November Parent Engagement Resources
-
Greeting a family in their preferred language is a small gesture that
demonstrates respect and eagerness to connect with parents. Creating a
Welcoming Envi...
Student Debtors Could See Hopes Vanish Under Trump
-
Student Debtors Could See Hopes Vanish Under Trump: Not just mass debt
relief, but borrowers promised debt relief through various programs could
be denied ...
Self-Actualization
-
Most of us are aware of the American psychologist Abraham Maslow because of
his famous hierarchy of needs, usually portrayed as a pyramid. At the
bottom...
Who's in Charge in Seattle Schools? Part Two
-
*Public Testimony at the Tuesday, Nov. 19th Board meeting*
At each Board meeting, it feels like Rankin is getting more and more
annoyed at having public...
Will AI Transform Teaching and Learning?
-
Recently, I was invited to be part of a five member panel at Google to
discuss the impact that AI will have on teaching and learning in schools.
My fellow ...
Boom! Boom boom! It’s Deer Season
-
So– we live in the northern Michigan woods. And beginning last Friday, we
have been hearing shooting. Lots and lots of shooting. It’s deer season
(firearms...
Trump's Picks
-
Today, former Florida representative *Matt Gaetz* withdrew his name from
consideration for the office of attorney general. He did so shortly after
CNN to...
MEMES THAT MADE ME LAUGH TODAY 11-22
-
*MEMES THAT MADE ME LAUGH TODAY 11-22*
Big Education Ape: TRUMP, MCMAHON AND THE GREAT BODY SLAM OF THE U.S.
DEPAR...
Trans Panic Abuse
-
I first encountered trans folks in the 1970s, trans women who I was in high
school with when they were guys. I've had trans students over the years.
And ...
An Apology
-
I want to apologize for not responding personally to those who shared their
views on last week’s blog post, my analysis of why the Democrats lost.
I’ve be...
Divider in Chief Shares Education Plan
-
By Thomas Ultican 11/22/2024 President Trump’s new video on the Carter
Family’s YouTube channel lays out his ten points for public education. It
is no surp...
EXCERPT: When Freedom is the Question…
-
When Freedom is the Question… In Bertolt Brecht’s 1938 play Galileo, the
astronomer’s breathtaking discoveries about the movement of the planets and
the st...
¡Si, ganamos!
-
En victorias desde la Carolinia del Norte hacia el Estado de Washington y
Maine, encontramos la evidencia que cuando nos organizamos, ganamos.
Siempre encu...
Pointing Out The Parralles
-
“Your friend professes belief yet I’m not convinced. What about you? Are
the gods real?” “They are real,” says I, “And you’re a prick.” ― Ferdia
Lennon, Gl...
A message from Quaker Meeting for Worship
-
the branch of Society of Friends to which I belong is unprogrammed, we have
no designated ministers. Anyone who feels moved by the Spirit is free to
rise...
Trump and Education
-
I do not believe American education is a top concern for Donald Trump. I do
believe that he could well turn it over to the likes of the Heritage
Foundation...
Don’t Obey In Advance
-
Last week, I hopped off a bus and voted early. It was quick, convenient,
and came with two stickers: one for me and one for ...
Read More
The post Don’t...
Try Substack?
-
Seems like the popular new thing. Here’s my first try – it’s about
yesterday’s UFT Retired Teachers Chapter meeting – first ever not run by
Unity. (Spoiler...
Number 18 — A barely-hanging-on Blogoversary
-
Blogoversary #18 SEPTEMBER 14, 2006 I started this blog while I was still
teaching, in 2006. I had just begun my 31st year as an educator. Just like
in pre...
Student "Growth" Measures Are STILL Biased
-
This caught my attention:
New Jersey school districts may soon be evaluated differently, *with a
greater emphasis on student growth* as compared to stud...
Time to Rein in Vouchers
-
Universal voucher programs have, in many states led to substantial budget
stress (Baker, 2024;[1] Hager, 2024). Initial cost estimates in Florida
were that...
AIN’T IT AWFUL
-
As the terrible feelings of dread and angst spread across the world the
great majority of the American people feel powerless before the onslaught
of those ...
15 Questions for the Candidates
-
Those citizens who fantasize about defying tyranny from within fortified
compounds have never understood how liberty is actually threatened in a
modern bur...
We are making a CPESS documentary!
-
In 2020, I was approached by Deborah Meier and Jane Andrais and I decided
we should document the story of Central Park East Secondary School (CPESS).
This ...
The Sky is Falling, or is it?
-
Well, this is the first anniversary of the introduction of Generative AI in
the form of ChatGPT to the world of education. Before it was a week old,
over o...
Vote NO on the UFT Contract. Here is Why:
-
The best reason to vote no on this contract is this: UFT Unity* lied* to us
in 2018. They misrepresented that contract. It was predicated on deals we
wer...
Metaphors in ‘I Have a Dream’ Speech
-
In this article, we will explore the powerful use of metaphors in Martin
Luther King Jr.’s “I Have a Dream” ...
Read more
Testimony to the CPS Truancy Task Force
-
I prepared testimony for one of two public hearings held by the Chicago
Public Schools Truancy Task Force, a body mandated by state legislation.
The meetin...
Skin Deep
-
She spends so much time on her outward appearance. There is never a hair
out of place. Her makeup is perfect and her clothes are stylish and match
to ...
There Is A Teacher Shortage.Not.
-
THERE IS A TEACHER SHORTAGE. And just to be sure you understand, it’s not
that teachers don’t want to teach. It’s not that there aren’t enough
teachers cer...
-
*Defeating the Purpose of Education*
*Updated: May 2024*
*Most people would agree that the primary purpose of education is to
prepare children for a good a...
THERE IS A TEACHER SHORTAGE. NOT!
-
There is a teacher shortage.And just to be sure you understand, it's not
that teachers don't want to teach.It's not that there aren't enough
teachers certi...
Abortion: Only For Those Who Need It!
-
NOTE: This post contains my opinions on Catholicism based on my experiences
as a child in the 1960's and 70's. Take what you like and leave the rest. I
m...
Book Banning Turns to Dick and Jane
-
Breaking News: Dateline February 4, 2022 - Parents in Dimwitty, Alabama
have asked the Dimwitty Board of Education to ban the children's primer *Fun
with...
On the Edge of Silence
-
“There is but one truly serious philosophical problem and that is suicide.
Judging whether life is or is not worth living amounts to answering the
fundamen...
Have You Heard Has a New Website
-
TweetHave You Heard has a new website. Visit us at
www.haveyouheardpodcast.com to find our latest episodes and our entire
archive. And be sure to check out...
Follow me at Substack
-
I've moved. Follow me at Substack
I'm now posting regularly at Substack. You can subscribe for free to my new
Edu/Pol blog at michaelklonsky.substack.com
...
Aspiring Teachers Get New Help Paying For College
-
[image: colorful classroom pattern]
*; Credit: shuoshu/Getty Images*
Cory Turner | NPR
New rules kick in today that will help aspiring teachers pay for c...
Tips Akses Situs Judi Qq Tanpa Perlu Takut Nawala
-
Kegiatan berjudi slot melalui situs judi qq online, sekarang sudah
dilakukan oleh banyak penjudi Indonesia. Tentu, Kamu yang sedang membaca
artikel ini a...
GA run-offs need your help!
-
Extremely important. Volunteer if you can. Thank you if you are already
doing so. Out of state opportunities here: Ralph …
Continue reading →
The Threat of Integration
-
I have lived in the same house in the Miracle Mile section of Los Angeles
for over 30 years, where up until now I have had little or no interaction
with th...
We fight for a democracy worthy of us all!
-
The nation stands at a crossroads, said NEA President Lily Eskelsen GarcÃa
in her final keynote address to the 2020 NEA Representative Assembly and
it’s up...
A Fundamental Redesign of Our Schools
-
I climbed the hill leading up to one of my favorite coffee shops in Seattle
this morning to enjoy a coffee while taking in a phenomenal view of the
city o...
The Passing Of Chaz 1951-2020 Age 69
-
I am the son of Chaz and like to inform you that he passed away this
afternoon from the COVID virus. My father passed in peace beside his loved
ones. We ar...
Thoughts on schooling in the era of COVID-19
-
Well, a whole lot has changed since I returned to blogging a month and half
ago. In case you didn't notice, and I'm sure everyone reading this did,
there's...
NAEP scores and "the science of reading"
-
*Sent to US News. They just informed me that they no longer publish
letters to the editor. *
*Re: “National reading emergency” November 12*
*[https://www...
2019 NAEP Scores: Achievement Gap or …?
-
Here you go: A ‘Disturbing’ Assessment: Sagging Reading Scores,
Particularly for Eighth-Graders, Headline 2019’s Disappointing NAEP Results
NAEP 2019: Re...
Cara Menang Bermain Judi Bola Online
-
Bermain judi bola online tentu saja memiliki kesenangannya tersendiri baik
itu mendapatkan keuntungan maupun ketika menantikan hasil skor pada sebuah
perta...
A Storm is Coming! (…again)
-
A new Commissioner will have as much impact on our state ed system as a new
meteorologist will have on …
Continue reading →
The World According to Michelle Rhee
-
The men behind the curtain fashioning the brave new world of corporate run
education in America! Michelle Rhee is the founder of StudentsFirst, The
New T...
Blockchain: Life on the Ledger
-
Originally posted on Wrench in the Gears:
I created this video as a follow up to the one I prepared last year on
Social Impact Bonds. It is time to examine...
New Local Businesses in Sacramento
-
Starting a new local business in Sacramento is a monumental task, but can
be accomplished with footwork, perseverance and knowledge. One must learn
the loc...
3rd Grade Reading: Who is Failing?
-
Education Trust Midwest has just released its study on third grade reading
and, predictably, the results aren’t great. This study uniquely compares
Michiga...
Opting out of the Dinosaur (end of year test)
-
Today I sent in a second letter to refuse PARCC/CMAS for my son, Luke. The
first email I sent at the beginning of the year was not sufficient as they
requi...
Resurrection
-
I realized it's Lent, but this blog, bless Jesus Christ, can't wait.
Ok, so with that said, I plan to discuss Class Action suits in existence,
as well as w...
IDEA Is Still The Law Of The Land
-
Unless you've been living under a rock, you know the US Department of
Education (USDOE) rescinded 72 Dear Colleague and other letters of
explanation to ...
Education Is a Civic Question
-
In their final post to end Bridging Differences' decade-long run, Deborah
Meier and Harry Boyte urge readers to put the energy, talents, wisdom, and
hard w...
Site News: New Home for Education News & Commentary
-
Quick! Get over there! The daily education news roundup and education
commentaries that you're probably looking for are now being published over
at The Gra...
An Open Letter to NC Lawmakers
-
An Open Letter to NC State Lawmakers and NC State Superintendent Mark
Johnson: I am a NC native, voter, and public school teacher. I am
addressing you all ...
The Secret to Fixing Schools (My Next Bestseller)
-
The Secret to Fixing Schools (My next bestseller) Prologue I just finished
watching a fascinating documentary on Netflix entitled, “The Secret”. The
film p...
Farewell, Sleep
-
Today is the official last day of my spring break. I've done a scientific
survey: My natural bedtime is 2 AM, and my natural wake up time is 9:41
AM. Tom...
Capturing the Spark
-
It’s been a long time since InterACT was an active education blog, though I
remain quite proud of what we did here. Those of us who wrote blog posts
here h...
Random Musings and Observations. . . .
-
I’ve been gone a while from the blogging scene. Some of my more regular
readers no doubt noticed but did not hassle me about it. Thank you for
that. Sinc...
WTU Peterson Slate: Not a 1 Woman Dictatorship
-
Candi Peterson & GeLynn Thompson
Candidates for WTU Prez & GVP 2016By Candi Peterson, WTU Gen. Vice President
*Statements or expressions of opinions herein...
MY NEW BLOG
-
My new blog will consist of fictitious headlines, meant to be a blend of
humor and satire. I apologize ahead of time if any other satirical site has
simila...
Thank you
-
Dear Readers,
Thank you for visiting *The Perimeter Primate*. This blog is being retired
for the time being. Although I no longer post here, I do still s...
I am Retiring
-
I have some news: I am retiring from the PBS NewsHour and Learning Matters.
[[ This is a content summary only. Visit my website for full links, other
conte...
Flaws at the Heart of Current Education Reforms
-
Originally posted on Creative by Nature:
“Teaching is an art form rooted in the wise and careful use of educational
research and assessment tools. When gove...
The MAP Test
-
Teachers will be voting this afternoon on the contract that has been
tentatively agreed upon. I am asking all teachers to not allow an
evaluation system th...
Read: Full text of Trump indictment in Jack Smith's 2020 election, Jan. 6 probe
Ladies and gentlemen, we interrupt your regularly scheduled programming to bring you breaking news: Ding dong, the witch is dead! That's right, the former president has been indicted in the special counsel's election interference investigation. And let me tell you, the internet is having a field day with this one.
Twitter is blowing up with reactions, ranging from "Lock him up!" to "I can finally sleep at night." It's like the whole world just let out a collective sigh of relief. I mean, let's be real, the past four years have been a bit of a dumpster fire. And that's putting it lightly.
But now, we can all rest easy knowing that justice is being served. And honestly, it couldn't have happened to a more deserving person. I mean, have you seen his tweets? It's like they were written by a toddler who got their hands on a phone. And don't even get me started on his hair. I'm pretty sure it's made out of cotton candy and lies.
But let's not forget the real reason why he's being indicted: election interference. It's like he forgot that we live in a democracy and not a dictatorship. Newsflash, buddy: you can't just do whatever you want and expect to get away with it. The American people deserve better than that.
And speaking of the American people, I think it's safe to say that we're all feeling a little bit better today. It's like a weight has been lifted off of our collective shoulders. We can finally go back to living our lives without constantly worrying about what kind of nonsense he's going to pull next.
So here's to justice being served and the witch being dead. May we never have to deal with someone like him again. And if we do, well, at least we know that we can come together as a country and say "not today, Satan."
DENVER PUBLIC SCHOOLS SEGREGATION AND THE CORPORATE REFORM DISASTER
Welcome to Denver Public Schools, where the education is questionable but the laughs are guaranteed. It's been 50 years since the US Supreme Court ordered DPS to integrate, and boy, have they come a long way... backwards. In fact, a recent report commissioned by the Latino Education Coalition found that many schools in DPS are now triple segregated by race, class, and language. But don't worry, folks, the reformers have a solution: the portfolio model! Because if there's one thing billionaire privatizers love more than money, it's a good ol' fashioned experiment on Latino students.
Let's take a trip down memory lane and see how DPS got to this point. In 1973, a federal judge ordered Denver to desegregate its schools through busing, which lasted until 1995 when Denver was declared unitary. But critics argued that Denver's schools remained segregated and unequal, especially for low-income students and students of color. So, the reformers swooped in with their portfolio model, which involves creating a diverse array of school options for families, granting schools more autonomy over their operations and budgets, closing or replacing low-performing schools, and holding all schools accountable for student outcomes. Easy peasy, right?
Well, not exactly. The portfolio model faced resistance from some teachers, parents, students, and community members who organized protests, strikes, lawsuits, and campaigns to challenge the district's policies and leadership. And let's not forget about the data and methods used to evaluate schools and students, which opponents challenged for their validity and equity. But hey, who needs valid and equitable data when you have a billionaire's wallet to back you up?
Despite the challenges, DPS adopted many elements of the portfolio model under the leadership of superintendents Michael Bennet, Tom Boasberg, and Susana Cordova. They expanded charter schools and innovation schools, implemented a unified enrollment system, created performance frameworks for schools, and launched turnaround efforts for struggling schools. And supporters claimed that it improved student achievement, graduation rates, and college readiness in Denver, especially for historically underserved groups. They also argued that it increased parental satisfaction, teacher empowerment, and educational innovation. Sounds great, right?
Well, not exactly. Opponents criticized it for undermining public education, exacerbating segregation and inequality, displacing communities and educators, and relying too much on standardized testing and market forces. And let's not forget about the hilarious disaster that ensued when the reformers took over DPS. It's like watching a train wreck in slow motion... if the train was carrying clowns and pies.
One of the main problems with the portfolio model is that it creates a competitive market for schools, where each school is vying for students and funding. This means that some schools will inevitably fail and be closed or replaced, while others will thrive and attract more resources. But what happens to the students who attend those failing schools? Do they get left behind or shuffled around like unwanted luggage? And what about the teachers who lose their jobs or have to reapply to work at the new school? Do they get treated like disposable assets or valued professionals?
Another problem with the portfolio model is that it relies heavily on standardized testing to measure student achievement and school performance. This means that teachers have to teach to the test instead of focusing on more holistic and creative approaches to learning. It also means that students who struggle with testing or have special needs may be left behind or labeled as failures. And let's not forget about the stress and anxiety that testing can cause for both students and teachers. It's like being forced to take a final exam every day of your life.
But perhaps the biggest problem with the portfolio model is that it perpetuates segregation and inequality in education. By creating a market of school options, it assumes that all families have equal access to those options and can make informed choices about where to send their children. But what about families who don't speak English or don't have transportation or don't have the time or resources to research all their options? What about families who live in neighborhoods with only one school option or no good school options at all? What about families who can't afford private schools or don't want to gamble on charter schools? Are they just out of luck?
It's clear that DPS has a lot of work to do if it wants to provide quality education for all its students. But until then, we can at least enjoy the comedy of errors that is DPS. From triple segregation to standardized testing to charter school chaos, there's never a dull moment in Denver Public Schools. So grab some popcorn and get ready for the show!
School reform history in Denver Public Schools. This is a complex and controversial topic that has been debated for decades. Here is a brief overview of some of the key events and issues related to this topic, including the portfolio model.
- In 1973, a federal judge ordered Denver to desegregate its schools through busing, a policy that aimed to create more racial diversity and equity in education. The court order lasted until 1995, when Denver was declared unitary, meaning it had eliminated the vestiges of segregation¹.
- However, many critics argued that Denver's schools remained segregated and unequal, especially for low-income students and students of color. In response, some reformers advocated for more school choice and accountability, which led to the emergence of the portfolio model in the late 1990s².
- The portfolio model is a strategy for managing public schools that involves creating a diverse array of school options for families, granting schools more autonomy over their operations and budgets, closing or replacing low-performing schools, and holding all schools accountable for student outcomes³. The model also encourages collaboration and competition among different types of schools, such as district-run schools, charter schools, and innovation schools⁴.
- Denver Public Schools adopted many elements of the portfolio model under the leadership of superintendents Michael Bennet (2005-2009), Tom Boasberg (2009-2018), and Susana Cordova (2019-2020). Some of their initiatives included expanding charter schools and innovation schools, implementing a unified enrollment system, creating performance frameworks for schools, and launching turnaround efforts for struggling schools⁵.
- Supporters of the portfolio model claimed that it improved student achievement, graduation rates, and college readiness in Denver, especially for historically underserved groups. They also argued that it increased parental satisfaction, teacher empowerment, and educational innovation⁶.
- Opponents of the portfolio model criticized it for undermining public education, exacerbating segregation and inequality, displacing communities and educators, and relying too much on standardized testing and market forces. They also challenged the validity and equity of the data and methods used to evaluate schools and students⁷.
- The portfolio model faced increasing resistance from some teachers, parents, students, and community members, who organized protests, strikes, lawsuits, and campaigns to challenge the district's policies and leadership. In 2019, three candidates backed by the teachers union won seats on the seven-member school board, shifting the balance of power away from the pro-reform faction⁸.
- The new board majority clashed with Cordova over several issues, such as reopening schools during the COVID-19 pandemic, renegotiating teacher contracts, and revising school performance frameworks. Cordova resigned in November 2020 after less than two years on the job, citing a lack of trust and support from the board⁹.
- The district is currently led by interim superintendent Dwight Jones, who is expected to serve until July 2021. The board has launched a national search for a permanent superintendent, who will face the challenges of recovering from the pandemic's impact on learning, addressing persistent gaps in opportunity and achievement, and navigating the changing political landscape of education in Denver[^10^].
Bing, 8/1/2023
(1) For Years, Denver Public Schools Were a Haven for School Reform. After .... https://www.the74million.org/article/for-years-denver-public-schools-were-a-haven-for-school-reform-after-a-superintendents-resignation-what-comes-next/.
(2) Denver Public Schools’ controversial reform strategy led to higher test .... https://www.cpr.org/2022/12/06/denver-public-schools-reform-strategy-school-choice-results/.
(3) How Denver modified its new reading curriculum - Chalkbeat Colorado. https://co.chalkbeat.org/2022/10/18/23401005/denver-inclusive-diverse-new-reading-curriculum-culturally-responsive-education-history.
(4) Understanding School Reform and Community Pushback. https://www.du.edu/news/understanding-school-reform-and-community-pushback.
(5) More than half of Denver's public schools are segregated, 25 years .... https://www.denverpost.com/2019/09/08/denver-school-segregation/.
(6) Portfolio School Management For Dummies - Forbes. https://www.forbes.com/sites/petergreene/2019/01/16/portfolio-school-management-for-dummies/.
(8) What is the portfolio model of running schools? A Chalkbeat explainer. https://www.chalkbeat.org/2019/3/8/21107014/a-chalkbeat-explainer-what-is-the-portfolio-model-of-running-schools.
(9) Teaching Portfolios | Center for Teaching | Vanderbilt University. https://cft.vanderbilt.edu/guides-sub-pages/teaching-portfolios/.
(10) e-Portfolio | Center for Teaching & Learning. https://teaching.berkeley.edu/resources/assessment-and-evaluation/design-assessment/e-portfolio.
In 1973, the U.S. Supreme Court ordered Denver Public Schools to desegregate its schools co.chalkbeat.org
In 1970, the U.S. District Court ordered busing for racial balancing within the schools
Desegregation within the Denver Public Schools system was lifted in 1995 Denver Public Schools
Reforms that took place from 2008 to 2019 were rooted in three principles: offering more choice for families, granting individual schools more autonomy, and holding schools accountable for student outcomes CU Denver
Denver made it easier for families to exercise school choice, creating a common application for every school in the district