Monday, November 22, 2010

So how can we do right? « Failing Schools

So how can we do right?

NOVEMBER 22, 2010

by Sabrina

So, if we recognize that our approach to schooling is fundamentally flawed, how can we fix that? Obviously, I don’t have all the answers, but here is where I would start.

1. Drop the Crisis rhetoric, already! We clearly face a very serious long-term problem. But the manner in which the American public has been bombarded with an ahistorical, doom-and-gloom presentation of (cherry-picked) statistics about schools–while simultaneously being deprived of the perspectives of those who could offer the rest of the story– is simply not conducive to solving a long-term problem. Rather than always thinking in crisis/emergency language, we might be better served by switching to evolutionary language: “The system no

Impartiality of Panel Screening Cathie Black Called into Question - DNAinfo.com

Impartiality of Panel Screening Cathie Black Called into Question Updated 57 mins ago

November 22, 2010 5:12pm Updated November 22, 2010 5:43pmcommentprint

Critics of the mayor's pick for schools chancellor say a panel set to vet her appointment has too many City Hall ties.

Independence of Cathie Black Waiver Panel Called Into Question by Groups

By Jill Colvin

DNAinfo Reporter/Producer

UPPER EAST SIDE — Critics of Mayor Michael Bloomberg's controversial choice for schools chancellor are calling into question the independence of a state-picked panel that will convene Tuesday to determine whether she is qualified for the job.

Hearst Magazines president Cathie Black, the mayor's choice to replace Joel Klein, needs a waiver from the state because she has no educational experience — a requirement for the chancellor position.

But a growing number of good-government groups and schools advocates say the make-up of the eight-member advisory panel appointed by State Education Commissioner David Steiner leaves little doubt that Black will be approved.

Critics point out that a majority of panel members have some connection with the Bloomberg administration.

At least three panel members used to work for the city under Klein.

Panel member Michele Cahill, now vice-president at the Carnegie Corporation of New York, was once senior counselor to the city's chancellor for education policy, while Andres Alonso, now the CEO of Baltimore’s schools, served at the city’s deputy chancellor for Teaching and Learning. Jean-Claude Brizard, superintendent of the

Four More Students Detained for Chalking at UC Irvine « Student Activism

Four More Students Detained for Chalking at UC Irvine

by Angus Johnston

I’ll have a full post up on this later — after I teach — but for now check out this comment and the photos and brief writeup here.

Short version: UC Irvine not only detained students for chalking during a demo designed to make the point that students shouldn’t be detained for chalking, they sent infamous campus police officer Jared Kemper, who drew his weapon on student protesters last week, to do it.

Ed groups bat .785 on endorsements | EdNewsColorado

Ed groups bat .785 on endorsements

by Todd Engdahl

The five education groups that endorsed or contributed to legislative candidates in the general election picked the winners at an overall rate of 78.5 percent.

Five organizations – the Colorado Education Association, American Federation of Teachers-Colorado, the Colorado Association of School Executives, Stand for Children and Democrats for Education Reform – backed legislative candidates. (The school executives only endorsed; political committees affiliated with the other groups gave financial contributions. Stand didn’t give money to every candidate it endorsed.)

Here’s the scorecard by organization:

CEA – Contributed to 41 candidates; 31 of those won. 75.6 percent.
AFT – Contributed to 42 candidates; 31 of those won. 73.8 percent.
CASE – Endorsed 32 candidates; 27 of those won. 84.3 percent.
Stand – Endorsed or contributed to 18 candidates; 15 of those won. 83.3 percent.

OK, now this is just ridiculous: more repression of chalking « Occupy UCI!

OK, now this is just ridiculous: more repression of chalking

November 22, 2010 in Uncategorized | Tags: arrested, chalk, free speech, Kemper,ridiculous, UCI, UCPD

At around 11:45am today, 4 more UCI students were detained by UCPD for chalking in front of Aldrich Hall, UCI’s administration building. These students were participating in a protest against the detention last week of 5 students for the same “crime” and police violence against students at UCSF protesting fee hikes – including an incident in which UCI Police Officer Jared Kemper pulled his handgun on unarmed students.

Two officers arrived on the scene immediately, to run down students and check hands for chalk. Then a third officer arrived: JARED KEMPER. Apparently Officer Kemper is under use of force review but has not been placed on leave after repeatedly beating students, aiming his gun at students, and then shoving a female student. After the crowd of 30-40 students that had gathered began chanting “FIRE KEMPER!” he was quickly whisked away and replaced by 2 more cops, including a plainclothes cop. As the students were being released,

Detroit Teachers say ‘NO’ to privatization and a state takeovers of public schools | Dailycensored.com

Detroit Teachers say no to privatization and a state takeovers of public schools

by Danny Weil

Picture of Robert Bobb, Chief Financial Administrator and Eli Broad henchman along with David Bing, conservative mayor of Detroit and an employee of Hartcourt Books discussing their privatization efforts

Press Release For Immediate Release

Detroit Federation of Teachers

Stop the Legislative Attack on Underfunded School Districts!

Picket MI State Rep. Fred Durhal’s Detroit Office!

Defend Public Education! No State Take-Overs!

At their last membership meeting, Detroit Federation of Teachers voted overwhelmingly to sponsor a rally to defeat four legislative bills sponsored by Rep. Fred Durhal. The legislation would implement Detroit EFM Robert Bobb’s plan to place school districts facing budget deficits under state control. The legislation would also mandate a series of so-called “reforms” which are little more than privatization schemes. By Any Means Necessary (BAMN) has endorsed the picket and is urging students, parents and community members to to join with teachers to defeat this attack.

“Robb Bobb’s plan, which Durhal is sponsoring, is to balance the budget by cheapening the education available

Charter schools with ties to religious groups raise fears about state funds' use | Dallas Morning News

Charter schools with ties to religious groups raise fears about state funds' use | News for Dallas, Texas | Dallas Morning News | Breaking News for Dallas-Fort Worth | Dallas Morning News

Charter schools with ties to religious groups raise fears about state funds' use

12:00 AM CST on Monday, November 22, 2010

Fourth in an occasional series By JESSICA MEYERS / The Dallas Morning News
jmeyers@dallasnews.com

Students at Duncanville's Advantage Academy follow biblical principles, talk openly about faith and receive guidance from a gregarious former pastor who still preaches when he speaks.

Frisco's Elevate Life Church, where a 10-story cathedral is under construction, will house Leadership Prep School next fall. Church officials say it's a tenant-renter relationship. " style="border-top-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; cursor: pointer; ">

LARA SOLT/DMN

Frisco's Elevate Life Church, where a 10-story cathedral is under construction, will house Leadership Prep School next fall. Church officials say it's a tenant-renter relationship.

But his congregation is a swath of low-income students. And his sermon is an educator's mantra about the opportunities of charter schools.

Advantage's state-funded campuses showcase the latest breed of charter schools, born from faith-based principles and taxpayer funds. More than 20 percent of Texas' charter schools have some kind of religious ties. That's the case for six of the seven approved this year, including ones in Frisco and Arlington.

Church-charter partnerships are springing up across the country as private institutions lose funding and nontraditional education models grow in popularity. Their emergence

Arne Duncan: Making Real Progress on School Reform

Arne Duncan

U.S. Secretary of Education

Posted: November 22, 2010 02:34 PM

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There's been a great conversation happening online today on the National Day of Blogging for Real Education Reform. I appreciate how many educators have taken time to share their ideas thoughtfully with the rest of us. At the U.S. Department of Education, we've been listening in. I am convinced that the best ideas come from classrooms and communities across the nation. I am committed to supporting the great work that is happening in states and districts.

Today's conversation has focused on many issues that I think we can all agree on:

We need to raise expectations for America's students and challenge them with standards that will prepare them for success in colleges and careers.
We need to elevate the teaching profession so teachers get the respect they deserve and the tools and time to do their jobs well and continually improve.

Monday, November 22, 2010