Top Posts This Week 5/4/19 #REDFORED #CTA

Top Posts This Week 5/4/19

THIS WEEK Education Research Report

Choosing Democracy: The Schools are Underfunded

NEA - State Charter Statutes

CURMUDGUCATION: Charter Lessons From Democracy Prep

CATCH UP WITH CURMUDGUCATION

Schools Matter: Thousands of Teachers March on Raleigh, NC

National Average Teacher Salary Down 4.5% - NEA Today

Best of the Ed Blogs National Education Policy Center

Education Research Report TODAY

Mishandling Data to Create Failing Schools

Top Posts This Month 5/4/19

THIS WEEK Education Research Report

Choosing Democracy: The Schools are Underfunded

Diane Ravitch's blog | A site to discuss better education for all

CURMUDGUCATION: Charter Lessons From Democracy Prep

Sacramento City Teachers to Strike April 11 - California Educator

NEA - State Charter Statutes

Hostile, Divisive Political Climate Ensnaring U.S. Schools - NEA Today

CURMUDGUCATION: KY: DeVos, Bevin, Loving Vouchers, Hating Teachers

CURMUDGUCATION: Why Do Teachers Have Such Lousy Parental Leave?

'Brown' 65 Years Later: 'We Cannot Walk Away From That Commitment'

Posts This Week  5/4/19

Jersey Jazzman: How NOT To Evaluate Education Policy: A Newark Example

by Mike Simpson / 40min

Jersey Jazzman: How NOT To Evaluate Education Policy: A Newark Example How NOT To Evaluate Education Policy: A Newark Example One thing I've learned from years of writing on education policy: the more convoluted the talking point, the more likely it's twisting the facts. For example [all emphases below are mine]: Today, African-American students in Newark are four times more likely to go to a qua

LAUSD Watchdogs Outrun Misconduct, Live to Offend Again - LA Progressive

by Mike Simpson / 1h

LAUSD Watchdogs Outrun Misconduct, Live to Offend Again - LA Progressive LAUSD Watchdogs Outrun Misconduct, Live to Offend Again he Los Angeles Unified School District (LAUSD), Office of the Inspector General in 2018 was roiled by controversy. This office was responsible for investigation fraud, waste and abuse as well as the District’s internal workings. Imagine than if you will, on March 9, 201

First on new California state superintendent’s long agenda: getting more men of color in the classroom | EdSource

by Mike Simpson / 1h

First on new California state superintendent’s long agenda: getting more men of color in the classroom | EdSource First on new California state superintendent’s long agenda: getting more men of color in the classroom Tony Thurmond reaches out for ideas on 13 education challenges our months into his first term, State Superintendent of Public Instruction Tony Thurmond is creating 13 work groups tha

Sacramento City Unified Teachers Gets Win In Salary Dispute; Strike Still An Option – CBS Sacramento

by Mike Simpson / 2h

Sacramento City Unified Teachers Gets Win In Salary Dispute; Strike Still An Option – CBS Sacramento Sacramento City Unified Teachers Gets Win In Salary Dispute; Strike Still An Option SACRAMENTO (CBS13) — Sacramento City Unified teachers got a win in their salary dispute with the district Thursday, but it may not be enough to avoid a planned strike. An arbitrator ruled in favor of the teacher’s

Teachers Unions Begin Vetting Democratic Presidential Contenders | Education News | US News

by Mike Simpson / 2h

Teachers Unions Begin Vetting Democratic Presidential Contenders | Education News | US News Teachers Unions Begin Vetting 2020 Dems The unions are planning to play a key role in selecting a Democratic candidate who can defeat President Donald Trump. THE TWO NATIONAL teachers unions are beginning the vetting process for the large field of Democratic president contenders. "Educators plan to be fron

Charter School Fatigue | Dissident Voice

by Mike Simpson / 3h

Charter School Fatigue | Dissident Voice Charter School Fatigue Charter schools have always attracted criticism due to the serious problems inherent to them, but it is no secret that in recent months charter schools have been taking it on the chin a little more than usual. This is not unexpected. More detailed reports, articles, and investigations are exposing with greater regularity the multi-fa

Beutner's changes to ballot language spark debate over parcel tax for L.A. schools - Los Angeles Times

by Mike Simpson / 3h

Beutner's changes to ballot language spark debate over parcel tax for L.A. schools - Los Angeles Times Beutner's changes to ballot language spark debate over parcel tax for L.A. schools A dispute is roiling over a change to the ballot language of Measure EE, which would raise an estimated $500 million a year for Los Angeles public schools if approved by voters next month. The funding infusion wou

Sketchy Epic Cyber Charter Has Gone National | tultican

by Mike Simpson / 3h

Sketchy Epic Cyber Charter Has Gone National | tultican Sketchy Epic Cyber Charter Has Gone National By T. Ultican 5/4/2019 Epic is the business name for Oklahoma’s indigenous and fastest growing virtual charter school chain. In 2015, they moved beyond Oklahoma opening a business in Orange County, California and are currently in contract talks with Pulaski County, Arkansas to provide online educa

Revealing Podcast About Success Academy — Part VII | Gary Rubinstein's Blog

by Mike Simpson / 3h

Revealing Podcast About Success Academy — Part VII | Gary Rubinstein's Blog Revealing Podcast About Success Academy — Part VII The seventh, and final, part of Startup’s podcast series about Success Academy (available here ) is titled ‘High School.’ The podcast describes the chaos in their first high school which eventually led to a student revolt. Students were sick of the overly strict rules, th

Audio: Summit Prep charter school closes doors a month early and won't reopen | 89.3 KPCC

by Mike Simpson / 4h

Audio: Summit Prep charter school closes doors a month early and won't reopen | 89.3 KPCC Summit Prep charter school closes doors a month early and won't reopen Summit Preparatory Charter School in South L.A. has taken the unusual step of closing its doors a month early after the L.A. Unified School Board voted not to renew its charter. Summit Prep leaders could have appealed the April 2 vote, bu

THIS WEEK Education Research Report

by Mike Simpson / 4h

Education Research Report THIS WEEK Education Research Report Science News from research organizations Finnish school students outperform US students on 'fake news' digital literacy tasks by Jonathan Kantrowitz / 23h A recent study revealed students at an international school in Finland significantly outperformed U.S. students on tasks which measure digital literacy in social media and online new

Larry Ferlazzo's Websites of the Day... | The latest news and resources in education since 2007

by Mike Simpson / 4h

Larry Ferlazzo's Websites of the Day... | The latest news and resources in education since 2007 This Week With Larry Ferlazzo's Websites of the Day... The latest news and resources in education since 2007 Three Accessible Ways To Search For & Find My “Best” Lists by Larry Ferlazzo / 6h (Note: I am going to publish this same post once each month to remind regular readers and inform newer ones abou

KEEP UP/ CATCH UP WITH DIANE RAVITCH'S BLOG | A site to discuss better education for all

by Mike Simpson / 4h

Diane Ravitch's blog | A site to discuss better education for all KEEP UP/ CATCH UP WITH DIANE RAVITCH'S BLOG A site to discuss better education for all Tampa Bay Times: Legislature Imposes Death Sentence on Florida Public Schools 20 by dianeravitch / 49min The Tampa Bay Times published a powerful editorial about the Legislature’s enactment of yet another voucher program for private and religious

YESTERDAY

Integrity Florida Study Looks At Political Influence, Growth Of Charter Schools | WJCT NEWS

20by Mike Simpson / 21h

Integrity Florida Study Looks At Political Influence, Growth Of Charter Schools | WJCT NEWS Integrity Florida Study Looks At Political Influence, Growth Of Charter Schools The nonpartisan research group Integrity Florida has released a new study about Florida’s charter schools and the industry’s political influence. The study took nearly a year to complete, and takes a deep dive into how the char

35 Ways They Dumb Down America: Still, There’s Hope!

by Mike Simpson / 23h

35 Ways They Dumb Down America: Still, There’s Hope! 35 Ways They Dumb Down America: Still, There’s Hope! They took all the trees And put them in a tree museum And they charged all the people A dollar and a half to see ’em Don’t it always seem to go That you don’t know what you’ve got ‘Till it’s gone They paved paradise And they put up a parking lot ~Joni Mitchell, Big Yellow Taxi If you’ve ever

NO EXCUSES: Charter Schools Should Never Be Allowed to Discriminate Against Any Group of Students | Cloaking Inequity

by Mike Simpson / 1d

NO EXCUSES: Charter Schools Should Never Be Allowed to Discriminate Against Any Group of Students | Cloaking Inequity NO EXCUSES: CHARTER SCHOOLS SHOULD NEVER BE ALLOWED TO DISCRIMINATE AGAINST ANY GROUP OF STUDENTS I’ve done two tours of duty for children in Texas. The first was in the Houston Independent School District’s Research and Accountability Department from 1999-2001. The second was as

Parent Advocacy and the New (But Still Misguided) Phonics Assault on Reading | radical eyes for equity

by Mike Simpson / 1d

Parent Advocacy and the New (But Still Misguided) Phonics Assault on Reading | radical eyes for equity Parent Advocacy and the New (But Still Misguided) Phonics Assault on Reading “School days were eagerly anticipated by Francie,” a central character in Betty Smith’s A Tree Grows in Brooklyn (p. 143). The novel often is a powerful fictional account of poverty among white working class people at t

Teachers Union Chief Opposes Powerful Democratic Committee's Blacklist | HuffPost

by Mike Simpson / 1d

Teachers Union Chief Opposes Powerful Democratic Committee's Blacklist | HuffPost Teachers Union Chief Opposes Powerful Democratic Committee’s Blacklist But Randi Weingarten of the American Federation of Teachers said she understands the DCCC’s concerns. Randi Weingarten, president of the influential American Federation of Teachers, said Thursday that she disagrees with the Democratic Congression

LISTEN TO DIANE TODAY - Diane Ravitch's blog | A site to discuss better education for all

by Mike Simpson / 1d

Diane Ravitch's blog | A site to discuss better education for all LISTEN TO DIANE TODAY BASIS Private Schools Sold to Chinese Investors, Parents Object by dianeravitch / 7min BASIS is a corporate charter chain with about 20 charters, mostly in Arizona. The chain is known for high test scores, high attrition, and high returns to its owners and operators, Michael and Olga Block. It also owns privat

Jeb Bush Finally Gets His Pet Voucher Program Passed (Again) in Florida | janresseger

by Mike Simpson / 1d

Jeb Bush Finally Gets His Pet Voucher Program Passed (Again) in Florida | janresseger Jeb Bush Finally Gets His Pet Voucher Program Passed (Again) in Florida Jeb Bush has fallen out of the national headlines, but Florida continues to be dominated by his policies and those of the advocacy organization and so-called think tank he founded, ExcelinEd , formerly known as the Foundation for Excellence

Challenging the “Grammar of Instruction” (Part 1) | Larry Cuban on School Reform and Classroom Practice

by Mike Simpson / 1d

Challenging the “Grammar of Instruction” (Part 1) | Larry Cuban on School Reform and Classroom Practice Challenging the “Grammar of Instruction” (Part 1) The old classroom model simply doesn’t fit our changing needs….It’s a fundamentally passive way of learning, while the world requires more and more active processing of information. Salman Khan, The One World Classroom (2012) From Francis Parker

Three Chicago Charter Schools on Strike. Three. | deutsch29

by Mike Simpson / 1d

Three Chicago Charter Schools on Strike. Three. | deutsch29 Three Chicago Charter Schools on Strike. Three. Market-based ed reform is likely in shock today. Teachers at three Chicago-based charter schools went on strike. Not one school (which is bad enough for corporate ed reform True Believers). Three. I could have been five charter schools, but teachers at two schools struck deals prior to stri

The Best School Innovation Would Be More People | gadflyonthewallblog

by Mike Simpson / 1d

The Best School Innovation Would Be More People | gadflyonthewallblog The Best School Innovation Would Be More People Public schools thrive on innovation. In nearly every classroom around the country you’ll find teachers discovering new ways to reach students and foster skills, understanding and creativity. But if you pan out to the macro level, the overwhelming majority of innovations aren’t org

Rainier Beach High School’s dramatic gains for students to be featured on HBO’s “Problem Areas”–even as the school is struggling to stop disruptive educator displacements – I AM AN EDUCATOR

by Mike Simpson / 1d

Rainier Beach High School’s dramatic gains for students to be featured on HBO’s “Problem Areas”–even as the school is struggling to stop disruptive educator displacements – I AM AN EDUCATOR Rainier Beach High School’s dramatic gains for students to be featured on HBO’s “Problem Areas”–even as the school is struggling to stop disruptive educator displacements If you haven’t heard, there’s a new se

MAY 02

Schools Matter: Thousands of Teachers March on Raleigh, NC

22by Mike Simpson / 2d

Schools Matter: Thousands of Teachers March on Raleigh, NC Thousands of Teachers March on Raleigh, NC by Tamika Walker Kelly Yesterday was huge. Thousands of public school educators, bus drivers, custodians, cafeteria workers, social workers, counselors, coaches and other support staff – along with their supporters – flooded the streets of Raleigh. Again. But we didn't just show up today. We orga

CURMUDGUCATION: Is Your School Year Over Already?

by Mike Simpson / 2d

CURMUDGUCATION: Is Your School Year Over Already? Is Your School Year Over Already? Depending on which state you live in, your schools are now, or are about to be, entering testing season. It's the magical time of year when your schools must subject students to the annual Big Standardized Test, a narrow slice of testing aimed at reading and math skills. In most states, the stakes are high, includ

Different Strokes for Different Folks? – Have You Heard

by Mike Simpson / 2d

Different Strokes for Different Folks? – Have You Heard Different Strokes for Different Folks? No excuses-style charter schools, known for rigid discipline and a college prep focus have seen explosive growth in urban areas over the past decade. And supporters of the model point to parent demand as the fuel. According to Eva Moskowitz, CEO and founder of New York City’s Success Academy, parents—ov

Student Agency, Authority, and Credibility as Writers | radical eyes for equity

by Mike Simpson / 2d

Student Agency, Authority, and Credibility as Writers | radical eyes for equity Student Agency, Authority, and Credibility as Writers Each semester I teach, I become even more convinced that teaching writing is a journey, not a destination . And this semester has once again pushed me in that direction. While it was just the second time I have taught the new upper-level writing/research course now

Still Separate, Still Unequal: Teaching about School Segregation and Educational Inequality - The New York Times

by Mike Simpson / 2d

Still Separate, Still Unequal: Teaching about School Segregation and Educational Inequality - The New York Times Still Separate, Still Unequal: Teaching about School Segregation and Educational Inequality Racial segregation in public education has been illegal for 65 years in the United States. Yet American public schools remain largely separate and unequal — with profound consequences for studen

NEA - State Charter Statutes

by Mike Simpson / 2d

NEA - State Charter Statutes State Charter Statutes The National Education Association released its State Charter Statutes Report Cards on Thursday, May 9, 2019. The report card provides a specific roadmap for states who want charter schools that work for all students and are accountable and transparent to taxpayers and the communities they serve. NEA believes that public charter schools must mee

The Test of Our Time: Can We Break the Shackles of NCLB? - Living in Dialogue

by Mike Simpson / 2d

The Test of Our Time: Can We Break the Shackles of NCLB? - Living in Dialogue The Test of Our Time: Can We Break the Shackles of NCLB? By Monty Neill. I came to FairTest in October 1987 as a movement activist and an educator. Over the years I’d worked in anti-war and black liberation support campaigns, wrote for underground newspapers, engaged in community organizing, edited the newspaper of the

What’s Next after the Year of the Teachers’ Strike? | Bitch Media

by Mike Simpson / 2d

What’s Next after the Year of the Teachers’ Strike? | Bitch Media NO MORE PENCILS, NO MORE BOOKS WHAT’S NEXT AFTER THE YEAR OF THE TEACHERS’ STRIKE? In the colorful, often bloody annals of labor history, 2018 will surely be known as the Year of the Teachers’ Strike. Hundreds of thousands of teachers organized massive work stoppages across the nation, from the West Virginia state capitol to the st

Education Research Report TODAY

by Mike Simpson / 2d

Education Research Report Education Research Report TODAY TODAY Gallup Poll: 54% Say Teachers Unprepared to Handle Discipline by Jonathan Kantrowitz / 10min Less than half of U.S. adults (43%) believe teachers are "very prepared" or "prepared" to handle discipline issues in the classroom -- while a slight majority, 54%, say they are "unprepared" or "very unprepared." When asked about six possible

Best of the Ed Blogs National Education Policy Center

by Mike Simpson / 2d

National Education Policy Center Best of the Ed Blogs National Education Policy Center Code Acts in Education: Learning from Surveillance Capitalism by elaine / 11h Code Acts in Education: Learning from Surveillance Capitalism ‘Surveillance capitalism’ has become a defining concept for the current era of smart machines and Silicon Valley expansionism. With educational institutions and practices i

'We Teach, We Vote!': 10,000 Teachers Rise Up Against Republican Legislature in Deep Red South Carolina

by Mike Simpson / 2d

'We Teach, We Vote!': 10,000 Teachers Rise Up Against Republican Legislature in Deep Red South Carolina 'We Teach, We Vote!': 10,000 Teachers Rise Up Against Republican Legislature in Deep Red South Carolina "For too long we have allowed our schools to go underfunded while taking the blame for the host of issues that come with that." Demanding an end to austerity measures that have kept classroom

Can We Hold onto Our Values As We Struggle to Survive in the Trump-DeVos Holding Pattern? | janresseger

by Mike Simpson / 2d

Can We Hold onto Our Values As We Struggle to Survive in the Trump-DeVos Holding Pattern? | janresseger Can We Hold onto Our Values As We Struggle to Survive in the Trump-DeVos Holding Pattern? I was dismayed recently when I sat down to read some excellent proposals for addressing child poverty in the United States. Here are two alternative proposals from the National Academy of Sciences . Both a

Grassroots Education Network- April 2019 Newsletter - Network For Public Education

by Mike Simpson / 2d

Grassroots Education Network- April 2019 Newsletter - Network For Public Education Grassroots Education Network- April 2019 Newsletter The NPE Grassroots Education Network is a network of over 125 grassroots organizations nationwide who have joined together to preserve, promote, improve, and strengthen our public schools. If you know of a group that would like to join this powerful network, pleas

Mishandling Data to Create Failing Schools

by Mike Simpson / 2d

Mishandling Data to Create Failing Schools Mishandling Data to Create Failing Schools LAUSD Career and Transition Center programs provide employment preparation, independent living skills, and social skills instruction to students ages 18-22 years who are on the Alternate Curriculum. ” – LAUSD While the Los Angeles Unified School District (LAUSD) likes to pretend that all students will graduate h

Revealing Podcast About Success Academy — Part VI | Gary Rubinstein's Blog

by Mike Simpson / 2d

Revealing Podcast About Success Academy — Part VI | Gary Rubinstein's Blog Revealing Podcast About Success Academy — Part VI Part 6 of Startup’s seven part podcast about Success Academy (available here ) is titled ‘Fights.’ The first of the fights that it tells about is the fight for space to grow that Eva Moskowitz has had with Mayor de Blasio. Some charter schools have their own buildings or th

MAY 01

Who Is Gifted? Why Does It Matter? | Teacher in a strange land

by Mike Simpson / 2d

Who Is Gifted? Why Does It Matter? | Teacher in a strange land Who Is Gifted? Why Does It Matter? Having authored a dozen or more columns on gifted education, it’s easy to predict reader response. It’s unfailing, in fact. There is a well-organized parent advocacy army associated with educating our brightest kids, always at the ready to respond to published commentary, claiming anything less than

Ben Chavis, Controversial Charter Leader, Beats the Rap | Diane Ravitch's blog

by Mike Simpson / 2d

Ben Chavis, Controversial Charter Leader, Beats the Rap | Diane Ravitch's blog Ben Chavis, Controversial Charter Leader, Beats the Rap Ben Chavis was leader of the American Indian Model Schools, a group of three small charter schools in Oakland that captured headlines and the hearts of conservatives. He stepped down after being charged with multiple federal felony charges involving federal money

Jeff Bryant: Progressives Take a Bold Stance at an Epicenter of the Charter School Movement to Score a Major Win for Public Education - LA Progressive

by Mike Simpson / 3d

Progressives Take a Bold Stance at an Epicenter of the Charter School Movement to Score a Major Win for Public Education - LA Progressive Progressives Take a Bold Stance at an Epicenter of the Charter School Movement to Score a Major Win for Public Education hen President Trump appointed Betsy DeVos to be U.S. Secretary of Education and made charter schools, vouchers, and other forms of “school c

Is Teach For America’s training problematic? Even racist? | Cloaking Inequity

by Mike Simpson / 3d

Is Teach For America’s training problematic? Even racist? | Cloaking Inequity IS TEACH FOR AMERICA’S TRAINING PROBLEMATIC? EVEN RACIST? 2 Teach For America Alums Say TFA Has Big Problems When It Comes To Race : Code Switch : NPR - https://www.npr.org/sections/codeswitch/2015/10/14/447217749/two-teach-for-america-alums-say-the-program-has-big-problems-when-it-comes-to-ra on @NPR WGBH reports that,

Oklahoma: For-Profit Online Charter Chain Gobbles Up Rural Districts | Diane Ravitch's blog

by Mike Simpson / 3d

Oklahoma: For-Profit Online Charter Chain Gobbles Up Rural Districts | Diane Ravitch's blog Oklahoma: For-Profit Online Charter Chain Gobbles Up Rural Districts Oklahoma has underfunded its public schools over the past decade. Many districts have switched to a four-day week to save money. Some rural districts, facing insolvency, are turning their schools over to Epic , a for-profit online charter

Education Research Report TODAY

by Mike Simpson / 3d

Education Research Report Education Research Report TODAY Are Public School Teachers Adequately Compensated? xx by Jonathan Kantrowitz / 10min It is difficult to definitively answer the question of whether public school teachers are adequately compensated. To provide context for understanding the research on the adequacy of teacher compensation, this Center on Education Policy brie f describes ho

In U.S., 54% Say Teachers Unprepared to Handle Discipline

by Mike Simpson / 3d

In U.S., 54% Say Teachers Unprepared to Handle Discipline In U.S., 54% Say Teachers Unprepared to Handle Discipline Less than half of U.S. adults (43%) believe teachers are "very prepared" or "prepared" to handle discipline issues in the classroom -- while a slight majority, 54%, say they are "unprepared" or "very unprepared." When asked about six possible solutions to address discipline issues i

Teachers union announces second strike at Sacramento City Unified | The Sacramento Bee

by Mike Simpson / 3d

Teachers union announces second strike at Sacramento City Unified | The Sacramento Bee Teachers announce second strike at Sacramento City Unified School District The Sacramento City Teachers Association, embroiled in a labor dispute with the financially troubled Sacramento City Unified School District, announced Tuesday that it will hold its second one-day strike on May 22. The teachers union mad

Embarrassment for Trump as teachers of the year shun White House award ceremony

by Mike Simpson / 3d

Embarrassment for Trump as teachers of the year shun White House award ceremony Embarrassment for Trump as teachers of the year shun White House award ceremony Kentucky and Minnesota teachers of year boycott White House ceremony to protest Trump policies - The Washington Post - https://www.washingtonpost.com/education/2019/05/01/two-award-winning-teachers-boycott-white-house-ceremony-protest-trum

CURMUDGUCATION: Florida Really Is The Worst

by Mike Simpson / 3d

CURMUDGUCATION: Florida Really Is The Worst Florida Really Is The Worst There are plenty of states in the country that are not very friendly to public education, but Florida under its new governor has established itself as the very worst state for public education. The worst. Its hatred of public school teachers and its absolute determination to dismantle public education so that it can sell off

Jonathan Rodrigues: When Segregation Is the Innovation | Diane Ravitch's blog

by Mike Simpson / 3d

Jonathan Rodrigues: When Segregation Is the Innovation | Diane Ravitch's blog Jonathan Rodrigues: When Segregation Is the Innovation The privatizers got badly beaten in 2016, when they tried to lift the cap on charter schools in Massachusetts. Funded by the Waltons and the usual coven of billionaires, they asked the public to endorse a proposal to launch 12 charter schools every year, wherever th

Ohio Legislature Must Pass HB 154 to Eliminate State School Takeovers in Youngstown, Lorain and East Cleveland | janresseger

by Mike Simpson / 3d

Ohio Legislature Must Pass HB 154 to Eliminate State School Takeovers in Youngstown, Lorain and East Cleveland | janresseger Ohio Legislature Must Pass HB 154 to Eliminate State School Takeovers in Youngstown, Lorain and East Cleveland The members of the Ohio Legislature must pass House Bill 154, thereby repealing Ohio House Bill 70, which provides for the state to seize governance from locally e

Louisiana Educator: The Real Reasons for the Louisiana Teacher Shortage

by Mike Simpson / 3d

Louisiana Educator: The Real Reasons for the Louisiana Teacher Shortage The Real Reasons for the Louisiana Teacher Shortage State education officials are now alarmed about the growing teacher shortage in Louisiana. What are the causes of the decline in certified teachers, and how can we fix it? I would hazard a guess that most legislators have no clue that they have been primarily responsible for

Want to ‘Fix’ Public Education? Then Fix the Economy! | The Merrow Report

by Mike Simpson / 3d

Want to ‘Fix’ Public Education? Then Fix the Economy! | The Merrow Report Want to ‘Fix’ Public Education? Then Fix the Economy! I was raised to believe in public schools. My parents taught me that good public schools both improve and unite their communities.** Moreover, they said, great teachers transform children’s lives by unlocking their potential, which allows them to cast off whatever shackl

APR 30

3rd District Democrats honor public education advocate Bush | Political notebook | The Journal Gazette

by Mike Simpson / 3d

3rd District Democrats honor public education advocate Bush | Political notebook | The Journal Gazette 3rd District Democrats honor public education advocate Bush Public education advocate and activist Phyllis Bush, who died March 19 at the age of 75, was named this year's recipient of the J. Edward Roush Service Award presented by the 3rd Congressional District Democratic Party. The party honore

Lecker: The disturbing transformation of kindergarten - StamfordAdvocate

by Mike Simpson / 3d

Lecker: The disturbing transformation of kindergarten - StamfordAdvocate Lecker: The disturbing transformation of kindergarten One of the most distressing characteristics of education reformers is that they are hyper-focused on how students perform, but they ignore how students learn. Nowhere is this misplaced emphasis more apparent, and more damaging, than in kindergarten. A new University of Vi

American Schools Lack Playtime, According To New Research | WSKG

by Mike Simpson / 4d

American Schools Lack Playtime, According To New Research | WSKG American Schools Lack Playtime, According To New Research American schools have a “sad” lack of play, according to new research published in the American Journal of Play . The work done by Olga Jarrett, a professor emeritus at Georgia State University, stresses that recess should be mandated and is a right of all children. The Ameri

Nearly a decade later, did the Common Core work?

by Mike Simpson / 4d

Nearly a decade later, did the Common Core work? Nearly a decade later, did the Common Core work? New research offers clues A 2008 report offered a dire warning: U.S. schools were falling behind their international peers. Its prescription : states should “adopt a common core of internationally benchmarked standards in math and language arts.” The idea of the Common Core would soon gain steam . Th

CURMUDGUCATION: Why It's Important To Say There Is No Teacher Shortage

by Mike Simpson / 4d

CURMUDGUCATION: Why It's Important To Say There Is No Teacher Shortage Why It's Important To Say There Is No Teacher Shortage I've been saying it . Tim Slekar has been saying it . Other people who aren't even directly tied to teaching have been saying it . There is no teacher shortage. There's a slow-motion walkout, a one-by-one exodus, a piecemeal rejection of the terms of employment for educato

Teacher Protests Are Student, Worker Advocacy | radical eyes for equity

by Mike Simpson / 4d

Teacher Protests Are Student, Worker Advocacy | radical eyes for equity Teacher Protests Are Student, Worker Advocacy Throughout the 1980s and 1990s, I was a public school English teacher, and for part of that time, I was also a coach. I taught more than 100 students each year, meaning I responded to about 4000 essays and 6000 journal entries every academic year along with thousands of other assi

Capping Illinois teacher salaries will continue the shortage of quality teachers. – Fred Klonsky

by Mike Simpson / 4d

Capping Illinois teacher salaries will continue the shortage of quality teachers. – Fred Klonsky Capping Illinois teacher salaries will continue the shortage of quality teachers Following up on yesterday’s post. On April 11th Illinois State Senator Andy Manar succeeded in pushing a package of bills through the Senate. One raised the minimum teacher salary from $10,000 a year to $40,000 a year. Th

It Looks As Though Proposed Ohio School Funding Overhaul May Have to Wait Two More Years | janresseger

by Mike Simpson / 4d

It Looks As Though Proposed Ohio School Funding Overhaul May Have to Wait Two More Years | janresseger It Looks As Though Proposed Ohio School Funding Overhaul May Have to Wait Two More Years There was a sense of hope on March 25th, when Ohio State Representatives Bob Cupp and John Patterson proposed a new, bipartisan school funding plan for Ohio, a plan that was intended to serve as the House’s

An Open and Extended Response (On Testing Season) | The Jose Vilson

by Mike Simpson / 4d

An Open and Extended Response (On Testing Season) | The Jose Vilson AN OPEN AND EXTENDED RESPONSE (ON TESTING SEASON) I laid my lesson plans on top of the roller tray. I pulled off my “problem of the moment” off my printer and put scissors on top of them. I turned on my Promethean board and connected the AppleTV to it. I pulled out my iPad mini and turned to the released questions from the New Yo

Making Schools Business-Like: The Case of Summit Charters (Part 3) | Larry Cuban on School Reform and Classroom Practice

by Mike Simpson / 4d

Making Schools Business-Like: The Case of Summit Charters (Part 3) | Larry Cuban on School Reform and Classroom Practice Making Schools Business-Like: The Case of Summit Charters (Part 3) Many educators use business-speak. Students are customers. Principals and Superintendents are CEOs. School board members ask staff what the return on investment is. Another common phrase educators use borrowed f

NYC Public School Parents: inBloom redux? NYSUT, NYSAPE and Parent Coalition for Student Privacy protest

by Mike Simpson / 4d

NYC Public School Parents: inBloom redux? NYSUT, NYSAPE and Parent Coalition for Student Privacy protest inBloom redux? NYSUT, NYSAPE and Parent Coalition for Student Privacy protest I thought this announcement was from 2013 until I saw the date: a new NY state effort to “envision” a new state data system with funding from the Gates Foundation. Apparently the grant was obtained by the Capitol reg

Let Voters Fix Harrisburg School Board – Not State Takeover | gadflyonthewallblog

by Mike Simpson / 4d

Let Voters Fix Harrisburg School Board – Not State Takeover | gadflyonthewallblog Let Voters Fix Harrisburg School Board – Not State Takeover Pushing the self-destruct button is the ultimate measure of last resort. But that’s how several Pennsylvania lawmakers are suggesting we fix the dysfunctional Harrisburg School Board. An election that could oust most of the very school directors responsible

2019 Medley #9 | Live Long and Prosper

by Mike Simpson / 4d

2019 Medley #9 | Live Long and Prosper 2019 Medley #9 | Live Long and Prosper INVESTING IN THE FUTURE Two reports endorse investment in early childhood education Truthfully, neither of these reports tells us anything new (see also Untangling the Evidence on Preschool Effectiveness: Insights for Policymakers ). What they do tell us, however, is that states aren’t investing in early childhood educa

APR 29

Classified School Employees of the Year Announced - Year 2019 (CA Dept of Education)

by Mike Simpson / 4d

Classified School Employees of the Year Announced - Year 2019 (CA Dept of Education) State Superintendent Tony Thurmond Announces 2019 Classified School Employees of the Year SACRAMENTO—State Superintendent of Public Instruction Tony Thurmond today honored six outstanding classified school employees for their dedication to California’s public school students. “Meeting students’ basic needs, as we

Education Reform: Warnings Confirmed, But Lessons Learned? | radical eyes for equity

by Mike Simpson / 5d

Education Reform: Warnings Confirmed, But Lessons Learned? | radical eyes for equity Education Reform: Warnings Confirmed, But Lessons Learned? Soon after I began my career as an educator in 1984, I became a serious cyclist. An unexpected hobby sprang from that newfound activity—being my own bicycle mechanic. In fact, over the past three-plus decades, I have built up dozens of road bicycles from

Progressives take a bold stance at an epicenter of the charter school movement for public education | Salon.com

by Mike Simpson / 5d

Progressives take a bold stance at an epicenter of the charter school movement for public education | Salon.com Progressives take a bold stance at an epicenter of the charter school movement for public education Unifying this diverse coalition was an uncompromising political argument about what makes public schools public To learn more about school privatization, check out Who Controls Our School

Jersey City school board sues state to restore “horrific” cuts in state aid |

by Mike Simpson / 5d

Jersey City school board sues state to restore “horrific” cuts in state aid | Jersey City school board sues state to restore “horrific” cuts in state aid The Jersey City school board has sued the state, demanding the Legislature restore at least $27 million funds cut from New Jersey’s second largest school district. Sudhan Thomas, the board’s president, said state aid cuts–$27 million this year a

CURMUDGUCATION: OH: The Ongoing Fight To End School Takeovers

by Mike Simpson / 5d

CURMUDGUCATION: OH: The Ongoing Fight To End School Takeovers OH: The Ongoing Fight To End School Takeovers I have been watching events unfold in Lorain, Ohio, site of both my first job and an absolute clusterfrick of epic proportions It's time for an update. You can find the complete story so far starting here , but the short form is that Ohio has a bone stupid law known as HB 70, passed using u

California School Boards Association on Needed Reforms of Charter Law | Diane Ravitch's blog

by Mike Simpson / 5d

California School Boards Association on Needed Reforms of Charter Law | Diane Ravitch's blog California School Boards Association on Needed Reforms of Charter Law Almost everyone in California seems to acknowledge that the state charter law is broken and needs reform. Governor Gavin Newsom created a Task Force, under the leadership of Tony Thurmond, State Superintendent of Public Instruction, cha

Teacher Appreciation Week is coming, and this educator is starting to cringe: ‘I’ll trade appreciation for respect any day’ - The Washington Post

by Mike Simpson / 5d

Teacher Appreciation Week is coming, and this educator is starting to cringe: ‘I’ll trade appreciation for respect any day’ - The Washington Post Teacher Appreciation Week is coming, and this educator is starting to cringe: ‘I’ll trade appreciation for respect any day’ Teacher Appreciation Week is fast approaching — the first full week in May — but New York City educator Emily James is already st

Betsy DeVos has become a punchline -- here's why Trump still keeps her around

by Mike Simpson / 5d

Betsy DeVos has become a punchline -- here's why Trump still keeps her around Betsy DeVos has become a punchline — here’s why Trump still keeps her around Education Secretary Betsy DeVos has become a punchline for late-night television hosts and “Saturday Night Live,” but she’s managed to stay alive in President Donald Trump’s political game of “Survivor.” A recent Washington Post report took a d

Charter schools nearly destroyed McDonogh 35. Now it will become one

by Mike Simpson / 5d

Charter schools nearly destroyed McDonogh 35. Now it will become one Charter schools nearly destroyed this New Orleans school. Now it will become one. The first black high school in New Orleans, McDonogh 35, was a source of pride, until the chartering of the city’s schools after Hurricane Katrina contributed to its academic collapse. Now, the school board hopes turning it over to a charter organi

“Progressive” 2020 Democratic Presidential Hopefuls Who Support Charter Schools | Dissident Voice

by Mike Simpson / 5d

“Progressive” 2020 Democratic Presidential Hopefuls Who Support Charter Schools | Dissident Voice “Progressive” 2020 Democratic Presidential Hopefuls Who Support Charter Schools More writers, commentators, and researchers are increasingly reminding the public that a large number of democrats at all levels of government have long supported and promoted privately-operated charter schools that annua

Betsy DeVos Gave This Charter Chain $225 Million. It Doesn’t Pass the Smell Test | Diane Ravitch's blog

by Mike Simpson / 5d

Betsy DeVos Gave This Charter Chain $225 Million. It Doesn’t Pass the Smell Test | Diane Ravitch's blog Betsy DeVos Gave This Charter Chain $225 Million. It Doesn’t Pass the Smell Test Betsy DeVos recently gave $116 million to the IDEA charter chain, mostly to expand in Texas. Previously, she had already given millions to IDEA, altogether this lucky business has received $225 million in federal f

National Average Teacher Salary Down 4.5% - NEA Today

by Mike Simpson / 5d

National Average Teacher Salary Down 4.5% - NEA Today National Average Teacher Salary Down 4.5% Amber McCoy, a fourth grade teacher at Kellogg Elementary in Huntington, West Virginia, has 16 years’ experience under her belt, but still makes just $44,000 a year. She also has about $40,000 left in student loans to pay off. McCoy has worked as a tutor, pet sitter, and Amazon customer service rep to

Frank Biden, His For-Profit Charter Chain, Mavericks in Education, and More | deutsch29

by Mike Simpson / 5d

Frank Biden, His For-Profit Charter Chain, Mavericks in Education, and More | deutsch29 Frank Biden, His For-Profit Charter Chain, Mavericks in Education, and More NOTE: This post is not an indictment of Joe Biden. it is an investigation into the charter school association of his brother, Frank Biden. I have seen info on social media regarding Frank Biden’s for-profit charter school involvement,

Revealing Podcast About Success Academy — Part V | Gary Rubinstein's Blog

by Mike Simpson / 5d

Revealing Podcast About Success Academy — Part V | Gary Rubinstein's Blog Revealing Podcast About Success Academy — Part V Star Wars fans know that Episode 5 — The Empire Strikes Back, was the best of the Star Wars saga. And of Beethoven’s nine symphonies, the most famous is surely his fifth. Likewise, of the seven episodes of Startup’s podcast about Success Academy, the fifth (found here ) is th

APR 28

The Writer Who Couldn't Answer Standardized Test Questions About Her Own Work (Again)!

by Mike Simpson / 5d

The Writer Who Couldn't Answer Standardized Test Questions About Her Own Work (Again)! The Writer Who Couldn't Answer Standardized Test Questions About Her Own Work (Again)! We are in standardized test season, and all across the country, students are taking the Big Standardized Test by which they, their schools, and their teachers will be judged. How absurd are these tests? Meet Sara Holbrook , t

FLORIDA TO BECOME MOST ANTI-IMMIGRANT STATE- YouTube

by Mike Simpson / 5d

Florida to become most anti-immigrant state - YouTube FLORIDA TO BECOME MOST ANTI-IMMIGRANT STATE Heading into the final week of this year’s regular legislative session, and Florida lawmakers have pushed through most of the controversial measures we’ve discussed. The senate is scheduled to vote Monday on a House bill that would deny the will of over five million Florida voters in restoring voting

CURMUDGUCATION: ICYMI: Post-Easter Chill Edition (4/28)

by Mike Simpson / 6d

CURMUDGUCATION: ICYMI: Post-Easter Chill Edition (4/28) ICYMI: Post-Easter Chill Edition In my neck of the woods, we figure that spring can't arrive until there has been a post-Easter snow. We appear to be working on tht today. So while we sip our hot chocolate of shivery bitterness, here are some current readings to absorb and-- please-- share! Choice As A Substitute For Adequacy Did states deal

Catch Up With Curmudgucation

by Mike Simpson / 6d

CURMUDGUCATION CATCH UP WITH CURMUDGUCATION Charter Lessons From Democracy Prep 63 by Peter Greene / 1d I was as unimpressed as anyone when education privatization fan Campbell Brown launched the 74 site as a platform for the same old "Charters schools rule, public schools drool" song and dance. But since that launch, and particularly since Brown stepped away from the site, the straight journalis

California’s Public School Chief Says Education No Place for Competition - GV Wire

by Mike Simpson / 6d

California’s Public School Chief Says Education No Place for Competition - GV Wire California’s Public School Chief Says Education No Place for Competition Tony Thurmond seems to be exactly the man that his most loyal backers hoped (and his opponents feared) he would be. by Ben Christopher CALmatters “If it were not for the education, my cousin who took me in, countless mentors, that I would easi

Larry Lee Interviews Film-Maker Mark Hall About His Interest in Gulen Charter Schools | Diane Ravitch's blog

by Mike Simpson / 6d

Larry Lee Interviews Film-Maker Mark Hall About His Interest in Gulen Charter Schools | Diane Ravitch's blog Larry Lee Interviews Film-Maker Mark Hall About His Interest in Gulen Charter Schools This is a fascinating interview in which Larry Lee, an educator in Alabama, asks film-maker Mark Hall about how he became interested in school reform, charter schools, and the Gulen charter schools. Mark

The California Charter Schools Lobby Masks Influence And Effect Through Myriad “Independent Expenditure Committees”, As Difficult To Follow As A Shell Game – redqueeninla

by Mike Simpson / 6d

The California Charter Schools Lobby Masks Influence And Effect Through Myriad “Independent Expenditure Committees”, As Difficult To Follow As A Shell Game – redqueeninla The California Charter Schools Lobby Masks Influence And Effect Through Myriad “Independent Expenditure Committees”, As Difficult To Follow As A Shell Game The Charter industry lobby has expended a total of $91.4 million dollars

APR 27

Top Posts This Week 4/27/19 #REDFORED #CTA

by Mike Simpson / 7d

Big Education Ape Top Posts This Week 4/27/19 Former teacher's powerful resignation letter goes viral CURMUDGUCATION: ICYMI: Easter Edition (4/21) Capitalism Is in Crisis, and Billionaires Know It | Diane Ravitch's blog