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Friday, May 9, 2014

Morning Wink 5-9-14 AM Posts #BATsACT #RealEdTalk #EDCHAT #P2


BIG EDUCATION APE - MORNING WINK  AM POSTS




Daughter of NH Arrested Dad Confronts the School Bullies: The School Administrators. | Missouri Education Watchdog
Daughter of NH Arrested Dad Confronts the School Bullies: The School Administrators. | Missouri Education Watchdog: Daughter of NH Arrested Dad Confronts the School Bullies: The School Administrators.inSharePut your school administrators on notice. This anti-bullying pledge includes students and parents standing up against school officials when they become the bullies.After her father was arrested
by mike simpson / 4min 
Schooling in the Ownership Society: Duncan ignored his own I.G.'s warnings on charter fraud
Schooling in the Ownership Society: Duncan ignored his own I.G.'s warnings on charter fraud: Duncan ignored his own I.G.'s warnings on charter fraudThe purpose of this report is to echo the warning issued by the OIGand to inform the public and lawmakers of the mounting risk that an inadequately regulated charter industry presents to our communities and taxpayers. NEW REPORT ON CHARTERS...“Charter
by mike simpson / 7min 
Student-centered or subject-centered education?
Student-centered or subject-centered education?: Student-centered or subject-centered education?Lynn Stoddard,Standard-ExaminerMay 8 2014 - 10:59am6 commentsIMAGESEducators have talked for years about having a "student-centered" education system. Some charter and private schools claim to feature it. Do they really have it? What is the difference between a student-centered system and a su
by mike simpson / 18min 
LISTEN TO DIANE RAVITCH 5-9-14 Diane Ravitch's blog | A site to discuss better education for all
Diane Ravitch's blog | A site to discuss better education for all: Arthur Camins: What if We Used Assessment to Learn Rather than to Judge?Arthur H. Camins, director of the Center for Innovation in Engineering and Science Education at the Stevens Institute of Technology in Hoboken, N.J., is an insightful critic of contemporary “reforms.” In this post, he envisions a different way to use assessment
by mike simpson / 24min 
Louisiana Educator: Why Louisiana Needs HB 703
Louisiana Educator: Why Louisiana Needs HB 703: Why Louisiana Needs HB 703House Bill 703 was approved recently by the Louisiana House of Representatives. Now it must be approved by the Senate Education Committee in order to be considered by the full Senate. This bill prevents BESE from approving new charter schools over the objection of the local school board in any public school system that is ra
by mike simpson / 27min 
5-9-14 Ed Notes Online
Ed Notes Online: Harris Lirtzman Sees Ugliness of Unity Machine as he Thanks James EternoI came out of that DA meeting with an overwhelming feeling of self-satisfied and corrupted power that is prepared to roll over anything that gets in its way.... this is a vicious crew that will not stand for the slightest difference of opinion and we better recognize that....as still a relative "newbie&qu
by mike simpson / 31min 
5-9-14 The Answer Sheet
The Answer Sheet: Chicago Teachers Union passes resolution opposing Common CoreThe Chicago Teachers’ Union House of Delegates has passed a resolution opposing use of the Common Core State Standards in teaching and testing, and it plans to lobby the Illinois Board of Education to reverse approval of the Core and ask its parent union, the American Federation of Teachers, to consider it at its upcomi
by mike simpson / 34min 
5-9-14 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: Florida’s High School Seniors: Our Ill-Served FCAT GenerationThe wonderful high school seniors for whom Florida teachers have gained great affection will be  walking the halls of state schools  for just a few more days. They do so with a sad, knowing smile of what the la
by mike simpson / 36min 
5-9-14 Larry Ferlazzo’s Websites of the Day… | …For Teaching ELL, ESL, & EFL
Larry Ferlazzo’s Websites of the Day… | …For Teaching ELL, ESL, & EFL: Great Mother’s Day StoryCorps Animation: “Me & You”I’ve previously posted about StoryCorps’ great series of animated videos. Here’s a new one that’s perfect for Mother’s Day: I’m adding it to The Best Sites For Learning About Mother’s Day.by Larry Ferlazzo / 8h 5-8-14 Larry Ferlazzo’s Websites of the Day… | …For Teachin
by mike simpson / 38min 
5-9-14 Engaging Parents In School… | Going Beyond Parent "Involvement"
Engaging Parents In School… | Going Beyond Parent "Involvement": “Where to Turn When the School Wants to Have Your Child ‘Tested’”Where to Turn When the School Wants to Have Your Child ‘Tested’ is a useful New York Times post by Jessica Lahey. I’m adding it to The Best Resources To Help Engage Parents Of Children With Special Needs.2 by Larry Ferlazzo / 8h 5-8-14 Engaging Parents In Scho
by mike simpson / 39min 
5-9-14 Curmudgucation
CURMUDGUCATION: Marc Tucker's FederalismMarc Tucker is the author of the infamous "Dear Hillary" letter which has earned him a reputation in conservative circles as an architect of soviet-style centrally-controlled school systems. He's president and founder of the National Center on Education and the Economy, a group that helped create the New Standards Project in 1992 (the great grandad
by mike simpson / 42min 
5-9-14 Perdido Street School
Perdido Street School: NY Times: Cuomo Could Be Vulnerable On Moreland Tampering ChargesWhen Cuomo created the Moreland Commission, he claimed it would be an investigative panel independent from his office:Last July, Mr. Cuomo said it would be “an independent commission that is free to investigate whatever they believe needs to be investigated on the merits.” The next day, he promised that its mem
by mike simpson / 43min 
NYC Educator: UFT Contract Theme Song
NYC Educator: UFT Contract Theme Song: UFT Contract Theme SongIn the year 2525,if you are still alive,If that contract can survive,you may find....In the year 3535,Will you get retro or just more jive?12.5 percent you worked so hard for,got delayed for sixteenth world war.In the year 4545,You ain't gonna need to think of going on strike,Union leaders working for you,put off retro for a year or two
by mike simpson / 46min 
Join Parents for Public Schools Saturday May 10 | Larry Miller's Blog: Educate All Students!
Join Parents for Public Schools Saturday May 10 | Larry Miller's Blog: Educate All Students!: Join Parents for Public Schools Saturday May 10Filed under: Parent Involvement — millerlf @ 6:19 am 
by mike simpson / 47min 
Data Security Fail: John White and LDOE up to their old irresponsible data tricks again | Crazy Crawfish's Blog
Data Security Fail: John White and LDOE up to their old irresponsible data tricks again | Crazy Crawfish's Blog: Crazy Crawfish's BlogZesty Louisiana Education PoliticsData Security Fail: John White and LDOE up to their old irresponsible data tricks againPosted on May 9, 20140 John White recently testified multiple times in front of the Louisiana House Education Committee that he has a firm commit
by mike simpson / 50min 
New Report Confirms States Continue to Under-Fund Colleges and Universities | janresseger
New Report Confirms States Continue to Under-Fund Colleges and Universities | janresseger: New Report Confirms States Continue to Under-Fund Colleges and UniversitiesPosted on May 9, 2014 by janressegerNew research from the Center on Budget and Policy Priorities (CBPP) ought to worry us:States Are Still Funding Higher Education Below Pre-Recession Levels.  While many states have begun to restore s
by mike simpson / 52min 

YESTERDAY

Sacramento News & Review - Teaching to the tech: On Sacramento schools, Common Core and the digital divide - Feature Story - Local Stories - May 8, 2014
Sacramento News & Review - Teaching to the tech: On Sacramento schools, Common Core and the digital divide - Feature Story - Local Stories - May 8, 2014: Teaching to the tech: On Sacramento schools, Common Core and the digital divideWill a contentious test and shiny new computers help bridge the technology gap?It's a rare moment at Leataata Floyd Elementary School: 30 sixth graders are complet
by mike simpson / 8h 
Smart Machines | Deborah Meier on Education
Smart Machines | Deborah Meier on Education: Smart MachinesPosted on May 8, 2014 by debmeierDear ReadersHere’s a troubling book title: Mindless: Why Smarter Machines Are Making Dumber Humans, written by Simon Head. In a way his argument is hardly new. Most science fiction was based on this fear. But in the last fifty years we have been bombarded with the opposite message: the 2lst century needs be
by mike simpson / 11h 
Chris talks with Randi Weingarten and Sabrina Joy Stevens about the controversy over Common Core. All In with Chris Hayes on msnbc
All In with Chris Hayes on msnbc: What’s the case for the common core?Chris talks with Randi Weingarten and Sabrina Joy Stevens about the controversy over Common Core.The war on common coreChris Hayes looks at why millions of Americans are up in arms against the Common Core.Chris Hayes looks at why millions of Americans are up in arms against the Common Core. http://www.msnbc.com/all
by mike simpson / 11h 
Nite Cap 5-8-14 #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 CAPMother Crusader: Education Reform Now Dumps $2.1M Into Newark Super PAC To Defeat Ras BarakaMother Crusader: Education Reform Now Dumps $2.1M Into Newark Super PAC To Defeat Ras Baraka: Education Reform Now Dumps $2.1M Into Newark Super PAC To De
by mike simpson / 15h 
Mother Crusader: Education Reform Now Dumps $2.1M Into Newark Super PAC To Defeat Ras Baraka
Mother Crusader: Education Reform Now Dumps $2.1M Into Newark Super PAC To Defeat Ras Baraka: Education Reform Now Dumps $2.1M Into Newark Super PAC To Defeat Ras BarakaJust yesterday the Star Ledger reported on the intriguing campaign finance issues swirling around the Newark mayoral race.On the other side of the city, Baraka charged that Jeffries was hiding the identity of his donors through an
by mike simpson / 15h 
Is Teachers’ Union Right on H.R. 10 Charter Bill? #edreform | Cloaking Inequity
Is Teachers’ Union Right on H.R. 10 Charter Bill? #edreform | Cloaking Inequity: Is Teachers’ Union Right on H.R. 10 Charter Bill? #edreformThe U.S. House is currently debating H.R.10,  a potentially important Charter school bill. Previously I wrote:I am not of the ilk that charters are all bad news (See all of Cloaking Inequity’s post on charter schools here). As I have mentioned previously, I am
by mike simpson / 16h 
Letter to U.S. Senators: oppose more money, less accountability for charter schools Parents Across America
Parents Across America:   Free speech for teachers has been muzzledBy Danielle Arnold-Schwartz, leader of PAA-Suburban Philadelphia I am grateful to live in a country where we have had First Amendment rights since 1791.  “This clause prohibits the government from banning speech because it does not agree with the message… James Madison pointed to freedom of speech as a vital aspect of a healthy rep
by mike simpson / 16h 
A Dialogue With the Gates Foundation About School Reform | John Thompson
A Dialogue With the Gates Foundation About School Reform | John Thompson: A Dialogue With the Gates Foundation About School ReformOnce again, I would like to thank the American Enterprise Institute's Rick Hess and the Gates Foundation's Steve Cantrell for a dialogue on school reform. Here are my first thoughts on the conversations with Dr. Cantrell, as presented in Hess'Aftermath: My Note to the G
by mike simpson / 17h 
Groups says Sacramento city school district tried to fast-track behind-the-scenes deal to sell public land - Sacramento News & Review -
Sacramento News & Review - Groups says Sacramento city school district tried to fast-track behind-the-scenes deal to sell public land - News - Local Stories - May 8, 2014: Groups says Sacramento city school district tried to fast-track behind-the-scenes deal to sell public landNow, three developers vying for suddenly popular Midtown real estateThis old schoolhouse is popular lately. Two develo
by mike simpson / 17h 
How Not to Get Arrested at a School Board Meeting While Speaking Out Against Common Core. | Missouri Education Watchdog
How Not to Get Arrested at a School Board Meeting While Speaking Out Against Common Core. | Missouri Education Watchdog: How Not to Get Arrested at a School Board Meeting While Speaking Out Against Common Core.inShareSikeston Missouri School Board MembersA story went viral this week about a dad being arrested at a school board meeting.  Concerned citizens spoke out on what they considered pornogra
by mike simpson / 18h 
Problem with 'Grit,' KIPP, and Character-Based Education | New Republic
Problem with 'Grit,' KIPP, and Character-Based Education | New Republic: Teaching Kids 'Grit' is All the Rage. Here's What's Wrong With It.The problem with KIPP's character-education modelBY JEFFREY AARON SNYDERShareImagine attending a high school where your teachers grade you on how well you handle disappointments and failures; respond to the feelings of your peers; and adapt to different social
by mike simpson / 20h 
empathyeducates – Obama Administration Sends Mixed Messages on Teachers and Testing
empathyeducates – Obama Administration Sends Mixed Messages on Teachers and Testing: Obama Administration Sends Mixed Messages on Teachers and TestingPresident Obama and 2014 National Teacher of the Year finalists applaud Sean McComb, second from right, a high school English teacher from Maryland, as the 2014 National Teacher of the Year during an event at the White House. | Photograph Credit/Susa
by mike simpson / 21h 
5-8-14 Fred Klonsky | Daily posts from a retired public school teacher
Fred Klonsky | Daily posts from a retired public school teacher who is just looking at the data.: Sad news from Chiapas, Mexico.Sad news from Chiapas, Mexico. A teacher was murdered. We have traveled to Chiapas on several occasions. One Christmas in 1997 we arrived in San Critstobol de las Casas just hours after 45 innocents villages were murdered in the town of Acteal, just 50 miles to the north.
by mike simpson / 21h 
5-8-14 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): New report examines ‘far right’ efforts to destroy ‘Obamacore’Obamacore protesters You think you have problems with the implementation of Common Core? Have a look at a new report from the Southern Poverty Law Center (SPLC), a human rights organization that tracks groups engaging in hate and bigotry to fur
by mike simpson / 22h 
Chicago Teachers Union Breaks With Common Core - Living in Dialogue - Education Week Teacher
Chicago Teachers Union Breaks With Common Core - Living in Dialogue - Education Week Teacher: Chicago Teachers Union Breaks With Common CoreBy Anthony Cody on May 8, 2014 10:24 AMYesterday, in a vote that shows democracy is alive in the American Federation of Teachers, members of the Chicago Teachers Union House of Delegates voted -- reportedly unanimously -- to join the growing national resistanc
by mike simpson / 22h 
Morning Wink 5-8-14 AM Posts #BATsACT #RealEdTalk #EDCHAT #P2
BIG EDUCATION APE - MORNING WINK  AM POSTSLISTEN TO DIANE RAVITCH 5-8-14 Diane Ravitch's blog | A site to discuss better education for allDiane 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 public
by mike simpson / 23h 





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Daughter of NH Arrested Dad Confronts the School Bullies: The School Administrators. | Missouri Education Watchdog

Daughter of NH Arrested Dad Confronts the School Bullies: The School Administrators. | Missouri Education Watchdog:




Daughter of NH Arrested Dad Confronts the School Bullies: The School Administrators.




Share
anti bully pledge

Put your school administrators on notice. This anti-bullying pledge includes students and parents standing up against school officials when they become the bullies.



After her father was arrested for speaking out at a school meeting to discuss questionable fiction she was assigned to read, the daughter confronts the adults who sponsored the meeting and allowed his arrest.  From Daughter, 14, confronts school board after dad was arrested over sex book: ‘I don’t feel safe’:



Did the father go over his 2 minute warning and make additional comments?  Yes.  Technically he broke the rules.  Parents, I would ask you read the passage the father objected to here.  Be warned, it’s graphic.  Would you want your 9th grader to read this and discuss in class?  Does this passage legitimize rape?   I believe Mr. Baer should remarkable restraint talking to school officials about what his daughter is subjected to in this school.  Maybe Mr. Baer and other parents should file charges against this school board for promoting porn to minors.  Read the passage.  How can this be even considered as appropriate literature for minors?  The author states about the book:
The author herself tweeted that “1 of my novels is being challenged … again, b/c the word “erection” is used. (Guess HS kids have never seen a Viagra ad…)”. She added that she was “grateful to those who supported the book & know that talking w/teens is better than pretending tough issues don’t exist”.
Picoult said in a statement that she gave a talk to Gilford students in 2007 when the book was published, when she spoke about research she did with survivors of school shootings.
“That was followed by a wonderful, spirited conversation about how to end bullying in their Daughter of NH Arrested Dad Confronts the School Bullies: The School Administrators. | Missouri Education Watchdog:
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Schooling in the Ownership Society: Duncan ignored his own I.G.'s warnings on charter fraud

Schooling in the Ownership Society: Duncan ignored his own I.G.'s warnings on charter fraud:



Duncan ignored his own I.G.'s warnings on charter fraud

The purpose of this report is to echo the warning issued by the OIGand to inform the public and lawmakers of the mounting risk that an inadequately regulated charter industry presents to our communities and taxpayers. 
NEW REPORT ON CHARTERS...“Charter School Vulnerabilities to Waste, Fraud And Abuse,” authored by the Center for Popular Democracy and Integrity in Education, echoes a warning from the U.S. Department of Education’s Office of the Inspector General.

The report draws upon news reports, criminal complaints and more to detail how, in just 15 of the 42 states that have charter schools, charter operators have used school funds illegally to buy personal luxuries for themselves, support their other businesses, and more. The report also includes recommendations for policymakers on how they can address the problem of rampant fraud, waste and abuse in the charter school industry. Both organizations recommend pausing charter expansion until these problems are addressed.

The report explained that the problem has its roots in a historical disconnect between the original intentions that launched the charter school movement and the commercial forces that have overtaken it since. At first, the report noted:
    Lawmakers created charter schools to allow educators to explore new methods and models of teaching. To allow this to happen, they exempted the schools from the vast majority of regulations governing the traditional public school system. The goal was to incubate innovations that could then be used to improve public schools. i The ability to take calculated risks with small populations of willing Schooling in the Ownership Society: Duncan ignored his own I.G.'s warnings on charter fraud:
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Student-centered or subject-centered education?

Student-centered or subject-centered education?:



Student-centered or subject-centered education?

,
May 8 2014 - 10:59am
6 comments

IMAGES

Lynn Stoddard
Lynn Stoddard
Educators have talked for years about having a "student-centered" education system. Some charter and private schools claim to feature it. Do they really have it? What is the difference between a student-centered system and a subject-centered one?
At the present time, Utah and other states have a subject-based system of public education. It is characterized by a common core curriculum, large classes, teachers treated as assembly-line workers, low morale and much worthless testing. Compare the two systems as shown below:
Subject-centered education:
In this system, the main focus is on curriculum development (not human development), with subject specialists developing "high standards" for student uniformity -- what our society believes all students should know and be able to do at grade-level check points. Teachers are told what and how to teach.
Characteristics: (Compare the like numerals below)
1) The main goal and purpose is to standardize students, to make them alike with a  "core curriculum." A large amount of meaningless testing is imposed on teachers to inflict on students.
2) Teachers have big classes that restrict teachers from getting to know each child well enough to form a close relationship. Parents are usually not involved, except to help their child with the teacher-assigned homework.
3) Teachers spend much time imparting the state curriculum. They focus on what students don't know and can't do. Students are required to do teacher-assigned homework.
4) Students are not encouraged to ask questions. Learning, merely to pass tests, is shallow and temporary.
Student-centered education:
This kind of education focuses on the needs of each student, who s/he is, what s/he can do and what s/he wants to become. Teachers are regarded as professionals.  
Characteristics:
1. The main goal and purpose is human development - to help each student find and develop human powers, one's unique talents and aspire to be a contributor to society. Students have many choices of subjects to study. Teachers help students evaluate their own work.
2. Classes are small enough for teachers to get to know each child well and work with parents to help each student see a vision of great, unlimited Student-centered or subject-centered education?:
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LISTEN TO DIANE RAVITCH 5-9-14 Diane Ravitch's blog | A site to discuss better education for all

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





One Aspect of the Charter Industry
A reader says this about charter schools: “Charter schools, which are investment tools for the wealthy are hijacking our public schools. One CEO of three charter schools in NYC makes $475,000.00 plus benefits. As an investment advisor I expect a return on my investment.. My property taxes and federal tax as well as state taxes are going to professional hijackers. We are all losing except the rich
by dianeravitch / 1min 


Write Your Senator to Stop Charter Favoritism Bill Passed by House
Led by conservative Republican leader Eric Cantor, the House of Representatives passed a bill that grants new funding and exemption from federal laws to charter schools. The bill passed 360-45. Wrote the D.C. Paper, “The Hill,” “Republicans have touted the issue of school choice and access to charter schools as a way of limiting the federal government’s role in education policy. Charter schools r
2 by dianeravitch / 15min 

GF Brandenburg: How Flat Are the NAEP Scores?
A brilliant post by G.F. Brandenburg about NAEP scores. Shows how little has been gained by the Bush-Obama demolition derby of testing, closing schools, firing teachers and principals, opening charters. It is all a mighty failure that has not improved test scores or education Hoax!
2 by dianeravitch / 48min

North Carolina: McCrory Proposes to Raise Teachers’ Salaries
North Carolina, once seen as the most forward-looking state in the South, has become an educational backwater in recent years, despite winning Race to the Top funding. The governor and legislature have skimped on public schools, cut their budgets, while expanding deregulated charters and introducing vouchers. They even eliminated their own NC Teaching Fellows program to prepare career teachers whi
by dianeravitch / 1min 

Parent: Why I Refused the Tests for My Children
This New York parent decided the state tests were useless and worthless. She went to hearings and rallies and realized that state officials made only minor changes but that her children would continue to sit for 500 minutes of state testing in grades 3-8. She thought it made no sense. So she opted her children out of state testing. Here is her letter to the editor of her local newspaper. She writ
6 by dianeravitch / 15min 


Arthur Camins: What if We Used Assessment to Learn Rather than to Judge?
Arthur H. Camins, director of the Center for Innovation in Engineering and Science Education at the Stevens Institute of Technology in Hoboken, N.J., is an insightful critic of contemporary “reforms.” In this post, he envisions a different way to use assessments. “Frequent high-stakes testing and its misuse for teacher evaluation are poisoning the assessment waters. Assessment should not be the g
4 by dianeravitch / 59min 
Letter Protesting PISA Over-Emphasis on Standardized Tests Now Translated into Other Languages
I just received notice from the organizers of the letter opposing the league tables of PISA that the letter has been translated into Swedish and German.   Hopefully, it will be picked up and translated worldwide.   If you are in Korea or Japan or South America or anywhere else where the local language is not English, please translate the letter, send it to the local news media, and let me know abo
5 by dianeravitch / 1h hide  //  save
Peter Greene: How to Cash in on the Charter School Craze
It is National Charter School Week, President Obama issued a proclamation in their honor (did he forget National Teacher Appreciation Week?), and here is the best piece yet on what a sham industry this is.   Peter Greene gives sound advice here on how to score big in the charter industry.    It gets funnier as he goes on, so I am only posting the beginning. You have to read the whole thing to get
12 by dianeravitch / 2h 
Literacy Expert to Obama on PARCC Test: Too Hard, Too Confusing, or Absurd?
Rebecca Steinitz is a literary consultant, writer, and editor in Massachusetts. She has a Ph. D. In English, coaches in urban districts, and has a daughter in seventh grade. She wrote a letter to President Obama about the PARCC Tests, which her daughter must take, but the President’s will not. Her daughter has always done well in school, but the PARCC test was a trial. Here is a typical questio
21 by dianeravitch / 3h 
I Am in Surgery Today
I am getting a total knee replacement today.   But don’t think for a minute you won’t hear from me!   I have written several posts in advance to cover for my absence today and tomorrow.   I will have my iPad in the hospital and in the rehab that follows.   Several people asked if they could send flowers.   In a word, no. If you want to make me happy, send a gift to the Network for Public Education
15 by dianeravitch / 3h  
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 / 7h 
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Louisiana Educator: Why Louisiana Needs HB 703

Louisiana Educator: Why Louisiana Needs HB 703:



Why Louisiana Needs HB 703




House Bill 703 was approved recently by the Louisiana House of Representatives. Now it must be approved by the Senate Education Committee in order to be considered by the full Senate. This bill prevents BESE from approving new charter schools over the objection of the local school board in any public school system that is rated "C" or better. Supporters of HB 703 do not believe that BESE should be allowed to override the will of the people in a school district and redirect their local tax monies to charter schools.

Approval of HB 703 by the Senate Education Committee is very unlikely unless all committee members are contacted by a large number of educators, parents and taxpayers. We need to send the committee members many emails asking them to vote "yes" on HB 703 if we are to prevent the increase of predatory charters.

The following is a reprint of another blog by Peter Greene that explains very clearly how predatory charters allow unscrupulous operators to cash on our tax dollars.

Charter$ & Ca$hing In

Since the President has declared this week National Charter School Appreciation & General Ain't Charters Swell 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 innovative. These schools were connected to their communities. These schools were icing on the public school system cake. And these schools were run by chumps. There's only one question you need to answer to gauge the success of your charter school-- am I making money.

Here's how to properly cash in on the charter school movement.

Diversify!

Not the school-- your portfolio. Set up multiple companies. Create a holding company that owns the building, and charge the school rent and facilitiesLouisiana Educator: Why Louisiana Needs HB 703:
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