Nite Cap 7-21-13 #BATsACT #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 CAP

TODAY

Perdido Street School: George Miller Is Right

Perdido Street School: George Miller Is Right: George Miller Is RightRepresentative George Miller, ranking Dem on the House education committee, never met a standardized test he didn't like, a teacher he didn't think should be evaluated by that standardized test and testing companies and edu-entrepereneurs he wasn't happy to take money from in order to make sure the Endless Testing regime he helpe

by mike simpson / 2min 

Diane in the Evening 7-21-13 Diane Ravitch's blog | A site to discuss better education for all

Diane Ravitch's blog | A site to discuss better education for all: Lance Hill: A Principal Paid $115,000 for a School with 13 Students?Lance Hill reports that Steve Barr has hired a principal at a salary of $115,000 for a charter school with an enrollment of 13 freshman students. Perhaps the reason enrollment is so low is that Barr hyped the schools as “the most dangerous school in America” on a T

by mike simpson / 3h 

Seattle Schools Community Forum: The One-Two Punch of NCLB and Common Core

Seattle Schools Community Forum: The One-Two Punch of NCLB and Common Core: The One-Two Punch of NCLB and Common CoreThe fight is on.  Some in Congress are trying to rewrite NCLB (as this work has been put off/ignored for years).  Some of this push is about the use of Common Core which several states are now dragging their feet on.  This rewrite by Rep. John Kline (R-MN) and Rep. Todd Rokita (R-IN

by mike simpson / 3h 

Thoughts on Civilization & Privilege | Lefty Parent

Thoughts on Civilization & Privilege | Lefty Parent: Thoughts on Civilization & PrivilegeJuly 21st, 2013 at 11:35For nearly 200,000 years our human species (homo sapiens) lived on this bountiful planet in what most anthropologists now believe were mostly small egalitarian bands or tribes of hunter-gatherers, less than a million people scattered about Earth’s various habitable environs livi

by mike simpson / 3h 

"Fruitvale Station": Recreating a tragic loss of a life - CBS News

"Fruitvale Station": Recreating a tragic loss of a life - CBS News: "Fruitvale Station": Recreating a tragic loss of a life(CBS News) A new movie based on a true story takes a look at a controversial shooting four years ago that still has echoes today. Erin Moriarty of "48 Hours" has the story behind the film:Every day, 16,000 riders run through this Bay Area Rapid Transit, or BART, station in Oak

by mike simpson / 4h 

Emperor Arne Has No Clothes | Matt Farmer

Emperor Arne Has No Clothes | Matt Farmer: Emperor Arne Has No ClothesPosted: 07/19/2013 6:07 pm It was an "emperor has no clothes" moment in public education, and it took place on July 18 in a federal courtroom in Chicago.The "emperor" in question was none other than Arne Duncan, who ran Chicago Public Schools from June 2001 to January 2009, at which he time took his act nationwide.And the person

by mike simpson / 4h 

Fred Klonsky | Daily posts from a retired public school teacher who is just looking at the data.

Fred Klonsky | Daily posts from a retired public school teacher who is just looking at the data.: Road Trip Week 2The in box. Paul Krugman on “the big pension scare.”Paul Krugman, NY Times: OK, this is quite amazing: Dean Baker catches the WaPo editorial page claiming that we have $3.8 trillion in unfunded state and local pension liabilities. Say it in your best Dr. Evil voice: THREE POINT EIGHT T

by mike simpson / 5h 

Morning Wink 7-21-13 AM Posts #BATsACT #edreform #EDCHAT #P2

BIG EDUCATION APE - MORNING WINK  AM POSTSTODAYAmerican education and the IQ trap - latimes.comAmerican education and the IQ trap - latimes.com: American education and the IQ trapFor students, one score doesn't tell all.Comments3EmailShare183A survey in 2011 found that the predominant method of measuring whether or not students are gifted is assessing their performances in both an IQ test and a st

by mike simpson / 8h 

American education and the IQ trap - latimes.com

American education and the IQ trap - latimes.com: American education and the IQ trapFor students, one score doesn't tell all.Comments3EmailShare183A survey in 2011 found that the predominant method of measuring whether or not students are gifted is assessing their performances in both an IQ test and a standardized academic test. Above: Students at Jackson Elementary School in Santa Ana. (Los Angel

by mike simpson / 8h 

‘We Will Not Retreat,’ Teachers Union Rep Tells PUSH

‘We Will Not Retreat,’ Teachers Union Rep Tells PUSH « CBS Chicago: ‘We Will Not Retreat,’ Teachers Union Rep Tells PUSH CHICAGO (STMW) – The Rev. Jesse Jackson and a Chicago Teachers Union representative said on Saturday that work will be done to fight back against the recent layoffs of more than 2,100 Chicago Public Schools employees, as well as laws that led ultimately to the acquittal last wee

by mike simpson / 8h 

Finally, a film that celebrates public education

Finally, a film that celebrates public education: Finally, a film that celebrates public educationBy Valerie Strauss, Published: July 21 at 9:15 amE-mail the writer0CommentsMoreWe’ve seen a stream of films promoting the school reform agenda, but here’s a piece about a different kind of movie, one that actually celebrates public education. This was written by Peter Dreier, professor of politics and

by mike simpson / 9h 

7-21-13 teacherken at Daily Kos

teacherken at Daily Kos: Krugman: The Great Pension ScareAs a teacher I am a public employee. I am already drawing a public pension as a result of retiring in 2012.  When I go back into the classroom next month, even though I am teaching in a jurisdiction covered by the same pension plan, I am no longer required to contribute (but as a result I also receive less pay).  Given what Michigan is tryin

by mike simpson / 9h 

LISTEN TO DIANE RAVITCH 7-21-13 Diane Ravitch's blog | A site to discuss better education for all

Diane Ravitch's blog | A site to discuss better education for all: A Teacher’s Letter to Bill GatesTeacherbiz writes a friendly but very candid letter to Big Brother Bill Gates. Teacherbiz has some good advice: “You know that feeling you get when you think you’re doing something good—and then you realize you’re actually doing harm? I’ve experienced it, and it’s not a good feeling—and the only way

by mike simpson / 9h 

Perdido Street School: Why The UFT Will Never Go Back On The Teacher Evaluation System Sell-Out

Perdido Street School: Why The UFT Will Never Go Back On The Teacher Evaluation System Sell-Out: Why The UFT Will Never Go Back On The Teacher Evaluation System Sell-OutNorm Scott posted the following:This came in an email as a suggestion for MORE to take up the cause and I think it should. But I wonder if the UFT which supports and vehemently defends the new evaluation system will be calling for

by mike simpson / 9h 

Indiana’s Anti-Howard Zinn Witch-hunt | toteachornototeach

Indiana’s Anti-Howard Zinn Witch-hunt | toteachornototeach: Indiana’s Anti-Howard Zinn Witch-huntPosted on July 20, 2013Indiana’s Anti-Howard Zinn Witch-hunt by Bill BigelowHoward Zinn, author of A People’s History of the United States, one of the country’s most widely read history books, died on January 27, 2010. Shortly after, then-Governor of Indiana Mitch Daniels got on his computer and fired

by mike simpson / 9h 

Sue Peters for Seattle School Board | Seattle Education

Sue Peters for Seattle School Board | Seattle Education: Sue Peters for Seattle School BoardI have been actively involved in the Seattle Public School District for the past nine years, as a parent, volunteer, public education advocate, education journalist and member of the district’s Superintendent Search Community Focus Group and the Strategic Plan Stakeholder Task Force.I was honored to be invi

by mike simpson / 9h 

Alternative education for troubled California students raises questions - Education - The Sacramento Bee

Alternative education for troubled California students raises questions - Education - The Sacramento Bee: John Harte / Center for Public IntegrityErick Araujo, 13, walks toward his home in the Kern County town of Lost Hills last month. Erick was expelled for a year from a middle school in Lost Hills. Because he can't regularly get to the community school 38 miles away where he was told to enroll,

by mike simpson / 9h 

4LAKids - Co-Location: WHY CHARTER SCHOOLS ARE TEARING PUBLIC CAMPUSES APART

4LAKids - some of the news that doesn't fit: Co-Location: WHY CHARTER SCHOOLS ARE TEARING PUBLIC CAMPUSES APART: Co-Location: WHY CHARTER SCHOOLS ARE TEARING PUBLIC CAMPUSES APARTBY GARY COHN – HOT IDEAS FOR A COLD ECONOMY – THE FRYING PAN HTTP://BIT.LY/1ABS94WIllustration: Lalo Alcarazon July 17, 2013  ::  For more than 30 years each, Cheryl Smith-Vincent and Cheryl Ortega have shared a passion f

by mike simpson / 9h 

7-21-13 Schools Matter @ The Chalk Face

SCHOOLS MATTER @ THE CHALK FACE: Did you know that Michelle Rhee has 93 civil actions against her?I know. Maybe some of these are trumped up cases. I’d have to look at them in detail. This is perhaps what you get for being in charge of people and making decisions. You make some enemies. But still, 93 cases in all? Are you serious? If I had one, I’d never work in this […]by Chalk Face, PhD / 15min 

by mike simpson / 9h 

YESTERDAY

Seattle Schools Community Forum: Seattle School Board Race District IV

Seattle Schools Community Forum: Seattle School Board Race District IV: Seattle School Board Race District IVThe District IV race seems to be shaping up along two lines (and no surprise what those lines are).  (District V seems to be all Blanford and there sure are confusing signs from him.  That's another thread.)I refer to Suzanne Estey and Sue Peters.  (Dean McColgan doesn't seem to be a strong

by mike simpson / 22h 

Nite Cap 7-20-13 #BATsACT #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 CAPTODAYINFOGRAPHIC: Healthier School Snacks & Latino Kids | HispanicallySpeakingNews.comINFOGRAPHIC: Healthier School Snacks & Latino Kids | HispanicallySpeakingNews.com: INFOGRAPHIC: Healthier School Snacks & Latino KidsPublished at 12:07 pm EST

by mike simpson / 1d 

INFOGRAPHIC: Healthier School Snacks & Latino Kids | HispanicallySpeakingNews.com

INFOGRAPHIC: Healthier School Snacks & Latino Kids | HispanicallySpeakingNews.com: INFOGRAPHIC: Healthier School Snacks & Latino KidsPublished at 12:07 pm EST, July 20, 2013Latino students are often exposed to high-fat, high-sugar snacks, and drinks sold in schools.  Coincidentally, the number of children at risk of obesity and juvenile diabetes cases continue to increase.Salud America! re

by mike simpson / 1d 

Diane in the Evening 7-20-13 Diane Ravitch's blog | A site to discuss better education for all

Diane Ravitch's blog | A site to discuss better education for all: Whose Opinion Will You Advocate Today?A teacher sends this description of what passes for critical thought in his school. Read it through and ask yourself whether it makes any sense always to advocate someone else’s opinion. What if their opinion is wrong? What if they are spouting nonsense? If everyone advocates someone else’s opi

by mike simpson / 1d 

Perdido Street School: Microsoft, Public Education And "The Wire"

Perdido Street School: Microsoft, Public Education And "The Wire": Microsoft, Public Education And "The Wire"Good Slate piece comparing Microsoft to The Wire to explain why Bill Gates' company is failing:And it had a lot to do with bad management. There’s too much personnel turnover in the drug trade for managerial rot to really set in—for the Microsoft analogy on The Wire, you’d look not just to

by mike simpson / 1d 

Malloy’s Commissioner of Education signs another $1 million contract with out-side consultants - Wait, What?

Malloy’s Commissioner of Education signs another $1 million contract with out-side consultants - Wait, What?: Malloy’s Commissioner of Education signs another $1 million contract with out-side consultantsGovernor Malloy and Education Commissioner Stefan Pryor’s education reform and economic development strategy came into greater focus this week with news that a few months ago Stefan Pryor continue

by mike simpson / 1d 

Parents, Teachers, and Even LAUSD School Board Members Speak Out Against Parent Trigger | K-12 News Network

Parents, Teachers, and Even LAUSD School Board Members Speak Out Against Parent Trigger | K-12 News Network: Parents, Teachers, and Even LAUSD School Board Members Speak Out Against Parent TriggerPosted on July 12, 2013 by adminWant to know what real-live parents think of “parent trigger”? Watch these videos. These selected speeches were excerpted from the June 18, 2013 Los Angeles Unified School

by mike simpson / 1d 

Oregon Save Our Schools: Why Portland is Chicago

Oregon Save Our Schools: Why Portland is Chicago: Why Portland is ChicagoThis next blog post is important to read and understand, as the largest school district in our state, Portland Public Schools, is in a critical contract negotiation process. Oregon Save Our Schools has four core values: an end to high-stakes testing to evaluate schools, teachers, and students; education policy developed by th

by mike simpson / 1d 

NYC Educator: Chicago--Now With 4% Fewer Teachers!

NYC Educator: Chicago--Now With 4% Fewer Teachers!: Chicago--Now With 4% Fewer Teachers!Reformy Rahm Emanuel has made education a priority in Chicago. That's a pretty good idea, since Arne Duncan's Renaissance 2010 has proven an abject failure. Now, were I mayor of Chicago, looking at all the reformy things that didn't work for Arne, I'd take a different approach. Regrettably, Rahm has decided to

by mike simpson / 1d 

Jersey Jazzman: The REAL Status Quo

Jersey Jazzman: The REAL Status Quo: The REAL Status QuoOnce again, Gary Rubinstein makes a great point:Again, NOBODY thinks nothing should be changed and NOBODY thinks everything should be changed.  Imagine some new billionaire comes along and starts saying that the next big school reform is that schools will no longer meet in buildings, but instead out on the street.  This will save money as the

by mike simpson / 1d 

What House Republicans did right with the education bill

What House Republicans did right with the education bill: What House Republicans did right with the education billBy Valerie Strauss, Published: July 20 at 1:16 pmE-mail the writer0CommentsMoreThere are many things to oppose in the legislation that the Republican-led House of Representatives just approved to rewrite the much-maligned 2002 No Child Left Behind bill.The bill, passed on Friday withou

by mike simpson / 1d 

What would happen if other tests were standardized? | Reclaim Reform

What would happen if other tests were standardized? | Reclaim Reform: What would happen if other tests were standardized?Posted on July 20, 2013by kenprevitiWhat would happen if other tests were standardized?Cartoonist Dave Coverly says it all.See his great speedbump.com site HERE.Race to the Top and Common Core demand high stakes tests from companies that make tremendous profits for tests that ar

by mike simpson / 1d 

7-20-13 Schools Matter @ The Chalk Face

SCHOOLS MATTER @ THE CHALK FACE: Colorado Educators Alert: TURNcoat, Kerrie Dalman, Promotes InBloom Student Data Mining and StorageKerrie Dalman is President of the Colorado Education Association, the state affiliate of the NEA.  She is a head honcho of Southwest TURN, a branch of the metastasizing cancer eating away at the NEA and AFT. Yesterday, Kerrie had a guest commentary in the Denver Post,

by mike simpson / 1d 

2nd Banana 7-20-13 Recap of Last Week's Best Post #EDchat #EDreform #soschat #p2 #1u

BIG EDUCATION APE 2ND BANANA RECAP OF LAST WEEK'S BEST POSTEducation Research Report: CREDO’s Significantly Insignificant Charter Schools FindingsEducation Research Report: CREDO’s Significantly Insignificant Charter Schools Findings: EDUCATION RESEARCH REPORTThis Week's Education Research Report 7-13-13 #SOSCHAT #EDCHAT #P2Education Research ReportTHIS WEEK'S EDUCATION RESEARCH REPORTYESTERDAYThe

by mike simpson / 1d 

California Teen Pregnancy Rates Drop 60 Percent Thanks To Sex Education

California Teen Pregnancy Rates Drop 60 Percent Thanks To Sex Education: California Teen Pregnancy Rates Drop 60 Percent Thanks To Sex EducationHuffington Post  |  By Rebecca Klein Posted: 07/19/2013 4:59 pm EDTCalifornia’s teen pregnancy rate has dropped nearly 60 percent as a result of expanded sex education programs, according to a report released by the California Department of Public Health (

by mike simpson / 1d 

Morning Wink 7-20-13 AM Posts #BATsACT #edreform #EDCHAT #P2

BIG EDUCATION APE - MORNING WINK  AM POSTSTODAYLISTEN TO DIANE RAVITCH 7-20-13 Diane Ravitch's blog | A site to discuss better education for allDiane Ravitch's blog | A site to discuss better education for all: TODAYVultures Circle Detroit Art MuseumWatch the billionaires scoop up the treasures of the Detroit Institute of Art. Is ours a society where the public sector can be ransacked for gain, wh

by mike simpson / 1d 

2nd Banana 7-20-13 Recap of Last Week's Best Post

2nd Banana 7-13-13 Recap of Last Week's Best Post

2nd Banana 7-6-13 Recap of Last Week's Best Post 

2nd Banana 6-29-13 Recap of Last Week's Best Post 

2nd Banana 6-22-13 Recap of Last Week's Best Post 

2nd Banana 6-15-13 Recap of Last Week's Best Post

2nd Banana 6-8-13 Recap of Last Week's Best Post

2nd Banana 6-1-13 Recap of Last Week's Best Post

Nite Cap 7-20-13

Nite Cap 7-19-13

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Nite Cap 7-15-13

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Big Education Ape Nite Cap 7-2-13

Big Education Ape Nite Cap 7-1-13

Perdido Street School: George Miller Is Right

Perdido Street School: George Miller Is Right:

George Miller Is Right

Representative George Miller, ranking Dem on the House education committee, never met a standardized test he didn't like, a teacher he didn't think should be evaluated by that standardized test and testing companies and edu-entrepereneurs he wasn't happy to take money from in order to make sure the Endless Testing regime he helped put in place with No Child Left Behind continues ad infinitum.

AOL Post is running some jive video of Miller giving an "impassioned" speech against the Republican NCLB re-authorization bill in which he says "Children are running out of time in this country!"

Miller is upset because the GOP bill rolls back some of the NCLB data tracking nonsense, doesn't require teachers be evaluated using test scores, and doesn't promote the Endless Testing regime 

Diane in the Evening 7-21-13 Diane Ravitch's blog | A site to discuss better education for all

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

A Tragic Day for Public Education in North Carolina

Yvonne Brannan of Public Schools First NC sent the following comment: “It is a tragic day in NC for our public schools, their teachers and students. The cuts to education reflect a very aggressive attack on public education. Eliminating $110 million for teacher assistants, eliminating teacher tenure, eliminating class size limits for K-3, no raise again this year, all of these unnecessary cuts wi

by dianerav / 1h 

NC Legislature: $5.1 Million for TFA

As reported earlier, the far-right North Carolina legislature voted to start vouchers and to end teacher tenure. But there was good news for TFA: the far-right Republican majority allocated $5.1 million for Teach for America. The governor’s education advisor Eric Guckian is an alum of TFA. TFA presents itself as passionately devoted to equity, but its major funding comes from the far-right Walton

by dianerav / 2h mark as read  //  save

Why Teacher Tenure Matters

I reported a few minutes ago that the extremist North Carolina legislature agreed to end teacher tenure. I pointed out that academic freedom will disappear. Joan Baratz Snowden, who has studied and written about the teaching profession for many years, says the consequences are even worse than loss of academic freedom. She writes: “Seems to me the more critical issue is not so much academic freedo

by dianerav / 2h 

Breaking News: NC Legislature Approves Vouchers, Ends Teacher Tenure

The North Carolina legislature reached agreement on a budget that initiates vouchers in 2014 and ends teacher tenure. The Republican leadership hailed the budget deal as a huge improvement for public education, which of course it is not. Vouchers are terrible public policy that will harm the public education system by draining dollars from it to fund religious schools. No voucher experiment in th

by dianerav / 2h 

Lance Hill: A Principal Paid $115,000 for a School with 13 Students?

Lance Hill reports that Steve Barr has hired a principal at a salary of $115,000 for a charter school with an enrollment of 13 freshman students. Perhaps the reason enrollment is so low is that Barr hyped the schools as “the most dangerous school in America” on a TV show in Oprah’s channel. Some parents pulled their kids out. But now Barr can demonstrate how he “turned around” the “most dangerous

by dianerav / 9min   

LISTEN TO DIANE RAVITCH 7-21-13 Diane Ravitch's blog | A site to discuss better education for all

Diane Ravitch's blog | A site to discuss better education for all: A Teacher’s Letter to Bill GatesTeacherbiz writes a friendly but very candid letter to Big Brother Bill Gates. Teacherbiz has some good advice: “You know that feeling you get when you think you’re doing something good—and then you realize you’re actually doing harm? I’ve experienced it, and it’s not a good feeling—and the only way

by mike simpson / 59min

Seattle Schools Community Forum: The One-Two Punch of NCLB and Common Core

Seattle Schools Community Forum: The One-Two Punch of NCLB and Common Core:

The One-Two Punch of NCLB and Common Core

The fight is on.  Some in Congress are trying to rewrite NCLB (as this work has been put off/ignored for years).  Some of this push is about the use of Common Core which several states are now dragging their feet on.  This rewrite by Rep. John Kline (R-MN) and Rep. Todd Rokita (R-IN) is called the Student Success Act and passed the House on Friday.  Rep. Tom Harkin (D-IA) has released his own bill called Strengthening America's Schools Act of 2013. 

Via Diane Ravitch comes this great editorial from the LA Times on this issue.  From the editorial:

After Congress dragged its heels for six years on the reauthorization of the No Child Left Behind Act, House Republicans suddenly passed a jumbled bill Friday that could best be described as the No Accountability Act, eliminating virtually all the school improvement mandates that were in the original law. PresidentObama has rightly vowed to veto it in the unlikely scenario that it reaches his desk, but even as he does so, he should not ignore the more valid sentiments behind the vote. The nation is ripe for rebellion against the rigid law and the Obama administration's further efforts to micromanage how schools are run.

To its credit, the law raised awareness about just how little students in 

Thoughts on Civilization & Privilege | Lefty Parent

Thoughts on Civilization & Privilege | Lefty Parent:

Thoughts on Civilization & Privilege

July 21st, 2013 at 11:35

For nearly 200,000 years our human species (homo sapiens) lived on this bountiful planet in what most anthropologists now believe were mostly small egalitarian bands or tribes of hunter-gatherers, less than a million people scattered about Earth’s various habitable environs living for the most part peacefully with each other and within the larger web of nature. Each autonomous group might be as few as 10 to as many as 100 people generally woven together by a web of kinship with a basic equality among members including between men and women. It is generally believed today that all told, these people lived good lives in harmony with nature and were anything but the conventional pejorative notion of “savages”.

Unlike the tribal “chiefs” we are familiar with in contemporary indigenous societies, most bands of hunter-gatherers are believed to have operated without permanent leaders, with various community members taking initiative based on their expertise in the particular task being performed. Think more the informal organization of a contemporary large extended family or a group of people on a field or camping trip rather than a highly stratified hierarchy of decision making. The fact that this organization of our species evolved 

"Fruitvale Station": Recreating a tragic loss of a life - CBS News

"Fruitvale Station": Recreating a tragic loss of a life - CBS News:

"Fruitvale Station": Recreating a tragic loss of a life

(CBS News) A new movie based on a true story takes a look at a controversial shooting four years ago that still has echoes today. Erin Moriarty of "48 Hours" has the story behind the film:

Every day, 16,000 riders run through this Bay Area Rapid Transit, or BART, station in Oakland, Calif.

The sign says "Fruitvale." But there's another name that hangs heavy over the platform: Oscar Grant III.

Wanda Johnson, Grant's mother, showed Moriarty a favorite photo of her "baby boy": "His smile speaks to everybody. His smile speaks to me."

In the early morning hours of New Year's Day 2009, 22-year-old Grant and some friends were on the BART train returning from celebrating in San Francisco. There was a report of a fight, and when the train pulled into the Fruitvale Station, BART police started pulling Oscar and his friends off the train.

Other passengers pulled out their cell phones, and recorded video of what happened next: "In the video I see that there's a officer out with a Taser walking back and forth, cussing, telling people to get off the eff-ing train," Johnson recalled. "And then he grabs one of the boys and takes him off the train. He escorts a couple more off the train and he throws them down on the ground."

One of them is an unarmed Oscar Grant. A BART officer is on top of Grant, trying to handcuff him.

"And as he has his knee in Oscar's neck, Mehserle, he pulls out his gun and he shoots him," Johnson said. "And everybody [goes], 'Why would you shoot him?' "

Transit officer Johannes Mehserle shot Grant point-blank in the back.

Oscar Grant died in the hospital seven hours later.

A scene recreating the fatal shooting of Oscar Grant by BART Police for the film "Fruitvale Station."

 / The Weinstein Company

Actor Michael B. Jordan saw 

Emperor Arne Has No Clothes | Matt Farmer

Emperor Arne Has No Clothes | Matt Farmer:

Emperor Arne Has No Clothes

Posted: 07/19/2013 6:07 pm

 It was an "emperor has no clothes" moment in public education, and it took place on July 18 in a federal courtroom in Chicago.

The "emperor" in question was none other than Arne Duncan, who ran Chicago Public Schools from June 2001 to January 2009, at which he time took his act nationwide.

And the person who pointed out Arne's, shall we say, lack of apparel?

Her name is Annette Gurley. She worked for many years as a CPS teacher, assistant principal, and principal before moving up CPS's management ladder. She's now near the top rung of that ladder, serving as the district's Chief of Teaching and Learning. She reports directly to CPS CEO Barbara Byrd-Bennett.

I know all this because I cross-examined Gurley on July 18 during a preliminary injunction hearing before United States District Court Judge John Z. Lee. I'm one of the lawyers currently 

7-21-13 Fred Klonsky | Daily posts from a retired public school teacher who is just looking at the data.

Fred Klonsky | Daily posts from a retired public school teacher who is just looking at the data.:

Road Trip Week 2

Mark Stefanik: The pension is not the problem. Part II. It’s a wonderful life.

By Mark Stefanik Nobel prize economist Paul Krugman has exposed the fallacies and distortions of the pension crisis crowd. Tax expert extraordinaire Ralph Martire absolves the Illinois Pension plans of any blame in the State’s fiscal mess. He even points the way forward with specific remedies for fiscal health. So why is the Committee of 10 still meeting? Why is the phrase “looming pension crisi

by Fred Klonsky / 8min 

The in box. Paul Krugman on “the big pension scare.”

Paul Krugman, NY Times: OK, this is quite amazing: Dean Baker catches the WaPo editorial page claiming that we have $3.8 trillion in unfunded state and local pension liabilities. Say it in your best Dr. Evil voice: THREE POINT EIGHT TRILLION DOLLARS. Except the study the WaPo cites very carefully says that it’s $3.8 trillion in total liabilities, not unfunded; unfunded liabilities are only $1 tril

by Fred Klonsky / 34min 

7-20-13 Fred Klonsky | Still a retired public school teacher, looking at the data ALL WEEK LONG .

Fred Klonsky | Daily posts from a retired public school teacher who is just looking at the data.:Road Trip Week 2YESTERDAYCPS fired my friend Xian Barrett and 2112 others.Sun-Times: CPS calls teacher’s mom to tell him he’s getting laid off BY LAUREN FITZPATRICK Education Reporter lfitzpatrick@suntimes.com July 19, 2013 12:18PM Gage Park High School teacher Xian Barrett learned Friday morning he wa

by mike simpson / 1d