Schools Matter: Update: KIPP Fresno Principal in Brooklyn

Schools Matter: Update: KIPP Fresno Principal in Brooklyn

Update: KIPP Fresno Principal in Brooklyn

by Kenneth Libby

From the NY Post:

School big 'bullies' kids
By LACHLAN CARTWRIGHT and YOAV GONEN
Last Updated: 11:25 AM, November 1, 2010
Posted: 1:29 AM, November 1, 2010

A Brooklyn charter school administrator who gave up his old gig in California amid charges that he had been physically and emotionally abusive to students is at it again, fed-up parents told The Post.

Just over a year into Chi Tschang's role as assistant superintendent of middle schools for the Achievement First charter school network in Brooklyn, a student’s mother said he aggressively grabbed an 11-year-old boy he was kicking out of class last month.

READ THE CALIFORNIA REPORT

"[Tschang’s] not supposed to do that," said the AF Crown Heights mom, who asked to be identified only as Lorna. "He’s supposed to speak with his mouth, not grab him."

Teach Mom to Read and the Kids Will Follow | Poverty in America | Change.org

Teach Mom to Read and the Kids Will Follow | Poverty in America | Change.org

Teach Mom to Read and the Kids Will Follow

by Charlotte Hill

Watch out, mothers — you may start receiving homework assignments from your kids' schoolteachers. A new study by the National Institutes of Health (NIH) finds that when children are young, the "most critical factor" to their academic success is not income level, ethnicity, or even school demographics. It's their mothers' reading level.

As kids grow older and start spending more time outside the home, other factors take precedence; "neighborhood income," for example, "was the most important factor for children ages 8 to 17." But for kids under 8, the fact remains: mom's book smarts are crucial to performing well in kindergarten and beyond.

"The findings indicate that programs to improve maternal literacy skills may provide an effective means to overcome the disparity in academic achievement between children in poor and affluent neighborhoods," explainedDr. Rebecca Clark, chief of the Demographic and Behavioral Sciences Branch at the Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development (NICHD).

Knowing the Score � EdVox

Knowing the Score � EdVox

Knowing the Score

by edvoxny

Starting this week, public elementary schools across the city will be hosting fall parent-teacher conferences. Given the test score recalibration of this past summer there are a few things that families should keep in their minds when attending these events:

1. Have you received printed copies of your child’s 2010 state test scores in both English Language Arts (ELA) and Math? If not, CONTACT YOUR SCHOOL NOW and ask to receive them before next week’s conference so you can review them first. Your school does have the scores and must give you a copy even if you’ve viewed them online via ARIS Parent Link.
2. Do you fully understand what these scores mean for your child? If not, ask the teacher to explain them to you. Children who scored a Level 1 or Level 2 are entitled to receive academic intervention services (AIS). You must be notified in writing by the school of your child’s need for AIS and of their plan to provide them. Further, while your child is receiving AIS, the teacher must provide you with

Newark Mayor Cory Booker kicks off first phase of $100M school reform | NJ.com

Newark Mayor Cory Booker kicks off first phase of $100M school reform | NJ.com

Newark Mayor Cory Booker kicks off first phase of $100M school reform

Published: Monday, November 01, 2010, 12:49 PM Updated: Monday, November 01, 2010, 12:50 PM

Jeanette Rundquist/The Star-Ledger
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Aristide Economopoulos/The Star-LedgerNewark Mayor Cory Booker speaks with Gov. Christie and Facebook founder Mark Zuckerberg during the official announcement of a $100 million grant for Newark schools.

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NEWARK — Newark Mayor Cory Booker, School Superintendent Clifford Janey and a host of other Newark leaders this morning kicked off a city-wide community engagement effort designed to start turning around the city's schools, the first step in a $100 million makeover of the troubled school system. Funded by a $100 million gift from Facebook founder Mark Zuckerberg, which is to be matched through donations — Booker said pledges are up to $43 million and counting — the school reform initiative is aimed at turning around a school system that now has a dropout rate near 50 percent.

The first step will be an orchestrated campaign aimed at engaging the community, and reaching out to Newark parents and others to find out what is

Shanker Blog � Michelle Rhee's Testing Legacy: An Open Question

Shanker Blog � Michelle Rhee's Testing Legacy: An Open Question

MICHELLE RHEE’S TESTING LEGACY: AN OPEN QUESTION

by Matthew Di Carlo

Michelle Rhee’s resignation and departure have, predictably, provoked a flurry of conflicting reactions. Yet virtually all of them, from opponents and supporters alike, seem to assume that her tenure at the helm of the D.C. Public Schools (DCPS) helped to boost student test scores dramatically. She and D.C. Mayor Adrian Fenty made similar claims themselves in the Wall Street Journal (WSJ) just last week.

Hardly anybody, regardless of their opinion about Michelle Rhee, thinks that test scores alone are an adequate indicator of student success. But, in no small part because of her own emphasis on them, that is how this debate has unfolded. Her aim was to raise scores and, with few exceptions (also here and here), even those who objected to her “abrasive” style and controversial policies seem to believe that she succeeded wildly in the testing area.

This conclusion is premature. A review of the record shows that Michelle Rhee’s test score “legacy” is an open question.

There are three main points to consider:

• First, (by Rhee’s own admission) two simple policy changes enacted in 2007 were made, in part, to

What's On The Menu For School Lunch Reform? Lame Duck | Education | Change.org

What's On The Menu For School Lunch Reform? Lame Duck | Education | Change.org

What's On The Menu For School Lunch Reform? Lame Duck

by Carol Scott

When it comes to improving school lunch, it's up to the ducks -- the lame ducks, that is. Will they be too chicken to do the right thing?

As lefties across the country brace for a thrashing this Election Day, those of us who care about schools and school lunch are looking ahead to the coming month, where a lame duck Congress will be deciding what's on the menu for school lunch.

Lame ducks - Congressmen and women who will be leaving office in January due to resignation or being voted out of office - are slated to vote on the Child Nutrition Act, a proposed piece of legislation that would create stricter guidelines about what can be served at school, make meals healthier and most importantly, allow more children to qualify for free and reduced-price lunches.

Sounds good, right? There hasn't been an expansion of the free- and reduced-price lunch program since th

Do Private Schools Breed Less Tolerant Kids? - District 299: Chicago Public Schools Blog

Do Private Schools Breed Less Tolerant Kids? - District 299: Chicago Public Schools Blog

Do Private Schools Breed Less Tolerant Kids?

by Alexander Russo

I went to private schools all the way through but always wished I'd done at least a stint at a public school (my parents tried Alcott with my older sister but that didn't work out very well). Even as a kid I thought that it would make me a better more well rounded person (as well as subject to a more diverse student life). So it was interesting for me to see an opinion piece in the New York Times over the weekend about how private school kids might be more predisposed to discrimination (intolerance) and dishonesty than public school kids. An

AM News: All Hail Frazier Elementary

by Alexander Russo

After sit-in, no site yet for Whittier School library Tribune: Whittier parents said they were ready to evaluate several options for where to place a library in the school, after meeting with Chicago Public Schools officials Friday. In the meantime, they will continue to pursue their own proposal: installing a library in the field house where they staged a monthlong sit-in. .. High poverty, high scores WBEZ : It's 9 AM on Chicago's West Side, and in the cafeteria at Frazier International Magnet School, 200 African-American kids--girls in plaid skirts, boys in sweater vests-- recite a creed. CREED: I will seek to do my best, when completing my classwork and homework assignments. I will also read additional books in an effort to become a lifelong learner....

The Answer Sheet - Teacher apologizes for achievement gap: 'My fault'

The Answer Sheet - Teacher apologizes for achievement gap: 'My fault'

Teacher apologizes for achievement gap: 'My fault'

Mr. Teachbad's Blog of Teacher Disgruntlement has some very funny posts, including this one, a piece of fake education news. [Some of the language on the blog is raw; because the Post has different standards on this sort of thing, I've taken out some of the more colorful words and replaced them with synonyms in brackets.] As I said last week, sometimes you have to laugh through the pain. INDIANAPOLIS--Trent Jakob, eighth grade Earth sciences teacher, was surrounded by family and friends as he tearfully spoke to reporters this morning in front of the Andrew J. Brown Academy Middle School in Indianapolis, IN. After years of denial and excuses, Mr. Jakob finally admitted that the achievement gap was the work of none other but himself. A transcript of his remarks follows: I stand before you today, a broken man with a heavy heart. It is so heavy because it is

Remarks by the President and the Vice President | The White House

Remarks by the President and the Vice President at DNC "Moving America Forward" Rally in Cleveland, Ohio | The White House

Remarks by the President and the Vice President at DNC "Moving America Forward" Rally in Cleveland, OhioRelease Time: For Immediate Release Location: Wolstein Center, Cleveland State University, Cleveland, Ohio 2:15 P.M. EDT THE VICE PRESIDENT: Hello, Cleveland! (Applause.) Hello, folks. How you doing, ladies? It’s great to see you ...

Statement by the President on the Passing of Ted Sorensen Release Time: For Immediate Release “I was so saddened to learn that Ted Sorensen passed away. I got to know Ted after he endorsed my campaign early on. He was just as I hoped he’d be – just as quick-witted, just as serious of purpose, just as ...

Readout of John Brennan's Call with United Arab Emirates Crown Prince Mohammed bin Zayid Release Time: For Immediate Release On behalf of President Obama, John Brennan called United Arab Emirates Crown Prince Mohammed bin Zayid this afternoon to express strong appreciation for the outstanding work of UAE authorities in disrupting a ...

Remarks by the President at DNC "Moving America Forward" Rally in Chicago, Illinois Release Time: For Immediate Release Location: Midway Plaisance Park, Chicago, Illinois 7:13 P.M. CDT THE PRESIDENT: Hello, Chicago! (Applause.) It’s good to be home. (Applause.) It is good to be home. You all organized some good weather ...

Statement by the Vice President on New Recovery Act Recipient Reports Release Time: For Immediate Release Tonight, the Recovery Accountability and Transparency Board posted on Recovery.gov quarterly reports required from some recipients of Recovery Act funding. The recipient reports provide more detailed ...

Remarks by the President at DNC Moving America Forward Rally in Bridgeport, Connecticut Release Time: For Immediate Release Location: Arena at Harbor Yard, Bridgeport, Connecticut 3:19 P.M. EDT THE PRESIDENT: Hello, Bridgeport! (Applause.) Hello, Bridgeport! (Applause.) Thank you. Thank you. Thank you so much. Thank you. ...

Remarks by the President at DNC Moving America Forward Rally in Bridgeport, Connecticut Release Time: For Immediate Release Location: Arena at Harbor Yard, Bridgeport, Connecticut 3:19 P.M. EDT THE PRESIDENT: Hello, Bridgeport! (Applause.) Hello, Bridgeport! (Applause.) Thank you. Thank you. Thank you so much. Thank you. ...

Readout of the President's Call with Saudi King Abdullah Release Time: For Immediate Release The President spoke to Saudi King Abdullah this morning to discuss the terrorist plot that was disrupted yesterday at East Midlands Airport and in Dubai. The President expressed his strong appreciation for the ...

Remarks by the President at a DNC Event in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania Release Time: For Immediate Release Location: Temple University, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 11:38 A.M. EDT THE PRESIDENT: Hello! Hello, Philly! Hello, Philadelphia! (Applause.) Oh, this is a good-looking crowd here. (Applause.) Are you ...

Readout of John Brennan's Call with President Saleh of Yemen Release Time: For Immediate Release John Brennan spoke to President Ali Abdallah Saleh of Yemen this morning and emphasized that the United States stands ready to assist the Yemeni Government and the Yemeni people in their fight against al-Qa’ida ...

Readout of the President's Call with British Prime Minister David Cameron Release Time: For Immediate Release The President spoke to British Prime Minister David Cameron this morning to discuss the terrorist plot that was disrupted yesterday at East Midlands Airport and in Dubai as a result of the close cooperation ...

Remarks by the President at a rally for Congressman Perriello Release Time: For Immediate Release Location: The Charlottesville Pavilion, Charlottesville, Virginia 7:50 P.M. EDT THE PRESIDENT: Hello, Cavaliers! Thank you! Are you fired up? (Applause.) Oh, it is good to be back in Charlottesville. ...

SPARK Summit Inspired My Students to Launch a Movement � Feminist Teacher

SPARK Summit Inspired My Students to Launch a Movement � Feminist Teacher

SPARK Summit Inspired My Students to Launch a Movement

by feministteacher

The recent SPARK Summit held at Hunter College inspired my students to launch a movement against the sexualization of girls and women in the media. After watching a video made by the Women’s Media Center on the horrific ways in which girls and women are objectified by the media, students wanted to learn more about how they could be a part of the conversation too.

To prepare my students for the summit, I designed a series of workshops for them to participate in on issues such as media literacy, sexual assault, street harassment, and feminist blogging. Guest visitors from around the country came to my class to share their expertise, culminating in students creating their own feminist blog to be

4LAKids - some of the news that doesn't fit: FAILING GRADE FOR PROJECT LABOR AGREEMENT SCHOOL JOB? Nonunion builders report many union violations.

4LAKids - some of the news that doesn't fit: FAILING GRADE FOR PROJECT LABOR AGREEMENT SCHOOL JOB? Nonunion builders report many union violations.

FAILING GRADE FOR PROJECT LABOR AGREEMENT SCHOOL JOB? Nonunion builders report many union violations.

BY HOWARD FINE – LOS ANGELES BUSINESS JOURNAL | HTTP://BIT.LY/C609QE

Photo by Ringo Chiu - Chris Chase at LAUSD project.

LABJ Editor's Note: This ninth [ONLINE] graph [DRAFT?] of this story has been changed from the print version to correction [sic] a mischaracterization in the nature of the benefit funds in project labor agreements.

Monday, November 1, 2010 -- Nonunion contractors who oppose union-friendly agreements on public works projects have a fresh argument to strengthen their campaign to ban such agreements.

An audit commissioned by the nonunion contractors alleges violations by 55 contractors working on a $150 million Los Angeles Unified School District high school under construction in San Fernando. The alleged violations include failure to pay prevailing wages and inadequate supervision. Four of the contractors had expired or suspended licenses.

A construction union spokesman rejected the findings of the audit. Richard Slawson, executive secretary

Write-In Incumbent Changes Dynamics of SD School Board Election - San Diego 6

Write-In Incumbent Changes Dynamics of SD School Board Election - San Diego 6

Write-In Incumbent Changes Dynamics of SD School Board Election

Last Update: 6:49 am

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Katherine Nakamura (SDUSD) Related Links More election coverage and helpful voting links. SAN DIEGO - It is not just math teacher Kevin Beiser facing businessman Steve Rosen in one of two races for the San Diego Unified School District Board of Education -- incumbent Katherine Nakamura is back into the mix, too. In one of the more interesting twists of the election season, a judge ruled that Nakamura is eligible to try to reclaim her seat as a write-in candidate after coming in third in the June primary. The winner of this race, and another between five-term incumbent John De Beck and Scott Barnett, will take seats on a board grappling with a fifth straight year of spending reductions. The budget shortfall in the 2011-12 fiscal year, for which planning already is underway, is estimated to be $141 million. School officials hope to shrink the gap with a $50 million infusion of cash from Proposition J, which if passed would impose a parcel tax on all property within the boundaries of the district. Nakamura said after her primary bid fell short that a lot of parents told

This Week In Education: DUNCAN: Secretary Waves "Bye Bye" To Rhee

This Week In Education: DUNCAN: Secretary Waves "Bye Bye" To Rhee

DUNCAN: Secretary Waves "Bye Bye" To Rhee

by Alexander Russo

He'll say 'bye to Rhee (she actually had her last day on Friday I think) and then head to the UK.

I still wonder if she holds a grudge against Duncan et al for not supporting her more strongly during the last weeks before the primary.

Nothing about it in Rhee and Fenty's oped

Schools Matter: DC Parents and Teachers: Today Is the Last Day (of Rhee) for the Rest of Your Life

Schools Matter: DC Parents and Teachers: Today Is the Last Day (of Rhee) for the Rest of Your Life

DC Parents and Teachers: Today Is the Last Day (of Rhee) for the Rest of Your Life

by Jim Horn

The poster girl for militant corporatism in education is clocking out for the last time this afternoon at DC Schools. It signifies the playing out of the most healthy repudiation of bare-knuckled, anti-public management by those whose confidence and cluelessness are equally matched and whose patronizing and condescending attitudes toward parents and teachers have finally been justly rewarded by the public.

A clip from Bill Turque, whose negative assessment of the Rhee Reign comes near the end of his piece in WaPo:

. . . . But there is a fragility to the changes Rhee has wrought. Elementary reading and math scores dipped in 2010 after two years of gains. Testing data also show that efforts to narrow the achievement gap separating white and African American students stalled this year. Many schools remain deeply troubled; 12 percent of sophomores at Spingarn High School in Northeast

NYC Public School Parents: NYC Kids PAC endorses Tom DiNapoli for State Comptroller

NYC Public School Parents: NYC Kids PAC endorses Tom DiNapoli for State Comptroller

NYC Kids PAC endorses Tom DiNapoli for State Comptroller

by Shino

NYC Kids PAC endorses Thomas Di Napoli for State Comptroller

For Immediate Release: October 31, 2010


Contact: Shino Tanikawa: (917) 770-8438

Mona Davids: (917) 340-8987

Patrick J. Sullivan: (631) 804-7217


Today, NYC Kids PAC endorsed Thomas Di Napoli for re-election as State Comptroller. NYC Kids PAC was formed by public school parents in 2009 to support candidates who work to improve our schools in ways that matter to parents and their kids, including reducing class size, alleviating overcrowding, and ensuring more fiscal transparency and accountability.

As Shino Tanikawa of the Parent Commission on School Governance and NYC Kids PAC says, “Since he became Comptroller in 2007, Thomas Di Napoli has provided an invaluable public service by providing rigorous fiscal oversight of the use of public funds by charter school operators and the New York City Department of Education. Too often, those running our public schools have spent taxpayer funds in any manner they liked, leading to waste, fraud and abuse. Tom Di Napoli has consistently worked to ensure fiscal accountability and

This Week In Education: AM News: Duncan Schools Brits

This Week In Education: AM News: Duncan Schools Brits

AM News: Duncan Schools Brits

by Alexander Russo

Lame-Duck Congress to Face Education Issues EdWeeK: Each chamber's current version of the spending bill would extend for another year the Obama administration's signature education initiative—the $4.35 ... Tenn. students complain about no ketchup, mustard AP: Students at Memphis City Schools are complaining there's no ketchup. No mustard, either. Calvin Jones, the interim head of food services, said the schools have plenty of bulk condiments, but not enough cafeteria workers to squirt them into little plastic cups... Boston schools at a crossroads Boston Globe (column): The best charter schools in the city, which operate independently of Boston’s central office and teachers union, will turn the world upsidedown to ensure that their kids outperform the suburbs on statewide tests.. America's lesson for British classrooms Telegraph (UK) Using language that could have come from his predecessor George W Bush, Mr Obama has consistently cited education as the country's greatest long-term ... Teens still reading A detailed analysis into the trend on reading for fun - in books, newspapers and magazines - comes from researcher Sandra Hofferth, of University of Maryland, who analyzed the detailed daily time-use diaries of a nationally representative sample of children 12 to 18... D.C. teachers hit dead end in court challenge to layoffs Washington Post: The Washington Teachers' Union's legal challenge to the layoff of 266 educators in October 2009 effectively ended Friday, when a union attorney told a D.C. Superior Court judge that it could find no evidence that Schools Chancellor Michelle A. Rhee contrived a budget crunch to justify the job cuts.