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Friday, July 8, 2011

Big Education Ape: 7-8-11 AM Joel Klein the Fixer? Edition

Big Education Ape: Ed News Now
Big Education Ape: Ed News Now
Published by Coopmike48 – 7 contributors today

Murdoch's new fixer, Joel Klein

schoolingintheownershipsociety.blogspot.com - Reforming the "reformers"MurdochKleinJohnny-come-lately school reform profiteer Rupert Murdoch has to deal with yet another scandal. It seems his people have been doing some phone hacking, bribing...

mikeklonsky

Reforming the School Reformers - NYTimes.com

bigeducationape.blogspot.com - Reforming the School Reformers - NYTimes.comNo, Seriously: No ExcusesPhoto Illustration by Ruud Van Empel/Stux GalleryBy PAUL TOUGHPublished: July 7, 2011RECOMMENDTWITTERCOMMENTS (7)E-MAILPRINTSING...

coopmike48

Daily Kos: Taxes and Billionaires and the rest of us

bigeducationape.blogspot.com - Daily Kos: Taxes and Billionaires and the rest of usTaxes and Billionaires and the rest of usby rss@dailykos.com (teacherken)The larger question is this: Do we try to balance budget deficits just b...

coopmike48

Another question for the blogger. « Fred Klonsky's blog

preaprez.wordpress.com - A teacher writes: Do you think that with so many NEA members complaining about the endorsement to the fact that some have threatened to “quit” the union it gives ammo to those that are currently do...

fklonsky

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DianeRavitch Were the 50s the "golden age" of US education? No, schools were in crisis then too. Remember Rudolf Flesch, Hyman Rickover? Or read my books4 minutes ago · reply · retweet · favorite

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DianeRavitch 1950s as golden age? Racial segregation legal, kids with disabilities excluded, few non-English-speaking students. Some golden age.2 minutes ago · reply · retweet · favorite

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DianeRavitch Want to learn more about halcyon 1950s? Read "The Troubled Crusade."about 1 minute ago · reply · retweet · favorite

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coopmike48 Texas Bill Gives Charter Schools Momentum in Financing Growth: Muni Credit - Bloomberg - http://goo.gl/XmpUK12 minutes ago · reply · retweet · favorite

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No, Seriously: No Excuses

nytimes.com - In the early days of the education-reform movement, a decade or so ago, you’d often hear from reformers a powerful rallying cry: “No excuses.” For too long, they said, poverty had been used as an e...

DianeRavitch

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It can only get bigger...

melaniephillips.com - Published in: Melanie's blog The astonishing News of the World scandal now has the capacity to engulf not just News International but the Cameron government, the Metropolitan Police and the British...

DianeRavitch

The Acheivement Gap - Jonathan Kozol

brownvboard.info - Early Education/Frederick Douglass, SkelcherPlessy v. Ferguson, SkelcherCharles Houston as Social Engineer, McNeilThe Margold Report, McNeilThe Margold Report/Graduate School Cases, GreenbergLawyer...

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How Votetocracy works | Votetocracy

bigeducationape.blogspot.com - How Votetocracy works | VotetocracyHow Votetocracy worksIntroductionMany Americans realize the impact bills in Congress have on your lives. So you make an attempt to get informed and get involved. ...

coopmike48

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Taxes and Billionaires

nytimes.com - The House speaker, John Boehner, suggests that the Republican threat of letting the United States default on its debts is driven by concern for jobs for ordinary Americans. “We cannot m...

DianeRavitch

#eduRead this paperSee all

Intervening in the Education Wars - Dana Goldstein

bigeducationape.blogspot.com - Intervening in the Education Wars - Dana GoldsteinIntervening in the Education Warsby Dana GoldsteinPaul Tough has written one of the most sensible pieces about education reform I've read in a long...

coopmike48

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Wrapping up NEA's 2011 Convention - Teacher Beat

blogs.edweek.org - Well, readers, it was a wild ride: This year's National Education Association convention was full of twists and turns. We're happy that you were able to follow along with our coverage here at Educa...

coopmike48

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    Oregon Teachers Take Notice Of Move By NEA · OPB News

    Oregon Teachers Take Notice Of Move By NEA · OPB News

    Oregon Teachers Take Notice Of Move By NEA

    OPB | July 7, 2011

    When the National Education Association voted to open the door for using student data to judge teachers, education advocates took notice -- including in Oregon. Oregon lawmakers have moved in the same direction.

    In case teachers weren’t worried enough about how their students might do next year, they’re going to have one more reason to pay attention. They have their national union, the NEA, to thank.

    Sue Hildick directs the Portland-based Chalkboard Project

    "It’s a significant step for the NEA to call for the use of student achievement measures in teacher performance evaluations," Hildick says.

    Oregon lawmakers also passed legislation this year requiring that school districts

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    Stand for Children. “We got to decide all the fine print.” « Fred Klonsky's blog

    Stand for Children. “We got to decide all the fine print.” « Fred Klonsky's blog

    Stand for Children. “We got to decide all the fine print.”

    by Fred Klonsky

    It’s too bad there is not a transcript of the Aspen video of Stand For Children’s Jonah Edelman’s presentation. It could be studied in every Local and Region in the IEA.

    Edelman looks at SB7 as a major victory over the teachers unions. So do I.

    In fact, he believes it is a model for doing to schools and teachers in other states what they did in Wisconsin, without the mess.

    He believes the catalyst was the IEA’s cave on the Race to the Top grant. So do I.

    He says their ability to raise $3 million dollars from the Chicago corporate community allowed them to “jam it

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    NYC Educator: Tenuous Tenure in NYC

    NYC Educator: Tenuous Tenure in NYC

    Tenuous Tenure in NYC

    by NYC Educator
    NY Daily News reveals that tenure is being withheldmore than it used to be. I believe tenure ought to mean something, so on the face of it, that's not a bad thing. However, it appears the city is not doing its job. I know, for example, that Long Island City high school simply denied tenure to all applicants, and they're not alone.

    I've also spoken with teachers who tell me they are not regularly observed, and that tenure decisions are based on a single unannounced observation that took place 8 months into the year. The News story tells similar tales. It's remarkable that teachers are so regularly and viciously trashed in the media while virtually no attention is given to negligent supervisors. It's their job, in fact, to observe and mentor new teachers. New teachers should also be mentored by colleagues, and I know of many cases where that is ignored. I rarely got any meaningful assistance when I was starting out, and
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    Learn English & Gain A 25% Salary Increase | Larry Ferlazzo's Websites of the Day...

    Learn English & Gain A 25% Salary Increase | Larry Ferlazzo's Websites of the Day...
    Learn English & Gain A 25% Salary Increase Every so often I’ll have a student who says they’re not very interested in learning English because they’re going back to Mexico as soon as possible. My usual response, which has been pretty effective, is that the student is likely to get a ...
    The Best Sites For Learning About South Sudan’s Independence South Sudan is set to become an independent country on July 9th despite ongoing military tensions with north Sudan. You might also be interested in The Best Sites For Learning About The Vote In Southern Sudan and The Best Web Resources On Darfur. ...
    Health Sites For ELL’s I’ve just revised and updated The Best Health Sites For English Language Learners. As always, feedback is welcome.
    Tools For Creating Tests I’ve just revised and updated The Best Ways To Create Online Tests. Feedback and additional suggestions are welcome.
    Most Popular Videos On Mobile Devices I periodically post “most popular” lists of websites (and books) that I think educators might find useful. Of course, there are a number of ways to gauge “popularity.” I just view these lists as opportunities to check-out some new sites, and find it ...
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    Koch OUT News | www.kochwatch.org

    News | www.kochwatch.org
    The Young Turks: Should Millionaires Share Burden Of Budget Cuts?
    OpEd News: World War Three Is Under Way and YOU Are the Enemy *-By Rob Kall * *July 6, 2011-* There is a war that's been under way against the middle class. The war has been going on for at least 11 years. It's a world wide war-- a World War funded by multinational corporations and billionaires. If you're ...
    AFL-CIO Blog: First, Michigan Guts Democracy. Now Aims for Workers’ Paychecks *-by Tula Connell* *July 6, 2011-* It’s not enough that Michigan’s Republican Gov. Rick Snyder took away basic democratic rights of cities and towns by imposing a “financial martial law” that can virtually abolish a local government in favor of an ...
    Patriotic Millionaires
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    Complaint against State Board member | Thoughts on Public Education

    Complaint against State Board member | Thoughts on Public Education

    Complaint against State Board member

    Recusal demanded of CTA's Patricia Rucker

    Posted on 7/08/11 • Categorized as Charters, Parent Trigger

    By John Fensterwald - Educated Guess

    Patricia Rucker, a State Board of Education member whose day job is lobbyist for theCalifornia Teachers Association, is facing a conflict of interest complaint by supporters of the Parent Trigger law that the CTA wants to gut.

    The complaint is a preemptive strike by parents affiliated with the nonprofit group Parent Revolution. It was filed Thursday with the California Fair Political Practices Commission, less than a week before the State Board is scheduled to take a crucial vote on Parent Trigger regulations that the Board has been reworking for nearly a year. In a Parent Revolutionpress release, the parents said they would “happily withdraw their complaint” if Rucker recuses herself from participating in all Parent Trigger discussions and votes – something

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    Teacher: ‘Next year my classroom will be different’ - The Answer Sheet - The Washington Post

    Teacher: ‘Next year my classroom will be different’ - The Answer Sheet - The Washington Post

    Teacher: ‘Next year my classroom will be different’

    by Valerie Strauss

    --

    This was written by Shelley Wright, a teacher/education blogger living in Moose Jaw, Saskatchewan in Canada. She teaches high school English, science and technology. Her passion in education is social justice, global education and helping her students make the world a better place. She blogs at Wright’s Room. This was published on the blog Voices From the Learning Revolution, where teachers, librarians, IT specialists, principals, district leaders and consultants contribute ideas about connected, digitally infused teaching.

    Read full article >>
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    School Tech Connect: How Dare You Even Ask Me That Question?

    School Tech Connect: How Dare You Even Ask Me That Question?

    How Dare You Even Ask Me That Question?

    by effacethefacade@yahoo.com (Tim)
    Apparently everyone already knows.

    If my kids were going to start school here in the fall, I sure would want them to to have access to these fabulous libraries.

    It would be icing on the cake if my kids' teachers weren't under the gun to drill my kids to pass reading tests in a
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    Save Our Schools Calendar of Events « Parents Across America

    Save Our Schools Calendar of Events « Parents Across America

    Parents Across America is co-sponsoring and participating in the SOS conference and workshops at American University, the rally, and march to the White House from July 28-July 30 in DC. We are also holding a reception the evening of July 29.

    Please join us! See discounts for travel and hotel below.

    We are also going to be visiting Senate and House offices on July 28; if you’d like to join us, email info@parentsacrossamerica.org

    Registration: There is an $100 registration fee for the conference if you want to attend workshops on July 28 and/or July 29. This includes two lunches, two continental breakfasts, and a Friday evening get- together before the movie, “The Inconvenient Truth Behind Waiting for Superman.” The link to register for the conference is:http://www.saveourschoolsmarch.org/event_info/conference/

    Thursday JULY 28: American University/4400 Massachusetts Ave NW

    9 AM: Jonathan Kozol gives Keynote Address, Ward Circle Building

    Workshops rest of the day at same location


    Friday JULY 29: American University/4400 Massachusetts Ave NW

    9 AM: Dr. Diane Ravitch Keynote Address in AU Ward Bldg

    Workshops rest of day.

    Friday evening:

    Parents across America reception 6:00- 7:30 PM at the Marriot Wardman Hotel , 2660 Woodley Road NW , co-hosted by Diane Ravitch, Valerie Strauss, and Nancy Carlsson-Paige, Lesley University Professor and mother of Matt Damon.

    Saturday JULY 30:

    Noon Rally at the Ellipse; between 17th St & Constitution Ave.Speakers will include Matt Damon, Diane Ravitch, Deb Meier, Jonathan Kozol, Nancy Carlsson-Paige, many more.

    2 PM march from Ellipse to White House


    Discounts for travel and hotel:

    Amtrak will offer a 10% discount off the best available rail fare to Washington , DC between July 25, 2011 – August 03, 2011. To book a reservation call: Amtrak at 1 (800) 872-7245 and ask for: Save Our Schools March Convention Rate-X08H – 929.

    Delta Airlines also will offer discount; CONTRACT # IS 413-275; ask for Save Our Schools Convention rate. Must book by phone.

    Marriot Wardman Hotel also offers a discount; just ask for Save Our Schools Convention rate. 2660 Woodley Road NW, Washington, DC. Phone: 1-202-328-2000

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    Daily Kos: Eugene Robinson is an absolute must read

    Daily Kos: Eugene Robinson is an absolute must read

    Eugene Robinson is an absolute must read

    by rss@dailykos.com (teacherken)

    in his Friday column titled A little more revenue could go a long way. Perhaps you can get a sense of where he is going from the very beginning:

    Do progressives care about reducing the national debt? Of course they do, no matter what the White House might believe.

    While acknowledging all of the legitimate worries about the financial direction of this country, ultimately Robinson is coming down on the side of the approach proposed by the Progressive Caucus. As he notes about confronting the problems we face,

    The way to avoid this dystopian future is to bring spending and revenue more into balance. Yes, there will be some pain and sacrifice. But it is not necessary — nor is it wise — to heap a disproportionate share of the burden onto the backs of the poor, the elderly and the battered middle class.

    What is the alternative? Well, we could begin by recognizing that while spending is too great, in historical terms, revenue is far too meager. We ought to be taxing and spending at roughly 20 percent of GDP, which means that a sensible, equitable, long-term program of debt reduction ought to include spending cuts and revenue increases in roughly equal measure.

    There is much more, and I am pretty much at the limit of fair use already.

    You should read, and pass on, his column.

    But please keep reading.

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    Anticut 3 – Friday « occupy california

    Anticut 3 – Friday « occupy california

    Anticut 3 – Friday

    by *

    from Bay of Rage:

    Anticut 3: Austerity Is Prison

    //July 8th, 6:00 sharp, don’t be late//
    //Intersection of Broadway and Telegraph [Oakland]//

    against capitalism
    against austerity
    against prisons
    in solidarity with the Pelican Bay hunger strike

    6,600 CA Prisoners on Hunger Strike

    by *

    from PrisonerHungerStrikeSolidarity:

    The CDCR’s own figures acknowledge 6,600 prisoners participated in the hunger strike across 13 prisons (out of a total 33) in California this past weekend. While the CDCR claims the number of prisoners participating has dropped to 2,100 people yesterday, we know this hunger strike is strong, and many prisoners are in it for the long haul.

    Thousands of prisoners have come together in solidarity with the prisoners at Pelican Bay SHU, while being locked up in brutal conditions themselves. This massive resistance and support is a

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    Thursday, July 7, 2011

    DC official: Ed Dept. now active in erasure probe - D.C. Schools Insider - The Washington Post

    DC official: Ed Dept. now active in erasure probe - D.C. Schools Insider - The Washington Post

    DC official: Ed Dept. now active in erasure probe

    By

    The U.S. Department of Education has been active in the District’s investigation into possible cheating on the DC CAS, a spokesman for the D.C. Inspector General’s office said Thursday.

    Roger Burke, spokesman for D.C. Inspector General Charles Willoughby, offered few details. But he confirmed that the Education Department’s IG office was playing a role. When or how its involvement started, or how extensive it might be, he would not say.

    “I’ve gone further than I usually do,” he said.

    Catherine Grant, a spokeswoman for Education Department Inspector

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