NEA Honored For Minority Student Advocacy | NEA Today

NEA Honored For Minority Student Advocacy | NEA Today:

NEA Honored For Minority Student Advocacy

October 19, 2012 by twalker  
Filed under Featured News, Minority Community Outreach, Top Stories

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By Emma Chadband

The Asian American Justice Center presented the National Education Association with its “Bridge Builder Award” on Thursday in recognition of the NEA’s outstanding efforts to empower Asian American and Pacific Islander students.

NEA has brought national attention to achievement gaps Asian American students suffer from socioeconomic barriers and language difficulties and has helped debunk the “model minority” stereotype that prohibits many Asian American students from seeking the help they need. NEA has also helped foster better communication between parents and schools, and its members have hosted diversity trainings and cultural immersion programs.

NEA Secretary-Treasurer Becky Pringle accepts the "Bridge Builder" award from the Asian American Justice Center. Photo: Emma Chadband

NEA Secretary-Treasurer Becky Pringle, a science teacher from Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, accepted the Bridge Builder Award on behalf of the association.

Pringle said she was proud of the NEA for standing up for social justice and equal opportunity since its founding 155 years ago.

“We as educators must all stand up for social justice,” she said. 

UPDATE: Diane in the Evening 10-19-12 Diane Ravitch's blog

Diane Ravitch's blog:

The Catholic Version of TFA

by dianerav

Samuel Freedman has a lovely article in the New York Times about young Catholic teachers working together in Tucson.
They are part of a program called the Alliance for Catholic Education, which was created at Notre Dame. They spend a summer at Notre Dame preparing to teach and another summer reviewing what they have learned and sharpening their skills. Notre Dame teaching coaches are available to them during their time on the job.
When I visited Notre Dame last spring, I met Father Tim Scully, the founder of ACE, who is truly a spiritual 

About That Newark Teachers Union Deal

by dianerav

I don’t understand all the details of the deal reached by the Newark Teachers Union and the Christie administration. The final details were hammered out by Randi Weingarten, NTU president  Joseph Del Grosso, Newark Superintendent Cami Anderson, Acting State Commissioner Chris Cerf, and perhaps Governor Chris Christie as well.
Some people (and I include myself) worry that the deal includes merit pay tied to “performance” (test scores). I don’t think that is ever a good idea. It produces perverse incentives for cheating, narrowing the curriculum, and gaming the system.
But the odd thing about this agreement is that there is so much money for almost every one of Newark’s 3,100 

Small Minority of Parents at “Trigger” School Choose Charter Operator

by dianerav

According to the latest news, the parents at Desert Trails Elementary School in Adelanto, California, have chosen a charter operator to take over their low-performing public school.
This is the first instance in the nation where the “parent trigger” has been put into effect.
But it is not a demonstration of parent empowerment or democracy.
There are over 600

Cuomo Appoints TFA-er as Deputy Secretary of Education

by dianerav

The ascent to power of anyone connected to Teach for America continues.
Governor Cuomo just appointed De’Shawn Wright as Deputy Secretary of Education for the state of New York.
Wright spent two or four years (it’s not clear) teaching in New York City as a member of TFA. Then he quickly ascended to big jobs in the Mayor’s office and the New York City Department of Education. From there he 

Why Foist an Unproven Method on the Entire Nation All at Once?

by dianerav

The U.S. Department of Education is doing something to the nation’s schools that has never been done before.
Through the leverage of its Race to the Top program, it has persuaded, pushed, and prodded at least 36 states to evaluate teachers by the test scores of their students.
There is no evidence that this will improve education or teaching. There is reason to believe it will incentivize narrowing the curriculum, cheating, and teaching to the test.
There is plenty of evidence from sources like the National Academy of Education and the American Educational

Morning UPDATE: LISTEN TO DIANE RAVITCH 10-19-12 Diane Ravitch's blog

coopmike48 at Big Education Ape - 2 hours ago

Diane Ravitch's blog: [image: Click on picture to Listen to Diane Ravitch] Another Superintendent Joins the Honor Roll by dianerav On my trip to the Midwest this past week, I met the superintendents of 86 districts in Michigan who belong to the Tri-County Alliance, which enrolls almost half the children in the state. Every one I spoke to (and I had a private dinner with a dozen leaders of the group) told me of the state’s efforts to destroy public education and to create a free market of schools, where schools compete for “customers” (students). One of the members is already on ... more »

Daily Kos: "Shoulders" - new ad for Christie Vilsack in IA-04 - u will want to watch

Daily Kos: "Shoulders" - new ad for Christie Vilsack in IA-04 - u will want to watch:

"Shoulders" - new ad for Christie Vilsack in IA-04 - u will want to watch

by rss@dailykos.com (teacherken)

Popout
Yes the Big Dog, Elvis, went to Iowa for Christie.
There are long-time connections between the families.
Christie's brother shared a cubicle at the House Judiciary Committee with Hillary Rodham during the impeachment hearing on Richard Nixon
Hillary came out to campaign for Tom when in his first run for governor he was double digits down.
When Tom dropped out of the 2008 presidential race he endorsed Hillary.
Remember, Christie's opponent is the obnoxious Steve King.
This is a winnable seat.
For more on Christie, and to contribute if so inclined, go to her website
Peace.

Romney on Libya: Just shameful

by rss@dailykos.com (teacherken)

is the title of this New York Daily News op ed by Richard A. Clarke.   Yes, that Richard A. Clarke, the one inside the Bush administration who told the truth to the commission on 9-11, who apologized to their families, saying their government had failed them.
The heart of the op ed is here:

Every President since Ronald Reagan has suffered American casualties to terrorism on his watch. Obama has suffered far fewer than his predecessors, largely because he has kept the terrorist groups off balance by relentlessly attacking them. He has largely eliminated Al Qaeda in Afghanistan and Pakistan as an effective fighting force. His use of drones and special forces has been aggressive and successful, including in Yemen and Somalia.

Denver Post endorses Obama - again

by rss@dailykos.com (teacherken)

in this editorial.  Worth noting that in primaries in 2008 they had endorsed Romney over McCain.
It is an endorsement that offers criticism of Obama on a number of fronts, particularly on the economy.  But then they criticize both the Republicans in Congress and Mitt Romney
Here are some important takeaways from the editorial:
A largely intransigent Republican Party shares blame for economic sluggishness, particularly in refusal to

POSITIVE statistics on early voting in Ohio

by rss@dailykos.com (teacherken)

as appearing in a memo from Jeremy Bird, National Field Director for the Obama campaign, that is being widely distributed via a tweet from Ben LaBolt
All national polling organizations who have surveyed preference of early voters - including Rasmussen - find a significant lead for Obama, ranging from +19 in SurveyUSa to +52 for PPP
Data on new registrants in 2012 include that 81% of those registering this yea are "either female, younger than 

Growing Healthy Schools — Whole Child Education

Growing Healthy Schools — Whole Child Education:

THE WHOLE CHILD BLOG

Growing Healthy Schools

October 19, 2012 by ASCD Whole Child Bloggers

In addition to National Health Education Week, it is also the first annual Growing Healthy Schools Week in the District of Columbia. Growing Healthy Schools Week is organized by the Office of the State Superintendent of Education (OSSE) Wellness & Nutrition Services in conjunction with the D.C. Farm to School Network at D.C. Greens and the D.C. Schoolyard Greening Committee at the D.C. Environmental Education Consortium (DCEEC).

Growing Healthy Schools Week celebrates school gardens and farm to school programs throughout the district. The aim is to encourage and showcase how schools are working with community organizations, farms, and chefs to coordinate inspiring activities aimed at engaging the broader community, increasing environmental literacy, building program capacity, and connecting students to their food. Resources, cafeteria recipes, and curriculum ideas are available online for all schools and communities to use, wherever they are located.

Also of interest are these presentations from our ASCD Whole Child Virtual Conference archive:

Smarter Lunchrooms: Food's Not Nutritious Until It's Eaten presented by Dr. Brian Wansink, Food and Brand Lab, Cornell University, N.Y.
Dr. Brian Wansink, author of the best-selling Mindless Eating, outlines simple steps that every school can take. See how you can improve your lunchroom and nutritional intake of students for less than $50.

Fresh Fruit and Vegetable Program presented by Dr. Angela Tuck, Principal, Pottstown School District, Pa.
Hear a Healthy School Communities mentor site discuss how it implemented and then expanded a Fresh Fruit and Vegetables (FF&V) program. Tuck shares how she and her staff turned the idea into reality.

Healthy School Farm and Garden: LeConte Elementary School presented by Liliana Aguas, teacher and winner of the 2012 ASCD Outstanding Young Educator Award; Benjamin Goff, farm/garden specialist; and chef Kathy Russell, cooking and nutrition instructor, LeConte Elementary School, Berkeley, Calif.
Learn from Aguas, Goff, and Russell as they share the school's farm/garden and cooking programs and spotlight two schoolwide annual events: the Juiceathon and the Long Bean 400. These activities promote a healthy lifestyle and can be easily replicated at other schools.

Ten minute drawing. Pearson’s Art History has no Art. « Fred Klonsky

Ten minute drawing. Pearson’s Art History has no Art. « Fred Klonsky:

Ten minute drawing. Pearson’s Art History has no Art.

by Fred Klonsky

Click on drawing to enlarge.
Story is here.

The people know who is to blame for the pension mess.

by Fred Klonsky

Parents, teachers can now sample Common Core test questions | EdSource Today

Parents, teachers can now sample Common Core test questions | EdSource Today:

Parents, teachers can now sample Common Core test questions

October 19th, 2012 | Add a Comment | 
By John Fensterwald

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Smarter Balanced, the organization that is designing the Common Core assessments for California and two dozen other member states, released sample test items for parents and teachers last week. As expected, they’re anything but your father’s multiple choice.

If all goes on schedule, beginning in 2014-15 students will use computers to take tests designed to measure their performance on the Common Core standards that California and most states adopted two years ago. The new tests will involve watching videos, using cursors to draw or move items and writing reports after doing research online.

Advocates of Common Core have argued that the standards are challenging not just because of what students must know but also how they must demonstrate that they know it. The questions certainly reflect that challenge.

“With Common Core, we are moving to assessments that reflect a deeper level of understanding as well as a different set of skill sets,” said Michelle Steagall, chief academic officer of CORE (California Office to Reform Education), the nonprofit organization that eight California districts 

Desert Trails parents choose charter operator, next step in ‘parent trigger’ - by John Fensterwald

by John Fensterwald

With a low voter turnout Thursday, parents exercising a “parent trigger” option at the Desert Trails Elementary in Adelanto selected a charter operator in nearby Hesperia to run their school starting next August. The selection of LaVerne Elementary Preparatory Academy, a small K-8 charter with an API of 911 – more than 200 points above Desert Trails’ score of 699 this year – marked...

My letter to Obama. « Fred Klonsky

My letter to Obama. « Fred Klonsky:

My letter to Obama.

by Fred Klonsky

The educational historian Diane Ravitch asked us all to send a letter to President Obama on October 17th.

Dear President Obama,
I retired from teaching on June 8, 2012.
I started my teaching career at the age of 38 in 1984.
My teaching career took me from A Nation at Risk to the Race to the Top.
You are a person who works in what I know to be an atmosphere of constant crises. And so I wonder how do you think that feels when it is children and teachers working in that kind of atmosphere? Not a world leader. Not a head of state. But six and seven-year olds. And the adults who are charged with teaching and caring for them, working in a constant atmosphere of crisis.
Years ago when I would meet folks for the first time and told them I was a K-5 Art teacher I would get a smile. They would tell me how much fun I must have doing what I do. And if there interest 

Report Card: Sac City school trustee Ellyne Bell will resign

Report Card: Sac City school trustee Ellyne Bell will resign:

Sac City school trustee Ellyne Bell will resign

Sacramento City Unified School District trustee Ellyne Bell announced Thursday night that she will be stepping down from the school board at the end of the year.

Bell gave a 60-day deferred resignation after completing two years of her four year term.

After taking a job in San Francisco six months ago, Bell said she plans to relocate there at the beginning of the year.

"The work is increasing all the time and to run an organization and do this work to the best of my ability, I need to commit to being here in the city," said Bell, who is the executive director of the SAGE Project, an anti-human trafficking organization.

Bell was elected to the Sacramento City board in 2006 and re-elected in 2010. The school board can appoint her replacement or hold a special election.

Bell said she hopes the board appoints someone to complete her term so that the district does not have to

Read more here: http://blogs.sacbee.com/report-card/2012/10/sac-city-school-trustee-ellyne-bell-will-resign.html#storylink=cpy

Vote yes on Michigan’s Prop 2. Beware of goblins, ghosts and groups with “taxpayer” in their name. « Fred Klonsky

Vote yes on Michigan’s Prop 2. Beware of goblins, ghosts and groups with “taxpayer” in their name. « Fred Klonsky:

Vote yes on Michigan’s Prop 2. Beware of goblins, ghosts and groups with “taxpayer” in their name.

by Fred Klonsky

Let’s pull the mask of those groups with the word taxpayer in their name.
It’s code.
It’s no different than Romney’s rant against the 47%. Losers. Takers. If pressed, these taxpayer groups would more than likely argue that unless you’re a taxpayer you shouldn’t even have the right to vote.
Of course, it once was like that in parts of the United States. We once had places where they used a poll tax to keep Black people in the South from voting.
I’ve written about my old school district in Park Ridge where Anthony Borrelli, a local wealthy foot doctor 

Playing hardball over a Tennessee charter school:

Playing hardball over a Tennessee charter school

Posted by Valerie Strauss on October 19, 2012 at 12:26 pm

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Kevin Huffman (Erik Schelzig/AP)

Well, they went ahead and did it. Tennessee education officials actually lived up to their petulant threat to withhold $3.4 million from Nashville public schools as punishment for refusing to allow a controversial charter school to open.

The state money that should have gone to Nashville for October didn’t show up this week as it would have had Nashville officials caved to state Education Commissioner Kevin Huffman and other officials and approved an application from Great Hearts Academies, the Tennesseannewspaper reported. Since they had good reasons for denying the application in the first place, they decided to stick to their original decision.

Great Hearts, which runs 12 charter schools in Arizona, wanted to open a school in a 

Mike Klonsky's SmallTalk Blog: View from right field: Smarick wants an end to urban school systems

Mike Klonsky's SmallTalk Blog: View from right field: Smarick wants an end to urban school systems:

View from right field: Smarick wants an end to urban school systems

by Mike Klonsky

I don't agree.

Is there any real difference between calling for an end to "urban school systems" and calling for an end to urban public schools?  I don't think so.

Andy Smarick, who works for right-wing think tanks like the American Enterprise Institute and the Fordham Institute, tweeted me yesterday, saying that I was being unfair to him for equating his call for the destruction of 

John Thompson: Gates Foundation's MET Project Has Leaped Before Looking - Living in Dialogue - Education Week Teacher

John Thompson: Gates Foundation's MET Project Has Leaped Before Looking - Living in Dialogue - Education Week Teacher:

John Thompson: Gates Foundation's MET Project Has Leaped Before Looking

by Anthony Cody

Guest post by John Thompson.


The Measures of Effective Teaching Project (MET) is the Gates Foundation's flagship effort to fill what they believe is a huge void in the teaching profession. According to them, up until this project, there was no way to know how effective any given teacher is. Their goal has been to develop scientifically accurate means to accomplish this.
I would have no problem with the Gates Foundation's Measuring Effective Teaching process if it was conducted as pure research. The MET's Tom Kane, in "Capturing the Dimensions of Effective Teaching," illustrates the good that could have come from the experiment had "reformers" considered evidence before imposing their theories on teachers across the nation.

The MET is a $45 million component of the "teacher quality" movement which studies test scores, teacher observations, and student survey data to isolate the elements of effective teaching. That's great. But the MET's 

Daily Kos: POSITIVE statistics on early voting in Ohio

Daily Kos: POSITIVE statistics on early voting in Ohio:

POSITIVE statistics on early voting in Ohio

by rss@dailykos.com (teacherken)

as appearing in a memo from Jeremy Bird, National Field Director for the Obama campaign, that is being widely distributed via a tweet from Ben LaBolt
All national polling organizations who have surveyed preference of early voters - including Rasmussen - find a significant lead for Obama, ranging from +19 in SurveyUSa to +52 for PPP
Data on new registrants in 2012 include that 81% of those registering this yea are "either female, younger than 30, or African-American or Latino – all demographics that
strongly favor President Obama."  64% of these live in counties that Obama carried four years ago.
55% of the requests for early votes are females, up from 52% four years ago.  There is a 55,636 advantage in requests from precincts won by Obama in 2004 versus those won by McCain.
Ohio does not have registration by party.  But there is this interesting set of observations from the memo:

Because Republicans had a competitive primary this year and Democrats did not, as Professor McDonald points out, Republicans have a 460,000-person edge this year in past primary voters –or what Romney’s campaign is disingenuously referring to as voters registered as Republicans.Despite our smaller numbers, however, Democratic primary voters are outvoting Republican primary voters by a wide margin across the state. A greater percentage of Democratic primary