Quinn: “no shenanigans” with UNO grant - Chicago Sun-Times

Quinn: “no shenanigans” with UNO grant - Chicago Sun-Times:

Quinn: “no shenanigans” with UNO grant

By TINA SFONDELES  and DAN MIHALOPOULOS Staff Reporters June 8, 2013 3:10PM

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Gov. Pat Quinn tours the farmer's market Saturday at 61st Street and Dorchester Avenue in Chicago. | Tina Sfondeles~Sun-Times

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• Gov. Quinn to restore taxpayer funding for UNO school

Updated: June 9, 2013 2:30AM

 

Vowing to ensure there will be “no shenanigans” with a state charter-school grant, Gov. Pat Quinn on Saturday defended his decision to restore funding to the politically influential United Neighborhood Organization.

Quinn had cut off UNO’s $98 million grant six weeks ago, after the Chicago Sun-Times reported $8.5 million in taxpayer money given to UNO went to companies owned by two brothers of the group’s No. 2 executive. But a day after his aides said the grant suspension will be lifted, Quinn said his about-face doesn’t mean he condones the money going to UNO insiders.

“No, we’re very displeased with that,” the governor said at an appearance at a farmers market on the South Side.

Quinn said the not-for-profit organization IFF, which will oversee the completion of the UNO Soccer Academy Charter High School at 51st and St. Louis that the newly released state money will pay to finish, has a “sterling reputation.”

“It’s very important that we make sure it’s done right,” the governor said. “We want those children to have a school they can go to this fall, but there will be no conflicts of interest and no shenanigans with respect to its construction.”

Juan Rangel, UNO’s chief executive officer, has apologized for the scandal and announced the 

LISTEN TO DIANE RAVITCH 6-9-13 Diane Ravitch's blog | A site to discuss better education for all

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

Mississippi Governor: Blame Working Moms for Educational Woes

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The governor of Mississippi said recently that America’s educational troubles started when women joined the workforce. Please, somebody, send him a copy of my new book when it comes out in September. He will be surprised to learn that test scores of federal exams have never been higher and dropout rates have never been lower. Or send me his address and I will send him an autographed copy myself.

An Extraordinary Student

by dianerav

When I visited South Side High School in Rockville Center, where Carol Burris is principal, I was questioned by a group of students as part of my presentation. One of them is featured in this article. He is a young man with a severe disability. He has a sunny disposition and is an inspiration to everyone else in the school.
By SCOTT EIDLER scott.eidler@newsday.com
McKingsley Ryan Williams is beloved at South Side High School in Rockville Centre. Classmates applauded when he was beamed into an International Baccalaureate class after heart surgery, he was voted Homecoming 

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Maureen Reedy, a veteran Ohio teacher and state teacher of the year, sent this gift, which I gladly share:
Song of Democracy ~ by Walt Whitman
An old man’s thoughts of school,
An old man’s gathering youthful memories and
blooms that youth itself cannot.
Now only do I know You,
O fair auroral skies – O morning dew upon the grass!
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I received a letter from a student in Renton, Washington. I will not include the student’s name, to protect his or her privacy. I was moved by the honesty and thoughtfulness of this letter. If we have 11-years old this smart, our nation’s future is secure. This young person makes me feel like a teacher. I can’t think of a better way to feel today!

“Dear Mrs. Ravitch,

First of all, let me say that you are my inspiration. I love all that you do. I love how you blog every day. It helps me find out what’s happening to our world.
My name is —– ——. I go to Nelsen Middle School. I live in Renton, Washington. I am 11 years old. I especially like one of the blogs you wrote about on March 13, 2013, “The Day the Teachers Said No.” I strongly agree with 

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Schools have been stripped of essential personnel. And that’s not all. They can’t even provide a sound basic 

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In a discussion of the expectations of the Common Core, a reader offered this observation:
“Here in Clark County Nevada we have been treated to a special pep talk by our new superintendent, a 25 year veteran of the district and a former kindergarten teacher. He stated on Jon Ralston’s show that we will have to step up to meet the Common Core standards. He bluntly stated that from his experience kindergarten would be teaching what he said were 2nd and 3rd grade concepts in his time. I am glad for his honesty, but I am sure reality will intrude on his wish that children attain and perform at levels that are developmentally inappropriate. I 

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Gary was surprised to hear that others echoed his criticisms of the organization. Gary believes that the education reform movement is nearing its end, as the public and the media realize that their ideas consistently fail.
A good discussion.

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You may recall a few weeks ago a post about a teacher who was falsely accused of putting a state math question on Twitter. His principal suspended him. Eventually he was cleared of wrongdoing but there was a cloud over his head and a bitter taste in his mouth about the episode.
Then the parents in his school did something wonderful. Please read about it here.
Not only is it heartwarming but it reminds you that all the badmouthing of teachers is orchestrated by pundits and people with an agenda. The public, especially parents, know how hard teachers work, and they love their children’s teachers.
As Rlratto says, parents will save us from the mess we are in:
“Parents are organizing to opt their children out of high stakes testing. Parents are challenging the motive and 

Stan Karp: One Small Step Towards Democracy, or an Illusion?

by dianerav

Stan Karp, an experienced teacher who retired and now works for the Education Law Center, here describes the state’s decision to give “fiscal control” to Newark, but not control over instruction, personnel, operations, or governance. What this means is unclear. The board cannot hire or fire the superintendent. What power was transferred? No one knows.
He writes:
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LISTEN TO DIANE RAVITCH ALL WEEK LONG Diane Ravitch's blog 6-8-13 

LISTEN TO DIANE RAVITCH ALL WEEK LONG 

DIANE RAVITCH'S BLOG

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

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In 1985 I went to a state University and majored in elementary education. In 1989 I taught 32 second graders in Virginia In 1991 I moved to Pennsylvania and taught fifth graders In 1995 I finished my Master’s Degree and began work on my PhD at the University of Maryland at College Park. From 1996-1999 […]

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How to survive our education battles - Class Struggle - The Washington Post

How to survive our education battles - Class Struggle - The Washington Post:

How to survive our education battles

By Jay Mathews E-mail the writer

The latest fashions in the American education system are, as usual, inspiring raucous debate. I try to take sides in these arguments. Isn’t it my job to explain who’s right? But I wonder.

There is much chatter, for instance, over education historian Diane Ravitch’s fiery assault on Ben Austin, founder of the Parent Revolution organization. The California “parent trigger law” Austin sponsored just cost a Los Angeles principal her job. Fifty-three percent of parents at the Weigand Avenue Elementary School in the city’s Watts neighborhood signed a petition to fire Irma Cobian after three years of low scores. The school board obeyed the law and let Cobian go.

But 21 of the 22 teachers at the school said they were so upset at the firing that they would seek transfers to other schools. Ravitch called Austin “loathsome” for ruining “the life and career of a dedicated educator.” Ravitch said “there is a special place in hell” for those who administer and support Austin’s “revolting organization.”

We are also embroiled in a national argument over the new Common Core standards — and associated curricula — being installed in 45 states and the District. It would take at least a semester course to