UPDATE: Google "Smarter Balanced Assessment" Missouri Education Watchdog: Northwestern's View of Diversity

Missouri Education Watchdog: Northwestern's View of Diversity:

Northwestern's View of Diversity

by Anngie

While the K-12 world is bent on commonality and treating everyone the same regardless of origin or ability, the world of higher education intends to take those same kids, who have been bathed in a culture of oneness and sameness, and yank them in completely the opposite direction. The goal of the  Common Core standards is to prepare kids for college, but what is college going to do to them? Consider Northwestern University which is implementing a "Social Inequalities and Diversities” requirement, that all students will have to complete before they graduate. We have, as a society, just bent over backwards adopting Common Core and will spend billions of dollars ($16 billion according to Pioneer Institute) treating everyone exactly the same, teaching them to reach the same ends with the same values and making sure they have absorbed that sameness through uniform standardized testing. But once they get to college they will be told they won't be able be graduate unless they understand the world is full of differences and they should embrace those differences.

According to College Fix, NU's goal " is multifaceted. The draft proposal states that once completed, students will be able to 'expand their ability to think critically', 'recognize their own positionality in systems of inequality,'

Google "Smarter Balanced Assessment" and See What you Get.

by stlgretchen

Is this a crystal ball moment?  Looking into the crystal ball today about noon and googling the above search term, this is what I got:

NOTICE: This domain name expired on 04/19/2013 and is pending renewal or deletion.

http://smarterbalanced.org/?nr=0

Why is the smarterbalanced.org domain expired?  Is it: 

• disappearing like a bad relationship
• being absorbed into a public/private partnership that will henceforth be known as a different name (akin to CCSS being renamed Missouri Learning Standards?)

'Catastrophic' budget laid out by Philly schools - Philly.com

'Catastrophic' budget laid out by Philly schools - Philly.com:

'Catastrophic' budget laid out by Philly schools

By Kristen A. Graham, Inquirer Staff Writer

POSTED: April 19, 2013

If the "catastrophic" budget picture Superintendent William R. Hite Jr. laid out Thursday comes to pass, Philadelphia schools would be virtually unrecognizable come September.

There could be no money for counselors or librarians. There might be no sports or extracurricular activities. No dedicated funds for secretaries, aides, or summer school would be provided. And that would follow the steep cuts made over the last two years.

There also could be 3,000 layoffs, including some teachers.

This doomsday scenario comes as a result of a deficit of more than $300 million in the district's $2.7 billion 2013-14 budget. Officials have asked for $120 million in additional funding from the state and $60 million from the city, as well as $133 million in concessions from labor unions.

But none of that money is guaranteed.

"Too many budgets and contracts in the past were being based on what we had hoped for and not necessarily what was real," Hite said.

Laying out the grimmest possible reality is a strategic move, as the district makes its case in Harrisburg and City Hall for more funding and sits at the negotiating table with its unions, including the 15,000-member Philadelphia Federation of Teachers.

But $220 million in additional school-based cuts is a very real possibility. Union officials have said they would not bow to demands for big concessions, and while Mayor Nutter has signaled his support for 

An Open Letter | California Father

An Open Letter | California Father:

An Open Letter

by California Father

Dear Editors:
I am writing in response to your recent article about McKinley Elementary School, where a teacher was recently accused of giving answers to a student while administering the California Standards Test.  Our son, a McKinley student, is not in the third grade class where the alleged cheating took place.  He did not take the test at all because we decided to opt him out of testing, which is a parental right the California Education Code guarantees.  We opted our boy out because we know what is happening to McKinley now and what will happen to it in the future, as long as standardized tests are used to evaluate schools: the curriculum will be narrowed, creative educators will be forced to teach to the test, and there will be cheating, because standardized tests guarantee failure, as the bar for passing them gets higher every year.  Others know this too: big business super PACS, that have recently made inroads into Burbank’s excellent schools, and threaten to turn them into charters if test scores continue to slide.  We do not know what happened in the third grade class where the cheating supposedly took place.  All we can do to support our son’s excellent public school is continue to opt him out of this harmful testing and to encourage other Burbank parents to do the same.
Respectfully…

4LAKids - some of the news that doesn't fit 4-20-13

4LAKids - some of the news that doesn't fit:

4LAKIDS - SOME OF THE NEWS THAT DOESN'T FIT

Michelle Rhee: TIGER MOM… OR PAPER TIGER MOM …with kids in private school?

smf at 4LAKids - some of the news that doesn't fit - 12 hours ago

following up on MICHELLE RHEE’S REIGN OF ERROR Education advocate Michelle Rhee fends off accusations Head of a group that advocates using student test scores to evaluate teachers, fends off accusations that she failed to pursue evidence of cheating when she ran the D.C. school system. By Howard Blume, Los Angeles Timeshttp://lat.ms/1796S0y.

BALDWIN PARK SCHOOL DISTRICT WINS #1 SPOT IN CLOSING THE ACHIEVEMENT GAP

smf at 4LAKids - some of the news that doesn't fit - 12 hours ago

Deepa Fernandes | kpcc pASS/fAIL  | http://bit.ly/ZD0JEJ Maya Sugarman/KPCC  Sixth grader, Reyna Ugalde, at Foster Elementary in the Baldwin Park School District, highlights in pink the edges of her handmade polyhedron. April 17th, 2013, 1:00pm  ::  Recently we reported on two schools in the Baldwin Park school district that have unique programs: a high school that helps teenage parents stay in

SAL CASTRO: Legendary Los Angeles Chicano rights activist-teacher dies at 79

smf at 4LAKids - some of the news that doesn't fit - 12 hours ago

By City News Service, from the LA Daily News | http://bit.ly/17Mn3SV Sal Castro speaks at CSUN's Aztlan graduation ceremony on May 29, 1999. (Daily News file photo) 04/16/2013 05:24:50 PM PDT  ::  LOS ANGELES - Former LAUSD teacher Sal Castro, who joined his students in East Los Angeles school walkouts in 1968 to protest inequities in educational opportunities for Latinos and whose efforts

ONE WEEK TO APPLY FOR COMMON CORE TECHNOLOGY JOBS IN LAUSD

smf at 4LAKids - some of the news that doesn't fit - 4 days ago

referred in an email from LAUSD |Procurement | Facilities Contracts News : We are Hiring! Are you interested in joining the Common Core Technology Project team? We currently have several openings for certificated and classified positions. Click on a position to learn more about the role and how to apply. Certificated (administrative or teaching credential required): Director, Common

LAUSD CHIEF JOHN DEASY DRAWS FIRE AS HE PURSUES AGGRESSIVE ®EFORM PLAN

smf at 4LAKids - some of the news that doesn't fit - 5 days ago

By Barbara Jones, Staff Writer, LA Daily News | http://bit.ly/131VuoC Sunday, 4/14/2013 11:50:21 AM PDT  ::  During a recent speech at Loyola Marymount University, John Deasy recalled his promotion from deputy superintendent to chief of Los Angeles Unified two years ago, tasked with turning around a district plagued by failing schools, struggling students and an epidemic of dropouts. "I

TEACHERS: WILL WE EVER LEARN?

smf at 4LAKids - some of the news that doesn't fit - 6 days ago

  By Op-Ed Contributor JAL MEHTA in the New York Times |http://nyti.ms/156WR5F ^Leigh Guldig April 12, 2013  - CAMBRIDGE, Mass.  :: IN April 1983, a federal commission warned in a famous report, “A Nation at Risk,” that American education was a “rising tide of mediocrity.” The alarm it sounded about declining competitiveness touched off a tidal wave of

STATE SCHOOLS CHIEF ANNOUNCES CONTINUED IMPROVEMENT IN HIGH SCHOOL GRAD RATES

smf at 4LAKids - some of the news that doesn't fit - 6 days ago

cde PRESS Release | http://bit.ly/111Wna8 April 9, 2013   ::  SACRAMENTO—Graduation rates among California's public school students are climbing and dropout rates are falling, with the biggest gains being made among African-American and Hispanic students, State Superintendent of Public Instruction Tom Torlakson announced today. Overall, nearly eight out of 10 students, or 78.5 percent, who

$4.5 BILLION + 3 YEARS = WHAT? Federal School Improvement Grants running out

smf at 4LAKids - some of the news that doesn't fit - 6 days ago

Jill Tucker asks from City Insider, an SFGate.com blog  http://bit.ly/YkVp8y Here’s the $64,000 question: If the federal government throws $4.5 billion at struggling schools for three years and then stops the flow of cash, does it make a difference? A long-term difference? Do test scores rise? Do teachers stay? Do kids show up to school more? Those who argue for more funding for schools say the

Gladys explains it all for you: AMERICA’S PUBLIC SCHOOLS = WALMART’S TRAINING ACADEMIES

smf at 4LAKids - some of the news that doesn't fit - 6 days ago

a youtube video animation by John the Dad | 16:02 April 10, 2013  ::  Something's not quite right in America's schools and Gladys is going to tell the world just what is wrong! Designed to empower citizens in a democracy, public schools have become Walmart's training academies and Gladys wants an end to it! Be informed and entertained, but most of all get busy, taking back our schools from the

MICHELLE RHEE’S REIGN OF ERROR

smf at 4LAKids - some of the news that doesn't fit - 1 week ago

by John Merrow, Taking Note  | http://bit.ly/12TSWsC 11. Apr, 2013   ::  With the indictment of former Atlanta School Superintendent Beverly A. Hall and 34 other public school employees in a massive cheating scandal, the time is right to re-examine other situations of possible illegal behavior by educators. Washington, DC, belongs at the top of that list. ***** Michelle A. Rhee, America’s

LCFF: APPLES-TO-APPLES COMPARISON OF BROWN’S FUNDING FORMULA

smf at 4LAKids - some of the news that doesn't fit - 1 week ago

By John Fensterwald, Ed Source Today - http://bit.ly/XHnP1x April 10th, 2013  ::  Twenty-two of the 50 largest districts in the state would receive more money under Gov. Jerry Brown’s proposed K-12 funding formula when it’s fully funded, potentially in seven years, while 28 districts would do better if additional money were simply divvied up under the current system, with no reforms,

TWO VIEWS OF THE ATLANTA CHEATING SCANDAL: Objects in the mirror may be closer than they appear

smf at 4LAKids - some of the news that doesn't fit - 1 week ago

Former Atlanta Public Schools Superintendent Beverly Hall, center, heads towards the Fulton County Jail to turn herself in on Tuesday in Atlanta. Hall is among the 35 Atlanta school system educators named in a 65-count indictment last week that alleges a broad conspiracy to cheat, conceal cheating, or retaliate against whistleblowers in an effort to bolster student test scores and, as a result

‘PAY FOR PERFORMANCE’ PITFALLS: A cheating scandal in Atlanta reveals the dark side of offering incentives.

smf at 4LAKids - some of the news that doesn't fit - 1 week ago

Op-Ed in the LA Times by Lynn Stout | http://lat.ms/ZPlzGJ The Atlanta cheating scandal illustrates the dangers of the modern infatuation with incentives and what's called "pay for performance." Above: Atlanta Public Schools defendant Sandra Ward, right, turns herself in at the Fulton County Jail accompanied by her attorney Robbin Shipp, left, on April 2 in Atlanta. (David Goldman / Associated

@ the End of the Day: 98% OF DEASY’S SUPPORTERS LIKE HIM AND 90% OF HIS DETRACTORS DON’T

smf at 4LAKids - some of the news that doesn't fit - 1 week ago

smf: April 11, 2013  ::  Today the bought-and-paid-for ®eformers released a survey [http://t.co/wlUgYS4uMd] and the Teacher’s Union released a poll [http://t.co/eKV7K7waef] dealing with their respective/disrespective opinions of Superintendent Deasy’s superintendency. Both are essentially hogwash, damp dry from the spin cycle; as unscientific as a alchemist at a necromancers convention – and

LAUSD SUMMER ENRICHMENT PROGRAMS CUT AGAIN

smf at 4LAKids - some of the news that doesn't fit - 1 week ago

Mary Plummer | Pass / Fail | 89.3 KPCC http://bit.ly/12OQofn Ashley Myers-Turner/KPCC April 11th, 2013, 4:14pm  ::  LAUSD's summer enrichment programming, which features free art, drama and music activities for elementary and middle school students, will be reduced again this summer. The Los Angeles Unified School District announced today that funding limits are forcing it to reduce

TEACHERS VOTE NO CONFIDENCE IN SUPT. DEASY, The Times, Daily News and UTLA weigh in

smf at 4LAKids - some of the news that doesn't fit - 1 week ago

Teachers vote no confidence in Supt. Deasy UTLA members lack confidence in LAUSD Superintendent John Deasy By Howard Blume, LA Times | http://lat.ms/Zdc7dd April 11, 2013, 5:20 p.m.  ::  Los Angeles teachers overwhelmingly expressed “no confidence” in L.A. schools Supt. John Deasy in  the first vote of its kind

LAUSD REFORM AGENDA GETS HIGH MARKS FROM CIVIC GROUPS (ALIGNED WITH LAUSD ®EFORM AGENDA) + Deasy tweet-tweet-tweets!

smf at 4LAKids - some of the news that doesn't fit - 1 week ago

- or -  you always get an “A” when you do your own report card! By Barbara Jones, Staff Writer, LA Daily News | http://bit.ly/12O51jd 04/11/2013 01:48:05 PM PDT  ::  A new coalition of civil rights groups, led by the United Way, released a poll today showing strong support for reforms taking place in Los Angeles Unified and calling for an even more aggressive approach to improving student

EDUCATION, HEALTH CARE SECTORS UNITE FOR SCHOOL-BASED HEALTH CENTERS

smf at 4LAKids - some of the news that doesn't fit - 1 week ago

National Group Calls on Congress to Release Operations Funds NASBC  Press Release For Immediate Release: April 10, 2013 WASHINGTON, D.C. – Nearly 75 state and district school superintendents, principals, and other school officials from across the nation today joined the National Assembly on School-Based Health Care (NASBHC) in calling on Congress to support school-based health

‘IF YOU DON'T KNOW MUCH ABOUT MARTINEZ'S WORK AS AN LAUSD BOARD MEMBER, MAYBE IT'S BECAUSE THERE ISN'T MUCH TO KNOW.’ - Steve Lopez, out-of-context

smf at 4LAKids - some of the news that doesn't fit - 1 week ago

smf: Here’s the context: THE GREUEL-GARCETTI CONUNDRUM: Here's why two San Fernando Valley voters have switched allegiances, and why a third is still pondering. By Steve Lopez, LA Times columnist | http://lat.ms/YfpMNH With the election approaching, some high-information voters are changing their minds about who should run City Hall. (Brian van der Brug / Los Angeles Times / February 5, 2013

Top Content this Week - 4-20-13 The Educator's PLN Top Content this Week - The Educator's PLN:

Top Content this Week - The Educator's PLN:

1	The history of technology in education Added by Cassandra Trumbetic on April 13, 2013
2	Rick Wormeli: How Much Should Homework Count? Added by Shawna Hixson on April 4, 2013
3	SMART Boards Why are they so easy to use? Added by Cassandra Trumbetic on April 13, 2013
4	To be honest with you, no offense, but I was just sayin'... Added by Jeremy Lenzi on April 18, 2013
5	Bully Added by Jeremy Lenzi on April 18, 2013
6	Challenge 15 Posted by Danje' Morris on April 13, 2013
7	What a Graphic... Added by Jeremy Lenzi on April 18, 2013
8	Online Learning - A Significant Phenomenon of the New Digital Age Added by Melissa Spears on April 16, 2013
9	How to Use the New Features in Socrative Added by Thomas Whitby on April 19, 2013
10	Missing the Context Misses the Purpose of Lincoln's "Gettysburg Address" Added by Colette Marie Bennett on April 15, 2013
11	Paperless Classroom: No Red Pen, No Regrets Added by Brian Durst on April 16, 2013
12	Connected Educators Hangout Added by Thomas Whitby on April 18, 2013
13	The Evidence-Based Classroom: Including All Students Through Differentiation Added by Lacey Smith on April 15, 2013
14	My Father's Arms are a Boat... Added by Jeremy Lenzi on April 18, 2013
15	New Teacher and (Seasoned) Teacher Development Added by Jeremy Lenzi on April 18, 2013
16	Project Development-Final Book Survey Added by Lori Ann Gibson on April 14, 2013
17	Dang, Shane Koyczan, you nailed it... Added by Jeremy Lenzi on April 18, 2013
18	It's Difficult to Defend the Media in this Day and Age Added by Jeremy Lenzi on April 18, 2013
19	Challenge 15 Added by Lori Thomas on April 14, 2013
20	Challenge 15 Added by Nicole Hackett on April 14