12-3-13 Fred Klonsky | Running for our pensions. | VOTE 4 Fred Klonsky

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

Unions promise court fight.

Statement of We Are One, the coalition of state public employee unions. UNION COALITION STATEMENT ON PENSION-CUTTING BILL Following passage of the pension-cutting Senate Bill 1, the We Are One Illinois coalition of unions representing more than 1 million Illinois public employees and retirees issued this statement: “This is no victory for Illinois, but a dark day for its citizens and public servan

by Fred Klonsky / 3:43 PM UTC-8 

The House Black List.

  Dec 03, 2013 62 YEAS 53 NAYS Y Acevedo Y Andrade Y Anthony Y Arroyo N Beiser Y Bellock N Bost Y Bradley N Brady N Brauer N Brown N Rosenthal Y Sandack N Scherer Y Schmitz Y Senger Y Sente N Sims N Smiddy N Smith N Sommer N Sosnowski Y Soto N Stewart Y Thapedi Y Tracy N Tryon Y Turner N Unes Y

by Fred Klonsky / 44min 

The Senate Black List.

State of Illinois 98th General Assembly Senate Vote ___________________________________________________________________ Dec 03, 2013 30 YEAS First Special Session Senate Bill No. 1 ADOPT CONFERENCE COMMITTEE REPORT #1 CONFERENCE COMMITTEE REPORT THIRD READING 24 N

by Fred Klonsky / 48min 

The #pension theft now goes to court.

Minutes ago the Illinois House and Senate, like synchronized swimmers, passed SB1. The General Assembly #pension theft is now complete. The lawyers retirement will be sweet.

by Fred Klonsky / 1h 

Representative Manley’s Joliet office yesterday.

Fred, Here are pictures from the pension rally at Representative Manley’s office in Joliet yesterday. Sorry that some of them are dark. We had somewhere between 30 and 50 folks in attendance. (My guess, not being a crowd expert.) Paul Dr. Paul J. Mikulcik A National Distinguished Principal, Retired      

by Fred Klonsky / 1h 

Ten minute drawing. Fahner says it’s a fair and good deal. Uh oh.

by Fred Klonsky / 3min 

Park Ridge Senator Dan Kotowski “inclined” to vote for #pension theft. Call him.

  I am hearing that Park Ridge Democratic Senator Dan Kotowski is calling people and telling them he is inclined to vote for #pension theft. Call him. Springfield Office: Senator 33rd District M118 Capitol Building Springfield, IL   62706 (217) 782-3875 (217) 782-2115 FAX District Office: 350 S. Northwest Hwy. Suite 300 Park Ridge, IL  60068 (847) 656-5414 (847)

by Fred Klonsky / 1h 

#Pension theft. Protest at Marion district office of John Bradley.

Read the entire story in The Southern. “Our pension didn’t cause the problem and stealing will not fix it,” said Alan Latoza, President of American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees (AFSCME) IL Retirees Subchapter 93. “The average salary for a retired employee is around $32,000, but in Representative Bradley’s district it is much lower,” Latoza said. “Over 75 percent of retirees

by Fred Klonsky / 8min 

#Pension theft. Taking names. Michelle Mussman.

Smart money says that if SB1 is going to be stopped today it will be stopped in the Illinois Senate. Senate President John Cullerton is on board and is said to be working the bill, but the Senate has a more independent streak. Democratic Speaker MIchael Madigan heads a group of craven sycophants. Democrats run as progressives. They take money from our unions (which are often too easy a mark). And

by Fred Klonsky / 52min 

Urgent this AM. Oppose #pension theft. Create a witness slip.

One thing that teachers and employees can do is officially register their opposition to SB1 with the pension committee that will be meeting in the Illinois Senate today at 8:30 a.m. Step 1 - Click on this link: http://my.ilga.gov/Hearing/HearingDetail/11356?SCommittees12%2F9%2F2013-page=1&SCommittees12%2F9%2F2013-orderBy&SCommittees12%2F9%2F2013-filter&committeeid=0&chamber=S&n

by Fred Klonsky / 2h hide  //  save

Street heat putting on the pressure. Schakowsky opposes pension theft.

When Congresswoman Jan Schakowsky met with our Skokie Organization of Retired Educators (S.O.R.E) IEA Retired chapter, we let her know that we expected her to speak against pension theft sponsored by those in her party, particularly those state legislators in her district. Sun Times: U.S. Rep. Jan Schakowsky, D-Ill., is joining a growing chorus of lawmakers and elected officials who oppose Illinoi

by Fred Klonsky / 2h 

More coverage of Biss office action by teachers and retirees.

Read the entire report at the Evanston Review: The last time teachers — both those retired and those now working — protested proposed pension reform in front of State Sen. Daniel Biss’ Skokie office, they feared what could be coming. At that time, proposed legislation on pension reform was still amorphous and did not take the shape of a specific bill. When Biss came outside in October to talk to t

by Fred Klonsky / 3h 

12-2-13 Fred Klonsky | Running for our pensions. | VOTE 4 Fred Klonsky.

Fred Klonsky | Daily posts from a retired public school teacher who is just looking at the data.: Friends.. This morning as I head for a round of Illinois legislative district offices I am grieving. I’ve lost a friend. Not a real friend. A Facebook friend. Apparently David Ormsby has defriended me. Unfriended? Disenfriended?  This has happened before and losing a friend, even a virtual friend, isn

by mike simpson / 8h

12-3-13 the becoming radical | A Place for a Pedagogy of Kindness (the public and scholarly writing by P. L. Thomas, Furman University)

the becoming radical | A Place for a Pedagogy of Kindness (the public and scholarly writing by P. L. Thomas, Furman University):

Why Are We (Still) Failing Writing Instruction?

We have two recent commentaries that detail how schools and teachers fail students in the teaching of writing—one comes from a college student and the other, from a former teacher. While both reach the same conclusion about the teaching of writing, the reasons for those failures are in conflict, suggesting that we must consider whether schools and teachers are fumbling the teaching of writing, and

by plthomasedd / 24min

End Zero-Tolerance Policies: A Reader

What do zero-tolerance policies, “no excuses” practices, and grade retention have in common? They all negatively and disproportionately impact children from poverty, minority children, English language learners, and boys; and nearly as disturbing, all are discredited by large bodies of research. Is the tide turning against at least zero-tolerance policies? Lizette Alvarez reports: Faced with mount

by plthomasedd / 4min 

12-1-13 the becoming radical | A Place for a Pedagogy of Kindness

the becoming radical | A Place for a Pedagogy of Kindness (the public and scholarly writing by P. L. Thomas, Furman University): Belief Culture: “We Don’t Need No Education”“Four in 10 Americans, slightly fewer today than in years past, believe God created humans in their present form about 10,000 years ago.” This December 2010 poll also includes the finding that a scant 16 percent of the U.S. pop

by mike simpson / 9h 

12-3-13 @ THE CHALK FACE

@ THE CHALK FACE:

Why Are We (Still) Failing Writing Instruction?

Why Are We (Still) Failing Writing Instruction?. via Why Are We (Still) Failing Writing Instruction?.

by plthomasedd / 0min 

Sandra Stotsky Responds to My Common Core-Achieve Post

On December 2, 2013, I wrote a post about the role of the governor- and business-run nonprofit, Achieve, Inc., in the creation of the Common Core State Standards (CCSS). In my post I also discuss Achieve connections to (now designated) “founding partner” of Student Achievement Partners, Sue Pimentel, and I refer to the College and […]

by deutsch29 / 1h 

End Zero-Tolerance Policies: A Reader

End Zero-Tolerance Policies: A Reader. via End Zero-Tolerance Policies: A Reader.

by plthomasedd / 35min 

iGradeU: The 7 Superpowers Every Teacher Must Master

Are you a superhero teacher? Well, what about a good teacher with superpowers? Personally speaking, I rather be the latter. Here’s my list of superpowers, which I’m constantly developing. By no means does this imply that I have the magic formula. However, this is a list I use to remind myself that teaching requires constant […]

by Angel Cintron Jr. / 3h 

  

12-2-13 @ The Chalk Face

@ THE CHALK FACE: @slekar dabbles with #edrefrom memes: Take 2.I thought of the  meme above while driving from Madison, WI to Dover, OH for Thanksgiving break.  This image has always represented (for me) the pinnacle of the racist belief that education should “sanitize.”  “Kill the Indian. Save the Man.” There were no thoughts that equated the image above and the modern education reform reference

by mike simpson / 13h 

12-3-13 With A Brooklyn Accent - Job Description for New Teachers

With A Brooklyn Accent:

Job Description for New Teachers

Job Description: New Teacher.Your Mission: To Squeeze Excellent Test Results out of Frightened and Angry Children and Shatter The Achievement GapThings to Ignore: Hunger, Homelessness, Disability, Language, Chronic Illness, Family and Neighborhood Violence, Children's Talents, Personalities and Aptitudes.Things to Sacrifice: Play, Recess, The Arts.Job Security: Dependent on Results on Standardized

by Mark Naison / 3h 

With A Brooklyn Accent: A Tennessee Teacher's Letter to President Obama

With A Brooklyn Accent: A Tennessee Teacher's Letter to President Obama: A Tennessee Teacher's Letter to President ObamaNovember 29, 2013Dear Mr. President,I generally don't remember my dreams, and I generally don't dream about presidents, but this time, I did both. Go figure. Anyway, in my dream, I had the opportunity to meet you and talk to you face to face. You have to understand, in my dream,

by mike simpson / 9h 

12-3-13 Perdido Street School

Perdido Street School:

Disgrace In Illinois

RT @twilight2000: Why would anyone work for any state gov't if they can steal the pension you worked for for 30 years? #PensionTheft— RayBeckerman (@RayBeckerman) December 3, 2013And Let the lawyering begin. Illinois #PensionTheft is against our state constitution @GovernorQuinn.— Michelle Gunderson (@MSGunderson) December 3, 2013The corporatists will stop at nothing to feudalize every part of hum

by reality-based edu... / 12min 

De Blasio And His Team Push Pre-K Program

From Politicker:Mayor-elect Bill de Blasio rolled out an “all-star” brain trust today that will work to implement his ambitious universal pre-kindergarten agenda....This was not the first time Mr. de Blasio held a press event at a childcare center to promote the centerpiece of his policy platform: a tax hike on the city’s wealthiest residents to pay for universal pre-K. While his last Manhattan st

by reality-based edu... / 1h 

What Does Andrew Cuomo Want To Do With His Education Reform Agenda?

From the Hudson Valley United site:In a meeting with parents, educators, and union leaders,  Regent Harry Phillips resounded the cries of public school teachers and parents from across New York. “We botched this,” Regent Phillips said, describing the Danielson rubric as “impossible,” the current testing of special education and ESL students as “cruel” and SLO’s as “stupid.”But mostly, Regent Phill

by reality-based edu... / 12min 

Children Better Protected By Criminal Justice System Than By NY State Education Department

Devastating indictment of NYSED and the Board of Regents at a meeting about inBloom, the data collection project the state insists is happening whether the public wants it or not:WHITE PLAINS — Local school officials are adamant that they do not want student records being shipped to the inBloom data cloud, setting up a tense showdown with the state Education Department that will play out over the

by reality-based edu... / 39min 

Shouldn't Tisch, King And Steiner Be Under Investigation For Corruption?

There is a shadow government running the state education department here in NY State. We know that Regents Chancellor Tisch paid out of her own pocket for these private employees to run NYSED offices.Millions more came from the Gates Foundation, the Robin Hood Foundation, General Electric and a bunch of other corporate entities - $19 million in total from more than two dozen private employees.Thes

by reality-based edu... / 5h 

12-2-13 Perdido Street School

Perdido Street School: NY Times: Teacher MUST Make Concessions on Seniority, ATR'S, Pay And SchedulingUsual neo-liberal claptrap in the NY Times on the teachers contract.The Timesmen want teachers to agree to get rid of salary steps and tie teacher pay to the new APPR teacher evaluation system ("highly effective" teachers would be paid more than other teachers - so what if the system is

by mike simpson / 9h 

12-3-13 The Answer Sheet Key PISA test results for U.S. students

The Answer Sheet:

Four lessons on new PISA scores — Ravitch

Here, from education historian and activist Diane Ravitch, the leading figure in the movement against corporate-influenced school reform, is a post with her views about the newly released scores from the 2012 Program for International Student Assessment, which showed that U.S. 15-year-old students have retained their no-better-than-average rankings in math, reading and science. Her latest […]    

by Valerie Strauss / 15min 

A PISA contradiction

Should Americans use the newly released Program of International Student Assessment scores, which show U.S. students have retained their very average rankings, as a tool to improve education policies? It all depends on whom you ask. Here’s what the new report titled “Lessons from PISA 2012 for the United States,” from the Organization for Economic Cooperation […]    

by Valerie Strauss / 2min 

The only international test score info you need to know

It’s PISA Day, meaning that the latest results from the Program for International Student Assessment  have just been released, and — brace yourself – the average scores for U.S. students were not very much different from any of the previous comparison years. They were generally in the middle of the pack of 65 countries and individual […]    

by Valerie Strauss / 22min 

Key PISA test results for U.S. students

Here are highlights of the newly released 2012 scores from the Program of International Student Assessment, an exam given every three years to 15 year olds around the world in reading, math and science. In this administration of PISA, 65 countries and education systems participated. Connecticut, Florida, and Massachusetts each participated for the first time […]    

by Valerie Strauss / 4h hide  //  save

Are Finland’s vaunted schools slipping?

Finland has for years been a leader in education, scoring at or near the top of international assessments and capturing the attention of the world for its successful approach to education. But Finland is no longer at the top of international test rankings (though they  haven’t fallen very far), as newly released results from the […]    

by Valerie Strauss / 4h 

12-2-13 The Answer Sheet

The Answer Sheet: Obama administration backtracks (again) on teacher equityPresident Obama and Education Secretary Arne Duncan have talked the talked about the importance of teachers, but when it comes to providing kids with equitable access to great teachers, they haven’t exactly walked the walk. Here is a post on the issue by Tara Kini, senior staff attorney at Public Advocates, a nonprofit law

by mike simpson / 9h