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Monday, December 23, 2013

Morning Wink 12-23-13 AM Posts #BATsACT #RealEdTalk #EDCHAT #P2


BIG EDUCATION APE - MORNING WINK  AM POSTS


Tell Congress to Invest in Early Learning |
Tell Congress to Invest in Early Learning |: Tell Congress to Invest in Early LearningDecember 23, 2013 by Alyssa HaywoodePhoto: Alessandra Hartkopf for Strategies for ChildrenNote: Best wishes to all for a happy holiday season. Eye on Early Education will resume publication on January 6, 2014.*   *   *   *   *“Yes, there’s a budget deal. But our work is far from over!”That’s the message the Natio
LISTEN TO DIANE RAVITCH 12-23-13 Diane Ravitch's blog | A site to discuss better education for all
Diane Ravitch's blog | A site to discuss better education for all: Robert Freeman: How to Destroy Education While Making a Trillion DollarsWe know the formula by now for destroying public education and handing it off to entrepreneurs who can cut costs, package it, extract a profit (or remain nonprofit while paying exorbitant executive salaries): Cry “crisis.” Set impossible targets (100% success o
12-23-13 Wait What? Pryor now using out-of-state company to recruit out-of-state school principals
Wait What?: Pryor now using out-of-state company to recruit out-of-state school principalsWith just over a month left in Mass Insight’s $1 million contract with Stefan Pryor and the Connecticut State Department of Education, the out-of-state company hired to run much of Stefan Pryor’s “turnaround” operation is posting job advertisements to recruit out-of-state school principals to take jobs in Con
12-23-13 The Answer Sheet
The Answer Sheet: ‘How the Dirth Stole Learning’ — in 14 cartoonsHere, in 14 cartoons that are a takeoff of “How the Grinch Stole Christmas,”  is the story of “How the Dirth Stole Learning,” a commentary on the nation’s standardized testing obsession, school reform and the real meaning of learning. This is the work of David Lee Finkle, a middle-school teacher in Florida who draws the comic […]    
12-23-13 Scathing Purple Musings | Color me purple in Florida, red in Washington, dark sky-blue in Israel and public school in Education
Scathing Purple Musings | Color me purple in Florida, red in Washington, dark sky-blue in Israel and public school in Education: Imagine Charter School Belonging to Rick Scott Crony Sued for Ignoring AbuseImagine Charter Schools CEO Dennis Bakke was on Rick Scott’s education transition team. Trouble within Bakke’s empire are well documented in Scathing Purple Musings. But revelations that an offic
12-23-13 Larry Ferlazzo’s Websites of the Day… | …For Teaching ELL, ESL, & EFL
Larry Ferlazzo’s Websites of the Day… | …For Teaching ELL, ESL, & EFL: A Few More Christmas ResourcesHere are some new additions to my massive The Best Places To Learn About Christmas, Hanukkah, & Kwanzaa list: An expat Washington Christmas: Antelope and ptarmigan can be tough to find is from The Washington Post. I wouldn’t say this video is in the “Christmas spirit,” but it would certainl
12-23-13 Fred Klonsky | Daily posts from a retired public school teacher who is just looking at the data.
Fred Klonsky | Daily posts from a retired public school teacher who is just looking at the data.: The Illinois Charter Commission. The incestuous Michael Madigan.  Here’s how the Illinois Charter Commission works: If a private group gets turned down by a local school board in an attempt to establish a charter school, they can appeal to the Commission. If the Commission gives a thumb’s up, that dec
12-23-13 teacherken at Daily Kos: ‘Duck Dynasty,’ meet Pope Francis
Daily Kos: ‘Duck Dynasty,’ meet Pope Francis: ‘Duck Dynasty,’ meet Pope Francisis the title of this Washington Post op ed by E. J. Dionne, Jr..  It examines not only the remarks of the Pontiff and the patriarch of the Robertson family, but also the recent defrocking of Methodist Minister Frank Schaefer for presiding over the same-sex nuptials of his son.   I am not going to examine the entire colu
12-23-13 @ The Chalk Face
@ THE CHALK FACE: This Is the Common Core You Support?You have plenty of Urban Legend and baseless conspiracy theories swirling around the Common Core, and none of that really serves anyone well. But you also have evidence (and from what I can tell, that doesn’t carry much weight). So for all those who support the Common Core, and tend to ignore the evidence-based arguments […]7 by plthomasedd / 1
12-23-13 Perdido Street School
Perdido Street School: A Christmas WishIt's a traveling day for me, won't be back on the Internets until later this afternoon, but I wanted to leave this Christmas wish, via Leonie Haimson, before I head out on the road:"@McFiredogg: All I want for Xmas a School Chancellor who actually respects teachers. What's up, Mayor Elect DeBlasio?" & respects parents!— leonie haimson (@leonieha
12-22-13 the becoming radical | A Place for a Pedagogy of Kindness
the becoming radical | A Place for a Pedagogy of Kindness (the public and scholarly writing by P. L. Thomas, Furman University): This Is the Common Core You Support?This Is the Common Core You Support?.1 by plthomasedd / 1h  12-22-13 the becoming radical | A Place for a Pedagogy of Kindnessthe becoming radical | A Place for a Pedagogy of Kindness (the public and scholarly writing by P. L. Thomas,
CASU | CALIFORNIA STUDENT UNION : Why We Strike
CASU | CALIFORNIA STUDENT UNION : : Our struggles are one. Our victories are one. *** This site is currently under construction. Please bare with us as we update resources, links, etc. Thank you. ***: How Did Quebec Students Mobilize Hundreds of Thousands for Strike?Posted on May 10, 2012 by CASTUDENTUNION • Leave a commentThree students discuss the role of direct democracy and political demands i
Technology Trends for Teachers to Try in 2014 - High School Notes
Technology Trends for Teachers to Try in 2014 - High School Notes (usnews.com): Technology Trends for Teachers to Try in 2014By KELSEY SHEEHYDecember 23, 2013 RSS Feed PrintNew 3-D printers are just one tech tool teachers should try in the new year.Students learn best when they're invested in the material, but getting teens to that point isn't easy."The student comes in, puts their head down
Why Teachers of Color Quit - Amanda Machado - The Atlantic
Why Teachers of Color Quit - Amanda Machado - The Atlantic: Why Teachers of Color QuitLow pay and high stress drive black and Latino teachers to leave the profession at higher rates than their white peers.I became a teacher because of where I came from.I grew up in a middle-class family with immigrant parents from Mexico and Ecuador. When I was four years old, we moved to a predominantly white, up
Meet Micah Ali: Compton's foot soldier for Universal PreK | Pass / Fail | 89.3 KPCC
Meet Micah Ali: Compton's foot soldier for Universal PreK | Pass / Fail | 89.3 KPCC: Meet Micah Ali: Compton's foot soldier for Universal PreKDeepa Fernandes | December 23rd, 2013, 6:00amSLIDESHOW1 of 2Deepa Fernandes / KPCCMicah Ali is a strong advocate for quality preschool education for his district's 3-5 year olds. His car is his "office" as he zips around Compton and Los Angeles to
NYC Educator: Our Message to the President
NYC Educator: Our Message to the President: Our Message to the PresidentWhen Barack Obama ran for re-election, several groups told him they needed concessions before supporting him. LGBT groups managed to extract support for gay marriage. Immigrant groups managed to extract support for their causes.As for us, we supported Barack Obama unconditionally. The NEA and the AFT couldn't wait to get on Ba

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The Educated Reporter: Remediation: New Strategies to Help Students Catch Up and Complete College
The Educated Reporter: Remediation: New Strategies to Help Students Catch Up and Complete College: THE EDUCATED REPORTERCOMMENTARY ON EDUCATION COVERAGE, WRITING AND A FEW OTHER THINGSMONDAY, DECEMBER 23, 2013Remediation: New Strategies to Help Students Catch Up and Complete CollegePresident Obama is planning a summit with higher education leaders to discuss college success for lower-income studen
Bumpy Start for Teacher Evaluation Program in New York Schools - NYTimes.com
Bumpy Start for Teacher Evaluation Program in New York Schools - NYTimes.com: Ángel Franco/The New York TimesNina Phillips, upper right, being evaluated last month as she taught at P.S. 295 in Brooklyn.By AL BAKERPublished: December 22, 2013Follow us on Twitterand like us onFacebook for news and conversation.This year, however, she and the assistant principal are spending parts of each day darting
The Importance of Common Core for Nationally-pervasive Ed Reform | deutsch29
The Importance of Common Core for Nationally-pervasive Ed Reform | deutsch29: The Importance of Common Core for Nationally-pervasive Ed ReformDecember 22, 2013A great error made by those combating corporate reform is in viewing the reforms as separate and distinct one from another. I have noticed as much in discussions about the Common Core State Standards (CCSS).  However, the “standards” were no
3 Questions To Guide Your Vision | Connected Principals
3 Questions To Guide Your Vision | Connected Principals: 3 Questions To Guide Your Visionby George Couros • December 23, 2013 • 0 CommentsThere are a lot of people in newly formed leadership positions where they have a blank slate to create something new in their work.  One of the things that I remember one of my mentors asking me when I first started as a principal was, “What will be your fingerp
Times Я Tough | EduShyster
Times Я Tough | EduShyster: Times Я Tough The man to whom EduShyster is *technically* married makes a desperate plea for your help this holiday seasonLittlest Bolshevik here: AKA the man to whom EduShyster is *technically* married. While EduShyster is otherwise engaged—in a senseless Twitter battle with a singing ed reformer—I’ve seized the means of communication in order to deliver this urgent ap
Nite Cap 12-22-13 #BATsACT #RealEdTalk #EDCHAT #P2
James Baldwin said it best: "For these are all our children, and we will profit by or pay for whatever they become."A BIG EDUCATION APE NITE CAPYou Can Address Your Pet Project and Inequality At The Same Time! | The Jose VilsonYou Can Address Your Pet Project and Inequality At The Same Time! | The Jose Vilson: Why Yes, You CAN Address Inequality and Your Pet Project At The Same Timeby JO
You Can Address Your Pet Project and Inequality At The Same Time! | The Jose Vilson
You Can Address Your Pet Project and Inequality At The Same Time! | The Jose Vilson: Why Yes, You CAN Address Inequality and Your Pet Project At The Same Timeby JOSE VILSON on DECEMBER 22, 2013in JOSEAsa Phillip RandolphEver notice that whenever someone brings up issues of inequality, another person is bound to say, “Yes, that’s a necessary conversation, but let’s work on this [not-as-significant]
I don’t feel safe. | BCS in Context
I don’t feel safe. | BCS in Context: Something must be done.FBI report lists Los Altos as one of Bay Area’s safest communities Yes, I’ve read the article, I’m sure it’s right. I moved my family to Los Altos because we love the village atmosphere, the family-friendly downtown, the great schools and low crime rate. We considered towns like Hillsborough and Woodside but eventually settled on Los Alto
empathyeducates – To Track or Not to Track?
empathyeducates – To Track or Not to Track?: To Track or Not to Track?To Track or Not to Track?Way back when, in the stone-age of education, ability grouping and tracking were popular. Some might argue that even when it was out it was in, dependent on where you lived. Nonetheless, it existed and/or exists. When the practice is present the torch of proficiency is the gold standard. You either have
AFT's Weingarten Talks Michelle Rhee, Common Core, Pitfalls in Obama's Education Strategy - Politics K-12 - Education Week
AFT's Weingarten Talks Michelle Rhee, Common Core, Pitfalls in Obama's Education Strategy - Politics K-12 - Education Week: AFT's Weingarten Talks Michelle Rhee, Common Core, Pitfalls in Obama's Education StrategyBy Alyson Klein on December 22, 2013 3:51 PMRandi Weingarten, the president of the American Federation of Teachers, has famously called for a moratorium on high-stakes standardized testin
Express Yourself: A Lyrical Critique of Reformers | Cloaking Inequity
Express Yourself: A Lyrical Critique of Reformers | Cloaking Inequity: Express Yourself: A Lyrical Critique of ReformersWant to have a little lyrical fun? Express Yourself popped up on my ITunes playlist the other day. For those of you not familiar with Express Yourself, it is the song by the Charles Wright & the Watts 103rd Street Rhythm Band. It played in the background in the film Mr. and M
12-22-13 Wait What NEWS FLASH: Steve Perry’s use of private email account will not shield public’s right to know - Wait What?
NEWS FLASH: Steve Perry’s use of private email account will not shield public’s right to know - Wait What?: NEWS FLASH: Steve Perry’s use of private email account will not shield public’s right to knowA set of emails acquired by Wait, What? reveals that as early as November 2012, a year before the Hartford Board of Education voted to reject a secret deal to hand Capital Prep Magnet School and S.A.
Parents United calls for investigation into use of pepper spray on students | Parents United for Public Education
Parents United calls for investigation into use of pepper spray on students | Parents United for Public Education: Parents United calls for investigation into use of pepper spray on studentsPosted on December 22, 2013 by PARENTSUNITEDPHILALeave a commentHow far do we go in the name of “safety”? That’s the question Parents United would like answered in the wake of two recently surfaced incidents of
TUDA victor go the spoils? | Ward 8 DC Teacher
TUDA victor go the spoils? | Ward 8 DC Teacher: TUDA victor go the spoils?by ANGEL CINTRON JR. • DECEMBER 22, 2013The recently published 2013 Trial Urban District Assessment has received a great deal of attention, especially in regards to the District of Columbia Public Schools. Although leading education reform advocates express cautious optimism, they claim the results as “evidence” that the 200
Koritelling: Wretched Numbers
Koritelling: Wretched Numbers (I'm Looking at You, CPS): Wretched Numbers (I'm Looking at You, CPS)Yesterday morning, I woke up early to make a really healthy, warm breakfast for EJ, as it is cold outside, and she had the reading portion of her NWEA test, and wanted to do her best.Unlike in past years, when this has been "just another thing they do" at school, with little fanfare, this y
Thanks for voting for us! | Parents United for Public Education
Thanks for voting for us! | Parents United for Public Education: Thanks for voting for us!Posted on December 20, 2013 by PARENTSUNITEDPHILALeave a commentThanks Philly!Thanks for voting for Parents United for Public Education as Philebrity’s 2013 Non-Profit Organization of the Year.We had a great time at Johnny Brenda’s and had a drink (or two) celebrating the hard work all of us put in to support
12-21-13 Jersey Jazzman
Jersey Jazzman: "Shrieking" People of Color Demanding Autonomy, and Other Threats to AmericaWhen black people in Newark start getting a little too "uppity," it's time to fluff up the pillows on our local punditocracy's fainting coach. Quickly, someone catch the editorialists at the Star-Ledger - and bring the smelling salts!Cami Anderson, the superintendent of schools in Newark
An Urban Teacher's Education: On Teacher Workload and Pretending
An Urban Teacher's Education: On Teacher Workload and Pretending: On Teacher Workload and PretendingThe New York Times published an article yesterday on the effects of budget cuts on class sizes across the country.A few items that stand out:"Across the country, public schools employ about 250,000 fewer people than before the recession.""Staff cuts among reading, special education an
12-22-13 Seattle Schools Community Forum
Seattle Schools Community Forum: Potpourri of Parenting StoriesNo "This Week in Seattle Schools" today.  Instead a round-up of stories - happy and sad - about parenting.Let's go with happy first (and you can skip sad if you want to).What to do over the holidays (unlike the Times, I'll try to give you the free/low-cost stuff):visit the Gingerbread Villlage at the Sheraton, 1400 Sixth Aven
What You Believe About Homosexuality Doesn’t Matter | In The Parlor
What You Believe About Homosexuality Doesn’t Matter | In The Parlor: What You Believe About Homosexuality Doesn’t MatterPosted on December 19, 2013by TylerToday, there are 2 news stories that have been circulating all over my Facebook and Twitter news feeds. One you are probably aware of, the other maybe not. The two, though, are closely related. The first news story is the indefinite suspension o
Tennessee Student: Is Standardization Making Us Conform to an Ill Formed Bureaucracy? - Living in Dialogue - Education Week Teacher
Tennessee Student: Is Standardization Making Us Conform to an Ill Formed Bureaucracy? - Living in Dialogue - Education Week Teacher: Tennessee Student: Is Standardization Making Us Conform to an Ill Formed Bureaucracy?By Anthony Cody on December 22, 2013 11:28 AMA remarkable video has been making the rounds, of a Tennessee student named Kenneth Ye, a senior at Farragutt High School in Knox County.
How to Use Technology in Education (Frederick Hess and Bror Saxberg) | Larry Cuban on School Reform and Classroom Practice
How to Use Technology in Education (Frederick Hess and Bror Saxberg) | Larry Cuban on School Reform and Classroom Practice: How to Use Technology in Education (Frederick Hess and Bror Saxberg) Frederick M. Hess is director of educational-policy studies at the American Enterprise Institute. Bror Saxberg is chief learning officer at Kaplan, Inc. They are the authors of  Breakthrough Leadership in th
12-22-13 4LAKids - some of the news that doesn't fit: In The ‘Silent Prison’ Of Autism, Ido Speaks Out
4LAKids - some of the news that doesn't fit: In The ‘Silent Prison’ Of Autism, Ido Speaks OutThe high school student's 'Ido in Autismland' is part memoir and part protest, a compelling message to educators on how to teach people such as him. By Thomas Curwen/ Photography and video by Genaro Molina |Los Angeles Times | http://lat.ms/1fy6f4x Ido Kedar takes a breather while working out at a local hi
12-22-13 Fred Klonsky | Daily posts from a retired public school teacher who is just looking at the data.
Fred Klonsky | Daily posts from a retired public school teacher who is just looking at the data.: Sunday reads. Think globally. Give locally.  Retired teacher and blogger John Dillon has a great post on the impact of corporate giving during the holidays and the rest of the year. Here’s a partial list of the 24 corporate Samaritans, and I’ll just highlight the companies with membership in the Civic
12-22-13 The Answer Sheet
The Answer Sheet: Where education technology will — and won’t — take us by 2024What’s the future of education technology? Venturing an educated guess is Larry Cuban, a high school social studies teacher for 14 years and a district superintendent (seven years in Arlington, VA), is professor emeritus of education at Stanford University, where he has taught for more than 20 years. His latest book is
12-22-13 Schools Matter
Schools Matter: The Memphis Hopson HustleUnless the public stops the corrupt capitulation by Memphis politicians to the Gates agenda for privatizing American schools, the children of Memphis will soon become the educational property of corporate charter schools that receive public money to subject the poorest children to their cultural and behavioral neutering programs.  Here is a telling chunk of
Morning Wink 12-22-13 AM Posts #BATsACT #RealEdTalk #EDCHAT #P2
BIG EDUCATION APE - MORNING WINK  AM POSTSAnother Slice - V.A.M.: Value Added MeasureV.A.M.: Value Added Measure: Another Slice of "American Pie"A long, long time ago I can still remember how that teaching used to make me smile And, I knew if I had my turn that I could make those people learn, and... Maybe they'd be studying a while But, February made me shiver with every test score I'd