2nd Banana 4-13-13 Recap of Last Week's Best Post #EDchat #EDreform #soschat #p2 #1u

BIG EDUCATION APE 2ND BANANA 

RECAP OF LAST WEEK'S BEST POST

Did Lena Dunham Invite Beyonce to Play a Janitor On Girls? |

coopmike48 at Big Education Ape - 5 hours ago

Did Lena Dunham Invite Beyonce to Play a Janitor On Girls? |: Did Lena Dunham Invite Beyonce to Play a Janitor On Girls? by Angus Johnston [image: BHQ_E0dCMAEhYBo.png-large]About an hour ago (not long after noon Eastern), word began to go around Twitter that Lena Dunham had tweeted to invite Beyonce to play a janitor on the new season of Girls, and then deleted the tweet. Soon the screenshot at right appeared to confirm it, along with links

Big Education Ape - Morning Wink 4-5-13 AM Posts 

BIG EDUCATION APE - MORNING WINK  AM POSTS

How closing schools hurts neighborhoods

coopmike48 at Big Education Ape - 10 hours ago

How closing schools hurts neighborhoods: How closing schools hurts neighborhoods Posted by Valerie Strauss on March 6, 2013 at 6:00 am 0 Comments More [image: (thenotebook.org)] (thenotebook.org) On Thursday, the Philadelphia school district’s governing board, the School Reform Commission, will be voting on the most massive one-time downsizing of the system ever proposed. The district’s recently revised plan, which has encountered widespread community and teacher opposition, calls for closing 29 out of 239 district schools next fall – a step down from the original proposal to shutte... more »

Big Education Ape Nite Cap 4-5-13 

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

Chicagoland Researchers and Advocates for Transformative Education (CReATE): CReATE Researchers on Impact of Proposed School Closing

coopmike48 at Big Education Ape - 18 minutes ago

Chicagoland Researchers and Advocates for Transformative Education (CReATE): CReATE Researchers on Impact of Proposed School Closing: CReATE Researchers on Impact of Proposed School Closing by CReATE Chicago CReATE researchers Josh Radinsky and Federico Waitoller (University of Illinois-Chicago) have prepared a report that details the impacts of the proposed school closings in Chicago in terms of student relocation and faculty dismissal. These researchers find that CPS statements on this matter greatly underestimate the scale of the impact. One of the stunning facts this repor... more »

California Science Center is sued for canceling a film promoting intelligent design -- latimes.com

"California Science Center is sued for canceling a film promoting intelligent design

The American Freedom Alliance says the center bowed to pressure from the Smithsonian. The science center says a news release hadn't been submitted to the museum, violating the contract."

MUST SEE! CHRIS HAYES JOHN MERROW Memo warns of rampant cheating in D.C. public schools All In — MSNBC

coopmike48 at Big Education Ape - 12 hours ago

All In — MSNBC: Visit NBCNews.com for breaking news, w

Destruction of Public Education by Design: DFER Plan for Obama's Education Policy

coopmike48 at Big Education Ape - 7 hours ago

*Destruction of Public Education by Design: DFER Plan for Obama's Education Policy* *"Having a team in place which can collectively implement the Obama education **agenda will – it should go without saying – be crucial. While it is obviously **important for the administration to be faced with a diverse set of voices and **view points, it is even more important, once a decision has been made, that each of **those voices is unambiguously consistent in supporting the administration and **communicating its views.* *A “team of rivals” approach, or one in which the administration seeks... more »

Testimony of US Secretary of Education Arne Duncan—FY 2014 Budget Request | U.S. Department of Education

coopmike48 at Big Education Ape - 5 minutes ago

Testimony of US Secretary of Education Arne Duncan—FY 2014 Budget Request | U.S. Department of Education: Testimony of US Secretary of Education Arne Duncan—FY 2014 Budget Request *House Appropriations Subcommittee on Labor, Health and Human Services, Education, and Other Related Agencies* APRIL 11, 2013 *Contact: * (202) 401-1576, press@ed.gov Good morning Mr. Chairman and Members of the Subcommittee. I'm pleased to be here today to talk with you about President Obama's priorities and plans for the Department of Education. I'm happy that the President's 2014 budget was submitte... more »

Failed DC Chancellor Michelle Rhee’s Reign of Error | Taking Note

coopmike48 at Big Education Ape - 5 minutes ago

Failed DC Chancellor Michelle Rhee’s Reign of Error | Taking Note: Failed DC Chancellor Michelle Rhee’s Reign of Error by John Merrow Michelle A. Rhee, America’s most famous school reformer, was fully aware of the extent of the problem when she glossed over what appeared to be widespread cheating during her first year as Schools Chancellor in Washington, DC. A long-buried confidential memo from her outside data consultant suggests that the problem was far more serious than kids copying off other kids’ answer sheets. (“191 teachers representing 70 schools”). Twice in just four ... more »

Hearing on Test-Cheating Claim in Washington - NYTimes.com

coopmike48 at Big Education Ape - 10 hours ago

Hearing on Test-Cheating Claim in Washington - NYTimes.com: Hearing on Test-Cheating Claim in Washington by By MOTOKO RICH Michelle A. Rhee, the former schools chancellor in Washington, said she did not recall a memo describing test cheating. By MOTOKO RICHPublished: April 12, 2013 - FACEBOOK - TWITTER - GOOGLE+ - SAVE - E-MAIL - SHARE - PRINT - REPRINTS - The City Council in Washington will hold a hearing next week after a memo warning officials of cheating on standardized tests during the chancellorship of Michelle A. Rhee surfaced Thursday night.... more »

You Don’t “Hella Love” Oakland Teachers OR Students with Research Like This | Classroom Struggle

coopmike48 at Big Education Ape - 11 hours ago

You Don’t “Hella Love” Oakland Teachers OR Students with Research Like This | Classroom Struggle: You Don’t “Hella Love” Oakland Teachers OR Students with Research Like This by ClassroomStruggle [image: iwanttocommodify hella love oakland teachers] the true agenda of the NCTQ report? if it’s not, can you clarify why? You Don’t “Hella Love” Oakland Teachers OR Students with Research Like This. A Critique of the NCTQ’s “Teacher Quality Roadmap” Report Table of Contents: 1. Intro – A Racist/Classist Report for Oakland’s Schools 2. The NCTQ’s Four Main “Reforms” 3. No Social C... more »

All Things Education: Quick Thoughts on the Missing Memo & Erase to the Top

coopmike48 at Big Education Ape - 11 hours ago

All Things Education: Quick Thoughts on the Missing Memo & Erase to the Top: Quick Thoughts on the Missing Memo & Erase to the Top by Rachel Levy Some quick thoughts on the discovery of the "missing" memo in DCPS/ Michelle Rhee cheating allegations: a) Everyone and their mom, or should I say dad, knew there was something fishy going on. How does this one memo change anything? Rhee doesn't recall receiving the memo? *Right.* Rhee says all kinds of things all of the time: to reporters, to pundits, under oath, to investigators, on the StudentsFirst blog. How will this lie be differ...more »

MUST SEE! CHRIS HAYES JOHN MERROW Memo warns of rampant cheating in D.C. public schools All In — MSNBC

coopmike48 at Big Education Ape - 13 hours ago

All In — MSNBC: Visit NBCNews.com for breaking news, world news, and news about the economy

Video: The Education of Michelle Rhee | Watch FRONTLINE Online | PBS Video

coopmike48 at Big Education Ape - 14 hours ago

Video: The Education of Michelle Rhee | Watch FRONTLINE Online | PBS Video: Program: FRONTLINEEpisode: The Education of Michelle Rhee FRONTLINE correspondent John Merrow was granted unprecedented access to Michelle Rhee, former chancellor of the Washington, D.C. public schools as she attempted to fix a broken school system. • Visit the The Education of Michelle Rhee webpage Watch The Education of Michelle Rhee on PBS. See more from FRONTLINE. Watch The Education of Michelle Rhee on PBS. See more from FRONTLINE. Watch The Education of Michelle Rhee on PBS. See more from FRONTLINE. W... more »

RNC Passes Resolution Against Jeb Bush’s Common Core Standards | Scathing Purple Musings

coopmike48 at Big Education Ape - 14 hours ago

RNC Passes Resolution Against Jeb Bush’s Common Core Standards | Scathing Purple Musings: RNC Passes Resolution Against Jeb Bush’s Common Core Standards by Bob Sikes Apparently the Republican National Committee didn’t check with Jeb Bush before drafting a resolution against Common Core Standards that is the cornerstone of his corporate takeover of public schools. Here’s the text of the resolution as it was printed in self-described conservative website, *Illinois Review:* RESOLUTION CONCERNING COMMON CORE EDUCATION STANDARDS *WHEREAS,* the Common Core State Standards (CCSS) are...more »

Why not subpoena everyone in D.C. cheating scandal — Rhee included?

coopmike48 at Big Education Ape - 21 hours ago

Why not subpoena everyone in D.C. cheating scandal — Rhee included?: Why not subpoena everyone in D.C. cheating scandal — Rhee included? Posted by Valerie Strauss on April 12, 2013 at 12:14 pm [image: rhee]Several investigations into suspicions of widespread cheating by educators in D.C. schools on student standardized tests during Michelle Rhee’s tenure as chancellor turned up precious little, but a newly released memo (see below) by a data analyst raises questions that warrant a new probe — this time by investigators with subpoena powers. The concerns arise from Rhee’s 2008-2010 ... more »

Schools Matter: Corporate Feeding Frenzy Continues in Fragmented Memphis Schools

coopmike48 at Big Education Ape - 21 hours ago

Schools Matter: Corporate Feeding Frenzy Continues in Fragmented Memphis Schools: Corporate Feeding Frenzy Continues in Fragmented Memphis Schools by Jim Horn When Bill Gates came to Memphis in 2009 with $90 million in handouts for every corrupt politician in the city and county, Memphis public schools were doomed. This outcome was further assured by successful campaign to "consolidate" county and city schools. Laws were changed, plans written by corporate foundation drones and Stand on Children politicos, and outlandish promises were made about turning the lowest scoring schools... more »

Memo warns of rampant cheating in D.C. public schools

coopmike48 at Big Education Ape - 21 hours ago

Memo warns of rampant cheating in D.C. public schools: Memo warns of rampant cheating in D.C. public schools Greg Toppo, USA TODAY STORY HIGHLIGHTS - Memo suggests possible cheating in 70 D.C. schools - Two probes have found cheating only at one school - Possible ramifications of erasure study are serious, 2009 memo says District of Columbia Public Schools officials have long maintained that a 2011 test-cheating scandal that generated two government probes was limited to one elementary school. But a newly uncovered confidential memo warns as far back as January 2009... more »

Why School Test Resistance May Be About to Sweep the Nation | California Progress Report

coopmike48 at Big Education Ape - 21 hours ago

Why School Test Resistance May Be About to Sweep the Nation | California Progress Report: Why School Test Resistance May Be About to Sweep the Nation by callen *By Mark Naison* When people decide to resist unjust policies that have overwhelming support and for which there are few antecedents in their lifetime, mass movements do not erupt overnight. They are often inspired by the accumulation of individual acts of protest, taken at great risk. One of the best examples of this is the lunch counter sit-ins during the Civil Rights movement, which began when four black college students i... more »

Daily Kos: Michelle Rhee was warned about scope of DC test cheating

coopmike48 at Big Education Ape - 18 hours ago

Daily Kos: Michelle Rhee was warned about scope of DC test cheating: Michelle Rhee was warned about scope of DC test cheating by rss@dailykos.com (teacherken) Veteran education John Merrow obtained a copy of a previously "missing" memo from an outside consultant, and wrote about it this evening in a blog post he titled Michelle Rhee’s Reign of Error. In italics, under the title we read *With the indictment of former Atlanta School Superintendent Beverly A. Hall and 34 other public school employees in a massive cheating scandal, the time is right to re-examine other situations o... more »

For Special Ed Contractor, Huge Fees and Shoddy Care - NYTimes.com

coopmike48 at Big Education Ape - 19 hours ago

For Special Ed Contractor, Huge Fees and Shoddy Care - NYTimes.com: Soaring Charges by a Contractor With Special EdBy DAVID M. HALBFINGERPublished: April 11, 2013 Cheon H. Park ran a company that had begun to prosper on government contracts, but he had bigger ambitions. So he tore down his shabby headquarters on a quiet street in Flushing, Queens, and replaced it with a lavish three-story building that had marble floors, granite countertops, red carpets and a soaring chandelier. Enlarge This Image Niko J. Kallianiotis for The New York Times Cheon H. Park founded the Bilingual SEIT ... more »

LAUSD teachers release no confidence vote against Superintendent John Deasy | Pass / Fail | 89.3 KPCC

coopmike48 at Big Education Ape - 20 hours ago

LAUSD teachers release no confidence vote against Superintendent John Deasy | Pass / Fail | 89.3 KPCC: LAUSD teachers release no confidence vote against Superintendent John Deasy by Adolfo Guzman-Lopez [image: Los Angeles schools Supt. John Deasy sp] *Los Angeles schools Superintendent John Deasy has received an overwhelming vote of no confidence from LAUSD teachers. ; Credit: AFP/AFP/Getty Images* United Teachers Los Angeles, the union that represents L.A. Unified’s instructors, announced Thursday a 91 percent vote of no confidence against school district Superintendent John Deasy.... more »

My little advocate says “checkmate” – @ the chalk face

coopmike48 at Big Education Ape - 21 hours ago

My little advocate says “checkmate” – @ the chalk face: My little advocate says “checkmate” by Chris Cerrone We are less than a week away from the state assessments in New York State and my oldest received the annual state testing notice informing parents children should get a good night’s sleep, eat breakfast, and of course bring plenty of #2 pencils. Well aware of our family’s stance on high-stakes testing, she decided to take action on the flyer: [image: rip opt out] Well, I really would have like to have read the actual time of the testing period… In the last year of our famil... more »

California Distinguished Schools for 2013 - Year 2013 (CA Dept of Education)

coopmike48 at Big Education Ape - 1 day ago

California Distinguished Schools for 2013 - Year 2013 (CA Dept of Education): State Schools Chief Tom Torlakson Announces California Distinguished Schools for 2013 SACRAMENTO—State Superintendent of Public Instruction Tom Torlakson today named 218 public middle and high schoolsCalifornia Distinguished Schools for their strong commitment and innovative approaches to improving student academic achievement. "These schools have gone the extra mile to provide high-quality instruction that puts their students on the right path toward career and college," Torlakson said. "Given the eno... more »

Testimony of US Secretary of Education Arne Duncan—FY 2014 Budget Request | U.S. Department of Education

coopmike48 at Big Education Ape - 5 minutes ago

Testimony of US Secretary of Education Arne Duncan—FY 2014 Budget Request | U.S. Department of Education: Testimony of US Secretary of Education Arne Duncan—FY 2014 Budget Request *House Appropriations Subcommittee on Labor, Health and Human Services, Education, and Other Related Agencies* APRIL 11, 2013 *Contact: * (202) 401-1576, press@ed.gov Good morning Mr. Chairman and Members of the Subcommittee. I'm pleased to be here today to talk with you about President Obama's priorities and plans for the Department of Education. I'm happy that the President's 2014 budget was submitte... more »

Failed DC Chancellor Michelle Rhee’s Reign of Error | Taking Note

coopmike48 at Big Education Ape - 5 minutes ago

Failed DC Chancellor Michelle Rhee’s Reign of Error | Taking Note: Failed DC Chancellor Michelle Rhee’s Reign of Error by John Merrow Michelle A. Rhee, America’s most famous school reformer, was fully aware of the extent of the problem when she glossed over what appeared to be widespread cheating during her first year as Schools Chancellor in Washington, DC. A long-buried confidential memo from her outside data consultant suggests that the problem was far more serious than kids copying off other kids’ answer sheets. (“191 teachers representing 70 schools”). Twice in just four ... more »

Big Education Ape Nite Cap 4-11-13 

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

Diane in the Evening 4-11-13 Diane Ravitch's blog | A site to discuss better education for all

coopmike48 at Big Education Ape - 4 hours ago

Diane Ravitch's blog | A site to discuss better education for all: Florida: The “Parent Trigger” Scam by dianerav In this article columnist Daniel Shoer Roth explains how parents at the Desert Trails school in Adelanto, California, were hoodwinked into turning their public school over to a charter operator. Under the Florida proposal, charters can set their own rules for eligibility, and many students will be excluded from the school that once was their neighborhood school. Roth writes: “Some local students will not meet the new strict admission rules. This includes students wi... more »

The test didn’t make them cheat

coopmike48 at Big Education Ape - 5 hours ago

The test didn’t make them cheat: The test didn’t make them cheat Posted by Valerie Strauss on April 11, 2013 at 1:00 pm [image: test2]A tough piece I posted by Bill Ayers about theAtlanta test cheating indictments said the road to the scandal “runs right through the White House.” Ayers, a retired professor of education at the University of Illinois at Chicago who may be better known for his radical activism during the 1960s and ’70s. (During the 2008 presidential campaign right-wing commentators incorrectly said he had a close relationship with then candidate Barack Obama, whom Aye... more »

Big Education Ape - Morning Wink 4-11-13 AM Posts 

BIG EDUCATION APE - MORNING WINK  AM POSTS

UPDATE: Every Chicago public school is my school. Our schools. VIDEO + The in box. + I’m stickin’ to the union. | Fred Klonsky

coopmike48 at Big Education Ape - 9 hours ago

I’m stickin’ to the union. | Fred Klonsky: Every Chicago public school is my school. Our schools. VIDEO by Fred Klonsky Popout The in box. The union movement will be a youth movement. by Fred Klonsky Fred, may I tell you a quick story? I was a local prez of an urban local here in Massachusetts. I heard repeatedly over the years that young teachers don’t “get” unions any more, that they “don’t understand” and that they won’t stick to the union. In 2007 we were on strike, with 100% participation. Not one scab. Every young teachers, too. They were great. So, we’re picketing in the ci... more »

UPDATE: Missouri Education Watchdog: Common Core Standards and JC Penney's: Tales of Failure?

coopmike48 at Big Education Ape - 9 hours ago

Missouri Education Watchdog: Common Core Standards and JC Penney's: Tales of Failure?: Message to DESE: Please Allow Comments and Questions on Your Common Core Videos by stlgretchen The latest from DESE and another Common Core video: Do we have to wait until Chris Nicastro comes to town hall meetings (if Senate Bill 210 passes) to discuss Common Core and ask questions? Two main points in this video: Common Core standards will ensure students are successful and this principal talks about the time that would be wasted if the standards were not implemented. What she doesn't ... more »

MORNING UPDATE LISTEN TO DIANE RAVITCH 4-11-13 Diane Ravitch's blog | A site to discuss better education for all

coopmike48 at Big Education Ape - 11 hours ago

Diane Ravitch's blog | A site to discuss better education for all: [image: Click on picture to Listen to Diane Ravitch] Governor Malloy of Connecticut Opposes School Funding Lawsuit by dianerav This is a sad reversal for Connecticut’s poorest children. As a candidate for governor, Dannell Malloy supported a lawsuit that would guarantee that the children of the state have a constitutional right to a quality education. Now that he is governor, he is trying to quash the lawsuit he once supported. Go figure. Burris to Parents: The Common Core Assessments Are “Bunk” by dianerav Carol ... more »

Special Late Nite Cap UPDATE 4-10-13 #SOSCHAT #EDCHAT #P2

coopmike48 at Big Education Ape - 19 hours ago

*Nite Cap UPDATE* * * ** *UPDATE UPDATE UPDATE UPDATE* ** *CORPORATE ED REFORM* Preschool For All Plan In Obama Budget May Skip Some States by Joy Resmovits President Barack Obama's "Preschool for All" initiative in his 2014 2014 budget proposal is billed as a way to make sure every American child can attend preschool for free. Helping kids in their early years can ease achievement gaps and help them enter the workforce later on, the administration said. "This would constitute the largest expansion of educational opportunity in the 21st century," Secretary of Education Arne Dunca... more »

The walk Michelle Obama didn’t walk in Chicago today. | Fred Klonsky

coopmike48 at Big Education Ape - 22 hours ago

The walk Michelle Obama didn’t walk in Chicago today. | Fred Klonsky: The walk Michelle Obama didn’t walk in Chicago today. by Fred Klonsky [image: 2013_4_10_walk] *Photo: Raise Your Hand.* I heard Michelle Obama’s talk to Chicago corporate and political leaders about gun violence on TV this evening. “Hadiya Pendleton was me,” Mrs. Obama said, referring to the Chicago high school student who was gunned down after returning from Washington, DC having marched in the Obama inauguration. Michelle Obama was very moving in her words and in the sincerity of her voice. What she didn’t do th... more »

Big Education Ape Nite Cap 4-10-13 

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

2014 Education Budget: What’s the Bottom Line? | ED.gov Blog

coopmike48 at Big Education Ape - 1 day ago

2014 Education Budget: What’s the Bottom Line? | ED.gov Blog: 2014 Education Budget: What’s the Bottom Line? Posted on April 10, 2013 by Cameron Brenchley [image: Budget Logo]As Education Secretary Arne Duncan often says, budgets aren’t just numbers in a ledger – they are a reflection of our values. President Obama’s 2014 budget proposal, released today, demonstrates his belief in education as the engine that will keep America competitive in a global innovation economy and grow a thriving middle class. The proposal builds on momentum for reform and protects the most vulnerable. Now... more »

BOR: DoJ Issues Temporary Restraining Order in BISD Trustee Election Based On Section 5 Of VRA

coopmike48 at Big Education Ape - 1 day ago

BOR: DoJ Issues Temporary Restraining Order in BISD Trustee Election Based On Section 5 Of VRA: DoJ Issues Temporary Restraining Order in BISD Trustee Election Based On Section 5 Of VRA by: Joe Deshotel*Wed Apr 10, 2013 at 05:35 PM CDT*On Wednesday, a District Court in D. C., at the behest of the Department of Justice, issued a temporary restraining order postponing the May 11th election of Beaumont Independent School District Trustees. The DoJ will have 60 days to review the plans that could disenfranchise a majority of minority voters in 3 of the 7 single member districts. *The D... more »

Chicagoland Researchers and Advocates for Transformative Education (CReATE): CReATE Researchers on Impact of Proposed School Closing

coopmike48 at Big Education Ape - 1 day ago

Chicagoland Researchers and Advocates for Transformative Education (CReATE): CReATE Researchers on Impact of Proposed School Closing: CReATE Researchers on Impact of Proposed School Closing by CReATE Chicago CReATE researchers Josh Radinsky and Federico Waitoller (University of Illinois-Chicago) have prepared a report that details the impacts of the proposed school closings in Chicago in terms of student relocation and faculty dismissal. These researchers find that CPS statements on this matter greatly underestimate the scale of the impact. One of the stunning facts this repor... more »

SCUSD Action Alert: Update concerning the challenge of protecting neighborhood schools targeted for closure

coopmike48 at Big Education Ape - 2 hours ago

*SCUSD Action Alert: Update concerning the challenge of protecting neighborhood schools targeted for closure* I would like to thank the DAC for giving me time on their agenda yesterday for an update concerning the challenge of protecting neighborhood schools targeted for closure - this year and in the coming years. It is my understanding that a motion of support for the following resolution will be an action item at the next meeting: *NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the Sacramento City Unified School District Board of Education hereby finds and determines as follows:* * *... more »

MUIR RANCH EARTH DAY FUNDRAISER Muir Ranch Long Table Dinner - Eventbrite

coopmike48 at Big Education Ape - 2 hours ago

Muir Ranch Long Table Dinner - Eventbrite: *MUIR RANCH* *EARTH DAY FUNDRAISER* * *Sunday, April 14, 2013* *3-6 pm* *Come Support the Food Lab* *at **Pasadena's John Muir High School* *A farm-to-table dinner in farm benefiting the students of Muir Ranch* * *FEATURING GUEST OF HONOR * *Ron Finley* CLICK HERE to watch his TED talk! * *Family Style Dinner Served from Heirloom LA Food Truck* *Service provided by Muir Ranch student servers* *Salad* **Black Kale and Purple Kohlrabi Salad with Cilantro Passion Fruit Vinaigrette, Sage Blossoms, Spicy Pumpkin Seeds and Asian Pears *Entrees* ... more »

Obama Administration 2014 Budget Prioritizes Key Education Investments to Provide Opportunities for All Americans | U.S. Department of Education

coopmike48 at Big Education Ape - 3 hours ago

Obama Administration 2014 Budget Prioritizes Key Education Investments to Provide Opportunities for All Americans | U.S. Department of Education: Obama Administration 2014 Budget Prioritizes Key Education Investments to Provide Opportunities for All Americans *Core proposals would strengthen the middle class by expanding preschool education, building on reforms that work, and making college more affordable * APRIL 10, 2013 *Contact: * Press Office, (202) 401-1576, press@ed.gov *Related Resources*[image: Related Resources icon]FY 2014 Education Budget Summary and Background ... more »

NEA President: Cuts to Social Security and Healthcare Programs in Obama Budget Plan ‘a Disappointment’ | NEA Today

coopmike48 at Big Education Ape - 5 hours ago

NEA President: Cuts to Social Security and Healthcare Programs in Obama Budget Plan ‘a Disappointment’ | NEA Today: NEA President: Cuts to Social Security and Healthcare Programs in Obama Budget Plan ‘a Disappointment’ by twalker *By Sara Robertson* President Barack Obama sent his annual budget plan to Capitol Hill on Wednesday. The proposal would cut Medicare and other health programs by $400 billion, and lead to benefit cuts to Social Security by converting the current cost-of-living payments to a new inflation formula known as chained C.P.I. “Right now the focus should be on pro... more »

Jon Stewart ridicules bill linking welfare to good grades

coopmike48 at Big Education Ape - 5 hours ago

Jon Stewart ridicules bill linking welfare to good grades: Jon Stewart ridicules bill linking welfare to good grades Posted by Valerie Strauss on April 10, 2013 at 12:35 pm [image: (www.barstoolsports.com/)] (www.barstoolsports.com/) I recently wrote a post about a Tennessee state senator who has advanced legislation that would cut welfare payments to families whose kids get really bad report cards and test scores. The senator is Stacey Campfield, a Republican, who was quoted in the Knoxville News Sentinelas saying this was a great way to “break the cycle of poverty.” Here’s Jon Stew... more »

UPDATE: The Waiting List Game + Dear TFA: You Don’t Need to Keep Telling Us How Excellent You Are (Because We Already Know) | EduShyster

coopmike48 at Big Education Ape - 5 hours ago

Dear TFA: You Don’t Need to Keep Telling Us How Excellent You Are (Because We Already Know) | EduShyster: The Waiting List Game by edushyster2012 No doubt your state is home to a lengthy waiting list of students trapped in union-stifled public schools. In Massachusetts we call this list a “waiting list” and it is growing lengthier by the day. Not only is there virtually no one left who is NOT on the list, I believe that in fact you are on the list and you don’t even live here and are frankly not a high achiever. Our waiting list for excellence and innovation has now grown so long ... more »

State moves away from using test scores to assess schools but moves closer to using them for teachers | Get Schooled

coopmike48 at Big Education Ape - 6 hours ago

State moves away from using test scores to assess schools but moves closer to using them for teachers | Get Schooled: State moves away from using test scores to assess schools but moves closer to using them for teachers by Maureen Downey [image: crcted.0920 (Medium)]Since we are talking about standardized testing related to *the teacher letter in an earlier blog* today, I want to share a good AJC piece by my colleague Nancy Badertscher. I recommended some experts for the story and am glad to see two of them in the piece. My only caveat to the views expressed by State School Superint... more »

RNC Draft Resolution on the Common Core | Truth in American Education

coopmike48 at Big Education Ape - 7 hours ago

RNC Draft Resolution on the Common Core | Truth in American Education: RNC Draft Resolution on the Common Core by Shane Vander Hart *RESOLVED, the Republican National Committee recognizes the CCSS for what it is– an inappropriate overreach to standardize and control the education of our children so they will conform to a preconceived “normal,” and, be it further* The Republican National Committee Spring Meeting starts today in Los Angeles. One of the items that will be discussed and voted on is a draft resolution on the Common Core State Standards which you can see below: *RESO... more »

UPDATE: Logan Square’s coolest joint with the hippest folks + The corpse of IVI IPO. Lunch with pension killers. | Fred Klonsky

coopmike48 at Big Education Ape - 8 hours ago

The corpse of IVI IPO. Lunch with pension killers. | Fred Klonsky: Join me at Logan Square’s coolest joint with the hippest folks tomorrow night. by Fred Klonsky [image: l] This is not what *Weegee’s Lounge* will look like tomorrow night when we host a *Conversation and Cocktails with with the Chicago Teachers Union President Karen Lewis.* It will be jammed full of people supporting the Caucus of Rank-and-File Educators and their slate of candidates in the May CTU election. But Weegee’s is a cool Logan Square neighborhood bar known for their fine cocktails. I once asked for Scotch.... more »

Big Education Ape - Morning Wink 4-10-13 AM Posts 

BIG EDUCATION APE - MORNING WINK  AM POSTS

UPDATE: In defense of a–holes + Ha, that’s a good one of #uoodc13 – @ the chalk face

coopmike48 at Big Education Ape - 9 hours ago

Ha, that’s a good one of #uoodc13 – @ the chalk face: Current Education Reform Needs a McCarthy Hearing by plthomasedd Before teaching *The Crucible* in my American literature courses during my two decades as a high school English teacher in rural Upstate South Carolina, I played the students R.E.M.s “Exhuming McCarthy,” which “makes an explicit parallel between the red-baiting of Joe McCarthy‘s time and the strengthening of the sense of American exceptionalism during the Reagan era, especially the Iran-Contra affair” (Wikipedia). The song includes an audio from the McCarthy hearin... more »

Teacher’s resignation letter strikes a nerve with equally frustrated peers around the country | Get Schooled

coopmike48 at Big Education Ape - 11 hours ago

Teacher’s resignation letter strikes a nerve with equally frustrated peers around the country | Get Schooled: Teacher’s resignation letter strikes a nerve with equally frustrated peers around the country by Maureen Downey The resignation letter penned by a Syracuse, N.Y., social studies teacher is getting a lot of reaction since it hit the web this week. Westhill High School teacher Jerry Conti sent this letter to the Board of Education. (*He also posted it on his Facebook* page, which is why so many people have read it and sent it around.) Here it is: It is with the deepest regr... more »

Seattle Schools Community Forum: Charter Commission Meeting Wrap-Up

coopmike48 at Big Education Ape - 19 hours ago

Seattle Schools Community Forum: Charter Commission Meeting Wrap-Up: Charter Commission Meeting Wrap-Up by Melissa Westbrook This particular thread will probably end up being quite long as there is both news to report from the actual meeting as well as the upshot of what we are going to end up getting for charter schools. The meeting was held in a conference room off the Governor's office. There was a high wooden conference table with chairs that had low seats but high backs. (I found this both funny and irritating because it had the effect of a bunch of kids sitting at an adul... more »

Teacher quality at KIPP | Gary Rubinstein's Blog

coopmike48 at Big Education Ape - 19 hours ago

Teacher quality at KIPP | Gary Rubinstein's Blog: Teacher quality at KIPP by Gary Rubinstein I’ve written a bunch of posts about my visit to the KIPP high school in New York city over the past few months. The first was a general summary and, since then, I’ve gotten more deeply into some of the things I learned there. I thought the school was just OK. As we always hear that charter schools thrive because they have high quality teachers that they give flexibility too in return for accountability, I want to, in this post, describe the teaching I saw there. Over the years I’ve wor... more »

Jersey Jazzman: NJ Under Christie: "We're Falling Behind"

coopmike48 at Big Education Ape - 19 hours ago

Jersey Jazzman: NJ Under Christie: "We're Falling Behind": NJ Under Christie: "We're Falling Behind" by Duke And so it begins: Popout For all those reformy types who say that we have high unemployment because of our educational failings, answer me this: *How is it that New Jersey, one of the highest achieving states in education, has one of the highest unemployment rates?* Our jobless recovery here has many causes, but our public education system is clearly not one of them. The hard fact is that *Chris Christie has been an awful governor*. He told us that cutting taxes on the... more »

Last Stand for Children First: Accidental Racist: School Closing Edition

coopmike48 at Big Education Ape - 21 hours ago

Last Stand for Children First: Accidental Racist: School Closing Edition: Accidental Racist: School Closing Edition by Last Stand for Children Yesterday, I heard a great new song from Brad Paisley and L.L. Cool Jay. Now, I don't listen to a lot of the rap music and like many education reformers I am quite tone deaf, but this song represents a coming together from a white guy who wants to wear his Confederate Flag shirt and an African-American guy who wants to dress fashionably. One thing I picked up from the song is that while white people have done many hurtful things to bl... more »

Ed Notes Online: Norm in the Wave: UFT Election Season: The Game is ON as Mulgrew Ducks Debate

coopmike48 at Big Education Ape - 22 hours ago

Ed Notes Online: Norm in the Wave: UFT Election Season: The Game is ON as Mulgrew Ducks Debate: Norm in the Wave: UFT Election Season: The Game is ON as Mulgrew Ducks Debate by ed notes online April 5, 2013 *http://www.rockawave.com/news/2013-04-05/Columnists/School_Scope.html* *UFT Election Season: The Game is ON as Mulgrew Ducks Debate* By Norm Scott Recently a reporter asked me why a 10-year retiree is still doing this UFT union stuff. “I’m crazy,” I told her. Probably as a result of hitting my head while attempting to walk under my house to see if it meets flood standard... more »

Next Step in Push to Teach 21st Century Science - Year 2013 (CA Dept of Education)

coopmike48 at Big Education Ape - 1 day ago

Next Step in Push to Teach 21st Century Science - Year 2013 (CA Dept of Education): State Schools Chief Tom Torlakson Announces Next Step in Nationwide Push to Teach Students 21st Century Science Skills SACRAMENTO—New education standards that reflect the major advances in science over the past 15 years are one step closer to completion with the launch of a final public comment period before they go to the State Board of Education for adoption, State Superintendent of Public Instruction Tom Torlakson announced today. Achieve, Inc., a nonprofit organization based in Washington, D.C.... more »

Big Education Ape Nite Cap 4-9-13 

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

The Network For Public Education | Network for Public Education News! Volume 1, Issue: #4

coopmike48 at Big Education Ape - 1 day ago

The Network For Public Education | We are many. There is power in our numbers. Together, we will save our schools.: *Greetings!* Welcome to the fourth edition of the NPE News! In this issue, we share news from Occupy Dept of Ed 2.0 in DC, and some great ways to get involved in grassroots activism. Please share this newsletter with friends, so we can build our network of those working to support our schools. If you would like to make a donation, or become a member, you can do so here. And don't forget to "like us" on Facebook, and follow us on Twitter! *Note from Anthony* *Repor... more »

SEZ Who? Bigger Math Gains Seen In Middle School TFA Teachers' Pupils - Teacher Beat - Education Week

coopmike48 at Big Education Ape - 1 hour ago

Bigger Math Gains Seen In Middle School TFA Teachers' Pupils - Teacher Beat - Education Week: Bigger Math Gains Seen In Middle School TFA Teachers' Pupils By Stephen Sawchuk on April 9, 2013 4:48 PM Middle school Teach For America teachers in Texas seem to be holding their own in the classroom, outperforming other novice teachers in math, according to a recently released study from the San Antonio, Texas-based Edvance, an independent evaluation firm. TFA alumni also did better than other veteran teachers in that subject, the study found. The study stands out for several reasons. For... more »

#msnbc The Cycle: Smothering Occupy the DOE #uoodc13 and #optout. – @ the chalk face

coopmike48 at Big Education Ape - 2 hours ago

#msnbc The Cycle: Smothering Occupy the DOE #uoodc13 and #optout. – @ the chalk face: #msnbc The Cycle: Smothering Occupy the DOE #uoodc13 and #optout. by Timothy D. Slekar Occupy the DOE 2.0 and the Battle for Public Schools finally got some media coverage from MSNBC. Check it out: Visit NBCNews.com for breaking news, world news, and news about the economy http://video.msnbc.msn.com/the-cycle/51444548#51444548 I know. Are you kidding me? Really? Four days of amazing groups and individuals speaking passionately about the abusive nature of corporate education reform and clear ... more »

Whac-A-Mole Leadership — Whole Child Education

coopmike48 at Big Education Ape - 2 hours ago

Whac-A-Mole Leadership — Whole Child Education: THE WHOLE CHILD BLOG [image: Steven Weber]Whac-A-Mole Leadership April 9, 2013 by Steven Weber One of my favorite arcade games is Whac-A-Mole. When you drop your token in the machine, you have a limited amount of time to "whac" as many moles as you can. In the beginning of the game, one or two moles pop their heads up and it is fairly easy to hit each one. About twenty seconds into the game, the moles start popping up three at a time and when you smash a mole with the mallet it may pop up again. Whac-A-Mole is similar to the daily rout... more »

Harris-Perry to Beck and Limbaugh: ‘Allow me to double down’ | The Raw Story

coopmike48 at Big Education Ape - 3 hours ago

Harris-Perry to Beck and Limbaugh: ‘Allow me to double down’ | The Raw Story: Harris-Perry to Beck and Limbaugh: ‘Allow me to double down’ By David Ferguson Tuesday, April 9, 2013 15:09 EDT [image: Melissa Harris Perry screecap] Topics: glenn beck ♦ rush limbaugh - 12 - - - - - Email Melissa Harris-Perry responded Tuesday to charges by right-wing commentators like Glenn Beck and Rush Limbaugh who say that her recently released 30-second MSNBC promo is part of a United Nations plot to collectivise U.S. children and remove them from their parents’ custody... more »

When Making Deals In D.C. Hurts Children

coopmike48 at Big Education Ape - 4 hours ago

When Making Deals In D.C. Hurts Children: When Making Deals In D.C. Hurts Children By Jeff Bryant | April 9, 2013 - - Everyone at all familiar with the Judgment of Solomon has to be aghast as political leaders reverse that Biblical wisdom and proceed to “split the difference” over who gets whose way on matters affecting children. Instead of putting the interests of children first, there’s a prevailing wisdom among political centrists inside the Beltway that “compromising” with radical conservatives is the only serious approach to governance and policy-making. So when “... more »

Ron Paul's Home Schooling Curriculum Will Turn Your Kid into a Little Ron Paul - Philip Bump - The Atlantic Wire

coopmike48 at Big Education Ape - 4 hours ago

Ron Paul's Home Schooling Curriculum Will Turn Your Kid into a Little Ron Paul - Philip Bump - The Atlantic Wire: Ron Paul's Home Schooling Curriculum Will Turn Your Kid into a Little Ron Paul by Philip Bump Ron Paul's revolution is not yet complete. The two-time presidential candidate has launched a home schooling curriculum which promises to get your elementary school student up-to-speed on the hijacking of the Constitution in no time. Seriously. It promises that. The curriculum was announced on Sunday in a post from Paul himself. A common feature of authoritarian regimes is the ... more »

Zak Malamed – Our Student Voice to Discover Student Voice

coopmike48 at Big Education Ape - 5 hours ago

Student Voice: Zak Malamed – Our Student Voice to Discover by admin The Huffington Post will be promoting various Student Voice articles prior to the *Student Voice Live! *summit on April 13th. The following is from* Zak Malamed * [image: zak-malamed] I was 18 years old. On January 16, 2012 a student, who shall remain nameless, contacted me through a 700-student member Facebook group, and expressed interest in what “cool projects [I had] been working on.” Being an over-involved student, it was not unusual for me to receive such messages, but we had no mutual friends, no past inter... more »

UPDATE: CPPS Announces First Mayoral Forum Seattle Schools Community Forum: Dream Act Dies (But It's Okay if It Happens When a Republican Rules a Committee)

coopmike48 at Big Education Ape - 5 hours ago

Seattle Schools Community Forum: Dream Act Dies (But It's Okay if It Happens When a Republican Rules a Committee): CPPS Announces First Mayoral Forum by Melissa Westbrook From the press release: Community & Parents for Public Schools (CPPS) Seattle announces the first mayoral election season forum discussing Seattle public education: *"Focus on Students, Families, Communities: The CPPS 2013 Mayoral Education Forum." * The forum will take place *April 30th* in the Garfield High School Commons. CPPS will hold its annual meeting from 6:30 p.m. to 7 p.m. The 90-minute forum will tak... more »

UPDATE: Will the Connecticut House vote tomorrow to confirm a Charter School Executive to the State Board of Education? - Wait, What?

coopmike48 at Big Education Ape - 6 hours ago

Will the Connecticut House vote tomorrow to confirm a Charter School Executive to the State Board of Education? - Wait, What?: The bill? Oh, just hand that over to the Hartford City Official in the far corner, he’ll be paying by jonpelto I was recently introduced to a blog written by Kevin Brookman called “We the People.” Brookman created the site as a way to shine the light of truth into the inner-workings of Hartford City Hall. One look at the blog and you can see why some of Hartford’s political elite should be living in fear of his efforts to inform the taxpayers of Hartford... more »

FCMAT » Cali Education Headlines Tuesday, April 9, 2013

coopmike48 at Big Education Ape - 7 hours ago

FCMAT » Fiscal Crisis & Management Assistance Team: [image: Click on picture to Listen to Diane Ravitch]*Diane Ravitch's blog* Education Headlines *Tuesday, April 9, 2013* Soulsbyville, Twain Harte could share WinfieldTwain Harte-Long Barn Union School District will decide this week on whether to share a superintendent with Soulsbyville School District. San Luis Coastal's budget deficit puts 43 jobs at riskSan Luis Coastal Unified School District could cut more than 43 jobs, eliminate bus transportation for high school students and postpone installing Wi-Fi capabilities at its hig... more »

Schooling in the Ownership Society: Making college accessible only to the rich

coopmike48 at Big Education Ape - 8 hours ago

Schooling in the Ownership Society: Making college accessible only to the rich: Making college accessible only to the rich by Mike Klonsky Despite all the talk about college readiness and 21st-century jobs, a college education is becoming inaccessible to all but the children of the rich or to those able to take on a burden of life-long debt. Like the indentured servants of old, today's poor or working-class students will graduate with dimming prospects for working in the field for which they are trained and will be working as much for the bankers as for their employer or themselve... more »

Big Education Ape - Morning Wink 4-9-13 AM Posts

BIG EDUCATION APE - MORNING WINK  AM POSTS

MORNING UPDATE LISTEN TO DIANE RAVITCH 4-9-13 Diane Ravitch's blog | A site to discuss better education for all

coopmike48 at Big Education Ape - 9 hours ago

Diane Ravitch's blog | A site to discuss better education for all: [image: Click on picture to Listen to Diane Ravitch] Bobby Jindal Admits a Mistake by dianerav Louisiana Governor Bobby Jindal backed off his big Thatcherite idea of reforming the tax code. He wanted to eliminate income taxes and corporate taxes and raise sales taxes. That way, the poor would subsidize the rich. But his poll numbers plummeted, and legislators told him that his plan would be defeated, even by his faithful followers, who want to be re-elected by the voters in their districts. So he backed off his reg... more »

Best of the Ed Blogs | National Education Policy Center

coopmike48 at Big Education Ape - 10 hours ago

Best of the Ed Blogs | National Education Policy Center: Best of the Ed Blogs *Best of the Ed Blogs* features a frequently updated selection of interesting and insightful blog posts on education policy. The views expressed by the bloggers on our blog roll are thoughtful, original, and entirely their own. We hope you make *Best of the Ed Blogs* your first stop for concise takes on today's most important education topics. My Discussion with Matt Barnum Part 1 Best of the Ed Blogs Gary Rubinstein April 9, 2013 Why Is the US Department of Education Weakening FERPA? Best of the Ed Blog... more »

Show Up For Tests and Win + Big data strikes again with Coursesmart, #highered take notice – @ the chalk face

coopmike48 at Big Education Ape - 10 hours ago

Big data strikes again with Coursesmart, #highered take notice – @ the chalk face: Big data strikes again with Coursesmart, #highered take notice by Chalk Face, PhD According to the NYT, professors can now track how students are reading digital materials: Major publishers in higher education have already been collecting data from millions of students who use their digital materials. But CourseSmart goes further by individually packaging for each professor information on all the students in a class — a bold effort that is already beginning to affect how teachers present material an... more »

Special Late Nite Cap UPDATE 4-8-13 #SOSCHAT #EDCHAT #P2

coopmike48 at Big Education Ape - 17 hours ago

*Nite Cap UPDATE* * * ** *UPDATE UPDATE UPDATE UPDATE* ** *CORPORATE ED REFORM* Newark's Students Fight Back Tomorrow! by Jersey Jazzman Now that's what I'm talking about:Popout First things first: if any of the yahoos on talk radio or in the press decide to make a big stink about these kids cutting classes tomorrow, remind them of this: This past week, pro-voucher forces in New Jersey bussed kids in from local Catholic schools to rally in support of a school voucher bill. Quote Of The Day: “I Was Tired Of Giving In” by Larry Ferlazzo There’s an excellent review of a new biograph... more »

School 'Discipline Gap' Explodes As 1 In 4 Black Students Suspended, Report Finds

coopmike48 at Big Education Ape - 21 hours ago

School 'Discipline Gap' Explodes As 1 In 4 Black Students Suspended, Report Finds: School 'Discipline Gap' Explodes As 1 In 4 Black Students Suspended, Report Finds by Joy Resmovits For years, education advocates have highlighted the dire importance of closing the achievement gap of academic performance between students of different ethnic and socioeconomic groups. Now, another group of advocates is drawing attention to the discipline gap of unequal punishments to different groups of students. The Center for Civil Rights Remedies at the University of California, Los Angeles Civ... more »

A collection of links from Occupy the DOE 2.0 #uoodc13 – @ the chalk face

coopmike48 at Big Education Ape - 21 hours ago

A collection of links from Occupy the DOE 2.0 #uoodc13 – @ the chalk face: A collection of links from Occupy the DOE 2.0 #uoodc13 by Chalk Face, PhD As the dust finally settles on a great event, there’s still work to be done. Namely, collecting coverage of the event. I’m going to start posting links here. If I’ve missed any, please let us know in the comments. We’re expecting some long form pieces in the coming days, so they’ll be updated. Democracy Now! Mother Jones Truth Out MSNBC’s The Cycle [Although, I must say, that we at no point in any of our work contacted the United Way for... more »

Mike Klonsky's SmallTalk Blog: Is Thatcher's ghost haunting the White House?

coopmike48 at Big Education Ape - 21 hours ago

Mike Klonsky's SmallTalk Blog: Is Thatcher's ghost haunting the White House?: Is Thatcher's ghost haunting the White House? by Mike Klonsky Margaret Thatcher with her pal PW Botha in 1984. Botha was first leader of the Apartheid regime accorded the privilege of a state visit to UK since 1961, a diplomatic coup for the white supremacist regime in South Africa. via @Tobias AgricoltoreI know that diplomacy dictates that when a former head of state passes on, our president has to pay his respects and not say anything critical. But today's statement by Pres. Obama on the death of *Marga... more »

Big Education Ape Nite Cap 4-8-13

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

Ed Notes Online: Leonie Haimson Offers Parents Real Choice: Low class size, rich non-test driven curriculum

coopmike48 at Big Education Ape - 23 hours ago

Ed Notes Online: Leonie Haimson Offers Parents Real Choice: Low class size, rich non-test driven curriculum: Leonie Haimson Offers Parents Real Choice: Low class size, rich non-test driven curriculum by ed notes online There is no little irony in the Daily News assault on Leonie Haimson for sending her son to a private school while supposedly denying choice to other parents without that option open to them. Leonie has been such a thorn in the side of the deformers, they must disparage her work. How interesting that they chose one of their funding darlings, Gotham Schools and wri... more »

Low test scores are the symptom, not “The Cause” | Crazy Crawfish's Blog

coopmike48 at Big Education Ape - 23 hours ago

Low test scores are the symptom, not “The Cause” | Crazy Crawfish's Blog: Low test scores are the symptom, not “The Cause” by crazycrawfish [image: Problem solved!] Problem solved! Recently my posting has started dropping off because of some nasty fatigue issues that seemed to come out of nowhere. (Hopefully you haven’t noticed the lull too much, as I have quite a few pieces I’m working on at any given time, and researching others.) Sometimes a recent event or flash of insight drives me to squeeze one out in the wee hours of the morning, so I assumed that was the cause of my fatig... more »

Obama to announce Tobacco Tax plan for funding Pre K | Pass / Fail | 89.3 KPCC

coopmike48 at Big Education Ape - 1 hour ago

Obama to announce Tobacco Tax plan for funding Pre K | Pass / Fail | 89.3 KPCC: Obama to announce Tobacco Tax plan for funding Pre K by Deepa Fernandes [image: Smokers Could Face Tobacco Tax Increase] *White House confirms universal pre-K plan will call for increased cigarette taxes.; Credit: Spencer Platt/Getty Images* California is seen as a shining example of how tobacco taxes can be used to both dissuade smoking and also improve children’s health and readiness for school. Now President Obama is following California’s lead. When he presents his budget Wednesday, the president wil... more »

As the Illinois House prepares to cut retired teacher pensions, remember the $100 M give-away to the CME? | Fred Klonsky

coopmike48 at Big Education Ape - 2 hours ago

As the Illinois House prepares to cut retired teacher pensions, remember the $100 M give-away to the CME? | Fred Klonsky: As the Illinois House prepares to cut retired teacher pensions, remember the $100 M give-away to the CME? by Fred Klonsky The odds makers are placing money on the Illinois House voting to cut retired teacher pension benefits this coming week. But remember when they voted to give the Chicago Mercantile Exchange a one hundred million dollar tax break? Don’t you think it is rubbing our faces in it to announce today that the former CEO of that same CME paid its CEO $... more »

Joy Resmovits: Amplify, Rupert Murdoch's Education Subsidiary, Does Not 'In Any Way Endorse' Donkey Sex

coopmike48 at Big Education Ape - 2 hours ago

Joy Resmovits: Amplify, Rupert Murdoch's Education Subsidiary, Does Not 'In Any Way Endorse' Donkey Sex: Amplify, Rupert Murdoch's Education Subsidiary, Does Not 'In Any Way Endorse' Donkey Sex by Joy Resmovits On Sunday, the blog Slashdot posted a bit of news regarding Amplify Education, Inc., the education division of Rupert Murdoch's News Corporation. Murdoch has said that he sees a multibillion dollar opportunity in the education sector, and has followed up on the goal of capitalizing on that market share by buying Wireless Generation and launching Amplify. News Corp. annou... more »

Video by former TFA- message to education policymakers | Parents Across America

coopmike48 at Big Education Ape - 2 hours ago

Video by former TFA- message to education policymakers | Parents Across America: Video by former TFA- message to education policymakers by pureparents A Former TFA teacher speaks PAA Board member Karran Harper Royal shared this video with the following comment: If another state or local education board votes to fund TFA after viewing this video, they should be arrested for conspiracy to commit child abuse. This video along with the Baye Cobb videos from Blackboard Wars shows how ineffective some of these young teachers can be. They should not be in a classroom as the only teach... more »

Diane in the Evening 4-8-13 Diane Ravitch's blog | A site to discuss better education for all

coopmike48 at Big Education Ape - 4 hours ago

Diane Ravitch's blog | A site to discuss better education for all: Jeff Bryant on the United Opt Out Protest by dianerav Last weekend, United Opt Out sponsored a protest rally in front of the U.S. Department of Education in Washington, D.C. The event was called Occupy the DOE. Jeff Bryant of North Carolina reports on the protests here. I spoke on Thursday afternoon of the first day. The crowd was small, which was not surprising, because it was a workday and it is expensive to travel a distance. And the event organizers had no money for travel. Everything was handmade and impro... more »

Why School Test Resistance May Be About to Sweep the Nation - LA Progressive

coopmike48 at Big Education Ape - 4 hours ago

Why School Test Resistance May Be About to Sweep the Nation - LA Progressive: Why School Test Resistance May Be About to Sweep the Nation By Mark Naison [image: united opt out 350 Why School Test Resistance May Be About to Sweep the Nation] Morna McDermott of United Opt Out, an Associate Professor at Towson University, Maryland When people decide to resist unjust policies that have overwhelming support and for which there are few antecedents in their lifetime, mast movements do not erupt overnight. They are often inspired by the accumulation of individual acts of protest, taken at... more »

ASCD Forum: How Do We Define and Measure Teacher and Principal Effectiveness? — Whole Child Education

coopmike48 at Big Education Ape - 7 hours ago

ASCD Forum: How Do We Define and Measure Teacher and Principal Effectiveness? — Whole Child Education: THE WHOLE CHILD BLOG [image: Meg Simpson]ASCD Forum: How Do We Define and Measure Teacher and Principal Effectiveness? April 8, 2013 by Meg Simpson [image: ASCD Forum] Across the globe, nations, districts, schools, and individuals face a timely and complex issue: How do we define and measure teacher and principal effectiveness? Is there a definitive answer to this challenging question? We're not sure, but since January, ASCD has convened the ASCD Forum to focus educator conversati... more »

Big Education Ape - Morning Wink 4-8-13 AM Posts

BIG EDUCATION APE - MORNING WINK  AM POSTS

LISTEN TO DIANE RAVITCH 4-8-13 Diane Ravitch's blog | A site to discuss better education for all

coopmike48 at Big Education Ape - 11 hours ago

Diane Ravitch's blog | A site to discuss better education for all: [image: Click on picture to Listen to Diane Ravitch] Who Put the State Education Departments in Charge? by dianerav American education has always been characterized by the principle of federalism–until now. Federalism meant a careful balancing among districts, states, and the federal governments. Schools had a fair amount of autonomy within that framework. The federal government role was to level the playing field by providing resources for the schools with large number of poor kids. The state set general guideli... more »

Special Late Nite Cap UPDATE 4-7-13 #SOSCHAT #EDCHAT #P2

coopmike48 at Big Education Ape - 18 hours ago

*Nite Cap UPDATE* * * ** *UPDATE UPDATE UPDATE UPDATE* ** *CORPORATE ED REFORM* Does Unity-New Action Really Want to Talk? by NYC Educator I was a little surprised to receive mass emails from Unity chapter leaders, including one I happen to know and like. Ironically, the first one was written in protest of mass email. It complained MORE chapter leaders had acquired an email list of chapter leaders, and have used it to communicate with them. Oddly, the Unity chapter leaders appear to have used the very same list to communicate with the same group. Apparently that is not objection... more »

The Educated Reporter: Beyond Victims and Villains: Covering School Bullying and Suicide

coopmike48 at Big Education Ape - 19 hours ago

The Educated Reporter: Beyond Victims and Villains: Covering School Bullying and Suicide: Beyond Victims and Villains: Covering School Bullying and Suicide by Emily Richmond In the wake of several high-profile cases involving students who took their own lives, states are focusing heavily on making bullying prevention programs mandatory in public schools. But how much of the responsibility really rests with educators, and what steps should the broader community be taking to help students make smarter choices about their own behavior on campus, after school, and online? On Tuesda... more »

MUST SEE! Helen Moore at Occupy the Dept of Ed Vincent Precht’s Videos on Vimeo

coopmike48 at Big Education Ape - 20 hours ago

Vincent Precht’s Videos on Vimeo: *Helen Moore at Occupy the Dept of Ed* Helen Moore at Occupy the Dept of Ed Part from Vincent Precht on Vimeo. Vincent Precht’s Videos 18 Videos 0 Appearances 18 Total s****** ************************ Sort: Date / Alphabetical / Plays / Likes / Comments / Duration 1. Helen Moore at Occupy the Dept of Ed Part 5 hours ago 2. Malcolm London at Occupy the Dept of Ed Part 16 hours ago 3. Karen Lewis at Occupy the Dept of Ed: Part 3 22 hours ago 4. Karen Lewis at Occupy the Dept of Ed: Part 2 1 day ago 5. Karen Lewis at Occupy ... more »

Tony Smith leaves Oakland . . . in shambles | Classroom Struggle

coopmike48 at Big Education Ape - 21 hours ago

Tony Smith leaves Oakland . . . in shambles | Classroom Struggle: Tony Smith leaves Oakland . . . in shambles by ClassroomStruggle *We’re offerring a piece by our retired teacher comrade Jack Gerson on the “legacy” of Tony Smith, the now resigned superintendent of the Oakland Unified School District. We will be posting more on this soon. Please send comments and suggestions. * *Tony Smith: What He Did to Oakland, What He**’**ll Try in Chicago* By Jack Gerson April 6, 2013 On April 4, Oakland Unified School District (OUSD) Superintendent Tony Smith gave notice that he was r... more »

Netroots Nation 2013 Scholarship Contest

coopmike48 at Big Education Ape - 22 hours ago

Netroots Nation 2013 Scholarship Contest: [image: Dfa_nn_logo] Karran Harper Royal is ranked #25 of 59 [image: Image] I am a public school parent and education advocate determined to help parents have a voice in education policy making. Vote for Karran Harper Royal [image: Facebook] My Recent Supporters: - Karran H. - Julian D. - Gayle D. - Glennia C. - Susan S. - Elaine L. - Lew M. - Sue B. - Elizabeth J. - Amy L. - See all supporters My political story Public education today is political. As I work to improve public education I have come to ... more »

Jersey Jazzman: NY Ed Commish: King of the Hypocrites

coopmike48 at Big Education Ape - 22 hours ago

Jersey Jazzman: NY Ed Commish: King of the Hypocrites: NY Ed Commish: King of the Hypocrites by Duke *Is there a bigger reformy hypocrite than New York's Commissioner of Education, John King?* I doubt it: The Gates Foundation spent $100 million along with the Carnegie Corporation to create a massive database consisting of confidential information about students. The database will be created by Rupert Murdoch’s subsidiary Wireless Generation. It will go onto a “cloud” managed by amazon.com. Several states and districts have agreed to turn over their student data. Last year, the U.... more »

The Standardised Testing Racket – @ the chalk face

coopmike48 at Big Education Ape - 22 hours ago

The Standardised Testing Racket – @ the chalk face: The Standardised Testing Racket by Activism in paradise - Voices from down under Reposted from Save Our Schools Canberra. The Standardised Testing RacketMonday April 8, 2013 It is NAPLAN test week next month in Australia. It is also testing season in the United States which has coincided, once again, with another round of cheating scandals highlighted by the dramatic indictment of one of the nation’s top school superintendents on racketeering charges for cheating on test scores. Testing is now a national obsession in the US. Firs... more »

ACLU: Ohio illegally jailing debtors - Salon.com

coopmike48 at Big Education Ape - 22 hours ago

ACLU: Ohio illegally jailing debtors - Salon.com: ACLU: Ohio illegally jailing debtorsThe modern-day debtors' prisons push poor defendants further into destitutionBY ASSOCIATED PRESS [image: ACLU: Ohio illegally jailing debtors] (Credit: Shutterstock) COLUMBUS, Ohio — Several courts in Ohio are illegally jailing people because they are too poor to pay their debts and often deny defendants a hearing to determine if they’re financially capable of paying what they owe, according to an investigation released Thursday by the Ohio chapter of the American Civil Liberties Union. The ACL... more »

Ed Notes Online: Jia Lee - High Stakes Testing Meeting: April 8th Parent Meeting at The Earth School

coopmike48 at Big Education Ape - 23 hours ago

Ed Notes Online: Jia Lee - High Stakes Testing Meeting: April 8th Parent Meeting at The Earth School: Jia Lee - High Stakes Testing Meeting: April 8th Parent Meeting at The Earth School by ed notes online Please join us as we discuss our questions, concerns and develop a common understanding of the high stakes tests looming upon our children. Feel free to forward, print and distribute this flyer. I apologize for not being able to get it translated into other languages with the time constraints. Bring as many parents as possible, and they don't have to be in testing grades this yea... more »

Short Notes: On The Backs of Black and Brown Children | The Jose Vilson

coopmike48 at Big Education Ape - 23 hours ago

Short Notes: On The Backs of Black and Brown Children | The Jose Vilson: Short Notes: On The Backs of Black and Brown Children by Jose Vilson The Second Amendment (Rebuild The Dream) A few notes: [image: The Second Amendment (Rebuild The Dream)] - Sherman Dorn highlights some misconceptions about the Common Core State Standards. [Sherman Dorn] - Rania Khalel says public education reform is being done on the backs of Black and Brown children. I tend to agree. [Dispatches from the Underclass] - William Hood’s story about Dr. Martin Luther King gave me the jitters.... more »

CTU Takes Lawmakers On Eye-Opening Bus Tour Of Communities Affected By School Closures (VIDEO) | Progress Illinois

coopmike48 at Big Education Ape - 1 day ago

CTU Takes Lawmakers On Eye-Opening Bus Tour Of Communities Affected By School Closures (VIDEO) | Progress Illinois: CTU Takes Lawmakers On Eye-Opening Bus Tour Of Communities Affected By School Closures (VIDEO) The Chicago Teachers Union led a bus tour of blighted neighborhoods slated for school actions Thursday, providing legislators, stakeholders and members of the press with a first-hand glimpse of communities they say are being “destabilized” by Chicago Public Schools’ (CPS) school closures. The Chicago Teachers Union (CTU) led a bus tour of blighted neighborhoods slated for sc... more »

Seattle Schools Community Forum: Seattle Schools and their Strategic Plan

coopmike48 at Big Education Ape - 1 day ago

Seattle Schools Community Forum: Seattle Schools and their Strategic Plan: Seattle Schools and their Strategic Plan by Melissa Westbrook Seattle Schools and their Strategic Plan You'd think after all the years that I've complained about parents being not included in district initiatives that I might have welcomed the planning for the new Strategic Plan. Nope. My first inkling of "Danger, Will Robinson" was this what? 50,60,70-person Strategic Plan Taskforce. I knew I wouldn't be applying for that one because I can only imagine a meeting with that many people. Second, isn't this... more »

83(R) HB 44 - Texas Bill To OPT OUT of STANDARDIZED TESTING

coopmike48 at Big Education Ape - 1 day ago

83(R) HB 44 - Introduced version - Fiscal Note: LEGISLATIVE BUDGET BOARDAustin, Texas FISCAL NOTE, 83RD LEGISLATIVE REGULAR SESSION April 5, 2013 TO: Honorable Jimmie Don Aycock, Chair, House Committee on Public Education FROM: Ursula Parks, Director, Legislative Budget Board IN RE: *HB44* by Flynn (Relating to a moratorium on administering assessment instruments to public school students under the public school accountability system.), *As Introduced* *No significant fiscal implication to the State is anticipated.* The bill would require the Texas Education Agency to develop... more »

LAUSD board member seeks overhaul of 'teacher jail' system - LA Daily News

coopmike48 at Big Education Ape - 1 day ago

LAUSD board member seeks overhaul of 'teacher jail' system - LA Daily News: LAUSD board member seeks overhaul of 'teacher jail' system Plan would add team of professional investigators By Barbara Jones | barbara.jones@dailynews.com | @LADNschools on Twitter Posted: 04/07/2013 02:47:42 PM PDT Updated: 04/07/2013 02:56:50 PM PDT Los Angeles Unified would create a team of professional investigators to handle serious misconduct complaints against teachers as part of a new plan to overhaul the district's disciplinary process, which has been criticized as costly, unwieldy and unfair.... more »

Jersey Jazzman: So Much To Debunk; So Little Time...

coopmike48 at Big Education Ape - 1 day ago

Jersey Jazzman: So Much To Debunk; So Little Time...: So Much To Debunk; So Little Time... by Duke Oy... NJ Gov. Chris Christie announced last week that the state will take over Camden’s long-troubled school system. The courageous move, the latest piece of Christie’s impressive education-reform agenda, could signal a turnaround for one of the country’s most dangerous and depressed cities. [...] Stanford University’s research team recently found that New Jersey charter schools posted “some of the largest learning gains we have seen to date.” This, when Stanford had found disap... more »

It's a Wrap! California Father | Occupy DOE 2.0: The Battle for Public Schools unitedoptout.com #uoodc13

coopmike48 at Big Education Ape - 2 hours ago

California Father | Educating Sullivan: [image: California Father] Watch live streaming video from califather at livestream.com *Look for More about Occupy DOE 2.0: The Battle for Public Schools * *http://unitedoptout.com/*

The Campaign for Artful Resistance :: Save Our Schools #uoodc13

coopmike48 at Big Education Ape - 3 hours ago

The Campaign for Artful Resistance :: Save Our Schools: The Campaign for Artful Resistance *SAVE OUR SCHOOLS ANNOUNCES**THE CAMPAIGN FOR ARTFUL RESISTANCE* *What is it you love about school that you have lost because of high stakes testing, school closings, budget cuts, curriculum losses, teacher firings, and other educational catastrophes?* THE CAMPAIGN FOR ARTFUL RESISTANCE INVITES YOUR INVOLVEMENT - An Introduction to The Campaign for Artful Resistance - The Campaign for Artful Resistance Booklet and Flyers - The Campaign for Artful Resistance Save Our Schools offers an... more »

Diane in the Evening 4-7-13 Diane Ravitch's blog | A site to discuss better education for all

coopmike48 at Big Education Ape - 4 hours ago

Diane Ravitch's blog | A site to discuss better education for all: History Is Written by the Winners by dianerav As the adage goes, history is written by the winners. Today, in the United States, it is written by and for the 1%. Or is it the .0001 percent? How important is it for all fifth-graders in the state of Tennessee to know these names? A reader writes: “Bill Gates & Sam Walton just wrote themselves write Indiana: Stop Voucher Expansion by dianerav In Indiana, new legislation would offer vouchers to children who never attended a public school. This eliminates the ficti... more »

Did Lena Dunham Invite Beyonce to Play a Janitor On Girls? |

coopmike48 at Big Education Ape - 5 hours ago

Did Lena Dunham Invite Beyonce to Play a Janitor On Girls? |: Did Lena Dunham Invite Beyonce to Play a Janitor On Girls? by Angus Johnston [image: BHQ_E0dCMAEhYBo.png-large]About an hour ago (not long after noon Eastern), word began to go around Twitter that Lena Dunham had tweeted to invite Beyonce to play a janitor on the new season of Girls, and then deleted the tweet. Soon the screenshot at right appeared to confirm it, along with links

UPDATE Melissa Harris-Perry: Atlanta cheating scandal calls high stakes testing into question + Tying welfare benefits to school grades teaches the wrong lesson — MSNBC

coopmike48 at Big Education Ape - 6 hours ago

Tying welfare benefits to school grades teaches the wrong lesson — MSNBC: *Atlanta cheating scandal calls high stakes testing into question* Visit NBCNews.com for breaking news, world news, and news about the economy >>> welcome back. i'm -- the atlanta school system was rocked to its core. a former school superintendent were indicted in the largest school cheating scandal. indictments that came in part because of the investigative series cheating our children by the atlanta journal constitution. good journalism. on tuesday, the teachers, principals and administrators implicate... more »

Me? Nominated for a #Bammy Award? – @ the chalk face

coopmike48 at Big Education Ape - 6 hours ago

Me? Nominated for a #Bammy Award? – @ the chalk face: Me? Nominated for a #Bammy Award? by Kris Nielsen Interesting idea, isn’t it? I’ve been nominated as the *Middle School Teacher of the Year* for the 2013 Bammy Awards. No, seriously! Check it out: I graciously and humbly accept this nomination because I do agree with the nomination’s premise. Here is the transcript of the nomination: [image: badge2013W]*There are innovative educators in thousands of classrooms all across America. Having served as a middle grades educator and instructional leader for six years in New Mexico,... more »

Big Education Ape - Morning Wink 4-7-13 AM Posts

BIG EDUCATION APE - MORNING WINK  AM POSTS

Destruction of Public Education by Design: DFER Plan for Obama's Education Policy

coopmike48 at Big Education Ape - 7 hours ago

*Destruction of Public Education by Design: DFER Plan for Obama's Education Policy* *"Having a team in place which can collectively implement the Obama education **agenda will – it should go without saying – be crucial. While it is obviously **important for the administration to be faced with a diverse set of voices and **view points, it is even more important, once a decision has been made, that each of **those voices is unambiguously consistent in supporting the administration and **communicating its views.* *A “team of rivals” approach, or one in which the administration seeks... more »

California Father | Join me at Occupy the Department of Education, April 4-7, 2013 for a lively discussion about the future of education

coopmike48 at Big Education Ape - 8 hours ago

California Father | Educating Sullivan: [image: California Father] califather on livestream.com. Broadcast Live Free - ON DEMAND - ABOUT OCCUPY THE DEPT OF ED - HOW TO CHAT - SCHEDULE Watch live streaming video from califather at livestream.com

MORNING UPDATE LISTEN TO DIANE RAVITCH 4-7-13 Diane Ravitch's blog | A site to discuss better education for all

coopmike48 at Big Education Ape - 9 hours ago

Diane Ravitch's blog | A site to discuss better education for all: [image: Click on picture to Listen to Diane Ravitch] Who Cares About the Children in Atlanta? by dianerav The Daily Howler notes that most of the mainstream media completely ignored the Atlanta events or barely mentioned them. Only Chris Hayes had a panel on the subject, and two of the three panelists were a waste of air time. One was a clueless parent, and the other was a paid mouthpiece for the hedge fund billionaires of New Jersey. Jersey Jazzman: Why Leonie Haimson Is a True American Hero by dianerav As rea... more »

What I wanted to say at Occupy DOE 2.0 #UOODC13 – @ the chalk face

coopmike48 at Big Education Ape - 16 hours ago

What I wanted to say at Occupy DOE 2.0 #UOODC13 – @ the chalk face: What I wanted to say at Occupy DOE 2.0 #UOODC13 by Chris Cerrone I was planning to attend Occupy DOE 2.0 this week, plane tickets purchased-check, hotel reservations-check, viral based illness with bronchitis-uncheck. I have been knocked out by this bug for a couple of weeks with little progress, very frustrating, spending most of my spring break napping and laying around. Needless to say I am bummed. I have watched some of the video footage and caught the social media pictures. The photos of the march to White Ho... more »

Newark Students Plan to WALK OUT on Tuesday 9 April 2013! Coalition for Public Education/Coalición por la Educación Pública

coopmike48 at Big Education Ape - 16 hours ago

Coalition for Public Education/Coalición por la Educación Pública: *Newark Students Plan to WALK OUT on Tuesday 9 April 2013!* Popout On Tuesday, April 9th, 2013 @ 12PM All Newark Public High School Students Will Walk out of their Classrooms to March to the Rutgers Law School (located at 123 Washington Street, Newark) for the State Assembly Budget Hearings on Education. Students, Families, Education Advocacy Groups, and Community will Join in Solidarity to Demand that the State Assembly *"FOLLOW THE LAW, AND STOP THE CUTS'. * *Please JOIN us!* For Information Please contact the ... more »

Student Loan Fairness Act Education - U.S. Congress - OpenCongress

coopmike48 at Big Education Ape - 21 hours ago

Education - U.S. Congress - OpenCongress: Bill Introduced: S.654 Collegiate Housing and Infrastructure Act of 2013 Open Congress : Major Bill Actions in Education programs funding - 22 minutes ago A bill to amend the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to provide for collegiate housing and infrastructure grants. Bill Introduced: S.641 Palliative Care and Hospice Education and Training Act Open Congress : Major Bill Actions in Education programs funding - 22 minutes ago A bill to amend the Public Health Service Act to increase the number of permanent faculty in palliative care at accredit... more »

Seattle Schools Community Forum: Kids and the Ability to Create Films

coopmike48 at Big Education Ape - 22 hours ago

Seattle Schools Community Forum: Kids and the Ability to Create Films: Kids and the Ability to Create Films by Melissa Westbrook @strangerslog As you may have noticed, I'm a big fan of The Stranger's Slog. It's where I get the latest dinosaur news (no kidding, they keep up), politics, religion, good deeds/misdeeds and everything in-between. (They also have some of the funniest comments ever.) They also, thanks to Dan Savage, talk about sex. The latest letter to his sex column was one I found interesting and worthy of your attention (especially the middle/high school parents). ... more »

OCCUPY EDUCATION - Lines of Influence in Education Reform

coopmike48 at Big Education Ape - 23 hours ago

OCCUPY EDUCATION - Lines of Influence in Education Reform: Lines of Influence in Education Reform Lines of Influence in Education Reform

NYC Public School Parents: SLT calls for moratorium on high-stakes testing in New York State

coopmike48 at Big Education Ape - 23 hours ago

NYC Public School Parents: SLT calls for moratorium on high-stakes testing in New York State: SLT calls for moratorium on high-stakes testing in New York State by Molly *Here is a letter from the Brooklyn New School Leadership Team, calling on a moratorium on high-stakes testing in NYS. If your SLT would like to sign on, contact Liza Featherstone at lfeather@panix.com.* We, the Brooklyn New School Leadership Team, call for a moratorium on high-stakes testing in New York State. As parents and educators, we don’t object to assessment, when used properly. As currently practiced i... more »

Jersey Jazzman: NJ Charter School Circus: The Next Act

coopmike48 at Big Education Ape - 1 day ago

Jersey Jazzman: NJ Charter School Circus: The Next Act: NJ Charter School Circus: The Next Act by Duke And here we go again: With interest hardly abating, *nearly 40 applications were filed this week to open new charter schools in New Jersey* – a vast majority in cities and one with a notable political name in its title. The state had received by Monday’s deadline for the latest round of charter bids, all for schools seeking to open in the fall of 2014. The decisions on initial approvals for this round of applicants will come in September, with the final approvals in the summer of... more »

Blue Jersey:: Newark Student Walk Out - Tuesday April 9

coopmike48 at Big Education Ape - 1 day ago

Blue Jersey:: Newark Student Walk Out - Tuesday April 9: Newark Student Walk Out - Tuesday April 9 by Rosi Efthim Here we go. On Tuesday, Newark students will walk out of their schools at noon - "no longer separate schools, we are one united voice" - and converge from all over the city to the legislative budget hearings on education, at Rutgers Law School, Newark.I have to say, this makes the hair on the back of my neck stand up. I've been waiting for this. Watch: Popout

John White’s Great Out-of-State Contract Giveaway | deutsch29

coopmike48 at Big Education Ape - 1 day ago

John White’s Great Out-of-State Contract Giveaway | deutsch29: John White’s Great Out-of-State Contract Giveaway by deutsch29 Former TFAer and current Louisiana State Superintendent John White was in the hot seat this week as he had to answer to the Louisiana House Appropriations Committee for his and BESE’s (the state education board) budgeting decisions, both for the upcoming year as well as past decisions. One area of concern is altering of language in the Minimum Foundation Program (MFP) funding. It is not lost on the lawmakers present in this Wednesday, April 3, meeting th... more »

Computers Cannot Read, Write or Grade Papers | toteachornototeach

coopmike48 at Big Education Ape - 1 day ago

Computers Cannot Read, Write or Grade Papers | toteachornototeach: Computers Cannot Read, Write or Grade Papers by aristotlethewise Computers Cannot Read, Write or Grade Papers **by Robert David Jaffee Shakespeare once famously said that the first thing we should do is kill all the lawyers. Perhaps, computer programmers and electrical engineers should be next on the list. A recent article on *The New York Times*‘ website indicated that EdX, a nonprofit educational organization founded by Harvard and MIT, has come up with a computer program that will replace teachers in grading essays... more »

Justice for the children of Atlanta | Parents Across America

coopmike48 at Big Education Ape - 1 day ago

Justice for the children of Atlanta | Parents Across America: Justice for the children of Atlanta by pureparents This article was written by PAA-Atlanta/GA/Atlanta Public Schools chapter leader Kimberly Brooks, whose children attended one of the schools where officials have been indicted for racketeering in connection with widespread standardized test cheating. **** My name is Kimberly Brooks, parent of two children that attended Parks Middle School in Atlanta, where the principal was recently indicted for cheating on state tests. For the past two years the Atlanta Public School s... more »

“The best and wisest parent” | Parents Across America

coopmike48 at Big Education Ape - 1 hour ago

“The best and wisest parent” | Parents Across America: “The best and wisest parent” by pureparents “What the best and wisest parent wants for his own child, that must the community want for all its children. Any other ideal for our schools is narrow and unlovely; acted upon, it destroys our democracy.” *John Dewey, The School and Social Progress* That’s how PAA opened our position paper on ESEA. It’s also an apt description of our co-founder Leonie Haimson, who became the target of attack this week for having enrolled one of her children in a private school after many years as a... more »

Pilfering the public commons: on-line 'earning' scheduled for California Community Colleges

coopmike48 at Big Education Ape - 1 hour ago

Pilfering the public commons: on-line 'earning' scheduled for California Community Colleges: Pilfering the public commons: on-line ‘earning’ scheduled for California Community Colleges By Danny Weil on April 6, 2013 7:26 pm / no comments As students, faculty and community groups hasten to bow down at the thrown of the ACCJC to assure continuing accreditation, going so far as to appeal to corporate Senator, Nancy Pelosi of all people or, at worst, surly Senator Diane Feinstein whose husband Richard Blum is the knight in shining armor for the corporatization of higher education.... more »

Tennessee Clergy Speak Out Against Bill To Cut Welfare For Children Who Get Poor Grades | ThinkProgress

coopmike48 at Big Education Ape - 1 hour ago

Tennessee Clergy Speak Out Against Bill To Cut Welfare For Children Who Get Poor Grades | ThinkProgress: Tennessee Clergy Speak Out Against Bill To Cut Welfare For Children Who Get Poor Grades By Aviva Shen on Apr 5, 2013 at 5:00 pm As Tennessee prepares to consider two bills to reduce welfare assistance for needy families whose children are not doing well in school, a Change.org petition has popped up to fight the measure. The petition was started by Clergy for Justice, a Tennesse-based organization of clergy that has previously advocated for causes including immigration reform, h... more »

Daily Kos: "I realize that I am not leaving my profession, in truth, it has left me. It no longer exists."

coopmike48 at Big Education Ape - 1 hour ago

Daily Kos: "I realize that I am not leaving my profession, in truth, it has left me. It no longer exists.": "I realize that I am not leaving my profession, in truth, it has left me. It no longer exists." by rss@dailykos.com (teacherken) So wrote Gerald J. Conti, who taught for 40 years, the last 27 in the high school from which he is taking retirement at the end of this school year. You can - no, you *SHOULD* - read the entire letter, which appears here at the Answer Sheet blog at the*Washington Post*. Over the past few years words like those offered by Conti have become ever m... more »

Arizona Bans Student Funding of Independent Groups |

coopmike48 at Big Education Ape - 4 hours ago

Arizona Bans Student Funding of Independent Groups |: Arizona Bans Student Funding of Independent Groups by Angus Johnston Arizona Governor Jan Brewer yesterday signed a bill that bans the use of student fee money for lobbying on legislation or support for independent state or national organizations. The new law dismantles the funding model under which the Arizona Students Association has operated for decades, and may well mean the end of that group. The ASA came under attack by lawmakers last fall after it donated more than a hundred thousand dollars to a ballot measure that woul... more »

"School 'reformers' should at least follow the law" + "Who Is Holding Education Reformers Accountable?" - Wait, What?

coopmike48 at Big Education Ape - 5 hours ago

"School 'reformers' should at least follow the law" + "Who Is Holding Education Reformers Accountable?" - Wait, What?: “School ‘reformers’ should at least follow the law” + “Who Is Holding Education Reformers Accountable?” by jonpelto Fellow public school advocates and columnists, Wendy Lecker and Sara Darer Littman have written *TWO MUST READ* columns this week. “School ‘reformers’ should at least follow the law” (Wendy Lecker) and “Who Is Holding Education Reformers Accountable?” (Sarah Darer Littman) present a stunning portrayal of the abuses that have become the hallmark of Co... more »

BAMN | April 10, 2013 IMMIGRANT RIGHTS MARCH ON WASHINGTON: Full Citizenship Rights for ALL!

coopmike48 at Big Education Ape - 5 hours ago

BAMN | April 10, 2013 IMMIGRANT RIGHTS MARCH ON WASHINGTON: Full Citizenship Rights for ALL!: [image: April 10 Immigrant Rights March on Washington] *April 10, 2013 IMMIGRANT RIGHTS MARCH ON WASHINGTON: Full Citizenship Rights for ALL!* IT IS TIME FOR THE IMMIGRANT RIGHTS MOVEMENT TO RETURN TO THE STREETS. We can fight and win more than what is being offered. On April 10th, we will declare that we will never be satisfied until we have the full equality, dignity, and respect we deserve. [image: fist] Join the BAMN contingent on April 10th to DEMAND: - REPLACE PARTIAL PROBATIONAR...more »

Seattle Schools Community Forum: April is Autism Awareness Month

coopmike48 at Big Education Ape - 6 hours ago

Seattle Schools Community Forum: April is Autism Awareness Month: April is Autism Awareness Month by Melissa Westbrook Autism affects one in 88 children in the US. It affects 1 in 54 boys. About 1.5 million people live with some kind of autism spectrum disorder. - Only 56% of students with autism finish high school.12 - The average per-pupil expenditure for educating a child with autism was estimated by SEEP to be over $18,000 in the 1999-2000 school year. This estimate was nearly three times the expenditure for a typical regular education student who did not rece... more »

Karen Lewis at Occupy the Dept of Ed on Vimeo

coopmike48 at Big Education Ape - 6 hours ago

Karen Lewis at Occupy the Dept of Ed on Vimeo: Karen Lewis at Occupy the Dept of Ed from Vincent Precht on Vimeo.

LIVE Stream Occupy the DoE! #edchat #soschat #uoodc13

coopmike48 at Big Education Ape - 6 hours ago

Occupy the Department Of Education Returns to DC | Mother Jones Occupy the Department Of Education Returns to DC | Mother Jones: *California Father | @califather Califather all spiffed up and ready to stream Occupy the DoE! #edchat #soschat #uoodc13* coopmike48 at Big Education Ape - 4 hours ago California Father | Educating Sullivan: [image: California Father] califather on livestream.com. Broadcast Live Free - ON DEMAND - ABOUT OCCUPY THE DEPT OF ED - HOW TO CHAT Occupy the Department Of Education Returns to DC —By Stephanie Mencimer | Thu Apr. 4, 2013 3:20 AM PDT Post - ... more »

You Can’t Fatten Your Cows by Constantly Weighing Them | Dissident Voice

coopmike48 at Big Education Ape - 6 hours ago

You Can’t Fatten Your Cows by Constantly Weighing Them | Dissident Voice: You Can’t Fatten Your Cows by Constantly Weighing Them by Myles Hoenig *Well Maybe* Thanks to Chris Nielson for this title’s line and to the nearly dozens of other speakers on Thursday and this weekend who comprise the line up of activist educators in Washington, DC for the Occupy the Department of Education 2.0. This year’s show of force is sponsored by United Opt Out, a parents/teachers based grass roots organization dedicated to having public school children in America refuse to take high stakes tests thr... more »

LISTEN TO DIANE RAVITCH 4-6-13 Diane Ravitch's blog | A site to discuss better education for all

coopmike48 at Big Education Ape - 8 hours ago

Diane Ravitch's blog | A site to discuss better education for all: [image: Click on picture to Listen to Diane Ravitch] The Myth of Charter Waiting Lists by dianerav One of the arguments advanced to expand charter schools is that they have long waiting lists. Or so they say. But no one knows how many are on those lists. This reporter in Chicago started digging and discovered that the list is not real. The Chicago charters say there Best Comment of the Day (So Far) by dianerav The comment below draws attention to a debate that followed Dr. Mercedes Schneider’s methodological di... more »

UPDATE: Gail Collins is a must-read today Daily Kos: Millennials are driving social - and political - change

coopmike48 at Big Education Ape - 8 hours ago

Daily Kos: Millennials are driving social - and political - change: Gail Collins is a must-read today by rss@dailykos.com (teacherken) So I will enable you to get past the pay firewall without using up any of your monthly quota of ten articles to readA New Era in Political Corruption. It starts with her opening paragraph: Have you ever noticed how high the bar is when it comes to getting arrested for political corruption? Really, you practically have to go around with a sign that says “Will Trade Influence for Cash.” And that is just the start of a column inspired or provoked (yo... more »

Teacher’s resignation letter: ‘My profession … no longer exists’

coopmike48 at Big Education Ape - 8 hours ago

Teacher’s resignation letter: ‘My profession … no longer exists’: Teacher’s resignation letter: ‘My profession … no longer exists’ Posted by Valerie Strauss on April 6, 2013 at 4:00 am 20 Comments More [image: i-quit]Increasingly teachers are speaking out against school reforms that they believe are demeaning their profession, and some are simply quitting because they have had enough. Here is one resignation letter from a veteran teacher, Gerald J. Conti, a social studies teacher at Westhill High School in Syracuse, N.Y.: Mr. Casey Barduhn, Superintendent Westhill Central School Dist... more »

Modern School Today

coopmike48 at Big Education Ape - 8 hours ago

Modern School: Today In Labor History: April 6 Michael Dunn at Modern School - 1 hour ago *April 6, 1712* - New York City saw its first slave revolt, which occurred just north of Wall Street, in response to the execution of twenty-one blacks for killing nine whites. Conditions were ideal for a revolt, as black slaves and freemen worked in proximity to each other, making communication and planning easier. In the aftermath of the revolt, 70 black men were jailed, with six “committing suicide” in custody. Twenty of those arrested were executed by burning and one was executed on the “br... more »

This Week's Education Research Report 4-6-13 #SOSCHAT #EDCHAT #P2 Education Research Report: THIS WEEK'S EDUCATION RESEARCH REPORT

coopmike48 at Big Education Ape - 9 hours ago

Education Research Report: *THIS WEEK'S EDUCATION RESEARCH REPORT* * * Collective Pedagogical Teacher Culture Results in Higher Mathematics Achievement Jonathan Kantrowitz at Education Research Report - 1 day ago Scholars have not adequately assessed how organizational cultures in schools differentially influence students’ mathematics achievement by race and socioeconomic status (SES). This study focuses on *collective pedagogical teacher culture*, highlighting the role of professional communities and teacher collaboration in influencing mathematics achievement. Using cross-classif... more »

Larry Ferlazzo’s Websites of the Day… 4-6-13 …For Teaching ELL, ESL, & EF

coopmike48 at Big Education Ape - 9 hours ago

Larry Ferlazzo’s Websites of the Day… | …For Teaching ELL, ESL, & EFL *LARRY FERLAZZO’S WEBSITES OF THE DAY* *LOOK FOR MY BOOK IN MARCH, 2013*[image: Ferlazzo200(1)] "Self-Driven Learning: Teaching Strategies for Student Motivation" will be a sequel to"Helping Students Motivate Themselves" Special Edition Of “Links I Should Have Posted About, But Didn’t” Larry Ferlazzo at Larry Ferlazzo's Websites of the Day... - 8 hours ago (Usually, I just post a weekly version of this regular feature. However, sometimes I post an extra “Special Edition” when I have more good links than usual) I hav... more »

A ‘kissing cousin’ of segregated proms: segregated high school reunions. Are they common? | Get Schooled

coopmike48 at Big Education Ape - 17 hours ago

A ‘kissing cousin’ of segregated proms: segregated high school reunions. Are they common? | Get Schooled: A ‘kissing cousin’ of segregated proms: segregated high school reunions. Are they common? by Maureen Downey A reader of the segregated prom blog sent me a note about something that DeKalb school chief Michael Thurmond referenced in a recent speech, racially segregated class reunions. Thurmond said that his high school graduating class — he attended high school in Athens and was among the first black students to attend high school with white students — holds two reunions divid... more »

LISTEN TO DIANE RAVITCH ALL WEEK LONG Diane Ravitch's blog 4-6-13 

LISTEN TO DIANE RAVITCH ALL WEEK LONG 

DIANE RAVITCH'S BLOG