4-4-14 Schools Matter

Schools Matter:

Common Core Corporate Standards Floating Around in an Evidence Free Zone

 A compacted version of this op-ed was published by the Memphis Commercial Appeal.Arguments for Common Core Offer No Evidence that Learning Will ImproveJim HornThe implementation of Common Core State Standards (CCSS) represents the most grand curriculum experiment in educational history with the least amount of evidence to back it up.  Even so, Common Core enthusiasts often ridicule detractors of

2 by Jim Horn / 1h  

4-2-14 Schools Matter

Schools Matter: SAMS Academy of Corruption, AlbuquerqueALBUQUERQUE (KRQE) – Scott Glasrud oversees about 800 public school students grades 4 through 12, but he makes hundreds of thousands of dollars a year doing it.That has the state’s attention.The SchoolsGlasrud’s charter schools are high-performing. Southwest Learning Center in the Heights and SAMS Academy, located next to Double Eagle, focus o

by mike simpson / 30min 

Sam Chaltain: Q & A on School, Community and Choice - Living in Dialogue - Education Week Teacher

Sam Chaltain: Q & A on School, Community and Choice - Living in Dialogue - Education Week Teacher:

Sam Chaltain: Q & A on School, Community and Choice

By Anthony Cody on April 3, 2014 12:11 PM

Sam Chaltain is an educator and author who has been writing about challenges and changes in our schools for the past decade. He has released a new book, Our School; Searching for Community in an Era of Choice. I asked Sam to help us understand what the book is all about.

1. What was your goal with this book?

As any educator knows, most conversations about school reform occur at 30,000 feet, and without a clear sense of what teaching and learning actually looks and feels like on the ground. So my goal with Our School was to put a human face on school reform in general -- and school choice in particular -- by spending a year on two D.C. campuses: a first-year charter school, and a 90-year-old neighborhood school. I wanted readers to experience what it's like to work in the exciting, chaotic start-up culture of a brand-new school, and see what happens in a district school when high-stakes testing starts to ramp up. But mostly I wanted to tell a deeply personal story about teachers, students, and our ongoing efforts to craft more equitable communities in order to clarify the state of public schooling as it is -- and begin hinting at what it ought to be.

2. We are now using test scores to determine the quality of teachers and schools. What do you think we should be using instead?

I think the National Board for Professional Teaching Standards has a great recipe for determining teacher quality -- one that, coincidentally, is co-constructed by teachers, for teachers. Every profession worth its salt has agreed-upon standards of professional conduct and expertise. Why should teaching be different?

Another great model is the use of peer-assisted review, or PAR, programs, like the one they're now doing in Montgomery County, Maryland (and where, not by coincidence, they also actively measure 

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

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

Battle Lines Forming In La Unified For ‘Local Control’ Spending

by Vanessa Romo, L.A. School Report | http://bit.ly/PxO8UT April 3, 2014 4:55 pm  ::  The battle over the new money coming into LA Unified from the state’s new Local Control Funding Formulastarts in earnest tomorrow when Superintendent John Deasy lays out his plan for the 2014-15 budget. Deasy is meeting with reporters to unveil his spending priorities plan for an estimated $390 million the

by smf / 3min   

4LAKids - some of the news that doesn't fit 4-3-14

4LAKids - some of the news that doesn't fit: Report: FOUNDATION FUNDING WIDENS THE GAP BETWEEN CALIFORNIA’S ‘RICH’ AND ‘POOR’ SCHOOLS + smf’s 2¢Adolfo Guzman-Lopez | Pass / Fail | 89.3 KPCC http://bit.ly/QIkpd5 Adolfo Guzman-Lopez/KPCC April 3rd, 2014, 5:30am  ::  The Irvine Public Schools Foundation raises money to pay for all K-3 music classes, and covers some of the costs of music classes for 4

by mike simpson / 23h 

4-4-14 LA School Report - What's Really Going on Inside LAUSD

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

Deasy releases draft of LAUSD’s next budget, with new money

Superintendent John Deasy LA Unified Superintendent John Deasy made public today the first draft of a $6.8 billion budget for the 2014-15 school year, a presentation that offered the first glimpse of how the new Local Control Funding Formula is going to work. The budget will be formally presented to the school board on Tuesday, after which the six current members are expected to engage in a lively

2 by Vanessa Romo / 1h 

Charter Groups want four unused LAUSD sites for new schools

Maybe 4 fewer eyesores? Two charter organizations want to take over four LA Unified public schools that have become an eyesore in the West San Fernando Valley, after closing more than three decades ago. El Camino Real High School, which became a charter in 2011, has proposed taking over three of the school sites – Highlander, Platt Ranch and Oso Elementary. Preliminary plans include converting the

1 by Vanessa Romo / 40min 

CA Federation of Teachers a big contributor to Leland Yee

Leland Yee Leland Yee, the former state senator from central California who was arrested last month on federal bribery and corruption charges, was a Sacramento favorite of COPE, the political arm of the California Federation of Teachers. The union was one of the biggest contributors to Yee’s campaign for California Secretary of State. His arrest prompted him to drop out of the race. According to f

11min 

Morning Read: Teacher retirement fund faces $74B deficit

Funding gap threatens retirement for California teachers The pension fund for public school teachers in California faces a long-term shortfall of $74 billion, threatening its ability to pay for the retirement of nearly 1 million teachers and administrators in the nation’s most populous state, officials said on Thursday. The gap is growing by about $15 million per day, the California State Teachers

2 by Aaron Stella / 29min  

4-3-14 LA School Report - What's Really Going on Inside LAUSD

LA School Report - What's Really Going on Inside LAUSD (Los Angeles Unified School District): Commentary: An extraordinary effort for extraordinary needBen Austin LAUSD School Board Member Steve Zimmer’s recent commentary “Standing with Beatriz” hit the nail on the head on one key issue: for our children, the stakes are high. Let me acknowledge first that Mr. Zimmer is a good person who is doing w

by mike simpson / 21h

Anti Common Core Warriors: Congratulations and Thank you | Crazy Crawfish's Blog

Anti Common Core Warriors: Congratulations and Thank you | Crazy Crawfish's Blog:

Anti Common Core Warriors: Congratulations and Thank you

Posted on April 4, 2014

1

I have been monitoring the hearings at the House Education Committee this week; listening to what attendees are saying; what the lobbyists are saying and the ultimate results and impressions from what by all reports I’ve received was an exhausting, emotional and tumultuous experience.

One central discussion and thread I’ve heard throughout is that Common Core proponents “won” and those opposed “lost”.

I firmly disagree with this analysis although I completely understand why people would feel this way after participating in a similar kangeroo hearing at BESE last year Common Core. After that fiasco I felt the same way for a few days.

If you were expecting Common Core, something billionaires and multi-national corporations have spent hundreds of millions and billions of dollars promoting and buying elections and elected officials to support, you were probably underestimating the problem and what would be needed for a solution.

What happened on Wednesday was corporate interests bussed in and paraded before the House Education Committee carefully coached kids and parents (I heard a 10 year old testified he loved taking the new tests instead of learning new material). Business interests and organizations (like Stand For Children) that get funding specifically to promote Common Core got 4 hours to testify.  Numerous real local grassroots parents and children’s groups and hundreds of parents were 

Common Core Opponents Accept A Challenge | Missouri Education Watchdog

Common Core Opponents Accept A Challenge | Missouri Education Watchdog:

Common Core Opponents Accept A Challenge

Gentle reader Becky posted a challenge to opponents of Common Core on a post from Wednesday.

A challenge: I challenge those against Common Core to provide an unbiased, objective reason on WHY you are so against CC (here’s the bonus part) WITHOUT using the words “liberty”, “sovereignty”, “freedom” or “right”. Is that possible?

Several opponents were more than happy to respond to Becky’s challenge. We told them the rules she provided and asked them to keep their response under 500 words. Here are just a few of our favorites.

Is this a trick question?  Is being “unbiased” relative?  With that being said, I object on a whole host of things but I’m limited on space. #1. I object to CC because I object to “state” or “national” standards owned exclusively by private organizations (I would use the word “copyrighted” but wasn’t sure if that counts against the rules…). So these standards are not governed by the laws of my state which means my voice does not count.  They cannot be governed by the laws of my state because the government cannot own {copyrights}.  In the introduction of the CC it states, “The Standards are intended to be a living work: as new and better evidence emerges, the Standards will be revised accordingly”. This means that tomorrow, next week, next month, next year, in five years or all of the above the people who OWN the standards can change the language of the standards and they don’t have to ask anyone, not a single teacher, administrator, parent, expert anywhere has to weigh in. If the organizations decide that new “evidence” emerges that fish can fly they can change the standards to reflect that. If it is included on the assessment test, teachers will teach it. There is danger in this because new “evidence” emerges all the time to disprove the ”evidence” produced the day before.  One day eggs are good for you, the next day eggs are bad for you

4-4-13 Curmudgucation

CURMUDGUCATION:

WaPo Wastes Space on That Woman

Why? Just.... why??When the media need somebody to comment on modern surgical techniques, editors do not bark out, "Find me a surgeon with a super-high mortality rate who left the profession in disgrace!" ESPN bosses do not holler, "Find me a failed t-ball coach to do commentary for pro football!" And yet, time and again, media outlets call on the queen of mediocre mouth-taping

by Peter Greene / 29min 

Social Media & Conservative CCSS Support

Have corporations learned how to make social media work for them yet? Well...... Last week we noted that Jeb Bush's FEE (Foundation for Excellence in Education) and the Higher States Standards Partnership (a group funded by the US Chamber of Commerce and a few others well explained here by Erin Osborne) were launching a shiny new Common Core promotional blitz. (And by "shiny" I mean &quo

by Peter Greene / 1min 

4-3-13 Curmudgucation

CURMUDGUCATION: Keeping up AppearancesThe one thing we Americans like better than solving problems is to look like we're solving problems.Take, for example, our desire for air traffic safety. After 9/11, we had a national rational urge to beef up security, to do something so that we would never experience such a terrible assault on our nation again. But because every national security issue is als

by mike simpson / 18h 

FCMAT » Cali Education Headlines Friday, April 4, 2014

FCMAT » Fiscal Crisis & Management Assistance Team:

San Ysidro teachers vote to authorize strike

Education Headlines

Friday, April 4, 2014

FCMAT provides links to California K-12 news stories as a service to the industry. However, some stories may not be accessible because of newspapers' subscription policies.

State bill seeks repeal of bilingual ed ban

Though California voters approved a state ballot measure in 1998 seeking its ban, bilingual education really never went away. Now, 16 years later, a state bill seeks to set the stage for repealing the ban created by Proposition 227.

Diamond Bar High closed during spring break because of earthquake damage

Diamond Bar High has been closed this week, while work crews repair damage caused by last week’s earthquake. The earthquake caused $150,000 to $200,000 in damages, according to Jeff Bloedorn, director of maintenance and facilities.

No go in McKinleyville school district negotiations

The McKinleyville Union School District and McKinleyville Teachers Association gave their “last, best and final offers” to a mediator Thursday and are now on track to begin a fact-finding process in an effort to come to a contract agreement.

Fensterwald: Ed-Data updates information on districts’ finances

Ed-Data, an Internet site that provides a wealth of accessible education information, has updated  financial data on districts, schools and county offices of education.

EdSource: School officials discuss facilities maintenance as part of new spending plans

As school districts across California work to craft their school spending and accountability plans, one area that has received little notice is a requirement that school facilities are maintained in “good repair.”

From 'gross' to great: Santa Ana students critique foods

The future of Santa Ana school cafeterias was in the hands of students Wednesday morning as they taste-tested everything from turkey sandwiches to fish tacos, voting for the options they would most likely eat.

Parents urge county Board of Education to drop Corona del Mar suit

In an effort to halt the escalating costs associated with the Corona del Mar cheating scandal, a group of parents has set up an online petition, urging the county’s Board of Education to put an end to the matter.

San Ysidro teachers vote to authorize strike

The San Ysidro teachers union has voted resoundingly to authorize its board to call a strike if an agreement over salaries is not reached with the San Ysidro School District.

District, teachers at impasse in Vista Unified

The Vista Unified School District and the teachers union will use a state-appointed mediator to continue with contract negotiations that have reached an impasse.

Austin: Districts must wrestle with school funding choices

How much is too much to spend on computers? What might be enough to spend on upkeep and repairs? Should more help for at-risk students be a higher priority? These were the questions Turlock Unified School District trustees wrestled with Tuesday night, exactly the sorts of discussions that need to go on now that funding has been released to local control.

Thursday, April 3, 2014

Districts report few kinks with new testing method

Some local schools resolved what were minor communication hiccups and computer glitches in early rounds of the testing they administered last week. Others will begin the testing in assessment windows that start Monday and later this month.

Sweetwater-inspired reform bill advances

A bill that seeks to ban school and community college administrators from soliciting or accepting campaign donations for their elected officials cleared its first hurdle Tuesday, passing the state Assembly’s Elections and Redistricting Committee.

Tracking Prop. 30 school money

Californians can now see where their Proposition 30 education tax dollars are going and how the money is being spent thanks to a new online tool launched by the state Controller’s Office Wednesday.

Salinas-area charter schools grind through Common Core testing

Not everyone in the public schools is in a rush to use the technology of the new millennium. Monterey Bay Charter School, for example, does not introduce students to computerized learning until sixth grade. As a result, the first- through eighth-grade school in Pacific Grove has encountered a philosophical clash at the computer as field testing for the Common Core State Standards begins next week.

EpiPen legislation for California schools advances

Senate Bill 1266, by Senate Republican leader Bob Huff, R-Diamond Bar, would require school districts to give EpiPens to trained personnel to provide emergency medical aid to anyone suffering from a severe allergic reaction.

Twin Rivers unveils plan to put heaters, air conditioners in classrooms

Twin Rivers Unified unfurled a five-month plan Wednesday to correct heating and air-conditioning problems at Grant Union High School and Harmon Johnson Elementary School.

Solutions sought to reduce food waste at schools

Federal rules require students to take at least three items each day, but an L.A. Unified manager wants to change the policy to reduce the $100,000 in food thrown away daily.

4-4-14 Seattle Schools Community Forum

Seattle Schools Community Forum:

More Insights from Common Core Testing in NYC

This is truly a fascinating article from the New York Times as they interviewed students about testing.I love the way it opens:William Summitt and Simon Sanders said they were ready. Their fourth-grade class at the Children’s School, near Park Slope in Brooklyn, had prepared for the state reading tests by going over sample passages beforehand, including a challenging excerpt from “King Lear” in wh

by Melissa Westbrook / 44min 

Seattle Schools Math Adoption Materials Available for Review

From SPS Communications:Elementary math instructional materials - We want your feedback!The elementary math adoption committee work has reached a critical stage. In looking to partner with parents and community to find the best possible math program for Seattle Public School students for the 2014-15 school year and beyond, the committee invites you to give us your thoughts and opinions.The committ

by Melissa Westbrook / 45min 

Friday Open Thread

There is just ONE community meeting tomorrow.  Director Carr said at the Board meeting that the district calendar had been in err and she is NOT having hers tomorrow, the 5th. Director McLaren is having a community meeting tomorrow from 10 am to noon at the Common House of Puget Ridge Cohousing Association, 7020 18th Ave. SW.You may have heard about the earthquakes in California this week.  I urge

by Melissa Westbrook / 1min 

4-3-14 Seattle Schools Community Forum

Seattle Schools Community Forum: Common Core Testing: How's that Going?For some, not well.There's a new site, Testing Talk, that allows teachers and principals to talk about how it went and what they observed. (No, they don't give away any deep, dark test questions or secrets.)From the NYC Public School Parents blog:Liz Phillips, principal of PS 321 in Brooklyn, who was scathing about the 2012 exa

by mike simpson / 15h 

Lawsuit: Private school scholarships serve no public good and... | Get Schooled | www.ajc.com

Lawsuit: Private school scholarships serve no public good and... | Get Schooled | www.ajc.com:

Lawsuit: Private school scholarships serve no public good and violate constitution

 

Previous Posts

• State approves education evaluations that weigh student performance
  April 3, 2014
• Regents policy on undocumented students forces a DeKalb valedictorian out of state for college
  April 2, 2014
• DeKalb imposes penality on teachers who quit last-minute. Good idea or bad karma? 
  April 1, 2014

By Maureen Downey

In 2008, Legislators enacted a scholarship tax credit program --- that has since come under fire for blatant abuses --- that subsidizes private-school tuition. Thus far, the program has diverted $300 million from the state treasury.

The law allows corporate and individual taxpayers to give a portion of their taxes --- up to $1,000 for individuals, $2,500 for married couples and up to 75 percent of a corporation's total tax liability --- to a student scholarship rather than to the state treasury. The taxpayer then claims a tax credit equal to the donation, and the private school awards the money to a deserving public school student.

But the definition of “deserving” has been stretched. There have been charges that private school parents were making donations to schools that were then repackaged as "scholarships" for their own kids.

It’s not a surprise the scholarships have been abused. In a 2012 YouTube video that was taken down once the press reported on it, state Rep. David Casas, R-Lilburn, a sponsor of the bill, was seen assuring middle-class parents at a local Christian school that the law is a "win-win" for them, that it permits them to "take this chunk of money and be able to say, 'I want this to go to the