Monday, January 23, 2012

by alkleen

It’s time to put an end to this nonsense that incompetent teachers are the cause of a so-called “crisis in education” in this country. Let’s find out just how many incompetent teachers there are in America. I realize not many people can agree on what constitutes an incompetent teacher, so I will propose a criteria for incompetence. A judgement of incompetence will be determined by the principals of our schools. Evaluation is a huge aspect of a principal’s job, so I will trust in the opinions of our principals. We must send a survey to all the principals in the country. The survey will have the following questions.

1. Are you an elementary, middle school, or high school principal ?

2. How many teachers are in your school ? How many of those teachers do you judge to be

Educator Excellence Task Force - Year 2012 (CA Dept of Education)

Educator Excellence Task Force - Year 2012 (CA Dept of Education):

Torlakson Launches Effort to Boost Educator Excellence

SACRAMENTO—Carrying out a central element of his Blueprint for Great Schools, State Superintendent of Public Instruction Tom Torlakson today announced the creation of an Educator Excellence Task Force to recommend ways to strengthen California's teacher corps.

The task force will be a joint effort between the California Department of Education and the California Commission on Teacher Credentialing. It will be co-chaired by two nationally recognized education leaders: Stanford University's Dr. Linda Darling-Hammond, and Superintendent Chris Steinhauser of Long Beach Unified School District, the third largest district in California. The full membership of the task force will be announced soon.

"For all the necessity of good facilities, high-quality materials and talented administrators, teachers are really at the center of a child's school day," Torlakson said. "That's why one of the cornerstones of our Blueprint for Great Schools is developing a system that will lead to teachers who are consistently well-prepared and well-supported, and who continue to have opportunities to grow throughout their careers.

"That's also why Dr. Darling-Hammond and Superintendent Steinhauser have my thanks and my admiration for being willing to oversee this important work."

In August 2011, Torlakson released his Blueprint, which summarized the recommendations by his Transition Advisory Team regarding key areas affecting public education. Recognizing the central role played by teachers and school leaders in improving student learning, the Blueprint called for an Educator Excellence Task Force that will:

Develop comprehensive recruitment, training and preparation frameworks for both new and experienced educators;
Encourage the development of more effective educator evaluation systems;
Ensure that these systems are supported by training for evaluators, mentoring for teachers, and professional development programs; and
Recommend how these systems should be designed, supported, and implemented.

Darling-Hammond is the Charles E. Ducommun Professor of Education at the Stanford University of Education, where she launched the School Redesign Network, the Stanford Educational Leadership Institute, and the Stanford Center for Opportunity Policy in Education. She serves on the California Commission on Teacher Credentialing by appointment of Governor Jerry Brown, and she has written more than 300 articles on education policy and practice, as well as more than a dozen books.

The other co-chair of the Educator Excellence Task Force will be Chris Steinhauser, a 30-year veteran educator in Long Beach's diverse school system who has been recognized nationally for improving student achievement and closing achievement gaps. He began his career teaching at an inner-city elementary school, going on to become a school principal and deputy superintendent before the local school board unanimously appointed him superintendent in 2002.

"Teaching is quite possibly the most important job there is," Torlakson said. "Some people think we can fire our way to success. I say it's time to treat teaching as the critical profession it is and to treat teachers as the professionals they are."

For more information Torlakson's Blueprint for Great Schools initiative, please visit the California Department of Education's Web site at A Blueprint For Great Schools - Initiatives & Programs.

# # # #

Tom Torlakson — State Superintendent of Public Instruction

Communications Division, Room 5206, 916-319-0818, Fax 916-319-0100

Ya tengo mi PLE, mi plan personal de aprendizaje | vivirlaeducacion

Ya tengo mi PLE, mi plan personal de aprendizaje | vivirlaeducacion:

Ya tengo mi PLE, mi plan personal de aprendizaje

Publicado el 23 Enero 2012
Archivado en granfjsh |

Ya puede prescindir de asistir regularmente a clases. Yo me marco mi propio plan de aprendizaje, decido qué es lo que quiero aprender y escojo mis propias fuentes de información seleccionándolas de entre todo lo que mi entorno real y virtual, físico y digital, me ofrece. Estos son los pasos que Jordi Adell en alguna de sus presentaciones apuntaba:

Crea una cuenta en Twitter y sigue a gente interesante.

Comparte tus ideas y hallazgos con ellos.

Suscríbete vía RSS a blogs u otras fuentes de información (revistas científicas). Google reader

Empieza a escribir tus ideas y proyectos en tu propio blog en WordPress, Blogger o

RheeFirst! » Rhee and Bloomberg vs. Education

RheeFirst! » Rhee and Bloomberg vs. Education:

Rhee and Bloomberg vs. Education

New blog succinctly summarizes Rhee’s “choice of weapons” in her war against public education.

Written by Stephanie Rivera for Teacher Under Construction. Read the entire post here.
“It is no doubt that Michael Bloomberg and Michelle Rhee prize themselves on their take on education. By presenting seemingly spectacular statistics and admirable intentions, it’s easy to believe they are completely and wholeheartedly on education’s side (I know I did). If there’s one thing I’ve learned so far since I’ve started this blog is question everything.“

Education Radio: Audit Culture, Teacher Evaluation and the Pillaging of Public Education

Education Radio: Audit Culture, Teacher Evaluation and the Pillaging of Public Education:

Audit Culture, Teacher Evaluation and the Pillaging of Public Education

In this weeks' program we look at the attempt by education reformers to impose value added measures on teacher evaluation as an example of how neoliberal forces have used the economic crisis to blackmail schools into practices that do not serve teaching and learning, but do serve the corporate profiteers as they work to privatize public education and limit the goals of education to vocational training for corporate hegemony. These processes constrict possibilities for educational experiences that are critical, relational and transformative. We see that in naming these processes and taking risks both individually and collectively we can begin to speak back to and overcome these forces.

In this program we speak with Sean Feeney, principal from Long Island New York, about the

RheeFirst! » Delightful website takes on most of the bigger lies of Michelle Rhee and her supporters

RheeFirst! » Delightful website takes on most of the bigger lies of Michelle Rhee and her supporters:

Delightful website takes on most of the bigger lies of Michelle Rhee and her supporters

by admin

While Rheefirst isn’t a match for the endless self-promotion and self-reverence of corporate reformers out there, we love an occasional pat on the back. Thank you, George Schmidt!

Written by George Schmidt for Substance News. Read the entire article here.
“A delightful website about Michelle Rhee and her supporters — Rhee First — takes on most of the lies that have been told by and about Michelle Rhee since she began her union-busting and teacher bashing career as Chancellor of the Washington, D.C. public schools five years ago. As the evidence grows that almost all of the

In Case You Missed It: Prelude to an Evaluation Deal « EdVox

In Case You Missed It: Prelude to an Evaluation Deal « EdVox:

In Case You Missed It: Prelude to an Evaluation Deal

by edvoxny

Here on EdVox we’re excited to bring you the latest news about education issues and policies affecting our communities. It can be hard to keep up with all of the events and happenings, so – in case you missed it… Here is a recap of the latest stories in NYC education news, starting with the oldest (Tuesday, January 17th):

TUESDAY

Governor Cuomo offered more state funding for schools and targeted a good chunk to high-needs districts in his budget proposal, but made much of the funding contingent on teacher evaluations and performance:http://www.nytimes.com/schoolbook/2012/01/17/cuomos-budget-targets-evaluations-busing-and-special-ed/?partner=rss&emc=rss
Cuomo also issued an ultimatum to the state’s teachers union, NYSUT, over an evaluation

EDUCATION: Cost of school lunches keeps rising | Breaking News | PE.com - Press-Enterprise

EDUCATION: Cost of school lunches keeps rising | Breaking News | PE.com - Press-Enterprise:

Tacos, chicken nuggets, pizza and other cafeteria favorites are costing more this year as Inland schools grapple with new federal rules for student meal pricing.

The price hikes result from new requirements that say schools shouldn’t be using federal money intended for poor students’ lunches to offset the cost of providing lunches bought by other students.

Many school districts have concluded the only way to comply is to boost prices, though nutrition officials say an increase isn’t needed and may harm students who can no longer afford to buy lunch on campus.

“It’s being forced upon us by the federal regulations,” said David Warren, director of food service for the Menifee Union School

Grumpy Educators: Data-obsession: Who protects the students?

Grumpy Educators: Data-obsession: Who protects the students?:

Data-obsession: Who protects the students?

by Sandra

Public school P.E. programs are incorporating technology to monitor students weight and physical activity habits. According to a recent piece of investigative reporting in the Revered Review, a specific technology from Polar Fitness"is used in more than 10,000 K-12 physical education programs across the United States." The report reviewed the way the technology is being used in a number of states

Parents should enter the debate over “School Choice Week” « Parents Across America

Parents should enter the debate over “School Choice Week” « Parents Across America:

Parents should enter the debate over “School Choice Week”

by leoniehaimson

by Karran Harper Royal, Parents Across America- New Orleans This week is being promoted as “School Choice Week” by the supporters of charter school expansion. They have chosen a video interview with a New Orleans parent to promote school choice, but instead it shows how charters are making children the victims of school choice, not its beneficiaries. In the video, [...]

More deception by fake “reformers” in latest Parent Trigger move

by CarolineSF

The so-called Parent Trigger continues to be peddled nationwide as a cure for challenged schools, despite a track record of zero successes and a history of misrepresentation by its backers. The Parent Trigger is a process that allows parents who collect enough signatures on petitions to close their school or “force change,” including turning the [...]

A Love Letter to Educators | The Forum for Education and Democracy

A Love Letter to Educators | The Forum for Education and Democracy:

A Love Letter to Educators

by Hector Calderon

Sizer Fellow Hector Calderon is a co-founder of El Puente Academy for Peace and Justice, a public high school established in Brooklyn, New York in 1993 through a joint initiative by the New York City Board of Education and El Puente.

I once heard the poet Saul Williams say that, "Love is the Soul's Imagination." This definition of love has always moved me. Love requires an act of creativity, an act of invention from a deep place at the center of our being. It is from this place that I write this love letter to you. As an educator you have taken on the noblest cause in the world: the liberation of the human race. Liberation defined as the process of becoming fully human.

Shanker Blog » Performance And Chance In New York's Competitive District Grant Program

Shanker Blog » Performance And Chance In New York's Competitive District Grant Program:

Performance And Chance In New York’s Competitive District Grant Program

by Matthew Di Carlo

New York State recently announced a new $75 million competitive grant program, which is part of its Race to the Top plan. In order to receive some of the money, districts must apply, and their applications receive a score between zero and 115. Almost a third of the points (35) are based on proposals for programs geared toward boosting student achievement, 10 points are based on need, and there are 20 possible points awarded for a description of how the proposal fits into districts’ budgets.

The remaining 50 points – almost half – of the application is based on “academic performance” over the prior year. Four measures are used to produce the 0-50 point score: One is the year-to-year change (between 2010 and 2011) in the district’s graduation rate, and the other three are changes in the state “performance index” in math, English Language Arts (ELA) and science. The “performance index” in these three subjects is calculated

Looking through the IEA proposed budget. « Fred Klonsky

Looking through the IEA proposed budget. « Fred Klonsky:

Looking through the IEA proposed budget.

by Fred Klonsky

The state union convention, the IEA RA, is in March.

Delegates will be attending budget hearing around the state over the next few weeks. I received the budget book last week.

Interesting things I noticed:

Membership is down to 106,000 full-time members. That’s a decline of 1% from a year ago.
The Budget Committee is proposing a $5 increase in dues. State dues would then be $420. That inevitably gets reduced by the time the budget is passed at the RA.
They claim that $4 of the increase is a result of membership loss. That would mean it would have been a

From the Spin Machine - Hopes, Fears, & Reality: A Bloated Look at American Charter Schools in 2011

Hopes, Fears, & Reality: A Balanced Look at American Charter Schools in 2011:

Hopes, Fears, & Reality: A Balanced Look at American Charter Schools in 2011

January 2012
Robin Lake, Betheny Gross

Download Full Report (PDF: 1541 K)

Charter schools are public schools. Historically, however, the relationship between school districts and charters has been nonexistent at best, antagonistic at worst. As the charter sector continues to grow steadily, an analysis of the national landscape explores how that relationship needs to start changing—and where it already has.

This year's 6th annual edition of Hopes, Fears, & Reality provides a clear roadmap for school districts and charter schools interested in working together to improve education options. The report explains the risks and technical challenges behind charter-district collaboration and provides powerful examples of how they can be overcome.

Experts Weigh In

For the release of our sixth annual report, we invited several experts to share their opinions. Read more here.

The report is timely. More than 20 urban districts

Life in Rahm’s Chicago. « Fred Klonsky

Life in Rahm’s Chicago. « Fred Klonsky:

Life in Rahm’s Chicago.

by Fred Klonsky

Only in Rahm’s Chicago would it be news that the teachers expect to be paid if they work a longer day.

Rahm’s paid supporters show up at school closing hearings and pick a fight with parents and teachers.

Rahm’s go-to person for the NATO and G8 meetings is said to use a “velvet fist.”

The weekend saw more protests of Rahm’s plan to

Bloomberg Businessweek Reports Lucrative Real Estate Investments in Milwaukee Charter Schools « Larry Miller's Blog: Educate All Students!

Bloomberg Businessweek Reports Lucrative Real Estate Investments in Milwaukee Charter Schools « Larry Miller's Blog: Educate All Students!:

Bloomberg Businessweek Reports Lucrative Real Estate Investments in Milwaukee Charter Schools

by millerlf

Property Investors Bet on Rising Demand for U.S. Charter Schools

January 19, 2012, BusinessWeek By Brian Louis

Jan. 11 (Bloomberg) — A warehouse where workers once shaped and cut steel on Milwaukee’s north side is getting a second life. It’s being transformed into a charter school that’s scheduled to open in August.

A joint venture of Canyon Capital Realty Advisors LLC and former tennis champion Andre Agassi’s business partnerships is developing the property and will lease it to Lighthouse Academies of Wisconsin Inc. The Canyon-Agassi real estate fund has done one warehouse conversion in Philadelphia and is considering school projects in

Linda Darling-Hammond on New NCLB Proposals

by millerlf

Why Is Congress Redlining Our Schools?

Linda Darling-Hammond

January 10, 2012 | The Nation.

With the nation’s public education system under siege, the need for qualified teachers who are committed to creating exciting and empowering schools is more urgent than ever.

Today a new form of redlining is emerging. If passed, the long-awaited Senate bill to reauthorize the Elementary and Secondary Education Act (ESEA) would build a bigger highway between low-performing schools serving high-need students—the so-called “bottom 5 percent”—and all other schools. Tragically, the proposed plan would weaken schools in the most vulnerable communities and further entrench the problems—concentrated poverty, segregation and lack of human and fiscal resources—that underlie their failure.

Although the current draft of the law scales back some of the worst overreaches of No Child Left Behind, the

Missouri Education Watchdog: Polar Monitors Used to Track Student Depression, Suicide, Cancer, Alcohol/Drug Use, Sexual Activity? Public Student Data Stored on polargofit.com website

Missouri Education Watchdog: Polar Monitors Used to Track Student Depression, Suicide, Cancer, Alcohol/Drug Use, Sexual Activity? Public Student Data Stored on polargofit.com website:

Polar Monitors Used to Track Student Depression, Suicide, Cancer, Alcohol/Drug Use, Sexual Activity? Public Student Data Stored on polargofit.com website

by stlgretchen

Polar Monitors may not only measure and provided data to schools about physical activity and heart rates in PE classes, there may also be assessments relating to student suicide, depression, cancer and diabetes risk. It can even track student sexual activity, drug and alcohol use. The company states this

Senate Hearing Testimony on the Charter School Bill Proposal and Education Radio on Teacher Evaluations | Seattle Education

Senate Hearing Testimony on the Charter School Bill Proposal and Education Radio on Teacher Evaluations | Seattle Education:

Senate Hearing Testimony on the Charter School Bill Proposal and Education Radio on Teacher Evaluations

by seattleducation2011

A day after a major snowstorm that turned into an ice storm many brave souls with 4 wheel drives carpooled with others to make the trek to Olympia to provide testimony to the House Education committee regarding HB 2428“Establishing alternative forms of governance for certain public schools”, meaning establishing charter schools in our state.

You can watch the testimony at TVW.

Many parents, teachers and other concerned citizens were not able to get to Olympia, some couldn’t even get out of their driveways or to the main roads. For those who could not participate but want to be a part of the

ASCD Inservice: Taking a Stand for English Language Learners

ASCD Inservice: Taking a Stand for English Language Learners:

Taking a Stand for English Language Learners

Last week, former Los Angeles elementary school teacher and ASCD Emerging Leader Patricia Dickenson did a guest blogger stint at Rick Hess's Straight Up blog.

In her first post, she highlights some of the policies that set English Language Learners up for failure in U.S. schools. "Too often tests, tracking, and a diluted curriculum impose an oppressive learning environment that fails to connect with students, give a sense of purpose, and foster a love of learning," she writes. As the ELL population grows faster than any other, there must be more widescale adoption of what successful ELL programs do: "take into consideration school and community culture, teacher professional development, quality of teaching, intensity of instruction, and most importantly

Metaphors Open College Doors

by ASCD Bloggers

Using dichos, the Spanish term for figurative sayings, teacher Ben Johnson gets his students thinking abstractly -- a skill he says is essential for some types of mathematics, and college-level learning. Though students struggled with discovering the meanings behind many...

Opinion: For America’s children, education outlook grows only dimmer - TheHill.com

Opinion: For America’s children, education outlook grows only dimmer - TheHill.com:

Opinion: For America’s children, education outlook grows only dimmer

By Juan Williams - 01/23/12 05:00 AM ET

Thirty percent of America’s high school students drop out and never graduate. Fewer than half of the nation’s black and Hispanic students graduate on time from high school.

The scandalous bottom line here is that more than 1 million students drop out of American public schools every year. That works out to more than 6,000 students every day and one student every 26 seconds.

Education in America, particularly big-city education, is in crisis. Historians are already describing the decline of public education as a threat to the nation’s economy and military. And when the tragic scale of harm to racial minorities is considered, the education crisis is aptly labeled as the greatest civil rights

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