UPDATE: (KNOW THY ED REFORMER) Attorney for secretive pro-school reform group maintains it doesn't have to disclose donors - Eye On Boise - Spokesman.com - Oct. 19, 2012

Attorney for secretive pro-school reform group maintains it doesn't have to disclose donors - Eye On Boise - Spokesman.com - Oct. 19, 2012:

Group backing Idaho education changes wants to take back money to avoid disclosure

by The Associated Press

Education Voters of Idaho says it doesn't have to name its donors and criticizes Secretary of State Ben Ysursa.

Original enclosure (tom-luna-idahojpg-2467bf32708715ec.jpg)

WANTS TO TAKE BACK MONEY TO 

AVOID DISCLOSURE

A group promoting Superintendent of Public Instruction Tom Luna's education overhaul refused Friday to disclose its donors, instead suggesting it be allowed to take back its money.

Tom Luna, Idaho's superintendent of public instructionThe Associated Press

Education Voters of Idaho's new lawyer, Christ Troupis, told Secretary of State Ben Ysursa that his client is a nonprofit organization that's exempt from campaign disclosure under federal law.

Still, Troupis says the group — created Aug. 16 amid the battle over Luna's overhaul — would take back its $200,000 contribution that went for TV commercials touting the education changes.

Troupis also went on the counterattack, saying Ysursa's efforts to secure the identities of Education Voters of Idaho's financiers were having a chilling effect on the group's free-speech rights.

"My client has ceased its lawful participation in constitutionally protected political activity based on those threats, and thus has already suffered irreparable and immediate harm," Troupis wrote. "At a critical time, Education Voters of Idaho has been completely removed from the public discourse on issues of Idaho education reform."

Luna's education reforms, passed by the 2011 Idaho Legislature to limit union bargaining power, promote teacher merit pay and require online classes and student 

Attorney for secretive pro-school reform group maintains it doesn’t have to disclose donors

Posted by Betsy

Oct. 19, 2012 12:55 p.m.  •  0 comments

Last week, the state of Idaho sent a letter to Education Voters of Idaho and its attorney, asking the secretive group to disclose the source of more than $200,000 donated to another group, Parents for Education Reform, to fund TV commercials that aired across the state supporting Propositions 1, 2 and 3 on the Idaho ballot - or show why it wasn't required to do so. The two groups share chairs, boards and the same address. Now, attorney Christ Troupis has sent a four-page letter back to Secretary of State Ben Ysursa contending that the newly formed EVI has no more duty to file campaign disclosures as a political committee than the Idaho Education Association or the National Education Association, both of which donated large sums to the No on Props 1, 2, 3 campaign.

In the letter, Troupis offers to have PFER refund the money back to EVI, but says EVI won't disclose its donors. “My client's First Amendment right to Freedom of Association and Freedom of Speech have been chilled and 

 Beware of AstroTurf Ed Reformers 

Just Like Michelle Rhee's Students first only BETTER

Astroturf lobbying refers to political organizations or campaigns that appear to be made up of grassroots activists but are actually organized and run by corporate interests seeking to further their own agendas. Such groups are often typified by innocent-sounding names that have been chosen specifically to disguise the group's true backers

Just Like Michelle Rhee's

 Students first Astroturf lobbying (only Better) 

Other Astroturf lobbying groups

Just Like Michelle Rhee's

 Students first Astroturf lobbying (only Better) 

Community Outraged by ICE Agents Targeting Families Outside School - Hispanically Speaking News

Community Outraged by ICE Agents Targeting Families Outside School - Hispanically Speaking News:

Community Again Outraged by Immigration Agents Targeting Families Outside Detroit Schools

As a community member I am outraged, and as a mother, I am heartbroken.

Those were the words of State Representative Rashida Tlaib after parents called for her to do something about U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents targeting parents outside Detroit schools in Michigan.
Earlier this week, two immigrant families were approached by agents as they dropped off their children at Cesar Chavez Academy in Southwest Detroit. A family outside the Manuel Reyes Vistas Nuevas Head Start Center was similarly stopped.
Outside Chavez Academy, Hector Orozco was arrested as he dropped his son off and remains in ICE custody. Outside the Head Start Center, a family was told they were going to be detained once they stepped back outside 

NEA Honored For Minority Student Advocacy | NEA Today

NEA Honored For Minority Student Advocacy | NEA Today:

NEA Honored For Minority Student Advocacy

October 19, 2012 by twalker  
Filed under Featured News, Minority Community Outreach, Top Stories

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By Emma Chadband

The Asian American Justice Center presented the National Education Association with its “Bridge Builder Award” on Thursday in recognition of the NEA’s outstanding efforts to empower Asian American and Pacific Islander students.

NEA has brought national attention to achievement gaps Asian American students suffer from socioeconomic barriers and language difficulties and has helped debunk the “model minority” stereotype that prohibits many Asian American students from seeking the help they need. NEA has also helped foster better communication between parents and schools, and its members have hosted diversity trainings and cultural immersion programs.

NEA Secretary-Treasurer Becky Pringle accepts the "Bridge Builder" award from the Asian American Justice Center. Photo: Emma Chadband

NEA Secretary-Treasurer Becky Pringle, a science teacher from Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, accepted the Bridge Builder Award on behalf of the association.

Pringle said she was proud of the NEA for standing up for social justice and equal opportunity since its founding 155 years ago.

“We as educators must all stand up for social justice,” she said. 

UPDATE: Diane in the Evening 10-19-12 Diane Ravitch's blog

Diane Ravitch's blog:

The Catholic Version of TFA

by dianerav

Samuel Freedman has a lovely article in the New York Times about young Catholic teachers working together in Tucson.
They are part of a program called the Alliance for Catholic Education, which was created at Notre Dame. They spend a summer at Notre Dame preparing to teach and another summer reviewing what they have learned and sharpening their skills. Notre Dame teaching coaches are available to them during their time on the job.
When I visited Notre Dame last spring, I met Father Tim Scully, the founder of ACE, who is truly a spiritual 

About That Newark Teachers Union Deal

by dianerav

I don’t understand all the details of the deal reached by the Newark Teachers Union and the Christie administration. The final details were hammered out by Randi Weingarten, NTU president  Joseph Del Grosso, Newark Superintendent Cami Anderson, Acting State Commissioner Chris Cerf, and perhaps Governor Chris Christie as well.
Some people (and I include myself) worry that the deal includes merit pay tied to “performance” (test scores). I don’t think that is ever a good idea. It produces perverse incentives for cheating, narrowing the curriculum, and gaming the system.
But the odd thing about this agreement is that there is so much money for almost every one of Newark’s 3,100 

Small Minority of Parents at “Trigger” School Choose Charter Operator

by dianerav

According to the latest news, the parents at Desert Trails Elementary School in Adelanto, California, have chosen a charter operator to take over their low-performing public school.
This is the first instance in the nation where the “parent trigger” has been put into effect.
But it is not a demonstration of parent empowerment or democracy.
There are over 600

Cuomo Appoints TFA-er as Deputy Secretary of Education

by dianerav

The ascent to power of anyone connected to Teach for America continues.
Governor Cuomo just appointed De’Shawn Wright as Deputy Secretary of Education for the state of New York.
Wright spent two or four years (it’s not clear) teaching in New York City as a member of TFA. Then he quickly ascended to big jobs in the Mayor’s office and the New York City Department of Education. From there he 

Why Foist an Unproven Method on the Entire Nation All at Once?

by dianerav

The U.S. Department of Education is doing something to the nation’s schools that has never been done before.
Through the leverage of its Race to the Top program, it has persuaded, pushed, and prodded at least 36 states to evaluate teachers by the test scores of their students.
There is no evidence that this will improve education or teaching. There is reason to believe it will incentivize narrowing the curriculum, cheating, and teaching to the test.
There is plenty of evidence from sources like the National Academy of Education and the American Educational

Morning UPDATE: LISTEN TO DIANE RAVITCH 10-19-12 Diane Ravitch's blog

coopmike48 at Big Education Ape - 2 hours ago

Diane Ravitch's blog: [image: Click on picture to Listen to Diane Ravitch] Another Superintendent Joins the Honor Roll by dianerav On my trip to the Midwest this past week, I met the superintendents of 86 districts in Michigan who belong to the Tri-County Alliance, which enrolls almost half the children in the state. Every one I spoke to (and I had a private dinner with a dozen leaders of the group) told me of the state’s efforts to destroy public education and to create a free market of schools, where schools compete for “customers” (students). One of the members is already on ... more »

Daily Kos: "Shoulders" - new ad for Christie Vilsack in IA-04 - u will want to watch

Daily Kos: "Shoulders" - new ad for Christie Vilsack in IA-04 - u will want to watch:

"Shoulders" - new ad for Christie Vilsack in IA-04 - u will want to watch

by rss@dailykos.com (teacherken)

Popout
Yes the Big Dog, Elvis, went to Iowa for Christie.
There are long-time connections between the families.
Christie's brother shared a cubicle at the House Judiciary Committee with Hillary Rodham during the impeachment hearing on Richard Nixon
Hillary came out to campaign for Tom when in his first run for governor he was double digits down.
When Tom dropped out of the 2008 presidential race he endorsed Hillary.
Remember, Christie's opponent is the obnoxious Steve King.
This is a winnable seat.
For more on Christie, and to contribute if so inclined, go to her website
Peace.

Romney on Libya: Just shameful

by rss@dailykos.com (teacherken)

is the title of this New York Daily News op ed by Richard A. Clarke.   Yes, that Richard A. Clarke, the one inside the Bush administration who told the truth to the commission on 9-11, who apologized to their families, saying their government had failed them.
The heart of the op ed is here:

Every President since Ronald Reagan has suffered American casualties to terrorism on his watch. Obama has suffered far fewer than his predecessors, largely because he has kept the terrorist groups off balance by relentlessly attacking them. He has largely eliminated Al Qaeda in Afghanistan and Pakistan as an effective fighting force. His use of drones and special forces has been aggressive and successful, including in Yemen and Somalia.

Denver Post endorses Obama - again

by rss@dailykos.com (teacherken)

in this editorial.  Worth noting that in primaries in 2008 they had endorsed Romney over McCain.
It is an endorsement that offers criticism of Obama on a number of fronts, particularly on the economy.  But then they criticize both the Republicans in Congress and Mitt Romney
Here are some important takeaways from the editorial:
A largely intransigent Republican Party shares blame for economic sluggishness, particularly in refusal to

POSITIVE statistics on early voting in Ohio

by rss@dailykos.com (teacherken)

as appearing in a memo from Jeremy Bird, National Field Director for the Obama campaign, that is being widely distributed via a tweet from Ben LaBolt
All national polling organizations who have surveyed preference of early voters - including Rasmussen - find a significant lead for Obama, ranging from +19 in SurveyUSa to +52 for PPP
Data on new registrants in 2012 include that 81% of those registering this yea are "either female, younger than 

Growing Healthy Schools — Whole Child Education

Growing Healthy Schools — Whole Child Education:

THE WHOLE CHILD BLOG

Growing Healthy Schools

October 19, 2012 by ASCD Whole Child Bloggers

In addition to National Health Education Week, it is also the first annual Growing Healthy Schools Week in the District of Columbia. Growing Healthy Schools Week is organized by the Office of the State Superintendent of Education (OSSE) Wellness & Nutrition Services in conjunction with the D.C. Farm to School Network at D.C. Greens and the D.C. Schoolyard Greening Committee at the D.C. Environmental Education Consortium (DCEEC).

Growing Healthy Schools Week celebrates school gardens and farm to school programs throughout the district. The aim is to encourage and showcase how schools are working with community organizations, farms, and chefs to coordinate inspiring activities aimed at engaging the broader community, increasing environmental literacy, building program capacity, and connecting students to their food. Resources, cafeteria recipes, and curriculum ideas are available online for all schools and communities to use, wherever they are located.

Also of interest are these presentations from our ASCD Whole Child Virtual Conference archive:

Smarter Lunchrooms: Food's Not Nutritious Until It's Eaten presented by Dr. Brian Wansink, Food and Brand Lab, Cornell University, N.Y.
Dr. Brian Wansink, author of the best-selling Mindless Eating, outlines simple steps that every school can take. See how you can improve your lunchroom and nutritional intake of students for less than $50.

Fresh Fruit and Vegetable Program presented by Dr. Angela Tuck, Principal, Pottstown School District, Pa.
Hear a Healthy School Communities mentor site discuss how it implemented and then expanded a Fresh Fruit and Vegetables (FF&V) program. Tuck shares how she and her staff turned the idea into reality.

Healthy School Farm and Garden: LeConte Elementary School presented by Liliana Aguas, teacher and winner of the 2012 ASCD Outstanding Young Educator Award; Benjamin Goff, farm/garden specialist; and chef Kathy Russell, cooking and nutrition instructor, LeConte Elementary School, Berkeley, Calif.
Learn from Aguas, Goff, and Russell as they share the school's farm/garden and cooking programs and spotlight two schoolwide annual events: the Juiceathon and the Long Bean 400. These activities promote a healthy lifestyle and can be easily replicated at other schools.

Ten minute drawing. Pearson’s Art History has no Art. « Fred Klonsky

Ten minute drawing. Pearson’s Art History has no Art. « Fred Klonsky:

Ten minute drawing. Pearson’s Art History has no Art.

by Fred Klonsky

Click on drawing to enlarge.
Story is here.

The people know who is to blame for the pension mess.

by Fred Klonsky

Parents, teachers can now sample Common Core test questions | EdSource Today

Parents, teachers can now sample Common Core test questions | EdSource Today:

Parents, teachers can now sample Common Core test questions

October 19th, 2012 | Add a Comment | 
By John Fensterwald

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Smarter Balanced, the organization that is designing the Common Core assessments for California and two dozen other member states, released sample test items for parents and teachers last week. As expected, they’re anything but your father’s multiple choice.

If all goes on schedule, beginning in 2014-15 students will use computers to take tests designed to measure their performance on the Common Core standards that California and most states adopted two years ago. The new tests will involve watching videos, using cursors to draw or move items and writing reports after doing research online.

Advocates of Common Core have argued that the standards are challenging not just because of what students must know but also how they must demonstrate that they know it. The questions certainly reflect that challenge.

“With Common Core, we are moving to assessments that reflect a deeper level of understanding as well as a different set of skill sets,” said Michelle Steagall, chief academic officer of CORE (California Office to Reform Education), the nonprofit organization that eight California districts 

Desert Trails parents choose charter operator, next step in ‘parent trigger’ - by John Fensterwald

by John Fensterwald

With a low voter turnout Thursday, parents exercising a “parent trigger” option at the Desert Trails Elementary in Adelanto selected a charter operator in nearby Hesperia to run their school starting next August. The selection of LaVerne Elementary Preparatory Academy, a small K-8 charter with an API of 911 – more than 200 points above Desert Trails’ score of 699 this year – marked...

My letter to Obama. « Fred Klonsky

My letter to Obama. « Fred Klonsky:

My letter to Obama.

by Fred Klonsky

The educational historian Diane Ravitch asked us all to send a letter to President Obama on October 17th.

Dear President Obama,
I retired from teaching on June 8, 2012.
I started my teaching career at the age of 38 in 1984.
My teaching career took me from A Nation at Risk to the Race to the Top.
You are a person who works in what I know to be an atmosphere of constant crises. And so I wonder how do you think that feels when it is children and teachers working in that kind of atmosphere? Not a world leader. Not a head of state. But six and seven-year olds. And the adults who are charged with teaching and caring for them, working in a constant atmosphere of crisis.
Years ago when I would meet folks for the first time and told them I was a K-5 Art teacher I would get a smile. They would tell me how much fun I must have doing what I do. And if there interest 

Report Card: Sac City school trustee Ellyne Bell will resign

Report Card: Sac City school trustee Ellyne Bell will resign:

Sac City school trustee Ellyne Bell will resign

Sacramento City Unified School District trustee Ellyne Bell announced Thursday night that she will be stepping down from the school board at the end of the year.

Bell gave a 60-day deferred resignation after completing two years of her four year term.

After taking a job in San Francisco six months ago, Bell said she plans to relocate there at the beginning of the year.

"The work is increasing all the time and to run an organization and do this work to the best of my ability, I need to commit to being here in the city," said Bell, who is the executive director of the SAGE Project, an anti-human trafficking organization.

Bell was elected to the Sacramento City board in 2006 and re-elected in 2010. The school board can appoint her replacement or hold a special election.

Bell said she hopes the board appoints someone to complete her term so that the district does not have to

Read more here: http://blogs.sacbee.com/report-card/2012/10/sac-city-school-trustee-ellyne-bell-will-resign.html#storylink=cpy

Vote yes on Michigan’s Prop 2. Beware of goblins, ghosts and groups with “taxpayer” in their name. « Fred Klonsky

Vote yes on Michigan’s Prop 2. Beware of goblins, ghosts and groups with “taxpayer” in their name. « Fred Klonsky:

Vote yes on Michigan’s Prop 2. Beware of goblins, ghosts and groups with “taxpayer” in their name.

by Fred Klonsky

Let’s pull the mask of those groups with the word taxpayer in their name.
It’s code.
It’s no different than Romney’s rant against the 47%. Losers. Takers. If pressed, these taxpayer groups would more than likely argue that unless you’re a taxpayer you shouldn’t even have the right to vote.
Of course, it once was like that in parts of the United States. We once had places where they used a poll tax to keep Black people in the South from voting.
I’ve written about my old school district in Park Ridge where Anthony Borrelli, a local wealthy foot doctor 

Playing hardball over a Tennessee charter school:

Playing hardball over a Tennessee charter school

Posted by Valerie Strauss on October 19, 2012 at 12:26 pm

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Kevin Huffman (Erik Schelzig/AP)

Well, they went ahead and did it. Tennessee education officials actually lived up to their petulant threat to withhold $3.4 million from Nashville public schools as punishment for refusing to allow a controversial charter school to open.

The state money that should have gone to Nashville for October didn’t show up this week as it would have had Nashville officials caved to state Education Commissioner Kevin Huffman and other officials and approved an application from Great Hearts Academies, the Tennesseannewspaper reported. Since they had good reasons for denying the application in the first place, they decided to stick to their original decision.

Great Hearts, which runs 12 charter schools in Arizona, wanted to open a school in a