Mayor Bill Finch asks – Wait, What? Connecticut’s School Funding Laws Apply to Us?
Friday, April 26, 2013
Mayor Bill Finch asks - Wait, What? Connecticut’s School Funding Laws Apply to Us? - Wait, What?
Mayor Bill Finch asks - Wait, What? Connecticut’s School Funding Laws Apply to Us? - Wait, What?:
Heart in the Clouds: Maya Angelou Calls on Educators To Be Somebody's Rainbow — Whole Child Education
Heart in the Clouds: Maya Angelou Calls on Educators To Be Somebody's Rainbow — Whole Child Education:
In March, Maya Angelou greeted 10,000 ASCD Annual Conference attendees in Chicago, Ill., with a song of hope and gratitude:
"When it looked like the sun wouldn’t shine anymore; God put a rainbow in the cloud."
It's not just that we have rainbows in the sky, but in the clouds themselves, she explained. So that even when it seems like the rain won't let up, we have something there to encourage us.
"You have sacrificed a lot to be here," Dr. Angelou stated. "I'm here to tell you how grateful I am and remind you that you are rainbows in clouds." She wouldn't be where she is today, if not for the "rainbows" in her life, she added.
Widely known as an author, poet, educator, activist, and actress, the 84-year-old Angelou charmed the packed convention with heartfelt parables of the teachers who emboldened her to weather the storms of life.
As a 3-year-old, she learned to read from her grandmother, and she learned the multiplication tables from her
What Happened in DC in 2008 – & Does it Still Matter in 2013?
What Happened in DC in 2008 – & Does it Still Matter in 2013?:
What Happened in DC in 2008 – & Does it Still Matter in 2013?
If a prominent urban school leader told you he couldn’t recall being informed that half his city’s schools may have allowed the gross mistreatment of students to occur, would you believe him? And even if you did, would you still want him in charge of your children?
Now imagine that the leader in question is not just prominent locally, but nationally as well. Imagine that this individual has appeared on the cover of iconic news magazines and been interviewed on Oprah’s iconic couch. And imagine that this person has come to embody a singular approach to determining the effectiveness of schools and teachers – the rationale for which would be challenged if the allegations of mistreatment were ever proven to be true.
Would you want to know if any actual wrongdoing had occurred?
In fact this is not a hypothetical question, but an actual one we can apply to the nation’s capital, and to our nation’s most visible school reformer, Michelle Rhee. It is, therefore, a question fraught with potential
Now imagine that the leader in question is not just prominent locally, but nationally as well. Imagine that this individual has appeared on the cover of iconic news magazines and been interviewed on Oprah’s iconic couch. And imagine that this person has come to embody a singular approach to determining the effectiveness of schools and teachers – the rationale for which would be challenged if the allegations of mistreatment were ever proven to be true.
Would you want to know if any actual wrongdoing had occurred?
In fact this is not a hypothetical question, but an actual one we can apply to the nation’s capital, and to our nation’s most visible school reformer, Michelle Rhee. It is, therefore, a question fraught with potential
Diane in the Evening 4-26-13 Diane Ravitch's blog | A site to discuss better education for all
Diane Ravitch's blog | A site to discuss better education for all:
DFER Defended by Head of the Discovery Institute
Alan Singer: Pearson Fails the Test Again and Again
Pearson Makes Massive Errors and Big Profits
The “Bloomberg Legacy” Article Is No Longer Behind Paywall
The Legacy of Michael Bloomberg
DFER Defended by Head of the Discovery Institute
This is indeed an odd turn of events.
Bruce Chapman, the head of the Discovery Institute, a Reagan Republican, warns Democrats that they should take care not to offend Democrats for Education Reform because they might become Republicans.
The reason for his warning was that the California Democratic Party recently passed a resolution denouncing corporate education reform and specifically singling out DFER and StudentsFirst as fronts for corporations and Republicans.
Chapman was the founder of the the conservative Discovery Institute, which promotes “intelligent design” and is
Bruce Chapman, the head of the Discovery Institute, a Reagan Republican, warns Democrats that they should take care not to offend Democrats for Education Reform because they might become Republicans.
The reason for his warning was that the California Democratic Party recently passed a resolution denouncing corporate education reform and specifically singling out DFER and StudentsFirst as fronts for corporations and Republicans.
Chapman was the founder of the the conservative Discovery Institute, which promotes “intelligent design” and is
Alan Singer: Pearson Fails the Test Again and Again
From Alan Singer:
Pearson is reading the columns. Please spread the word to your lists and encourage people to reply online. Keep the pressure on!
Enough is Enough — Pearson Education Fails the Test Again and Again
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/alan-singer/enough-is-enough-pearson-_b_3146434.html
Attention: Charles Goldsmith, Head of Corporate Communications at Pearson Plc
Emailed Sunday, April 21, 2013, noon, New York time
Dear Mr. Goldsmith
I am very upset about what I have documented as a pattern of poor performance by Pearson Education and its
Pearson is reading the columns. Please spread the word to your lists and encourage people to reply online. Keep the pressure on!
Enough is Enough — Pearson Education Fails the Test Again and Again
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/alan-singer/enough-is-enough-pearson-_b_3146434.html
Attention: Charles Goldsmith, Head of Corporate Communications at Pearson Plc
Emailed Sunday, April 21, 2013, noon, New York time
Dear Mr. Goldsmith
I am very upset about what I have documented as a pattern of poor performance by Pearson Education and its
Pearson Makes Massive Errors and Big Profits
Valerie Strauss catalogued the long history of Pearson’s testing errors.
These are only the errors that were discovered and went public.
What about the errors that went undiscovered?
What about the students who never graduated because Pearson made a
These are only the errors that were discovered and went public.
What about the errors that went undiscovered?
What about the students who never graduated because Pearson made a
The “Bloomberg Legacy” Article Is No Longer Behind Paywall
Leonie Haimson and I wrote an article for The Nation reviewing the Bloomberg legacy in education.
It is no longer behind a paywall. It is online and free.
It is no longer behind a paywall. It is online and free.
The Legacy of Michael Bloomberg
Leonie Haimson and I written an article in the current issue of The Nation about Mayor Bloomberg’s 12-year control of the public schools.
The article unfortunately is behind a pay wall. If you can find a copy at your newsstand or library.
The article unfortunately is behind a pay wall. If you can find a copy at your newsstand or library.
LISTEN TO DIANE RAVITCH 4-26-13 Diane Ravitch's blog | A site to discuss better education for all
Diane Ravitch's blog | A site to discuss better education for all: [image: Click on picture to Listen to Diane Ravitch] Breaking News! Illinois Stops $$$ to UNO Charters by dianerav The state of Illinois has cut off funding to the politically powerful UNO charter chain because of conflicts of interest, according to the Chicago Sun-Times. The head of UNO, Juan Rangel, was co-chair of Rahm Emanuel’s mayoral campaign in 2011. According to the story, millions of dollars of a $98 million construction grant went to contracts with two brothers of a high-ranking UNO official. NC: Vou... more »
Revealing Thoughts From Former TFA Teacher | Larry Miller's Blog: Educate All Students!
Revealing Thoughts From Former TFA Teacher | Larry Miller's Blog: Educate All Students!:
4/26/13
I think TFA does great and important work—but I also think it can do better. While internally TFA is a model of reflective practice, at times the organization has resisted outside criticism. This is not unreasonable, as much of the criticism leveled against it is less than constructive. But as a not-so-successful corps member who now works in education policy, I think I can offer some constructive criticism from my perspective as both a TFA insider and outsider.
Here’s the deal: More than two years ago, I joined nearly 48,000 people in applying to TFA. I was head over heels for the cause and proudly accepted my offer. I remained in New Orleans, where I had attended Tulane University, to serve a community desperately in need of great teaching.
I didn’t stay, though. I didn’t fulfill my two years as a corps member or as a 4th grade teacher
at Nelson
Revealing Thoughts From Former TFA Teacher
4/26/13
By Lauren Blair Aronson
Unlike most of the people who drop out of Teach For America, as I did, I really like and respect TFA.I think TFA does great and important work—but I also think it can do better. While internally TFA is a model of reflective practice, at times the organization has resisted outside criticism. This is not unreasonable, as much of the criticism leveled against it is less than constructive. But as a not-so-successful corps member who now works in education policy, I think I can offer some constructive criticism from my perspective as both a TFA insider and outsider.
Here’s the deal: More than two years ago, I joined nearly 48,000 people in applying to TFA. I was head over heels for the cause and proudly accepted my offer. I remained in New Orleans, where I had attended Tulane University, to serve a community desperately in need of great teaching.
I didn’t stay, though. I didn’t fulfill my two years as a corps member or as a 4th grade teacher
at Nelson
Best of the Ed Blogs | National Education Policy Center
Best of the Ed Blogs | National Education Policy Center:
 |
Governor of Louisiana Speaks about the Facts of Science |
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.
The President's 2014 Budget | First Focus #InvestInKids
The President's 2014 Budget | First Focus:
 |
   Obama Budget Delivers for Kids President Obama recently released his 2014 budget proposal. Our analysis shows that, like his prior budgets, it invests in America’s children. The President’s proposal would reverse cuts to education and other critical “discretionary” budget initiatives, protect children’s health and nutrition, permanently extend anti-poverty improvements to family tax credits, and launch a new initiative to make quality pre-K affordable for every child. Our detailed analysis also compares the President’s budget to the budget plans passed this year in the U.S. Senate and the House of Representatives. Learn about the competing proposals and help to spread the word. Share on Twitter: .@WhiteHouse budget delivers for kids, @First_Focus analysis shows.http://www.firstfocus.net/Analysis of the Senate 'Gang of 8' Immigration BillA bipartisan group of eight U.S. senators released immigration reform legislation last week. Ournew analysis examines the "Gang of 8" proposal from a children and families perspective. Current immigration law imposes double-standards that result in hardship and harm for children, so timely action on reform is an important priority for kids, and the Gang of 8 proposal offers a promising start. Share on Twitter: Children of immigrants are 25% of the kids in America, so getting #immigration reform done means getting it right for kids. #InvestInKids |
A bad idea in D.C. on school reform
A bad idea in D.C. on school reform:
A bad idea in D.C. on school reform
David Catania (By Bill O’Leary/The Washington Post)
My colleague Emma Brown reported in this story that David Catania, the chairman of the D.C. Council’s Education Committee, is using private donations to hire an outside law firm to help him design school-related legislation aimed at improving the city’s public schools. Here’s a piece about why this is such a bad idea. It was written by Sam Chaltain, a DC-based education writer, a senior fellow at the Institute for Democratic Education in America, and a former member of Mayor Vincent Gray’s transition team for education policy. He can be reached at schaltain@gmail.com.
By Sam Chaltain
The decision by D.C. Council Education Committee Chairman David Catania to hire an outside law firm to craft school reform legislation is an awful one, worthy of serious public rebuke – and for two interrelated reasons.
The first is that hiring a small team of lawyers is the least likely path towards achieving imaginative and effective policy. Despite public stereotypes of the profession, K-12 education is a complex web of cognitive, social, emotional, language, ethical and physical challenges and opportunities. Its systemic barriers to change are as myriad as our complicated shared memories of what schooling is (and is not). And it’s a field in the midst of a major
Failed DC Chancellor Michelle Rhee, Once More, Fast and Loose with the Truth | California Progress Report
Failed DC Chancellor Michelle Rhee, Once More, Fast and Loose with the Truth | California Progress Report:
By Joshua Pechthalt
Failed DC Chancellor Michelle Rhee, Once More, Fast and Loose with the Truth
By Joshua Pechthalt"When will the Teflon wear off?" is a question many have asked about Michelle Rhee, self-proclaimed public school advocate, but in practice, tip of the spear for the school privatization industry.
According to the L.A. Times last month, Rhee's claim that her children attend public school proved "misleading" at best. This is consistent with her challenged relationship with telling the truth in general. Overseeing a staff of 120 on a lavish budget funded by anti-public education billionaires and their foundations, Rhee talks like a progressive but walks like a disciple of Ayn Rand and free market competition.
Her constant references to being a "radical" and co-opting the language of the civil rights movement belie a fundamental disdain for millions of families and children struggling to survive, and suffering from a marketplace gamed to punish poor and working class families while rewarding those with wealth. And she wants to move its rules into the classroom.
While superintendent of the Washington D.C. school district she was trumpeted far and
Seattle Schools Community Forum: Friday Open Thread
Seattle Schools Community Forum: Friday Open Thread:
Friday Open Thread
Seattle edges out Portland as the "most-liked US city" in a national poll. Yay for us.
Community Meeting with Director Patu on Saturday from 10-noon at Cafe Vita.
Great youth film festival going on, NFFTY (National Film Festival for Talented Youth).
NFFTY occurs each spring in Seattle, Washington and is the premier showcase of the best young directors 22 and younger from around the world. The films of NFFTY represent the voice of this generation, covering all topics and genres, from compelling and provocative, to hilarious and uplifting. NFFTY has the perfect film for a fan of any age.
UW professors believe it's possible we could actually be living in a computer simulation. Ponder that over the weekend.
What's on your mind?
Community Meeting with Director Patu on Saturday from 10-noon at Cafe Vita.
Great youth film festival going on, NFFTY (National Film Festival for Talented Youth).
NFFTY occurs each spring in Seattle, Washington and is the premier showcase of the best young directors 22 and younger from around the world. The films of NFFTY represent the voice of this generation, covering all topics and genres, from compelling and provocative, to hilarious and uplifting. NFFTY has the perfect film for a fan of any age.
UW professors believe it's possible we could actually be living in a computer simulation. Ponder that over the weekend.
What's on your mind?
EdSource | Transforming Public Education What's next for students, teachers and schools?
EdSource | :
California is facing a slate of reforms with the potential to transform the quality of public education in the years to come. The 2013 EdSource symposium, in partnership with the California State PTA, brings together a rich combination of education leaders, experts, advocates, and practitioners to sort through the thorny issues embedded in upcoming reforms affecting school financing, teacher quality, and measuring student and school performance.
Transforming Public Education
What's next for students, teachers and schools?
California is facing a slate of reforms with the potential to transform the quality of public education in the years to come. The 2013 EdSource symposium, in partnership with the California State PTA, brings together a rich combination of education leaders, experts, advocates, and practitioners to sort through the thorny issues embedded in upcoming reforms affecting school financing, teacher quality, and measuring student and school performance.
Join Us!
Saturday May 4, 2013, 10:00a.m.-3:30p.m. at the San Jose Convention Center (Breakfast and check-in open at 9:00a.m.)
Registration fee of $48 includes continental breakfast. Lunch available for purchase on site.
REGISTRATION EXTENDED! SIGN UP NOW!
PROGRAM Updated April 25 , 2013
Session I: Keynote Address: Linda Darling-Hammond, chair, California Commission on Teacher Credentialing and professor of education, Stanford University.
Session II: Presentation: Post-Prop. 30 - A Brighter Budget Picture for California Education, But Will It Last?
Presentation from Jennifer Kuhn of the California Legislative Analyst's Office on the "state of the budget," outlook on the economy, and implications for public education.
Session III: Local, Local, Local - The Impact of Governor Brown's "Local Control Funding Formula"- Will It Lead to Higher Quality Education for All?
This lively panel will examine the strengths and vulnerabilities of the Governor Brown's bold financing initiative, its aim to return funding decisions to the local level, its likelihood of survival, and the potential impact on students.
Moderated By: John Fensterwald, Editor, EdSource Today
Panelists include:
- Michael W. Kirst, President, California State Board of Education
- Liz Guillen, Director of Legislative and Community Affairs, Public Advocates
- Richard Carranza, Superintendent, San Francisco Unified School District
- Robert Miyashiro, Vice President, School Services of California
12:30: Break for Lunch
(Lunch is available for purchase at the convention center and at nearby restaurants)
(Lunch is available for purchase at the convention center and at nearby restaurants)
Featured Speaker:
Martha J. Kanter, Under Secretary of Education, U.S. Department of Education
Martha J. Kanter, Under Secretary of Education, U.S. Department of Education
Session IV: Changing the Conversation - If We Want Higher Quality Teaching, Are We Talking About the Right Changes?
Voices from across the education spectrum will take on the contentious state and national discussion about what it takes to achieve high quality teaching, the controversy over linking student test scores to teacher evaluations, and what teachers need to be successful with their students.
Moderated By: Louis Freedberg, Executive Director, EdSource
Panelists include:
- Linda Darling-Hammond, chair, California Commission on Teacher Credentialing and professor of education, Stanford University
- Ramona Bishop, Superintendent, Vallejo City Unified School District
- California Assemblymember Joan Buchanan (D-Alamo), chair of the Assembly Education Committee
- Tim Melton, Vice President, Legislative Affairs, StudentsFirst
Session V: Truth In Testing - The New Common Core Assessments, Annual Proficiency Testing, and What It Will Take to get a True Picture of Student and School Performance.
What is the quality of the state's current student and school performance testing systems? What should effective testing look like, and will the proposed national assessments due for adoption in 2014 measure up?
Panelists include:
- Pedro Noguera, a respected voice in education reform and professor of education at New York University
- Linda Montes, Principal, Adelante Spanish Immersion School and Director of English Learner Services, Redwood City School District
- Lisa Andrew, Director, Assessment and Accountability Santa Clara County Office of Education
- Richard Colvin, school accountability expert and former Executive Director of Education Sector
- Deb Sigman California Department of Education, Deputy Superintendent of Public Instruction; Co-Chair, Smarter Balanced Assessment Consortium
For further information, contact EdSource.
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