UPDATE: Mike Klonsky's SmallTalk Blog: This is not a test...

Mike Klonsky's SmallTalk Blog: This is not a test...:

This is not a test...

A SMALLTALK SALUTE goes out to teacher/author/activist Jose Vilson, whose book, This Is Not a Test: A New Narrative on Race, Class, and Education, was released yesterday. A definite must-read for educators in need of a little inspiration in these difficult times, Jose's memoir traces his experiences growing up in New York City, his education in the city (and later, in New York State – at Syracuse University), and his return to the classroom as a NYC math teacher. It also stands as a powerful critique of Common Core testing madness.

You can also keep up with Jose's JLV Blog here which includes his take on the recent N.Y. contract agreement.

OBAMA'S TEST PREP MESSAGE is mixed, writes Ross Brenneman in Edweek Teacher.Every once in a while the President will take a poke at teachers who teach to the test.

But while the president may have a view of teaching that involves more than test results, his administration's policies have arguably failed to focus attention beyond that aspect.

Case in point, the punishing of Washington State, where the role of standardized testing in teacher evaluation has been de-emphasized. Arne Duncan reacted last month by revoking the state's NCLB waiver which leaves it schools open to the DOE's failed system of test-based rewards and punishments.

Isn't it time for Duncan's departure?

CHICAGO TEACHERS SAY NO TO COMMON CORE... There's no mixed messages coming Mike Klonsky's SmallTalk Blog: This is not a test...:

Taking Back Our Schools

My guest blogger today is David Greene, Chair Taking Back Our Schools Rally Committee, Save Our Schools Treasurer, and Author of DOING THE RIGHT THING: A Teacher Speaks60 Years AgoMay 17, 2014 will mark the 60th anniversary of the Brown Decision to integrate American public schools. What better day is there for a Rally to TAKE BACK OUR SCHOOLS from the corporate reformers who seem to defy that lan

by Mike Klonsky / 6:54 AM UTC-7 

In the mailbox: Support Luis Muñoz Marín Elementary school in North Philadephia.

Hello Mike, My Name is Maria Cruz, and I am the President of the School Advisory Council at Luis Muñoz Marín Elementary school in North Philadephia.  As you may already know, our neighborhood school was targeted by Philadelphia Superintendent William Hite and the School reform Commission last month as a "turnaround" school, subject to a takeover by the private charter operator, ASPIRA of

by Mike Klonsky / 4min