Thursday, November 7, 2013

For the Record: Teach for America placement | catalyst-chicago.org

For the Record: Teach for America placement | catalyst-chicago.org:

For the Record: Teach for America placement

As Teach for America's presence in Chicago grows, nearly 60 percent of teachers in the program are in charter schools.
By: Rebecca Harris / November 7, 2013
The mass teacher layoffs this year that resulted from school closings and budget cuts have focused more attention on the district’s relationship with Teach for America and the growing presence of its teachers in CPS schools. 
Though some talk swirled in the broader school community that cheaper TFA teachers would replace laid-off veterans, those concerns appear to be for the most part unfounded. The majority of TFA teachers end up in charter schools and fewer than 10 percent land in schools run by Academy for Urban School Leadership. AUSL runs a majority of turnaround schools, where one can most easily make the argument that they are “replacing” seasoned teachers let go as part of the turnaround. 
About 24 percent end up in other schools. 
Though the number of TFA teachers remains small compared to the size of the district-wide teaching force, CPS is steadily increasing the numbers—and the size 
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Monster (Teaching In The Era of Evaluations) - The Jose Vilson | The Jose Vilson

Monster (Teaching In The Era of Evaluations) - The Jose Vilson | The Jose Vilson:

Monster (Teaching In The Era of Evaluations)

by JOSE VILSON on NOVEMBER 7, 2013
in MR. VILSON
Lion Roar
Lion Roar
The way I taught this year, you’d think I had a chip on my shoulder. I do, and now I own it.
The last two months, I revamped my whole teaching style, not because Charlotte Danielson or any other education expert told me to do it, but because I’m in my ninth year, and damnit, if I can’t do get ‘er done now, what am I doing with my life?
My portfolios come in solid greens and reds. I’ve now done four rounds of bulletin boards. My classrooms walls have drawings of the solar system from the students, scaled from calculations they did using scientific notation. I still do too much talking when it comes to the student dialogues, but I’ve also given them lots of leeway to struggle with their classwork and ask each other questions before they ask me. I wait longer when I ask a hard question and don’t allow the quicker students to blurt out the responses before I’ve given them enough time (and space) to give a solid response. I’m keeping my classroom open for the most part, and slowly people have come to visit.
All in all, I’m kicking butt, at least in the classroom.
Too often, it’s easy to look at all the troubles you’re going through and let all your blessings disintegrate in front of you, much to the pleasure of your doubters. It’s easy to look at yourself as less of a teacher when the visits don’t come, the pats on the back don’t happen, or the kids act
- See more at: http://thejosevilson.com/monster-teaching-era-evaluations/#sthash.RZVDX3E3.dpuf
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Robben Island at 4360 Broadway southbronxschool.com

http://www.southbronxschool.com:


Robben Island at 4360 Broadway

As many of you know, I have been reassigned due to my blogging and exposing the day in and day out hypocrisy of the NYCDOE. I believe that this has been part of a vast conspiracy with my principal, Dr Alison Coviello; PhD and Principal at the center of the conspiracy. I don;t have any concrete evidence, but I believe that God shine a path to the truth.

Since September 3, 2013, I have been jailed at 4360 Broadway, Children's First Network 403 as my jailers. Today was the darkest day yet.



For two months I have been "stored" in the cafeteria on the 5th floor of 4360 Broadway. Yes, a cafeteria. Here is proof (over there on the left). See, it says cafeteria, but for some reason local custom (I am still studying these people) it is called a "conference room." But it does not look like any conference room I have ever seen (up above). In fact, this cafeteria/conference room is so special it has a copying machine that runs full throttle throughout the day and I get to suck in the fumes. 
 But all is not that bad. It could be worse. For instance, I have an activity to do in the 
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4LAKids - L.A. UNIFIED LOSES ROUND IN EFFORT TO KEEP TEACHER RATINGS SECRET

4LAKids - some of the news that doesn't fit: L.A. UNIFIED LOSES ROUND IN EFFORT TO KEEP TEACHER RATINGS SECRET:

L.A. UNIFIED LOSES ROUND IN EFFORT TO KEEP TEACHER RATINGS SECRET

BY HOWARD BLUME, L.A. TIMES | HTTP://LAT.MS/17HNW26




November 7, 2013, 7:28 p.m.  ::  The Los Angeles Unified School District has lost a key round in a legal battle to keep the performance ratings of individual teachers confidential.
The 2nd District Court of Appeal declined this week to consider the case after a lower court ordered the school system to turn over the information to the Los Angeles Times.
The newspaper had sought the ratings through a public records request. The school system withheld the information, citing the privacy rights of employees.
In August, L.A. County Superior Court Judge James C. Chalfant ruled that the ratings must be released because public interest in them outweighed any teacher privacy rights under the California Public Records Act.
L.A. Unified and United Teachers Los Angeles, the teachers union for the district, jointly asked Chalfant to delay the release until they could appeal the ruling. Chalfant granted that request. The appeals court's decision was dated Wednesday.
The teachers union and the district still could appeal the case to the state Supreme Court. Late Thursday, Sean Rossall, a spokesman for L.A. Unified, said the district was "in the process of evaluating all of the options before us and expect to have a decision on

LAUSD iPAD STATUS LOOKS GOOD, SCHOOL BOARD VOWS ‘WE ARE COMMITTED TO THIS. WE WILL MOVE FORWARD’
from the Huffington Post via the Los Angeles Daily News  |  By Barbara Jones and Brenda Gazzar  | http://huff.to/17hlf7e Posted: 11/06/2013 4:08 pm EST  ::  After taking a second, deeper look at Los Angeles Unified's controversial iPad project, school board members reiterated their support Tuesday for the plan to equip all 600,000 students with tablet computers while hearing about lessons
1 by smf / 25min 
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On the latest D.C. NAEP Miracle | Gary Rubinstein's Blog

On the latest D.C. NAEP Miracle | Gary Rubinstein's Blog:

On the latest D.C. NAEP Miracle

by Gary Rubinstein
Today the results from the 2013 NAEP came out, and ‘reformers’ everywhere are celebrating the amazing gains by states with an aggressive reform agenda.  In 2011, the average national score for the four main NAEP tests (4th grade reading, 4th grade math, 8th grade reading, and 8th grade math) was about a 250, with the total of the four scores being 1006.  For 2013 the sum of these four scores, nationally, increased by 5 points to 1011.  But some states increased by more than 5 points, as shown on this graph that was shared often on Twitter.
This shows that the places with the greatest gains were D.C., Tennessee, and Indiana, three places that have embraced the corporate reform strategy of testing, closing down schools, and opening charters.  If this was the only data we had access to, it would seem to prove that “the 
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Bad News from Me | Diane Ravitch's blog

Bad News from Me | Diane Ravitch's blog:

Bad News from MeClick on picture to Listen to Diane Ravitch

Dear Friends,
I wanted to share some not very good news about my health.
This week, my hyperactivity and age caught up with me. It turns out I am not Wonder Woman but mortal me.
I have been in a hospital for teo days in Brooklyn, where they determined I have blood clots in one leg and walking pneumonia. Doctors’ orders: rest.
That means I cannot fly to Chicago or Madison this week. I will resume my schedule afterwards but try to pace myself. I will Skype when I can.
Lately, I have been worrying about who will carry the fight when I no longer can do it. It was as though I had a premonition of my health issues.
I suddenly realized that you will do it. You–teachers, principals, parents, students, administrators–will carry forward the struggle to gain respect, autonomy, and public confidence in our schools. You will fight for our children. You will stand up in every city, tow, village, snd hamlet. The blinders are off, and there is a genuine movement determined to speak out for our children, for the future of our society. You know what’s right, and you won’t slow down until every child gets an education we can all be proud of.
This week I realized that Socrates was right: All men are mortal. So are all women.
I am going to take some time off and rest: Doctor’s order. And I will take better care of my health. I’m regretful about the reminder of my age and mortality, but I will be back. And we won’t give up.

Diane Ravitch
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Sue Peters: Newly Elected Seattle School Board Member | Seattle Education

Sue Peters: Newly Elected Seattle School Board Member | Seattle Education:

Sue Peters: Newly Elected Seattle School Board Member

fireworks
This morning Suzanne Estey conceded the race and Sue Peters is now our newly elected School Board Director for District 4 in Seattle.
It really happened. David downed Goliath. The Goliath of $200,000 in PAC donations from a moneyed few as opposed to the $28,000 in donations from the rest of us that supported Sue’s campaign.
It was an exceptional job of campaigning by Sue, her campaign manager Kathy Smith, and everyone who made it to events handing out flyers, going door to door, talking to neighbors and friends, attending district meetings and supporting Sue in any way that was requested.
Now the real work begins.
Dora Taylor



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2013 National Assessment of Educational Progress - Year 2013 (CA Dept of Education)

2013 National Assessment of Educational Progress - Year 2013 (CA Dept of Education):

California Students Make Major Gains in National Tests,
State Schools Chief Tom Torlakson Announces




SACRAMENTO—California's eighth graders made the biggest gain in reading scores in the country last year, the 2013 National Assessment of Educational Progress (NAEP) shows, State Superintendent of Public Instruction Tom Torlakson announced today.
Also known as the "Nation's Report Card," the NAEP test is an ongoing, nationally representative assessment designed to evaluate what American students in grades four and eight know and can do in a variety of subjects, including reading and science. It was established by Congress in 1969.
"The resilience and tenacity of our schools have seen them through some challenging years, and I'm glad to see this validation of the hard work of educators, students, and their families," Torlakson said. "These scores are another sign that we are moving in the right direction to prepare students for college and career, but we still have a lot of work to do to make sure every student graduates equipped to succeed." 
State Board of Education President Mike Kirst agreed, noting that California's scores climbed in nearly all the tested areas in addition to the grade eight reading jump.
"Literacy is at the core of a child's education, and it's remarkable to see such a major gain in scores in just one year," Kirst said. "We can all look forward to seeing where our students go from here as we continue to improve teaching and learning."
While California students continue to score a few points below other students nationwide, major gains have been made over the past decade. And while some gains were made this year in narrowing the gap between higher achieving students and African American and Hispanic students, a persistent achievement gap remained.
About 220 school districts and 740 schools in California participated in NAEP during the 2012-13 school year. NAEP results are reported for populations of students, not for individual students or schools. For complete state and national results, visit the NAEP Web site.
Grade Eight Reading Scores
California's average grade eight reading score climbed 7 points, from 255 to 262, from 2011 to 2013. Scores were also up for students of color, socioeconomically disadvantaged pupils, and children with disabilities. English learner scores were unchanged. There was no change in scores for higher achieving students and African American and Hispanic students. The average remains in the NAEP "basic" category.
Grade Eight Mathematics Scores
The average grade eight mathematics score of California was 276, up 3 points from 2011 to 2013. Scores were also up for all subgroups, including students of color, socioeconomically disadvantaged pupils, children with disabilities, and English learners. The gap in scores between higher achieving students and African American and Hispanic students narrowed slightly. The average remains in the NAEP basic category.
Grade Four Reading Scores
The average grade four reading score of California was 213, up 2 points from 2011 to 2013. California's score was in the NAEP basic range. There were modest improvements overall, with white and Hispanic students performing above the state average. The achievement gap widened slightly between higher achieving students and African American students. 
Grade Four Mathematics Scores
The average grade four mathematics score of California was 234, remaining relatively unchanged from 2011 to 2013. California's score was in the NAEP basic achievement level. There was a narrowing in scores between higher achieving students and Hispanic students. 
# # # #
Tom Torlakson — State Superintendent of Public Instruction
Communications Division, Room 5206, 916-319-0818, Fax 916-319-0100
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With A Brooklyn Accent: Tennessee BAT Tales- Installment One

With A Brooklyn Accent: Tennessee BAT Tales- Installment One:

Tennessee BAT Tales- Installment One


Here is what is happening in Tennessee. For the past few years, working conditions for teachers and learning conditions for students have gotten progressively worse. The emphasis on testing is hurting our schools. Teachers and students are constantly preparing, taking, or reviewing tests. Many teachers are afraid to teach anything that “isn’t on the test.” 

Teacher evaluations and jobs are now tied to students’ test scores. Teachers are not even sure exactly how they are tied. Evaluations include TVAAS scores, and no one at the State level will disclose exactly HOW those scores are calculated. Scores are not only tied to teacher jobs, but also a student’s final grade. EOC’s ( End of Course Tests ) count for 25% of students’ grades in English. Teachers in a high-poverty school, that have a large number of students who speak English as a Second Language, are pretty much doomed. 

Students are burnt-out on tests. At some schools, the only grades that count on a student’s report card are test grades. Schools have adopted 

Our Children's Grim Future
Our children are being prepared, through relentless testing, now beginning as early as pre-K, for a world in which they are constantly going to be observed, monitored, evaluated, and measured in every dimension of their life, a world with little privacy, and shrinking opportunity. What is happening to their teachers is what awaits them in almost every occupation they choose to enter. If we don't r
2 by Mark Naison / 4h mark as read  //  save

YESTERDAY

The BATS, Diane Ravitch, and the DeBlasio Victory
Bill DeBlasio, a candidate who decisively rejected most of Michael Bloomberg's Corporate Education Reform agenda, has just won election as Mayor of NYC with a 49 Percentage Point Margin, the largest any mayor has achieved since 1985. Although Education was not the only area where Mr DeBlasio sought to sharply distinguish himself from his predecessor, opposition to excessive testing and school clos
15 by Mark Naison / 1d 
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Nite Cap 11-7-13 #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

Commitment to Community Schools: Alignment in Purpose | LFA: Join The Conversation - Public School Insights
Commitment to Community Schools: Alignment in Purpose | LFA: Join The Conversation - Public School Insights: Commitment to Community Schools: Alignment in PurposeThe Coalition for Community Schools on behalf of Hartford Public SchoolsStory posted October 22, 2013Results:Between the 2009-2010 and 2011- 2012 school years, reading proficiency scores increased by over 10 percentage pointsSchool attend
1 by mike simpson / 1h 
It's time to show our appreciation for our education support professionals | Lily's Blackboard
It's time to show our appreciation for our education support professionals | Lily's Blackboard: Flowers for MargaretNov 7th, 2013 by Lily.I always started my day at Orchard Elementary checking my mailbox in the school office for any memos, flyers, notes,  you-name-it. I ended my day the same way.Looking back now, I remember that Margaret, our school secretary, was already at her desk greeting stud
by mike simpson / 2h 
Enacting Economic Equity – redqueeninla
Enacting Economic Equity – redqueeninla: Enacting Economic EquityIt’s the avowed 800 pound gorilla in the room, No, Not that ONE! It’s the avowed 800 pound gorilla in the room: poverty just mucks up everyone’s numbers. Kids don’t “achieve learning”, schools fail to make “adequate yearly progress”, businesses can’t locate sufficient or acceptable workers.The “education gap” between rich and poor is
by mike simpson / 3h 
Mike Klonsky's SmallTalk Blog: PARENT ENGAGEMENT
Mike Klonsky's SmallTalk Blog: PARENT ENGAGEMENT: PARENT ENGAGEMENTCPS parent volunteersLatest from CPS -- All parent school volunteers will now be required to be fingerprinted. Accurate Biometrics has been given the $650,000 contract (no board approval required) to do the fingerprinting and parents will have to travel to one of their four centers in the city to have it done. According to Brother
by mike simpson / 3h 
'Nation's Report Card': Who Cares? If you fix some of these numbers maybe the other numbers will mean something!
Per Student Public Education Spending Decreases in 2011 for First Time in Nearly Four Decades, Census Bureau ReportsNote: This is a revised release due to two changes. The embedded map incorrectly had Wyoming as spending more than $16,000 and the District of Columbia spending less than $16,000. The map was corrected to reflect the true spending for Wyoming ($15,849) and the District of Columbia ($
1 by mike simpson / 4h 
Fallacies, realities about teachers and education schools | Other Views | NewsObserver.com
Fallacies, realities about teachers and education schools | Other Views | NewsObserver.com: Fallacies, realities about teachers and education schools By Michael Maher and Paola SztajnEvery day when we come to work, we have the privilege of interacting with amazing young people. Many of them were among the top students in their high schools with average SAT scores above 1100 and an average weighted
by mike simpson / 4h 
11-7-13 Seattle Schools Community Forum
Seattle Schools Community Forum: From the Live Blog thread, The Mission of this BlogA lot of discussion arose in the live blog thread about the nature of this blog and the needs of the community. This blog can be the place for people to connect all across the District. If you have a thread that you would like us to start, then you are free to suggest it. We get a lot of such requests and typically
by mike simpson / 5h 
4LAKids - some of the news that doesn't fit: HOW TO GRADE A TEACHER: The usefulness of test scores is limited and should be treated that way + smf’s 2¢
4LAKids - some of the news that doesn't fit: HOW TO GRADE A TEACHER: The usefulness of test scores is limited and should be treated that way + smf’s 2¢: HOW TO GRADE A TEACHER: The usefulness of test scores is limited and should be treated that way + smf’s 2¢BY THE LA TIMES EDITORIAL BOARD  |  HTTP://LAT.MS/1HMJVJDNovember 7, 2013  ::  As the recent job evaluation of Los Angeles Unified Supt. John
by mike simpson / 5h 
11-7-13 THE WHOLE CHILD BLOG Common Core: An Educator's Perspective — Whole Child Education
Common Core: An Educator's Perspective — Whole Child Education: THE WHOLE CHILD BLOGCommon Core: An Educator’s PerspectiveNovember 7, 2013 by Steven WeberIf the state of North Carolina decides to pull the plug on the Common Core State Standards, it will be a slap in the face to the teachers and administrators who have spent countless hours (most on their own time without reimbursement) preparing t
by mike simpson / 5h 
11-7-13 Jersey Jazzman
Jersey Jazzman: What Happened Tuesday?I've listened to a fair bit of punditry and read a fair bit of opinion about Tuesday's election results. And it still doesn't make sense to me. I'll leave Virginia out of this because I really didn't follow the race. But here in Metro NYC, we had two big, contiguous races. Both ended in landslides - but for candidates who couldn't be more different: Bill de Bl
by mike simpson / 6h 
Running for our pensions. | VOTE 4 Fred Klonsky
Running for our pensions. | Fred Klonsky:  I’ve never campaigned to be a delegate to the IEA Representative Assembly before, although I have been a delegate for all but one of the last twenty or so.My old local, the Park Ridge Education Association, could send five delegates. And frankly it was good if most years we had five people willing to spend three days in a large hotel convention room.Some
by mike simpson / 6h 
NAEP? Nope: Why (Almost) Everyone Will Misread (Again) Data on Gaps | the becoming radical
NAEP? Nope: Why (Almost) Everyone Will Misread (Again) Data on Gaps | the becoming radical: NAEP? NOPE: WHY (ALMOST) EVERYONE WILL MISREAD (AGAIN) DATA ON GAPSLet the data orgy begin!NAEP data have been released and I anticipate almost as much time and money will be wasted on the data as has been wasted on administering the tests, scoring the tests, and creating the handy web link to all that data
by mike simpson / 6h 
New Assessments, Better Instruction? | LFA: Join The Conversation - Public School Insights
New Assessments, Better Instruction? | LFA: Join The Conversation - Public School Insights: New Assessments, Better Instruction?By Anne O'Brien on November 7, 2013Advocates hope that the Common Core State Standards (CCSS) Initiative will lead to deeper learning by students – that the standards will result in students learning not only academic content, but how to think critically, work collaborati
by mike simpson / 6h 
Cali Education Headlines Thursday, November 7, 2013
FCMAT » Fiscal Crisis & Management Assistance Team: Fensterwald: States’ testing exec embraces California’s controversial decision for Common Core testsEducation HeadlinesThursday, November 7, 2013Alum on Coachella Valley High's Arab mascot: 'Times are changing'A national anti-discrimination group is pressuring Coachella Valley High School to abandon its longstanding mascot — a sneering, hook-
by mike simpson / 7h 
Ray Kelly Doesn’t Need the Support of Liberal Civil Libertarians. Brown’s Student Activists Do. |
Ray Kelly Doesn’t Need the Support of Liberal Civil Libertarians. Brown’s Student Activists Do. |: Ray Kelly Doesn’t Need the Support of Liberal Civil Libertarians. Brown’s Student Activists Do.November 7, 2013 in StudentsYesterday The Nation hosted an online roundtable about an incident at Brown University in which New York police chief Ray Kelly, the public face of that city’s racist, unconstitu
by mike simpson / 7h 
The Educated Reporter: The Nation's Report Card: A Slow Climb Up a Steep Hill
The Educated Reporter: The Nation's Report Card: A Slow Climb Up a Steep Hill: The Nation's Report Card: A Slow Climb Up a Steep HillThe “Nation’s Report Card” is out today for fourth and eighth graders in reading and math, and while there are some positive trends over the past two decades, a significant achievement gap persists among minorities and for America’s students when compared with their
by mike simpson / 7h 
Momentum Grows Against Zero Tolerance Discipline and High-Stakes Testing - Living in Dialogue - Education Week Teacher
Momentum Grows Against Zero Tolerance Discipline and High-Stakes Testing - Living in Dialogue - Education Week Teacher: Momentum Grows Against Zero Tolerance Discipline and High-Stakes TestingBy Anthony Cody on November 7, 2013 10:25 AMGuest post by Judith Browne Dianis,  Rhonda Brownstein, Jessica Feierman, and Monty Neill.Across the country, resistance is growing against public education's incre
by mike simpson / 7h 
Morning Wink 11-7-13 AM Posts #BATsACT #RealEdTalk #EDCHAT #P2
BIG EDUCATION APE - MORNING WINK  AM POSTSTODAYWelcome to The Nation's Report Card! NAEP - Mathematics and Reading 2013NAEP - Mathematics and Reading 2013: Welcometo The Nation's Report Card!Explore interactive and dynamic graphics that illustrate the results of the 2013 mathematics and reading assessments.Test yourself with actual National Assessment of Educational Progress (NAEP) questions.Watch
1 by mike simpson / 7h 
Statement of U.S. Secretary of Education Arne Duncan on the 2013 NAEP Reading and Mathematics Report Card | U.S. Department of Education
Statement of U.S. Secretary of Education Arne Duncan on the 2013 NAEP Reading and Mathematics Report Card | U.S. Department of Education: Statement of U.S. Secretary of Education Arne Duncan on the 2013 NAEP Reading and Mathematics Report CardNOVEMBER 7, 2013Contact:   Press Office, (202) 401-1576, press@ed.gov The 2013 NAEP Reading and Mathematics Report Card is available here."The 2013 NAEP
by mike simpson / 7h 
11-7-13 The Answer Sheet - The biggest weakness of the Common Core Standards
The biggest weakness of the Common Core Standards: The biggest weakness of the Common Core StandardsBY VALERIE STRAUSSNovember 7 at 10:00 amHere’s a different look at the controversial Common Core State Standards, from Marion Brady, a veteran classroom teacher, who has written history and world culture textbooks (Prentice-Hall),  professional books, numerous  nationally distributed columns (many a
by mike simpson / 7h 
Welcome to The Nation's Report Card! NAEP - Mathematics and Reading 2013
NAEP - Mathematics and Reading 2013: Welcometo The Nation's Report Card!Explore interactive and dynamic graphics that illustrate the results of the 2013 mathematics and reading assessments.Test yourself with actual National Assessment of Educational Progress (NAEP) questions.Watch videos for tips on how to explore and interpret results.Results for 2013 NAEP Mathematics and Reading Assessments Are
3 by mike simpson / 8h 
Daily Kos: Helping the Helpless
Daily Kos: Helping the Helpless: Helping the HelplessbyShakespeares SisterFollowSo, I switched school districts. I am very fortunate to work again with one of my best friends, who teaches 12th grade AP Literature and Composition, while I teach 11th grade AP Language and Composition and one section of World Literature. Admittedly, it is a big switch for me, as I previously taught 11th and 12th grad
by mike simpson / 8h 
LISTEN TO DIANE RAVITCH 11-7-13 Diane Ravitch's blog | A site to discuss better education for all
Diane Ravitch's blog | A site to discuss better education for all: Los Angeles Baffled About How to Pay for iPads in FutureLos Angeles negotiated a sweet deal for Apple, promising to buy an iPad for every student at a cost that will eventually total at least $1 billion. Forget the fact that the iPads are financed in large part by borrowing money from a 25-year construction bond issue, and that man
by mike simpson / 8h 
11-7-13 Wait What?
Wait What?: Steve Perry Tworking (Tweeting while working) on teachers and unionsState and local laws, ordinances, regulations and work rules prohibit public employees from engaging in politics while at work. Public employees have lost their jobs for violating these policies. Steve Perry is the principal of Capital Preparatory Magnet School in Harford, Connecticut. As a public employee, Perry is co
by mike simpson / 8h 
11-7-13 Schools Matter
Schools Matter: Union Leadership as Political Sleight of HandNew Jersey Gov. Chris Christie is nearly stereotypical as a bully, so much so that if he weren't in a position of power, he would be a walking satire of himself.When he yelled at a female teacher recently, reasonable people across the U.S. responded with disgust, as Jersey Jazzman did:Some think this misogyny is part of Christie's "
by mike simpson / 8h 
11*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: The Best Ways To Use Mistakes When Teaching WritingThis is sort of an odd “The Best…” list. I’ve written a lot in this blog and in my books about using student mistakes as an opportunity and not as a problem, and have an extremely long The Best Posts, Articles & Videos About Learning From Mistakes & Failures list. T
by mike simpson / 8h 
11-7-13 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.: Life in Rahm’s Chicago. Every CPS parent volunteer will be fingerprinted.Data driven? All the research suggests that the greater the parental involvement in their children’s school the better the students perform. So CPS is requiring every parent school volunteer to be fingerprinted. And local neighbo
by mike simpson / 8h 
11-7-13 Ed Notes Online
Ed Notes Online: Vido: Funeral for 168 Schools Chosed Under Bloomberghttp://youtu.be/USnAoe3vgEUby ed notes online / 7h Will de Blasio Make Randi's Folly - er - the UFT Charter - Pay The Damn Rent?Eva Moskowitz is viewed as a big loser in the election and the UFT even though they jumped on the bandwagon late is viewed as a winner. But what of the charters occupying public school space - given to t
by mike simpson / 9h 
Jason Carter enters the governor's race and brings a focus on... | Get Schooled | www.ajc.com
Jason Carter enters the governor's race and brings a focus on... | Get Schooled | www.ajc.com: Jason Carter enters the governor's race and brings a focus on education COMMENT(1) 2 5 5 12View Larger Jason GetzSen. Jason Carter, D-Decatur, asks a question about House Bill 487 during Legislative Day 34 in the Senate Chambers at the State Capitol on March 14, 2013.Previous PostsBully posts his attack
by mike simpson / 9h 
CAUTION: Technology! | the becoming radical
CAUTION: Technology! | the becoming radical: CAUTION: TECHNOLOGY!In the myriad debates surrounding implementation of Common Core and the concurrent tests, the sheer costs of this process tends to be ignored. Another issue related to both CC and the related costs is yet another series of commitments to technology as a part of the perpetual education reform process. Here is a reposting of a presenta
by mike simpson / 9h 
11-7-13 @ The Chalk Face
@ THE CHALK FACE: Schools Matter: Union Leadership as Political Sleight of HandSchools Matter: Union Leadership as Political Sleight of Hand. via Schools Matter: Union Leadership as Political Sleight of Hand.2 by plthomasedd / 1h   11-6-13 @ The Chalk Face@ THE CHALK FACE: The Two Sides of Education Reform in Washington, D.C.Education reform is failing traditional D.C. public middle schools locate
by mike simpson / 9h 
7-11-13 Perdido Street School
Perdido Street School: Another Bloomberg Education FailureFrom NY1:It's half school, half extracurricular, all hands on. For two years, the city's Summer Quest program has provided extra learning for thousands of struggling students in the South Bronx, nine hours a day, five days a week for five weeks.For the students, the goal is to prevent summer learning loss, a big problem for low-income kids.
by mike simpson / 9h 
To Lisa Macfarlane and Suzanne Estey: And you thought it was a conspiracy theory? | Seattle Education
To Lisa Macfarlane and Suzanne Estey: And you thought it was a conspiracy theory? | Seattle Education: To Lisa Macfarlane and Suzanne Estey: And you thought it was a conspiracy theory?Either your comments have been overly scripted by your moneyed backers or you have been bold face lying but these are the facts:Chris Christie’s demented “you people” movement: The right’s school-for-cash obsessionCh
by mike simpson / 9h 
States’ testing exec embraces California’s controversial decision for Common Core tests EdSource Today
EdSource Today: States’ testing exec embraces California’s controversial decision for Common Core testsNovember 7th, 2013 | Add a Comment | By John Fensterwald1Joe Willhoft discussed the forthcoming Common Core field test before the State Board.The executive director of Smarter Balanced, a consortium of states developing the new Common Core assessments, said he supports California’s decision to gi
by mike simpson / 9h 
What is Wrong with Vouchers? | Deborah Meier on Education
What is Wrong with Vouchers? | Deborah Meier on Education: What is Wrong with Vouchers?Posted on November 6, 2013 by nicholasmeierNicholas MeierThe rhetoric behind vouchers is that if everyone had vouchers parents could select the best school for their child instead of being forced to go to “government” schools*.Where does such logic fall apart? There are two main logistical reasons it is really a
by mike simpson / 9h 
Privatization of Education Won’t Erase Savage Inequalities | janresseger
Privatization of Education Won’t Erase Savage Inequalities | janresseger: Privatization of Education Won’t Erase Savage InequalitiesPosted on November 7, 2013 by janressegerFor generations our society has committed itself to the provision of public education—publicly funded, universally available, and accountable to the public—as the best institution for balancing the needs of each particular chil
by mike simpson / 9h 
NYC Educator: Does Common Core Align with Danielson?
NYC Educator: Does Common Core Align with Danielson?: Does Common Core Align with Danielson?I look at the Danielson Rubric and I see an awful lot about engaging the students. Active, happy kids are a big plus if they're using the Danielson Rubric. You want them to be asking questions on their own, to know there are procedures in place, and to remind one another what they are. You want them in grou
by mike simpson / 10h 
PWCS – Where Doing Nothing is World Class! | PWC Education Reform Blog
PWCS – Where Doing Nothing is World Class! | PWC Education Reform Blog: PWCS – Where Doing Nothing is World Class!November 6, 2013 — pwceducationreform So… PWCS has $2.7 million of “extra” revenue to play with.  What should they do?A few years ago the school division deliberately decided to run class sizes up the state’s legal maximum so that they’d have money available for other priorities.  We
by mike simpson / 10h 

YESTERDAY

11-6-13 Jersey Jazzman: Marie Corfield: An American Hero
Jersey Jazzman: Marie Corfield: An American Hero: Marie Corfield: An American HeroThere's a lot to say after yesterday, and a lot to do starting tomorrow. But before all of that, let's get one very important thing out of the way: Marie Corfield - proud to be a mother, a teacher, and a real Jersey girl - is a genuine American hero. We teachers are generally not a very outgoing or outspoken lot. We
by mike simpson / 18h 
Teachers union leader urges Chris Christie to apologize to teacher he yelled at
Teachers union leader urges Chris Christie to apologize to teacher he yelled at: Teachers union leader urges Chris Christie to apologize to teacher he yelled atBY VALERIE STRAUSSNovember 6 at 9:42 pm(Used with permission)American Federation of Teachers President Randi Weingarten sent a letter to New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie (R), asking him to apologize to a teacher whom he yelled atduring a camp
by mike simpson / 18h 
Death March Demo fro the 168+ Public Schools Closed by Bloomberg and His Privateers Coalition for Public Education/Coalición por la Educación Pública
Coalition for Public Education/Coalición por la Educación Pública: Death March Demo fro the 168+ Public Schools Closed by Bloomberg and His PrivateersA NormScott ProductionDemand (thru CPE) that Mayor DeBlasio reopen all closed schools and have a plan that includes parents, students and teachers in decision-making levels that improve these schools within 5 years or less.Posted by Black Educator at
by mike simpson / 20h 
Seattle School Board Update: Sue Peters is ahead | Seattle Education
Seattle School Board Update: Sue Peters is ahead | Seattle Education: Seattle School Board Update: Sue Peters is aheadIn spite of the record-breaking amount of money that was poured into Suzanne Estey’s campaign by a moneyed few and DFER who want to see the corporatization of our public schools through charter schools, online learning enterprises and schools staffed by the cheap labor of Teach for
by mike simpson / 20h 
Winners: AFT - A Union of Professionals - Solution-Driven Unionism
AFT - A Union of Professionals - Solution-Driven Unionism: The American Federation of Teachers' Prize for Solution-Driven Unionism recognizes outstanding collective work to create solutions that improve workplaces and communities. The 2013 prize rewards AFT members and affiliates that have tackled big challenges with concrete results and best exemplify the AFT's commitment to providing high-qualit
3 by mike simpson / 21h 
Teachers union president to Chris Christie: Apologize for bullying teacher - Stephanie Simon - POLITICO.com
Teachers union president to Chris Christie: Apologize for bullying teacher - Stephanie Simon - POLITICO.com: Teachers union president to Chris Christie: Apologize for bullying teacher818  Christie, according to Weingarten, was acting 'in such a hostile and intimidating way.' | AP PhotoCloseBy STEPHANIE SIMON | 11/6/13 4:50 PM ESTIt didn’t slow his triumphal march to reelection. But the image of Ne
2 by mike simpson / 22h 
Nite Cap 11-6-13 #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 CAPTODAYCCSS Math Framework Adopted - Year 2013CCSS Math Framework Adopted - Year 2013 (CA Dept of Education): California Adopts First Math Framework Aligned with Common CoreSACRAMENTO—California teachers have new guidance from the State Board of Ed
1 by mike simpson / 23h 



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