How Corporate Reformers Defeated Democracy in Idaho
This reader explains how the Legislature had taken steps to circumvent the will of the electorate. Last November, voters decisively repealed the three laws that were promoted by State Superintendent Tom Luna.
The reader writes:
“I live in Idaho. The legislature has had public hearings since 2011s introduction of Students Come First. Tom Luna is our Superintendent of Public Instruction. He was an advisor to U.S Secretary of Education Rod Paige from 2003-2005, the “magic bullet” from Houston that pushed high stakes testing, and worked on legislation to
The reader writes:
“I live in Idaho. The legislature has had public hearings since 2011s introduction of Students Come First. Tom Luna is our Superintendent of Public Instruction. He was an advisor to U.S Secretary of Education Rod Paige from 2003-2005, the “magic bullet” from Houston that pushed high stakes testing, and worked on legislation to
Teacher: We Should Return the Race to the Top Money
Just in from a teacher:
I teach in Albany, New York, and the State Education Department is crazy.
I just completed 1 month of testing. and no real teaching.
We are giving more tests than I ever dreamed possible.
Not only the state exams, but now local measures to help teachers with low testing students.
I teach in Albany, New York, and the State Education Department is crazy.
I just completed 1 month of testing. and no real teaching.
We are giving more tests than I ever dreamed possible.
Not only the state exams, but now local measures to help teachers with low testing students.
News Flash: National Exam Leaked Online in the Netherlands
A 22-year-old man was arrested in The Netherlands in connection with the posting online of a national examination in French.
With the trend towards online national assessments, the temptation for hackers to obtain them, rewrite them, release them, sell them, etc. becomes irresistible.
With the trend towards online national assessments, the temptation for hackers to obtain them, rewrite them, release them, sell them, etc. becomes irresistible.
Question of the Day: When Does 20% = 100%?
Public school activist Leonie Haimson notes in her post about New York’s new educator evaluation plan that the plan includes this proviso:
“Teachers rated ineffective on student performance based on objective assessments must be rated ineffective overall.”
Haimson writes: “This means despite the claim that there are multiple measures, one year’s worth of unreliable and inherently volatile test scores will trump all.”
The state scores are supposed to be 20% of a teacher’s evaluation. But a teacher who is rated ineffective on the 20% “must be rated ineffective overall.”
Ergo, 20% = 100%.
“Teachers rated ineffective on student performance based on objective assessments must be rated ineffective overall.”
Haimson writes: “This means despite the claim that there are multiple measures, one year’s worth of unreliable and inherently volatile test scores will trump all.”
The state scores are supposed to be 20% of a teacher’s evaluation. But a teacher who is rated ineffective on the 20% “must be rated ineffective overall.”
Ergo, 20% = 100%.
Do Students Perform Better When the Course Is “Harder”?
The Hillsborough district in Florida pays superintendents a bonus if more students register for AP courses. It doesn’t matter if they pass the exams or get credit, just register.
Here is the result: only 22% passed the Algebra 1 end of course exam. No matter. The superintendent gets a bonus.
This idea that low-performing students will succeed if the bar is raised and raised again is like a coach saying to the runners: all those who could not jump over a 4 foot bar will now be required to jump over a six foot bar.
Here is the result: only 22% passed the Algebra 1 end of course exam. No matter. The superintendent gets a bonus.
This idea that low-performing students will succeed if the bar is raised and raised again is like a coach saying to the runners: all those who could not jump over a 4 foot bar will now be required to jump over a six foot bar.
Pelto: Charter Chain Lies About College-going Rate
One of the disturbing behaviors of charter chains is their boasting. All too often, when someone looks past the press release, they find data games, fudging of the numbers, or falsehoods.
Jonathan Pelto, a former legislator who follows Connecticut politics and concentrates on education, says that the boasts of a major charter chain in that state are hollow.
Achievement First, a much-touted charter chain, boasts of that 100% of its graduates are
Jonathan Pelto, a former legislator who follows Connecticut politics and concentrates on education, says that the boasts of a major charter chain in that state are hollow.
Achievement First, a much-touted charter chain, boasts of that 100% of its graduates are
Anthony Cody: Is the Tea Party Right About Common Core?
There is a surprising overlap between the views of the Tea Party and those of some in the left towards the Common Core. In Indiana, Democrats and Tea Party activists combined to defeat far-right State Superintendent Tony Bennett and elect educator Glenda Ritz. Democrats opposed his support for privatization and his haughty treatment of teachers: Tea Party activists opposed him for his zealous support for the Common Core.
Testing Insanity in NY: New Tests for Gym, Music, Art, K-2
Testing is moving from onerous to ridiculous.
In response to the new teacher evaluation agreement, where every teacher must be evaluated in part by student test scores, the city education department is moving rapidly to develop new tests for every teacher, including teachers of physical education, music, arts, and even kindergarten through second grade.
At this point, one must ask whether city education officials have lost all sense of education values or whether
In response to the new teacher evaluation agreement, where every teacher must be evaluated in part by student test scores, the city education department is moving rapidly to develop new tests for every teacher, including teachers of physical education, music, arts, and even kindergarten through second grade.
At this point, one must ask whether city education officials have lost all sense of education values or whether
John King’s Teacher Evaluation Plan
New York had the misfortune to win Race to the Top funding. That $700 million will eventually cost the state billions of dollars.
Commissioner John King just released his plan for Néw York City, where the mayor and the United Federationof Teachers failed to reach agreement. King’s big new idea? Student surveys will be part of teachers’ rankings. Imagine that! Starting in third grade, the kids help to decide whether their teacher keeps his or her job.
Commissioner John King just released his plan for Néw York City, where the mayor and the United Federationof Teachers failed to reach agreement. King’s big new idea? Student surveys will be part of teachers’ rankings. Imagine that! Starting in third grade, the kids help to decide whether their teacher keeps his or her job.
What Is edTPA and Why Do Critics Dislike It?
Teacher educators continue to speak out against edPTA. this is an assessment of teacher performance that will be administered by Pearson.
Here is a critique by Julie Gorlewski, a teacher educator at SUNY, New Paltz, New York.
The edTPA is a standardized assessment of teaching that is being required in many states, including New York State as of May 2014, for teacher certification. The edTPA is being marketed as a way to “professionalize” the field of education, a contention that is deeply insulting to those of us who have dedicated our lives to the art and
Here is a critique by Julie Gorlewski, a teacher educator at SUNY, New Paltz, New York.
The edTPA is a standardized assessment of teaching that is being required in many states, including New York State as of May 2014, for teacher certification. The edTPA is being marketed as a way to “professionalize” the field of education, a contention that is deeply insulting to those of us who have dedicated our lives to the art and
Hope for Public School Kids in L.A.?
A letter from a reader in Los Angeles:
Hi Diane. I thought your readers would be interested to hear that the light might be shining in Los Angeles.
Could it be that there is some good news on the horizon for Los Angeles public schools? This Tuesday the school board will vote on a resolution to reduce class size. Parents throughout LA are thrilled that such a sound resolution is being proposed. Board member Bennett Kayser is sponsoring the measure with Richard Vladovic and Steve Zimmer co-sponsoring.
The resolution includes a commitment to “creating the most enriching academic environment for all students,
Hi Diane. I thought your readers would be interested to hear that the light might be shining in Los Angeles.
Could it be that there is some good news on the horizon for Los Angeles public schools? This Tuesday the school board will vote on a resolution to reduce class size. Parents throughout LA are thrilled that such a sound resolution is being proposed. Board member Bennett Kayser is sponsoring the measure with Richard Vladovic and Steve Zimmer co-sponsoring.
The resolution includes a commitment to “creating the most enriching academic environment for all students,
LISTEN TO DIANE RAVITCH ALL WEEK LONG Diane Ravitch's blog 6-1-13
LISTEN TO DIANE RAVITCH ALL WEEK LONG
DIANE RAVITCH'S BLOG
Diane in the Evening 6-2-13 Diane Ravitch's blog | A site to discuss better education for all
Diane Ravitch's blog | A site to discuss better education for all: *IN HER OWN WORDS* L.A. Times: Parent Trigger=Parent Trap by dianerav The Los Angeles Times is not at all pleased with the way the so-called “parent trigger” is working out. Theeditorial board wants a more open, transparent process. The editorial does not point out that only one organization has pushed the idea that parents should seize control of a public institution. “Parent Revolution”–funded by billionaires–wrote the law, sends paid community organizers to gather parent signatures, and litigates to push its goa... more »
