How to end segregation in New York City’s gifted and talented program - The Hechinger Report

How to end segregation in New York City’s gifted and talented program - The Hechinger Report:

How to end segregation in New York City’s gifted and talented program

The problems with premises and politics

ch of the discussion surrounding New York City’s school segregation problem has focused not on serious policy moves involving school integration* for the nation’s largest district but rather on maximizing school choice and improving quality.

The city’s education department still has not taken into full account research evidence showing that school integration leads to positive social and academic benefits for all students, while school choicespurs more segregation.

Meanwhile, another type of school segregation occurring within the city’s schools has received much less focus in the media and popular press: The type of segregation caused by school-within-school gifted and talented programs.

Related: Bright black students taught by black teachers are more likely to get into gifted and talented classrooms.

These programs act as a magnet to attract higher income, white families to the public school system and increase achievement levels. Since the Bloomberg and Klein policy regime supported these programs and pushed to expand the number of programs across the city, the education department has used a single standardized test score to admit students to these high-status programs.

The admissions policy is also based on the faulty premise that all parents will get their children tested and apply. As a result, the city’s gifted programs remain disproportionately white, Asian, and higher income. General education programs housed within these same schools, however, tend to enroll a majority of low-income children of color. This practice can by default, desegregate schools at the building level. It can also have the unintended consequence ofsegregating students by race, class, and perceived academic ability inside schools.

Related: Can schools create gifted students?

Gifted and talented education has become a highly contested How to end segregation in New York City’s gifted and talented program - The Hechinger Report:

California lawsuit appeal pursues claim of inadequate education funding | EdSource

California lawsuit appeal pursues claim of inadequate education funding | EdSource:

California lawsuit appeal pursues claim of inadequate education funding

Students, parents and school officials stand at a podium to talk about their lawsuit.

CREDIT: CALIFORNIA SCHOOL BOARDS ASSOCIATION

Plaintiffs in the Robles-Wong v. State of California lawsuit announce the case at a press conference in Sacramento on May 20, 2010.

 As they presented oral arguments before an appellate court Wednesday, attorneys in a high-profile lawsuit hoped that justices will allow them to go to trial to prove that by inadequately funding public schools the state is violating California students’ constitutional right to a quality education.

The three justices on the 1st District Court of Appeal in San Francisco must rule within the next 90 days on whether to overturn a ruling by an Alameda County Superior Court judge who dismissed the case, Robles-Wong v. California, on grounds that there’s no constitutional right to an adequately funded education. In that ruling, Judge Steven Brick said the Legislature has the right to set funding levels as it chooses.

The case consolidates two lawsuits filed in 2010 — Campaign for Quality Education v. California and the Robles-Wong case.

In a session lasting more than an hour, justices on the court focused on the issue in the lawsuits’ core claim, that insufficient funding levels are denying children their constitutional right to an education that prepares them to participate fully in economic and civil life.

The justices focused on the key idea of the concept of quality, while the attorney for the state, Joshua Sondheimer, said the state does not oversee quality.

Steven Mayer, an attorney for the plaintiffs in Robles-Wong, told the justices that the state Supreme Court has held that education is a constitutional right in the state, “and a violation of that right has occurred.”

The Legislature defines quality education in establishing high academic standards but it hasn’t provided enough funding so that all students can meet those standards, Mayer said.

While a ruling by the three justices won’t be issued for several weeks, it could be groundbreaking if the justices decide that a quality education is constitutionally guaranteed.

Justice Peter Siggins acknowledged that under the state’s current system there is “a disparity of opportunity” for California lawsuit appeal pursues claim of inadequate education funding | EdSource:

Mother of Autistic Child on “Got to Go List” Publicly Confronts Eva Moskowitz | deutsch29

Mother of Autistic Child on “Got to Go List” Publicly Confronts Eva Moskowitz | deutsch29:

Mother of Autistic Child on “Got to Go List” Publicly Confronts Eva Moskowitz

On Friday January 22, 2016, the Center for New York City Law at New York Law School hosted the 131st City Law Breakfast. The event speaker was the highly controversial Success Academies (SA) CEO, Eva Moskowitz.

The video for the event can be viewed here.

During the Q&A portion of the event, several individuals confronted Moskowitz about the manner in which she runs her schools.

One such individual was former SA Fort Greene parent, Shanice Givens.

  

Shanice Givens

I recognized the name because I have read and written about the lawsuit,Olgundiran et al. versus Success Academy Fort Greene et al., filed in US District Court (Eastern District of New York) against five defendants, including SA Fort Greene and its principal, Candido Brown, for his having created a “got to go list” of students whom he obviously intended to force out of SA Fort Greene. The plaintiffs in the lawsuit are the parents of four SA Fort Greene students whose names were on Brown’s list.

Shanice Givens is one of those four parents.

Here is her story as it appears among the charges in the lawsuit:

C.S., S.G.’s son, has been diagnosed with autism. While attending kindergarten at Success FG, C.S. did not receive an IEP. Repeatedly, while attending kindergarten, S.G. received calls from officials at
Success FG telling her to pick up her child from school. On one occasion, in or around January 2015, S.C. (typo) was told that if she did not pick up C.S. within 20 minutes, the ACS would be called to take custody of the child.

On another occasion, C.S. was physically lifted out of a chair by a teacher for 

Mother of Autistic Child on “Got to Go List” Publicly Confronts Eva Moskowitz | deutsch29:

CURMUDGUCATION: CATO, Choice and Freedom

CURMUDGUCATION: CATO, Choice and Freedom:

CATO, Choice and Freedom

It's School Choice Week, one more faux celebration created as a hook on which to hang a hundred press releases.

School Choice Week does indeed launch a thousand events and commentaries, and plenty of them are not very serious puff pieces by not very serious people. But some choice supporters are reasonably thoughtful people, and their words are worth reading if for no reason other than to spark the mental exercise of figuring out why, exactly, you disagree with them.

Which brings me to Neal McClusky's pro-choice piece for CATO, the Koch-flavored Libertarian thinky tank. It's short and sweet and draws a line directly between school choice and freedom. And I appreciate the clarity of his argument, because it helps me understand why I believe he's wrong.

First, the liberty part.

Freedom must have primacy because society is ultimately composed of individuals, and leaving CURMUDGUCATION: CATO, Choice and Freedom:

Design of a Decade: Moments From 10 Years Of Writing | The Jose Vilson

Design of a Decade: Moments From 10 Years Of Writing | The Jose Vilson:

Design of a Decade: Moments From 10 Years Of Writing

People forget that, ten years ago, the idea of blogging aloud made no sense to the average reader. The mainstream media had the stranglehold on public opinion, and trying to get an op-ed into any space requires a lot of know-how and a little know-who. Teachers were always talked about, but few were given the space to opine on education policy save for those connected to education professions or multi-million dollar non-profits. And even then. Social media wasn’t a “thing,” though I was already on Facebook. Some people still didn’t know what to make of education reform, and I was still working on my teaching craft.

So, instead of waxing nostalgic about how spectacular my blog is, I’ll just tell you what’s kept me writing. The one comment from a student who didn’t come out yet to his parent, but found strength in a story I shared about my student going through his journey. The letters I’ve received from educators across the nation who needed to know they weren’t alone in their thinking, and the ones who stayed one more year as a result. The tweets from people who aren’t in the education field but read my blog to get a better understanding of a teacher’s perspective. The professors who changed their syllabi to accommodate for conversations about race, class, and intersectionality, helping future Design of a Decade: Moments From 10 Years Of Writing | The Jose Vilson:

What Chicago Schools Need and Deserve – Troy LaRaviere's blog

What Chicago Schools Need and Deserve – Troy LaRaviere's blog:

WHAT CHICAGO SCHOOLS NEED AND DESERVE

 Absurd ProposalLast week, I listened to reports of a State attempt to takeover Chicago Public Schools (CPS) and pave the way for bankruptcy proceedings, the way one might listen to a report of UFOs spotted over Lake Michigan.  “Is this a joke?” I thought to myself.

While the Board of Education and Chicago’s Mayor have been reckless in their management of Chicago’s schools, the State has proven itself to be far more inept. Let’s not forget that it was the state that thought it would be a good idea to give control to the mayor in the first place. It is the state whose teacher pension system is in worse shape than the Chicago pension system. It is the state that can’t pass its own budget, and it is the state that passed the legislation enabling CPS to engage in the risky borrowing practices that lost the district over $100 million. Suggesting the state manage the affairs of Chicago Public Schools makes about as much sense as recommending a cocaine addict handle the affairs of an alcoholic.

A Failed StrategyGovernor Rauner–who backs the state takeover proposal–represents many of the same privatization interests as the mayor.  Emanuel’s privatization-friendly school policies have depressed student achievement, widened the academic achievement gap and redirected tax dollars intended for schools to private for-profit interests. From his reckless borrowing, to his wasteful spending on poor performing for-profit charter and alternative schools, this mayor has shown his cards repeatedly.  His policies What Chicago Schools Need and Deserve – Troy LaRaviere's blog:

Special Nite Cap: Catch Up on Today's Post 1/27/15

CORPORATE ED REFORM

Legislator proposes new credentials for dance, theater teachers | 89.3 KPCC

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by mike simpson / 1min 

Who is stealing from teachers? Sh-h-h. It’s a trade secret. | Reclaim Reform

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Schools Matter: Alabama Leads the Way toward 19th Century Education

Schools Matter: Alabama Leads the Way toward 19th Century Education: Alabama Leads the Way toward 19th Century EducationEver heard of an adjunct K-12 teacher?  I had not, either, until Alabama defined it for me, as someone with at least a high school diploma teaching part-time in an Alabama public school.Someone who is not a certified teacher can now teach your children in Alabama.The State Board

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Seattle Schools Community Forum: Food for Thought - Talking About Teachers

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by mike simpson / 28min 

Oh My! Charter schools founder Steve Barr weighs 2017 challenge to Garcetti - LA Times

Charter schools founder Steve Barr weighs 2017 challenge to Garcetti - LA Times:Green Dot Charter Schools founder Steve Barr weighs 2017 challenge to Garcettie founder of a prominent chain of Los Angeles charter schools said Wednesday he is considering running for mayor in 2017, the second person in as many days to muse aloud about challenging incumbent Mayor Eric Garcetti.Steve Barr, who establis

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Great Schools Partnership and the Covert Agenda of Assessment Reform – Save Maine Schools

Great Schools Partnership and the Covert Agenda of Assessment Reform – Save Maine Schools: Great Schools Partnership and the Covert Agenda of Assessment ReformDuring a required workshop on proficiency-based education this Monday, I spent most of the day moving between anger and awe at the way this billionaire-funded agenda has made its way so seamlessly into our gymnasium, into every school in Mai

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Schooling in the Ownership Society: Who's behind National School Choice Week?

Schooling in the Ownership Society: Who's behind National School Choice Week?: Who's behind National School Choice Week?Launched five years ago by the Gleason Family Foundation—which spent more than $4.3 million on the project in 2014, Nat'l School Choice Week has grown rapidly through the backing of advocacy groups and deep pockets of funders focused on promoting charters, vouchers, and tax credi

by mike simpson / 3h 

Mike Klonsky's SmallTalk Blog: Little Village schools fighting school crowding hold the line

Mike Klonsky's SmallTalk Blog: Little Village schools fighting school crowding hold the line: Little Village schools fighting school crowding hold the lineCommunity activists gather outside Saucedo/Telpochcalli to demand that CPS postpone its co-location plan. I'm told that CPS has pulled its plan to move Spry Community Links High School into Saucedo/Telpochcalli, off the agenda of the February bo

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John Thompson The Gig Economy: Potential promise and pitfalls - NonDoc

The Gig Economy: Potential promise and pitfalls - NonDoc: The Gig Economy: Potential promise and pitfallsLinguist 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 “slang for a date or engagement.” In the 1950s, hipsters and the Beats used the term for “any job you took to keep body and soul together while your

by mike simpson / 6h 

Horror Inside Pt. 2: Charter Teacher Turns Whistleblower #SCW – Cloaking Inequity

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Have You Heard? | EduShyster

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In Sacramento, Parents Pitching In

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City charter suit caught up in high court turmoil

City charter suit caught up in high court turmoil: City charter suit caught up in high court turmoil A charter-schools suit with major financial implications for the Philadelphia School District is one of 27 cases caught up in the turnover of the Pennsylvania Supreme Court.Back in September 2014, the court heard arguments in the case that centers on the School Reform Commission's authority to mana

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How Math Class Has Evolved From the Progressive-Education Movement to the Common Core - The Atlantic

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EXCLUSIVE: Common Core and ESSA: Part 9 | Diane Ravitch's blog

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Gambling on Fast-Track Teachers in Nevada and Beyond and Personalized Learning

Gambling on Fast-Track Teachers in Nevada and Beyond and Personalized Learning: Gambling on Fast-Track Teachers in Nevada and Beyond and Personalized LearningNevada school officials claim they can’t find 1,000 teachers to fill their classrooms.Education Week is claiming this isn’t much different than what’s found in the rest of the country. In the middle of it all you will think about Personalized

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Our Fading Understanding of the Common Good | janresseger

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With A Brooklyn Accent: Fordham Alumni For Change Moving Forward

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by mike simpson / 9h 

Snake Oil (and vouchers) Don't Work. Community Schools, Do! - Lily's Blackboard

Snake Oil (and vouchers) Don't Work. Community Schools, Do! - Lily's Blackboard: Snake Oil (and vouchers) Don’t Work. Community Schools, Do!It’s fitting that “National School Choice Week,” the annual promotion of vouchers, tuition tax credits, and other schemes that siphon money from public schools and take opportunities away from students, falls in January. Everything about “school choice” leaves

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CPS seeks $10 million from convicted Barbara Byrd-Bennett

CPS seeks $$$ from BBB:CPS seeks $$$ from BBBChicago Public Schools CEO Forrest Claypool is demanding that his convicted predecessor, Barbara Byrd-Bennett, reimburse the cash-strapped school district about $10 million — or triple the salary she was paid at CPS and the kickbacks promised her.Last fall, Byrd-Bennett pleaded guilty to a scheme to get a 10 percent kickback from contracts granted to SU

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Marcos Breton can’t stop talking Mayor Kevin Johnson | The Sacramento Bee

Marcos Breton: Sacramento can’t stop talking business | The Sacramento Bee: Marcos Breton: Sacramento can’t stop talking businessEven though some of his foes despise him and always will, Mayor Kevin Johnson has been good for the business of Sacramento.His term ends this year and new candidates are vying to replace him, yet Johnson is likely to announce new investment for Sacramento at his State of

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A Look at the Education Crisis | Center for American Progress

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As charter school expansion continues, regulatory oversight varies: tips for digging into local education - Reynolds Center

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Infrastructure Failures, Like Flint, Are a Crisis For Black America - The Root

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YESTERDAY

Ashana Bigard: An Insider’s View of Post-Katrina New Orleans Public Education | deutsch29

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1 by mike simpson / 20h hide  //  save

Top 10 Reasons School Choice is No Choice | gadflyonthewallblog

Top 10 Reasons School Choice is No Choice | gadflyonthewallblog: Top 10 Reasons School Choice is No ChoiceOn the surface of it, school choice sounds like a great idea.Parents will get to shop for schools and pick the one that best suits their children.Oh! Look, Honey! This one has an exceptional music program! That one excels in math and science! The drama program at this one is first in the state

1 by mike simpson / 21h 

CURMUDGUCATION: UT Offers Gobbledeegook Education Program

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1 by mike simpson / 22h 

Special Nite Cap: Catch Up on Today's Post 1/26/15

CORPORATE ED REFORMCalifornia School Boards Association says the State is Violating Students’ Rights by Stiffing public schools | EdSourcePlaintiff in lawsuit updates costs of inadequate funding | EdSource: Plaintiff in lawsuit updates costs of inadequate fundingThe California School Boards Association has updated spending numbers from studies published a decade ago to support the argument its att

16 by mike simpson / 23h