Today's Big Education Ape - PostRank Top 1-26 Early Evening Posts #ows #edreform

Life in Rahm’s Chicago. Thursday edition. « Fred Klonsky

Big Education Ape - PostRank (PostRank: All) - 58 minutes ago

Life in Rahm’s Chicago. Thursday edition. « Fred Klonsky:Life in Rahm’s Chicago. Thursday edition.by Fred KlonskyRahm doesn’t think pay-for-protesters is a problem.And his hand-picked board of education seems to have skipped a step. They’re budgeting for turnarounds before all the public hearings and actually taking a vote.The Sun-Times:The mayor was not concerned.“The ministers have a right — who have been long involved in school reform, longer school day, turnaround schools, who don’t accept the status quo — to speak up,” ... more »

RheeFirst! » Protesters stage duct-taped “silent protests” on Rhee’s home turf

Big Education Ape - PostRank (PostRank: All) - 58 minutes ago

RheeFirst! » Protesters stage duct-taped “silent protests” on Rhee’s home turf:Protesters stage duct-taped “silent protests” on Rhee’s home turfby adminA spirited “silent protest” was held in Rhee’s home turf last night. Rhee’s “Town Hall” had advertised itself as open to all Sacramento residents but a member of the public shown here was turned away because she did not belong to StudentsFirst or Stand for Children.Eventually, Rhee and her employees noted the growing number of protesters standing outside with their mouths

President Moonbeam. « Fred Klonsky

Big Education Ape - PostRank (PostRank: All) - 58 minutes ago

President Moonbeam. « Fred Klonsky:President Moonbeam.by Fred KlonskyIt was the old Chicago columnist Mike Royko who back in the day called California Governor Jerry Brown, “Governor Moonbeam.” That was when Brown was serving his first terms as governor, sleeping on a mattress on the floor, doing yoga and dating Linda Ronstadt.Of course, I was doing those things too. Except for the yoga and Linda Ronstadt.These days Brown’s statements about schools and testing make him sound positively grounded compared to Newt ... more »

Schools Matter: What the Hell Is the Tennessee State Board of Education Doing?

Big Education Ape - PostRank (PostRank: All) - 58 minutes ago

Schools Matter: What the Hell Is the Tennessee State Board of Education Doing?:What the Hell Is the Tennessee State Board of Education Doing?by Jim Horn First they came for the teachers. See below:TennesseeState Board of Education Agenda January 27, 2012 Final Reading Item: IV. G.LicenseDenial, Suspension, and Revocation Procedure PolicyTheBackground:Pursuantto State Board of Education Rule 0520-2-4-.01(9)(b) the State Board ofEducation may revoke, suspend or refuse to issue or renew a license for severalreasons listed in the rule. Currentlyunder the policy, ... more »

Under education reform, school principals swamped by teacher evaluations - CSMonitor.com

Big Education Ape - PostRank (PostRank: All) - 58 minutes ago

Under education reform, school principals swamped by teacher evaluations - CSMonitor.com:Under education reform, school principals swamped by teacher evaluationsSchool principals, including some who back more rigorous review of teachers, are balking at education reforms required by Race to the Top. New teacher evaluations are all-consuming, they say. By Amanda Paulson, Staff writer / January 26, 2012A fourth-grader at Alton Elementary in Memphis, Tenn., gives a thumbs up. Tennessee is implementing a new teacher evaluation system this year.Mike Brown/The Commercial Appeal/APEnlarge0 ...more »

From the Spin Machine: Activist Michell Rhee, Sacramento Mayor Kevin Johnson tour California to talk education reform | news10.net

Big Education Ape - PostRank (PostRank: All) - 58 minutes ago

Activist Michell Rhee, Sacramento Mayor Kevin Johnson tour California to talk education reform | news10.net:Activist Michell Rhee, Sacramento Mayor Kevin Johnson tour California to talk education reform3:08 AM, Jan 26, 2012 | 0 comments - A A A +Written byCornell BarnardFILED UNDERNewsEducationLife HealthSACRAMENTO, CA - Education activist Michelle Rhee and her husband, Sacramento Mayor Kevin Johnson, are hitting the road with their listening tour of California to gather support for education reform.On Wednesday, Rhee, the former Washington D.C. education chief ... more »

Modern School: Hawaii Teachers Reject Race To The Top

Big Education Ape - PostRank (PostRank: All) - 58 minutes ago

Modern School: Hawaii Teachers Reject Race To The Top:Hawaii Teachers Reject Race To The Topby Michael DunnHawaiian teachers recently rejected a contract calling for performance-based evaluations and compensation, a requirement by the Race to the Top (RttT) grant their state won from the Obama administration, according to Valerie Strauss.67% of 9,000 teachers, counselors and others in the Hawaii State Teachers Association (HSTA) rejected the contract, the first time in the union’s 44-year history that its members rejected a contract already ... more »

Scarborough & Dean Brawl Over Dem/Union Obstruction Of Education Reform | NewsBusters.org

Big Education Ape - PostRank (PostRank: All) - 58 minutes ago

Scarborough Dean Brawl Over Dem/Union Obstruction Of Education Reform | NewsBusters.org:Scarborough Dean Brawl Over Dem/Union Obstruction Of Education ReformBy Mark Finkelstein | January 26, 2012 | 08:141Change font size: A | AHoward Dean: "I need to take you on a tour of America's public schools; that's what I need to do." Joe Scarborough: "I've been fighting for education reform for a generation, and every time we've tried to reform schools . . . it was the Democratic party on the ... more »

Jersey Jazzman: Soviet-Style Educator Pay

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Jersey Jazzman: Soviet-Style Educator Pay:Soviet-Style Educator Payby DukeLike all bullies, Chris Christie thinks the rules don't apply to him - he's special. Now New Jersey's schools beginto pay the price for his arrogance:A month after being honored on the floor of the state Senate, New Jersey’s school superintendent of the year is headed to New York, another consequence of the Christie administration’s cap on school administration salaries. Roy Montesano, the superintendent of Ramsey schools, was expected to be formally approved ... more »

Today's Big Education Ape - PostRank Top Late Nite Posts 1-25 #edreform #ows

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Fact-Checking President Obama on Race to the Top | Truth in American EducationBig Education Ape - PostRank (PostRank: All)-24 minutes agoFact-Checking President Obama on Race to the Top | Truth in American Education:Fact-Checking President Obama on Race to the Topby James BellPresident Obama touted Race to the Top during the State of the UnionIn the State of the Union Address, President Obama said:“For less than 1 percent of what our nation spends on education each year, we’ve convinced nearly every ... more »

Under Cuomo’s heavy hand, talks resume on city teacher evals | GothamSchools

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Under Cuomo’s heavy hand, talks resume on city teacher evals | GothamSchools:Under Cuomo’s heavy hand, talks resume on city teacher evalsby Geoff DeckerThe tense standoff between the city and the teachers union appears to be thawing in response to pressure from Gov. Andrew Cuomo, who has stepped forward in recent days to demand resolution to the conflict.A United Federation of Teachers spokesman confirmed today that “informal talks” with the city have started up after nearly a month away from the ... more »

Angry Parents Speak Out at School Board Meeting - Chicago News Cooperative

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Anger Over Closures at School Board Meeting - Chicago News Cooperative:Angry Parents Speak Out at School Board Meetingby REBECCA VEVEAThe Chicago Board of Education on Wednesday faced angry community members opposed to two of the new administration’s cornerstone reforms—overhauling failing schools and increasing the length of the school day.Neither issue was on the agenda, which included the approval of three new student health policies, two additional kindergarten magnet classrooms and the transfer of $114.6 million in tax-increment financing from the ... more »

Funded by the Same People, Are Jeb Bush’s Foundation and Parent Revolution Scamming Floridians on Parent Trigger? | Scathing Purple Musings

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Funded by the Same People, Are Jeb Bush’s Foundation and Parent Revolution Scamming Floridians on Parent Trigger? | Scathing Purple Musings:Funded by the Same People, Are Jeb Bush’s Foundation and Parent Revolution Scamming Floridians on Parent Trigger?by Bob Sikes Yesterday’s press conference that occurred between the house and senate committee votes which passed through Florida’s Parent Trigger bill was put on by supporters of the bill. Most notably, Jeb Bush’s education foundation and the Florida Chamber of Commerce. In attendance ... more »

Our Country Deserves a Great Education System « The Whole Child Blog « Whole Child Education

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Our Country Deserves a Great Education System « The Whole Child Blog « Whole Child Education:Our Country Deserves a Great Education SystemJanuary 25th, 2012 by Klea ScharbergIn this TEDx presentation, Brian M. Stecher, associate director and senior social scientist at RAND Education, suggests three steps we need to take to cultivate schools where students can thrive.Describe what we mean by “a school where students can thrive.” A thriving school is likely to produceStudents who know things, from reading and mathematics, ... more »

Obama’s Education Power Grab | Truth in American Education

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Obama’s Education Power Grab | Truth in American Education:Obama’s Education Power Grabby Shane Vander HartPresident Barack Obama had a lot to say in last night’s State of the Union address, I mean a lot… apparently this was the 10th longest in words and 9th longest in time. It was broadcast from 8:00pm – 9:30pm (CST). I frankly don’t have time to dissect everything that he said, but with his comments regarding education it is clear that he does not care ... more »

ACCS Meeting Notice-- Advisory Commission on Charter Schools (CA Dept of Education)

Big Education Ape - PostRank (PostRank: All) - 16 hours ago

ACCS Meeting Notice--Advisory Commission on Chart - Advisory Commission on Charter Schools (CA Dept of Education):CALIFORNIA STATE BOARD OF EDUCATION1430 N Street, Suite 5111Sacramento, CA 95814Phone: 916-319-0827Fax: 916-319-0175Live Webcast of the ACCS Meeting (Outside Source)Meeting NoticeAdvisory Commission on Charter SchoolsAn advisory body to the State Board of EducationWednesday, February 8, 20129:30 a. m. ± – 4:00 p. m. ±California Department of Education1430 N Street, Room 1101Sacramento, CA 95814-5901916-322-6029Commission MembersVacant1Vicki BarberBrian BauerGary DavisKel... more »

Why Does Florida’s Parent Trigger Bill Seek to Drum up Business for Pearson? | Scathing Purple Musings

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Why Does Florida’s Parent Trigger Bill Seek to Drum up Business for Pearson? | Scathing Purple Musings:Why Does Florida’s Parent Trigger Bill Seek to Drum up Business for Pearson?by Bob SikesA key portion of the Parent Trigger bill provides for parent’s being informed of the virtual option with two passages: 49 (a) Each school district shall annually notify the parent50 of each public school student assigned to a classroom teacher51 who is teaching out-of-field regarding such assignment. The

Remarks by the First Lady in School Lunch Standards Announcement | The White House

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Remarks by the First Lady in School Lunch Standards Announcement | The White House:Remarks by the First Lady in School Lunch Standards AnnouncementParklawn Elementary SchoolAlexandria, Virginia11:32 A.M. ESTMRS. OBAMA: Thank you, everyone. Please, sit, rest. This is exciting. It is such a pleasure to be here today. This is an exciting day.I want to start by thanking Secretary Vilsack, not just for that very kind introduction but for his outstanding work as Secretary of Agriculture. He has been just a ... more »

Jersey Jazzman: High-Performing Students? Meh...

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Jersey Jazzman: High-Performing Students? Meh...:High-Performing Students? Meh...by DukeSo says the Gates-funded, ultra-reformy National Council on Teacher Quality:New Jersey’s report card from a group that seeks to improve standards for the nation’s teachers is dismal: D-plus, 36th in the U.S. and making less progress than most states.The report, scheduled to be published today by the National Council on Teacher Quality, could bolster parts of Gov. Chris Christie’s education overhaul agenda —

Today's Big Education Ape - PostRank Top Early Afternoon Posts 1-25 #ows #edreform

Big Education Ape - PostRank (PostRank: All) - 16 hours ago

Today's Big Education Ape - PostRank Top 1-25 Mid Morning Posts #ows #edreformBig Education Ape - PostRank (PostRank: All)-6 minutes agoAll Education Matters: 10 Student Loan Reform Leaders: #1 President Obama, Three Others, Then . . Me?Big Education Ape - PostRank (PostRank: All)-4 minutes agoAll Education Matters: 10 Student Loan Reform Leaders: #1 President Obama, Three Others, Then . . Me?:10 Student Loan Reform Leaders: #1 President Obama, Three Others, Then . . Me?by Cryn JohannsenCheck out my reaction to ... more »

SACRAMENTO PROGRESSIVE ALLIANCE: Demonstrators Protest Rhee and Corporate Agenda for Schools

SACRAMENTO PROGRESSIVE ALLIANCE: Demonstrators Protest Rhee and Corporate Agenda for Schools:

Demonstrators Protest Rhee and Corporate Agenda for Schools

by Duane Campbell

“Silent” protestors with their mouths tapedshut confronted Sacramento MayorKevin Johnson and corporate education proponent Michelle Rhee as they entereda carefully promoted andcontrolled discussion abouteducation issues at the Tsakopoulos Library Galleria, 828 I St, in Sacramentoon Wednesday, January 25.

Demonstrators held a news briefing with local mediaoutlets. The Sacramento Bee didnot

NYC Public School Parents: Concerns with the MRDC study on small schools released today

NYC Public School Parents: Concerns with the MRDC study on small schools released today:

Concerns with the MRDC study on small schools released today

from NYC Public School Parents by Leonie Haimson

MDRC released a study today, which the NY Times writes “appeared to validate the Bloomberg administration’s decade-long push to create small schools to replace larger, failing high schools.” The report mentions the current controversy over the massive number of school closings, here in NYC and across the country, and thus there may be a political element in the timing of its release:

MDRC’s findings about SSCs are relevant to current federal policy on high school reform, particularly the U. S. Department of Education’s School Improvement Grants (SIGs) for failing schools. Reforms funded by SIGs include school transformation, school restart, school closing, and school turnaround. SSCs straddle several of these categories since they are typically replacements for schools that have closed and they operate as regular public schools.

This is the second MDRC study to conclude that students who attended the new small schools had significantly improved outcomes. The first MDRC study, released in 2010, looked at students who entered these schools in

No-Day Lobby Day. « Fred Klonsky

No-Day Lobby Day. « Fred Klonsky:

No-Day Lobby Day.

by Fred Klonsky

I don’t know why the leaders of the IEA decided not to mobilize teachers for Lobby Day in Springfield this year.

I know that their stated reason, that the Capitol building is under renovation, doesn’t make any sense. We have met with Park Ridge State Senator Dan Kotowski in his Capitol building office, in his office when it was in some

The Evolution of Bill Gates, Education Philanthropist - Dana Goldstein

The Evolution of Bill Gates, Education Philanthropist - Dana Goldstein:

The Evolution of Bill Gates, Education Philanthropist

by Dana Goldstein

One thing I admire about Bill Gates is that he isn't afraid to update his thinking when presented with new information. I've written in the past about Gates' annual letter on his philanthropic activities, which always includes a section on the nearly $400 million his foundation spends each year on American education reform. In these letters, Gates has been careful to praise teachers while simultaneously advocating for more rigorous, often data-based evaluation in order to weed out low performers. In his 2010 letter, for example, Gates controversially called student testing the model for teacher evaluation, noting: "It is amazing how little feedback teachers get to help them improve, especially when you think about how much feedback their students get. Students regularly have their skills measured with tests. The results show how they compare to other students."

The new 2012 letter, however, marks a significant shift in Gates' thinking, and shows he has learned a lot from more open dialogue with classroom teachers. The letter argues strongly in favor of teacher peer review, a more

Beneath the Veil of Inadequate Cost Analyses: What do Roland Fryer’s School Reform Studies Really Tell Us? (if anything) « School Finance 101

Beneath the Veil of Inadequate Cost Analyses: What do Roland Fryer’s School Reform Studies Really Tell Us? (if anything) « School Finance 101:

Beneath the Veil of Inadequate Cost Analyses: What do Roland Fryer’s School Reform Studies Really Tell Us? (if anything)

by schoolfinance101

Here’s a short section from one of my papers currently in progress (part of the summary of existing literature on alternative models/strategies, and marginal expenditures).

A series of studies from Roland Fryer and colleagues have explored the effectiveness of specific charter school models and strategies, including Harlem Childrens’ Zone (Dobbie & Fryer, 2009), “no excuses” charter schools in New York City (Dobbie & Fryer, 2011), schools within the Houston public school district (Apollo 20) mimicking no excuses charter strategies (Fryer, 2011, Fryer, 2012), and an intensive urban residential schooling model in Baltimore, MD (Curto & Fryer, 2011). In each case, the models in question involve resource intensive strategies, including substantially lengthening school days and years, providing small group (2 or 3 on 1) intensive tutoring, providing extensive community based wrap around services (Harlem Childrens’ Zone) or providing student

Major Changes to School Meals - Year 2012 (CA Dept of Education)

Major Changes to School Meals - Year 2012 (CA Dept of Education):

State Schools Chief Tom Torlakson Applauds
New Nutrition Standards for School Lunches

SACRAMENTO—State Superintendent of Public Instruction Tom Torlakson today congratulated First Lady Michelle Obama and the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) for making fresh fruits and vegetables the focus of the first major changes (Outside Source) to school meals in more than 15 years.

"These new standards will help put more fresh fruits and vegetables in school lunches, which means healthier children in our classrooms," Torlakson said. "Our Team California for Healthy Kids campaign is all about making the healthy choice the easy choice for students and families, and these new standards will help us achieve that goal.

"I applaud the First Lady for championing the cause of improving the health of our children. The California Department of Education will work closely with school districts as they make these improvements, and we’ll continue to urge that additional funds be provided to make these standards a reality in our schools."

More than 500 school sites in California already are well on their way to putting these new healthy choices into operation by improving both student nutrition and food quality.

Based on training that CDE began last year, many district child nutrition directors are working together to develop operational and financial management strategies that are crucial to support the new meal standards.

# # # #

Tom Torlakson — State Superintendent of Public Instruction

Communications Division, Room 5206, 916-319-0818, Fax 916-319-0100

Missouri Education Watchdog: Dick Morris and School Choice Week Presentation in St. Louis. Beam Me Up, Scotty

Missouri Education Watchdog: Dick Morris and School Choice Week Presentation in St. Louis. Beam Me Up, Scotty:

Dick Morris and School Choice Week Presentation in St. Louis. Beam Me Up, Scotty

by stlgretchen

Americans For Prosperity hosted a panel discussion on School Choice last night at Loyola Academy, a private Jesuit school for inner city young men. School Choice is blitzing the nation with the message "shining a spotlight on effective education options for every child." The St. Louis panel touched on those options.

The panel consisted of Dick Morris (political strategist and commentator), Dana Loesch (Radio host and

APATHETIC PARENTS, PLEASE READ THIS BOOK « Teachers Fight Back

APATHETIC PARENTS, PLEASE READ THIS BOOK « Teachers Fight Back:

APATHETIC PARENTS, PLEASE READ THIS BOOK

by alkleen

I just finished another book about schools that except for too many questionable generalizations might actually be useful. The book is, “The Good School, How Smart Parents Get Their Kids the Education They Deserve”. The book talks about what parents should investigate about a school and or a particular classroom before enrolling their child. It also advises parents how to check on the progress that a child might be making while in school.

The author’s suggestions will be nothing new to many middle class parents and certainly nothing new to almost all affluent parents. Affluent parents have been investigating their neighborhood schools for years, and have often asked questions about teachers, principals, curriculum and teaching methods that are used. The book would be most useful to groups of parents who have traditionally accepted whatever has occurred at their local school, and

Dad gets restraining order against fourth-grade son's classmate - latimes.com

Dad gets restraining order against fourth-grade son's classmate - latimes.com:

Dad gets restraining order against fourth-grade son's classmate

A Riverside County man says he has secured a restraining order against a fourth-grade boy who threatened his son with a knife.

Robert Casteel told the Riverside Press-Enterprise that earlier this month a student at Mission Bell Elementary School pulled a knife on his 10-year-old son, Christopher, and told him that he would "get you after school."

He said he pursued a restraining order to protect his son because the school has been lenient with the alleged aggressor.

"We've already got too many things happening in schools. Kids are getting shot and stabbed," Casteel told the

ALEC Reports on the War on Teachers - Living in Dialogue - Education Week Teacher

ALEC Reports on the War on Teachers - Living in Dialogue - Education Week Teacher:

ALEC Reports on the War on Teachers

by Anthony Cody

Follow me on Twitter at @AnthonyCody

As state after state rewrites their education laws in line with the mandates from Race to the Top and the NCLB waiver process, the teaching profession is being redefined. Teachers will now pay the price - be declared successes or failures, depending on the rise or fall of their students' test scores. Under NCLB it was schools that were declared failures. In states being granted waivers to NCLB, it is teachers who will be subjected to this ignominy. Of course we will still be required to label the bottom 5% of our schools as failures, but if the Department of Education has its way, soon every single teacher in the profession will be at risk for the label.

This revelation came to me as I read the Score Card on Education prepared by the American Legislative Exchange Council (ALEC), authored by Dr. Matthew Ladner and Dan Lips. This is a remarkable document. It provides their report on where each of the states stands on the education "reform" that has become the hallmark

Mike Klonsky's SmallTalk Blog: GOP salutes Obama's ed policies

Mike Klonsky's SmallTalk Blog: GOP salutes Obama's ed policies:

GOP salutes Obama's ed policies

by Mike Klonsky

A GOP salute

At least there's someone who likes Obama/Duncan ed policies.

"Republicans tonight salute our President, for instance, for his aggressive pursuit of the murderers of 9/11, and for bravely backing long overdue changes in public education." -- Indiana's T-Party Gov. Mitch Daniels' in his response to SOTU.

Daniels was only returning the favor. It was Arne Ducan's "salute" to Daniels last April, that boosted Daniels' stock as an education governor and

Seattle Schools Community Forum: A Question of Scale

Seattle Schools Community Forum: A Question of Scale:

A Question of Scale

by Charlie Mas

A lot of the work in education appears to be focused on small things that make little difference instead of big things that make a lot of difference. All of the fights are over the small stuff that doesn't much matter. These are distractions that keep us from taking the battle to the big stuff that really does matter.



Seattle Public Schools is on the cusp of adopting a policy on waivers for instructional materials. The proposed policy includes a lot of safeguards that the district staff wrote in to make sure that the alternative materials work well and that the students make acceptable progress. The driving concern here is that we absolutely do not want 400 students using materials that don't work well.

That certainly makes sense, but you may be astonished to learn that our basic materials adoption policy has no

Schools Matter: Wanted: Computer of Apple Quality Not Made in Poisonous Factory by Slave Labor

Schools Matter: Wanted: Computer of Apple Quality Not Made in Poisonous Factory by Slave Labor:

Wanted: Computer of Apple Quality Not Made in Poisonous Factory by Slave Labor

by Jim Horn

Yesterday I was at the gym watching on closed caption the story of Apple's cash problems. Seems they have almost a hundred billion bucks (more than most European countries) that they don't know what do with, except to hold it for the next inevitable bankster-inspired economic depression.

Looks like they could at least afford haz-mat suits for the Chinese peasants who get paid pennies to polish their expensive Apples in plants where suicide provides an attractive alternative to a life of hell.

I've been an Apple user for a long time, but I am definitely looking for another option that doesn't run on Gates.

A tiny clip from the NYTimes:

. . . . the workers assembling iPhones, iPads and other devices often labor in harsh conditions,

It's the Economy ... - Bridging Differences - Education Week

It's the Economy ... - Bridging Differences - Education Week:

It's the Economy ...

by Deborah Meier

Dear Diane,

I've had an epiphany so I'm tossing the piece I wrote for this week to "spread the word."

"Can America Make It?" is the headline on the cover of the December issue of The American Prospect. The lead article is written by an old friend, Harold Meyerson, who argues that, "with the right trade and industrial policies," we can be a nation with a strong middle-class majority.

It's a fascinating piece and makes me think that the debates we're having about school reform have so distracted us that we forget that a good education system depends on a strong society. There's no point in scaring 5-year-olds into thinking if you don't work hard, you won't get a good job—when in fact virtually no one (well-educated or

Teachers sue to stop ballot initiative from the non-profit Stand for Children

WGGB abc40/FOX 6: News, Weather, Sports: Springfield, MA - Home:

Teachers sue to stop ballot question

By Mike LaCrosse - email
January 24th, 2012

SPRINGFIELD, Mass. (WGGB) — The state’s largest teacher union has filed a lawsuit to block a ballot question that would change the way teachers are evaluated.

Michael Flynn is one of seven plaintiffs in the lawsuit against the Massachusetts Attorney General’s Office regarding a ballot initiative from the non-profit Stand for Children. The group sponsors the petition “An Act to Promote Excellence in the Public Schools,” which aims at recognizing teachers according to performance rather than seniority.

It’s something Flynn says a task force made up of teachers, administrators, parents and law makers have already worked on. It will be implemented over the next three years.

“The goal of it is to really improve education to support teachers and help them grow, but there is a

Part 2: Washington State Bill Proposals HB 2427/SB 6203 and HB 2451: Teacher evaluations based on test scores. | Seattle Education

Part 2: Washington State Bill Proposals HB 2427/SB 6203 and HB 2451: Teacher evaluations based on test scores. | Seattle Education:

Part 2: Washington State Bill Proposals HB 2427/SB 6203 and HB 2451: Teacher evaluations based on test scores.

by seattleducation2011

Teacher evaluations based on test scores: Part 2

I received so much information in response to my query about teacher evaluations based on test scores that I decided to provide the information in three posts. The first post can be found at Washington State Bill Proposals HB 2427/SB 6203 and HB 2451: Teacher evaluations based on test scores. Parents around the country respond with their own experiences.

In this post, we will look at what researchers have to say on the subject.

Lisa-Darling Hammond at Stanford University responded to my query with a paper titled Getting Teacher

HechingerEd Blog | New evidence that smalls schools work?

HechingerEd Blog | New evidence that smalls schools work?:

New evidence that smalls schools work?

by Sarah Garland

You might have forgotten about the small schools movement amid all the recent hubbub about overhauling teacher evaluations. But a study released on January 25th reminds us that only a few years ago, reducing the number of total students in a school was seen as a key weapon in the arsenal of urban school reform, and suggests that perhaps small schools shouldn’t have been so quickly abandoned as a reform strategy.

In 2010, MDRC, a nonpartisan, New York-based research group, found that New York City students who attended small high schools were more likely to graduate than their counterparts who applied to but didn’t ultimately attend small schools. A new study confirms the previous findings. A second group of students who cycled through the city’s small schools also had a greater likelihood of graduating than students at other, comparable schools.

New York City’s small schools aren’t selective, but they do have lotteries because of space constraints. The