Saturday coffee. « Fred Klonsky

Saturday coffee. « Fred Klonsky:

Saturday coffee.

by Fred Klonsky

Ten minute drawing. Elected school board.

by Fred Klonsky

Click on drawing to enlarge.

John Dillon discusses Executive Director Richard Ingram. Is Ingram a victim of Stockholm Syndrome?
We are one hour earlier here across the Lake. So my radio interview on WCPT (“Chicago’s Progressive Talk”) that was scheduled for 7AM was 8AM for me.
Shower. Made some coffee I took care of Ulysses. Let him out for his morning piss. Fed him. I had to delay his morning walk until after the radio show.
I was only on for less than ten minutes. The host asked a question about the Constitutional Amendment that will be on the November 6th ballot, and I was off. Non-stop. I talked about the pension protection clause of the Illinois 

The in box. IEA Communication’s Denise Ward clarifies In The News.

Fred Klonsky at Fred Klonsky - 16 hours ago

Mr. Klonsky, It’s my understanding that in a post on your blog yesterday you mentioned In the News, and the omission of IFT President Dan Montgomery’s statement regarding Richard Ingram. I’d like to offer a brief clarification for your reference. As the administrative assistant in Communications, it is my responsibility to compile news items daily, [...]

Up early on Saturdays? I’m on WCPT progressive radio tomorrow morning. 820AM at 7AM.

Fred Klonsky at Fred Klonsky - 17 hours ago

I’ll be talking about the Constitutional Amendment and pension issues with Bill Turck on WCPT, progressive radio in Chicago. But you have to get up at 7AM to hear the show.

TRS response to IFT President’s call for Ingram to resign.

Fred Klonsky at Fred Klonsky - 18 hours ago

I was sent an email forwarded from TRS board of trustees member Bob Lyons: To all: This afternoon Dan Montgomery, president of the Illinois Federation of Teachers, emailed a statement to the media calling on Dick Ingram to resign as executive director TRS. The statement was also posted on the IFT website. The text is [...]

Ten minute drawing. JC Brizard.

Fred Klonsky at Fred Klonsky - 23 hours ago

The voters don’t like Quinn and Madigan or Emanuel. All approaching Blago approval levels.

Fred Klonsky at Fred Klonsky - 1 day ago

Democratic Party Chairman and House Speaker Michael Madigan prefers to keep a low public profile. But to know him is not to love him, according to the latest Chicago Tribune polls. He has a 16% approval rating state-wide. That’s about the level of support that Governor Blagojevich had when he was indicted and impeached. Governor [...]

IEA leadership stands by their silence in the face of membership outrage.

Fred Klonsky at Fred Klonsky - 1 day ago

Late this afternoon the IEA leadership posted the following on Charlie McBarron’s website: IEA statement on controversy over TRS director’s comments October 11, 2012 By IEA Communications Statement from the Illinois Education Association October 11, 2012 Members and leaders of the Illinois Education Association were disappointed and angered by the comments executive director Ingram made to Crain’s Chicago [...]

The in box. League of Women Voters. No on the Illinois Constitutional Amendment.

Fred Klonsky at Fred Klonsky - 1 day ago

The League of Women Voters of Illinois (LWVIL) Opposes HJRCA 49 The Constitutional Amendment Referendum on the November 6 Ballot After reviewing the General Assembly’s proposal, relevant League positions and precedents, and researching supporting documentation, League of Women Voters of Illinois Board of Directors has decided to oppose HJRCA 49, the Constitutional Amendment referendum proposal [...]

It’s Charlie’s website.

Fred Klonsky at Fred Klonsky - 1 day ago

A couple of years ago I complained to IEA Communications Director Charlie McBarron about the IEA’s website linking to a faux news item attacking the Michigan Education Association. The item was planted by the Mackinac Center, a right-wing anti-union policy think tank associated with the Michigan Tea Party, the Education Action Group and the Koch [...]

IFT Prez Montgomery calls for Ingram’s resignation. IEA remains silent.

Fred Klonsky at Fred Klonsky - 1 day ago

Dan Montgomery, President of the Illinois Federation of Teachers, has called for TRS Director Richard Ingram to resign. “When the fox is guarding the hen house, it is the fox that must go,” said Montgomery in a statement posted today on the IFT website. Illinois Education Association President Cinda Klickna, who also sits on the [...]

The in box. Mayor Emanuel. It has always been a revenue problem.

Fred Klonsky at Fred Klonsky - 1 day ago

I am tired of listening to talk-show hosts and their distinguished guests that omit the most significant facts about public pension plans in Illinois. First, anyone who talks about budget deficits should begin with these statements: The public pension systems were not and are still not the blame for the State of Illinois’ budget deficits. [...]

Ten minute drawing. Rahm solves the pension problem the Chicago way.

Fred Klonsky at Fred Klonsky - 2 days ago

Click on drawing to enlarge.

Evergreen Park teacher strike. Starting second week.

Fred Klonsky at Fred Klonsky - 2 days ago

Teachers in Evergreen Park, members of the IFT, will start their second week on strike this morning. Talks broke off at 2:30 this morning. Issues are salary and benefits. The district is running a major budget surplus. Evergreen Park is a working class community just southwest of the City of Chicago. Several other Illinois school [...]

The in box. Defending the pension provision.

Fred Klonsky at Fred Klonsky - 2 days ago

Fred, If the Constitutional Admendment passes it will certainly hurt everyone in many ways. I do believe. however, if they try to change the Cola provision of the penison plan, based upon the Admendment to the Constitution it will go to court and the final outcome will be a status quo for the Cola provision. [...]

Corporate reform under the radar in Illinois. And the return of Paul Vallas.

Fred Klonsky at Fred Klonsky - 2 days ago

Rod Blagojevich, Roland Burris and Paul Vallas back in the good old days. Jim Broadway, who publishes the always informative Illinois Policy School Updates, brings to our attention the latest in Illinois’ trail of corporate reform: First, the Performance Evaluation Reform Act (PERA) – drafted by a committee headed by IEA Executive Director Audrey Soglin. [...]

The right-wing anti-union Illinois Policy Institute plays the Chicago press like a cheap piano.

Fred Klonsky at Fred Klonsky - 3 days ago

IPI CEO John Tillman. President of the village of Golf, Illinois and go-to guy for Chicago reporters. The Illinois Policy Institute is a right-wing anti-union front group for the Illinois Republican Party Tea Party branch, parading as a think tank. During the Chicago teachers strike you couldn’t turn on your television without seeing the guy [...]

Town Hall meeting for an elected school board.

Fred Klonsky at Fred Klonsky - 3 days ago

200 (Now 327) precincts in Chicago get to vote for an elected school board.

Fred Klonsky at Fred Klonsky - 3 days ago

Last June hundreds of activists knocked on doors and gathered enough signatures to put an advisory referendum on the November 6th ballot for an elected school board. Here we are on a hot day in Logan Square. Only the Illinois legislature can give the people of Chicago our right to elect our own school board. [...]

Ten minute drawing. Vote no on the Illinois Constitutional Amendment.

Fred Klonsky at Fred Klonsky - 4 days ago

The in box. Reasons to vote no on the Illinois Constitutional Amendment.

Fred Klonsky at Fred Klonsky - 4 days ago

On the November Ballot, Illinois voters will be asked if they believe the Illinois Constitution should be amended to require a three-fifths majority vote in order to increase a benefit under any public pension or retirement system. Please vote NO on the proposed Constitutional Amendment (HJRCA 49). This Constitutional Amendment would also require that any local collectively-bargained agreement be [...]

TRS board member Bob Lyons and I exchange views responding to Richard Ingram.

Fred Klonsky at Fred Klonsky - 4 days ago

Fred, Not knowing if you saw my email from last Thursday I include it here, Cinda sent something out as President of the IEA, but the TRS Board will be silent up until we hold our meeting in a little more than two weeks. Fred, no member of a public board can speak for the [...]

Ten minute drawing. Columbus Day.

Fred Klonsky at Fred Klonsky - 5 days ago

Click on drawing to enlarge.

Constitutional amendment 49 is 700 dirty little words. You only need to know one: No.

Fred Klonsky at Fred Klonsky - 5 days ago

Constitutional Amendment 49 follows the logic of the Big Bird Rule. Seven hundred words. That’s about how long Constitutional Amendment 49 is that will be on the ballot November 6th. But if passed, those words may supersede the words in Article XIII, Section 5 of the Illinois Constitution which contains the clause prohibiting state pension [...]

An interesting TRS board meeting on October 24th.

Fred Klonsky at Fred Klonsky - 5 days ago

Illinois Teacher Retirement System members who have followed the antics of TRS Executive Director Richard Ingram have been concerned since his interview with Crain’s last week. Ingram, who was hired to manage the system, has been confused about his role and now sees himself as representing the financial interests of the Civic Committee instead of [...]

The Sunday Mail.

Fred Klonsky at Fred Klonsky - 5 days ago

This monument to Civil Rights hero Fannie Lou Hamer was unveiled this week in her hometown of Rueville, Mississippi. Glen Brown reprints this column by Jim Dey on the Constitutional Amendment you will find on the Illinois ballot November 6th. “Just because you’re paranoid, doesn’t mean they’re not out to get you.” Vote no. Xian [...]

The in box. Jon Bauman, former TRS Director comments.

Fred Klonsky at Fred Klonsky - 6 days ago

Fred, At the outset, I would like to send my thanks and compliments to you on a very informative and thought-provoking blog. I recently stumbled across your site via Capitol Fax. The wise man that tought me about PR and “messaging” often said “Short statements convey powerful messages.” For example, TRS’ Statement of Purpose-Retirement Security [...]

Participate in and help spread the word about Diane Ravitch’s October 17 Campaign for Our Public Schools!

Fred Klonsky at Fred Klonsky - 6 days ago

From Diane Ravitch’s blog: Please write your thoughts about what needs to change in federal education policy and send a letter to President Obama by that date. You can write it now and follow instructions here. Anthony Cody, experienced middle school science teacher and fabulous blogger, has offered to coordinate our campaign to write President [...]

A couple of things about TRS Director Richard Ingram.

Fred Klonsky at Fred Klonsky - 6 days ago

Today the IEA website functions as a spin doctor for TRS Director Richard Ingram. Ingram, you recall, went rogue this week in an interview with Crain’s. He called for an end to cost of living adjustments (COLA) for TRS retirees. TRS members were outraged. Ingram was hired by the TRS board of trustees to manage [...]

Saturday coffee.

Fred Klonsky at Fred Klonsky - 6 days ago

I’m nursing a cold. When I first started teaching back in ’84 I would get a cold the first week in October. Catching a cold is totally typical for teachers, or anyone who comes in contact with lots of people. Colds are contagious. It is even more common for me because I was an Art [...]

Schools Matter: The Meducation Letters

Schools Matter: The Meducation Letters:

The Meducation Letters

by skrashen

Both letters published in the NY Times about “meducation” (Stephen Colbert’s term) missed the point:

Here is a little of the original article, the two letters that were published, and the three that were not published:

The article (introduction only):
By ALAN SCHWARZ
CANTON, Ga. — When Dr. Michael Anderson hears about his low-income patients struggling in elementary school, he usually gives them a taste of some powerful medicine: Adderall.
The pills boost focus and impulse control in children with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder. Although A.D.H.D is the diagnosis Dr. Anderson makes, he calls the disorder “made up” and “an excuse” to prescribe the pills to treat what he considers the children’s true ill — poor academic performance in inadequate schools. 

Missouri Education Watchdog: Do You Understand the Math Your Children are Learning?

Missouri Education Watchdog: Do You Understand the Math Your Children are Learning?:

Do You Understand the Math Your Children are Learning?

by stlgretchen

How can a student "think like a mathematician" if the student doesn't understand mathematical facts?

Barry Garelick writes in The Atlantic about math reform and the need for a revolution in how it's taught in public education classrooms.  From It's Not Just Writing: Math Needs a Revolution, Too:

I first became aware of it (mathematics education) over 10 years ago when I saw what passed for math instruction in my daughter's second grade class. I was concerned that she 

Bullied Teen Commits Suicide, Leaves Behind Heartbreaking Video | toteachornototeach

Bullied Teen Commits Suicide, Leaves Behind Heartbreaking Video | toteachornototeach:

Bullied Teen Commits Suicide, Leaves Behind Heartbreaking Video

by aristotlethewise

Bullied Teen Commits Suicide, Leaves Behind Heartbreaking Video

A Canadian teen who posted a video to YouTube detailing her heart-wrenching story of being mercilessly bullied took her own life Wednesday night. Amanda Todd’s body was discovered in Port Coquitlam, British Columbia, where she lived. She would have turned 16 next month.
Police are investigating the teen’s death.
Todd uploaded the nearly nine-minute video to YouTube last month. Using cue cards, she documented the torment and cruelty that followed her online and in school, despite moving and switching schools several times

Best Practices Make Purrfect | EduShyster

Best Practices Make Purrfect | EduShyster:

Best Practices Make Purrfect

by edushyster2012

Charter schools and kittens are both purrfect and have many best practices which they can be encouraged to share with the appropriate material incentives.

The subject of today’s EduShyster lesson is best practices. Which means that if you are a traditional, “low-expectations” teacher, this subject will hold no interest for you. (I happen to have it on excellent authority that your 600 page iron clad union contracts expressly ban best practices from school grounds). I invite you to check back in when we return to a more appropriate topic:  how to turn empty wine boxes into classroom holiday decorations. See you then!
Anyway, back to best practices. Do you ever read a story about a charter school that is 100 times more innovative and has like 1000 times more best practices than its sad failing public counterpart? Because EduShyster is among the handful of remaining people who still subscribe to the Boston Globe (I kick it old 

Ed Notes Online: MORE/CTS/Parent Voices Members Featured in NY Times Article on Testing

Ed Notes Online: MORE/CTS/Parent Voices Members Featured in NY Times Article on Testing:

MORE/CTS/Parent Voices Members Featured in NY Times Article on Testing

by ed notes online

“I want my school to use tests to help instruction, to help find out if kids don’t know fractions,” she said. “I don’t want my child to feel like her score will decide if her teacher has a job or not. -- NY Times article

Excellent NYT article on growing opt-out movement here in NYC where two groups, Change the Stakes (an outgrowth of GEM's testing committee that has taken on a life of its own) and Parent Voices are featured.

The Battle of New Orleans: Support Karran Harper Royal

by ed notes online

New Orleans is ground zero in the war to privatize education. Remember Arne Duncan's "The best thing to happen to NO was hurricane Katrina."

I just sent Karran a hundred bucks after Diane's plea (below). Just watch this video of Karran I shot at SOS this past summer and you'll know why. Karran is part of a network of amazing parents associated with Parents Across America, which Leonie Haimson helped get going.

(By the way, Leonie is coming out to Rockaway this Monday to speak at the CEC 27 event. I will be there to tape it.)

Popout 

Parents Sue SUNY Over Charter Authorization

by ed notes online

We are suing SUNY Charter School authorizers and the NYC DOE! The deadline to sign on to the lawsuit is SUNDAY! Please email williamsburggreenpointschools@gmail.com to get a copy of the Retainer form.

Here's the info:

WAGPOPS! parents are officially launching a lawsuit against the NYC DOE and SUNY regarding their approval of Citizens of the World Charter Schools for District 14 (Williamsburg, Greenpoint, parts of Bushwick and Bed Stuy). WAGPOPS! (Williamsburg and Greenpoint Parents: Our Public 

UFT Calls ATR Meetings in Response to Independent Organizing

by ed notes online

---interesting how the UFT ATR meetings were announced the very day that atr's were having their own meeting!  Very interesting in deed! --- a NYC ATR

As ususal, the UFT only responds when signs of revolt are brewing see  NEST+M Teachers Meet With Mulgrew).

Here is the announcement of the ATR meeting this past Weds.
       ATRs Meet Wed. Oct 10 5pm - Inform Atrs in your schools...

The UFT is a demilitarized zone where any signs of attempted militancy are buried.

Seminal Myths of Public School “Reform” | The G Bitch Spot

Seminal Myths of Public School “Reform” | The G Bitch Spot:

Seminal Myths of Public School “Reform”

by G Bitch

Why education reform may be doomed. Salon, 10/13/12.

Some of my teachers were superb, some not so, but with backgrounds like ours, Klein and I would probably have succeeded no matter what shortcomings our schools might have had.

The major one, that neither race nor class nor disability “matter” if the teacher is “of high quality,” is anti-reality. Race matters. It only seems to “not matter” to those who ignore the privilege of whiteness, a privilege that may give you a step up or at least make a solid step to stand on, unlike others who because of a lack of white maleness have stairs that disappear into the floor like the bottom of an escalator.
A problem with, and convenience of, these myths is how poorly and dangerously they oversimplify system A or 

Can Superintendents Raise Test Scores? | Larry Cuban on School Reform and Classroom Practice

Can Superintendents Raise Test Scores? | Larry Cuban on School Reform and Classroom Practice:

Can Superintendents Raise Test Scores?

by larrycuban

John Deasy, who was appointed superintendent of the 672,000-student Los Angeles district in January, will be evaluated … on improvement in the graduation rate, student proficiency and attendance. But he also has the opportunity to earn up to $30,000 in bonuses if the district sees an 8 or more percentage point increase in 3rd-grade scores on the state’s reading test, the percentage of students scoring proficient or advanced in 9th-grade algebra, and the four-year-graduation rate….
Jean-Claude Brizard, the chief executive officer of the 409,000-student Chicago schools, will be evaluated on such performance measures as: increasing the percentage of high schoolers who graduate within five years from 55.8 to 60 percent; improving from 27 to 35 percent the share of high schoolers who earn at least a 20 out of 36 on the ACT college entrance exam, and increasing the percentage of students passing the state standardized 

It’s True: The FBI Urged Martin Luther King to Commit Suicide « Student Activism

It’s True: The FBI Urged Martin Luther King to Commit Suicide « Student Activism:

It’s True: The FBI Urged Martin Luther King to Commit Suicide

by Angus Johnston

Earlier this morning, the UberFacts Twitter account posted the following tweet:

A letter was discovered in which the FBI urged Martin Luther King to commit suicide.
— UberFacts (@UberFacts) October 13, 2012

I learned about it a little while later because of a weird spike in my traffic — though the story is well documented and has appeared in a number of scholarly works it’s not particularly well known, and a post that I wrote about itearlier this year happens to show up near the top of Google’s searches for various phrases relating to it.
Anyway, like I say, it’s true. The FBI, under the direction of J. Edgar Hoover’s top deputy, sent Martin Luther