Tuesday, January 17, 2012
Today's Big Education Ape - PostRank Top AM Posts 1-16 #edreform #ows
Pensacola News Journal: Is FCAT the Way? | Scathing Purple Musings
Pensacola News Journal: Is FCAT the Way?
In an op-ed titled “A Worrisome Plunge,” the editors of the Pensacola News Journal ask the big question: Is FCAT in general and standardized testing in particular the proper focus for our schools?
Reports on the rankings noted an interesting paradox: Florida gets high marks for standards, assessment and accountability practices. But weakening student performance reminds us that there’s more to education than that.
We wonder if Florida’s increasing focus on the FCAT — driving teachers to “teach to the test” — could be hurting how our students compare in a world that doesn’t bow before our state’s test. If so, the increasingly stringent adherence to the FCAT could have the perverse effect of rewarding
Upcoming: March 1-5 « occupy california #ows
Upcoming: March 1-5
CALIFORNIA – Statewide demonstrations for March 1st-5th are being organized at all levels of public education over unending budget cuts and austerity measures. Demonstrations are planned for individual school campuses on March 1st. Students at UC Santa Cruz have already announced plans to hold a strike. Efforts are being made to “occupy the capitol” on March 5th.
Monday, January 16, 2012
NYC Public School Parents: The impeccable logic of Turnaround schools
The impeccable logic of Turnaround schools
The formula is very simple; just watch the videos and you will see. Our thanks to Last Stand for Children First, for showing us the way, and please see their website for more brilliant insights on how education reform must
Bush Foundation Comes Out in Favor of Parent Trigger Legislation | Scathing Purple Musings
Bush Foundation Comes Out in Favor of Parent Trigger Legislation
In stark opposition to parent public school advocacy groups across the state, Jeb Bush’s education foundation announced its support for controversial parent trigger legislation. The Orlando Sentinel is reporting Bush’s support for SB 718/HB 1199, and like his legislative allies, is using the terribly misleading Parent Empowerment Act to describe the legislation.
Ironic the bill would be referred to as empowering parents when so many parent groups oppose it. Yet Bush’s foundation says it will “enable parents to choose the intervention model to transform their child’s persistently failing school.” The parent coalition released this last week:
SAVE NEIGHBORHOOD SCHOOLS!: An Open Letter To The Superintendent and Board from LAUSD’s Principals
SAVE NEIGHBORHOOD SCHOOLS!: An Open Letter To The Superintendent and Board from LAUSD’s Principals
FROM THE ASSOCIATED ADMINISTRATORS OF LOS ANGELES WEEKLY UPDATE | HTTP://BIT.LY/XPRFSQ
Week of January 16, 2012 :: On January 10, 2012, Board President Mónica García and Board Member Nuri Martinez presented a resolution to the Board of Education for initial announcement. Neither one responded to AALA's request for clarification.
AALA President Dr. Judith Perez sent the following letter to Superintendent Dr. John Deasy and Board members in opposition to the proposal.
AALA has major concerns regarding the proposed Board motion entitled Resolution to Examine Increasing Choice and Removing Boundaries for Neighborhood Schools (for action January 17, 2012). Unless substantial revisions and clarifications are provided, we are very much opposed to this recommended change of policy.
Currently, any LAUSD student who wishes to attend a school other than his or her neighborhood site has a plethora of options which include magnet schools, magnet centers, Permits with Transportation (PWT), open enrollment and several intra- and interdistrict permits. AALA estimates that approximately 80,000 students participate in magnets, the PWT program and open enrollment. At the
Last Stand for Children First: Last Stand for Children Launches Campaign on School Turnarounds
Last Stand for Children Launches Campaign on School Turnarounds
School Tech Connect: Red Line Blues
Red Line Blues
I planned to cover the CTU MLK event at Dvorak Elementary on the west side, but evidently you have to double your travel time on the red and brown lines these days. Lots of work being done or not done on the tracks. Clearly Rahm is trying to starve the system until everyone's mad at it; then he'll fire the drivers and replace them with temporary missionary drivers from the Ivy League.
Anyway, I was Rip Van Winkle by the time I got to the pink line, and by then the event over at Dvorak was





