Nite Cap 8-6-13 #BATsACT #thankateacher #EDCHAT #P2 #Cheats4Change

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

Arne Duncan to NY: Don't be alarmed if scores drop - NorthJersey.com

Arne Duncan to NY: Don't be alarmed if scores drop - NorthJersey.com: Arne Duncan to NY: Don't be alarmed if scores dropTUESDAY AUGUST 6, 2013, 5:04 PMKAREN MATTHEWSASSOCIATED PRESSPAGES: 1 2 > DISPLAY ON ONE PAGE | PRINT | E-MAILNEW YORK (AP) — Students and parents in New York should not be alarmed if the scores on last spring's standardized tests drop sharply, U.S. Secretary of Education Arne Du

by mike simpson / 1h 

HISD trustees calling for closer look at Apollo | K-12 Zone | a Chron.com blog

HISD trustees calling for closer look at Apollo | K-12 Zone | a Chron.com blog: HISD trustees calling for closer look at ApolloTuesday, August 6, 2013CommentsEmailPrint0HISD Superintendent Terry Grier’s signature school reform program will get a closer look if some trustees get their way.The school board is scheduled to vote Thursday on an item that would direct Grier to have a forthcoming analysi

by mike simpson / 1h 

Jersey Jazzman: Reformy Right Illogic

Jersey Jazzman: Reformy Right Illogic: Reformy Right IllogicThey just love to hate on Matt Damon. It's a little creepy:Actor Matt Damon is a strong supporter of America's public schools. Just two years ago, the star spoke passionately about the importance of public schools at a Washington DC "Save our Schools" rally. In fact, the actor is so impressed with public school teachers that he has demand

by mike simpson / 1h 

LA Unified, seven other California districts granted reprieve from No Child Left Behind | Pass / Fail | 89.3 KPCC

LA Unified, seven other California districts granted reprieve from No Child Left Behind | Pass / Fail | 89.3 KPCC: LA Unified, seven other California districts granted reprieve from No Child Left Behind U.S. Education Secretary Arne Duncan addresses the National School Board Association's Federal Relations Nedtwork Conference at the Hilton Washington Hotel January 28, 2013 in Washington, DC. Dunca

1 by mike simpson / 2h 

8-6-13 Ed Notes Online

Ed Notes Online: A Little Andy Borowitz Humor for a Warm Summer Day - EnjoyMr. Bezos said he had been oblivious to his online shopping error until earlier today, when he saw an unusual charge for two hundred and fifty million dollars on his American Express statement. Amazon Founder Says He Clicked on Washington Post by MistakeRead more at newyorker.com1 by ed notes online / 6min UFT History, Earl

by mike simpson / 2h 

Seattle Schools Community Forum: Temperature Rising between SEA and District

Seattle Schools Community Forum: Temperature Rising between SEA and District (and not because it's summer): Temperature Rising between SEA and District (and not because it's summer)Yet another KUOW report on the contract talks that makes it sound like they are pretty far apart.  There is still plenty of time to iron things out but yes, we are less than a month out from school.Seattle Education Ass

by mike simpson / 2h 

DIARY OF A PUBLIC SCHOOL TEACHER!: The New Teacher:What Can We Do to Help?

DIARY OF A PUBLIC SCHOOL TEACHER!: The New Teacher:What Can We Do to Help?: The New Teacher:What Can We Do to Help?I spoke to the new 5th grade teacher today. I was part of the interview process and I was really impressed with her. She seemed like a great fit to our team, and after speaking to her today, our conversation helped reinforce that thought. Upon hearing that she was hired, I made sure m

by mike simpson / 2h 

Improving Schools: The "Real World" Fallacy — Whole Child Education

Improving Schools: The "Real World" Fallacy — Whole Child Education: THE WHOLE CHILD BLOGImproving Schools: The “Real World” FallacyJuly 22, 2013 by Sean SladeFirst, if you haven't read Tom Whitby's post "The Big Lie in Education," do so. This post is a follow-up from what Whitby has eloquently started.While we are reflecting, refreshing, and recharging, lets reflect on what we are trying to teach

by mike simpson / 3h 

Bennett-gate And The Politics Of Grading Schools

Bennett-gate And The Politics Of Grading Schools: Bennett-gate And The Politics Of Grading SchoolsLast week’s midair disintegration of a high-flying apparatchik in the movement known as education “reform” is still making headlines in local press and the national media.Tony Bennett was a hero of the national movement bent on reshaping public education along the lines of consumerism and marketing im

by mike simpson / 4h 

Buena Vista School District, Inkster School District Closings Strand Michigan Students, Teachers

Buena Vista School District, Inkster School District Closings Strand Michigan Students, Teachers: Buena Vista School District, Inkster School District Closings Strand Michigan Students, TeachersBeatrice Avery is out of options. It's already August, and her son, a special education student in Buena Vista, Mich., still doesn't know where he's going to be in school this fall.Buena Vista is a small to

by mike simpson / 5h 

Comparisons of Common Core State Standards to Georgia Performance Standards Released | Truth in American Education

Comparisons of Common Core State Standards to Georgia Performance Standards Released | Truth in American Education: Comparisons of Common Core State Standards to Georgia Performance Standards ReleasedFiled in Common Core State Standards, Education at State Level by Shane Vander Hart on August 5, 2013 •0 CommentsState Senator William Ligon (R-Brunswick) issued a press release this afternoon that ac

by mike simpson / 5h 

Tomorrow’s test scores | JD2718

Tomorrow’s test scores | JD2718: Tomorrow’s test scoresAUGUST 6, 2013 PM31 12:53 PMtags: CCLS, Common CoreEveryone involved in New York City educational policy – all levels of the DoE, the mayor, the UFT, the education reporters, pundits, activists – all are waiting for tomorrow’s scores.And it’s a crock.The scores will tell us nothing, except how students did on a test – a test that means very li

by mike simpson / 5h 

8-6-13 Wait, What? - Working to educate, persuade and mobilize through "perceptive and acerbic" observations about Connecticut Government and Politics

Wait, What? - Working to educate, persuade and mobilize through "perceptive and acerbic" observations about Connecticut Government and Politics: Commissioner Stefan Pryor’s incredible “no specific academic expertise” policies continue…Categories: Malloy Paul Vallas Standardized Testing Stefan PryorTags: MalloyPaul VallasStandardized TestingStefan PryorAka… Since Paul Vallas got into trouble for tr

by mike simpson / 5h 

Mike Klonsky's SmallTalk Blog: Oinks & Squeals

Mike Klonsky's SmallTalk Blog: Oinks & Squeals: Oinks & Squeals"I misspoke"How do you know if the Civic Committee's Ty Fahner is lying? Notice his snout is moving.First, the man my brother Fred calls "Eden Martin's bastard child", brags how he and other CC members made phone calls and pressured S&P to lower state's credit rating -- which they did.  Now he's telling Rich Miller at Capit

by mike simpson / 6h 

Sharknado kind of reminds you of Corporate Education Reform #Cheats4Change

Sharknado kind of reminds you of Corporate Education ReformRFA: Public Charter Schools Grant Program Planning and Implementation GrantRFA: Public Charter Schools Grant Program Planning and Implementation Grant (CA Dept of Education): Request for ApplicationsPublic Charter Schools Grant Program Planning and Implementation GrantDue: Monday, September 16, 2013The Federal Public Charter Schools Grant

by mike simpson / 6h 

Stop celebrating disruption | The Australian

Stop celebrating disruption | The Australian: Stop celebrating disruptionBY:JUDITH SHULEVITZ From:The Australian August 07, 2013 12:00AMYoung challengers often overtake ageing incumbents, but the disruptive path doesn't always advance the public good. Picture: APSource: APBut when Broad's "change agents" move into the institutions they've been taught to shake up, as dozens have now done, we can se

by mike simpson / 7h 

Voting Rights Act in Peril on 48th Anniversary | The Nation

Voting Rights Act in Peril on 48th Anniversary | The Nation: Voting Rights Act in Peril on 48th AnniversaryAri Berman on August 6, 2013 - 9:52 AM ET“Today is a triumph for freedom as huge as any victory that has ever been won on any battlefield,” President Lyndon Johnson said on August 6, 1965, when he signed the Voting Rights Act into law.The VRA quickly became known as the most important piece o

by mike simpson / 7h 

Thank You, Ken Lindblom (and Others) | the becoming radical

Thank You, Ken Lindblom (and Others) | the becoming radical: Thank You, Ken Lindblom (and Others)Posted on August 6, 2013 by plthomaseddI met Ken Lindblom at a national convention, the National Council of Teachers of English (NCTE) meeting in San Francisco 2003, if I recall correctly.My relationship with NCTE has been complex because the people and opportunities NCTE has brought to me have been ma

by mike simpson / 7h 

PSAT for 8-6-13: Put on your birthday clothes! It’s ALEC’s 40th! Parents United for Responsible Education

Parents United for Responsible Education » Blog Archive » PSAT for 8-6-13: Put on your birthday clothes! It’s ALEC’s 40th!: PSAT for 8-6-13: Put on your birthday clothes! It’s ALEC’s 40th!Have you bought your gift yet? It’s ALEC’s 40th birthday, and they are coming to Chicago to celebrate.Hmmm. But maybe since they’ve tried to take so much from us already (our schools, our legislators, our democr

by mike simpson / 7h 

Morning Wink 8-6-13 AM Posts #BATsACT #edreform #EDCHAT #P2 #Cheats4Change

BIG EDUCATION APE - MORNING WINK  AM POSTSTODAY8-6-13 Perdido Street SchoolPerdido Street School: NYCDOE STILL Doesn't Have Common Core Curriculum Materials ReadyTomorrow the new Common Core test results for ELA and math classes, 3rd-8th grade, will be released to the public.They are going to show some very, very low scores.The scores will be so drastically different from previous years because th

2 by mike simpson / 7h 

8-6-13 Perdido Street School

Perdido Street School: NYCDOE STILL Doesn't Have Common Core Curriculum Materials ReadyTomorrow the new Common Core test results for ELA and math classes, 3rd-8th grade, will be released to the public.They are going to show some very, very low scores.The scores will be so drastically different from previous years because these tests were a) based on the new Common Core standards and b) had difficu

by mike simpson / 8h 

NYC Educator: Common Core--Being Reformy Means Never Having to Say You're Sorry

NYC Educator: Common Core--Being Reformy Means Never Having to Say You're Sorry: Common Core--Being Reformy Means Never Having to Say You're SorryThe new Common Core test scores are about to come out, and areanticipated to be a disaster. This, of course, will give further credence to the corporate-created myth that our schools are in crisis and need to be "reformed," despite the fact that CC itsel

by mike simpson / 8h 

All Means All – Duncan Addresses IDEA Conference | ED.gov Blog

All Means All – Duncan Addresses IDEA Conference | ED.gov Blog: All Means All – Duncan Addresses IDEA ConferencePosted on August 6, 2013 by Cameron BrenchleyAll means all, Secretary of Education Arne Duncan said during his keynote address to theIDEA Leadership Conference last week. “Children with disabilities are a part of, not separate from, the general education population,” he said.The annual g

by mike simpson / 8h 

teacherken at Daily Kos

teacherken at Daily Kos: Leaves prepares to say goodbye to Gregorbyteacherken    2 Comments / 2 NewThis morning my spouse got a call from the office of her neurosurgeon.  While as yet there is no determination of whether surgery can make a difference, he is encouraged enough by what he has seen examining her in person and through xrays and MRIs that he feels that she can now forego having to put o

by mike simpson / 8h 

Louisiana Educator: College Prep and Jail Prep

Louisiana Educator: College Prep and Jail Prep: College Prep and Jail PrepThe amateurs who run our State Department of Education have succeeded in shortchanging both our students and our Louisiana employers. John White just added a requirement that all students take the ACT and that the average scores of the students at each school count for 25% of the school letter grade. For the last four years

by mike simpson / 10h 

8-6-13 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.: ALEC protests begin. Banner drop and arrests at the Palmer House. More to come.The Chicago Moral Monday Coalition, an alliance of Chicago clergy, lay people, unions and community organizations protested yesterday, Monday, at the Palmer House, 17 E. Monroe. The American Legislative Exchange Council (AL

by mike simpson / 10h 

8-6-13 Schools Matter @ The Chalk Face

SCHOOLS MATTER @ THE CHALK FACE: Mental Health and American Children Who Are in Chronic PovertyCynthia Lamy’s American Children in Chronic Poverty is a must-read for all service providers, as well as educators.  A first post reviewed synthesis of an amazing body of social science research in a way that informs comprehensive planning for all sorts of anti-poverty efforts.  This post will focus on h

by mike simpson / 10h 

Washington Post Sale Lets Company Focus on Education Challenges - Bloomberg

Washington Post Sale Lets Company Focus on Education Challenges - Bloomberg: Washington Post Sale Lets Company Focus on Education ChallengesBy Edmund Lee & Sara Forden - Aug 5, 2013 8:13 PM PTFacebook ShareTweetLinkedInGoogle +10 COMMENTSPrintQUEUEQWashington Post Co. (WPO)’s sale of its flagship newspaper to billionaire Jeff Bezos rids the company of its weakest division, letting it focus on

by mike simpson / 10h 

LISTEN TO DIANE RAVITCH 8-6-13 Diane Ravitch's blog | A site to discuss better education for all

Diane Ravitch's blog | A site to discuss better education for all:   What Will This Charter School Teach This Public School?New York State has this really big idea. It will spend $4.5 million so that top charter schools can teach ordinary public schools how to succeed. What secrets will the charter schools share with the less fortunate, less successful neighborhood public schools? Consider the exa

by mike simpson / 10h 

Schooling in the Ownership Society: For Pearson CEO, measurable learning outcomes is a growth industry

Schooling in the Ownership Society: For Pearson CEO, measurable learning outcomes is a growth industry: For Pearson CEO, measurable learning outcomes is a growth industryPearson CEO Fallon“Education is now emerging as one of the major growth industries for the next decade and beyond; it is serving a huge rise in the global middle class, and we now need to be thinking of how to serve global product

by mike simpson / 10h 

Why other State Governors wanted Common Core

Reflections on Teaching » Blog Archive » Why other State Governors wanted Common Core (and why Texas probably doesn’t): Why other State Governors wanted Common Core (and why Texas probably doesn’t)In WARNING: THE COMMON CORE STANDARDS MAY BE HARMFUL TO CHILDREN | Education News, a principal from Texas takes a look at the Common Core standards and concludes that they are developmentally inappropria

by mike simpson / 10h 

Missouri Education Watchdog: Data Quality Campaign Ties Education Data into Workforce Data

Missouri Education Watchdog: Data Quality Campaign Ties Education Data into Workforce Data: Data Quality Campaign Ties Education Data into Workforce DataEmail ThisBlogThis!Share to TwitterShare to FacebookFrom Data Quality Campaign and DQC Gets a New Baby Sister: Workforce Data Quality Campaign:Category:P–20/Workforce PipelineThe Data Quality Campaign has joined with the Association for Career and

by mike simpson / 10h 

Five absurdities about high-stakes standardized tests

Five absurdities about high-stakes standardized tests: Five absurdities about high-stakes standardized testsBy Valerie Strauss, Published: August 6 at 4:00 amE-mail the writer0CommentsMoreBarely a day goes by when the education world isn’t treated to some new story involving high-stakes standardized tests, the chief metric of “accountability systems” in the modern era of school reform.It might be

by mike simpson / 10h 

YESTERDAY

Afro-Latinos and The Power of And - The Jose Vilson | The Jose Vilson

Afro-Latinos and The Power of And - The Jose Vilson | The Jose Vilson: Afro-Latinos and The Power of Andby JOSE VILSON on AUGUST 5, 2013MaxwellToday, I had a conversation with Amilcar Priestly of the Proyecto Afro-Latin@ about Afro-Latino identity and what it meant for me as an educator and writer. As we started talking, I came to a harsh realization about my background: I tried too hard to belong

by mike simpson / 19h 

All Things Education: Shortages or not, TFA is not the way for VA

All Things Education: Shortages or not, TFA is not the way for VA: Shortages or not, TFA is not the way for VANice Watch!Just a quick TFA post.Today as I was watching & tweeting Governor McDonnell's K-12 Education Reform Summit, I got into some conversations with a TFA advocate, W. Aaron French and Eva Colen who is the Managing Director, Community Engagement at Teach for America--she is based

by mike simpson / 19h 

"Boobies" bracelets: Still Ok for kids to wear at school | Get Schooled | www.ajc.com

"Boobies" bracelets: Still Ok for kids to wear at school | Get Schooled | www.ajc.com: "Boobies" bracelets: Still Ok for kids to wear at schoolPrevious PostsGeorgia's core values: Is education among them? August 5, 2013Governor's Honors Program: Caught in feud between Deal and Barge? Will the feud turn into a race? August 4, 2013Kids and computers: Has it all gone haywire? August 3, 2013By Maureen

by mike simpson / 21h 

ALEC is NOT about political party affiliation. Attend ALEC’s Birthday Party. | Reclaim Reform

ALEC is NOT about political party affiliation. Attend ALEC’s Birthday Party. | Reclaim Reform: ALEC is NOT about political party affiliation. Attend ALEC’s Birthday Party.Posted on August 5, 2013by Ken PrevitiALEC is a private organization funded by corporate billionaires. ALEC writes legislation for state and federal legislators. ALEC’s purpose is to write legislation that profits its corporate i

by mike simpson / 21h 

Nite Cap 8-5-13 #BATsACT #thankateacher #EDCHAT #P2 #Cheats4Change

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 CAPTODAYRFA: Public Charter Schools Grant Program Planning and Implementation GrantRFA: Public Charter Schools Grant Program Planning and Implementation Grant (CA Dept of Education): Request for ApplicationsPublic Charter Schools Grant Program Planning and Im

2 by mike simpson / 23h 

2nd Banana 8-3-13 Recap of Last Week's Best Post 

2nd Banana 7-27-13 Recap of Last Week's Best Post 

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 

Nite Cap 8-5-13 

Nite Cap 8-4-13 Nite Cap 8-3-13Nite Cap 8-2-13 

Nite Cap 8-1-13

Nite Cap 7-31-13

Nite Cap 7-30-13

Nite Cap 7-29-13

Nite Cap 7-28-13 

Nite Cap 7-27-13

Nite Cap 7-26-13

Nite Cap 7-25-13 

Nite Cap 7-24-13

Nite Cap 7-23-13

Nite Cap 7-22-13

Nite Cap 7-21-13

Nite Cap 7-20-13

Nite Cap 7-19-13

Nite Cap 7-18-13

Nite Cap 7-17-13

Nite Cap 7-16-13 

Arne Duncan to NY: Don't be alarmed if scores drop - NorthJersey.com

Arne Duncan to NY: Don't be alarmed if scores drop - NorthJersey.com:

Arne Duncan to NY: Don't be alarmed if scores drop

TUESDAY AUGUST 6, 2013, 5:04 PM

KAREN MATTHEWS

ASSOCIATED PRESS

PAGES: 1 2 > DISPLAY ON ONE PAGE | PRINT | E-MAIL

NEW YORK (AP) — Students and parents in New York should not be alarmed if the scores on last spring's standardized tests drop sharply, U.S. Secretary of Education Arne Duncan said Tuesday.
Duncan said the math and English test results that will be released Wednesday, reflecting student performance on new, Common Core-aligned assessments, will "give a clear picture of where our students are on the trajectory toward college and career readiness."
"The lower proficiency rates that we will see ... do not reflect that teachers are teaching less or students are learning less," Duncan said during a conference call with New York state and New York City education officials.
New York was among the first states to align its standardized tests with the Common Core standards that 46 states have adopted.
The Common Core standards are supposed to increase the rigor of school curricula to better

- See more at: http://www.northjersey.com/news/education/Arne_Duncan_to_NY_Dont_be_alarmed_if_scores_drop.html#sthash.ahzO2zzi.dpuf

HISD trustees calling for closer look at Apollo | K-12 Zone | a Chron.com blog

HISD trustees calling for closer look at Apollo | K-12 Zone | a Chron.com blog:

HISD trustees calling for closer look at Apollo

Tuesday, August 6, 2013

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HISD Superintendent Terry Grier’s signature school reform program will get a closer look if some trustees get their way.

The school board is scheduled to vote Thursday on an item that would direct Grier to have a forthcoming analysis of the Apollo program reviewed by other researchers. Some critics have questioned whether the analysis, being conducted by Harvard University economics professor Roland Fryer, will be unbiased because Fryer has advised Grier on Apollo.

HISD trustee Juliet Stipeche, working with school board president Anna Eastman, requested the agenda item seeking “independent third-party academic reviews” of Fryer’s evaluation report. Stipeche said the outside reviews wouldn’t necessarily evaluate the effectiveness of Apollo but would analyze the methodology used in the report and its conclusions. She and Eastman said they expected that researchers would conduct the review for free.

Grier, at a school board meeting Monday, said the board needed to take the lead in picking the researchers.

“I’d like to suggest that the board president find someone to do that,” Grier said. “I don’t know how to do this.”

Grier later said that he had no problem with outside reviewers but didn’t want to be accused of bias if he or his 

Jersey Jazzman: Reformy Right Illogic

Jersey Jazzman: Reformy Right Illogic:

Reformy Right IllogicThey just love to hate on Matt Damon. It's a little creepy:

Actor Matt Damon is a strong supporter of America's public schools. Just two years ago, the star spoke passionately about the importance of public schools at a Washington DC "Save our Schools" rally. In fact, the actor is so impressed with public school teachers that he has demanded they receive a pay raise. That passion and conviction, however, does not apply to Damon's own children, who will not be enrolled into the Los Angeles public school system. 

In an interview with the Guardian published Saturday, Damon revealed that he had just moved to Los Angeles from New York, but that he didn't "have a choice" when it came to putting his four daughters into private schools. The multi-millionaire did say that it was "a major moral dilemma" and then made the bizarre excuse that the public schools aren't "progressive" enough.

This would probably mark the first time anyone has ever complained that 

LA Unified, seven other California districts granted reprieve from No Child Left Behind | Pass / Fail | 89.3 KPCC

LA Unified, seven other California districts granted reprieve from No Child Left Behind | Pass / Fail | 89.3 KPCC:

LA Unified, seven other California districts granted reprieve from No Child Left Behind

 U.S. Education Secretary Arne Duncan addresses the National School Board Association's Federal Relations Nedtwork Conference at the Hilton Washington Hotel January 28, 2013 in Washington, DC. Duncan faced a number of questions from conference attendees on issues including charter schools, unfunded mandates and reauthorization of the No Child Left Behind program.

Los Angeles Unified and seven other California school districts will receive waivers from strict provisions of the No Child Left Behind Act, the federal Department of Education announced Tuesday.

Secretary of Education Arne Duncan announced the decision in a conference call with members of the media. He was joined by Christopher Steinhauser, superintendent of the Long Beach Unified School District.

The No Child Left Behind Act mandates that schools bring all students to proficiency in Math and English by 2014 or face harsh penalties, including possible closure. 

Few schools are expected to meet that goal. Since 2011, the Obama Administration has been granting waivers to states if they agreed to certain reforms. California's application was rejected, because it did not include provisions to connect teacher evaluations with student standardized test scores. State officials said they would not reapply.

That prompted school districts within the state to join together and submit their own 

8-6-13 Ed Notes Online

Ed Notes Online:

A Little Andy Borowitz Humor for a Warm Summer Day - Enjoy

Mr. Bezos said he had been oblivious to his online shopping error until earlier today, when he saw an unusual charge for two hundred and fifty million dollars on his American Express statement. Amazon Founder Says He Clicked on Washington Post by MistakeRead more at newyorker.com

1 by ed notes online / 6min 

UFT History, Early Years from "City Unions", Chapter 8

We bought a few copies of this book which covers some fascinating early history of the UFT and pre-UFT with lots of detail on the political machinations and Shanker's consolidation of power. There is so much info packed into these 19 pages I have to read it again. The UFT did a great series by Jack Schirenbeck that covers some of the same ground but somewhat cleansed, as you would imagine. This la

1 by ed notes online / 6min 

Newark Teachers Union Update: President Del Grosso Boycotts Ex Bd as Attempt to Bar Newly Elected Fails

Even when you win they try to make you lose. For those that aren't aware, NEW now controls a majority of seats on the EB and Del Grasso only won by 9 votes. Good for NEW Caucus for handing this professionally. Two background reports from Ed Notes:NEW Caucus Shakes the Union Election Tree in ...Jun 25, 2013 Newark Teacher Union Election News UPDATEDAnd this:  GREAT piece written by our friend Lois

1 by ed notes online / 6min mark as read  //  save

PS 29 Parents Call Out Principal From Hell Jennifer Jones Rogers

.....she came with a smile on her face and poison in her veins... Ms. Jones was argumentative disrespectful, and rude to every parent that I have ever spoken with. ... Dennis, parent at PS 29.The comments have continued to fly over at SBS blog -- over 150 so far, including Rogers' mother and husband who made what I consider a threat (more on that in follow-up posts.)Here I will extract some commen

2 by ed notes online / 6min 

The Howler Howls at Maureen Dowd for Puff Piece on Quinn

The Daily Howler does quite a number on Maureen over her Sunday Review column on Quinn (Who’s That Candidate in the Teal Toenail Polish?), which I found rather strange in a number of ways given what Dowd often writes about: Weiner's weiner. Or Clinton's weiner. I officially call on all mayoral candidates to reveal the color of their toenail polish (mine is purple in case your wondering.)Some highl

1 by ed notes online / 6min 

8-5-13 Ed Notes Online

Ed Notes Online: Bill de Blasio Makes His Move - Will UFT Members Move With Him?Mr. de Blasio argues that Ms. Quinn and Mr. Thompson have been either unwilling or unable to sufficiently challenge the legacy of the mayor and the city’s corporations over the past decade. .....Mr. de Blasio’s message, despite the excitement it has drawn from liberal luminaries like Alec Baldwin and Howard Dean, has a

by mike simpson / 45min 

UPDATE: Seattle Schools Community Forum: Temperature Rising between SEA and District (and not because it's summer)

Seattle Schools Community Forum: Temperature Rising between SEA and District (and not because it's summer):

Finally! A New Downtown Playground at Seattle Center

From Goldy over at The Slog (I had been wondering about this myself):Two-and-a-half years after promising to build a million-dollar playground in exchange for replacing a beloved kiddie amusement park with a for-profit glass "museum," gift shop, and catering hall, Seattle Center director Robert Nellams announced today they will begin seeking proposals from local design teams to build the "Artists

by Melissa Westbrook / 2h 

Bad News on Charters and Private Schools

Yet another thing I missed on I-1240 (it's just the gift that keeps on giving) - I had thought you could not convert a private school to a charter but yes, you can. I know, I thought 1240 had prohibited this but, in my defense, I can only say that I had read so many other states' charter laws (and many do prohibit this) that I got confused.  I double-checked with my ace reader, Eric B, and nope, w

by Melissa Westbrook / 36min 

Temperature Rising between SEA and District (and not because it's summer)

Yet another KUOW report on the contract talks that makes it sound like they are pretty far apart.  There is still plenty of time to iron things out but yes, we are less than a month out from school.

Seattle Education Association President Jonathan Knapp says while there's been progress on smaller issues over the past week, large issues remain unresolved.

For Ballard High School science teacher and building union representative Noam Gundle, those big issues include smaller class sizes, especially for special education students.

I note that what I predicted from the first KUOW report is now confirmed:

District officials insist that bigger classes are a temporary solution to school capacity issues until new classrooms can be built. But the union says there are better alternatives. "Anybody who knows anything about education knows that more teacher attention means better progress for students, more support," 

DIARY OF A PUBLIC SCHOOL TEACHER!: The New Teacher:What Can We Do to Help?

DIARY OF A PUBLIC SCHOOL TEACHER!: The New Teacher:What Can We Do to Help?:

The New Teacher:What Can We Do to Help?

I spoke to the new 5th grade teacher today. I was part of the interview process and I was really impressed with her. She seemed like a great fit to our team, and after speaking to her today, our conversation helped reinforce that thought. Upon hearing that she was hired, I made sure my principal gave her my cell number so that she had the option to get in touch with me. She did. Good sign.:)

She is so excited! This will be her first year- long class. She is so excited!:) And terrified! I know how she feels. I still get that feeling. Not nearly as excited and terrified as she is, but every year is a new year, with a new adventure awaiting us. It's a lot easier when you have a year or two under your belt. It's a lot easier when you've had your "very own class" one or more times.

She asked a lot of good questions. I am going to go in one day to unpack my room, she'll be there, so that we can talk and plan. She wants to make sure she has the basics to get started.

What can we do to help the new teacher?

• remember that we had to start somewhere. Don't judge. 
• don't bring negativity and/or gossip to their classroom,Teacher's Lounge, or Happy 

Improving Schools: The "Real World" Fallacy — Whole Child Education

Improving Schools: The "Real World" Fallacy — Whole Child Education:

THE WHOLE CHILD BLOG

Improving Schools: The “Real World” Fallacy

July 22, 2013 by Sean Slade

First, if you haven't read Tom Whitby's post "The Big Lie in Education," do so. This post is a follow-up from what Whitby has eloquently started.

While we are reflecting, refreshing, and recharging, lets reflect on what we are trying to teach our students and why. Take the premise uttered by many that education must prepare our students for the "Real World." What is this "Real World" that is often held up as a gold standard for anything educationally relevant in a time when everything is changing so quickly and dramatically around us?

Too often this "Real World" that people propose is an antiquated idea that bears little relevance to today, yet alone tomorrow. "Real World" cannot be an education system based on last century's framework. It cannot be a system based on last century's metrics nor last century's constrained concept of knowledge.

It cannot be anything which restricts itself to two or three core subject areas and tested by an antiquated and inherently dysfunctional bubble test. It cannot be anything which views core knowledge as a static and eternal set of numbers and facts. It cannot be anything which does not at its basis understand that we live in a time—now and today—of change, exploration, and experimentation ... and this is only set to increase.

REAL "REAL WORLD" SKILLS

Any real "Real World" statement must take into account the actual environment of the world we live in—the 

Learning for the Long Run

Today's world is entirely different than the one in which I was born. For context, I'm only 20 years old. Among all the advances in science and technology occurring every day are incredible advances in education and child development. We know more now than ever before about how the brain works and how that translates to learning. The research is quite clear: there are many types of learners, and t

by Elyssa Greenberg / 3min