Latest News and Comment from Education

Monday, January 6, 2014

Portland Public Schools and its teachers union must work out eight issues | OregonLive.com

Portland Public Schools and its teachers union must work out eight issues | OregonLive.com:

OregonLive.com



Beaverton School District offers college planning nights to parents and students
The first college night gathering is January 21 at 7 p.m. at Southridge High
Portland Public Schools teachers contract: Parents in NE Portland hope for smaller class sizes, better teacher pay as classes resume
As they await word on whether the two sides will reach an agreement by tomorrow, parents at Northeast Portland's Sabin School weighed in on what matters most to them.
Portland Public Schools and its teachers union find themselves deadlocked on eight issues
The union’s message has been loud and clear: teachers are concerned with their workloads and keeping current health insurance premiums.
Portland Public Schools contract dispute brings stress, uncertainty as teachers seriously consider strike
A Cleveland High School teacher says many are seriously considering a strike if the district continues to consider deleting a contractual limitation on workload and trying to cap their health insurance benefits.
Construction work continues on Pacific University's new residence hall
The construction work is on schedule for completion by the fall. The new dorm will hold 200 beds.
Forest Grove High School to present Shakespeare's 'Much Ado About Nothing'
The Forest Grove High School drama department will present Shakespeare’s comedy “Much Ado About Nothing” starting Jan. 10.John Anderberg, director of the production, explained that this is one of Shakespeare’s most accessible plays.“It’s very light-hearted in its themes,” Anderberg said....

Nite Cap 1-6-14 #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 CAP



Grants to Create Advanced Learning Opportunities - Year 2014 (CA Dept of Education)
Grants to Create Advanced Learning Opportunities - Year 2014 (CA Dept of Education): State Schools Chief Tom Torlakson Announces Grantsto Create Advanced Learning Opportunities for StudentsSACRAMENTO—Sixty-seven California school districts will receive more than $3.3 million in Specialized Secondary Programs (SSP) grants to help them develop innovative programs to help high school students learn,
What Great Teachers Have in Common | Gatsby In L.A.
What Great Teachers Have in Common | Gatsby In L.A.: What Great Teachers Have in Common Happy new year!  This post marks the second half of my search to learn about education by watching great teachers in the classroom. Four months in, with the opportunity to reflect, I’m realizing that despite my epiphany in October that great teachers are not alike, the teachers I’m following do share five commo
solidaridad: The Zinn Education Project goes where Corporate Core (CCSS) refuses to go
solidaridad: The Zinn Education Project goes where Corporate Core (CCSS) refuses to go: The Zinn Education Project goes where Corporate Core (CCSS) refuses to goIn memory of Hugh Thompson, Jr. who died #tdih2006 (age 62.) On March 16, 1968, during the My Lai Massacre, Chief Warrant Officer Hugh Thompson blocked fellow U.S. troops with his helicopter, had his crew train machine guns on them, and re
1-6-14 Scathing Purple Musings | Color me purple in Florida
Scathing Purple Musings | Color me purple in Florida, red in Washington, dark sky-blue in Israel and public school in Education: Are There Really Military Families Desperate For Charter Schools?The proposal by Charter Schools USA to open a building on MacDill AFB has featured the “needs of military families” which supposed aren’t being met by local public schools. Sen. John Legg (R-Lutz) who it sh
Duncan Seeks Feedback During #StuVoice Twitter Chat Student Voice
Student Voice: Duncan Seeks Feedback During #StuVoice Twitter ChatJanuary 6, 2014Twitter Chats #stuvoiceNo Comments The voice of students has never been more critical to education than it is today. We know that our young people’s capacity to influence society cannot be underestimated, which is why Secretary of Education Arne Duncan and his team are dedicated to listening to students’ ideas and con
1-6-14 THE WHOLE CHILD BLOG ASCD's Whole Child Initiative Switches to a New Twitter Handle — Whole Child Education
ASCD's Whole Child Initiative Switches to a New Twitter Handle — Whole Child Education: THE WHOLE CHILD BLOGASCD’s Whole Child Initiative Switches to a New Twitter HandleJanuary 6, 2014 by ASCD Whole Child BloggersToday ASCD's Whole Child Initiative switched its official Twitter handle to @WholeChildASCD. The 15,000+ followers of the old @WholeChildAdv do not have to take any action to continue to
empathyeducates – Be the Change Charter School: Questions and Answers
empathyeducates – Be the Change Charter School: Questions and Answers: Be the Change Charter School: Questions and AnswersPhotograph; Sonia Wang, a founding member of the prospective Be the Change Charter School, said some local parents support the school’s bid to open in Bridgeport. [Facebook/Be the Change]“Oh, what a tangled web we weave when first we practice to deceive.” It happens without a w
States Struggle To Overhaul Schools After No Child Left Behind
States Struggle To Overhaul Schools After No Child Left Behind: States Struggle To Overhaul Schools After No Child Left BehindPosted: 01/06/2014 3:46 pm ESTSome states are having trouble keeping the promises they made to get out from under the cumbersome No Child Left Behind Act, according to the Education Department.The department on Monday released results from audits of the way six states -- Ne
Reflect with Humility | Connected Principals
Reflect with Humility | Connected Principals: Reflect with Humilityby Sam LeDeaux • January 6, 2014 • 0 CommentsIt takes a lot from us educators to provide our kids, communities, and each other with the learning experiences we deserve. Two qualities that are near the top are reflection and humility, and the relationship between the two. I am growing to think reflection is a skill, and like all ski
Barge to Gov. Deal: We aren't funding education at the same... | Get Schooled | www.ajc.com
Barge to Gov. Deal: We aren't funding education at the same... | Get Schooled | www.ajc.com: Barge to Gov. Deal: We aren't funding education at the same rates we did nearly 30 years ago COMMENT(8) 0 13 0 13View Larger CURTIS COMPTON / AJCSuperintendent John Barge kicks off his gubernatorial run encouraging supporters with a rally at Smyrna City Hall on Tuesday, Sept. 3, 2013, in Smyrna.Previous Po
Independent Charter Schools: Siphoning off Public Money to Private Interests | Uppity Wisconsin
Independent Charter Schools: Siphoning off Public Money to Private Interests | Uppity Wisconsin: Independent Charter Schools: Siphoning off Public Money to Private InterestsSubmitted by Sen. K. Vinehout on Mon, 01/06/2014 - 3:59pm“Will the Legislature allow statewide expansion of charter schools and how will that affect my local public school?” This question is one I hear so often particularly in
Temple prof: Pa. cyber charters turning huge profits, sending tax dollars out of state | Philadelphia Public School Notebook
Temple prof: Pa. cyber charters turning huge profits, sending tax dollars out of state | Philadelphia Public School Notebook: Temple prof: Pa. cyber charters turning huge profits, sending tax dollars out of stateby thenotebook on Jan 06 2014 Posted in Latest news="" style="cursor: pointer; float: left; padding: 0px 2px;">Share on emailMore Sharing ServicesCOMMENTS (1)PRINTPhoto
NYC Educator: Governor Andy Makes Another Principled Stand
NYC Educator: Governor Andy Makes Another Principled Stand: Governor Andy Makes Another Principled StandOur illustrious governor, Andrew "I am the government" Cuomo, has unveiled a plan designed specifically to take the wind out of new mayor Bill de Blasio's sails. To wit, he wants to fund pre-K statewidewithout tax increases on the wealthy. As you may know, Governor Andy strives to emul
Mark-Viverito was for charters before she was against them | New York Post
Mark-Viverito was for charters before she was against them | New York Post: Mark-Viverito was for charters before she was against themBy Carl CampanileJanuary 6, 2014 | 2:14amModal TriggerKEEP SHOVELING: Melissa Mark-Viverito (second from right) and Yankee Mark Teixeira (second from left) help break ground for an East Harlem charter last year. Now she’s signed on to an anti-charter suit.Photo: Wil
Dallas ISD trustees to hear alternatives to traditional public schools; Harllee Elementary could reopen | Dallas Morning News
Dallas ISD trustees to hear alternatives to traditional public schools; Harllee Elementary could reopen | Dallas Morning News: Dallas ISD trustees to hear alternatives to traditional public schools; Harllee Elementary could reopenBy Tawnell Hobbsthobbs@dallasnews.com12:43 pm on January 6, 2014 | Permalink120A protest in support of using Texas' Rainy Day Fund to help keep schools fully funded was h
V.A.M.: Value Added Measure: In the Classroom (based on "In the Ghetto," written by Mac Davis, sung by Elvis)
V.A.M.: Value Added Measure: In the Classroom (based on "In the Ghetto," written by Mac Davis, sung by Elvis): In the Classroom (based on "In the Ghetto," written by Mac Davis, sung by Elvis)As the tests flyWith a cold and grayish Common Corin',A poor little baby child is boredIn the classroom.And his teacher cries'Cause if there's one thing that she don't needIts another eager
The Appointment Imperative In Ms. LaMotte’s Wake – redqueeninla
The Appointment Imperative In Ms. LaMotte’s Wake – redqueeninla: The Appointment Imperative In Ms. LaMotte’s WakeWritten by redqueeninla in LAUSD The immediate crisis following LAUSD board member Marguerite LaMotte’s untimely death involves deciding whether to name her replacement through an election or via school board appointment.  Current board member Bennett Kayser has articulated the issues a
EdWatch 2014: Top 12 education issues in the new year | EdSource Today
EdWatch 2014: Top 12 education issues in the new year | EdSource Today: EdWatch 2014: Top 12 education issues in the new yearJanuary 6th, 2014 | Add a Comment | By EdSource staffJump to sectionBudget battlesFunding change in actionCommon CoreThe changing face of testingNew voter initiatives on the horizonCORE district reformsEarly educationTeacher salariesTeacher tenure challengeStudent discipline
The Case for Nagging Kids About Their Homework - Lisa Endlich Heffernan - The Atlantic
The Case for Nagging Kids About Their Homework - Lisa Endlich Heffernan - The Atlantic: The Case for Nagging Kids About Their HomeworkThe backlash against "helicopter parenting" may have gone too far. The helicopter parent has crashed and burned.  With millennials reaching adulthood it has become clear that this hovering style of parenting results in overly dependent young adults, plague
1-6-14 Seattle Schools Community Forum: Speaking out at the School Board Meeting
Seattle Schools Community Forum: Speaking out at the School Board Meeting: Speaking out at the School Board MeetingI am urging you to speak out - either via e-mail or via public testimony - to the Board about two subjects.One, student data privacy.  We see from the agenda the RTTT item, some of which is about helping PreK-3rd grade students.  It's a fine idea but again, that's exactly the starting
Thoughts on Elite Private Independent Schools and Public Education Reforms | School Finance 101
Thoughts on Elite Private Independent Schools and Public Education Reforms | School Finance 101: Thoughts on Elite Private Independent Schools and Public Education ReformsPosted on January 6, 20140       Rate ThisI was informed by my brilliant and thoughtful cousin Bill the other day that today and tomorrow in Washington, DC., John Chubb, the new head of the National Association of Independent Sch
Public school magnet lotteries: Why do we have winners and... | Get Schooled | www.ajc.com
Public school magnet lotteries: Why do we have winners and... | Get Schooled | www.ajc.com: Public school magnet lotteries: Why do we have winners and losers?  COMMENT(2) 0 2 0 2View Larger Shouldn't all kids have the same chances? Why should luck play a role?Previous PostsIndifferent, distracted students. Frustrated and disengaged faculty. Welcome to college.January 5, 2014Do you have 5 minutes?
FCMAT » Cali Education Headlines Monday, January 6, 2014
FCMAT » Fiscal Crisis & Management Assistance Team: Education HeadlinesMonday, January 6, 2014FCMAT provides links to California K-12 news stories as a service to the industry. However, some stories may not be accessible because of newspapers' subscription policies.Palm Desert elementary principal apologizes for not calling 911A Palm Desert elementary school principal apologized Friday for not
1-6-14 Schools Matter
Schools Matter: A Reality-Based Review of 2013 Market-Driven ResearchTeachers unions exist to protect teachers and to do so they must work collaboratively within the system so it will better serve all stakeholders. The Shanker Istitute's Matt DiCarlo exemplifies our unions' willingness to listen to all sides.But, where is the Matt DiCarlo of corporate reform? Where is a reformer who is will break
Morning Wink 1-6-14 AM Posts #BATsACT #RealEdTalk #EDCHAT #P2
BIG EDUCATION APE - MORNING WINK  AM POSTS15 Months in Virtual Charter Hell: A Teacher's Tale - Living in Dialogue - Education Week Teacher15 Months in Virtual Charter Hell: A Teacher's Tale - Living in Dialogue - Education Week Teacher: 15 Months in Virtual Charter Hell: A Teacher's TaleBy Anthony Cody on January 6, 2014 6:12 AMGuest post by Darcy Bedortha.In late August, 2012, I took a job in a
15 Months in Virtual Charter Hell: A Teacher's Tale - Living in Dialogue - Education Week Teacher
15 Months in Virtual Charter Hell: A Teacher's Tale - Living in Dialogue - Education Week Teacher: 15 Months in Virtual Charter Hell: A Teacher's TaleBy Anthony Cody on January 6, 2014 6:12 AMGuest post by Darcy Bedortha.In late August, 2012, I took a job in a school that is part of the largest virtual charter school chain in the nation. While I had misgivings about the nature of the school, I tho
TFA: The International Brotherhood of Corporate Interests | EduShyster
TFA: The International Brotherhood of Corporate Interests | EduShyster: TFA: The International Brotherhood of Corporate InterestsPhoto credit: Sarah Jane Rhee ofwww.loveandstrugglephotos.com By Chad SommerWhen I joined Teach For America in the spring of 2011 I had no idea that my belief in social and economic justice was about to be cynically exploited by the corporate class. As a former developme
1-6-14 Ed Notes Online
Ed Notes Online: Advice for de Blasio: ASAP - Make Patrick Sullivan Your First PEP Appointment...here is a chance for Patrick Sullivan to bring his considerable talents in service of NYC parents, students and teachers by working with the majority at long last. What a shame to deny Patrick this opportunity. ... EdNotesOnlineScott Stringer also deserves a lot of thanks for sticking by Patrick and le
Governor McCrory and His Patron, Art Pope, Attack Common Good in North Carolina | janresseger
Governor McCrory and His Patron, Art Pope, Attack Common Good in North Carolina | janresseger: Governor McCrory and His Patron, Art Pope, Attack Common Good in North CarolinaPosted on January 6, 2014 by janressegerI had never heard of Art Pope until the fall of 2011, when Jane Mayer wrote a scathing profilefor the New Yorker magazine about the man who was operating to dominate North Carolina state
LISTEN TO DIANE RAVITCH 1-6-14 Diane Ravitch's blog | A site to discuss better education for all
Diane Ravitch's blog | A site to discuss better education for all: What Educators in North Carolina Say About Recent Legislative ChangesThis last year, the legislature and governor in North Carolina enacted legislation affecting the teaching profession in North Carolina. Scott Imig and Robert Smith at the University of North Carolina in Wilmington decided that it was important to hear how the legi
1-6-14 Wait What?
Wait What?: A Pro-Public Education Party for Connecticut?The Connecticut Mirror leads with a story today about Governor Malloy’s PR campaign to “appease” Connecticut’s teachers in the hopes of getting active and retired teachers to support his 2014 gubernatorial re-election aspirations. The article, which is entitled “Malloy works to appease teachers in 2014,” reviews some of the turbulent history
Louisiana Educator: Education Issues for 2014
Louisiana Educator: Education Issues for 2014: Education Issues for 2014Many of the posts on this blog in the past year have been critical of recent education policy, and as a result have repeatedly struck a negative and somewhat pessimistic tone. I believe that tone was dictated by the fact that practically all the Jindal/White “reforms” have been extremely destructive to our educational system.
1-6-14 Larry Ferlazzo’s Websites of the Day… | …For Teaching ELL, ESL, & EFL
Larry Ferlazzo’s Websites of the Day… | …For Teaching ELL, ESL, & EFL: Excellent “60 Minutes” Video: “Volcanoes: Nature’s ticking time bombs”60 Minutes did an excellent segment last night titled Volcanoes: Nature’s ticking time bombs. I’ve embedded the video below, and it has additional resources at its website, including a transcript. I’m adding it to The Best Sites For Learning About Volcano
1-6-14 Fred Klonsky | Daily posts from a retired public school teacher
Fred Klonsky | Daily posts from a retired public school teacher who is just looking at the data.: Welcome to Anchorage on the Lake.by Fred Klonsky / 2h 1-5-14 Fred Klonsky | Daily posts from a retired public school teacherFred Klonsky | Daily posts from a retired public school teacher who is just looking at the data.: Sunday reads.Glen Brown. The sinners of the last round lie completely sealed in
1-6-14 @ The Chalk Face
@ THE CHALK FACE: Trickle-Down Administration: Education Reform in a Culture of Distracting OutrageTrickle-Down Administration: Education Reform in a Culture of Distracting Outrage. via Trickle-Down Administration: Education Reform in a Culture of Distracting Outrage.Filed under: PAUL THOMAS: Becoming Radical2 by plthomasedd / 2h 1-5-14 @ The Chalk Face@ THE CHALK FACE: I wonder if Secretary Dunca
1-6-14 With A Brooklyn Accent Go BATs All Week
With A Brooklyn Accent: An Educator's Reflections on School Segregation and the Enduring Power of Race in LouisianaStill think we live in a post-racial society? Recent events in Louisiana provide some of the most convincing evidence of the continued significance of race in our society. Defenders of Phil Robertson-star of A&E’s Duck Dynasty-claim the controversial comments made by the patriarch
1-6-14 the becoming radical | A Place for a Pedagogy of Kindness by P. L. Thomas, EdD
the becoming radical | A Place for a Pedagogy of Kindness (the public and scholarly writing by P. L. Thomas, Furman University): King’s Next Shining Novel: More “True History of the Torrance Family”Stephen King’s career reminds me of the career of Kurt Vonnegut in three ways: (1) they suffered the negative consequences of being associated with writing genre fiction, (2) they are often devalued as
1-6-14 Perdido Street School
Perdido Street School: Cuomo To Call For More Common Core Professional Development For TeachersJust in case you thought he was going to walk back his support of his education reform agenda:Cuomo is also expected to propose additional funding for professional development to help teachers who are struggling with the new, more rigorous Common Core standards, a source said. Both the Regents and the Se
The Educated Reporter: Ten Questions To Ask On Expanded Learning Time
The Educated Reporter: Ten Questions To Ask On Expanded Learning Time: Ten Questions To Ask On Expanded Learning TimeAmid the push to improve public education, a frequent complaint by educators is that there isn’t enough time in the school day to adequately cover everything students are supposed to be learning – or to address the myriad challenges they bring with them to class every day.As a resul
NYC Educator: Gotham Charter Schools Will Become Chalkbeat Charters New York!
NYC Educator: Gotham Charter Schools Will Become Chalkbeat Charters New York!: Gotham Charter Schools Will Become Chalkbeat Charters New York!From now on, Gotham Charter Schools will be Charter Chalkboard New York. We have lots of exciting changes for you, our readers, and we can't wait to get started! You can read our future posts at charterchalkboardNY@blogspot.com.First, we're going to have a b
Are DC charter middle schools “better” than DC public middle schools? | Ward 8 DC Teacher
Are DC charter middle schools “better” than DC public middle schools? | Ward 8 DC Teacher: Are DC charter middle schools “better” than DC public middle schools?Leave a commentAccording to DCPS Chancellor Kaya Henderson, charter schools “know how to do middle school really well.” When it comes to defining the phrase “really well,” are education reformers basing their narrative on quantity over qual
Mike Klonsky's SmallTalk Blog: WEEKEND QUOTABLES
Mike Klonsky's SmallTalk Blog: WEEKEND QUOTABLES: WEEKEND QUOTABLES"Hobnobbing with masters of the universe has its limits..." --  Crain'sGreg HinzThe prototype for the Emanuel mayoralty was Michael Bloomberg's New York: rich guys, bicycle lanes, central control, the whole schmear. Mr. Bloomberg's popularity waned dramatically after his first two terms and his successor, Bill de Blasio,

YESTERDAY

Game On. R U Ready? CO + UOO March 28th – 30th, 2014 | United Opt Out National
Game On. R U Ready? CO + UOO March 28th – 30th, 2014 | United Opt Out National: GAME ON. R U READY? CO + UOO MARCH 28TH – 30TH, 2014In the spirit and perhaps mirth that is characteristic of our little organization, United Opt Out, we are creating a set of trade-able and collectible activism game cards of our admins and all of the guests for our spring action in Denver, CO. We’re releasing ourselve
Education after Bloomberg | Al Jazeera America
Education after Bloomberg | Al Jazeera America: Education after Bloombergby Mathangi Subramanian @ajam January 3, 2014The former mayor’s greatest legacy is creating a mass movement against education reformTopics: Education Michael Bloomberg New YorkSpencer Platt/Getty ImagesNow that New York Mayor Michael Bloomberg has left office, speculation is rife about his legacy, particularly on education, a
Boston Teacher Ratings discriminate | JD2718
Boston Teacher Ratings discriminate | JD2718: Boston Teacher Ratings discriminateJANUARY 5, 2014 PM31 9:08 PMI missed this article in the Boston Globe – The Boston Teachers Union is grieving the evaluation process – claims pattern of discrimination against Black teachers, against men, and against older teachers.They are asking for adverse consequences to be rescinded. Notice that this includes bot
Data, Portfolios & the Path Forward for NYC (& Elsewhere) | School Finance 101
Data, Portfolios & the Path Forward for NYC (& Elsewhere) | School Finance 101: Data, Portfolios & the Path Forward for NYC (& Elsewhere)Posted on January 5, 20140       Rate ThisAs the new year begins, I’ve been pondering what I might recommend as guiding principles for the path forward for education policy in New York City under its new Mayor, Bill de Blasio, who is often referre
Teacher Quartering: Four Reasons Why Teachers Avoid, or Leave, High Poverty Urban Public Schools | Ward 8 DC Teacher
Teacher Quartering: Four Reasons Why Teachers Avoid, or Leave, High Poverty Urban Public Schools | Ward 8 DC Teacher: Teacher Quartering: Four Reasons Why Teachers Avoid, or Leave, High Poverty Urban Public SchoolsLeave a commentTeaching within a high poverty urban public school is challenging, to say the least. Time and again, I hear education policy experts claim that high poverty urban schools
Nite Cap 1-5-14 #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 CAPMs. Jablonski's Class Blog 1-5-14Ms. Jablonski's Class Blog: Romney's attempt at diversityOn  Melissa Harris-Perry's show on MSNBC she showed a picture of the Romney family Christmas card: a photo of the family and grandchildren.  In the picture
Ms. Jablonski's Class Blog 1-5-14
Ms. Jablonski's Class Blog: Romney's attempt at diversityOn  Melissa Harris-Perry's show on MSNBC she showed a picture of the Romney family Christmas card: a photo of the family and grandchildren.  In the picture was Kiernan, an african child adopted by Romney's son. Melissa jokes that Kieran is a "token" attempt at diversity. Melissa later releases the statement "Showing the photo