SPECIAL Mid Day Banana Break 3-6-14 #RealEdTalk #edreform
Big Education Ape - Mid Day Banana BreakDe Blasio, in Radio Interview, Defends His Position on Charter SchoolsBy Kate Taylor | Originally Published at The New York Times. March 6, 2014 Battered in the press over his position on charter schools, Mayor Bill de Blasio on Thursday took to a friendly news outlet to defend himself and argue that his actions were being distorted. […]by empathy / 58minRat
by mike simpson / 1h
Community Forum on the CORE Waiver | The Sacramento Coalition to Save Public Education
Community Forum on the CORE Waiver | The Sacramento Coalition to Save Public Education: Community Forum on the CORE WaiverPlease join the Sacramento City Teachers Association, Hmong Innovating Politics, the Black Parallel School Board and the Sacramento Coalition to Save Public Education atthe Sierra II Community Center's Curtis Hall (24th St. and 4th Ave.)for a forum on the California Office to R
by mike simpson / 1h
New Online Educator Tools - Year 2014 (CA Dept of Education)
New Online Educator Tools - Year 2014 (CA Dept of Education): State Schools Chief Tom Torlakson Announces New Online Tools for EducatorsSACRAMENTO—Educators across California, from those who work with the state's youngest learners to those in high school classrooms, can use several free online professional development tools created by the California Department of Education (CDE), State Superintend
by mike simpson / 1h
March 5-6 Hahn Occupation Statement | occupy california
March 5-6 Hahn Occupation Statement | occupy california: March 5-6 Hahn Occupation StatementBy *from indybay:This past week has demonstrated that students and workers have tremendous power. We have shown that we have the capacity to pursue collective action and have our demands met. The threat of a five-day strike by AFSCME prompted the UC to concede to their demands, and on Tuesday, the UAW was l
by mike simpson / 3h
4LAKids - some of the news that doesn't fit 3-6-14
4LAKids - some of the news that doesn't fit: 3 stories+an editorial: THE NEW SAT ...from the same wonderful purveyors of ®eform who brought you the Common Core StandardsGone are the essay, the SAT “vocab words” and a focus on literature and writing. Science remains untested. The College Board President admits that high school grades are a better predictor of college success than standardized test
by mike simpson / 3h
3-6-14 With A Brooklyn Accent Go BATs All Week
With A Brooklyn Accent: Why People Who Are Disillusioned With BATS Won't Make a Complete Break: Why People Who Are Disillusioned With BATS Won't Make a Complete BreakI have been thinking about why so many people who claim to be completely disillusioned with BATS and it leaders won't make a complete break and remain in the main group, or our state groups, while reserving their most bitter attacks a
by mike simpson / 3h
Russ on Reading: David Coleman’s Coup d’etat
Russ on Reading: David Coleman’s Coup d’etat: David Coleman’s Coup d’etatWho is the most powerful man in public education?In one of the first critiques of the “new” SAT rolled out by College Board President, David Coleman yesterday, Bob Schaeffer, public education director of the National Center for Fair & Open Testing (FairTest), a nonprofit group dedicated to ending the misuse of standardize
by mike simpson / 3h
CURMUDGUCATION: TFA One Step Closer To ... Something
CURMUDGUCATION: TFA One Step Closer To ... Something: TFA One Step Closer To ... SomethingOn March 4, TFA Co-CEOs Matt Kramer and Elisa Villanueva delivered a huge one-two punch of speeches to a huge audience of TFA faithful that signaled the possibility of some significant changes for the 24-year-old organization. Those changes to the TFA program appeared in a context that was somewhat less encou
by mike simpson / 4h
3-6-14 Seattle Schools Community Forum Week
Seattle Schools Community Forum: Updates on People and OrganizationsA couple of readers asked about some people and organizations that they feel have been perhaps too quiet.First is director Sue Peters. I'm not sure exactly what people were expecting from Sue but I think she is doing exactly what she should do as a new director. She's behaving like the new director that she is - i.e. learning r
by mike simpson / 4h
Insights on Using Assessments Thoughtfully — Whole Child Education
Insights on Using Assessments Thoughtfully — Whole Child Education: THE WHOLE CHILD BLOGInsights on Using Assessments ThoughtfullyMarch 6, 2014 by Klea ScharbergAssessment is about more than numbers. It's about discerning where students are and planning accordingly. The March 2014 issue of Educational Leadership explores the many ways teachers can use assessments to help students learn. Articles i
by mike simpson / 5h
3-6-14 The Answer Sheet
The Answer Sheet: Grieving mom takes on state education commissioner over testing disabled studentsI recently wrote about a bizarre open letter to teachers that Education Commissioner Pam Stewart released that accused people who want a change in standardized testing requirements for severely disabled students of launching a political attack on the department. Stewart’s missive followed testimony b
by mike simpson / 5h
3-6-14 Schools Matter
Schools Matter: Do we need the SAT?Sent to USA TodayNot mentioned in the discussion of changes in the SAT ("Sharpen those pencils: The SAT test is getting harder," March 6) is the question of whether we need SAT-type examinations. In two different studies, researchers from UC Berkeley, Harvard and Princeton reported that high school grades were a good predictor of college success, and th
by mike simpson / 5h
3-6-14 Engaging Parents In School… | Going Beyond Parent "Involvement"
Engaging Parents In School… | Going Beyond Parent "Involvement": “Most States Lack Opt-Out Policies – But Parents Find A Way”Most States Lack Opt-Out Policies – But Parents Find A Way is a very interesting and useful post by Alexander Russo. The post gives a very good overview of state laws on “opting out” of standardized tests. I’m adding it to The Best Posts On Parents “Opting-Out” Of
by mike simpson / 5h
Innovation Takes Time | Connected Principals
Innovation Takes Time | Connected Principals: Innovation Takes Timeby Travis McNaughton • March 6, 2014 • 0 CommentsI started this school year by participating in Educator’s Innovation Day. The day was dedicated for educators to work individually or in groups on anything they wanted to work on around the theme of improving education. I spent the day working with Jesse McLean around the idea of wan
by mike simpson / 5h
Common Core Panel Discussion at the NPE Conference, March 2, 2014 on Vimeo
Common Core Panel Discussion at the NPE Conference, March 2, 2014 on Vimeo: Common Core Panel Discussion at the NPE Conference, March 2, 2014from Schoolhouse Live PRO 16 hours ago NOT YET RATEDSince No Child Left Behind, no national program has met more controversy than the Common Core. In this featured panel, educators will discuss the challenges we face with the Common Core. Should we embrace th
by mike simpson / 6h
Equipping Florida Parents to Expose Jeb Bush’s Florida Education “Miracle” | deutsch29
Equipping Florida Parents to Expose Jeb Bush’s Florida Education “Miracle” | deutsch29: Equipping Florida Parents to Expose Jeb Bush’s Florida Education “Miracle”March 6, 2014The purpose of this post is to provide a brief summary for Florida parents regarding the failure of the spectrum of so-called education “reforms” introduced and advanced by former Governor Jeb Bush (1999 – 2007).I have writte
by mike simpson / 6h
3-6-14 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): E4E poses questions, 10 candidates for union chief answerEducators 4 Excellence, a teacher advocacy group comprised of members of the Los Angeles teachers union, UTLA, has developed an interactive election guide focusing on the 10 candidates running for UTLA president. The guide poses four questions and p
by mike simpson / 7h
Education Research Report: Condition of America’s Public School Facilities: 2012-13
Education Research Report: Condition of America’s Public School Facilities: 2012-13: Condition of America’s Public School Facilities: 2012-13Among schools with permanent buildings, the overall condition of about 24 percent of the permanent buildings was considered less than good. “Condition of America’s Public School Facilities: 2012-13,” a First Look report from the Fast Response Survey System (F
by mike simpson / 7h
Parents United for Responsible Education » Blog Archive » If life is a test, the Trib flunks
Parents United for Responsible Education » Blog Archive » If life is a test, the Trib flunks: If life is a test, the Trib flunksToday’s Chicago Tribune editorial claims their “philosophy” is that “Life is a test.”Wow. That explains a lot about the Tribune, doesn’t it?We have a different take on life, and so do a lot of others. For example:Life is one grand sweet song, so start the music. Ronald Re
by mike simpson / 7h
The Houston Chronicle, also on the TVAAS in Tennessee |
The Houston Chronicle, also on the TVAAS in Tennessee |: The Houston Chronicle, also on the TVAAS in Tennessee The Houston Chronicle also recently published an article on the Tennessee Value-Added Assessment System (TVAAS) and what is happening and still ongoing in Tennessee. This is certainly interesting and worth a read, particularly because the Houston Independent School District is using essen
by mike simpson / 8h
BULLETIN: Rutgers slams NJ’s lack of contractor oversight | Bob Braun's Ledger
BULLETIN: Rutgers slams NJ’s lack of contractor oversight | Bob Braun's Ledger: BULLETIN: Rutgers slams NJ’s lack of contractor oversightOld Queens: Rutgers UniversityA report by researchers at Rutgers University’s Department of Labor Studies and Employment Relations and Department of Public Policy and Administration says the state administration’s “significant neglect” of reviewing the performan
by mike simpson / 8h
FCMAT » Cali Education Headlines Thursday, March 6, 2014
FCMAT » Fiscal Crisis & Management Assistance Team: Fensterwald: Former superintendent backs tenure, layoff laws as defense opens in ‘Vergara’ lawsuitEducation HeadlinesThursday, March 6, 2014FCMAT provides links to California K-12 news stories as a service to the industry. However, some stories may not be accessible because of newspapers' subscription policies.Temple City School Board elects
by mike simpson / 8h
Morning Wink 3-6-14 AM Posts #BATsACT #RealEdTalk #EDCHAT #P2
BIG EDUCATION APE - MORNING WINK AM POSTSLISTEN TO DIANE RAVITCH 3-6-14 Diane Ravitch's blog | A site to discuss better education for allDiane Ravitch's blog | A site to discuss better education for all: Wall Street Journal: Cuomo Poll Numbers TumbleThere is little doubt that Andrew Cuomo will be re-elected, given that he has raised $33 million from New York’s financial titans. But the latest Wal
by mike simpson / 8h
LISTEN TO DIANE RAVITCH 3-6-14 Diane Ravitch's blog | A site to discuss better education for all
Diane Ravitch's blog | A site to discuss better education for all: Wall Street Journal: Cuomo Poll Numbers TumbleThere is little doubt that Andrew Cuomo will be re-elected, given that he has raised $33 million from New York’s financial titans. But the latest Wall Street Journal poll shows that Cuomo’s numbers dropped sharply to their lowest point. Apparently, his claim to be the “lobbyist for stud
by mike simpson / 9h
3-6-14 Ed Notes Online
Ed Notes Online: De Blasio Wasting His Charter Election Mandate - It is Time for He and Tish James to Make a StandCandidate de Blasio promised he’d start charging well-financed charter schools that got rent-free use of space in public schools. He did not like the idea of two different sets of kids getting different educations under the same school roof. One group gets a quasi-private school with n
by mike simpson / 9h
Live from SXSWEdu: Who’s Khan Academy in bed with now? | Digital
Live from SXSWEdu: Who’s Khan Academy in bed with now? | Digital: Live from SXSWEdu: Who’s Khan Academy in bed with now?The White House, the College Board, Bank of America, and Comcast.What do they have in common? They’ve all announced partnerships with Khan Academy, the nonprofit provider of free educational videos and analytics tools, in the last 12 months.These partnerships combine various aspe
by mike simpson / 9h
3-6-14 Wait What?
Wait What?: If Malloy won’t stop Pryor’s lies, then Attorney General Jepsen must do the jobConnecticut parents have a right to opt their children out of the standardized tests! Malloy’s Commissioner of Education, Stefan Pryor, knows that is the truth but has chosen a engage in a strategy to mislead and lie to the Connecticut’s parents of public school students. Governor Malloy must immediately put
by mike simpson / 9h
3-6-14 Scathing Purple Musings | Color me purple in Florida
Scathing Purple Musings | Color me purple in Florida, red in Washington, dark sky-blue in Israel and public school in Education: How John Kirtley’s Push for Voucher in Florida Benefits John KirtleyMiami Herald reporter Kathleen McGrory has the latest on expansion of Florida’s voucher program: TALLAHASSEE — Nearly 200 schoolchildren greeted Senate President Don Gaetz last month when he visited a C
by mike simpson / 9h
3-6-14 Larry Ferlazzo’s Websites of the Day… | …For Teaching ELL, ESL, & EFL
Larry Ferlazzo’s Websites of the Day… | …For Teaching ELL, ESL, & EFL: “The Story Behind the SAT Overhaul”The Story Behind the SAT Overhaul is a very interesting piece in this week’s New York Times Magazine. Here’s an excerpt: Still, Coleman concedes that the redesigned SAT won’t quiet everyone’s complaints, and he doesn’t expect there to be a universal celebration of what they’ve done. You ca
by mike simpson / 9h
3-6-14 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.: The state union leadership supported Dillard. Throwing good money after bad.In the weeks and days since the IEA, IFT (minus the CTU) and AFSCME endorsed Kirk Dillard for Governor, Bruce Rauner’s lead has increased by 4% according to just released polls. Dillard stands at 14%. Unless there is video tap
by mike simpson / 9h
3-6-14 @ The Chalk Face
@ THE CHALK FACE: @thechalkface | MX2 Media@thechalkface | MX2 Media: MX2 Media is proud to announce the launch of @thechalkface – a new, weekly, one-hour talk show dedicated to education. @thechalkface is the only talk on the radio about education by educators.@the chalkface is known for its commitment to the hard facts with a humorous twist. Hosts Tim Slekar and Shaun Johnsoncover the biggest “r
by mike simpson / 9h
3-6-14 V.A.M.: Value Added Measure
V.A.M.: Value Added Measure: Warning! Danger! Risk of Educational Brain Damage !by Adam Bergstein / 4h hide // saveCharles Dickens' Girl #20 in Hard Times , a.k.a., Sissy JupeLessons Gleaned about Current Educational Reform from Charles Dickens Hard Times opens with the following passage of Mr. Gradagrind: "NOW, what I want is, Facts. Teach these boys and girls nothing but Facts. Facts alon
by mike simpson / 9h
3-6-14 Perdido Street School
Perdido Street School: Capital NY: Cuomo May Broker Deal Using Teacher Evaluation "Flexibility" For Extra Charter School FundsFrom Eliza Shapiro at Capital NY:Governor Andrew Cuomo offered few specifics when he pledged to "save charter schools" at a massive rally on Tuesday, beyond promising "financial capacity, physical space and the government's support."But as Mayo
by mike simpson / 9h
3/6/2014 – Standoff Over Testing
3/6/2014 – Standoff Over Testing: 3/6/2014 – Standoff Over TestingMarch 6, 2014 SubscribeTHIS WEEK: Open Education Didn’t Fail … Community Schools Work … Switching Schools Hurts Kids … States Cut Education Despite More Students … Flunking Kids Adds To Discipline WoesTOP STORYOptions In The Standoff Over Test-Based Education PolicyBy Jeff Bryant“What we have is a standoff over testing as the chief
by mike simpson / 9h
#CPAC2014 Tweetfest #StopCommonCore Addition | Truth in American Education
#CPAC2014 Tweetfest #StopCommonCore Addition | Truth in American Education: #CPAC2014 Tweetfest #StopCommonCore AdditionFiled in Common Core State Standards by Shane Vander Hart on March 6, 2014 • 0 Comments88Via American Principles in Action’s FightCommonCore.com:Join us TODAY and in coming days to flood CPAC and the political leaders who will be presenting to join the fight against Common Core.
by mike simpson / 9h
TwitterStorm Bobby Jindal and the CPAC | Crazy Crawfish's Blog
TwitterStorm Bobby Jindal and the CPAC | Crazy Crawfish's Blog: Crazy Crawfish's BlogZesty Louisiana Education PoliticsTwitterStorm Bobby Jindal and the CPACPosted on March 6, 20140LET’S HELP OUT OUR CONSERVATIVE FRIENDS AND STORM THE CPAC!OBVIOUSLY WE WANT TO ADD OUR OWN LITTLE SPIN…. (TIMES ARE IN EASTERN STANDARD SO ONE HOUR EARLIER FOR US CENTRAL TIME FOLKS) This ain’t a right or left thing, i
by mike simpson / 9h
Former superintendent backs tenure, layoff laws as defense opens in ‘Vergara’ lawsuit | EdSource Today
Former superintendent backs tenure, layoff laws as defense opens in ‘Vergara’ lawsuit | EdSource Today: Former superintendent backs tenure, layoff laws as defense opens in ‘Vergara’ lawsuitMarch 5th, 2014 | 1 Comment | By John FensterwaldCredit: iStockphoto.comA former superintendent of three school districts defended the current laws for granting teachers tenure, dismissing ineffective teachers a
by mike simpson / 9h
A Tribute to Elliot Eisner, 1933-2014 | Larry Cuban on School Reform and Classroom Practice
A Tribute to Elliot Eisner, 1933-2014 | Larry Cuban on School Reform and Classroom Practice: A Tribute to Elliot Eisner, 1933-2014Too few policymakers have ever taught in public schools. Even fewer can articulate what it is about teaching young children, youth, and adults that binds teachers and students together and makes the experience of learning memorable, satisfying, and long-lasting. A forme
by mike simpson / 9h
Fight Heats Up in New York Over Politically Connected Charter Schools | janresseger
Fight Heats Up in New York Over Politically Connected Charter Schools | janresseger: Fight Heats Up in New York Over Politically Connected Charter SchoolsPosted on March 6, 2014 by janressegerI wonder if you have ever been to a hearing at your state capitol when the charter school lobbying armies come to town? I have, and I must say I found it very intimidating to testify in a room where I was on
by mike simpson / 9h
TFA’s Response to my Rejection (and of course, my response back!) « inspirEDucation
TFA’s Response to my Rejection (and of course, my response back!) « inspirEDucation: TFA’s Response to my Rejection (and of course, my response back!)So recently, TFA offered me $1000, and I declined the money. My friend from TFA who relayed the offer yesterday responded to my blog post. Below is his reply, and mine, in the full spirit of transparency.Hi Hannah,I hope all is well! I’m reaching out
by mike simpson / 10h
NYC Educator: In Which I Am Courted by Big Charter
NYC Educator: In Which I Am Courted by Big Charter: In Which I Am Courted by Big CharterBy special guest blogger Unimpressed One of the most prominent and praised charter schools recently had a teacher/tutor recruitment fair. At the recruitment fair we were given brochures gushing about the amazing qualities of this amazing charter school. We were reminded that this charter school even had a movie
by mike simpson / 10h
Mike Klonsky's SmallTalk Blog: Run Robert, Run!
Mike Klonsky's SmallTalk Blog: Run Robert, Run!: Run Robert, Run!In Monday's interview with Fran Spielman, Rahm claims Toni Preckwinkle has promised him that she won't run against him in 2015.Emanuel says he takes Preckwinkle at her word, even though she’s been the most outspoken critic of the mayor’s school closings, charter openings, school budget cuts and the seven-day teachers strike that Eman
by mike simpson / 10h
