A defense of Common Core State Standards - The Answer Sheet - The Washington Post

A defense of Common Core State Standards - The Answer Sheet - The Washington Post:

A defense of Common Core State Standards

By Valerie Strauss

I’ve published a number of posts critical of the Common Core State Standards (here’s one and here’s another), but but below is a piece by an award-winning teacher in support of the initiative. This was written by Sara Brown Wessling, the national 2010 National Teacher of the Year and an English teacher Johnston High School in Johnston, Iowa. She is also the Teacher Laureate for Teaching Channel and hosts “Teaching Channel Presents” on public television stations around the country.

The standards were created n an effort to ensure that students in every state are learning and being assessed on the same standards. Forty-

Why schools alone can’t cure poverty

by Valerie Strauss

School reformers often say that great teaching can overcome the effects of poverty. Here, Arthur H. Camins, director of the Center for Innovation in Engineering and Science Education at the Stevens Institute of Technology in Hoboken, N.J., discusses problems with this reform narrative.
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How reformers (unfortunately) get captivated by experimental technology

by Valerie Strauss

Because teacher evaluation is such an important part of school reform and at the center of the Chicago teachers strike, I have published several pieces on the issue in the last week, here and her e and here. Below is a new historical look on the subject. It was written by Jack Schneider and Ethan Hutt.
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What research really says on teacher evaluation

by Valerie Strauss

The Chicago teachers strike has put the issue of teacher evaluation front and center in the education debate. The popular “value added” method of using student standardized test scores to figure out how effective a teacher is highly controversial; I wrote about it here. Here is a new important look by an education expert, Richard Rothstein.
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Blended Learning, But To What End? | Taking Note

Blended Learning, But To What End? | Taking Note:

Blended Learning, But To What End?

by John Merrow

One high point of an interesting week was a meeting of The Philanthropy Roundtable, where a few hundred people were wrapping their heads around “Blended Learning,” the latest and most promising next new thing in education. Most in the audience were funders focused on education, and, judging from their body language and comments, most were sold on the idea.

Quickly, blended learning is some mix of traditional classroom instruction (which in itself varies considerably) and instruction mediated by technology. The latter can be one student with a tablet or laptop, or small groups of kids working together on devices.

The best known practitioner of what everyone at the meeting shorthanded to ‘blended’ is Salman Khan, whose Khan Academy is serving 5 million unique users every month, and about 15,000 classrooms were 

The Hidden Deceit Behind Ammendment 8 | Scathing Purple Musings

The Hidden Deceit Behind Ammendment 8 | Scathing Purple Musings:

The Hidden Deceit Behind Ammendment 8

by Bob Sikes

Pensacola News-Journal reporter Erin Kourkournis spoke with Escambia county’s superintendent of schools about the misleadingly named Religious Freedom Amendment.

Escambia County Schools Superintendent Malcolm Thomas said public schools have taken a big cut in funding in recent years, and if this amendment passes, he worries that public school districts will get less money.
Escambia County Schools Superintendent Malcolm Thomas said public schools have taken a big 

LAUSD: THIS AMERICAN LIE - Perdaily.com

LAUSD: THIS AMERICAN LIE - Perdaily.com:

LAUSD: THIS AMERICAN LIE

by Leonard Isenberg

(Mensaje se repite en Español)

(For a national view of public education reform see the end of this blog post)
In listening to the This American Life show entitleBack to School, it finally dawned on me what I dislike most about the Los Angeles Unified School District (LAUSD) and public school districts like it around the United States:

Vacuous rhetoric aside, those running these failure factories have 

Milner School given to Jumoke Academy: When Does Lying Become Criminal…? - Wait, What?

Milner School given to Jumoke Academy: When Does Lying Become Criminal…? - Wait, What?:

Milner School given to Jumoke Academy: When Does Lying Become Criminal…?

by jonpelto

And what if the thing you are lying about hurts the future of children.

One of the issues surrounding the Chicago Teacher’s strike is Mayor Emanuel Rahm’s plan to turn a number of public schools over to charter school management companies.

Governor Malloy’s administration is engaged in a similar strategy here.

In August, as part of his “turnaround” strategy, Commissioner of Education, Stefan Pryor, proposed a plan to hand over the Milner School, which is part of the Hartford Public School System, to Jumoke Academy, a charter school.

The Connecticut State Board of Education approved a plan.  Their rational was that, since 

Mike Klonsky's SmallTalk Blog: WEEKEND QUOTABLES

Mike Klonsky's SmallTalk Blog: WEEKEND QUOTABLES:

WEEKEND QUOTABLES

Matt Farmer on Up with Chris Hayes, MSNBC Sunday

Karen Lewis

"Delegates just didn’t trust Chicago Public Schools not to try to slip one over on them if they called off the first CTU strike in 25 years without more study and discussion of the offer. Please write ‘trust’ in big giant letters because that’s what the problem is.’’

 -- Sun-Times

Alex Kotlowitz

It’s been too easy to see this dispute as one between two 

CTA Statement of Solidarity - California Teachers Association

CTA Statement of Solidarity - California Teachers Association:

CTA Statement of Solidarity With Striking Chicago Educators

Contact: Mike Myslinski at 650-552-5324

BURLINGAME – Dean E. Vogel, president of the 325,000-member California Teachers Association, issued this statement of solidarity today as CTA’s Board of Directors voted unanimously to support striking Chicago educators in the nation’s third-largest public school district:

“California’s educators stand in solidarity with the 30,000 striking Chicago Teachers Union members and their goals. What teachers want in Chicago for their school district’s 400,000 students is the same as what California’s teachers want for our 6.2 million students -- adequate resources for our students to succeed, a say in the education reform, evaluations that are focused on improving student learning and the practice of teaching, and to be treated and compensated like the professionals we are.

“So-called education reformers in Chicago are seeking policy changes that aren’t in the best interest of students and leave classroom experts out of the discussion. All educators deserve a respectful, collaborative approach to teacher evaluation that uses multiple measures and collective bargaining to meet local needs. It’s a hopeful sign that both sides in Chicago are still talking at the bargaining table as the strike continues after more than a year of negotiations. California’s educators are watching, and hoping for the best results possible for the students and our profession.”

                                                                                 ###

The 325,000-member CTA is affiliated with the 3.2 million-member National Education Association.

Standing Up for Schools and Kids | The Forum for Education and Democracy

Standing Up for Schools and Kids | The Forum for Education and Democracy:

Standing Up for Schools and Kids

by George Wood

A couple of recent events, one on the state level and one very local, have given me hope and point out the way each and every one of us can stand up for our public schools.
First, three superintendents and their school boards have decided to stand up publicly against the ill-conceived 'Third Grade Guarantee' here in Ohio.  If you missed it, last spring the Ohio legislature, prompted by Governor John Kasich, decided that no child would be promoted to fourth grade unless they could read by third grade.  Further, at each grade level, kindergarten through third, children had to be tested with standardized instruments to see if they are 'on-track' to read by age eight.  If not, an individualized program was to be designed and carried out for each individual student.
Of course there is no funding for the program, just the advice that schools can use their federal dollars for it and that there would be, sometime in the future, grant funds available.  The law, passed in May, had to be implemented by September even though the Ohio Department of Education did not inform school districts of what tests they could use until August.  As of September 13th, the policies to be followed were still changing.
read more

Chicago Teachers Strike to Last Couple More Days, as Union Mulls Over Tentative Agreement | FDL News Desk

Chicago Teachers Strike to Last Couple More Days, as Union Mulls Over Tentative Agreement | FDL News Desk:

Chicago Teachers Strike to Last Couple More Days, as Union Mulls Over Tentative Agreement

by David Dayen

(photo: peoplesworld / flickr)

Chicago public school students will not return to the classroom on Monday, as the Chicago Teachers Uniondecided to take more time to mull over a contract proposal. Students will not return to class until Wednesday at the earliest, according to the union.

The delegates could vote to end the strike as early as Tuesday, as members want the additional time to digest the details of the contract offer, union president Karen Lewis said.
“They’re not happy with the agreement. They’d like it to be a lot better for us than it is,” Lewis said.
The potential for 120 school closings in the coming years, first reported by the Tribune, also has caused concern.
“It under-girds everything they talk about,” Lewis said.

Chicago Mayor Rahm Emanuel said he plans to file an injunction to force the teachers back to work. He claims 

Chicago mayor seeks injunction to end teachers strike | News - Home

Chicago mayor seeks injunction to end teachers strike | News - Home:

Chicago mayor seeks injunction to end teachers strike

Rahm Emanuel asks city lawyers to file an injunction to immediately end the teachers strike

Author: From Kyung Lah and Greg Botelho CNN

Published On: Sep 16 2012 01:10:11 AM EDT  Updated On: Sep 16 2012 09:10:03 PM EDT

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Kevin Myers/CNN

CHICAGO (CNN) -

The week-old teachers strike in Chicago's public schools will continue into the new week, after a representative group of the Chicago Teachers Union decided not to end the strike even though union leaders and school officials had reached a tentative contract deal.

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The move left Mayor Rahm Emanuel vowing to go to court to force teachers back to work, calling Sunday's actions by the union "a delay of choice that is wrong for our children."

The mayor announced in a statement that he's asked city lawyers "to file an injunction in circuit 

School Tech Connect: Rushing A Vote

School Tech Connect: Rushing A Vote:

Rushing A Vote

by noreply@blogger.com (Tim Furman)

Let's not forget what happens when people are asked to vote quickly on complex documents.

Popout

Students Last: The Tiniest Test Takers

Students Last: The Tiniest Test Takers:

The Tiniest Test Takers

by Students Last

New York City - Pearson PLC, the world's leading learning company, announced a multi-million dollar deal with New York City's Department of Education that will allow the company to begin administering standardized tests to the city's youngest students - fetuses.

Pearson-provided sonogram of fetus taking ELA exam. Sadly, test scores prove fetus is merely average.

Flanked by both Mayor Michael Bloomberg and Chancellor of Education Dennis Walcott, Pearson CEO Marjorie Scardino gushed, "We couldn't be more excited about this development."

Ms. Scardino explained to reporters how Pearson scientists used nano technology to create tiny number two pencils that can 

CTU President: We Are Still on Strike | NBC Chicago

CTU President: We Are Still on Strike | NBC Chicago:

CTU President: We Are Still on Strike

Teachers from around the country will gather at noon on Saturday for a solidarity rally in Union Park

Sunday, Sep 16, 2012  |  Updated 12:11 AM CDT

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The Chicago Teachers Union hosted a "Solidarity Rally" in Union Park on Saturday afternoon, while officials from CTU and Chicago Public Schools hammer out the details for an agreement. Michelle Relerford reports from Union Park.

PHOTOS AND VIDEOS

Negotiations Continue...

Karen Lewis'
"Solidarity...

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Despite both sides looking to get teachers and students back in the classroom next week, thousands of teachers and supporters gathered in Union Park on Saturday for the Chicago Teachers Union's solidarity rally.

“We are on strike,” CTU President Karen told a crowd estimated to be about 2,500 teachers and supporters decked out in red. “We have a

Source: http://www.nbcchicago.com/news/local/Teachers-Prepare-for-Solidarity-Rally-169891176.html#ixzz26gJAo02e

Teachers For Social Justice: THE STRIKE IS STILL ON!

Teachers For Social Justice: THE STRIKE IS STILL ON!:

THE STRIKE IS STILL ON!

by sarah atlas

It's not over yet-democracy in is action in the CTU, as the House of Delegates decides how to proceed with the tentative agreement (see below for the CTU website release on the HoD meeting today). Let's get back on those picket lines at the schools Monday morning and do other strike support as well. Watch the CTU & TSJ website for updates, and don't necessarily believe what you hear in the news! Solidarity!!

 

 

From CTU Website:

House of Delegates to review new contract language this Sunday at 3:00 p.m.

09/15/2012

CHICAGO - The Chicago Teachers Union (CTU)'s ruling body will decide whether or not to call off its strike against the Chicago Public Schools during a 3 p.m. House of Delegates meeting tomorrow at Operating Engineers Hall, 2260 Grove Street.  The Bargaining Team is expected to share new details about proposed contract language which includes a 

Chicago Teachers Strike Continues Into New Week As Union, City Fail To Strike Deal

Chicago Teachers Strike Continues Into New Week As Union, City Fail To Strike Deal:

Chicago Teachers Strike Continues Into New Week As Union, City Fail To Strike Deal

by Joy Resmovits

The Chicago Teachers Union delegates decided Sunday night not to accept a deal for a new contract from Chicago Public Schools and made plans to resume negotiations Tuesday, effectively prolonging the weeklong teachers strike and ensuring that school would not be in session for the city's public school students for the next two days.

CTU President Karen Lewis fielded questions during a press conference Sunday night as reporters attempted to make sense of discrepancies in the union and the school district's interpretation of contract language.

"We obviously have very different world views," Lewis said. "They're a political spin machine."

As has been the case since the beginning of the strike, when Lewis and Mayor Rahm Emanuel provided very 

NYC Educator: God Save Karen Lewis

NYC Educator: God Save Karen Lewis:

God Save Karen Lewis

by NYC Educator

After hearing the CTU strike was nearing a resolution, I was surprised to hear that it was, in fact, going to continue for two more days. I was more surprised, though, at the rationale behind that decision.

“This union is a democratic institution, which values the opportunity for all members to make decisions together. The officers of this union follow the lead of our members,” President Lewis said. 

Have you ever heard of such a thing? She's going to