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Saturday, April 9, 2011

Big Education Ape: 4-9-11 US Not Shut Down....Today Edition

Big Education Ape: Ed News Now

Big Education Ape: Ed News Now

nytimes.com - Dennis M. Walcott started his first full day as the city’s chancellor-appointee walking his grandson into Public School 36 in St. Albans, Queens. Less than two hours later, he was greeted with hugs...

DianeRavitch
nydailynews.com - Opinions – Guest Contributor What is most surprising about the departure of Schools Chancellor Cathie Black is not that she is leaving - no one should be shocked that someone so ill-suited and ill-...

leoniehaimson
washingtonpost.com - The most chilling episode in Richard Whitmire’s biography of Michelle Rhee occurs near the end, when Rhee says to a PBS camera crew, “I’m going to fire somebody in a little while. Do you want to se...

DianeRavitch
prospectheights.patch.com - Don’t get me wrong; I’m sure if I got to know former Chancellor Cathleen Black I would like her – as a person … or not. It never really mattered. What mattered was what she brought to the table ...

coopmike48
nytimes.com - Dennis M. Walcott started his first full day as the city’s chancellor-appointee walking his grandson into Public School 36 in St. Albans, Queens. Less than two hours later, he was greeted with hugs...

leoniehaimson

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coopmike48 State ranks hundreds of local schools as seismically questionable - Bakersfield.com - http://goo.gl/SkW9g2 minutes ago · reply · retweet · favorite

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coopmike48 New Jersey governor says urban schools lack hope | Reuters -http://goo.gl/zb87Oabout 1 minute ago · reply · retweet · favorite

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tbfurman David Warlick: "Kids are growing up in an environment that empowers accomplishment." #D219techhttp://yfrog.com/h04fbizj38 seconds ago · reply · retweet · favorite

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coopmike48 Teachers' Union Criticizes Hearing Schedule | Today's TMJ4 - Milwaukee, Wisconsin News, Weather, Sports, WTMJ - http://goo.gl/KPve43 minutes ago · reply · retweet · favorite

bigeducationape.blogspot.com - Big Education Ape: Ed News NowBig Education Ape: Ed News Now as shared by 6 people on Coopmike48’s Twitter listNext update in about 11 hoursSee all articlesHEADLINESEDUCATIONPOLITICSLIVINGART & ENT...

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bigeducationape.blogspot.com - Jersey Jazzman: Christie's Lying Education Statistics - Part IIChristie's Lying Education Statistics - Part III'm going to be at this a while, but it needs to be done. Here's the next deceptive use...

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bigeducationape.blogspot.com - School Cuts On The Way, Parents & Council say No Way! « EdVoxSchool Cuts On The Way, Parents & Council say No Way!by edvoxnyby Carlton CurryParents, City Council members as well as teacher, adminis...

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nytimes.com - Deputy Mayor Dennis M. Walcott tried to reassure parents yesterday that they would have more of a voice in how public schools are run under mayoral control than they did under the old decentralized...

leoniehaimson
wwltv.com - Click here for a free download of the latest Adobe Flash Player. wwltv.com Posted on April 8, 2011 at 7:29 AM On Wednesday, state education superintendent Paul Pastorek named his choice to replace ...

leoniehaimson
nola.com - The Louisiana Board of Elementary and Secondary Education voted today to allow state Superintendent Paul Pastorek to appoint the next head of the Recovery School District.Pastorek said this week hi...

leoniehaimson
dnainfo.com - By Jill ColvinDNAinfo Reporter/ProducerMANHATTAN — It's no secret that Mayor Michael Bloomberg's third term has been a challenge.From the botched snowstorm cleanup effort to the CityTime scandal, t...

leoniehaimson
immeltmustgo.com - General Electric, America's largest corporation, made $14,200,000,000 in profits in 2010 and paid $0 in taxes -- that's right, zero dollars in taxes. At the same time, C.E.O. Jeffrey Immelt saw his...

mikeklonsky
nationaljournal.com - Harry Reid might have thought he was striking mainstream American gold when he argued against proposed Republican budget cuts by saying that funding for the National Endowment of the Humanities tri...

mikeklonsky
nymag.com - Photo: Michael Nagle/Getty Images Having shopped for shoes, had a good night's sleep, and breakfasted at a diner near her place on Park Avenue, Cathie Black phoned Fortune's Patricia Sellers to cha...

mikeklonsky
ricks.foreignpolicy.com - As John McCreary's NightWatch concludes that, "The rebellion is approaching collapse," here is an exchange from yesterday's (Thursday) hearing of the Senate Armed Services Committee. I was surprise...

mikeklonsky
blog.nj.com - He can’t help himself, our governor. In less than a year and a half, he’s demonized more people than the Salem witch trials — if they had been run by Judge Judy: Democrats. Teachers. Superintendent...

mikeklonsky
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sacbee.com - Recruiting has begun in Sacramento for JusticeCorps, an AmeriCorps program that trains area university students to provide legal information and assistance to self-represented litigants.The Califor...

coopmike48
mediaite.com - Don’t feel bad for Cathie Black. The former Hearst executive may have been named to the position of New York City’s schools chancellor amid plaintive wails of “Huh?” from a mostly confused public, ...

coopmike48
millermps.wordpress.com - Milwaukee Joint Finance Committee Budget Public Hearing Monday, April 11th 10:00am-6:00pm Wisconsin State Fair Park Expo Center 8200 W. Greenfield Ave., West Allis *Come early if you want to testif...

coopmike48
elections.state.il.us - Stand for Children IL PACD-2 Semiannual Report9/2/2010 to 12/31/2010 Print Report RECEIPTS 1. Individual Contributions: a. Itemized $3,486,000.00 b. Not-Itemized $0.00 2. Transfers In: a. Itemized ...

mikeklonsky
suntimes.com - State audit slams College Illinois overseers BY KARA SPAK AND DAVE MCKINNEY Staff Reporters Apr 8, 2011 10:06AM Representative Jim Durkin An audit released Thursday of the College Illinois prepaid ...

coopmike48
bloomberg.com - The California State Teachers’ Retirement System would need to realize investment returns of more than 10 percent a year for the next 30 years to meet its obligations to retirees, a number actuarie...

coopmike48
bats.blogs.nytimes.com - April 8, 2011, 4:39 pmBy MICHAEL S. SCHMIDTManny Ramirez retired from baseball Friday instead of facing a 100-game suspension for testing positive for a performance-enhancing drug, according to two...

mikeklonsky
stltoday.com - SPRINGFIELD, Ill. -- Former Illinois Gov. Jim Edgar, a Republican, commended lawmakers today for making the "tough" decision to hike the state's tax rate -- a measure supported by none of his fello...

tbfurman

Jersey Jazzman: Christie's Lying Education Statistics - Part III

Jersey Jazzman: Christie's Lying Education Statistics - Part III

Christie's Lying Education Statistics - Part III

Let's continue looking at Chris Christie's misleading use of statistics to justify his corporate education reform plan:


Statewide Per Pupil Spending Is The Highest In The Nation At $17,620.
According to the National Center for Education Statistics, New Jersey spent an average of $17,620 per pupil for 2008-2009, the latest available data.
Sigh. Look, anybody with half a brain knows you MUST correct for regional differences in the cost-of-living.

But that's only one of the reasons ranking state spending is difficult:
Every year, through many different sources, state politicians and political activists make great waves over which state spends more on public education, and which spends less. Who’s in first place? Who’s in last? Those from differing perspectives have different motives.

Superintendent knows the teachers are up to something | theteachingwhore

Superintendent knows the teachers are up to something | theteachingwhore

Superintendent knows the teachers are up to something

Delozier WY (TWP)

Superintendent Sam Rutherford knows the teachers at his district are “up to something,” but he’s not sure what yet. According to tapes from an informal meeting of the superintendent and school board at Delozier Schools, Wyoming, that were leaked to TWP, Rutherford has put the principals in the district on alert that “shenanigans may be in the air.”

“If we relax the vigilance one iota, we could be goners,” Rutherford said to mumbled agreement. A school board member’s voice could then be heard on the scratchy tape, and though the words were unintelligible, the note of warning in the tone was apparent.

TWP has also learned that the superintendent has extended the blockade of bullshit that he authorized to fortify the Education Services Building at the beginning of the year, when he authorized without input from anyone an extended school day, decreased planning time, and scanning devices that record the number of times a teacher retreated to the faculty lounge in the course of a day.

After receiving her first Lounge Activity Scan Inventory (LASI), Dot True, high school reading teacher, told TWP,

Teacher convention, Day 2: Delegates push back | The Education Report

Teacher convention, Day 2: Delegates push back | The Education Report

Teacher convention, Day 2: Delegates push back

By Katy Murphy
Friday, April 8th, 2011 at 8:08 pm in initiatives, students, teachers.

Teachers meet after Friday's session to make last-minute changes, based on feedback.

The first-ever Oakland Teacher Convention took an interesting turn this afternoon (or maybe, before then) when some of the 200 delegates expressed frustration and disappointment with today’s sessions, drawing hearty applause.

The discontent was strong enough to cause the event organizers on the Effective Teaching Task Force to change the plan for Saturday. (That’s what they’re doing in the above photo.)

From what I heard, there was a lot of talking to teachers — rather than with teachers — about the district’s various task forces, during morning sessions designed to provide context. In the afternoon, teachers were asked to review the California Standards for the Teaching Profession (Side note: Some of this was

First Chapter of My Book, Hand-Outs & Links Are Now Online For Free | Larry Ferlazzo's Websites of the Day...

First Chapter of My Book, Hand-Outs & Links Are Now Online For Free | Larry Ferlazzo's Websites of the Day...

KOCH OUT AM News | www.kochwatch.org

News | www.kochwatch.org

Anna’s Video Pick: Planned Parenthood Up Close & Personal

Anna’s Video Pick: Planned Parenthood Up Close & Personal


Anna’s Video Pick: Planned Parenthood Up Close & Personal

by ANNA DANIELS on APRIL 8, 2011
As I write this, the US Congress has still not agreed on a budget to keep our government from shutting down. The sticking point between paying our soldiers and keeping federal offices functioning is a rider which the Republicans introduced to eliminate funding to Planned Parenthood—or as they pitch it, to eliminate funding for abortions.
I am trying to stop screaming and banging my head against the wall. Even the progressive alternative media has presented the issue completely in terms of the utterly fact-less Republican narrative. This is not about abortion!
Sen. John Kyl walked back his incendiary and erroneous attack upon Planned Parenthood funding in which he stated that well over 90% of what Planned Parenthood does goes to abortion. Here’s his “clarification” — “his remark was not intended to be a factual statement, but rather to illustrate that Planned Parenthood, a organization that receives millions of dollars in taxpayer funding, does subsidize abortion.”
And it is correct- Planned Parenthood provides abortions in addition to all their other women’s health services. And no, absolutely no federal funding goes to the provision of those abortions.
So keep in mind- when the Republicans speak, their remarks are not intended to be a factual statement. We got this information from John Kyl (R-AZ) himself.
Full disclosure- When I arrived in San Diego 33 years ago, I worked a couple of years for a temp agency and had no health insurance. Planned Parenthood essentially became my primary health provider that included affordable pap smears, mammograms and birth control and pretty much everything else.

4LAKids - some of the news that doesn't fit: GOT DOUGH? GATES, BROAD, WALTON & CO.: HOW BILLIONAIRES RULE OUR SCHOOLS

4LAKids - some of the news that doesn't fit: GOT DOUGH? GATES, BROAD, WALTON & CO.: HOW BILLIONAIRES RULE OUR SCHOOLS

Modern School: Intelligent Design is For ‘Fraidy Cats

Modern School: Intelligent Design is For ‘Fraidy Cats

Intelligent Design is For ‘Fraidy Cats


Scaredy Cats (Image by Paparutzi)
Some scientists just love to look for a biological explanation for everything. A recent blog posting Death, Science And Intelligent Design, by Jonathan Parkinson, looks at why people are so wedded to Intelligent Design (ID), despite the overwhelming lack of evidence.

Parkinson writes about a recent study in PLoSOne that argues that ID's popularity in some

Today In Labor History: April 9


Sacco & Vanzetti
April 9, 1834—Silk workers insurrection began in Lyon, France, launching what would become known as the Sanglante Semaine, or bloody week. (From the Daily Bleed)

April 9, 1894—A hunger revolt occurred in Lyon, France. (From the Daily Bleed)

April 9, 1927—The death sentences for Sacco and Vanzetti were uphold. (From theDaily Bleed)

April 9, 1970 - Public school teachers went on strike in Minneapolis, despite a court order banning the walk out. (This was unlike today, where any threat of legal action gets the union bosses besmearing themselves). The Teachers were fighting for raises and the right to collectively bargain. The strike ended in a settlement that gave amnesty for the strikers (they had violated the law). (From Workday Minnesota)

Chicago Charter Schools Unionizing « Larry Miller's Blog

Chicago Charter Schools Unionizing « Larry Miller's Blog

Chicago Charter Schools Unionizing

Unions Move In at Chicago Charter Schools, and Resistance Is Swift

By REBECCA VEVEA Published: April 7, 2011 NY Times

In a trend that worries charter school operators, teachers at 12 of Chicago’s charters have formed unions over the past two years, and the Chicago Teachers Union is seeking to organize all 85 of the schools.

Union leaders say the growing charter movement is changing the landscape of public education and, with its disdain for unions, could leave teachers without a strong voice on issues like working conditions, teacher evaluations and curriculum.

Administrators and operators are battling back, arguing that unionization could undermine the basic premise of

Queens Teacher: More of the Same

Queens Teacher: More of the Same

More of the Same

On Incoming Chancellor’s First Day, a Hot Seat Before the City Council
By FERNANDA SANTOS

Dennis M. Walcott started his first full day as the city’s chancellor-appointee walking his grandson into Public School 36 in St. Albans, Queens. Less than two hours later, he was greeted with hugs and congratulations when he appeared at a City Council budget hearing.

By the time the questioning began, though, it was clear that the honeymoon would not last.

“You should be congratulated,” Councilwoman Letitia James said. “But today the reality sets in.”

Mr. Walcott, the deputy mayor appointed Thursday to replace Cathleen P. Black, was forced to defend proposed

Schools Matter: 21st century boondoggle?

Schools Matter: 21st century boondoggle?

21st century boondoggle?

High Tech Testing on the Way: a 21st Century Boondoggle?

Stephen Krashen and Susan Ohanian

http://blogs.edweek.org/teachers/living-in-dialogue/2011/04/high_tech_testing_on_the_way_a.html

When the plans to create Common Core Standards were announced, Secretary Duncan told us that it would be accompanied by assessments to enforce the standards. We were also told that developing standards would be relatively inexpensive, but developing assessments, by contrast, will be a "very heavy lift financially" (USA Today, June 14, 2009).

It is gradually becoming clear that the lift will be extremely heavy. The new tests will be computer-based, administered online, and "will make widespread use of smart technology. They will provide students with realistic, complex performance tasks, immediate feedback, computer adaptive testing, and incorporate

Hyping Hybrids and Customized Learning | Larry Cuban on School Reform and Classroom Practice

Hyping Hybrids and Customized Learning | Larry Cuban on School Reform and Classroom Practice

Hyping Hybrids and Customized Learning

Yep, the reform-bound train has left the station and the diesel is roaring down the track spouting promises of a rosy technological future for public schools. Oops! Delete “schools” and insert “customized services.”

On board the train are cheerleaders (e.g., Tom Vander Ark, Rick Hess, Michael Horn, Paul Peterson, Jonathan Schorr) writing press releases, articles, and books. They tout hybrid and virtual schools (e.g., “New York City’s School of One,” San Jose’s Rocketship schools, San Diego’s “High Tech High,” and the Florida Virtual School) that are in the vanguard of transforming districts and schools into customized service providers.

Techno-centric reformers celebrate the efficiency (less cost and more productivity) and individualized instruction