Latest News and Comment from Education

Friday, February 21, 2014

Do Bill and Melinda Gates have the right to affect our childrens’ lives for an eternity? | Teachers' Letters to Bill Gates

Do Bill and Melinda Gates have the right to affect our childrens’ lives for an eternity? | Teachers' Letters to Bill Gates:



Do Bill and Melinda Gates have the right to affect our childrens’ lives for an eternity?

Dear Bill and Melinda,
You and Melinda went to school.  You have kids in school. You, Bill — are anexpert at developing a software company, despite having never graduated from college. Melinda, you are an expert at business, per your Duke University degree.  You are both experts at running a foundation.  Arne Duncan has expertise as a basketball player, albeithe was not good enough for the Boston Celtics’ cut.
You are experts – yes – but not at teaching or education, because you didn’t ever teach and you are not qualified to do so.
Yet, your corporate reform education policies are going to affect our children for an eternity.
Public schools aren’t taught by people with merely the limited skill sets you possess - expertise in software, business, or basketball.  While teachers may share some of those skills too, instead – public schools are taught by those of us who are professional teachers.   We’ve gone to college specifically for the profession of education. We completed our student teaching experiences successfully. We were observed and evaluated to be proficient by our field supervisors. We passed highly qualified status state exams. We jumped through all of the required hoops.  We earned our degrees in very specialized skill sets – the profession of education. And now, we have earned the right to teach because we are experts.  Even then, we continually take on professional development, like doctors  - to improve our expertise.
After all, public schools are required to have highly qualified teachers because as Henry Brooks Adams says:  ”A teacher affects eternity; he can never tell where his 

The Spring of Resistance: More learning, less testing | Seattle Education

The Spring of Resistance: More learning, less testing | Seattle Education:



The Spring of Resistance: More learning, less testing

Opt out postcardI and others around the country came together last summer to discuss the over testing of our students. We knew that there are parents, students and teachers coming together around the country in large cities and small townships, resisting the high stakes testing, demanding more class time with teachers instead and opting out of testing altogether.
We decided to pull together our resources and provide a website that will provide information on events, workshops and actions that are happening around the country in respect to testing, the common core standards that are pressuring school districts to increase the amount of testing done and opting out or standardized test that do not accurately measure a student’s understanding of the subject matter or how well a teacher is able to provide the information in a way that aids in a student’s understanding of the subject.
The website will also provide links to information on tests, opting out of high stakes testing, the truth about the Common Core Standards and anything else related to these subjects.
To follow is an excerpt from the press release that was sent out yesterday:

Nite Cap 2-21-14 #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




Are You a Bad Teacher? | Gatsby In L.A.
Are You a Bad Teacher? | Gatsby In L.A.: Are You a Bad Teacher? I once had a student who was on crack.  It was a nightmare.  Before he’d spun out into addiction, Jorge had been one of the most talented students I’d ever had in my Drama class, with the inspired, all-out brilliance and timing of a comedic pro.  But crack turned him nasty and out of control.  He’d bounce into my class hopped up, swea
What Would a Progressive Edu-ALEC Look Like? - Teacher in a Strange Land - Education Week Teacher
What Would a Progressive Edu-ALEC Look Like? - Teacher in a Strange Land - Education Week Teacher: What Would a Progressive Edu-ALEC Look Like?By Nancy Flanagan on February 21, 2014 2:04 PMMention the word "policy" and most teachers' eyes glaze over. Actually, most Americans' eyes glaze over. Unless you can edit policy down into a catchy, snarky sound bite--effectively putting a face on
solidaridad: CORE and Jacobin present Class Action: An Activist Teacher’s Handbook
solidaridad: CORE and Jacobin present Class Action: An Activist Teacher’s Handbook: CORE and Jacobin present Class Action: An Activist Teacher’s HandbookAfter many delays, Class Action: An Activist Teacher’s Handbook is finally ready. Backers of the initial Kickstarter (and those who order within the next week) should receive their print copies by the end of the month. The booklet will be distribu
2-19-14 @ The Chalk Face
@ THE CHALK FACE: Why Teach For America Cannot ChangeThis past Monday, the group Students United for Public Education (aka SUPE)–led by two amazing college students, Stephanie Rivera and Hannah Nguyen–organized a highly successful twitter storm using the hashtag #ResistTFA.  For a few hours, #ResistTFA became one of the top trending hashtags in the nation. Now, TFA’s response to the outpouring of
2-21-14 THE WHOLE CHILD BLOG - Every School Has Its Challenging Students
Every School Has Its Challenging Students — Whole Child Education: THE WHOLE CHILD BLOGEvery School Has Its Challenging StudentsFebruary 21, 2014 by Klea ScharbergAs educators, we are the gatekeepers for society and the nurturers of individuals. We have an obligation to teach all students, but some are really hard to teach. How can we promote safety and success for all, while supporting our challe
It's Called Listening, Deformers should TRY IT! Union Leaders Put Common Core in the Cold | TNTP
Union Leaders Put Common Core in the Cold | TNTP: Union Leaders Put Common Core in the ColdFebruary 21, 2014 | by Tim DalyThis week, National Education Association (NEA) president Dennis Van Roekel released an open letterto his members criticizing the implementation of the Common Core State Standards and demanding a series of “course corrections,” without which NEA will no longer back the initiati
V.A.M.: Value Added Measure: Selling the Common Core with More Caramel Coating?
V.A.M.: Value Added Measure: Selling the Common Core with More Caramel Coating?: Selling the Common Core with More Caramel Coating?It seems that the supporters of Common Core are beginning to understand that the standards have left a sour taste in many people's mouths.  It seems, using all the business acumen they have, they'll try to find a new way to sell it to the people, adding yet another lay
Rheevealing FBI filing charges in Southeast L.A. corruption probe, source says - latimes.com
FBI filing charges in Southeast L.A. corruption probe, source says - latimes.com: FBI filing charges in Southeast L.A. corruption probe, source saysRhee-lated $tory: Michelle Rhee answers Ravitch in New Bookal$o $ee Rhee-lated $tory: Excerpts from "Rhee The Art of the Deal" a new $tory about Corporate Education Reform and the Woman that make$ it Happen!National education reform advocate
2-21-14 Schools Matter
Schools Matter: Parthenon Group Advises Schools, Education Industry, and Investors: How Could They Ever Lose?The billions of ready cash from No Child Left Behind provided an  dollar-powered incubator for the birth of the modern day education industry.  State and local education agencies in search of quick solutions to meet NCLB’s impossible demands desperately turned to business solutions, ranging
2-21-14 LA School Report - What's Really Going on Inside LAUSD
LA School Report - What's Really Going on Inside LAUSD (Los Angeles Unified School District): At UTLA forum, a few issues break out within the mudslingingWarren Fletcher, Leonard Segal, Kevin Mottus and Alex Caputo-Pearl at the forum last night The third UTLA presidential forum held at union headquarters last night was the most well attended — about 70 members made it for the two hour question and
Why Do Kids Act Out? Oakland Classrooms Try Healing Instead of Punishment | Alternet
Why Do Kids Act Out? Oakland Classrooms Try Healing Instead of Punishment | Alternet: Why Do Kids Act Out? Oakland Classrooms Try Healing Instead of PunishmentAs executive director of Restorative Justice for Oakland Youth, Fania Davis sees programs like hers as part of the way to end the school-to-prison pipeline.3 COMMENTS3 COMMENTSdigg  A  A  AEmailPrintPhoto Credit: Suzanne Tucker via Shutterst
2-21-14 Seattle Schools Community Forum
Seattle Schools Community Forum: Friday Open ThreadA new initiative is coming on student data privacy in Washington State but here's the latest from California via the NY Times.  California has always been a frontrunner on this issue and this bill may be one that our Legislature could use as a template (along with the bills now going in Georgia, NY, and Colorado).  This is an issue that is gaining
Mike Klonsky's SmallTalk Blog: Calif. pension battle brewing. Sounds eerily familiar.
Mike Klonsky's SmallTalk Blog: Calif. pension battle brewing. Sounds eerily familiar.: Calif. pension battle brewing. Sounds eerily familiar.UC service workers, members of AFSCME Local 3299,  picket at UC Irvine Medical Center. The union has scheduled a five-day walkout starting March 3. (Glenn Koenig / Los Angeles Times). IN L.A. THIS WEEK… The weather's different, but the education issues sound
FCMAT » Fiscal Crisis & Management Assistance Team
FCMAT » Fiscal Crisis & Management Assistance Team: Scrutiny in California for software in schoolsEducation HeadlinesFriday, February 21, 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.Rialto Unified superintendent’s fate remains undecidedThe school board met again W
2-21-14 Engaging Parents In School All Week… | Going Beyond Parent "Involvement"
Engaging Parents In School… | Going Beyond Parent "Involvement": California “PTA program creates parent advocates”PTA program creates parent advocates is an article published in Ed Source describing a parent training program developing by the California PTA. It’s called School Smarts. The article provides a lot of information, including links, about the program.by Larry Ferlazzo / 23min 
College and Career Ready or Not | EduShyster
College and Career Ready or Not | EduShyster: College and Career Ready or Not How to talk to your little ones about art historyIt is never too early to begin preparing your little ones for the jobs that will cease to exist in the future—even if you don’t actually have little ones. So imagine the frustration of successfully filling your little ones full of college and career readiness only to watch
Death of disabled 11-year-old boy leads to FCAT opt-out bill | www.wftv.com
Death of disabled 11-year-old boy leads to FCAT opt-out bill | www.wftv.com: Death of disabled 11-year-old boy leads to FCAT opt-out billRelatedView Larger Andrea RediskeORANGE COUNTY, Fla. — The death of an 11-year-old boy has led to a new state bill that would allow severely disabled students to skip the Florida Comprehensive Assessment Test.Ethan Rediske's parents were upset after being forced
Morning Wink 2-21-14 AM Posts #BATsACT #RealEdTalk #EDCHAT #P2
BIG EDUCATION APE - MORNING WINK  AM POSTSLISTEN TO DIANE RAVITCH 2-21-14 Diane Ravitch's blog | A site to discuss better education for allDiane Ravitch's blog | A site to discuss better education for all: The Vergara Trial: Harvard Expert Takes StandThe Vergara trial is an effort by a wealthy tech entrepreneur to win a judgment that any due process rights for teachers harms the civil rights of mi
LISTEN TO DIANE RAVITCH 2-21-14 Diane Ravitch's blog | A site to discuss better education for all
Diane Ravitch's blog | A site to discuss better education for all: The Vergara Trial: Harvard Expert Takes StandThe Vergara trial is an effort by a wealthy tech entrepreneur to win a judgment that any due process rights for teachers harms the civil rights of minority students. The defense (the California Teachers Association) called Harvard professor Susan Moore Johnson to testify. Johnson is one
Union Election in Los Angeles: Meet Candidate Solkovits - Living in Dialogue - Education Week Teacher
Union Election in Los Angeles: Meet Candidate Solkovits - Living in Dialogue - Education Week Teacher: Union Election in Los Angeles: Meet Candidate SolkovitsBy Anthony Cody on February 21, 2014 7:23 AMColeen Bondy, Los Angeles teacher, has prepared special coverage of the upcoming teacher's union election in her city. Here is her report:United Teachers Los Angeles, the teachers' union for Los Ang
2-21-14 Wait What?
Wait What?: Connecticut Pumps Millions into Google Books But….Once again, Diane Ravitch, the nation’s leading public education advocate has honored me by re-posting one of my Wait, What? blog posts. This one about Governor Malloy’s decision to put $25  million more on the state credit card to buy computers for the absurd Common Core Smarter Balanced Assessment Testing extravaganza. Ravitch says; J
2-21-14 Truth in American Education
Truth in American Education: Indiana to Continue Using Fuzzy Math in New Standards?Hoosiers can now comment publicly on Indiana’s draft academic standards until March 12, 2014.  Instructions and the link to the form can be found here.You can read the standards below:Indiana Academic Standards K-5 MathIndiana Academic Standards 6-8 MathIndiana Academic Standards 9-12 MathIndiana Academic Standards
2-21-14 The Answer Sheet
The Answer Sheet: How some school ‘data walls’ violate U.S. privacy lawAfter I wrote last week about “data walls” in public schools that often include lists of students and their test scores, readers asked whether such public displays of academic “achievement” — without parental permission — violate the federal student privacy law known as FERPA (technically the Family Educational Rights and Priva
2-21-14 Scathing Purple Musings | Color me purple in Florida ALL Week
Scathing Purple Musings | Color me purple in Florida, red in Washington, dark sky-blue in Israel and public school in Education: Will Weatherford’s Massive Expansion of Vouchers Promises Cash Bonanza for Step Up for StudentsThat “massive expansion” of Florida’s voucher system Will Weatherford promised is here. From Flagler Live: Under the proposal (PCB FTSC 14-02), retailers could divert sales-tax
Ms. Jablonski's Class Blog 2-21-14
Ms. Jablonski's Class Blog: Panties for PresidentIn Kazakhstan, an interesting struggle has erupted between the government and Kazakh women -- over lacy panties. The Customs Union, a "Moscow-initiated trade allliance between Russia, Kazakhstan, and Belarus," imposed a ban on the import of the panties because they apparently didn't meet the threshold for dampness absorption that underwear
Louisiana Educator: Report on Common Core Forum
Louisiana Educator: Report on Common Core Forum: Report on Common Core ForumI attended the anti Common Core forum in Baton Rouge last night. The forum sponsored by Parents Concerned About Common Core drew a packed audience at the Crossfire Auditorium. There were parents from the metropolitan Baton Rouge area with others coming from as far as Lafayette, Mandeville and New Orleans. This is definitel
2-21-14 Larry Ferlazzo’s Websites of the Day… | …For Teaching ELL, ESL, & EFL
Larry Ferlazzo’s Websites of the Day… | …For Teaching ELL, ESL, & EFL: Video: “Start Small Before Moving Big” Is Good Classroom Management AdviceThe citation for the research cited in the video can be found on the video’s YouTube page. I’m adding it to The Best Posts On Classroom Management.by Larry Ferlazzo / 1h 2-20-14 Larry Ferlazzo’s Websites of the Day… | …For Teaching ELL, ESL, & EFL
2-21-14 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.: Dennis Van Roekel’s call for Common Core course correction.The response to NEA President Dennis Van Roekel’s call for a course correction in the implementation of Common Core State Standards has been all over the ideological map. This might be expected when DVR in his statement took a swipe at “the de
2-21-14 Ed Notes Online
Ed Notes Online: MORE: The Contract NYC Educators Deserve VideoProduced by Dan Lupkin for the MORE media team.morecaucusnyc The Contract NYC Educators Deserve Video -by ed notes online / 54min hide  //  saveNewark's Crooks: Cami Goes After ATRs - Wants Tenure Abolished - Asks Cerf for RulingWill this be CamiGate3 or 4? I'm losing count. The Three C's -- Cami, Cerf and Cristie -- are aiming a missi
2-21-14 With A Brooklyn Accent Go BATs All Week
With A Brooklyn Accent: When I Talk About Prison and Prison Education: It's PersonalSome of you may be wondering why I am defending a Prison Education initiative offered by a Governor whose other Education policies I despise. I can give you a detailed political explanation for my position, and ask you to read Michelle Alexander's "The New Jim Crow" but in truth, the reasons why this issu
2-21-14 Perdido Street School
Perdido Street School: Andrew Cuomo's Common Core Panel Shills For The Common CoreGovernor Andrew Cuomo may have tried to distance himself from the state education reform agenda yesterday when faced with parents protesting the Common Core outside a budget hearing, but the panel he named to look into Common Core implementation in NY State sure sounds like it's still fully on board with the state re
Washington State May Be Forced To Revive No Child Left Behind
Washington State May Be Forced To Revive No Child Left Behind: Washington State May Be Forced To Revive No Child Left BehindAs states face mounting criticism for rushing to grade teachers based on students' standardized test scores, they confront a crucial choice: Move ahead full-speed on teacher evaluations, or slow down to calm teachers and ensure permanent changes take root.But for those who ch
When Classroom Culture Conflicts With EdTech (Christina Quattrocchi) | Larry Cuban on School Reform and Classroom Practice
When Classroom Culture Conflicts With EdTech (Christina Quattrocchi) | Larry Cuban on School Reform and Classroom Practice: When Classroom Culture Conflicts With EdTech (Christina Quattrocchi)The following guest post appeared in EdSurge, February 9, 2014 Teachers have a multitude of tools to choose from. Not every tool can exactly match every teachers’ pedagogical approach. However, for some when
Edcamp Silicon Valley Tomorrow | InterACT
Edcamp Silicon Valley Tomorrow | InterACT: Edcamp Silicon Valley TomorrowFEBRUARY 21, 2014tags: edcamp, edcampsvby David B. CohenAfter several months of planning, the first ever Edcamp Silicon Valley is only hours away. I’ve been working with a wonderful organizing team made up of colleagues from within my school and district. Maybe it was a bit of a reach for us to think we could pull this off wi
Michelle Rhee Rhumbuggery | VAMboozled! A blog by Audrey Amrein-Beardsley
| VAMboozled! A blog by Audrey Amrein-Beardsley:  On a More Positive Note…Contrary to what is going on in South Carolina and its House Bill 4419 (thanks in large part to Rhee and her “supportive” efforts, as posted also today here), in the state of Washington its State Senate just voted “No” against evaluating teachers in the state using student test scores. Interesting that this happened in Bill
Common Core: Same Exclusion, Different Century | Cloaking Inequity
Common Core: Same Exclusion, Different Century | Cloaking Inequity: Common Core: Same Exclusion, Different CenturyFor well over 100 years educational leaders in the field of curriculum have gathered to try and figure out what children in the U.S. ought to be learning. In 1893, for instance, the Committee of Ten published its report on the organization of secondary education in the U.S. In 1895 the
Cami asks state approval to ignore seniority in teacher layoff | Bob Braun's Ledger
Cami asks state approval to ignore seniority in teacher layoff | Bob Braun's Ledger: Cami asks state approval to ignore seniority in teacher layoffChris Christie and Cami AndersonCami Anderson, the state-appointed superintendent of Newark schools, has dramatically ratcheted up her war on the district’s employee unions by proposing to lay off possibly  hundreds of tenured teachers without regard to
The Political Mess around Michigan Governor Snyder’s “Turnarounds” for Struggling Schools | janresseger
The Political Mess around Michigan Governor Snyder’s “Turnarounds” for Struggling Schools | janresseger: The Political Mess around Michigan Governor Snyder’s “Turnarounds” for Struggling SchoolsPosted on February 21, 2014 by janressegerThere is a political mess in Michigan around the performance and the role of Governor Rick Snyder’s Education Achievement Authority (EAA).  The EAA was intended by
TESTING RESISTANCE & REFORM SPRING: A new national coalition coordinating the uprising against standardized testing! | I AM AN EDUCATOR
TESTING RESISTANCE & REFORM SPRING: A new national coalition coordinating the uprising against standardized testing! | I AM AN EDUCATOR: TESTING RESISTANCE & REFORM SPRING: A new national coalition coordinating the uprising against standardized testing!By I AM AN EDUCATOR on February 20, 2014I am excited to announce that a new national coalition has formed for the purpose of encouraging an

YESTERDAY

6 Quick Leadership Takeaways From A Flight Through The Fog | Connected Principals
6 Quick Leadership Takeaways From A Flight Through The Fog | Connected Principals: 6 Quick Leadership Takeaways From A Flight Through The Fogby William Parker • February 21, 2014 • 0 CommentsTwo weeks ago I attended the NASSP Ignite Conference in Dallas, Texas.On my flight home, the pilot informed us that we would encounter heavy fog at the Tulsa airport. As we began descending, we were shrouded i
Ms. Jablonski's Class Blog 2-20-14
Ms. Jablonski's Class Blog: Is Obama hurting himself by not reaching out?To us Californian's there are two major issues currently taking place, health care and the water crisis.Obama recently came over to Fresno, California to check out the impact of the drought. He only brought along a few other Democrats for his three hour tour, despite the fact that the House Majority Whip, Kevin McCarthy is cr
Funding Results: Public Charter Schools Grant Program Planning and Implementation Grant (CA Dept of Education)
Funding Results: Public Charter Schools Grant Program Planning and Implementation Grant (CA Dept of Education): Funding ResultsPublic Charter Schools Grant Program Planning and Implementation GrantNote: Recipients and funding amounts are subject to budget and administrative adjustments.Public Charter Schools Grant awardees for fiscal year 2013-14.Program Questions: PCSGP Team, Charter School Divis
2-20-14 THE WHOLE CHILD BLOG - Play: Is it Becoming Extinct?
Home Page — Whole Child Education: THE WHOLE CHILD BLOGPlay: Is it Becoming Extinct?February 20, 2014 by Tisha ShipleyThink back for a moment to when you were a young child. What games did you play? What things did you play at school? Do you remember your parents telling you to "go play?" I remember riding my bicycle, roller skating, getting together with the neighbor kids to play hide-a
Nite Cap 2-20-14 #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 CAP2-20-14 Jersey Jazzman Jammin' All WeekJersey Jazzman: Shocking: Baraka Consults Knowledgable People on EducationSorry the posting's been light; it's been a crazy busy week. But I don't want to let too much time pass before telling you about my M