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Friday, April 6, 2012

Today's Big Education Ape - PostRank Top Late Nite Posts 4-6 #soschat #EDReform


The Bully Politics of Education Reform | Dailycensored.com

The Bully Politics of Education Reform | Dailycensored.com: The Bully Politics of Education ReformWritten byPaul ThomasDaily Journal (Opinion),Education,PoliticsApr 6, 20120diggShareAmerica is a bully nation.America is the embodiment of might-makes-right. When another country (USSR) invades Afghanistan, America is filled with righteous indignation, but when America invades Afghanistan, well, all is right with the world.America has bred the bully tactic of vigilantism in the sanctified Petri dish of law (Stand Your Ground), and the result isthe person with the gun is the ... more »

Students & Parents Call for an End to Controversial Turnaround Model « EdVox

Students Parents Call for an End to Controversial Turnaround Model « EdVox: Students Parents Call for an End to Controversial Turnaround ModelbyedvoxnyDiana Rodriguez, student from Grover Cleveland HS led the press conferenceStudents, parents and community leaders from across New York City rallied at City Hall on Thursday, April 5th, calling for an end to the Bloomberg Administration’s plan to risk millions of dollars and the futures of thousands

Missouri Education Watchdog: Don't Worry about what the Legislature would do with Money from Higher Taxes. DESE, Governor Nixon and the State Board are Spending Money the State Doesn't Have Now.

Missouri Education Watchdog: Don't Worry about what the Legislature would do with Money from Higher Taxes. DESE, Governor Nixon and the State Board are Spending Money the State Doesn't Have Now.: Don't Worry about what the Legislature would do with Money from Higher Taxes. DESE, Governor Nixon and the State Board are Spending Money the State Doesn't Have Now.bystlgretchenThe followingwas posted on HotAir's Green Room, written by Patrick Ishamel from theShow-Me Instituteregarding aSt. Louis Post Dispatcheditorial. ThePost Dispatchcontends Missouri needs ... more »

Modern School: If You Sleep After You Study, You'll Remember More—Duh?

Modern School: If You Sleep After You Study, You'll Remember More—Duh?: If You Sleep After You Study, You'll Remember More—Duh?byMichael DunnEffective Studying in Action (Image from Flickr, byMrehan)That sleep improves memory ought to be common sense knowledge, but apparently it is not, even after numerous studies have shown a strong correlation between sleep and memory (seePayne JD(2011) “Learning, memory and sleep in humans.”Sleep Medicine Clinics6: 15–30 orMarshall L, Born J(2007) “The contribution of sleep to hippocampus-dependent memory consolidation.”Trends Cogn Sci11: ... more »

The in box. “The new reality.” « Fred Klonsky

The in box. “The new reality.” « Fred Klonsky: The in box. “The new reality.”byFred KlonskyFred,Welcome to the “New Reality” where those who serve the public, are trusted with our state’s children every day, and never missed their payments are the ones to blame and on who’s backs solutions will be foisted.In this “New Reality” Illinois legislators offer corporations earning billions in annual profits millions in tax breaks to remodel their bathrooms while public schools crumble.The “New Reality” features Illinois ... more »

Reflections on Teaching » Blog Archive » The Talk…

Reflections on Teaching » Blog Archive » The Talk…: The Talk…byalicemercer I have a two-fer family. In addition to my son being bi-racial (African-American and white), he is on spectrum for Autism. After the shooting of Trayvon Martin by George Zimmerman, I’ve been thinking about how to discuss this with my son. Many African-American parents have blogged about having “the talk” with their children about how to deal with the police and racism in general. There have been plenty ofgreat ... more »

Remarks by the President at the White House Forum on Women and the Economy | The White House

Remarks by the President at the White House Forum on Women and the Economy | The White House: Remarks by the President at the White House Forum on Women and the EconomybyThe White House South Court Auditorium10:30 A.M. EDTTHE PRESIDENT: Thank you so much. (Applause.) Thank you, everybody. Everybody, please, please have a seat. (Applause.) Everybody, sit down, sit down. I was going to head over here earlier and they said, no, no, this place is full of women and ... more »

Smart-Briefing and Zite-Seeing « My Island View

Smart-Briefing and Zite-Seeing « My Island View: Smart-Briefing and Zite-SeeingbytomwhitbyThere are few questions that I get from teachers about social media, or sources that I haven’t gotten in some form before over the last three or four years. Two similar questions that I get with frequency are: How do you know all that stuff? And where do you get the time to get all this stuff? My immediate response is that Twitter is my guide to relevant education sources. Those ... more »

BIG EDUCATION APE - What you read most 4-5-12 · coopmike48 · Storify

BIG EDUCATION APE - What you read most 4-5-12 · coopmike48 · Storify: BIG EDUCATION APE - What you read most 4-5-12likeShareEmailEmbedPARENTS CAN!ShareBig Education Ape: Geaux Teacher!: LETTER WRITING CAMPAIGN !!Geaux Teacher!: LETTER WRITING CAMPAIGN !! : LETTER WRITING CAMPAIGN !! by noreply@blogger.com (Lee Barrios, M.Ed., NBCT) I join the thou...BlogSpotShareBig Education Ape: Readout from the President's Film Screening of To Kill A Mockingbird at the White House | The White HouseReadout from the President's Film Screening of To Kill ... more »

Schooling in the Ownership Society: BOYCOTTING ALEC

Schooling in the Ownership Society: BOYCOTTING ALEC: BOYCOTTING ALECbyMike KlonskyMeet the Three ALEC Supporting Corporate Giants Who Dare You to Boycott ThemAs the ALEC boycott continues to grow some corporations are not getting the message. Executives from Pfizer, Reynolds American, and Procter Gamble are daring you to boycott them. Beneath the good news that Kraft and Pepsi have joined Coca-Cola in deciding to stop supporting ALEC, there are some companies who just don’t get it. According to Reuters, Pfizer, Reynolds ... more »

Geaux Teacher!: LETTER WRITING CAMPAIGN !!

Geaux Teacher!: LETTER WRITING CAMPAIGN !!: LETTER WRITING CAMPAIGN !!bynoreply@blogger.com (Lee Barrios, M.Ed., NBCT)I join the thousands of teachers statewide who are very disappointed that due to factors beyond our control we were unable to join the rally on the Capitol steps yesterday. I propose that we "rally" via a letter writing campaign that will afford each and every one of us the opportunity for a strong personal voice in this one-way conversation with legislators. There seems to be not ... more »

State Regulators Let Vocational Schools Operate without Approvals - The Bay Citizen

State Regulators Let Vocational Schools Operate without Approvals - The Bay Citizen: State Regulators Let Vocational Schools Operate without ApprovalsLack of proper oversight leaves students with few protectionsTEXT SIZEAAAByJENNIFER GOLLANonApril 5, 2012 - 6:21 p.m. PDTstart discussionSarah Rice for The Bay CitizenStudents arrive at Prime Career College in Vallejo Tuesday morning, which offers vocational nursing degrees and other programs. Prime is one of 137 schools statewide whose state approvals have lapsedJob prospects for thousands of California students are being threatened ... more »

School Tech Connect: Reductions Are Actually Increases

School Tech Connect: Reductions Are Actually Increases: Reductions Are Actually Increasesbynoreply@blogger.com (Tim Furman)I noticed that the IFT and IPACE-endorsed Elaine Nekritz and Lou Lang are the sponsorsof the pension test billthat Glen is talking about.I don't think the endorsements were wrong, by the way. You can't be responsible for everything your friends do.To be honest, I'd never even heard of this pension system. Now I regret not researching the Water Reclamation candidates. Who knows what kind of wingnuts I may ... more »

Today's Big Education Ape - PostRank Top Early Evening Posts 4-5 #SOSchat #p2 #edreform

Schools Matter: Krash Course #5: Reform We NeedBig Education Ape - PostRank (PostRank: All)-5 minutes agoSchools Matter: Krash Course #5: Reform We Need: Krash Course #5: Reform We NeedbyP. L. ThomasEach time I publish or post a critique of the education reform insanity coming from the Corporate Reformers, I receive badgering responses asking what I would do instead. So here is a list of Reform We Need:• Secretary of Education Arne Duncan needs to resign, and apologize for his inexpert ... more »

The Weinstein Co. scores PG-13 rating for 'Bully' - Boston.com

The Weinstein Co. scores PG-13 rating for 'Bully' - Boston.com: The Weinstein Co. scores PG-13 rating for 'Bully'By Derrik J. LangAP Entertainment Writer/April 5, 2012E-mail|Print|Comments (0)Text size–+00ShareThisNewLOS ANGELES—The Weinstein Co. said Thursday an edited version of the film "Bully" will be released across the U.S. on April 13 with a PG-13 rating.The Motion Picture Association of America initially gave the film an R rating for language, meaning kids under 17 were restricted from seeing it without an accompanying adult.The MPAA ... more »

NYC Public School Parents: Teacher Evaluation Forum on April 17

NYC Public School Parents: Teacher Evaluation Forum on April 17: Teacher Evaluation Forum on April 17byLeonie HaimsonTeacher Evaluation Nightmare !a forum on testing,teacher evaluations and our schoolsTuesday, April 17 at 5:30 PMMurry Bergtraum High School Auditorium411 Pearl Street, Manhattan(Brooklyn Bridge/City Hall Station 4,5,6 -Fulton Street Station 2,3 - ChambersStreet Station J)Come to a Meeting to Discuss:Why are the new teacher evaluations badfor teachers, students, and families?How can we organize to change them?Speakers:Carol Burris:L.I.Principal,one of the co-authorsof ... more »

‘Fed up’ teachers at 150 schools support strike: union chief - Chicago Sun-Times

‘Fed up’ teachers at 150 schools support strike: union chief - Chicago Sun-Times: ‘Fed up’ teachers at 150 schools support strike: union chief“Fed up“ with being scapegoated, Chicago public school teachers in 150 schools have voted overwhelmingly in mock ballots to support a strike should ongoing contract negotiations fail, Chicago Teachers Union President Karen Lewis revealed Thursday.Chicago Public School officials and Mayor Rahm Emanuel have created such a “hostile” climate that teacher leaders in 150 schools polled CTU members about ... more »

Readout from the President’s Film Screening of To Kill A Mockingbird at the White House | The White House

Readout from the President’s Film Screening of To Kill A Mockingbird at the White House | The White House: Readout from the President’s Film Screening of To Kill A Mockingbird at the White HouseThis evening, the President hosted a film screening of To Kill a Mockingbird in the Family Theater at The White House to commemorate its 50th anniversary. The President welcomed guests including local students from Washington-Lee High School, Mary Badham Wilt, the actress who played Scout, and Veronique ... more »

Mulgrew challenges DOE to increase school budgets New York Teacher | Edwize

New York Teacher | Edwize: New York TeacherbyW.J. LevayMulgrew challenges DOE to increase school budgetsWith new money coming from the state and an improving city revenue picture, the Department of Education must finally start rebuilding ravaged school budgets, UFT President Michael Mulgrew told the City Council on March 27. Class sizes should go down and after-school and enrichment programs must be restored, he said.Here’s the pitchCity schools finish in the money at annual Virtual Enterprise competitionWould-be entrepreneurs need to pitch ... more »

Engaging Parents In School… - What An Awful & Misleading Video About Our Schools

Engaging Parents In School… - What An Awful Misleading Video About Our Schools: What An Awful Misleading Video About Our SchoolsbyLarry FerlazzoMichele Molnar over at Education Weekhas just postedabout a new campaign for school choice begun by the ultra-conservativeAmerican Federation For Children. The campaign is calledParents Know Best, and is immediately joiningThe Worst Parent Engagement Ideaslist.They’re kicking-off their campaign with an incredibly misleading video, with statements taken completely out of context, that I have embedded below:PopoutThe quote from Bob Chanin, ...more »

It's the law, court briefs allege, LAUSD needs to include student progress in teacher evals | 89.3 KPCC

It's the law, court briefs allege, LAUSD needs to include student progress in teacher evals | 89.3 KPCC:


It's the law, court briefs allege, LAUSD needs to include student progress in teacher evals


Two briefs were filed this week in a Los Angeles County Superior Court case that alleges the Los Angeles Unified School District is violating a state law requiring student progress be included in teacher evaluations.

“By failing to assess teachers and administrators based on the progress of pupils and including that assessment as part of the annual evaluation, the LAUSD annually fails in its statutory obligations to the hundreds of thousands of children, their parents and guardians, taxpayers and the community it is responsible to serve,” states a brief by lawyers representing seven unnamed parents.

The suit, filed in November by the Sacramento-based nonprofit Ed Voice on behalf of the parents, is set to go to trial in June.



Santa Monica College Board members say they're between a rock and a hard place with tuition plan


Some Santa Monica College Board members said after today's emergency meeting that they were between a rock and a hard place fiscally speaking, but while it took three hours to accomplish, the Board voted unanimously Friday to postpone its two-tiered course pricing plan until further review. The Santa Monica College trustees wanted to ensure that, unlike Tuesday’s raucous meeting, everyone had a turn at the microphone.

It seemed that many trustees were reluctant to do it, but all six in the room voted to pause the program that would offer 50 of the college’s most popular and crowded classes this summer at nearly five times the usual


Santa Monica College board puts a hold on 2-tier pricing plan


Santa Monica trustees voted today to put a hold on their controversial plan to offer a two-tiered pricing structure for classes. The plan would have called for bumping the costs of some popular courses nearly five-fold.

Pass/Fail reporter Vanessa Romo was at this morning's emergency meeting, where she provided updates and collected some colorful quotes from the debate. Check out her story, and follow her on Twitter. 

Portland parents raise a record $3 million to hire teachers, support schools | OregonLive.com

Portland parents raise a record $3 million to hire teachers, support schools | OregonLive.com:


Portland parents raise a record $3 million to hire teachers, support schools

Published: Friday, April 06, 2012, 5:39 PM     Updated: Friday, April 06, 2012, 5:47 PM
Parents and other volunteers fundraised a record $3 million to help bolster Portland Public Schoolsnext year, primarily to add teachers and other staff, the Portland Public Schools Foundationreported Friday. 

That represented a 10 percent increase from just two years earlier and is more money -- although not more per student -- than was raised in the two other local districts that raise private funds to pay for faculty positions, Lake Oswego and Riverdale. Lake Oswego's foundation raised $2.2 million last year and hasn't finished its campaign this year. 

A Portland school board rule requires that nearly one-third of the money raised at any school be