Latest News and Comment from Education

Sunday, June 7, 2015

Special Nite Cap: Catch Up on Today's Post 6/7/15



SPECIAL NITE CAP 

CORPORATE ED REFORM





Agents Of The State | The Jose Vilson
Agents Of The State | The Jose Vilson: Agents Of The State“How many of you have a child that you believe in and no one else does?”Seats shift.“How many of you can relate to the children in front of you? How many of you have students who get thrown out of everyone else’s class but yours?”Some people blink, some heads turn to the side, but the general assembly hums and huffs.This is a Bronx auditori
Louisiana's push for creationism in schools - Business Insider
Louisiana's push for creationism in schools - Business Insider: Kids in Louisiana are reading from the Book of Genesis in science classesWhen a student in Louisiana opens her textbook in biology class, she might not have the standard Miller and Levine Biology with a dragonfly on the cover, and she might not ever learn about evolution.For some Louisiana public school students, their science textboo
What Was Written on a Classroom Chalkboard 100 Years Ago? How Could Teachers Even Teach without Common Core Alignment? » Missouri Education Watchdog
What Was Written on a Classroom Chalkboard 100 Years Ago? How Could Teachers Even Teach without Common Core Alignment? » Missouri Education Watchdog: What Was Written on a Classroom Chalkboard 100 Years Ago? How Could Teachers Even Teach without Common Core Alignment?Some terrific chalkboard drawings and information from almost 100 years ago were discovered in an Oklahoma City school recently. Fro
Join the Protest Against the Closure of West Seattle’s Middle College High School | Seattle Education
Join the Protest Against the Closure of West Seattle’s Middle College High School | Seattle Education: Join the Protest Against the Closure of West Seattle’s Middle College High School“Before I started Middle College I was lost, without it I would probably still be in the streets.”  Oliver Wilson, Graduate, currently studying computer technology at the City College of San Francisco.Middle College
Politically-birthed Common Core Turns Five. Let’s Celebrate by Ripping It Apart. | deutsch29
Politically-birthed Common Core Turns Five. Let’s Celebrate by Ripping It Apart. | deutsch29: Politically-birthed Common Core Turns Five. Let’s Celebrate by Ripping It Apart.On June 6, 2015, Huffington Post education editor Rebecca Klein published a piece entitled, 5 of the Most Extreme Claims Made Against Common Core in the Last 5 Years. (Interestingly, Klein chose to publish her post under the c
This Is What Happens When You Criticize Teach for America | The Nation
This Is What Happens When You Criticize Teach for America | The Nation: This Is What Happens When You Criticize Teach for AmericaAn internal memo reveals how TFA’s obsessive PR game covers up its lack of results in order to justify greater expansion.Last year, Wendy Heller Chovnick, a former Teach For America manager, spoke out against her former organization in The Washington Post, decrying its “
Sanders And Clinton Clash On Education Seeking AFT Nod
Sanders And Clinton Clash On Education Seeking AFT Nod: Sanders And Clinton Clash On Education Seeking AFT NodThose of us who have spent substantial time as classroom teachers teachers know that when it comes to politicians talking education, as John Mellencamp put it, “it’s what you do and not what you say,” that matters. Paying lip service to “educational excellence” and “high standards” is like
Common Core Standards SBAC testing, the bully principal…and more | Seattle Education
Common Core Standards SBAC testing, the bully principal…and more | Seattle Education: Common Core Standards SBAC testing, the bully principal…and morePublic school is based on the the principle of inclusion, not exclusion. Kids are accepted however they arrive through the front door. Different ethnic backgrounds, economic status, personal triumphs or challenges –everyone is on equal footing. Most
4LAKids - AALA: ACSA OPPOSES COLLECTIVE BARGAINING
4LAKids - some of the news that doesn't fit: AALA: ACSA OPPOSES COLLECTIVE BARGAINING: AALA: ACSA OPPOSES COLLECTIVE BARGAININGFrom the Associated Administrators Los Angeles (AALA) Weekly Update for June 8, 2015  ::  http://bit.ly/1EYHhWd●● NOTE:         The Association of California School Administrators (ASCA) was established in 1971. ACSA is the largest umbrella organization for school leaders
Perdido Street School: Zephyr Teachout: Angry New York Teachers Can Get Get More Formal Political Power By Running For Office
Perdido Street School: Zephyr Teachout: Angry New York Teachers Can Get Get More Formal Political Power By Running For Office: Zephyr Teachout: Angry New York Teachers Can Get Get More Formal Political Power By Running For OfficeAlan Chartock in the Daily Freeman: Cuomo is known and respected up to now as a take-no-prisoners tough guy, but his political antennae seem corrupted. His picking on the
Judging an Iceberg by the Tip Only: The Cumulative Effects of Opportunities for Students | the becoming radical
Judging an Iceberg by the Tip Only: The Cumulative Effects of Opportunities for Students | the becoming radical: JUDGING AN ICEBERG BY THE TIP ONLY: THE CUMULATIVE EFFECTS OF OPPORTUNITIES FOR STUDENTS“[M]ost of what poor people have in common has nothing to do with their culture or dispositions [laziness]. Instead, it has to do with what they experience, such as the bias and lack of access to bas
Dropout Nation » Wanted: Black Education Systems
Dropout Nation » Wanted: Black Education Systems: Wanted: Black Education SystemsAmerica’s traditional public education systems has failed the descendants of enslaved Africans. Only 16 percent read at grade level in middle school (and only 12 percent of male African-Americans do so). Just over half of male Black students graduate from high school in four years (as compared to more than three-quart
CURMUDGUCATION: Arizona's Teacher Desert
CURMUDGUCATION: Arizona's Teacher Desert: Arizona's Teacher DesertThis week in the New York Times, Fernando Santos and Motoko Rich took a look at the continuing teacher shortage in Arizona, where leaders continue to demonstrate that they understand neither education nor the free market forces that they claim to love. Arizona's history with reformster nonsense goes way back. Bill McCallum was a pro
Ms. Katie's Ramblings: It's Time to Bring Charters Back Into the Public Fold
Ms. Katie's Ramblings: It's Time to Bring Charters Back Into the Public Fold: It's Time to Bring Charters Back Into the Public FoldAcross the country, it is becoming ever clearer that the charter experiment has failed. Every glowing media story highlighting a charter "miracle" has been debunked. The so-called "success stories" are easily exposed to be examples of selectivity, s
Surprise charter school loan program raises new questions
Surprise charter school loan program raises new questions: Surprise charter school loan program raises new questionsIn the final days of this year's legislative session, Republican lawmakers dropped into the massive state budget bill a provision giving charter schools access to $50 million in low-interest state loans.The measure was a last-minute effort to appease Gov. Mike Pence, who had sought m

YESTERDAY

Latinos criticize lack of representation on school board | Catalyst Chicago
Latinos criticize lack of representation on school board | Catalyst Chicago: Latinos criticize lack of representation on school boardA number of prominent Latinos in Chicago are criticizing Mayor Rahm Emanuel’s decision to make an already disproportionately white school board even more ethnically lopsided by removing one of his only two Hispanic appointees.“We are disappointed that in a school dis
30,000 Teachers Walk Out In Protest Of Big Class Sizes | PopularResistance.Org
30,000 Teachers Walk Out In Protest Of Big Class Sizes | PopularResistance.Org: 30,000 Teachers Walk Out In Protest Of Big Class Sizes In WA StateSince late April, Washington state teachers have been striking for reduced class sizes and better funding for classroom programs. (Washington Educators Association / Facebook)Seattle, WA – On Tuesday, May 19, thousands of demonstrators marched through do
Judge Rules Second Version of New York Teachers’ Exam Is Also Racially Biased - NYTimes.com
Judge Rules Second Version of New York Teachers’ Exam Is Also Racially Biased - NYTimes.com: Judge Rules Second Version of New York Teachers’ Exam Is Also Racially BiasedA federal judge on Friday found that an exam for New York teaching candidates was racially discriminatory because it did not measure skills necessary to do the job, the latest step in a court battle over teacher qualifications tha
Jersey Jazzman: "Partially Ineffective" and "Ineffective" Are NOT the Same Teacher Rating
Jersey Jazzman: "Partially Ineffective" and "Ineffective" Are NOT the Same Teacher Rating: "Partially Ineffective" and "Ineffective" Are NOT the Same Teacher RatingSo the first "report" came out about New Jersey's new teacher evaluation system, aka Operation Hindenburg. And guess who was on the TV talking about it?Thanks to Briana Vannozzi for incl
District Purchasing of High-Tech Devices: How Teachers Continue to Lose Out | Larry Cuban on School Reform and Classroom Practice
District Purchasing of High-Tech Devices: How Teachers Continue to Lose Out | Larry Cuban on School Reform and Classroom Practice: District Purchasing of High-Tech Devices: How Teachers Continue to Lose OutWhen I buy a new laptop, desktop, or smart phone, I have in mind what I want to use it for and how much I can spend. I then read about the appliance and its software, listen to other users and w
Students tell their stories: I tried cyber school ... I was going to give up school. | Philadelphia Public School Notebook
Students tell their stories: I tried cyber school ... I was going to give up school. | Philadelphia Public School Notebook: Students tell their stories: I tried cyber school ... I was going to give up school.In researching our edition on "boosting graduation rates for all," the Notebook interviewed young people who had dropped out and were now reengaging in school. We asked why they left
Rallies on Monday / DAMAGING changes in store for WI public schools in one list : blue cheddar
Rallies on Monday / DAMAGING changes in store for WI public schools in one list : blue cheddar: Rallies on Monday / DAMAGING changes in store for WI public schools in one listTHE PROTESTSSun Prairie Monday June 8, 4-6 PM (they need volunteers)Green Bay Monday June 8, 7:20 AM – 8:00 AMAppleton Monday June 8 11:45 AM – 1 PM Press Conference to Support Our Schools3:30 PM – 5:00 PM Honkin’ Good Rally
Why a simple 30-year-old chart is an ingenious teaching tool today - The Washington Post
Why a simple 30-year-old chart is an ingenious teaching tool today - The Washington Post: Why a simple 30-year-old chart is an ingenious teaching tool todayThe simple K-W-L chartAlmost three decades ago, a simple chart known as the K-W-L was born — and it has helped millions of teachers help kids think and learn ever since. What is it and why is it so powerful? Author Alfie Kohn explains, and even
The Education of EduShyster (a Comedy) | EduShyster
The Education of EduShyster (a Comedy) | EduShyster: The Education of EduShyster (a Comedy)Can you believe I’ve been at this for three years???Note: to mark the third anniversary of my blog, I’m sharing a chapter that I wrote for a book called Resisting Reform: Reclaiming Public Education Through Grassroots Activism. I recount my unlikely journey into the world of edu-blogging and reveal at long l
Millions in costly real estate deals threaten Albany charter school foundation - Times Union
Millions in costly real estate deals threaten Albany charter school foundation - Times Union: Millions in costly real estate deals threaten Albany charter school foundationFor 15 years, the Brighter Choice Foundationhas been the leading backer of charter schools in Albany, which is among the most concentrated and contentious charter proving grounds in the state.Founded by ideological pioneers of N
Over 250 nation's mayors to gather in San Francisco this summer - eTurboNews.com
Over 250 nation's mayors to gather in San Francisco this summer - eTurboNews.com: Over 250 nation's mayors to gather in San Francisco this summerWASHINGTON, DC - Under the leadership of US Conference of Mayors (USCM) President Sacramento Mayor Kevin Johnson and host San Francisco (CA) Mayor Ed Lee, more than 250 of the nation's mayors will convene at the Hilton San Francisco Union Square this summ
“White Girl” Kati Haycock Takes On Marc Tucker and His Dissing Annual Testing | deutsch29
“White Girl” Kati Haycock Takes On Marc Tucker and His Dissing Annual Testing | deutsch29: “White Girl” Kati Haycock Takes On Marc Tucker and His Dissing Annual TestingOn May 28, 2015, National Center on Education and the Economy (NCEE) president Marc Tucker wrote a piece for Ed Week in which he argued against the utility of annual testing. Below is an excerpt from his post:…The data show that, al
CURMUDGUCATION: Hillary's Teacher PAC
CURMUDGUCATION: Hillary's Teacher PAC: Hillary's Teacher PACWith that first tweet, America's Teachers PAC made its twitter debut.The PAC has a lovely website that launched just at the end of May and gives a clearer picture of what Hillary's-- well, no, of course this is the vision of the good folks at America's Teachers PAC who are I am sure following the rules that require them to be a separate e
How Kevin Johnson Used Public Money To His Own Personal Ends
How Kevin Johnson Used Public Money To His Own Personal Ends: How Kevin Johnson Used Public Money To His Own Personal EndsKevin Johnson has ambitions of becoming something much more than just mayor of his hometown of Sacramento, Calif. So far, the former NBA star hasn’t found a way to realize them—but his desire to expand and promote his brand has meant that Sacramento city staffers have had lots

JUN 04

Dumb Arguments About The Common Core Distract From What Matters Most
Dumb Arguments About The Common Core Distract From What Matters Most: Dumb Arguments About The Common Core Distract From What Matters MostWhile it’s refreshing to see K-12 education become a prominent issue in the very early stages of the 2016 election campaigns, it’s unfortunate to see support for the Common Core – the contentious new standards adopted by most states – become the focus of the deb
The War of Attrition Over Public Schools - Living in Dialogue
The War of Attrition Over Public Schools - Living in Dialogue: The War of Attrition Over Public Schools By Anthony Cody.Public schools are in the midst of a war of attrition over their control – and even the very institution of public education is in danger. There is a sort of pincer assault under way, with billionaires on the far right pushing for complete de-regulation, and others, like the Gate
Five things people say about standardized tests and the opt-out movement that aren’t true - The Washington Post
Five things people say about standardized tests and the opt-out movement that aren’t true - The Washington Post: Five things people say about standardized tests and the opt-out movement that aren’t trueDenisha Jones is a visiting assistant professor of early childhood education at Howard University in Washington D.C., and over the last 10 years, she has taught kindergarten, preschool, and served a
CURMUDGUCATION: Nevada Abandons Public Education
CURMUDGUCATION: Nevada Abandons Public Education:Nevada Abandons Public EducationNevada has made its bid for a gold medal in the race to the bottom of the barrel for public education. The state's GOP legislature, with help from Jeb Bush's Foundation for Excellence in Education (a name that belongs in Orwellian annals right next to "Peacekeeper Missile"), has created an all-state voucher
Hillary Clinton Works For The Support Of An Old Ally: The Teachers Union - BuzzFeed News
Hillary Clinton Works For The Support Of An Old Ally: The Teachers Union - BuzzFeed News: Hillary Clinton Works For The Support Of An Old Ally: The Teachers UnionThe endorsement process begins in the Democratic primary. O’Malley and Sanders try to win over the AFT, led by longtime Clinton supporter Randi Weingarten.Three Democratic candidates each traveled to Washington this week to court the endo
Thompson: The Truth None of Us Wants to Face This Week In Education
This Week In Education: Thompson: The Truth None of Us Wants to Face: The Truth None of Us Wants to Face I still teach GED part-time, so I have not become completely absorbed into the edu-political world that is so divorced from the reality of inner city schools. I seek a balance, addressing the school improvement proposals that are politically viable, while remaining connected with the reasons wh
Does Mayor Kevin Johnson's new downtown-housing plan actually bring new housing to the central city? Sacramento News & Review -
Sacramento News & Review - Does Mayor Kevin Johnson's new downtown-housing plan actually bring new housing to the central city? - Bites - Opinions - June 4, 2015: Does Mayor Kevin Johnson's new downtown-housing plan actually bring new housing to the central city?The mayor promises 10,000 new housing units downtown. But weren’t they already going to happen?This week, Mayor Kevin Johnson launche
It’s teachers vs. day care, as the children pay | The Sacramento Bee
It’s teachers vs. day care, as the children pay | The Sacramento Bee: It’s teachers vs. day care, as the children pay BY THE EDITORIAL BOARDThe Rube Goldberg contraption that is California’s school spending mandate has hijacked the budget, just as we all knew it would.And the fallout is ugly. For months, legislative analysts warned that this year’s revenue windfall might be consumed by consequence
Appealing to Union, Hillary Clinton Calls Teachers 'Scapegoats' - First Draft. Political News, Now. - NYTimes.com
Appealing to Union, Hillary Clinton Calls Teachers 'Scapegoats' - First Draft. Political News, Now. - NYTimes.com: Appealing to Union, Hillary Clinton Calls Teachers ‘Scapegoats’Hillary Rodham Clinton at an event in Hampton, N.H., on May 22.Credit Ian Thomas Jansen-Lonnquist for The New York TimesHillary Rodham Clinton made an appeal for an endorsement from theAmerican Federation of Teachers this
Are students better off in charter schools? State says it’s unsure | The CT Mirror
Are students better off in charter schools? State says it’s unsure | The CT Mirror: Are students better off in charter schools? State says it’s unsureAmid the ferocious debate about whether Connecticut students are better off in charter schools, the State Department of Education has released the results of its first-ever research on the subject.It provides little clarity."The results were a m
The ultimate in school choice or school as a commodity? - The Washington Post
The ultimate in school choice or school as a commodity? - The Washington Post: The ultimate in school choice or school as a commodity?tarting next school year, any parent in Nevada can pull a child from the state’s public schools and take tax dollars with them, giving families the option to use public money to pay for private or parochial school or even for home schooling.The new law, which the st
Time to break up the Los Angeles school system | EdSource
Time to break up the Los Angeles school system | EdSource: Time to break up the Los Angeles school systemJun 3, 2015 | By Carl Cohn | No CommentsCarl Cohn467Now that the recent school board elections are over in the Los Angeles Unified School District, there will be the usual calls for a new beginning and getting down to the serious business of charting a bright future for the 600,000 or so deserv
Report: Despite D.C. school reforms, disparities persist in system - The Washington Post
Report: Despite D.C. school reforms, disparities persist in system - The Washington Post: Report: Despite D.C. school reforms, disparities persist in systemThe District’s public schools have made promising improvements after seven years of intensive reforms, but many disparities persist in academic resources and performance between poor and affluent students, according to the National Research Cou
Defies Measurement - what happens when the wrong people make decisions for schools.
shine on productions - Defies Measurement: Defies Measurementa documentaryWatch the film here for free!Plan a screeningWatch the trailerLike us on FacebookBuy a t-shirtDefies Measurement strengthens the discussion about public education by taking a much-needed, fresh, hard look at why it is so important to address the social and emotional needs of every student, and what happens when the wrong peo
Behind Grass-Roots School Advocacy, Bill Gates - NYTimes.com
Behind Grass-Roots School Advocacy, Bill Gates - NYTimes.com: Behind Grass-Roots School Advocacy, Bill GatesINDIANAPOLIS — A handful of outspoken teachers helped persuade state lawmakers this spring to eliminate seniority-based layoff policies. They testified before the legislature, wrote briefing papers and published an op-ed article in The Indianapolis Star.They described themselves simply as lo