Wednesday, March 13, 2013

by noreply@blogger.com (Candi Peterson)

COME MAKE HISTORY WITH US AS WE STOP DC SCHOOL CLOSURES!

JOIN EMPOWER DC & THE WARD 8 EDUCATION COUNCIL & THE WARD 7 EDUCATION COUNCIL AT THE:

Save Our Schools Summit

Information Session & Rally building Support for Empower DC’s Lawsuit to STOP the planned closure of

15 DC Public Schools impacting over 2,700 students of color

Thursday, March 14^th2013

6:30-8:30 PM

Temple of Praise – 700 Southern Ave, SE

To Include:

Testimonies from impacted families

Introduction of legal team

Review of the legal strategy

Expressions of Support

Call to action

LAWYERS WILL BE ON HAND TO COLLECT STATEMENTS FROM IMPACTED RESIDENTS!

For more information, to RSVP or request transportation contact:

Daniel del Pielago

Education Organizer

(202) 234-9119 x 104 or Daniel@empowerdc.org

UPDATE: Pulling back the curtain. #CCSS + AWESOME #optout letter. – @ the chalk face

AWESOME #optout letter. – @ the chalk face:

Pulling back the curtain. #CCSS

by Chris Cerrone

by Bianca Tanis, New York educator and parent.

The more I learn about the new, Common-Core-based ELA exams and APPR protocols, the more I wonder who, exactly, is running the show. Who is the “man behind the curtain,” and what is his real agenda? Certainly, it is not someone with a background in child or educational psychology, or even anyone competent, for that matter. As we head into the high stakes testing season, the utter lack of regard for developmentally appropriate content boggles my mind. Listening to the unpacking of the upcoming tests and scoring rubrics, I find myself

AWESOME #optout letter.

by Timothy D. Slekar

Dear Dr. Lane,Pursuant to Pennsylvania Code Title 22 Chapter 4, section 4.4 (d)(5) I am hereby exercising my right as a parent to have my child excused from any State standardized testing because of religious and philosophical beliefs.

During the time when other students are taking State standardized PSSA tests (including make-ups), I would like my child, Ayden Harbin, to be provided with real learning opportunities at his school during test time (I have my clearances and would be willing to volunteer for this at Liberty). Or, if you would prefer, I could keep Ayden at home.

Dr. Lane, I am not required by law to explain my reasons for opting out. But this decision, to participate in civil disobedience, comes after much research and reflection so I will explain my thoughts in detail. I’ve chosen to copy the members of the Board of Directors and my Principal at Liberty to inform them of my decision. (In addition, my principal was directed by her superiors to tell parents that a copy must also be sent to Lisa Augustin and Tina Still, employees in the PPS Assessment Department. I have

Daily Kos: now making the rounds on the 'net about the new Pope

Daily Kos: now making the rounds on the 'net about the new Pope:

now making the rounds on the 'net about the new Pope

by rss@dailykos.com (teacherken)

is this Guardian piece from 2+ years ago in which we read

.What one did not hear from any senior member of the Argentine hierarchy was any expression of regret for the church's collaboration and in these crimes. The extent of the church's complicity in the dark deeds was excellently set out by Horacio Verbitsky, one of Argentina's most notable journalists, in his book El Silencio (Silence). He recounts how the Argentine navy with the connivance of Cardinal Jorge Bergoglio, now the Jesuit archbishop of Buenos Aires, hid from a visiting delegation of the Inter-American Human Rights Commission the dictatorship's political prisoners. Bergoglio was hiding them in nothing less than his holiday home in an island called El Silencio in the River Plate. The most shaming thing for the church is that in such circumstances Bergoglio's name was allowed to go forward in the ballot to chose the successor of John Paul II. What scandal would not have ensued if the first pope ever to be elected from the continent of America had been revealed as an accessory to murder and false imprisonment

Make of it what you will. UPDATE - I have modified this so that I do not give the impression it was a news story. It was in an opinion

UPDATE: Let's Compare and Contrast, Shall We? Seattle Schools Community Forum: Seattle School District Boundaries - A New Thought?

Seattle Schools Community Forum: Seattle School District Boundaries - A New Thought?:

Let's Compare and Contrast, Shall We?

by Melissa Westbrook

Or, let's not. From the AP:

Port of Seattle commissioners voted Tuesday for a sevenfold pay raise to $42,000 a year, about the same as a Washington state legislator.

Port spokesman Jason Kelly says Commission President Tom Albro proposed the pay hike to make the job more attractive to applicants. The vote ties commission salaries to the pay of state lawmakers.
The raise won't take effect until after the next election. Albro has said he'll decline his, if he is re-elected.

Current commissioners earn $6,000 a year. They also can take $104 per diem for each day of commission work

Seattle School District Boundaries - A New Thought?

by Melissa Westbrook

From the NY Times, a story about a quiet young man who, single-handedly, came up with the idea that will now drive the Boston School District enrollment plan. Quite a feat.

While school officials and parents here were debating how to assign students to Boston’s public schools, a lanky young man was quietly observing their public proceedings.

He quickly saw the Rubik’s Cube-like puzzle: How could the school system design a plan that would send children to a good school, close to their homes — in a city that had too few good schools?* And could that plan also ensure that students from poor neighborhoods had the same chance of attending good schools as those from more affluent neighborhoods?

*Note, I don't actually believe we have "too few" good schools in our district but in the name of fairness, this

Is the World Ready for a God-Embracing Atheist? | Lefty Parent

Is the World Ready for a God-Embracing Atheist? | Lefty Parent:

Is the World Ready for a God-Embracing Atheist?

by Cooper Zale

They teach you that when in a job interview if asked whether you have a particular skill or experience and you must honestly say no, it is best to say “no but…” followed by sharing some other skill or experience you do or have had that is arguably comparable or at least applicable. For example, “No, I don’t have experience as a manager, but I do have a great deal of experience chairing committees in my congregation and leading volunteers.”
I think that rule of thumb is applicable for any advocacy, even beyond advocating for one’s own employment. So when asked, “Do you believe in God?”, nowadays I am inclined to say “No, but…I appreciate the idea that there is a deeper level of connection between all of us and have my own metaphor for that connection.”
If the person asking believed in God they might not buy my answer. There take may be that either you believe

Charters drain funds from other students, board chairwoman says | The Tennessean | tennessean.com

Charters drain funds from other students, board chairwoman says | The Tennessean | tennessean.com:

Charters drain funds from other students, board chairwoman says

Charter Schools - Dividing Communities since 1991

Charter schools are expected to siphon about $40 million from the Metro Nashville school budget next year, school board Chairwoman Cheryl Mayes said, leaving the district with a shortfall close to $30 million.

The Metro school board spent several hours Tuesday discussing charter schools in two separate meetings, and the discussion in both centered on the financial impact. Much of the talk took place with one eye on the state legislature, which is weighing a measure to bypass local school districts in authorizing charter schools.

Board members expressed concern about the anticipated shortfall that will be created by the growth of existing charter schools and the opening of several more in the next school year. Each Nashville student is allocated $9,100 in educational funding from a combination of state and local money, but that money follows a student from a traditional public school to a charter school.

While the funding moves with the student, expenses in the traditional school he or she left remain about the same, board

Children Lose With House Budget | First Focus

Children Lose With House Budget | First Focus:

Children Lose With House Budget
March 12, 2013

Washington — The bipartisan children’s advocacy organization First Focus expressed concern that the House Budget Committee’s proposed federal fiscal year 2014 budget resolution puts billions in federal funding for critical children’s initiatives at risk. A review of materials released by the committee shows that the proposal puts children’s health, child nutrition, education, child abuse and neglect prevention and response, and other priority children’s initiatives on the chopping block.

The draft budget resolution makes billions in cuts to a wide range of children’s initiatives over ten years:

Children’s health: $750 billion in cuts to Medicaid, which allocates 20 percent of funds to children’s health, resulting in a $150 billion cut to children’s health
Child nutrition: $122 billion in cuts to the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, which allocates 47 percent of funds to child nutrition, resulting in a $57 billion cut to child nutrition (Note: because the committee’s budget proposal did not provide specific details on SNAP cuts, this analysis assumes the same approach as the committee’s federal fiscal year 2013 budget resolution)
Education and other non-defense discretionary investments: At least $750 billion in cuts to the “non-defense discretionary” budget. This estimate reflects the fact that the proposal reduces overall discretionary spending by $250 billion, while increasing defense discretionary spending by $500 billion. Applying the cuts proportionately across the non-defense discretionary budget would result in $84 billion in cuts to a wide range of children’s initiatives (on top of billions in cuts already imposed during the past two years), including

Mike Klonsky's SmallTalk Blog: A r-r-r-radical 10-year plan for new tests

Mike Klonsky's SmallTalk Blog: A r-r-r-radical 10-year plan for new tests:

A r-r-r-radical 10-year plan for new tests

by Mike Klonsky

In a report that was set for release this week, a panel of top education research and policy experts has come up with a 10-year plan for states to develop a "radically" different systems of assessments that supposedly "go beyond identifying student achievement for accountability purposes and toward improving classroom instruction and giving greater insight into how children learn."

Edweek's headline reads: "Commission Calls for 'Radically Different' Tests."

Joanne Weiss, the chief of staff to U.S. Secretary of Education Arne Duncan but not part of the commission, said the report "shines a needed spotlight on the future of assessment, pushing us to make the next stages of this vital work coherent, coordinated, and sustainable."

I love the clever spotlight metaphor. And while I don't think the word radical ever belongs in the same sentence

Cullerton’s forced choice pension plan gets attacked by corporate interests. It doesn’t go far enough! | Fred Klonsky

Cullerton’s forced choice pension plan gets attacked by corporate interests. It doesn’t go far enough! | Fred Klonsky:

Cullerton’s forced choice pension plan gets attacked by corporate interests. It doesn’t go far enough!

by Fred Klonsky

Crain’s Greg Hinz is reporting that Chicago business and corporate interests are attacking Democratic Party Senate President John Cullerton’s SB0001.

The Cullerton bill is a mash-up of the Nekritz/Biss/Cross bill and his own forced choice between a COLA and heath insurance.

Cullerton doesn’t believe the Nekritz bill will pass constitutional scrutiny by the courts. By combining them, he

Illinois Education Association – Retired. I’m running as a delegate to the NEA convention in Atlanta.

by Fred Klonsky

IEA -Retired members should be receiving their ballots in the mail the last week in March. I’d appreciate your vote.

Greedy Teachers vs Altruistic Billionaires | Reclaim Reform

Greedy Teachers vs Altruistic Billionaires | Reclaim Reform:

Greedy Teachers vs Altruistic Billionaires

by kenpreviti

There is a parallel universe where experienced, qualified teachers are known for being non-teachers unable to teach and billionaires are known for giving away their money. It’s the Media Universe of infomercials and propaganda-as-truth. It calls stealing from retirees “sequestration compromise.” It calls profitization of public services “public-private partnerships.” It calls school closings a method of “securing the future of education.” It agrees that in order to save democracy appointed overseers may take over elected school boards, pension systems, and even cities.
Even Stephen Colbert repeats the parallel universe education mantra – mockingly.

Salon magazine expresses it in a wonderful article. Getting rich off of school children.
This gives the who, what, where, why and how of this corporate education pillaging and its mantra.
Excerpt: The pervasive media mythology tells us that the fight over the schoolhouse is supposedly a battle between greedy self-interested teachers who don’t care about children and benevolent billionaire “reformers” whose political activism is solely focused on the welfare of kids. Epitomizing the media narrative, the Wall Street

Diane in the Evening 3-13-13 Diane Ravitch's blog | A site to discuss better education for all

Diane Ravitch's blog | A site to discuss better education for all:

THE NETWORK FOR PUBLIC EDUCATION

Who Is Behind the Corporate Smear Machine?

by dianerav

I posted earlier about a web attack on the integrity of the distinguished scholar Gene Glass. Dr. Glass had the nerve to write a critical review of virtual charter schools, based on research and evidence. Observant readers discovered who created the domain name of the attack website. First, Sherman Dorn tracked down the domain owner. Then another reader added this comment:

Another Day, Another Phony Claim of Charter “Success”

by dianerav

The Washington Post has a story today reporting that the “median” charter school in D.C. outperforms the “median” public school.
This claim is based on a study that shows a difference in proficiency rates between the two sectors.
There are two ways, at least, to read this story:
One is that the leadership of the D.C. public school system is failing, that the “reforms” of the Rhee-Henderson era are a bust because the only way they can help students is to get rid of them, to push them off into the

How to Join the Network for Public Education

by dianerav

Several readers have contacted me asking how they can join the Network for Public Education.
Some read about it but don’t know how to find the website.

Here it is: http://www.networkforpubliceducation.org
If you belong to a grassroots organization, please become one of our allies.

We will connect you to other grassroots organizations fighting against high-stakes testing, mass school closings, privatization, and the misuse of test scores to evaluate teachers and close schools.
We will provide an archive of information and research on the major issues of the day.
If you are an individual parent or student or teacher or concerned citizen, join us.
Dues are $20 for individuals, $5 for students.
We are all volunteers. We have no paid staff.
We will work with you to magnify your voice and join with you to strengthen and improve public education.

LISTEN TO DIANE RAVITCH 3-13-13 Diane Ravitch's blog | A site to discuss better education for all

coopmike48 at Big Education Ape - 2 hours ago

Diane Ravitch's blog | A site to discuss better education for all: [image: Click on picture to Listen to Diane Ravitch] The Failed Charter Schools of Florida by dianerav This morning,I posted about a bogus claim (“study”) released by the Florida Department of Education, asserting that the state’s 518 charter schools “outperform” public schools. This was intended presumably to support former Governor Jeb Bush’s claims about a “Florida miracle.” Except that no study conducted by independent researchers has reached the same conclusion. Many of the state’s charters operate for profit... more »

Anchor Standards Approved - Year 2013 (CA Dept of Education)

Anchor Standards Approved - Year 2013 (CA Dept of Education):

State Schools Chief Tom Torlakson
Applauds Adoption of Anchor Standards

SACRAMENTO—State Superintendent of Public Instruction Tom Torlakson announced today that the State Board of Education approved anchor standards for English-language arts and literacy in history/social studies, science, and technical subjects (ELA and Literacy). This completes California's adoption of the Common Core State Standards (CCSS) that spell out clearly the broad skills students need to succeed in college and careers.

"The College and Career Readiness Anchor Standards for ELA and Literacy set out the broad educational goals of the Common Core, giving students, teachers, and parents a tool that complements the standards for specific subjects and grade levels," Torlakson said. "They are the glue that hold the parts of the Common Core Standards together, and today's approval brings California one step closer to implementing these important new standards."

The College and Career Readiness Anchor Standards for ELA and Literacy define the literacy expectations for students entering college and careers, and provide the foundation for the kindergarten through grade twelve English-language arts standards. The Anchor Standards will be outlined at the beginning of each set of course standards in reading, writing, speaking and listening, language, history/social studies, science, and technical subject sections focused on reading and writing.

Senate Bill 1200 authorized Torlakson to recommend, and the State Board of Education to adopt, the Anchor Standards. The Anchor Standards were not part of the original State Board of Education adoption in August 2010 of the CCSS for English-Language Arts and Literacy in History/Social Studies, Science, and Technical Subjects with California additions.

The CCSS with California additions are designed to keep the best of California's former standards, replace what's outdated, and provide a clear focus on teaching students critical thinking and problem-solving skills. The CCSS provide a practical way for students to learn step-by-step, the real world skills they need for college and careers. For more information, please visit the California Department of Education's Common Core State Standards Web page.

For a more detailed look at the College and Career Readiness Anchor Standards, please see the latest draft of the Common Core State Standards for English Language Arts & Literacy in History/Social Studies, Science, and Technical Subjects (DOC; 3MB).

# # # #

Tom Torlakson — State Superintendent of Public Instruction
Communications Division, Room 5206, 916-319-0818, Fax 916-319-0100

The Pineapple Question Redux - THE DAILY RIFF - Be Smarter. About Education.

The Pineapple Question Redux - THE DAILY RIFF - Be Smarter. About Education.:

The Pineapple Question Redux

The assessment has become the curriculum.

- Michael Guerriero

Overthinking?

Remember last year's pineapple test question controversy? Well, it's kind of baaack via a post by Michael Guerriero in The New Yorker:

Those with a mind for controversy or whimsy may recall the outrage last year over a certain talking pineapple on the New York State eighth-grade reading exam. The unfortunate pineapple passage was sliced, diced, and served up as an example of all that is wrong with standardized testing.

In December, teachers at Garfield High School in Seattle "voted to boycott the Northwest Evaluation Association's Measures of Academic Progress (MAP) exam.":

The Garfield teachers are not boycotting all standardized tests. Their complaints, as outlined by Kris McBride, the school''s testing coordinator, are focussed squarely on the MAP, which, as an assessment tool, can be categorized as a low-stakes test: according to the MAP-makers at the N.W.E.A., it is an "interim assessment."