Connecticut: Charter Organization, Under Scrutiny Refuses to Release Information to Press
The FUSE (Family Urban Schools of Excellence) charter organization was shaken by two high-level resignations, following the departure of its CEO Michael Sharpe. Sharpe quit after the press revealed that he had served time in prison and had used the title “Dr.” Though he had never earned a doctorate. The Hartford Courant asked for information about FUSE’s finances, but got no response. FUSE runs t
Pennsylvania: Activists Holding a Sit-In in Governor Corbett’s Office to Protest Budget Cuts
A small group of activists is conducting a sit-in in Governor Tom Corbett’s office in Harrisburg to demand a restoration of $1 billion in budget cuts to public schools. Those of us who remember the 1960s recall that this tactic was frequently used by civil rights groups and anti-war activists to draw attention to their cause. It was effective in encouraging others to become involved and active.
Karen Lewis Denounces 1,150 Layoffs of Teachers and Other Staff
NEWS RELEASE FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE CONTACT: Stephanie Gadlin June 26, 2014 312/329-6250 EMANUEL CONTINUES ASSAULT ON CITY’S TEACHERS CHICAGO—Chicago Teachers Union (CTU) President Karen Lewis released the following statement regarding today’s announcement of 1,150 teacher and school support staff layoffs by Chicago Public Schools (CPS): “The decision by the mayor and his handpicked Board of Educa
Breaking News: Jindal’s Lawyer Says Governor Has Right to Drop Common Core and PARCC
Stephanie Simon reports at politico.com that Governor Bobby Jindal’s lawyer advised him he has the right to withdraw Louisiana from the Common Core and the federally-funded PARCC tests. State Superintendent John White said in an interview that Jindal was wrong. He went even further and accused the governor of breaking the law: “State Superintendent John White has accused the governor of breaking
School Board Rejects Rural Charter School in Tennessee
I posted about a week ago about efforts by members of Teach for America to open a charter school in rural Cheatham County in Tennessee. The Cheatham County school board voted to deny the application for the Cumberland Academy Charter School, 5-0, with one member absent.
Huppenthal Apologizes for Internet Comments and Weeps
John Huppenthal called a press conference to apologize for his outrageous comments on the Intermet, posted anonymously. He said he would not resign as he faces re-election. He broke down and cried. “”I’m here to renounce those blog comments,” Huppenthal told reporters. “They’re not what is in my mind, they don’t reflect the love that is in my heart.” A sample of the comments that don’t reflect wh
What World Does the NY Times Editorial Board Live in?
Yesterday, the New York Times published an editorial vigorously agreeing with the Obama administration’s plan to give ratings to colleges and universities and agreeing with Education Trust that federal aid to colleges should be tied to those ratings. EdTrust was and remains one of the strongest supporters of NO Child Left Behind, having helped to write that abominable law. On principle, I oppose t
Why Michigan Charter Law is Weak: Money
The Lansing (Michigan) State Journal explains why the charter law lacks teeth. The law permits conflict of interest, nepotism, self-dealing and other scams. Why? Charters are a $1 billion industry annually. Charter chains and founders hire lobbyists and give generously to politicians. The charter lobby has given $1.3 million since 2003. It plans to spend $1 million for pro-charter candidates in t
Politico Reports: John White Blasts Governor Jindal
Stephanie Simon interviewed State Superintendent John White, who blasted Governor Bobby Jindal for dropping Common Core and PARCC testing. White said that Jindal was denying children their “civil rights.” Isn’t it weird how these privatizers like to use “civil rights” as a rhetorical weapon without any meaning? It used to refer to the right to attend a desegregated school, the right to vote, the r
The Shame of Philadelphia: The Slow Extinction of Public Education
The state-operated school district of Philadelphia bluntly admitted it could not afford to provide a sound basic education to the children of the district. It sought court approval for continuing to short-change the children of Philadelphia. The Education Law Center reports: “In March, Philadelphia’s state-operated school district filed an extraordinary legal complaint with the Pennsylvania Supr
John Thompson and Peter Greene Debate the Gates Moratorium
When the Gates Foundation proclaimed the need for a two-year moratorium on the stakes associated with Common Core testing, it created a lot of buzz. Was it a retreat? Was it a trick? We’re they trying to lull critics with a two-year delay? We’re they bowing to the outrage of testing opponents? Of course, most curious of all is that everyone accepts that Bill Gates is in charge of American educatio
Why Was Amy Prime Re-Assigned?
Regular readers of this blog are familiar with the work of Amy Prime. (See here and here.)For the past ten years, she has taught second grade at Berg Elementary School in Newton, Iowa. she has written several articles about the problems and challenges of protecting children from the negative effects of test-centric reforms, some of which have been published in the local newspapers and reposted on
Atlanta: Edward Johnson Denounces Vergara Decision
Ed Johnson is a longtime critic of test mania in Atlanta and in the nation. He was one of the few people who was not surprised when Atlanta’s nationally acclaimed superintendent Beverly Hall was ensnared in a cheating scandal. When test scores become the measure of everything, they assume far too much importance. In this letter by Ed Johnson (posted on Audrey Beardsley’s blog VAMboozled), Johnson
Detroit Free Press: In Clash, University Protects For-Profit Charter Management vs. Board
When the board of Metro Charter Academy in Romulus, Michigan asked too many questions of the for-profit management company running the school, the university that authorized the charter stepped in to discipline the board. Grand Valley State University defended National Heritage Academies. According to the latest installment by the Detroit Free Press in its series about charter schools: “Some boa
LISTEN TO DIANE RAVITCH 6-25-14 Diane Ravitch's blog | A site to discuss better education for all
Diane Ravitch's blog | A site to discuss better education for all: Peter Greene: Is This the “Stupidest Thing Ever to Come Out of the U.S. DOE?”Peter Greene writes that Arne Duncan has figured out why children with disabilities get lower test scores: Low expectations. Greene writes: “In announcing a new emphasis and “major shift,” the US Department of Education will now demand that states show edu