Tuesday, January 21, 2014

Social Equality Educators (SEE) introduces its “Respect” slate of candidates for the SEA elections | Seattle Education

Social Equality Educators (SEE) introduces its “Respect” slate of candidates for the SEA elections | Seattle Education:

Social Equality Educators (SEE) introduces its “Respect” slate of candidates for the SEA elections

On the one-year anniversary the historic MAP test boycott, teachers will launch a campaign in the upcoming Seattle Education Association (SEA) union election.

Social Equality Educators (SEE) will introduce its “Respect” slate of candidates and education platform for the upcoming SEA union election at a January 30th Garfield Community Center forum.

The SEE Respect candidates for office will include a coalition of MAP boycott leaders, members of current SEA Board of Directors, award-winning teachers, teachers new to the profession, and veteran educators, including:

· Jesse Hagopian, “Secondary Teacher of the Year”

Garfield High School, leader in MAP boycott—For SEA President

· Marian Wagner, National Board Certified Teacher, Salmon Bay K-8,

current member of SEA Board of Directors—For SEA Vice President

· Dan Troccoli, current Vice President of the SEA Substitute Association,

Founding Member of SEE—For SEA Treasurer

· and a slate of other candidates for the SEA Board of Directors

What: MAP Boycott Celebration/SEE Respect union candidates’ announcement

When: Thursday, January 30, at 4:30 p.m.

Where: Garfield Community Center (2323 E Cherry St, Seattle)

For more information:

Jesse Hagopian, 206-962-1685, hagopian.jesse@gmail.com

www.socialequalityeducators.org

“We have a bold vision for educating Seattle’s children,” said Jesse Hagopian, teacher and Black Student Union advisor at Garfield High School, and SEE’s “Respect” candidate for president in the upcoming Seattle

On the one-year anniversary the historic MAP test boycott, teachers launch campaign in the upcoming Seattle Education Association (SEA) union election. | I AM AN EDUCATOR

On the one-year anniversary the historic MAP test boycott, teachers launch campaign in the upcoming Seattle Education Association (SEA) union election. | I AM AN EDUCATOR:

On the one-year anniversary the historic MAP test boycott, teachers launch campaign in the upcoming Seattle Education Association (SEA) union election.

By I AM AN EDUCATOR on January 21, 2014

Today, I am excited to announce that I am entering the election to run for president of my union, the Seattle Education Association. It is truly an honor to have been nominated to run for president on theSocial Equality Educator’s “Respect” slate of candidates–an unparalleled team of educators in Seattle, running for officer and executive board positions, who are dedicated to achieving the schools Seattle’s children deserve. If you live in the Seattle area, please consider attending our MAP test boycott anniversary celebration and campaign kick off event on Thursday, January 30, 2014 at 4:30 p.m., at the Garfield Community Center (2323 E Cherry St, Seattle). You can RSVP at: https://www.facebook.com/events/584713934950158/

We would be grateful for your support of our campaign by making a secure donation on the Social Equality Educator’s Pay Pal Account located on the side bar of our website. With your help we can win this election and just education system!

Please read the announcement for our campaign:

J A N U A R Y 21, 2 0 1 4

On the one-year anniversary the historic MAP test boycott,

teachers launch campaign in the upcoming

Seattle Education Association (SEA) union election.

Social Equality Educators (SEE) will introduce its “Respect” slate of candidates and education platform for the upcoming SEA union election at a January 30^th Garfield Community Center forum.

Jesse Hagopian, “Secondary Teacher of the Year,” Garfield High School, leader in MAP boycott—For SEA President
Marian Wagner, National Board Certified Teacher, Salmon Bay K-8,
current member of SEA Board of Directors—For SEA Vice President
Dan Troccoli, current Vice President of the SEA Substitute Association, founding member of SEE—For SEA Treasurer

And a slate of other candidates for the SEA Board of Directors

What: MAP Boycott Celebration/SEE Respect union candidates announcement

When: Thursday, January 30, 2014 at 4:30 p.m.

Where: Garfield Community Center (2323 E Cherry St, Seattle)

For more information:

hagopian.jesse@gmail.com

www.socialequalityeducators.org

—

“We have a bold vision for educating Seattle’s children,” said Jesse Hagopian, teacher and Black Student Union advisor at Garfield High School, and SEE’s “Respect” candidate for president in the upcoming Seattle Education Association election. “This month marks the one-year anniversary of the announcement by my colleagues at Garfield that they would defend students by refusing to administer the deeply flawed MAP test. That movement galvanized parents, students, and education advocates across the city and around the nation. Today, educators throughout Seattle—many of whom were inspired by our stand for authentic assessment—are organizing to bring this movement for an equitable, high-quality education into our union election.”

In January of 2013, teachers at Garfield High School began the “MAP test boycott,” a movement that was supported by the student body government and the PTSA. The boycott then spread to several other schools in Seattle, including Orca K-8, Chief Sealth International High School, Ballard High School, Center School, and Thornton Creek Elementary—while solidarity with the boycott spread around Seattle, the nation, and then around the world. The MAP test boycott by Seattle’s educators has been widely credited with having played transformative role in the debate around standardized testing in the U.S.—as was recently recognized in national media, including The Nation, Alternet,ColorLines magazine, and The Washington Post’s “Answer Sheet.”

“It was an extremely difficult decision to run for Vice President of the SEA because I don’t want to leave the classroom. I love the challenge of improving our world through teaching the next generation, but the education of our youth is not being supported systematically,” said Marian Wagner, 5^th grade teacher at Salmon Bay K-8. “I can’t ignore the thunderous cry of phenomenal educators who are not being heard. I am agreeing to step and run on their behalf.”

The Social Equality Educators will host an award ceremony on January 30^th to recognize the leadership and courage of teachers participating in the boycott. Teachers and prominent community leaders fighting for social justice will also speak briefly, followed by the announcement of SEE’s Respect slate of candidates.

“The Respect slate of candidates is made up of teachers who support valid, reliable assessment, responsible evaluation, and full funding for the education of Seattle’s students,” said Dan Troccoli, the current Vice President of the SEA Substitute Association. Educators will elaborate on the Respect platform at the event.

“As a teacher in the Seattle Public Schools and a SEA union representative for many years, I have never been so excited about an election before because of SEE’s ‘Respect’ slate of candidates,” said Roberta Lindeman, a teacher at Chief Sealth High School. “I’m confident that these educators will best represent Seattle’s students and educators, will fight for student and teacher assessment based on best practices, and will bring a voice of reason to education reform.”

Join us as we celebrate this important victory and launch the next

campaign for education justice in Seattle!

Louisiana Educator: Political Priorities Involved in State Contracts

Louisiana Educator: Political Priorities Involved in State Contracts:

Political Priorities Involved in State Contracts

Louisiana Voice blogger Tom Aswell in this blog exposes some of the wasteful excesses found in many of the Jindal consulting contracts.

It does not seem to matter how financially strapped our Louisiana State budget seems to be, there always seems to be room for lavish, politically motivated consulting contracts.

I must admit that I voted for Bobby Jindal the first time he ran for Governor because I thought he would be the kind of public official who would do his job with the highest ethics in true service to the citizens of Louisiana. I was greatly disappointed just like many others that he turned out to be the worst kind of politician.

Some of the abuse of office by Jindal and his lieutenants is created by dozens of unnecessary consulting contracts with various firms. State Treasurer John Kennedy has been calling these contracts to the attention of the legislature and the public for the past two years. Kennedy has suggested legislation that would cut all state contracts by 10%. According to Kennedy, even such a small cut would save the state millions.

It seems the department with some of the most lavish and questionable consulting contracts is the Department of Education managed by Superintendent John White. Last week Kennedy blew the whistle on a $250,000 consulting contract that is supposed to help parents make good choices using the new school voucher

Kindergarten teacher: Too many tests, 'no time to play' | Twin Cities Daily Planet

Kindergarten teacher: Too many tests, 'no time to play' | Twin Cities Daily Planet:

Kindergarten teacher: Too many tests, 'no time to play'

By Sarah Lahm, TC Daily Planet

January 15, 2014

(Photo courtesy of David Boucher)

Kindergarten teacher David Boucher wants time to play. "I would like to see more recess because studies show that more play time makes kids more attentive. It is hard for them to stay focused without play or movement. In fact, it leads to more behavior problems."

Time to play is extremely limited in Boucher's classroom and school. He spoke about his experience as a teacher of young children as part of our Focus on Teaching series, with specific attention to the Minneapolis Public Schools’ current instructional mandate of Focused Instruction.

A Minneapolis resident, David Boucher has a long relationship with the Minneapolis Public Schools, as a student, as a parent of one graduate and one current student, and as a kindergarten teacher at Folwell School, a K-8 Performing Arts Magnet in south Minneapolis.

Can you describe the students in your classroom to me?

I have 27 students, although this number can fluctuate because, on average, six kids transfer in or out during the school year. On average, the kindergarten classrooms at Folwell have between 26 and 28 students. Out of the 27 I have, around 50 percent of them are ELL students, and 14 percent qualify for Special Education services. My school also receives federal Title 1 funding because of its high percentage of ELL students and those who qualify for free and reduced lunch.

What is an average day like for these students?

My students have five-ten minutes of recess a day; there is no time to play. They are required to

Four Years Later–What Stays With You From High School? | Gatsby In L.A.

Four Years Later–What Stays With You From High School? | Gatsby In L.A.:

Four Years Later–What Stays With You From High School?

As I’ve mentioned in previous posts, I sent my children to private school, something I did for reasons that in part were rational–when my oldest went to kindgergarten, the local school was truly terrible and there were no charters at the time–but also in large part irrational: I was driven by the vague conviction that they would get a good education at a private school, though I could not have said exactly what I meant by a “good education,” only that I felt on an instinctual level that whatever it meant, it was what I owed my children, something that literally kept me up at night with worry.

Several years later, as I’ve also mentioned repeatedly, I became a teacher at a charter school in South Los Angeles for similar reasons: to be part of providing a “good education” for children in the community, a drive that again I could not have entirely explained but that also frequently kept me up at night with worry.

But what exactly was I worrying about? I mean, I could name a million tiny details, deadlines, tests, grades, but on some level, I worried for my children and my students that they were not getting what they needed in order to…I couldn’t have said what. Obviously I wanted them to learn stuff and get good grades, but that wouldn’t have kept me up at night. What did they need? What should I have given them?

Now, some years later, with many of them grown, my job as a parent mostly done, my job

1-21-14 THE WHOLE CHILD BLOG - ED Pulse Poll Results: What Is the Best Way for Teachers to Engage Their Students? — Whole Child Education

ED Pulse Poll Results: What Is the Best Way for Teachers to Engage Their Students? — Whole Child Education:

ED Pulse Poll Results: What Is the Best Way for Teachers to Engage Their Students?

ASCD continually seeks to provide solutions to the challenges that face educators of all levels. A recent ASCD SmartBrief ED Pulse poll, suggested by a high school administrator from New Hampshire, asked readers how to best engage students. He wrote: What is the best way for teachers to engage their students? There is so much time and emphasis placed on the Common Core, essential questions, asse

by Kit Harris, ASCD ... / 47min

1-20-14 THE WHOLE CHILD BLOG - This Week Celebrate Kindness — Whole Child Education

This Week Celebrate Kindness — Whole Child Education: THE WHOLE CHILD BLOGThis Week Celebrate KindnessJanuary 20, 2014 by Kristen PekarekThis week—January 20–24th—is designated as No Name-Calling Week(NNCW), an initiative of whole child partner Gay, Lesbian and Straight Education Network (GLSEN) that provides students, teachers, staff, and parents with a week of resources and opportunities to show

by mike simpson / 16h

Teaching in a Dystopic State ! : Lots Less for Lots More and No One Even Seems to Notice (Or Care)

Teaching in a Dystopic State ! : Lots Less for Lots More and No One Even Seems to Notice (Or Care):

Lots Less for Lots More and No One Even Seems to Notice (Or Care)

When I attended college (which of course was many years ago) Semester I began the first week in September and extended to the third week of December during which a one week Christmas vacation was held. After that vacation we returned to school for three additional weeks.

After a one week break Semester II began during the first week of February and continued until mid-June with a one week Spring vacation at mid semester.

Today the college Semester I begins just prior to the first week in September and ends in the first week in December. Some schools even have a break additional to Thanksgiving that they euphemistically call a “study break”.
(I kind of thought students were supposed to be studying throughout the entire semester?)

Semester II doesn’t begin until the last week in January and ends during the first week of

Career Pathways Trust - Year 2014 (CA Dept of Education)

Career Pathways Trust - Year 2014 (CA Dept of Education):

State Schools Chief Tom Torlakson and State Senate Pro Tem Darrell Steinberg Invite Applications for California's $250 Million Career Pathways Trust Grants

SACRAMENTO—California is taking a major step toward helping to keep more students in school and better prepare them for careers and well-paying jobs as schools and education agencies across the state can now apply for grants from the state's new $250 million California Career Pathways Trust fund. The request for applications for programs designed to build seamless pathways between schools, higher education, and careers was announced today by State Superintendent of Public Instruction Tom Torlakson and Senate President pro Tempore Darrell Steinberg.

"We want every student in California to graduate prepared for college and careers," Torlakson said. "We need students to be able to seamlessly transition between high school and post-secondary education, training programs, and gainful employment. Partnerships between our schools, community colleges, and businesses have the potential to make that happen."

The Career Pathways Trust provides competitive grants to create innovative programs and partnerships linking rigorous academic standards to career pathways in high-need and high-growth sectors of the economy. Through curriculum that's relevant to career interests, students will be more engaged and less likely to drop out of school while gaining better preparation for the highly complex and competitive working world of the 21st century. There will also be a significant boost to local, regional, and state economies by providing business and industry with skilled workers. California Community Colleges Chancellor Brice Harris and Workforce Investment Board Executive Director Tim Rainey joined Torlakson and Steinberg for the announcement.

"This model of learning helps bring curriculum to life, by making education more relevant to college and careers," said Steinberg. "Where this career pathways approach has been applied, we've seen reduced dropout rates and avenues to good-paying jobs. With so much attention on helping kids after they fall behind, this substantial grant reaches kids before they may fail."

Applicants for the one-time, competitive grants can include school districts, county education offices, charter schools, and community college districts. The California Career Pathways Trust, spearheaded by Steinberg and included in the state's 2013-14 budget, is administered by the California Department of Education. Grant recipients will be expected to create sustained career pathways programs that connect businesses, K–12 schools, and community colleges to better prepare students for the 21st century workplace.

"These grants will help K-12 and community college students progress through strengthened job training programs that will lead them to employment in industries that are in need of skilled workers," Harris said. "This initiative builds on the California Community Colleges strategic approach for narrowing the skills gap in our state and accelerating the economic recovery."

The grant levels can be as high as $15 million for larger regional programs. Local educational agencies interested in applying for the CCPT should submit a Letter of Intent to Apply by February 14, 2014. Applications should be submitted by March 28, 2014, on the California Department of Education's Funding Web page.

Throughout the month of February, the state Education Department will be hosting a series of workshops around the state to give potential applicants a thorough overview of the application process and an opportunity to have their questions answered directly.

9-11 a.m., February 5, 2014: Fresno County Office of Education, 1111 Van Ness Avenue, Fresno, CA.
1-3 p.m., February 7, 2014: Health and Human Services Auditorium, 1500 Capital Avenue, Sacramento, CA.
9-11 a.m., February 12, 2014: Los Angeles County Office of Education, Education Center Room 100, 9300 Imperial Highway, Downey, CA.

What's Being Written about the Career Pathways Trust

Linking Schools with Business Partners]

Bruce Maiman, The Sacramento Bee, January 7, 2014

"More than 100,000 California students drop out each year, according to educators. Well, instead of teaching subjects in the abstract, can we teach, say, mathematics and computers to aspiring auto mechanics relative to the repair of today's complex car engines without sacrificing standards? In this state, doesn't learning Spanish make you more marketable to companies looking to serve more customers? We can't meet the future with a system designed to address the economic circumstances of the past."

Linked Learning Seems to Work for High School Students]

George Skelton, The Los Angeles Times, November 13, 2013

"It used to be called ‘shop.' Then educators started using two-bit labels like 'vocational education.' And it got worse. ‘Career tech,' they renamed it when the dot.com era emerged. Now it goes by ‘linked learning.' Or is it ‘career pathways?'

"Whatever it's called, it seems to work for high schoolers where it exists, which isn't enough places. It provides relevance to their studies and sets them on a career path. So maybe ‘career pathways' is a better tag after all."

DeAnza High Students in El Sobrante Excited by Hands-on Learning

Theresa Harrington, The Contra Costa Times, November 8, 2013

"Some health academy students are studying diabetes in an integrated curriculum that even includes their Spanish class, linking coursework so they can see connections in their community. Similarly, law academy students visit courtrooms to see justice in action, said Judge Judy Johnson, who works with the program.

"'In an academic framework, we bring it home to them when they see a defendant in court being arraigned and told what the charges are against them,' she said. ‘Or sometimes they've seen people taken away and incarcerated for a crime they've been convicted of committing.'"

# # # #

Tom Torlakson — State Superintendent of Public Instruction
Communications Division, Room 5206, 916-319-0818, Fax 916-319-0100

UPDATE: Governors Race to the Drop (of Common Core) | Truth in American Education

Governors Race to the Drop (of Common Core) | Truth in American Education:

Kentucky Bills Filed to Stop Common Core and Next Generation Science Standards

Richard Innes of The Bluegrass Institute informed me that there are two bills that have been filed related to the Common Core State Standards and Next Generation Science Standards.The first bill, Kentucky House Bill 215 calls for dropping the Common Core State Standards and Next Generation Science Standards, reasserts state sovereignty over education, and requires better data security for educatio

by Shane Vander Hart / 1h

Governors Race to the Drop (of Common Core)

Filed in Common Core State Standards, Education at State Level by Shane Vander Hart on January 21, 2014• 0 Comments

I have to admit. I didn’t coin that title; credit goes to Heather Crossin who coined it in an email. We have had a couple of Governors make some statements about the Common Core as state legislatures go into session.

Republican Governor Mike Pence of Indiana in his state of the state address last week said: “Hoosiers have high expectations when it comes to Indiana schools. That’s why Indiana decided to take a time-out on national education standards,” Pence said. “When it comes to setting standards for schools, I can assure you, Indiana’s will be uncommonly high. They will be written by Hoosiers, for Hoosiers and will be among the best in the nation.”

After the address Indiana Superintendent of Public Instruction Glenda Ritz said “We always adopt our own standards. It just so happens that in 2010 the State Board of Education adopted the Common Core as its standards. We are reviewing those standards. I’m pretty confident there are going to be changes to those standards. And Indiana will be adopting a new set of standards.”

Heather Crossin (who again gets credit for the title) cautioned Hoosiers:

However, we must also add the cautionary words of “not so fast.” Hoosiers want real change when it comes to the content of future standards – minor revisions and a simple name change won’t cut it. On this point, we turn your attention to Breitbart’s coverage of Pence’s remarks, in which Common Core supporters Derek Redelman, of the Indiana

1-21-14 Schools Matter

Schools Matter:

"STANDARDIZED" Documentary Philadelphia February 6

This very important and timely film is a must see. It will make its debut at Howard Middle School in Orlando, Florida on January 25 and will be in Philadelphia on Thursday, February 6 at 6 pm.Check the web site to see where it is playing and bring it to a theatre or a school near you.Filmmaker David Hornberger of Rockfish Productions attended the Occupy the Department of Education events in 2012 a

by freetoteach / 3h

Tennessee Politicians Squirm As Gates Classroom Cameras and Biometric Devices Become Public Knowledge

From Clockwork Orange“Track me” is an oft-repeated command barked by the positivized would-be teachers and temporary missionaries who receive a modicum of training to stand guard over children incarcerated in segregated corporate reform schools that have come to be regarded by Wall Street and Pennsylvania Avenue, alike, as the solution to the growing problem of poor urban populations. These tota

2 by Jim Horn / 18min

1-19-14 Schools Matter

Schools Matter: Selections from, comments on Ravitch, Everything you need to know about the common coreExcerpts from, and a few friendly comments on, Diane Ravitch's essay, Everything you need to know about the common core. (Comments marked with "SK"). My hope is that this very strong essay will turn the tide.http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/answer-sheet/wp/2014/01/18/everything-you

by mike simpson / 14h

Schooling in the Ownership Society: Norway fund won't invest in Walmart because they breach 'human rights & labor rights'. Gates objects.

Schooling in the Ownership Society: Norway fund won't invest in Walmart because they breach 'human rights & labor rights'. Gates objects.:

Norway fund won't invest in Walmart because they breach 'human rights & labor rights'. Gates objects.

Report from Davos where the super-rich and powerful come to party and to strategize.

Norway has a population slightly larger than the state of South Carolina but its government-run wealth fund has $833 billion in assets, making it one of the largest investors in the world. It owns 1.25 percent of all the shares worldwide, 2.5 percent in Europe, and it has a unique ethical mandate. That sees it avoid companies such as Walmart, which Norway deemed to have breached "human rights and labour rights."

But Bill Gates wants to change all that. The world's richest man is pushing for a

Will I or Won’t I? | Crazy Crawfish's Blog

Will I or Won’t I? | Crazy Crawfish's Blog:

Will I or Won’t I?

Posted on January 21, 2014

Now that the pseudo-speculation is over about David Vitter entering the governor’s race. . .

http://www.businessreport.com/article/20140121/BUSINESSREPORT0117/140129974

Republican U.S. Sen. David Vitter will be a candidate in Louisiana’s 2015 governor’s race, announcing his decision this morning in an email to supporters. “I believe that as our next Governor, I can have a bigger impact addressing the unique challenges and opportunities we face in Louisiana,” the senator says in an email obtained by The Associated Press from a member of Vitter’s staff. Vitter’s announcement ends months of speculation about his intentions, and his decision is expected to influence which other potential candidates enter the race. Read Daily Report AM for more on this story.

Maybe it’s time to consider livening up this race myself? Does anyone remember when we used to have interesting races where people actually debated and talked about issues rather than simply anointing the candidate with the most money obtained from corporate sponsors who simply sold us out to their donors? I have a plan for taxation, education and government streamlining (eliminating the wasteful no-bid contracts like the one Jindal just handed to campaign contributor Alvarez & Marsal would be a great start.)

Personally, I think there is too much corporate money in elections. Vitter and his allies are trying to remove all campaign limits for corporate SuperPac donors. I want to reduce the amount of outside money and

1-21-14 Fred Klonsky | Daily posts from a retired public school teacher

Fred Klonsky | Daily posts from a retired public school teacher who is just looking at the data.:

Bev Johns. ISBE class size rules are dead. For now. But Koch is still spreading lies.

- Bev Johns frequently contributes information on special education issues. She is an education activist and advocate. ISBE now says the special ed class size rule is dead, but is stillspreading the absolutely false idea that the current rules somehow restrict “access to the most rigorous classes.” ISBE told the Chicago Sun-Times, “The rule process is such that these proposed rules will expire and

by Fred Klonsky / 18min

Breaking: ISBE pulls class size limits off their agenda again. Good work.

The Chicago Teachers Union’s Kristine Mayle is reporting that the proposal to remove special education class size limits has once again been pulled from the agenda of the Illinois State Board of Educatiion. They were planning to address the issue today. But a huge mobilization of emails and phone calls by parents, teachers and special education advocates across the state appears to have had impact

by Fred Klonsky / 10min

Coffee with Aaron Goldstein.

Candidate for the 40th Illinois House seat, Aaron Goldstein. Former Machine Democratic Boss Dick Mell gave his daughter the 40th State Rep seat on Chicago’s north-west side. Machine bosses do that kind of thing. Just like Cook County Democratic Chairman Joe Berrios. He gave his daughter, Toni Berrios, the 39th district. When Dick retired from the City Council, he gave his aldermanic seat to his

by Fred Klonsky / 30min

1-20-14 Fred Klonsky | Daily posts from a retired public school teacher

Fred Klonsky | Daily posts from a retired public school teacher who is just looking at the data.: Illinois election choices.Bev Johns is a frequent contributor to this blog. She mostly keeps me and you up to date on the attempts by the ISBE to raise the class size limits that currently are in place for special education students. She also writes frequently about the election for governor of illino

by mike simpson / 18min

Latest News and Comment from Education

Tuesday, January 21, 2014