Latest News and Comment from Education

Friday, January 24, 2014

Nite Cap 1-24-14 #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




In Search of Lost Time | Gatsby In L.A.
In Search of Lost Time | Gatsby In L.A.: In Search of Lost Time No, I haven’t just eaten a madeleine.  I’m talking about the idea of time, passing even as you read this–time, unstoppable, incessant, inextricably equated in our minds with money. “Every minute matters,” warns teaching guru Doug Lemov in his seminal teacher effectiveness text Teach Like a Champion.  “Time is water in the desert, a te
Student Organizers Shine at Albany Rally National Opportunity to Learn Campaign
National Opportunity to Learn Campaign | Education Reform for Equity and Opportunity: Student Organizers Shine at Albany RallyAt a recent rally for fair school funding in New York State, students gave powerful testimony in front of 1,500 protesters gathered at the state capitol. Watch some of the video clips and be inspired! Students are a force to be reckoned with in the movement to improve our n
America's #1 Choice When it Comes to School Choice? Still Public Schools! | LFA: Join The Conversation - Public School Insights
America's #1 Choice When it Comes to School Choice? Still Public Schools! | LFA: Join The Conversation - Public School Insights: America's #1 Choice When it Comes to School Choice? Still Public Schools!By AASA, The School Superintendents Association on January 24, 2014By Daniel A. Domenech, Executive Director, AASA, The School Superintendents AssociationNext week (Jan. 27-31) is National School Ch
Duncan: Bill Gates Has No Seat at the Education Policy Table - Living in Dialogue - Education Week Teacher
Duncan: Bill Gates Has No Seat at the Education Policy Table - Living in Dialogue - Education Week Teacher: Duncan: Bill Gates Has No Seat at the Education Policy TableBy Anthony Cody on January 24, 2014 1:37 PMJoiselle Cunningham and Lisa Clarke are Teaching Ambassador Fellows. That means they are teachers who have been relocated to Washington, DC, to work for the Department of Education for a ye
Mike Klonsky's SmallTalk Blog: Why Ames should stay a neighborhood school and why we haven't given up.
Mike Klonsky's SmallTalk Blog: Why Ames should stay a neighborhood school and why we haven't given up.: Why Ames should stay a neighborhood school and why we haven't given up.January 24, 2014Contact: Joanna Brown, Save Ames Commttee, 773-744-1655Press release:  Referendum campaign starts Saturday at Ames.Come and find out why Ames should stay a neighborhood school and why we haven't given up.The S
1-24-14 The Whole Child Blog - Free Webinar; Hanging In: Working with Challenging Students — Whole Child Education
Free Webinar—Hanging In: Working with Challenging Students — Whole Child Education: THE WHOLE CHILD BLOGFree Webinar—Hanging In: Working with Challenging StudentsJanuary 24, 2014 by ASCD Whole Child BloggersJoin Jeffrey Benson, author of the ASCD book Hanging In: Strategies for Teaching the Students Who Challenge Us Most, for an exciting, free webinar on what you can do now for a challen
#AskArne? We'd rather see for ourselves. - Integrity in Education
#AskArne? We'd rather see for ourselves. - Integrity in Education: #AskArne? We’d rather see for ourselves.Yesterday, the US Department of Education posted a video with Secretary of Education Arne Duncan that supposedly answers questions about the role of corporate funds and interests in education. Though we’d like to take what Secretary Duncan says at face value, our experiences over the course o
1-24-14 Engaging Parents In School… | Going Beyond Parent "Involvement"
Engaging Parents In School… | Going Beyond Parent "Involvement": “Educating, Engaging and Mobilizing Parents: A Conversation with Parents for Public Schools Executive Director Anne Foster”Educating, Engaging and Mobilizing Parents: A Conversation with Parents for Public Schools Executive Director Anne Foster is a good interview from Learning First. Here’s how it begins: Public School Ins
Poll: Teachers Don't Get No Respect - Julia Ryan - The Atlantic
Poll: Teachers Don't Get No Respect - Julia Ryan - The Atlantic: Poll: Teachers Don't Get No RespectPeople think respect has declined among teachers, administrators, students, and parents since they were in school.Paramount Pictures“Anyone? Anyone?” a high-school teacher asks at the front of a classroom inFerris Bueller’s Day Off. His dazed students, popping bubble gum and falling asleep, gaze tow
1-24-14 @ The Chalk Face
@ THE CHALK FACE: My Article in the Washington Post on January 23, 2014Below is the text of my article entitled, A Challenge: Teach Eighth Grade Common Core Before Endorsing It, published in the Washington Post on January 23, 2014. _______________________________________________________________________________________________ On January 21, 2014, Valerie Strauss’ Washington Post education blog, Th
1-24-14 Fred Klonsky | Daily posts from a retired public school teacher
Fred Klonsky | Daily posts from a retired public school teacher who is just looking at the data.: Next. Chicago public pensions in the cross hairs.  After the Illinois General Assembly passed Senate Bill 1, which cut public employee pensions – including the pensions of current retirees – the Democratic legislators who voted yes were flooded with angry phone calls, emails and snail mail letters. In
My Article in the Washington Post on January 23, 2014 | deutsch29
My Article in the Washington Post on January 23, 2014 | deutsch29: My Article in the Washington Post on January 23, 2014January 24, 2014Below is the text of my article entitled, A Challenge: Teach Eighth Grade Common Core Before Endorsing It, published in the Washington Post on January 23, 2014._______________________________________________________________________________________________On Januar
Screen Time Study Finds Education Drop-Off - NYTimes.com
Screen Time Study Finds Education Drop-Off - NYTimes.com: Screen Time Study Finds Education Drop-OffLaunch media viewerResearchers say that as children age, they spend less time using TV and electronic devices for educational activities. J Pat Carter/Associated Press With children spending more time in front of screens than ever, parents sometimes try to convince themselves that playing Angry Bird
Louisiana Educator: Common Core Sets Unrealistic and Unscientific Expectations
Louisiana Educator: Common Core Sets Unrealistic and Unscientific Expectations: Common Core Sets Unrealistic and Unscientific ExpectationsImportant Notice: Watch for my poll on Common Core to be accessed on this blog starting Tuesday January 28. Please tell all your colleagues and parent friends to take the poll also.The whole theory behind the Common Core State Standards (CCSS) is that if we set
A Teacher Asks: Are Readers Made Reluctant By Rigor? - Living in Dialogue - Education Week Teacher
A Teacher Asks: Are Readers Made Reluctant By Rigor? - Living in Dialogue - Education Week Teacher: A Teacher Asks: Are Readers Made Reluctant By Rigor?By Anthony Cody on January 24, 2014 10:38 AMGuest post by Sabrina Crowley.I have worked as a teacher of English and a Reading Specialist for the past 14 years. In recent months, I have been confronted with the following question: Are we raising a s
Morning Wink 1-24-14 AM Posts #BATsACT #RealEdTalk #EDCHAT #P2
BIG EDUCATION APE - MORNING WINK  AM POSTSFCMAT » Cali Education Headlines Friday, January 24, 2014FCMAT » Fiscal Crisis & Management Assistance Team: Well Maybe!A Dearth of Democracy: Why Sac City Voters Deserve an Election, Not an Appointment | The Sacramento Coalition to Save Public EducationEducation HeadlinesFriday, January 24, 2014FCMAT provides links to California K-12 news stories as a
FCMAT » Cali Education Headlines Friday, January 24, 2014
FCMAT » Fiscal Crisis & Management Assistance Team: Well Maybe!A Dearth of Democracy: Why Sac City Voters Deserve an Election, Not an Appointment | The Sacramento Coalition to Save Public EducationEducation HeadlinesFriday, January 24, 2014FCMAT provides links to California K-12 news stories as a service to the industry. However, some stories may not be accessible because of newspapers' subscr
LISTEN TO DIANE RAVITCH 1-24-13 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 Kill Néw Bedford High School?EduShyster tells a sad story of the utter irresponsibility and–oh, I can’t think of a better word than “idiocy”–of Massachsetts officials. Local and state officials are “turning around” Néw Bedford High School by firing half the teachers. “Ahoy, matey! That great looming specter in the distance is n
Behind Progress, Common Sense and Courage | ED.gov Blog
Behind Progress, Common Sense and Courage | ED.gov Blog: Behind Progress, Common Sense and CouragePosted on January 24, 2014 by Arne DuncanThis op-ed appeared in the January 23, 2014 edition of the Washington Post.In education, it sometimes takes courage to do what ought to be common sense.That’s a key lesson from several recent national and international assessments of U.S. education. These inclu
1-24-14 Wait What?
Wait What?: Workplace Bullying: Capital Prep isn’t the only abuserOne of the most disturbing things about Steve Perry and the way he runs Capital Prep. Magnet School is the reports of the extensive workplace bullying.  At last count, Capital Prep had lost at least seven teachers this year. Capital Prep’s abusive working conditions have left teachers stunned and hurt.  The school’s actions have eve
1-24-14 The Answer Sheet
The Answer Sheet: Why there’s no excuse for ‘no-excuse’ schoolsThe “no excuses” brand of schooling is alive and well in this reform era. In this post Sigal Ben-Porath, an associate professor at the University of Pennsylvania’s Graduate School of Education, explains why that is unfortunate. Ben-Porath’s research focuses on the politics of education policy, citizenship education, and political philo
1-24-14 Schools Matter
Schools Matter: March 28-30, Denver, CO: Be There"Parents in this year’s opt-out movement are standing up for something larger than their own child’s test-day happiness: the conviction that all children have better things to do with their days than fill in bubbles on a multiple-choice sheet, and that all children have better things to do with their heads than bang them against a table in desp
1-24-14 Scathing Purple Musings | Color me purple in Florida
Scathing Purple Musings | Color me purple in Florida, red in Washington, dark sky-blue in Israel and public school in Education: Are Florida’s Local School Boards Stepping Up to Oppose Standard Charter School Contracts?Jeff Solochek writes in Gradebook that Pasco County School Board urged its congressional delegation not to move forward on charter school legislation that would create a standardize
Ms. Jablonski's Class Blog 1-24-14
Ms. Jablonski's Class Blog: 9/11 Accused Refuses Mental ExamRamzi bin al Shibh is one of the men accused of taking part in the horrendous 9/11 tragedy that struck grief into the heart of this nation. The court ordered a formal mental exam to be taken to ensure bin al Shibh's competence to stand trial. Bin al Shibh refused to take part in examination in fear that they'd use his previously diagnosed
1-24-14 Larry Ferlazzo’s Websites of the Day… | …For Teaching ELL, ESL, & EFL
Larry Ferlazzo’s Websites of the Day… | …For Teaching ELL, ESL, & EFL: From The Archives: “Five key strategies to get/keep kids engaged at school”I’ve recently re-started an effort I’ve tried to do previously by regularly highlighting previous posts and articles I’ve shared in previous years that I think might be worth a second look. Today, I’m highlighting an excerpt from one of my books that
1-23-14 Ed Notes Online
Ed Notes Online: More NYSUT Internals: Valley Central TA President Supports IannuzziCapital Tonight reports that an NYSUT analysis shows 69% of school districts will be receiving less aid in Cuomo's proposed budget than they got in 2009.... Reality-Based EducatorOne hundred and seven (107), approximately 25% of teaching staff positions, have been cut in the past 5 years and it is Governor Cuomo wh
1-24-14 4LAKids - some of the news that doesn't fit
4LAKids - some of the news that doesn't fit: PARENTS AND TEACHERS PROTEST LAUSD’S ELIMINATION OF COMMITTEE INVESTIGATING CONTROVERSIAL iPAD PURCHASEBy smf for 4LAKids News Thursday, January 23, 2014 :: Parents and teachers held a press conference/photo op Thursday afternoon to express anger and disappointment at LAUSD school board president Dr. Richard Vladovic’s decision to disband a LAUSD school
1-22-14 With A Brooklyn Accent Go BATs: Why The Democratic Party Can Longer Be Relied Upon to Defend Public Education
With A Brooklyn Accent: Why The Democratic Party Can Longer Be Relied Upon to Defend Public EducationThe Democratic Party, at its top levels, is mired in a web of corruption and insider dealing when it comes to the "growth areas" of Predatory School Reform- charter schools, on line learning, educational technology, test production. This is one important reason why Arne Duncan was, and st
1-24-14 Perdido Street School
Perdido Street School: Common Core Criticism Rises To A Crescendo Across The StateNewsday reported that Cuomo's call for a Common Core commission to look at the CCSS roll-out isn't going over so well with critics: Long Island educators and parents Wednesday denounced Gov. Andrew M. Cuomo's proposed panel to review the rollout of the Common Core academic standards, repeating calls for an immediate
Ohio School Choice Leaves Behind Traditional Public Schools of Last Resort | janresseger
Ohio School Choice Leaves Behind Traditional Public Schools of Last Resort | janresseger: Ohio School Choice Leaves Behind Traditional Public Schools of Last ResortPosted on January 24, 2014 by janressegerPolicy Matters Ohio has released Misleading Measurements: How Ohio School Ratings Foster False Comparisons, a new report on school ratings in Ohio’s large urban districts.  The report examines de
Schooling in the Ownership Society: More from Davos
Schooling in the Ownership Society: More from Davos: More from DavosFrom BloombergFilipino mogul Enrique Razon loathes rubbing shoulders with fellow billionaires in Davos. “It’s loaded with bloated self-importance,” the casino and cargo-terminal owner said in an interview today in the Swiss village, where he was wrapping up his second trip to the World Economic Forum’s annual meeting. “I’m here to
Trial to challenge job protections for California teachers | Pass / Fail | 89.3 KPCC
Trial to challenge job protections for California teachers | Pass / Fail | 89.3 KPCC: LA Unified's backlogged music repair shop to expandBroken bows rest in a pile on a table at Los Angeles Unified School District's Music Repair Shop.; Credit: Grant Slater/KPCC The Los Angeles Unified School District has quietly moved to expand its instrument repair shop - a decision that came after KPCC reported
How Long Can You Stay Mad at a 10-Year Old? | Mr. Teachbad
How Long Can You Stay Mad at a 10-Year Old? | Mr. Teachbad: How Long Can You Stay Mad at a 10-Year Old?Last week I was out walking the dog when I saw him. We were walking toward each other on the sidewalk. As the distance between us closed, I maneuvered the dog so that I would be between she and Brad as we passed. She’s an intimidating dog.It was just as we passed that I recognized him. Even up cl
A Superintendent’s Dreaded Decision | Larry Cuban on School Reform and Classroom Practice
A Superintendent’s Dreaded Decision | Larry Cuban on School Reform and Classroom Practice: A Superintendent’s Dreaded DecisionSchool closings due to snow and bad weather in the Midwest and along the East coast have occurred weekly this winter. While doing research at two high schools in Washington, D.C. in early December, sleet and rain mixed with snow closed schools in the city and surrounding co
Mike Klonsky's SmallTalk Blog: Notes from the bottom of the barrel
Mike Klonsky's SmallTalk Blog: Notes from the bottom of the barrel: Notes from the bottom of the barrelNote to Cong. Eric Cantor -- Hope you are enjoying your junket to Davos and relaxing after working so hard to cut our unemployment benefits. Must be great skiing this time of year. But next time you and Rory grab some coffee over at the Kongress, be sure not to leave the receipt on the table.  Fo

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Special Late Nite Cap UPDATE 1-23-14 #BATsACT #RealEdTalk #EDCHAT #P2
Nite Cap UPDATEUPDATE UPDATE UPDATE UPDATECORPORATE ED REFORM“Why I Want To Give Up Teaching”…the Common Core StandardsThis was recently posted in the Hartford Courant by Elizabeth A. Natale who teaches English and language arts at Sedgwick Middle School in West Hartford, CT. Why I Want to Give Up Teaching Surrounded by piles of student work to grade, lessons to plan and laundry to do, I have but
Jersey Jazzman: Jazzman Extracurricular Activities
Jersey Jazzman: Jazzman Extracurricular Activities: Jazzman Extracurricular ActivitiesLet's get this out of the way:This brief about One Newark -- the controversial plan to restructure the Newark Public Schools -- is coauthored by me. I am one of the authors of the brief. And I'm not Bruce Baker.So there you have it. Frankly, I don't think it's a big deal... but it seems like some others do.I have
1-23-14 Schools Matter 1-22-14 Schools Matter
Schools Matter: 1-22-14 Schools Matterby Jim Horn / 16min Children's Authors Beg Obama for Relief from Testing InsanityWish in one hand, and spit in the other; see which one fill up first.  From MSNBC, of all places:Famed author and poet Maya Angelou and 120 other children’s book authors are challenging President Obama’s national education policy over what they call an “overuse and abuse” of stand
New Report: An Empirical Critique of “One Newark” « New Jersey Education Policy Forum
New Report: An Empirical Critique of “One Newark” « New Jersey Education Policy Forum: New Report: An Empirical Critique of “One Newark” « New Jersey Education Policy Forum Our new report is too long to post in its entirety in blog form.The report can be downloaded here: Weber.Baker_OneNewark_Jan24_2014Below is the executive summary of the report:Executive SummaryOn December 18, 2013, State Superi
Paul Vallas shares the blame for the $1.5 Billion penalty that taxpayers will have to pay | Reclaim Reform
Paul Vallas shares the blame for the $1.5 Billion penalty that taxpayers will have to pay | Reclaim Reform: Paul Vallas shares the blame for the $1.5 Billion penalty that taxpayers will have to payPosted on January 23, 2014by Ken PrevitiPaul Vallas shares the blame for a new $1.5 Billion penalty that taxpayers will have to pay. Also, Vallas is still causing economic damage to New Orleans and Louis
Terrorism of Noble Network of charter schools - Substance News
Terrorism of Noble Network of charter schools - Substance News: Terrorism of Noble Network of charter schools - Substance News'...We’ve seen an alarming number of students being admitted to the hospital with depression, severe anxiety, and increasingly with actual suicide attempts all directly tied to these schools’ discipline, academic, and retention policies...' Teacher exposes Noble's bullying
Nite Cap 1-23-14 #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 CAPsolidaridad: 8th Annual A.R.E. Conferencesolidaridad: 8th Annual A.R.E. Conference: 8th Annual A.R.E. ConferenceWORKSHOP PRESENTATION PROPOSALAPPLICATION FORM8th Annual A.R.E. ConferenceSaturday, March 1st, 2014C.K. McClatchy High SchoolSacrament