Thursday, January 5, 2012

SOUTH BRONX SCHOOL: Rally Against Bronxdale Principal John Chase Jr 1/10/2012:Rally Against Bronxdale Principal John Chase Jr 1/10/2012by noreply@blogger.com (Bronx Teacher)We here at SBSB have been right on top of the the"Objects My Penis Loves" scandal at Bronxdale High School in the Bronx. We also provided commentary when the DOE gave Bronxdale High principal John Chase Jr, a slap on his pen..., er we meant hand when it found that yes, he was guilty of guilty of violating Chancellor's Regulations ... more »

Adjust pension benefits? Cullerton says the unions have “indicated a willingness to do so.” « Fred Klonsky

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Adjust pension benefits? Cullerton says the unions have “indicated a willingness to do so.” « Fred Klonsky:Adjust pension benefits? Cullerton says the unions have “indicated a willingness to do so.”by Fred KlonskyAs I discussed earlier, Senate President John Cullerton has chosen a different path in going after state employee pension benefits than his cohorts in the House leadership.Cullerton believes that a frontal assault will only waste time and money in years of court battles.Following the old notion that you catch ... more »

The Photographs of Your Junk (will be publicized!)

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My View: Time for the status quo to make room for meaningful school reform – Schools of Thought - CNN.com Blogs

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My View: Time for the status quo to make room for meaningful school reform – Schools of Thought - CNN.com Blogs:My View: Time for the status quo to make room for meaningful school reformby Anthony Cody, Special to CNNEditor’s note: Anthony Cody worked in high-poverty schools in Oakland, California, for 24 years. For 18 of them, he taught middle school science. He now lives in Mendocino County and leads workshops for teachers. He writes the Living in Dialogueblog and you ... more »

Is It Our Job to “Unteach” Behavior Learned at Home? « Diary of a Public School Teacher!

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Is It Our Job to “Unteach” Behavior Learned at Home? « Diary of a Public School Teacher!:Is It Our Job to “Unteach” Behavior Learned at Home?by OldschoolteachWe are studying WWI, and I was sharing photographs, quotes, and information particular to Delaware during that era. The texttouched on segregation, and we were sidetracked into a lively discussion. My students find segregation unfathomable, they can’t wraptheir minds around the fact that your skin color determined your place in the world.One little girl ... more »

Letter to Arne Duncan - Two Teachers and a Microphone

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Letter to Arne Duncan Listen for a minute to what I sayWe don't teach kids for the merit pay I wipe away tears and break up fights in the hallsWhile Arne Duncan plays basketballPublic school you never taught in your lifeBut you studied Harvard so it gives you the right To bully the states who don't in your run raceWho oppose the policies that you embraceBased on the test you and your crewCrucify teachers and close our schoolsPimping out Pearson ... more »

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

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The Answer Sheet - A School Survival Guide for parents (and everyone else). - The Washington PostBig Education Ape - PostRank (PostRank: All)-41 minutes agoThe Answer Sheet - A School Survival Guide for parents (and everyone else). - The Washington Post:Do schools need a longer school day? A debateValerie Strauss at The Answer Sheet - 1 hour agoA policy brief released last month concluded that contrary to popular perception, most U.S. public schools require at least as much or even ... more »

Districts start their own charter schools for more federal funding and flexibility | OregonLive.com

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Districts start their own charter schools for more federal funding and flexibility | OregonLive.com:Districts start their own charter schools for more federal funding and flexibilityPublished: Wednesday, January 04, 2012, 4:24 PM Updated: Wednesday, January 04, 2012, 4:27 PM By Nicole Dungca, The Oregonian View full sizeJamie Francis/The OregonianTeacher Dan Semrad explains a physics lesson to Damon Rutherford at the Clackamas Academy of Industrial Sciences, which is located in Oregon City High School. The district-initiated charter school took advantage of about ... more »

Peg with Pen: It Just Got Personal. Join Me. January 7th.

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Peg with Pen: It Just Got Personal. Join Me. January 7th.:It Just Got Personal. Join Me. January 7th.by PeggyDid you know that Tom Boasberg, Superintendent of DenverPublic Schools, sends his child to a Waldorf School - where standardized highstakes testing doesn't exist? Not only does it not exist - the Waldorf philosophycompletely disagrees with the concept of excessive, high stakes standardizedtesting. In addition, while DPS gets to have fun Racing to the Top - didyou know that Waldorf schools emphasize ... more »

Fighting back against mandatory school testing: It’s my way or the highway, says No Child Left Behind—but is it really? « Parents Across America

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Fighting back against mandatory school testing: It’s my way or the highway, says No Child Left Behind—but is it really? « Parents Across America:Fighting back against mandatory school testing: It’s my way or the highway, says No Child Left Behind—but is it really?by leoniehaimsonAaryn is a parent in San Diego. This piece is cross posted at Aaryn’s blog,Thematically Fickle. An opt out letter that California parents can use is posted here.by Aaryn BelferThe red pillow takes the least space. The ... more »

Schools Matter: How Are Online Learning and Online Dating Different?

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Schools Matter: How Are Online Learning and Online Dating Different?:How Are Online Learning and Online Dating Different?by Jim HornOnline dating can be fun, and it might lead to something. Teachers and professors are the last obstacles standing in the way of a virulent corporate educational caste system based on shrinking public investment in education and a larger and more lucrative role by online diploma mills in the exploitation, containment, and marginalization of the non-privileged, whose shrinking hope for moving into ... more »

Modern School: Is The OWS Movement Too Nice?

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Modern School: Is The OWS Movement Too Nice?:Is The OWS Movement Too Nice?by Michael DunnOWS Poster (Image from Flickr, by Takomabibelot)Aside from the few allegations of protesters throwing paint, smashing windows, or spray painting buildings, the tactics of the OWS have been pretty peaceful, mellow and nice. Sure, it troubles some that they have persistently tried to live outdoors in public where their frustration and anger are clearly visible to all, or that they have shut down a few terminals ... more »

An Anti-Bullying Strategy for One Child that Affected the Whole School

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An Anti-Bullying Strategy for One Child that Affected the Whole School:An Anti-Bullying Strategy for One Child that Affected the Whole Schoolby Rick“I Am Not the Only One”Part 1In the autumn of 1974, in my first year as school principal, a kind and gentle fifth grader named Davion was having trouble with some of the other boys in the class. In particular, Jeremy was becoming increasingly intimidating. The teachers intervened anytime they saw an incident. Jeremy had already been sent to ... more »

Occupy DOE in DC Rules of Engagement | United Opt Out National

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Occupy DOE in DC Rules of Engagement | United Opt Out National:Occupy DOE in DC Rules of Engagementby adminOccupy the DOE Rules of Engagement400 Maryland Ave SW, Washington, DC 20024We are requesting to everyone that this remain a PEACEFUL occupation with NON-VIOLENT actions. We are not responsible for the actions of individuals or groups that do not follow the general rules of engagement outlined here.GSA property includes The Department of Education Building and the surrounding Plaza along Maryland Avenvue. (However: ... more »

The #1 Reason Girls Drop Out (and What You Can Do About It) « The Whole Child Blog « Whole Child Education

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The #1 Reason Girls Drop Out (and What You Can Do About It) « The Whole Child Blog « Whole Child Education:The #1 Reason Girls Drop Out (and What You Can Do About It)by Laura VarlasThe United States has the highest teen birthrate in the industrialized world, and teen pregnancy and parenting is the number one reason girls drop out of school. (See the infographic below for the far-reaching effects of teen pregnancy.)This is an avoidable crisis—teen parents don’t have ... more »

This Week In Education: Reform: Will Reformers Ever Broaden Their Agenda?

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This Week In Education: Reform: Will Reformers Ever Broaden Their Agenda?:Reform: Will Reformers Ever Broaden Their Agenda?by Alexander RussoGeoffrey Canada's Harlem Children's Zone was their front. They might have loved "The Wire" but they didn't incorporate any of its lessons into their agenda. Skyrocketing child poverty rates didn't persuade them to pay more than lip service to broader social issues. Even universal preschool was too broad a challenge for them to take on in any meaningful way. You might think ... more »

Race gap in school discipline? | Recordnet.com

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Race gap in school discipline? | Recordnet.com:Race gap in school discipline?Blacks expelled, suspended more than others at SUSDPrint this Article Email this Article Text Size: A | A | APhoto 1 of 1 | Zoom Photo +By Roger PhillipsRecord Staff WriterJanuary 01, 2012 12:00 AMSTOCKTON - Though they represent only a small percentage of the population at Stockton Unified's four comprehensive high schools, black students receive a sizable percentage of the expulsions and suspensions, a disparity experts say is reflective ... more »

Ben Velderman stalking me is okay but filing a FOIA request about Sears tax breaks is illegal. « Fred Klonsky

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Ben Velderman stalking me is okay but filing a FOIA request about Sears tax breaks is illegal. « Fred Klonsky:Ben Velderman stalking me is okay but filing a FOIA request about Sears tax breaks is illegal.by Fred KlonskyLast Spring Ben Velderman, the creepy guy pictured above, filed an Illinois FOIA request for all my work emails. After school district lawyers redacted the names of students and other innocent by-standers, hundreds of emails were delivered to Ben.Then this Fall Ben Velderman’s ... more »

Support PURE! » UIC Monty Neill event – save the date Feb. 15th

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Parents United for Responsible Education » Blog Archive » UIC Monty Neill event – save the date Feb. 15th:UIC Monty Neill event – save the date Feb. 15thby adminWINNING THE TESTING BATTLE: OVERHAULING ESEA/NCLBCReATE (Chicagoland Researchers and Advocates for Transformative Education) welcomes Monty Neill, FairTest executive director and chair of the national Forum on Educational Accountability, who will address• A decade of failed testing policy• What the new Elementary and Secondary Education Act should look like• Strategies for winning: local ... more »

The Answer Sheet - A School Survival Guide for parents (and everyone else). - The Washington Post

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The Answer Sheet - A School Survival Guide for parents (and everyone else). - The Washington Post:Do schools need a longer school day? A debateValerie Strauss at The Answer Sheet - 1 hour agoA policy brief released last month concluded that contrary to popular perception, most U.S. public schools require at least as much or even more instructional time for students than countries touted for their high performance on international tests, including Finland, Japan and South Korea. There were a ... more »

"President Iannuzzi responds to State of the State speech." January 05, 2012. NYSUT: A Union of Professionals. www.nysut.org

"President Iannuzzi responds to State of the State speech." January 05, 2012. NYSUT: A Union of Professionals. www.nysut.org:

President Iannuzzi responds to State of the State speech

NYSUT Communications - January 5, 2012

In more than a dozen media interviews following Gov. Cuomo's State of the State speech, NYSUT President Dick Iannuzzi advocated for what students and teachers need, noting that more information is necessary to assess some of Cuomo's key proposals, and stressing that the union welcomes the governor's commitment to keep public education a high priority.

Below is a distillation of NYSUT's response in print, radio and television interviews:

As long-time advocates for our students, we would welcome the governor to work shoulder to shoulder with us in ensuring all children receive a quality public education. Teachers, in partnership with parents, have always been lobbyists for what children need. That historic advocacy has resulted in smaller class sizes, better technology, high standards for teacher effectiveness, anti-bullying legislation and hot lunches for children in poverty. Gov. Cuomo's advocacy would be invaluable in jump-starting the current state bureaucracy, which certainly has been frustrating to teachers as we work to achieve meaningful change.
We applaud the governor for emphasizing the need to make sure no

If the Oakland school district had $1.46 billion… - The Education Report - Katy Murphy's blog on Oakland schools

If the Oakland school district had $1.46 billion… - The Education Report - Katy Murphy's blog on Oakland schools:

If the Oakland school district had $1.46 billion…

By Katy Murphy
Wednesday, January 4th, 2012 at 2:19 pm in budget, buildings, School board news.

Project list

This evening, after the Oakland school board picks a president and vice president for 2012 (6 p.m.), it moves onto its facilities master plan. The special study session — no vote on the plan tonight — is scheduled to begin at 6:30 p.m. at 1025 Second Ave.

The presentation posted on the agenda (links below) covers enrollment and demographic trends, facts about the number, age and size of district buildings, and a list of projects that might be undertaken if OUSD had the money.

If OUSD tackled every project on that list it would cost an estimated $1.46 billion, not including change orders and cost overruns. (The figure is listed on one slide as $1,460 million, which — though probably standard for these kinds of reports —

School Tech Connect: More Rightward Lurch in Chicago

School Tech Connect: More Rightward Lurch in Chicago:

More Rightward Lurch in Chicago

Really, just wow. Seriously, Rahm ought to be asked about his support for every far right position these people puke up. Incidentally, I was out with a group of Republicans last night, and they all thought Rahm was "doing a great job."

Is Segregation The New "School Choice"? | OurFuture.org

Is Segregation The New "School Choice"? | OurFuture.org:

Is Segregation The New "School Choice"?

by Jeff Bryant

I remember the day that the poor kids showed up at our school. It was in 1964.

Classes had already started, and I was in second grade, surrounded by my familiar friends from my mostly white, mostly well-to-do, suburban neighborhood in North Dallas.

Their bus showed up after the last bell had rung. That in itself was a little odd because most of us walked, biked, or were driven to school by parents.

Looking down from our classroom widows, we watched the kids file off the bus and trudge up the sidewalk -- a mixed group of younger and older, mostly black, some brown, a few white.

Two girls seated next to me pointed and giggled about something. Then Mrs. Bowman called us back to attention.

Minutes later, three of the new students were escorted into our class by the school secretary. One girl, Brenda was her name, wasn't wearing any shoes. And there was mud smeared on her leg. "Class," Mrs. Bowman announced. "Please welcome your new classmates."

It wasn't like we hadn't been told this was going to happen. At an assembly the previous week, Mr. Abbott, the

Schools Matter: Christie Continues Super-Sized Lie About Public Schools in Newark

Schools Matter: Christie Continues Super-Sized Lie About Public Schools in Newark:

Christie Continues Super-Sized Lie About Public Schools in Newark

by Jim Horn

The nation's most morbidly-obese governor continues to trumpet lies aimed to demonize and dismantle public institutions that he was elected to manage and improve.

From Politifact and the Star-Ledger:

Gov. Chris Christie pushes his plans to reform New Jersey public schools using student performance in urban school districts as one of his statistical battering rams, but consistently misrepresents the high school graduation rate of the state’s largest district.

Christie claims fewer than 25 percent of freshmen in Newark high schools graduate in four years.

Dancing Educators | ED.gov Blog

Dancing Educators | ED.gov Blog:

Dancing Educators

Posted on January 5, 2012 by John McGrath

Earlier this school year, principals and teachers traveled to Washington, D.C., from across the country to take part in the 2011 Blue Ribbon Schools Award ceremony. Their schools were being honored by the U.S. Department of Education for their overall academic excellence or for their success in closing achievement gaps.

When it was time to receive their awards, some of the educators got pretty excited.

Watch the video:

Click here for an alternate version of the video with an accessible player.

This Week In Education: Reform: What To Call "Anti-Reformers"?

This Week In Education: Reform: What To Call "Anti-Reformers"?:

Reform: What To Call "Anti-Reformers"?

by Alexander Russo

Going back as far as 2007, I've been debating with reform critics about just what to call them -- an issue that is either completely superficial and unimportant or a key factor in shaping how people think and act around education issues. My suggestions (poverty racers, reform opponents, traditional educators, infidels) have been unsatisfactor from their point of view. Their suggestions (real reformers, context-based reformers) seemed not to convey much meaning or have any chance of widespread adoption. (They really want the reform mantle to be theirs, or to recast reformers as corporate reformers but I don't see either of those things happening.) I'm not sure how this

Time: Chicago Rebrands Extended School Day Campaign

by Alexander Russo

Speaking of (re)branding, Chicago Public Schools is attempting to rebrand the push for more student class time. The initiative, previously called "extended" day, is now

AM News: Traditional Teacher Prep Still Dominates

by Will Treece

New Data on Teacher Education Begins to Flow Teacher Beat: A total of about 724,000 [teaching candidates] were enrolled in teacher-preparation programs in 2008-09, with 89 percent at traditional programs, 6 percent at university-based alternative routes, and 5 percent at nonuniversity-based alternative routes.

Student With Pellet Gun Is Killed by Police NYT: A 15-year-old student at a

High school students know that their learning isn’t relevant | Dangerously Irrelevant

High school students know that their learning isn’t relevant | Dangerously Irrelevant:

High school students know that their learning isn’t relevant

JANUARY 5, 2012 0 COMMENTS

Bored teenage girls in class

As was so aptly said just a few days ago:

It is hard to make an argument that there are many desirable post-secondary educational or career scenarios for current high school students that will not require the use of computer technology on a daily basis. The kids have known this for quite some time now. High school students know that they will almost certainly be using computers in any desirable job that they manage to get after high school. They know that a computer is a requirement for success in today's higher eduction environments. They know that, in the "real world," college students don't write papers in longhand on loose-leaf notebook paper; they know that, in the "real world," people don't

Modern School: A Year of Aggressive Attacks on Women’s Health (in Review)

Modern School: A Year of Aggressive Attacks on Women’s Health (in Review):

A Year of Aggressive Attacks on Women’s Health (in Review)

by Michael Dunn

(Image from Flickr, by Radarxlove)

The following are from Tanya Somanader’s year-end piece, “The GOP’s 10 Most Extreme Attacks On A Woman’s Right To Choose An Abortion,” in Think Progress:

According to Somanader, there were nearly 1,000 anti-abortion bills in state legislatures last year, while the GOP-led House led a “comprehensive and radical assault” on a federal level. She details the 10 most aggressive of these laws (you can click here for the complete article). Here’s my

Has the NEA warmed up to Teach for America? - The Answer Sheet - The Washington Post

Has the NEA warmed up to Teach for America? - The Answer Sheet - The Washington Post:

Has the NEA warmed up to Teach for America?

by Valerie Strauss

There is a growing backlash against National Education Association President Dennis Van Roekel’s recent collaborations with Teach for America leader Wendy Kopp on the issue of teacher preparation.

Some NEA members have written on blogs that they are furious at Van Roekel, and early childhood expertNancy Carlsson-Paige just declined an opportunity for her and her son, actor and activist Matt Damon, to be nominated for the Friend of Education Award from the NEA.

Read full article >>

What Disparities in Wealth Say About Society - Bridging Differences - Education Week

What Disparities in Wealth Say About Society - Bridging Differences - Education Week:

What Disparities in Wealth Say About Society

by Deborah Meier

Dear Diane,

As you read this, I'll be in flight to Japan with my two sons and one of my granddaughters—Roger, Nick, and Lilli. As I write this, it's still hard to believe. By next week I'll have spoken three times and visited some schools and just had fun—and will be in Kyoto being a tourist and will soon be coming home. I'm hoping I can send in a letter from Japan.

Meanwhile.

In last Sunday's New York Times there was a story about a 22-year-old Russian girl, who is attending an American university outside of New York City and wanted a pied-a-terre when she visits the city. So her father bought one for her at 60th and Central Park West. For $88 million dollars.

Am I jealous? Not one wit. Would I like to live there? Possibly, although I like where I'm living now in Columbia

Seattle Schools Community Forum: How Many Things Can the Local Press Get Wrong?

Seattle Schools Community Forum: How Many Things Can the Local Press Get Wrong?:

How Many Things Can the Local Press Get Wrong?

by Charlie Mas

First we have the story in Crosscut about the survey results that not only mis-reported the results (seriously, how do you get the numbers wrong in a story about the numbers?), but also grossly mis-interpreted them. The numbers in the story have been corrected but the editorial content remains mis-directed. The Crosscut story suggests that Dr. Enfield's 37% favorable rating in the survey suggests that the City loves her but that the Board's 33% favorable rating suggests that the City thinks they stink. Let's remember that the survey has a margin of error of five percentage points so these two results are, statistically, the same. Let's also note that Dr. Enfield got a 56% neutral rating. So way more people responded "Susan Who?" than proclaimed their love. And if a 37% favorable rating means love, then what does the teachers' 81% favorable rating suggest? Adoration, I suppose. Dr. Enfield, despite the focus of the story, actually finished a distant fifth - Michele Bachman territory - behind teachers (81%), schools (62%), the PTSA (60%) and the district as a whole (60%). Behind those

“I’ve never been at a school with so many Hispanics,” he whispers.

“It’s Latino. Only the government uses Hispanic.”

“Oh.”

“Yeah, and if I were you, I would tell everyone that you’re half-Mexican. It’s what I did. There’s a lot of really light