Latest News and Comment from Education

Monday, January 27, 2014

Nite Cap 1-27-14 #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




Summer Food Service Applications - Year 2014 (CA Dept of Education)
Summer Food Service Applications - Year 2014 (CA Dept of Education):State Schools Chief Tom Torlakson Urges Agencies to Apply to Become Summer Food Service Program SponsorsSACRAMENTO—Helping students get enough nutritious food during the summer recess will help them succeed in school in the fall, according to State Superintendent of Public Instruction Tom Torlakson, who today urged eligible organi
EduCon, Addressing Privilege, and Developing Learners Through Race - The Jose Vilson | The Jose Vilson
EduCon, Addressing Privilege, and Developing Learners Through Race - The Jose Vilson | The Jose Vilson: EduCon, Addressing Privilege, and Developing Learners Through Raceby JOSE VILSON on JANUARY 27, 2014in JOSEWhen friend Audrey Watters invited me to create an EduCon session, one that would eventually run concurrently with my Sunday panel on openness and transparency in education, my first reacti
What’s the Difference Between Wealth and Money? | Gatsby In L.A.
What’s the Difference Between Wealth and Money? | Gatsby In L.A.: What’s the Difference Between Wealth and Money? “We’ve been saying that Myrtle’s having an affair with Tom for the money, but that has a different connotation than saying she’s having an affair with him because of his wealth,” says a blond guy in the front who’s been relatively quiet during class so far.By “relatively quiet” I mean
The White Choice | EduShyster
The White Choice | EduShyster: The White Choice A growing number of choosy choosers are choosing the white choice for their childrenIt’s hard to believe but National School Choice Week is here again. This year’s choicetacular celebration started off with a bang—make that a bell—as students fromNewark Prep Charter School, operated by K12 (NYSE: LRN), rang the New York Stock Exchange opening bell, s
NYC Public School Parents: Call the Governor; tomorrow is Data Privacy Day!
NYC Public School Parents: Call the Governor; tomorrow is Data Privacy Day!: Call the Governor; tomorrow is Data Privacy Day!Tomorrow is National Data Privacy Day.   Please take a moment to sign this petition and call Governor Cuomo at (518) 474-8390 with the following message:The Governor needs to publicly oppose the state’s plan to share student data with inBloom Inc. and other vendors. NY is no
My Summary and Thoughts of the Progressive Social Media Summit + (my original speech) | Crazy Crawfish's Blog
My Summary and Thoughts of the Progressive Social Media Summit + (my original speech) | Crazy Crawfish's Blog: My Summary and Thoughts of the Progressive Social Media Summit + (my original speech)Posted on January 27, 20140This is by no means meant to be a complete summary of this awesome experience put on by Louisiana Progress, but I thought I would share a few thoughts of mine that came out of t
SPECIAL Mid Day Banana Break 1-27-14 #RealEdTalk #edreform
Big Education Ape - Mid Day Banana BreakWe Can't Do It Alone Anymore A session with AFT president Randi ...The blare of trumpets signaled the Valley's official welcome to American Federation of Teachers president Randi Weingarten last Tuesday afternoon.35min Welner Writes a Message to the President: Are We Serious About Reducing Inequality? | Diane Ravitch’s blogKevin Welner, director of the Natio
1-27-14 Seattle Schools Community Forum
Seattle Schools Community Forum: Washington State Charter Schools UpdateItems of interest:- the Charter Commission is going to have a phone-in meeting tomorrow, the 28th from 9 am to 10 am.  The agenda vaguely says " discussion of resolution process" and "bills currently under consideration."  Dial-in number is 800-245-9874, Access code 7784207.- the Charter Commission will hav
Corporate Ed Reformers Want To Own Your School - Let'S Check Their Record #Edreform #Choice
CHARTER SCHOOL SCANDALS WEBSITEA compilation of news articles about charter schools which have been charged with, or are highly suspected of, tampering with admissions, grades, attendance and testing; misuse of funds and embezzlement; engaging in nepotism and conflicts of interest; engaging in complicated and shady real estate deals; and/or have been engaging in other questionable, unethical, bord
Sometimes, a Chat Is Just a Chat | My Island View #Edchat
Sometimes, a Chat Is Just a Chat | My Island View: Sometimes, a Chat Is Just a ChatJanuary 27, 2014 by tomwhitbyI recently attended a provocative session at Educon. For those who don’t know Educon is an annual education Conference held at the Science Leadership Academy in Philadelphia each year on the week before the Super Bowl. It is a conference of discussion as opposed to a conference of presen
Obama's Empty Rhetoric on Education - Stephen Lurie - The Atlantic
Obama's Empty Rhetoric on Education - Stephen Lurie - The Atlantic: Obama's Empty Rhetoric on EducationIn his State of the Union addresses, the president has talked about schooling in very superficial ways. Charles Dharapak/AP PhotoAs the crescendo of his first Address to a Join Session of Congress in January 2009, newly elected President Barack Obama decided to share a story of a school. That sch
Holding Arne Duncan to a Higher Standard | Jason Stanford
Holding Arne Duncan to a Higher Standard | Jason Stanford: Holding Arne Duncan to a Higher StandardPosted: 01/23/2014 12:26 pmAmerica, the elites are very disappointed in you. We're not keeping up with South Korea and Singapore, they tell us, because you are coddling your mediocre children who are being taught by bottom-of-the-barrel teachers. But have no fear, help is on the way! Pearson, the tes
College-Ready, Career-Ready--and Playing Music. - Teacher in a Strange Land - Education Week Teacher
College-Ready, Career-Ready--and Playing Music. - Teacher in a Strange Land - Education Week Teacher: College-Ready, Career-Ready--and Playing Music.By Nancy Flanagan on January 27, 2014 11:45 AM Years ago, in a mid-70s masters class in The Future of Education, the professor told us that we should be prepared to live in a future world where discipline-based 30-year careers with a single focus woul
Mike Klonsky's SmallTalk Blog: Selling us junk
Mike Klonsky's SmallTalk Blog: Selling us junk: Selling us junk“They are saying this is choice, yet they are not advertising any public schools at all,” said protester Rousemary Vega. “That doesn’t give any parents choice.” -- NBC 5 ChicagoRahm and Byrd-Bennett have turned into junk salesmen. Their New Schools Expo was little more than a flea market of mostly inferior goods being sold to desperate
LA School Report - What's Really Going on Inside LAUSD (Los Angeles Unified School District)
LA School Report - What's Really Going on Inside LAUSD (Los Angeles Unified School District): Vergara suit on teacher dismissal opens, courtroom packedPosted on January 27, 2014 by LA School ReportA lawsuit that could lead to a seismic shift in teacher tenure and dismissal methods is underway today in a packed Los Angeles courtroom.LA Unified SuperintendentJohn Deasy is expected to take the stand.
1-27-14 @ The Chalk Face
@ THE CHALK FACE: Bad Journalism, Test-Mania, and High Education: “A Flabbergasting Reality”About thirty years after the fabricated “the sky is falling” moment in public education—A Nation at Risk—we may be witnessing a similar dismantling of higher education in the U.S., as John Marcus overstates: On weekend mornings all this winter, anxious high school juniors and seniors will file into school c
1-27-14 the becoming radical | A Place for a Pedagogy of Kindness by P. L. Thomas, EdD
the becoming radical | A Place for a Pedagogy of Kindness (the public and scholarly writing by P. L. Thomas, Furman University): Bad Journalism, Test-Mania, and High Education: “A Flabbergasting Reality”Bad Journalism, Test-Mania, and High Education: “A Flabbergasting Reality”.1 by plthomasedd / 17min1-26-14 the becoming radical | A Place for a Pedagogy of Kindness by P. L. Thomas, EdDthe becoming
The First-Ever Virtual "Big Block of Cheese Day" – The White House is Open for Questions | The White House
The First-Ever Virtual "Big Block of Cheese Day" – The White House is Open for Questions | The White House: The First-Ever Virtual "Big Block of Cheese Day" – The White House is Open for QuestionsPresident Obama has always been dedicated to the idea that the White House is truly "The People's House" and has worked to make 1600 Pennsylvania and his administration open
FCMAT » Cali Education Headlines Monday, January 27, 2014
FCMAT » Fiscal Crisis & Management Assistance Team: California teacher tenure, dismissal challenged in lawsuitEducation HeadlinesMonday, January 27, 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' subscription policies.Bond refinancing by Coachella Valley Unified School District reduces ta
In America, only 10% of 8th-grade Black boys can read proficiently* - Coalition for Public Education/Coalición por la Educación Pública
Coalition for Public Education/Coalición por la Educación Pública: In America, only 10% of 8th-grade Black boys can read proficiently******************************************************************* "If you teach that nigger how to read, there will be no keeping him! It will forever unfit him to be a slave! He would at once become unmanageable, and of no value to his master."These are
As Schools Jump to Tablets, Questions Linger Over Impact on Writing and Reading Skills | NEA Today
As Schools Jump to Tablets, Questions Linger Over Impact on Writing and Reading Skills | NEA Today: As Schools Jump to Tablets, Questions Linger Over Impact on Writing and Reading SkillsJanuary 27, 2014 by twalker  Filed under Featured News, Top StoriesBy Jesse KirschA group of students in English class sits arranged in a horseshoe. Two signs on opposite sides of the room read “strongly agree” and
De Blasio’s challenge: Paying for middle schoolers to stay late … and getting them to show up | Hechinger Report
De Blasio’s challenge: Paying for middle schoolers to stay late … and getting them to show up | Hechinger Report: De Blasio’s challenge: Paying for middle schoolers to stay late … and getting them to show upBy Sarah ButrymowiczThis story also appeared at:When she heard last fall that she would have to stay in school until nearly 5 p.m., sixth grader Jenaba Sow tried to get out of it by telling her
1-27-14 Ed Notes Online
Ed Notes Online: Updates from Weekend NYSUT Meeting: Locals and Counting Oppose Mulgrew Takeover.... just last year, Mulgrew asked the State legislature and Cuomo to allow King to arbitrate a dispute Mulgrew was having with Bloomberg over APPR shows that UFT wants and needs King and Cuomo’s help.... Friday night, Mulgrew accused Cutler of undermining him at the UFT’s last delegate assembly because
1-27-14 The Whole Child Blog - Improving Schools: The Prerequisites for Personalizing Learning — Whole Child Education
Improving Schools: The Prerequisites for Personalizing Learning — Whole Child Education: THE WHOLE CHILD BLOGImproving Schools: The Prerequisites for Personalizing LearningJanuary 27, 2014 by Sean SladePersonalizing learning* will not truly take place in our schools unless we understand and act on three key things. Until then we will continue to tinker, adjust, and tweak a fundamentally non-person
Morning Wink 1-27-14 AM Posts #BATsACT #RealEdTalk #EDCHAT #P2
BIG EDUCATION APE - MORNING WINK  AM POSTSLISTEN TO DIANE RAVITCH 1-27-14 Diane Ravitch's blog | A site to discuss better education for all #EDCHAT #P2Diane Ravitch's blog | A site to discuss better education for all: Debate about Cost of Pre-K Grows in NYElected officials in NY are debating the cost of universal pre-K. It was a central plank in Mayor Bill de Blasio’s campaign. He won in a landsli
LISTEN TO DIANE RAVITCH 1-27-14 Diane Ravitch's blog | A site to discuss better education for all #EDCHAT #P2
Diane Ravitch's blog | A site to discuss better education for all: Debate about Cost of Pre-K Grows in NYElected officials in NY are debating the cost of universal pre-K. It was a central plank in Mayor Bill de Blasio’s campaign. He won in a landslide. He wants to pay for it by a tiny tax increase on incomes over $500,000. This would add about $1,000 a year in new taxes, less than dinner for 2 at
1-27-14 Wait What?
Wait What?: Paul Vallas Re-cap: A Trail of DestructionTwo weekend Wait, What? blog posts continue the task of revealing the Trail of Destruction that Paul Vallas leaves in his wake. First up is the special education debacle.  Despite repeated warnings that his “initiative” to reduce special education costs would not only violate federal and state laws but would be disastrous for Bridgeport childre
1-27-14 @ The Answer Sheet
The Answer Sheet: How do we know what/when young kids are ready to learn?How do we really know when young children are ready to learn specific material? Here to explain is cognitive scientist Daniel Willingham,  professor and director of graduate studies in psychology at the University of Virginia and author of “Why Don’t Students Like School?” His latest book is “When Can You Trust The Experts? H
1-27-14 Schools Matter
Schools Matter: Misreading FloridaThe headline appears simple enough:Fla. Pushes Longer Day, More Reading in Some SchoolsGewertz explains:Two years ago, Florida took a step no other state has taken to improve students' reading skills: It required its 100 lowest-performing elementary schools to add an extra hour to their school day and to use that time for reading instruction. Early results suggest
1-27-14 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: How Come Florida Legislators Aren’t Talking About VAM and Merit PayMiami-Dade superintendent Alberto Carvalho made  the pitch to the state board of education last week that Florida must pause its multiple accountability systems: Carvalho said the proposal would make it c
Ms. Jablonski's Class Blog 1-27-14
Ms. Jablonski's Class Blog: Happy Cows Come from California... When Its Not In a DroughtAround this time you can see cows freely roaming green pastures from the freeway, however, lack of rain has caused these pastures to die out. Ranchers are selling their cattle and an increasingly fast rate in California. With California being in it's third dry year, the cattle industry has suffered. All of our
1-27-14 Larry Ferlazzo’s Websites of the Day… | …For Teaching ELL, ESL, & EFL
Larry Ferlazzo’s Websites of the Day… | …For Teaching ELL, ESL, & EFL: My Latest NY Times Post For ELLs: Learn The Progressive Tense & Create A Future Family TreeMy latest New York Times post for English Language Learners helps students learn the progressive tense and family vocabulary. It also includes a teaching idea about creating “future” family trees. A student interactive is included
1-27-14 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.: John Dillon, retired teacher, pension activist and writer.John Dillon. Now we know that SB1 is not enough to cover the crime.  John Dillon, retired teacher and pension activist and writer. John Dillon’s Pension Vocabulary: Prescience: Looking for answers in Illinois. Had the real purpose of SB1 been t
1-27-14 Engaging Parents In School… | Going Beyond Parent "Involvement"
Engaging Parents In School… | Going Beyond Parent "Involvement": “Parents’ campaign leads to reforms at Cudahy elementary school”Parents’ campaign leads to reforms at Cudahy elementary school is an article in the Los Angeles Time describing a successful effort by parents and teachers to replace an ineffective principal. Here’s an excerpt: United Teachers Los Angeles also worked with pare
Daily Kos: Living with cancer - one year anniversary
Daily Kos: Living with cancer - one year anniversary: Living with cancer - one year anniversarybyteacherkenFollow    Email  9 Comments / 9 NewIt was one year ago today that I posted Quakers ask people to hold them in the lightthrough which I informed people that my beloved wife, Leaves on the Current, had just been diagnosed with cancer.At the time we were preparing to deal with the worst.  The pr
1-27-14 Perdido Street School
Perdido Street School: Cuomo Rakes In Big Bucks From Eva Moskowitz's Success ChartersGee, I wonder what they want for all this money?Supporters of a charter-school network in Mayor de Blasio’s cross hairs are pouring big bucks into the campaign coffers of Gov. Cuomo, a friend of charter schools. Records show board members at the growing Success Academy, which runs 22 charters in the city, have giv
Using Technology To Nail down What We Know and Don’t Know about Effects of High-Tech on People Today | Larry Cuban on School Reform and Classroom Practice
Using Technology To Nail down What We Know and Don’t Know about Effects of High-Tech on People Today | Larry Cuban on School Reform and Classroom Practice: Using Technology To Nail down What We Know and Don’t Know about Effects of High-Tech on People TodayDo all the new devices around the world that we now use to get information and communicate separate or bring us together?That either-or question
Eight Problems with the Vergara Lawsuit | InterACT
Eight Problems with the Vergara Lawsuit | InterACT: Eight Problems with the Vergara LawsuitJANUARY 27, 2014tags: edreform, lawsuit, vergaraby David B. CohenHere’s a quick review of why I think Vergara et. al. v. California is a deeply flawed lawsuit and should be rejected at trial (beginning today).  I’ve written about the case before, based on a presentation by the plaintiffs at the Stanford Law
Tired Babysitters, Broken Windows, and the Common Core :: Frederick M. Hess
Tired Babysitters, Broken Windows, and the Common Core :: Frederick M. Hess: Tired Babysitters, Broken Windows, and the Common Coreby Frederick M. Hess  •  Jan 23, 2014 at 8:37 amCross-posted from Education Week Print Send RSS ShareOn Monday, I penned a column for National Review Online titled "What Ever Happened to 'State-Led'" that seemed to frustrate and puzzle a number of Common Core
The Shriver Report – Single Mother in College: Willpower and a Lot of Help
The Shriver Report – Single Mother in College: Willpower and a Lot of Help:  Single Mother in College: Willpower and a Lot of HelpCARA CORTEZ | 01.27.2014© opolja – Fotolia.comGoing back to college at age 25 last year wasn’t an easy decision for me. I went to college at age 18, but took a break to work and earn a living. When I was 20, I became pregnant with my boyfriend’s child. As hard as we tri
If There’s A War On Teachers, It’s Not Working. Why Not? | Paul Bruno
If There’s A War On Teachers, It’s Not Working. Why Not? | Paul Bruno: If There’s A War On Teachers, It’s Not Working. Why Not?By PAUL BRUNO | Published: JANUARY 27, 2014Last week at This Week in Ed I wrote that, contrary to some narratives, many people should still view teaching as an attractive profession:Certainly, the last decade of education reform has substantially changed the work of many t
Will the President Say Something Meaningful in SOTU about Inequality and Public Education? | janresseger
Will the President Say Something Meaningful in SOTU about Inequality and Public Education? | janresseger: Will the President Say Something Meaningful in SOTU about Inequality and Public Education?Posted on January 27, 2014 by janressegerSean Reardon, the Stanford University sociologist has extensively documented the impact of neighborhood inequality on school achievement.In a report released last
empathyeducates – If Fewer or No Tests, Then What?
empathyeducates – If Fewer or No Tests, Then What?: If Fewer or No Tests, Then What?By Paul L. Thomas, Ed.D. | Originally Published at The Becoming Radical. January 25, 2014When I responded to Students Should Be Tested More, Not Less by Jessica Lahey and the related target=new href=http://isites.harvard.edu/fs/docs/icb.topic951136.files/powerOfTestingMemory-roedigerKarpicke.pdf>study by Henry L. R
NYC Educator: On Reviving Unionism
NYC Educator: On Reviving Unionism: On Reviving UnionismNote: I was asked to write this by the Port Jefferson Station Teachers Association, and it's cross-posted to their blog as well.It's funny to hear people in NYSUT complaining about democracy. I'm chapter leader of one of the largest schools in NYC, and neither I nor anyone in my school gets to vote or participate at all in NYSUT or AFT. Thoug
Mike Klonsky's SmallTalk Blog: WEEKEND QUOTALBES
Mike Klonsky's SmallTalk Blog: WEEKEND QUOTALBES: WEEKEND QUOTALBESFor some reason, I read this as School Choke Week.Maine's Republican Governor Paul LePage“If you want a good education, go to private schools. If you can’t afford it, tough luck. You can go to the public school.” -- NPQ, Republican Gubernatorial Campaigns Play the Charter School CardGeorge Will His latest column attacks Obama's cal

YESTERDAY

New report fuels fears of decline of regional occupational programs | EdSource Today
New report fuels fears of decline of regional occupational programs | EdSource Today: New report fuels fears of decline of regional occupational programsJanuary 26th, 2014 | Add a Comment | By Susan FreyJesus Lupian works on a framing project in a carpentry class at the Central County Occupational Center in San Jose. Credit: Neil HanshawA new report has raised concerns about the future of regional
A teacher’s experience in a Gulen charter school | Seattle Education
A teacher’s experience in a Gulen charter school | Seattle Education: A teacher’s experience in a Gulen charter schoolIs it about the money or spreading a political/religious belief?The Gulen charter chain has submitted a proposal to establish a charter school in Washington State called the Coral Academy of Science. You can read more about the school and the Gulen charter chain at Another charter
Ed Notes Online
Ed Notes Online: MORE Than a Score a Week Away and How One Principal is Dealing With Parent Community on TestingIf there is one event I would urge people who don't ususally do these things to attend it is the More Than a Score event next Saturday, Feb. 1. I'll be blogging about it all week until you get sick of hearing about it. The MORE THAN a SCORE event is in one week! Please help spread the wo
Schooling in the Ownership Society: California corporate 'reformers' file suit so they can fire teachers without due process
Schooling in the Ownership Society: California corporate 'reformers' file suit so they can fire teachers without due process: California corporate 'reformers' file suit so they can fire teachers without due processWelchStudents Matter, a front group for corporate-style school "reformers" has filed suit in Los Angeles in an attempt to undercut statewide collective-bargaining agreements an
MPS and Independent Charters | Larry Miller's Blog: Educate All Students!
MPS and Independent Charters | Larry Miller's Blog: Educate All Students!: MPS and Independent ChartersFiled under: Charter Schools — millerlf @ 8:46 pm Larry Miller 1/26/14The historic goal of the right-wing in America, as expressed by Milton Friedman, is vouchers for all. But because the voucher movement has suffered so many defeats, the right-wing has now advanced the independent charter moveme
Common Core and Students with Disabilities (+playlist)
Bianca Tanis speaks at the state of public education forum -- Effects of Education Reform on Students with Disabilities.-- Ardsley, New York. January 23, 2014
Douglas County, CO Parents: Do Not Sign This District Opt Out/Refusal Form | United Opt Out National
Douglas County, CO Parents: Do Not Sign This District Opt Out/Refusal Form | United Opt Out National: DOUGLAS COUNTY, CO PARENTS: DO NOT SIGN THIS DISTRICT OPT OUT/REFUSAL FORM Douglas County Parents,There are many reasons not to sign this form, but foremost, we recommend not signing it should you choose to take legal action.  Stay strong. And let us know if we can help. Please remember, we will b
The Latest New Orleans Miracle | Gary Rubinstein's Blog
The Latest New Orleans Miracle | Gary Rubinstein's Blog: The Latest New Orleans MiracleAnytime there is a press release from the Louisiana Department of Education, I know I have some work to do.Two years ago it was how the RSD had the highest percent growth even though that statistic is exaggerated for districts with low baseline scores.  One year ago it was the ‘growth’ of their ACT scores, which
Nite Cap 1-26-14 #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 CAPDCPS IMPACT 3.0? | EdCentristDCPS IMPACT 3.0? | EdCentrist: DCPS IMPACT 3.0?Leave a commentIf DCPS is serious about investing in the 40 lowest performing schools, which I believe it is, then it must reassess current aspects of IMPACT 2.0. During