Tom King's Blog of De-Fog!: The Educated Man (And Woman)

Tom King's Blog of De-Fog!: The Educated Man (And Woman):

The Educated Man (And Woman)

by Tom King

56 years ago I was a sophomore at the College of St. Thomas. Msgr. James P. Shannon was President and frequently held convocations that dealt with topics important both inside and outside the classroom.

One that I will never forget was titled "The Tradition of Respectful Argument." As you listen to the upcoming debates along politicians, or read current political articles by many axe-grinding journalists, you will find far more disrespectful argument.

Like most ad hominem, personalized attacks, all these diatribes do is cause further diatribe.

Read Shannon's piece below and reflect on it. Pass it on if you find it worthwhile. I did. That's why I saved it all these years. As it yellows, it still holds its truths.

Will the real parents please stand up? | Parents Across America

Will the real parents please stand up? | Parents Across America:

Will the real parents please stand up?

by pureparents

The following article by Chicago public school parent Wendy Kattan was originally published in Catalyst Magazine.

Parents don’t want a “war.” They want a district that’s looking out for all children, that is capable of collaboration and able to hear the views and voices of real parents in the system.

By: Wendy Katten / October 1, 2012

Now that the strike is over and parents, students and teachers are finally settling into the routine of the school year, many parents we talk to are wondering what will change in terms of how policies are shaped at the district level at Chicago Public Schools. The blogosphere is abuzz from East Coast to West with opinions on the value and meaning of this strike. Tomorrow, our teachers in Chicago will vote on whether or not to ratify the contract.

As a parent group in CPS, our members will still be advocating for the same things we were working on before the strike – more funding for classroom resources and staff, smaller class sizes, a dignified school day for all children in Chicago, a system that allows for parent voices to be heard and more democracy in 

Mother Crusader: Is Chris Cerf Picky Or Gun-Shy About Charters?

Mother Crusader: Is Chris Cerf Picky Or Gun-Shy About Charters?:

Is Chris Cerf Picky Or Gun-Shy About Charters?

by darciecima

John Mooney of NJ Spotlight reported on the two charters that were approved by Comissioner Chris Cerf and team on Monday.  He said the fact that only two were approved demonstrates that "The Christie administration continues to be picky about new charter schools."

I have a different take on it.

I have read a NJDOE press release or two in my day, and the ones that come out about charter approvals tell a much different story.  Here are some highlights from the last four press releases.

January, 2011:  Acting Commissioner Cerf had just been appointed; here is what he had to say about the announcement of the record 23 charter applications approved in that round.

The record number of new charter schools approved today is a tangible 

Schools Matter: To Dissect a Polemic: First, Examine the Polemicist

Schools Matter: To Dissect a Polemic: First, Examine the Polemicist:

To Dissect a Polemic: First, Examine the Polemicist

by Storm

Dissecting The Atlantic's Reform Manifesto: Part IV
Go to Part I; Part II; Part III

"Why Kids Should Grade Their Teachers," by Amanda Ripley

I had an instructive moment in my education well after I left the educational institutions at which I'd been vacationing ("all work and no play," right?): I was working at a bookstore, naturally, as I was "between" my eight or nine Clinton-approved careers (there are no right-left divides when it comes to power, people), where one of the managers was a great reader of review journals (as befits a bookstore manager as one who might find it expedient and an aid to "talking" books rather than reading them).  One day he pointed out a review of a book on Whitman.  He was excited by the review as it was by David Reynolds and he had like Reynolds' book Beneath the American Renaissance.  His wisdom was that we really should be aware of WHO was writing the review as 

Jersey Jazzman: Is Chris Cerf AFRAID Of Your Questions?

Jersey Jazzman: Is Chris Cerf AFRAID Of Your Questions?:

Is Chris Cerf AFRAID Of Your Questions?

by Duke

Better duck out the back door, Commissioner Cerf! Someone may ask you a question!

Popout

Of course, he could have had the courage of Superintendent Cami Anderson and Mayor Cory Booker, who valiantly addressed Newark's lack of local control by completely evading the question.

Everyone knows why the state is hanging on to control of Newark: local control might imperil Eli Broad's grand 

MTEA's Bob Peterson talks with Jonathan Kozol at opening of Martin Haber...

WEACvideo has uploaded MTEA's Bob Peterson talks with Jonathan Kozol at opening of Martin Haberman Library.

Obama and Romney Education Advisors to Debate | Truth in American Education

Obama and Romney Education Advisors to Debate | Truth in American Education:

Obama and Romney Education Advisors to Debate

by Shane Vander Hart

Edweek announced a debate taking place on October 15th.  Be sure to register to watch.  The information is below:

Exclusive Live Webcast Hosted by Education Week on edweek.org

Teachers College, Columbia University, will host “Taking the Election to School: Making Education a Focus of the 2012 Election,” a debate between Jon Schnur, education adviser to President Barack Obama, and Phil Handy, education adviser to Republican presidential candidate Mitt Romney, on Monday, October 15, at 7:00 pm Eastern. Teachers College President Susan H. Fuhrman will moderate the debate, which will take place at Teachers College’s Cowin Conference Center. The event will be webcast live by Education Week on edweek.org.

Participants:

• Jon Schnur is co-founder of America Achieves. Previously, Mr. Schnur co-founded and served as CEO of New Leaders for New Schools. He has also served as senior adviser to 

Mike Klonsky's SmallTalk Blog: As votes in Chicago are being counted...

Mike Klonsky's SmallTalk Blog: As votes in Chicago are being counted...:

As teachers' votes in Chicago are being counted...

by Mike Klonsky

...the struggle continues

On Tuesday, [CTU President Karen] Lewis framed the school-closing issue as community participation in decision-making. “The student voices were heard, but they were ignored,” Lewis said. “These decisions are badly made. They don’t take into account the community, but rather sit in rooms amid spreadsheets.”

After voting , Lewis joined a group of Dyett students, flanked by members of the Kenwood Oakland Community Organization. The students and leaders of KOCO are still trying to get the 

Blue Jersey:: Kristen Zimmer, Darcie Cimarusti: Couple of Jersey Girls With Something On Their Minds

Blue Jersey:: Kristen Zimmer, Darcie Cimarusti: Couple of Jersey Girls With Something On Their Minds:

Kristen Zimmer, Darcie Cimarusti: Couple of Jersey Girls With Something On Their Minds by: Rosi Efthim Wed Oct 03, 2012 at 01:08:27 PM EDT

Well, I guess she told him ...From a site called The Everlasting GOP Stoppers, Bergen County resident and Jersey City Gay Relationship correspondent for The Examiner Kristen Zimmer lets Mitt Romney have it. Boom. Presented to you as a public service and a little taste of blood as we all get ready for the first presidential debate - on domestic issues -  between Mitt and the President tonight. A New Jersey Mom: Another Hero of Public Education Readers of Blue Jersey are well aware of where we stand on public education. What you may know less is how many amazing parents are working the front lines of protecting public education against destructive privatization and the gimmicks and schemes poorly devised by profiteers out to make a buck off NJ kids. But the highly-respected Diane Ravitch, historian of education, policy analyst and Assistant Secretary of Education under George H. W. Bush, hasn't missed all the great work going on in New Jersey. In her must-read ed blog, Ravitch turns the spotlight on Highland Park's own Mother Crusader, Darcie

Inglewood Administrator Appointed - Year 2012 (CA Dept of Education)

Inglewood Administrator Appointed - Year 2012 (CA Dept of Education):

State Schools Chief Tom Torlakson Appoints Inglewood High Alumnus
as State Administrator for Inglewood Unified School District

INGLEWOOD—State Superintendent of Public Instruction Tom Torlakson today appointed Kent Taylor—himself a graduate of Inglewood High School—as State Administrator over the financially troubled Inglewood Unified School District.

"My top priority is to keep Inglewood's schools open and serving its students, while returning the district to fiscal solvency, and ultimately, local control," Torlakson said. "Kent Taylor is the right choice for this tough, but critically important, job. He has deep roots in the Inglewood community, and a proven track record as a leader and sound fiscal manager."

Taylor, who currently serves as Superintendent of the Southern Kern Unified School District, brings two decades of experience working in California's public schools to his new assignment. He has worked as a teacher, assistant principal, principal, and other administrative assignments in San Bernardino, Yucaipa, San Jacinto, and Rialto before being named superintendent in 2011.

"It's an honor to come home to Inglewood and serve a community and a school system that have meant so much to me," Taylor said. "I look forward to the opportunity to address the many challenges we face and working to give every Inglewood student the same opportunity to succeed that I enjoyed."                   

Taylor earned his bachelor's degree at the University of California, Riverside; his teaching credential at the University of La Verne; and Masters of Education degree at California State University, San Bernardino. He served 12 years as a school board member at Colton Unified School District. Taylor has also been awarded for exemplary service as an educator and is a member of several professional education associations, including the California Association of Latino Superintendents and Administrators, and the Association of California School Administrators.

The state took over the district last month, when, at the district's request, Governor Brown approved legislation that would provide up to $55 million in emergency loans to help the district meet its financial obligations. The loan must be repaid within 20 years.

The legislation required the State Superintendent of Public Instruction to assume all the legal rights, duties, and powers of the governing board of the district and appoint a state administrator. By law, the school district's elected governing board serves only in an advisory capacity until a number of conditions are met.

The Superintendent's authority continues until the district has adequate fiscal systems and controls in place, and the Superintendent has determined that the district's future compliance with the fiscal plan approved for the district is probable. The recovery plan also includes steps to improve the district's community relations and governance, pupil achievement, financial management, personnel management, and facilities management.

Inglewood Unified School District is the ninth school district in California to request an emergency loan, thus triggering the state takeover, since 1990. Since then, local governance has been returned to five districts. For more information, please visit the California Department of Education's State Emergency Loans - Fiscal Status Web page.

Momsrising: Get Your MomsRising BINGO Card!!

Momsrising: Get Your MomsRising BINGO Card!!:

Get Your MomsRising BINGO Card!!

PLAY PRESIDENTIAL BINGO WITH US!  Break out the popcorn, gather 'round your young ins,' and turn on the TV!  We've made a great MomsRising Presidential Bingo card for you and yours to print & play while watching the candidates debate this week.

How does it work? As the candidates debate, use the MomsRising Presidential Bingo card to mark down one point each time they mention supporting economic security policies like: Healthcare, Paid Family Leave, and Childcare (Don't worry, all the words are on the card).  And, you get to give candidates bonus points if they mention special words like: Toxic Toys, Breastfeeding, and Mothers.  As the words fly, you'll fill in your card with points each time they mention one of the words on the card, and then when the debate is over you can add it all up to see who comes out as the real family-friendly candidates.

Click here to download & print your card today!

UPDATE: Q and A. Getting the word out about Constitutional Amendment 49. « Fred Klonsky

Q and A. Getting the word out about Constitutional Amendment 49. « Fred Klonsky:

Q and A. Getting the word out about Constitutional Amendment 49.

by Fred Klonsky

 Fred,

I would be interested in contacting via mail, the union members in this state who will be affected by the amendment on the ballot in November to inform them on how a “yes” vote will negatively (a mild word) affect their pensions forever. I am willing to donate time and money to getting the word out. Is this necessary, or has everyone concerned been informed?
- Ann
Ann,
I applaud your enthusiasm and willingness to spend time and money to get the word out about Constitutional amendment 49. 
As you point out, this will be a ballot issue for voters in Illinois on November 6th.
To be approved, the amendment must receive 3/5th of the votes cast. 

The amendment will “propose to amend the General Provisions Article of the Illinois Constitution. [This amendment] provides that no bill, except a bill for appropriations, that 

Ten minute drawing. Zinger.

by Fred Klonsky

Click on drawing to enlarge.

TRS Director Richard Ingram. There he goes again.

by Fred Klonsky

TRS Director Richard Ingram.
Earlier this year Richard Ingram created a problem by going rogue and calling for a “new reality” when it comes to pension reform. His new reality entailed benefit cuts rather than funding reform.
At the time, the TRS board remained silent. Sitting on the TRS board is IEA President Cinda Klickna.
Now Ingram is back. While TRS is not supposed to get into legislative proposals, Ingram told Crain’s that TRS COLAs had to be cut.
Again, there has been nothing in response from the TRS board or Klickna.

In an interview with Crain’s editors and reporters, Richard Ingram, executive director of the underfunded Illinois Teachers’ Retirement System, said state politicians will have few other options if they want to make meaningful progress 

Online schools face backlash as states question results | Reuters

Online schools face backlash as states question results | Reuters:

Online schools face backlash as states question results

By Stephanie Simon

Wed Oct 3, 2012 8:29am EDT

(Reuters) - Virtual public schools, which allow students to take all their classes online, have exploded in popularity across the United States, offering what supporters view as innovative and affordable alternatives to the conventional classroom.

Now a backlash is building among public officials and educators who question whether the cyber-schools are truly making the grade.

Skype - The Big Blog - NASA and Seven Other Organizations Join Skype in the Classroom to Take Kids on New Educational Adventures

Skype - The Big Blog - NASA and Seven Other Organizations Join Skype in the Classroom to Take Kids on New Educational Adventures:

NASA and Seven Other Organizations Join Skype in the Classroom to Take Kids on New Educational Adventures

When I was a kid, I had some very big dreams. My imagination would run wild with all the possibilities of answering the question, "What do I want to be when I grow up?" On any given day, I would have given you wildly different answers: I wanted to be a firefighter, an astronaut, a ship captain, a writer, amongst many, many others. One of the reasons I love my job is because Skype in the classroom allows students to experience first-hand what these careers are really like from professionals doing them every day.

In celebration of World Teacher's Day on Friday, we're taking one more step to help make kids' dreams become more of a reality. We're excited to announce that we're adding six fantastic organizations to Skype in the classroom: NASA's Digital Learning Network™, The National Museum of the Royal Navy and HMS Victory, British Council, Woodland Trust,VerbalizeIt, Action Aid, Education through Expedition and Choose2Matter. These organizations will join our many existing affiliates to help enrich the educational experiences of teachers and students worldwide.

Claire Jordan, Learning Officer for the National Museum of the Royal Navy and HMS Victory, said that "Skype provides a brilliant way of making contact with schools all over the world that otherwise wouldn't know that we offer interesting workshops."

"The reach of the Royal Navy is global and there is a real interest in its history throughout the world. However, despite this interest, the geographical constraints mean that the vast majority of schools (even those in Great Britain) will never get a chance to actually visit us. To be able to bring our collections to more people and give the opportunity to learn more about the National Museum of the Royal Navy or HMS Victory via Skype is great."

As one example of how these organizations will participate in Skype in the classroom,NASA's Digital Learning Center will feature various projects where students can learn how to prepare a space vehicle for liftoff, help scientists and engineers to explore the basic principles of matter and design their own spacesuit mission patch. Participating classrooms will also discover what it is like to live and work in space as well as being introduced to basic robotics.

These new organizations will join more than 38,000 teachers already working together on 2,000 live global educational projects. Teachers can take advantage of these valuable resources by signing up for free on the Skype in the classroom website. Once registered, educators will be able to explore the Skype in the classroom collaboration spaces, access a variety of content from these organizations, learn about new and exciting ways to utilizeSkype video calling in their schools and connect their students with a global selection of guest experts.

Please visit https://education.skype.com/ for more information.

Missouri Education Watchdog: Is Southern Poverty Law Center's Mix It Up Day Coming To Your School?

Missouri Education Watchdog: Is Southern Poverty Law Center's Mix It Up Day Coming To Your School?:

Is Southern Poverty Law Center's Mix It Up Day Coming To Your School?

by Anngie

Mix It Up At Lunch Day is coming October 30th. Hundreds of schools across the county will be joining in this celebration of diversity and yours could be one of them. The idea is for kids to sit with someone new at lunch that day in order to demonstrate their tolerance for those who are different from them. Sounds harmless enough, unless you look at whose brain child this is. As part of their Teaching Tolerance project, the Southern Poverty Law Center created Mix It Up At Lunch Day and has been promoting it to schools, especially elementary and middle schools.  If there was ever anyone who understood mixing it up, it is SPLC.

One of SPLC's claim to fame is their list of hate groups.  On the list of almost 1,000 groups are many that most people would agree preach a message of hate like the KKK, various skin head and neo-nazi groups and the 

Seattle Schools Community Forum: RBHS Featured in NY Times

Seattle Schools Community Forum: RBHS Featured in NY Times:

RBHS Featured in NY Times

by Melissa Westbrook

A really great story appeared in the NY Times recently about a partnership between Rainier Beach High School and Microsoft to help with technology learning there.   I hesitate to say anything bad but there are some ironies in it.

That teacher, Steven Edouard, knows a few things about the subject. When he is not volunteering as a computer science instructor four days a week, Mr. Edouard works at Microsoft. He is one of 110 engineers from high-tech companies who are part of a Microsoft program aimed at getting high school students hooked on computer science, so they go on to pursue careers in the field. 

But Microsoft is sending its employees to the front lines, encouraging them to commit to teaching a high school 

Stand Gets Knocked By Publicola

by Melissa Westbrook

In what might be considered a learning experience to other candidates, Publicola takes gives the "loser" tag to Stand for Children over their one-note support to legislative candidates.

I'll let them tell you about it (bold mine):

"In this year’s primary, the hard-line education reform group Stand for Children supported Democrat Guy Palumbo as the insurgent Democrat against incumbent 1st District Democratic state Sen. Rosemary McAuliffe (D-1, Bothell). Stand believed that McAuliffe, as chair of the senate education committee, had blocked their reformist agenda. PTA dad Palumbo was a strong backer of their agenda.

However, Palumbo, who lost in the primary, de-prioritized Stand’s agenda (including charter schools) 

Conservative Education Concerns? Liberty Watch Introduces New Freedom Grading Scale for Private School Choice Laws « edlibertywatch.org

Education Liberty Watch Introduces New Freedom Grading Scale for Private School Choice Laws « edlibertywatch.org:

Education Liberty Watch Introduces New Freedom Grading Scale for Private School Choice Laws

The concept of trying to rescue poor and minority students from failing public schools is a noble one.  However, if the private schools are forced to teach the public school standards, which are at grave risk of becoming nationalized via the Common Core and its accompanying tests in 45-1/2 states and the District of Columbia (Minnesota accepted the English standards but not the math), in order for their students to pass the state tests, private schools will no longer be a meaningful alternative to the public schools.

This danger was detailed in our 2011 alert Imposing a Federal Curriculum on Private Schools – Why Voucher Programs that Require State Tests Are So Dangerous. At that time, we mentioned Minnesota’s proposed law that has not yet passed (that would have received a D grade on our scale) and Indiana’s enacted law (that did receive an F grade) that both require state tests to be given to private school students receiving vouchers or to the entire private school.  Since then, I have reviewed the testing accountability requirements for all of the 30 school choice laws that have passed in 18 states and the District of Columbia through 2012 based on the Alliance for School Choice’s annual report  and looking at the  newest 2012 laws passed since that report was written.

And, since grading scales are becoming de rigeur, I though that Education Liberty Watch should join in 

FCMAT » Cali Education Headlines Wednesday, October 3, 2012

FCMAT » Fiscal Crisis & Management Assistance Team:

This measure was placed on the ballot by the Lincoln Club of Orange County, the ultra-conservative group that was the driving force behind the Citizens United Supreme Court decision that has led to the explosion of Super PACs.

Education Headlines

Wednesday, October 3, 2012

School financing methods attracting attention

Concern among county officials about Fontana Unified's financing methods comes at a time when more eyes are on school financing, in part because of the high-profile financing woes in San Diego County's Poway Unified School District.

District bond plan stokes ire

A Fontana Unified School District plan to finance a $106 million bond payment due in December to stave off a likely state takeover has drawn fire from the county's top financial official and two county supervisors.

SD school board president promotes local reforms

San Diego school board President John Lee Evans delivered the state of district address Tuesday night, which celebrated everything from recent test-score gains and improved labor relations to new graduation criteria and hyper-local education reforms.

Rocklin superintendent disappointed in retaliation ruling

Rocklin Unified School District Superintendent Kevin Brown said he is disappointed in last week's Public Employment Relations Board decision that found the school district retaliated against four nurses.

Alum Rock district eliminates 18 teaching jobs, moves students and teachers

Nearly seven weeks into the school year, the Alum Rock Union School District will eliminate 18 teaching jobs, move some students to different classes and schools, and create 25 combination classes, as it trims spending to conform to enrollment.

Veto pits charter school autonomy against affordable meals

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.

LAUSD 'running on fumes' going into November tax votes

Trying to toe the line without crossing over into advocacy, Los Angeles Unified's finance chief on Tuesday outlined the impacts of the two proposed tax-hike initiatives that would pump revenue into an education system she said is now "running on fumes."

Tuesday, October 2, 2012

Garvey officials: Teachers should not use students for political purposes

Garvey School District officials on Monday afternoon held a press conference to denounce the actions of teachers and union representatives, accusing them of using students as "political pawns." The press conference was in response to 38 teachers who failed to show up for work Friday, allegedly to protest a recent contract extension and pay hike for the district's superintendent.

Olympic High School teacher Skip Weinstock makes a difference in his students' lives

Skip Weinstock said he stayed at Olympic Continuation High School, for more than four decades because he is committed to working with those who have struggled in life. The school accepts students who are behind in credits or who have difficulty fitting in at traditional high schools for a variety of reasons.

Camp: Should California’s teachers vote with the governor?

Should teachers vote for Prop 38, which would bring significant new money to each school and provide funding for preschools? Or for should they vote for Prop 30, which would bring less money to education – but has the backing of the governor?