Schools Matter: George Schmidt's Review of The Mismeasure of Education

Schools Matter: George Schmidt's Review of The Mismeasure of Education:

George Schmidt's Review of The Mismeasure of Education

We are back home!, and I have to say it feels pretty good.  The folks over at Chalkface are great, and we had a great time there, but you know there's no place like home, right?  

So we will be here at SM until we win, and then we will continue to be here to defend democratic public schools until death do us part.

We are gratified to see that our followers have actually increased since we left and that readership of our archives has keep us way up in page views.  Thank you for your continuing support.

Today George Schmidt, Editor of Substance News, offered the following insightful review essay of TMoE at SN. We thank George for this work and for placing the book within the context of Chicago's current struggle against CorpEd attacks.  Thanks again, George.  

The only change I have made is in the price of the book and the reference to its high price in the text.  TMoE was originally priced at 42.00, but the publisher, Information Age, graciously agreed to lower the price at our request and the request of our readers.  By the end of the month, the online book stores should be reflecting the lowered price of $27.50, which is now available only from IAP, where there is a dynamite processing department that gets books out most often on the same day.

BOOK REVIEW: 'The Mismeasure of Education' shows The Resistance is winning

George N. Schmidt - September 17, 2013

[Editor's reviewer's note: This review began on September 1, 2013. As I was developing it and working through the historical, analytical and contemporary aspects of what the book says and what I wanted to say about it, the review expanded beyond anything normally considered for a "Book Review." Eventually, I told my colleagues here in Chicago that my "review" would be a kind of "New York Review of Books"-type essay, since so much had to be covered and recommended. What you have before you below is the result of those revisions, attempting to put Mismeasure of Education in the context of this amazing month, which includes the publication of "Reign of Error" and at least one other book which will help us all understand and build our struggle].

Everyone in Chicago knows that everyone in Chicago understand that REACH and PARCC are the latest sure-fire ways to make public schooling right. Yesiree! And just to be certain of that, Chicago last December hired this guy from Memphis to explain REACH and PARCC. Why a guy from Memphis? Because everybody doing "school reform" knows that nobody from Chicago or Illinois can do "accountability" better than guys from Tennessee.

And so John Barker's debutante Power Point stint at the August 28, 2013 meeting of the Chicago Board of Education wasn't really the latest in a long series of mumbo-jumbo doubletalking explorations of bamboozeling the public at great expense. And Barker wasn't the latest snake oil salesman of corporate "school reform" to take the pulpit once held by Phil Hansen, then Don Bugler, then Ginger 

Schooling in the Ownership Society: Billionaire charter supporter Ty Warner, busted for tax evasion.

Schooling in the Ownership Society: Billionaire charter supporter Ty Warner, busted for tax evasion.:

Billionaire charter supporter Ty Warner, busted for tax evasion.

Ty Warner

Ty Warner, the Beanie Babies billionaire who's fond of driving his white Rolls-Royce Silver Shadow convertible and arriving for appointments wearing a fur coat, a top hat and carrying a cane, has been busted for tax evasion. Yay!

It seems he tried to hide hundreds of millions in secret Swiss bank accounts to avoid paying taxes. But don't worry about him.  All he had to do was agree to a $53 million settlement which will likely make the whole thing go away.

Duncan and Agassi

While Warner doesn't like to pay any taxes, he does invest millions in privately-run charter schools through the Andre Aggasi Foundation. Aggasi, the former tennis pro, has become a big-time charter school entrepreneur and a fav of Ed Sec Arne Duncan. 

Teachers 2 Hollywood: We Know How 2 Fix Ur Failing Films | EduShyster

Teachers 2 Hollywood: We Know How 2 Fix Ur Failing Films | EduShyster:

Teachers 2 Hollywood: We Know How 2 Fix Ur Failing Films

When a teacher came across arecent interview on MSNBC with Hollywood director M. Night Shyamalan about his new book, I Got Schooled: 5 Keys to Unlocking Quality Education, he was struck by a thunderbolt of an idea. If Shyamalan, whose last film was a box office bomb, could offer insights about improving education, maybe he, a mere teacher, could finally solve one of the great mysteries of our time: why are so many Hollywood films so bad? What’s more, why should his lack of any direct knowledge about film making or Hollywood get in the way of offering a quick fix? And so #HowToFixFilm was born: five keys that can finally make bad movies better.

A handful of keys
But what are these five keys that could save you upwards of $15 at the box office? David Coffey says that retaining the best directors will be key to turning around an industry that in the last year alone has turned out such duds as The Lone Ranger, Jack the Giant 

Is Teach for America experience a help or hindrance in Atlanta... | Get Schooled | www.ajc.com

Is Teach for America experience a help or hindrance in Atlanta... | Get Schooled | www.ajc.com:

Is Teach for America experience a help or hindrance in Atlanta school board race?  

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Count 'em folks: 27 people running for school board in Atlanta.

Previous Posts

• Integrating sorority row: University of Alabama student journalists expose racial segregation
  September 17, 2013
• The whiplash worsens: Now, APS board rejects North Atlanta principal's promotion
  September 17, 2013
• The Schoolhouse Squeeze: More poor kids. Plummeting tax bases and 12 years of cuts
  September 17, 2013

By Maureen Downey

  The Atlanta school board race is getting some national attention because four candidates are veterans of Teach for America. Their TFA’s stints are raising concerns among those who question the motives and modus operandi of the national organization, which puts bright college grads into the classroom after boot camp-like training.

Critics contend that TFA has a larger goal than recruiting smart college grads to teach in poor schools for two years. (See story in the Atlanta Progressive News in which critics voice concerns that the influence of TFA on the privatization of public education.)  

The four candidates are District 7 incumbent Courtney English who is seeking re-election and unopposed District 3 candidate Matt Westmoreland who will replace Cecily Harsch-Kinnane.  

Eshe Collins is running for the District 6 seat held now by Yolanda Johnson. Jason Esteves is seeking Emmett Johnson’s District 9 seat.  

Writing on her blog about the TFA candidates in Atlanta, education historian Diane Ravitch said this week, “This seems to be the TFA long-term plan, as Wendy Kopp has often stated: to build a cadre of leaders with a strong network of funders across the nation. We know what this 

Diane Ravitch Launched, Yinzer-Style | Yinzercation

Diane Ravitch Launched, Yinzer-Style | Yinzercation:

Diane Ravitch Launched, Yinzer-Style

On Monday, Yinzers were the first in the country to see Diane Ravitch’s new book, The Reign of Error: The Hoax of the Privatization Movement and the Danger to America’s Public Schools. Released nationally on Tuesday, the book is already #1 in public policy and has moved up to #104 on the Amazon top-sellers list. Pittsburgh helped to launch a crucial conversation – and what a launch!

An audience of nearly 1,000 people packed into Temple Sinai to hear Dr. Ravitch, an education historian, former U.S. Assistant Secretary of Education, and widely acclaimed expert on public schools. The event was part-rally and part-lecture, with stand out performances by the Pittsburgh Obama steel drum band, the Pittsburgh Dilworth drummers, and the Pittsburgh Westinghouse Bulldogs high-stepping marching band. And because we are an education justice movement – and movements must make music together – we stood side by side to sing the anthem We Shall Not Be Moved.

 

Pittsburgh Westinghouse Bulldogs get ready to make an entrance

After a welcome from Rabbi Symons, I offered some framing remarks, putting the fight for public education in local context. I talked about what we are seeing here in Southwest PA and the links between the de-funding of our schools, privatization, school 

9-18-13 Ed Notes Online

Ed Notes Online:

Flying Monkey Alert

New Content at SusanOhanian.Org! Sept. 18, 2013

I can't resist posting Susan's updates. She is the original anti-standardista who has been battling ed deform before there was such a thing. How much irony in that Susan, once a sever critic of Diane Ravitch, was cited on Diane's blog once again yesterday. Shows you how much unity the ed deformers have brought to our movement. (Thanks Uncle Joel!)The idea is that with all these links on the ednote

by ed notes online / 6min 

NYC Kids PAC Endorse DeBlasio, James, Stringer

From some of our favorite people: Shino, Mario, Isaac, Lisa, Leonie, Andy, Karen and Tesa for NYC Kids PAC Our candidates still need your help! Please continue to support deBlasio, James and Stringer! NYC Kids PAC is thrilled to announce that the three terrific individuals we endorsed for citywide office- Bill de Blasio, Scott Stringer and Letitia James - all came in first in

4 by ed notes online / 21min mark as read  //  save

Ravitch "Reign of Error" Reviews as of 5PM Sept. 17 -- More to Come

Here is a list of reviews of the just published Ravitch book as of 5PM on Sept. 17.Later tonight is the webinar with Diane. With so many bloggers signed up I am going to head down to webinar HQ to get some footage of Diane for what might turn out to be a short video of her book tour I am organizing. Sam Chaltain: http://blogs.edweek.org/edweek...Kenneth Bernstein: http://www.dailykos.com/story/...

26 by ed notes online / 21min 

Diane Ravitch Launched in Pittsburgh, Yinzer-Style in Front of A Thousand People

How awesome is this? Ed Deformers must be quaking. Friends,We here in Pittsburgh were honored to launch Diane's national book tour Monday night with a crowd of 1,000 people. We actually had a sneak preview, since as you know, the book did not officially get released until yesterday. Rather than a formal review, I've written the following piece describing the event, which was also a giant education

by ed notes online / 1min 

Will the UFT Endorse Real Reformer Leticia James for Public Advocate in Runoff Against Well-Funded Squadron?

Ed Notes Online: Why Leticia James for Public Advocate? Watch this ... Aug 20, 2013Leticia James in Strong Showing But Faces a Runoff...   Kevin Francis ‏@KFrancisKearns 18m @PSulliv @TishJames I really don't understand @UFT staying out of this one. Their support could def be the difference maker.View conversation ·  Kevin Francis ‏@KFrancisKearns 38m Seriously though... @TishJames has been one of

1 by ed notes online / 9min 

Today's the day! Diane Ravitch and Education Bloggers: A discussion about Reign of Error and the battle for our public schools

The event will take place Wednesday, September 18, 2013 from 7:30 PM to 8:30 PM (EDT) TO ATTEND:At the time of the event please go to:http://shindig.com/event/diane-ravitchPlease Note: Shindig is a video chat platform where you can see everyone in the audience. Although we recommend using a webcam and microphone you can still access the chat without them. Please use a PC or Mac to join the event.

1 by ed notes online / 2min 

9-17-13 Ed Notes Online

Ed Notes Online: Reign of Error: What’s Wrong With Preaching to the Choir?This is my column for publication in The Wave this Friday. But since today is publication date of Diane Ravitch's new book I'm posting it to join with bloggers all over the nation who are part of the Ravitch support network. This is not a complete review. There are so many great bloggers out there who will do a better job th

by mike simpson / 1h 

A Magic Partnership: Disney, ESPN, and Special Olympics Partner in a World-Wide Initiative | LFA: Join The Conversation - Public School Insights

A Magic Partnership: Disney, ESPN, and Special Olympics Partner in a World-Wide Initiative | LFA: Join The Conversation - Public School Insights:

A Magic Partnership: Disney, ESPN, and Special Olympics Partner in a World-Wide Initiative

By Special Olympics Project UNIFY on September 18, 2013

By Haylie Bernacki, Specialist of Unified Sports School and College Growth, Special Olympics North America Project UNIFY 
For years, a main initiative within Special Olympics Project UNIFY schools and State Programs has been the expansion of Unified Sports, which combines individuals with and without intellectual disabilities on the same team. It was inspired by a simple principle: training together and playing together is a quick path to friendship and understanding. Project UNIFY State Program staff are expanding relationships with state interscholastic associations to increase the credibility, reach, and depth of Unified Sports throughout school districts across the country. The hope is that every child will be able to play on a school sports team, regardless of their ability level.
The importance of Unified Sports has grabbed the attention of Disney and ESPN. With a multi-million dollar financial and in-kind investment, Disney and ESPN will support Special Olympics’ goal of registering one million Unified Sports participants, including athletes (individuals with intellectual disabilities), teammates (individuals without intellectual disabilities) and coaches, by 2015. Special Olympics Unified Sports is currently active in more than 2,500 schools in 45 states, in the United States alone, with over 500,000 participants globally. The new collaboration, announced by John Skipper, ESPN President, and Timothy P. Shriver, Special Olympics CEO and Chairman, expands on Disney’s and ESPN’s 30-year commitment to Special Olympics.
Tim Shriver, Chief Executive Officer and Chairman of Special Olympics International stated, "We are thrilled that Disney and ESPN recognize the power of Special Olympics Unified Sports and want to support the growth of our program that creates a level playing field in schools and 

9-18-13 Seattle Schools Community Forum

Seattle Schools Community Forum:

District Email on Growth Boundaries

Subject: Growth Boundaries: Please provide feedbackDear Seattle Public Schools families:At a School Board work session today, draft attendance area boundaries revisions (Growth Boundaries) for elementary and middle schools will be presented to School Board directors.Student enrollment has increased from 46,000 in 2009-10 to about 51,000 this year, and we project nearly 60,000 students by 2020. We

by Charlie Mas / 15min 

Growth Boundaries Plan

First, the headlines:The big winner is K-5 at Boren, soon to be K-8 STEM at Boren.The big loser is Pinehurst K-8, soon to be closed and clearly treated with bad faith.APP breaks even, getting everything expected, most of it where expected, some of it in difficult spaces but with an extraordinary accommodation that should prove very beneficial in the long term.There isn't likely to be much fighting

by Charlie Mas / 42min 

9-17-13 Seattle Schools Community Forum

Seattle Schools Community Forum: Applications for Advanced Learning due October 3Eligibility testing begins in October for accelerated learning programsSeattle Public Schools provides opportunities for academically advanced students in grades K-8 to qualify for accelerated learning programs. Additional information and application forms for eligibility testing can be found here. Applications are al

by mike simpson / 57min 

Mother Crusader: Which Came First, The Charter Or The Philanthropy? Let's Ask Michael Steinhardt!

Mother Crusader: Which Came First, The Charter Or The Philanthropy? Let's Ask Michael Steinhardt!:

Wednesday, September 18, 2013

Which Came First, The Charter Or The Philanthropy? Let's Ask Michael Steinhardt!

Another day, another ridiculous anonymous comment on my blog.  Here's the latest.

So is Mother Crusader willing to implement a law, declaring that non-charter public schools MAY NOT accept moneys that didn't come from their taxpayer allocation? Or is she merely jealous and envious because THOSE public schools DO NOT ATTRACT putting-your-money-where-your-mouth-is admiration.

This comment was left on my last post about Hatikvah International Academy Charter School, where I responded to an anonymous commenter who didn't seem to think Hatikvah was a "government" school.

I'd like to clarify something for my new anonymous friend.

Hatikvah didn't ATTRACT private money, it was CREATED by private money. Hatikvah is funded by the Hebrew Charter School Center (HCSC), and the HCSC is the brainchild of Michael Steinhardt. 

Steinhardt doesn't ADMIRE Hatikvah, he CREATED HATIKVAH! 

Allow me to explain. Steinhardt dumps the bulk of his money into the Steinhardt Foundation for Jewish Life.

Our philanthropy seeks to revitalize Jewish identity through educational and cultural initiatives that reach out to all Jews, with an emphasis on those who are on the margins of Jewish life, as well as to advocate for and support Hebrew and Jewish literacy among the general population.

Well, that's a pretty specific goal, isn't it?

And then Steinhardt's money shows up in places like the Areivim Philanthropic Group, which eventually trickles down to the Hebrew Charter School Center.

Quietly launched over the past year by the Areivim Philanthropic Group, a Jewish funding partnership established by Birthright Israel co-founder Steinhardt and the late William Davidson (whose estate Areivim is currently suing), the $3.2 million Hebrew Charter School Center is providing seed money and free consulting to aspiring Hebrew charter schools throughout the country. (emphasis mine)

Here is Areivim's mission statement.

THE PURPOSE OF THE ORGANIZATION IS TO IDENTIFY, ANALYZE AND STUDY THE ISSUES THAT FACE THE NORTH AMERICAN JEWISH COMMUNITY, PARTICULARLY IN THE AREAS OF FORMAL AND EXPERIENTIAL JEWISH, HEBREW AND ISRAEL EDUCATION, AND TO DETERMINE AREAS OF PROGRAMMATIC ACTION THROUGH GRANTMAKING AND THE SPONSORING OF PROGRAMMATIC DEVELOPMENT THIS IS ACCOMPLISHED BY MAKING GRANTS TO SUPPORT JEWISH AND HEBREW EDUCATIONAL AND CHARITABLE ORGANIZATIONS AND PROGRAMS

I know, we'll just keep telling them it's not a religious school!

FCMAT » Cali Education Headlines Wednesday, September 18, 2013

FCMAT » Fiscal Crisis & Management Assistance Team:

Fensterwald: Feds elaborate on the requirements California can’t meet for testing waiver

Education Headlines

Wednesday, September 18, 2013

Last-minute proposal may keep Tokay Colony open

Lodi Unified will research the possibility of transforming the rural Tokay Colony Elementary School into a technology-themed magnet school, an eleventh-hour effort to try to keep the small school open as enrollment declines.

Local Tea Party activists oppose Common Core standards

They’re promoted as making American students more competitive with their international peers, but some local conservatives say new educational standards set to be fully implemented next school year amount to a federal takeover of local education.

Freedburg: LAUSD board-administrator conflicts underscore challenges of “local control”

Tensions are on the rise between top administrators and the new majority on the Los Angeles Unified School District school board – underscoring the perils inherent in Gov. Jerry Brown’s move to push more control and authority for what happens in schools down to the local level.

Board wants staff proposals for adult school

Riverside school board members apologized this week to families of developmentally disabled students for the way their Riverside Adult School class was canceled with no clear notice.

LAUSD pays out $27 million, resolves 58 Miramonte molestation claims

Los Angeles Unified has paid out more than $27 million to settle claims by nearly five dozen children who allege they were molested by former Miramonte Elementary teacher Mark Berndt, the district announced Tuesday.

Students build futures in old-school shop classes

Along with '80s pop culture, high school auto shop has made a comeback at Washington High School in San Francisco, with students learning the ins and outs of car repair and maintenance and earning elective course credit for it.

L.A. school board approves budget for training in new curriculum

The Los Angeles Board of Education on Tuesday approved a proposal to spend $113 million to implement new learning standards, an issue that became surprisingly controversial and contributed to the resignation of the district's No. 2 administrator.

Fensterwald: Feds elaborate on the requirements California can’t meet for testing waiver

The federal Department of Education specified for the first time Tuesday what states would have to do to receive a waiver from giving state standardized tests next spring in the one-year transition to implementing the Common Core standards.

Tuesday, September 17, 2013

Ventura police aim to improve safety by monitoring live video feeds from schools

In what may be the first such arrangement statewide, police soon will be able to view live video footage from five of Ventura’s largest schools in the hope of responding faster to and being better prepared for a campus shooting or other emergency.

Local schools lead state in personal belief vaccine exemptions

Health experts say the Sacramento region’s large immigrant population is one factor in the growing number of parents declining to get shots for their children. The number of children in Yolo, Sacramento, Placer and El Dorado counties starting kindergarten without vaccines jumped 30 percent, or by 350 children, in the last school year, according to new data from the California Department of Public Health.

School taxes concentrated in wealthier areas

Lowering the vote threshold for California school parcel taxes likely would allow more of them to pass but probably would not have a significant effect on school funding statewide, according to a report released Monday from the Public Policy Institute of California.