Wednesday, November 30, 2011

As House wraps up charter school testimony, Senate Democrats propose ban on for-profit firms running schools | MLive.com

As House wraps up charter school testimony, Senate Democrats propose ban on for-profit firms running schools | MLive.com:

As House wraps up charter school testimony, Senate Democrats propose ban on for-profit firms running schools

Published: Tuesday, November 29, 2011, 1:02 PM Updated: Tuesday, November 29, 2011, 1:51 PM

By Dave Murray | The Grand Rapids Press
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Courtesy photoFlexTech High School freshmen Amelia Moorehouse and Lucas Stanesa testified before the House Education Committee. Their school, in Brighton, is a mix of classroom learning and online courses.

LANSING – As a state House committee considers lifting the cap on charter schools, two Senate Democrats say they'll try to slow the growth by introducing a constitutional amendment banning schools operated by a for-profit entity.

About 80 percent of the state's 255 charter schools use a management company for varying levels of services, and many of the companies are for-profit firms.

Sens. Rebekah Warren, D-Ann Arbor, and Hoon-Yung Hopgood, D-Taylor, on Tuesday said Senate Republicans last month approved bills “essentially opening the doors to business run, for-profit schools and increased privatization of teachers and school workers. This constitutional amendment aims to

The California Teachers Union Is Close To Banning Online Courses At State Schools

The California Teachers Union Is Close To Banning Online Courses At State Schools:

The California Teachers Union Is Close To Banning Online Courses At State Schools

Abby Rogers | Nov. 30, 2011, 12:04 PM | 136 | 4

Image: University Council — American Federation of Teachers

Members of the University Council — American Federation of Teachers

The University of California system and the state's teachers' union are at war over a curriculum change aimed at saving students money.

The controversy arose when the system, whose major tuition hikes spawned student protests, proposed an online education program that would explore "feasibility issues regarding fully online courses for UC degree

Save Seattle Schools Community Blog: Garfield Students to Walk Out Today in Protest over State Cuts

Save Seattle Schools Community Blog: Garfield Students to Walk Out Today in Protest over State Cuts:

Garfield Students to Walk Out Today in Protest over State Cuts

by Melissa Westbrook

From the Occupy Your High School Facebook Group:

We are Garfield High School students, speaking on behalf of and with Seattle Public Schools students tired of the constant cuts to our education. We are the people who have been affected most by these cuts, and we are showing that we care. For too long, this state's budget has been balanced on the backs of its students. Apparently, our representatives in Olympia have forgotten that the constitution says that funding education is this state's paramount duty. This is a student voice reminding our legislature of that fact.

And also of this one: We are this country's future. We will vote. And we will hold them

Ultimate Frisbee Unites South End Rivals
by Melissa Westbrook
Two heartwarming stories about rivals, Aki Kurose and Mercer Middle Schools, and a meeting of the minds (and bodies) over Ultimate Frisbee. I heard the the KUOW story myself and had to smile and a reader (thanks!) sent me the PI story. From the PI:

Four years ago, the kids from Aki Kurose and Asa Mercer middle schools – both in Seattle's South End – were bitter rivals. Mercer students would bus to Aki on half days to jump those who lingered after school. Aki students threw rocks at Mercer school buses. Gangs grew out of each middle school, and violence gripped the area.

So Terry and Rex Gaoaen of the Union Gospel Mission decided to take over the fledging ultimate program (at

ASCD Inservice: Changing the Poisonous Narrative #EDreform

ASCD Inservice: Changing the Poisonous Narrative:

Changing the Poisonous Narrative

Since the publication of my book, The Death and Life of the Great American School System, I have traveled the nation, talking to many thousands of teachers, administrators, parents, researchers, and other members of the public about the future of public education. I explain that the current "reform" program has no evidence behind it; its failed ideas are harming students and the quality of education.

In the current climate of hostility to teachers and public schools, educators are hungry for affirmation. The general public resists privatization and understands intuitively that our democracy depends on good public schools.

Teachers are deeply demoralized. Many have told me they will retire early. The "reformers" blame teachers for low test scores. To "reformers," nothing else matters--not parents, not poverty, not student effort--just teachers. "Reformers" believe that "bad teachers" are entirely responsible for student test scores. They like to say that "three great teachers in a row closes the achievement gap," but they never identify a school or district where this has actually happened.

In state after state, a small number of incredibly wealthy people with no connection to the public schools are supporting

NYC Public School Parents: Another ridiculous report from the corporate reformers on HS "choice"

NYC Public School Parents: Another ridiculous report from the corporate reformers on HS "choice":

Another ridiculous report from the corporate reformers on HS "choice"

by Leonie Haimson

Grover Whitehurst, former official in the US Dept. of Education under George W. Bush, has written a report for Brookings Institute, giving NYC the highest marks for school "choice" (see NYT here; reporthere).

It is true that NYC has hundreds of new high schools, with a catalogso thick it resembles the phone book.

Yet this report ignores that there is nothing more despised by NYC parents than the demanding and complicated HS "choice" process, as reported on in many places, including here.

See also the chart at right from the excellent New Schools study,

Shortcomings of Standardized Testing #EDreform

Standardized Testing Shortcomings:

Shortcomings of Standardized Testing

The Short Version

Has your child been mislabeled as a result of standardized testing? Has your school lowered its standards, or eliminated important extracurricular activities, because of standardized testing? What should you know? What should you do?

Since I first wrote the evaluation of a specific standardized test, I have been contacted by teachers and parents. They know that the test has problems. They want to know what information will help them make their case and what they might be able to do. This is the short version.

The Short Discussion of Testing Problems

Although this list is specific to MAP Testing, the problems listed will apply to many other standardized tests.

Accuracy Problems

MAP is based on the assumption that all students learn information in the same order, and all schools teach information in the same order. The RIT scores are no more accurate than these assumptions. (detail)
MAP levels are based on academic levels (curriculum sequencing), not cognitive levels (Bloom's Taxonomy). A high RIT score can represent low level cognition in advanced curriculum material. Thus, MAP is not a good measure for gifted performance, and should not be used to guide decisions for gifted programs. (more)
MAP does not provide information as to why the student is having difficulty with specific material. MAP does not even provide specific information as to what material students need

What is the "right" kind of parent? - THE DAILY RIFF - Be Smarter. About Education.

What is the "right" kind of parent? - THE DAILY RIFF - Be Smarter. About Education.:

What is the "right" kind of parent?

"It is sad to me when I hear parents feeling bad that they aren't doing "x",
or feeling bad or embarrassed that they are doing "y"or doing too much of "x",
or reluctant to ask questions and convey their concerns."

What is the "right" kind of parent?

by Sheila Stewart

There seems to be so much debate about what the parent role in education should look like. There are many organizations attempting to define it, analyze it, and/or provide resources to support it.

Children go to schools. Children have parents/guardians/family. The connection is clear.
Or, is it?

I often hear and read a lot of referencing in regards to parents as "school council parents" and "parents" and "hard to engage" parents, etc., as if they are very separate and distinct, or need to be considered differently. And the discussions continue about the difference between parent involvement and engagement (within education circles, at least). I also wonder why we

voiceofsandiego.org: Morning Report

voiceofsandiego.org: Morning Report:

Morning Report: Schools Reverse Course Again on Poor SchoolsComments | 7:01 am

In yet another case of waffling, the San Diego school board last night backed awayfrom an explosively controversial plan it began one year ago to radically change how it allocates money for disadvantaged students. Now, the district won't shift all of the money to the very poorest schools.

We've created a map to show you which schools would have gained and which would lost if the board hadn't reversed itself. The map makes it clear that schools in southeastern San Diego would've gained the most.

Emily Alpert found a bigger trend in the move. "Dropping the plan was the latest in a string of recent school board vacillations on everything from school closures to busing cuts," she wrote.

Read the rest of this article

Mike Klonsky's SmallTalk Blog: More questions for J.C. Brizard

Mike Klonsky's SmallTalk Blog: More questions for J.C. Brizard:

California investigating O.C.'s planned tax shift from schools

Orange County officials intend to redirect $73.5 million from schools to balance the county's budget and pay bills. The county's schools chief says the move would be devastating to education.

Students work on a math lesson at Romero-Cruz Elementary School in Santa Ana. (Luis Sinco / Los Angeles Times)

By Nicole Santa Cruz, Los Angeles Times

November 29, 2011, 11:29 p.m.

The state is investigating whether Orange County political leaders will be breaking the law if they go forward with their plan to take $73.5 million in tax dollars that are supposed to go to local schools.

County officials said they have no choice but to redirect the money in January and again in May to balance the county's budget and pay its bills.

Without the tax dollars, the county might be forced to lay off hundreds of workers, close jails and cut care for indigent patients, said Bill Campbell, chairman of the Board of Supervisors.

Orange County's schools chief, however, said the loss of the

Chicago charter schools produce wildly uneven results on state tests - Chicago Sun-Times

Chicago charter schools produce wildly uneven results on state tests - Chicago Sun-Times:

Chicago charter schools produce wildly uneven results on state tests

By Rosalind Rossi and Art Golab Staff Reporters November 30, 2011 12:02AM

Michael Milkie Superintendent Noble Network of Charter Schools, looking over Raquel Ibarra's work, while Principal Tressie McDonough looks over Yazmine Carbajal's work in an AP Calculus class at the UIC College Prep High School 1231 S. Damen. Wednesday, November 23, 2011 | Brian Jackson~Sun-Times

Updated: November 30, 2011 6:43AM

Chicago charter school franchises produced wildly uneven results — even among different campuses of the same chain — on state achievement test data released Wednesday for the first time in more than a decade.

Only one of nine Chicago multi-site charter operators — Noble Street — beat the districtwide average of all Chicago public schools for the percent of students passing state tests last spring on every campus it oversees.

The overall passing rate at two city charter franchises — Aspira and North Lawndale — was below the city average at every campus those two groups operate.

Four other chains — Betty Shabazz, Perspectives, North Lawndale and Chicago International —

Right Wing Hoover Institution Experts Identify 2011's Best & Worst Education Events | Benzinga.com

Hoover Institution Experts Identify 2011's Best & Worst Education Events | Benzinga.com:

Hoover Institution Experts Identify 2011's Best & Worst Education Events

STANFORD, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--

To inform the public and shape education reform in the upcoming year, members of the Hoover Institution's Koret Task Force on K-12 Education today released their annual list of the top five best and top five worst events in American education in 2011. Their list indicates that several positive developments led to greater parental choice, system transparency and teacher accountability; however, the worst events indicate that there remains considerable room for improvement.

“We evaluated hundreds of events, laws, programs, and studies in creating this list,” said Williamson M. Evers, Hoover research fellow and project coordinator of the Education Task Force's Best and Worst project.

Topping the list as the best educational development in 2011 is reinvigorating school choice via opportunity scholarships and vouchers. The result is private school choice moved ahead in many parts of the country in 2011. The worst development in 2011, according to the task force, has been the misreporting of the Atlanta Public Schools' cheating scandal. Here, Evers said, “when educators couldn't successfully teach their students, they doctored the students' test papers, but the news media let the cheating educators off the hook.”

According to Evers, when the task force considered the most counterproductive or foolish developments, it looked for major steps backward. Task force members, Evers said, were dismayed when union power “stopped school districts from making needed reforms” or when a governor's “utopian philosophy” blocked “the possible in the name of the impossible.” Task force members found the Obama administration and both parties in Congress were “dismal” when it came to administering reform programs and fixing laws that need updating.

But task force members were heartened when parental power was strengthened in California

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Wednesday, November 30, 2011