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Tuesday, September 25, 2012

Big Ed Ape - Morning Wink 9-25 AM Posts #SOSCHAT #EDCHAT #P2



BIG EDUCATION APE - MORNING WINK  AM POSTS



Former Americans Elect chief may head Failed DC Chancellor Michelle Rhee's StudentsFirst - POLITICO.com

coopmike48 at Big Education Ape - 28 minutes ago
Former Americans Elect chief may head Rhee's StudentsFirst - POLITICO.com: Former Americans Elect chief may head Failed DC Chancellor Michelle Rhee's StudentsFirst - - Comments (4) By ALEXANDER BURNS | 9/24/12 9:20 PM EDT The former CEO of Americans Elect may be the next president of the national education reform group founded by onetime Washington D.C. schools Chancellor Michelle Rhee. Kahlil Byrd, who headed a national campaign to gain ballot access for a third-party presidential candidate, was identified as the next president of StudentsFirst in a Monday email f... more »

Palmetto Educators Network: How Do Charter Schools Compare to “Schools with Students Like Ours” in South Carolina?

coopmike48 at Big Education Ape - 35 minutes ago
Palmetto Educators Network: How Do Charter Schools Compare to “Schools with Students Like Ours” in South Carolina?: How Do Charter Schools Compare to “Schools with Students Like Ours” in South Carolina? *How Do Charter Schools Compare to “Schools with Students Like Ours” in South Carolina?* Using the South Carolina School Report Card system and the state Poverty Index, the tables below identify charter schools within the SC Public School Charter District and 5 additional selected charter schools to identify how charter schools in SC compare with “Schools with Students Like Ours... more »

Missouri Education Watchdog: Feeeeed Me Seymour.

coopmike48 at Big Education Ape - 38 minutes ago
Missouri Education Watchdog: Feeeeed Me Seymour.: Feeeeed Me Seymour. by stlgretchen Hungry students face the reality and results of Federal mandates in local schools. This student produced youtube video below illustrates how *hungry* students are due to the *HealthyHunger-Free Kids Act of 2010* (isn't that a delicious contradiction?). It shows the fallacy of a "one-size fits all" calorie program for students. Think of this video as a precursor of when the horrors of a "one-size fits all" *Common* Core educational program is realized by students. "One size fits all" might work... more »

Modern School: Parasites Unite! America’s Entitlement Problem

coopmike48 at Big Education Ape - 39 minutes ago
Modern School: Parasites Unite! America’s Entitlement Problem: Parasites Unite! America’s Entitlement Problem by Michael Dunn Huck/Konopacki Labor Cartoons Mitt Romney was recently embarrassed by a leaked video in which he wrote off the “47% of Americans who don’t pay taxes,” accusing them of feeling victimized and expecting the government to take care of them. NPR’s Planet Money says that it is actually just over 46% of Americans and it is primarily just the federal income tax that they do not pay and they don’t pay it because they receive tax credits or untaxed income like Social... more »

Another view on charter amendment: Goal in Georgia ought to be cooperation, not competition. | Get Schooled

coopmike48 at Big Education Ape - 41 minutes ago
Another view on charter amendment: Goal in Georgia ought to be cooperation, not competition. | Get Schooled: Another view on charter amendment: Goal in Georgia ought to be cooperation, not competition. by Maureen Downey Here is a piece from Jim Arnold, a frequent contributor to this space. Per my comment yesterday, I am going to start running more of the many commentaries that I’m receiving on the Nov. 6 charter school amendment vote. Yesterday’s piece urged support of the amendment. This essay argues the opposite. Arnold points out something I learned after my first year on the ... more »

The most important post you will read today. Constitutional Amendment 49 must be defeated. « Fred Klonsky

coopmike48 at Big Education Ape - 47 minutes ago
The most important post you will read today. Constitutional Amendment 49 must be defeated. « Fred Klonsky: The most important post you will read today. Constitutional Amendment 49 must be defeated. by Fred Klonsky My friend Glen Brown wrote this post last June 11th. He was the Paul Revere of Constitutional Amendment 49 which will appear on the November ballot. This bill represents the most serious threat to the state’s public employees, both active and retired. A no vote by you is not enough. You must contact everyone you know to vote no on this amendment. Some have written me to... more »

Out and Around: The Presumption of Literacy « Student Activism

coopmike48 at Big Education Ape - 50 minutes ago
Out and Around: The Presumption of Literacy « Student Activism: Out and Around: The Presumption of Literacy by Angus Johnston My sister can’t read. Her disability usually isn’t obvious when you meet her. And when she’s home visiting my parents, she spends a fair amount of time out in the city on her own. She takes the bus, she shops, she goes to restaurants. She gets her nails done. My dad gives her her walking-around money as five-dollar bills to limit how much she can lose if someone decides to cheat her when giving change. But like I say, mostly her disability is invisible. And ... more »

There goes that ad again. Every time I see it I find new things. « Fred Klonsky

coopmike48 at Big Education Ape - 1 hour ago
There goes that ad again. Every time I see it I find new things. « Fred Klonsky: There goes that ad again. Every time I see it I find new things. by Fred Klonsky They’re still running that Rahm ad on Chicago TV a week after the teacher’s strike was settled. I wouldn’t even bring it up again. I though that I have tweeted and posted enough on how stupid it is, how I can’t imagine any Chicagoan who own a remote simply muting it or scrolling past it on their DVR. As for teachers and other city employees, the sight of that fool must pisses them off. Good luck with the police and fire con... more »

Noguera: The Origins of My Views on Education - Bridging Differences - Education Week

coopmike48 at Big Education Ape - 1 hour ago
Noguera: The Origins of My Views on Education - Bridging Differences - Education Week: Noguera: The Origins of My Views on Education by Pedro Noguera [image: Bridging Differences] Deborah Meier Pedro Noguera Deborah Meier—visionary teacher and founder of successful small schools in New York City and Boston—and Pedro Noguera—author and director of the Metropolitan Center for Urban Education—debate issues relevant to schools, teachers, and students. Dear Deborah, As I join you in blogging on Bridging Differences, allow me to step back and tell readers a little bit ... more »

Parents United for Responsible Education » Blog Archive » Jonathan Frozol?

coopmike48 at Big Education Ape - 1 hour ago
Parents United for Responsible Education » Blog Archive » Jonathan Frozol?: Jonathan Frozol? by admin OK, OK. It’s kind of silly. But I have Ben & Jerry’s on the brain because we met with them last week – no, not Ben, not Jerry – but a wonderful group of employees who actually decide where the Ben & Jerry’s Foundation money goes. They were in town to visit some of the groups they fund, and PURE is fortunate to be among them. And they brought coupons. Free pint coupons. So, here’s the deal. The next three people who register to see Jonathan Kozol this Thursday (register here) and th... more »

Bullying Prevention Gains Momentum, But We Still Have A Long Way To Go | LFA: Join The Conversation - Public School Insights

coopmike48 at Big Education Ape - 1 hour ago
Bullying Prevention Gains Momentum, But We Still Have A Long Way To Go | LFA: Join The Conversation - Public School Insights: Bullying Prevention Gains Momentum, But We Still Have A Long Way To Go by NEA Health Information Network *By Rocío Inclán, Director of the Human and Civil Rights Department of the National Education Association* October is Bullying Prevention month, and this year we see signs of progress in the national effort to stop bullying in our schools. For example, the recently released 2011 National School Climate Survey from the Gay, Lesbian & Straight Education Netwo... more »

LISTEN TO DIANE RAVITCH 9-25-12 Diane Ravitch's blog

coopmike48 at Big Education Ape - 2 hours ago
Diane Ravitch's blog: [image: Click on picture to Listen to Diane Ravitch] Another Louisiana Embarrassment by dianerav John White, the TFA Commissioner of Education in Louisiana, put out a press release celebrating the state’s increased numbers taking AP exams. Gary Rubinstein looked at the press release and thought it was a joke. The number taking the exam went up, but the scores did not. As Gary writes: “In this latest press release they call their AP results a ‘surge’ because the number of students ‘taking’ the AP Why Does Democratic Party Support Groups That Support GOP? by... more »

What do SAT, ACT scores really mean? - The Answer Sheet - The Washington Post

coopmike48 at Big Education Ape - 2 hours ago
What do SAT, ACT scores really mean? - The Answer Sheet - The Washington Post: What do SAT, ACT scores really mean? By Valerie Strauss The big news in the world of college entrance exams — that would be the SAT and the ACT — is that the scores from the high school class of 2012 were disappointing. Newly released reading scores on the SAT hit a four-decade low, and (bigstock)writing scores edged down too, while math scores were essentially unchanged from last year. SAT average scores have declined by 20 points since 2006, when the test was revised to include a writing section. ACT s... more »

Schools Matter: Technagogically Yours

coopmike48 at Big Education Ape - 2 hours ago
Schools Matter: Technagogically Yours: Technagogically Yours by Storm On the heels of a recent post here regarding a K-2 cubicle "learning" factory in Yuma, AZ, "Nineteenth Century English Schools...," I'd like to offer something on what I have called "technagogy." But briefly, I would note that the Yuma, AZ school isn't only English, it is fully American as well. This is only natural as America is the child of England. Some of you may know that Henry Thoreau was, for two weeks, a kind of "district" manager for the Concord Schools--one of the top slots earning big dollars for the ... more »

A Conservative Agenda for Federal Edu-Policy :: Frederick M. Hess

coopmike48 at Big Education Ape - 2 hours ago
A Conservative Agenda for Federal Edu-Policy :: Frederick M. Hess: A Conservative Agenda for Federal Edu-Policy *by Frederick M. Hess • Sep 25, 2012 at 6:31 am Cross-posted from Education Week* Print Send RSS [image: Share] Share Yesterday, in the new issue of the quarterly *National Affairs*, Andrew Kelly and I argue that it's possible to devise a coherent, principled, and limited vision of the federal role in education-- and that such a vision offers an overdue and crucial alternative to the well-intentioned overreaching that has characterized federal ed policy for over a decad... more »

Education and Democracy | Dailycensored.com

coopmike48 at Big Education Ape - 2 hours ago
Education and Democracy | Dailycensored.com: Education and Democracy by stephenl Democracy and an educated citizenry go hand in hand. Public education is the great equalizer. America’s founders believed it was insurance against loss of liberty. Jefferson said: “Every government degenerates when trusted to the rulers of the people alone. The people themselves, therefore, are its only safe depositories. And to render them safe, their minds must be improved to a certain degree.” Neil Postman perhaps is best known for saying “Americans are the most entertained and least informed peop... more »

Why this parent blames the mayor for teachers strike | catalyst-chicago.org

coopmike48 at Big Education Ape - 2 hours ago
Why this parent blames the mayor for teachers strike | catalyst-chicago.org: Why this parent blames the mayor for teachers strike - Share on windycitizenShare on facebookShare on email I think the mayor is just plain wrong and at fault for the current strike. I think he set out to demonize the teachers and imply they were overpaid and under-performing. *By: *Melissa Lindberg / September 17, 2012 - Melissa Lindberg My kid is in a Chicago public school—a really good one, with selective enrollment, great teachers, and a great new “green” school building that is LEED... more »

Jersey Jazzman: No Correlation Between Intelligence and Wealth

coopmike48 at Big Education Ape - 2 hours ago
Jersey Jazzman: No Correlation Between Intelligence and Wealth: No Correlation Between Intelligence and Wealth by Duke It's important to understand that when I and others say there is a correlation between socio-economic status and *test scores*, we're not saying there's a correlation between socio-economic status and *intelligence *. Mitt Romney proves it: Romney’s wife, Ann, was in attendance, and the candidate spoke of the concern he had for her when her plane had to make an emergency landing Friday en route to Santa Monica because of an electrical malfunction. “I appreciate ... more »

LAUSD: TEACHER QUALITY (REMOVAL) SPECIALIST - Perdaily.com

coopmike48 at Big Education Ape - 2 hours ago
LAUSD: TEACHER QUALITY (REMOVAL) SPECIALIST - Perdaily.com: LAUSD: TEACHER QUALITY (REMOVAL) SPECIALIST by Leonard Isenberg [image: Calvera.jpg] *(Mensaje se repite en Español) (For a national view of public education reform see the end of this blog post)* *In the 1960 movie The Magnificent Seven, the bandit Calvera, played by Eli Wallach, tries to get the gunfighter, played by Yul Brenner, to help him rob the poor peasants in a small Mexican village by telling him, "If G-d did not want them shorn, he would not have made them sheep." As more and more teachers *

Jersey Jazzman: Howdy Commissioner Cerf!

coopmike48 at Big Education Ape - 13 hours ago
Jersey Jazzman: Howdy Commissioner Cerf!: Howdy Commissioner Cerf! by Duke NJ Education Commissioner Chris Cerf was in Jersey City tonight. Big thanks to the invaluable stopthefreezeNJand Deb Cornavaca of SOSNJ, who reported that the event did not go well for the man who rules the JC schools: DEFEND NJ PUBLIC ED! ‏@stopthefreezeNJ Resident rips Cerf for lacking openness, fairness. Crowd erupts against Cerf. He is sharing an uncomfortable laugh. Deborah ‏@decornavaca @jerseyjazzman Newark bringing it home. 7 Newark schools made AYP but he still replaced staff. Ms. Jackson rocks. ... more »

School Tech Connect: The Devil and Daniel Biss

coopmike48 at Big Education Ape - 13 hours ago
School Tech Connect: The Devil and Daniel Biss: The Devil and Daniel Biss by noreply@blogger.com (Tim Furman) I don't have time to write, but make sure you have a look at this. H/t to the Patch for letting candidates talk beyond sound bites. I can only comment that the framers of our 1970 Constitution wrote the pension clause to protect us not only from Daniel Biss's opponent, but also from Daniel Biss, to say nothing of the hapless Elaine Nekritz. We have to go after the fundamental cause of the problem, which is the state kept skipping payments for decades. We have to put a me... more »

Arizona Bars Children From Learning About Themselves (The Librotraficante) [Why We Write Series] | The Jose Vilson

coopmike48 at Big Education Ape - 14 hours ago
Arizona Bars Children From Learning About Themselves (The Librotraficante) [Why We Write Series] | The Jose Vilson: Arizona Bars Children From Learning About Themselves (The Librotraficante) [Why We Write Series] by Jose Luis Rodriguez What Luis Rodriguez makes evident in the following excerpt from the preface of *Always Running* is our responsibility to speak to the injustices of the world from the lens of a common struggle. Check: Criminality in this country is a class issue. Many of those warehoused in overcrowded prisons can be properly called “criminals of want,” those who’v... more »

Technology Readiness Tool Survey - Year 2012 (CA Dept of Education)

coopmike48 at Big Education Ape - 14 hours ago
Technology Readiness Tool Survey - Year 2012 (CA Dept of Education): California Begins Gathering Data on School Technology SACRAMENTO—Forty-two percent of California schools participated in the technology survey of which there are to be six data extractions between 2012 and 2014 in a nationwide effort to gauge readiness for new online assessments aligned to the Common Core State Standards, prompting State Schools Superintendent Tom Torlakson to urge more schools to take part in the future. "We know our schools already face enormous day-to-day challenges—but we also need to unders... more »

Jean-Claude Brizard, Chicago Schools CEO, Was Nearly Invisible During Teachers Strike

coopmike48 at Big Education Ape - 15 hours ago
Jean-Claude Brizard, Chicago Schools CEO, Was Nearly Invisible During Teachers Strike: Jean-Claude Brizard, Chicago Schools CEO, Was Nearly Invisible During Teachers Strike by Joy Resmovits CHICAGO -- When teachers on strike took to the Chicago streets for nine days this month, news cameras followed the union president, the head of the school board and the mayor. The Chicago Teachers Union and city representatives would meet for hours, negotiating technical contract details. A throng of reporters was always waiting outside for the latest update. But the CEO of Chicago Public ... more »

Engaging the Whole Community to Support Positive Bus Behavior — Whole Child Education

coopmike48 at Big Education Ape - 16 hours ago
Engaging the Whole Community to Support Positive Bus Behavior — Whole Child Education: THE WHOLE CHILD BLOG [image: ASCD Whole Child Bloggers]Engaging the Whole Community to Support Positive Bus Behavior September 24, 2012 by ASCD Whole Child Bloggers [image: Jessica Bohn] *Post submitted by Jessica Bohn, principal at Gibsonville Elementary School in Gibsonville, N.C. She has worked at all levels K–16, including as a university assistant director, assistant principal, district curriculum specialist, and science teacher. Bohn is a member of the ASCD Emerging Leaders Class of 2012 an... more »

Response: Teaching Science By "Becoming A Learner" - Classroom Q&A With Larry Ferlazzo - Education Week Teacher

coopmike48 at Big Education Ape - 16 hours ago
Response: Teaching Science By "Becoming A Learner" - Classroom Q&A With Larry Ferlazzo - Education Week Teacher: [image: Classroom Q&A With Larry Ferlazzo] Response: Teaching Science By "Becoming A Learner" By Larry Ferlazzo on September 23, 2012 4:14 PM ** *(Note: This is the third post in a four-part series on teaching science. You can see Part One here and Part Two here)* Two weeks ago I posed this question: *What is the best advice you would give to help an educator become better at teaching science?* I've been posting various guest responses in this four-part series, and invi... more »

The price of Paul Vallas’ no-bid contracts continues to grow… - Wait, What?

coopmike48 at Big Education Ape - 16 hours ago
The price of Paul Vallas’ no-bid contracts continues to grow… - Wait, What?: The price of Paul Vallas’ no-bid contracts continues to grow… by jonpelto *Will anyone stand up for taxpayers of Connecticut and Bridgeport?* Now that Bridgeport’s illegal Board of Education has been removed and a democratically elected board has taken its place, perhaps someone – anyone – will begin to ask the important questions that need to be asked. At the very top of the list is the growing controversy surrounding Bridgeport Superintendent of Schools, Paul Vallas’, decision to use a “no-bid” contract... more »

Science faculty’s subtle gender biases favor male students

coopmike48 at Big Education Ape - 16 hours ago
Science faculty’s subtle gender biases favor male students: Science faculty’s subtle gender biases favor male students 1. Corinne A. Moss-Racusina,b, 2. John F. Dovidiob, 3. Victoria L. Brescollc, 4. Mark J. Grahama,d, and 5. Jo Handelsmana,1 +Author Affiliations 1. aDepartment of Molecular, Cellular and Developmental Biology, 2. bDepartment of Psychology, 3. cSchool of Management, and 4. dDepartment of Psychiatry, Yale University, New Haven, CT 06520 1. Edited* by Shirley Tilghman, Princeton University, Princeton, NJ, and approved August 21, 201... more »

How ACT overtook SAT as the top college entrance exam - The Answer Sheet - The Washington Post

coopmike48 at Big Education Ape - 17 hours ago
How ACT overtook SAT as the top college entrance exam - The Answer Sheet - The Washington Post: How ACT overtook SAT as the top college entrance exam By Valerie Strauss The ACT has for the first time overtaken the SAT as the most popular college admissions exam by a margin of a few thousand students. Look at how things changed over time (information from FairTest): (bigstock)1986: 730,000 students took the ACT compared with 1,000,748 who took the SAT. 1996: *924,663 * took the ACT;*1,084,725* took the SAT. 2006: *1,206,455* took the ACT;*1,465,744* took the SAT. 2011: *1,623,112* too... more »

IEA members should stop giving their money to IPACE. « Fred Klonsky

coopmike48 at Big Education Ape - 17 hours ago
IEA members should stop giving their money to IPACE. « Fred Klonsky: IEA members should stop giving their money to IPACE. by Fred Klonsky IPACE is the Illinois Political Action Committee for Education. It is one of the largest political action committees in the state. Illinois Education Association members pay through automatic payroll deduction and many do it without following closely where that money goes. I have complained for years about the system of IPACE political recommendations and the awarding of members

Schools Matter: Is there a STEM (Science Technology Engineering Math) crisis?

coopmike48 at Big Education Ape - 18 hours ago
Schools Matter: Is there a STEM (Science Technology Engineering Math) crisis?: Is there a STEM (Science Technology Engineering Math) crisis? by skrashen It is not clear that there is a STEM shortage, Some analysts, in fact, have claimed that there is a surplus of STEM-trained professionals (Teitelbaum, 2007; Toppo and Vergano, 2009; Bracey, 2009.) A report of the World Economic Federation (Schwab, 2012) confirms that there is no crisis. The US ranks near the top of the world on all categories related to STEM education and availability of expertise: According to the World Economic... more »

Flunking Charter Schools » Counterpunch: Tells the Facts, Names the Names

coopmike48 at Big Education Ape - 19 hours ago
Flunking Charter Schools » Counterpunch: Tells the Facts, Names the Names: Greed at the Top in Education Flunking Charter Schools by PAUL BUCHHEIT [image: Charter Schools - Dividing Communities since 1991] Now we know our ABCs. And charter schools get an F. The Chicago teacher strike is over, but the assault on our nation’s children has just begun. As with all free market systems, the price is set high enough to ensure a profit for the companies doing business, even though not everyone will be able to afford their product. With our private health care system, 1 out of 6 Americans a... more »

NEWS FLASH: Arbitrator rules against Malloy Administration on significant retirement issue - Wait, What?

coopmike48 at Big Education Ape - 20 hours ago
NEWS FLASH: Arbitrator rules against Malloy Administration on significant retirement issue - Wait, What?: NEWS FLASH: Arbitrator rules against Malloy Administration on significant retirement issue by jonpelto [image: News Flash] Although it hasn’t been officially confirmed, word is spreading that the Malloy Administration has lost a massive arbitration ruling today. Last summer, the Connecticut State Employees Bargaining Agent Coalition (SEBAC) filed a grievance against the Malloy Administration with the Connecticut Board of Labor Relations. The complaint revolved around the Mall... more »

Seattle Schools Community Forum: BEX IV Meeting tonight at Madison

coopmike48 at Big Education Ape - 20 hours ago
Seattle Schools Community Forum: BEX IV Meeting tonight at Madison: BEX IV Meeting tonight at Madison by Charlie Mas [image: No on 1240 (click on picture)] School District officials bring their BEX IV road show to Madison Middle School in West Seattle tonight. The event begins at 6:30 with introductions and their slide presentation. They also have a handout. Followed by twenty minutes of Q & A from cards, twenty minutes of Q & A from the floor, and twenty minutes of "Individual Time With Staff". I hope to be there tonight because I have some questions Slide 11 of the slideshow "B... more »

NYC Public School Parents: Education Nation ignores parents but we make our voices heard at the premiere of "Won't Back Down"

coopmike48 at Big Education Ape - 20 hours ago
NYC Public School Parents: Education Nation ignores parents but we make our voices heard at the premiere of "Won't Back Down": Education Nation ignores parents but we make our voices heard at the premiere of "Won't Back Down" by Leonie Haimson Yesterday was NBC's Education Nation's "parent engagement" town hall, which turned out Real-life public school parentsto be nothing but a big infomercial for the controversial film "Won't Back Down" promoting the "Parent Trigger" and the privatization of our public schools. (See our review of the film and our FAQ about its backers and their... more »

Diane in the Afternoon 9-24-12 Diane Ravitch's blog

coopmike48 at Big Education Ape - 20 hours ago
Diane Ravitch's blog: Why Great Hearts Appeals to Affluent Parents by dianerav A reader sent a blog post from Arizona, where the Great Hearts charter school chain is based. This is the charter that Tennessee Commissioner Kevin Huffman wants to bring to Nashville, over the opposition of the local school board. It is expensive to go to Great Hearts. The school asks parents for an upfront contribution (voluntary, of course), of $1200-1500. Then there are extra costs for books, supplies, physical education. But it is still less costly than paying for private school tuition. So it is... more »

Mike Klonsky's SmallTalk Blog: Matt Farmer still on Rahm's trail at Clemente

coopmike48 at Big Education Ape - 20 hours ago
Mike Klonsky's SmallTalk Blog: Matt Farmer still on Rahm's trail at Clemente: Matt Farmer still on Rahm's trail at Clemente by Mike Klonsky Matt FarmerNo topic has generated more heat and less light in the comments section of SmallTalk, than the Rahm/Brizard move to turn Clemente Community Academy High School into a "wall-to-wall" International Baccalaureate (IB) school. It was a move that led to the firing by new turn-around principal *Marcey Sorensen*, of some 24 Clemente teachers. It also led public school parent, lawyer, and community activist *Matt Farmer* to pursue the paper... more »

SAT Results for 2012 - Year 2012 (CA Dept of Education)

coopmike48 at Big Education Ape - 20 hours ago
SAT Results for 2012 - Year 2012 (CA Dept of Education): Latinos Now Account for Largest Share of SAT® Scores in California, State Schools Chief Tom Torlakson Notes SACRAMENTO—SAT*®* results released today by The College Board show that for the first time, Latino students in California public* schools represented a larger percentage of SAT test-takers than any other ethnic group. Reflecting the state’s growing diversity, nearly 70 percent of California’s public school test-takers in the Class of 2012 were minority students, and of those, 36 percent—or 69,832 students—were Latino. Th... more »

Please help student with high-stakes testing documentary Parents United for Responsible Education

coopmike48 at Big Education Ape - 21 hours ago
Parents United for Responsible Education » Blog Archive » Please help student with high-stakes testing documentary: Please help student with high-stakes testing documentary by admin I just received this e-mail and am posting it here with permission: My name is Ankur Singh and I am a recent high school graduate from Bloomington-Normal, IL about 3 hours south of Chicago. I’m making a feature length documentary film about how standardized testing affects students. This film is deeply personal for me since I had a really negative experience with standardized testing and desperately need... more »

The Real Parents Who Won’t Back Down « EdVox

coopmike48 at Big Education Ape - 21 hours ago
The Real Parents Who Won’t Back Down « EdVox: The Real Parents Who Won’t Back Down by edvoxny Last night, parents held a mock Red Carpet Event outside the world premiere of “Won’t Back Down,” a fictionalized story inspired by California’s Parent Trigger law, legislation which allows parents to vote to close their school or turn it over to a private corporation. Speaking out against the film, parents walked their own red carpet, held movie posters with superimposed images of two of the film’s prominent supporters, News Corp’s Rupert Murdoch and Joel Klein, and celebrated real parent... more »

Schooling in the Ownership Society: Tribune reports: Rahm taking the charter route on union busting

coopmike48 at Big Education Ape - 21 hours ago
Schooling in the Ownership Society: Tribune reports: Rahm taking the charter route on union busting: Tribune reports: Rahm taking the charter route on union busting by Mike Klonsky Fred Klonsky toonMayor *Rahm Emanuel'*s first attempt at union busting was beaten back by the CTU strike. The union and its community supporters held the line against the assault by corporate "reformers" like Stand For Children and Democrats for Education Reform (DFER). Now the mayor and his patrons are coming at it another way -- with the expansion of privately run, union-free charter schools. Accordin... more »

SAT® Report: Only 43 Percent of 2012 College-Bound Seniors Are College Ready

coopmike48 at Big Education Ape - 21 hours ago
SAT® Report: Only 43 Percent of 2012 College-Bound Seniors Are College Ready: SAT® Report: Only 43 Percent of 2012 College-Bound Seniors Are College Ready Report Underscores Importance Of Increasing Rigor In America’s Schools 09/24/2012 *NEW YORK — **The SAT Report on College & Career Readiness* released today revealed that only 43 percent of SAT® takers in the class of 2012 graduated from high school with the level of academic preparedness associated with a high likelihood of college success. These findings are based on the percentage of students in the class of 2012 who met the S... more »

FCMAT » Cali Education Headlines Monday, September 24, 2012

coopmike48 at Big Education Ape - 23 hours ago
FCMAT » Fiscal Crisis & Management Assistance Team: Education Headlines *Monday, September 24, 2012* Shrinking pool of future teachers worries stateThe number of people in California who are studying to become teachers has fallen by more than a third since the onset of the recession, and that's not good for the state's future, according to state education officials. Cayucos student shift would drain Coast UnionCayucos parents who want their kids to attend high school in San Luis Coastal School District instead of in Cambria may have their goal hampered by the financial consequence... more »

Chicago Strike Lessons: Teacher Activists Explain How it was Done - Living in Dialogue - Education Week Teacher

coopmike48 at Big Education Ape - 23 hours ago
Chicago Strike Lessons: Teacher Activists Explain How it was Done - Living in Dialogue - Education Week Teacher: Chicago Strike Lessons: Teacher Activists Explain How it was Done by Anthony Cody [image: chicagoflyer.jpg] Follow me on Twitter at @AnthonyCody Chicago's students and teachers returned to their classrooms last Wednesday, having taught us all some valuable lessons. I spent some time this summer with a couple of teacher activists from the big city, Xian Barrett and Adam Heenan, and they were clear about what was giving them strength. This strike action was not a whim. I... more »

A Federal Education Agenda > Publications > National Affairs

coopmike48 at Big Education Ape - 23 hours ago
A Federal Education Agenda > Publications > National Affairs: A Federal Education Agenda FREDERICK M. HESS and ANDREW P. KELLY The conservative approach to education policy is nothing if not confused. Conservatives cheer top-down federal standards and accountability while demanding bottom-up parental choice. They call for eliminating the federal Department of Education, but support spending on major federal education programs like Title I aid for disadvantaged students, the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act, and student loans. They treat restoring "local control" as a pa... more »

Challenged by Old Allies, Teachers’ Unions Court G.O.P. - NYTimes.com

coopmike48 at Big Education Ape - 23 hours ago
Challenged by Old Allies, Teachers’ Unions Court G.O.P. - NYTimes.com: Teachers’ Unions Court G.O.P.By MOTOKO RICHPublished: September 24, 2012 - FACEBOOK - TWITTER - GOOGLE+ - E-MAIL - SHARE - PRINT - SINGLE PAGE - REPRINTS - The strike by public school teachers in Chicago this month drew national attention to a fierce debate over the future of education and exposed the ruptured relationship between teachers’ unions and Democrats like Mayor Rahm Emanuel. Related - What Do Teachers Deserve? In Idaho, Referendum May Offer Answer (September 24, 2... more »

Democracy is Nourished in Our Nation’s Public Schools | LFA: Join The Conversation - Public School Insights

coopmike48 at Big Education Ape - 23 hours ago
Democracy is Nourished in Our Nation’s Public Schools | LFA: Join The Conversation - Public School Insights: Democracy is Nourished in Our Nation’s Public Schools by Tarsi Dunlop The civic mission of schools has a tendency to get lost in the din of other debates surrounding our nation’s education system. Beyond the uproar over teacher evaluations, standardized testing and the role of government, we must keep in mind the fundamental purposes of public education, the heart and soul of a public system. This civic purpose of public education seeks to empower our nation’s children, and ... more »

Karen Lewis and Randi Weingarten on the Chicago teachers strike | Seattle Education

coopmike48 at Big Education Ape - 1 day ago
Karen Lewis and Randi Weingarten on the Chicago teachers strike | Seattle Education: Karen Lewis and Randi Weingarten on the Chicago teachers strike by seattleducation2011 This article was originally published in the Wall Street Journal. It was written by Karen Lewis, president of the Chicago Teachers Union (CTU), and Randi Weingarten, president of the CTU’s national union, the American Federation of Teachers. *After more than a decade of top-down dictates, disruptive school closures, disregard of teachers’ and parents’ input, testing that squeezes out teaching, and cuts to the ... more »






Big Education Ape 2nd Banana 9-22-12 Recap of Last Week's Best PostBig Education Ape 2nd Banana 9-15-12 Recap of Last Week's Best Post 

Big Education Ape 2nd Banana 9-1-12 Recap of Last Week's Best Post Big Education Ape 2nd Banana 8-25-12 Recap of Last Week's Best Post

Big Education Ape 2nd Banana 8-18-12 Recap of Last Week's Best Post
Big Education Ape 2nd Banana 8-11-12 Recap of Last Week's Best PostBig Education Ape 2nd Banana 8-4-12 Recap of Last Week's Best Post





Big Education Ape Nite Cap 9-22-12 #CTUSTRIKE #SOSCHAT #EDCHAT #P2Big Education Ape Nite Cap 9-21-12 #CTUSTRIKE #SOSCHAT #EDCHAT #P2Big Education Ape Nite Cap 9-20-12 #CTUSTRIKE #SOSCHAT #EDCHAT #P2Big Education Ape Nite Cap 9-19-12 #CTUSTRIKE #SOSCHAT #EDCHAT #P2Big Ed Ape Nite Cap Chicago Delegates Vote to Suspend Strike DAY #9 9-18-12 #faircontractnow #CTUSTRIKE #SOSCHAT #EDCHAT #P2Big Ed Ape Nite Cap SPECIAL STRIKE EDITION DAY #8 9-17-12 #faircontractnow #CTUSTRIKE #SOSCHAT #EDCHAT #P2Big Ed Ape Nite Cap SPECIAL STRIKE EDITION DAY #7 9-16-12 #faircontractnow #CTUSTRIKE #SOSCHAT #EDCHAT #P2Big Ed Ape Nite Cap SPECIAL STRIKE EDITION DAY #6 9-15-12 #faircontractnow #CTUSTRIKE #SOSCHAT #EDCHAT #P2

Big Ed Ape Nite Cap SPECIAL STRIKE EDITION DAY #3 9-12-12 #faircontractnow #CTUSTRIKE #SOSCHAT #EDCHAT #P2Big Education Ape Nite Cap SPECIAL STRIKE EDITION 9-11-12 #faircontractnow #CTUSTRIKE #SOSCHAT #EDCHAT #P2

Big Education Ape Nite Cap 9-10-12 #faircontractnow #SOSCHAT #EDCHAT #P2Big Education Ape Nite Cap 9-9-12 #SOSCHAT #EDCHAT #P2Big Education Ape Nite Cap 9-8-12 #SOSCHAT #EDCHAT #P2Big Education Ape Nite Cap 9-7-12 #SOSCHAT #EDCHAT #P2Big Education Ape Nite Cap 9-6-12 #DNC2012 #SOSCHAT #EDCHAT #P2Big Education Ape Nite Cap 9-5-12 #DNC2012 #SOSCHAT #EDCHAT #P2Big Education Ape Nite Cap 9-4-12 #DNC2012 #SOSCHAT #EDCHAT #P2Big Education Ape Nite Cap 9-3-12 #SOSCHAT #EDCHAT #P2Big Education Ape Nite Cap 9-2-12 #SOSCHAT #EDCHAT #P2Big Education Ape Nite Cap 9-1-12 #SOSCHAT #EDCHAT #P2Big Education Ape Nite Cap 8-31-12 #SOSCHAT #EDCHAT #P2Big Education Ape Nite Cap 8-30-12 #SOSCHAT #EDCHAT #P2Big Education Ape Nite Cap 8-29-12 #SOSCHAT #EDCHAT #P2Big Education Ape Nite Cap 8-28-12 #SOSCHAT #EDCHAT #P2Big Education Ape Nite Cap 8-27-12 #SOSCHAT #EDCHAT #P2Big Education Ape Nite Cap 8-26-12 #SOSCHAT #EDCHAT #P2Big Education Ape Nite Cap 8-25-12 #SOSCHAT #EDCHAT #P2Big Education Ape Nite Cap 8-24-12 #SOSCHAT #EDCHAT #P2Big Education Ape Nite Cap 8-23-12 #SOSCHAT #EDCHAT #P2Big Education Ape Nite Cap 8-22-12 #SOSCHAT #EDCHAT #P2

 

Former Americans Elect chief may head Failed DC Chancellor Michelle Rhee's StudentsFirst - POLITICO.com

Former Americans Elect chief may head Rhee's StudentsFirst - POLITICO.com:


Former Americans Elect chief may head Failed DC Chancellor Michelle Rhee's StudentsFirst



The former CEO of Americans Elect may be the next president of the national education reform group founded by onetime Washington D.C. schools Chancellor Michelle Rhee.
Kahlil Byrd, who headed a national campaign to gain ballot access for a third-party presidential candidate, was identified as the next president of StudentsFirst in a Monday email from an outgoing official with the group. StudentsFirst officials declined to confirm the selection, but the group has been in the hunt for additional top-level staff.
In a message to friends and colleagues, outgoing StudentsFirst COO Dmitri Mehlhorn referred to Byrd as the group's new president. In the same email, Mehlhorn announced his own departure from StudentsFirst to join Bloomberg Law.
"Of course, we have much more to do before the USA closes its student achievement gap. But, crucially for me, StudentsFirst is now past the 'launch' phase. The movement’s assets include 

Palmetto Educators Network: How Do Charter Schools Compare to “Schools with Students Like Ours” in South Carolina?

Palmetto Educators Network: How Do Charter Schools Compare to “Schools with Students Like Ours” in South Carolina?:


How Do Charter Schools Compare to “Schools with Students Like Ours” in South Carolina?



How Do Charter Schools Compare to “Schools with Students Like Ours” in South Carolina?

Using the South Carolina School Report Card system and the state Poverty Index, the tables below identify charter schools within the SC Public School Charter District and 5 additional selected charter schools to identify how charter schools in SC compare with “Schools with Students Like Ours” (a metric established by the SC Department of Education, see notes).

The data show that charter schools in SC perform (based on test data drawn from the state assessment system and AYP) BELOW typical in 8/8 elementary 

Missouri Education Watchdog: Feeeeed Me Seymour.

Missouri Education Watchdog: Feeeeed Me Seymour.:


Feeeeed Me Seymour.


Hungry students face the reality and results of Federal mandates in local schools.


This student produced youtube video below illustrates how hungry students are due to the HealthyHunger-Free Kids Act of 2010 (isn't that a delicious contradiction?).  It shows the fallacy of a "one-size fits all" calorie program for students.  Think of this video as a precursor of when the horrors of a "one-size fits all" Common Core educational program is realized by students.  "One size fits all" might work well for a system...for human beings....not so much.



Popout


What happens in Scotland regulating food choices (even outside the school building) might just find its 

Another view on charter amendment: Goal in Georgia ought to be cooperation, not competition. | Get Schooled

Another view on charter amendment: Goal in Georgia ought to be cooperation, not competition. | Get Schooled:




Another view on charter amendment: Goal in Georgia ought to be cooperation, not competition.

Here is a piece from Jim Arnold, a frequent contributor to this space. Per my comment yesterday, I am going to start running more of the many commentaries that I’m receiving on the Nov. 6 charter school amendment vote.
Yesterday’s piece urged support of the amendment.  This essay argues the opposite.
Arnold points out something I learned after my first year on the AJC editorial board — people want schools to solve many varied problems. As the editorial writer who wrote about education issues for the AJC, I met with groups who wanted schools to teach character education, civics and the Bible. I met with folks who wanted schools to educate kids on head injuries, safe sex and allergies. I met with proponents of more recess, art, music, PE, drama and foreign languages.  I met with parents who wanted longer summers and shorter summers or longer school days and shorter days. I met with advocates who wanted to abolish pre-k or who wanted to expand it to 3-year-olds.
There was a …

UPDATE: The most important post you will read today. Constitutional Amendment 49 must be defeated. « Fred Klonsky

The most important post you will read today. Constitutional Amendment 49 must be defeated. « Fred Klonsky:


The most important post you will read today. Constitutional Amendment 49 must be defeated.

My friend Glen Brown wrote this post last June 11th. He was the Paul Revere of Constitutional Amendment 49 which will appear on the November ballot.
This bill represents the most serious threat to the state’s public employees, both active and retired. A no vote by you is not enough. You must contact everyone you know to vote no on this amendment. Some have written me to ask if this is a binding vote or an advisory vote. This is a real vote. If it passes with 60% of the votes, it becomes part of the Illinois Constitution.
By now, most of us know what the “Pension Clause” or Article XIII (General Provisions), Section 5 (Pension and Retirement Rights) of the Illinois Constitution states:  “Membership in any pension or retirement system of the state or any local government or school district, or any agency or 


Park Ridge board of education member Anthony Borelli.


Park Ridge board of education member Anthony Borelli, far right.
There is something healthy and democratic about citizen school boards.
That’s why many in Chicago would like one. Chicago is the only school district in the state without an elected school board.
The district I retired from in June has one, of course. Over the years I have worked with some pretty terrific 

Out and Around: The Presumption of Literacy « Student Activism

Out and Around: The Presumption of Literacy « Student Activism:


Out and Around: The Presumption of Literacy

My sister can’t read.
Her disability usually isn’t obvious when you meet her. And when she’s home visiting my parents, she spends a fair amount of time out in the city on her own. She takes the bus, she shops, she goes to restaurants. She gets her nails done.
My dad gives her her walking-around money as five-dollar bills to limit how much she can lose if someone decides to cheat her when giving change.
But like I say, mostly her disability is invisible. And when folks do notice, they’re usually cool about it.
(I remember once, years ago, I was out with L and we got into some sort of awkward situation. I wanted to explain to the woman we were inconveniencing, and so I said “she’s…” And then I wasn’t sure how to finish the 

There goes that ad again. Every time I see it I find new things. « Fred Klonsky

There goes that ad again. Every time I see it I find new things. « Fred Klonsky:


There goes that ad again. Every time I see it I find new things.

They’re still running that Rahm ad on Chicago TV a week after the teacher’s strike was settled.
I wouldn’t even bring it up again. I though that I have tweeted and posted enough on how stupid it is, how I can’t imagine any Chicagoan who own a remote simply muting it or scrolling past it on their DVR.
As for teachers and other city employees, the sight of that fool must pisses them off. Good luck with the police and fire contracts, Rahm.
But Barb Moreno makes a good point.
What exactly does

Noguera: The Origins of My Views on Education - Bridging Differences - Education Week

Noguera: The Origins of My Views on Education - Bridging Differences - Education Week:


Noguera: The Origins of My Views on Education



















Dear Deborah,
As I join you in blogging on Bridging Differences, allow me to step back and tell readers a little bit about myself to get things started.
I have been in the field of education for almost 30 years. I have been a public school teacher in Providence, R.I., and Oakland, Calif.; an elected school board member in Berkeley, Calif. (1990-1994); a professor and researcher at the University of California, Berkeley; Harvard; and now, New York University. I am also the parent of four children who have attended public schools in Berkeley, Cambridge, and New York City. (I now have a fifth child, but she's still too young to go to school.)

In each of these roles, I've learned new and important lessons about the way education in American society 

Parents United for Responsible Education » Blog Archive » Jonathan Frozol?

Parents United for Responsible Education » Blog Archive » Jonathan Frozol?:


Jonathan Frozol?


OK, OK. It’s kind of silly. But I have Ben & Jerry’s on the brain because we met with them last week – no, not Ben, not Jerry – but a wonderful group of employees who actually decide where the Ben & Jerry’s Foundation money goes. They were in town to visit some of the groups they fund, and PURE is fortunate to be among them.
And they brought coupons. Free pint coupons.
So, here’s the deal. The next three people who register to see Jonathan Kozol this Thursday (register here) and then send me an e-mail using the Contact Us link above will get a coupon for a free B & J pint.  I’ll let you know if you’ve won and you’ll have to find me at the event to claim your prize! Here are the details:
Lecture by Jonathan Kozol, author of Savage Inequalities
September 27, 2012 6pm – 8pm
Northwestern University Law School Thorne Auditorium375 E. Chicago Ave., Chicago, IL 60611
Activist author Jonathan Kozol will speak in Chicago – the epicenter of the corporate-style “education reform” storm – on September 27 about his new book Fire in the Ashes: Twenty-Five Years Among the Poorest Children in America.
Kozol argues that there is a profound connection between urban poverty, racism and educational neglect. Today, he says, the public schools and teachers who serve children in poverty are under attack. Kozol, author of a series of notable books about the conditions of children in urban America, will speak in Chicago on September 27. He will address the current, unprecedented assault on public education and on public school teachers.
In Fire in the Ashes Kozol reconnects with some of the children his readers first met in Amazing Grace (1996), Savage Inequalities (1991) and Shame of the Nation (2006) and his other works documenting the social and educational conditions facing urban children. Kozol argues that as a society, we must judge ourselves by the way we treat our children–particularly our poorest children–and that public schools are a critical anchor in a democratic society. He describes vividly the resilient and curious spirits of children growing up in adversity; he asks that we examine the priorities of our society which has seized upon their public schools as a profit center, instead of a sheltering, supportive center of learning.
The event is free. There will be a discussion after Kozol’s talk.

Bullying Prevention Gains Momentum, But We Still Have A Long Way To Go | LFA: Join The Conversation - Public School Insights

Bullying Prevention Gains Momentum, But We Still Have A Long Way To Go | LFA: Join The Conversation - Public School Insights:


Bullying Prevention Gains Momentum, But We Still Have A Long Way To Go

By Rocío Inclán, Director of the Human and Civil Rights Department of the National Education Association
October is Bullying Prevention month, and this year we see signs of progress in the national effort to stop bullying in our schools.
For example, the recently released 2011 National School Climate Survey from the Gay, Lesbian & Straight Education Network (GLSEN) shows for the first time decreased levels of victimization based on sexual orientation. It also found increased levels of student access to lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) school resources and support.
This is excellent news. LGBT students have been a major target of bullying

What do SAT, ACT scores really mean? - The Answer Sheet - The Washington Post

What do SAT, ACT scores really mean? - The Answer Sheet - The Washington Post:


What do SAT, ACT scores really mean?

The big news in the world of college entrance exams — that would be the SAT and the ACT — is that the scores from the high school class of 2012 were disappointing.
Newly released reading scores on the SAT hit a four-decade low, and
(bigstock)
writing scores edged down too, while math scores were essentially unchanged from last year.  SAT average scores have declined by 20 points since 2006, when the test was revised to include a writing section.
ACT scores for the 2012 high school class were released in August and the national results were essentially the same as in 2011, meaning no real progress.
So what does it all mean? On one level, a lot. On another, pretty 





Science professors biased against females — study

A new Yale University study shows that bias against women persists in the sciences — in this case, at the university level, where science professors of both sexes were found to rate males as “significantly more competent and hireable” than equally qualified female applicants.
Read full article >>

Schools Matter: Technagogically Yours

Schools Matter: Technagogically Yours:


Technagogically Yours

On the heels of a recent post here regarding a K-2 cubicle "learning" factory in Yuma, AZ, "Nineteenth Century English Schools...," I'd like to offer something on what I have called "technagogy." But briefly, I would note that the Yuma, AZ school isn't only English, it is fully American as well. This is only natural as America is the child of England.

Some of you may know that Henry Thoreau was, for two weeks, a kind of "district" manager for the Concord Schools--one of the top slots earning big dollars for the time, and he just out of Harvard. One primary duty of teachers in this setting was to try to maintain air quality as the rooms were heated by wood stoves, were poorly ventilated, and the students' health was in real danger. Why two weeks for Henry's tenure, especially in the 

A Conservative Agenda for Federal Edu-Policy :: Frederick M. Hess

A Conservative Agenda for Federal Edu-Policy :: Frederick M. Hess:


Education and Democracy | Dailycensored.com

Education and Democracy | Dailycensored.com:


Education and Democracy

Why this parent blames the mayor for teachers strike | catalyst-chicago.org

Why this parent blames the mayor for teachers strike | catalyst-chicago.org:


Why this parent blames the mayor for teachers strike

I think the mayor is just plain wrong and at fault for the current strike. I think he set out to demonize the teachers and imply they were overpaid and under-performing.
My kid is in a Chicago public school—a really good one, with selective enrollment, great teachers, and a great new “green” school building that is LEED-certified - but has no air conditioning. And here’s the thing: It's getting warmer earlier--in the 80's last March, and hot in school. You know what? It's hard to learn and to teach when it’s too hot. The heat makes it difficult to concentrate.
Why is this relevant? The lack of air-conditioning in some schools is just one of the issues that have been raised by teachers in the current strike. In Track E schools, students were in non-air 

Jersey Jazzman: No Correlation Between Intelligence and Wealth

Jersey Jazzman: No Correlation Between Intelligence and Wealth:


No Correlation Between Intelligence and Wealth

It's important to understand that when I and others say there is a correlation between socio-economic status and test scores, we're not saying there's a correlation between socio-economic status and intelligence.

Mitt Romney proves it:
Romney’s wife, Ann, was in attendance, and the candidate spoke of the concern he had for her when her plane had to make an emergency landing Friday en route to Santa Monica because of an electrical  malfunction.
“I appreciate the fact that she is on the ground, safe and sound. And I don’t think she knows just how worried some of us were,” Romney said. “When you have a fire in an aircraft, 

LAUSD: TEACHER QUALITY (REMOVAL) SPECIALIST - Perdaily.com

LAUSD: TEACHER QUALITY (REMOVAL) SPECIALIST - Perdaily.com:


LAUSD: TEACHER QUALITY (REMOVAL) SPECIALIST


Calvera.jpg
(Mensaje se repite en Español)

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

In the 1960 movie The Magnificent Seven, the bandit Calvera, played by Eli Wallach, tries to get the gunfighter, played by Yul Brenner, to help him rob the poor peasants in a small Mexican village by telling him, "If G-d did not want them shorn, he would not have made them sheep." As more and more teachers