Response: A Conversation About Building Trust Between #Parents & #Teachers - Classroom Q&A With Larry Ferlazzo #soschat

Response: A Conversation About Building Trust Between Parents & Teachers - Classroom Q&A With Larry Ferlazzo - Education Week Teacher:

Response: A Conversation About Building Trust Between Parents & Teachers

By Larry Ferlazzo on March 22, 2012 9:11 PM

(This is Part Two of a three part series on parent engagement. You can see Part One here)

Kanwal Sachdeva asked:

I enjoyed reading your article on 'how to make students learn to listen'. My question is- How do we make parents to listen to the teachers? You know, for the students who need more help, the parents are not available to talk or they will not really listen. How do we make them understand teacher's perspective and not believe everything that the student is saying? How do we build that trust?

Parent engagement is a critical piece in creating a successful learning environment. Thanks for raising this important issue, Kanwal!

Earlier this week, National PTA President Betsy Landers and Carrie Rose, Executive Director of the Parent/Teacher Home Visit Project, shared their responses to this question. Next week, I'll be responding, along with other guests and readers.

Today, though, I'm lucky enough to have Steve Constantino and Joe Mazza share a conversation they had on this topic.

Response From Steve Constantino and Joe Mazza

Steve Constantino serves as superintendent of Williamsburg-James City Country School District in Williamsburg, Virginia. He has traveled extensively as a speaker, capacity-builder and leader in the arena of family engagement and has worked in hundreds of schools in 

Larry Ferlazzo

An award-winning English and Social Studies teacher at Luther Burbank High School in Sacramento, Calif., Larry Ferlazzo is the author of Helping Students Motivate Themselves: Practical Answers To Classroom Challenges, English Language Learners: Teaching Strategies That Work, and Building Parent Engagement In Schools.He also maintains the popular Websites of the Day blog. In this EdWeek blog, an experiment in knowledge-gathering, he will address readers' questions on classroom management, ELL instruction, lesson planning, and other issues facing teachers. Send your questions to lferlazzo@epe.org. And offer your own thoughts and responses in the comments section.

Corporate Power Grab Initiative | Alliance - California Teachers Association:

Corporate Power Grab Initiative | Alliance

The Corporate Power Grab initiative, previously referred to as the "Paycheck Deception" initiative, is bankrolled by the ultra-wealthy, would silence the voices of California union workers and strengthen the clout of big corporations.

Join the Network for Sustainable School Change — Whole Child Education

Join the Network for Sustainable School Change — Whole Child Education:

Join the Network for Sustainable School Change

by ASCD Whole Child Bloggers

Current educational practice and policy focus overwhelmingly on academic achievement measured by standardized, mandated tests. This achievement is but one element of student learning and development and only a part of any complete system of educational accountability. ASCD's Whole Child Initiative is an association-wide effort to change the conversation about education from a focus on narrowly defined academic achievement to one that promotes the development of children who are healthy, safe, engaged, supported, and challenged within a sustainable approach to education and community engagement.
In May, ASCD will select a small group of schools to become part of our Whole Child Network. The schools chosen for the network will commit to a comprehensive school improvement process that will use the Whole Child Tenets and their indicators (PDF) as their sustainable approach.
To apply to become a Whole child Network school, go to www.ascd.org/wholechildnetwork. ASCD's Whole Child 

Today's Big Education Ape - PostRank Top Early Evening Posts 3-22 #SOSchat #p2 #edreform

Connecticut’s Governor Malloy: My Plan to Reform Teacher Tenure

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Governor Malloy: Dannel P. Malloy: My Plan to Reform Teacher Tenure: Dannel P. Malloy: My Plan to Reform Teacher TenureJournal Inquirer, op edBy Dannel P. MalloyMarch 21, 2012This winter, I laid out my vision to revitalize Connecticut’s public schools. With our students’ overall performance stagnant and our achievement gap the widest in the nation, I called for reforms potent enough to change the trajectory of education in our state.In the weeks since, parents, educators, businesspeople, legislators, and even students have ... more »

Charter school's finances questioned - Education and Schools - fresnobee.com

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Charter school's finances questioned - Education and Schools - fresnobee.com: Fresno charter school's finances questionedFUSD board ill at ease with academy's $56,000 shortfall.By Heather Somerville-The Fresno BeeWednesday, Mar. 21, 2012 | 11:59 PME-MAILPRINTTEXT SIZE:2 CommentsThe financial health of one of Fresno's charter schools came into question Wednesday night at the Fresno Unified School District board meeting.The Fresno Academy for Civic and Entrepreneurial Leadership charter petition is up for renewal, and district trustees and staff expressed uneasiness about the school's... more »

Revisiting NJOSA & the Lakewood Effect « School Finance 101

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Revisiting NJOSA the Lakewood Effect « School Finance 101: Revisiting NJOSA the Lakewood Effectbyschoolfinance101The current version of the New Jersey Opportunity Scholarship Act would pilot the tuition tax credits for private schooling in the following locations:Asbury Park City School DistrictCamden City School DistrictElizabeth City School DistrictLakewood City School DistrictNewark City School DistrictCity of Orange School DistrictPassaic City School District, andCity of Perth Amboy School Districthttp://www.njleg.state.nj.us/2012/Bills/S2000/1779_I1.PDFhttp://www.njspotlight.com... more »

Stand for Children won big time on Tuesday. « Fred Klonsky

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Stand for Children won big time on Tuesday. « Fred Klonsky: Stand for Children won big time on Tuesday.byFred KlonskyPro-union state house candidate Rudy Lozano was beaten by a couple hundred votes by Sylvana Tabares. She got $50,000 in money from Stand For Children.When the IEA leadership tag-teamed Stand for Children in pushing Senate Bill 7, it was clear that SFC would be back for more.They spent almost half a million dollars on General Assembly candidates in Tuesday’s election and ... more »

The in box. Guzzardi update. « Fred Klonsky

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The in box. Guzzardi update. « Fred Klonsky: The in box. Guzzardi update.byFred KlonskyI wanted to take this opportunity to thank you for your support and give you an update about yesterday’s election.We’re currently down 111 votes, or just under 1%. There are some absentee and provisional ballots still outstanding. It’s going to be an uphill climb to make up that difference, but we will do everything to ensure that all votes are counted. Voters deserve to have confidence in ... more »

The in box. Blinded to the truth by hatred for unions. « Fred Klonsky

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The in box. Blinded to the truth by hatred for unions. « Fred Klonsky: The in box. Blinded to the truth by hatred for unions.byFred KlonskyAn anonymous reader writes periodically to scold me for being a teacher and union member. He wrote again following yesterday’s post about the 39th house district race between progressive Will Guzzardi and daughter of Democratic Machine Boss, Toni Berrios.Fred,We finally agree on something!~PaperCutNo. Actually we don’t. Guzzardi is a pro-teacher, pro-union democrat. Berrios, and her ... more »

Outraged New Yorkers Marched In Protest of the Trayvon Martin Murder

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Coalition for Public Education/Coalición por la Educación Pública: Thousands of Black, Latino, Asian, White Young and Not-so-Young Outraged New Yorkers Marched In Protest of the Trayvon Martin MurderPopoutThanx to Jazz Hayden and All Things Harlem...Here is a video snapshot of the Million Hoodies March for Trayvon Martin in Union Square, New York City on March 21, 2012.The speaker is Brian Jones a Teacher, Writer and Activist we interviewed during the rally/march. He connects the killing of Trayvon Martin to Michelle ... more »

This Week In Education: Campaign 2010: Too Much Credit For "Stand IL"?

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This Week In Education: Campaign 2010: Too Much Credit For "Stand IL"?: Campaign 2010: Too Much Credit For "Stand IL"?Today's Chicago news is dominated with wrapup stories about the Illinois primaries -- many of them focused on the role Stand For Children IL may have played in the races where it placed bets. The organization gave $150,000 to 14 folks -- a couple of them runing against union-approved candidates -- and when all of its candidates won Stand sent out ... more »

Only 7 Percent of Teachers Believe in Standardized Tests - Education - GOOD

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Only 7 Percent of Teachers Believe in Standardized Tests - Education - GOOD: Only 7 Percent of Teachers Believe in Standardized TestsbyLiz DwyerThe number of standardized tests students have to take is about to increase, but the according toa national surveyfrom Scholastic and the Gates Foundation, the nation’s teachers overwhelmingly don’t see the high-stakes exams as essential.The survey asked more than 10,000 educators about their classrooms, schools, and how student and teacher performances should be measured. A huge majority of ... more »

Mike Klonsky's SmallTalk Blog: Urban Education Conference at Bowling Green University

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Mike Klonsky's SmallTalk Blog: Urban Education Conference at Bowling Green University: Urban Education Conference at Bowling Green UniversitybyMike KlonskyFriday and Saturday, March 23-24, in Olscamp HallThe third annual Urban Education Conference is where BGSU undergraduates will be presenting alongside University faculty, graduate students, professional teachers, and administrators to learn from each other about the complexities of the urban education experience.Keynote speaker Dr. Michael Klonsky, Small Schools Workshop, Chicago, will be presenting "Public Schools-An Endangered S... more »

Trayvon Martin Sanford commission: Sanford city commissioners will move Trayvon Martin meeting to civic center to handle crowds - Orlando Sentinel

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Trayvon Martin Sanford commission: Sanford city commissioners will move Trayvon Martin meeting to civic center to handle crowds - Orlando Sentinel: Trayvon Martin case: Sanford commission votes 'no confidence' in police chief7:55 p.m. EST, March 21, 2012|By Martin E. Comas andSusan Jacobson, Orlando SentinelComments46ShareNewSanford city commissioners have voted "no confidence" in police Chief Bill Lee Jr., who has been publicly lambasted for his department's handling of theTrayvon Martinshooting.Commissioner Mark McCarty made the motion to fire the chief, who has been ... more »

Today's Big Education Ape - PostRank Top Late Nite Posts 3-21 #soschat #EDReform

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Confessions of a Partially Proficient Parent: The Bully Project | EdNews ParentBig Education Ape - PostRank (PostRank: All)-4 minutes agoConfessions of a Partially Proficient Parent: The Bully Project | EdNews Parent: Editor’s blog: Why the film “Bully” should be rated PGbyJulie PoppenEvery day in third grade, a boy in class would glare at me whenever the teacher wasn’t looking. He’d punching one fist into the palm of his other hand. My stomach would clench up.He was warning me about the ... more »

Student Loan Interest Rate Hike Fight Bubbles Up In Congress

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Student Loan Interest Rate Hike Fight Bubbles Up In Congress: Joy ResmovitsJoy.resmovits@huffingtonpost.comGET UPDATES FROM JOY:Like847Student Loan Interest Rate Hike Fight Bubbles Up In CongressPosted: 03/21/2012 7:19 pm Updated: 03/21/2012 7:22 pmSpencer Pritchard, a first-year political economics student at University of California, Berkeley, has less control over his professional career than he'd like. That's because a major decision that will affect his life is in the hands of a body that's not always known for decision-making: Congress.This July, unless Congress intervenes, ... more »

Democurmudgeon: Society No Longer Educating our Kids. Walker's Tools now Target Individual Families to Pickup Costs.

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Democurmudgeon: Society No Longer Educating our Kids. Walker's Tools now Target Individual Families to Pickup Costs.: Society No Longer Educating our Kids. Walker's Tools now Target Individual Families to Pickup Costs.byDemocurmudgeonThere’s one thing about public education that seems to getlost in the weeds; Local communities and the nation share in the cost toeducate the next generation, so they too can raise families, start businessesand be a part of the American dream.Not anymore.It looks like the very conservative Waukesha School Districtdoesn’t ... more »

Oakland Tribune to hold a forum on the role of teachers in transforming three Oakland high schools - Inside Bay Area

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Oakland Tribune to hold a forum on the role of teachers in transforming three Oakland high schools - Inside Bay Area: Oakland Tribune to hold a forum on the role of teachers in transforming three Oakland high schoolsByKaty MurphyOakland TribunePosted: 03/20/2012 07:47:39 PM PDTUpdated: 03/21/2012 06:36:47 AM PDTOAKLAND -- Even the teachers returning next fall to familiar classrooms at Oakland's Fremont, Castlemont and McClymonds high schools will be, in a sense, new hires.Their titles will no longer be simply "teacher" ... more »

Modern School: Slick Union Propaganda Against the Corporate Power Grab

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Modern School: Slick Union Propaganda Against the Corporate Power Grab: Slick Union Propaganda Against the Corporate Power GrabbyMichael DunnPopoutThe wealthy are at it again, trying to bust the few remaining large unions in California by pushing an initiative on November ballot that would prevent unions from using dues collected from payroll deductions on political campaigns. The unions are calling the initiative the Corporate Power Grab Initiative (AKA the Payroll Deception Act) and are expected to spend well over $20 million ... more »

For Trayvon Martin. « Fred Klonsky #soschat #ows #edreform

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For Trayvon Martin. « Fred Klonsky: For Trayvon Martin.byFred KlonskyPopoutShare this:

The in box. 24 hours and too close to call. « Fred Klonsky

Big Education Ape - PostRank (PostRank: All) - 15 hours ago

The in box. 24 hours and too close to call. « Fred Klonsky: The in box. 24 hours and too close to call.byFred KlonskyNearly 24 hours after polls closed in Illinois’ Democratic primary election, the race between incumbent Rep. Toni Berrios and insurgent progressive candidate Will Guzzardi in the 39th State Representative District remained too close to call.Guzzardi, a former journalist and community activist, pledged to continue monitoring the process and to fight to ensure that every vote is counted.“This ... more »

What Do You Think of SCUSD's Principal Pink Slip Process? - Rosemont, CA Patch

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What Do You Think of SCUSD's Principal Pink Slip Process? - Rosemont, CA Patch: What Do You Think of SCUSD's Principal Pink Slip Process?A school district spokesman shares information on the process that may apply in the case of Leise Martinez and others at Rosemont High School.ByCody KitauraEmail the author1:45 pmEmailPrintCommentUpload Photos and VideosRosemont High SchoolPrincipal Leise Martinez saidshe and the school's two assistant principals have been notified they'll be out of work next year.But she doesn't think a final ... more »

Confessions of a Partially Proficient Parent: The Bully Project | EdNews Parent

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Confessions of a Partially Proficient Parent: The Bully Project | EdNews Parent: Editor’s blog: Why the film “Bully” should be rated PGbyJulie PoppenEvery day in third grade, a boy in class would glare at me whenever the teacher wasn’t looking. He’d punching one fist into the palm of his other hand. My stomach would clench up.He was warning me about the playground abuse that was sure to follow. He was the ringleader, but he got a group of boys to ... more »

Modern School: Parsing the Black-White School Suspension Gap

Modern School: Parsing the Black-White School Suspension Gap:

Parsing the Black-White School Suspension Gap

by Michael Dunn

Discipline is Victory or Arbeit Mach du Frei? (Image from Flickr, by Adam Jones)

The U.S. Department of Education's Office for Civil Rights recently released data on suspension rates in the U.S. After surveying 72,000 schools that served roughly 85% of the nation’s students they found that black children represent 35% of all suspensions and 39% of all expulsions, though they comprise only 18% of the student population.

Many are calling this proof that the education system discriminates against children of color (Latino suspension and expulsion rates were also high). Considering how much prejudice and discrimination occur in our society at large, it would be surprising if some of it didn’t trickle down to our schools, as well. One would expect some outright racism to be at play, as well as