Meet Florida's Top Book Banner (The Daily Show)
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I remember the long-ago days when The Daily Show interviewed outlandish
individuals who were blissfully unaware that they were being set up by a
fake news ...
MEMES THAT MADE ME LAUGH TODAY 12-6
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*MEMES THAT MADE ME LAUGH TODAY 12-6*
Big Education Ape: THE FREE PRESS IS NO LONGER FREE: A TALE OF
BILLIONAIRES...
If Trump Chooses DeSantis to Replace Hegseth…
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The Miami Herald noted that Trump is considering dropping Pete Hegseth as
his nominee for Secretary of Defense and selecting Florida Governor Ron
DeSantis ...
Around the Public Education Horn
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[image: Image]
Look what's on the DOGE Dopey Boys list, *Head Start and Pell Grants.* I
would bet they get rid of some of the Department of Education in...
Gifts of Christmas Past
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In a holiday-themed archetype of legislative overreach, Alabama passed an
ethics law back in 2011, forbidding K-12 school teachers from accepting
expensive...
Trump and McMahon’s America First Agenda
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Linda McMahon, Trump's nominee for Secretary of Education, is Board Chair
of America First, which has an agenda for K-12 schools. It is filled with a
sub...
Building Community Amid Uncertain Doom
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Over the last few weeks, I’ve had good opportunities to be “in community.”
One of those opportunities happened at The Cutting Room, where School of
...
...
SPI Leads Effort to Protect U.S. Education Dept.
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State Superintendent Tony Thurmond meets with members of Congress, leading
effort across states to protect the United States Department of Education.
1798
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Year 1798
__________
Three alien acts gave the president the power “without trial or even a
statement of his reasons, to banish foreigners from the ...
Billionaire Sponsored Malarkey from Education Trust
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By Thomas Ultican 12/3/2024 Education Trust (aka EdTrust), using what it
calls equity analysis, critiqued various states’ Every Student Succeeds Act
(ESSA)...
Peace at the Thanksgiving Dinner Table
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I was concerned about having Thanksgiving with family because I did not
want to get into heated political discussions about the 2024 presidential
election....
Education Has Failed and What Can We Do Next?
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Education has failed to prepare children for the world today. Despite the
increased investment, impactful reforms, hardworking teachers and school
leaders,...
Defining Productivity, Cost, and Efficiency
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Recycled material here… The central problem with US public schools is often
characterized as an efficiency problem. We spend a lot and don’t get much
for i...
November Parent Engagement Resources
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Greeting a family in their preferred language is a small gesture that
demonstrates respect and eagerness to connect with parents. Creating a
Welcoming Envi...
An Apology
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I want to apologize for not responding personally to those who shared their
views on last week’s blog post, my analysis of why the Democrats lost.
I’ve be...
¡Si, ganamos!
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En victorias desde la Carolinia del Norte hacia el Estado de Washington y
Maine, encontramos la evidencia que cuando nos organizamos, ganamos.
Siempre encu...
A message from Quaker Meeting for Worship
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the branch of Society of Friends to which I belong is unprogrammed, we have
no designated ministers. Anyone who feels moved by the Spirit is free to
rise...
Try Substack?
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Seems like the popular new thing. Here’s my first try – it’s about
yesterday’s UFT Retired Teachers Chapter meeting – first ever not run by
Unity. (Spoiler...
Number 18 — A barely-hanging-on Blogoversary
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Blogoversary #18 SEPTEMBER 14, 2006 I started this blog while I was still
teaching, in 2006. I had just begun my 31st year as an educator. Just like
in pre...
Student "Growth" Measures Are STILL Biased
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This caught my attention:
New Jersey school districts may soon be evaluated differently, *with a
greater emphasis on student growth* as compared to stud...
AIN’T IT AWFUL
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As the terrible feelings of dread and angst spread across the world the
great majority of the American people feel powerless before the onslaught
of those ...
15 Questions for the Candidates
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Those citizens who fantasize about defying tyranny from within fortified
compounds have never understood how liberty is actually threatened in a
modern bur...
We are making a CPESS documentary!
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In 2020, I was approached by Deborah Meier and Jane Andrais and I decided
we should document the story of Central Park East Secondary School (CPESS).
This ...
The Sky is Falling, or is it?
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Well, this is the first anniversary of the introduction of Generative AI in
the form of ChatGPT to the world of education. Before it was a week old,
over o...
Vote NO on the UFT Contract. Here is Why:
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The best reason to vote no on this contract is this: UFT Unity* lied* to us
in 2018. They misrepresented that contract. It was predicated on deals we
wer...
Metaphors in ‘I Have a Dream’ Speech
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In this article, we will explore the powerful use of metaphors in Martin
Luther King Jr.’s “I Have a Dream” ...
Read more
Testimony to the CPS Truancy Task Force
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I prepared testimony for one of two public hearings held by the Chicago
Public Schools Truancy Task Force, a body mandated by state legislation.
The meetin...
Skin Deep
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She spends so much time on her outward appearance. There is never a hair
out of place. Her makeup is perfect and her clothes are stylish and match
to ...
There Is A Teacher Shortage.Not.
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THERE IS A TEACHER SHORTAGE. And just to be sure you understand, it’s not
that teachers don’t want to teach. It’s not that there aren’t enough
teachers cer...
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*Defeating the Purpose of Education*
*Updated: May 2024*
*Most people would agree that the primary purpose of education is to
prepare children for a good a...
THERE IS A TEACHER SHORTAGE. NOT!
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There is a teacher shortage.And just to be sure you understand, it's not
that teachers don't want to teach.It's not that there aren't enough
teachers certi...
Abortion: Only For Those Who Need It!
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NOTE: This post contains my opinions on Catholicism based on my experiences
as a child in the 1960's and 70's. Take what you like and leave the rest. I
m...
Book Banning Turns to Dick and Jane
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Breaking News: Dateline February 4, 2022 - Parents in Dimwitty, Alabama
have asked the Dimwitty Board of Education to ban the children's primer *Fun
with...
On the Edge of Silence
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“There is but one truly serious philosophical problem and that is suicide.
Judging whether life is or is not worth living amounts to answering the
fundamen...
Have You Heard Has a New Website
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TweetHave You Heard has a new website. Visit us at
www.haveyouheardpodcast.com to find our latest episodes and our entire
archive. And be sure to check out...
Follow me at Substack
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I've moved. Follow me at Substack
I'm now posting regularly at Substack. You can subscribe for free to my new
Edu/Pol blog at michaelklonsky.substack.com
...
Aspiring Teachers Get New Help Paying For College
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[image: colorful classroom pattern]
*; Credit: shuoshu/Getty Images*
Cory Turner | NPR
New rules kick in today that will help aspiring teachers pay for c...
Tips Akses Situs Judi Qq Tanpa Perlu Takut Nawala
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Kegiatan berjudi slot melalui situs judi qq online, sekarang sudah
dilakukan oleh banyak penjudi Indonesia. Tentu, Kamu yang sedang membaca
artikel ini a...
GA run-offs need your help!
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Extremely important. Volunteer if you can. Thank you if you are already
doing so. Out of state opportunities here: Ralph …
Continue reading →
The Threat of Integration
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I have lived in the same house in the Miracle Mile section of Los Angeles
for over 30 years, where up until now I have had little or no interaction
with th...
We fight for a democracy worthy of us all!
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The nation stands at a crossroads, said NEA President Lily Eskelsen GarcÃa
in her final keynote address to the 2020 NEA Representative Assembly and
it’s up...
A Fundamental Redesign of Our Schools
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I climbed the hill leading up to one of my favorite coffee shops in Seattle
this morning to enjoy a coffee while taking in a phenomenal view of the
city o...
The Passing Of Chaz 1951-2020 Age 69
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I am the son of Chaz and like to inform you that he passed away this
afternoon from the COVID virus. My father passed in peace beside his loved
ones. We ar...
Thoughts on schooling in the era of COVID-19
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Well, a whole lot has changed since I returned to blogging a month and half
ago. In case you didn't notice, and I'm sure everyone reading this did,
there's...
NAEP scores and "the science of reading"
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*Sent to US News. They just informed me that they no longer publish
letters to the editor. *
*Re: “National reading emergency” November 12*
*[https://www...
2019 NAEP Scores: Achievement Gap or …?
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Here you go: A ‘Disturbing’ Assessment: Sagging Reading Scores,
Particularly for Eighth-Graders, Headline 2019’s Disappointing NAEP Results
NAEP 2019: Re...
Cara Menang Bermain Judi Bola Online
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Bermain judi bola online tentu saja memiliki kesenangannya tersendiri baik
itu mendapatkan keuntungan maupun ketika menantikan hasil skor pada sebuah
perta...
A Storm is Coming! (…again)
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A new Commissioner will have as much impact on our state ed system as a new
meteorologist will have on …
Continue reading →
The World According to Michelle Rhee
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The men behind the curtain fashioning the brave new world of corporate run
education in America! Michelle Rhee is the founder of StudentsFirst, The
New T...
Blockchain: Life on the Ledger
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Originally posted on Wrench in the Gears:
I created this video as a follow up to the one I prepared last year on
Social Impact Bonds. It is time to examine...
New Local Businesses in Sacramento
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Starting a new local business in Sacramento is a monumental task, but can
be accomplished with footwork, perseverance and knowledge. One must learn
the loc...
3rd Grade Reading: Who is Failing?
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Education Trust Midwest has just released its study on third grade reading
and, predictably, the results aren’t great. This study uniquely compares
Michiga...
Opting out of the Dinosaur (end of year test)
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Today I sent in a second letter to refuse PARCC/CMAS for my son, Luke. The
first email I sent at the beginning of the year was not sufficient as they
requi...
Resurrection
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I realized it's Lent, but this blog, bless Jesus Christ, can't wait.
Ok, so with that said, I plan to discuss Class Action suits in existence,
as well as w...
IDEA Is Still The Law Of The Land
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Unless you've been living under a rock, you know the US Department of
Education (USDOE) rescinded 72 Dear Colleague and other letters of
explanation to ...
Education Is a Civic Question
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In their final post to end Bridging Differences' decade-long run, Deborah
Meier and Harry Boyte urge readers to put the energy, talents, wisdom, and
hard w...
Site News: New Home for Education News & Commentary
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Quick! Get over there! The daily education news roundup and education
commentaries that you're probably looking for are now being published over
at The Gra...
An Open Letter to NC Lawmakers
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An Open Letter to NC State Lawmakers and NC State Superintendent Mark
Johnson: I am a NC native, voter, and public school teacher. I am
addressing you all ...
The Secret to Fixing Schools (My Next Bestseller)
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The Secret to Fixing Schools (My next bestseller) Prologue I just finished
watching a fascinating documentary on Netflix entitled, “The Secret”. The
film p...
Farewell, Sleep
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Today is the official last day of my spring break. I've done a scientific
survey: My natural bedtime is 2 AM, and my natural wake up time is 9:41
AM. Tom...
Capturing the Spark
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It’s been a long time since InterACT was an active education blog, though I
remain quite proud of what we did here. Those of us who wrote blog posts
here h...
Random Musings and Observations. . . .
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I’ve been gone a while from the blogging scene. Some of my more regular
readers no doubt noticed but did not hassle me about it. Thank you for
that. Sinc...
MY NEW BLOG
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My new blog will consist of fictitious headlines, meant to be a blend of
humor and satire. I apologize ahead of time if any other satirical site has
simila...
Thank you
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Dear Readers,
Thank you for visiting *The Perimeter Primate*. This blog is being retired
for the time being. Although I no longer post here, I do still s...
I am Retiring
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I have some news: I am retiring from the PBS NewsHour and Learning Matters.
[[ This is a content summary only. Visit my website for full links, other
conte...
Flaws at the Heart of Current Education Reforms
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Originally posted on Creative by Nature:
“Teaching is an art form rooted in the wise and careful use of educational
research and assessment tools. When gove...
The MAP Test
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Teachers will be voting this afternoon on the contract that has been
tentatively agreed upon. I am asking all teachers to not allow an
evaluation system th...
Oakland Teachers Are on the Verge of a Strike After two wildcat strikes in recent months, Oakland teachers are now on the verge of a district-wide strike. Like other recent teacher walkouts, Oakland educators are up against a school-reform agenda pushed by billionaires.
Wherever there’s a battle over public education lately, a billionaire is somehow involved. Los Angeles, Newark, the “education reform” project as a whole — the ultrarich always have their hands in efforts to antagonize teachers.
One city they’ve now set their sights on: Oakland, where teachers are in the middle of union contract negotiations and just authorized a strike. Some teachers stayed out of school in one-day wildcat strikes in December and January, joined by many of their students. According to posts circulating on Facebook and Instagram, Oakland students have planned to call out sick in solidarity with teachers today.
Just like other teachers’ union battles these days, the contract fight pits students and working people against billionaire pro-corporate school reformers and the politicians backing them.
The superintendent of the Oakland Unified School District (OUSD), Kyla Johnson-Trammell, wants to cut teachers’ already low pay and expand class sizes. Independent of the contract fight, she also intends to replace public schools with more unaccountable charter schools.
Johnson-Trammell claims a budget crisis is forcing these moves. But the district’s “crisis,” like so many other claimed budgetary crises around the country, comes after school privatization advocates helped drain the district’s funds through previous charter expansions; their allies in the superintendent’s seat and on the school board have overspent wildly on administrative salaries and corporate consultants.
Charter schools are the thin wedge of the privatization movement. They open opportunities for profiteering, weaken teachers’ unions, and expand the control of the wealthy over the public school system. The superintendent’s plan to further expand charter enrollment would drain more resources from Oakland public schools, which would be used to justify more privatization. But the Oakland Education Association (OEA), the teachers’ union, is demanding that the district adequately fund its schools. They are asking for higher teacher pay, smaller class sizes, and lower workloads for staff.
Who caused OUSD’s budget woes? What political circumstances have enabled the school privatization movement to flourish in Oakland? And why do billionaires care so much about charter schools?
The OEA Contract Fight and the OUSD Budget
Oakland schools are currently experiencing a series of crises. OUSD has a severe problem keeping teachers in classrooms: about one in five teachers leave the district each year. High teacher turnover results in disruptions to student learning and a reliance on untrained teachers with emergency credentials. (In 2017–18, at least 15 percent of new OUSD teachers had emergency credentials, and at least 30 percent of teacher applicants did.)
Lessons Learned from the Los Angeles Teachers’ Strike – Robert Ward's "Rewarding Education" Blog for Teachers and Parents Lessons Learned from the Los Angeles Teachers’ Strike As a Los Angeles Unified School District teacher for the past 26 years, I was hoping to complete my career without ever going on strike. Nevertheless, I joined the 98% of United Teachers Los Angeles members who voted late l
CURMUDGUCATION: Field Guide To Strike Objectors Field Guide To Strike Objectors In my four decades of teaching, I went through a strike twice--once as a first year teacher, and once as the president of the local union. Writing about education, I have followed dozens more. No matter what kind of public support a strike is getting, there are always some familiar tunes you can expect to hear played
Teacher Merit Pay Is A Bad Idea Teacher Merit Pay Is A Bad Idea Florida's governor is planning to boost the state bonus program for teachers , even as Denver teachers are ready to strike over their district's version of an incentive program. So it's worth taking a moment to step back and remember why teacher merit pay and bonus systems are just a bad idea. First, they can't work like a private se
Want to Make Teaching Great Again? Here's How… | Eclectablog Want to Make Teaching Great Again? Here’s How… A recent story in the Washington Post’s “Answer Sheet” focused on the fates of the 4 finalists for 2016 National Teacher of the Year… Nate Bowling was the 2016 Washington state Teacher of the Year and one of four finalists for the National Teacher of the Year. There were three other finalis
Coverage of the LAUSD by the L.A. Daily News: News or Propaganda? Coverage of the LAUSD by the L.A. Daily News: News or Propaganda? This article first appeared on LASchoolReport.com, a nonprofit education news site covering Los Angeles schools and California policy and analyzing where the Golden State fits into the national conversation surrounding K-12 issues – Los Angeles Daily News Three weeks
Third Grade Flunk Laws–and (Un)intended Consequences | Teacher in a strange land Third Grade Flunk Laws–and (Un)intended Consequences Like many states , Michigan has a Third Grade Mandatory Retention law for students who are not reading at grade level in the statewide assessments. And like most states, the law is riddled with exceptions, loopholes and what you might call pre-existing conditions.
Charter schools are pushing public education to the breaking point | Salon.com Charter schools are pushing public education to the breaking point Charters are driving Boston’s public education system to the financial brink hen striking Los Angeles teachers won their demand to call for a halt to charter school expansions in California, they set off a domino effect, and now teachers in other large
The Trouble with Test-Obsessed Principals | gadflyonthewallblog The Trouble with Test-Obsessed Principals When I was a child, I couldn’t spell the word “principal.” I kept getting confused with its homonym “principle.” I remember Mr. Vay, the friendly head of our middle school, set me straight. He said, “You want to end the word with P-A-L because I’m not just your principal, I’m your pal!” And s
New Orleans Charter Schools Must Include Parents/Alumni as Board Members | deutsch29 New Orleans Charter Schools Must Include Parents/Alumni as Board Members If school choice is about empowering parents (also see here and here and here ), it seems that charter school boards would necessarily– automatically– definitely– include among their memberships the very parents who have been supposedly empo
Teaching at MetWest: A Big Picture School (Part 1) | Larry Cuban on School Reform and Classroom Practice Teaching at MetWest: A Big Picture School (Part 1) It is a Monday and the schedule at Oakland’s MetWest calls for an 8:30-10AM session with an Advisor/Teacher. I enter a spacious, well-lit room where 18 ninth graders are sitting in a circle with Nick Palmquist. He is wearing black jeans, a but
CURMUDGUCATION: IA: Choice Is Taxation Without Representation IA: Choice Is Taxation Without Representation An Iowa state senator has caught on to one of the problematic side effects of many choice programs-- disenfranchised taxpayers. Or, as somebody put it a while ago, taxation without representation. Iowa has long allowed open enrollment; an Iowa family can enroll their student in any public s
The myth of de facto segregation - kappanonline.org The myth of de facto segregation Today’s high levels of school segregation can be traced to specific government policies that created distinct White and Black neighborhoods. For nearly 30 years, the nation’s education policy makers have proceeded from the assumption that disadvantaged children would have much greater success in school if not for
Behind The Lens episode 18: ‘A very difficult and unpleasant decision that is part of the landscape in New Orleans’ | The Lens Behind The Lens episode 18: ‘A very difficult and unpleasant decision that is part of the landscape in New Orleans’ This week on Behind The Lens, New Orleans’ approach to education has resulted in a revolving door of education providers — charter schools — for the city’s
Hundreds of OUSD students walked out of class today. Two student organizers tell us what they’re protesting and what’s next for their movement. | East Bay Majority Hundreds of OUSD students walked out of class today. Two student organizers tell us what they’re protesting and what’s next for their movement. Students participate in a sickout and march in support of Oakland teachers, Feb. 8 Hundreds
The Privatization of Teaching Teachers How to Teach Reading: Cashing In on Kids! The Privatization of Teaching Teachers How to Teach Reading: Cashing In on Kids! Wondering about all the recent articles claiming teachers don’t know how to teach reading, and their education schools are failing them? It appears to be about nonprofits! These groups are competing with universities. They promise to bet
Hire More Black Teachers Now!: A research statement from BLM@School & J4J – Black Lives Matter At School Hire More Black Teachers Now!: A research statement from BLM@School & J4J W hat Does Public Education Have Against Black Teachers You may think this is an exaggeration, but an analysis of the data from Journey 4 Justice Alliance and the #WeChoose Coalition, shows that in at least six major cit
Time to get real about ‘open’ enrollment: what works, what’s a workaround? | The Lens Time to get real about ‘open’ enrollment: what works, what’s a workaround? I was proud that, as the most recent school performance scores were released, the state honored Harriet Tubman Charter School for both “equity” in its admissions practices and for achieving “top gains” in its academic performance. The twi
Sacramento teachers union requests investigation into school district Sacramento City teachers ask state schools chief to investigate district, superintendent SACRAMENTO, Calif. (KCRA) — The Sacramento City Teachers Association sent a letter to state officials requesting an investigation into the Sacramento City Unified School District and the superintendent. The request comes as the school distr
Sacramento teachers union requests investigation into school district Sacramento City teachers ask state schools chief to investigate district, superintendent SACRAMENTO, Calif. (KCRA) — The Sacramento City Teachers Association sent a letter to state officials requesting an investigation into the Sacramento City Unified School District and the superintendent. The request comes as the school distr
Portfolio School Governance Creates Unstable Charter Sector with Too Many School Closures | janresseger Portfolio School Governance Creates Unstable Charter Sector with Too Many School Closures In an important brief from the National Education Policy Center, William Mathis and Kevin Welner define “portfolio school reform”—a school district governance theory which originated at the Center on Reinv
Charter Schools Are Pushing Public Education to the Brink Charter Schools Are Pushing Public Education to the Brink When striking Los Angeles teachers won their demand to call for a halt to charter school expansions in California, they set off a domino effect, and now teachers in other large urban districts are making the same demand . Unchecked charter school growth is also bleeding into 2020 el
Cory Booker Has a Betsy DeVos Problem – Mother Jones Cory Booker Has a Betsy DeVos Problem “I became a pariah in Democratic circles for taking on the party orthodoxy on education.” In the spring of 2012, Cory Booker delivered the keynote address at the third annual School Choice Policy Summit at a Westin hotel in Jersey City, New Jersey. For a half hour, the then-Newark mayor told hundreds of att
Judge Orders District to Arbitrate Its Refusal to Implement Our Restructured Salary Schedule - Sacramento City Teachers Association JUDGE ORDERS DISTRICT TO ARBITRATE ITS REFUSAL TO IMPLEMENT OUR RESTRUCTURED SALARY SCHEDULE Upholds SCTA Motion to Compel Sac City to Honor Arbitration Clause of our Contract Sacramento (February 6, 2019): In a huge legal victory, the Sacramento County Superior Cour
What I will never forget about the State of the Union - Lily's Blackboard What I will never forget about the State of the Union So, yes, I was in the House gallery to hear Donald Trump’s surreal State of the Union address. But no, it was certainly not by his invitation. I was invited by the most powerful woman in the United States of America, Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi, who single-handedly
Teachers At Four Chicago Charter School Campuses Walk Out | PopularResistance.Org TEACHERS AT FOUR CHICAGO CHARTER SCHOOL CAMPUSES WALK OUT With contract talks stalled after nine months of negotiations, 175 teachers at four Civitas campuses, part of Chicago International Charter School (CICS), walked out on strike Tuesday at 6 a.m. Teachers and staff are seeking raises, smaller class sizes, a red
#BlackLivesMatterAtSchool Twitter Chat: A national conversation on this week of action & the demand for #CounselorsNotCops – Black Lives Matter At School #BlackLivesMatterAtSchool Twitter Chat: A national conversation on this week of action & the demand for #CounselorsNotCops e are excited to announce the national #BlackLivesMatterAtSchool twitter chat at 9pm Eastern/6pm Pacific so we can learn a
Defining ‘High-Quality’ Curriculum | Teacher in a strange land Defining ‘High-Quality’ Curriculum Hey, remember when Bill Gates and his disciples were pushing the Common Core and every day there was another info piece published in Ed World saying, emphatically and even snippily, that these were STANDARDS, not a CURRICULUM? Remember those assurances that a national consensus on standards and relia
Will Booker’s Track Record on Education Be a Problem for his 2020 Campaign? - NJ Spotlight WILL BOOKER’S TRACK RECORD ON EDUCATION BE A PROBLEM FOR HIS 2020 CAMPAIGN? His vision for improving education has included charter schools and merit pay for teachers — views that are out of fashion for many Democrats Sen. Cory Booker is running for president — and bringing a lengthy record on education wit
CURMUDGUCATION: DC: Charter Leaders Make The Big Bucks DC: Charter Leaders Make The Big Bucks It's a phenomenon noted in many urban education-scapes. The leaders (CEO, Education Visionary, Grand High Muckity Muck, whatever) of a charter operation makes far more money than a) the local public school superintendent responsible for far more students and b) the teachers who work within the charter. B
Striking Schoolteachers Have Changed the National Conversation about Our Public Schools | janresseger Striking Schoolteachers Have Changed the National Conversation about Our Public Schools The editor of Current Affairs , Nathan Robinson offers a profound critique of President Barack Obama and Education Secretary Arne Duncan’s signature education policy, Race to the Top. Race to the Top epitomize
#CounselorsNotCops: Black Girl at Pennsylvania high school brutalized in latest assault by a school police officer; Black Lives Matter At School rallies around the country on Feb. 6-7th. – Black Lives Matter At School #CounselorsNotCops: Black Girl at Pennsylvania high school brutalized in latest assault by a school police officer; Black Lives Matter At School rallies around the country on Feb. 6
Oakland Educators Authorize Strike | PopularResistance.Org OAKLAND EDUCATORS AUTHORIZE STRIKE 95% vote to strike for smaller class size, student support and living wage Oakland educators are ready to walk off the job and onto the picket line to fight for smaller class sizes, more student support and a living wage, following a strike authorization vote that saw a whopping 95 percent of Oakland tea
Erika Christakis: Active-Shooter Drills Are Misguided - The Atlantic Active-Shooter Drills Are Tragically Misguided There’s scant evidence that they’re effective. They can, however, be psychologically damaging—and they reflect a dismaying view of childhood. A T 10:21 a.m. on december 6, Lake Brantley High School, in Florida, initiated a “code red” lockdown. “This is not a drill,” a voice announce
ACE (Adverse Childhood Experience) Scores: Part of the “Pay for Success” Plan? – Wrench in the Gears ACE (Adverse Childhood Experience) Scores: Part of the “Pay for Success” Plan? A red flag for me in Gavin Newsom’s “child-friendly” proposed budget was the $ 45 million he allocated to screen children and adults in Medi-Cal for ACEs. I’m writing this post to express serious reservations I have abo
ALEC and Corporate Reformers Make It Hard for Teachers to Cement Gains from Last Year’s Strikes | janresseger ALEC and Corporate Reformers Make It Hard for Teachers to Cement Gains from Last Year’s Strikes How can we rid our states of all the education “reform” that has, over the past two decades become part of state education laws—or which legislatures friendly to corporate reform continue to in
CURMUDGUCATION: Portfolio School Management For Dummies Portfolio School Management For Dummies One of the issues that was hanging over the Los Angeles teacher strike is the idea of portfolio management; the UTLA asserts that Superintendent Austin Beutner already has a plan prepared for converting the LAUSD to a multi-portfolio model. In Denver, the model has already been rolled out, to less than
“Hard” and “Soft” Effectiveness in Schools | Larry Cuban on School Reform and Classroom Practice “Hard” and “Soft” Effectiveness in Schools The idea of students learning “hard” and “soft” skills in school has gone viral among educators and policymakers in the past decade (see here and here ). “Soft” skills refers to people skills of communication, sensitivity, and social awareness that permits st
NYC Public School Parents: Many questions remain as to the reliability of the state’s new list of struggling schools and why some schools were taken off the list and others not Many questions remain as to the reliability of the state’s new list of struggling schools and why some schools were taken off the list and others not On January 17, 2019, Commissioner Elia released a new list of “strugglin
Governor Orders Study on Charter School Impacts – California Educator Governor Orders Study on Charter School Impacts Newsom working with legislators to improve charter accountability, transparency In response to growing concerns about unregulated charter schools siphoning public funds away from neighborhood public schools, Gov. Gavin Newsom called for a study on the impacts of charter school gro
The Kind Of Policy We Must Never Make Again | Current Affairs THE KIND OF POLICY WE MUST NEVER MAKE AGAIN “Race To The Top” education funding showed every bad tendency of contemporary liberalism… Detroit’s public schools suffer from widespread maintenance issues. Facilities need half a billion dollars worth of repairs , which officials admit are simply not going to happen in the short run. Here’s
The LAUSD Superintendent’s Web of Deceit The LAUSD Superintendent’s Web of Deceit Test Two may be more daunting — namely, explaining why [Austin Beutner] put a scandal-plagued and #MeToo-accused former State Assemblymember on the district payroll as a lobbyist. -Bill Raden, Capital & Main Instead of meeting with United Teachers Los Angeles (UTLA) in the days leading up to the Los Angeles Unified
Policy Makers Need a New Path to Education Reform - The Atlantic I Used to Preach the Gospel of Education Reform. Then I Became the Mayor. Policy makers need to question their assumptions about what makes a good school. During my first campaign to be Chicago’s mayor in 2011, I promised to put education reform at the forefront of my agenda. Having participated in Washington policy debates for the
Charter Schools Didn’t Change the World—Now Let’s Move Beyond That Tired Debate Charter Schools Didn’t Change the World—Now Let’s Move Beyond That Tired Debate A quarter century later, the verdict is in: Charter schools aren’t the panacea their proponents hoped. Now let’s lay down our arms and help the kids. The recent LA teachers strike, and the school board’s vote to recommend a moratorium on n
Charter Schools: The Issue is Not Student Scores on High-Stakes Standardized Tests Produced by Big Business | Dissident Voice Charter Schools: The Issue is Not Student Scores on High-Stakes Standardized Tests Produced by Big Business Charter school supporters and promoters have long been severely obsessed with comparing charter school and public school students’ scores on expensive curriculum-nar
Dress code discrimination: When OK attire depends on your skin color When acceptable attire depends on the color of your skin Parental dress codes are a thing in some educational institutions Every day educators teach students the adage, “Don’t judge a book by its cover.” Many are familiar with the biblical verse, “Judge not, that ye be not judged.” Martin Luther King, Jr. dreamed that one day we
Sacramento school district threatens bankruptcy to extort concessions from teachers - World Socialist Web Site Sacramento school district threatens bankruptcy to extort concessions from teachers As school districts in Oakland and Los Angeles, California prepare for new spending cuts in the face of widespread teacher and working class opposition, the Sacramento City Unified School District (SCUSD)
Long-Time School Privatizer, Cory Booker Enters 2020 Race as Democratic Presidential Contender | janresseger Long-Time School Privatizer, Cory Booker Enters 2020 Race as Democratic Presidential Contender Public education policy is not usually something on which Presidential candidates have a solid record. They make their cases on foreign, economic, and environmental policy. The future of public s
It’s ‘Black Lives Matter at School Week': Why that matters, and how classrooms are taking part - The Washington Post It’s ‘Black Lives Matter at School Week': Why that matters, and how classrooms are taking part It speaks to our times that this year’s Black Lives Matter at School Week of Action starts when the Democratic governor of Virginia, Ralph Northam, is under intense pressure to resign. Th
Pittsburgh Christian Academy Tries to Become a Charter School to Cash in on Taxpayer Funding | gadflyonthewallblog Pittsburgh Christian Academy Tries to Become a Charter School to Cash in on Taxpayer Funding The line between public and private school is getting awfully thin in Pittsburgh. City public school directors received a request from Imani Christian Academy , a religious school in the East
Tipping Points: Are Charter Schools Oversaturating Their Markets? | Capital & Main Tipping Points: Are Charter Schools Oversaturating Their Markets? Studies have found charter school glut and hyper-competition in many neighborhoods. Evidence suggests that beyond challenging traditional schools, charters are also a growing threat to other charter schools. Charter school supporters maintain that th
Thoughts and prayers for Fla public schools - YouTube enrique baloyra @nenebalo YouTube Once more for anyone who still hasn’t gotten the memo: Evolution and climate change are settled science. I know, evolution is called a “theory.” But it’s not. No matter what the wingnuts on talk radio say. Evolution is a fact. And climate change is caused by humans. But now a Florida politician who says school
Sentencing guideline offered for teacher misconduct :: K-12 Daily :: The Essential Resource for Superintendents and the Cabinet Sentencing guideline offered for teacher misconduct (Calif.) New penalty instructions for educator misconduct will be considered this week by the state’s Commission on Teacher Credentialing. The guidelines are intended to help standardize outcomes in malpractice cases ge
Black Lives Matter At School week of action begins today. Here’s what you need to know to be ready. – Black Lives Matter At School Black Lives Matter At School week of action begins today. Here’s what you need to know to be ready. oday, Monday, February 4th officially marks the launch of the second annual national Black Lives Matter At School week of action. Supporters will be posting their photo
Democrats for Education Reform was behind text campaign seeking to prevent teacher strike Democrats for Education Reform was behind text campaign seeking to prevent teacher strike Democrats for Education Reform was behind a text message campaign urging Denver residents to write Gov. Jared Polis and Denver school board members in support of a key aspect of the district’s pay proposal and in opposi
Teachers For Social Justice: Black Lives Matter at Schools National week of Action: Feb 4 - Feb 8 Black Lives Matter at Schools National week of Action: Feb 4 - Feb 8 Join the National Week of Actions for Black Lives Matter at Schools. Starting Monday, February 4 th educators in cities across the country will draw closer attention to four national demands An end of zero tolerance policies Black s
Badass Teachers Association: BAT member highlight: Increase the number of school counselors in our schools! Badass Teachers Association: BAT member highlight: Increase the number of school counselors in our schools! Heather Marcus has been a member of Badass Teachers Association for four years. As a member that joins in on our conversations often, she began to have that moment of realization that
Week of Action: Black Lives Matter at School - Lily's Blackboard Week of Action: Black Lives Matter at School This is Black Lives Matter at School Week , and the NEA is proud to support a movement that is all about sparking conversations that will protect our students and ensure that no matter their racial or ethnic background, they have the support and tools they need in schools. What this week—
Mississippi lawmakers propose ‘license to harass’ for transphobic teachers – ThinkProgress Mississippi lawmakers propose ‘license to harass’ for transphobic teachers It's the first bill of its kind in the country. Mississippi lawmakers have proposed new legislation that would ensure teachers cannot be disciplined if they refuse to respect a transgender student’s gender identity. This “license to
How Los Angeles Teachers Organized and What They Won - Progressive.org How Los Angeles Teachers Organized and What They Won “It’s really hard to overstate the incredible feeling of empowerment, solidarity, and joy that you saw in school site picket lines and at the massive rallies that we held every single day.” Los Angeles, the nation’s second largest school district, was rocked by a six-day str
Marie Corfield: Super "Bowling For Dollars" — How Politicians & The @NFL Screw Taxpayers Super "Bowling For Dollars" — How Politicians & The @NFL Screw Taxpayers Happy Super Bowl LIII! Today is Georgia taxpayers' day to get screwed! During the NFC & AFC playoffs, I wrote about the financial train wreck that was Super Bowl XLVIII, played in New Jersey in 2014, and how the NFL and its teams reap al
HAVE YOU BEEN BLOCKED FORM COMMENTING ON YOUR SCHOOL DISTRICT'S SOCIAL MEDIA ACCOUNT Threat of SCTA first amendment lawsuit forces Superintendent Aguilar to unblock posters to Sac City social media accounts. Facing a threat of a first amendment lawsuit from SCTA, Superintendent Jorge Aguilar unblocked posters to the District’s social media accounts. In a Friday evening letter to SCTA, Mr. Aguilar
School Reform for Social Justice?* | Larry Cuban on School Reform and Classroom Practice School Reform for Social Justice?* Should public schools in a democracy prepare students for what is or what should be? This question about the fundamental role of public schools in a democracy has been asked repeatedly by reformers since John Dewey’s “ Pedagogic Creed ” appeared in 1897. The question continu
Deborah Gist Used to Fight Teachers Unions. Now She’s Marching With Them. - POLITICO Magazine Deborah Gist Used to Fight Teachers Unions. Now She’s Marching With Them. How a hardcore education reformer switched sides in the teacher wars. TULSA, Oklahoma — On a fall morning in 2018, veteran technology teacher Abraham Kamara was working with his robotics team at Memorial Junior High School when Tul
How Teachers in Baton Rouge Beat ExxonMobil | Diane Ravitch's blog How Teachers in Baton Rouge Beat ExxonMobil In the Public Interest, a nonpartisan organization that fights privatization of public assets, reports good news from Louisiana: ExxonMobil is the world’s largest publicly traded oil and gas corporation , often cutting deals with authoritarian leaders in countries like Angola and Equator
CURMUDGUCATION: ICYMI: Really Big List Edition (2/3) ICYMI: Really Big List Edition (2/3) Was it the cold? Did we all just have more time to wander the internet? I don't know, but it's a huge list this week. Remember to share-- that's how the word gets out. LA Strike: Charters Are An Existential Threat To Public Education The LA strike was extraordinary in that it addressed so much more than wage
Charter/Community Schools & Partnerships: Privatization Ending Public Education Charter/Community Schools & Partnerships: Privatization Ending Public Education A charter school can be a community school, and vice versa. ~ National Center for Community Schools There’s new school management these days that might seem nice, but scratch beneath the service and it is privatization and the theft of Ame
Texas Hangs Sword of Damocles Over Houston Schools | tultican Texas Hangs Sword of Damocles Over Houston Schools When the Houston Independent School District (HISD) Board refused to privatize four schools , state takeover of the district became likely. States taking over school districts have an awful track record. Takeovers in Philadelphia, Newark, Detroit and Tennessee have been long running di
Los Angeles Asks For a Charter School Pause Los Angeles Asks For a Charter School Pause “ This resolution does not impact a single LAUSD charter school or charter school student. It does not create a cap…and it doesn’t create a ban. ” – LAUSD Board Member Scott Schmerelson “ Vote NO on the charter ban! #NoCharterBan ” – California Charter School Association The resolution before the Los Angeles U
Sinclair brings Betsy DeVos and the education privatization echo chamber to local news Sinclair brings Betsy DeVos and the education privatization echo chamber to local news DeVos’ softball interview with Sinclair’s Boris Epshteyn promotes an extreme agenda, and it’s airing on local news stations across the country Secretary of Education Betsy DeVos is the latest member of President Donald Trump’
Charter Schools Are Not Public Schools Charter Schools Are Not Public Schools Modern charter schools prefer to attach the word "public" to their descriptions. Many of the charter advocacy groups include "public charter" in their title. And truthfully, there are no regulations attached to the term--any school can attach the word "public" to its title without having to worry about any sort of penal
Ed Notes Online: School Scope: Teachers Go Wild with Strikes in Virginia, Denver, Los Angeles, and a Wildcat in Oakland School Scope: Teachers Go Wild with Strikes in Virginia, Denver, Los Angeles, and a Wildcat in Oakland Published in The WAVE print edition, Feb. 1, 2019. www.rockawave.com School Scope: Teachers Go Wild with Strikes in Virginia, Denver, Los Angeles, and a Wildcat in Oakland By N
Professors for Black Lives: An outpouring of support for BLM@School week in higher education! – Black Lives Matter At School Professors for Black Lives: An outpouring of support for BLM@School week in higher education! Citing the need to “promote equity; the value of human life; and educational, political, and social justice,” scores of professors from institutions of higher education from around
Top Posts This Week 2/2/19 CURMUDGUCATION: The Truth About Davos, AI, and Firing All the Humans ERIC BLANC: Never Trust a Billionaire’s Antiracism Lessons from the LA Teachers Strike Challenging the myths about teachers –