Chicago Teachers v. Rahm Emanuel | Dailycensored.com

Chicago Teachers v. Rahm Emanuel | Dailycensored.com:

Chicago Teachers v. Rahm Emanuel

by stephenl

Except for Harold Washington (1983 – 1987), Chicago never had populist mayors. Father (Richard J.) and son (Richard M.) Daley ran the city like their private fiefdom for over 40 years.

In his book “Boss,” noted journalist Mike Royko described Richard J. as follows:

“If ever a man reflected a city, it was Richard J. Daley.” He was “strong (and) hard-driving.” He had Texas-sized ambitions. He was also “arrogant, crude, conniving, ruthless, suspicious, intolerant, raucous, hot-tempered, devious, big and powerful.” He was Chicago.

Time magazine said Richard M. “wield(ed) near-imperial power.”

Current Mayor Rahm Emanuel matches them and then some. Add war criminal and corporate predator to his credentials. As White House chief of staff, he was part of Obama’s war cabinet. As Chicago mayor, he’s waging 

Daily Kos: 11 years ago this morning

Daily Kos: 11 years ago this morning:

11 years ago this morning

by rss@dailykos.com (teacherken)

I was in my classroom at Williamsburg Middle School in Arlington VA, two and a half miles from the house in which I write these words.  The Principal's secretary came into my room and motioned me over to her.
"Your wife called to tell you Ron is all right."
I expressed puzzlement.
"Your wife called to tell you your brother-in-law Ron is all right."
Ron is an FBI agent, married to one of my wife's younger sisters.  At the time he was stationed in New York,

Eugene Robinson: "Romney's health-care dither"

by rss@dailykos.com (teacherken)

is a succinct put-down of the Republican candidate's flip-flops on a key issue of this campaign.  He begins simply enough:

I’m trying to figure out just where Mitt Romney stands on health-care reform. Obviously, so is Mitt Romney.

The Pulitzer Prize winner then recapitulates events beginning with Romney's remarks last Sunday on Meet the Press, in this Washington Post op ed, which I not only urge you to read, but to pass on.

shocking Kurt Eichenwald op ed in NY Times

by rss@dailykos.com (teacherken)

titled The Deafness Before The Storm.  It was timed for tomorrow's 9-11 anniversary.  Why? Eichenwald argues that the famous August 6 Presidential Daily Brief,  "Bin Laden Determined to Strike in the US,"  was the final in a series of PDBs through which the CIA attempted to alert the White House to the imminent threat, which Richard Clarke has described as George Tenet having his hair on fire during the summer.  The Bush White House would not release those earlier PDBs.   Eichenwald has

read excerpts from many of them, along with other recently declassified records, and come to an inescapable conclusion: the administration’s reaction to what Mr. Bush was told in the weeks before that infamous briefing reflected significantly more negligence than has been disclosed. In 

Today’s Update On Chicago | Larry Ferlazzo’s Websites of the Day…

Today’s Update On Chicago | Larry Ferlazzo’s Websites of the Day…:

Today’s Update On Chicago

Larry Ferlazzo at Larry Ferlazzo's Websites of the Day... - 10 minutes ago

Here are two important updates to A Beginning List Of The Best Resources On The Chicago Teachers’ Strike: Why We’re Striking in Chicago is by union president Karen Lewis. The real problem with Rahm’s school reforms in Chicago is by … Continue reading →

More 9/11 Resources

Larry Ferlazzo at Larry Ferlazzo's Websites of the Day... - 6 hours ago

Here are the newest additions to The Best Sites To Help Teach About 9/11: September 11: Remembering and Learning From a Difficult History is from Facing History (thanks David B. Cohen). One World Trade Center: Construction Progress is a photo … Continue reading →

All My Other Blogs

Larry Ferlazzo at Larry Ferlazzo's Websites of the Day... - 6 hours ago

In addition to writing this blog, I have some others where I wrote regularly: At “Engaging Parents In School,” I write about…parent engagement in schools….

“Mural.ly” Opens To The Public

Larry Ferlazzo at Larry Ferlazzo's Websites of the Day... - 6 hours ago

Mural.ly, which is on The Best Web 2.0 Applications For Education In 2012 — So Far, is now open to the public. I’d strongly encourage you to register for one. It lets you drag and drop images and links (and … Continue reading →

Even More On The Chicago Teachers’ Strike

Larry Ferlazzo at Larry Ferlazzo's Websites of the Day... - 8 hours ago

Here are a few more new additions to A Beginning List Of The Best Resources On The Chicago Teachers’ Strike: Analysis: Striking Chicago teachers take on national education reform is from Reuters. Standing up to Rahm is from Salon. Chicago … Continue reading →

Presidential Campaign Ad Lessons

Larry Ferlazzo at Larry Ferlazzo's Websites of the Day... - 8 hours ago

Here are some new additions to The Best Resources For Learning About The 2012 U.S. Presidential Election that are specifically related to campaign ads: Political Communication Lab from Stanford has what appears to be all the video campaign ads from … Continue reading →

More Resources On The Chicago Teachers Strike

Larry Ferlazzo at Larry Ferlazzo's Websites of the Day... - 9 hours ago

Here are the newest additions to A Beginning List Of The Best Resources On The Chicago Teachers’ Strike : Questions Linger After Day 1 of Chicago Teachers’ Strike is from Education Week. Analysis: Teachers strike leaves Emanuel between a rock … Continue reading →

The Best Resources On The Newly-Released California Educator Excellence Task Force Report

Larry Ferlazzo at Larry Ferlazzo's Websites of the Day... - 13 hours ago

As I previously posted, I was appointed to the “Educator Excellence Task Force” last spring by California State Superintendent of Public Instruction Tom Torlakson. The Task Force was formed to make recommendations in a number of areas, including teacher evaluation, … Continue reading →

A Beginning List Of The Best Resources On The Chicago Teachers’ Strike — Help Me Find More

Larry Ferlazzo at Larry Ferlazzo's Websites of the Day... - 1 day ago

I’ve got to head off to school pretty soon here in Sacramento, but I wanted to pull together a few resources on the Chicago Teachers’ strike, in addition to wishing my colleagues there good luck as they begin walking picket … Continue reading 

Seattle Schools Community Forum: WSPTA Legislative Assembly

Seattle Schools Community Forum: WSPTA Legislative Assembly:

WSPTA Legislative Assembly

by Charlie Mas

The Washington State PTA will consider 18 proposals at the Legislative Assembly on October 19 and 20 at the SeaTac Marriott Hotel.

From the WSPTA:

WSPTA’s ADVOCACY PROGRAM: Each fall, Washington State PTA votes on a priority platform; this then guides our legislative advocacy in the state. The process started last June when members submitted 20-some proposals for consideration. Some were merged, others reworked. In July, the legislative committee reviewed and forwarded to the board of directors those that align with PTA’s body of positions and that advance our work on behalf of all children.

Last Stand for Children First: Teachers Strike Day 1: Keep Calm and Continue Testing

Last Stand for Children First: Teachers Strike Day 1: Keep Calm and Continue Testing:

Teachers Strike Day 1: Keep Calm and Continue Testing

by Last Stand for Children

Today, the nearly 30,000 members of the Chicago Teachers Union descended on downtown with 20,000 of their parent and community allies to wreak havoc and correct grammar and spelling.  Now, is not the time for us to panic.  Our leader, Mayor Emanuel has described the differences between the teachers union and the city as being minor.  In fact, it seems like the main thing that has prevented a contract is that the differences are so small, it hardly seems worth anybody's time to compromise.

The big problem with the strike is that students are missing valuable school time.  They need 15 days for standardized testing and if the strike goes on long enough, the tests will be very much delayed.   It occurs to me that the Children's First Centers set up at 144 public schools might be the perfect place to test.  While they 

Mike Klonsky's SmallTalk Blog: Romney, Ryan Support Rahm

Mike Klonsky's SmallTalk Blog: Romney, Ryan Support Rahm:

Romney, Ryan Support Rahm

by Mike Klonsky

This from ABC10 in Philadelphia:

"Teachers unions have too often made plain that their interests conflict with those of our children, and today we are seeing one of the clearest examples yet." -- Mitt Romney

And this: 

"I've known Rahm Emanuel for years. He's a former colleague of mine. Rahm and I have not agreed on every issue or on a lot of issues, but Mayor Emanuel is right today in saying that this teacher's union strike is unnecessary and wrong. We know that Rahm is not going to support our campaign, but on this issue and this day we stand with Mayor Rahm Emanuel." -- Paul Ryan

HOW CAN JONATHAN KOZOL REMAIN "MORALLY OUTRAGED" ABOUT PUBLIC EDUCATION FOR 45 YEARS? - Perdaily.com

HOW CAN JONATHAN KOZOL REMAIN "MORALLY OUTRAGED" ABOUT PUBLIC EDUCATION FOR 45 YEARS? - Perdaily.com:

HOW CAN JONATHAN KOZOL REMAIN "MORALLY OUTRAGED" ABOUT PUBLIC EDUCATION FOR 45 YEARS?

by Leonard Isenberg

(Mensaje se repite en Español)

(For a national view of public education reform see the end of this blog post)

With 13 books to his credit, Jonathan Kozol is surely one of the most insightful progressive voices dealing with what continues to be wrong with poor and/or minority public education in the United States. So why did I find myself getting angrier and 

DIARY OF A PUBLIC SCHOOL TEACHER!: In Defense of the Teacher's Union! My Union is OK with Me!

DIARY OF A PUBLIC SCHOOL TEACHER!: In Defense of the Teacher's Union! My Union is OK with Me!:

In Defense of the Teacher's Union! My Union is OK with Me!

by Lisa M

She said I caused her daughter to have an asthma attack. She went to the principal and her child's teacher, told them I was "uppity", and that she was going to cause problems for me. She walked into my classroom and started yelling, and I had to have her removed.This occurred about 2005.

My former principal suggested a meeting, I agreed.  I loved my principal as a person, but as an administrator, well... I told him I was bringing my union rep. He told me I didn't need her, it was just a small meeting.  I ignore

Bush Financial Backer K12 Inc Under Investigation From Florida DOE | Scathing Purple Musings

Bush Financial Backer K12 Inc Under Investigation From Florida DOE | Scathing Purple Musings:

Bush Financial Backer K12 Inc Under Investigation From Florida DOE

by Bob Sikes

This from a joint investigative report from Trevor Aaronson and John O’Connor:

 The Florida Department of Education has launched an investigation of K12, the nation’s largest online educator, over allegations the company uses uncertified teachers and has asked employees to help cover up the practice.
K12 officials asked state-certified teachers to sign class rosters that included students they hadn’t 

Anxious Dreams about Teaching Again and Again | Larry Cuban on School Reform and Classroom Practice

Anxious Dreams about Teaching Again and Again | Larry Cuban on School Reform and Classroom Practice:

Anxious Dreams about Teaching Again and Again

by larrycuban

I begin teaching a quarter-long seminar in two weeks. I have been teaching youth and adults for nearly forty years. I am turning 78 next month. And I have had dreams of walking into class unprepared and discussions falling flat; of students walking out of my class. How can that be?
First, I am not the first nor last teacher to have anxiety-ridden dream. Artist and long-time teacher Eric Baylinwrote a song about teacher anxiety cresting at the end of the summer when students return to school. Here are two stanzas of that song:
I dream I can’t control my class. Oh, me! Oh, my!
They laugh; they jeer; and I’m about to cry, to cry.
I wake up with this awful fear
I might have chosen the wrong career

Why We're Striking in Chicago | Common Dreams

Why We're Striking in Chicago | Common Dreams:

Why We're Striking in Chicago

'Join Our Fight for Education Justice,' says CTU President Karen Lewis

by Karen Lewis

Teachers, paraprofessionals and school clinicians in Chicago have been without a labor agreement since June of this year. Following the inability of the Chicago Teachers Union (CTU) and the Chicago Public Schools (CPS) to reach an agreement over benefits, the role of standardized tests in teacher evaluations, and physical improvements to schools that teachers say are harming both teacher and student performance, the CTU has announced that a city-wide stirke will begin today -- the first teachers strike in 25 years. Pickets are expected at 675 schools and the Board of Education. The following are remarks from CTU President Karen Lewis.Chicago Teachers Union President Karen Lewis speaks at a press conference Sunday night. "We have failed to reach an agreement that will prevent a labor strike." ( E. Jason Wambsgans, Chicago Tribune / September 9, 2012 )

Negotiations have been intense but productive, however we have failed to reach an agreement that will prevent a labor strike. This is a difficult decision and one we hoped we could avoid. Throughout these negotiations have I remained hopeful but determined. We must do things differently in this city if we are to provide our students with the education they so rightfully 

Big Education Ape Nite Cap STRIKE UPDATE 9-10-12 #SOSCHAT #faircontractnow #CTUSTRIKE

Nite Cap STRIKE UPDATE

UPDATE UPDATE UPDATE UPDATE

We Are All Chicago Teachers Now

by Duke

The reformyists will try to convince you that the Chicago teachers are greedy, self-interested unionistas who aren't saintly enough for the calling of education.

Don't you dare believe them:

The new vision, championed by Chicago Mayor Rahm Emanuel and U.S. Education Secretary Arne Duncan, who used to run Chicago's schools, calls for a laser focus on standardized tests meant to gauge student skills in reading, writing and math. Teachers who fail to raise student scores may be fired. Schools that fail to boost scores may be shut down.

And the monopoly that the public sector once held on public schools will be broken with a 

CHICAGO TEACHERS MAKE MORE THAN THE AVERAGE MIDDLE CLASS CHICAGOAN – OH THE HORROR !

by alkleen

Just heard a conservative business reporter on television give a report on the Chicago teachers’ strike. He was highly critical of the teachers and exclaimed the following in a voice filled with outrage, ” And the teachers already make more than the average middle class Chicagoan.”

Oh yes, the horror of it all. Imagine, teachers being compensated slightly more than the average middle class person. What’s a matter with these teachers ? Don’t they know their place ? Why those uppity, class jumping, ungrateful and greedy people. If only they were like doctors, dentists, lawyers, and other professionals who I’m sure are never above the middle in compensation.

It’s interesting that when I started teaching and had to work four extra jobs in order to make ends meet, there 

The Beautiful Struggle [Society's Fair Contract for Educators]

by Jose

Karen Lewis, President, Chicago Teachers Union

My alarm played the final chorus to The Jacksons’ “Can You Feel It?”, my amp-up anthem for most mornings. The blood rushes up my feet as I wiggle off the comforter and wipe the crust out of my eye. After freshening up and turning on the TV, NBC4 News here in New York City makes clear what I felt coming all along: the Chicago teachers’ strike is on. They had done it. While feeding my eight-month old, I applauded loudly in my mind. Even after Mayor Rahm Emanuel (and Stand for Children’s Jonah Edelman) raised the threshold for striking up to 75%, the Chicago Teachers’ Union hurdled over that bar and then some.

“Thank you,” I whispered.

As I sat in the office rethinking my lessons on exponents (more on that later), I felt moved by the notion that right now, thousands of educators in the third-largest school district would band together against a common 

( A statement from DMEA President Andrew Rasmussen: )

by Andrew Rasmussen

A statement from DMEA President Andrew Rasmussen:

"Educators and union members across the country stand in solidarity with the educators in Chicago who have decided to bravely say "enough is enough" to the illegitimate, ineffective, and harmful policy prescriptions of the so-called education "refrom" movement. Although we, as the teachers and parents of Chicago would as well, prefer to have students in high quality learning environments we understand that sooner or later someone, somewhere had to stand up to the so-called reformers and stick up for students and educators. DMEA supports the Chicago Teachers Union stand against disproven, ill informed measures that tie student test scores to teachers evaluations. DMEA applauds the Chicago teachers for saying "no" to merit pay systems tied to student test scores that would enforce a stale regimen of teaching to the test and divide staff against each 

30,000 rally on first day of Chicago teacher strike.

by Fred Klonsky

Fred has more at :

30,000 rally on first day of Chicago teacher strike

Had to throw in one joke:

Rush Limbaugh: Chicago teacher strike a ploy to re-elect Obama

by Eric W. Dolan

Conservative radio show host Rush Limbaugh on Monday speculated that the Chicago Teachers Union’s strike was a secret plot by the Obama campaign. “You watch, [Chicago mayor] Rahm Emanuel himself is the guy who said, ‘never let a crisis go to waste,” Limbaugh said. “We...

Chicago Teacher on Why He’s Striking Against Rahm Emanuel’s Pro-Business Education Agenda

by Kevin Gosztola

Chicago teachers rally nearby city hall in Chicago

As Firedoglake has been covering all day, twenty-six thousand educators went on strike in Chicago. The strike by the Chicago Teachers Union is the first strike in twenty-five years. It is happening in a city governed by a Democratic mayor, former chief of staff Rahm Emanuel. Therefore, it has different dynamics than the fight that happened between Gov. Scott Walker and unions in Wisconsin. However, similar issues still exist. Key to the strike is whether educators who are part of a union should strike even if they have a right to strike and make demands for more dignity and respect for teachers and students in Chicago public schools.
What the Chicago teachers are doing is a profound act of resistance. The elites say people should not even dare to protest because there will be no “results.” They are told to act more like adults and get back to negotiating 

Big Education Ape Nite Cap 9-10-12

James Baldwin said it best: 

"For these are all our children, and we will profit by or pay for whatever they become."

A BIG EDUCATION APE NITE CAP

I Support Chicago Teachers | Outside the Cave #faircontractnow #SOSCHAT #EDCHAT #P2

I Support Chicago Teachers | Outside the Cave:

I Support Chicago Teachers

by Stephen Lazar

The little sister of one of my closest friends from high school is a Chicago teacher. I support her and the other 30,000 teacher on strike, and hope you do too.  Please think about donating or supporting them in other ways.  Below is from the Chicago Teachers Union:

I know you care about education.

I know you believe in justice.

That’s why I’m asking you to join me in solidarity with the Chicago Teachers Union by visiting http://ctunet.com/solidarity to donate.

The CTU is currently on the front lines of a fight to defend public education. On one side the 30,000 members of the CTU have called for a contract that includes fair compensation, meaningful job security for qualified teachers, smaller class sizes and a better school day with Art, Music, World Language and appropriate staffing levels to help our neediest students.

On the other side, the Chicago Board of Education—which is managed by out of town reformers and Broad Foundation hires with little or no Chicago public school experience—has pushed to add two weeks to the school year and 85 minutes to the school day, eliminate pay increases for seniority, evaluate teachers based on student test scores, and slash many other rights.

That’s why I contributed to the Chicago Teachers Union Solidarity Fund. All donations will be used to conduct broad outreach throughout Chicago and nation-wide. Specifically, we plan to print educational materials, to distribute information about our positive agenda, such as the CTU report, The Schools Chicago Students Deserve [ http://ctunet.com/deserve ], and to mobilize massive support for educators in rallies and gatherings throughout the city. Any amount you can give will be a great help.

Visit http://ctunet.com/solidarity to help.

SOLIDARITY!

Chicago Teachers Strike: On First Day, Passion, Confusion Rule The Streets

Chicago Teachers Strike: On First Day, Passion, Confusion Rule The Streets:

Chicago Teachers Strike: On First Day, Passion, Confusion Rule The Streets

by Joy Resmovits

It started early in the morning and crescendoed in the afternoon, with thousands upon thousands of teachers clad in red union shirts swarming downtown Chicago, snaking through its streets, and stopping only to rally in front of Chicago Public Schools headquarters.

The Chicago Teachers Union (CTU) is on strike for the first time in 25 years. After months of failed negotiations with Chicago Mayor Rahm Emanuel's administration, they're picketing instead of teaching. On Monday, they held signs that said "on strike," wielded a gigantic paper mache imitation of Emanuel's head, and chanted things like, "What do we want? A fair contract. When do we want it? Now."

But as the sun set over the Windy City, it was still unclear what tomorrow would bring. CTU President Karen Lewis reportedly stepped into negotiations as late as 11:30 a.m. Monday, a move that angered Emanuel. Lewis is expected to appear later on MSNBC's "The Ed Show," but CTU representatives did not respond to multiple