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Tuesday, February 7, 2017

Special Nite Cap: Catch Up on Today's Post 2/7/17


Special Nite Cap: Catch Up on Today's Post 2/7/17

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DeVos confirmed. NPE will fight her agenda. - Network For Public Education




DIANE RAVITCH: Betsy DeVos Confirmed Despite Massive Protests - BillMoyers.com
by mike simpson / 16min
Betsy DeVos Confirmed Despite Massive Protests - BillMoyers.com : Betsy DeVos Confirmed Despite Massive Protests Despite the insult DeVos represents to public education, her nomination did unite the organizations fighting against its privatization. This post originally appeared at DianeRavitch.net . The confirmation of Betsy DeVos as secretary of Education is an outrageous insult to the millions
DeVos foes promise to make her job hell - POLITICO
by mike simpson / 26min
DeVos foes promise to make her job hell - POLITICO : DeVos foes promise to make her job hell The fight to derail DeVos, while unsuccessful, has united a wide variety of advocates. It was a fight to end confirmation fights — for an Education secretary, no less. And after all the protests and phone calls against Betsy DeVos culminated in an all-night Democratic vigil on the Senate floor, Vice Presi
CURMUDGUCATION: The New Friedrichs Anti-Union Case
by mike simpson / 2h
CURMUDGUCATION: The New Friedrichs Anti-Union Case : The New Friedrichs Anti-Union Case Well, that didn't take long. The Center for Individual Rights has filed a lawsuit against the state of California and the California Teachers Association -- Yohn v. CTA. CIR is the same right-wing group that brought us the Friedrich's lawsuit , and this is basically the same suit with a new teacher used as a p
Who Defines Progressive in Education? - LA Progressive
by mike simpson / 2h
Who Defines Progressive in Education? - LA Progressive : Who Defines Progressive in Education? LA School Board President Steve Zimmer W ant to make a Democrat furious when arguing a point on Civil Rights? Have a Republican claim that it was their party that was against slavery and cared the most about African Americans. Any intelligent high school sophomore would know how to refute that specious
Education Secretary Betsy DeVos Has Been Confirmed; And the Resistance Has Too | I AM AN EDUCATOR
by mike simpson / 2h
Education Secretary Betsy DeVos Has Been Confirmed; And the Resistance Has Too | I AM AN EDUCATOR : Education Secretary Betsy DeVos Has Been Confirmed; And the Resistance Has Too Betsy DeVos–platinum card member of the 1% and leading corporate education reformer–was voted in today by the Senate as the next U.S. Secretary of Education. With the vote deadlocked at 50-50, Vice President Mike Pence,
Randi Weingarten on DeVos confirmation: 'A sad day for children' | TheHill
by mike simpson / 2h
Teachers union on DeVos confirmation: 'A sad day for children' | TheHill : Teachers union on DeVos confirmation: 'A sad day for children' The president of the American Federation of Teachers (AFT) is blasting Tuesday's Senate vote to confirm Betsy DeVos as secretary of Education, saying it is a “sad day for children." “If she wants to work with the educators who work hard every single day—in dist
The senators who opposed DeVos represent 36 million more people than her supporters do
by mike simpson / 3h
The senators who opposed DeVos represent 36 million more people than her supporters do : The senators who opposed DeVos represent 36 million more people than her supporters do Democracy! The Senate barely confirmed Betsy DeVos, President Trump’s nominee to be the next Secretary of Education, on Tuesday. Senators split 50–50, with Vice President Pence casting the tie-breaking vote. DeVos attracted
DeVos confirmed. NPE will fight her agenda. - Network For Public Education
by mike simpson / 4h
DeVos confirmed. NPE will fight her agenda. - Network For Public Education : DeVos confirmed. NPE will fight her agenda. Betsy DeVos was confirmed by the Senate this morning. Although we share your deep disappointment, we cannot become disheartened. Our nation’s children need us more than ever before. The opposition that you helped generate was so intense, that the Vice President had to step in t
DeVos Survives Confirmation Battle But Her Agenda May Not
by mike simpson / 4h
DeVos Survives Confirmation Battle But Her Agenda May Not : DeVos Survives Confirmation Battle But Her Agenda May Not Hundreds of educators, parents, civil rights activists, and U.S. senators assembled across from the U.S. Capitol on Monday evening to urge “just one more” senator to stand up and cast the deciding ‘no’ vote on Betsy DeVos as U.S. Education Secretary. Coming on the eve of the confi
You inspire me. Thank you! - Lily's Blackboard
by mike simpson / 4h
You inspire me. Thank you! - Lily's Blackboard : You inspire me. Thank you! Today I watched as the Vice President broke a tie vote to confirm Betsy DeVos as Secretary of Education, ignoring the voices of over a million Americans. I am not deterred because of what we accomplished together. Betsy DeVos may be education secretary, but she has no mandate. In fact, she has the opposite because of you.
The Unprecedented Opposition to Betsy DeVos's Nomination - The Atlantic
by mike simpson / 4h
The Unprecedented Opposition to Betsy DeVos's Nomination - The Atlantic : The Sensation Known as Betsy DeVos Never before has an education secretary aroused so much controversy. Could her confirmation be a boon for schools? A 40-second scene on Saturday Night Live this past weekend featuring Kate McKinnon as the beleaguered Betsy DeVos, now the nation’s education secretary, blew up almost instant
Get Woke Stay Woke Resistance Manual Get educated. Get organized. Take action.
by mike simpson / 5h
Resistance Manual : Resistance Manual Home This is the approved revision of this page, as well as being the most recent. This is the approved revision of this page, as well as being the most recent. Dial tel:(844)-6-RESIST to tell Congress to support ACA and vote against Jeff Sessions. Action begins with information. There are more of us who believe in equity and justice than those who support Do
The DeVos Vote - Network For Public Education
by mike simpson / 5h
The DeVos Vote - Network For Public Education : The DeVos Vote Below is a list of U.S. Senators and how they voted on the nomination of Betsy DeVos. You can search for your Senator, and click on their name to find their phone number. Give them a call and thank them for voting against her or let them know how you feel about their yes vote. Column visibility Copy CSV Excel PDF Print Show entries Se
NPE furious that DeVos was approved: Campaign to thwart privatization efforts begins - Network For Public Education
by mike simpson / 5h
NPE furious that DeVos was approved: Campaign to thwart privatization efforts begins - Network For Public Education : NPE furious that DeVos was approved: Campaign to thwart privatization efforts begins The Network for Public Education furious over the approval of Betsy DeVos. Begins campaign to thwart any attempts to privatize schools. The Network for Public Education (NPE) announced its campaig
Audit finds Ed. Department mishandled school complaints :: SI&A Cabinet Report :: The Essential Resource for Superintendents and the Cabinet
by mike simpson / 6h
Audit finds Ed. Department mishandled school complaints :: SI&A Cabinet Report :: The Essential Resource for Superintendents and the Cabinet : Audit finds Ed. Department mishandled school complaints (Calif.) Local educational agencies have failed to uniformly investigate complaints alleging violations of state or federal law, according to a new report from the California State Auditor’s office. I
Union 101: Making the Most of Membership - NEA Today
by mike simpson / 6h
Union 101: Making the Most of Membership - NEA Today : Union 101: Making the Most of Membership It was early in Joseph Daily’s teaching career when he got married and started having kids. With more expenses, he was looking for ways to economize. He decided to drop his NEA membership to save on union dues, but he soon realized that not belonging came at a higher cost. Even without dues expenses, m
A professor's proposed Black History Month course for one student: President Donald Trump - The Hechinger Report
by mike simpson / 6h
A professor's proposed Black History Month course for one student: President Donald Trump - The Hechinger Report : A professor’s proposed Black History Month course for one student: President Donald Trump AFAM 0045 African-American History for Clueless Presidents (and Black Folk who’ve seen LaLa Land) Spring 2017 Bayard Rustin Education Bldg., Room 1963 Course Description This course is an introd
Senate to vote today on confirmation of Betsy DeVos - The Washington Post
by mike simpson / 7h
Senate to vote today on confirmation of Betsy DeVos - The Washington Post : Senate to vote today on confirmation of Betsy DeVos The Senate is moving toward a noon vote Tuesday on confirmation of Betsy DeVos as education secretary, with the outcome expected to be the narrowest approval of a Cabinet nominee in the nation’s history. The entire Democratic caucus of 48 senators is expected to vote aga
Betsy DeVos and the Dems | The Huffington Post
by mike simpson / 7h
Betsy DeVos and the Dems | The Huffington Post : Betsy DeVos and the Dems Right now it looks like the Democrats in the senate are finally digging in their heels at one of the nominations – the rabid Christian fundamentalist Betsy DeVos who has dedicated her inherited fortune to dismantling public education. DeVos is about as far out a nominee as you could get. Bring in a climate denier for the De
A Virtual Disaster for Rural Schools | Schott Foundation for Public Education
by mike simpson / 7h
A Virtual Disaster for Rural Schools | Schott Foundation for Public Education : A Virtual Disaster for Rural Schools Hopefully, responsible senators from substantially rural states spent the weekend taking cues from their peers from Maine and Alaska and learning why the potential impact of school privatization on their constituents should cause them to oppose Betsy DeVos as Secretary of Education
With A Brooklyn Accent: Donald Trump's Rude Awakening
by mike simpson / 8h
With A Brooklyn Accent: Donald Trump's Rude Awakening : Donald Trump's Rude Awakening The last few weeks have been a bit of a comedown for Donald Trump. After an historic campaign where he beat the odds and attracted huge adoring crowds, he now finds himself under siege in the White House, unable to go to any large city in the US without inspiring huge demonstrations, mocked by comedians and jour
Senate Will Vote at Noon on DeVos Nomination; Protests Continued through Last Night | janresseger
by mike simpson / 8h
Senate Will Vote at Noon on DeVos Nomination; Protests Continued through Last Night | janresseger : Senate Will Vote at Noon on DeVos Nomination; Protests Continued through Last Night Stopped by Senate rules from filibustering to delay the vote on a Cabinet nominee, Senate Democrats tried the closest thing to it yesterday and throughout last night: a 24 hour marathon of speeches against Betsy Dev
Mike Klonsky's SmallTalk Blog: Death by 1,000 cuts at CPS
by mike simpson / 8h
Mike Klonsky's SmallTalk Blog: Death by 1,000 cuts at CPS : Death by 1,000 cuts at CPS "Find out just what any people will quietly submit to and you have found out the exact measure of injustice and wrong which will be imposed upon them." -- Frederick Douglass Donald Trump thinks Frederick Douglass is still alive. In one sense (certainly not the one intended) he may be right. Douglass' words, his
WATCH LIVE: #Holdthefloor: Senate Democrats’ All-Night Vigil Against DeVos
by mike simpson / 8h
#Holdthefloor: Senate Democrats’ All-Night Vigil Against DeVos : #Holdthefloor: Senate Democrats’ All-Night Vigil Against DeVos This is going down to the wire Senate Democrats, channeling public opposition to Trump’s nomination of Betsy DeVos for Secretary of Education while venting their own outrage over her lack of qualifications for the job, are occupying the Senate floor for 24 hours ahead of
"‘Toxic’ Steve Perry should embarrass charter supporters" - Wait What?
by mike simpson / 8h
"‘Toxic’ Steve Perry should embarrass charter supporters" - Wait What? : “‘Toxic’ Steve Perry should embarrass charter supporters” Oklahoma educator and education advocate Dr. John Thompson is an award-winning historian and inner-city teacher. He is the author of A Teacher’s Tale: Learning, Loving and Listening to Our Kids . He recently attended a speech given by charter school owner Steve Perry
Illinois’ Grand Bargain will include a major attack on Special Education. Nobody is reporting this. Take action now. | Fred Klonsky
by mike simpson / 9h
Illinois’ Grand Bargain will include a major attack on Special Education. Nobody is reporting this. Take action now. | Fred Klonsky : Illinois’ Grand Bargain will include a major attack on Special Education. Nobody is reporting this. Take action now. Senate President John Cullerton’s Grand Bargain with the Repubs includes an attack on special ed. From Bev Johns. In a speech on Monday, Senate Pres
How and Why I Research Exemplars of Technology Integration | Larry Cuban on School Reform and Classroom Practice
by mike simpson / 9h
How and Why I Research Exemplars of Technology Integration | Larry Cuban on School Reform and Classroom Practice : How and Why I Research Exemplars of Technology Integration For over 30 years, I have examined the adoption and use of computers in schools ( Teachers and Machines , 1986; Oversold and Underused , 2001, Inside the Black Box , 2013). I looked at the policy hype, over-promising, and pre
Betsy DeVos: “School Choice Programs Lead to More Integrated Schools” | deutsch29
by mike simpson / 9h
Betsy DeVos: “School Choice Programs Lead to More Integrated Schools” | deutsch29 : Betsy DeVos: “School Choice Programs Lead to More Integrated Schools” In response to Senator Patty Murray’s question 115 (among 139 written questions asked by Murray of DeVos following DeVos’ January 17, 2017, Senate HELP Committee hearing), DeVos states that school choice programs increase integration: Murray: If
CURMUDGUCATION: The DeVos Alarm Clock
by mike simpson / 9h
CURMUDGUCATION: The DeVos Alarm Clock : The DeVos Alarm Clock The Betsy DeVos nomination, in its sturm and drang and distress and noise, is quite different from any nomination we've ever seen. And yet, Betsy DeVos is not that much different from what we've seen before. As a political operative seeking to remake public education in her own preferred image, DeVos is a bush-league Bill Gates. "I'm r

YESTERDAY

Special Nite Cap: Catch Up on Today's Post 2/6/17
by mike simpson / 23h
Special Nite Cap: Catch Up on Today's Post 2/6/17 Featured Post WATCH LIVE: Senate Democrats conduct 24-hour speech marathon to oppose Betsy DeVos Breaking - Malloy proposes half-baked scheme to reform education funding - 

Top Posts This Week


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DIANE RAVITCH: Betsy DeVos Confirmed Despite Massive Protests - BillMoyers.com

Betsy DeVos Confirmed Despite Massive Protests - BillMoyers.com:

Betsy DeVos Confirmed Despite Massive Protests

Despite the insult DeVos represents to public education, her nomination did unite the organizations fighting against its privatization.



This post originally appeared at DianeRavitch.net.
The confirmation of Betsy DeVos as secretary of Education is an outrageous insult to the millions of people who send their children to public schools, to the millions of students who attend public schools, to the millions of educators who work in public schools and to the millions of people — like me — who graduated from public school.
As expected, the vote was 50-50, and Vice President Pence was called in to cast the tie-breaking vote.
She was never a student, a parent, an educator or school board member of public schools. It is her life’s work to tear down public education. She does not respect the line of separation between church and state. She supports for-profit charter schools.
She is ignorant of federal law, federal programs and federal policy. When asked at her Senate hearing about the Individuals with Disabilities in Education Act, she did not know it was a federal law. She had given no thought to lessening the burden of debt that college students bear, which now exceeds $1 trillion. At a time when the federal role in aiding students with the high cost of college needs to be redesigned, she knows nothing about it.
As the ethics counselors for Presidents George W. Bush and Barack Obama pointed out, DeVos has financial conflicts of interest which she refuses to divest. She told the Senate committee that she had no role in her mother’s foundation, which has funneled millions of dollars to anti-LGBT organizations, but her name appears on 17 years of the foundation’s audited tax returns. She told the committee that online charter corporations produce stellar results, but researchers demonstrated with facts that she was wrong.
Choice policies in Michigan have caused the test scores in that state to decline. Detroit, overrun with charters and choice, is a chaotic mess.
It is a sad day for American public education when a person who has repeatedly expressed contempt for public schools is confirmed as secretary of Education.
But there is a silver lining to this dark cloud. Her obvious lack of qualification for the job has created a maelstrom of protest against her. Senators report that they have never received so much feedback about a Cabinet nominee, overwhelmingly negative. Telephone lines were jammed, in some Betsy DeVos Confirmed Despite Massive Protests - BillMoyers.com:
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DeVos foes promise to make her job hell - POLITICO

DeVos foes promise to make her job hell - POLITICO:

DeVos foes promise to make her job hell

The fight to derail DeVos, while unsuccessful, has united a wide variety of advocates.


It was a fight to end confirmation fights — for an Education secretary, no less. And after all the protests and phone calls against Betsy DeVos culminated in an all-night Democratic vigil on the Senate floor, Vice President Mike Pence cast a tie-breaking confirmation vote Tuesday — setting the stage for more bruising fights ahead.

All indications are the same groups galvanized by DeVos’ nomination are mobilizing for new battles on issues ranging from tuition vouchers and protections for LGBT students in schools, to free speech and sexual assault disciplinary policies on college campuses.

Members of teachers unions, civil rights groups and parents organizations who jammed Senate phone lines say they plan to keep the spotlight on the Michigan megadonor and advocate for charter schools — and to devote their energy to scrutinizing the Education Department.

The fight to derail DeVos, while unsuccessful, has united a wide variety of advocates who care about education, said Lily Eskelsen García, president of the National Education Association, the nation’s largest union. The union now has a “contact list to die for,” she said.

The NEA says it gathered about 1 million email addresses of those opposing DeVos’ nomination and planned to mobilize that network of grassroots activists to push back against the Trump administration’s agenda.

“There will be no relationship with Betsy DeVos,” Eskelsen Garcia said.



Opponents will be watching DeVos closely as the Trump administration rolls out its budget to see whether it prioritizes school choice-friendly measures, civil rights enforcement and programs that earmark money for low-income schools. They also want to see whether she holds school districts and states accountable for failing schools and what, if any, steps she might take to weaken federal guidance on DeVos foes promise to make her job hell - POLITICO:

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CURMUDGUCATION: The New Friedrichs Anti-Union Case

CURMUDGUCATION: The New Friedrichs Anti-Union Case:

The New Friedrichs Anti-Union Case


Well, that didn't take long.

The Center for Individual Rights has filed a lawsuit against the state of California and the California Teachers Association -- Yohn v. CTA.


CIR is the same right-wing group that brought us the Friedrich's lawsuit, and this is basically the same suit with a new teacher used as a prop. They cut their teeth doing anti-affirmative action work, but have more recently joined in the effort to bust the unions, or at least render unions less effective in opposing GOP candidates. The one-percenters love them. While their original founders have moved on, they are currently led by Terry Pell who, ironically, used to work in the US DEpartmet of Education as the Deputy Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights.

Our Very Special Plaintiffs this time?  Bruce Aster, George Meilahn, Darren Miller, Allen Osborn, Michelle Raley, Robert Vehrs, Stacy Vehrs, Ryan Yoh. Yohn, the suit's namesake, is an eighth-grade American history teacher at Stacey Middle School in the Westminster School District.

Friedrichs stalled and died because, well, Justice Scalia also died. But now that Trump has his conservative-approved justice picked out, CIR is ready to try again with an attempt to get all the way to the Supreme Court.

The argument is unvarnished baloney:

The Supreme Court has recognized the grave First Amendment problems that arise when a state coerces political speech. In 2014, Justice Alito observed in Harris v. Quinn, that, “Agency-fee CURMUDGUCATION: The New Friedrichs Anti-Union Case:



WI: Destroying the Profession
by Peter Greene / 1h
Wisconsin State Superintendent Tony Evers would like to lower the bar for teachers. Heading up the Leadership Group on School Staffing Challenges, Evers has teamed up with some members of the Wisconsin Association of School 
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