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Monday, May 4, 2015

Special Nite Cap: Catch Up on Today's Post 5/4/15




Special Nite Cap 

CORPORATE ED REFORM










Seattle Schools Community Forum: Opting Out Talk is Not Dying Down
Seattle Schools Community Forum: Opting Out Talk is Not Dying Down:Opting Out Talk is Not Dying DownDiane Ravitch had this recording of a weekly ed reform show from Michael Petrilli at the Fordham Institute.  In the first 7 minutes of the show, he worries about the opting out going on in NY state.  It's everything from unhappy tweets to 1,000s of parents (actually hundreds of thousands) opting the
Young People Matter
Young People Matter: Young People Matter The city of Baltimore gave us a lot to consider last week. From Monday’s uprising to Friday’s indictments, the news outlets were kept quite busy. In the midst of it all, I found myself mostly drawn to the treatment of young people. I was acutely aware that they were called thugs with the same venom in which blacks have been called the n-word. I was shocked
A chance to end the public school era - GOPlifer
A chance to end the public school era - GOPlifer: A chance to end the public school era Texas’ legislature is poised to deliver a massive gift to the state’s religious fundamentalists. The Senate has passed the boldest school privatization program in the country, a pilot program that would finally neuter the “godless” public schools. This is what happens when you place a mildly deranged radio host
Programs serving meals to low income families - Year 2015 (CA Dept of Education)
Programs serving meals to low income families - Year 2015 (CA Dept of Education): State Schools Chief Tom Torlakson Announces Updated List of Programs Serving Nutritious Meals to Low-Income FamiliesSACRAMENTO—State Superintendent of Public Instruction Tom Torlakson announced today that disadvantaged families in California can now find updated lists of child and adult care centers offering nutritio
“Opt out now”: The Seattle NAACP revives the legacy W.E.B Du Bois, demands an end to Common Core testing | Cloaking Inequity
“Opt out now”: The Seattle NAACP revives the legacy W.E.B Du Bois, demands an end to Common Core testing | Cloaking Inequity: “Opt out now”: The Seattle NAACP revives the legacy W.E.B Du Bois, demands an end to Common Core testing Some civil right organizations are planning to come out for more testing in a letter circulating in DC this very moment. We must organize locally against Pearson and the
To Privatize or Not to Privatize
To Privatize or Not to Privatize: To Privatize or Not to PrivatizeBy Victoria M. Young, Education News | Op-EdLet’s put these questions on the table: What attracts so many Americans to the idea that private companies can better run the public education system? How do they see this current trend as being best for the country?Since public education is an institution that has served us well over time
Sweden Charter Schools' Epic Fail - urged to rethink parents' choice over schools after education decline | World news | The Guardian
Sweden urged to rethink parents' choice over schools after education decline | World news | The Guardian: Sweden urged to rethink parents' choice over schools after education declineOECD recommends comprehensive reform including revised school choice arrangements and more effective regulation Sweden has been urged to halt the steep decline in the international ranking of its schools by taking acti
Charter choices resegregate schools, advocates say
Charter choices resegregate schools, advocates say: Charter choices resegregate schools, advocates say NEWARK, Del. -- Charter schools shouldn't be able to give enrollment preference to students who live within five miles of their campus because doing so is leading to resegregation, some lawmakers and advocates argue.If a charter school has more applicants than seats, Delaware law currently allows
Schools Matter: Divide and Conquer: The Philadelphia Story
Schools Matter: Divide and Conquer: The Philadelphia Story: Divide and Conquer: The Philadelphia Story Leading Philadelphia mayoral candidates Anthony Williams and James KenneyEveryone concerned about corporate education reform and the influence of various venture “philanthropists” in their drive to privatize public schools should be following the Democratic primary on May 19th for the next mayor
PAA opposes Common Core, PARCC and SBAC | Parents Across America
PAA opposes Common Core, PARCC and SBAC | Parents Across America:  Parents Across America opposes Common Core, PARCC and SBACParents call for an immediate moratorium on CCSS/PARCC/SBACAfter extensive research and discussion with our membership, Parents Across America (PAA) has taken a position against the Common Core State Standards and the related tests, called the PARCC and SBAC. PAA calls for a
Teacher Appreciation Discounts and Freebies 2015 - A Frugal Chick
Teacher Appreciation Discounts and Freebies 2015 - A Frugal Chick: Teacher Appreciation Discounts and Freebies 2015May 4, 2015 by Laura 1 CommentTeacher Appreciation week is traditionally the first week in May (unless your school does something different).  We have not seen nearly the deals this year that we have in the past but there is a nice ongoing list of deals on the bottom of this post.  Ho
Education World: Teacher Appreciation Week: Ideas
Education World: Teacher Appreciation Week: Ideas: Sixty-Five Ways to Recognize Teachers During Teacher Appreciation Week and All Year LongAre you searching for new ways to show your teachers how much you appreciate their efforts? Principals shared some things they have done to show their appreciation.What are you doing to recognize staff members at your school during this year's celebration of Te
PTA Teacher Appreciation Week - For Parents - National PTA
PTA Teacher Appreciation Week - For Parents - National PTA: PTA Teacher Appreciation WeekTeachers play a key role in student success and sometimes a simple “thanks” is all a teacher needs to feel valued. Take the time to celebrate your students’ teachers during 2015 PTA Teacher Appreciation Week May 4-8.How You Can Show AppreciationPTA Teacher Appreciation Week is the perfect time to personally th
NEA - National Teacher Day - #ThankATeacher for National Teacher Appreciation Week
NEA - National Teacher Day: National Teacher Day, May 5, 2015900Thank a Teacher during National Teacher Week and You Could Win a $100 VISA Gift Card to Give Your Favorite Educator!Teachers give us so much. And though we know we can’t ever thank them enough, we can take a moment during National Teacher Week to share our appreciation for the special educators in our lives.Join NEA and the National P
Celebrating National Charter Schools Week: You Can't Make this Stuff Up Part 1 #CharterSchoolsWeek
 Celebrating National Charter Schools Week: You Can't Make this Stuff Up Part 1 THE ISSUES:Part 2 Coming Soon!
Let the real experts determine how to assess students with disabilities
Individualized Education Plan For Students with Disabilities: Let the real experts determine how to assess students with disabilitiesMay 4, 2015 by LilyCategories: General, I just had to say thisTags: IEPs, individualized education plans, standardized testLast year, I had the privilege of meeting Andrea Rediske. Andrea’s late son, Ethan, was born with brain damage. He had cerebral palsy and was bl
NYC Public School Parents: John Oliver features the Pineapple on his takedown of standardized testing
NYC Public School Parents: John Oliver features the Pineapple on his takedown of standardized testing: John Oliver features the Pineapple on his takedown of standardized testingCheck out last night's hilarious take-down of the insanity of standardized testing in this country by John Oliver; including the infamous"Hare and the Pineapple" passage, which was  part of the NY 8th grade ELA ex
Schools Matter: California Parent Shares Excellent Opt Out Information
Schools Matter: California Parent Shares Excellent Opt Out Information: California Parent Shares Excellent Opt Out InformationLinkLiberty is the freedom to exercise our constitutional rights and not be bullied. State assessments are voluntary. In California, the right to opt out of standardized testing is a parental right guaranteed by Ed. Code 60615 which says, “Notwithstanding any other provisio
Veteran teachers calling it a career | The Columbus Dispatch
Veteran teachers calling it a career | The Columbus Dispatch: Veteran teachers calling it a careerChanging pension, testing requirements discourage educators from continuing in classroom Ohio teachers have been heading to the exits in large numbers in recent years, propelled by changes in the state’s teacher-pension program.Leaders of the State Teachers Retirement System anticipate another uptick
At NYSUT convention, members blame Cuomo | Capital New York
At NYSUT convention, members blame Cuomo | Capital New York: At NYSUT convention, members blame CuomoBUFFALO—During her annual “state of the union” speech, New York State United Teachers president Karen Magee saluted an instigator who motivated the organization’s 600,000 members over the last year.“Of course, we had some unexpected help in mobilizing members,” Magee said on Friday night, addressin
Outside Influence: Despite big spending, vouchers remain banned in Tennessee - The Commercial Appeal
Outside Influence: Despite big spending, vouchers remain banned in Tennessee - The Commercial Appeal: Outside Influence: Despite big spending, vouchers remain banned in Tennessee After years of lobbying, millions of dollars from in-state and out-of-state advocacy groups and the support of the governor and other legislative leaders, school vouchers are still banned in Tennessee.Republican lawmakers
Play of the Day: Barack Obama Wants At Least One Child Left Behind - Oversight - GovExec.com
Play of the Day: Barack Obama Wants At Least One Child Left Behind - Oversight - GovExec.com: Play of the Day: Barack Obama Wants At Least One Child Left Behind Late-night television hosts were still processing Vermont Senator Bernie Sandersentrance into the 2016 race over the weekend. Real Time's Bill Maher joked about Sanders' socialist affiliation and his unique biography, while The Tonight Sho
Friedrichs v. California Teachers Association: Justice Alito’s Invitation Accepted | ACS
Friedrichs v. California Teachers Association: Justice Alito’s Invitation Accepted | ACS: Friedrichs v. California Teachers Association: Justice Alito’s Invitation AcceptedMore Legal Attacks on Teachersby Ann C. Hodges, Professor of Law, University of Richmond School of LawIn a blog post following the Supreme Court’s decision last term in Harris v. Quinn, I predicted that the constitutionality of

YESTERDAY

Last Week Tonight with John Oliver: Standardized Testing (HBO)
Last Week Tonight with John Oliver: Standardized Testing (HBO)American students face a ridiculous amount of testing. John Oliver explains how standardized tests impact school funding, the achievement gap, how often kids are expected to throw up.
Fraud, Waste, and Lies: Charter Schools Cheating Communities Out of Millions of Dollars | Common Dreams | Breaking News & Views for the Progressive Community
Fraud, Waste, and Lies: Charter Schools Cheating Communities Out of Millions of Dollars | Common Dreams | Breaking News & Views for the Progressive Community: Fraud, Waste, and Lies: Charter Schools Cheating Communities Out of Millions of DollarsNew report warns that, due to lack of oversight, 'vast majority of the fraud perpetrated by charter officials will go undetected' Accepting and solici
Charter school dissolves amid charges of nepotism, fiscal mismanagement, enrollment fraud - News - recordnet.com - Stockton, CA
Charter school dissolves amid charges of nepotism, fiscal mismanagement, enrollment fraud - News - recordnet.com - Stockton, CA: Charter school dissolves amid charges of nepotism, fiscal mismanagement, enrollment fraudSTOCKTON — Renew Virtual Academies, a charter school in the New Jerusalem School District, has been dissolved and its roughly 80 students absorbed into other sites amid allegations o
WANTED: Teachers — Education’s revolutionary uprising | The Underdog's Advocate
WANTED: Teachers — Education’s revolutionary uprising | The Underdog's Advocate: WANTED: Teachers — Education’s revolutionary uprising by Ryan B. Jackson, Ed.DIf April showers bring May flowers then what, in turn, do these undeniable symbols of spring really bring? For the answer, look no further than your community school, job fair or university graduation ceremony: New Teachers.Spring sets the s
My Position on the Senate ESEA Reauthorization Draft | deutsch29
My Position on the Senate ESEA Reauthorization Draft | deutsch29: My Position on the Senate ESEA Reauthorization DraftI have read (and reread certain sections of) the entire 601-page Senate reauthorization draft of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 (ESEA), written by Senators Lamar Alexander and Patty Murray and named the Every Child Achieves  Act of 2015.I have also read the 29 a
Special Nite Cap: Catch Up on Today's Post 5/3/15
SPECIAL NITE CAP - CATCH UP ON TODAY'S POST 5/3/15Special Nite Cap CORPORATE ED REFORMCommon Core jeopardizes foundation of learning (By Wendy Lecker) - Wait What?Common Core jeopardizes foundation of learning (By Wendy Lecker) - Wait What?: Common Core jeopardizes foundation of learning (By Wendy Lecker) Fellow Connecticut educate advocate Wendy Lecker has been one of the most powerful and import