Wednesday, July 16, 2014

Nite Cap 7-16-14 #BATsACT #RealEdTalk #EDCHAT


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 CAP




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
LISTEN TO DIANE RAVITCH 7-16-14 Diane Ravitch's blog | A site to discuss better education for all
Diane Ravitch's blog | A site to discuss better education for all: 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 senate in 2010, is a graduate of Duke University who served in the Peace Corps in South Africa, the graduated from the University of Georg
7-16-14 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.: Red-baiting in Chicago.Campaign kick-off poster for Tim Meegan. - Tim Meegan is a Chicago Teacher and candidate for Chicago Alderman in the 33rd Ward. Fred, Here is the full text of my speech. Clearly I’m not calling for violent revolution: My name is Timothy Meegan, I am a father of a CPS student and
7-16-14 Larry Ferlazzo’s Websites of the Day… | …For Teaching ELL, ESL, & EFL
Larry Ferlazzo’s Websites of the Day… | …For Teaching ELL, ESL, & EFL: Latest Resources On Child Refugees In The Southwest© 2006 Gail Williams, Flickr | CC-BY | via Wylio Here are the latest additions to The Best Resources For Learning About The Children Refugee Crisis At The U.S. Southern Border: Schools a haven for kids who crossed border alone is from The Associated Press. Beware John Corny
7-16-14 Wait What? - Jonathan Pelto: Gubernatorial Candidate and A Really Nice Guy
Wait What?: Wait What? Connecticut’s Gubernatorial Race Will Be Influenced by Education, Teachers (CT Magazine)Connecticut Magazine has posted a new article entitled, “Connecticut’s Gubernatorial Race Will Be Influenced by Education, Teachers.” As Connecticut Magazine explains, For the Democratic party, the full-throttled support of teachers’ unions in Connecticut is a given rule—like “I before E,
The Answer Sheet 7-16-14
Answer Sheet: Did Obama and Duncan really hear what four teachers told them?Here is the third in a series of pieces I have been publishing about a lunch meeting that President Obama and Education Secretary Arne Duncan had recently with four teachers from high-poverty schools that focused on education, the teaching profession and school reform. The first was a post by teacher Justin Minkel — the 20
7-16-14 Schools Matte
Schools Matter: TURNcoat, Mary Ricker, to Serve as Exec VP for WeingartenWith Ricker's election, Weingarten, Gates, and Broad are building the next generation of misleaders.  Google "TURNcoats" and "AFT" and you will get the links to understand what I'm talking about.You might start here. Principal Members are the primary liaisons & spokespersons for each local in matters r
7-16-14 Perdido Street School
Perdido Street School: Cuomo Takes $60,000 From Charter School Backer On Same Day He Spoke At Charter School RallyVia State of the Politics, this shows up in the NY Times piece on how much Governor Cuomo has raised for his re-election campaign:He also got $60,800 from Stanley Druckenmiller, a charter school backer and former hedge manager, on March 4, the day the governor spoke at a pro-charter ra
Russ on Reading: New Jersey Governor Chris Christie Blinks on Teacher Evaluation
Russ on Reading: New Jersey Governor Chris Christie Blinks on Teacher Evaluation: New Jersey Governor Chris Christie Blinks on Teacher EvaluationChampion of corporate education reform, Governor Chris Christie of New Jersey has blinked on one of the signature tenets of that reform movement: AchieveNJ – which provides for teacher evaluation tied to student performance on standardized tests. Faced wi
Textbook Budgets and Book Distribution Tightly Connected with Standardized Test Scores | janresseger
Textbook Budgets and Book Distribution Tightly Connected with Standardized Test Scores | janresseger: Textbook Budgets and Book Distribution Tightly Connected with Standardized Test ScoresPosted on July 16, 2014 by janressegerHow do things go so wrong in a huge and tragically underfunded school district?  Meredith Broussard, an assistant professor of data journalism at Temple University, has publi
Oregon Save Our Schools: Our Schools Need Moratoriums on Common Core & High-Stakes Testing!
Oregon Save Our Schools: Our Schools Need Moratoriums on Common Core & High-Stakes Testing!: Our Schools Need Moratoriums on Common Core & High-Stakes Testing!The Common Core State Standards package is the linchpin of a mechanism to sell policies, high-stakes tests such as Oregon’s Smarter Balanced Assessment, confidential student data, and other practices that pose immediate harm for a wh
Mother Crusader: Vahan Gureghian's For Profit Charter Chain CSMI Ready To 'Do AC'
Mother Crusader: Vahan Gureghian's For Profit Charter Chain CSMI Ready To 'Do AC': Vahan Gureghian's For Profit Charter Chain CSMI Ready To 'Do AC'It sure has been a busy week in education news in New Jersey. The education blogosphere has been burning up with posts about Governor Christie's executive order regarding PARCC and Common Core, here, here, here, and here. It's been covered in all the ma
Mike Klonsky's SmallTalk Blog: It was Duncan who launched Chicago schools on the trail of tiers
Mike Klonsky's SmallTalk Blog: It was Duncan who launched Chicago schools on the trail of tiers: It was Duncan who launched Chicago schools on the trail of tiersRahm's closing of 50 schools, a stab in the heart for the city's black community, may be the very act that brings him down in 2015. Latest polls show that it's the mayor's (and Byrd-Bennett's) mishandled school closings, along with (relate

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empathyeducates – Why Poor Schools Can’t Win at Standardized Testing
empathyeducates – Why Poor Schools Can’t Win at Standardized Testing: Why Poor Schools Can’t Win at Standardized Testingou hear a lot nowadays about the magic of big data. Getting hold of the right numbers can increase revenue, improve decision-making, or help you find a mate—or so the thinking goes. In 2009, U.S. Education Secretary Arne Duncan told a crowd of education researchers: “I am […]by e
Social Movement Unionism Comes to the Teachers Unions at Last
Social Movement Unionism Comes to the Teachers Unions at Last: Social Movement Unionism Comes to the Teachers Unions at LastJULY 16, 2014 BY LAURENSTEINER LEAVE A COMMENTI am an activist and organizer who recently joined the fight against “education reform,” which is really code for the attempt by corporations, billionaires and hedge funds and the industry they have spawned, to privatize public ed
What “Education News” is NOT supported by a grant from the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation? | Reclaim Reform
What “Education News” is NOT supported by a grant from the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation? | Reclaim Reform: What “Education News” is NOT supported by a grant from the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation?Posted on July 15, 2014by Ken Previti“Education coverage for NBCNews.com is supported by a grant from the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation… ” – NBCNewsBill Gates, who financed the creation
Nite Cap 7-15-14 #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 CAPNEA elects Latina to leadership at annual meeting « NewsTacoNEA elects Latina to leadership at annual meeting « NewsTaco:  Delegates make history by voting for new leadership team to head nation’s largest unionDENVER – July 04, 2014 -Students acr