Failed DC Chancellor Michelle Rhee And The Relentless Marketing Of Education ‘Reform’ - Jeff Bryant

Failed DC Chancellor Michelle Rhee And The Relentless Marketing Of Education ‘Reform’ - Jeff Bryant:

Failed DC Chancellor Michelle Rhee And The Relentless Marketing Of Education ‘Reform’

by Jeff Bryant

Is it over yet? Michelle Rhee’s barnstorming of America this week, to hawk her new memoir, taxed the stamina of even the most ardent education wonk. It was a relentless PR campaign that would truly be the envy of any tobacco executive or gun manufacturer.
In interview after interview Rhee recited a series of bullet points regardless of who was interviewing her and what the questions were – even sticking robotically to the same inflections in her pronouncements on the paramount importance of “eFFECtive” teachers, the “burEAUCracy” that “traps” families in schools, and her “COMMon sense solutions.”

This post is republished from theEducation Opportunity Network, a new online publication edited by Jeff Bryant. The publication is designed to serve the movement for progressive change in education by sharing provocative information, analysis, and opportunities for action – and by linking educators in the trenches, students, parents, community leaders, education experts and progressive activists who know education is crucial to the fight for democracy and economic progress. To subscribe to the Education Opportunity Network,click here.

It’s understandable that television program hosts complied with interviews that were generally void of even a hint of skepticism.
(With the exception of Comedy Channel’s Jon Stewart who managed a few doubtful observations on Rhee’s confidence in standardized testing, c

#Cagebusting 101 | EduShyster

#Cagebusting 101 | EduShyster:

#Cagebusting 101

by edushyster2012

Everything that’s wrong with the contemporary education reform movement—wrapped up in a single, noxious term.
If you have managed to live your life so far without once uttering the expression “cage busting,” alas your luck has run out. The first rule of cage busting is that you have to talk about cage busting—alot. But what does this mysterious term mean, and from whence did it come? But what does this mysterious term mean, and from whence did it come? Reader: I give you Dr. Rick Hess, the designated intellectual of the education reform movement, and expert on all things cage busting.
#cagebusting 101
Just as unions stifle our public schools and prevent them from being excellent and innovative, the dreaded education bureaucracy also prevents many of our best leaders from becoming the great leaders their paychecks indicate that they can be. In other words, the most excellent leaders don’t just wallow in the ‘culture of can’t,’ their cages of ‘good enough’ lined with hundreds of pages taken directly from the bloated union contract. They 

What is Mayor Bloomberg trying to buy? gives $1 million to L.A. school board candidates - latimes.com

Mayor Bloomberg gives $1 million to L.A. school board candidates - latimes.com:

Mayor Bloomberg gives $1 million to L.A. school board candidates

New York Mayor Michael R. Bloomberg has donated $1 million to a campaign to elect three board candidates who strongly support current L.A. schools Supt. John Deasy — two of the three candidates also are political opponents of the Los Angeles teachers union.
The donation was confirmed by the Los Angeles City Ethics Commission.
Bloomberg’s donation is the largest to date for the school board contests and could change the complexion of the race.
The most heated primary contest is in District 4, which stretches from the Westside to the west San Fernando 

NYC Public School Parents: video: the Gates-funded threat to student privacy

NYC Public School Parents: video: the Gates-funded threat to student privacy:

video: the Gates-funded threat to student privacy

by Leonie Haimson

A few weeks ago I was interviewed by Mary Conway-Spiegel of the Partnership for Student Advocacy about theunprecedented threat to student privacy represented by the Gates-funded Shared Learning Collaborative, which is collecting, storing and distributing to commercial software developers the confidential, personally identifiable data of public school students in nine states  (so far). Since this interview was filmed, the SLC has spun off into a separate corporation called inBloom Inc.

For more on this highly controversial project, see this post by Audrey Watters, a letter to the Massachusetts board of education from parent and advocacy groups in that state, including the ACLU, and this fact sheet for parents.  Much thanks to the PSA for this video.

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Education Research Report: Charter School Report Provides Little Basis for Advocacy

Education Research Report: Charter School Report Provides Little Basis for Advocacy:

Charter School Report Provides Little Basis for Advocacy

by Jonathan Kantrowitz

The overall research base is now clear that the charter school sector largely mirrors the conventional public school sector in terms of students’ test scores. This is again confirmed by a recent analysis of charter schools in Michigan. A new review of that study points to some limitations but concludes that it employs solid analytic methods and relies on a large, impressive dataset.

Charter School Performance in Michigan was reviewed for the Think Twice think tank review project by professor Andrew Maul of the University of Colorado Boulder. Maul’s scholarly work focuses on measurement theory, validity, and generalized latent variable modeling. The review is published by the National Education Policy Center, housed at the CU Boulder School of Education.

The Michigan report is the work of the Center for Research on Education Outcomes (CREDO) at Stanford 

UPDATE: Tell the truth, CPS! + PSAT for 2-12-13: Stand strong Parents United for Responsible Education

Parents United for Responsible Education » Blog Archive » PSAT for 2-12-13: Stand strong:

Tell the truth, CPS! Won’t say how they made longer day decision

by admin

Tell the truth, CPS!

Intrepid LSC and PURE member Glenn Krell has been trying to use the Freedom of Information Act as a tool to understand how CPS makes key decisions. It can be a useful strategy, one that PURE has used with some success, as in our 2008 report on charter school accountability (we found there isn’t much).
Specifically, Glenn wants to know where CPS got some of the “data” they used to promote the longer school day. For example, he asked where  then-CPS CEO Jean-Claude Brizard got the statistics to back his statement that ”Our elementary school students are receiving 22 percent less instruction time than their peers across the country.” If he didn’t just make that up, there really ought to be a report somewhere with the data from     other 

PSAT for 2-12-13: Stand strong

by admin

The message from CTU President Karen Lewis is simple but powerful – “Stand strong.”
And parents, teachers, students and community advocates from all over Chicago are doing just that.
CPS and its Walmart sponsor are trying to wear us down. They’ve tried the classic CPS Board meeting strategy – hog the public’s time with Power Point propaganda. Minimize the space available so that the huge turnouts aren’t so obvious and people are split up into focus groups where they can’t hear or offer support to other schools. Keep people out completely, as they tried to do last night in Logan Square, or threaten them with arrestfor leafleting outside of these public hearings.
Thousands turned out for the “FIRST ROUND” of 10 hearings under

Is PWCS Wasting Taxpayer Money? « PWC Education Reform Blog

Is PWCS Wasting Taxpayer Money? « PWC Education Reform Blog:

Is PWCS Wasting Taxpayer Money?

by pwceducationreform

Is the Prince William County School Board being spending our money wisely? I ask this, in part, because of the debate over the pool that will be built in the 12th high school.

Most of us aren’t so wealthy that cost doesn’t play a role in the decisions we make for our families.  When we need a new car, we tend to buy something we can afford that meets our families needs, even though the Maserati would be so cool. We don’t put in granite counter-tops or buy new stainless steel refrigerators unless we can afford them.

I expect that our elected school board members and school division employees will apply the same level of financial caution when they consider spending my tax dollars. The debate over the pool has made me question whether our elected officials are being good stewards of my money.

Until I spoke at the school board meeting last week and raised the issue of the pool, the school division had not admitted that a pool was included in the plans for the 12th high school.  Nowhere on the PWCS web site was there any reference to the pool. Estimates for the cost of building the pool in a school building could not be found on the PWCS web site nor had they 

Dallas Parents Upset Over Hiring of alleged Racist Principal | NewsTacoNewsTaco

Dallas Parents Upset Over Hiring of alleged Racist Principal | NewsTacoNewsTaco:

Dallas Parents Upset Over Hiring of alleged Racist Principal

by Voxxi

By Tony Castro, Voxxi
A group of Latino parents in Dallas backed by the League of United Latin American Citizens (LULAC) is fighting the hiring of Kamalia Cotton,  a suburban elementary principal, who has been involved in the mistreatment of Hispanic students at a previous school.
LULAC joined a campaign opposing the hiring of Kamalia Cotton by the Lancaster school system, which overlooked the allegations of discrimination by Latino parents at a nearby Dallas school.
Those families had included undocumented immigrants who said they feared deportation if they complained about alleged mistreatment.
“[Kamalia Cotton] created a very, very hostile and toxic environment against parents and kids,” said LULAC regional director Rene Martinez, who retired last summer from the Dallas school district as a community outreach coordinator. “The parents in Lancaster got a raw deal in getting someone like her. Our children deserve better.

“This woman was allowing teachers to abuse, degrade, and bully children. She was arrogant and 

Mariachi Music Gaining Credibility in Texas Schools

by NewsTaco

By Jason Margolis, New America Media/PRI’s The World
Mariachi music is a quintessential sound of Mexico. But in Mexico, it’s a style of folk music that’s never been taken all that seriously and certainly not among music educators. It’s considered bar music, unworthy of academic study. But it’s becoming a different story just north of the border in Texas.
Click here to listen to an audio version of this story. 
The story of mariachi music in Texas schools begins with Belle San Miguel Ortiz.
“There are several names that they’ve given me, from godmother to the queen of the mariachis, to la madrina, which is the same thing,” said Ortiz. “I was the very first teacher of mariachi anywhere in the world.”
That’s a tough thing to prove. But Ortiz stands by that claim. “A lot of people will say you’re not the first. Yes, I

MALDEF Wins Case In Texas For Poor & English Learner Kids

by Voxxi

By Hope Gillette, Voxxi
The Mexican American Legal Defense and Educational Fund (MALDEF) has won a pivotal court case against the State of Texas regarding inadequate school funding for low-income and English Language Learner (ELL) children.
The ruling stated that “the Texas public school finance system is arbitrary, inequitable and inadequate under the Texas Constitution and [...] low-wealth school districts lack local control over their tax rates,” reported MALDEF in an media statement.
The ruling was handed down by Judge John K. Dietz of Travis County District Court after more than three months of testimony.
“The State has left many Texas children behind by blatantly defying its constitutional duty to fully support their education,” said David Hinojosa, Southwest Regional Counsel for MALDEF, who delivered the closing arguments 

Evaluate This! | Edwize

Evaluate This! | Edwize:

Evaluate This!

by Mr. Thompson

Everyone’s talking about the breakdown in the teacher evaluation talks between the mayor and the union as if it were the only chance to fix public education in New York City. Do we need an evaluation system? Absolutely. Is it a cure-all for our educational ills? Absolutely not.
I am still in the middle of my honeymoon period with teaching, the first career I’ve truly loved. Sadly, like so many teachers in our city, newbies such as myself and grizzled veterans alike, I am developing a profound sense of regret linked to the growing sensation that I may not be cut out for the classroom, or at least the New York City classroom. I rarely feel recognized for my work. I rarely feel effective in the classroom. I rarely feel like I’m giving my students what they will need to succeed in college and beyond.
Certain mayors, governors, members of Congress and leaders in education reform constantly denigrate teachers. In fact, there are times when I feel like that is the only topic of national interest where there is a degree of political consensus: Our students are failing and teachers are to blame.
Along with most teachers I know, I’m spending 12 to 15 hours every day teaching, planning lessons, grading 

Investigation uncovers non-certified teachers at Muskegon Heights new charter school | Michigan Radio

Investigation uncovers non-certified teachers at Muskegon Heights new charter school | Michigan Radio:

Investigation uncovers non-certified teachers at Muskegon Heights new charter school

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By LINDSEY SMITH

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Credit Lindsey Smith / Michigan Radio

This Muskegon Heights teacher at Edgewood Elementary school holds a valid teaching certificate in Michigan.

Teachers in Michigan need some kind of certificate or permit to teach. Whether it's in a public school or a charter school, it doesn’t matter; it's Michigan law.

A Blind Spot in School Safety — Whole Child Education

A Blind Spot in School Safety — Whole Child Education:

THE WHOLE CHILD BLOG

A Blind Spot in School Safety

February 12, 2013 by Peter DeWitt

School safety is a fairly large umbrella. It encompasses the whole school perspective of keeping children safe through practicing fire drills, lockdown drills, and keeping the school in lockout all day long. School safety also includes keeping students safe through the use of anti-bullying programs, school codes of conduct, or school board policies. All of these are important to the school climate. Educators understand that children learn better in a positive and inclusive school climate.

According to the National School Climate Center, school climate can be defined as:

• Norms, values, and expectations that support people feeling socially, emotionally and physically safe.
• People are engaged and respected.
• Students, families, and educators work together to develop, live, and contribute to a shared school vision.
• Educators model and nurture attitudes that emphasize the benefits and satisfaction gained from learning.
• Each person contributes to the operations of the school and the care of the physical environment.

(The definitions of school climate and a positive, sustained school climate were consensually developed by 

Throughout February: Safe Schools

by Klea Scharberg

Safety is and always will be a fundamental concern for schools. Students who aren't or don't feel safe at school cannot learn, and schools must ensure that their environments are both secure and supportive. The current debate on school safety brings with it a renewed interest in addressing safety, school climate, and mental health concerns at schools and promises to improve school policy and practice.
Yet while the current debate has engaged the nation in communitywide discussions, it also has the potential to overlook the voice of educators. Join us throughout February as we look at what educators (teachers, administrators, and counselors) believe is crucial to making our schools safe—not just physically safe, but also safe places to teach and learn. What can educators do to implement and reinforce the conditions for learning 

February Is National School-Based Health Care Awareness Month

by Kristen Pekarek

This February whole child partner National Assembly on School-Based Health Care (NASBHC) and communities across the nation will celebrate National School-Based Health Care Awareness Month. School-based health care centers work to redefine health for kids and teens by providing access to mental health services and oral health care, working to prevent obesity, and addressing other issues that affect young people's lives.

Join us in showing support for all the great work these centers do by involving yourself in this month's celebration. Wondering how you can get involved? Here's a list of activities NASBHC posted on its website to get you started:

East LA Debate: D2 Challengers Pile On LAUSD - LA School Report

East LA Debate: D2 Challengers Pile On LAUSD - LA School Report:

East LA Debate: D2 Challengers Pile On LAUSD

by Hillel Aron

District 2 candidates onstage at last night’s El Sereno event.

Challengers at last night’s District 2 debate in El Sereno rarely invoked School Board President Monica Garcia‘s name, even though she was sitting there onstage with them.
But they attacked the incumbent indirectly, with vehement criticisms of LAUSD policies and decisions (regarding standardized tests,  charters schools and budget cuts) as well as Superintendent John Deasy, who was appointed by the School Board.
Throughout the evening, Garcia defended her record and the district’s progress in recent years, ignoring most of the criticism.
“We have improved the district, she said, touting rising graduate rates and test scores. “We have improved the student outcomes. We are not satisfied.”

New Setting, New Rules
The rules for this event were different from the ones that have governed previous candidates forums that have 

FCMAT » Cali Education Headlines Tuesday, February 12, 2013

FCMAT » Fiscal Crisis & Management Assistance Team:

Beware of AstroTurf Ed Reformers 

Just Like Michelle Rhee's Students first only BETTER

Astroturf lobbying refers to political organizations or campaigns that appear to be made up of grassroots activists but are actually organized and run by corporate interests seeking to further their own agendas. Such groups are often typified by innocent-sounding names that have been chosen specifically to disguise the group's true backers

Outside groups trying to influence L.A. school board races

Education Headlines

Tuesday, February 12, 2013

Lodi Unified split over proposal to eliminate program for at-risk freshmen

Ninth grade will no longer be offered at Lodi's Henderson Community Day School, a move that has some parents worried their teens will slip through the cracks during their freshman year of high school.

Classroom of Brentwood teacher in kicking scandal had been spiraling out of control

Dina Holder's special-education class at Loma Vista Elementary School had been spiraling out of control for months before she kicked a 5-year-old autistic boy for refusing to go to circle time.

Blattner: Brown’s school finance reform has the right intent but major flaws

Fresh on the heels of having saved – at least for now – California’s public education system through passage of his Proposition 30, Governor Jerry Brown is rededicating himself to the task of tearing down and redesigning the twisted maze that currently serves as the K-12 funding system. This is a wonderful goal, but enthusiasm for the general concept may unfortunately be blinding proponents to the specific, significant flaws in the administration’s proposal.

Baron: Districts to seek NCLB waiver whether or not they’re invited

A collaborative of California school districts known as the California Office to Reform Education, or CORE, plans to move forward with its application for a waiver from the most severe provisions of No Child Left Behind by the end of the month, the next deadline for states to apply.

School resource officers are no 'Kindergarten Cops'

The Murrieta Valley High School school resource officer program includes four Murrieta officers and a corporal who patrol 18 schools in the district, at every level from elementary to high school. The school resource officers, or SROs, in the Murrieta schools are supervised by a sergeant and supported by a juvenile crimes investigator.

Boy's family apologizes for school threat

The family of a 12-year-old boy arrested over the weekend on suspicion of threatening to carry out a mass shooting at his Poway school apologized Monday for the threat and said the boy had no intention or ability to carry it out.

Mountain View school may overrule parents' wishes on when kids start first grade

Trying to reduce redshirting, a practice from college athletics, in kindergarten, one elementary school district is intervening in the parental decision of when a child is ready to start school.

Outside groups trying to influence L.A. school board races

The Coalition for School Reform has raised more than $1.5 million, mostly from a small group of wealthy donors who helped fund past campaigns. Separate campaigns are being paid for by unions.

Fensterwald: CalSTRS board to forward options for saving teacher pensions

Later this week the board of the California State Teachers Retirement System, or CalSTRS, will forward to the Legislature a report laying out options for raising higher contributions into the pension system to ensure its long-term viability.

Friday, February 8, 2013

Mira Monte student caught with gun on campus

A student was arrested Thursday after he brought a gun to Mira Monte High School, but authorities said they're not aware of any plans the boy had to actually use the weapon.

LAUSD, other districts, raid meal funds for poor students to cover other costs, state reports

Driven to desperation by historic funding shortfalls, school districts across the state in recent years have been illegally dipping into cafeteria funds meant to provide meals to poor students to pay other school expenses, according to a report released Wednesday by a state department.

Lucia Mar closer to getting millions of redevelopment dollars

A three-member board agreed unanimously this week to allow the Lucia Mar Unified School District to receive millions of dollars over the next two decades from the former Pismo Beach Redevelopment Agency.

Building Tomorrow’s Walmart Workers—Today | EduShyster

Building Tomorrow’s Walmart Workers—Today | EduShyster:

Building Tomorrow’s Walmart Workers—Today

by edushyster2012

Our nation’s fate hangs in the balance—and once again the blame can be laid squarely at the feet of our union-stifled public schools. Reader: I give you the skills gap. Perhaps the most fiercely urgent chasm we’ve encountered to date, the skillz gap refers to the vast unfilled space between current and future job openings and the skills of the people looking for jobs.
Or that’s what we’re supposed to think it means. The real skillz gap—is between what workers have—a fierce desire not to live in their cars—and what their employers want—to pay them as little as possible. Which brings us to today’s fiercely urgent question: if the skillz gap demands that we dismantle our public schools pronto,