CORPORATE ED REFORM
Court of appeal to hear arguments in Vergara lawsuit next month | EdSource
Court of appeal to hear arguments in Vergara lawsuit next month | EdSource: Court of appeal to hear arguments in Vergara lawsuit next monthA state appeals court will rule on the high-profile Vergara lawsuit against the state and the California Teachers Association this spring.On Friday, the state Court of Appeal, Second District, in Los Angeles set Feb. 25 for oral arguments on the lawsuit the non
Seattle Schools Community Forum: Olympia: McCleary, Charters and Updates
Seattle Schools Community Forum: Olympia: McCleary, Charters and Updates: Olympia: McCleary, Charters and UpdatesThe charter school crowd now wants to hold McCleary hostage | Seattle Education http://bit.ly/1WfRcBPAs I mentioned in another thread, Seattle Channel has one episode of City Inside/Out about this short legislative session with Rep. Reuven Carlyle, Rep. Gael Tarleton, Rep Eric Pettigrew
Virginia PAA leader caustions against charter school expansion | Parents Across America
Virginia PAA leader caustions against charter school expansion | Parents Across America: Virginia PAA leader caustions against charter school expansionLaura Bowman, leader of PAA-Roanoke Valley in Virginia, recently published an excellent essay in the Roanoke Times which was picked up by other news organizations, and resulted in an invitation from the Fairfax Education Association to testify with
Toilets: It's Time to Air Out the Issue by Joe Scott — YES! Magazine
Toilets: It's Time to Air Out the Issue by Joe Scott — YES! Magazine: Toilets: It's Time to Air Out the IssueSanitation plays an integral role in the quality of our lives, whether we want to talk about it or not.Toilets do more to define our lives than we probably care to admit. They’re essential to health and lifestyle. In bathrooms, we can find identity. In toilets, health. Behind the locked doo
This week’s Friedrichs v. California Teachers Association Oral argument audio and transcripts SCOTUSblog
This week’s oral argument audio and transcripts : SCOTUSblog: This week’s Friedrichs v. California Teachers Association Oral argument audio and transcriptsThis week’s oral argument audio and transcriptsOyez has posted audio and transcripts from this week’s oral arguments at the Supreme Court.The Court heard arguments this week in:Friedrichs v. California Teachers AssociationMolina-Martinez v. Unit
Ultra-Rich 'Philanthrocapitalist' Class Undermining Global Democracy: Report | Common Dreams
Ultra-Rich 'Philanthrocapitalist' Class Undermining Global Democracy: Report | Common Dreams | Breaking News & Views for the Progressive Community: Ultra-Rich 'Philanthrocapitalist' Class Undermining Global Democracy: ReportAs foundations and wealthy individuals funnel money into global development, what "solutions" are they pursuing? From Warren Buffett to Bill Gates, it is no secre
MLK Day: Each of Us Has a Place in the New Civil Rights Movement - Lily's Blackboard
MLK Day: Each of Us Has a Place in the New Civil Rights Movement - Lily's Blackboard: MLK Day: Each of Us Has a Place in the New Civil Rights MovementMartin Luther King Jr. was fearless in calling attention to the persistent disconnect between our nation’s highest ideals and the stark reality for Black Americans. His forceful voice chastised the powerful and championed the powerless“Our lives begi
Ross Valley Charter School plan approved by state Board of Education
Ross Valley Charter School plan approved by state Board of Education: Ross Valley Charter School plan approved by state Board of Education The state Board of Education on Thursday approved a controversial proposal to move the Ross Valley School District’s Multi-Age Program off campus and turn it into a charter school.The board voted unanimously to approve the petition, which had been rejected by t
At-risk students improve when they take a race and ethnicity class – study | Education | The Guardian
At-risk students improve when they take a race and ethnicity class – study | Education | The Guardian: At-risk students improve when they take a race and ethnicity class – studyStanford researchers concluded that ‘culturally relevant’ teaching is an important part of the education of students who could flunk or might drop outHigh school students saw large improvements in their grades and attendanc
CURMUDGUCATION: The Walton Billion Dollar Plan
CURMUDGUCATION: The Walton Billion Dollar Plan: The Walton Billion Dollar PlanIt's only eight pages long, but it is simultaneously depressing and disturbing. It's no fun to read, but if you want to understand how the charter boosters are coming at pubic education, you need to read it. It's the Walton Family Foundation 2015-2020 K-12 Strategic Overview, and yes, I've read it so that you don't have
Seattle Schools Community Forum: On the Costs of the Legislature Continuing to Drag Its Collective Feet on McCleary
Seattle Schools Community Forum: On the Costs of the Legislature Continuing to Drag Its Collective Feet on McCleary: On the Costs of the Legislature Continuing to Drag Its Collective Feet on McClearyFrom the Arizona Republic (another state that underfunds public education):Why didn't GE choose Arizona as its new HQ? General Electric announced this week that it is moving its corporate headquarters
This is Bad! Attack on Teacher Unions is an Assault on Students, Workers and Democracy | Alan Singer
This is Bad! Attack on Teacher Unions is an Assault on Students, Workers and Democracy | Alan Singer: This is Bad! Attack on Teacher Unions is an Assault on Students, Workers and DemocracyThe New York Times headline said "Mandatory Union Fees Getting Hard Look by Supreme Court." The picture caption showed "Harlan Elrich, a high school mathematics teacher in California," who &qu
Ethnic Studies Shows Huge Impact in San Francisco - Living in Dialogue
Ethnic Studies Shows Huge Impact in San Francisco - Living in Dialogue: Ethnic Studies Shows Huge Impact in San Francisco By Anthony Cody.In San Francisco a recently implemented Ethnic Studies course has been startlingly successful in boosting student attendance, GPA, and earned credits. That is the conclusion of a Stanford University study, done by Emily Penner and Thomas Dee. I wrote about these
What Really Happened in Alaska? – Save Maine Schools
What Really Happened in Alaska? – Save Maine Schools: What Really Happened in Alaska?If you didn’t know better, you might think that whatever happened in the Chugach School District in Alaska over a decade ago was a full-blown, ed-reform miracle.“This district literally leaves no child behind,” gushes Edutopia in this article, which describes the big jump in test scores its students made after swi
Governing Urban Schools in the Future: What’s Facing Philadelphia and Pennsylvania
Governing Urban Schools in the Future: What’s Facing Philadelphia and Pennsylvania: Governing Urban Schools in the FutureWhat’s facing Philadelphia and PennsylvaniaSince 2001, the School District of Philadelphia has been run by a state-controlled commission.OverviewIn 2001, the state of Pennsylvania took over the School District of Philadelphia. The move, which came with the consent of the city’s
Explaining Khan Academy's patent application for A/B testing in education
Explaining Khan Academy's patent application for A/B testing in education: Patenting Pedagogy?Experts attempt to make sense of Khan Academy's patent application for A/B testing in education -- and whether it can even be patented.A recent patent application by Khan Academy is raising questions about whether teaching methods can be patented, but patent law experts see the move as an influential play
Will the Friedrichs Case Turn Teaching into Just Another Gig? - Living in Dialogue
Will the Friedrichs Case Turn Teaching into Just Another Gig? - Living in Dialogue: Will the Friedrichs Case Turn Teaching into Just Another Gig?By John Thompson. Linguist Geoff Nunberg announced his word of the year on NPR’s Fresh Air, and he nailed it. Nunberg’s choice is “Gig.” For over a century, “gig was a slang term for a musician’s date or engagement.” In the 1950s, hipsters and the Beats u
Federal Education Funding: Where Does the Money Go? - US News
Federal Education Funding: Where Does the Money Go? - US News: Federal Education Funding: Where Does the Money Go?Here's a look at what your tax dollars have gone toward in the education sphere. Government spending on education has surged over the last decade and a half, with money being funneled to federal programs for low-income students, students with disabilities and a slate of competitions th
Authority, Discipline, and the Marginalization of Youth in Schools #EdResearch4SpringValley – Cloaking Inequity
Authority, Discipline, and the Marginalization of Youth in Schools #EdResearch4SpringValley – Cloaking Inequity: Authority, Discipline, and the Marginalization of Youth in Schools #EdResearch4SpringValleyA young female student at Spring Valley High School in Columbia, South Carolina was assaulted in her classroom by a police office on October 26, 2015. She was asked to leave a classroom by a teac
New L.A. schools chief favors steady progress and collaboration over drastic change - LA Times
New L.A. schools chief favors steady progress and collaboration over drastic change - LA Times: New L.A. schools chief favors steady progress and collaboration over drastic changeNew Supt. Michelle King says of L.A. Unified: "I see the district as having ... pockets of success, and I see building on the achievements we have. And then I see areas we want to strengthen." (Francine Orr / Lo
Are the Common Core math standards being misinterpreted? - The Washington Post
Are the Common Core math standards being misinterpreted? - The Washington Post: Are the Common Core math standards being misinterpreted?Kathy Liu Sun is an assistant professor of math education at Santa Clara University who was a public high school math teacher for nine years in San Jose, California. She argues in the following post that the Common Core math standards — which have caused great con
Schooling the Secretary of Education | SocialistWorker.org
Schooling the Secretary of Education | SocialistWorker.org: Schooling the Secretary of EducationNew York City educator and writer Brian Jones was part of a roundtable with the new Secretary of Education John King. Here's what he and other teachers had to sayTeachers meet with Education Secretary John King (center, with glasses) for a roundtable discussion (Department of Education) LAST WEEK, I had
With A Brooklyn Accent: Three Sports Moments- Thoughts on Coaching and Parenting
With A Brooklyn Accent: Three Sports Moments- Thoughts on Coaching and Parenting: Three Sports Moments- Thoughts on Coaching and ParentingOne of the things I learned from coaching and parenting is that children choose their own sports to excel in. I exposed both of my children and my grand daughter Avery to many sports. But THEY were the ones who figured out what sports they would most make their
Mike Klonsky's SmallTalk Blog: On MLK Day, time to talk about inequality in America and schools
Mike Klonsky's SmallTalk Blog: On MLK Day, time to talk about inequality in America and schools: On MLK Day, time to talk about inequality in America and schoolsChicago State students march to save their school from closure. "Inequality is inevitable; the vast inequality of America today isn’t." -- Paul Krugman in today's NYT. Krugman even tips his hat to Pres. Obama for raising the tax
Stop Blaming Public Schools for Jobless Economy | janresseger
Stop Blaming Public Schools for Jobless Economy | janresseger: Stop Blaming Public Schools for Jobless EconomyIn recent weeks Fortune Magazine in Business Gets Schooled and the NY Times in The Counterfeit High School Diploma blame public schools for turning out workers ill-equipped for today’s jobs. Both articles allege that public school failure is causing our nation’s economic problems and the
Support Fair Funding for ALL Baltimore City Public School Students | Re:education in Baltimore
Support Fair Funding for ALL Baltimore City Public School Students | Re:education in Baltimore: Support Fair Funding for ALL Baltimore City Public School StudentsDear Readers of Re:education in Baltimore:Nine charter school operators representing 14 of the more than 30 public charter schools in Baltimore City are suing for more money. We know they already get more. A new grassroots advocacy group
“It’s about collective struggle”: Interview with Jesse Hagopian on education & the movement for Black Lives | I AM AN EDUCATOR
“It’s about collective struggle”: Interview with Jesse Hagopian on education & the movement for Black Lives | I AM AN EDUCATOR: “It’s about collective struggle”: Interview with Jesse Hagopian on education & the movement for Black LivesAs the one-year anniversary of a Seattle police officer pepper spraying me on Martin Luther King, Jr. Day approaches, I sat down with the Seattle Weekly repo
Trying to teach in DPS amid decay: 'It's a travesty'
Trying to teach in DPS amid decay: 'It's a travesty': Trying to teach in DPS amid decay: 'It's a travesty'Temperatures outside are in the 20s, but the windows in the principal’s office at Detroit Institute of Technology Preparatory High School are cracked open and two fans are running to keep the indoor temperature from reaching 90 degrees.Fifteen ceiling tiles are missing over the head of Princip
Alabama Teacher of the Year, Ann Marie Corgill: Reflecting and Dreaming | deutsch29
Alabama Teacher of the Year, Ann Marie Corgill: Reflecting and Dreaming | deutsch29: Alabama Teacher of the Year, Ann Marie Corgill: Reflecting and Dreaming Ann Marie CorgillOn October 30, 2015, Alabama Teacher of the Year Ann Marie Corgill suddenly resigned from her teaching position. There is a lot to her story.On November 20, 2015, I traveled to Birmingham, Alabama, to learn of the details behi
New Realities: TFA at 25 - Education Week
New Realities: TFA at 25 - Education Week: New Realities: TFA at 25 Teach For America marks its 25th anniversary this year. Conceived in an undergraduate thesis in 1989, the controversial teaching organization now commands a budget of some $300 million and has 40,000 alumni, many of whom have become been influential leaders in K-12 education. But the group has also faced criticism and internal cha
More Lessons on the Journalist/ Educator Divide – the becoming radical
More Lessons on the Journalist/ Educator Divide – the becoming radical: More Lessons on the Journalist/ Educator DivideDuring my recent round of confronting the failures of mainstream media and journalists covering US public education (see here, here, and here), I have had some of my worst fears confirmed, but have also discovered a few new lessons.I was disappointed to read some Tweets that sugge
Malloy and Wyman – Montclair, N.J. public officials respect parents – why won’t you? - Wait What?
Malloy and Wyman – Montclair, N.J. public officials respect parents – why won’t you? - Wait What?: Malloy and Wyman – Montclair, N.J. public officials respect parents – why won’t you?A growing number of parents (and educators) understand that the Common Core standardized testing frenzy is bad for students, teachers and public schools.Recognizing that they have a fundamental and inalienable right t
Chris Christie didn't actually get rid of Common Core in New Jersey.
Chris Christie didn't actually get rid of Common Core in New Jersey.: Chris Christie Claims He Got Rid of Common Core in New Jersey. That’s Baloney.In Thursday night’s Republican debate, Sen. Marco Rubio made a pointed attack against New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie, accusing one of his main rivals for a top spot in the New Hampshire primary of being pro–Common Core. Christie, though, thought he had
Can Netflix CEO's $100-million education fund avoid big-donor pitfalls? - Yahoo News
Can Netflix CEO's $100-million education fund avoid big-donor pitfalls? - Yahoo News: Can Netflix CEO's $100-million education fund avoid big-donor pitfalls?The Netflix co-founder and CEO has announced the creation of a $100-million fund for education philanthropy. The Hastings Fund's first gifts will go toward scholarship programs for minority students, not sweeping system change.Netflix co-found
What new L.A. schools chief Michelle King needs to do now - LA Times
What new L.A. schools chief Michelle King needs to do now - LA Times: What new L.A. schools chief Michelle King needs to do nowough she has worked for the Los Angeles Unified School District for 38 years, Michelle King hasn't had many opportunities to voice a public opinion about its schools, or to lead them in new directions. As a high-ranking administrator — the second-in-command under the two p
Senate, House Democrats explain why they oppose Detroit schools reform legislation MLive
Senate, House Democrats explain why they oppose Detroit schools reform legislation | MLive.com: Senate, House Democrats explain why they oppose Detroit schools reform legislationMembers of the state House and Senate Democratic caucuses say they don't support legislation introduced Thursday that would restructure the debt-plagued Detroit Public School system.In a joint statement, lawmakers said for
Flint water crisis: Michigan attorney general to investigate - CNN.com
Flint water crisis: Michigan attorney general to investigate - CNN.com: Flint water crisis: Michigan attorney general to investigate(CNN)The water crisis in Flint -- the Michigan city grappling with toxic lead contamination in its drinking water following a cost-saving measure -- is now getting high-level attention from the state's top legal official.Michigan Attorney General Bill Schuette said Fr
Critics say charter schools draining vital dollars | The Advocate — Baton Rouge, Louisiana
Critics say charter schools draining vital dollars | The Advocate — Baton Rouge, Louisiana: Critics say charter schools draining vital dollarsFinancially strapped school districts in Baton Rouge, Lafayette and elsewhere are being hurt by rising amounts of dollars being moved from districts to charter schools, the executive director of the Louisiana School Boards Association and others said Thursda
Bed-Stuy Has Too Many Charter Schools, Local Education Council Says - Bed-Stuy - DNAinfo.com New York
Bed-Stuy Has Too Many Charter Schools, Local Education Council Says - Bed-Stuy - DNAinfo.com New York: Bed-Stuy Has Too Many Charter Schools, Local Education Council SaysBEDFORD-STUYVESANT — A Brooklyn education council is concerned that too many charter schools are teaching children in the district.The Community Education Council for District 16 worries that if additional charter schools make the
Common Core targeted in video suggesting money as motive | NewBostonPost
Common Core targeted in video suggesting money as motive | NewBostonPost: Second Common Core video released as Mass. considers ballot proposal to dump the standards BOSTON – A second undercover video portraying Common Core as an exercise in profiteering by publishers including Boston textbook giant Houghton Mifflin Harcourt surfaced Thursday, showing an executive of the company saying such educati
This time, emphasize teachers - Daily Press
This time, emphasize teachers - Daily Press: This time, emphasize teachersLast week, the Elementary and Secondary Education Act (ESEA) was reauthorized and gives us an opportunity to discuss education reform now in a positive, forward-thinking manner. Many of the concerns heavy on our minds these days — unrest in parts of the world and global economic disparities — are challenges we will not resol
YESTERDAY
Wister Parents Defeat Mastery and Offer Hope to Cooke and Huey Families | Parents United for Public Education
Wister Parents Defeat Mastery and Offer Hope to Cooke and Huey Families | Parents United for Public Education: Wister Parents Defeat Mastery and Offer Hope to Cooke and Huey FamiliesParent voices can bring about change and restore hope for Philly’s public neighborhood schools.On January 11, 2016, The School district of Philadelphia announced Dr. Hite’s recommendation for Jay Cooke, Samuel B. Huey
STATE SENATOR MENDOZA TEACHER JAIL AUDIT REQUEST APPROVED- DON'T GET YOUR HOPES UP - Perdaily.com
STATE SENATOR MENDOZA TEACHER JAIL AUDIT REQUEST APPROVED- DON'T GET YOUR HOPES UP - Perdaily.com: STATE SENATOR MENDOZA TEACHER JAIL AUDIT REQUEST APPROVED- DON'T GET YOUR HOPES UP(Mensaje se repite en Español)It's hard for a proposed investigation/audit of "teachers jail" to be taken seriously, when their unchallenged bogus initial assumption still is that teachers are being sent to te
Is the Flint City Hall break-in the Michigan version of “Watergate”??? | Eclectablog
Is the Flint City Hall break-in the Michigan version of “Watergate”??? | Eclectablog: Is the Flint City Hall break-in the Michigan version of “Watergate”???Last December, a Flint government staffer returned from the Christmas break and discovered that an office in City Hall had been broken into. So far as anyone knows, only a television was stolen. However, that same office was used to store docum
Calif. education: No single grades for schools, state board urges - ContraCostaTimes.com
Calif. education: No single grades for schools, state board urges - ContraCostaTimes.com: Calif. education: No single grades for schools, state board urgesFor more than a decade, the federal Department of Education has behaved like a national dean of students, punishing schools where all groups of students fail to achieve.On Wednesday, California's State Board of Education signaled, as expected, i
Teacher misconduct investigations to be focus of state audit | EdSource
Teacher misconduct investigations to be focus of state audit | EdSource: Teacher misconduct investigations to be focus of state auditAt a legislator’s request, the California State Auditor will audit the cost and results of Los Angeles Unified School District’s practice of removing teachers from the classroom, sometimes for hundreds of days, when the district investigates allegations of misconduct
Special Nite Cap: Catch Up on Today's Post 1/14/15
CORPORATE ED REFORMChoosing Democracy: Friedrichs' Promise to the Far RightChoosing Democracy: Friedrichs' Promise to the Far Right: Friedrichs' Promise to the Far RightLast July, 2,000 conservatives and Tea Party activists gathered in Las Vegas for the annual FreedomFest, which featured GOP presidential frontrunners Donald Trump and Marco Rubio. But it was a fourth grade public school teacher fro
