Borrowing another $1.5 Billion for UConn… OMG, Wait, What? - Wait, What?

Borrowing another $1.5 Billion for UConn… OMG, Wait, What? - Wait, What?:

Borrowing another $1.5 Billion for UConn… OMG, Wait, What?

by jonpelto

According to a breaking story from the Hartford Courant, “Science, technology, engineering and math programs at the University of Connecticut could get a $1.5 billion boost over the next decade, with the intention of creating a pipeline of talent that will yield substantial returns for the state workforce and economy.”

Governor Malloy has scheduled a press conference for later today to explain his initiative, but Kathy Megan of the Courant writes that the so-called Next Generation Connecticut program would:

“Increase faculty in science, technology and engineering by 258 at the three campuses, in addition to 290 new faculty the university is in the process of hiring.

Outdated classrooms, laboratories, research space and infrastructure on the Storrs campus would be renovated and new housing would be designed for the students.

The Stamford campus would expand its digital design program, creating a school of fine 

Shanker Blog » Living In The Tails Of The Rhetorical And Teacher Quality Distributions

Shanker Blog » Living In The Tails Of The Rhetorical And Teacher Quality Distributions:

Living In The Tails Of The Rhetorical And Teacher Quality Distributions

by Matthew Di Carlo

A few weeks ago, Students First NY (SFNY) released a report, in which they presented a very simple analysis of the distribution of “unsatisfactory” teacher evaluation ratings (“U-ratings”) across New York City schools in the 2011-12 school year.
The report finds that U-ratings are distributed unequally. In particular, they are more common in schools with higher poverty, more minorities, and lower proficiency rates. Thus, the authors conclude, the students who are most in need of help are getting the worst teachers.
There is good reason to believe that schools serving larger proportions of disadvantaged students have a tougher 

Round Two: On Punishment & Child Development - Bridging Differences - Education Week

Round Two: On Punishment & Child Development - Bridging Differences - Education Week:

Round Two: On Punishment & Child Development

by Deborah Meier

Once again, Alfie Kohn joins Deborah Meier on the blog.
Dear Debbie,
I'm not sure how far apart we are on this question, but I'm happy to go another round with you and share some thoughts that your latest post sparked.
I share your rage at—and an impulse to punish—the bankers who created so much misery. But even if such punishment really did have a constructive effect (other than our own temporary feeling of grim satisfaction), I hope we also share the realization that we're left none the wiser about how to respond to children who do something wrong, which presumably involves something closer to disrupting than to bankrupting.
When I was in the classroom, some of my students managed to enrage me from time to time, but I knew my job wasn't to get even or make myself feel better at their expense. (The adults who worry me most are those who use their power over kids to work out their own psychological issues and then pretend that what they've done is in the kids' interest: "They need to learn that they can't ...")
Sometimes—often—we'll need to intervene, as you say, to make sure that one child isn't making another 

Three States Pushing ALEC Bill To Require Teaching Climate Change Denial In Schools | MyFDL

Three States Pushing ALEC Bill To Require Teaching Climate Change Denial In Schools | MyFDL:

Three States Pushing ALEC Bill to Require Teaching Climate Change Denial in Schools

by Steve Horn

Cross-Posted from DeSmogBlog
The American Legislative Exchange Council (ALEC) - known by its critics as a “corporate bill mill” – has hit the ground running in 2013, pushing “models bills” mandating the teaching of climate change denial in public school systems.
January hasn’t even ended, yet ALEC has already planted its ”Environmental Literacy Improvement Act“ - which mandates a “balanced” teaching of climate science in K-12 classrooms - in the state legislatures of Oklahoma, Colorado, and Arizona so far this year.
In the past five years since 2008, among the hottest years in U.S. history, ALEC has introduced its “Environmental Literacy Improvement Act“ in 11 states, or over one-fifth of the statehouses nationwide. The bill 

When it comes to K through 12 education, we see a $500 billion sector in the U.S.” - Rupert Murdoch - Wait, What?

When it comes to K through 12 education, we see a $500 billion sector in the U.S.” - Rupert Murdoch - Wait, What?:

When it comes to K through 12 education, we see a $500 billion sector in the U.S.” – Rupert Murdoch

by jonpelto

In a post yesterday, Tom Aswell, whose blog is called Louisiana Voice, reminded his readers about what is truly driving the corporate education reform industry – tapping into what they perceive to be a $500 billion market.

What Tom may not have realized is Connecticut’s ongoing connection to that statement.

Murdoch’s quote comes from November 2010 when, after hiring education reformer and former New York City Chancellor of Education Joel Klein, Murdoch’s News Corporation bought Wireless Generation, a privately-held education technology company for about $360 million in cash.

In the corporate press release, News Corporation Chairman and CEO, Rupert Murdoch 

Modern School: Skyrocketing Executive Pay and the Educational Salary Gap

Modern School: Skyrocketing Executive Pay and the Educational Salary Gap:

Skyrocketing Executive Pay and the Educational Salary Gap

by Michael Dunn

Superintendent Fat Cat?

Despite the passage of California’s Proposition 30, which holds the state’s education funding steady at 2011-2012 levels, none of the $20 billion that has been slashed from K-12 funding over the past 4 years will be restored. Consequently, school districts will continue to operate on austere budgets, with overcrowded classrooms, reduced course offerings, and reduced numbers of teachers, librarians, nurses and counselors. This has led to a record 188 state 

Today in Labor History—January 31

by Michael Dunn

Guy_Fawkes_by_Cruikshank

January 31, 1606 – Guy Fawkes jumped to his death moments before his execution for treason. Guy Fawkes belonged to a group of provincial English Catholics who planned the failed Gunpowder Plot of 1605. Fawkes, who had converted to Catholicism, also fought in the Eighty Years' War on the side of Catholic Spain against Protestant Dutch reformers. He later travelled to Spain to seek support for a Catholic rebellion in England but was unsuccessful. In 1604 Fawkes became involved with a small group of English Catholics, led by Robert Catesby, who 

Joy Resmovits: Walmart Founders' Philanthropy Sponsoring Chicago Closure Hearings, Portland Special Ed Lawsuit: Ed Today

Joy Resmovits: Walmart Founders' Philanthropy Sponsoring Chicago Closure Hearings, Portland Special Ed Lawsuit: Ed Today:

Walmart Founders' Philanthropy Sponsoring Chicago Closure Hearings, Portland Special Ed Lawsuit: Ed Today

by Joy Resmovits

Walmart-Backed Engagement? Catalyst Chicago has reported that Chicago's community hearings on school closures are being underwritten by the Walton Foundation. Catalyst notes that Chicago Public Schools officials have said they "don't want to link the volatile issue of school closings with the equally volatile issue of charter school openings," but Walton is a major backer of charter schools. Media isn't allowed to attend these community sessions. "This grant is allowing us to initiate what is probably the most inclusive and rigorous outreach to parents CPS has done to include their voice at the front end of this process," a CPS spokesperson told Catalyst.

Portland Special Ed Trouble? A former Portland public schools employee has filed a whistleblower lawsuit against the school district, reports OregonLive. The suit charges that the former occupational therapist was pushed out of her job after pointing out problems with the way her school was treating students with disabilities.

Charter Schools That Start Bad Stay Bad, Stanford Report Says

by Joy Resmovits

WASHINGTON -- When it comes to charter schools, the bad ones stay bad and the good ones stay good, according to a report on charter school growth released by an influential group of Stanford University scholars on Wednesday.

"There are very predictable lanes on quality, and once you get into a lane, a new school tends to not move very much," said Macke Raymond, the economist in charge of the university's Center for Research on Education Outcomes institute and an author of the report. "High stays high and low stays low."

The report, "Charter School Growth and Replications," found that, with some exceptions, charter schools that start strong are likely to stay that way, just as low-performing schools usually remain at the bottom. The study 

Corporate Money Distorting Democracy in Education Policy | Truth in American Education

Corporate Money Distorting Democracy in Education Policy | Truth in American Education:

Corporate Money Distorting Democracy in Education Policy

by Shane Vander Hart

An interesting report from In the Public Interest.

Emails between the Foundation for Excellence in Education (FEE), founded and chaired by former Florida Gov. Jeb Bush, and state education officials show that the foundation is writing state education laws and regulations in ways that could benefit its corporate funders. The emails, obtained through public records requests, reveal that the organization, sometimes working through its Chiefs For Change affiliate, wrote and edited laws, regulations and executive orders, often in ways that improved profit opportunities for the organization’s financial backers.

“Testing companies and for-profit online schools see education as big business,” said In the Public 

MORNING UPDATE: LISTEN TO DIANE RAVITCH 1-31-13 Diane Ravitch's blog

Diane Ravitch's blog:

Arizona Plan to Increase Inequality

by dianerav

Governor Jan Brewer has an idea.
It is a bad idea.
Someone please explain it to her.
She wants all schools to start with the same base funding (perhaps lower than what they have now). Then to givebonuses to schools that get an A or B!
As this blogger, David Safier, explains, the schools that get high marks are likely to be the school serving the students from affluent families.
Governor Brewer’s plan will increase inequity in funding and drag down poor kids whose schools need more staff 

Michigan: How to Solve Problems that No One Has

by dianerav

Eclectablog reports on a new Republican strategy: How to solve non-existent problems.
Read here.

“If you think the billionaires aren’t rich enough, women have too much control of their bodies and workers get paid too much, this GOP is for 

Walton Funds School Closing Hearing in Chicago

by dianerav

This is amazing. According to the Chicago education research journal Catalyst, the Chicago Public Schoolsreceived nearly half a million dollars from one of the nation’s most rightwing foundations to sponsor “community engagement” on school closings.
Chicago Mayor Rahm Emanuel wants to close as many as 200 schools. He also wants to open more charters, which would be non-union and would mean another dramatic decline in the number of African-American teachers. Who better to facilitate the decimation of public education than the Walton Foundation, known for its love of voucher, charters, and privatization?

Sample Resolution for Equitable Funding

by dianerav

This is the resolution adopted by the Perrin-Whitt school district in Texas, where John Kuhn is superintendent. John is a fighter for children and a member of our honor roll as a champion of public education. He earns his spurs very day as he continues to inspire us.
WHEREAS, the State of Texas has established a system that funds public schools at levels that differ greatly from school district to school district, and
WHEREAS, the State holds all schools—whether high-funded or low-funded—to the exact same academic 

Take Two Kids

by dianerav

News from the Equity Center of Texas about the state’s unjust accountability system:
The EC Xpress
January 22, 2013 • An Equity Center Publication • Volume 4, Number 3
Take Two Kids…
Take two children. Dress one in street clothes and work boots. Dress the other child in competition track gear with the finest track shoes; give him starting blocks, more coaching; put him on a fast all- weather lane to run his race. Give the first child a lane that is uneven and difficult to navigate; then move him 10 yards behind the 

Join Me at Huge Rally in Austin on February 23

by dianerav

I will speak at the Save Texas Schools rally on February 23 in Austin.
Help stop budget cuts and vouchers.
Join me in Austin.
Fight for the future of public education in Texas!
SAVE TEXAS SCHOOLS RALLY
February 23, 2013
Dear Save Texas Schools Supporter,
As you know, our public schools are under attack now more than ever. With continuing brutal budget cuts to 

When Is Federal Intervention OK?

by dianerav

This reader says that federal intervention is appropriate on behalf of social justice: civil rights and gender equity. But it’s wrong when employed to close public schools and privatize them (charters and vouchers) or to impose curriculum (that orohibition is in federal law).
WEIRD CIRCLE
That is sort of unfair, to complain that only 2% of the Federal budget goes to Education. After all, education is a 

Mercedes Schneider on NCTQ and TFA: Part 2

by dianerav

Mercedes Schneider, who teaches in Louisiana and holds a doctorate in statistics and research methods,continues her analysis of NCTQ, its letter grade reports, and its ties to the reform movement.

Is the Tide Turning?

by dianerav

The Journey for Justice brought civil rights activists from across the nation to Washington, D.C., where they presented their demands to Secretary Duncan.
This is an important development because until now the leaders of the corporate reform movement have called themselves leaders of the “civil rights issue of our times.” This phrase has been bandied about by Joel Klein, 

We Will Help the Garfield Teachers

by dianerav

I was interviewed today by a Seattle radio reporter who said that the teachers who refused to give the MAP test may be fined 10 days pay.
I told him they were acting in the finest tradition of American resistance to unjust authority. I mentioned Thoreau 

Bill Gates and the Cult of Measurement

by dianerav

Anthony Cody has written a guest column for readers of the blog. As you may know, Anthony regularly blogs at “Living in Dialogue,” hosted by Education Week. He is one of the most thoughtful commentators on the education scene. He taught science in middle school in Oakland, California, for many years and is a National Board-Certified Teacher.
Bill Gates’ annual letter was just released and can be read

Diane in the Evening 1-30-13 Diane Ravitch's blog

coopmike48 at Big Education Ape - 1 hour ago

Diane Ravitch's blog: How Credible Are Those Voucher Evaluations? by dianerav What am I missing here? Dr. Patrick Wolf has made his reputation evaluating voucher plans in Washington, D.C., and Milwaukee, but now we see that he is speaking at a conservative think tank about the “success” of vouchers during a celebration of school choice. He wrote an opinion piece for the Minneapolis Star-Tribune warning that the state was falling behind in providing Breaking News: Students in Providence Oppose High-Stakes Testing by dianerav Yesterday it was students in Portland, Oregon, today... more »

Mother Crusader: Charter Expansions; The New Suburban Charter Battlefront In New Jersey

Mother Crusader: Charter Expansions; The New Suburban Charter Battlefront In New Jersey:

Charter Expansions; The New Suburban Charter Battlefront In New Jersey

by darciecima

Florence Township is a small, close knit community with thriving public schools serving approximately 1,700 students.  In 2008, Commissioner Lucille Davies awarded the Riverbank Charter School of Excellence a four year charter to serve 144 Florence Township students in grades K-3 with absolutely NO input from the district.  Most parents in the district had no idea the charter application had been submitted, much less approved, and they certainly had no way of knowing how much it's approval would impact their children.

When Riverbank opened in 2009, they were supposed to have 108 students in grades K-2.  A quick look at theirannual report from the 2009-2010 school year shows that Riverbank only managed to enroll 53 students by September.  That's less than 50% of their maximum enrollment.  At years end only 73 students were enrolled, less than 68% of capacity.  

The charter regulations are pretty darn clear that a charter must meet 90% enrollement in order to open. This 

Missouri Education Watchdog: How Much Will Common Core Cost Missouri School Districts?

Missouri Education Watchdog: How Much Will Common Core Cost Missouri School Districts?:

How Much Will Common Core Cost Missouri School Districts?

by stlgretchen

The question on how much CCSS will cost school districts might just be the $64,000 question. In all reality, the bill will probably be in the $350 Million range (at the least) as districts have to comply with infrastructure, assessment, training and curricula mandates.

This is not new information on cost nor is it set in stone.  In fact, the bill to school districts will become much higher if the science and social studies standards (now being crafted) are adopted.  Don't forget theArt Common Core standards that may be imposed on districts as well!  The idea of creativity in the art room would go against the idea of common educational delivery and product.

Reality is setting in for some folks, however, and it is coming as quite a shock.  California (in the same consortia as Missouri) is more upfront on state/district costs than Missouri DESE has been.  Since we are 

About Those Curious Foundation for Excellence in Education “Scholarships” for FLDOE Employees | Scathing Purple Musings

About Those Curious Foundation for Excellence in Education “Scholarships” for FLDOE Employees | Scathing Purple Musings:

About Those Curious Foundation for Excellence in Education “Scholarships” for FLDOE Employees

by Bob Sikes

Whether or not the practice runs afoul of any  Florida statute is unknown, the FEE’s recruitment and reimbursement for FLDOE staffers to attend and present at an event that promoted their agenda is questionable. At least four FLDOE staff attended FEE’s 2011 Summit in San Francisco. This from In the Public Interest report that was released yesterday.

The Foundation gave “scholarships” to pay for Florida Department of Education staffers to attend the Foundation’s annual summit. The only requirement of these “scholarships”— presumably funded by the Foundation’s corporate donors–seems to be that a person work in the state education department. When the Department of Education emailed the Foundation asking, “Also, why do you think I was told that I could register Mike Kooi as a scholarship recipient?” the 

Schooling in the Ownership Society: The language of the Ownership Society

Schooling in the Ownership Society: The language of the Ownership Society:

The language of the Ownership Society

by Mike Klonsky

In the Ownership Society, everything is turned upside-down. The new jargon of corporate-style ed reform turns Republican neocons and T-baggers into r-r-r-revolutionaries and democratic educators into "agents of the status quo."

Case in point -- Michelle Rhee, the teacher-bashing, union-hating former D.C. schools boss, is hawking her new book on her StudentsFirst website. The title? "RADICAL". Give me a f#@kn break.

That's right. This adviser to Tea Party govs in Florida and Michigan, now fancies herself as the new Saul Alinsky.

I haven''t read Rhee's book yet. But got this from from Valeria Strauss' review:

… There’s hardly any introspection on Rhee’s part as to why she was so widely unpopular with the 

UPDATE: Seattle Schools Community Forum: Times Talks About the Seattle Schools' Levies + Dearborn Park teachers support MAP boycott

Seattle Schools Community Forum: Dearborn Park teachers support MAP boycott:

Times Talks About the Seattle Schools' Levies

by Melissa Westbrook

In a surprisingly candid piece, the Times lays out the case for the levies.  The district, following its usual script, has not been as forthcoming but the Times points out the obvious:

How much is the district asking? The flier does not give the amounts, but the levies total $1.25 billion — the district’s biggest request to date. 

Much of that money, as the flier does say, would simply renew measures that otherwise would expire. What the flier doesn’t say is that the district also is asking voters to open their wallets a little wider.  

This year, the owner of a $400,000 house paid about $1,000 in local school levy and bond taxes. If both levies pass, that bill would go up by $160. 

That basic information that, while true, is probably not exactly what the district wants to say right out loud (nor Schools First).

The district says:

The district also points out that Seattleites would pay half of what homeowners in many nearby school districts do — just under $3 per $1,000 of assessed value, compared with $5 to $6 in Issaquah, Highline, Kent, Shoreline and Federal Way. 

District officials also defend the plan, saying larger elementary schools will cost less to operate, and that they need to have enough room for the additional 7,000 students that are expected to enroll over the next 10 years. If the levy passes, they say, they’ll be able to reduce the number of portable classrooms and shrink a big 

Dearborn Park teachers support MAP boycott

by Charlie Mas

Here is a letter from 17 teachers and staff members at Dearborn Park Elementary to Superintendent Banda in support of the teachers boycotting the MAP:

January 30, 2013

Jose Banda

Office of the Superintendent

MS: 32-150

P.O. Box 34165

Seattle, WA 98124-1165

Dear Superintendent Banda:

We, the undersigned teachers and staff at Dearborn Park Elementary School, are writing to voice our concerns about the Seattle School District’s use of the MAP assessment. The teachers at Garfield High School did us all an important service when they announced that they were boycotting the test this winter. The MAP assessment takes valuable resources of teaching time, computer lab access, and district money away from where it is most needed. The MAP test provides little to teachers in the way of guidance on the needs of students, and it does not reflect or assess what students are actually learning on a day-to-day basis in class. In addition, the MAP