Latest News and Comment from Education

Wednesday, January 8, 2014

Nite Cap 1-8-14 #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




Schooling in the Ownership Society: More on digedu...
Schooling in the Ownership Society: More on digedu...: More on digedu...Guest post by Donald Davidson, a Chicago school parent.Digedu is in at least six CPS public schools already (Lane Tech AC, LaSalle II, Hayt, Senn, Lincoln Park HS, Goethe) and also being used at Noble St charters. They provide not only their software, but also lease the hardware (tablets) and provide a fast, dedicated broadban
NYC Educator: Gotham Schools and Danielson Rapidly Plummet Downhill
NYC Educator: Gotham Schools and Danielson Rapidly Plummet Downhill: Gotham Schools and Danielson Rapidly Plummet DownhillNow that Gotham Schools has redesigned itself into a super slick website, it's not nearly as user-friendly as it once was. I used to really use the Rise and Shine thing on days when I was at a loss for what to blog. Now you have to click on it to see it, and today's features se
1-8-14 Jersey Jazzman: The GWB Is Not Chris Christie's Greatest Sin
Jersey Jazzman: The GWB Is Not Chris Christie's Greatest SinUPDATE: Apparently, there was a fatality connected to Bridgegate. Did this woman die directly from the delay? Who can say?I'm no lawyer, but it seems to me these people ought to be brought up on charges.Well, I guess this is one way to boost your national name recognition...We will, of course, be hearing more and more about Chris Christie
Common Core Close Reading Comes to California - Living in Dialogue - Education Week Teacher
Common Core Close Reading Comes to California - Living in Dialogue - Education Week Teacher: Common Core Close Reading Comes to CaliforniaBy Anthony Cody on January 8, 2014 2:54 PMMusings of an Artist's Wife: Flower PowerWhile some have suggested that Californians may be able to reshape Common Core on their own terms, it has already arrived in force in the state's largest district, Los Angeles Uni
Common Core Dollars Spent to Retrain Teachers, But States Still Can’t Identify Failing Teachers | Truth in American Education
Common Core Dollars Spent to Retrain Teachers, But States Still Can’t Identify Failing Teachers | Truth in American Education: Common Core Dollars Spent to Retrain Teachers, But States Still Can’t Identify Failing TeachersFiled in Common Core State Standards by Karen Schroeder on January 8, 2014 • 0 Comments1Failing TeachersBillions of tax dollars have been spent over decades to prepare teachers b
Attending to the Virtual School Hell in Louisiana | Crazy Crawfish's Blog
Attending to the Virtual School Hell in Louisiana | Crazy Crawfish's Blog: Crazy Crawfish's BlogZesty Louisiana Education PoliticsAttending to the Virtual School Hell in LouisianaPosted on January 8, 20140Danielle Dreilinger, a reporter at Nola.com, has recently written a story about virtual charters in Louisiana that brings home a national story appearing Education Week.Oregon educator Darcy Bedo
Education Privatizers Data Mining Students | FDL News Desk
Education Privatizers Data Mining Students | FDL News Desk: Education Privatizers Data Mining StudentsBy: DSWright Wednesday January 8, 2014 10:00 am Tweet3   Thanks to the ever expanding NSA scandal the American people are getting a crash course in how important and revealing even small amounts of personal information can be. Your data matters, has value, and should be protected from those you do
1-8-14 THE WHOLE CHILD BLOG - The Why Question — Whole Child Education
The Why Question — Whole Child Education: THE WHOLE CHILD BLOGThe Why QuestionJanuary 8, 2014 by John HinesAlong with my schedule of social studies classes, I also serve as an advisor for 15 students once a week. Through advisory I spend time looking at their grades, checking in with their lives, and mostly building relationships that are often lost between teachers and students in high school. Wh
1-8-14 Schools Matter
Schools Matter: Anthem for High Stakes Testing Era (with apologies to Country Joe McDonald)To be sung to the tune of “I Feel Like I’m Fixin’ to Die” by Country Joe and the Fish (see video below)Well come on all you teachers and tykes,Uncle Sam’s made a problem he’s tryin’ to hype,He got himself some pressure to privatize, All the schools in the nation right before our eyes,
So put down your books
Support for School Choice Based on Political Affiliation and Race/Ethnicity | The Friedman Foundation for Educational Choice
Support for School Choice Based on Political Affiliation and Race/Ethnicity | The Friedman Foundation for Educational Choice: Support for School Choice Based on Political Affiliation and Race/EthnicityDick CarpenterPosted: January 7, 2014Dr. Carpenter is a professor of leadership, research, and foundations at the University of Colorado Colorado Springs (UCCS) and a director of strategic research a
FCMAT » Cali Education Headlines Wednesday, January 8, 2014
FCMAT » Fiscal Crisis & Management Assistance Team: California Democrats propose universal preschool for 4-year-oldsEducation HeadlinesWednesday, January 8, 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.Kern High School District superintendent to retireKern High Sch
U.S. Departments of Education and Justice Release School Discipline Guidance Package to Enhance School Climate and Improve School Discipline Policies/Practices | U.S. Department of Education
U.S. Departments of Education and Justice Release School Discipline Guidance Package to Enhance School Climate and Improve School Discipline Policies/Practices | U.S. Department of Education: U.S. Departments of Education and Justice Release School Discipline Guidance Package to Enhance School Climate and Improve School Discipline Policies/PracticesJANUARY 8, 2014Contact:   U.S. Department of Educ
1-8-14 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): Standards Won’t Change Inequity: A ReaderThe new Common Core and related tests are likely to continue a three-decade pattern of traditional schooling either integrating the new standards and tests into the existing structure of schools or using the new standards and test
1-8-14 Ed Notes Online
Ed Notes Online: Randi Weingarten After VAM Reversal Now Supports US Entry into WWIIRandi's giving up on VAM is more of her covering her ass in prep for the AFT natl convention this summer where Chicago will take the lead in fighting it - and maybe common core too - so watch her begin to move on that too -- pretty soon Leo Casey will be castigating those who support common core and find unique way
‘We Need Teacher Leaders’: Joint Initiative Launched to Elevate Education Profession | NEA Today
‘We Need Teacher Leaders’: Joint Initiative Launched to Elevate Education Profession | NEA Today: ‘We Need Teacher Leaders’: Joint Initiative Launched to Elevate Education ProfessionJanuary 8, 2014 by twalker  Filed under Featured News, Top StoriesLeave a CommentBy Tim Walker and Celeste BusserNEA President Dennis Van Roekel remembers how incredulous he was when he sat in the audience at NBC’s fir
Why online teaching requires rigorous training (Mary Burns) | Larry Cuban on School Reform and Classroom Practice
Why online teaching requires rigorous training (Mary Burns) | Larry Cuban on School Reform and Classroom Practice: Why online teaching requires rigorous training (Mary Burns)Mary Burns, Education Development Centerhttp://www.educationforallblog.org/education-and-technology/backwards-and-in-high-heels-teaching-well-online (All references appear in above link) December 18, 2013I am presently working
Morning Wink 1-8-14 AM Posts #BATsACT #RealEdTalk #EDCHAT #P2
BIG EDUCATION APE - MORNING WINK  AM POSTSMike Klonsky's SmallTalk Blog: Randi's "VAM is a sham" epiphanyMike Klonsky's SmallTalk Blog: Randi's "VAM is a sham" epiphany: Randi's "VAM is a sham" epiphanyWeingarten, Bloomberg, and Klein announce an agreement on plan that would give N.Y. teachers bonuses based on the test scores of students at schools that have high conc
Mike Klonsky's SmallTalk Blog: Randi's "VAM is a sham" epiphany
Mike Klonsky's SmallTalk Blog: Randi's "VAM is a sham" epiphany: Randi's "VAM is a sham" epiphanyWeingarten, Bloomberg, and Klein announce an agreement on plan that would give N.Y. teachers bonuses based on the test scores of students at schools that have high concentrations of poor children. (New York Times)I'm glad AFT Pres. Randi Weingarten has finally seen the light on VAM.
LISTEN TO DIANE RAVITCH 1-8-14 Diane Ravitch's blog | A site to discuss better education for all
Diane Ravitch's blog | A site to discuss better education for all: Richard Rothstein: Time for the Truth About Racial SegregationIn this article, Richard Rothstein is critical of high school textbooks–and of our media in general–for failing to identify the true causes of de facto segregation. Either they barely mention the role of government in segregating neighborhoods by race or they imply that
1-8-14 The Answer Sheet
The Answer Sheet: Should principals stop visiting classrooms?Principals are  above all supposed to be “instructional leaders” but exactly what that means — or how to be effective in that role —  isn’t entirely clear. Cognitive scientist Daniel Willingham looks at the research on what makes for an effective instructional leader in the post below. Willingham is a professor and director of graduate [
1-8-14 Seattle Schools Community Forum
Seattle Schools Community Forum: Seattle Schools with Possible Bell Time Changes for 2014-2015Readers had been asking about possible changes to bell times previously discussed by Transportation.  I could not find a link at the SPS website so I scanned it in.  I had to handwrite in "old" and "new" (for start times) as it had not been noted that way on the original.As previously
1-8-14 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: PARCC, Common Core, and Moving the Bar Again After Everyone’s JumpedFrom Catherine Gewertz in Education Week: If you’re paying close attention to every twist and turn of the state assessment chronicles, you could be forgiven for concluding that Florida has finally, offic
1-8-14 Larry Ferlazzo’s Websites of the Day… | …For Teaching ELL, ESL, & EFL
Larry Ferlazzo’s Websites of the Day… | …For Teaching ELL, ESL, & EFL: Starting Off The New Year With Even More Excellent Classroom AdviceA few days ago, I some excellent classroom advice from Marvin Marshall for the New Year. Here are a couple of more posts from him that are definitely worth reading: 3 Ways to Promote Responsibility 3 Practices that Enhance Learningby Larry Ferlazzo / 9h Pand
1-8-14 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.: Standardized testing.. A few weeks ago I registered to take the online qualifying test for Jeopardy. Maybe like you, I have watched Jeopardy for years. Maybe like you, members of my family have said, “You should be on this show.” I was foolish enough to believe them. I was scheduled for last night at
1-8-14 Wait What?
Wait What?: Connecticut Democratic Party hit with campaign finance complaintFor months questions have been swirling around State Party Chair Nancy DiNardo, Governor Malloy and the Connecticut Democratic State Central Committee about the role they played during the September 2013 Bridgeport Board of Education Democratic Primary The Democratic State Central Committee diverted an unprecedented $40,00
The Educated Reporter: Expanded Learning Time: Three Stories To Steal
The Educated Reporter: Expanded Learning Time: Three Stories To Steal: Expanded Learning Time: Three Stories To StealEarlier I shared “10 Questions to Ask” about expanded learning time. Today, I’m giving you three story ideas to steal. As with any education topic, it’s a good idea to start with the definition. The Glossary of Education Reform has a helpful explanationof expanded (sometimes called
1-8-14 @ The Chalk Face
@ THE CHALK FACE: A Fantastic Summative Comment on My Data Mining PostOn January 3, 2014, I posted a piece entitled Beware of Data Sharing Cheerleaders Offering Webinars. On January 5, Diane Ravitch featured the post on her blog due to the post’s active commentary on both sides of the issue, including that of an inBloom representative. It is January 7, and the comments are still live (167 comments
1-8-14 Perdido Street School
Perdido Street School: Cuomo Has Protesters Penned Up For State Of The State SpeechSheriff Andy brooking no dissent reports Capital NY's Scott Waldman:ALBANY—The state's biggest anti-fracking demonstration of the year on Wednesday has been supplanted by New York apple cider, bobsleds and engines made in New York. A wide array of tourist billboards and display booths are being set up in the concour
Anti-Semitic Remarks at PS 154 in the Bronx southbronxschool.com
http://www.southbronxschool.com: Anti-Semitic Remarks at PS 154 in the Bronx and DR Alison Coviello; Ed.D and Principal Does NothingI have had only two instances, maybe 1 1/2 instances, of anti-Semitism in my life. One, a few years ago I was called a Kike for the first and only time in my life. Considering who was uttering it, I laughed it off, which made the putz even more upset.The other instanc
A Fantastic Summative Comment on My Data Mining Post | deutsch29
A Fantastic Summative Comment on My Data Mining Post | deutsch29: A Fantastic Summative Comment on My Data Mining PostJanuary 7, 2014On January 3, 2014, I posted a piece entitled Beware of Data Sharing Cheerleaders Offering Webinars. On January 5, Diane Ravitch featured the post  on her blog due to the post’s active commentary on both sides of the issue, including that of an inBloom representative
U.S. Puts Schools On The Hook For Police Actions
U.S. Puts Schools On The Hook For Police Actions: U.S. Puts Schools On The Hook For Police ActionsPosted: 01/08/2014 12:00 am ESTThe Obama administration issued the first federal legal guidance on school discipline Wednesday, telling school administrators they must avoid discrimination when doling out punishments, and must reserve harsh punishments that pull kids out of class as a last resort.Beca
[Insert Stock Messaging Here] | EduShyster
[Insert Stock Messaging Here] | EduShyster: [Insert Stock Messaging Here] What kind of stock are New York education officials selling?By Sue Altman, EduShyster AcademyI’m usually a big typo apologist—except when it comes to scripted agendas issued by the New York State Education Department.  I’ve CC’d the wrong people, attached the wrong drafts, and once, accidentally submitted a group paper in bu
Education Reform Group Mobilizes for 2014 Elections | The Texas Tribune
Education Reform Group Mobilizes for 2014 Elections | The Texas Tribune: Education Reform Group Mobilizes for 2014 Electionsby Morgan SmithJan. 8, 20146Comments Comment Republish Email Tweet RecommendEnlargegraphic by: Todd WisemanAn education advocacy group that became a lobbying powerhouse during the 2013 legislative session with the backing of Texas tort reform heavyweights is now turning its s
SKrashen: Heritage Language Development: Exhortation or Good Stories?
SKrashen: Heritage Language Development: Exhortation or Good Stories?: Heritage Language Development: Exhortation or Good Stories? Lao, C. and Krashen, S. 2008. Heritage language development: Exhortation or good stories? International Journal of Foreign Language Teaching 4 (2): 17-18.Despite the well-researched advantages, not all young people are interested in continuing to develop their heritage
Experts Defend Children’s Right to Adequate and Equitable School Funding in Kansas | janresseger
Experts Defend Children’s Right to Adequate and Equitable School Funding in Kansas | janresseger: Experts Defend Children’s Right to Adequate and Equitable School Funding in KansasPosted on January 8, 2014 by janressegerDavid Sciarra, executive director of the Education Law Center and Wade Henderson, the president and chief executive of the Leadership Conference on Civil and Human Rights, have co-
Lisa Nielsen: The Innovative Educator: How blogging can give students a voice
Lisa Nielsen: The Innovative Educator: How blogging can give students a voice: How blogging can give students a voiceGuest post by Connor WoodMs. Jablonski's Class Blog 1-4-14Ms. Jablonski's Class Blog:Obama and his “Deferred Action” ProgramIn the last fiscal year, according to statistics, deportations dropped 10 % . But this program that Obama had created only worked for some immigrants. Not all
Randi Weingarten: Unions are in there fighting for all children to succeed | Opinion - Rhode Islanders speak out on issues | Providence Journal
Randi Weingarten: Unions are in there fighting for all children to succeed | Opinion - Rhode Islanders speak out on issues | Providence Journal: Randi Weingarten: Unions are in there fighting for all children to succeedJanuary 08, 2014 01:00 AMComments  Randi Wiengarten 0  2 +10  0  0  0BY RANDI WEINGARTENWASHINGTONRegarding Richard Berman’s Dec. 27 Commentary piece (“Kids can’t read? Blame union
Government offers guidelines to end 'school-to-prison pipeline' | Al Jazeera America
Government offers guidelines to end 'school-to-prison pipeline' | Al Jazeera America: Government offers guidelines to end 'school-to-prison pipeline'January 8, 2014 3:30AM ETRecommendations on discipline follow criticism of policies that send minority students into the court systemTopics: Department of Justice Department of Education Civil RightsRogelio V. Solis/APThe Obama administration on Wedne
Government offers guidelines to end 'school-to-prison pipeline' | Al Jazeera America
Government offers guidelines to end 'school-to-prison pipeline' | Al Jazeera America: Government offers guidelines to end 'school-to-prison pipeline'January 8, 2014 3:30AM ETRecommendations on discipline follow criticism of policies that send minority students into the court systemTopics: Department of Justice Department of Education Civil RightsRogelio V. Solis/APThe Obama administration on Wedne

YESTERDAY

1-7-14 Jersey Jazzman: Teachers: Responsible for EVERYTHING
Jersey Jazzman: Teachers: Responsible for EVERYTHING: Teachers: Responsible for EVERYTHINGI swear to you, I promised I wasn't going to write about another Tom Moran (editorial page editor of the Star-Ledger) column for at least a month. But I just can't let this one go, because it is such a perfect illustration of the double standard that exists today for teachers [all emphases mine]:Tom Moran, 1/
Special Late Nite Cap UPDATE 1-7-14 #BATsACT #RealEdTalk #EDCHAT #P2
Nite Cap UPDATEUPDATE UPDATE UPDATE UPDATECORPORATE ED REFORMIt's a Cold WorldThis morning my students were all huddled in a vestibule waiting for me to come out. None of them wanted to spend a single extra minute outside. They were horrified to see me, not precisely because of my lack of personal charm, but rather because that meant they were going to have to face that long, cold walk to the trai
Nite Cap 1-7-14 #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 CAPThe CORE Waiver--the End of Local ControlCoalition member Lori Jabloski gives us some of the details of the CORE waiver that Sacramento City Unified is a part of with a consortium of districts who applied to the US Dept. of Ed for relief from the