Nite Cap 9-19-13 #BATsACT #RealEdTalk #EDCHAT #P2 #Cheats4Change

James Baldwin said it best: 

"For these are all our children, and we will profit by or pay for whatever they become."

A BIG EDUCATION APE NITE CAP

TODAY

NYC Educator: Be Afraid. Be Very Afraid

NYC Educator: Be Afraid. Be Very Afraid: Be Afraid. Be Very AfraidOne of my students didn't have her homework today. She's pretty smart, and pretty eager, but not altogether that fluent in English. I asked her where it was and she struggled to answer. I checked a few other kids in the class and she came to me, brandishing her iPhone like it held the key to Life, the Universe, and Everything."

by mike simpson / 2h 

Three Questions, Two Answers from the Department of Education - Living in Dialogue - Education Week Teacher

Three Questions, Two Answers from the Department of Education - Living in Dialogue - Education Week Teacher: Three Questions, Two Answers from the Department of EducationBy Anthony Cody on September 19, 2013 3:47 PMA little more than two weeks ago, Secretary of Education Arne Duncan held a phone-in press conference. I submitted several questions online, but they were not addressed during the event

by mike simpson / 2h 

Diane in the Evening 9-19-13 Diane Ravitch's blog | A site to discuss better education for all

Diane Ravitch's blog | A site to discuss better education for all: Bloomberg Administration Plans to Scrub EmailsA whistleblower inside the DOE in New York City told me the Bloomberg administration plans to eliminate all emails. I assumed they were reacting to the Indiana scandal, where Tony Bennett’s emails showed that he engaged in grade-fixing and assembling lists of campaign donors. Maybe yes,

by mike simpson / 2h 

Awards and Lists: Hate/Love | My Island View

Awards and Lists: Hate/Love | My Island View: Awards and Lists: Hate/LoveSeptember 19, 2013 by tomwhitbyIt is most commonly known that the two things we should not open a discussion on at a friendly dinner party would be religion, or politics. These two topics stir up passions in people that may take some over the bounds set by acceptable civility at such gatherings. I have found myself a victim o

by mike simpson / 3h 

I’m late; I’m late, for a very important. . . Review of Diane Ravitch’s new book “Reign of Error” | Crazy Crawfish's Blog

I’m late; I’m late, for a very important. . . Review of Diane Ravitch’s new book “Reign of Error” | Crazy Crawfish's Blog: I’m late; I’m late, for a very important. . . Review of Diane Ravitch’s new book “Reign of Error”Posted on September 19, 20130 If you’re like me, you’re late to everything. For instance, my mom is fond of telling me I was late to my own birth. In my defense I always remind her

by mike simpson / 4h 

Court ruling backs student discipline for off-campus e-threats SI&A Cabinet Report – News & Resources

SI&A Cabinet Report – News & Resources: Court ruling backs student discipline for off-campus e-threatsBy Kimberly BeltranThursday, September 19, 2013In a ruling that, for the first time, provides specific guidance to school administrators addressing issues such as cyberbullying and threats via technology, a federal court has determined that school officials can discipline students for cert

by mike simpson / 4h 

Mike Klonsky's SmallTalk Blog: Ravitch a Texas-bred Paul Revere

Mike Klonsky's SmallTalk Blog: Ravitch a Texas-bred Paul Revere: Ravitch a Texas-bred Paul RevereWhen it comes to schooling, Diane Ravitch is a traditionalist in most senses of the word. But a defender of traditional democratic education at a time when corporate-style reformers and her former conservative think-tank friends have all donned the label of r-r-r-revolutionaries and fancy themselves as

by mike simpson / 5h 

Choosing to focus on teaching | Edwize

Choosing to focus on teaching | Edwize: Choosing to focus on teaching I am criminally overworked. “Preps” seem to be a thing of the past, as we now have department meetings or grade team meetings during the day. “Lunch” is no longer an eating period as the microwave in the teacher’s lounge seems to have been misplaced. In fact, the entire teacher’s lounge has been misplaced, and yes, that can happ

by mike simpson / 5h 

9-19-13 Seattle Schools Community Forum

Seattle Schools Community Forum: What is the deal with Spectrum?Thirteen years ago, when I first became an activist in Seattle Public Schools, there were problems with Spectrum. There were three problems:Qualified students could not gain access to the program because the classes were full.There was lively discussion about the student identification process including issues of under-representation

by mike simpson / 5h 

Study: Impact of unaddressed mental health issues on students is severe

Study: Impact of unaddressed mental health issues on students is severe: Study: Impact of unaddressed mental health issues on students is severeBy Valerie Strauss, Published: September 19 at 11:47 amE-mail the writerMental health is one of those topics that Americans don’t like to talk about much, unless it is forced into public view by tragedies such as Monday’s mass shootingat the Washington Nav

by mike simpson / 5h 

Before tonight’s meeting, several Dallas ISD trustees make clear their feelings about Mike Miles | Dallas Morning News

Before tonight’s meeting, several Dallas ISD trustees make clear their feelings about Mike Miles | Dallas Morning News: Before tonight’s meeting, several Dallas ISD trustees make clear their feelings about Mike MilesBy Matthew Haagmhaag@dallasnews.com11:25 am on September 19, 2013 | Permalink100Dallas ISD Superintendent Mike Miles will face his bosses tonight and, perhaps, fight for his job after

by mike simpson / 5h 

Cali Education Headlines Thursday, September 19, 2013

FCMAT » Fiscal Crisis & Management Assistance Team: Jersey Jazzman: @jaredpolis: America's Worst CongresspersonEducation HeadlinesThursday, September 19, 2013Alisal school board adopts credit-card use policyIt's official: Alisal schools Superintendent John Ramirez Jr. is now authorized to use the district credit card.The school board voted 5-0 Wednesday night to approve a policy governing the

by mike simpson / 6h 

When the Shoe Is on the Other Foot: Lessons for Teachers in Misguided Accountability | the becoming radical

When the Shoe Is on the Other Foot: Lessons for Teachers in Misguided Accountability | the becoming radical: When the Shoe Is on the Other Foot: Lessons for Teachers in Misguided AccountabilityPosted on September 19, 2013 by plthomaseddIf we imagined a pictorial representation of the evolution of education accountability, similar to the standard image we associate with human evolution——then we’d h

by mike simpson / 6h 

A Heartbreaking – And Preventable – Death | Taking Note

A Heartbreaking – And Preventable – Death | Taking Note: A Heartbreaking – And Preventable – Deathby JOHN MERROW on 19. SEP, 2013 in 2013 BLOGS, BULLYING, TECHNOLOGYThe official records note Rebecca Sedwick’s death as a suicide.  There’s no disputing that the 12-year-old jumped to her death from an abandoned cement plant in Lakeland, Florida, on September 9, but what happened to her requires new t

by mike simpson / 7h 

Expanding Learning Time – And Opportunities | LFA: Join The Conversation - Public School Insights

Expanding Learning Time – And Opportunities | LFA: Join The Conversation - Public School Insights: Expanding Learning Time – And OpportunitiesBy Anne O'Brien on September 19, 2013The call to expand learning time to ensure that American students remain competitive with their international peers has become quite popular. While the rationale is perhaps a bit misguided (some evidence suggests that our

by mike simpson / 7h 

Ain't It the Truth - Education Research Report: Half of Parents Have Trouble Helping Their Kids with Homework

Education Research Report: Half of Parents Have Trouble Helping Their Kids with Homework: Half of Parents Have Trouble Helping Their Kids with HomeworkAs kids nationwide are getting back into the homework routine, the National Center for Family Literacy (NCFL) teamed up with Google to ask parents the question many silently dread each fall – are you ever unable to help your kids with their homework

by mike simpson / 7h 

Morning Wink 9-19-13 AM Posts #BATsACT #RealEdTalk #EDCHAT #P2 #Cheats4Change

BIG EDUCATION APE - MORNING WINK  AM POSTSTODAYObserve to Stop 'Beliefing' — Whole Child EducationObserve to Stop 'Beliefing' — Whole Child Education: THE WHOLE CHILD BLOGObserve to Stop ‘Beliefing’September 19, 2013 by Mary FowlerRead the first, second, and third posts in this series."The basis of all good human behavior is kindness." —Eleanor RooseveltIt's a curiously human trait to cl

2 by mike simpson / 7h 

Observe to Stop 'Beliefing' — Whole Child Education

Observe to Stop 'Beliefing' — Whole Child Education: THE WHOLE CHILD BLOGObserve to Stop ‘Beliefing’September 19, 2013 by Mary FowlerRead the first, second, and third posts in this series."The basis of all good human behavior is kindness." —Eleanor RooseveltIt's a curiously human trait to cling to beliefs based on assumptions and preconceived notions. What we tell ourselves about what's

by mike simpson / 7h 

9-19-13 Ed Notes Online

Ed Notes Online: @Ravitch WebinarI had the opportunity last night to be in the room with Diane Ravitch while she interacted with bloggers on the web using an interesting technology from Shindig. For over an hour I stood behind her taping her off the screen. Now I could have taped her off the screen I guess at home but I have an idea for a possible small documentary by gathering footage from her bo

by mike simpson / 8h 

How Much Homework Do American Kids Do? - Julia Ryan - The Atlantic

How Much Homework Do American Kids Do? - Julia Ryan - The Atlantic: How Much Homework Do American Kids Do?Various factors, from race to the number of years a teacher has been in the classroom, affect a child's homework load. In his Atlantic essay, Karl Taro Greenfeld laments his 13-year-old daughter's heavy homework load. As an eighth grader at a New York middle school, Greenfeld’s daughter averag

by mike simpson / 8h 

9-19-13 Wait What?

Wait What?: CT Post Editorial says; Come on Malloy/Jepsen – Give State’s students their day in court”The lawsuit is called CCFEF v. Rell. As we know, it is the most important school funding lawsuit in more than 40 years.  Despite their previous support for the lawsuit, Governor Malloy and Attorney General George Jepsen are now working overtime to try and prevent he case from even being heard. And

by mike simpson / 8h 

Mike Klonsky's SmallTalk Blog: Life of an ed bloger

Mike Klonsky's SmallTalk Blog: Life of an ed bloger: Life of an ed bloger"What the best and wisest parent wants for his own child, that must the community want for all of its children. Any other ideal for our schools is narrow and unlovely; acted upon it destroys our democracy." -- John DeweyEvery day my mailbox is filled with requests from different promoters, asking me to pimppump thei

by mike simpson / 8h 

9-18-13 @ The Chalk Face

@ THE CHALK FACE: Achievement Gap? Nope, parts 1 and 2The term “achievement gap” is misleading and thus one of the problems with the education reform debate. Please see the following posts addressing why: Achievement Gap Misnomer for Equity Gap, pt. 1 Achievement Gap Misnomer for Equity Gap, pt. 21 by plthomasedd / 1min Schools Matter @ The Chalk FaceSCHOOLS MATTER @ THE CHALK FACE: Gates Money an

by mike simpson / 9h 

Achievement Gap Misnomer for Equity Gap, pt. 1 | the becoming radical

Achievement Gap Misnomer for Equity Gap, pt. 1 | the becoming radical: Achievement Gap Misnomer for Equity Gap, pt. 1Posted on September 19, 2013 by plthomasedd[NOTE: I am reposting two pieces from Daily Kos (June 26, 2011, and April 29, 2012) to address the issue of achievement gaps, which I consider a misnomer for the equity gap.]Why the Achievement Gap Matters and Will RemainEdWeek features a s

by mike simpson / 9h 

9-19-13 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.: Life in Rahm’s Chicago. Walter Payton High School has plenty of toilet paper and is about to get more. Cut to Les Miz.As parents on the West Side collect toilet paper for their schools – the schools that Rahm has still left open – the selective admission Walter Payton High School near the Lakefront wi

by mike simpson / 9h 

School district bans Common Core-approved novel for sexually explicit material

School district bans Common Core-approved novel for sexually explicit material: School district bans Common Core-approved novel for sexually explicit materialBy Valerie Strauss, Published: September 19 at 8:00 amE-mail the writer1CommentsMoreA book hailed by critics and listed in the Common Core State Standards as a reading exemplar for 11th-graders was banned by an Arizona school district because

by mike simpson / 9h 

LISTEN TO DIANE RAVITCH 9-19-13 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 Last-Minute Bad Idea from NYC Department of EducationIn its ongoing effort to destroy neighborhood schools and communities, the NYC brought out a plan to centralize kindergarten admissions. This paren activist says it is time to fight back now: “Last week, the DOE announced the roll-out of a new $800,000 kindergarten admissions p

by mike simpson / 10h 

9-19-13 teacherken at Daily Kos

teacherken at Daily Kos: Leaves on the Current - another phase in her treatmentBecause she has done so remarkably well in her recovery from her blood cancer, we are going to be entering a new phase. Next Wednesday we will spend a day getting trained for dealing with the next phase of her treatment.  Assuming no obstacles are found as a result of a series of medical tests next week - the first full

by mike simpson / 10h 

What if Self-Interest Doesn't Explain Everything? - Bridging Differences - Education Week

What if Self-Interest Doesn't Explain Everything? - Bridging Differences - Education Week: What if Self-Interest Doesn't Explain Everything?By Deborah Meier on September 19, 2013 7:53 AMToday, Michael J. Petrilli of the Fordham Institute once again joins Deborah Meier on Bridging Diffferences. The two will co-blog for several weeks.Dear Deborah,I'm glad you brought up the topic of democracy. In fu

by mike simpson / 10h 

9-19-13 Perdido Street School

Perdido Street School: Performance Assessment ThursdayWe are giving the ELA Measures of Student Learning Performance Assessments to students today and tomorrow so that every teacher in the school can be evaluated to see how much growth students make from September to June.Because it makes total sense that social studies, science, art, physical education and other teachers outside of English Langua

by mike simpson / 10h 

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

Larry Ferlazzo’s Websites of the Day… | …For Teaching ELL, ESL, & EFL: September’s (2013) Best Tweets — Part ThreeEvery month I make a few short lists highlighting my choices of the best resources I shared through (and learned from) Twitter, but didn’t necessarily include them in posts here on my blog. I’ve already shared in earlier posts several new resources I found on Twitter — and where I

by mike simpson / 10h 

9-19-13 Schools Matter

Schools Matter: Alison Stewart's Great History of D.C.'s Dunbar High SchoolAlison Stewart’s First Class brings us full circle. Actually, Stewart guides us through a variety of recurring social, moral, and educational cycles that undoubtedly will continue to repeat themselves in one way or another. Her history of the rise and fall of Washington D.C.’s elite Dunbar High School tells a story that can

by mike simpson / 10h 

YESTERDAY

Jersey Jazzman: @jaredpolis: America's Worst Congressperson

Jersey Jazzman: @jaredpolis: America's Worst Congressperson: @jaredpolis: America's Worst CongresspersonWhat a schmuck:Yes, 75 year old Diane Ravitch -- grandmother, author, and historian -- is "evil" in the eyes of this sitting member of Congress. Aren't you proud, Colorado?This empty suit is the 7th wealthiest member of Congress. But Polis is really just another phony Democrat who push

by mike simpson / 18h 

DR Alison Coviello; PhD and Principal of PS 154 Channels Super Villain Bane southbronxschool.com

http://www.southbronxschool.com: DR Alison Coviello; PhD and Principal of PS 154 Channels Super Villain BaneA very wise man within the realm of the NYC DOE once paid me a great compliment, "You're the Howard Stern of education bloggers." I loved it! I shan't name him, but I have the utmost of respect for him and I know of some female bloggers, one an SBSB groupie, that have a wild crush

by mike simpson / 20h 

100 Bloggers and Diane Ravitch | Reclaim Reform

100 Bloggers and Diane Ravitch | Reclaim Reform: 100 Bloggers and Diane RavitchPosted on September 18, 2013by Ken PrevitiOn Sept. 18, 2013 between 7:30 and 8:30 pm, about a hundred bloggers listened to and spoke with Diane Ravitch in a Shindig Video Chat event that was historical. Never before has an author launched a book by asking education bloggers to review her book, review it with a total fre

by mike simpson / 20h 

Fire the Reformers! Education Should Develop Individuals, Not Worker Bees | toteachornototeach

Fire the Reformers! Education Should Develop Individuals, Not Worker Bees | toteachornototeach: Fire the Reformers! Education Should Develop Individuals, Not Worker Bees by Joseph W. GauldAccountability is a big word in educational reform. Now it needs to be applied to those responsible for creating reform that is ineffective and discriminatory.For more than five decades, business leaders, politic

by mike simpson / 21h 

Coop Goes to High School Part 3 – Summer Swap to England | Lefty Parent

Coop Goes to High School Part 3 – Summer Swap to England | Lefty Parent: Coop Goes to High School Part 3 – Summer Swap to EnglandSeptember 18th, 2013 at 15:38My passport picture around my 15th birthday in 1970My mom was always a smart creative person with tremendous ingenuity and a strong sense that life at its best should be an adventure. She had never been to Europe herself, but she had grown up

by mike simpson / 21h 

Nite Cap 9-18-13 #BATsACT #RealEdTalk #EDCHAT #P2 #Cheats4Change

James Baldwin said it best: "For these are all our children, and we will profit by or pay for whatever they become."A BIG EDUCATION APE NITE CAPTODAYTeachers association to call for Dallas ISD Superintendent Mike Miles’ termination at news conference | Dallas Morning NewsTeachers association to call for Dallas ISD Superintendent Mike Miles’ termination at news conference | Dallas Morning

1 by mike simpson / 23h 

x

Nite Cap 9-18-13 

NYC Educator: Be Afraid. Be Very Afraid

NYC Educator: Be Afraid. Be Very Afraid:

Be Afraid. Be Very Afraid

One of my students didn't have her homework today. She's pretty smart, and pretty eager, but not altogether that fluent in English. I asked her where it was and she struggled to answer. I checked a few other kids in the class and she came to me, brandishing her iPhone like it held the key to Life, the Universe, and Everything.

"It's here," she said.

And there, on the screen, was the homework that was due yesterday, homework that she actually turned in. I told her I'd already seen it and continued moving around the room. But soon she was back.

"This is today," she said.

And indeed it was, but I manipulated the image and it had the name of the girl who sits two seats away from her. I pointed this out and she got very excited. She started talking very quickly in her native language, of which alas I speak not one word. My kids are under strict instructions to speak only English, but with 90% of the class belonging to one language group it's a very tough rule to enforce. I do my best but it's not good enough.

A boy started translating for her and I started giving him a hard time. The gist of it was that she just photographed the homework to help with it. First of all, it wasn't a whole lot of help, as she was unable to produce the assignment anyway. Perhaps more importantly, cheating's become a whole lot easier. I can't count the times I've found kids copying homework 

Three Questions, Two Answers from the Department of Education - Living in Dialogue - Education Week Teacher

Three Questions, Two Answers from the Department of Education - Living in Dialogue - Education Week Teacher:

Three Questions, Two Answers from the Department of Education

By Anthony Cody on September 19, 2013 3:47 PM

A little more than two weeks ago, Secretary of Education Arne Duncan held a phone-in press conference. I submitted several questions online, but they were not addressed during the event. However, reporters on the line were assured that unanswered questions would be given high priority. So I emailed them in.

Today, answers have arrived, from Department of Education spokesperson Stephen Spector, who explained that time constraints prevent a response from Secretary Duncan himself.

Here are the questions, followed by Mr. Spector's responses:

Question 1: Secretary Duncan, you have a successful career. Would you be willing to take the Common Core Tests as they become available and share your score?

Response: "I cannot personally respond to your first question, but happy to respond to the second to.(sic)"

Question number 2: There has been a massive loss of teacher agency since you've taken charge, and creative, top-notch teachers are fleeing the profession in droves. Do you see a way to address the feeling of loss teachers have about their own profession? Is that something you were after? --What do you have to say about teacher morale, in general?

A: The Department is working with educators in rebuilding the profession. We are looking to 

Diane in the Evening 9-19-13 Diane Ravitch's blog | A site to discuss better education for all

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

FAIRTEST: Pearson’s History of Test Foul Ups

FAIRTEST has warned about the misuse of standardized testing for years. As an organization, it serves an invaluable purpose and exists on a shoe string. It should be funded by Gates, Broad, and Walton. Instead it is funded by you. Here is FAIRTEST’s chronology of Pearson’s testing errors over the years. PEARSON’S HISTORY OF TESTING PROBLEMS compiled by Bob Schaeffer, Public Education Director Fair

72 by dianerav / 25min 

Is the Bridgeport Election the Beginning of the End for Corporate Reform?

[Forgive the posting of the headline with no text. I am at NY1, our local all-news station. No sooner did I put in the headline when I was called in to be interviewed by Sam Roberts of the New York Times. I closed my iPad, and the blank post flew into cyberspace. ] The Atlantic has a comprehensive article about the education wars in Bridgeport, Connecticut. The Democratic machine was shocked by t

3 by dianerav / 12min 

Bloomberg Administration Plans to Scrub Emails

A whistleblower inside the DOE in New York City told me the Bloomberg administration plans to eliminate all emails. I assumed they were reacting to the Indiana scandal, where Tony Bennett’s emails showed that he engaged in grade-fixing and assembling lists of campaign donors. Maybe yes, maybe no. But what we learn from this story is that the Bloomberg administration plans to delete emails in many

9 by dianerav / 37min 

LISTEN TO DIANE RAVITCH 9-19-13 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 Last-Minute Bad Idea from NYC Department of EducationIn its ongoing effort to destroy neighborhood schools and communities, the NYC brought out a plan to centralize kindergarten admissions. This paren activist says it is time to fight back now: “Last week, the DOE announced the roll-out of a new $800,000 kindergarten admissions p

by mike simpson / 2h 

Awards and Lists: Hate/Love | My Island View

Awards and Lists: Hate/Love | My Island View:

Awards and Lists: Hate/Love

September 19, 2013 by tomwhitby

It is most commonly known that the two things we should not open a discussion on at a friendly dinner party would be religion, or politics. These two topics stir up passions in people that may take some over the bounds set by acceptable civility at such gatherings. I have found myself a victim of this social imperative on a number of occasions. That is the price to be paid for being opinionated, and passionate about things.

Among educators, I would suggest that we add Awards and Lists to Religion and Politics as subjects that strike chords in people who cause them to cross over to the wild side. Whenever annual award presentations appear on the calendar the pro and con discussions begin. The merits and flaws of such ceremonies are debated in blog posts and tweets ad nauseam. Lines are drawn placing people on respective sides of what, at the time, seems like a very important issue. Actually, in the scheme of things that are of real important, it is actually a non-issue.

Often, a well-meaning effort to recognize the accomplishments of the few who stand up and stand out, are criticized or maligned to the point where people are discouraged from even suggesting to do such events. The irony is that 

I’m late; I’m late, for a very important. . . Review of Diane Ravitch’s new book “Reign of Error” | Crazy Crawfish's Blog

I’m late; I’m late, for a very important. . . Review of Diane Ravitch’s new book “Reign of Error” | Crazy Crawfish's Blog:

I’m late; I’m late, for a very important. . . Review of Diane Ravitch’s new book “Reign of Error”

Posted on September 19, 2013

0

If you’re like me, you’re late to everything. For instance, my mom is fond of telling me I was late to my own birth. In my defense I always remind her that my brother was three weeks lake and I was only about one week, so relatively speaking I was early. No matter what else happens in life, I will always have that to hold over my brother. Perspective is very important.

For instance, if I surrounded myself with skinny fit people I would feel very fat and unhealthy all the time. That’s why I make it a point of distancing myself from anyone who becomes too obsessed with P90X or Cross fit programs. That type of association would not be good for my mental health. I also make it a point of only befriending folks who are larger than me, especially if they with more physical limitations like a hook for a hand, or a patch over one eye. (Yes. I have a lot of pirate friends.) I also really like to befriend really bald people because they are very jealous of my unruly mop of hair – which I find annoying, but they find enviable. Perspective is what Diane’s book, Reign of Error, is all about.

Reformers and privatizers (not to be confused with my pirate compadres) like to frame their pseudo-successes in a context that makes them look good, and the things they are opposing look bad. For instance, they like to point to the performance of the poor and minorities on standardized tests and show the current achievement gap between them and the wealthy is not closing. They 

Court ruling backs student discipline for off-campus e-threats SI&A Cabinet Report – News & Resources

SI&A Cabinet Report – News & Resources:

Court ruling backs student discipline for off-campus e-threats
By Kimberly Beltran
Thursday, September 19, 2013

In a ruling that, for the first time, provides specific guidance to school administrators addressing issues such as cyberbullying and threats via technology, a federal court has determined that school officials can discipline students for certain off-campus electronic communications.

The case involved a high school student in western Nevada’s Douglas County who made repeated threats via his MySpace page to carry out multiple violent acts, including going on a school shooting spree. After the student was suspended and then expelled, his family sued the school district, claiming that the statements were a joke and that the district had violated his First Amendment rights by disciplining him for speech made off-campus.

But in affirming a district court’s earlier judgment in favor of the district, Ninth Circuit Court Judge M. Margaret McKeown wrote, “[This] panel held that the messages, which threatened the safety of the school and its students, both interfered with the rights of other students and made it reasonable for school officials to forecast a substantial disruption of school activities.

“The panel held that when faced with an identifiable threat of school violence, schools may take disciplinary action in response to off-campus speech that meets the requirements of Tinker v. Des Moines Indep. Cmty. Sch. Dist., 393 U.S. 503 (1969),” McKeown opined. “Under the circumstances, the panel concluded that the school district did not 

Mike Klonsky's SmallTalk Blog: Ravitch a Texas-bred Paul Revere

Mike Klonsky's SmallTalk Blog: Ravitch a Texas-bred Paul Revere:

Ravitch a Texas-bred Paul Revere

When it comes to schooling, Diane Ravitch is a traditionalist in most senses of the word. But a defender of traditional democratic education at a time when corporate-style reformers and her former conservative think-tank friends have all donned the label of r-r-r-revolutionaries and fancy themselves as educational "change agents", is not bad. They "monitor" her and target her as "an agent of the status quo." But nothing could be further from the truth.

In her latest book, Reign of Error: The Hoax of the Privatization Movement and the Danger to America's Public Schools,  Diane plays the role of a Texas-bred Paul Revere warning the populace that the privatizers are coming -- and coming they are, tearing away at all public space and with it, public decision making. Diane lays it out, chapter by chapter.

Genuine school reform must be built on hope, not fear; on encouragement, not threats; on inspiration, not compulsion; on trust, not carrots and sticks; on belief in the dignity of the human person, not a slavish devotion to data; on support and mutual respect, not a regime of punishment and blame. To be lasting, school reform must rely on collaboration and teamwork among students, parents, teachers, principals, administrators and local communities.“ (p. 325)

What I love and admire about Diane is that she's not just writing (she's prolific) but she's always out on the stump, uniting body and brain to get the message out. I don't know how she does it. I need a nap just thinking about it. Her book tour is turning out thousands for whom the message resonates. And it's been a pro-teacher message, resonating with the 

Choosing to focus on teaching | Edwize

Choosing to focus on teaching | Edwize:

Choosing to focus on teaching

 I am criminally overworked. “Preps” seem to be a thing of the past, as we now have department meetings or grade team meetings during the day. “Lunch” is no longer an eating period as the microwave in the teacher’s lounge seems to have been misplaced. In fact, the entire teacher’s lounge has been misplaced, and yes, that can happen. I’ve been staying late to decorate my room and make a sorry attempt at planning and grading, but it’s usually just a time to try and get some energy back. I’ve had meetings with the principal and AP where I had to choose how often I will be observed. They seemed to be trying to figure out the new system, and are more confused than the brand-new teachers. We were passively threatened to have our sub lessons submitted with copies of the work for all students done, though the person that makes copies for us is overwhelmed with an insane amount of copies to make. I’ve had meetings with my department. Meetings with my grade team. Meetings about what we should be talking about in meetings. No, seriously, we actually discuss how to properly have a meeting, what an agenda should look like, all of the stuff to make a school look like it’s a well run corporation. The humanity on that side of things is gone. Perhaps forever. My new students are calm and respectful…for now. They say that every year you teach, it gets easier as your confidence grows. I do feel that way, that I have finally come into my own as a teacher. Too bad there are all of these new changes, so everything I have mastered over the past few years will be viewed as obsolete. I can hear the chaos in the hallway as I teach my drop-dead-silent classes, and I act as if I don’t hear a thing. The kids take their cue from me and - See more at: http://www.edwize.org/choosing-to-focus-on-teaching#sthash.DhA4o64J.dpuf