Friday, October 11, 2013

Nite Cap 10-11-13 #BATsACT #RealEdTalk #EDCHAT #P2

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

YESTERDAY

Delaware Event: Forum on Student Data Mining | Truth in American Education

Delaware Event: Forum on Student Data Mining | Truth in American Education:

Delaware Event: Forum on Student Data Mining

Filed in Privacy/SLDS by Shane Vander Hart on October 11, 2013 • 0 Comments

The Delaware Education Reform Coalition asked us to let our readers know about an upcoming public event they are holding next week.

They are holding their second public event, this one is focused on the data mining component of Common Core. They have renowned education “whistleblower” Beverly Eakman speaking on the topic of data mining.

Title: Department of Education’s End Game: They’re Not Your Children Anymore

Location: Elks Lodge (200 Saulsbury Rd., Dover, DE)

Time: Tuesday, October 15, 2013 from 6:00 PM to 8:30 PM

Taking Charge of Your Education Student Voice

Student Voice:

Taking Charge of Your Education

About the Author: My name is Gabe Diamond. I’m a 19-year-old college student at The University of Georgia. I am Pre-Law with a Major in Criminal Justice. I love to argue and debate my political and social opinions against others. I am always open to conversations about most issues current and past. I hope my page provides interesting information and viewpoints for all my readers. Thank you for stopping by to read!

As I sit here studying for yet another meaningless Geology test, I grow impatient and uneasy with the simple question, “When will all of this have meaning?” It’s an impossible question to answer, one that without a crystal ball can never be predicted. For me, I see the literal meaning in everything; perhaps this is the reason why I struggled in English back in high school. I failed to see that the protagonist’s shirt is blue to symbolize sadness. In my eyes, he is just wearing a blue shirt. Some may call it short-sightedness, but I call it realism. This realism allows me to look at situations for what they truly are, without the ridiculous undertones that can throw people off. They say college is a chance for you to receive a great education, one that prepares you for the world of employment, but I challenge that statement.

When I arrived at the University of Georgia, I was an elated, curious, and more than anything, eager young man looking to gain a superb education allowing me to finally embark on the journey of the rest of my life. Several months into school, I finally found what I believe to be my calling in life. Now as I am only a sophomore in the middle of the fall semester, the beginning of that journey seems to be so far away yet again. These classes I

- See more at: http://stuvoice.org/blog/2013/10/11/taking-charge-of-your-education/?utm_source=feedly#sthash.DrghzdLI.dpuf

Mother Crusader: Fix Em, Don't Close Em

Mother Crusader: Fix Em, Don't Close Em:

Fix Em, Don't Close Em

This comes straight out of the "I couldn't make this &%$# up if I tried" file.

A charter school in Philadelphia announced Friday, via its website, that it is closing its doors effective immediately due to “safety concerns and financial instability.”
Solomon Charter School, located in the 1200 block of Vine Street in Center City, posted a letter on its website Friday by acting CEO David Weathington.
The letter starts off “it is with regret that I announce the closing of Solomon Charter on October 11, 2013.”

Just to be clear. On Friday the charter's CEO/Principal (I hate school leaders calling themselves CEOs...) announced the school would close on Monday.

Can anyone even imagine reading a letter like this from their child's school?

Here's a list of things I find peculiar about this particular closure, in no particular order.

1. Solomon Charter School was approved as a CYBER charter school, so someone has to explain

Caveat Emptor--Charter School Poster Kids and Private/Public Education | Michele Somerville

Caveat Emptor--Charter School Poster Kids and Private/Public Education | Michele Somerville:

Caveat Emptor--Charter School Poster Kids and Private/Public Education

Charter Schools - Dividing Communities since 1991

Eva Moskowitz, founder and CEO of Success Academy Charter Schools, closed her schools in New York, on Tuesday October 8th so as to allow students parents and teachers to join a demonstration to defend public school privatization. 20,000 showed up. That's quite a turnout. I did not take part in this demonstration, but I did attend a talk given by educator, education advocate and charter schools opponent Diane Ravitch that evening.

Ravitch started out as a charter school proponent, but has since changed her views. She makes an excellent case against "privatizing" public schools in her best-selling book Reign of Error. Most (not all) of her claims about the charter school movement echo opinions I've formed in my travels as a NYC DOE (New York City Department of Education) parent, former classroom teacher and tutor currently engaged in tutoring New York City elementary, middle and high school students.

I too once supported charter school innovation until I saw, up-close, how corporate involvement promised to exacerbate the already egregious condition of institutional racism in New York's schools. I supported charter schools until I began to see how they tend to hang (all but the savant) special needs students out to dry, and how they promote a dangerous anti-union message.

One of the chief complaints about charter schools is that they fail to welcome English learners, behavior problems, children whose parents can not be involved, and children with

CHARTER SCHOOL SCANDALS WEBSITE

CHARTER SCHOOL SCANDALS

A compilation of news articles about charter schools which have been charged with, or are highly suspected of, tampering with admissions, grades, attendance and testing; misuse of funds and embezzlement; engaging in nepotism and conflicts of interest; engaging in complicated and shady real estate deals; and/or have been engaging in other questionable, unethical, borderline-legal, or illegal activities. This is also a record of charter school instability and other unsavory tidbits.

Tele-Town Hall with Diane Ravitch | Seattle Education

Tele-Town Hall with Diane Ravitch | Seattle Education:

Tele-Town Hall with Diane Ravitch

Our Schools Alliance presents:

Tele-Town Hall with Diane Ravitch
Wednesday, October 16th
8:00 PM EDT

“[Diane] is America’s foremost historian in the areas of education policy, she’s a champion of public education, she’s a courageous speaker and she’s a truth-teller.” –Actor, Matt Damon

You are invited to join Diane Ravitch for a tele-town hall discussion of the most challenging issues facing public education today. Dr. Ravitch’s book, Reign of Error,lights the way for communities to undo corporate reform and deliver equity and justice in education.

Limited space is available! Please RSVP by Saturday, Oct. 12th.

After you sign up, you will receive a reminder call on Tuesday, October 15. Then, on October 16 at 8:00pm, EST, you will receive a call that will connect you to the live tele-town hall with Diane Ravitch. We are excited that you are joining the discussion!

Posted by Dora Taylor

Second overseer named for companies involved in Options charter school case - The Washington Post

Second overseer named for companies involved in Options charter school case - The Washington Post:

Second receiver named for companies involved in Options charter school case

By Emma Brown, Updated: Friday, October 11, 2:26 PM E-mail the writer

A D.C. Superior Court judge appointed a receiver Friday to oversee two for-profit companies that are led by the former managers of Options Public Charter School, who have beenaccused of creating an elaborate contracting scheme to divert millions of dollars from the school.

The former managers, who deny any wrongdoing, are among the defendants in a civil complaint that the District’s attorney general filed this month.

J.C. Hayward seeks dismissal from Options Charter case

Emma Brown and Ann E. Marimow OCT 9

WUSA anchor argues that she did not benefit from alleged contracting scheme nor knew it existed.

More news about education

Judge appoints a second receiver in Options school case

Emma Brown 2:26 PM ET

Joe Bruno is tasked with preserving the assets of companies allegedly involved in a contracting scam.

In Fairfax, graduation rates improve slightly

T. Rees Shapiro 11:54 AM ET

More students in Fairfax schools are graduating on time.

Who are Head Start’s ‘angel investors?’

Michael Alison Chandler 7:58 AM ET

Laura and John Arnold are an increasing influence in education reform.

Read more

The receiver is Joe Bruno, president of Building Hope, a nonprofit organization that provides business services and loans to charter schools. Bruno will be responsible for taking control of the two companies’ finances and preserving their assets while the civil lawsuit proceeds.

Although no one has been criminally charged in the case, investigators have been interviewing people, and a grand jury is expected to convene as early as next week, according to several people familiar with the case.

The future of Options remains uncertain. The D.C. Public Charter School Board said last week that it would vote on Oct. 16 about whether to take a first step toward closing the school because of financial

Philly High School Seniors Feel the Pinch of Budget Cuts

Philly High School Seniors Feel the Pinch of Budget Cuts:

Philly High School Seniors Feel the Pinch of Budget Cuts

PHILLYACTIVE™ (NEWS THAT GETS PHILLY ACTIVE) Discussing the lack of resources and counselors, HYPE J™ students interview seniors and staff at Philadelphia’s Central High School.

www.techbookonline.com

By Arthur L. Griffin Jr.

10.11.13 — Philadelphia- (Politics/Education): In the fourth week of HYPE J™, budding journalist Rashuan “DJ Reezey®” Williams — whose co-facilitating the eight (8) week “TMZ Style” project-based learning program withTechbook Online Corporation CEO Christopher “Flood the Drummer®” Norris — goes into Central High School for a candid conversation with students and school administrators. Williams, CEO/Founder of Phresh Philly, a Millennial-led volunteer organization that promotes sustainability through social entrepreneurship and high-school activism, has been visiting several schools throughout the nation’s fifth largest city to report in real-time how students are coping with no guidance counselors, closed libraries and an all-time low student moral. Read William’s most recent report called “Dying for a Good Education”

About the Author: Co-Chair of the Board of Directors, Arthur L. Griffin Jr. is the President of New Business Development and Texas Operations, Techbook Online Corporation®.

Support Quality Journalism. DONATE. Your participation at any level is greatly appreciated.

CHECK OUT TABS™ FOR A NEW WAY TO EXPLORE TECHBOOK’S ARTICLES!

Key Elements of School Closure Lawsuit Move Forward Empower DC - Home

Empower DC - Home:

Key Elements of School Closure Lawsuit Move Forward

Key Elements of School Closure Lawsuit Move Forward

Case Brought by Empower DC Alleges Discriminatory Impact of School Closures, Group Granted Discovery as Litigation Continues

Yesterday, Federal Court Judge James Boasberg found that plaintiffs have established sufficient facts to allow the bulk of their case alleging discrimination in the city’s pattern of public school closures to move forward.

The case of Shannon Smith et al Vs Kaya Henderson et al was filed last March by members of Empower DC as part of an effort to stop the closure of 15 DC Public Schools in low income communities of color. After a hearing on May10th, Judge Boasberg did not grant a temporary injunction and the closure of 13 DC Public Schools was allowed to go forward this fall, however the court has yet to issue a final ruling on the merits of the case, which has now survived the city’s motion to dismiss and will be litigated further.

Communities throughout the nation have mobilized to fight the closure of dozens of public schools, predominately in low income communities of color, in cities including Chicago, Philadelphia, New York and Baltimore. To date, Empower DC’s suit is the first to have withstood dismissal, a point highlighted by Constitutional Law Professor Jamin Raskin, a member of the group’s legal team.

"This will be the first time that a federal court addresses evidence showing that a school system closed majority African-American schools as a response to under-enrollment when it never closed majority white schools as a response to under-enrollment. In this case, thousands of African-American and Hispanic students face school closings east of the River and only two white students find themselves in the same situation. Equal Protection simply does not permit government to impose discriminatory and selective burdens on minority communities even in pursuit of otherwise lawful objectives," said Raskin.

In his 30-page opinion, Judge Boasberg dismissed some of the plaintiffs’ claims including those relating to compliance with the city’s statute requiring notice and input from Advisory Neighborhood Commissions, as well as those relating to disability laws. However all claims were dismissed without prejudice, a judgment which signifies there has not been a ruling on the merits of the claim and the claim could be brought in another court.

The key claims of the lawsuit have been upheld by Judge Boasberg, meaning that the plaintiffs provided sufficient evidence for litigation on those to continue. As a result, plaintiffs will be able to move forward with the discovery process during which the defendants, Chancellor Kaya Henderson and Mayor Vincent Gray, will have to make documents and data available to the plaintiffs.

The Judge’s opinion states, “The Court agrees with the District on the bulk of the Plaintiff’s claims. Nevertheless, the parents and guardians have alleged sufficient facts to state claims of discrimination under the three civil-rights provisions at the heart of their case: the Equal Protection Clause, Title VI, and the D.C. Human Rights Act.”

Attorney Johnny Barnes, lead attorney for the plaintiffs, stated, “We are not unhappy with this decision. While the Court dismissed, without prejudice, many of our claims, it left the heart of the case in place. We plan to vigorously litigate the equal protection, disparate treatment and D.C. Human Rights violations aspects of the case in the weeks and months to come. We look forward to probing the minds of those District officials who undertook the school closings which the Court indicated on the face of the facts merits deeper inquiry. While we continue to believe that the ANC notice and citizen participation counts of our Complaint are strong, notwithstanding the dismissal, without prejudice, we shall likely pursue those purely local matters in another court in a case already pending. We are pleased that we were able to present a brief that caused the central theme in our case to continue --- unconstitutional discrimination in the closings --- while every other lawsuit filed across the Country has not met with the same success."

Empower DC’s members continue their campaign to save community schools, and the neighborhoods that depend upon them. “Our members never gave up their fight,” said Parisa Norouzi, Executive Director. “The Supreme Court has ruled in the past that a court is empowered to order that schools be reopened, where discrimination has been found. We continue to believe that it is possible schools like Ferebee-Hope Elementary will be reopened at the end of this fight – as would be the fitting tribute to the parents and students who have been champions for their community.”

The Judge’s ruling is available here.

Oct 11, 2013

Posted by: parisa

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Friday, October 11, 2013

Contact: Parisa Norouzi, (202) 234-9119 x 100; Daniel del Pielago, (202) 234-9119 x 104

10-11-13 @ THE CHALK FACE

@ THE CHALK FACE:

Reformy NY Education Commish gets taken to the woodshed by parents.

From a PTA Town Hall in Poughkeepsie. This event is one of several that the New York State PTA is sponsoring to spread Common Core propaganda across the Empire State. The NYS PTA’s plan looks to be backfiring as parents see the Common Core as damaging their children’s education. Families are seeing their children’s creativity, […]

by Chris Cerrone / 12min

Two Hours and Two Days: I Chat With Bill McCallum and Reflect

Some followers of my writing may recall that one of my first contributions to @the Chalk Face in early September was a piece in response to a blog entry by Bill McCallum, one of the lead writers for the Common Core State Standards in Mathematics, in which he was harshly critical of many of those […]

54 by Michael Paul Gold... / 1h

10-10-13 @ The Chalk Face

@ THE CHALK FACE: Common Core in the Real World: Destroying Literacy through Standardization (Again) | the becoming radicalCommon Core in the Real World: Destroying Literacy through Standardization (Again) | the becoming radical.by plthomasedd / 58min 10-8-13 @ The Chalk Face@ THE CHALK FACE: Ali: “You must listen to me” | the becoming radicalAli: “You must listen to me” | the becoming radical.by

by mike simpson / 59min

Latest News and Comment from Education

Friday, October 11, 2013

Nite Cap 10-11-13 #BATsACT #RealEdTalk #EDCHAT #P2

James Baldwin said it best:

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

TODAY

YESTERDAY

Nite Cap 10-9-13

Nite Cap 10-7-13

Delaware Event: Forum on Student Data Mining | Truth in American Education

Delaware Event: Forum on Student Data Mining

Taking Charge of Your Education Student Voice

Mother Crusader: Fix Em, Don't Close Em

Fix Em, Don't Close Em

Caveat Emptor--Charter School Poster Kids and Private/Public Education | Michele Somerville

Caveat Emptor--Charter School Poster Kids and Private/Public Education

CHARTER SCHOOL SCANDALS WEBSITE

CHARTER SCHOOL SCANDALS

Tele-Town Hall with Diane Ravitch | Seattle Education

Tele-Town Hall with Diane Ravitch

Second overseer named for companies involved in Options charter school case - The Washington Post

Second receiver named for companies involved in Options charter school case

By Emma Brown, Updated: Friday, October 11, 2:26 PM E-mail the writer

J.C. Hayward seeks dismissal from Options Charter case

Judge appoints a second receiver in Options school case

In Fairfax, graduation rates improve slightly

Who are Head Start’s ‘angel investors?’

Philly High School Seniors Feel the Pinch of Budget Cuts

Philly High School Seniors Feel the Pinch of Budget Cuts

PHILLYACTIVE™ (NEWS THAT GETS PHILLY ACTIVE) Discussing the lack of resources and counselors, HYPE J™ students interview seniors and staff at Philadelphia’s Central High School.

Key Elements of School Closure Lawsuit Move Forward Empower DC - Home

Key Elements of School Closure Lawsuit Move Forward

10-11-13 @ THE CHALK FACE

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