The Educated Reporter: Chicago Teachers Speak Up On Using Student Test Scores in Evaluations

The Educated Reporter: Chicago Teachers Speak Up On Using Student Test Scores in Evaluations:

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Chicago Teachers Speak Up On Using Student Test Scores in Evaluations

by Emily Richmond

The teachers union in the nation's third-largest school district have concerns about using student test scores as a measure of an educator's effectiveness, according to this story from the Chicago Tribune. It's worth noting (again, and even again) that there is no consensus among researchers as to the best way to factor in standardized test data when it comes to teacher evaluations. Many districts and states are moving at high speed toward using student data as a factor in evaluating teachers, in part because of federal incentives that offer desperately needed funding in exchange for pledges to reform. In case you missed it, the National Council on

Common Core standards pose dilemmas for early childhood - The Answer Sheet - The Washington Post

Common Core standards pose dilemmas for early childhood - The Answer Sheet - The Washington Post:

Common Core standards pose dilemmas for early childhood

by Valerie Strauss

This was written by Samuel J. Meisels, president of Erikson Institute, a graduate school in child development located in Chicago.

By Samuel J. Meisels

After a decade of concerns and criticisms about the lack of rigorous national standards in the No Child Left Behind Act, we now have a set of ambitious standards for use nationwide — the Common Core State Standards. Since their formulation two years ago, these standards have been adopted by 45 states, were made a precondition for funding in the Race to the Top competition, and have begun to influence the development of new curricula and assessments. But early childhood education — concerned with children from birth to the end of third grade — seems nearly an afterthought in the standards. Not only do they end (or begin) at kindergarten, ignoring more than half of the early childhood age range, they simply don’t fit what we know about young children’s learning and development.

Read full article >>

Kansas Gov. Brownback’s apology to tweeting student

by Valerie Strauss

Kansas Gov. Sam Brownback today admitted that his staff overreacted in getting a student in trouble with her principal after she tweeted something negative about him — and he apologized.

Here’s the full apology, posted on his Facebook page:

“My staff over-reacted to this tweet, and for that I apologize. Freedom of speech is among our most treasured freedoms.

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Library group denounces book destruction at Occupy Wall Street

by Valerie Strauss

The American Library Association has denounced the destruction of books at a library set up by Occupy Wall Street when New York police raided a park where protesters were staying earlier this month.

The ALA, the oldest and largest library association in the world, issued a release that said some of its members who had visited the site before the Nov. 15 raid in Zuccotti Park had praised the People’s Library for having a balanced, catalogued collection of materials that included works of different views.

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Koch brothers in Michigan. Dirty little secrets. « Fred Klonsky

Koch brothers in Michigan. Dirty little secrets. « Fred Klonsky:

Koch brothers in Michigan. Dirty little secrets.

by Fred Klonsky

When it comes to the anti-union right-wingers in Michigan, there is no such thing as transparency.

There are lots of dirty little secrets. There are hidden funders. And there are outright lies.

Neither the Mackinac Center nor their little brother, the Education Action Group will release the names of their funders.

The Mackinac Center filed as a 501(c)3 non-profit with the IRS swearing that it does not engage in lobbying activities.

But yesterday’s reveal of secret emails between State Representative Tom McMillin (R-Rochester Hills) and the

NYC Public School Parents: Film Screening and panel discussion on charter schools on Thursday!

NYC Public School Parents: Film Screening and panel discussion on charter schools on Thursday!:

Film Screening and panel discussion on charter schools on Thursday!

by Leonie Haimson

Come see the movie everyone's talking about; learn the truth about charter schools and what our children really need to succeed!

What: Screening of the film, The Inconvenient Truth Behind Waiting for Superman

When: Thursday Dec. 1 at 6 PM

Where: PS 250, 108 Montrose Ave.

Panel discussion following the film with Leonie Haimson

Schools Matter: Deception 101 - Charter Schools: from co-location to astro-turf parent groups

Schools Matter: Deception 101 - Charter Schools: from co-location to astro-turf parent groups:

Deception 101 - Charter Schools: from co-location to astro-turf parent groups

by Robert D. Skeels * rdsathene

[click here if you can't hear this audio]

Public School advocates Cheryl Ortega and Robert D. Skeels on KPFK's Politics or Pedagogy with John Cromshow November 17, 2011. Posted on November 20, 2011 by #occupyLAUSD

Support the Paper, Support the Revolt

by Jim Horn

You don't have to be from New York to support the effort:

Support the Paper!

Join the thousands of educators and concerned citizens across New York State and our country who support our efforts! Everyone is welcome to support the paper!

Across New York State, there is growing concern about the direction being taken by the State Education Department. In breathtaking speed, State Education officials have made sweeping changes to how our schools operate, how our teachers and principals are evaluated and how our students are assessed.

As building principals, we applaud efforts aimed towards excellence for all of our students. We

Jeb Bush Dodges Accountability for Florida’s Poor Remediation Rate but Wants More FCAT | Scathing Purple Musings

Jeb Bush Dodges Accountability for Florida’s Poor Remediation Rate but Wants More FCAT | Scathing Purple Musings:

Jeb Bush Dodges Accountability for Florida’s Poor Remediation Rate but Wants More FCAT

by Bob Sikes

Make no mistake. FCAT is Jeb Bush’s baby. He, in fact, has staked his entire reputation on them. It is FCAT which is the basis for the school grade model he touts when he speaks to legislatures all over the country and is one which he believes should replace NCLB’s flawed, rigid guidelines. His foundation has naturally come out in opposition to changes in the way FCAT scores are utilized.

That is hard to swallow given the “college remediation issue,” said Mary Laura Bragg, director of state policy for former Gov. Jeb Bush’s Foundation for Excellence in Education.

Bragg, who used to run the education department’s reading initiative, was on the panel with Vogel but did not agree with its recommendation on the three tests in question.

Emphasis mine.

Bragg, like her boss, apparently see FCAT as the only benchmark that measures success in Florida’s students.

Today's Big Education Ape - PostRank Top AM Posts #ows #edreform

Striking for the future of the profession! - The Educator's PLN #ows

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

Striking for the future of the profession! - The Educator's PLN:Striking for the future of the profession!Posted by andy mellor on November 28, 2011 at 6:30pmView BlogOn Wednesday there will be many an educational professional wrestling with their conscience. Do I strike to make the only protest I have against the cuts to my pension and the financial well being of my family or do I go in and make sure that my kids at school get the best that ... more »

Florida School Board Association Supports FCAT Changes; Stakes Out Position Against Bush’s Foundation and Chamber of Commerce | Scathing Purple Musings

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

Florida School Board Association Supports FCAT Changes; Stakes Out Position Against Bush’s Foundation and Chamber of Commerce | Scathing Purple Musings:Florida School Board Association Supports FCAT Changes; Stakes Out Position Against Bush’s Foundation and Chamber of Commerceby Bob SikesReports Leslie Postal in the Orlando Sentinel:The Florida School Boards Association has joined the fray over the proposed new system for scoring FCAT exams.The association president, Lee Swift, sent a letter to the State Board of Education last week urging it to ... more »

Why I Signed: Principals' Objections to the New Evaluation System – SchoolBook

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

Why I Signed: Principals' Objections to the New Evaluation System – SchoolBook:Why I Signed: Principals' Objections to the New Evaluation SystemFACEBOOKTWITTERNov. 28, 2011, 4:30 p.m.By SCHOOLBOOKPrincipals who object to the new state system to evaluate teachers and principals based on student testing have begun circulating a petition against it. In his On Education column in The New York Times Monday, Michael Winerip reported that more than 650 principals from around the state — 18 from New York City schools — ... more »

Michigan’s Mackinac Center. What is a think tank? And what is just a bunch of cranky old union haters with Koch brothers’ money? « Fred Klonsky

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

Michigan’s Mackinac Center. What is a think tank? And what is just a bunch of cranky old union haters with Koch brothers’ money? « Fred Klonsky:Michigan’s Mackinac Center. What is a think tank? And what is just a bunch of cranky old union haters with Koch brothers’ money?by Fred KlonskyI don’t have a problem with a bunch of people who have friends with deep pockets calling themselves a think tank and hustling a paycheck out of it..As for myself. I ... more »

All Education Matters: Hypervocal: Education Archives Back to all stories Washington Post - “Forgive Us Our Student Loan Debt?” No Thanks! #OWS

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

All Education Matters: Hypervocal: Education Archives Back to all stories Washington Post - “Forgive Us Our Student Loan Debt?” No Thanks!:Hypervocal: Education Archives Back to all stories Washington Post - “Forgive Us Our Student Loan Debt?” No Thanks!by Cryn JohannsenFolks, when you read malicious, misinformation about anything, please keep your vision clear. Think for yourself about the claims that are made, and ask yourself why people so blatantly attacks others. Those who like to defame others have reasons for doing ... more »

4LAKids - some of the news that doesn't fit: U P D A T E: Response to TEACHERS WHO JUST DON’T CARE

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

4LAKids - some of the news that doesn't fit: U P D A T E: Response to TEACHERS WHO JUST DON’T CARE:U P D A T E: Response to TEACHERS WHO JUST DON’T CAREMIKE DREEBIN - RETIRED FORMER UTLA ELEMENTARY VICE PRESIDENT (2002-2005) WROTE TO KARIN KLINE, COPYING 4LAKIDSRe: Sunday, November 20, 2011: TEACHERS WHO JUST DON’T CARE by Karin Klein of the LA Times Editorial Board in the Opinion LA blog | http://bit.ly/urFmAx on 4LAKidsNews: http://bit.ly/tPotExSun, Nov 27, 2011 ... more »

School Tech Connect: Lost in Translation

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

School Tech Connect: Lost in Translation:Lost in Translationby noreply@blogger.com (Tim)I have this famous old fakey-German neologism-thingy posted in my computer help desk area, where we fix broken machines:ACHTUNG!ALLES TURISTEN UND NONTEKNISCHEN LOOKENPEEPERS!DAS KOMPUTERMASCHINE IST NICHT FÜR DER GEFINGERPOKEN UND MITTENGRABEN! ODERWISE IST EASY TO SCHNAPPEN DER SPRINGENWERK, BLOWENFUSEN UND POPPENCORKEN MIT SPITZENSPARKSEN.IST NICHT FÜR GEWERKEN BEI DUMMKOPFEN. DER RUBBERNECKEN SIGHTSEEREN KEEPEN DAS COTTONPICKEN HÄNDER IN DAS POCKETS MUSS.ZO RELAXEN UND WATSCHEN DER BLINKENLIC... more »

On charter schools and “choice” « Parents Across America #OWS #EDreform

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

On charter schools and “choice” « Parents Across America:On charter schools and “choice”by adminNov 28, 2011 No Comments ›› adminWhy we got involvedby adminFounding members of PAA share why they got involved.Why Do We Need PAA?by adminPAA Founding Members on why we need a national organization to put the parent voice back into public education.

Democurmudgeon: Teacher mill “Teach for America,” Failing!!

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

Democurmudgeon: Teacher mill “Teach for America,” Failing!!:Teacher mill “Teach for America,” Failing!!by DemocurmudgeonIs anyone who knows anything about education surprised at this news?Teach for America was the be-all, end-all answer to replacing “all the bad teachers that can’t be fired” in our public schools. It’s a private non-profit. It received early financing from Ross Perot, and worked out a partnership with Wachovia Corporation. Then came the taxpayer grants. That resulted in building teaching “institutes” across the country. And it’s failing.With ... more »

INEFFICIENT USE OF A TEACHER’S TIME « Teachers Fight Back

Big Education Ape - PostRank (PostRank: All) - 20 hours ago

INEFFICIENT USE OF A TEACHER’S TIME « Teachers Fight Back:INEFFICIENT USE OF A TEACHER’S TIMEby alkleenI would like to see education reformers insist that school districts make efficient use of a teacher’s time. There are way too many times that teachers are doing jobs that are nothing more than glorified babysitting.Teachers often have what is known as “bus duty”. They supervise students on the school grounds as they arrive at school and when they leave school. The “bus duty” can ... more »

Three Years of Lefty Parent | Lefty Parent

Big Education Ape - PostRank (PostRank: All) - 20 hours ago

Three Years of Lefty Parent | Lefty Parent:Three Years of Lefty Parentby Cooper ZaleI’m three years into my writing under the banner of “Lefty Parent”. It has been the key outward expression of my effort to move beyond the mid-life crisis of my early fifties. In that time period I have written about 325 pieces, had over 120,000 views of those pieces on my ownwww.leftyparent.com blog, and thousands of additional views and comments on the Daily KOS version of my ... more »

Today's Big Education Ape - PostRank Top Early Evening Posts #ows #edreform

Big Education Ape - PostRank (PostRank: All) - 20 hours ago

Looking for a few good mentors | Ideas and ThoughtsBig Education Ape - PostRank (PostRank: All)-6 minutes agoLooking for a few good mentors | Ideas and Thoughts:Looking for a few good mentorsby Dean ShareskiFrom January to April I'll be teaching a course called ECMP 455. It's an advanced course on using technology in education. Whatever that means. Actually what it means is I want my students to dig deep into what teaching and learning looks like in 2012 as great ... more »

Kansas HS Student Won't Apologize to Governor for Tweet | MyFDL

Big Education Ape - PostRank (PostRank: All) - 20 hours ago

Kansas HS Student Won't Apologize to Governor for Tweet | MyFDL:Kansas HS Student Won’t Apologize to Governor for Tweetby Teddy PartridgeHigh school tweeter Emma SullivanHigh school tweeter Emma Sullivan, citing free speech and Gandhi, will defy her high school principal and not apologize to Governor Sam Brownback for the supposedly hurtful things she twittered to her (then-60) Twitter followers, implying she spoke back harshly to the governor, called him out publicly for his views, and suggested he blows — a ... more »

First Amendment hijacked by moneyed interests #ows

Big Education Ape - PostRank (PostRank: All) - 20 hours ago

First Amendment hijacked by moneyed interests:First Amendment hijacked by moneyed interestsRobert ReichSunday, November 27, 2011PrintE-mailShareComments (65)Font | Size: 405Thomas K. Fowler / APA UC Davis police officer uses pepper spray on protesters during an Occupy rally Nov. 18. View Larger ImageMORE BUSINESSGrossman rallies Washington past Seattle 23-17 11.27.11Early Walt Disney drawing up for auction in Reno 11.27.11UN conference to deal with carbon reductions 11.27.11A funny thing happened to the First Amendment on its way to the public forum: It was ... more »

On school reform, concensus grows around three principles | NJ.com

Big Education Ape - PostRank (PostRank: All) - 20 hours ago

On school reform, concensus grows around three principles | NJ.com:On school reform, concensus grows around three principlesPublished: Sunday, November 27, 2011, 12:04 PM By Star-Ledger Guest Columnist By Mike Lilley and Tim MeltonFrom President Obama to Gov. Chris Christie to the New Jersey Education Association to Michelle Rhee, a national consensus is emerging that significant changes must come to public education.It would have been unthinkable as recently as a year ago, but today the issue isn’t whether the political will ... more »