The Damage Betsy DeVos Has Done as Education Secretary and the Challenges Facing Joe Biden’s Pick | Vogue - https://www.vogue.com/article/betsy-devos-education-secretary-damage-joe-biden-challenge#new_tab
After 8 months, D.C. Public Schools reopens buildings for more than 400 students - The Washington Post - https://www.washingtonpost.com/local/education/dc-schools-reopen-buildings/2020/11/18/43764f9c-298f-11eb-8fa2-06e7cbb145c0_story.html
D.C. schools and union once again fail to reach deal on reopening schools - The Washington Post - https://www.washingtonpost.com/local/education/once-again-a-deal-between-dc-and-the-teachers-union-collapses/2020/11/18/9f34ccf2-29c4-11eb-8fa2-06e7cbb145c0_story.html
New York City schools closing because of rising covid-19 rates - The Washington Post - https://www.washingtonpost.com/education/2020/11/18/new-york-city-schools-closing-because-rising-covid-19-rates/
Texas lawmakers call for STAAR testing to be canceled this year | The Texas Tribune - https://www.texastribune.org/2020/11/18/texas-staar-testing-cancel/ by @AliyyaSwaby on @TexasTribune
Union urging ‘no confidence’ votes in ed commish Riley - CommonWealth Magazine https://commonwealthmagazine.org/education/union-pushing-no-confidence-votes-in-ed-commish-riley/#.X7atGpifPSk.twitter
Empty desks: Coronavirus robs US classrooms of teachers - https://www.actionnewsjax.com/news/health/empty-desks/CLWU6L5OED3YUANMWT6GCX4DAY/ via @ActionNewsJax
NEA backs Biden court-packing and demands 'repudiation of white supremacist culture' - https://www.washingtonexaminer.com/washington-secrets/nea-backs-biden-court-packing-demands-repudiation-of-white-supremacist-culture by @SecretsBedard on @DCExaminer
Emily James: Teachers Are on a Tightrope with No Safety Net | Ed Politics - https://edpolitics.org/?p=299
Bogus crowd photos at ‘Million MAGA March’ and other news literacy lessons - The Washington Post - https://www.washingtonpost.com/education/2020/11/19/bogus-crowd-photos-million-maga-march-other-news-literacy-lessons/
Religious schools that took federal pandemic aid now subject to more federal anti-discrimination suits | The Lens - https://thelensnola.org/?p=558302 by @https://twitter.com/martajewson on @TheLensNOLA
Virginia chemistry teacher gave quiz asking students to insert ‘neon ... neck’ to describe how George Floyd died https://www.washingtonpost.com/local/education/george-floyd-chemistry-quiz-virginia/2020/11/19/295b0d42-2a88-11eb-92b7-6ef17b3fe3b4_story.html?tid=ss_tw
Progressives are pushing Joe Biden to move to eliminate student debt on his first day as president and thus stimulate the economy. https://www.huffpost.com/entry/democratic-senators-biden-student-loan-debt_n_5fb69834c5b6f00bd84e419b?ncid=engmodushpmg00000004 via @HuffPostPol
NYC Public Schools Closure To Last Through At Least Thanksgiving, De Blasio Says https://gothamist.com/news/breaking-nyc-public-schools-shut-down-city-surpasses-3-threshold?utm_medium=social&utm_source=twitter&utm_campaign=shared_twitter via @gothamist
In fall attendance and grades, Chicago officials see a case for reopening - Chalkbeat Chicago - https://chicago.chalkbeat.org/2020/11/18/21574216/in-fall-attendance-and-grades-chicago-officials-see-a-case-for-reopening#new_tab on chalkbeat
Pueblo teachers are battling a district requirement that they go to school, even though students are at home – The Colorado Sun - https://wp.me/pabske-DJT
Black students most likely to be going to school remotely - Marketplace - https://wp.me/paBAoJ-1f30 via @Marketplace
Washington Teachers' Union Rejects School Reopening Agreement With D.C. Public Schools | DCist - https://dcist.com/story/20/11/18/teachers-union-rejects-school-reopening-dc-public-schools/#new_tab via @dcist
Florida’s public schools will keep offering online classes - South Florida Sun-Sentinel - https://www.sun-sentinel.com/news/education/fl-ne-school-plans-sfl-20201118-oc4rebn5wzgwzd67rwd3xx3aem-story.html#new_tab via @SunSentinel
Covid school closings raise privacy concerns for students and teachers - https://www.nbcnews.com/think/opinion/covid-school-closings-raise-privacy-concerns-students-teachers-ncna1247717#new_tab by NBCNews on @NBCNews
Pandemic Lesson from Chicago Catholic Schools | WBEZ Chicago - https://www.wbez.org/stories/what-can-catholic-schools-teach-cps-about-in-person-learning/dc60bf9f-e4b2-4caa-bc78-d33da8a0d2a9#new_tab
Indiana Red for Ed: A year later, COVID-19 has largely erased momentum - https://www.indystar.com/story/news/education/2020/11/19/indiana-red-ed-year-later-covid-19-has-largely-erased-momentum/3765471001/#new_tab via @indystar
UNICEF: Schools are not 'main drivers' of Covid among kids - https://www.politico.com/states/new-jersey/story/2020/11/18/unicef-schools-are-not-main-drivers-of-covid-among-kids-1337119#new_tab
Iowa Board of Education votes to limit student seclusion, restraint - https://www.desmoinesregister.com/story/news/education/2020/11/18/iowa-board-education-adopts-new-rules-seclusion-restraint-student-disparities/3762823001/#new_tab via @DMRegister
State Board of Education OKs new sex ed curriculum excluding LGBTQ youth, consent - ExpressNews.com - https://www.expressnews.com/news/politics/texas_legislature/article/State-Board-of-Education-OKs-new-sex-ed-15738620.php#new_tab on @mysa
America mortgages its future on school closures - Axios - https://www.axios.com/us-school-closures-effects-coronavirus-566011be-3807-4d41-8891-3ca46b33718a.html#new_tab on @axios
College Debt Sucks I passed a milestone a couple of months back--I paid off the last of my children's college loans. I went to college back in the 70s. My entire undergrad education cost about $16K. I could have paid for some of it with the proceeds of my summer job, but my parents covered the costs and that allowed me to save for grad school and to start out on my feet. Lots of my friends from
Showing Faces (or Not) in Remote Instruction This year, our school has asked students to show their faces during remote instruction. This is a large improvement for those of us out here doing the work. Some say this is an intrusion on student privacy. There are workarounds, though, for students uncomfortable with showing their faces or homes. Students can use virtual backgrounds, and many do. Fo
Larry Ferlazzo's Websites of the Day... | The latest news and resources in education since 2007 Big Education Ape: THIS WEEK IN EDUCATION Larry Ferlazzo's Websites of the Day... The latest news and resources in education since 2007 - http://bigeducationape.blogspot.com/2020/11/this-week-in-education-larry-ferlazzos_14.html “Give Students Choice When It’s Time to Read” by Larry Ferlazzo / 11h Giv
Big Education Ape TODAY'S EDUCATION HEADLINES Progressives turned out for Joe Biden. Now they want a big role - - https://www.kten.com/story/42921925/progressives-turned-out-for-joe-biden-now-they-want-a-big-role-in-his-administration Teachers unions are poised to have greater influence during a Biden administration https://www.chalkbeat.org/2020/11/17/21571346/teachers-unions-influence-biden-adm
HOW OUR BIGGEST ISPS ARE FAILING STUDENTS DURING COVID-19 Early in the pandemic, one of our MediaJustice Network members reached out to us in hopes we could support a group of high school students in Baltimore who were trying to amplify their campaign. The students are leaders in a Latinx and immigrant student organization called Students Organizing for a Multicultural and Open Society ( SOMOS )
DOE to delay the release of any class size data due Nov. 15 until Dec. 31, and any disaggregated data until Feb.15 See the letter from Karen Goldmark below of DOE responding to the letter from CM Mark Treyger, saying they will not release any class size data until December 31, based on the size of classes on November 13, rather than the legal deadline established by city law of November 15. It a
Trump/DeVos may have lost the election, but the battle for public education has just begun. The Covid-19 Pandemic has created an unprecedented crisis for public education. Lack of support from the Federal Government, in the form of testing, health and safety guidance, and sufficient resources has further exacerbated this crisis. States have had to fend for themselves and this has ultimately resu
Education Has Nothing to do With Intelligence: It is About Growth Not long ago, I took an online IQ test. It appears that my IQ is between 133 and 149, "or it may even be higher!" which means it may be over 160, so you might very well, right now, be reading the words of a bona fide genius. Art: Karntakuringu Jukurrpa Naturally, I'm joking. No intelligent person puts any stock in the validity of
President Elect Biden’s Public School Agenda Addresses the Opportunity Gap A strong supporter of public education will move into the White House on January 20. President Elect Joe Biden has promised to close the Opportunity Gap by investing in public school improvement and pledging to support reform of healthcare and other conditions that worsen economic inequality. There is an important differe
SCUSD ENDS 2019-20 WITH $23 MILLION SURPLUS, RESERVE FUND GROWS TO $93 MILLION Sac City Unified Budget - A Message from Superintendent Aguilar - Sacramento City Unified School District - https://www.scusd.edu/e-connections-post/sac-city-unified-budget-message-superintendent-aguilar on @officialscusd In 2012-13, the State of California introduced a new way of financing K-12 education with the int
DOE delays Panel vote on acquiring Reliant busing DOE has made another incongruous and costly decision related to busing, this time to create a new non-profit that will acquire the Reliant company that apparently owes millions in unpaid pension and health insurance costs. Their debt, according to the NY Post, may be as large as $148 million . The contract was about to be voted on tonight Nov. 17
October 20, 2020 Tuesday at 2 Webinar Coronavirus (COVID-19) Main Web Page The California Department of Education (CDE) Nutrition Services Division (NSD) hosted the twelfth Tuesday @ 2 School Nutrition Town Hall webinar on October 20, 2020 for school food service operators, chief business officials, and community partners to listen to a discussion on best practices in meal service as schools con
New Secretary of Education Sweepstakes Joe Biden's team (Dr. Jill and who else) will be choosing a new Secretary of Education. Of those listed, who's your pick? If you say Randi (Rhonda) or Lily, your comment will not be posted. From WaPo : Under Secretary Betsy DeVos, the Education Department has rolled back some civil rights protections as well as Obama-era efforts to hold for-profit colleges
Big Education Ape TODAY'S EDUCATION HEADLINES Indiana teachers union calls on lawmakers to expand bargaining rights amid COVID https://in.chalkbeat.org/2020/11/16/21570324/ista-indiana-teachers-union-calls-on-lawmakers-to-expand-bargaining-rights-amid-covid via @ChalkbeatIN Illinois teachers union calls on Gov. Pritzker to close school buildings again because of COVID-19 surge - Chicago Tribune -
When it comes to school choice, Florida (state motto: "We'll abolish public education any day now") is the place to be. With an array of anti-public education public officials, a non-functioning Democratic party, and the a long history of legislative baloney, it's no wonder that this is Betsy DeVos's idea of how a state is supposed to get things done.
But even for Florida, the anti-bullying Hope Scholarship is an impressive feat. Max Eden at the Manhattan Institute (a generally reform-friendly thinky tank) has just written up a report on how the Hope Scholarship is going. The answer is, "Meh, not so great yet."
Such a pretty, lousy place
First, you have to appreciate how the Hope Scholarship works, because it is the most clever school choice dodge I've seen. A student alleges bullying, abuse or violence. The principal investigates and provides a written report. The parents then have a range of options, including moving their child to another school in the district, a public school out of the district, a charter school, or get Hope Scholarship funds to attend a private school. Eagle-eyed readers might think I just skipped a step, but I didn't. Let Eden explain:
Notably, the parent need not be dissatisfied with the remedy proposed by the school district for the incident to qualify. Indeed, the school district need not even conclude that the alleged incident CONTINUE READING: CURMUDGUCATION: FL: Bullying, Vouchers, And More Baloney
SACRAMENTO—State Superintendent of Public Instruction Tony Thurmond was joined Wednesday by leading scholars and advocates for ethnic studies as the California Department of Education (CDE) presented its latest recommendations to the draft Ethnic Studies Model Curriculum, a resource that once adopted will help educators to design coursework that elevates the stories and voices of historically marginalized populations who have contributed to our state and nation’s history.
The CDE’s recommendations were presented to the Instructional Quality Commission (IQC)—an advisory body to the State Board of Education—which will direct the next round of revisions to the draft model curriculum before another opportunity for public input.
“Our educators and students have told us there is an overwhelming need for tools and resources that promote an honest accounting of California and our nation’s history, and to see themselves reflected in the lessons taught in our schools,” Thurmond said. “The recommendations presented today offer a bold and balanced pathway to uplifting the stories and experiences that are rarely told in our classrooms.”
The CDE recommends that the model curriculum increase the breadth and depth of the four foundational disciplines of ethnic studies—African American Studies, Asian American Studies, Chicana/o/x Latina/o/x Studies, and Native American Studies––through revisions and additions that strengthen the content, and which better reflect the diversity of experiences and contributions of groups that have been marginalized and understudied.
Additionally, the CDE has proposed updating and expanding an existing set of resources—where all sample lessons are housed—to further reflect California's diversity by offering instructional materials that raise the voices of many identities whose experiences intersect with the core disciplines of ethnic studies, such as Arab Americans, Armenian Americans, Jewish Americans, and Sikh Americans.
Joining State Superintendent Thurmond who spoke in support of CDE’s recommendations Wednesday were:
Former Assemblymember Luis Alejo, a former high school ethnic studies teacher who authored the bill to establish a model curriculum
Manufou Liaiga-Anoa’i, the first Samoan Pacific Islander to serve on the Jefferson Elementary School District Board and co-chair of the State Superintendent’s Closing the Achievement Gap initiative
Dr. Albert Camarillo, founding director of the Center for Comparative Studies in Race and Ethnicity at Stanford University and one of the founding scholars in the field of Mexican American History and Chicano Studies
Dr. Shawn Ginwright, a professor of Africana Studies at San Francisco State University, where the ethnic studies movement launched decades ago
California is required by law to develop a model curriculum in ethnic studies to be utilized as a guide and outline for schools as they consider implementing ethnic studies courses. This guide will help districts and schools as they begin to develop their own ethnic studies curriculum reflecting their student demographics and community.
After the IQC considers and acts on the recommendations during the second day of its meeting (Thursday, November 19, 2020), the updated model curriculum draft will undergo another 45-day public review period.
State law requires the State Board of Education to take final action on the model curriculum by March 31, 2021.
JEFF BRYANT ON THE RICK SMITH SHOW: “THE IDEA THAT PUBLIC SCHOOLS HAVE FAILED US IS A PROPAGANDA CAMPAIGN.”
“The idea that public schools have failed us is a propaganda campaign. Right now we see a lot of parents being upset at school districts and teachers, wondering why they can’t send their children back to school. The bigger problem is there’s a lack of government leadership dealing with fundamental problems of a pandemic, causing community spread that’s out of control. Until we get rid of the spike in infections, we can’t leave it up to the schools to control it.” Listen: https://www.podbean.com/media/share/pb-xf933-f20d76
"Have To" History Preview: Good News Club v. Milford Central School (2001)
I've been posting rough drafts from what I hope will be an upcoming book focused on Supreme Court cases related to church-state separation in public education. Some aren't cases likely to get full treatment in the book but of interest to me personally, so I ramble about them here. Others – like this one – don't require extended analysis or my trademark pithy insights, but still deserve a mention. (The final version of this one will probably be shaved by about a third to keep things readable and leave a few trees in the forests.)
Good News Club v. Milford (2001) was one of a string of "equal access" cases in which the basic issue was the use of school faciltiies outside of normal hours. Arguably the two most important cases on this topic were Westside Community Schools v. Mergens (1990) and Lamb's Chapel v. Center Moriches Union Free School District (1993). In both, the lead attorney for those seeking equal access for religious groups on the same terms as others was none other than Jay Sekulow, the right-wing talk show host, big dog at the ACLJ, and favored defender of President Donald Trump. (He was not involved in THIS particular case as far as I know, but he certainly helped lay the groundwork for the arguments supporting the winning side.)
'State-sanctioned segregation': California’s school closure debate boils over
SACRAMENTO — Pandemic politics have reached a boiling point in California’s school reopening debate.
A hands-off approach by Democratic Gov. Gavin Newsom and public pressure from powerful labor unions has led the state’s biggest city districts to keep schools shuttered, leaving most of California’s 6 million public schoolchildren learning at home. Even San Francisco, which has had one of the lowest infection rates for any U.S. city, hasn’t attempted in-person teaching.
As the pandemic wears on, more Democrats are sounding the alarm after staying silent earlier this fall. They are increasingly distressed that California's approach has widened the gap between low-income communities of color and wealthier white families.
Frustrations hit a new level in October, when Newsom said his own children had returned to private school in Sacramento — while public school students in the surrounding neighborhoods remained home. Now leaders in the governor's own party are turning on him, saying the status quo has left the state with crisis-level inequity.
California's system amounts to "state-sanctioned segregation," Patrick O'Donnell (D-Long Beach), the chair of the state Assembly Education Committee, said in an interview — a frank declaration for a Democrat consistently supported by the California Teachers Association.
“Some kids get to go and some don’t. That's not what California stands for," he said. “I think we need to move faster but remain thoughtful.”
California's experience could shed light on the complications Democratic President-elect Joe Biden will face in the coming months as he encounters more calls from parents and elected officials to help the growing number of students struggling with distance learning.
Goodbye, Betsy: Speculation Increases Over The Next Education Secretary
The appointee would take over during a time of unprecedented upheaval in schools.
Democrats in the education world are ready to say goodbye to Education Secretary Betsy DeVos, but divides within the party about who should replace her fall along familiar lines.
On one side, labor leaders like Randi Weingarten and Lily Eskelsen García are garnering attention. On the other, leaders and stakeholders who have historically clashed with labor are pushing district superintendents with experience overseeing major systems containing both traditional public schools and nonunionized charter schools. Tim Shriver, chairman of the board of the Special Olympics and a member of the Kennedy family, has also made clear to the Biden team that he is interested in the role, a source close to him tells HuffPost.
While most education groups stood united against DeVos, the current fault lines are a reminder of existing divisions in the Democratic Party around issues of education reform and school accountability.
Weingarten, the longtime leader of the American Federation of Teachers, the teachers union representing more than 1.7 million members, tells HuffPost it’s a privilege people would mention her name as a possibility, but she’s perfectly happy remaining in her current position, too.
In The Managerial Imperative: The Practice of Leadership in Schools (1988), I wrote of my experiences as a superintendent, husband, and father and how the job intersected with my life during and after the workday. Because the family side of being a superintendent is often unwritten much less talked about–especially during the Covid pandemic, I have updated this earlier version of my experiences for the current book I am writing. All of what follows occurred between 1974-1981 in Arlington County (VA).
The superintendency was both exhilarating and exhausting. As a line from a song put it “Some days were diamonds; some days were stones.” What values I prized about serving the public and educating others were enacted daily; what skills I had were tapped frequently, but even more important, the job jolted me into learning new skills and dipping into hidden reserves of energy. In short, being superintendent stretched me in ways I keenly felt were worthwhile albeit demanding. I enjoyed the job immensely. [i]
But (there invariably is a “but”) there were a number of job-related issues that arose over the years, softening my rosy assessment, forcing me to face the inevitable trade-offs that accompany the top executive post in a school district. Especially with my family.
