SUNY looks for new operator to take over failing charter school | GothamSchools

SUNY looks for new operator to take over failing charter school | GothamSchools

SUNY looks for new operator to take over failing charter school

by Maura Walz

For the first time, SUNY officials are looking to turn around a struggling charter school with new leadership rather than shutting it down immediately for poor performance.
Rather than closing Harlem Day Charter School for its low test scores, the SUNY Charter School Institute is trying to find a new operator to replace the school’s board, administration and staff.
“The key element here is that really the only thing that would remain would be students,” said Jonas Chartock, the institute’s executive director. The idea is that the school’s 240 students would experience less disruption if their school was restructured rather than closed.
The call for applications that SUNY released today does not explicitly name Harlem Day. But that school’s charter is up for renewal this year and its enrollment numbers match those described in SUNY’s document. Harlem Day’s progress report grade this year ranked the school as the 11th poorest-performing elementary or

Remainders: Did you vote? Go vote! Polls close at 9

by Anna Phillips

• EdWeek will be posting schools-focused election updates all night. Follow them here.
• If Dems lose a lot of seats tonight, how will that affect major education initiatives? (Eduflack)
• Mike Petrilli says more Republicans will means less money and less federal reform. (Flypaper)
• Races in CT and CO are among those worth watching for education reasons. (Politics K-12)
• A voter discovered “wacky hand-lettering” in the public school where he voted today. (Twitter)
• One mother’s charter school tour in “Waiting for Superman” was filmed after her son lost the lottery. (NYT)
• A teacher says the city isn’t following the timeline it set in its new rubber room agreement. (Chaz)
• A project meant to hold students’ attention ends with a third of them failing. (GothamSchools)
• Suspensions are the go-to response, but they don’t seem to do students any good. (NYC Educator)
• The idea of community schools has become popular, but in Baltimore they haven’t worked. (CityPaper)
• A look at who might be on the union-side of D.C.’s next year in school reform. (EdWeek)

Teacher Monday Cash for Classrooms - Cash and fresh fruit for teachers - Eat Healthy. Live Healthy.

Teacher Monday Cash for Classrooms - Cash and fresh fruit for teachers - Eat Healthy. Live Healthy.

Teen suspended for riding horse to school — Joanne Jacobs

Teen suspended for riding horse to school — Joanne Jacobs

Teen suspended for riding horse to school

by Joanne

To celebrate school spirit week, a Boston-area high school student dressed up as a knight and rode his family’s horse around the school. Dan DePaolis, 17, was suspended for two days for endangering the student body; a friend, who dressed as a squire and led the horse at a sedate walk, got a one-day suspension and two hours of community service.

“They told my son it’s the equivalent of bringing in

Ballot Box: Supporters Try to Re-elect D.C. Mayor - Washington Wire - WSJ

Ballot Box: Supporters Try to Re-elect D.C. Mayor - Washington Wire - WSJ

Ballot Box: Supporters Try to Re-elect D.C. Mayor

By Louise Radnofsky

Supporters of Washington, D.C., Mayor Adrian Fenty don’t give up easily.

D.C. , right, accompanied by DC City Council chairman and Democratic Mayoral candidate Vincent Gray, center, and Washington Mayor Adrian Fenty (L), presumptive mayor Vincent Gray and Schools Chancellor Michelle Rhee during the announcement of Rhee’s resignation on Oct. 13. (AP Photo/Pablo Martinez Monsivais)

No matter that the mayor lost the crucial Democratic primary in September and endorsed the victor, Vincent Gray. No matter that he declined to accept the Republican nomination, and has said he doesn’t expect to run for elected office again.

Today, Fenty fans sent recorded telephone messages telling voters that they could still elect Mr. Fenty by writing in his name on their general election ballots. Volunteers outside polling stations across the city are handing out fliers explaining the process and urging: “Democratic Supporters vote again + Independents + Republicans = 4 more years

Educationally-Related Mental Health Services Restored After Lawsuit Filed by Civil Rights Coalition -- LOS ANGELES, Nov. 2, 2010 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ --

Educationally-Related Mental Health Services Restored After Lawsuit Filed by Civil Rights Coalition -- LOS ANGELES, Nov. 2, 2010 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ --

Educationally-Related Mental Health Services Restored After Lawsuit Filed by Civil Rights Coalition

LOS ANGELES, Nov. 2, 2010 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- A federal court in Los Angeles today approved a stipulated injunction which will temporarily restore educationally-related mental health services to California and Los Angeles Countystudents who require the services to stay in school. In California, these life-saving mental health services are commonly known as "AB 3632" services.

A coalition – consisting of Public Counsel, Disability Rights California, Gibson, Dunn & Crutcher, and Mental Health Advocacy Services, Inc. – brought a statewide class action on October 21, 2010, against the Governor and various state and local defendants for unlawfully discontinuing funding for such services – which include crisis counseling, case and medication management, and residential placement for students with severe mental health issues.

On Thursday, October 28, 2010, the coalition filed a request for a temporary restraining order and motion for preliminary injunction in federal court, asking the judge to order the California Department of Education "to ensure that students with disabilities who require educationally-related mental health services continue to receive these without interruption or delay." The motion also sought injunctive relief against the Los Angeles County Department of Mental Health, the Los Angeles Unified School District, and the Los Angeles County Office of Education, among others, to compel them to continue providing these critical services to students.

Before the motion could be heard, an agreement was reached whereby the California Department of Education would release$76 million of federal funds for the short-term continuation of these services, which are expected to benefit more than 20,000

Governor Christie unveils Education Effectiveness Taskforce | Jackson Township NJ News – Jackson's best source for local news.

Governor Christie unveils Education Effectiveness Taskforce | Jackson Township NJ News – Jackson's best source for local news.

Governor Christie unveils Education Effectiveness Taskforce

Posted by NJ News on Nov 2nd, 2010 and filed under New Jersey News. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0. You can skip to the end and leave a response. Pinging is currently not allowed.

Trenton, NJ – Today, Governor Chris Christie announced the appointment of members to the newly created Education Effectiveness Task Force. The nine member Task Force, established by Executive Order No. 42, is charged with recommending a fair and transparent system of educator evaluations that centers on student learning and achievement. The recommendations must center on a fair and transparent system of educator evaluations that fairly weigh measuring student achievement and utilizing demonstrated practices of effective teachers and leaders. The Task Force shall provide the Governor with an initial report no later than March 1, 2011.

Governor Chris Christie stated, “Teachers are the single most important factor in a student’s success in school. But today, the current method for evaluating the performance and effectiveness of educators throughout New Jersey is inadequate and unrelated to the most important goal we have as parents, educators and leaders: how well our children are learning.

“Today, I’ve appointed nine New Jerseyans to identify and recommend a system of evaluating New Jersey’s teachers and principals that puts results for our

The Answer Sheet - What Michelle Rhee did in D.C.: Point by point

The Answer Sheet - What Michelle Rhee did in D.C.: Point by point

What Michelle Rhee did in D.C.: Point by point

This was written by Rachel Levy, a native of Washington D.C. and a graduate of the city's public school system. She has been a teacher of social studies and E.S.O.L. in D.C. Public Schools, Albemarle County Public Schools in Virginia, and in Oakland, Calif. She is a writer who lives in Ashland, Va., with her husband and three children. A version of this piece appeared on her education blog athttp://allthingsedu.blogspot.com

By Rachel Levy
Here's what a lot of people are saying about Michelle Rhee as they sort out her legacy as chancellor of Washington D.C. public schools: Her policies were right on target and she moved city schools forward, but her big problem was simply that she didn’t play well with others. This assessment is wrong. Her reforms weren’t good policy, and criticism that her hard-charging style stifled her own well-intentioned reforms, such as is made here, misses the point.

Rhee's ideas about how to fix the ailing school system were largely misinformed, and it's no wonder: She knew little about instruction, curriculum, management, fiscal matters, and community relations. She was, to be sure, abrasive; she and Mayor Adrian Fenty, admitted as

Sacramento Press / Correction: Vote for Community! Mayor Kevin Johnson

Sacramento Press / Correction: Vote for Community!

Correction: Vote for Community!

Dear Mr. Mayor, I know that you have been busy with the election and all, and then the wedding plans, and finding a place for Sacramento’s homeless, and keeping the Kings in town, the rail yard deal,etc. etc. etc. But Dude; you gotta proof read the emails your vast media machine puts out. They got some of it wrong. I did a quick Big Education Ape touchup: what do you think?
your pal,
Mike

Correction: Vote for Community!

Dear Neighbor,

This email isn't going to bore you with the standard "here's why Election Day is important to democracy" lecture. If you're reading this, you know Election Day matters.

What you may not know is why Tuesday means so much down the ticket -- where the school board candidates reside.
We have a chance on Nov. 2 to create real community in Sacramento. Three people running for the Sacramento City Unified school board can make the difference. They need your support.

Ellyne Bell (Area 1), Jeff Cuneo (Area 2) and Darrel Woo (Area 6) are determined to continue the great leadership of the school district that is serving a majority of our community.

Nothing is more important to Sacramento's future than the education of our youngest citizens -- our children. As it stands, the Sacramento City school district is governed for the benefit of the community.

That's why our schools are keeping pace with progressive districts in the nation. And that's why parents who can get their kids in West High School, Sutter Middle School and Golden Empire Elementary School.

Bell , Cuneo and Woo will change the focus of leadership at Sac City, and make community the focus of our kid’s education.

Bell , Cuneo and Woo will bring community to city schools, giving parents voices and helping great teachers and administrators continue to improve Sac City schools.

You know why it's important to vote on on Election Day. But this time, your vote is more important than ever. The city's future and the future of our children is depending on your vote.

- Kevin

Of Course Mayor Johnson did not say exactly what is written above, this is a joke. But the election tomorrow is not a JOKE,

Vote for Community!

NYC Public School Parents: The importance of class size reduction, and how to counter the corporate reformers who oppose it

NYC Public School Parents: The importance of class size reduction, and how to counter the corporate reformers who oppose it

The importance of class size reduction, and how to counter the corporate reformers who oppose it

by Leonie Haimson

Check out my latest column on Huffington Post, on the importance of class size, and the truth about the seven myths propounded by the corporate reformers like Bloomberg and Bill Gates, who argue against class size reduction while sending their own kids to private schools with small classes.

Then read about the real-life experience of a NYC high school teacher, showing how much class size matters in practice to students.

Finally, send these links to your friends and family who

Mystery Huberman Announcement - District 299: Chicago Public Schools Blog

Mystery Huberman Announcement - District 299: Chicago Public Schools Blog

Teachers: Crunch Time In The Classroom [image: Md_horiz (4)]It's make or break time not just for elected officials but also for new teachers. Between now and the winter break is when many rookies hit the wall, realizing that classroom teaching is hard no matter how smart they are and how ...

Mystery Huberman Announcement [image: Hubermanpodium(1)] I'm hearing that there's an announcement coming out of the Board today -- possibly a date and destination for Huberman's departure and (one assumes) safe landing spot. Anyone know the s scoop -- when he's leaving and where ..

The Answer Sheet - Rhee's testing legacy: An open question

The Answer Sheet - Rhee's testing legacy: An open question

Rhee's testing legacy: An open question

This was written by Matthew Di Carlo, senior fellow at the non-profit Albert Shanker Institute, which is located in Washington, D.C. A version of this appeared on the institute’s blog. By Matthew Di Carlo Hardly anybody, regardless of their opinion about the newly departed D.C. Schools Chancellor Michelle Rhee thinks that test scores alone are an adequate indicator of student success. But this is how the debate has unfolded, in no small part because of her own emphasis on them. Her aim was to raise scores and, with few exceptions (also here and here), even those who objected to her “abrasive” style and controversial policies seem to believe that she succeeded wildly in the testing area. This conclusion is premature. A review of the record shows that Rhee’s test score “legacy” is an open question.

Giving Teachers a Standing Ovation – ED.gov Blog

Giving Teachers a Standing Ovation – ED.gov Blog

Giving Teachers a Standing Ovation

Under the bright lights of the Kennedy Center’s Concert Hall, the audience rose to applaud and salute the 662 most highly effective teachers in the District of Columbia Public Schools.

Secretary of Education Arne Duncan joined the city’s leaders, the teachers’ friends and colleagues at the DC Public Education Fund’s “A Standing Ovation for Teachers” event to celebrate our heroes in the classroom.

“What teachers do every day to transform students’ lives is amazing,” Secretary Arne Duncan said in his speech. “When they come in hungry, you get them fed. When they can’t see the blackboard, you get them glasses. Because of your tenacity and courage, students’ lives are changed every day.”

While all of the highly effective teachers received a standing ovation, seven of them were given the first annual Excellence in Teaching Awards. These teachers were selected from the entire pool of highly effective teachers through a process that involved classroom observation, student achievement data, recommendations, and interviews. They were introduced by local news anchor Jim Vance, former Chancellor Michelle Rhee, and other city leaders.

In a night of speeches about the power of teachers, the best stories came from the honorees. Benjamin Banneker High School English teacher Charles Feeser has his students create nametags referring to themselves as “Mr.” or “Ms.” instead of just their first names. “I believe in rituals,” he said in a video interview shown during the ceremony. “If students realize that there are rituals that transcend the classroom, they now have tools they can use in the larger public sphere.”

Another recipient, Iver Ricks from Burrville Elementary School, thanked her students for inspiring her every day and explained that she wanted to get them off to a great start in school “because we prepare them for life.”

This “Standing Ovation” event gave teachers the applause they deserve and showed once again that caring adults are transforming the lives of children every day.

This entry was written by pkickbush, posted on November 2, 2010 at 11:47 am, filed under Headlines, News. Bookmark the permalink. Follow any comments here with the RSS feed for this post. Both comments and trackbacks are currently closed.

MOVIE REVIEW: The Lottery | Taking Note

MOVIE REVIEW: The Lottery | Taking Note

MOVIE REVIEW: The Lottery

by JOHN MERROW on 02. NOV, 2010 in CHARTER SCHOOLS, MEDIA, PARENTING, PARENTS, TEACHERS UNIONS, TEACHING

Put one notion to rest: The Lottery is not a poor cousin of Waiting for Superman.  In some respects it’s a purer and more honest film, ferocious in its anger.  And although an NPR reviewer called it “a devastating piece of propaganda,” the filmmaker begs to disagree.

Madeleine Sackler, not yet 30 years old, says The Lottery simply tells the stories of the lives of four families as they struggle to find better educational opportunities for their children.  “That word, propaganda, has a negative connotation,” she said. “This movie is true.”

The Lottery follows four families in a poor part of New York City, a neighborhood with failing schools but also one that is becoming gentrified.  As poorer residents see wealthy (generally white) families moving in, they end up fighting for what is theirs, and that means, ironically, that they end up fighting to keep their failing schools.

Sackler has sympathy for the families, whether they are pro- or anti-charte

Union Election Could Shape D.C. Ed. Reform's Future - Teacher Beat - Education Week

Union Election Could Shape D.C. Ed. Reform's Future - Teacher Beat - Education Week

Union Election Could Shape D.C. Ed. Reform's Future

by Stephen Sawchuk

Last week, the American Federation of Teachers released results from the internal Washington Teachers' Union election, in which four candidates were vying to run the roughly 4,000-member D.C. affiliate.

You'd be forgiven for expecting a high degree of turnout given all the attention that D.C. has received in the press, but you'd be wrong: A surprisingly low number of teachers voted, just over 20 percent of the teaching force. The outcome was very close, with current WTU Vice President Nathan Saunders' slate coming out 21 votes ahead of incumbent President George Parker. A runoff commences this month with the results due out in early December.

The low turnout doesn't make the stakes any less high for the D.C. school system, though. The winner of this election will be working with interim Chancellor Kaya Henderson on the continuing implementation of the district's teacher contract, including the new IMPACT Plus performance-bonus system. And he'll have the

This Week In Education: Thompson: The Two Sides of Testing

This Week In Education: Thompson: The Two Sides of Testing

Thompson: The Two Sides of Testing

by john thompson

Bill Gates benefited from a transfer from a public school where testing was not "cool." Gates then became #1 on a math test. So the way to help all students learn is to impose standardized tests on everyone? Gates should read Teacher in a Strange Land and the story of Ryder. Ryder loved to read until the third grade regime of "worksheet after worksheet after worksheet." The smart little boy's love of learning slowly disappeared as he was assigned three timed math fact pages a night. The Accelerated Reading goals and the high-stakes TAKS Math test forced Ryder cry himself to

White Supremacist Group Pours Money Into Private Mississippi Schools | Education | Change.org

White Supremacist Group Pours Money Into Private Mississippi Schools | Education | Change.org

White Supremacist Group Pours Money Into Private Mississippi Schools

by Carol Scott

For only $25 a year, you, too, can become a member of the hate-spewing Council of Conservative Citizens, a group that preaches the inherent Christianity of America, the belief that the U.S. is a "European" nation and that "the American people and government should remain European in their composition and character." Translation: White supremacism.

If you're not already repulsed, check out the group's "traditional family values" platform, which opposes homosexuality and "mixture of the races."

There are about a zillion things wrong with this group, but perhaps the scariest thing is that group members

SacCity Breeze - Scholastic Journalism Initiative - Teens resort to fighting

SacCity Breeze - Scholastic Journalism Initiative - Teens resort to fighting

Teens resort to fighting

Tuesday, November 02, 2010 By Anh Minh Tran Gerber Community Road School

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So why does fighting keep occurring at high schools inSacramento? Fighting among students in school is a serious problem in the area. A 2002 national survey of high school student found that more than one in three students had been in a physical fight and about one in seven had been in a physical fight on school property and outside of school.
Those who fight often are hurt badly enough to need medical treatment. A fight typically happens with three or more teens who have chosen to use fighting to resolve conflicts or arguments.
Because fights are so common, many people think that is a normal part of growing up. While it is true that teens (teenage boys in this particular area) have always engaged in fist fights, today most of them carry deadly weapons. A self -administered questionnaire was given to a group of ninth through 12th grade students nationally verified this fact.
Fights that involve weapons, such as guns, knives and bats, are a major cause of serious injuries and deaths among teenagers in school.
Fortunately, an increasing number of teenagers are learning that while disagreements are inevitable, there are more effective ways to resolve a conflict or an argument and keep the peace in the surrounded areas.
Why do some teens fight? When a group of junior and senior high students from the Sacramento area were asked to identify the causes of their most recent fights. The most frequent response was that someone insulted someone or treated them with disrespectfully ( 54 percent). Forty