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Sunday, October 18, 2015

A Comprehensive Audit of John White’s La. Ethics Admin. Filings | deutsch29

A Comprehensive Audit of John White’s La. Ethics Admin. Filings | deutsch29:

A Comprehensive Audit of John White’s La. Ethics Admin. Filings




On October 15, 2015, I read all of the documents that Louisiana superintendent John White has on file with the Louisiana Ethics Administration since January 11, 2012 to date, using the Ethics Admin search engine.
In this post, I would like to share what I learned. Specifically, White has filed 60 documents with the Louisiana Ethics Administration since his arrival in Louisiana in 2011; four are annual “personal financial disclosure” reports for 2011-2014; four are amendments to the personal financial disclosure reports, and the remaining 52 are “affidavits regarding compensation for attending an educational or professional development seminar or conference by a public servant”– statements of his whereabouts in the name of “public service” and the cost to Louisiana taxpayers for reimbursing White for such travels.
In this post, I briefly examine each document and group like documents. Links to all 60 documents are included, as well. Think of this post as a digest/audit of John White’s mandated ethics filings.
Here we go.
Let’s start with White’s annual personal financial disclosures (2011-14), both original A Comprehensive Audit of John White’s La. Ethics Admin. Filings | deutsch29:

The Washington Teacher: Five Years and Counting, And No WTU Contract For YOU!

The Washington Teacher: Five Years and Counting, And No WTU Contract For YOU!:

Five Years and Counting, And No WTU Contract For YOU!



By Candi Peterson, WTU Gen. Vice President

Statements or expressions of opinions herein 'do not' represent the views or official positions of DCPS, AFT, Washington Teachers' Union (WTU) or its members. Views are my own. 


Mass emails were sent out to many DC Public Schools teachers on the Columbus day holiday to their DC government email accounts and some personal email accounts from a relatively unknown teacher who refers to himself as Coach Spinner.  You may recall Coach Spinner as he ran against me for WTU General Vice President position on the Saunders slate in 2013 and lost.

The subject of the email sent to members was titled the “New WTU” and introduced readers to a blog which harshly criticizes current WTU President Elizabeth “Liz” Davis for failing to address Impact-teacher evaluation system, financial malfeasance and failure to get a union contract which is the union president’s primary responsibility as the “Chief Negotiator.”

Based on a little digging, I have learned that Coach Spinner is a campaign surrogate for former WTU President Nathan A. Saunders who lost his bid for presidency in 2013. So it seems according to a former WTU staffer now working for him, Saunders wants another shot at the WTU presidential seat. No surprise here.

When I asked union members if they knew who Coach Spinner was their typical response was they did not know him. One of the current WTU Executive Board members who requested anonymity agreed that she didn’t know The Washington Teacher: Five Years and Counting, And No WTU Contract For YOU!:

Another Out-of-State $1.4 Million Pumped into Louisiana BESE Election | deutsch29

Another Out-of-State $1.4 Million Pumped into Louisiana BESE Election | deutsch29:

Another Out-of-State $1.4 Million Pumped into Louisiana BESE Election




According to an October 14, 2015, campaign finance filing of Louisiana businessman Lane Grigsby’s Empower Louisiana PAC, billionaires John and Laura Arnold contributed $625,000 on September 18, 2015, to Grigsby’s PAC via the Arnold 501(c)4 lobbying nonprofit, Action Now Initiative.
Former New York mayor, billionaire Michael Bloomberg, contributed an additional $800,000 on October 02, 2015.
According to Empower Louisiana PAC, the additional $1.4 million will go toward promoting four candidates in the October 24, 2015, Louisiana Board of Elementary and Secondary Education (BESE) election. Two of the candidates, Jim Garvey (District 1) and Holly Boffy (District 7), already hold BESE seats and have been faithful supporters of the corporate reform agenda.
Retired teacher Lee Barrios is running against Garvey for District 1. Barrios is known for her constant presence at BESE meetings and her frequent public records requests.
As for Boffy’s opponent, career educator Mike Kreamer of District 7 does not share Another Out-of-State $1.4 Million Pumped into Louisiana BESE Election | deutsch29:



EduShyster and I Tag Team On A Microphone | The Jose Vilson

EduShyster and I Tag Team On A Microphone | The Jose Vilson:

EduShyster and I Tag Team On A Microphone



handshake


A couple of weeks ago, EduShyster visited my classroom because she’s my cousin, not in a biological way, but in the Dominican way where, when you think you’ve run out of cousins, out comes another one. Or, in this case, she’s an almost-kin.
Such is the case for one of the few people outside of my school building who’ve visited my classroom more than once. As she’s grown into a new role of provocateur, challenging her own notions about education reform, she’s caught serious heat from reformers and traditionalists alike. The former wonders what she’s up to and the latter thinks she’s lost her way. Instead, she defies both through her usual wit and candor, and gives us glimpses of people we might not otherwise get if we stuck with EduShyster and I Tag Team On A Microphone | The Jose Vilson:

An Ode to Public Education Privateers in Contemporary Times | msvigeljsmith

An Ode to Public Education Privateers in Contemporary Times | msvigeljsmith:

An Ode to Public Education Privateers in Contemporary Times 



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What’s scarier than ghouls and goblins this Halloween?
Privateers (during the American Revolution) achieved the best results if they could bluff an opponent into believing opposition was futile. When this failed the result was often vicious combat with unpredictable results. Many privateers were captured or sunk when the odds were against them. In spite of all the risks and hazards, the overall effort to cripple Britain’s commercial fleet was highly effective, and fortunes destined to finance the new republic were made. It is estimated that the total damage to British shipping by American privateers was about $18 million by the end of the war, or just over $302 million in today’s dollars.”  ~The National Park Service
An Ode to Education Privateers in Contemporary Times
To you so bold and brazen
Big Education Ape: The New American Privateers http://bit.ly/1Mcg2OK

Special Nite Cap: Catch Up on Today's Post 10/18 /15




CORPORATE ED REFORM





Beyond Programs: A Teacher's Role in Preventing Bullying - NEA Today
Beyond Programs: A Teacher's Role in Preventing Bullying - NEA Today: Beyond Programs: A Teacher’s Role in Preventing BullyingBullying prevention programs do a good job of raising awareness and generating buy-in from school staff. However, programs can only do so much. For students to buy in, teachers, as first responders, must take the lead.Beginning the school year with previews of the curriculu
Behind the Story: Diane Ravitch | KWBU
Behind the Story: Diane Ravitch | KWBU: Behind the Story: Diane RavitchThis week on Behind the Story we talk with Diane Ravitch, an education historian and researcher who also served as the U.S. Assistant Secretary of Education. In this episode, KWBU talks with Ravitch about her memories growing up in the Texas education system, her thoughts on No Child Left Behind, Race to the Top, charter school
Focus on testing in schools is misplaced: #tellusatoday
Focus on testing in schools is misplaced: #tellusatoday: Focus on testing in schools is misplaced: #tellusatodayA recent column suggested the  is headed for a split over approaches to improve public education. :While I am flattered by commentary writer Richard Whitmire’s description of me, I take great exception with his characterization of what unions support and why (“Column: The Democrats’ grea
Alfie Kohn on Universal ‘high-quality’ Pre-K | Seattle Education
Alfie Kohn on Universal ‘high-quality’ Pre-K | Seattle Education: Alfie Kohn on Universal ‘high-quality’ Pre-KBut here’s the catch: Very few people are talking about the kind of education that would be offered — other than declaring it should be “high quality.” And that phrase is often interpreted to mean “high intensity”: an accelerated version of skills-based teaching that most early-childhood e
San Jose: DCP charter school to move to Southern Lumber site - San Jose Mercury News
San Jose: DCP charter school to move to Southern Lumber site - San Jose Mercury News: San Jose: DCP charter school to move to Southern Lumber siteSAN JOSE -- A deal is nearly inked to acquire the former Southern Lumber site in San Jose's Alma neighborhood and allow Downtown College Preparatory charter school to renovate the old warehouse and move in by August.In a creative swap involving no cash,
Teaching is Like an Abusive Relationship - You Only Stay for the Children | Cultured Vultures
Teaching is Like an Abusive Relationship - You Only Stay for the Children | Cultured Vultures: TEACHING IS LIKE AN ABUSIVE RELATIONSHIP – YOU ONLY STAY FOR THE CHILDRENcording to figures released by Labour this week, 50,000 teachers quit last year. The mother of a friend of mine summed up the current situation perfectly after yet another tearful phone call where her daughter was considering whethe
Pornography and Relevance in Education | My Island View
Pornography and Relevance in Education | My Island View: Pornography and Relevance in EducationWhen asked to define what Pornography in the public domain was, United States Supreme Court Justice Potter Stewart said: “I shall not today attempt further to define the kinds of material I understand to be embraced within that shorthand description [“hard-core pornography”], and perhaps I could never su
LAUSD'S PREMEDITATED "EGREGIOUS MISCONDUCT"- A CRIMINAL CONSPIRACY? - Perdaily.com
LAUSD'S PREMEDITATED "EGREGIOUS MISCONDUCT"- A CRIMINAL CONSPIRACY? - Perdaily.com: LAUSD'S PREMEDITATED "EGREGIOUS MISCONDUCT"- A CRIMINAL CONSPIRACY?(Mensaje se repite en Español)How did the LAUSD School Board unanimously vote to fire famed teacher Rafe Esquith? The answer might surprise you as it is codified in law. According to The Brown Act section 54956.9 the board is com
Seattle Schools Community Forum: Crucial Voting for Seattle School Board
Seattle Schools Community Forum: Crucial Voting for Seattle School Board: Crucial Voting for Seattle School BoardIt happens every single time there are school board races - that it is VITAL to vote and get the right people on the Board.I will admit that last time, in trying to find good candidates for a couple of races, I certainly got fooled.  I really thought that Sharon Peaslee and Marty McLare
CURMUDGUCATION: PA: Shutting Down Special Ed
CURMUDGUCATION: PA: Shutting Down Special Ed: PA: Shutting Down Special EdThe Background Among the Duncan-Obama administration's beliefs about education, we find the belief that special ed is unnecessary.Secretary of Education Arne Duncan has been pretty clear about this. He has argued that students with disabilities just need teachers who expect them to do well (Stop being dyslexic, Pat-- I belie
When a Sac High teacher went against the Kevin Johnson team | Game to 100
When a Sac High teacher went against the Kevin Johnson team | Game to 100: When a Sac High teacher went against the Kevin Johnson teamThrough Kevin Johnson’s long history of sexual scandals, deniers and defenders have been eager to rush to Johnson’s side. One man who didn’t – and paid a price for it – was Erik Jones.Back in 2007, Jones was a teacher at Sacramento High School. He said a 17-year-old
Seattle Schools Community Forum: Who I'm Voting for to Sit on the Seattle City Council
Seattle Schools Community Forum: Who I'm Voting for to Sit on the Seattle City Council: Who I'm Voting for to Sit on the Seattle City CouncilI view the City Council races in two ways. One, public education in Seattle.  I want people on the Council who know where the line is between the district running itself and the City's role in supporting that effort.Two, livability in Seattle (which I think i
Mike Klonsky's SmallTalk Blog: Vouchers for private schools: This is what passes for 'school reform' in D.C.
Mike Klonsky's SmallTalk Blog: Vouchers for private schools: This is what passes for 'school reform' in D.C.: Vouchers for private schools: This is what passes for 'school reform' in D.C.D.O.E.-- The Education Pentagon in D.C.Posting from D.C. --Remember back in 2010 when Michelle Rhee was ruling the roost in D.C.? Rhee, with plenty of back-up from Arne Duncan and the Gates Foundation, became one
Are School Closings Really Land Grabs? YES! | @ THE CHALKFACE
Are School Closings Really Land Grabs? YES! | @ THE CHALKFACE: Are School Closings Really Land Grabs? YES!Source: Are School Closings Really Land Grabs?In some cases, they are, and it’s pretty easy to figure this out.Our school in SE Washington, DC, for instance, was formerly in a building adjacent to highly coveted real estate: next to a DC Metro stop. As the area was slowly showing signs of gent
4LAKids - some of the news that doesn't fit: Op-Ed: DICHOTOMY OF TODAY’S TEACHING, LEARNING
4LAKids - some of the news that doesn't fit: Op-Ed: DICHOTOMY OF TODAY’S TEACHING, LEARNING: Op-Ed: DICHOTOMY OF TODAY’S TEACHING, LEARNINGBY LARRY WHITE, SPECIAL TO THE STOCKTON RECORD  | HTTP://BIT.LY/1ONDGNXPosted Oct. 17, 2015 at 5:00 PM  ::  Schools are in the business of educating students and operate on the principles that all students can learn and all students must learn.This reflects a b
Ms. Katie's Ramblings: The Ugly Truths of Choice and That Which Divides Us
Ms. Katie's Ramblings: The Ugly Truths of Choice and That Which Divides Us: The Ugly Truths of Choice and That Which Divides UsI spent the summer working on the Southwest side of Chicago-knocking on doors, organizing, and helping plan education justice events. I met amazing people who care deeply about equity, about justice, about improving the educational opportunity for their children.  I saw th
Education Does Not Cure Poverty – It Cures Ignorance | gadflyonthewallblog
Education Does Not Cure Poverty – It Cures Ignorance | gadflyonthewallblog: Education Does Not Cure Poverty – It Cures IgnoranceWhat good is an education?Will it get you money? Will it make you rich?No. Not really.And that’s one of the biggest problems with American public school policy of the last 15 years. It misunderstands the purpose of the very thing it purports to promote.Poverty is skyrocke
BustED Pencils Trending News: Life Limits; Attacked; Futile | BustED Pencils
BustED Pencils Trending News: Life Limits; Attacked; Futile | BustED Pencils: BustED Pencils Trending News: Life Limits; Attacked; FutileThe same, with the same at the same.  SAY WHAT?!Diploma Options for Students with Developmental Disabilitieshttps://theoptoutfloridanetwork.wordpress.com/2015/10/04/options-for-students-with-developmental-disabilities/Harsh is an understatement!CSCU asks faculty
CURMUDGUCATION: ICYMI: Loads of Interwebs Goodies
CURMUDGUCATION: ICYMI: Loads of Interwebs Goodies: ICYMI: Loads of Interwebs GoodiesMany goodies this week. Here are some of the better items I found.Black Women Teachers Need Better Working ConditionsAndre Perry talks about the challenges of holding onto black women teachers in the city, and why it's so important to create the conditions that will help them stay.The Passion of St. ArneMany, many
Ms. Katie's Ramblings: AUSL: A Pale Imitation of Good Teaching
Ms. Katie's Ramblings: AUSL: A Pale Immitation of Good Teaching: AUSL: A Pale Imitation of Good TeachingThe other day, I was at a professional development at an elementary school near mine on the south side of Chicago. I'm a Social-Emotional Lead at my school, so once a month, we go to a different school in the Network and learn from our peers about what works in their schools. We always start the
Are School Closings Really Land Grabs? | Diane Ravitch's blog
Are School Closings Really Land Grabs? | Diane Ravitch's blog: Are School Closings Really Land Grabs? Leslie T. Fenwick, dean of the Howard University School of Education, has a different analysis of the rationale for school closings. It is a land grab. This article, published originally over two years ago, kept haunting me as I watched the process of school closings and takeovers tearing urban co
Sunday posts, pics and tweets. | Fred Klonsky
Sunday posts, pics and tweets. | Fred Klonsky: Sunday posts, pics and tweets.The Rauners on election night. They made $58 million during his first year in office.Chicago teacher Sarah Chambers writes: You can apologize to the cameras, but who has to apologize to the kids of Chicago? Teachers across this city apologize every day to their students.Today, I told my wide-eyed student with a disability
CURMUDGUCATION: Charter Real Estate
CURMUDGUCATION: Charter Real Estate: "Charter Real Estate"Charter Real EstateYou know who really loves the charter school movement? According to the Wall Street Journal, real estate investors are just loving the growth of the charter school biz.There's a real estate boom that comes attached to charter growth. In LA, I've watched a huge new charter go up on a several-lot parcel across the
How parents and teachers should talk to each other - LA Times
How parents and teachers should talk to each other - LA Times: How parents and teachers should talk to each otherStudents aren’t the only ones who have homework. We parents also have an ongoing assignment: building, nurturing and maintaining a relationship with our kids’ teachers.“The level of success a child experiences during a school year is definitely enhanced by communication and cooperation
As Charter Schools Become Divisive, Two Parents Give Their Take : NPR
As Charter Schools Become Divisive, Two Parents Give Their Take : NPR: As Charter Schools Become Divisive, Two Parents Give Their Take It used to be a given: When your kids reached school age, they'd strap on their backpacks and head for the neighborhood elementary school. Or, you'd pay a hefty tuition to send them to private school.In the last two decades, a third option has emerged. Today, there
Fed corruption probe targets DPS, EAA officials
Fed corruption probe targets DPS, EAA officials: Fed corruption probe targets DPS, EAA officialsThe FBI has launched a corruption investigation involving Gov. Rick Snyder’s K-12 reform district and Detroit Public Schools, the latest blemish for districts struggling with low test scores, falling enrollment and funding shortfalls.FBI agents are investigating multiple officials from DPS and the Snyde
New K-12 student scholarship program proposed for Georgia | www.ajc.com
New K-12 student scholarship program proposed for Georgia | www.ajc.com: A panel working for Gov. Deal recommends new K-12 student scholarshipsMembers of Gov. Nathan Deal’s Education Reform Commission are recommending the establishment of another student scholarship organization program after the current one reached its $58 million cap in one day.The program allows people to direct state tax dolla
From bond measure to federal probe: How Fresno Unified caught the eye of investigators | Fresno Bee
From bond measure to federal probe: How Fresno Unified caught the eye of investigators | Fresno Bee: From bond measure to federal probe: How Fresno Unified caught the eye of investigatorsSince Fresno Unified School District found itself under fire for a “lease-leaseback” contract, superintendents and developers across the state have been quick to point out that the no-bid alternative is a legal wa

YESTERDAY

Arne Duncan, Next Governor of Illinois? | deutsch29
Arne Duncan, Next Governor of Illinois? | deutsch29: Arne Duncan, Next Governor of Illinois?Arne Duncan and his family have been residing in Virginia since just after Duncan’s appointment as US secretary of education in December 2008.In July 2015, Duncan’s wife and children moved back to Chicago, and Duncan was was expected to commute to DC, as Washington Post education writer Valerie Strauss repo
Child Poverty Target - First Focus
Child Poverty Target - First Focus: Child Poverty TargetOne-in-five kids are living at or below the poverty line. This trend is in stark contrast to the progress America has made in reducing poverty among seniors to about 9 percent, or less than half the child poverty rate. Meanwhile, the United Kingdom effectively cut child poverty in half over the same period, even during the global recession, t
Melissa Harris-Perry on how Chicago Public Schools 'enabled' corruption | MSNBC
Melissa Harris-Perry on how Chicago Public Schools 'enabled' corruption | MSNBC: Melissa Harris-Perry on how Chicago Public Schools 'enabled' corruptionWhen children in Chicago are "just running for their lives trying to get to school," as President Obama recently said, and the former CEO of the city's public schools is mired in an alleged kickback scheme, is it time to question the enti
Special Nite Cap: Catch Up on Today's Post 10/17/15
CORPORATE ED REFORMCLICK HERE To GO To  The War Report on Public EducationIs Education a National Issue? - The Crucial VoiceThe Crucial VoiceIs Education a National Issue? - The Crucial VoiceThe Crucial Voice: Is Education a National Issue?Education is not mentioned in the Constitution…. We have heard how this argument goes.Because of no specific mention of education, the responsibility for educat