Save Our Schools Webinar Overhauling Testing and Accountability with Monty Neill

Save Our Schools Webinar Overhauling Testing and Accountability with Monty Neill:

Failed DC Chancellor Michelle Rhee has MORE Impact | Widespread dissatisfaction with new teacher evaluations in Tennessee

HechingerEd Blog | Widespread dissatisfaction with new teacher evaluations in Tennessee:

Widespread dissatisfaction with new teacher evaluations in Tennessee

by Sarah Garland

In many ways, Tennessee teachers have acted as guinea pigs in a new national movement to overhaul how teachers are evaluated. While many states are in the process of changing the measures used to gauge teacher effectiveness, Tennessee launched its system—which includes both classroom observations and student test-scores among the measures used to rate teachers—last school year.

Teacher protest in Nashville, TN (photo courtesy of Jon Erickson)

Now, the results of a statewide survey show widespread dissatisfaction with how the system is working so far. The survey, conducted by the State Collaborative on Reforming Education (SCORE), a nonprofit advocacy group, included responses from 15,401 teachers (about 23 percent of the state total) and 932 principals and was part of 

Healthy in Every Way — Whole Child Education

Healthy in Every Way — Whole Child Education:

THE WHOLE CHILD BLOG

Healthy in Every Way

June 11, 2012 by Klea Scharberg

"Today educators are interested in the whole life of the child. They are aware that experiences in school affect not only the child of today, but also the man of tomorrow. No longer is 'book learning' the total aim of the days and years of classroom attendance.

There is also the recognition that the health of the child determines his ability to deal with his school tasks. The next step toward understanding man at his various stages of development is being taken by recognizing that only the mentally healthy child can make full use of the tools for living handed him in school."

This quote is tailor-made for our look at what it means and takes for children to be mentally healthy. It was also written 63 years ago, in May 1949, by Dr. Mabel Ross, director of Prince George's County (Md.) Mental Health Clinic in ASCD's Educational Leadership magazine (read the article [PDF] and the full issue).

Children's healthy development and its effect on academic achievement is as important in schools today as it 

Jonah Edelman: “Oops.” « Fred Klonsky

Jonah Edelman: “Oops.” « Fred Klonsky:

Jonah Edelman: “Oops.”

JUNE 11, 2012

Okay. Salt in the wound.

But I can’t help myself.

Here is the video of Stand For Children’s Jonah Edelman. “The union cannot strike in Chicago. They will never be able to muster the 75 percent threshold needed to strike.’’

Right-wing Lobby Group, Democrats for Education Reform (DFER), Pick Pro-Voucher Candidates for August 14 Wisconsin Primary « Larry Miller's Blog: Educate All Students!

Right-wing Lobby Group, Democrats for Education Reform (DFER), Pick Pro-Voucher Candidates for August 14 Wisconsin Primary « Larry Miller's Blog: Educate All Students!:

Right-wing Lobby Group, Democrats for Education Reform (DFER), Pick Pro-Voucher Candidates for August 14 Wisconsin Primary

by millerlf

Larry Miller

 
IT IS A RULE: YOU CAN'T BE AGAINST PEOPLE AND FOR CORPORATIONS AND CALL YOURSELF A DEMOCRAT...EVER!

Katy Venskus, Wisconsin State Director of Democrats for Education Reform (DFER), recently put forward a list of Milwaukee candidates that DFER supports in the upcoming August 14 primary. Each of these candidates supports the expansion of vouchers in Milwaukee and in the state of Wisconsin.
The list includes Elizabeth Coggs, running for the 6th Senate District seat, Jason Fields, running for the 11th assembly district seat, along with Jason’s brother, Jarrett Fields, running in the 16th assembly district. Elizabeth and Jason recently made their positions on vouchers clear by signing onto a letter generated byHoward Fuller in support of the creation of vouchers in the state of New Jersey. (see NJ Letter on Vouchers2.)
In the letter sent to the speaker of the New Jersey state assembly, Coggs and Fields claim success of the

National Voucher Group, Democrats For Education Reform, Calls for Using Public Dollars to Lobby

by millerlf

Democrats For Education Reform Head Says Charter Schools Should Use Per Pupil Dollars For Lobbying
By Zaid Jilani posted Apr 2nd 2012 on Republic Report

One of Big Money’s last targets for privatization is America’s public schools. Using a variety of policy schemes ranging from school vouchers to for-profit charter schools, the education privatization movement seeks to take over America’s largely public K-12 education system and put it in the hands of some of the very same peoplewho caused the financial crash on Wall Street.
One group that has been successful in pushing this wave of privatization is Democrats For Education Reform (DFER), a group of largely finance industry Democrats who advocate for expansion of charter schools and high-stakes testing, among other policies.
Dissent Magazine uncovers a conference that DFER executive director Joe Williams spoke at in 2010. At that 

Support PURE! » More 100% bull from Noble

Parents United for Responsible Education » Blog Archive » More 100% bull from Noble:

More 100% bull from Noble

by admin

The first head-shaker this morning was Rahm in his own words extolling an improved CPS graduation rate but writing almost exclusively about the great things going on at the private, religious school, Christ the King, where he was speaking. Does he ever pay attention to where he is before he speaks?
He still managed to spout the “100% seniors graduated 100% seniors accepted at college” bull that has become so prevalent. Geez, these privately-run boutique high schools are going to have to come up with a new schtick 

GLOBAL EDUCATION STRIKE – Resisting the increasing Commercialization and Financialization of Education | Dailycensored.com

GLOBAL EDUCATION STRIKE – Resisting the increasing Commercialization and Financialization of Education | Dailycensored.com:

GLOBAL EDUCATION STRIKE – Resisting the increasing Commercialization and Financialization of Education

by Danny Weil

http://ism-global.net/discussion_global_education_strike_2012

WHY strike together GLOBALLY?

It’s the SAME SHIT EVERYWHERE!!

People worldwide are struggling against:

• Massive staff cuts and budget cuts
• Privatisation and commercialisation of education
• De-democratisation within schools and universities
• Tuition fees hike
• Increasing pressure to perform
• Increasing influences of ‘private economic actors’ on teaching and research

Let’s connect and unite in the struggle for FREE EMANCIPATORY EDUCATION!

To fight for alternatives and resist such effects from the current economic system together, participants of global chat meetings held on April 28th,May 18th and June 1st believe it is time to call for a first coordinated strike at 

President Obama Honors Outstanding Math and Science Teachers | The White House

President Obama Honors Outstanding Math and Science Teachers | The White House:

President Obama Honors Outstanding Math and Science Teachers

by The White House

WASHINGTON, DC -- President Obama today named 97 mathematics and science teachers as recipients of the prestigious Presidential Award for Excellence in Mathematics and Science Teaching. The educators will receive their awards in Washington, DC later this month.
The Presidential Award for Excellence in Mathematics and Science Teaching is awarded annually to outstanding K-12 science and mathematics teachers from across the country. The winners are selected by a panel of distinguished scientists, mathematicians, and educators following an initial selection process done at the state level. Each year the award alternates between teachers teaching kindergarten through 6th grade and those teaching 7th through 12th grades. The 2011 awardees named today teach 7th through 12th grades.
Winners of this Presidential honor receive a $10,000 award from the National Science Foundation to be used at their discretion. They also are invited Washington, DC, for an awards ceremony and several days of educational and celebratory events, including visits with members of Congress and the Administration.
President Obama has committed to strengthen science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) education and prepare 100,000 effective science and mathematics teachers over the next decade. These commitments build on the President’s “Educate to Innovate” campaign, which has attracted more than $700 million in donations and in-kind support from corporations, philanthropies, service organizations, and others to help bolster science and technology education in the classroom.
“America’s success in the 21st century depends on our ability to educate our children, give our workers the skills they need, and embrace technological change. That starts with the men and women in front of our classrooms. These teachers are the best of the best, and they stand as excellent examples of the kind of leadership we need in order to train the next generation of innovators and help this country get ahead,” said President Obama.

The recipients of the 2011 Presidential Award for Excellence in Mathematics and Science Teaching are:
Alabama
Suzanne Culbreth, Birmingham (Math)
Chanda Davis, Huntsville (Science)
Alaska
Stephanie Cronin, Seward (Math)
Joanna Hubbard, Anchorage (Science)
Arizona
Michael Frank, Tucson (Science)
Arkansas
Stephanie Muckelberg, Bald Knob (Math)
Vickie Logan, Little Rock (Science)
California
Kentaro Iwasaki, San Francsico (Math)
Dean Baird, Sacramento (Science)
Colorado
Andrea Wiseman, Denver (Math)
Amy Hanson, Denver (Science)
Connecticut
Karen Thomas, Westport (Math)
Tyler Hoxley, East Hartford (Science)
Delaware
Mary Pinkston, Wilmington (Math)
Michael Kaufmann, Wilmington (Science)

Department of Defense Education Activity
Spencer Bean, Baumholder, Germany (Math)
District of Columbia
Sarah Bax (Math)
William Wallace (Science)
Florida
Kathleen Jones, Panama City Beach (Math)
Stephen Fannin, Tallahassee (Science)
Georgia
Carol Taylor, Fayetteville (Math)
Kelly Stewart, Atlanta (Science)
Hawaii
Charles Souza, Jr., Honolulu (Math)
Julia Segawa, Honolulu (Science)
Idaho
Katie Pemberton, Coeur d'Alene (Math)
James Jordan, Boise (Science)
Illinois
Peter DeCraene, Evanston (Math)
David Bonner, Darien (Science)
Indiana
Natalie Schneider, Indianapolis (Math)
Stacy McCormack, Mishawaka (Science)
Iowa
Karla Digmann, Dubuque (Math)
Jody Stone, Cedar Falls (Science)
Kansas
Angela Miller, Manhattan (Math)
Dennis Burkett, Jr., Olathe (Science)
Kentucky
Andrea Higdon, Crestwood (Math)
Joshua Underwood, Mt. Olivet (Science)
Louisiana
Alison Drake, New Orleans (Math)
Anna Cole, Raceland (Science)
Maine
Kenneth Vencile, Rockport (Science)
Maryland
Barry Hopkins, Severna Park (Science)
Massachusetts
Kathleen Erickson, Great Barrington (Math)
Naomi Volain, Springfield (Science)
Michigan
Donald Pata, Grosse Pointe Woods (Science)
Minnesota
Donna Forbes, Mahtomedi (Math)
Jamin McKenzie, St. Paul (Science)
Mississippi
Jennifer Wilson, Flowood (Math)
Lucy McKone, Brookhaven (Science)
Missouri
Jennifer Baker, Hazelwood (Math)
Robert Becker, Kirkwood (Science)
Montana
Tammy Johnson, Stevensville (Math)
Carol Pleninger, Havre (Science)
Nebraska
David Hartman, Lincoln (Math)
Joan Christen, Beatrice (Science)
Nevada
Gary Mayers, Las Vegas (Math)
New Hampshire
Gina Bergskaug, Hollis (Science)
New Jersey
John McAllen III, Point Pleasant (Math)
Rebecca McLelland-Crawley, Perth Amboy (Science)
New York
Elisabeth Jaffe, New York (Math)
Francesco Neal-Noschese, Cross River (Science)
North Carolina
Nancy Trollinger, Marion (Math)
Eric Grunden, Raleigh (Science)
North Dakota
Ila LaChapelle, Walhalla (Science)
Ohio
Carole Morbitzer, Columbus (Math)
Tami Fitzgerald, Zanesville (Science)
Oklahoma
Ashley Moody, McLoud (Math)
Rebecca Morales, Broken Arrow (Science)
Oregon
Mary Koike, Newport (Science)
Pennsylvania
Katherine Schwang, Carlisle (Math)
Richard Schmidt, Fort Washington (Science)
Puerto Rico
Jaime Abreu Ramos, San Juan (Math)
Judith Martínez, Caguas (Science)

Rhode Island
Brian Nelson, Wakefield (Math)
David Mather, Warwick (Science)
South Carolina
Matthew Owens, Columbia (Math)
Holly Sullivan, Lugoff (Science)
South Dakota
Deborah Snook, Philip (Math)
Paul Kuhlman, Avon (Science)
Tennessee
Phyllis Hillis, Oak Ridge (Math)
Gail Schulte, Smyrna (Science)
Texas
Dixie Ross, Pflugerville (Math)
Joy Killough, Austin (Science)
US Territories
Beatriz Camacho, Guam (Math)
Katherine Baker, Virgin Islands (Science)
Utah
Vivian Shell, Salt Lake City (Math)
James Larson, Salt Lake City (Science)
Vermont
Cathy Estes, Thetford (Math)
Elizabeth Mirra, Windsor (Science)
Virginia
Kimberly Riddle, Fredericksburg (Math)
Jacqueline Curley, Sterling (Science)
Washington
Nathan Shields, Vancouver (Math)
Robert Ettinger, Seattle (Science)
West Virginia
Neil Reger, Buckhannon (Math)
Angela McDaniel, Moatsville (Science)
Wisconsin
Michael Tamblyn, Whitewater (Math)
Kara Pezzi, Appleton (Science)
Wyoming
Jayne Wingate, Cheyenne (Math)
Chad Sharpe, Casper (Science)

School Tech Connect: Juan Rangel Channels The Church Lady

School Tech Connect: Juan Rangel Channels The Church Lady:

Juan Rangel Channels The Church Lady

by noreply@blogger.com (Tim Furman)

Rangel went all Dana Carvey on Twitter yesterday. Remind me to revisit this when the numbers are actually released:

According to Catalyst:

The graduation rate has been inching up over the past decade. In 2000, less than half—about 47 percent—of students graduated. Last year, five-year cohort graduation rate was at 58 percent.

CPS did not release school-by-school information so it is unclear if any particular type of school drove the increase. District officials pointed to two schools as having the largest increases: 

Parents United for Responsible Education » A “CPS Mommy” and the bias of the liberal media

Parents United for Responsible Education » Blog Archive » A “CPS Mommy” and the bias of the liberal media:

A “CPS Mommy” and the bias of the liberal media

by admin

It really hit home today as I read the ugly Huffington Post blog by Jacqueline Edelberg, in which the self-described “CPS Mommy” who “love, love, l-o-v-e”s teachers describes Chicago’s as “the red-shirted mob now marching with pitchforks against the House of Brizard.”
After considerable protest from commenters on the post, HuffPo actually deleted the words “midgets” and “freak show” from Edelberg’s description of the controversy over the teachers union strike authorization vote as offensive (ya think?). Here’s Edelberg’s original wording:

“In the Springeresque circus that’s come to town, we’ve seen Lewis flanked by rabid parent Matt Farmer and perennial parade-marshal Rev. Jesse Jackson (extra ironic since disadvantaged minority children will be the ones most impacted by a strike). And whoa! Hollywood? Even Matt Damon has piled-on. By the time the bouncers, midgets, and 405,000 bored kids rush the stage, Wisconsin’s pizza and beer slug-fest will look tame. This is exactly the kind of polarizing freak 

NYC Public School Parents: New special education policies vs. failed special education policies by Jaye Bea Smalley

NYC Public School Parents: New special education policies vs. failed special education policies by Jaye Bea Smalley:

New special education policies vs. failed special education policies by Jaye Bea Smalley

by Leonie Haimson

There are City Council hearings on the DOE’s new special education initiative tomorrow, Tuesday, June 12, starting at 1 PM at 250 Broadway. The DOE is intent on pushing through this initiative despite the fact that their own power point [see slide 13] shows no gain in attendance or achievementfor students with disabilities who were moved into general education classrooms in Phase I of the initiative. Moreover, the DOE special education reference guide provided to principals tells them they must enroll any students suitable for inclusion in regular general education classrooms until the class size hits the contractual maximum of 25 in Kindergarten, 32 in grades 1-5, and 30 or 33 in middle school (depending on whether the school gets Title one funding.)  

This is the first time I have seen DOE openly mandating maximum class sizes in any grade since 1990, when the first state class size reduction program began; defying both state-mandated Contracts for Excellence goals 

The CTU overwhelming yes vote is a stinging rebuke of Rahm and Brizard. But not only them. « Fred Klonsky

The CTU overwhelming yes vote is a stinging rebuke of Rahm and Brizard. But not only them. « Fred Klonsky:

The CTU overwhelming yes vote is a stinging rebuke of Rahm and Brizard. But not only them.

by Fred Klonsky

IEA Executive Director Audrey Soglin bullied the CTU leadership. But teachers don’t like bullies.
After a weekend of unofficial reports, CTU President Karen Lewis officially announced the results Monday of the strike authorization vote taken last Wednesday through Friday.
Not only did over 90% of the CTU members vote yes.
73% percent of the members voted yes the first day.
In spite of large sums of money spent of radio ads attacking the unions along with other unfair labor practices, the Chicago teachers demonstrated as solid a front as one could expect in support of their leadership’s