Mike Klonsky's SmallTalk Blog: Obama's horrible interview with Savannah Guthrie

Mike Klonsky's SmallTalk Blog: Obama's horrible interview with Savannah Guthrie:

Obama's horrible interview with Savannah Guthrie

by Mike Klonsky

"When I’m in the White House, I’ll put on a comfortable pair of shoes myself. I’ll walk on that picket line with you as POTUS, because workers deserve to know that somebody’s standing in their court." -- Barack Obama in 2007

Pres.Obama's response to Savannah Guthrie's Education Nation interview questions left me cold -- literally sent a chill down my spine. I had no expectations that he would offer anything beyond the usual empty platitudes about the historic Chicago teachers strike. Those -- "I'll put on my walking shoes" to protect collective bargaining rights -- days are long gone, especially now that big-city Democrats are replacing Tea Party governors in the vanguard of the war against public employee unions. Instead, the president gives us something right out of Rahm Emanuel's current TV ads, which are being underwritten by DFER hedge-funders.

"Teachers have embraced merit pay."

After some double-talk and a few rhetorical bones thrown to AFT and 

Modern School: Let Them Eat Ballots: Unions’ Obsession With Political Action

Modern School: Let Them Eat Ballots: Unions’ Obsession With Political Action:

Let Them Eat Ballots: Unions’ Obsession With Political Action

by Michael Dunn

California’s Proposition 32, on the November ballot, has been dubbed the Stop Special Interests initiative. In reality, it is targeted at the state’s unions, with the goal of preventing them from using payroll deductions to fund their political campaigns and lobbying. The bill would have virtually no effect on private businesses or corporate lobbying, as private businesses do not raise political funds through payroll deductions.

The campaign in support of 32, not surprisingly, has been heavily funded by corporate interests that hope to stifle unions’ political involvement, which is already miniscule compared with theirs. Yet even their small involvement in politics is unacceptable to the wealthy, who would like to see the unions, as well as any workplace and environmental protections, disappear 

Today in Labor History—September 26

by Michael Dunn

Daniel Shays and Job Shattuck, the Two Rebel Leaders

NFL Fans and Players are a Bunch of Crybabies

by Michael Dunn

By now everyone who follows football has heard about the terrible call that gave Seattle an undeserved victory over Green Bay on Monday. Some are calling it the worst call ever, which it wasn’t. But it was made by a scab referee who is part of the army of scab referees that have been hired by the NFL owners to ensure that the games go on in spite of the referees’ strike and that they can continue to bring in billions of dollars in profits.

Yes, the strike is terrible for the players, whose credibility, salability and post-season bonuses depend on their won-lost record, which could be undermined by the plethora of bad calls that have been made this season by the scab refs. Several of them have been complaining publicly 

Legendary crooner Andy Williams has died

Legendary crooner Andy Williams has died

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By Ann Oldenburg, USA TODAY

Updated 32m ago

CAPTION

Neilson Barnard, Getty Images

Sad news to report from the music world: Legendary singer Andy Williams died Tuesday night.

His rep tells Lifeline Live that Williams passed away after a year-long battle with bladder cancer. He was 84.

Williams, who was one of the most popular vocalists of the 1960s as well as an avid golfer, died at home in Branson, Mo., where he owns the Moon River Theatre. Moon River -- by Johnny Mercer and Henry Mancini -- was one of Williams' signature songs. On Twitter, fans are saying farewell to our "huckleberry friend."

Does being connected help in being recognized? « My Island View

Does being connected help in being recognized? « My Island View:

Does being connected help in being recognized?

by tomwhitby

This is a difficult subject to write about without being labeled smug, arrogant, conceited, or all three, but that is a risk I take. The Bammy Awards took place recently. If you never heard of The Bammy Awards for educators, there is good reason. They were invented this year. From the Bammy Awards site  we have this: “The Bammy Awards acknowledge that teachers can’t do it alone and don’t do it alone. The Awards aim to foster cross-discipline recognition of excellence in education, encourage collaboration and respect in and across the various domains, elevate education and education successes in the public eye, and raise the profile and voices of the many undervalued and unrecognized people who are making a difference in the field.” This was a first time event sponsored by BAM radio. “The Bammy Awards is organized by BAM Radio Network, which produces education programming for the nation’s leading education associations. BAM Radio is the largest 

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

Schools Matter: 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?

by P. L. Thomas

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 schools, 7/9 middle schools, and 3/7 (for those with data) high 

Op-Ed: Why charter schools are not enough | Ballard News-Tribune

Op-Ed: Why charter schools are not enough | Ballard News-Tribune:

Op-Ed: Why charter schools are not enough

09/26/2012

This editorial is by Demian Godon, an opponent of I-1240 -- an initiative that would allow charter schools in Washington -- and a parent of two kids at Ballard High School.

It’s no secret that we need to improve education in this state. But a charter schools measure on this year’s ballot is the wrong move.

Initiative 1240 forces the state to spend millions on unproven ideas for a few, while neglecting to do anything that will really help all our kids. And I-1240 leaves little room for parents to be involved. That’s why the Washington State PTA has opposed I-1240.

Washington crams more kids into its classrooms than 46 of our 50 states. Our kids read outdated textbooks and prepare for the 21st century economy with 

New 2-year lease on life for 163 Partnership Academies | EdSource Today

New 2-year lease on life for 163 Partnership Academies | EdSource Today:

New 2-year lease on life for 163 Partnership Academies

September 26th, 2012 | Add a Comment | 
By John Fensterwald

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Financially threatened high school career academies will get a lifeline and new career tech programs will get a lift, now that Gov. Jerry Brown has signed legislation committing $68 million for those and related projects over the next two years.

Students in the engineering academy at Dublin High School. Source: California Department of Education  (click to enlarge).

SB 1070 will sustain the career technology programs in high schools and community colleges that were to lose their funding and authorization at the end of this fiscal year in June. Now they will have additional time, and the Legislature will have two more years, to consider their future. The bill’s author is Senate President pro Tem Darrell Steinberg, who has been a CTE champion in the Legislature.

The chief beneficiary will be 163California Partnership Academies, about a third of the total 503 in the 

NYC Educator: Work Expands to Fill the Available Space

NYC Educator: Work Expands to Fill the Available Space:

Work Expands to Fill the Available Space

by Miss Eyre

I usually spend about 10 hours inside the school building on any given day.  That means 50 hours/week.  Add in the time I spend on the weekend and you're probably up to about 55.  Which sounds like a more-than-adequate work week.  Yet I can't figure out how that never seems like enough time.

And trust me, those are ten badass hours.  I usually work through my lunch, or if I do stop, I only take about half the period.  Factor in a bathroom or coffee break here and there and I'm still working for nine or nine-and-a-half solid hours.  How is that not enough 

Teachers Teach and Do The World Good [Why We Write Series] | The Jose Vilson

Teachers Teach and Do The World Good [Why We Write Series] | The Jose Vilson:

Teachers Teach and Do The World Good [Why We Write Series]

by Jose

KRS-One

My lunch period usually consists of a walk around the way with a strawberry-banana-mango protein shake and a baked empanada, enough to hold me over until five o’clock dinner, usually uninterrupted by the passersby, especially not a former student yelling my name for the entire neighborhood to hear.
“Oh my God, is that who I think it is?”
I push my Kangol a little lower, smile quietly, and keep walking, fully expecting to remain anti-social for my “duty-free” break.
I didn’t. He runs over and says, “Mr. VILSON!” and throws

Georgia’s schizophrenic politics of education | Get Schooled

Georgia’s schizophrenic politics of education | Get Schooled:

Georgia’s schizophrenic politics of education

by Maureen Downey

Lee Raudonis is a former teacher and former executive director of the Georgia Republican Party. He is currently a communications consultant and writer for an education publication. This is his first essay for the blog. Welcome.

By Lee Raudonis

I admit it. I am confused. I do not understand the method behind what certainly appears to be the madness of Georgia education policies. O.K., maybe “madness” is too strong of a term to use, but there is no doubt that many educators—and parents— consider our state’s approach to education policy over the past decade to be both confusing and maddening. There is not much doubt that it 

DIARY OF A PUBLIC SCHOOL TEACHER!: Standardized Testing Stole Our Day!

DIARY OF A PUBLIC SCHOOL TEACHER!: Standardized Testing Stole Our Day!:

Standardized Testing Stole Our Day!

by Lisa M

I planned in advance and completely forgot that we were having the standardized Math test today! Bummer!
Wonderful plans put on hold....

This is what my students and I lost today because Standardized testing took a day from us...

• The chance to read an article on Tweentribune and poist comments and/or leave a comment on ourQuadblogging friends website.
• Sharing laughter over the Brainpop Joke of the Day and viewing/discussing the video offered on

A people’s education platform - The Answer Sheet - The Washington Post

A people’s education platform - The Answer Sheet - The Washington Post:

A people’s education platform

By Valerie Strauss

With the presidential election approaching and the recent Chicago teachers strike, it seems like a good time for the following post, a “people’s platform” for education, or what Americans really want from their public schools. It was written by Nancy Flanagan, an education consultant and blogger at Education Week Teacher, and Don Bartalo, a retired superintendent who now works as an instructional coach and is also an author.

By Nancy Flanagan and Don Bartalo

What if education policy guidelines and political platforms were shaped by rank-and-file citizens?

What if the real education experts — parents, teachers, students and 

How one teacher dealt with class clown — video

by Valerie Strauss

Here’s a video showing how one teacher handled a class clown. Note: This is not a recommended disciplinary method.
Read full article >>

President Obama interview for Education Nation — transcript

by Valerie Strauss

Here’s the transcript of an interview that President Obama gave to NBC News and that was aired on Tuesday during the network’s 2012 Education Nation Summit.
Republican presidential candidate Mitt Romney also gave an interview at the summit, which you can read here.
Read full article >>

The Call For Lucy Calkins to be Arrested, Prosecuted, Convicted and Sentenced.southbronxschool.com

http://www.southbronxschool.com:

The Call For Lucy Calkins to be Arrested, Prosecuted, Convicted and Sentenced

by noreply@blogger.com (Bronx Teacher)

We here in the past month or so we have taken, and deservedly so, Lucy Calkins to task for her systematic compliance in ruining the lives of NYC's students.

Tonight we welcome a special correspondent attached to The Crack Team with a post on how Lucy Calkins and her cult of failure have ruined not only this guest blogger's students, but the reading process as well.

Administrators advocating for Teachers College Reading and Writing are either completely clueless and lacking common sense or are simply corrupt administrators just playing the game.

Students who have been completely immersed in TC

LAUSD, STRS, UTLA - Perdaily.com

LAUSD, STRS, UTLA - Perdaily.com:

LAUSD: WHAT HAPPENED TO THE CRITICAL SHORTAGE OF TEACHERS?

by Leonard Isenberg

(Mensaje se repite en Español)

(For a national view of public education reform see the end of this blog post)
Five years ago, there was serious concern about the critical shortage of teachers that would take place over the next ten years as the Baby Boomer generation- 4 times larger than any previous generation- reached retirement age and left the profession. This was projected to create a 50% loss of all teachers throughout the country. How would we be able to replace so many teachers 

A Glimpse of EdTour 2012 « InterACT

A Glimpse of EdTour 2012 « InterACT:

A Glimpse of EdTour 2012

by David B. Cohen

The U.S. Education Department has wrapped up its 2012 tour, conducted under the banner “Education Drives America.”  You can read about some of the events and interactions at the official blog of the bus tour: Teaching Ambassador Fellow Dan Brown wrote up a good summary.  While I think its appropriate to maintain a degree of skepticism about public relations events like this, I credit the department for creating actual opportunities for relations.  The events I saw in the San Francisco Bay Area on September 12th were more than photo-ops.
The tour began at Sequoia High School in Redwood City, California, with speakers and a panel discussion moderated by Arne Duncan.   The panel participants were Andrew Ng (a computer science professor at Stanford), Sal Khan (who probably no longer needs any introduction), and Catlin Tucker, a high school English teacher, author, blogger, and member of Accomplished California Teachers.  (Click to read Catlin’s blog postabout the event).

Back-to-School Bus Tour panel discussion (l-r): Arne Duncan, Andrew Ng, Sal Khan, Catlin Tucker (photo by the author)

The conversation seemed fruitful and informative

Preparing Students for the Future? - Teacher in a Strange Land - Education Week Teacher

Preparing Students for the Future? - Teacher in a Strange Land - Education Week Teacher:

Preparing Students for the Future?

by Nancy Flanagan

I just finished The Connected Educator: Learning and Leading in a Digital Age, certainly the most useful book I've read lately on how to cope with might be ahead in education. Whenever prognosticators discuss our collective ed-future--21st century learning, the disrupted class, the shift-- there are snazzy phrases and new, improved strategies to make learning more efficient. Higher scores in less time at lower cost, competitive learning through better tools.
Authors Sheryl Nussbaum-Beach and Lani Ritter Hall write instead about human relationships, using new tools and ideas to build networks and communities that are well-designed but evolving, collaborative and sustainable. These groups focus on the work educators themselves believe is most important. The text is filled with probing questions and illustrative stories, but nary a value-added chart. Favorite section heading? Put People Before 

The Innovative Educator: Teen Exposes Romney As Clueless To High Stakes Testing Flaws

The Innovative Educator: Teen Exposes Romney As Clueless To High Stakes Testing Flaws:

Teen Exposes Romney As Clueless To High Stakes Testing Flaws

by noreply@blogger.com (Lisa Nielsen)

Nikhyl Goyal: Considering standardized testing has increased to historic levels causing a lot of teaching to the test, billions of dollars spent, and killing creativity, how would you as president change this trend? 

Mitt Romney: I don't have a better model than a testing system.

-------

And there ya have it.

Nikhil Goyal, the teenage author of One Size Does Not Fit All, presented Mitt Romney with a hard-hitting question during NBC’s Education Nation exposing the presidential hopeful’s extreme ignorance when it comes to education policy.


Romney made a patronizing attempt at schooling the younger and wiser student but as he uttered each word of his response his ignorance on the topic became uncomfortably clear.

Romney explained it this way...

Lie
First he said...
“You will find throughout your life