All Week @ THE CHALK FACE
John White’s Latest Course Choice Push Equals Large-scale, Free High School Labor
Louisiana Governor Bobby Jindal and his hand-selected, anti-public-school sidekick, State Education Superintendent John White, really want their so-termed “online education” dollar siphon, Course Choice, to be the major death drain that it was intended to be to Louisiana public education. In May 2013, the Louisiana Supreme Court declared use of Minimum Foundation Program (MFP) funding– […]
@slekar supports this #commoncore close reading lesson: @sharemylesson
Over the past four years I have met some great people involved in fighting education reform. It’s always awesome to get a surprise email from one of these activists that typically starts off with “I hope you remember me, we met….” Well I got one of those the other day from a brilliant teacher I […]
@chalkbeatny dishes on Cuomo’s education contributors, but how about your own?
As Chalkbeat NY, a spry education journalism collective, gets cited in the Wall Street Journal for those in the education world funding Cuomo’s re-election campaign, maybe Chalkbeat should reconsider its own take. Easily accessible from its website, Chalkbeat does indeed take funding from a few, at minimum, key organizations that are currently undermining public education […]
Living and Learning in Perpetual Crisis
Living and Learning in Perpetual Crisis* What do the fiscal cliff and Common Core (CC) have in common? For the answer consider this scenario: An arsonist sets a home on fire, and then risks his life fighting the blaze—but the house eventually succumbs to the flames. The media and the public praise the arsonist a […]
YESTERDAY
Reformist @teachplus puts out some pretty thin gruel on the impact of testing
Teacher leadership organization and reformist Teach Plus put out a recent study on the amount of time actually spent on testing in urban districts. It’s interesting that so much (relatively, speaking) fanfare surrounded this report because, well, it’s not really all that powerful. After reading through it, Teach Plus seems to want to tip its […]
Another anti-TFA screed for the books
I won’t say that I disagree with the author’s arguments. However: I am white. I am female. I was educated at a prestigious university, which included a minor in education. In essence, I am riddled with privilege. Do I belong in a classroom in a community of color to which I have no connection and […]
Understanding Privilege (Slack) and Poverty (Scarcity) in a Snow Storm
Understanding Privilege (Slack) and Poverty (Scarcity) in a Snow Storm. via Understanding Privilege (Slack) and Poverty (Scarcity) in a Snow Storm.Filed under: PAUL THOMAS: Becoming Radical
Denying Racism Has an Evidence Problem
Denying Racism Has an Evidence Problem. via Denying Racism Has an Evidence Problem.Filed under: PAUL THOMAS: Becoming Radical
FEB 13
Reflections on My Common Core Debate for the West St. Tammany Chamber
Below is a post that I wrote for Brietbart regarding my February 4th debate on Common Core. The debate occurred in the Louisiana parish in which I both live and teach, St. Tammany. (The somewhat-edited version posted in Breitbart can be found here.) St. Tammany has had a solid reputation among southern Louisiana teachers for as long as I have […]
King Corn: Common Core Syrup
I read an article by Alice Crites about the influence of big business (corn and sugar) on the food policies and productions. I was astounded at how, within the first minute of reading about how BIG BUSINESS manipulates legislation and public perception in food production, I was able to see how that system of corruption […]
FEB 12
The Face of Education Reform
Every time I read a story about some education reformer saying something dumb, like “status quo” or “student achievement,” I shake my head and sort of giggle to myself. Then, I read another story about a child who is really hurting under the system those reformers are pushing so fiercely into our public schools. The […]
In discussing the Winter Olympics, I brought in a piece of it. #evaluatethat
For a portion of what was to be my 120 minute literacy block today, as mandated by my District, I brought in my ice hockey gear and put it all on, in honor of the winter Olympic Games. Sorry if it had no objective other than to satisfy my students’ curiosity and perhaps expose them […]
Why Precisely Do Teachers Leave High Poverty Schools?
Originally posted on EdCentrist:Why Precisely Do Teachers Leave High Poverty Schools?. Recently, I participated in a 9 minute podcast, via BAM Radio Network, with host Larry Ferlazzo, an inner-city High School teacher. Mr. Paul Bruno, a middle school teacher in Los Angeles, California, and I discussed the following topic: Why do teachers avoid, or…
Common Core for Airlines: (Thanks to Ben Cassel: teacher)
You are a pilot for American Airlines. You are good at your job, as evidenced by the fact that your number of landings equals your number of takeoffs. American has just purchased a new fleet of jets – actually the government, who threatened their FAA certification if they didn’t buy them, told them to. […]
“Treating People with Fundamentally Unequal Backgrounds as Superficially the Same”
“Treating People with Fundamentally Unequal Backgrounds as Superficially the Same”. via “Treating People with Fundamentally Unequal Backgrounds as Superficially the Same”.Filed under: PAUL THOMAS: Becoming Radical
Does the Gates Foundation’s Evidence Argue For or Against Vergara?
The corporate reform group Students Matter wants to strike down the duly-enacted laws of California that protect the rights of teachers. Their case, Vergara vs. California claims that laws protecting teachers damage poor children of color. Vergara is known as the “bad teacher” lawsuit. I have joked, however, that it should be known as the […]
FEB 11
“What These Children Are Like”: Rejecting Deficit Views of Poverty and Language
“What These Children Are Like”: Rejecting Deficit Views of Poverty and Language. via “What These Children Are Like”: Rejecting Deficit Views of Poverty and Language.Filed under: PAUL THOMAS: Becoming Radical
FEB 10
Nys Regents Backs Off….
Read it all carefully. THIS IS GOOD, BUT NOT GREAT NEWS. 1…NY…BEWARE NOT TO LET UP BECAUSE OF THIS:2. OTHER STATES: USE NYS AS A GUIDING LIGHT. http://www.oms.nysed.gov/press/regents-adjust-common-core-implementation.htmlFiled under: SHAUN JOHNSON, PHD: Musings from the Chalk Face
State Impact: Core Questions: How Does Common Core Address Poverty?
State Impact: Core Questions: How Does Common Core Address Poverty?. via State Impact: Core Questions: How Does Common Core Address Poverty?.Filed under: PAUL THOMAS: Becoming Radical
Progressivism and Whole Language: A Reader
Progressivism and Whole Language: A Reader. via Progressivism and Whole Language: A Reader.Filed under: PAUL THOMAS: Becoming Radical
Two Days After My Latest Post, The Boy From Florida Dies…
http://theindignantteacher.wordpress.com/2014/02/10/two-days-after-my-latest-post-the-boy-from-florida-dies/Filed under: SHAUN JOHNSON, PHD: Musings from the Chalk Face
Recalling 1947 in 2014
Recalling 1947 in 2014. via Recalling 1947 in 2014.Filed under: PAUL THOMAS: Becoming Radical
“What Is Wrong with Aiming for Basic”?
“What Is Wrong with Aiming for Basic”?. via “What Is Wrong with Aiming for Basic”?.Filed under: PAUL THOMAS: Becoming Radical
FEB 09
#CCLS: Moratorium, Or Delaying the Inevitable?
From the massive amount of media coverage lately I am sure you have heard the NYS legislature is debating placing a “moratorium” on consequences from Common Core testing. The discussion revolves around teachers, principals, and schools not being punished for low scores while New York slows down the implementation of the Common Core. Many questions […]
Perhaps tech sector, or whatever, should read up on #edpolicy in the States @igniteflow @JonathanHaynes @SLSingh #edtech
I’ve attempted some very minimal coding. Some people are really geeking out over it, thinking that teaching young persons to code is going to heal the world, or something. Don’t get me wrong, it’s an interesting idea. The practical realities of these initiatives, however, seem to elude many advocates. Nevertheless, the Year of Code overseas […]
DCPS and the WTU: A Negotiation Showdown or an Opportunity to Repair?
During the coming negotiation rounds between DCPS Chancellor Kaya Henderson and the Washington Teachers’ Union (WTU) President, Elizabeth “Liz” Davis, the following issues need further elaboration: How has IMPACT 2.0 faired in the 40 lowest performing schools? What is the teacher turnover rate within these schools, especially for Group 1 teachers? Is the current classroom observations’ […]
Worst Op-Ed of 2014, Already?
I waited until December of 2013 to raise this question: Worst Education Op-Ed of 2013? So I don’t rush into this claim casually: Jonathan Chait’s Public Education’s Weird Ideological Divide is already the worst Op-Ed of 2014, and likely will not be surpassed (but may be tied often, I regret to say). Chait’s piece isn’t long (thankfully) but […]
FEB 08
Teachers Often the One Thing Between Kids and the World #evaluatethat
Every once in a while, a teacher is the one thing standing between kids and their world. Teachers stand up and are always ready to help in any way needed. Read this account from an elementary teacher in New Mexico, which took place during a relatively rare winter storm: This morning, I got to school […]
Update on Common Core Status in the States: Part Three
This post is the last in a series of three on the state of the Common Core State Standards (CCSS) across the nation. Now that states have hastily Raced to the US Department of Education in chasing US Secretary of Education Arne Duncan’s dangled (albeit insufficient) millions, many have entered the phase I call Move to the Sidelines […]
Constructive critique and what is actually harmful to children
I saw this circulate today through my circles on doling our better criticism. I like it. It applies to my discipline because I feel as if I am constantly scrutinized by individuals who do not know how to give critique without immediately establishing a dishonest, hostile, and overall unsatisfactory professional relationship. This part is most […]
Why do we #optout?: Just fighting the good fight.
It is definitely getting close to testing season. My email and voice mail are flooded. Parents and concerned community members have questions about the opt out process. Opt out Facebook pages are buzzing with questions and of course continued stories of bullying from education professionals engaged in deception by telling interested opt outers that there […]