Monday, January 11, 2021

THE TOP BANANA: TODAY'S EDUCATION HEADLINES Monday, January 11, 2021 #REDFORED #tbats #REOPENSCHOOLSSAFELY #COVIDVACCINE #DEVOSRESIGNS

THE TOP BANANA
TODAY'S EDUCATION HEADLINES

Stunned teachers and scared students: How the Capitol insurrection is overtaking lessons http://feeds.latimes.com/~r/lanowblog/~3/M0uPlXcYzME/teachers-handling-capitol-insurrection-in-class

solidaridad: Recommending: Time to End Tax Breaks for Charter Schools and The Ultra-Rich - http://rdsathene.blogspot.com/2021/01/recommending-time-to-end-tax-breaks-for.html

Monday’s Must-Read Articles On School Reopenings | Larry Ferlazzo's Websites of the Day... - https://larryferlazzo.edublogs.org/?p=114737 on @Larryferlazzo

ProPublica’s Top 25 Stories of 2020 http://feeds.propublica.org/link/9499/14209111/top-25-pp-posts

After 10 months of remote learning, West Seneca students head back to the classroom | Education | buffalonews.com - https://buffalonews.com/news/local/education/after-10-months-of-remote-learning-west-seneca-students-head-back-to-the-classroom/article_ccaefb74-5112-11eb-a546-77eec0d620f8.html by @https://twitter.com/bobrieneden on @TheBuffaloNews

Getting local buy-in for learning-loss tests | NJ Spotlight News - https://www.njspotlight.com/2021/01/learning-loss-boe-board-of-education-testing-school-districts-administration/ via @njspotlight

As Chicago Schools Reopen, Teacher Scrambles To Keep Kids Safe https://www.npr.org/2021/01/10/955479425/as-chicago-schools-reopen-teacher-scrambles-to-keep-kids-safe

Students Of Color Recognize Racial Divides Won't End Anytime Soon https://www.npr.org/2021/01/10/955479418/students-of-color-recognize-racial-divides-won-t-end-anytime-soon

Surging community COVID spread tests NYC’s efforts to keep schools safe for in-person learning https://www.nydailynews.com/new-york/education/ny-covid-nyc-school-testing-varma-20210111-7bupirtcofapffsqmudo5i5d6i-story.html#ed=rss_www.nydailynews.com/arcio/rss/category/new-york/education/

OPINION: How the gig economy puts children’s development at risk and what we can do about it https://hechingerreport.org/opinion-how-the-gig-economy-puts-childrens-development-at-risk-and-what-we-can-do-about-it/

‘Mochilas llenas de piedras’: Cómo un distrito maneja el trauma que los niños indocumentados traen a la escuela https://hechingerreport.org/mochilas-llenas-de-piedras-como-un-distrito-maneja-el-trauma-que-los-ninos-indocumentados-traen-a-la-escuela/

Scores of nurses with Chicago Public Schools say reopening buildings is still unsafe https://www.washingtonpost.com/education/2021/01/10/scores-nurses-with-chicago-public-schools-say-reopening-buildings-is-still-unsafe/?tid=ss_tw

Gadfly on the Wall: Will PA Schools Ask Parents to Oversee CDT Testing at Home? | National Education Policy Center - https://nepc.colorado.edu/node/10703 on @NEPCtweet

Sarah Sanders humiliated by her high school government teacher for not understanding the 1st Amendment http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/TheRawStory/~3/mZ-jGivB3yc/

An Unwelcome Pause http://tnedreport.com/2021/01/an-unwelcome-pause/

Texas public school pre-K enrollment tumbles 22 percent - HoustonChronicle.com - https://www.houstonchronicle.com/news/houston-texas/education/article/Texas-public-school-pre-K-enrollment-tumbles-22-15856433.php#new_tab on @houstonchron

DOE school probed for attendance of 'phantom student,' grade fraud https://nypost.com/2021/01/09/doe-school-probed-for-attendance-of-phantom-student-grade-fraud/

N.J. school fired me because of my race, former vice principal says in lawsuit - nj.com - https://www.nj.com/middlesex/2021/01/nj-school-fired-me-because-of-my-race-former-vice-principal-says-in-lawsuit.html#new_tab on @njdotcom

Memphis woman says daughter nearly missed virtual school because of missing immunization https://wreg.com/news/memphis-woman-says-daughter-nearly-missed-virtual-school-because-of-missing-immunization/

Iowa lawmakers to weigh Gov. Kim Reynolds' push for in-person classes - https://www.desmoinesregister.com/story/news/politics/2021/01/11/iowa-lawmakers-weigh-gov-kim-reynolds-push-person-classes/4061357001/#new_tab via @DMRegister

Allentown School District removes teacher who took part in Washington, D.C., protest - The Morning Call - https://www.mcall.com/news/local/mc-nws-allentown-school-suspends-teacher-over-protest-20210108-xkf4wttyezhnzf2xii6khbthxa-story.html#new_tab via @mcall

CPS forging ahead with reopening — and teachers who don’t show up won’t be paid, officials say - Chicago Sun-Times - https://chicago.suntimes.com/education/2021/1/8/22220592/cps-reopening-teachers-ctu-union-pay-public-lori-lightfoot-janice-jackson#new_tab

NJ parents demanding in-person instruction in schools - https://nj1015.com/nj-parents-want-schools-open/#new_tab on @nj1015

Critics hope Betsy DeVos leaving will mean renewed focus on public ed - https://hechingerreport.org/?p=76487 via @hechingerreport

Dr. John H. Jackson: The Malice of One and the Silence of Many: January 6th is the Emblematic Expression of America's Historic Tension | Schott Foundation for Public Education

by Mike Simpson / 2min

The Malice of One and the Silence of Many: January 6th is the Emblematic Expression of America's Historic Tension | Schott Foundation for Public Education The Malice of One and the Silence of Many: January 6th is the Emblematic Expression of America's Historic Tension The violent attack on Capitol Hill on Jan. 6, 2021 was a stark reminder of America’s historic tensions and struggles. The storming

New studies provide more info for in-person school and community spread

by Mike Simpson / 13min

PROOF POINTS: Two new studies point to virus thresholds for in-person school Researchers looked at hospitalization and coronavirus case rates Two new studies on whether to keep schools open during the coronavirus pandemic come to strikingly similar conclusions: it’s not a simple yes or no. Instead, there are public health thresholds that can indicate when in-person classes are safe. The similari

Carrots and Sticks + SEXTON’S APPOINTEE TO STATE TEXTBOOK COMMISSION URGED PARTICIPATION IN INSURRECTION – Tennessee Education Report

by Mike Simpson / 32min

Carrots and Sticks – Tennessee Education Report CARROTS AND STICKS E ven as Tennessee’s COVID-19 numbers continue to surge, some leading lawmakers and Gov. Bill Lee are considering using the state’s funding formula (BEP) to create incentives for districts to return to in-person learning sooner rather than later. The Tennessee Lookout reports on House Education Committee Chair Mark White’s remarks

Time to End Tax Breaks for Charter Schools and The Ultra-Rich | by Jake Jacobs | Jan, 2021 | Medium

by Mike Simpson / 44min

Time to End Tax Breaks for Charter Schools and The Ultra-Rich Originally published on Diane Ravitch’s Blog Joe Biden’s recent nomination of Miguel Cardona as a relatively lesser-known, less controversial selection for Secretary of Education was telling. It shows the incoming administration’s reticence to take a side in the ongoing battle over school choice and standardized testing, just like mos

A VERY BUSY DAY Larry Ferlazzo's Websites of the Day... The latest news and resources in education since 2007

by Mike Simpson / 7min

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/2021/01/this-week-in-education-larry-ferlazzos_9.html Monday’s Must-Read Articles On School Reopenings by Larry Ferlazzo / 4h ll

It Doesn’t Make Any Sense To Give State Standardized Tests This Spring OR Any Kind Of Standardized Benchmark Assessments | Larry Ferlazzo's Websites of the Day...

by Mike Simpson / 13min

IT DOESN’T MAKE ANY SENSE TO GIVE STATE STANDARDIZED TESTS THIS SPRING OR ANY KIND OF STANDARDIZED BENCHMARK ASSESSMENTS It’s a bit mind-boggling to me that we even need to discuss the topic of this post – of course we shouldn’t have standardized tests this spring and, of course we should have any kind of standardized benchmark tests (as our district is pushing). The impetus for both of these ef

Worth A Look: Locke v. Davey (2004) - from "It Followed Her To School One Day..." | Blue Cereal Education

by Mike Simpson / 19min

Worth A Look: Locke v. Davey (2004) - from "It Followed Her To School One Day..." The following is a first draft of one of the mini-chapters from an upcoming book covering the major "wall of separation" cases related to public education over the past century. The working title is "Have To" History: It Followed Her To School One Day... We'll see how it actually turns out. Worth A Look: Locke v. D

MITCHELL ROBINSON: Trump Has Incited…a Reckoning | Eclectablog

by Mike Simpson / 1h

Trump Has Incited…a Reckoning | Eclectablog Trump Has Incited…a Reckoning In the aftermath of Wednesday’s attempted coup attempt by the sitting president of the United States, one thing is abundantly clear: There needs to be a major reckoning, and those responsible must be held accountable. We can’t function as a society if we have people among us who are so easily misled and hoodwinked. People w

How is it that the IEA and other unions endorsed Mike Bost for Congress, a Confederate Insurrectionist? – Fred Klonsky

by Mike Simpson / 1h

HOW IS IT THAT THE IEA AND OTHER UNIONS ENDORSED MIKE BOST FOR CONGRESS, A CONFEDERATE INSURRECTIONIST? For nearly 40 years I have scratched my head at many of the political decisions of my teachers’ union, the Illinois Education Association. A search of past blog posts will illustrate a number of past examples. Endorsing Congressman Mike Bost is just one example of why I long ago stopped donati

Teacher Tom: Courtesy, Politeness, and Civility

by Mike Simpson / 1h

Courtesy, Politeness, and Civility I don't wear a mask because I'm afraid of getting the virus. I'm not even particularly worried about spreading the virus to other people because I'm careful and am tested regularly. No, I wear my mask without complaint because it is the civil thing to do, or as I usually think of it, I'm being polite because I know that some people are afraid. I wear my mask fo

Thinking Critically about Critical Thinking in the Era of Trump and TikTok – radical eyes for equity

by Mike Simpson / 1h

Thinking Critically about Critical Thinking in the Era of Trump and TikTok While it now seems like generations ago, in the spring of 2008, I joined other faculty at Furman University in an organized protest labeled “We Object.” Through the university’s connections with FU graduate and former governor of South Carolina Mark Sanford, George W. Bush was invited to speak at commencement. Recent univ

Washington Post Joins NY Times to Demand Reinstatement of Standardized Tests in Schools this Spring: It Is Still a Bad Idea | janresseger

by Mike Simpson / 1h

Washington Post Joins NY Times to Demand Reinstatement of Standardized Tests in Schools this Spring: It Is Still a Bad Idea On Friday, the Washington Post editorialized to demand the reinstatement—this spring in the midst of COVID-19—of the standardized tests mandated by No Child Left Behind and its successor, the Every Student Succeed Act. Betsy DeVos mercifully cancelled the testing mandate la

The Vaccinations are Here! What to Know - SOUTH BRONX SCHOOL BLOG

by Mike Simpson / 1h

http://www.southbronxschool.com The Vaccinations are Here! What to Know Sometime last night during my binge watching of Family Guy I got a text from one of the many SBSB groupies. It was shared with me that sign up is available for those who qualify under group 1B for the COVID vaccination (I'll post the link at the end of this post). Finally! This vaccination process, at least in NY State is tak

On This Insurrection, and The Next | The Jose Vilson

by Mike Simpson / 1h

ON THIS INSURRECTION, AND THE NEXT I wasn’t supposed to ever forget the day because it was my son’s ninth birthday. In the middle of a pandemic, we still thought it best to keep this tradition. On the news, anchors kept reiterating that the day’s proceedings wouldn’t normally get this much attention if not for the president’s consistent obfuscation about the proceedings. One by one, he and his c

Education Matters: Duval Courts close, Duval schools stay open, um wait what?!?

by Mike Simpson / 1h

Duval Courts close, Duval schools stay open, um wait what?!? Chief Judge Mark Mahone and Superintendent Greene must be looking at the same information. So what do they do? The chief Judge closes the courts until February 22nd while Superintendent Greene encourages children to return to the buildings. Greene's reckless behavior is going to get (more) people sick or worse. From the Times Union, In

YESTERDAY

CATCH UP WITH CURMUDGUCATION + ICYMI: Well Aren't We Off To A Grand Start Edition (1/10)

by Mike Simpson / 21h

CURMUDGUCATION: ICYMI: Well Aren't We Off To A Grand Start Edition (1/10) Well Aren't We Off To A Grand Start Edition Well, that was a week, wasn't it. What a hellacious shitshow (sorry, Mom). But despite the the dumpster fire burning brighter than ever, we still have things to read, because while governments may rise and fall and grind to a halt and play stupid games with stupid insurrectionists

THE TOP BANANA: TODAY'S EDUCATION HEADLINES #REDFORED #tbats #REOPENSCHOOLSSAFELY #COVIDVACCINE #DEVOSRESIGNS

by Mike Simpson / 21h

Big Education Ape THE TOP BANANA TODAY'S EDUCATION HEADLINES Sunday’s Must-Read Articles & Must-Watch Videos On School Reopenings | Larry Ferlazzo's Websites of the Day... - https://larryferlazzo.edublogs.org/?p=114704 on @Larryferlazzo I Desegregated the University of Georgia.

Big Education Ape

Dr. John H. Jackson: The Malice of One and the Silence of Many: January 6th is the Emblematic Expression of America's Historic Tension | Schott Foundation for Public Education

The Malice of One and the Silence of Many: January 6th is the Emblematic Expression of America's Historic Tension | Schott Foundation for Public Education

The Malice of One and the Silence of Many: January 6th is the Emblematic Expression of America's Historic Tension

The violent attack on Capitol Hill on Jan. 6, 2021 was a stark reminder of America’s historic tensions and struggles. The storming of the Capitol came amid a Pro-Trump protest, by a predominately white and male group of domestic terrorists. Their white privilege assured they could go beyond the police barriers of perimeter and enter the Capitol Building. In the end, many people were injured and five killed, including a Capitol police officer.

What happened is reminiscent of this nation’s historic struggles with race, racism, power, and privilege. For instance, over 150 years ago, a group of southern, Confederate flag-carrying insurgents led the nation into a Civil War. Years later, America is once again met with a similar group of Confederate flag-toting individuals who would rather have no America than exist in an evolving one.

While the pretext for the Capitol riot was to overturn the results of the 2020 presidential election, the protesters’ words proved that this was less about their candidate losing an election and more about their collective sense of losing their America.

While there is a clear history of violence on American shores, scores of elected officials claimed that the events on Jan. 6 did not represent America or the people of America. While I firmly believe there are indeed more people committed to love and justice in America, what happened at the Capitol last Thursday — as well as the violence that greeted Black Lives Matter demonstrators in D.C. this summer — is evidence of society's clear hierarchy of human value and tolerance for white CONTINUE READING: The Malice of One and the Silence of Many: January 6th is the Emblematic Expression of America's Historic Tension | Schott Foundation for Public Education

New studies provide more info for in-person school and community spread

PROOF POINTS: Two new studies point to virus thresholds for in-person school

Researchers looked at hospitalization and coronavirus case rates

Two new studies on whether to keep schools open during the coronavirus pandemic come to strikingly similar conclusions: it’s not a simple yes or no. Instead, there are public health thresholds that can indicate when in-person classes are safe.

The similarity in the results is striking considering that the research teams used different data and took different approaches to crunching the numbers.

“The fact that it seems safe [to open schools] in some places but perhaps not in others isn’t surprising,” said Tulane University economist Douglas Harris, a researcher on one of the studies. “Schools should spread the virus less in places where there is less of it to spread.”

Harris’s study, released on Jan. 4, looked at every 2020 school opening in the country through the fall and tracked how many people in each county landed in the hospital because of COVID-19 for the following six weeks. Harris and two Tulane health researchers found that school openings didn’t add to the number of people in the hospital, as long as the COVID-19 hospitalization rate was below 36 to 44 people per 100,000 residents per week CONTINUE READING: New studies provide more info for in-person school and community spread

Carrots and Sticks + SEXTON’S APPOINTEE TO STATE TEXTBOOK COMMISSION URGED PARTICIPATION IN INSURRECTION – Tennessee Education Report

Carrots and Sticks – Tennessee Education Report

CARROTS AND STICKS

Even as Tennessee’s COVID-19 numbers continue to surge, some leading lawmakers and Gov. Bill Lee are considering using the state’s funding formula (BEP) to create incentives for districts to return to in-person learning sooner rather than later.

The Tennessee Lookout reports on House Education Committee Chair Mark White’s remarks regarding the creation of a “carrot-and-stick” system designed to push districts to send students back to school buildings.

“I think there will be some type of carrot-and-stick incentive to get students back in the classroom as quick as you can or at least a hybrid form of that if you’re not successful,” White said.

It’s not clear how such an incentive plan would work in practice. However, it could be as simple as providing additional BEP dollars to districts who make a commitment to in-person learning and actually bring students back to classrooms.

While some lawmakers are discussing legislation that would allow districts to maintain CONTINUE READING: Carrots and Sticks – Tennessee Education Report

Sexton’s Appointee to State Textbook Commission Urged Participation in Insurrection – Tennessee Education Report - http://tnedreport.com/?p=5080 via @TNEdReport

An Unwelcome Pause http://tnedreport.com/2021/01/an-unwelcome-pause/

Time to End Tax Breaks for Charter Schools and The Ultra-Rich | by Jake Jacobs | Jan, 2021 | Medium

Time to End Tax Breaks for Charter Schools and The Ultra-Rich

Originally published on Diane Ravitch’s Blog

Joe Biden’s recent nomination of Miguel Cardona as a relatively lesser-known, less controversial selection for Secretary of Education was telling. It shows the incoming administration’s reticence to take a side in the ongoing battle over school choice and standardized testing, just like most members of Congress and the major U.S. media.

On the campaign trail, Biden drew cheers from teachers for his promise to end standardized testing, but he noticeably never added any such policy to his website. As was well known by teachers in those audiences, federally mandated tests provide no educational benefit but are the fuel in the engine driving charter school expansion.

President-Elect Biden did vow to cut federal funding to for-profit charter schools, however this affects only about 12% of charters (who could easily change their model while still enriching their for-profit management arms). Biden has acknowledged charter schools siphon money away from public schools, agreeing to new language in the (non-binding) DNC platform to CONTINUE READING:

It Doesn’t Make Any Sense To Give State Standardized Tests This Spring OR Any Kind Of Standardized Benchmark Assessments | Larry Ferlazzo's Websites of the Day...

IT DOESN’T MAKE ANY SENSE TO GIVE STATE STANDARDIZED TESTS THIS SPRING OR ANY KIND OF STANDARDIZED BENCHMARK ASSESSMENTS

It’s a bit mind-boggling to me that we even need to discuss the topic of this post – of course we shouldn’t have standardized tests this spring and, of course we should have any kind of standardized benchmark tests (as our district is pushing).

The impetus for both of these efforts is definitely not coming from educators who are teaching students everyday and who understand the challenging circumstances our students – and we – are facing.

There are so many arguments against both, including they would take away from the already reduced instructional time we have with students now.

I am focusing, and I suspect this is the case with most teachers, on formative assessment – constant formative assessment. Personally, I’m using Quizizz or Nearpod every class, along with almost constant check-ins at breakout rooms and fitting in short individual meetings with students. Those actions are giving me accurate data I can use to modify my instruction everyday.

If you are in a situation where administrators are trying to foist this kind of education malpractice upon you and your students, and you would like more evidence (besides basic logic and common sense) to back up CONTINUE READING: It Doesn’t Make Any Sense To Give State Standardized Tests This Spring OR Any Kind Of Standardized Benchmark Assessments | Larry Ferlazzo's Websites of the Day...

It’s Nice That Gov. Newsom Is Proposing To Pay For CA Summer School, But Who’s Going To Have Energy To Teach It? | Larry Ferlazzo's Websites of the Day... - https://larryferlazzo.edublogs.org/?p=114726 on @Larryferlazzo

Worth A Look: Locke v. Davey (2004) - from "It Followed Her To School One Day..." | Blue Cereal Education

Worth A Look: Locke v. Davey (2004) - from "It Followed Her To School One Day..."

The following is a first draft of one of the mini-chapters from an upcoming book covering the major "wall of separation" cases related to public education over the past century. The working title is "Have To" History: It Followed Her To School One Day...

We'll see how it actually turns out.

Worth A Look: Locke v. Davey (2004)

The Religion Clauses of the First Amendment provide: “Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof.” These two Clauses, the Establishment Clause and the Free Exercise Clause, are frequently in tension… Yet we have long said that “there is room for play in the joints” between them (Walz v. Tax Comm'n of City of New York, 1970). In other words, there are some state actions permitted by the Establishment Clause but not required by the Free Exercise Clause.
This case involves that “play in the joints” described above… {T}here is no doubt that the State could, consistent with the Federal Constitution, permit Promise Scholars to pursue a degree in devotional theology… The question before us, however, is whether Washington, pursuant to its CONTINUE READING: Worth A Look: Locke v. Davey (2004) - from "It Followed Her To School One Day..." | Blue Cereal Education

Worth A Look: Arizona Christian STO v. Winn (2011) - from "It Followed Her To School One Day..." | Blue Cereal Education - http://bluecerealeducation.com/node/1079

MITCHELL ROBINSON: Trump Has Incited…a Reckoning | Eclectablog

Trump Has Incited…a Reckoning | Eclectablog

Trump Has Incited…a Reckoning

In the aftermath of Wednesday’s attempted coup attempt by the sitting president of the United States, one thing is abundantly clear: There needs to be a major reckoning, and those responsible must be held accountable. We can’t function as a society if we have people among us who are so easily misled and hoodwinked.

People who believe that our elected officials are pedophiles and cannibals.

People who believe that our election was rigged.

People who believe that a man born to wealth, who has a gold toilet on his private plane, and who has never done an honest day’s work in his life, somehow is a “fighter for the average working person.”

As distasteful as it may be, we need to make sure that these people no longer have positions in our government. Or in law enforcement. Or the military. Or our public schools.

We can not have persons who believe in Qanon teaching our children. Or believers in conspiracy theories working as police officers or in the military. And it should go without saying that white CONTINUE READING: Trump Has Incited…a Reckoning | Eclectablog

How is it that the IEA and other unions endorsed Mike Bost for Congress, a Confederate Insurrectionist? – Fred Klonsky

HOW IS IT THAT THE IEA AND OTHER UNIONS ENDORSED MIKE BOST FOR CONGRESS, A CONFEDERATE INSURRECTIONIST?

For nearly 40 years I have scratched my head at many of the political decisions of my teachers’ union, the Illinois Education Association.

A search of past blog posts will illustrate a number of past examples.

Endorsing Congressman Mike Bost is just one example of why I long ago stopped donating to the IEA’s political action fund, IPACE.

In the case of Bost, the IEA was not the only union who endorsed him.

The IEA support for Bost was particularly offensive because aside from being a Republican Trumper, on education issues Bost supported Betsy DeVos’ education agenda.

DeVos was an unrelenting opponent of public education and teacher unions.

Now a petition is calling is calling for the expulsion of Bost from Congress.

Bost pissed off CONTINUE READING: How is it that the IEA and other unions endorsed Mike Bost for Congress, a Confederate Insurrectionist? – Fred Klonsky

Teacher Tom: Courtesy, Politeness, and Civility

Courtesy, Politeness, and Civility

I don't wear a mask because I'm afraid of getting the virus. I'm not even particularly worried about spreading the virus to other people because I'm careful and am tested regularly. No, I wear my mask without complaint because it is the civil thing to do, or as I usually think of it, I'm being polite because I know that some people are afraid. I wear my mask for the same reason I hold doors for people, give up my seat on the bus to, or say "please" and "thank you." It's courtesy, politeness, civility. It's kindness.

I don't ally myself with those who connect courtesy to the concept of "respect," because that word is too often used as a stand-in for the word "obey." I respect many people, people who have earned my respect, but I don't obey anyone, nor should you and nor should your children (although I'm always ready to agree). No, every act of courtesy is a small act of kindness that says, I see you. I recognize your humanity. It's about, in a small way, placing the needs, or the perceived needs, of another person ahead of your own. Waiting my turn, keeping my voice down in public places, giving way in traffic: I do all of these things at my own expense, not because I'm weak or passive or a sucker, but because they are the polite things to do. I don't expect anything in return for my acts of courtesy, although I know that more often than not, it will be paid forward.

We tend to think of courtesy as a kind of code, and it is, but not like the kind found in etiquette manuals with all sorts of arbitrary rights and wrongs. Rather, for me, it is the code from which civil society is written. It says, We are in this together, and every act of civility strengthens our bonds, not to mention, making life just a little more pleasant.

Courtesy, politeness, and civility are not anything we can teach. Children will never learn it through lectures, scolding, punishment, books, or worksheets (yes, there are courtesy worksheets). As with all the most important things, the habit of doing these small kindnesses for friends and strangers alike is learned through experience. If children are treated with courteously by the adults in their lives, when the adults in their lives are civil to them, children, in turn, adopt the habit of considering how their behaviors might impact others, even people who they don't know, and make the small, unilateral self-sacrifices that are the glory of every civil society.

******

Sign up now to take advantage of New Year's pricing for my new 6-part e-course, The Technology of Speaking With Children So They Can Think, in which I pull the curtain back on the magic that comes from treating children like fully formed human beings. This course is for educators, parents, and anyone else who works with young children. It's the culmination of more than 20 years of research and practice. I've been speaking on this topic around the world for the past decade and know that it can be transformative both for adults and children. For more information and to register, click here. Thank you!

I put a lot of time and effort into this blog. If you'd like to support me please consider a small contribution to the cause. Thank you!

Teacher Tom: Courtesy, Politeness, and Civility

Thinking Critically about Critical Thinking in the Era of Trump and TikTok – radical eyes for equity

Thinking Critically about Critical Thinking in the Era of Trump and TikTok

While it now seems like generations ago, in the spring of 2008, I joined other faculty at Furman University in an organized protest labeled “We Object.” Through the university’s connections with FU graduate and former governor of South Carolina Mark Sanford, George W. Bush was invited to speak at commencement.

Recent university tradition was to have two students speak, but did not include outside speakers. None the less, students and the community (overwhelmingly conservative) seemed to welcome the opportunity to have a two-term Republican president speak to graduates.

The protest took many forms, including reaching out to the media, posting an official “We Object” statement, and wearing a “We Object” shirt, revealed from beneath professor’s gowns during the speech.

I did not yet have tenure as an assistant professor, but I was active in the organized resistance that included a wide range of reasons why professors CONTINUE READING: Thinking Critically about Critical Thinking in the Era of Trump and TikTok – radical eyes for equity

Washington Post Joins NY Times to Demand Reinstatement of Standardized Tests in Schools this Spring: It Is Still a Bad Idea | janresseger

Washington Post Joins NY Times to Demand Reinstatement of Standardized Tests in Schools this Spring: It Is Still a Bad Idea

On Friday, the Washington Post editorialized to demand the reinstatement—this spring in the midst of COVID-19—of the standardized tests mandated by No Child Left Behind and its successor, the Every Student Succeed Act. Betsy DeVos mercifully cancelled the testing mandate last spring as the pandemic hit.

On Friday, this blog critiqued a similar January 2nd, editorial from the NY Times‘ editors, who demanded that the new Education Secretary Miguel Cardona reinstate the annual annual standardized testing regime.

The reasoning of the Post‘s editorial is flawed, and the realities for teachers, families and children make the federally mandated state testing ridiculous this spring. The Post‘s editors wonder: “How can schools create plans to make up for COVID-related learning losses if those losses haven’t been measured? Wouldn’t knowing which students have been most adversely affected be helpful in directing resources for mitigation efforts? Don’t parents have a right to know whether their sons and daughters are achieving?”

The Post would appear to trust big data and distrust educational professionals. As soon as schools can be opened in person, professionally educated and prepared teachers and public school staff will be assessing what students need, adapting curricula accordingly, and helping parents support their children’s learning. Teachers have been doing their best throughout this CONTINUE READING: Washington Post Joins NY Times to Demand Reinstatement of Standardized Tests in Schools this Spring: It Is Still a Bad Idea | janresseger

The Vaccinations are Here! What to Know - SOUTH BRONX SCHOOL BLOG

http://www.southbronxschool.com

The Vaccinations are Here! What to Know

Sometime last night during my binge watching of Family Guy I got a text from one of the many SBSB groupies. It was shared with me that sign up is available for those who qualify under group 1B for the COVID vaccination (I'll post the link at the end of this post).

Finally! This vaccination process, at least in NY State is taking too long. Cuomo has to control it. Why not use all 62 NYS county health departments. Less control for Cuomo one would hazard to guess. Heck, in 1947 NYC vaccinated about 6 million people for smallpox in about a month. Why can't this be done again?

So for the last week or so we here at SBSB have been hearing rumors that teachers have been moved into 1B and that vaccinations are imminent. Thanks to DeBlaso for finally showing some balls to Cuomo that day has come starting tomorrow. But the rollout has not been exactly smooth.

This morning on 880 WCBS I heard the tail end of an interview with Mulgrew in which I heard...

"Teachers who are in the classroom will be given priority"

That was a "whatcha talking about Willis" moment for me. It was time to roll up the sleeves.

I reached out to the SBSB groupie as well as someone in the UFT. I got some decent clarification from the UFT.

If you signed up on the link provided last night with NYCHHC you are still good to go. You CONTINUE READING: http://www.southbronxschool.com

On This Insurrection, and The Next | The Jose Vilson

ON THIS INSURRECTION, AND THE NEXT

I wasn’t supposed to ever forget the day because it was my son’s ninth birthday. In the middle of a pandemic, we still thought it best to keep this tradition. On the news, anchors kept reiterating that the day’s proceedings wouldn’t normally get this much attention if not for the president’s consistent obfuscation about the proceedings. One by one, he and his cronies started speaking on a podium in DC in a small picture-in-picture set-up on the bottom right corner with no audio, but the events of the day weren’t supposed to get much coverage other than a demonstration and a confirmation.

Then, the insurrection struck. Just then, the America so many of us knew came into HD view. Rogue recusants made their way with ease up the Capitol steps. The crowd thought to have dissipated after Election Day had intended on discrediting the process by any means necessary. The idea that the United States of America had ostensibly descended into a “third-world banana republic” – whatever that means – seemed to flummox many of the anchors and correspondents witnessing the red caps slide through Capitol Rotunda. The “blue lives matter” chants were not to be found as they trampled and passed by Capitol police while flashing badges of their own. As the velvet ropes widened, it became more evident that many of the police in charge of maintaining security would watch along with us, unabated and unconcerned about drawing guns the way they had at the Black Lives Matter protestors all summer.

My son, nine years old and a hundred years wise, wasn’t surprised. While no person of color belongs to a tight-knit monolith, our CONTINUE READING: On This Insurrection, and The Next | The Jose Vilson

Education Matters: Duval Courts close, Duval schools stay open, um wait what?!?

Duval Courts close, Duval schools stay open, um wait what?!?

Chief Judge Mark Mahone and Superintendent Greene must be looking at the same information. So what do they do? The chief Judge closes the courts until February 22nd while Superintendent Greene encourages children to return to the buildings. Greene's reckless behavior is going to get (more) people sick or worse.

From the Times Union,

In a Jan. 6 email to top officials in the courts and criminal justice system, Chief Judge Mark Mahon said virtually all in-person courthouse functions will be suspended until Feb. 22. Mahon stopped short of officially returning to Phase 1 Covid protocols, but his email directive is materially identical to the Florida Supreme Court's definition of Phase 1...

... “Duval, Clay, and Nassau Counties’ health conditions have drastically deteriorated over the last month to the point that the entire Circuit is now trending up faster than or exceeds the state averages for weekly new cases and positivity rates,” Mahon said in his email. “As a result, we must modify our current operations plan.”

https://www.jacksonville.com/story/news/coronavirus/2021/01/09/chief-judge-orders-shutdown-all-person-court-functions-until-feb-22/6608868002/?

The judge is right. The situation in Duval has deteriorated, and it is bound to get a lot worse before it CONTINUE READING: Education Matters: Duval Courts close, Duval schools stay open, um wait what?!?

Latest News and Comment from Education

Monday, January 11, 2021