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Saturday, July 30, 2011

#SOSMarch Matt Damon: Stop The War On Teachers | ThinkProgress

Matt Damon: Stop The War On Teachers | ThinkProgress

Matt Damon: Stop The War On Teachers

By Zaid Jilani on Jul 30, 2011 at 4:45 pm

ThinkProgress filed this report from the Save Our Schools March in Washington, D.C.

Actor and activist Matt Damon spoke at the Save Our Schools rally today. Before he spoke, Damon granted ThinkProgress an exclusive interview. We asked him about how teachers unions are being demonized in much of the media and teachers are being blamed as the root of all problems in public education. Damon told us that the attacks on teachers unions are part of a larger “war on unions over the last decade” and condemned “punitive policies” that punish teachers without looking at the social factors that lead to student achievement.

Towards the end of his statements, Damon joked about the right-wing meme that unionized teachers are

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#SOSMarch Education policy critics march in D.C. | EdNewsColorado

Education policy critics march in D.C. | EdNewsColorado

Education policy critics march in D.C.

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Editor’s note: This Education Week article is one result of a partnership between EdNews Colorado and the weekly education journal, allowing us to provide in-depth stories from a national perspective.

By Nirvi Shah, Education Week

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Teachers and their supporters gathered near the White House on Saturday afternoon to chant, cheer, and march for a variety of changes they hope to see in public schools — most notably, a 180-degree shift away from standards- and testing-based accountability.

People march to the White House during the Save Our Schools rally on July 30. Photo/EdWeek

Aside from that message, those who attended the Save Our Schools March and National Call to Action in the

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#SOSMarch Teachers march on Washington - The Washington Post

Teachers march on Washington - The Washington Post

Teachers march on Washington

Tracy A Woodward/THE WASHINGTON POST - Teachers march past the White House during a ”Save Our Schools“ rally.

By and Sarah Khan, Saturday, July 30, 4:06 PM

There are many reasons thousands of teachers traveled across the country to protest in front of the White House on Saturday — including to oppose charter schools, to fight for equal funding for poor schools, and to have more say in public education policies.

But at a noisy rally starting at noon under soaring temperatures, their message boiled down to one point, which was summed up by the sound check before the first speaker took the stage:

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#SOSMarch Education Week: Education Policy Critics March on White House

Education Week: Education Policy Critics March on White House

Education Policy Critics March on White House

People march to the White House during the "Save Our Schools" rally in Washington, D.C., on July 30. Marchers chanted and carried signs expressing their demands after hearing speeches nearby.
—Nicole Frugé/Education Week
By Nirvi Shah
Washington

Teachers and their supporters gathered near the White House on Saturday afternoon to chant, cheer, and march for a variety of changes they hope to see in public schools—most notably, a 180-degree shift away from standards- and testing-based accountability.

Aside from that message, those who attended the Save Our Schools March and National Call to Action in the scalding sun preached everything from boosting support for teachers’ unions, to booting U.S. Secretary of Education Arne Duncan, to getting more federal

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#SOSMarch Matt Damon’s clear-headed speech to teachers rally - The Answer Sheet - The Washington Post

Matt Damon’s clear-headed speech to teachers rally - The Answer Sheet - The Washington Post

Matt Damon’s clear-headed speech to teachers rally

by Valerie Strauss

Here is the speech that actor Matt Damon gave today to thousands of teachers, parents and others who attended the Save Our Schools march on the Ellipse near the White House to protest the Obama administration’s education policies that are centered on standardized tests.

Damon was the last of many speakers, including Diane Ravitch, Linda Darling-Hammond, Deb Meier and Jonathan Kozol. I’ve published posts of theirs before, so here is something different: Damon’s common-sense, straight-to-the-point speech.

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All Education Matters: Debt Ceiling Fiasco and Student Loans

All Education Matters: Debt Ceiling Fiasco and Student Loans

Debt Ceiling Fiasco and Student Loans

by C. Cryn Johannsen
As AEM has been reporting, the debt ceiling disaster will have a direct affect upon interest rates on student loans. On the floor today, Senator Harkin called the situation a "manufactured crisis." That is true, and pathetic, because millions of Americans will, undoubtedly, pay a price. Most politicians on the floor are now confirming that a downgrade is probably inevitable.

Reuters has put out a great piece on how a fallout from a downgrade will affect average Americans, and one of
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The Save Our Schools March - The Answer Sheet - The Washington Post #SOSMarch

The Save Our Schools March - The Answer Sheet - The Washington Post

The Save Our Schools March

by Valerie Strauss

“I don’t know where I would be today if my teachers’ job security was based on how I performed on some standardized test.”

That was actor Matt Damon talking to thousands of teachers, parents, principals, school board members and other education activists who stood today for hours in 90-plus-degree temperatures near the White House to protest the standardized testing mania that is at the heart of the Obama administration’s school reform policies.

He was one of dozens of speakers — including education historian Diane Ravitch; prominent educators Linda Darling-Hammond, Jonathan Kozol, Deb Meier; Jon Stewart (on video); and Florida activist Rita Solnet — who protested the Bush administration’s No Child Left Behind, and the current administration’s Race to the Top, which, to the disappointment of many Obama supporters, is as punitive and at least as test-centric as NCLB.

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#SOSMarch The sun shone, the stars came out for the SOS march « Parents Across America

The sun shone, the stars came out for the SOS march « Parents Across America

After two days of movement-building speeches, workshops, and networking, the SOS march ended with a sun- and passion-drenched rally and march in the middle of Washington DC.

It felt like a huge family reunion. Parents Across America was well-represented. It was so much fun to see our members meeting up with their friends from home.

We even had star power – Pedro Noguera, Deb Meier, Angela Valenzuela, Diane Ravitch and, yes, Matt Damon, whose mother, Nancy Carlson Page, a professor of early childhood education, introduced him.

Matt actually gave a fantastic, personal and heartfelt speech. He asserted that creativity, imagination, love of drama and theater – the things that made him who he is – cannot be tested. He said that he came close to standardized

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#SOSMarch Actor Matt Damon rallies teachers in Washington - CNN.com

Actor Matt Damon rallies teachers in Washington - CNN.com

Actor Matt Damon rallies teachers in Washington

By the CNN Wire Staff
July 30, 2011 -- Updated 2147 GMT (0547 HKT)
Damon said the things he values "came from the way that I was parented and taught," and that these qualities can't be tested.
Damon said the things he values "came from the way that I was parented and taught," and that these qualities can't be tested.
STORY HIGHLIGHTS
  • Damon speaks out against standardized testing
  • Teachers say focus takes them away from educating students
  • Damon attributes his success to his teachers not being forced to do "silly test prep"

(CNN) -- Actor Matt Damon rallied teachers Saturday at a march in Washington decrying the widespread use of standardized testing to judge how well teachers, students and schools are performing.

A group of teachers and education advocates organized the Save Our Schools March in an effort to inspire change in standardized testing policies, according to founder Anthony Cody. Critics say standardized testing takes teachers' focus off their core mission of educating students.

Teachers marched to the White House, chanting "Save our schools" and other slogans and carrying signs. One read, "Children are more important than test scores." Another read, "I am not the problem."

Damon, whose mother is an educator, said he achieved his successes in large part because teachers at the public schools he

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#SOSMarch Parents United for Responsible Education » Blog Archive » The sun shone and the stars came out for the SOS march

Parents United for Responsible Education » Blog Archive » The sun shone and the stars came out for the SOS march

And the sun shone on the SOS march

by admin

SOS March in DC July 30, 2011

After two days of movement-building speeches, workshops, and networking, the SOS march ended with a sun- and passion-drenched rally and march in the middle of Washington DC.

It felt like a huge family reunion. Our brand new Parents Across America group was well-represented. It was so

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Big Education Ape: 7-30-11 PM #SOSMarch Report from DC – parents are powerful EDition

Big Education Ape: Ed News Now
Big Education Ape: Ed News Now
Published by Coopmike48 – 6 news spotters today

#SOSMarch Report from DC – parents are powerful

bigeducationape.blogspot.com - Parents United for Responsible Education » Blog Archive » Report from DC – parents are powerfulReport from DC – parents are powerfulby adminHaven’t had a minute yet to report out on the SOS March a...

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If the School Fits: Who’s Pounding the Drum?

editbarry.wordpress.com - This is what rapid growth looks like, in the world of stock images. Baltimore City is a case study in the push for school choice. In November 2004, with the benefit of pro bono services from global...

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On our way to the SOS march

michaelklonsky.blogspot.com - Diane Ravitch speaks at SOS pre-march conferenceIt seems like I've been doing this most of my adult life. Coming to D.C. to march around the White House has almost become a yearly ritual, starting ...

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coopmike48 Tea Party Horror Show | Dailycensored.com - http://goo.gl/4qs7823 minutes ago · reply · retweet · favorite

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coopmike48 #EDU #SOSMarch All Things Education: Restrictive and Inappropriate: How High-stakes Testing & NCLB Abuse Sped St... http://bit.ly/qmOdpc22 minutes ago · reply · retweet · favorite

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coopmike48 #SOSMarch All Things Education: Restrictive and Inappropriate: How High-stakes Testing & NCLB Abuse Sped Students http://bit.ly/oXh6Cx #Edu22 minutes ago · reply · retweet · favorite

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Teacher's march doesn't list union members - Ben Smith

politico.com - July 28, 2011 We reported in June that the Save Our Schools March, scheduled for Saturday in Washington D.C., presented itself as a grassroots effort without mentioning the big teachers union's rol...

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Art & EntertainmentSee all

Jersey Jazzman: At #SOSMarch ! Wrapping Up

bigeducationape.blogspot.com - Jersey Jazzman: At SOSMarch! Wrapping UpAt SOSMarch! Wrapping Upby DukeWell, the sun is just brutal, and that was a fairly long walk, so it looks like this is breaking up. Supposed to be some music...

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Bill Maher New Rules - Socialism - Video

mediaite.com - video Last night, a monologue on the virtues of socialism and the shame of not openly embracing it was received with hearty applause, exuberant cheers and the kind of laughter so loud it makes you ...

coopmike48

At SOS March! Part IV

jerseyjazzman.blogspot.com - Taylor Mali (sp?) did his "What Teachers Make" poem to raucous applause. AFT and NEA local leaders on stage; now we're hearing from students. Talked to teachers from RI; that district (shoot, can't...

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PoliticsSee all

Tea Party Horror Show | Dailycensored.com

dailycensored.com - What sort of person would deliberately ignore the obvious fundamental reality of any budget?By NumerianIt’s hard to say if the Tea Party has an acknowledged leader, but someone who professes to be ...

coopmike48

Rev. Jesse Jackson: Obama Should Have Been Tougher

sacramentopa.blogspot.com - Published on Saturday, July 30, 2011 by Politico by Molly Ball Jesse Jackson said Friday that President Obama should have been “tougher” with Republicans and less compromising to keep the debt ceil...

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Fareed Zakaria - Tea Party - Debt Crisis

mediaite.com - video CNN host Fareed Zakaria is deeply concerned for the future of America, and on last night’s Anderson Cooper 360º took the Tea Party to task for what he considered the “hijacking” of the nation...

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StoriesSee all

Latino Grandparent Caregivers Relieve the Foster Care System

hispanicallyspeakingnews.com - Photo Credits: Latino Grandparent Caregivers An accident landed seven of Rosie Cardenas’ grandchildren on her doorstep—and she hasn’t looked back since.Along with her husband, Jerry, Cardenas raise...

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LivingSee all

Nearly Half of Mexican Population Lives in Poverty

hispanicallyspeakingnews.com - Published at 3:00 pm, July 30, 2011 Photo Credits: Poverty in Mexico In a report released yesterday, the number of Mexicans living in poverty grew by 3 million in the past two years to 52 million p...

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One Year Later, States Draw Back from SB 1070 Legislation

hispanicallyspeakingnews.com - Photo Credits: Stop SB 1070 Type Legislation A year after SB 1070 took effect, states nationwide are turning away from similar bills, fearing the financial and political fallout seen in Arizona and...

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Microsoft, Experts Stress Need for High-Skilled Immigration

hispanicallyspeakingnews.com - Published at 12:54 am, July 30, 2011 Photo Credits: Immigration Reform While the House Judiciary Committee focused on a very different part of immigration yesterday, its Senate counterpart held a h...

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TechnologySee all

Hispanos acuden a la universidad gracias a la beca Hacer

vidayfamilia.univision.com - RMHC otorga $400,000 en becas a cuatro estudiantes hispanos que se preparan para ir a la universidad. - Thinkstock LLC/Picture Quest VIDEO José Hernández, astronauta de la NASA - Univision Ver ...

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#sosmarchSee all

#SOSMarch School Tech Connect: Scenes From a March

bigeducationape.blogspot.com - School Tech Connect: Scenes From a MarchScenes From a Marchby effacethefacade@yahoo.com (Tim)Just going to embed some selected shots here from the SOS March and National Call to Action. I'm working...

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#SOSMarch in DC: And to think this used to be Rhee's town

bigeducationape.blogspot.com - SOS March in DC: And to think this used to be Rhee's townSOS March in DC: And to think this used to be Rhee's townby adminGuest post by Dobby44107This used to be Michelle Rhee’s town.This is where ...

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