UPDATE: Ravitch Asks the Questions Ed Notes Online: Son is Not Taking the State Tests

Ed Notes Online: Josmar Trujillo: Why My Son is Not Taking the State Tests:

DOE Official: State Ed, Tisch and the power players Pearson etc. are on a mission to destroy parent voice

by ed notes online

State Ed, Tisch and the power players Pearson etc. are on a mission to destroy parent voice. This whole thing is a sham. Parents are being bullied and coerced into taking these corporate sponsored assessments. They can NOT be forced take this but State Ed is making it extremely difficult giving the appearance that it is illegal.... Someone who works for the DOE

Interesting point from someone who works for the DOE. Here is the edited email (to protect the sender):

What are teachers supposed to do when a parent shows up with a letter stating that they were not 

Ravitch Asks the Questions Leo Casey Avoids As He Finds Excuses to Align With Gates

by ed notes online

Oh, sophistry, thy name is Leo Casey.

There is nothing like another missive from "AFT/UFT Excuse-maker in chief" Leo Casey to obfuscate an issue.

Last week he asked: Is There A ‘Corporate Education Reform’ Movement?”, using former Superintendent and policy maker Larry Cuban's case for there not being a corporate conspiracy as a jumping off point. Cuban closes with:

these “corporate reformers” have achieved some important and, to my way of thinking, worthwhile changes in the rhetoric and policy of school improvement. I take those changes up in Part 2.

Casey, in trying to justify the collaboration of the AFT/UFT with deformers, tries to distinguish...

two different senses of the term “corporate education reform” – the notion that there is a movement for education reform led by corporate elites and the idea that there is a movement for education 

Randi Sellout Tour Coming to Fruition in Newark

by ed notes online

if you can't trust these people with the budget, how are you going to trust them with teacher pay? Too many details were left to be ironed out later. Well, now it's later. And NJDOE is unveiling a teacher evaluation system soillogical, innumerate, deceptive, ill-informed, and franklybizarre that the prospect of a fair merit pay system looks increasingly remote.

One of our fave bloggers, Jersey Jazzman, who followed the Newark contract talks in depth on his blog, gives us the latest update, which he translates into: NJ's new teacher evaluation system: Operation Hindenberg

Joe Del Grosso joins a long line of local leaders from Detroit, Hartford, 

Josmar Trujillo: Why My Son is Not Taking the State Tests

by ed notes online

One of the strongest motivating factors for our decision was how politicized and pressurized the environment around testing has become.... Josmar Trujillo


I met Josmar, who was co-PTA president a year ago when the DOE wanted to close Peninsula Prep and even though I have a strong position opposing charters, it is still not easy closing down a school. So I wrote a column about the sleazy crew at Tweed and the games they play with everyone.

Why My Son is Not Taking the State Tests

April 18, 2013, 4:00 a.m.

By Josmar Trujillo

DeBlasio Calls for Investigation of Moskowitz Operation: Monday 1PM Press Conf

by ed notes online

“If they spent all that money, why are there still holes in the ceiling of the locker room?” asked Pamela Bynoe, president of the Global parents association. As for those special-education renovations, Cecila Green, whose child attends that school, says no major repairs have been done, except for a paint job last summer and some new smart boards. Oh, and those lighting fixtures leaking PCBs? They are still present in all the classrooms of the three public schools. ... Juan Gonzalez

Monday, April 22 at 1PM at Tweed (52 Chambers Street) event calling for an investigation into Success Academy. Bill deBlasio will be hosting a press conference calling for an investigation into Success Academy and Eva Moskowitz.

This alone might make diBlasio my favorite for mayor.

deBlasio will be talking about the special access the NYCDOE gives Eva Moskowitz and the disparities between 

UPDATE: Daily Kos: Boston, West, Newtown: For Whom the Bells Toll, For Whom the Alarms Ring

Daily Kos: Boston, West, Newtown: For Whom the Bells Toll, For Whom the Alarms Ring:

West, Texas plant could have fueled terrorism

by rss@dailykos.com (teacherken)

Seriously.
In this story from Reuters we learn that

The fertilizer plant that exploded on Wednesday, obliterating part of a small Texas town and killing at least 14 people, had last year been storing 1,350 times the amount of ammonium nitrate that would normally trigger safety oversight by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS).

Why is that important?  Well, let's start with this:

Fertilizer plants and depots must report to the DHS when they hold 400 lb (180 kg) or more of the substance. Filings this year with the Texas Department of State Health Services, which weren't shared with DHS, show the plant had 270 tons of it on hand last year.

The bomb that took down the Alfred P. Murrah Building in Oklahoma City, as Wikipedianotes,

The Oklahoma blast claimed 168 lives, including 19 children under the age of 6,[1] and injured 

Boston, West, Newtown: For Whom the Bells Toll, For Whom the Alarms Ring

by rss@dailykos.com (teacherken)

is the title of this piece in the Atlantic by Richard Kim.   Simply put, it is brilliant, it is to the point, and absolutely you should read it.
Try his first paragraph, and you should see what I mean:

Ask yourself this: Do you know the name of any one of the victims killed in the West Chemical and Fertilizer Company disaster? Do you know how many of them there were? Their ages, aspirations, what they looked like, whether they left behind children or what messages they last posted on Facebook? Do you know if there is an explanation yet for what caused the explosion? Or if investigators are still searching for one?

And here's his conclusion:

Last night, a Fox news anchor cited a poll that claimed that just 4 percent of Americans think gun control is the “the most important problem facing the country today.” Implicit in his commentary is the idea that because gun violence isn’t seen as the singularly most urgent issue, it isn’t an issue at all, that like workplace fatalities are to a modern economy, so gun violence is to the Second 

Paul Krugman writes powerfully

by rss@dailykos.com (teacherken)

on The Jobless Trap, his column for Monday's New York Times, which begins

F.D.R. told us that the only thing we had to fear was fear itself. But when future historians look back at our monstrously failed response to economic depression, they probably won’t blame fear, per se. Instead, they’ll castigate our leaders for fearing the wrong things.

By now, anyone who has been paying attention knows that Krugman has been sounding a clarion call that austerity is the wrong path and we must focus on the creation of jobs.  He goes through the arguments of the "austerians" such as the supposed - but false - idea that when the debt hits 90% of GDP there is some irreversible tipping point.  He reminds us that we aren't Greece, we control our own currency, and despite years of dire warning the government can still borrow at very low rates.  And then there is this:

But while debt fears were and are misguided, there’s a real danger we’ve ignored: the corrosive effect, social and economic, of persistent high unemployment. And even as the case for debt hysteria is collapsing, our worst fears about the damage from long-term unemployment are being confirmed.

If I have your attention and you hereby commit to go read his column, you can stop with this.   Otherwise, please 

Pearson flubs test scoring for gifted-and-talented programs:

Pearson flubs test scoring for gifted-and-talented programs

Posted by Valerie Strauss on April 22, 2013 at 4:00 am

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Pearson, the world’s largest education company, was just forced to apologize for making errors in its scoring of assessments for entry into gifted-and-talented programs in New York City public schools.

Sound familiar? The part about Pearsonerring should. It keeps happening.

In 2010, for example, six of Florida’s largest school districts formally complained to state officials about problems with scores of the Florida Comprehensive Assessment Tests and have asked the state to delay releasing grades given to schools based on the scores from Pearson. Not long after, problems were flagged in Minnesota, where results for the science standardized test were released late because Pearson incorrectly scored two questions on the fifth- and eighth-grade tests. Last year, there was the famous New York “talking pineapple scandal,” involving a story about a talking pineapple that made no sense. The test question was thrown out.

Those are just a few of the examples of problems that have been found over the years with tests designed by Pearson.

In the latest instance in New York, scoring errors cut out some children who had qualified for city gifted programs and let in some who did not. Given that the company has a $32 million contract with the city for these tests, 

An English-only school district? Check this document

by Valerie Strauss

Look at this Home Language Survey Form that parents recently received from D.C. Public Schools. What’s wrong with it?

Missouri Education Watchdog: You Can Opt Your Child Out of Pilot Common Core Testing or Practice Creative Protest

Missouri Education Watchdog: You Can Opt Your Child Out of Pilot Common Core Testing or Practice Creative Protest:

You Can Opt Your Child Out of Pilot Common Core Testing or Practice Creative Protest

by stlgretchen

This memo from DESE on a Common Core assessment pilot for your children makes it sound as if there was a huge demand for more pilot testing in the districts:

Due to the overwhelming demand for access to the Volunteer Pilotassessment from principals, teachers, parents, and the public in Missouri and acrossthe Smarter Balanced Assessment Consortium, the Smarter Balanced AssessmentConsortium has decided to release a more complete and more broadly available“practice test” in lieu of the Volunteer Pilot assessment.

...the Practice Test will be available beginning Wednesday, May 29. We understand thatfor many schools, this later start date may be too close to—or, in some cases, after—the

Schooling in the Ownership Society: Rahm campaign donors, Chicago Hotel developers also bullish on charter schools

Schooling in the Ownership Society: Rahm campaign donors, Chicago Hotel developers also bullish on charter schools:

Rahm campaign donors, Chicago Hotel developers also bullish on charter schools

by Mike Klonsky

Here's a funny quote from the mayor of Chicago

"Government can no longer be an insider's game, serving primarily the lobbyists and well-connected." -- Rahm Emanuel

Chicago Tribune

Time for Teacher Unions to Hop Off the Common Core Train - Living in Dialogue - Education Week Teacher

Time for Teacher Unions to Hop Off the Common Core Train - Living in Dialogue - Education Week Teacher:

Time for Teacher Unions to Hop Off the Common Core Train

by Anthony Cody

The two largest teacher unions in the US have positioned themselves as active supporters of the Common Core (wanted to be national) Standards. A visit to the NEA web site reveals President Dennis Van Roekel's columnpraising the project.
He writes:

CCSS offers a vivid, practical example of NEA's Leading the Professions initiative, a three-part plan to transform the teaching profession and accelerate student learning. Educators will have the opportunity to translate these broad standards into creative, relevant, and engaging class lessons that help students learn in new ways that truly prepare them for lifelong learning. This is not to downplay anyone wrestling with doubt about Common Core - states will struggle, some educators will chafe - but as long as we can accept this, and embrace the transition, educators and public education can come out ahead.

The American Federation of Teachers has a bit of a mixed message. On the one hand, we have the

Mike Klonsky's SmallTalk Blog: WEEKEND QUOTABLES

Mike Klonsky's SmallTalk Blog: WEEKEND QUOTABLES:

WEEKEND QUOTABLES

by Mike Klonsky

U.S. Reps Bobby Rush and Danny Davis conducted hearings Saturday, on Chicago school closings

Congressman  Bobby Rush

"There is no way that you’re going to heal these neighborhoods. If it was just Henson [Elementary in Englewood]…but you're talking about 53 schools...all at the same time. It is unheard of in the history of this state." -- DNAInfo

Matt Farmer

Chicago’s school “reform” efforts have always worked best on other people’s children. --Washington Post 

At the hearings (DNAInfo)

Ald. Robert Fioretti

"It has pitted neighbor against neighbor and community against community, having a severe psychological effect," People wonder, "What did my teachers do wrong? What did my principals 

BREAKING: We have a scanned sample of a “Grade 3 ELA exam” passage with questions – @ THE CHALK FACE knows SCHOOLS MATTER

BREAKING: We have a scanned sample of a “Grade 3 ELA exam” passage with questions – @ THE CHALK FACE knows SCHOOLS MATTER:

BREAKING: We have a scanned sample of a “Grade 3 ELA exam” passage with questions

by Chalk Face, PhD

Interesting. A sample passage with a few questions.* It looks like they’re going to double down on 

Educators want concrete data to build new API indicators SI&A Cabinet Report – News & Resources

SI&A Cabinet Report – News & Resources:

Educators want concrete data to build new API indicators

In the search for a more perfect school accountably system, classroom teachers and district administrators joined school advocates in a call last week for more concrete indicators – like daily attendance, fitness marks and discipline records.

The hearing in Sacramento is one of six that will be held statewide to get input from the field on legislative requirements to include ‘college and career readiness’ components as part of the current high school accountability system.

A commission appointed by the California State Board of Education has grappled with the question since November – but the clear message sent last week suggests that educators are uninterested in pursuing more unstructured measurements and instead want to concentrate on data that is already tracked and recorded with the state.

“Currently there are four data streams already being collected so they could easily be integrated into the scoring system and those are chronic absence, fitness results, graduation rates and suspension/expulsion rates,” said Stacie Cruz, representing the California Center for Civic Participation, a non-profit that works to empower high school students to participate in decision making processes at all levels.

“If chronic absence is indicated on the API scores, that will strongly encourage schools to focus on providing 

Brown budget could force closure of state’s smallest, remote schools

Some of California’s most remote public schools fear Gov. Jerry Brown’s plan for restructuring education funding could force them to consolidate or shutdown altogether.

State probes Burbank third grade cheating report | Pass / Fail | 89.3 KPCC

State probes Burbank third grade cheating report | Pass / Fail | 89.3 KPCC:

State probes Burbank third grade cheating report

A third grade teacher at McKinley Elementary is on leave after a student reported receiving help with answers on the state's STAR exams.; Credit: Rogers Herr Middle School
Burbank school officials say a third-grade teacher has been put on leave after a student reported a got help with answers on state standardized tests.
The Los Angeles Times reported Sunday that Burbank Unified Superintendent Jan Britz announced the investigation at a board meeting last week.
Britz says the student told the principal at McKinley Elementary that students received help with answers on the 

How Matchmaking Technology Can Help Reduce Teacher Turnover | toteachornototeach

How Matchmaking Technology Can Help Reduce Teacher Turnover | toteachornototeach:

How Matchmaking Technology Can Help Reduce Teacher Turnover

by aristotlethewise

How Matchmaking Technology
Can Help Reduce Teacher Turnover 

by Cassie Slane
The U.S education system faces a number of challenges, but I think we all can agree that good teachers are the backbone of our education system. Without good teachers, we have nothing. One problem that many schools face is the mass exodus of teachers after only a few years. In fact, 30 percent of new teachers quit before three years and almost 50 percent quit before five years. The biggest reason for leaving? Nope, not pay. It’s a little more complex than that. The biggest reason for leaving was the culture. It was satisfaction with working conditions, which included relationships with colleagues, quality of professional development, quality of the curriculum, building conditions, etc.
The complexities of matching a teacher to a school go beyond the typical three-paragraph description that job boards provide like Monster.com and CareerBuilder.com. Schools have different cultures and curricula and 

Is Common Core Cutting Edge Education or jsut a dull blade? | DailyCensored.com - Breaking Censored News, World, Independent, Liberal News

Is Common Core Cutting Edge Education or jsut a dull blade? | DailyCensored.com - Breaking Censored News, World, Independent, Liberal News:

Is Common Core cutting-edge education or just use of a dull blade?

by Danny Weil

By John Young

http://www.denverpost.com/opinion/ci_23057432/is-common-core-cutting-edge-education-or-just

Posted 4/21/2013

The Denver Post

Jinnie Spiegler, left, mother of Nacala Spiegler-Frederick, right, is worried that the standardized tests third-through-eighth graders will take will be harder than ever before. Educators have issued warnings that math and English tests are aligned to Common Core standards that most schools have not implemented yet. (John Minchillo/AP)

Talk to Melissa Colsman and you know she’s a teacher, even before she tells you she once taught math. The executive director of the Colorado Department of Education’s Teaching and Learning Unit makes a compelling case for what public schools need.

But discourse is one thing. Execution is another — execution, as in blindfolds and firing squads, nooses and scaffolds. That’s where “school accountability” invariably leads despite the loftiest of sentiments.

In physics we have action, reaction. In school reform we have action, overreaction.

Hearing Colsman explain what’s next for Colorado schools would have just about anyone at the buffet line saying, “I’ll have that.” So, too, with the entreaties of players like the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation 

Seattle Schools Community Forum: Odds and Ends

Seattle Schools Community Forum: Odds and Ends:

Odds and Ends

by Melissa Westbrook

John Rogers Elementary is getting a new principal for school year 2013-2014. Their current principal, Marcia Boyd, is retiring at the end of the current school year.

Sara Mirabueno will be their new principal.  She comes from John Hay Elementary where she is currently assistant principal.  Ms Mirabueno was also a teacher at several SPS schools.

According to the Montlaker, Montlake Elementary School's nomination has been unanimously approved by the Landmarks Preservation Board.  Their designation hearing is in June.   It seems that some of the Board expressed "tepid support" so the designation may not come through but it only takes a simple majority vote to win.

A representative from Seattle Schools testified to the board that the District had no formal position on the 

Shake the tree. Ballots for NEA RA retired delegate must be in Springfield by this week. | Fred Klonsky

Shake the tree. Ballots for NEA RA retired delegate must be in Springfield by this week. | Fred Klonsky:

Shake the tree. Ballots for NEA RA retired delegate must be in Springfield by this week.

by Fred Klonsky

Modern School: L.A .Teachers Vote No Confidence in Deasy and Their Own Union

Modern School: L.A .Teachers Vote No Confidence in Deasy and Their Own Union:

L.A .Teachers Vote No Confidence in Deasy and Their Own Union

by Michael Dunn

The Los Angeles times reported that LAUSD teachers “overwhelmingly expressed ‘no confidence’ in superintendent John Deasy last Wednesday, the first time such a vote has occurred in the nation's second-largest school system.

It is certainly significant that a majority of LA teachers voted no confidence in their superintendent—and not at all surprising, considering Deasy’s war on teachers. Under his watch, LAUSD has implemented teacher evaluations based on student test scores. There have been numerous charter school conversions, furloughs and layoffs, as well as ongoing budget shortfalls. There have also been abuse scandals in which the 

RPNPS Voices: Some Excellent Recent Reading

RPNPS Voices: Some Excellent Recent Reading:

Some Excellent Recent Reading

Two really remarkable essays, in case you missed them.

First, Schools Are The Foundations of Communities, by Professor Timuel D. Black. It's a beautiful piece of writing, about a notion of public education that totally escapes the current administration.

I am old enough to know the story. Once these public assets are given away to private charter school operators, or sold off to condominium developers, that is public space we can’t get back. Once it’s gone, it’s gone. We need only refer to the parking-meter debacle to understand how poor a decision it is to give up control of public assets and public space. The notion that this will somehow be a money-saver (or a money-maker) for the school system is at best an illusion. Is it possible that the real mission of the proposed school closings is to clear out the schools and hand them over to private operators? It appears today that our public schools — the institutions which have transmitted democratic values to our young — are being transferred from the less fortunate to the more fortunate.

Second, a ranging yet completely lucid history called Here's where we've been, Barbara Byrd Bennet, written by Karen Fraid in response to another one of Ms. Byrd Bennett's