pro-TFA blog post he had written. At the time Heisinger was a campus representative for TFA and also the leader of the SFER (Students For Education Reform) chapter at the University of Maryland. Heisinger and I have kept in touch through e-mail he has been a guest on two of my rare Spreecast talk shows here

and here

. and I sometimes tease him on Twitter, all in good fun. He seems to be able to take it much better than another first year who I think I might have inadvertently traumatized.

Communicating with people online is an unusual experience since you don’t get to see the person and read their facial expressions. Whether you’re communicating with a someone who is nineteen or someone who is eighty, there is something about seeing black letters on a white screen that is, to me, some kind of great equalizer — minds communicating free of some of the distractions of the terrestrial world. I realize that not everyone on the Internet sees it like I do so I suppose that it can be a bit strange for a young teacher to be receiving pointed Twitter

L.A. Unified releases complaints against school board president - latimes.com

L.A. Unified releases complaints against school board president - latimes.com:

L.A. Unified releases complaints against school board president

L.A. Unified board President Richard Vladovic

L.A. Unified school board President Richard Vladovic, shown here at his 2011 swearing in, is the target of two complaints that he acted improperly. One employee accused him of sexual harassment, while another alleged verbal harassment and retaliation. (Mariah Tauger / Los Angeles Times / July 1, 2011)

By Howard Blume

October 7, 2013, 7:51 p.m.

Los Angeles Unified School District officials on Monday night released two redacted complaints in which one employee accused school board President Richard Vladovic of sexual harassment, while another alleged verbal harassment and retaliation.

Vladovic could not be immediately reached for comment. He has consistently denied any wrongdoing, but has acknowledged that he can have a bad temper and that he sometimes regrets occasional outbursts.

The Board of Education president was the subject of two investigations this year. One cleared him of any wrongdoing related to the alleged mishandling of sexual misconduct allegations against a teacher

Stop Common Core Curriculum Rally in Louisiana: at the October 15th BESE meeting | Crazy Crawfish's Blog

Stop Common Core Curriculum Rally in Louisiana: at the October 15th BESE meeting | Crazy Crawfish's Blog:

Stop Common Core Curriculum Rally in Louisiana: at the October 15th BESE meeting

Posted on October 7, 2013

As of right now dozens and scores of parents and teachers are planning to attend next week’s BESE meeting to address the BESE council and to demand they put an end to Common Core in Louisiana. I had my reservations about publishing this update because in the past when I have notified BESE and John White about such rallies and events they have cancelled and moved meetings to avoid controversy, or White and company marshaled his own faux forces to counter the voices of real parents and Louisiana citizens.

If you are interested in talking to the organizers, taking part in the pre-meeting discussion, or wish to register your attendance as well as sign up for future events and meetings, check out this link:

https://www.facebook.com/events/470118499752586/?ref_newsfeed_story_type=regular. It is most important and effective to have a clear, concise, HARD hitting message that can be delivered in 3minutes. The law provides for public meetings to make their rules. As long as they follow the law they are within their rights.
2. Take every opportunity to speak. School bd offers 3 minutes at beginning if the meeting or 5 if you apply before noon Monday before the Thursday meeting. Then you can address each agenda item that fits your argument w 3more minutes.
3. BESE publishes their agenda several days in advance of the meeting. There are many, many agenda items that we could address. I speak to every single item that I can.. It is most important and effective to have a clear, concise, HARD hitting message that can be delivered in 3minutes. The law provides for public meetings to make their rules. As long as they follow the law they are within their rights.
2. Take every opportunity to speak. School bd offers 3 minutes at beginning if the meeting or 5 if you apply before noon Monday before the Thursday meeting. Then you can address each agenda item that fits your argument w 3more minutes.
3. BESE publishes their agenda several days in advance of the meeting. There are many, many agenda items that we could address. I speak to every single item that I can. 1. It is most important and effective to have a clear, concise, HARD hitting message that can be delivered in 3minutes. The law provides for public meetings to make their rules. As long as they follow the law they are within their rights.
2. Take every opportunity to speak. School bd offers 3 minutes at beginning if the meeting or 5 if you apply before noon Monday before the Thursday meeting. Then you can address each agenda item that fits your argument w 3more minutes.
3. BESE publishes their agenda several days in advance of the meeting. There are many, many agenda items that we could address. I speak to every single item that I can.

BESE holds their meetings in the Claiborne Building at 1201 North Third Street in Baton Rouge. The Rally is listed as 10:00 am, but I’ve been told there will folks their throughout the BESE session which is slated to take place on the 15^th and 16^th (Tuesday and Wednesday) next week. I have seen the folks running the meetings change the schedules at the last minute or change the specific covered issues throughout the day to keep opponents and parents off balance. If they know a lot of people are there to testify about something I have seen them try and wear people out by moving the relevant item further and further back on the schedule, and sometimes postponing it until another day. Be alert for this possibility and raise a ruckus if they try to pull this on you.

You can find information about past meetings and update to current and future meetings here:http://bese.louisiana.gov/meetings

This is a BYOP (Bring Your Own Pitchfork) event, although I hear torches may be handed out at the door.

I expect seating to be limited. Feel free to come early and meet up with other folks to coordinate before the meeting and plan to stay after to link up with allies. There is a decent cafeteria in the Claiborne building that serves breakfast, lunch and refreshments but I thin my anger will sustain me. J

Reflections on Teaching » Blog Archive » Week in Class: Week Four and Five 2013

Reflections on Teaching » Blog Archive » Week in Class: Week Four and Five 2013

Week in Class: Week Four and Five 2013

Yes, yes, yes, I’ve been an awful correspondent. First, I was working on the recent visit that Diane Ravitch made to Sacramento, when I got “the cold”. You know that one that either creeps slowly (or at lightening speed) through a classroom. That was me. I took a day off to be sick, and a day off for the Ravitch event, then slunk to my bed for the weekend. I made it back to work last week (week five), but I wasn’t feeling “lively”.

Enough of me, I’m still not feeling sparky, so I’ll just put up a couple links about what I’m doing:

Photos of what my students are doing in Math Workshop are here:

Ms. Jablonski's Class Blog: Mob Rule: Are we reverting to the lawless way of an 'eye for an eye'?

Ms. Jablonski's Class Blog: Mob Rule: Are we reverting to the lawless way of an 'eye for an eye'?:

Mob Rule: Are we reverting to the lawless way of an 'eye for an eye'?

For those of you who wish to view the original article:
http://abcnews.go.com/US/off-duty-cops-witnessed-alleged-suv-driver-beating/story?id=20488628

Well, folks. Looks like this is another case of violence. They just keep piling up. And what's surprising is our law enforcement is slacking.

If you have no prior knowledge of the facts behind the article, I will briefly sum it up. A man named Lien was driving--with his wife and infant--in his black Range Rover when it appeared a motorcycle gang was swarming him. One motorcyclist collided in a "fenderbender" with the black SUV and eventually, the car slowed down. Another motorcyclist tried to open the driver's door and Lien shot forward, running over one of the motorcyclists. The motorcycle gang pursued Lien to a crowded street, took him out and beat him up. Two passer-by ran up and acted as shields for Lien and the beatings stopped. Both Lien and the run-over motorcyclist are in the hospital.

Now, in this article, it appears there were cops on the scene, off-duty and undercover. They did

Thug Governor refuses to grant corporate tax giveaways to billionaires who donate to other reelection campaigns | Reclaim Reform

Thug Governor refuses to grant corporate tax giveaways to billionaires who donate to other reelection campaigns | Reclaim Reform:

Thug Governor refuses to grant corporate tax giveaways to billionaires who donate to other reelection campaigns

Posted on October 7, 2013by Ken Previti

Imagine a thug governor who demands that legislators cut earned teacher pensions or he will pull the trigger on the legislators’ billionaire donors. He will stop the multimillion dollar tax giveaways the donors are routinely given.

Imagine a nut politico who states that he is “put on God’s Earth” to cut teacher pensions.

Imagine that he demands that legislators break their oaths to uphold both the state and federal constitutional protections of the teacher pensions.

Imagine that they all lie when they say that pension cuts will save the state from bankruptcy, doom , death and destruction.

Imagine he is the Democratic governor of the bluest of Democratic states, Illinois. The

HOW TO CURE THE EVER INCREASING ATTENTION SPAN CRISIS | Teachers Fight Back

HOW TO CURE THE EVER INCREASING ATTENTION SPAN CRISIS | Teachers Fight Back:

HOW TO CURE THE EVER INCREASING ATTENTION SPAN CRISIS

Ms. Jablonski's Class Blog: A Police State in the Works: The Militarization of the Police Force

Ms. Jablonski's Class Blog: A Police State in the Works: The Militarization of the Police Force:

A Police State in the Works: The Militarization of the Police Force

It seems to hold true that in the United States we value our police in a biased manner. We want them to be around if any sort of trouble may occur, yet we don't want them to constrict our freedom in such a way that these dutiful servants of the state may turn upon us. The fear of a police state has always been one to frighten the firm believers of liberty, yet once again the government has hidden the continuous militarization of police forces around the country.

The Article on the Guardian

With 4.2 billion dollars in total spent upon military weapons for programs such as SWAT or other Special Force Units, one starts to wonder whether such a maneuver could have possibly been smoother? Once again the funds of this great nation turn towards the military, with massive funding to programs such as CIA, FBI, and NSA that may just add a bit of crippling debt to our already expired debt ceiling. Why do we need this much money to be put into our defense systems? I don't think we are under attack on U.S. soil, and of course one can justify the spending for events such as the Boston Marathon Bombing, but as the article stated this is not only for large cities such as Los Angeles or Boston, but rather small towns as well. In what possible situation may they need high grade military weapons such as a tank within their

NYC Educator: Better Recork that Champagne

NYC Educator: Better Recork that Champagne:

Better Recork that Champagne

A few days ago I reported that anyone with three or fewer classes was exempt from the Advance system of junk science grading. I based this on a PowerPoint I was shown, from someone who wrote it in good faith. Over the past few hours I've learned that this is in dispute. A highly-placed source in the UFT tells me that it's not true, and that 40% teaching entails only two, rather than four classes.

On the other hand, I have a reliable source for the other info, who I'm sure gave it to me in good faith. The question is whether the denominator for a teacher day is five or eight. I apologize to anyone who was partying all weekend as a result of my blog. It's been my experience that whenever a DOE source and a UFT source are at odds, the UFT source is always right.

I certainly hope my UFT source is wrong this time. To my mind, the fewer people trapped in Dracula's Castle, the better. But I tend to think this source is correct. I'm told that this was a message received from DOE as of 10 AM this morning.

I discussed this with another chapter leader, who said it's more likely the DOE wishes to ensnare as many hapless teachers as possible. I believe that. I believe it's populated with fanatical idealogues who

Bullying Education Resources »

Bullying Education Resources »:

Bullying Education Resources

Compiled by Katie Gould, Teacher Resource Producer for the PBS NewsHour

October is National Bullying Prevention Month. The resources below are designed to provide educators with a variety of quality materials that they can use in the classroom to authentically teach students about the topic of bullying.

Subjects

Bullying Education

Estimated Time

Varies for each activity

Grade Level

Middle and High School Activities

1. Warm Up Activity | Crumpled Paper Lesson

(5 minutes)

This short and powerful activity has been adapted from a story that has been circulating around the web

Either provide paper or have students take out a sheet of their own. As a class, ask for students to volunteer words that describe the blank sheet of paper. For example: clean, smooth, useful, etc.
Now instruct students to crumple the paper, mess it up, stomp on it, everything except rip it.
Tell students to unfold the paper, smooth it out and try to get the paper back to its original state. Encourage them to use whatever tools they can to make the paper the same way it was when they started this exercise. After letting the students try to “fix” their paper have them examine it and as a class share words that describe it. For example: dirty, wrinkled, practically destroyed, etc.
Now ask students to apologize to the sheet of paper- admit all the things you did to it and tell it that you are sorry for what you did.
Have students to reflect on what they did to the paper and the state that it is now in. Think of how even though they had apologized and did everything they could to return the paper to its original state that that there are still

Philly schools chief talks about budget crisis at NBC education summit | Philadelphia Public School Notebook

Philly schools chief talks about budget crisis at NBC education summit | Philadelphia Public School Notebook:

Philly schools chief talks about budget crisis at NBC education summit

by thenotebook on Oct 07 2013 Posted in Latest news

by Holly Otterbein for NewsWorks

What the hell are you doing Philadelphia?

Philadelphia Superintendent William Hite used the bully pulpit Monday on NBC's "Education Nation" summit to bring national attention to the School District's budget crisis.

"Resources matter, especially in urban centers," he said. "Per-pupil funding matters. ... It was cut over $300 million last year, and the year before that, another $100 million."

The Philadelphia School District's massive budget gap led to major programmatic cutbacks and layoffs. The city's schools now have 3,000 fewer employees than in June.

Hite spoke on a panel titled, "What It Takes: Keeping Up with the Competition," which focused on how U.S. schools stack up in comparison with those around the world. It also featured journalist Amanda Ripley, Newark teacher Syrena Burnam and advocacy group America Achieves' co-founder Jon Schnur.

Read the rest of this story at NewsWorks

Nite Cap 10-7-13 #BATsACT #RealEdTalk #EDCHAT #P2

James Baldwin said it best:

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

A BIG EDUCATION APE NITE CAP

TODAY

Charter School Defenders Insist They are "Private Entities" - Living in Dialogue - Education Week Teacher

Charter School Defenders Insist They are "Private Entities" - Living in Dialogue - Education Week Teacher: Charter School Defenders Insist They are "Private Entities"By Anthony Cody on October 7, 2013 5:26 PMOver the past several years we have become accustomed to hearing that "Charter schools are public schools too," from advocates of their expansion. However, when

by mike simpson / 50min

Throughout October: Early Childhood Education — Whole Child Education

Throughout October: Early Childhood Education — Whole Child Education: THE WHOLE CHILD BLOGThroughout October: Early Childhood EducationOctober 7, 2013 by Klea ScharbergWhat does "education" mean for our youngest learners? The first years of school are as important for an educated population as any other period, perhaps more. Additionally, research shows that implementation of high-quali

by mike simpson / 1h

Teachers For Social Justice: TAKE BACK CHICAGO!

Teachers For Social Justice: TAKE BACK CHICAGO!: TAKE BACK CHICAGO!OCTOBER 7, 2013 LEAVE A COMMENTJoin thousands of community and union members to launch a powerful shared economic justice platform.TAKE BACK CHICAGOOctober 15thUIC Forum725 W Roosevelt Rd Chicago, Illinois 60607 5pm Rally and March6-7:30pm MeetingRegister at http://www.thegrassrootscollaborative.org/takebackchicagoTSJ MEETING OCT.

by mike simpson / 1h

FL Superintendents say ‘Pause’ on testing … I do like the sound of that. #BaDaBaDaBaDaBa | Continuing Change

FL Superintendents say ‘Pause’ on testing … I do like the sound of that. #BaDaBaDaBaDaBa | Continuing Change: FL Superintendents say ‘Pause’ on testing … I do like the sound of that. #BaDaBaDaBaDaBaSlow down, you move too fast. You got to make the morning last. Just kicking down the cobble stones. Looking for fun and feelin’ groovy. Ba da, Ba da, Ba da, …FL Superintendents say ‘Pause’ on testing …

by mike simpson / 1h

Bob Dylan, Meet Steve Jobs | Connected Principals

Bob Dylan, Meet Steve Jobs | Connected Principals: Bob Dylan, Meet Steve JobsOctober 7, 2013By John MarschhausenHe wasn’t known for playing an instrument.He didn’t go down in history as a great songwriter.But, part of the legacy Apple founder Steve Jobs left behind was music.Jobs transformed the music industry (at least, that is the gist of the caption under his photo holding an iPod at Cleveland’

by mike simpson / 2h

10-7-13 Ed Notes Online

Ed Notes Online:MORE Weekly Update #70: Are you coming out for Win Back Wednesday?You should be getting the idea of why you should drag your ass over the 52 Broadway this Weds (Oct 9) for the 4PM "Win Back Wednesday" rally. Certainly if you read my earlier piece on what is going on in Newark where the pressure of an insurgent social justice oriented caucus has led to the Unity style lead

1 by mike simpson / 3h

Time to start covering the many data thieving operations in our state and around the nation. . . | Crazy Crawfish's Blog

Time to start covering the many data thieving operations in our state and around the nation. . . | Crazy Crawfish's Blog: Time to start covering the many data thieving operations in our state and around the nation. . .Posted on October 7, 20130 I’ve been promising for some time to cover some of the many secret and not-so-secret grants and data operations that will result in your data, and your chi

by mike simpson / 3h

10-7-13 Seattle Schools Community Forum

Seattle Schools Community Forum:Last Day to Register to VoteLink to voter registration.by Melissa Westbrook / 27min 10-6-13 Seattle Schools Community ForumSeattle Schools Community Forum: Garfield UpdatesThe Garfield High School Associated Student Body does not condone harassment, abuse, intimidation, humiliation, violence, or bullying of any kind. We support and encourage inter-class unity by con

1 by mike simpson / 3h

School quality is tied home prices in new study. But other factors may affect values. - The Washington Post

School quality is tied home prices in new study. But other factors may affect values. - The Washington Post: School quality is tied home prices in new study. But other factors may affect values.By Kenneth R. Harney, Published: October 3 | Updated: Friday, October 4, 6:55 AMIt’s a key question for many home buyers who have or plan to have young children: We want a house in an area with good schools

by mike simpson / 3h

Daily Kos: Leaves on the Current - so far so good

Daily Kos: Leaves on the Current - so far so good: Leaves on the Current - so far so goodbyteacherkenFollow Email 4 Comments / 4 NewOn Saturday, my wife began the neuprogen injections designed to increase the generation of her Stem Cells. Today we went to Fairfax Hospital to have a Quentin catheter put into her chest to allow for the extraction from her peripheral blood and the eventual reinj

by mike simpson / 4h

Remarks of AFL-CIO President Richard L.Trumka, 2013 AFL-CIO National Convention Keynote

Remarks of AFL-CIO President Richard L.Trumka, 2013 AFL-CIO National Convention Keynote: "AFL-CIO President Richard L.Trumka, 2013 AFL-CIO National Convention "Remarks of AFL-CIO President Richard L.Trumka, 2013 AFL-CIO National Convention KeynoteSisters and brothers, it’s time to tear down the barriers, remove the boundaries between workers. It’s time to stop letting employers and polit

by mike simpson / 4h

Patience for the Unconnected | My Island View

Patience for the Unconnected | My Island View: Patience for the UnconnectedOctober 7, 2013 by tomwhitbyConnected educators may be the worst advocates for getting other educators to connect. Too often they are so enthusiastic at how, as well as how much they are learning through being connected, that they tend to overwhelm the uninitiated, inexperienced, and unconnected educator with a deluge of in

by mike simpson / 5h

10-7-13 @ The Chalk Face

@ THE CHALK FACE:Returning from a successful trip to Douglas County, CO.Tim and I, along with the Edushyster, visited Douglas County, CO as they gear up for a contentious school board election. All politics are indeed local. From the kitchen of one of our hosts, we have a live broadcast with a panel of guests engaged in this fight. Listen here.by Shaun Johnson / 8min 10-6-13 @ The Chalk Face@ THE

by mike simpson / 5h

Cali Education Headlines Monday, October 7, 2013

FCMAT » Fiscal Crisis & Management Assistance Team: L.A. schools Supt. John Deasy defends iPad program in TV specialEducation HeadlinesMonday, October 7, 2013Capo classified employees reluctantly accept new contractA new labor deal with Capistrano Unified School District’s chapter of the California School Employees Association includes more furloughs. The union’s president says members are unh

by mike simpson / 5h

‘Drill and Kill’ Testing Scrutinized at 2013 Education Nation Summit | NEA Today

‘Drill and Kill’ Testing Scrutinized at 2013 Education Nation Summit | NEA Today: Drill and Kill’ Testing Scrutinized at 2013 Education Nation SummitOctober 7, 2013 by twalker Filed under Featured News, Top StoriesLeave a CommentBy Cindy LongThe fourth annual Education Nation Summit is underway in New York, and one of the stars of the show is NEA member and high school teacher Jesse Hagopian. The

by mike simpson / 6h

The Philanthro-Baron Has No Clothes | EduShyster

The Philanthro-Baron Has No Clothes | EduShyster: The Philanthro-Baron Has No ClothesHow mega-foundations are undermining our public schools and eating away at our democracyPhilanthro-barons like Bill Gates have more power and influence than ever before.Reader: it is well established that the richest Americans have billions of ideas for how to improve our failed and failing public schools. In fact

by mike simpson / 6h

Believe In Newark - Ras J. Baraka For Mayor 2014

Education: .Education Policy StatementChildren need a well- organized public school system designed to educate everyone regardless of race, national origin, language, gender, or disability. A good public education system ensures the well-being of our society. To accomplish this we must consider all of the following:Great Schools Have Resources: Finance Equity Matters.Abbott V. Burke sought to p

by mike simpson / 6h

CHIEF LAUSD ATTORNEY DAVID HOLMQUIST- ABOVE THE LAW? - Perdaily.com

CHIEF LAUSD ATTORNEY DAVID HOLMQUIST- ABOVE THE LAW? - Perdaily.com: CHIEF LAUSD ATTORNEY DAVID HOLMQUIST- ABOVE THE LAW?(Mensaje se repite en Español) I feel like I'm living in The Twilight Zone when LAUSD's Chief Attorney David Holmquist can get away with the following statements and neither Reporter Barbara Jones of the Daily News, UTLA, or any other entity charged under law with defending the

by mike simpson / 7h

Mixed reviews to Common Core highlight of Education Nation Town Hall | HechingerEd Blog

Mixed reviews to Common Core highlight of Education Nation Town Hall | HechingerEd Blog: Mixed reviews to Common Core highlight of Education Nation Town HallStudents and teachers at the annual Education Nation town hall on Sunday expressed mixed reactions to the Common Core, mirroring divisions in the wider national conversation about new standards in math and English adopted by 45 states and the

by mike simpson / 7h

10-7-13 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.: Tony at the Red Line Tap. “Hey, Klonsky,” Marty mumbled as she arranges the Doritos Cool Ranch tortilla chips on the shelf. “Marty. A friend of mine served me some Pliny the Elder from California. An IPA. You should carry that.” “It’s a west coast thing, Klonsky. Russian River. We can’t get it here.

by mike simpson / 7h

There is blame in this shutdown…Meanwhile families hit in the gut | Lily's Blackboard

There is blame in this shutdown…Meanwhile families hit in the gut | Lily's Blackboard: There is blame in this shutdown…Meanwhile families hit in the gutOct 7th, 2013 by Lily.We’re educators. When there’s a fight on the playground, we separate the kids and often (and often wrongly) scold both children who point fingers at each other, and say to them so all the playground can hear, “It takes two si

by mike simpson / 7h

One City's $88 Million Plan to Send More Kids to College - Sophie Quinton - The Atlantic

One City's $88 Million Plan to Send More Kids to College - Sophie Quinton - The Atlantic: One City's $88 Million Plan to Send More Kids to CollegeIn 2008, Syracuse started ramping up K-12 academic support and promising graduates full college tuition. Now it's rising above the national averages for college enrollment. Vinh Ho always knew he was going to college. Even though English wasn't his first

by mike simpson / 7h

Morning Wink 10-7-13 AM Posts #BATsACT #RealEdTalk #EDCHAT #P2

BIG EDUCATION APE - MORNING WINK AM POSTSTODAYSchooling in the Ownership Society: 'Vulture-Fund Billionaire' Paul Singer is big charter backerSchooling in the Ownership Society: 'Vulture-Fund Billionaire' Paul Singer is big charter backer: 'Vulture-Fund Billionaire' Paul Singer is big charter backerMother Jones overturns a rock and shines a light on neo-con "vulture-fund billionaire" Pa

1 by mike simpson / 7h

Schooling in the Ownership Society: 'Vulture-Fund Billionaire' Paul Singer is big charter backer

Schooling in the Ownership Society: 'Vulture-Fund Billionaire' Paul Singer is big charter backer: 'Vulture-Fund Billionaire' Paul Singer is big charter backerMother Jones overturns a rock and shines a light on neo-con "vulture-fund billionaire" Paul Singer, who has become congressional Republicans' most powerful fundraiser. He's been described as a "fundraising terrorist" for h

by mike simpson / 8h

Vouchers don’t do much for students - Stephanie Simon - POLITICO.com

Vouchers don’t do much for students - Stephanie Simon - POLITICO.com: Vouchers don’t do much for students66172 Students in 16 states plus D.C. are paying for private school with public subsidies. | AP PhotoCloseBy STEPHANIE SIMON | 10/6/13 10:50 PM EDTEver since the administration filed suit to freeze Louisiana’s school voucher program, high-ranking Republicans have pummeled President Barack Obam

by mike simpson / 8h

Inequities in College Access Threaten the American Dream | janresseger

Inequities in College Access Threaten the American Dream | janresseger: Inequities in College Access Threaten the American DreamPosted on October 7, 2013 by janressegerMany of us have been watching our society separate by income— the wealthy moving to enclaves surrounding our cities while our poorest families are left behind, concentrated in ghettos from which they struggle to propel their childre

by mike simpson / 8h

10-7-13 Wait What?

Wait What?: And in Windham, parents and teachers speak out against AdamowskiLast week, at a forum sponsored by the Windham Federation of Teachers and the state chapter of the American Federation of Teachers (AFT), parents, teachers and other local Windham residents met with State Senator Donald E. Williams, Jr. (D-29) and State Representative Susan Johnson (D-49) to voice their outrage about the w

1 by mike simpson / 8h

Mike Klonsky's SmallTalk Blog: WEEKEND QUOTABLES

Mike Klonsky's SmallTalk Blog: WEEKEND QUOTABLES: WEEKEND QUOTABLESMatt Damon and Diane Ravitch speaking at my alma mater, Cal-State Northridge.Matt Damon“I’m very honored to have the opportunity to introduce Diane tonight. She’s somebody that I have admired for a very long time. She’s an amazing person. She’s America’s foremost historian in the areas of education policy, she’s a champion of publi

by mike simpson / 8h

Thoughts On Using Value Added, And Picking A Model, To Assess Teacher Performance

Shanker Blog » Thoughts On Using Value Added, And Picking A Model, To Assess Teacher Performance: Thoughts On Using Value Added, And Picking A Model, To Assess Teacher PerformancePosted by Dan Goldhaber on October 7, 2013Our guest author today is Dan Goldhaber, Director of the Center for Education Data & Research and a Research Professor in Interdisciplinary Arts and Sciences at the University

by mike simpson / 9h

Can magnet programs lure affluent African-American families back to their neighborhood schools? | Hechinger Report

Can magnet programs lure affluent African-American families back to their neighborhood schools? | Hechinger Report: Can magnet programs lure affluent African-American families back to their neighborhood schools?By Ryan JohnsonAs a child, my predominantly African-American enclave in South Los Angeles seemed perfect with its hilly landscape, the view of the city, and the close relationships I had wi

by mike simpson / 10h

LISTEN TO DIANE RAVITCH 10-7-13 Diane Ravitch's blog | A site to discuss better education for all

Diane Ravitch's blog | A site to discuss better education for all: Common Core Tests in NY Spur Opt Out MovementThe most amazing thing is happening. The Common Core tests were made so “rigorous” that most students were expected to fail, and they did. Less than a third across the state “passed” the tests because the passing mark was set very high and the content of the test was so challenging that

by mike simpson / 10h

10-7-13 Larry Ferlazzo’s Websites of the Day… | …For Teaching ELL, ESL, & EFL

Larry Ferlazzo’s Websites of the Day… | …For Teaching ELL, ESL, & EFL:Delicious Unveils New RedesignI continue to be a fan and regular user of Delicious as a place to save and organize links (though I actually bookmark sites with Diigo, who then a automatically forwards them to Delicious — it’s always good to have a back-up). Delicious has just unveiled a new redesign. You can read about it at

1 by mike simpson / 10h

10-7-13 Perdido Street School

Perdido Street School: Daily News Shills Play Fast And Loose With Facts On Charter SchoolsThe neo-liberals at the Daily News have an editorial today supporting Eva Moskowitz's walk across the bridge protest for charter schools.As usual with the DN, they play fast and loose with the facts:The innovative approaches, longer school days and longer school years they offer — almost always carried out by

by mike simpson / 10h

What to Do if Your Teen Is a Bully - High School Notes

What to Do if Your Teen Is a Bully - High School Notes (usnews.com): What to Do if Your Teen Is a BullyBy KELSEY SHEEHYOctober 7, 2013 RSS Feed PrintTeens who bully may be victims of bullying themselves, so parents should first try to get to the root of the problem.No parent wants to be called into the principal's office.The meetings rarely bear good news and instead alert parents to a problem wit

by mike simpson / 10h

School Safety For America's Youngest Students Means More Officers, More Guns

School Safety For America's Youngest Students Means More Officers, More Guns: School Safety For America's Youngest Students Means More Officers, More GunsPosted: 10/07/2013 7:30 am EDT | Updated: 10/07/2013 8:04 am EDTORLANDO, Fla. -- The same week protests erupted around the nation over the acquittal of George Zimmerman for the shooting death of 17-year-old Trayvon Martin, 800 school police off

by mike simpson / 10h

Is Student Privacy Hopeless? | Crazy Crawfish's Blog

Is Student Privacy Hopeless? | Crazy Crawfish's Blog: Is Student Privacy Hopeless?Posted on October 6, 20130(This will be a long one, and has some ranting folks, so buckle up.)Is student privacy hopeless?Sadly, this may be little more than a rhetorical question after the last week of horrible setbacks on the student privacy front. I’ve been gathering information and leads for months now, researchi

by mike simpson / 10h

California GOP Denounces Common Core | Truth in American Education

California GOP Denounces Common Core | Truth in American Education: California GOP Denounces Common CoreFiled in Common Core State Standards, Education at State Level by Shane Vander Hart on October 7, 2013• 0 CommentsThis weekend at the California Republican Party State Convention delegates overwhelmingly pass a resolution opposing the Common Core State Standards, language below:Resolution ( F201

by mike simpson / 10h

YESTERDAY

Connected Educator Month Twitter Chats Start This Wednesday On #cpchat | Connected Principals

Connected Educator Month Twitter Chats Start This Wednesday On #cpchat | Connected Principals: Connected Educator Month Twitter Chats Start This Wednesday On #cpchatOctober 7, 2013By Patrick LarkinAs was noted last week, we are excited that Connected Principals will be working in conjunction with the National Association of Secondary School Principals (NASSP) and the National Association of Elemen

by mike simpson / 18h

AJC special report: SAT scores rise with family wealth. A... | Get Schooled | www.ajc.com

AJC special report: SAT scores rise with family wealth. A... | Get Schooled | www.ajc.com: AJC special report: SAT scores rise with family wealth. A notable exception in state: Norcross High Previous PostsCherokee board member incurs censure, fine. And Kelly Marlow still faces more trouble ahead. October 4, 2013Remember the 'I Quit Teach for America' essay? Here's the counterpoint. 'I stayed.'Octo

by mike simpson / 18h

The Educated Reporter: Higher Ed Seminar: Sen. Elizabeth Warren's Plan to Make College More Affordable

The Educated Reporter: Higher Ed Seminar: Sen. Elizabeth Warren's Plan to Make College More Affordable: Higher Ed Seminar: Sen. Elizabeth Warren's Plan to Make College More AffordableEWA held its annual Higher Education Seminar recently at Boston's Northeastern University. We invited some of the education journalists in attendance to contribute posts from the sessions. Today's guest blogger is Lib

by mike simpson / 18h

If Only the Daily News and the New York Post Had Old Fashioned Reporters .southbronxschool.com

http://www.southbronxschool.com: If Only the Daily News and the New York Post Had Old Fashioned ReportersOn Friday after the horror that I had gone through I received a DM from ace reporter Ben Chapman of the Daily News inviting me to comment on a article that was to appear in yesterday's Daily News concerning the Rubber Rooms.I had to think about it. My spidey sense was telling me that something

by mike simpson / 18h

Mayor-Elect de Blasio, “The ATR Pool is Insanity,” (A Hopeful Scenario) | Ed In The Apple

Mayor-Elect de Blasio, “The ATR Pool is Insanity,” (A Hopeful Scenario) | Ed In The Apple: Mayor-Elect de Blasio, “The ATR Pool is Insanity,” (A Hopeful Scenario)Posted on October 7, 2013 | 1 CommentMayor-elect de Blasio speaking to a high level Department of Education official,“Let me get this straight, when you close a school you dump the staff into what is called the ATR pool, the teachers are

2 by mike simpson / 20h

SHUT HAPPENS: Schools, Government and Depressed Tax-Payers.

SHUT HAPPENS: Schools, Government and Depressed Tax-Payers.: SHUT HAPPENS: Schools, Government and Depressed Tax-Payers.PHILLYACTIVE™ (NEWS THAT GETS PHILLY ACTIVE) Students, Tax-Payers Protest, shoutingwww.techbookonline.comAn elementary school students holds up a handmade sign during yesterday afternoon’s BRING THE NOISE – Disrupting Corporate Education Reform in Philadelphia Rally, organized by

3 by mike simpson / 21h

L..A. events call for opposing corporate-style school reform - latimes.com

L..A. events call for opposing corporate-style school reform - latimes.com: L..A. events call for opposing corporate-style school reformComments0EmailShare1Participants line up to sign a declaration of principles at a weekend education conference in Los Angeles that took on corporate-inspired education reform. (Howard Blume/Los Angeles Times / October 6, 2013)By Howard BlumeOctober 6, 2013, 5:07 p

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Attack on Public Education: Crush Teachers (active and retired) | Reclaim Reform

Attack on Public Education: Crush Teachers (active and retired) | Reclaim Reform: Attack on Public Education: Crush Teachers (active and retired)Posted on October 6, 2013by Ken PrevitiPaying hundreds of millions of public education tax dollars to create high stakes tests guaranteed to fail over 50% of students has become an obvious abusive tactic in the corporate attack against public education. C

by mike simpson / 22h

R.E.C.L.A.I.M. the Promise of Public Education | Angel Cintron Jr.

R.E.C.L.A.I.M. the Promise of Public Education | Angel Cintron Jr.: R.E.C.L.A.I.M. the Promise of Public Educationby ACINTRONJR • OCTOBER 6, 2013My name is Angel L. Cintron Jr. I’m a third year DC Public Schools teacher at Charles Hart Middle School. I teach 7th grade social studies. I firmly take the pledge to R.E.C.L.A.I.M. the Promise of Public Education by elevating my “teaching game.”REFLEC

by mike simpson / 22h

Christie calls for school vouchers at Orthodox Jewish gathering in Teaneck - NorthJersey.com

Christie calls for school vouchers at Orthodox Jewish gathering in Teaneck - NorthJersey.com: Christie calls for school vouchers at Orthodox Jewish gathering in TeaneckSUNDAY OCTOBER 6, 2013, 7:14 PMBY KATHLEEN LYNNSTAFF WRITERTHE RECORDPRINT | E-MAILAMY NEWMAN / STAFF PHOTOGRAPHERTEANECK — Governor Christie made a pitch Sunday for school vouchers — which he tried unsuccessfully to get through th

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

Nite Cap 10-6-13 #BATsACT #RealEdTalk #EDCHAT #P2

James Baldwin said it best: "For these are all our children, and we will profit by or pay for whatever they become."A BIG EDUCATION APE NITE CAPTODAYSchooling in the Ownership Society: Testing the real estate marketSchooling in the Ownership Society: Testing the real estate market: Testing the real estate marketCurrent testing policies which rank schools on the basis of student test scor

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