Campbell Brown Exposed by Stephen Colbert southbronxschool

http://www.southbronxschool.com:

Campbell Brown Exposed by Stephen Colbert

Earlier in the week when I heard thatCampbell Brown was to appear on The Colbert Report I kind of cringed.

I am not a fan of Stephen Colbert's schtick on the show (Though there are some bits I have enjoyed), though I do like him, and more of a fan of The Daily Show. But two things had be concerned.

One was how would Colbert's schtick work with a topic like tenure and education in general, and would real questions be asked. I liked what I watched. A few moments really stood out for me.

When asked by Colbert about  Campbell why she has her guns out for unions and why Partnership for Education Justice has filed it's lawsuit, Brown said; "First let me correct something you said, we are not filing the lawsuit, it is 7 parents in New York State that have kids in public schools are filing the law suit. We are helping them and supporting them. We are finding them law firms." 

That PEJ and herself are not giving any monies but rather, assisting.

Of course there is no money changing hands. But a query. Who paid for the parents from Rochester to spend a few nights in New York City? Who paid for all those nice clothes the parents were wearing at the news conference on Monday. Did these parents seek out PEJ on their own, or were they sought out. If they were sought out how many have volunteered and/or have been employed by Students First? We do know that the lead plaintiff, Keoni Wright was employed by SF at one time. 

Campbell even shares that the law firm, Kirkland Ellis, is representing the parents pro bono, but how http://www.southbronxschool.com:

Teacher Shortages? No Surprise. | Live Long and Prosper

Teacher Shortages? No Surprise. | Live Long and Prosper:

Teacher Shortages? No Surprise.

BLAMING TEACHERS

“Reformers” love to talk about “failing schools.” In America, “failing schools” are most often schools filled with students who were born into poverty.

Test Scores, Students and Learning: Our overall scores are unspectacular because of our high rate of child poverty. (WSJ)

When researchers control for the effect of poverty, American scores on international tests are at the top of the world. Our overall scores are unspectacular because of our high rate of child poverty. The U.S. has the second highest level of child poverty among all 34 economically advanced countries. In some big city public school districts, the poverty rate is over 80%. Poverty means poor nutrition, inadequate health care and lack of access to books, among other things. All of these profoundly impact school performance.

This is compelling evidence that the problem is poverty, not teachers, teacher unions or schools of education. This is also compelling evidence that we should be protecting students from the effects of poverty, not investing in the Common Core.
Stephen Krashen

(See also David Berliner Responds to Economists Who Discount Role of Child Poverty)

So-called “failing schools” are closed only to be replaced with charters (which also, inevitably “fail”). Their staffs are fired or moved elsewhere. The disruption of students’ lives is the political fallout of federal, state and local governments’ inability to deal with poverty in their communities, i.e. “failing municipalities” in a “failing society.”

Rather than attack the root cause of low achievement — poverty — politicians, and policy makers attack the invisible bogeyman of “bad” teachers. Teachers unions are blamed. The adults who teach and live with the students every day are blamed for the effects of poverty on learning and achievement.

“Reformers” force schools to fail by requiring higher test scores while providing less support for teachers and students. The “failing school” becomes a self-fulfilling prophecy, and the vulture-capitalists move in to take over, grabbing public dollars with no public oversight while they replace public schools.

TEACHER SHORTAGES

The pressure on teachers to help students pass “the test” is enormous and throughout the country teacher shortages are increasing.

In Indianapolis, 200 educators have left Teacher Shortages? No Surprise. | Live Long and Prosper:

Pretty Campbell Brown and Her Ugly, Misguided Anti-Due-Process Crusade | deutsch29

Pretty Campbell Brown and Her Ugly, Misguided Anti-Due-Process Crusade | deutsch29:

Pretty Campbell Brown and Her Ugly, Misguided Anti-Due-Process Crusade

August 1, 2014

Over the past several weeks, I have read only a little on the situation of former CNN news anchor Campbell Brown’s sudden interest in forming a nonprofit in order to advance a lawsuit in New York purportedly to “save” public school students of the (surely) inept teachers currently protected behind “tenure” (i.e., due process rights).

I’ll admit, I have only been on the fringes of the affair that is New York’s “Brown vs. Board of Education” (I had to go there, what with hedge-funded nonprofits advancing their takeover of public education as a “civil rights” issue). However, with my second book written and off to the publisher, I am now ready to turn my research and writing attention to this Campbell Brown and her crusade to demolish teacher due process.

Brown has not bothered to demonstrate how, exactly, removal of the due process that promotes job security for good teachers will make the profession attractive to those who are good teachers.

It doesn’t matter. Brown will never feel the effects of her foolishness.

Brown, Her Hedge-Fund Friends, and Suing NY Schools

On June 24, 2014, Brown officially founded the nonprofit Partnership for Educational Justice (PEJ) basically to sue to remove due process job protections from traditional public school teachers in New York. The “nonprofit” has some fine hedge fund and corporate reform philanthropic backing as noted by its board of directors, including the Black Alliance for Educational Options (BAEO)– the group footing the bill for Louisiana’s pro-Common Core lawsuit– and StudentsFirst and Democrats for Educational Reform (DFER), both of which I wrote about in A Chronicle of Echoes.

Brown’s husband, hedge fund manager Dan Senor, sits on the StudentsFirstNY board with former NYC Chancellor Joel Klein, former DC Chancellor and Pretty Campbell Brown and Her Ugly, Misguided Anti-Due-Process Crusade | deutsch29:

Common Core For An Uncommon Nation | WagTheDog

Common Core For An Uncommon Nation | WagTheDog:



Common Core For An Uncommon Nation

Expecting students to spend countless hours trying to solve Common Core math word problems is not the same as helping them to become more effective problem solvers.

Insisting students think critically about text that they must stay “connected to” is not the same as helping them to develop critical thinking skills.

That explains how students in China and other authoritarian nations may excel at critical thinking on the PISA exam yet grow up to be compliant and obedient citizens who do not challenge oppressive government policies.

It is not conformity that has been the engine to power America’s economy but creativity. It is courageous inventors, innovators, and entrepreneurs who have advanced our economy over the years.

These leaders don’t fit educational molds, they break them. They don’t learn or think about problems the same way as everyone else. They will often improvise and innovate and they are more inclined to break with tradition and “rules”, than they are to follow them.

Seems silly almost trivial to continually fret over American students’ international rankings on the PISA test, when American employers continue to bemoan the lack of soft skills in their new hires.

A much more meaningful test of college readiness and global competitiveness would measure student creativity, courage, integrity, curiosity empathy, imagination, leadership, Common Core For An Uncommon Nation | WagTheDog:

St. Hope taps Michelle Rhee as board chair, removes superintendent - Our Region - The Sacramento Bee

St. Hope taps Michelle Rhee as board chair, removes superintendent - Our Region - The Sacramento Bee:

St. Hope taps Michelle Rhee as board chair, removes superintendent

By Loretta Kalb
lkalb@sacbee.com

Published: Friday, Aug. 1, 2014 - 8:01 pm

St. Hope Public Schools has named Michelle Rhee, the controversial former Washington, D.C., schools chief and charter schools advocate, as its new board chairwoman and removed Jim Scheible as its superintendent.

St. Hope leaders plan to launch a national search for Scheible’s replacement and have tapped Rhee protégé Enoch Woodhouse as interim leader. The flurry of moves in the last two weeks give Rhee a powerful new role in the charter school system founded by her husband, Sacramento Mayor Kevin Johnson.

After leaving Washington, Rhee in 2010 created a well-financed advocacy group, StudentsFirst, which has taken aim at teachers unions in state and local politics. Rhee has focused on overhauling programs that serve disadvantaged children, but her efforts to change layoff policies and teacher evaluations have drawn scorn from educators at traditional schools.

Rhee previously served on the St. Hope board in 2006 and 2007.

Johnson launched St. Hope as an after-school program in Oak Park in the late 1980s. The St. Hope program evolved into the charter school system that expects to enroll about 1,800 students this fall, according to Scheible.

Woodhouse, a veteran of Rhee’s StudentsFirst organization, said the change will enable the superintendent’s job to be more manageable. He served as vice president of operations at StudentsFirst, oversaw strategic planning and, most recently, became a national advocate.

He also worked at Washington, D.C., public schools. His biography shows that he led the system’s public information programs. He said he resigned from the St. Hope governing board to take the interim job, and he will move from Philadelphia to Sacramento to run the district for one year.

“For the past few years … a single superintendent was sitting at the top managing across five school (principals) and an office staff,” Woodhouse said. “We’re turning one role into three. We’ll have a chief academic officer. I will more directly manage the operating side of the house.”

St. Hope moved Scheible to the position of chief advancement officer, overseeing revenue generation and growth.

StudentsFirst is active in 18 states. Woodhouse said the group seeks to pass laws and policies in those states that “in our view make sense for kids ... support best teachers and ... expand quality charters.”

Among them, he said, are mayoral control of schools and tying budget allocations to student outcomes. He said it makes sense for Rhee to return to the governing board.

“Michelle has been board chair before and investigated significant time in St. Hope,” he said. “For me, this has nothing has to do with StudentsFirst, except that we’re ideologically aligned and weSt. Hope taps Michelle Rhee as board chair, removes superintendent - Our Region - The Sacramento Bee:

Read more here: http://www.sacbee.com/2014/08/01/6599773/st-hope-taps-michelle-rhee-as.html#storylink=cpy

PAA honors Leonie Haimson | Parents Across America

PAA honors Leonie Haimson | Parents Across America:





PAA honors Leonie Haimson

PAA was delighted to spend an evening with members and friends in Washington DC honoring the amazing work of our co-founder, Leonie Haimson, at the first annual Parent Voice Award dinner.

The beautiful Atrium at the NEA

Our hosts at the National Education Association provided a beautiful atrium setting for the dinner. PAA founding member, the legendary Helen Gym, leader of PAA Philadelphia affiliate Parents United for Public Education, emceed the event, where the attendees were welcomed by NEA community outreach specialist Cynthia Kain.

Emcee Helen Gym introduces the NEA’s Cynthia Kain.

Cynthia spoke about the importance of collaboration and support between parents and teachers, especially as public education comes under increasing attack. Helen celebrated some of the important progress made by PAA and its chapters and affiliates this year, including her own group’s exposure of the privatization agenda of a major philanthropic foundation in Philadelphia, the defeat of an attempt to raise the charter cap in Massachusetts with the help of new PAA  affiliate QUEST, and the election of PAA founding member Sue Peters to the Seattle school board.

Presenting the Parent Voice Award. From left: Board member Steve Norton, PAA President Dora Taylor, Board member Julie Woestehoff, PVA honoree Leonie Haimson, and PAA Board members Pamela Grundy and Nate Harris.

In her acceptance speech, Leonie reflected on the effort of so many parents across the US who worked hard

- See more at: http://parentsacrossamerica.org/paa-honors-leonie-haimson/

Mother Crusader: Campbell Brown's Ties To Billionaire "Vulture Fund" CEO

Mother Crusader: Campbell Brown's Ties To Billionaire "Vulture Fund" CEO:

Campbell Brown's Ties To Billionaire "Vulture Fund" CEO

The interwebs have been aflutter all day with analysis of Campbell Brown's Colbert Report appearance last night. You can read about it here, here and here. 

One of the big questions that has surfaced is "Why won't Brown reveal her donors?".

While I agree it would be interesting to know, and nobody likes sifting through this kind of stuff more than me, I'm writing today to tell you, in this particular case, we really don't even need to know.

Allow me to explain.

Campbell was silly enough to pretend the reason she can't reveal her donors is because she has to protect them from people like the oh-so-scary protesters outside the studio. Twenty folks who look like you and me. 

Campbell Brown's arch nemeses

Ooo, is that scary! I mean, look at these thugs, what with their magic-markered poster boards and their peaceful milling around on the sidewalk! No wonder Campbell won't say who is financing her operation -- clearly, these parents who are "trying to silence debate" are "going to go after people who are funding this"! And by "go after," I guess Brown means "hold up hand-made signs"! 

Clearly, we must protect Brown's plutocratic backers from this danger at all costs -- including any normal standards of transparency.

It's preposterous to even entertain the notion that the people in the picture above pose any real threat to Campbell Brown or any of her donors. It seems far more likely that if her donors are Mother Crusader: Campbell Brown's Ties To Billionaire "Vulture Fund" CEO:

8-1-14 Wait What? - Jonathan Pelto: Gubernatorial Candidate and A Really Nice Guy

Wait What?:

Wait What?: 

Pelto/Murphy 2014

If you haven’t signed the Pelto/Murphy 2014 Petition- here are locations and times to sign

 More locations to be added so check back regularly  Saturday, August 2nd Starbucks Manchester: 172 Deming Street, Manchester (9 – 10am) South Windsor Farmers Market:  150 Nevers Rd, South Windsor (10 -11am) Taste of the Caribbean Festival, Riverfront Plaza, Hartford (1-3pm) Starbucks Wethersfield: 1090 Silas Deane Highway, Wethersfield (2:30-3:30pm) Starbucks North Haven: 166 Washington Avenue, N

6 by jonpelto / 23min 

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Nite Cap 8-1-14 #BATsACT #RealEdTalk #EDCHAT

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

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Morning Wink 8-1-14 AM Posts #edchat #edreform

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Keep trying to understand us Mike – You’re not there yet | Missouri Education Watchdog

Keep trying to understand us Mike – You’re not there yet | Missouri Education Watchdog: Keep trying to understand us Mike – You’re not there yet Anything you can do I can do better - Annie Get Your Gun - Betty Hutton and Howard KeelMike Petrilli of Fordham latest piece appears to be his attempt to tell the opponents of common core that he understands us. He concedes the point of federal involvemen

by mike simpson / 8h 

5 Characteristics of an Innovative Organization | Connected Principals

5 Characteristics of an Innovative Organization | Connected Principals: 5 Characteristics of an Innovative Organizationby George Couros • August 1, 2014 • 0 CommentsAs the year has wrapped up for most North American schools, I look back at my year and realize how blessed I am to not only be able to travel the world and share my experience with others, but also the opportunity to still work with Pa

by mike simpson / 8h 

All Things Education: The Common Condescension

All Things Education: The Common Condescension: The Common CondescensionPolitico had a particularly agitating article about the Common Core out yesterday entitled, "Moms winning the Common Core war."First  of all "war"? I am about to declare war on writers of ridiculous headlines. . .Anyway, to get to the content of the article. Basically, Common Core advocates have decided tha

by mike simpson / 8h 

NYC Educator: Andy and Sandy

NYC Educator: Andy and Sandy: Andy and SandyI live about two blocks away from the water, which is nice, except when it comes to visit you. During Hurricane Sandy, it did that in a big way. My living room, kitchen and dining room were full of water. However, I had flood insurance, and it actually paid us to fix the house.So when I got an application from NY Rising last April, I didn't bother to fil

by mike simpson / 8h 

Scalding school closing report unlikely to get a hearing | catalyst-chicago.org

Scalding school closing report unlikely to get a hearing | catalyst-chicago.org: Scalding school closing report unlikely to get a hearingBy: Sarah Karp / July 31, 2014Tags: government and policy school closingsA scalding report that criticizes CPS for the way it handled the mass closing of schools last year likely will not get a public hearing as requested by state task force members. As for why,

by mike simpson / 8h 

Brown administration looks to diminish influence of API :: SI&A Cabinet Report :: The Essential Resource for Superintendents and the Cabinet

Brown administration looks to diminish influence of API :: SI&A Cabinet Report :: The Essential Resource for Superintendents and the Cabinet: Brown administration looks to diminish influence of APIby Kimberly Beltran(Calif.) Move over API. You’re not the top dog for determining school success anymore, the president of the state’s Board of Education said this week.Instead, if Mike Kirst gets hi

by mike simpson / 8h 

Campbell Brown on Colbert Report - Mum's the Word

Campbell Brown on Colbert Report - Mum's the Word Did Campbell Brown get a visit form the Money Fairy? She ain't sayin'!But Your Mother IS:Who's Really Behind Campbell Brown's Sneaky Education Outfit? | Mother JonesWho's Really Behind Campbell Brown's Sneaky Education Outfit? | Mother Jones: Who's Really Behind Campbell Brown's Sneaky Education Outfit?The former CNN anchor says her nonprofit seeks

by mike simpson / 15h 

YESTERDAY

Common Core: A Matter of Perspective | WagTheDog

Common Core: A Matter of Perspective | WagTheDog: Common Core: A Matter of PerspectivePart of the reason there has been such strong disagreement and debate regarding the Common Core is people “see” ed reform and the new Standards very differently, depending on their perspective.When talking about ed reform with someone you may not agree with, it is very important to pay close attention to the word

by mike simpson / 17h 

What National Group Is Funding the Pro-Common Core Lawsuit in Louisiana? | deutsch29

What National Group Is Funding the Pro-Common Core Lawsuit in Louisiana? | deutsch29: What National Group Is Funding the Pro-Common Core Lawsuit in Louisiana?July 31, 2014On July 29, 2014, the Louisiana State Board of Elementary and Secondary Education (BESE) voted 6 to 4 to become plaintiffs in the pro-Common Core (CCSS) lawsuitwhose plaintiffs include nine individuals and the charter management

by mike simpson / 18h 

This Will Make Some Special Education Advocates Really Happy

This Will Make Some Special Education Advocates Really Happy: This Will Make Some Special Education Advocates Really HappyNew York State Education Commissioner John King Jr.'s proposal to change testing for some students with severe disabilities won't happen next school year. (AP Photo/Michael Sisak) | ASSOCIATED PRESS NEW YORK -- New York students with disabilities will be held to the same academ

by mike simpson / 21h 

“White House Symposium on Transformative Family Engagement” Was Held Today | Engaging Parents In School…

“White House Symposium on Transformative Family Engagement” Was Held Today | Engaging Parents In School…: “White House Symposium on Transformative Family Engagement” Was Held TodayJuly 31, 2014 by Larry Ferlazzo3I had previously posted about the Kellogg Foundation-sponsored White House Symposium on Transformative Family Engagement, and it was held today.I’d be interested in hearing a report from a

by mike simpson / 21h 

Stereotypes, Testing and the 'Soft Bigotry of Low Expectations' | NewBlackMan (in Exile)

Stereotypes, Testing and the 'Soft Bigotry of Low Expectations' | NewBlackMan (in Exile): Stereotypes, Testing and the 'Soft Bigotry of Low Expectations'Stereotypes, Testing and the 'Soft Bigotry of Low Expectations'by William A. Darity, Alan A. Aja, & Darrick Hamilton | HuffPostEarlier this month a divided Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals upheld the University of Texas' right to use race amongs

by mike simpson / 22h 

Sabotaging our children and our schools | Parents United for Public Education

Sabotaging our children and our schools | Parents United for Public Education: Sabotaging our children and our schoolsPosted on July 31, 2014 by PARENTSUNITEDPHILALeave a commentThis afternoon, the House GOP leadership announced that it would not return to Harrisburg to vote on a proposed cigarette tax bill that had been delayed in the state Senate. The failure to pass the bill means Philadelphia

by mike simpson / 22h 

Nite Cap 7-31-14 #BATsACT #RealEdTalk #EDCHAT

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 CAPCigarette tax vote canceled; schools opening in jeopardy | Philadelphia Public School NotebookCigarette tax vote canceled; schools opening in jeopardy | Philadelphia Public School Notebook: Cigarette tax vote canceled; schools opening in jeopardy

by mike simpson / 22h 

2nd Banana 7-26-14 Recap of Last Week's Best Post

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2nd Banana 6-28-14 Recap of Last Week's Best Post

2nd Banana 6-21-14 Recap of Last Week's Best Post 

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