CATCH UP WITH CURMUDGUCATION + ICYMI: Well Aren't We Off To A Grand Start Edition (1/10)

CURMUDGUCATION: ICYMI: Well Aren't We Off To A Grand Start Edition (1/10)

Well Aren't We Off To A Grand Start Edition 

Well, that was a week, wasn't it. What a hellacious shitshow (sorry, Mom). But despite the the dumpster fire burning brighter than ever, we still have things to read, because while governments may rise and fall and grind to a halt and play stupid games with stupid insurrectionists, you know what still keeps on keepin' on? The post office and public schools.

Republican Cowards Betsy DeVos and Ted Cruz  

Yes, there's tons to read about Betsy DeVos on her way out, and you've probably read all of it, but you might have missed this take from the politics editor at TeenVogue, the surprise source of solid political commentary these past four years. No punches pulled.

Betsy DeVos's Greatest Hits

Okay, just one more. Valerie Strauss at Washington Post has a nice synopsis of DeVosian specialtude over the past four years. 

Will pandemic impact further reduce teacher pipeline?

Maureen Dowd in the Atlanta Journal-Constitution, saying nothing that will surprise you, but with details and reporting to make it a little more real.

You literally just did history

Chalkbeat talks to Colorado's teacher of the year about teaching in times that get extra interesting.

Stupid and Clumsy from Grief  

Lisa Eddy blogs about her week. It's personal and moving and a fine piece of writing.

Voucher Vultures Face FBI Raid  

While other things have been happening, the FBI raided some members of the TN House GOP over a plot to pass Gov. Lee's voucher scheme in 2019. Andy Spears has the story.

Do schools spread Covid

For a change of pace, try this reasonably balanced look at what we know, courtesy of Matt Barnum at Chalkbeat.

Reform PA cyber charter authorization and funding

Eric Wolfgang with an op-ed in the Courier Times, repeating what we all know-- PA's cyber-school rules need to be overhauled with a flamethrower.

Reforming Educational Authority

Andy Smarick is a reformster, but he's also a classic conservative and as such brings some interesting ideas to the table. You'll disagree with parts of this, and it's not a short easy read, but it's a useful perspective on what has happened to the way we run school systems.

Unlearn Chait's False Opinion About Charters

Jonathan Chait once again was given space to unleash his opinion about charter schools (without any accompanying caveat that his wife is a charterista). D. Julian Vasquez Heilig pointed out the many problems with Chait's piece, using the clever weapon of actual facts.

ExamSoft's proctoring software has a face-detection problem  

Yet more crappy student surveillance software in action. The Verge has the story. Three guesses what sort of faces the software has trouble with.

The Ridiculousness of Learning Loss

John Ewing at Forbes with a fully-exasperated explanation of why the learning loss panic is bunk.

Kafka Narrates My Online Teaching Experience

From the New Yorker. You can use a laugh this week.

CURMUDGUCATION: ICYMI: Well Aren't We Off To A Grand Start Edition (1/10)

CATCH UP WITH CURMUDGUCATION

AND DON'T FORGET PETER GREENE ON FORBES CLICK HERE 

Washington Post Editorial Board Gets It Wrong About Testing Students In 2021 - https://www.forbes.com/sites/petergreene/2021/01/09/washington-post-editorial-board-gets-it-wrong-about-testing-students-in-2021/?sh=3ae8d9f4334a by @palan57 on @forbes

Betsy DeVos Finally Quits; A Dozen Quotes To Remember Her By - https://www.forbes.com/sites/petergreene/2021/01/08/betsy-devos-finally-quits-a-dozen-quotes-to-remember-her-by/?sh=1d68ff6678fb by @palan57 on @forbes

Watch Out: K12 Has Changed Its Name

100+by Peter Greene / 1d

Back in November, when most of us were pre-occupied with a few other things, K12, Inc, the giant cyber-school company, went and gave itself a new name -- Stride, Inc. The rebranding came with some new acquisitions, but underneath it all, K12 is its same old self. K12 is a big fat for-profit cyber-edu-biz operation-- in fact, the biggest and fattest. They were founded by Goldman-Sachs banker and M

Betsy DeVos Bails Out

100+by Peter Greene / 2d

Well, she finally had enough. DeVos blamed Trumpian rhetoric for the riots, called it an "inflection point" for her, and became one more GOP Trump-fluffer to suddenly discover her shock and outrage for exactly the same kind of shit that he's been doing for four years. I mean, there's something deeply disingenuous about watching someone throw gasoline and matches around for four years and only get

In Seattle, A Tough Back To School Choice

by Peter Greene / 3d

Seattle's school board made a decision, just a few weeks ago, to re-open face-to-face school for pre-K, kindergarten, some special ed, and 1st grade students. It's a good example of the kinds of re-opening challenges that parents and teachers are facing, the kind of thing that is being pushed out as a "plan" by a major district. Parents received an e-mail inviting them to complete a "survey" and

About Teachers4OpenSchools

74by Peter Greene / 4d

You may have run across a shiny new group on line that is agitating for teachers to be back in the classroom-- Teachers4OpenSchools . The arguments are the usual ones, from the legitimate concern about mental health to the learning loss baloney. There's not much of anything new here, and not the kind of balance we find in a piece like this one . But I'm always curious about these little pop-up gou

MO: GOP Rep Tells Teachers To Take A Hike

1Kby Peter Greene / 6d

So here's a jolly exchange from Twitter on Saturday. Get a different job. No one owes you anything. — Justin Hill (@HillForMissouri) January 3, 2021 That's Justin Hill , a Missouri GOP rep from the 108th district, showing his love and support for teachers in his state. He was a cop before running for office, so you'd think he'd know something about public service, but maybe not so much. He's had

The New York Times Adds One Plus One And Gets Three

100+by Peter Greene / 7d

You might have been excited yesterday if you saw a New York Times editorial board headline talking about " The Wreckage Betsy DeVos Leaves Behind " and thought that maybe, for a change, the greyest lady was going to stands up for public education. But then you read it. Sigh. There is much that they get right. They open by noting that the department has not just failed, but refused to lead, during

ICYMI: So I Guess This Is A New Year Edition (1/3)

by Peter Greene / 7d

I'm not sure I've ever felt less enamored of our habit of celebrating the passing of an arbitrary line in the sand that we drew ourselves, but it's not the most terrible human activity, either, so carry on. Also cross your fingers and say a prayer for everyone going back to school tomorrow. In the meantime, here's some reading from the week. The Bloom's Deception Greg Ashman challenges some commo

Why Students Should Learn To Use Tech Tools

by Peter Greene / 8d

Because some day you might be involved in a national-level effort to overthrow the results of an election, and you might have to file a legal document like this one... I really wanted to save this somewhere so that I could pull it out as an example some day, because this is just a special

CURMUDGUCATION - http://curmudgucation.blogspot.com/

UPDATE: THE TOP BANANA: TODAY'S EDUCATION HEADLINES Sunday, January 10, 2021 #REDFORED #tbats #REOPENSCHOOLSSAFELY #COVIDVACCINE #DEVOSRESIGNS

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THE TOP BANANA
TODAY'S EDUCATION HEADLINES 

Sunday’s Must-Read Articles & Must-Watch Videos On School Reopenings | Larry Ferlazzo's Websites of the Day... - https://larryferlazzo.edublogs.org/?p=114704 on @Larryferlazzo

I Desegregated the University of Georgia. History Is Still in the Making. https://www.nytimes.com/2021/01/09/opinion/sunday/university-of-georgia-desegregation.html

N.C.A.A. President Seeks Delay on Vote to Let Students Profit From Fame https://www.nytimes.com/2021/01/09/sports/ncaabasketball/ncaa-delays-vote-athlete-endorsements.html

Sweden and the Damage Done by Free-Market Reforms | Crazy Normal - the Classroom Exposé - https://wp.me/pLJTE-1kB via @lflwriter

I REALLY Like This New-To-Me Inductive Learning Strategy | Larry Ferlazzo's Websites of the Day... - https://larryferlazzo.edublogs.org/?p=114700 on @Larryferlazzo

Education Matters: Nothing the FLDOE does should be taken seriously. - https://jaxkidsmatter.blogspot.com/2021/01/nothing-fldoe-does-should-be-taken.html?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed:+blogspot/iYxgC+(Education+Matters)

Thousands of law school alumni and students push for disbarment of Sens. Hawley and Cruz https://www.washingtonpost.com/education/2021/01/10/thousands-law-school-alumni-students-push-disbarment-sens-hawley-cruz/?tid=ss_tw

Community, the mayor step up to feed students over break | Sacramento State - https://www.csus.edu/news/articles/2021/1/8/Community,-the-mayor-step-up-to-feed-students-over-break.shtml

This Week’s Resources To Support Teachers Coping With School Closures | Larry Ferlazzo's Websites of the Day... - https://larryferlazzo.edublogs.org/?p=114694 on @Larryferlazzo

Following DeVos's Surprise Resignation, School Advocates Say She Leaves Behind A Controversial Legacy | Washington DC, DC Patch - https://patch.com/district-columbia/washingtondc/following-devos-s-surprise-resignation-school-advocates-say-she

Duval Courts close, Duval schools stay open, um wait what?!? http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/blogspot/iYxgC/~3/ecD794BOzVE/duval-courts-close-duval-schools-stay.html

Yesterday and the Attempted Trump Coup: Students AMA https://www.laprogressive.com/yesterday-attempted-coup/

One by One, the Domestic Terrorists Who Swarmed the Capitol Are Identified. But Most Will Not Be. | Diane Ravitch's blog - https://wp.me/p2odLa-t65 via @dianeravitch

CATCH UP WITH CURMUDGUCATION + ICYMI: Well Aren't We Off To A Grand Start Edition (1/10)

Big Education Ape / 14min

CURMUDGUCATION: ICYMI: Well Aren't We Off To A Grand Start Edition (1/10) Well Aren't We Off To A Grand Start Edition Well, that was a week, wasn't it. What a hellacious shitshow (sorry, Mom). But despite the the dumpster fire burning brighter than ever, we still have things to read, because while governments may rise and fall and grind to a halt and play stupid games with stupid insurrectionists

THE TOP BANANA: TODAY'S EDUCATION HEADLINES #REDFORED #tbats #REOPENSCHOOLSSAFELY #COVIDVACCINE #DEVOSRESIGNS

Big Education Ape / 14min

Big Education Ape THE TOP BANANA TODAY'S EDUCATION HEADLINES Sunday’s Must-Read Articles & Must-Watch Videos On School Reopenings | Larry Ferlazzo's Websites of the Day... - https://larryferlazzo.edublogs.org/?p=114704 on @Larryferlazzo I Desegregated the University of Georgia. History Is Still in the Making. https://www.nytimes.com/2021/01/09/opinion/sunday/university-of-georgia-desegregation.ht

How Teachers Across the U.S. Explained the 'Traumatic' Capitol Riots to Their Young Students

Big Education Ape / 14min

How Teachers Across the U.S. Explained the 'Traumatic' Capitol Riots to Their Young Students Big Education Ape: What I Told My Students About Yesterday’s Attempted Trump Coup | gadflyonthewallblog - http://bigeducationape.blogspot.com/2021/01/what-i-told-my-students-about.html On Wednesday, violent pro- Donald Trump rioters descended on the U.S. Capitol building while lawmakers were working to c

An open letter to Betsy DeVos on resignation: You're too late - TheGrio : TheGrio

Big Education Ape / 14min

An open letter to Betsy DeVos on resignation: You’re too late Ms. Devos actively participated in building a political movement and agenda that promotes and feeds on race baiting, hate speech and racism Dear Ms. Devos, Your resignation is much too late. There is no redemption, absent serious penance, for those who have stood by while Donald Trump wreaked what can only be described as havoc on thi

Population Health, Human Capital Bonds, and Black America – Wrench in the Gears

Big Education Ape / 14min

Population Health, Human Capital Bonds, and Black America The following document was prepared as a briefing paper for a group working in the population health arena. The intention was to revisit the breadth of my research with a specific focus placed on what it means for Black America. A similar document could have been written for the Indigenous peoples of Turtle Island. This material is curren

Chicago teachers balk at reopening plan, face pay loss if they don’t return - The Washington Post

Big Education Ape / 14min

Chicago teachers balk at reopening plan, face pay loss if they don’t return CHICAGO — Chicago Public Schools will reopen for some students Monday for the first time since last spring amid an escalating clash between city officials, who are threatening to withhold pay from teachers who do not show up, and the powerful Chicago Teachers Union, which contends that schools are not properly outfitted

A VERY BUSY DAY Larry Ferlazzo's Websites of the Day... The latest news and resources in education since 2007

by Mike Simpson / 1h

Larry Ferlazzo's Websites of the Day... | The latest news and resources in education since 2007 Big Education Ape: THIS WEEK IN EDUCATION Larry Ferlazzo's Websites of the Day... The latest news and resources in education since 2007 - The Best Resources For Helping Students – & Us – Develop Good Habits by Larry Ferlazzo / 2h Homegrounds / Pixabay I’ve shared a number of resources over the years o

EdAction in Congress January 10, 2021 - Education Votes

by Mike Simpson / 1h

EdAction in Congress January 10, 2021 NEA calls for immediate removal of President Trump Senators Chuck Schumer (D-NY) and Mitch McConnell (R-KY), leaders of their respective caucuses, normally don’t agree on much. But 

Education Matters: DCPS is either deceptive or incompetent about COVID numbers and either is unacceptable.

Big Education Ape / 15min

DCPS is either deceptive or incompetent about COVID numbers and either is unacceptable. There have been 7236 cases of pediatric COVID in Duval; of that, only 519 have made DCPS's dashboard. (see the links below). Absolutely nothing DCPS says can be taken seriously. Either their deception or incompetence is unacceptable. Now I want to be fair the COVID Dashboard didn't even exist until August, so

NYC Educator: White Supremacy Is Everywhere--Even in UFT

Big Education Ape / 28min

White Supremacy Is Everywhere--Even in UFT Like everyone I know, I'm totally freaked out by what happened in DC last week. I guess no one should be surprised, as it was telegraphed by the President, a whole bunch of House and Senate members, and Trump media outlets and devotees around the country. What was really shocking was the response, or lack thereof, of the police and/ or military. (Worse,

Betsy DeVos’ Resignation Letter | deutsch29: Mercedes Schneider's Blog

Big Education Ape / 40min

Betsy DeVos’ Resignation Letter Below is the full text of now-former US ed sec Betsy DeVos’ resignation letter . The Secretary of Education Washington, DC 20202 January 7, 2021 President Donald J. Trump The White House Washington, DC 20500 Dear Mr. President: For more than thirty years, I have fought on behalf of America’s students to expand the options they have to pursue a world-class educatio

The “Little Soldiers” of Chinese Education | Larry Cuban on School Reform and Classroom Practice

Big Education Ape / 52min

The “Little Soldiers” of Chinese Education The second day of school, Rainey came home with a story. Four times he found egg in his mouth. He hadn’t placed it there himself; instead, his most hated food made its way past his teeth by the hand of the fearsome Teacher Chen. ‘ She put it there,’ Rainey told me, mouth wide, finger pointing inside. Then what happened,? I asked. “I cried and spit it ou

Surge Since New Years | JD2718

Big Education Ape / 1h

Surge Since New Years Nationally there was a dip in new cases after Thanksgiving ( New York State did not experience that dip ; we have special leadership). But after Christmas the numbers have roared back. We are currently seeing a surge that is steeper than the spring (once the unreported cases are factored in.) 7 Day moving averages, for the US, NY, NJ, CT, MA: CONTINUE READING: Surge Since N

Teachable Moments – The Insurrection on the Capitol: How can we “teach” students to be warriors of Democracy? | Ed In The Apple

Big Education Ape / 1h

Teachable Moments – The Insurrection on the Capitol: How can we “teach” students to be warriors of Democracy? Last week I researched my blog topic, the role of the Congress in counting the electoral votes, a pro forma process; I reread the Constitution and the Electoral Count Act of 1887 and posted the blog. “Will Republican Senators and House Member ‘Objections’ Prevent the Election of Biden/Ha

YESTERDAY

TOP POSTS THIS WEEK 1/9/21 #REDFORED #tbats #REOPENSCHOOLSSAFELY #COVIDVACCINE #DEVOSRESIGNS #TOPBANANAHEADLINES

Big Education Ape / 18h

Big Education Ape TOP POSTS THIS WEEK 1/9/21 ‘Slaying Goliath’: Diane Ravitch argues in new book that public education advocates have beat back efforts to privatize schools - The Washington Post The real story of New Orleans and its charter schools - The Washington Post COVID and Schools: The Data and Science Then and Now | Cloaking Inequity THE TOP BANANA: TODAY'S EDUCATION HEADLINES #REDFORED #

THE TOP BANANA: TODAY'S EDUCATION HEADLINES #REDFORED #tbats #REOPENSCHOOLSSAFELY #COVIDVACCINE #DEVOSRESIGNS

Big Education Ape / 20h

Big Education Ape THE TOP BANANA TODAY'S EDUCATION HEADLINES COVID-19 relief package doesn’t go far enough - Education Votes - https://educationvotes.nea.org/2021/01/08/covid-19-relief-package-doesnt-go-

 Big Education Ape