Thursday, October 10, 2013

Nite Cap 10-10-13 #BATsACT #RealEdTalk #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

Her name is Laporshia Massey and our hearts are breaking | Parents United for Public Education
Her name is Laporshia Massey and our hearts are breaking | Parents United for Public Education: Her name is Laporshia Massey and our hearts are breakingPosted on October 10, 2013 by PARENTSUNITEDPHILALeave a comment(Photo: City Paper via family of LaPorshia Massey)Our hearts are breaking over the death of beautiful 12 year old Bryant Elementary student Laporshia Massey, who died following an asth
by mike simpson / 48min 
LAUSD to encourage teachers to wear LGBT 'ally' badges - latimes.com
LAUSD to encourage teachers to wear LGBT 'ally' badges - latimes.com: LAUSD to encourage teachers to wear LGBT 'ally' badgesThe front, left, of badges being distributed by the LAUSD has the word "ally" in seven languages. On the front is a list of resources on the back. Teachers and staff members are being encouraged to wear them.(L.A. Gay & Lesbian Center) By Ari BloomekatzOctober 1
3 by mike simpson / 55min 
Reclaiming the Promise of Public Education | LFA: Join The Conversation - Public School Insights
Reclaiming the Promise of Public Education | LFA: Join The Conversation - Public School Insights: Reclaiming the Promise of Public EducationBy American Federation of Teachers on October 10, 2013By Randi Weingarten, President, American Federation of Teachers (AFT)As the school year starts, I keep thinking about how teachers never really get a break. Despite the myth about “summers off,” I was with
by mike simpson / 2h 
Tele-Town Hall with Diane Ravitch: Wednesday, Oct. 16th at 8:00 pm EDT | Reclaim Reform
Tele-Town Hall with Diane Ravitch: Wednesday, Oct. 16th at 8:00 pm EDT | Reclaim Reform: Tele-Town Hall with Diane Ravitch: Wednesday, Oct. 16th at 8:00 pm EDTPosted on October 10, 2013by Ken PrevitiTele-Town Hall with Diane Ravitch: Wednesday, Oct. 16th at 8:00 pm EDTIn September a group of about a hundred bloggers was invited to a tele-conference conversation with Diane Ravitch. Earlier, we had
by mike simpson / 2h 
NYC Educator: UFT Moratorium--Too Little Too Late
NYC Educator: UFT Moratorium--Too Little Too Late: UFT Moratorium--Too Little Too LateIt's fairly amazing to see Gotham Schools write that "the teachers union is already hoping to slow things down."  While it's true this is the first year junk science evaluation is officially in place, the fact is UFT officials were party to the law that mandated them. UFT supported it then, supported it
by mike simpson / 2h 
Social Darwinism Resurrected for the New Gilded Age - Living in Dialogue - Education Week Teacher
Social Darwinism Resurrected for the New Gilded Age - Living in Dialogue - Education Week Teacher: Social Darwinism Resurrected for the New Gilded AgeBy Anthony Cody on October 10, 2013 2:20 PMOver at the Bridging Differences blog, a fascinating dialogue is occurring, where Michael Petrilli has been laying out the philosophical arguments for a two tier educational system. I appreciate Mr. Petrilli
by mike simpson / 2h 
Why the Sacramento Bee Did Not Mention My Visit | Diane Ravitch's blog
Why the Sacramento Bee Did Not Mention My Visit | Diane Ravitch's blog: Why the Sacramento Bee Did Not Mention My Visit When I spoke in Sacramento last week about today’s failed fads in education, the town’s leading newspaper ignored my appearance. They ignored it even though I was introduced by Tom Torlakson, the state superintendent of education, and even though 1,000 people filled historic Memo
1 by mike simpson / 2h 
This Is Not A Test: A New Narrative on Race, Class, and Education: Jose Vilson, Karen Lewis: 9781608463701: Amazon.com: Books
This Is Not A Test: A New Narrative on Race, Class, and Education: Jose Vilson, Karen Lewis: 9781608463701: Amazon.com: Books: This Is Not A Test: A New Narrative on Race, Class, and EducationPaperback – May 6, 2014by Jose Vilson (Author) , Karen Lewis (Foreword)Paperback $11.94 1 New from $11.94Josรฉ Vilson writes about race, class, and education through stories from the classroom and researched e
2 by mike simpson / 4h 
The Whole Child Blog 10-10-13 — Whole Child Education
The Whole Child Blog — Whole Child Education: THE WHOLE CHILD BLOGEarly Childhood Education: Balancing Expectations and What Young Learners Really NeedOctober 10, 2013 by Whole Child PodcastDownload Podcast Now [Right-Click to Save]What does "education" mean for our youngest learners? The first years of school are as important for an educated population as any other period, perhaps more.
by mike simpson / 4h 
Now that Texas has a waiver from No Child, what will Michael Williams and team do about evaluating teachers and principals? | Dallas Morning News
Now that Texas has a waiver from No Child, what will Michael Williams and team do about evaluating teachers and principals? | Dallas Morning News: Now that Texas has a waiver from No Child, what will Michael Williams and team do about evaluating teachers and principals?By Bill McKenzie / Editorial Columnistwmckenzie@dallasnews.com12:26 pm on October 10, 2013 | Permalink120Texas Education Agency Co
by mike simpson / 4h 
He says his daughter might be alive if not for school-nurse cuts :: News :: Philadelphia City Paper
He says his daughter might be alive if not for school-nurse cuts :: News :: Philadelphia City Paper: He says his daughter might be alive if not for school-nurse cutsBy Daniel Denvir Published: 10/10/2013 | 3 Comments PostedProvided by Daniel BurchSTUDENT DEATH: Laporshia Massey, 12, a student at Bryant Elementary School, became ill at school and died later that day.Sixth-grader Laporshia Massey di
by mike simpson / 5h 
4-H National Youth Science Day to Feature the Power of Geospatial Technologies
4-H National Youth Science Day to Feature the Power of Geospatial Technologies 4-H National Youth Science Day to Feature the Power of Geospatial Technologies4-H leads the way in generating youth excitement in scienceChevy Chase, Md. (Oct. 8, 2013) – Tomorrow, millions of young people across the nation will become geospatial scientists for the day during the sixth annual 4-H National Youth Science
by mike simpson / 5h 
10-10-13 Seattle Schools Community Forum
Seattle Schools Community Forum: I Am Malala - A Study in CourageMalala Yousafzai - the youngest person in the world to be nominated for a Nobel Peace Prize - was on The Daily Show on Tuesday night. A year ago, she was shot in the head as she rode a schoolbus by a Taliban gunman near her home in Pakistan's Swat Valley.  She almost died and it's a miracle that she survived.  The Taliban has vowed t
by mike simpson / 6h 
10-10-13 Schools Matter
Schools Matter: Calling Wendy Kopp!With the government shutdown, a great opportunity exists for those entrepreneurs who see education as fertile ground for their innovative innovations.Wendy Kopp, here is an idea for you—free of charge:Govern for AmericaCall on bright young college grads with no expertise or experience in government to commit to 2-year (House) or 6-year (Senate) stints in the U.S.
by mike simpson / 6h 
Feds give seed money to help get older students off SSI rolls SI&A Cabinet Report – News & Resources
SI&A Cabinet Report – News & Resources: Feds give seed money to help get older students off SSI rollsBy Kimberly BeltranThursday, October 10, 2013California won $50 million grant from a federal program aimed at developing creative new strategies for reducing the number of families and young adults receiving Supplemental Security Income.The Promoting the Readiness of Minors in Supplemental
by mike simpson / 6h 
A PURE plan for Chicago schools
Parents United for Responsible Education » Blog Archive » A PURE plan for Chicago schools: A PURE plan for Chicago schoolshe Chicago Tribune, the noted corporate reform cheerleader, has requested the public’s input into various phases of a proposed master plan for Chicago. This week they are looking at the schools.Although the paper has been reluctant to share other pieces of wisdom from PURE and
by mike simpson / 6h 
Alberta Darling Proposal Could Evict 3500 Public School Students to repalce with Private Schools | Larry Miller's Blog: Educate All Students!
Alberta Darling Proposal Could Evict 3500 Public School Students to repalce with Private Schools | Larry Miller's Blog: Educate All Students!: Senate proposal could evict 3,500+ MPS students from their schools, including some of the most successful in the cityPublished: October 9, 2013 MPSProposal to strip local control over school facilities comes as MPS sees first enrollment increase in a decade
by mike simpson / 6h 
Cali Education Headlines Thursday, October 10, 2013
FCMAT » Fiscal Crisis & Management Assistance Team: Education HeadlinesThursday, October 10, 2013Somis school board decides to build new school instead of renovatingVoting unanimously, the Somis Union School District board agreed to move forward with plans to buy property to build a school. The decision means leaving the 90-year-old Somis School on North Street, which sits on four pipelines.Si
by mike simpson / 6h 
Kindergarten gets tough as kids are forced to bubble in multiple choice tests - NY Daily News
Kindergarten gets tough as kids are forced to bubble in multiple choice tests - NY Daily News: Kindergarten gets tough as kids are forced to bubble in multiple choice testsThey don’t even know how to hold a pencil yet, but kindergartners are getting a taste of the tough side of education with Common Core standardized math tests.Comments (54)BY RACHEL MONAHAN / NEW YORK DAILY NEWSTHURSDAY, OCTOBER
by mike simpson / 6h 
Morning Wink 10-10-13 AM Posts #BATsACT #RealEdTalk #EDCHAT #P2
BIG EDUCATION APE - MORNING WINK  AM POSTSTODAYFred 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.: Sports section.  Andy Pafko, Don Newcomb and Jackie Robinson, 1951. Andy Pafko is dead. And so are the World Series chances for the Pirates. My Dodgers are sti
1 by mike simpson / 7h 
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.: Sports section.  Andy Pafko, Don Newcomb and Jackie Robinson, 1951. Andy Pafko is dead. And so are the World Series chances for the Pirates. My Dodgers are still in it. My Pittsburgh Pirates story: In 2008 Anne and I had rented house on the other side of the Lake. I was a delegate to the National Educ
by mike simpson / 8h 
10-10-13 Wait What?
Wait What?: Capital Prep’s Steve Perry: A Connecticut taxpayer funded voice for the education reform industryWednesday morning, October 9, 2013: The school day began and Hartford Board of Education employee Steve Perry is busy using his personal twitter account to attack his opponents.  His target on this day, Diane Ravitch, the nation’s leading public education advocate. Perry is the principal of
by mike simpson / 8h 
Threats to student privacy unite parent and advocacy groups | Parents Across America
Threats to student privacy unite parent and advocacy groups | Parents Across America: Threats to student privacy unite parent and advocacy groupsNew statewide coalition calls on state board and Chicago schools for more information on inBloom program Chicago, IL: A new coalition of local and national parent and advocacy organizations today raised questions about how private student information is p
by mike simpson / 8h 
Mike Klonsky's SmallTalk Blog: The message is on the meter
Mike Klonsky's SmallTalk Blog: The message is on the meter: The message is on the meterI'm starting to see these stickers on parking meters around the city. They are to remind us of the need to tell our Aldermen to support the Privatization Transparency and Accountability Ordinance. Check it out on Twitter #PTAO. ClosingsChicago school closings have crippled parent participation in their children'
by mike simpson / 8h 
10-10-13 @ The Chalk Face
@ THE CHALK FACE: Common Core in the Real World: Destroying Literacy through Standardization (Again) | the becoming radicalCommon Core in the Real World: Destroying Literacy through Standardization (Again) | the becoming radical.by plthomasedd / 58min 10-8-13 @ The Chalk Face@ THE CHALK FACE: Ali: “You must listen to me” | the becoming radicalAli: “You must listen to me” | the becoming radical.by
by mike simpson / 8h 
Education-Labor Collaboration Marks Important Beginning | janresseger
Education-Labor Collaboration Marks Important Beginning | janresseger: Education-Labor Collaboration Marks Important BeginningPosted on October 10, 2013 by janressegerWhat makes the tide of public opinion turn against the conventional wisdom?  It can happen.  I remember the nation slowly turning against the war in Vietnam.  The struggle involved rancor and violence. One reason opinion shifted on V
by mike simpson / 8h 
Robbing Peter to pay Paul: 'Leveling' Philly schools in the time of budget crisis | Philadelphia Public School Notebook
Robbing Peter to pay Paul: 'Leveling' Philly schools in the time of budget crisis | Philadelphia Public School Notebook: Robbing Peter to pay Paul: 'Leveling' Philly schools in the time of budget crisisby thenotebook on Oct 10 2013 Posted in Latest news="" style="color: rgb(76, 153, 72); cursor: pointer; float: left; padding: 0px 2px;">Share on emailMore Sharing ServicesCOMMENT
by mike simpson / 8h 
The Especially Deserving Poor - Bridging Differences - Education Week
The Especially Deserving Poor - Bridging Differences - Education Week: The Especially Deserving PoorBy Mike Petrilli on October 10, 2013 9:59 AMDear Deborah,A healthy debate we've started! I'm not sure we've bridged many differences, though; maybe we should change the blog's name to Bigging Differences.In that spirit, let me float another provocative but commonsensical idea: We need to do everythi
by mike simpson / 8h 
Common Core in the Real World: Destroying Literacy through Standardization (Again) | the becoming radical
Common Core in the Real World: Destroying Literacy through Standardization (Again) | the becoming radical: COMMON CORE IN THE REAL WORLD: DESTROYING LITERACY THROUGH STANDARDIZATION (AGAIN)I have a brief comedy routine I use with my students, typically early in each course I teach—in part to introduce them to me, and in part to make a point about literacy.* The joke goes like this:“When I graduate
by mike simpson / 9h 
21st Century Career-Technical Education
Albert Shanker Institute » 21st Century Career-Technical Education: 21st Century Career-Technical Education UNITED FEDERATION OF TEACHERS & THE ALBERT SHANKER INSTITUTEFulfilling The Promise Of a Quality Education for All:21st Century Career & Technical EducationOctober 10-11, 2013United Federation of Teachers52 Broadway, New York, NYWatch live video from 52bway on www.justin.tvFor the age
by mike simpson / 9h 
Video: NEA Joins Thousands in Rally for Immigration Reform | NEA Today
Video: NEA Joins Thousands in Rally for Immigration Reform | NEA Today: Video: NEA Joins Thousands in Rally for Immigration ReformOctober 10, 2013 by twalker  Filed under Featured News, Top StoriesLeave a CommentBy Tim WalkerThousands of people gathered on the National Mall on Tuesday to urge Congress to pass a comprehensive immigration reform bill. The March and Rally for Immigrant Dignity and Re
by mike simpson / 10h 
Chicago School Closings a Blow to Parental Involvement? | Lorraine Forte
Chicago School Closings a Blow to Parental Involvement? | Lorraine Forte: Chicago School Closings a Blow to Parental Involvement?Posted: 10/09/2013 9:17 pmAny adult who was successful in school will likely remember that their parents played a defining role in that success. What happens during the roughly six-hour school day is only part of the learning equation. Who else but a parent or guardian w
by mike simpson / 10h 
LISTEN TO DIANE RAVITCH 10-10-13 Diane Ravitch's blog | A site to discuss better education for all
Diane Ravitch's blog | A site to discuss better education for all: Andrea Gabor: inBloom, Student Data: Follow the MoneyIn this brilliant and frightening post, Andrea Gabor connects the dots that lead from your child’s personal, confidential information to a data cloud where marketers can hack into everything they want to know about your child. Whose money is behind it? One guess. Who is making mo
by mike simpson / 10h 
10-10-13 Ed Notes Online: Citizens of the World Charter Run By Eva's Husband May Close Due to Low Enrollment
Ed Notes Online: Citizens of the World Charter Run By Eva's Husband May Close Due to Low Enrollment: Citizens of the World Charter Run By Eva's Husband May Close Due to Low EnrollmentGoodbye Eric (Grannis), good bye EricWe're happy to see you go (even though we don't believe the State Ed Charter Suck-Up Center (CSUC) would ever close a charter even if it had 1 kid left.)We have always said that so
by mike simpson / 10h 
10-10-13 Perdido Street School
Perdido Street School: Ed Deformer Says If You're A Critic Of Charters, You're A Segregationist@DianeRavitch @rweingarten YOU, the 'historian', are on the same side of history as the segregationists who fought to keep ppl in the hood.— Dr. Steve Perry (@DrStevePerry) October 9, 2013Ravitch responds:@DrStevePerry @rweingarten George Wallace and Strom Thurmond fought for school choice. Dr. ML King f
by mike simpson / 10h 
Larry Ferlazzo’s Websites of the Day… | …For Teaching ELL, ESL, & EFL
Larry Ferlazzo’s Websites of the Day… | …For Teaching ELL, ESL, & EFL: "Building a Community of Self-Motivated Learners: Strategies for Teaching Resilience, Respect, and Responsibility" is the tentative title of my next book. It will be the third in my student motivation "trilogy."The Best Resources For Understanding The Debt CeilingWe don’t have much time until the United
by mike simpson / 10h 
Daily Kos: Charles M. Blow opines on "Big Money Manipulators" and I react
Daily Kos: Charles M. Blow opines on "Big Money Manipulators" and I react: Charles M. Blow opines on "Big Money Manipulators" and I reactbyteacherkenFollowHis column is occasioned by the arguments before the Supreme Court which could lift the limits on total contributions per federal cycle, so that the wealthy could give the max per candidate to as many candidates as they might
by mike simpson / 10h 
With A Brooklyn Accent: Test Related Stress in the Schools of New York State- Reed it and Weep
With A Brooklyn Accent: Test Related Stress in the Schools of New York State- Reed it and Weep: Test Related Stress in the Schools of New York State- Reed it and WeepTest Related Stress in the Schools of New York State- Reed it and WeepDanielle Brooksabout an hour ago near Oceanside · Statement for New York State Assembly Education ForumOctober 7, 2013 at 10:14pmStatement for New York State Assemb
by mike simpson / 10h 
Make student loans less interest-ing, says Sen. Elizabeth Warren | EdSource Today
Make student loans less interest-ing, says Sen. Elizabeth Warren | EdSource Today: Make student loans less interest-ing, says Sen. Elizabeth WarrenOctober 9th, 2013 | Add a Comment | By Kathryn BaronSen. Elizabeth Warren, D-Mass., spoke last month at the Education Writers Association conference in Boston.  Credit: Mikhail Zinshteyn, National Education Writers AssociationThe federal government shou
by mike simpson / 10h 
Ben Mardell on Early Childhood Education |
Ben Mardell on Early Childhood Education |: Ben Mardell on Early Childhood EducationOctober 10, 2013 by Alyssa HaywoodePhoto: Caroline Silber for Strategies for Children“Four year olds are citizens, not potential citizens, not citizens in training, but citizens, with rights and obligations like all citizens,” Ben Mardell and his co-authors write in a 2010 paper called, – “The Rights of Children: P
by mike simpson / 10h 
Final Draft of C3 Framework for Social Studies State Standards Released | Truth in American Education
Final Draft of C3 Framework for Social Studies State Standards Released | Truth in American Education: Final Draft of C3 Framework for Social Studies State Standards ReleasedFiled in C3 State Social Studies Standards by Shane Vander Hart on October 10, 2013 • 0 CommentsThe National Council for Social Studies just released the final draft of theCollege, Career, and Civic Life (C3) Framework for Soc
by mike simpson / 10h 
Teachers, Like the Rest of Us, Must Be Salesmen Now | toteachornototeach
Teachers, Like the Rest of Us, Must Be Salesmen Now | toteachornototeach: Teachers, Like the Rest of Us, Must Be Salesmen Nowby Gabriel Sanchez ZinnyDaniel H. Pink’s latest book, To Sell is Human, provides an excellent overview of how the internet revolution has impacted nearly all types of jobs across all manner of industries — and in particular, sales. Contrary to the predictions of many other a
by mike simpson / 10h 
Why the ‘GREAT Teachers and Principals Act’ is not great
Why the ‘GREAT Teachers and Principals Act’ is not great: Why the ‘GREAT Teachers and Principals Act’ is not greatBy Valerie Strauss, Published: October 10 at 6:00 amE-mail the writer1CommentsMore(Reuters)Legislation in Congress called the GREAT Teachers and Principals Act sounds good but is anything but great in its proposal for new educator preparation programs, according to this post by Kenneth
by mike simpson / 10h 
Oregon Save Our Schools: Guess Who's Coming to Dinner? Save the Date for Oct. 17th!
Oregon Save Our Schools: Guess Who's Coming to Dinner? Save the Date for Oct. 17th!: Guess Who's Coming to Dinner? Save the Date for Oct. 17th!Consecration of the Emperor Napoleon I and Coronation of the Empress Josephine in the Cathedral of Notre-Dame de Paris on 2 December 1804, by Jacques-Louis DavidLike brazen Napoleon crowning himself in the above art piece, the Oregon Business Association wi
by mike simpson / 10h 

YESTERDAY

Special Late Nite Cap UPDATE 10-9-13 #BATsACT #RealEdTalk #EDCHAT #P2
Nite Cap UPDATEUPDATE UPDATE UPDATE UPDATECORPORATE ED REFORMUFT calls for moratorium on high-stakes for Common Core testsMichael Mulgrew speaking at UFT headquarters in January after evaluations talks broke down between the union and the city. City schools are just a few months into implementing new teacher evaluations, but the teachers union is already hoping to slow things down. Citing the many
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Today marks what would've been John Lennon's 73rd birthday
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From the WTF Charter School File: Nonclassroom-Based Webinar Script - Administration & Support
Nonclassroom-Based Webinar Script - Administration & Support (CA Dept of Education): Nonclassroom-Based Webinar ScriptNonclassroom−Based Instruction Request for Funding Determination, Fiscal year 2013-14 October 4, 2013 Webinar ScriptNonclassroom-Based Instruction Request for Funding Determination, Fiscal Year 2013-14 Webinar Script October 4, 2013This page is the Accessible Alternative Versio
by mike simpson / 22h mark as read  //  save
Nite Cap 10-9-13 #BATsACT #RealEdTalk #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 CAPTODAYTeachers and public schools are under attack worldwide. Really? | Reclaim ReformTeachers and public schools are under attack worldwide. Really? | Reclaim Reform: Teachers and public schools are under attack worldwide. Really?Posted on Octobe
2 by mike simpson / 23h 





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Her name is Laporshia Massey and our hearts are breaking | Parents United for Public Education

Her name is Laporshia Massey and our hearts are breaking | Parents United for Public Education:

Her name is Laporshia Massey and our hearts are breaking

Posted on  by Leave a comment
Laporshia Massey
(Photo: City Paper via family of LaPorshia Massey)
Our hearts are breaking over the death of beautiful 12 year old Bryant Elementary student Laporshia Massey, who died following an asthma attack that apparently started at school.  We grieve for her entire family and the Bryant community.
According to the City Paper, Laporshia became ill during the school day. No nurse was scheduled. Laporshia called a family member, telling her repeatedly, “I can’t breathe. I can’t breathe.” A staff person drove the sixth grader home.
Seeing his daughter’s state when she arrived home at about 3:15 p.m., [father Daniel] Burch says, he immediately gave her medication and then rushed her to the hospital. She collapsed in the car, at which point Burch flagged down a passing ambulance in the middle of traffic. Burch says his daughter later died at the Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia, which could not confirm any details, including the time of her arrival, due to privacy constraints.
“They told her school was almost out, and she’d get out of school and go straight home,” says one district source, who requested anonymity because she was not authorized to speak to the press. “She went to the teacher,” who told her “there’s no nurse, and just to be calm.”
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LAUSD to encourage teachers to wear LGBT 'ally' badges - latimes.com

LAUSD to encourage teachers to wear LGBT 'ally' badges - latimes.com:

LAUSD to encourage teachers to wear LGBT 'ally' badges

Out for Safe Schools badges
The front, left, of badges being distributed by the LAUSD has the word "ally" in seven languages. On the front is a list of resources on the back. Teachers and staff members are being encouraged to wear them.(L.A. Gay & Lesbian Center)


 By Ari Bloomekatz
October 10, 2013, 2:10 p.m.
Beginning Friday, thousands of rainbow "ally" badges will be passed out to Los Angeles Unified teachers and staff members that they can wear to identify themselves as allies of gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender students.
The "Out for Safe Schools" initiative coincides with National Coming Out Day on Friday and was announced Thursday by leaders of the L.A. Gay & Lesbian Center and the school district.
"We want all our youth and staff to know that it is safe to be you in LAUSD," Supt. John Deasy said in a statement.
The badges have the word "ally" in seven languages on the front and a list of resources on the back. Teachers and staff members will be encouraged to wear them.
“Every day, LGBT kids are vulnerable to taunts and abuse -- physical and verbal -- simply because they’re different,” Alan Acosta, the center’s director of strategic initiatives, said in a statement. “Beginning tomorrow, every one of L.A.’s 655,000 public school students will know and see there are adults at their school who support and care about LGBT kids." 
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Reclaiming the Promise of Public Education | LFA: Join The Conversation - Public School Insights

Reclaiming the Promise of Public Education | LFA: Join The Conversation - Public School Insights:

Reclaiming the Promise of Public Education

American Federation of Teachers's picture
By American Federation of Teachers on October 10, 2013
By Randi Weingarten, President, American Federation of Teachers (AFT)
As the school year starts, I keep thinking about how teachers never really get a break. Despite the myth about “summers off,” I was with several thousand educators this July – not at the beach, but atTEACH, the AFT’s largest gathering of educators focused on their professional practice and growth. Teachers spent long days learning from fellow educators and other experts about concrete ways to improve teaching and learning. Many teachers told me how they were spending the rest of their summer: writing curriculum aligned to the new, challenging Common Core State Standards; taking classes, because teachers are lifelong learners; and working with students – in enrichment camps and programs to stem summer learning loss. So much for the dog days of summer.
And our conferees did much more. We also committed to reclaim the promise – the promise of public education. Not as it is today or as it was in the past, but as what public education can be to fulfill our collective obligation to help all children succeed.
Yet even amidst this dedication and inspiration there is a great frustration. The promise of a great public education for all children is under pressure not only from out-of-touch legislators, but from economic and societal factors outside school that make it much more difficult to achieve success within the classroom. Nearly 1 out of every 2 students in public schools lives in poverty, and educators have become the first responders to their stress, hunger, and hardships. But these factors don’t keep us from teaching, they keep us up at night.
Public education is also under assault from people whose brand of “reform” consists of 
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Tele-Town Hall with Diane Ravitch: Wednesday, Oct. 16th at 8:00 pm EDT | Reclaim Reform

Tele-Town Hall with Diane Ravitch: Wednesday, Oct. 16th at 8:00 pm EDT | Reclaim Reform:

Tele-Town Hall with Diane Ravitch: Wednesday, Oct. 16th at 8:00 pm EDT

Posted on October 10, 2013by 
Diane-Ravitch
In September a group of about a hundred bloggers was invited to a tele-conference conversation with Diane Ravitch. Earlier, we had all been asked to write and blog our own book reviews of her new book, Reign of Error. Our reviews had yet to be blogged. (We were, of course, free to write whatever we believed of her book.) Never having experienced anything like this before, the directness, openness and raw sincerity of it all was quite astounding to me. Imagine “Data Meets Empathy.”
Diane herself spoke about the educational issues that we all grapple with. I knew that what we were doing that day was special and unique. I was glad to be part of it all.
If this coming Tele-Town Hall is as revealing as that September tele-conference was, please make certain that you take part in it. Be part of the discussion. No spin-doctors, TV personalities with careers to sharpen, or uncivil pundits will be part of it. Sign-up for the limited cyber-space available to whatever technology the Action Network has to offer.
Sign-up HERE.
Please RSVP by Saturday, October 12.
reign of error
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NYC Educator: UFT Moratorium--Too Little Too Late

NYC Educator: UFT Moratorium--Too Little Too Late:

UFT Moratorium--Too Little Too Late

It's fairly amazing to see Gotham Schools write that "the teachers union is already hoping to slow things down."  While it's true this is the first year junk science evaluation is officially in place, the fact is UFT officials were party to the law that mandated them. UFT supported it then, supported it through negotiations, and continued to support it when it was clear Reformy John King would make all decisions about it. In fact, UFT sources called people ignorant for objecting to King John's fiat, suggesting they didn't understand negotiation.

Unlike Gotham Schools, some of us have an attention span of years rather than weeks. We remember the selling point when this first surfaced. UFT bigshots said junk science only counted for 40%, while in other states it counted 50 or more. They neglected to point out that if you happen to fail the junk science portion it becomes 100%, and you're facing unemployment if it should happen the following year. Even when that became clear, UFT supported it.

In fact, UFT still supports junk science evaluations. UFT also supports Common Core, though it's never been field tested or proven valid 
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Social Darwinism Resurrected for the New Gilded Age - Living in Dialogue - Education Week Teacher

Social Darwinism Resurrected for the New Gilded Age - Living in Dialogue - Education Week Teacher:

Social Darwinism Resurrected for the New Gilded Age

By Anthony Cody on October 10, 2013 2:20 PM


Over at the Bridging Differences blog, a fascinating dialogue is occurring, where Michael Petrilli has been laying out the philosophical arguments for a two tier educational system. I appreciate Mr. Petrilli, because while some reformers hide their intentions behind mushy rhetoric, he has laid out his argument plainly, where it can be debated.
His latest attempts are to be found in his recent post, The Especially Deserving Poor. 
Here he builds on a theme he sounded last January, when he wrote in defense of high expulsion rates for DC charter schools, suggesting that these schools were "serving the strivers,"   and thus should be allowed to cast off the less motivated or compliant students. He wrote:
 In my view, we should admit--even celebrate--this phenomenon and be proud of the charter schools that are identifying and serving high-potential low-income students--kids who are committed to using education to escape poverty and are often supported in that effort by supportive parents. 
I wrote then that this was essentially advocating for a two-tier educational system, one that leaves behind the English learners, the disabled, and those most affected by poverty.  
 Mr. Petrilli now is extending this theme, with his construct of the "especially deserving poor."
 He begins by denying the reality so many of us see before us, and which is supported by 
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Why the Sacramento Bee Did Not Mention My Visit | Diane Ravitch's blog

Why the Sacramento Bee Did Not Mention My Visit | Diane Ravitch's blog:

Why the Sacramento Bee Did Not Mention My Visit

Reign of Error (click picture)


 When I spoke in Sacramento last week about today’s failed fads in education, the town’s leading newspaper ignored my appearance. They ignored it even though I was introduced by Tom Torlakson, the state superintendent of education, and even though 1,000 people filled historic Memorial Hall.
Now I know why.
They published five stories about Shaq O’Neill!
I have nothing against Shaq. He is great. When I was in Argentina two years ago, the grand hotel Alvear Palace put us in a suite with a bed custom made for Shaq. No other rooms were available. Wow! Thanks, Shaq.
But some debate about where we are heading in education would not be a bad idea in Sacramento. None at all is a very bad idea.
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This Is Not A Test: A New Narrative on Race, Class, and Education: Jose Vilson, Karen Lewis: 9781608463701: Amazon.com: Books

This Is Not A Test: A New Narrative on Race, Class, and Education: Jose Vilson, Karen Lewis: 9781608463701: Amazon.com: Books:





This Is Not A Test: A New Narrative on Race, Class, and EducationPaperback – May 6, 2014

by Jose Vilson (Author) , Karen Lewis (Foreword)
  • Paperback 
    $11.94     1 New from $11.94
    Josรฉ Vilson writes about race, class, and education through stories from the classroom and researched essays. His rise from rookie math teacher to prominent teacher leader takes a twist when he takes on education reform through his now-blocked eponymous blog, TheJoseVilson.com. He calls for the reclaiming of the education profession while seeking social justice.
    Josรฉ Vilson is a middle school math educator for in the Inwood/Washington Heights neighborhood of New York City. He writes for Edutopia, GOOD, and TransformED / Future of Teaching, and his work has appeared in Education Week, CNN.com, Huffington Post, and El Diario / La Prensa.
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