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Tuesday, July 23, 2013

Nite Cap 7-23-13 #BATsACT #thankateacher #EDCHAT #P2


James Baldwin said it best: 

"For these are all our children, and we will profit by or pay for whatever they become."


A BIG EDUCATION APE NITE CAP



TODAY

AFT Research is a Call-to-Action: Testing is Out of Hand, Costly. | The Classroom Sooth
AFT Research is a Call-to-Action: Testing is Out of Hand, Costly. | The Classroom Sooth: AFT Research is a Call-to-Action: Testing is Out of Hand, Costly.Posted on July 23, 2013 | Leave a commentToday the American Federation of Teachers published “Testing More, Teaching Less: What America’s Obssesion with Student Testing Costs in Money and Instructional Time.”  It is an audit of the total time and
by mike simpson / 3min 
Image vs. Reality: A Lesson for the 7th Grader in All of Us — Whole Child Education
Image vs. Reality: A Lesson for the 7th Grader in All of Us — Whole Child Education: THE WHOLE CHILD BLOGImage vs. Reality: A Lesson for the 7th Grader in All of UsJuly 23, 2013 by Start EmpathyPost written by Emily Cherkin for Ashoka's Start Empathy Initiative, a whole child partner organization.When I tell people I work with seventh graders, I often hear, "Oh, wow...I'm so sorry!" They tell me h
by mike simpson / 1h 
PSAT for 7-23-13: How about an LSC no-TFA policy?
Parents United for Responsible Education » Blog Archive » PSAT for 7-23-13: How about an LSC no-TFA policy?: PSAT for 7-23-13: How about an LSC no-TFA policy?I came back from a week in DC at the Parents Across America annual meeting to find my friend Xian Barrett’s face on the front page of the Sun-Times. Xian, a top notch teacher, 2010 U. S. Teaching Ambassador Fellow, and all-around excellent hu
by mike simpson / 1h 
National Board Networking | InterACT
National Board Networking | InterACT: National Board NetworkingJULY 23, 2013tags: Arizona, Chicago, leaders, NBPTS, network, North Carolina,Washingtonby David B. CohenI’m in Raleigh, North Carolina, participating in a convening of National Board Affiliated Network leaders. Accomplished California Teachers is one of those affiliated networks, with a little more than half of our members holding Nati
by mike simpson / 2h 
What Parents Want For Education Policy
What Parents Want For Education Policy: What Parents Want For Education PolicyBy Jeff Bryant | July 23, 2013A mantra recited by those who pride themselves as adherents to a movement known as “education reform” is that for too long policies governing public schools have favored “the adults” in the system at the expense of children. This rhetoric has framed any objections that classroom teachers may
by mike simpson / 2h 
Common Core panel urges thoughtful implementation - AFT - A Union of Professionals - AFT News
AFT - A Union of Professionals - AFT News: Common Core panel urges thoughtful implementationA roundtable discussion on the opening day of the AFT TEACH Conference revealed how diverse voices find common threads when it comes to thoughtful, well-supported implementation of the Common Core State Standards.Moderated by AFT vice president Mary Cathryn Ricker, who is also president of the Saint Paul Fe
by mike simpson / 3h 
Diane Ravitch: 3 Dubious Uses of Technology in Schools: Scientific American
Diane Ravitch: 3 Dubious Uses of Technology in Schools: Scientific American: Diane Ravitch: 3 Dubious Uses of Technology in SchoolsTechnology can inspire creativity or dehumanize learningBy Diane RavitchImage: DAVID DESPAUTechnology is transforming American education, for good and for ill. The good comes from the ingenious ways that teachers encourage their students to engage in science projects,
by mike simpson / 3h 
Is Public Education on Its Death Bed? Should It Be? Seven Points of Argument, Leverage and Change. - Teacher in a Strange Land - Education Week Teacher
Is Public Education on Its Death Bed? Should It Be? Seven Points of Argument, Leverage and Change. - Teacher in a Strange Land - Education Week Teacher: Is Public Education on Its Death Bed? Should It Be? Seven Points of Argument, Leverage and Change.By Nancy Flanagan on July 23, 2013 1:52 PMCorporate Ed Reform Working?Last week, I was lunchtime speaker at the local Mensa group's monthly meeting.
by mike simpson / 3h 
Buena Vista And Inkster, Michigan School Districts With Financial Woes, Likely To Be Shut Down
Buena Vista And Inkster, Michigan School Districts With Financial Woes, Likely To Be Shut Down: Buena Vista And Inkster, Michigan School Districts With Financial Woes, Likely To Be Shut DownPosted: 07/23/2013 1:10 pm EDT  |  Updated: 07/23/2013 1:41 pm EDT General Motors is alive, and two low-income school districts in Michigan are nearly dead. For them, there is no bailout.As the city of Detroit
by mike simpson / 3h 
Diane in the Evening 7-23-13 Diane Ravitch's blog | A site to discuss better education for all
Diane Ravitch's blog | A site to discuss better education for all: Before Detroit’s Fire Sale Begins, Call the ExpertsWith bankruptcy looming, buzzards are flying by to pick meat off the Motor City’s bones. Before they do, someone should talk to experts on the dangers of privatization: Contact: Richard Allen Smith July 23, 2013 rasmith@inthepublicinterest.org **** MEDIA AVAILABILITY**** As Detroit
by mike simpson / 3h 
A Second is a Terrible Thing to Waste | EduShyster
A Second is a Terrible Thing to Waste | EduShyster: A Second is a Terrible Thing to WasteMorgan Spurlock, of Super Size Me fame, recently visited a charter school that immerses students in engagement, much like fries are immersed in hot oil.Reader: as we rush to train minority students for the McJobs of the future, there’s not a second to spare. That’s why I was so glad to see CNN send Morgan Spur
by mike simpson / 5h 
Peter Dreier: “GO PUBLIC” Is ‘Antidote’ to War on Public Schools
Home « Go Public Project: BLOGPeter Dreier: “GO PUBLIC” Is ‘Antidote’ to War on Public SchoolsIn an Op/Ed piece published on Truthout.com, Dr. Peter Dreier, chair of the Urban and Environmental Policy Department at Occidental College, brings to light the big […]read more »Screening July 26 in PasadenaThe Conscientious Projector film series will be screening the GO PUBLIC feature documentary July 2
by mike simpson / 5h 
Jersey Jazzman: The Hopelessly Broken NJ Charter Oversight System
Jersey Jazzman: The Hopelessly Broken NJ Charter Oversight System: The Hopelessly Broken NJ Charter Oversight SystemAccountability begins at home.Better late than never: the NJDOE has released the list of new charter schools that have received final approval to open this fall:Among those approved, Camden will see two new charter schools. The only final charter approved for Newark was the new Phili
by mike simpson / 5h 
The Billionaires Tea Party Full Documentary
The Billionaires Tea Party - The Tea Party movement has taken American politics by storm. But is this truly a populist uprising or one of the greatest feats of propaganda ever seen? Australian filmmaker Taki Oldham sets out answer this question, finding that behind the movement's rhetoric of 'freedom' versus 'socialism' lies a highly co-ordinated network of shadow groups, funded by the likes of bi
by mike simpson / 6h 
Smaller LEAs face planning deadline for Prop. 39 energy grants SI&A Cabinet Report – News & Resources
SI&A Cabinet Report – News & Resources: Smaller LEAs face planning deadline for Prop. 39 energy grantsBy Kimberly BeltranTuesday, July 23, 2013California school districts with an average daily attendance of 1,000 or less have until Aug. 1 to notify the state whether they want to collect two years’ worth of energy efficiency money this year.Under legislation implementing voter-approved Prop
by mike simpson / 6h 
Teamster Nation: The truth about public pensions
Teamster Nation: The truth about public pensions: The truth about public pensionsPensions, which are so essential to retirement security, are being attacked as the cause of state and municipal budget shortfalls. Theseattacks come from radicals who want to dismantle public institutions, like pensions, that don't benefit greedy billionaires. Don't listen to them.Listen, instead, to economist Dean Ba
by mike simpson / 6h 
To whom should I connect? | My Island View
To whom should I connect? | My Island View: To whom should I connect?July 23, 2013 by tomwhitbyThe most important component of a Personal Learning Network is the quality of the educators one follows. “Who is it that I should follow?” is a question that I am often asked by educators. It is the focus of educators every Friday on Twitter as the #FF hashtags fly. The “#FF” stands for “Follow Friday”.
by mike simpson / 6h 
Cali Education Headlines Tuesday, July 23, 2013
FCMAT » Fiscal Crisis & Management Assistance Team: Black Does Not Equal FearEducation HeadlinesTuesday, July 23, 2013Maitre: Rebooted summer programs make learning fun to prevent ‘summer slide’While summer classes targeted at struggling students are nearing extinction on many school campuses, several districts are rebooting the traditional summer education model by blending academics with rec
by mike simpson / 6h 
7-23-13 Fred Klonsky | Daily posts from a retired public school teacher who is just looking at the data.
Fred Klonsky | Daily posts from a retired public school teacher who is just looking at the data.: Road Trip Week 2Mark Stefanik: YEE-HAW. WELCOME TO CRAZY RAHM’S CHI-TOWN USED CITY SALES.By Mark Stefanik. You want a safe city? You just leave it to Crazy Rahm. I transferred cops, put ‘em in new districts…you know, shake things up a bit. There’s nothing like putting a cop in a new environment where
by mike simpson / 7h 
7-23-13 Ed Notes Online
Ed Notes Online: Joe Williams' DFER Propaganda Laugh Riot, Lauding E4E, Ignoring MORE Support...new organizations like Educators for Excellence are increasingly giving voice to teachers who have a totally different framework for social justice...... 18% of active teachers who actually voted, one out of five of those teachers voted for someone other than Mulgrew to be president... Joe Williams, DFE
by mike simpson / 7h 
Throwaway kids: disciplined California teens struggle to school themselves | The Center for Public Integrity
Throwaway kids: disciplined California teens struggle to school themselves | The Center for Public Integrity: Throwaway kids: disciplined California teens struggle to school themselvesStrict district policies, distance from alternatives leave some no option but 'independent study'LOST HILLS, Calif. — On a blistering May day in California’s Central Valley, most other 13-year-olds were in classrooms
by mike simpson / 7h 
7-23-13 Perdido Street School
Perdido Street School: It's Time To Fire "Bad" Union Leaders Like Randi WeingartenRandi Weingarten led the attack on firing "bad teachers" yesterday, giving more ammunition to the "Bash Teachers" movement by saying that teachers who are ineffective at their craft do not deserve to be defended and should be fired. She said teachers should turn on each other in schools and hound out the "bad" educat
by mike simpson / 7h 
Seattle Schools Community Forum: The Times Has at the School Board...Again
Seattle Schools Community Forum: The Times Has at the School Board...Again: The Times Has at the School Board...Againhttp://suepeters4schoolboard.org/With the blazing headline, "Will election be a solution to Seattle School Board turmoil?", the Times lights into the current Board. Some of what is said is pretty face value, that some Board members "don't trust top district staff."  Actually, that's
by mike simpson / 7h 
Morning Wink 7-23-13 AM Posts #BATsACT #edreform #EDCHAT #P2
BIG EDUCATION APE - MORNING WINK  AM POSTSTODAYThe War on Public School Teachers New Unions, New Alliances, New Politics | DailyCensored.com - Breaking Censored News, World, Independent, Liberal NewsThe War on Public School Teachers New Unions, New Alliances, New Politics | DailyCensored.com - Breaking Censored News, World, Independent, Liberal News: The War on Public School Teachers New Unions, N
by mike simpson / 8h 
The War on Public School Teachers New Unions, New Alliances, New Politics | DailyCensored.com - Breaking Censored News, World, Independent, Liberal News
The War on Public School Teachers New Unions, New Alliances, New Politics | DailyCensored.com - Breaking Censored News, World, Independent, Liberal News: The War on Public School Teachers New Unions, New Alliances, New PoliticsBy Danny Weil on July 23, 2013 2:16 pm / no commentsFrom:  the Bullet Socialist Project • E-Bulletin No. 854July 22, 2013Michael D. YatesMichael D. Yates is Associate Editor
by mike simpson / 8h 
1 | Beautifully Mashed-Up Photos Show The Glory And Wreckage Of Detroit | Co.Exist: World changing ideas and innovation
1 | Beautifully Mashed-Up Photos Show The Glory And Wreckage Of Detroit | Co.Exist: World changing ideas and innovation: Beautifully Mashed-Up Photos Show The Glory And Wreckage Of DetroitThe Detroit Now and Then project artfully combines vintage photos of the city with images of what’s there now, providing a poignant reminder of what the city was, what it is now and--maybe--what it could be again
by mike simpson / 8h 
Justice Department sues Florida over ‘deliberate indifference’ in treatment of disabled children | The Raw Story
Justice Department sues Florida over ‘deliberate indifference’ in treatment of disabled children | The Raw Story: Justice Department sues Florida over ‘deliberate indifference’ in treatment of disabled childrenThe U.S. Justice Department sued the state of Florida on Monday, accusing health officials of violating the Americans with Disabilities act by placing almost 200 handicapped minors in nursin
by mike simpson / 8h 
NYC Educator: Getting Rid of "Bad Teachers"
NYC Educator: Getting Rid of "Bad Teachers": Getting Rid of "Bad Teachers"That's what AFT President Randi Weingarten focused on in some sort of AFT gathering. I don't get invited to AFT gatherings in my lowly capacity as representative of the largest high school in Queens, but that's only because a prerequisite is to support whatever the union supports, like mayoral control and junk science evalua
by mike simpson / 8h 
Support Rolls in for ConnectEd | ED.gov Blog
Support Rolls in for ConnectEd | ED.gov Blog: Support Rolls in for ConnectEdPosted on July 23, 2013 by Cameron BrenchleySeal of ApprovalIn June, President Obama called on the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) to take the steps necessary to build high-speed digital connections to America’s schools and libraries, ensuring that 99 percent of American students can benefit from advances in teachi
by mike simpson / 8h 
School Finance 101: Gaming Adequacy by Creating a Veneer of Empirical Validity | School Finance 101
School Finance 101: Gaming Adequacy by Creating a Veneer of Empirical Validity | School Finance 101: School Finance 101: Gaming Adequacy by Creating a Veneer of Empirical ValidityPosted on July 23, 20130       Rate ThisThis post comes from a work in progress… and addresses games states play to validate their choices to spend less than might actually be needed in order to achieve desired outcome st
by mike simpson / 8h 
MIT technology trailblazer is a critic of computerized learning | Hechinger Report
MIT technology trailblazer is a critic of computerized learning | Hechinger Report: MIT technology trailblazer is a critic of computerized learningBy Jill BarshayMitchel Resnick is the LEGO Papert Professor of Learning Research at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology and the head of the Lifelong Kindergarten group at the MIT Media Lab. His research group is best known for inventing two blockb
by mike simpson / 8h 
PARCC’s Convenient Release of Cost Analysis | Scathing Purple Musings
PARCC’s Convenient Release of Cost Analysis | Scathing Purple Musings: PARCC’s Convenient Release of Cost AnalysisPosted on July 23, 2013by Bob Sikes      Rate ThisPearson pushed back this week. Reeling from the news that Florida’s top two legislative leaders wanted out of the PARCC testing consortium that are part of Common Core Standards, Pearson, who was awarded the contract for PARCC, released
by mike simpson / 10h 
LISTEN TO DIANE RAVITCH 7-23-13 Diane Ravitch's blog | A site to discuss better education for all
Diane Ravitch's blog | A site to discuss better education for all: Bruce Baker: One of the Dumbest Ways to Evaluate TeachersBruce Baker here examines a “graduate school” created by charter schools where their inexperienced teachers train new teachers how to produce high test scores. The model is a charter in New Jersey called North Star that gets great “growth scores” but has remarkably high attri
by mike simpson / 10h 
Missouri Education Watchdog: Education - It's A Funding Problem
Missouri Education Watchdog: Education - It's A Funding Problem: Education - It's A Funding ProblemBy now most people are familiar with the Melissa Harris-Perry video where she accused us of having an old fashioned notion of our children belonging to us, when in fact they belong to the collective.I believe MS. Harris-Perry has it wrong.  We have been treating our children as belonging to the colle
by mike simpson / 10h 
When in doubt, make sh*t up… - Wait, What?
When in doubt, make sh*t up… - Wait, What?: When in doubt, make sh*t up…The Hartford Courant editorial writers weighed in on the Paul Vallas debacle today with an editorial entitled, “Why Make It So Hard For Paul Vallas To Help Bridgeport Schools?”The most cursory review of their position reveals that they either failed to take the time to check the facts or worse, made up their own facts to fit t
by mike simpson / 10h 
How Common Core could affect every state — even those that reject it
How Common Core could affect every state — even those that reject it: How Common Core could affect every state — even those that reject itBy Valerie Strauss, Published: July 23 at 7:00 amE-mail the writer1CommentsMoreNot all states approved the Common Core State Standards, and some of those that did are now reconsidering whether to implement them. But it turns out that  the standards could wind up
by mike simpson / 11h 
Local math, science teachers up for Presidential Awards - LA Daily News
Local math, science teachers up for Presidential Awards - LA Daily News: Local math, science teachers up for Presidential AwardsBy Barbara Jones, Staff WriterPosted:   07/22/2013 08:20:47 PM PDTUpdated:   07/22/2013 08:24:18 PM PDT Michelle KatzTwo local educators are among five chosen statewide as California's finalists for the Presidential Awards for Excellence in Mathematics and Science Teachin
by mike simpson / 11h 
Mike Klonsky's SmallTalk Blog: With Tim Tyson on Moral Monday in N.C.
Mike Klonsky's SmallTalk Blog: With Tim Tyson on Moral Monday in N.C.: With Tim Tyson on Moral Monday in N.C.Tim TysonSusan and I stopped in and paid a visit with old friend Tim Tyson in Durham, N.C. yesterday. A professor at Duke University, Tim was on his way over to the Moral Monday protest in Raliegh. Susan Klonsky reports from Durham:Tim is a historian with a long view of the current wave of
by mike simpson / 11h 
Health Education: Building Knowledge and Skills for a Healthy Life | LFA: Join The Conversation - Public School Insights
Health Education: Building Knowledge and Skills for a Healthy Life | LFA: Join The Conversation - Public School Insights: Health Education: Building Knowledge and Skills for a Healthy LifeBy NEA Health Information Network on July 23, 2013By Nora Howley, Manager of Programs, NEA-Health Information NetworkIt is hard not to turn on the television, flip through the paper, or open the news app on your
by mike simpson / 11h 
A Dilemma for the Historian Who Gets Personal: Reconstructing Classroom Lessons (Part 2) | Larry Cuban on School Reform and Classroom Practice
A Dilemma for the Historian Who Gets Personal: Reconstructing Classroom Lessons (Part 2) | Larry Cuban on School Reform and Classroom Practice: A Dilemma for the Historian Who Gets Personal: Reconstructing Classroom Lessons (Part 2)I was nervous that journalist Martin Mayer was coming to watch me teach (SeePart 1, “A Journalist Describes a History Lesson”). I had read his book The Schools when it
by mike simpson / 11h 
7-23-13 teacherken at Daily Kos
teacherken at Daily Kos: TUE JUL 23, 2013 AT 04:05 AM PDTAsking you to listen for 3:40 or sobyteacherken    1 Comments / 0 NewTo this:Some words of explanation from Jasiri X, whose work this is:I chose to remix Kanye’s song “Blood on the Leaves” because I felt like the sample he used from Billie Holiday’s “Strange Fruit” is even more relevant today. Whether it’s the over 500 murders last year in C
by mike simpson / 11h 
7-23-13 Schools Matter @ The Chalk Face
SCHOOLS MATTER @ THE CHALK FACE: Dear North Carolina ColleaguesYou know what I miss about North Carolina?  Go on, guess.  It’s what every former transplant says. I miss the ability to order sweet tea in any restaurant I go to and I miss BBQ pulled pork that actually has a smoky taste.  Syracuse just hasn’t found the charm in those two things yet. I […]by Kris Nielsen / 5h   7-22-13 Schools Matter
by mike simpson / 11h 

YESTERDAY

The Educated Reporter: Guest Post: Measuring Early Childhood Classroom Quality
The Educated Reporter: Guest Post: Measuring Early Childhood Classroom Quality: Guest Post: Measuring Early Childhood Classroom QualityThe American Educational Research Association (AERA) held its annual meeting in San Francisco in May, and we asked some of the journalists in attendance to cover a few of the sessions for us. Given that early childhood education is back on the front burner, it seem
by mike simpson / 18h 
Report Card: Federal judge denies bid to block Sacramento campus closures
Report Card: Federal judge denies bid to block Sacramento campus closures: Federal judge denies bid to block Sacramento campus closuresA federal judge on Monday denied a bid by parents seeking to prevent Sacramento City schools from closing seven elementary campuses, saying blocking the district was not warranted based on the evidence plaintiffs presented in court.U.S. District Judge Kimberly J. M
by mike simpson / 19h 
Remarks of AFT President Randi Weingarten - Reclaiming the Promise of Public Education
AFT - A Union of Professionals - Reclaiming the Promise of Public Education: Reclaiming the Promiseof Public EducationRemarks of AFT President Randi WeingartenTEACH ConferenceJuly 22, 2013I. Introduction: The year that wasThis year, there were many reminders of the role that educators play in the lives of America’s children.Take Rhonda Crosswhite, a sixth-grade teacher at Plaza Towers Elementary S
by mike simpson / 19h 
Teachers chief: Bad teachers should find new jobs - SFGate
Teachers chief: Bad teachers should find new jobs - SFGate: Teachers chief: Bad teachers should find new jobsBy PHILIP ELLIOTT, Associated PressUpdated 3:37 pm, Monday, July 22, 2013 WASHINGTON (AP) — Teachers who aren't up to snuff shouldn't be in classrooms and should find new professions, the head of the 1.5 million-member American Federation of Teachers said Monday.Randi Weingarten told a gath
by mike simpson / 20h 
Dallas ISD trustees unanimously approve to hire ex-U.S. Attorney Paul Coggins for district investigation | Education Blog
Dallas ISD trustees unanimously approve to hire ex-U.S. Attorney Paul Coggins for district investigation | Education Blog: Dallas ISD trustees unanimously approve to hire ex-U.S. Attorney Paul Coggins for district investigationBy Tawnell Hobbsthobbs@dallasnews.com8:40 pm on July 22, 2013 | Permalink1101Dallas ISD trustees hired former U.S. Attorney Paul Coggins on Monday to investigate allegations
by mike simpson / 20h 
District to release report on cheating investigation at 19 schools | Philadelphia Public School Notebook
District to release report on cheating investigation at 19 schools | Philadelphia Public School Notebook: District to release report on cheating investigation at 19 schoolsby Dale Mezzacappa on Jul 22 2013 Posted in Latest newshttp://unitedoptout.com/The Philadelphia School District plans to release a report on its investigation of adult cheating on standardized tests in 19 city schools that will
by mike simpson / 21h 
District to release report on cheating investigation at 19 schools | Philadelphia Public School Notebook
District to release report on cheating investigation at 19 schools | Philadelphia Public School Notebook: District to release report on cheating investigation at 19 schoolsby Dale Mezzacappa on Jul 22 2013 Posted in Latest news="" style="color: rgb(76, 153, 72); cursor: pointer; float: left; padding: 0px 2px;">Share on emailCOMMENTS (4)PRINTUnited Opt Out NationalThe Philadelphia School District p
by mike simpson / 22h 
England, America and Shakespeare: Education Reform Absurdity | Reclaim Reform
England, America and Shakespeare: Education Reform Absurdity | Reclaim Reform: England, America and Shakespeare: Education Reform AbsurdityPosted on July 22, 2013by kenprevitiEngland is undergoing the same corporate education reform takeover attempts that America is undergoing.Billionaires are making huge profits with high stakes testing and charters. Experienced and fully credentialed public scho
by mike simpson / 22h 
Finalists For National Teaching Award Named - Year 2013
Finalists For National Teaching Award Named - Year 2013 (CA Dept of Education): State Schools Chief Tom Torlakson Announces 2013Finalists for Prestigious National Teaching Award SACRAMENTO—State Superintendent of Public Instruction Tom Torlakson today nominated five outstanding secondary mathematics and science teachers as California finalists for the 2013 Presidential Awards for Excellence in Mat
by mike simpson / 22h 
Diane in the Evening 7-22-13 Diane Ravitch's blog | A site to discuss better education for all
Diane Ravitch's blog | A site to discuss better education for all: Connecticut Teacher On Vallas’ RecordA Connecticut teacher named Linda who comments frequently on the blog decided to research the record of Paul Vallas. This is her summary: “I have been keeping track for a while now…easy to goggle Vallas and Pelto, Ravitch, Mercedes Schneider, Philly Notebook, George Schmidt, substance news. http
by mike simpson / 22h mark as read  //  save
Nikila Kakarla’s Student Voice Live! Experience - Student Voice
Student Voice: Nikila Kakarla’s Student Voice Live! Experience Repost from Daily Edventures.Being part of the Student Voice Live! conference in April was a highlight of my year so far — proof positive that the leaders of tomorrow understand the challenges facing education, and are more than prepared to meet them head-on. One of those future leaders, Nikila Kakarla, was not only instrumental in org
by mike simpson / 22h 
Nite Cap 7-22-13 #BATsACT #thankateacher #EDCHAT #P2
James Baldwin said it best: "For these are all our children, and we will profit by or pay for whatever they become."A BIG EDUCATION APE NITE CAPTODAYBlack Does Not Equal FearThis video is about changing the mindset of America. Black does not equal fear. In this video I ask "I am black, do you fear me?" to inspire people to realize their own possible bias. I reference President Obama and many thing
by mike simpson / 1d 



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AFT Research is a Call-to-Action: Testing is Out of Hand, Costly. | The Classroom Sooth

AFT Research is a Call-to-Action: Testing is Out of Hand, Costly. | The Classroom Sooth:

AFT Research is a Call-to-Action: Testing is Out of Hand, Costly.

Posted on July 23, 2013 | Leave a comment


Today the American Federation of Teachers published “Testing More, Teaching Less: What America’s Obssesion with Student Testing Costs in Money and Instructional Time.”  It is an audit of the total time and money spent on testing and test-prep in two mid-sized districts called, for the study, “Midwest District” and “Eastern District” and it validates what every student and teacher knows, what parents are furious over, and what legislators are quickly catching on to: Americans are testing our children instead of teaching them.
The release of this study is also an exciting benchmark for me personally, as it the latest step in a collaborative labor of love spanning multiple states, both major teachers unions (AFT, and the larger National Education Association), policy-makers at every level, parents and students, and rank-and-file educators, all with the goal of getting transparency for taxpayers, stakeholders, and decision-makers who may often hear that ”we’re testing too much” but don’t quite know what it looks like.  We started with the question, “Exactly how much of an impact is testing in our schools?”
At the 2012 American Federation of Teachers Convention, the Testing Cost Audit language (Resolution 5) was introduced from the floor of the convention, motivated by the Chicago Teacher Union.  The language, adopted from the 
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Image vs. Reality: A Lesson for the 7th Grader in All of Us — Whole Child Education

Image vs. Reality: A Lesson for the 7th Grader in All of Us — Whole Child Education:

THE WHOLE CHILD BLOG

Start Empathy

Image vs. Reality: A Lesson for the 7th Grader in All of Us

July 23, 2013 by Start Empathy
Post written by Emily Cherkin for Ashoka's Start Empathy Initiative, a whole child partner organization.
When I tell people I work with seventh graders, I often hear, "Oh, wow...I'm so sorry!" They tell me how miserable their seventh grade year was. Sometimes I hear, "It takes a certain person to work with that age group..." before their voice trails off, uncertainly.
I am usually bemused, at turns slightly offended, but mostly, I understand. Because I remember how hard seventh grade was for me, which is exactly why I so love working with this age group now.
As a part-time teacher and a full-time mom, I have been working with 7th graders for the past few years on a curriculum focusing on media literacy and anti-bullying.
I want to tell you about a recent lesson I did with the 7th graders, but before that, I want to tell you a story:
First, a visual. This was me in the 7th grade, more than twenty years ago. At the time, I played violin in the school orchestra, I took Honors English, and I was Seventh Grade Senator. From this picture alone, you might deduce that I was a confident, go-getter girl. I was organized and neat—see the collar? The perfectly centered necklace? Teachers described me as motivated, an excellent student. Friends said I was funny and loud and klutzy.



Improving Schools: The “Real World” Fallacy
First, if you haven't read Tom Whitby's post "The Big Lie in Education," do so. This post is a follow-up from what Whitby has eloquently started. While we are reflecting, refreshing, and recharging, lets reflect on what we are trying to teach our students and why. Take the premise uttered by many that education must prepare our students for the "Real World." What is this "Real World" that is oft
by Sean Slade / 1d mark as read  //  save
The Effects of Early Learning
We have come to a pivotal point in education. The effects of early learning have consistently shown that children who do not have a strong start will continue to lag behind and encounter major barriers in the latter grades. Data from early grades have been powerful predictors of achievement and outcomes. Therefore, strong foundational skills in reading, math, and writing are fundamental for succe
by Dianna Minor / 1d 
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Parents United for Responsible Education » Blog Archive » PSAT for 7-23-13: How about an LSC no-TFA policy?

Parents United for Responsible Education » Blog Archive » PSAT for 7-23-13: How about an LSC no-TFA policy?:

PSAT for 7-23-13: How about an LSC no-TFA policy?

psat_logoI came back from a week in DC at the Parents Across America annual meeting to find my friend Xian Barrett’s face on the front page of the Sun-Times. Xian, a top notch teacher, 2010 U. S. Teaching Ambassador Fellow, and all-around excellent human being, was just fired in the latest round of CPS budget death-blows. Read Xian’s wonderful, moving blog post, “Yes, I Was Fired and Still We Will Win,” here.
I first wrote about Xian’s Teaching Ambassador recommendation to Arne Duncan and his minions that LSCs are the best, most democratic way to run schools – just one of the many cool things he has done over the years.
It was inevitable that when CPS moved to lump-sum budgeting this summer, schools would feel forced to make choices between keeping fewer experienced teachers or hiring more new, less expensive teachers to maintain lower class sizes. Of course, our students need both experienced teachers like Xian AND lower class sizes, not one or the other.
Folks in power who don’t seem to care what students really need are pushing Teach for America (TFA), the heavily-funded program that puts college graduates with nothing more than a 5-week summer training course into struggling urban schools.
To teach.
Senate Democrats are big on TFA. They have been re-writing NCLB requirements that every child
- See more at: http://pureparents.org/?p=20767#sthash.XtakHO16.dpuf
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National Board Networking | InterACT

National Board Networking | InterACT:

National Board Networking

JULY 23, 2013
tags: , , , , , ,
by 
NB_Network_Acc CA Teach
I’m in Raleigh, North Carolina, participating in a convening of National Board Affiliated Network leaders. Accomplished California Teachers is one of those affiliated networks, with a little more than half of our members holding National Board Certification.
As grim as the situation might be in many aspects of education policy, I’m always optimistic when in the presence of National Board Certified Teachers; talking with and learning from NBCTs from around the country is providing me with a much-needed optimism booster shot, and many lessons in how teachers are working to improve our profession.
It shouldn’t be this difficult. The nation, and many states, seem to be caught in the grip of some misguided ideas about how we far we can go in compromising the quality of our schools and teaching force. There’s a gap between our world-class aspirational rhetoric and our political 
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What Parents Want For Education Policy

What Parents Want For Education Policy:

What Parents Want For Education Policy

By  | 



A mantra recited by those who pride themselves as adherents to a movement known as “education reform” is that for too long policies governing public schools have favored “the adults” in the system at the expense of children. This rhetoric has framed any objections that classroom teachers may have to new education policies as being overly concerned about teachers’ interests and being negligent of the students.
That rhetorical positioning has been used by political lobbying groups promoting themselves as putting “students first” and taking a “stand for children” in order to claim a higher moral ground. These organizations assert that teachers who object to the continued degradation of their working conditions are really being selfish and inattentive to the needs of the students in the public education system.
However, there’s always been a group of adults who’ve been imbued with the power to 
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#TEACH13 Common Core panel urges thoughtful implementation - AFT - A Union of Professionals - AFT News

AFT - A Union of Professionals - AFT News:

Common Core panel urges thoughtful implementation




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A roundtable discussion on the opening day of the AFT TEACH Conference revealed how diverse voices find common threads when it comes to thoughtful, well-supported implementation of the Common Core State Standards.
Moderated by AFT vice president Mary Cathryn Ricker, who is also president of the Saint Paul Federation of Teachers, the session showcased comments from teachers, a test development specialist, the leader of a California parent advocacy group and an Ohio state legislator—stakeholders who look at the Common Core through very distinct lenses but often come to similar conclusions surrounding the new standards, which have been adopted by 45 states and the District of Columbia. Most of the speakers emphasized that there are no cheap fixes or easy workarounds when it comes to sound implementation—it has to be done well for this latest foray into standards-based reform to work.
Among the specifics the panelists called for were time for teachers to delve deeply into the new standards and collaborate on them, and exceptional professional development and resources that can transform the Common Core into effective strategies for the classroom. Communities also need to be knowledgeable about the Common Core and informed early about the fundamental changes they will bring to daily classroom life. And lawmakers must be ready to lead by advancing policies that match high expectations for children and teachers with high support.
"You should demand good professional development," said Peggy Brookins, a National Board-certified teacher from Marion, Fla. Prospects for success with the Common Core are real, she said. "The places you see it are those where people have been thoroughly trained," said Brookins, who has worked with writers of the new math standards.
Toledo, Ohio, teacher Kay Wait explained how teacher leaders and her school district moved early when it came to Common Core implementation. Training and alignment of curriculum and materials began in Toledo four years ago in grades K-2, with additional grades added each year. Today, 1,000 teachers in the district have received some Common Core training. This effort has been worthwhile and remains ongoing, said Wait, who is a district instruction planner for the Toledo Federation of Teachers. "Even in our situation, teachers don't feel they know everything they need to know," but the district's experience has shown "teachers really need the time to understand and to implement the Common Core to be successful."
A parent's perspective was offered by Cynthia Liu, founder and CEO of K-12 News Network and a leading parent advocate for strong California public schools. For Californians, there have been constructive developments in education of late—additional resources, for example, and new laws designed to create a seamless preK-21 delivery system. The Common Core also holds promise for excellence and equity, but parents are rightly concerned about testing associated with it. "A lot more needs to be done in terms of the testing piece," said Liu, citing concerns about student privacy, the inordinate amount of time devoted to assessments, and the profit factor. After years of severe underfunding, Californians "understand that we're just getting out of a starvation diet, and we don't want it to turn into just another payday for 'ed tech'" when it comes to resources that might go to testing rather than services.
Stuart Kahl, the founding principal of the testing company Measured Progress, also weighed in on the assessment piece of Common Core, with remarks that strongly cautioned against those who equate testing with school reform. He noted that the two major consortia developing tests for the new standards had scaled back their original, ambitious plans. Although the assessments ultimately should be an improvement over the status quo, they will never be anything close to a magic bullet for instilling school improvement based on deep investigation and critical thinking. "They are going to attend to the higher-order schools, but they are not going to go as far as people would like," Kahl said of the new tests, adding that he would like to see more true teacher-designed formative tests that are project-based and embedded into class life.
"Implementation is so critical, and your voices are the key" to improving the process, Ohio legislator Teresa Fedor told the TEACH audience. A former classroom teacher, Fedor is working to see that Ohio does not waste the opportunity, announced by U.S. Education Secretary Arne Duncan, to postpone evaluating teachers using assessments tied to Common Core standards. The announcement came after the AFT's call for a moratorium on high stakes prompted more than 70,000 teachers, parents and concerned citizens to email the Education Department. Those voices are still needed at the state level, particularly in a state like Ohio, where reckless expansion of charter schools in recent years has produced "reform fatigue." For the state to move forward, "bipartisanship and real leadership are needed," the legislator said—something that requires grass-roots involvement in decision-making.
Ricker, who observed that the AFT's call for a moratorium on Common Core-related high stakes had sparked "a groundswell" of action at the grass roots, said it was a reflection of members' strong feelings on this keystone issue. Polls show that about 3 out of 4 AFT teachers support Common Core standards, but only about 1 in 4 believe they have the tools necessary to implement them effectively. She urged the audience, the AFT and its partners around the country to stay vocal and engaged in this vital issue. [Mike Rose]
July 23, 2013

AFT News

July 2013

AFT TEACH news

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Diane Ravitch: 3 Dubious Uses of Technology in Schools: Scientific American

Diane Ravitch: 3 Dubious Uses of Technology in Schools: Scientific American:

Diane Ravitch: 3 Dubious Uses of Technology in Schools

Technology can inspire creativity or dehumanize learning
By Diane Ravitch




Image: DAVID DESPAU

Technology is transforming American education, for good and for ill. The good comes from the ingenious ways that teachers encourage their students to engage in science projects, learn about history by seeing the events for themselves and explore their own ideas on the Internet. There are literally thousands of Internet-savvy teachers who regularly exchange ideas about enlivening classrooms to heighten student engagement in learning.
The ill comes in many insidious forms.
One of the malign manifestations of the new technology is for-profit online charter schools, sometimes called virtual academies. These K–12 schools recruit heavily and spend many millions of taxpayer dollars on advertising. They typically collect stat
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Is Public Education on Its Death Bed? Should It Be? Seven Points of Argument, Leverage and Change. - Teacher in a Strange Land - Education Week Teacher

Is Public Education on Its Death Bed? Should It Be? Seven Points of Argument, Leverage and Change. - Teacher in a Strange Land - Education Week Teacher:

Is Public Education on Its Death Bed? Should It Be? Seven Points of Argument, Leverage and Change.

By Nancy Flanagan on July 23, 2013 1:52 PM
Corporate Ed Reform Working?


Last week, I was lunchtime speaker at the local Mensa group's monthly meeting. The program chairman who asked me to speak suggested this title for my talk: Is public education on its death bed? Should it be?
I readily agreed to talk about the possible demise --lamented, in my case--of public schooling. I thought it a provocative and timely topic.
One could easily make case the that public education doesn't work well, is stuck in a previous century, is cumbersome and inequitable and failing lots of kids. It deserves to die, because it's not doing its job consistently. The question is: What will replace it?
One could also make a passionate case that a free, high-quality fully public education for every child is one of America's best ideas--and that some things should not be subject to market pressures. If we've ever laid claim to being a great nation, it's certainly public education that 
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Buena Vista And Inkster, Michigan School Districts With Financial Woes, Likely To Be Shut Down

Buena Vista And Inkster, Michigan School Districts With Financial Woes, Likely To Be Shut Down:

Buena Vista And Inkster, Michigan School Districts With Financial Woes, Likely To Be Shut Down

Posted:   |  Updated: 07/23/2013 1:41 pm EDT


 General Motors is alive, and two low-income school districts in Michigan are nearly dead. For them, there is no bailout.
As the city of Detroit made national headlines this month for seeking a bankruptcy filing, two mostly-black school districts in Michigan state failed to make a critical deadline. As a result, they'll likely be shut down.
The districts, Inkster and Buena Vista, are located in southern and central Michigan. Under a new law signed by Gov. Rick Snyder (R), they had to prove they were financially solvent and secure a private loan -- or be closed.
By 5:00 p.m. Monday, the struggling schools had failed to meet an extended deadline to prove they had enough money to stay open, and they were looking for other options -- including banks to lend them funds to continue operating and pay staff members or a charter school management organization that could step in to help.
But small school districts aren’t like big car companies, and as of Tuesday it was 
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Diane in the Evening 7-23-13 Diane Ravitch's blog | A site to discuss better education for all

Diane Ravitch's blog | A site to discuss better education for all:





Teacher in Sumter: How We Saved Our Schools
Last Monday, more than 800 people turned out for a school district meeting in Sumter, South Carolina, to oppose their Broad-trained superintendent. Parents, teachers, and the community came together to protect their schools against privatization. This teacher writes: “Hello from Sumter, South Carolina. I am a veteran teacher here. Dr. Ravitch’s books and blog have been important sources of informa
by dianerav / 15min 

A Broadie Superintendent Resigns
After a divisive two years as superintendent of schools in Sumter, South Carolina, Randolph Bynum resigned. The community expressed relief. At a meeting Monday night, more than 800 people showed up to express opposition to Bynum. More than 150 teachers left the district during his brief tenure. What do they teach at the unaccredited Broad Superintendents Academy? How to run a top-down organizat
by dianerav / 1min 

Breaking News: Dallas Supt Under Investigation
Mike Miles, the Broad-trained superintendent of the Dallas Independent School District,  is under investigation by the Board of Education’s Office of Professional Responsibility. According to investigative journalists, OPR is inquiring into charges that Miles interfered with an official inquiry and manipulated the bidding process for contracts. An internal report to the board was published on the
by dianerav / 1min 


Before Detroit’s Fire Sale Begins, Call the Experts
With bankruptcy looming, buzzards are flying by to pick meat off the Motor City’s bones. Before they do, someone should talk to experts on the dangers of privatization: Contact: Richard Allen Smith July 23, 2013 rasmith@inthepublicinterest.org **** MEDIA AVAILABILITY**** As Detroit Contemplates a “Fire Sale” of its Assets, Privatization Experts are Available to Discuss the Dangers of Selling Pub
by dianerav / 51min 


LISTEN TO DIANE RAVITCH 7-23-13 Diane Ravitch's blog | A site to discuss better education for all
Diane Ravitch's blog | A site to discuss better education for all: Bruce Baker: One of the Dumbest Ways to Evaluate TeachersBruce Baker here examines a “graduate school” created by charter schools where their inexperienced teachers train new teachers how to produce high test scores. The model is a charter in New Jersey called North Star that gets great “growth scores” but has remarkably high attri
by mike simpson / 2h 
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