Nite Cap UPDATE
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CORPORATE ED REFORM
Big day for a freshman senator
Sen. Rachel Zenzinger has only been in the legislature for 51 session days, so Thursday was a big day, given that she presented one bill to the Senate Education Committee and introduced another education measure of note. Senate Education passed her Senate Bill 14-124, which would create a $2 million grant program that districts and charters schools could apply to for money to train principals for
CPS threatens to discipline teachers who won’t give students ISAT
Chicago Public Schools chief Barbara Byrd-Bennett has threatened to discipline any teacher that refuses to administer an annual state achievement test next week, according to a letter obtained by the Chicago Sun-Times.
No One Does Charter School Stupid Like the Star-Ledger
Oh, my stars and garters, this is so massively dumb:A charter school in Hoboken, “Hola,” is doing a terrific job educating kids with an innovate dual-language program, and parents are lining up to compete for scarce seats. Hola’s innovation is to immerse kids in both Spanish and English instruction when they are young and their brains are wired to absorb new languages. In kindergarten, 90 percent
Billions would be needed to repair L.A. schools, officials say
Maintaining Los Angeles Unified campuses will be difficult because of staffing and funding shortages combined with repair backlogs, aging buildings and more than 100 new schools, officials said Thursday.
The “All-Time” Best Social Studies Sites
I’ve been posting annual lists of The Best Social Studies Sites for a number of years. I thought it would be useful for readers, my students, and me to review them all and identify my choices for the “all-time” best ones. I’ve begun creating a number of these “All-Time” Best list, with The “All-Time” Best Ways To Create Online Content Easily & Quickly being the first ; The “All-Time” Best Web
Video: Though It Seems Like A Parody, It’s A Real Professional Development Event
Karen Lewis, head of the Chicago Teachers Union, sent this out tonight: This is what PD looks like in Chicago. Sick. http://t.co/SmF4kPszIS — Karen Lewis (@KarenLewisCTU) February 28, 2014 Here is the video’s description: This presenter was one of several consultants flown in from California and the United Kingdom for the Chicago Public Schools’ Office of Strategic School Support Services’ spec
An Open Letter to Teachers and Parents Refusing to Test
Dear CPS Teachers and Parents,What do you mean you are "opting out of the ISAT"? There is no opting out in testing. You are failing as teachers, as parents, and as students. The way that we are able to show you just how badly you are doing is through these tests. I have a crack team of writers ready to help me craft op-ed articles on the terrible state of education. If I have to lay
Outrage Alert: American Flag T-Shirt Ban Upheld
Shutterstock If you're wondering why the Drudge Siren™ is flashing, a federal ruled today that three high school students' rights to freedom of speech were not violated when they were sent home for wearing American flag T-shirts. The case began on May 5, 2010, when five Live Oak High School students wore T-shirts with the American flag on them to their school in Northern California. They were
Portland Association of Teachers counting votes to ratify contract deal that averted strike
Teachers, most of whom received information about the contract terms on Tuesday, were able to vote on approving the deal until 5 p.m. Thursday.
Creative Resistance in Time Lapse
You may recognize this profile as John King, the current Education Commissioner of New York state. This piece was created by artist and teacher, Jennifer Ohar Scott, and in order to detail the symbolism within the piece, she created a time lapse video of the works creation. It’s a fascinating example of creative resistance to corporate reform! Learn more about the piece and Jennifer Ohar Scott.
Finding Solutions: Where is the Leadership?
This issue of homes for Cascade and NW Center Kids is but one of the first capital dominoes to fall. The new 2014-2015 budget reflects that the growth isn't quite what the district expected. At this point, that doesn't matter.The district simply does not have the capacity for the students who continue to pour in. There will be more dominoes and the number and speed at which they fall will onl
United Opt Out Stands with Saucedo Teachers in Chicago
Teachers at Saucedo Academy have risked their jobs by voting 100% to refuse to administer the ISAT and teach real class instead. Today Saucedo teachers were threatened with firing and revoked certifications. Call CPS and tell them you stand in … MORE
Get Schooled: Standard question to students: Where are you going to college? Not a standard answer: I'm not.
Haegan Altizer is a senior at Decatur High School. He writes today about an event he organized next week to show his peers that college is not the only option. By Haegan Altizer As a high school senior, I get the same question all ...
The Age of Education
We often hear about the many problems plaguing our education system in the United States but there is one detrimental factor that few people even realize exists, let alone make any effort to take into account: age. There is little dispute that the older we are, the wiser we are (or at the very least could be). But something as innocent as an arbitrary cut-off date to enter into public schools can
2-27-14 Jersey Jazzman Jammin' All Week
Jersey Jazzman: No One Does Charter School Stupid Like the Star-LedgerOh, my stars and garters, this is so massively dumb:A charter school in Hoboken, “Hola,” is doing a terrific job educating kids with an innovate dual-language program, and parents are lining up to compete for scarce seats. Hola’s innovation is to immerse kids in both Spanish and English instruction when they are young and their
2-27-14 Larry Ferlazzo’s Websites of the Day… | …For Teaching ELL, ESL, & EFL
Larry Ferlazzo’s Websites of the Day… | …For Teaching ELL, ESL, & EFL: Check Out Our New Article: “English-Language Learners and Academic Language”My colleague and co-author, Katie Hull Sypnieski, and I just published a post over at Edutopia titled English-Language Learners and Academic Language. I think readers might find it helpful. I’m adding it to The Best Websites For Developing Academic
Karen Lewis Statement of Support for the Saucedo ISAT Boycott
Many people who are convinced that standardized tests are reliable and valid indicators of student learning are not only sadly mistaken, but they are often people who also support policies that harm children, teachers and schools. Learn more about the Saucedo boycott at http://www.ctunet.com/ISAT and sign an online petition of support at http://petitions.moveon.org/sign/supp....
Nite Cap 2-27-14 #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 CAPVAMs 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, produc