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Thursday, May 8, 2014

Morning Wink 5-8-14 AM Posts #BATsACT #RealEdTalk #EDCHAT #P2


BIG EDUCATION APE - MORNING WINK  AM POSTS




LISTEN TO DIANE RAVITCH 5-8-14 Diane Ravitch's blog | A site to discuss better education for all
Diane Ravitch's blog | A site to discuss better education for all: NEPC: Charter School “Wait Lists” Are Overstated, Possibly MeaninglessA new report from the National Education Policy Center reviews the “wait lists” that charter advocacy groups regularly publicize and finds them to be vastly inflated. Charter advocacy groups claim that nearly one million students are wait-listed for admission, bu
by mike simpson / 3min 
Secretary Duncan and Attorney General Holder Issue Guidance for School Districts to Ensure Equal Access for All Children to Public Schools, Regardless of Immigration Status | U.S. Department of Education
Secretary Duncan and Attorney General Holder Issue Guidance for School Districts to Ensure Equal Access for All Children to Public Schools, Regardless of Immigration Status | U.S. Department of Education: Secretary Duncan and Attorney General Holder Issue Guidance for School Districts to Ensure Equal Access for All Children to Public Schools, Regardless of Immigration StatusMAY 8, 2014Contact:   P
by mike simpson / 5min 
5-8-14 Larry Ferlazzo’s Websites of the Day… | …For Teaching ELL, ESL, & EFL
Larry Ferlazzo’s Websites of the Day… | …For Teaching ELL, ESL, & EFL: One-Minute “Ask Smithsonian” Videos Are Good To Watch & Are Useful Models For Student CreationsThe Smithsonian has a series of one-minute “Ask Smithsonian” videos that answer questions on a variety of topics. Here’s an example: There short, sweet and interesting to watch. But I plan on using them for something else, too
by mike simpson / 20min 
Schools as Factories: Metaphors That Stick | Larry Cuban on School Reform and Classroom Practice
Schools as Factories: Metaphors That Stick | Larry Cuban on School Reform and Classroom Practice: Schools as Factories: Metaphors That StickYou have seen images like these time and again:The idea of the school as an efficient factory assembly line has a long but surprising history. A century ago, the notion of schools delivering finished products to a democratic society was both new and admired. H
by mike simpson / 22min 
5-8-14 Engaging Parents In School… | Going Beyond Parent "Involvement"
Engaging Parents In School… | Going Beyond Parent "Involvement": “Madison School District opens schools to students’ parents as way to engage families”Madison School District opens schools to students’ parents as way to engage families is a nice article about what schools in Madison, Wisconsin are doing to promote family engagement. It’s a good size piece. Here’s an excerpt: Anne Henders
by mike simpson / 23min 
5-8-14 Ed Notes Online
Ed Notes Online: Elfrank-Dana Slams Mulgrew on DADear President Mulgrew,I was surprised by your insinuation that I am against people's right to vote when I objected to retirees voting last night. Are you going to let me vote for my District Rep instead of appointing her/him? Are you going require high school VP to be elected only by high school members instead of having their votes disenfranchised
by mike simpson / 25min 
5-8-14 @ The Chalk Face
@ THE CHALK FACE: Once Again, NAEP? Nope: “states and schools have lied about the rigor of their courses”Once Again, NAEP? Nope: “states and schools have lied about the rigor of their courses”. via Once Again, NAEP? Nope: “states and schools have lied about the rigor of their courses”.Filed under: PAUL THOMAS: Becoming Radical1 by plthomasedd / 1h hide  //  saveJohn Kuhn’s Eloquent Embrace of Publ
by mike simpson / 28min 
5-8-14 The Whole Child Blog — Join the Whole Child Symposium: Tune In Today at Noon for Live Stream Event — Whole Child Education
Join the Whole Child Symposium: Tune In Today at Noon for Live Stream Event — Whole Child Education: THE WHOLE CHILD BLOGJoin the Whole Child Symposium: Tune In Today at Noon for Live Stream EventMay 8, 2014 by Whole Child SymposiumToday at 12 p.m., eastern time, ASCD presents the next event in its 2014 Whole Child Symposium, a live-streamed discussion about what we need from education and how we
by mike simpson / 30min 
5-8-14 the becoming radical | A Place for a Pedagogy of Kindness by P. L. Thomas, EdD
the becoming radical | A Place for a Pedagogy of Kindness (the public and scholarly writing by P. L. Thomas, Furman University): Once Again, NAEP? Nope: “states and schools have lied about the rigor of their courses”Some say the world will end in fire, Some say in ice. “Fire and Ice,” Robert Frost While it appears I was right about Teacher Appreciation Week 2014, I was a tad bit off about the sour
by mike simpson / 32min 
5-8-14 Curmudgucation
CURMUDGUCATION: Testing Does Not Improve InstructionIn an ongoing cultural debate, it is always interesting to watch the shift and change of talking points. The battle for public education is no different.Many talking points are retired voluntarily. Common Core supporters have shifted from "all CCSS opposition comes from the tin hat tea party wing" to "it's those damn teachers and t
by mike simpson / 33min 
5-8-14 Wait What?
Wait What?: Malloy and Legislature turn their back on Public Magnet School students and their parentsGovernor Dannel “Dan” Malloy and his administration managed to deliver another “kick to the head” to Connecticut’s public school students, parents and teachers as the 2014 session of the Connecticut General Assembly came to an end at midnight last night. While Connecticut’s privately owned charter
by mike simpson / 35min 
5-8-14 The Answer Sheet
The Answer Sheet: How students will be affected by federal revocation of Washington’s NCLB waiverI recently published an open letter by a school board member in Washington named David Iseminger to Education Secretary Arne Duncan about the Education Department’s revocation of the state’s waiver from onerous parts of No Child Left Behind.  Congress was supposed to rewrite NCLB seven years ago but it
by mike simpson / 37min 
5-8-14 Seattle Schools Community Forum
Seattle Schools Community Forum: Wilson-Pacific; FACMAC Weighs InIt might have gone unnoticed by some parents but the issues with Wilson-Pacific are near dire. This matters for two reasons.  One, there is a ripple effect to nearly every single capital decision in this district.  Two, next time, it could be your community.  - The district will have a "community meeting on Tuesday, May 13, 6:30
by mike simpson / 39min 
5-8-14 Schools Matter
Schools Matter: Where Do TN Schools Stand After Two Decades of the Sanders VAM Fertilizer Treatment?After two decades of value-added nonsense posing as a school improvement plan, 70 percent of Tennessee teachers are being evaluated based on test scores that belong to someone else, and the state's 12th graders are ranked one step from the basement in terms of proficiency in math and reading.  With
by mike simpson / 41min 
5-8-14 Scathing Purple Musings | Color me purple in Florida ALL Week
Scathing Purple Musings | Color me purple in Florida, red in Washington, dark sky-blue in Israel and public school in Education: Stagnant Grade 12 Scores Show “Failure of Test-Driven Public Education”From FairTest: Results from the National Assessment of Educational Progress (NAEP) for twelfth graders “underscore the failure of federal and state test-driven school policies,” according to the Natio
by mike simpson / 43min 
5-8-14 Perdido Street School
Perdido Street School: Student Suspended For Opting Out Of Assessment TestMore negative news for the testing regime: An Alabama teen says she was suspended from school after she refused to take a local assessment test, contrary to an earlier report from WAAY-TV that the test was aligned with the state's Common Core curriculum. Alyssa McKinney, an eighth-grade student at Whitesburg Middle School in
by mike simpson / 46min 
Reclaim the Promise of Brown on May 17th | WeArePCAPS
Reclaim the Promise of Brown on May 17th | WeArePCAPS: Reclaim the Promise of Brown on May 17th
by mike simpson / 48min 
solidaridad: SLASD Community rally for an authentic voice in the LAUSD LCFF/LCAP process!
solidaridad: SLASD Community rally for an authentic voice in the LAUSD LCFF/LCAP process!: SLASD Community rally for an authentic voice in the LAUSD LCFF/LCAP process! How do YOU want LAUSD to spend YOUR $$$?standardized tests? iPads? consultants?or full-time nurses, psychologists, counselors???psychiatric social workers?librarians, art , music, P.E teachers????adult education, pre-K??other servic
by mike simpson / 50min 
Louisiana Educator: Relentless Drive to Mislead Citizens About Common Core
Louisiana Educator: Relentless Drive to Mislead Citizens About Common Core: Relentless Drive to Mislead Citizens About Common CoreSuperintendent White, the Baton Rouge Advocate, LABI and CABL are pulling out all the stops to sell the Common Core to Louisiana, yet there is not one in the bunch that really knows what it is like to teach to those standards or to get kids ready to pass the PARCC test.
by mike simpson / 51min 
Pity the Poor, Underfunded Charters | Live Long and Prosper
Pity the Poor, Underfunded Charters | Live Long and Prosper: Pity the Poor, Underfunded ChartersWALTONS CLAIM CHARTERS UNDERFUNDEDLast month the University of Walmart Arkansas released a report — from theirDepartment of Education Reform — that showed charter schools are underfunded.Max Brantley at the Arkansas Blog, no friend of the Waltons, reported the following.Surprise: Walton-subsidized UA ha
by mike simpson / 56min 
Report Decries Unregulated Charters: Arne Duncan Should Crack Down | janresseger
Report Decries Unregulated Charters: Arne Duncan Should Crack Down | janresseger: Report Decries Unregulated Charters: Arne Duncan Should Crack DownPosted on May 8, 2014 by janressegerEarlier this week Charter School Vulnerabilities to Waste, Fraud, and Abuse was released jointly by the Center for Popular Democracy and Integrity in Education.  In an age when charter schools are regulated in state
by mike simpson / 1h 
Whose Help Don't We Need? - Bridging Differences - Education Week
Whose Help Don't We Need? - Bridging Differences - Education Week: Whose Help Don't We Need?By Deborah Meier on May 8, 2014 9:42 AMDeborah Meier continues her conversation with Mike Klonsky today.Dear Mike,Count on me to continue to corrupt you. Or at least try.So, here's my dilemma. If we are to prevail (on almost any of the many equally dangerous roads we are traveling down), we'll need to win o
by mike simpson / 1h 
Repeating Policy Behaviors Over and Over Again Despite the Evidence |
Repeating Policy Behaviors Over and Over Again Despite the Evidence |: Repeating Policy Behaviors Over and Over Again Despite the Evidence According to Albert Einstein, the definition of insanity is to repeat the same behaviors over and over again in the hope that different results will materialize “the next time,” perhaps after this is fiddled with or that is fine-tuned. In the case of VAMs, it s
by mike simpson / 1h 
‘Participatory budgeting’ goes to Washington - Bites - Sacramento News & Review -
Sacramento News & Review - ‘Participatory budgeting’ goes to Washington - Bites - Opinions - May 8, 2014: ‘Participatory budgeting’ goes to WashingtonWill a south Sacramento’s visit to D.C. mean more open government in Sacramento?By Cosmo Garvin cosmog@newsreview.comThis article was published on 05.08.14.AdvertisementLast December, the Obama administration issued its second Open Government Nat
by mike simpson / 1h 
Shanker Blog » Invisible Labor Redux
Shanker Blog » Invisible Labor Redux: Invisible Labor ReduxPosted by Randall Garton on May 8, 2014Recently, I learned that the Connecticut legislature is considering a bill that would mandate coverage of labor history in high school curricula. I was surprised. And interested. At a time when there are immense pressures to align curriculum –  ever more narrowly –  to standardized tests, these Connec
by mike simpson / 1h 
NYC Educator: Why Do We Have a Union?
NYC Educator: Why Do We Have a Union?: Why Do We Have a Union?A young UFT delegate asked me that question while she was watching UFT President Michael Mulgrew shut down Jamaica High School's James Eterno, for my money the most knowledgeable and resourceful chapter leader anywhere. Eterno, after listening for over an hour about the marvels and wonders of the new contract, attempted to give the othe
by mike simpson / 1h 
Mike Klonsky's SmallTalk Blog: This is not a test...
Mike Klonsky's SmallTalk Blog: This is not a test...: This is not a test...A SMALLTALK SALUTE goes out to teacher/author/activist Jose Vilson, whose book, This Is Not a Test: A New Narrative on Race, Class, and Education, was released yesterday. A definite must-read for educators in need of a little inspiration in these difficult times, Jose's memoir traces his experiences growing up in New York C
by mike simpson / 1h 

YESTERDAY

THINK Community schools - Will having a dentist at school keep disadvantaged students on track? | Hechinger Report
Will having a dentist at school keep disadvantaged students on track? | Hechinger Report: Will having a dentist at school keep disadvantaged students on track?Community schools try offering dental, health care and other servicesBy Frank MirabalStruggling schools and students in disadvantaged communities are at ground zero as high school graduation and college completion rates become a growing nati
by mike simpson / 9h 
Special Late Nite Cap UPDATE 5-7-14 #BATsACT #RealEdTalk #EDCHAT #P2
Nite Cap UPDATEUPDATE UPDATE UPDATE UPDATECORPORATE ED REFORMThe people buying Newark for Jeffries  Charles Ledley as a young man working for the Clintons Want to know who is buying Newark for Shavar Jeffries?  These are the people who run Education Reform Now, the organization that gave Newark First nearly a million dollars that, in turn, Newark First used to buy attack ads against Ras Baraka in
by mike simpson / 10h 
Mike Klonsky's SmallTalk Blog: Sun-Times tells Karen Lewis to "tone it down".
Mike Klonsky's SmallTalk Blog: Sun-Times tells Karen Lewis to "tone it down".: Sun-Times tells Karen Lewis to "tone it down".Sun-Times KMAIn the eyes of the Sun-Times editorial board, CTU Pres. Karen Lewis has gotten too uppity and disrespectful for Rahm's Chicagoland Plantation. In yesterday's editorial, the board told Lewis in no uncertain terms, as only a parent could scold
by mike simpson / 12h 
Weingarten Wants Common Core; Lewis Says We’re Done | deutsch29
Weingarten Wants Common Core; Lewis Says We’re Done | deutsch29: Weingarten Wants Common Core; Lewis Says We’re DoneMay 7, 2014In spring 1991, I completed my student teaching at Ascension High School in Gonzales, Louisiana. I taught Lord of the Flies, a creepy novel about the dangers of groupthink.So often when I think of the United Federation of Teachers (UFT) Unity Caucusmindset of unquestioned
by mike simpson / 12h 
The Opt-Out Update: The AFT finally pushes back, “Rigor” in Portland, WA State, Alabama and New York fight back | Seattle Education
The Opt-Out Update: The AFT finally pushes back, “Rigor” in Portland, WA State, Alabama and New York fight back | Seattle Education: The Opt-Out Update: The AFT finally pushes back, “Rigor” in Portland, WA State, Alabama and New York fight backIt looks like teachers and the teachers union, the American Federation of Teachers (AFT), have FINALLY smelled the coffee and decided to push back.The Ameri
by mike simpson / 12h 
Oregon Save Our Schools: Where is the Time for Learning?
Oregon Save Our Schools: Where is the Time for Learning?: Where is the Time for Learning?Recently a teacher friend and I were asked about how much time is spent on testing in our classrooms. This discussion could have been prompted by an article that appeared in the Washington Post last summer.  While we don’t have the kind of detail discussed in this article, between the two of us, we as teachers
by mike simpson / 13h 
DIARY OF A PUBLIC SCHOOL TEACHER!: "I Salute Those Who Stay!" Appreciating Tenacious Teachers!
DIARY OF A PUBLIC SCHOOL TEACHER!: "I Salute Those Who Stay!" Appreciating Tenacious Teachers!: "I Salute Those Who Stay!" Appreciating Tenacious Teachers!This is not to take away anything from those who quit.You have quit for only reasons you know, or have shared with thousands of viewers on Youtube, in articles, or on talk shows.I attended the 74th annual Eastern Regional Con
by mike simpson / 13h 
Education Buzz / AFT urges use of social media to protest kidnapping of Nigerian school girls #BringBackOurGirls,
Education Buzz / AFT urges use of social media to protest kidnapping of Nigerian school girls: AFT urges use of social media to protest kidnapping of Nigerian school girlsPublished: May 7, 2014, 2:01 pm, by Carol McGrawThe American Federation of Teachers is asking people to protest the kidnapping of Nigerian school girls.The AFT and Education International are urging people to take Instagram photo
by mike simpson / 13h 
NYC Public School Parents: My kids used to love school ...Now it's half a year consumed in drudgery of test prep.
NYC Public School Parents: My kids used to love school ...Now it's half a year consumed in drudgery of test prep.: My kids used to love school ...Now it's half a year consumed in drudgery of test prep.Last week, Louis CK tweeted about the low quality Common Core worksheets assigned to his daughters for test prep.  A parent on Facebook identified them as iReady workbooks, produced by Curriculum Ass
by mike simpson / 14h 
empathyeducates – Charter Schools Fail: New Reports Call Their ‘Magic’ Into Question
empathyeducates – Charter Schools Fail: New Reports Call Their ‘Magic’ Into Question: Charter Schools Fail: New Reports Call Their ‘Magic’ Into QuestionKendra Herber teaches at New Choices Community School, which the state is suing to close.| Mark Lyons for The New York TimesBy Jeff Bryant | Originally Published at The Education Opportunity Network. May 7, 2014When members of the U.S. House of Rep
by mike simpson / 14h 
Nite Cap 5-7-14 #BATsACT #RealEdTalk #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 CAPIs it time for the Money Fairy already? Capitol Alert: California races surpass $5.5 million in independent spendingCapitol Alert: California races surpass $5.5 million in independent spending: California races surpass $5.5 million in independent
by mike simpson / 16h 
Is it time for the Money Fairy already? Capitol Alert: California races surpass $5.5 million in independent spending
Capitol Alert: California races surpass $5.5 million in independent spending: California races surpass $5.5 million in independent spendingThe San Francisco Bay Area's 16th Assembly District remained the leader in independentcampaign expenditures reported through Tuesday, but a trio of Democrats in Sacramento-area legislative races are drawing independent support from business groups.Unions, chart
by mike simpson / 16h 
5-7-14 Seattle Schools Community Forum
Seattle Schools Community Forum: Possible Tragedy Averted at EcksteinToday at Eckstein (from a reader):Principal messsage: "At approximately 9:30, Eckstein went into Shelter-in-Place. All students and staff were safe. Police reported that there was an Eckstein student in the neighborhood who might be armed. Police apprehended the student at approximately 9:50 and we returned to business as us
by mike simpson / 17h 
5-7-14 The Whole Child Blog — Supporting Readers in Science — Whole Child Education
Supporting Readers in Science — Whole Child Education: THE WHOLE CHILD BLOGSupporting Readers in ScienceMay 7, 2014 by ASCD Whole Child BloggersPost written by Sarah Carlson, Deni Basaraba, Gina Biancarosa, and Lina ShanleyWhen most people think about reading in science, they think of heavy and densely written texts—the kind you find in science textbooks. Although textbooks remain a staple of scie
by mike simpson / 17h 
#WeAuthorize...solutions to the charter fraud crisis! - Integrity in Education
#WeAuthorize...solutions to the charter fraud crisis! - Integrity in Education: #WeAuthorize…solutions to the charter fraud crisis!Starting today, Integrity in Education is joining the Institute for Democratic Education in America (IDEA) to host #WeAuthorize Wednesdays, a weekly opportunity to highlight ideas worth spreading in education policy and practice. Learn more about WeAuthorize Wednesdays
by mike simpson / 19h 
Is Relevance Over Rated? | My Island View
Is Relevance Over Rated? | My Island View: Is Relevance Over Rated?May 7, 2014 by tomwhitbyI recently put out a tweet that was meant to be provocative. I often do this to stir things up in order to benefit ye olde creative juices. I tweeted that I recently had a heart procedure done, (which I did) and I did not ask the doctor to use any 20th Century methods or technology to complete the task. I th
by mike simpson / 20h 
Uncovering Lies and Damn Lies in Arne Duncan’s Graduation Rates | Cloaking Inequity
Uncovering Lies and Damn Lies in Arne Duncan’s Graduation Rates | Cloaking Inequity: Uncovering Lies and Damn Lies in Arne Duncan’s Graduation RatesHas your state experienced a meteoric rise in its graduation rate since Arne Duncan’s new graduation standards went into effect? Do you think it too good to be true? Nobody likes to be lied to. The latest Arne Duncan sleight of hand is the reporting an
by mike simpson / 21h 
5-7-14 LA School Report - What's Really Going on Inside LAUSD
LA School Report - What's Really Going on Inside LAUSD (Los Angeles Unified School District): JFK High librarian removed after allegations of fraud, forgeryJFK High School LA Unified officials are investigating a teacher who has now been removed from John F. Kennedy High School in Granada Hills, over allegations that she mishandled and manipulated record-keeping and stole money from ARC, an after-
by mike simpson / 21h 
5/7/2014 – Charter Schools Fail - Education Opportunity Network
5/7/2014 – Charter Schools Fail: 5/7/2014 – Charter Schools FailMay 7, 2014 Subscribe THIS WEEK: US Teachers Lack Diversity … Scary Common Core Cut Scores… Common Core vs. Real Issues … Funding For Higher Ed Not Recovering … Young Workers Face Tough Climb TOP STORY Charter Schools Fail: New Reports Call Their ‘Magic’ Into Question By Jeff Bryant “In today’s climate of trumped up political truisms
by mike simpson / 22h 
The LAUSD Dinosaur: The Truth Behind The Economics Of Scale (And Waste). - Perdaily.com
The LAUSD Dinosaur: The Truth Behind The Economics Of Scale (And Waste). - Perdaily.com: The LAUSD Dinosaur: Dismantling The Economics Of Scale(Mensaje se repite en Español)The only justification that I have ever heard for the continued existence of LAUSD is the economics of scale. Simply stated, this is the notion that larger organizations can buy goods and services for significantly less money t
by mike simpson / 22h 
High school wasteland: Demographic changes do not explain test-score stagnation among U.S. high school seniors | Education By The Numbers
High school wasteland: Demographic changes do not explain test-score stagnation among U.S. high school seniors | Education By The Numbers: High school wasteland: Demographic changes do not explain test-score stagnation among U.S. high school seniorsSource: NCESThe National Assessment of Education Progress, run by the U.S. Department of Education, is the only test that is administered in schools ac
by mike simpson / 23h 
5-7-14 Curmudgucation
CURMUDGUCATION: Charter$ & Ca$hing InSince the President has declared this week National Charter School Appreciation & General Praise Week, you are probably thinking, "How can I be part of the charter school excitement?"In the past, many charters were launched that focused solidly on providing unique and exciting educational experiences for their communities. These schools were i
by mike simpson / 23h 
Moody’s Blames Philly Charters for Bad Rating
Moody's issues warning on School District's bond rating: Moody’s Blames Philly Charters for Bad RatingMARTHA WOODALL, INQUIRER STAFF WRITERLAST UPDATED: Wednesday, May 7, 2014, 1:08 AMPOSTED: Tuesday, May 6, 2014, 4:55 PMPHILADELPHIA At a time when the Philadelphia School District's financial condition is already dire, Moody's Investors Service is warning that rising charter costs and uncertain fu
by mike simpson / 23h 
5-7-14 Engaging Parents In School… | Going Beyond Parent "Involvement"
Engaging Parents In School… | Going Beyond Parent "Involvement": This Is The Best Critique Of The “Broken Compass” Parent Involvement Book That I’ve Seen…Parental involvement overrated? Don’t buy it is a very, very impressive response to the “Broken Compass” authors dismissal of most types of parent involvement. It’s written by three college professors — By Todd Rogers, Lucas Coffman and
by mike simpson / 23h 
5-7-14 Schools Matter
Schools Matter: KIPP's Gritsters Get Hammered for Amoral Character GoalsCapitalism is neither moral nor immoral; it is amoral.  There is no room at the bottom line for pious judgments of right or wrong that might affect the balance sheet.  Capitalism is about the accumulation of capital to make more capital and nothing else.  There was a time in our not-so-distant past when capitalists chose to ma
by mike simpson / 23h 
Article: CONFLICTED: MSNBC's Mixed Reporting on Common Core and Charter Schools | OpEdNews
Article: CONFLICTED: MSNBC's Mixed Reporting on Common Core and Charter Schools | OpEdNews: CONFLICTED: MSNBC's Mixed Reporting on Common Core and Charter SchoolsBy Gustav Wynn (about the author)  opednews.comby gwLast fall, I asked whether MSNBC hosts like Rachel Maddow and Chris Hayes (my two favorite) are pressured not to cover issues like hydrofracking or GMO foods by their bosses (see Is Rach
by mike simpson / 23h 
Statement: Improving voting procedures for 2014 Renaissance process | Parents United for Public Education
Statement: Improving voting procedures for 2014 Renaissance process | Parents United for Public Education: Statement: Improving voting procedures for 2014 Renaissance processPosted on May 7, 2014 by PARENTSUNITEDPHILALeave a commentParents United for Public EducationSuggestions to improve Renaissance Process voting proceduresMay 5, 2014Parents United for Public Education has raised serious concern
by mike simpson / 23h hide  //  save
Morning Wink 5-7-14 AM Posts #BATsACT #RealEdTalk #EDCHAT #P2
BIG EDUCATION APE - MORNING WINK  AM POSTSLISTEN TO DIANE RAVITCH 5-7-14 Diane Ravitch's blog | A site to discuss better education for allDiane Ravitch's blog | A site to discuss better education for all: Patrick Walsh on the Death of Philosophy in a World of PhilistinesMany bloggers have commented on the pretentiousness and vacuousness of the gaggle of politicians, entrepreneurs, and hedge funder
by mike simpson / 1d 





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LISTEN TO DIANE RAVITCH 5-8-14 Diane Ravitch's blog | A site to discuss better education for all

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





Republicans Reject Grijalva Efforts to Make Charters Accountable
The House Rules Committee, dominated by a conservative Republican majority, rejected efforts by Arizona Rep. Raul Grijalva (D) to insert amendments into federal legislation to require charter schools to be transparent and accountable. Conservative Republicans want deregulated, privately managed charters to be the centerpiece of their privatizing education platform this fall. It is hard to understa
13 by dianeravitch / 1h 


House Debates Legislation to Help Charter Schools
Under the leadership of House Majority Leader Eric Cantor, the conservative-dominated House of Representatives is debating a bill today that would reauthorize federal support for the charter school industry and provide $300 million, some of which is for facilities.   The members of the House will ignore, of course, the report issued this week showing that charter schools–which are deregulated by d
6 by dianeravitch / 34min 

NAEP Scores for Seniors Are Flat Since 2009
This NPR report summarizes the 12th grade NAEP report: Scores for high school seniors are flat. Reading scores in 2013 were lower than in 1992.   While there were small gains for each racial and ethnic group since 2005, there were no gains at all since 2009, when Race to the Top was initiated.   Achievement gaps among racial and ethnic groups remain wide.   Secretary of Education gnashed his teeth
8 by dianeravitch / 32min 

Esquire: Louis C.K. Is Right About Common Core
Louis C.K. opened the floodgates of debate about Common Core. Before he started tweeting his complaints, Arne Duncan and Bill Gates had silenced everyone. Arne insisted that only crazy people questioned the CC, and Bill paid off every education organization to sing its praises. Who knew that the nation could be so easily bribed and intimidated? The story of Common Core is reminiscent of Dr. Seuss
by dianeravitch / 3min 


NEPC: Charter School “Wait Lists” Are Overstated, Possibly Meaningless
A new report from the National Education Policy Center reviews the “wait lists” that charter advocacy groups regularly publicize and finds them to be vastly inflated. Charter advocacy groups claim that nearly one million students are wait-listed for admission, but they acknowledge themselves that the actual number may be about 400,000. NEPC authors Kevin Welner and Gary Miron say that even this n
by dianeravitch / 2min 
The Incredible But True Story of the Plan to Destroy Public Education in Bridgeport, Connecticut
Jonathan Pelto tells the astonishing story of a calculated effort by Connecticut Governor Malloy and Bridgeport Mayor Finch to destroy public education in Bridgeport. First, starve the public schools of resources that they needed and to which they were entitled by state law; then declare the schools were failing and beyond help; finally, turn over the children to corporate charter chains that woul
13 by dianeravitch / 1h hide  //  save
Sign This Open Letter to Andreas Schleicher of OECD Against Too Much Testing!
Nearly 100 educators from around the world signed a letter warning that the over-emphasis on testing inspired by PISA was killing the joy of learning. This unelected, unaccountable organization is driving international competition and bad education policies. It is time for parents, educators, students, and researchers to join together and say “Enough is Enough.” Focus on access to education; focus
3 by dianeravitch / 2h 
Amrein-Beardsley: What Kind of States Won Race to the Top $$$?
Audrey Amrein-Beardsley noticed an interesting pattern among the states that won Race to the Top funding. Most were states with highly inequitable school finance systems, as noted by the Education Law Center of New Jersey. But Beardsley saw other correlations. She writes: “In this case, correlational analyses reveal that state-level policies that rely at least in part on VAMs are indeed more co
3 by dianeravitch / 3h 
Anya Kamenetz at NPR: A Brief and Useful Guide to Testing
This piece by Anya Kamenetz is an excellent brief summary to standardized testing. It explains in lay men’s terms the difference between formative and summative assessment. It explains the concepts of reliability and validity. It points out that schools have tested students throughout history, but leaves out a few vital facts. Historically, most tests were written by classroom teachers for their
13 by dianeravitch / 4h 


LISTEN TO DIANE RAVITCH 5-7-14 Diane Ravitch's blog | A site to discuss better education for all
Diane Ravitch's blog | A site to discuss better education for all: Patrick Walsh on the Death of Philosophy in a World of PhilistinesMany bloggers have commented on the pretentiousness and vacuousness of the gaggle of politicians, entrepreneurs, and hedge funders who have gathered in the Adirondacks of New York and audaciously dubbed themselves the “thought leaders” of our time. They called their
by mike simpson / 7h 




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Secretary Duncan and Attorney General Holder Issue Guidance for School Districts to Ensure Equal Access for All Children to Public Schools, Regardless of Immigration Status | U.S. Department of Education

Secretary Duncan and Attorney General Holder Issue Guidance for School Districts to Ensure Equal Access for All Children to Public Schools, Regardless of Immigration Status | U.S. Department of Education:



Secretary Duncan and Attorney General Holder Issue Guidance for School Districts to Ensure Equal Access for All Children to Public Schools, Regardless of Immigration Status

MAY 8, 2014

Contact:  
 Press Office, (202) 401-1576, press@ed.gov 

Secretary Arne Duncan and Attorney General Eric Holder today announced updated guidance to assist public elementary and secondary schools to ensure enrollment processes are consistent with the law and fulfill their obligation to provide all children—no matter their background—equal access to an education.
In 2011, the Departments of Justice and Education issued guidance to help schools understand their responsibilities under the Supreme Court's decision in Plyler v. Doe and federal civil rights laws to provide all children with equal access to an education regardless of their or their parents' immigration status. Today, the departments are issuing important updates to that guidance, including examples of permissible enrollment practices, as well as examples of the types of information that may not be used as a basis for denying a student entrance to school.
The updated guidance documents—including a guidance letter to states and school districts and a fact sheet and Q and A document—emphasize the need for flexibility in accepting documents from parents to prove a child's age and to show that a child resides within a school's attendance area. They also provide specific examples of the types of documents that many schools have accepted. And the guidance documents remind schools that they may not require certain documents—such as a parent's state-issued driver's license—where such a requirement would prevent a student from enrolling because of his or her parent's immigration status.
"Public school districts have an obligation to enroll students regardless of immigration status and without discrimination on the basis of race, color, or national origin," said Attorney General Eric Holder. "The Justice Department will do everything it can to make sure schools meet this obligation. We will vigilantly enforce the law to ensure the schoolhouse door remains open to all."
"We want to be sure every school leader understands the legal requirements under the Constitution and federal laws, and it is our hope that this update will address some of the misperceptions out there," said Secretary Arne Duncan. "The message here is clear: let all children who live in your district enroll in your public schools."
In the three years since the guidance was initially issued in 2011, the departments have worked collaboratively with states and school districts across the country to meet their obligations under Plyler and federal civil rights laws that prohibit discrimination on the basis of race, color and national origin.
The important changes announced today will provide districts with the additional tools and practical guidance needed to make sure the schoolhouse door is open to all students and that undocumented children and children from immigrant families no longer face barriers to enrollment in school and starting down the path to a better future.
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5-8-14 Larry Ferlazzo’s Websites of the Day… | …For Teaching ELL, ESL, & EFL

Larry Ferlazzo’s Websites of the Day… | …For Teaching ELL, ESL, & EFL:







Around The Web In ESL/EFL/ELL
I’ve started a somewhat regular feature where I share a few posts and resources from around the Web related to ESL/EFL or to language in general that have caught my attention: ELLs and Their Peers: What They Teach Each Other in the Classroom is an Ed Week post about an interesting upcoming research study. Study calls for standardizing English fluency definition is from The San Francisco Chronic
by Larry Ferlazzo / 2h 


One-Minute “Ask Smithsonian” Videos Are Good To Watch & Are Useful Models For Student Creations
The Smithsonian has a series of one-minute “Ask Smithsonian” videos that answer questions on a variety of topics. Here’s an example: There short, sweet and interesting to watch. But I plan on using them for something else, too… Next year, I’ll be teaching a number of Social Studies classes to English Language Learners — Geography, World History, U.S. History. I could definitely see showing thes
by Larry Ferlazzo / 9h 




5-7-14 Larry Ferlazzo’s Websites of the Day… | …For Teaching ELL, ESL, & EFL
Larry Ferlazzo’s Websites of the Day… | …For Teaching ELL, ESL, & EFL: I Learn Another Great Game For English Langage Learners From Jimmy FallonLast year, I wrote about a fun game for English Language Learners that I learned from late-night talk show host Jimmy Fallon (see Jimmy Fallon Comes Up With A Great Game For English Language Learners). Today, I learned another one… He calls it Word Sne
by mike simpson / 8h 


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Schools as Factories: Metaphors That Stick | Larry Cuban on School Reform and Classroom Practice

Schools as Factories: Metaphors That Stick | Larry Cuban on School Reform and Classroom Practice:



Schools as Factories: Metaphors That Stick

You have seen images like these time and again:
Whats-the-point-of-education1









schoolsasfactories1










The idea of the school as an efficient factory assembly line has a long but surprising history. A century ago, the notion of schools delivering finished products to a democratic society was both new and admired. Here is what Professor Ellwood P. Cubberley, of Stanford University said in the early 20th century:
Our schools are, in a sense, factories, in which the raw products (children) are to be shaped and fashioned into products to meet the various demands of life. The specifications for manufacturing come from the demands of twentieth-century civilization, and it is the business of the school to build its pupils according to the specifications laid down.
In the midst of the progressive-inspired school efficiency movement, sparked by “scientific management,” Cubberley captured the prevailing beliefs of most school reformers then. Critics of the day, such as John Dewey, did question this efficiency-driven mindset that dominated schools then arguing that the purpose of public schooling in a democracy goes beyond preparation for the workplace. But their voices were drowned out by champions of uniformity, productivity, Schools as Factories: Metaphors That Stick | Larry Cuban on School Reform and Classroom Practice:
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5-8-14 Engaging Parents In School… | Going Beyond Parent "Involvement"

Engaging Parents In School… | Going Beyond Parent "Involvement":







“Madison School District opens schools to students’ parents as way to engage families”

Madison School District opens schools to students’ parents as way to engage families is a nice article about what schools in Madison, Wisconsin are doing to promote family engagement. It’s a good size piece. Here’s an excerpt: Anne Henderson, a consultant for the Annenberg Institute for School Reform at Brown University, helped develop family engagement standards for the National PTA, from which M
1 by Larry Ferlazzo / 8h 


5-7-14 Engaging Parents In School… | Going Beyond Parent "Involvement"
Engaging Parents In School… | Going Beyond Parent "Involvement": This Is The Best Critique Of The “Broken Compass” Parent Involvement Book That I’ve Seen…Parental involvement overrated? Don’t buy it is a very, very impressive response to the “Broken Compass” authors dismissal of most types of parent involvement. It’s written by three college professors — By Todd Rogers, Lucas Coffman and
by mike simpson / 7h 




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