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Friday, October 16, 2015

Special Nite Cap: Catch Up on Today's Post 10/16/15






Seattle Police Chief Defends Officer Who Assulted Me With pepper spray | I AM AN EDUCATOR
Seattle Police Chief Defends Officer Who Assulted Me With pepper spray | I AM AN EDUCATOR: Seattle Police Chief Defends Officer Who Assulted Me With pepper sprayAt a Martin Luther King Day protests this year I was assaulted by a Seattle police officer whopepper sprayed me in the face as I was on the phone with my mom, arranging plans for her to pick me up and take me to my son’s two-year-old birth
Framing education as a business attracts the wrong people - Opinion - Crain's Chicago Business
Framing education as a business attracts the wrong people - Opinion - Crain's Chicago Business: Framing education as a business attracts the wrong peopleToday's guilty plea by Barbara Byrd-Bennett, in the wake of revelations that she has proved a strident (albeit inept) recipient of bribes, obviously represents another in a too-long litany of our city's public officials who prize personal gain ove
Rightwing Pro-reform group spends big on 2015 campaign | Chalkbeat
Pro-reform group spends big on 2015 campaign | Chalkbeat: Pro-reform group spends big on 2015 campaignA committee affiliated with Democrats for Education Reform has spent nearly $90,000 on campaign materials for two Denver school board candidates.The group, Raising Colorado, spent $87,667 with two East Coast advertising agencies to produce campaign materials, according to campaign finance records
Seattle Schools Community Forum: District Can't Quit the Alliance That Fast
Seattle Schools Community Forum: District Can't Quit the Alliance That Fast: District Can't Quit the Alliance That FastAs I reported, the district and the Alliance for Education each put out a letter, outlining the dissolution of their 20-year partnership.  As I also said, there is something bittersweet to this as the Alliance started with the blessing of the late Superintendent John Stanford.  He
Can Reading and Writing Overcome "The Beast Side?" | John Thompson
Can Reading and Writing Overcome "The Beast Side?" | John Thompson: Can Reading and Writing Overcome "The Beast Side?"D. Watkins's The Beast Side has a lot in common with Ta-Nehisi Coates's Between the World and Me. Both grew up in Baltimore during the 1980s crack and gang years. Neither were violent people although both share the story of their one violent act. Unlike Coates,
Change The LAUSD: Making the LAUSD Accountable to all Students #‎lausd‬
Change The LAUSD: Making the LAUSD Accountable to all Students:Eli Broad's LAUSD?Posted by Carl J. Petersen · September 28, 2015 8:00 PM“While working for two years as an accountant, Eli Broad saw his homebuilding clients making much more that he was, and he and Edythe’s cousin’s husband decided they, too, could build houses.”-Broad FoundationThere are some who like to quietly give to charities, b
Under pressure: Some Mississippi educators told to stay quiet on school funding battle - The Hechinger Report
Under pressure: Some Mississippi educators told to stay quiet on school funding battle - The Hechinger Report: Under pressure: Some Mississippi educators told to stay quiet on school funding battle"Maybe I’m crazy to speak out. But ... this is a big moment in public education. It’s a time to have all hands on deck."JACKSON, Miss — Meridian High School science teacher William Tucker has a
Rally calls for Community Schools, No Charter Takeovers | WeArePCAPS
Rally calls for Community Schools, No Charter Takeovers | WeArePCAPS: Rally calls for Community Schools, No Charter TakeoversJerry Jordan  photo credit: NewsworksHundreds of teachers, parents, students and community members rallied before the School Reform Commission meeting yesterday demanding the SRC reject the attempt by the District to turn over three elementary schools to charter companies. A
UNPARCC: Promote Learning, Not Test Prep
UNPARCC: Promote Learning, Not Test Prep: Information and ResourcesUnitedOptOut.comThe Network for Public EducationFairTest.orgJoin New Jerseyans on Facebook refusing the PARCCWhy we oppose the PARCC testAnswers to questions about PARCCHow to refuse the testTo learn about threats to public education visit: Save Our Schools New JerseyOperation BOO - The Big Opt OutHow to Spread the Word on Hallowee
Stench of Chicago’s Corporate Education Reform Industry scandal wafts as far as Connecticut - Wait What?
Stench of Chicago’s Corporate Education Reform Industry scandal wafts as far as Connecticut - Wait What?: Stench of Chicago’s Corporate Education Reform Industry scandal wafts as far as ConnecticutThis past Tuesday (October 13, 2015) former Chicago Public Schools CEO Barbara Byrd-Bennett, one of the nation’s leading Corporate Education Reform Industry leaders, pleaded guilty for her role in a $23
CURMUDGUCATION: LIly Tries To Muster the Troops
CURMUDGUCATION: LIly Tries To Muster the Troops: LIly Tries To Muster the TroopsThis week NEA President Lily Eskelsen-Garcia kicked off the union's work as a campaigning arm of the Clinton campaign by doing some damage control and trying to get the troops in line.I knew we were in trouble when I saw this tweet:Is it? Is it clear that educators are on the same page about the next President? Exactly
Louisiana Educator: Please Help Fight the Tidal Wave of Money Engulfing the BESE Elections
Louisiana Educator: Please Help Fight the Tidal Wave of Money Engulfing the BESE Elections: Please Help Fight the Tidal Wave of Money Engulfing the BESE ElectionsMy home is located in a part of Zachary that is in BESE District 8. Carolyn Hill is my BESE member.Yesterday I opened my mailbox to find two slick, extra large full color cards extolling the virtues of Hill's only opponent, Jada Lewis. I
Explosion of Private Contracting in Education Created Climate for Chicago Scandal | janresseger
Explosion of Private Contracting in Education Created Climate for Chicago Scandal | janresseger: Explosion of Private Contracting in Education Created Climate for Chicago ScandalSarah Karp, until recently a distinguished reporter for Catalyst Chicago, a publication whose logo says it’s mission is “independent reporting on urban schools,” originally broke the story on the role of Barbara Byrd-Benne
Seattle Parents: Good news! I just found over $400,000 in unspent Amplify dollars! | Seattle Education
Seattle Parents: Good news! I just found over $400,000 in unspent Amplify dollars! | Seattle Education: Seattle Parents: Good news! I just found over $400,000 in unspent Amplify dollars!It’s been a wild week since “25 or something” Seattle Public Schools were blindsided with staff cuts. After the initial shock, parents came up with surprising ways to push back and work together.A new group formed,
“Value-Less” Value-Added Data | VAMboozled!
“Value-Less” Value-Added Data | VAMboozled!: “Value-Less” Value-Added DataPeter Greene, a veteran teacher of English in Pennsylvania who works as a teacher in a state using the Pennsylvania version of the Education Value-Added Assessment System (EVAAS), wrote last week (October 5, 2015) in his Curmudgucation blog about his “Value-Less Data.” I thought it very important to share with you all, as he
Eva Moskowtiz is Out of Control | Daniel Katz, Ph.D.
Eva Moskowtiz is Out of Control | Daniel Katz, Ph.D.: Eva Moskowtiz is Out of ControlFresh off their rally with charter school parents and students on October 7th, “Families” For Excellent Schools has announced that they will hold another rally on Wednesday the 21st of October.   This rally, which will be held in Manhattan’s Foley Square, will reportedly feature nearly 1,000 charter school teacher
Geaux Teacher!: BESE District 1 - Needs an Honest Representative
Geaux Teacher!: BESE District 1 - Needs an Honest Representative: BESE District 1 - Needs an Honest RepresentativeMy Campaign WebsiteThe Times-Picayune editorial board, unsurprisingly, did not even interview BESE candidates this year before making their recommendations. Their endorsement for my opponent and their incorrect description of BESE District 1 show that they not only can't get it right,
'Get out of the way and let me teach': Utah politicians, educators square off | The Salt Lake Tribune
'Get out of the way and let me teach': Utah politicians, educators square off | The Salt Lake Tribune: ‘Get out of the way and let me teach’: Utah politicians, educators square off(Steve Griffin | The Salt Lake Tribune) South Ogden Junior High School english teacher Kim Irvine asks Gov. Gary Herbert a question as they attend the Hot Topics and Hot Dogs discussion at the Annual Utah Education Assoc
On ed reform, Arne Duncan loses by winning - The Boston Globe
On ed reform, Arne Duncan loses by winning - The Boston Globe: Has education reform lost its power?When President Obama tapped deputy education secretary John B. King Jr. to replace his departing boss, Arne Duncan, he signaled that the US Department of Education would maintain its course during the final year of Obama’s term.But everything else about the politics of education is in flux — because
Newark teachers union to storm city hall as charters gear up for review - Watchdog.org
Newark teachers union to storm city hall as charters gear up for review - Watchdog.org: Newark teachers union to storm city hall as charters gear up for reviewToday marks the renewal application deadline for New Jersey charter schools with several determined to be the alternative choice for students of Newark, despite the city teachers union’s unapologetic show of disapproval.According to a report
Teacher Rafe Esquith's misconduct investigation is a high-profile test for LAUSD's 'tiger team' - LA Times
Teacher Rafe Esquith's misconduct investigation is a high-profile test for LAUSD's 'tiger team' - LA Times: Teacher Rafe Esquith's misconduct investigation is a high-profile test for LAUSD's 'tiger team'Rafe Esquith, the most celebrated teacher in L.A., was removed from his classroom this spring. (Anne Cusack / Los Angeles Times)Howard Blume and Zahira TorresContact ReportersWhen a colleague compl
Wisdom from four decades of education reporting
Wisdom from four decades of education reporting: Wisdom from four decades of education reportingSpecial correspondent John Merrow has reported on education for more than four decades, and for the PBS NewsHour since the 1980s. Now retiring, he joins Judy Woodruff to talk about what he’s observed over the years.RELATEDLongtime NewsHour education correspondent John Merrow retires

YESTERDAY

THE UGLY TRUTH BEHIND LAUSD'S FIRING OF RAFE ESQUITH - Perdaily.com
THE UGLY TRUTH BEHIND LAUSD'S FIRING OF RAFE ESQUITH - Perdaily.com: THE UGLY TRUTH BEHIND LAUSD'S FIRING OF RAFE ESQUITH(Mensaje se repite en Español)A reliable source has stated that falsely charged LAUSD teacher Rafe Esquith has predictably been fired by a unanimous vote of the LAUSD Board of Directors in closed session. This is without any verified charges, made under penalty of perjury, as is
Isabel’s children–abandoned by Newark’s schools, betrayed by its politicians | Bob Braun's Ledger
Isabel’s children–abandoned by Newark’s schools, betrayed by its politicians | Bob Braun's Ledger: Isabel’s children–abandoned by Newark’s schools, betrayed by its politiciansThere is a lot of cruelty in the way Newark schools treat parents and their children. Especially the way the state-run school administration treats the neediest, the most powerless.  Just ask Isabel Troche and her four childr
Attorneys to Kevin Johnson: Don’t hug city workers | The Sacramento Bee
Attorneys to Kevin Johnson: Don’t hug city workers | The Sacramento Bee: Attorneys to Kevin Johnson: Don’t hug city workersFour months after a former city employee accused Sacramento Mayor Kevin Johnson of sexual harassment, a law firm hired by the city wrote in a confidential memo that Johnson should “be advised as to how his actions (i.e. hugging and being flirty) are being perceived” by some ci
Jersey Jazzman: Charter Schools, An Exchange: Part I
Jersey Jazzman: Charter Schools, An Exchange: Part I: Charter Schools, An Exchange: Part IDmitri Mehlhorn is a venture capitalist and school "reform" advocate. He was the COO of StudentsFirst, Michelle Rhee's education "reform" lobbying group, and he maintains a regular presence in both traditional and social media as an advocate for charter school proliferation, the revocation
NATIONAL BENNETTS IN JAIL DAY | Reclaim Reform
NATIONAL BENNETTS IN JAIL DAY | Reclaim Reform: NATIONAL BENNETTS IN JAIL DAY The pillaging of public education tax money for the profit a few private corporations, hedge funds, and their multimillionaire/billionaire owners is criminal.Tony Bennett, Florida Commissioner of Schools, cheated on high stakes test scores for the charter schools in Indiana owned by his wealthy campaign owner buddy. In a
Special Nite Cap: Catch Up on Today's Post 10/15/15
CORPORATE ED REFORMJCOPE: Education tops lobbying spending for first half of 2015 - Capitol ConfidentialJCOPE: Education tops lobbying spending for first half of 2015 - Capitol Confidential: JCOPE: Education tops lobbying spending for first half of 2015 Lobbying groups dedicated to education issues once again topped the list of spending in the first half of 2015, according to the midyear report re