UPDATE: Official first day of our partnership with Schools Matter – @ THE CHALK FACE knows SCHOOLS MATTER

Official first day of our partnership with Schools Matter – @ THE CHALK FACE knows SCHOOLS MATTER:

RAND Part II: “We’re peer reviewed.”

by Timothy D. Slekar

Yesterday I posted this blog in response to a RAND “opinion” piece that was published in the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette.  This morning while looking at my personal Facebook site I found this from RAND:

All of RAND’s published research is peer-reviewed. Following is a selection of peer-reviewed studies concerning accountability in education.

http://www.rand.org/pubs/external_publications/EP201000146.html

http://www.rand.org/pubs/reprints/RP1163.html

http://www.rand.org/pubs/external_publications/EP201200172.html

http://www.rand.org/pubs/technical_reports/TR917.html

http://www.rand.org/pubs/monographs/MG784.html

http://www.rand.org/pubs/external_publications/EP201200153.html

So that’s their comeback?  ”We are peer reviewed.”

What about the fact that they authored an “opinion” piece and tried to paint opt 

@benjaminriley References to Da Vinci code conspiracies are so humdrum. Boring satire.

by Chalk Face, PhD

From the New Schools Venture Fund, some kind of parody of common core critics as conspiracy nuts?

And this from an organization that in their title uses the word “venture,” a term commonly associated with a business enterprise that assumes risk with the potential for remunerative gain. 

Am I adding irony here that shouldn’t be?

Official first day of our partnership with Schools Matter

by Chalk Face, PhD

As we announced late last week, we formed a partnership with the longstanding education blog Schools Matter. We began to see our goals and ideologies dovetail increasingly over the months and years, deciding that together we are stronger. You’ll notice some slight variations to our homepage layout. I thought we may need to take the site down temporarily to reorganize, but disruptions were kept to a minimum and we should be all set.

On the right sidebar, you’ll notice an about page and listing of authors for Schools Matter. The menu at the top of the page includes About pages for each author. Again, we want to preserve the identities of both sites here. And, even though our goals are similar, there are some distinctions that we’d like to preserve as best as we can.

Enjoy and share the new content and commentary. We appreciate all of your support.

The Best Principals — Whole Child Education

The Best Principals — Whole Child Education:

THE WHOLE CHILD BLOG

The Best Principals

April 22, 2013 by Walter McKenzie

Who's the best principal you ever worked for? And why do you say so? Ask this question of educators from the classroom to the superintendent's office and the common denominator answer is quite consistent: he or she cared. Cared about what? Content? Pedagogy? Test scores? Well sure, those are a given. But in this case, the principal cared about them. They felt a connection with this principal ... that they were more than just a supervisor. He or she made a difference in their day, much in the same way they made a difference in their students' day. It's all about the relationship.

This is significant, because in the current issue of Educational Leadership, the role of the principal is examined from a variety of perspectives, and one thing is clear: the duties, expectations, and pressures have changed and increased over time. As EL editor Marge Scherer notes in her opening remarks for the issue, the skills of the principal are often compared to those of a mayor. The size of the town or city in question may change, but the common skills are the same. So I ask you, when you think of the greatest mayors we still remember, what is that common attribute that makes them stand out? Financial expertise? Law and order background? Political finesse? No. It's their ability connect to their constituents and make them feel valued and validated. That they really matter and are an important factor in getting the job done.

Daniel Goleman termed this ability emotional intelligence: self-aware interaction with others that validates their 

Best of the Ed Blogs | National Education Policy Center

Best of the Ed Blogs | National Education Policy Center:

Best of the Ed Blogs

Best of the Ed Blogs features a frequently updated selection of interesting and insightful blog posts on education policy. The views expressed by the bloggers on our blog roll are thoughtful, original, and entirely their own. We hope you make Best of the Ed Blogs your first stop for concise takes on today's most important education topics.

Shocker: The PTA and McDonald’s?

Best of the Ed Blogs

Diane Ravitch

April 22, 2013

Why Education Advocates Join the Progressive Opposition to Obama’s Budget

Best of the Ed Blogs

Jeff Bryant

April 22, 2013

That's Not How Students Write

Best of the Ed Blogs

John Spencer

April 22, 2013

America’s Union Suppression Movement (and Its Apologists), Part One

Best of the Ed Blogs

Leo Casey

April 19, 2013

America’s Union Suppression Movement (and Its Apologists), Part Two

Best of the Ed Blogs

Leo Casey

April 19, 2013

The Next Gates Thing

Best of the Ed Blogs

EduShyster

April 19, 2013

Revisiting the Complexities of Charter Funding Comparisons

Best of the Ed Blogs

Bruce D. Baker

April 19, 2013

Actual “Puke Procedures” Obtained by @the Chalkface

Best of the Ed Blogs

Tim Slekar

April 19, 2013

Top Ten List: Why “Choice” Demonstrates That Money Matters

Best of the Ed Blogs

Julian Vasquez Heilig

April 18, 2013

Quote of the Day: “How Do You Evaluate Teachers Who Change Lives?”

Best of the Ed Blogs

Larry Ferlazzo

April 18, 2013

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If It Smells Like a Skunk… | EduShyster

If It Smells Like a Skunk… | EduShyster:

If It Smells Like a Skunk…

by edushyster2012

Michigan officials have launched a bold and secret project known as Skunk Works to create “value schools.”

Someday, in our bold choice-tacular future, once-stifled students will be able to choose the educational option of their choice. Choice chosen, they will then swipe their EduCards to pay for 21st century skills building served up steaming and blended. And should they have any Edu Bucks left after choosing their choice, they can spring for extras like AP courses, athletics or super cool cyber courses. What’s that, you say? Such a choice-tacular future is already in the werks in none other than MIchigan, USA? Why we must go there directly to smell theodeur de choix for ourselves…
According to the Detroit News, a secret work group that includes top aides to Michigan Governor Rick Snyder has been working to come up with a model for so-called “value schools.” These K-Schools will cost just $5,000 per formerly-stifled student, compared to the $7,000 that Michigan currently spends. The savings will come by by applying “concepts familiar in the private sector — getting higher value for less money.” That certainly sounds 

CISPA: Why it’s not a good idea, at all | Seattle Education

CISPA: Why it’s not a good idea, at all | Seattle Education:

CISPA: Why it’s not a good idea, at all

by seattleducation2011

   Corporations and Congress with members who receive big bucks to promote and protect their business interests along with corporate/military interests, tried to push through legislation that would allow a greater ability for companies to access personal information of folks on the internet and yet protect the powers that be in complete secrecy through SOPA and ACTA. You can read a post that I wrote about ACTA at Stop ACTA NOW.

   At first I considered going dark today on this blog as others will be doing in protest of CISPA but decided instead to post information on CISPA. This is yet another piece of legislation that would completely destroy any shred of privacy people have left who use twitter, Facebook and Google. There have been instances that governments have demanded information from twitter and Google on individuals but this takes it to the next step.

   This concerns me not only as a citizen but also because I appreciate my right and privilege to post my observations and opinions freely on the internet and want others to feel comfortable providing their concerns here and elsewhere on the internet without fear. That’s what our 

As States Pull Back From Common Core, Parents Should Ask 'Why?' - High School Notes (usnews.com)

As States Pull Back From Common Core, Parents Should Ask 'Why?' - High School Notes (usnews.com):

States Pull Back From Common Core Standards

By KELSEY SHEEHY

April 22, 2013 RSS Feed Print

Parents should ask why some state lawmakers want to reverse course on adopting Common Core standards.

Lawmakers in some states hope to halt the transition to theCommon Core State Standards, even as school districts across the country are rolling them out.

In Alabama, senators are considering a bill to repeal the standards, which the state's Board of Education adopted in 2010. Alabama schools are already using the new math standards, which aim to give the subject context by teaching high school students to use mathematical models to analyze everyday situations, and are set to implement the 

LISTEN TO DIANE RAVITCH 4-22-13 Diane Ravitch's blog | A site to discuss better education for all

Diane Ravitch's blog | A site to discuss better education for all:

Nine of the Ten Richest in US Are Attacking Unions

by dianerav

Leo Casey explains here that there really is “class warfare” in the U.S. today.
It is not the 1% that is attacking unions and working Americans.
It is the 1% of the 1%.
Nine of the ten richest Americans–all billionaires–are united in opposition to rights for working people.
They don’t want working people to have an assured pension.
They don’t want teachers to have any job security.
They want to roll back the New Deal.
They want capital to 

New York: Tests Will Remain Secret

by dianerav

Parents in New York want to see the contents of the Pearson tests that are aligned with the Common Core but officials are adamantly opposed to releasing the tests.
Parents want to review the tests to see if the questions and answers are reasonable. That is not going to happen. Teachers have been warned that they may be disciplined if they reveal any questions. Unless students 

Shocker: The PTA and McDonald’s?

by dianerav

A report from Melissa Westbrook, parent activist in Washington State:
“Here in Washington State, our state PTA is joining with…McDonald’s. We are supposed to believe that because McDonald’s now has apple slices that all their food is good for kids. They are even allowing the McDonald’s Director of Nutrition to speak at the state convention.
One other interesting thing is that several of our Seattle schools PTAs are weighing whether to leave the organization altogether and become PTOs (Parent Teacher Organizations). They just don’t support the state and national PTA actions and want to see their hard-earned fundraising dollars go to their school.”

The Failure of Market-Based Reforms

by dianerav

What is presently called “reform” consists of market-based policies such as school choice, high-stakes testing, evaluating teachers by test scores, and closing schools.
The Broader Bolder Approach to Education just released a report on what they call “market-oriented reforms.” The report analyzes performance data in three “market-oriented” cities–Washington, D.C., Chicago, and New York City–and concludes that in these districts, the rhetoric trumps the reality. Non-market-oriented districts consistently outperformed the three studied.
The authors sai in summary:
“Top-down pressure from federal education policies such as Race to the Top and No Child Left Behind, bolstered 

The Attack on Unions: Which Side Are You On?

by dianerav

The attack on unions flared into public view in 2011, when Governor Scott Walker of Wisconsin attacked public sector unions, and thousands of people surrounded the State Capitol in protest.
Since so many radical Republicans took office in 2010, the effort to destroy public sector unions–especially the teachers’ unions–has accelerated.
Leo Casey explores the context of the anti-union movement here.
In state after state, legislatures have wiped out collective bargaining rights. That meant teachers would have no 

For Shame, Commissioner John King!

by dianerav

Peter DeWitt, an elementary school principal in upstate New York, tells a shocking story here.
New York requires students with disabilities to take grade level tests that are far beyond their ability. Some children who literally cannot read are expected to take the same tests as other students of their age.
What purpose does it serve to put these children through this ordeal?
I think of two ways to characterize this behavior on the part of officials: either “educational malpractice” or “child 

MORNING UPDATE LISTEN TO DIANE RAVITCH 4-21-13 Diane Ravitch's blog | A site to discuss better education for all

mike simpson at Big Education Ape - 9 hours ago

Diane Ravitch's blog | A site to discuss better education for all: [image: Click on picture to Listen to Diane Ravitch] Shocker: The PTA and McDonald’s? by dianerav A report from Melissa Westbrook, parent activist in Washington State: “Here in Washington State, our state PTA is joining with…McDonald’s. We are supposed to believe that because McDonald’s now has apple slices that all their food is good for kids. They are even allowing the McDonald’s Director of Nutrition to speak at the state convention. One other interesting thing is that several of our Seattle schools PTAs are wei... more »

UPDATE: Why I’m not voting for Karen Lewis and CORE + Retired teacher to the Tribune: “You persist in cruel, one-note tirades .” | Fred Klonsky

Retired teacher to the Tribune: “You persist in cruel, one-note tirades against the long-honored state contract with teachers.” | Fred Klonsky:

Guess what? Congresswoman Schakowsky is “on the record.” Now I need to know one more thing.

by Fred Klonsky

Surprise!
Not three hours after posting about my exchanges with Congresswoman Jan Schakowsky’s District Director, Leslie Combs, my phone rang.
Why it was Leslie Combs again. She was the one who left the voice mail saying that “given (Jan Schakowsky is) not an expert on the topic of the state, she’s not going to talk on the record on this issue.”
But Ms Combs found a letter the Congresswoman wrote to a constituent about state public employee pensions.
Hey. Congresswoman Schakowsky is on the record after all.

Hi Fred – below is the text of a letter that Congresswoman Schakowsky wrote in response to 

Congresswoman Schakowsky “is not going to talk on the record” about public employee pensions.

by Fred Klonsky

I have been puzzled of late by the silence of Chicago north side and north suburban Congresswoman Jan Schakowsky on the issue of the state’s public employee pensions, including teacher pensions. Many of these employees live in her congressional district, of course.
Democrat Schakowsky has made much of her defense of Social Security and Medicare in Congress.
How ironic it is then that the Democratic Party organization in her district, of which she is the de facto head, is leading the charge against public employee pensions in Springfield.
These pension bombers would include Senator Dan Biss and Representatives Elaine Nekritz and Robyn Gabel.
So I called Congresswoman Schakowsky’s legislative office here in Chicago (773 506 8342) and spoke with her 

Someone else’s neighborhood school. VIDEO

by Fred Klonsky

It is important to note that this was filmed on a Sunday afternoon in 65 degree weather, and the children were not carrying backpacks. These children will have to make this journey twice a day,

Why I’m not voting for Karen Lewis and CORE. But wish I could.

by Fred Klonsky

One of the most popular  of my Ten Minute Drawings that I have posted on this site is the imaginary poster,“Karen Lewis for Mayor.”
In some of my cartoons I depict a conversation between the mouse and the chicken. 
In this particular one there is this conversation:
“When’s the election?” asks the chicken.
“Not soon enough,” says the mouse.
I originally drew the cartoon back in September during the Chicago teacher strike.
I posted it again this weekend on Facebook.
Someone will run against Mayor Emanuel. Maybe more than one person.
Rahm’s polling numbers are in the dumpster. But he has millions of his Hollywood and corporate friends’ dollars 

Retired teacher to the Tribune: “You persist in cruel, one-note tirades against the long-honored state contract with teachers.”

by Fred Klonsky

Letter to the Editor, Chicago Tribune.

April 22, 2013

 State’s pension system

As a retired public school teacher dependent on the promises inherent in our Illinois pension system, I have watched with equal parts incredulity and horror as the Tribune’s editorials on teacher pensions have taken on the emotional intensity of a petulant 2-year-old kicking and screaming in the middle of the street. Your monomaniacal obsession regarding our pensions is embarrassing, given what you must know about the outsized influence of wealthy corporations, banks and individuals in Springfield, their abilities to shape tax policy and garner lucrative tax breaks, and the barely concealed disdain and revulsion such parties show toward public-service employees and their unions.The rich and powerful understand how to use their money and power to 

D.C. cheating issue calls test-driven incentives into question | EdSource Today

D.C. cheating issue calls test-driven incentives into question | EdSource Today:

D.C. cheating issue calls test-driven incentives into question - by Charles Taylor Kerchner / commentary

by Charles Taylor Kerchner / commentary

The smoke surrounding allegations of test score cheating in the Washington, D.C., public schools burst into flame last week. In a 4,300-word blog post, titledMichelle Rhee’s Reign of Error, the veteran educational journalist John Merrow linked the former schools chancellor with documents that suggest that she knew about widespread cheating on standardized tests and looked the other way.

Merrow drew parallels between Washington and Atlanta, where former superintendent Beverly Hall and 34 others have been indicted. But the underlying question is whether school reform can successfully be driven by rewards and punishments tied to standardized tests.

First, the Watergate question: What did Rhee know and when did she know it? As U.S.A. Today reported, District of Columbia Public Schools officials have long maintained that a 2011 test-cheating scandal that generated two government probes was limited to one elementary school. Merrow, however, reported that a long-buried memo from an outside data consultant warned as far back as January 2009 that educator cheating on 2008 standardized tests could have been widespread, with 191 teachers in 70 schools “implicated in possible testing infractions.”

Consultant Fay G. Sanford noted substantial numbers of erasures on test forms where corrections were made from wrong answers to correct ones. (Erasers leave smudge marks that the machines 

State toughens regs for interns teaching English learners - by Kathryn Baron

by Kathryn Baron

The California Commission on Teacher Credentialing will now require non-credentialed Teach For America teachers and other intern teachers to receive more training in how to teach English learners and to get weekly on-the-job mentoring and supervision. The Commission’s unanimous vote last week followed two hours of public testimony and debate among commissioners over 14 separate...