Nite Cap 9-20-13 #BATsACT #RealEdTalk #EDCHAT #P2 #Cheats4Change

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

If I were a Principal: An Enthusiastic Welcome to Take Note of - Student Voice

Student Voice: If I were a Principal: An Enthusiastic Welcome to Take Note of Welcome, students, to the start of another bright year at Interlake High!As your new incoming principal, as well as one of the youngest principles in the state, I feel exceptionally privileged to welcome everyone back to school, back to this great hall of learning. Call me naive, but I think that this next year will make

by mike simpson / 24min 

K-12 News Network | Open Letter to President Obama: The One Book You Should Read on Public Education: Diane Ravitch’s Reign of Error

K-12 News Network | Open Letter to President Obama: The One Book You Should Read on Public Education: Diane Ravitch’s Reign of Error: Open Letter to President Obama: The One Book You Should Read on Public Education: Diane Ravitch’s Reign of ErrorDear President Obama,You must read Professor Diane Ravitch’s latest book, Reign of Error: The Hoax of the Privatization Movement and the Danger to America

by mike simpson / 27min 

Diane in the Evening 9-20-13 Diane Ravitch's blog | A site to discuss better education for all

Diane Ravitch's blog | A site to discuss better education for all: Income Inequality and School ReformIt is not often that you see a juxtaposition between these two concepts: income inequality and school reform. But I would like to argue here that they are related and they matter. In a recent column, Paul Krugman reviews the evidence about income inequality. The rich have grown dramatically richer

by mike simpson / 1h 

The Libertarian Faerie: A Fable | the becoming radical

The Libertarian Faerie: A Fable | the becoming radical: The Libertarian Faerie: A FablePosted on September 20, 2013 by plthomaseddAmericans watched as their leaders battled: Senate versus House over the fate of food stamps:Republicans have emphasized that the bill targets able-bodied adults who don’t have dependents. And they say the broader work requirements in the bill are similar to the 1996 we

by mike simpson / 1h 

Torlakson Pushes for E-Rate - Year 2013

Torlakson Pushes for E-Rate - Year 2013 (CA Dept of Education): State Schools Chief Tom Torlakson Visits Nation'sCapital to Push for Student Broadband AccessSACRAMENTO—State Superintendent of Public Instruction Tom Torlakson will be in Washington, D.C., next week as he continues his push for increased federal assistance to provide broadband access for all students and schools across California.At

by mike simpson / 2h 

Against Cynicism: A Contemporary Philosopher’s Brilliant Reasons for Living - Online University of the Left

Against Cynicism: A Contemporary Philosopher’s Brilliant Reasons for Living - Online University of the Left: Against Cynicism: A Contemporary Philosopher’s Brilliant Reasons for LivingPosted by carl4davidsonPeter Sloterdijk, photo credit: Courtesy of Wikimedia CommonsBy Adam KirschThe New Republic | July 19. 2013Peter Sloterdijk has been one of Germany’s best-known philosophers for 30 years, ever

by mike simpson / 2h 

NYC Educator: Diane Ravitch, Yellow Stripes and Dead Armadillos

NYC Educator: Diane Ravitch, Yellow Stripes and Dead Armadillos: Diane Ravitch, Yellow Stripes and Dead ArmadillosAccording to Jim Hightower, yellow stripes and dead armadillos are the only things you'll find in the middle of the road. And yet Jessica Levin, over at Huffington Post, paints corporate reformers as occupying some middle ground. Levin mentions Michelle Rhee as one of these moderate vo

by mike simpson / 2h 

Gay and Lesbian Educators Remain Vulnerable to Bias | NEA Today

Gay and Lesbian Educators Remain Vulnerable to Bias | NEA Today: Gay and Lesbian Educators Remain Vulnerable to BiasSeptember 20, 2013 by twalker  Filed under Featured News, Top StoriesLeave a CommentBy Rita ZeidnerThe U.S. Supreme Court’s June decision striking down a key provision of the Defense of Marriage Act DOMA promises many federal benefits to married gay and lesbian couples. But the landm

by mike simpson / 4h 

Achieving Excellence and Equity: The U.S. Department of Education’s Strategic Plan Released for Public Comment | ED.gov Blog

Achieving Excellence and Equity: The U.S. Department of Education’s Strategic Plan Released for Public Comment | ED.gov Blog: Achieving Excellence and Equity: The U.S. Department of Education’s Strategic Plan Released for Public CommentPosted on September 20, 2013 by Jim SheltonPlease submit all comments on the Department of Education’s draft FY2014-2018 Strategic Plan to strategicplancomments@ed.

by mike simpson / 5h 

9-20-13 Ed Notes Online

Ed Notes Online: Bill Thompson "Tone Deaf" Campaign Deficiencies Exposed in NY Times...and UFT support shows how tone deaf they are. David Chen in the Times reported the other day - A very revealing article on Bill Thompson's faults and failures -- all of which were not noted by the equally tone deaf UFT.Mr. Thompson never articulated a clear message. “Muddled” was a word used by many. H

by mike simpson / 5h 

9-20-13 Seattle Schools Community Forum

Seattle Schools Community Forum: Seattle Schools on SaturdayFrom SPS:Seattle Public Schools has teamed with the Washington Association of School Business Officials (WASBO) to bring to you a workshop specifically crafted for booster club members, parent group members, athletic and activity directors, principals and school administrators. The PTSAs and booster clubs that make up our support groups a

by mike simpson / 6h 

Cali Education Headlines Friday, September 20, 2013

FCMAT » Fiscal Crisis & Management Assistance Team: Peter Schrag: How are the schools doing? This year, don’t askEducation HeadlinesFriday, September 20, 2013KCSOS updates policies after disabled child forgotten on busThe father of an 8-year-old autistic boy who was discovered abandoned on an otherwise empty school bus said he's not appeased by new safety measures the Kern County Superintenden

by mike simpson / 6h 

Sandronsky TFA, Charter Schools Move into Sacramento

Sandronsky TFA, Charter Schools Move into Sacramento: TFA and Charter Schools Move into SacramentoBy SETH SANDRONSKYTeach for America, founded in 1990, employs recent university graduates, or corps members, to instruct low-income students. TFA, with a presence across the US, arrived in Sacramento, Calif., with 16 teachers in six area schools last school year.There was little news coverage of TFA’s

by mike simpson / 6h 

Susan J. Demas: Education is not a for-profit business, so don't treat it like one | MLive.com

Susan J. Demas: Education is not a for-profit business, so don't treat it like one | MLive.com: Susan J. Demas: Education is not a for-profit business, so don't treat it like oneMichigan has slashed education spending 9 percent since 2008, sparking several rallies against the cuts. (AP File Photo)Government should be run like a business. That mantra spills from the mouths of Republicans and Democr

by mike simpson / 6h 

Democratic Congressman who tweeted Ravitch is “evil” goes on to compare her to Koch brothers - Wait What?

Democratic Congressman who tweeted Ravitch is “evil” goes on to compare her to Koch brothers - Wait What?: Democratic Congressman who tweeted Ravitch is “evil” goes on to compare her to Koch brothers Jared Polis, a Democratic member of Congress from Colorado, who tweeted yesterday that America’s leading public education advocate, Diane Ravitch, was an “evil woman” went on to tweet, “Can’t think of

by mike simpson / 6h 

'Charter schools are like turkey hot dogs' and other education musings from a South Philly stoop lady [video] — NewsWorks

'Charter schools are like turkey hot dogs' and other education musings from a South Philly stoop lady [video] — NewsWorks: 'Charter schools are like turkey hot dogs' and other education musings from a South Philly stoop lady [video]September 19, 2013By Peter Crimmins, @PeterCrimmins Video by Lindsay Lazarski, @llazarski    Rate This: 12345 (27 votes)Ask a questionAlso from NewsWorks Tonight - Sept

2 by mike simpson / 7h 

Our School’s Utilization of Technology as a Vehicle for Growth | Connected Principals

Our School’s Utilization of Technology as a Vehicle for Growth | Connected Principals: Our School’s Utilization of Technology as a Vehicle for GrowthSeptember 20, 2013By Jonathan VanderElsWhen I walk into our kindergarten classrooms now, seeing a five-year old moving her avatar to the “School Lunch” or “Home Lunch” box does not seem like a big deal. This not only provides this information to the t

by mike simpson / 7h 

Morning Wink 9-20-13 AM Posts #BATsACT #RealEdTalk #EDCHAT #P2 #Cheats4Change

BIG EDUCATION APE - MORNING WINK  AM POSTSTODAY2min2x: Brush kids' teeth for 2 minutes, 2 times a day.2min2x: Home: Brush kids' teeth for 2 minutes, 2 times a day.SEE ALL VIDEOS    Brush with BugsBunny and Daffy Duckfrom Looney Tunes.WATCH NOWPick a video and brushyour teeth for 2 minutes,2 times a day!Keep Kids’ Mouths HealthyBrush 2min2xVisit a DentistFloss Every DayUse FluorideLEARN THE WHAT, W

1 by mike simpson / 7h 

9-20-13 The Whole Child Blog — Whole Child Education

The Whole Child Blog — Whole Child Education: Consciously Dial Down ReactionRead the first, second, third, and fourth posts in this series. "Children should be taught to use their emotions and to be aware of them rather than control them." —Mary Helen Immordino-Yang Succeeding "despite the odds" or overcoming adversity has a lot more to do with resource capacity than luck. We m

by mike simpson / 7h 

2min2x: Brush kids' teeth for 2 minutes, 2 times a day.

2min2x: Home: Brush kids' teeth for 2 minutes, 2 times a day.SEE ALL VIDEOS    Brush with BugsBunny and Daffy Duckfrom Looney Tunes.WATCH NOWPick a video and brushyour teeth for 2 minutes,2 times a day!Keep Kids’ Mouths HealthyBrush 2min2xVisit a DentistFloss Every DayUse FluorideLEARN THE WHAT, WHEN, AND HOWAbout Kids’ TeethLEARN MOREGet kids' oral healthtips on your cell phone!REGISTER YOUR MOBI

by mike simpson / 7h 

Mother Crusader: Pitbull Is "Bringing Sexy Back" To Education, And Not Just In The 305

Mother Crusader: Pitbull Is "Bringing Sexy Back" To Education, And Not Just In The 305: Pitbull Is "Bringing Sexy Back" To Education, And Not Just In The 305No, I didn't make up that title.  He really said that."Sometimes what happens is that education is no longer sexy,” Pitbull said. “It’s no longer cool. I want to tell them or help put together either curriculum or scho

by mike simpson / 8h 

Mike Klonsky's SmallTalk Blog: Chicago Republicrats

Mike Klonsky's SmallTalk Blog: Chicago Republicrats: Chicago RepublicratsThere are no real Democrats or Republicans in Chicago. The only symbol saluted here is neither the donkey nor the elephant, but the dollar sign. They've even abandoned the two-party system, for electing the mayor. And statewide, now you have two former Obama chiefs of staff and his former Secretary of State, seemingly cutting

by mike simpson / 8h 

Superintendent: State’s reform strategy is to throw darts and see what sticks

Superintendent: State’s reform strategy is to throw darts and see what sticks: Superintendent: State’s reform strategy is to throw darts and see what sticksBy Valerie Strauss, Published: September 20 at 9:41 amE-mail the writerTennessee Education Commissioner Kevin Huffman (www.tn.gov)On more than a few occasions, I have found myself trying to explain a policy change which in my view is not best f

by mike simpson / 8h 

Banning an American classic in a NC district: "Invisible Man"... | Get Schooled | www.ajc.com

Banning an American classic in a NC district: "Invisible Man"... | Get Schooled | www.ajc.com: Banning an American classic in a NC district: "Invisible Man" disappears from school libraries  COMMENT(7) 1 3 8 27RelatedView Larger Invisible ManPrevious PostsSecrets of the smartest kids in the worldSeptember 19, 2013North Atlanta principal will stay and attempt to change a "Y

by mike simpson / 8h 

9-20-13 Wait What?

Wait What?: Special Master Steven Adamowski’s wild spending spree with Connecticut’s tax dollarsSince the Malloy administration gave Steven Adamowski his no-bid contract to serve as “Special Master” for Windham and New London, Adamowski has collected a salary of about $450,000 for himself and another $168,000 for his staff.  Add in over $140,000 more for health and insurance benefits, $17,000 for

by mike simpson / 8h 

The Educated Reporter: High-Stakes Testing Errors Nationwide Revealed in New Atlanta Journal-Constitution Series

The Educated Reporter: High-Stakes Testing Errors Nationwide Revealed in New Atlanta Journal-Constitution Series: High-Stakes Testing Errors Nationwide Revealed in New Atlanta Journal-Constitution SeriesWe spend quite a bit of time talking about cheating on standardized tests (even though incidences represent a minute fraction of the number of assessments given in public schools every year). What

by mike simpson / 8h 

All in For Profit | EduShyster

All in For Profit | EduShyster: All in For ProfitPosted on September 20, 2013A Wall Streeter explains why he’s bullish on for-profit education company K12By Mazinger ZAs president Coolidge once said, the business of American business is rent seeking. No surprise then that the efficiency, resources and ingenuity of our profit-seekers are increasingly being enlisted in the fight to turn around our f

by mike simpson / 8h 

Should I Stop Assigning Homework? - Jessica Lahey - The Atlantic

Should I Stop Assigning Homework? - Jessica Lahey - The Atlantic: Should I Stop Assigning Homework?What if my students think my class is too easy? And how will we ever get through A Tale of Two Cities? I have written in the past about my hatred of homework from the perspective of both a teacher and a parent, so when I heard about a teacher who had ditched the practice of assigning homework altoget

by mike simpson / 9h 

TO LISTEN TO DIANE RAVITCH 9-20-13 Stephen Dyer on “Reign of Error” | Diane Ravitch's blog

Stephen Dyer on “Reign of Error” | Diane Ravitch's blog: Stephen Dyer on “Reign of Error”Stephen Dyer is a former legislator in Ohio who now works for a public policy organization called Innovation Ohio, in my book, I drew on some of his research. In this post, he situates my work in a longstanding American tradition. I especially liked these lines: “As I read the book, I couldn’t help but think o

by mike simpson / 10h 

9-20-13 Larry Ferlazzo’s Websites of the Day… | …For Teaching ELL, ESL, & EFL

Larry Ferlazzo’s Websites of the Day… | …For Teaching ELL, ESL, & EFL: Quote Of The Day: “Why Paying Kids to Do Homework Can Backfire”Why Paying Kids to Do Homework Can Backfire is an article published today at TIME. It doesn’t offer anything particularly new to longtime readers of this blog or my books, but it does provide a good summary of research. Here’s an excerpt:7 by Larry Ferlazzo / 6h

by mike simpson / 10h 

Changing the Classroom Curriculum: Recapturing How I Taught a Half-Century Ago (Part 1) | Larry Cuban on School Reform and Classroom Practice

Changing the Classroom Curriculum: Recapturing How I Taught a Half-Century Ago (Part 1) | Larry Cuban on School Reform and Classroom Practice: Changing the Classroom Curriculum: Recapturing How I Taught a Half-Century Ago (Part 1)I was a 21 year-old novice eager and anxious to become an first-rate high school history teacher at Glenville High School (Cleveland OH) in 1956. Within six months, I dis

by mike simpson / 10h 

9-20-13 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.: The in box. Bev Johns: “Special ed class size proposal is dead for now.”From Bev Johns, Chair of the Illinois Special Education Coaliton. The Illinois State Board of Education (ISBE) took NO action today on the proposal to eliminate all State rules on special education class size, and on the 30 percen

by mike simpson / 10h 

9-20-13 Perdido Street School

Perdido Street School: Joe Lhota: I'm A Hug-Able Kind Of GuyFrom the Wall Street Journal:Mr. Lhota blamed his poll standing on a brutal primary in which his chief opponent, billionaire businessman John Catsimatidis, repeatedly described Mr. Lhota as mean and a bureaucrat. "John [Catsimatidis] was throwing as much mud as he possibly could—I've never met anybody who thinks I'm mean, I've never

by mike simpson / 10h 

9-20-13 @ The Chalk Face

@ THE CHALK FACE: The Indignant Teacher Reviews “Reign of Error”  The “nation’s children are on a train that is headed for a cliff“. This sentence, unobtrusively embedded in the middle of the first chapter of Reign of Error, effectively identifies the main idea of Diane Ravitch’s newest book. Like it’s prequel from 2010, The Death and Life of the Great American School System, Reign of Error serves

by mike simpson / 10h 

Education: Our Best Defense Against Ignorance | toteachornototeach

Education: Our Best Defense Against Ignorance | toteachornototeach: Education: Our Best Defense Against IgnorancePosted on September 19, 2013Education: Our Best Defense Against Ignorance by Michael RohrerPlease put your hands together and give a warm welcome to Linda Harvey, the founder of the conservative group Mission America and an all-around good Christian. Earlier this month she said:Why are

by mike simpson / 10h 

Seattle Schools Community Forum

Seattle Schools Community Forum: Friday Open ThreadWell hello there. Back from hiatus and a big thank you (and good job) to Charlie who kept this thing going quite nicely.  I did read from afar a couple of times but true to my word to myself, I did not comment or post. (And by the way, a BIG thank you to all our readers.  Our numbers continue to soar and it's quite amazing.  I like to think that p

by mike simpson / 10h 

9-20-13 Schools Matter

Schools Matter:   The Unmeasurable, Untestable YouI think you will agree that the following absolutely negates the "value" of the findings of any "standardized" testing in schools (and anywhere else for that matter)...or rather, it encourages us to understand the value of testing as producing outcomes that benefit those implementing the testing.  That is to say, testing does no

by mike simpson / 10h 

YESTERDAY

Teacher, two superintendents to hold key positions on funding law’s new agency | EdSource Today

Teacher, two superintendents to hold key positions on funding law’s new agency | EdSource Today: Teacher, two superintendents to hold key positions on funding law’s new agencySeptember 19th, 2013 | Add a Comment | By John FensterwaldShare on twitterShare on facebookShare on emailShare on printMore Sharing ServicesConsistent with the goal of shifting power over education decisions away from Sacrame

3 by mike simpson / 17h 

Boredom, Thy Name Is Charlotte Danielson (On Rubrics and Misuse) - The Jose Vilson | The Jose Vilson

Boredom, Thy Name Is Charlotte Danielson (On Rubrics and Misuse) - The Jose Vilson | The Jose Vilson: Boredom, Thy Name Is Charlotte Danielson (On Rubrics and Misuse)by JOSE VILSON on SEPTEMBER 19, 2013in MR. VILSONCharlotte Danielson“And another thing!”I’ve always wanted to start a post off like that, like I was in the middle of an impassioned diatribe and you just happened to step in to the thou

by mike simpson / 18h 

Schooling in the Ownership Society: Tilson short-selling K12Inc.

Schooling in the Ownership Society: Tilson short-selling K12Inc.: Tilson short-selling K12Inc.Hedge-funder TilsonYou would think that the online learning company, K12Inc. would find synergy with hedge-funder Whitney Tilson, the money bags behind DFER and a co-founder of TFA and KIPP board member. But no! Tilson would never let ideological unity get in the way of super-profits. So Tilson is having

by mike simpson / 18h 

Teachers For Social Justice: People's Board Meeting:Wed, 9/25, 5:30 PM

Teachers For Social Justice: People's Board Meeting:Wed, 9/25, 5:30 PM: People's Board Meeting:Wed, 9/25, 5:30 PMTired of not being listened to? Want your voice and views respected? Come to the People's Board Meeting!  Wednesday, Sept 25, 5:30 PMMount Carmel Missionary Church2976 S. WabashChicago, ILOrganized by theGEM (Grassroots Education Movement), CODE (Communities Organized for Democracy in E

by mike simpson / 18h 

Jersey Jazzman: The Shafting Of the American Teacher

Jersey Jazzman: The Shafting Of the American Teacher: @jaredpolis: America's Worst CongresspersonWhat a schmuck: Yes, 75 year old Diane Ravitch -- grandmother, author, and historian -- is "evil" in the eyes of this sitting member of Congress. Aren't you proud, Colorado? This empty suit is the 7th wealthiest member of Congress. But Polis is really just another phony Democrat who pushes id

by mike simpson / 20h 

Income Inequality, Educational Inequity, Privatization… Pittsburgh to Chicago | janresseger

Income Inequality, Educational Inequity, Privatization… Pittsburgh to Chicago | janresseger: Income Inequality, Educational Inequity, Privatization…  Pittsburgh to ChicagoTwo blog posts arrived in my in-box today.  The first is from a young woman, Jessie Ramey, whose blog is called Yinzercation and whose recent post is titled Diane Ravitch Launched, Yinzer-Style.  This sent me, of course to Google

by mike simpson / 20h 

Common Core and Dr. Strangelove | Reclaim Reform

Common Core and Dr. Strangelove | Reclaim Reform: Common Core and Dr. StrangelovePosted on September 19, 2013by Ken PrevitiHave you ever seen the movie Dr. Strangelove or: How I Learned to Stop Worrying and Love the Bomb? There is a scene where a wild-eyed gung-ho pilot joyfully rides a nuclear bomb to his own destruction – “Whoop-whooping!” in glee all the way. The whole bombing situation was due

by mike simpson / 21h 

Whitney Tilson Gets Caught Yet Again With His Pants Down southbronxschool.com

http://www.southbronxschool.com: Whitney Tilson Gets Caught Yet Again With His Pants DownWhat a day yesterday was! The new phone books arrived, I, with other education bloggers, got to engage in a video conference with Diane Ravitch, and I found out that not only had Whitney Tilson finally make some sense, but he confirmed that he is in education for the moolah and lying hypocrite as well.So Whitn

by mike simpson / 21h 

Playing Games with Our Kids: Moms vs. Congress

Playing Games with Our Kids: Moms vs. Congress « MomsRising Blog: Playing Games with Our Kids: Moms vs. CongressPosted September 19th, 2013 by Kristin Rowe-FinkbeinerGames are a time-honored way of expanding people’s knowledge.My mom, who was a single mother throughout my elementary school years, played games with my brother and I in the grocery store when we were young to help make the price righ

by mike simpson / 21h 

My Review of Diane Ravitch's New Blockbuster Best Seller "Reign of Error"

My Review of Diane Ravitch's New Blockbuster Best Seller "Reign of Error"Thank You Diane!PS Watch out for Flying Monkeys of the Great Hoax A Parent's Guide to Corporate Education Reform: Why Rich Guys are Screwing Up Our Public SchoolsA Parent's Guide to Corporate Education Reform: Why Rich Guys are Screwing Up Our Public SchoolsAKAREIGN OF ERROR. An incisive, comprehensive look at today

4 by mike simpson / 22h 

Nite Cap 9-19-13 #BATsACT #RealEdTalk #EDCHAT #P2 #Cheats4Change

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 CAPTODAYNYC Educator: Be Afraid. Be Very AfraidNYC Educator: Be Afraid. Be Very Afraid: Be Afraid. Be Very AfraidOne of my students didn't have her homework today. She's pretty smart, and pretty eager, but not altogether that fluent in English. I as

1 by mike simpson / 23h mark as read  //  save

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Nite Cap 9-19-13

Nite Cap 9-18-13 

If I were a Principal: An Enthusiastic Welcome to Take Note of - Student Voice

Student Voice:

If I were a Principal: An Enthusiastic Welcome to Take Note of

 Welcome, students, to the start of another bright year at Interlake High!

As your new incoming principal, as well as one of the youngest principles in the state, I feel exceptionally privileged to welcome everyone back to school, back to this great hall of learning. Call me naive, but I think that this next year will make Interlake’s permanent legacy upon the world.

Why such enthusiasm? It’s not just because of my young age, or because of inexperience. Yes, I have seen schools where students and teachers seem to gear up every morning, preparing to fight in another chapter of a never-ending war. Yes, I’ve seen schools where the bright are underserved and tedious standardized tests rule the environment, where getting a 5 on an AP test becomes more important than someone’s happiness, than someone’s health, than their own sanity. I’ve seen people approach school with that same, lackluster attitude of “I’m wasting my time here”. And why do I know this so well? I, like all of your teachers, have just as much gone through this experience.

That’s why this year, I want to write a special letter to you, the student, telling you exactly what we are here for, and how

we could actually help you on this small section of the game of Life. Your high school years will be very memorable, but it all depends on how you approach them.

This is my favorite time of the school year, the very start. When students are still relatively renewed and bored from the long summer recess, and when everyone still have clear goals in mind. This year will be different; this will be the year that my grades won’t fall below a C. This will be the year when I’ll sleep before midnight

- See more at: http://stuvoice.org/blog/2013/09/20/if-i-were-a-principal-an-enthusiastic-welcome-to-take-note-of/?utm_source=feedly#sthash.1Ruh0ELC.dpuf

K-12 News Network | Open Letter to President Obama: The One Book You Should Read on Public Education: Diane Ravitch’s Reign of Error

K-12 News Network | Open Letter to President Obama: The One Book You Should Read on Public Education: Diane Ravitch’s Reign of Error:

Open Letter to President Obama: The One Book You Should Read on Public Education: Diane Ravitch’s Reign of Error

Dear President Obama,

You must read Professor Diane Ravitch’s latest book, Reign of Error: The Hoax of the Privatization Movement and the Danger to America’s Public Schools. You won’t like it. No one likes reading about their failures. And that’s exactly WHY you should read it. Your legacy is at stake. You risk havingRace to the Top known as Race to the Bank due to the enormous payday tech companies, “edupreneurs,” and charter chain operators stand to pocketfrom taxpayer money that instead should go to educating the nation’s children.

In 2008, you were the bright shining hope of a nation tired of being lied to about the Iraq and Afghanistan wars. On whistle-stop campaign tours around the country, parents of young babies would hold them up to you for a candidate’s photo op. As a candidate and as President Obama, you’ve always had a way with kids. I have to believe you genuinely like and care about children.

But even then the seeds for what Ravitch calls the Obama administration’s Reign of Error had already been sown. At the first meeting of Democrats for Education Reform (a group named in such a way that all but the word ‘for’ is misleading), you were a young State Senator from Illinois and in attendance. Democrats for Education Reform (DFER) would grow to represent the profiteering wing of self-proclaimed social liberals and fiscal conservatives with designs on the lucrative billions spent by all fifty states on K-12 public education. You would come to allow — or steer — some of the worst policies to undermine, weaken, and privatize public education through your appointee, Secretary of Education Arne Duncan.

Those babies and toddlers you kissed grew up some, and are now entering kindergarten and first grade. In some states, children as young as first grade might be taking tests on art instead of actually creating art, or doing worksheets for “homework”. Under such age-inappropriate instruction, the joy and curiosity most children are born with seeps from their spirits like air from a balloon, the sparkle of excitement in their eyes and important questions like “why?” and “how?” stop. And their parents are MAD. Not at teachers, but at unending tests, one-size-fits-all data-driven instruction, forty and fifty kids per classroom, and important things still missing from the school day like art, music, physical education, science, history, and more. You see, that’s what 

Diane in the Evening 9-20-13 Diane Ravitch's blog | A site to discuss better education for all

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

Nancy Flanagan Reviews “Reign of Error”

Nancy Flanagan has written a fine analysis of “Reign of Error.” She says that this is a book for teachers, school leaders, and parents. “For them, it’s a sourcebook of key issues, solid evidence and confirmation that yes, there’s been a media-fed, policy-driven, politically instigated sea change in public perspectives around education. Plus–there’s a template for the kinds of smart investment tha

4 by dianerav / 2h 

Readers: What Happened to My “Education Nation” Post?

Readers, earlier today I posted an invitation that I received from NBC’s Education Nation. I was invited to sit in the audience. I wrote that I would decline because I was busy. I included in the post the long list of speakers and panelists. It included Louisiana Governor Bobby Jindal; New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg; Indiana Governor Mike Pence; Indiana ex-Governor Mitch Daniels; Los Angele

1 by dianerav / 2min 

New York City’s Leading Private Schools Drop Entry Test

For many years, young children applying to enter elite private schools in New York City had to take the ERB, which was supposed to be like an SAT for toddlers. Now these schools have decided to drop the ERB as an admission test because of the pervasiveness of test prep. According to a story in today’s New York Times: Next year, the test, commonly known as the E.R.B., is likely to be dropped as an

4 by dianerav / 31min 

Income Inequality and School Reform

It is not often that you see a juxtaposition between these two concepts: income inequality and school reform. But I would like to argue here that they are related and they matter. In a recent column, Paul Krugman reviews the evidence about income inequality. The rich have grown dramatically richer, while the poor have gained nothing from the economic recovery. Here are the basic facts, as he descr

5 by dianerav / 26min mark as read  //  save

Arthur Goldstein: Beware the Middle of the Road!

Earlier this week, I was interviewed on NPR’s “On Point.” In the second part of the hour, the show brought on some young woman whose name I can’t remember. They said she used to work for Michelle Rhee and that she worked (or used to work) for Rhee’s TNTP (the New Teacher Project). I recall that her big complaint was that I failed to find common ground with corporate reformers. She said she had int

3 by dianerav / 29min 

TO LISTEN TO DIANE RAVITCH 9-20-13 Stephen Dyer on “Reign of Error” | Diane Ravitch's blog

Stephen Dyer on “Reign of Error” | Diane Ravitch's blog: Stephen Dyer on “Reign of Error”Stephen Dyer is a former legislator in Ohio who now works for a public policy organization called Innovation Ohio, in my book, I drew on some of his research. In this post, he situates my work in a longstanding American tradition. I especially liked these lines: “As I read the book, I couldn’t help but think o

by mike simpson / 2h 

The Libertarian Faerie: A Fable | the becoming radical

The Libertarian Faerie: A Fable | the becoming radical:

The Libertarian Faerie: A Fable

Posted on September 20, 2013 by plthomasedd

Americans watched as their leaders battled: Senate versus House over the fate of food stamps:

Republicans have emphasized that the bill targets able-bodied adults who don’t have dependents. And they say the broader work requirements in the bill are similar to the 1996 welfare law that led to a decline in people receiving that government assistance.

“Politically it’s a great issue,” says Rep. Tim Huelskamp, R-Kan., one of the conservatives who has pushed for the larger cuts. “I think most Americans don’t think you should be getting something for free, especially for the able-bodied adults.”

House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi, D-Calif., said Tuesday that Democrats are united against the bill.

“Maybe I’m just hoping for divine intervention, but I really do believe that there are enough Republicans that will not identify themselves with such a brutal cut in feeding the American people,” Pelosi said at a news conference.

Hearing this, the Libertarian Faerie appeared before Congress and 

remnant 33: “There’s the story…”

remnant 33: “There’s the story…”.

by plthomasedd / 1min

Torlakson Pushes for E-Rate - Year 2013 (CA Dept of Education)

Torlakson Pushes for E-Rate - Year 2013 (CA Dept of Education):

State Schools Chief Tom Torlakson Visits Nation's
Capital to Push for Student Broadband Access

SACRAMENTO—State Superintendent of Public Instruction Tom Torlakson will be in Washington, D.C., next week as he continues his push for increased federal assistance to provide broadband access for all students and schools across California.

At issue is the federal Schools and Libraries Program, more commonly known as E-rate, a surcharge on long distance telephone bills established in 1997 that provides discounts to assist schools and libraries in obtaining affordable telecommunications and Internet access. Torlakson has championed efforts to update E-rate to narrow the digital divide. In March 2012, he convened his Education Technology Task Force to bring 21st century tools into California's classrooms. He has also brought together other state superintendents via the Council of Chief State School Officers (CCSSO) to work together on this issue.

"The world has changed, and our economy and society thrive on interconnectivity," Torlakson said. "E-rate is one of the tools we have to help close the digital divide for California's children. E-rate has been a success, but now's the time to make it even better so more schools and libraries can take advantage of it."

In June, President Obama proposed modernizing the E-rate program as part of his ConnectED initiative, which Torlakson at the time called "a huge step in the right direction." The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) opened a public comment period soon after. Torlakson encouraged local superintendents and other education stakeholders across California to weigh in; the California Department of Education submitted its comments this week.

Among the state's priorities are expanding the program; making it easier to apply for and receive funding; ensuring the flexibility to take advantage of future technologies; distributing funding according to highest-priority needs; and allowing for adequate bandwidth to support wireless access as schools continue moving toward a one-to-one computing ratio.

Monday in Washington, Torlakson will co-chair the CCSSO's Digital Learning Task Force. The full-day gathering will include task force discussion and meeting with FCC commissioners and staff, along with representatives of the White House Domestic Policy Council and the U.S. Department of Education. Tuesday, Torlakson will meet with the offices of Senators Dianne Feinstein and Barbara Boxer of California, as well as Senator Jay Rockefeller of West Virginia, who is one of the original authors of the E-rate program.

"With 6.2 million children, our student population here in California is bigger than the total populations of some 30 other states," Torlakson said. "To truly reach and teach every child—to prepare them for the world they'll encounter outside our classrooms— technology has to be a part of what we do."

# # # #

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

Against Cynicism: A Contemporary Philosopher’s Brilliant Reasons for Living - Online University of the Left

Against Cynicism: A Contemporary Philosopher’s Brilliant Reasons for Living - Online University of the Left:

Against Cynicism: A Contemporary Philosopher’s Brilliant Reasons for Living

Posted by carl4davidson

Peter Sloterdijk, photo credit: Courtesy of Wikimedia Commons

By Adam Kirsch

The New Republic | July 19. 2013

Peter Sloterdijk has been one of Germany’s best-known philosophers for 30 years, ever since the publication of his Critique of Cynical Reason in 1983—a thousand-page treatise that became a best-seller. Since then Sloterdijk has been at the forefront of European intellectual life, contributing to public debates over genetic engineering and economics and hosting a long-running discussion program on television, all while publishing a steady stream of ambitious philosophical works.

The Critique of Cynical Reason appeared in English many years ago, but it is only recently that Sloterdijk has begun to emerge on the American horizon. Bubbles, the first volume in a trilogy calledSpheres, his magnum opus, appeared here in 2011. Now it is followed by You Must Change Your Life, another wide-ranging and challenging book. Along with Rage and Time, which appeared in English in 2010, these volumes make it possible to begin to come to grips with Sloterdijk as a stirring and eclectic thinker, who addresses himself boldly to the most important problems of our age. Above all, he is concerned with metaphysics—or, rather, with what to do with the empty space that is left over when metaphysics disappears—along with religion, faith in revolution, and the other grand sources of meaning that long gave shape and direction to human lives.

Sloterdijk was born in 1947, making him just the right age to participate in the student movement of the 1960s. By the early 1980s, when he wrote Critique of Cynical Reason, the idealism and the world-changing energy of that movement had long since dwindled into splinter-group violence, on the one hand, and accommodation to the realities of capitalism and the Cold War, on the other. In that cultural moment, Sloterdijk’s diagnosis of “cynicism” was very timely. “The dissolution of the student movement,” he wrote, “must interest us because it represents a complex metamorphosis of hope into realism, of revolt into a clever melancholy.”

Despite its parodic Kantian title, Sloterdijk’s Critique is not a work of theoretical abstraction; it is a