12-8-13 Seattle Schools Community Forum

Seattle Schools Community Forum:

Do We Care about Gun Violence in this Country?

I ask because I honestly thought that after the horror of Newtown that things would change.  On December 16th, it will be the one-year anniversary of that horrible event.  Twenty small children and six staff members were killed .Today is December 8th which is the 33rd (!) anniversary of John Lennon's murder.  This is what his widow, Yoko Ono, tweeted. Those are his actual glasses. When does this s

by Melissa Westbrook / 25min

Seattle Schools This Week

Monday, December 9thCurriculum & Instruction Committee meeting from 4-6 p.m.  Agenda. Update on math adoption scheduled.Wednesday, December 10thExecutive Committee Meeting, 8:30 am to 10 am. Agenda.  Mostly review of upcoming Board meetings and legislative matters.Oversight Work Session; Finance. 4-5:30 pm.  AgendaInteresting to see on page 13 that in nearly every division in the Budget depart

by Melissa Westbrook / 40min 

Updated Seattle Schools Growth Boundaries Information

This SPS page has updated documents and a "look-up" tool for you to see, based on your address, what your child's schools will be.

by Melissa Westbrook / 40min  

12-7-13 Seattle Schools Community Forum Week

Seattle Schools Community Forum:Seattle Schools Community Forum mark as readEducation News RoundupI know that many of you do not read these Ed News Roundups.  I get it; there's a lot to do and read in a day.But understand this is to let you know what the REST of the country is experiencing so that (1) we don't have these things happening to our state and our district and (2) we can learn what work

by mike simpson / 36min 

Shaky Grant From For-Profit Charter School Ensnares Miami Republican Sen. Anitere Flores | Scathing Purple Musings

Shaky Grant From For-Profit Charter School Ensnares Miami Republican Sen. Anitere Flores | Scathing Purple Musings:

Shaky Grant From For-Profit Charter School Ensnares Miami Republican Sen. Anitere Flores

Posted on December 8, 2013by Bob Sikes

 

 

 

 

 

 

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Sen. Anitere Flores (R-Miami) never met a piece of legislation that benefited the for-profit charter school industry she didn’t like. Just pay no attention to the little matter that she works for one. This week’s revelations that the one she works for  received a tax-payer funded grant marks the beginning of another episode in the shady relationships between Florida legislators and the for-profit charter school industry. Miami Herald reporter David Smiley reports:

Fledgling Doral College got a $400,000 windfall two years ago that helped the small start-up open its doors. The “grant” came from Doral Academy Charter High, a publicly funded school run by the same company.

The deal helped Doral College stay in the black and furthered a joint effort with the charter school to establish an in-house dual-enrollment program. But the transaction also caught the eye of Miami-Dade school district auditors, who have spent the last year questioning why and how a school funded by the state could hand hundreds of thousands of public dollars to 

O.E.C.D. Warns West on Education Gaps - NYTimes.com

O.E.C.D. Warns West on Education Gaps - NYTimes.com:

O.E.C.D. Warns West on Education Gaps

By D. D. GUTTENPLAN

Published: December 8, 2013

LONDON — Like a school principal handing out a clutch of C grades, Andreas Schleicher unveiled the results from the latest round of the Program for International Student Assessment tests last week.

For Britain, the United States and most of Western Europe, the results ranged from “average” to “poor.” British students, for example, scored exactly average in mathematics and slightly above average in reading and science. French students were slightly below average in science and slightly above in reading and mathematics. The United States were below average in mathematics and science but slightly above in reading.

For Asian countries, the news was much more encouraging, with students from Shanghai topping the chart by a considerable margin, but with students from Singapore, Hong Kong, Taiwan and South Korea all closely bunched at the high end.

Mr. Schleicher, the head of education at the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development, which administers the tests every three years to about half a million 15-year-olds in 65 countries around the world, also noted significant improvement in Vietnam. He described it as a poor country whose students outperformed peers from many wealthier nations — and did even better once differences in income were taken into account.

“On a level playing field, the British look even worse,” he said at a press conference here.

Western countries, Mr. Schleicher warned, should not to comfort themselves with the myth that Asian high performance is the result of education systems that favor memorization over creativity.

“The big success in East Asia is not a success in drilling,” he said, adding that the mathematics test required creativity and problem solving skills based on a deep 

NYC Public School Parents: Update on our lawsuit vs. NYSED uploading any MORE personal student data to inBloom, and yet more evidence of the blatant disregard the state has for our children's privacy

NYC Public School Parents: Update on our lawsuit vs. NYSED uploading any MORE personal student data to inBloom, and yet more evidence of the blatant disregard the state has for our children's privacy:

Update on our lawsuit vs. NYSED uploading any MORE personal student data to inBloom, and yet more evidence of the blatant disregard the state has for our children's privacy

On January 3 in Albany, the NY State Supreme court will hear arguments concerning our  lawsuit asking for an immediate injunction to block Commissioner King and the Regents from uploading any more student personal data to the inBloom cloud.  

The original date of December 6 was postponed because our attorneys amended the brief, pointing out even more ways in which the NY State Education Department has violated the state's Personal Privacy Protection Law.  The amended petition is here.  Thesupplemental memo of law is here.  (You can also check out the original Article 78 petition  and the memo of law.)

Because of this, the state asked for more time to reply, and will serve its opposition papers on December 18.  Our attorneys have until noon on December 30 to file reply papers.  Our attorneys  tried to get a later date for reply in view of the intervening holidays, but SED would not agree to put off uploading student names beyond January 15th.

Sadly, we now have more evidence that much personal student data has already been uploaded to the inBloom cloud: first, last December,  to help with inBloom’s “infrastructure development”, according to the state, and again in July, for the data dashboard “road shows.”  

Why the state couldn’t use dummy data to help inBloom (or really Wireless Generation/NewsCorp) develop its system or to 

Will the Common Core be the Rosetta Stone for Corporate Reform? - Living in Dialogue - Education Week Teacher

Will the Common Core be the Rosetta Stone for Corporate Reform? - Living in Dialogue - Education Week Teacher:

Will the Common Core be the Rosetta Stone for Corporate Reform?

By Anthony Cody on December 8, 2013 4:42 PM

 In the year 1799, a French soldier discovered an ancient stone in Egypt that had been inscribed with a royal proclamation in the year 196 BC, in three languages; Ancient Greek, Demotic, and 

Ancient Egyptian hieroglyphs. The same text in all three languages allowed scholars to crack the code of the Egyptian hieroglyphs, and since then, the term "Rosetta Stone"  has come to signify a means by which hidden codes are uncovered. The Common Core has become a Rosetta Stone for understanding how corporate education reform is reshaping public education.

Millions of parents across the country are starting to become concerned, as they see test scores in states on the leading edge of Common Core implementation plummet. Officials have greeted this failure with strange satisfaction, clearlyhaving known that this would be the result of the new system they put in place.  Parents start out puzzled by this behavior, but when they investigate, here is what they are discovering:

1. There is a powerful engine of "reform" at work in the "venture philanthropy" of the Gates Foundation, which has sponsored the development, adoption and implementation of the Common Core, spending close to $200 million so far on the project. While every Common Core web site claims that the standards were "authored by states," those who inquire learn that the standards were written by a small groupof individuals affiliated with a handful of non-profits funded by the Gates Foundation. 
2. The US Department of Education is operating in close cooperation with the 

12-8-13 Jersey Jazzman

Jersey Jazzman:

The Mustache of Understanding Tries To Do Education

A couple of weeks ago, I noted that Tom Friedman - the NY Times's own Mustache of Understanding - was in danger of losing his Wanker-In-Chief title to Frank Bruni. The bald-faced food critic, you see, had attempted to opine on education, with predictably disastrous results; how could bushy-nosed Friedman ever top Bruni's stunning display of ignorance and laziness and stay on top of the wankeriffic

by Duke / 2h 

 

12-7-13 Jersey Jazzman Jammin' All Week

Jersey Jazzman:Jersey Jazzman Jammin' All Week mark as readChristie's Never-Ending War On TeachersWhen Chris Christie isn't yelling at individual teachers, he's busy bashing their unions (11/3/13, Newton, NJ):(5:26) I will tell you, there are the forces that will always fight against us. You see it on TV every day. The folks who believe that the government and your tax dollars are their personal p

by mike simpson / 41min 

Florida’s New Teacher Evaluation System Proving Itself A Huge Failure – All at the Cost of our Kids #ChaChing | Continuing Change

Florida’s New Teacher Evaluation System Proving Itself A Huge Failure – All at the Cost of our Kids #ChaChing | Continuing Change:

Florida’s New Teacher Evaluation System Proving Itself A Huge Failure – All at the Cost of our Kids #ChaChing

From Matt Reid, Editor of Florida Today: Somehow, 98 percent of teacher evaluations suggest we accomplished that, even though school grades dropped statewide. High school students’ scores in math, reading and science on an international exam were “not measurably different” from Florida’s results in 2006 and 2009, according to the Program for International Student Assessment. That’s not to say our

by gatorbonbc / 1h hide  //  save

Sen. Anitere Fl…

Sen. Anitere Flores (R-Miami) never met a piece of legislation that benefited the for-profit charter school industry she didn’t like. Just pay no attention to the little matter that she works for one. Best ‘Snarky But True’ Quote of the Day … via @BobSikes , FL teacher and blogger. Read more HERE. “Flores, a Miami lawmaker, said she hadn’t yet read the audit and couldn’t comment on the $400,000 g

by gatorbonbc / 1h 

VIDEO: Why Merit Pay Doesn’t Work – 6 Reasons in 3 Minutes – Value Added Measures Fail

Here is a quick, easy way to understand why using kid’s tests scores to evaluate teachers does not work. #HugeFail

by gatorbonbc / 1h 

Welcome back, Coach – FL teacher and writer, Bob Sikes, has returned to the Blogosphere !!! #ColorMeHappy @bobsikes

GOOD news !!!! Florida teacher and education blogger, Bob Sikes of Scathing Purple Musings has returned from a short hiatus. He writes in today’s blog, “My, oh, my, we’ve come quite a ways haven’t we? And pushback is increasing. State school board members and superintendents have joined the effort.” If you don’t follow Bob … you should !! You can also find him on Twitter here: https://twitter.

by gatorbonbc / 3h 

YESTERDAY

VAM made me do it – Florida’s teacher evaluation system #ForgiveMe @dianeravitch

I am thinking of ranking my pets by VAM scores.   I figure I will judge my dog based on the amount of cat litter I find on the floor and I will judge my cat by the amount of dog hair I find on the couch. To be fair, I will factor in variables like the number of frogs I find on our truck in a week and the depth of the hole the rodent in my backyard is digging.   Of course, I am not telling my ani

by gatorbonbc / 1d 

12-8-13 With A Brooklyn Accent: Terry Pruess Announces Her Candidacy for Presidency of Broward Teachers Union- With My Endorsement

With A Brooklyn Accent: Terry Pruess Announces Her Candidacy for Presidency of Broward Teachers Union- With My Endorsement:

Terry Pruess Announces Her Candidacy for Presidency of Broward Teachers Union- With My Endorsement

FROM:  Terry Preuss, NBCT, Career Public Educator, BTU Executive Board Member, District Advisory Council Appointee @ www.terrypreuss.comFOR FURTHER INFORMATION AND PHOTOS CONTACT:Terry Preuss, NBCT, SBBC Teacher 954-665-5052 terrypreuss@yahoo.com www.terrypreuss.comMark Naison, BAT Co-Founder, Professor, Fordham University  (917) 836-3014!  mnaison@aol.comHerman Smith, SBBC Guidance Counselor  (95

by Mark Naison / 58min

With A Brooklyn Accent Go BATs All Week 12-7-13

With A Brooklyn Accent: With A Brooklyn Accent Go BATs All Week  mark as readLetter to Governor Christie from the New Jersey Teacher He Screamed AtDear Governor Christie, Yesterday I took the opportunity to come hear you speak on your campaign trail. I have never really heard you speak before except for sound bytes that I get on my computer. I don't have cable, I don't read newspapers. I don't hav

by mike simpson / 8h 

President of National Teachers Union to Take Part in Newark Schools Rally Monday - Schools - Newark, NJ Patch

President of National Teachers Union to Take Part in Newark Schools Rally Monday - Schools - Newark, NJ Patch:

President of National Teachers Union to Take Part in Newark Schools Rally Monday

Labor organizations, Newark mayor, school officials also participating in 'National Day of Action'

Randi Weingarten, president of the American Federation of Teachers. File photo

Randi Weingarten, the president of the American Federation of Teachers, is among those scheduled to speak Monday in Newark at the “National Day of Action to Reclaim the Promise of Education,” one of a series of similar events taking place across the country that organizers said is designed to focus attention on the challenges facing public schools.

In Newark, the specific focus will  be on issues related to school funding and the return of local control after nearly 20 years of state management.

“It is vital that those closest to the education process—teachers, administrators, school staff, students and their parents and community members—must have a voice in education policy and practice,” organizers said in a statement.  “Top-down reforms, like those that have been instituted in Newark for the past 18 years, do not address the real needs of schools or students.”

Also among those scheduled to take part Monday are Mayor Luis Quintana, labor organizations, the NAACP and the presidents of 

Attorney Needed to Take on NYCDOE southbronxschool.com

http://www.southbronxschool.com:

Attorney Needed to Take on NYCDOE

For those who read my blog  you will know I am in for a fight right now. I have been brought up on 3020a charges. I can't go too much into specifics, but I was set up to fail last school year.

Right now I have my NYSUT attorney fighting for me, but I need an outside attorney to bring my case to Federal Court. I am not at liberty to share his name just yet, but he his a fantastic attorney and his price is quite reasonable.

My wife and I are going through some rough financial times and I want, and need, to retain him as soon as possible. I know in my heart of hearts that through discovery we will find proof of the conspiracy. My fears are that when Uncle Mike and his minions leave they will wipe all servers of any damaging information. I also need him to work hand in hand with my NYSUT attorney.

I have set up a crowd sourcing site and just ask if you can donate what you can, $20, $10, $5, or even a dollar. I'm looking to raise $1k for the retainer.

Please, if you have any questions please feel free to ask me.

Again, thank you.

http://www.gofundme.com/southbronxschool

Thunderclap: Reclaim the Promise

Thunderclap: Reclaim the Promise:

Reclaim the Promise

“Reclaim the Promise of Public Education: Our Schools, Our Solutions! #ReclaimPublicEdhttp://thndr.it/1kg85rz”

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In October, parents, students, teachers, school staff, community organizations, labor unions, civil rights advocates and faith leaders met in Los Angeles and together endorsed "The Principles That Unite Us." Now, on Dec. 9, we're taking action around the country as part of a National Day of Action to Reclaim the Promise of Public Education: Our Schools, Our Solutions. We're uniting around a common vision for our schools. 

We want great neighborhood public schools that are fully funded and are centers of our community, with wraparound services and an engaging curriculum that focuses on teaching and learning, not testing. 

Together, we can reclaim public education as a propeller of our economy, an anchor of our democracy, and a gateway to opportunity for every child
.

Corporate America Might Need Common Core, But Our “Outputs” Don’t | Teachers' Letters to Bill Gates

Corporate America Might Need Common Core, But Our “Outputs” Don’t | Teachers' Letters to Bill Gates:

Corporate America Might Need Common Core, But Our “Outputs” Don’t

Posted on December 8, 2013

by Teachers'LettersToBillGates

“Kill poverty not human beings.  Stop putting the value of money over the value of lives.” – Mahatma Gandhi

December 8, 2013

Dear Allan Golston,

This is in response to your editorial America’s Businesses Need the Common Core, which was posted on Impatient Optimists, the Gates Foundation’s blog, on November 26, 2013.

You wrote,

“Last week in New York City, a group of business leaders who have long been involved in education took the important step of making a real commitment to ensure this country benefits from the promise of the Common Core State Standards…”

and

“I am pleased to see the excitement in the business community for the common core.  Businesses are the primary consumers of the output of our schools, so it’s a natural alliance.”

It is so disturbing to me that you refer to students, human beings, as outputs.  Did the Gates Foundation public relations department vet this op-ed piece before it was posted? Do you have children? Or are these outputs you refer to other people’s children, the public school kids of the world?

As I reflect on my life-long battle with depression and anxiety, I realize the root causes of my suffering are feelings of fear and hopelessness.  As a student, school was a refuge for me.  The connections I made to the greater world – namely learning about human struggles through both literature and history – were meaningful and comforting.  As much as I try to create lessons that inspire my English-language learners and give them meaningful learning experiences, my freedom to teach and my students’ freedom to learn have been usurped as a result of corporate education reform policies, which are funded, in large part, by the Gates Foundation.

The Common Core, an instrument of corporate education reform, is not simply a document listing K-12 learning objectives.  Contrary to what you argue, I do not have the autonomy to use the standards as I see fit.  Rather, the Common Core is a package comprised of scripted curricula that prepare students for high-stakes Common Core