One Year Ago Congress Defined Novices "Highly Qualified Teachers" - Living in Dialogue - Education Week Teacher

One Year Ago Congress Defined Novices "Highly Qualified Teachers" - Living in Dialogue - Education Week Teacher:

One Year Ago Congress Defined Novices "Highly Qualified Teachers"

By Anthony Cody on December 21, 2011 11:23 AM

Guest post by Tara Kini, Public Advocates Inc.

Today marks the first anniversary of one of the most far-reaching legislative actions in education in recent memory. It was highly controversial and addressed a subject at the forefront of the ongoing debate about educational equity. But if you are like most Americans, you probably have no idea that it ever happened. And that is exactly what the measure's proponents wanted.

Congress stealthily slipped into a temporary budget bill last year language that allows states to label teachers as "highly qualified" before they have finished or even begun training through alternative certification programs. This measure codified an administrative approach initially adopted during the Bush years and essentially gutted one of the most central equity provisions in the No Child Left Behind Act. For now, the legislation has ended many education advocates' hopes of addressing in the near term a problem that has lingered for many years: the high concentration of untrained teachers in schools serving low-income, predominately 

Teachers Get Reassigned to the Pep Squad for Common Core

Chorus:  Focus on student engagement
Practices communication
Relevant data, yes  
Common Core Essential Standards change how we teach

No longer can a teacher be the sage on the stage
Common Core Essential Standards change how we teach
Become the guide on the side the students to engage
Common Core Essential Standards change how we teach

The other verses contain these points:

No list of algorithms to memorize
Graphing calculators and real world ties

A variety of problems, problem solving strategies
Complex texts and technologies

Hands on inquiry with questions to promote  
Analysis of data, not answers by rote

Clear and concise, rubrics (whole)* guide   
students will improve the quality of work with pride 

* hard to understand in the video

Teachers Get Reassigned to the Pep Squad for Common Core

http://www.missourieducationwatchdog.com/2011/12/teachers-get-reassigned-to-pep-squad.html?showComment=1324392730344#c834400083102865232

Not All Charter Schools Suck but Closure Rate Tops 15 Percent

Charter Schools Closure Rate Tops 15 Percent:

• Of the approximately 6,700 charter schools that have ever opened across the United States, 1,036 have closed since 1992. There are 500 additional charter schools that have been consolidated back into the district or received a charter but were unable to open.

• There are five primary reasons for charter closures – financial (41.7 percent), mismanagement (24 percent), academic (18.6 percent), district obstacles (6.3 percent) and facilities (4.6 percent).

PROUDLY SPONSORED BY

The National Center for Fair & Open Testing | FairTest

The National Center for Fair & Open Testing | FairTest:

As the winter holidays near, all of us at FairTest extend our warmest thanks to everyone working for fair, open and educational sound testing at the local, state and national levels. We especially appreciate the generous year-end donations so many of you have made in response to Diane Ravitch's special appeal on our behalf. There is still time to make a tax-deductible contribution for 2011 by going to https://secure.entango.com/donate/MnrXjT8MQqk or mailing your check to FairTest, P.O. Box 300204, Jamaica Plain, MA 02130. With best wishes for the season and for the new year in which, working together, we will make real progress toward assessment reform.

Monty Neill              Lisa Guisbond            Bob Schaeffer                  David Mirabella Executive Director    Policy Analyst           Public Education Director    Office Manager

The National Center for Fair & Open Testing

The National Center for Fair & Open Testing (FairTest) works to end the misuses and flaws of standardized testing and to ensure that evaluation of students, teachers and schools is fair, open, valid and educationally beneficial.

Learn more about us and our mission.

Spotlight

A Message from Diane Ravitch

December 13, 2011

Greetings,

Five years ago, I could not imagine that I would one day be writing an appeal on behalf of FairTest. But I have changed my views and now see the damage that test-based accountability and No Child Left Behind have done to our children, our teachers, and our schools. I wish I had realized sooner what I know now. But it's never too late to learn...

Read more...

2011 SAT Score Report and FairTest Analysis

See FairTest's news release on the release of the 2011 SAT scores.

Read more...

Recommendations to Overhaul ESEA/NCLB

The Forum on Educational Accounability (FEA), chaired by FairTest, has published revised 2011 recommendations for a major overhaul of ESEA/NCLB.

Read more...

New FairTest Page on Opting Out of Tests

“Opting out” of testing is a potentially powerful way to resist No Child Left Behind and the way standardized testing distorts and corrupts K-12 classrooms. Growing numbers of parents and students are questioning the value of NCLB testing and saying they want to exercise the right to opt out. In recent months, a number of Facebook and wiki pages, as well as a web site, have been created to nurture a national campaign to opt out of NCLB and state testing. Below are the names and links to the sites along with descriptions of each site by their creators. Visit them and spread the word to fellow parents and students.

Read more...

School Tech Connect: Brother, Can You Spare Yet Another Ten Bucks?

School Tech Connect: Brother, Can You Spare Yet Another Ten Bucks?:

Brother, Can You Spare Yet Another Ten Bucks?

by noreply@blogger.com (Tim)

Concur.

Every 32 seconds I get hit up by the OFA spammers. You know what? I don't want to win a dinner with Barack and Michelle. I want public education not to be handed over to grifters.

Remember when the President went and pooh-poohed the Urban League for criticizing his ed policies? How it was all just a big ol' case of being afraid of change? Well, I get the feeling that the same tone-deafness has 

This Week In Education: Charters: Advocates Play Catch-Up On Accountability

This Week In Education: Charters: Advocates Play Catch-Up On Accountability:

Charters: Advocates Play Catch-Up On Accountability

by Alexander Russo

Can charter schools' reputation be rescued before it's too late?  In a situation that seems like an eery preview of what will soon happen in online learning, charter advocates are now madly -- belatedly -- trying to play catch up on charter quality and accountability issues -- even as lawmakers and charter operators ramp up operations.
The Huffington Post outlines the push for accountability and claims from CER that closure rates are north of 15 percent (Charter School Proponents Focus On Accountability In Word If Not In Deed). You can watch the live press conference going on now here.
The problem is that the Obama administration opened the barn door wide open with its irresponsible Race to the Top charter cap elimination priority, left the charter quality/closure issue to the SIG process, which is a mess, 

About 15 Percent of Charter Schools Shut Down, Group Says - State EdWatch - Education Week

About 15 Percent of Charter Schools Shut Down, Group Says - State EdWatch - Education Week:

About 15 Percent of Charter Schools Shut Down, Group Says

by Sean Cavanagh

About 15 percent of the nation's charter schools close—and that's not a bad thing, according to a newly released report, which argues that those shutdowns are proof that the system weeds out institutions that can't cut it for one reason or another.
Of roughly 6,700 charter schools that have opened in the United States, 1,036 have closed since 1992, says a report unveiled today by the Center for Education Reform, in Washington.
In addition, about 500 other charter schools opened, but were consolidated back into their school districts—or received charter status, but were unable to open or decided not to do so, the report estimates.
The center, which advocates for charters and school choice, bills its report as the "first-ever national analysis" of 

Schooling in the Ownership Society: Biden's brother, charter school con-man

Schooling in the Ownership Society: Biden's brother, charter school con-man:

Biden's brother, charter school con-man

by Mike Klonsky

Records show that the Mavericks in Education Florida charter schools, which have a high-profile lobbyist and cheerleader in Frank Biden, are not accredited high schools. This means their graduates may have trouble playing college sports or receiving federally funded grants or scholarships to college.  -- The Pulp

George Bush had his software swindler brother Neil who used his family connections and political clout to push his Ignite Company, which bilked schools in Texas and Florida out of millions of dollars. President Obama doesn't have a brother, but his V.P. Biden does.Frank Biden, it seems is cut from the same cloth as Neil Bush. Only instead of hustling software to schools that don't want or need it, Biden promotes his line of for-profit charter schools. He's

ASCD Inservice: Can Social Media and School Policies Be "Friends"?

ASCD Inservice: Can Social Media and School Policies Be "Friends"?:

Can Social Media and School Policies Be "Friends"?

by ASCD Bloggers

This fall, school boards in California, Florida, Georgia, Illinois, Maryland, Michigan, Missouri, New Jersey, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Texas and Virginia updated or revised their social media policies. The New York Times reports that many educators are worried overly restrictive policies will remove an effective tool for engagement and staying relevant in an increasingly social and mobile world.

The latest issue of ASCD's Policy Priorities (free) challenges the notion that schools must adopt reactive and restrictive social media policy. It explains current federal legislation, identfies exemplary practices, and suggests a path toward preparing responsible, digitally-literate students.

Do you use social media in your classroom? How do school policies limit or encourage social media?

Crazy Teaching

by ASCD Bloggers

Crazy Teaching is the blogging home of Terie Engelbrecht, who teaches high school science in Marengo, Ill. She also serves as the science division chair and a teacher coach. In her teaching, this Crazy Teacher Lady takes advantage of a...

Seattle Schools Community Forum: Internal, Local, or National

Seattle Schools Community Forum: Internal, Local, or National:

Internal, Local, or National

by Charlie Mas

Where should we look for our next superintendent? Internally? Locally? Regionally? Nationally?

Who's available? Do we want them? Would they want the job?


Internally? I don't think so. Not that it isn't, generally, a good idea, but no one in the District Leadership looks ready, willing, and able. There's a real shortage of experienced education executives. Just moving down the org chart we find Noel Treat. Folks like him, respect him, and  generally think he's honest, but he has about a year of experience in education and hasn't demonstrated executive skills. Holly Ferguson has ten years with the District and knows her way around, but I don't think she would want the job. I doubt she wants the trouble; she has enough. She's also short (possibly negative) on public popularity. Ron English also has the experience but he has some pretty bad political skeletons in his closet - and maybe some real ones. Anyone notice that all three of them are lawyers? I don't think this is a job for a lawyer. Robert Boushe would be a great choice, but the man was pulled out of retirement and is already overdue to return. We have abused his good nature too much 

Eduflack: An Ed Reform Gov in a Blue State?

Eduflack: An Ed Reform Gov in a Blue State?:

An Ed Reform Gov in a Blue State?

by Eduflack

For the past few decades, we often talk about who the latest "education governor" is, particularly among Democrats.  In the late 1980s, Bill Clinton of Arkansas tried to take the mantle from the esteemed Jim Hunt of North Carolina.  For a bit, it shifted over to Gaston Caperton of West Virginia, as he emerged from a devastating state-wide teachers strike.  And most recently, it was Virginia's Mark Warner, who ushered in the 21st century in the Old Dominion by focusing on high school reform.

But recent history points primarily to Republicans as the "education governors."  Lamar Alexander in Tennessee.  George W. Bush in Texas.  Jeb Bush in Florida.  Mitch Daniels in Indiana.  Republicans seem to have the upper hand when it comes to conditions for pushing forward with reforms.  And while many may question the final 

More on "The New Stupid" :: Frederick M. Hess

More on "The New Stupid" :: Frederick M. Hess:

More on "The New Stupid"

by Frederick M. Hess  •  Dec 21, 2011 at 9:07 am
Cross-posted from Education Week

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Note: This week, I'm giving RHSU readers a look at my essay from Educational Leadership entitled "The New Stupid." For day one, see here.

The second element of the new stupid is Translating Research Simplistically. For two decades, advocates of class-size reduction have referenced the findings from the Student Teacher Achievement Ratio (STAR) project, a class-size experiment conducted in Tennessee in the late 1980s. Researchers found significant achievement gains for students in small kindergarten classes and additional gains in 1st grade, especially for black students. The results seemed to validate a crowd-pleasing reform and were famously embraced in California, where in 1996 legislators adopted a program to reduce class sizes that cost nearly $800 million in its first year and billions in its first decade. The dollars ultimately yielded disappointing results, however, with the 

Schools Matter: How to Create a Real Revolution: Another Decade of Testing

Schools Matter: How to Create a Real Revolution: Another Decade of Testing:

How to Create a Real Revolution: Another Decade of Testing

by Jim Horn

As the video shows below (from Norm Scott), the pent-up anger is running hot and fast just below the surface.  Bloomberg's suited guardian goons (NYPD or Blackwater?) are more aggressive and surly, and the parents, grandparents, students, and teachers will not sit still any longer for oligarchs running their schools or their communities.  Want to radicalize an entire generation, along with their parents?  Keep doing more of the same and calling it "reform."

Below the video is Michael Winerip's NYTimes chronology of New York's recent history of education "reform" 

What are you thankful for in education? | Taking Note

What are you thankful for in education? | Taking Note:

What are you thankful for in education?

by John Merrow

John Merrow's last blog post of 2011 looks at what we should be thankful for -- and what we still have to worry about.

In a recent tweet, I wondered aloud about what we should be thankful for in education (a similar discussion happened before Thanksgiving on the Learning Matters website). I got a variety of responses, including:

• Students who are hungry to learn;
• Parents and other family members who work in concert with teachers to support effective learning;
• Growing collaboration between School Boards and Unions, often made possible by foundation grants;
• Teacher collaboratives, like Barnett Berry’s Teacher Leader Network and the National Board for Professional Teaching Standards;
• A rich and broad variety of well-written blogs that assist in solving problems;
• Research and documentation of pedagogy and materials that have a positive impact on learning; 

Questions about Common Core and Youngest Learners «

Questions about Common Core and Youngest Learners «:

Questions about Common Core and Youngest Learners

December 21, 2011 by Irene Sege

Photo: Alessandra Hartkopf for Strategies for Children

Samuel J. Meisels, president of the Chicago-based Erikson Institute, a graduate school in child development, has raised some provocative questions about the Common Core State Standards.  By working backward from college and career readiness, he argues, the K-12 standards in English and math give short shrift to early childhood and the developmental needs of the youngest learners, from birth to grade three. And they miss half of early childhood by starting at kindergarten.

Massachusetts is one of 45 states that have adopted the standards. A year ago 

Schools Matter: "I no longer hope for audacity."

Schools Matter: "I no longer hope for audacity.":

"I no longer hope for audacity."

by Jim Horn

From HuffPo:

Matt Damon, one of Barack Obama's earliest supporters and once one of his most staunch advocates, slammed the President in the new issue of Elle Magazine.

"I've talked to a lot of people who worked for Obama at the grassroots level. One of them said to me, 'Never again. I will never be fooled again by a politician,'" Damon tells the magazine. "You know, a one-term president with some balls who actually got stuff done would have been, in the long run of the country, much better."

Referring to the Occupy Wall Street movement, Damon continued: "If the Democrats think that they didn't have a mandate -- people are literally without any focus or leadership, just wandering