Tuesday, March 31, 2015

Data vs. Evidence | WagTheDog

Data vs. Evidence | WagTheDog:

Data vs. Evidence



Image
Many people mistakenly believe that the terms “data” and “evidence” are interchangeable, and these words have the same meaning.
Data is factual information such as numbers, percentages, and statistics.
Evidence is data that is relevant and furnishes proof that supports a conclusion.
There is a big difference between independent research, studies, and data collection efforts leading investigators to a conclusion, and cherry-picking data to find “evidence” that will support your predetermined conclusion.
Ed reformers claim many schools are failing to prepare our students for college and careers due to a large number of ineffective teachers working in these schools.
The “evidence” they cite to support their claim/conclusion, is the “high percentage” of first-year college students taking remedial math and reading courses.
Unfortunately, many ed reformers have chosen to ignore and discount plausible evidence that could explain the “high” rate of college students in remedial classes, because this data does not support their predetermined conclusion.
Recent studies have also suggested that standardized placement tests may misidentify students
At a time when more high schools are looking to their graduates’ college-remediation rates as a clue to how well they prepare students for college and careers, new research findings suggest a significant portion of students who test into remedial classes don’t actually need them…
Those high rates of remediation have long been used by education policymakers to suggest that primary and secondary schools do not prepare students adequately for college-level work. They were one of the key arguments behind the development of the common core and other standards-reform initiatives…
To determine whether all those students were really so unprepared for college-level work, Ms. Scott-Clayton examined the students’ actual high school and college credits earned and grades received.
She found that 20 percent of students placed in remedial math and 25 percent of those placed in remedial reading were “severely 
Data vs. Evidence | WagTheDog:

Mayoral Runoff Candidate Post-Forum News Conference | Chicago Tonight | WTTW #‎Chuy2015‬ #OneTermRahm

Mayoral Runoff Candidate Post-Forum News Conference | Chicago Tonight | WTTW:

Mayoral Runoff Candidate Post-Forum News Conference



 Chicago mayoral candidates Rahm Emanuel and Jesús "Chuy" García gave a brief news conference following the forum. Watch the web exclusive videos below.

Cook County Commissioner Jesús "Chuy" García expects to win the April 7 mayoral runoff. In a press conference afterChicago Tonight's candidate forum, García said voters chose change in February's election, and he thinks they'll choose a new mayor and a slate of new aldermen next week.
Asked what he thought of the forum, García called it a "fair fight," though he said he didn't receive a fair share of time. While it elicited boos from the audience, García wasn't asked by English-language media what he thought of questions about his son's gang ties and free legal representation his son received. He did answer three questions on the subject from Spanish-language reporters.
García also defended his budget record as a legislator and his claims that the city books are cooked, and said he can find up to half a billion dollars of savings in efficiencies and shared city services.
Watch his full remarks below.
Mayor Rahm Emanuel doubled down on his contention that a long-anticipated Chicago-owned casino could help solve the city’s financial woes. In the forum, he stated the city could see $100 million a year in revenue. He says he has been having discussions with the governor and state lawmakers. But a casino bill has been on the legislative docket for years, failing to pass each year.
“I wouldn’t bring it up if the talks weren’t ‘serious’ this time,” the mayor said.
But he refused to answer whether or not the casino would be subject to state gambling oversight. The issue of a separate Chicago casino oversight authority was what did last year’s casino bill in.
Watch Emanuel's full post-forum comments below.

Is NYSUT/AFT Support for NY Opt Out Just the 2013 AFT “Moratorium” Warmed Over? | deutsch29

Is NYSUT/AFT Support for NY Opt Out Just the 2013 AFT “Moratorium” Warmed Over? | deutsch29:

Is NYSUT/AFT Support for NY Opt Out Just the 2013 AFT “Moratorium” Warmed Over?






I have read New York State United Teachers (NYSUT) president Karen Magee’s words regarding opting out of the Pearson tests that New York students currently take in lieu of the Partnership for Assessment of Readiness for College and Careers (PARCC) tests. New York is still listed as a PARCC state; however; it has contracted for other Pearson tests than the ones bearing the 2015 Pearson-PARCC label.
What strikes me is Magee’s care in choosing temporal language regarding opting out: Her position on urging parents to opt out is “for now.” As the March 30, 2015, Buffalo News notes:
“I would opt out at this point,” New York State United Teachers President Karen Magee said in an Albany radio interview Monday. “And I think we’re going to see an increased reliance and many more parents engaging in that opt-out movement.” …
“So, are you saying, Karen Magee, that you would urge parents to opt out of testing?” WCNY’s Capitol Pressroom host Susan Arbetter asked in a follow up question during the lengthy interview on education initiatives in the state budget.
“I am saying that I would urge parents at this point in time to opt out of testing,” Magee confirmed. [Emphasis added.]
Magee is still a dedicated supporter of the Common Core State Standards (CCSS), the conduit for this unprecedented amount of testing in grades 3 through 8 in the first place. In the March 30, 2015, Times-Union, Magee notes that she is “concerned about the botched roll out of the Common Core.”
So, if the Common Core had already met Magee’s determination of adequate “roll out,” and given that unprecedented hours of testing were meant to be part of the Common Core package before there even was a “Common Core”, then what is Magee really advocating?
Delayed unprecedented hours of Common Core testing, similar to the American Federation of Teachers (AFT) moratorium of April 2013?
AFT president Randi Weingarten is also careful to include language limiting her commitment to “this year” for opting out of New York’s Pearson tests:
. et al have asked what I’d do if I had kids in NYPS—based on what I’ve seen, if I had kids, I’d opt them out of PARCC this yr
And again with the temporary commitment to opting out “this year”:
To clarify: Several pple asked what I’d do if I had schl age kids-based on what I’ve seen this year, I wld opt them out of NY Pearson tests
So, the question remains: Is this “amazing news” of the NYSUT/AFT support for New Is NYSUT/AFT Support for NY Opt Out Just the 2013 AFT “Moratorium” Warmed Over? | 

Special Nite Cap: Catch Up on Today's Post 3/31/15 #OneTermRahm ‪#‎Chuy2015‬



Special Nite Cap - Catch Up on Today's Post 3/31/15


Special Nite Cap 

CORPORATE ED REFORM

 
#DUMPRAHM


Chicago Mayoral Candidate Jesus "Chuy" Garcia Talks About Schools - #OneTermRahm
Chicago Mayoral Candidate Jesus "Chuy" Garcia Talks About Schools - Living in Dialogue: Chicago Mayoral Candidate Jesus "Chuy" Garcia Talks About Schools  By Anthony Cody.The schools of Chicago are ruled by a school board appointed by the mayor (though efforts are under way to allow for a democratically elected board.) For this reason, educators, students and parents are very i
Study Reveals Sad Link Between Poverty And Children's Brain Development
Study Reveals Sad Link Between Poverty And Children's Brain Development: Study Reveals Sad Link Between Poverty And Children's Brain DevelopmentWe've long known that children from affluent families get a head start that can translate into a long-lasting advantage, especially when it comes to academic achievement. Now, scientists have found what may be part of the explanation: Children who grow up
“It’s Like When Dorothy Lands in Oz and the World is Changed from Black and White to Color” | BLOGCEA
“It’s Like When Dorothy Lands in Oz and the World is Changed from Black and White to Color” | BLOGCEA: “It’s Like When Dorothy Lands in Oz and the World is Changed from Black and White to Color”by Laurel Killough on March 31, 2015Why do teachers need to get involved and advocate for their own profession? Cromwell fifth-grade teacher and 2013 Connecticut Teacher of the Year Blaise Messinger says th
Who’s right on unions?: #CesarChavez or @Campbell_Brown and @MichelleRhee | Cloaking Inequity
Who’s right on unions?: #CesarChavez or @Campbell_Brown and @MichelleRhee | Cloaking Inequity: Who’s right on unions?: #CesarChavez or @Campbell_Brown and @MichelleRheeWho’s right on unions?: César Chávez or Campbell Brown and Michelle Rhee? The critics of teachers and their organizations come and go. For a while Michelle Rhee was the darling of the anti-union forces. In Michelle Rhee’s greatest h
empathyeducates – New Orleans Corporate Education Reform 101
empathyeducates – New Orleans Corporate Education Reform 101: New Orleans Corporate Education Reform 101What they won’t tell you about the education reforms in New Orleans?By Raynard Sanders, Ed.D. | Originally Published at EmpathyEducates. March 30, 2015The corporate education reforms in New Orleans have been touted has the national guide for turning around urban school districts. As a result of
Quality education requires social justice | Chicago ‪#‎Chuy2015‬ ‪#‎imwithchuy‬
Quality education requires social justice | Chicago: Quality education requires social justiceChicago Teachers Union President Karen Lewis and Vice President Jesse Sharkey at the annual CTU Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. celebration at the Kroc Community Center on Jan. 15, 2015. Institutional racism, poverty, and the systematic underfunding of education lie at the heart of problems in education. While
BustED Pencils Trending News: Student Success Act? Revolution?? On Demand!!! | BustED Pencils
BustED Pencils Trending News: Student Success Act? Revolution?? On Demand!!! | BustED Pencils: BustED Pencils Trending News: Student Success Act? Revolution?? On Demand!!! If you thought No Child Left Behind (NCLB), oops, I mean the Student Success Act was dead, think again.  Spring = rebirth.Heads Up! HR 5 (Student Success Act) Coming Back As Soon As April 13thhttps://deutsch29.wordpress.com/2015
Garcia rips Emanuel on 'pay-to-play' politics - Chicago Tribune‪#‎Chuy2015‬ ‪#‎imwithchuy‬
Garcia rips Emanuel on 'pay-to-play' politics - Chicago Tribune: Garcia hits Emanuel on 'pay-to-play' politicsMayoral candidate Jesus "Chuy" Garcia addresses the media during a press conference to release his ethics policy agenda alongside Tuesday, March 31, 2015 outside the Citadel Global Headquarters in Chicago. (Anthony Souffle / Chicago Tribune)Challenger Jesus “Chuy” Garcia on Tuesd
Why (market-based) U.S. education reform is doomed: David Ellison (Opinion) | cleveland.com
Why (market-based) U.S. education reform is doomed: David Ellison (Opinion) | cleveland.com: Why (market-based) U.S. education reform is doomed: David Ellison (Opinion)Bill Gates and his lieutenant, Secretary of Education Arne Duncan, insist that America's schools must be run like a business. If educators faced both the accountability (standards, high-stakes testing, merit pay) and competition (vo
What Can Teachers in Illinois Learn from Indiana? - Living in Dialogue
What Can Teachers in Illinois Learn from Indiana? - Living in Dialogue: What Can Teachers in Illinois Learn from Indiana? By Leah Putnam.If you participated in the 2012 Chicago Teachers Union Strike, you might recognize my sign (I’m the “union thug” holding it). After 10 years of teaching 5th grade for Chicago Public Schools, I recently moved to Indiana and began teaching 2nd grade. Moving from th
Bernie Sanders on Education
Bernie Sanders on Education: Bernie Sanders on EducationSocialist Jr Senator; previously Representative (VT-At-Large) Voted YES on additional $10.2B for federal education & HHS projects.Vote on the passage of the bill, the American Competitiveness Scholarship Act, the omnibus appropriations bill for the Departments of Departments of Education, Health and Human Services, and Labor. Pres. Bush t
Behind Chicago Public Schools graduation rate, a system of musical chairs and alternative schools #DumpRahm
Behind Chicago Public Schools graduation rate, a system of musical chairs and alternative schools | WBEZ 91.5 Chicago: Hidden beneath Chicago’s record-high graduation rate is a surprising fact: High schools still have a lot of trouble holding on to students.A WBEZ and Catalyst Chicago analysis of graduation numbers for every high school in the city shows how many freshmen stayed through graduation
Education Activist Groups – Defend-Ed
Education Activist Groups – Defend-Ed: DEFEND-EDUNASHAMEDLY PRO-FAMILY AND PRO-TEACHEREDUCATION ACTIVIST GROUPSupdated Aug 20, 2014Here’s a collection of Internet-based groups and organizations working to defend education.Use the contact form if you would like to submit others.BADASS PARENTS ASSOCIATION:https://www.facebook.com/groups/BadassParentsAssociation/BADASS TEACHERS ASSOCIATION:https://ww
Through ALS, Educator Vivian Connell's Voice Persists | WUNC
Through ALS, Educator Vivian Connell's Voice Persists | WUNC: Through ALS, Educator Vivian Connell's Voice PersistsVivian Connell speaks at the Speak Out 4 Teachers rally in Raleigh, November 2013CREDIT VIVIAN CONNELL When Vivian Connell was in college, she was already a teachers' advocate. She was on CNN in the network's early years to talk about a teacher's wrongful termination at the University
Pearson Priority 1 Alert Cheaters, beware: Test-givers are monitoring social media postings | Education | The News Tribune
Cheaters, beware: Test-givers are monitoring social media postings | Education | The News Tribune: Cheaters, beware: Test-givers are monitoring social media postingsHow far should school testing systems go to ensure students aren’t cheating on state tests?The Smarter Balanced Assessment Consortium (SBAC), the organization responsible for the state tests Washington students began taking this month,
Louisiana Educator: White, the Beneficiary of Extremist Politics now Opposes Such
Louisiana Educator: White, the Beneficiary of Extremist Politics now Opposes Such: White, the Beneficiary of Extremist Politics now Opposes SuchState Superintendent John White prides himself in using smart sound bites, talking points and misleading rhetoric as a way of selling his views in the education reform battles. In a press conference Monday, White referred to efforts to derail the Common Co
Choosing Reform-Minded Urban Superintendents | Larry Cuban on School Reform and Classroom Practice
Choosing Reform-Minded Urban Superintendents | Larry Cuban on School Reform and Classroom Practice: Choosing Reform-Minded Urban Superintendents If I had to choose an urban superintendent between Michelle Rhee in Washington,D.C.(2007-2010) and  John Deasy in Los Angeles Unfied School District (2011-2014), I would choose Christopher Steinhauser, Long Beach (CA) superintendent since 2002. Why? Becau
Where the hell are CT's union leaders as AFT National President Randi Weingarten supports parents who opt out - Wait What?
Where the hell are CT's union leaders as AFT National President Randi Weingarten supports parents who opt out - Wait What?: Where the hell are CT’s union leaders as AFT National President Randi Weingarten supports parents who opt outAccording to a breaking story posted by the nation’s leading public education advocate Diane Ravitch,   Randi Weingarten – the national president of the American Feder
Heads Up! HR 5 (Student Success Act) Coming Back As Soon As April 6 | deutsch29
Heads Up! HR 5 (Student Success Act) Coming Back As Soon As April 6 | deutsch29: Heads Up! HR 5 (Student Success Act) Coming Back As Soon As April 6 A heads-up for those who celebrated on February 27, 2015, the pulling of HR 5 (Student Success Act) from a vote before Congress:Word is that it is slated to return– without change– after Easter.This means as soon as the week of April 6, 2015.As was tr

Special Nite Cap: Catch Up on Today's Post 3/30/15
Special Nite Cap - Catch Up on Today's Post 3/30/15Special Nite Cap CORPORATE ED REFORMToward Fiscal Sustainability: A New Approach in Prudent Fiscal Management of ChicagoClick here to go to Jesus "Chuy" Garcia for Mayor of Chicago Website#‎Chuy2015‬ ‪#‎imwithchuy‬#DUMPRAHMStudy: New Orleans Principals Admit to Manipulating Student Selection | deutsch29Study: New Orleans Principals Admit




2015 National Conference – Chicago

The Countdown to Chicago Has Begun!

The Network For Public Education | 2015 National Conference – Chicago