Saturday, September 7, 2013

9-7-13 Wait What?

Wait What?:



Our Orwellian education policy, Part 2
Two weeks ago, Wendy Lecker, Connecticut public education advocate and commentary writer for Hearst Media, Wendy Lecker, wrote Part 1 of a piece about George Orwell’s definition of “doublethink” explained Gov. Dannel P. Malloy’s education reform strategy. (Part I can be found at: http://jonathanpelto.com/2013/08/27/orwellian-education-policy-wendy-lecker/). As she explained so clearly, Malloy’s pl

YESTERDAY

Connecticut Democratic Party subsidizes Mayor Finch’s Bridgeport Board of Education Slate
And you thought your campaign donation to the Connecticut Democratic Party went to support Democratic candidates and Democratic principles…? Well think again because it turns out that Bridgeport’s pro-corporate education industry, pro-charter school, anti-teacher, party-endorsed slate is using Connecticut State Party resources to push their anti-public education agenda. Truth be told, the Connecti
The battle to save Windham and stop Special Master Steven Adamowski…before it’s too late
Tom Drewry is a teacher in the Windham Public Schools and a Willimantic resident.  Until recently he held a position with the Windham Federation of Teachers. Tom is also one of the most articulate, dedicated and forceful advocates for the students, parents, teachers and citizens of Windham. One of the most important agenda items as […]The post The battle to save Windham and stop Special Master Ste

SEP 05

What the Hell is going on: Pryor and State Board of Education make Adamowski a State Employee
At yesterday’s State Board of Education meeting Governor Malloy’s Commissioner of Education, Stefan Pryor, recommend that the Board of Education grant Steven Adamowski a one-year extension in his role as the Special Master for the Windham and New London school systems. And then, in a surprising and extraordinary turn of events, Pryor announced that Special […]The post What the Hell is going on: Pr
Connecticut Charter School Front Drops $50,000 into Bridgeport Democratic Primary
A case study on how the Corporate Education Reform Industry is trying to buy up American Democracy A Better Connecticut, the charter school advocacy group formed by the present and previous CEOs of ConnCAN, the charter school lobby group, has spent $50,708 so far in support of the endorsed slate of candidates for the Bridgeport […]The post Connecticut Charter School Front Drops $50,000 into Bridge
Democrats who oppose Democracy…
In this Orwellian world in which  we live, how do voters deal with candidates who run as Democrats but oppose democracy… As we all know, democracy is traditionally defined as “a system of government by the whole population or all the eligible members of a state, typically through elected representatives.” As the name implies, Democrats […]The post Democrats who oppose Democracy… appeared first on

SEP 04

Malloy wants to lose in 2014…
The Connecticut State Board of Education will meet this morning (agenda posted yesterday) to extend the contract allowing Steven Adamowski to serve as “Special Master” of the Windham and New London School systems. Having watched Adamowski and his dictatorial style over the past two years, one can only conclude that Governor Malloy isn’t running for […]The post Malloy wants to lose in 2014… appeare

SEP 03

You want the truth, read the Real Hartford blog
Blogger and policy advocate, Kerri Provost, writes a powerful, insightful and extremely interesting blog which can be found at: http://www.realhartford.org/. Today’s post, which is entitled Hartford Board of Ed: Out of Order is a must read for anyone interested in how education reform policy, charter schools and Hartford politics are all intertwined. Kerri Provost writes, […]The post You want the
Add Public School Shakedown to your bookmarks
A new resource to fight the Education Reform Industry has arrived. Progressive Magazine, the historic publication dedicated to promoting a liberal voice in America has created a new website called Public School Shakedown (www.publicschoolshakedown.org). As its founders explain, “Public School Shakedown will be dedicated to EXPOSING the behind-the-scenes effort to privatize our public schools, and
3,400+ visit Wait, What? on busy holiday weekend
Despite the fact that many people were away or busy with Labor Day activities, more than 3,400 visitors stopped by Wait, What? to read or weigh in on the latest posts. In case you missed it, weekend posts included; Special Master Adamowski’s Failing Grade in Windham  (Saturday) As if the term “Special Master” wasn’t bad […]The post 3,400+ visit Wait, What? on busy holiday weekend appeared first on

SEP 02

Less time on standardized testing, more attention on bullying and safe school climates!
The recent suicide of a Greenwich student is a sad reminder of the failed priorities and lack of leadership coming out of Malloy’s State Department of Education. Connecticut state law required Commissioner Pryor to issue its report on Bullying and Safe School Climate Plans no later than February 2012… But Commissioner Pryor issued his report 14 […]The post Less time on standardized testing, more a

SEP 01

Feet flat on the floor, hands folded on the desk and eyes on me…
“While I am teaching, I want to see you in ready position…Being in ready position to learn means feet flat on the floor, hands folded on the desk and eyes on me.”  – A new fifth grade teacher at the new Jumoke Academy at Dunbar School. First came the Jumoke Academy, a Hartford based, discipline […]The post Feet flat on the floor, hands folded on the desk and eyes on me… appeared first on Wait What

AUG 31

Special Master Adamowski’s Failing Grade in Windham
As if the term “Special Master” wasn’t bad enough, the fact that Steven Adamowski’s insulting, arrogant and undemocratic style is moving Windham Schools in the wrong direction makes the whole situation truly offense. In a very enlightening article in the Reminder News, reporter Melanie Savage provides a window in to the devastation that Adamowski is […]The post Special Master Adamowski’s Failing G