Friday, October 7, 2011

Hike it! Bike it! I like it! Walk to School 2011 | ED.gov Blog:Hike it! Bike it! I like it! Walk to School 2011Posted on October 6, 2011 by Guest BloggerIt’s a special day when communities and schools, parents, kids, and teachers make that extra effort to find an alternate safe way to get to school other than riding on a bus or in a car. Meg McFarland, Walking School Bus Committee Chair, at Briarcliff Elementary in the North Kansas ... more »

Linked K-12, Postsecondary, and Workforce Data—A Bipartisan Holy Grail?

Big Education Ape - PostRank (PostRank: All) - 9 hours ago

Linked K-12, Postsecondary, and Workforce Data—A Bipartisan Holy Grail?:Linked K-12, Postsecondary, and Workforce Data—A Bipartisan Holy Grail?by Amy LaitinenIt’s rare to see Republicans and Democrats agree on anything these days, so it was particularly heartening at yesterday’s Data Quality Campaign meeting on Strengthening the Feedback Loop: Using Data to Support the College-and-Career-Ready Agenda, to see high-ranking conservative Republicans and liberal Democrats sound the call for better data to understand how secondary and postsecondary schools prepare students for further edu... more »

Idealism that Blinds: Facing Social and Educational Inequity | Dailycensored.com

Big Education Ape - PostRank (PostRank: All) - 9 hours ago

Idealism that Blinds: Facing Social and Educational Inequity | Dailycensored.com:Idealism that Blinds: Facing Social and Educational InequityWritten by Paul ThomasEducationOct 6, 20110diggShareOne aspect of the education reform debate that persistently gives me pause is the claim that the top students are being short-changed in U.S. public education—specifically due to disproportionate time and money being spent on struggling students. I have attempted to address this argument bothseriously and satirically, but each approach has brought primarily defense of those neglected top stude... more »

Study looks at 20 years of Chicago school reforms | Philadelphia Public School Notebook

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Study looks at 20 years of Chicago school reforms | Philadelphia Public School Notebook:Study looks at 20 years of Chicago school reformsby thenotebook on Oct 06 2011 Posted in Latest newsCOMMENTS (0)PRINTEMAILTags:data Education Weekstandardized testing racial equityThe Notebook recently began sharing content with Education Week, where this piece originally appeared.As we continue to search for reliable measures to evaluate a school district’s progress and debate the true meaning of test score gains, this sobering story broke in Chicago. A complex ... more »

Ty Fahner and the Civic Committee are a laughing stock with their anti-teacher pension ad. « Fred Klonsky's blog

Big Education Ape - PostRank (PostRank: All) - 9 hours ago

Ty Fahner and the Civic Committee are a laughing stock with their anti-teacher pension ad. « Fred Klonsky's blog:Ty Fahner and the Civic Committee are a laughing stock with their anti-teacher pension ad.by Fred KlonskySince Ty “Big Fat Liar” Fahner and his front group, Illinois is Broke, came out with their ad with an actress portraying a handwringing teacher, the response has been underwhelming.The ad shows a teacher in a classroom setting only Hollywood would recognize. She’s a school marm ... more »

Genocide Education Survey - Letters (CA Dept of Education)

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Genocide Education Survey - Letters (CA Dept of Education):October 5, 2011Dear County and District Superintendents, Charter School Administrators, and High School Principals:GENOCIDE EDUCATION SURVEYThe California Department of Education (CDE), with the assistance of The Genocide Education Project, has prepared a brief online survey regarding the teaching of the Armenian Genocide.Please ask the history-social science teachers in your district/school to take the survey. Your help completing this survey will allow us to have a better understanding about how this subject is ... more »

5 Lessons from the Save Our Schools & AERO Conferences | IDEA

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5 Lessons from the Save Our Schools AERO Conferences | IDEA:5 Lessons from the Save Our Schools AERO Conferencesby Melia Dicker in The LandscapeIt is summer conference season. Oh yes, it is summer conference season.As you may have noticed from our social media updates, the IDEA team has been traveling all over creation for the past couple of months. Last month Dana Bennis flew to Devon, England, for the 19th annual International Democratic Education Conference, while Scott Nine went to ... more »

solidaridad: CAMS October Actions: Stop Military Recruiters from having easy access to our children!!!

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solidaridad: CAMS October Actions: Stop Military Recruiters from having easy access to our children!!!:CAMS October Actions: Stop Military Recruiters from having easy access to our children!!!by Robert D. Skeels * rdsatheneInform students about their right to "opt out" of their school giving their private information to MILITARY RECRUITERS! Join Palisadians for Peace and CAMS as they distribute Student Privacy (Opt Out) forms to high school juniors and seniors.October Student Privacy (Opt Out) Actions:Thursday, October 6, 7amBelmont High School1575 W 2nd ... more »

Missouri Education Watchdog: It's Confirmed! Totalitarian Democracy Alive and Well in Education.

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Missouri Education Watchdog: It's Confirmed! Totalitarian Democracy Alive and Well in Education.:It's Confirmed! Totalitarian Democracy Alive and Well in Education.by stlgretchenWe change the quote at the top of the MEW page from time to time and our current heading reads:Is this Arne's Duncan plan for public education?"Totalitarian democracy is a term made famous by Israeli historian J. L. Talmon to refer to a system of government in which lawfully elected representatives maintain the integrity of a nation state whose citizens, ... more »

Larry Ferlazzo’s Websites of the Day… - Nobel Peace Prize Resources

Larry Ferlazzo’s Websites of the Day… - Nobel Peace Prize Resources:

Nobel Peace Prize Resources

by Larry Ferlazzo

As The New York Times has reported, 2011′s Nobel Peace Prize winners are “Liberian President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf — Africa’s first elected female president — her compatriot, peace activist Leymah Gbowee and Tawakul Karman of Yemen, a pro-democracy campaigner.” Here are additions to The Best Sites To Learn About The Nobel Peace Prize.

Nobel Peace Prize Awarded to Three Activist Women is from The New York Times.

Nobel Peace prize winners – the full list is an infographic from The Guardian.

Yemen’s ‘Mother of the Revolution’, Liberian president, peace activist share Nobel prize is from MSNBC.

Here’s a video from CNN:

A closer look at the Nobel Peace Prize is a video and article from CNN.

Another Fun Video For ESL/EFL

by Larry Ferlazzo

I’ll be showing my Beginning ESL class this video tomorrow. It’ll be a fun one to end the week with, and we’ll write sentences together describing what we saw:

“What Are Critiques Of Standardized Tests & What Are Alternatives?”

by Larry Ferlazzo

Four Good Online Video Games

by Larry Ferlazzo

“What Are Critiques Of Standardized Tests & What Are Alternatives?”

by Larry Ferlazzo

"Right to teach" bill debuts in Michigan Senate - Boston.com

"Right to teach" bill debuts in Michigan Senate - Boston.com:

"Right to teach" bill debuts in Michigan Senate

October 6, 2011

Text size – +

LANSING, Mich.—Republicans who control the Michigan Senate followed through Thursday on their plan to introduce so-called "right to teach" legislation, escalating a clash with the state's largest teachers union.

Public schools would not be allowed to require employees to pay union dues or fees as a condition of employment under the Senate bill. It appears the bill would affect only the state's largest teachers union, the Michigan Education Association, because it would apply only to unions that represent at least 50,000 workers.

A spokeswoman for Republican Gov. Rick Snyder has said he is unlikely to back

Night of Barricades « occupy california

Night of Barricades « occupy california:

Night of Barricades

by *

from BayofRage:

updated with pictures & links 9:30am

On the night of October 6th San Francisco Police attacked the Occupy SF encampment at the Federal Building on Market and Drum. After a day in which 800 people marched through downtown San Francisco in solidarity with the occupation of Wall Street in New York and elsewhere around the country, hundreds gathered at the site of the occupation. However by evening the police had administered an eviction notice to the occupiers claiming that the police would move in at midnight alongside the Department of Public Works to clear the plaza. Roughly around 10pm the police began to gather a block away from the occupation. Word circulated quickly and as both

Calling for Tolman Hall Witnesses

by *

On September 22nd, during the Day of Action demonstration at University of California Berkeley, two people were arrested and have been charged with misdemeanors by the Alameda District Attorney’s Office. Drew Phillips, 25, was arrested and charged with battery on a peace officer with injury, wearing a mask in a commission of a crime and resisting arrest. The incident took place at the entrance to Tolman Hall after police rushed the demonstrators and pepper-sprayed a number of students. His lawyer, John Hamasaki is looking for anyone who witnessed the incident or has any photos or videos of the incident. Contact him at john {at} hamasakilaw [dot] com

Similarly, Richard Dereck Clemons was arrested at Tolman Hall in the East Wing and is charged with Battery on Peace Officer, Resisting Arrest, Escape from Custody, all misdemeanors. Anyone with any information should email: m.kamran {at} bourdonlaw [dot] com

Reform means higher risk, lower rewards for many teachers - The Answer Sheet - The Washington Post

Reform means higher risk, lower rewards for many teachers - The Answer Sheet - The Washington Post:

Reform means higher risk, lower rewards for many teachers

by Valerie Strauss

This was written by Matthew Di Carlo, senior fellow at the non-profit Albert Shanker Institute, located in Washington, D.C. This post originally appeared on the institute’s blog.

By Matthew Di Carlo

One of the central policy ideas of market-based education reform is to increase both the risk and rewards of the teaching profession. The basic idea is to offer teachers additional compensation (increased rewards), but, in exchange, make employment and pay more contingent upon performance by implementing merit pay and weakening job protections such as tenure and seniority (increased risk). This trade-off, according to advocates, will not only force out low performers by paying them less and making them easier to fire, but it will also attract a “different type” of candidate to teaching — high-achievers who thrive in a high-stakes, high-reward system.

Read full article >>

What should — and shouldn’t — be in Senate Np Child Left Behind bill

by Valerie Strauss

This was written by Monty Neill, executive director of FairTest, the National Center for Fair & Open Testing, a Boston-based non-profit dedicated to ending the misuse of tests . A different version was published on the National Journal Education blog.

By Monty Neill

This Tuesday, leaders of the Senate Health Education, Labor and Pensions Committee are expected to introduce a “base bill” draft for the reauthorization of No Child Left Behind, the current version of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act. After several days of public comment, the committee will hold a “markup” session in which they consider amendments to the draft.

Read full article >>

CALPADS goes to college | Thoughts on Public Education

CALPADS goes to college | Thoughts on Public Education:

CALPADS goes to college
Share

Student database shows big enrollment in higher ed

Posted on 10/07/11 • Categorized as CALPADS, Community Colleges, Data, UC and CSU

By Kathryn Baron

California’s student data system has reached another milestone. By linking the California Longitudinal Pupil Achievement Data System, known as CALPADS, with two other data systems, state education officials tracked for the first time the number of high school graduates who enrolled in college – in and out of state.

2009 California high school graduates' enrollment in UC, CSU and community colleges. Source California Postsecondary Education Commission. (Click to enlarge)

They found that nearly three-quarters of the 382,514^* high school graduates in the class of 2009 enrolled in a college or university. More than 25,000 went to the University of

All Education Matters: Another Platform for the Indentured Educated Class: Seriously Subversive

All Education Matters: Another Platform for the Indentured Educated Class: Seriously Subversive:

Another Platform for the Indentured Educated Class: Seriously Subversive

by Cryn Johannsen

The folks at Hypervocal extended a gracious invitation to me, and asked if I'd be interested in being a contributor at their site. I accepted the offer! My new column is called Seriously Subversive, and that is where I will be covering - in part - my trips across the country to report about #OWS. I will also (of course) write about the student lending crisis, economics, politics, etc. for them. There will be a slight twist, if that's the right way of putting it. There's gonna be some levity in these pieces, and I think that's what we all need. It reminds me of the excitement we're getting from these nationwide protests. It's given me a bounce in my step, and it feels damned good. Do you also see what this means for the indentured educated class? Our voice is getting louder and louder and louder. I'm just getting warmed up, and I know you are too! (There have been so many offers to volunteer for AEM, and I am grateful for the help - I desperately need it).

This stuff is still serious business, but we gotta have some fun, too.

On another note, I want to thank SparkAction for their continued interest in my work. They publish my pieces on

Schools Matter: Susan Ohanian asks: Vermont, do you really want a waiver?

Schools Matter: Susan Ohanian asks: Vermont, do you really want a waiver?:

Susan Ohanian asks: Vermont, do you really want a waiver?

by skrashen

Vermont: Do you really want a waiver?

Published in Rutland Herald 10/06/2011 (Vermont)

It is both regrettable and understandable that the Rutland Herald account of the Monday meeting of the state Board of Education meeting contains so much misinformation. Commissioner Armando Vilaseca did not help clarify this critical education issue by mouthing hot air direct from U. S. Secretary of Education Arne Duncan.     

The truth of the matter is that there won’t be less testing. Because Vermont signed on to the Common Core

“The board shall pay,” but the board doesn’t pay. « Fred Klonsky's blog

“The board shall pay,” but the board doesn’t pay. « Fred Klonsky's blog:

“The board shall pay,” but the board doesn’t pay.

by Fred Klonsky

A guy writes that in 64% of the districts in the state, the local board picks up the teacher contribution to TRS.

I don’t know where he gets that number, and he doesn’t supply the source.

Here’s what I know.

In our Collective Bargaining Agreement, the language says, “The board shall pay…” But the board doesn’t pay.What that means is that out of of salary, the board will pay to TRS 9.4%. So, each teacher pays the full share. It

Jersey Jazzman: Lifestyles of the "Reformy" and Famous

Jersey Jazzman: Lifestyles of the "Reformy" and Famous:

Lifestyles of the "Reformy" and Famous

by Duke

My, what busy, busy social calendars these corporate "reformers" have! Take Derrell Bradford:

On October 11th, Tri-County will be celebrating past and recent successes at a dinner honoring three extraordinary individuals with awards for their commitment to children and education. Thomas J. Healey of Healey Development and Sharon C. Taylor of Prudential will receive the Hall of Fame Award and, Derrell Bradford of Better Education for Kids will receive the Making a Difference Award.

At $500 (& up!) a ticket, you can be sure no public school teacher can afford to attend. Of course, that's Tuesday night, so while Derrell is getting his award, I and millions of my fellow "paid for breathing" brothers and sisters will be correcting papers, making lesson plans, and packing our lunch boxes for the next day when we

7:00 PM (9 hours ago)

What Have We Become?

by Duke

Seriously - what the hell is wrong with us?

A high school in La Palma, California, is coming under fire for a system that publicly identifies and treats students differently according to their scores on the state standardized tests. Students who perform at the highest levels in all subjects receive a black or platinum ID card, while those who score a mix of proficient and advanced receive a gold card. Students who score "basic" or below receive a white ID card. Students with black or gold cards get certain privileges, such as free entrance to sporting events and discounts at local business events. Those with white ID cards get no such privileges, and have a designated line in the cafeteria, while the elite black and gold cardholders have a different line. The majority of students at the school have white cards, so guess which line is longer?
A school administrator reportedly advised female students at an assembly to go to

The Educated Reporter: Teachers Evaluations: Testing the Limits

The Educated Reporter: Teachers Evaluations: Testing the Limits:

Teachers Evaluations: Testing the Limits

by Emily Richmond

New requirements for on-the-job evaluations having Tennessee teachers fleeing the classrooms, according to this story from the Tennessean.

I think we can all agree that it's not an unreasonable request to have public employees face some form of professional scrutiny. But teacher evaluations are particularly swampy territory.

A few weeks ago I had an interesting conversation with Dale Ballou, associate professor of public policy and education at Vanderbilt University, where he specializes in the role of regulations and incentives in teacher training and retention. I asked him people were putting too much stock in teacher evaluation models as a means of improving the quality of instruction. Here's what he said:

"You’ve got to recognize these are not flawless instruments. Anytime you try to evaluate an individual based on this kind of data, there’s a possibility you’re going to make a mistake. People are overselling these methods and

Friday, October 7, 2011

Today's Big Education Ape - PostRank Top AM Posts

"Right to teach" bill debuts in Michigan Senate

CALPADS goes to collegeShare

CALPADS goes to college
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