Latest News and Comment from Education

Saturday, October 13, 2012

Big Education Ape Nite Cap 10-13-12 #SOSCHAT #EDCHAT #P2


James Baldwin said it best: 

"For these are all our children, and we will profit by or pay for whatever they become."

A BIG EDUCATION APE NITE CAP



Diane in the Evening 10-13-12 Diane Ravitch's blog

coopmike48 at Big Education Ape - 4 minutes ago
Diane Ravitch's blog: HOW TO JOIN THE CAMPAIGN FOR OUR PUBLIC SCHOOLS by dianerav As a result of many comments on this blog, and in response to a great yearning to raise our voices, many teachers, parents, students, administrators and concerned citizens plan to join together in a mass letter-writing campaign to the President. We want all letters submitted here to this blog or to Anthony Cody no later than October 17. You may write to the White House directly, and the mail address is in the instructions link. But if you do, you will be required to disclose your identity in full... more »

Testing resistance heating up in Chicago Parents United for Responsible Education

coopmike48 at Big Education Ape - 16 minutes ago
Parents United for Responsible Education » Blog Archive » Testing resistance heating up in Chicago: Testing resistance heating up in Chicago by admin FairTest’s Monty Neill, the undisputed leader of the national testing resistance movement, will be in Chicago on Friday, November 2, for a citywide strategy session on fighting Chicago’s standardized testing insanity, and a public forum on testing issues at 7 pm at Xavier University. Anti-testing fever has been heating up ever since the CTU strike, where the issue of excessive and unfair testing and test-based “accountability” as forc... more »

How Can One Teacher be Both the Best and the Worst? A Letter to President Obama - Living in Dialogue - Education Week Teacher

coopmike48 at Big Education Ape - 17 minutes ago
How Can One Teacher be Both the Best and the Worst? A Letter to President Obama - Living in Dialogue - Education Week Teacher: How Can One Teacher be Both the Best and the Worst? A Letter to President Obama by Anthony Cody Follow me on Twitter at @AnthonyCody I have volunteered to help Diane Ravitch collect and organize letters for the Campaign for our Public Schools, which will culminate on Thursday, October 17. All the letters collected by then will be sent to the White House and to the Department of Education. Instructions on how to send a letter are at the bottom of this post... more »

North Atlanta drama continues. Parents now alarmed over teacher resignation. | Get Schooled

coopmike48 at Big Education Ape - 2 hours ago
North Atlanta drama continues. Parents now alarmed over teacher resignation. | Get Schooled: North Atlanta drama continues. Parents now alarmed over teacher resignation. by Maureen Downey I am getting copied on emails between parents at North Atlanta High School and APS, and it doesn’t sound like detente has been reached over the purge of the school’s leadership team a week ago. I am also getting calls now on the resignation of an English/journalism teacher whose hiring created tensions between principal Mark MyGrant and APS, although it remains unclear why. The resignation of Amy ... more »

School Tech Connect: Relentless Spin

coopmike48 at Big Education Ape - 2 hours ago
School Tech Connect: Relentless Spin: Relentless Spin by noreply@blogger.com (Tim Furman) Interesting. I covered Brizard’s tenure extensively. He engaged in gross misrepresentations of data and sometimes outright lied. He made promises he didn’t keep. He did one thing while saying another. But I was the only one holding him accountable. The business and political establishment loved the guy. The rest of the media in Rochester, particularly the *Democrat and Chronicle,* did not question the superintendent. (Around the country, the media has been slow to challenge the

On Both Sides of the Border, Teachers Fight Corporatization | MyFDL

coopmike48 at Big Education Ape - 4 hours ago
On Both Sides of the Border, Teachers Fight Corporatization | MyFDL: On Both Sides of the Border, Teachers Fight Corporatization by Michelle Chen The Coordinadora Nacional de Trabajadores de la Educación has been fighting for greater respect for Mexican teachers, often against the country's teachers union itself. (Saúl Arroyo Morales / CNTE) Last month, the success of the Chicago teachers’ strike forced the mainstream media to present a rare picture of public school teachers: as organized, defiant and victorious. But prior to the Chicago teachers winning a major deal, there was no s... more »

Karran Royal Thanks You–and Me « Diane Ravitch's blog

coopmike48 at Big Education Ape - 4 hours ago
Karran Royal Thanks You–and Me « Diane Ravitch's blog: *http://karran4kids.com/ * Karran Royal Thanks You–and Me by dianerav Yesterday I urged you to send donations to help Karran Harper Royal in her campaign to win a seat on the New Orleans school board. Karran faces an uphill battle against the leader of the charter sector in New Orleans, who has received $110,000 from the supporters of privatization. I sent her $100 via Paypal. Others sent whatever they could: $5, $10, $20, $50, or more. If 1,000 people who read this post each sent Karran $10, we could match the campaign fund of th... more »

Seattle Schools Community Forum: Education News Roundup

coopmike48 at Big Education Ape - 6 hours ago
Seattle Schools Community Forum: Education News Roundup: Education News Roundup by Melissa Westbrook Well, look who's opting out of standardized tests? Parents in NYC. It's detailed here from the NY Times. *Ms. Chajet is one of a small but growing number of parent activists in New York City opposed to the system’s emphasis on high-stakes testing. Many of them took part in a boycott of the field tests in June, when parents at 47 public elementary and middle schools of the 1,029 tested had their children sit them out. In their eyes, it was a win-win situation: Children who skip... more »

Karran For Kids | Karran Harper Royal OPSB District 3

coopmike48 at Big Education Ape - 7 hours ago
Karran For Kids | Karran Harper Royal OPSB District 3: Karran Harper Royal kickoffs school board campaign By Mason Harrison Longtime education advocate Karran Harper Royal officially kicked off her campaign Thursday evening for the Orleans Parish School Board’s District 3 seat that encompasses parts of Gentilly, Mid-City, Lakeview and the City Park area. During a kick-off event at the Community Book Center, Harper Royal fashioned her campaign a movement to “redefine reform” in the Orleans Parish school system as the debate over how to best overhaul schools in the area continues. H... more »

Engaging Parents In School… » All Of My “Best” Lists On Parent Engagement

coopmike48 at Big Education Ape - 7 hours ago
Engaging Parents In School… » All Of My “Best” Lists On Parent Engagement: All Of My “Best” Lists On Parent Engagement by Larry Ferlazzo I thought readers might find it helpful for me to again post links to all my “The Best” lists related to parent engagement: The Best Ideas On How Parents Can Help Their Kids Succeed Academically “The Best Research Available On Parent Engagement” The Best Reasons Why Parents Should Be Looked At As Allies & Not Targets Of Blame The Best Overviews Of Parent Engagement My Best Posts, Articles & Interviews On Parent Engagement The Best Resources On Parent...more »

US charter schools: Investment magnet for visa-needy foreigners? - CSMonitor.com

coopmike48 at Big Education Ape - 7 hours ago
US charter schools: Investment magnet for visa-needy foreigners? - CSMonitor.com: US charter schools: Investment magnet for visa-needy foreigners? Cash-starved charter schools meet cash-flush Chinese, Pakistani, and other foreigners looking for US investments that will get them a visa. By Stephanie Simon, Reuters / October 12, 2012 - Charter school supporters protest budget cuts, 4,500 rally for Ohio Public Charter Schools at the State Capitol in Columbus, May 13, 2009. PRNewsFoto/My School, My Choice Enlarge [image: Charter Schools - Dividing Communities since 1991] It's been ... more »

El Paso Rattled by Scandal of ‘Disappeared’ Students - NYTimes.com

coopmike48 at Big Education Ape - 7 hours ago
El Paso Rattled by Scandal of ‘Disappeared’ Students - NYTimes.com: El Paso Schools Are Rattled by Scandal of Students Who ‘Disappeared’ at Test TimeBy MANNY FERNANDEZPublished: October 13, 2012 - FACEBOOK - TWITTER - GOOGLE+ - E-MAIL - SHARE - PRINT - SINGLE PAGE - REPRINTS - EL PASO — It sounded at first like a familiar story: school administrators, seeking to meet state and federal standards, fraudulently raised students’ scores on crucial exams. Enlarge This Image Juan Carlos Llorca/Associated Press Roger Avalos, a former El Paso student, with his mot... more »

Why yes Virginia, things can always get worse: Board of Regents Hire Phil Austin - Wait, What?

coopmike48 at Big Education Ape - 7 hours ago
Why yes Virginia, things can always get worse: Board of Regents Hire Phil Austin - Wait, What?: Why yes Virginia, things can always get worse: Board of Regents Hire Phil Austin by jonpelto When I read the Courant news update, I started to laugh….but it soon turned into hysterical howling; The Courant wrote; “At an emergency meeting Friday afternoon, the board of regents sought to restore its image and some order, voting to hire former University of Connecticut President Philip E. Austin on an interim basis and appointing a committee to research the issues that led to Kennedy’s res... more »

LISTEN TO DIANE RAVITCH 10-13-12 Diane Ravitch's blog

coopmike48 at Big Education Ape - 9 hours ago
Diane Ravitch's blog: *LISTEN TO DIANE RAVITCH 10-13-12 Diane Ravitch's blog* A State Board Member Joins the Honor Roll by dianerav Carolyn Hill ran for a seat on the Louisiana state education board as a reformer. But after she assumed office, she realized that “reform” was intended to privatize the public schools, not improve them. For having the wisdom and courage to see beyond the rhetoric; for speaking out and acting on behalf of children and educators, Carolyn Hill joins our honor roll as a hero of public education. Commentary: In Louisiana, trickery is disguised as school r... more »

Saturday coffee. « Fred Klonsky

coopmike48 at Big Education Ape - 9 hours ago
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 tha... more »

Schools Matter: The Meducation Letters

coopmike48 at Big Education Ape - 9 hours ago
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 attenti... more »

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

coopmike48 at Big Education Ape - 9 hours ago
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 sec... more »

Bullied Teen Commits Suicide, Leaves Behind Heartbreaking Video | toteachornototeach

coopmike48 at Big Education Ape - 9 hours ago
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 vi... more »

Best Practices Make Purrfect | EduShyster

coopmike48 at Big Education Ape - 9 hours ago
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 i... more »

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

coopmike48 at Big Education Ape - 9 hours ago
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 Paren... more »

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

coopmike48 at Big Education Ape - 9 hours ago
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 ... more »

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

coopmike48 at Big Education Ape - 9 hours ago
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-gr... more »

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

coopmike48 at Big Education Ape - 9 hours ago
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 ... more »

Top Content this Week - 10-13-12 The Educator's PLN

coopmike48 at Big Education Ape - 10 hours ago
Top Content this Week - The Educator's PLN: 1[image: How has technology in your classroom impact student learning and achievement?]How has technology in your classroom impact student learning and achievement? Posted by David Petrick on October 3, 2012 2[image: PD: How do educators get to know what they don’t know?]PD: How do educators get to know what they don’t know? Added by Thomas Whitby on October 9, 2012 3[image: Educational Psychology: 20 Things Educators Need to Know About How Students Learn]Educational Psychology: 20 Things Educators Need to Know About How Students Learn Ad... more »

4LAKids - some of the news that doesn't fit 10-13-12

coopmike48 at Big Education Ape - 10 hours ago
*4LAKids - some of the news that doesn't fit:* *4LAKids - some of the news that doesn't fit* CHICAGO SCHOOLS CHIEF STEPS DOWN AFTER 17 MONTHS THAT ENDED WITH TEACHER STRIKE smf at 4LAKids - some of the news that doesn't fit - 10 hours ago ALSO SEE: Another Broadie Fails+Falls: BRIZARD OUT IN CHICAGO |http://bit.ly/WYNePM By STEVEN YACCINO, New York Times |http://nyti.ms/RE8xms October 13, 2012 | CHICAGO:: Just three weeks after a teacher strike here that kept 350,000 children from their classrooms, the head of the city’s public schools system has chosen to step down, Mayor ... more »

This Week's Education Research Report 10-13-12 #SOSCHAT #EDCHAT #P2

coopmike48 at Big Education Ape - 10 hours ago
Education Research Report: *THIS WEEK'S EDUCATION RESEARCH REPORT* * * The Marshmallow Study revisited Jonathan Kantrowitz at Education Research Report - 1 day ago * Delaying gratification depends as much on nurture as on nature* For the past four decades, the "marshmallow test" has served as a classic experimental measure of children's self-control: will a preschooler eat one of the fluffy white confections now or hold out for two later? Now a new study demonstrates that being able to delay gratification is influenced as much by the environment as by innate ability. Children who ex... more »

Larry Ferlazzo’s Websites of the Day… 10-13-12 …For Teaching ELL, ESL, & EF

coopmike48 at Big Education Ape - 10 hours ago
Larry Ferlazzo’s Websites of the Day… | …For Teaching ELL, ESL, & EFL *Larry Ferlazzo’s Websites of the Day* [image: Helping Students Motivate Themselves: Practical Answers To Classroom Problems.] Sacramento Bee Calls On CA PTA To Contain Molly Munger Larry Ferlazzo at Engaging Parents In School... - 1 day ago The campaign to fund or, in Molly Munger’s case, de-fund public education in California continues. Here are some excerpts from today’s Sacramento Bee’s editorial: The California PTA and Superintendent of Public Instruction Tom Torlakson are the most prominent supporters of ... more »

4 Ways We Can Connect With Parents | Connected Principals

coopmike48 at Big Education Ape - 22 hours ago
4 Ways We Can Connect With Parents | Connected Principals: 4 Ways We Can Connect With Parents by George Couros cc licensed ( BY ) flickr photo shared by familymwr Recently I was asked about the idea of using specialized software to connect with parents so that they can login, see all of their child’s grades, marks, assignments, homework, and a ton of other information. Although I believe that these systems are designed to help make our systems transparent and ensure that we connect with kids, are they really effective for learning and improving our relationships with parents? If ... more »

Jersey Jazzman: Homework: Training For Blind Obedience

coopmike48 at Big Education Ape - 22 hours ago
Jersey Jazzman: Homework: Training For Blind Obedience: Homework: Training For Blind Obedience by Duke *Auguste Renoir: total slacker.* Leave it to the French to put homework into proper perspective: French President Francois Hollande has been making good on a slew of campaign promises since taking office—like this, and this, and this—and now he's making headlines as he turns to education. The reason? He pledged this week to ban homework, reports France24. "Work should be done at school, rather than at home,” he said, adding that students who don't get much help from their paren... more »

Diane in the Evening 10-12-12 Diane Ravitch's blog

coopmike48 at Big Education Ape - 23 hours ago
Diane Ravitch's blog: This Principal Is a Hero of Public Education by dianerav No one has been more active in opposing untested evaluation methods than high school principal Carol Burris. Burris was a key figure in organizing New York principals to oppose the state’s test-based evaluation system, which has never been validated or worked anywhere. Burris has written articles frequently. She is tireless. I visited her school, South Side High School in Rockville Center, Long Island. It is an excellent and beloved community school that serves all the children of the community. it has no... more »

Big Education Ape - SPECIAL TGIF Mid Day Banana Break 10-12-12 #soschat #edreform

coopmike48 at Big Education Ape - 1 day ago
*Big Education Ape - Mid Day Banana Break* Please Help a Deserving Candidate by dianerav A reader asked the other day if there was anything he could do for me. The answer is yes. Please send a contribution to Karran Harper Royal of New Orleans, a parent leader who is running for school board. I met Karran in New York City a year ago, and she explained what a farce “choice” is in Nola. “There’s one choice they deny every parent,” she said, “and that’s the choice to send your child to a neighborhood public Edushyster Unmasks the Miracle Rephormers by dianerav You need to sit down b... more »

Maryland Question 7 Pits Casino Against Casino In Debate On Education Dollars

coopmike48 at Big Education Ape - 1 day ago
Maryland Question 7 Pits Casino Against Casino In Debate On Education Dollars: Maryland Question 7 Pits Casino Against Casino In Debate On Education Dollars by Joy Resmovits NEW YORK -- In the latest chapter of the Maryland gambling fights, it's casino vs. casino. A group called "Get the Facts Vote No on 7" will air an advertisement on television this weekend that argues against Question 7, Gov. Martin O'Malley's (D) ballot initiative that would allow table games at Maryland casinos and enable the creation of a new casino in Prince George's County. The ad joins a deluge of othe... more »

Ghost in the Machine | Truth in American Education

coopmike48 at Big Education Ape - 1 day ago
Ghost in the Machine | Truth in American Education: Ghost in the Machine by Jenni White And this, my friends, is how it’s done. This is how Progressives/Liberals have changed America right in front of our faces – right before our very eyes. Recently, EdWeek ran this article, “National Service Can ignite School Turnaround Efforts”. “Oh, this sounds great!” you think as you begin to read. After all, what in the world could possibly be bad about “turning around” schools? We all know they are in horrible shape! Yes, yes, sending workers from the community out into the community t... more »

Louisiana Educator: Letter to the President

coopmike48 at Big Education Ape - 1 day ago
Louisiana Educator: Letter to the President: Letter to the President by Michael Deshotels *To my readers:* *The following is a letter I am sending on behalf of myself and many Louisiana teachers to president Obama as part of a campaign sponsored by Diane Ravitch from her blog and Anthony Cody of the blogLiving in Dialog. I am urging any educator who would like to write a letter to the President to do so by sending a copy to Anthony Cody at the email address ** anthony_cody@hotmail.com**. Please send it before the deadline of October 17 so it can be included in the package to be ... more »

How Many is Too Many? « PWC Education Reform Blog

coopmike48 at Big Education Ape - 1 day ago
How Many is Too Many? « PWC Education Reform Blog: How Many is Too Many? by pwceducationreform How Many is Too Many?October 12, 2012 — pwceducationreform [image: Image courtesy of LIFE magazine & Joe Munro.] Image courtesy of LIFE magazine & Joe Munro. No, this picture is not a PWCS classroom, but for many parents and teachers, the image isn’t far off. Many parents and teachers were shocked this year by the number of students in their children’s classrooms. Apparently PWCS planning was also surprised as some schools started the year with insufficient desks and chairs, and many scho... more »

Malala: One Courageous Voice We All Need to Listen to - Lily's Blackboard | Lily's Blackboard

coopmike48 at Big Education Ape - 1 day ago
Malala: One Courageous Voice We All Need to Listen to - Lily's Blackboard | Lily's Blackboard: [image: Lily's Blackboard Rotating Header Image] Malala: One Courageous Voice We All Need to Listen to Oct 12th, 2012 by Lily. Malala Yousafzal is fourteen years old and lies unconscious in a hospital room with a bullet wound to her head. Taliban militants targeted this beautiful, delicate little girl for death. They stopped her school bus filled with giggling girls on their way to class in Pakistan. They boarded the bus and demanded her by name. Someone pointed her out, and a man shot ... more »







Big Education Ape Nite Cap 9-22-12 #CTUSTRIKE #SOSCHAT #EDCHAT #P2Big Education Ape Nite Cap 9-21-12 #CTUSTRIKE #SOSCHAT #EDCHAT #P2Big Education Ape Nite Cap 9-20-12 #CTUSTRIKE #SOSCHAT #EDCHAT #P2Big Education Ape Nite Cap 9-19-12 #CTUSTRIKE #SOSCHAT #EDCHAT #P2Big Ed Ape Nite Cap Chicago Delegates Vote to Suspend Strike DAY #9 9-18-12 #faircontractnow #CTUSTRIKE #SOSCHAT #EDCHAT #P2Big Ed Ape Nite Cap SPECIAL STRIKE EDITION DAY #8 9-17-12 #faircontractnow #CTUSTRIKE #SOSCHAT #EDCHAT #P2Big Ed Ape Nite Cap SPECIAL STRIKE EDITION DAY #7 9-16-12 #faircontractnow #CTUSTRIKE #SOSCHAT #EDCHAT #P2

 

Diane in the Evening 10-13-12 Diane Ravitch's blog

Diane Ravitch's blog:





HOW TO JOIN THE CAMPAIGN FOR OUR PUBLIC SCHOOLS

As a result of many comments on this blog, and in response to a great yearning to raise our voices, many teachers, parents, students, administrators and concerned citizens plan to join together in a mass letter-writing campaign to the President.
We want all letters submitted here to this blog or to Anthony Cody no later than October 17.
You may write to the White House directly, and the mail address is in the instructions link. But if you do, you will be required to disclose your identity in full. Knowing that many educators are fearful these days, you may send Anthony and me your letter without disclosing your name.
Please add as much detail as possible about your concerns. Be clear. Be specific.


When Students Join the Battle for Sound Education, It Will Be a Game-Changer

Nikhil Goyal is a very articulate high school senior who just published a book about what is needed in American education.
He wrote a letter to the editor of the NY Times, and his letter was so impressive that it became the focus for one of the Times’ Sunday dialogues.
That means that the Times invited readers to respond to his letter with their own.
This led to quite an interesting exchange.
The only addition I would make to the discussion is that the test results are used to bash teachers, knock public 


Best Practices: You Will Laugh Out Loud

EduShyster has written another fabulous post, this one on a theme that readers of this blog know well: What are the “best practices” that turn charter schools into media sensations?
Wherever you live, send this post to whoever covers education. The journalists should pay attention. EduShyster is a terrific teacher.






Testing resistance heating up in Chicago Parents United for Responsible Education

Parents United for Responsible Education » Blog Archive » Testing resistance heating up in Chicago:


Testing resistance heating up in Chicago

FairTest’s Monty Neill, the undisputed leader of the national testing resistance movement, will be in Chicago on Friday, November 2, for a citywide strategy session on fighting Chicago’s standardized testing insanity, and a public forum on testing issues at 7 pm at Xavier University.
Anti-testing fever has been heating up ever since the CTU strike, where the issue of excessive and unfair testing and test-based “accountability” as forcefully and effectively raised by marchers and their picket signs.
I spoke at a forum last week organized by CPS parents from Drummond Montessori School who are interested 

How Can One Teacher be Both the Best and the Worst? A Letter to President Obama - Living in Dialogue - Education Week Teacher

How Can One Teacher be Both the Best and the Worst? A Letter to President Obama - Living in Dialogue - Education Week Teacher:


How Can One Teacher be Both the Best and the Worst? A Letter to President Obama

Follow me on Twitter at @AnthonyCody
I have volunteered to help Diane Ravitch collect and organize letters for the Campaign for our Public Schools, which will culminate on Thursday, October 17. All the letters collected by then will be sent to the White House and to the Department of Education. Instructions on how to send a letter are at the bottom of this post.
The letters are pouring in. Each one reveals another facet of the lives of our schools in 2012. Today I am sharing a letter sent in by Shelley Barker, of Snohomish, Washington. Please read, and then take a few minutes to write a letter of your own.
Dear President Obama,
I am a 7th grade writing teacher. I love my school, my job, and my students. Summers are torture to me because I'm out of the classroom. I truly feel I was put on this earth to teach middle school. My job is me and I 

North Atlanta drama continues. Parents now alarmed over teacher resignation. | Get Schooled

North Atlanta drama continues. Parents now alarmed over teacher resignation. | Get Schooled:


North Atlanta drama continues. Parents now alarmed over teacher resignation.

I am getting copied on emails between parents at North Atlanta High School and APS, and it doesn’t sound like detente has been reached over the purge of the school’s leadership team a week ago.
I am also getting calls now on the resignation of an English/journalism teacher whose hiring created tensions between principal Mark MyGrant and APS, although it remains unclear why.
The resignation of Amy Durham, coupled with the reassignment of Laura Brazil, academy leader for North Atlanta High’s Global Broadcasting and Journalism, has alarmed many parents with children in the 

School Tech Connect: Relentless Spin

School Tech Connect: Relentless Spin:


Relentless Spin

Interesting.
I covered Brizard’s tenure extensively. He engaged in gross misrepresentations of data and sometimes outright lied. He made promises he didn’t keep. He did one thing while saying another. But I was the only one holding him accountable. The business and political establishment loved the guy. The rest of the media in Rochester, particularly the Democrat and Chronicle, did not question the superintendent. (Around the country, the media has been slow to challenge the 

On Both Sides of the Border, Teachers Fight Corporatization | MyFDL

On Both Sides of the Border, Teachers Fight Corporatization | MyFDL:


On Both Sides of the Border, Teachers Fight Corporatization

The Coordinadora Nacional de Trabajadores de la Educación has been fighting for greater respect for Mexican teachers, often against the country's teachers union itself. (Saúl Arroyo Morales / CNTE)
Last month, the success of the Chicago teachers’ strike forced the mainstream media to present a rare picture of public school teachers: as organized, defiant and victorious. But prior to the Chicago teachers winning a major deal, there was no shortage of dismissive, condescending and misleading coverage of teachers unions.
Recently, that disdainful media gaze has turned southward. Various outlets–public radioUSA Today,McClatchythe Economist and Washington Post–have depicted the Mexican teachers union as a sinister force in the national struggle over public education policy. The reports generally focus on Mexico’s poor academic performance in international rankings and zero in on the “boss” of the National Education Workers’ Union 

Karran Royal Thanks You–and Me « Diane Ravitch's blog

Karran Royal Thanks You–and Me « Diane Ravitch's blog:

http://karran4kids.com/

Karran Royal Thanks You–and Me

Yesterday I urged you to send donations to help Karran Harper Royal in her campaign to win a seat on the New Orleans school board.
Karran faces an uphill battle against the leader of the charter sector in New Orleans, who has received $110,000 from the supporters of privatization.
I sent her $100 via Paypal. Others sent whatever they could: $5, $10, $20, $50, or more. If 1,000 people who read this post each sent Karran $10, we could match the campaign fund of the privatizers. If each sent $20—well, you can do the math. We can make a difference for an articulate, brave, dedicated and clear-eyed parent advocate.
Karran has stood up for public education. Let’s help her.
This is the email I received this morning.
Hi Diane,
Thank you so much for your blog post regarding my campaign. Today I began receiving donations from various parts of the US and was very confused. I haven’t had a chance to be online, so I did not know at the time about your blog post and it was tweeted by one of my Parents Across America members as well. I just knew that within a short period of time I was receiving donations from people I did not know. I was baffled. It is heartwarming to see that people are supporting my candidacy because they believe in me. It’s especially special to me that you are supporting me and would write such a lovely post. I am so honored. Again, thank you very much.
Karran Harper Royal #86
Orleans Parish School Board, District 3
Let’s Redefine Reform
Twitter @Karran4Kids
Facebook Karran4Kids
www.karran4kids.com
Donations Accepted
Make Checks Payable to:
Karran Harper Royal Campaign Fund
P.O. Box 791834
New Orleans, LA 70179


Seattle Schools Community Forum: Education News Roundup

Seattle Schools Community Forum: Education News Roundup:


Education News Roundup

Well, look who's opting out of standardized tests?  Parents in NYC.  It's detailed here from the NY Times.

Ms. Chajet is one of a small but growing number of parent activists in New York City opposed to the system’s emphasis on high-stakes testing. Many of them took part in a boycott of the field tests in June, when parents at 47 public elementary and middle schools of the 1,029 tested had their children sit them out. In their eyes, it was a win-win situation: Children who skipped the field tests did not risk punitive action or potential harm to their school’s grade on the city’s progress reports, while their parents could make a statement against the tests. 

Change the Stakes, which has members in northern Manhattan, said it mailed outreach packets last week to each New York City school being tested. In the packet are informational materials in English and Spanish, including a form that parents can sign and deliver to their principal indicating their intention to opt out of the 

Karran For Kids | Karran Harper Royal OPSB District 3

Karran For Kids | Karran Harper Royal OPSB District 3:



Karran Harper Royal kickoffs school board campaign

By Mason Harrison
Longtime education advocate Karran Harper Royal officially kicked off her campaign Thursday evening for the Orleans Parish School Board’s District 3 seat that encompasses parts of Gentilly, Mid-City, Lakeview and the City Park area.
During a kick-off event at the Community Book Center, Harper Royal fashioned her campaign a movement to “redefine reform” in the Orleans Parish school system as the debate over how to best overhaul schools in the area continues.
Harper Royal’s candidacy comes as various local education, religious and political leaders call on area residents to run for the board to help revamp education in New Orleans. But Harper Royal said her campaign is not aligned with any one particular group and that her campaign is a non-partisan effort.
“My first goal is to be aligned with the people of the city of New Orleans,” she said. During her announcement speech she reiterated her support for expanding seats for incoming students, backed the idea of neighborhood schools, and stood behind an elected school board “as long as every other parish in the state has an elected school board.”
Harper Royal has served on numerous education committees in the wake of Hurricane Katrina and is a familiar presence at community forums and other events focusing on education. “This is a natural progression from the work that I’ve been doing for years,” Harper Royal said, referring to her decision to transition from activist to elected official.
“Progress has been made; we’ve created ‘some’ good schools,” Royal said in a statement announcing her candidacy. “But now is the time to create a great school system. We need reforms that are fair and equitable for all children. Too many of our families feel that there still aren’t meaningful options in this ‘all choice’ district. The Orleans Parish School Board has to have a vision and a plain for all of the children who are still trapped in failing schools.”
Harper Royal plans to hit the campaign trail this Saturday and will start canvassing neighborhoods in the district she hopes to represent.
“We need volunteers, we need your donations and we need you to tell everyone you know in District 3 to vote for Karran Harper Royal,” she said to rounds of applause during her speech.
Harper Royal’s campaign web site can be found at 

Engaging Parents In School… » All Of My “Best” Lists On Parent Engagement

Engaging Parents In School… » All Of My “Best” Lists On Parent Engagement:


All Of My “Best” Lists On Parent Engagement

I thought readers might find it helpful for me to again post links to all my “The Best” lists related to parent engagement:
The Best Ideas On How Parents Can Help Their Kids Succeed Academically
“The Best Research Available On Parent Engagement”
The Best Reasons Why Parents Should Be Looked At As Allies & Not Targets Of Blame
The Best Overviews Of Parent Engagement
My Best Posts, Articles & Interviews On Parent Engagement
The Best Resources On Parent Engagement In Countries Other Than The U.S.
The Worst Parent Engagement Ideas
“The Best Examples Of Parent Engagement Through Community Organizing” — October, 2011
The Best Sources Of Parent Engagement Advice For Teachers
The Best Posts & Articles For Learning About Newark’s $100 Million From Facebook
The Best Resources For Learning About Teacher Home Visits
The Best Resources On Parent/Teacher Conferences
My Best Posts On Building Parent Engagement In Schools — 2011 (So Far) — July, 2011
My Best Posts On Parent Engagement Over The Past Six Months — April, 2011
The Best Resources For Learning Why The Parent Trigger Isn’t Good For Parents, Kids Or Schools
The Best Resources For Learning About Parent Fundraising & Equity Issues
My Best Posts On Building Parent Engagement In Schools — 2012 (So Far)
“First Year Highlights: Parent Engagement In Schools” brings together all my Ed Week columns on parent engagement.


Boy, It’s Gotta Be Getting Clear To The CA PTA That They Picked The Wrong Horse To Ride

Billionaire Molly Munger continues to escalate her effort to cause damage and destruction to California’s public education system. One’s gotta think that leaders in the California PTA must be regretting their decision to tie their fortunes to hers. One can only hope that they decide to salvage some of their credibility by withdrawing from their partnership now.
Here are two articles that appeared yesterday:
Will the Munger Kids Kill California’s Schools? is from The American Prospect.
Gov. Jerry Brown’s budget plans threatened by a determined Molly Munger

US charter schools: Investment magnet for visa-needy foreigners? - CSMonitor.com

US charter schools: Investment magnet for visa-needy foreigners? - CSMonitor.com:


US charter schools: Investment magnet for visa-needy foreigners?

Cash-starved charter schools meet cash-flush Chinese, Pakistani, and other foreigners looking for US investments that will get them a visa.

By Stephanie Simon, Reuters / October 12, 2012
Charter school supporters protest budget cuts, 4,500 rally for Ohio Public Charter Schools at the State Capitol in Columbus, May 13, 2009.
PRNewsFoto/My School, My Choice
Enlarge
Charter Schools - Dividing Communities since 1991

It's been a turbulent period for charter schools in the United States, with financial analysts raising concerns about their stability and regulators in several states shutting down schools for poor performance.


The volatility has made it tough for startup schools to get financing.
But an unlikely source of new capital has emerged to fill the gap: foreign investors.
Wealthy individuals from as far away as ChinaNigeria,Russia, and Australia are spending tens of millions of dollars to build classrooms, libraries, basketball courts and science labs for American charter schools.
In Buffalo, New York, foreign funds paid for the Health Sciences Charter School to renovate a 19th-century orphanage into modern classrooms and computer labs. In Florence, Arizona, overseas investment is expected to finance a sixth campus for the booming chain of American Leadership Academy charter schools.




El Paso Rattled by Scandal of ‘Disappeared’ Students - NYTimes.com

El Paso Rattled by Scandal of ‘Disappeared’ Students - NYTimes.com:


El Paso Schools Are Rattled by Scandal of Students Who ‘Disappeared’ at Test Time

EL PASO — It sounded at first like a familiar story: school administrators, seeking to meet state and federal standards, fraudulently raised students’ scores on crucial exams.
Juan Carlos Llorca/Associated Press
Roger Avalos, a former El Paso student, with his mother, Grisel. He says his principal urged him to drop out of school.
Ruben R Ramirez/EL PASO TIMES, via Associated Press
Lorenzo Garcia, the former superintendent, ran a program known as “the Bowie model” and boasted of his success in raising test scores.
But in the cheating scandal that has shaken the 64,000-student school district in this border city, administrators manipulated more than numbers. They are accused of keeping low-performing students out of classrooms altogether by improperly holding some back, accelerating others and preventing many from showing up for the tests or enrolling in school at all.
It led to a dramatic moment at the federal courthouse this month, when a former schools superintendent, Lorenzo Garcia, was sentenced to prison for his role in orchestrating the testing scandal. But for students and parents, the case 

Why yes Virginia, things can always get worse: Board of Regents Hire Phil Austin - Wait, What?

Why yes Virginia, things can always get worse: Board of Regents Hire Phil Austin - Wait, What?:


Why yes Virginia, things can always get worse: Board of Regents Hire Phil Austin