Saturday, October 22, 2011

More of Today's Big Education Ape - PostRank Top AM Posts


More of Today's Big Education Ape - PostRank Top AM Posts


Thoughts on Improving the School Funding Reform Act (SFRA) in NJ « School Finance 101

Thoughts on Improving the School Funding Reform Act (SFRA) in NJ « School Finance 101:Thoughts on Improving the School Funding Reform Act (SFRA) in NJby schoolfinance101I’ve seen a number of tweets and vague media references of late about the fact that NJ Education Commissioner Cerf will at some point in the near future be providing recommendations for how to change the School Funding Reform Act of 2008.I also have it on good authority that NJDOE has convened a working group ... more »

Cablevision Launches "Semillitas" Channel for Latino Toddlers - Hispanically Speaking News

Cablevision Launches "Semillitas" Channel for Latino Toddlers - Hispanically Speaking News:Cablevision’s iO TV Launches “Semillitas” Channel for Latino Toddlers and PreschoolersSOMOSTV today announced the launch of “Semillitas,” a TV channel targeting Latino toddlers and preschoolers from 0-5 years of age with the goal of helping parents preserve their language and cultural roots, on Cablevision’s iO en espanol package. Semillitas offers 24 hour, state-of-the-art animation from Latin America, Spain, the United States and other countries, dubbed in neutral Spanish in a ... more »

Why do we trust superintendents more than teachers? The Case of Houston ISD « A "Fuller" Look at Education Issues

Why do we trust superintendents more than teachers? The Case of Houston ISD « A "Fuller" Look at Education Issues:Why do we trust superintendents more than teachers? The Case of Houston ISDby Dr. Ed FullerIn an article in the Texas Watchdog at:http://www.texaswatchdog.org/2011/10/houston-isd-school-trustees-begin-terry-grier-evaluation/1319204896.columnThe article states:But Grier’s performance review is just beginning, said Trustee Julie Stipeche, who represents HISD District VIII.“Today was the first day we, as a board, had the opportunity to review the data the administration pro... more »

Can New Jersey’s Virtual Charter School Profit Gambit Bring be Duplicated in Florida? | Scathing Purple Musings

Can New Jersey’s Virtual Charter School Profit Gambit Bring be Duplicated in Florida? | Scathing Purple Musings:Can New Jersey’s Virtual Charter School Profit Gambit Bring be Duplicated in Florida?by Bob SikesFrom New Jersey.com’s Leslie Brody:A proposal for a virtual charter school based in Teaneck that would end its first year with $4.7 million of taxpayer money left in the bank has sparked concern and calls Friday for deeper scrutiny.State Sen. Richard Codey, D-Essex, said the proposal sounded like a “business, ... more »

The Great Expectations School: A Rookie Year in the New Blackboard Jungle: Dan Brown

Amazon.com: The Great Expectations School: A Rookie Year in the New Blackboard Jungle (9781559708357): Dan Brown: Books: The Great Expectations School: A Rookie Year in the New Blackboard Jungle[Hardcover]Dan Brown (Author)4.6 out of 5 stars See all reviews (25 customer reviews) |Available from these sellers.See larger image Share your own customer imagesEditorial ReviewsReview"A poignant portrait painted with skill . . . Read it and weep--and wonder no more about the human dimensions of the achievement gap." -- Gene I. Maeroff, ... more »

Classroom Walls: We Don't Need No Thought Control - Teacher in a Strange Land - Education Week Teacher

Classroom Walls: We Don't Need No Thought Control - Teacher in a Strange Land - Education Week Teacher:Classroom Walls: We Don't Need No Thought Controlby Nancy FlanaganOne of the things I found most fascinating in Dan Brown's Great Expectations School were the ongoing controversies over--of all things--his bulletin boards. There was a lot of fussing about whether his displays met "quality standards"--i.e., were they standardized to the point of monotony?--and a ridiculous administrative smackdown over commercially purchased borders.It seemed to ... more »

Geaux Teacher!: Why NOT School Performance Scores?

Geaux Teacher!: Why NOT School Performance Scores?:Why NOT School Performance Scores?by noreply@blogger.com (Lee Barrios, M.Ed., NBCT)This blog by Gary Rubinstein at "TEACHFORUS" is a great example and explanation of the "inaccurate statistically meaningless scoring process" in New York City (that's where our unqualified candidate for State Superintendent previously worked his magic). Surprisingly, this system shows how the process hurts GOOD schools as well as "BAD." Louisiana's School Performance Score metric is no better!http://garyrubinstein.teachforus.org/2011/10/21/when-bad-pr... more »

Ten Things to Know About Alabama’s New Immigration Law - Hispanically Speaking News

Ten Things to Know About Alabama’s New Immigration Law - Hispanically Speaking News:Ten Things to Know About Alabama’s New Immigration LawOn September 28th, 2011, the most sweeping anti-immigration law in the country went into effect in Alabama. The law, HB 56, has already had harsh and sweeping consequences—hurting not only undocumented immigrants but legal residents, native-born U.S. citizens, and the state’s reputation on the national stage. HB 56 has created a climate of hostility for Hispanics and immigrants that has ... more »

NY1 Exclusive: Teachers Union Says NYPD Keeping Close Watch Following Support Of Protests - NY1.com #ows

NY1 Exclusive: Teachers Union Says NYPD Keeping Close Watch Following Support Of Protests - NY1.com:NY1 Exclusive: Teachers Union Says NYPD Keeping Close Watch Following Support Of ProtestsBy: Lindsey ChristThe United Federation of Teachers has vocally supported the “Occupy Wall Street” movement, and union representatives now say they believe the New York City Police Department may be spying on them as a result. NY1’s Lindsey Christ filed the following report.Police cars are not usually parked outside the headquarters of the United ... more »

Occupy LAUSD: What Does 'The Man' Have to Do With L.A.'s Educational Woes?: LAist #ows

Occupy LAUSD: What Does 'The Man' Have to Do With L.A.'s Educational Woes?: LAist:Occupy LAUSD: What Does 'The Man' Have to Do With L.A.'s Educational Woes?Occupy LAUSD tents on Day 3 (Photo by @JoseDelBarrio via yfrog)Since Tuesday, Santee teacher Jose Lara has been sitting--no standing--at the corner of 4th and Beaudry at LAUSD Headquarters. Occupy Wall Street has beget Occupy L.A. has beget Occupy LAUSD. The movementstates "This is a call out to the 99% in the Los Angeles Unified ... more »

Film: 'American Teacher' - California Teachers Association

Film: 'American Teacher' - California Teachers Association:Film: 'American Teacher'By Sherry Posnick-GoodwinFilms about teachers often tend to be stereotypical in nature. “Waiting for Superman” blamed “bad teachers” for being complacent and ineffective. Other movies — “Freedom Writers,” “Stand and Deliver,” “Dangerous Minds” — portray teachers as self-sacrificing saints eager to take a vow of poverty. “American Teacher” is more realistic. The film shows that the majority of teachers are smart, resourceful, hardworking, and doing the best they can in challenging circumstances. ... more »

Trigger Laws: Does Signing a Petition Give Parents a Voice?

Trigger Laws: Does Signing a Petition Give Parents a Voice?:Trigger Laws • Does Signing a Petition Give Parents a Voice?Illustration: Michael DuffyBy David BaconParent trigger laws, according to their proponents, give parents power. Gregory McGinity, managing director of policy for the Broad Education Foundation, calls them “a way for parents’ voices to be heard.”Sounds good. But is the parent trigger concept a way to put parents in charge of their kids’ education, or is it part of a political agenda ... more »