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
4-4-14 The Whole Child Blog — Insights on Writing: A Core Skill — Whole Child Education
Insights on Writing: A Core Skill — Whole Child Education: THE WHOLE CHILD BLOGInsights on Writing: A Core SkillApril 4, 2014 by Klea ScharbergWriting powerfully is a skill that teachers know every student needs to develop if he or she is to have the best chances in life. Yet, paradoxically, it's one of the skills that students most often resist practicing. The April 2014 issue of Educational Lead
Politicians Pushing Common Core Heed the Warning: Education Votes!
Common Core Turns Business Leaders Against Oklahoma GOP : NPR: Common Core Turns Business Leaders Against Oklahoma GOPby CLAUDIO SANCHEZApril 04, 2014 5:49 PM ET Mike Neal gets annoyed when he talks about politicians in his state. Just three years ago, when the Common Core State Standards were implemented, no one had a problem with it, says Neal, president of the Tulsa, Okla., Regional Chamber of
David Sirota. Chicago’s pension theft and Rahm’s slush. | Reclaim Reform
David Sirota. Chicago’s pension theft and Rahm’s slush. | Reclaim Reform: David Sirota. Chicago’s pension theft and Rahm’s slush.Posted on April 4, 2014by Ken PrevitiKen Previti:“Retirement Heist: How Companies Plunder and Profit from the Nest Eggs of American Workers” by Ellen E. Schultz was published in 20111 – 2012. This superbly written and well researched book mentioned that laws present at t
Barfing on high-stakes exams? Literally. - K-12 Zone
Barfing on high-stakes exams? Literally. - K-12 Zone: Barfing on high-stakes exams? Literally.Posted on April 4, 2014 | By Ericka Mellon0We’ve all heard stories that students get nervous, even sick, before high-stakes exams. It turns out the Texas Education Agency tracks this, in a way.The agency reports that 102 exams, out of 13.2 million last year, were returned to the testing company Pearson de
UC Berkeley’s Jesse Rothstein at Vergara v. California |
UC Berkeley’s Jesse Rothstein at Vergara v. California |: UC Berkeley’s Jesse Rothstein at Vergara v. California To read a decent and fair summary of the Vergara v. California trial, please see this piece posted by The Pew Charitable Trust. Also covered on VAMboozled! was a summary, but also the summarized testimonies of Linda Darling-Hammond and David Berliner.It seems Jesse Rothstein, an Associa
A Practical Guide To Common Core | Oklahoma Observer
A Practical Guide To Common Core | Oklahoma Observer: A PRACTICAL GUIDE TO COMMON CORE0 COMMENT 04 APR 2014 POSTED BY AHAMILTONBY JOHN THOMPSONCommon Core standards are a sideshow. The real issue is the “unfunded nightmare” of high-stakes Common Core or “Common Core-type” testing.Improved standards of learning can contribute somewhat to school improvement. During the 1980s, Massachusetts schools
Rupert Murdoch, Common Core and the dangerous rise of for-profit public education - Salon.com
Keep Fox News out of the classroom! Rupert Murdoch, Common Core and the dangerous rise of for-profit public education - Salon.com: Rupert Murdoch, Common Core and the dangerous rise of for-profit public educationRupert Murdoch and other moguls smell mega-riches in Common Core Standards. They can't be allowed to wreck schoolsERIN OSBORNE Share 1K 253 131 TOPICS: EDUCATION, COMMON CORE, BIL
Want to See What Data Nevada Collects On Your Kids? Just Pay $10K | Truth in American Education
Want to See What Data Nevada Collects On Your Kids? Just Pay $10K | Truth in American Education: Want to See What Data Nevada Collects On Your Kids? Just Pay $10KFiled in Privacy/SLDS by Shane Vander Hart on April 4, 2014 • 0 Comments11381John Eppolito is a Stop Common Core activist in Nevada. He asked a couple of months ago to see what data was collected on his four children by the Nevada State
United Opt Out National: Rebuilding Site | Reclaim Reform
United Opt Out National: Rebuilding Site | Reclaim Reform: United Opt Out National: Rebuilding SitePosted on April 4, 2014by Ken PrevitiThe United Opt Out National site has been hacked and destroyed. Why?It is the seminal site for information about how parents can legally refuse/opt-out of the high pressure, high stakes testing that serves no purpose except the corporate profiteering of billionair
Michelle Rhee: Opting out of standardized tests? Wrong answer. - The Washington Post
Michelle Rhee: Opting out of standardized tests? Wrong answer. - The Washington Post: Michelle Rhee: Opting out of standardized tests? Wrong answer.By Michelle Rhee, Friday, April 4, 12:05 PMMichelle Rhee is the founder and chief executive of StudentsFirst. She was the chancellor of D.C. Public Schools from 2007 to 2010.No, tests are not fun — but they’re necessary. Stepping on the bathroom scale
Debate over standardized testing is focusing on the wrong questions - Yahoo News
Debate over standardized testing is focusing on the wrong questions - Yahoo News: Debate over standardized testing is focusing on the wrong questionsThe education debate should not be over whether students spend too must time testing, but on which tests are actually useful to teachers and improving instruction. Then we need to make district, state, and federal policy decisions based on this inform
empathyeducates – Cuomo Played Pivotal Role in Charter School Push
empathyeducates – Cuomo Played Pivotal Role in Charter School Push: Cuomo Played Pivotal Role in Charter School PushGov. Andrew M. Cuomo spoke at a rally in support of charter schools on the steps outside the State Capitol in Albany last month. | Credit Nathaniel Brooks for The New York TimesBy Javier C. Hernández and Susanne Craig | Originally Published at The New York Times. April 3, 2014It was
New Orleans home to nation’s first all-charter school district | Al Jazeera America
New Orleans home to nation’s first all-charter school district | Al Jazeera America: EDUCATIONNEW ORLEANS HOME TO NATION’S FIRST ALL-CHARTER SCHOOL DISTRICT2014 THE CHRISTIAN SCIENCE MONITORCities nationwide are watching the experiment to see if replicating its model might benefit studentsApril 4, 2014 8:00AM ETby Dexter Mullins @DexterMullinsAs the fight over charter schools continues across the
Dad Chastises Louisiana House Education Committee for Common Core Vote | Truth in American Education
Dad Chastises Louisiana House Education Committee for Common Core Vote | Truth in American Education: Dad Chastises Louisiana House Education Committee for Common Core VoteFiled in Common Core State Standards, Education at State Level by Shane Vander Hart on April 4, 2014 • 0 Comments4091The Louisiana House Education committee on Tuesday scrapped HB 558 introduced by State Representative Cameron H
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
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 ChoiceBy Anthony Cody on April 3, 2014 12:11 PMSam 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
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’ Spendingby 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. Dea
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): Morning Read: Teacher retirement fund faces $74B deficitFunding 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 administ
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 youPosted on April 4, 20141I 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 e
Common Core Opponents Accept A Challenge | Missouri Education Watchdog
Common Core Opponents Accept A Challenge | Missouri Education Watchdog: Common Core Opponents Accept A ChallengeGentle 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”, “
4-4-13 Curmudgucation
CURMUDGUCATION: Social Media & Conservative CCSS SupportHave 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 C
FCMAT » Cali Education Headlines Friday, April 4, 2014
FCMAT » Fiscal Crisis & Management Assistance Team: San Ysidro teachers vote to authorize strikeEducation HeadlinesFriday, April 4, 2014FCMAT 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.Diamond Bar High closed during spring break because of earthquake damageDiamond Bar High
4-4-14 Seattle Schools Community Forum
Seattle Schools Community Forum: Friday Open ThreadThere 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 abo
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 PostsState approves education evaluations that weigh student performanceApril 3, 2014Regents policy on undocumented students forces a DeKalb valedictorian out of state for collegeApril 2, 2014DeKalb imposes penali
Morning Wink 4-4-14 AM Posts #BATsACT #RealEdTalk #EDCHAT #P2
BIG EDUCATION APE - MORNING WINK AM POSTSLISTEN TO DIANE RAVITCH 4-4-14 Diane Ravitch's blog | A site to discuss better education for allDiane Ravitch's blog | A site to discuss better education for all: David Berliner on Early Childhood EducationAs the debate about universal pre-kindergarten heats up, it bears listening to one of our nation’s pre-eminent researchers, David Berliner. He writes:
LISTEN TO DIANE RAVITCH 4-4-14 Diane Ravitch's blog | A site to discuss better education for all
Diane Ravitch's blog | A site to discuss better education for all: David Berliner on Early Childhood EducationAs the debate about universal pre-kindergarten heats up, it bears listening to one of our nation’s pre-eminent researchers, David Berliner. He writes: There are some European citations about early childhood education that are often left out of the debate in the USA. But we use them in 50
Russ on Reading: The Common Core’s Dead Poets Society
Russ on Reading: The Common Core’s Dead Poets Society: The Common Core’s Dead Poets SocietyI decided to celebrate National Poetry Month by closely reading the Common Core recommended poetry list from Appendix B of the Common CoreStandards in English/Language Arts. Altogether, the lists offer a selection of 80 poems that I think we would all find fairly representative across the broad spectrum of p
4-4-14 Wait What?
Wait What?: “Corporate tables available” — a sign of the timesToday’s CTMirror.org features an article entitled, “Corporate tables available for “Small State, Big Debate.” As CT Mirror advertises it upcoming conference – “Small State, Big Debate: Inequality” – the headline isn’t “Tables available” or “Packages available” but “Corporate” tables are available. According to the story, Corporate tabl
The Answer Sheet 4-4-14
The Answer Sheet: Teachers refuse to administer standardized testsThree teachers from P.S. 364 Earth School in New York have informed their administration and Chancellor Carmen Fariña that they will not proctor Common Core state standardized tests this year — or ever — saying in a letter (see below) that they “can no longer implement policies that seek to transform the broad promises of […] by
4-4-14 Larry Ferlazzo’s Websites of the Day… | …For Teaching ELL, ESL, & EFL
Larry Ferlazzo’s Websites of the Day… | …For Teaching ELL, ESL, & EFL: Frazz Comic Shows One Way To Make Language-Learning Easier…by Larry Ferlazzo / 2h 4-3-14 Larry Ferlazzo’s Websites of the Day… | …For Teaching ELL, ESL, & EFLLarry Ferlazzo’s Websites of the Day… | …For Teaching ELL, ESL, & EFL: Free Resources From All My BooksI have many free resources, including excerpts and stud
4-4-14 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.: Rahm’s pension theft. Republicans run. Quinn hides. SEIU splits with CTU and We Aren One.The State Senate went home yesterday. Madigan tried a rewrite of Rahm’s pension theft. The Republicans weren’t buying it. Meanwhile Squeezy went all amnesia, saying he didn’t know anything about the bill. And SEIU
4-4-14 Engaging Parents In School… | Going Beyond Parent "Involvement"
Engaging Parents In School… | Going Beyond Parent "Involvement": A Parent-Teacher Conference Without NumbersTwo recent posts by parents at other blogs both made the point that they are tired of having the focus of their conversations on measuring their children by numbers. In What parents don’t want to hear at parent-teacher conferences, Journo Adviser says: When my wife and I sat down a
4-4-14 Ed Notes Online
Ed Notes Online: NYC Parent Urges Farina and King to Cancel Upcoming Math ExamThere was no rigor applied to the development of these tests, nor does the practice of high-stakes testing in general stand up to critical analysis....I was offended by your remarks earlier this week to the effect that while parents' opinions should be respected, children should come to school prepared to meet challenges
Governor Cuomo Orchestrated Charter School Deal at Behest of Campaign Supporters | janresseger
Governor Cuomo Orchestrated Charter School Deal at Behest of Campaign Supporters | janresseger: Governor Cuomo Orchestrated Charter School Deal at Behest of Campaign SupportersPosted on April 4, 2014 by janressegerIn New York last month there appeared to be a welling up of concern by parents because the new mayor, Bill de Blasio, had threatened to change course. He planned to turn away from Mayor
Shanker Blog » What Is Implicit Bias, And How Might It Affect Teachers And Students? (Part One)
Shanker Blog » What Is Implicit Bias, And How Might It Affect Teachers And Students? (Part One): What Is Implicit Bias, And How Might It Affect Teachers And Students? (Part One)Posted by Esther Quintero on April 4, 2014The research on implicit bias both fascinates and disturbs people. It’s pretty cool to realize that many everyday mental processes happen so quickly as to be imperceptible. But the
A remarkable op ed on gay marriage
A remarkable op ed on gay marriage: A remarkable op ed on gay marriageI slept with a gay man for six months in Afghanistan. No one asked. He did not tell. So begins A Marine silent no longer on gay marriage, a Washington Post op ed by Roger Dean Huffstetler, a former Marine Corps sergeant, who is also a serious Southern Baptist. He talks about TWO men who he thought he knew well who are gay, a fel
4-4-14 @ The Chalk Face
@ THE CHALK FACE: Skepticism or Cynicism for Obama Education Agenda?Skepticism or Cynicism for Obama Education Agenda?. via Skepticism or Cynicism for Obama Education Agenda?.Filed under: PAUL THOMAS: Becoming Radical2 by plthomasedd / 1h 4-3-14 @ The Chalk Face@ THE CHALK FACE: National Poetry Month: “What is the message when some children are not represented in those books?”National Poetry Month
4-4-14 the becoming radical A Place for a Pedagogy of Kindness by P. L. Thomas, EdD
the becoming radical | A Place for a Pedagogy of Kindness (the public and scholarly writing by P. L. Thomas, Furman University): Skepticism or Cynicism for Obama Education Agenda?One response to my Relaxing zero tolerance in schools could be Obama’s boldest civil rights reform is worth highlighting: Readers adamant that the Obama education agenda is beyond such hope. Let me note here that I have l
4-4-14 Perdido Street School
Perdido Street School: UFT Contract Negotiations UpdateBill de Blasio in an interview with Chris Smith of New York:It’s obviously incredibly complicated, and there’s a lot on the line, and we want to get it right. So the conversations over the last weeks have been quite good, and substantive, and collegial. But it’s impossible at this moment to determine whether it’s enough to get us done by that
Who is the right-wing American Federation for Children? | Larry Miller's Blog: Educate All Students!
Who is the right-wing American Federation for Children? | Larry Miller's Blog: Educate All Students!: Who is the right-wing American Federation for Children?Filed under: American Federation for Children,MMAC — millerlf @ 7:07 am Right-Wing Alert: “American Federation for Children” and MMAC Organizing for ElectionsThe American Federation for Children (AFC), led by Betty DeVos, is allying with the M
Newark, NJ Students Walk Out For Underserved Schools | PopularResistance Org #NPSWalkOut2014
Newark, NJ Students Walk Out For Underserved Schools | PopularResistance.Org: Newark, NJ Students Walk Out For Underserved SchoolsRESIST! BUDGET CUTS, EDUCATION, PROTEST By The Stream Team, www.america.aljazeera.comAbout 1,000 Newark, New Jersey public school students walked out of school for today in response to a number of issues, including what many say is insufficient funding and proposed plan
OPTING OUT ALL OVER NEW YORK CITY...Coalition for Public Education/Coalición por la Educación Pública: OPTING OUT ALL OVER NEW YORK CITY...
Coalition for Public Education/Coalición por la Educación Pública: OPTING OUT ALL OVER NEW YORK CITY...: OPTING OUT ALL OVER NEW YORK CITY...Black Brooklyn School Teacher Opt Out Her SonVIDEO: Takiema Bunche-Smith, the director of curriculum and instruction at Brooklyn Kindergarten Society, allowed her 8-year-old son to opt out of standardized tests based on new Common Core standards. Bunche-Smith
Mike Klonsky's SmallTalk Blog: The kids are alright
Mike Klonsky's SmallTalk Blog: The kids are alright: The kids are alrightSam Spitz met Teddy Williams at a barber shop, and they documented their story in a film, "The Greens."I couldn't be prouder of my friend Sam Spitz, a budding young film maker with a good camera eye and a strong social conscience. With film-making activist parents like Jeff and Jennifer Amdur Spitz, neither is any s
Table for 3: The Story Behind Dinner with Linda Darling-Hammond and Diane Ravitch | Cloaking Inequity
Table for 3: The Story Behind Dinner with Linda Darling-Hammond and Diane Ravitch | Cloaking Inequity: Table for 3: The Story Behind Dinner with Linda Darling-Hammond and Diane RavitchThis past Wednesday I hatched an idea. Why not invite Linda Darling-Hammond and Diane Ravitch to dinner, two of my mentors, and the most notable and influential voices in education? Let me first start with the academ
Charters seek compromise on governance transparency :: SI&A Cabinet Report :: The Essential Resource for Superintendents and the Cabinet
Charters seek compromise on governance transparency :: SI&A Cabinet Report :: The Essential Resource for Superintendents and the Cabinet: APRIL 04, 2014Charters seek compromise on governance transparencyby Tom Chorneau(Calif.) Charter schools, which often operate as both a private non-profit and a publicly-funded agency, reside in a sort of legal no-man’s land as it relates to the state’s open
YESTERDAY
Ms. Jablonski's Class Blog 4-3-14
Ms. Jablonski's Class Blog: Brazil attempts to end childhood prostitutionThe Brazilian government has allocated $3.3 million to implement new laws, in the attempt to end childhood prostitution and human trafficking. In preparation for the 2014 World Cup, Brazil is cracking down on childhood prostitution and teaming up with world class professional players David Luiz, Frank Lampard, and the coach o
NYC Public School Parents: NSA Snoops on ELA Test
NYC Public School Parents: NSA Snoops on ELA Test: NSA Snoops on ELA TestApril 4, 2014 (GBN News): Pearson’s vaunted security was put to the test, so to speak, when the NSA reportedly spied on NY City schoolchildren taking this week's ELA exams. While Pearson, who designed theCommon Core tests, forbids teachers and principals from revealing any details, sources told GBN News that NSA agents have c
Teachers Cleared of Heroin in Fallsburg NY southbronxschool.com
http://www.southbronxschool.com: Teachers Cleared of Heroin in Fallsburg NYLast month we reported here on SBSB how 6 teachers and an aide in Fallsburg NY were accused of being heroin users while on school time.On two separate occasions heroin was found in the teachers rest room at the Benjamin Cosor Elementary School. The teachers and aide were accused because the video surveillance equipment set
“Listen: The Movie” challenging the culture of standardized testing | Seattle Education
“Listen: The Movie” challenging the culture of standardized testing | Seattle Education: “Listen: The Movie” challenging the culture of standardized testingOn TV, we have Bill Gates, Michelle Rhee, Arne Duncan and “Waiting for ‘Superman’” talking about failing schools, low standards, and China, but rarely do they ever talk about students.Who is going to tell the story of public education? Is it go
Milwaukee: MMAC Uniting with Right-Wing to Run School Board Candidates | Larry Miller's Blog: Educate All Students!
Milwaukee: MMAC Uniting with Right-Wing to Run School Board Candidates | Larry Miller's Blog: Educate All Students!: Milwaukee: MMAC Uniting with Right-Wing to Run School Board CandidatesFiled under: American Federation for Children,MMAC — millerlf @ 9:17 pm The MMAC and the right-wing American Federation for Children and Democrats for Education Reform are holding an all day training in an effort
Education Hackers: They’re Heeere | educationalchemy
Education Hackers: They’re Heeere | educationalchemy: Education Hackers: They’re HeeerePosted: April 3, 2014 in Uncategorized 0Here’s the basic rule of practice for reformers. When the truth is no longer is their favor, they resort to silencing and fear tactics to win their battle. After all, if you knew the truth, you might do something about it. Case in point: sometime over the weekend of March
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
Nite Cap 4-3-14 #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 CAPPlease share this testing survey with 5th-6th grade parents/students Parents United for Responsible EducationParents United for Responsible Education » Blog Archive » Please share this testing survey with 5th-6th grade parents/students: Please sh
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04 APR 2014 
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