Kentucky Teacher: Common Core “Is Like Rearranging the Deck Chairs” | Truth in American Education

Kentucky Teacher: Common Core “Is Like Rearranging the Deck Chairs” | Truth in American Education:

Kentucky Teacher: Common Core “Is Like Rearranging the Deck Chairs”

Filed in Common Core State Standards, Education at State Level by Shane Vander Hart on October 15, 2013• 0 Comments

• 18
• 4

Kentucky Education Commissioner Tom Holliday

I just read an interesting article on Kentucky’s pioneering the Common Core State Standards and the mixed results they were seeing.  The Common Core has plenty of skeptics:

Much like the Kentucky reforms of two decades ago, Common Core comes with a slew of state mandates about content and keeps the emphasis on testing as a measure of school success. While some schools and teachers, like the ones at Liberty, have fully bought into the changes and have access to resources to help them make those changes happen, in other places Common 

Milwaukee Courier Article on St. Marcus | Larry Miller's Blog: Educate All Students!

Milwaukee Courier Article on St. Marcus | Larry Miller's Blog: Educate All Students!:

The myth of the academic achievement at St. Marcus Lutheran School

12 October 2013 Milwaukee Courier

By Lynda L. Jones

St. Marcus Lutheran School has been extremely vocal and aggressive in its attempt to force MPS to sell them the Malcolm X Academy Campus.

A major part of the school’s argument has been the claim that they do an excellent job in educating youth from the local community where the school is located.

The school states that they educate more than 90 percent African American children, 4 percent Hispanic, and the remaining 6 percent are White. St. Marcus has insisted that its school has superior education results than public schools, yet they do not submit their data to the Wisconsin state “School Report Card”.

However, there is some data available that can be retrieved on St. Marcus, and that is the school’s WKCE scores.

The scores from the Fall of 2012 demonstrate a view that does not appear to be consistent with the superior academic achievement that the leadership of the school boasts about.

The following reading scores raise a lot of questions. Combined proficient and advanced scores for 

Watch: SRC meeting on parent engagement | Philadelphia Public School Notebook

Watch: SRC meeting on parent engagement | Philadelphia Public School Notebook:

Live streaming video by Ustream

Watch: SRC meeting on parent engagement

  The topic of tonight's School Reform Commission meeting is parent engagement. The meeting begins at 6 p.m. read more

1 by thenotebook / 19min mark as read  //  save

'Goodbye to City Schools' to premiere with launch of photo exhibition

by Naveed Ahsan Videographer Amy Yeboah will be premiering her short documentary "Goodbye to City Schools" at West Philadelphia’s Scribe Video Center Wednesday at 7 p.m. following the launch of the Philadelphia School Closings Photo Collective's exhibit. The 30-minute film was produced over the summer with the Notebook as part of Yeboah’s fellowship, which was sponsored by the Samuel S.

by thenotebook / 19min 

Pa. lawmakers go round and round on school property taxes

by Mary Wilson for NewsWorks As state senators in Pennsylvania consider how to address soaring school property taxes, some say serious attempts at reform are a long way off. Many lawmakers have expressed interest in bringing down school property taxes by replacing the levies with other revenue streams. But consensus over this is lacking -- and not just because shifting a tax burden is always going

2 by thenotebook / 1h 

What Would Happen to the Student Loan Portfolio If the Debt Ceiling Is Breached? | C. Cryn Johannsen

What Would Happen to the Student Loan Portfolio If the Debt Ceiling Is Breached? | C. Cryn Johannsen:

What Would Happen to the Student Loan Portfolio If the Debt Ceiling Is Breached?

In less than two days, if Congress cannot reach an agreement on the debt ceiling, it will be breached. This means that that U.S. Treasury will be unable to pay the bills. Thus far, the U.S. Treasury has not been vocal about what they will do if the ceiling is breached. But when it comes to student loans, the ones owned by the U.S. government, things could get problematic if the U.S. Treasury finds itself selling off its assets. Of course, there is always talk about this sort of thing happening (for instance, there are oftentimes suggestions that the national parks and the large swathes of federal land in Idaho and in other Western states be sold off and privatized. Thankfully, that has not yet occurred).

In fact, the old legacy regime (the overseers of student loans - the big ones being Sallie Mae and Nelnet), those who were part of the FFELP program, always wanted something like this to take place, i.e., the total privatization of the student lending industry. Indeed, Mitt Romney, while campaigning in the last presidential election, called for the resurrection of the old FFELP program. While that is unlikely to happen, if the student loan portfolio were to be totally privatized, a new, far more insidious program, the FFELP program on meth and cocaine, could indeed emerge.

But right now, this is merely hypothetical. Nevertheless, it warrants attention due to the serious nature of the current situation, as we are nearing default rapidly. That means that 

Are school reformers wrecking the Common Core?:

Are school reformers wrecking the Common Core?

• BY VALERIE STRAUSS

• October 15 at 3:31 pm

Second-grader Graycyn Griffith works on touch typing in class on October 11 at Horseshoe Trails Elementary School in Phoenix.  Formal keyboarding instruction began this year for second-graders, in anticipation of the Common Core. (Photo by David Jolkovski for The Washington Post)

Whether you think the Common Core State Standards are a step forward in education or a step back, there are legitimate questions about how the initiative is being implemented and how that process will affect America’s public schools. Here’s a smart look at this issue by Jeff Bryant, an associate fellow at the Campaign for America’s Future and the owner of a marketing and communications consultancy that serves numerous organizations including Human Rights Watch, Doctors Without Borders, PBS, and International Planned Parenthood Foundation. He writes extensively about public education policy at The Education Opportunity Network, where this appeared. Follow Jeff on Twitter: jeffbcdm

By Jeff Bryant

The latest news stories from the brave frontiers of a movement known as “education reform” are in, and the consensus view is that down continues to be the new up.

NYC Educator: Reformy King John's Education Department Decrees Who May and May Not Have an Opinion

NYC Educator: Reformy King John's Education Department Decrees Who May and May Not Have an Opinion:

Reformy King John's Education Department Decrees Who May and May Not Have an Opinion

Today I was pretty surprised to learn who, specifically, were the "special interests" that precluded NY State Education Commissioner John King from having discussions with the people who pay his salary. We have now learned that they are Leonie Haimson's Class Size Matters, and our NY State union, NYSUT. These are the evil entities that seduced the parents in Poughkeepsie, according to King John's education department.

Apparently Class Size Matters and NYSUT are such insidious influences that no one can resist their fancy talk. Once anyone hears them, they are infected, kind of like The Walking Dead, and anyone else who speaks to them or hears them will get the bug and contradict King Reformy John in public. In a democracy, according to King John, this is unacceptable, and once people hear such subversive notions, they may no longer be permitted to speak in public. Reformy Gotham Schools seems to agree, characterizing parents expressing their opinions as disruptive protesters.

It's remarkable that any ostensible educator or journalist would come to such absurd conclusions, and even more remarkable that anyone can muster the audacity to air them in public. But there they are, ladies and gentlemen. One of 

10/15/2013 – ‘Reform’ Kills Common Core?:

10/15/2013 – ‘Reform’ Kills Common Core?

October 15, 2013 Subscribe

THIS WEEK: Testing Kindergartners … Shutdown Hurts Vulnerable Children … Vouchers Don’t Help Students … Sixth Grader Dies For Lack Of School Nurse … Bad Education Policies Hit Higher Ed

TOP STORY

Will Education Reform Kill The Common Core

By Jeff Bryant

“Whether you’re a big fan of the new standards or not, it should be clear that the old way of doing ‘education reform’ will not work for the Common Core. Yet that seems to be the strategy rolling out, and no one seems to be coming forward to propose a better way forward … By all indicators, teachers are generally favorable to the new standards. But like its predecessor No Child Left Behind, the Common Core is proving to have many unanticipated consequences … If you’re a fan of the Common Core … heed the voices from classrooms and communities – critics and all.”
Read more …

NEWS AND VIEWS

Kindergarten Gets Tough As Kids Are Forced To Bubble In Multiple Choice Tests

The Daily News

In New York, ” Because of a tough new curriculum and teacher evaluations, 4- and 5-year-olds are learning how to fill in bubbles on standardized math tests to show how much they know about numbers, shapes and order … Teachers said kindergartners are bewildered … 

 

Will Education Reform Kill The Common Core?

The latest news stories from the brave frontiers of a movement known as “education reform” are in, and the consensus view is that down continues to be the new up. Personnel programs such as teacher merit pay that were supposed to improve the financial efficiency of schools are now being discarded for financial reasons. New competitive forms of schooling such as cyber charters that were supposed to

15 by Jeff Bryant / 2h 

Emergency: Please Call and Email the Mayor and Common Council Now! | Larry Miller's Blog: Educate All Students!

Emergency: Please Call and Email the Mayor and Common Council Now! | Larry Miller's Blog: Educate All Students!:

Emergency: Please Call and Email the Mayor and Common Council Now!

Filed under: American Injustice,MPS Buildings — millerlf @ 11:49 am 

St. Marcus is flooding City Hall with phone calls to lobby the Council and Mayor not to sign off on the sale of Malcolm X that the MPS School Board approved last night.

Please call and email the Mayor’s office and Common Council members now and all day to say the following:

“Please support the MPS School Board’s sale of Malcolm X to the 2760 Holding Company, L.L.C. because this is a chance to create a program at Malcolm X that will benefit the whole community and all taxpayers.”

Contact Elected Officials

Mayor Tom Barrett – Office of the Mayor
City Hall, Room 201 200 E. Wells Street Milwaukee, WI 53202	Office Phone: (414) 286-2200 Fax: (414) 286-3191
Send an email message to Mayor Barrett   |  Visit the Office of the Mayor Online
Common Council President Willie L. Hines, Jr. - 15th District Alderman
City Hall, Room 205 200 E. Wells St. Milwaukee, WI  53202	Office Phone: (414) 286-2221 Fax: (414) 286-3456 Home Phone: (414) 871-6807
Send an email message to Alderman Hines   |  Visit the 15th Aldermanic District Online
Alderman Ashanti Hamilton – 1st District Alderman
City Hall, Room 205 200 E. Wells St. Milwaukee, WI  53202	Office Phone:(414) 286-2221 Fax: (414) 286-3456 TDD: (414) 286-2025 After Hours Phone: (414) 286-2150
Send an email message to Alderman Hamilton   |  Visit the 1st Aldermanic District Online
Alderman Joe Davis – 2nd District Alderman
City Hall, Room 205 200 E. Wells St. Milwaukee, WI  53202	Office Phone: (414) 286-2221 Fax: (414) 286-3456
Send an email message to Alderman Davis   |  Visit the 2nd Aldermanic District Online
Alderman Nik Kovac – 3rd District Alderman
City Hall, Room 205 200 E. Wells St. Milwaukee, WI  53202	Office Phone: (414) 286-2221 Fax: (414) 286-3456 After Hours Phone: 414-286-2150
Send an email message to Alderman Kovac   |  Visit the 3rd Aldermanic District Online
Alderman Robert J. Bauman  – 4th District Alderman
City Hall, Room 205 200 E. Wells St. Milwaukee, WI  53202	Office Phone: (414) 286-3532 Fax: (414) 286-3456 After Hours Phone: (414) 286-2150
Send an email message to Alderman Bauman   |  Visit the 4th Aldermanic District Online
Alderman James A. Bohl, Jr. - 5th District Alderman
City Hall, Room 205 200 E. Wells St. Milwaukee, WI  53202	Office Phone: (414) 286-3870 Fax: (414) 286-3456 TDD: (414) 286-2025 After Hours Phone: (414) 286-2150
Send an email message to Alderman Bohl   |  Visit the 5th Aldermanic District Online
Alderwoman Milele A. Coggs – 6th District Alderwoman
City Hall, Room 205 200 E. Wells St. Milwaukee, WI  53202	Office Phone: (414) 286-2221 Fax: (414) 286-3456 After Hours Phone: (414) 286-2150
Send an email message to Alderwoman Coggs  |  Visit the 6th Aldermanic District Online
Alderman Willie C. Wade - 7th District Alderman
City Hall, Room 205 200 E. Wells St. Milwaukee, WI  53202	Office Phone: (414) 286-2221 Fax: (414) 286-3456
Send an email message to Alderman Wade   |  Visit the 7th Aldermanic District Online
Alderman Robert G. Donovan - 8th District Alderman
City Hall, Room 205 200 E. Wells St. Milwaukee, WI  53202	Office Phone: (414) 286-3533 Fax: (414) 286-3456
Send an email message to Alderman Donovan   |  Visit the 8th Aldermanic District Online
Alderman Robert W. Puente - 9th District Alderman
City Hall, Room 205 200 E. Wells St. Milwaukee, WI  53202	Office Phone: (414) 286-2221 Fax: (414) 286-3456 TDD: (414) 286-2025
Send an email message to Alderman Puente   |  Visit the 9th Aldermanic District Online
Alderman Michael J. Murphy – 10th District Alderman
City Hall, Room 205 200 E. Wells St. Milwaukee, WI  53202	Office Phone: (414) 286-2221 Fax: (414) 286-3456 After Hours Phone: (414) 286-2150
Send an email message to Alderman Murphy   |  Visit the 10th Aldermanic District Online
Alderman Joe Dudzik -11th District Alderman
City Hall, Room 205 200 E. Wells St. Milwaukee, WI  53202	Office Phone: (414) 286-3768 Fax: (414) 286-3456 Home Phone: (414) 541-2067
Send an email message to Alderman Dudzik   |  Visit the 11th Aldermanic District Online
Alderman José G. Pérez  - 12th District Alderman
City Hall, Room 205 200 E. Wells St. Milwaukee, WI  53202	Office Phone: (414) 286-2221 Fax: (414) 286-3456
Send an email message to Alderman Pérez    |  Visit the 12th Aldermanic District Online
Alderman Terry L. Witkowski – 13th District Alderman
City Hall, Room 205 200 E. Wells St. Milwaukee, WI  53202 Residence: 3972 S. 1st Street Milwaukee, WI  53207	Office Phone: (414) 286-8537 Fax: (414) 286-3456 TDD: (414) 286-2025 After Hours Phone: (414) 286-2150 Home/Cell Phone: (414) 731-0472
Send an email message to Alderman Witkowski   |  Visit the 13th Aldermanic District Online
Alderman Tony Zielinski -14th District Alderman
City Hall, Room 205 200 E. Wells St. Milwaukee, WI  53202	Office Phone: (414) 286-3769 Fax: (414) 286-3456 TDD: (414) 286-2025 Home Phone:  (414) 744-1802
Send an email message to Alderman Zielinski   |  Visit the 14th Aldermanic District Online

Resilience: It's a Practice — Whole Child Education

Resilience: It's a Practice — Whole Child Education:

THE WHOLE CHILD BLOG

Resilience: It’s a Practice

October 15, 2013 by Mindful Practices

Post written by Carla Tantillo and Lara Veon, Mindful Practices

Among the most heartbreaking moments as an educator is that of observing a student who doesn't believe in herself and sees a mistake—be it a social interaction gone bad or a failing grade—as a fracture of character instead of an opportunity for growth. Similarly upsetting is witnessing a student who experiences trauma and loss withdraw or act out in unpredictable and often disruptive behavior.

At moments like these resilience often seems an inconsistent trait. However, similarly to other social emotional skills, the practice of helping students cultivate resilience can indeed be taught. It needn't occur in isolation and it should be through a whole child approach. Below are five strategies for integrating resiliency development into your classroom:

1. Create safety and structure.

Perhaps the most elemental component in building resiliency in your students is creating a classroom culture that feels safe. Consistent policies and procedures bring comfort to students who need structure. In addition, consistently communicated teacher expectations also contribute to safety. Safety results in students having 

Editorials on Common Core Worth Mentioning | Truth in American Education

Editorials on Common Core Worth Mentioning | Truth in American Education:

Editorials on Common Core Worth Mentioning

Filed in Common Core State Standards by Shane Vander Hart on October 15, 2013 • 0 Comments

• 38
• 5

Usually most newspaper editorials are barely worthy of lining bird cages, but I wanted to point out three editorials I recently read on the Common Core that can be elevated beyond that status.

The Ft. Wayne (IN) News-Sentinel  recently published (and I love the headline) “Federalism is still the best way to approach education.”

Yes, yes it is.  Here is an excerpt:

Participating in the 2013 Education Nation Summit in New York City this week, Indiana Gov. Mike Pence and Kentucky Gov. Steve Beshear had to spend a lot of time defending what their states aren’t doing. Pence tried to explain why Indiana isn’t forging ahead with Common Core academic standards that have been adopted by 47 states. Beshear was questioned about Kentucky’s decision not to adopt charter school legislation when most of the other states have.

As it happens, we agree with Pence more than we do with Beshear. Common Core standards