Monday, October 14, 2013

Diane Ravitch: Ed. Comm. Huffman 'Lacks the Basic Qualifications for the Job' | Pith in the Wind | Nashville Scene

Diane Ravitch: Ed. Comm. Huffman 'Lacks the Basic Qualifications for the Job' | Pith in the Wind | Nashville Scene:

Diane Ravitch: Ed. Comm. Huffman 'Lacks the Basic Qualifications for the Job'

POSTED BY STEVEN HALE ON MON, OCT 14, 2013 AT 11:57 AM

The good folks over at Tennessee Education Report — voted Nashville's 3rd best political blogin this year's Best of Nashville issue on stands now! — had a chat with education historian, commentator and bestselling author, Diane Ravitch.

The author of Reign of Error discusses vouchers, Teach for America and more. She also had some tough words for state Education Commissioner Kevin Huffman:

He gives the erroneous impression that a state commissioner need have no administrative experience. He lacks the basic qualifications for the job. He has punished the city of Nashville’s children by withholding $3.4 million, punishing the board for not granting a charter that he favored. He does not respect local control. He pushes privatization through charters and vouchers. He has no ideas that are constructive for public education, which is an essential democratic institution. He has demoralized teachers. If I think of something good he has done, I will let you know.

Gov. Bill Haslam recently defended Huffman against half of the state's superintendents, who signed a letter critical of Huffman and the Department of Education.

Plain Talk: Diane Ravitch's 'Reign of Error" has voucher advocates on the defense

Capital Times (blog)

- ‎2 hours ago‎

3 hours ago • DAVE ZWEIFEL | The Capital Times editor emeritus | dzweifel@madison.com

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Diane Ravitch's new book "Reign of Error" is giving the so-called "choice" (better known as voucher) school movement fits.

Ravitch, a nationally renowned expert on education who was appointed to key educational posts in both the George H.W. Bush and Bill Clinton administrations, was once one of the strongest advocates for more educational accountability standards and a strong advocate of choice schools.

But, after observing at close range how the voucher school movement was using standardized test results — the No Child Left Behind concept, for example — as excuses to declare public schools failures while promoting private schools, she completely changed her views.

Among countless others, the Madison-based Progressive Magazine this month includes an excerpt from the book and famed education author Jonathan Kozol reviewed it in the New York Times Book Review section a week ago. The publicity it's getting at a time when the voucher school lobby is flexing its muscles throughout the country, and especially here in Wisconsin, has choice school advocates on the

Grit, Optimism And Other Buzzwords In The Way Of Education - Forbes

Grit, Optimism And Other Buzzwords In The Way Of Education - Forbes:

Grit, Optimism And Other Buzzwords In The Way Of Education

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Angela Duckworth was recently awarded a $625,000 “no strings attached” MacArthur genius grant for her research on “Grit.” Along with perseverance, initiative, and optimism, grit is one of the hottest buzzwords in K-12 education. Many teachers, policy makers, and reformers are shifting their focus from cognitive skills to character attributes. Supposedly, these “21st Century Skills” correlate more directly to an individual’s long term success. Unrelated to new technologies, or digital literacy, 21st Century Skills are all about desirable character traits. I’m all for a move away from dependence on standardized test scores, but the focus on “character” is suspect.

Paul Tough writes, “We have been focusing on the wrong skills and abilities in our children, and we have been using the wrong strategies to help nurture and teach those skills.” In his book, How Children Succeed: Grit, Curiosity, and the Hidden Power of Character, Tough celebrates the KIPP charter schools. The KIPP schools use a “Character Growth Card.” Teachers rate students’ demonstration of a series of attributes, such as social intelligence, gratitude, and curiosity, on a

Learn. Teach. Lead. This Time with Passion! — Whole Child Education

Learn. Teach. Lead. This Time with Passion! — Whole Child Education:

THE WHOLE CHILD BLOG

Learn. Teach. Lead. This Time with Passion!

October 14, 2013 by Barry Saide

In order for me to lead effectively in my classroom, I needed to make sure I was teaching the right things. Otherwise, what were students learning? And, why were they learning it?

Students need to be personally invested in their learning in order for them to be most successful. What's taught needs to be relevant to them. The curriculum can be rigorous to the 10th power, but if it isn't taught in a way that is engaging and fun, students will not produce work that is reflective, vulnerable, risky, and potentially full of mistakes.

Mistakes help us to grow when we acknowledge them and are willing to identify what we did versus what we should do the next time. As I sat down to preplan my year as a 5th grade teacher, I needed to reflect on where I was as a learner: what was I doing well? What could I improve on? What was hard for me? And, what were my goals for the year?

What I've mentioned are all things I ask of my students: take risks, invest in yourself, advocate, and be open to

Mike Klonsky's SmallTalk Blog: Safe passage to nowhere. CPS lied about receiving-school enrollment.

Mike Klonsky's SmallTalk Blog: Safe passage to nowhere. CPS lied about receiving-school enrollment.:

Safe passage to nowhere. CPS lied about receiving-school enrollment.

As a designated "welcoming school," Johnson School of Excellence on the West Side, an AUSL "turn-around" school, got upgrades to technology. But only 34 students out of 145 from shuttered Pope Elementary are enrolled.

I'm reading about a gunman in a car opening fire on an on-duty Chicago Public Schools Safe Passage worker Tuesday. Gave me the chills. Thank goodness, nobody was hit. But the incident only touches the surface of the devastating impact of Rahm's mass school closings.

WBEZ reports:

Just 60 percent of 10,542 students from Chicago’s shuttered elementary schools ended up at so-called “welcoming schools,” despite efforts by the district to woo them with promises of improved education, safe passage to school, and sweeteners like iPads, air conditioning and new science labs.

There's 500 children, nearly all African-American, gone missing. No milk cartons. No Amber alerts. Just hundred of kids and families unaccounted for in the midst of the chaos and

10-14-13 Seattle Schools Community Forum

Seattle Schools Community Forum:

Intermediate Capacity Plan

Here's the link. Have not read through thoroughly but seems quite complicated. I am not sure of all the implications.I wrote to the Board that this was not up in a timely fashion per their own policy (which states agenda items will be available three working days before the meeting). That is not the case here.

by Melissa Westbrook / 53min

Advanced Learning Taskforce

This is an e-mail I sent to Al Interim Director, Steven Martin. I cc'd the Board, Shauna Heath and Michael Tolley.Dear Mr. Martin,As a former member of the Advanced Learning Taskforce - who served for a year and was asked to stay on for the next year (which never materialized and with no explanation) - you can imagine my surprise to learn there are TWO AL Taskforces already in place. I am very d

by Melissa Westbrook / 1h

Seattle Schools Growth Boundaries Survey

From SPS Communications: Seattle Public Schools is updating attendance area boundaries to accommodate enrollment growth and new construction. An initial draft of boundary changes was provided in September, offering families, staff and the community time to weigh in and give feedback.After hosting five community meetings and receiving thousands of emails and suggestions, new recommended boundary ch

by Melissa Westbrook / 3min

Seattle School Board Campaigns - What Does a "Positive" Campaign Look Like?

Ballots are to drop on Wednesday the 16th and I have two questions:1) Is politics like love and war - all is fair in order to win? As we are discovering about privacy, everyone has a different tolerance for what they believe is right/allowable. 2) Is a candidate defined by their supporters? Because this seems to be a sore point with the Peters/Dale Estey campaigns.Is it envy on the part of Pete

by Melissa Westbrook / 10min

10-13-13 Seattle Schools Community Forum

Seattle Schools Community Forum: Growth Boundaries QuestionsI note some running threads through the various regions and their threads on growth boundaries. For example, there seems to be confusion over how JAMS will open. Could you write one single burning question (per commenter) that you are either confused about OR seems in direct contradiction to the comments made by parents/community. I will

by mike simpson / 20h

10-14-13 Wait What?

Wait What?:

A hatemonger continues to lose control…While allegations of abusive disciplinary policies surface.

It’s another day and the Steven Perry, the principal of Capital Preparatory school in Hartford Connecticut has returned to his obsessive use of Twitter to promote his mongering. As administrators, teachers, parents and community members across the nation have become increasingly aware of the short and long term effects of bullying, Steven Perry has become […]The post A hatemonger continues to lose

5 by jonpelto / 1min

10-12-13 Wait What?

Wait What?:Steve Perry: “No Excuses” – Except for himself…In response to yesterday’s Wait, What? post about his latest twitter diatribe and the fact that his claims about Capital Prep’s success don’t match up the actual facts, Dr. Steve Perry, the self-proclaimed “Most Trusted Educator” in America, returned to tweeter to complain that, “One [critic] spent his morning counting my tweets not realizi

1 by mike simpson / 1h

FCMAT » Cali Education Headlines Monday, October 14, 2013

FCMAT » Fiscal Crisis & Management Assistance Team:

Mongeau: New funding formula revives push for smaller class sizes

Education Headlines

Monday, October 14, 2013

Founts in spotlight

When Mick Founts reversed course over summer and announced he would not run for a second term as the highest-ranking and most powerful education official in San Joaquin County, he said his reasons were private and his decision was "personal."

Bassett school board OK’s investigation into alleged bullying of students, teachers by administrators

The Bassett Unified School District Board of Education has authorized a third-party investigation of alleged “personnel problems” at Bassett High School after repeated claims of bullying against students and teachers by school administrators.

Mongeau: New funding formula revives push for smaller class sizes

Just weeks into the school year, some districts are struggling with a provision in California’s dramatic revision of its school financing system that calls for smaller class sizes in grades K-3.

Coachella Valley Unified to begin issuing iPads

After a few weeks of delay, east valley schools will start rolling out iPads on Monday, handing out about 1,200 student tablets over the following week.

Palm Springs Unified School District strapped for substitutes

A surge of training that has taken teachers out of the classroom or added hours to their week has exacerbated a shortage of substitutes in west valley schools, so the Palm Springs Unified School District is asking qualified candidates to consider stepping into a classroom.

Rialto Unified superintendent denies romantic relationship with Oakes

Saying enemies are campaigning to oust him, Rialto Unified Superintendent Harold Cebrun denied on Friday any knowledge of the embezzlement allegedly committed by former district accountant Judith Oakes and having a romantic relationship with her.

Fresno teachers union blasts district's recent contract offer

Union officials for Fresno Unified teachers are lambasting a proposed three-year deal giving educators a 2.5% raise in the first year and the district more leverage to discipline instructors.

School district studies plan for defibrillators

Officials in Orange Unified School District are studying a plan to add defibrillators to campuses following the death of a high school football player during practice this summer.

'Excessed teachers' to vie for jobs

The San Diego Unified School District has a lot riding on first-grade teacher Kimberly Warren. Warren’s job at Euclid Elementary School will soon be eliminated due to a drop in enrollment and higher class size limits. That puts Warren into a pool of 366 “excessed teachers” who will compete for open jobs or have one created for them by the district, which is obligated to employ every instructor on the payroll.

Opponents start ballot effort to dump transgender law

Californians could face another divisive, expensive battle over lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender rights now that a coalition of conservative groups has hired the veteran GOP strategist behind Proposition 8 - and raised hundreds of thousands of dollars - to qualify a ballot measure that would repeal a new law requiring schools to make accommodations for transgender students.

School's military-style reboot aims to push students further

To boost college-attendance rates, North Valley Military Institute in Granada Hills combines teaching with physical training and a rank structure.

Case of cursing LAUSD teacher raises legal questions about secret recordings

The teacher, who last week was placed on paid leave while Los Angeles Unified School District administrators investigate the matter, argues that she shouldn’t be disciplined because the student broke the law by making the recording. But is that true?

Suit: Peninsula teacher made slur, OK'd punch

A former Sequoia High School student has filed a lawsuit that alleges his teacher made derogatory comments about his Canadian heritage and allowed another student to punch him in the face so hard she broke his nose.

East Bay teens suspended after photo of school fight hits Instagram

Several students were suspended from Pittsburg High School after sharing a photo posted on the Instagram social network site that included derogatory comments about a girl whom the principal was trying to restrain during a fight, authorities said.

Oakland schools set goals for increasing number of graduates

Oakland public school leaders hope to see the graduation rate rise to 64 percent by the end of this school year and the percentage of students who drop out fall to 21 percent as part of a yearly goal setting program for the district called the Balanced Scorecard.

Students in foster care face 'invisible achievement gap,' study says

Thousands of California students in foster care are suffering from an "invisible achievement gap," with worse academic performance, a higher dropout rate and placement in more failing schools than their statewide peers, according to a study set for release Monday.

Friday, October 11, 2013

Greenfield takes community approach to literacy

Greenfield represents a microcosm of many small and rural agricultural communities scattered throughout California. Most of the community's parents are first-generation immigrants, and they share the hopes, dreams and optimism that their children will have opportunities never given to them

Residents clash with district over late-night football practice

Two residents living behind Fountain Valley High School filed a lawsuit that has forced the Huntington Beach Union High School District to stop leasing its practice fields to a nonprofit youth football league.

Sleepy school board elections get a wake-up call

School board elections draw more interest in tight times. Parents don’t want programs cut. Employees don’t want their pay cut. Taxpayers want a frugal eye over it all. This year, better times bring a different problem. More money is coming to San Joaquin Valley schools, with extra for poor kids, English learners and foster children – all of which we have in high numbers – and more local control with it.

Pittsburg High School students suspended for inappropriate comments posted on Instagram

Several students were suspended from Pittsburg High School after sharing a photo posted on the Instagram social network site that included derogatory comments about a girl whom the principal wa

10-14-13 Ed Notes Online

Ed Notes Online:

Carol Smashes King

The idea that a Commissioner would accuse parents and teacher of being a "special interest" is outrageous. That is not what leaders do... Carol Burris, NY State Principal of the Year, at The Answer Sheet, WAPO The speakers from the audience at this forum were to a person better-informed, more coherent and independent-minded than anyone I've heard from in NYSED, Dr. King included. For him

11 by ed notes online / 30min

10-13-13 Ed Notes Online

Ed Notes Online: Over Eva Invasion, Bergtraum ChLdr Warns of Security Dangers of Co-LocationJohn Elfrank-Dana is joined by fellow teachers, former students and others in opposing another Eva Moskowitz Success Academy land grab in lower Manhattan this time. He warns of the dangers of putting kindergarten kids in a high school, especially in a high traffic area that suffered the 9/11 attack and rema

by mike simpson / 23h

Turning Kids Back on to Schooling | Dissident Voice

Turning Kids Back on to Schooling | Dissident Voice:

Turning Kids Back on to Schooling

by Kim Petersen / October 14th, 2013

I never liked school right from grade 1 through to grade 12. I don’t think I was unique, but I think my dislike of school was of greater magnitude than most students. So after I graduated from high school, I declared to my mother, “I’ll never go to school again.” Dead-end, unfulfilling work post-school led me to violate my declaration with the approval of my parents. University was a different world. There were few overbearing professors harping at me to attend classes and do my homework. Much of my study was self-directed, and my learning and grades were more-or-less up to me.

Psychology professor Peter Gray, who writes a radicalblog on learning, has pondered what it is about schooling that turns off learners. In his book Free to Learn: Why Unleashing the Instinct to Play Will Make Our Children Happier, More Self-Reliant, and Better Students for Life(Basic Books, 2013) Gray identifies what turns off the natural curiosity of so many children.

Gray points to the “anti-play attitude” and an excessive emphasis on testing and grading, which he argues is antithetical to learning, something known by many people who read the