Rachel Norton: SF Board of Education | A public school parent on the Board of Education

Rachel Norton: SF Board of Education | A public school parent on the Board of Education

Feedback on the middle school plan

Posted on May 10, 2011 by rpnorton| 2 Comments

It’s been an exceptionally long day, and tonight’s meeting was packed with information I haven’t fully processed yet, so these are my preliminary reactions. I will probably update these observations in the next day or so.

Parents for Public Schools and the Parent Advisory Council presented extensive findings and recommendations from their two-month public engagement and outreach project around the district’s plan to implement feeder patterns as a strategy for creating quality programs at every middle school. Hundreds of parents and staff in neighborhoods across the city attended meetings; notes were taken from each discussion and the transcripts of those notes were analyzed to cull the findings from the meetings.

The overarching recommendation was for the district not to implement the feeder plan, and instead retain the choice system for middle school enrollment, while strengthening the quality at all schools. It’s an oversimplification of the

How deceptive is this letter from Rhee’s organization? - The Answer Sheet - The Washington Post

How deceptive is this letter from Rhee’s organization? - The Answer Sheet - The Washington Post

How deceptive is this letter from Rhee’s organization?

by Valerie Strauss

Read the following fundraising letter, which was sent to, of all people, education historian Diane Ravitch byMichelle Rhee’s organization.

Ravitch recognized the name of the group sending out the letter — StudentsFirst, the education reform organization Rhee formed after she quit as D.C. schools chancellor in October.

But those not steeped in education reform might not know that the reforms referred to in this letter are in many cases geared toward privatizing public schools by:

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“They wouldn’t be doing this if we weren’t women.” « Fred Klonsky's blog

“They wouldn’t be doing this if we weren’t women.” « Fred Klonsky's blog

“They wouldn’t be doing this if we weren’t women.”

by Fred Klonsky

Most mornings she will come out of her room as I walk by and make a comment on some current news or ask a pointed question.

“Did you hear Tom Hartman on the radio yesterday. I was driving home and he was talking about…”

“I was so angry, I wrote my state senator last night and told him…”

But this morning she shook her head and said, “They only think they can get away with this because we’re

PAY-2-LEARN - REPORT: An Investigation of Mandatory Fees for Educational Activities in California’s Public Schools

4LAKids - some of the news that doesn't fit: PAY-2-LEARN - REPORT: An Investigation of Mandatory Fees for Educational Activities in California’s Public Schools

PAY-2-LEARN - REPORT: An Investigation of Mandatory Fees for Educational Activities in California’s Public Schools

ACLU PRESS RELEASE AND REPORT | HTTP://BIT.LY/KTWQEO

ACLU California Affiliates Announce Major Settlement in School Fees Case

Thursday, December 9, 2010 - LOS ANGELES - The California affiliates of the American Civil Liberties Union announced a settlement today with the State of California that will establish a comprehensive monitoring and enforcement system to ensure school districts do not unlawfully charge fees to students for educational activities.

The settlement, which requires court approval, is contingent on enactment of legislation that would empower students and parents to use the existing Williams Uniform Complaint Process to identify, and receive reimbursement for, illegal school fees and that would amend the annual independent audits of school districts to determine if schools collected illegal fees.

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“This is a historic settlement that puts an end once and for all to the pay to learn system,” said Mark Rosenbaum, chief counsel of the ACLU/SC.

“This agreement means all students have an equal opportunity to achieve their dreams irrespective of their families’ financial circumstances. The ACLU thanks Governor Schwarzenegger, Secretary of Education Bonnie Reiss and the

PAY-2-LEARN/School Funding: FEE RESTRICTIONS MAY FORCE SCHOOLS TO CUT EXTRACURRICULAR PROGRAMS

Legal settlement bars public schools from charging student fees, and proposed legislation would require all materials and equipment to be provided free. Some schools say they'll have to scrap programs.

BY MEGAN O'NEIL, LOS ANGELES TIMES | HTTP://LAT.MS/MUOYEI

Musical ensembles are among the public school programs that no longer can be financed with mandatory fees. (Jay L. Clendenin / Los Angeles Times)

May 10, 2011 - Local education officials this week said they are bracing for a dramatic shift in how extracurricular activities are funded, the result of a lawsuit settlement that bars schools and their affiliates from charging students fees for such programs as sports teams, musical ensembles and cheer squads.

California education officials in December settled a lawsuit brought by the American Civil Liberties Union against dozens of campuses, includingJohn Burroughs High in Burbank, alleging that charging students for educational materials and activities violates a constitutional mandate that public school districts provide free and equitable education to all students.

The Legislature is now considering a law to impose penalties on districts where fees have been charged illegally. It also mandates that all educational and extracurricular supplies, materials and equipment be provided free of charge.

The new rules would also apply to booster clubs, foundations and community organizations that provide support to a school.

If approved, the rules would be disastrous for districts already strapped for cash, local officials said.

"Our district and our schools will need to rely more heavily on voluntary donations to preserve the same level of educational opportunities that students have enjoyed in the past," said Glendale Unified Deputy Supt. John Garcia. "There are a lot of practices now — not just in our district, but in districts all throughout the state — that are going to have to be changed as a result of this legislation

Alice Mercer's California State of Emergency Day One Reflections | Reflections on Teaching

California State of Emergency Day One Reflections | Reflections on Teaching

California State of Emergency Day One Reflections

by alicemercer

Quote of the Day:
“I tell my boss, follow the teachers, they always know what’s right”–Legislative Aide

Day one was a good beginning in a longer campaign. This week we will be trying to get movement on the budget, to extend existing revenue streams (taxes we already pay) before they expire in June, causing our state budget to bleed red ink like a George Romero movie. The long game is one that CTA (and I) have tried to work on for a while, changing our governance, budget and revenue structure in the state to stop these persistent structural shortfalls.

The scenario is as follows, the Governor ran on the promise to put the tax extension to voters. An idea they like,

Suffocating in Standardization « Cooperative Catalyst

Suffocating in Standardization « Cooperative Catalyst

Suffocating in Standardization

POSTED BY JOHNTSPENCER ⋅ MAY 10, 2011 ⋅ LEAVE A COMMENT

My students spend twenty five full school days a year taking standardized tests. That’s more than the combined total of hours for the bar exam, teacher certification and MCATS. In other words, the test we develop to see whether an eighth grader understands the Pythagorean Theorem is longer than the tests we create for doctors, lawyers and teachers.

And yet . . .

The enemy isn’t the test. The enemy isn’t Waiting for Superman, either. Nor is it Rhee or Duncan or Gates. The enemy isn’t a single, solitary human or even a single, solitary idea. Instead, the real issue is the process of standardization.

I’m not sure it’s a new enemy, either. It’s the same enemy that forced hemlock on Socrates and the same enemy that killed Jesus and the same one that led to the excommunication of Galileo. It’s the confusion of uniformity for unity and efficiency for effectiveness.

Here in America, it began when we first created factory-model schools. We adopted the industrial model to prepare students for jobs

Punishing the Victim: DOE’s Approach to Banana Kelly High School « EdVox

Punishing the Victim: DOE’s Approach to Banana Kelly High School « EdVox

Punishing the Victim: DOE’s Approach to Banana Kelly High School

by edvoxny

by Norm Fruchter

In December, 2010, the New York State Education Department placed Banana Kelly High School on the State’s list of Persistently Low Achieving (PLA) schools. Many critics, including some of the writers for this blog, have charged the DOE with setting up for failure high schools that struggle with difficult-to-educate student populations. (See, for example, New York City Independent Budget Office. (2011). Demographics, Performance, Resources: Schools Proposed for Closing Compared with Other City Schools. New York: IBO; Bennett, J. (2011). Third Turn of the Screw: The DOE and Closing Schools. New York: United Federation of Teachers, UFT Blog, http://www.uft.org/node/28350).

That seems to be the case with Banana Kelly. The school serves very high proportions of students eligible for free lunch — 72% compared to 58% citywide, very high special education (17%) and ELL populations (17%) – compared to 12% and 13% respectively citywide, and its incoming students have quite low proficiency levels – a 2.63 eighth grade proficiency rating for their entering class, compared to a 2.94 rating citywide.

California teachers' budget protests include tax pitch, arrests Sacramento Bee

California teachers' budget protests include tax pitch, arrests - Sacramento Politics - California Politics | Sacramento Bee

Bryan Patrick / bpatrick@sacbee.com

Bryan Patrick bpatrick@sacbee.com A man who identified himself only as a student from San Francisco is arrested by California Highway Patrol officers Monday evening as he and dozens of others refused to leave the Capitol rotunda when the building was closed after a daylong rally.

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Capitol and California - State Budget

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California teachers' budget protests include tax pitch, arrests

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By Jon Ortiz and David Siders
jortiz@sacbee.com

Published: Tuesday, May. 10, 2011 - 12:00 am | Page 1A

Last Modified: Tuesday, May. 10, 2011 - 7:58 am

The state's largest teachers union revved up its faithful Monday to lean on state lawmakers to extend current tax rates – and eventually increase them.

The daylong rally by the California Teachers Association kicked off a week of budget lobbying, press events and teach-ins by the union. Their plans and those of anti-war protesters this week prompted stepped-up Capitol security over concerns that some activists might stage Wisconsin-style sit-ins at the Capitol or commit other acts of civil disobedience.

Although law enforcement officials said the crowds were generally peaceful, they arrested about 65 protesters after warning them to leave the Capitol rotunda after the building closed at 6 p.m. They

Read more: http://www.sacbee.com/2011/05/10/3614591/california-teachers-budget-protests.html#ixzz1LxjbVc4F

Awake The State

Awake The State

Find A May 10th Awake The State Rally Near You

Type in your zip code below to find a May 10th Awake The State rally in your community. Voice your opposition to the most anti-middle class legislative session in Florida history. Hold legislators accountable who stood with Gov. Scott instead of middle class Floridians.

Don't see an event near you? Click here to organize one. Awake The State is a grassroots movement powered by everyday Floridians.

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A Lawless Governor? Christie has threatened to act in a lawless manner.

NJ Spotlight | Op-Ed: A Lawless Governor?

Op-Ed: A Lawless Governor?

In at least three recent instances involving the state's public education system, Christie has threatened to act in a lawless manner.

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By Paul Tractenberg, May 10 in Opinion |Post a Comment

It’s jarring when any lawyer publicly threatens to ignore constitutional requirements, statutory provisions and processes, and court decisions. Indeed, it may well violate a Rule of Professional Conduct (RPC) that governs lawyer behavior. RPC 8.4 expressly admonishes lawyers not to "engage in conduct that is prejudicial to the administration of justice."

When the lawyer in question is a former U.S. Attorney and the sitting governor of New Jersey, the concern deepens greatly. After all, the U.S. Attorney for New Jersey is the chief law enforcement officer for this federal district. And as to the governor, whether or not he or she is a lawyer, assuming the position adds another dimension. The Oath of Allegiance sworn to during the inauguration includes a commitment to uphold the state’s constitution and laws

Yet Gov. Chris Christie has repeatedly engaged in behavior that raises questions under both the RPC and the Oath of Allegiance.

In at least three recent instances involving the state's public education system, Christie has threatened to act in a lawless manner.

First, when the subject of Mark Zuckerberg’s

Can we fairly evaluate teachers using student achievement (SB 4)? « A "Fuller" Look at Education Issues

Can we fairly evaluate teachers using student achievement (SB 4)? « A "Fuller" Look at Education Issues

Can we fairly evaluate teachers using student achievement (SB 4)?

by Dr. Ed Fuller

Teachers in the US have long been paid the same regardless of the effectiveness of the teacher. Indeed, two teachers with the same amount of experience are paid about the same amount of money regardless of how effective or ineffective the teachers. This remains true today despite a large body of evidence and years of parents’ experiences in schools that tell us that some teachers are simply better than other teachers.

We know that in some professions (not nearly as many people believe), employees are paid based on their productivity and effectiveness, not necessarily on their years of experience. Since we know some teachers are more effective than others, common sense seems to dictate three policies to address this situation:

1) Grant tenure only to those teachers who are effective in improving student achievement;

2) Allow only effective teachers to remain tenured; and,

3) Release the least effective teachers during reductions in force.

Who could argue with such common sense proposals? They seem as American as apple pie. But these

Shanker Blog » Public Employee Unions And Voter Turnout

Shanker Blog » Public Employee Unions And Voter Turnout

Public Employee Unions And Voter Turnout

by Matthew Di Carlo

During the recent debates over public employees’ collective bargaining rights, especially around the Wisconsin protests, I heard a few people argue that Republican governors are intent on destroying public sector unions, at least in part, because union members are more likely to vote – and to vote Democratic.

The latter argument (union members are more likely to vote Democratic) is generally true (also here) – although the union “effect” on candidate/party choice is of course complicated. The former argument (more likely to vote in general) is also valid, but there is some underlying public/private variation that is both interesting and important.

As is almost always the case, isolating the effect of a given factor (in this case, how being a union member affects the likelihood of voting) requires one to compare how this factor “operates” on people who are otherwise similar. For example, in a previous post, I compared public and private sector workers’ earnings. In order to uncover the “effect” of public sector employment on earnings, I used models that controlled for other relevant, measurable factors, such as education and experience. In doing so, I was able to (imperfectly) ensure that I was

Billionaire's role in hiring decisions at Florida State University raises questions - St. Petersburg Times

Billionaire's role in hiring decisions at Florida State University raises questions - St. Petersburg Times

Billionaire's role in hiring decisions at Florida State University raises questions

By Kris Hundley, Times staff writer
In Print: Tuesday, May 10, 2011

---

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Related Links Contract: Read the document (pdf)

A conservative billionaire who opposes government meddling in business has bought a rare commodity: the right to interfere in faculty hiring at a publicly funded university.

A foundation bankrolled by Libertarian businessman Charles G. Koch has pledged $1.5 million for positions in Florida State University's economics department. In return, his representatives get to screen and sign off on any hires for a new program promoting "political economy and free enterprise."

Traditionally, university donors have little official input into choosing the person who fills a chair they've funded. The power of university faculty and officials to choose professors without outside interference is considered a hallmark of academic freedom.

Under the agreement with the Charle

Why Won't 'Reformers' Listen? - Bridging Differences - Education Week

Why Won't 'Reformers' Listen? - Bridging Differences - Education Week

Why Won't 'Reformers' Listen?

by Diane Ravitch

Dear Deborah,

We have had fun as a traveling team, debating the issues and engaging in free-flowing conversation about the current state of school reform. People call it "live blogging" and seem to enjoy our discussions. Sometimes we agree, sometimes we don't. That's a healthy thing in a democracy.

These days, there seems to be little tolerance for debate and discussion.

Last week, I went to Providence, R.I., to give a lecture. Before my arrival, I was invited by Gov. Lincoln Chafee to meet privately with him. Thirty minutes before my hour with Gov. Chafee, I learned that state Commissioner of Elementary and Secondary Education Deborah Gist would join our meeting. As it turned out, I had 10 minutes of private time with the governor, then 50 minutes with Gist and leaders of the Rhode Island Federation of Teachers.

I mention all this because of what happened during the 50 minutes. Gist is clearly a very smart, articulate woman. But she dominated the conversation, interrupted me whenever I spoke, and filibustered to use up the limited time. Whenever I raised an issue, she would interrupt to say, "That isn't happening here." She came to talk, not to listen. It became so difficult for me to complete a sentence that at one point, I said, "Hey, guys, you

This Week In Education: AM News: Duncan Softens On Publishing Teacher Ratings

This Week In Education: AM News: Duncan Softens On Publishing Teacher Ratings

AM News: Duncan Softens On Publishing Teacher Ratings

by Alexander Russo

U.S. schools chief backs off on publication of teacher ratings California Watch: He now avoids saying whether he thinks teacher-effectiveness ratings should be published by media outlets... Announcement DelayedCNN: The schools initially were notified that the announcement would come Monday, but it has been delayed, leaving them on pins and needles a bit longer.... Chicago Fight Threatens Illinois Education Overhaul WSJ: [Proponents] said CTU officials went home early, while others stayed to hammer out the specific language of the bill after the final negotiations... L.A. Unified plans major staff shakeup at Huntington Park High LAT: Teachers judged ineffective and forced out of one school will be entitled under the union contract to fill positions at other turnaround schools... 'Last In, First Out' Among Teacher Layoff Policies Under Scrutiny PBS: In the last year, several states passed laws to get rid of last-in/first-out and other seniority provisions in teachers' contracts. Superintendent Adamowski is hoping Connecticut's legislature will follow suit... Education Programs Assail 'U.S. News' Survey NPR: Many education schools are opting out, saying they question the methodology. Pa. gov links teachers' unions to failing schoolsAP: Pennsylvania's public schools have focused too much on teacher contracts and not enough on curriculum, Gov. Tom Corbett said Monday...Feds: Illegal Students Entitled To K-12 Education AP: The letter comes amid reports that schools may be checking the immigration status of students trying to enroll... Police: Man set mom aflame, held teacher hostage AP: A Texas man set fire to his mother, then went to a nearby school and tried to sexually assault a teacher at knifepoint before the superintendent broke down the door to help free her, police and school officials said Monday... Bill to Allow Concealed Guns in Class Advances AP: Texas state senators have voted to allow concealed handgun license holders to carry their weapons into public college classrooms...