Latest News and Comment from Education

Wednesday, December 23, 2015

Will @HillaryClinton go all in with us or Wall Street? | Cloaking Inequity

Will @HillaryClinton go all in with us or Wall Street? | Cloaking Inequity:

Will @HillaryClinton go all in with us or Wall Street?



 Are you mad at Secretary Clinton about the “school closure” comments? I get it. You don’t want to be Barack Obama’d on education. We were promised hope and change and thought that would extend to education. Instead Arne Duncan took the reigns from George W. Bush, Rod Paige, and Margaret Spellings then did even worse.

I have now watched the video of the Secretary Clinton’s recent Iowa speech where she mentions the closing of below average schools. I honestly don’t think that she was making a policy statement to close half of US schools (that would be every school below some average). If you listen to her comments in the context of everything else, it seems she just misspoke. I know I know. Secretary Clinton doesn’t have a perfect record on progressive education… BUT an Atlantic article recently opined that perhaps Secretary Clinton will run left of Obama because he was this generation’s Reagan. I know I know, you might not like this proposition either. I am still hopeful.
Screen Shot 2015-12-23 at 8.19.28 PMAnyways, if you read the rest of the comments from Secretary Clinton, I liked them. I am actually surprised and glad that she spoke out on education. The problem for us that we are asking candidates to broach education policy in their Will @HillaryClinton go all in with us or Wall Street? | Cloaking Inequity:

Mike Klonsky's SmallTalk Blog: Was Hillary misquoted? Taken out of context?

Mike Klonsky's SmallTalk Blog: Was Hillary misquoted? Taken out of context?:

Was Hillary misquoted? Taken out of context?






"I Wouldn’t Keep Any School Open That Wasn’t Doing A Better Than Average Job”

Let me start by saying, I don't think Hillary Clinton has either the will or the power to close half of America's schools. But her recent comments still deserve a strong critical response.

When I posted the video of Hillary's speech in Iowa -- the one where she says she wants "below average" schools closed -- I fully expected the response I got from Team Clinton, which includes of course, both national teacher unions. Clinton apologists immediately moved into circle-the-wagons mode with the AFT damage-control squad doing the heavy lifting. Remember, it was AFT Pres. Randi Weingarten who felt compelled to endorse Hillary long before she even announced her candidacy.

First came a tweet from Hillary's senior policy adviser Ann O'Leary. She retweeted a post from (can you guess?) Alexander Russo who in turn posted Hillary's statement as quoted in US News -- the same exact statement that's in the Mike Klonsky's SmallTalk Blog: Was Hillary misquoted? Taken out of context?:







Special Nite Cap: Catch Up on Today's Post 12/23/15



CORPORATE ED REFORM





Schools Matter: Will the Real Hillary Clinton Please Stand Up?
Schools Matter: Will the Real Hillary Clinton Please Stand Up?: Will the Real Hillary Clinton Please Stand Up?Hillary Clinton with Eli Broad at the pre-ball dinner hosted by Eli Broadat the Inauguration Ball of Barack Obama on January 20, 2009.Hillary Clinton has caused a major scramble by her supporters after she spoke at a small high school outside Des Moines, Iowa. In her remarks she told the s
Clinton team walks back her math. Cunningham still talks “winners and losers.” | Fred Klonsky
Clinton team walks back her math. Cunningham still talks “winners and losers.” | Fred Klonsky: Clinton team walks back her math. Cunningham still talks “winners and losers.”The Hillary Team was pretty busy today walking back her fuzzy math.A video of her speaking in Iowa went viral.  The video has her supporting the school closing agenda of the corporate school reformers.“I wouldn’t keep any schoo
Hillary Clinton: Still on the Hook | deutsch29
Hillary Clinton: Still on the Hook | deutsch29: Hillary Clinton: Still on the HookOn December 22, 2015, Hillary Clinton spoke at a high school in Iowa, and she made a comment that speedily boomeranged on her:I wouldn’t keep any school open that wasn’t doing a better-than-average job.I wrote a wry response regarding the mathematical nonsense related to her misspoken goal of all schools’ being “abov
No, Hillary Clinton didn’t say she wants to close most U.S. schools. Here’s what she actually said. - The Washington Post
No, Hillary Clinton didn’t say she wants to close most U.S. schools. Here’s what she actually said. - The Washington Post: No, Hillary Clinton didn’t say she wants to close most U.S. schools. Here’s what she actually said. Hillary Clinton got into hot water for saying at a rally Tuesday in Keota, Iowa:Now, I wouldn’t keep any school open that wasn’t doing a better-than-average job.  If a school’s
I Doubt Hillary Clinton Plans to Close Half of All Public Schools – But She Does Want to Close Some | gadflyonthewallblog
I Doubt Hillary Clinton Plans to Close Half of All Public Schools – But She Does Want to Close Some | gadflyonthewallblog:I Doubt Hillary Clinton Plans to Close Half of All Public Schools – But She Does Want to Close Some“This school district, and these schools throughout Iowa, are doing a better than average job. Now, I wouldn’t keep any school open that wasn’t doing a better than average job. If
No, Hillary Clinton Does Not Want to Close Half of the Country's Schools - US News
No, Hillary Clinton Does Not Want to Close Half of the Country's Schools - US News: No, Hillary Clinton Does Not Want to Close Half of the Schools in the U.S.The Democratic candidate's remarks about shuttering below average schools were taken out of context. You may have heard that Democratic presidential front-runner Hillary Clinton wants to close half of the country's public schools.Speaking to
Draft History–Social Science Framework - Year 2015 (CA Dept of Education)
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Seems to Me… | DCGEducator: Doing The Right Thing
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CURMUDGUCATION: Context Does Not Absolve Clinton
CURMUDGUCATION: Context Does Not Absolve Clinton: Context Does Not Absolve ClintonWell, that was quick.After the interwebs blew up with Clinton's ill-considered comment about closing below-average schools, Lauren Camera leapt up at US News to say, "Oh, no. Y'all just misunderstood. It was taken out of context."I had read the original context when I first responded to her comment. It does
USDED: No Student Assessment Opt-Outs Allowed | Truth in American Education
USDED: No Student Assessment Opt-Outs Allowed | Truth in American Education: USDED: No Student Assessment Opt-Outs AllowedThe U.S. Department of Education has spoken on student opt-outs for the 2016 statewide assessments.Ann Whalen, the acting assistant secretary for elementary and secondary education, wrote a letterto state school chiefs reminding them of “key assessment requirements” for the sta
NYC Public School Parents: How Class Size Matters helped the city save $727 million
NYC Public School Parents: How Class Size Matters helped the city save $727 million, and our plea to the Mayor how to use these funds to give an early Xmas present to NYC kids: How Class Size Matters helped the city save $727 million, and our plea to the Mayor how to use these funds to give an early Xmas present to NYC kidsLast February, on a lazy Sunday afternoon, I was perusing the list of DOE c
Hillary Clinton may want to close every public school in America, according to math - The Washington Post
Hillary Clinton may want to close every public school in America, according to math - The Washington Post:Hillary Clinton may want to close every public school in America, according to mathThis post has been updated.During an event in Iowa on Tuesday, Hillary Clinton offered a suggestion to improve the nation's schools. "I wouldn't keep any school open that wasn’t doing a better-than-average
BustED Pencils Trending News: Over...; Hungry; Delusion | BustED Pencils
BustED Pencils Trending News: Over...; Hungry; Delusion | BustED Pencils: BustED Pencils Trending News: Over…; Hungry; DelusionWriting as a parent.‘Beyond Measure: Rescuing an Overscheduled, Overtested, Underestimated Generation’http://www.nytimes.com/2015/12/20/books/review/beyond-measure-rescuing-an-overscheduled-overtested-underestimated-generation.html?_r=0 Fired for having a heart!  What??!!
A holiday greeting from Diane Ravitch
A holiday greeting from Diane Ravitch: A holiday greeting from Diane RavitchDear Friend of Public Schools,Holiday greetings from the Network for Public Education! We wish you and your family a joyous season and a healthy New Year.We hope you will join with us in 2016 to continue the battle for better education for every American child and for policies that address the needs of children, instead of
How Business Got Schooled in the War Over Common Core Standards - Fortune
How Business Got Schooled in the War Over Common Core Standards - Fortune: How Business Got Schooled in the War Over Common Core Standards When Exxon Mobil, GE, Intel, and others pushed for the education standards, they incurred the wrath of Tea Party conservatives and got a painful lesson in modern politics.In February 2014, two of the world’s richest men, Bill Gates and Charles Koch, dined toget
Teachers won't be judged on end-of-year tests under revamp | The Herald
Teachers won't be judged on end-of-year tests under revamp | The Herald: Teachers won't be judged on end-of-year tests under revampCOLUMBIA, S.C. Teachers won't be judged by their students' scores on end-of-year tests under a proposed revamp of South Carolina's educator evaluation system.State Superintendent Molly Spearman announced her proposal this week following Congress' overhaul of the No Chi
Mike Klonsky's SmallTalk Blog: Even under new law, Common Core still impacts curriculum
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Education Department Asks 12 States to Address Low Test-Participation Rates - Politics K-12 - Education Week
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Random thoughts. Averages. | Fred Klonsky
Random thoughts. Averages. | Fred Klonsky:Random thoughts. Averages.This clip of Hillary is making the social media rounds this morning.I will tell you whose Facebook news feed it’s on.Every teacher I know.They are NEA and AFT members who may well be wondering why our leadership rushed their endorsement of her.They are math teachers who wonder what Hillary was doing when she attended math class at
Merry Christmas, Ramone. You Represent Hope in a Seriously Messed-Up Education Nation
Merry Christmas, Ramone. You Represent Hope in a Seriously Messed-Up Education Nation. - Teacher in a Strange Land - Education Week Teacher: Merry Christmas, Ramone. You Represent Hope in a Seriously Messed-Up Education NationIt's a touching and gut-wrenching story, well-told. Ramone Williams, 26, of Flint, Michigan (yes--that Flint, Michigan) is living out of his aging mini-van, because he can't
An Early Christmas Gift for the Common Core Naysayers » Missouri Education Watchdog
An Early Christmas Gift for the Common Core Naysayers » Missouri Education Watchdog: An Early Christmas Gift for the Common Core Naysayers The Jacksonville Florida Superintendent says otherwise.Parents who have been concerned about Common Core standards dictating curriculum, take heart.  You’ve been called delusional by those teachers, administrators, legislators, and choice architects who need Co
Malloy gives Charter School Industry another seat on the CT State Board of Education - Wait What?
Malloy gives Charter School Industry another seat on the CT State Board of Education - Wait What?: Malloy gives Charter School Industry another seat on the CT State Board of EducationA News Update from Jonathan Pelto and Wendy LeckerWhile Connecticut’s public schools continue to suffer from inadequate state funding and Governor Dannel Malloy and his administration strive to undermine, dismiss and
With A Brooklyn Accent: Will Hillary Clinton Throw Teachers in High Poverty Schools Under the Bus?
With A Brooklyn Accent: Will Hillary Clinton Throw Teachers in High Poverty Schools Under the Bus?: Will Hillary Clinton Throw Teachers in High Poverty Schools Under the Bus?When I was doing community history projects in Bronx schools -they were all pushed out when the testing mania struck and the Bloomberg Administration started assigning schools letter grades - I met some incredible teachers in
A free speech and student rap case is at the Supreme Court - Yahoo News
A free speech and student rap case is at the Supreme Court - Yahoo News: A free speech and student rap case is at the Supreme CourtCan a public school high school student be suspended for critically rapping about teachers outside of school? A case heading toward a Supreme Court private conference early nextyear could draw a new First Amendment boundaryThe case of Bell v. Itawamba County School Boa
These Presidential Candidates Flip-flopped in the War Over Common Core - Fortune
These Presidential Candidates Flip-flopped in the War Over Common Core - Fortune: These Three Presidential Candidates Flip-flopped in the War Over Common CoreRepublican candidates have shifted positions—or waffled—on this key educational issue.Illustration by Arian Behzadi; Original Photos, Christie: Nicholas Kamm—AFP/Getty Images; Cruz: Mandel Ngan—AFP/Getty Images; Bush: Charles Ommanney—The Was
Best and worst education news of 2015 — a teacher’s list - The Washington Post
Best and worst education news of 2015 — a teacher’s list - The Washington Post: Best and worst education news of 2015 — a teacher’s listLarry Ferlazzo is a veteran teacher of English and social studies at Luther Burbank High School in Sacramento, California.  Every year he writes a list of the best/worst education news of the year — and here’s what he has come up with for 2015. Ferlazzo has writte

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Closing the achievement gaps: Will California’s reforms make a difference? | EdSource
Closing the achievement gaps: Will California’s reforms make a difference? | EdSource: Closing the achievement gaps: Will California’s reforms make a difference?Student scores on the Smarter Balanced assessments, the centerpiece of the California Assessment of Student Performance and Progress, or CAASPP, were released in September 2015. They underscored the continuing achievement gaps that decades
Hillary Clinton: Vowing to Close Schools Not “Above Average” | deutsch29
Hillary Clinton: Vowing to Close Schools Not “Above Average” | deutsch29: Hillary Clinton: Vowing to Close Schools Not “Above Average” A numeric average is a relative statistic. If I have a set of numeric values and I calculate an average using the set, by definition, some individual values will fall below average, and likely, some will be right on the average. If I remove these below-average and
New Fafsa Rules to Eliminate Frustrating Financial Aid Problem - The New York Times
New Fafsa Rules to Eliminate Frustrating Financial Aid Problem - The New York Times: New Fafsa Rules to Eliminate Frustrating Financial Aid ProblemAfter holiday celebrations are over, students who plan on attending college next fall should begin preparing for a looming financial chore: completing the document that is crucial for financial aid.Known as Fafsa, which is short for Free Application for
CURMUDGUCATION: Clinton's Math Problem
CURMUDGUCATION: Clinton's Math Problem: Clinton's Math ProblemIn Iowa, Clinton displayed a lack of-- well, something. Math comprehension? Education reform understanding? Thinking things through? She wouldn't keep any school open that wasn't doing above average. So... close half the schools? Of course, once you close half the schools, then the average will have to be recalculated, and then you'll h
Jersey Jazzman: Democracy, Markets, & Charter Schools: Part I
Jersey Jazzman: Democracy, Markets, & Charter Schools: Part I: Democracy, Markets, & Charter Schools: Part II promise I'll get back to Teachers Village in a bit and wrap up that series. But recent events have got me thinking more about the intersection of democratically elected school boards, local control, race, class, and charter schools.Because the argument I often hear from the "r
Clinton: 'I Will Close All Schools that Fail to Meet The Lake Wobegon Standard
Clinton: 'I Wouldn't Keep Any School Open That Wasn't Doing A Better Than Average Job' | The Weekly Standard: Clinton: 'I Wouldn't Keep Any School Open That Wasn't Doing A Better Than Average Job'Hillary Clinton may be planning to close a lot of schools. At a town hall event today in Keota, Iowa, Clinton said she would keep open "better than average" schools:"This school district an
Special Nite Cap: Catch Up on Today's Post 12/22/15
CORPORATE ED REFORMMike Klonsky's SmallTalk Blog: That's a quarter-million #RahmResign sigs with a QMike Klonsky's SmallTalk Blog: That's a quarter-million #RahmResign sigs with a Q: That's a quarter-million #RahmResign sigs with a QA coalition of activists demanding Mayor Rahm Emanuel's resignation marched to City Hall Monday, carrying 250,000 petition signatures. That's a quarter million with a