Wednesday, January 1, 2014

UPDATE: An Ironic, Delusional, and Libelous attack against me by New Orleans Reform advocate, and latest fanclub inductee, Dawn Ruth | Crazy Crawfish's Blog

An Ironic, Delusional, and Libelous attack against me by New Orleans Reform advocate, and latest fanclub inductee, Dawn Ruth | Crazy Crawfish's Blog:

Debunking inBloom and New York’s data sharing arguments

I’ve tried to get inBloom CTO, Garret Suhm, to answer or respond to my questions debunking the propaganda he is spreading on Twitter under the twitter id @gsuhm. So far Garret has not responded to me, nor has inBloom ever responded to my comments, complaints or observations. I am more than willing to engage them in any medium they choose to discuss the very real concerns I and other parents have a

1 by crazycrawfish / 30min

An Ironic, Delusional, and Libelous attack against me by New Orleans Reform advocate, and latest fanclub inductee, Dawn Ruth

Posted on January 2, 2014

Recently a New Orleans publication called New Orleans Magazine published a piece that included a shoutout to me that was less than flattering and arguable libelous. This article was written by someone I had never met or heard of, and someone who never tried to contact me for her story. Nevertheless this “journalist” felt she knew enough about me to write fictitious things she quite likely just made up to fuel her misguided narrative, malign my character and question my motives and knowledge on school reform issues and data. This person is named Dawn Ruth (Wilson), and you can find her article here if you are curious. Perhaps you can send her an e-mail asking her about her expertise in these matters, her connections to Leslie Jacobs (who she writes adoringly about in many of her pieces) and which public schools in New Orleans she sent her kids too. Heretofore this cowardly bully has failed to respond to me to either explain herself or apologize: Typical for the breed. As far as I can tell she has no kids and only a cat and a poodle to educate, yet nevertheless feels qualified to tout the success of New Orleans schools based on what people, that created the reforms, tell her. (Incidentally she calls herself a journalistalthough from her piece on me and others I reviewed she does not appear to investigate anything, and appears to be nothing more than an ignorant reform propagandist.)

In addition to claiming to be a “journalist” she also claims to be a published writer. This

Text of Bill de Blasio’s Inauguration Speech - NYTimes.com

Text of Bill de Blasio’s Inauguration Speech - NYTimes.com:

Text of Bill de Blasio’s Inauguration Speech

Chang W. Lee/The New York Times

Mayor de Blasio’s Inaugural Address: Bill de Blasio delivered his inauguration speech on New Year’s Day in front of City Hall.

Published: January 1, 2014

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The following is the complete text of Mayor Bill de Blasio’s inaugural address, as prepared for delivery.

‘Will Not Wait’ on Inequality, de Blasio Tells New York (January 2, 2014)
City Room: Highlights From the de Blasio Inauguration (January 1, 2014)

Connect With NYTMetro

Thank you, President Clinton, for your kind words. It was an honor to serve in your administration, and we’re all honored by your presence. I have to note that, over 20 years ago, when a conservative philosophy seemed dominant, you broke through – and told us to still believe in a place called Hope.

Thank you, Secretary Clinton. I was inspired by the time I spent on your first campaign. Your groundbreaking commitment to nurturing our children and families manifested itself in a phrase that is now a part of our American culture – and something we believe in deeply in this city. It Takes a Village.

Thank you, Rev. Fred Lucas Jr., Rabbi Joseph Potasnik, Monsignor Robert Romano, and Imam Askia Muhammad for your words of prayer.

Thank you, Governor Cuomo. Working with you at HUD, I saw how big ideas can overcome big obstacles. And it will be my honor to serve shoulder-to-shoulder with you again.

Thank you, Mayor Bloomberg. To say the least, you led our city through some extremely difficult times. And for that, we are all grateful. Your passion on issues such as environmental protection and public health has built a noble legacy. We pledge today to continue that great progress you made in these critically important areas. Thank you, Mayor Bloomberg.

Thank you, Mayor Dinkins, for starting us on the road to a safer city, and for always uplifting our young people – and I must say personally, for giving me my start in New

Largest school districts vary widely in use of ‘willful defiance’ to suspend students | EdSource Today

Largest school districts vary widely in use of ‘willful defiance’ to suspend students | EdSource Today:

Largest school districts vary widely in use of ‘willful defiance’ to suspend students

December 31st, 2013 | 1 Comment |
By Susan Frey

In a review of 2011-12 data of in-school and out-of-school suspensions for the 30 largest districts in the state, EdSource found that four districts used the category of willful defiance as a reason to suspend students about two-thirds of the time, while nine districts relied on it a third or less of the time. Overall, almost half – 48 percent – of the suspensions in the state were for willful defiance in 2011-12, the most recent data available from the California Department of Education. An EdSource analysis has found dramatic differences among the state’s largest school districts in their reliance on the controversial category of “willful defiance” of school authorities as a reason to suspend students.

Fontana Unified, east of Los Angeles, used willful defiance of school authorities as the reason for 71 percent of its suspensions – the highest among the 30 districts. San Juan Unified near Sacramento was close behind at 69 percent. At the other end of the spectrum, Poway Unified, near San Diego, cited willful defiance in only 11 percent of its suspensions, the lowest among the 30 districts.

The data do not explain why these differences

Allowing Dunwoody to form its own school district is mistake,... | Get Schooled | www.ajc.com

Allowing Dunwoody to form its own school district is mistake,... | Get Schooled | www.ajc.com:

Allowing Dunwoody to form its own school district is mistake, return to 'bright dividing lines'

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Should we allow new cities to create their own school districts?

Letter to Georgia Legislature: Help teachers help students and everyone wins
January 1, 2014
Inspiring moments in the classroom. They happen and they matter
December 31, 2013
Fire the teacher who told student we don't need another black president
December 30, 2013

By Maureen Downey

Earlier this week, I ran aguest column by Erika Harris urging support for a proposed constitutional amendment allowing newly formed cities in Georgia to also create their own school systems.The issue looms large in DeKalb County where the city of Dunwoody is weighing breaking from DeKalb Schools. But it can't do so without a change to the state constitution, which is what House Resolution 486 proposes.

Likely to be debated this legislative session, the resolution states: Proposing an amendment to the Constitution so as to authorize any municipality created on or after January 1, 2005, and any municipality which is contiguous to a municipality created on or after January 1, 2005, irrespective of whether such municipalities may be in different counties, to establish individually or collectively by local law an independent school system; to provide for related matters; to provide for the submission of this amendment for ratification or rejection; and for other purposes.

Here is a response to Harris' column by Pine Lake Councilman George Chidi, CEO of the competitive intelligence consultancy

The Educated Reporter: Happy New Year From EWA: Seminars, New Website on Deck For 2014

The Educated Reporter: Happy New Year From EWA: Seminars, New Website on Deck For 2014:

THURSDAY, JANUARY 2, 2014

Happy New Year From EWA: Seminars, New Website on Deck For 2014

Happy New Year! I’m delighted to tell you that 2014 is shaping up to be a busy one for EWA. We’ve got some terrific seminars for journalists in the works, including two next month. First up is Building a Child’s Mind: Inside Early Childhood Education, which will be held Feb. 2-3 in New Orleans. Travel scholarships are available for qualified reporters.

There are also some important changes in the works for EWA’s website, which we’ll begin to roll out later this month. First up, you’ll notice The Educated Reporter will have a new home on EWA’s main site, along with the Ed Beat and Latino Ed Beatblogs. In fact, all of our content will be easier to browse, search and share.

For those of you who access us from your phone or tablet devices, you’ll find the new mobile-optimized site will let you access our most popular features from wherever you are. Perhaps most importantly, the site redesign will let us shine a

Westchester and Hudson Valley Statewide Protest in Yonkers and Across the State southbronxschool.com

http://www.southbronxschool.com:

Westchester and Hudson Valley Statewide Protest in Yonkers and Across the State

This Monday, January 14, 2014 from 4 PM-6 PM EST there is a statewide protest, better known as the "Blitz on Governor Cuomo" against at all the failure of Governor Andy to address the failure of education reform.

Sara Wottoawa, of Long Island has taken the time out of her busy schedule to organize this day for the nearly 20 million citizen of the great State of New York to tell our elected officials enough is enough!

As Sara has written on the Blitz Facebookpage;

Now that the holidays are behind us and our legislators are planning to return to Albany for the 2014 Session next week, we’ve noticed media coverage of Common Core has quieted down significantly. Our mission is to ensure this quiet time is not misinterpreted as complacency.

Governor Cuomo is scheduled to deliver his State of the State Address on January 8th. We need to apply statewide pressure on him to specifically address the failures of education reform in New York. Doing so would get this issue front and center in the media again.

We have an idea that will be very effective, and we need your help. Starting on Thursday, January 2, we begin the New York New Year Blitz on Governor Cuomo and the Legislature. We will call, fax, email, Tweet, and snail-mail Governor Cuomo and ask him why he has turned a deaf ear on our voices, why he refuses to acknowledge the failure of

1-1-14 Jersey Jazzman

Jersey Jazzman:

The Petty Jealousy of Arne Duncan

I would say this is simply unthinkable, but when it comes to Arne Duncan, I've come to believe the worst is always possible:U.S. Education Secretary Arne Duncan and at least one other Education Department official urged New York Mayor-elect Bill de Blasio and his team not to choose Montgomery County Schools Superintendent Joshua P. Starr as the city’s next schools chancellor, according to several

by Duke / 1h

High Times For Charters in Newark

It's a good time to be a charter school in Newark:As part of a comprehensive plan to overhaul the state’s largest school district, Newark Schools Superintendent Cami Anderson wants to increase access to charter schools by expanding them into district-owned buildings.The district also plans to convert three elementary schools into early childhood centers, relocate five schools to under-utilized fac

by Duke / 5min

12-30-13 Jersey Jazzman

Jersey Jazzman: Teachers Are Professionals, Not SaintsVia Fred Klonsky, here's yet another way to screw teachers out of money:STATELINE (WIFR) -- Local teachers may be forced to spend more of their own money on school supplies next year, now that a federal tax break is about to expire.Teachers are able to deduct up to $250 on what they spend on classrooms supplies including workbooks, pencils, and

by mike simpson / 4h

1-1-14 Schools Matter

Schools Matter:

Schools Matter 2013 Awards

Most Unconvincing Ideologue In the Role as ScholarChester FinnMost Flagrant Political Organization Posing as a Legitimate Research AssociationAERALifetime Achievement AwardDeborah MeierSelf-Aggrandizement Award 2013 (tie)David ColemanMichelle RheeEducation Book of the YearThe Signal and the Noise by Nate SilverBiggest Corporate Losers of the YearWalmartFedExSubaruMost Dangerous Pseudo-Science Titl

2 by Jim Horn / 2h

12-31-13 Schools Matter

Schools Matter: Public School Renewal 2014 and BeyondJim HornThe public education renewal agenda embraces the values of democracy, fair play, inclusion, equal opportunity, and public school governance structure and operations of the people, by the people, and for the people. The new public school agenda welcomes the participation of philanthropists, business, and industry to do what they are most

by mike simpson / 1h

NYC Educator: Inspiration

NYC Educator: Inspiration:

Inspiration

I haven't offered a whole lot of good news lately, but today I went to Bill de Blasio's inauguration. While it's true it was freezing out there, and I completely overlooked the necessity of 7 pairs of socks, there was something very special about the people I saw today.

Bill Clinton did not particularly thrill me, praising Emperor Bloomberg, but he was introduced by a CUNY student who came here at 15 from the Dominican Republic. There, in front of me, was a New York City ESL student introducing a President of the United States. This young woman was everything I want to see in NYC. I want an NYC in which kids have a chance to thrive, and a real shot at a future. I think they're more important than whatever stadium or luxury high-rise Mayor Bloomberg has wet dreams about.

And that vision is most certainly shared by Tish James, wearing a bright red coat but standing out more for her ideas than her apparel. She stood with Mayor Dinkins and held court about a New York that actually looked after people. No stadiums for her. No racist police policies. No Race to the Top, and no more people trying to live on $7.25 an hour. She is the real thing, and she will not sit silent while billionaires foist insane policies on working people. She's said she will be the conscience of the new mayor, and I have no doubt she will keep her word.

Also bruising Mayor Money was Harry Belafonte. Bloomberg sat wincing as his policies were parsed, as a vision as antithetical to his as any I've

A Window Into the Classroom | Connected Principals

A Window Into the Classroom | Connected Principals:

A Window Into the Classroom

by sblankenship • January 1, 2014 • 0 Comments

Many times, grading papers and student projects is something a teacher does in isolation. In other words, no one other than the teacher sees the student’s work. What if analyzing student work became a collaborative process in your school? How would looking at student work provide a clear window into the classroom? As we transition to more rigorous standards in my state, we have been collecting student outcomes to analyze the quality of lessons and units intended to address these new standards and expectations.

After our first semester of collecting and analyzing student outcomes, I have come to the following conclusions:

Teachers are spending more time planning and preparing each lesson.
Teachers are hoping to learn about the effectiveness of their own instruction.
Teachers are gaining a better understanding of how students learn.
Teachers are developing more effective assessment types that also measure application and conceptual understanding.
Teachers who assign the highest quality work get it from their students.
The amount of trust is increasing among teachers and school leaders.

Principals play a critical role in setting the expectation and must monitor the process and most importantly, recognize a

1-1-14 4LAKids - some of the news that doesn't fit

4LAKids - some of the news that doesn't fit:

Letter: WHY TENURE MAKES GOOD TEACHERS

Letter to the Editor of the L.A. Times | http://lat.ms/KjPyQD January 1, 2014 Re George Skelton's column: "New Year's resolutions for Sacramento politicos / Dec 30 | http://lat.ms/18Yw4Mj When George Skelton recommended that one of the governor's New Year's resolutions should be to stand up to labor and make it easier to fire "sorry teachers," I wondered if he and others have cons

by smf / 1h

As Schools Give Students Computers, Price Of L.A.’S Program Stands Out

Districts nationwide are replacing textbooks with computers, but many are finding less costly ways than L.A. Unified's $768 per device. By Howard Blume and Stephen Ceasar | L.A. Times | http://lat.ms/19JZrQN Perris middle school students Jacob Quinino, 13, left, Brian Guereque, 12, and Joshua Ortega, 12, use their Chromebooks during lunch break. The school district is paying about

1 by smf / 1h

4LAKids - some of the news that doesn't fit 12-28-13

4LAKids - some of the news that doesn't fit:4LAKIDS - SOME OF THE NEWS THAT DOESN'T FIT STATE’S SCHOOLS FAIL TO CLOSE LATINO TEST-SCORE GAP + smf’s 2¢By MARTHA MENDOZA, - The Orange County Register http://bit.ly/19dSO5C 2013-12-22 15:58:35 – PAJARO :: As Hispanics surpass white Californians in population next year, the state becomes a potential model for the rest of the country, which is going

by mike simpson / 8h

Just click your heels together three times and say..

Just click your heels together three times and say..

Mayor de Blasio

It's MAGIC!!!

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