Wednesday, February 22, 2012

Districts’ funding under weighted formula | Thoughts on Public Education

Districts’ funding under weighted formula | Thoughts on Public Education:

Districts’ funding under weighted formula - by John Fensterwald - Educated Guess

In six years, when Gov. Brown’s proposed new funding system is fully phased in, the average statewide funding per student is expected to be $9,210. At that time, the per-pupil funding for Los Angeles Unified would be $1,250 higher per student – $10,460; Coachella Valley Unified, a 17,000-student district in Riverside County, would receive $12,162 [...]

Unexpected cuts for CA colleges - by Kathryn Baron

Stop me if you’ve heard this before. California community colleges are facing a midyear budget cut. No, not the $102 million January trigger cut; that’s so last month. This one is being called the “February surprise,” and it triggered this tweet from California Community Colleges Chancellor Jack Scott: “#CA #Comm_Colleges will take another $149M unexpected cut [...]

Opportune time to rethink accountability and factor in improvement - by Merrill Vargo

California is apparently passing up the opportunity to request a waiver from the No Child Left Behind law, setting up another round of schools and districts to be labeled as failing. Interestingly, state leaders say they are opting to keep in place a set of requirements that no one seems [...]

Should California community colleges prioritize enrollment to help students graduate earlier? - by forum

By the end of this week, the Student Success Act of 2012 should be officially introduced in the Legislature, launching the debate on how to improve success rates at California’s community colleges. The Act is necessary to implement some of the 22 recommendations of the Student Success Task Force, which spent the last year developing [...]

solidaridad: The Truth about Proposition 39 Colocations

solidaridad: The Truth about Proposition 39 Colocations:

The Truth about Proposition 39 Colocations

A look at the divisive and inequitable law in California that allows private charter school corporations to seize and occupy space on public school campuses. Special thanks to Cheryl Ortega for the Spanish translation.

The Truth about Proposition 39 Colocations

First published on Echo Park Patch

The Truth about Proposition 39 Colocations

"Colocation is eviction... It doesn't mean sharing, it means displacement." — NY State Senator Bill Perkins

Gabriella Charter School Corporation has illegally occupied the Auditorium the public school community at Echo Park's Logan Street Elementary School
Photo by Cheryl Ortega
Passed with the backing of the multi-billion dollar charter school industry, Proposition 39 is a law that forces public school districts to provide space for private charter corporations on existing public school campuses. The deceptively worded legislation demands our schools make any "free space" available to charters. In most cases this free space turns out to be computer labs, English Language Learner rooms, arts and music rooms, and other vital services that are surrendered. Once established on public school campuses, charters create a divisive two tier system which are frequently based on

NYC Educator: Flip a Coin

NYC Educator: Flip a Coin:

Flip a Coin

AFT President Randi Weingarten has an interesting article up at the AFT website. Ms. Weingarten suggests we drop our "fixation" on testing. She points out that this is not what students need, and that there are other forms of learning that will better benefit them. She even cites the President, who used his "bully pulpit" to say much the same thing at the SOTU speech.

I couldn't agree more, actually. Learning is more about doing than testing, and no one remembers, "Oh, that Miss Wormwood. Boy, could she give a multiple choice test. I lived to blacken those circles..."

Today’s Charter School Pep Rally Intends to Attack Florida’s Local School Boards | Scathing Purple Musings

Today’s Charter School Pep Rally Intends to Attack Florida’s Local School Boards | Scathing Purple Musings:

Today’s Charter School Pep Rally Intends to Attack Florida’s Local School Boards

Florida Independent reporter Marcos Restrepo has a story about today’s charter school pep rally in Tallahassee. The event promises to have education leaders in attendance, but two Broad Superintendent Academy grads don’t count. Florida education commissioner Gerard Robinson has eliminated all doubt that he will be an honest broker in policy. This show isn’t meant to sway public school advocates. Its intended to create an image of strength and benevolence. And apparently to bash local school boards:

In a message calling for parents to participate in School Choice Day, the Florida Coalition of Public School Options writes that “last year, Florida families worked hard to pass legislation to expand choice in the state including increased access to charter schools and virtual education, including '

IS KNBC STARTING TO QUESTION LAUSD IN OTHER AREAS BECAUSE OF MIRAMONTE? BY MARK HEMPHILL (VIDEO) - Perdaily.com

IS KNBC STARTING TO QUESTION LAUSD IN OTHER AREAS BECAUSE OF MIRAMONTE? BY MARK HEMPHILL (VIDEO) - Perdaily.com:

IS KNBC STARTING TO QUESTION LAUSD IN OTHER AREAS BECAUSE OF MIRAMONTE? BY MARK HEMPHILL (VIDEO)

Cheating.jpg
(Mensaje se repite en Espaรฑol)

(For a national view of public education reform see the end of this blog post)

If you were watching KNBC Los Angeles news coverage last night, you may have seen a report by Conan Nolan titled, Where Do Problem Teachers Go? The "Rubber Room." It served as a sort of one minute and fifty three second limited spot summary of Leonard Isenberg's last article, "LAUSD & UTLA: THEIR PROBLEMS ARE STRUCTURAL NOT PERSONNEL," in which Lenny articulates the many levels of accountability due to LAUSD and UTLA for the conditions which permit disasters like the events at Miramonte Elementary School and the archaic detentions centers called rubber rooms.

Today's Big Education Ape - PostRank Top 2-22 AM Posts #soschat #edreform


TIME FOR LIE DETECTOR TESTS « Teachers Fight Back

TIME FOR LIE DETECTOR TESTS « Teachers Fight Back:TIME FOR LIE DETECTOR TESTSby alkleenI had another dream. (I’ve been dreaming a lot lately). I dreamt that I ruled the U.S. as a dictator with unlimited powers. I had my military police round up every person in the country who has been bashing teacher unions. I rounded up all the people who said that teacher unions are partly responsible for the current “education crisis”. I detained any person who bashed the ... more »

Sh*t TFA'ers Say

This video was actually produced internally at Teach For America for cheap yuks. Apparently, they're proud of their superficial, jargon-y gloss on the problems of inner-city poverty and education.

Grumpy Educators: Value Added Measurement: Wanted Professional Palm Reader

Grumpy Educators: Value Added Measurement: Wanted Professional Palm Reader:Value Added Measurement: Wanted Professional Palm ReaderWant to bet on a horse? Put your trust in a bookie whose job it is to predict winners after studying potential to win based on breeding, training, and standings in recent races. Want to invest in the stockmarket? Put your trust in a stockbroker whose job it is to predict companies that show signs of being a good investment, with potential growth, and a stable ... more »

Today's Big Education Ape - PostRank Top Late Nite Posts 2-21 #soschat #ReclaimingReform

Teacher Contracts, Evaluation Policies, and Termination « PWC Education Reform BlogBig Education Ape - PostRank (PostRank: All)-31 minutes agoTeacher Contracts, Evaluation Policies, and Termination « PWC Education Reform Blog:Teacher Contracts, Evaluation Policies, and TerminationFebruary 21, 2012 — pwceducationreformThe VA General Assembly is considering a number of bills that affect education. One is HB576, which deals with teacher contracts, evaluation policies, and reasons for terminating a teacher, among other things.Current LawCurrently teachers are hired for what is called a ... more »

School Tech Connect: The Crane Deal

School Tech Connect: The Crane Deal:The Crane Dealby noreply@blogger.com (Tim)Very mixed feelings about the apparent deal to keep Crane as a neighborhood high school. The one thing I know for sure is that I have faith in the Crane Coalition's judgment. I guess my questions are these: is it still a neighborhood school for kids who aren't interested in health careers? If I'm a poet or an astronomer, will those doors still be open to me? And what does it ... more »

Seattle Schools Community Forum: The Smartest Guy in the Room

Seattle Schools Community Forum: The Smartest Guy in the Room:The Smartest Guy in the Roomby Melissa WestbrookOver at Publicola, the jousting goes on. Firing back at the letter that WEA President, Mary Lindquist, wrote yesterday, Knight-in-Shining Armor, Nick Hanauer writes a long reply.What is somewhat funny is he agrees with her on all the reasons why a "lifelong Democrat and committed progressive" shouldn't want Rob McKenna as governor. But then he says that "McKenna is on the right track and ... more »

Teacher Contracts, Evaluation Policies, and Termination « PWC Education Reform Blog

Teacher Contracts, Evaluation Policies, and Termination « PWC Education Reform Blog:Teacher Contracts, Evaluation Policies, and TerminationFebruary 21, 2012 — pwceducationreformThe VA General Assembly is considering a number of bills that affect education. One is HB576, which deals with teacher contracts, evaluation policies, and reasons for terminating a teacher, among other things.Current LawCurrently teachers are hired for what is called a continuing contract after they’ve completed their probationary period. A continuing contract runs for 5 years and specifies step and grade ...more »

“The School for Workers survived McCarthyism. It may not survive Walker.” « Fred Klonsky

“The School for Workers survived McCarthyism. It may not survive Walker.” « Fred Klonsky:“The School for Workers survived McCarthyism. It may not survive Walker.”by Fred KlonskyThe School for Workers was established in 1925 as an extension program of the University of Wisconsin at Madison.They had planned an art exhibit of posters and other political art created during the past year of labor struggle in Wisconsin.Wisconsin Republicans wouldn’t hear of it.The Progressive:The University of Wisconsin’s School for Workers was planning on ... more »

Daily Kos: A few things I do not understand

Daily Kos: A few things I do not understand:A few things I do not understandby rss@dailykos.com (teacherken)How does lowering the minimum wage in Greece do anything to improve the economy of the nation? Does lowering the income of those barely making it in any way contribute to stimulating the economy, or is it merely to increase profits of those already benefiting from wages that are insufficient?Why is the Obama administration taking $6 million dollars from the funding of NAEP - ... more »

Schools Matter: Perfect Hour for Parents, Ed Students, and Teachers During Black History Month

Schools Matter: Perfect Hour for Parents, Ed Students, and Teachers During Black History Month:Perfect Hour for Parents, Ed Students, and Teachers During Black History Monthby Jim HornStill Separate, Still Unequal: Racism, Class and the Attack on Public EducationWith Brian Jones Public education is under an unprecedented attack. The powerful people who want to privatize our schools are using many different means: charter schools, mayoral control, high stakes standardized testing, school closures, merit pay and attacking teacher unions are all a ... more »

League of Education Voters to Apologize to Rainier Beach High School | Seattle Education

League of Education Voters to Apologize to Rainier Beach High School | Seattle Education:League of Education Voters to Apologize to Rainier Beach High Schoolby seattleducation2011The LEV flyer with notations by Rainier Beach High SchoolTo follow is a statement that was issued by the Rainier Beach PTSA this afternoon:On Monday, Feb 20, 2012, a few parents from Rainier Beach High School (RBHS) and South Shore Middle

PSAT for 2-21-12: Do something! Parents United for Responsible Education

Parents United for Responsible Education » Blog Archive » PSAT for 2-21-12: Do something!:PSAT for 2-21-12: Do something!by adminAnger and action are cranked up to 11 on the volume control in preparation for tomorrow’s Chicago Board of Education vote on school closures and turnarounds.Overnight camp outs.School occupation.Marches. Press conferences. Releasing new reports. Noble critiques. Call-ins.You name it, folks in Chicago have done it – and mostly in the last week!Enough already?Nah.Let’s crank it up a little more. So, for Public ... more »

Schools Matter: Reconsidering testing in Texas

Schools Matter: Reconsidering testing in Texas:Reconsidering testing in Texasby skrashenReconsidering testing: Some fundamentalsSent to the Austin-American Statesman, Feb 21, 2012A year's delay to reconsider the role of testing is a very good idea (“It’s smart to step back on STARR,” Feb 20).I hope that those assigned to study this issue will look at the evidence showing that increased testing does not result in increased achievement, the evidence showing that teacher evaluation of high school students (grades) is a better predictor ... more »

Santorum’s children went to a cyber charter school - The Answer Sheet - The Washington Post

Santorum’s children went to a cyber charter school - The Answer Sheet - The Washington Post:Santorum’s children went to a cyber charter schoolby Valerie StraussRepublican presidential candidate Rick Santorum has said some pretty provocative things about public education on the campaign trail recently, declaring that it is not the job of government to educate children but rather the responsibility of parents.Read full article

RheeFirst! » Michelle Rhee makes no apologies for firing a principal on camera

RheeFirst! » Michelle Rhee makes no apologies for firing a principal on camera:Michelle Rhee makes no apologies for firing a principal on cameraby adminIn a February 2012 interview, Michelle Rhee makes no apologies for firing a principal on camera. Her only regret is that it damaged her image of caring for people. Read her chilling response for yourself.Q. Is there anything you’d take back — perhaps your firing of a principal in front of PBS cameras?A. [I would take it ... more »

Parents United for Responsible Education » Blog Archive » New report: LSCs and democracy outperform turnarounds

Parents United for Responsible Education » Blog Archive » New report: LSCs and democracy outperform turnarounds:New report: LSCs and democracy outperform turnaroundsby adminOn the eve of a potentially catastrophic Board of Education vote to turnaround ten more Chicago schools, the school reform research group Designs for Change has released a report showing that school turnarounds are not worth the extra expense, and that the unheralded reforms brought about under the authority of parent-led, democratically-elected local school councils have been far ... more »

OCCUPY EDUCATION - I Occupy Education by helping to bring communities...

OCCUPY EDUCATION - I Occupy Education by helping to bring communities...:I Occupy Education by helping to bring communities together...I Occupy Education by helping to bring communities together through helping us understand our similarities rather than only focusing on our differences! I work in an environment where not all of my ideals mesh with the standards of the company, but I see HOPE and I SPEAK POWER to that HOPE, and I BELIEVE I am transforming community education every day!!! I ... more »

Self Fulfilling Prophecy!(Gloom and Doom) « Diary of a Public School Teacher!

Self Fulfilling Prophecy!(Gloom and Doom) « Diary of a Public School Teacher!:Self Fulfilling Prophecy!(Gloom and Doom)by OldschoolteachSelf Fulfilling Prophecy!(Gloom and Doom)Posted February 20, 2012 by Oldschoolteach in Education Issues, Student Issues, Teacher issues. Tagged:educators, K through 12, raising our expectations in the classroom, rigor in the classroom, self fulfilling prophecy,teacher expectations of students. Leave a CommentI remember when I was in college a LONG time ago, we learned about the self-fulfilling prophecy. I don’t recall the professor who taught it, ... more »

Daily Kos: I weep for America

Daily Kos: I weep for America:I weep for Americaby rss@dailykos.com (teacherken)that someone like Rick Santorum could be seriously considered as a Presidential candidate by a major political party demonstrates that we are not the most advanced nation.But it is more than that.As attacks continue on teachers and on public institutions, as we continue in the direction of privatizing the commons, as we still cannot provide full medical coverage for all here regardless of their income, wealth, or immigration status, I ... more »

Grumpy Educators: California: Bringing Parent Opposition and Resistance Out of the Shadows

Grumpy Educators: California: Bringing Parent Opposition and Resistance Out of the Shadows:California: Bringing Parent Opposition and Resistance Out of the Shadowsby SandraSan Diego parents oppose state mandated assessment and invoke parent rights. They publish their letter to the school and publish their letter. February 16, 2012Bill KowbaSuperintendent of SchoolsSan Diego Unified School District4100 Normal Street, Room 2219San Diego, CA 92103Dear Mr. Kowba,Please accept this letter as our request to excuse our daughter, Ruby, from participation in standardized