NYC Educator: Attention Daily News and Legal Expert Campbell Brown!

NYC Educator: Attention Daily News and Legal Expert Campbell Brown!:

Attention Daily News and Legal Expert Campbell Brown!

To keep informed, I read all the education articles in the Daily News, and I've noticed a common theme. They are terribly concerned about "pervs" and "sex creeps" because they worry about how our students are treated. As I read the stories, I can't help but notice that they pick the most sensational details from only a handful of cases. In fact, the majority of cases they mention have already been resolved, and the teachers in question were not guilty. While they don't actually bother to get the teacher's side, I can only assume they'd concur on the lack of guilt thing.

However, I've finally come across a case in which we've got the teacher's point of view. The teacher herself, in fact, admits it in her own words. Far from being repentant, this teacher seems to find it hilarious that she taped students' mouths shut to keep them quiet, and that the kids bled when they removed the tape. Not only that, but she seems to ridicule the way these children speak.

I'd have to say, here in NYC, that these are clear violations of Chancellor's Regulations A-420, corporal punishment, and possibly, given 

U.S. Schools Chief Arne Duncan Labors to Straddle Political Divide - WSJ.com

U.S. Schools Chief Arne Duncan Labors to Straddle Political Divide - WSJ.com:

U.S. Schools Chief Arne Duncan Labors to Straddle Political Divide

By 
• MONICA LANGLEY
 
• CONNECT

Education Secretary Arne Duncan was riding to the airport in a black government SUV late last week, working his cellphone to try to save a plan to reduce interest rates on new student loans that is expected to face a vote in the Senate as early as Tuesday.

He called three Republicans and three Democrats who would be critical, and his message was the same to each. "We gotta bring this home," he recalls telling each senator.

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Ruben E Reyes for The Wall Street Journal

'The only pressure I ever get is that I'm going too fast, but I think I'm going too slow. I have only 3½ years left,' says Education Secretary Arne Duncan.

The outreach was emblematic of Mr. Duncan's term as the government's top education official. In a miasma of partisanship on virtually every front, education stands out as an issue where partisan lines are bent in strange directions and odd-bedfellow relationships are forming.

On student loans, for example, Mr. Duncan's problems are as much with some Democrats who want a sweeter deal on loan rates as with Republicans who want a tougher one.

Tennessee Republican Sen. Lamar Alexander, himself a former education secretary, got one of the calls from Mr. Duncan. "We reviewed our jobs to keep senators on 

Missouri Education Watchdog: A Lack of Faith in Christian Schools?

Missouri Education Watchdog: A Lack of Faith in Christian Schools?:

A Lack of Faith in Christian Schools?

At almost all of the talks I give on common core around our state someone will ask me what is happening with Common Core in private and parochial schools. I can always tell them what I know from having talked to leaders in the St. Louis Archiodese and from what I hear from parents whose kids attend catholic or other Christian schools. Many of these schools are adopting common core. What I can’t explain is the why; explain that is without having to point out an apparent lack of faith.

My own view of public education is that it is like the Titanic, and like that tribute to the latest engineering knowledge and marketing hype, it will most likely not live up to expectations and is probably going down.  My goal therefore has been to make sure that there are plenty of lifeboats for those who want to get off. Parochial, Christian and private schools (as well as home school) have been those lifeboats.

In terms of education, many of these schools have offered the kind of quality, classical education that most 

DIARY OF A PUBLIC SCHOOL TEACHER!: Can You Hear Me Now? Listening to Your Students' Behavior!

DIARY OF A PUBLIC SCHOOL TEACHER!: Can You Hear Me Now? Listening to Your Students' Behavior!:

Can You Hear Me Now? Listening to Your Students' Behavior!

When I saw this photo posted on WeAreTeachersFacebook status, I had to post it. "The kids who want the most Love, will always ask for it in the most unloving of ways." It speaks to so many of our kids. It spoke to so many of the kids I have had over the last 28 years. Are we listening to their behavior? Do we hear what they are trying to tell us?

I know it is frustrating when a student disrespects you or disrupts your classroom. They may call you names, disrupt the class, torment other students, fight, any number of things. And it makes you angry. Sometimes, people forget that teachers are human too. That we have human reactions to students in our classroom, even though we are "the professionals".

Every year, I seem to have a student like that. I know there are teachers who have a number of students who fit this description. But I think it's in the best interest of  the student if we take a second and ask, "Why?" Sometimes, they aren't just being mean, nasty, human beings. Sometimes, there are things going on in their lives that make them want love, or help, from 

LISTEN TO DIANE RAVITCH 7-22-13 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: $615 Million for Consultants, $0 for Home Care for Disabled

Governor Bobby Jindal eliminate a $4 million program that provides home care for people with developmental disabilities. You know, the state can’t afford it. But the state treasurer pointed out that the Louisiana Department of Education spent an astonishing $615 million on consultants in the five years from 2005-2010. According to the local media: “State Treasurer John Kennedy gave Gov. Bobby Ji

by dianerav / 13min 

Pelto: The Background of the Vallas Controversy in Bridgeport

Jonathan Pelto, a blogger who is considered an “electronic graffiti” artist byPaul,Vallas, is a former Democratic legislator in Connecticut. Here he summarizes the background of the Vallas controversy, which began when the Dannel Malloy administration dissolved the elected Bridgeport school board and engineered a state takeover. This move was challenged in court and ruled. Illegal. However, the i

by dianerav / 15min 

Vallas Refers to Bloggers as “Electronic Graffitti”

These days, the blogosphere has become a medium for democratic expression. With so few mainstream media still in existence, blogging has become an important forum for those who have no voice. Today’s New York Times has an article about the controversy surrounding Paul Vallas in Bridgeport. Vallas speaks contemptuously of bloggers as “electronic graffitti.” The article speaks dismissively of the fa

by dianerav / 1min 

OECD Wants to Measure And Grade Universities

The OECD is so pleased with the “success” of international testing for K-12 that it wants to bring the same testing to higher education. Then, presumably, it would be possible to compare higher education across nations and see who is best, who ranks lowest, and get everyone to compete on the terms that OECD chooses. This is nothing less than a bold power grab by OECD, which arrogates to itself the

by dianerav / 3min 

Can Children Be Measured Like Corn As They Grow?

Amy Prime is a second grade teacher in Iowa and a parent of five children. She knows how different each of her children are. In this article, she wonders how the Common Core will work, and she draws an analogy with farmers growing corn. Her analogy begins like this: “It is easy to like the common core in theory. We want all of our kids to have the same skills when they graduate, right? But the p

by dianerav / 5min 

Rethinking Schools: The Trouble with Common Core

Secretary Arne Duncan would have the world believe that the Common Core standards are opposed only by extremists and people who believe in flying saucers. But it is not true. While much of the energy against the Common Core has come from Tea Party people who fear a federal takeover of public schools, there are also thoughtful critics on the left side of the political spectrum. I would begin by men

by dianerav / 3min mark as read  //  save

The First Review of “Reign of Error”!

This is the first review of my new book. Kirkus sends out early reviews that are read by journalists, librarians, and others in the publishing industry. This reviewer provides an accurate summary of the book. He or she got the main point and presents it succinctly here. REIGN OF ERROR The Hoax of the Privatization Movement and the Danger to America’s Public Schools Author: Diane Ravitch Review I

by dianerav / 1h 

The First Review of “Reign of Error”!

This is the first review of my new book. Kirkus sends out early reviews that are read by journalists, librarians, and others in the publishing industry. This reviewer provides an accurate summary of the book. He or she got the main point and presents it succinctly here. REIGN OF ERROR The Hoax of the Privatization Movement and the Danger to America’s Public Schools Author: Diane Ravitch Review I

by dianerav / 59min

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  

LISTEN TO DIANE RAVITCH ALL WEEK LONG Diane Ravitch's blog 7-20-13 #thankateacher #EDCHAT #P2

Diane Ravitch's blogLISTEN TO DIANE RAVITCH ALL WEEK LONG DIANE RAVITCH'S BLOGTODAYVultures 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, where legislatures and governors walk away from any responsibility to protect the common wealth?by dianerav / 57min Weston: Why Grading

by mike simpson / 49min 

UPDATE: Perdido Street School: DFER's Mock Mulgrew

Perdido Street School: DFER's Mock Mulgrew:


DFER-Supported Candidate Tried To Raise Campaign Funds Through Domestic Violence Ads

From Politicker:Shortly after ads appeared today urging New Yorkers to “Combat Domestic Violence” by giving contributions to Reshma Saujani’s campaign for public advocate, the order was given to take them down. The web ads, which ask for $10 contributions “to help Reshma advocate for victims of domestic violence,” raised eyebrows across the internet, with one Twitter user calling them “the tackies

by reality-based edu... / 7min 

DFER's Mock Mulgrew

AFT Poll: Parents Don't Support Education Deform Agenda

From the Washington Post:Most parents with children in public schools do not support recent changes in education policy, from closing low-performing schools to shifting public dollars to charter schools to private school vouchers, according to a new poll to be released Monday by the American Federation of Teachers.The poll, conducted by Democratic polling firm Hart Research Associates, surveyed 1,

by reality-based edu... / 18min 

DFER propaganda-meister Joe Williams mocks UFT President Michael Mulgrew and the UFT leadership in an opinion piece in the Daily Pravda of teacher-bashing, the Daily News.

Williams says because the UFT-endorsed candidate Bill Thompson has shown no overall movement in the polls since the UFT endorsed him, the UFT is no longer a kingmaker in city politics, unions in general are splintered shells of their former selves and politicians can safely ignore them and give hedge fund groups like the DFER's the policies they want.

Williams writes that even if Thompson does go on to win the nomination, it will be due to his political skill ad handiwork and not the UFT endorsement.

Some things to say here:

First, the words "Bill Thompson" and "political handiwork" do not belong in the same sentence.  Thompson ran one of the worst 

The Washington Teacher: WTU Prez Nathan Saunders Wears Out His Welcome & Refuses to Gracefully Accept Exile

The Washington Teacher: WTU Prez Nathan Saunders Wears Out His Welcome & Refuses to Gracefully Accept Exile:

WTU Prez Nathan Saunders Wears Out His Welcome & Refuses to Gracefully Accept Exile

August 1 deadline approaching

By Candi Peterson

Teachers have been asking why deposed Washington Teachers' Union (WTU) President Saunders (whose constitutional term ended June 30, 2013) still remains a hold over in the union office despite the WTU Constitution and by laws time frame for newly elected officers to assume office on July 1. Elizabeth (Liz) Davis who ran for WTU President and Candi Peterson who ran to reclaim her seat as WTU General Vice President are the newly elected officers and are still awaiting the keys to the castle. Davis and Peterson and their board will not be installed by American Federation of Teachers (AFT) until August 1 in a private ceremony at the parent organizations' headquarters. 

Typically, if WTU elections had been conducted as laid out in the WTU Constitution and By Laws, officers would have been installed in May and would assume office July 1, 2013. The Saunders friendly WTU Elections Committee modified the election timeline at the end of the WTU run-off period and granted Saunders an additional four (4) week transition period, which extended his time in office until August 1. Davis slate members speculate that this was a last ditch effort to give Saunders extra time in office.

 Since none of the candidates received a majority of the vote in the initial election as required, a run off 

Teacher: Why the last school year was ‘crushing’:

Teacher: Why the last school year was ‘crushing’

By Valerie Strauss, Published: July 22 at 6:00 amE-mail the writer

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New York City Public Schools Chancellor Dennis Walcott recently sent a letter to the city’s Education Department staff describing the 2012-13 school year as “extraordinary.” Here, Katie Lapham, an elementary school English-as-a-Second-Language teacher, responds in a letter of her own that describes a very different view of the school year. This appeared on theCritical Classrooms, Critical Kids blog.

Dear Chancellor Walcott,

I am writing in response to your ‘Extraordinary Year’ email, which you sent to NYC DOE staff on June 26, 2013. In the spirit of diversity, I wish to share with you my year end reflections, which differ from yours. In my view, there appears to be a disconnect between your office and working teachers; thus, my intention is to help bridge this gap.

I prefer to describe the 2012-2013 school year as crushing.

This spring, for example, I felt the heavy weight of your initiatives while commuting 

  

England vs Scotland: Competing school reform visions

Here is a post about the different ways that England and Scotland are approaching school reform — with echoes of the U.S. reform debate — by Marc Tucker, president of the non-profit National Center on Education and the Economy and … Continue reading →    

by Valerie Strauss / 2h

Mike Klonsky's SmallTalk Blog: WEEKEND QUOTABLES

Mike Klonsky's SmallTalk Blog: WEEKEND QUOTABLES:

WEEKEND QUOTABLES

Xian Barrett protests Chicago school closings. He was one of 2,100 teachers and staff fired Friday. CPS called his mother to tell her, son has been fired from his job.  

Fired Chicago teacher Xian Barrett

“The fact that there’s a script and it has in it, 'Thank you for the service to the kids’ but no details — the fact that it’s always done this impersonally. It’s not just about firing. It’s how CPS treats their students. They’re interchangeable, and the relationships in their lives are interchangeable.” -- Sun-Times

UIC Prof, Dick Simpson

“Many people know one of the fired school employees. They were fired — not because they weren’t doing their jobs, but because of how school finances were handled... Rahm Emanuel is losing the African-American vote. And independent 

Districts leave Washington without waiver but still confident one is coming | EdSource Today

Districts leave Washington without waiver but still confident one is coming | EdSource Today:

Districts leave Washington without waiver but still confident one is coming

July 22nd, 2013 | Add a Comment | 
By John Fensterwald

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Rick Miller, left, executive director of the California Office to Reform Education, confers with Michael Fullan in Sacramento earlier this year. Fullan, a Canadian author on education reform, is the architect of the collaboration-focused model of school reform, on which CORE has based its NCLB waiver application. Photo by John Fensterwald.

Representatives of nine California districts did not head home from Washington on Friday, after two and a half days of intense discussions with federal officials, with the waiver from the No Child Left Behind law that they had been hoping for.

But Rick Miller, executive director of the nonprofit district collaborative that is submitting the waiver application, called the talks “productive” and said the districts are “one iteration away” from finishing a document for a final up or down decision by  Secretary of Education Arne Duncan. Duncan did not participate in the discussions last week, Miller said.

Fresno Unified Superintendent Michael Hanson characterized the status of the waiver as “closer 

4LAKids - some of the news that doesn't fit: TURNING THE TABLES

4LAKids - some of the news that doesn't fit: TURNING THE TABLES:

TURNING THE TABLES

from United Teacher: MR. DEASY’S POST-STULL CONFERENCE MEMO

BY WARREN FLETCHER IN THE PRESIDENT’S PERSPECTIVE COLUMN OF UNITED TEACHER, THE NEWSPAPER OF UTLA |HTTP://BIT.LY/1BF5VSU

 

Note to UNITED TEACHER readers: As this issue goes to press, the results of the recent membership-wide “Stull of the Superintendent” had just been tabulated and released by UTLA. Unlike the 36,000 working educators of Los Angeles, Mr. Deasy will not have to endure a post-Stull conference. The following is an approximation of what his post-Stull memo could have looked like.
July 19, 2013
From: The Teachers and Health and Human Services Professionals of LAUSD
To: John Deasy, Superintendent
Re: A Data-Driven Review of Your Performance
Mr. Deasy, the purpose of this memo, and of UTLA’s recent superintendent survey, is to give you usable and timely information about your job performance and to help you to improve. As educators, we understand that an effective evaluation is not a “gotcha” activity. So, let’s take a look at what the data tell us about your performance on some of the key objectives of your job:
Objective 1: Ensuring that teachers have a central role in curriculum, instruction, and assessment
In this area, 81 percent of educators who responded gave you a rating of below average or poor, and your average score (on a scale of 1 to 5) was 1.40. These numbers are troubling. Every day, LAUSD teachers must do our jobs in an instructional environment that is