Sunday, July 1, 2012

by admin

We wanted to share a new website today – Can’t Be Neutral.

It will be a must follow over the coming year as we watch Barbara Madeloni, Art Keene, Zac Del Negro, Susan Theberge and Dave Brown gear up to fight corporate education reform at UMass Amherst School of Education. They are Liberators whose actions we much watch and recognize as a support and model for teacher educators and student teachers everywhere. Read their story, theirdemands and contact them if you need advice or wish to join their fight. Do not remain silent.

Can’t Be Neutral is a democracy in action organization.

They state,

“Can’t be neutral on a moving train…

Private interests infiltrating public universities.
University administrators allying with corporate profiteers.
Academic freedom under attack.

Time to Stand up and Fight Back!”

United Opt Out National stands in solidarity with Can’t Be Neutral.

DIARY OF A PUBLIC SCHOOL TEACHER!: JUNE POSTS that POPPED!

DIARY OF A PUBLIC SCHOOL TEACHER!: JUNE POSTS that POPPED!:

Here are the top 5 "posts that popped" in June 2012!

I Have to Stop Reading Diane Ravitch's Blog!

Why Can't We Hold Parents Accountable Anymore?

Write On: Why I Love Kidblog!

They Did Not Choose Their Parents!

Digital Educators Needed for 21st Century Learners!

Controlling the Pace of Your Own Education | Lefty Parent

Controlling the Pace of Your Own Education | Lefty Parent:

Controlling the Pace of Your Own Education

by Cooper Zale

We need to rethink the conventional wisdom in our society that after age four, kids need to be in school, continuously (except for perhaps summertime) from kindergarten for at least seventeen years until they graduate from college. I think it is leaving too many of our young adults dazed and confused coming out the other end rather than feeling prepared and inspired to join the greater adult community. They’ve spent too much time endlessly preparing and practicing to lead a “real life”, with little chance to experience living a “real life” where things they do have meaning beyond themselves. They’ve been too long under other people’s direction to have a sense of confidence in their own ability to chart their own course.
One of the biggest problems with our standardized OSFA (one size fits all) education system is that a group of

I’m starting a new union. Send me your dues. « Fred Klonsky

I’m starting a new union. Send me your dues. « Fred Klonsky:

I’m starting a new union. Send me your dues.

by Fred Klonsky

John L. Lewis, leader of the mine workers union.

Maybe it’s the summer heat.
Recently a small group of standardized test critics (which I am, by the way) have declared war on the National Education Association. Not just a war on the leadership, mind you. But on all 3 million members, minus themselves (or at least those that actually are members of the NEA or the AFT).
Even though the national meeting of the NEA RA will produce a basketful of resolutions condemning the use and misuse of standardized tests, these critics want more.
And, really, who doesn’t always want more? Particularly when it comes to resolutions, New Business Items and letters of outrage?
They have issued a threat. Either support their specific declaration and tactics in opposing standardized testing