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
Mike Klonsky's SmallTalk Blog: From Stacey Gates at the CTU: We must protect our pensions
Mike Klonsky's SmallTalk Blog: From Stacey Gates at the CTU: We must protect our pensions: From Stacey Gates at the CTU: We must protect our pensionsDear Mike,In carefully examining the pension "deal" put forth recently by Mayor Rahm Emanuel, we have found that the plan does not, in any way, solve Chicago's pension problem. As we have said many times before, over and over and over again:
4-1-14 The Whole Child Blog — Building Bridges to El Salvador: A Model Global Curriculum — Whole Child Education
Building Bridges to El Salvador: A Model Global Curriculum — Whole Child Education: Building Bridges to El Salvador: A Model Global CurriculumPost written by Kerry Dunne and AnitaCristina Calcaterra We are so proud of the Arlington, Massachusetts, global education unit of study on our sister city of Teosinte, El Salvador! But before you read about it from us, please let three of our 4th graders te
4-1-13 Curmudgucation
CURMUDGUCATION: Open Ended and Close MindedWe build cages for students to protect ourselves.Too many teachers (and others) are way too afraid of open-ended exploration for any number of reasons. Perhaps most commonly, the problem is not knowing the territory.If I want to allow my students true open-ended exploration of a novel, ten I have to know the territory. It's a big sprawling place, like a g
Russ on Reading: The Education Reformer Field Test: New from BARCC
Russ on Reading: The Education Reformer Field Test: New from BARCC: The Education Reformer Field Test: New from BARCCAcross the nation this past week students took a field test of the new PARCC standardized tests designed to provide a “checkup for our schools and allow educators to identify kids who are falling behind and need extra help.” In the spirit of testing kids to see if your test is a pro
Backers of initiative to limit teacher tenure hold off until 2016
Backers of initiative to limit teacher tenure hold off until 2016: Backers of initiative to limit teacher tenure hold off until 2016Few political fights would have been as bitter, or potentially as expensive, in 2014 as one to change -- and limit -- the tenure rules that have made firing some teachers more complicated.But it's not to be.On Tuesday, backers of the nascent campaign announced they ha
NYC Public School Parents: The state tests started today; how did it go? Any pineapples on the exams?
NYC Public School Parents: The state tests started today; how did it go? Any pineapples on the exams?: The state tests started today; how did it go? Any pineapples on the exams?Today is the first day of the state ELA exams for grades 3-8. We have heard that many thousands of students are refusing the tests, especially on Long Island, where there are more than 11,000 reported as opting out so far.
4-1-14 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): Deasy at USC: Vergara is the next big civil rights caseJohn Deasy, with fellow panelist, Susan Estrich More than two months ago LA Unified Superintendent John Deasy took the stand as the first witness for the plaintiffs in Vergara v California, a lawsuit challenging teacher protections. He testified for t
4LAKids - some of the news that doesn't fit 4-1-14
4LAKids - some of the news that doesn't fit: The “other” CORE: TEACHERS UNION FIGHTS NEW PLAN BY SACRAMENTO, LAUSD AND OTHER SCHOOL DISTRICTS TO ADDRESS LOW-PERFORMING SCHOOLS + smf’s 2¢By Loretta Kalb The Sacramento Bee | http://bit.ly/1dKwbh5 Sunday, Mar. 30, 2014 - 12:00 am/Modified: Sunday, Mar. 30, 2014 - 10:40 am :: In the seven months since Sacramento City Unified School District won unpr
4-1-14 @ The Chalk Face
@ THE CHALK FACE: Why Did Raj Chetty Allow His Research to Be Used Against Teachers in Vergara?An expert witness for the plaintiffs in Vergara v California, Tom Kane, argued that effective teaching, and presumably ineffective teaching, in the Los Angeles schools can be measured. Vergara, of course, seeks to strike down teacher due process and it is about as overtly anti-teacher of an action as can
John Romano: The House's hypocrisy on school vouchers — accountability | Tampa Bay Times
John Romano: The House's hypocrisy on school vouchers — accountability | Tampa Bay Times: John Romano: The House's hypocrisy on school vouchers — accountabilityGive them credit, your representatives in the state House. They don't know the meaning of the word "quit."They also don't seem to know the meaning of shame. Or hypocrisy. Or fairness. Or equality.Yes, after the state Senate was am
FCMAT » Cali Education Headlines Tuesday, April 1, 2014
FCMAT » Fiscal Crisis & Management Assistance Team: Education HeadlinesTuesday, April 1, 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 policiesTeacher-tenure debate ends in court; decision likely months offAttorneys for a group seeking to eliminate tenure protection for Cali
4-1-14 Schools Matter
Schools Matter: TN BATs Out of the Cave and Into the LimelightDemocracy is alive and well in those organizations that truly advocate for children and public education. Two such organizations are Tennesseans Reclaiming Educational Excellence (TREE) and Badass Teachers of Tennessee (BATS). Jim Horn and Denise Wilburn, authors of The Mismeasure of Education, were the guest speakers on March 1 at a
Morning Wink 4-1-14 AM Posts #BATsACT #RealEdTalk #EDCHAT #P2
BIG EDUCATION APE - MORNING WINK AM POSTSBill Gates and Arne Duncan Agree to Debate Me! | Diane Ravitch's blogBill Gates and Arne Duncan Agree to Debate Me! | Diane Ravitch's blog: Bill Gates Agrees to Debate Anthony Cody!April Fool’s Day!by dianeravitch / 7:36 AM UTC-7 hide // saveBill Gates and Arne Duncan Agree to Debate Me!April’s Fool’s Day!by dianeravitch / 0min by mike simpson / 0min Akr
Bill Gates and Arne Duncan Agree to Debate Me! | Diane Ravitch's blog
Bill Gates and Arne Duncan Agree to Debate Me! | Diane Ravitch's blog: Bill Gates Agrees to Debate Anthony Cody!April Fool’s Day!by dianeravitch / 7:36 AM UTC-7 hide // saveBill Gates and Arne Duncan Agree to Debate Me!April’s Fool’s Day!by dianeravitch / 0min
Akron Beacon Journal Launches Investigation of Ohio’s Charter Schools | janresseger
Akron Beacon Journal Launches Investigation of Ohio’s Charter Schools | janresseger: Akron Beacon Journal Launches Investigation of Ohio’s Charter SchoolsPosted on April 1, 2014 by janressegerOn Sunday, a long article appeared in the print edition of Cleveland Plain Dealer, the launch of an investigation of Ohio’s 393 charter schools. The reporters phoned or faxed each of the state’s charter scho
Julian Vasquez Heilig is leaving The University of Texas at Austin | Cloaking Inequity
Julian Vasquez Heilig is leaving The University of Texas at Austin | Cloaking Inequity: Julian Vasquez Heilig is leaving The University of Texas at AustinI want to thank everyone at the University of Texas at Austin for a wonderful past 9 years. Unfortunately, I am moving on to a new opportunity. I want to share the following release from the Alpena Press:The University of Michigan Alpena has hire
The Weatherman Songbook |
The Weatherman Songbook |: The Weatherman SongbookApril 1, 2014 in StudentsSo sometime not long before they went underground and started working in earnest to overthrow the United States government, Weatherman—the radical revolutionary fringe faction of Students for a Democratic Society—put together a songbook. Yes, a songbook.And it wasn’t a collection of old activist songs, either. There were no
Happy Birthday!: A Conversation About Education With César E. Chávez | Cloaking Inequity
Happy Birthday!: A Conversation About Education With César E. Chávez | Cloaking Inequity: Happy Birthday!: A Conversation About Education With César E. ChávezHappy Birthday César Chávez! Often education “reformers” toss around civil rights as a justification for their “reforms.” See for example Reframing the Refrain: Choice as a Civil Rights Issue. If he were still alive today, how would César Chá
Black, Latino, Native American children lagging: report | Al Jazeera America
Black, Latino, Native American children lagging: report | Al Jazeera America: EDUCATIONBLACK,LATINO,NATIVEAMERICANCHILDRENLAGGING:REPORTKATHRYN SCOTT OSLER/THE DENVER POST/GETTY IMAGESAnnie E. Casey Foundation study finds dramatic racial discrepancies among U.S. kidsApril 1, 2014 4:36AM ETIn every region of America, white and Asian children are far better positioned for success than black, Latino
4-1-14 Perdido Street School
Perdido Street School: Opt Out Movement Grows In NY StateNo wonder education reformers like Merryl Tisch and StudentsFirstNY were so shrill in their criticism of Westchester County Executive/GOP gubernatorial's announcement that he and his wife were opting their children out of the state's Common Core ELA and math tests that begin today.Astorino and his wife are just two out of thousands of parent
4-1-14 Wait What?
Wait What?: Bronx charter school company sees goldmine in ConnecticutWhen the State Board of Education meets tomorrow to approve Commissioner Stefan Pryor’s plan to open new charter schools in Connecticut one of the most incredible proposals is the one submitted by the Bronx Charter School for Excellence. About a week ago, fellow pro-public education advocate columnist Wendy Lecker laid out the fa
The Answer Sheet 4-1-14
The Answer Sheet: Case study: How politicians ignore parents on school reformIf you read this blog regularly, you will be familiar with Carol Burris, an award-winning principal from New York. She has done a remarkable job for well over a year detailing the botched school reform efforts in her state. (You can read some of her work here, here, here, here, and here.) Below is a new post from Burris
4-1-14 Seattle Schools Community Forum
Seattle Schools Community Forum: Seattle Schools Odds and Ends - MeetingsI went to the Board meeting two weeks ago and a couple of Work Sessions/Committee meetings. This thread is the Board meeting and Operations Ctm. meeting. Here are the highlights:Board MeetingThis was the one where the high school basketball teams were honored. Very fun to be there (although the Garfield boys wanted to look
4-1-14 Scathing Purple Musings | Color me purple in Florida
Scathing Purple Musings | Color me purple in Florida, red in Washington, dark sky-blue in Israel and public school in Education: Florida Voucher Bill “Like a Zombie That Won’t Die”From Palm Beach Post writer Frank Cerabino: And by the time the program seeps into the middle class, it will be too late to stop. Florida’s expansion of public funding of private schools will have a significant “domino e
NYC Educator: Why Don't Contractual Rights Apply to Our UFT Representatives?
NYC Educator: Why Don't Contractual Rights Apply to Our UFT Representatives?: Why Don't Contractual Rights Apply to Our UFT Representatives?--> By special guest blogger Arwen E.Eight-hundred delegates from UFT-Unity will attend the 2014 NYSUT convention this weekend. If some don't regard the Loyalty Oath as morally null and void in this day and age and follow the dictates of their conscience or o
Ms. Jablonski's Class Blog 4-1-14
Ms. Jablonski's Class Blog: untitledResidents of a 12 mile zone in are being aloud to inhabit their homes after three years of recovery from Japanese nuclear power plant disaster that shook nearly three years ago. This decision to revitalize the zone affects nearly 117 households, and 357 people. It was decided that the radiation levels of the zone were low enough to be inhabitable, but many of th
4-1-14 Larry Ferlazzo’s Websites of the Day… | …For Teaching ELL, ESL, & EFL
Larry Ferlazzo’s Websites of the Day… | …For Teaching ELL, ESL, & EFL: Lingua.ly Launches App ELLs Might LikeI’ve previously posted about Lingua.ly, a very useful Chrome extension for people learning another language, including English (see Lingua.ly Is A Useful Tool For Second-Language Learners). In fact, it’s on The Best Websites For English Language Learner Students In 2013 list. They just
“Unprecedented” numbers opt out of state tests–what’s next? | Digital
“Unprecedented” numbers opt out of state tests–what’s next? | Digital: “Unprecedented” numbers opt out of state tests–what’s next?Today students in New York State begin three days of state-mandated tests in English language arts. But thousands of families across the state, from Syracuse and Buffalo to the Hudson Valley, Long Island to New York City, will sit out the tests, citing concerns with th
4-1-14 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.: Vote for Fred #19Rahm is not waiting for the courts to decide. He announces an unconstitutional agreement.When I spoke with my State Senator Iris Martinez last November about her vote on pension theft, her answer was a strange one. “I’m against the bill, but I’m voting for it. We should let the courts
4-1-14 Engaging Parents In School… | Going Beyond Parent "Involvement"
Engaging Parents In School… | Going Beyond Parent "Involvement": “Parents have few, if any venues to express their concerns”The headline quotation is from Jose Luis Vilson, who contributed to the New York Times “Room For Debate” forum on Should Parents Opt Out of Testing? Check out his full contribution and comments from others. I’m adding it to The Best Posts On Parents “Opting-Out” Of
Whiteface Rulez | EduShyster
Whiteface Rulez | EduShyster:Whiteface Rulez Will you help me realize my dream of attending Camp Reform-a-Lot?Whiteface Lodge – look how nice it looks!Reader: it’s a well known fact that nothing thrills me more than the prospect of attending an elite gathering of education reform elites. Which is why when I learned about this all-star camping trip of elite reform all stars, to be held next month a
4-1-14 Ed Notes Online
Ed Notes Online: Worst Practices: You Don't Have to Teach in a Charter School to Get That Experience -High staff turnover rates were considered a negative at one time -- now that is considered a good thing.Public school principals are using charter school tactics, not only in the way they treat staff -- aiming for constant turnover, etc, but also in how they treat kids -- push-outs, suspensions, n
LISTEN TO DIANE RAVITCH 4-1-14 Diane Ravitch's blog | A site to discuss better education for all
Diane Ravitch's blog | A site to discuss better education for all: Eleven Million Page Views in Less than Two Years!Dear Friends, Today this blog reached the unbelievable number of eleven million page views! I had no idea this would happen when I wrote the first post on April 26, 2012. Thank you for reading. More than that, thank you for participating. Many of you contribute regularly to what must
3-31-14 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): April Fool’s Day Survival GuideAny who trucks with satire takes a great risk among the humans. – Socrates — 1 by plthomasedd / 2h 3-30-14 the becoming radical A Place for a Pedagogy of Kindness by P. L. Thomas, EdDthe becoming radical | A Place for a Pedagogy of Kindn
Marie Corfield: Note to Gov. Christie: Those who live by the accountability sword will die by the accountability sword.
Marie Corfield: Note to Gov. Christie: Those who live by the accountability sword will die by the accountability sword.: Note to Gov. Christie: Those who live by the accountability sword will die by the accountability sword.From the moment he was sworn in four years ago, Gov. Christie has been on a personal jihad against public education, unions and teachers. Labeling us “greedy” and “selfish”, an
Old School/New School: Mail a letter or sign a petition to curb high-stakes testing | I AM AN EDUCATOR
Old School/New School: Mail a letter or sign a petition to curb high-stakes testing | I AM AN EDUCATOR: Old School/New School: Mail a letter or sign a petition to curb high-stakes testingBy I AM AN EDUCATOR on April 1, 2014The Education Spring is blooming as people across the country are building resistance to the abuses of standardized, high-stakes testing. There are two ways for you to get invol
empathyeducates – State’s School Funding Goes to Court
empathyeducates – State’s School Funding Goes to Court: State’s School Funding Goes to CourtIntroductory Essay By Betsy L. Angert | Published at EmpathyEducates. March 31, 2014In New Jersey, the Governor spends one million in taxpayer dollars for “full vindication;” yet there is nothing for education. In Kansas, legislators debate whether a teacher can spank, but as far as the Governor and his fel
And The World's Best Problem-Solvers Are...
And The World's Best Problem-Solvers Are...: And The World's Best Problem-Solvers Are...Posted: 04/01/2014 4:00 am EDT Updated: 04/01/2014 8:59 am EDT American students are barely above the average of 44 countries and economies in problem-solving skills, far behind teens in Asia, according to the first international test of that attribute in 15-year-olds.U.S. teens on average earned a score of 508
A national honor for Philadelphia activist Helen Gym - Philly.com
A national honor for Philadelphia activist Helen Gym - Philly.com: A national honor for Philadelphia activist Helen GymGym says Asian Americans United sparked her involvement: "People [at those groups] pushed my thinking every day. They . . . reminded me that power is the collective enterprise of people who build communities." (SARAH J. GLOVER / File)By Michael Matza, Inquirer Staff Writ
Is School Reform Needed or Not? - Bridging Differences - Education Week
Is School Reform Needed or Not? - Bridging Differences - Education Week: Is School Reform Needed or Not?By Guest Blogger on April 1, 2014 9:04 AMRobert Pondiscio of Democracy Prep writes again to Deborah Meier today.Dear Deb,My time here grows short. When I first agreed to blog with you here at Bridging Differences, we talked about a brief residency, November and December. The calendar has turne
Vote for Fred Klonsky, #19 on the ballot of retiree delegates for the Illinois Education Association – NEA Representative Assembly. | Reclaim Reform
Vote for Fred Klonsky, #19 on the ballot of retiree delegates for the Illinois Education Association – NEA Representative Assembly. | Reclaim Reform: Vote for Fred Klonsky, #19 on the ballot of retiree delegates for the Illinois Education Association – NEA Representative Assembly.Posted on March 31, 2014by Ken PrevitiVote for Fred Klonsky, #19 on the ballot of retiree delegates for the Illinois Ed
Mike Klonsky's SmallTalk Blog: Byrd-Bennett on school closings: Ask me no questions, I'll tell you no lies
Mike Klonsky's SmallTalk Blog: Byrd-Bennett on school closings: Ask me no questions, I'll tell you no lies: Byrd-Bennett on school closings: Ask me no questions, I'll tell you no liesHERE'S A FOLLOW-UP on Friday's post: Mass school closings 'great success', declares Byrd-Bennett.Catalyst reporters Sarah Karp andMelissa Sanchez do a credible job showing that Byrd-Bennett's receiving-school success
YESTERDAY
3-31-14 @ The Chalk Face
@ THE CHALK FACE: Whatever Will We Do If We Dump Common Core?A component of pushing the so-called Common Core State Standards (CCSS) involves panicking the public into believing that in the absence of CCSS, states will have no standards. This message is promoted in the Associated Press. On March 30, 2014, Melinda Deslatte offers the following If Not CCSS, Then What? message in her coverage of the
For Teachers: An Important Paper on Rewards and Motivation | Paul Bruno
For Teachers: An Important Paper on Rewards and Motivation | Paul Bruno: For Teachers: An Important Paper on Rewards and MotivationBy PAUL BRUNO | Published: MARCH 31, 2014If you ask a teacher about the virtues of giving students rewards for behavior, effort, or accomplishment, there is a very good chance that he will tell you about the dangers of “extrinsic motivators”. Specifically, he me may te
Whatever Will We Do If We Dump Common Core? | deutsch29
Whatever Will We Do If We Dump Common Core? | deutsch29: Whatever Will We Do If We Dump Common Core?March 31, 2014A component of pushing the so-called Common Core State Standards (CCSS) involves panicking the public into believing that in the absence of CCSS, states will have no standards.This message is promoted in the Associated Press. On March 30, 2014, Melinda Deslatte offers the following If
NPE asks Friends & Allies to join in demand for Congressional Hearings mail-in campaign | Reclaim Reform
NPE asks Friends & Allies to join in demand for Congressional Hearings mail-in campaign | Reclaim Reform: NPE asks Friends & Allies to join in demand for Congressional Hearings mail-in campaignPosted on March 31, 2014by Ken PrevitiThe Network for Public Education asks Friends & Allies to join in demand for Congressional Hearings mail-in campaignFor the next part of our campaign, we’re
4 Arguments That Scream "Save Public Education!" | Alternet
4 Arguments That Scream "Save Public Education!" | Alternet: 4 Arguments That Scream "Save Public Education!"A vibrant society makes great individuals, not the other way around.Photo Credit: Suzanne Tucker / Shutterstock.comThe education privatizers are trying to convince us that parental 'choice' will solve all the problems in our schools. But the choice they have in mind is t
Nite Cap 3-31-14 #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 CAPAn Open Letter To The President And First LadyAn Open Letter To The President And First Lady: An Open Letter To The President And First Ladyby EDWARDBERGER on MARCH 31, 2014Dear President Barack Obama, and First Lady Michelle Obama,I am writing d
