How Closing Schools Blights Communities
This writer explains why closing schools blights communities and causes economic Decline.
Officials in Chicago assert that hey are saving money by closing 50+ schools,but the ripple effect of school closings will leave devastated communities behind, costing taxpayers far more than any allied savings.
Unfortunately, Chicago officials are looking on the schools as if they were chain stores that did not turn a profit. In fact, they are in most places the hub of the community.
Officials in Chicago assert that hey are saving money by closing 50+ schools,but the ripple effect of school closings will leave devastated communities behind, costing taxpayers far more than any allied savings.
Unfortunately, Chicago officials are looking on the schools as if they were chain stores that did not turn a profit. In fact, they are in most places the hub of the community.
Bad Timing for a Report Lauding Mayoral Control
The Center for American Progress is supposedly a liberal organization, but it is a cheerleader for corporate reform. It has published report after report endorsing the main ideas of No Child Left Behind and Race to the Top.
It just released a new report that lauds mayoral control.
Those of us who live in cities under mayoral control know that the primary result is not to improve education or to help struggling children, but to stifle the voices of parents, students, teachers, and community members. Under mayoral control, governance is transferred to the mayor and the power elite, few of whom have children in public schools or even attended one. Mayoral control snuffs out democracy.
The timing of this report comes just as the mayor of Chicago unilaterally decided to close more than 50 public
It just released a new report that lauds mayoral control.
Those of us who live in cities under mayoral control know that the primary result is not to improve education or to help struggling children, but to stifle the voices of parents, students, teachers, and community members. Under mayoral control, governance is transferred to the mayor and the power elite, few of whom have children in public schools or even attended one. Mayoral control snuffs out democracy.
The timing of this report comes just as the mayor of Chicago unilaterally decided to close more than 50 public
Randi Weingarten and Gates’ Phillips on Teacher evaluation
Randi Weingarten and Vicki Phillips of the Gates Foundation have jointly written an article bout teacher evaluation.
At a time when teachers and the teaching profession and teachers’ unions are under attack in states across the nation, how important is teacher evaluation?
What do you think?
At a time when teachers and the teaching profession and teachers’ unions are under attack in states across the nation, how important is teacher evaluation?
What do you think?
Chicago Tribune Continues Its Assault on Public Schools
In an editorial today, the Chicago Tribune says it is time to “unchain the charters” because they have along waiting list.
The “waiting list” is sheer propaganda. No one knows if it exists. No one knows how many duplications there are. No one acknowledges that charters spend hundreds of thousands of dollars to generate demand and “waiting
The “waiting list” is sheer propaganda. No one knows if it exists. No one knows how many duplications there are. No one acknowledges that charters spend hundreds of thousands of dollars to generate demand and “waiting
Should the Common Core Standards Have Been Field Tested?
Marc Tucker and others scoffed when I said that the Common Core standards should have been field tested in a few districts and states before they were imposed on the 46 states.
No one knows whether they will improve achievement. No one knows if they will widen or narrow the gaps between different groups. No one knows if the awkward mapping makes sense. No one knows if he standards are developmentally appropriate for the various grades. No one knows whether the standards are realistic or
No one knows whether they will improve achievement. No one knows if they will widen or narrow the gaps between different groups. No one knows if the awkward mapping makes sense. No one knows if he standards are developmentally appropriate for the various grades. No one knows whether the standards are realistic or
Susan Ohanian Responds to Marc Tucker re Common Core
Twice MarcTucker wrote blog posts saying that I was wrong about the Common Core. In his second post, he challenged my assertion that parts often standards were developmentally inappropriate, and he cited experts (but not teachers) who agreed with him.
Here, Susan Ohanian responds to Tucker:
:
Arguing about the content of the Common Core State (sic) Standards is a dangerous diversion, steering us away from the important question of Who decides?
I don’t accept the premise of the very existence of these standards, but leaving that point aside, I do have a question for the “leading scholars” of the Validation Committee of the Common Core State (sic) Standards
Here, Susan Ohanian responds to Tucker:
:
Arguing about the content of the Common Core State (sic) Standards is a dangerous diversion, steering us away from the important question of Who decides?
I don’t accept the premise of the very existence of these standards, but leaving that point aside, I do have a question for the “leading scholars” of the Validation Committee of the Common Core State (sic) Standards
Occupy the DOE: See You There!
Contact: United Opt Out National FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Email: unitedoptoutnational@gmail.com
Website: http://unitedoptout.com
OCCUPY THE US DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION 2.0
The Battle for Public Schools
Administrators of the public education advocacy group UNITED OPT OUT NATIONAL are hosting the second annual event on the grounds of the US Department of Education in Washington, DC on April 4-7, 2013. We ask all of those in support of teachers, students and public schools to attend. The third day will include an organized march to the White House.
The event is a four-day gathering of progressive education activists endeavoring to resist the destructive
Website: http://unitedoptout.com
OCCUPY THE US DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION 2.0
The Battle for Public Schools
Administrators of the public education advocacy group UNITED OPT OUT NATIONAL are hosting the second annual event on the grounds of the US Department of Education in Washington, DC on April 4-7, 2013. We ask all of those in support of teachers, students and public schools to attend. The third day will include an organized march to the White House.
The event is a four-day gathering of progressive education activists endeavoring to resist the destructive
Can We Stop the Disaster in Chicago?
Robert George, former classroom teacher and currently national director of Save Our Schools, lives in the Chicago area.
Here he urges everyone to join the March 27 rally against the mass school closings.
Here he urges everyone to join the March 27 rally against the mass school closings.
Thoughts on a disaster…
Have you ever witnessed a disaster? Where you troubled, shaken to your core, reminded of the need to live every day as if it is your last? Would you do anything you could to have found a way to keep what you encountered from happening or
The Most Brilliant Post of the Day
If you read nothing else today, read this post by the blogger who calls himself Crazy Crawfish.
In a blinding flash of insight, he sees the pattern on the rug of the corporate reform movement.
I won’t say anything more.
Just read it.
In a blinding flash of insight, he sees the pattern on the rug of the corporate reform movement.
I won’t say anything more.
Just read it.
Diane in the Evening 3-24-13 Diane Ravitch's blog | A site to discuss better education for all
Diane Ravitch's blog | A site to discuss better education for all: *To infinity ... and beyond!* NYC Parents and Students Mobilizing for Real Reform by dianerav As the mayoral election of 2013 approaches, New York City parents and students are speaking up about what is most important to them. They got hold of an old school bus, painted it blue, and are driving around the city to raise awareness among other parents and students. The article linked here shows how parents and their children are trying to inform voters and the candidates about Do Americans Believe in Equality of ... more »
