Tuesday, July 15, 2014

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 Testing

ou 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 empathy / 4min hide // save

100% Error Rate on Student Transfers – A ‘Miracle?’

State Superintendent John White talks with Chateau Estates Elementary School students in Kenner Wednesday, February 20, 2013. White presented the state’s new plan for reform and accountability for the 2013-14 school year during the visit to the school. (Photo by Brett Duke, Nola.com | The Times-Picayune) Introductory […]

by empathy / 4min

7-15-14 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): “Gravity”: The Unbearable Lightness of Being a WomanIn the film Gravity, Ryan Stone (Sandra Bullock) fulfills what appears to be a prerequisite for women in films: She undresses alone: Sandra Bullock, Gravity As a science fiction film fan, I immediately thought of Sigour

by mike simpson / 1h

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 Last

JULY 16, 2014 BY LAURENSTEINER LEAVE A COMMENT

I 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 education and break the teachers unions. I have been frustrated at the seeming lack of interest on the part of the unions in working with students, parents and community groups in this fight. After all, students are just as adversely impacted by “education reform” as the teachers, and thus their parents and also community organizations who serve children and their parents could be vital allies in this fight against powerful and well funded opponents.

Therefore, I was heartened by a panel I attended at the American Federation of Teachers annual conference in LA this past weekend called “Social Movement Unionism vs. Corporate Reform: Winning Strategies to Turn the Tide.” It featured six union officials from LA, New York, Houston, Philadelphia, Chicago and St. Paul sharing their efforts to bring the wider community into their organizing and the various successes they’ve had.

Opening up the discussion was Alex Caputo-Pearl, the newly installed President of UTLA, the United Teachers of Los Angeles. He defined social movement unionism as democratic, engaged with members, parents and community, explicit about fighting racial and social injustice, fighting privatization, taking people on, including Democrats and being willing to strike. He spoke of how at Crenshaw High School, he took on then LA School Superintendant Roy Romer who was head of the Democratic National Committee. He said when Romer got so annoyed and transferred him, the community helped get him transferred back.

He spoke about how when community activist Khalid Ali was beaten up by the police and charged himself with assault, the teachers took days off to support his fight and got him out. They formed the Crenshaw Cougar Coalition which was a coalition of community groups and teachers working for social change. Caputo-Perl said he wants to take the work he did in South LA and bring it city wide as the new president of UTLA.

He said he wants to make sure every school had a chapter chair and understands that they may have to strike. He said they have to start saving money for that now. He spoke of a resolution to target high need schools and put money into restorative justice.

He has a sweeping plan to reorganize UTLA which has not had certain key positions until now. Now they have a Policy Director, a Director of Research, an Executive Director and a Parent and Community Organizer. They plan to combine a contract and community campaign with a dues restructuring campaign and conduct a blitz of school site visits to talk to people and survey them face to face.

Next up was Karen Lewis, president of the Chicago Teachers Union, CTU, famous for facing off against Chicago mayor and privatization fan Rahm Emmanuel. She said his favorable rating on education is 29%, as his entire platform is teacher bashing.

She talked about defeating his campaign to get teachers to work a Social Movement Unionism Comes to the Teachers Unions at Last:

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… ” – NBCNews

Bill Gates, who financed the creation of Common Core State Standards and other major organizations for corporate education reform, makes hundreds of millions of tax-free dollars in profits monthly from his and his foundations’ investments in high stakes testing, online programs, apps, textbooks, etc. Gates and his foundation are major profiteers in the corporate-led education reform movement which is part of the Education Industrial Complex. Foundations invest money to benefit the foundations. Foundations then pay foundation executives and investors whatever the foundations choose to pay them.

What do the vast majority of Americans know about CCSS and the CCSS compliant high stakes tests sold under a variety of brand names in various states? Whatever they read and hear in the news.

Who pays to have the news report whatever paid experts are chosen to say during interviews? Whatever conclusions are reached by research paid for by the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation – which also financially supports the universities and think-tank organizations that do the research? The Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation.

In Carl Sagan’s last book, The Demon-Haunted World: Science as a Candle in the Dark, published in 1996, he made it clear about why so many people believed what is obviously false by referring to an intelligent man he met in New York.

“He simply accepted what the most widely available and accessible What “Education News” is NOT supported by a grant from the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation? | Reclaim Reform:

Reclaim Reform

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 CAP

NEA elects Latina to leadership at annual meeting « NewsTaco

NEA 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 across this country will have a historic new team advocating for their interests and the empowerment of the educators dedicated to their success this coming school year. Delegates attending the National Education Asso

by mike simpson / 14min

7-15-14 Schools Matter All Week

Schools Matter: Doug Martin's Letter to Gordon Hendry and the Indiana State Board of EdBy Doug Martin Once again the Indy Star has given space to complete unreality, this time by you, Gordon Hendry, the new state board of education member all goo-goo eyed over your neoliberal heroes Bill Clinton and Bart Peterson. In fact, your piece, in many ways, is an attempt for Mike Pence and the state board

by mike simpson / 34min

7-15-14 @ 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

by mike simpson / 1h

7-15-14 the becoming radical | A Place for a Pedagogy of Kindness (the public and scholarly writing by P. L. Thomas, Furman University)

by mike simpson / 1h

Karen Lewis inches closer to run — crafting exploratory committee | Early & Often

Karen Lewis inches closer to run — crafting exploratory committee | Early & Often: CTU President Karen Lewis talks to reporters in March. File Photo. | Rich Hein/Sun-TimesKaren Lewis inches closer to run — crafting exploratory committeeTUE, 07/15/2014 - 12:51AMKaren Lewis’ potential bid for Chicago Mayor has moved beyond just a thought — it’s an “organic,” growing movement, the fiery Chicago

by mike simpson / 2h

7-15-14 The Whole Child Blog — Education Support Professionals: Meeting the Needs of the Whole Student

The Whole Child Blog — Whole Child Education: Education Support Professionals: Meeting the Needs of the Whole StudentJean G. Fay has no typical workday. Whether it's working one-on-one with a child with special needs, helping out in the cafeteria at lunchtime, sewing costumes for the school musical, or leading 40 2nd graders in the Crocker Farm Elementary hip-hop crew, she does it all! Jean is als

by mike simpson / 4h

Marie Corfield: More on Christie's Executive Order, AchieveNJ & PARCC

Marie Corfield: More on Christie's Executive Order, AchieveNJ & PARCC: More on Christie's Executive Order, AchieveNJ & PARCCKeeping this short and sweet because Ani McHugh (aka. TeacherBiz) and Jersey Jazzman both wrote excellent analyses of all that transpired in the life of A3081/S2541. Let's cut to the chase. Here's what the weights in educator evaluations will look like next year: In a

by mike simpson / 4h

7-15-14 Seattle Schools Community Forum

Seattle Schools Community Forum: Who Was Using What Math (and how did Principals feel about the Math Adoption)?I'm not sure this information will answer all questions, but I did put in a public disclosure request from SPS on the issue of what schools had been using enVision. Here's the feedback I received on June 23rd. (It is not complete as they are still trying to see if there were any MOU/agr

by mike simpson / 5h

A battle won in the war on teacher tenure :: SI&A Cabinet Report :: The Essential Resource for Superintendents and the Cabinet

A battle won in the war on teacher tenure :: SI&A Cabinet Report :: The Essential Resource for Superintendents and the Cabinet: JULY 15, 2014A battle won in the war on teacher tenureby Alisha Kirby(N.C.) Teachers in North Carolina won a battle in an ongoing war over job protections as legislative leaders gave up – at least for now – a proposal to eliminate tenure in exchange for an 11 percent

by mike simpson / 5h

‘We Will Not Be Silent!’ | NEA Today

‘We Will Not Be Silent!’ | NEA Today: ‘We Will Not Be Silent!’At the 2014 NEA Representative Assembly (RA), held in July in Denver, Colo., nearly 7,000 delegates bid a warm farewell to outgoing NEA President Dennis Van Roekel and elected an historic trio of women— Lily Eskelsen García, president; Rebecca “Becky” Pringle, vice president; and Princess Moss, secretary-treasurer—to lead them through

by mike simpson / 5h

A Move to SacTown in Song, This time it’s for REAL: A Playlist | Cloaking Inequity

A Move to SacTown in Song, This time it’s for REAL: A Playlist | Cloaking Inequity: A Move to SacTown in Song, This time it’s for REAL: A PlaylistWell I’m going out west where I belong.I apologize for the thin posting on Cloaking Inequity the past two weeks. Summer is a busy time as I wrap up peer-reviewed articles, teach two methods classes for the new UT-Austin Superintendency cohort, personal a

by mike simpson / 6h

7-15-14 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: Pension fund for CA teachers looking upCalSTRS reports a big year of earnings Riding the wave of record high stock prices on Wall Street, the fund providing pension benefits for California teachers and school administrators reported Monday that it earned a return of 18.66 percent on its asse

by mike simpson / 6h

Seattle University Students Stand Behind Their Faculty

Seattle University Students Stand Behind Their Faculty: Seattle University Students Stand Behind Their Faculty In late May and early June, instructors at Seattle University casted ballots on whether they wanted to unionize. Since then, not a single ballot has been counted. Instead, administrative efforts have invalidated the vote and put the faculty’s unionization status in limbo.Seattle Universit

by mike simpson / 6h

Staples, Postal Service to End Program to Set Up Post Offices - WSJ

Staples, Postal Service to End Program to Set Up Post Offices - WSJ: Staples, Postal Service to End Plan for Mini Post Offices in StoresTeachers Union Had Called for Store Boycott Amid Growing Criticism From LaborStaples Inc. SPLS +0.54% and the U.S. Postal Service said Monday they will end a pilot program to set up mini post offices in the company's retail outlets, days after one of the nation's

by mike simpson / 6h

Morning Wink 7-15-14 AM Posts #edchat #edreform

BIG EDUCATION APE - MORNING WINK AM POSTSLISTEN TO DIANE RAVITCH 7-15-14 Diane Ravitch's blog | A site to discuss better education for allDiane Ravitch's blog | A site to discuss better education for all: Jeanne Kaplan: Why Teachers Are Sick of DuncanJeanne Kaplan served on the Denver school board for years and watched with a heavy heart as fake “reformers” took over Denver and Colorado. Now Colo

by mike simpson / 7h

LISTEN TO DIANE RAVITCH 7-15-14 Diane Ravitch's blog | A site to discuss better education for all

Diane Ravitch's blog | A site to discuss better education for all: Jeanne Kaplan: Why Teachers Are Sick of DuncanJeanne Kaplan served on the Denver school board for years and watched with a heavy heart as fake “reformers” took over Denver and Colorado. Now Colorado has the most punitive teacher evaluation law in the nation, thanks to Arne Duncan and Colorado’s State Senator Michael Johnston. When

by mike simpson / 7h

7-15-14 Ed Notes Online

Ed Notes Online: Aft report: My Last Red-Eye - It's 2 AM and I'm Still Not EX-LAXThe AFT convention has reached its high point. It's the middle of the night and I'm surrounded by hordes of Unity Caucus delegates stranded from 2 fucked up Delta red-eyes. It's like an endless nightmare. I call the question but they are still here. On checking into security with my priority check-in - let's see - at

by mike simpson / 7h

7-15-14 With A Brooklyn Accent

With A Brooklyn Accent: Teacher Temps and Computer Tenders Can't Move Children Out of PovertyOne of the things I am most worried about in the rush to on line learning and disposable teacher temps is the elimination of relationship building and mentoring, which in my experience, is key in having education move people out of poverty and promote upward mobility.When you grow up poor, there are many s

by mike simpson / 7h

7-15-14 Wait What? - Jonathan Pelto: Gubernatorial Candidate and A Really Nice Guy

Wait What?: Wait What? Why students leave high school (By Wendy Lecker)Wendy Lecker’s latest commentary piece for the Stamford Advocate and Hearst Media Group pushes aside the rhetoric coming from the corporate education reform industry and its allies like Governor Dannel “Dan” Malloy and his Commissioner of Education, Stefan Pryor. Instead Lecker lays out the real issues about graduation rates

by mike simpson / 7h

7-15-14 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.: Don’t use Staples.As a state-wide elected delegate to the NEA RA I get reimbursed for most of my expenses. I have to fill out forms and provide receipts as it is carefully monitored by the IRS. And who knows? Maybe the NSA too. Rather than make copies of the forms at home, I normally go to the neighbo

by mike simpson / 7h

7-15-14 Larry Ferlazzo’s Websites of the Day… | …For Teaching ELL, ESL, & EFL

Larry Ferlazzo’s Websites of the Day… | …For Teaching ELL, ESL, & EFL: New Study Reinforces Previous Ones Showing SEL Lessons Need To Be Short & Simple© 2013 elPadawan, Flickr | CC-BY-SA | via Wylio As regular readers of this blog and my books know, I’m an advocate of teaching Social Emotional Learning skills — and that I think they need to be simple so that individual teachers can integra

by mike simpson / 7h

7-15-14 Jersey Jazzman

Jersey Jazzman: Christie's Last Teacher Evaluation Panel Was a DisasterBig news today in the New Jersey education policy world:Following several days of intensive discussion last week, agreement was reached on several key issues related to standardized testing and its ultimate role in teacher evaluation. NJEA was at the center of conversations with legislators, the Christie administration and the

by mike simpson / 7h

7-15-14 Perdido Street School

Perdido Street School: Why I Want Arne Duncan And John King To Remain In PowerThe NEA has called for Secretary of Education Privatization Arne Duncan's ouster.The AFT put him on some kind of improvement plan (a lame way of saying they were calling for his ouster without actually calling for his ouster.)Many rank-and-file teachers across the country have called for Duncan to step down or be fired.B

by mike simpson / 7h

The Evolution of Denial in Atlanta Test-Score Cheating Scandal | janresseger

The Evolution of Denial in Atlanta Test-Score Cheating Scandal | janresseger: The Evolution of Denial in Atlanta Test-Score Cheating ScandalPosted on July 15, 2014 by janressegerRachel Aviv’s extraordinary New Yorker magazine essay, Wrong Answer, traces the evolution of the Atlanta Public Schools standardized test cheating scandal. Aviv describes how school administrators, driven by the Adequate

by mike simpson / 7h

Art and Public Space | Bill Ayers

Art and Public Space | Bill Ayers: Art and Public SpaceWhat does it mean to be human today, trudging into the 21st Century?How can we act ethically in our hurried and bewildering world?How did we get here, and where do we want to go?Is there a Public Space? In fact, is there a Public?What is our diagram of the known world, and how might things be otherwise?What kind of society do we want to inhabi

by mike simpson / 7h

NYC Educator: Does AFT Merit a Member Boycott?

NYC Educator: Does AFT Merit a Member Boycott?: Does AFT Merit a Member Boycott?AFT reps, not a single one of whom represents me or my school, took time out to assemble at a local Staples to protest their use of private workers to replace US Post Office workers. The President of NYSUT cut her Staples card in half to show she meant business. After all, we value union, and we don't want unqualified

by mike simpson / 7h

Mike Klonsky's SmallTalk Blog: Events of past two weeks gives us hope

Mike Klonsky's SmallTalk Blog: Events of past two weeks gives us hope: Events of past two weeks gives us hopeDonna Brazile“The very premise of ‘market-driven education reform’ rests on the fallacy that the public school system is in crisis, and that the only solution is to let the market pick winners and losers.” -- Donna BrazileWow! What an amazing couple of weeks this has been.It started with th

by mike simpson / 7h

Willing to die for justice? Comparing post-Katrina student activism to Freedom Summer | Hechinger Report

Willing to die for justice? Comparing post-Katrina student activism to Freedom Summer | Hechinger Report: Willing to die for justice? Comparing post-Katrina student activism to Freedom SummerBy Andre PerryTwo of the most significant student movements in the United States occurred in Jackson, Mississippi and New Orleans – separated by less than a three hours’ drive and fifty years. En masse, high s

by mike simpson / 7h

YESTERDAY

SELLOUT: Why the NJEA’s testing compromise with Christie was a mistake | Bob Braun's Ledger

SELLOUT: Why the NJEA’s testing compromise with Christie was a mistake | Bob Braun's Ledger: SELLOUT: Why the NJEA’s testing compromise with Christie was a mistakeRemember? The problem with the compromise reached between the Christie Administration and the New Jersey Education Association (NJEA) over the uses of high-stakes testing is this: The teachers’ union, rightly concerned

by mike simpson / 18h

With 8 weeks until school starts, Sacramento charter starts from scratch - Education - The Sacramento Bee

With 8 weeks until school starts, Sacramento charter starts from scratch - Education - The Sacramento Bee: With 8 weeks until school starts, Sacramento charter starts from scratchBy Loretta Kalblkalb@sacbee.comPublished: Monday, Jul. 14, 2014 - 5:54 pmLast Modified: Monday, Jul. 14, 2014 - 6:56 pmThe paint is fresh. The rooms are clean. All that’s needed at fledgling New Joseph Bonnheim Community

by mike simpson / 18h

Arne Duncan flubbed on Common Core, and then he made it worse - LA Times

Arne Duncan flubbed on Common Core, and then he made it worse - LA Times: Opinion Arne Duncan flubbed on Common Core, and then he made it worseRandi Weingarten, president of the American Federation of Teachers, speaks at its convention over the weekend in Los Angeles. (Los Angeles Times)By KARIN KLEINcontact the reporterThe scaffolding of support for the Common Core curriculum standards continues,

by mike simpson / 21h

Teachers of Color Caught In The Windmill (On Real Equity) - The Jose Vilson

Teachers of Color Caught In The Windmill (On Real Equity) - The Jose Vilson: Teachers of Color Caught In The Windmill (On Real Equity)Last week, I delved a little deeper into this issue of teachers of color, hoping to sow some of the prevailing narratives up and construct something more cogent.Yet, when it comes down to it, the lack of teachers of color is a symptom and not a cause of the educatio

by mike simpson / 21h

Free Minds/Free People | Bill Ayers

Free Minds/Free People | Bill Ayers: Free Minds/Free PeopleBernardine and I met up with our old pal Jeff Jones, jumped in the car and headed off to the Oregon Country Fair outside Eugene where we’d been asked to speak about the political moment we were living through—Occupy your Imagination; Free Minds/Free People. It was a Blues Brothers road trip—we were on a mission from God.The Fair was an ins

by mike simpson / 22h

Nite Cap 7-14-14 #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 CAPCharter Renewals FAQs Section 11 - Resources (CA Dept of Education)Charter Renewals FAQs Section 11 - Resources (CA Dept of Education): Charter Renewals FAQs Section 11Frequently asked questions (FAQ) regarding academic performance determinations

by mike simpson / 23h