11-29-13 Seattle Schools Community Forum

Seattle Schools Community Forum:

The Third Rail in Education; Parents

Now we come to that third rail of education - parents.  I have said this a lot in person but naturally, it's a dangerous subject.  Just like the first rule of Fight Club is not talking about Fight Club, the first rule of parenting is you don't criticize others' parenting.  Everyone has their own ideas about what is "good" parenting. What might really help the education conversation - is

by Melissa Westbrook / 10min 

Friday Open Thread

Wow.  Listen to this less-than-3 minute video of noted teacher evaluation expert, Charlotte Danielson, talk about teacher evaluation.  My favorite line?  "You can't fire your way to Finland."  Should be required viewing for every school district administrator.   Next favorite line? "What can count as evidence and how can that be attributed to an individual teacher?"  She also s

by Melissa Westbrook / 3min 

11-27-13 Seattle Schools Community Forum

Seattle Schools Community Forum: Everyone has a Gift to ShareHere's a video from Night of Too Many Stars (back in October) where we meet Jodi DiPiazza, an 11 year-old with autism.  She and Katy Perry sing "Firework."Jodi's father said:Her father explained: "We were afraid she would never speak. Never dreaming she would sing, or even be able to understand. I've taken off the idea tha

by mike simpson / 22h 

Two ways to support Parents United for Public Education! | Parents United for Public Education

Two ways to support Parents United for Public Education! | Parents United for Public Education:


Two ways to support Parents United for Public Education!

Posted on November 29, 2013 by PARENTSUNITEDPHILALeave a comment

This weekend, here are two ways to support the work of Parents United for Publication. 

On Saturday, Nov. 30th at the Trocadero Theater, host Fergus Carey, his wife Christine Chisholm and partners are putting on a unique Philadelphia performance of the historic 1976 “Last Waltz” concert by The Band. Proceeds benefit Parents United plus three other organizations benefitting Philadelphia’s public schools: Friends of Horatio B. Hackett Elementary School, Passyunk Square Neighborhood Civic Association (for Andrew Jackson Elementary School), and the School District instrumental music repair program. Read more about the event:

• WXPN on “The Last Waltz” benefit concert
• WHYY/Newsworks: The Last Waltz for Philly school kids

Interested? Tickets are $25 pp and $100 for VIP. Show starts at 9 p.m. for regular patrons. See you then!

BUY TICKETS HERE

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VOTE PARENTS UNITED FOR PHILEBRITY’S NON-PROFIT ORGANIZATION OF THE YEAR

Every year, Philebrity hosts its own unique awards show that celebrates in their words “the best (and a little bit of the worst) of  Philadelphia, from those in the arts and media to those more unsung heroes in the non-profit/do-gooding world.  . .What it is, rather, is a raucous holiday melange of music, comedy and the can-do spirit that makes Philadelphia one of the greatest cities in the world.”

Parents United is up for the Non-Profit Organization of the Year. Vote today, tomorrow and everyday! Celebrate another winner in Philadelphia’s education activist community by supporting school nurse and Alliance for Philadelphia Public Schools co-founder Eileen Duffey Bernt as Do-Gooder of the Year, and don’t forget that a vote for Tom Corbett for official “ex-communication” won’t actually do anything, but it sure does feel good.

VOTE HERE!

Louisiana Educator: The Common Core in Louisiana, Part 2

Louisiana Educator: The Common Core in Louisiana, Part 2:

The Common Core in Louisiana, Part 2

Stop Common Core in Louisiana

Classroom testing the CCSS

As the standards were written, there was no provision made for field testing of the standards in K-12 schools, probably because this would have added additional time to the development process. The Gates Foundation and Arne Duncan believed that public education in the U.S. was performing at such a low level compared to other industrialized countries (Diane Ravitch shows that this is a myth) that a quick implementation of new standards was essential. Regular classroom teachers were not asked if they believed that the teaching techniques necessary for proficiency in Common Core standards were practical and effective. Only after the standards had been written were a few teachers asked to give only a cursory review of the standards. No teacher was ever actually allowed real input into the standards. Lack of field testing of the standards in my opinion has been a serious mistake. Millions of students across the nation are now serving as guinea pigs for a very crudely designed and flawed system. 

Louisiana's experience with standards implementation

Another flawed assumption of the Common Core adoption in my opinion, was that it is assumed that the new standards are more rigorous and will somehow automatically produce higher level learning. There is no evidence whatsoever that student achievement will be improved because the CCSSS have not been tested. For Louisiana in particular, I don't think that any 

11-29-13 Jersey Jazzman: When "Reform" Is Really Union Busting

Jersey Jazzman: When "Reform" Is Really Union Busting:

The REAL Christie Legacy: "We Deserve Better!"

In the largest high school in Trenton - New Jersey's capitol - the beautiful, brilliant children of this state are forced to attend a school that is unsafe and disgusting. This terrific piece of citizen journalism, courtesy of Rebecca Burr, details what is happening in a school that is almost literally under Chris Christie's nose. We Deserve Better, Part One: Begging In Paradise from Princeton Com

by Duke / 24min 

When "Reform" Is Really Union Busting

Once again, here's NJ Education Commissioner Chris Cerf on teachers unions:I always look forward to this event and I'm really delighted. And I want to extend my appreciation particularly to the leadership of the NJEA, with whom I feel that we've had a sometimes spirited discussion, but always a positive and a respectful one.As I documented in that post, Cerf's words in no way match the actions of

by Duke / 50min 

  

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 

3 Ideas To Help Others Embrace Change | Connected Principals

3 Ideas To Help Others Embrace Change | Connected Principals:

3 Ideas To Help Others Embrace Change

November 29, 2013

By George Couros

cc licensed ( BY SA ) flickr photo shared by Ed Schipul

“To sell well is to convince someone else to part with resources—not to deprive that person, but to leave him better off in the end.” Daniel Pink

We have all heard it before…many teachers fear change.
As I think about this statement more and more, I think it is often an easy out.  Just because you are doing something, doesn’t mean someone else should be doing it.  That is not enough to get someone to embrace something.  I am firm believer that teachers have different strengths and that there should be a variance of people that you connect with as opposed to everyone being a carbon copy of one another.
Often it is not that teachers fear change, but that people are bad at selling why change is better.
Here is an assumption that we need to make in our work, if we want people to change. Educators want to do what is best for kids.
With that being said, here are three ideas that we need to focus on that are all connected.
1. How will this save me time?  No matter how many initiatives you want to implement in a school, the number of hours in a day does not change.  When we see “shiny,” we want to jump on it, but we have to realize there are only so many things that can be done in any school day.  Sometimes there is 

Texas school board also rejected Great Hearts charter school | The Tennessean | tennessean.com

Texas school board also rejected Great Hearts charter school | The Tennessean | tennessean.com:

Texas school board also rejected Great Hearts charter school

Reasons similar to those given by Metro Schools

In the end, student populations at its existing Arizona schools were too white and affluent and its transportation plan was lacking.

That proved to be the basis behind the Texas Board of Education’s 9-6 vote to veto the state’s education commissioner and deny Phoenix-based Great Hearts Academies’ proposed charter school campus in Dallas last week.

It closely resembles the Metro Nashville School Board’s rationale during its repeated rejections of Great Hearts’ proposal for West Nashville a year ago — a parallel that Nashville’s superintendent believes is even more proof that it acted correctly despite the rift that ensued.

“I think our board made the right decision and that’s just another example of a confirmation of that,” Metro Director of Schools Jesse Register said.

Denying Great Hearts’ entry to Nashville, though, had major ramifications — financially and legislatively — and started a bitter relationship with the state that still lingers.

It culminated with Tennessee Education Commissioner Kevin Huffman fining the district $3.4 million last fall for defying a state order by not approving Great Hearts. The board had voted 5-4 to reject it 

11-29-13 @ THE CHALK FACE

@ THE CHALK FACE:

In the spirit of @FrankBruni on #commoncore, I will review Marea in NYC

[In the interest of full disclosure, I have never been to Marea, which is apparently one of the finest Italian restaurants in New York City. As commentators regale us with their wisdom on education without ever having set foot inside a classroom, let alone teach, I consider myself eminently qualified to act as Mr. Frank […]

by Shaun Johnson / 16min 

SOS! Immediate Paradigm Shift Requested! Multicultural, Multilingual Focus Necessary to Respond to Changing Demographics!

“To commit ourselves to the work of transforming the academy so that it will be a place where cultural diversity informs every aspect of our learning, we must embrace struggle and sacrifice.  We cannot be easily discouraged.  We cannot despair when there is conflict.  Our solidarity must be affirmed by shared belief in a spirit […]

by Scholastic Chaos / 4min 

11-28-13 @ The Chalk Face

@ THE CHALK FACE: I’m thankful for…On this Thanksgiving Day, here are a few reasons why I’m thankful for being a professional educator. I’m truly thankful for… 1. I’m thankful for my colleagues who show up, everyday, to influence students. My school is definitely not a “walk in the park,” so I’m grateful for all of my colleagues who show up, everyday, […]by Angel Cintron Jr. / 51min The Indignant

by mike simpson / 1h 

11-29-13 Wait What?

Wait What?:

Attention Capital Prep parents, former parents, former students, teachers, former teachers and concerned citizens

As the stories pour in from people who have experienced Steve Perry and Capital Prep’s “no excuses” approach to “education,” it has become increasingly clear that administrative and legal steps are needed to protect children and hold people accountable for their actions. Capital Prep parents, former parents, former students, teachers and former teachers have reported […]The post Attention Capital

by jonpelto / 1h 

Pass the Salary (cross-posted from EduShyster)

For those still digesting and cleaning up from yesterday’s festivities, here is a fun blog from EduShyster, fellow blogger and public education advocate who calls Massachusetts home.  I recommend everyone sign up for her blog, which can be found at: http://edushyster.com/ Just in time for the holidays, a reform groaner for the groaning board Reader: if […]The post Pass the Salary (cross-posted fro

by jonpelto / 0min 

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 

Teachers Author a History Textbook: Being in the Right Place at the Right Time | Larry Cuban on School Reform and Classroom Practice

Teachers Author a History Textbook: Being in the Right Place at the Right Time | Larry Cuban on School Reform and Classroom Practice:

Teachers Author a History Textbook: Being in the Right Place at the Right Time

In achieving success, talent is overrated while persistence and luck are underrated.

That is the takeaway from the story I will tell of how I (and a co-author) wrote a U.S. history textbook in the late-1960s that sought to reform how teachers teach history and along the way had a few years of modest success. By the late-1970s, however, the text had largely disappeared from the marketplace.

Beginning at Glenville high school in Cleveland in the late-1950s and after I moved to Washington, D.C. to work at Cardozo high school in 1963, I developed  instructional materials that incorporated primary sources on what was then called Negro history. Scott,Foresman published The Negro in America in 1964 (reissued in 1971 as The Black Man in America) as part of their “Problems in American History” series. The book introduced primary sources mixed with questions for students to answer in what was then called “The New Social Studies.”

In 1966, a Scott,Foresman editor contacted me and asked me if I would like to write a U.S. history textbook that would be a series of paperbacks and not the 

On the School-to-Prison Pipeline | The IDEA Blog

On the School-to-Prison Pipeline | The IDEA Blog:

On the School-to-Prison Pipeline

Posted by Dana Bennis on Nov 27, 2013 - 12:19 PM

In case you missed it, the school-to-prison pipeline's been getting some much needed attention this week.  

Last week on Moyers & Company, Bill Moyers sat down with Henry Giroux, educator and author of many works on critical pedagogy. Among the topics they covered was schools and the reality of severe disciplinary policies that redirect low-income youth and youth of color from the education pathway and into the prison pipeline. 

Here's the video and a link to the full show.

And today, Zerlina Maxwell of Ebony wrote a piece titled, "The School-to-Prison Pipeline is Targeting Your Child," in which she discusses the shift towards zero tolerance policies in the last 20-30 years, along with metal detectors and armed officers placed inside many schools, especially those with largely students of color. It's a solid and brief history of the development