Thursday, October 15, 2015

Special Nite Cap: Catch Up on Today's Post 10/15/15




CORPORATE ED REFORM



JCOPE: Education tops lobbying spending for first half of 2015 - Capitol Confidential
JCOPE: Education tops lobbying spending for first half of 2015 - Capitol Confidential: JCOPE: Education tops lobbying spending for first half of 2015 Lobbying groups dedicated to education issues once again topped the list of spending in the first half of 2015, according to the midyear report released Thursday by the Joint Commission on Public Ethics.In total, almost $131 million was spent on effo
California Governor Jerry Brown Fails Students by Vetoing Ethnic Studies Bill | Joseph Morales
California Governor Jerry Brown Fails Students by Vetoing Ethnic Studies Bill | Joseph Morales: California Governor Jerry Brown Fails Students by Vetoing Ethnic Studies BillGovernor Jerry Brown failed California's students last week, when he vetoed AB 101, a bill that would have positioned California to lead the nation by developing the first-ever statewide curriculum in ethnic studies.The Governo
JUST IN: LAUSD slapped with $1 billion lawsuit to end teacher jails - LA School Report
JUST IN: LAUSD slapped with $1 billion lawsuit to end teacher jails - LA School Report:JUST IN: LAUSD slapped with $1 billion lawsuit to end teacher jailsFollowing up on a months-long threat, high-profile attorneyMark Geragos today slapped LA Unified with a class actionlawsuit, calling for an end to the practice of“teacher jails” and asking for more than $1 billion in damages.The suit was filed in
Did Common Core Win the War? | Peter Greene
Did Common Core Win the War? | Peter Greene: Did Common Core Win the War?Politico scored a coup this week by declaring that the war is over, and Common Core won it. One can only assume that Kim Hefling's piece "How Common Core Quietly Won the War" bumped equally hard-hitting pieces such as "The Earth -- Actually Flat After All" or "The Presidential Wisdom of Harold Stassen
Lawyer for fired LAUSD teacher responds with class-action lawsuit | 89.3 KPCC
Lawyer for fired LAUSD teacher responds with class-action lawsuit | 89.3 KPCC: Lawyer for fired LAUSD teacher responds with class-action lawsuitThe Los Angeles Unified school board this week voted to fire nationally recognized teacher Rafe Esquith, apparently over allegations he inappropriately touched children and had photos and video of a sexual nature on his computer.His attorneys have denied t
Kick the Cap | EduShyster
Kick the Cap | EduShyster: Kick the CapBehind the scenes (and out in the hallway) at the Statehouse charter school hearing…And that’s a wrap, folks! After nine hours, and thousands of pages of testimony concerning 35 different pieces of legislation—35!—this week’s marathon hearing on the state and future of charter schools in the Bay State had finally reached its end. But still, the question linge
Charter Schools React to Arne Duncan's Latest Round of Excessive Grants (Free Money)
Charter Schools React to Arne Duncan's Latest Round of Excessive Grants (Free Money)Big Education Ape: Charter love: Feds give $157 million to expand charter schools - The Washington Post http://bit.ly/1KGxcUnBig Education Ape: The ugly charter school scandal Arne Duncan is leaving behind - Salon.com http://bit.ly/1QjuVjtBig Education Ape: Auditor ‘shocked’ by $71 million grant for charter schools
Commentary: An open letter to David Boren | Oklahoma Gazette - Linkis.com
Commentary: An open letter to David Boren | Oklahoma Gazette - Linkis.com: Commentary: An open letter to David BorenTo University of Oklahoma president and former Gov. and U.S. Sen. David Boren:Teaching is an act of love. Teacher’s salaries are secondary to student needs. Their working conditions are our kids’ learning conditions. The best incentive for educators is providing us the opportunity to
Seattle Schools Community Forum: At Yesterday's (Kind) Wild Executive Committee Meeting of the Whole
Seattle Schools Community Forum: At Yesterday's (Kind) Wild Executive Committee Meeting of the Whole: At Yesterday's (Kind) Wild Executive Committee Meeting of the WholeIt was a hugely important meeting, if a bit wild.  Because there is SO much happening right now for our district and I'm trying to chase down so much information, I only have time for highlights:The district has ended its relations
The NCRP Debate on Market Approaches to Education Reform | Nonprofit Quarterly
The NCRP Debate on Market Approaches to Education Reform | Nonprofit Quarterly: The NCRP Debate on Market Approaches to Education ReformA Debate About Whether the Walton Foundation and Markets Promote Equity for Students | Diane Ravitch's blog http://bit.ly/1G7UO5IAt first glance, it would have been reasonable to ask why the National Committee for Responsive Philanthropy would want to host a debat
10/15/2015 – Where Will John King Stand On Student Suspensions?
10/15/2015 – Where Will John King Stand On Student Suspensions?: Where Will John King Stand On Student Suspensions? THIS WEEK: Arne Duncan Business Hero … Gentrification Stops At Schools … Charter School Real Estate Game … Spending For Prisons Not Colleges … Costs Of Child Care Exceed CollegeTOP STORYWhere Will John King Stand On Student Suspensions?By Jeff Bryant“With [US Education Secretary Arne
CURMUDGUCATION: 21st Century PSAT
CURMUDGUCATION: 21st Century PSAT: 21st Century PSATYesterday was National Support David Coleman's Cash Flow Day, otherwise known as the day that high school juniors across the nation give up a treasure trove of personal information in exchange for the opportunity to take a standardized test that is, if not actually meaningful or useful, at least a venerable tradition.The P, as I repeatedly remind
Not lovin’ McTeachers’ Night | Parents Across America
Not lovin’ McTeachers’ Night | Parents Across America: Not lovin’ McTeachers’ Night Can you believe that McDonald’s enlists teachers to sell junk food to their students? On “McTeacher’s Nights” across the country, teachers “work” behind the counter selling burgers, fries, and soda to their students and their students’ families. It’s a marketing ploy disguised as a school fundraiser. McDonald’s is
Top 10s in 2016— Vote and Nominate Brightest Ed Policy Minds | Cloaking Inequity
Top 10s in 2016— Vote and Nominate Brightest Ed Policy Minds | Cloaking Inequity: Top 10s in 2016— Vote and Nominate Brightest Ed Policy MindsNominate and vote in this new poll. Who will or should make the biggest impact on education policy priorities in the 2016 campaign? Encourage your Facebook friends, Twitter followers, LinkedIn connections and others to vote and nominate too!Teach For America
NCTQ’s teacher-education ratings deserve an F - The Hechinger Report
NCTQ’s teacher-education ratings deserve an F - The Hechinger Report: NCTQ’s teacher-education ratings deserve an FWhy does Teach For America come out on top in NCTQ’s teacher-education ratings? Hey Bill, have you seen this?” I turned to Bill Gaudelli, chair of Teachers College’s Department of Arts and Humanitiesand coordinator of the program preparing social studies educators.“What’s that?” he as
Feds ready new regs on teacher prep programs :: SI&A Cabinet Report :: The Essential Resource for Superintendents and the Cabinet
Feds ready new regs on teacher prep programs :: SI&A Cabinet Report :: The Essential Resource for Superintendents and the Cabinet: Feds ready new regs on teacher prep programs(District of Columbia) Expectations are that U.S. Education Secretary Arne Duncan will release a controversial rewrite of regulations governing teacher preparation programs before leaving office in December.The rules, und
CEQA ruling upends school closure plans :: SI&A Cabinet Report :: The Essential Resource for Superintendents and the Cabinet
CEQA ruling upends school closure plans :: SI&A Cabinet Report :: The Essential Resource for Superintendents and the Cabinet: CEQA ruling upends school closure plans(Calif.) A recent court decision in a case aimed at overturning the closure of two schools based on exemptions from environmental impacts should serve as a warning to other districts contemplating similar moves, according to educat
Louisiana Educator: How the Great PARCC/Common Core Scam Works
Louisiana Educator: How the Great PARCC/Common Core Scam Works: How the Great PARCC/Common Core Scam WorksA Special Thank You!I want to take this opportunity on behalf of thousands of dedicated educators in Louisiana to sincerely thank the four members of BESE who have courageously refused to fold to the pressure of our clueless business community to give John White a blank check to further commit
Plutocrats in NYC Wielding Power, Buying the Airwaves, and Trashing Public Schools Again | janresseger
Plutocrats in NYC Wielding Power, Buying the Airwaves, and Trashing Public Schools Again | janresseger: Plutocrats in NYC Wielding Power, Buying the Airwaves, and Trashing Public Schools AgainPublic schools are among the primary institutions that serve the families in the 99 Percent.  As primarily middle class institutions, they are coming under attack from the One Percent, the plutocrats—both Rep
Outside money turns Hartford Democratic Town Committee into a Luke Bronin slush fund - Wait What?
Outside money turns Hartford Democratic Town Committee into a Luke Bronin slush fund - Wait What?: Outside money turns Hartford Democratic Town Committee into a Luke Bronin slush fundThanks to the behind-the-scenes involvement of Governor Dannel Malloy and some of Connecticut’s power elite, on Monday, July 27, 2015 the Hartford Democratic Town Committee endorsed Luke Bronin to be the Democratic Pa
Schooling in the Ownership Society: Byrd-Bennett, 'a foot soldier in the march towards privatization'
Schooling in the Ownership Society: Byrd-Bennett, 'a foot soldier in the march towards privatization': Byrd-Bennett, 'a foot soldier in the march towards privatization'Ian Belknap is a writer and performer living in Chicago. He hits the nail on the head with this opinion piece in Crain's, "Framing education as a business attracts the wrong people".While the leading candidates in both par
Teacher Judgment vs. Family Authority - Bridging Differences - Education Week
Teacher Judgment vs. Family Authority - Bridging Differences - Education Week: Teacher Judgment vs. Family AuthorityDeborah Meier continues her conversation with Harry Boyte. To read their full exchange, please visit here.Dear Harry and friends,I'm leaving my house for the airport at 3:30 am flying from Albany to California. So, quick thoughts on your story about your father-in-law's hospital expe
Bill Gates: Too Many Schools Use Teacher Evaluation For Personnel Decisions, Not As Tool For Improvement : Columns : ISchoolGuide
Bill Gates: Too Many Schools Use Teacher Evaluation For Personnel Decisions, Not As Tool For Improvement : Columns : ISchoolGuide: Bill Gates: Too Many Schools Use Teacher Evaluation For Personnel Decisions, Not As Tool For ImprovementBill Gates defended the use of student test scores in teacher evaluations, arguing that schools can use it to help teachers improve. He said too many schools use tea
Barbara Byrd-Bennett co-defendants plead not guilty in kickback scheme - Chicago Tribune
Barbara Byrd-Bennett co-defendants plead not guilty in kickback scheme - Chicago Tribune: Barbara Byrd-Bennett co-defendants plead not guilty in kickback schemeAn education consultant with long ties to the Emanuel administration pleaded not guilty Wednesday to charges he promised Chicago Public Schools CEO Barbara Byrd-Bennett hundreds of thousands of dollars in bribes for steering lucrative no-bi
What You Need to Know about the Walton Family Foundation | Diane Ravitch's blog
What You Need to Know about the Walton Family Foundation | Diane Ravitch's blog: What You Need to Know about the Walton Family FoundationThis study of the Walton Family Foundation was published in 2012 by the National Committee for Responsive Philanthropy.It provides a history of the family fortune and a description of the Walton family and its political interests.Helen Walton, widow of the founde
Board of Education signs off on $40M in charter school loans
Board of Education signs off on $40M in charter school loans: Board of Education signs off on $40M in charter school loansGet Hoosier School Heist in PaperbackHoosier School Heist On FaceBookThe Indiana State Board of Education on Wednesday endorsed a plan to divvy out as much as $40 million in loans in the 2015-16 school year through a controversial new state program to fund charter schools.At le
Fed corruption probe targets Corporate Education Reform Corruption In Detroit, Chicago, Fresno
Fed corruption probe targets DPS, EAA officials: Fed corruption probe targets DPS, EAA officialsThe FBI has launched a corruption investigation involving Gov. Rick Snyder’s K-12 reform district and Detroit Public Schools, the latest blemish for districts struggling with low test scores, falling enrollment and funding shortfalls.FBI agents are investigating multiple officials from DPS and the Snyde
China vs USA: The Education Factory War - Yahoo News
China's latest building binge: the education factory - Yahoo News: China's latest building binge: the education factoryGUIYANG, China (Reuters) - Three decades ago, Chinese cities began turning rural land into industrial parks to attract foreign investors. Today, a new kind of project is blooming in China's countryside: the vocational education park.Cities around China are carving out tracts of la
Online news site Deadspin has its sights set on Sacramento Mayor Kevin Johnson - Sacramento Business Journal
Online news site Deadspin has its sights set on Sacramento Mayor Kevin Johnson - Sacramento Business Journal: What is Deadspin and why is it gunning for Kevin Johnson?Why is Sacramento Mayor Kevin Johnson suddenly under siege, mostly over news that isn't new? The answer is something called Deadspin -- a hard-hitting online site that has pummeled him with a dozen stories over more than a year.The l
Of School Reform 1.0 versus 2.0 :: Frederick M. Hess
Of School Reform 1.0 versus 2.0 :: Frederick M. Hess: Of School Reform 1.0 versus 2.0 My school reform friends get frustrated with me because they think I'm a naysayer. Why? They note that I've long been a critic of anachronistic salary schedules, tenure laws, school districts, licensure regimes, and the rest. They wonder how I can think that and then criticize so many attempts to impose new evalu
Charter Schools Transferred from Hostile Work Environment - Rhino Times
Charter Schools Transferred from Hostile Work Environment - Rhino Times:Charter Schools Transferred from Hostile Work EnvironmentIt may sound like bureaucratic mumbo jumbo, but moving the North Carolina Office of Charter Schools out from under the state’s Department of Public Instruction (DPI) and placing them under the State Board of Education was celebrated by charter school advocates across the

YESTERDAY

Teachers union asks board to suspend Hanson, other top officials | Fresno Bee
Teachers union asks board to suspend Hanson, other top officials | Fresno Bee: Teachers union asks board to suspend Hanson, other top officialsThe Fresno Teachers Association is calling for the Fresno Unified school board to suspend Superintendent Michael Hanson and other top officials, citing their possible role in the alleged shredding of documents amid a federal investigation.FTA President Tish
L.A. school board votes to fire teacher Rafe Esquith, accused of misconduct - LA Times
L.A. school board votes to fire teacher Rafe Esquith, accused of misconduct - LA Times: L.A. school board votes to fire teacher Rafe Esquith, accused of misconductHobart Avenue Elementary School educator Rafe Esquith, a nationally recognized teacher, has denied wrongdoing. (Beatrice de Gea / Los Angeles Times)The Los Angeles Board of Education voted this week to fire nationally recognized teacher
Ex-Glastonbury School Principal Victim Of Attack In Israel - Hartford Courant
Ex-Glastonbury School Principal Victim Of Attack In Israel - Hartford Courant: Ex-Glastonbury School Principal Victim Of Attack In IsraelGLASTONBURY — Many in the community who fondly remembered Richard Lakin as the "warm" and "patient" principal at Hopewell School said they were shocked to discover that he was one of the victims of a brutal a terrorist attack in Jerusalem Tues
Mathematica: Testing the PARCC Test | deutsch29
Mathematica: Testing the PARCC Test | deutsch29: Mathematica: Testing the PARCC TestMassachusetts commissioned Mathematica to conduct a study in which it compared Massachusetts’ MCAS (Massachusetts Comprehensive Assessment System) to PARCC (Partnership for Assessment of Readiness for College and Careers).The study was limited to comparing MCAS grade 10 math and ELA tests to “corresponding” PARCC t
What The Gates Foundation’s Learned About Funding Education Journalism | The Grade | The Washington Monthly
What The Gates Foundation’s Learned About Funding Education Journalism | The Grade | The Washington Monthly: What The Gates Foundation’s Learned About Funding Education JournalismBy Alexander RussoThe Gates Foundation spends about $7 million a year in grants to education journalism organizations, and has done so for the past five years or so, according to an interview with deputy director for glob
Special Nite Cap: Catch Up on Today's Post 10/1415
CORPORATE ED REFORMNewark soon to be overwhelmed by charter expansion: Welcome to New Orleans on the Passaic | Bob Braun's LedgerNewark soon to be overwhelmed by charter expansion: Welcome to New Orleans on the Passaic | Bob Braun's Ledger: Newark soon to be overwhelmed by charter expansion: Welcome to New Orleans on the PassaicThe Newark public schools will soon be overwhelmed by a vast expansion