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Thursday, September 16, 2010

Michelle Rhee at Risk :: Frederick M. Hess

Michelle Rhee at Risk :: Frederick M. Hess
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On Not Letting Facts Interfere With a Good Argument - Bridging Differences - Education Week

On Not Letting Facts Interfere With a Good Argument - Bridging Differences - Education Week

On Not Letting Facts Interfere With a Good Argument

Dear Diane,

It would be interesting to know what influenced the change of heart among those civil rights organizations, Diane. I've been exploring in my head—while I do my daily laps in the pond—what kind of data might persuade me to reverse my current educational convictions. What could convince me that I'm wrong?

Suppose someone could demonstrate to me that test scores would rise fastest if all schools served only a single "racial/ethnic/gender/economic" group? Suppose test scores suggested that the more segregated our lives were, the better our children's test scores?

I doubt this would be the case (see Anthony Bryk's Chicago study), but this is a thought experiment. Closing the test-score gap was not, actually, the central Supreme Court argument in the Brown v. Board of Educationdecision of 1954. But suppose one reheard the case—would we still reach the same

Wednesday, September 15, 2010

Queens Teacher: Waiting for More Educational Deform

Queens Teacher: Waiting for More Educational Deform

Waiting for More Educational Deform







Two filmmakers who wish to see public schools narrow their curriculums even further so that kids can do better on tests.

Students Pack 'Closed' Charter School

Students Pack 'Closed' Charter School

Students Pack 'Closed' Charter School

Updated: Wednesday, 15 Sep 2010, 3:01 PM CDT
Published : Wednesday, 15 Sep 2010, 3:01 PM CDT

HOUSTON - The Texas Education Agency says a northeast Houston charter school is officially closed, but one day after the state order, Benji's Academy is still holding classes.

Benji's Academy buses filled with students rolled into the campus Wednesday morning. Parents dropped their children off for school too, because they say the school vowed to stay open.

The TEA announced Tuesday the 30-year-old charter school with almost 550 students was no longer financially viable. The agency also said it needs to close the school to protect the health, safety, and welfare of the students.

But many in the community love the school. They say it

Ed Sec. in NC: Poor economy forces tough choices Education Week: From the Wires

Education Week: From the Wires

FROM THE WIRES

Vermont to get $19 million to save teacher jobs - Boston.com

Vermont to get $19 million to save teacher jobs - Boston.com

Vermont to get $19 million to save teacher jobs

September 15, 2010
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MONTPELIER, Vt.—Vermont is getting $19 million in federal funding to retain teachers.

The funding is part of $10 billion going to school districts around the country included in emergency legislation passed last month.

Eduwonk � Blog Archive � About Last Night, Now The What?

Eduwonk � Blog Archive � About Last Night, Now The What?

About Last Night, Now The What?

My take on what a Fenty loss likely means for schools in DC and for school reform nationally is my column this week at Time. Punchline: Instability in DC, politics nationally, talent drain, and not a great day for reformers if she goes. But there is more via the link above.

Over at TNR Seyward Darby’s take is well-worth checking out, too. I’d argue, however, that the next contract

QUICK Hits � The Quick and the Ed

QUICK Hits � The Quick and the Ed

QUICK Hits



Quick HitsQuick Hits is a short compilation of question-raising news stories, blog posts, and video clips that Education Sector team members are reading or viewing each day.

Federal jobs bill averts needs for cuts | Philadelphia Public School Notebook

Federal jobs bill averts needs for cuts | Philadelphia Public School Notebook

Federal jobs bill averts needs for cuts

by Paul Socolar on Sep 15 2010 Posted in Eye on the budget

The District's budget is still balanced despiterecent state funding cutbacks, Chief Financial Officer Michael Masch told the SRC Wednesday - mostly thanks to the August adoption of a federal education jobs bill that will send $98 million to Philadelphia.

The $10 billion federal bill provides money "for one purpose and one purpose only - to create or retain education jobs," Masch explained. The funds can be expended between now and September 2012.

Masch said he expected to use half of the money - $49 million - to bring the budget into balance for the current school year and the other half next year. This is enough funding each year to protect more than 500 teacher jobs, he said.

Back to school in the GothamSchools community section | GothamSchools

Back to school in the GothamSchools community section | GothamSchools

Back to school in the GothamSchools community section

Returning to the classroom isn’t just a source of anticipation and stress for teachers. It’s also a source for blog fodder.

The GothamSchools community section has been abuzz since last week with back-to-school thoughts from contributors old and new. Read Ruben Brosbe on the little-known phenomenon of teacher backsliding; Lizzie Hetzer on the mixed emotions brought on by moving to a more teacher-friendly school; Dana Lawit on the symbolism of fresh pencils; and Stephen Lazar on his hopes and fears for the new year.

The section’s newest author is actually a former city teacher. Collin Lawrence just left the city after four years at a small high school in Brooklyn, which he is calling the Brooklyn Arts Academy. In his first post, “Back to Civilian Life,” Lawrence outlined his project:

I have decided to chronicle the tumultuous four-year saga that marked my tenure at the Brooklyn

11th Annual Historically Black College Recruitment Fair�-�U Can Go To College - UCAN

11th Annual Historically Black College Recruitment Fair�-�U Can Go To College - UCAN
11TH ANNUAL HISTORICALLY BLACK COLLEGE RECRUITMENT FAIR

Contact: Karen Compton Phone: (916) 921-UCAN (8226) ucan@kcimedia.com

The United College Action Network (U-CAN), of Sacramento, California Nehemiah Corporation of America and New Faze Development in partnership with Elk Grove Unified School District, Sacramento City Unified School District, Twin Rivers Unified District, Oakland Unified School District, Stockton Unified School District, a consortium of education partners in, Solano county, and local community organizations wishes to announce the upcoming Tenth Annual Black College Recruitment Fair.

U-CAN President Alan H. Rowe states, “Last years regional event drew more than 15,000 students and parents from Sacramento and surrounding counties, and was an overwhelming success with many students receiving on the spot admissions and scholarship offers.”

Event coordinators anticipate this year's attendance will once again also draw thousands. Representatives from more than thirty of the countries leading Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs)

United College Action Network (U-CAN!)

will be recruiting college bound students on-site during the weeklong event. The College Fair locations are scheduled on Monday evening, September 13, 2010 at Mt. Calvary Baptist Church in Fairfield, Tuesday, September 14, 2010 at Bear Creek High School in Stockton, Wednesday, September 15, 2010 at Laney College in Oakland Thursday, September 16, 2010 at Sacramento City College in Sacramento California, Friday, September 17, 2010 at Foothill High School in Sacramento, and Saturday, September 18, 2010 at Valley High School in Sacramento, California within the Elk Grove Unified School District, Elk Grove.

Interested high school and college students will have the opportunity to receive preliminary "on-the-spot" admissions, scholarships, financial aid information and face-to-face exposure with many of the most respected historically black institutions of higher learning within the United States. A partial list of participating colleges includes: Alabama State University, Dillard University, Grambling State University, Hampton University, Howard University, Johnson C. Smith University, Lincoln University, Morgan State University, South Carolina State University, Spelman College, Tuskegee University and Xavier University of Louisiana, among many other colleges and universities. Each college fair event is free and open to the public and all students.

Students who wish to apply and qualify for "on-the-spot" admissions and scholarships should bring an official transcript, if available, and a copy of their ACT/SAT test scores, if taken, for each college application they plan to complete. All high school and community college students and their parents will not want to miss this annual college planning event and opportunity. This event is open to all students. For more information visit us on the web at www.ucangotocollege.com or contact us at (916) 921-UCAN (8226) ucan@kcimedia.com