Soulforce » 2012 Equality Ride

Soulforce » 2012 Equality Ride:

National “Equality Ride,” Young Activists to Protest Minneapolis’ North Central U’s Discriminatory Policies

Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender and Queer Social Justice Bus Tour to Bring Message of Acceptance to Area

MINNEAPOLIS, MN – Today, Soulforce’s “Equality Ride” – a national social justice bus tour to discriminatory evangelical colleges and universities – announced that the 17 young lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer (LGBTQ) activists aboard the bus will be visiting the Minneapolis area this week from Tuesday, March 20 through Sunday, March 25. In conjunction with the Minneapolis stop, the “Equality Ride” will visit North Central University to protest the school’s discriminatory policies against LGBTQ people and deliver a message of acceptance and support for those students, faculty, and staff living in silence and fear.

While at North Central University, the 17 young “Equality Riders” will be partaking in a roundtable discussion with local political leaders during their time in Minneapolis. Additionally, while on campus, these LGBTQ activists will participate in a non-violent protest of North Central University’s anti-LGBTQ policies, as well as the lack of an anti-discrimination or bullying policy that would specifically protect the rights and safety of all students, regardless of their sexual orientation or gender identity.

WHAT: Protest & Rally of Anti-LGBTQ Policies at North Central University

WHO: Soulforce – a non-profit organization committed to the freedom of lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer (LGBTQ) people from political and spiritual oppression. Currently in its fifth tour of the national “Equality Ride” – a social justice bus tour that is traveling across-the-country from Philadelphia, Pa. to San Francisco, Calif.

WHEN: Wednesday, March 21 from 9:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. Rally will take place from 3 to 5 p.m. at Elliot Park.

WHERE: North Central University, 910 Elliot Ave. Minneapolis, MN 55404 (Meeting at Elliot Park, 1000 East 14th St. Minneapolis, MN across the street from NCU at 9:30 a.m.)

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*In addition to Wednesday’s protest and rally at North Central University, the “Equality Ride” will be participating in other events throughout the week in Minneapolis. The additional events for the “Equality Ride” Minneapolis stop are included below:

WHAT: Discussion with political leaders on safety & justice for LGBTQ peopleWHEN:

WHERE: Unity Church - Unitarian, 732 Holly Avenue, Saint Paul, MN 55104Thursday, March 22 from 7:30 to 9 p.m.

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WHAT: A Thousand & One Stories: A Benefit & Celebration for the ‘12 “Equality Ride” (A night of music, spoken word, and stories from the road)

WHEN: Saturday, March 24 from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m.

WHERE: 11400 Lakeview Lane West, Minnetonka, MN

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WHAT: Sunday Service with Soulforce’s Executive Director, Rev. Dr. Cindi Love. Soulforce’s Rev. Dr. Cindi Love, will be speaking and offering a blessing for the 2012 “Equality Riders” and other community members.

WHEN: Sunday, March 25 at 10 a.m.

WHERE: All God’s Children MCC, 3100 Park Ave. S., Minneapolis, MN 55407

** For additional information or questions on any of the events, the “Equality Ride” or to schedule an interview with one of the “Equality Riders”, please contact Makenzie Marineau, Luna Media Group, makenzie@lunamediagroup.com, or via cell: 541-404-0033.

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Soulforce’s purpose is freedom for lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender people from religious and political oppression through the practice of relentless nonviolent resistance. For more information, go to www.equalityride.com or www.soulforce.org. “Like” Soulforce on Facebook at: http://www.facebook.com/SoulforceOrganization, or follow the organization on Twitter at @soulforceorg.

Walton Foundation Releases Details of Grants to Shape K-12 Education in 2011 | Edwize

Walton Foundation Releases Details of Grants to Shape K-12 Education in 2011 | Edwize:

Walton Foundation Releases Details of Grants to Shape K-12 Education in 2011

by Christina Collins

The recent release of the Walton Foundation’s list of recipients of grants for K-12 education in 2011 has gotten some interest in the blogosphere. Some of the names on the list were old news, particularly the big five-year grants to national groups like Teach for America ($49.5 million) and KIPP ($25.5 million), which were reported last summer.
As we noted then, questions were quickly raised about how the Foundation’s conservative positions on issues such as the right to organize might influence the recipients of these huge grants. (For background on the Walton family and their foundation’s positions on education, this new website offers a great primer and lots of helpful 

Extremist Candidate for President of Student Gov’t at Cal State San Marcos Busted for Election Fraud:

Extremist Candidate for President of Student Gov’t at Cal State San Marcos Busted for Election Fraud

by SOURCE on MARCH 19, 2012 · 0 COMMENTS

in CIVIL RIGHTS, EDUCATION, SAN DIEGO, WOMEN'S RIGHTS

CSUSM: The results of electing inaction

By Kit-Bacon Gressitt / Excuse Me, I’m Writing / March 17, 2012

Do something. In the face of hatred, apathy will be interpreted as acceptance — by the perpetrators, the public and, worse, the victims. Decent people must take action; if we don’t, hate persists.                                                                                                          – Southern Poverty Law Center

Better election fraud than rape. That’s what I always say. Not really. That’s what I’ve been saying since Friday, when I learned that Cal State University San Marcos (CSUSM) student Matt Weaver was arrested. But he was not arrested for repeatedly promoting rape (along with homophobia, misogyny, pedophilia and racism) in the pages of The Koala, the privately-owned, 

Ten minutes with the IEA’s Tim Crawford. « Fred Klonsky

Ten minutes with the IEA’s Tim Crawford. « Fred Klonsky:

Ten minutes with the IEA’s Tim Crawford.

by Fred Klonsky

Tim Crawford is an IEA staffer. A paid employee of the organization. I’m not sure of his title. IT guy? Program development? Something like that.
I submitted my Organizer’s New Business Item on Friday at the RA. About 3PM. This was the NBI that called on the IEA board to create a member to member, opt-in, password protected database for the purpose of lobbying and political work.
Tech teachers have told me that an 8th grader could set this up for free in the time it will take you to read this post.
Okay. That’s a slight exaggeration. But, you get the point.
By 3:15 I had gotten my NBI back with a note that said the Budget Committee estimates a $24,000 price tag.
I was flummoxed (I just wanted to use that word. It sounds funny.).
The Budget Committee had met, calculated the cost and got it back to

YOU KNOW YOU ARE A TRUE TEACHER WHEN...

Poorly Performing Jacksonville Charter School Laying Groundwork to Appeal Closure | Scathing Purple Musings

Poorly Performing Jacksonville Charter School Laying Groundwork to Appeal Closure | Scathing Purple Musings:

Poorly Performing Jacksonville Charter School Laying Groundwork to Appeal Closure

by Bob Sikes

One of Jacksonville’s first charter schools is in danger of closure and it’s director is signalling that the school will be taking advantage of the state’s charter-friendly appeals process. Florida Times-Union reporter  Teresa Stepzinski writes:

Genell M. Mills (School of Success Academy Charter Middle School) principal and director, said the district’s findings are flawed and that the school will appeal the superintendent’s recommendation.
Saying the school provides a quality education, Mills noted it already corrected many of the issues — including nepotism, sloppy bookkeeping and accounting practices, and fingerprinting and criminal background checks on employees — that district officials cited as deficiencies.
Mills said the recommendation is “misleading” and contradicts previous findings by district officials.
“It doesn’t reflect the current circumstances and our ongoing efforts to correct what they cited as 

Ed Tech Task Force - Year 2012 (CA Dept of Education)

Ed Tech Task Force - Year 2012 (CA Dept of Education):

State Schools Chief Tom Torlakson Creates Task Force
to Improve and Expand Use of Classroom Technology

PALM SPRINGS—State Superintendent of Public Instruction Tom Torlakson today announced the creation of the Education Technology Task Force to recommend how to bring 21st Century tools into California’s classrooms to improve teaching and learning.

In creating the 48-member Task Force, Torlakson said he recognized the severe financial limitations currently facing schools, but was establishing the group now so that a plan for making better use of technology would be ready when more resources were available.

"Technology is changing nearly every aspect of our lives. But in California—home to Silicon Valley and the world’s leading technology companies—many schools have been all but left out of the technology revolution," Torlakson said. "If we’re serious about providing our students a world-class education, we need a plan that leaves no school and no child offline."

Torlakson announced the Task Force during the annual Computer-Using Educators Conference in Palm Springs. For a list of members, please visit Education Technology Task Force - Initiatives & Programs.

The all-volunteer, unpaid Task Force is comprised of teachers, administrators, technology directors, local and county superintendents, school board members, parents, researchers, policy advocates, and foundation/community members from around the state.

The Task Force will work in groups led by facilitators to explore education technology in five key areas—learning, assessment, teaching, infrastructure, and productivity.

Members will assess the state’s current education technology infrastructure and identify gaps between the current National Education Technology Plan and California’s most recent plan, which was approved in 2005. The group also will assess future needs and recommend how to improve teaching, learning, and equal access to technology for all students.

Creation of the Task Force was among the goals set out in the Blueprint for Great Schools, a report on the future of education in California prepared for Torlakson by his Transition Advisory Team, a group of nearly 60 parents, teachers, and business and community leaders.

The Blueprint calls for incorporating one-to-one technology as a key component of teaching, learning, and assessment that supports high levels of literacy, biliteracy, and prepares students for success in the global economy.

As part of its duties, the Task Force will get input from stakeholders and experts in the field. A Web page also has been created on the Brokers of Expertise Web site for anyone who would like to contribute information, research, and case studies at Ed Tech Task Force - Public Comment :: Groups :: Brokers of Expertise (Outside Source).

The Task Force is expected to present recommendations to Torlakson to revise and develop a California Educational Technology Blueprint over the next few months, followed by a series of public meetings to gather comments on issues identified by the Task Force.

For more information on the Education Technology Task Force, please visit the California Department of Education Web site atEducation Technology Task Force - Initiatives & Programs.

# # # #

Tom Torlakson — State Superintendent of Public Instruction

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

If You Have to Eat Crow, How Do You Season It?:

If You Have to Eat Crow, How Do You Season It?

by JUDI CURRY on MARCH 19, 2012 · 0 COMMENTS

in CIVIL RIGHTS, CULTURE, EDUCATION, SAN DIEGO, THE WIDDER CURRY

Many months ago I wrote an article that caused a huge rift in my family; many responses fromRag readers to the point that we needed to shut down the article because of the intensity of the comments from the readers.  Because I do not want to rekindle that discussion again, I am asking my daughter to read this article over before I sent it on to be published.

The first article spoke of a granddaughter of mine, age 15, that was going to be retained in her high school for not completing her assignments in any of her classes.  As an educator myself, I 

All Things Education: Textbook Dependence

All Things Education: Textbook Dependence:

Textbook Dependence

from All Things Education by Rachel Levy

There's been lots of talk lately on textbooks (or maybe not so lately--I've been avoiding writing). First, Beverlee Jobrack's Tyranny of the Textbook: An Insider Exposes How Educational Materials Undermine Reforms was published. Next, the edu-world was all aflutter over Apple's entrance into the textbooks market. Finally, veteran textbook author and publisher Annie Keeghan offered some not-so-pretty insights into the aging, hulking industry textbooks have become.

I haven't gotten a chance to read Jobrack's work, but luckily Education Week curriculum journalist Erik Robelen and by the Fordham Institute's curriculum expert Kathleen Porter-Magee did.

I agree with Jobrack's premise as stated by Robelen that in discussions of education reform:

improving the curriculum—what actually gets taught in classrooms—is all too often left off the table. And the author, who provides an insider perspective on the world of developing and selecting curricular materials, contends that this neglect is a key obstacle to increased student learning.

Now I can't refute Jobrack's contentions, but I can speak to my opinion on textbooks, which is that they may 

Action Alert: Get the charter school clause out of the state budget | Seattle Education

Action Alert: Get the charter school clause out of the state budget | Seattle Education:

Action Alert: Get the charter school clause out of the state budget

by seattleducation2011

Senator Tom with his Republican buddies presented a budget last Thursday which included the K-12 funding that had been agreed to previously but  a clause regarding charter schools had been added. It was yet another attempt at an end run around the democratic process, something that Senator Tom and others around the country have been doing in terms of education legislation. See Stand for Children Stands for the Rich and the Powerful to get a very clear example of how this has worked in other states.
Governor Gregoire has stated that she will not accept such a bill and you can view a video of her statement in full at The Capitol Record.
To ensure that Governor Gregoire stands firm and that our legislators remember that the people of the state of Washington have voted in general elections against charter schools three times please contact the governor andyour representatives, and let them know that yes, we do need education in our state adequately funded and no, we don’t need charter schools.
Charter schools are not public schools but are education corporations. They have independent school boards 

Home | First Focus:

	Affordable Care Act Tweetup Features Rep. Keith Ellison and Dr. George Askew of HHS Wednesday, March 21st, 2:00-3:00pm Eastern Time. Hashtag: #InvestInKids Rep. Keith Ellison   Dr. George Askew We're excited to partner with MomsRising.org to host a Twitter "Tweetup" on the big wins for kids in the Affordable Care Act (ACA). We're especially excited to be joined by two special guests: U.S. Congressman Keith Ellison (D-MN) and Dr. George Askew, Senior Health Policy Advisor at the federal Administration for Children and Families. And we hope you'll join us for the event! Health care is an important priority for Congressman Ellison, and he is acommitted supporter of the Children's Health Insurance Program. Dr.  Askew is a pediatrician, and before accepting his current position at theAdministration for Children and Families, he held a leadership position in a children's advocacy organization. MomsRising brings together millions of people who share a common concern about the need to build a more family-friendly America. This powerful advocacy network works to raise the profile of motherhood and family issues, creating opportunities for both cultural and policy change, at the national and state levels. Last year alone, MomsRising's members took over a million actions in support of families, and in the process, were covered in the media more than 1,000 times. Join us for this unique opportunity to connect with influential officials in Congress and the Administration, as well as committed citizen advocates from all over America, on a critical issue for America's children. Our Tweetup will begin on Wednesday, March 21st, at 2:00pm Eastern Time and run 60 minutes. Use the Twitter "hashtag"#InvestInKids or click the button above to join.
www.firstfocus.net •  •  • (202) 657-0670

Less Sympathy, More Empathy :: Frederick M. Hess

Less Sympathy, More Empathy :: Frederick M. Hess:

Less Sympathy, More Empathy

by Frederick M. Hess  •  Mar 19, 2012 at 9:24 am
Cross-posted from Education Week

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Educators and "reformers" have a knack for sympathy. They feel for the kids, decry achievement gaps, and remind us that we need to do better. Champions of reform are intent on building cultures that "put kids first" and that remind everyone "it's about the kids." As one impassioned twenty-something district official told me, "We're doing the right thing and we're doing it for the right reasons--so what the hell is the hold-up?"

Another kind of sympathy, one that would-be reformers often radiate, is: "I know those poor teachers are scared of change, but X is the right thing to do." This crocodile-tear sympathy does nothing to clarify whether the concerns of "those" teachers are legitimate or addressable. It presumes they lack the reformer's virtue and that any doubts represent the triumph of their petty fears over their concern for kids. This stance may feel great, but it makes it hard to win converts or to identify and address problems with the proposals in question.

The problem is that by approaching this as a question of sympathy it's all about how the speaker thinks the world should work, and the speaker's frustration that the world's not working that way. The emotion is 

Go Rudy! Beat Jonah! « Fred Klonsky

Go Rudy! Beat Jonah! « Fred Klonsky:

Go Rudy! Beat Jonah!

by Fred Klonsky

Rudy Lozano Jr.
In the race for the 21st Illinois House District the names may say Rudy Lozano and Sylvano Tabares.
Don’t believe it.
The race is really between Rudy and Jonah Edelman and tens of thousands of dollars from Edelman’s Stand for Children.
Rudy Lozano Jr. is a long-time progressive political activist from the southwest side. He is the son of assassinated community organizer, Rudy Lozano Sr. (Disclosure: I have known Rudy junior since he was a classmate of my youngest daughter in elementary school).
Chicago Teachers Union Political Director Stacy Gates has sent out the following:

Mike Klonsky's SmallTalk Blog: WEEKEND QUOTABLES

Mike Klonsky's SmallTalk Blog: WEEKEND QUOTABLES:

WEEKEND QUOTABLES

by Mike Klonsky

Joshua Lott for The New York Times Matt de la Peña’s novel has been banned at Tucson High for containing “critical race theory.”

John Huppenthal, AZ state supt.

“When we encountered this situation, we did what Hannibal did to the Romans. This is the eternal battle, the eternal battle of all time, the forces of collectivism against the forces of individuality.” --

Shanker Blog » Learning From Teach For America

Shanker Blog » Learning From Teach For America:

Learning From Teach For America

by Matthew Di Carlo

There is a small but growing body of evidence about the (usually test-based) effectiveness of teachers from Teach for America (TFA), an extremely selective program that trains and places new teachers in mostly higher needs schools and districts. Rather than review this literature paper-by-paper, which has already been done by others (see here and here), I’ll just give you the super-short summary of the higher-quality analyses, and quickly discuss what I think it means.*
The evidence on TFA teachers focuses mostly on comparing their effect on test score growth vis-à-vis other groups of teachers who entered the profession via traditional certification (or through other alternative routes). This is no easy task, and the findings do vary quite a bit by study, as well as by the group to which TFA corps members are compared (e.g., new or more experienced teachers). One can quibble endlessly over the methodological details (and I’m all for that), and this area is still underdeveloped, but a fair summary of these papers is that TFA teachers are no more or less effective than comparable peers in terms of reading tests, and 

Why Some Parents Resent the Success Charter Schools – SchoolBook

Why Some Parents Resent the Success Charter Schools – SchoolBook:

Why Some Parents Resent the Success Charter Schools

March 19, 2012, 8:24 a.m.

By MARY ANN GIORDANO

The controversy in Brooklyn over the impending arrival of Success Academy charter schools made it onto the OpEd page of The New York Times this weekend, when Lucinda Rosenfeld explained just what is making so many middle-class parents so angry.

In an opinion article, Ms. Rosenfeld, a writer and the parent of a kindergarten pupil at P.S. 261 Philip Livingston in Boerum Hill, Brooklyn, said the addition of the charter schools into the gentrified areas of Cobble Hill and Williamsburg may siphon off middle-class students, destroying the delightful demographic mix at her daughter’s school.

Saying that “the communities of Boerum Hill and Cobble Hill overwhelmingly do not support a charter in the neighborhood,” Ms. Rosenfeld writes:

The apparent reason for opening a charter school in a 

Diane Ravitch: Another Battle in the War Against Public Schools - Room for Debate - NYTimes.com

Another Battle in the War Against Public Schools - Room for Debate - NYTimes.com:

Another Battle in the War Against Public Schools

Diane Ravitch is a historian of education at New York University.

UPDATED MARCH 18, 2012, 7:00 PM

The “parent trigger” must be understood within the current context of vilifying public education. Today, there is a national effort to privatize public schools by turning them over to privately managed charters. This movement is financed by some of the nation’s richest foundations -- the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, theEli and Edythe Broad Foundation and the Walton Family Foundation.

Collaboration — not hostile takeovers — is the most effective way to improve their public schools.

The demand for parent trigger legislation came from a California group called Parent Revolution. This group isfinanced by the Gates, Broad and Walton foundations. If these foundations were truly interested in parent empowerment, surely by now they would have underwritten the community-based parent groups in New York City and Chicago that oppose the closing of their neighborhood schools. But they have not.

A parent trigger — a phrase that is inherently menacing — enables 51percent of