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Wednesday, May 7, 2014

Morning Wink 5-7-14 AM Posts #BATsACT #RealEdTalk #EDCHAT #P2


BIG EDUCATION APE - MORNING WINK  AM POSTS



LISTEN TO DIANE RAVITCH 5-7-14 Diane Ravitch's blog | A site to discuss better education for all
Diane Ravitch's blog | A site to discuss better education for all: Patrick Walsh on the Death of Philosophy in a World of PhilistinesMany bloggers have commented on the pretentiousness and vacuousness of the gaggle of politicians, entrepreneurs, and hedge funders who have gathered in the Adirondacks of New York and audaciously dubbed themselves the “thought leaders” of our time. They called their
by mike simpson / 0min 
American Students Perform Worse As They Reach Higher Grades
American Students Perform Worse As They Reach Higher Grades: American Students Perform Worse As They Reach Higher GradesHigh school test scores released by the federal government Wednesday provide fresh evidence of a troubling theme in American education: Students seem to perform worse on tests as they advance through the public school system to higher grades.America's high school seniors have mos
by mike simpson / 3min 
My Book on VAMs Released Today |
My Book on VAMs Released Today |: My Book on VAMs Released TodayMy new book, titled “Rethinking Value-Added Models in Education: Critical Perspectives on Tests and Assessment-Based Accountability,” was officially released by my publisher – Routledge – today.For those interested, you can order this book on Amazon, here, Barnes & Noble, here, or the Routledge site, here. The book’s foreword is w
by mike simpson / 6min 
President of national teachers union joins parents, teachers for another protest of Newark school plan | NJ.com
President of national teachers union joins parents, teachers for another protest of Newark school plan | NJ.com: President of national teachers union joins parents, teachers for another protest of Newark school planNEWARK — American Federation of Teachers President Randi Weingarten will meet with teachers and staff of Hawthorne Avenue Elementary School this morning to show her support for the scho
by mike simpson / 9min 
5-7-14 The Answer Sheet
The Answer Sheet: U.S. judge: It’s ridiculous to judge teachers by test scores of students they don’t have, but it’s legal in Florida“Justice? You get justice in the next world, in this world you have the law.” ― William Gaddis, A Frolic of His Own   A federal judge in Florida said that it is wildly unfair that the state evaluates many teachers on the standardized test scores of students they don’
by mike simpson / 15min 
5-7-14 Larry Ferlazzo’s Websites of the Day… | …For Teaching ELL, ESL, & EFL
Larry Ferlazzo’s Websites of the Day… | …For Teaching ELL, ESL, & EFL: I Learn Another Great Game For English Langage Learners From Jimmy FallonLast year, I wrote about a fun game for English Language Learners that I learned from late-night talk show host Jimmy Fallon (see Jimmy Fallon Comes Up With A Great Game For English Language Learners). Today, I learned another one… He calls it Word Sne
by mike simpson / 16min 
5-7-14 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.: Tuesday night with Karen Lewis and Chicago’s political nerds.Ben Joravsky and Mick Dumke are members of that very small circle of people that can justifiably claim the titles of Chicago journalists. They both write for the Chicago Reader. Full disclosure. Joravsky is an old friend. Old enough that I t
by mike simpson / 18min 
5-7-14 Ed Notes Online
Ed Notes Online: Roseanne McCosh: Why I Am Voting No to the UFT ContractRoseanne has been in touch for a number of years - she follows issues very closely and shares them with her staff at PS 8 in the Bronx. She was chapter leader for a number of years before passing it on to the next gen. She shared this with teachers in her school. She has never been to a MORE meeting. So Roseanne represents ran
by mike simpson / 20min 
5-7-14 Wait What?
Wait What?: The Destruction of Public Education in Bridgeport courtesy of Malloy and Mayor Bill FinchWhen it comes to the corporate education reform industry’s strategies and tactics, Bridgeport has become one of their “ground zero” targets. Thanks to Governor Malloy, Bridgeport Mayor Bill Finch, Malloy’s Commissioner of Education, Stefan Pryor, and education reformer extraordinaire Paul Vallas, t
by mike simpson / 24min 
5-7-14 @ The Chalk Face
@ THE CHALK FACE: PISA Brainwashing: Measure, Rank, RepeatPISA Brainwashing: Measure, Rank, Repeat. via PISA Brainwashing: Measure, Rank, Repeat.Filed under: PAUL THOMAS: Becoming Radical1 by plthomasedd / 1h hide  //  saveDuncan Flunks the “State led” Test with His Indiana NCLB Waiver WarningCorporate reformers love tests. It seems that now, the test is on them. Is the federal government usurping
by mike simpson / 27min 
5-7-14 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): PISA Brainwashing: Measure, Rank, RepeatWhen Mary Catherine Bradshaw, a teacher since 1984 in Nashville, TN, announced her retirement from public schools, Bradshaw pointed her finger at one major reason, standardized testing: [S]he says standardized testing is the reason
by mike simpson / 29min 
5-7-14 Perdido Street School
Perdido Street School: Is The Tentative UFT Contract Changing How The System Deals With Teachers Rated "Ineffective" On Testing Components?The tentative contract language is finally available to peruse - you can find it here.I noticed this:Measures of Student Learning Options1. For the 2014 - 15 school year and thereafter the DOE shall create new measures (referred to as “Linked Measures
by mike simpson / 30min 
Despite generally good salaries, an 85% faculty majority is said to favor unionizing | The Lens
Despite generally good salaries, an 85% faculty majority is said to favor unionizing | The Lens: Despite generally good salaries, an 85% faculty majority is said to favor unionizingWhether to join a teacher union is being pondered at Ben Franklin, the city's most academically acclaimed public high school.With a public hearing scheduled Thursday on the faculty drive to unionize Benjamin Franklin Hi
by mike simpson / 36min 
Mike Klonsky's SmallTalk Blog: Standing room only for Karen Lewis at the Hideout
Mike Klonsky's SmallTalk Blog: Standing room only for Karen Lewis at the Hideout: Standing room only for Karen Lewis at the HideoutThe HideoutLast night was political junkies' standing-room-only night at the Hideout. CTU President Karen Jennings Lewis was on stage, being interviewed by Reader writers Ben Joravsky and Mick Dumke. What a step up from last month's show when former Ald. Dick (aptly-na
by mike simpson / 41min 
An educator responds to John Barge's teacher tribute:... | Get Schooled | www.ajc.com
An educator responds to John Barge's teacher tribute:... | Get Schooled | www.ajc.com: An educator responds to John Barge's teacher tribute: Appreciate the effort but disagree on the message COMMENT(11) 0 46 1 48Previous PostsWhy did so many elementary schools underperform in DeKalb and Atlanta? Is there a plan? May 6, 2014Teacher Appreciation Day: Google Atlanta chooses to fund wish lists of 356
by mike simpson / 47min 
Is Cami leaving? Or just hiding? | Bob Braun's Ledger
Is Cami leaving? Or just hiding? | Bob Braun's Ledger: Is Cami leaving? Or just hiding?Is Cami hiding at an Ihop?                Cami Anderson,  the controversial state-appointed superintendent of Newark schools, has disappeared from the city  for the last few weeks, fueling rumors she is planning on leaving. Her absence comes just as the mayoral race—in which she is issue number one—tightens up  
by mike simpson / 52min 
60 Years after Brown v. Board: School “Reform” Ignores Injustices of Urban America | janresseger
60 Years after Brown v. Board: School “Reform” Ignores Injustices of Urban America | janresseger: 60 Years after Brown v. Board: School “Reform” Ignores Injustices of Urban AmericaPosted on May 7, 2014 by janressegerOn May 17, we’ll mark the 60th anniversary of the landmark U.S. Supreme Court decision in Brown v. Board of Education.  Richard Rothstein, research associate at the Economic Policy Ins
by mike simpson / 1h 
“Sorry I cannot write more” – A Smarter Balanced Tale | InterACT
“Sorry I cannot write more” – A Smarter Balanced Tale | InterACT: “Sorry I cannot write more” – A Smarter Balanced TaleMAY 7, 2014tags: ccss, Smarter Balanced, vamby David B. CohenThe Common Core transition reached me on a more personal level this week when my 11-year old son came home and asked, “Dad, do you know anyone who made the Smarter Balanced test?” When I replied that I do not, he said, “
by mike simpson / 1h 
The new face of teacher unionism in New York City and beyond | Hechinger Report
The new face of teacher unionism in New York City and beyond | Hechinger Report: The new face of teacher unionism in New York City and beyondIn era of accountability, UFT contract builds on fiscal stability, flexibility, not social mobilityBy David C. BloomfieldI knew Al Shanker, Mr. Mulgrew, and you’re no Al Shanker.Would Al Shanker have agreed to let at least 200 schools, thousands of teachers,
by mike simpson / 1h 
Shanker Blog » An Education Hearing I'd Like To See
Shanker Blog » An Education Hearing I'd Like To See: An Education Hearing I’d Like To SeePosted by Matthew Di Carlo on May 7, 2014At the end of February, the District of Columbia Council’s Education Committee held its annual hearing on the performance of the District’s Public Schools (DCPS). The hearing (full video is available here) lasted over four hours, and included discussion on a variety of
by mike simpson / 1h 
Mother Crusader: DFER Trying To Steal Election From Ras Baraka
Mother Crusader: DFER Trying To Steal Election From Ras Baraka: DFER Trying To Steal Election From Ras BarakaThe Newark mayoral race is heating up with less than a week to go, and there has been plenty of discussion about an influx of cash to the Jeffries campaign and questions as to where the money is coming from.Newark First, an independent group of Jeffries' supporters, launched an advertising
by mike simpson / 1h 

YESTERDAY

Draft accountability plans raise concerns about usefulness to parents | EdSource Today
Draft accountability plans raise concerns about usefulness to parents | EdSource Today: Draft accountability plans raise concerns about usefulness to parentsMay 6th, 2014 | Add a Comment | By Louis FreedbergParent committee members and school officials review a draft of West Contra Costa Unified’s LCAP on Wednesday, April 16 in Richmond. Photo by Alex GronkeCalifornia school districts are in the p
by mike simpson / 9h 
Duncan Flunks the “State led” Test with His Indiana NCLB Waiver Warning | deutsch29
Duncan Flunks the “State led” Test with His Indiana NCLB Waiver Warning | deutsch29: Duncan Flunks the “State led” Test with His Indiana NCLB Waiver WarningMay 6, 2014Corporate reformers love tests.It seems that now, the test is on them.Is the federal government usurping state authority over public education?Consider the protestations that the Common Core State Standards (CCSS) are not a federal m
by mike simpson / 9h 
Hey ATR's! The New Contract is a Trap! southbronxschool.com
http://www.southbronxschool.com: Hey ATR's! The New Contract is a Trap!The Crack Team got a phone call from an intrepid Mainstream Media reporter today inquiring if we knew of any ATR's that would like to comment on the mass email El Presidenté Mike Mulgrew blasted out to them Monday evening. We told our intrepid reporter that we do not, yet shared with him that our curiosity is now piqued and if
by mike simpson / 10h 
Connected Principals | Sharing. Learning. Leading.
Connected Principals | Sharing. Learning. Leading.: The Advantage of Separating Behaviors and Academics Through a Competency-Based Grading System.As I watched one of our teacher’s training sessions this past Wednesday, I considered how far we had come in grading practices in a fairly short period of time. Our school made the transition to competency-based grading four years ago, and despite some o
by mike simpson / 13h 
5-6-14 Engaging Parents In School… | Going Beyond Parent "Involvement"
Engaging Parents In School… | Going Beyond Parent "Involvement": “How to be an advocate for your (special needs) child”How to be an advocate for your (special needs) child by Jovan Miles could be a very useful post to share with parents. It’s a great additions to The Best Resources To Help Engage Parents Of Children With Special Needs.4 by Larry Ferlazzo / 58min hide  //  save“19 Proven
by mike simpson / 14h 
Reflections on Teaching » Blog Archive » Asking the wrong questions of technology…
Reflections on Teaching » Blog Archive » Asking the wrong questions of technology…: Asking the wrong questions of technology…There has been a huge roll-out of technology with the advent of SBAC testing in California (and elsewhere in the country with CCSS testing in all forms). But is this really making education better? Is it making our kids better? Or is it like using Robbie shown above, good fo
by mike simpson / 14h 
Nite Cap 5-6-14 #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 CAPModel SARBs for 2014 - Year 2014 (CA Dept of Education)Model SARBs for 2014 - Year 2014 (CA Dept of Education): State Schools Chief Tom Torlakson Announces 2014 Model Attendance Improvement ProgramsSACRAMENTO—State Superintendent of Public Instru
by mike simpson / 16h 
Model SARBs for 2014 - Year 2014 (CA Dept of Education)
Model SARBs for 2014 - Year 2014 (CA Dept of Education): State Schools Chief Tom Torlakson Announces 2014 Model Attendance Improvement ProgramsSACRAMENTO—State Superintendent of Public Instruction Tom Torlakson announced today that six programs in California schools have been designated as models of attendance improvement and dropout prevention by the State School Attendance Review Board (SARB).Th
by mike simpson / 16h 
NEA - National Teacher Day #ThankATeacher
NEA - National Teacher Day: National Teacher DayVideo: What’s the Best Part of Being a Teacher?2014 inductees into the National Teachers Hall of Fame share their thoughts about what being an educator means to them. Who's Thanking a Teacher Today?Around the country, thousands are thanking their educators. See the latest roundup of their efforts at our storify feed. Celebrate National Teacher Day on
by mike simpson / 16h 
NYC Public School Parents: Six Charter School Myths; my testimony before the City Council today
NYC Public School Parents: Six Charter School Myths; my testimony before the City Council today: Six Charter School Myths; my testimony before the City Council todayMy testimony before the City Council hearings today; a  pdf of this testimony is here.Six Charter School MythsTestimony before the NYC Council Education CommitteeLeonie Haimson, Executive Director, Class Size MattersMay 6, 2014Thank yo
by mike simpson / 17h 
Where is Our Money? | WeArePCAPS
Where is Our Money? | WeArePCAPS: Where is Our Money?Posted on May 6, 2014by wearepcaps Greenberg Elementary SchoolThe following is one of a number of persuasive essays from students in Kathy Cohen’s 7th grade class at Greenberg Elementary.   They were submitted to the Northeast Times but the paper appears to have ignored them.   We think the students deserve recognition for their thoughtful essay
by mike simpson / 17h 
5-6-14 The Whole Child Blog — ED Pulse Poll Results: What Is the Purpose of Education? — Whole Child Education
ED Pulse Poll Results: What Is the Purpose of Education? — Whole Child Education: THE WHOLE CHILD BLOGED Pulse Poll Results: What Is the Purpose of Education?May 6, 2014 by Whole Child SymposiumPost written by Kit Harris, ASCD ResearchASCD continually seeks to provide solutions to the challenges that face educators of all levels. A recentASCD SmartBrief ED Pulse poll reached out to readers of the
by mike simpson / 17h 
empathyeducates – CTU’s Karen Lewis Promises 2015 City Election Will be ‘Contentious’
empathyeducates – CTU’s Karen Lewis Promises 2015 City Election Will be ‘Contentious’: Karen Lewis, President, Chicago Teachers Union from City Club Chicago on Vimeo.12PreviousNextCTU’s Karen Lewis Promises 2015 City Election Will be ‘Contentious’By Ted Cox | Originally Published at DNAinfo Chicago. May 5, 2014RIVER NORTH — Chicago Teachers Union President Karen Lewis threatened Monday to throw an
by mike simpson / 18h 
Bring Back Our Girls! | Lily's Blackboard
Bring Back Our Girls! | Lily's Blackboard: Bring Back Our GirlsMay 6th, 2014 by Lily.I cry too easily.  I stopped apologizing for it years ago and have become One with the way I express my emotions.  Tears come, at times, from something sentimental and sweet.  At other times from great sadness.  Today it is from pure rage and frustration.This morning I, like the rest of the world, watched the news
by mike simpson / 18h 
Choosing Democracy: Local Control | Tom Torlakson
Choosing Democracy: Local Control | Tom Torlakson: Local Control | Tom TorlaksonCalifornia's Education Leaders Back Superintendent Tom TorlaksonApr 30, 2014SACRAMENTO - Demonstrating united support from key education leaders across California, State Superintendent of Public Instruction Tom Torlakson today announced endorsements from 67 county and school district superintendents and local school bo
by mike simpson / 18h 
Two Divergent Polls on Common Core | Truth in American Education
Two Divergent Polls on Common Core | Truth in American Education: Two Divergent Polls on Common CoreFiled in Common Core State Standards by Shane Vander Hart on May 6, 2014 • 0 Comments24421Two polls were released this week.  A poll taken of Republican voters the Washington Examinersaid poses a “conundrum for conservatives.”There are lies, damned lies and political polling.As pollster John McLaugh
by mike simpson / 18h 
10,000 Hours of Education History….And Counting | Taking Note
10,000 Hours of Education History….And Counting | Taking Note: 10,000 Hours of Education History….And Countingby JOHN MERROW on 06. MAY, 2014 in 2014 BLOGSIn early 2000 E. D. Hirsch, Jr, the developer of the “Core Knowledge” curriculum, said this about the growing importance of reading tests: “If you want students to do well on reading tests, they should read, read, read. Not spend time practicing
by mike simpson / 19h 
K-12 News Network | May 1st Candidate Forum: LAUSD School Board District 1 Special Election
K-12 News Network | May 1st Candidate Forum: LAUSD School Board District 1 Special Election: May 1st Candidate Forum: LAUSD School Board District 1 Special Electionadmin May 6, 2014 Elections, Los Angeles, School Boards 0By Radhika, LAUSD community member.May 1st Candidate Forum: LAUSD School Board District 1 Special Election.I was a fan of the late Marguerite LaMotte, whose sudden death forced a
by mike simpson / 19h 
Celebrate National Charter Schools Week: Pick Your Favorite CHARTER SCHOOL SCANDAL
CHARTER SCHOOL SCANDALS:Release: New Report On Charter Industry Exposes $100 Million in Taxpayer Funds Meant For Children Instead Lost To Fraud, Waste & Abuse - Integrity in EducationBlog - Integrity in Education: Release: New Report On Charter Industry Exposes $100 Million in Taxpayer Funds Meant For Children Instead Lost To Fraud, Waste & AbuseFOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: May 5, 2014CONTACT:Ky
by mike simpson / 19h 
New OTL Policy Guide on Early Care and Education | National Opportunity to Learn Campaign | Education Reform for Equity and Opportunity
New OTL Policy Guide on Early Care and Education | National Opportunity to Learn Campaign | Education Reform for Equity and Opportunity: New OTL Policy Guide on Early Care and EducationPosted on: Monday May 5th, 2014New OTL State Policy Guide:High Quality Early Education Systems for Children & FamiliesClick here to downloadthis new policy guide!The first years of a child’s life are the most fo
by mike simpson / 21h 
5-6-14 Seattle Schools Community Forum
Seattle Schools Community Forum: Tuesday Open ThreadFun at Teacher Appreciation Day at Arbor Heights Elementary.   I happened to be checking what schools require uniforms (I believe there are only 3-4 elementaries).  K-5 STEM is one of them.  From their webpage, the school certainly has quite a different feel to it.  For example, they have four sections to their Uniforms page and the FAQ is really
by mike simpson / 21h 
5-6-14 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): Carthay Center parents get wish: principal is removedCarthay Center Elementary School As they rallied for the ouster of their school principal this morning, parents at Carthay Center Elementary School were told their efforts had paid off: Crystal Campbell-Shirley was removed from her post. Instructional D
by mike simpson / 21h 
Charter Schools Gone Wild: Study Finds Widespread Fraud, Mismanagement and Waste | Connecting the Dots | BillMoyers.com
Charter Schools Gone Wild: Study Finds Widespread Fraud, Mismanagement and Waste | Connecting the Dots | BillMoyers.com: Charter Schools Gone Wild: Study Finds Widespread Fraud, Mismanagement and WasteMay 5, 2014by Joshua Holland286Students in a kindergarten classroom at North Valley Academy in Gooding, Idaho, wear red, white and blue shirts as part of their school uniform. The K-12 charter school
by mike simpson / 22h 
Opinion: Parental involvement overrated? Don't buy it - CNN.com
Opinion: Parental involvement overrated? Don't buy it - CNN.com: Parental involvement overrated? Don't buy itBy Todd Rogers, Lucas Coffman and Peter Bergmanupdated 4:08 PM EDT, Mon May 5, 2014Keeping parents informed about their children's progress in school can help with homework completion, the authors say.STORY HIGHLIGHTSWriters: Recent articles said helping children with schoolwork has little
by mike simpson / 22h 
5-6-14 Schools Matter
Schools Matter: Can a Weingarten Stamp of Approval Mean Anything Good for NYC Teachers?The saddest part of Randi Weingarten’s rainy day trip to Lake Placid to get some press press photos of her protesting at the DFER ed deform meeting is that the Misleaders of the AFT and NEA have endorsed most of the agenda of the hedge funders inside the meeting, whether it is bonus pay for test scores, teacher
by mike simpson / 23h 
Morning Wink 5-6-14 AM Posts #BATsACT #RealEdTalk #EDCHAT #P2
BIG EDUCATION APE - MORNING WINK  AM POSTSNewark Mayoral Candidate Ras Baraka: "I Will Lead a Full Scale Campaign for Local Control of Schools" - Living in Dialogue - Education Week TeacherNewark Mayoral Candidate Ras Baraka: "I Will Lead a Full Scale Campaign for Local Control of Schools" - Living in Dialogue - Education Week Teacher: Newark Mayoral Candidate Ras Baraka: "
by mike simpson / 23h 





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