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Saturday, January 18, 2020

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TOP POSTS THIS WEEK 1/18/20 

TODAY

NANCY BAILEY: Truth to Power: Facing the Disruptors with Courage and Resolve

by Mike Simpson / 30min
Truth to Power: Facing the Disruptors with Courage and Resolve Truth to Power: Facing the Disruptors with Courage and Resolve We live in troubling times, reflected in the longtime attacks on one of our most sacred democratic institutions, public schools. But Americans have a fierce fighter for those schools in Diane Ravitch. The historian, in her new book Slaying Goliath , reminds us of the dange
Then Nothing Has Worked in Education - Teacher Habits

by Mike Simpson / 45min
Then Nothing Has Worked in Education A common refrain from critics of American public education is that we continue to spend more money on it while getting the same disappointing results. The Wall Street Journal ‘s editorial board, in an article titled, “ America’s Schools Flunk ,” wrote, “The results from the 2019 National Assessment of Educational Progress, which is administered to students ar
Charter Schools Have No Valid Claim to Public Property | Dissident Voice

by Mike Simpson / 1h
Charter Schools Have No Valid Claim to Public Property Public facilities and infrastructure are produced by the working class and people and belong to the public. They exist in order to serve the common good and to contribute to the extended reproduction of society. This collectively-produced wealth must not be handed over to competing owners of capital who are only concerned with maximizing pro
Black kids and suicide: Why are rates so high, and so ignored? – Raw Story

by Mike Simpson / 1h
Black kids and suicide: Why are rates so high, and so ignored? Teen suicide rates among black youth are increasing. In 2016 and again in 2018, national data revealed that among children age 5-11, black children had the highest rate of death by suicide. For the years 2008 to 2012, 59 black youth died by suicide , up from 54 in the years 2003-2007. Also, the 2015 Centers for Disease Control and Pr
Has the Common Core Failed? and, if so, What’s Next? Has Anyone Considered Asking Teachers and Principals? | Ed In The Apple

by Mike Simpson / 2h
Has the Common Core Failed? and, if so, What’s Next? Has Anyone Considered Asking Teachers and Principals? Ten years ago 46 out of 50 states adopted the Common Core (CCSS) and embarked on a voyage to improve student outcomes by adopting more rigorous standards. Ten years later three researchers express opinions on the question: Has the Common Core Failed ? This is especially important in New Yor
CURMUDGUCATION: Trump, Prayer and School

by Mike Simpson / 2h
Trump, Prayer and School Donald Trump yesterday took the very Trumpian action of solving a problem that didn't actually exist until he made it up, in this case involving religion and education (two things in which he appears to have no actual interest). But hurray-- after today, students and teachers are free to pray in schools, which they were also free to do yesterday and last week and last ye
"We Are All Reformers" (Part 4) | Larry Cuban on School Reform and Classroom Practice

by Mike Simpson / 2h
"We Are All Reformers" (Part 4) Taylor Allderdice was a six-year secondary school (it is now a high school). We lived about a mile away and I walked to school daily—but not in the 7 th grade. Because of polio, I missed 27 days according to my high school transcript. When I returned to school, my Dad drove me. Breakfast was drinking down a raw egg each morning—doctors said it would strengthen me—
Cannabis in a historical context. Hitting Left with the Klonsky Brothers with Anton Seals Jr. – Fred Klonsky

by Mike Simpson / 2h
CANNABIS IN A HISTORICAL CONTEXT. HITTING LEFT WITH THE KLONSKY BROTHERS WITH ANTON SEALS JR While Chicago community organizer Anton Seals Jr. has an infectious laugh, he is dead serious about economic development and equity for the city’s south side and west side African American communities. He grew up in South Shore of activist parents. His Dad was a south side field organizer for the Harold
Confronting Aaron Hernandez, Big Time Football, and Toxic Masculinity – radical eyes for equity

by Mike Simpson / 2h
Confronting Aaron Hernandez, Big Time Football, and Toxic Masculinity If you focus too intently on Aaron Hernandez in the new Netflix documentary , you will miss the larger complicated story. And you will have done exactly what the major players involved in Hernandez’s life wanted all along. Jose Baez and Aaron Hernandez in Killer Inside: The Mind of Aaron Hernandez (2020) For example, one of th
NYC Educator: Please Affirm You Will NOT Be Drunk and on Drugs During the Field Trip

by Mike Simpson / 2h
Please Affirm You Will NOT Be Drunk and on Drugs During the Field Trip The ghost of Michael Bloomberg is a heavy presence in the hallowed halls of Tweed. He lives on in DOE Legal, often as not the bane of my very existence. Wanna give some teacher five preps? Go ahead, says legal. Wanna tie your chapter leader up for years in grievances over black letter regulations? No problem. Legal okays it o
CURMUDGUCATION: Six Stories To Watch For In 2020

by Mike Simpson / 3h
Six Stories To Watch For In 2020 I made these predictions about three weeks ago, and now that we're halfway through January, I still stand by them. It's a cheap writer's game-- we won't know if I'm right until December, and I predict that nobody will remember what I predicted. So here are my guesses wise predictions about six stories that will heat up in 2020. Ed Tech Will Try To Grow Its Market
Welcome to WellVille: 'Educators Can't Forget to Take Care of Themselves'

by Mike Simpson / 3h
Welcome to WellVille: ‘Educators Can’t Forget to Take Care of Themselves’ Rich Glasheen, a math teacher at Ward Melville High School on Long Island, New York, usually spends around 10 to 15 minutes, sitting in the zero-gravity chair, maybe drinking a cup of tea and reading while listening to calming music. Special education teacher Katherine Jimenez is also partial to the zero-gravity chair but
Bruce D. Baker NEPC Review: California Charter Schools: Costs, Benefits, and Impact on School Districts (Center on Reinventing Public Education, May 2019) | National Education Policy Center

by Mike Simpson / 3h
NEPC Review: California Charter Schools: Costs, Benefits, and Impact on School Districts (Center on Reinventing Public Education, May 2019) | National Education Policy Center Bruce D. Baker NEPC Review: California Charter Schools: Costs, Benefits, and Impact on School Districts (Center on Reinventing Public Education, May 2019) Reviewer: Bruce D. Baker May 30, 2019 Publication Announcement Press
Race and charter schools: Why Bethlehem superintendent Joseph Roy raised the issue of racism - The Morning Call

by Mike Simpson / 4h
Paul Muschick: Bethlehem superintendent knew he would take heat for talking about race and charter schools. Here’s why he did anyway. Bethlehem schools Superintendent Joseph Roy knew he was going to be criticized for his remarks last month about race and charter schools. That’s because it wasn’t the first time he’d said in a public forum that some parents send their kids to charters so they won’
Diane Ravitch: Why Education Disruption Is Losing

by Mike Simpson / 4h
Diane Ravitch: Why Education Disruption Is Losing Diane Ravitch was an education historian, who entered government work under the first Bush administration and continued to serve in the Department of Education, where she was an early supporter of charter schools and accountability, and one of the voices of support No Child Left Behind. Then in 2010, she changed course . Watching how the policies
Catch Up With Newblackman (In Exile)

by Mike Simpson / 4h
NewBlackMan (in Exile) Sanborn Sessions: Kandace Springs by Mark Anthony Neal / 10h 'The Season Premiere of Sanborn Sessions : Kandace Springs , joins legendary saxophonist Dave Sanborn and the band for song and conversation at Sanborn's home studio in New York.' Jacqueline Hoàng Nguyễn: Diasporic Archives vs. Colonial Archives by Mark Anthony Neal / 10h Jacqueline Hoàng Nguyễn, Black Atlas 'Jac
THIS WEEK Education Research Report

by Mike Simpson / 4h
Education Research Report THIS WEEK Education Research Report Preschool Development Grant had positive impacts on children’s early academic skills, with the strongest impacts on the most vulnerable children. by Jonathan Kantrowitz / 20h Complete report In late 2014, the Massachusetts Department of Early Education and Care (EEC) was awarded a four-year federal Preschool Development Grant to suppor
This Week With Larry Ferlazzo's Websites of the Day... The latest news and resources in education since 2007

by Mike Simpson / 5h
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 Classroom Instruction Resources Of The Week by Larry Ferlazzo / 7h Each week, I publish a post or two containing three or four particularly useful resources on classroom instruction, and you can
KEEP UP/ CATCH UP WITH DIANE RAVITCH'S BLOG A site to discuss better education for all

by Mike Simpson / 5h
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 Slaying Goliath: The Passionate Resistance to Privatization and the Fight to Save America's Public Schools CLICK HERE TO Pre-order NOW Peter Greene: Why the Education Disruption Machine Is Failing by dianeravitch / 21min This post by Peter Greene

YESTERDAY

John Thompson: The Hit and Miss of Education Reforms - TulsaKids Magazine

by Mike Simpson / 21h
The Hit and Miss of Education Reforms - TulsaKids Magazine The Hit and Miss of Education Reforms Occasionally, I post pieces on my blog written by others. The blog I’m posting today was written by John Thompson, a retired Oklahoma City educator and writer. Thompson, who has a Ph.D. in American History from Rutgers University, has been honored with several teaching awards, is a Fulbright Scholar,
An Upcoming Supreme Court Ruling Could Starve Public Schools—In Favor of Religious Ones

by Mike Simpson / 1d
An Upcoming Supreme Court Ruling Could Starve Public Schools—In Favor of Religious Ones On January 22, the U.S. Supreme Court will hear Espinoza v. Montana Department of Revenue , a case that could result in the massive expansion of public funding for private religious schools. The petitioners in the case—which will be litigated by the conservative law group, Institute for Justice—are asking tha
Ed Notes Online: Gayle Lakin Reviews Ravitch New Book, Slaying Goliath

by Mike Simpson / 1d
Gayle Lakin Reviews Ravitch New Book, Slaying Goliath Ravitch explains myriad ways that charter school operators have earned extraordinary salaries at tax payer expense! Gayle Lakin I'm really looking forward to reading Diane's new book. Here Gayle gives us lots of reasons to do so. Since I believe I created the term "ed deform" I'm so happy to see Diane use it instead of the misleading "ed refo
House rebukes DeVos plan to protect predatory for-profit colleges - Education Votes

by Mike Simpson / 1d
House rebukes DeVos plan to protect predatory for-profit colleges By Mary Ellen Flannery Betsy DeVos’ attempts to protect predatory for-profit colleges that have defrauded students—and to sabotage students’ ability to get debt relief from the federal government—hit a major roadblock in the U.S. House on Thursday. By a 231 to 180 vote , the House passed a resolution to block DeVos’ efforts to gut
Ohio’s Budget Bill Multiplies School Vouchers, Leaves Local School Districts in Crisis | janresseger

by Mike Simpson / 1d
Ohio’s Budget Bill Multiplies School Vouchers, Leaves Local School Districts in Crisis On Tuesday afternoon, I went to a meeting of my monthly book discussion group—all of us retired and over 70. But as we sat down with our coffee and before we discussed the book we had all been reading for the month, we found ourselves distracted by the topic that is tearing our community apart: the changes the
Lawmakers Demand Accountability for Funds Earmarked for Disadvantaged Students | Ogo Okoye-Johnson

by Mike Simpson / 1d
Lawmakers Demand Accountability for Funds Earmarked for Disadvantaged Students On January 6, 2020, Assemblywomen Shirley Weber of San Diego and Sharon Quirk-Silva of Fullerton introduced Assembly Bills 1834 and 1835 as a result of the California State Audit that revealed that the funds earmarked for disadvantaged students for the purpose of closing the achievement gap under the Local Control Fun
LAUSD Candidate Profile: Lydia Gutierrez

by Mike Simpson / 1d
LAUSD Candidate Profile: Lydia Gutierrez I am a strong supporter of meeting the needs of Special Needs students and finding the best environment for their educational success.” – Lydia Gutierrez The last time Lydia Gutierrez ran for this seat, she unexpectedly forced incumbent Vladovic into a runoff. In the general election, the fiercely independent candidate earned the distinction of being oppo
BESE Special Meeting Includes Process for Selecting La.’s Next Superintendent | deutsch29

by Mike Simpson / 1d
BESE Special Meeting Includes Process for Selecting La.’s Next Superintendent On January 16, 2020, Louisiana’s Board of Elementary and Secondary Education (BESE) held a special meeting, which included the swearing in of the 2020 BESE members ; election of officers, and discussion of how to proceed with hiring Louisiana’s next state superintendent. (See video below.) The BESE president is Sandy H
The Life And Death Of The Terrible Education Reform Movement | Gary Rubinstein's Blog

by Mike Simpson / 1d
The Life And Death Of The Terrible Education Reform Movement I’ve often thought, over these past eight years of following the politics of education, that one day this saga will make a great book. What I didn’t expect was that that one day would be today. In ‘Slaying Goliath: The Passionate Resistance to Privatization and the Fight to Save America’s Public Schools’ (Knopf 2020, $27.95), education
NYC Public School Parents: Rally for smaller classes at City Hall on Wed. Jan. 29 at 12 noon!

by Mike Simpson / 1d
Rally for smaller classes at City Hall on Wed. Jan. 29 at 12 noon! Please join Class Size Matters and NYC Kids Pac to rally for smaller classes on Wed. January 29 in front of City Hall at noon; with City Council hearings focused on the class size issue to follow, starting at 1 PM. The rally and hearings are an ideal opportunity for parents and teachers let the Mayor and the Council know that the

JAN 16

Misunderstanding Prayer, Religion, and Public Education Again and Again | radical eyes for equity

by Mike Simpson / 2d
Misunderstanding Prayer, Religion, and Public Education Again and Again Poet e.e. cummings understood a foundational combination of approaches common in U.S. politicians; his satirical political speech as poem begins: “‘next to of course god america i/ love you.’” Patriotism and religiosity are effective political rhetorical strategies, but they also should be red flags to anyone concerned about
Schott Foundation Names Edgar Villanueva as Senior Vice President | Schott Foundation for Public Education

by Mike Simpson / 2d
Schott Foundation Names Edgar Villanueva as Senior Vice President The Schott Foundation started 2020 by announcing that Edgar Villanueva will become the foundation’s Senior Vice President of Programs and Advocacy. In making the announcement, Schott President & CEO John H. Jackson said, “Several years ago, I had the pleasure of welcoming Edgar to the Schott family. Today, I am ecstatic about the
Educators march in Tallahassee to demand investment in public schools - Education Votes

by Mike Simpson / 2d
Educators march in Tallahassee to demand investment in public schools By Amanda Menas Across Florida, more than 20,000 educators, parents, students, and allies rallied at the state capitol in Tallahassee on Tuesday to protest years of decline in school funding. Educators were threatened by the state Department of Education and district superintendents with expulsion, union de-certification, and
It's Larry Ferlazzo's Websites of the Day... A VERY BUSY DAY | The latest news and resources in education since 2007

by Mike Simpson / 2d
Larry Ferlazzo's Websites of the Day... | The latest news and resources in education since 2007 It's Larry Ferlazzo's Websites of the Day... A VERY BUSY DAY The latest news and resources in education since 2007 REL Answered My Ed Research Question & They Can Answer Yours, Too by Larry Ferlazzo / 12h terimakasih0 / Pixabay Regional Educational Laboratories are publicly-supported organizations that
An Under-The-Radar SCOTUS Case Could Obliterate The Line Between Church And State | HuffPost

by Mike Simpson / 2d
An Under-The-Radar SCOTUS Case Could Obliterate The Line Between Church And State A Montana education program at the center of a Supreme Court case was filled with anti-LGBTQ schools. Nearly a third of the schools that participated in a Montana education tax credit program at the center of a controversial Supreme Court case maintain explicitly anti-LGBTQ policies, according to a HuffPost analysi
CURMUDGUCATION: National Parents Union: Do You Smell Astroturf

by Mike Simpson / 2d
National Parents Union: Do You Smell Astroturf This week Lauren Camera treated us to a warm, fuzzy piece of launch PR for the National Parents Union ; the US News editor announces right in the headline that this group is here to challenge the teachers unions, but in a totally organic grass roots kind of way. Two Latina mothers from opposite sides of the country have joined forces to form their o
"We Are All Reformers" (Part 3) | Larry Cuban on School Reform and Classroom Practice

by Mike Simpson / 2d
"We Are All Reformers" (Part 3) So what do I remember of those years in the three Pittsburgh Public Schools I attended? Two non-spoiler alerts to readers about what I experienced in elementary and secondary schools. The first alert is my fallible memory. Bits and pieces of being in school come back to me albeit in blurred, inexact ways. But those memories persist. Nonetheless, it is not a spoile
AstroTurf Alert: National Parents Union is Thinly Veiled Union Busting Backed by Billionaire Cash | gadflyonthewallblog

by Mike Simpson / 2d
AstroTurf Alert: National Parents Union is Thinly Veiled Union Busting Backed by Billionaire Cash How do you do something disgusting without hurting your image? If you’re the Walton Family, you hide behind a mask. That’s what their latest AstroTurf front group is – the so-called National Parents Union (NPU). It’s a way to bust teachers unions, destroy public schools and profit off of students be
NYC Educator: UFT Delegate Assembly January 15, 2020--The Census, the UFT Legal Plan, and the Chapter Leader Network

by Mike Simpson / 2d
UFT Delegate Assembly January 15, 2020--The Census, the UFT Legal Plan, and the Chapter Leader Network UFT President Michael Mulgrew welcomes us. 4:34 Speaks of support for chapter leaders and delegates. Says chapter leader most important union position, as members identify with CL. Says work from focus group will go live February 3rd to several districts. Will roll out over week. There will be
Choosing Democracy: Help Qualify Schools Initiative

by Mike Simpson / 2d
Help Qualify Schools Initiative Collect Signatures Now. mlares1972@gmail.com Choosing Democracy: Help Qualify Schools Initiative
‘Are You Thinking About Suicide?’ - NEA Today

by Mike Simpson / 2d
‘Are You Thinking About Suicide?’ By Mary Ellen Flannery “In the last nine days, in just this area, we’ve lost another three students to suicide,” said Tim Warnock, a physical education teacher in the suburbs of Phoenix, after a series of student deaths in October 2019. The numbers are scary and sad, but not shocking to Warnock or his wife Lorie, a high school English teacher of 28 years. The co
Paul Horton: Technology and Unemployment: A Lesson - Living in Dialogue

by Mike Simpson / 2d
Technology and Unemployment: A Lesson - Living in Dialogue Technology and Unemployment: A Lesson By Paul Horton . It is clear to most critics and economic commentators that digital technology is displacing work and cheapening much of the work that remains. Amazon is likely to replace many warehouse jobs with robots once robots are created that can grasp packages. The consulting firm McKinsey pred
News about arguments in our class size lawsuit & WEDNESDAY’s radio show | Class Size Matters

by Mike Simpson / 2d
News about arguments in our class size lawsuit & tomorrow’s radio show | Class Size Matters | A clearinghouse for information on class size & the proven benefits of smaller classes News about arguments in our class size lawsuit & WEDNESDAY’s radio show Dear friend, 1.Yesterday, the class size lawsuit against the city and the state that we filed more than a year ago, along with nine NYC parents fr
CURMUDGUCATION: DeVos on Fox: Six Minute Baloney Digest (With Homelessness)

by Mike Simpson / 2d
DeVos on Fox: Six Minute Baloney Digest (With Homelessness) Betsy DeVos went on Fox and Friends this week , the softest of soft interview destinations form members of this administration. If you want a quick six-minute sampler of her current talking points , you could do worse, but it you don't think you can take looking at the patented smile d'smarm, here are the highlights- and there are a cou
“Insect-Based Teacher Training, Part 2” | The Merrow Report

by Mike Simpson / 2d
“Insect-Based Teacher Training, Part 2” Last week in this space I took a poke or two at what I called “Insect-Based Teacher Training,” specifically the practice of wiring teachers so that remote observers can hear and see what they do in their classrooms. What they call “Bug in the Ear training” enables experts to interrupt teachers and tell them what they are doing wrong. In theory, that allows

JAN 15

CURMUDGUCATION: Should Tax Dollars Pay For This Discrimination

by Mike Simpson / 3d
Should Tax Dollars Pay For This Discrimination From Kentucky comes the story of a fifteen-year old student expelled for wearing a rainbow t-shirt . Seriously. Kayla Kenney used to be a student at Whitefield Academy , where the mission is "to serve Christian families by providing a Christ-centered, Biblically-based education marked by academic excellence and spiritual vitality." Part of their vis
Does Your School Affirm Institutional Racism During Black History Month? - Philly's 7th Ward #BlackLivesMatterAtSchool #BlackLivesMatter

by Mike Simpson / 3d
Does Your School Affirm Institutional Racism During Black History Month? - Philly's 7th Ward DOES YOUR SCHOOL AFFIRM INSTITUTIONAL RACISM DURING BLACK HISTORY MONTH? Have you ever sat in a staff meeting where the tension was so thick you can cut it with a knife, where you were not sure if a comment would spark an all-out race riot amongst teachers? Well, three years ago I sat in that type of meet
RCSD supporters fight for more aid; teachers union wants more district oversight by state | WXXI News

by Mike Simpson / 3d
RCSD supporters fight for more aid; teachers union wants more district oversight by state Three busloads of people headed from Rochester to Albany on Tuesday to demand an increase in education funding. Listen Listening... 1:40 Three bus loads of people headed from Rochester to Albany Tuesday to demand an increase in education funding… WXXI’s James Brown has the story… Rochester City School stude
Maurice Cunningham: Why the Waltons Fund the “National Parents Union” | Diane Ravitch's blog

by Mike Simpson / 3d
Maurice Cunningham: Why the Waltons Fund the “National Parents Union” Maurice Cunningham is a professor of political science at the University of Massachusetts who specializes in shining a bright light on Dark Money, the money insidiously inserted into political campaigns under false pretenses, where the donors try to hide their identity. In the instance described below, the identities of the do
Andre Perry: Education financing has to change for education to be the 'great equalizer'

by Mike Simpson / 3d
Education financing has to change for education to be the 'great equalizer' Education can be the great equalizer, but it isn’t yet A level playing field for children will only come about if we pay for it When it comes to education spending, middle-income Americans typically don’t put their money where their mouth is. How often do we hear politicians and parents wax poetic about education being th
NYC Public School Parents: Our "Talk out of School" Podcast about suing the College Board and NY State Education funding

by Mike Simpson / 3d
NYC Public School Parents: "Talk out of School" Ourtomorrow about suing the College Board and NY State Education funding Our "Talk out of School" Podcast about suing the College Board and NY State Education funding Join us tomorrow Wed. Jan. 14 at 10 AM on WBAI 99.5 or wbai.org when I interview Cassie Creswell of IL Families for Public Schools and attorney Scott Drury about the federal class acti
CURMUDGUCATION: DeVos: Remote Work Bad, Remote School Good

by Mike Simpson / 3d
DeVos: Remote Work Bad, Remote School Good Betsy DeVos has long been a fan of cyber-schooling. Her husband was an investor in K-12 , the cyber-charter behemoth, way back at beginning of the millennium (we can start saying that now, right?) Back when she was still running the American Federation for Children, she had this to sa y Families want and deserve access to all educational options, includ
Charter Schools: All the Ways They Are Not In the Public Interest | janresseger

by Mike Simpson / 3d
Charter Schools: All the Ways They Are Not In the Public Interest Donald Cohen is the executive director of In the Public Interest . In a powerful statement about his organization’s mission for 2020, Cohen proclaims : “So much is under attack: public education, water, transit, public parks, public health, libraries, the postal service, air traffic control, and much more. Where there’s money to b
The Tennessee ASD: Booted or Re-Booted? | Gary Rubinstein's Blog

by Mike Simpson / 3d
The Tennessee ASD: Booted or Re-Booted? Since 2011 I have been following the biggest, and most predictable, disasters of the education reform movement — the Tennessee Achievement School District (ASD). It was formed in a perfect storm of reform theory. First, Tennessee won Race To The Top money. Then they hired a TFA-alum and the ex-husband of Michelle Rhee, Kevin Huffman to be their state commi
LAUSD Candidate Profile: Patricia Castellanos

by Mike Simpson / 3d
LAUSD Candidate Profile: Patricia Castellanos We need more parent and community involvement with [the] LAUSD. It is an essential ingredient in creating an enriching learning environment for our students.” – Patricia Castellanos Currently, not one of the LAUSD School Board members has a child enrolled in a district school. As the parent of a first-grader who attends an LAUSD school, Patricia Cast
NYC Public School Parents: Our class size lawsuit argued in the Appellate Court yesterday!

by Mike Simpson / 3d
Our class size lawsuit argued in the Appellate Court yesterday! Yesterday, the class size lawsuit against the city and the state that we filed more than a year ago, along with nine NYC parents from every borough and the Alliance for Quality Education, was heard in the Appellate court in Albany. Our pro bono attorney, Wendy Lecker of the Education Law Center, did a fabulous job, those of us in th
Few Conversations About Race and Identity Are Happening at Home or in the Classroom

by Mike Simpson / 3d
Few Conversations About Race and Identity Are Happening at Home. Can Educators Help? Since 1969, the Sesame Workshop , creators of “Sesame Street,” has made concerted efforts through its programming to create a positive sense of self by celebrating differences and exploring social identities like race, gender, religion, social class, and more to help grow smarter, stronger, and kinder kids. Howe

JAN 14

ENRIQUE BALORA At the #FundOurFutureFL rally in Tallahassee - YouTube

by Mike Simpson / 3d
At the #FundOurFutureFL rally in Tallahassee - YouTube ENRIQUE BALORA At the #FundOurFutureFL rally in Tallahassee At the #FundOurFutureFL rally in Tallahassee - YouTube
California: County Board of Education Denies Renewal of Troubled Charter School | Diane Ravitch's blog

by Mike Simpson / 4d
California: County Board of Education Denies Renewal of Troubled Charter School The Los Angeles County Board of Education has denied renewal to a troubled charter school in the Inglewood school district. The school has a long history of self-dealing, conflicts of interest, and a mixed academic record. This charter demonstrates that even “non-profits” can be very profitable to its owners. The Cal
Education Research Report TODAY

by Mike Simpson / 4d
Education Research Report Restorative Justice in Education by Jonathan Kantrowitz / 18min Schools are implementing (RJE) initiatives across the United States, often to reduce the use of out-of-school suspension, which is known to increase the risk for dropout and arrest. Many RJE initiatives also aim to strengthen social and emotional competencies, reduce gender and racial disparities in discipl
PUT YOUR COMMUNITY ON THE 2020 BLACK LIVES MATTER AT SCHOOL MAP! – Black Lives Matter At School

by Mike Simpson / 4d
PUT YOUR COMMUNITY ON THE 2020 BLACK LIVES MATTER AT SCHOOL MAP! Is your school or community planning events for the 2020 Black Lives Matter at School Week of Action? If so please take a minute to enter information about what is happening at your school or community for the Week of Action on the National Education Association’s EdJustice webpage (click on the link and scroll down). We know you h
Why, Democrats, Why? | Teacher in a strange land

by Mike Simpson / 4d
Why, Democrats, Why? So now we have a manufactured-for-media tiff between the Sanders and Warren campaigns. If you’re one of the people who have taken sides on social media—shame on you for making this election, already tilting the balance between America as we know it and Chaos, even more dangerous. On Twitter, someone posted this simple question : Why aren’t the Warren and Sanders campaigns co
Defying Threat of Termination, 1,200 Florida Teachers Rally to Save Public Education | Common Dreams News

by Mike Simpson / 4d
Defying Threat of Termination, 1,200 Florida Teachers Rally to Save Public Education "Florida teachers are rallying for fair pay and better funding for schools, and they won't be intimidated or undermined." More than 1,200 Florida teachers on Monday followed through on a pledge to stand up for their students and schools at a statewide rally in Tallahassee despite a threat from the state Departme
DID YOU MISS DIANE RAVITCH'S BLOG TODAY? | A site to discuss better education for all

by Mike Simpson / 4d
Diane Ravitch's blog | A site to discuss better education for all DID YOU MISS DIANE RAVITCH'S BLOG TODAY? A site to discuss better education for all Gary Rubinstein: More Reform-Funded Nonsense About KIPP Graduation Rates by dianeravitch / now Gary Rubinstein is the Myth-Buster of the Resistance. He has achieved this eminent position because of his intolerance for hype, propaganda, and lies. In
Should Childhood Vaccines Be Mandatory? | GFBrandenburg's Blog

by Mike Simpson / 4d
Should Childhood Vaccines Be Mandatory? Hell yes! Well, let me qualify that. It’s really, really important to have everybody vaccinated against a whole host of diseases — like the ones that killed nearly all of my uncles and aunts years before I was born; or The Smallpox that killed hundreds of millions over the past century or two before it was eradicated; or the polio that put my dad in an iro
10th Period: State Data: 8 in 10 Public Districts Outperform Private, Voucher Schools in the Same Community | National Education Policy Center

by Mike Simpson / 4d
10th Period: State Data: 8 in 10 Public Districts Outperform Private, Voucher Schools in the Same Community One of the remnants of House Bill 1 -- the landmark school funding and policy legislation during which I served as Chairman of the Primary and Secondary Education Subcommittee of the House Finance and Appropriations Committee -- was a provision that required all EdChoice voucher students t
'My opponent is my opponent, not my enemy'

by Mike Simpson / 4d
‘My opponent is my opponent, not my enemy’ A mericans are bracing for a fight — against ourselves. Regardless of how the upcoming #Election2020 political battles are fought, our democracy is in danger. American democracy needs conversations about how we can reunite and rebuild. As is so often true, we should embrace the wisdom, eloquence, and grace in Bruce Springsteen’s lyrics and characters. S
LAUSD Candidate Profile: Dr. Silke Bradford

by Mike Simpson / 4d
LAUSD Candidate Profile: Dr. Silke Bradford I am well known as an employee that ‘rocks the boat’ in giving my well-researched opinions and urgent advocacy in service of kids and upholding the law.” – Dr. Silke Bradford Dr. Silke Bradford is an education professional who states that she has spent the last 20 years in the field of education at every level (teacher, assistant principal, principal,
DC’s Comprehensive Plan–Or, The End Of The Road For Education Rights In DC? | educationdc

by Mike Simpson / 4d
DC’s Comprehensive Plan–Or, The End Of The Road For Education Rights In DC? [ Ed. Note: DC’s office of planning has promulgated revisions to the city’s comprehensive plan. The deadline for public comment was last week–but ANCs have additional time to review and comment on the draft document, which is here in a redlined version . The changes made to this planning document not only are long on cel
CURMUDGUCATION: More Proof The Big Standardized Tests Mean Diddly-Squat

by Mike Simpson / 4d
More Proof The Big Standardized Tests Mean Diddly-Squat Chad Aldeman (Bellwether Education Partners) wants us to take heart. He's over at The 74 ( Campbell Brown's House of Reform Advocacy ) arguing that although reformsters are writing off the last ten years as a " lost decade " there was actually some good news-- while "educational achievement" (by which Aldeman actually means "standardized te

JAN 13

Big Political Interests Control LAUSD’s Southern Ports District 7 (Election News, March 3, 2020) – redqueeninla

by Mike Simpson / 4d
Big Political Interests Control LAUSD’s Southern Ports District 7 (Election News, March 3, 2020) Big political interests are big: Yep, we all know this, but until a tiny little just-me person comes up against their fighting power it’s hard to comprehend. Money to candidates comes in two flavors (see graphics here ): (a) that which is controlled by the candidate him/herself, and (b) that which th
California's new charter school regulation is already helping its credit rating

by Mike Simpson / 5d
California’s new charter school regulation is already helping its credit rating Here’s our weekly analysis of privatization in the news and in communities nationwide. Not a subscriber? Sign up . This week’s highlights Moody’s says that California’s new law tightening up regulation of charter schools is credit positive for the state. We, In the Public the Interest, are taking a new direction in 2
"We Are All Reformers" (Part 2) | Larry Cuban on School Reform and Classroom Practice

by Mike Simpson / 5d
"We Are All Reformers" (Part 2) An education timeline of laws, events, and key people would show that in the 20th and 21st centuries multiple school reforms occurred again and again touching students, practitioners, parents, and researchers. The problem with such chronologies, however, is that they overwhelm viewers with lists of factual details. It is hard to sort out the important from the tri
Domingo Morel: The State Takeover of Houston Schools Is about Race and Power, Not School Improvement | Diane Ravitch's blog

by Mike Simpson / 5d
Domingo Morel: The State Takeover of Houston Schools Is about Race and Power, Not School Improvement Domingo Morel is a professor of political science at Rutgers University who has studied school takeovers across the nation. He is the author of Takeover: Race, Education, and American Democracy. In this post, he describes the proposed state takeover of the Houston Independent School District as a
Operation Relentless Pursuit: Test Beds For “Smart City” Signals Intelligence? – Wrench in the Gears

by Mike Simpson / 5d
Operation Relentless Pursuit: Test Beds For “Smart City” Signals Intelligence? On January 7, 2020 Black Alliance for Peace – Baltimore issued a demand that public officials reject a planned surge of militarized policing authorized by the Trump administration. Operation Relentless Pursuit is targeting Baltimore and six other mid-size cities, all of which have significant Black and Brown populatio
Sarasota and Manatee educators to “Take On Tallahassee” - News - Sarasota Herald-Tribune - Sarasota, FL

by Mike Simpson / 5d
Sarasota and Manatee educators to “Take On Tallahassee” The “Take On Tallahassee” rally brings together public education advocates throughout the state on the eve of the 2020 legislative session. Early Monday morning roughly 100 public education advocates will travel from Sarasota and Manatee counties to “Take On Tallahassee,” an all-day rally in the state capitol calling on lawmakers to increas
Schooling In The Ownership Society - Billionaires Anthem

by Mike Simpson / 5d
SCHOOLING IN THE OWNERSHIP SOCIETY BILLIONAIRES ANTHEM Everybody must get OWNED Lyrics Well, they'll OWN you when you're trying to be so good They'll OWN you just like they said they would They'll OWN you when you're trying to go home And they'll OWN you when you're there all alone But I would not feel so all alone Everybody must get OWNED Well, they'll OWN you when you're walking on the street T
DeVos Ignores a Judge’s Order: Will She Be Punished? | Diane Ravitch's blog

by Mike Simpson / 5d
DeVos Ignores a Judge’s Order: Will She Be Punished? During the Obama administration, Congress passed legislation to protect students who had been defrauded by for-profit colleges. In most cases, the “colleges” made claims about their success in placing their graduates in jobs. As a result of these misleading claims, thousands of students paid for a worthless degree. The Education Department att
Educational Redlining: GreatSchools Ratings Drive Housing Segregation | janresseger

by Mike Simpson / 5d
Educational Redlining: GreatSchools Ratings Drive Housing Segregation Back in 2015, Heights Community Congress (HCC) in Cleveland Heights, Ohio raised serious concerns ( here and here ) about the impact of online GreatSchools ratings of public schools. The GreatSchools ratings were, in 2015, being used in online real estate advertising by listing services like Zillow. The practice continues. HCC
Chaz's School Daze: Charter Schools Lose Again On Teacher Ceertification

by Mike Simpson / 5d
Charter Schools Lose Again On Teacher Certification The New York State Appellate Division, Third Department upheld a lower court ruling that the SUNY alternate teacher certification scheme for charter schools was not allowed under State education law. The Appellate Court unanimously rejected SUNY's argument that they had the authority to have an alternative teacher certification for charter scho
More Reform Funded Research: KIPP Graduates Persist In College At The Same Rate As Their Mothers | Gary Rubinstein's Blog

by Mike Simpson / 5d
More Reform Funded Research: KIPP Graduates Persist In College At The Same Rate As Their Mothers Education Reform propaganda at The74 would try to make you believe that while low income students generally graduate from college at a rate of about 9%, charter school graduates complete college at a rate of 3 to 5 times that. The main flaw in any comparison between the college graduation rates of ch
Providence Public Schools Threatened | tultican

by Mike Simpson / 5d
Providence Public Schools Threatened By Thomas Ultican 1/13/2020 November 1, 2019, Angélica Infante-Green, Rhode Island’s new Commissioner of Education, announced the state was taking over Providence Public Schools. A neoliberal Democratic governor, a like minded mayor and the chamber of commerce appear to be instituting a school privatization agenda. All power over schools in the state is held
January 12, 2020 marks 10th Anniversary of the Earthquake in Haiti my family survived—A decade later, a new Haitian Revolution is underway. – I AM AN EDUCATOR

by Mike Simpson / 5d
January 12, 2020 marks 10th Anniversary of the Earthquake in Haiti my family survived—A decade later, a new Haitian Revolution is underway. Ten years ago my family and I survived one of the most devastating natural disaster in recorded history—yet so many tens of thousands of Haitian people did not. Jesse and his wife Sarah joining in the first aid effort in the aftermath of the earthquake in Ha
The NYS Legislative Session and Education: What Can We Expect in Albany? | Ed In The Apple

by Mike Simpson / 5d
The NYS Legislative Session and Education: What Can We Expect in Albany? Gideon John Tucker (February 10, 1826 – July 1899) was an American lawyer, newspaper editor and politician. In 1866, as Surrogate of New York County, he wrote in a decision of a will case: “ No man’s life , liberty or property are safe while the Legislature is in session .” On January 8 th Governor Cuomo laid out his priori

JAN 12

Big news! Steven Singer has received the Ken Goodman In Defense of Good Teaching Award! | College of Education - University of Arizona

by Mike Simpson / 5d
The Kenneth S. Goodman "In Defense of Good Teaching" Award | College of Education - University of Arizona Big news! Steven Singer has received the Ken Goodman In Defense of Good Teaching Award! Big news! Steven Singer has received the Ken Goodman In Defense of Good Teaching Award! Steve will go to Tucson in April for the celebration. Bravo Steve! Denny Taylor - CEO & Founder at Garn Press Kenneth
CATCH UP WITH CURMUDGUCATION + ICYMI: Unexpected Spring Edition (1/12)

by Mike Simpson / 6d
CURMUDGUCATION: ICYMI: Unexpected Spring Edition (1/12) Unexpected Spring Edition (1/12) It is unseasonably warm here, even as some parts of the country deal with a fresh helping of winter. Either way, we've got things to read. Remember-- if the piece strikes you as an important one, go to the original location for the post or article and share it through your social media. It's all about the amp
Register Now for NPE Action Conference! | Diane Ravitch's blog

by Mike Simpson / 6d
Register Now for NPE Action Conference! It is almost time for the NPE/NPE Action Conference and we need you there. If you have not registered already, please do so today here . We need you at the conference to engage with leaders of the Red for Ed movement so that we can keep the momentum going in 2020. Thanks to Red for Ed, our nation is renewing its faith in our teachers. Our communities under
EdAction in Congress January 12, 2020 - Education Votes

by Mike Simpson / 6d
EdAction in Congress January 12, 2020 Tell your representatives to support the College Affordability Act The College Affordability Act (H.R. 4674), a comprehensive reauthorization of the Higher Education Act (HEA), has cleared the House Education and Labor Committee and is headed to the floor. NEA supports the bill and successfully advocated for expanding eligibility for Public Service Loan Forg
Black Families, Be Grateful for What You Have and Don't Ask for More. - Philly's 7th Ward

by Mike Simpson / 6d
BLACK FAMILIES, BE GRATEFUL FOR WHAT YOU HAVE AND DON’T ASK FOR MORE. From presidential candidates to affluent parents to public school principals, I am weary and wary of anyone trying to convince Black and Brown folks that fewer school options better serve their children’s advancement and liberation. The only thing these families should have less of are bad schools. This morning, I read Nimet E
My Book Tour Dates for SLAYING GOLIATH | Diane Ravitch's blog

by Mike Simpson / 6d
My Book Tour Dates for SLAYING GOLIATH This is the current (and evolving) list of my speaking engagements in connection with the publication of my new book: SLAYING GOLIATH: THE PASSIONATE RESISTANCE TO PRIVATIZATION AND THE FIGHT TO SAVE AMERICA’S PUBLIC SCHOOLS. I am trying not to wear myself out. Ten years ago, I hopped from city to city like a mountain goat. But now I am 81 years old, and my
Jersey Jazzman: Correcting the Facts About NJ Charter Schools and My Research

by Mike Simpson / 6d
Correcting the Facts About NJ Charter Schools and My Research I'm trying to keep this short because there are many other things that deserve my attention. But I feel compelled to respond to mischaracterizations of my work when they are directly affecting public policy, especially in my home state. Last month, Newark Public Schools superintendent Roger León called for the NJ Education Commissione
NewBlackMan (in Exile) TODAY

by Mike Simpson / 6d
NewBlackMan (in Exile) A Conversation Between Friends: Evelyn Brooks Higginbotham and Sharon Harley by Mark Anthony Neal / 3h 'A conversation with Evelyn Brooks Higginbotham , Victor S. Thomas Professor of History and of African and African American Studies, Harvard University and Sharon Harley , Associate Professor of African American Studies, University of Maryland. Moderated by Emily Owens ,
It's Larry Ferlazzo's Websites of the Day... A VERY BUSY DAY | The latest news and resources in education since 2007

by Mike Simpson / 6d
Larry Ferlazzo's Websites of the Day... | The latest news and resources in education since 2007 It's Larry Ferlazzo's Websites of the Day... A VERY BUSY DAY The latest news and resources in education since 2007 Important NY Times Interactive Comparing How History Textbooks From Different States Talk About The Same Topics by Larry Ferlazzo / 42min johnhain / Pixabay Two States. Eight Textbooks. Tw
Philadelphia: Principal Says, “My School Needs Support, Not Competition” | Diane Ravitch's blog

by Mike Simpson / 6d
Philadelphia: Principal Says, “My School Needs Support, Not Competition” Nimet Eren, principal of the public Kensington Health Sciences Academy, runs a public school for 465 students that is open to all and offers four career pathways. Recently the school learned that a new charter would open nearby offering the same program. The principal was told that the competition would “help” her school by
About Michael Feinberg’s Online Porn Habit… | deutsch29

by Mike Simpson / 6d
About Michael Feinberg’s Online Porn Habit… KIPP charter schools co-founder Michael Feinberg was fired in 2018 due to allegations of sexual misconduct. In August 2018, Feinberg sued for defamation, and in KIPP’s Motion to Dismiss, KIPP indicated that examination of Feinberg’s KIPP laptop indicated that Feinberg had used it to view pornography on multiple occasions. (See my December 2019 post for

JAN 11



TOP POSTS THIS WEEK 1/11/20 #REDFORED #tbats

by Mike Simpson / 6d
Big Education Ape TOP POSTS THIS WEEK 1/11/20 The real story of New Orleans and its charter schools - The Washington Post Bill Gates spent hundreds of millions of dollars to improve teaching. New report says it was a 
Big Education Ape
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