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Tuesday, July 2, 2013

Big Education Ape - Morning Wink 7-2-13 AM Posts #edreform #EDCHAT #P2


BIG EDUCATION APE - MORNING WINK  AM POSTS



TODAY

LISTEN TO DIANE RAVITCH 7-2-13 Diane Ravitch's blog | A site to discuss better education for all
Diane Ravitch's blog | A site to discuss better education for all: Letter from a Pennsylvania Student: Stop the Keystones!A reader sent this letter written by her 14-year-old daughter. She should become active in the opt-out movement. She should contact Tim Slekar and Shaun Johnson “At the Chalkface.” Mother and daughter: resist. Join with others. Don’t let them destroy your education in the name
by mike simpson / 12min 
7-2-13 @ THE CHALK FACE knows SCHOOLS MATTER
@ THE CHALK FACE knows SCHOOLS MATTER: AFT’s New Action Strategy: Write a Letter Begging Arne to Help Stop What His Policies Have CreatedThis morning my email box had a copy of a letter from AFT employee, Sabrina Stevens, on behalf of her boss, President Randi Weingarten: Hey, there! I hope this message finds you well. I think we’ve only met briefly (at the first SOS March), but I’m getting in tou
by mike simpson / 15min 
For-profit schools blamed for denigration of Sweden’s school system | The Raw Story
For-profit schools blamed for denigration of Sweden’s school system | The Raw Story: For-profit schools blamed for denigration of Sweden’s school system Twenty years after Sweden’s school system opened the door for independent profit-making schools and expanded parents’ choice, sliding results have the leftist opposition saying the system is a textbook example of privatisation gone wrong.In 1992,
by mike simpson / 19min 
Why Gary Chartrand and Tony Bennett’s School Grade Task Force May Be a Sham | Scathing Purple Musings
Why Gary Chartrand and Tony Bennett’s School Grade Task Force May Be a Sham | Scathing Purple Musings: Why Gary Chartrand and Tony Bennett’s School Grade Task Force May Be a Sham+TAGASK.com defines task force in its online dictionary thus:a unit or formation established to work on a single defined task or activity. Originally introduced by the United States Navy, the term has now caught on for gen
by mike simpson / 21min 
Jersey Jazzman: Does DFER Support Pitbull-Zulueta Values?
Jersey Jazzman: Does DFER Support Pitbull-Zulueta Values?: Does DFER Support Pitbull-Zulueta Values?+TAGKevin P. Chavous is the board chair of Democrats For Education Reform and a staunch reformy-type, proudly working with politicians on both sides of the aisle to bring "choice" to public schools. Chavous has written before about how concerned he is with women's rights:Every day in this country, s
by mike simpson / 24min 
Revenue. The gorilla in the room. | Fred Klonsky
Revenue. The gorilla in the room. | Fred Klonsky:  Short day.Day two of the RA is a short one. At least in terms of formal meetings. I’m just back from the two-hour Illinois Caucus meeting. And that’s it for the day. The first general session isn’t until tomorrow at 10:30 AM. Apparently the big dogs have met to revisit what Dennis Van Roekel speechwriter Melinda Anderson calls the “intended messag
by mike simpson / 26min 
NYC Educator: Breaking News: Legal Expert Campbell Brown Says Same Thing
NYC Educator: Breaking News: Legal Expert Campbell Brown Says Same Thing: Breaking News: Legal Expert Campbell Brown Says Same Thing+TAGToday, according the the crack reporters of the Daily News, legal expert Campbell Brown once again demanded that all pervy, sicko, sex creep teachers be fired.Because Brown is a legal expert, she would not be put off by nonsensical claims by the awful UFT that tea
by mike simpson / 35min 
Mike Klonsky's SmallTalk Blog: Animal Farm -- The Bloomberg/Daley Alliance
Mike Klonsky's SmallTalk Blog: Animal Farm -- The Bloomberg/Daley Alliance: Animal Farm -- The Bloomberg/Daley Alliance+TAGMoreno: "I just want to be a pig."One of the reasons I love Chicago politics so much is that our politicians are so out there.  For example, here's my quote of the day. It comes from former Cook County CommissionerJoe Moreno, who is about to be sentenced for taking bribes, but
by mike simpson / 37min 
Deeper Dialogue On Teacher Leader Certification | InterACT
Deeper Dialogue On Teacher Leader Certification | InterACT: Deeper Dialogue On Teacher Leader Certification+TAGDo we want teacher leader certification to run through Sacramento? (State Capitol Building, photo by the author)Two weeks ago I posted a poll about the idea of certifying teacher leaders through formal programs at the state or district level. At this point, a majority of people responding
by mike simpson / 39min 
Infusion of money for career education in new state budget | EdSource Today
Infusion of money for career education in new state budget | EdSource Today: Infusion of money for career education in new state budgetJuly 2nd, 2013 | Add a Comment | By John FensterwaldShare on twitterShare on facebookShare on emailShare on printMore Sharing ServicesPhoto from Flickr.Programs that prepare students for college and careers are about to get a jolt of one-time state money that suppo
by mike simpson / 44min 
Minority Students Make Big Gains on NAEP but Gaps Remain | LFA: Join The Conversation - Public School Insights
Minority Students Make Big Gains on NAEP but Gaps Remain | LFA: Join The Conversation - Public School Insights: Minority Students Make Big Gains on NAEP but Gaps RemainBy National School Boards Association on July 2, 2013By Jim Hull, Senior Policy Analyst, National School Boards Association’s Center for Public Education (CPE)Minority students have made significant gains over the past four decades
by mike simpson / 51min 
President of NEA: No more closing the classroom door | Get Schooled | www.ajc.com
President of NEA: No more closing the classroom door | Get Schooled | www.ajc.com: Get Schooled: President of NEA: No more closing the classroom doorNEA President Dennis Van Roekel is in Atlanta this week.Previous PostsRace in Georgia: Have we repented and reformed? Do our colleges reflect that?July 1, 2013Many opinions on DeKalb school board but only one mattersJuly 1, 2013State rolls out ratings
by mike simpson / 53min 

YESTERDAY

The Washington Teacher: Washington Teachers' Union President Nathan Saunders Loses Run Off Election to Davis
The Washington Teacher: Washington Teachers' Union President Nathan Saunders Loses Run Off Election to Davis: Washington Teachers' Union President Nathan Saunders Loses Run Off Election to Davisby noreply@blogger.com (Candi Peterson)Davis Slate wins WTU 2013 Run Off Election By Candi PetersonWashington Teachers Union President, Nathan A. Saunders loses to Elizabeth Davis (known as Liz) in the July
by mike simpson / 9h 
Jersey Jazzman: Pitbull and Walmart: Selling Charters & Caffeine Shots!
Jersey Jazzman: Pitbull and Walmart: Selling Charters & Caffeine Shots!: Pitbull and Walmart: Selling Charters & Caffeine Shots!by DukeI swear, I couldn't make this stuff up:Today, the misogynist rapper Pitbull gave the opening speech at the 2013 National Charter Schools Conference. Pitbull is "founding" a charter in Miami that will be managed by the for-profit company Academica, which has
by mike simpson / 9h 
Be True To Your School
AMERICAN CLASS SCHEDULE 2014 Upper ClassMiddle ClassMY PLACE Proudly Sponsered byIn YOUR Neighborhood Sooner than you Think!!!
by mike simpson / 9h 
Why I am sending my daughter to P.S. 163 | Gary Rubinstein's Blog
Why I am sending my daughter to P.S. 163 | Gary Rubinstein's Blog: Why I am sending my daughter to P.S. 163by Gary RubinsteinOver the past year there have been several articles analyzing where schools people on both side of the ‘reform’ debate send their children to go to school.  For example, Obama’s kids go to Sidwell Friends.  Duncan sent his kids to the progressive Chicago Lab School.This info
by mike simpson / 10h 
LA Times - Jerry Brown signs school funding overhaul
LA Times - Jerry Brown signs school funding overhaul: Jerry Brown signs school funding overhaulBY ANTHONY YORKJuly 1, 2013, 10:38 a.m.SACRAMENTO — Gov. Jerry Brown ushered in the most sweeping changes to the way California funds its public schools in 25 years on Monday, signing into law a new funding formula that was the centerpiece of his legislative agenda for the year. Schools that serve low-in
by mike simpson / 11h 
YouTube for Schools EDU - YouTube
EDU - YouTube: Get more into learningYouTube EDU brings learners and educators together in a global video classroom. On YouTube EDU, you have access to a broad set of educational videos that range from academic lectures to inspirational speeches and everything in between.Come here for quick lessons from top teachers around the world, course lectures from top-tier universities, or inspiring videos
by mike simpson / 12h 
Even in defeat, Vallas can’t face reality or explain the truth… - Wait, What?
Even in defeat, Vallas can’t face reality or explain the truth… - Wait, What?: Even in defeat, Vallas can’t face reality or explain the truth…by jonpeltoLate today, Paul Vallas sent an email message out to Bridgeport teachers, administrators and staff informing them of Friday’s court decision removing him as Bridgeport’s superintendent of schools.  The court removed Vallas because he failed to mee
by mike simpson / 12h 
A Love Letter to PS 154 Principal DR Alison Coviello southbronxschool.com
http://www.southbronxschool.com: A Love Letter to PS 154 Principal DR Alison Covielloby noreply@blogger.com (Bronx Teacher)Been so busy. Sorry for not posting for so long. But now that school is out, the summer is in and I wish to unload about this past year at PS 154. It was a harrowing year to say the least. Not just for me, but for several of my colleagues that all happen to be over 40, and eit
by mike simpson / 12h 
Philly school officials say they can't commit to rehires based on tentative bailout package - Seymour Tribune
Philly school officials say they can't commit to rehires based on tentative bailout package - Seymour Tribune: Philly school officials say they can't commit to rehires based on tentative bailout packageBy KATHY MATHESON  Associated Press PHILADELPHIA — It's too early to know whether a tentative state rescue package will allow the city's school system to rehire any of its 3,800 laid-off employees,
by mike simpson / 14h 
NEA - Raise Your Hand
NEA - Raise Your Hand: Raise Your Hand for Public EducationEmpowering Educators to LeadPin ItOn July 2, the National Education Association will be launching a new campaign to help educators across the nation become the leaders in a national movement for public education. Are you on Facebook? You canRSVP to this event there.Not in Atlanta? That's ok, we will be livestreaming the Raise Your Hand day
by mike simpson / 14h 
Explaining Corbett's school funding plan | Philadelphia Public School Notebook
Explaining Corbett's school funding plan | Philadelphia Public School Notebook: Explaining Corbett's school funding planby Dale MezzacappaFollowing, in question-and-answer format, is an attempt to explain the components of the School District's funding package presented Sunday by Gov. Corbett.What sources of new money does the governor’s plan include?​For this year, it includes $45 million in a on
by mike simpson / 15h 
Day of Affirmation - South Africa | Robert F. Kennedy Center for Justice & Human Rights | Robert F. Kennedy Center for Justice & Human Rights
Day of Affirmation - South Africa | Robert F. Kennedy Center for Justice & Human Rights | Robert F. Kennedy Center for Justice & Human Rights: DAY OF AFFIRMATION - SOUTH AFRICAUniversity of Capetown, South AfricaJune 6, 1966Mr. Chancellor, Mr. Vice Chancellor, Professor Robertson, Mr. Diamond, Mr. Daniel, Ladies and Gentlemen:I come here this evening because of my deep interest and affecti
by mike simpson / 15h 
Big Education Ape Nite Cap 7-1-13 #thankateacher #EDCHAT #P2
James Baldwin said it best: "For these are all our children, and we will profit by or pay for whatever they become."A BIG EDUCATION APE NITE CAPTODAYMarriage of Convenience: Behind the Alliance of Hedge Funds and Charter Schools | The IndypendentMarriage of Convenience: Behind the Alliance of Hedge Funds and Charter Schools | The Indypendent: Daniel Loeb. Credit: capitalbay.comINDY BLOGMarriage of
by mike simpson / 15h 
Marriage of Convenience: Behind the Alliance of Hedge Funds and Charter Schools | The Indypendent
Marriage of Convenience: Behind the Alliance of Hedge Funds and Charter Schools | The Indypendent: Daniel Loeb. Credit: capitalbay.comINDY BLOGMarriage of Convenience: Behind the Alliance of Hedge Funds and Charter SchoolsBYOWEN DAVISJULY 1, 2013What’s the best way to strike at a teacher’s union?Fund a charter school.At least that’s the tactic Daniel Loeb, CEO of the hedge fund Third Point LLC, ha
by mike simpson / 15h 
Documentary Teaser | GoingPublic
Documentary Teaser | GoingPublic: Documentary TeaserMichelangelo famously said that he took a piece of marble, chipped away, and out came David. Apocryphal? I’m not sure, but it certainly makes the point all artists know: keep chipping away until the piece presents itself. One more bead on a dress can ruin it; one more line on a painting makes it crass; too many words in the story-ugh!About a year
by mike simpson / 16h 
Jersey Jazzman: Define "Charity"
Jersey Jazzman: Define "Charity": Define "Charity"by DukeThis time of year affords me the luxury of taking a few days to just read, write, and think. And it's at times like this that I can pull a few threads together to make a larger tapestry (yeah, the summer seems to be straining my metaphors a bit...).Yesterday, I detailed the rapper Pitbull's foray into the wacky world of for-profit charter sc
by mike simpson / 16h 
Refresh Your Personal Learning with Educational Leadership — Whole Child Education
Refresh Your Personal Learning with Educational Leadership — Whole Child Education: THE WHOLE CHILD BLOGRefresh Your Personal Learning with Educational LeadershipJuly 1, 2013 by Klea ScharbergThe summer 2013 issue of Educational Leadership magazine is now available. Thisdigital issue gives you instant access to nearly 100 pages of practical tips and advice on how to refresh your personal learning,
by mike simpson / 18h 
Roll the video tape and the mysterious three dollar assessment. | Fred Klonsky
Roll the video tape and the mysterious three dollar assessment. | Fred Klonsky: Roll the video tape and the mysterious three dollar assessment.by Fred KlonskyIt’s twenty-four hours since I wrote a post on NEA President Dennis Van Roekel’s remarks to the NEA Retired Conference.I reported what I heard.DVR positioned advancing the fight for collective bargaining on one side of an equation. Quality an
by mike simpson / 18h 
Diane in the Evening 7-1-13 Diane Ravitch's blog | A site to discuss better education for all
Diane Ravitch's blog | A site to discuss better education for all: Louisiana’s Largest Voucher School Kicked Out of Programby dianeravLast year, when Governor Bobby Jindal persuaded the Louisiana legislature to pass the nation’s most sweeping voucher program, the school that was selected to receive the largest number of voucher students was the New Living Word Church school. Although it lacked the
by mike simpson / 19h 
Next Generation Science Standards Proposed - Year 2013
Next Generation Science Standards Proposed - Year 2013 (CA Dept of Education): State Schools Chief Tom Torlakson Proposes Next Generation Science Standards Focused on Deep Understanding of Science and Engineering PracticesSACRAMENTO—Working to help more students master the science skills they need to thrive in a changing world, State Superintendent of Public Instruction Tom Torlakson today announc
by mike simpson / 19h 
Arne Duncan urged to intervene in Philadelphia school funding crisis
Arne Duncan urged to intervene in Philadelphia school funding crisis: Arne Duncan urged to intervene in Philadelphia school funding crisisBy Valerie Strauss, Published: July 1, 2013 at 2:53 pmE-mail the writer4CommentsMoreEducation Secretary Arne Duncan. (By Stephanie Klein-Davis/AP)The Philadelphia public school funding crisis is real. Thousands of people are being laid off, counselors, nurses, t
by mike simpson / 19h 
Bush Foundation Spins While Virginia is Skeptical of School Grade Formula | Scathing Purple Musings
Bush Foundation Spins While Virginia is Skeptical of School Grade Formula | Scathing Purple Musings: Bush Foundation Spins While Virginia is Skeptical of School Grade Formulaby Bob SikesVirginia’s Board of Education is taking up the chore of formulating a school grade formula as per passage of a law by the Virginia Assembly earlier this year. Jeb Bush’s Foundation knows that’s the easy part as the
by mike simpson / 19h 
Progressive Charter School Doesn’t Have Students | The Onion - America's Finest News Source
Progressive Charter School Doesn’t Have Students | The Onion - America's Finest News Source: Progressive Charter School Doesn’t Have StudentsNEWS IN BRIEF • Education • News • ISSUE 49•26 • Jul 1, 2013ATLANTA—One year into its founding as the purported “bold next step in education reform,” administrators on Monday sang the praises of Forest Gates Academy, a progressive new charter school that prac
by mike simpson / 22h 
Mike Klonsky's SmallTalk Blog: UNO, Quinn, Madigan, Rahm... The gang that won't shoot straight
Mike Klonsky's SmallTalk Blog: UNO, Quinn, Madigan, Rahm... The gang that won't shoot straight: UNO, The gang that won't shoot straightby Mike Klonsky$143,000 in public school funding up in smoke by UNO rip-off artists.After holding parents and students at their new charter school hostage in order to get Gov. Quinn to restore millions in funding, the corrupt UNO gang is stiffing the contractors an
by mike simpson / 22h 
Teachers Want Accountability From the Top - Living in Dialogue - Education Week Teacher
Teachers Want Accountability From the Top - Living in Dialogue - Education Week Teacher: Teachers Want Accountability From the Topby Anthony CodyOver the past decade teachers have grown accustomed to being on the receiving end of "accountability." Our unions have been castigated by corporate leaders and philanthropists for "protecting bad teachers." Bill Gates has pumped billions of dollars into a
by mike simpson / 22h 
Lawmakers scuttle school parcel tax ballot measure in favor of open records SI&A Cabinet Report – News & Resources
SI&A Cabinet Report – News & Resources: Lawmakers scuttle school parcel tax ballot measure in favor of open recordsJust weeks after California Democrats won an historic super majority in the state Legislature came an announcement that one of the first exercises of that power would be placing a constitutional amendment before voters lowering the threshold for schools to pass parcel taxes.So
by mike simpson / 23h 
Cali Education Headlines Monday, July 1, 2013
FCMAT » Fiscal Crisis & Management Assistance Team: Sacramento Mayor Kevin Johnson given millions for his causes - Business - The Sacramento BeeEducation HeadlinesMonday, July 1, 2013Grand jury: Marin schools safe, but could be better prepared for emergenciesThe grand jury, in a report released last week, found there is a lack of solid and consistent training when it comes to preparing school
by mike simpson / 23h 
Saving American Education from Itself | Dissident Voice
Saving American Education from Itself | Dissident Voice: Saving American Education from Itselfby Peter BreschardUniversal education in the United States is under attack. A battle between private and public education has waged for centuries but in the last few decades what had been a reasonable stalemate has turned into a rout, with the forces seeking a way to monetize the education system winning
by mike simpson / 23h 
Saving American Education from Itself | Dissident Voice
Saving American Education from Itself | Dissident Voice: Saving American Education from Itselfby Peter BreschardUniversal education in the United States is under attack. A battle between private and public education has waged for centuries but in the last few decades what had been a reasonable stalemate has turned into a rout, with the forces seeking a way to monetize the education system winning
by mike simpson / 23h 
Hedge Ur Bets | EduShyster
Hedge Ur Bets | EduShyster: Hedge Ur Betsby edushyster2012A Wall Street insider tells the charter schools sector ‘you’re not all that’…By Mazinger ZCharter school proponents were all atwitter last week when CREDO released an update to its landmark 2009 study comparing performance to their public schools “competition.” The press release trumpeted that in 2013, charter school students were a whole “
by mike simpson / 23h 
Hess sez it's a Hot Mess (RHSU Flashback) :: Frederick M. Hess
The Fisher ruling & Grutter's "Critical Mass" Mess (RHSU Flashback) :: Frederick M. Hess: The Fisher ruling & Grutter's "Critical Mass" Mess (RHSU Flashback)by Frederick M. Hess  •  Jul 1, 2013 at 9:18 amCross-posted from Education WeekLast Monday, in its Fisher decision, the Supreme Court basically decided to let stand its 2003 Grutterdecision in favor of race-conscious admissions. The on
by mike simpson / 1d 
A Few Points About The New CREDO Charter School Analysis
Shanker Blog » A Few Points About The New CREDO Charter School Analysis: A Few Points About The New CREDO Charter School Analysisby Matthew Di CarloA new report from CREDO on charter schools’ test-based performance received a great deal of attention, and rightfully so – it includes 27 states, which together serve 95 percent of the nation’s charter students.The analysis as a whole, like its predece
by mike simpson / 

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LISTEN TO DIANE RAVITCH 7-2-13 Diane Ravitch's blog | A site to discuss better education for all

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

Click on picture to Listen to Diane Ravitch



Anthony Cody: Accountability Begins at the Top
In another great post, Anthony Cody explains why he is fed up with all the mud being thrown at teachers by politicians, foundation heads, corporations, and pundits. He asks, why no accountability for the banks and rating systems that lied and hid data and caused millions of people to lose their homes? Why no accountability for the big corporations that greedily soak up tax cuts while refusing to p
Diane Ravitch's blog / by dianerav / 

Bloomberg DOE Hurries to Privatize As Many Schools As Possible Before He Leaves Office
This is an alarming account of the frenzied efforts by Mayor Michael Bloomberg’s Department of Education to cement his “legacy” of opening privately managed charter schools while abandoning the public schools for which he is responsible. The high school named for the famed Socialist Norman Thomas will be closed and set aside as space for privately managed charters. This is a way of spitting on the
Diane Ravitch's blog / by dianerav / 0min

Letter from a Pennsylvania Student: Stop the Keystones!
A reader sent this letter written by her 14-year-old daughter. She should become active in the opt-out movement. She should contact Tim Slekar and Shaun Johnson “At the Chalkface.” Mother and daughter: resist. Join with others. Don’t let them destroy your education in the name of “accountability.” Hold the Mindless Testing Fanatics accountable. She writes: “Thank you for speaking up about these hi
by dianerav / 34min 
Susan Ohanian Joins the Honor Roll
Susan Ohanian has been speaking, blogging, and agitating against bad education ideas for many years. Her writing is informed by a finely tuned sense of humanism–that is, she cares about people, especially children, more than big ideas and grand policies that treat people like widgets. She speaks with honesty, candor, courage, and integrity. She is tireless. She is the real deal. She has taught ev
by dianerav / 54min 
TFA Wins Another $4.3 Million from Walton Family Foundation
Just when Teach for America was down to only $300 million in assets, the Walton Family Foundation awarded it another $4.3 million to send ill-trained young college graduates to spend two years teaching in the Delta. It seems like only yesterday, maybe two years ago, that the foundation gave TFA $49.5 million. Surely the brand new TFA recruits in the Delta will do no harm, and maybe do some good,
by dianerav / 1h 
Fairfax County Teacher: Why I Quit
Ron Maggiano taught history and social studies in the Fairfax County (Virginia) public schools for 33 years. Along the way, he picked up many awards for his excellent teaching. Here he reflects on why he quit a career he loved. “Now more than three decades later, I have just spent my last day as a teacher. I resigned my teaching position because I can no longer cooperate with the standardized test
by dianerav / 2h mark as read  //  save
The Onion: A Bold and Innovative Charter School
Please read this. THE ONION GETS IT! When you become a joke in THE ONION, the end of school deform is in sight. The article begins: “ATLANTA—One year into its founding as the purported “bold next step in education reform,” administrators on Monday sang the praises of Forest Gates Academy, a progressive new charter school that practices an innovative philosophy of not admitting any students. “We’v
by dianerav / 3h 

YESTERDAY

A BAT Teacher’s Dream
Want to know why the Badass Association of Teachers were created. It is because of stories like this one. Amanda wanted to be a teacher for as long as she can remember. She loved teaching. She was laid off. Thousands of other teachers could tell the same story. Does anyone care? Teachers care. They know that they could be next. That’s why the BAT gathered more than 20,000 members in only two we
by dianerav / 10h


Diane in the Evening 7-1-13 Diane Ravitch's blog | A site to discuss better education for all
Diane Ravitch's blog | A site to discuss better education for all: Louisiana’s Largest Voucher School Kicked Out of Programby dianeravLast year, when Governor Bobby Jindal persuaded the Louisiana legislature to pass the nation’s most sweeping voucher program, the school that was selected to receive the largest number of voucher students was the New Living Word Church school. Although it lacked the
by mike simpson / 3h 
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7-2-13 @ THE CHALK FACE knows SCHOOLS MATTER

@ THE CHALK FACE knows SCHOOLS MATTER:

gears







Enduring Cartoon Versions Driving Education Reform
Writing about the Trayvon Martin murder case, Mychal Denzel Smith captures the ugly heart of why George Zimmerman’s account rings true even if it isn’t: Because it’s clear that, whoever instigated the altercation, Zimmerman followed Trayvon that night. He was instructed not to, but he did anyway. That Zimmerman fumbled for an answer when the lead investigator […]
by plthomasedd / 37min mark as read  //  save
Teacher as Journalist – Faces of the Layoffs
News updates from Philadelphia Ken have been a breath of fresh air while the biggest news story of the century is being played out in public schools all across the country, you would never know it if you get your news from the boob tube. With the latest 24 hour cycle, 7 days a week […]
by freetoteach / 56min 


AFT’s New Action Strategy: Write a Letter Begging Arne to Help Stop What His Policies Have Created
This morning my email box had a copy of a letter from AFT employee, Sabrina Stevens, on behalf of her boss, President Randi Weingarten: Hey, there! I hope this message finds you well. I think we’ve only met briefly (at the first SOS March), but I’m getting in touch to make sure you saw/could share […]
by Jim Horn / 


7-1-13 @ THE CHALK FACE knows SCHOOLS MATTER
@ THE CHALK FACE knows SCHOOLS MATTER: Snappy Sound Bites, Lazy Journalists and Teacher Bashingby Activism in paradise - Voices from down underNew Zealand’s education minister, Hekia Parata, said this weekend four consecutive years of quality teaching eliminates any trace of socio-economic disadvantage for the student. In her now typical teacher-bashing way, she went on to say “In New Zealand we p
by mike simpson / 9h 
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For-profit schools blamed for denigration of Sweden’s school system | The Raw Story

For-profit schools blamed for denigration of Sweden’s school system | The Raw Story:

For-profit schools blamed for denigration of Sweden’s school system

A hairdresser styles a woman's hair at a salon in Stockholm, Sweden on June 12, 2013. (AFP)


 Twenty years after Sweden’s school system opened the door for independent profit-making schools and expanded parents’ choice, sliding results have the leftist opposition saying the system is a textbook example of privatisation gone wrong.
In 1992, the Nordic country introduced school vouchers that parents can use to send their children to either state-run or private schools. Both types of schools are funded by the state, and a key condition for both is that tuition remains free.
The idea was to let primary and secondary education providers compete by allowing students to choose where they wanted to study, rather than allocating them a place at the nearest state-run school.
But though the Swedish model has garnered international attention, critics say that in an effort to attract students, for-profit schools are offering courses that don’t tally with the needs of the job 
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UPDATE: Why Gary Chartrand and Tony Bennett’s School Grade Task Force May Be a Sham | Scathing Purple Musings

Why Gary Chartrand and Tony Bennett’s School Grade Task Force May Be a Sham | Scathing Purple Musings:

Why Gary Chartrand and Tony Bennett’s School Grade Task Force May Be a Sham
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ASK.com defines task force in its online dictionary thus:
a unit or formation established to work on a single defined task or activity. Originally introduced by the United States Navy, the term has now caught on for general usage and is a standard part of NATO terminology. Many non-military organizations now create “task forces” or task groups for temporary activities that might have once been performed by ad hoc committees.
The online site goes further and details how the term applies to government:
In government or business a task force is a temporary organization created to solve a particular problem. It is considered to be a more formal ad-hoccommittee.
A taskforce, or more-commonly task force, is a special committee, usually ofexperts, formed expressly for the purpose of studying a particular problem. The task force usually performs some sort of an audit to assess the current situation, then draws up a list of all the current problems present and evaluates 


Oklahoma – A Jeb Bush Chiefs For Change State – Drops Out of PARCC

Posted on July 2, 2013by 
 
 
 
 
 
 
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The first of Jeb Bush’s vaunted Chiefs for Change has made the decision to drop from the controversial PARCC testing consortium. Andrea Eger tells us this in Tulsa World:
State Superintendent Janet Barresi announced Monday that she is withdrawing Oklahoma from testing through a consortium of 20 or so other states to coincide with the new Common Core curriculum standards.
Instead of using new assessments developed through the group, called the Partnership for Assessment of Readiness for College and Careers, or PARCC, Oklahoma will work with a testing company to develop its own new standardized tests for the 2014-15 academic year.
“We came to this decision after many months of deliberation, listening to 
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Jersey Jazzman: Does DFER Support Pitbull-Zulueta Values?

Jersey Jazzman: Does DFER Support Pitbull-Zulueta Values?:

Does DFER Support Pitbull-Zulueta Values?
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Kevin P. Chavous is the board chair of Democrats For Education Reform and a staunch reformy-type, proudly working with politicians on both sides of the aisle to bring "choice" to public schools. Chavous has written before about how concerned he is with women's rights:
Every day in this country, scores of children persevere against incredibly negative odds. Their struggles are virtually unnoticed: their accomplishments are unheralded. But they survive and many succeed. In my new book,Voices of Determination I share the stories of ten young people who endured and overcame significant challenges in order to obtain their education. Each story is heart wrenching and inspiring. And each kid exemplifies that innate human 
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