Wednesday, March 9, 2011

SBE President Statement to Parent Empowerment - State Board of Education (CA Dept of Education)

State Board of Education President Makes Statement Relating to Parent Empowerment Regulations

Sacramento -- State Board of Education President Michael Kirst issued the following statement regarding the parent empowerment regulation process:

"I announced earlier that the SBE has scheduled to convene an additional meeting, scheduled for April 21, to consider permanent regulations to implement the Parent Empowerment law. We now have more information about the issues based upon 2011 developlments in Compton. The process for considering permanent regulations will utilize the regulatory process and draft regulations begun in 2010, public comments concerning prior and future draft regulations, and additional meeting of the stakeholders group, and other relevant information."

"The board has already taken action to expedite the rule-making process by convening a stakeholder meeting in February for stakeholders to give feedback on the permanent regulations. I have asked that another stakeholder input meeting be held before April 21."

"Once permanent regulations are approved, they will be made available for a required 15-day public comment period.

The SBE is not pursuing any changes in the existing law at this time."

State Board of Education Voted to Extend Emergency Regulations for Parent Empowerment Law

Sacramento -- The State Board of Education announced today that it will convene an additional meeting, scheduled for April 21, to consider permanent regulations to implement the Parent Empowerment law. The board also voted to extend the law’s emergency regulations, which were set to expire on March 15.

"We value the obvious importance of parent involvement in education, and we understand the urgency of this situation,” said Board President Michael Kirst. “Voting to extend the emergency regulations as we work as quickly as possible to adopt permanent regulations gives parents and local education agencies uninterrupted guidance on this law and stakeholders more time to provide feedback."

"We want to give clear guidance on implementing the law, so that it results in better educational opportunities and options for students," Kirst continued.

The Board has already taken action to expedite the rule making process by convening a stakeholder meeting in February for stakeholders to give feedback on the permanent regulations. Kirst has asked that another stakeholder input meeting be held before April 21.

Once permanent regulations are approved, they will be made available for required 15-day public comment period.

###

School Tech Connect: Naomi Klein with Amy Goodman: The Frontal Assault on Democracy

Naomi Klein with Amy Goodman: The Frontal Assault on Democracy

by effacethefacade@yahoo.com (Tim)

I almost plotzed on the ride home tonight when I heard Naomi Klein call out the President for his complicity in the nationwide assault on labor that's going on. This Democracy Now episode is excellent, and Klein explains some things that I wasn't even aware of, like the nullification of democracy that's apparently going on in Michigan.

The irony of Obama campaigning as pro-labor president while Scott Walker campaigned without a hint of being a union buster continues to amaze and astound me.

Seriously, some future generation of historians are going to look back at the death of labor and the eradication of

Word Attack: “Objective” « Failing Schools

Word Attack: “Objective”

MARCH 9, 2011

by Sabrina

objective (adj): not influenced by personal feelings, interpretations, or prejudice; based on facts; unbiased: an objective opinion.
Source: Random House Dictionary

As reformers of all stripes rethink teacher evaluation, and as states try to reduce budget shortfalls by cutting education spending, there have been many discussions about the best way(s) to ensure that we keep the best teachers in their classrooms, and eliminate the worst. Though there is much to be said about the various proposals people have put forth, and though I have strong opinions about most of them, there’s one oversight in the conversation that has been bothering me for months.

It appears that many people don’t quite understand what “objective” means, or are confused about when it’s appropriate to use the term.

For instance, I recently had a conversation with a political staffer, in which we debated the merits (or lack thereof) of using student test scores to evaluate teachers. While arguing in favor the idea, he defaulted to an argument I’ve heard too many times to count: “Well, don’t you agree it

This Week In Education: Thompson: "Naive" Use Of Test Scores In DC & Elsewhere

Thompson: "Naive" Use Of Test Scores In DC & Elsewhere

by john thompson

The Washington Post’s award-winning Bill Turque notes the irony of the release of the National Research Council’s report on the "naive" use of test scores in the D.C. schools with the start of the district’s official test prep season. As the NRC explains, Michelle Rhee’s teach-to-the-test regime only produced modest increases in test scores. Motivated by last year’s drop in scores, however, some schools have already abandoned the teaching of science and social studies as they focus on specific bubble-in skills. Some teachers have been instructed to focus on ten students who are within seven points of advancing to a higher

Day of Solidarity with UPR Students « occupy california

Day of Solidarity with UPR Students

By *

This friday, March 11th, has been announced as a day of solidarity with the student struggle at the University of Puerto Rico.

New York City:

Friday, March 11 · 6:30pm – 9:00pm
Julia de Burgos’s Mosaic
106 St, Spanish Harlem

San Francisco:

Friday, March 11, 4:30-7:00pm
24th/Mission BART Station Plaza in San Francisco

Why March 11th?

March 11, 1971 was one of the bloodiest single days in the history of the University of Puerto Rico. The main campus at Río Piedras was occupied by the Puerto Rico Police, unleashing violent confrontations that ended the lives of two police officers, including the then chief of the notorious Tactical Operations Unit

This Week In Education: Chart: Will "Visual Report Cards" Make A Difference?

Chart: Will "Visual Report Cards" Make A Difference? A group in Chattanooga is trying to revamp the way that report cards are presented to community members so that they are more comprehensible and engaging. Numbers still, and not to everyone's taste, but an interesting example to consider (via the ...

Cartoon: Renaming The Teachers' Lounge Cartoons seem to be skewing in teachers' favor, no? Read more Clay Bennett | Get Clay Bennett by e-mail

The Answer Sheet - The problem with Rhee’s successor in D.C

The problem with Rhee’s successor in D.C

The new permanent chancellor of D.C. schools is going to be Kaya Henderson, to no one’s surprise, and this, to her supporters, is a great thing because she is, as they say, Michelle Rhee without Michelle Rhee.That means that Henderson, who was Rhee’s deputy and is interim chancellor, will carry on Rhee’s controversial reforms but will do it without the I-know-everything-so-don’t-question-me management style with which Rhee ran the city for 3 1/2 years before she resigned last October.Therein lies the problem.

solidaridad: Naomi Klein discussing school privatization and union busting

Naomi Klein discussing school privatization and union busting

by Robert D. Skeels * rdsathene

Obama is also involved in attacking labor rights with his pushing of charter schools and draconian budget cuts. — Naomi Klein

[click if you can't view this video]

Naomi Klein on Anti-Union Bills and Shock Doctrine American-Style: "This is a Frontal Assault on Democracy, It's a Kind of a Corporate Coup D'Etat"

As a wave of anti-union bills are introduced across the country following the wake of Wall Street financial crisis, many analysts are picking up on the theory that award-winning journalist and author Naomi Klein first argued in

Schools Matter: Adventures on the Striving Readers Webinar

Adventures on the Striving Readers Webinar

by skrashen

I watched a Webinar on Striving Readers put on by the Alliance for Excellent Education. It was designed to strengthen support for the Striving Readers program, which the House of Representatives wants to eliminate. The participants (esp. prof Don Deshler, a specialist in special education, as is often the case with proponents of skills-based approaches) stated their belief that better educational achievement and literacy development will help the economy, and their belief that direct teaching of skills and strategies is the obvious way to go, and that we must raise the bar and insist on higher standards.

There was a brief mention of the importance of engagement in books.

THE DISMAL RESULTS ISSUE

I do not support Striving Readers: It is highly skill-based. Many of the programs use READ 180 and Xtreme Reading. And the results are very disappointing. I reviewed this is previous posts.

I had previously sent in a question asking them about the dismal results for Striving Readers. Deshler answered

ThinkProgress » WI Senate GOP Leader Admits On-Air That His Goal Is To Defund Labor Unions, Hurt Obama’s Reelection Chances #WeAreWI #WIUnion

ThinkProgress » WI Senate GOP Leader Admits On-Air That His Goal Is To Defund Labor Unions, Hurt Obama’s Reelection Chances

WI Senate GOP Leader Admits On-Air That His Goal Is To Defund Labor Unions, Hurt Obama’s Reelection Chances

A prank call from a man purporting to be petrochemical billionaire David Koch to Gov. Scott Walker (R-WI) a few weeks ago revealed that Walker had crafted his “budget repair” bill in a bid to crush the labor unions. The revelation was at odds with the GOP’s public argument, that removing collective bargaining rights has something to do with the state’s budget deficit.

In an interview with Fox News’ Megyn Kelly moments ago, State Senate Majority Leader Scott Fitzgerald (R-WI), one of Walker’s closest allies in the legislature, confirmed the true political motive of Walker’s anti-union push. Fitzgerald explained that “this battle” is about eliminating unions so that “the money is not there” for the labor movement. Specifically, he said that the destruction of unions will make it “much more difficult” for President Obama to win reelection in Wisconsin:

FITZGERALD: Well if they flip the state senate, which is obviously their

The Fordham Institute and the National Council on Teacher Quality: Manipulating Teacher Layoffs (& Union-Busting?) | Seattle Education 2010

The Fordham Institute and the National Council on Teacher Quality: Manipulating Teacher Layoffs (& Union-Busting?)

by seattleducation2010

All around the country, legislation is being introduced that would attack seniority by changing the “last in, first out” (LIFO) rule for teacher layoffs. There’s a corresponding meme going through the media
saying that there are a lot of bad teachers who need to be fired in order to make room for new and improved teachers. What’s behind this? Basically, a lot of billionaires and corporations with an agenda.

They’d like education to be run like a corporation, and they’d also like to bust up the teacher’s unions as part of a national strategy to bust public sector unions.

The billionaires are out in plain sight if you know how to follow the money, and the agenda is right there in plain sight too. This article takes a look at only one of the billionaire-funded organizations out there,
the Thomas B. Fordham Institute, and showing how it is attacking public education.

Last In, First Out – What Does it Mean?

Most teachers contracts now specify that when there are layoffs, the last ones hired are the first to be let go. Those with greater seniority are protected. They don’t have “tenure” – teachers whose performance is deemed

San Diego Troublemakers Go to School

by ROCKY NEPTUN on MARCH 9, 2011

in: EDUCATION, LABOR, ORGANIZING

In that town called San Diego when the workers try to talk,
The cops will smash them with a sap and tell them “take a walk”,
They throw them in a bull pen and they feed them rotten beans,
And they call that “law and order” in that city, so it seems.

From the July 11, 1912 edition of the IWW’s Little Red Songbook,
the first stanza of ”We’re Bound For San Diego”

It’s really hard to believe that San Diego has the largest amount of “troublemakers” in the U.S. but last Friday, over 250 activists and

The Sacramento Coalition to Save Public Education

Sacramento: poised to become ground zero of privatization

published by admin on Mon, 02/14/2011 - 11:07pm

Sacramento: poised to become ground zero of privatization
ParentsAcrossAmerica.org
See the report below from Kate Lenox of the Sacramento Coalition to Save Public Education, a new affiliate of Parents Across America.
Sacramento parents and concerned citizens, please join their Facebook page, or email Kate for more info atklenox@earthlink.net:
The Sacramento Coalition to Save Public Education is a group of parents, teachers, and community members that has been fighting the privatization of public education here in Sacramento for eight years. We formed when the board of Sacramento City Unified School District voted to close Sacramento High School, the second oldest public high school west of the Mississippi, and give it to a charter operator to run.
That charter operator is St. HOPE, an organization formed by former NBA star Kevin Johnson, who is now our mayor and is engaged to Michelle Rhee. We believe that Sacramento is poised to become the ground zero of the privatization movement. Michelle Rhee is setting up her lobbying group Students First here in town. Democrats for Education Reform has set up a chapter here in California with Gloria Romero, failed candidate for State Superintendent of Public Instruction has the public face of the organization.

Duncan: Most schools could face 'failing' label

By Nick Anderson

Washington Post Staff Writer
Wednesday, March 9, 2011; 2:13 PM

More than three-fourths of America's public schools could soon be labeled "failing" under a federal formula that relies mainly on annual testing to gauge progress, the Obama administration said Wednesday.

Last year, a little more than a third of schools fell short of targets under the No Child Left Behind law.

The projection from Education Secretary Arne Duncan, which some experts challenged, does not mean schools are headed for an imminent meltdown. But it confirms what educators have long concluded: The typical school will never attain the ideal enshrined in the 2002 law that all students should become proficient in math and reading.

The projection also points to a high-stakes battle over how to define school failure and success as Congress seeks to rewrite a law that is showing its age.

Many educators complain they are unfairly penalized if even a few of their students fill in the wrong bubbles on testing day. Advocates for the poor contend the only way to ensure disadvantaged students get real help is to threaten schools, at minimum, with public shame.

President Obama's solution is to loosen accountability rules for most schools but tighten

You Inspire Me « EducationCEO's Blog

You Inspire Me Leave a comment

Dedication. Perseverance. Tenacity. Drive. Determination. Stong-willed. Driven. Call it what you will, but when I see people who come to this country, with little to no English-speaking skills, fleeing their war-torn countries, armed with all of those afore-mentioned characteristics and then some, I cannot help but be inspired. Who wouldn’t? But here’s what I do not understand: Why don’t I see more American-born Blacks with that same fire? Our African ancestors (yes, we do have direct ties to Africa-I know some choose to forget or deny them) were beaten for the simple act of learning to read. They were not allowed to attend school. Yes, a few were but by-and-large the majority of them did not have that opportunity.

A female student came into the office yesterday. She explained that she completed her G.E.D. classes and has a diploma from her country as well; she was eager to start taking classes at the technical college. There were a few minor hiccups in getting her enrolled, but not once did she sigh, roll her eyes, complain, or stomp off in a huff. I had to send her to two different offices before she could actually register. I will admit that I would have been a little peeved myself, but not her. When she returned, I explained to her that she would need to complete some Adult Education classes but we could register her for one

Editors are smokin’ something. « Fred Klonsky's blog

Editors are smokin’ something.

by Fred Klonsky

You have to wonder if the editorial writers at the Belleville News-Democrat down near St. Louis sit around the office smokin’ a joint.

How else could you explain an editorial that says this on the one hand:

If a private business allowed its pension to be underfunded so badly, the responsible parties probably would be in jail.

And this on the other hand?

Future pension benefits have to be decreased for current employees, not just

Wis. Gov. Walker's Rapidly Sinking Ship Takes on More Water | AFL-CIO NOW BLOG #WeAreWI #WIUnion

Wis. Gov. Walker's Rapidly Sinking Ship Takes on More Water | AFL-CIO NOW BLOG

Wis. Gov. Walker’s Rapidly Sinking Ship Takes on More Water

by Tula Connell, Mar 8, 2011


714Share

This from AFL-CIO Political Communications Director Eddie Vale.

Just one day after a media stunt that blew up in his face, further uniting Senate Democrats and Wisconsin’s working families against him, Scott Walker is facing the prospect of mass defections as Senate Republicans are no longer willing to tolerate his extreme power grab and bear the albatross of a Walker disapproval number—which is threatening to crack 60 percent. One former Senate Republican aide even penned a memo advising Republicans “to wake up before their own districts disappear in the rear-view” and get off Walker’s rapidly sinking ship.

Meanwhile, evidence mounts that Walker’s control over the Senate Republican Caucus is slipping away and that individual senators are fed up with his refusal to negotiate with Democrats. In addition to Sen. Dale Schultz, who has already announced he’s with the 74 percent of Wisconsinites opposed to Walker’s bill, Republicans Robert Cowles, Luther Olsen and Dan Kapanke—all facing aggressive recall efforts in their home districts—have indicated they want Walker to come to the table to negotiate a deal that gets Wisconsin moving forward again.

Cowles told the Green Bay Press Gazette that he believes Walker and Republicans should stick to issues with an actual fiscal impact and negotiate a deal. The Washington Post’s Greg Sargent succinctly summarizes Cowles’ remarks:

Cowles is endorsing the three core union arguments: that unions have already made the fiscal concessions Walker has asked for; that the rollback of bargaining rights won’t have any meaningful fiscal impact; and that Republicans should compromise with labor and Dems.

Olsen, who originally called the concept of stripping collective bargaining rights from workers “radical,” has also encouraged Walker to stop stonewalling and finally negotiate a deal with Senate Democrats. Olsen, who, in addition to the recall, also has facedsubstantial, in-district pressure, including dozens of constituents showing up at his house in the snow to demand answers, did not disclose the details of his demands but clearly seemed frustrated by the impasse Scott Walker refuses to break by negotiating a deal.

Even Kapanke, who publicly still backs Walker and says he’ll vote for the budget repair bill, said today that the collective bargaining provisions that Scott Walker insists he will never compromise on are actually, indeed, very much on the table. Perhaps Scott Walker is no longer party to some of the discussions even his most ardent supporters are now having as they try to find a way out of Walker’s self-inflicted political implosion.

MetLife Survey of the American Teacher | MetLife Foundation

Teacher Survey | MetLife Foundation

MetLife Survey of the American Teacher

Overview

The MetLife Survey of the American Teacher, conducted by Harris Interactive (formerly Louis Harris and Associates, Inc.), each year since 1984, explores teacher’s opinions and brings them to the attention of educators, policy makers and the public. The Survey findings also inform MetLife Foundation’s support for education.

New Survey

The MetLife Survey of the American Teacher: Preparing Students for College and Careers examines the priority that all students graduate from high school prepared for college and careers, what being college- and career-ready entails, and the implications of this goal for teaching. The results are based on a national survey of middle and high school teachers, students, parents of public school students, and business executives from Fortune 1000 companies conducted in fall 2010.

The findings are being released in two reports:

Part 1: Clearing the Path examines the importance of being college- and career-ready, what this level of preparation includes, and what it may take to get there.

Part 2: Teaching Diverse Learners looks at differences in student needs, how teachers address them and how well students feel their needs are being met. (Coming March 23rd)

Previous Surveys

The entire MetLife Survey of the American Teacher series is now available online at the ERIC (Education Resources Information Center) website: http://eric.ed.gov. ERIC document (ED)

ANOTHER LARGE RALLY PLANNED FOR SATURDAY, MARCH 12 AT THE STATE CAPITOL! #WEAC #WeAreWI #WIUnion

Activities | Support Our Union | Legislative Resources | Issues & Advocacy | Wisconsin Education Association Council

Keep raising your voice!

ANOTHER LARGE RALLY PLANNED
FOR SATURDAY, MARCH 12
AT THE STATE CAPITOL!
More details below

Note: AFSCME also is maintaining a list of activities and events. If you don't see an event in your community here you may find one on the AFSCME activities list.

In addition to events listed here, ongoing canvassing is taking place in many communities. Contact your UniServ office for deails in your area.

Check back often. This page is being constantly updated.

Join the conversation at facebook.com/myweac.

Ongoing event in Eau Claire: The UW-Eau Claire faculty union (AFT local #6481) is planning a protest every work day at 5:14 p.m. at the Downtown City Parking Lot at the corner of Farwell & Gray to thank our 14 Wisconsin Senators who were forced to leave the state.

Ongoing event in Menomonie: 4:00 - 6:00 p.m. every day Monday through Friday, a peaceful march at the Veteran’s Memorial Park on Crescent Street in Menomonie. Signs available. Participants are welcome to come for whatever time they are available.

Ongoing activity in Chippewa Falls: Daily noon hour walk and protest. This walk will occur Monday-Friday starting in front of the Chippewa County Courthouse at noon and proceed down Bridge Street and back to the Courthouse. Bring appropriate signs.

WEDNESDAY, March 9

Fort Atkinson:
5:00 - 6:00 p.m.
Rally, Main Street Bridge
Downtown Fort Atkinson

Darlington:
6:00 - 8:00 a.m.
Rally
Courthouse

Ladysmith:
6:00 p.m. Rally
Memorial Park in Ladysmith

New London:
5:00 - 6:00 p.m.
March down N. Waters Street,
beginning at the United Steelworkers Labor Hall

Oshkosh:
7:00 p.m.
Town Hall meeting
UWO Center for Equality and Diversity, 717 Irving St.

La Crosse:
Town Hall Meeting
Hmong Cultural & Community Center, 1815 Ward Ave

Kenosha:
Middle Class Walk on Main Street

Walk starts a 4:00 p.m.
Walk from City Hall to Civic Center Park (across from the Court House)
Rally at Civic Center Park with speakers, refreshments, and snacks

THURSDAY, March 10

Sheboygan:
5:30 – 7:00 p.m.
Rally to support recall efforts of the Republican 8 and to feature a live press conference of three families impacted by the tragedy that is the Walker administration
Fountain Park at the Corner of 8th and Erie in Sheboygan

Appleton:
7:00p.m.
Town Hall Meeting
Madison Middle School, 2020 S. Carpenter

Ripon:
6:30 - 8:00 p.m.
Town Hall Forum
Tod Wehr Hall

Green Bay:
6:30 p.m.
First United Methodist Church, 501 Howe St.
Prayer for a Just State Budget

Wausau:
6:30 p.m.
Wausau Labor Temple
Town Hall Meeting

Glendale:
6:00 p.m.
Town Hall Forum
Nicolet High School Community Room

Rhinelander:
4:00 - 6:00 p.m.
Solidarity rally
Burger King & Pizza Hut Corners

Eagle River:
4:00 - 6:00 p.m.
Rally
Meet in the parking lot behind Glik’s.
Bring a sign.

Waupun:
4:45 p.m.
Rally at the Rock River Intermediate School , 451 E. Spring St.
Following the rally, there will be a march to City Hall in support of workers rights.

Racine:
7:00 p.m.
Budget Town Hall
Case High School Auditorium, 7345 Washington Ave.

La Crosse:
7:30 p.m.
Black River Beach Neighborhood Center, 1433 Rose Street

Eau Claire:
7:00 p.m.
DeLong Middle School, 2000 Vine St. (note this is a change of location)

Menomonie:
4:00 - 6:00 p.m.
A peaceful march at the Veteran's Memorial Park on Crescent Street in Menomonie. Signs are available. Participants are welcome to come for whatever time they are available.

FRIDAY, March 11

Wisconsin Dells:
4:30 - 6:00 p.m.
Rally for Wisconsin's Future and Worker Rights
Bowman Park (corner of Broadway & Bowman)

Milwaukee area:
4:15 to dark
Members in the Milwaukee area will be unfurling banners and waving signs at highway ovepasses with a special message of thanks to the Wisconsin 14. The event will take place at several overpasses throughout the Milwaukee area. More detail will follow.

Milwaukee - Madison:
P.O.W.E.R. Walk from Milwaukee to Madison. People Organizing Wisconsin for Education and Worker’s Rights (P.O.W.E.R.) are Wisconsinites who support public education and collective bargaining rights for all workers. Inspired by the ideals of “Fighting Bob” La Follette, we are walking from Milwaukee to Madison to support the Wisconsin Idea. Start at Riverside High School, 615 East Locust Street, Milwaukee Friday @ 6 AM. For more details or to commit to walking, contact POWER at power.wisconsin@gmail.com.

Milwaukee:
6:30 a.m.
MICAH, Milwaukee Inner-City Congregations Allied for Hope Rally at Saint Matthews CME Church
2944 North 9th Street Milwaukee.
This rally is the kick off for the weekend bus convoy to Madison where we will assemble the largest number of supporters possible

Delavan:
4:00 - 6:00 p.m.
Rally and picketing
Delavan-Darien High School and Wisconsin School for the Deaf

Sturgeon Bay:
We LOVE our Teachers and support staff and all public employees PARTY!
Draft Haus, 901 Egg Harbor Road, Sturgeon Bay
$5 per person

Minocqua:
4:00 - 5:30 p.m.
Rally in Support of Senator Jim Holperin
North side of the bridge

Watertown:
5:00 - 6:00 p.m.
Watertown All Union Rally
Watertown Public Library, 100 Water Street

Wisconsin Dells:
4:30 - 6:00 p.m.
Rally Bowman Park, 919 Bowman Rd (turn N @ Broadway from Hwys 13-16-23)

Spooner:
4:00 - 6:00 p.m.
Sidewalk Rally for Rights
Corner of River & Walnut Sts.

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