Peter Greene: Another Poll showed Common Core Support Plummeting
Peter Greene notes that the two polls released this week were preceded by a Rasmussen poll in June, which showed Common Core losing support. Parents of school children were polled. “Once again, we can see the result of a year’s worth of direct exposure. In November of 2013, the Core was supported by an unimpressive 52% and specifically opposed by 32%. By the following June, the numbers had shifte
North Carolina Voucher Decision: The Crucial Details
Sharon McCloskey and Lindsay Wagner of NC Policy Watch here fill in the key details of today’s voucher decision. Judge Robert Hobgood pulled no punches: “In a stunning rebuke to state lawmakers’ efforts to bring school vouchers to North Carolina, Wake County Superior Court Judge Robert Hobgood today found the recently-enacted “Opportunity Scholarship Program” unconstitutional and permanently enj
Austerity in Detroit: Teachers Get A 10% Pay Cut, 24 Schools Will Close
Governor Rick Snyder long ago made it clear that the state of Michigan has no intention of saving public education in Detroit or anywhere else. The city’s emergency manager announced a 10% pay cut for teachers, larger class size, and the closing of 24 schools. The schools have a deficit of $127 million. The wage concessions by teachers will save $13.3 million. “Parents, educators and community st
Julianna Mendelsohn, a Hero Teacher, Raising Money to Feed the Children of Ferguson
Ken Previti tells the story on his blog about Julianna Mendelsohn, a teacher. Julianna wanted to help the children of Ferguson. ““As a public school teacher, my first thought is always about the children involved in any tragic situation like this,” she writes. “When I found out school had been canceled for several days as a result of the civil unrest, I immediately became worried for the students
Breaking News; NC Judge Rules Vouchers Unconstitutional
A North Carolina judge ruled voucher legislation unconstitutional because it gives money intended for public schools to private and religious schools. He ordered an immediate halt to the program. Yvonne Brannan of PublicSchools First NC sent the following response, which included a video of Judge Robert Hobgood reading his decision: “PLEASE watch this– you will better understand why this is so cr
Ohio: Public Schools Forfeit $13.1 Million for Low-Performing Online Charter
A note from Bill Phillis of the Ohio Coalition for Equity and Adequacy. White Hat is Ohio’s largest charter chain. It operates for profit. The owner of White Hat, industrialist David Brennan, is a major contributor to Republican politicians, including Governor John Kasich and legislators. Because it is a private company, White Hat does not permit public disclosure of its finances. Phillis writes:
Schneider: When Are Common Core Polls AstroTurf?
Mercedes Schneider analyzes the recent polls on Common Core and spies an effort to rescue the CCSS from the wreckage. The bottom-line, she says, is that the development of Common Core was top-down, not state-led. “Here’s the reality: CCSS was conceived, organized, produced, monitored, and promoted by “the few,” the most obvious CCSS “top downers” being the two organizations that drafted the CCSS
Teacher Arthur Goldstein Explains Why Frank Bruni Is Wrong
Arthur Goldstein teaches English to immigrant students in high school in New York City. He has taught for many years. He has written about the importance of tenure, which enables him to advocate for his students without fear of losing his job. He can be a whistle blower without fear of losing his job. He has academic freedom because he has tenure. Frank Bruni of the New York Times doesn’t like te
Mike Klonsky to Bill Gates: How to Solve the Problems of Malaria and Good Schools
Mike Klonsky of Chicago recently posted this item. Bill Gates said it was easier to solve the problems of public health than to fix American education. “Reader Rufus responds to Bill Gates with a comment on my Schooling in the Ownership Society Blog. This one is too good to leave in the comments section. “Rufus August 6, 2014 “Gates claims it’s easier to find cures for malaria and other diseases
LISTEN TO DIANE RAVITCH 8-20-14 Diane Ravitch's blog | A site to discuss better education for all
Diane Ravitch's blog | A site to discuss better education for all: Bruce Baker: How to Get Rid of Accountability, Transparency, and Student RightsThis may be the most important article you read this week, this month, or this year. It was published last year, and I missed it. But, wow, Bruce Baker nails what is wrong with “education reform.” Basically, the public has been sold a bill of goods. We h