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Sunday, November 27, 2016

Special Nite Cap: Catch Up on Today's Post 11/27/16



Special Nite Cap: Catch Up on Today's Post 11/27/16

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Betsy DeVos and the Wrong Way to Fix Schools - The New York Times





Why DFER’s Shavar Jeffries Must Support Ed Sec Betsy DeVos | deutsch29
by mike simpson / 8min
Why DFER’s Shavar Jeffries Must Support Ed Sec Betsy DeVos | deutsch29 : Why DFER’s Shavar Jeffries Must Support Ed Sec Betsy DeVos On November 17, 2016 , the corporate reform pseudo-Democratic organization, Democrats for Education Reform (DFER) President Shavar Jeffries released a statement strongly discouraging any Democrat from accepting the position of US secretary of education under Presiden
Mike Klonsky's SmallTalk Blog: Civil Rights group critical of recount efforts in WI and NC
by mike simpson / 14min
Mike Klonsky's SmallTalk Blog: Civil Rights group critical of recount efforts in WI and NC : Civil Rights group critical of recount efforts in WI and NC FOR IMMEDIATE CONTACT: press@lawyerscommittee.org National Civil Rights Organization Notes that Recount Efforts Do Not Address Impact of Voter Suppression on 2016 Election Cycle In response to recounts underway in Wisconsin and North Carolina, La
These Democrats “Applaud” Trump’S Billionaire Education Secretary |
by mike simpson / 17min
THESE DEMOCRATS “APPLAUD” TRUMP’S BILLIONAIRE EDUCATION SECRETARY | : THESE DEMOCRATS “APPLAUD” TRUMP’S BILLIONAIRE EDUCATION SECRETARY The people who run Democrats for Education Reform (DFER), a national, pro-school-privatization organization with roots in Newark, can’t quite figure out what to do about an incoming national administration that promises to give the group just what it wants–billio
What’s the worst that could happen with Betsy DeVos as education secretary? Two scenarios. - The Washington Post
by mike simpson / 7h
What’s the worst that could happen with Betsy DeVos as education secretary? Two scenarios. - The Washington Post : What’s the worst that could happen with Betsy DeVos as education secretary? Two scenarios President-elect Donald Trump’s decision last week to nominate Betsy DeVos, a Michigan billionaire and conservative activist, as his education secretary has caused great consternation in parts of
NEA BAT Caucus NBI Update - Badass Teachers Association
by mike simpson / 7h
Badass Teachers Association : NEA BAT Caucus NBI Update What is an NBI? NBI stands for New Business Item. An NBI is what caucuses and state/local unions can do to set the course of NEA for the coming year. The NEA RA was held in DC this past summer. BATs has a strong NEA BAT Caucus that did amazing work at the NEA RA this summer. To read more about that work from NEA BAT Caucus Chair Becca Ritchi
Betsy DeVos and the Wrong Way to Fix Schools - The New York Times
by mike simpson / 9h
Betsy DeVos and the Wrong Way to Fix Schools - The New York Times : Betsy DeVos and the Wrong Way to Fix Schools NEW ORLEANS — President-elect Donald J. Trump’s selection of Betsy DeVos as secretary of education has sent shock waves through the educational establishment. Understandably so, since this is a clear sign that Mr. Trump intends a major national push to direct public funds to private an
CURMUDGUCATION: ICYMI: Post Turkey Edition (11/27)
by mike simpson / 10h
CURMUDGUCATION: ICYMI: Post Turkey Edition (11/27) : ICYMI: Post Turkey Edition (11/27) I briefly toyed with the idea of collecting all the articles that explain how awful Betsy DeVos will be as Secretary of Education, but it just made my computer sad, so I just picked a couple and selected some other pieces to help us all remember that there are other things to pay attention to. Higher Education
Russ on Reading: Heavens to Betsy (DeVos)!
by mike simpson / 10h
Russ on Reading: Heavens to Betsy (DeVos)! : Heavens to Betsy (DeVos)! My paternal grandmother, Eleanor Cunningham Walsh, disdained the use of coarse language of any type. Whenever one of her many grandchildren would do something particularly boneheaded, the most virulent epithet she could muster was, "Heavens to Betsy!" When president-elect, Donald Trump, announced his choice for Secretary of Ed
Passage of the Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA) – $8 Million from the Gates Foundation and the Myth of Local Control | Seattle Education
by mike simpson / 10h
Passage of the Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA) – $8 Million from the Gates Foundation and the Myth of Local Control | Seattle Education : Passage of the Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA) – $8 Million from the Gates Foundation and the Myth of Local Control Remember when a return to local control was the biggest selling point for the passage of The Every Students Succeeds Act (ESSA)? States would
Advocate NOW For Your Special Needs Child – Exceptional Delaware
by mike simpson / 11h
Advocate NOW For Your Special Needs Child – Exceptional Delaware : Advocate NOW For Your Special Needs Child Why do parents of special needs children need to advocate for them? Because we have to. If we don’t, who will? There are those who will help, but nobody understands your child more than you. I see it as my moral responsibility to advocate for my own special needs child when something is wr
CURMUDGUCATION: How Bad Is DeVos? So Bad...
by mike simpson / 11h
CURMUDGUCATION: How Bad Is DeVos? So Bad... : How Bad Is DeVos? So Bad... The nomination of Betsy DeVos to the post of Secretary of Education is such a bad choice that we don't even have to talk about actual policy ideas to understand how unsuited she is for the position. Consider-- John King was a terrible choice for Secretary of Education. But John King has worked in a classroom with students a
Barbara Kingsolver: “everything we do becomes political: speaking up or not speaking up” | the becoming radical
by mike simpson / 11h
Barbara Kingsolver: “everything we do becomes political: speaking up or not speaking up” | the becoming radical : Barbara Kingsolver: “everything we do becomes political: speaking up or not speaking up” “So many of us have stood up for the marginalized,” explains writer Barbara Kingsolver in the wake of Trumplandia, “but never expected to be here ourselves,” adding: It happened to us overnight, n
The AltSchool: Progressivism Redux (Part 2) | Larry Cuban on School Reform and Classroom Practice
by mike simpson / 11h
The AltSchool: Progressivism Redux (Part 2) | Larry Cuban on School Reform and Classroom Practice : The AltSchool: Progressivism Redux (Part 2) [Progressive schools] as compared with traditional schools [display] a common emphasis upon respect for individuality and for increased freedom; a common disposition to build upon the nature and experience of the boys and girls common to them, instead of
SACRAMENTO PROGRESSIVE ALLIANCE: Mayor Sternberg Promises to Protect Sanctuary City Status
by mike simpson / 11h
SACRAMENTO PROGRESSIVE ALLIANCE: Mayor Sternberg Promises to Protect Sanctuary City Status : Mayor Sternberg Promises to Protect Sanctuary City Status Sacramento Mayor-elect Darrell Steinberg is vowing to fight federal attempts to deport undocumented immigrants under incoming president Donald Trump, who promised during his campaign to stop cities from shielding people from immigration enforcement
Bad News Betsy – Save Maine Schools
by mike simpson / 11h
Bad News Betsy – Save Maine Schools : Bad News Betsy On Wednesday, President-Elect Donald Trump became the latest leader in a succession stretching decades into the past to prove that it matters not who is in charge: the Big Education Agenda – the real agenda – is all but indestructible. With his pick of billionaire Betsy DeVos for the role of Secretary of Education, Trump signaled either his wil

YESTERDAY

Special Nite Cap: Catch Up on Today's Post 11/26/16
by mike simpson / 1d
Special Nite Cap: Catch Up on Today's Post 11/26/16 Featured Post What's the worst that could happen under New Ed Secretary Betsy DeVos? Some Scenarios - The Hechinger Report DreamBox, Datamining & DeVos? – Missouri Education Watchdog by mike simpson / 20min DreamBox, Datamining & DeVos? – Missouri 

#NotMySOE


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Why DFER’s Shavar Jeffries Must Support Ed Sec Betsy DeVos | deutsch29

Why DFER’s Shavar Jeffries Must Support Ed Sec Betsy DeVos | deutsch29:

Why DFER’s Shavar Jeffries Must Support Ed Sec Betsy DeVos


On November 17, 2016, the corporate reform pseudo-Democratic organization, Democrats for Education Reform (DFER) President Shavar Jeffries released a statement strongly discouraging any Democrat from accepting the position of US secretary of education under President-elect Donald Trump, purportedly because ed reform is a progressive idea and Trump is not progressive, as Jeffries notes in the following DFER-posted excerpt:
“The policies and rhetoric of President-elect Trump run contrary to the most fundamental values of what it means to be a progressive committed to educating our kids and strengthening our families and communities. He proposes to eliminate accountability standards, cut Title I funding, and to gut support for vital social services that maximize our students’ ability to reach their potential. And, most pernicious, Trump gives both tacit and express endorsement to a dangerous set of racial, ethnic, religious, and gender stereotypes that assault the basic dignity of our children, causing incalculable harm not only to their sense of self, but also to their sense of belonging as accepted members of school communities and neighborhoods.
“For these reasons, no Democrat should accept appointment as Secretary of Education, unless and until President-elect Trump disavows his prior statements and commits to educating the whole child and supporting the communities and families they depend on.”
On November 23, 2016, Trump selected Michigan billionaire and Republican charter and voucher pusher, Betsy DeVos, as his nominee for ed secretary. That same day, DFER’s Jeffries released the following statement congratulating DeVos on her nomination:
“DFER congratulates Betsy DeVos on her appointment as Secretary of Education, and we applaud Mrs. DeVos’s commitment to growing the number of high-quality public charter schools.
“However, DFER remains deeply concerned by much of the President-elect’s education agenda, which proposes to cut money from Title I and to eliminate the federal role on accountability. These moves would undermine progress made under the Obama administration to ensure all children have access to 
Why DFER’s Shavar Jeffries Must Support Ed Sec Betsy DeVos | deutsch29:
 Trump First Offered Jerry Falwell, Jr., US Secretary of Ed Job | deutsch29 - http://wp.me/p36Q2R-29r





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Mike Klonsky's SmallTalk Blog: Civil Rights group critical of recount efforts in WI and NC

Mike Klonsky's SmallTalk Blog: Civil Rights group critical of recount efforts in WI and NC:

Civil Rights group critical of recount efforts in WI and NC

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FOR IMMEDIATE CONTACT:
press@lawyerscommittee.org

National Civil Rights Organization Notes that Recount Efforts Do Not Address Impact of Voter Suppression on 2016 Election Cycle
In response to recounts underway in Wisconsin and North Carolina, Lawyers’ Committee for Civil Rights Under Law President and Executive Director Kristen Clarke issued the following statement:
“Current recount efforts do not address the discriminatory impact of voter suppression laws during the 2016 election cycle.  Wisconsin and North Carolina are states that were part of a coordinated campaign to make voting more difficult, particularly for African American and other minority voters. Wisconsin’s restrictive photo id law and North Carolina’s sweeping voter suppression law were among the most discriminatory efforts instituted prior to the November 2016 election.  The laws in both states were the subject of protracted litigation because of their impact on African American and other minority voters. It is no surprise that these states are places where some now feel a grave injustice has occurred. Yet, none of the recount efforts underway focus on the impact of voter suppression efforts or attempt to account for those who were blocked or deterred from voting as a result of voter suppression laws in those states.
Throughout this election cycle, we received complaints from voters in Wisconsin about the state’s strict photo ID requirement which a federal court found would impair the rights of 300,000 registered voters.  It is no surprise that Milwaukee County, Wisconsin shows that 51,554 fewer voters were able to participate in 2016, compared to 2012. In North Carolina, a 4th Circuit found that the state’s voter suppression law was discriminatory in purpose and effect. Yet, after the ruling on the state’s law, party official Dallas Woodhouse issued a directive encouraging local election officials to undermine the 4th Circuit’s ruling by using their discretion to cut early voting locations and hours down to a bare minimum. Officials across North Carolina heeded the call, resulting in long lines in many counties during the early voting period.
The recount efforts underway do not address pervasive discrimination that threatens American democracy.  The way to strengthen public confidence in our elections and to promote transparency is to lift barriers that lock out eligible Americans from the process.  This requires litigation and advocacy efforts that will uproot ongoing voting discrimination and voter suppression in our country. Among the most pressing needs is work to eliminate strict voter ID requirements, felon disenfranchisement laws that harken back to the Jim Crow era, and intimidation and harassment at the polls. This is also a time to closely analyze the Electoral College, an institution with roots that lie in debates surrounding slavery in our county.The Lawyers' Committee for Civil Rights Under Law remains committed to leading this important work to strengthen our democracy.”

 About the Lawyers’ Committee
The Lawyers’ Committee for Civil Rights Under Law (Lawyers’ Committee), a nonpartisan, nonprofit organization, was formed in 1963 at the request of President John F. Kennedy to involve the private bar in providing legal services to address racial discrimination. Formed over 50 years ago, we continue our quest of “Moving America Toward Justice.” The principal mission of the Lawyers’ Committee is to secure, through the rule of law, equal justice under law, particularly in the areas of fair housing and community development; employment; voting; education; and criminal justice.  For more information about the Lawyers’ Committee, visit www.lawyerscommittee.org
Posted by at   Mike Klonsky's SmallTalk Blog: Civil Rights group critical of recount efforts in WI and NC:


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