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.

Anyways, 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

by mike simpson / 1min 

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

by mike simpson / 5min 

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

by mike simpson / 1h 

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

by mike simpson / 2h 

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

by mike simpson / 4h 

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

by mike simpson / 4h 

Draft History–Social Science Framework - Year 2015 (CA Dept of Education)

Draft History–Social Science Framework - Year 2015 (CA Dept of Education): State Schools Chief Tom Torlakson Invites Public Comment on Draft History–Social Science FrameworkSACRAMENTO — State Superintendent of Public Instruction Tom Torlakson announced today that California is taking a step forward in updating its history—social science curriculum by inviting the public to comment on a new draft f

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Seems to Me… | DCGEducator: Doing The Right Thing

Seems to Me… | DCGEducator: Doing The Right Thing: Guest Essayist, Bernie KellerRetired Bronx high school Master English teacherIn the interest of full disclosure, I have to say that I am not a big supporter of charter schools or the current reform efforts. While those who espouse and advocate the current “solutions” may be well meaning, I am reminded of a saying I used to hear growing up that ass

by mike simpson / 5h 

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

by mike simpson / 6h 

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

1 by mike simpson / 7h 

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

1 by mike simpson / 7h 

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

by mike simpson / 7h 

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??!!

by mike simpson / 8h 

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

1 by mike simpson / 8h 

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

by mike simpson / 8h 

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

by mike simpson / 8h 

Mike Klonsky's SmallTalk Blog: Even under new law, Common Core still impacts curriculum

Mike Klonsky's SmallTalk Blog: Even under new law, Common Core still impacts curriculum: Even under new law, Common Core still impacts curriculumAbandon the notion of subject-matter as something fixed and ready-made in itself, outside the child's experience. -- John DeweyRemember back a couple of years ago when Common Core critics were being raked over the coals by Arne Duncan, Peter Cunningham an

by mike simpson / 8h 

Education Department Asks 12 States to Address Low Test-Participation Rates - Politics K-12 - Education Week

Education Department Asks 12 States to Address Low Test-Participation Rates - Politics K-12 - Education Week: Education Department Asks 12 States to Address Low Test-Participation RatesIf you've been wondering how many states had significant issues with test participation last spring, there's an answer from the U.S. Department of Education.Twelve states have received letters from the Education Dep

1 by mike simpson / 8h 

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

by mike simpson / 8h 

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

1 by mike simpson / 9h 

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

1 by mike simpson / 9h 

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

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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

by mike simpson / 9h 

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

by mike simpson / 10h 

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

by mike simpson / 10h 

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

by mike simpson / 10h 

YESTERDAY

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

5 by mike simpson / 19h 

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

1 by mike simpson / 22h 

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

1 by mike simpson / 22h 

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

1 by mike simpson / 23h 

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

1 by mike simpson / 23h 

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

by mike simpson / 1d 

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

7 by mike simpson / 1d