Latest News and Comment from Education

Monday, October 5, 2015

Bill Ayers and the Education Revolution - UNITED OPT OUT: The Movement to End Corporate Education Reform

Bill Ayers and the Education Revolution - UNITED OPT OUT: The Movement to End Corporate Education Reform:

Bill Ayers will be a keynote at the UOO conference this February in Philly. We asked him, What does the education revolution look like?




Bill Ayers and the Education Revolution - UNITED OPT OUT: The Movement to End Corporate Education Reform:



Help fund the 2016 UOO Conference



Jerry Brown, Arne Duncan had deep, long-standing disagreements | EdSource

Jerry Brown, Arne Duncan had deep, long-standing disagreements | EdSource:

Jerry Brown, Arne Duncan had deep, long-standing disagreements



In 2013, after years of butting heads over policy differences, U.S. Education Secretary Arne Duncan praised Gov. Jerry Brown for showing “real vision, real courage” in leading the passage of a school funding formula that steers substantially more money to English learners and low-income students.

Duncan, who announced Friday he would resign as secretary in December, had a problematic relationship with Brown. In their shared focus on improving the education of low-income, minority children, and their support of charter schools and the Common Core State Standards, Duncan and Brown are simpatico. But for the seven years that Duncan has been education secretary, pointed and seemingly irreconcilable differences have defined their relationship. The governor of a solidly Democratic state and a Democratic president’s point man on education were like two ships colliding in a sea of policy disagreements.
The most visible was Brown’s opposition to using standardized test scores as a significant part of a teacher’s evaluation. Its refusal to use test scores disqualified California for extra points in its two failed applications for a share of $4.3 billion in the Race to the Top competition intended to promote school and district innovation.
The state was also disqualified for a state waiver from the penalties of the No Child Left Behind law.
The test score requirement and Duncan’s statement last year in support of the court ruling in the Vergara case, overturning teacher tenure Jerry Brown, Arne Duncan had deep, long-standing disagreements | EdSource:


Jersey Jazzman: John King, New SecEd, Is The King of Student Suspensions

Jersey Jazzman: John King, New SecEd, Is The King of Student Suspensions:

John King, New SecEd, Is The King of Student Suspensions 





If you read the news reports following the announcement of John King as our new Secretary of Education, you'd think he had run some of the most successful schools in the country. Here, for example, is Vox:

1) He's the founder of a successful charter school chain

Unlike Duncan, King has been a classroom teacher: He taught for three years, two of them in a charter school, after getting his master's degree in teaching from Columbia University. In 1999, he became co-director of Roxbury Prep, a Boston charter school renowned for getting high test scores despite serving an exclusively low-income black and Latino student body. King, the New York Times wrote in 2011, was instrumental in designing the charter school's curriculum and disciplinary structure — including required school uniforms and rules against talking in the hallways. [emphasis mine]
John King, hand-picked by President Obama to lead out nation's schools, took the lead in designing Roxbury Prep's discipline policies. How has that played out? - See more at: http://jerseyjazzman.blogspot.com/2015/10/john-king-new-seced-is-king-of-student.html#sthash.lAwFI2az.dpuf


Mike Klonsky's SmallTalk Blog: Tribune's disgusting editorial on gun violence. Did McCarthy's people plant it?

Mike Klonsky's SmallTalk Blog: Tribune's disgusting editorial on gun violence. Did McCarthy's people plant it?:

Tribune's disgusting editorial on gun violence. Did McCarthy's people plant it?



City Council Black Caucus chairman Ald. Roderick Sawyer (6th), at podium, and members on Monday call for the firing of Chicago Police Supt. Garry McCarthy. | Rich Hein/Sun-Times
In August, you [aldermen] had more than 40 people shot on four consecutive weekends. In the deadliest September since 2002, you had 60 people killed. Aldermen, for too long you've avoided wearing a jacket for Chicago's mayhem. -- Tribune editorial
The Tribune's Oct. 1 editorial, Aldermen, own Chicago violence, has the same rotten odor as their previous ones calling for a "Mussolini-type dictator" to run the schools and for a "Katrina-like disaster" to hit Chicago.

This time though, they've actually outdone themselves, shifting blame for the dramatic rise in gun violence that has occurred during the Rahm/McCarthy years, onto black and Latino communities and their aldermen. It reads as a total ass-Mike Klonsky's SmallTalk Blog: Tribune's disgusting editorial on gun violence. Did McCarthy's people plant it?:

CURMUDGUCATION: Can Philly Super Do His Job?

CURMUDGUCATION: Can Philly Super Do His Job?:

Can Philly Super Do His Job?





Today the Daily News in Philly ran an editorial declaring, "Let Philly Schools Chief Hite Do His Job." The editorial writer is pretty much full of it; nevertheless, I agree that Hite should get to do his job. In fact, I wish somebody would make him do his job.

The issue at hand seems to be that Superintendent Hite is getting ready to privatize some more of the Philly school district. Some of the charter operators being brought in include Big Picture Foundation of Rhode Island and the ever-delightful Renaissance schools.

I could get into the issue of charters taking over public schools, or the track record of these particular operators, or the history of Hite and the Philly district. But I don't want to draw attention away from the most striking part of this story.

The superintendent of a major public school district is turning public schools over to charter operators.

The union says that the schools are failing because they've been starved for resources. The Daily News, saying that these schools stunk even in flush times in Philly, calls out other factors--

In fact, the thread that binds all of the schools on the list is that they are failing to educate the students who attend them. Their test scores are lower than low, some have experienced high 
CURMUDGUCATION: Can Philly Super Do His Job?:

VIDEO: Hundreds rally as national union president calls for respect, dignity for Scranton teachers - News - The Times-Tribune

Hundreds rally as national union president calls for respect, dignity for Scranton teachers - News - The Times-Tribune:

Hundreds rally as national union president calls for respect, dignity for Scranton teachers






Hundreds of Scranton teachers, led by the national president of their union, demanded today that the school district treat them with respect and dignity.

On the sixth day of the strike, most of the union’s 940 teachers and paraprofessionals filled the sidewalk and closed a lane of traffic in front of the district’s Administration Building. American Federation of Teachers President Randi Weingarten gave an impassioned plea for a fair contract.

“You are striking for what kids need. You are striking for their future and shame on this board of education and shame on this superintendent,” she said during her second visit to Scranton in the last month.



As Ms. Weingarten spoke, some district employees peered out the windows. Many of her comments were directed at the school board and to the new superintendent, Alexis Kirijan, Ed.D.

“If you, madam superintendent, really believe in kids the way you so profess, then you get to the bargaining table and negotiate 24-7,” Ms. Weingarten said. “How do you come in from Atlanta in July, and the first thing you do is create a strike in this great city of Scranton?”

Mary Delmar, a teacher at Kennedy Elementary School, said union members stand together, eliciting cheers from fellow employees.

“We have never been treated like this before,” she said. “We are being treated so disrespectfully.”

Teachers also carried boxes into the building’s lobby containing petitions with 11,000 signatures that called for a fair contract for Scranton teachers.

“What’s fair for one is fair for all, 2.5 percent for all,” teachers chanted, making reference to the superintendent’s contract, which calls for automatic 2.5 percent raises.

Teacher Dawn Hafner grabbed a megaphone to help lead the chants.

“The longer we’re out, the stronger we get,” she and the teachers said.

When reached after the rally, Dr. Kirijan said she does not understand where teachers get the idea that she does not respect them.

“I have visited their classes several times and showed them a great deal of respect. I respect anyone who chooses the hard profession of a teacher,” she said. “I don’t measure respect by money. Maybe they’re confusing that.”

Dr. Kirijan also said she did not create the strike. The teachers called the strike, and they have the right to do that, she said.

“Any decisions that are being made per the teachers contract, those decisions are not being made solely by me. I work for the board of education,” she said. “We are trying to do the right things for the right reasons. Our budget can only stretch so far. We stretched the budget beyond what we could possibly comfortably do, to get teachers a contract that could be satisfactory to them, but it’s not.”

Dr. Kirijan said she was brought to the district to improve achievement and resolve the district’s financial challenges.

“The school district is broke. You really can’t give what you don’t have,” she said. “I’m here to straighten out the financial 



CLICK HERE TO READ THE REST AND SEE VIDEO of RANDI IN ACTION: Hundreds rally as national union president calls for respect, dignity for Scranton teachers - News - The Times-Tribune:

BustED Pencils Trending News: Duncan dunked; Bye Bye Standardized; Busting Pencils | BustED Pencils

BustED Pencils Trending News: Duncan dunked; Bye Bye Standardized; Busting Pencils | BustED Pencils:

BustED Pencils Trending News: Duncan dunked; Bye Bye Standardized; Busting Pencils





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BustEDstretch
Deputy Secretary of Education John B. King, Jr., Really?!!

Education Secretary Arne Duncan stepping down

BustEDstretch
Standardized tests SAT/ACT on the way out, good students are in!  Bye Bye Standardized.
What one college discovered when it stopped accepting SAT/ACT scores

BustEDstretch
Schools being creative in spite of Standardized testing!  This is what happens when you allow the “professionals” in this “profession” to do their jobs.  They find a way to help kids regardless of the numerous obstacles in their way.  Way to Bust some Pencils!!
Class in Session: Lessons from the Healthiest Schools in the Nation

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Enter your email under “SUBSCRIBE” on our Home or Trending News page atbustedpencils.com

Special Nite Cap: Catch Up on Today's Post 10/5/15




CORPORATE ED REFORM





Can You Spare $91,440? | EduShyster
Can You Spare $91,440? | EduShyster: Can You Spare $91,440?Because that’s how much seven Boston charter schools are charging to answer a public records request…Here’s a math question for you, reader. Say one wanted to submit a public records request to a handful of charter schools, inquiring about their recent lobbying activities. How much do you suppose such a request might set one back? If you a
OMG Barack, How Could You Pick John King? | Alan Singer
OMG Barack, How Could You Pick John King? | Alan Singer: OMG Barack, How Could You Pick John King?Arne Duncan is leaving as Barack Obama's Secretary of Education. Duncan's signature role was administering President Obama's Race to the Top program which forced states to adopt Common Core and the high-stakes testing of students and teachers to qualify for federal grants. He will not be missed. Dunca
State Parent Advisory Council - Migrant (CA Dept of Education)
State Parent Advisory Council - Migrant (CA Dept of Education): State Parent Advisory CouncilOctober meeting agenda for the public for the meeting being held on October 10, 2015.Regular MeetingSaturday, October 10, 2015Sacramento, CaliforniaAGENDAItemTimeDescriptionFacilitatorItem 1Action8:30-8:40amWelcome, Call to Order, Roll CallState Parent Advisory Council (SPAC) President, Vice PresidentItem
What the Classroom Didn’t Teach Me About the American Empire - Truthdig
What the Classroom Didn’t Teach Me About the American Empire - Truthdig: What the Classroom Didn’t Teach Me About the American EmpireThis article by the late Howard Zinn is a reprint from the archives of TomDispatch. Read Tom Engelhardt’s introduction here.With an occupying army waging war in Iraq and Afghanistan, with military bases and corporate bullying in every part of the world, there is hard
Schools Matter: NEA and AFT Misleaders Go with Broad-Gates Pick for President
Schools Matter: NEA and AFT Misleaders Go with Broad-Gates Pick for President: NEA and AFT Misleaders Go with Broad-Gates Pick for PresidentDuring the final months of Bill Clinton's presidency, both Bill and Hillary harded hard to secure legislation to benefit their friends' and supporters' newly-formed foundations, as well as the one planned for themselves.  TheClinton-friendly Broads and Dells g
The Upside of Arne Duncan - Teacher in a Strange Land - Education Week Teacher
The Upside of Arne Duncan - Teacher in a Strange Land - Education Week Teacher: The Upside of Arne DuncanSo what are we to make of Arne Duncan's surprise departure from his cabinet position, where he dutifully played POTUS Basketball Bud and less-than-articulate mouthpiece for the extremely well-heeled Democrats for Education Reform?Does anyone else wonder about the timing of this? Why was John B.
Lockdown. | Fred Klonsky
Lockdown. | Fred Klonsky: Lockdown.This story on school lockdowns in Slate made me remember my own experience with lockdown drills when I was teaching.Let me start by saying that I strongly believe that the primary job of a school and its staff, more than raising test scores or learning math facts (or, in my case, teaching color theory), is keeping our children safe.I always believed that I was do
Arne Duncan’s legacy - the top-down approach to education - The Hechinger Report
Arne Duncan’s legacy - the top-down approach to education - The Hechinger Report: Arne Duncan’s legacy – the top-down approach to educationcretary of Education Arne Duncan has been passionate about creating real change in education across America. As he leaves office, however, we must examine the efficacy of his reform initiatives.With the inauguration of a new president just about 15 months away,
Wendy Lecker’s latest column – The importance of listening to students - Wait What?
Wendy Lecker’s latest column – The importance of listening to students - Wait What?: Wendy Lecker’s latest column – The importance of listening to studentsIn a commentary piece entitled Heeding the lessons of teenagers, fellow Education Advocate and columnist Wendy Lecker used her latest article in the Stamford Advocate and other Hearst Media Group outlets to remind us that when it comes to the so
BATs Respond To Duncan Leaving USDOE | PopularResistance.Org
BATs Respond To Duncan Leaving USDOE | PopularResistance.Org: BATs Respond To Duncan Leaving USDOEToday the White House confirmed that U.S. Secretary of Education Arne Duncan would be stepping down. The Badass Teachers Association, an education activist organization with over 70,000 supporters nationwide, celebrate this decision. Sadly, at the same time we rejoice the resignation of a man who has
Arne Duncan’s Misguided Policies | janresseger
Arne Duncan’s Misguided Policies | janresseger: Arne Duncan’s Misguided PoliciesLast Friday after U.S. Secretary of Education Arne Duncan submitted his resignation as of the end of 2015, I heard President Barack Obama describe Duncan: “Arne’s done more to bring our educational system, sometimes kicking and screaming, into the 21st century than anybody else.”  It is worth considering carefully what
Mike Klonsky's SmallTalk Blog: WEEKEND QUOTABLES 'No confidence' in Duncan/King
Mike Klonsky's SmallTalk Blog: WEEKEND QUOTABLES 'No confidence' in Duncan/King: WEEKEND QUOTABLES 'No confidence' in Duncan/King"No Confidence" in Duncan/King.Jeanette Deutermann, Public school parent and founder of Long Island Opt Out“Throughout his term in New York, John King was notorious for his complete disconnect from parents, teachers, and school officials. His blatant disregard
Common Core Dissent *NOT* Appreciated by Connecticut Police Officer » Missouri Education Watchdog
Common Core Dissent *NOT* Appreciated by Connecticut Police Officer » Missouri Education Watchdog: Common Core Dissent *NOT* Appreciated by Connecticut Police OfficerA dossier of sorts was compiled by a police officer on an Connecticut citizen organizing an anti-Common Core informational session.  Maybe the police officer didn’t like that the dissenter is a Republican or is a ‘birther’.  Is dissen
Bill signed encouraging study of Latino deportation :: SI&A Cabinet Report
Bill signed encouraging study of Latino deportation :: SI&A Cabinet Report :: The Essential Resource for Superintendents and the Cabinet: Bill signed encouraging study of Latino deportation(Calif.) In 2005, California – via legislation – apologized for its role in mass deportations of Mexican-Americans that occurred during the Great Depression.Late last week, Gov. Jerry Brown signed a bill int
CURMUDGUCATION: PA: Value-less Data
CURMUDGUCATION: PA: Value-less Data: PA: Value-less DataIt's autumn in Pennsylvania, which means it's time to look at the rich data to be gleaned from our Big Standardized Test (called PSSA for grades 3-8, and Keytsone Exams at the high school level).We love us some value added data crunching in PA (our version is called PVAAS, an early version of the value-added baloney model). This is a model th
Reactions to Arne Duncan’s departure illustrate national divide over education - The Washington Post
Reactions to Arne Duncan’s departure illustrate national divide over education - The Washington Post: Reactions to Arne Duncan’s departure illustrate national divide over educationEducation Secretary Arne Duncan’s announcement on Friday that he plans to step down later this year was greeted by a range of reactions that illustrate how deeply divided the country is over the Obama administration’s ed
World Teachers Day Highlights Educator Shortage - NEA Today
World Teachers Day Highlights Educator Shortage - NEA Today: World Teachers Day Highlights Educator ShortageThe world needs more school teachers. A lot of them. Almost 26 million will need to be recruited to provide every child with a primary education by 2030, according to a report from the UNESCO Institute for Statistics (UIS).Filling these positions with high quality educators is critical to re
Special education teacher: Why it’s ‘idiotic’ to force my students to take standardized tests - The Washington Post
Special education teacher: Why it’s ‘idiotic’ to force my students to take standardized tests - The Washington Post: Special education teacher: Why it’s ‘idiotic’ to force my students to take standardized testsThe top picture is from November of 2014 and the bottom picture is from January 2015. Both pictures are from the same student.This is the remarkable story of the challenges facing one specia
‘Workers’ or slaves? Textbook maker backtracks after mother’s online complaint - The Washington Post
‘Workers’ or slaves? Textbook maker backtracks after mother’s online complaint - The Washington Post: ‘Workers’ or slaves? Textbook maker backtracks after mother’s online complaintMothers of teenagers are used to getting frustrating text messages, but the one that Roni Dean-Burren received from her 15-year-old son last week wasn’t about alcohol, dating or money for the movies.It was about history.
Union's chosen four could take majority on St. Paul school board - StarTribune.com
Union's chosen four could take majority on St. Paul school board - StarTribune.com: Union's chosen four could take majority on St. Paul school boardSchool board challengers back contract proposals. Teachers unions are strong, but in St. Paul, muscle is being flexed in new ways.Rather than simply work on behalf of candidates, the St. Paul Federation of Teachers teamed with parents this year to coor
PSSAs: Emphasis on standardized testing has gone too far
PSSAs: Emphasis on standardized testing has gone too far: PSSAs: Emphasis on standardized testing has gone too farFor a few years, measuring education performance using standardized tests was all about making “adequate yearly progress.”But don’t look for any “progress” in the newest crop of Pennsylvania standardized test scores — and not just because the scores are all lower.Even the Pennsylvania
Arne Duncan's on His Way Out: Does That Help or Hurt ESEA's Chances? - Politics K-12 - Education Week
Arne Duncan's on His Way Out: Does That Help or Hurt ESEA's Chances? - Politics K-12 - Education Week: Arne Duncan's on His Way Out: Does That Help or Hurt ESEA's Chances?Education advocates, school district officials, teachers, and the rest of the edu-universe have been waiting for a reauthorization of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act to make it over the finish line since 2007.And it lo
SCOTUS plantiff: 'I dared to stand against union politics' | Washington Examiner
SCOTUS plantiff: 'I dared to stand against union politics' | Washington Examiner: SCOTUS plantiff: 'I dared to stand against union politics'When the Supreme Court announced in June that it would hear the case of Friedrichs v. California Teacher Association, it sent shockwaves through organized labor. The case involves whether the nine justices should overturn a 1977 precedent called Abood v. Detro
5 Questions With ‘The Prize’ Author Dale Russakoff
5 Questions With ‘The Prize’ Author Dale Russakoff: 5 Questions With ‘The Prize’ Author Dale RussakoffWhen Facebook founder Mark Zuckerberg announced on “Oprah” in 2010 that he was donating $100 million to the city of Newark to improve its schools, longtime Washington Post reporter Dale Russakoff decided to follow along and see what happened next. Over the next four years, she talked with teachers

YESTERDAY

Administration Revises and Updates Rules for Charter School Renewal - NJ Spotlight
Administration Revises and Updates Rules for Charter School Renewal - NJ Spotlight: Administration Revises and Updates Rules for Charter School RenewalThree-tiered system part of the changes, as well as fewer reviews for top-performing chartersThe Christie administration has quietly revised its protocol for renewing existing charter schools, easing back on the review of some schools while tighteni
Shut. It. Down. (On The Battles for Racial Equity and Public Education) | The Jose Vilson
Shut. It. Down. (On The Battles for Racial Equity and Public Education) | The Jose Vilson: Shut. It. Down. (On The Battles for Racial Equity and Public Education)39,000 feet above the ground, the chants still ring in my ear:What do we want? JUSTICE!When do we want it? NOW!What do we want? JUSTICE!When do we want it? NOW!We hit a rhythm right around here:If we don’t get it? SHUT IT DOWN!If we don’t
Ed Notes Online: DFER Founder and Major Ed Deformer Joe Williams' Wife, a TFA and Kippster, is DOE Senior Director, Teaching Recuitment and Quality
Ed Notes Online: DFER Founder and Major Ed Deformer Joe Williams' Wife, a TFA and Kippster, is DOE Senior Director, Teaching Recuitment and Quality:  DFER Founder and Major Ed Deformer Joe Williams' Wife, a TFA and Kippster, is DOE Senior Director, Teaching Recuitment and QualityAnne Martin Williams, who is DOE Senior Director, Teaching Recruitment and Quality, is married to Joe Williams founder o
President Obama helps every Republican Presidential candidate by appointing John King | Reclaim Reform
President Obama helps every Republican Presidential candidate by appointing John King | Reclaim Reform: President Obama helps every Republican Presidential candidate by appointing John KingPosted on October 4, 2015by Ken Previti“By appointing John King, the most unpopular education commissioner in the history of New York State, as Acting Secretary of Education, President Obama just gave a shot in
Special Nite Cap: Catch Up on Today's Post 10/5/15
CORPORATE ED REFORMRe-Claiming a Moral Profession in Unethical Times | Colin SchumacherRe-Claiming a Moral Profession in Unethical Times | Colin Schumacher: Re-Claiming a Moral Profession in Unethical TimesA bitter irony unfolded in New York's budget process this year as Governor Cuomo, in his allegiance to hedge fund campaign contributors, managed to push through ethics reforms alongside an educa