Why TURN? | InterACT

Why TURN? | InterACT:

Why TURN?

AUGUST 1, 2014

tags: CalTURN, ccss, professional development, Teacher Union Reform Network, TURN

by David B. Cohen

Teacher leaders from Washoe Co. School District (NV) discuss their work at TURN Conference in Chicago (7/28/14, photo by the author)

For the past couple of years, I’ve been connected with the Teacher Union Reform Network (TURN), primarily through its affiliated regional network in California, CalTURN. On the occasion of my most recent TURN experience (in Chicago the past few days), and also due to some questions and criticisms surfacing in social media lately, I’ve decided to write a bit about why I participate in TURN, and how I think it contributes to strengthening unions, the teaching profession, and public education.

Before I go into the details, let me establish some basic points:

• I strongly believe in collective bargaining, and have found TURN entirely committed to strong unions using collective bargaining to improve teaching and learning.
• I also believe our unions must address labor issues, the professionalization of teaching, and social justice; I have always found TURN leadership and participants share those values.
• I am an advocate of expanding teacher leadership as part of every phase of school and district governance, and have been engaged with TURN because it is helping this to happen within a strong union framework.
• I want to pursue expanded career pathways for teachers, formalizing new roles in educational systems, allowing us to exert greater influence on curriculum, professional development, and school improvement; I have consistently found TURN supporting those ideas.

These were my beliefs before I found TURN. If I didn’t think TURN was supportive of these Why TURN? | InterACT:

8-1-14 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):

LAUSD holding a conference to help black, Latino boys

LAUSD holding a conference to help black, Latino boys LA Unified is joining President Obama’s initiative to help improve educational outcomes for African American and Latino boys. At Loyola Marymount University on Monday, the district will conduct a day-long conference and series of workshops for teachers aimed at providing instructional training and strategies that focus on meeting the needs of b

2 16min 

Editor’s Note: Clarifying CA charter school growth

Editor’s Note: Clarifying CA charter school growth A story this week provided an incomplete explanation for charter school growth in LA Unified and California, omitting reasons other than the distribution of federal dollars to account for their rapid increase. In a statement to LA School Report, As the California Charter Schools Association said another driving force is a desire by families for wi

7min hide  //  save

After 700 new teachers hired, LA Unified still looking for more

After 700 new teachers hired, LA Unified still looking for more Eleven days before the start of the new school year, LA Unified is still hiring teachers. By the district’s accounting, about 700 have been brought aboard for the school year starting Aug. 12, and district officials are looking to add up to 100 more. That would give the district about a third more new instructors than they had at the

by Vanessa Romo / 7min 

Morning Read: Brown administration seeks to dethrone API

Morning Read: Brown administration seeks to dethrone API Brown administration looks to diminish influence of API Move over API. You’re not the top dog for determining school success anymore, the president of the state’s Board of Education said this week. S&I Cabinet Report Half of the nation’s children have suffered trauma, report says A report out this week finds that just under half of the

8min 

7-30-14 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: LCAP reporting mandate reignites disputeMorning Read: LCAP reporting mandate reignites dispute New dispute opens over LCAP reporting mandate A festering dispute over how much freedom local officials should have over education spending has reignited, pitting school managers against advocates

by mike simpson / 22h 

8-1-14 Jersey Jazzman

Jersey Jazzman:

Campbell Brown: Lame

I can only hope that Campbell Brown's appearance last night on The Colbert Report is typical of what she is going to bring to the debate over school workplace protections. Because if this is the best the anti-tenure side can muster, we teachers will easily win the debate -- provided we ever get a chance to participate.The Colbert ReportGet More: Daily Show Full Episodes,Indecision Political Humor,

by Duke / 6min 

7-27-14 Jersey Jazzman

Jersey Jazzman: @StarLedger Editorials: Consistently Wrong About Newark EducationI reached the end of my rope with the Star-Ledger Editorial Board and its chief, Tom Moran, a long time ago. When it comes to education -- particularly in Newark -- both the paper's unsigned editorials and Moran's columns have displayed massive ignorance. Frankly, I'm tired of having to address their nonsense when it'

by mike simpson / 21h 

8-1-14 Seattle Schools Community Forum

Seattle Schools Community Forum:

Seattle Compassionate Schools Movement

Just heard about this event:From Sandy Hook to Seattle: Building the Compassionate Schools MovementMonday, August 11th - 7 pm-9 pm - $10Tuesday, August 12th - 8 am-4 pm - $20Cleveland High School, 5511 15th Avenue S. Register here. Following the tragedy in Newtown, CT, Dr. Christopher Kukk and Scarlett Lewis, mother of 6-year old Jesse Lewis, began work to weave compassion into schools. They met

by Melissa Westbrook / 1h 

Brown is the New Rhee

Move over, Michelle Rhee - here comes Campbell Brown.Did you hear about this?Rhee's star is waning. Her StudentsFirst group has closed up shop in about five states and the billion dollars she was hoping to raise didn't materialize. Well, nature abhors a vacuum and so we have former CNN anchor, Campbell Brown. This newest ed reformer on the block is going after the teachers union and, in specific,

by Melissa Westbrook / 18min 

Friday Open Thread

Welcome to August - it's nice to still have a lovely summer.I note that SPS is still looking for an Enrollment and Planning Services director.  I was a bit startled that the salary is much lower than for an Executive Director (considering how important this job is). Very entertaining interview with Project Runway's Tim "Make it Work" Gunn on mentoring in the NY Times.  Last fall, in an i

by Melissa Westbrook / 30min 

7-31-14 Seattle Schools Community Forum

Seattle Schools Community Forum: An Alternative Narrative on TurnoverThe Seattle Times likes to peddle this story about how a fractious and meddling Board is the driving reason for the turnover of senior staff, including the superintendent, at Seattle Public Schools.It's a good yarn, but it doesn't actually fit the facts. It doesn't fit the facts becauseThe Board isn't all that fractious. Most vot

by mike simpson / 9min 

8-1-14 Scathing Purple Musings | Color me purple in Florida

Scathing Purple Musings | Color me purple in Florida, red in Washington, dark sky-blue in Israel and public school in Education:

Hillsborough: A Fight Like No Other For Charter Schools USA

Mary Ellen Elia is no ordinary superintendent. Her Hillsborough district is the state’s 8th largest and no Florida superintendent is as positioned politically as she.  Elia was the  only representative from the state’s traditional public schools in newly elected governor Rick Scott’s education transition team. There was a reason for that. It was Elia’s district which in 2009 accepted a $100 millio

by Bob Sikes / 52min 

7-30-14 Scathing Purple Musings | Color me purple in Florida

Scathing Purple Musings | Color me purple in Florida, red in Washington, dark sky-blue in Israel and public school in Education: About Those Terrific School Grade Improvements for Charter Schools USACharter Schools USA boss Jonathan Hage bragged last month in his blog about some remarkable improvements his schools made in the past year: Every single one of our “D” and “F” schools from 2013 improve

by mike simpson / 11min 

RFA: Public Charter Schools Grant Program Planning and Implementation Grant (CA Dept of Education)

RFA: Public Charter Schools Grant Program Planning and Implementation Grant (CA Dept of Education):

Request for Applications

Public Charter Schools Grant Program Planning and Implementation Grant

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Due: Tuesday, September 16, 2014

The Federal Public Charter Schools Grant Program (PCSGP) is administered by the Charter Schools Division. Grants are reviewed by peer evaluators and are awarded to nonprofit entities and local education agencies that are likely to develop and open high-quality charter schools. The primary focus of the PCSGP is to create charter schools that will provide public school choice to students whose assigned traditional public school is chronically low performing.

Program Questions: PCSGP Team, Charter School Division, e-mail: PCSGP-APPS@cde.ca.gov, tel. 916-322-6029

Downloading Questions: PCSGP Team, Charter Schools Division, e-mail: PCSGP-APPS@cde.ca.gov, tel. 916-322-6029

Public Charter Schools Grant Program - Regional Assignments | PDF
A listing of the Education Programs Consultant assigned to a specific region.

Document	Description
Request For Applications (DOC)	Complete description of the PCSGP Planning and Implementation grant, eligibility requirements, funding, and sub-grantee accountability. Precharter grants and dissemination grants are not being offered at this time.
Application Checklist (DOC)	PCSGP Application Checklist.
Application Cover Sheet (DOC)	PCSGP Form 1 Application Cover Sheet (Required). (Must be signed in BLUE INK by primary applicant.)
Narrative Response Part 1 (DOC)	PCSGP Form 2 Narrative Response-Part 1 (Required). Limit 15 Pages.
Narrative Response Part 2 (DOC)	PCSGP Form 3 Narrative Response-Part 2 (If applicable). Limit 4 Pages.
Budget Instructions (DOC)	PCSGP Form 4 Budget Instructions.
Proposed Budget Summary (DOC)	PCSGP Form 5 Proposed Budget Summary (Required).
Proposed Budget Narrative (DOC)	PCSGP Form 6 Narrative (Required).
Charter School Work Plan/Activities (DOC)	PCSGP Form 7 Charter School Work Plan/Activities(Required) Limit 15 Pages.
Object of Expenditure Codes (DOC)	PCSGP Form 8 List of Expenditure Codes.
General Assurances and Certifications (DOC)	PCSGP Form 9 General Assurances and Certifications. Applicants will need to download, read, and file (in their school files) the General Assurances and Certification document. This document is to be kept on file for compliance reviews, complaint investigations, or audits.
Sub-grant Conditions and Assurances (DOC)	PCSGP Form 10 Sub-grant Conditions and Assurances.  Applicants will need to download, read, and file (in their school files) the Sub-grant Conditions and Assurances document.  This document is to be kept on file for compliance reviews, complaint investigations, or audits.
STD 204 Payee Data Record (DOC)	Required when receiving payment from the State of California in lieu of IRS W-9. Prompt return of this form (Sections One through Five) will prevent delays when processing payments. Information provided in this form will be used by State agencies to prepare Information Returns (1099). NOTE: Governmental, federal, State, and local (including school districts) entities are not required to submit this form. Only non-profit organizations developing schools that have not opened their doors to serve students need to complete this form. If the application is approved, verification of non-profit status will need to be submitted.

Certifications and Assurances

Document	Description
General Assurances and Certifications	Required as a condition prior to receiving funds. Applicants will need to download, read, and file (in their school files) the General Assurances and Conditions document. This document is to be kept on file for compliance reviews complaint investigations, or audits.
General Education Provisions Act OMB Control No. 1894-0005 (Exp. March 31, 2014)	Notice to applicants for federal funds to include in the application a description of the steps the applicant proposes to take to ensure equitable access to its federally assisted program for participants with special needs.

More about Public Charter Schools Grant Program Planning and Implementation Grant

UPDATE: Geaux Teacher!: Where's our Minimum Foundation Program funds, Bobby?

Geaux Teacher!: Where's our Minimum Foundation Program funds, Bobby?:


A Peek into Dr. Mercedes Schneider's book, A Chronicle of Echoes

What National Group Is Funding the Pro-Common Core Lawsuit in Louisiana?A Re-post from Dr. Mercedes Schneider's blog wherein she offers up a peek at a chapter in her new book, A Chronicle of Echoes.  Anyone who honestly wants to know about the exploitation of public education needs to read this book, soon to be followed by Dr. Schneider's newest book on Common Core State Standards. I would add her

by lbarrios / 41min 

Where's our Minimum Foundation Program funds, Bobby?

Dr. Marie deYoung:

My columns appear each Sunday in the Eunice News. As a retired Unitarian Universalist minister, I I teach music in rural, high poverty schools because I believe that high quality education is a human right for all Americans. Years ago, I was the first woman UU chaplain to serve in the Army, and the first woman to serve in many units as a combat chaplain. I wrote two books about military life. Over the past fourteen years, I've been interviewed by CNN, NBC, CBS, NPR, C-SPAN and regional programs to discuss government reform, gender issues, affordable housing, public education and other issues that impact our society. . This commentary re-posted: http://inherentworth.blogspot.com/2014/07/skimming-mfp-my-commentary-published-in.html

Skimming MFP - My commentary published in Eunice News on July 6, 2014 Copyright Jul 2, 2014

Louisiana was in the fast lane of the national super highway called “Education Reform” long before other states discovered their public education systems needed to be modernized. Granted, we were further behind when we started, but, Louisiana was modernizing long before President George W. Bush passed the “No Child Left Behind Act” with strong bi-partisan support in Congress.

But, in the past few years, our progress has been stalled. One major reason for this stall: the Louisiana Board of Elementary and Secondary Education and Governor Bobby Jindal refuse to give the fair share of school tax dollars to local school districts.

By refusing to send the legally required fair share of Minimum Foundation Program school funds to each district, Bobby and BESE are in direct violation of our state constitution.

Our state constitution requires the Louisiana Board of Education to provide resources and funding to every district in the state, using what is called the Minimum Foundation Program to make sure that every classroom teacher can do their job right.

Specifically, Article VIII, Section 13 explains the Minimum Foundation Program funding requirements. You can look itGeaux Teacher!: Where's our Minimum Foundation Program funds, Bobby?: 

Tennesee’s Fool of Merit | EduShyster

Tennesee’s Fool of Merit | EduShyster:

Tennesee’s Fool of Merit

 Accountability for thee but not for me…

By Joe Nashville
During EduShyster’s last visit  to the Volunteer State, we were left to wonder if the sword of punitive accountability cuts both ways.  Fortunately, if you’re a Tennessean who puts students first, the answer is still no.  In fact, Kevin Huffman, aka the TNeduCommish or K-Huff, seems to be competing withLouisiana’s John White for the honor of most excellent excellence.

Data Driven
Reader, it’s no mystery that K-Huff was once Mr. Rhee (husband of Miss Interpretation herself). In other words, there is absolutely NOTHING political about data. Of course, itadds value to realize data are *neutral* regardless of the instruments and methods used to collect them, the analytic techniques employed, or the validity of the inferences made. If K-Huff says gains were made, that is *unassailable evidence* that gains WERE made.  See, K-Huff doesn’t spin data because numbers don’t lie.

Only a Test
Speaking of numbers, last fall, more than 60 school directors signed aletter of complaint to K-Huff’s boss, GOP Governor Bill Haslam.  And now 15 GOP legislators have signed a letter to Haslam calling for K-Huff’s resignation just because TCAP scores, which are supposed to count toward students’ final grades, weren’t ready by Tennesee’s Fool of Merit | EduShyster:

8-1-14 Ed Notes Online

Ed Notes Online:

Happy 100th Anniversary to World War One

Jeez, we haven't had a World War for 75 years. Our generation are just slackers. But the way things are going there is hope.Yes, August 1 is a big day in these parts. It was known as The Great War for 2 decades - until WWII broke out on Sept. 1 1939.I am celebrating by reading Barbara Tuchman's "The Guns of August." I had that book for about 40 years but lost it in Sandy. So I got a copy

by ed notes online / 12min hide  //  save

Argentina Called Hedge Hog Paul Singer's Bluff

Many are bewildered as to why Argentina wouldn't come to some agreement in the eleventh hour, given the seemingly manageable amounts of debt in play. But the truth is that Argentina acted sensibly, especially given the limited maneuvering room it had to work with.  ... Foreign PolicyPaul Singer is singing in a high-pitched voice today after getting kicked in the balls by Argentina.See my previous

by ed notes online / 3h 

The Wave: The Amazing Susan Corning

When I saw Susan play the lead in Steel Magnolias back in 2006 - her first show in 30 years - I was blown away by her talent. A few years later I found myself in an RTC acting class - my first time when I was over 60 - with Susan. I was absolutely intimidated at the very idea of being on the same stage with Susan. But she made me feel - and makes everyone - feel so comfortable. She does anything a

by ed notes online / 1h 

Randi/Mulgrew Pal Steve Barr to Head Anti-Union DFER California

Hmm.. Steve Barr of Green Dot charters and then the pretentiously named “Future is Now” charters was always a favorite of Michael Mulgrew and the UFT. Several of his charters were started in NYC w/ their enthusiastic agreement. Wonder if they’ll still love him so much.... Leonie HaimsonOf course they still love Steve Barr, who never changed his true anti-union stripes, but allowed MulGarten to str

by ed notes online / 3min 

7-31-14 Ed Notes Online

Ed Notes Online: Mike Schirtzer Thanks MOREistasI just wanted to thank all the folks who helped organize and present at the today's summer series and the last one a couple of weeks back.Kit, Norm, Ellen, and James really explained well the lessons for MORE from their experiences in past opposition groups. It was such a great history lesson on why they fight so hard and how they were able to achiev

by mike simpson / 11min 

AASA :: New Survey Report: School Discipline in the Eyes of School Superintendents

AASA :: New Survey Report: School Discipline in the Eyes of School Superintendents:

New Survey Report: School Discipline in the Eyes of School Superintendents

• Download the complete report:http://aasa.org/schooldiscipline.aspx
• Read the press release:
  http://www.aasa.org/content.aspx?id=34454

Executive Summary

In April 2014, AASA, The School Superintendents Association, and the Children’s Defense Fund partnered to survey 500 school superintendents to determine the state of district-wide school discipline policies and practices. It examined how and why districts use out-of-school suspension, the revision and parameters of districts’ discipline policies, outside partners districts seek in improving school discipline and efforts underway to create positive school climates to reduce discipline disparities.

While discipline policies and practices differ considerably from district to district and state to state, recent national data from the Office for Civil Rights at the U.S. Department of Education show that too many students are suspended out of school and that disparities persist. AASA and CDF are working together with superintendents to find best practice solutions that keep children in school and improve school climates.

Snapshot of Survey Findings:

• Half of the superintendents reported that reducing out-of-school suspensions and expulsions is important/very important to their leadership agendas.
• Forty percent replied insubordination, defiance, failure to obey and disrespect of teachers and staff are the most common infractions that account for OSS in their districts. Thirty percent indicate fighting is the most common cause.
• Of the 92 percent who believe there are negative consequences to the use of OSS in their districts, 67 percent indicated that lost class time is the most significant while 27 percent identified increased disengagement, absenteeism, truancy and/or dropout as the most significant negative consequences.
• Of the 85 percent who reported there are positive consequences to using out-of-school suspension, 33 percent report that suspension maintains or improves school climate by removing the worst offenders. Fifteen percent said suspension improves the behaviors of disciplined students.

AASA :: New Survey Report: School Discipline in the Eyes of School Superintendents:

Campbell Brown Won’t Say Who Is Funding Her School Privatizing Group | FDL News Desk

Campbell Brown Won’t Say Who Is Funding Her School Privatizing Group | FDL News Desk:

Campbell Brown Won’t Say Who Is Funding Her School Privatizing Group

By: DSWright Friday August 1, 2014 7:46 am The Colbert Report Get More: Colbert Report Full Episodes,The Colbert Report on Facebook,Video Archive With Michelle Rhee’s effort to bust the teachers unions falling flat from incompetence and corruption, the privatizing crowd wanted a new face for the brand and found one with former news anchor Campbell Brown. Brown, who is married to former Bush apparatchik Dan Senor, is ready for her debut as the new face of “ed reform.” But can a new facade fool the people? Campbell Brown recently went on the Colbert Report to promote the group she heads, the Partnership for Educational Justice (PEJ). During the interview it became clear that Brown was not interested in revealing who was funding the group. First she tried to claim it was the law firm handling the case, Kirkland Ellis, but eventually admitted she would not be disclosing the donors. Colbert: The Partnership for Educational Justice has not raised any money so far? Brown: Yeah we are raising money. Colbert: And who did you raise it from? Brown: I’m not going to reveal who the donors are – Colbert: I respect that because I’ve had a Super PAC! Brown: I hear you. But part of the reason is the people who are outside today, trying to protest, trying to silence our parents who want to have a voice in this debate. Colbert: Exercising their First Amendment rights… Brown: Absolutely. But they are also going to go after people who are funding this. Using Brown’s logic no political contributions should be made public for fear that people will be criticized for funding candidates and initiatives others find objectionable. The rich and powerful should be able to buy elections and candidates freely – that’s none of the public’s business. Rarely is the backwardness and venality of the movement to privatize public education made so Campbell Brown Won’t Say Who Is Funding Her School Privatizing Group | FDL News Desk: