Latest News and Comment from Education

Wednesday, September 26, 2012

Big Education Ape Nite Cap UPDATE 9-26-12 #SOSCHAT #CTUSTRIKE


Nite Cap UPDATE

UPDATE UPDATE UPDATE UPDATE



CA Governor Jerry Brown Deemphasizes State Tests in Revised School Rating System


Mitt Romney Supports High-Stakes Standardized Testing




Bill Introduced: S.3578 An original bill to amend the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965.

An original bill to amend the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965.

“Engaging Every Secondary School Family”

Engaging Every Secondary School Family is a useful post by Steve Constantino. Here’s an excerpt:
At the secondary school level, the plan to engage families should emanate from the families themselves. Understanding their perspectives and needs and then crafting a plan based on that information helps to make engagement efforts more meaningful and relevant to individual parents. It is important to respect families as equal partners in the education of their children and to recognize the potential in their contributions to the process of learning. Most importantly, welcoming them to the school goes a long way to creating a culture where every family feels accepted and is engaged.


My Stance on “Ed Reform”

(I was asked a few questions on my involvement with the Student Voice movement and my opinions on edreform for a documentary. Here’s what I said)
I think education is extremely important, but that the definition of what education entails, is changing as we speak. To me, getting an education is still the means of acquiring the knowledge to succeed and survive once you leave school and enter the “real world” with all the “big kids.” education, in countries less fortunate than the U.S, is a ticket up and out if you take advantage of it. Education can, and should continue to, be revolutionary.
Initially, I simply focused on using technology to maximize our learning potential. This interest on maximizing learning in school evolved into thinking about an ideal school containing a mix of elements picked up from my 

A look at KIPP, Michael Feinberg, NCTQ and Bill Gates



KIPP is in a rush to now dumb down education in New Zealand even though New Zealand and Australia have higher international test scores than the US and the majority of other nations.
KIPP is trying to worm their way into New Zealand using the same old phrasing such as “failing schools” and “ineffective teachers” and pushing the idea of hiring “unregistered” (cheap) staff to populate charter schools.
PAA member Karran Harper-Royal
See the TV New Zealand’s program The Hard Sell of Charter Schools featuring Parents Across America board member Karran Harper-Royal and Mike Feinberg, co-founder of KIPP.
Fortunately in New Zealand they are having an open national debate on charter schools something that never 

Back on the KeyTrain Gang

At The Common Errant, I have frequently offered detailed reports on the fraudulent nature of the corporate reforms in "education."  Shining a bright light (unfortunately lacking the sterilizing power of the sun) on human malfeasance and corruption is a worthy endeavor if, in the end, it is only a human truth in the age characterized by mechanical tyranny and bureaucratic death squads.  It is our current "ground of being." It is because of this that I have come to feel a futility in opposition.  But...

Saying NO to the technological horror so mindlessly accepted and promulgated as a kind of pinnacled position 

George Norcross Isn't Gonna Like This...

Oh, my:
The Camden Board of Education, in a move that surprised everyone including its own members, rejected all four proposals to build renaissance schools in the city.
The early morning decision (just after midnight) came after a closed session meeting in which the board discussed the four applications.
The proposals for Ben Franklin Academy, Camden Center for Youth Development and Universal Company were voted down by every member.
The Kipp Cooper Norcross Academy, which scored highest on the rubric and was rumored to be the chosen one, was rejected by a lack of majority vote. Board members Felicia Reyes-Morton an

Perth Amboy Update

Because we just can't get enough news from the soap opera that is Perth Amboy's schools:
A number of ethics complaints filed against city Board of Education members appear headed to hearings before a state administrative law judge following decisions announced Tuesday by the state School Ethics Commission.
Some of the ethics complaints brought by Superintendent of Schools Janine Walker Caffrey against Board President Samuel Lebreault, Vice President Kenneth Puccio and 

electoral votes counts courtesy of Nate Silver

Let's set the stage
Obama won 365 EVs in '08.  Those states currently have 359.
Subtract 12   IN with 11 and for now the 2nd CD of NE
that gives a baseline of 347 electoral votes.
What I am going to do is list the battlegrounds of the states that Obama won in increasing probability of Obama winning, in each case showing the percentage that Nate Silver now shows and the electoral vote and giving a running total of EVs switched to Romney and the EV O v R
STATE    O%     EVs       Running EVS         O         R
NC        35        15         15                   332       206
FL         67        29         44                   303       235
CO        72         9          53                   294       244
VA        74        13         66                   281       257
IA         77         6          72                  275        263
NH        79         4          76                  271       267
NOTE -  those are ALL of the battleground states where currently Obama's


Board Of Ed Boot Licker

It occurs to me that some of you reading this site lately might think (or have been told by others to think) that I am a reliable union critic who regularly takes City Hall's side -- an Emanuel defender, a Board of Education boot licker. (No one's actually said that, but I like the sound of it.) For those of you who are new to the site, that would be somewhat understandable. But the site's been around a long time, and filled a variety of useful functions over the years.  Read on for my thoughts, then share your own. (Or read on but pretend you didn't, so that nobody thinks you're soft.) I've made no real attempt to hide the fact that I thought the strike was unnecessary and 


Editorial Blasts VAM


From the Lake Charles “American Press,” Tuesday, 9-25-12


State superintendent of Education John White. (Donna Price / American Press)

Editorial: Value-added model rating system unfair to teachers

Last Modified: Tuesday, September 25, 2012 8:59 PM

Contemplate this scenario: The CEO of the company you work for decides to implement an employee evaluation system in which only about 10 percent of the total employees will receive 


“Hubble captures extraordinary view of Universe”

Hubble captures extraordinary view of Universe is an article from the BBC. Here’s an excerpt, and a video:
The Hubble Space Telescope (HST) has produced one of its most extraordinary views of the Universe to date.
Called the eXtreme Deep Field, the picture captures a mass of galaxies stretching back almost to the time when the first stars began to shine.
But this was no simple point and snap – some of the objects in this image are too distant and too faint for that.




Pallets for Pedagogues

Georgia - "It's not good for my back," winced forty-two-year-old Sara Freeman of Mason, GA as she pulled herself up from her cot. "But at least I can get some sleep."  For the second time this week, Sara slept at her school.

Sara teaches third graders at a Power Is Power (PIP) charter school, one of a growing number of schools offering cots for teachers who want to sleep in the building so they don't waste time going home.  "I would rather be home in my own bed but that's not always possible. By the time I'm done grading homework and tests and updating my bulletin boards and reviewing student data and writing my lesson plans and individualized education plans, it can be very late.  So I just pull the cot out of the closet and try to catch a few winks."

Sara is not alone.  Teachers in Arizona began sleeping at their schools last year after their districts began 

NYC Public School Parents: Arne Duncan makes a startling admission: online learning doesn't work

NYC Public School Parents: Arne Duncan makes a startling admission: online learning doesn't work:


Arne Duncan makes a startling admission: online learning doesn't work

At the conclusion of the NBC Education Nation conference in New York today, writer William Doyle (co-author with James Meredith of  A MISSION FROM GOD) asked U.S. Secretary of Education Arne Duncan a question involving billions of dollars of taxpayer funds.

The video below is hard to hear, but here is a transcript of the substance of the conversation, which began before the video rolled:

Doyle: "Are you aware of the fact that your own What Works Clearinghouse [U.S. Department of Education research department] has found virtually no [K-8] technology interventions with solid evidence of academic benefit [exception: special needs and distance learners]?"

Secretary Duncan: "We're nuts on that. We've gotta fix it. It's a big problem. John Easton runs the IESD, have 

Big Education Ape Nite Cap 9-26-12 #SOSCHAT #EDCHAT #P2



James Baldwin said it best: 

"For these are all our children, and we will profit by or pay for whatever they become."

A BIG EDUCATION APE NITE CAP




Jersey Jazzman: The Bizarre World of Chris Cerf's Brain

coopmike48 at Big Education Ape - 3 minutes ago
Jersey Jazzman: The Bizarre World of Chris Cerf's Brain: The Bizarre World of Chris Cerf's Brain by Duke NJ Education Commissioner Chris Cerf's brain must be a remarkable place. How does a person in such an important position manage to contradict himself *on the same night?* (all emphases mine) New Jersey Education Commissioner Christopher Cerf insisted during a meeting with residents last night that he did nothing improper when he met privately with Ward E Concilman Steven Fulop and a small group of residents and school board members last year to discuss issues related to finding... more »

Fundamentally Opposed to Mandatory Standardized Education | Lefty Parent

coopmike48 at Big Education Ape - 19 minutes ago
Fundamentally Opposed to Mandatory Standardized Education | Lefty Parent: Fundamentally Opposed to Mandatory Standardized Education by Cooper Zale So I was in the mood for a rant today… You’ve been warned… Based on all my life’s experience, all the principles I hold dear, and all my study of human history and development, I am fundamentally opposed to having a standardized education imposed on young people by the government. It is the most effective tool of the totalitarian state, and all the more pernicious when wielded by the highest levels of government in a democratic society. I... more »

“Won’t Back Down”: Why do teachers’ unions hate America? - Salon.com

coopmike48 at Big Education Ape - 37 minutes ago
“Won’t Back Down”: Why do teachers’ unions hate America? - Salon.com: “Won’t Back Down”: Why do teachers’ unions hate America?"Won't Back Down" is an offensive, lame, union-bashing drama, which somehow stars Viola Davis and Maggie GyllenhaalBY ANDREW O'HEHIR - - 525 - 117 - - - more - TOPICS: LABOR, MAGGIE GYLLENHAAL, MOVIES, TEACHERS, TEACHERS UNIONS,THE LABOR MOVEMENT, VIOLA DAVIS, WON'T BACK DOWNENTERTAINMENT NEWS,POLITICS NEWS , Maggie Gyllenhaal, Rosie Perez and Viola Davis in "Won't Back Down" So teachers’ unions don’t care about kids. O... more »

Do We Need to Burn Our Violins and Close Our Swimming Pools? — Whole Child Education

coopmike48 at Big Education Ape - 1 hour ago
Do We Need to Burn Our Violins and Close Our Swimming Pools? — Whole Child Education: THE WHOLE CHILD BLOG [image: Sean Slade]Do We Need to Burn Our Violins and Close Our Swimming Pools? September 26, 2012 by Sean Slade "To compete with China in education we will need to burn our violins and close our swimming pools." This was said last week in Melbourne, Australia, by author Yong Zhao at the 2012 Joint Australian Primary Principals Association and New Zealand Federation of Principals Trans-Tasman Conference. Zhao presented a keynote at the conference, as did ASCD Board of Direct... more »

NYC Public School Parents: Noah Gotbaum vs. Mitt Romney on who parents trust more, the union or Michael Bloomberg?

coopmike48 at Big Education Ape - 1 hour ago
NYC Public School Parents: Noah Gotbaum vs. Mitt Romney on who parents trust more, the union or Michael Bloomberg?: Noah Gotbaum vs. Mitt Romney on who parents trust more, the union or Michael Bloomberg? by Leonie Haimson See the video below, in which NYC parent leader Noah Gotbaum confronts Mitt Romney at the propaganda fest known as Education Nation about how parents support the teachers union more than the Mayor, a proposition that Mitt says he doesn't believe. Noah is right , of course. Parents do support the teachers union far more than they support Bloomberg and the Chance... more »

Charter School Teachers Vs. Public School Teachers (Education Nation) [Why We Write] | The Jose Vilson

coopmike48 at Big Education Ape - 1 hour ago
Charter School Teachers Vs. Public School Teachers (Education Nation) [Why We Write] | The Jose Vilson: Charter School Teachers Vs. Public School Teachers (Education Nation) [Why We Write] by Jose Education Nation Teacher Town Hall 2012 She said she doesn’t like when teachers differentiate themselves between charter and public. I nodded cautiously. At the Education Nation Teacher Town Hall, while NBC anchor Brian Williams feigned nervousness in front of the hundreds of educators in front of us, teachers from all different groups convened at the Public Library, some from groups lik... more »

“Give it a rest, Rahm”: Great Sun-Times letter by PURE member Parents United for Responsible Education

coopmike48 at Big Education Ape - 1 hour ago
Parents United for Responsible Education » Blog Archive » “Give it a rest, Rahm”: Great Sun-Times letter by PURE member: “Give it a rest, Rahm”: Great Sun-Times letter by PURE member by admin Yesterday’s Sun-Times carried this to-the-point letter from PURE member and active mom Linda Hudson: Dear Mr. Mayor: It is far too early to be campaigning for re-election. Stop the commercials and radio ads already. Tell your rich hedge-fund friends to use the money spent on these misleading commercials to help the children of Chicago. You know, those kids whose parents can’t afford the Lab S... more »

Respect teachers | Uppity Wisconsin

coopmike48 at Big Education Ape - 1 hour ago
Respect teachers | Uppity Wisconsin: Respect teachers by Sen. K. Vinehout “How do I attract and keep the best teachers?” the school administrator asked me. “I’m losing my best teachers,” another said. The state’s school superintendents recently gathered for their state convention. I spoke to their convention and listened to their concerns during a break in the action. Many superintendents are concerned about the upcoming state budget. They told me if the state continues to short-change schools of needed cash, our schools will struggle to attract and retain qualified teachers. Alrea... more »

Seattle Schools Community Forum: BEX IV Re-order

coopmike48 at Big Education Ape - 1 hour ago
Seattle Schools Community Forum: BEX IV Re-order: BEX IV Re-order by Charlie Mas I think some of the District's urgency around capacity is real and some is manufactured. They have a real need for additional elementary school capacity in West Seattle and the northeast. They have a real need for middle school capacity in the north. The high school and central region middle school capacity needs aren't all that urgent. Outside of capacity needs, they do need to take care of the World School without further delay and the renovation to Arbor Heights cannot wait. Keeping the cash flow ... more »

Mike Klonsky's SmallTalk Blog: What's the difference (if any) on education? And why?

coopmike48 at Big Education Ape - 1 hour ago
Mike Klonsky's SmallTalk Blog: What's the difference (if any) on education? And why?: What's the difference (if any) on education? And why? by Mike Klonsky *"I once thought classroom size was … [the] only thing I could do to make our schools better."* --Mitt Romney *"Come be in a classroom with fifth graders and tell me class size doesn’t matter."* -- Pres. Obama *"But in secondary schools, districts may be able to save money without hurting students, while *

NYC Public School Parents: NJ parents occupy the NJ Dept of Education to fight the scourge of charter schools in their community!

coopmike48 at Big Education Ape - 4 hours ago
NYC Public School Parents: NJ parents occupy the NJ Dept of Education to fight the scourge of charter schools in their community!: NJ parents occupy the NJ Dept of Education to fight the scourge of charter schools in their community! by Leonie Haimson Parents protesting at the NJ Department of Education* credit: NJ Star Ledger * *A few days ago we featured the real-life "Won't Back Down" story of a Brooklyn parent and teacherwho together battled to prevent a billionaire-backed charter school from invading their successful public school building. Today we feature the story of Darcie... more »

The Innovative Educator: 3 ways to measure students, teachers, & schools without standardized tests

coopmike48 at Big Education Ape - 5 hours ago
The Innovative Educator: 3 ways to measure students, teachers, & schools without standardized tests: 3 ways to measure students, teachers, & schools without standardized tests by noreply@blogger.com (Lisa Nielsen) *A theme at this week’s Education Nation was the failure of standardized tests as a measurement of student achievement and teacher effectiveness. Those who know better know that standardized tests tell us more about a student’s language acquisition, parental involvement, poverty level, and developmental level than they do about teacher effectiveness or student ability. Bu... more »

RheeFirst! » Why is StudentsFirst so desperate to get people to see Won’t Back Down?

coopmike48 at Big Education Ape - 5 hours ago
RheeFirst! » Why is StudentsFirst so desperate to get people to see Won’t Back Down?: Why is StudentsFirst so desperate to get people to see Won’t Back Down? by admin StudentsFirst is desperately trying to get people to see *Won’t Back Down*, a new movie from the makers of*Waiting for Superman*. And it’s no wonder why– the movie is getting trashed by reviewers, and is currently neck-and-neck with *Dude, Where’s My Car*? on Rotten Tomatoes. (apologies to the makers of *Dude, Where’s My Car?*) StudentsFirst has given out over a thousand tickets to this film, not counting their scree... more »

“The more time spent by teachers on measuring their own effectiveness, the less effective the teachers become.” | Get Schooled

coopmike48 at Big Education Ape - 5 hours ago
“The more time spent by teachers on measuring their own effectiveness, the less effective the teachers become.” | Get Schooled: “The more time spent by teachers on measuring their own effectiveness, the less effective the teachers become.” by Maureen Downey I have been hearing about the new Student Learning Objectives from teachers statewide, including this note from a teacher in central Georgia: I was wondering what you might be able to tell me about Student Learning Objectives or SLO’s (called “Slows” by the teachers). I teach kindergarten and have never seen anything in my lif... more »

NYC Public School Parents: Critics pan “Won’t Back Down” as badly made propaganda film

coopmike48 at Big Education Ape - 6 hours ago
NYC Public School Parents: Critics pan “Won’t Back Down” as badly made propaganda film: Critics pan “Won’t Back Down” as badly made propaganda film by Leonie Haimson So far today, there have been five scathing reviews of the new “parent tricker” film “Won’t Back Down” consistent with my view, that it is an extremely poorly made film as well as shamelessly propagandistic piece of trash. Hopefully the huge promotional push by privateer astroturf organizations like DFER and Students First, and the shameless publicity provided by MSNBC/NBC Education Nation won’t be able to overcome... more »

Missouri Education Watchdog: Romney Comes Out Against Common Core

coopmike48 at Big Education Ape - 6 hours ago
Missouri Education Watchdog: Romney Comes Out Against Common Core: Romney Comes Out Against Common Core by Anngie There is that moment in the very early morning, when the sun has not yet risen in the sky but when there is clearly brightening on the horizon that begins to focus on a single point of light. For those opposing Common Core, that moment occurred yesterday in an interview between candidate Romney and Brian Williams at the NBC organized Education Nation Summit in New York. In that exchange, Romney said, “I don’t subscribe to the idea of the federal government trying to pus... more »

Walking on Quicksand in Prince Willaim County Public Schools « PWC Education Reform Blog

coopmike48 at Big Education Ape - 6 hours ago
Walking on Quicksand in Prince Willaim County Public Schools « PWC Education Reform Blog: Walking on Quicksand in Prince Willaim County Public SchoolsSeptember 26, 2012 — pwceducationreform *If there’s not any endgame, we’re in quicksand. We take one more step, and we’re still there, and there’s no way out* – Richard Shelby Several days ago PWCS issued a press release on the division’s SAT scores. In it Tim Healey, associate superintendent for Student Learning and Accountability, was quoted as stating, “*Overall, our SAT scores remain solid, indicating that our hard work is payin... more »

Jersey Jazzman: Mitt: Corporations Are People, But Unions Aren't

coopmike48 at Big Education Ape - 6 hours ago
Jersey Jazzman: Mitt: Corporations Are People, But Unions Aren't: Mitt: Corporations Are People, But Unions Aren't by Duke The cognitive dissonance in Mitt Romney's mind must be overwhelming: Republican nominee Mitt Romney said Tuesday that Democratic politicians have a conflict of interest in dealing with teacher unions because the unions contribute so heavily to their campaigns. He suggested that money should somehow be diverted or cut off, although he did not offer details. Speaking in New York at Education Nation, a forum sponsored by NBC, Romney told interviewer Brian Williams... more »

Mitt Romney on the Common Core | Truth in American Education

coopmike48 at Big Education Ape - 7 hours ago
Mitt Romney on the Common Core | Truth in American Education: Mitt Romney on the Common Core by Shane Vander Hart Mitt Romney was asked about the Common Core Standards at the Education Nation Summit yesterday. Here is what he had to say when asked by Brian Williams, “what do you make of the Common Core?” You know, I think it’s fine for people to lay out what they think core subjects might be and to suggest a pedagogy and being able to provide that learning to our kids. I don’t subscribe to the idea of the federal government trying to push a common core on various states. It’s on... more »

Film review: Education drama 'Won't Back Down' fails to make the grade | StarTribune.com

coopmike48 at Big Education Ape - 8 hours ago
Film review: Education drama 'Won't Back Down' fails to make the grade | StarTribune.com: *Film review: Education drama 'Won't Back Down' fails to make the grade* The focus of the save-our-school drama "Won't Back Down" practically assures it will fail to join the ranks of great, or even good, education tales. The movie takes the story out of the classroom and into the halls of bureaucracy, leaving almost every kid behind to center on two plucky parents battling entrenched administrators and union leaders to turn around a failing school. So essentially, it's a school board meeting.... more »

Shanker Blog » New Teacher Evaluations Are A Long-Term Investment, Not Test Score Arbitrage

coopmike48 at Big Education Ape - 8 hours ago
Shanker Blog » New Teacher Evaluations Are A Long-Term Investment, Not Test Score Arbitrage: New Teacher Evaluations Are A Long-Term Investment, Not Test Score Arbitrage by Matthew Di Carlo One of the most important things in education policy to keep an eye on is the first round of changes to new teacher evaluation systems. Given all the moving parts and the lack of evidence on how these systems should be designed and their impact, course adjustments along the way are not just inevitable, but absolutely essential. Changes might be guided by different types of evidence, such as fee... more »

Seattle Schools Community Forum: Seattle in Group for District Race to the Top Money

coopmike48 at Big Education Ape - 8 hours ago
Seattle Schools Community Forum: Seattle in Group for District Race to the Top Money: Seattle in Group for District Race to the Top Money by Melissa Westbrook I had let this fact get past me until I read a recent op-ed in the Times from Mary Alice Hershuel and Kip Herren, the superintendent of Renton public schools and the superintendent of the Auburn School district, respectively. *We are working to find better ways to spread great practices and create a more permeable system of learning by relying on stronger engagement with parents, communities, businesses and support service ... more »

California High School Exit Examination (CAHSEE) - Testing (CA Dept of Education)

coopmike48 at Big Education Ape - 8 hours ago
California High School Exit Examination (CAHSEE) - Testing (CA Dept of Education): California High School Exit Examination (CAHSEE) In California, all high school students must pass a test to earn a high school diploma. The test is called the CAHSEE. Some students with disabilities do not have to pass this test. California created the test to improve student achievement in high schools. The test helps to ensure that students graduate from high school with grade level skills in reading, writing, and math. Students first take this test in grade ten. If they do not pass the test in g... more »

FCMAT » Cali Education Headlines Wednesday, September 26, 2012

coopmike48 at Big Education Ape - 8 hours ago
FCMAT » Fiscal Crisis & Management Assistance Team: *Transitional Kindergarten Online Resource - TKCalifornia* Education Headlines *Wednesday, September 26, 2012* Stockton USD examines 'what if's' of Prop. 30 failureCalifornia school districts have been struggling financially for years because of the state's financial woes, but Stockton Unified Superintendent Steve Lowder says the worst may be yet to come. Kennedy to be new Menifee superintendentSteve Kennedy was appointed superintendent of the Menifee Union School District on Tuesday. The current assistant superintendent of perso... more »

Rog Lucido: How do High Stakes Tests Affect Our Students? - Living in Dialogue - Education Week Teacher

coopmike48 at Big Education Ape - 8 hours ago
Rog Lucido: How do High Stakes Tests Affect Our Students? - Living in Dialogue - Education Week Teacher: Rog Lucido: How do High Stakes Tests Affect Our Students? by Anthony Cody *Guest post by Rog Lucido.* NCLB ushered in the national era of high-stakes testing in all of our schools. Soon the consequences of this testing became apparent. The Alliance for Childhood revealed that parents, teachers, school nurses, psychologists, and child psychiatrists reported that the stress of high-stakes testing was literally making children sick. Kathy Vannini, the elementary school nurse in Lon... more »

Jersey Jazzman: Refs For America

coopmike48 at Big Education Ape - 9 hours ago
Jersey Jazzman: Refs For America: Refs For America from Jersey Jazzman by Duke Apparently, nothing else happened in America over the last 48 hours: Popout Players Speak Out Against Refs Controversial... *by Buzz60* And so we see what happens when the petty greed of wealthy owners trumps any sense of innate integrity. They have more than enough money to come to a reasonable accommodation with the refs; they just refuse to part with it if they don't have to. And I have to agree with Steve Young; there is a very good chance the owners will get away with it: As Steve Young put it on ... more »

Why do the Democrats suck on education? « Fred Klonsky

coopmike48 at Big Education Ape - 9 hours ago
Ten minute drawing. Daley. « Fred Klonsky: Why do the Democrats suck on education? by Fred Klonsky Brother Mike represents the feelings many of us have when it comes to the Obama administration’s education policies. Today he comments on his Small Talk blog about the awful Obama interview with Savannah Guthrie on Education Nation. After some double-talk and a few rhetorical bones thrown to AFT and NEA leaders about not relying “completely” on standardized tests (only mainly on them), Obama tells us with a straight face that “teachers have embraced the idea Ten minute drawing.... more »

This Insider heads out - D.C. Schools Insider - The Washington Post

coopmike48 at Big Education Ape - 9 hours ago
This Insider heads out - D.C. Schools Insider - The Washington Post: [image: D.C. Schools Insider] This Insider heads out By Bill Turque This is my last post for D.C. Schools Insider. As some of you already know, I’ve accepted an assignment to help out with The Post’s presidential campaign coverage. The schools beat was more than an interesting job; it was a privilege. That’s what made the decision to leave after four years so difficult. People sometimes ask me whether Michelle Rhee’s departure made the story less compelling. My view is that while the post-Rhee days may lack the ... more »

Mike Klonsky's SmallTalk Blog: Obama's horrible interview with Savannah Guthrie

coopmike48 at Big Education Ape - 9 hours ago
Mike Klonsky's SmallTalk Blog: Obama's horrible interview with Savannah Guthrie: Obama's horrible interview with Savannah Guthrie by Mike Klonsky *"When I’m in the White House, I’ll put on a comfortable pair of shoes myself. I’ll walk on that picket line with you as POTUS, because workers deserve to know that somebody’s standing in their court."* -- Barack Obama in 2007 Pres.Obama's response to Savannah Guthrie's Education Nation interview questions left me cold -- literally sent a chill down my spine. I had no expectations that he would offer anything beyond the usual empty plat... more »

Modern School: Let Them Eat Ballots: Unions’ Obsession With Political Action

coopmike48 at Big Education Ape - 9 hours ago
Modern School: Let Them Eat Ballots: Unions’ Obsession With Political Action: Let Them Eat Ballots: Unions’ Obsession With Political Action by Michael Dunn California’s Proposition 32, on the November ballot, has been dubbed the Stop Special Interests initiative. In reality, it is targeted at the state’s unions, with the goal of preventing them from using payroll deductions to fund their political campaigns and lobbying. The bill would have virtually no effect on private businesses or corporate lobbying, as private businesses do not raise political funds through payroll deductions... more »

Legendary crooner Andy Williams has died

coopmike48 at Big Education Ape - 9 hours ago
Legendary crooner Andy Williams has died - Comments - - - - [image: E-mail] - [image: Print] - [image: Share] By Ann Oldenburg, USA TODAY Updated 32m ago CAPTION Neilson Barnard, Getty Images Sad news to report from the music world: Legendary singer Andy Williams died Tuesday night. His rep tells Lifeline Live that Williams passed away after a year-long battle with bladder cancer. He was 84. Williams, who was one of the most popular vocalists of the 1960s as well as an avid golfer, died at home in Branson, Mo., where he owns the Moon River Theatre. *Moo... more »

Does being connected help in being recognized? « My Island View

coopmike48 at Big Education Ape - 10 hours ago
Does being connected help in being recognized? « My Island View: Does being connected help in being recognized? by tomwhitby This is a difficult subject to write about without being labeled smug, arrogant, conceited, or all three, but that is a risk I take. The Bammy Awards took place recently. If you never heard of The Bammy Awards for educators, there is good reason. They were invented this year. From the Bammy Awards site we have this: “The Bammy Awards acknowledge that teachers can’t do it alone and don’t do it alone. The Awards aim to foster cross-discipline recognition of ... more »

Schools Matter: How Do Charter Schools Compare to “Schools with Students Like Ours” in South Carolina?

coopmike48 at Big Education Ape - 10 hours ago
Schools Matter: How Do Charter Schools Compare to “Schools with Students Like Ours” in South Carolina?: How Do Charter Schools Compare to “Schools with Students Like Ours” in South Carolina? by P. L. Thomas *How Do Charter Schools Compare to “Schools with Students Like Ours” in South Carolina?* Using the South Carolina School Report Card system and the state Poverty Index, the tables below identify charter schools within the SC Public School Charter District and 5 additional selected charter schools to identify how charter schools in SC compare with “Schools with Students Like O... more »

Op-Ed: Why charter schools are not enough | Ballard News-Tribune

coopmike48 at Big Education Ape - 11 hours ago
Op-Ed: Why charter schools are not enough | Ballard News-Tribune: Op-Ed: Why charter schools are not enough 09/26/2012 [image: No on 1240 (click on picture)] *This editorial is by Demian Godon, an opponent of I-1240 -- an initiative that would allow charter schools in Washington -- and a parent of two kids at Ballard High School.* It’s no secret that we need to improve education in this state. But a charter schools measure on this year’s ballot is the wrong move. Initiative 1240 forces the state to spend millions on unproven ideas for a few, while neglecting to do anything that wil... more »

Afternoon UPDATE: LISTEN TO DIANE RAVITCH 9-26-12 Diane Ravitch's blog

coopmike48 at Big Education Ape - 11 hours ago
Diane Ravitch's blog: [image: Click on picture to Listen to Diane Ravitch] A Political Analysis of a Propaganda Film by dianerav Liza Featherstone wrote a fascinating analysis of the anti-union film “Won’t Back Down.” To whet your appetite, read this: “Despite scapegoating teachers’ unions, ‘Won’t Back Down’ is not an anti-teacher movie. Most of the teacher characters—especially Nona, played by Viola Davis—are heroic. That’s because one of the film’s messages is that busting teachers’ unions is better for teachers. In one scene, a meeting to discuss the possible takeover, The A... more »

New 2-year lease on life for 163 Partnership Academies | EdSource Today

coopmike48 at Big Education Ape - 11 hours ago
New 2-year lease on life for 163 Partnership Academies | EdSource Today: New 2-year lease on life for 163 Partnership Academies ** September 26th, 2012 | Add a Comment | By John Fensterwald Share on twitterShare on facebookShare on emailShare on google_plusone More Sharing Services Financially threatened high school career academies will get a lifeline and new career tech programs will get a lift, now that Gov. Jerry Brown has signed legislation committing $68 million for those and related projects over the next two years. [image: Students in the engineering academy at Dublin High Sc... more »

NYC Educator: Work Expands to Fill the Available Space

coopmike48 at Big Education Ape - 11 hours ago
NYC Educator: Work Expands to Fill the Available Space: Work Expands to Fill the Available Space by Miss Eyre I usually spend about 10 hours inside the school building on any given day. That means 50 hours/week. Add in the time I spend on the weekend and you're probably up to about 55. Which sounds like a more-than-adequate work week. Yet I can't figure out how that never seems like enough time. And trust me, those are ten badass hours. I usually work through my lunch, or if I do stop, I only take about half the period. Factor in a bathroom or coffee break here and there and... more »

Teachers Teach and Do The World Good [Why We Write Series] | The Jose Vilson

coopmike48 at Big Education Ape - 11 hours ago
Teachers Teach and Do The World Good [Why We Write Series] | The Jose Vilson: Teachers Teach and Do The World Good [Why We Write Series] by Jose KRS-One My lunch period usually consists of a walk around the way with a strawberry-banana-mango protein shake and a baked empanada, enough to hold me over until five o’clock dinner, usually uninterrupted by the passersby, especially not a former student yelling my name for the entire neighborhood to hear. “Oh my God, is that who I think it is?” I push my Kangol a little lower, smile quietly, and keep walking, fully expecting to remain an... more »

Georgia’s schizophrenic politics of education | Get Schooled

coopmike48 at Big Education Ape - 11 hours ago
Georgia’s schizophrenic politics of education | Get Schooled: Georgia’s schizophrenic politics of education by Maureen Downey Lee Raudonis is a former teacher and former executive director of the Georgia Republican Party. He is currently a communications consultant and writer for an education publication. This is his first essay for the blog. Welcome. By Lee Raudonis I admit it. I am confused. I do not understand the method behind what certainly appears to be the madness of Georgia education policies. O.K., maybe “madness” is too strong of a term to use, but there is no doubt tha... more »

DIARY OF A PUBLIC SCHOOL TEACHER!: Standardized Testing Stole Our Day!

coopmike48 at Big Education Ape - 11 hours ago
DIARY OF A PUBLIC SCHOOL TEACHER!: Standardized Testing Stole Our Day!: Standardized Testing Stole Our Day! by Lisa M I planned in advance and completely forgot that we were having the standardized Math test today! Bummer! Wonderful plans put on hold.... This is what my students and I lost today because Standardized testing took a day from us... - The chance to read an article on Tweentribune and poist comments and/or leave a comment on ourQuadblogging friends website. - Sharing laughter over the Brainpop Joke of the Day and viewing/discussing the video offered on

A people’s education platform - The Answer Sheet - The Washington Post

coopmike48 at Big Education Ape - 11 hours ago
A people’s education platform - The Answer Sheet - The Washington Post: [image: Answer Sheet] A people’s education platform By Valerie Strauss With the presidential election approaching and the recent Chicago teachers strike, it seems like a good time for the following post, a “people’s platform” for education, or what Americans really want from their public schools. It was written by Nancy Flanagan, an education consultant and blogger at Education Week Teacher, and Don Bartalo, a retired superintendent who now works as an instructional coach and is also an author. By Nancy Flana... more »

The Call For Lucy Calkins to be Arrested, Prosecuted, Convicted and Sentenced.southbronxschool.com

coopmike48 at Big Education Ape - 11 hours ago
http://www.southbronxschool.com: The Call For Lucy Calkins to be Arrested, Prosecuted, Convicted and Sentenced by noreply@blogger.com (Bronx Teacher) We here in the past month or so we have taken, and deservedly so, Lucy Calkins to task for her systematic compliance in ruining the lives of NYC's students. Tonight we welcome a special correspondent attached to The Crack Team with a post on how Lucy Calkins and her cult of failure have ruined not only this guest blogger's students, but the reading process as well. *Administrators advocating for Teachers College Reading and Writing a... more »

LAUSD, STRS, UTLA - Perdaily.com

coopmike48 at Big Education Ape - 11 hours ago
LAUSD, STRS, UTLA - Perdaily.com: LAUSD: WHAT HAPPENED TO THE CRITICAL SHORTAGE OF TEACHERS? by Leonard Isenberg [image: Baby boomers.jpg] *(Mensaje se repite en Español) (For a national view of public education reform see the end of this blog post)** Five years ago, there was serious concern about the critical shortage of teachers that would take place over the next ten years as the Baby Boomer generation- 4 times larger than any previous generation- reached retirement age and left the profession. This was projected to create a 50% loss of all teachers throughout the country. How... more »

A Glimpse of EdTour 2012 « InterACT

coopmike48 at Big Education Ape - 11 hours ago
A Glimpse of EdTour 2012 « InterACT: A Glimpse of EdTour 2012 by David B. Cohen The U.S. Education Department has wrapped up its 2012 tour, conducted under the banner “Education Drives America.” You can read about some of the events and interactions at the official blog of the bus tour: Teaching Ambassador Fellow Dan Brown wrote up a good summary. While I think its appropriate to maintain a degree of skepticism about public relations events like this, I credit the department for creating actual opportunities for relations. The events I saw in the San Francisco Bay Area on Septem... more »

Preparing Students for the Future? - Teacher in a Strange Land - Education Week Teacher

coopmike48 at Big Education Ape - 11 hours ago
Preparing Students for the Future? - Teacher in a Strange Land - Education Week Teacher: [image: Teacher in a Strange Land] Preparing Students for the Future? by Nancy Flanagan I just finished *The Connected Educator: Learning and Leading in a Digital Age, *certainly the most useful book I've read lately on how to cope with might be ahead in education. Whenever prognosticators discuss our collective ed-future--21st century learning, the disrupted class, the shift-- there are snazzy phrases and new, improved strategies to make learning more efficient. Higher scores in less time ... more »

The Innovative Educator: Teen Exposes Romney As Clueless To High Stakes Testing Flaws

coopmike48 at Big Education Ape - 11 hours ago
The Innovative Educator: Teen Exposes Romney As Clueless To High Stakes Testing Flaws: Teen Exposes Romney As Clueless To High Stakes Testing Flaws by noreply@blogger.com (Lisa Nielsen) *Nikhyl Goyal*: *Considering standardized testing has increased to historic levels causing a lot of teaching to the test, billions of dollars spent, and killing creativity, how would you as president change this trend*? *Mitt Romney: I don't have a better model than a testing system.* * ** -------* * **And there ya have it.* * **Nikhil Goyal, the teenage author of One Size Does Not Fit All, presented... more »

ILLINOIS CONSTITUTION – THE SAME FOR EVERYONE – UNLESS YOU’RE A PUBLIC EMPLOYEE « Teachers Fight Back

coopmike48 at Big Education Ape - 22 hours ago
ILLINOIS CONSTITUTION – THE SAME FOR EVERYONE – UNLESS YOU’RE A PUBLIC EMPLOYEE « Teachers Fight Back: ILLINOIS CONSTITUTION – THE SAME FOR EVERYONE – UNLESS YOU’RE A PUBLIC EMPLOYEE by alkleen In the November election the voters of Illinois will be asked to discriminate against public employees in the state of Illinois. State sponsored discrimination ! What next ? Yes, there will be a ballot question asking whether or not voters want to pass an amendment that would require a three-fifths vote in the General Assembly before any pension benefits could be increased in Illinois. ... more »

Daily Kos: Social Programs - a personal history

coopmike48 at Big Education Ape - 23 hours ago
Daily Kos: Social Programs - a personal history: TUE SEP 25, 2012 AT 05:02 PM PDT Social Programs - a personal history byteacherkenFollow 1 PERMALINK1 COMMENT My mother died when I was 17. Part of my college was paid for by Social Security Survivor Benefits. While I was an active-duty Marine in the 1960's, I had free government health care. I finished college on the GI Bill and with the help of government-insured loans. I have drawn unemployment insurance when my company moved out of state. I bought the house from which I write this with a VA-backed mortgage. I had government-ins... more »

Last Stand for Children First: Union Referees Need to Think of the Fans

coopmike48 at Big Education Ape - 23 hours ago
Last Stand for Children First: Union Referees Need to Think of the Fans: Union Referees Need to Think of the Fans by Last Stand for Children By Jean Rangel, *Vice-President of Media Affairs Canadian Football League* Let me begin by saying that I love referees, Nobody has a tougher job than these dedicated professionals charged with running up and down the field, keeping up with world class athletes, calling a game with a lot of rules If it were up to me, the referees would be the highest paid people on the field. Unfortunately, it's not up to me and there are certain economic ... more »

School Tech Connect: Heartland Media To The Rescue

coopmike48 at Big Education Ape - 1 day ago
School Tech Connect: Heartland Media To The Rescue: Heartland Media To The Rescue This is video from Saturday. Distribute widely.

GOOD Education: Chicago Teachers’ Strike Lesson: We Need Autonomous Educators, Not Corporate Reform « Cooperative Catalyst

coopmike48 at Big Education Ape - 1 day ago
GOOD Education: Chicago Teachers’ Strike Lesson: We Need Autonomous Educators, Not Corporate Reform « Cooperative Catalyst: GOOD Education: Chicago Teachers’ Strike Lesson: We Need Autonomous Educators, Not Corporate Reform by Nikhil Goyal [image: lincoln.park.high]This piece originally appeared on GOOD Education: Chicago Teachers’ Strike Lesson: We Need Autonomous Educators, Not Corporate Reform. One week ago, the Chicago Teachers Union and the Chicago Board of Education reached an agreement on teacher contracts. But, what most pundits still don’t realize is that the strike wasn’... more »

IEA is unrepentant in their IPACE recommendation policies. That’s why members are pulling their dollars. « Fred Klonsky

coopmike48 at Big Education Ape - 1 day ago
IEA is unrepentant in their IPACE recommendation policies. That’s why members are pulling their dollars. « Fred Klonsky: IEA is unrepentant in their IPACE recommendation policies. That’s why members are pulling their dollars. by Fred Klonsky Yesterday I posted that I had stopped giving money to IPACE. I encouraged others to do the same. I reported that former IEA President Ken Swanson promised a review of IPACE recommendation procedures. It never happened. But in a response on his website, IEA Communications Director Charlie McBarron gives a full-throated defense of






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