9-11-13 Fred Klonsky | Daily posts from a retired public school teacher who is just looking at the data.

Fred Klonsky | Daily posts from a retired public school teacher who is just looking at the data.:

The in box. TRIP and Medicare info from the IEA.

The latest on the TRIP/Medicare situation from IEA’s Will Lovett, IEA lobbyist, pension specialist, and IEA’s representative on the CMS committee that hadn’t met until August.   Teachers’ Retirement Insurance Program (TRIP) in the News Medicare Advantage Plans This document is intended to help answer questions with regard to the recent news that the State of Illinois plans to implement a Medic

by Fred Klonsky / 51min 

Ten minute drawing. Rahm solves the school heat problem.

  Click on image to enlarge.

1 by Fred Klonsky / 17min mark as read  //  save

Looking for Mr. de Blasio.

Hey Rahm. This is the lead from this morning’s Washington Post: NEW YORK — Democratic voters here delivered a resounding rebuke to Mayor Michael R. Bloomberg Tuesday, choosing from a crowded primary field his sharpest and most liberal critic as their nominee for mayor. It was just eighteen months ago the pundits and prognosticators all had their money on New York City Council Speaker, Christine Q

19 by Fred Klonsky / 2h 

Reign of Error. Diane Ravtich’s documentation of bad education policy.

A group of us went to hear Dr. Diane Ravitch last night. She gave a lecture to a filled Hammerschmidt Memorial Chapel at Elmhurst College. Her lecture, like her latest book Reign of Error, is a dagger in the heart of current corporate reform policies. The popularity of her previous work, The Death and Life of the Great American School System, the crowds she draws and the millions of blog hits she

1 by Fred Klonsky / 44min 

9-10-13 Fred Klonsky | Daily posts from a retired public school teacher who is just looking at the data.

Fred Klonsky | Daily posts from a retired public school teacher who is just looking at the data.: The in box. TFA Chicago plans exposed by EduShyster.com  Josh Anderson of Teach For America Chicago tours the East Chicago Lighthouse Charter School in East Chicago, Indiana. Photo: Sun-Times Blogger EduShyster.com broke the story of the Teach for America (TFA) plan to replace unionized professional t

by mike simpson / 11h 

Letter to a Liberal Hawk | Bill Ayers

Letter to a Liberal Hawk | Bill Ayers:

Letter to a Liberal Hawk

The good news is that the choice is not between dithering and unleashing US military power. There are ALWAYS alternatives.
If you support US military action, what exactly are you for? Taking out gas supplies? It’s super-dangerous and not even on the table. Degrading Assad’s air force? It will matter little. Arming Al Qaeda or the other fundamentalist fighters? I doubt it. Invasion? Occupation? How will you know when we’re done?
Why not go to the UN? Putin will block anything, you say. So what? Make the world forum a bully pulpit. Organize! This also makes sense in the long run since the next humanitarian atrocity is as predictable as rain. Why aren’t you thinking ahead to the building blocks of global order and sanity? For example, get your fucking government to join the International Criminal Court, submit to its authority, and refer violators there.
There are a thousand steps to take now—and if you fail to take them, or even try, the next set of videos will have you once more hauling out the heavy stuff.
Last week you were urgent for US violence to begin. I urged you to think of 100 action alternatives that would not be US bombs. Here’s 

Invest in Early Education Now to Save on Incarceration Later |

Invest in Early Education Now to Save on Incarceration Later |:

Invest in Early Education Now to Save on Incarceration Later

September 11, 2013 by Alyssa Haywoode

Photo: Los Angeles County Sheriff Leroy Baca. Courtesy of Fight Crime: Invest in Kids.

“I’m the Guy You Pay Later,” is the name of a new reportthat urges America to cut future crime rates – and costs — by investing in high-quality early education now.

One “guy” making this call is Los Angeles County Sheriff Leroy Baca whose stern face appears on the cover’s report.

In the report Baca writes: “My jail is filled with people who took the wrong path in life. It didn’t have to be that way. Law enforcement leaders nationwide know that one of the best ways to keep young people from dropping out of school and becoming criminals is to make sure they have a foundation for success in their earliest years. We are coming out in force to support high-quality early education and care for kids today so we can lower the devastating impact and cost of crime in the years to come.”

Another “guy” is Cook County Illinois Sheriff Tom Dart, who runs the nation’s 

9-11-13 Wait What?

Wait What?:

New York Times runs major profile on public education champion Diane Ravitch

Diane Ravitch is the Patron Saint of the movement to take back our schools from the corporate education reform industry. Leading up to the release of her new book, Reign of Error, the New York Times ran a profile today of Diane.  While the Times has a tendency to blur the lines of news and […]The post New York Times runs major profile on public education champion Diane Ravitch appeared first on Wa

2 by jonpelto / 10min 

Education Reform Industry goes down to a stunning defeat in Bridgeport, Connecticut

The tide continues to turn in Bridgeport’s Board of Education challenge slate wins big The Connecticut Post made the story clear as they began their primary coverage with the news that, “The Democratic machine lost its grip on the city school board Tuesday with the stunning victory of all three challengers in the primary. The […]The post Education Reform Industry goes down to a stunning defeat in

4 by jonpelto / 1h 

9-10-13 Wait What?

Wait What?: In Bridgeport, The Power of a Student’s VoiceToday is Democratic primary day in Bridgeport.  On one side is an endorsed slate of candidates dedicated to keeping Paul Vallas in power and continuing the effort to privatize and undermine Bridgeport’s schools.  On the other side are students, parents, teachers and citizens dedicated to supporting, empowering and rebuilding Bridgeport’s pub

by mike simpson / 10h 

Mike Klonsky's SmallTalk Blog: Good riddance Bloomberg (and Carlos Danger)

Mike Klonsky's SmallTalk Blog: Good riddance Bloomberg (and Carlos Danger):

Good riddance Bloomberg (and Carlos Danger)

Bill de Blasio wins NY primary.

There's a couple of reasons why I woke up on the right (left?) side of the bed this morning.

One: We are not lobbing missiles into Syria, much to joy of 90% of Americans, 100% of families and children living in Damascus, and the chagrin of war mongers in both countries and on both sides of the aisle.

Two: It looks like a progressive mayor has been (or will be -- still waiting on the final count) elected in NYC. Congrats to primary winner Bill de Blasio who had to overcome vicious, racist attacks on him and his family by stop-and-frisk mayor Bloomberg. De Blasio offers some hope to a NY's public school system which has been devastated by Bloomberg's charter school and privatization fanaticism.

WaPo reports:

Bloomberg’s dreamscape became the Democrats’ dystopia. In their telling, he was not a refreshing, fearless leader but an overbearing father who thought he always knew best. “The mayor,” de Blasio said Tuesday, “has been increasingly 

9-11-13 SCHOOLS MATTER @ THE CHALK FACE

SCHOOLS MATTER @ THE CHALK FACE:

Teach for America and Noble St Charter Schools: A Dangerous Combination

Recently,  the director of Teach for America Chicago, Josh Anderson, wrote a response to the excellent exposé Edushyster posted regarding TFA Chicago’s role in charter school expansion.  Edushyster’s–or should I proudly say Jennifer C. Berkshire‘s–piece was entitled “Is TFA Undermining the Chicago Public Schools.” (The answer is “yes,” if you were wondering…) And she writes: When news […]

by Katie Osgood / 5min

Gates Money and Common Core– Part III

My first post on Gates and his Common Core State Standards (CCSS) spending includes information on his paying millions to the four key organizations involved in composing CCSS as well as to key education organizations and think tanks for their endorsement. My second post of this series examines Gates money paid to organizations influencing state departments and local school districts for the purpo

by deutsch29 / 5min 

Armored Backpacks the Latest Back to School Craze

From a report on MSNBC today: Get your armored backpack and bullet proof vest, it’s sure to provide much value added and raise test scores by taking out the fear of being shot. TODAY   |  September 11, 2013 Bulletproof school supplies aim to keep kids safe Companies like Hardwire LLC. are introducing a new trend to the […]

by freetoteach / 7min mark as read  //  save

Most Credible VAM Argument Is 0%

At the Shanker Institute, a debate about value-added methods (VAM) for teacher evaluation was detailed on Twitter (@shankerinst), including comments from Tom Kane (Harvard) who makes two comments worth noting: Shanker Institute ‏@shankerinst Kane: Need to move from talking about WHETHER to use value-added and more about HOW to do so. #VAMuses Shanker Institute ‏@shankerinst Kane: Nobody […]

by plthomasedd / 1h 

Let’s Get Serious and Adopt the Mexican Model for Educator Resistance

How much abuse, derogation, impugning, hostility, and professional savaging will it take for American teachers to respond like those in Mexico, where teachers have been engaged in civil disobedience on an unprecedented scale during the past week.  Now in reaction to a corporate education reform plan, the teachers are now calling for a national strike today […]

1 by Jim Horn / 1h 

9/11: Essays and Film | the becoming radical

9/11: Essays and Film | the becoming radical.

by plthomasedd / 6min 

9-10-13 Schools Matter @ The Chalk Face

SCHOOLS MATTER @ THE CHALK FACE: Ilana Horn: Recipe for InequalityRecipe for inequality* 1. Find a metric that correlates to poverty. 2. Use it to measure quality. 3. Find that high poverty schools are bad. 4. Make schools’ resources dependent on quality. 5. Allow affluent to develop other revenue for their schools. 6. Close schools in poverty. 7. Justify school closures in high poverty neighborho

by mike simpson / 11h 

Sacramento Mayor Kevin Johnson investigated for conflict of interest in big-box store vote by FPPC | news10.net

Sacramento Mayor Kevin Johnson investigated for conflict of interest in big-box store vote by FPPC | news10.net:

Sacramento Mayor Kevin Johnson investigated for conflict of interest in big-box store vote by FPPC

SACRAMENTO, CA - Sacramento Mayor Kevin Johnson is being investigated by a California political watchdog group over claims he had a conflict of interest in the Sacramento City Council's vote in favor of big-box stores.

The complaint was filed two weeks ago by Democrat Eric Sunderland, a former city school board candidate.

Sunderland claims Johnson had a conflict of interest in the city council's vote to ease restrictions on big-box stores after Walmart and the Walton Foundation reportedly donated more than $800,000 over the last three years to charities at the behest of Johnson and the city council.

"There was a complaint filed 15 days ago which made this allegation which we reviewed, and again we're not substantiating it, we just decided to open an investigation to take a look and to look into the allegations," Fair Political Practices Commission's Gary Winuk said.

The Fair and Political Practices Commission said they are also looking into whether or not Johnson failed to report gifts.

Winuk said under the law, if you receive a gift from certain individuals or companies, excluding non-profits, it needs to be reported on your economic interest disclosure form. If the gift is over the limit, which this year is $440, and you vote on an interest related to the person who gave you the gift, it can be a conflict of interest.

"Those are serious allegations, and the law provides protections, but also lays out some pretty strict rules on it," Winuk explained. "So, we'll 

LISTEN TO DIANE RAVITCH 9-11-13 Diane Ravitch's blog | A site to discuss better education for all

Diane Ravitch's blog | A site to discuss better education for all:

A Datapoint Writes a Letter to Arne Duncan

Almost a year ago, I posted a letter from a sixth-grade studentin the DC public schools who wrote about herself as a data point. She identified herself as Noa Rosinplotz. The letter was so articulate that many readers were certain that it was not written by a child. In time, I received letters from well-known journalists, including her mother, attesting to the fact that Noa exists and that she rea

1 by dianerav / 10min 

James Milgram on the Common Core Math Standards

James Milgram is a professor emeritus of mathematics at Stanford University. He served on the validation committee for the Common Core mathematics. He did not agree to approve the standards. He sent me the following letter. He has spoken out against the standards in various states. See here and here.     Dear Diane, In your own writings you mention that the biggest issue with Core Standards is th

by dianerav / 3min mark as read  //  save

Bridgeport: What Last Night’s Upset Victory Means

We turn to our favorite Connecticut blogger, Jonathan Pelto, for an analysis of the upset win of the insurgent slate in Bridgeport. Suffice it to say that the primary was a big loss for the corporate reformers who control the state. Step by step, the tide is turning. As the public understands what is happening, they join our struggle to save public education.

by dianerav / 15min 

California Vs. Duncan on Testing

California officials want to end state testing as they prepare to phase in Common Core testing. They don’t want students subject to double testing. Now the state is locked in a showdown with Arne Duncan, who has warned the state that he might cut off federal aid if it stops state testing. Yesterday the state senate ignored Duncan’s threat and passed a bill to move forward with the plan to end curr

8 by dianerav / 23min 

Parents: How to Advocate for Your Child

Nancy Carlsson-Paige, professor emerita of early childhood education at Lesley University in Csmbridge, Massachusetts, prepared this short guide for parents about child-rearing. It was written in collaboration with United Opt Out.

4 by dianerav / 18min mark as read  //  save

Why Corporate Reform Will Lose and Disappear

I know that it is hard to feel hopeful when the corporate reformers have so much money and are in control at the top of both parties. But never lose hope. The fact is that corporate reform policies have failed wherever they are applied. Here is something from Fred Smith, a testing expert who now advises the anti-testing group Change-the-Stakes:   In the words of Langston Hughes: Hold fast to dr

4 by dianerav / 1h 

Insurgent Slate Wins in Bridgeport by Large Margin

The candidates endorsed by the Network for Public Education and the Connecticut Post won a stunning upset victory over the Democratic machine candidates in Bridgeport, Connecticut. This is another loss for the corporate reformers who tried to abolish the elected board and give control to the mayor. “The challenger slate won by a two to one margin over the party’s endorsed slate, easily winning in

10 by dianerav / 7h mark as read  //  save

The Message of Bill de Blasio’s Victory in New York City

Bill de Blasio won an amazing victory in the New York City Democratic mayoral primary. Not long ago, he was in fourth place but last night he ran decisively ahead of former Comptroller Bill Thompson (the UFT’s candidate) and Christine Quinn (who was tarnished by her close association with Mayor Bloomberg). In exit polls, voters said their leading concerns were jobs and education. Of the three lea

38 by dianerav / 8h 

LISTEN TO DIANE RAVITCH 9-10-13 Diane Ravitch's blog | A site to discuss better education for all

Diane Ravitch's blog | A site to discuss better education for all: A Hero Educator Who Teaches in a Charter School in North CarolinaA regular reader informed me about an amazing charter school teacher in North Carolina. Chris Weaver was selected as “The Best Teacher” by Mountain XPress, a local newspaper, and he rejected the honor. Read here to learn why he rejected it. He is committed to the comm

by mike simpson / 4h 

Teacher Professional Development and the Common Core | LFA: Join The Conversation - Public School Insights

Teacher Professional Development and the Common Core | LFA: Join The Conversation - Public School Insights:

Teacher Professional Development and the Common Core

By National School Boards Association on September 11, 2013

By Allison Gulamhussein, doctoral student at George Washington University, former high school English teacher and spring 2013 policy intern for the National School Boards Association's Center for Public Education (CPE)
Recently, students in New York City took their first round of exams aligned with the Common Core State Standards. Their experience was far from painless. Many reported that the tests elicited a bevy of worrisome responses: Some children said they had nightmares about bubbling in answers, and others broke down in tears at the end of exams. Such responses stand as a stark reminder that the Common Core standards do not simply ask for more of the same, but instead insist on drastic changes in what students are learning.
The major instructional change demanded in the Common Core is a switch from rote memorization to a focus on critical thinking. Many argue that this change is for the best, but regardless of its merit, a focus on critical thought is a radical shift in instruction.
For more than a century, studies have shown American schools are fact-focused. Research consistently shows that teachers predominately ask students fact-recall questions, and studies analyzing classroom instruction have found that 85 percent of instruction is lecture, recitation, or seatwork, activities which often require very little critical thought.
In the 2012 Measures of Effective Teaching study, researchers observed 7,491 classes taught by 1,333 teachers from six socioeconomically and geographically diverse districts. They found that the following were rarely seen in classrooms: student participation in meaning making and