Back-to-School Bus Tour ED.gov Blog

ED.gov Blog:

Sunrise to Sunset, Bus Tour Stops in Arizona

There is no lack of sunshine in Arizona, and Secretary Arne Duncan, joined by U.S. Secretary of Transportation Anthony Foxx discovered this first hand early Wednesday morning at the Tucson Unified School District Bus Depot. The early-morning visit kicked off day three of Secretary Duncan’s Strong Start, Bright Future, back-to-school bus tour. See a collection of social media posts from day three

8 by Cameron Brenchley / 23min 

Back-to-School Bus Tour Heads to the Border

Secretary Arne Duncan makes time for an unscheduled bus ride in Columbus, NM. Official Department of Education photo by Joshua Hoover. With four bus tours under his belt and hundreds of school visits, one thing Secretary Arne Duncan is sure of, is that there is no lack of inspiration in America’s schools. Yesterday’s stops on Duncan’s Strong Start, Bright Future Back-to-School Bus Tour through the

28 by Cameron Brenchley / 23min 

Back-to-School Tour Launches in the Land of Enchantment

Secretary Arne Duncan kicked off his annual back-to-school bus tour in New Mexico. Official Department of Education photo by Joshua Hoover. Santa Fe, N.M., is a testament to our country’s diversity and beauty. That’s where Secretary of Education Arne Duncan launched his fourth annual back-to-school bus tour yesterday morning. This year’s tour, themed Strong Start, Bright Future, runs September 9-1

10 by Cameron Brenchley / 23min 

Top 4 Ways (Digitally) to Join Our Back-to-School Bus Tour

Secretary of Education Arne Duncan has repeatedly said that the best ideas come from schools, districts and states – not from Washington. Starting this morning, Duncan hits the road in the Southwest during his fourth back-to-school bus tour to visit schools, hold town halls, and listen to teachers, parents, students and members of the community.   This year’s tour, entitled Strong Start, Bright Fu

100+ by Cameron Brenchley / 23min mark as read  //  save

Final Details of Back-to-School Bus Tour Released

We’re only days away from the start of the Department of Education’s annual back-to-school bus tour. This year’s tour, themed Strong Start, Bright Future, will make stops in New Mexico, Texas, Arizona and California. Earlier this week we provided details of the first two days of the tour, and below are the remaining stops as we cruise through the Southwest. Subscribe to bus tour email updates. Wed

11 by Cameron Brenchley / 23min 

LISTEN TO DIANE RAVITCH 9-16-13 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 Beautiful Letter to Educators from the Mother of a Sandy Hook Victim: “Love Them All”

This letter is a moving tribute to everyone who works in schools every day to care for, nurture, and educate children. It was written by Nebia Marquez-Greenhad, who lost one of her two children in the Sandy Hook massacre last December. Her daughter Ana Grace died, her son survived. In this letter, she thanks all of those who dedicate their lives to education. Since teachers, principals, social wor

by dianerav / 5min 

Jan Resseger Reviews “Reign of Error”

Jan Resseger, previously selected as a hero of public education, lives in Ohio, where she has seen the pernicious effects of dire poverty, privatization, and profiteers who make generous campaign contributions to politicians who protect their faltering privately-managed schools. Here is her review of “Reign of Error.” She writes: “My personal favorite chapter on first-reading the book is “Troubl

by dianerav / 23min 

Michael Paul Goldenberg: Time to Repel the “Ravitch Hawks”

Michael Paul Goldenberg decries the critics who think I am impolite, shrill, shrieking, noisy–and he notes, I am none of those things. The problem, he says, is that I disagree with the critics, and they are not used to that. If I were a man, they might use other adjectives. How familiar it is to hear powerful men complaining about a woman, a grey-haired woman at that, who doesn’t know her place. W

2 by dianerav / 20min 

Oops! Bennett Left GOP Fundraising Lists on DOE Computers

Former State Superintendent Tony Bennett left detailed fundraising lists on Department of Education computers. Whether he broke the law or was merely careless is under investigation. Meanwhile, the files are public due to a Freedom of Information request by reporter Tom LoBianco of the Associated Press.

by dianerav / 2min 

Mercedes Schneider Reviews “Reign of Error”

This review by Mercedes Schneider was written with teachers in mind, because Mercedes is a high school teacher in Louisiana. She writes with her usual spunk and verve. Spoiler alert: She likes the book. Read her penultimate paragraph and laugh out loud

by dianerav / 4min 

United Opt Out Will Sponsor Book Club Discussion of “Reign of Error”

Three years ago, when my last book was published, I heard from a professor in Pennsylvania named Tim Slekar who asked if I would join the opt-out movement. I told him no. I thought it was too extreme. I don’t think so anymore. Testing has become extreme. It is now the driving force in education. The only way to make it stop is to stop cooperating with those who see children as data. I support thos

by dianerav / 10min mark as read  //  save

Anthony Cody Reviews “Reign of Error”

Anthony Cody, one of America’s best teacher-bloggers, reviews “Reign of Error.” He ably summarizes the major ideas in the book and refutes the claim that I “paint with too broad a brush.” And he concludes: “Educators feel that Diane Ravitch speaks for us in a way that few others do. That is clearest when she writes this, in bringing her book to a close: Genuine school reform must be built on hop

4 by dianerav / 1h 

Diane in the Evening 9-15-13 Diane Ravitch's blog | A site to discuss better education for all

Diane Ravitch's blog | A site to discuss better education for all: Sam Chaltain on “Reign of Error”Sam Chaltain is one of our most thoughtful bloggers. This is his review of Reign of Error, which appears in his regular column in Education Week. I appreciated his connection of this book to the work of the muckrakers. It is a comparison that I made in my own mind, but kept to myself because I was lo

3 by mike simpson / 3h 

9-16-13 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.:

Illinois schools’ supt. wants to lift the cap on Special Ed students in a classroom. A real bad idea.

To those who can, please attend the ISBE hearing on Thursday, September 19th, 8 AM (sign in to comment) at the Marriott in Bloomington-Normal . If not, send an e-mail  to the ISEBE–best if you give reasons  or examples  why you OPPOSE the lifting of SpEd class size restrictions. IEA website:  The Illinois State Board of Education will be voting Thursday on a proposal that would eliminate all speci

2 by Fred Klonsky / 11min 

Life in Rahm’s Chicago. Resignations abound. And parents on the east side have some questions for the Mayor.

  Rahm went to the east side of Chicago yesterday to announce that he’s building a new public school.  Parents and teachers at the existing over-crowded Gallistel Language Academy had some questions for the Mayor following the photo op. But the Mayor was out the door in a flash. “He wasn’t here to answer our questions, he left before ask the things we wanted to ask,” said teacher Andrea Porth. Ga

7 by Fred Klonsky / 41min 

The in box. The pension committee Gang of Ten is offering a plan with slim chance of passing.

  Republican, pension bomber and ALEC member, Representative Darlene Senger.  Rich Miller in the Southtown: Several members of the Illinois General Assembly’s special pension reform committee told me last week that they believed a final proposal would emerge within the next week to 10 days. The conference committee has been working since June on a solution to the state’s nearly $100 billion long-

1 by Fred Klonsky / 3min  

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.: Rainy Sunday reads.  Mourners outside funeral services for Carol Robertson, one of four girls (also killed were Cynthia Wesley, Denise McNair and Addie Mae Collins) who died in the 1963 16th Street Baptist Church bombing. Fifty years ago this week. I guess the NY Post doesn’t like Diane Ravitch. They

by mike simpson / 8h 

Mike Klonsky's SmallTalk Blog: WEEKEND QUOTABLES

Mike Klonsky's SmallTalk Blog: WEEKEND QUOTABLES:

WEEKEND QUOTABLES

Lake Mary, FL resident Santiago Rodriguez

"Zimmerman is a Sandy Hook, Aurora waiting to happen." -- Email to chief of police

UNO's departing Board Chair Martin Cabrera

Cabrera told the Sun-Times that he quit “because of a difference of philosophy and mission.” He declined to elaborate. -- Sun-Times

 John Wilson

 Secretary Duncan could learn from those who live in the real world of educating America's children. -- EdWeek/ California is Right; Duncan is Wrong

Broad (WSJ pic)

Eli Broad

"Artists see the world differently than us business people. If I spent all my time with bankers, lawyers and business people, it would be kind of boring." -- Wall St. Journal

 Chicago police torture 

9-16-13 Larry Ferlazzo’s Websites of the Day… | …For Teaching ELL, ESL, & EFL

Larry Ferlazzo’s Websites of the Day… | …For Teaching ELL, ESL, & EFL:

Video: “Map of Europe 1000 AD to present with timeline”

This is one impressive video, and I’m adding it to The Best Websites For Teaching & Learning About World History: Thanks to Chart Porn for the tip.

8 by Larry Ferlazzo / 27min mark as read  //  save

Infographic: “Mexican Independence Day”

I’m adding this infographic (and a couple of links to other articles) to The Best Resources For Learning About Mexico’s Independence Day: Explore more infographics like this one on the web’s largest information design community – Visually. Here’s a photo gallery from The History Channel. Mexican-Americans celebrate Mexican Independence Day, El Grito! is from NBC Latino.

7 by Larry Ferlazzo / 1h 

Kaplan International Interviews…Me

ESL Teacher Interviews: Larry Ferlazzo comes from Kaplan International, and you might find it interesting. Even more interesting, though, is the interview they did with my friend, colleague, and co-author Katie Hull Sypnieski a few months ago.

by Larry Ferlazzo / 2min 

My Newest Lesson At The NY Times Is On Teaching “Grit”

My newest lesson at The New York Times for English Language Learners is on “grit” & includes a student interactive & teaching ideas. I’m adding it to The Best Resources For Learning About The Importance Of “Grit.” You can see all my NY Times posts here.

2 by Larry Ferlazzo / 42min  

9-15-13 Larry Ferlazzo’s Websites of the Day… | …For Teaching ELL, ESL, & EFL

Larry Ferlazzo’s Websites of the Day… | …For Teaching ELL, ESL, & EFL: “Advice for Educators Wanting to be Principals — Part One”Advice for Educators Wanting to be Principals — Part One is my newest post over at Education Week Teacher. This week’s guest responses come from Lyn Hilt, Joe Mazza, and Cheryl James-Ward, along with a few thoughts of my own.by Larry Ferlazzo / 45min Larry Ferlazzo’s

by mike simpson / 10h 

Ravitch Seeks Broad Reforms to End Reign of Error | InterACT

Ravitch Seeks Broad Reforms to End Reign of Error | InterACT:

Ravitch Seeks Broad Reforms to End Reign of Error

SEPTEMBER 16, 2013

tags: book review, diane ravitch, Reign of Error

by David B. Cohen

Diane Ravitch (Jan. 2012; photo by the author)

Just in time for its official release tomorrow, I’ve finished reading an advance copy of Diane Ravitch’s new book, Reign of Error:  The Hoax of the Privatization Movement and the Danger to America’s Public Schools. For people who have been following education policy debates long enough and already know that they tend to agree with Diane Ravitch on most of the issues, there will not be any surprise revelations in the book; such readers might appreciate, as I did, Ravitch’s ability to pull together a combination of historical information, more recent studies, international comparisons, and various other sources that argue against the current direction of (supposed) education reform. For example, I didn’t know that the job protections commonly known as “tenure” actually pre-date teacher unionism (126). I was also interested to find some nuance in Ravitch’s argument against strict use of seniority, to the exclusion of other considerations based on students’ needs, in staffing decisions (130).

For those who tend to disagree with Ravitch on the issues, I would encourage them to take a look anyways, for two main reasons. The first is that, unlike recent books by purveyors of supposedly#RealEdTalk, Michelle Rhee and Steve Perry, Ravitch’s book minimizes personal narrative and substitutes copious footnotes and an index; in other words, she backs it up. You can disagree with her recommendations, but she makes it hard to deny the problems. Let’s take the chapter on charter schools for example. Ravitch points out the internal contradiction in charters claiming to be public schools when its time to collect money and win over politicians and voters, but claiming that they are exempt from many laws and regulations that apply to public schools. 

Ravitch’s Reign of Error: My Review | deutsch29

Ravitch’s Reign of Error: My Review | deutsch29:

Ravitch’s Reign of Error: My Review

September 16, 2013

In considering my review of education historian Diane Ravitch’s latest book, Reign of Error: The Hoax of the Privatization Movement and the Danger to America’s Public Schools, I decided to write with traditional public school teachers in mind as my audience.

For one, I am a genuine public school teacher, the kind that makes a career of classroom teaching for love of the students and the profession.

Second, I began to directly experience the results of corporate reform when in November 2011 our state board of education (BESE) was officially bought and privatization officially reigned there and, in spring 2012, in the state legislature, so I am keenly aware of the pain privatization brings to my profession.

Third, I find that traditional public school teachers in general know that something is happening “to” them, some war has been declared upon them, but they are unaware of the details.

Fourth, once traditional public school teachers become aware of the details of this war, they will need some concrete advice on the courses of action to follow in order to take back their profession from those who have grabbed it and are systematically handing it over to corporations.

These are the reasons I advise all traditional public school teachers to read Ravitch’s book.

And now, I write expressly to my traditional public school teaching colleagues 

The Crawfish Bump! | Crazy Crawfish's Blog

The Crawfish Bump! | Crazy Crawfish's Blog:

The Crawfish Bump!

Posted on September 15, 2013

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Congratulations Crawfish patriots!

In the last 48 hours after making this post we helped Shannon Puckett increase her funding for herKickstarter Documentary Defies Measurement by more than 23% and contributors by almost 40%!

Since this is my first endorsement, and since I can plausibly say I had something to do with it (ok maybe Shannon’s excellent pitch had more to do with it, but still. . .) I’ve decided to call this effect the “Crawfish Bump”.

But we have much more bumping to do. If you haven’t contributed or bugged your dying rich and senile uncle that nobody likes into contributing, now’s your chance! Shannon needs your money and we need her film and story. If you donate, we can both win! If you were listening to NPR last week in Baton Rouge you heard a very extensive pledge drive. If you’re like me it probably drove you crazy! If you procrastinated and missed out, now is your chance to mend your conscience! Donate to this equally good cause and I will forgive you for your tardiness.

Note: You might still get a phone call from Ira Glass for not contributing, I can’t help you there, but at least I can tell Ira your dollars did not go to waste on all those cups of coffee he asks you to do without! I won’t even ask you to do without your morning coffee, espresso, or even your sissy mocha latte cappuccino spritzer with extra whip. That can be our little secret. All you have to do is donate, or cajole someone else into giving. Simple right!?!?!

So what are you waiting for?

Here’s the link to Shannon’s Kickstarter page:http://www.kickstarter.com/projects/937247555/defies-measurement

Here’s the link to her youtube video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=16lnlJqh_WY

Now let’s get that bump growing!

P.S.

Did I mention the largest crawfish contributor gets an autographed crawfish? To win, just post your amount as a comment. I will notify the winner by the e-mail linked to the comment…

P.P.S.

This goes for previous Crazy Crawfish directed contributors.