“Missionary Zeal”: The Miseducation of “Other People’s Children” | Dailycensored.com

“Missionary Zeal”: The Miseducation of “Other People’s Children” | Dailycensored.com:

“Missionary Zeal”: The Miseducation of “Other People’s Children”

by P.L. Thomas

The education reform debate is fueled by a seemingly endless and even fruitless point-counterpoint among the corporate reformers—typically advocates for and from the Gates Foundation (GF), Teach for America (TFA), and charter chains such as Knowledge Is Power Program (KIPP)—and educators/scholars of education. Since the political and public machines have embraced the corporate reformers, GF, TFA, and KIPP have acquired the bully pulpit of the debate and thus are afforded most often the ability to frame the point, leaving educators and scholars to be in a constant state of generating counter-points.

This pattern disproportionately benefits corporate reformers, but it also exposes how those corporate reformers manage to maintain the focus of the debate on data. The statistical thread running through most of the point-counterpoint is not only misleading (the claims coming from the corporate reformers are invariably distorted, while the counter-points of educators and scholars remain ignored among politicians, advocates, the public, and the media), but also a distraction.

Since the metrics debate (test scores, graduation rates, attrition, populations of students served, 

Class Size: “Getting Mighty Crowded” | AMPS

Class Size: “Getting Mighty Crowded” | AMPS:

Class Size: “Getting Mighty Crowded”

by Thomas J. Mertz

Video from the 2006 MMSD school referendum campaign.

Below is a slightly edited version of an email that I sent last night to the Madison Metropolitan School District Board of Education.

Subject: Class Size
To: board@madison.k12.wi.us
Date: Thursday, August 30, 2012, 7:58 PM
I’m just back from the open house and thought you should know that 5th grade class sizes at 

Are You Kidding? Vallas’ standardized testing obsession means 3 rounds of tests plus CMTs. - Wait, What?

Are You Kidding? Vallas’ standardized testing obsession means 3 rounds of tests plus CMTs. - Wait, What?:

Are You Kidding? Vallas’ standardized testing obsession means 3 rounds of tests plus CMTs.

by jonpelto

Forget about the concept that our schools need to devote more time to learning;

Paul Vallas, “education reformer extraordinaire,” and Bridgeport’s, $229,000, part-time, interim superintendent of schools, has announced an unprecedented standardized testing assault on Bridgeport’s students and their teachers.

In an announcement yesterday, Team Vallas informed administrators that in addition to the two weeks of Connecticut Mastery testing that is required by the Connecticut State Department of Education, Vallas is ordering that all students in grades 3-11 complete three additional rounds of standardized testing.

While “Education Reformers” are fond of claiming that they support extending the school 

Schools Matter: "Who else would title it?": Scripting Students to Death

Schools Matter: "Who else would title it?": Scripting Students to Death:

"Who else would title it?": Scripting Students to Death

by P. L. Thomas

While it may seem to be little more than semantics to argue about whether teachers are the most important factor in student learning or teachers are the most important in-school factor in student learning, there is now little room to debate that how teachers are being mandated to treat students is inexcusable.

The rise of "no excuses" assumptions and practices are creating charter and public schools that provide for"other people's children" a culture of shame, but we often fail to recognize as well that the last thirty years of accountability have created schooling as an endless series of scripts for children to follow.

Consider this scenario shared with me just yesterday by email from a teacher in an urban charter school:

Favorite student story of the day: 

I assigned their first writing project today -- a personal literacy narrative because we just finished reading the narrative of Frederick Douglass (our class mantra is “literacy is liberating”). On my 

Award-Winning Programs Demonstrate Excellence in Summer Learning — Whole Child Education

Award-Winning Programs Demonstrate Excellence in Summer Learning — Whole Child Education:

Award-Winning Programs Demonstrate Excellence in Summer Learning

August 30, 2012 by ASCD Whole Child Bloggers

Post submitted by Gary Huggins, chief executive officer of whole child partner National Summer Learning Association

Research has shown that every year, most youth lose about two months of grade-level equivalency in math skills. Low-income youth lose over two months in reading skills. Called the "summer slide," this loss of academic skills disproportionately affects low-income students, contributing to high drop-out rates and an ever-persistent academic achievement gap.

But there is evidence that students can avoid this learning loss by attending high-quality summer programs, which help to boost student achievement. Three such programs have recently been chosen by the National Summer Learning Association (NSLA) for the 2012 Excellence in Summer Learning Awards: the United Way of Santa Barbara County (Calif.) Fun in the Sun 

Modern School: Wayne State to End Tenure, Other Universities to Follow?

Modern School: Wayne State to End Tenure, Other Universities to Follow?:

Wayne State to End Tenure, Other Universities to Follow?

by Michael Dunn

Wayne State University in Detroit has proposed a new contract that would make it the first research university in the U.S. to abolish tenure, according to a recent article in Labor Notes. Other public universities are likely to follow suit (or attempt to) in order to cut labor costs as they grapple with years of declining revenue.

The proposed contract would effectively remove peer review and give administrators more power to get rid of faculty, including for financial reasons. (Veteran professors cost universities more, since they have more years of service credit). The administration also wants the right to fire faculty for participating in or supporting political actions that “interrupt the normal daily teaching.”  

Terrible for Students and the Public

The purpose of tenure is to provide protection for academic freedom. Professors and teachers 

What’s Behind the Harvard Cheating Scandal? « Student Activism

What’s Behind the Harvard Cheating Scandal? « Student Activism:

What’s Behind the Harvard Cheating Scandal?

by Angus Johnston

Harvard University announced yesterday that it is investigating more than a hundred students in a single section of an introductory Poli Sci course on suspicion of cheating on an open-book final exam. When the news broke I tweeted my suspicion that the structure of the final might have contributed to the temptation to cheat, and a new article in the Harvard Crimson appears to confirm my suspicion.
The final exam in professor Matthew Platt’s “Introduction to Congress” course was designated as “completely open-book, open-notes, open internet,” but students were warned “not [to] discuss the exam with others,” including their fellow students, tutors or anybody else.
The test included what the Crimson describes as “three multi-part short answer questions,” questions that one anonymous student — who is not suspected of cheating — described as “find the answer and basically say why 

Mike Klonsky's SmallTalk Blog: Media's take on CTU strike

Mike Klonsky's SmallTalk Blog: Media's take on CTU strike:

Media's take on CTU strike

"Enough is enough. We're done."

Edweek

CTU President Karen Lewis has become something of a hero to teachers who are frustrated with recent policy directives such as evaluations and pay based partly on student test-score growth, turnarounds based on school closures, and charter conversions. Some of those teachers believe that the national teachers' unions have been too willing to compromise with management and other powerful interests on these issues. -- Stephen Sawchuk

CBS News

As the clock ticks down to a looming Chicago teachers strike, could the man in charge of the school district be on his way out? CPS CEO Jean-Claude Brizard says he's not going anywhere, 

 

NYC Educator: GOP Convention Best Obama Ad Money Could Buy

NYC Educator: GOP Convention Best Obama Ad Money Could Buy:

GOP Convention Best Obama Ad Money Could Buy

by NYC Educator

I've been tuning in and out of the convention for the past three nights. It's really mind-blowing how much these people hate teachers. Of course, they'll say we don't hate teachers. We only hate the unions. The teachers are fine, but those magical elves and wood-nymphs in the union really get on our nerves.

They trotted out people who don't fit into the Leave it to Beaver world, the world that never was which they long to get back to. They conveniently forget the tax rates on the rich that were around back when we were pretending Ward and the Beav represented what went on in our country.

I watched Clint Eastwood talk to a chair, then saw Romney talk, and couldn't decide, given an either-or contest, whether I'd vote for Romney or the chair.

I'm leaning toward Green candidate Jill Stein right now. I like her. She has reasonable ideas. Of course, I don't 

Failed DC Chancellor Michelle Rhee Talks Education At RNC | WAMU 88.5 - American University Radio

Failed DC Chancellor Michelle Rhee Talks Education At RNC | WAMU 88.5 - American University Radio:

Failed DC Chancellor Michelle Rhee Talks Education At RNC

Former D.C. Public Schools Chancellor Michelle Rhee was in attendance at the Republican National Convention. During her time in the District, her work to reform D.C. schools was considered controversial, and in many cases divisive. But at the RNC in Tampa, she was preaching unity.

Rhee says the Republican and Democratic parties have more similarities than differences when it comes to education. For example, she says both presidential candidates have supported school choice, teacher quality and the need for high performing charter schools. But Rhee says she still has some concerns about the GOP's approach to education.

"From the Romney camp, the one thing I'm most concerned about is accountability," says Rhee. "Are they going to 

Paul Ryan and the ‘scary’ future of public education in America - The Root DC Live - The Washington Post

Paul Ryan and the ‘scary’ future of public education in America - The Root DC Live - The Washington Post:

Paul Ryan and the ‘scary’ future of public education in America

By Ann-Marie Adams

There’s something about Paul Ryan that scares the bejeezus out of some black people.

A recent NBC/Wall Street poll confirmed zero percent black support for Mitt Romney and his vice presidential pick (A Washington 
Ryan speaks in Tampa on Aug. 29. (Toni L. Sandys - THE WASHINGTON POST)Post poll found that 4 percent of registered African Americans would vote for the GOP ticket). Romney was already scary all by himself with his “corporations are people, too” mindset. But when he tapped Ryan, who crafted a draconian budget to target social services and education, many people - black and white - let out a collective gasp.

A self-professed defense hawk, Ryan plans to dump more money into defense spending and give “job creators” money taken from already poor and debt-ridden Americans. University of California-Berkeley 

Morning UPDATE: LISTEN TO DIANE RAVITCH 8-31-12 Diane Ravitch's blog

Diane Ravitch's blog:

Oops! StudentsFirst Honors Anti-Immigrant Legislator

by dianerav

According to Laura Clawon of the Daily Kos, StudentsFirst selected a Georgia legislator as its “reformer of the year.”
Unfortunately this gentleman is known as vehemently opposed to immigration, and StudentsFirst is now facing protests from immigrant groups.
At some point, people will figure out that Michelle Rhee claims to be a Democrat, but she is known among 

A Sure Cure for Low Test Scores: More Testing

by dianerav

Jonathan Pelto reports that Paul Vallas, the interim superintendent of Bridgeport, CT, has ordered that students there take three rounds of tests in addition to the Connecticut state tests.
This is indicative of a common fallacy among education reformers. They tend to think that the cure for low test scores is to take more tests. They think that the answer to low scores is to raise standards even higher.
By taking more tests, students will learn how important the tests are, they will get used to taking tests, they will be more ready for the next test. The problem with this reasoning is that testing is not teaching. Students are

Which Other Universities Are Cooking the Data?

by dianerav

Diana Senechal says that Emory is not likely the only university that fudged the data to raise its rankings in U.S. News & World Report.
I imagine Emory isn’t the only one that fabricated its data. There’s a lot of subtle fudging going on all over the place–and with subtle fudging comes not-so-subtle fudging.
What about all the colleges that boost their application rates so that they can appear more selective? That, too, is a way of fudging the numbers–and it’s widespread. A New York Times article from 2010 describes this 

High-Stakes Test for Higher Education

by dianerav

Most educators understand the negative effects of high-stakes testing.
They know that the dangers associated with putting pressure on teachers and principals to get ever higher scores year after year or face terrible sanctions, including loss of their job, their reputation, and their school.
They know that it leads to cheating, gaming the system, narrowing of the curriculum, and teaching to the test.
Now we see that something similar is happening to higher education. But it is happening because o

Our First Hero Superintendent

by dianerav

John Kuhn, superintendent of the Perrin-Whitt Independent School District in Texas,  is a hero superintendent. He has been a voice of reason and at the same time an exemplar of passion and courage since he burst onto the national stage a year ago at the national Save Our Schools rally in Washington, D.C. 
That is when many people discovered this fearless advocate for education and children.
He has said loud and clear that schools must serve the neediest children and raise them up, not avoid them for 

I Became a Teacher Because…

by dianerav

A reader responds to an earlier post:
I became a teacher because I love to learn. Leonard Bernstein said, “When I learn, I teach. When I teach, I learn.” This statement has always held true for me. Teaching is my third career. I worked with non-profits for 7 years, practiced law for 10 years, then entered teachingin my 40′s. I have been teaching for 16 years in an urban public school.
Do I love my students? As teacher1blog notes, this develops over time. I love exchanging 

Another Superintendent Takes a Stand

by dianerav

Here is another brave superintendent. 
Dr. Vickie Markavitch, the superintendent of the Oakland, Michigan, schools created a video to protest the state’s designation of so-called “focus” schools. She said this was part of a political agenda to mislabel and 

I Became a Teacher Because…

by dianerav

A reader responds to an earlier post:
As Augustine said, an unexamined life is not worth living.  My single attribute was the ability to defend others.  After nearly 16 years in special forces I found myself shot up one time too many.  I had too many broken bones to keep jumping out of aircraft. Too many psychotic violent people had come too close to killing me.  As I woke up in intensive care again I 

Cleveland Plan: Criticism and Response

by dianerav

A couple of weeks ago, I invited Stephen Dyer of Innovation Ohio to write a post explaining the Cleveland Plan.
He did that here.
I thought the post was fair, balanced, and informative.
Terry Ryan of the conservative Thomas B. Fordham Institute, based jointly in Dayton and Washington, D.C.,responded to Dyer and criticized me for printing the post.
When I visited Cleveland earlier this year to address the Cleveland City Club, what stuck me was that it is a sad, 

A Website You Should Watch

by dianerav

Julian Vasquez Heilig is an education researcher at the University of Texas who keeps close watch on the reform issues of the day. Here is his website: cloakinginequity.com
He wrote a withering critique of Teach for America in the New York Times, calling it “a glorified temp agency.”
He has conducted important research on Teach for America and KIPP that reviews their claims.
Equity in education is the focus of his research.
He is a rising star in the research community.

In This World Ranking, We Are #24

by dianerav

The Economist magazine has published a major international survey of early childhood education.
The survey establishes the importance of early childhood education, which is supported by extensive research.
It says:
“This Index assumes that all 
children, regardless of their background, 
legal status and ability to pay, have a right to 
affordable, quality preschool provision.”
Then, it ranks 45 nations by their provision of early childhood education.

Why Progressives Distrust KIPP and TFA

by dianerav

Michael Paul Goldenberg explains why progressives are suspicious of KIPP and TFA:
There are a couple of key issues that seem to arise (or sit just below the surface) in nearly every conversation about educational policy these days. No one who is critical of the school deform movement (in which I squarely place KIPP and TFA) thinks that because poverty is such a devastating factor that no one should try to create better schools with great teachers, and in other ways to improve education for the nearly 25% of American children living below the poverty line. It’s grossly unfair to suggest that in criticizing deformers, their motives, and their policies, Diane Ravitch and many others are saying, “Until poverty is addressed, do nothing about 

Mitt Romney Disagrees With Himself On Education In Republican Convention Speech

Mitt Romney Disagrees With Himself On Education In Republican Convention Speech:

Mitt Romney Disagrees With Himself On Education In Republican Convention Speech

by Joy Resmovits

One of the more awkward moments of Mitt Romney's speech Thursday night at the Republican National Convention came during the newly minted presidential candidate's question-and-answer session with the audience.

The audience followed Romney's script -- at least according to the campaign's version of the candidate's prepared text -- during the first two questions of the exchange:

"Does the America we want borrow a trillion dollars from China?" Romney asked. "No," the crowd cheered.

"Does it fail to find the jobs that are needed for 23 million people and for half the kids graduating from 

Brizard to be Rahm’s fall guy. CPS CEO to exit after a settlement is reached. « Fred Klonsky

Brizard to be Rahm’s fall guy. CPS CEO to exit after a settlement is reached. « Fred Klonsky:

Brizard to be Rahm’s fall guy. CPS CEO to exit after a settlement is reached.

by Fred Klonsky

As I reported a few weeks ago, CPS CEO JC Brizard appears to be on his way out.
Rahm is looking for a fall guy for the mess he created. Brizard will be the one.The Chicago Tribune reports this morning.

Two high-ranking education sources said Emanuel is unhappy with how Brizard executed the mayor’s signature education proposal for a longer school day and year. In addition, the Emanuel administration bristled at Brizard’s decision to 

Seattle Schools Community Forum: A Crossroads for PTA

Seattle Schools Community Forum: A Crossroads for PTA:

A Crossroads for PTA

by Melissa Westbrook

PTA used to be the wholesome, all-American group.  Parents and teachers united in schools across the country to create better communities of learning and fellowship for children and adults.

Now, I don't know what is happening.

First, the National PTA just revised its rules on charter schools.  It's astonishing and also troubling.   While their previous policy supported the idea of charters as long as they had parent engagement AND local oversight, the new policy (from Ed Week):

Friday Open Thread

by Charlie Mas

In our house there's a bit of a rush to complete summer assignments. School is starting VERY SOON.

What's on your mind?

Jeb Bush: How shopping for milk is like choosing a school - The Answer Sheet - The Washington Post

Jeb Bush: How shopping for milk is like choosing a school - The Answer Sheet - The Washington Post:

Jeb Bush: How shopping for milk is like choosing a school

By Valerie Strauss

Former Florida Gov. Jeb Bush said pretty much what you’d expect him to say about education reform at the GOP convention — schools are failing and teachers unions are bad — but you might not have expected
(BRENDAN SMIALOWSKI/AFP/GETTY IMAGES)this as his pitch for school choice:

Everywhere in our lives, we get the chance to choose. Go down any supermarket aisle - you’ll find an incredible selection of milk. You can get whole milk, 2% milk, low-fat milk or skim milk. Organic milk, and milk with extra Vitamin D. There’s flavored milk — chocolate, strawberry or vanilla — and it doesn’t even taste like milk. They even make milk for people who can’t drink milk. Shouldn’t parents have that kind of choice in 

Timmy and the Blue Whale Party.southbronxschool.com

http://www.southbronxschool.com:

Timmy and the Blue Whale Party

by noreply@blogger.com (Bronx Teacher)

Let's go back in time.

Back in the fall of 1985 I was a student at one of SUNY's finer institutions of learning. I was 21 at the time and the floor of my dorm was all guys. So one can imagine the debauchery and alcohol consumption was pretty nice.

I remember the first night well on that floor. We had a party in Henry and Abdul's room. Nothing much, just beer and about 20 guests. The only problem was, that at the time if you were serving alcohol in your room, the rule was there were to be no more than 8 people in the room. Unfortunately, we all got busted by Timmy the resident assistant on patrol that night.

We tried to plead our case to the resident director. We told him that 

All Education Matters: Romney's Republican Nomination Speech: Student Loans Will Be HOT Topic This Election Season

All Education Matters: Romney's Republican Nomination Speech: Student Loans Will Be HOT Topic This Election Season:

Romney's Republican Nomination Speech: Student Loans Will Be HOT Topic This Election Season

by Cryn Johannsen

This evening, Romney accepted the Republican nomination for President in Tampa, Florida. One thing is certain from reviewing pieces of his speech: student loans are going to be a huge issue this election season. 

At one point Romney said, "Every new college graduate thought they'd have a good job by now, a place of their own, and that they could start paying back some of their loans and build a future." 

Jersey Jazzman: Chris Matthews: A Fool On Education

Jersey Jazzman: Chris Matthews: A Fool On Education:

Chris Matthews: A Fool On Education

by Duke

Tonight, Chris Matthews revealed himself to be a total ignoramus on education. So much nonsense came out of his big, yellow head that I can't address it all in one post. But I won't be able to sleep tonight until I get this first thing on the record (no embeddable video yet; watch here):

"It is an amazing challenge down here in Florida, Rachel. I've never seen such diversity. The classroom I was in had 200 kids from all over the world: South Asia, Latin America, everywhere. An amazing challenge... 

"I think it's where the left and the right can agree - and Condi Rice certainly rang the bell last night,