Friday, April 24, 2015

#‎NPEChicago‬ The Resistance is Real – They’re All Here at the Network for Public Education Conference! | gadflyonthewallblog

The Resistance is Real – They’re All Here at the Network for Public Education Conference! | gadflyonthewallblog:

The Resistance is Real – They’re All Here at the Network for Public Education Conference!

IMG_3524


An old adage says, “The most radical thing we can do is introduce people to one another.”
If that’s true, then the Network for Public Education conference in Chicago may be the most radical gathering in the history of the world!
Everywhere you turn are familiar faces that belong to people you’ve never actually met.
I wasn’t checked-in to the hotel for more than a minute before I ran smack into a colony of Badass Teachers.
Melissa Tomlinson, Marla Kilfoyle, Larry Proffitt, Kelly Ann Braun, Kristin Vogel, Karen Wolfe, Denisha Jones, Terry Kalb and so many more.
I’m “friends” with all of them on Facebook. Just like I’m “friends” with Stephen Hawking, Neil DeGrasse Tyson and George Takei!
But these are at least people with whom I’ve actually engaged. We’re all in the Badass Teachers Association – many of us on the leadership team.
We plan actions, incite twitter storms, write articles and all around raise Hell about the standardization and privatization of public education.
But meet them in person!? No. I’ve never done that… until today.
And is that abnormally tall man greeting folks in the lobby Anthony Cody? Yes, it is. The most prominent education blogger in the country is helping sell souvenir t-shirts!
And is that Melissa Katz – the 19-year-old teaching student setting the field aflame with her youthful activism!? Yep!
It’s like some science fiction story where the Internet came alive and started spitting out virtual people into the hotel lobby.
At first, I was simply speechless. I could hug, nod and take pictures, but that was about it.
But as the magic spell refused to fade away, I gradually accepted the reality of the situation.
These weren’t phantoms. These are real people.
And so – we began to talk.
I’ve spent hours messaging these individuals on-line. We’ve done much to steer the The Resistance is Real – They’re All Here at the Network for Public Education Conference! | gadflyonthewallblog:


New York City Parents Grade Mayor on Campaign Promises - K-12 Parents and the Public - Education Week

New York City Parents Grade Mayor on Campaign Promises - K-12 Parents and the Public - Education Week:

New York City Parents Grade Mayor on Campaign Promises






New York City parents gave Mayor Bill de Blasio some pretty low grades when it came to fulfilling campaign promises about the city's schools.
A New York City political action committee, NYC Kids PAC, released a report April 19 tracking the commitments de Blasio and his administration made during a candidate's forum in 2013 and on a candidate survey. NYC Kids PAC endorsed de Blasio for mayor.
According to the report, de Blasio earned F's in the areas of reducing class sizes, public accountability, and improving school diversity. Parents gave the mayor D's on decreasing the amount of student data that is shared with vendors; boosting services for special-education students; and engaging parents in school governance.
"De Blasio promised over and over that his administration would be different and would listen to parents and communities," Leonie Haimson, executive director Class Size Matters, a New York City-based education advocacy group, told the New York Post. "But since he was elected he has largely ignored parents."
The mayor did manage to receive a couple of A's, for reversing a ban on cell phones and issuing a moratorium on school closures. He also earned incomplete marks in areas such as school overcrowding and student discipline reform.
A spokesman for the mayor disagreed with NYC Kids PAC's report.  
"From launching Pre-K for All, to extended learning time for tens of thousands of students, to bringing new resources to bear at our most troubled schools, we are focused on raising achievement and strengthening school communities," Wiley Norvell told the Post.New York City Parents Grade Mayor on Campaign Promises - K-12 Parents and the Public - Education Week:


Today, Sunday April 19 at noon, in front of the Department of Education headquarters at Tweed, NYC Kids PAC released a report card on Mayor de Blasio 
, based on how many of his campaign promises he has fulfilled in the area of education policy after more than a year in office.  NYC KidsPAC is a political action committee made up of parent leaders and advocates who work for better schools by issuing candidate surveys, informing the electorate about the results, and supporting candidates who have demonstrated a commitment to improving our city’s public schools.
NYC KidsPAC provided the DOE and the Mayor’s office with this report three weeks ago, and received no response.  They will now provide the report to the leaders and members of the State Legislature, to help them decide whether to renew mayoral control.
In 2013 NYCKids PAC endorsed Bill de Blasio for Mayor, citing the hope he would “stop the rampant privatization of our schools and the overemphasis on testing, will listen more closely to the concerns of parents and communities, and will push for new investments in expanding preK, improving classroom conditions and alleviating school overcrowding.”  We believe that De Blasio has a better understanding of the issues than the previous administration, and has made several positive changes, most notably the expansion of preKindergarten, but has yet to live up to his promises in other important areas.
The grades the Mayor received from NYC KidsPAC are decidedly mixed, ranging from “A” and “A-“ on cell phones, school closings, and arts education, to a “B” on testing, and a “D” on co-locations, space planning, parent engagement and input, special education and student privacy.  He received an “F” on class size, transparency and accountability and diversity.
Shino Tanikawa, president of NYC KidsPAC and a Manhattan parent leader explained: “We thank Mayor de Blasio on his reversal of the cell phone ban and halting school closures, two issues that are important to many parents.  We are also encouraged by his commitment to arts education.  The Mayor expressed some very promising ideas for improving the governance of our school system during his campaign. For example, he proposed fixed terms for the Panel for Educational Policy members, and to ask Community Education Councils to vote on changes in school utilization including co-locations.  Then PEP members would be required to refer to those votes in their decision-making. None of these reforms have yet occurred, and we have seen many damaging co-locations approved without reference to the priorities of parents in those communities.   Our report gives him a “D” in the category of Co-locations, and an incomplete in Governance.  Though we hope that he will deliver on more of his promises soon, we must oppose the renewal of mayoral control without real checks and balances and more decision-making power given to parents and community members.”
Eduardo Hernandez, a member of Community Education Council in District 8 in the Bronx, said:  “NYC kids have just endured three strenuous days of ELA testing and will sit through another three days in math next week.  We gave the Mayor a “B” in this category, because the DOE has acknowledged that parents have the right to opt out their children out of testing, and engage in another activity. However, the DOE has not publicized this sufficiently, and many parents remain unaware of their rights.  The Mayor has neglected to reform the admissions process to gifted programs and to the five selective, specialized high schools under his control that still rely solely on test scores. Though when he ran for office, he pledged to make admissions to these programs and schools based on more holistic factors, they are still based solely on high-stakes exams with racially disparate outcomes.”
“Overcrowded classrooms and rising enrollments are pervasive problems that have plagued our children’s schools for far too long. We gave him an “Incomplete” because so far the de Blasio Administration has failed to act follow up on his promises to alleviate overcrowding by improving the school capital plan, which is months overdue.  The current version of the plan doesn’t meet one third of the actual need, given existing overcrowding and enrollment projections, and without improvement, NYC kids are likely result to be subjected to even more crammed conditions in the future,”  said Andy Lachman, head of Parent Leaders of Upper East Side Schools (PLUS).
As Gloria Corsino, president of the Citywide Council for District 75, pointed out, “Bill de Blasio gets an “F” when it comes to transparency and accountability.  Our education budget is no clearer than under Bloomberg; huge consulting contracts are still approved by the PEP with little or no explanation, including a $1 billion contract that was awarded to a company that had engaged in a kickback scheme.  Luckily, City Hall reversed that decision at the last minute, but this is a contract that should never have been proposed in the first place.  Freedom of Information requests are responded to no more quickly, and the DOE still refuses to count all the kids in trailers, including hundreds of students with disabilities, and thousands of high school students.  The recommendations of the Blue Book working group for improving the accuracy of DOE’s figures on overcrowding have still not been released to the public.”
Karen Sprowal, a parent leader in Upper Manhattan, gave some of the reasons why the Mayor received a “D” for Parent engagement: “It is very disappointing that parents have so little input under this administration.  The Chancellor now claims in court that School Leadership Teams, composed of half parents, have only advisory powers, which is contrary to state law.  The DOE revamped their parent survey without any input from parents, and took out what we considered the most important question, as to which improvement strategy we would most like to see in our schools, a question that has been asked by DOE since 2007.  Too often at Town Hall meetings, the Chancellor responds to parental concerns with a dismissive attitude. Sadly, we have also heard from many CEC members that they still feel their views are not consulted before important decisions are made.”
Leonie Haimson, Executive Director of Class Size Matters, said, “The Mayor gets an “F” on class size, because he has fulfilled none of his promises on this critical issue, the top priority of parents according to the DOE’s own surveys.  Despite his commitment to reduce class size significantly, and if necessary, raise funds to do so, class sizes remain at a fifteen year high in the early grades, and the administration has taken no action in this area or indicated that they intend to follow through in any way.  In fact, the Chancellor has repeatedly ignored the concerns expressed by educators and parents, and has stated that class size is not a problem that needs to be solved, despite the decision of the state’s highest court that NYC children are denied their constitutional rights because their classes are too large. “
“NYC KidsPAC gives the Mayor an “F” for diversity, as the well-documented segregation in NYC schools has not been addressed despite his campaign promises.  The administration has failed to respond to communities asking for district-wide solutions that have been shown to increase equity of access in numerous school systems across the country.  Mayor de Blasio has failed to live up to his obligation to address this civil rights issue by amending the admissions policies that stratify our schools,” concluded Lisa Donlan, President of Community Education Council in District One on the Lower East Side. 

EDUCATION REPORT CARD FOR MAYOR DE BLASIO

Big Education Ape: Special Nite Cap: Catch Up on Today's Post 4/24/15 #‎NPEChicago‬


Special Nite Cap - Catch Up on Today's Post 4/24/15


Special Nite Cap 

CORPORATE ED REFORM
I know not everyone can make it to Chicago this weekend -- but you can still be part of the action via the Livestream that will broadcast on as many as three channels. All the keynotes and many of the workshops will be available live, starting Saturday at 8:30 am central time at   www.schoolhouselive.org

 Please tweet with the hashtag ‪#‎NPEChicago‬ and help us trend #1 again like we did twice last year.

LIVE FROM CHICAGO, APRIL 25-26



In a time of austerity, Title I changes cause consternation in schools | Philadelphia Public School Notebook
In a time of austerity, Title I changes cause consternation in schools | Philadelphia Public School Notebook: In a time of austerity, Title I changes cause consternation in schoolsTrying to target more resources to the neediest schools, officials recalculated poverty levels and allocations. As a result, some schools gain and others lose funds. Photo: School District of PhiladelphiaThe School Distr
Bill Ayers to University Students: America’s ‘Game Is Over’ and ‘Another World’ Is Coming | Video | TheBlaze.com
Bill Ayers to University Students: America’s ‘Game Is Over’ and ‘Another World’ Is Coming | Video | TheBlaze.com: Bill Ayers to University Students: America’s ‘Game Is Over’ and ‘Another World’ Is ComingBill Ayers spoke at the University of Oregon last week on the subject of teaching and organizing for “social justice.”  His speech was not free of the radical sentiments he is well-known for espous
NPE 2015 Annual Conference Current List of Panels & Keynotes #‎NPEChicago‬
Speakers/Panels/Panelists – The Network For Public Education: The Queen of Soul and The Supremes at the NPE Conference In ChicagoKaren Lewis The Queen of SoulDiane Ravitch and The SupremesEvening Schedule TBASpeakers/Panels/PanelistsThe Network for Public Education has put together an impressive lineup for the 2nd Annual Conference. You can download the NPE Conference Schedule or you can view it h
Re-Elect Bennett Kayser for School Board 2015
ABOUT - Re-Elect Bennett Kayser for School Board 2015: Re-Elect Bennett Kayser for School Board 2015 Bennett Kayser & Wife Peggy KayserBennett Kayser is a prominent member of the community and has lived  in the Echo Park/Silver Lake area for over 40 years. He and his wife, Peggy Kayser, have raised two children, who attended local schools, and graduated from John Marshall High School.  Bennett
NPE and the Flying Fickle Finger of Fate | Reclaim Reform
NPE and the Flying Fickle Finger of Fate | Reclaim Reform: NPE and the Flying Fickle Finger of FatePosted on April 24, 2015by Ken PrevitiThe Flying Fickle Finger of Fate has interfered with my being able to attend the Network for Public Education Conference in Chicago on April 25 & 26.I paid my fee, had my panel accepted, and then…“Curse you, Flying Fickle Finger of Fate!” said I. (You may not
Randi Weingarten addresses the Pearson shareholder meeting - YouTube
Randi Weingarten addresses the Pearson shareholder meeting - YouTube: Randi Weingarten addresses the Pearson shareholder meetingOn April 25, 2015, AFT President Randi Weingarten attended Pearson's annual shareholder meeting to deliver AFT's petition and demand that Pearson look out for more than just its bottom line.
Thompson: Kristof Points the Way Toward Ending the Education Wars - This Week In Education:
This Week In Education: Thompson: Kristof Points the Way Toward Ending the Education Wars: Thompson: Kristof Points the Way Toward Ending the Education WarsThe New York Times’ Nick Kristof, in Beyond Education Wars, does what Babe Ruth supposedly did, and more. He points to where he'll hit a home run and then delivers a grand slam. Kristof articulates the best single suggestion for improving schoo
Duncan Denies that Opt Outers are being held at Gitmo #NPEChicago
Duncan Denies that Opt Outers are being held at GitmoCan't Make it to theNPE Conference In Chicago this Weekend?You Can "Virtually" Be There!!!THE NETWORK FOR PUBLIC EDUCATION NATIONAL CONFERENCEI know not everyone can make it to Chicago this weekend -- but you can still be part of the action via the Livestream that will broadcast on as many as three channels. All the keynotes and many o
Schooling in the Ownership Society: The real Common Core curriculum decision makers
Schooling in the Ownership Society: The real Common Core curriculum decision makers: The real Common Core curriculum decision makersHoughton Mifflin Harcourt (NASDAQ:HMHC) is a global learning company dedicated to changing people’s lives by fostering passionate, curious learners. -- Business WireIf you are wondering about how Common Core curriculum decisions are made and how agendas are set, this
Multiple Choices: How are charter schools funded? | Philadelphia Public School Notebook
Multiple Choices: How are charter schools funded? | Philadelphia Public School Notebook:Multiple Choices: How are charter schools funded? Photo: Charles MostollerWhat makes charter school funding a point of contention?With education funds scarce in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, the debate over how charter schools get their money has never been more polarized.The stakes are huge: In the 2013-14
Mike Klonsky's SmallTalk Blog: Deb Meier
Mike Klonsky's SmallTalk Blog: Deb Meier: Deb MeierSpecial thanks to my friend Deb Meier for spending time with our group of local educators Wednesday and my doc students last night. Discussion topics ranged from Habits of Mind, to misuse of testing, to early childhood play, to the small schools movement. Deb is in town for AERA and for the upcoming NPE Conference where she is participating in thr
Jersey Jazzman: Tests Don't Fund Schools
Jersey Jazzman: Tests Don't Fund Schools: Tests Don't Fund Schools So let me get this straight: rich white kids not taking enough tests is the civil rights issue of our time?John White, as reformy a guy as you'll ever find, seems to think so (all emphases in this post are mine):John White, state superintendent of Louisiana, took that argument further, calling state testing "an absolutely esse
Why Aren't More School Leaders and Teachers Joining Forces to Get Rid of Destructive Policy? - Teacher in a Strange Land - Education Week Teacher
Why Aren't More School Leaders and Teachers Joining Forces to Get Rid of Destructive Policy? - Teacher in a Strange Land - Education Week Teacher: Why Aren't More School Leaders and Teachers Joining Forces to Get Rid of Destructive Policy?By Nancy FlanaganI've recently been in a juicy conversation with a retired school superintendent, a popular and gifted principal who left his school, after feeli
Schools Matter: What are Ref Rodriguez's ties to the Gülen cult, and why is the Armenian community supporting Bennett Kayser?
Schools Matter: What are Ref Rodriguez's ties to the Gülen cult, and why is the Armenian community supporting Bennett Kayser?: What are Ref Rodriguez's ties to the Gülen cult, and why is the Armenian community supporting Bennett Kayser?“Review of the financial statements and accounting records noted: non-disclosure of related party transactions; failure to maintain required fund reserves; failure
Detroit school board member vows to fight Snyder's plans
Detroit school board member vows to fight Snyder's plans: Detroit school board member vows to fight Snyder's plans Gov. Rick Snyder's expected education proposal sparked a packed house at Thursday's Detroit Public Schools board meeting — and a pledge from one board member to fight it."Between May and June, we'll have to take drastic action," LaMar Lemmons said during the meeting at the F
Only Alternative for Some Students Sitting Out Standardized Tests: Do Nothing - NYTimes.com
Only Alternative for Some Students Sitting Out Standardized Tests: Do Nothing - NYTimes.com: Only Alternative for Some Students Sitting Out Standardized Tests: Do Nothing Richard Hughes, the superintendent of Central Valley School District in upstate New York, is being haunted by two minivans and an S.U.V.All three vehicles have been circulating around town with painted-on messages of protest. One
Miami-Dade, fourth largest U.S. school district, dumps 290 standardized tests - The Washington Post
Miami-Dade, fourth largest U.S. school district, dumps 290 standardized tests - The Washington Post: Miami-Dade, fourth largest U.S. school district, dumps 290 standardized testsThe superintendent of the nation’s fourth largest school district, Alberto Carvalho of Miami-Dade public schools in Florida, just announced what he called “the most aggressive decommissioning of testing in the state of Flo
Newark teachers union to launch 'informational picket lines' in protest of superintendent | NJ.com
Newark teachers union to launch 'informational picket lines' in protest of superintendent | NJ.com: Newark teachers union to launch 'informational picket lines' in protest of superintendentDeborah Gregory, president of the Newark chapter of the NACCP, speaks at Newark Teachers Union press conference. (Naomi Nix | NJ Advance Media for NJ.com)NEWARK — The Newark Teachers union said Thursday its memb
Working paper says North Carolina charter schools are becoming more segmented - Business Insider
Working paper says North Carolina charter schools are becoming more segmented - Business Insider: A new study raises a troubling question about charter schoolsA new paper from three Duke University researchers studied the North Carolina charter school movement and came to a disturbing conclusion."Taken together, our findings imply that the charter schools in North Carolina are increasingly se
ASTRO TURF Students Matter goes on offensive against 'anti-Vergara' bills - LA School Report
Students Matter goes on offensive against 'anti-Vergara' bills - LA School Report: Students Matter goes on offensive against 'anti-Vergara' billsThe non-profit group behind the Vergara lawsuit, Students Matter, went on the offensive today against three bills introduced recently in the California legislature that the group says are “anti-Vergara” as well as unconstitutional.The bills, AB 753, AB 57
The Lessons of No Child Left Behind - NationalJournal.com
The Lessons of No Child Left Behind - NationalJournal.com:The Lessons of No Child Left BehindAs Congress debates a rewrite of the controversial education policy, what have we learned about closing achievement gaps?Fifteen years ago, presidential candidate George W. Bush stood before the NAACP's annual convention, and talked about advancing racial harmony and economic opportunity through education.
No juniors show up to take SBAC at Seattle high school
No juniors show up to take SBAC at Seattle high school: No juniors show up to take SBAC at Seattle high school SEATTLE -- Not a single 11th grade students showed up to take the SBAC test at Nathan Hale High School this week, a Seattle Public Schools spokesperson confirmed.The news that 100% of the 11th graders opted out of the test was first reported on an education blog.Earlier this year, teacher

YESTERDAY

The One about Bullying, Threats and Arne Duncan... - mrob's blog
The One about Bullying, Threats and Arne Duncan... - mrob's blog: The One about Bullying, Threats and Arne Duncan...The Secretary of State is supposed to be the nation's top diplomat.The Attorney General is supposed to be the nation's top lawyer.The Surgeon General is supposed to be the nation's top physician.So why is Arne Duncan, the nation's Secretary of Education, behaving more like a schoolya
Big Education Ape: Special Nite Cap: Catch Up on Today's Post 4/23/15
Special Nite Cap - Catch Up on Today's Post 4/23/15Special Nite Cap CORPORATE ED REFORMDueling Disabilities and the Hijacking of Special Education ServicesDueling Disabilities and the Hijacking of Special Education Services: Dueling Disabilities and the Hijacking of Special Education ServicesAPRIL 23, 2015 BY NANCY BAILEY 1 COMMENTSenate education committee members recently argued about an amendme

Duncan Denies that Opt Outers are being held at Gitmo