Top Posts This Week 6/8/19 #REDFORED #CTA

Big Education Ape

Top Posts This Week 6/8/19

Seattle Schools Community Forum: Gay Pride Month Starts Today

Top Posts This Week 6/1/19 #REDFORED #CTA

Jackie Goldberg Hits the LAUSD Board Running

Measure EE Puts Your LAUSD Child First – Carl J. Petersen – Medium

Did Austin Beutner Sabotage Measure EE?

Measure EE Puts Your LAUSD Child First

The Birthday Bike Ride Challenge | The Merrow Report

Bad News from L.A.: Landlords Win, Students Lose | Diane Ravitch's blog

Stop Saving History | Blue Cereal Education

CATCH UP WITH CURMUDGUCATION: + One Year Retireversary Edition (6/2)

Top Posts This Month 6/8/19

Why This Teacher Needs Jackie Goldberg on the School Board

Seattle Schools Community Forum: Gay Pride Month Starts Today

Jackie Goldberg Hits the LAUSD Board Running

Top Posts This Week 6/1/19 #REDFORED #CTA

Measure EE Puts Your LAUSD Child First – Carl J. Petersen – Medium

Did Austin Beutner Sabotage Measure EE?

CATCH UP WITH CURMUDGUCATION: + ICYMI: Birthday Eve Edition (5/19)

The Resegregation of Baton Rouge Public Schools - The Atlantic

Teaching and Learning in the Age of the Technocrats

Anand Giridharadas on Kara Swisher podcast Recode Decode - Vox

Posts This Week 6/8/19

With A Brooklyn Accent: The Warren/Charter School Flap: Perspectives of a Bay Area Educator

by Mike Simpson / 13min

With A Brooklyn Accent: The Warren/Charter School Flap: Perspectives of a Bay Area Educator The Warren/Charter School Flap: Perspectives of a Bay Area Educator The following was just sent to me by a Bay Area Educator to provide some context as to why Elizabeth Warren's choice of a charter school teacher to honor at her rally was so controversial It focuses less on Warren and the young teacher she

Dear Teachers: Please Don't Make Your Lessons Relevant

by Mike Simpson / 57min

Dear Teachers: Please Don't Make Your Lessons Relevant Dear Teachers: Please Don't Make Your Lessons Relevant When I was getting my teacher training way back in the 1970s, we used to hear a great deal about making our teaching relevant. It took me several years of teaching to figure out why that was terrible advice. And it hasn't ever gone away . It seems to make sense. Connect your lesson on par

CURMUDGUCATION: The Twins Are Two

by Mike Simpson / 2h

CURMUDGUCATION: The Twins Are Two The Twins Are Two The Board of Directors celebrated its birthday this week. Okay, they're two, so "celebrate" might be a bit of a stretch, because they didn't really know what exactly was happening other than it involved cake and ice cream and some new toys. This is not my first parenting rodeo; I have two older children and a trio of grandchildren who are, in my

Seattle Schools Community Forum: Two More WA State Charter Schools to Close

by Mike Simpson / 3h

Seattle Schools Community Forum: Two More WA State Charter Schools to Close Two More WA State Charter Schools to Close I knew this was likely coming. How? Because of the low number of applications to the Washington Charter Commission. Because of the low number of applications approved. And that one other charter school also closed this year closed this year. That line from the Washington Policy C

School vouchers expand despite evidence of negative effects

by Mike Simpson / 3h

School vouchers expand despite evidence of negative effects School vouchers expand despite evidence of negative effects For the past couple of decades, proponents of vouchers for private schools have been pushing the idea that vouchers work . They assert there is a consensus among researchers that voucher programs lead to learning gains for students – in some cases bigger gains than with other re

New Haven parents initiate recall action against three school board members over teachers strike – The Mercury News

by Mike Simpson / 3h

New Haven parents initiate recall action against three school board members over teachers strike – The Mercury News New Haven parents initiate recall action against three school board members over teachers strike 'This is not a playground for disagreements' Fed up with a teachers strike that’s almost three weeks old, a group of parents have launched a move to recall three New Haven school board m

With A Brooklyn Accent: Will The Next Democratic President Appoint Another Charter School Missionary as Secretary of Education?

by Mike Simpson / 3h

With A Brooklyn Accent: Will The Next Democratic President Appoint Another Charter School Missionary as Secretary of Education? Will The Next Democratic President Appoint Another Charter School Missionary as Secretary of Education? Just to clear the record: I am not in favor of closing charter schools or demonizing those who work in or attend them. Some of my best students have gone to charter sc

Respect for Teaching: One Teacher’s Story | Larry Cuban on School Reform and Classroom Practice

by Mike Simpson / 4h

Respect for Teaching: One Teacher’s Story | Larry Cuban on School Reform and Classroom Practice Respect for Teaching: One Teacher’s Story To be a teacher is honored in name, with awards, and fond memories of former students. Sometimes, however, those honors and memories are betrayed, albeit inadvertently, by bureaucratic rules that reveal disrespect for teaching. I describe here an incident that

June 13: Advocacy and DC Education – Education Town Hall Forum

by Mike Simpson / 4h

June 13: Advocacy and DC Education – Education Town Hall Forum JUNE 13: ADVOCACY AND DC EDUCATION Education Town Hall on Thursday June 13 will feature a discussion about advocacy and DC education: specifically, what education advocacy in DC looks like, what it can (and cannot) do, and how parents, teachers, students, and community members can effectively mobilize and advocate for their public sch

THIS WEEK Education Research Report

by Mike Simpson / 4h

Education Research Report THIS WEEK Education Research Report Teens sleep longer, are more alert for homework when school starts later by Jonathan Kantrowitz / 16h Preliminary findings from a new study of middle school and high school students suggest that they got more sleep and were less likely to feel too sleepy to do homework after their district changed to later school start times. In fall 2

This Week With Larry Ferlazzo's Websites of the Day... The latest news and resources in education since 2007

by Mike Simpson / 4h

Larry Ferlazzo's Websites of the Day... | The latest news and resources in education since 2007 This Week With Larry Ferlazzo's Websites of the Day... The latest news and resources in education since 2007 Classroom Instruction Resources Of The Week by Larry Ferlazzo / 19min Each week, I publish a post or two containing three or four particularly useful resources on classroom instruction, and you

KEEP UP/ CATCH UP WITH DIANE RAVITCH'S BLOG A site to discuss better education for all

by Mike Simpson / 4h

Diane Ravitch's blog | A site to discuss better education for all KEEP UP/ CATCH UP WITH DIANE RAVITCH'S BLOG A site to discuss better education for all Big Education Ape: My New Book Was Just Announced! | Diane Ravitch's blog - https://bigeducationape.blogspot.com/2019/05/my-new-book-was-just-announced-diane.html Michigan: The New State Superintendent Brings Hope for Real Change by dianeravitch

YESTERDAY

CA Charter School Policy Task Force Report

by Mike Simpson / 23h

CA Charter School Policy Task Force Report CLICK HERE TO READ THE PDF

UCLA study finds schools across the country are becoming increasingly segregated | Daily Bruin

by Mike Simpson / 23h

UCLA study finds schools across the country are becoming increasingly segregated | Daily Bruin UCLA study finds schools across the country are becoming increasingly segregated American public schools are increasingly segregated along the lines of race and income, a study found. A report from the Civil Rights Project at UCLA and the Center for Education and Civil Rights at the Pennsylvania State U

Poverty & Reading: The Sad and Troubling Loss of School Libraries and Real Librarians

by Mike Simpson / 23h

Poverty & Reading: The Sad and Troubling Loss of School Libraries and Real Librarians Poverty & Reading: The Sad and Troubling Loss of School Libraries and Real Librarians My last post listed reasons why many children don’t learn to read. Poverty was behind many of the items. Poor students attend poor schools where they miss out on the arts, a whole curriculum, even qualified, well prepared teach

Schools Should Serve Humans, Not “The Economy”

by Mike Simpson / 1d

Schools Should Serve Humans, Not “The Economy” Schools Should Serve Humans, Not “The Economy” Bernie Sanders’s education policies are the most progressive of any 2020 candidate. But his platform must reject the pro-business language of “competitiveness” to truly transform the education system. It’s no stretch to say that Bernie Sanders’s platform is by far “ the most progressive ” and equitable p

Bernie Sanders Vigorously Criticizes Charter Schools | Diane Ravitch's blog

by Mike Simpson / 1d

Bernie Sanders Vigorously Criticizes Charter Schools | Diane Ravitch's blog Bernie Sanders Vigorously Criticizes Charter Schools Despite the outrage of the privatization movement, which attacked Bernie Sanders for his position on charters, Sanders doubled down by publishing an article in the San Jose Mercury News reiterating his views. Here is an excerpt, where he accurately cites the study by Go

Schools Matter: If Vouchers Don't Measure Up, Just Change the Measure

by Mike Simpson / 1d

Schools Matter: If Vouchers Don't Measure Up, Just Change the Measure If Vouchers Don't Measure Up, Just Change the Measure I have thought for some time that the biggest threat to the hegemony of the testing accountability complex will come from the school privatization movement, whose own researchers know in dark center of their whoring hearts that charter schools and voucher schools more often

CURMUDGUCATION: Talking Point Update: Focus on Fit

by Mike Simpson / 1d

CURMUDGUCATION: Talking Point Update: Focus on Fit Talking Point Update: Focus on Fit This has been going on for a while, but just in case you've missed this rhetorical shift, I want to highlight the tweaking of a reformy talking point. Complete this sentence: "We need school choice because____________________" The classic answer has been "because students need to escape failing public schools."

Badass Teachers Association Blog: Charter School Teacher Introduces Elizabeth Warren at Rally by Steven Singer

by Mike Simpson / 1d

Badass Teachers Association Blog: Charter School Teacher Introduces Elizabeth Warren at Rally by Steven Singer Charter School Teacher Introduces Elizabeth Warren at Rally by Steven Singer Originally posted at: https://gadflyonthewallblog.com/2019/06/04/charter-school-lobbyist-introduces-elizabeth-warren-at-rally/?fbclid=IwAR0v-Cnm7aT7eaICzVPUI7YzK0_DBq5eQsEEVwlF7_yG5ttMF6WwDWs6LKQ CORRECTION: In

Steven Singer Issues a Correction | Diane Ravitch's blog

by Mike Simpson / 1d

Steven Singer Issues a Correction | Diane Ravitch's blog Steven Singer Issues a Correction Steven Singer writes: CORRECTION: In the first draft of my article , I called Sonya Mehta a “Charter School Lobbyist” in the title. On further examination of the facts, I realize this is unfair. She was a charter school TEACHER. I apologize to Ms. Mehta and truly regret any harm I have done her. I have chan

West Virginia Teachers Keep On Fighting As Legislature Debates Charter Schools and Education Savings Accounts | janresseger

by Mike Simpson / 1d

West Virginia Teachers Keep On Fighting As Legislature Debates Charter Schools and Education Savings Accounts | janresseger West Virginia Teachers Keep On Fighting As Legislature Debates Charter Schools and Education Savings Accounts In February of 2018, school teachers across the entire state of West Virginia walked out over the conditions in their public schools and their low pay, which has bee

Millions of kids take standardized tests simply to help testing companies make better tests. (Really.) - The Washington Post

by Mike Simpson / 1d

Millions of kids take standardized tests simply to help testing companies make better tests. (Really.) - The Washington Post Millions of kids take standardized tests simply to help testing companies make better tests. (Really.) Millions of U.S. students take standardized tests every year with the sole goal of helping testing companies make better tests. They are called “field tests,” and students

Elizabeth Warren Has a Former TFAer Advising Her on Education | deutsch29

by Mike Simpson / 1d

Elizabeth Warren Has a Former TFAer Advising Her on Education | deutsch29 Elizabeth Warren Has a Former TFAer Advising Her on Education According to his Linkedin bio, Joshua Delaney is Democratic presidential hopeful, Senator Elizabeth Warren’s, senior education policy advisor. He describes his job as follows: Advise United States Senator Elizabeth Warren (D-MA) on all matters pertaining to early

CURMUDGUCATION: WV Senate Can't Seem To Hear Teachers

by Mike Simpson / 1d

CURMUDGUCATION: WV Senate Can't Seem To Hear Teachers WV Senate Can't Seem To Hear Teachers It would be funny if it weren't so angrifying. But West Virginia's legislature is at it again. Back in February of 2018, the teachers of West Virginia were fed up. Low pay. Lack of support. Lack of respect. They were fed up enough that they staged an illegal wildcat strike that shut down every school distr

After 29 Years Evidence That TFA Still Doesn’t Set New Corps Members Up For Success | Gary Rubinstein's Blog

by Mike Simpson / 1d

After 29 Years Evidence That TFA Still Doesn’t Set New Corps Members Up For Success | Gary Rubinstein's Blog After 29 Years Evidence That TFA Still Doesn’t Set New Corps Members Up For Success When I first started this blog 11 years ago, the purpose was to give tips for new teachers. Back then, this was on the teachforus.org site, no longer active, where I would interact with new TFA corps member

AN OPEN LETTER TO LAUSD'S SUPERINTENDENT AUSTIN BEUTNER - Perdaily.com

by Mike Simpson / 1d

AN OPEN LETTER TO LAUSD'S SUPERINTENDENT AUSTIN BEUTNER - Perdaily.com AN OPEN LETTER TO LAUSD'S SUPERINTENDENT AUSTIN BEUTNER The longstanding endemic corruption at a clearly dysfunctional and always prospectively bankrupt Los Angeles Unified School District (LAUSD) will not get better until some of LAUSD's dyfunctional practices- both financial and academic- are finally addressed, eliminated, o

Pearson Embraces the Digital Knock-Off of Authentic Education | tultican

by Mike Simpson / 1d

Pearson Embraces the Digital Knock-Off of Authentic Education | tultican Pearson Embraces the Digital Knock-Off of Authentic Education The world’s largest publishing company is betting on cyber education. Great Britain’s Pearson Corporation took a financial beating when common core state testing did not turn into a planned for cash cow and concurrently the market for text books slowed. With its w

The NEA on national strike support and presidential endorsements. No change. – Fred Klonsky

by Mike Simpson / 1d

The NEA on national strike support and presidential endorsements. No change. – Fred Klonsky THE NEA ON NATIONAL STRIKE SUPPORT AND PRESIDENTIAL ENDORSEMENTS. NO CHANGE. Michael Antonucci and I used to meet up at some national meetings of the NEA. Mike would be in the press section – press are barred from being on the convention floor and talking to delegates – so to talk I would have to go over t

The LAUSD Tried to Secure a Source of Funding and All It Got Was a Bill for $12.5 Million

by Mike Simpson / 1d

The LAUSD Tried to Secure a Source of Funding and All It Got Was a Bill for $12.5 Million The LAUSD Tried to Secure a Source of Funding and All It Got Was a Bill for $12.5 Million Proper planning for ballot initiatives like this takes months and years, not weeks…Nor has the district done at this time the preparation necessary to run a successful campaign so the taxpayers would support it…I believ

JUN 06

Rebecca Solnit: How Internet Insinuation Becomes Campaign Fact | Literary Hub

by Mike Simpson / 1d

Rebecca Solnit: How Internet Insinuation Becomes Campaign Fact | Literary Hub Rebecca Solnit: How Internet Insinuation Becomes Campaign Fact On the Curious Case of Elizabeth Warren and the "Charter School Lobbyist" Who Wasn't The Internet is a costume party in which everyone comes dressed in an opinion, or rather dozens of them or an endless array, one right after another. An opinion is, traditio

Where Is Elizabeth Warren's Plan For K-12 Public Education?

by Mike Simpson / 2d

Where Is Elizabeth Warren's Plan For K-12 Public Education? Where Is Elizabeth Warren's Plan For K-12 Public Education? Elizabeth Warren has plans. You can buy a t-shirt that says so . The New York Times says that her plans have helped her “gain ground,” which is another way of saying that the press is finally giving her the kind of coverage she deserves and not relegating her to back bench statu

CREDO Says Pennsylvania Charter Schools Are Weak and Unimpressive | Dissident Voice

by Mike Simpson / 2d

CREDO Says Pennsylvania Charter Schools Are Weak and Unimpressive | Dissident Voice CREDO Says Pennsylvania Charter Schools Are Weak and Unimpressive In another recent study on charter schools, the Center for Research on Education Outcomes (CREDO) at Stanford University, “finds little to no progress in charter school impact in Pennsylvania.” 1 A June 4, 2019 press release from CREDO states that:

NYC Educator: Why Are We Raising a Generation of Non-readers?

by Mike Simpson / 2d

NYC Educator: Why Are We Raising a Generation of Non-readers? Why Are We Raising a Generation of Non-readers? I had a lot of time on Monday. I proctored for one hour and 15 minutes, and then I was pretty much free. Also, we were free the next day. It felt like a Friday, and I just want to thank all my Muslim brothers and sisters for giving us that Tuesday off. No one was in trouble on Monday This

Steve Lopez: Why Measure EE Lost and What It Means for the City’s Future—And America’s Future | Diane Ravitch's blog

by Mike Simpson / 2d

Steve Lopez: Why Measure EE Lost and What It Means for the City’s Future—And America’s Future | Diane Ravitch's blog Steve Lopez: Why Measure EE Lost and What It Means for the City’s Future—And America’s Future Steve Lopez, a columnist for the L.A. Times, is outraged by the low and negative vote on Measure EE . He wrote that city gave a collective shrug. On this, the last week of school before su

CURMUDGUCATION: A Spectacular Charter Scam

by Mike Simpson / 2d

CURMUDGUCATION: A Spectacular Charter Scam A Spectacular Charter Scam You may skimmed past reports of the San Diego indictment of charter scam artists thinking, "Ah, just another charter fraud story." But this $50 million scam is worth a closer look because it highlights several of the problems with modern charters. The scammers were led by Sean McManu and Jason Schrock. McManus is Australian, bu

The Birthday Bike Ride Challenge | The Merrow Report

by Mike Simpson / 2d

The Birthday Bike Ride Challenge | The Merrow Report The Birthday Bike Ride Challenge What follows is a diversion from the political madness and (perhaps) an opportunity for you to donate to a favorite cause. In just a few days I will turn 78, and on or around my birthday I will once again attempt to bike my age. This will be my 9th consecutive attempt, and, while I was successful the first eight

JUN 05

Children are more than test scores: Facebook Community Standards and the 2019 True Teacher Education Activist

by Mike Simpson / 3d

Children are more than test scores: Facebook Community Standards and the 2019 True Teacher Education Activist Facebook Community Standards and the 2019 True Teacher Education Activist I decided, to write a Facebook post about the June 10, 2019 the New Haven Public School Advocates call for people to come attend the Board of Education Meeting to speak up against cutting more teachers. Once again,

Where the 2020 Hopefuls Stand on Public Education - Progressive.org

by Mike Simpson / 3d

Where the 2020 Hopefuls Stand on Public Education - Progressive.org Where the 2020 Hopefuls Stand on Public Education Broad support for the wave teacher strikes has candidates jostling each other step up on public education. In May, Bernie Sanders unveiled his Thurgood Marshall Plan for Public Education , a bold plan that called for a dramatic increase in federal support for public education. Wit

Teachers’ pay: Salaries often can’t cover rent, cost of living

by Mike Simpson / 3d

Teachers’ pay: Salaries often can’t cover rent, cost of living 'Can't pay their bills with love': For many teaching jobs, teachers' pay can't cover rent New teachers can't afford median rent almost anywhere. Our city-by-city analysis validates a theme in teacher strikes. But that's not the full story I n sunny Miami, bilingual elementary teacher Mari Corugedo has 26 years of experience, a master'

Hooked on Phonics Redux | radical eyes for equity

by Mike Simpson / 3d

Hooked on Phonics Redux | radical eyes for equity Hooked on Phonics Redux The commercial reading program Hooked on Phonics, with iconic over-the-top commercials for those of us of a certain generation, had to abandon those ads in 1994 : Under an agreement disclosed this week between the makers of the reading program Hooked on Phonics and the Federal Trade Commission , the manufacturer must abando

Proposed misassignment systems needs teeth :: K-12 Daily

by Mike Simpson / 3d

Proposed misassignment systems needs teeth :: K-12 Daily :: The Essential Resource for Superintendents and the Cabinet Proposed misassignment systems needs teeth (Calif.) A coalition of advocates for low-income families has warned lawmakers that plans working through Sacramento to reduce the number of teachers improperly assigned classroom duties may actually have the opposite effect. Both the Ne

Stop Saving History | Blue Cereal Education

by Mike Simpson / 3d

Stop Saving History | Blue Cereal Education Stop Saving History Welcome to my podcast. My professional development session. My keynote address. My #edreform movement. My next book. As I’m sure you’ve noticed, everything sucked before I got here – especially how we teach history. All social studies-related education since time immemorial has been taught badly, usually by caricaturized coaches (who

Bad News from L.A.: Landlords Win, Students Lose | Diane Ravitch's blog

by Mike Simpson / 3d

Bad News from L.A.: Landlords Win, Students Lose | Diane Ravitch's blog Bad News from L.A.: Landlords Win, Students Lose Voters in Los Angeles yesterday turned down Measure EE, which would have raised $500 million yearly for schools. The measure required a 2/3 yes vote, but didn’t win a majority. It would have been funded mostly by taxes on commercial properties, and the LA Chamber of Commerce mo

Charter Schools at a Turning Point: How to Rein In an Out of Control Education Sector | janresseger

by Mike Simpson / 3d

Charter Schools at a Turning Point: How to Rein In an Out of Control Education Sector | janresseger Charter Schools at a Turning Point: How to Rein In an Out of Control Education Sector If you read one article about education this week, you should read Jack Schneider’s column from last week’s Washington Post . If you have already read it, I encourage you to read it again. Schneider is an educatio

Teachers quit in Florida, citing 'toxic’ conditions and a 'testing nightmare’ - The Washington Post

by Mike Simpson / 3d

Teachers quit in Florida, citing 'toxic’ conditions and a 'testing nightmare’ - The Washington Post Teachers quit in Florida, citing 'toxic’ conditions and a 'testing nightmare’ Florida has a serious teacher shortage. During this school year, there were more than 2,200 vacancies at one point or another. Why? In a recent post , Fed Ingram, Miami-Dade County teacher of the year in 2006 and now pres

Whatever Happened to the Core Knowledge Program? | Larry Cuban on School Reform and Classroom Practice

by Mike Simpson / 3d

Whatever Happened to the Core Knowledge Program? | Larry Cuban on School Reform and Classroom Practice Whatever Happened to the Core Knowledge Program? No, I do not refer to the Common Core standards. I mean the Core Knowledge program that unfolded in U.S. schools in the decade following the 1987 publication of University of Virginia Professor E.D. Hirsch, Jr.’s Cultural Literacy: What Every Amer

Anthony Cody: My Suggestion for Fordham's Moonshot for Kids - Living in Dialogue

by Mike Simpson / 3d

My Suggestion for Fordham's Moonshot for Kids - Living in Dialogue My Suggestion for Fordham’s Moonshot for Kids By Anthony Cody. As reported on Diane Ravitch’s blog , the Fordham Institute and the Center for American Progress are offering a prize for proposals for a “Moonshot for Kids.” Here is what they want: By August 1, 2019 , submit a brief application through our online portal . We are seek

Huge Victory for Washington State’s Students: Exit Exam Requirement Struck Down! – I AM AN EDUCATOR

by Mike Simpson / 3d

Huge Victory for Washington State’s Students: Exit Exam Requirement Struck Down! – I AM AN EDUCATOR Huge Victory for Washington State’s Students: Exit Exam Requirement Struck Down! Cue Pomp and Circumstance because many more Washington State high school seniors will be walking across the stage and handed a diploma! Beginning with the class of 2020, high school students are no longer required to p

Sherman Dorn: Democratic Politics and Charter Schools, Brief Gloss | National Education Policy Center

by Mike Simpson / 3d

Sherman Dorn: Democratic Politics and Charter Schools, Brief Gloss | National Education Policy Center Sherman Dorn: Democratic Politics and Charter Schools, Brief Gloss Tl;dr version: don’t waste your energy on trying to suss out The Position on National Charter School Politics. But why it doesn’t make much difference is different from the details of charter-school debates. Bernie Sanders’s educa

JUN 04

Julian Vasquez Heilig named dean at University of Kentucky College of Education | Cloaking Inequity

by Mike Simpson / 3d

Julian Vasquez Heilig named dean at University of Kentucky College of Education | Cloaking Inequity JULIAN VASQUEZ HEILIG NAMED DEAN AT UNIVERSITY OF KENTUCKY COLLEGE OF EDUCATION LEXINGTON, Ky. (June 4, 2019) — Julian Vasquez Heilig has been named dean of the University of Kentucky College of Education. Vasquez Heilig, an award-winning leader, teacher and researcher, comes to UK from California

Joe Biden Supports Privately-Operated Charter Schools | Dissident Voice

by Mike Simpson / 4d

Joe Biden Supports Privately-Operated Charter Schools | Dissident Voice Joe Biden Supports Privately-Operated Charter Schools Joe Biden is one of about two dozen 2020 democratic candidates running for President of the United States. This is not his first presidential campaign. Biden served under President Barack Obama as Vice President for eight years. Obama became well-known for many antisocial

NYC Public School Parents: US Department of Education finds Eva Moskowitz and Success Academy repeatedly violated a child’s privacy according to FERPA

by Mike Simpson / 4d

NYC Public School Parents: US Department of Education finds Eva Moskowitz and Success Academy repeatedly violated a child’s privacy according to FERPA US Department of Education finds Eva Moskowitz and Success Academy repeatedly violated a child’s privacy according to FERPA For immediate release: June 4, 2019 For more information contact Leonie Haimson, leoniehaimson@gmail.com; 917-435-9329. US D

The Learning Disability Teaching Credentials that Time Forgot

by Mike Simpson / 4d

The Learning Disability Teaching Credentials that Time Forgot The Learning Disability Teaching Credentials that Time Forgot Whether it’s dyslexia (a specific learning disability) or writing, attention, organization, or other learning and behavioral difficulties, children who struggle in school need teachers who can help them learn. Sometimes that help can occur in a general class setting. Other t

Charter School Lobbyist Introduces Elizabeth Warren at Rally | gadflyonthewallblog

by Mike Simpson / 4d

Charter School Lobbyist Introduces Elizabeth Warren at Rally | gadflyonthewallblog Charter School Lobbyist Introduces Elizabeth Warren at Rally The biggest news from Elizabeth Warren’s rally in Oakland, California, on Friday wasn’t what she said. It was who introduced her and what that says about Warren and her 2020 Presidential campaign. According to the San Francisco Chronicle , “Warren was int

Louisiana Teachers Are Getting a Raise! | deutsch29

by Mike Simpson / 4d

Louisiana Teachers Are Getting a Raise! | deutsch29 Louisiana Teachers Are Getting a Raise! In the final vote on the matter , on June 03, 2019, the Louisiana House voted 104:0 to approve the Louisiana Board of Elementary and Secondary Education (BESE) proposed 2019-20 Minimum Foundation Program (MFP) funding, which includes an across-the-board, $1000 pay raise for teachers and other certificated

LAUSD By Some Numbers – redqueeninla

by Mike Simpson / 4d

LAUSD By Some Numbers – redqueeninla LAUSD By Some Numbers The largest school district in America with an elected school board, LAUSD (the “District”) is vast indeed. It is hard to get one’s head around how big. And it’s hard to understand what’s involved, never mind ubiquitously presumed, when outcome or performance metrics such as “excellence” or poverty or enrollment drain are casually discuss

CURMUDGUCATION: Teach for America: The Other Big Problem

by Mike Simpson / 4d

CURMUDGUCATION: Teach for America: The Other Big Problem Teach for America: The Other Big Problem Teach for America's most famously flawed premise is well known-- five weeks of training makes you qualified to teach in a classroom. It's an absurd premise that has been criticized and lampooned widely. It is followed closely in infamy by the notion that two years in a classroom are about providing t

Measure EE Puts Your LAUSD Child First

by Mike Simpson / 4d

Measure EE Puts Your LAUSD Child First Measure EE Puts Your LAUSD Child First Proceeds from the Tax shall be used for: lowering class sizes; providing school nursing, library, and counseling services and other health and human services for student support; providing instructional programs, school resources, and materials; retaining and attracting teachers and school employees; and providing neces

Lightfoot’s new school board and an elected one. – Fred Klonsky

by Mike Simpson / 4d

Lightfoot’s new school board and an elected one. – Fred Klonsky LIGHTFOOT’S NEW SCHOOL BOARD AND AN ELECTED ONE. Mayor Lightfoot fired all of Rahm’s school board members – or they knew to resign – and yesterday appointed her own. It looks to be a very good board of very good people. If nothing else, it will be the first Chicago school board in history made up entirely of people of color and women

Fordham Institute and Center for American Progress Collaborate on “Moon Shot” for Kids | Diane Ravitch's blog

by Mike Simpson / 4d

Fordham Institute and Center for American Progress Collaborate on “Moon Shot” for Kids | Diane Ravitch's blog Fordham Institute and Center for American Progress Collaborate on “Moon Shot” for Kids You probably thought that the rightwing Thomas B. Fordham Institute, which supports charters and vouchers but not public schools, was on the opposite side of the political aisle from the Center for Amer

JUN 03

The "X"odus Files: Toxic Stress and Accountability. | BustED Pencils

by Mike Simpson / 4d

The "X"odus Files: Toxic Stress and Accountability. | BustED Pencils The “X”odus Files: Toxic Stress and Accountability. Last night I posted this on my personal Facebook page. How many of our colleagues need to take medication , pursue counseling, have their own families disrupted, and then finally quit teaching before we can say, “ accountability is the poison?” Slekar Facebook The reason for po

Video: Oakland trustee grabbing picketing teacher's throat

by Mike Simpson / 5d

Video: Oakland trustee grabbing picketing teacher's throat Video shows school Oakland board member’s hand on throat of teacher at picket line Teachers formed a picket line around an elementary school where school board members were scheduled to vote on budget cuts. OAKLAND — A video circulating social media shows Oakland school board member Jumoke Hinton-Hodge trying to push past a crowd of picke

Johnson City Press: On charters, proof is in the percentages

by Mike Simpson / 5d

Johnson City Press: On charters, proof is in the percentages On charters, proof is in the percentages BILL SMITH, COMMUNITY VOICES • JUN 1, 2019 AT 8:00 AM In recent years Republicans in Nashville have actively promoted school privatization through charter schools and vouchers. Tennessee’s first charter schools opened in 2003, and the numbers have grown slowly but steadily. Vouchers are not yet i

California: Two of Four Charter Reform Bills Remain Alive; Will Charter Lobbyists Block Them? | Diane Ravitch's blog

by Mike Simpson / 5d

California: Two of Four Charter Reform Bills Remain Alive; Will Charter Lobbyists Block Them? | Diane Ravitch's blog California: Two of Four Charter Reform Bills Remain Alive; Will Charter Lobbyists Block Them? While the charter lobbyists (who call themselves “families”) managed to knock out two bills to harness their unrestricted expansion, two others remain alive, thanks in part to the vigorous

A scholar revives the argument for racial school integration

by Mike Simpson / 5d

A scholar revives the argument for racial school integration A scholar revives the argument for racial integration in schools A conversation with Berkeley's Rucker Johnson about unintended consequences, charter schools and the data debate Rucker Johnson, an economist, sees himself as a poster child for school integration. His grandfather was denied admission to the University of West Virginia, st

That's Not Helpful, Rick - Rick Hess Straight Up - Education Week

by Mike Simpson / 5d

That's Not Helpful, Rick - Rick Hess Straight Up - Education Week That's Not Helpful, Rick It seems like at least once or twice a week for the past couple decades (and, sometimes a whole lot more frequently than that, as when Jay Greene and I examined the partisan makeup of the education reform community this spring), someone has e-mailed, called, or otherwise told me that something I'd said or w

Learning Styles: Detrimental or Useful? | Teacher in a strange land

by Mike Simpson / 5d

Learning Styles: Detrimental or Useful? | Teacher in a strange land Learning Styles: Detrimental or Useful? Did you ever sit through a professional development workshop on learning styles? I have—at least twice. Once with the dreaded Outside Presenter (from a university that shall not be named), and once with a well-respected teacher in my building, both at least 20-25 years ago, when learning st

State School Rankings and School Report Cards Drive Racial and Economic Segregation | janresseger

by Mike Simpson / 5d

State School Rankings and School Report Cards Drive Racial and Economic Segregation | janresseger State School Rankings and School Report Cards Drive Racial and Economic Segregation The federal Every Student Succeeds Act, passed in 2015 to replace No Child Left Behind, requires states to provide school report cards as an accountability tool. The promotional materials from the U.S. Department of E

K-12 Education: Democrats Must Choose Between Plans Of Biden and Sanders | Real Learning CT

by Mike Simpson / 5d

K-12 Education: Democrats Must Choose Between Plans Of Biden and Sanders | Real Learning CT K-12 Education: Democrats Must Choose Between Plans Of Biden and Sanders Two plans about how to improve K-12 are before us. Which one are we to choose, which one are the Democrats to choose: Bernie Sanders’ plan or Joe Biden’s plan ? Both candidates presented their plans as centerpieces of their campaigns,

JUN 02

Measure EE Puts Your LAUSD Child First – Carl J. Petersen – Medium

by Mike Simpson / 5d

Measure EE Puts Your LAUSD Child First – Carl J. Petersen – Medium Measure EE Puts Your LAUSD Child First “ Proceeds from the Tax shall be used for: lowering class sizes; providing school nursing, library, and counseling services and other health and human services for student support; providing instructional programs, school resources, and materials; retaining and attracting teachers and school

Democrats Must Choose Between Teachers and Charter Schools - Truthdig

by Mike Simpson / 5d

Democrats Must Choose Between Teachers and Charter Schools - Truthdig Democrats Must Choose Between Teachers and Charter Schools For years, the safe havens for education policy debate in the Democratic Party have been expanding pre-K programs and providing more affordable college, but in the current presidential primary contest, another consensus issue has been added to the party’s agenda: salary

What's behind Elizabeth Warren's growing appeal? A killer grasp of how power works | Eclectablog

by Mike Simpson / 6d

What's behind Elizabeth Warren's growing appeal? A killer grasp of how power works | Eclectablog What’s behind Elizabeth Warren’s growing appeal? A killer grasp of how power works After Elizabeth Warren refused to do a town hall on Fox News, I wrote a column where I argued, “There has been no candidate for president in my lifetime who has better matched her country’s needs.” The piece ends up mak

MemeWise – Thinking About Science | Live Long and Prosper

by Mike Simpson / 6d

MemeWise – Thinking About Science | Live Long and Prosper MemeWise – Thinking About Science I don’t understand how people who drive cars, fly in airplanes, cook meals, use clocks, talk on telephones, trust that their tap water is clean, smell flowers, watch TV, and take their medicines can deny science when it doesn’t suit their biases. As a voter, as a citizen , scientific issues will come befor

CATCH UP WITH CURMUDGUCATION: + One Year Retireversary Edition (6/2)

by Mike Simpson / 6d

CURMUDGUCATION: ICYMI: One Year Retireversary Edition (6/2) CATCH UP WITH CURMUDGUCATION: + One Year Retireversary Edition (6/2) It has been exactly one year since I hung up my teacher hat, so I'll probably meditate on that today, but in the meantime, here's some good reading from the week. Remember-- if you like it, share it. Utah Picked a Testing Company That It Knew Sucked Okay, so I paraphras

Leonie Haimson: Join Us for a Rally and a Party! | Diane Ravitch's blog

by Mike Simpson / 6d

Leonie Haimson: Join Us for a Rally and a Party! | Diane Ravitch's blog Leonie Haimson: Join Us for a Rally and a Party! Dear Friends- 1. Save the date! On Tuesday June 11 at noon at City Hall we will be rallying for smaller classes, urging the Mayor and the City Council to allocate funds in this year’s budget for class size reduction. Please come and bring your kids – they have the day off from

LAUSD says it needs the Measure EE tax. Skeptics say the district has a spending problem - Los Angeles Times

by Mike Simpson / 6d

LAUSD says it needs the Measure EE tax. Skeptics say the district has a spending problem - Los Angeles Times LAUSD says it needs the Measure EE tax. Skeptics say the district has a spending problem The pitch for raising taxes for schools used to be images of cracked asphalt playgrounds, leaking classroom roofs and jammed year-round campuses. But at STEAM Legacy High School in South Gate, Exhibit

What Will Happen to the Public Schools in Rochester, N.Y.? | Diane Ravitch's blog

by Mike Simpson / 6d

What Will Happen to the Public Schools in Rochester, N.Y.? | Diane Ravitch's blog What Will Happen to the Public Schools in Rochester, N.Y.? The Mayor of Rochester, Lovely Warren, has called upon the New York State Education Department and the Board of Regents to take over the city’s public schools, oust the elected board, and appoint a different board of its choosing. She claims that Commissione

Why Teachers Need Their Freedom (Ashley Lamb-Sinclair) | Larry Cuban on School Reform and Classroom Practice

by Mike Simpson / 6d

Why Teachers Need Their Freedom (Ashley Lamb-Sinclair) | Larry Cuban on School Reform and Classroom Practice Why Teachers Need Their Freedom (Ashley Lamb-Sinclair) This article appeared in The Atlantic September 10, 2017. Ashley Lamb-Sinclair “is a high-school instructional coach. She is the 2016 Kentucky Teacher of the Year and the founder and CEO of Curio Learning.” My co-teacher and I met in t

To Understand Teach for America, See Who Funds The Organization | Diane Ravitch's blog

by Mike Simpson / 6d

To Understand Teach for America, See Who Funds The Organization | Diane Ravitch's blog To Understand Teach for America, See Who Funds The Organization Follow the money is a basic principle. To understand an organization, see who funds it. Take Teach for America. It presents itself to the public as a noble charity. Unfortunately, it promotes the bad idea that anyone with five weeks of training can

Hanna Skandera: Her Consulting Firm and Her Mystery “Initiative” | deutsch29

by Mike Simpson / 6d

Hanna Skandera: Her Consulting Firm and Her Mystery “Initiative” | deutsch29 Hanna Skandera: Her Consulting Firm and Her Mystery “Initiative” Former New Mexico chancellor of education, Hanna Skandera, has been trying to re-establish herself as an ed reform name since her June 2017 departure from the New Mexico ed department. Hanna Skandera In April 2018 , she produced a Walton-funded video about

Breaking. Illinois legislature repeals 3% cap on pensionable teacher salaries. A win. – Fred Klonsky

by Mike Simpson / 6d

Breaking. Illinois legislature repeals 3% cap on pensionable teacher salaries. A win. – Fred Klonsky BREAKING. ILLINOIS LEGISLATURE REPEALS 3% CAP ON PENSIONABLE TEACHER SALARIES. A WIN. In the final hours of last year’s legislative session, Democratic Party leaders literally snuck language at the last minute into the budget bill that lowered the cap on teacher pensionable salary raises from a 6%

JUN 01

Top Posts This Week 6/1/19 #REDFORED #CTA

by Mike Simpson / 6d

Big Education Ape Top Posts This Week 6/1/19 Big Education Ape: My New Book Was Just Announced! | Diane Ravitch's blog - http://bigeducationape.blogspot.com/2019/05/my-new-book-was-just-