Teachers For Social Justice: LSC Summit and Democracy in Education Rally

Teachers For Social Justice: LSC Summit and Democracy in Education Rally:

LSC Summit and Democracy in Education Rally

FEBRUARY 10, 2014 LEAVE A COMMENT

Local School Council Summit This Saturday, Feb 15 10:00 AM - 2:00 PM WESTINGHOUSE HIGH SCHOOL 3223 W. FRANKLIN BLVD Sign up HERE to attend w/ TSJ And we need volunteers: Email us to volunteer! * Tired of over-crowded classrooms, school closings & charter expansion?  * Too much testing and not enough services? * Should all students have art, music and world languages? * Do you believe all children should have access to pre-school? * Do parents, teachers and communities need more voice in CPS?  * Concerned about discipline policies that stigmatize our youth?    * Help develop a city-wide platform for LSCs  *Learn how to hold your LSC accountable * Learn how to run for your LSC    You do NOT need to be an LSC member to attend, ALL interested community members should come to this event to strengthen local democracy at the school level (LSCs) and at the system level (fight for an Elected, Representative School Board-Come to Springfield with us Feb 27, see info below).  Download flyers: English and Spanish versions. Note that it is NOT a "candidate summit," it is FOR the reasons above.

Democracy in Education Rally in Springfield Thurs, February 27th   Sponsored by: Communities Organized for Democracy in Education(CODE) Download flyer here! For more info, email us here!!

Save Our Schools March – Get Behind this New Film Project

Save Our Schools March – Get Behind this New Film Project:

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Get Behind this New Film Project

Philadelphia School Nursing Crisis is Focus of Sick Days

 

Philadelphia, PA – A new multimedia documentary Sick Days: The Philadelphia School Nurse Shortage explores the impact of budget cuts on Philadelphia public schools, focusing on school nurses. [Sample photographs at bottom of release]

Concentrating on this one component of the school budget crisis has allowed for more attention to detail, facilitating not only a deeper understanding of the immediate effects of the school nurse shortage, but also how it is connected to the larger (and often harder to detect) issue of structural violence.

“I really feel like children and young people are canaries in the mine of society,” says Kitty Watts, a school nurse at Finletter Elementary.  “School nurses can see the whole picture of the population and what’s going on.  How many more kids have asthma now? How many more kids are autistic now? How much violence there is…. These are all indicators that our children are showing us of how toxic our society is, how toxic our culture is.  And we really need to look and see this.  I feel like as a nurse I’m putting gas masks on the canaries in the mine.  If we don’t really look at the whole society and the whole picture and what is really the foundation of how we’re thinking and planning and financing and teaching,  it’s just going to get worse.  What’s more important than health and education?”

“It’s disgraceful,” says Eileen DiFranco, Roxborough High School  “This year we’re down three counselors, a vice principal, a dean, and seven teachers.  So what has happened is the dean and I and the principal are the ones who do pickup care for psych emergencies.  The safety net is becoming holier and holier and our kids are being exposed to more and more danger.  I don’t understand how you don’t take care of children.  Children are our most valuable resource and not caring for them says something about us as a society.  Also the food stamp cutbacks just went into effect so it will be interesting to see how that plays out.”

Over the course of four months at the start of the 2013-2014 school year, photographer Katrina Ohstrom worked around city bureaucrats to gain access to seventeen different schools. The documentary project consists of video interviews and portraits of the nurses who are serving on the front lines of the city’s public education crisis, as well as haunting full-

NEA Supports Oregon Educators | NEA Today

NEA Supports Oregon Educators | NEA Today:

NEA Supports Oregon Educators

February 10, 2014 by twalker  
Filed under Featured News, Top Stories

By Brenda Álvarez

Educators want to remain in classrooms—teaching students—and they’ll go at great lengths to do so. In recent years, they have been shown to work with expired contract or work without pay to ensure students don’t miss an academic beat. At times, however, educators are pushed to take a hardline against practices that weaken the quality of their students’ educational experience, as well as their profession. And that is what’s happening in Medford, Ore., where educators have gone on strike.

A few hours north of Medford, in Portland, educators are also standing up for their students and profession. For the past ten months, they have been negotiating a contract that would result in smaller class sizes; give teachers the flexibility to teach creatively, not to the test; support students and schools who need it most; and provide fair compensation.

The National Education Association is committed to supporting educators who know what is best for their students, school, and community. Below are letters of support from NEA President Dennis Van Roekel.

Gwen Sullivan, President

Portland Association of Teachers

345 NE 8th

Portland, Oregon 97232

Dear Gwen:

On behalf of your 3 million colleagues, I want to salute you for standing strong in your efforts to secure a fair and equitable contract.  You are on the frontlines – giving students the tools they need to succeed in school and in life.  I applaud you for “fighting for the schools Portland students deserve” by taking a firm stand to reduce overcrowded classes, provide students with adequate support and resources, and ensure that every member receives professional pay for the important work that you do for children and public education.

Portland teachers encourage, inspire, and serve the community’s children every day.  You deserve a level of compensation and a voice in professional issues that recognizes your valuable contributions.

You’re fighting for your schools and your students—your commitment to create great public schools for every student in Portland motivates you to stand tall and make your voices heard until you get a fair and equitable 

The Business of Vouchers vs What Works for Kids | Lily's Blackboard

The Business of Vouchers vs What Works for Kids | Lily's Blackboard:

The Busine$$ of Voucher$ vs. Choices that Work For Kids

Feb 10th, 2014 

by Lily.

Years ago, I was talking with a lovely director of a lovely and elite private school about private school vouchers. She was touting what her school had to offer in terms of class sizes of 12, and science laboratories and technology rooms, and truly, it was lovely.

Actual Conversation 15 years ago:

She: Why would you be against allowing poor children the ability to receive a scholarship voucher to attend this lovely school? Don’t poor children deserve the same right as rich children to come to a school like this?

Me: So, I want to understand what you just said. Rich children have a right to come to your school?

She, confused: Excuse me?

Me: Rich children have a right to walk into your office, plunk down their money and demand to be enrolled in your school?

She: Well, of course, there’s a process. There’s an application. There’s a test. There’s a committee. Our standards are very high. It protects the students to make sure they’re a good fit for our program.

Me: So, they have a right to apply. They have a right to show they have high 

Compton School Board urges parents to take part in policy making | California Forward

Compton School Board urges parents to take part in policy making | California Forward:

Compton School Board urges parents to take part in policy making

This ain't your grandfather's Compton anymore. (Photo Credit: Los Angeles Public Library)

One of the positive by-products of transparent government is that people can ensure that they know what is going on in their government. The end result should, theoretically, be better public policy. Sounds simple, doesn’t it? That’s why California Forward is devoting so much time and space to promoting transparency. We believe an open government helps create a more accountable government.

Some California cities and school districts are showing leadership in transparency. A recent video story from Vallejo  we produced showed how the city’s residents are involved in making direct decisions about how to spend sales tax revenue. This public participation idea was worth promoting given that Vallejo is a city that once declared bankruptcy and now serves as an example of good governance.

In Compton, a city that also has had a colorful past when it comes to government accountability, the school board recently took a different twist on transparency. Like the city of Vallejo, the Compton School Board has taken government to the people.

It was the brainchild of Board President Micah Ali, who in December established new Board committees where parents and other residents directly participated in fact finding and policy making.

“Some elected officials find it inconvenient when the public gets involved in policymaking,” President Ali remarked. “The way I see it, you get the best feedback and ideas from the stakeholders of the community.”

Compton has seven elected School Board members who are responsible for keeping tabs on District operations and programs. During his first term, Ali relied on community 

2-10-14 LA School Report - What's Really Going on Inside LAUSD (Los Angeles Unified School District)

LA School Report - What's Really Going on Inside LAUSD (Los Angeles Unified School District):

Vergara witnesses recall teacher intimidation, incompetence

Brandon DeBose, student in Oakland After weeks of testimony from administrators, teachers and academics, Superior Court Judge Rolf Treu today finally heard from witnesses directly involved in challenging the state laws at the heart of the Vergara vs. California lawsuit. Jose Macias, whose 13-year-old daughter, Julia, is one of the nine student-plaintiffs in the case, told the court he noticed sign

2 by Mark Harris / 14min 

UTLA schedules two forums for president candidates

The United Teachers Los Angeles has announced two additional forums with candidates for president, one at Monroe High School on February 18 and the other two days later at UTLA headquarters. Eight of the 10 candidates faced off in a debate that resulted in at least one consensus: the current state of the union is fractured and plagued with in-fighting. Though fewer than 40 people attended, those i

by Chase Niesner / 0min 

Zimmer’s plan for District 1 vacancy facing a big vote

The LA Unified school board has an unusually long agenda for its monthly meeting on Tuesday, 39 items plus a handful of reports and updates. Each has consequences but few of them carry the import and emotional impact of Steve Zimmer‘s proposal to fill the vacant seat for District 1 on a temporary basis until a new member is elected later this year. After weeks of discussion and his “committee of o

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Beatriz Vergara expected to testify in teacher trial, maybe today

After two weeks of testimony from school administrators and education experts, lawyers in the Vergara v California trial are planning to call their first plaintiffs to the stand this week, including Beatriz Vergara. Vergara and eight other students and their families are challenging state laws they say keep ineffective teachers employed, thus eroding the promise of a quality education for all Cali

1 25min 

Morning Read: LAUSD has lost 200 arts teachers since ’10-’11

LA schools’ drop in arts teachers dragged down county numbers The Los Angeles Unified School District has lost about 200 full-time arts teacher positions since the 2010-2011 school year, according to the most recent data available from the California Department of Education, suggesting the district is responsible for more than half of the loss cited in a new report last week. KPCC Centinela Valle

2 25min 

2-8-14 This Week in LA - School Report - What's Really Going on Inside LAUSD (Los Angeles Unified School District)

LA School Report - What's Really Going on Inside LAUSD (Los Angeles Unified School District): Clarifying role of ‘caretaker’ for LaMotte’s school board seatThe LA Unified school board on Tuesday is expected to approve a list of proposed responsibilities and job qualifications for a temporary, non-voting board member to fill the seat of Marguerite LaMotte, who died in December. The recommendations

by mike simpson / 30min 

2-10-14 Fred Klonsky | Daily posts from a retired public school teacher

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

Pension theft comes to Chicago.

Subject: NEWS RELEASE: CTU will not negotiate ‘at the point of a gun’ NEWS RELEASE FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE CONTACT: Stephanie Gadlin February 10, 2014 Desk: (312) 329-6250 THE GREAT CHICAGO PENSION CAPER IS UNDERWAY Chicago’s public school educators will not negotiate ‘at the point of a gun’ CHICAGO – The Chicago Teachers Union (CTU) vowed to stand firm in its defense of the retirement security of t

by Fred Klonsky / 1min 

Why Illinois retired teachers should care about a progressive income tax.

A couple of things you should know. First. If you write in Ralph Martire’s name because you are disgusted by the choices in Republican and Democratic primaries for Governor of Illinois, your vote won’t count.  That’s the law because Martire would have to file that he is officially a write-in candidate. Second. Retired teachers should be actively engaged in the campaign for a fair income tax in Il

by Fred Klonsky / 0min hide  //  save

Whys retired teachers should care about a fair state income tax.

  A couple of things you should know. If you write in Ralph Martire’s name because you are disgusted by the choices for Republican and Democrats for Governor of Illinois, they won’t count it.  That’s the law because Martire would have to file that he is a write-in candidate. Retired teachers should be actively engaged in the campaign for a fair income tax in Illinois, even though no retired perso

by Fred Klonsky / 11min 

2-9-14 Fred Klonsky | Daily posts from a retired public school teacher

Fred Klonsky | Daily posts from a retired public school teacher who is just looking at the data.: In the NEA, this is what democracy looks like.Whoever thought it would be so hard to run for union delegate as a retiree? A quick review. I retired in June of 2012. I changed my union membership for active to retired. The switch didn’t get processed in time for me to run statewide as delegate to the 2

by mike simpson / 16h 

4LAKids - some of the news that doesn't fit 2-10-14

4LAKids - some of the news that doesn't fit:

THE iPAD IS NOT A LAPTOP: iPad Be Nimble, iPad Be Quick

Technology Integration from Edutopia | http://bit.ly/1cpFIne OK, we have all these iPads and we’ll soon  have a lot more.  If you read below you will note that iPads are not dedicated test platforms or e-textbooks.  Who knew?  And what are they good for? February 10, 2014 Image credit: Thinkstock One of the most challenging lessons for schools to learn in implementing iPads is that the

1 by smf / 10min hide  //  save

Keep Calm And Keep Making A Profit For Pearson

An Interview with Alan J. Singer by Michael Shaughnessy Education Views.org | Educator Resources|Education & Information Age Education News http://bit.ly/1gmOAgm Alan Singer a frequent contributor to the Huffington Post. He is a social studies educator in the Department of Teaching, Literacy and Leadership at Hofstra University in Long Island, New York and the editor of Social

1 by smf / 43min 

Centinela Valley Schools Chief Paid $663,000 In Compensation In 2013

By Rob Kuznia, The Daily Breeze | http://bit.ly/LPXPLZ ‹ Posted: 02/08/14, 8:33 PM PST |  The superintendent of the Centinela Valley high school district negotiated a contract so loaded with out-of-the-ordinary perks that he managed to amass more than $663,000 in total compensation last year. Documents obtained by the Daily Breeze from the Los Angeles County Office of Education show that

by smf / 2min 

NUMBER OF ARTS TEACHERS IN LA COUNTY DOWN 10%, IT IS LAUSD’s CUTS THAT DRAG DOWN COUNTY NUMBERS

Arts at the Core?: The Los Angeles Unified School District has lost about 200 full-time arts teacher positions since the 2010-2011 school year according to CDE.   Mary Plummer |  Pass / Fail | 89.3 KPCC http://bit.ly/1ggyaao Ken Scarboro/KPCC | Music teacher Linda Mouradian teaches at San Fernando Elementary School. February 10th, 2014, 5

by smf / 6min hide  //  save

Beyond the bake sale: PUNK ROCK RETURNS TO ITS ROOTS TO BENEFIT MUSIC PROGRAM AT CHINATOWN SCHOOL

Chinatown, a punk destination in the 1970s, hopes to raise money for Castelar Elementary School's music program. By Frank Shyong, LA Times | http://lat.ms/1dC2Rm8 Behind a table of baked goods for sale, Christina Souza Ma, left, and Mamie Hong Weinberg dance to The Baja Bugs. The concert raised money for Castelar Elementary School's music program. (Anne Cusack / Los Angeles Times /

by smf / 7min 

4LAKids - some of the news that doesn't fit 2-9-14

4LAKids - some of the news that doesn't fit: L.A. Unified Students Pitch In To Help The HomelessSome 300 students from 36 high schools take part in a district-wide volunteer day at shelters. By Esmeralda Bermudez  | L.A. Times | http://lat.ms/1gZUyIA Alondra Morales, 17, of Los Angeles High School, has her hair tucked underneath a hair net by schoolmate Jessica Nibra, 17. The two were preparing to

by mike simpson / 43min 

In Much of the NFL, Michael Sam Could Be Fired for Being Gay |:

In Much of the NFL, Michael Sam Could Be Fired for Being Gay

February 10, 2014 in Students

I was listening to NPR’s Morning Edition earlier, and they were talking about Michael Sam. Sam, if you haven’t heard, is a running back for the University of Missouri’s football team, and yesterday he came out publicly as gay. He’s widely expected to be drafted by the National Football League this spring, and likely to become the first openly gay male player in any of the country’s big three professional sports leagues as a result.

In discussing Sam’s prospects, John Branch of the New York Times told co-host Renee Montagne that his announcement, coming as it did before Sam has secured an NFL contract, was made ”potentially at the risk of his professional career.”

“You kind of wonder today,” Montagne replied, “with anti-discrimination laws and whatnot, if he would be hurt.”

There are a couple of problems with what Montagne said. First, of course, there’s the fact that proving discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation in this context would be incredibly difficult. If no team chooses to offer him a slot, who does he sue? All of them? And with what evidence?

But even if we set that aside, there’s a bigger problem: The United States has no federal law protecting gay people from discrimination in employment, and more than half of the NFL’s teams — eighteen out of thirty-two — play in places where there are no state laws banning such discrimination either.

Only twenty-one American states ban anti-gay workplace discrimination, and