Michigan Schools To Close Early Due To Mayan Apocalypse | toteachornototeach

Michigan Schools To Close Early Due To Mayan Apocalypse | toteachornototeach:

Michigan Schools To Close Early Due To Mayan Apocalypse

by aristotlethewise

Michigan Schools To Close Early Due To
Mayan Apocalypse ‘Rumors,’ Threats Of Violence

More than 30 Michigan schools have closed two days early for the holiday break, in part, one official says, because of rumors surrounding the belief that the ancient Mayan calendar predicts the end of the world on Friday. Five districts — covering 33 schools in Lapeer county — will cancel all classes and extracurriculars until Jan. 7, 2013.
Friday, Dec. 21, 2012 is when one cycle of the ancient Mayan calendar ends, and some believe that ending indicates a looming apocalypse. According to a letter sent to families of Lapeer Community Schools, the Mayan doomsday scenario — coupled with “numerous rumors” circulating in the state’s districts about “potential threats of violence against students” following last week’s Connecticut school shooting –prompted officials to release 

Mike Klonsky's SmallTalk Blog: The rabid ferrets

Mike Klonsky's SmallTalk Blog: The rabid ferrets:

'

The rabid ferrets

by Mike Klonsky

Obama is trying desperately to avoid the so-calledfiscal cliff by putting more Medicare and Social Security cuts on the table and letting all but all but the super-rich off the tax hook. Boehner tried to cover his ass with House Republican loonies by coming up with a ludicrous "Plan B." But as Krugman writes in a great NYT piece, Obama was once again "saved from himself by the rabid ferrets." 

Hopefully the union leadership of the We Are One Coalition will be saved from themselves by pension-grabbing ferrets, Quinn and Madigan.



What's that Smell?

Finally, as we head into this wet, cold, Chicago weekend, I'm wondering what that foul odor is, emanating from

Private Enterprise & Public Education :: Frederick M. Hess

Private Enterprise & Public Education :: Frederick M. Hess:

Private Enterprise & Public Education

by Frederick M. Hess  •  Dec 21, 2012 at 6:37 am
Cross-posted from Education Week

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On Tuesday in the Wall Street Journal, I noted that McGraw-Hill's recent $2.5 billion sale of its education publishing unit to private equity firm Apollo Global Management elicited only yawns. That same lack of interest greets the tens of billions that are routinely spent on everything from writing utensils to professional development in education. In 2008, schools and systems spent $22 billion on transportation; $20 billion on food services, and even $1 billion on pencils.

Yet, while these transactions draw little response, heated cries of "privatization" welcome relatively modest for-profit providers seeking to offer tutoring or charter school options to kids trapped in lousy schools. This shows up in federal legislation banning for-profit ventures from competing in the U.S. Department of Education's "Investing in Innovation Fund" and restricting their participation in the $3 billion federal School Improvement Grant (SIG) program. When the New York charter school cap was lifted a couple years back, the ritual pound of flesh offered to the unions was an agreement to ban for-profit charters. Most recently, in the case of the "parent trigger," the reform-minded advocacy group Parent Revolution has pushed for legislation that prohibits parents from partnering with for-profit charter school operators.

It can be easy to overlook how unusual this state of affairs really is. John Bailey, executive director of Digital Learning Now, explains that in areas like health care, clean energy, and space exploration, "Policymakers do not ask whether they should engage for-profit companies, but how they should." For example, he notes, 

Schooling in the Ownership Society: Byrd-Bennet's "independent" panel on school closings

Schooling in the Ownership Society: Byrd-Bennet's "independent" panel on school closings:

Byrd-Bennet's "independent" panel on school closings

by Mike Klonsky

Ha!

The news keeps getting worse for Byrd-Bennett's "independent" commission of school closings. First, the Tribune gets hold of a secret CPS document revealing a list of targeted schools in black and Latino communities slated for closing and/or charter-izing. But if the list is already in play, than what's the point of Frank Clark's panel and all the phony public hearings?

Then comes the revelation of Commission head, Clark's contract with the Civic Consulting Alliance.

The Civic Consulting Alliance and New Schools for Chicago share a suite on the 43rd floor of the Chase Building. They also share some board members. Phyllis Lockett, the founding president 

Schools Matter: Concerns about day workers

Schools Matter: Concerns about day workers:

Concerns about day workers

by skrashen

Some background: A few weeks ago, a letter was published in the Malibu Surfside News about a Thanksgiving dinner for day workers who use the Malibu Labor Exchange. About 300 people showed up.

The next week, a letter appeared in the Surfside News accusing the organizers of the dinner of aiding and abetting “criminal misconduct. Illegal aliens break our laws by virtue of their presence here. When they work, they break more laws, to say nothing of committing identity theft with forged and stolen documents.” He called the organizers “a political cancer” and said that “This group of nitwits and neophytes seems not to care that there are home grown Americans who need the caring and services they so freely provide to these interlopers.”

He went on to say that “One should notice that the aliens have little interest in our language, culture, customs or 

Seattle Schools Community Forum: Seattle Schools Updates

Seattle Schools Community Forum: Seattle Schools Updates

Seattle Schools Updates

by Melissa Westbrook

Dear families,
The Seattle School District is reviewing whether it should apply to the State Board of Education for a waiver, to allow the three full-day parent teacher conference schedule to continue for elementary and K-8 schools. The waiver also seeks one day for middle and high schools.
Your input is valuable to us as we consider this decision. Parent-teacher conferences are important to ensuring direct communications between classroom teachers and families, and we want to make sure that we gather input from as many families as possible about these meetings. We have prepared a brief survey that should take 5-10 minutes to complete. The survey will close on Friday, January 11th at 5:00 p.m. 

The survey is available at: https://www.surveymonkey.com/s/Parent-Teacher-Conferences-Jan2012
  
We appreciate you taking the time to provide us with your feedback.
Sincerely,

Schools First Release Press Release on 2013 Levies

by Melissa Westbrook

From Schools First (the group that works to support SPS levies):

Seattle (December 17) –Schools First, the grassroots, volunteer-led campaign organization that convenes every three years to build support among Seattle voters for renewing the Seattle Schools operating and capital levies, announced today that it has begun its work to pass the 2013 levies, which will be on the ballot on February 12.

The Operations Levy provides more than a quarter of the funds needed to operate the Seattle Public Schools, including funding for day-to-day teaching and instructional programs such as a sixth period for high school. The Capital Levy (BEX IV) will provide essential funding to maintain and improve Seattle’s aging existing schools, provide earthquake safety upgrades at 37 schools, and build and renovate schools in growing communities across the city.

These levies replace the expiring operating and capital levies.

“It is important to note that both of these critically important levies are renewals of existing levies,” said Greg Wong, an attorney at Pacifica Law 

Oakland school district mishandled federal money, state finds | California Watch

Oakland school district mishandled federal money, state finds | California Watch:

Oakland school district mishandled federal money, state finds

Will Evans

Michael Short/California Watch St. Andrew Missionary Baptist Church and private school in West Oakland 

The Oakland Unified School District failed to follow federal regulations in doling out taxpayer money to benefit local private schools and must pay some of it back, a state review has found.
The state Department of Education cited Oakland Unified for not meeting federal requirements in its distribution of federal Title I and Title II money to provide teacher training and tutoring for struggling students at private schools. Private schools are entitled to a share of federal money, but public school districts are responsible for maintaining control of the funds.
The state found that Oakland Unified paid instructors who were not independent of their private schools, shipped 

The Educated Reporter: From Doomsday to Revolt, Guessing How to Keep Students Safe

The Educated Reporter: From Doomsday to Revolt, Guessing How to Keep Students Safe:

From Doomsday to Revolt, Guessing How to Keep Students Safe

by Emily Richmond

Fears over the Mayan calendar doomsday myth and rumors of threats to student safety were enough to shut down 33 schools in Michigan Thursday, and districts across the country are expected to have increased security on campus today.

Concerns over the rumors, many of which spread rapidly via Twitter and Facebook, prompted investigations by police and school authorities from Maine to Washington state. No credible evidence of danger has been found. There were a handful of student arrests in San Antonio, Texas, following allegations of teens making threats against their high school classmates or intentionally spreading false rumors that campuses would be attacked. But the investigations turned up no actual plots.

In Michigan, the rumor mill swirled so fiercely over the past few days that district officials decided it was better to 

Jersey Jazzman: Reformy Pearl Clutchers

Jersey Jazzman: Reformy Pearl Clutchers:

Reformy Pearl Clutchers

by Duke

The Reformy Ladies Sewing Circle and Pearl Clutching Society has worked itself into froth of outrage over the defense of teachers by Diane Ravitch and Karen Lewis. What did these women say that has our delicate, reformy flowers running for the fainting couch? Ravitch and Lewis made the impolite observation that the brave teachers who died in Newtown were union members and tenure-track career educators.

Poor RiShawn Biddle was overtaken by the vapors. Andy Rotherham finds the whole affair to be "obscene."Patrick Brennen at NRO was incapacitated by his vexations.

You can go back and read Ravitch's and Lewis's posts and make up your own mind. To me, their points were obvious:

• The adults who were killed in Newtown were tenured/tenure-track career educators and union members.
• Sandy Hook is a public school that had a lot more going for it than test scores; this community does not 

Sam Cooke - Wonderful World (lyrics)

How do you think ole Sammy will do on the Standardized Test?
(the basis of your next ev(i)luation)

School Tech Connect: Fun With Data.... And The New Data Guy

School Tech Connect: Fun With Data.... And The New Data Guy:

Fun With Data.... And The New Data Guy

by noreply@blogger.com (Tim Furman)

There is simply nobody doing more interesting data work than Jeanne Marie Olson of Apple to Apples, and her crew of intensely talented volunteers.

In a nutshell, she's figured out the flaws in the CPS "utilization" formula, and created a more accurate list of schools that are "overcrowded," "efficient," and "underutilitized," all using crowd-sourced data and Google Fusion Tables.

In a suburban district, run by elected people, she would be invited in to give a presentation. Here in Chicago, 

Reclaim Reform | by Ken Previti

Reclaim Reform | by Ken Previti:

Starve the Beast: Us – In spite of Newtown

Posted on December 19, 2012

by kenpreviti

“Starve the Beast” is a political strategy employed by neoconservatives in order to limit government spending by cutting taxes, especially corporate taxes and those of the wealthiest, in order to deprive the government of revenue in a deliberate effort to force the federal government to reduce and cripple social programs thus forcing the privatization-profitization programs to be the only alternative to failed programs. The short and medium term effect of the strategy has increased U.S. debt rather than reduce actual spending which profits the corporate wealthy. This behavior is condoned, rationalized and propagandized via corporate owned and controlled media sources while pretending to offer both sides of an issue. There is no humanity involved; destroy a public system and replace 

School Tech Connect: The More Things Change..

School Tech Connect: The More Things Change..:

The More Things Change..

by noreply@blogger.com (Tim Furman)

WBEZ has been doing a pension series for the past few days. I have arguments with it, and it's insanely incomplete, but all in all it's fair and I believe accurate.

Some of the illustrations on this page are mind-boggling; I'm going to steal one here:

Welcome To Blogging, Ken Priviti

by noreply@blogger.com (Tim Furman)

Longtime activist, agitator, philosopher, humorist, educator, and free-range intellectual Ken Priviti has a new space online; let's hope he keeps at it. It's a nightmare blogging every day. When I look at the great ones, and you know who you are, I marvel.

How To Get Your Blog Banned From Your School District [It Takes A Nation Of Millions] | The Jose Vilson

How To Get Your Blog Banned From Your School District [It Takes A Nation Of Millions] | The Jose Vilson:

How To Get Your Blog Banned From Your School District [It Takes A Nation Of Millions]

by Jose

To whom it may concern:
Kick butt. Take names. Write them somewhere in your mind. Write to them when you’re writing. See their reactions. Smirk. Repeat.
At first, you’ll just write because it feels good to get your thoughts out. You’ll participate in a few blog roundups, showcase your work, and talk to some of the more influential parties in your supposed domain of interest. You’ll link up with them and form a bond around improving pedagogy.
But then your foot will land awkwardly at some point, and that sprain will either mean one of two things: the injury heals and you’ll keep walking as you did prior, or you have to change your walk so it won’t hurt anymore.
If you’re anything like me, you’ll sprain so hard that you change to the latter. You’ll see the potential to use your 

Blue Ribbon Nominees 2013 - Year 2012 (CA Dept of Education)

Blue Ribbon Nominees 2013 - Year 2012 (CA Dept of Education):

State Schools Chief Tom Torlakson Nominates
35 California Schools for 2013 National Blue Ribbon Honor

SACRAMENTO—State Superintendent of Public Instruction Tom Torlakson announced today the nomination of 35 California public schools for the coveted National Blue Ribbon Schools Program award.

"I applaud the principals, teachers, staff, and families whose commitment to learning has led to success in the classroom," Torlakson said. "Schools nominated for this significant recognition are performing at very high levels or are making impressive strides in student progress under challenging circumstances."

Schools are eligible to be considered for the 2013 National Blue Ribbon Schools Program if they meet either one of two performance criteria:

Exemplary High-Performing Schools: Schools that achieve at least the 85th percentile statewide in the percent of students scoring proficient or advanced in English-language arts and mathematics on the state assessments. Schools nominated in this category may or may not have at least 40 percent of their students from disadvantaged backgrounds.

Exemplary Improving Schools: Schools with at least 40 percent of their students from a disadvantaged background that are also among the top 10 percent of schools in the state showing the greatest improvement in the percent of students scoring proficient or advanced in ELA and mathematics on the state assessments over the last five years.

For additional information on Blue Ribbon Schools Program eligibility requirements, please go to the California Department of Education Web site at: Blue Ribbon Schools.

Based on student population, California may nominate up to 35 qualified schools each year. Blue Ribbon winners are usually announced in September.

The National Blue Ribbon Schools Program is part of a larger U.S. Department of Education effort to identify and disseminate knowledge about best school leadership and teaching practices. For more information on the federal program, please visit:Awards - Blue Ribbon Schools Program  .

California's 2013 National Blue Ribbon School Nominees

County	District	School
Alameda	Hayward Unified	Burbank Elementary
Alameda	Castro Valley Unified	Jensen Ranch Elementary
Alameda	Fremont Unified	Joshua Chadbourne Elementary
Contra Costa	Byron Union Elementary	Discovery Bay Elementary
Fresno	Central Unified	James K. Polk Elementary
Fresno	Clovis Unified	James S. Fugman Elementary
Kern	Beardsley Elementary	Beardsley Junior High
Kern	Wasco Union Elementary	John L. Prueitt Elementary
Los Angeles	El Monte City Elementary	Columbia Elementary
Los Angeles	Lawndale Elementary	Environmental Charter High
Los Angeles	Los Angeles Unified	Chapman Elementary
Los Angeles	Los Angeles Unified	Community Charter Middle
Los Angeles	Compton Unified	Anderson Elementary
Los Angeles	La Canada Unified	La Canada Elementary
Los Angeles	Manhattan Beach Unified	Opal Robinson Elementary
Los Angeles	ABC Unified	Frank C. Leal Elementary
Merced	Planada Elementary	Planada Elementary
Monterey	Soledad Unified	Rose Ferrero Elementary
Orange	Orange Unified	Sycamore Elementary
Orange	Tustin Unified	A. G. Currie Middle
Orange	Anaheim Union High	Oxford Academy
Orange	Fountain Valley Elementary	Plavan (Urbain H.) Elementary
Orange	Fullerton Elementary	Robert C. Fisler Elementary
Orange	Irvine Unified	Stonegate Elementary
Riverside	Corona-Norco Unified	John F. Kennedy High
San Bernardino	Etiwanda Elementary	Day Creek Intermediate
San Diego	San Diego Unified	Kearny International Business
San Diego	Del Mar Union Elementary	Ocean Air
San Diego	San Diego Unified	Torrey Pines Elementary
San Diego	San Diego Unified	Standley Middle
San Francisco	San Francisco Unified	Chin (John Yehall) Elementary
San Mateo	Millbrae Elementary	Taylor Middle
Santa Clara	Cupertino Unified	William Faria Elementary
Santa Clara	San Jose Unified	Simonds Elementary
Sonoma	Gravenstein Union	Hillcrest Middle

# # # #

Tom Torlakson — State Superintendent of Public Instruction
Communications Division, Room 5206, 916-319-0818, Fax 916-319-0100

The ABCs of Hmong | Hyphen magazine - Asian American arts, culture, and politics

The ABCs of Hmong | Hyphen magazine - Asian American arts, culture, and politics:

The ABCs of Hmong

Submitted by Momo Chang on December 20, 2012 - 1:59pm

 

• Education
 
• Culture
 
• Diaspora
 
• History
• Immigration
 
• Parenthood
 
• Social Issues
 
• dual language immersion
 
• Hmong immersion
 
• Lee Yang
• Sacramento
 
• Susan B. Anthony Elementary

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Ninety percent of instruction is in Hmong for kindergartners in the Hmong immersion program at Susan B. Anthony Elementary. Photo by Andria Lo.

The ABCs of Hmong

By Momo Chang

At Susan B. Anthony Elementary, Mr. Vue’s kindergarteners sit on a brightly colored carpet as they look up at him, repeating sounds of the alphabet.

“Ahhh, aaay, eeeh,” he sings as the children sing along. The sounds are not in English. The school, located in South Sacramento, is home to the only Hmong dual-language immersion program on the West Coast — and the second in the country after a similar program in St. Paul, Minnesota.

Dual, or two-way, language immersion programs are ones where students learn English and another language with the goals of developing a high level of proficiency in both, academic