Pass / Fail : LA schools to 'shake it up' with the rest of California | 89.3 KPCC

Pass / Fail : LA schools to 'shake it up' with the rest of California | 89.3 KPCC:

LA schools to 'shake it up' with the rest of California

by By Tami Abdollah

Each L.A. Unified school has designated search and rescue and triage team members, as well as medical supplies, water, sanitation supplies, and extra food stored away for emergencies, said Jill Barnes, the district's emergency services coordinator. Credit: ALFREDO ESTRELLA/AFP/Getty Images
As millions of Californians participate in the "Great California ShakeOut" Thursday, so will students at L.A. Unified. The district uses the day for an annual full-scale emergency drill and an opportunity to teach kids about earthquakes.
Most of the district's 1,100 school sites will conduct their drills at 10:30 a.m. Thursday when students, faculty and staff will "drop, cover and hold on" before they file outdoors, said Jill Barnes, coordinator of emergency

Google partners with CSU to bolster STEM education in California

by By Vanessa Romo

Credit: Darren Hauck/Getty Images
A brain trust of educators, philanthropists and business leaders convened in San Diego to discuss how science, technology, engineering and math – STEM subjects – are taught in California schools.
The summit wrapped up Tuesday afternoon - but not before honoring a dozen “Leading Women in STEM”, all of whom work in science and technology-driven fields. Including LA’s own, Rachel Bondi, Chief of Mobile Innovations for the talent agency, CAA.
The other big reveal: a $25,000 grant that partners Google with the California State University System, and the 

LAUSD & UTLA: Headed To Mediation - LA School Report

LAUSD & UTLA: Headed To Mediation - LA School Report:

LAUSD & UTLA: Headed To Mediation

Posted on October 17, 2012 by Hillel Aron

LA School Report has learned that LAUSD has filed a “declaration of impasse” in their negotiations with UTLA over teacher evaluations, and as a result the negotiations have gone to mediation with the Public Employee Relations Board.

The “impasse” declaration was filed more than a couple of weeks ago, according to LAUSD Chief Labor and Employment Counsel Alex Molina, although he declined to provide a specific date or comment on how the process was going. ”The mediator is not allowing parties to speak about mediation process,” said Molina.

According to an inside source who did not wish to be named, the move is 

Master of Deception: California Prop 32 Author Tom Hiltachk | MyFDL

Master of Deception: California Prop 32 Author Tom Hiltachk | MyFDL:

Master of Deception: California Prop 32 Author Tom Hiltachk

by Matthew Fleischer

(image: truthout.org / flickr)

Any lawyer with some experience in Sacramento politics can draft language for a statewide initiative. But crafting deceptive ballot measures that can trick people into voting against their core beliefs is nothing less than an art form.
For many years, the undisputed master of the misleading initiative in California has been Thomas Hiltachk. So it’s little surprise that Hiltachk is the author of Proposition 32, which promises to rid Sacramento of special interest money – but which would actually give almost complete control of state politics to corporations and the super-rich by effectively crippling the ability of unions to participate in elections and lobbying. Hiltachk has also quite possibly written into the initiative a poison pill that would shield corporations from its provisions and leave only unions to suffer the consequences if Prop. 32 passes.
A full-time political and election lawyer since 1998, Hiltachk is an old hand at drafting legislation benefiting Big Tobacco or beating back living wage campaigns. He is also the California Republican Party’s go-to legal mind for penning regressive ballot initiatives intended to give conservatives maximum political power in an otherwise 

Did Atlanta superintendent overhaul North Atlanta High and upset community without reason or true data? | Get Schooled

Did Atlanta superintendent overhaul North Atlanta High and upset community without reason or true data? | Get Schooled:

Did Atlanta superintendent overhaul North Atlanta High and upset community without reason or true data?

by Maureen Downey

In his explanation for the administrative purge at North Atlanta High School 12 days ago, APS Superintendent Erroll B. Davis cited poor performance.  A forensic accountant from Midtown decided to research that statement and found a much different picture than what Davis presented.
“He seemed to imply that North Atlanta High School should be held to a higher standard than other APS schools because of the neighborhood’s wealth,” said Jarod Apperson, who writes the Grading Atlanta blog.
“While the neighborhood includes wealthy residents who attend private schools, NAHS itself actually serves a 

School Tech Connect: The Real Winner

School Tech Connect: The Real Winner:

The Real Winner

by noreply@blogger.com (Tim Furman)

I don't have much time these days, and zero time to watch presidential debates. I could pretty much determine who "won" in ten seconds of scanning Twitter. For example,  there was this...

...which is an account that just keeps on giving, in terms of dumb. I knew instantly that Obama had "won." Fine.

But the real winner last night was Amy Goodman, who had on two terrific pieces that I would certainly lead with if 

Daily Kos: My first show as an internet radio host of "Politics with teacherken" is now in the can

Daily Kos: Just a remember - 1st show of Politics with teacherken tonight at 7 EDT:

My first show as an internet radio host of "Politics with teacherken" is now in the can

by rss@dailykos.com (teacherken)

we had 9 guests, but no one asked to speak or put a question in the text box.
Vik, who set up the site, was quite pleased, and we will do another show next Tuesday after the Foreign Policy debate.  Tentatively also at 7 PM, although that is subject to change.
if you want to listen
go to this link so you can listen to it.
The first show is called "The Townhall Debate and more"   - the podcast should now be available.
I will be doing the next the day after the foreign policy and national security debate.

Just a remember - 1st show of Politics with teacherken tonight at 7 EDT

by rss@dailykos.com (teacherken)

I wrote about it, including how to get on at Bee Vocal in this diary from a couple of days ago.
I hope you will consider joining this first show tonight.
I look forward to talking to you -
- about the Town Hall debate
- about the status of the Presidential race
- about the status of the battles for control of the Senate and the House
- anything else political about which you want to talk
Please join me.
Thanks

Des Moines Education Association: ESSAY: The Achievement Bell Tolls For Us All

Des Moines Education Association: ESSAY: The Achievement Bell Tolls For Us All:

ESSAY: The Achievement Bell Tolls For Us All

by Andrew Rasmussen

The DMPS at a recent school board meeting reviewed the latest “proficiency” results on federally required measurements of reading, math, attendance, graduation, and participation. As reported in this newspaper, the district missed the benchmarks set by the federal government on reading and math scores. With the exception of two elementary schools, all of the schools in the DMPS did not reach the bar of roughly 81% proficiency according to federal law. A school is given this “mark of shame” if any one of several sub-groups of students fail

Helping Adolescents Achieve Optimal Wellness: 5 Tips for Parents — Whole Child Education

Helping Adolescents Achieve Optimal Wellness: 5 Tips for Parents — Whole Child Education:

THE WHOLE CHILD BLOG

Helping Adolescents Achieve Optimal Wellness: 5 Tips for Parents

October 17, 2012 by Michael F. Opitz

Physical and nutritional fitness are in the media spotlight and for good reason. Both help to fight against obesity. As important as they are to adolescent's health, so, too, are social and emotional fitness. Taken together, all four areas of fitness (physical, nutritional, social, and emotional) are necessary for the optimal wellness that leads to living enjoyable, fulfilling lives. I suggest using literacy as a catalyst for moving toward optimal wellness and offer these five suggestions:

1. Use adolescents' interest in technology to learn more about the importance of physical activity and nutrition. Two helpful websites for parents and adolescents are www.actionforhealthykids.org andwww.choosemyplate.gov.
2. Capitalize on adolescent's belonging needs by teaching them how to use social skills to recognize and combat bullying behaviors. Give them some know-how by providing books such as Jay McGraw's Life Strategies for Dealing with Bullies (McGraw, 2008: Alladin).
3. Body image is on the forefront of adolescents' minds. Understanding the difference between ideal image (as portrayed in the media) and real image (how people really look) is a sure way to help adolescents 

George McGovern - a love of one's country deep enough to call her to a higher plain

nixonland - bookforum.com / current issue:

The highest patriotism is not a blind acceptance of official policy, but a love of one's country deep enough to call her to a higher plain. 
George McGovern 

Nixonland

An unpopular war, an economy in the dumps, a President with low approval ratings, his opponent revitalizing his base: How did the democrats lose in 1972, and by a historic margin?

RICK PERLSTEIN

Democrats started straggling into Miami Beach the second week in July, 1972. One of them was Robert Redford, arriving by train, promoting 'The Candidate' on a mock whistle-stop tour. Abbie Hoffman and Jerry Rubin set up housekeeping at the run-down Albion Hotel, where Rita Hayworth and Orson Welles once honeymooned. Everywhere, Hoffman and Rubin were mobbed by cops hoping to make it into the documentary that rumor had it Warner's had paid them millions to shoot. They wouldn't be doing much in the way of protesting, they promised, so long as the nomination wasn't stolen from McGovern. "McGovern Backer No Longer Thinks Sons, Daughters, Should Kill Parents," the RNC magazine First Monday headlined an interview with Rubin. Only tiny left-wing splinter groups considered McGovern the enemy.

Yippies met with Miami Beach's glad-handing liberal police chief, who laid out the ground rules: "Fellas, I don't believe in trying to enforce laws that can't be enforced. If you guys smoke a little pot, I'm not going to send my men in after you." They got the same welcome from Mayor Charles Hall. "Call me Chuck," he said, before showing off his print of John and Yoko's wedding day—"It's the original, you know"—and offering them the city's golf courses as campsites. When the Yippies staged their first march to the convention center, "Chuck" arrived to try to lead it. Abbie and Jerry were celebrities. Celebrity was power in 1972. Abbie and Jerry were all about the new youth vote. Youth was power, too.

At McGovern headquarters at the famous Doral resort, the usual haunt of golfing Shriners, hordes of kids awaited their hero's arrival, "wearing," Norman Mailer wrote, "copper 

Seattle Schools Community Forum: Pinehurst Parents' Response to BEX IV Levy

Seattle Schools Community Forum: Pinehurst Parents' Response to BEX IV Levy:

Pinehurst Parents' Response to BEX IV Levy

by Melissa Westbrook

From the Save Pinehurst group:

We hastily formed a new Pinehurst K-8 BEX Levy Committee in response to the following in a letter sent  to the entire School District on October 9, 2012 from Superintendent José Banda.

The Seattle School District (BEX IV Levy Team and School Board) has yet to talk with the Pinehurst K-8 community on next steps. We are aware that they have meet with Jane Addams K-8 and other schools over the last few months, including this week. We request the same courtesy and consideration to meet with them ASAP and collaborate on a solution for preserving the 40+ year history of the Pinehurst K-8 alternative school.

We are aware that time is of the essence since the Board will be voting on the BEX IV Levy soon.

"Jane Addams K-8: Move to Pinehurst K-8 and open Jane Addams building as a middle school by

Romney Tweaked His College Grad Unemployment Lie Last Night, But It’s Still a Lie « Student Activism

Romney Tweaked His College Grad Unemployment Lie Last Night, But It’s Still a Lie « Student Activism:

Romney Tweaked His College Grad Unemployment Lie Last Night, But It’s Still a Lie

by Angus Johnston

I’ve written a couple of times before about Romney’s ridiculous lie that half of recent college grads can’t find jobs (the real number is somewhere between six and nine percent). And though I hate to beat a dead horse, he told the lie again twice in last night’s debate, with a twist that makes it worth revisiting.
Here are the quotes:

“With half of college kids graduating this year without a college — excuse me, without a job. And without a college level job, that’s just unacceptable.”

And then later:

“An economy with 50 percent of kids graduating from college that can’t find a job, or a college level job, 

Unschooling in the Art of Self-Direction | Lefty Parent

Unschooling in the Art of Self-Direction | Lefty Parent:

Unschooling in the Art of Self-Direction

by Cooper Zale

From my own experience and what I’ve read of the wisdom of others, directing ones own life is not a science that can be taught through instruction but an art that is best developed from self-initiated efforts. Unfortunately, conventional school up to now has not been a good venue for young people to learn to direct their own development, rather serving mainly as a venue for the larger community (or maybe more specifically the state) to attempt to program young people’s developmental path. Looking back at my own youth that was certainly the case. Most of the developmental experiences that helped me learn to direct my own life happened outside of the classroom and outside of the context of school.
Directing ones own life is one of the most critical skills you learn in the process of “unschooling”, whichWikipedia defines as…

A range of educational philosophies and practices centered on allowing children to learn through 

2013-14 Student Board Member Application - State Board of Education (CA Dept of Education)

2013-14 Student Board Member Application - State Board of Education (CA Dept of Education):

2013-14 Student Board Member Application

This State Board of Education packet explains the application and selection processes, and contains a copy of the application for student members.

---

2013-14 Student Board Member Application Form (DOC; Updated 17-Oct-2012)
Application due date extended until October 24, 2012

Every summer, the Governor appoints one high school senior to the State Board of Education (SBE) for a one-year term. The student member functions as a regular voting member of the SBE. This packet explains the application and selection processes, and contains a copy of the application. Please feel free to copy and distribute it to any student who might be interested.

Additional Information

• 2013-14 Student Board Member Application Poster (DOC; Updated 17-Oct-2012)
• 2013-14 Student Board Member Application Brochure (DOC; Updated 17-Oct-2012)
• 2013-14 Student Board Member Request for Application Memo (Updated 17-Oct-2012) 

Attention Juniors

(2013-2014 Seniors)

	Position Open 2013-2014 Student Member California State Board of Education
►►► Apply NOW! ◄◄◄
Who is eligible to apply? Any student who is a California resident and enrolled in a public high school, will be a senior in good standing in the 2013-14 school year, and who will be available to attend a statewide student leader meeting November 3-7, 2012, is eligible to apply.
What is the position? The Student Member is a full voting member of the State Board of Education, the governing body that sets policy for the state’s public elementary, middle, and high schools.
What is the commitment? The Student Member is asked to (1) attend all meetings of the State Board (at least two days every other month, plus special meetings when needed) usually in Sacramento; (2) give sufficient time to review the items coming before the State Board; and (3) assume the responsibilities of a full member of the State Board.
When are applications due? Applications must be received in the State Board of Education Office no later than 5:00 p.m., Wednesday, October 24, 2012.
Where is more information available? Information is available on the Internet at http://www.cde.ca.gov/be/pn/pn/sbestudentmember2013.asp, or may be obtained by contacting the California State Board of Education, 2013-14 Student Member Application, 1430 N Street, Suite 5111, Sacramento, CA, 95814; by telephone at 916-319-0826, or by email at sbe@cde.ca.gov.

Teaching Career Pathways: Leading Professional Development « InterACT

Teaching Career Pathways: Leading Professional Development « InterACT:

Teaching Career Pathways: Leading Professional Development

by David B. Cohen

Note: in October 2012, Accomplished California Teachers will release the policy report “Promoting Quality Teaching: New Approaches to Compensation and Career Pathways.”  The following post is the first in a series of profiles showing how California teacher leaders are beginning to develop and follow diversified career pathways.  California teachers, and our peers around the nation, are looking for opportunities to innovate and lead in our field, but without having to leave the classroom.  Our argument is that educational leadership will improve the more its carried out by those still in the classroom, and that students will benefit from having more accomplished educators remaining the in classroom rather than taking on entirely non-teaching positions.  
This profile looks at the new approach to professional development and teacher leadership in San Mateo Union High School District.  ACT would like to thank Superintendent Scott Laurence, former Associate Superintendent Matt Biggar, and Professional Development Coordinator Genevieve Schwartz Thurtle for their assistance.

Teacher leaders reviewing and planning professional development at San Mateo Union High School District (May 2012; photo by the author)

It’s a Friday afternoon near the end of the school year – not anyone’s typical idea of the perfect time to do important work in education.  But in a conference room in the central office of the San Mateo Union High Scho

UPDATE: Diane in the Evening 10-17-12 Diane Ravitch's blog #SOSCHAT #EDCHAT #P2

Diane Ravitch's blog:

TODAY IS THE DAY TO SUPPORT PUBLIC EDUCATION

by dianerav

Two weeks ago, in response to many readers who were frustrated by destructive federal policies, this blog launched a Campaign for Our Public Schools. The immediate goal was to stimulate an outpouring of letters and emails to the President to let him know the views of many teachers, parents, students, administrators, and concerned citizens. A hoped-for additional goal is to mobilize a citizens’ group to speak up for our public schools.
The target date for receipt of letters and emails is today, October 17. You can still send your emails to this blog or to anthony_cody@hotmail.com.
All the letters and emails will be collected by Anthony and posted for public review.
Please raise your voice against high-stakes testing and privatization.
Let the President know, let other elected officials know, let the media know how you feel, what you know, what you believe is the right path to improve our schools and the lives of children.
We must raise our voices. We must be heard. This is democracy in action. Join us.

Can 10 Very Rich People Change Public Education in Washington State?

by dianerav

Ten people have supplied 91% of the $8.9 million raised to promote a charter school referendum in Washington State.
Prominent among the super-donors are Bill Gates, Walmart heiress Alice Walton, Amazon Titan Mike Bezos, and venture capitalist Nick Hanauer.
It’s fair to say that none of these financial sponsors have a child in the public schools of Washington state or that 

Do You Care, Mr. President?

by dianerav

Dear Mr. President,
Throughout our country, the voice of the masses is being squelched. The changes needed in our public systems are in control of the powerful and influential entities, people who do not need these systems. Chicago and other major cities are ground-zero for these injustices. The public systems are breaking down for the disadvantaged, and your opponent is using the troubles of these systems to paint the entire system with a bad light.
It’s bad enough that your opponent and his party are trying to fatally wound the public school system, but there are instances where members of your own party are joining the ranks. Chicago is just one example of this. Do you see the injustice of supporting an appointed, not elected, school board in Chicago and other major cities? Where is the voice of the people?
Do you see the injustice of closing dilapidated and under-funded neighborhood schools and replacing them with “suddenly funded” charters that serve only a “select” portion of the population? What is left for the rest of the 

Fact-Checking Indiana’s Tony Bennett

by dianerav

Here’s a thankless task. A blogger in Indiana is trying to sort out facts from empty boasts by the state’s Superintendent of (Public) Instruction.

How to Respond to the Letter from the White House

by dianerav

Earlier today, I posted the form letter that the White House is sending to people who write to complain about the damage caused by Race to the Top.
The form letter shows clearly that no one read your letters indicting RTTT. The White House response is canned and insulting. There are hundreds of individual letters. Every one of those letters was written from experience. None was slapdash. Some were eloquent.
None deserved this shabby response from a President who needs our votes. At the very least, you would think 

Vote for Richard Flarend in Pennsylvania’s 79th District

by dianerav

I support all candidates who support public education.
In the 79th district in Pennsylvania, there is an exceptional candidate for the state legislature.
Richard Flarend is a physicist on the faculty at Penn State Altoona who has played an active role in civic matters.
This is what he says about education:
State funded public education is in the constitution, and for good reason. We need education to provide 

The Voice President Obama Should Hear

by dianerav

Whether the President listens or not, we won’t stop telling him to pay attention to the people who work in the nation’s classrooms and schools every day. His Race to the Top is NCLB 2.0. The original failed because its sponsors tried to impose their theories on practitioners without listening. When we get the President’s attention, he will learn from letters like this one.
October 17, 2012
Dear President Obama,
I believe you are passionate about the potential for education to change the future for children and thus our nation. But the innovations your administration is seeking are taking us down the wrong path. Some of us have been working to improve education for many years. We have studied learning, curriculum, the change process, and supporting children in poverty. We are the professional educators that have had no voice in this administration. We have been able to make important changes in various schools throughout the nation, but have never had the commitment of time and money necessary to make the level of change we seek. I believe you 

President Obama’s Disappointing Response

by dianerav

This is the disheartening response from the White House to a reader who wrote to complain about the destructive effects of Race to the Top.
So a letter that explains the pernicious consequences of RTTT gets a response saying it’s just a wonderful initiative. It’s all about the kids. It’s succeeding. Hello?
We have been wondering together: Will the President listen? Here is the answer:

October 17, 2012 at 2:47 pm
Diane,
I mailed my letter this Saturday. I got this response via email. They must have had my email in their database. I suppose everyone will be getting this form letter. I handwrote a note saying I did not want a RTTT form letter. I suggested they save the paper, stamp and the staff person’s time and buy a book for a D.C. child instead.
Well, I guess they didn’t read my note or they didn’t really care.
Here is a cut and paste of the email letter I just received.
October 17, 2012
Dear Linda:
Thank you for writing. My Administration is working to ensure all America’s young people have educational opportunities worthy of their potential, and I appreciate hearing from you.
There is no stronger foundation for success than a great education. We must provide our children with the world-class schools they need to succeed and our Nation needs to compete in the global economy. Our classrooms 

Feel Good About America: A Public School in Mississippi

by dianerav

Michael Vandveckhoven is a proud parent of a student in the public schools of Meridian, Mississippi.
This is a video that shows his son’s school. The school is half white, half black, about 40% low-income.
For someone like me, who grew up in the age of legal segregation, this is a heartwarming sight.
This is American public education at its finest. It’s not about test scores, it is about building a better society for our future.
Michael is a businessman. He iis strongly opposed to charters because he worries that they will restore segregation and ruin his son’s good public school.

How Michelle Rhee Became Isolated from the Democratic Mainstream

by dianerav

Jeff Bryant has written an insightful article about Michelle Rhee’s increasingly strained effort to promote the policies of the far-rightwing and ALEC, while claiming to be a Democrat. Rhee goes from state to state, funding GOP candidates and a few Democrats who are anti-teacher, anti-union, and anti-public education. She is not a centrist Democrat but a conduit for major corporate interests who are pushing a reactionary agenda of privatization.

If Teachers Ran Their Classes Like NYC Runs Schools, Then….

by dianerav

A reader in New York City offers a thought experiment. He invites you to participate:
If teachers ran their classes the way New York City runs its schools…
• Students would get their grades 4-5 months after they finish the teacher’s class. (Progress Report grades for schools are distributed 4-5 months after the end of the previous school year).
• The grades students are given would have no connection to the actual quality of the work they did/the effort they put in. (The school report cards have been shown to rely on questionable use of standardized exams and suffer from irredeemable methodological flaws http://garyrubinstein.teachforus.org/2012/10/05/i-dont-know-about-art-but-i-know-what-i-dont-like/.)

LISTEN TO DIANE RAVITCH 10-17-12 Diane Ravitch's blog

coopmike48 at Big Education Ape - 2 hours ago

Diane Ravitch's blog: [image: Click on picture to Listen to Diane Ravitch] Today Is the Day to Support Public Education by dianerav Two weeks ago, in response to many readers who were frustrated by destructive federal policies, this blog launched a Campaign for Our Public Schools. The immediate goal was to stimulate an outpouring of letters and emails to the President to let him know the views of many teachers, parents, students, administrators, and concerned citizens. A hoped-for additional goal is to mobilize a citizens’ group to speak up for our public schools. The target date ... more »

UPDATE: Diane in the Evening 10-16-12 Diane Ravitch's blog

coopmike48 at Big Education Ape - 13 hours ago

Diane Ravitch's blog: A MODEL LETTER FOR OCTOBER 17 by dianerav The deadline to send emails to the President to support the Campaign for Our Public Schools is October 17. Here are instructions about where to send them. Send them either to this blog or to Anthony Cody at Anthony_Cody@hotmail.com. Below is a model letter for teachers. It can be revised to make it appropriate for parents or anyone else. Write your own letter, in your own words. New Jersey Parents Write a Letter to President Obama by dianerav Parent activists in New Jersey have written the President. Please read. ... more »