CORPORATE ED REFORM
CURMUDGUCATION: NEA on ESSA
CURMUDGUCATION: NEA on ESSA: NEA on ESSAThursday evening NEA Government Relations Director Mary Kulser andDirector of Education Policy and Practice Donna Harris-Aikensspoke on a brief conference call about NEA and the New ESSA. This will be as disjointed as my notes, and there aren't many surprises here, though a few pieces of clarifying information.Richard Allen Smith opened by observing that &qu
Pssst…Mark, it’s me again. | Save Maine Schools
Pssst…Mark, it’s me again. | Save Maine Schools: Pssst…Mark, it’s me again.Dear Mark,First – my sincerest congratulations on the birth of your baby girl. My son (now sleeping in my arms and making typing a bit difficult) was born just over a year ago, so I know quite well the wonder and fatigue of those first few weeks. I hope you and your wife have gotten some sleep since you’ve been home, and i
NEA - NEA welcomes historic step to usher in new era in public education
NEA - NEA welcomes historic step to usher in new era in public education: NEA welcomes historic step to usher in new era in public educationU.S. House approves bill to create greater opportunity for every student to succeedWASHINGTON - December 02, 2015 -The U.S. House of Representatives today approved S. 1177, the Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA), a bipartisan and bicameral bill to reauthorize t
L.A. school board to consider revised motion against rapid charter expansion - LA Times
L.A. school board to consider revised motion against rapid charter expansion - LA Times: L.A. school board to consider revised motion against rapid charter expansionLos Angeles school board member Scott Schmerelson, who recently urged his colleagues to oppose a massive charter school expansion plan, has revised a proposal to make it more general — opposing market-driven education reforms and no lo
Seattle Schools Community Forum: Rich People: Why Do They ALL Have to Come After Public Ed?
Seattle Schools Community Forum: Rich People: Why Do They ALL Have to Come After Public Ed?: Rich People: Why Do They ALL Have to Come After Public Ed?To start, consider this from Inside Philanthropy (one of my new favorite places to stop by and read awhile:)Now, with the rise of Big Philanthropy, we’re seeing the logical next act in this age of inequality—the conversion of all those big piles of
Jersey Jazzman: Return To Teachers Village, Part III: Who's Learning At Teachers Village?
Jersey Jazzman: Return To Teachers Village, Part III: Who's Learning At Teachers Village?: Return To Teachers Village, Part III: Who's Learning At Teachers Village? Here's Part I of this series, and here's Part II.Let's ask again: how much money have the taxpayers spent on Newark's Teachers Village?Teachers’ Village represents a complex mixture of innovatively structured public and private financi
‘It pains me to write this': Obama’s first summit on high schools was a big fail - The Washington Post
‘It pains me to write this': Obama’s first summit on high schools was a big fail - The Washington Post: ‘It pains me to write this': Obama’s first summit on high schools was a big failTed Dintersmith is a venture capitalist and father of two who is now focused on education-related initiatives that call for a radical restructuring of what and how students learn. He organized, funded and produced th
Victory in Court: Consequences Attached to VAMs Suspended Throughout New Mexico | VAMboozled!
Victory in Court: Consequences Attached to VAMs Suspended Throughout New Mexico | VAMboozled!: Victory in Court: Consequences Attached to VAMs Suspended Throughout New MexicoGreat news for New Mexico and New Mexico’s approximately 23,000 teachers, and great news for states and teachers potentially elsewhere, in terms of setting precedent!Late yesterday, state District Judge David K. Thomson, who p
Rise to the Challenge - The Crucial VoiceThe Crucial Voice
Rise to the Challenge - The Crucial VoiceThe Crucial Voice: Rise to the ChallengeWhen I last posted a blog, I was challenged. The challenge was to THINK…AND DO!I responded…Well, life doesn’t lend itself well to being put on hold, but I did my best with the time I had and produced an alternative for Congress to consider. The problem is, Congress never wanted to consider any of the good ideas concer
CURMUDGUCATION: The New ESEA and Content
CURMUDGUCATION: The New ESEA and Content: The New ESEA and ContentThere's a huge amount of discussion about how the New ESEA will affect policy and the flow of money and the new ways that privateers can grub for that money and just how big a hash states will make out of education, anyway etc etc etc,But over at the Fordham blog, Robert Pondiscio has put a bit of focus where focus ought to be-- the
Charter group tells LAUSD board contribution process was lawful - LA School Report
Charter group tells LAUSD board contribution process was lawful - LA School Report: Charter group tells LAUSD board contribution process was lawful The executive director of the state charter schoolspolitical action committee sent anemail to the LA Unified school board and other district officials yesterday, offering a sharp response to a storyin the Los Angeles Times that was highly critical of t
Stefanie Fuhr, a Colorado Opt Out Leader, says: I Trust the Teachers - UNITED OPT OUT: The Movement to End Corporate Education Reform
Stefanie Fuhr, a Colorado Opt Out Leader, says: I Trust the Teachers - UNITED OPT OUT: The Movement to End Corporate Education Reform: Stefanie Fuhr, a Colorado Opt Out Leader, says: I Trust the TeachersColorado is gearing up for mass Opt Out action via the informal RAVE caucus (Re-igniting Association Values for Educators).Recently one of the founders of RAVE, Stefanie Fuhr, was interviewed on Ch
Mike Klonsky's SmallTalk Blog: We need an independent People's Task Force in Chicago
Mike Klonsky's SmallTalk Blog: We need an independent People's Task Force in Chicago: We need an independent People's Task Force in ChicagoI'm all for the call by A.G. Lisa Madigan, for a federal civil rights investigation of the Chicago PD and City Hall's ongoing cover-up of recent police killings. I'm glad to see that the call to bring in the feds is gaining broad support, including most recent
Education Votes: IDEA at 40: Has Congress abandoned the promise of the special education law? - Lily's Blackboard
Education Votes: IDEA at 40: Has Congress abandoned the promise of the special education law? - Lily's Blackboard: Education Votes: IDEA at 40: Has Congress abandoned the promise of the special education law?Featured on Education Votes:“When President Gerald Ford signed the law now known as the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) 40 years ago, he was committed to the law’s goals but
New Mexico judge hits pause on controversial test-based teacher evaluations - The Washington Post
New Mexico judge hits pause on controversial test-based teacher evaluations - The Washington Post: New Mexico judge hits pause on controversial test-based teacher evaluationsAmerican Federation of Teachers President Randi Weingarten testifies before Congress in 2008. REUTERS/Mitch DumkeA New Mexico judge has temporarily barred schools from using the state’s controversial test-based teacher evaluat
SFER - The $7 million+ “student run” Corporate Education Reform Industry Front Group - Wait What?
SFER - The $7 million+ “student run” Corporate Education Reform Industry Front Group - Wait What?: SFER – The $7 million+ “student run” Corporate Education Reform Industry Front GroupAn update on Students for Education Reform, Inc.SFER is a model of how the Pro-Charter School and Corporate Education Reform Industry works to control the narrative surrounding public education while seeking to “win t
Some look Zuckerberg's gift horse in the mouth - POLITICO
Some look Zuckerberg's gift horse in the mouth - POLITICO: Some look Zuckerberg's gift horse in the mouth“If I was advising Zuckerberg, I think the question is: Is he searching for a silver-bullet solution?”Facebook CEO Mark Zuckerberg plans to pour billions of dollars into a high-tech idea that has been billed as the future of learning, but which critics see as a half-baked notion that could jeop
Judge suspends penalties linked to state’s teacher eval system - The Santa Fe New Mexican: Northern New Mexico Education
Judge suspends penalties linked to state’s teacher eval system - The Santa Fe New Mexican: Northern New Mexico Education: Judge suspends penalties linked to state’s teacher eval systemA Santa Fe judge struck a blow against the state’s contentious teacher evaluation system Wednesday, temporarily halting provisions that would punish teachers for poor scores until a trial can determine whether the ra
No Child Left Behind replacement would give other states the freedom California has already claimed - LA Times
No Child Left Behind replacement would give other states the freedom California has already claimed - LA Times: No Child Left Behind replacement would give other states the freedom California has already claimedWith No Child Left Behind one step closer to being a thing of the past, the governance of schools in other states is poised to look a lot more like California’s. On Wednesday afternoon, the
TeachStrong: Will New Campaign Undo Teacher Bashing and Sustain Those Called to Teach? | janresseger
TeachStrong: Will New Campaign Undo Teacher Bashing and Sustain Those Called to Teach? | janresseger: TeachStrong: Will New Campaign Undo Teacher Bashing and Sustain Those Called to Teach?Did you know there’s a brand new campaign to improve teaching, a campaign, according toLyndsey Layton of the Washington Post, that says its goal is “modernizing and elevating” the teaching profession? This is a
Before Minecraft, The Blocks Were Made Of Wood : NPR Ed : NPR
Before Minecraft, The Blocks Were Made Of Wood : NPR Ed : NPR: Before Minecraft, The Blocks Were Made Of WoodFor our Tools of the Trade series, we're exploring the iconic, seminal tools that some of us remember using in our early schooling. Things like the slide rule and protractor, the Bunsen burner and the planetarium.Today we explore the simple, powerful tool that is still alive and well in som
House Restores Local Education Control in Revising No Child Left Behind - The New York Times
House Restores Local Education Control in Revising No Child Left Behind - The New York Times: House Restores Local Education Control in Revising No Child Left BehindSenator Lamar Alexander, Republican of Tennessee, left, and Representative John Kline, a Minnesota Republican. Credit Jacquelyn Martin/Associated PressWASHINGTON — The House on Wednesday approved a sweeping bill to revise the contentio
Go Ahead, Pass Every Student Succeeds Act, But Don’t Celebrate It
12/3/2015 – Pass Every Student Succeeds Act, But Don’t Celebrate It: Go Ahead, Pass Every Student Succeeds Act, But Don’t Celebrate ItDecember 3, 2015 SubscribeTHIS WEEK: US Falling Behind … College Attendance Rates Fall … Diversity Works … California’s Alternative To Testing … Teacher-Powered Schools GrowTOP STORYGo Ahead, Pass Every Student Succeeds Act, But Don’t Celebrate ItBy Jeff Bryant“On W
John Thompson: The Failed Claims for Market-Driven Reforms | Diane Ravitch's blog
John Thompson: The Failed Claims for Market-Driven Reforms | Diane Ravitch's blog: John Thompson: The Failed Claims for Market-Driven ReformsJohn Thompson, historian and teacher, analyzes the specious arguments for market-driven reforms. (Note: Although John says that Susan Dynarsky’s New York Times article is “intellectually honest,” Ipreviously wrote that she pulled the reformer trick of studyin
Are Republicans who Voted For ESEA Really Democrats in Drag? » Missouri Education Watchdog
Are Republicans who Voted For ESEA Really Democrats in Drag? » Missouri Education Watchdog: Are Republicans who Voted For ESEA Really Democrats in Drag?Is this the face of the GOP? Are the GOP House members who voted for the ESEA reauthorization–a 1000 plus page bill that was made public only two days ago and filled with Federal carrots/sticks to make sure states don’t direct their own educationa
Fact Sheet: Congress Acts to Fix No Child Left Behind | U.S. Department of Education
Fact Sheet: Congress Acts to Fix No Child Left Behind | U.S. Department of Education: Statement by U.S. Secretary of Education Arne Duncan on House Passage of the Every Student Succeeds ActDECEMBER 2, 2015Contact: Press Office, (202) 401-1576, press@ed.gov"It is good news for our nation's schools that the House has passed a serious bipartisan plan to fix the No Child Left Behind law. No Chi
End Voodoo Education: Vote "NO" on Revised no Child Left Behind | John C. Fager
End Voodoo Education: Vote "NO" on Revised no Child Left Behind | John C. Fager:End Voodoo Education: Vote "NO" on Revised no Child Left BehindDear Senators Sanders, Warren, Tester, & Paul,Next week you should vote a loud "NO" on the legislation to revise No Child Left Behind (NCLB), the current version of the basic American education law the Elementary and Second
How To Oust a Right-Wing School Board - NEA Today
How To Oust a Right-Wing School Board - NEA Today: How To Oust a Right-Wing School BoardJefferson County election workers count and stamp recall petitions collected by parents and educators to remove anti-public education school board members. (AP Photo/Brennan Linsley, File)Let’s rewind two years to Election Day 2013, in Jefferson County, Colorado, when it became quite clear that educators, paren
Congress is getting rid of No Child Left Behind. Here’s what will replace it. - Vox
Congress is getting rid of No Child Left Behind. Here’s what will replace it. - Vox: Congress is getting rid of No Child Left Behind. Here’s what will replace it.The days of No Child Left Behind are numbered.The House of Representatives voted Wednesday night, with a massive bipartisan majority of 359 to 64, in favor of a new education bill that would reduce the federal role in K-12 education for t
What proposed changes to ESEA mean for students of color | TheHill
What proposed changes to ESEA mean for students of color | TheHill: What proposed changes to ESEA mean for students of color“There’s no use in passing a federal education bill if it’s not a civil rights bill” —Sen. Chris Murphy (D-Conn.)Many of us can agree that the most recent iteration of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act (ESEA), commonly referred to as No Child Left Behind (NCLB) and p
All the philanthropic causes near and dear to the hearts of Mark Zuckerberg and Priscilla Chan - Quartz
All the philanthropic causes near and dear to the hearts of Mark Zuckerberg and Priscilla Chan - Quartz: All the philanthropic causes near and dear to the hearts of Mark Zuckerberg and Priscilla ChanWelcoming his new daughter to the world, Facebook CEO Mark Zuckerberg announced yesterday (Dec. 1) that he and his wife Priscilla Chan plan to donate 99% of their shares in the social network to a new
Giving it away: A look at past decade's $1 billion donations
Giving it away: A look at past decade's $1 billion donations: Giving it away: A look at past decade's $1 billion donationsWarren Buffett, right, stands with Bill and Melinda Gates June 26, 2006 at a news conference where Buffett spoke about his financial gift to the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation in New York City.The elite list includes three men—Microsoft co-founder Bill Gates, stock market sa
Teachers union president apologizes for remarks about ‘chronically tarded’ and ‘medically annoying’ kids - The Washington Post
Teachers union president apologizes for remarks about ‘chronically tarded’ and ‘medically annoying’ kids - The Washington Post: Teachers union president apologizes for remarks about ‘chronically tarded’ and ‘medically annoying’ kidsThe president of the nation’s largest teachers union has apologized for referring to “chronically tarded” and “medically annoying” children, remarks that drew stiff reb
YESTERDAY
Jersey Jazzman: The @starledger's Editorial Page Editor, @tomamoran, Is Once Again a Massive Hypocrite
Jersey Jazzman: The @starledger's Editorial Page Editor, @tomamoran, Is Once Again a Massive Hypocrite: The @starledger's Editorial Page Editor, @tomamoran, Is Once Again a Massive Hypocrite Just when I think my world can't get any more bizarre:The New Hampshire Union Leader's endorsement of Chris Christie for president has drawn fire from an unexpected quarter: another newspaper. A few days after
Seattle Schools Community Forum: It Appears Many Are Lining Up to "Save" Washington State Charter Schools
Seattle Schools Community Forum: It Appears Many Are Lining Up to "Save" Washington State Charter Schools: It Appears Many Are Lining Up to "Save" Washington State Charter SchoolsWould that be as many folks lining up to support McCleary funding for over 1M Washington state public school students.Here's the latest.I asked OSPI some questions and got some curious answers. Me 1) i
Jersey Jazzman: Star-Ledger: Christie Stinks, But We Hate Teachers Unions More
Jersey Jazzman: Star-Ledger: Christie Stinks, But We Hate Teachers Unions More: Star-Ledger: Christie Stinks, But We Hate Teachers Unions MoreNOTE: I accidentally erased this post on 12/2/15. I retrieved it through Google Cache and have printed it with the original publishing date.When it comes to generating illogical, incoherent, self-contradictory claptrap, Editorial Page Editor Tom Moran and hi
Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA) Passes House 359-64 | deutsch29
Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA) Passes House 359-64 | deutsch29: Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA) Passes House 359-64On December 02, 2015, the Every Student Achieves Act (ESSA) passed the Houseby a vote of 359-64.All 64 Nay votes were Republican, with three Democrats and seven Republicans not voting.ESSA is the long-overdue reauthorization of the Ele,entary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 (
Special Nite Cap: Catch Up on Today's Post 12/2/15
CORPORATE ED REFORM Put the brakes on the ESEA reauthorization bill | Seattle EducationPut the brakes on the ESEA reauthorization bill | Seattle Education: Put the brakes on the ESEA reauthorization billThe ESEA reauthorization bill was released on Monday, November 30th. The bill is over 1,000 pages long and is scheduled for a vote this week on the House floor. It is not possible for citizens to
