Latest News and Comment from Education

Thursday, January 7, 2021

Betsy DeVos Resigns as Education Secretary - WSJ.com

Betsy DeVos Resigns as Education Secretary - WSJ.com

Betsy DeVos Resigns as Education Secretary








Education Secretary Betsy DeVos submitted her resignation to President Trump on Thursday night, becoming the second member of Mr. Trump's cabinet to resign since pro-Trump rioters stormed the Capitol on Wednesday.

"We should be highlighting and celebrating your Administration's many accomplishments on behalf of the American people," Mrs. DeVos wrote in a letter to the president.

"Instead we are left to clean up the mess caused by violent protesters overrunning the U.S. Capitol in an attempt to undermine the people's business. That behavior was unconscionable for our country. There is no mistaking the impact your rhetoric had on the situation, and it is the inflection point for me."

She added: "Impressionable children are watching all this, and they are learning from us."

The resignation is effective Friday.

Transportation Secretary Elaine Chao said earlier Thursday she would resign effective Jan. 11, citing the "entirely avoidable" storming of the Capitol building by pro-Trump supporters.





THE TOP BANANA: TODAY'S EDUCATION HEADLINES #REDFORED #tbats #COVIDVACCINE #newyear

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THE TOP BANANA
TODAY'S EDUCATION HEADLINES 



Valerie Strauss: Growing Number of States Want Waivers from Annual Testing | Diane Ravitch's blog - https://wp.me/p2odLa-t1u via @dianeravitch

Iowa Legislature to consider ‘parental choice’ in requiring in-person learning | Education News | wcfcourier.com - https://wcfcourier.com/news/local/education/iowa-legislature-to-consider-parental-choice-in-requiring-in-person-learning/article_08d24d56-5819-5f74-b991-c4769a928c51.html#new_tab

St. Paul Public Schools expects to make ethnic studies course mandatory for graduation – Twin Cities - https://wp.me/p79gJ9-fTE5 on @pioneerpress

Jefferson County Teachers Protest A Planned Return To School, Citing Safety Worries | Colorado Public Radio - https://www.cpr.org/2021/01/07/jefferson-county-teachers-protest-a-planned-return-to-school-citing-safety-worries/#new_tab

Insurgency at the U.S. Capitol: A Dreaded, Real-Life Lesson Facing Teachers - https://www.edweek.org/teaching-learning/insurgency-at-the-u-s-capitol-a-dreaded-real-life-lesson-facing-teachers/2021/01 by @madeline_will on @educationweek

AFT and NYSUT on reopening New York State’s schools http://www.warwickadvertiser.com/opinion/letters-to-the-editor/aft-and-nysut-on-reopening-new-york-state-s-schools-LC1466368

University Of Michigan Strike Showed The Power Of Student Organizing https://popularresistance.org/university-of-michigan-strike-showed-the-power-of-student-organizing/

Jersey Jazzman: New Jersey's School COVID-19 Operating Plans: Still Racially Biased, Still Inadequately Funded for Many Students | National Education Policy Center - https://nepc.colorado.edu/node/10695 on @NEPCtweet

TG2Chat LIVE! w/Paul Thomas — Teachers Going Gradeless - https://www.teachersgoinggradeless.com/calendar/tg2chatlive06

Houston Schools Can Require Students Struggling Online To Return In Person – Houston Public Media - https://www.houstonpublicmedia.org/articles/news/education-news/2021/01/06/388828/houston-schools-can-require-students-struggling-online-to-return-to-in-person-learning/#new_tab via @houstonpubmedia

Barbara Byrd-Bennett steered another $10 million from the Chicago Public Schools to ‘friends,’ CPS inspector general says - Chicago Sun-Times - https://chicago.suntimes.com/education/2021/1/6/22216111/cps-ceo-barbara-byrd-bennett-contract-fraud-inspector-general#new_tab

South Jersey school district reaches $950,000 settlement with family of girl lured and attacked by cyber predator - https://www.inquirer.com/education/nj-collingswood-school-settlement-laptop-cyber-predator-victim-liam-heim-20210106.html#new_tab via @PhillyInquirer

Baltimore County schools superintendent proposes $1.77B operating budget as enrollment falls by 4,000 students - https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/us/baltimore-county-schools-superintendent-proposes-24177b-operating-budget-as-enrollment-falls-by-4000-students/ar-BB1cyotL#new_tab

Newark extends remote learning through April as virus keeps spreading https://newark.chalkbeat.org/2021/1/6/22218026/newark-reopening-april via @ChalkbeatNWK

Analysis | ‘So educators, I ask you in all sincerity: What are you teaching tomorrow?’ https://www.washingtonpost.com/education/2021/01/06/so-educators-i-ask-you-all-sincerity-what-are-you-teaching-tomorrow/?tid=ss_tw

Analysis | Is ‘irregardless’ — which Sen. Josh Hawley uttered on the Senate floor — a real word? Here’s Merriam-Webster’s answer. https://www.washingtonpost.com/education/2021/01/07/is-irregardless-which-sen-josh-hawley-uttered-senate-floor-real-word-heres-merriam-websters-answer/?tid=ss_tw

Betsy DeVos criticizes ‘angry mob’ at U.S. Capitol — but doesn’t mention Trump https://www.washingtonpost.com/education/2021/01/07/devos-statement-capitol-mob/?tid=ss_tw

New Year, New Drama in New York Schools - The New York Times - https://www.nytimes.com/2021/01/06/us/new-year-city-schools-9-percent-close.html

Paterson's schools free of state control after 30 years | NJ Spotlight News - https://www.njspotlight.com/2021/01/paterson-state-oversight-nj-state-board-of-education-ending-30-years/ via @njspotlight

Trenton finds cash for everything but school funding | NJ Spotlight News - https://www.njspotlight.com/2021/01/school-funding-nj-corporate-tax-incentives-hypocrisy-lawmakers-governor/ via @njspotlight

This Is Probably A Good Time To Learn (& Teach) About The Work Of Stacey Abrams & Her Colleagues – Here’s A Good Start | Larry Ferlazzo's Websites of the Day... - https://larryferlazzo.edublogs.org/?p=114596 on @Larryferlazzo

Incredible Tweets About Today’s Insurrection At The U.S. Capitol | Larry Ferlazzo's Websites of the Day... - https://larryferlazzo.edublogs.org/?p=114601 on @Larryferlazzo

Ways To Teach About Today’s Insurrection – Share Your Own | Larry Ferlazzo's Websites of the Day... - https://larryferlazzo.edublogs.org/?p=114604 on @Larryferlazzo

Newark Teachers Union opposes plan to reopen classrooms this month https://newark.chalkbeat.org/2021/1/5/22216014/newark-teachers-union-school-reopening via @ChalkbeatNWK

Why millions of college students and adult dependents won’t get a stimulus check — again - Vox - https://www.vox.com/the-goods/22217508/second-stimulus-check-student-adult-dependents on voxdotcom

Analysis | Education, civil rights groups blast Trump for inciting violence https://www.washingtonpost.com/education/2021/01/07/education-civil-rights-groups-blast-trump-inciting-violence/?tid=ss_tw

Newsom push to reopen schools runs into COVID surge - Los Angeles Times - https://www.latimes.com/california/story/2021-01-07/california-schools-reopening-difficulties-coronavirus-surge?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+lanowblog+%28L.A.+Now%29 by @howardblume on @latimes

School districts struggle with reopening decisions heading into second semester - The Washington Post - https://www.washingtonpost.com/local/education/dc-virginia-maryland-school-reopening-plans/2021/01/06/9e6c824c-4f53-11eb-83e3-322644d82356_story.html?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=wp_local-education

One teacher compared Wednesday's events, which many watched unfold live during the school day, to 9/11 and Columbine. https://www.huffpost.com/entry/capitol-riot-teachers-protest_n_5ff73c79c5b612d958ea1e88?ncid=engmodushpmg00000004 via @HuffPostPol

Schools Strengthen Defenses Amid Increases in Cyberattacks | EdTech Magazine - https://edtechmagazine.com/k12/article/2021/01/schools-strengthen-defenses-amid-increases-cyberattacks#new_tab

CPS staffer cited in ‘ghost payroll scheme’ made $122K while doing no work, living in California, Chicago Public Schools’ inspector general says - Chicago Sun-Times - https://chicago.suntimes.com/education/2021/1/6/22216116/cps-public-schools-ghost-payroll-scheme-inspector-general-fraud#new_tab

2020 National ESEA Distinguished Schools Announced - Year 2021 (CA Dept of Education) - https://www.cde.ca.gov/nr/ne/yr21/yr21rel01.asp

Cuomo’s Dishonest Math | JD2718 - https://wp.me/pOjh-21R on @wordpressdotcom

And now we must live among the insurrectionists… | Eclectablog - https://www.eclectablog.com/?p=72081


Pasi Sahlberg: Australian Education Is Declining Because It Followed the U.S. Model | Diane Ravitch's blog
Pasi Sahlberg: Australian Education Is Declining Because It Followed the U.S. Model In the early 2000s, media mogul Rupert Murdoch brought New York City Chancellor Joel Klein to Australia to spread the word about the “New York City Miracle.” This alleged miracle was as phony as George W. Bush’s “Texas Miracle,” all hat and no cattle. Unfortunately, the Education Minister (who subsequently became
7 key California school superintendents blast governor’s new school reopening plan - The Washington Post
7 key California school superintendents blast governor’s new school reopening plan The superintendents of seven of California’s largest school districts on Wednesday blasted Gov. Gavin Newsom’s (D) new school reopening plan, saying that it fails to address key factors keeping schools closed and does nothing to end the disproportionate impact the coronavirus pandemic is inflicting on low-income c
Barbara Byrd-Bennett steered another $10 million from the Chicago Public Schools to ‘friends,’ CPS inspector general says - Chicago Sun-Times
Disgraced ex-schools CEO Byrd-Bennett steered $10M more to ‘friends’ than previously known: CPS inspector general A company executive at one company wined and dined the ex-Chicago schools chief at the Pump Room in exchange for insider knowledge about bid specifications, the report says. Disgraced former Chicago Public Schools CEO Barbara Byrd-Bennett landed in prison for steering $22.5 million i
Valerie Strauss: Growing Number of States Want Waivers from Annual Testing | Diane Ravitch's blog
Valerie Strauss: Growing Number of States Want Waivers from Annual Testing Valerie Strauss writes in her Washington Post blog called “The Answer Sheet” about the growing number of states that want waivers from the federal requirement for annual testing. DeVos granted waivers last year but said she would not do it again. But she will be gone. Now it is up to Joe Biden and Miguel Cardona to decide
Shawgi Tell: Charter School Accountability Will Remain Weak in 2021 | Dissident Voice
Charter School Accountability Will Remain Weak in 2021 | Dissident Voice Charter School Accountability Will Remain Weak in 2021 Segregated charter schools have a high failure rate and are notorious for lacking accountability and oversight. Charter schools are also well-known for being non-transparent even though they are ostensibly “public” schools. This has been the case for nearly 30 years when
CURMUDGUCATION: In Seattle, A Tough Back To School Choice
In Seattle, A Tough Back To School Choice Seattle's school board made a decision, just a few weeks ago, to re-open face-to-face school for pre-K, kindergarten, some special ed, and 1st grade students. It's a good example of 
California governor pressures schools to reopen as health care system nears collapse - World Socialist Web Site
California governor pressures schools to reopen as health care system nears collapse The Educators Rank-and-File Safety Committee will be holding a national online meeting at 12 p.m. CST (1 p.m. EST) this Saturday, January 9, titled, “ Stop in-person learning until the pandemic is contained! ” We urge all educators, parents, students and workers who wish to join the struggle to close schools and
CHECK IT OUT: DIANE ON A ROLL TODAY - Diane Ravitch's blog | A site to discuss better education for all
Diane Ravitch's blog | A site to discuss better education for all CHECK IT OUT: DIANE ON A ROLL TODAY Diane Ravitch's blog | A site to discuss better education for all Valerie Strauss: Growing Number of States Want Waivers from Annual Testing by dianeravitch / 14min Valerie Strauss writes in her Washington Post blog called “The Answer Sheet” about the growing number of states that want waivers fr
Teacher Tom: "I Was a Different Person Then"
"I Was a Different Person Then" A two-year-old boy was hitting his classmates, not out of anger or frustration, but seemingly, as a matter of course. If you had a block he wanted, he would hit you, then take it. It was happening multiple times a day and the obvious tactics didn't seem to be working. I asked the child's parent for advice as well as our class' parent educator. We then had a wider
SPECIAL REPORT: DIANE RAVITCH ON THE TRUMP INSURRECTION OF 2021 | Diane Ravitch's blog
The Trump Insurrection of 2021 | Diane Ravitch's blog SPECIAL REPORT: DIANE RAVITCH ON THE TRUMP INSURRECTION OF 2021 Like everyone else, I was stunned by the insurrection at the Capitol on January 6. I followed the proceedings from the start to see what stunt Trump might pull. I watched as the mob approached and stormed the Capitol, where Electoral votes were being counted. What happened was a v
Where Is It Safe To Reopen Schools? New Research Offers Answers | 89.3 KPCC
Where Is It Safe To Reopen Schools? New Research Offers Answers Since the beginning of this pandemic, experts and educators have feared that open schools would spread the coronavirus further, which is why so many classrooms remain closed. But a new, nationwide study suggests reopening schools may be safer than previously thought, at least in communities where the virus is not already spreading o
Coup? | JD2718
Coup? A friend grew up in another country’s capital. There was political tension. One morning the tv was buzzing. There were tanks out the window. Good, he thought, no school. He was right – there were some days off. The coup succeeded. Officials were fired. Leaders were executed. And life resumed. By the way, the coup plotters were homegrown. Locals. But they were trained by a foreign power, a
2021–22 SBP and SMP Start-up and Expansion Grants - Nutrition (CA Dept of Education)
2021–22 SBP and SMP Start-up and Expansion Grants The California Department of Education (CDE) Nutrition Services Division (NSD) is pleased to announce the availability of School Year 2021–22 School Breakfast Program (SBP) and Summer Meal Programs (SMP) Start-up and Expansion Grants. Background Information The state Legislature appropriates approximately $1.017 million in the annual state budget
Education Matters: As the pandemic gets worse, DCPS gets more and more reckless.
As the pandemic gets worse, DCPS gets more and more reckless. It’s unconscionable how reckless DCPS has gotten as Duval hits unprecedented numbers in the pandemic. Cajoling families to return their kids to school, class sizes rising, and a lack of deep cleaning is all going to lead to more people getting sick or worse. On Facebook, somebody asked, are your rooms cleaned between classes. The resp

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THE TOP BANANA: TODAY'S EDUCATION HEADLINES #REDFORED #tbats #COVIDVACCINE #newyear
Big Education Ape THE TOP BANANA TODAY'S EDUCATION HEADLINES 7 key California school superintendents blast governor’s new school reopening plan - The Washington Post 

  Big Education Ape