Shanker Blog » Are Charter Caps Keeping Great Schools From Opening?

Shanker Blog » Are Charter Caps Keeping Great Schools From Opening?:

Are Charter Caps Keeping Great Schools From Opening?

by Matthew Di Carlo

Charter school “caps” are state-imposed limits on the size or growth of charter sectors. Currently, around 25 states and counting set caps on schools or enrollment, with wide variation in terms of specifics: Some states simply set a cap on the number of schools (or charters in force); others limit annual growth; and still others specify caps on both growth and size (there are also a few places that cap proportional spending, coverage by individual operators and other dimensions).
A great many charter school supporters strongly support the lifting of these restrictions, arguing that they prevent the opening of high-quality schools. This is, of course, an oversimplification at best, as lifting caps could just as easily lead to the proliferation of the many unsuccessful charters. If the charter school experiment has taught us 

The Charter School Achievement First - Hartford and their “Reorientation Room” - Wait, What?

The Charter School Achievement First - Hartford and their “Reorientation Room” - Wait, What?

The Charter School Achievement First – Hartford and their “Reorientation Room”

by jonpelto

According to a recent Hartford Courant story about Achievement First –Hartford’s newly opened high school, “Rolling one’s eyes at a teacher will get a freshman sent to the school’s Reorientation Room, where Dean of School Culture Peter Uwalaka said “’they get the extra culture they need.’”

The Achievement First Family Handbook goes into far more detail about the school’s discipline policy.

Having spoken with parents who have had students attending an Achievement First school, the “Reorientation Room” is a place that students go to work on improving unacceptable behaviors.  Students temporarily lose the privilege of wearing the school uniform. Instead, they wear a practice shirt. Students are not allowed to communicate 

Public School State of Mind

Published on Sep 24, 2012 by xtrand3

This music video is dedicated to public school employees across America who work hard every day to make a difference in the lives of our children. Please send this to everyone you know in their honor. (Expand for Lyrics)

There are many ways that schools across America celebrate public education. This music video is an upbeat and creative way the Blue Valley School District chose to highlight its dedicated staff and hard-working students. The Public School State of Mind sings the praises of the educational journey from elementary to middle and then high school. Blue Valley students known as Wes-Ley and Lil' Sister deliver a performance that is quite a treat.

Blue Valley School District
15020 Metcalf Ave
Overland Park, KS 66223
www.bluevalleyk12.org

Thanks to Jeremiah Watkins, Devin Ruis, and Blue Valley Broadcast instructors! Music performed by regal252nc!
Special thanks to our favorite public school teacher...our Mom!

The music and lyrics were produce in the same style as "Empire State of Mind" by Jay-Z & Alicia Keys.

Lyrics:
Yeah, I'm in public school, in the elementary
I started in pre-school, where I learned my A-B-Cs
I still remember, starting on the first day
How I met some new friends, and I started to play
Walking down the hall, in line we would stand
If we wanted to talk in class, we raised our hand
If you have a question, they don't even hesitate
If you have a special need, they can accommodate
Math Reading Science, Art Music, PE
Personalize my learning, with an I.E.P.
Para Professional, Principal Secretary
Counselor custodian, they are extraordinary
Character education, it is the master key
That will unlock the grown up, I'm growing up to be
I love my teachers, it's going by too fast for me
I'll miss them all when I'm gone, cause soon I'm gonna leave

Chorus
Grade School, education where dreams are made from
There's nothin' you can't do
Now you're in Grade School
They'll teach you things that are brand new
teachers will inspire you
Let's hear it for Grade School, Grade School, Grade School

Everything starts to change, when you enter Middle School
Who's dating who, everybody trying to be cool
Bodies are changing, there are feelings to rebel
Teachers teaching preteens, they deserve a Nobel
Make a difference, has always been their aim
They don't just make a spark, they ignite the flame
Heroes in plain clothes, if the whole truth be known
But not even Superman, could do this job alone
It takes a community, teamwork and hard work
but who's helping these kids, when they do their homework?
The middle school years, are the most crucial in your life
To be well rounded, electives are rife
More than just your core classes, Reading, Science and Math
With foreign language, drama, band, you choose your own path
Emotional support, and ascending confidence
Learning who I am, I'm thankful for the guidance in

Chorus
Middle School, education where dreams are made from
There's nothin' you can't do
Now you're in Middle School
They'll teach you things that are brand new
Teachers will inspire you
Let's hear it for Middle School, Middle School

No longer boys and girls, growing into men and women
Still acting juvenile, every now and then
The futures on your doorstep, 4 years to graduate
That plan for the future? It's now time to actuate
I trust the teachers, dedicated to serve
Leadership patience, that's what I observe
That passion to give, it comes from their core
A challenge to be more, knowledge seeping out their pores
Cheering our success, trained to be the best
Judged by our scores, forced to teach to the test
A teachers job description, is not well defined
30 kids in one class, and no child left behind
I'm not here to inflame, shame but to proclaim
If national scores are low, school teachers aint to blame
With diploma in hand, your dreams are within reach
Stay in school and learn, from those who were called to teach

Chorus
High School, education where dreams are made from
There's nothin' you can't do
Now you're in High School
They'll teach you things that are brand new
Teacher will inspire you
To graduate High School, High School, High School

Nigeria Campus Massacre May Be Linked To Student Union Election « Student Activism

Nigeria Campus Massacre May Be Linked To Student Union Election « Student Activism:

Nigeria Campus Massacre May Be Linked To Student Union Election

by Angus Johnston

As many as forty people were killed early Tuesday morning in a student hostel adjoining Federal Polytechnic Mubi, a college in northeastern Nigeria, and authorities are trying to piece together why.
Initial suspician centered on Boko Hiram, a violent Islamist group whose name literally means “western education is forbidden.” But given the nature of the killings and the reported targets, officials now believe that the massacre may be connected to student elections held last weekend.
The police commissioner for the region told reporters that many of those killed “were executive leaders that were elected” in the Saturday elections, which the New York Times said were “bitterly contested along religious and ethnic lines.” The BBC reports that student union leadership positions in Nigeria are often “stepping stones” to

The For-Profit College Implosion Picks Up Speed

by Angus Johnston

This is really welcome news.
For-profit higher ed behemoth Kaplan, which is owned by the Washington Post, announced last week that it is closing thirteen of its seventy campuses nationwide. Nine will shut down completely, and another four will be folded into nearby locations.
Even better news is the reason for the shutdowns — three of the campuses were apparently just stripped of their accreditation, and thus their students’ eligibility for federal loans.
Loan defaults at for-profit colleges are ridiculously common, with three-year defaults standing at 22.7% in newly-

Diane Ravitch on the "Effort to Destroy Public Ed":

Diane Ravitch on the "Effort to Destroy Public Ed"

ABBY RAPOPORT

OCTOBER 2, 2012

Part 2 of the Prospect's interview with the former assistant secretary of education

Diane Ravitch receiving a National Education Association award in 2010.

Click here to read part 1 of the Prospect's interview with the former assistant secretary of education.

When Diane Ravitch changed her mind about education reform, she became one of the leading critics of a movement that dominates American policy. For the most part, both Democrats and Republicans now push to make school systems resemble economic markets. They want fewer teacher protections, 

Education dept. again turning down records request:

Education dept. again turning down records request

Oct 3, 2012 6:52am

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NEW ORLEANS (AP) — After saying last August that a public records request would be fulfilled, Louisiana's education department is again refusing to provide The Associated Press with records on how schools were chosen to participate in Gov. Bobby Jindal's new statewide voucher program.
The Associated Press requested the records on June 12. The department initially rejected the request on Aug. 3. However, a spokesman for Education Superintendent John White later told an AP capital bureau reporter that the records request would be fulfilled in September — after the final voucher enrollment numbers were tallied.
But, on Monday, White said in a letter that the request for records, emails or other communications was "overly broad." He also said records pertaining to the development of policies or deliberation among managers and staff are not public records.
"It was never our intention to provide documents that went against the advice of counsel and were not deemed public record," Erin Bendily, a deputy secretary in the department, said in an interview Monday.
The AP's June 12 request cited the state constitution and state law regarding public records. The request was for "any and all records, emails or other communications pertaining to the development of criteria used in selecting schools 

Back to $chool: College Is the Past, Prison Is the Future | toteachornototeach

Back to $chool: College Is the Past, Prison Is the Future | toteachornototeach:

Back to $chool: College Is the Past, Prison Is the Future

by aristotlethewise

College Is the Past, Prison Is the Future

by Andy Kroll
It was the greatest education system the world had ever seen. They built it into the eucalyptus-dotted Berkeley hills and under the bright lights of Los Angeles, down in the valley in Fresno and in the shadows of the San Bernardino Mountains. Hundreds of college campuses, large and small, two-year and four-year, stretching from California’s emerald forests in the north to the heat-scorched Inland Empire in the south. Each had its own DNA, but common to all was this: they promised a “public” education, accessible and affordable, to those with means 

Daily Kos: Reflecting upon an experience with a student

Daily Kos: Reflecting upon an experience with a student:

Reflecting upon an experience with a student

by rss@dailykos.com (teacherken)

I still remember her.
She was a shy girl, very pretty, but concerned because she wore glasses and braces.
She was quite bright, but easily panicked, particularly when taking tests.
I talked with her counselor and her parents, and then talked with her.
When she took a test and she saw other students sailing through the material she got very anxious and could not get what she knew in her head out onto her paper or to a scantron.  She would worry that she was going to run out of time, and that would add to her panic
I asked if she were willing to try something.  When I explained, she agreed to try.
For the next test I gave in 7th Grade American Studies at Williamsburg Middle School in Arlington Virginia, I had her come in on her lunch hour and take it with no one in the room. I would give her all the time she needed. She 

NJ Save Our Schools March Update, October 2012Save Our Schools

NJ Save Our Schools March Update, October 2012Save Our Schools:

NJ Save Our Schools March Update, October 2012

by Server

NJ Save Our Schools March Update, October 2012

Chicago Teachers Union hangs tough and wins a significant victory. I won’t go into the details as the event has been well covered and analyzed extensively. In my opinion, one factor that’s worth mentioning is that the union fought for the rights for teachers, children and the schools in Chicago started as a small rank and file study group, CORE (Caucus of Rank and File Educators) intent on questioning and inevitably challenging and winning against the entrenched CTU. Many of us feel helpless against the bureaucratic wall of our unions and there are many lessons to be learned from democratization of the CTU. Blogs, articles and open forums discussing the rise of this CTU are happening as we speak to encourage other union members to fight back against sweetheart unions and anti-union politicians.

Check our website out for more actions, articles and information. It is also noteworthy to mention that the 

Webinar; The Schools Chicago’s Students Deserve

by Server

Save Our Schools Webinar
The Schools Chicago’s Students Deserve.
Core Caucus Leader Sarah Chambers and CTU Teachers
Thursday, October 4, 2012 9:00 PM Eastern Time [ET}
Please Join Us!

Sarah Chambers, Core Caucus Leader for The Chicago Teachers Union [CTU] will moderate the Webinar.

CORE is The Caucus of Rank and File Educators (CORE) is a group of dedicated teachers, retirees, Paraprofessional School Related Personnel (PSRPs), parents, community members and other champions of public education. We fight for equitable public education and hope to improve the Chicago Teacher’s Union (CTU) so that it fights both on behalf of its members and on behalf of Chicago’s students.

The strength of CORE helped elect Karen Lewis CTU President. These Rank and File educators were instrumental in leadership roles leading up to and during the strike.

Sarah will share the overall context and history of the teacher’s union movement known as CORE, the strategy’s used to build unity, understanding and commitment within the rank and file membership. She and CTU Teachers will also discuss the highly successful efforts made to involve and inform the parents and the community at large.

Teachers Paula Madden, Tamara Laird, Rosalva Acevedo, Angel Perez will discuss the process of coming to a 98% vote to strike. The daily picketing and actions in the community will also be a topic for discussion. The decision to end the strike…There is much to talk about.

The Chicago Teachers will focus on the experiences they shared on the picket-line. Each will offer insights, learnings, challenges, and hopes. The Educators will share the thoughts and experiences that led to them, personally, to favor a strike. During the action realizations abound. Now, upon reflection, the Teachers acknowledge that the event was their teacher. Community support contributed to the lessons learned.

Each of these people, teachers, counselors, aides, parents, students and the local clergy amassed a abundance of knowledge. As they got to know each other and became unified on the issues that make a difference in theirs and their student’s lives. Together they went on strike to provide The Schools Chicago’s Students Deserve.

Paula Madden has been teaching in Chicago Public schools for more than 25 years and is very active in advocating for the Schools that all our Children deserve.

Angel Perez teaches 5th grade science at Salcedo. Last year Perez taught at Marquette. That school was closed and turned around this past year. Angel has been teaching since 1995

Rosalva Acevedo currently teaches 3 and 4 year olds in Salcedo’s head start program. She has 10 plus years teaching as well as ten years experience as a Principal.

Tamara Laird also teaches in the Head Start program.

Please join Sarah Chambers, Paula Madden, Tamara Laird, Rosalva Acevedo, Angel for the Thursday, October 4th Webinar…9:00 PM Eastern Time [ET].

If you were there, in Chicago, on the picket-line, or wish to live vicariously and feel as though you were, please partake in Chicago Teachers Union Strike. Parents and Teachers Take It to the Streets

Review: Anti-union movie ‘Won’t Back Down’ is a step backward

Server at Save Our Schools - 5 hours ago

*Review: Anti-union movie ‘Won’t Back Down’ is a step backward* *Originally published September 28, 2012 at eschoolnews.* If you believe there’s something fundamentally wrong with America’s public schools, there are plenty of complaints to choose from. Teachers might say that parents have abdicated their responsibilities. Parents might say that tax cuts have eroded the revenue base. Revenue generators might say that teachers unions have protected bad educators. And a reasonably well-educated film critic might say that nobody in this complicated equation is teaching kids or their ta...more »

Thank You Parents!

Server at Save Our Schools - 5 hours ago

Thank you for your support in our fight for quality public education and a fair contract. Parents, students, teachers, PSRPs, and clinicians joined together to demand what our students need and deserve. Chicago Teachers Union members’ determination and your support … Continue reading →

Letter to Obama Campaign Reference…CTU Strike

Server at Save Our Schools - 5 hours ago

*Letter to Obama Campaign Reference…CTU Strike* *Save Our Schools* Jennifer Psaki Obama For America P. O. Box 803638 Chicago, Illinois 60680 September 18, 2012 Dear Ms. Psaki – The Steering Committee of *Save our Schools: A National Call to Action* is compelled to respond to your comments during a recent press briefing regarding the Chicago Teachers Union strike. *SOS* is a national organization dedicated to public education as the cornerstone of a democratic society. It is committed to education policy and actions shaped by the diverse voices of classroom, fami... more »

Chicago Teachers Strike Ended

Server at Save Our Schools - 5 hours ago

Save Our Schools: A National Call to Action www.saveourschoolsmarch.org FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: UPDATE: THE STRIKE ENDS !!! This afternoon we heard the word; the Chicago Teachers strike ended. We saw the reports, Teachers End Chicago Strike on Second Try The … Continue reading →

Parents and Teachers United; CTU September 18th

Server at Save Our Schools - 5 hours ago

*A morning on the CTU Picket lines* *By Bob George. September 18, 2012*Dear All I had the privilege of spending the morning on the picket lines with CTU teachers and the parents and students who support them. The sense of community I experienced is palpable. Teachers had learned what it means to struggle together for the common good. They have developed trust and increased the respect for each other and for the parents and community they serve. The parents and students were there with the strikers every day on the line. They showed their support tangibly by providing a hot home co... more »

NJ Save Our Schools March Update, Fall Actions, 9/17/12

Server at Save Our Schools - 5 hours ago

*NJ SAVE OUR SCHOOLS MARCH UPDATE, FALL ACTIONS, 9/17/12* *Members of NJ SOS MARCH tabled at the *Occupy the K-12 Public School Narrative on Saturday, September 15* in Washington Square Park, NYC. There were also breakout sessions that joined parents, students, community and education activists to discuss: corporate reform, teacher education, high stakes testing, opting out and the continuum of resistance. There were upwards of 60 participants and much information and ideas for future actions to educate the public and in general protect the further corporate takeover of our publ... more »

A Morning on the CTU Picket lines

Server at Save Our Schools - 5 hours ago

*A morning on the CTU Picket lines* *By Bob George. September 14.2012*Today I had the honor of walking the Chicago Teachers’ Union Picket lines. I joined students, parents, nurses, counselors and Teachers. They are united in a common cause. Each fights for the schools that the student’s deserve. Throughout the day, parents united, stood on the picket line, with the Teachers. In the morning, Mom and Dads brought breakfast to the educators. Then. later, more parents arrived; home-made lunches for the strikers in hand Students joined their mentors on the picket lines. Whole familie... more »

Chicago Strike

Server at Save Our Schools - 5 hours ago

*Chicago Strike* *Originally Published by Deb Meier, September 10, 2012* Forty five years go, fresh from Chicago, I began teaching kindergarten in Central Harlem. Instead we went on strike. A year later we did it again–and on issues that remain (to this day) open to fierce arguments among friends. They were tough strikes–and yet I remember them with both sorrow and joy. The students in my own children’s schools joined their teachers in off-site sort-of schools after the picketing was over. Relationships between teachers and students blossomed. But there was also great divisiveness ... more »

LAUSD'S CLEAR PURPOSE: TEACHING POOR AND COLORED FOLK TO KNOW THEIR PLACE - Perdaily.com

LAUSD'S CLEAR PURPOSE: TEACHING POOR AND COLORED FOLK TO KNOW THEIR PLACE - Perdaily.com:

LAUSD'S CLEAR PURPOSE: TEACHING POOR AND COLORED FOLK TO KNOW THEIR PLACE

by Leonard Isenberg

(Mensaje se repite en Español)

(For a national view of public education reform see the end of this blog post)
When it comes to explaining why public education in this country- and more specifically at the Los Angeles Unified School District (LAUSD)- continues to fail, every convoluted and implausible explanation is given except the most obvious: The people who own this country don't want poor and minority children to learn, because truly universal and excellent public education would be a 

Head of national teachers union: Touring Philadelphia schools, assessing political obstacles - Philly.com

Head of national teachers union: Touring Philadelphia schools, assessing political obstacles - Philly.com:

Head of national teachers union: Touring Philadelphia schools, assessing political obstacles

October 02, 2012|By Kristen A. Graham, Inquirer Staff Writer

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Randi Weingarten, president of the American Federation of Teachers, with new Superintendent… (CHARLES FOX / Staff Photographer )

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Walking and driving around Philadelphia on Monday, Randi Weingarten was struck by the vibrant, dynamic city she saw.

"This is a booming town," the American Federation of Teachers president said.

The reality inside the city's public schools doesn't match, said Weingarten, who visited Philadelphia as part of her national back-to-school tour.

"People are really upset at the relentless budget cutting and the pitting of charters against a public school system that has been buffeted by state takeover and by the cuts," she said in an interview. 

IEA’s Illinois Political Action Recommendations. The stuff hits the fan. « Fred Klonsky

IEA’s Illinois Political Action Recommendations. The stuff hits the fan. « Fred Klonsky:

IEA’s Illinois Political Action Recommendations. The stuff hits the fan.

by Fred Klonsky

Not a dime more to GOP House Leader Tom Cross.
Many IEA members were stunned this week when they received the brochure with the recommendations for the Illinois House and Senate.
I didn’t see it, since I’m out here in Michigan for the month and I don’t get my mail. But I got plenty of email. Plenty.
I went to the IEA website and pulled up the list. Jeez. No wonder people are pissed.
Remember that these recommendations are accompanied by IEA resources including IEA member contributions 

Veto pits charter school autonomy against affordable meals | California Watch

Veto pits charter school autonomy against affordable meals | California Watch:

Veto pits charter school autonomy against affordable meals

Joanna Lin

DC Central Kitchen/Flickr

Arguing that he did not want to "erode the independence and flexibility" of charter schools, Gov. Jerry Brown last weekend vetoed legislation that would have required charters to provide low-income students free or reduced-price meals.
Brown's veto message [PDF] of AB 1594, authored by Assemblyman Mike Eng, D-Alhambra, pits student nutrition against charter school autonomy – issues that supporters said should not be at odds.
"I respect the governor's concern that charter schools thrive, but I believe that it's not necessary to choose