Latest News and Comment from Education

Wednesday, July 4, 2012

Big Education Ape - Morning Wink 7-4 AM Posts #soschat #edreform



BIG EDUCATION APE - MORNING WINK  AM POSTS


4th Of July Someecards To Celebrate Independence Day With Humor (PICTURES)

coopmike48 at Big Education Ape - 4 minutes ago
4th Of July Someecards To Celebrate Independence Day With Humor (PICTURES): 4th Of July Someecards To Celebrate Independence Day With Humor (PICTURES)

Seattle Schools Community Forum: Issues Raised by Speakers at Board Meeting

coopmike48 at Big Education Ape - 6 minutes ago
Seattle Schools Community Forum: Issues Raised by Speakers at Board Meeting: Issues Raised by Speakers at Board Meeting by Melissa Westbrook Listening to speaker after speaker talk about the Indian Heritage Middle College program, I thought, "Well, add them to the list that includes Special Ed, Nova, and World School." What do these programs have in common? They get moved around as though they were furniture. Each and every one of them deserves a permanent home. I spoke to Sarah Kelly, one of the speakers, and asked her about someone in their community doing a guest post ab... more »

Accused of Sexism! « Diane Ravitch's blog

coopmike48 at Big Education Ape - 12 minutes ago
Accused of Sexism! « Diane Ravitch's blog: [image: Click on picture to Listen to Diane Ravitch] Accused of Sexism! by dianerav Former State Senator Gloria Romero of California accused me of being sexist and possibly anti-Latina as well. (Please read the comments that follow the article.) Romero is now an employee of the Wall Street hedge fund managers’ organization Democrats for Education Reform, which advocates for charters and eliminating tenure and seniority. Romero is hurt that I did not give her credit for having invented the Parent Trigger idea (which I call the Parent Tric... more »

Background on Military Naturalization Ceremony at the White House | The White House

coopmike48 at Big Education Ape - 23 minutes ago
Background on Military Naturalization Ceremony at the White House | The White House: Background on Military Naturalization Ceremony at the White House by The White House WASHINGTON, DC - On July 4, 2012, President Obama will deliver remarks at a naturalization ceremony for active duty service members in the East Room of the White House. U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services Director Alejandro Mayorkas will present the countries of the candidates for naturalization and Secretary of Homeland Security Janet Napolitano will deliver the oath of allegiance. The audience will be com... more »

Oakland’s Lakeview Elementary, unoccupied - The Education Report - Katy Murphy's blog on Oakland schools

coopmike48 at Big Education Ape - 26 minutes ago
Oakland’s Lakeview Elementary, unoccupied - The Education Report - Katy Murphy's blog on Oakland schools: Oakland’s Lakeview Elementary, unoccupied By Katy Murphy Tuesday, July 3rd, 2012 at 4:28 pm in Uncategorized. [image: Staff Photojournalist] *Lakeview photos by Ray Chavez/Bay Area News Group* Lakeview Elementary School was supposed to close at the end of the school year, but families, teachers and local activists who opposed the Oakland school district’s decision to close schools kept it open for two and a half weeks longer. They turned the school on Grand Avenue into a summer p... more »

July 4 quiz: See how much you know - The Answer Sheet - The Washington Post

coopmike48 at Big Education Ape - 27 minutes ago
July 4 quiz: See how much you know - The Answer Sheet - The Washington Post: [image: Answer Sheet] July 4 quiz: See how much you know Valerie Strauss at The Answer Sheet - 6 hours ago I wrote and published a quiz for Memorial Day in May that a reader, Houston attorney Stanley P. Santire, didn’t much like. Santire sent me an e-mail saying that the questions didn’t cover important historical issues. (You can look at that quiz by clicking here and see for yourself.) Read full article >> [image: Add to Facebook] [image: Add to Twitter] [image: Add to Reddit] [image: Add to StumbleUpo... more »

What to the Slave is the Fourth of July? | Outside the Cave

coopmike48 at Big Education Ape - 31 minutes ago
What to the Slave is the Fourth of July? | Outside the Cave: What to the Slave is the Fourth of July? by Stephen Lazar *I read this every Fourth. You should too. Frederick Douglass captured so much of the essence of America in this speech from 160 years ago. May America still be young:* This celebration also marks the beginning of another year of your national life; and reminds you that the Republic of America is now 76 years old. I am glad, fellow-citizens, that your nation is so young. Seventy-six years, though a good old age for a man, is but a mere speck in the life of a n... more »

Google Wants to Teach You to be a 'Power Searcher' (You Should Let Them) - Education - GOOD

coopmike48 at Big Education Ape - 35 minutes ago
Google Wants to Teach You to be a 'Power Searcher' (You Should Let Them) - Education - GOOD: Google Wants to Teach You to be a 'Power Searcher' (You Should Let Them) by Liz Dwyer [image: power.searcher] Dying to become a master of Google’s search engine? If so, look no further than Power Searching with Google, a new, free class offered by the tech giant starting July 10th. The course promises to teach users "tips, tricks and tactics" that'll help you "find exactly what you’re looking for, when you most need it." Real talk: Even if you don't spend your time dreaming about how to imp... more »

Hank Brown, Mike Rosen to help lead CU-Boulder's search for visiting conservative scholar - The Denver Post

coopmike48 at Big Education Ape - 38 minutes ago
Hank Brown, Mike Rosen to help lead CU-Boulder's search for visiting conservative scholar - The Denver Post: Hank Brown, Mike Rosen to help lead CU-Boulder's search for visiting conservative scholar POSTED: 07/03/2012 10:52:41 AM MDT UPDATED: 07/03/2012 05:42:00 PM MDT *By Brittany Anas,*Camera Staff Writer The University of Colorado's Boulder campus -- which long has been perceived as a liberal hotbed -- on Tuesday tapped former CU President Hank Brown and Denver talk-show host Mike Rosen to help lead a nationwide search for a visiting scholar of conservative thought. CU alr... more »

Getting to the core of Oakland Unified School District superintendent - ContraCostaTimes.com

coopmike48 at Big Education Ape - 42 minutes ago
Getting to the core of Oakland Unified School District superintendent - ContraCostaTimes.com: Getting to the core of Oakland Unified School District superintendent By Katy Murphy Oakland Tribune Posted: 07/04/2012 12:00:00 AM PDT Click photo to enlarge Oakland Unified School District Superintendent Tony Smith listens to public comments at a board... - - 1 - 2 - » OAKLAND -- As a white man who talks about white privilege and institutional racism, the superintendent of Oakland's school system is not your typical school administrator. In countless public and media appe... more »

Democurmudgeon: Louisiana Voucher School, with no facilities and teachers, is approved to take 315 students.

coopmike48 at Big Education Ape - 44 minutes ago
Democurmudgeon: Louisiana Voucher School, with no facilities and teachers, is approved to take 315 students.: Louisiana Voucher School, with no facilities and teachers, is approved to take 315 students. by Democurmudgeon *Voucher School Meets Profit Target * In addition to the title above, parents are left with a useless voucher. Here's the incredible story: *TownTalk: Emails between Louisiana Education Superintendent John C. White, Gov. Bobby Jindal's spokesman Kyle Plotkin and Jindal policy adviser Stafford Palmieri show White devising a scheme to "muddy up a narrative" and to... more »

Evil Geniuses or Good Simpletons? (Gary Rubinstein) | Larry Cuban on School Reform and Classroom Practice

coopmike48 at Big Education Ape - 52 minutes ago
Evil Geniuses or Good Simpletons? (Gary Rubinstein) | Larry Cuban on School Reform and Classroom Practice: Evil Geniuses or Good Simpletons? (Gary Rubinstein) by larrycuban *Gary Rubinstein was in Teach for America. In his words: “I’m a Houston 1991 alum …. Despite writing two books and teaching for thirteen of the past nineteen years, I’m mostly ignored by TFA though I have a lot of ‘suggestions’ for how they can improve.” This post appeared June 7, 2012.* *He writes about “corporate reformers,” a favorite phrase used by many who oppose the current “no excuses” agenda of test-bas... more »

hctiB G: “repeated injury” | The G Bitch Spot

coopmike48 at Big Education Ape - 58 minutes ago
hctiB G: “repeated injury” | The G Bitch Spot: hctiB G: “repeated injury” by G Bitch originally posted July 4, 2011 _______ In every stage of these Oppressions We have Petitioned for Redress in the most humble terms: Our repeated Petitions have been answered only by repeated injury. A Prince, whose character is thus marked by every act which may define a Tyrant, is unfit to be the ruler of a free people. ——— Recovery School District closures and changes can leave families with whiplash–nola.com/*Times-Pic* You would think only those with the very hardest to educate children have ... more »

Missouri Education Watchdog: Independence Day Thoughts

coopmike48 at Big Education Ape - 1 hour ago
Missouri Education Watchdog: Independence Day Thoughts: Independence Day Thoughts by Anngie The oppressive heat may quell much of our Independence Day activities this year, but it gives us more time to reflect on the meaning of this holiday. The wave of government intrusion into our individual lives is now close enough that many of us on the beach front can recognize it for the destructive tsunami that it is. Just like those waves, it is both broad and tall in scope, hitting us across a vast expanse of our everyday lives. It will be no less destructive in its slow steady overwhelm... more »

Adam and the future of teacher unions. « Fred Klonsky

coopmike48 at Big Education Ape - 1 hour ago
Adam and the future of teacher unions. « Fred Klonsky: Adam and the future of teacher unions. by Fred Klonsky Adam is a working Chicago high school teacher. He is also an activist in the Chicago Teachers Union. I first met Adam in the schoolyard of Whittier School in Pilsen when the parents were fighting to keep a field house from being torn down. Whittier was one of the hundreds of Chicago schools without a library and the parents had occupied the field house demanding CEO Brizard and the Mayor turn it into one. Adam was there supporting the parents. In fact, anytime I can drag thi... more »

School's Out For Summer. Let Kids Be Kids - southbronxschool.com

coopmike48 at Big Education Ape - 1 hour ago
http://www.southbronxschool.com: School's Out For Summer. Let Kids Be Kids by noreply@blogger.com (Bronx Teacher) So it's that time of year. School is out. The students have no more teachers, no more books, no more teacher's dirty looks. Camps are open and welcoming campers all over the New York metropolitan area. Of course that doesn't include those students at KIPP and Success Academy, charter schools, or even kids forced into a DOE gulag to make up some flawed exam that are not allowed to have summer fun and are forced to endure summer hour after summer hour in a classroom looki... more »

Supersonic | The Jose Vilson

coopmike48 at Big Education Ape - 11 hours ago
Supersonic | The Jose Vilson: Supersonic by Jose I always dreamed I would end up in Seattle somehow. In the early 90s, I fell in love with the idea of going to the Emerald City back when Gary Payton threw lobs to Shawn Kemp for some of the most incredible alley-oops I had ever seen in my life. My infatuation with the green and gold only grew as I started to see pictures of the Space Needle and the Puget Sound. Back when Ken Griffey displayed the most beautiful swing possibly of all time, Nirvana and Pearl Jam already cranked through my headphones, and I had developed a good taste f... more »

Sacramento Press / Organization Wants Schools to take Notice - Seth's Law is in Effect

coopmike48 at Big Education Ape - 12 hours ago
Sacramento Press / Organization Wants Schools to take Notice - Seth's Law is in Effect: Organization Wants Schools to take Notice - Seth's Law is in Effect by Ken Pierce Peer-abuse and biased harassment is a problem in the best of schools. Last Sunday, “Seth’s Law” which forces public schools to better enforce existing anti-bullying policies took effect. To those parents whose children were victims of peer abuse-driven bullycide, based on biased harassment, this California law comes too late. However, for those students returning to school in the fall, it will offer them, as well a... more »

DIARY OF A PUBLIC SCHOOL TEACHER!: Don't Get Caught?: What Message Are We Sending Our Kids?

coopmike48 at Big Education Ape - 12 hours ago
DIARY OF A PUBLIC SCHOOL TEACHER!: Don't Get Caught?: What Message Are We Sending Our Kids?: Don't Get Caught?: What Message Are We Sending Our Kids? by Lisa M Every Tuesday I read to 3 and 4 year olds at the day care center across the street from my school. As I picked up one of my enthusiastic charges I noticed the phrase on his t-shirt, "Don't Get Caught!" "Don't Get Caught?" I realized he had no idea what it said, so I left it alone. However, as we sat down to read, the phrase on his shirt picked at me. Negative connotations were the only meaning I could derive from that s... more »

Still waiting… « Cooperative Catalyst

coopmike48 at Big Education Ape - 12 hours ago
Still waiting… « Cooperative Catalyst: Still waiting… by caseykcaronna Still Waiting… I am still waiting for that large, sweeping legislation in the house, senate, and presidency in regards to progressive education. It is ironic that I will post something on Facebook in regards to education and get “likes” both from my most conservative and liberal friends. Education is something that internally, I believe many of us understand. We get it emotionally and we are able to connect to that part of learning, that relationship part of learning. However, we are so fearful to take ... more »

Louisiana Gives Us a Taste of Mitt Romney's Education Policy | Mother Jones

coopmike48 at Big Education Ape - 12 hours ago
Louisiana Gives Us a Taste of Mitt Romney's Education Policy | Mother Jones: Louisiana Gives Us a Taste of Mitt Romney's Education Policy —By Kevin Drum | Mon Jul. 2, 2012 6:06 PM PDT 127 - - Ed Kilgore has been sounding the alarms over Mitt Romney's education proposals for a couple of months now, and I keep meaning — but somehow forgetting — to link to his posts about this. It's probably all part of my love-hate relationship with education policy in general. But today he's got another post up on the subject, so let's take a look. He's riffing on a TPM piece about the ... more »

Frederick Douglass: “The Meaning of July Fourth for the Negro” – Zinn Education Project

coopmike48 at Big Education Ape - 12 hours ago
Frederick Douglass: “The Meaning of July Fourth for the Negro” – Zinn Education Project: Frederick Douglass: “The Meaning of July Fourth for the Negro” Share on facebookShare on twitterShare on printMore Sharing Services Film clip. Frederick Douglass “The Meaning of July Fourth for the Negro” (1851) is read by Danny Glover. From Voices of a People’s History of the United States. Frederick Douglass “The Meaning of July Fourth for the Negro,” a speech given by Frederick Douglass in Rochester, NY on July 5, 1852, is read by Danny Glover. In this famous speech, Douglass says: “What, to t... more »

JFK...the ignorance of one voter in a democracy impairs the security of ...

coopmike48 at Big Education Ape - 12 hours ago
[image: abstract blue] *"But the educated citizen knows how much more there is to know. He knows that "knowledge is power," more so today than ever before. He knows that only an educated and informed people will be a free people, that the ignorance of one voter in a democracy impairs the security of all, and that if we can, as Jefferson put it, "enlighten the people generally ... tyranny and the oppressions of mind and body will vanish, like evil spirits at the dawn of day." And, therefore, the educated citizen has a special obligation to encourage the pursuit of learning, to pro... more »

Biden: Romney’s assault on teachers – CNN Political Ticker - CNN.com Blogs

coopmike48 at Big Education Ape - 13 hours ago
Biden: Romney’s assault on teachers – CNN Political Ticker - CNN.com Blogs: Biden: Romney's assault on teachers Posted by CNN's Alex Zuckerman [image: Biden: Romney's assault on teachers] *Washington (CNN)* – Vice President Joe Biden said teachers "are under full blown assault" by Mitt Romney and "his allies in Congress" Tuesday. In response, the Romney campaign said the vice president was touting "failed" policies in his remarks. Speaking before a large crowd of educators at the National Education Association 91st representative assembly, Biden blasted Romney for his education... more »

Mike Klonsky's SmallTalk Blog: Rahm lied about Clemente's new IB program

coopmike48 at Big Education Ape - 13 hours ago
Mike Klonsky's SmallTalk Blog: Rahm lied about Clemente's new IB program: Rahm lied about Clemente's new IB program by Mike Klonsky The joke is on us. While all of us were focused on the firing of at least 22 Clemente teachers last week, over at the Clark St. wing of City Hall, J.C. Brizard and the mayor were figuring out how to pull another fast one on the Humboldt Park community. Rahm's announced plan to turn Clemente High School into a wall-to-wall IB academy turns out to be a hoax. Emanuel had told parents and community leaders that the wall-to-wall schools were an expansion of... more »

Charter schools to return to a ballot near you - Seattle Snohomish County Progressive | Examiner.com

coopmike48 at Big Education Ape - 13 hours ago
Charter schools to return to a ballot near you - Seattle Snohomish County Progressive | Examiner.com: Charter schools to return to a ballot near you [image: Microsoft founder has contributed a million dollars to establish charter schools in Washington State] You can throw your clichés out the window. Apparently forcharter schools supporters it is not “Three strikes and you’re out.” Neither do they believe, “The third time is the charm.” Indeed, the sponsors of Initiative 1240 are hoping to turn in enough signatures by Friday to put the latest charter school measure before Washi... more »

Detroit Federation of Teachers leaders call imposed contract 'a farce,' hint at potential strike | MLive.com

coopmike48 at Big Education Ape - 13 hours ago
Detroit Federation of Teachers leaders call imposed contract 'a farce,' hint at potential strike | MLive.com: Detroit Federation of Teachers leaders call imposed contract 'a farce,' hint at potential strikePublished: Tuesday, July 03, 2012, 5:49 PM Updated: Tuesday, July 03, 2012, 5:52 PM [image: Dave Murray | dmurray@mlive.com] By Dave Murray | dmurray@mlive.com Detroit teachers union leaders are dismissing their new imposed contract as “a farce,” saying there was no agreement or even bargaining before the contract was announced. Detroit Federation of Teachers leaders als... more »

Ben Velderman and the end of the NEA. « Fred Klonsky

coopmike48 at Big Education Ape - 13 hours ago
Ben Velderman and the end of the NEA. « Fred Klonsky: Ben Velderman and the end of the NEA. by Fred Klonsky *The return of Ben Velderman.* Last week it was the crazy group of standardized test critics who jubilantly predicted the death of teacher unions. This week it my old stalker from the right-wing, Ben Velderman of the Education Action Group. You remember Ben. He’s the one who filed a Freedom of Information Act request last year for all my work emails and for my personnel file. Predicting and rooting for the death of teacher unions is nothing new. What’s interesting is the broad ... more »

Oakland school sit-in raided after nearly three weeks - Inside Bay Area

coopmike48 at Big Education Ape - 17 hours ago
Oakland school sit-in raided after nearly three weeks - Inside Bay Area: Oakland school sit-in raided after nearly three weeks By Katy Murphy Oakland Tribune Posted: 07/03/2012 09:50:05 AM PDT Updated: 07/03/2012 02:20:45 PM PDT Click photo to enlarge Staff Archive: A couple of kids run through a small campsite set up by teachers and... (RAY CHAVEZ) OAKLAND -- On Tuesday, nearly three weeks into a peaceful occupation of an elementary school that was closed last month, Oakland school district police cleared out the demonstrators in an early morning raid. When police entered th... more »

Should CMOs really be in the business of ed reform?

coopmike48 at Big Education Ape - 17 hours ago
Should CMOs really be in the business of ed reform?: Should CMOs really be in the business of ed reform? *Robb Snowe / July 3, 2012* *This guest blog post is written by a former administrator at a charter management organization. Robb Snowe is a pen name.* Charter schools were born of the idea that, endowed with more autonomy and flexibility than traditional public schools, they would be free to experiment with different educational approaches, thereby serving as laboratories of innovation. Presumably, such experimentation would, at least in some cases, lead to better outcomes. T... more »

School districts' anti-bullying funds range from $38K to only $36 | NJ.com

coopmike48 at Big Education Ape - 18 hours ago
School districts' anti-bullying funds range from $38K to only $36 | NJ.com: School districts' anti-bullying funds range from $38K to only $36Published: Tuesday, July 03, 2012, 4:46 PM Updated: Tuesday, July 03, 2012, 4:56 PM [image: Jeanette Rundquist/The Star-Ledger] By Jeanette Rundquist/The Star-Ledger [image: bullying.jpg]Andrew Mills/The Star-LedgerA group of Long Branch Middle School students are shown in a 2011 file photo. The students created a re-mix of Enrique Iglesias' pop hit: "I Like it" called Bullying: We'll Stop It" TRENTON — Some 371 New Jersey school dis... more »

Blue Jersey:: John Adams to Abigail Adams, 236 Years Ago Tonight

coopmike48 at Big Education Ape - 18 hours ago
Blue Jersey:: John Adams to Abigail Adams, 236 Years Ago Tonight: John Adams to Abigail Adams, 236 Years Ago Tonight by Rosi Efthim [image: L17760703jasecond_1lg] This letter gives me chills every time I read it. *(Want real chills? Go look at the original letter written 236 years ago tonight, below the fold - his prediction is on page 3.).*In 1776, John Adams pushed, prodded and greatly annoyed the members of the Second Continental Congress to break with England, hectoring them daily in the hot rooms of what we now call Independence Hall in Philadelphia until their resistance to... more »

National Indian Education Study Reveals Varying Progress | U.S. Department of Education

coopmike48 at Big Education Ape - 18 hours ago
National Indian Education Study Reveals Varying Progress | U.S. Department of Education: National Indian Education Study Reveals Varying Progress JULY 3, 2012 *Contact: * Press Office, (202) 401-1576, press@ed.gov Average math scores for fourth-grade American Indian and Alaska Native (AI/AN) students attending Bureau of Indian Education (BIE) schools have improved since 2009 according to a national study released today, though the overall academic progress of these students has stalled since 2005. The National Indian Education Study (NIES) study, which provides data on the educ... more »

NEA Representative Assembly - California Teachers Association

coopmike48 at Big Education Ape - 19 hours ago
NEA Representative Assembly - California Teachers Association: NEA REPRESENTATIVE ASSEMBLY *NEA RA 2012* -* NEA: We Educate America* *Friday, June 29 - Friday, July 6, 2012 - Washington, DC* *Registration for the NEA RA is now closed* The NEA Representative Assembly is the largest democratic deliberative assembly in the world. California sends more than 1,000 delegates to the NEA RA each summer. During this annual meeting, CTA members help set policy and chart the direction of NEA business through participation on various committees, constituencies, caucuses, and leadership groups... more »

Mike Klonsky's SmallTalk Blog: NEA STANDS WITH CHICAGO TEACHERS UNION

coopmike48 at Big Education Ape - 19 hours ago
Mike Klonsky's SmallTalk Blog: NEA STANDS WITH CHICAGO TEACHERS UNION: NEA STANDS WITH CHICAGO TEACHERS UNION by Mike Klonsky With all eyes on Chicago as Rahm continues to push the teachers and their union to the wall, the NEA Regional Assembly voted overwhelmingly to support the CTU. The resolution came out of the Illinois Delegation. Here's brother Fred making the pitch. Popout Unanimous! Solidarity! Cleveland's corporate reform bill signed by Kasich by Mike Klonsky Ohio Tea-Party Gov. John Kasich and Cleveland Mayor Frank Jackson hug after Jackson talked about the agreement th... more »

Honor the Fourth of July-Keep Our Schools Democratic! | The Sacramento Coalition to Save Public Education

coopmike48 at Big Education Ape - 19 hours ago
Honor the Fourth of July-Keep Our Schools Democratic! | The Sacramento Coalition to Save Public Education: Honor the Fourth of July-Keep Our Schools Democratic! by Kate_Lenox [image: Home] Recently I posted about the requirements of the new Race to the Top grants for school districts. The federal Dept. of Education has doubled down on the emphasis on standardized tests by moving to use them not only to judge schools, but also to judge teachers and administrators. Even more disturbing is the new requirement that tests for schools boards be developed. Is this just another way to... more »

Jersey Jazzman: International House of Education Statistics

coopmike48 at Big Education Ape - 20 hours ago
Jersey Jazzman: International House of Education Statistics: International House of Education Statistics by Duke I'll be doing the #soschat tonight on the Twitter machine, which should be fun (if TweetDeck for Mac stops acting so quirky). Stop in if you can: 9:00 PM EDT. We needed a topic, and I'm sick of talking about Chris Christie, so I thought we'd talk about international comparisons. Why? Because they seem to be a lynchpin of the entire reformy argument: "*Our kids suck compared to the rest of the world! Even our kids who we say don't suck really suck! 'Cause their teacher... more »

D.C. wants experienced charter operators, in a hurry - D.C. Schools Insider - The Washington Post

coopmike48 at Big Education Ape - 20 hours ago
D.C. wants experienced charter operators, in a hurry - D.C. Schools Insider - The Washington Post: D.C. wants experienced charter operators, in a hurry by Bill Turque While I was gone, a significant announcement from the D.C. Charter School Board that slipped through without much notice. The board is proposing a streamlined approval process that would allow experienced charter operators with good track records in other cities to open their doors in the District a full year ahead of the current timetable. (Astrid Riecken - FOR THE WASHINGTON POST) The new guidelines, unveiled at th... more »

Justice was our floor strategy. « Fred Klonsky

coopmike48 at Big Education Ape - 20 hours ago
Justice was our floor strategy. « Fred Klonsky: Justice was our floor strategy. by Fred Klonsky PopoutA couple of folks came up today and asked me if I had a floor strategy. At an NEA RA that’s what the big boys do. When you want to control the speakers, you plant folks at different microphones who then give their time over to those prepared to speak. The Illinois caucus had already voted for the New Business Item calling for the NEA to support the AFT Chicago teacher local in their negotiations with Rahm and his hand-picked school board. It had now been assigned a number: NBI 13. A... more »

Jersey Jazzman: The Shot Against Charters Heard 'Round the World

coopmike48 at Big Education Ape - 21 hours ago
Jersey Jazzman: The Shot Against Charters Heard 'Round the World: The Shot Against Charters Heard 'Round the World by Duke A citizen revolution has been brewing in Newark for some time, with local citizens getting increasingly sick and tired of being left out of decisions that affect their own children. So, if this is a revolution, yesterday was the Battle of Lexington and Concord: The Newark public schools uneasy relationship with the city’s charter schools stirred more debate last night, as the district’s advisory board rejected leases to share space with the alternative ... more »

NEA President Dennis Van Roekel Urges Delegates to Stay Strong

coopmike48 at Big Education Ape - 21 hours ago
*NEA President Dennis Van Roekel opened the National Education Association's 91st Representative Assembly today with a challenge to members to stand up for their profession and come together in a united mission to transform America's public schools into world class institutions of learning.*
Big Education Ape Nite Cap 6-24-12 #SOSCHAT #EDCHAT #P2
Big Education Ape Nite Cap 6-21-12 #SOSCHAT #EDCHAT #P2
Big Education Ape Nite Cap 6-20-12 #SOSCHAT #EDCHAT #P2
Big Education Ape Nite Cap 6-19-12 #SOSCHAT #EDCHAT #P2
Big Education Ape Nite Cap 6-18-12 #SOSCHAT #EDCHAT #P2
Big Education Ape Nite Cap 6-17-12 #SOSCHAT #EDCHAT #P2
Big Education Ape Nite Cap 6-16-12 #SOSCHAT #EDCHAT #P2
Big Education Ape Nite Cap 6-15-12 #SOSCHAT #EDCHAT #P2
Big Education Ape Nite Cap 6-14-12 #SOSCHAT #EDCHAT #P2
Big Education Ape Nite Cap 6-13-12 #SOSCHAT #EDCHAT #P2
Big Education Ape Nite Cap 6-12-12 #SOSCHAT #EDCHAT #P2
Big Education Ape Nite Cap 6-12-12 #SOSCHAT #EDCHAT #P2
Big Education Ape Nite Cap 6-11-12 #SOSCHAT #EDCHAT #P2
Big Education Ape Nite Cap 6-10-12 #SOSCHAT #EDCHAT #P2
Big Education Ape Nite Cap 6-9-12 #SOSCHAT #EDCHAT #P2
Big Education Ape Nite Cap 6-8-12 #SOSCHAT #EDCHAT #P2
Big Education Ape Nite Cap 6-7-12 #SOSCHAT #EDCHAT #P2
Big Education Ape Nite Cap 6-6-12 #SOSCHAT #EDCHAT #P2
Big Education Ape Nite Cap 6-5-12 #SOSCHAT #EDCHAT #P2
Big Education Ape Nite Cap 6-4-12 #SOSCHAT #EDCHAT #P2
Big Education Ape Nite Cap 6-3-12 #SOSCHAT #EDCHAT #P2
Big Education Ape Nite Cap 6-2-12 #SOSCHAT #EDCHAT #P2
Big Education Ape Nite Cap 6-1-12 #SOSCHAT #EDCHAT #P2

4th Of July Someecards To Celebrate Independence Day With Humor (PICTURES)

4th Of July Someecards To Celebrate Independence Day With Humor (PICTURES):

4th Of July Someecards To Celebrate Independence Day With Humor (PICTURES)






Seattle Schools Community Forum: Issues Raised by Speakers at Board Meeting

Seattle Schools Community Forum: Issues Raised by Speakers at Board Meeting:


Issues Raised by Speakers at Board Meeting

Listening to speaker after speaker talk about the Indian Heritage Middle College program, I thought, "Well, add them to the list that includes Special Ed, Nova, and World School."  What do these programs have in common?   They get moved around as though they were furniture.   Each and every one of them deserves a permanent home.

I spoke to Sarah Kelly, one of the speakers, and asked her about someone in their community doing a guest post about the history of their program.  (I was surprised to learn that Pathfinder K-8 used to be a feeder school for the program.)  One thing I told her was that once we had a history - one that is written by those who know it - it would be here for a long time.  The district may purge some history from its website but at least here it would 

Accused of Sexism! « Diane Ravitch's blog

Accused of Sexism! « Diane Ravitch's blog:
Click on picture to Listen to Diane Ravitch




Accused of Sexism!

Former State Senator Gloria Romero of California accused me of being sexist and possibly anti-Latina as well. (Please read the comments that follow the article.)
Romero is now an employee of the Wall Street hedge fund managers’ organization Democrats for Education Reform, which advocates for charters and eliminating tenure and seniority.
Romero is hurt that I did not give her credit for having invented the Parent Trigger idea (which I call the Parent Tricker law). She says I mistakenly gave credit to the far-right group ALEC, which has developed model legislation for Parent Trigger legislation.
Actually, I don’t care who came up with this obnoxious idea that 51% of the parents in a school can “seize


What Will the Principal Say?

Diana Senechal  imagines a conversation between a principal and a parent to discuss the teacher’s’ value-added ratings. This is the conversation that Mayor Bloomberg hopes will happen in every school. He wants every principal to contact every parent and tell them the rating of their child’s teacher. I blogged about that recently.
But what would the principal say if he thinks it is wrong to make teachers’ ratings public? What would she or he say if they honestly believe that the ratings are so inaccurate that they are worthless?



Does “College-for-All” Make Sense?

A number of readers have responded with good comments to the ongoing discussion of “college-for-all.”
I love education, love learning, and want everyone to be able to get as much education as they want, but I have my doubts about the goal of college for all.
Maybe the most irritating aspect of this issue is that college has become unaffordable for many, many young people. They may want to go to college, but they can’t pay the costs, and our state and federal government is content to saddle them with heavy debt that they will spend years repaying. We can’t have a goal of being “first in the world” in college graduates if the cost of college continues to soar.
Also, I am not sure why it is important to be first in the world. So what if we are seventh or twelfth in the world? Why does it matter? I think we should aim for the goal of being first in the world in college affordability. Then let


A Civics Lesson for the 4th of July

In response to a post this morning:
Why is it that most people don’t understand basic civics? They think the majority should always win. That’s not what our Founding Fathers envisioned when they created our great society. If the majority always won, we wouldn’t need the Supreme Court, the rights of the minority would never be protected, Civil Rights legislation would never have passed, we would still have Jim Crow laws, and most likely we would be in a state of turmoil much like what is happening in Egypt and other countries in the world.Our country is not about 51%,
On this 4th of July it is appropriate to quote our Declaration of Independence ,“Prudence, indeed, will dictate that Governments long established should not be changed for light and transient 



What Is Stand for Children?

This is an evolving definition. Stand for Children began in Portland, Oregon, as a grassroots organization to advocate for more funding for public schools (readers in Portland and elsewhere, correct me if I am wrong).
At some point in the past two or three years, Stand shifted priorities and discovered that it would have far greater impact if it aligned itself with the financiers behind the corporate reform movement. Their numbers are small, but their wallet is large. They want more privately managed charts, and Stand was okay with that, after all, charters provide an escape from “bad” public schools. They want teachers to serve at-will, with no job protections (after all, don’t job protections protect “bad” teachers). They want teachers to be evaluated by student test scores (after all, isn’t that a good way to identify and boot those “bad” teachers).
And until we hear a different account from Stand’s founder, Jonah Edelman, we must conclude that it is now a


A Sign of Educational Madness?

I just read that ACT is developing a test of college-and career-readiness for children in kindergarten.
When I read something like this, my first reaction is to think it is a joke, a parody, a satire.
Surely, no adult can take this nonsense seriously.
But it is not a joke.
Someone is laying out millions of dollars to find out whether 5-year-olds are ready for college or career.

Background on Military Naturalization Ceremony at the White House | The White House

Background on Military Naturalization Ceremony at the White House | The White House:


Background on Military Naturalization Ceremony at the White House

WASHINGTON, DC - On July 4, 2012, President Obama will deliver remarks at a naturalization ceremony for active duty service members in the East Room of the White House. U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services Director Alejandro Mayorkas will present the countries of the candidates for naturalization and Secretary of Homeland Security Janet Napolitano will deliver the oath of allegiance. The audience will be composed of the service members and their families.

Other Senior Administration Officials will also be speaking at naturalization ceremonies around the country, including Secretary of Labor Hilda Solis in New York, Small Business Administrator Karen Mills and Council on Environmental Quality Chair Nancy Sutley in Massachusetts, Domestic Policy Council Director Cecilia Muñoz in Virginia, and Cabinet Secretary Chris Lu in Maryland.
The President hosted similar naturalization ceremonies at the White House on May 1, 2009 and April 23, 2010.

The following active duty service members are expected to attend as candidates for naturalization:

Byron Oswaldo Acevedo, born in Guatemala City, Guatemala, enlisted in the Marine Corps in April 2010 from Providence, Rhode Island.  Lance Corporal Acevedo has served in support of Operation Enduring Freedom, and served in Helmand province, Afghanistan in a Quick Reaction Force and Aerial Interdiction Force. His personal awards and decorations include a Purple Heart, Combat Action Ribbon, Global War On Terrorism Service Medal, Afghanistan Campaign Medal, Sea Service Deployment Ribbon, National Defense Service Medal, Nato Medal-ISAF Afghanistan, and an Armed Forces Reserve Medal.

Oluwatosin K Akinduro, born in Lagos, Nigeria, graduated high school in Houston, Texas. He joined the Army National Guard in search of new opportunities and a new challenge to lead by example.

Miguel Andrade, born and raised in the Cape Verde Islands, moved to the United States in the fall of 2008. Private First Class Andrade has distinguished himself, earning a coveted position in 3rd Battalion, 7th Infantry Regiment’s Scout Platoon.

Alla Victorovna Ausheva, born in Russia in March 2011, Alla joined the New York Army National Guard in July 2011 and serves as a maintenance technician in Company G of the 427th Brigade Support Battalion. The unit supports the 1st Battalion 258th Field Artillery. She lives in Bayside, NY.

Francisco Jose Ballesteros de la Rosa, born in Mexico, joined the Marine Corps in December 2009. Corporal Ballestros’ personal awards and decorations include the Global War on Terrorism Service Medal and the National Defense Service Medal.

Oscar Javier Beltran Medina, born in Bolivia, enlisted into the United States Air Force in 2009 as a Vehicle Operator. Airman Beltran is currently assigned to Joint Base Andrews, MD. During his 2 ½ years, Airman Beltran has completed college courses at Northern Virginia Community College and volunteered his time at Charlotte Hall Veterans home in Maryland.

Silvano Carcamo, born in Honduras, moved to Springfield, OH in 1996. Specialist Carcamo enlisted in the Army in October 2009 and became a medic. His first duty station was Bravo Troop, 3rd Squadron, 71st Cavalry Regiment, 3rd Infantry Brigade Combat Team, 10th Mountain Division where he served as a line medic. During his deployment from March 2011 to March 2012 he earned several awards among them an Army Achievement Medal, Combat Medic Badge, and a Navy Achievement Medal.

Luisa Maria Childers, born in El Salvador, moved to the United States at the age of 6. She joined the Army Reserves in 2009 and is a 72R, Parachute Rigger. Her goal is to ultimately become an Army Medic.

Mamadou Aliou Diallo, born in Conakry, Guinea, enlisted in the Marine Corps in May 2011. Private First Class Diallo is an Online Message Board Clerk at Marine Barracks in Washington, D.C..  His decorations include the National Defense Service Medal and Global War on Terrorism Service Medal.

Terence Njikang Ekabe, born in Cameroon, enlisted in the Air Force in June 2011 as a 4N0/med technician. Airman Ekabe also helped raise money for Veterans’ families, Airmen in need, and the Air Force Assistance Fund. His charitable giving extends beyond the United States to his home country where he raised $3,000 worth of toys, clothing, and others items for the village children of Cameroon during Christmas.

Sergey Eliseev, born in Russia, has received numerous decorations and personal awards, including the Army Achievement Medal, Honor Grade from 88M10 AIT, National Defense  Service Medal, Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, and the Army Service Ribbon

Andriy Olegovich Gener, born in Odessa, Ukraine, arrived in the United States on September 10, 2001. Private First Class Gener is currently serving with 1st Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division as a member of the Brigade Personal Security Detail in Fort Carson, CO for the Brigade CSM and the Brigade Commander.  His awards and decorations include the Army Service Ribbon, and the National Defense Medal.

Daniel Arcenal Geneta, born in the Philippines, came to the United States in August 1994.  Geneta joined the New York Army National Guard in 2006 because of the events of September 11, 2001. He is a squad leader in the 719th Transportation Company and in civilian life works as an account executive at Urban Associates, a New York City real estate company.

Alexey Isachenko, born in Russia, has received numerous decorations and personal awards, including being selected to Commandants List 88M10 AIT, the National Defense Service Medal, Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, and Army Service Ribbon.

Yuxiong Jin, born and raised in China, arrived in the United States in 2008.  Jin is enlisted in the US Army.

Carlos Eduardo Navichoque, born in Guatemala City, enlisted in 2009 in the Army. Specialist Navichoque deployed with the 2-14 Infantry Battalion to Iraq from March 2010 to August 2010 in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom. During his tour, he served as a Motor Transport Operator and was awarded the Combat Action Badge.

Faye Ubad Ngirchomlei, born in Palau, enlisted in the Army in 2008.  In April 2009, Nigirchomlei was assigned to 511th Military Police Company at Fort Drum, NY as Automated Logistic Specialist. She was deployed to Kandahar, Afghanistan where she was responsible for ensuring the maintenance section supported outlying platoons, with supplies and other support services.

Aegean Pascua Obed, born in the Philippines, Obed currently serves as a Mobile Gun System crew member in A Company, 3-21 Infantry.

Praseuthsith Phimmasone, born in the Philippines, enlisted in the Marine Corps in March 2007. Private First Class Phimmasone currently serves in the 6th Engineer Support Battalion, 4th Marine Logistics Group. Corporal Phimmasone was selected 6th Engineer Support Battalion’s Noncommissioned Officer of the Quarter for the fourth quarter of 2009 and was also awarded Noncommissioned Officer of the Quarter for third quarter of 2010. Sergeant Phimmasone’s awards include a Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal, Good Conduct Medal, a Sea Service Deployment Ribbon, a Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, a National Defense Service Medal, Navy Meritorious Unit Commendation Ribbon, a Navy Unit Commendation Ribbon, two Meritorious Masts, and a Letter of Appreciation.

Fatima Vanessa Rivera Fuentes, born in El Salvador, joined the New York Army National Guard in 2009 and has served as an aviation electronics technician working on UH-60 Blackhawk helicopters. Fuentes came to the United States in 1999.

Guillermo Enrique Roche Rendon, born in Ecuador, went to middle school and high school in the US but had to drop out in the 11th grade to help support his family. In time, he earned his GED and also completed college courses. He joined the US Army as a Cavalry Scout. Private First Class Roche’s awards include the Army Service Ribbon and the National Defense Service Medal.

Sedrick Kwesi Sam, born in Ghana, serves as an Airman for the Air Force.

Hans Lemuel Pang Sy, born in the Philippines, moved to the United States with his parents and three siblings in 2005.  He joined the US Army on October 18, 2011.

Jhonathan Gerardo Zapata, born in Colombia, joined the Army in January 2012.

Cristian Felipe Zapata Gil, born in Colombia, moved to the United States at the age of 13.  After Haiti’s earthquake Zapata Gil decided to join the US Army where he serves as a Watercraft Engineer

Oakland’s Lakeview Elementary, unoccupied - The Education Report - Katy Murphy's blog on Oakland schools

Oakland’s Lakeview Elementary, unoccupied - The Education Report - Katy Murphy's blog on Oakland schools:


Oakland’s Lakeview Elementary, unoccupied

By Katy Murphy
Tuesday, July 3rd, 2012 at 4:28 pm in Uncategorized.
Staff Photojournalist
Lakeview photos by Ray Chavez/Bay Area News Group
Lakeview Elementary School was supposed to close at the end of the school year, but families, teachers and local activists who opposed the Oakland school district’s decision to close schools kept it open for two and a half weeks longer. They turned the school on Grand Avenue into a summer program and overnight camp, complete with movie night (“Star Wars,” shown in the school auditorium) and s’mores, history lessons and gardening class.
And protests.
Staff Photojournalist
I was planning to stop by today for a day-in-the-life-of piece on the People’s School for Public Education, but Oakland School Police beat me to it. Around 4 a.m., the officers ordered about 15-20 people sleeping outside the school, including two 

July 4 quiz: See how much you know - The Answer Sheet - The Washington Post

July 4 quiz: See how much you know - The Answer Sheet - The Washington Post:

Answer Sheet


July 4 quiz: See how much you know

Valerie Strauss at The Answer Sheet - 6 hours ago
I wrote and published a quiz for Memorial Day in May that a reader, Houston attorney Stanley P. Santire, didn’t much like. Santire sent me an e-mail saying that the questions didn’t cover important historical issues. (You can look at that quiz by clicking here and see for yourself.) Read full article >> [image: Add to Facebook] [image: Add to Twitter] [image: Add to Reddit] [image: Add to StumbleUpon]

How to get kids reading and writing over the summer

Valerie Strauss at The Answer Sheet - 23 hours ago
This *was written by Anindita Basu Sempere, executive director of TheWritingFaculty.com.* By Anindita Basu Sempere The summer reading lists provided by schools and libraries have two purposes: to foster a love of reading and to keep students intellectually engaged over summer. These book lists span genres and styles, from classics to nonfiction and from poetry to paranormal fiction. Given the variety, students can usually find a book that at least sounds interesting to them. Read full article >> [image: Add to Facebook] [image: Add to Twitter] [image: Add to Reddit] [image: Add ... more »

July 4th facts on flags, fireworks, food and more

Valerie Strauss at The Answer Sheet - 1 day ago
If you are at all curious about what country manufactures American flags and the fireworks that we light on July 4th, and/or where your Independence Day BBQ food comes from, you can thank our trusty U.S. Census Bureau forproviding the answers. Read full article >> [image: Add to Facebook] [image: Add to Twitter] [image: Add to Reddit] [image: Add to StumbleUpon]

Why July 2 is really America’s independence day

Valerie Strauss at The Answer Sheet - 1 day ago
On July 3, 1776, John Adams wrote a letter to his wife Abigail with this prediction: *“the Second of July, 1776, will be the most memorable Epocha, in the History of America. I am apt to believe it will be celebrated, by succeeding Generations, as the great anniversary Festival.”* Read full article >> [image: Add to Facebook] [image: Add to Twitter] [image: Add to Reddit] [image: Add to StumbleUpon]

Why U.S. can’t get back to head of the class (because it was never there)

Valerie Strauss at The Answer Sheet - 2 days ago
This *was writtetn by David E. Drew, who holds the Joseph B. Platt chair at the Claremont Graduate University. His most recent book is “STEM the Tide: Reforming Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math Education in America,” published by the Johns Hopkins University Press. He can be reached at david.drew@cgu.edu.* Read full article >> [image: Add to Facebook] [image: Add to Twitter] [image: Add to Reddit] [image: Add to StumbleUpon]

Why U.S. can’t get back to head of the class (because it was never there)

Valerie Strauss at The Answer Sheet - 2 days ago
This *was writtetn by David E. Drew, who holds the Joseph B. Platt chair at the Claremont Graduate University. His most recent book is “STEM the Tide: Reforming Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math Education in America,” published by the Johns Hopkins University Press. He can be reached at david.drew@cgu.edu.* Read full article >> [image: Add to Facebook] [image: Add to Twitter] [image: Add to Reddit] [image: Add to StumbleUpon]

What to the Slave is the Fourth of July? | Outside the Cave

What to the Slave is the Fourth of July? | Outside the Cave:


What to the Slave is the Fourth of July?

I read this every Fourth.  You should too.  Frederick Douglass captured so much of the essence of America in this speech from 160 years ago. May America still be young:
This celebration also marks the beginning of another year of your national life; and reminds you that the Republic of America is now 76 years old. I am glad, fellow-citizens, that your nation is so young. Seventy-six years, though a good old age for a man, is but a mere speck in the life of a nation. Three score years and ten is the allotted time for individual men; but nations number their years by thousands. According to this fact, you are, even now, only in the beginning of your national career, still lingering in the period of childhood. I repeat, I am glad this is so. There is hope in the thought, and hope is much needed, under the dark clouds which lower above the horizon. The eye of the reformer is met with angry flashes, portending disastrous times; but his heart may well beat lighter at the thought that America is young, and that she is still in the impressible stage 

Google Wants to Teach You to be a 'Power Searcher' (You Should Let Them) - Education - GOOD

Google Wants to Teach You to be a 'Power Searcher' (You Should Let Them) - Education - GOOD:


Google Wants to Teach You to be a 'Power Searcher' (You Should Let Them)

power.searcher
Dying to become a master of Google’s search engine? If so, look no further than Power Searching with Google, a new, free class offered by the tech giant starting July 10th. The course promises to teach users "tips, tricks and tactics" that'll help you "find exactly what you’re looking for, when you most need it." Real talk: Even if you don't spend your time dreaming about how to improve your searching skills, you should take Google up on their offer to teach you.
Last year the results of a two-year study found that college students are overly reliant on simple searches, which, thanks to the ultra-personalization of search engines, don't always turn up what you need. The 

Hank Brown, Mike Rosen to help lead CU-Boulder's search for visiting conservative scholar - The Denver Post

Hank Brown, Mike Rosen to help lead CU-Boulder's search for visiting conservative scholar - The Denver Post:


Hank Brown, Mike Rosen to help lead CU-Boulder's search for visiting conservative scholar

POSTED:   07/03/2012 10:52:41 AM MDT
UPDATED:   07/03/2012 05:42:00 PM MDT
By Brittany Anas,Camera Staff Writer



The University of Colorado's Boulder campus -- which long has been perceived as a liberal hotbed -- on Tuesday tapped former CU President Hank Brown and Denver talk-show host Mike Rosen to help lead a nationwide search for a visiting scholar of conservative thought.
CU already has raised $1 million in donations to fund its Visiting Scholar in Conservative Thought and Policy, a position that is funded for at least three years. The scholar doesn't necessarily need to be right-leaning, but must be an expert in conservative thought and policy.
"This recognizes that mainstream, conservative viewpoints are underrepresented at CU and at most colleges in the country," said Rosen, who hosts a morning talk show weekdays on 850 KOA and


Read more:Hank Brown, Mike Rosen to help lead CU-Boulder's search for visiting conservative scholar - The Denver Posthttp://www.denverpost.com/education/ci_20998156/hank-brown-mike-rosen-help-lead-cu-boulders#ixzz1zfL7xdym
Read The Denver Post's Terms of Use of its content: http://www.denverpost.com/termsofuse

Getting to the core of Oakland Unified School District superintendent - ContraCostaTimes.com

Getting to the core of Oakland Unified School District superintendent - ContraCostaTimes.com:


Getting to the core of Oakland Unified School District superintendent


Click photo to enlarge
Oakland Unified School District Superintendent Tony Smith listens to public comments at a board...
OAKLAND -- As a white man who talks about white privilege and institutional racism, the superintendent of Oakland's school system is not your typical school administrator.
In countless public and media appearances since his appointment in 2009, Tony Smith, 45, has transmitted a radical message, not only about Oakland, but about the expanded role he believes a school system must play in society. He argues that schools can -- and must -- help to transform entire communities through love and a sense of collective responsibility for children, especially the disadvantaged.
"I think he's an incredible evangelist," said David Kakishiba, an Oakland school board member. "He's brought that to the forefront in a way I have not seen in my lifetime -- that, as a district, we're going to be very focused, diligent and relentless on eliminating these disparities for children with les

John Swett school district's intense intervention shows in vastly improved graduation and dropout rates.

Updated:   07/03/2012 06:17:52 PM PDT

CROCKETT -- Instead of sleeping in and lazily enjoying the summer, about 130 teens in the John Swett school district are taking online classes so they can graduate on time with their peers.
The summer program -- combined with beefed-up truancy enforcement, consistent discipline and an emphasis on the importance of a high school education -- have helped John Swett raise its graduation rate by nearly 13 percentage points in one year, while lowering its dropout rate by about 8 percentage points, said Superintendent Mike McLaughlin.
"We've put in some really strict policies starting at middle school," said McLaughlin, who came to the district about 

Democurmudgeon: Louisiana Voucher School, with no facilities and teachers, is approved to take 315 students.

Democurmudgeon: Louisiana Voucher School, with no facilities and teachers, is approved to take 315 students.:


Louisiana Voucher School, with no facilities and teachers, is approved to take 315 students.

Voucher School Meets Profit Target 
In addition to the title above, parents are left with a useless voucher. Here's the incredible story:
TownTalk: Emails between Louisiana Education Superintendent John C. White, Gov. Bobby Jindal's spokesman Kyle Plotkin and Jindal policy adviser Stafford Palmieri show White devising a scheme to "muddy up a narrative" and to "take some air out of the room" after a news report about the new voucher program that was published ... In the email exchange, White proposes creating a news story about the "due diligence" process for school voucher approvals to counter a Monroe News-Star article that revealed the state Department of Education had not performed site visits or extensive review of voucher applications.
Those site visits and reviews weren’t being done. Even worse, parents of children were left to be the victims of 

Evil Geniuses or Good Simpletons? (Gary Rubinstein) | Larry Cuban on School Reform and Classroom Practice

Evil Geniuses or Good Simpletons? (Gary Rubinstein) | Larry Cuban on School Reform and Classroom Practice:


Evil Geniuses or Good Simpletons? (Gary Rubinstein)

Gary Rubinstein was in Teach for America. In his words: “I’m a Houston 1991 alum ….  Despite writing two books and teaching for thirteen of the past nineteen years, I’m mostly ignored by TFA though I have a lot of ‘suggestions’ for how they can improve.” This post appeared June 7, 2012.
He writes about “corporate reformers,” a favorite phrase used by many who oppose the current “no excuses” agenda of test-based accountability, charter schools, Common Core standards, and using test scores to evaluate and pay teachers. My view differs but I do like what Rubinstein has to say.
When arguing against the corporate reform movement, it is natural to try to figure out what their motivation is.  

hctiB G: “repeated injury” | The G Bitch Spot

hctiB G: “repeated injury” | The G Bitch Spot:


hctiB G: “repeated injury”

originally posted July 4, 2011
_______
In every stage of these Oppressions We have Petitioned for Redress in the most humble terms: Our repeated Petitions have been answered only by repeated injury. A Prince, whose character is thus marked by every act which may define a Tyrant, is unfit to be the ruler of a free people.
———
Recovery School District closures and changes can leave families with whiplash–nola.com/Times-Pic
You would think only those with the very hardest to educate children have trouble navigating the NOLA school systems. Guess what, T-P—you don’t need to be a special needs student to get “whiplash” from school closures, lack of communication, and missed deadlines. The closing, reconstituting and continual shuffle of schools in NO has led to the exact opposite of what the proponents of the current “reform” “movement” claimed it would do and still speciously claim it is doing—instead of offering underserved, minority and/or poor children and 

Missouri Education Watchdog: Independence Day Thoughts

Missouri Education Watchdog: Independence Day Thoughts:


Independence Day Thoughts

The oppressive heat may quell much of our Independence Day activities this year, but it gives us more time to reflect on the meaning of this holiday.  The wave of government intrusion into our individual lives is now close enough that many of us on the beach front can recognize it for the destructive tsunami that it is. Just like those waves, it is both broad and tall in scope, hitting us across a vast expanse of our everyday lives. It will be no less destructive in its slow steady overwhelming of everything in its path.

A child born into our country now is more likely to grow up believing that they are weak and incapable of achieving the adulthood many of us have known. The story of Julia is said to be their future. They will believe they come from cruel and greedy stock because their school will only teach about the impact of European invasion on the native peoples of the Americas when they learn  about the founding of this country.  If they learn about the religious persecution of the Puritans at all, it will be an abstract discussion.  They will have limited ability to understand a people who were desperate to escape a king and country, whose clergy had been bought by the monarchy, who therefore ruled virtually every aspect of the Puritans' lives.

Though the Puritans had been taught to read and were quite capable of doing it, they were forbidden by law from 

Adam and the future of teacher unions. « Fred Klonsky

Adam and the future of teacher unions. « Fred Klonsky:


Adam and the future of teacher unions.

Adam is a  working Chicago high school teacher.
He is also an activist in the Chicago Teachers Union.
I first met Adam in the schoolyard of Whittier School in Pilsen when the parents were fighting to keep a field house from being torn down. Whittier was one of the hundreds of Chicago schools without a library and the parents had occupied the field house demanding CEO Brizard and the Mayor turn it into one.
Adam was there supporting the parents.
In fact, anytime I can drag this old butt to some action about schools, Adam is there.
Last week Adam jumped on his motorcycle and drove here to DC.
Why?
Because he wanted to share his excitement about the kind of union the Chicago Teachers Union had become: a 

School's Out For Summer. Let Kids Be Kids - southbronxschool.com

http://www.southbronxschool.com:


School's Out For Summer. Let Kids Be Kids

So it's that time of year. School is out. The students have no more teachers, no more books, no more teacher's dirty looks. Camps are open and welcoming campers all over the New York metropolitan area. Of course that doesn't include those students at KIPP and Success Academy, charter schools, or even kids forced into a DOE gulag to make up some flawed exam that are not allowed to have summer fun and are forced to endure summer hour after summer hour in a classroom looking out a window wondering why they can't be a child.

Why is that? What is it that KIPP and Success, and