Wednesday, September 19, 2012

by Michael Dunn

The Chicago Teachers Union (CTU) voted today to end their strike. 98% of the 800 delegates voted in favor of ending the strike, according to the New York Times, though the union’s 26,000 members would still have to ratify the new contract, which could take several weeks.

The new contract would give teachers a modest raise and prohibit merit pay, but it would also lengthen the work day by 90 minutes and require that 30% of teachers’ evaluations be based

Ten minute drawing. Lewis for Mayor. « Fred Klonsky

Ten minute drawing. Lewis for Mayor. « Fred Klonsky:

Ten minute drawing. Lewis for Mayor.

by Fred Klonsky

Click on drawing to enlarge.

Is poverty destiny? Ideology vs. evidence in school reform - The Answer Sheet - The Washington Post

Is poverty destiny? Ideology vs. evidence in school reform - The Answer Sheet - The Washington Post:

Is poverty destiny? Ideology vs. evidence in school reform

By Valerie Strauss

At the center of the school reform debate is the role that poverty playsin student achievement, as explained well in the following post. It was written by Paul Thomas, an associate professor of education at Furman University in South Carolina. His newest book, “Ignoring Poverty in the U.S. — The Corporate Takeover of Public Education,” was recently published. A version of this post appeared on dailykos.com. This is long but worth the time.

By Paul Thomas

Science educator and activist Anthony Cody had a five-part exchange with the Gates Foundation about education reform on his Education Week blog, Living in Dialogue

These point-counterpoint posts serve well to illustrate the essential difference between Social Context Reformers, represented by Cody, and “No Excuses” Reformers, represented by the Gates Foundation

Tennessee punishing Nashville for refusing to open charter school

by Valerie Strauss

Tennessee officials, led by Education Commissioner Kevin Huffman, are withholding $3.4 million from the Nashville public schools because the state told the system to open a controversial charter school and the local school board refused.
Read full article >>

Who won the Chicago teachers strike?

by Valerie Strauss

The Chicago teachers have called off their strike after seven days as members of the union vote on a proposed contract hammered out in tough negotiations. Who won? Was it Chicago Mayor Rahm Emanuel or the union?
Read full article >>

Teachers Need To Find their Voice

Teachers Need To Find their Voice:

Teachers Need To Find their Voice

Participating in the excellent Twitter #edchat discussion at noon today I was reminded, no matter what the pundits say, how many intelligent, caring teachers there are. The discussion was lively and, as always, made me think.

Today’s discussion centered on the question, “What is your opinion on the number one reason education reform is being blocked? As always, participants looked at the question from different perspectives, yet several threads emerged that troubled me.

Teachers are afraid to be publically vocal with their opinions on the direction (or lack thereof) of education reform. There was concern that teachers

Chicago’s War on Education | Dailycensored.com

Chicago’s War on Education | Dailycensored.com:

Chicago’s War on Education

by stephenl

Corrupt city officials and union bosses want teacher rights marginalized and kids denied education. It’s longstanding policy.

War is waged on labor. Doing so harms parents and children. Public education’s future is up for grabs. A nearly four century American tradition is disappearing.

It’s on the chopping block for elimination. It’s being commodified. It’s being handed to corporate predators. They’re concerned only about bottom line priorities. Teaching and learning don’t matter.

On September 10, Chicago teachers walked out. By the time this article circulates, they may be back in classrooms. Since last November, they’ve been fighting stiff headwinds fo

Schools Matter: Access to books is not always enough: An example from Gate C-5

Schools Matter: Access to books is not always enough: An example from Gate C-5:

Access to books is not always enough: An example from Gate C-5

by skrashen

Access to books is not always enough: An example from Gate C-5
Published as: Airport Amenities, Taipei Times, September 19, 2012

As a researcher who has investigated the role of self-selected leisure reading for the past three decades, I was, at first, very happy to see that there is a reading zone at the Taipei airport (at Gate C-5, Eva Airlines).

Our research has concluded that leisure reading has a powerful effect on both first and second-language development: Those who read a great deal on their own develop large vocabularies, good writing style, better

NYC Educator: An Open Conversation, Even in Chicago, about Union Leadership?

NYC Educator: An Open Conversation, Even in Chicago, about Union Leadership?:

An Open Conversation, Even in Chicago, about Union Leadership?

by Miss Eyre

Listening to coverage of the now-concluded teachers' strike in Chicago on NPR on my way back to the 5 boroughs from the hinterlands yesterday, one thing really struck me in how the Chicago teachers discussed the CTU: the openness with which CTU members discussed Karen Lewis, President of the CTU. There is far from a universal opinion on how Lewis has handled the breakdown in contract negotiations and the strike, even though the CTU delegates have voted to approve the framework for a new contract and end the strike effective today.

Members of the CTU frankly discussed Lewis's leadership in this time of what must be called a crisis. Several bluntly questioned her ability to lead following the drastic measure of a teachers' strike. Others called her too confrontational, while yet others defended her as tough yet pragmatic. This will clearly be a discussion in the CTU for the coming days, but

Schooling in the Ownership Society: Rahm's billionaire Republican pal goes off on the CTU

Schooling in the Ownership Society: Rahm's billionaire Republican pal goes off on the CTU:

Rahm's billionaire Republican pal goes off on the CTU

by Mike Klonsky

"The critical issue is to separate the union from the teachers. They're not the same thing." -- Bruce Rauner

Yesterday it was Rupert Murdoch bag man, Joel Klein hating on the CTU. Today its Rahm's billionaire Republican pal Bruce Rauner who's in a rage over the teachers' strike victory. Rauner thinks that Rahm gave away the store in his negotiations with the union.

According to the Tribune,

Rauner, a wealthy venture capitalist who is helping lead a drive for more charter schools in the city,

Jersey Jazzman: The Strike Is Dead; Long Live the Strike!

Jersey Jazzman: The Strike Is Dead; Long Live the Strike!:

The Strike Is Dead; Long Live the Strike!

by Duke

There's one thing I've learned about Chicago during the teachers strike: the Tribune is a rag. So I'm linking to theSun-Times for news about the suspension of the strike:

The Chicago Teachers Union’s House of Delegates voted Tuesday to end its strike after seven days, meaning classes will be in session Wednesday for 350,000 Chicago Public Schools students.
“Everybody is going back to school,” said Jay Rehak, a delegate from Whitney Young High School.
Delegate Mike Bochner said “an overwhelming majority” of delegates voted to suspend the strike

Mike Klonsky's SmallTalk Blog: Back in school with heads held high

Mike Klonsky's SmallTalk Blog: Back in school with heads held high:

Back in school with heads held high

by Mike Klonsky

Chicago Teachers Union delegates embrace after voting to end their strike. (Scott Olson, Getty Images /

Who won?

They put on their red T-shirts and commanded the attention of the nation and the admiration of millions of teachers. Powerless no more, they showed that unity made them strong. Ninety-eight percent voted to authorize the strike, and 98% voted to end it... Regardless of the terms of the contract, the teachers won. -- Diane Ravitch, Washington Post

We won so much more than a contract says TSJ

In this strike, so much more was won than a contract. After 17 punishing years of corporate,

Tuesday, September 18, 2012

Schools Matter: Duncan Promotes Resegregationist Policies in Topeka

Schools Matter: Duncan Promotes Resegregationist Policies in Topeka:

Duncan Promotes Resegregationist Policies in Topeka

by Jim Horn

Breathtaking hubris and moral bankruptcy

Arne Duncan is on another bus tour to promote the corporate education schemes that pit Wall Street hedge funders and the corporate foundations against the children, teachers, and parents of America. Today Duncan made his most ironic stop yet, at Monroe School, Ground Zero for the fight against segregation in the early 1950s.

Duncan's speech did not explain or even mention how his support for the unimpeded spread of apartheid corporate charter schools has done more than any other administration in the past 60 years to increase, hasten, and intensify the resegregation of American school children.

He did not mention the 9-0 Supreme Court Decision in 1954 that declared that separate schools are inherently

CTU votes to suspend strike. A wheel inside a wheel. « Fred Klonsky

CTU votes to suspend strike. A wheel inside a wheel. « Fred Klonsky:

CTU votes to suspend strike. A wheel inside a wheel.

by Fred Klonsky

About 40 customers, religious activists and teachers gather before a quiet demonstration in support of a living wage for Peet’s employees.
This afternoon at about 5:15 the Chicago Teachers Union House of Delegates voted to suspend their strike and move on to have the rank-and-file members go over and then vote on the agreement.
The members will vote on it at a later time.
The House of Delegates voted to suspend the strike by an overwhelming 98%. It was strong support for the

Some Educators Love The Mickey Mouse Clubhouse | The Jose Vilson

Some Educators Love The Mickey Mouse Clubhouse | The Jose Vilson:

Some Educators Love The Mickey Mouse Clubhouse

by Jose

Mickey Mouse Clubhouse

As a new father, I’ve memorized the theme songs to every Disney Channel show from Little Einsteins to Doc McStuffins. Personally, I’m a fan of Handy Manny and Octonauts, but only because my son smiles so hard at “Creature report! Creature report!” Frankly, I can’t hate on any of the aforementioned shows because I watch them pseudo-religiously.
Even The Mickey Mouse Clubhouse has its redeeming qualities. With characters that haven’t changed in decades, the MMCH’s cast has a favorite character for just about everything, and the show’s prompts don’t ask

Diane in the Evening 9-19-12 Chicago Teacher Strike Ends « Diane Ravitch's blog

Can You Suggest Readings That Helped You? « Diane Ravitch's blog:

Can You Suggest Readings That Helped You?

by dianerav

http://dianeravitch.com/about-diane/

A reader asked for suggestions. I said I would ask for your ideas:
My sister is an experienced teacher struggling to keep her chin up in an impoverished district serving children whose parents are non-English speaking or meth addicts. She and her staff want to form a book study group this year – looking for ways to enhance their professional practice and their children’s lives – wanting desperately to have positive and productive conversations about this important work during these bleak times. Can you or any of your “followers” recommend some titles for them to consider? A retired teacher myself, I remain passionate about helping those who carry on.
Thank you for any and all suggestions.

Rev. Jesse Jackson Gets It Right

by dianerav

Who is hurting the kids? Reverend Jesse Jackson knows.
A lot of pious preaching came from reformers who opposed the Chicago teachers’ strike. They said, “You are hurting the children by keeping them out of school.”
We never hear them say that the Mayor and the school board are hurting the children by denying them small

Chicago Teacher Strike Ends

by dianerav

You have heard the news by now that the strike is over. I was lecturing in Chattanooga and meeting with leaders of the community from 2 pm until now. My brother tweeted to ask why I was behind the curve. Oops, offline.
Pundits and commentators will be poring over the Deep Meaning of all this for weeks and months to come. There will be countless articles about Lessons Learned.
Personally, I think we have a good idea already about why the teachers went on strike. No, it wasn’t greed or money. The compensation piece was more or less settled before the strike. Pundits and talk-show hosts who

Daily Kos: if you care about education and quality teaching

Daily Kos: if you care about education and quality teaching:

if you care about education and quality teaching

by rss@dailykos.com (teacherken)

and want to be able to understand one of the key issues over which battles are being fought - including in the Chicago teachers' strike - you need to understand Value-Added Methodology, and why it is NOT a silver bullet.
Fortunately for you, if you have 14 minutes, you can take advantage of the expertise of some professors oat Arizona State U (which has the nation's largest teacher preparation program - full disclosure, I have done some consulting for them).
Here's the video. I will offer some additional remarks in the tip jar
Popout

The Contemporary Condition: Transmission From The Front: The CTU Fight For the Future

The Contemporary Condition: Transmission From The Front: The CTU Fight For the Future:

Transmission From The Front: The CTU Fight For the Future

Curt Maslanka
Chicago Teacher

I will say this about myself. Many colleagues and I saw this strike coming several years ago. After Obama won the presidency in 2008, the anti-teacher rhetoric in the mainstream media skyrocketed. His campaign donors and the Gates and Walton Foundations knew he would give them the green light to scarf up as much of public education as they could in the biggest land grab since the Cherokee Strip.
Their first line of attack was to drill into the public mind the grotesque caricature of the lazy school teacher sucking off the teat of taxpayer dollars, sheltered in his/her sloth by the powerful ,corrupt teacher’s union.
Back then, mentioning these facts in liberal circles would go over about as well as a turd in a

Chicago Teachers' Strike Ends: comparison between teacher contracts from 2003, 2007, and the contract agreed upon today, below- Hispanically Speaking News

Chicago Teachers' Strike Ends: Classes to Resume Wednesday - Hispanically Speaking News:

Chicago Teachers’ Strike Ends: Classes to Resume Wednesday

The Chicago Teachers Union has reportedly called off their strike.
Classes are to resume Wednesday after the Union’s roughly 800 delegates agreed to the latest contract proposal with the city.
Chicago is home to the nation’s third largest school district. The teachers strike, which began last week, was the first in 25 years.
Read more at the Chicago Tribune.
See a comparison between teacher contracts from 2003, 2007, and the contract agreed upon today, below.

Published in Has Oido

THE MESSAGES SENT BY THE CHICAGO STRIKE « Teachers Fight Back

THE MESSAGES SENT BY THE CHICAGO STRIKE « Teachers Fight Back:

THE MESSAGES SENT BY THE CHICAGO STRIKE

by alkleen

I’m not sure what the Chicago teachers won and what they lost, but I do know what messages were sent loud and clear to the Chicago School Board, Mayor Emanuel, Superintendent Bizard, teachers across the country, and the forces that would destroy public school teachers and their unions.
The Chicago teachers sent the following messages:
1. We are tired of being bullied and we’re not going to take it any longer.
2. We no longer trust administrators because of previous contract violations. Trust must come with verification.
3. Education is not a business and our students are not products. Stop trying to equate teaching with the world

Teacher settles with school after being fired for pumping breast milk - The Denver Post

Teacher settles with school after being fired for pumping breast milk - The Denver Post:

Teacher settles with school after being fired for pumping breast milk

POSTED: 09/18/2012 04:51:40 PM MDT
UPDATED: 09/18/2012 05:24:38 PM MDT

By Megan Mitchell
The Denver Post

A Jefferson County teacher who says she was fired for expressing breast milk at work won't ask for her job back, but a settlement in her claim against Rocky Mountain Academy of Evergreen sets precedent for other employers of working moms, the American Civil Liberties Union said Tuesday.

"This case is really just one of so many examples of employers simply being ignorant to what they're required to do to accommodate working mothers," said ACLU of Colorado Cooperating Attorney, Mari Newman.

Heather Burgbacher said her contract with the K-8 charter school was not renewed in Feb. 18, 2011, after she asked that her teaching schedule be changed to accommodate breast-milk

Read more:Teacher settles with school after being fired for pumping breast milk - The Denver Post http://www.denverpost.com/breakingnews/ci_21574445/teacher-settles-school-after-being-fired-pumping-breast#ixzz26sHYCogR
Read The Denver Post's Terms of Use of its content: http://www.denverpost.com/termsofuse

School Tech Connect: Cornell, Northwestern....

School Tech Connect: Cornell, Northwestern....:

Cornell, Northwestern....

by noreply@blogger.com (Tim Furman)

This guy's good at doubling down. You just keep repeating the message, and then it becomes true.

She also questions where Urban Prep graduates go to college. I have her answer: Cornell University, Northwestern University, Georgetown University, Purdue University, Morehouse College, the University of Virginia and the University of Illinois are just a few of the colleges proud to enroll Urban Prep alumni.

I have no doubt that kids from this charter have been accepted into these prestigious universities, and I say more power to them. I hope we get full reports on how they're doing over time.

Nevertheless, if this is the academic profile of a typical Cornell "feeder" school....