The Uncommon Brain of a Common-Core Reformer
In the diagram above we see two sample brains. They are basically the same--with one major exception. Brain A is the Common-Core reformer's brain. Notice it is nearly three times the size of specimen B, a public-school teacher's brain. (Of course, there are millions of more B-sized brains in the world; this only goes to prove that democratic dialogue is risky at best). Like an old-style Sovie
If You Live or Work in N.Y.C., You May Suffer from P.M.S.D. and Not Even Know It
P.M.S.D.: Being a Brief Treatise on the Effects of the Ailment Specifically upon N.Y.C. TeachersAlthough far less harmful than post-traumatic stress disorder, PMSD, or Post-Mayoral Stress Disorder, is a very real phenomenon, affecting thousands in N.Y.C. and, thus, a serious cause for concern.What is Post-Mayoral Stress Disorder (PMSD)? If as an educator you had a threatening mayor, manipulating
FEB 05
Leaning Towards P.I.S.A.: Do the Ends Justify the Means?
The P.I.S.A. exam, or Programme for Internationale Student Assessment was put together by the O.E.C.D. (Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development) in 1997. The first tests were administered in 2000. They test knowledge and its applications. The tests are given to students who are between 15 years and 3 months and 16 years and 2 months. They test math, reading, science, problem sol
FEB 04
Grading the N.Y.S. Regents: The Past, the Present...and the Future?
Whither Regents grading? I started grading N.Y.S. Regents exams twenty years ago. The system has been turned on its head by persons who manufactured a sub-par replacement founded on fundamentally flawed principles. These persons started with the premise that teachers are responsible for the standardized test grades of their students. They then view teachers as cheating scoundrels, not to be tr
FEB 02
Box Tops for Reeducation
Ed. Deformers have usually relied upon funding from very wealthy sectors of the economy in their bid to dismantle public education. I have a suggestion: why not just plan to fool the public by placing Box Tops for Reeducation upon a wide array of products? Coming soon to a store near you?
The Devil is in the Details--Or is It?
There will be a new round of Common-Core aligned state tests this Spring. One wonders how the cut scores will be adjusted. The scores generated last year seemed to be more about politics than anything else. Pearson, working hand in hand with the State and using highly questionable interpretations of "college-ready" based on NAEP, SAT and PSAT data, designed tests with cut scores manip
Juggling Apples and Oranges in the New N.Y.C. Evaluation System
Teachers' ratings in N.Y.C. are based upon components calling for contradictory teaching practices. Teachers must try to do justice to Danielson domains at the same time as they ensure students will be drilled towards higher test scores. Danielson puts a premium on student participation during classroom observations. In the ideal situation, students are supposed to spontaneously erupt into discu
Ratemyreformer.Com
After hearing enough about it being time to "rip that Band-aid off" (Dennis Wolcott), "for students to jump into the deep end of the pool" (Meryl Tisch) and to "hold teachers' feet to the fire" (Michael Bloomberg), I imagined creating the website below: Ratemyreformers.com. The first entry examines the recent record of N.Y.S. Commissioner John King.
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Presidents' Day Sale 2014 Common Core for Your School, Your Home and the Life You Lead! Save 25% with the Online Use Code: FEDGRANT$$$ Free Shipping on all Items. No Returns Our Kitchen Department1. No two children are the same, but with our standardized Common-Core Cookie Cutter you'd never know it. Make your whole batch of cookies college and career ready! Our Bed, Bath and Big Brother Depar
John B. King Kong and the Kommon Kore in All its Kraziness!
When N.Y. State Education Commissioner King predicted a 30% failure rate on the 2013 Common-Core standardized tests, he blamed "all of the adults" for so many kids not being prepared for college and careers. (I'm guessing he didn't count himself as one of those adults). Arne Duncan turned his venom against "white, suburban moms--who all of a sudden--their child isn't as brilliant
FEB 01
Charteropoly
In this Bloomberg-era game of not-so-much chance as planned privatization of education, you can build your way to personal fortune by closing N.Y.C. public schools and opening more charter schools. I was very pleased to learn that Mayor Di Blasio is redirecting money meant for charter-school expansion towards universal pre-K. Hallelujah!
Where Have All the Public Schools Gone? (Based on "Where Have All the Flowers Gone?")
Where have all the public schools gone, long time passing?Where have all the public schools gone, long time ago?Where have all the public schools gone?Big bucks have bought them everyone.Oh, when will they ever learn?Oh, when will they ever learn? Where have all the Big bucks gone, long time passing?Where have all the Big bucks gone, long time ago?Where have all the Big bucks gone?Gone for charter