Di Blasio Administration Shifts Funding from Charter Schools to Pre-School Plan
During his campaign, Mayor Bill Di Blasio pledged to provide universal pre-kindergarten for all children whose families can’t afford it. He said he would pay for UPK (universal pre-kindergarten) by imposing a modest tax increase on those with incomes over $500,000 a year. But he needs the support of Governor Cuomo and the State Legislature to raise taxes on the super-rich. In the meanwhile, the
States Finding New Names to Rebrand Common Core
Lyndsey Layton at the Washington Post reports that the name “Common Core” has become so toxic in some states that officials are calling it something else. This is known as old wine in new bottles. She writes: “Arizona Gov. Jan Brewer (R) used an executive order to strip the name “Common Core” from the state’s new math and reading standards for public schools. In the Hawkeye State, the same stand
Maryland Superintendents Protest Rushed Implementation of “Reforms”
Valerie Strauss reports that almost all the superintendents in the state of Maryland signed a letter protesting the rushed timetable for Arne Duncan’s favorite reforms. She writes: “Nearly all of the superintendents of Maryland school districts have signed a statement that criticizes federal and state education officials for forcing them to implement several major reforms, including the Common C
Maryland Superintendents Protest Rushed Implementation of “Reforms”
Valerie Strauss reports that almost all the superintendents in the state of Maryland signed a letter protesting the rushed timetable for Arne Duncan’s favorite reforms. She writes: “Nearly all of the superintendents of Maryland school districts have signed a statement that criticizes federal and state education officials for forcing them to implement several major reforms, including the Common C
Connecticut Teacher: Why I Want to Quit Teaching
Thanks to the punitive actions and policies of the U.S. Department of Education and the states, there is a new genre of writing by teachers, explaining why they are quitting. The most famous was written by Kris Neilsen of North Carolina, whose letter of resignation went viral, was viewed by hundreds of thousands of people, and went around the world. This column was written by Elizabeth Natale, a
New York Plans Cradle-to-Grave Data Tracking of Students
Here is another reason to opt your children out of state testing. The state plans to collect data on every student throughout their lives, on the nutty belief that someone somewhere will figure out from this Big Data “what works.” This massive collection of data reflects the NSA’s conviction that the best way to stop terrorism is to listen to every phone call and read every email of everyone in t
Gates Foundation Cheers the Growing “Momentum” of Common Core
The Gates Foundation has spent $200 million or so to pay for the Common Core standards. Gates paid for everything because the U.S. Department of Education is prohibited by law from doing anything that might control, direct,or supervise curriculum or instruction. Of course, this did not stop Arne Duncan from shelling out $350 million to pay for new online tests of the Common Core. The tests will ce
A Forum on Emerging Issues in North Carolina: Comments?
I will be in Raleigh, North Carolina, on February 11 to participate in the Emerging Issues Forum. It brings together strong partisans from very different perspectives. The focus seems to be about recruiting and retaining the best teachers. It is an ironic time to discuss this topic when North Carolina teachers are feeling besieged by punitive legislation that is encouraging senior teachers to leav
Most Milwaukee Charter Schools Fall Below Expectations
Newly released state report cards show that 53% of independent charter schools in Milwaukee are not meeting expectations. Erin Richards of the Journal-Sentinel writes: Despite having more freedom over curriculum, budgets and staffing than traditional public schools, the majority of Milwaukee’s independent charter schools are not meeting performance expectations, according to statewide report card
LISTEN TO DIANE RAVITCH 1-30-14 Diane Ravitch's blog #EDCHAT #P2
Diane Ravitch's blog | A site to discuss better education for all: Mercedes Schneider and Peter Greene Offer Timely Help to Dennis Van RoekelDennis Van Roekel is a supporter of the Common Core standards. He recently said in an article in Education Week that no one has really set out their specific objections to the standards or offered a better alternative. Two teacher-bloggers here offer help to