The Answer Sheet - BRADY: When captains of business and industry ‘hijacked’ education--and teachers let them

The Answer Sheet - BRADY: When captains of business and industry ‘hijacked’ education--and teachers let them:

"MEMO: TO THE MEMBERS OF MY PROFESSION

'We have met the enemy, and he is us,' said Pogo.

We educators should make the wise little opossum from Walt Kelly’s comic strip our mascot.

The single worst shoot-yourself-in-the-foot act that contributed to our loss of control of education reform happened about 20 years ago. That’s when leaders of business and industry, convinced that educators either didn’t know enough or didn’t care enough about educating the young to be trusted, hijacked our profession. And we let them."

Obama and Duncan Are Wrong About Charters - Bridging Differences - Education Week

Obama and Duncan Are Wrong About Charters - Bridging Differences - Education Week:

"The legislators who passed the Elementary and Secondary Act in 1965 repeatedly assured their colleagues and the American public that the federal government would never interfere with state and local control of schools. The purpose of the law was clear: To provide additional funding to the nation's neediest students.

Of course, that vow did not preclude federal intervention to abolish racial segregation, because segregation was one of the sources of inequity and there was a Supreme Court decision requiring an end to state-sponsored segregation.

Now, we see that the original promise has not only been forgotten, but broken. Today we see the Obama administration using federal dollars to bribe states to pursue remedies that are highly contested and whose results are uncertain. They do this in the name of 'reform,' but today anyone with a plan—good or bad—calls himself or herself—a 'reformer.' Calling something a 'reform' does not mean that it will improve education."

Here is some news. I went to the NAEP Web site and used a function called NAEP Data Explorer (http://nces.ed.gov/nationsreportcard/naepdata/). This made it possible to compare charter schools and regular public schools on the NAEP 2009 math assessments, which were released a few weeks ago. No one else has done this, so our blog will be the first place in which these results appear.

Education Week: Schools Need a Culture Shift

Education Week: Schools Need a Culture Shift:

"Consider this description of the work environment of California-based Meebo, one of the Web’s fastest-growing messaging companies, and then ask yourself if today’s classrooms can be described the same way:

“A great team, and tons of meaty problems to solve. … It’s open, collaborative. … We’re facing problems that are pretty unusual. … We take the smartest and most passionate team-oriented people we can find and put them in an environment where they can thrive. We value innovation, teamwork, and good clean fun. … We’re still a small company, so one person can make a big impact.”"

National Assessment of Educational Progress

National Assessment of Educational Progress

For decades, when elected officials, researchers, educators, and parents have wanted a clear-eyed measure of what students know in a range of subjects, they have turned to an authoritative source: the National Assessment of Educational Progress.

Now the country stands poised to enter a new testing era. All but two states have agreed to work toward creating common academic standards, with the eventual goal of establishing common assessments.

Which leads to an obvious question: What will become of NAEP?

Some say the federally sponsored program is unlikely to change as a result of the ongoing standards and assessment project. Others say that until more is known about the structure and schedule of common state tests, it’s difficult to predict whether NAEP’s role will grow or shrink.

“There’s nothing in this project that would put the NAEP out of business,” said Gary W. Phillips, a vice president and chief scientist at the Washington-based American Institutes for Research. “There’s no way a bottoms-up test could do what the NAEP is built to do, every day.”

Sacramento Press / Nestlé at the City Council: Public Discussion or Backroom Deal? - Part II

Sacramento Press / Nestlé at the City Council: Public Discussion or Backroom Deal? - Part II:

"Who is to Blame?

Nestlé was recruited by the Sacramento Area Commerce and Trade Organization and the Economic Development Department, one of a series of bad projects they have brought here that include the municipal waste burning incinerator and the natural gas storage facility beneath homes in South Sacramento.

The EDD worked with SACTO in secrecy to convince Nestlé to choose Sacramento over Roseville or Stockton. Since the project has been announced Johnson has been Nestlé's only public supporter. He glowingly informed us of Nestlé's arrival in the SACTO press release in July and solemnly apologized to them at the council meeting for being forced to temporarily obey the law."

He also is the connection to their sole benefactor in town, the Sacramento Metro Chamber of Commerce. Five days before the meeting, one of Johnson's top advisers, Michelle Smira, left city hall to work as a paid consultant for Nestlé. Smira is also the head of the chamber's powerful political action committee. As soon as she got on Nestlé's payroll the chamber sprang into action. Speaking Out Against Nestlé After Nestlé had got what it wanted in the back room, public comment on the plant was allowed. The mayor said there were 16 speakers on each side of the issue — although who knows what the accurate break down was, because a number of people speaking against Nestlé were called forward when it was the other side's turn to speak. Each side was given a total of 10 minutes to speak.

AFL-CIO NOW BLOG | Paid Leave Key to Slowing Spread of H1N1

AFL-CIO NOW BLOG Paid Leave Key to Slowing Spread of H1N1:

"The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) estimates that one worker sick with the H1N1 (swine flu) virus will infect one in 10 co-workers if he or she goes to work while infected with the virus. Even more frightening, another recent study predicted that 63 percent of Americans will be infected with the virus by the end of December.
Today, family advocates and heath care professionals told the House Education and Labor Committee that along with vaccinations, and good hygiene practices, the best way to protect workers and slow the spread of the H1N1 virus is through guaranteed paid sick leave legislation, such as the Healthy Families Act.
The CDC’s guidelines to employers and workers to slow the spread of the virus says workers who suspect they have the swine flu or another influenza-like illness should stay home and employers should allow workers to stay home “without fear of reprisals or…losing their jobs.”"

voiceofsandiego.org: Schooled... Bright and Early

voiceofsandiego.org: Schooled... Bright and Early:

Bright and Early

I spent last night tweeting the school board meeting and boy, is my beak tired. You can catch up on all the gritty details here. Now for your morning newsblitz:

We blog about another objection to the cuts that an internal team has scrounged up for San Diego Unified: Auditors say a recommendation to cut "non-financial auditors" is just plain impossible because they don't exist. They also argue that cutting the fraud hotline doesn't make sense because it has recovered more money than it costs. (Want an example? 10News reported on this employee who was rooted out by the anti-fraud team.)

We also blog about how the two Gompers charter schools are seeking to become one -- and how it could impact their status under No Child Left Behind.

The Write Stuff Literacy Campaign - National Day of Reading

The Write Stuff Literacy Campaign - National Day of Reading:

The Write Stuff Literacy Campaign

"Not just a literary reality show. We are a movement!"

"Saturday November 21, 2009 10:00 AM - 6:00 PM

Earlier this year, ABC News reported that over 30 million Americans ages 16 and up were unable to read or write well. This proves what many have said for some time: Illiteracy is an epidemic that is spreading daily, claiming victims of all ages, nationalities and backgrounds."

Shadow Play Entertainment, Conversations Book Club, The Write Stuff Literacy Campaign and their literary partners are excited to announce a historic event geared towards sharing the gift of reading and books across the United States under a show of united support in each state. On Saturday, November 21, 2009 between the hours of 10-6p.m., The Write Stuff founder and host Cyrus A. Webb is working with others in scheduling Reading Parties (see http://tinyurl.com/readingparties ;) throughout the country in all 50 states geared towards 1) speaking in one voice in support of encouraging reading, 2) supporting local authors and their books and 3) providing a positive outlet that is sometimes overlooked with all the chaos going on in the world around us.

Whether it is a booksigning, literary meet and greet with book lovers or a just sharing passages from your favorite boks, each Reading Party will be designed for that particular area by that particular area. Webb and his supporters will only act as a means to promote the event and help strategize where their is a need for assistance. During the time frame selected by each Reading Party, there will be booksignings, book discussions or whatever seems appropriate to that host. The events are part of the Art, Books & Beats movement (http://www.artbooksandbeats.com/ ) which combines the power of visual/literary art, books and music. Those participating will be listed online at http://www.thewritestufftv.com/ identified by their state along with what type of event they are hosting as well as the time of their event. All Reading Parties are free to the public.

Stop Homework » Moms (and Dads) on a Mission – San Anselmo, California

Stop Homework » Moms (and Dads) on a Mission – San Anselmo, California:

"Last year, I posted a piece by Torri Chap­pell, a teacher and mother from San Anselmo, Cal­i­for­nia, who wrote about some of the suc­cess she had had in advo­cat­ing for school reform.

Two weeks ago, the high school in her com­mu­nity hosted a show­ing of Race to Nowhere, a doc­u­men­tary film that I’ve writ­ten about before. (I’m an adviser and appear in the film.). Torri was both­ered by the dis­cus­sion fol­low­ing the screen­ing and sent the fol­low­ing let­ter to her local newspaper."

Parental Involvement Reaps Big Benefits | Edutopia

Parental Involvement Reaps Big Benefits Edutopia:

"Parent involvement isn't a luxury -- it's an integral component of student achievement and school reform. Decades of research studies on the effect of meaningful parent involvement programs in schools have found that"

when parents are involved, students achieve more, regardless of socioeconomic status, ethnic/racial background, or the parents' education level.

when parents are involved, students exhibit more positive attitudes and behavior.

to have long-lasting gains for students, parent involvement activities must be well planned, inclusive, and comprehensive.

children from diverse cultural backgrounds tend to do better when parents and professionals collaborate to bridge the gap between the culture at home and the learning institution.

schools that work well with families have better teacher morale and higher ratings of teachers by parents.

school programs that involve parents outperform identical programs without parent and family involvement.

effective programs are led by a team of administrators, educators, and parents and have access to financial resources.

when they are treated as partners and given relevant information by people with whom they are comfortable, parents put into practice the involvement strategies they already know are effective but have been hesitant to contribute.

collaboration with families is an essential component of a reform strategy, but it is not a substitute for high-quality education programs or comprehensive school improvement.

Research findings courtesy of the National PTA. Go to the National PTA's Web site for more information about parent involvement

Getting Parents Involved Is the Foundation of Student Success | Edutopia

Getting Parents Involved Is the Foundation of Student Success Edutopia:

"Most educators agree that parental involvement is a key ingredient in how well a student learns. A small school in the Silicon Valley town of Saratoga, California, has taken this truism and run with it. Christa McAuliffe Elementary School (named after the schoolteacher killed in the Challenger shuttle disaster) has a program that not only encourages parents to be active members in their children's education but also requires it.

Parents with kids at McAuliffe are expected to spend two roughly ninety-minute sessions (three if they have two children) every week in their children's classrooms. And they don't simply drop in. Rather, they are initially required to attend a seven-session STEP (Systemic Training for Effective Parenting) class, designed to help increase their usefulness when they do appear in class. That usefulness goes well beyond simply being teachers' adjuncts."

NY1 | 24 Hour Local News | Education | Budget Crunch Hits Sour Note At City Schools

NY1 24 Hour Local News Education Budget Crunch Hits Sour Note At City Schools:

"PS 229 Principal James Harrigan says he already knows which programs will be the first to go once the call is made.

'I have what you call the band orchestra. I have a strings violin program. I have a visual arts program. I have a writing program,' Harrigan said.

Harrigan says arts programs like those currently offered at his school will all go away if education cuts the mayor ordered on Monday trickle down to the city's education system. And that's not the only threat to many principals' bottom lines."

School Grades Reflect a Persistent Disparity - NYTimes.com

School Grades Reflect a Persistent Disparity - NYTimes.com:

"Over the last three years, high schools that received the lowest marks from the city have been the ones with the highest percentages of poor, black and Hispanic students, despite an evaluation system that was meant to equalize differences among student bodies, according to an analysis by The New York Times of school grades released this week.

Blacks and Hispanics make up on average 77 percent of the student population in the 139 schools that received A’s this past year, compared with more than 90 percent of the schools that received C’s or worse. While the vast majority of A schools have a high minority enrollment, 14 of the 15 largest high-performing schools in the city have drastically lower black and Hispanic enrollment."

DPS teachers close to securing new contract | freep.com | Detroit Free Press

DPS teachers close to securing new contract freep.com Detroit Free Press:

"This is not a typo: The Detroit Federation of Teachers is close to forging a new contract with the Detroit Public Schools that would include peer review and merit pay.

Getting either in place would be a major accomplishment in a district where both concepts have long been anathema. Getting both would be a sign that the district's teachers are truly embracing reform, and understand that it can't happen without them.So congrats are in order for the two leaders involved here: emergency financial manager Robert Bobb and DFT President Keith Johnson."

Just a few months ago, Bobb saw union trouble on the horizon. He needed major concessions from teachers to continue his fight to balance the district's books. And for long-needed educational progress, he needed the unions to accept some modifications to the current tenure provisions, which, in the harshest terms, protect bad teachers from consequence.

But Bobb didn't wage a big, public anti-union campaign. In fact, it's difficult to recall him ever disparaging the unions. Instead, he stayed at the bargaining table, extended the contract after he hit an expiration deadline, and worked to get what he needed.

Only three bids for Gardena, San Pedro in School Choice program - The Daily Breeze

Only three bids for Gardena, San Pedro in School Choice program - The Daily Breeze:

"Two local schools drew less interest from outside operators than almost all of the other campuses that Los Angeles Unified School District has put up for bid under its Public School Choice reform initiative.

Just three letters of intent to operate Gardena and San Pedro high schools were submitted by a Monday evening deadline for the program, under which groups from both outside and within the school district can apply for control of 12 low-performing and 18 new campuses.

Only one other school generated such little interest, while a majority of campuses drew six or more applicants, according to a list issued Tuesday by the school district.
A staff member for Richard Vladovic, the Board of Education member who represents Gardena and San Pedro, had a positive take on the lack of outside interest from charter school and nonprofit groups.

'One can argue that Gardena and San Pedro High School have done a good job of building community these past few weeks and outside operators see they have their act together,' said David Kooper, Vladovic's chief of staff."

Duncan Hosts Meeting with Rural School Superintendents As He Continues to Seek Input on Education Reform

Duncan Hosts Meeting with Rural School Superintendents As He Continues to Seek Input on Education Reform:

"U.S. Secretary of Education Arne Duncan met today with a group of rural school superintendents from nine states to listen and learn about their needs and to discuss ways the Education Department can be a partner in helping to find solutions to their educational challenges.

'Rural schools have unique challenges and benefits, and we value the input of rural school leaders as we work together to improve education for all children,' Duncan said. 'Nearly every state has rural schools, which frequently lack resources, have trouble attracting teachers, and serve students living in areas with high concentrations of poverty. At the same time, we know that all children can learn with the appropriate support. We must learn from and replicate the many examples of success in small rural schools.'"

Today's meeting is part of the Obama administration's ongoing effort to solicit input on how to strengthen rural America. Last summer the administration launched a rural tour in which several cabinet secretaries visited rural communities around the country to learn about their challenges and how the federal government can be a partner in finding solutions. Secretary Duncan visited Alaska and North Carolina on the White House rural tour and has visited rural schools in Arizona Montana, West Virginia and Wyoming on his Listening and Learning tour around the country as he engages in a national dialogue on education reform.

The nine superintendents who met with Duncan today at the Department of Education were: Mark Bielang of Paw Paw Public Schools (Mich.); Randy Mohundro of Deleon Independent School District (Texas); Lyn Guy of Monroe County Schools (W.Va.); Elizabeth Reust of Plainville Unified School District 270 (Kan.); Timothy Mitchell of Chamberlain School District (S.D.); Kevin Mitchell of Park County School District 1 (Wyo.); Deborah Jackson-Dennison of Window Rock Unified School District 8 (Ariz.); Randy Shaver of Tupelo Public School District (Miss.); and Beatriz Ramirez of Raisin City Public Schools (Calif.).

Also attending were three leaders from the American Association of School Administrators (AASA), which helped organize the meeting: Daniel Domenech, executive director; Brian Hunter, associate executive director; and Mary Kusler, assistant director of policy and advocacy.

The secretary's discussion with the superintendents focused on turnaround schools and school improvement efforts for rural communities. Participants were also briefed on the stimulus funding (the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act) by Deputy Secretary Tony Miller and about reauthorization of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act (ESEA) by Carmel Martin, the assistant secretary for policy and evaluation.

According to "Why Rural Matters 2009," a new report from the Rural School and Community Trust, approximately one in five students in the U.S., or more than 10.5 million children, attends rural schools. Rural communities serve different student populations with diverse needs. Recruiting and retaining teachers remains a huge challenge for small rural schools. The report also notes that graduation rates are below 60 percent in some rural states and even lower in high-poverty rural school districts. At the same time, some small rural schools have been quite successful in helping students overcome the challenges associated with poverty.

"Conversations with rural school leaders and rural education experts are critical to providing a balanced overall program, and important to informing the Department of Education's work with Congress on the reauthorization of ESEA," Duncan said. "We must account for and understand the differences between schools, and we have an unprecedented opportunity to support innovative programs that are demonstrating success in rural communities."

PhillyBurbs.com: Bill targets teacher strikes

PhillyBurbs.com: Bill targets teacher strikes:

"The proposed change would make Pennsylvania the 38th state to prohibit public school teacher strikes.

New legislation that would make school strikes unconstitutional under state law was introduced in Harrisburg on Tuesday.

State Rep. Daryl Metcalfe, R-Butler, along with other state House members, unveiled the STRIKE-FREE Education Amendment House Bill 2092. It would modify Article 3 Section 14 of the state Constitution.

The law currently states: 'The General Assembly shall provide for the maintenance and support of a thorough and efficient system of public education to serve the needs of the Commonwealth.'"

PETER E. WEBER: What kind of governance reform does state need? - Opinions in The Bee - Fresnobee.com

PETER E. WEBER: What kind of governance reform does state need? - Opinions in The Bee - Fresnobee.com:

"California voters are understandably angry about the way our state is being governed. The respected non-partisan PEW Center for the states evaluates and ranks state government performance. Only two states rank lower than California, and California ranks dead last on fiscal performance. Voter dissatisfaction is leading to a plethora of reform initiatives that voters will have to wade through on next year's ballots.

Here are some questions voters should ask themselves about these reform initiatives:

Will they control the Legislature's propensity for runaway spending?

Will they cause budget priorities to reflect the views of voters rather than those of the special interests that currently control the budget?"

STEM education for girls grows beyond school boundaries - Mass High Tech Business News

STEM education for girls grows beyond school boundaries - Mass High Tech Business News:

"Seventy five percent of Nobel laureates in science first encountered the lure and power of discovery outside of school hours. But what about all the latent scientists and engineers who may not have ready access to the outdoors, to books, equipment and materials at home or at school, or who may not have parents or adults to provide encouragement and stoke their imagination about possible careers?

We applaud the creation of the Governor’s STEM Council to increase the interest and proficiency of Massachusetts’ students in Science, Technology, Engineering and Math. To ensure that the Commonwealth remains an engine of innovation and discovery, the council must adopt what the National Research Council calls an expansive view of “systematic educational reform.” This means recognizing the contributions and synergies of school and out-of-school experiences, including the family and community."

A facade of reform - JSOnline

A facade of reform - JSOnline:

"A shortage of committees is not what ails Milwaukee Public Schools. And forming a new one - even with Milwaukee's mayor as a partner - does not have a chance of launching the kind of change the district needs to better educate its children.

To counter another proposal that gives the mayor control of the district, other area legislators propose a plan in which the School Board essentially continues to run the district, giving the mayor only limited authority. This offers only the façade of reform.

Let's be clear: The School Board is part of the problem at MPS. The district's history of underachievement to the detriment of Milwaukee's children stands as ample testimony to the board's distinct lack of efficacy. Continuing this is not a viable option."