The problem with Obama’s plan to issue NCLB waivers - The Answer Sheet - The Washington Post

The problem with Obama’s plan to issue NCLB waivers - The Answer Sheet - The Washington Post:

The problem with Obama’s plan to issue NCLB waivers

By Valerie Strauss

President Obama and Education Secretary Arne Duncan would do well to listen to Daniel Domenech on the subject of issuing states waivers from key provisions of No Child Left Behind.

Obama is expected to announce on Friday the details of his plan to issue the waivers, according to this story by my colleague, Lyndsey Layton.

Last month administration officials announced that because of the

Republican bills in Congress don’t solve NCLB’s main problems

by Valerie Strauss

This was written by Monty Neill, executive director of FairTest, the National Center for Fair & Open Testing, a Boston-based non-profit dedicated to ending the misuse of tests . A different version was published on the National Journal Education blog.

By Monty Neill

If you're a parent or teacher fed up with the way high-stakes testing drives more and more of what happens in school, a new bill from Sen. Lamar Alexander and some Republican colleagues offers little hope of relief. Their package of five bills to change the federal No Child Left Behind law (NCLB) would help by getting rid of the disastrous Adequate Yearly Progress (AYP) provisions which mandate all schools reach 100% proficiency by 2014. However, the bills keep too much testing in place and does nothing to address the way the current law increases educational inequity by turning schools for poor children into test prep centers and little else.

Read full article >>

Obama prepares to revamp ‘No Child Left Behind’ education law - The Boston Globe

Obama prepares to revamp ‘No Child Left Behind’ education law - The Boston Globe:

Key parts of schools law to end

Obama team sees flaws in Bush-era plan, alters rules

By Lyndsey Layton

Washington Post / September 22, 2011

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WASHINGTON - President Obama is poised to broaden federal influence in schools by scrapping key elements of No Child Left Behind, the George W. Bush administration’s signature education law, and substituting his own brand of school reform.

While unpopular with Republicans in Congress and some in the educational establishment, the move is drawing applause from governors struggling to meet the demands of the nine-year-old law.

Obama and Education Secretary Arne Duncan are scheduled tomorrow to detail plans to waive some of the law’s toughest requirements, including the goal that every student be proficient in math and reading by 2014, or their schools could

We're firing our best teachers | Philadelphia Inquirer | 09/22/2011

We're firing our best teachers | Philadelphia Inquirer | 09/22/2011:

We're firing our best teachers

By Michelle Rhee

Kristen Briggs was one of about a thousand educators who lost their jobs teaching in Philadelphia schools this year. But to her students, she was much more than a statistic.

Briggs, who taught special education at Lincoln High School, is the kind of teacher any principal would hasten to hire - and never willingly let go. But Briggs' principal didn't have a choice in the matter.

She was laid off under an antiquated and harmful policy known as "last in, first out," or "LIFO" for short. It requires that when layoffs occur, the last teachers hired are the first fired - regardless of their effectiveness as teachers.

This is the policy under which all those Philadelphia teachers were removed from their jobs when the district had to cut costs this summer. Pennsylvania requires a LIFO approach whenever budget shortfalls lead to layoffs.

Layoffs are always upsetting, but going about them without considering teachers' performance makes them much worse - especially for children. Nothing in our schools is as critical to students' learning as the work of teachers.

Common sense suggests that LIFO ought to be scrapped, and research confirms it. An Urban

Daily Kos: Why Walden matters now

Daily Kos: Why Walden matters now:

Why Walden matters now

by rss@dailykos.com (teacherken)

is the title of this remarkable Boston Globe op ed by Wen Stephenson, a former editor of the paper's Ideas section. He is go to Walden before heading into Boston

to join the Moving Planet rally at Columbus Park and call for the world’s leaders to get serious about moving beyond fossil fuels.

But this is not about environmentalism. Stephenson makes the point that Walden and Thoreau's other writings were about

“Nature,’’ as he wrote in “Walking’’ and “man as an inhabitant, or part and parcel of Nature.’’ It was our relationship, as human beings - physically, morally, spiritually, politically - to the world in which

The Educated Reporter: Rare Opportunity for Student Journalists: Apply Now for IRE Training

The Educated Reporter: Rare Opportunity for Student Journalists: Apply Now for IRE Training:

Rare Opportunity for Student Journalists: Apply Now for IRE Training

by Emily Richmond

Investigative Reporters and Editors (IRE) is looking for a few good students journalists who want to be great.

IRE, along with the Education Writers Association and the Student Press Law Center, is preparing to launch the 2012 Campus Coverage Project, the third year of a program that helps college and university students sharpen their investigative skills.

Applications are now being accepted from college students nationwide, and 75 individuals will be selected to participate.

Here's what you need to know:

*Students will take part in a workshop from Jan. 5-8, 2012 at the Walter Cronkite School of Journalism and Mass Communication at Arizona State University in Phoenix.

*Campus-coverage issues and overall reporting techniques and skills will be the focus of the sessions.

*Travel and lodging expenses will be covered, courtesy of the Lumina Foundation.

Mike Klonsky's SmallTalk Blog: IN THE MAILBOX

Mike Klonsky's SmallTalk Blog: IN THE MAILBOX:

IN THE MAILBOX

Dear Mike,

At 11:08 pm, the state of Georgia killed Troy Davis. Just before he was executed, Troy maintained his innocence, urged people to dig deeper into the case to find the truth, and said "For those about to take my life, may God have mercy on your souls, may God bless your souls." It's a tragic day for Troy, for his family, and for equality, fairness, and justice.

It's hard to know what to say at a time like this. In this moment, and in the days and weeks before Troy's execution, we've felt all kinds of things — anger, sadness, inspiration, hope and hopelessness. This is a time to mourn and

Let’s Get on With the Business of the SRC « City School Stories

Let’s Get on With the Business of the SRC « City School Stories:

Let’s Get on With the Business of the SRC

by fmurphy

Notes from the Field

Submitted by Frank Murphy on September 22, 201

Now that Arlene Ackerman has been forced out as the superintendent of the School District of Philadelphia and Robert Archie, chairman of the School Reform Commission has resigned his post, can we at last concentrate on the issues that will most affect our school students?

For most of the last few months, we have been preoccupied with the drama that has swirled around Ackerman’s tumultuous tenure and her acrimonious departure. Archie’s alleged involvement in backroom dealings concerning the awarding of school management contracts has likewise dominated our attention.

The public outrage directed at these two failed leaders has been a distraction. The amount of media attention they received regarding their missteps has unfortunately overshadowed many more important matters, e.g. the

NYC Educator: Classroom Technology: If It Ain't Broke, It Will Be Soon

NYC Educator: Classroom Technology: If It Ain't Broke, It Will Be Soon:

Classroom Technology: If It Ain't Broke, It Will Be Soon

by Miss Eyre

I saw this article in GothamSchools that discusses how Teach for America teachers were given iPads from Apple. It sparked some thoughts I've had recently about technology in the classroom.

First of all, I'm a technology skeptic when it comes to the classroom. That doesn't mean that I don't believe kids need instruction on how to use technology effectively, creatively, ethically, and safely; of course they do, and schools should provide it in 2011. That's all fine. What I mean, though, is that I'm skeptical of using

An Urban Teacher's Education: Classroom Mangament 101

An Urban Teacher's Education: Classroom Mangament 101:

Classroom Mangament 101

by James Boutin

It's about three weeks into our school year, and I'm only just beginning to tread water rather than drown. I am, once again, a new teacher. And while I don't have to relearn a lot of important teaching skills that can act like anvils attached to the ankles of a teacher new to the profession, I do have some big hurdles to clear, which include: developing a discipline system that works with my school, developing a data collection system with the materials I have in my classroom, writing and implementing a curriculum for my world history course and advisory, developing relationships with families and staff members, and tweaking the existing curriculum provided by the district for my language arts course.

As a result of the time I've devoted to my new classroom, I've been away from education policy for a while. In fact, I don't have a clue what's going on in the world of education outside of my school (and the Tacoma teacher's strike). Therefore, I thought I'd blog on - get this - teaching.

This year, I have two freshman language arts classes, one freshman advisory, and one sophomore world history

The State of Georgia Has Killed Troy Anthony Davis - Forbes

The State of Georgia Has Killed Troy Anthony Davis - Forbes:


The State of Georgia Has Killed Troy Anthony Davis

After a last minute delay of the execution of Troy Davis, the US Supreme Court refused to grant Davis a stay of execution. The state of Georgia killed Davis at 11:08 PM tonight. Davis was convicted for the 1989 murder of an off-duty policeman. He was sentenced to death though his execution was delayed several times. After many of the witnesses who had originally testified against Davis recanted, and doubts were raised about police and prosecutors’ handling of the case, many people came to believe that Davis was innocent.

I do not believe there was enough conclusive evidence to sentence Davis to death. Although I oppose the death penalty in all cases, I oppose it most fervently when a man’s life is on the line for a crime he may not have committed. I can’t say for sure whether Davis was innocent, but much more importantly I don’t believe the state proved that he was guilty. This is a deeply tragic night for Americans and for the world. I cannot help but believe that justice was not served in Georgia, that the death of Davis is yet another tragedy in a long line of tragedies that begun in 1989 and will go on so long as

Portland-area high schools increasingly require study halls, citing too few teachers to offer students class each period | OregonLive.com

Portland-area high schools increasingly require study halls, citing too few teachers to offer students class each period | OregonLive.com:

Portland-area high schools increasingly require study halls, citing too few teachers to offer students class each period

Published: Wednesday, September 21, 2011, 4:45 PM Updated: Wednesday, September 21, 2011, 4:45 PM

By Betsy Hammond, The Oregonian
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View full sizeBrent Wojahn/ The OregonianBenson High freshman Alainya Cordero works on geometry homework during her 90-minute morning study hall, which she shares with about 200 other students.

Required study halls have become common in large Portland-area high schools as budget-slammed schools find they don't have enough teachers to go around.

But Portland Public Schools, which added required study halls to its seven biggest high schools this year after it cut more than 40 teaching jobs, has taken the money-saving measure to a new level. A campus security guard supervises 90-minute study halls packed with as many as 50 (Lincoln), 70 (Franklin), 135 (Grant) or even 200 (Benson) students in the cafeteria or another big room.

Grant High freshman Adanna Earl said she tries to finish assignments during the hour and a half she and dozens of other students spend in the cafeteria

BreakfastFirst Campaign - Letters (CA Dept of Education)

BreakfastFirst Campaign - Letters (CA Dept of Education):

September 21, 2011

Dear County and District Superintendents, Charter School Administrators, and Nutrition Service Directors:

IMPROVING STUDENT NUTRITION AND ACADEMIC ACHIEVEMENT
THROUGH SCHOOL BREAKFAST PROGRAMS

I am proud to be the new honorary chair of the BreakfastFirst Campaign. Promoting the School Breakfast Program (SBP) is integral to my Team California for Healthy Kids campaign, which focuses on making healthy choices the easy choices.

In alignment with the Team California goal to promote good eating habits, BreakfastFirst aims to ensure that all students are served an optimally nutritious breakfast using innovative models such as Classroom Breakfast, Grab-and-Go, and Second Chance Breakfast. These models are known to dramatically increase participation, bringing the benefits of school breakfast to the maximum number of students.

Research confirms the clear connection between health, learning, and attendance. Healthy children are more successful in school, miss fewer days of school, are more attentive and well behaved, and are more likely to graduate from high school and go to college. Healthy students not only excel academically, but also are more likely to be positively engaged in social, community, and extra-curricular activities.

The implementation of inventive models like Classroom Breakfast links nutrition to our joint goal of increasing academic achievement in school. In most cases, the breakfast can be completely supported by federal and state meal reimbursement. In addition, as former Superintendent Jack O’Connell and State Controller John Chiang shared in a joint letter last year, “As long as the breakfast is served and eaten in the classroom while otherwise allowable instructional activities are underway, the time will not be considered free time by auditors . . . The SBP is an easy way to enhance children’s health and improve their academic achievement.” The full letter is located on the CDE Breakfast in the Classroom - Letters Web page at http://www.cde.ca.gov/nr/el/le/yr10jtltr0701.asp.

I urge you to expand your School Breakfast Program (especially outside of the cafeteria) to serve the nutritional needs of your students and to strengthen their academic performance.

If you would like information on innovative breakfast models, visit the California Food Policy Advocates Web site for the BreakfastFirst Campaign at http://www.BreakfastFirst.org (Outside Source). You may also contact your Field Services Unit Child Nutrition Consultant by phone at 916-445-0850 or 800-952-5609.

Sincerely,

Tom Torlakson

TT:cc

HOPE - NOPE : Obama won't weigh in on Georgia execution

News from The Associated Press:

Obama won't weigh in on Georgia execution

WASHINGTON (AP) -- President Barack Obama is refusing to weigh in on the pending execution in Georgia of inmate Troy Davis.

Less than half-hour before Davis' scheduled execution Wednesday, White House press secretary Jay Carney issued a statement saying that Obama has long worked to ensure accuracy and fairness in the criminal justice system especially in capital cases. But Carney said it would not be appropriate for the president of the United States to weigh in on specific cases like this one, which is a state prosecution.

Davis was convicted of killing off-duty police officer Mark MacPhail in 1989. His attorneys say key witnesses against him have disputed their testimony. But courts have ruled against granting him a new trial.

Davis appealed to the U.S. Supreme Court Wednesday evening.

© 2011 The Associa

Student Support Should Be Our Top Priority in Dealing with School Violence « City School Stories

Student Support Should Be Our Top Priority in Dealing with School Violence « City School Stories:

Student Support Should Be Our Top Priority in Dealing with School Violence

by fmurphy

Notes from the Field

Submitted by Frank Murphy on September 20, 2011

In late March of this year, a seven part investigative series on school violence, titled Assault on Learning, was published in the Philadelphia Inquirer. This report provided a comprehensive and balanced looked at the problems created in classrooms across the city as the result of the disruptive and sometimes criminal behavior of a small group of juvenile offenders.

Throughout this series, the reporters did a good job of describing what school violence looks like to the people who inhabit our public schools. They provided a variety of examples of its ill effects on students, teachers and parents. They also identified the schools having a large number of incidents of school violence.

In addition to detailing the extent and types of serious incidents that have occurred in the district during the last five years, the journalists also attempted to delve into the root causes that contribute to violent student

Using Project-Based Learning to Engage Parents in the School Community « Whole Child Education

The Whole Child Blog « Whole Child Education:

Using Project-Based Learning to Engage Parents in the School Community

September 21st, 2011 by ASCD Whole Child Bloggers

Post submitted by Andrew Miller, an international consultant who works independently and for groups such as the Buck Institute for Education and Abeo School Change (formally known as the Small Schools Project). He has taught both online and in the brick-and-mortar setting, incorporating his core tenets of culturally responsive teaching, project-based learning, and game-based learning. Connect with Miller on Twitter @betamiller.

Project-based learning (PBL) is a fantastic way to increase parent and community involvement in your school in a truly authentic way. Instead of finding lots of little strategies to engage parents, PBL provides an opportunity to use one part of your school identity, the curriculum and instruction, as the leverage to have parents present at the physical

Save Seattle Schools Community Blog: Seattle School Board Meeting - My Testimony Tonight

Save Seattle Schools Community Blog: Seattle School Board Meeting - My Testimony Tonight:

Seattle School Board Meeting - My Testimony Tonight

by Melissa Westbrook

About TFA – what a long, strange trip it has been. It seems apparent at this point that our former superintendent didn’t have any real donors lined up – she just assumed they would materialize. Another in the long list of mistakes she made.

It’s good to have that settled except that the press release doesn’t make it clear whether Seattle Foundation is paying for two years or one. I tried to get confirmation from Communications but they said they didn’t know and I should ask the Foundation and I have been trying with no success. It might be good to iron out that point.

One delicate issue is that the Seattle Foundation named several donors. Among them are two that have contributed heavily to the campaigns of the directors running for reelection.

I would just gently point out that it is one thing to have campaign supporters who you know care about particular

Work Experience Education and Work Permits - Letters (CA Dept of Education)

Work Experience Education and Work Permits - Letters (CA Dept of Education):

September 21, 2011

Dear County and District Superintendents and Charter School Administrators:

WORK EXPERIENCE EDUCATION AND WORK PERMIT AUTHORIZATION

The California Department of Education (CDE) is pleased to announce the adoption of new and amended California Code of Regulations, Title 5 (5 CCR), along with new work permit forms. The State Superintendent of Public Instruction (SSPI) and the State Board of Education (SBE) recently adopted rules and regulations necessary to clarify the standards set by the department in order to better support local educational agencies (LEAs) in Work Experience Education (WEE) programs and regulations associated with the issuance of work permits.

These positive changes include: (1) clarification on WEE statewide program standards; (2) updated program terminology; (3) incorporated by reference the Statement of Intent to Employ a Minor and Request for Work Permit/Certificate of Age (CDE Form B1-1, revised July 2011) as a Certificate of Age; and (4) clarification of work permit requirements pertaining to minors in unpaid training, volunteer, or in-school placement positions.

In light of these recent changes, LEAs are required to update letters of authorization for school personnel responsible with the issuance of work permits to California minors (California Education Code Section 49110) and have on file with the CDE an updated WEE Secondary District Plan (5 CCR 10070). If your WEE Secondary District Plan has not been updated with the CDE within the past 3 years, please submit an updated plan aligned with existing laws and regulations by Friday, December 9, 2011, to:

Kimberly B. Born, Education Programs Consultant
High School Transformation Unit
Secondary, Career, and Adult Learning Division
California Department of Education
1430 N Street, Suite 4503
Sacramento, CA 95814-5901

To obtain a copy of the updated Secondary District Plan for WEE template and application, please e-mail your request tokborn@cde.ca.gov.

Please forward this letter to all high school principals in the district.

If you have any questions regarding this subject, please contact Kimberly B. Born, Education Programs Consultant, High School Transformation Unit, by phone at 916-319-0480 or by e-mail at kborn@cde.ca.gov.

Sincerely,

Tom Torlakson

TT:pa

Teacher for Sale - Teacher in a Strange Land - Education Week Teacher

Teacher for Sale - Teacher in a Strange Land - Education Week Teacher:

Teacher for Sale

by Nancy Flanagan

Many years ago, through no effort (or fault) on my part, I became--temporarily--a Famous Teacher. What was most astonishing about this experience: a wide range of people (from broadcast media figures to the district Superintendent) suddenly paid attention to what I had to say about education. I was phoned and asked my opinion when critical education issues emerged in Michigan. I was offered positions on statewide task forces and columns in the local newspaper. I even shot a TV commercial supporting an education funding initiative, and flew around the state with the Governor on a promotion tour. Good times.

As any teacher who finds herself publicly distinguished knows, however--opportunities to "speak for teachers" are almost always accompanied by some questionable baggage. There's the token teacher experience, where