Latest News and Comment from Education

Thursday, July 17, 2014

Morning Wink 7-17-14 AM Posts #edchat #edreform


BIG EDUCATION APE - MORNING WINK  AM POSTS




LISTEN TO DIANE RAVITCH 7-17-14 Diane Ravitch's blog | A site to discuss better education for all
Diane Ravitch's blog | A site to discuss better education for all: Courtney Bowie: Vouchers and Privatization Undermine Educational EquityCourtney Bowie is a senior staff attorney with the ACLU Racial Justice Program. In this article, she describes the ACLU’s efforts to stop discrimination against students with disabilities in Wisconsin’s voucher program. Privatization, she says, is promoting segr
7-17-14 Ed Notes Online
Ed Notes Online: Speculating on Karen Lewis Challenge to Rahm: Who Will Get the Jewish VoteTwo Jewish candidates to square off in Chicago. (If you don't believe me ask Karen to show you her CHI.Someone emailed me when I was in LA, cocerned that Karen and Chicago crew weren't challenging Randi enough - that was before the Common Core shootout (AFT14 Report - Common Core Debate - Epic Battle B....).
7-17-14 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.: Stephanie Gadlin. Fear and loathing in Chicago. Run Karen. Run.- Stephanie Gadlin is Communications Director for the Chicago Teachers Union A THOUGHT: I am growing uncomfortable with the direction of the tone of the media stories emerging in light of the Sun-Times poll that has CTU President Karen Lew
7-17-14 Wait What? - Jonathan Pelto: Gubernatorial Candidate and A Really Nice Guy
Wait What?: Wait What? Connecticut Labor Leader attacks Pelto/Murphy (including on education)Yesterday, the Political Director of the Machinists Union posted a commentary piece at My Left Nutmeg (http://www.myleftnutmeg.com/) belittling Ebony Murphy and my effort to give voters an alternative to the Democratic and Republican candidates in this year’s election for governor. My Left Nutmeg then prov
7-17-14 Schools Matter
Schools Matter: Charter Cap in Massachusetts Will Not Be LiftedIt is gratifying to know that the legislature of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, where public schools were born, took a significant step this week to support Horace Mann's notion of quality public schools for all children.  As Mann said some 160 years ago, "agitate, agitate, agitate, but always for a good cause." The good
7-17-14 Larry Ferlazzo’s Websites of the Day… | …For Teaching ELL, ESL, & EFL
Larry Ferlazzo’s Websites of the Day… | …For Teaching ELL, ESL, & EFL: This Week’s “Round-Up” Of Useful Posts & Articles On Education Policy© 2012 Richard Hurd, Flickr | CC-BY | via Wylio Here are some recent useful posts and articles on educational policy issues: Did Obama and Duncan really hear what four teachers told them? is the third in a series of posts at Valerie Strauss’ Washington
7-17-14 Perdido Street School
Perdido Street School: Governor Cuomo Plays Pre-Election Games With Bridge/Road Toll HikesIt is important that Governor Cuomo be made to publicly defend what his administration is doing here:ALBANY—The state Public Authorities Control Board on Wednesday approved a controversial loan for the Tappan Zee replacement bridge, but not before the amount was cut in half without explanation and officials a
Shanker Blog » Do Students Learn More When Their Teachers Work Together?
Shanker Blog » Do Students Learn More When Their Teachers Work Together?: Do Students Learn More When Their Teachers Work Together?Posted by Esther Quintero on July 17, 2014This is the second post in a series on “The Social Side Of Reform”, exploring the idea that relationships, social capital, and social networks matter in lasting, systemic educational improvement. For more on this series, clickh
We’ll Have to Do Something About Poverty to Improve School Achievement | janresseger
We’ll Have to Do Something About Poverty to Improve School Achievement | janresseger: We’ll Have to Do Something About Poverty to Improve School AchievementPosted on July 17, 2014 by janressegerIn the New Yorker essay she just published on the Atlanta test-cheating scandal, Rachel Aviv quotes education researcher David Berliner: “The people who say poverty is no excuse for low performance are now
Outgoing South Carolina School Chief: I Will Kill Common Core | Truth in American Education
Outgoing South Carolina School Chief: I Will Kill Common Core | Truth in American Education: Outgoing South Carolina School Chief: I Will Kill Common CoreFiled in Common Core State Standards, Education at State Level by Shane Vander Hart on July 17, 2014 • 0 Comments27Photo credit: Milken Family FoundationI have a healthy skepticism about how the review and replacement of the Common Core will go d
Mona Davids' Minion Sam Pirozzolo Gets It Wrong Again southbronxschool
http://www.southbronxschool.com: Mona Davids' Minion Sam Pirozzolo Gets It Wrong AgainThe laughs and the comedy stylings coming from NYC Parents Union are just too much to keep up with. Back in April, Mona Davids tweeted out that 50% of NYC can't read or write at grade level. Remember, this is before the opportunity came to take advantage of an opportunity only for Mona.Mona never cited her source
Climbing Rungless Ladders | WagTheDog
Climbing Rungless Ladders | WagTheDog: Climbing Rungless Ladders Common Core definition of rigor; learning activities that cultivate student grit, climbing a rungless ladder…Nearly 1 in 4 children in America are currently living in poverty, and one would expect that a data-driven campaign to raise academic achievement in America would take into account this staggering figure.The Ed Department awar
Russ on Reading: Chris Christie's Hypocritical Stance on School Choice
Russ on Reading: Chris Christie's Hypocritical Stance on School Choice: Chris Christie's Hypocritical Stance on School ChoiceOn Monday, Governor Chris Christie of New Jersey issued an executive order that delayed his much ballyhooed teacher evaluation program – AchieveNJ. I wrote about the impact of that action earlier this week here.Along with the executive order, Christie’s office issued a press
NYC Educator: The UFT Million Name Ballot Subverts Democracy
NYC Educator: The UFT Million Name Ballot Subverts Democracy: The UFT Million Name Ballot Subverts DemocracyWhen you tell members of the elite, invitation-only UFT Unity Caucus that you don't like the fact that everyone with a vote in UFT, NYSUT, and AFT has signed a loyalty oath and represents leadership rather than membership, they'll first deny it exists. When you show it to them, they'll say i
empathyeducates – It’s Not Race, It’s Class…And Other Stories Folks Now Tell
empathyeducates – It’s Not Race, It’s Class…And Other Stories Folks Now Tell: It’s Not Race, It’s Class…And Other Stories Folks Now TellBy Black&Smart, AKAdemic | Originally Published at Black&Smart July 10, 2014I have been studying race, racism and its damaging effects for most of my adult life. And I have witnessed the “racial fatigue” of people who don’t have to consciously deal with ra

YESTERDAY

Live from Netroots Nation! | Lily's Blackboard
Live from Netroots Nation! | Lily's Blackboard: Live from Netroots Nation!Jul 16th, 2014 by LilysBlackboard.Our very own president-elect Lily Eskelsen García will be part of the opening keynote at Netroots Nation! We will be livestreaming here. Don’t miss it!
Waking Up To Our Broken Education Policies
Waking Up To Our Broken Education Policies: Waking Up To Our Broken Education PoliciesWho could ever forget comedian Jon Stewart’s commentary in early 2009 on how financial reporters totally botched reporting of the Great Recession. Stewart mocked journalists at CNBC for missing all the warning signs of the over-valued housing market and their failure to question wild speculation on sub-prime mort
No Sacramento Bee, Banda Bashing Won't Bring Jonathan Back!
After controversial leader, Sacramento City Unified eyes low-profile replacement - Our Region - The Sacramento Bee: After controversial leader, Sacramento City Unified eyes low-profile replacementBy Loretta Kalblkalb@sacbee.comPublished: Wednesday, Jul. 16, 2014 - 8:11 pmJonathan Raymond came into the Sacramento City Unified School District nearly five years ago as a hard-charging superintendent,
Kathleen Carroll Soars on the Wings of Research Blunder; Jim Horn Hitches a Ride | deutsch29
Kathleen Carroll Soars on the Wings of Research Blunder; Jim Horn Hitches a Ride | deutsch29: Kathleen Carroll Soars on the Wings of Research Blunder; Jim Horn Hitches a RideJuly 16, 2014On July 15, 2014, California attorney Kathleen Carroll posted a piece on the City Watch LA blog entitled, When Did Teacher Unions Decide to “Turn”… Against Collective Bargaining Rights? Based upon emails I have re
7-16-14 @ The Chalk Face
@ THE CHALK FACE: About the radio showJoin Drs. Shaun Johnson and Tim Slekar LIVE Sundays at 6PM EST and Wednesdays at 7PM EST on Blog Talk Radio for progressive, pro-public education talk radio. Call in to speak live with Tim and Shaun during the show, (805) 727-7111. You can also listen to our Monday "Sunday-Replay" at 7PM EST, and re-broadcasts of the archives every Tuesday and Thursd
HealthierUS School Challenge Initiative - Healthy Eating & Nutrition Education (CA Dept of Education)
HealthierUS School Challenge Initiative - Healthy Eating & Nutrition Education (CA Dept of Education): HealthierUS School Challenge InitiativeInformation about and instructions how to apply for a HealthierUS School Challenge (HUSSC) Award.BackgroundThe HealthierUS School Challenge (HUSSC) is a voluntary certification initiative established by the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), Food and
Russ on Reading: Guest Post from Denny Taylor, Friend of Public Education, Families and Children
Russ on Reading: Guest Post from Denny Taylor, Friend of Public Education, Families and Children: Guest Post from Denny Taylor, Friend of Public Education, Families and ChildrenDenny Taylor is author of the influential books Family Literacy and Learning Denied, two books that had a huge influence on my thinking about literacy instruction. When she speaks, we all should listen. After years away fro
Nite Cap 7-16-14 #BATsACT #RealEdTalk #EDCHAT #AFT14
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 CAPArne Duncan’s Reaction to Recent VAM Research |Arne Duncan’s Reaction to Recent VAM Research |: Arne Duncan’s Reaction to Recent VAM Research Valerie Strauss wrote a recent piece for the Washington Post about an email she recently sent to Arne Du
Arne Duncan’s Reaction to Recent VAM Research |
Arne Duncan’s Reaction to Recent VAM Research |: Arne Duncan’s Reaction to Recent VAM Research Valerie Strauss wrote a recent piece for the Washington Post about an email she recently sent to Arne Duncan — the current U.S. Secretary of Education who is (still) advancing VAMs for the nation. She wrote him directly to get his take on the “growing mountain of evidence [that] has shown that the method
Reflections on Teaching » Blog Archive » End of Year Reflection on ELA, History and Science: 2013-14
Reflections on Teaching » Blog Archive » End of Year Reflection on ELA, History and Science: 2013-14: End of Year Reflection on ELA, History and Science: 2013-14What do I know – my weekly assessments, my unit planningI have been using Understanding by Design planning for over five years. It’s taken me about that long to use it somewhat effectively.  There are things I still need to work on. Here i
BATs Descend on DOE, Demand Change of Direction « WeActEd
BATs Descend on DOE, Demand Change of Direction « WeActEd: BATs Descend on DOE, Demand Change of Direction BATs (BadAss Teacher Association members) from around the nation are descending on the U.S. Department of Education on Monday, July 28. Learn why over 48,000 educators and supporters are preparing to surround the DOE to demand change. Join the Education Town Hall on July 24 with BAT co-founde
the becoming radical | A Place for a Pedagogy of Kindness (the public and scholarly writing by P. L. Thomas, Furman University)
the becoming radical | A Place for a Pedagogy of Kindness (the public and scholarly writing by P. L. Thomas, Furman University): GUEST POST: Denny Taylor, Garn Press  Dear Friends and Colleagues, I am writing to urgently request your help. If you find the political circumstance and the research base for the four propositions that I have outlined in this letter are compelling, and you support the c
Jump in Seals of Biliteracy Awarded - Year 2014 (CA Dept of Education)
Jump in Seals of Biliteracy Awarded - Year 2014 (CA Dept of Education): State Schools Chief Tom Torlakson Reports Jumpin Number of Students Earning Seal of BiliteracySACRAMENTO—Nearly 25,000 graduating high school students across California this summer have earned state recognition for achieving proficiency in multiple languages, State Superintendent of Public Instruction Tom Torlakson announced t
NY Teacher Tenure Lawsuit Gets Inequality "Completely Wrong" | National Opportunity to Learn Campaign | Education Reform for Equity and Opportunity
NY Teacher Tenure Lawsuit Gets Inequality "Completely Wrong" | National Opportunity to Learn Campaign | Education Reform for Equity and Opportunity: NY Teacher Tenure Lawsuit Gets Inequality "Completely Wrong"Posted on: Wednesday July 16th, 2014David Sciarra (right) and Billy Easton at a pressconference in March presenting findings from astatewide fact-finding tour to document
Parents Across America’s 2014 Priority Issues: Positive, progressive reforms that work | Seattle Education
Parents Across America’s 2014 Priority Issues: Positive, progressive reforms that work | Seattle Education: Parents Across America’s 2014 Priority Issues: Positive, progressive reforms that workIn preparation for the Parents Across America Annual Meeting which will be held in DC next month, a list of priorities have been determined by the board and will be presented to our elected representatives
7-16-14 The Whole Child Blog — Motivation Matters
The Whole Child Blog — Whole Child Education: Motivation MattersMiddle school kids are a different breed. If you aren't motivating them, they are not learning. In fact, they are probably tearing something up if motivation isn't in the picture. During my years as a middle school principal, I figured out that building a school culture with character education, fun, and a sense of belonging was key t
John Thompson: Time to Kill the Testing Vampire - Living in Dialogue - Education Week Teacher
John Thompson: Time to Kill the Testing Vampire - Living in Dialogue - Education Week Teacher: John Thompson: Time to Kill the Testing VampireBy Anthony Cody on July 16, 2014 11:19 AMGuest post by John Thompson. My three decades of experiences dealing with the crack and gangs era of the 1980s, and then teaching in inner city schools, taught me to have an even keel. I'll never forget, however, the
Koch Heads: How The Koch Brothers Are Buying Their Way Into The Minds Of Public School Students
Koch Heads: How The Koch Brothers Are Buying Their Way Into The Minds Of Public School Students: Koch Heads: How The Koch Brothers Are Buying Their Way Into The Minds Of Public School StudentsIn the spring of 2012, Spenser Johnson, a junior at Highland Park High School in Topeka, Kansas, was unpacking his acoustic bass before orchestra practice when a sign caught his eye. "Do you want to make
Tenure haters’ big delusion: Why Campbell Brown and co. are wrong about teaching - Salon.com
Tenure haters’ big delusion: Why Campbell Brown and co. are wrong about teaching - Salon.com: Tenure haters’ big delusion: Why Campbell Brown and co. are wrong about teachingFixing our schools doesn't work like that Hilary Swank movie. Here's why it's way more complex than firing teachersGABRIEL ARANATalk to some educational “reformers,” and fixing the problems with our educational system sounds a
7-16-14 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): Morning Read: California schools mislabeling English learnersMorning Read: California schools mislabeling English learners California ‘English learner’ tests incorrectly label bilingual kids Arianna Anderson is one of 180,000 students enrolled in the Los Angeles Unified School District’s program for Engli
7-16-14 Seattle Schools Community Forum
Seattle Schools Community Forum: Homeless Students? How best to help themThis fall we see the opening of First Place School as a charter school serving mobile, high-risk students (mostly homeless).  The Times had a story about how homeless students are served in schools in Washington state with an interesting question to it.The Times reports that there are about 30,000 homeless kids in our state t
NYC Public School Parents: Our comments on how the city's proposed Contract for Excellence plan violates the language and the spirit of the law
NYC Public School Parents: Our comments on how the city's proposed Contract for Excellence plan violates the language and the spirit of the law: Our comments on how the city's proposed Contract for Excellence plan violates the language and the spirit of the lawPlease send your comments to ContractsForExcellence@schools.nyc.gov by the deadline of July 19; Mine are below.  thanks!  Comments on the p
4LAKids - some of the news that doesn't fit 7-16-14
4LAKids - some of the news that doesn't fit: Better Educated Public School Kids – For A PriceBy The Los Angeles Times Editorial Board | http://lat.ms/1oHUdbq   Peninsula High School students listen as biology teacher Julie Maemoto explains how to do an upcoming experiment in her summer biology class. (Los Angeles Times)   July 16, 2014  ::  Children in the United States get unequal educations; tha
Confessions of a D-List Reformer | EduShyster
Confessions of a D-List Reformer | EduShyster: Confessions of a D-List ReformerEverything you ever wanted to know about education reform land but were afraid to ask…By *The 49er*I have a confession—I am an education reformer. So what am I doing here, hooking up with the likes of EduShyster? I got involved in the education reform movement because I honestly believe that all kids in this country des
A head teacher tells students: These test results don't tell... | Get Schooled | www.ajc.com
A head teacher tells students: These test results don't tell... | Get Schooled | www.ajc.com: A head teacher tells students: These test results don't tell your whole story. And the Internet concurs.  0 0 0 NewView Larger A new study finds that drilling and worksheets help first graders struggling in math more than group activities or other student-centered activities.Previous PostsState school ch
Is teaching an art or a science?
Is teaching an art or a science?: Is teaching an art or a science?byteacherkenFollow    4 Comments / 4 Newthis was written and posted in March 2012.  As I begin to prepare to teach in yet another school/district including a course I have never taught before, I have been rereading my ideas on education.  I thought this worth sharing again.  Do with it what you will.The thoughts in this piece were o
Improving revenues hasn’t rolled back class sizes :: SI&A Cabinet Report :: The Essential Resource for Superintendents and the Cabinet
Improving revenues hasn’t rolled back class sizes :: SI&A Cabinet Report :: The Essential Resource for Superintendents and the Cabinet: JULY 16, 2014Improving revenues hasn’t rolled back class sizesby Tom Chorneau(Wash.) A rebounding economy and expectations that recreational marijuana will deliver a windfall in state revenues has raised hopes for an initiative aimed at decreasing class sizes
Morning Wink 7-16-14 AM Posts #edchat #edreform
BIG EDUCATION APE - MORNING WINK  AM POSTSLISTEN TO DIANE RAVITCH 7-16-14 Diane Ravitch's blog | A site to discuss better education for allDiane Ravitch's blog | A site to discuss better education for all: Georgia: Jason Carter vs. Nathan Deal for GovernorJason Carter, grandson of President Jimmy Carter, is running for governor of Georgia against incumbent Nathan Deal. Carter, elected to the state