Morning Wink 5-26-14 AM Posts #BATsACT #RealEdTalk #EDCHAT #P2

BIG EDUCATION APE - MORNING WINK  AM POSTS

LISTEN TO DIANE RAVITCH 5-26-14 Diane Ravitch's blog | A site to discuss better education for all

Diane Ravitch's blog | A site to discuss better education for all: How Rahm Emanuel Favors Campaign Donors Over KidsThis post by Ken Previti directed me to a hugely important story that I had missed. David Sirota of Pando and Ben Joravsky of The Chicago Reader unearthed a story of money, politics , and greed that is startling. The headline is that Mayor Rahm Emanuel’s top donor bought a big bloc o

by mike simpson / 0min 

5-26-14 Engaging Parents In School… | Going Beyond Parent "Involvement"

Engaging Parents In School… | Going Beyond Parent "Involvement": “More non-profits teaching parents to read with children”More non-profits teaching parents to read with children is a post at Ed Source describing programs helping parents to get their children reading early and the research behind the efforts. I’m adding it to The Best Resources For Learning About The “Word Gap.”2 by Larry

by mike simpson / 2min 

5-26-14 Fred Klonsky | Thirty years of sit and stay?

Fred Klonsky | Daily posts from a retired public school teacher who is just looking at the data.: Thirty years of sit and stay?MAY 26, 2014.Two years ago on Memorial Day Weekend – a very hot Chicago weekend – I threw a retirement party at the Red Line Tap for a couple hundred of my closest friends.Matt Farmer and Steve Doyle played some of their great rock and roll. Three long sets, as I recallI g

by mike simpson / 5min 

5-26-14 Wait What? Former state Rep. Jonathan Pelto explores third-party run for governor

Wait What?: Former state Rep. Jonathan Pelto explores third-party run for governorMedia Week in Review – Pelto candidacy storiesFormer state Rep. Jonathan Pelto explores third-party run for governor (New Haven Register) Blogger and former state Rep. Jonathan Pelto plans to file paperwork by the end of the week to establish the Education and Democracy Party as he explores the possibility of running

by mike simpson / 9min 

5-26-14 Seattle Schools Community Forum

Seattle Schools Community Forum: You CAN Check into Your Child's Grades This WeekendI missed this earlier so you can check into The Source, etc.From SPS:Due to new upgrade issues discovered this week, the PowerSchool Upgrade that was planned for Memorial Day Weekend has been cancelled. PowerSchool, PowerTeacher and the Source are all available on their regular schedules.Thank you.Department of Tec

by mike simpson / 13min 

5-26-14 Schools Matter - Jim Crow Rides Again

Schools Matter: Jim Crow Rides AgainFrom Aljazeera America:by Daniel Denvir @danieldenvirThe Supreme Court ruled 60 years ago this May 17 in Brown v. Board of Education that “segregation of white and Negro children in the public schools of a State solely on the basis of race, pursuant to state laws permitting or requiring such segregation,” is unconstitutional.The ruling abolished the explicitly m

by mike simpson / 15min 

5-26-14 @ The Chalk Face

@ THE CHALK FACE: Quick note: Not permitted to mention “play” in KindergartenLet’s just say, hypothetically of course, that you are being observed by central office staff. You, as the teacher, post your schedule and, begrudgingly, your objectives to the wall in a central location. In post-observation “feedback,” it is suggested that you, as the teacher, not refer to “centers,” but instead adopt th

by mike simpson / 20min 

empathyeducates – Junk Food Industry’s New Ploy: How They’re Secretly Making School Lunches Even Grosser

empathyeducates – Junk Food Industry’s New Ploy: How They’re Secretly Making School Lunches Even Grosser: Junk Food Industry’s New Ploy: How They’re Secretly Making School Lunches Even GrosserPhotographic Credit: Flickr/Judy BaxterBy Jim Newell | Originally Published at Salon. May 22, 2014During the Democrats’ productive 2010 lame-duck session of Congress, one of the major legislative items they w

by mike simpson / 21min 

CURMUDGUCATION: I'm Not Blogging Today

CURMUDGUCATION: I'm Not Blogging Today: I'm Not Blogging TodayI realize that title launches me into some sort of post-modern metablogging fogbank, but hey-- it's the 21st century.Shortly I'll head out the door to march with a 158-year-old community band in a small town Memorial Day parade, followed by a program in the city park. Because this is all within walking distance, my wife and I will strol

by mike simpson / 25min 

A Memorial Day Post Featuring My Daddy | deutsch29

A Memorial Day Post Featuring My Daddy | deutsch29: A Memorial Day Post Featuring My DaddyMay 26, 2014On this Memorial Day, I would like to feature my father, Michael Louis Schneider, Jr. (October 31, 1918 – May 10, 1980), who served in the Third Army, Seventy-first Division, from 1943 to 1946.Michael L. Schneider, Jr., circa 1943. He was around 25 years old at the time. I think he was really hand

by mike simpson / 30min 

Remembering my Vietnam POW | Missouri Education Watchdog

Remembering my Vietnam POW | Missouri Education Watchdog: Remembering my Vietnam POWinShareA soldier’s story documented and his life celebrated on Memorial DayCommander Cole BlackWe are getting ready to attend our town’s Memorial Day presentation and I hope to have some pictures later.  In the meantime, here’s the article I wrote in 2010 remembering and honoring a soldier who was a Vietnam POW.  F

by mike simpson / 31min 

NYC Educator: The UFT and the Inability to Admit Wrongdoing

NYC Educator: The UFT and the Inability to Admit Wrongdoing: The UFT and the Inability to Admit WrongdoingBecause the 2005 contract was almost ten years ago, several people in the UFT have spoken to me of its shortcomings. I'm surprised they do that, because when it came up every single UFT rep said it scraped the skies with its unrivaled wonderfulness. We now know that it was a huge mistake.On th

by mike simpson / 40min 

YESTERDAY

Hope Makes Teaching More Than A Job - The Jose Vilson

Hope Makes Teaching More Than A Job - The Jose Vilson: Hope Makes Teaching More Than A Jobby JOSE VILSON on MAY 25, 2014in MR. VILSONI Love LucyGoodness, that last EduShyster’s interview was epic. There’s a whole piece that we didn’t even get to share with you because, well, it would hurt some people’s favorite bloggers / heroes / activists’ feelings. Really, the biggest difference between Audrey

by mike simpson / 12h 

Nite Cap 5-25-14 #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 CAPWhy did so many sacrifice their lives? | Reclaim ReformWhy did so many sacrifice their lives? | Reclaim Reform: Why did so many sacrifice their lives?Posted on May 25, 2014by Ken PrevitiWhy did so many sacrifice their lives?For us. For American i

by mike simpson / 15h 

Why did so many sacrifice their lives? | Reclaim Reform

Why did so many sacrifice their lives? | Reclaim Reform: Why did so many sacrifice their lives?Posted on May 25, 2014by Ken PrevitiWhy did so many sacrifice their lives?For us. For American ideals.Please make a list of all the things Americans did NOT sacrifice their lives for. Make America better. Do not allow all of those who sacrificed their lives to have died in vain.They did NOT sacrifice the

by mike simpson / 16h 

5-25-14 NPE News Briefs ← from The Network for Public Education

NPE News Briefs ← from The Network for Public Education: NPE News Briefsfrom The Network for Public EducationHey, Buddy: Can You Spare $2.5 Billion? | Jersey JazzmanNow that Chris Christie’s utterly fraudulent budgeting has been laid bare, we’re left with a problem: how will New Jersey make up for its two decade-old pension holiday? It’s nice to talk about bi-partisan commissions and proclaim that

by mike simpson / 16h 

Stephen Krashen Blog 5-25-14: The problem is not a lack of technology. The problem is poverty.

SKrashen: The problem is not a lack of technology. The problem is poverty.: The problem is not a lack of technology. The problem is poverty.Comment on "Education Needs to Change as Fast as Technology," by Zack Sims. Posted athttp://www.forbes.com/sites/techonomy/2014/05/23/education-needs-to-change-as-fast-as-technology/Mr. Sims hasn't done his homework. He points out that the "US i

by mike simpson / 19h 

5-25-14 Jersey Jazzman - Hey, Buddy: Can You Spare $2.5 Billion?

Jersey Jazzman: Hey, Buddy: Can You Spare $2.5 Billion?Now that Chris Christie's utterly fraudulent budgeting has been laid bare, we're left with a problem: how will New Jersey make up for its two decade-old pension holiday?It's nice to talk about bi-partisan commissions and proclaim that "everyone must make sacrifices," but that's really just a way for pundits to avoid giving a straight

by mike simpson / 20h 

5-25-14 Larry Ferlazzo’s Websites of the Day… | …For Teaching ELL, ESL, & EFL

Larry Ferlazzo’s Websites of the Day… | …For Teaching ELL, ESL, & EFL: Dr. Walter Mischel, Creator Of Famous Marshmallow Test, Is Writing A BookDr. Walter Mischel, creator of the famous marshmallow test used by many of us in classroom lessons, is writing a book that will be published in September. It’s titled The Marshmallow Test: Mastering Self-Control. I’ve written many posts over the years

by mike simpson / 21h 

The Answer Sheet 5-25-14

Answer Sheet: What school reformers can learn from pokerSchool reformers have made student outcomes the big focus of their efforts, targeting teachers for failure to improve student achievement. But teachers say they ignore the inputs — the issues students bring into a classroom and the training/resources of  teachers. Here’s a look about the problem with outcome-based assessment, by Ben Spielberg

by mike simpson / 22h 

The Answer Sheet 5-25-14

Answer Sheet: What school reformers can learn from pokerSchool reformers have made student outcomes the big focus of their efforts, targeting teachers for failure to improve student achievement. But teachers say they ignore the inputs — the issues students bring into a classroom and the training/resources of  teachers. Here’s a look about the problem with outcome-based assessment, by Ben Spielberg

by mike simpson / 22h 

4LAKids - some of the news that doesn't fit 5-25-14

4LAKids - some of the news that doesn't fit: From the far side of the pond: EDUCATION’S CULTURE OF OVERWORK IS TURNING CHILDREN AND TEACHERS INTO GHOSTSIf schools slowed down and focused on a deeper kind of flourishing, they might be more productive (if not very Goveian)   by Melissa Benn, The Guardian, http://bit.ly/1lLwrtM ●●smf’s translation: GOVEIAN: of or pertaining to the Rt. Hon. Michael Go

by mike simpson / 23h 

Teacher Education Leaders Speak Out: Kevin Kumashiro on Teacher Preparation, edTPA and Reform - Living in Dialogue - Education Week Teacher

Teacher Education Leaders Speak Out: Kevin Kumashiro on Teacher Preparation, edTPA and Reform - Living in Dialogue - Education Week Teacher: Teacher Education Leaders Speak Out: Kevin Kumashiro on Teacher Preparation, edTPA and ReformBy Anthony Cody on May 25, 2014 9:43 AMTeacher preparation has emerged as a target of those seeking to disrupt and transform the education system in our nation. In th

by mike simpson / 23h 

5-25-14 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.: Sunday reads.The Spanish Civil War, 1936. Grit. The new Common Core standard. 29 seconds on pensions and the Koch bros. Tax cheaters Hall of Fame. The hypocrisy of the Illinois Policy Institute. Selective promise keeping.  Dear Parents and Friends of PISD, Next week, you will be receiving your child’s

by mike simpson / 23h 

Morning Wink 5-25-14 AM Posts #BATsACT #RealEdTalk #EDCHAT #P2

BIG EDUCATION APE - MORNING WINK  AM POSTSLISTEN TO DIANE RAVITCH 5-25-14 Diane Ravitch's blog | A site to discuss better education for allDiane Ravitch's blog | A site to discuss better education for all: Jonathan Lovell: The Magic of Learning to ListenJonathan Lovell has been leading writing workshops for many years. In this delightful post, he describes his struggle to finish his own dissertati

by mike simpson / 1d 

2nd Banana 5-24-14 Recap of Last Week's Best Post

2nd Banana 5-17-14 Recap of Last Week's Best Post

2nd Banana 5-10-14 Recap of Last Week's Best Post 

2nd Banana 5-3-14 Recap of Last Week's Best Post 

2nd Banana 4-26-14 Recap of Last Week's Best Post

Nite Cap 5-24-14 

Nite Cap 5-23-14

Nite Cap 5-22-14

Nite Cap 5-21-14

Nite Cap 5-20-14 

Nite Cap 5-19-14

Nite Cap 5-18-14

Nite Cap 5-17-14

Nite Cap 5-16-14

Nite Cap 5-15-14

Nite Cap 5-14-14

LISTEN TO DIANE RAVITCH 5-26-14 Diane Ravitch's blog | A site to discuss better education for all

Diane Ravitch's blog | A site to discuss better education for all:

Invasion of the Robot People into U.S. Education

When Bill Gates spoke to the National Board for Professional Teaching Standards a few weeks ago, he explained  the Common Core standards by referring to the value of the electric plug in standardizing appliances across the nation. Bear in mind that children are not appliances and that learning is not an electric plug. Otherwise…I am not sure what he was talking about other than the beauty of stand

9 by dianeravitch / 1h 

Jonathan Pelto Mulls Third Party Challenge to Governor Malloy in Connecticut

Jonathan Pelto, ex-state legislator and prolific blogger, is deciding whether to mount a challenge to Governor Dannell Malloy, based in large part on Malloy’s embrace of the agenda of the privatization movement in Connecticut. Pelto here describes reactions from friends and foes.  In my view, this would be an honorable challenge. Teachers and parents should not vote for a governor–whether it is Ma

by dianeravitch / 8min 

Obama Brings NCLB-Think to Higher Education

The Obama administration wants to rate institutions of higher education, based on factors like cost,graduation rate, income of graduates.   Most college and university presidents are upset.   It didn’t help that one administration official said that comparing the cost and quality of institutions of higher education should be no more difficult than comparing blenders. For some reason, the Obama adm

by dianeravitch / 17min 

Mercedes Schneider Offers a Memorial Day Tribute to her Daddy

This post by Mercedes Schneider is a lovely illustrated tribute to her father, who was a veteran of World War II. I must say, as I grow older, I grow more cynical about war. Since Vietnam, people have been referring to World War II as “the good war.” And there is no doubt that Hitler and his racist ideology had to be stopped. Yet, I was struck the other day by a friend’s observation that World W

3 by dianeravitch / 52min 

A Worried Mother in Chicago

This mother writes in response to an article by a Chicago principal, Troy LaRavierre. I understand this mother’s anxieties. She wants the same things for her child that Mayor Rahm has at the University of Chicago Lab School. Instead, her son got scripted lessons that were developmentally inappropriate, that were dully academic instead of joyful. If only there were a way to keep the politicians–Bus

11 by dianeravitch / 55min 

LAUSD Removes Critic of iPad Mess from Oversight Committee

The Los Angeles school board removed architect Stuart Magruder from its Bond Oversight Committee. Magruder was outspoken and critical of Superintendent John Deasy’s decision to use money from a 25-year construction bond to buy iPads for every student and staff member of the district for Common Core testing. Voters approved the bond issue for construction and repair of facilities of schools. But De

by dianeravitch / 13min 

How Rahm Emanuel Favors Campaign Donors Over Kids

This post by Ken Previti directed me to a hugely important story that I had missed. David Sirota of Pando and Ben Joravsky of The Chicago Reader unearthed a story of money, politics , and greed that is startling. The headline is that Mayor Rahm Emanuel’s top donor bought a big bloc of stock in Marriott hotels shortly before Marriott won a very lucrative contract from the city. The deeper story i

1 by dianeravitch / 23min hide  //  save

A Textbook Case of Charter Skimming

Charter schools were created to help the neediest students. Now, however, many charters skim off the most advantaged students and avoid those who are needy. This harms the public schools, removing their best students and overloading them with the students who require the most services. It doesn’t get any clearer than this: “Woodland Community Consolidated School District 50 in Gurnee filed a laws

15 by dianeravitch / 1h 

Corporate Reform Strikes Camden

Camden, Néw Jersey, is one of those impoverished districts that lost local control and was taken over by the state in 2013. Recently, the Chris Christie administration hired a young, ex-TFA, ex-Joel Klein guy as superintendent, and it was clear that the district was headed for demolition. This past week, the trouble stated as layoff notices went out to more than 200 teachers. Students walked out

7 by dianeravitch / 2h 

The Reason Jeb Bush Supports Common Core

The usual narrative about the politics of Common Core describe it as a split within the Republican Party. On one side are the extremist members of the Tea Party, fearful of a federal takeover. On the other side are “moderate” Republicans like Jeb Bush, eager to make American students globally competitive. The Southern Poverty Law Center thinks that the grassroots radicals want to use Common Core

21 by dianeravitch / 3h 

LISTEN TO DIANE RAVITCH 5-25-14 Diane Ravitch's blog | A site to discuss better education for all

Diane Ravitch's blog | A site to discuss better education for all: Jonathan Lovell: The Magic of Learning to ListenJonathan Lovell has been leading writing workshops for many years. In this delightful post, he describes his struggle to finish his own dissertation, and the flights of fancy that kept blocking his path. He uses graphics creatively to reflect his state of mind. You watch his thinking

by mike simpson / 8h 

5-26-14 Engaging Parents In School… | Going Beyond Parent "Involvement"

Engaging Parents In School… | Going Beyond Parent "Involvement":

“More non-profits teaching parents to read with children”

More non-profits teaching parents to read with children is a post at Ed Source describing programs helping parents to get their children reading early and the research behind the efforts. I’m adding it to The Best Resources For Learning About The “Word Gap.”

2 by Larry Ferlazzo / 52min 

5-25-14 Engaging Parents In School… | Going Beyond Parent "Involvement"

Engaging Parents In School… | Going Beyond Parent "Involvement": Associated Press Feature On “Promise Neighborhoods”I’ve written a lot about Promise Zones & Neighborhoods (see My Best Posts On The Harlem Children’s Zone & Other “Promise Zones”) – both critical and supportive. The Associated Press just published a feature on them in three separate parts: What to know about Promise

by mike simpson / 8h 

5-26-14 Fred Klonsky | Thirty years of sit and stay?

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

What was wrong with what Mrs. Obama said?

. Fred, Isn’t that what Mrs. Obama is saying? Did I misread it? Didn’t she say that Arts are critical to an education? Yes, she used test scores in her speech but don’t you think that was a way to drive the point home about Arts? I actually liked what she said. And I often don’t care for what she or her husband say (they’re so disappointing but that’s another story). - BMMB   BMMB, I agree wit

by Fred Klonsky / 1min 

Mark Stefanik. Memorial Day.

- Mark Stefanik is a middle school Language Arts teacher, union activist and frequent contributor to this blog. Memorial Day Today, we re-dedicate ourselves to the preservation of the American dream. Today, we remember those who devoted their lives to their country. Today, we honor those who fight to defend our freedoms. Today, that would include the American public school teacher. Does anyone ca

1 by Fred Klonsky / 1h 

Thirty years of sit and stay?

MAY 26, 2014

.

Two years ago on Memorial Day Weekend – a very hot Chicago weekend – I threw a retirement party at the Red Line Tap for a couple hundred of my closest friends.

Matt Farmer and Steve Doyle played some of their great rock and roll. Three long sets, as I recall

I got to sing back-up for them on The Weight.

And the Carpenter Ukulele Society - made up of my colleagues – did our first and only public performance – a nine song set that brought the house down.

Two weeks later I walked out of Carpenter School – empty handed – and Anne and I headed for O’Hare to fly off for a week-long stay in Oaxaca, Mexico.

That ended 30 years of teaching Art in a public elementary school.

This Memorial Day Weekend is different.

It’s been relatively quiet, aside from celebrating my older brother’s birthday with brunch yesterday and some more celebrating this afternoon.

The Chicago weather this weekend has been perfect. Sunny and 70 degrees with not a Fred Klonsky | Daily posts from a retired public school teacher who is just looking at the data.:

5-25-14 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.: Sunday reads.The Spanish Civil War, 1936. Grit. The new Common Core standard. 29 seconds on pensions and the Koch bros. Tax cheaters Hall of Fame. The hypocrisy of the Illinois Policy Institute. Selective promise keeping.  Dear Parents and Friends of PISD, Next week, you will be receiving your child’s

by mike simpson / 7h 

5-26-14 Wait What? Former state Rep. Jonathan Pelto explores third-party run for governor

Wait What?:

Former state Rep. Jonathan Pelto explores third-party run for governor

Media Week in Review – Pelto candidacy stories

Former state Rep. Jonathan Pelto explores third-party run for governor (New Haven Register) Blogger and former state Rep. Jonathan Pelto plans to file paperwork by the end of the week to establish the Education and Democracy Party as he explores the possibility of running as a third-party candidate for governor. He said over the next […] The post Media Week in Review – Pelto candidacy stories appe

8 by jonpelto / 3h 

5-25-14 Wait What?

Wait What?: Wait What? All WeekA reporter and a teacher highlight why we need new leadership for ConnecticutThe story could be called “Hooray for one hundred thousand dollar pensions” or “How Governor Malloy pulled a fast one on the people of Connecticut.” Hartford Courant investigative reporter Jon Lender lays out the details in his story, “New Law To Restrict Excessive Judges’ Pensions Has Holes

by mike simpson / 8h 

5-26-14 Seattle Schools Community Forum

Seattle Schools Community Forum:

Seattle Schools This Week

Wednesday, May 28th - Exit Conference for Financial and Single Federal Audit from 4-5 pmGiven that the Auditor has already released this audit, I don't expect much new information to be revealed. - Work Session: Strategic Plan Scorecard & Targets from 5-6 pmNo presentation available.  Saturday, May 31stCommunity Meetings with Board DirectorsDirector Patu - 10 am - noon at Cafe VitaDirector McL

by Melissa Westbrook / 49min 

You CAN Check into Your Child's Grades This Weekend

I missed this earlier so you can check into The Source, etc.From SPS:Due to new upgrade issues discovered this week, the PowerSchool Upgrade that was planned for Memorial Day Weekend has been cancelled. PowerSchool, PowerTeacher and the Source are all available on their regular schedules.Thank you.Department of Technology Services

by Melissa Westbrook / 10h  

5-25-14 Seattle Schools Community Forum

Seattle Schools Community Forum: Have we seen this movie before? Did it star Shirley Jones and Robert Preston?Please forgive me, but I'm old, and old people like to natter on about the past. It's just what we do. We like to imagine that our experience has value. We see things and we think "Hey, I've seen this before!" That's bad enough, but then we feel compelled to tell you about it.Bac

by mike simpson / 8h