Monday, September 19, 2011

Big Education Ape - PostRank Today's10

Big Education Ape - PostRank  Today's10

Do Private Contractors Save the Government Money? - Forbes

Do Private Contractors Save the Government Money? - Forbes:Do Private Contractors Save the Government Money?by E.D. KainInside of a Private Prison (Image by Sean Davis via Flickr)I’ve written about faux “privatization” before, which typically entails renting out government work to contractors who are said to be cheaper and more efficient. Private prisons are a major example of this. So are mercenary outfits which you hear referred to as simply “private contractors” in reference to private armed forces in Iraq and ... more »

Deion Sanders, former Redskin, to open Texas charter school - The Answer Sheet - The Washington Post

Deion Sanders, former Redskin, to open Texas charter school - The Answer Sheet - The Washington Post:Deion Sanders, former Redskin, to open Texas charter schoolby Valerie StraussOnly in Texas.R enowned athlete Deion Sanders has persuaded the Texas State board of Education to allow him to open a charter school — even though some members expressed concerns about just how academically rigorous the school would be.According to The Texas Tribune, the board voted 8 to 4 Friday to approve Sanders’ application ... more »

Teachers unions challenge Florida's merit-pay law in court | jacksonville.com

Teachers unions challenge Florida's merit-pay law in court | jacksonville.com:Teachers unions challenge Florida's merit-pay law in courtPosted: September 14, 2011 - 7:21pm | Updated: September 15, 2011 - 6:31amFirst Coast FCAT ScoresUse the search below to see how your area school performed. You may enter full or partial school names in schools field. 2010-11 school grades are available for elementary and middle schools.Year: 2010-2011 2009-2010 2008-2009 2007-2008 Grade Level: Search all 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 ... more »

EdNews/PBS panel on educator effectiveness | EdNewsColorado

EdNews/PBS panel on educator effectiveness | EdNewsColorado:EdNews/PBS panel on educator effectivenessfrom EdNewsColorado by adminPanelist Jessica Keigan, a high school English teacher in the Adams 12 School District.Rocky Mountain PBS and Education News Colorado hosted a lively panel discussion Friday on the state’s new educator effectiveness law, which will dramatically change how Colorado teachers and principals are assessed.State officials are still working on implementation of the new legislation, officially known as the Great Teachers and Leaders Law. By 2014, at least ... more »

The Paradox of Wealth - THE DAILY RIFF - Be Smarter. About Education.

The Paradox of Wealth - THE DAILY RIFF - Be Smarter. About Education.:The Paradox of Wealth"But what is overlooked in all the shouting is that paradoxically,the people whohave the most to gain from insuring some measure ofeconomic equality and social justiceare the wealthy."The Paradox of Wealthby Joseph Ganem, Ph.D."For the body is not one member, but many. If the foot says, 'Because I am not a hand, I am not a part of the body,' it is not for this ...more »

Larry Ferlazzo’s Websites of the Day… - “Teach With, Not ‘To” The Test”

Larry Ferlazzo’s Websites of the Day… - “Teach With, Not ‘To” The Test”:Larry Ferlazzo“Teach With, Not ‘To” The Test”Filed under teacher resources“Teach With, Not ‘To” The Test” is an article about a short interview with Princeton Neuroscientist Sam Wang.In it, he points out reasons why high-stakes standardized tests are not helpful to learning, including the fact that feedback is not immediate and that they create needless anxiety. He says low-stakes quizzes are useful, however, and suggests they be done in ... more »

Call Your Senators STOP !! HR 2218 Bill to expand charter school moves on to U.S. Senate | SeacoastOnline.com

Bill to expand charter school moves on to U.S. Senate | SeacoastOnline.com:Bill to expand charter school moves on to U.S. SenateTODAY'S MOST VIEWED ARTICLESIn pursuit of a killer: Suspect has eluded police for 30 years -9/18/2011'HALT' illegal immigration -9/18/2011Developer seeks zoning change in Bartlett St. neighborhood -9/18/2011Kids enjoy a fairy good time -9/18/2011'High-level' concerns for Maine: I-95 span problematic for state's economy - 9/18/2011Growth of poverty spreads across Seacoast - 9/18/2011By Jamie Webbennews@seacoastonline.comSeptember 17, 2011 2:00 AMWASHINGTON —... more »

Ackerman: I was threatened over the King charter deal — NewsWorks

Ackerman: I was threatened over the King charter deal — NewsWorks:Ackerman: I was threatened over the King charter dealSeptember 17, 2011By Bill Hangley Jr. for Newsworks and the Public School Notebook Rate This: 12345 (6 votes)Ask a QuestionArlene Ackerman claims she was pressured multiple ways to overturn the King charter contract. (AP Photo)Images 1/6Hide CaptionPoll:Should Ackerman continue to speak publicly about her tenure as Philly superintendent? Yes, there's more there than meets the eye. No, enough is enough.View Results »Recent ... more »

ALPHAMOMFIA: The Danger of Special Education Scholarship Vouchers

ALPHAMOMFIA: The Danger of Special Education Scholarship Vouchers:The Danger of Special Education Scholarship VouchersIn Wisconsin, children who qualify for special education and their families are caught in the middle of a legislative battle over a mostly Republican-introduced bill called AB110. The bill is similar to many private school voucher programs for special education students that are being endorsed predominantly by Republicans in state legislatures throughout the country. AB110 and other bills like it are a result of proposed legislation by ... more »

With Fraud Already Present, Was ALEC Involved in Expanding McKay Scholarships to Florida’s Special Needs Kids? | Scathing Purple Musings

With Fraud Already Present, Was ALEC Involved in Expanding McKay Scholarships to Florida’s Special Needs Kids? | Scathing Purple Musings:With Fraud Already Present, Was ALEC Involved in Expanding McKay Scholarships to Florida’s Special Needs Kids?by Bob SikesI don’t often use letters to the editor in a blog post, but Loudon, Tennessee’s Joy Pachucki writes something that may be important to Florida families. The expansion of McKay scholarships by Rick Scott and the state’s republican legislators to include any child with ... more »