Big Education Ape - Mid Day Banana Break
Greetings from Scamden, NJ
In Camden, NJ an effort to privatize the local schools finds little resistance among local elites Camden, NJ teacher Keith Benson. A recent *community meeting* at Camden’s Catto Elementary School exemplified the vast chasm that divides my city these days, between well-connected elites and the marginalized residents they profess to serve. The state-appointed superintendent of the Camden schools was
CTU Press Release
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE CONTACT: Stephanie Gadlin 312/329-6250CPS USES ‘FEAR TACTICS’ TO SLOW ISAT BOYCOTTTeachers continue bold and moral stance against unnecessary low-stakes testCHICAGO—The Chicago Teachers Union (CTU) this week continues its steadfast support of the teachers at Saucedo Scholastic Academy and Thomas Drummond Monte
Music Education Advocacy Hits Reset
By Tim Walker Over the past decade, the music education community has been on the defensive, forced to advocate for music’s value in a test-obsessed education climate. Yes, music is invaluable in helping students perform better on core curriculum subjects. But, as Music in Our Schools Month gets underway, the National Association for Music Education (NAfME) says it’s time to break out of this narr
Michigan Celebrates Read Across America Day!
By Mary Ellen Flannery “Can you say, ‘Happy birthday, Dr. Seuss’?” asked NEA President Dennis Van Roekel. Yes, you can! And yes, they did! Maybe not in a boat, nor with a goat, but 45 million students, parents, and educators celebrated NEA’s Read Across America this year, “in schools like this one, and also in libraries, community centers, and even in Congress and the White House today,” Van Roeke
Oscars 2014: Hamilton High School students say performing 'Happy' 'was a dream'
Pharrell Williams performs on stage during the live ABC Telecast of The 86th Oscars at the Dolby Theatre on March 2, 2014 in Hollywood, CA. Students from Hamilton High School – dressed in pastel colors – perform around him.; Credit: Photo by Aaron Poole/Courtesy A.M.P.A.S. Some of the youngest performers at this year's Academy Awards headed back to school Monday, still basking in the glow from th
And Then There Were Three
Fernando Gonzales became the second member of the Cuban Five to be repatriated to his homeland when he arrived at Havana's Jose Marti airport on Friday. His prison term cut from nineteen to fifteen years, it was a long journey for Gonzales from a desert cell in Arizona to his release in Havana. This was one deportation to celebrate.
On Cuba, Step Up to the Plate
Cuban players were the best in major league baseball last year, and their rise will further thaw the frozen relations between our countries. The impact of the new Cuban players last season was "unprecedented", in the view of Baltimore Orioles owner John Angelos, whose team played a series in Cuba and Baltimore in 1999. "We took the Orioles there not to get defectors but as a vehicle
Principals to vote on contract deal with significant concessions
by Kevin McCorry for NewsWorks The president of the union representing Philadelphia School District principals has reached a tentative agreement with the District on the terms of a new collective bargaining agreement that includes significant concessions that will "clearly will save the District money." Commonwealth Association of School Administrators president Robert McGrogan will pres
Indiana mall bans upturned hoodies for ‘safety and well-being of everyone’
A central Indiana mall recently posted a sign indicating that shoppers wearing upturned “hoodies” aren’t welcome. Signs prominently posted at the entrances of the Mounds Mall in Anderson, Indiana tell potential patrons that “[f]or the safety and well-being of everyone,...
Trending: Teen Sues Parents for School Tuition, Living Expenses
By Jason Koestenblatt Morristown, New Jersey – What obligations do parents have to a teenager on the verge of adulthood? Rachel Canning, 18, a high school senior is suing her parents. Canning is seeking damages for a supposed outstandi
Ballard High Student Charged in Greenwood Murder
Bryon White, a senior at Ballard High school, was arrested and charged with the murder of David Peterson, 54, who was killed in the Greenwood area on Feb. 23rd. White is to be charged as an adult for the killing. White was apparently homeless. Apparently right before Peterson's robbery and subsequent murder, three suspects had taken money from a nearby restaurant and had tried to rob another
La lectura y el lenguaje en el parque
La lectura y el lenguaje en el parque En el parque los niños pueden aprender y practicar habilidades fÃsicas y sociales mientras que juegan con otros niños. Pero con la implementación de un nuevo programa esta situación podrÃa desaparecer o al ... Fin de Semana Crecen quejas sobre desigualdad en educación Imágenes enternecedoras de "Book Buddies" This post has
John Flanagan Doesn't Want To Delay Common Core
From State of Politics:Senate Education Committee Chairman John Flanagan was non-committal on whether his chamber would take up the Assembly bill to delay for two years the implementation of the Common Core standards. Flanagan indicated the concerns of the Senate are necessarily the speed of implementation, but that it should simply have been done better. “The real challenge comes as how do you d
Cuomo Using State Resources To Juice Turnout For His Events
Fred Dicker in the NY Post:Aides to Gov. Cuomo have been secretly using state resources to “crowd-build’’ turnouts at public events for Cuomo’s new and supposedly all-volunteer Citizen Preparedness Corps, which responds to natural disasters, e-mails obtained by The Post show.The confidential e-mails in some cases direct officials to come up with at least 10 people each to attend the sessions.They
NY School Tour Finds Constitutional Violations in Funding
In February, the Alliance for Quality Education and the Campaign for Fiscal Equity visited 14 school districts across New York to document deficiencies in educational resources resulting from the state’s failure to meet its obligations under the New York State Constitution. This press release is from the Alliance for Quality Education, an OTL ally. AQE & the Campaign for Fiscal Eq
Critical Pedagogy or Core Knowledge?
Critical Pedagogy or Core Knowledge?. via Critical Pedagogy or Core Knowledge?.
Vergara Litigants Await Judge’S Decision As To Whether The Case Will Proceed
by Mark Harris, LA SCHOOL REPORT | http://bit.ly/1jMT5Dq Posted on March 3, 2014 :: After a one-week recess, the court resumes tomorrow, Tuesday, in the case of Vergara vs. California. Attorneys for both the defense and the nine student plaintiffs are gearing up for what could turn out to be a critical juncture in this landmark case. Before Superior Court Judge Rolf Treu is whether to throw
Zimmer Introducing Plan To Give Students A Role With Lausd School Board
by Michael Janofsky LA School report | http://bit.ly/1fCOVZL March 3, 2014 :: Fresh off his (unsuccessful) effort to get a District 1 voice onto the LA Unified school board right away, trustee Steve Zimmer is returning to the monthly board meeting tomorrow with a plan that would lead to another voice with influence on the board: Students. Zimmer is introducing a measure — the Student
Get Schooled: Dumb and dumber. Georgia Senate throws students under bus. House gets ready to run them over again.
In capitulating to extremists who mistakenly consider Common Core the work of the devil and Barack Obama, the state Senate has passed a crazy bill that isolates Georgia from the rest of the nation, sets our students up for failure and reverses the progress schools have made over the last ...
Andrew Cuomo's Common Core Ad Is Full Of Distortions And Mistruths
Take a look at the Cuomo Common Core ad his campaign is running and think about the chutzpah it took to make this piece of propaganda:Here's the script:Hello, I’m Governor Andrew Cuomo. For all of us, there’s nothing more important than our children and their education is everything. While the state’s new Common Core curriculum is heading in the right direction, testing on it is premature. It crea
New Generation To Discover Politics The Way It Was Meant To Be Read With Allen Drury Books
It is not often the world of entertainment meets so harmoniously with the crush of world news. Recent newspaper headlines proclaim events unfolding from Moscow to Washington, where the rumblings of military bravado compete with sincere diplomats behind the scenes at the United Nations. Meanwhile changes are moving quickly regarding the acceptance of gay Americans in […]
Could Mental Health Screenings Help Prevent Teen Tragedies?
Following the tragic massacre at Sandy Hook in 2012, high school students in Newtown, Conn., will now receive mental health screenings.
Viral Video Misses Real PD Problems
This much-viewed clip of a recent PD session in Chicago isn't necessarily indicative of bad PD or illustrative of PD in general, says LA-area teacher Paul Bruno. It's engaging, clear, and practical (and just a minute long so who knows about the rest). "I'm not sure that that one-minute clip above is really representative of the deeper problems with professional development," he writes.
Kaiser hands out $1.4 million for healthy school efforts
Twenty-one Colorado school districts recently won $1.4 million worth of grants from Kaiser Permanente Colorado to get kids—and in some cases staff—moving more. The grants, which are part of Kaiser’s national “Thriving Schools” initiative, range from $5,000-$200,000 and represent the organization’s first direct-to-district grant program. Several of the grants will fund training to help teachers inc
Teachers group says home-rule push threatens school quality and parental rights
Alliance-AFT teachers association in Dallas has come out against a move to turn Dallas ISD into a home-rule school district. Under the home-rule law, the district would operate under a charter and be exempt from some state rules. The charter, which would require voter approval, would dictate how the district is governed and operated. It could eliminate various state requirements, such as having a
Republican Billionaires Pushing Consultants Aside In Post-Citizens United World
He who has the gold makes the rules. And so it is under the new campaign finance system that those funding politicians have increasingly decided they want their influence to extend to campaign strategy. Without the old restraints campaign consultants and strategists have no choice but to heel to a donor-centric campaign system that puts donors in the drivers seat. The trend among Republican billi
Fear and loathing in Chicago.
- Chicago Teachers Union CHICAGO—The Chicago Teachers Union (CTU) this week continues its steadfast support of the teachers at Saucedo Scholastic Academy and Thomas Drummond Montessori School who are boycotting the Illinois Standards Achievement Test (ISAT), but is extremely concerned about the ever-growing confusion generated by Chicago Public Schools (CPS) in its communication to parents regard
What was on ’12 Years a Slave’ director Steve McQueen’s wrist on Oscar stage?
Director Steve McQueen was wearing a red wristband Sunday night when he ascended to the stage after his film, “12 Years a Slave,” won the Oscar for Best Picture. What was it? McQueen was wearing a wristband that said ”Stand Up4Public Schools,” given to him by David A. Pickler, president of the National School Boards Association, […]
3-3-14 @ The Chalk Face
@ THE CHALK FACE: Critical Pedagogy or Core Knowledge?Critical Pedagogy or Core Knowledge?. via Critical Pedagogy or Core Knowledge?.1 by plthomasedd / 1h All Week 3-1-14 @ THE CHALK FACE@ THE CHALK FACE knows SCHOOLS MATTER: All Week @ THE CHALK FACE My Open Letter to Dennis Van RoekelMr. Van Roekel: I haven’t formally thanked you for allowing me to share the stage with you in December of last y
Mike Klonsky's SmallTalk Blog: CTU Press Release
Mike Klonsky's SmallTalk Blog: CTU Press Release: CPS USES ‘FEAR TACTICS’ TO SLOW ISAT BOYCOTTTeachers continue bold and moral stance against unnecessary low-stakes testCHICAGO—The Chicago Teachers Union (CTU) this week continues its steadfast support of the teachers at Saucedo Scholastic Academy and Thomas Drummond Montessori School who are boycotting the Illinois Standards Achievement Test (ISAT
Denver Student Union Speak Out! Join Us! | United Opt Out National
Denver Student Union Speak Out! Join Us! | United Opt Out National: DENVER STUDENT UNION SPEAK OUT! JOIN US! WHAT: State of the Student AddressWHEN: Monday, March 3rd, 2014 from 4:00pm – 5:00pm (Main address will begin at 4:30)WHERE: West Steps of the Colorado State CapitolDenver Student Union hosts the first annual State of the Student Address and deliver’s petitionOn March 3rd, the Denver Studen
Low Morale in Your School? Nothing a Little Teacher Empowerment Can't Fix — Whole Child Education
Low Morale in Your School? Nothing a Little Teacher Empowerment Can't Fix — Whole Child Education: THE WHOLE CHILD BLOGLow Morale in Your School? Nothing a Little Teacher Empowerment Can’t FixMarch 3, 2014 by Rich McKinneyPick up a newspaper or spend a few moments watching the evening news and you will find evidence that many schools across the country are in the midst of a morale crisis. In many
Schools Require A Functional Exchange of Information Too – redqueeninla
Schools Require A Functional Exchange of Information Too – redqueeninla: Schools Require A Functional Exchange of Information TooWritten by redqueeninla in EducationSeveral years ago before we were to leave the country for a year one of my children and I tried to visit the middle school she might attend upon our return. We were stopped 10 feet into the school, before even reaching the front offic
The Test Boycott Is On! | I AM AN EDUCATOR
The Test Boycott Is On! | I AM AN EDUCATOR: The Test Boycott Is On!By I AM AN EDUCATOR on March 3, 2014The testing boycott is official!Today, teachers at Maria Saucedo Elementary Scholastic Academy and Thomas Drummond Elementary School are refusing to distribute the Illinois Standards Achievement Tests (ISAT), even though Chicago Public Schools CEO Barbara Byrd-Bennett has said they could lose the
Invest in Kids: Restoring the American Dream | Bruce Lesley
Invest in Kids: Restoring the American Dream | Bruce Lesley: Invest in Kids: Restoring the American Dreamhttp://www.firstfocus.net/The idea of the American dream -- the idea that the opportunity for achieving one's hopes and dreams along with successful upward mobility is available to each successive generation regardless of circumstances of birth or zip code is a concept deeply help by the Americ
NYS Test Refusals Hit Main Street OPT-OUT
New York State Allies for Public Education (http://www.nysape.org/) Director: Lawrence Basso; Illustrator: Michael Hayes; Voiceover: Tara Burnham; Audio: John Delehanty & Sal Tillio; Special Thanks: Scott NadeauOPT-OUT/REFUSAL GUIDES FOR EACH STATEAll documents are for informational purposes only and do not substitute as legal advice or legal counsel. The information contained in these documen
Alliance for Quality Education & The Campaign for Fiscal Equity Visit 14 School Districts | Long Island Exchange
Alliance for Quality Education & The Campaign for Fiscal Equity Visit 14 School Districts | Long Island Exchange: ALLIANCE FOR QUALITY EDUCATION & THE CAMPAIGN FOR FISCAL EQUITY VISIT 14 SCHOOL DISTRICTSFind Evidence of Constitutional Violations by New York State(ALBANY, NY) During the week of February 24-28th, the Alliance for Quality Education and the Campaign for Fiscal Equity, a projec
3-3-14 Seattle Schools Community Forum Week
Seattle Schools Community Forum: Seattle Schools This WeekHad a great time at the Network for Public Education conference in Austin this weekend. Very inspirational and got to talk with two education heroes - Diane Ravitch and Karen Lewis, the head of the Chicago Teachers Union. More on this later especially about Common Core.To note, the district and bus drivers have reached a tentative agreeme
Teachers For Social Justice: UNIVERSITY EDUCATION FACULTY LETTER OF SUPPORT FOR PARENTS AND TEACHERS AT SAUCEDO AND DRUMMOND ELEMENTARY SCHOOLS
Teachers For Social Justice: UNIVERSITY EDUCATION FACULTY LETTER OF SUPPORT FOR PARENTS AND TEACHERS AT SAUCEDO AND DRUMMOND ELEMENTARY SCHOOLS: UNIVERSITY EDUCATION FACULTY LETTER OF SUPPORT FOR PARENTS AND TEACHERS AT SAUCEDO AND DRUMMOND ELEMENTARY SCHOOLSMARCH 3, 2014 LEAVE A COMMENTFebruary 28, 2014STATEMENT OF SUPPORT FOR CHICAGO TEACHERS REFUSING TO ADMINISTER THE ILLINOIS STANDARD ACHIEVEM
3-3-14 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): Vergara lawyers await decision on whether to let case proceedPlaintiffs’ lawyer Marcellus McRae After a one-week recess, the court resumes tomorrow in the case of Vergara vs. California. Attorneys for both the defense and the nine student plaintiffs are gearing up for what could turn out to be a critical
The Network For Public Education | NPE Calls for Congressional Hearings – Summary
The Network For Public Education | NPE Calls for Congressional Hearings – Summary: NPE Calls for Congressional Hearings – SummaryMarch 3, 2014 UncategorizedNetwork for Public Education Calls for Congressional Hearings on High-Stakes Standardized TestingNPE requests Congress hold formal hearings to investigate the over-emphasis, misapplication, costs, and poor implementation of high-stakes standard
3-3-14 for the love of learning
for the love of learning: Progressive Education: What it isn'tThis was written by Alfie Kohn who writes and speaks about parenting and education. His website is here and he tweets here. This is an excerpt from a larger article found here.by Alfie KohnMisconceptions about progressive education generally take two forms. Either it is defined too narrowly so that the significance of the change it repr
FCMAT » Cali Education Headlines Monday, March 3, 2014
FCMAT » Fiscal Crisis & Management Assistance Team: Community helps shape profile of ideal schools superintendent Education HeadlinesMonday, March 3, 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.Community helps shape profile of ideal schools superintendentWhen it c
3-3-14 the becoming radical EMPATHYEDUCATES! | 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): Critical Pedagogy or Core Knowledge?For those of us committed to critical pedagogy (CP) as scholars and classroom teachers, Tait Coles’s call for CP instead of commitments to core knowledge (CK) is a rare moment in the mainstream press, as Coles concludes: Education has
Morning Wink 3-3-14 AM Posts #BATsACT #RealEdTalk #EDCHAT #P2
BIG EDUCATION APE - MORNING WINK AM POSTSLISTEN TO DIANE RAVITCH 3-3-14 Diane Ravitch's blog | A site to discuss better education for allDiane Ravitch's blog | A site to discuss better education for all: Julia Sass Rubin: School Performance Measures Are Poor Measures of School PerformanceJulia Sass Rubin here analyzes “school report cards” in New Jersey. This analysis was published last year but