Latest News and Comment from Education

Thursday, October 27, 2011

Occupy Wall Street | NYC Protest for American Revolution #OWS

Occupy Wall Street | NYC Protest for American Revolution:

We are all Scott Olsen: Occupy Oakland #OWS

OccupyWallSt at OccupyWallSt News - 6 hours ago
Late last night, Scott Olsen, a former Marine, two-time Iraq war veteran, and member of Iraq Veterans Against the War, sustained a skull fracture after being shot in the head with a police projectile while peacefully participating in an Occupy Oakland march. He remains unconscious in critical condition at Oakland's Highland Hospital. Olsen was hit at close range. After demonstrators rush to Olsen's aid, an Oakland cop waits a few beats before lobbing a second tear-gas canister at the crowd. They are attending to Olsen when the canister explodes, sending smoke everywhere. Press ... more »

#ows Response To Government Violence At #occupyoakland | Solidarity March At 9PM From Liberty Square

OccupyWallSt at OccupyWallSt News - 6 hours ago
[image: Police in riot gear with rifles and batons] Today at Occupy Wall Street we are looking across the country to the city of Oakland, where last night our fellow Americans were subjected to violence at the hands of their own government for exercising the constitutional freedoms their government is sworn to protect. Last night police forces violently raided Occupy Oakland, arresting 85 people and brutalizing many peaceful participants, using excessive physical force, tear gas, and dangerous projectile rounds. Peaceful Protest is An American Birthright, Not a Crime Among thos... more »

Solidarity with Oakland | Exposing Police Lies

OccupyWallSt at OccupyWallSt News - 6 hours ago
Yesterday evening, and throughout the night, the city of Oakland and its police department continued their crusade against free assembly. Protesters who went to reoccupy the space at the Oakland Library were met with heavily armed riot police, with tear gas, with rubber bullets and with flashbang grenades. The Oakland Police Department treated attempts by the occupation medics as an excuse to throw more firepower, shooting a flashbang at a group of people trying to evacuate a protester who had been knocked out in the fighting. This is what the Oakland PD stated after the action ... more »

Occupy Wall Street Takes On Health Insurance Industry

OccupyWallSt at OccupyWallSt News - 6 hours ago
*NYC, NY Oct. 26* – Wall Street’s control of health care is exposed in a march/speak-out today that starts at the offices of Empire Blue Cross/Blue Shield, a subsidiary of WellPoint, the largest publicly-traded health insurance company. We are gathering at Liberty Square at 3pm and marching at 4:30pm! Empire is housed across the street from the OWS encampment in the same building as Brookfield Properties, the multinational that owns Liberty Square (formerly Zuccotti Park). WellPoint’s CEO, Angela Braley, was compensated $13.1 million dollars last year. Other targets include *Wel... more »

The 1% have Addresses. The 99% have Messages.

OccupyWallSt at OccupyWallSt News - 6 hours ago
*Occupy the Boardroom!* Life gets awfully lonely for those at the top. What can we do to let them know someone's thinking of them? Maybe they need some new friends! We've thought of two ways we can help them with that: *Option 1: Pen Pals* Make your voice heard by the Wall Street elites who wrecked the economy and made the rest of us pay. Click on someone below and tell them a story that you think they should listen to. Just got a college degree and nothing to show for it? Just got evicted while your banker gets bonuses? Share your special story with someone who ought to know. ... more »

Solidarity Statement From Cairo

OccupyWallSt at OccupyWallSt News - 6 hours ago
To all those in the United States currently occupying parks, squares and other spaces, your comrades in Cairo are watching you in solidarity. Having received so much advice from you about transitioning to democracy, we thought it's our turn to pass on some advice. Indeed, we are now in many ways involved in the same struggle. What most pundits call “The Arab Spring” has its roots in the demonstrations, riots, strikes and occupations taking place all around the world, its foundations lie in years-long struggles by people and popular movements. The moment that we find ourselves in... more »

Protect Occupy Baltimore

OccupyWallSt at OccupyWallSt News - 6 hours ago
*UPDATE: CITY DEFERS OCCUPY BALTIMORE PERMIT REQUEST* *OCCUPATION CALLS FOR PUBLIC SUPPORT* Occupy Baltimore has been peacefully gathering in McKeldin Square on the corner of Pratt & Light Streets since October 4th, 2011. Today marks the start of the fourth week of the encampment. Early last week, after pressure from the Baltimore City police department and the department of parks and recreation, Occupy Baltimore filed an application for a permit to continue the encampment indefinitely. On Monday, Occupy Baltimore received word that the Department of Parks & Recreation Departmen... more »

Occupied Wall Street Journal's New Site

OccupyWallSt at OccupyWallSt News - 6 hours ago
The Occupied Wall Street Journal came out with its 3rd edition and launched a new site. Check them out! Download Issue 3 | View Occupiedmedia.org

Drumming and the Occupation

OccupyWallSt at OccupyWallSt News - 6 hours ago
The occupation of Liberty Square is a symbol of the growing international movement fighting against neoliberal economic practices, the crimes of Wall Street and the resulting income inequality, unemployment, and oppression of people at the front lines of the economic crisis. More than a week ago we successfully rallied to defend our occupation from eviction. Knowing that the neighborhood we built was important to our movement, occupiers reorganized the space and prepared for eviction defense, community board and local elects pressured Brookfield Properties, and local organizations... more »

"Where Do We Go From Here?"

OccupyWallSt at OccupyWallSt News - 6 hours ago
On the one month anniversary of Occupy Wall Street, Ed David went to Liberty Plaza to find out where the movement will go next. Director ED DAVID Producer DANA SALVATORE Cinematography ED DAVID & ANDREW MCMULLEN Editors LILY HENDERSON & ED DAVID Assistant Producer JILLIAN MASON Music: "I Drive" by Cliff Martinez ED - kittyguerrilla.com ANDREW - andrewmcmullen.com LILY - thinplacepictures.com

Occupy Chicago Being Dispersed / Arrested By Police Presently

OccupyWallSt at OccupyWallSt News - 6 hours ago
Right now our sisters and brothers on the ground are in trouble and need your help! - 15 have been arrested so far - 120+ are in the process of being arrested tonight Please show up and help them if possible. They're currently occupying the Federal Reserve Bank - Chicago at 230 S Laselle. If you can't make it in person, you can do the following: Please follow: - Livestream - www.OccupyChi.org - Twitter Hashtag #occupychi - Twitter @occupyt Please call: - Chicago Police Department: 312-744-4000 - Mayor's Office: 312-744-5000 - Governer's Office:... more »

STOP & FRISK HAS GOT TO GO! Solidarity with #occupyharlem.

OccupyWallSt at OccupyWallSt News - 6 hours ago
A new uncompromising movement against NYPD's notorious Stop & Frisk program began yesterday as hundreds of demonstrators marched from the Harlem State Office Building to Harlem’s 28th precinct. At the station, Cornel West, author and Princeton professor, Carl Dix of the Revolutionary Communist Party, Rev. Stephen Phelps, interim senior minister of Riverside Church, and dozens of others were arrested in an act of non-violent civil disobedience. Among those arrested and protesting was a large contingent from downtown’s Occupy Wall Street. “We are here today to put our bodies on the... more »

Occupy Columbus Circle

OccupyWallSt at OccupyWallSt News - 6 hours ago

Demands Working Group

OccupyWallSt at OccupyWallSt News - 6 hours ago
A group claiming to be affiliated with the General Assembly of Liberty Square and #ows has been speaking to the media on behalf of our movement. This group is not empowered by the NYC General Assembly. This group is not open-source and does not act by consensus. *This group only represents themselves.* While we encourage the participation of autonomous working groups, no single person or group has the authority to make demands on behalf of general assemblies around the world. We are our demands. This #ows movement is about empowering communities to form their own general assembl... more »

As We Gather Together

OccupyWallSt at OccupyWallSt News - 6 hours ago

Occupy Wall Street Survey

OccupyWallSt at OccupyWallSt News - 6 hours ago
Please take some time to fill out our survey: https://www.surveymonkey.com/s/VSN6VW9

Stop The Spectra Pipeline | Meet-Up at Liberty Square at 5 P.M. For Die-In at P.S. 41

OccupyWallSt at OccupyWallSt News - 6 hours ago
OWS is fighting to strengthen democracy, and to end the domination of big money interests. Fracking is a clear example of how the power of money trumps common sense and controls our democracy. Fracking is incredibly destructive to the environment and human health. On Thursday, October 20th at five in the afternoon the residents of Liberty Square will march to the FERC hearing on the Spectra Pipeline at P.S. 41, located at 116 West 11th Street (between 6th and 7th avenues). Shortly before the hearings begin at seven in the evening we will stage a die-in to illustrate the likely r... more »

Parents for Occupy Wall Street Family Sleepover

OccupyWallSt at OccupyWallSt News - 6 hours ago
*Families Plan Sleepover on Friday, October 21, Growing Support for Occupy Wall Street Community* http://www.parentsforoccupywallst.com/ *Liberty Square, NY* — A second try. The parent founded and run group, “Parents for Occupy Wall Street,” will be hosting a Family Sleepover, from 4 PM, Friday, October 21st until 11 AM the following Saturday morning—a second try after being forced to cancel their planned sleepover last weekend because of a threatened eviction. With the Family Sleepover rescheduled for this weekend, parents and families in the greater New York City area are exc... more »

America Supports #OWS

OccupyWallSt at OccupyWallSt News - 6 hours ago
Supplies and Support Pour into Occupy Wall Street from Every Corner of the US *Occupiers Launch Tumblr Website Today: Gallery of Personal Notes of Support from Farmers, Veterans, Grandparents and "Knitters for Occupy Wall St"* http://occupywallstreetcarepackages.tumblr.com/ *Liberty Square, NY* — Today we want to spotlight the tens of thousands of people from across the United States and around the world who are supporting the Occupy Wall Street movement by contributing blankets, clothing, food, money, and other needed supplies. The support has truly been overwhelming. Over one m... more »

10 a.m. All Hands on Deck for Square Reorganizing!

OccupyWallSt at OccupyWallSt News - 6 hours ago
Liberty Square is a space created for culture and civics, for eduction, and building solidarity. A place to mint revolutionary thought, where the next generation of freedom fighters, organizers and artists will be raised. On Thursday, October 20th, at ten in the morning we will be reorganizing the square. Sanitation, and Town Planning are calling for #OWS to come out, grab a broom, a mop, and work to make the Square beautiful. This is a space for individuals of every age, race, creed and religion to enjoy. On Friday From 4pm - 11am there will be a *Family sleep over*. We need to ... more »

Engaging Parents In School… - The Big Three “Astroturf” Parent Organizations

Engaging Parents In School… - The Big Three “Astroturf” Parent Organizations:

The Big Three “Astroturf” Parent Organizations

Education Next has just published an article on three organizations saying they are “organizing parents.”

As I’ve often posted, I’m critical and extraordinarily skeptical of all of them.

Nevertheless, it’s important to know who they are, what they say they do, and where they get their money.


Head Of New York City Schools Pledges To Increase Parent Involvement

Walcott Pledges Measures to Increase Parents’ Involvement is the headline of a New York Times article describing that City’s Chancellor committing major changes to parent involvement programs.

Why questioning has become necessary, and how this will transform education « Cooperative Catalyst

Why questioning has become necessary, and how this will transform education « Cooperative Catalyst:

Why questioning has become necessary, and how this will transform education

Why questioning has become necessary, and how this will transform education

Over the past several decades…within the education sector, and American society as a whole, the question of why, (the critical, analyzing, specifically engaging question) of “why,” has not only diminished but has basically vanished, not only from conversation but from everyday action in citizens life.

A certain level of comfort and safety, along with miscellaneous distractions and numbness sensations had replaced what before used to be the idea that we question, not only our government and business sectors, but also ourselves. This critical engagement, of asking the question “why?” had no longer become relevant to our everyday lives. Yes, it is true that we saw war, plague, famine, starvation, injustice and inequality. It is true that some individuals did see these terrible and awful things and felt empathy and questioned their existence, but there was still a disconnect, or invisible wall if you will, that separated them from us.

In September of 2009, this wall came crashing down, with the financial collapse of Wall Street and several large

Next Steps for LAUSD Teacher Evaluations: You, Me, and AGT « InterACT

Next Steps for LAUSD Teacher Evaluations: You, Me, and AGT « InterACT:

Next Steps for LAUSD Teacher Evaluations: You, Me, and AGT

Lisa Alva Wood

Today’s InterACT guest blogger is Lisa Alva Wood, a National Board Certified high school English teacher from Los Angeles. Her prior guest blog posts include Is the Mayor Listening? and Education Nation – “Job One” Panel Reviewed.

An interesting thing happened at a Teach Plus event in Los Angeles last month. LAUSD Superintendent John Deasy engaged in a “conversation” with about 100 public and charter school teachers and teacher-leaders on the district’s new Teacher Evaluation System (TES). After Deasy’s opening remarks, moderator Celine Coggins, CEO of Teach Plus, asked the assembly how we felt about evaluation and what constituted an “effective

#OccupyOakland Ratifies General Strike for Nov. 2 « occupy california #ows

#OccupyOakland Ratifies General Strike for Nov. 2 « occupy california:

#OccupyOakland Ratifies General Strike for Nov. 2

OAKLAND, California – The recently renewed #OccupyOakland General Assembly has ratified a city-wide General Strike for November 2nd.



#OccupyOakland Ratifies General Strike for Nov. 2 « occupy california #ows

#OccupyOakland Ratifies General Strike for Nov. 2 « occupy california:

#OccupyOakland Ratifies General Strike for Nov. 2

OAKLAND, California – The recently renewed #OccupyOakland General Assembly has ratified a city-wide General Strike for November 2nd.



Jersey Jazzman: It's Not "Tenure" If You Can Lose It

Jersey Jazzman: It's Not "Tenure" If You Can Lose It:

It's Not "Tenure" If You Can Lose It

So the NJEA is offering its vision of a tenure plan. Fine - great! But understand that we haven't really explained to folks what exactly tenure is; if we had, they wouldn't say stuff like this:

Frank Belluscio, a spokesman for the school boards association, said the proposed tenure change would be a first for the union but did not see it as a concession.
"This is the first time they’ve proposed a change in the length of time needed" to be granted tenure, he said.
Belluscio called the residency plan an "interesting concept," but said it "still doesn’t

A primer on corporate school reform - The Answer Sheet - The Washington Post

A primer on corporate school reform - The Answer Sheet - The Washington Post:


A primer on corporate school reform

This is an edited version of a commentary given by Stan Karp , a teacher of English and journalism in Paterson, N.J., for 30 years. Karp spoke on Oct. 1 at the fourth annual Northwest Teachers for Justice conference in Seattle. He is now the director of the Secondary Reform Project for New Jersey’s Education Law Center and an editor of the 25-year-old Rethinking Schools magazine. A video and fuller version of the commentary can be found here.
Read full article >>

Why standardized tests for 2nd graders are nonsensical

There is a wacky integrity to a move by D.C. public schools officials to keep their promise to expand standardized testing, now down to second grade. The problem is that the promise didn’t make sense to begin with, education-wise or child development-wise, and still doesn’t.
My college Bill Turque reported that D.C. public school second-graders will start taking the D.C. Comprehensive Assessment System this spring. Here’s why: The D.C. school system is committed to evaluating teachers in large part on the standardized test scores of its students, so therefore, students have to take standardized tests, joining their compatriots in grades 3 through 8.
The fact that young children are known to be unreliable test takers doesn’t seem to matter.
Read full article >>

Will Weatherford’s Monday Morning Quarterback Routine Continues | Scathing Purple Musings

Will Weatherford’s Monday Morning Quarterback Routine Continues | Scathing Purple Musings:

Will Weatherford’s Monday Morning Quarterback Routine Continues

From Gradebook:

Bill Gates would have a hard time getting a job teaching high school in Florida, said the state’s incoming speaker of the house. The bureaucracy is too onerous, and the pay scales too rigid.

“There’s no reason why the best science teacher in Hillsborough County shouldn’t be able to make $100,000 a year or more,” said Will Weatherford, R-Wesley Chapel. “Right now it’s almost like charity work.”
Of course no public school district can afford the founder of Microsoft. And Weatherford, speaking at an education summit in Tampa on Wednesday, said several times that the legislature cannot cure a deficit in students pursuing careers in STEM, which stands for science, technology,