Latest News and Comment from Education

Monday, March 10, 2014

3-10-14 Schools Matter All Week

Schools Matter:





Rochester Teachers Sue Over Bogus VAM Scores
by Christine Fien:The Rochester Teachers Association filed a lawsuit today (read the complaint below) alleging that the new teacher evaluations are unfair because they fail to adequately account for the effects of severe poverty on students. The suit names John King, commissioner of the State Education Department; the State Board of Regents; the State Education Department; the University of the St

University Profs Support Chicago Boycott Against High Stakes ISAT
University educators support CPS teachers refusing to testFebruary 28, 2014STATEMENT OF SUPPORT FOR CHICAGO TEACHERS REFUSING TO ADMINISTER THE ILLINOIS STANDARD ACHIEVEMENT TESTFROM UNIVERSITY EDUCATION FACULTYAs university faculty whose responsibilities include preparing future educators, we support the action of teachers at the Saucedo and Drummond elementary schools in Chicago who are refusing
First of Many Tennessee Lawsuits Filed Over Use of High Stakes Value-Added Testing
Andy Spears has more here.From WATE in Knoxville:NOXVILLE (WATE) - The Tennessee Education Association has filed a lawsuit against the Knox County Board of Education saying its use of Tennessee Value Added Assessment System estimates in high-stakes bonus decisions is unconstitutional."It is unacceptable for any teacher to be punished financially or otherwise as a result of unreliable, flawed
Bill de Blasio Under Fire from Wall Street Billionaires and Vulture Philanthropists
Corporate Welfare Queen, Eva MoskowitzWith the Oligarchs now marching out Eli Broad's rabid poodle, Steve Barr, to attack Bill de Blasio for his position on charter schools, the Mayor has his hands full.  Thankfully, he is not flinching, even with the lead corporate welfare queen and snapping hyena, Eva Moskowitz, in full attack mode. With her half-million dollar salary at stake, Little Eva cancel


Support Chicago Boycott of ISAT

Support Chicago Teachers’ Test Boycott: Call and Sign PetitionChicago teachers, joined by parents and students, are boycotting the Illinois ISAT tests at several schools. The district is threatening teachers with loss of certification, and bullying and intimidating parents and students who have opted out or wish to opt out of the ISAT.They need your support. Please call the Chicago Board of Educat


3-9-14 Schools Matter All Week
Schools Matter: The common core: An untried curriculum plus nonstop testingSent to the Salt Lake Tribune, March 9, 2014M. Donald Thomas is right: "Common Core supporters (are) providing misinformation" (March 7). In addition to the points he makes, there are other serious problems.First, the common core standards are untested.  There were no pilot studies. Second, the common core require