READ THIS! Rita M. Solnet: The F Word in Education Reform

Rita M. Solnet: The F Word in Education Reform

Rita M. Solnet

Founding Member, Parents Across America

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The F Word in Education Reform

Posted: 04/11/11 07:18 PM ET

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Rick Scott , Education Reform , Teachers , Diane Ravitch , Florida Politics ,Parents Across America , Florida Education News , Parents , Public Education Reform ,Teachers Unions , Education News

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It's safe to say that for approximately 4 million teachers in our nation, education reform's F word is now -- Florida!

Last month, Florida's Governor enacted a teacher merit pay bill. Legislators cunningly re-titled it, "The Student Success Act." This law and subsequent bills in queue are being torpedoed through the House. A combination of these bills will certainly dissuade anyone from becoming a teacher in the Sunshine State and, in turn, will dissuade companies to make Florida its home base.

With a veto-proof majority in the Florida Senate and House, combined with an extremist legislature, Florida's children became collateral damage in this grand plan to dismantle public education and sell off huge chunks to giant test companies and newly hatched edupreneurs. Is this a far-fetched theory? As a fair-minded business woman and

Los Angeles Teacher Database Pre-Release Comment - Los Angeles Times

Los Angeles Teacher Database Pre-Release Comment - Los Angeles Times

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Schools Matter: Hedges on Why the U. S. is Destroying Its Education System

Schools Matter: Hedges on Why the U. S. is Destroying Its Education System

Hedges on Why the U. S. is Destroying Its Education System

by Jim Horn

From Common Dreams:

by Chris Hedges

A nation that destroys its systems of education, degrades its public information, guts its public libraries and turns its airwaves into vehicles for cheap, mindless amusement becomes deaf, dumb and blind. It prizes test scores above critical thinking and literacy. It celebrates rote vocational training and the singular, amoral skill of making money. It churns out stunted human products, lacking the capacity and vocabulary to challenge the assumptions and structures of the corporate state. It funnels them into a caste system of drones and systems managers. It transforms a democratic state into a feudal system of corporate masters and serfs.

Teachers, their unions under attack, are becoming as replaceable as minimum-wage employees at

My life is not timely enough for the Tribune. « Fred Klonsky's blog #fklonsky

My life is not timely enough for the Tribune. « Fred Klonsky's blog

My life is not timely enough for the Tribune.

by Fred Klonsky

Hi, Mr. Klonsky:

This is John Keilman, a reporter with the Chicago Tribune. I recently learned about the FOIA request for your school e-mail made by the Education Action Group, and I thought it could make for an interesting story. It sounds like this is becoming a more common technique, and I was interested to get your perspective as someone who was on the receiving end.

Could you give me a call when you have a moment? Thanks very much!

John

John Keilman
Reporter
Chicago Tribune

Hi, Mr. Klonsky:

After talking with the IEA, the Education Action Group and my bosses, I don’t think

CA State of Emergency

State of Emergency

State of Emergency Plan of Action Leaders Guide Member Flyer Regional Action Ideas Logo California is in “A State of Emergency” over the drastic cuts that are hurting our public schools, colleges and communities. The Legislature’s failure to pass a state budget that protects basic, essential services is destroying our future. That’s why CTA is asking educators, students and parents to participate in a series of bold actions during the week of May 9-13, including a sit-in at the State Capitol building in Sacramento and several regional rallies in order to pressure lawmakers to pass a budget that includes tax extensions to protect schools, colleges and essential public services from further cuts. Why? California schools have been cut by $18 BILLION in the last three years and we now face another $4 billion. We may lose 20,000 teachers this year, on top of the 30,000 we’ve lost in the past three years. Our class sizes are outrageous. Our instruction days are being eliminated. Our counselors are disappearing. Our arts, our music, our PE, our athletic programs are gone or going. Our library books are deteriorating. We’ve given everything, and can’t give any more! It’s not fair to our students or to our communities. It’s time to take a stand. Use the L.E.A.R.N. acronym to plan your activities for the week. COME STAND WITH US! BE A PART OF THE MOVEMENT! L.E.A.R.N. and SHOW YOUR SUPPORT! · Monday, May 9 – Focus on LEGISLATIVE activities · Tuesday, May 10 – Reach out to EVERY parent · Wednesday, May 11 – Use Day of the Teacher to APPRECIATE educators and ALLIES · Thursday, May 12 – Promote the need for REVENUE for schools and educate our members and the community about tax fairness · Friday, May 13 – It’s NOT BUSINESS AS USUAL. Attend a rally in Sacramento, the San Francisco Bay Area, Los Angeles, Fresno, Inland Empire, San Diego and Palm Springs to voice and support tax extensions to prevent deeper cuts. WHAT YOU CAN DO! · Share this flier with your colleagues! · Use posters, fliers, buttons and other resources to get everyone informed and on board! · Use e-mail, Facebook, Twitter, etc. to reach as many people as possible! · Find more information and resources at www.castateofemergency.com