Big Education Ape: Morning Wink 7-9-14 AM Posts #edchat #edreform

BIG EDUCATION APE - MORNING WINK AM POSTS

LISTEN TO DIANE RAVITCH 7-9-14 Diane Ravitch's blog #thankateacher #EDCHAT #P2

Diane Ravitch's blog | A site to discuss better education for all: “Data Is Fool’s Gold of the Common Core”Common Core standards are usually described in the mainstream media in idealistic terms, using the positive and affirmative messages to sell the idea to the public. Doesn’t everyone want “high standards?” Doesn’t everyone want every single student to be “college and career ready?” Doesn’t eve

by mike simpson / 2min

7-9-14 Ed Notes Online

Ed Notes Online: Must Read: Democracy and Politics in the UFT, 1976 EdIn preparation for next week's MORE summer series on the history of caucuses and what we can learn, thanks to Vera Pavone, we have created an online version of the pamphlet we produced almost 40 years ago (minus the graphics). I will have some hard copies with me next week but I urge you to download it and read the 25 page pamph

by mike simpson / 5min

7-9-14 Wait What? - Jonathan Pelto: Gubernatorial Candidate and A Really Nice Guy

Wait What?: Wait What? All WeekWhy won’t UConn simply tell the truth?According to today’s Hartford Courant, the University of Connecticut has returned the public stage, again, to claim that no taxpayer or student funds were used to pay for Hillary Clinton’s $251,000 speaking fee, for Governor Dannel “Dan” Malloy’s trip to Switzerland and China or for the 7,000 square foot house that the UConn Foun

by mike simpson / 9min

7-9-14 Seattle Schools Community Forum Week

Seattle Schools Community Forum: Awkward and Odd; Green Dot Comes to TownAs I previously reported, Green Dot has submitted a letter of intent to the Charter Commission to open their second Puget Sound region charter school this time in "south Seattle." A couple of readers alerted me that Green Dot had two open houses this week, one in the SW and one in the SE, to meet parents. I attend

by mike simpson / 11min

7-9-14 Schools Matter All Week

Schools Matter: A Teacher's Take on Common CoreFrom Labor Notes:. . . .There’s debate among teachers about the idea of replacing the status quo, state standards, with national ones. But the implementation has been roundly unpopular.Forty-five states and the District of Columbia have adopted the national standards, which cover English and math. Students will be tested on them every year, kindergart

by mike simpson / 14min

7-9-14 Larry Ferlazzo’s Websites of the Day… | …For Teaching ELL, ESL, & EFL, & EF

Larry Ferlazzo’s Websites of the Day… | …For Teaching ELL, ESL, & EFL: Video: Donald Duck On Self-ControlI’ve previously shared the videos Sesame Street has done this year promoting the virtue of self-control. They’re pretty creative and entertaining. I just learned that Walt Disney apparently had similar ideas in 1938, and put out this cartoon of Donald Duck teaching and learning about self-c

by mike simpson / 16min

7-9-14 @ 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

by mike simpson / 17min

7-9-14 Perdido Street School

Perdido Street School: MTA Looks To Get Congress Involved In MTA/LIRR Unions DisputeFrom the NY Post:The MTA’s negotiations with unions representing LIRR workers broke down Tuesday afternoon, 12 days before hundreds of thousands of Long Islanders would be left stranded by a strike.With the walkout looming, MTA Chairman Thomas Prendergast penned a letter to US Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid, Min

by mike simpson / 20min

New York Magazine Writer Thinks Ravitch Will “Make” Unions “Go Republican” | deutsch29

New York Magazine Writer Thinks Ravitch Will “Make” Unions “Go Republican” | deutsch29: New York Magazine Writer Thinks Ravitch Will “Make” Unions “Go Republican”July 9, 2014I just finished writing a post about American Federation of Teachers (AFT) President Randi Weingarten’s allegiance to the Democratic Party above all else, and what link do I open up next?That of a New York Magazine article by

by mike simpson / 27min

Lily Eskelsen Garcia Elected to be the Next President of NEA | Lily's Blackboard

Lily Eskelsen Garcia Elected to be the Next President of NEA | Lily's Blackboard: We Are Fearless and We Will Not Be SilentJul 9th, 2014 by LilysBlackboard.NEA president-elect Lily Eskelsen García, after praising those who have supported and worked in concert with her, concluded NEA’s 152nd Annual Meeting with a strong message to those “who don’t know what they’re talking about”: We will not be si

by mike simpson / 32min

NYC Educator: Who Will be a Jedi Teacher?

NYC Educator: Who Will be a Jedi Teacher?: Who Will be a Jedi Teacher?Under the new NYC contract, teachers in some schools will be picked from among the highly effective, effective (and satisfactory, where applicable) for leadership positions designated as ambassador, model and master teachers. Teachers who apply must be approved by a committee composed of D.o.E. and Union officials with the Chan

by mike simpson / 37min

States Fail at “Running the Local Schools,” Despite What Chris Christie Says | janresseger

States Fail at “Running the Local Schools,” Despite What Chris Christie Says | janresseger: States Fail at “Running the Local Schools,” Despite What Chris Christie SaysPosted on July 9, 2014 by janressegerPublic schools are human institutions, places where adults work to foster the intellectual, linguistic, mathematical, social, ethical, emotional, and physical growth and development of children.

by mike simpson / 44min

Democratic Party’s Divide On Education Policy Gets Worse

Democratic Party’s Divide On Education Policy Gets Worse: Democratic Party’s Divide On Education Policy Gets WorsePolitical pundits who try to tamp down talk of divisions within the Democratic Party must not be paying any attention to education policy. For quite some time, close observers of the nation’s education policy have been calling attention to the fault lines between education progressives

by mike simpson / 46min

YESTERDAY

Intimidation at Board Meetings - Geek Palaver

Intimidation at Board Meetings - Geek Palaver: Intimidation at Board MeetingsMay 06, 2012 ~ 2 Comments ~ Written by RussellSo there’s been a lot said about security at board meetings lately. Take Saturday’s article by Crystal Bonvillian of the Times, “Huntsville school board meeting audience met with metal detectors.”Laurie McCaulley was told that Al Lankford, the district’s security chief, was co

by mike simpson / 10h

Shutting Teachers Up - Teacher in a Strange Land - Education Week Teacher

Shutting Teachers Up - Teacher in a Strange Land - Education Week Teacher: Shutting Teachers UpBy Nancy Flanagan on July 8, 2014 10:33 PMMany years ago, before the internet, while there was still such a thing as local print journalism comprised of actual reporters writing stories about what was going on around town, a friendly newspaper editor asked me to write a monthly column about education. Th

by mike simpson / 10h

Another Teachers' Union Could Call For Obama's Education Secretary To Resign

Another Teachers' Union Could Call For Obama's Education Secretary To Resign: Another Teachers’ Union Could Call For Obama’s Education Secretary To Resign“If our delegates want to do so, we will—it’s in their hands.”WASHINGTON — The National Education Association called for Education Secretary Arne Duncan’s resignation at its convention last week, and the next largest teachers’ union might soon fo

by mike simpson / 12h

Randi Weingarten, Twitter, and “Secret Society” Membership | deutsch29

Randi Weingarten, Twitter, and “Secret Society” Membership | deutsch29: Randi Weingarten, Twitter, and “Secret Society” MembershipJuly 8, 2014Connecticut Governor Dannel Malloy is a corporate reformer’s gift. He appointedStefan Pryor, the co-founder of a major charter chain as state education commissioner. Even as traditional public education in Connecticut is underfunded, the number of charter sc

by mike simpson / 12h

Geaux Teacher!: (John) White Lies and Alibis

Geaux Teacher!: (John) White Lies and Alibis: (John) White Lies and AlibisThis letter was submitted to the press for consideration.This is another unsolicited letter – from Anna Falcon Arthur, a physician and parent, in Thibodeaux, LA – expressing her own particular observations and concerns regarding Common Core.In a “three-strikes-you’re out” format, Thibodeaux parent Dr. Arthurs documents the

by mike simpson / 14h

Teachers are like gardeners | WagTheDog

Teachers are like gardeners | WagTheDog: Teachers are like gardeners“Being a good teacher is a lot like being a good gardener. Good gardeners are optimistic and patient. They are able to see the potential in those struggling young seedlings and enjoy watching them grow, develop and bloom. They give special tender loving care to those few plants that are struggling and not thriving. They don’t blam

by mike simpson / 15h

Nite Cap 7-8-14 #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 CAPNutrition and Equipment Grants Awarded - Year 2014 (CA Dept of Education)Nutrition and Equipment Grants Awarded - Year 2014 (CA Dept of Education): State Schools Chief Tom Torlakson Announces Winners of Nutrition and Equipment GrantsSACRAMENTO—Al

by mike simpson / 16h

Nutrition and Equipment Grants Awarded - Year 2014 (CA Dept of Education)

Nutrition and Equipment Grants Awarded - Year 2014 (CA Dept of Education): State Schools Chief Tom Torlakson Announces Winners of Nutrition and Equipment GrantsSACRAMENTO—Almost 700 California public schools will be awarded more than $16 million to ensure more low-income students will receive nutritious food prepared with modern equipment, State Superintendent of Public Instruction Tom Torlakson a

by mike simpson / 16h

7-8-14 The Whole Child Blog — Digitally Speaking: Creating Exceptional Podcasts, Videos, and More with Erik Palmer

The Whole Child Blog — Whole Child Education: Digitally Speaking: Creating Exceptional Podcasts, Videos, and More with Erik PalmerJoin Erik Palmer, author of the ASCD book Teaching the Core Skills of Listening and Speaking, for an exciting, free webinar to learn how you can use digital tools in your classroom to develop competent communicators. Wednesday, July 16, 2014, 3:00 p.m. eastern time Regi

by mike simpson / 17h

Lesson 2: Merit Pay Is Unfair to Our Most At-Risk Students | Gatsby In L.A.

Lesson 2: Merit Pay Is Unfair to Our Most At-Risk Students | Gatsby In L.A.: Lesson 2: Merit Pay Is Unfair to Our Most At-Risk StudentsI’m the best teacher in the world. I just spent four days teaching a writing workshop and you would not believe how much those students improved in an incredibly short time. I guess it’s pretty obvious that I’m awesome. I deserve a giant raise!No, wait. I’m the wor

by mike simpson / 18h

In Defense of Francesco Portelos, He Loves Kittens southbronxschool

http://www.southbronxschool.com: In Defense of Francesco Portelos, He Loves KittensI was away for the weekend. My son, who just turned 13, went to baseball camp for the week inPennsylvania and my wife decided to spend Sunday night in my old stomping grounds of Corning NY.Oh, just as an aside, since I have mentioned my son playing baseball people are free to mention in comments in comments section

by mike simpson / 18h

4LAKids - some of the news that doesn't fit 7-8-14

4LAKids - some of the news that doesn't fit: Mystery Group Sues Two Dozen School Districts Over Inadequate Physical Education, Including LausdBrett Kelman, The Desert Sun (Coachella Valley) | http://desert.sn/1r6cHGn (Photo: File photo ) 10:07 p.m. PDT July 7, 2014 :: Two desert school districts have been named in a far-reaching class-action lawsuit over inadequate physical education, but the s

by mike simpson / 18h

Mike Klonsky's SmallTalk Blog: Rahm: 'Don't ask, don't tell' on shootings

Mike Klonsky's SmallTalk Blog: Rahm: 'Don't ask, don't tell' on shootings: Rahm: 'Don't ask, don't tell' on shootingsEdward Marshall, Political Producer for WBBM TV/CBS2 Tweets:We are not to ask @RahmEmanuel questions about weekend violence say his press team. — Edward Marshall (@edmarshallcbs2) July 7, 2014I can understand why the Little Emperor is refusing to take question about the horrific Jul

by mike simpson / 19h

Chronicles of (the conceptually incoherent & empirically invalid) world of VergarNYa | School Finance 101

Chronicles of (the conceptually incoherent & empirically invalid) world of VergarNYa | School Finance 101: School Finance 101Data and thoughts on public and private school funding in the U.S.Chronicles of (the conceptually incoherent & empirically invalid) world of VergarNYaPosted on July 8, 20140As with the Vergara case in California, a central claim of the New York City Parents Union is

by mike simpson / 19h

The Hard Part | Peter Greene

The Hard Part | Peter Greene: The Hard PartThey never tell you in teacher school, and it's rarely discussed elsewhere. It is never, ever portrayed in movies and tv shows about teaching. Teachers rarely bring it up around non-teachers for fear it will make us look weak or inadequate.Valerie Strauss in the Washington Post once put together a series of quotes to answer the question "How hard is

by mike simpson / 19h

#educolor Calling *IN* All Anti-Racist, Anti-Sexist BATs: Your Voices and Actions Are Needed

#educolor Calling *IN* All Anti-Racist, Anti-Sexist BATs: Your Voices and Actions Are Needed: #educolor Calling *IN* All Anti-Racist, Anti-Sexist BATs: Your Voices and Actions Are Needed Like many, I came back from July 4 celebrations to hear of a horror show unfolding on Twitter involving many respected voices in the #edujustice community. I read what I could of the tweets that were public and fe

by mike simpson / 20h

PAA Parent Voice Award Dinner honoring Leonie Haimson Tickets, Washington - Eventbrite

PAA Parent Voice Award Dinner honoring Leonie Haimson Tickets, Washington - Eventbrite: PAA Parent Voice Award Dinner honoring Leonie Haimson Tickets, WashingtonJoin Parents Across America in Wasington DC on July 28, 2014, at ourfirst annual Parent Voice Award Dinner honoring PAA co-founder LeonieHaimson, leader of New York City-based Class Size Matters.This year, Leonie nearly single-handedly org

by mike simpson / 20h

National Board Certification to Build Professional Capital | InterACT

National Board Certification to Build Professional Capital | InterACT: National Board Certification to Build Professional CapitalJULY 8, 2014tags: Jose Vilson, Mitchell 20, NBPTS, NEA, professional capital,Roblesby David B. CohenThe blog post below is copied from a comment I left on José Vilson’s blog. You should probably read his entire post (click here to open it in a new window/tab), but here’s

by mike simpson / 20h

Honest Practicum – Exclusive interview – A TFA teacher working at Success Academy, Part 1

Honest Practicum – Exclusive interview – A TFA teacher working at Success Academy, Part 1: Exclusive interview – A TFA teacher working at Success Academy, Part 1About this time last year I met Steve. I was conducting researching for What They Don’t Teach You and hoping to speak with a couple TFA teachers from around the country. Steve was just about to leave for the Teach for America training inst

by mike simpson / 20h

7-8-14 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): Ouch! LAUSD to pay $1.1 billion for teacher pension rescueLA Unified must come up with $16 million this year to pay an unexpected bill as a result of legislation signed by Governor Jerry Brown aimed at rescuing the state’s teachers retirement pension system known as CalSTRS, but the district’s total incre

by mike simpson / 21h hide // save

7-8-14 Seattle Schools Community Forum Week

Seattle Schools Community Forum: The History of Board PrioritiesAt the most recent Board Retreat, the Deputy Superintendent, Charles Wright, told the Board, in a rather elaborate fashion, that if the Board added a bell time switch to the list of Board priorities, it would have a severe impact on the staff's work. Nearly every department would bear part of the burden and nearly every current initia

by mike simpson / 22h

The problem with Obama’s plan for teachers

The problem with Obama’s plan for teachers: The problem with Obama’s plan for teachersTUESDAY, JULY 8TH, 2014 AT 11:57 AMOn one level, today’s news that the Obama administration is ordering states to devise strategies to get better teachers into high-poverty classrooms should be welcomed. After all, although it’s true that every child deserves a great teacher, it’s also true that if there aren’t e

by mike simpson / 22h

Morning Wink 7-8-14 AM Posts #edchat #edreform

BIG EDUCATION APE - MORNING WINK AM POSTSLISTEN TO DIANE RAVITCH 7-8-14 Diane Ravitch's blog #thankateacher #EDCHAT #P2Diane Ravitch's blog | A site to discuss better education for all: The Best Way to Motivate People Is….In an article in the New York Times, two scholars explain how best to motivate people in every line of endeavor. Amy Wrzesniewski is an associate professor of organizational beh

by mike simpson / 22h