Friday, September 28, 2012

by Jim Horn

On August 6 we posted on a corporate sweetheart deal to bilk the city of Camden, NJ out of untold millions to create a total compliance corporate school site in Camden. The plan included no analysis of how much money the local public schools would lose to KIPP and the hooligan charter operators from Philadelphia, but on Wednesday of this week, the local board said NO to the plan.

. . . . The effect of the new schools on the existing district factored into some board members' decisions Wednesday, they said.

Between $18 million to $22 million for each proposal would be diverted from the district in per-pupil costs, according to a quick estimate by the district business

Elections Have Consequences « Student Activism

Elections Have Consequences « Student Activism:

Elections Have Consequences

by Angus Johnston

I’m going back to writing about student stuff after this, I promise. Thanks for your patience.

• • •

On Twitter last night, my buddy Malcolm Harris declared that

The abortion rights argument for Obama is such a big red herring.
— Malcolm Harris (@BigMeanInternet) September 28, 2012

He went on to say that Roe v. Wade is showing no signs of getting overturned in the Supreme Court, and that Obama isn’t doing anything to expand on-the-ground access to abortion in states where there are few providers.
I pretty much agree with Malcolm’s subsequent tweets. The Republicans have had plenty of chances to put together a Supreme Court majority against Roe, and their continuing failure to do so has long looked more like a

Mother Crusader: We're The Real Parents And We Won't Back Down

Mother Crusader: We're The Real Parents And We Won't Back Down:

We're The Real Parents And We Won't Back Down

by darciecima

Cross posted from WHYY's NewsWorks

Yesterday marked the kick off of NBC’s third Education Nation, which is billed as a “year-round initiative to engage the country in a solutions-focused conversation about the state of education in America.” The day’s events included both a student and teacher Town Hall, and a panel discussion on “Parent Engagement & Advocacy.”

My ticket to the event came through the hard work of Leonie Haimson of Class Size Matters and Parents Across America. After parents were shut out of Education Nation in 2011, Leonie petitioned the network to give parents a voice. She was given a block of tickets for the parent panel and told there would be time for questions from the audience.

Although both the teacher and student town halls were two hours in length and had Q & A sessions, which according to attendees got quite lively at times, the parent panel had no Q & A, and out of 10 panelists, only two

Modern School: Rich Getting Richer, Still—Forbes 400’s Wealth Rose 13% in 2012

Modern School: Rich Getting Richer, Still—Forbes 400’s Wealth Rose 13% in 2012:

Rich Getting Richer, Still—Forbes 400’s Wealth Rose 13% in 2012

by Michael Dunn

The majority of Americans may still be suffering from declining wages, unemployment, speedups, downsizing, foreclosures and a drop in personal wealth, but the richest Americans had another banner year in 2012, with their net worth rising 13%. The richest 400 had an average net worth of $4.2 billion, according to Reuters. Together they had a cumulative net worth of $1.7 trillion. In stark contrast, the median net worth of the average American household dropped 40% between 2007 and 2010, according to the WSWS, while the net worth of those on the Forbes 400 list has grown 15-fold since 1982.

However, it was not all peaches and cream for the nation’s oligarchy. Poor Mark Zuckerberg saw his net worth cut in half, from $17 billion in 2011 to $9.4 billion in 2012, as a result of his

Reflections on NBC’s Education Nation Summit | LFA: Join The Conversation - Public School Insights

Reflections on NBC’s Education Nation Summit | LFA: Join The Conversation - Public School Insights:

Reflections on NBC’s Education Nation Summit

by Cheryl S. Williams

NBC is to be commended for its support of the third annualEducation Nation Summit, a gathering of leaders from government, education and business in New York City this week to consider the challenges and future outlook for America’s public education system. And, to be sure, included in this year’s event were a handful of case studies of real schools and districts that are successfully addressing challenging problems and finding solutions that support student growth and success. For me, the most impressive and knowledgeable presenters about public schooling, student achievement and local realities were the educators themselves, who displayed a thoughtful, articulate approach to their work and provided practical, solution-oriented initiatives that are proving successful in meeting the needs of an increasingly diverse student population.
So, the good news is that the Summit featured impressive public educators and education researchers who provided real world information and experience to the event. On the down side, too many of the program presenters were people famous in other walks of life whose contributions to the education conversation provided little value. This is not to say that former Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice doesn’t have a compelling personal story about
read more

Conrextual Accountablity

Conrextual Accountablity:

Contextual Accountability

September 26, 2012 By John Kuhn Comments (21)

Every school is a microcosm of the community it serves—that is, every school that serves any and all students in the neighborhood. Peaceful schools are nestled in peaceful environs. If there are drugs or violence in the streets, educators will contend with drugs and violence working their way into the school like crickets through unseen cracks. If there are racist or misogynistic attitudes in the homes, they will manifest themselves on campus. And so it goes. If there is materialism, superiority, entitlement, narcissism, coldness, anti-intellectualism, vanity, laziness, or greed ensconced in the hearts of the parents or grandparents or neighbors or pastors or businessmen or family friends who act out their human dialogues in the public space shared with students, then students will bring traces of those attitudes with them into class and the air will hang with secondhand dysfunction.

Educators spend entire careers—some without even realizing it—trying to accentuate and play off of students’ positive outside influences and minimize or at least sidestep their negative ones, just to prepare the groundwork so they can teach their content. Teaching doesn’t happen in a vacuum, an obvious fact which bears repeating only because it’s so common to hear people go on and on about teacher quality as the ultimate driver of student learning. Too many

Park Ridge’s Anthony Borelli and school finance. « Fred Klonsky

Park Ridge’s Anthony Borelli and school finance. « Fred Klonsky:

Park Ridge’s Anthony Borelli and school finance.

by Fred Klonsky

Park Ridge school board. Anthony Borelli, upper left.
Some of my old colleagues in Park Ridge sent me a copy of The Park Ridge Patch.
Good. ‘Cause I don’t normally subscribe.
Yesterday The Patch ran a story on the school board vote to approve the collective bargaining agreement between the board and the Park Ridge Education Association.
As I reported earlier, the vote was 5 to 2. Park Ridge podiatrist Anthony Borelli was one of the two no votes.

Board member Anthony Borrelli also voted no on the contract, citing rising taxes

Failed DC Chancellor Michelle Rhee: Chicago teachers strike underscores shift among Democrats - The Washington Post

Michelle Rhee: Chicago teachers strike underscores shift among Democrats - The Washington Post:

Chicago teachers strike underscores shift among Democrats

By Michelle Rhee, Published: September 27

IT IS A RULE: YOU CAN'T BE AGAINST PEOPLE AND FOR CORPORATIONS AND CALL YOURSELF A DEMOCRAT...EVER!

Michelle Rhee was chancellor of the D.C. public schools from 2007 to 2010. She is founder and chief executive of StudentsFirst, a national nonprofit education advocacy group based in Sacramento.

I’m a Democrat because I believe in the party’s basic principles, particularly the idea that we have to look after one another and stand up for those who need help. I believe in fighting for the civil rights of all Americans, especially children and those facing injustices. That’s why I was heartened to see Chicago Mayor Rahm Emanuel advocating for the rights of kids in his standoff with the Chicago Teachers Union. Although his stance made perfect sense to me, it surprised many political observers. After all, Emanuel is a favorite within the

What was Obama talking about on Education Nation? - The Answer Sheet - The Washington Post

What was Obama talking about on Education Nation? - The Answer Sheet - The Washington Post:

What was Obama talking about on Education Nation?

By Valerie Strauss

President Obama gave an interview to NBC News that was aired on Tuesday during the network’s Education Nation Summit in New York City. He said some things that raised eyebrows in certain circles.

You can read the complete transcript of the Obama interview here, and

(Steve Helber/AP)then the following critique by education historian Diane Ravitch which appeared on her blog:

By Diane Ravitch

First, the president acknowledged that he was not a very good student when he was in school. He said that he was “mediocre.” Several readers [of Ravitch’s blog] have asked: Does the president think that his teachers should have been fired because he didn’t try? Did he have bad teachers? Were they responsible for his poor

‘Won’t Back Down’: What actual film critics think - The Answer Sheet - The Washington Post

‘Won’t Back Down’: What actual film critics think - The Answer Sheet - The Washington Post:

‘Won’t Back Down’: What actual film critics think

By Valerie Strauss

It’s no surprise that critics of modern education reform — including the so-called “parent trigger” laws — would give bad reviews to “Won’t Back Down,” a Hollywood treatment of parents taking over a failed school starring Viola Davis and Maggie Gyllenhaal.

The movie, which tells the story of two mothers who work together to transform their children’s failing urban school, is a production of Walden Media, which is owned by Philip Anschutz, a billionaire entrepreneur and Christian conservative whose foundation supports a number of right-wing causes. It opens in theaters Friday.

The film’s message is that “parent trigger” laws that set out rules that allow parents to take over a public school are a good way to effect

Once castigated, Commission on Teacher Credentialing is praised | EdSource Today

Once castigated, Commission on Teacher Credentialing is praised | EdSource Today:

Once castigated, Commission on Teacher Credentialing is praised

September 28th, 2012 | Add a Comment |
By John Fensterwald

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Eighteen months ago, State Auditor Elaine Howle called the California Commission on Teacher Credentialing one of the “worst-run” agencies she had investigated in a comment to theSacramento Bee.

Howle had conducted a review at the Legislature’s request after reports surfaced that the Commission had been slow in investigating thousands of reports of arrest and prosecution against teachers – some involving criminal charges requiring automatic revocation of teaching credentials. There were also complaints of nepotism and employee intimidation. Several key administrators, including the executive director and chief counsel of the Commission, retired soon after.

Mary Sandy, executive director, Commission on Teacher Credentialing responds to the audit’s findings at a Commission meeting Thursday in Sacramento.

On Thursday, returning to the Commission to close the books on her audit, Howle praised the Commission and staff, singling out Executive Director Mary Sandy and Teri Clark, director of the criticized Professional Services Division, for the corrective actions they have taken in response to the audit. “Overall, I am here to commend you as commissioners and the staff. You have worked diligently.”

Howle’s office has released three updates since her scathing audit in April 2011 found that

New chancellor has strong support, tough job - by Kathryn Baron

by Kathryn Baron

The California Community Colleges Board of Governors unanimously named Dr. Brice Harris*, a longtime community college leader, as the 15th chancellor of the statewide higher education system. Just hours later he received an unexpected gift from Gov. Jerry Brown, who signed SB 1456, the Student Success Act of 2012, into law. The bill, by Senator Alan Lowenthal (D-Long Beach), seeks to improve..

State Board gets authority to pare back 8th grade math standards - by John Fensterwald

by John Fensterwald

Gov. Jerry Brown evidently agrees that California’s math standards should align more closely with the national Common Core standards. On Thursday, he signed SB 1200, which will allow the State Board to weed out the dozens of California state Algebra standards that were inserted two years ago with the adoption of Common Core as part of an ongoing, unresolved debate over what students should learn...

Common Core Standards Are a 'Heavy Lift' for Districts, Educators - US News and World Report

Common Core Standards Are a 'Heavy Lift' for Districts, Educators - US News and World Report:

Common Core Standards Are a 'Heavy Lift' for Districts, Educators

The new standards will change high school requirements, but turn out stronger graduates, advocates say.

By KELSEY SHEEHY

September 28, 2012 RSS Feed Print

New Common Core standards aim at helping high school students develop a deeper understanding of math and English.

New Common Core standards aim to help high school students develop a deeper understanding of math and English.

Implementing theCommon Core State Standards will be challenging—but not impossible—according to experts speaking in New York this week at the Education Nation summit, part of an NBC News initiative.

The new standards, adopted by 45 states and the District of Columbia, require English and math lessons to go more in-depthto teach students critical thinking and analytical skills, in order to develop students who are more prepared to succeed in

State reported inflated rate of teachers lacking credentials | California Watch

State reported inflated rate of teachers lacking credentials | California Watch:

State reported inflated rate of teachers lacking credentials

Joanna Lin

U.S. Census Bureau

The rate was startling: Nearly six in 10 teachers at California's lowest-performing schools were not properly credentialed for the classes they led. It's a rate California has worked to shrink for the past six years. It's also a rate that was wrong.
The percentage of teachers and other certificated staff lacking proper credentials was actually 29 percent, not the 58 percent the state reported for the 2005-06 school year. The revelation, sparked by errors in state data

One Teacher's Perspective: One Cent Makes $ense

One Teacher's Perspective: One Cent Makes $ense:

One Cent Makes $ense

by Imagine Wisconsin

Now that Paul Thomas, Anthony Cody, Diane Ravitch, and the others havereframed my thinking about school reform, it is time to begin practicing what these Social Context Reformers preach.

Consequently, I am excited to support A Penny For Kids legislation proposed by the Wisconsin Alliance for Excellent Schools (WAES). A one-cent sales tax for Wisconsin kids is vital and sensible. If passed, the sales tax will raise about $850 million annually to addressing the growing needs of Wisconsin’s children and schools hit hard by the recent state cuts.

This is not an end-around to bolster public teacher pay. In actuality, a Penny for Kids could bring some healing to our divided state. Pay clos

What is the SAT Good For? Absolutely Nothing | Alternet

What is the SAT Good For? Absolutely Nothing | Alternet:

What is the SAT Good For? Absolutely Nothing

The SAT is a metric that confirms privilege -- not academic achievement or academic readiness for college. So why do we insist on using it?

September 28, 2012 |

Photo Credit: Laurence Gough | Shutterstock.com

A certain Groundhog Day quality accompanies fall with the opening of schools and the inevitable release of SAT scores. While the Bill Murray comedy made light of the existential hell of a life lived like Sisyphus, the College Board's data dump each fall leaves little to provoke even a smile.

In 2000, David Grissmer confrontedthe publication and uses of SAT data:

"There is a unique issue in public policy

Broadie Tata Fired by Wake County School Board | Parents Across America

Broadie Tata Fired by Wake County School Board | Parents Across America:

Broadie Tata Fired by Wake County School Board

by pagrundy

On Tuesday, the Wake County Public School System (WCPSS) Board of Education (BOE) firedSuperintendent Anthony Tata, a Broad Superintendents Academy graduate. The firing of a local school superintendent wouldn’t usually be major national news, but in this instance, it is. It proves that at least some school systems will still resist significant influence by big money and market-based deformers when it is in the best interests of families, teachers and the community.

Here is a timeline of key events leading up to the hiring of Tata:

In December 2009, a newly elected, ultra-conservative majority seized control of the majority of seats on the BOE.

In February 2010, the superintendent at the time, Del Burns, announced he would resign effective June

NYC Educator: No Teaching for You!

NYC Educator: No Teaching for You!:

No Teaching for You!

by NYC Educator

by special guest blogger Suddenly ATR

The principal told me that she wanted me to cover a teacher's classes for two days. I was almost giddy with excitement, strange as that sounds, at the idea of being in a classroom again. "You teach in the same subject area! It will be perfect!" she said.

Today I approached the teacher for whom I'd be covering and asked her (I thought in a friendly manner) if she had any materials or instructions for the class. "What is it you want?" she asked.

"Well, you know, since I'm covering your classes, I want to know

COMMUNITY TO RESIST LAUSD MOVE TO RECONSTITUTE INNER CITY SCHOOLS - Perdaily.com

COMMUNITY TO RESIST LAUSD MOVE TO RECONSTITUTE INNER CITY SCHOOLS - Perdaily.com:

COMMUNITY TO RESIST LAUSD MOVE TO RECONSTITUTE INNER CITY SCHOOLS

by Leonard Isenberg

(Mensaje se repite en Español)

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

Last night community members from Dorsey and Crenshaw High Schools got together in the Dorsey gymnasium to organize resistance to the planned imminent reconstitution of their schools by Los Angeles Unified School District (LAUSD) Superintendent John Deasy. Deasy plans to reconstitute Dorsey,

Louisiana Educator: Harmful Salary Schedule Mandate

Louisiana Educator: Harmful Salary Schedule Mandate:

Harmful Salary Schedule Mandate

by Michael Deshotels

Just as teachers and principals begin grappling with the new Value Added Model of teacher evaluation, school boards will be forced by law to develop possibly radical new salary schedules for teachers in all our public school systems. This is another classic case of an effort by those outside the education business to force the practitioners to adopt a solution to a problem that does not exist! School boards according to a provision in Jindal's and ALEC's Act 1 must revise their local teacher salary schedules to add a performance or merit pay component. According to the new law, the revised salary schedules should consider (1) effectiveness as measured by the new evaluation system, (2) job demand/area of certification, and (3) experience, yet no one factor of the three may account for more than 50% of the final formula. This means that results of the new teacher evaluations using VAM data may affect teacher's salaries as a form of merit pay. At the same time some teachers (10% of those evaluated using VAM) will find their salaries frozen based on the new evaluation.

Act I also requires that an new teacher layoff priority list be created for 2013-14 with the teachers that are rated

Pass / Fail : Large federal grants push use of student test scores to grade teachers | 89.3 KPCC

Pass / Fail : Large federal grants push use of student test scores to grade teachers | 89.3 KPCC:

Large federal grants push use of student test scores to grade teachers

by By Adolfo Guzman-Lopez

The move to factor student test scores into teacher job evaluations in L.A. Unified got a big push Thursday. It came in the form of multi-million dollar grants from the US Department of Education.
The federal agency will give L.A. Unified $16 million to start new teacher and principal training, identify and promote expert educators, and create teacher and principal evaluationa that include multiple measures that include student progress on standardized tests.
Executive Director of L.A. Unified’s Talent and Management division, Drew Furedi, wrote the grant proposal.
“As a former teacher, it was important to me to see how my students were progressing,” he said.
There’s one big roadblock to L.A. Unified’s proposal: its teachers union. United Teachers Los Angeles has opposed using student test scores to grade teachers, saying too many factors beyond their control can affect