Wednesday, March 9, 2011

Big Education Ape: 3-9-11, Special #wiunion What a Load of Crap Edition

Big Education Ape: Ed News Now, Politics

Big Education Ape: Ed News Now



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Politics
boston.com - LANSING, Mich.—Hundreds of people angered by bills that would give broad new powers to emergency financial managers crowded into Michigan's Capitol rotunda on Tuesday, chanting loud enough to be he...


coopmike48
democurmudgeon.blogspot.com - As I've mentioned a number of times before, TPM has done an amazing job covering the Wisconsin protests and political scene, and continues to do so with the article below. Uppidy Wisconsin ups the ...


coopmike48
tpmdc.talkingpointsmemo.com - Wisconsin state Senate Majority Leader Scott Fitzgerald (R) expressed his frustration with the state's recall laws, during a press conference on Tuesday.Fitzgerald's off-the-cuff comments sounded l...


coopmike48
blogs.edweek.org - The U.S. Senate has just defeated a pair of measures that would have gone in very directions on education spending, sending Congress back to the drawing board on spending bills for the current fede...


coopmike48
huffingtonpost.com - WASHINGTON — President Barack Obama is meeting Wednesday with Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton before hosting a White House party to watch basketball.In between, Obama will meet with the n...


mikeklonsky
michaelklonsky.blogspot.com - If you didn't, you can watch her here. She's at her very best, with great interviews with Shock Doctrine author, Naomi Klein and former GOP chairman, Michael Steele. First, Maddow declares a victor...


mikeklonsky
bigeducationape.blogspot.com - Americans Oppose Republican Attack on Unions in Poll - BloombergAmericans Oppose Republican Attack on Unions in PollBy William Selway - Mar 8, 2011 9:00 PM PTinShareMorePrintEmailOhio Governor John...


coopmike48
frederickhess.org - by Frederick M. Hess • Mar 9, 2011 at 9:44 amCross-posted from Education Weekhttp://www.frederickhess.org/2011/03/from-the-department-of-feigned-indignationIt's being played as big news that one ...


coopmike48
schooltechconnect.com - 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 excell...


tbfurman
news.firedoglake.com - This is quite a power play by the Wisconsin Republicans. Despite all the public opinion against them, despite weeks of protests, they have apparently decided to end the political careers of most of...


coopmike48
oregonlive.com - Published: Wednesday, March 09, 2011, 11:46 AM Updated: Wednesday, March 09, 2011, 12:49 PMThe Oregon House again postponed a debate and vote on House Bill 2287, which modifies the state charte...


coopmike48
defendwisconsin.org - Republicans continue to wish they could have it both ways. They say they are limiting collective bargaining for the economy, but now may be stripping it from other fiscal matters to move it toward ...


coopmike48
budget.wispolitics.com - State Sen. Dan Kapanke said this afternoon that he expects those organizing a recall effort against him would gather the needed signatures to trigger an election.Still, he said he was undeterred by...


coopmike48
nj.com - Published: Wednesday, March 09, 2011, 10:45 AM Updated: Wednesday, March 09, 2011, 11:29 AMTRENTON — The state’s largest teachers union last year spent $6.6 million on an ad campaign targeting ...


coopmike48
politico.com - March 09, 2011 The Senate today rejected the House GOP's spending package -- a spending bill that included the controversial provision to strip Planned Parenthood of its federal funding. The failed...


coopmike48
bigeducationape.blogspot.com - Mike Klonsky's SmallTalk Blog: Did you watch Maddow last night?Did you watch Maddow last night?by Mike KlonskyIf you didn't, you can watch her here. She's at her very best, with great interviews wi...


coopmike48
blogs.edweek.org - It's being played as big news that one consequence of Wisconsin governor Scott Walker's efforts to dial back public employee collective bargaining is that it would, gasp, weaken his political oppon...


mikeklonsky
defendwisconsin.org - The state Capitol is returning to a semblance of normalcy now that hundreds of protest signs have been removed and rules that went by the wayside during nearly three weeks of protests will once aga...


coopmike48
bigeducationape.blogspot.com - ThinkProgress » WI Senate GOP Leader Admits On-Air That His Goal Is To Defund Labor Unions, Hurt Obama’s Reelection ChancesWI Senate GOP Leader Admits On-Air That His Goal Is To Defund Labor Unions...


coopmike48
news.firedoglake.com - It wasn’t looking good for the boys in blue states as of last night. Their gentlemen’s agreement on filibusters had officially collapsed. Then Republicans reversed course, allowing votes today on c...


coopmike48
metropulse.com - Gov. Bill Haslam is trying to reassure teachers that the Republicans are not at war with them, just determined to reward good teachers and encourage the not-good teachers to find another line of wo...


coopmike48
upi.com - Published: March. 9, 2011 at 10:56 AM US President Barack Obama listends as he and Australian Prime Minister Julia Gillard speak with U.S. history students at Wakefield High School in Arlington, Vi...


coopmike48
bigeducationape.blogspot.com - Wis. Gov. Walker's Rapidly Sinking Ship Takes on More Water | AFL-CIO NOW BLOGWis. Gov. Walker’s Rapidly Sinking Ship Takes on More Water by Tula Connell, Mar 8, 2011714Share This from AFL-CIO Pol...


coopmike48
theatlanticwire.com - Washington Post political columnist David Broder has died at 81. According to the Post, he passed away Wednesday in Arlington due to complications from diabetes. A legend of the newsroom, Broder wo...


coopmike48

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coopmike48 SHUT DOWN the failed Enterprise Zone Program! California Labor Federation Action Center -http://goo.gl/Irvlw34 minutes ago · reply
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coopmike48 FB RT: #WIUnion Know anyone in Madison? Tell them to get down to the Capitol now! Word on the ground is tha… (cont) http://deck.ly/~rQDeY33 minutes ago · reply
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coopmike48 FB RT #WEAC: Against the strong objections of Assembly Minority Leader Peter Barca, arguing a violation of th… (cont) http://deck.ly/~BB7jJ18 minutes ago · reply
huffingtonpost.com - WASHINGTON -- Union officials in Wisconsin are accusing Gov. Scott Walker of selectively leaking emails in an effort to come off as more compromising than he has been in the debate over his sharply...


coopmike48
politico.com - In Wisconsin and other battleground states, there is a fight taking place about the future of our society. It is a fight about democracy, fairness and common sense. It is not a fight about collecti...


coopmike48
boston.com - LITTLE ROCK, Ark.—Arkansas lawmakers on Tuesday approved legislation to create a website that would track spending by all state agencies, except higher education.The measure, which passed through t...


coopmike48
democracynow.org - On Saturday, March 5, 2011, thousands of people rallied in Madison, Wisconsin on the steps of the state capitol. Among those who took to the microphone, was academy award winning filmmaker, Michael...


leoniehaimson
defendwisconsin.org - – March 8, 2011Posted in: Announcements Senator Jauch wrote in a letter today: Since Governor Walker introduced this legislation, I have talked with Republican lawmakers and former Thompson Cabinet...


coopmike48
msnbc.msn.com - MADISON, Wis. — Wisconsin Gov. Scott Walker has offered to keep certain collective bargaining rights in place for state workers in a proposed compromise aimed at ending a nearly three-week standoff...


coopmike48
boston.com - JACKSON, Miss.—A plan approved by a Mississippi Senate committee on Tuesday would cut state funding to public classrooms by at least $65 million next fiscal year, critics say.That's because the Sen...


coopmike48
news.firedoglake.com - The President has been completely disengaged on the budget battle in Congress, preferring to let them battle it out while he jets around the country and says “win the future” a lot. And some member...


coopmike48
politicallyillustrated.com - BY: Richard Long Published: March 08, 2011 SAN FRANCISCO (Politically Illustrated) – Wisconsin Gov. Scott Walker proposed a compromise via e-mail to end a nearly three-week standoff with absent Sen...


coopmike48
truth-out.org - The most revealing comments by politicians are rarely revealed. This is because they're made in unrecorded conversations, when politicos let their guard down. However, in a recent sting, blogger Ia...


coopmike48
kochwatch.org - March 8, 2011- Here's a novel approach to blunting the power of public sector unions. New Hampshire Republicans are proposing to penalize state employees if they sue the government for breach of co...


coopmike48
seattleducation2010.wordpress.com - Below is an introduction by Jim Horn of Schools Matter on a segment that Rachel Maddow did yesterday on state budgets and unions. Jim has in his post the video clips of the Rachel Maddow show. A re...


coopmike48

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

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.

###

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

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
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Word Attack: “Objective” « Failing Schools

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

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

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

TestThe 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

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Day of Solidarity with UPR Students « occupy california

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

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

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

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.
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solidaridad: Naomi Klein discussing school privatization and union busting

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
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Schools Matter: Adventures on the Striving Readers Webinar

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

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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

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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?) | 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

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