NYC Public School Parents: PEP's Mayoral Bloc Rejects Call for Delay in Charter School Co-locations

NYC Public School Parents: PEP's Mayoral Bloc Rejects Call for Delay in Charter School Co-locations:

PEP's Mayoral Bloc Rejects Call for Delay in Charter School Co-locations

by Patrick J. Sullivan

Thursday's Panel for Educational Policy meeting at Frank Sinatra HS started forty minutes late as Vice Chair Freida Foster waited for enough mayoral bloc appointees to ensure the mayor's super-majority was in place to approve resolutions.

Deferral of Co-Location Votes or "The People's Business"

Brooklyn representative Kelvin Diamond introduced a resolution to defer co-location votes from the rescheduled December PEP meeting to January.  Diamond cited the losses and disruption caused by Hurricane Sandy as obstacles to holding public hearings where the affected communities could weigh in on the decisions.  Chancellor Walcott spoke against the resolution citing the need to proceed with "the people's business".  I joined the Queens representative in supporting the Brooklyn resolution.  The resolution failed as the Staten Island representative joined the mayoral bloc in dismissing our concerns about the ability of the public to focus on these hearings and the larger privatization effort underway in the aftermath of the hurricane. 

School Tech Connect: Do Elections Have Consequences?

School Tech Connect: Do Elections Have Consequences?:

Do Elections Have Consequences?

by noreply@blogger.com (Tim Furman)

We'll just see...

One of the things I've learned in the past year is to not be shy about inviting policymakers to meetings.  Just sent an email to my state representative.

Malloy’s decision to coddle the rich = State Budget Deficit - Wait, What?

Malloy’s decision to coddle the rich = State Budget Deficit - Wait, What?:

Malloy’s decision to coddle the rich = State Budget Deficit

by jonpelto

When Governor Malloy proposed his $1.5 billion tax increase last year, anyone making over $1 million dollars was spared any increase in the state income tax rate.

Concerned that the super-rich in Fairfield County might leave Connecticut – despite the fact that the income tax rate is higher in New York and New Jersey – and much higher in New York City – Malloy’s tax package only increased the income tax rate on people making LESS THAN $1 million.

In addition, he made it clear to the Democratic Legislature that he would not sign any tax package that included a higher rate on millionaires.

So while the Bush (and Obama) Tax Cuts give Connecticut’s super-rich an extra $156,000 

Seattle Schools Community Forum: Should Student Tweets Be Revealed?

Seattle Schools Community Forum: Should Student Tweets Be Revealed?:

Should Student Tweets Be Revealed?

by Melissa Westbrook

Here's a dilemma (or maybe not).

Over at the Jezebel blog, they found that there were a number of teens who, after the reelection of President Obama, sent out very hateful and racist tweets.  Jezebel looked these teens up and where they went to school, checked their school's code of conduct, and then contacted their respective administrations.  In many cases, either the school code of conduct and/or student athletic code of conduct was violate.

Jezebel says:

We contacted their school's administrators with the hope that, if their educators were made aware of their 

Seattle Schools This Week

by Melissa Westbrook

Monday, November 12th
SPS closed to honor our veterans, both past and present.   I want to thank my father, Sam, and his brothers, Jack, Pat and Bill, all who served in WWII.  I want to thank my mother's cousin, Charles Oles, who served in WWII and died in the Bataan death march.  I would like to thank Harry M. Ravenna, the soldier in Vietnam whose name I carried on a metal bracelet on my wrist in junior high.  I found out decades later that he was killed in action.  Thank you to all who served and are serving.

Community Meeting with Director Peaslee at Lake City Library from 6:30-8:00 pm

Tuesday, November 13th
Road Map to College event.  One of a series, this one at Rainier Beach High School from 3-6 p.m.

Krista Rillo, College Bound Scholarship Counselor, klrillo@seattleschools.org, (206) 252-0075

Fresh Awesome in the Teachbad Store!! | Mr. Teachbad

Fresh Awesome in the Teachbad Store!! | Mr. Teachbad:

Fresh Awesome in the Teachbad Store!!

by teachbad

Fresh Awesome in the Teachbad Store!!

As mid-autumn teacher depres­sion and anx­i­ety finds its sweet spot, and in time for thought­ful hol­i­day gift-giving, Mr. Teach­bad is delighted to offer two BRAND NEW prod­ucts to our grow­ing line of Strictly Home-Use Teacher Gifts. Check ‘em out. I espe­cially like the Pretty Good Teacher mug.

Last Stand for Children First: Michelle Rhee's Policies Proven a Rousing Success

Last Stand for Children First: Michelle Rhee's Policies Proven a Rousing Success:

Michelle Rhee's Policies Proven a Rousing Success

by Last Stand for Children

I was overjoyed yesterday to see the Washington Post trumpeting a new report by the New Teacher Project trumpeting Michelle Rhee's success as Chancellor of the Washington D.C. schools.  We've always known Ms. Rhee was a force of nature since she first appeared on our radar when she founded the New Teacher Project back in 1997. 

As Chancellor, Mr. Rhee was something of a lightening rod for controversy, but even the Washington Post found the report compelling despite the New Teacher Project currently having a contract with the DC schools, many of the Washington D.C. teachers coming from the New Teacher Project, Michelle Rhee running the project for 10 years, and current Washington school chief Kaya Henderson being a former Vice-President of the New Teacher Poject.   Frankly, that's good enough for me.

In 1954, my grandfather Francis was one of the scientists who contributed to the groundbreaking report entitled 

Profiles in Courageousness Tackles Education Reform

by Last Stand for Children

A new book has just come out this week from Last Stand for Children Board Member and United States Congressman Jack Kimble of California's 54th District.   The book is a combination of the Congressman's life 

Kimble's Corner: Congressman Kimble Meets the Nation to Talk about GOP Future

Kimble's Corner: Congressman Kimble Meets the Nation to Talk about GOP Future:

Congressman Kimble Meets the Nation to Talk about GOP Future

by Representative Kimble

Greg Roberts: The echoes of Tuesday night's crushing defeat for Mitt Romney and the rest of Republican candidates still echo through the beltway.  The fiscal cliff awaits, but it seems what everybody is talking about is how the Republicans rebound with demographics seemingly working against them for years to come.

Our guest, Jack Kimble from California was a rare Republican winner on Tuesday night, winning his home district 

Math Can Be Truly Painful, Brain Study Shows | toteachornototeach

Math Can Be Truly Painful, Brain Study Shows | toteachornototeach:

Math Can Be Truly Painful, Brain Study Shows

by aristotlethewise

Math Can Be Truly Painful, Brain Study Shows

For math-phobes, anticipation of math work activates pain centers in brain.
by Jeremy Berlin
Does the thought of 1+1= ouch?
If you hate math, it might—literally. According to a new study, the mere prospect of a math problem causes pain centers to light up in number-phobic brains.
Researchers at the University of Chicago measured the neural activity of 28 adults—14 who’d been identified with high math anxiety and 14 with low math anxiety. Each subject was given a series of word and math questions 

2012 election lessons. We don’t have to accept bad legislation. Oust those who proposed it. Build a democratic union. « Fred Klonsky

2012 election lessons. We don’t have to accept bad legislation. Oust those who proposed it. Build a democratic union. « Fred Klonsky:

2012 election lessons. We don’t have to accept bad legislation. Oust those who proposed it. Build a democratic union.

by Fred Klonsky

John Wilson is the former Executive Director of the National Education Association. Before that he led the N.C. Association of Educators. He taught special education for 23 years. He is a past chair of the Partnership for 21st Century Skills, the Learning First Alliance, and the N.C. Covenant for Children.
Wilson posted on his blog at Ed Week some of his thoughts about last Tuesday’s election.
They are worth reading.

 I hope teachers take a lot of heart and a few lessons from the 2012 election. Lesson 1: Your voice matters, individually and collectively through your association or union. Lesson 2: You do not have to accept bad legislation. Challenge it through the proposition process, the courts, or the next election by 

Call the White House. A national campaign to stop Race to the Top.

by Fred Klonsky

Contact the White House weekly at 202-456-1111 on your state’s designated day.Message: Give all students the same education your girls are getting! Abandon Race to the Top and stop privatizing public schools. MONDAY 1. Alabama 2. Alaska 3. Arizona 4. Arkansas 5. California 6. Colorado

Jersey Jazzman: The Deeply Flawed TNTP Report on DC Schools

Jersey Jazzman: The Deeply Flawed TNTP Report on DC Schools:

The Deeply Flawed TNTP Report on DC Schools

by Duke

UPDATE: Matt DiCarlo has, as is usual, an excellent analysis. I especially like what he says about the survey TNTP conducted:

Unless I’m missing something, TNTP does not present any basic characteristics of their survey sample, to say nothing of trying to compare them with those of the larger DCPS group (the same was true of the districts in the “Irreplaceables” report). This is always required (even with random samples), but it’s especially important given that TNTP is an advocacy organization, one which is very well-known in DCPS (for example, it was founded by former Chancellor Michelle Rhee), and places many teachers in the district. Attitudes toward them can be very contentious, and it’s certain that at least some people decided for or against completing the survey based in part on their views of TNTP and/or their policy stances.

As far as I'm concerned, the survey in this report is useless. But I still stand by the linking of "Evaluation 

All Education Matters: Rolling Jubilee: You Are Not A Loan

All Education Matters: Rolling Jubilee: You Are Not A Loan:

Rolling Jubilee: You Are Not A Loan

by Cryn Johannsen

Occupy Wall Street has launched an ingenious campaign, something that is truly beyond capitalism. Just as they have stepped in to help victims of Sandy (OPERATION Occupy Sandy), the collective group of dreamers, activists, and community lovers have decided a new angle to the solving the debt crisis - a bailout for the people and by the people. The People's Bailout, cleverly called a Rolling Jubilee, begins on November 15th!

Short Notes: In a Kendrick Lamar and Lady Gaga Sorta Vibe | The Jose Vilson

Short Notes: In a Kendrick Lamar and Lady Gaga Sorta Vibe | The Jose Vilson:

Short Notes: In a Kendrick Lamar and Lady Gaga Sorta Vibe

by Jose

Kendrick Lamar

A few notes:

• Lady Gaga posted a version of Kendrick Lamar’s “Don’t Kill My Vibe” which originally featured … her. Awesome. [Twitter / @LadyGaga]
• According to Slate, NASA is also very happy with Obama’s re-election. To space and beyond. [Slate]
• I’m not a fan of war, nor am I happy we have troops in places we don’t need to. This Wilfred Owen poem is a good reminder for us. [via Twitter / Alec Couros]

School Tech Connect: Put This On Your Calendar

School Tech Connect: Put This On Your Calendar:

Put This On Your Calendar

by noreply@blogger.com (Tim Furman)

I'll be at this event with some of the members of the new group up here, Rogers Park Neighbors for Public Schools. Come join us if you're up here, or even if you're close by. You folks down in Edgewater are going to have to organize locally as well, as far as I can tell.

Support for Elected School Board Growing in Chicago « Larry Miller's Blog: Educate All Students!

Support for Elected School Board Growing in Chicago « Larry Miller's Blog: Educate All Students!:

Support for Elected School Board Growing in Chicago

by millerlf

Aldermen push for city-wide referendum on elected school board
BY FRAN SPIELMAN  AND ROSALIND ROSSI Staff Reporters November 8, 2012 Chicago Sun Times
Independent Chicago aldermen vowed Thursday to push for a citywide referendum on an elected school board opposed by Mayor Rahm Emanuel, emboldened by 86 percent support from voters in parts of 35 wards.
Despite a parliamentary maneuver by a mayoral ally that blocked referenda in 10 Chicago wards, education activists in 327 precincts went door-to-door to gather the signatures needed to put the elected school board question on the ballot. The results were overwhelming. By an 86.6 percent margin, 65,763 Chicagoans said they would prefer an elected school board to the current system of seven mayoral appointees confirmed by the City Council.
Chicago has the only school district in the state that does not have an elected school board.
Only the state General Assembly could make the switch to an elected board. But, overwhelming approval of a citywide referendum would give momentum to the grass-roots movement by voters fed up with the “top-down” 

Tavis Smiley & Dr. Cornel West on Poverty: “The Rich and the Rest of Us: A Poverty Manifesto” | Seattle Education

Tavis Smiley & Dr. Cornel West on Poverty: “The Rich and the Rest of Us: A Poverty Manifesto” | Seattle Education:

Tavis Smiley & Dr. Cornel West on Poverty: “The Rich and the Rest of Us: A Poverty Manifesto”

by seattleducation2011

From Democracy Now:

As the most expensive presidential election in U.S. history comes to an end, broadcaster Tavis Smiley and professor, activist Dr. Cornel West discuss President Obama’s re-election and their hopes for a national political agenda in and outside of the White House during Obama’s second term. At a time when one in six Americans is poor, the price tag for combined spending by federal candidates — along with their parties and outside groups like super PACs — totaled more than $6 billion. Together, West and Smiley have written the new book, “The Rich and the Rest of Us: A Poverty Manifesto.”

Both Tavis and Smiley single out prominent progressives whom they accuse of overlooking Obama’s actual record. “We believe if [Obama] is not pushed, he is going to be a transactional president and not a transformational president,” Smiley says. “We believe the time is now for action and no longer accommodation… To be the most progressive means you’ve taken some serious risk. And I just don’t see the example of that.” West says that some prominent supporters of Obama “want to turn their back to poor and working people. It’s 

Time on testing: 738 minutes in 3 weeks:

Time on testing: 738 minutes in 3 weeks

Posted by Valerie Strauss on November 11, 2012 at 11:30 am

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How much time do teachers and students spend on standardized tests? That’s one of the big questions in public education today, which Adam Heenan, a Chicago school teacher and member of the Chicago Teachers Union addresses here.

By Adam Heenan

A few days ago, a colleague walked into our social studies department with a bubbled-in answer sheet from a test he had just administered. One student had turned the sheet on its side and bubbled in the colloquial acronym “YOLO” — You Only Live Once — on the exam. The teacher had  created the test, but to the teenager, it was just one more exam in a seemingly endless series of bubble-sheet, auto-scored assessments.

(By Adam Heenan)

I laughed at what the student had created, mostly because the “YOLO” script was evenly distributed across the length of the bubble sheet, demonstrating the student’s skill in measurement and design. But of course it isn’t funny. In my school, in just three weeks’ time, I have calculated that we spent 738 minutes (12 hours and 18 minutes) on preparing for and administering standardized tests. Our students are experiencing testing fatigue, 

Shanker Blog » Describing, Explaining And Affecting Teacher Retention In D.C.

Shanker Blog » Describing, Explaining And Affecting Teacher Retention In D.C.:

Describing, Explaining And Affecting Teacher Retention In D.C.

by Matthew Di Carlo

The New Teacher Project (TNTP) has released a new report on teacher retention in D.C. Public Schools (DCPS). It is a spinoff of their “The Irreplaceables” report, which was released a few months ago, and which is discussed in this post. The four (unnamed) districts from that report are also used in this one, and their results are compared with those from DCPS.
I want to look quickly at this new supplemental analysis, not to rehash the issues I raised about“The Irreplaceables,” but rather because of DCPS’s potential importance as a field test site for a host of policy reform ideas – indeed, the majority of core market-based reform policies have been in place in D.C. for several years, including teacher evaluations in which test-based measures are the dominant component, automatic dismissals based on those ratings, large performance bonuses, mutual consent for excessed teachers and a huge charter sector. There are many people itching to render a sweeping verdict, positive or negative, on these reforms, most often based on pre-existing beliefs, rather than solid evidence.
Although I will take issue with a couple of the conclusions offered in this report, I’m not going to review it 

Schools Matter: The Hard Bigotry of Low Expectations in Florida

Schools Matter: The Hard Bigotry of Low Expectations in Florida:

The Hard Bigotry of Low Expectations in Florida

by Judy Rabin

With the ink barely dry on the outcome of the Presidential election in Florida, the FL school Board is now looking for new and innovative ways to keep the FCAT,  virtual schools and private money machine rolling. This way Jeb Bush's buddies. K-12 and other for-profit education outfits who make their money off the backs of the poorest and most vulnerable children and their teachers can keep their wheels greased till 2018 under this proposal.

The soft bigotry of low expectations used by these privatizers and profiteers for the past decade to push test and punishment and hold teachers accountable for the failures of Wall Street and politicians, is not being used by the actual bigots to keep things running smoothly for their bottom line.

With new proficiency targets for poor black and brown children, their no excuses mythology that they worked so hard to create for three decades has to be replaced with some other malarkey as our Vice President would say. I 

The Sunday Mail. « Fred Klonsky

The Sunday Mail. « Fred Klonsky:

The Sunday Mail.

by Fred Klonsky

Veteran of the Abraham Lincoln Brigade (my dad) Robert Klonsky. Phot0: Life Photographer Peter Stackpole  1938.
General Petraeus. Maybe it wasn’t just about his zipper.
The day I retired, my school district cut off my email access at 2:30. Mittens didn’t wait that long to cut off his people.
Bill O’ Reilly says we just want stuff. He’s right. Medicare. Social Security. Health Care. Collective bargaining. An end to deportations. Access to safe abortions. Stuff. Lots of stuff.
Will Democratic Party super-majorities in California and Illinois be good for schools, teachers and 

George Lucas: Education the key to robust future - Marin Independent Journal

George Lucas: Education the key to robust future - Marin Independent Journal:

George Lucas: Education the key to robust future

By Nels Johnson

George Lucas intends to use his wealth to benefit education.

Lucas, who sold Lucasfilm to Disney last month for $2 billion in cash and $2 billion in Disney stock, indicated he will use most of his wealth to educate children in a written statement elaborating on earlier word that educational endeavors will be the big beneficiary of his philanthropy.

"As long as I have the resources at my disposal, I will seek to raise the bar for future generations of students of all ages," he said in a formal "pledge" to improve education.

Calling education "the key to the survival of the human race," Lucas said that a robust future depends on "the social, emotional, and intellectual tools we provide to our children."

Lucas,

Filmmaker George Lucas plans to use the $4 billion he will get for selling Lucasfilm to Walt Disney Co. to help education. Reuters photo/Fred Prouser ( FRED PROUSER )

of San Anselmo, observed that a good storyteller is ultimately a teacher — "using the arts as a means of making education