Special Nite Cap: Catch Up on Today's Post 4/4/15 #‎Chuy2015‬ #rahmssecretemails

Special Nite Cap - Catch Up on Today's Post 4/4/15

Special Nite Cap 

CORPORATE ED REFORM

Click here to go to Jesus "Chuy" Garcia for Mayor of Chicago Website

#‎Chuy2015‬ ‪#‎imwithchuy‬

Cause and Effect - Badass Teachers Association

Badass Teachers Association: Cause and EffectBy a Washington State TeacherI’m deeply saddened by the demands that are placed upon teachers.I had always been hopeful in my seven years that there was a grade level that would be a little easier (work load) so that I could catch a pace, or feel like I’m ahead of the ball, hopeful that it would get easier, manageable, livable…Always one to get out of m

1 by mike simpson / 4min 

Whose Side is NYSSBA On? | Bianca Tanis

Whose Side is NYSSBA On? | Bianca Tanis: Whose Side is NYSSBA On?As the opt out movement grows, questions about a parent’s right to refuse and potential loss of school funding persist despite the fact that test refusal has been in full swing for two years now with NO negative consequences for any school districts or students. According to the New York State School Board Association (NYSSBA) 2015ad

1 by mike simpson / 31min 

Opportunity for All: Contact Congress

Opportunity for All: Contact Congress:Lily to educators: Thank you!Opportunity for All: Contact Congress:Lily recorded this special thank you message for educators who have taken action on ESEA so far.Watch her message then send an email to your senator using the form on the right.Once you're finished, help us gain momentum by spreading the word!Opportunity for All: Contact Congress:Speak up for y

1 by mike simpson / 1h 

Public education under attack, say parents at forum | Saugerties Times

Public education under attack, say parents at forum | Saugerties Times: Public education under attack, say parents at forum A proliferation of standardized tests, a succession of carrot-and-stick reform proposals coming down from higher levels of government, the promotion of charter schools by the state and federal government, loss of local control a constant threat, teachers forced to conform to

1 by mike simpson / 2h 

National Day of Action April 8 Overhaul ESEA/NCLB: Less Testing More Learning FairTest

Write Congress to demand less testing, an end to high stakes. | FairTest: FairTest                   National Center for Fair & Open TestingApril 4, 2015National Day of Action April 8Overhaul ESEA/NCLB: Less Testing More LearningWhat:  Call your U.S. Senators and join the Twitter storm/Thunderclap. If we raise our voices together, we can persuade the Senate Education Committee to reduce testin

5 by mike simpson / 5h 

Dr Boyce Watkins: Atlanta school teachers being sent to prison? Stupid, racist, unacceptable – Financial Juneteenth

Dr Boyce Watkins: Atlanta school teachers being sent to prison? Stupid, racist, unacceptable – Financial Juneteenth: Dr Boyce Watkins: Atlanta school teachers being sent to prison? Stupid, racist, unacceptableI couldn’t help but be taken aback by the recent indictment of 10 Atlanta school teachers over a cheating scandal that involved relatively meaningless standardized tests.  While we can’t say

1 by mike simpson / 5h 

Nearly 13,000 Empty Seats in Chicago Charter Schools –‪ #‎Chuy2015‬ ‪#‎imwithchuy‬

Nearly 13,000 Empty Seats in Chicago Charter Schools – Increase of more than 1,000 Since 2014 | Raise Your Hand: Nearly 13,000 Empty Seats in Chicago Charter Schools – Increase of more than 1,000 Since 2014Contact:Amy Smolensky, 312-485-0053Wendy Katten, 773-704-0336Raise Your Hand Calls on CPS to Stop Irresponsible School Expansions During Fiscal Crisis and Lowest Enrollment in DecadesChicago – A

1 by mike simpson / 6h 

The War Report on Public Education | Dr. James Avington Miller Jr

The War Report on Public Education | Dr. James Avington Miller Jr: The Gorilla in the Room: Part 2 in the Series: How did Anti-Public School Corporate Reformers become the Dominant Force in Education Reform?Welcome to Part 2 of The War Report’s Back to the Future Series on the Common Core. In this episode, Dr. Deborah Owens will answer questions from our previous blog and address what she calls “t

1 by mike simpson / 6h 

WHAT SCHOOLS REALLY NEED TO SUCCEED. | DCGEducator: Doing The Right Thing

WHAT SCHOOLS REALLY NEED TO SUCCEED. | DCGEducator: Doing The Right Thing: WHAT SCHOOLS REALLY NEED TO SUCCEED. Recently, Peter De Witt reported this: Russ Quaglia and his group at Teacher Voice and Aspirations International Center released the Teacher Voice Report.The participants were 8,053 non-administrative school staff consisting of:73% classroom teachers14% certified support staff12% support

2 by mike simpson / 7h 

City Colleges tuition, bus rapid transit, transparency, leadership all become home stretch mayoral campaign topics #‎Chuy2015‬

City Colleges tuition, bus rapid transit, transparency, leadership all become home stretch mayoral campaign topics | Chicago: City Colleges tuition, bus rapid transit, transparency, leadership all become home stretch mayoral campaign topicsMayor Rahm Emanuel on Friday defended his decision to attach another string to his signature offer of free City Colleges tuition to B-student graduates at Chica

1 by mike simpson / 7h 

I would say Rahm is pretty close to Tea Party perfect. | Fred Klonsky #DumpRahm #‎Chuy2015

I would say Rahm is pretty close to Tea Party perfect. | Fred Klonsky: I would say Rahm is pretty close to Tea Party perfect.APRIL 4, 2015There is a perfect sense of irony in the story of Rahm refusing to release the emails between his administration and billionaire pension investor Michael Sacks.The irony in the situation became apparent to me when I saw that the local Chicago Tea Party endorsed

1 by mike simpson / 7h 

Criminals in Atlanta or Test and Punish Propaganda? | BustED Pencils

Criminals in Atlanta or Test and Punish Propaganda? | BustED Pencils: Criminals in Atlanta or Test and Punish Propaganda? This week we witnessed how amazingly fragile the test and punish paradigm really is.  Teachers were proclaimed criminals for cheating on high stakes standardized tests.  Why?  Not because they are truly criminals. Rather these teachers are now criminals to serve as a warning to

1 by mike simpson / 7h 

Noam Chomsky on the Dangers of Standardized Testing | Creative by Nature

Noam Chomsky on the Dangers of Standardized Testing | Creative by Nature: Noam Chomsky on the Dangers of Standardized Testing “The assessment itself is completely artificial. It’s not ranking teachers in accordance with their ability to help develop children who will reach their potential, explore their creative interests. Those things you’re not testing.. it’s a rank that’s mostly meaningless. An

by mike simpson / 8h 

Join April 8 national call-in day to #CutFedTests | Parents Across America

Join April 8 national call-in day to #CutFedTests | Parents Across America: Join April 8 national call-in day to #CutFedTests  The Testing Resistance and Reform Spring Alliance, of which PAA is a member, is calling for a day of action for ESEA and testing next Wednesday, April 8.On that day we are asking you to call your Senators and, if you tweet, send out and retweet others’ Twitter messages usi

1 by mike simpson / 8h 

Students Last: New Titles Help Students Cope With High Stakes Testing

Students Last: New Titles Help Students Cope With High Stakes Testing: New Titles Help Students Cope With High Stakes TestingAs students around the country prepare to take and fail a battery of state exams based on the Common Core standards, Amazon.com has complied a list of books to help them and their parents cope.Mending Jose's Broken Heart, "Even though we find out that Jose has failed th

1 by mike simpson / 8h 

Jersey Jazzman: New York's Absurd Debate About Teacher Evaluations & Test Scores

Jersey Jazzman: New York's Absurd Debate About Teacher Evaluations & Test Scores: New York's Absurd Debate About Teacher Evaluations & Test Scores From this side of the Hudson, the controversy in New York this week over test scores and teacher evaluations makes New Jersey's education policy debates look relatively sane.And that's no small trick.Of course, there was already plenty to hate a

1 by mike simpson / 8h 

What Autism Means in My Family - Reflections on Teaching

Reflections on Teaching » Blog Archive » What Autism Means in My Family: What Autism Means in My FamilyIt’s Autism Awareness Week. Just so you’re aware, I have autism in my family.Apparently there is some controversy in autism, centering around who speaks for the autism community. Since I’m the adult in the house with a blog, I’ve been the one speaking about autism in our family. My being more neu

1 by mike simpson / 8h 

How to Grow Good Teachers

How to Grow Good Teachers: How to Grow Good TeachersAPRIL 4, 2015 BY NANCY BAILEY LEAVE A COMMENTHere is how those who have power could help teachers in public schools if they really wanted to. They are in no special order. I included these in the post about Nancie Atwell the other day, but I think they are worthy of standing alone. I didn’t want them overshadowed by the Nancie Atwell discussion.T

1 by mike simpson / 9h 

Parents and Teachers Meet in a New York Minute (or 5 if They’re Lucky) - NYTimes.com

Parents and Teachers Meet in a New York Minute (or 5 if They’re Lucky) - NYTimes.com: Parents and Teachers Meet in a New York Minute (or 5 if They’re Lucky)NEA - Try This: The New Parent-Teacher Conference http://bit.ly/1IeqvcL On parent-teacher conference day at Stuyvesant High School in Manhattan last week, scores of tense parents bunched together in the lobby, penned in behind yellow caution ta

by mike simpson / 9h 

Teachers union president calls for North High principal's ouster

Teachers union president calls for North High principal's ouster - Worcester Telegram & Gazette - telegram.com: Teachers union president calls for North High principal's ousterLisa Dyer, principal of North High School, speaks during a meeting March 19 at Worcester City Hall on safety issues t the school. At right is Meghan Milonopoulos, lead teacher for safety and accountability at the school.

by mike simpson / 9h 

Keep Washington Out of Your Kid's School - Bloomberg View

Keep Washington Out of Your Kid's School - Bloomberg View: Keep Washington Out of Your Kid's School What do Republicans want federal education policy to look like? In the mid-1990s, they wanted to abolish the Department of Education. A few years later, President George W. Bush wanted to use federal dollars to make states reform their schools. Right now, Republicans are divided about what they want

by mike simpson / 9h 

Rep. Kraus announces passage of Charter School Reform Bill from Ohio House - The Beacon

Rep. Kraus announces passage of Charter School Reform Bill from Ohio House - The Beacon | Port Clinton News, Marblehead News, Oak Harbor News, Lake Erie Islands News: Rep. Kraus announces passage of Charter School Reform Bill from Ohio House State Representative Steve Kraus (R-Sandusky) voted in support of House Bill 2, legislation that adds revisions and increased oversight to the state’s charter

by mike simpson / 9h 

Right and Left against the state: education without classes

Right and Left against the state: education without classes: Right and Left against the state: education without classes Education reform, whether promoted by the Left or Right, often fails to deeply address the class-based issues driving the alleged "failure" of the educational system.Right"...we used to have all these individual performers who would sing before we had pre-recorded

by mike simpson / 9h hide  //  save

Basta Ya! A video about opting out in Spanish. Please share. | Seattle Education

Basta Ya! A video about opting out in Spanish. Please share. | Seattle Education: Basta Ya! A video about opting out in Spanish. Please share.Padres en Nueva York se unen a un movimiento nacional que rechaza los exámenes estandarizados bajo el nuevo estándar académico conocido como Common Core.Dora TaylorBasta Ya! A video about opting out in Spanish. Please share. | Seattle Education:

by mike simpson / 10h 

Powerful Video: Future of New York State Education | deutsch29

Powerful Video: Future of New York State Education | deutsch29: Powerful Video: Future of New York State EducationOn March 31, 2015, the New York State Assembly proved that budgeting well takes a back seat to “budgeting badly but on time.”Even before the official vote was taken, Assembly Speaker Carl Heastie knew that the budget would pass the Democrat-controlled Assembly because “the people of th

1 by mike simpson / 10h 

Charter schools still a D.C. hot-button issue - The Washington Post

Charter schools still a D.C. hot-button issue - The Washington Post: Charter schools still a D.C. hot-button issueFor years, District residents have forecast — for better or worse — a future where charter schools consumed neighborhood schools. And with charter school enrollment growing every year for nearly two decades, that day has seemed not too far away.But this year, the percentage of students

1 by mike simpson / 10h 

YESTERDAY

Special Nite Cap: Catch Up on Today's Post 4/3/15 #‎Chuy2015‬ #rahmssecretemails

Special Nite Cap - Catch Up on Today's Post 4/3/15Special Nite Cap CORPORATE ED REFORM Click here to go to Jesus "Chuy" Garcia for Mayor of Chicago Website#‎Chuy2015‬ ‪#‎imwithchuy‬#DUMPRAHMThe mayoral runoff is going to be a shitstorm | #‎Chuy2015‬ ‪#‎imwithchuy‬The mayoral runoff is going to be a shitstorm | Bleader | Chicago Reader: The mayoral runoff is going to be a shitstorm Many y

2 by mike simpson / 23h 

#DUMPRAHM

2015 National Conference – Chicago

The Countdown to Chicago Has Begun!

The Network For Public Education | 2015 National Conference – Chicago 

http://bit.ly/1FQFcQM

Cause and Effect - Badass Teachers Association

Badass Teachers Association:

Cause and Effect

By a Washington State Teacher

I’m deeply saddened by the demands that are placed upon teachers.

I had always been hopeful in my seven years that there was a grade level that would be a little easier (work load) so that I could catch a pace, or feel like I’m ahead of the ball, hopeful that it would get easier, manageable, livable…

Always one to get out of my “comfort zone” I have moved around from 6th to 3rd to kindergarten. I moved to K hopeful that I might become inspired again, hopeful I would reignite the spark that brought me into teaching, hoping it would be “fun.” Don’t get me wrong, there are some fun parts to teaching, and especially in kindergarten. I love the random hugs, funny stories, crafts, and I LOVE that MY kindergarteners are READING and WRITING! But the other part of me feels guilty for putting these kids in boxes (sit, read, write, sit, raise your hand, stand in line, don’t speak out, sit, read, write) when really the buzzword a few years ago was “critical thinking.” In my opinion, critical thinkers don’t fit in boxes, they learn from experiences, working with others, and being our fullest expression of ourselves.

I’m not the same person I was 7 years ago when I started teaching. The district isn’t the same and my school isn’t the same. CHANGE is inevitable and I know that my values no longer align with what the district is slinging. On my quest to find a “livable” grade level, I realized that for me there is no “livable” grade, I’m simply existing in the classroom, not actually living-not teaching the whole child, it’s impossible with 24 kids to really take the time and meet them all where they are. To honor each students, needs, strengths and encourage them to believe in themselves. I don’t want to exist, I want to live.

This profession has gotten harder every year. New curriculum, new kids, new needy parents, new administers, new federal mandates, new grade levels, new PD requirements, new “PIT”, new curriculum, new state mandates, new assessments, new evaluation, new pacing guide, new curriculum, new frameworks, etc. It truly has become overwhelming. You want us to teach math, science, health, reading (with small groups), writing (with small groups), interactive reading, ST Badass Teachers Association:

Whose Side is NYSSBA On? | Bianca Tanis

Whose Side is NYSSBA On? | Bianca Tanis:

Whose Side is NYSSBA On?

As the opt out movement grows, questions about a parent’s right to refuse and potential loss of school funding persist despite the fact that test refusal has been in full swing for two years now with NO negative consequences for any school districts or students. According to the New York State School Board Association (NYSSBA) 2015advisory , Managing State Assessment Opt Outs, schools risk a loss of funding and unspecified penalties should less than 95% of students participate in the NYS State ELA and Math tests in grades 3-8. This is a patent falsehood, and a significant one, as this organization advises our local school boards and administrators.

According to the New York State Education Department (NYSED), under the ESEA waiver there is NO direct negative financial impact on a school district that does not meet the 95% participation rate if it is in good standing. In the worst-case scenario, a school in good standing that fails to meet the 95% rate for three consecutive years may be labeled a Local Assistance Plan (LAP) School. While the school will then be required to craft a plan detailing how it will seek to increase test participation, there is absolutely no impact on state aid or Title I monies, and the school district would continue to remain in good standing. These facts have been confirmed by Joseph Shibu of the NYSED Office of Accountability, and were recently reconfirmed in a March 24th, 2015 interview with Senior Deputy Education Commissioner Ken Wagner. You can read that interview here.

An April 2nd, 2015 interview credits NYSSBA Executive Director Timothy G. Kremer with saying, “If even a small percentage of children, 5%, boycott the English and math exams, then schools could risk federal sanctions or funding penalties.” The NYSBBA opt out advisory also warns that schools must be careful in how they handle opt outs: “Some district responses could have negative legal and financial consequences for both the district and school district officials.” Yet nowhere in the regulations or laws concerning education in NYS is there anything to indicate that schools stand to lose funding or Title I monies due to test refusal.

It should be noted that a 2014 survey conducted by the New York State Council Of School Superintendents (NYSCOSS) revealed that 35% of superintendents self-reported that their schools did not meet the 95% participation rate, and that none of these districts have been found to have lost any funding. Despite the lack of evidence for loss of funding, NYSSBA stands by its baseless claims. By putting forth false information and utilizing scare tactics, NYSSBA has essentially robbed many local BOEs of the opportunity to advocate for parents who wish to refuse. This is especially true in districts that are significantly under-resourced where loss of funding would be especially devastating.

The fact is, at every turn, this organization discourages school districts from recognizing parents’ rights to protect their children from a controversial test that no one, save the child, may view. According to NYSSBA the “State Whose Side is NYSSBA On? | Bianca Tanis:

Opportunity for All: Contact Congress

Opportunity for All: Contact Congress:

Lily to educators: Thank you!

Opportunity for All: Contact Congress:

Lily recorded this special thank you message for educators who have taken action on ESEA so far.

Watch her message then send an email to your senator using the form on the right.

Once you're finished, help us gain momentum by spreading the word!

Opportunity for All: Contact Congress:

Speak up for your students before it's too late.

Opportunity for All: Contact Congress:

Public education under attack, say parents at forum | Saugerties Times

Public education under attack, say parents at forum | Saugerties Times:

Public education under attack, say parents at forum

 A proliferation of standardized tests, a succession of carrot-and-stick reform proposals coming down from higher levels of government, the promotion of charter schools by the state and federal government, loss of local control a constant threat, teachers forced to conform to a particular lesson plan… for an increasingly vocal group of local parents, these are all signs that public education as we have come to define it is under attack. Hence the name of a March 25 forum held in Saugerties, Reclaiming Public Education, organized by PACE Saugerties (People Actively Committed to Education), a grassroots coalition formed in 2012 by local parents to initiate dialogue about the current educational system.

Anna Shah and Bianca Tanis of New York State Allies for Public Education, Heather Roberts, the vice president of Bennett Intermediate School, and Billy Easton, executive director of the Alliance of Quality Education, spoke about a range of topics, from school funding to high stakes testing.

Funding

Billy Easton spoke about the funds lost to schools through the Gap Elimination Adjustment and Foundation Aid. He says it is not enough to call only for the restitution of funds lost to the GEA, which allowed the state to take funds from schools across New York in order to balance its budget. According to Easton, $1 billion has been lost to the GEA, while $4.9 billion has been lost to New York schools because the foundation aid formula, which would distribute funds based on a district’s needs, was not fully implemented.

He pointed out that New York State has the eighth most unequal funding between rich and poor districts in the country, with $8,700 more spent per pupil in wealthy districts than in poorer districts.

He urged all those present to contact their representatives to ask for fair funding.

Testing

One of the issues presenters spoke about most passionately was the Common Core tests for grades 3–8. These tests, according to Bianca Tanis, are not appropriate for young children. First, she said, the length of time that the students must sit for these tests is not developmentally appropriate. In 2008, Tanis noted, fifth graders had to sit for 160 minutes of testing. Now, she said, they must sit for 540 minutes of testing, a total that exceeds even the medical board examinations.

Tanis said the written portion of the ELA test requires a very particular type of format. Children have to write differently on the test than they do in real life, or as she put it, code switch, something that she said is developmentally problematic for young students. Further, she said, students are asked to use only evidence from the text in their responses, not prior background knowledge. Heather Roberts echoed this concern, and said she was appalled that her son was spending time in school learning to “block knowledge” from his writing.

The presenters argued that the reading level of the questions was above that of students. Tanis said when questions from a third grade test were analyzed using a readability index, the questions were found to be at an eighth grade level.

Opting out

Many of the presenters reminded parents they have the right to opt their students out of the tests. Tanis pointed out that even though there is no “opt out provision,” parents can still make the choice to refuse the tests, just as they can make the choice to not allow their children to participate in a cupcake party or a sex education lesson.

Anna Shah spoke about the Common Core Parental Refusal Act Assemblyman Jim Tedisco has introduced, which would codify into law a parent’s ability to refuse the tests. Shah said the act urges “humane treatment” for parents who make that decision and “reaffirms” their rights.

The speakers also argued that opting out would not have the dire consequences that Superintendent Seth Turner outlined in a letter posted to the district website and printed in Saugerties Times. Tanis said there is no mechanism in place for schools to lose funding. While acknowledging that schools do risk being designated for a Local Assistance Plan (LAP) if fewer than 95 percent of students take the test, she said this does not cost the district money; they only have to develop a plan for Public education under attack, say parents at forum | Saugerties Times:

National Day of Action April 8 Overhaul ESEA/NCLB: Less Testing More Learning FairTest

Write Congress to demand less testing, an end to high stakes. | FairTest:

FairTest                    National Center for Fair & Open Testing

National Day of Action April 8 Overhaul ESEA/NCLB: Less Testing More Learning What:  Call your U.S. Senators and join the Twitter storm/Thunderclap. If we raise our voices together, we can persuade the Senate Education Committee to reduce testing requirements as it debates renewal of Elementary and Secondary Education Act/No Child Left Behind. When: AWednesday, April 8, 2015 Who: Testing Resistance and Reform Spring alliance, convened by FairTest, and including many national and state organizations. Call your Senators:   Please mark your calendar, and take a few minutes on April 8 to phone your U.S. senators in Washington, DC. Ask to speak to the staffer who works on education policy. If no one is available, leave your message with the person who answered the phone. Find the phone numbers at http://www.senate.gov/general/contact_information/senators_cfm.cfm. Tell Your Senators:  Here is a model message. Feel free to use it, modify it, or say something entirely different. Hello. I'm [your name], calling from [your town]. I'm calling to ask Senator [name] to support changes to No Child Left Behind that will promote a saner and less intrusive approach to public school testing. Specifically, I urge [him/her] to support a switch to testing once each in elementary, middle and high school, and to remove high-stakes consequences from federally required standardized tests. Both these measures will help address the current over-emphasis on testing at the expense of learning.    If you have specific stories about problems with over-testing, please relate them. Personal stories are the most effective. Twitterstorm: On April 8, send a tweet, help build the storm. Here is an example. If you modify it, be sure to include #CutFederalTests and the link to getting your Senators' numbers:           "Join BATs, FT, SOS, TRRA, & UOO 4/8 #CutFedTests. Call Senate http://thndr.it/1P6DfEf. Cut back tests, end high stakes."             The link is to Senate phone numbers. The last 'sentence' is the basic message.             To tweet your Senators, find their Twitter handles at: https://twitter.com/gov/lists/us-senate/members            Help launch the Twitterstorm by supporting our Thunderclap; when you do, on Tues eve a twitter, facebook or tumblr message is sent to your contacts asking them to call their Senators on Weds April 8. Seehttps://www.thunderclap.it/projects/24577-cutfedtests-4-8-call-in. Email: Join the email campaign as well. To send a letter to your Senator, go to: http://fairtest.org/roll-back-standardized-testing-send-letter-congres. Monty Neill Lisa Guisbond Bob Schaeffer Executive Director Write Congress to demand less testing, an end to high stakes. | FairTest: Assessment Reform Analyst Public Education Director

Dr Boyce Watkins: Atlanta school teachers being sent to prison? Stupid, racist, unacceptable – Financial Juneteenth

Dr Boyce Watkins: Atlanta school teachers being sent to prison? Stupid, racist, unacceptable – Financial Juneteenth:

Dr Boyce Watkins: Atlanta school teachers being sent to prison? Stupid, racist, unacceptable

I couldn’t help but be taken aback by the recent indictment of 10 Atlanta school teachers over a cheating scandal that involved relatively meaningless standardized tests.  While we can’t say that the teachers weren’t wrong and irresponsible with their actions, we have to ask ourselves if we should be comfortable living in a society where school teachers are being sent to prison along with rapists, murderers and child molesters, all because they fudged the results of an exam that most of us know to be incorrectly applied in the first place.

Without letting the teachers off the hook, I’d like to share some thoughts about the horrific manner by which this case was pursued, as well as the racist political agenda that lies behind the decision to send our educators to prison.  There was a time when doing this kind of thing might get you fired.  Now, the government seems hellbent on ruining your life.  This doesn’t sit well with me.

You can either watch the video or download the podcast.  I hope you’ll feel free to contribute to the conversation.Dr Boyce Watkins: Atlanta school teachers being sent to prison? Stupid, racist, unacceptable – Financial Juneteenth: