JESSE, ROMNEY, QUINN, R- RATINGS, AND OHIO SHOOTING « Teachers Fight Back

JESSE, ROMNEY, QUINN, R- RATINGS, AND OHIO SHOOTING « Teachers Fight Back:

JESSE, ROMNEY, QUINN, R- RATINGS, AND OHIO SHOOTING

by alkleen

The Rev. Jesse Jackson has joined the people protesting the planned closings of several failing Chicago schools. Jackson said the Rainbow/Push coalition will call on the U.S. Department of Justice to investigate inequalities in the city’s public school system that, he said, have disproportionately affected African-American and Latino students. Huh? Hey, Rev, just a heads up, but 91% of students in Chicago Public schools are African-American or Latino. That’s going to be real hard to prove. You’ve done some good things in the past, but I think it’s time for you to retire or at least do your homework before working for a cause.

Mitt Romney, what are you thinking ? I get it that you are a Republican and must bash labor unions, but do you really want to do that in MICHIGAN? Yikes, describing union people as “stooges” and claiming that they are

Support PURE! » PSAT for 2-28-12: Go to Springfield!

Parents United for Responsible Education » Blog Archive » PSAT for 2-28-12: Go to Springfield!:

PSAT for 2-28-12: Go to Springfield!

by admin

An early and urgent PSAT for tomorrow- if you can’t get on the bus for Springfield (see below), at least call your state senator and ask him/her to sign on to SB3239, the school closing moratorium bill. Note below from Jackie Leavy and the CTU:

***

Dear Supporters of Great Public Schools for All Students: Please note – the Chicago Teachers Union is trying to spread the word about availability of seats on a Bus to Springfield for the Tues Feb 28, 2:30 PM State Senate Ed Committee Hearing tomorrow”

“CTU is organizing a bus to go to Springfield this Tuesday, Feb. 28. The Senate Education Committee is expected to hear the Moratorium bill on school closings, turnarounds, and phase-outs. Below please find explanatory information on the bill and the Senate Ed Cte. There is no cost.

We will provide coffee and donuts, and lunch. Participants should bring some money for incidentals and dinner. We have space on this bus; your participation is Important and Essential! Please RSVP to norinegutekanst@ctulocal1.com if you can participate in this critical hearing.

Phone #: (312) 329-6226

The bus will depart:

Tues. 2/28/12 at 8:00 a.m. from 1100 S. Hamilton (1 bl. north of Roosevelt, 2 bl. east of Western). Low-cost parking is available in the Juvenile Detention parking garage.

Tentative schedule:
* arrive Springfield at 12 noon (travel time is approx 3 1/2 hours)
* quick lunch
* lobby legislators from 12:30-2:30
* attend hearing from 2:30 until end of hearing
* leave Springfield at end of hearing
* return to Chicago sometime between 8 and 10pm”

See the attached hand-out from CTU.

CALL YOUR STATE SENATOR NOW! HAS HE/SHE SIGNED ON to CO-SPONSOR SB 3239?

Here is the official notice:
97th General Assembly
Hearing Notice For Education

Members Notice of Hearing Bills

Hearing Scheduled for Feb 28, 2012

Chairperson James Meeks
Vice-Chairperson Kimberly Lightford
Minority Spokesperson David Luechtefeld
Scheduled Date: Feb 28, 2012 2:30PM
Location: 409 Capitol
Springfield, IL

Chairperson : James T. Meeks D 708) 862-1515 (217) 782-8066
Vice-Chairperson : Kimberly A. Lightford D 708) 343-7444 (217) 782-8505
Member: Annazette R. Collins D (312) 733-5009 (217) 782-6252
Member: Susan Garrett D (847) 433-2002 (217) 782-3650
Member: Iris Y. Martinez D (773) 463-0720 (217) 782-8191
Member: John G. Mulroe D (773) 763-3810 (217) 782-1035
Minority Spokesperson : David S. Luechtefeld R (618) 243-9014 (217) 782-8137
Member: Christine J. Johnson R 815) 895-6318 (217) 782-1977
Member: Kyle McCarter R (618) 654-4068 (217) 782-5755
Member: Suzi Schmidt R (224) 372-7465 (217) 782-7353

Latino leaders and parents will take concerns to DISD interim Sup. Alan King | Dallas ISD Blog | dallasnews.com

Latino leaders and parents will take concerns to DISD interim Sup. Alan King | Dallas ISD Blog | dallasnews.com:

Latino leaders and parents will take concerns to DISD interim Sup. Alan King

by Tawnell Hobbs/Reporter

Community activist Jesse Diaz said that he will attend a meeting on Monday with five parents and interim Superintendent Alan King to discuss concerns related to the investigation of alleged abuse at Ebby Halliday Elementary School. Parents at the school made various complaints of mistreatment of their children by staff members last fall. Dallas ISD officialsreleased a widely-redacted investigative report concerning the school on Feb 16. But a section on the alleged abuse and findings was completely blacked out. The district has submitted the full report to the Texas attorney general for an opinion on what can be released. DISD spokesman Jon Dahlander did provide information that of 22 allegations, 11 were substantiated. But which allegations were substantiated was not disclosed. Diaz said the

Jim Stergios Notes Duncan Deviation Into the Danger Zone | Truth in American Education

Jim Stergios Notes Duncan Deviation Into the Danger Zone | Truth in American Education:

Jim Stergios Notes Duncan Deviation Into the Danger Zone

by James Bell

A sharp-minded clip from the recent Rock the Schoolhouse blog post at the Boston Globe:

In addition to the lagging time to grasp the real policy questions before them, the past three years have brought a sea-change in the political landscape. The 2010 elections changed the make-up of state legislatures dramatically, with a greater number of fiscal conservatives who look warily at unfunded federal mandates and overreach. With the new conditions, never approved by Congress, that Sec. Duncan is advancing, there is a growing realization among state legislators that the national standards are not truly voluntary. Even a stalwart supporter of a big USDOE like Mike Petrilli of the DC-based Fordham Institute recognizes that with the No Child Left Behind waivers Sec. Duncan:

“seems compelled to attach mandates to his forthcoming NCLB waivers that will require adoption of the Common Core standards.No, his team won’t mention the Common Core, but everybody

Jersey Jazzman: 30 Pieces of Silver

Jersey Jazzman: 30 Pieces of Silver:

30 Pieces of Silver

by Duke

It doesn't take a lot of money to sell out teachers:

In the latest move to use money as an incentive, Gov. Chris Christie's administration has added to its new school funding plan a multimillion dollar program to reward schools and districts that meet specific goals and implement targeted reforms.

Acting education commissioner Chris Cerf outlined the new "Innovation Fund" in last week's 83-page report on school funding, which serves as the basis of Christie's proposed system for distributing state aid to schools next year and beyond.

Under Cerf's plan, the Innovation Fund would serve two functions.

First, it would provide dollar rewards to schools that make specific achievement gains,

Best Questions: Engaging Learning Strategies « The Whole Child Blog « Whole Child Education

Best Questions: Engaging Learning Strategies « The Whole Child Blog « Whole Child Education:

Best Questions: Engaging Learning Strategies

by Molly McCloskey

Despite the rumors, school improvement is hard. It’s not about a single passionate leader. It’s not about “fixing” teachers and teaching or parents and parenting. It’s not about poverty. It’s not about money. And it’s not about standards. It’s about all of them. And more.

In this column, I’ll take on the real deal of school improvement—for all schools, not just certain kinds. And for all kids. Because it’s not about quick fixes or checking off the instant strategy of the moment. It’s about saying, “Yes, and…”, not “Yes, but…” no matter what our circumstances are. It’s about asking ourselves the best questions.

It’s been a few months since I’ve revisited the central questions of a whole child approach in this column, but if

RheeFirst! » NYT’s Winerip: Rhee’s and Atlanta’s internal investigation found no cheating; investigator disagrees

RheeFirst! » NYT’s Winerip: Rhee’s and Atlanta’s internal investigation found no cheating; investigator disagrees:

NYT’s Winerip: Rhee’s and Atlanta’s internal investigation found no cheating; investigator disagrees

by admin

The Washington Post and New York Times have joined a the growing demand for an honest investigation of the DC test cheating scandal (see the USA Today’s reporting here and here). Recently, the Post’s Robert McCartney speculated on the reasons behind the stonewalling. Official responses, as Winerip reveals in this New York Times article, have been to exonerate the person in charge and have far exceeded the usual caution about a presumption of innocence until proven guilty. Read his full article here.

“Both Ms. Rhee and [Atlanta superintendent] Dr. Hall conducted their own internal investigations that found little or no cheating. Both cities hired Caveon, a private test-security company, which reached the same conclusion. The state investigative report for Atlanta criticized the company, noting that “many schools for which there was

Funding for Clean Energy Academies - Year 2012 (CA Dept of Education)

Funding for Clean Energy Academies - Year 2012 (CA Dept of Education):

Student Job Prospects Enhanced Through
Funding for Clean Energy Academies

Collaborative Effort to Keep Students in School and on Path
to Careers in Renewable Energy and Clean Technology

SACRAMENTO—California State Senate President pro Tempore Darrell Steinberg, State Superintendent of Public Instruction Tom Torlakson, and the California Energy Commission today launched a new $3.2 million program to help prepare California's high school students for jobs in clean technology and renewable energy.

Legislation by Steinberg (SBx1 1) approved last year called for creating and investing in Clean Energy and Technology Academies, modeled after the state's nearly 500 California Partnership Academies. The academies function as schools within schools, blending academic and career technical education to help students apply their knowledge in work-based settings and prepare for careers and college.

"About 48,000 California students are already a part of these remarkable academies that give them the opportunity to benefit not only from rigorous academics, but also to link these classroom lessons with technical training and real world work experiences," Torlakson said. "Students get to see why what they learn in school matters in the real world—and why they should care. That holds particularly true in clean tech and renewable energy fields, important—and growing—parts of California's economy."

Torlakson recently directed the California Department of Education to release the first installment of Green California Partnership Academy Program planning funds for campuses to begin development or refinement of the green academies. The list is attached.

The programs will provide students with opportunities in such industries as agricultural and natural resources, engineering and design, energy and utilities, building trades and construction, and manufacturing and product development. They all participated in a recent solar energy educator workshop, provided through a grant from the Department of Energy and coordinated by the Community College of San Francisco.

"According to the Brookings Report, 'Sizing the Clean Economy,' California has the most skilled clean technology and energy jobs in the country, with more than 315,000 employed in these sectors," said Energy Commission Chair Dr. Robert Weisenmiller. "The partnership academies are preparing high school students to enter this high-wage workforce."

The new funding comes at a critical time, as funding for the initial California Partnership Academies is set to end June 30, 2012. Torlakson and Steinberg will push for renewed funding later this year to continue supporting the programs.

"The reality is that too many of our students drop out of high school because they're bored and unmotivated. It's not because they're less intelligent than their peers, they simply don't see traditional curriculum leading to a real job," said Steinberg. "When these students are taught the core subjects of English, math, and science in ways that apply to real-world technical skills, they're inspired to get engaged in their studies and become more successful than ever before."

Academies will receive funding in installments, as they first launch their new programs and then demonstrate that they have created curriculum and activities designed to meet stringent academic and industry-specific requirements.

California Partnership Academies have proven successful in keeping at-risk students engaged in their work, and on the path to graduation. In fact, statistics show that academy students fare better than the general high school population, with lower drop-out rates, higher test scores among students of color, and greater enrollment in postsecondary institutions.

Of the 21 funded Green Academies, 12 are continuing programs that will augment their curriculum to ensure they continue to meet the objectives of the clean technology and renewable energy legislation. The full group of academies will also be the first in the state to open their doors to ninth grade students, thereby providing participants with a full four-year participation in this successful model.

# # # #

Attachment

Green California Partnership Academies Program
Implementation Grants

County	District Name	School	Academy Name	City/Zip	Primary CTE Industry Sector	Grant Amount 2012-13
Alameda	Oakland Unified	Castlemont High School, East Oakland School of the Arts	Sustainable Urban Design Academy (SUDA)	Oakland 94605	Agriculture & Natural Resources &/or Engineering & Design	$72,443
Alameda	Freemont USD	John F. Kennedy High School	Building Green -- Building Smart	Fremont 94538	Building Trades and Construction	$72,443
Alameda	Livermore Valley Joint USD	Livermore High School	Green Energy Academy	Livermore	Engineering & Design	$135,831
Alameda	Oakland USD	Skyline High School	Renewable Energy Academy	Oakland 94619	Energy and Utilities	$135,831
Lake	Upper Lake Union High School District	Upper Lake High School	AESA	Upper Lake 95485	Agriculture & Natural Resources	$72,443
Los Angeles	Antelope Valley High School District	Antelope Valley High School	Business Entrepreneurs for Alternative Resources (BEAR)	Lancaster 93535	Energy & Utilities	$72,443
Los Angeles	Los Angeles USD Local District 1	James Monroe High School	Engineering and Design Clean Tech Academy	North Hills 91343	Engineering & Design	$135,831
Los Angeles	Los Angeles USD, Local District 4	Los Angeles River School	Renewable Energy & Resource Management Academy	Los Angeles 90065	Energy & Utilities	$72,443
Los Angeles	Antelope Valley High School District	William "Pete" Knight High School	Digital Design and Engineering (DD & E) Academy	Palmdale 93552	Engineering and Design	$135,831
Riverside	Palm Springs Unified School District	Desert Hot Springs High School	Renewable Energy Academy of Learning (REAL)	Desert Hot Springs 92240	Energy & Utilities	$135,831
Riverside	Alvord USD	Norte Vista High School	Green Construction Academy	Riverside 92503	Building Trades and Construction	$72,443
Sacramento	Elk Grove USD	Elk Grove High School	Agricultural Sustainability Academy	Elk Grove 95624	Agriculture and Natural Resources	$135,831
Sacramento	Elk Grove USD	Laguna Creek High School	Green Energy Technology Academy	Elk Grove 95758	Energy and Utilities and Design	$135,831
Sacramento	Elk Grove USD	Pleasant Grove High School	Green CADDA Academy	Elk Grove 95624	Engineering and Design	$135,831
San Bernardino	San Bernardino City USD	Arroyo Valley High School	CORE Culinar Organic Recyclable	San Bernardino 92411	Agriculture & Natural Resources	$135,831
San Diego	San Diego USD	Hoover High School	Sustainable Academy of Building and Engineering	San Diego 92115	Building Trades and Construction	$72,443
San Diego	San Diego USD	San Diego Education Complex-School of Science and Technology	Green Engineering	San Diego 92101	Engineering & Design	$72,443
San Diego	Sweetwater Union HSD	Southwest High School	Eco-Engineering	San Diego 92154	Engineering & Design	$135,831
San Francisco	San Francisco USD	Abraham Lincoln High School	ALHS Green Academy	San Francisco 94116	Energy & Utilities	$135,831
San Joaquin	San Joaquin County Office of Education	Venture Academy	Clean Transportation Technology Academy	Stockton 95213	Engineering and Design	$72,443
Stanislaus	Ceres USD	Ceres High School	Ceres High School Manufacturing Academy	Ceres 95307	Manufacturing and Product Development	$135,831

Related Content

• California Partnership Academies (CPA) - The CPA model is a three-year program (grades ten-twelve) structured as a school-within-a-school. Academies incorporate integrated academic and career technical education, business partnerships, mentoring, and internships.
• California Partnership Academies Green Initiative - Funding results for California Partnership Academy (CPA) Program Grants fiscal year 2010-11 funded thru Assembly Bill (AB) 519.

# # # #

Tom Torlakson — State Superintendent of Public Instruction

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

Schooling in the Ownership Society: U.K.'s version of Duncan in bed with Murdoch, Klein

Schooling in the Ownership Society: U.K.'s version of Duncan in bed with Murdoch, Klein:

U.K.'s version of Duncan in bed with Murdoch, Klein

by Mike Klonsky

Brit Ed Sec. Michael Gove in bed with Murdoch

"I'd expect in the next [few] months we'd be making some acquisitions," Klein told the Financial Times. "There's the willingness to put in significant capital."

The most corrupt and the most powerful media man in the world is Rupert Murdoch. His criminal acts -- bribing

President Obama Challenges Governors to Invest in Education | The White House

President Obama Challenges Governors to Invest in Education | The White House:

President Obama Challenges Governors to Invest in Education

by The White House

Release Time:

For Immediate Release

White House Releases Education Blueprint: An Economy Built to Last

Today, President Obama delivered remarks to the National Governors Association (NGA) where he challenged governors across the nation to do their part to ensure American students and workers have the education and training they need so that we have a workforce prepared for the jobs of the 21st century. The President believes that in order to create an economy that’s built to last, we must invest in education and provide every American the opportunity to develop the skills needed to compete for the jobs of today and tomorrow.

“Nothing more clearly signals what you value as a state as the decisions you make about where to invest,” President Obama told governors. “Budgets are about choices, so today I’m calling on you to choose to invest more in teachers, invest more in education, and invest more in our children and their future.”

Education Blueprint: An Economy Built to Last

The White House today released an Education Blueprint: An Economy Built to Last. In addition to documenting the Administration’s education efforts, the report shows that last year, more than 40 states cut higher education spending; these state budget cuts have been the largest factor in tuition increases at public colleges over the past decade. It also finds that the majority of states provided less funding for elementary and secondary schools in 2012 than in 2011.

As the report notes, over the past 23 months, American businesses have created 3.7 million jobs and last year businesses added the most private sector jobs since 2005. American manufacturing is creating jobs for the first time since the late 1990s. The strength of the American economy is inextricably linked to the strength of America’s education system. Particularly in times of economic challenge – times like today – the American economy needs a workforce that is skilled, adaptable, creative, and equipped for success in the global marketplace.

The President believes that educating our way to an economy built to last requires shared commitment. In addition to challenging governors to do their part, the President asked them to keep up pressure on Congress to pass his proposal to prevent further layoffs and rehire teachers who had lost their jobs. Additionally, the President will continue to urge Congress to take critical measures to make college more affordable, including preventing student loan interest rates from doubling this summer, making the American Opportunity Tax Credit he signed—worth up to $10,000 to help families cover the cost of tuition—permanent, securing funding for Pell Grants, and taking steps to double the number of work-study jobs over the next 5 years to better assist college students who are working their way through school.

In addition to these important measures, the President believes we must make critical investments in our nation’s education system. He has proposed funding to promote partnerships between community colleges and businesses to train 2 million workers, to continue giving states, districts and schools the funding and flexibility they need to put a great teacher in every classroom and build on the successes of the Race to the Top program, to improve early childhood education, and to create incentives for innovative reforms to keep college affordable.

The President believes this is a make or break moment for the middle class and those trying to reach it. In order to create an economy that’s built to last -- where everyone gets a fair shot, everyone pays their fair share, and everyone plays by the same set of rules -- we must make critical investments in our students and workers and build a foundation to compete for the jobs of the 21st century.

Remarks by the First Lady and Dr. Biden Discussing Military Spouse Employment at National Governors Association Annual Meeting

by The White House

Release Time:

For Immediate Release

State Dining Room

10:49 A.M. EST

DR. BIDEN: Thank you. (Applause.) Thank you, David, and thank you all for coming. It was great to see you all here last night -- what a wonderful evening. And we're so delighted to have you here again at the White House this morning.

The last time we were together, Michelle and I talked to you about our idea for the Joining Forces initiative: to honor, recognize and support military families. And in this last year, we've made tremendous progress. Since we launched Joining Forces in April, we've been so delighted by the response from Americans all over this country. Businesses have hired tens of thousands of veterans and military spouses. Medical schools have committed to educate their students about post-traumatic stress and traumatic brain injuries. Schools, community organizations and Americans of every age and background have sent care packages, donated childcare, and created community celebrations for the military families in their neighborhoods.

These Americans are stepping up because they appreciate how much our military spouses and families do for our country every day. What we have seen since launching Joining Forces has been truly gratifying, because it has shown our military families that all of us appreciate their sacrifices on their behalf.

But there is more to do. We would like to talk to you today about one of the top concerns we hear from military spouses wherever we go: professional licensing. I know that many of you hear from folks in your state as well

Seattle Schools Community Forum: National Day of Action for Education - March 1

Seattle Schools Community Forum: National Day of Action for Education - March 1:

National Day of Action for Education - March 1

by Charlie Mas

From the Occupy Seattle Public Education Working Group, and reprinted without edits:

RALLY AND MARCH FOR PUBLIC EDUCATION

March 1 National Day of Action for Education: Full Public Funding and Full Public Control!

On Thursday, March 1, Seattle will join cities across the country taking action to support Public Education.

The Seattle events will start with a rally at Westlake Center at 2:45 p.m., followed by a 3:30 p.m. march to the Gates Foundation to support a ‘Grade-In’ conducted by teachers from the Seattle Education Association and a teach-In about charters by UW Professor Wayne Au. At 4:30 p.m., members of the group plan to challenge Gates Foundation policy analysts to a “Policy Throwdown” -- a General Assembly style open discussion of education and charter issues facilitated by Jesse Hagopian.

The purpose of the action is to oppose charter school legislation being pushed by the Gates Foundation and other wealthy individuals against the wishes of voters. We believe that schools should be fully funded by public dollars and school policy should be fully governed by public representatives - not manipulated in secret by the 1%.

The Washington State Supreme Court recently ruled that the State is out of compliance with its “paramount constitutional duty” to fully fund education. K-12 education's share of the state budget has been in decline since 1981. Since the "Great Recession", Washington State has cut $10 billion from public education and social services, with over $3 billion slashed from K-12 funding alone. Washington State now ranks 42nd in the nation in per-pupil spending and has the 3rd highest class sizes in the country. State universities have raised tuition by over 47% in the last three years.

But rather than devote more funding to providing quality public education, state politicians are putting forward legislation that would open the door to charter schools, which are publicly funded but privately controlled. These unaccountable schools are exempt from state standards and union contracts. The Gates Foundation is a leading backer and promoter of charter schools nationwide, despite the fact that their own CREDO study showed that only 17% of charters perform better and 37% performed worse.
This article from the Washington Post, and the leaked secret memo it excerpts, describe the Gates Foundation’s plans to secretly manipulate public opinion by taking advantage of the dire financial condition of the national school districts:
http://voices.washingtonpost.com/answer-sheet/gates-spends-millions-to-sway.html

We call on all students, teachers, workers, and parents from all levels of education -- pre-K-12 through higher education -- and all Occupiers, labor unions, and organizations of oppressed communities to mobilize on March 1st to tell those in power: The resources exist for high-quality, publicly-controlled education for all.

We demand:
- Full funding for public education and social services
- Full public control of education policy
- Tax the 1%
- No budget cuts
- No tuition hikes
- No attacks on teacher unions
- No privatization of public education

Students and teachers should not have to pay for the crisis created by the 1%. We refuse to accept the dismantling of our schools and universities, while the banks and corporations make record profits. We refuse to accept budget cuts, educational re-segregation, attacks on teacher unions, rising class sizes, massive tuition increases, outrageous student debt, and increasing privatization and corporate control.

Obama chides governors for education cuts - CNN.com

Obama chides governors for education cuts - CNN.com:

Obama chides governors for education cuts

By Tom Cohen, CNN

updated 1:03 PM EST, Mon February 27, 2012

STORY HIGHLIGHTS

• President Obama calls on the nation's governors to spend more on education
• Higher education shouldn't be a luxury, Obama says
• The president addresses a luncheon with the National Governors Association
• He reiterates his push for students to graduate high school and get higher education

Washington (CNN) -- President Barack Obama told U.S. governors attending a luncheon Monday that they are cutting too much funding for education and need to make reforms while continuing to invest in the future of America's students.

While acknowledging the tough economic climate for state governments, Obama cited the need to prioritize the long-range significance of a strong education system.

"We've all faced some stark choices over the past several years, but that is no excuse to lose sight of what matters most, and the fact is that too many states are making cuts to education that I believe are simply too big," Obama told a White House gathering with the