School Privatization Turns Business Into Predator and Students Into Prey | gadflyonthewallblog : School Privatization Turns Business Into Predator and Students Into Prey The mother sea turtle struggles to shore to lay her eggs. A typical clutch includes anywhere from 50–350 eggs, which the mother hides under the sand. Her sole contribution to their future complete, she swims away. They incubate u
A disturbing look at how charter schools are hurting a traditional school district - The Washington Post : A disturbing look at how charter schools are hurting a traditional school district Bethlehem Steel is reflected in the Lehigh River in Bethlehem, Pa., on Nov. 8, 1995. Bethlehem Steel Corp. extinguished its last blast furnace at its flagship plant that year, sending home 1,800 workers and en
CA Finalist for National Teacher of the Year - Year 2017 (CA Dept of Education) : San Diego Teacher Finalist for National Teacher of the Year SACRAMENTO—State Superintendent of Public Instruction Tom Torlakson announced today that Megan Gross, a 2017 California Teacher of the Year from San Diego County, was selected as one of four finalists nationwide for the 2017 National Teacher of the Year awa
Weingarten speaks on the future of public education | American Federation of Teachers : Weingarten speaks on the future of public education Watch full speech here: AFT President Randi Weingarten Delivers Remarks | Video | C-SPAN.org - https://www.c-span.org/video/?421372-1/aft-president-randi-weingarten-delivers-remarks-education-policy In a Jan. 9 speech at the National Press Club in Washington,
CURMUDGUCATION: Warren Spanks DeVos : Warren Spanks DeVos Elizabeth Warren has noticed that there will be only one, brief opportunity to grill Secretary of Education nominee Betsy DeVos, and so today she has sent DeVos a letter outlining what sorts of answers she's looking for. The whole thing is sixteen pages long, and while Warren has not always been on the right side of education debates (in p
CHALLENGING A FAILED POLITICAL AND ECONOMIC SYSTEM PART I of III blogs | Dr. Edward F. Berger : CHALLENGING A FAILED POLITICAL AND ECONOMIC SYSTEM America is now led by people who have power because they do not follow the ethical and moral concepts that I once thought inviolate. We are experiencing the exact opposite of what I was taught, what I taught students, and what I believe. I am being for
What the Media Missed About Facebook’s Big New Hire | Vanity Fair : What the Media Missed About Facebook’s Big New Hire The New York Times reported, “Facebook is turning to a former television news journalist to help smooth over its strained ties to the news media, which views it as both a vital partner and a potentially devastating opponent.” It mentioned, almost in passing, “In recent years, [C
Central Michigan Life - COLUMN: DeVos education policies a national failure 23 years in the making : DeVos education policies a national failure 23 years in the making On Jan. 11, the U.S. Senate plans to hold a confirmation hearing for Betsy DeVos, who was chosen by President-elect Donald Trump to head the Department of Education. If she is confirmed, one of Michigan’s most prominent champions f
Ending the No Child Left Behind Catch-22 on English learner progress | EdSource : Ending the No Child Left Behind Catch-22 on English learner progress CREDIT: LPI Linda Darling-Hammond California’s State Board of Education has an opportunity at its meeting this week in Sacramento to leave behind one of the most unfair and problematic features of No Child Left Behind (NCLB): the way it calculates
Urban-Education Programs Prepare Teachers to Confront Racism - The Atlantic : How Teachers Learn to Discuss Racism Urban-education programs prepare them for imperative contemporary conversations with students. After a rash of police killings last summer, H. Richard Milner, a professor of urban education at the University of Pittsburgh, set out to answer a question that had been gnawing at him for
DeVos Hearing 1/11: UPDATED Senate HELP Committee Members. Call today. - Network For Public Education : DeVos Hearing 1/11: UPDATED Senate HELP Committee Members. Call today On January 11 at 10:00 am the Senate Health Education Labor and Pensions (HELP) Committee will begin a hearing on the nomination of Betsy DeVos to serve as Secretary of Education. Below are committee members, along with their
Here’s what Elizabeth Warren wants to know from Trump’s education pick - The Washington Post : Here’s what Elizabeth Warren wants to know from Trump’s education pick Sen. Elizabeth Warren, a Democrat from Massachusetts. (Pete Marovich/Bloomberg) In advance of this week’s confirmation hearing, Sen. Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.) on Monday sent Betsy DeVos, President-elect Donald Trump’s pick for educa
Illinois public employee union strategy to fight for pensions: Members should “do nothing” and let Madigan be our goalie. | Fred Klonsky : Illinois public employee union strategy to fight for pensions: Members should “do nothing” and let Madigan be our goalie. On Saturday I wrote about the discussions among Democrats and Rauner’s legislative leaders for a grand bargain to resolve the state budget
Draining dollars from our students by Wendy Lecker - Wait What? : Draining dollars from our students by Wendy Lecker Columnist and education advocate Wendy Lecker writes about Governor Dannel Malloy’s attack on Connecticut’s public schools and his ongoing effort to privatize public education in Connecticut. In Draining dollars from our students , Wendy Lecker writes; Though the CCJEF v. Rell tria
Education Lessons From A Sparkly District: Follow Up To Who Is Voting On New Jersey's New Charter Regulations? : Follow Up To Who Is Voting On New Jersey's New Charter Regulations? Last Sunday, I published a blog post about NJ State Board of Education (NJBOE) member, Peter Simon, and his family's philanthropic foundation, the William E. Simon Foundation. If it had not been for the New York Times
Education Law Prof Blog : Are Pence and DeVos a One-Two Knock Out for Education Policy? Recent Reports Out of Indiana Suggest Yes My recent posts have focused on DeVos and the problems she presents for public education, although I emphasize that without new legislation she does not have power to do too much. Some new information out of Indiana regarding the education system Governor Pence has ove
Jersey Jazzman: Teaching In the Age of Trump : Teaching In the Age of Trump Last week, Mrs. Jazzman and I decided to indulge one last time before we start our new years diets, and found ourselves in line for the best hot dogs north of the Bronx County line. As I waited for my turn at the condiments station (get the red relish), I overheard a conversation between a nice young woman working the cou
Please Take a Minute Today to Call Both of Your Senators to Oppose Confirmation of Betsy DeVos | janresseger : Please Take a Minute Today to Call Both of Your Senators to Oppose Confirmation of Betsy DeVos The U.S. Senate Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions (HELP ) Committee’s confirmation hearing on Betsy Devos, President-elect Donald Trump’s nominee for Secretary of Education, is scheduled f
LAUSD Schools Face Bankruptcy While Charters Cheat on Admissions : LAUSD Schools Face Bankruptcy While Charters Cheat on Admissions Through admissions policies that exclude vulnerable students by erecting various barriers to entry, charter schools have the potential to create a two-tiered system of public education. ” – ACLU and Public Advocates The LAUSD Charter School Division (CSD) says that “
Mike Klonsky's SmallTalk Blog: WEEKEND QUOTABLES : WEEKEND QUOTABLES Former Peltier prosecutor calls for his release. Author Yaa Gyasi ("Homegoing") The history of America has involved figuring out new ways to subjugate black people since the beginning. In this post-election in-between space, as Donald Trump takes over, we are wondering what fresh hell may be about to be devised. -- Guardian Jame
The Fizzle of Common Core Face, Student Achievement Partners | deutsch29 : The Fizzle of Common Core Face, Student Achievement Partners The chief purpose of the Common Core State Standards (CCSS) initiative was to develop a “common core” of ELA and math standards that states (ideally all) would adopt so that state education might be standardized and therefore comparable using similar assessments.
NAT HENTOFF: I’ve lost a hero. So has anyone who dares to write. | : NAT HENTOFF: I’ve lost a hero. So has anyone who dares to write. In 1972, when I was 25 years old, I wrote a book published by Simon and Schuster entitled “Teachers and Power: The Story of the American Federation of Teachers.” It was critical of the AFT, primarily because of the union’s efforts to destroy community control of pu
Meryl Streep gives shout-out to public schools during her Golden Globes anti-Trump speech - The Washington Post : Meryl Streep gives shout-out to public schools during her Golden Globes anti-Trump speech Meryl Streep holds the Cecil B. DeMille Award during the 74th Annual Golden Globe Awards in Beverly Hills, Calif. on Jan. 8, 2017. REUTERS/Mario Anzuoni When actress Meryl Streep gave her speech
Special Nite Cap: Catch Up on Today's Post 1/8/17 Featured Post Mother Crusader: Demand that Senators Who Have Received DeVos Money Recuse Themselves The Ugly Facts About Ed-Reform, Partisan Bickering and the
That Teacher Absenteeism Report
-
The Thomas B. Fordham Institute is a Washington DC based advocacy group
that works the reformy side of the street. They worked hard to sell the
Common Core...
Big Picture Learning Off Limits
-
From Wrench in the Gears
September 20, 2017
The introduction to this piece including a discussion of ImBlaze can be
found here.
Big Picture Learningstu...
Calling Foul: Ravitch is Wrong About MacArthur
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This is a bit ironic. This morning, Diane Ravitch reblogged a post I’d
written about an exceptionally good piece on the influence of billionaires
in public...
TODAY: Submit comments to USDoE before midnight.
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The US Department of Education is asking for comments, “In accordance
with Executive Order 13777, “Enforcing the Regulatory Reform Agenda,” the
Departmen...
Cary Moon for Mayor
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This blog endorses Cary Moon for Mayor of Seattle.
Why Moon over her opponent, Jenny Durkan?
1. Moon is willing to put herself out there and talk about e...
USA: Warmongers not Christians
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This is simple, in two graphs: It is clear that in the USA, we have made
decisions about the extreme wealth of the nation. We have plenty of money,
but we ...
Oregon’s Smarter Balanced Assessment Scores Drop
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Oregon schools showed a drop in proficiency in math and ELA as last school
year's Smarter Balanced Assessment scores were released.
The post Oregon’s Sma...
A Train Track Back
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His mother left and he didn't like that. He stood at the hallway door
crying while I sat with him, although he soon made it clear that he would
rather...
NJ Third Grader Scores Perfect on PARCC
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New Jersey public school student, Alexica Perez, achieved a perfect score
on the seven-day-long PARCC test that she took in her third grade year at
Max Leu...
How You Can Help Small Businesses Thrive
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Banks are trying to score another victory over hardworking Americans by
refusing to lend to minorities, women, and rural residents who own and run
small bu...
Cartoons and Stories of Students and Lawyers
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For this month, I am combining those often repeated howlers that students
write on tests and say in class with a selection of actual back-and-forths
betwe...
Review of John Gennari's "Flavor and Soul"
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With the publication of "Flavor and Soul- Italian America at its African
American Edge,"John Gennari has written an eloquent book about Italian
Americans a...
Reformy Chalkbeat Peddles the Moskowitz Book
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A few years ago, I used to write for Chalkbeat, *nee *Gotham Schools. I
wrote a review of Diane Ravitch's book, *The Death and Life of the Great
American ...
The New “Jack”: Trading Justice for Grit
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(Taking a small break between chapters in The Interregnum Mile to bring you
something to consider) Is Restorative Justice being “jacked?” Restorative
Justi...
Please take our 5-minute class size survey!
-
*Welcome back to a new school year! *
Please take our five-minute class size survey to let us know how large your
child’s class size is this year; teachers...
We the people, our Constitution
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I keep a pocket version of the U.S. Constitution handy, and this year I’ve
found myself thumbing through it on a regular basis. (I wonder why?) More…
On Deaf Ears: My Public Comment to the LAUSD Board
-
On September 12, 2017, the LAUSD School Board was set to take a vote to
approve several charters for five-year renewals, including ICEF Innovation.
However...
Good-Bye Princess of Madiganistan
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It was not too long ago Lisa Madigan declared a financial emergency and
attacked the state’s public employees and retirees. Madigan and other
self-inter...
The Bottom Line: A Keller-Greene Joint
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Good teachers are both process and bottom line people. They think about how
to get students to walk away with …
Continue reading →
Newsletter and Action of the Week for 9/14/17
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Thumbnail of the 9/14/17 newsletter (full issue here) Action of the week:
Let’s disrupt DeVos’s “Rethinking Schools” scheme: 1. Send a letter to the
editor...
Education Is a Civic Question
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In their final post to end Bridging Differences' decade-long run, Deborah
Meier and Harry Boyte urge readers to put the energy, talents, wisdom, and
hard w...
FAIRTEST is not a footnote
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I am a fan of footnotes, including my own, and probably my favorite
footnote in Addicted to Reform: A 12-Step Program to Rescue Public
Education is #1 for ...
Questions as Invitations, Not Inquisitions
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When you are a writer, inspiration for your writing can come from all over,
suddenly, unpredictably, sometimes even against your will. Into my in box
this...
Teacher Bathroom Behavior Charges
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The following comes from the files of, *"You Can't Make This Shit Up!"*
Last month Chaz in a blog post wrote...
*Up until this previous school year the Off...
Arrogance-Advice to Start the Year
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The look to give those no nothing supervisors and Principals who try to
intimidate. Get the upper hand!
(Photo from Congo House at the Bronx Zoo)
Trump’s War on Science: NYT Editorial
-
New York Times Editorial Board Sept. 9, 2017 The news was hard to digest
until one realized it was part of a much larger and increasingly disturbing
patter...
Trump’s War on Science: NYT Editorial
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New York Times Editorial Board Sept. 9, 2017 The news was hard to digest
until one realized it was part of a much larger and increasingly disturbing
patter...
Two Days Down, Forever To Go
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I burst out laughing. I never thought I’d say that within the first two
days of school. But I did. Not only did I laugh, ...
Read More
The post Two Days...
Surprise! If You Live Under a Rock.
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As the war against our public schools and the profession of teaching drags
on it amazes me that some people still act surprised when politicians
attempt ...
Do Perks for Teachers Compromise Their Integrity?
-
Schools and teachers are the objects of commerce and policy, not
co-creators or idea-generators or genuine partners. We get "gifts" from
business, if we ar...
Bawer on Greenblatt: A Response
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Though I have not read anything he has written this century, Stephen
Greenblatt has had an outsized impact on my academic career. The New
Historicism he sp...
GLSEN Responds as DACA End Imperils LGBTQ Students
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For media inquiries or to arrange an interview with Eliza Byard, contact:
*Cathy Renna, 917-757-6123, **cathy@targetcue.com*
(New York, NY) September 6, 2...
What Really Makes a "No Excuses" Charter School?
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Once again, Matt Barnum points us to a study showing positive effects from
a "no excuses" charter school. The paper, by Matthew Davis and Blake Heller, take...
My newest books and other news
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Dear friends and colleagues, Catching up on two months since I last wrote!
My book with Emily Gasoi, These Schools Belong To You and Me, from Beacon
Press,...
Join tonight’s #oklaed chat: Stereotypes in Schools
-
This conversation is more important than pre-season professional football
or Game of Thrones. Remember, you can record TV. It's a thing. See you at 8
tonight!
CPS buys into the Covey Hustle
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Reposted from Fred Klonsky's Blog
A parent wants to know why an expensive corporate training program is being
implemented at his neighborhood CPS school.
...
This is our Sputnik moment.
-
School’s all across the nation are either starting or about to start a new
academic year. It’s suppose to be an exciting time for students and
teacher. How...
The NAACP Tells It As It Is
-
An English teacher friend of mine was a finalist for Connecticut Teacher of
the Year in the mid 90’s. As one of the culminating steps in the selection
pro...
Literacy East and West of the Anacostia
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We Act Radio broadcasts from east of the Anacostia River in Washington, DC.
A short distance to the east on Good Hope Road is the Anacostia branch of
the p...
The “Bad Kid” Label Sticks: Let’s Remove It!
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Sometimes, ok many times, she could be loud. She rolled her eyes and
twirled her neck. Often. Her behavior was everyone else’s fault, never
hers. But as th...
The "Bad Kid" Label Sticks: Let's Remove It!
-
Sometimes, ok many times, she could be loud. She rolled her eyes and
twirled her neck. Often. Her behavior was everyone else's fault, never
hers. But as th...
Student of the Month Nightmare
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*This is something I wrote for a monthly gathering to honor some of the
best students at our school. I figure most teachers will relate:*
I was grading pap...
99 Years of Progress Erased – unless we fight back
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Public healthcare for all? Public education for all? What is being done to
our monetized children regarding their potential healthcare and their
existing e...
You Can Be an Astronaut, but You Can't Be Black
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“What do you want to be when you grow up?” It’s a question I always
imagined every kindergarten student hearing.
“I want to be a doctor!” declares Sally.
...
Who’s Afraid of Professional Teachers?
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New York’s charter school sector, apparently. Politico reports that the
charter sector has potentially won a much desired prize: permission to
“certify” th...
Site News: New Home for Education News & Commentary
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Quick! Get over there! The daily education news roundup and education
commentaries that you're probably looking for are now being published over
at The Gra...
THE COUP TO DESTROY THE AMERICAN DREAM
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Within the core of our freedoms, lie the avenues powerful individuals use
to take away the rights of citizens and the controls of government designed
and e...
Parent/Educator EDU
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I have long been a guest blogger for Edutopia, which has been both a
challenge and an honor. I have always found it challenging to be
provocative in promot...
Should We Be Grateful?
-
In an odd turn of events, and with little explanation, Michigan Governor
Rick Snyder has decided to return the state’s School Reform Office back to
the Dep...
Support Room 134!
-
*Friends, family, even public education supporters I don't know on social
media are always asking about how they can help given the constant madness
of the...
An Open Letter to NC Lawmakers
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An Open Letter to NC State Lawmakers and NC State Superintendent Mark
Johnson: I am a NC native, voter, and public school teacher. I am
addressing you all ...
Don't Like Chris Christie? Blame the Democrats.
-
Yesterday Diane Ravitch published a piece in The New Republic, titled Don't
Like Betsy DeVos? Blame the Democrats.
If you care about public education at al...
We Opted Out, Now What?
-
Your family made the decision to "refuse" or opt out of the state
assessments. By taking this action you are standing up for your child's
education. You ...
The Secret to Fixing Schools (My Next Bestseller)
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The Secret to Fixing Schools (My next bestseller) Prologue I just finished
watching a fascinating documentary on Netflix entitled, “The Secret”. The
film p...
Farewell, Sleep
-
Today is the official last day of my spring break. I've done a scientific
survey: My natural bedtime is 2 AM, and my natural wake up time is 9:41
AM. Tom...
New Local Businesses in Sacramento
-
Starting a new local business in Sacramento is a monumental task, but can
be accomplished with footwork, perseverance and knowledge. One must learn
the loc...
Jewell Elementary & Aurora Public Schools Skirt Law
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Letter sent to Colorado State Board of Education, as well as media,
senators who sponsored bill, Aurora Education Association, Aurora
superintendent office...
Education Bloggers Daily Highlights 3/2/2017
-
Education Bloggers Daily Highlights 3/1/2017 Education Bloggers Daily
Highlights Courtesy of Big Education Ape A special thank you to education
blogger Mik...
Bad Hair Day
-
It’s winter time. It’s cold — okay, not for anyone outside California and
Florida, but still — I’m wearing hats in the morning. Lovely knitted hats
that I’...
Capturing the Spark
-
It’s been a long time since InterACT was an active education blog, though I
remain quite proud of what we did here. Those of us who wrote blog posts
here h...
Random Musings and Observations. . . .
-
I’ve been gone a while from the blogging scene. Some of my more regular
readers no doubt noticed but did not hassle me about it. Thank you for
that. Sinc...
WTU Peterson Slate: Not a 1 Woman Dictatorship
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Candi Peterson & GeLynn Thompson
Candidates for WTU Prez & GVP 2016By Candi Peterson, WTU Gen. Vice President
*Statements or expressions of opinions herein...
MY NEW BLOG
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My new blog will consist of fictitious headlines, meant to be a blend of
humor and satire. I apologize ahead of time if any other satirical site has
simila...
Thank you
-
Dear Readers,
Thank you for visiting *The Perimeter Primate*. This blog is being retired
for the time being. Although I no longer post here, I do still s...
I am Retiring
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I have some news: I am retiring from the PBS NewsHour and Learning Matters.
[[ This is a content summary only. Visit my website for full links, other
conte...
All Aboard the Opt Out Bus
-
The #OptOutBus is currently traveling the country giving away free books to
children! Follow their progress at their Facebook page and donate to their
FR...
Flaws at the Heart of Current Education Reforms
-
Originally posted on Creative by Nature:
“Teaching is an art form rooted in the wise and careful use of educational
research and assessment tools. When gove...
