Today's Big Education Ape - PostRank Top AM Posts

Today's Big Education Ape - PostRank Top AM Posts

Grumpy Educators: Ed Week follows up on S.C. parent

Big Education Ape - PostRank (PostRank: All) - 13 seconds ago

Grumpy Educators: Ed Week follows up on S.C. parent:Ed Week follows up on S.C. parentEd Week followed up on parent Gretchen Herrera. What I found interesting was this comment at the end of the article:This is a classic instance of retaliation under Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 and the ADA. I hope the parent pursues an OCR complaint and other remedies. She and others needing help with lawless school districts might want to join the Council of ... more »

Jersey Jazzman: Pension Delusions

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Jersey Jazzman: Pension Delusions:Pension Delusionsby DukeEarlier this month, Chris Christie, the Christiecrats, and a large faction of the the commentariat decided to pat each other on the rump over the "savings" that are allegedly coming from screwing public workers out of their justly earned compensation pension "reform."Give great credit to the Asbury Park Press for seeing through this nonsense:Ordinarily, an annual savings of $267 million to state government is nothing to sneeze at. But when you’re talking about New Jersey’s ... more »

Cheap Thrills - #edreform

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Big Brother and the Holding Company (and Janis Joplin)Oh, come on, come on, come on, come on!Didnt I make you feel like you were the only man —yeah!Didnt I give you nearly everything that a woman possibly can ?Honey, you know I did!And each time I tell myself that I, well I think Ive had enough,But Im gonna show you, baby, that a woman can be tough.I want you to come on, come on, come on, come on and take ... more »

Modern School: Occupy DOE—Opt Out of High Stakes Testing

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Modern School: Occupy DOE—Opt Out of High Stakes Testing:Occupy DOE—Opt Out of High Stakes Testingby Michael DunnUnited Opt Out National is calling for the occupation of the federal Department of Education next year, from March 30 to April 2, to bring an end to high stakes testing and corporate profiteering from public education. The movement encourages parents to use “opt out” rules(available in many school districts) to keep their children home when standardized tests are given.Unlike the Occupy Wall Street ... more »

Choosing Democracy: ED Voice; How corporate CEO's shape education policy

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Choosing Democracy: ED Voice; How corporate CEO's shape education policy:ED Voice; How corporate CEO's shape education policyEdVoice a power player in Capitol's political war over school fundsBy John Howard(published April 13th, 2006)It's advisory board reads like a who's who of California's hyper-wealthypolitical players. There's developer Eli Broad, Netflix founder and formerpresident of the state board of education Reed Hastings, Silicon Valleyventure capitalist John Doerr, and Gap founder Don Fisher. While differentin political philosophy and temperament, they are linked by their... more »

The KIPP Schools that KIPP Doesn’t Claim « A "Fuller" Look at Education Issues

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The KIPP Schools that KIPP Doesn’t Claim « A "Fuller" Look at Education Issues:The KIPP Schools that KIPP Doesn’t Claimby Dr. Ed FullerAs reader of this blog know, I am working on a report that focuses on Texas charter schools. Many of the myths surrounding charter schools–especially the so-called high-performing charter schools–will be examined and some debunked.In doing this research, I found something very, very curious. The Texas Education Agency lists a number of schools with the KIPP name. Yet, ... more »

Tuesday October 18: march, rally & encampment | OccupyLAUSD

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Tuesday October 18: march, rally encampment | OccupyLAUSD:Tuesday October 18: march, rally encampmentclick here to download PDF to print at your school site: Flyer – OccupyLAUSD – October 18Leave a Reply

ESL English Pronunciation Tip #2 Syllable Stress Lesson with Fluency MC!

Big Education Ape - PostRank (PostRank: All) - 13 seconds ago

Why do we say "gonna"? What's the rhythm of English?We learn faster with the 3Rs: Relax, Repeat, Remember!Official Collo and Fluency MC sites:http://www.colloandspark.com/http://www.facebook.com/FluencyMChttp://twitter.com/#!/FluencyMChttp://www.youtube.com/collolearn

Engaging Parents In School… - The Best Examples Of Parent Engagement Through Community Organizing

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Engaging Parents In School… - The Best Examples Of Parent Engagement Through Community Organizing:The Best Examples Of Parent Engagement Through Community Organizingby Larry FerlazzoI was a community organizer for nineteen years prior to becoming a high school teacher, so obviously have a strong interest in how organizing can related to schools.You can also see all my parent engagement-related “The Best” lists here.Here are my choices for The Best Examples Of Parent Engagement Through Community Organizing:What Can Community Organizing Teach Us ... more »

Jerry Brown calls California's school testing program - Sacramento Politics - California Politics | Sacramento Bee

Big Education Ape - PostRank (PostRank: All) - 7 hours ago

Jerry Brown calls California's school testing program - Sacramento Politics - California Politics | Sacramento Bee:Jerry Brown calls California's school testing programShare By David Sidersdsiders@sacbee.comPublished: Friday, Oct. 14, 2011 - 12:00 am | Page 3ALast Modified: Sunday, Oct. 16, 2011 - 1:26 pmBEVERLY HILLS – Gov. Jerry Brown said Thursday that the school testing program he proposed overhauling in last year's gubernatorial campaign is a "good system" he will keep intact.Brown's remarks came after a rift between the governor and ... more »

Larry Ferlazzo’s Websites of the Day… - “The Best Reasons Why Parents Should Be Looked At As Allies & Not Targets Of Blame”

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Larry Ferlazzo’s Websites of the Day… - “The Best Reasons Why Parents Should Be Looked At As Allies Not Targets Of Blame”:“The Best Reasons Why Parents Should Be Looked At As Allies Not Targets Of Blame”by Larry FerlazzoMore On The Martin Luther King, Jr. Memorialby Larry FerlazzoThe Martin Luther King, Jr. Memorial was officially dedicated today. Here are additions to The Best Sites For Learning About The Martin Luther King Memorial:

Save Seattle Schools Community Blog: Superintendent Evaluation PRONTO

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Save Seattle Schools Community Blog: Superintendent Evaluation PRONTO:Superintendent Evaluation PRONTOby Charlie MasAt the Board meeting of Wednesday, October 19, the Board will both introduce and adopt their Superintendent Evaluation Instrument.It is, on the whole, a better considered evaluation tool than they have used before. It has some elements that I really like. It is also missing a few things that I would like to see it include.I encourage you to read it for yourself and reach your own opinion. Then ... more »

Why I Marched at Occupy Orlando: To Educate about Education Reform #ows

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What Happened to My Grade Book?: Why I Marched at Occupy Orlando: To Educate about Education Reform:Why I Marched at Occupy Orlando: To Educate about Education Reformby DellaMy youngest daughter and I went to the Occupy Orlando March on Saturday, October 15th. I brought with us two signs. One said, "Learning is a quest, an adventure, and exploration, never a race." This is in response to the latest efforts of Secretary Arne Duncan and his Race to the Top Education ... more »

US Corporate Charter School Association said that New Big Education APE Poll shows Strong Support for Charter Schools.

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US Corporate Charter School Association said that New Big Education APE Poll shows Strong Support for Charter Schools.ProudlySponsored by

Test Today, Privatize Tomorrow

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Test Today, Privatize Tomorrow:Test Today, Privatize TomorrowUsing Accountability to "Reform" Public Schools to DeathBy Alfie KohnI just about fell off my desk chair the other day when I came across my own name in an essay by a conservative economist who specializes in educational issues. The reason for my astonishment is that I was described as being “dead set against any fundamental changes in the nation’s schools.” Now having been accused with some regularity of arguing for too damn many ...more »

Editorial: Put the Brakes on Charters Quality vs. quantity: Education debate focused on the wrong thing | MLive.com

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Editorial: Quality vs. quantity: Education debate focused on the wrong thing | MLive.com:Editorial: Quality vs. quantity: Education debate focused on the wrong thingPublished: Sunday, October 16, 2011, 8:52 AM By Paula Holmes-Greeley | The Muskegon Chronicle Follow1ShareEmailPrintLawmakers should put the brakes on a sweeping package of charter school reforms making its way through the Michigan legislature and change the focus of the debate from creating more schools to creating quality schools.The nine-bill package would remove the cap on the number ... more »

Remarks by the President at the Martin Luther King, Jr. Memorial Dedication | The White House

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Remarks by the President at the Martin Luther King, Jr. Memorial Dedication | The White House:Remarks by the President at the Martin Luther King, Jr. Memorial DedicationThe National MallWashington, D.C.11:51 A.M. EDTTHE PRESIDENT: Thank you very much. (Applause.) Thank you. (Applause.) Please be seated.An earthquake and a hurricane may have delayed this day, but this is a day that would not be denied.For this day, we celebrate Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.’s return to the National Mall. In this place, ... more »

Schools Matter: NYTimes Editorial Board Embraces New Orleans Abusive Charter Caste System

Big Education Ape - PostRank (PostRank: All) - 7 hours ago

Schools Matter: NYTimes Editorial Board Embraces New Orleans Abusive Charter Caste System:NYTimes Editorial Board Embraces New Orleans Abusive Charter Caste Systemby Jim HornEducation is ground zero in the systemic exploitation of black people in New Orleans--ground zero because public schools are the direct feeder for the necessary, albeit unskilled, labor needed for the tourist-oriented economy. . . . In New Orleans they are building more hotels every day. Where will the bellhops and maids come from? . . . . ... more »

An Oakland teacher’s thoughts on “consolidation” — and what to call it, instead - The Education Report - Katy Murphy's blog on Oakland schools

An Oakland teacher’s thoughts on “consolidation” — and what to call it, instead - The Education Report - Katy Murphy's blog on Oakland schools:

An Oakland teacher’s thoughts on “consolidation” — and what to call it, instead

By Katy Murphy
Sunday, October 16th, 2011 at 10:43 pm in budget, elementary schools, OEA,OUSD central office, students, teachers.

David Braden, a technology prep teacher and Bay Area Writing Project consultant teacher at Oakland’s Bella Vista Elementary School, wrote this essay after learning two of his colleagues would be moved, or “consolidated,” to different schools next week — in mid-October. I wrote about the issue too, in this story. – Katy

The Merriam Webster app on my Droid tells me the word “consolidate” has three different meanings: 1) to join together into one whole, 2) to make firm or secure or 3) to form into a compact mass. I looked it up because today our principal informed us that our school would be consolidated.

Leaving the third definition aside for a moment, it sounds like a pretty good thing. Unity, firmness, security are all admirable qualities that would be welcome in any environment, but especially an elementary school. A staff that is united around discipline with consistent rules and consequences gives students a sense of

Real Parent Power: Proposed bill would require N.J. voter approval of new charter schools | NJ.com

Proposed bill would require N.J. voter approval of new charter schools | NJ.com:

Proposed bill would require N.J. voter approval of new charter schools

Published: Monday, October 17, 2011, 7:14 AM Updated: Monday, October 17, 2011, 7:14 AM

By The Associated Press
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Tim Farrell/The Star-LedgerAssemblywoman Mila Jasey says voters deserve the right to decide whether they want a charter school in their district.

TRENTON — A New Jersey Assemblywoman wants her Senate colleagues to pass two charter school oversight bills she's sponsoring.

One of Mila Jasey's bills requires voter approval of new charter schools. The other seeks to increase the schools' accountability and provide more transparency on their operations.

Jasey, an Essex County Democrat, says voters deserve the right to decide whether they want a charter school in their district.

The Assembly passed the measures in June. The Senate Education Committee held discussions on both bills on Thursday, but didn't take

Mike Klonsky's SmallTalk Blog: WEEKEND QUOTABLES

Mike Klonsky's SmallTalk Blog: WEEKEND QUOTABLES:

WEEKEND QUOTABLES

Dr. Cornell West

"If Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. were alive today, he would be on Freedom Plaza."--Upon his arrest in D.C. protest

Sen. Bernie Sanders

"Now that Occupy Wall Street is shining a spotlight on Wall Street greed and the enormous inequalities that exist in America, the

NJ Spotlight | Charter Anxiety: A Suburban Malady?

NJ Spotlight | Charter Anxiety: A Suburban Malady?:

Charter Anxiety: A Suburban Malady?

As backlash grows in the suburbs, the reaction in the cities is more complicated

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By John Mooney, October 14 in Education |10 Comments

A Senate hearing yesterday on charter schools brought out many of the same familiar faces, led by a growing cadre of parents from suburban communities like Princeton, Highland Park, East Brunswick, and a new one to the list, Cherry Hill.

While more than half of all of New Jersey's charter schools operate in its poorest cities, there was nobody from places like Paterson, Trenton, and Camden. They weren't entirely without representation, to be sure, as various advocates stepped up to speak, but New Jersey's fierce debate over charter schools has had a distinctly suburban feel of late.

That raises the question: where are the cities in what some have called the growing backlash

Cerf Names Penny MacCormack as Chief Academic Officer

New assistant commissioner served as assistant superintendent of Hartford secondary schools

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By John Mooney, October 17 in Education |Post a Comment

Nine months into the job, acting education commissioner Chris Cerf continues to fill out what he calls his top "cabinet-level" positions, the latest hire a former official in Hartford, CT, schools to be his chief academic officer.

For the past five years, Penny MacCormack served as chief academic officer and assistant superintendent for secondary schools in Connecticut's capital city.

Starting two weeks ago but serving in an interim role until confirmed by the state Board of Education (BOE), MacCormack will be in charge of New Jersey's curriculum development and testing programs. Although a new title, the position has historically been the highest profile in a