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
VAMs at the Value-Added Research Center (VARC) |
VAMs at the Value-Added Research Center (VARC) |: VAMs at the Value-Added Research Center (VARC)Following up from our last post including Professor Haertel’s analysis of the “Oak Tree” video, produced and disseminated by the Value-Added Research Center (VARC) affiliated with the Wisconsin Center for Education Research at the University of Wisconsin-Madison, I thought I would follow-up, as also req
City Halts Six School Changes Inherited from Bloomberg - WNYC
City Halts Six School Changes Inherited from Bloomberg - WNYC: City Halts Six School Changes Inherited from BloombergThursday, February 27, 2014 - 04:50 PMBy PATRICIA WILLENS : Editor, WNYC News / YASMEEN KHANSharePrintEmailChancellor Carmen Farina after meeting with charter school leaders (Beth Fertig/WNYC)The new leadership at the Department of Education on Thursday halted six schools from openi
Schooling in the Ownership Society: Charter hustlers launch ad campaign attack on de Blasio
Schooling in the Ownership Society: Charter hustlers launch ad campaign attack on de Blasio: Charter hustlers launch ad campaign attack on de BlasioEva Moskowitz leading the attack.New York's deep-pocketed charter school hustlers and privateers have launched a multi-million-dollar ad campaign against Mayor de Blasio. They are also using the ads to make wild, unsubstantiated claims about the benefi
empathyeducates – A Brief Meditation on Choice
empathyeducates – A Brief Meditation on Choice: A Brief Meditation on ChoiceBy Paul L. Thomas, Ed.D. | Originally Published at The Becoming Radical. February 27, 2014Deborah Meier reminds us that “one can’t ’choose’ to be the children of the wealthy,” adding later:You and I—or some other somebodies—are deciding the future of “other people’s children”[hyperlink added] unless we provide ways for “th
NYC Educator: Curiouser and Curiouser
NYC Educator: Curiouser and Curiouser: Curiouser and CuriouserLook at the news today and you see this, a story about how NY State is looking at back-door vouchers. You see, rather than give you money back for tuition, you'll simply get a tax-credit for donations to the school of your choice.This will cost the state 300 million dollars, and half of it will be earmarked for private school scholarshi
$38 Million Released for Planning Projects - Year 2014 (CA Dept of Education)
$38 Million Released for Planning Projects - Year 2014 (CA Dept of Education): State Schools Chief Tom Torlakson Announces Release of$38 Million to Local Educational Agencies Under Proposition 39SACRAMENTO—School districts will soon receive about $38 million from the state in the second round of planning funds from voter-approved Proposition 39, State Superintendent of Public Instruction Tom Torla
Bring Yourself to Work Every Day to Build Trust, Morale, and Culture — Whole Child Education
Bring Yourself to Work Every Day to Build Trust, Morale, and Culture — Whole Child Education: THE WHOLE CHILD BLOGBring Yourself to Work Every Day to Build Trust, Morale, and CultureFebruary 27, 2014 by Whole Child PodcastDownload Podcast Now [Right-Click to Save]Educators working in a positive school culture experience collegiality, trust, and tangible support as leaders and peers, creating an en
It’s a Trust Thing – redqueeninla
It’s a Trust Thing – redqueeninla: It’s a Trust ThingWritten by redqueeninla in LAUSDMy first Earful Of Schoolboard Member involved mapping ‘three critical things’ about education (at 9:21), the middle of which was that: “…we have a sacred bond of trust that is enacted every day at the schoolhouse gate…”And I think this is very much true. When I pass along my child, I trust that s/he will be saf
Cashing in on Kids
Cashing in on Kids: New Orleans charter school employee embezzled $70,000, audit saysTHURSDAY, FEBRUARY 27, 2014 | Tags: Finance and Facilities, OversightFrom the Times-Picayune:An employee of New Orleans' second-largest charter school network embezzled $69,840 in the 2012-13 academic year, according to an audit released Monday. The money has been recovered, the employee was fired and a criminal i
Evaluations For Moms Vs. Evaluations for Teachers
Evaluations For Moms Vs. Evaluations for Teachers Check this list, Do you do all of these things everyday for your kids:1. Brushing their teeth2. Having clean clothes ready3. Remembering any doctor/ dentist/ opticians appointments4. Getting the kids to school on time5. Keeping on top of calendar dates classmates birthdays/ anniversaries/ important dates6. Laundry7. Making kids' breakfast8. Remembe
Major Charter School Chain To Lose Space Under New De Blasio Plan
Major Charter School Chain To Lose Space Under New De Blasio Plan: Major Charter School Chain To Lose Space Under New De Blasio PlanNew York City Mayor Bill de Blasio talks with children after reading them a book in a pre-kindergarten class at P.S. 130 on Feb. 25, 2014, in New York City. (Photo by Seth Wenig-Pool/Getty Images) | Pool via Getty ImagesNEW YORK -- Mayor Bill de Blasio is pulling back
Now is the time to seize the parent engagement moment | EdSource Today
Now is the time to seize the parent engagement moment | EdSource Today: Now is the time to seize the parent engagement momentFebruary 26th, 2014 | Add a Comment | By Colleen You / commentaryColleen YouWell-informed, engaged parents make a vital difference in the health and education of children. When families, schools and communities work as partners, student achievement is boosted and children ar
Teachers Wish More People Would Listen to Them - Emily Richmond - The Atlantic
Teachers Wish More People Would Listen to Them - Emily Richmond - The Atlantic: Teachers Wish More People Would Listen to ThemA new survey asked 20,000 teachers for their views on everything from educational technology to teacher evaluations. Steve Ruark/AP PhotoTeachers overwhelmingly say they aren’t being listened to on matters of education policy at the state or national level. At the school le
Common Core Assessments May Be Content-Neutered | Truth in American Education
Common Core Assessments May Be Content-Neutered | Truth in American Education: Common Core Assessments May Be Content-NeuteredFiled in Common Core Assessments by Shane Vander Hart on February 27, 2014 • 0 Comments142David SteinerZe’ev Wurman pointed out to me (and others) an interesting article written by David Steiner, former New York State Commissioner of Education and Common Core advocate, in E
Teachers Union, Advocacy Group Call for More Charter School Accountability - US News
Teachers Union, Advocacy Group Call for More Charter School Accountability - US News: AFT, Advocacy Group Want More Accountability for ChartersThe American Federation of Teachers and In the Public Interest claim some for-profit charter school operators aren't held to the same accountability standards as public schools.Randi Weingarten and the American Federation of Teachers banded with another pub
Public Education Justice Alliance of Minnesota(PEJAM): Corporate Reformers: Architects of Apartheid Education
Public Education Justice Alliance of Minnesota(PEJAM): Corporate Reformers: Architects of Apartheid Education: Corporate Reformers: Architects of Apartheid EducationAlfie Kohn, a leading author and lecturer on progressive education, spoke Thursday evening at Macalester college in St. Paul, MN as part of the Theodore Mitau Lecture Series. The event was hosted by Macalester's political science depa
Top 10 teachers in Florida illustrate how messy and absurd the new teacher data is | Education By The Numbers
Top 10 teachers in Florida illustrate how messy and absurd the new teacher data is | Education By The Numbers: Top 10 teachers in Florida illustrate how messy and absurd the new teacher data isThis week of February 24, 2014 the State of Florida was forced to dump a boat load of data on its teachers into the public domain (It lost a law suit to Times Union newspaper in Florida, which requested the
2-27-14 With A Brooklyn Accent Go BATs All Week
With A Brooklyn Accent: Don't Blame the Public Schools : A Bronx TaleIn the 1950's and 1960's, Factories started closing and moving South, taking tens of thousands of jobs Bronx residents depended on with them:The public schools stayed open.In the 1960's and 1970's, landlords started burning their buildings leaving parts of the Bronx looking as if it had suffered aerial bombardmentThe public schoo
Former L.A. schools superintendent: bonds weren't meant for iPads | Pass / Fail | 89.3 KPCC
Former L.A. schools superintendent: bonds weren't meant for iPads | Pass / Fail | 89.3 KPCC: Former L.A. schools superintendent: bonds weren't meant for iPadsAnnie Gilbertson | February 27th, 2014, 8:53amTom Pennington/Getty ImagesWilliam Johnston, who was superintendent of the Los Angeles Unified School District during the 1970s, is urging officials to stop using bond funds to buy iPads - leading
2-27-14 LA School Report - What's Really Going on Inside LAUSD
LA School Report - What's Really Going on Inside LAUSD (Los Angeles Unified School District): Morning Read: A new attempt at a CA teacher dismissal billState lawmaker makes new bid to change teacher dismissal rules A state lawmaker introduced a bill Wednesday that would attempt to streamline the process for dismissing California teachers accused of misconduct. The proposed bill by state Sen. Lou C
2-27-14 Seattle Schools Community Forum
Seattle Schools Community Forum: Seattle Education - This and That From two area PTSAs:We are proud to announce the Seattle Council PTSA Board and Northshore Council PTSA Board, which represents the PTA's in Woodinville, Bothell and Kenmore, have endorsed I-594. Join these parents and teachers to help make our schools and state safer for Washington families by endorsing 594 today: http://bit.ly/1h
Wal-Mart uses ‘cultlike’ student group to funnel managers into patriarchal corporate culture | The Raw Story
Wal-Mart uses ‘cultlike’ student group to funnel managers into patriarchal corporate culture | The Raw Story: Wal-Mart uses ‘cultlike’ student group to funnel managers into patriarchal corporate cultureBy Travis GettysThursday, February 27, 2014 10:58 ESTA “cultlike” business group funnels college students into Wal-Mart’s management ranks and helps the retail giant maintain its conservative, patri
Morning Wink 2-27-14 AM Posts #BATsACT #RealEdTalk #EDCHAT #P2
BIG EDUCATION APE - MORNING WINK AM POSTSFCMAT » Cali Education Headlines Thursday, February 27, 2014FCMAT » Fiscal Crisis & Management Assistance Team: Education HeadlinesThursday, February 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.Fresno Unified to get me
FCMAT » Cali Education Headlines Thursday, February 27, 2014
FCMAT » Fiscal Crisis & Management Assistance Team: Education HeadlinesThursday, February 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.Fresno Unified to get mediator, board starts budget talksFresno Unified's school board kicked off annual budget conversations
LISTEN TO DIANE RAVITCH 2-27-14 Diane Ravitch's blog | A site to discuss better education for all
Diane Ravitch's blog | A site to discuss better education for all: What Richard Rothstein Told NAGB About the History of NAEPDid you know that the National Assessment Of Educational Progress used to test much more than reading and math, much more than academic subjects? Did you know that it was designed originally to assess student cooperation and behavior as well as skills? Did you know that the
2-27-14 Wait What?
Wait What?: Where Does Common Sense Fit Into Common Core? (By Barth Keck)Earlier this week, Connecticut educator and CT Newsjunkie columnist Barth Keck published another important column about the problems associated with the Common Core and the utter failure in the way it is being implemented. The Common Core fiasco was begun with President George W. Bush’s “No Child Left Behind,” and continued u
2-27-14 The Answer Sheet
The Answer Sheet: Gov. Christie’s new crisis: Protests grow over state control of Newark schoolsThere’s a new crisis in New Jersey, and it isn’t about traffic jams. Public protests in Newark are growing over an effort by Superintendent Cami Anderson, who was appointed to run the state-operated district by Gov. Chris Christie, to reshape the city’s school system. She plans to close some traditional
2-27-14 Schools Matter
Schools Matter: Corporate Astroturf Vultures Line Up in MemphisAs the corporate stooges of the school board waited on Tuesday evening for community members to utter their final useless pleas to keep their community schools open in Memphis, a group of fat corporate vultures had their own perch near the front in an area designated for "district officials." Any parent upset about public sch
2-27-14 Scathing Purple Musings | Color me purple in Florida ALL Week
Scathing Purple Musings | Color me purple in Florida, red in Washington, dark sky-blue in Israel and public school in Education: “Absurdity of Florida’s VAM Scam”Writes Palm Coast teacher Jo Ann C. Nahirny in her column at FlaglerLive: Now fully armed with my own VAM scores, (and since I’d paid the fee to access the site anyway) I decided to compare my scores to that of a couple of colleagues, for
2-27-14 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.: Wounded Knee. With my green 1968 Volkswagon Beetle attached to the tow bar of a recreational vehicle that we contracted to deliver, my brother, a friend Nancy and I left LA for Chicago. Nancy and Mike would return to LA. I would stay. March 3rd it will be 41 years. I was 24 years old and all that I o
2-27-14 Ed Notes Online
Ed Notes Online: "Dear Randi" From a Newark Teacher...your generosity in donating AFT funds to the Teacher Village being built to house Teach for America novices in Newark could not have come at a better time.... Newark teacher to AFT President Randi Weingarten (satire alert)While TFA scabs live in subsidized government housing, real teachers will go into foreclosures.... Teacher in Newa
2-27-14 @ The Chalk Face
@ THE CHALK FACE: More History Ignored by Common Core AdvocatesA grandiose vision of school reform took off during the 1990s as the digital revolution seemed to be freeing society and the economy from the constraints of the industrial era. It was a time that inspired book titles such as Francis Fukuyama’s The End of History. It was even suggested that computer technology, through “just […]7 by Joh
2-27-14 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): A Brief Meditation on ChoiceDeborah Meier reminds us that “one can’t ’choose’ to be the children of the wealthy,” adding later: You and I—or some other somebodies—are deciding the future of “other people’s children” [hyperlink added] unless we provide ways for “them” to
2-27-14 Perdido Street School
Perdido Street School: Chancellor Farina May Get Another Beautiful DayThere is the possibility of a major storm early next week that could make for an interesting school day on Monday.Here's the National Weather Service from this morning:from upton...MODELS HAVE COME IN BETTER AGREEMENT ON A POTENTIALLY SIGNIFICANTSTORM WHICH SHOULD IMPACT THE AREA FROM SUNDAY NIGHT THROUGH MONDAYNIGHT. THE ECMWF
Relating to Students, and Staff | InterACT
Relating to Students, and Staff | InterACT: Relating to Students, and StaffFEBRUARY 27, 2014tags: advice, Dan Pink, English Companion, Jim Burke, Larry Ferlazzoby David B. CohenI dropped in to the English Companion Ning last night – something I used to do more often and realized I was missing. It’s a thriving online community of English teachers from all over the country, created almost five years
Which is worse? A California district makes a tough choice between No Child Left Behind and Obama education policies | Hechinger Report
Which is worse? A California district makes a tough choice between No Child Left Behind and Obama education policies | Hechinger Report: Which is worse? A California district makes a tough choice between No Child Left Behind and Obama education policiesBy Sarah AmandolareSANGER, California – At a table strewn with papers, four eighth-grade boys with gelled hair and flashy sneakers comb through lyr
De Blasio's school fight: Democrat vs. Democrat battle.
De Blasio's school fight: Column: New York disagreement over charter schools spotlights Democrat vs. Democrat battle.(Photo: Pool photo by Seth Wenig)STORY HIGHLIGHTSHe's waging a war over education issues that could spill into the 2016 Democratic presidential primary.De Blasio has singled out a special foe, Eva Moskowitz, who runs 22 Success Academy charter schools.At the heart of this confrontat
School Boards Association rises to challenge, proposes teacher dismissal bill | EdSource Today
School Boards Association rises to challenge, proposes teacher dismissal bill | EdSource Today: School Boards Association rises to challenge, proposes teacher dismissal billFebruary 26th, 2014 | 2 Comments | By John Fensterwald6Picking up pieces from two failed attempts to rewrite the law on teacher dismissals, the California School Boards Association will lead this year’s attempt to make it easie
Backlash Against Governor Christie’s Overseer Superintendent Grows in Newark | janresseger
Backlash Against Governor Christie’s Overseer Superintendent Grows in Newark | janresseger: Backlash Against Governor Christie’s Overseer Superintendent Grows in NewarkPosted on February 27, 2014 by janressegerArticles at Politico Pro are almost always behind a pay wall, but this morning somehow Diane Ravitch has forwarded yesterday’s piece about the school crisis in the Newark, New Jersey’s publi
BULLETIN: Teacher seniority waiver to be dropped | Bob Braun's Ledger
BULLETIN: Teacher seniority waiver to be dropped | Bob Braun's Ledger: BULLETIN: Teacher seniority waiver to be dropped Cami Anderson, the Christie-appointed superintendent of Newark schools, is expected to drop her request for a waiver from state regulations to she can ignore seniority rights when and if she lays off hundreds of city teachers. That doesn’t mean she won’t lay off teachers—but she
CURMUDGUCATION: VAM for Dummies
CURMUDGUCATION: VAM for Dummies: VAM for DummiesIf you don't spend every day with your head stuck in the reform toilet, receiving the never-ending education swirly that is school reformy stuff, there are terms that may not be entirely clear to you. One is VAM-- Value-Added Measure.VAM is a concept borrowed from manufacturing. If I take one dollar's worth of sheet metal and turn it into a lovely pl
The Education Spring’s ‘Year Of Action’ Revs Up
The Education Spring’s ‘Year Of Action’ Revs Up: The Education Spring’s ‘Year Of Action’ Revs Up When President Barack Obama, in his State of the Union address, called for a “year of action,”he probably didn’t have this in mind.An extensive and diverse coalition of forces opposed to the education policies pushed by his administration, and many state governors, is organizing on an unprecedented sca
Mike Klonsky's SmallTalk Blog: Suspensions/expulsions key to building charter school 'culture'
Mike Klonsky's SmallTalk Blog: Suspensions/expulsions key to building charter school 'culture': Suspensions/expulsions key to building charter school 'culture'"Charter schools should not be allowed to 'expel' their way to better performance if they are truly public schools." -- Ald. Bob FiorettiLast month, the U.S. Department of Education and U.S. attorney general's office released natio
YESTERDAY
Confused about LCFF? Oakland students break it down, why the upcoming LCAP meetings are so important and what democratic school budgeting would look like | Classroom Struggle
Confused about LCFF? Oakland students break it down, why the upcoming LCAP meetings are so important and what democratic school budgeting would look like | Classroom Struggle: Confused about LCFF? Oakland students break it down, why the upcoming LCAP meetings are so important and what democratic school budgeting would look likeThis is a repost of an article from a new Oakland student blog. Check o
New Sup for Sac? - One Vote for Community Builder!
New Sup for Sac? - One Vote for Community Builder!In an earlier post I asked "Sacramento Needs a New Superintendent- A Corporate Reformer or A Community Builder?" Well here is one vote for Community Builder: Who Will Your Board Member Pick for the Next Superintendent? You remember the old saying, “fool me once, shame on you; fool me twice, shame on me!” Well, its time to dust off this ol
Union Election in Los Angeles: Meet Candidate Gaffney - Living in Dialogue - Education Week Teacher
Union Election in Los Angeles: Meet Candidate Gaffney - Living in Dialogue - Education Week Teacher: Union Election in Los Angeles: Meet Candidate GaffneyBy Anthony Cody on February 26, 2014 7:19 PMColeen Bondy, Los Angeles teacher, has prepared special coverage of the upcoming teacher's union election in her city. Here is her report:United Teachers Los Angeles, the teachers' union for Los Angeles
@Every Learner: Someday Is Now — Whole Child Education
@Every Learner: Someday Is Now — Whole Child Education: THE WHOLE CHILD BLOG@Every Learner: Someday Is NowFebruary 26, 2014 by Whole Child SymposiumNow is the time to make a difference in the lives of our learners, to propel them into the world as beacons of success and hope. ASCD's 69th Annual Conference and Exhibit Show is two weeks away—it's not too late to participate!The conference will be he
#ResistTFA and the Zero-Sum Game - The Jose Vilson | The Jose Vilson
#ResistTFA and the Zero-Sum Game - The Jose Vilson | The Jose Vilson: #ResistTFA and the Zero-Sum Gameby JOSE VILSON on FEBRUARY 26, 2014in JOSEIn the middle of writing my piece on Jordan Davis and the lack of volume about the decision / non-decision on Michael Dunn, a few people bristled at the idea that Teach for America would use my piece as a rebuff of #ResistTFA, a trend started by education
solidaridad: Bill Gates and Steve Barr are trying to take over UTLA, again
solidaridad: Bill Gates and Steve Barr are trying to take over UTLA, again: Wednesday, February 26, 2014Bill Gates and Steve Barr are trying to take over UTLA, againBill Gates and Steve Barr are trying to take over UTLA, again by Robert D. SkeelsBill Gates and Steve Barr are trying to take over UTLA, again
Arne Duncan: You’re a Liar, Common Core Will Destroy American Education | TheBlaze.com
Arne Duncan: You’re a Liar, Common Core Will Destroy American Education | TheBlaze.com: Arne Duncan: You’re a Liar, Common Core Will Destroy American EducationThis week, TheBlaze’s White House Correspondent, Fred Lucas, conducted an interview withEducation Secretary Arne Duncan.Fred did a great job reporting exactly what Secretary Duncan said, without adding his own commentary. That’s what a good
AFT - A Union of Professionals - Letter to N.J. Gov. Chris Christie
AFT - A Union of Professionals - Letter to N.J. Gov. Chris Christie: Letter from Randi Weingarten to New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie on the school crisis in NewarkFebruary 26, 2014The Honorable Chris ChristieGovernor of New JerseyPO Box 001Trenton, NJ 08625Dear Governor Christie:There is a crisis in Newark. And that crisis was made worse by your schools Superintendent Cami Anderson opting not to at
Brevard Schools, Binggeli, the 1/2 cent sales tax increase – as sales tax money is being given away to Major League Soccer, Hollywood, vouchers to religious or politically affiliated… | Reclaim Reform
Brevard Schools, Binggeli, the 1/2 cent sales tax increase – as sales tax money is being given away to Major League Soccer, Hollywood, vouchers to religious or politically affiliated… | Reclaim Reform: Brevard Schools, Binggeli, the 1/2 cent sales tax increase – as sales tax money is being given away to Major League Soccer, Hollywood, vouchers to religious or politically affiliated…Posted on Febru
Nite Cap 2-26-14 #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 CAPSacramento Needs a New Superintendent- A Corporate Reformer or A Community Builder?Superintendent_Interview_Questions_-_Sample_4.pdf: Sacramento Needs a New Superintendent- A Corporate Reformer or A Community Builder? JR REPLACEMENT: An upgrade?
