Morning Wink 11-29-13 AM Posts #BATsACT #RealEdTalk #EDCHAT #P2

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11-29-13 Fred Klonsky | Running for our pensions. | VOTE 4 Fred Klonsky.

Fred Klonsky | Daily posts from a retired public school teacher who is just looking at the data.: Black Tuesday.On the Tuesday after yesterday’s Thanksgiving gatherings of families across the state, Illinois House members will vote on whether to take away what has been constitutionally and contractually promised to the states public servants. Among those who will lose what was promised to them will be retired teachers, half of whom make less than $50,000 a year with no Social Security, thousands with no Meby Fred Klonsky / 19min 11-28-13 Fred Klonsky | Running for our pensions. | VOTE 4 Fred K

6min 

Education Research Report: Private Education Management Organizations Running Public Schools Expand

Education Research Report: Private Education Management Organizations Running Public Schools Expand: Private Education Management Organizations Running Public Schools ExpandNEPC report finds 44% of charter school students in 2011-12 attended schools operated by EMOsA new National Education Policy Center report published today shows that across the nation, schools managed by for-profit firms such as K12 Inc, National Heritage Academies and Charter Schools USA, as well as nonprofit education management organizations (EMOs) such as KIPP, continue to increase the number of students they enroll, de

9min 

A Comparison of Preschool Plans | First Focus

A Comparison of Preschool Plans | First Focus:  A Comparison of Preschool PlansFACT SHEETSSearch resourcesNovember 27, 2013By Kevin LindseyDownload this ResourceAs a result of increased national attention on the numerous benefits of early education, a number of plans have been proposed to increase access to high-quality pre-Kindergarten (pre-K). Most recently, on November 13th the Strong Start for America's Children Act was introduced in the House by Representatives George Miller (D-CA) and Richard Hanna (R-NY), and in the Senate by Senator Tom Harkin (D-IA) and a number of other Senate Democr

13min 

TODAY

Opinion: Why so many parents hate Common Core - CNN.com

Opinion: Why so many parents hate Common Core - CNN.com: Why so many parents hate Common CoreBy Diane Ravitchupdated 7:52 AM EST, Mon November 25, 2013A teacher assists her students in Chicago. Illinois is one of 45 states that adopted Common Core educational standards.STORY HIGHLIGHTSDiane Ravitch: Education department should not pushCommon Core standardsRavitch: Just 31% of N.Y. students passed 

by mike simpson / 35min 

LISTEN TO DIANE RAVITCH 11-29-13 Diane Ravitch's blog | A site to discuss better education for all

Diane Ravitch's blog | A site to discuss better education for all: Nearly Half of Louisiana’s Voucher Students Attend D or F-Rated SchoolsAccording to a local report, almost half the students enrolled in Louisiana’s voucher program are attending failing schools. Most voucher schools, however, did not release accountability data. This runs contrary to Governor Bobby Jindal’s claims that vouchers wo

by mike simpson / 36min 

11-29-13 Larry Ferlazzo’s Websites of the Day… | …For Teaching ELL, ESL, & EFL

Larry Ferlazzo’s Websites of the Day… | …For Teaching ELL, ESL, & EFL: The Best Articles, Videos & Posts On Education Policy In 2013 — Part TwoHere’s another annual “Best…” list, this time focusing on education policy. You can see my picks for the first six months of the year at what functions as Part One of this list: The Best Articles, Videos & Posts On Education Policy In 2013 – So

by mike simpson / 38min 

11-29-13 Ed Notes Online

Ed Notes Online: Is Citizens of the World Charter Using Public tax Money to Pay Expensive Public Relations Firm?My message to CWC: If you have money to pay Heather Vega and Larson Communications, PAY THE DAMN RENT.Who is Heather Vega?Heather has been writing emails to major press on behalf of CWC to try to get some positive press and offset their history of racist marketing, investigations into fr

by mike simpson / 40min 

11-29-13 The Answer Sheet - Best and worst education news of 2013

The Answer Sheet: Best and worst education news of 2013The year is not quite over but veteran teacher Larry Ferlazzo already has his list for the best/worst education news of the year, and here it is. Ferlazzo teaches English and Social Studies at Luther Burbank High School in Sacramento, California.  He has written five books on education, writes a teacher advice blog for Education […]    by Vale

by mike simpson / 46min 

11-29-13 teacherken at Daily Kos

teacherken at Daily Kos: Krugman explains an ACA successin Obamacare’s Secret Success he tells us that despite the problems and complaints it is working in one key regard, holding down the growth of medical spending, or as it has been described, bending the curve of the expansion of spending. In one sense this should not have been a surprise, despite the conventional wisdom in Washington, in which

by mike simpson / 49min 

11-29-13 Perdido Street School

Perdido Street School: Chancellor Pick Announcement May Come By End Of Next WeekFrom Politicker:Mr. de Blasio said Wednesday that he’ll soon announce some hires for his new administration. “You can safely assume that there will be be announcements by the end of next week,” he offered, denying a report he’s already selected Bill Bratton as his police commissioner. “I’ve said this many, many times.

by mike simpson / 52min 

Perception Or Reality at PS 154 in the Bronx? - southbronxschool.com

http://www.southbronxschool.com: Perception Or Reality at PS 154 in the Bronx?Oh Thanksgiving is over, the last football game of the day is near end and after several nights of wishing to blog but having to compete for computer time with my son and his Minecraft obsession, I finally have some time.On November 19 on these pages it was discussed how monies at PS 154 in the Bronx have the Teachers Co

by mike simpson / 57min 

Noam Chomsky: Modern universities designed to ‘deprive you of your freedom’ | The Raw Story

Noam Chomsky: Modern universities designed to ‘deprive you of your freedom’ | The Raw Story: Noam Chomsky: Modern universities designed to ‘deprive you of your freedom’The World Innovation Summit for Education (WISE) released an interview with Noam Chomsky recently in which the noted linguist discussed, among other things, how high student tuition indoctrinates students into corporate culture.“The

by mike simpson / 58min 

Parents want districts to keep them in the funding loop, according to feedback from bus tour | EdSource Today

Parents want districts to keep them in the funding loop, according to feedback from bus tour | EdSource Today: Parents want districts to keep them in the funding loop, according to feedback from bus tourNovember 27th, 2013 | 8 Comments | By Kathryn Baron1About 1,600 people attended community forums on the Local Control Funding Formula, like this one in Kern County, organized by The California Endo

by mike simpson / 1h 

The Shriver Report – The Changing American Family, The Care-Career Conflict and Love That Has Withstood the Test of Time

The Shriver Report – The Changing American Family, The Care-Career Conflict and Love That Has Withstood the Test of Time: The Changing American Family, The Care-Career Conflict and Love That Has Withstood the Test of TimeALLISON MALONEY | 11.29.2013The Shriver Report family hopes you had a wonderful Thanksgiving and that this weekend brings even more joy (plus lots and lots of leftovers).  If your

by mike simpson / 1h 

What Does It Take to Get Kids to Stop Skipping School? - Emily Richmond - The Atlantic

What Does It Take to Get Kids to Stop Skipping School? - Emily Richmond - The Atlantic: What Does It Take to Get Kids to Stop Skipping School?A New York City pilot program found success by tracking and sharing student attendance data, assigning mentors, and communicating with parents.When it comes to tackling the problem of chronic absenteeism, students who already already have a track record of s

by mike simpson / 1h 

YESTERDAY

Nite Cap 11-28-13 #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 mark as read11-28-13 Wait What?Wait What?: A thank you to each and every one of you and a special wish for a happy, healthy and peaceful holiday season.Friends, I want to say thank you to each and every one of you and convey my deep appreciate f

by mike simpson / 13h 

11-28-13 Wait What?

Wait What?: A thank you to each and every one of you and a special wish for a happy, healthy and peaceful holiday season.Friends, I want to say thank you to each and every one of you and convey my deep appreciate for your friendship, time, attention and participation in our world. May health, happiness and peace be with you and yours, along with comfort, joy and a good bit of prosperity. Below is

by mike simpson / 13h 

Meet newly elected School Board Director Sue Peters | Seattle Education

Meet newly elected School Board Director Sue Peters | Seattle Education: Meet newly elected School Board Director Sue PetersPresenting our kick-off Seattle Education meetup:Meet newly elected School Board Director Sue PetersYou will have the opportunity to meet Sue, ask her questions and share your concerns regarding public education in Seattle and beyond.Friday, December 6th at noonCouth Buzzard

by mike simpson / 13h 

11-28-13 Schools Matter: Charlatan Steve Perry exposed for the world to see!

Schools Matter: Charlatan Steve Perry exposed for the world to see!: Charlatan Steve Perry exposed for the world to see!Charlatan @drStevePerry exposed for the world to see! http://t.co/iDjFd9GXH8 pic.twitter.com/IflQ6Qfsm7— Robert D. Skeels (@rdsathene) November 28, 2013 Ebony Murphy-Root's courageous exposure of one of the most pernicious corporate neoliberal education reformers is a must read:

by mike simpson / 13h 

NYC Educator: The Danielson Guide to Highly Effective Thanksgiving

NYC Educator: The Danielson Guide to Highly Effective Thanksgiving: The Danielson Guide to Highly Effective ThanksgivingFull disclosure--found on the internet, unattributed.Unsatisfactory: You don't know how to cook a turkey. You serve a chicken instead. Half your family doesn't show because they are unmotivated by your invitation, which was issued at the last minute via facebook. The other half t

by mike simpson / 21h 

11-28-13 Jersey Jazzman: Dumb Things White People Say About Schools: Frank Bruni

Jersey Jazzman: Dumb Things White People Say About Schools: Frank Bruni: Dumb Things White People Say About Schools: Frank BruniLet me start by apologizing to Tom Friedman. You see, for years I've thought that the Mustache of Understanding was the silliest, most wankeriffic pontificator within in the NY Time's Op-Ed hierarchy of mandarins. But it's clear to me now I was completely wrong. The proof

by mike simpson / 22h 

Every Student All The Time: 100% Graduation Rates | Connected Principals

Every Student All The Time: 100% Graduation Rates | Connected Principals: Every Student All The Time: 100% Graduation RatesNovember 28, 2013By Johnny BevacquaOriginally posted (February 2011) by Johnny Bevacqua  on  Figuring It OutFor the past 15 years our school has had a 100% graduation rate. I am extremely proud of our students and teachers for making this happen.    I have been asked, on sever

by mike simpson / 22h 

Morning Wink 11-28-13 AM Posts #BATsACT #RealEdTalk #EDCHAT #P2

BIG EDUCATION APE - MORNING WINK  AM POSTS mark as readNext week's PISA results: If we want better results, we have... | Get Schooled | www.ajc.comNext week's PISA results: If we want better results, we have... | Get Schooled | www.ajc.com: Next week's PISA results: If we want better results, we have to do better with poor children COMMENT(2) 0 0 0 NewView Larger Children and povertyPrevious Posts

by mike simpson / 23h hide  //  save

2nd Banana 11-23-13 Recap of Last Week's Best Post

2nd Banana 11-16-13 Recap of Last Week's Best Post

2nd Banana 11-9-13 Recap of Last Week's Best Post 2nd Banana 11-2-13 Recap of Last Week's Best Post

Nite Cap 11-28-13

Nite Cap 11-27-13

Nite Cap 11-26-13

Nite Cap 11-25-13

Nite Cap 11-24-13 

Nite Cap 11-23-13 

Nite Cap 11-22-13

Nite Cap 11-21-13 

Nite Cap 11-20-13

Nite Cap 11-19-13

Nite Cap 11-18-13

Nite Cap 11-17-13

Nite Cap 11-16-13

11-29-13 Fred Klonsky | Running for our pensions. | VOTE 4 Fred Klonsky.

Fred Klonsky | Daily posts from a retired public school teacher who is just looking at the data.:

Mark Stefanik. We are the oysters.

- Johnny Dillon “Oh, Oysters, come and walk with us.” Some thoughts on the eve of the next great pension showdown in Springfield: David Ormsby’s rescue spin for the circled wagons of his Democratic Party employers – that unless pension benefits are cut, the poor, the schools, the mentally disabled, the victims of child abuse, and other helpless entities will suffer – targets teacher savings/pensi

by Fred Klonsky / 20min 

John Dillon on the Nekritz confession.

- John Dillon Well this was an unexpected moment of honesty. On the other hand, Representative Nekritz would warn us all that the General Assembly can enact one law and change (or alter) it in the next hour. This is historically how she has looked at legislation, as she has explained to me. And, honestly, her comments are not political schizophrenia, because she sees clearly that by 2015 Illinois

by Fred Klonsky / 37min 

Democratic Party strategist David Ormsby: Pension fight is “a grubby little fight over money for its members.”

  Democratic Party political strategist David Ormsby. David Ormsby is a hired gun. He is sometimes called a political strategist. He has done public relations and press work for Richard Daley, Michael Madigan and other Democrats. He has sent me nice notes over the years. But not today. Responding to my Black Tuesday post this morning, Ormsby commented on Facebook: Fred, lawmakers are not eager to

by Fred Klonsky / 2h 

Black Tuesday.

On the Tuesday after yesterday’s Thanksgiving gatherings of families across the state, Illinois House members will vote on whether to take away what has been constitutionally and contractually promised to the states public servants. Among those who will lose what was promised to them will be retired teachers, half of whom make less than $50,000 a year with no Social Security, thousands with no Me

by Fred Klonsky / 19min 

11-28-13 Fred Klonsky | Running for our pensions. | VOTE 4 Fred Klonsky.

Fred Klonsky | Daily posts from a retired public school teacher who is just looking at the data.: Teacher and union activist Todd Mertz: “This is it.” With emails of every Illinois legislator.From Todd Mertz: This morning a pension deal was struck between all four legislative leaders–Madigan, Cullerton, Radogno, and Durkin. This agreement would steal an estimated $160 billion from teachers and sta

by mike simpson / 11h 

Education Research Report: Private Education Management Organizations Running Public Schools Expand

Education Research Report: Private Education Management Organizations Running Public Schools Expand:

Private Education Management Organizations Running Public Schools Expand

NEPC report finds 44% of charter school students in 2011-12 attended schools operated by EMOs


A new National Education Policy Center report published today shows that across the nation, schools managed by for-profit firms such as K12 Inc, National Heritage Academies and Charter Schools USA, as well as nonprofit education management organizations (EMOs) such as KIPP, continue to increase the number of students they enroll, despite a scarcity of evidence showing positive results.

Students across 35 states and the District of Columbia now attend schools managed by these non-government entities. Oklahoma and Tennessee have added schools run by EMOs since the last edition of this report.

The report, Profiles of For-Profit and Nonprofit Education Management Organizations: Fourteenth Edition – 2011-2012, was released by the National Education Policy Center (NEPC), housed at the University of Colorado Boulder.

“There is growth in number of schools and students served in both for-profit and nonprofit sectors, although growth among schools operated by nonprofit EMOs continues to outpace the for-profit sector. Growth has slowed for for-profits in brick-and-mortar school settings. The real growth in the for-profit sector is with companies that operate virtual schools,” said the report’s lead author, Dr. Gary Miron, a professor of evaluation, measurement, and research at Western Michigan University. “The growth of virtual schools, which is fueled by millions in advertising dollars, is astounding because of the sketchy academic results reported by the schools that operate online.”

The report is the NEPC’s latest edition in its series of profiles of EMOs, companies contracted to manage charter schools and other public schools. The EMO sector emerged in the 1990s as part of an effort to use market forces and private entities to reform public education.

For-Profit Operators

Since the 1995-1996 school year, the number of for-profit EMOs has increased from 5 to 97, and the number of schools they operate has 

A Comparison of Preschool Plans | First Focus

A Comparison of Preschool Plans | First Focus:

 A Comparison of Preschool Plans

FACT SHEETS

Search resources

November 27, 2013

By Kevin Lindsey

Download this Resource

As a result of increased national attention on the numerous benefits of early education, a number of plans have been proposed to increase access to high-quality pre-Kindergarten (pre-K). Most recently, on November 13th the Strong Start for America's Children Act was introduced in the House by Representatives George Miller (D-CA) and Richard Hanna (R-NY), and in the Senate by Senator Tom Harkin (D-IA) and a number of other Senate Democrats. This fact sheet provides an overview of five proposals that would expand access to pre-K for low- and middle-income families.

Opinion: Why so many parents hate Common Core - CNN.com

Opinion: Why so many parents hate Common Core - CNN.com:

Why so many parents hate Common Core

By Diane Ravitch

updated 7:52 AM EST, Mon November 25, 2013

A teacher assists her students in Chicago. Illinois is one of 45 states that adopted Common Core educational standards.

STORY HIGHLIGHTS

• Diane Ravitch: Education department should not pushCommon Core standards
• Ravitch: Just 31% of N.Y. students passed because standards unrealistic
• Ravitch: Teachers are not prepared to teach them; parents don't like them
• Field-testing should have been done, she says, not fast implementation

Editor's note: Diane Ravitch is research professor of education at New York University and a historian of education. She is the author of more than a dozen books about education, including the recent bestseller "Reign of Error: The Hoax of the Privatization Movement and The Danger to America's Public Schools."

(CNN) -- The U.S. Department of Education is legally prohibited from having any control over curriculum or instruction in the nation's public schools, but nonetheless Secretary of Education Arne Duncan is a zealous advocate of the new Common Core standards for students' proficiency in English and math.

First, he said their critics were members of extremist groups, and he recently assailed the parents who criticize them as "white suburban moms who — all of a sudden — their child isn't as brilliant as they thought they were, and their school isn't quite as good as they thought they were."

His remarks were prompted by the nearly unanimous outrage expressed by parents -- moms and dads -- at public forums in 

LISTEN TO DIANE RAVITCH 11-29-13 Diane Ravitch's blog | A site to discuss better education for all

Diane Ravitch's blog | A site to discuss better education for all:

Cyber Charters: The Worst Schools in Pennsylvania, and More on the Way

Adam Schott and James Jack write here about the poor performance of cyber charters in Pennsylvania. You might even say the abysmal performance of cyber charters. Pennsylvania has 16, more of them than any state in the nation, and six more want to open. No wonder they want to open. It is a lucrative business. They write: If it was viewed as a single school district, Pennsylvania’s expansive cyber c

by dianeravitch / 2h 

What Makes Us Human?

Agree or disagree? What makes us human? This article in the British New Statesman says that what makes us human is playfulness. Humans do silly, pointless things. I am not so sure. Animals don’t make machines. Animals don’t give each other standardized tests. Animals don’t have calendars and watches and anxiety attacks and drugs. Animals don’t have Black Fridays. Who says humans are smart

by dianeravitch / 39min 

A Parent Reviews “Reign of Error”

Dienne Anum, a regular commenter on this blog, reviewed “Reign of Error.” She is a parent of two. As I have often said and written, parents are the sleeping giants. Once they become informed and energized, we are unstoppable in reclaiming our schools and improving education. Dienne writes: Reform or Deform? Diane Ravitch has done it again. Starting where DEATH AND LIFE OF THE GREAT AMERICAN SCHO

by dianeravitch / 34min hide  //  save

Who Should See Your Job Evaluation?

In a recent article about the decision by the Los Angeles Board of Education to extend John Deasy’s contract, there was an interesting section: “Until Tuesday, the district had withheld the Oct. 29 vote total, refusing to release it in response to public-records requests. Officials changed their position, apparently in response to a letter from a lawyer representing The Los Angeles Times. The dema

by dianeravitch / 1h 

About Those Long Waiting Lists at Charter Schools

A much ballyhooed California-based charter chain school called Citizens of the World opened in Williamsburg, Brooklyn, in New York City despite community opposition. It hoped to attract white and middle-clsss families in the gentrified neighborhood. It was supposed to open with 107 kindergarten and first grade students. The Wall Street Journal reported that only 56 appeared. The school may be clos

by dianeravitch / 5min 

Nearly Half of Louisiana’s Voucher Students Attend D or F-Rated Schools

According to a local report, almost half the students enrolled in Louisiana’s voucher program are attending failing schools. Most voucher schools, however, did not release accountability data. This runs contrary to Governor Bobby Jindal’s claims that vouchers would allow students to escape failing public schools and choose better schools. The story says, “At least 45 percent of students in Louis

by dianeravitch / 9min 

Our Dystopian Future? A Hyper-Meritocracy of Winners?

R.J. Eskow describes the views of one Tyler Cowen, seeing him as the aspirant to Thomas Friedman’s role as the chronicler of the new age to come, an age when globalization and technology will produce a “hyper-meritocracy,” leaving the rest of us far, far behind. I was not familiar with the thinking of Cowen, but apparently he is big as a futurologist. Eskow summarizes Cowen’s philosophy thus: “Mar

by dianeravitch / 1h 

Derek Bok: A Reform Agenda for Higher Education

Derek Bok, former president of Harvard University, has some concrete suggestions to improve higher education. His most prominent suggestion is that Ph.D. Candidates should be trained to teach, not just to compete their dissertation. But the most interesting comment occurs near the end of the article when he writes: “A more plausible reason for the sluggish pace of reform is the scanty preparatio

by dianeravitch / 2h 

Report: Charters in Columbus, Ohio, in Trouble

The Columbus Dispatch reported new charter school troubles. Ohio is known for its lack of oversight for charter schools, especially if they are owned or managed by donors to Republican campaigns. The state department of education asked authorizers to provide better oversight, so certain charters are at risk of losing their charter (none belong to the two men who have made millions from their chart

by dianeravitch / 3h 

YESTERDAY

EduShyster’s Holiday Meal: Reform Turducken

EduShyster has a great idea for a splendid holiday meal; she calls it “reform turducken.” What, you may ask, is that? Here is her definition: “Oe reformy idea stuffed into another and into another, all clad in an innocuously glistening exterior.” In this case, the meal starts with the acknowledgement that great teachers matter; that teachers are underpaid; and that great teachers should be paid m

by dianeravitch / 12h 

LISTEN TO DIANE RAVITCH 11-28-13 Diane Ravitch's blog | A site to discuss better education for all

Diane Ravitch's blog | A site to discuss better education for all: Paul Karrer: My Students Are Not CoddledPaul Karrer teaches fifth grade in a low-income community in California. He writes: Frank Bruni’s New York Times piece “Are Kids Too Coddled?” basically states tougher education standards like the Common Core may require a tough love that some parents and educators don’t like. So some parents

by mike simpson / 11h