UPDATE: invest in libraries - Schools Matter: Evaluation of Gates Research on Teacher Effectiveness

Schools Matter: Evaluation of Gates Research on Teacher Effectiveness:

Quck and easy way to improve life for children of poverty: invest in libraries

from Schools Matter by skrashen

A quick and easy way

Sent to This Week in Poverty, the Nation Magazine, comment on “This Week in Poverty: Time to Take On Concentrated Poverty and Education”
Original article: http://www.thenation.com/blog/172589/week-poverty-time-take-concentrated-poverty-and-education#


Missing from This Week in Poverty’s list of projects designed to alleviate the effects of poverty are projects aimed at providing more access to books. There is very consistent evidence showing that
1. children of poverty living in high-poverty areas have little access to books at home, at school, or in their communities
2. more access to interesting, comprehensible reading material means better development of literacy
3. providing access to books increases literacy development.

The major source of books for children of poverty is the library. Studies done in the US and internationally show 

Evaluation of Gates Research on Teacher Effectiveness

by Jim Horn

From the NEPC Policy Center:

Reference Publication: 

Review of Two Culminating Reports from the MET Project

Gates Foundation’s MET Study
 Fails to Solve the Teacher Evaluation Challenge

Contact:
William J. Mathis, (802) 383-0058, wmathis@sover.net
Jesse Rothstein, (510) 643-8561, rothstein@berkeley.eduZ
Jamie Horwitz, (202) 549-4921, jhdcpr@starpower.net

URL for this press release: http://tinyurl.com/a9yrxtv

BOULDER, CO (January 31, 2013) – A review by the National Education Policy Center (NEPC) of a newly released and long-awaited study on teacher evaluation strongly questions the spin that has been put on the findings.

The Measures of Effective Teaching (MET) project, funded by the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, released its 

We Hold… | California Father

We Hold… | California Father:

We Hold…

by California Father

Popout

We Hold from Vincent Precht on Vimeo.
To  make this video I downloaded photos from the Library of Congress. I was amazed how diverse public schools have always been.  Native Americans, African Americans, Anglo Americans–first in separate schools, then in the 

In Race to the Top update, feds express serious concerns with Georgia’s lack of progress on teacher evaluations | Get Schooled

In Race to the Top update, feds express serious concerns with Georgia’s lack of progress on teacher evaluations | Get Schooled:

In Race to the Top update, feds express serious concerns with Georgia’s lack of progress on teacher evaluations

by Maureen Downey

Troubling news for Georgia today after the U.S. Education Department issued a progress report citing grave concerns about the state’s Race to the Top progress.
What has the U.S. DOE concerned is Georgia’s struggles with introducing and implementing a new teacher evaluation, a central piece of  the state’s $400 million Race to the Top grant.
In a report released Thursday, the US DOE said that while the other nine Race to the Top recipients were progressing satisfactorily, they were concerned with the stumbles in Georgia, the District of Columbia and Maryland
The fed’s concern was not a surprise. In July, U.S. Department of Education officials said the $33 million in 

Modern School: Who’s Hurting NY’s Kids? Cuomo's Attack on Collective Bargaining

Modern School: Who’s Hurting NY’s Kids? Cuomo's Attack on Collective Bargaining:

Who’s Hurting NY’s Kids? Cuomo's Attack on Collective Bargaining

by Michael Dunn

“Do not punish our schoolchildren for the obstructionism of the U.F.T.,”

These were the words of New York Mayor Michael Bloomberg, referring to Governor Cuomo’s decision to cut hundreds of millions of dollars of funding to New York schools because the city and its teachers union, United Federation of Teachers (UFT), failed to come to an agreement on teacher evaluations by the arbitrary January 17 deadline imposed by the governor.

Bloomberg is insinuating, of course, that the teachers (or their union) have caused schools to be penalized and, consequently, for children to be harmed, but it was the governor who imposed the arbitrary deadline and who holds the purse strings. It is Cuomo who is holding the 

New skepticism of for-profit companies managing public schools | Hechinger Report

New skepticism of for-profit companies managing public schools | Hechinger Report:

New skepticism of for-profit companies managing public schools

by Sarah Carr

JACKSON, Miss. — When state officials here tried last year to recruit a for-profit company to manage schools in rural Tate County, the community outcry was swift. Concerned residents spoke out in the media, argued their case to lawmakers and circulated a petition against the “privatization” of Tate County Schools. Patricia Johnson, whose son attends a public high school in the county, described the proposal as “crazy.” For-profit companies, she said, shouldn’t be “getting paid” to run things when parents are having to buy copy paper for teachers in cash-strapped schools. At first glance, Mississippi would seem an unlikely source of resistance to school privatization. But this year, a coalition of lawmakers and community groups is fighting vigorously against the prospect of for-profit companies opening up charter schools. “I think people have been astounded that anyone can make money off of public education,” said Nancy Loome, executive director of The Parents’ Campaign, which lobbies for public education in Mississippi. “Our schools struggle to make it on the resources they are provided. If [for-profit management is] trying to make a profit and pay shareholders, they aren’t going to be 

SI&A Cabinet Report – Feds, CDE offer middle school grants to support students with disabilities

SI&A Cabinet Report – News & Resources:

Feds, CDE offer middle school grants to support students with disabilities
By Tom Chorneau
Friday, February 01, 2013

California middle schools in high needs districts are eligible to compete for a share of an $11 million federal grant awarded to improve educational outcomes for students with disabilities.

State schools chief Tom Torlakson made the announcement Thursday, noting that an application and evaluation process will take place later this year.

“This grant will fund teacher training and academic services that go a long way toward helping all students, including those with disabilities, achieve a world-class education,” Torlakson said in a statement.

CTC approves enhanced standards for Adaptive PE authorization

The state’s Commission on Teacher Credentialing moved Thursday to enhance standards for existing teachers in special education to also become certified in adapted physical education.

Mandate Commission approves BIP reimbursement formula

District administrators should prepare for filing claims related to Behavioral Intervention Plans in late summer or early fall, following action late last week by the state panel that arbitrates reimbursable mandates on local government.

MORNING UPDATE: LISTEN TO DIANE RAVITCH 2-1-13 Diane Ravitch's blog

Diane Ravitch's blog:

An Economist Explains the Problem with Choice

by dianerav

This post is offered in honor of school choice week.
We are accustomed to hearing economists lecture on the virtues of markets and choice.
Here is an economist who sees choice differently.
Here is the money quote:
“Today institutions of higher education, public and private, remain largely segregated by race, religion and economic condition. White colleges and universities remain primarily white, Black institutions remain primarily 

Why You Should Support Steve Zimmer for LA School Board

by dianerav

The billionaire boys club wants to beat Steve Zimmer so they can proceed with dismantling public education in Los Angeles. Steve had the nerve to say there should be some oversight of charter schools, so the privatizers are out to get him. They raised over a million dollars from corporate types in just a few days.
There are many reasons to support Steve Zimmer. His courage, independence, and integrity are good reasons. Another is his passionate support for the arts.
From a strong supporter of

Did Jeb Bush Use His Foundation for Financial Gain?

by dianerav

Lee Fang has published a blockbuster investigation of Jeb Bush’s foundation. Fang is an investigative writer for the Nation Institute.
Last year he published a stunning exposé about the online industry in which Bush and his chief lobbyist were central players. That article followed the money.
In this new article, he digs into the financial entanglements of Bush, based on emails that were obtained by a 

Jeb Bush Foundation Under Fire for Conflicts

by dianerav

Coach Bob Sikes reports here that Jeb Bush’s Foundation for Educational Excellence is under fire by groups who claim that it is promoting the for-profit interests of its corporate sponsors.
The Bush foundation, which presumably has a tax exemption, claims that 90% of its funding comes from philanthropic donors, not corporations.

NYSUT: Slow Down on Common Core Testing

by dianerav

The New York State United Teachers urged the state education department to slow down the rush to testing the Common Core because neither students nor teachers are ready.
NYSUT says: Don’t test what hasn’t been taught.
Sounds sensible.
But this is the strange thing.
Open the link. Look at

Editorial Board Chastises John White

by dianerav

Louisiana State Superintendent often expresses his contempt for the teachers he supervises.
When news came out that the rate of teacher retirements spiked, and teachers said they were leaving because of White’s punitive assessment system, White claimed that those who were leaving were the worst teachers.
Time after time, he makes clear his disdain for teachers.
White’s experience consists of

Amazing Release of Bush Foundation Emails

by dianerav

This is the release of emails in response to FOIL of “In the Public Interest.”
Read to see interchange between Bush foundation and corporate interests.

Highly Ineffective: Mayor Bloomberg and Mayoral Control

by dianerav

Arthur Goldstein is a high school teacher in New York City. He blogs at New York City Educator.
The New York State Legislature gave Mayor Bloomberg control of the New York City public schools in 2002. Here is Arthur Goldstein’s assessment of Mayor Bloomberg’s decade of near-total control:

When Michael Bloomberg came into office, there was quite a lot of talk about mayoral control. After all, as always, the schools were in crisis. Op-eds warned end of the world was imminent if we did not address this crisis immediately. Mayor Bloomberg’s predecessor, Rudolph Giuliani, had attempted to procure control, but was frequently preoccupied with lawsuits (like the one demanding the right to bring his mistress into the home he 

Mercedes Schneider Reviews NCTQ Board: Part 3

by dianerav

Mercedes Schneider, Louisiana teacher and Ph.D. In statistics, is writing a series of posts about the National Council on Teacher Quality. NCTQ rates education programs and presents itself as a neutral, nonpartisan judge of teacher quality. Here Schneider begins an analysis of the members of the NCTQ board. Schneider finds that it is committed to the tenets of corporate reform, that it has a specific point of view about the issues it reviews.

Diane in the Evening 1-31-13 Diane Ravitch's blog

coopmike48 at Big Education Ape - 2 hours ago

Diane Ravitch's blog: If I Were Secretary of Education…(2) by dianerav From a reader: 1, Dispose of Teach for America and alternative certification (except for vocational courses) or revise it completely as follows. Hire TFAs as paraprofessionals to work under experienced teachers for their first year. 2. Require a commitment of 5 years, not 2, so the schools get full benefit from them 3. Do not place them in schools with high percentages of disadvantaged and disabled students. Instead, put them in middle class schools and create incentives for the best teachers to go to the di... more »

Missouri Education Watchdog: The Wrangling of Taxpayer Money by Jeb Bush and other Education Reformers

Missouri Education Watchdog: The Wrangling of Taxpayer Money by Jeb Bush and other Education Reformers:

The Wrangling of Taxpayer Money by Jeb Bush and other Education Reformers

by stlgretchen

The Wild West Comes to Your State via Education Reformers looking for Gold.

Education is the "Wild West".  Scott Joftus was correct when talking about money to be made in education reform:

Scott Joftus, closely aligned with Bill Gates and his foundation since the early years of 2000, had this to say about education in an article aptly titled "Is the Stimulus Really "No Consultant Left Behind" "?:

That metaphor is an apt one for the market as well. In the fall of 2009, Mr. Joftus was 

UPDATE: Arne Duncan On Early Education - Joy Resmovits: Voucher Expansion Proposed By Ohio Gov. Kasich: Ed Today

Joy Resmovits: Voucher Expansion Proposed By Ohio Gov. Kasich: Ed Today:

Arne Duncan On Early Education: Access Will Be Key Piece Of Obama's Second Term

by Joy Resmovits

U.S. Secretary of Education Arne Duncan, in a forthcoming interview with Bloomberg Radio, reiterated his plans for a big push on early childhood education in the second term, which were first reported by The Huffington Post in January.

"We have to continue to invest in early childhood education," Duncan said in an interview with Bloomberg Radio's Jane Williams. "That's arguably the most important investment we can make." The interview on Bloomberg EDU will air Friday night at 10 p.m.

According to a transcript provided to HuffPost, Duncan stresses that, "We have to do a lot more going forward."

He adds that, "Kathleen Sebelius, who runs HHS, ... has been just a fantastic partner. And ... we got our department in the game in a big, big way in the first term. But [we] would like to do a lot more over the next four 

Voucher Expansion Proposed By Ohio Gov. Kasich: Ed Today

by Joy Resmovits

Vouchers To Grow In Ohio? In Ohio, Gov. John Kasich's (R) budget plan would reduce funding gaps between wealthy and poor public school districts and also create a new voucher program, reports the Columbus Dispatch.The new vouchers would give about $4,250 a year toward private-school tuition to any kindergartener whose family is making less than 200 percent of the poverty line. The next year, Kasich would expand the program to include first graders. While an existing scholarship plan currently does something similar for 15,702 students, a full 1.8 million students would qualify for the new plan's income requirements The budget plan includes a 6 percent overall school funding increase the following year, and then 3.2 percent more the next year.

Wyoming Ed-lection? Wyoming's state Superintendent of Public Instruction Cindy Hill announced she is is running for governor, according to the Star Tribune. The announcement follows Hill's tumultuous tenure and raucous relationships with state leadership: On Tuesday, Gov. Matt Mead signed into law a bill that removed much power from Hill's office -- so Hill filed a lawsuit. Why the fight? "Her tenure so far has included accusations that she improperly redirected state money to programs not authorized by the Legislature and hindered 

From the brilliant Susie Day « Bill Ayers

From the brilliant Susie Day « Bill Ayers:

From the brilliant Susie Day

by billayers

Dear All- With love from a dirty-blonde feminist:   Zero Dark Thirty: The Woman’s Guide to Success Thru Torture   I.     The Globe      See the Globe. More than half the 7 billion people on the Globe are women. Women are different from men. Why are women different from men? Because, according to international humanitarian agencies, women have special percentages that stick out. See women’s percentages:      • Women make up 70% of the world’s poor.      • Women do 66% of the world’s work yet receive 11% of the world’s income.      • Of the 130,000,000 children who currently do not go to school, 2/3 are girls.      • Gender-based violence kills 1 in 3 women.      These are bad percentages. Why are these bad percentages? Because they reflect

On the killing of a star student in Chicago:

On the killing of a star student in Chicago

Posted by Valerie Strauss on February 1, 2013 at 4:00 am

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COURTESY OF DNAINFO.COM – Undated family photo of Hadiya Pendleton.

Here is a moving statement from Chicago Teachers Union President Karen GJ Lewis, t on the shooting death of King College Prep student Hadiya Pendleton, a star student who was gunned down a little more than a week after she participated in President Obama’s inauguration as part of her school’s band. She was killed in a park about a mile from the Obama family home in Kenwood, and two teenage boys were also shot but survived. The Chicago Tribune reported that Chicago police believe the teens were mistakenly targeted in a gang incident, and that a reward of $24,000 for information leading to an arrest is being offered.

Hadiya was the 42nd victim of homicide in Chicago in January. Here is the statement by Lewis, released on Thursday:

This has been a trying week for our brothers and sisters in Chicago schools and all of us 

NYC Public School Parents: Highlights of Mayoral candidate education debate sponsored by principals union

NYC Public School Parents: Highlights of Mayoral candidate education debate sponsored by principals union:

Highlights of Mayoral candidate education debate sponsored by principals union

by Leonie Haimson

credit: Epoch Times

Last night there was a lively education debate sponsored by the CSA, the principals union, with all the Democratic mayoral candidates and Tom Allon, who is running as a Republican.  I was busily tweeting throughout.  

Except for a rather tiresome exchange as to who had the best public school  alma mater, it was an interesting discussion, well moderated by Liz Willen of Hechinger and Pedro Noguera of NYU.  ( In case you’re interested, Liu went to Bronx Science; Allon attended Stuyvesant;  Bill Thompson graduated from Midwood HS;  and Bill De Blasio’s son attends Brooklyn Tech. Chris Quinn said she wasn’t “smart enough” to go to Bronx Sci or Stuy but actually she grew up on Long Island.)

Each of the candidates had his or her high points:

·         Bill de Blasio got the biggest applause of the evening; when he said that come January, Eva Moskowitz of 

Public education privatization, - Perdaily.com

Public education privatization, - Perdaily.com:

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Privatization of Public Education: Strategies, Players, & Profits Part 2 by Steve Zeltzer

by Leonard Isenberg

(Mensaje se repite en Español)

Over the last 30 years, a massive coordinated campaign has been funded to undermine public education through charters, trigger laws and pushing testing scores, and - most recently - online education that will eliminate teachers, which will funnel more profits to computer companies and billionaire entrepreneurs, including convicted felon Michael Milken. 

The aim appears to be to make money from turning public education into a profit center for their investments. The Milken institute for example is behind K12 inc. (LRN), the largest U.S. operator of