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
7-9-14 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.: Greg Hinz. Rauner and Quinn and Stroger and Madigan.- Greg Hinz If you put together a list of Illinois politicians whom Bruce Rauner would be least likely to funnel campaign cash to, Chicago’s Stroger clan and Illinois House Speaker Michael Madigan would be right at the top. The late John Stroger and
solidaridad: 'Crenshaw' documents what education reform monsters like Deasy do to schools with black students
solidaridad: 'Crenshaw' documents what education reform monsters like Deasy do to schools with black students: 'Crenshaw' documents what education reform monsters like Deasy do to schools with black studentsFrom Filmmaker Lena Jackson. Please forward widely:Please join us for the first Los Angeles screening of Crenshaw at the Southern California Library this Thursday, July 10th at 6:30pm. The even
1,000 LCAPs later, let’s hope we learn something | EdSource
1,000 LCAPs later, let’s hope we learn something | EdSource: 1,000 LCAPs later, let’s hope we learn somethingJuly 9, 2014 | By Carrie Hahnel / commentary | No Comments SHARE THIS ARTICLESOURCE: EDUCATION TRUST-WESTCarrie HahnelAs districts completed their first-ever Local Control and Accountability Plans this spring, the caveat “this is a learning year” became their oft-shared refrain. Now that m
Teacher Tenure | Deborah Meier on Education
Teacher Tenure | Deborah Meier on Education: Teacher TenurePosted on July 9, 2014 by debmeierdebmeier:My son’s latest blog on the teacher tenure issueOriginally posted on Nicholas Meier:There was a recent lower court ruling against so-called “Teacher Tenure” here in California. I am really not sure about the extent of the ruling, but the general verdict was that “tenure” was unfair to providing an
Seattle Schools Community Forum: Banda asks Duncan to allow SPS Waiver
Seattle Schools Community Forum: Banda asks Duncan to allow SPS Waiver: Banda asks Duncan to allow SPS WaiverFrom Superintendent Banda:Dear Seattle Public Schools community,Over the last several years we have made great strides in ensuring our students graduate ready for success in college, career and life. However, much work remains to ensure that each and every student has the academic and commu
At AFT Convention teachers union expected to fire up the base
At AFT Convention teachers union expected to fire up the base: At AFT convention, teachers union expected to fire up the basePosted on July 9, 2014 1:36 pm by Vanessa RomoRandi Weingarten, AFT PresidentThe American Federation of Teachers (AFT) kicks off itsannual convention in downtown Los Angeles tomorrow bringing more 3,500 national union delegates to the home ofLA Unified, the second largest sc
All Things Education: Not your mother's PE class
All Things Education: Not your mother's PE class: Not your mother's PE classMy sons are headed to middle school next year. They are disappointed (as am I) that there won't be recess, however, they are excited that they will have PE for a 90-minute block every other day. A few days prior to the end of their fifth grade year, I had been discussing this with a few other parents and some of their olde
Russ on Reading: Thinking about Critical Thinking, Common Core and Vergara
Russ on Reading: Thinking about Critical Thinking, Common Core and Vergara: Thinking about Critical Thinking, Common Core and VergaraRecent headlines have me thinking about critical thinking.House Speaker John Boehner Wants to Sue the PresidentSarah Palin Says, “Impeach the President.”Secretary of Education Arne Duncan Praises the Vergara DecisionReading some of these pronouncements makes me think
TO FINALLY FIX PUBLIC EDUCATION- IS TIMELY REGRESSION A VIABLE ALTERNATIVE TO EQUALLY FAILED CONCEPTS OF SOCIAL PROMOTION OR RETENTION? - Perdaily.com
TO FINALLY FIX PUBLIC EDUCATION- IS TIMELY REGRESSION A VIABLE ALTERNATIVE TO EQUALLY FAILED CONCEPTS OF SOCIAL PROMOTION OR RETENTION? - Perdaily.com: TO FINALLY FIX PUBLIC EDUCATION- IS TIMELY REGRESSION A VIABLE ALTERNATIVE TO EQUALLY FAILED CONCEPTS OF SOCIAL PROMOTION OR RETENTION?(Mensaje se repite en Español)Between dishonest social promotion of students without prior and current grade-leve
One Compliant County in Florida and its New 724 Tests |
One Compliant County in Florida and its New 724 Tests |: One Compliant County in Florida and its New 724 Tests Beginning this fall, in Collier County Florida as per the state of Florida’s new teacher accountability policy, district teachers/administrators are to create new tests for each and every class it offers (including all electives) to hold all teachers accountable for the value they purport
How Much Do Reformers Think Job Security Is Worth To Teachers? | Paul Bruno
How Much Do Reformers Think Job Security Is Worth To Teachers? | Paul Bruno: How Much Do Reformers Think Job Security Is Worth To Teachers?By PAUL BRUNO | Published: JULY 9, 2014A couple of weeks back at This Week in Education I tried to explain why the Vergara decision in California doesn’t have easily-predictable major consequences, even if you hand-wave away all of the inevitable legal wranglin
What a “free press”–pause here for laughter–means to Newark: Cowardice | Bob Braun's Ledger
What a “free press”–pause here for laughter–means to Newark: Cowardice | Bob Braun's Ledger: What a “free press”–pause here for laughter–means to Newark: CowardiceNJTV–wimping outFor the first time in nearly two centuries, Newark–the largest city in the eighth largest state in America–will not be home to a daily newspaper. After Sept. 8, The Star-Ledger will move its operations to Woodbridge and E
The Answer Sheet 7-9-14
Answer Sheet: Will the FCC ignore educators in modernizing key U.S. technology program?This post is a rebuttal to one that I published a few days ago about the federal “E-Rate” program — which offers discounts for schools and libraries to get Internet access and telecommunications — under the headline “A watershed moment for technology in education.” The earlier piece was co-written by Julius Gena
7-9-14 The Whole Child Blog — Keeping a Hidden Population Safe at School
The Whole Child Blog — Whole Child Education: Keeping a Hidden Population Safe at SchoolWhat percent of students is it okay to let feel unsafe at school? 0 percent 1 percent 5 percent 10 percent You, like me, probably answered zero percent. As an educator dedicated to a whole child approach to education, you recognize the value of each and every learner. What if I told you we have allowed (albeit
Kristal Clear on Common Core: And This Fat Lady Sings
Kristal Clear on Common Core: And This Fat Lady Sings: And This Fat Lady SingsThis is customer service nowadays and it is also what it feels like when you call the Capitol and attempt to voice constituent concerns with legislators, Governors and policy directors -- DEAF EARS!! Even those "good" politicians (which there are not very many) compromise when push comes to shove and or get ov
HOW TO ENTICE THE BEST TEACHERS TO WORK IN HIGH-POVERTY CLASSROOMS | Teachers Fight Back
HOW TO ENTICE THE BEST TEACHERS TO WORK IN HIGH-POVERTY CLASSROOMS | Teachers Fight Back: HOW TO ENTICE THE BEST TEACHERS TO WORK IN HIGH-POVERTY CLASSROOMSleave a comment »The Obama administration is ordering states to devise strategies to get better teachers into high-poverty classrooms. The Education Department is directing every state to devise a plan by April 2015 to get more good teachers i
7-9-14 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: Overpaid Centinela Valley superintendent firedCentinela Valley school board fires embattled Superintendent Jose Fernandez The Centinela Valley school board Tuesday night voted to fire Superintendent Jose Fernandez, ending a five-month chapter that began with revelations that the leader of th
Evangelical Christian clubs coming to Portland-area public schools, opposition says curriculum is 'hardcore fundamentalist indoctrination' | OregonLive.com
Evangelical Christian clubs coming to Portland-area public schools, opposition says curriculum is 'hardcore fundamentalist indoctrination' | OregonLive.com: Evangelical Christian clubs coming to Portland-area public schools, opposition says curriculum is 'hardcore fundamentalist indoctrination' Hundreds of Portland-area residents are organizing to stop a network of Christian clubs from proselytizi
4LAKids - some of the news that doesn't fit 7-9-14
4LAKids - some of the news that doesn't fit: California Court: CORRUPTION IS NOT SUFFICIENT REASON TO CLOSE A HIGH-SCORING CHARTER SCHOOLBy Diane Ravitch, from her blog | http://is.gd/Ar1v9e July 6, 2014 :: For a few years, the American Indian Model Charter Schools in Oakland, California, were the most celebrated charter schools in the nation, beloved especially by the conservative and rightwing
What Would Mark Twain Have Thought of Common Core Testing? - David Perrin - The Atlantic
What Would Mark Twain Have Thought of Common Core Testing? - David Perrin - The Atlantic: What Would Mark Twain Have Thought of Common Core Testing?In his autobiography and in Tom Sawyer, the author skewered the test-centered teaching of his day. It's not hard to imagine what he would have thought about an exam that grades student essays via computer.I've been teaching high school English in Illin
What’s Obama’s Problem With School Choice? - Gov. Bobby Jindal and Gov. Scott Walker - POLITICO Magazine
What’s Obama’s Problem With School Choice? - Gov. Bobby Jindal and Gov. Scott Walker - POLITICO Magazine: What’s Obama’s Problem With School Choice?By GOV. BOBBY JINDAL and GOV. SCOTT WALKER July 08, 2014Koch BrothersWhy would the federal Department of Justice cite the Civil Rights Act and the specter of segregation to try and block a school choice program where more than nine in 10 participants c
A view of the future through kindergarten demographics | Pew Research Center
A view of the future through kindergarten demographics | Pew Research Center: A view of the future through kindergarten demographicsBY JENS MANUEL KROGSTADLEAVE A COMMENTToday’s kindergartners offer a glimpse of tomorrow’s demographics. A new data analysis by Pew Research Center finds a big increase over the past decade in the number of states where at least one-in-five public school kindergartner
Teacher Quality And The Decline In Teachers of Color - The Jose Vilson
Teacher Quality And The Decline In Teachers of Color - The Jose Vilson: Teacher Quality And The Decline In Teachers of Color This morning, I came across this article on Huffington Post (I know, I know, hear me out, though) and thought I should ask questions about President Obama’s initiative to enforce former President George W. Bush’s mandates for “excellent teachers” to stay in the highest-need
Clowns In The Tent, Oh My!
The Camel's Nose In The Tent.The Camel's Nose In The Tent.One cold night, as an Arab sat in his tent, a camel gently thrust his nose under the flap and looked in. "Master," he said, "let me put my nose in your tent. It's cold and stormy out here." "By all means," said the Arab, "and welcome" as he turned over and went to sleep.A little later the Arab awoke t
Organizing and Action | educationalchemy
Organizing and Action | educationalchemy: Organizing and ActionI have created (see link at here chart3 and at end of blog) a chart that may help folks in thinking through how to organize effective resistance to ed reform and crafting meaningful and effective alternatives to current education policies. My motivation to create this came from my own frustrations with a few things:1) Where to begin? S
Morning Wink 7-9-14 AM Posts #edchat #edreform
BIG EDUCATION APE - MORNING WINK AM POSTSLISTEN TO DIANE RAVITCH 7-9-14 Diane Ravitch's blog #thankateacher #EDCHAT #P2Diane 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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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.
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
