1-24-14 Larry Ferlazzo’s Websites of the Day… | …For Teaching ELL, ESL, & EFL

Larry Ferlazzo’s Websites of the Day… | …For Teaching ELL, ESL, & EFL:

Here’s My Teacher Model For Instagram Video “Book Trailers” Students Will Be Making

I’ve previously posted about having students create video “Book Trailers” (basically book reviews) about the books they’ve been reading. Here are links to those specific posts, though you can see all of them — and more — at My Best Posts On Books: Why They’re Important & How To Help Students Select, Read, Write & Discuss Them: Making Book Trailers With Fotobabble Book Trailers From My Clas

by Larry Ferlazzo / 57mi

From The Archives: “Five key strategies to get/keep kids engaged at school”

I’ve recently re-started an effort I’ve tried to do previously by regularly highlighting previous posts and articles I’ve shared in previous years that I think might be worth a second look. Today, I’m highlighting an excerpt from one of my books that The Washington Post published last year. It’s called Five key strategies to get/keep kids engaged at school. Here’s a portion of it:

by Larry Ferlazzo / 8h hide  //  save

David Brooks Gets It Wrong Again

David Brooks, whose connection to reality magically leaves him just about every time he writes any column with the word “school” in it, did it again today in his latest one. He begins his column sounding great — about how we’re putting too much weight on school reform to solve the ills facing out young people. However, he then immediately falls into the trap of saying Social Emotional Learning an

by Larry Ferlazzo / 8h

1-23-14 Larry Ferlazzo’s Websites of the Day… | …For Teaching ELL, ESL, & EFL

Larry Ferlazzo’s Websites of the Day… | …For Teaching ELL, ESL, & EFL: New Hans Rosling Video: “Will saving poor children lead to overpopulation?”I’m adding this new Hans Rosling video to The Best Hans Rosling Videos:by Larry Ferlazzo / 1h hide  //  saveYESTERDAYThe Power Of A Phone Call HomeWe’re finishing up the first semester this week, and, as usual, I’ll be sharing the results of anonymou

by mike simpson / 9h 

1-23-14 Ed Notes Online

Ed Notes Online:

The State of Politics: UFT Sides With Insurgents In NYSUT Power Struggle

If Iannuzzi has to go how about Randi Weingarten? Duhhhh! We told you from Day 1 Pallotta was Mulgrew's tool. I'm putting in a tab up top of the blog where I will keep links from Ed Notes and some other sources as this gets played out.For those of you who have not following the ed notes coverage of this NYSUT internal struggle, as we predicted from Day 1 Mulgrew has been behind it. A pointed out U

by ed notes online / 52min

More NYSUT Internals: Valley Central TA President Supports Iannuzzi

Capital Tonight reports that an NYSUT analysis shows 69% of school districts will be receiving less aid in Cuomo's proposed budget than they got in 2009.... Reality-Based EducatorOne hundred and seven (107), approximately 25% of teaching staff positions, have been cut in the past 5 years and it is Governor Cuomo who is primarily responsible for establishing, promoting or continuing the policies th

by ed notes online / 8h

1-22-14 Ed Notes Online

Ed Notes Online: Internal President's Letters Expose NYSUT Rift and Support for Iannuzzi?The inaction of the legislative office has forced Dick's hand to move the discussion in our favor. He has twice sued the state (APPR and Tax Cap) and pushed the June 8 rally (despite Andy's opposition).... The leader, as I see it, of this insurrection is E. V. P. Andy Pallotta. ... President, Westchester union

by mike simpson / 8h

1-24-14 4LAKids - some of the news that doesn't fit

4LAKids - some of the news that doesn't fit:

HOUSTON LAUNCHES AMBITIOUS 1-to-1 COMPUTING INITIATIVE

Houston's PowerUp initiative appears to be the polar opposite of L.A. Unified's Common Core Technology Project By Benjamin Herold  Digital Education - Education Week | http://bit.ly/1ccIjEG January 23, 2014 12:13 PM  ::  Undeterred by the high-profile problems experienced by other large school systems attempting to put digital devices in the hands of their students, the Houston Independent

by smf / 47min 

Certification Test Focuses On Readying Students For Work, Not College

For American industry, finding employees who have all the requisite skills is a big challenge, and hiring people who don't stack up can cost businesses a great deal of money. Special correspondent John Tulenko from Learning Matters reports on a certification test that aims to boost U.S. students' workforce readiness. PBS NewsHour/Learning Matters | | PBS http://to.pbs.org/1elauOs Airdate

by smf / 5min 

Vergara v. California: SHOW TRIAL TO CHALLENGE JOB PROTECTIONS FOR CALIFORNIA TEACHERS BEGINS MONDAY

Adolfo Guzman-Lopez  | Pass / Fail | 89.3 KPCC http://bit.ly/1eY6HrO Robyn Beck/AFP/Getty Images | A view of the defendant's table in a courtroom at the Stanley Mosk Courthouse in downtown Los Angeles. January 24th, 2014, 6:01am  ::  The major players in California public education will face off in an unusual trial in a Los Angeles next week, where a judge will be asked to determine whether

by smf / 3min hide  //  save

AALA WEIGHS IN ON ELIMINATION OF LAUSD COMMON CORE TECHNOLOGY (iPAD) OVERSIGHT COMMITTEE & LOCAL CONTROL FUNDING FORMULA ROLL-OUT

Associated Administrators of Los Angeles Weekly Update - Week of January 27, 2014 | http://bit.ly/1eY254Y COMMON CORE TECHNOLOGY PROJECT OVERSIGHT COMMITTEE IS DISBANDED! Jan 23, 2014 :: Board of Education President Dr. Richard Vladovic announced last week that he was disbanding the Common Core Technology Project (CCTP) Committee as of April. The committee has the responsibility to provide

by smf / 24min 

PARENTS AND TEACHERS PROTEST LAUSD’S ELIMINATION OF COMMITTEE INVESTIGATING CONTROVERSIAL iPAD PURCHASE

By smf for 4LAKids News Thursday, January 23, 2014 :: Parents and teachers held a press conference/photo op Thursday afternoon to express anger and disappointment at LAUSD school board president Dr. Richard Vladovic’s decision to disband a LAUSD school board committee which is investigating the District’s iPad purchase. The Ad Hoc Common Core Technology Program Committee, chaired by boardmember

1 by smf / 6h

1-23-14 4LAKids - some of the news that doesn't fit

4LAKids - some of the news that doesn't fit: SB837: MORE PRESCHOOL THAN CALIFORNIA CAN AFFORD + smf’s 2¢The 'transitional kindergarten' program championed by state Senate leader Darrell Steinberg would create an expensive new entitlement. LA Times Editorial | http://lat.ms/1eVCt99 SB 837 would create a new program ‘universal transitional kindergarten’ for all 4-year-olds. (Los Angeles Times / Janu

by mike simpson / 4h 

1-24-14 With A Brooklyn Accent Go BATs: Why The Democratic Party Can Longer Be Relied Upon to Defend Public Education

With A Brooklyn Accent:

A Program for Urban Schools- Do Mayoral Candidates in Your City Support These?

1. Stop School Closings Immediately- Fix Troubled Schools Don't Close Them.2. End all Contracts with Teacher of America.3. Three year moratorium on new Charter Schools. Evaluate existing ones.4. Make Recess Sacred! No test prep during recess or physical education.5. Fund Pre-K and After School Programs- Schools in High Needs Communities should be Open 6 AM to 9 PM.6. Cut Testing to fund arts, spor

by Mark Naison / 27min 

Why The Democratic Party Can Longer Be Relied Upon to Defend Public Education

The Democratic Party, at its top levels, is mired in a web of corruption and insider dealing when it comes to the "growth areas" of Predatory School Reform- charter schools, on line learning, educational technology, test production. This is one important reason why Arne Duncan was, and still is, the perfect Secretary of Education for Barack Obama. In the face of the profits to be made an

by Mark Naison / 4h 

1-22-14 With A Brooklyn Accent Go BATs: Ten Demands of the BATS Teachers March on Washington on July 28, 2014

With A Brooklyn Accent: Ten Demands of the BATS Teachers March on Washington on July 28, 2014: Ten Demands of the BATS Teachers March on Washington on July 28, 20141. End all federal support for Common Core Standards.2. End all federal grants that require teacher and school ratings based on student scores; end high stakes testing.3. End federal incentives to close and privatize community schools a

by mike simpson / 5h 

1-24-14 Perdido Street School

Perdido Street School:

Will NYSUT Re-Announce Support For John King & Common Core After Mike Mulgrew And The UFT Oust Iannuzzi?

The NYSUT board of directors announced a vote of no confidence has been issued against SED Commissioner King and support for the Common Core State Standards has been withdrawn until a set of demands around the implementation, testing and budgeting of the CCSS are met by the state.This sounds all well and good, but there is a civil war going on within the NYSUT between the Dick Iannuzzi wing of the

by reality-based edu... / 1h hi

Cuomo Takes Home $600,000 In Cash Bribes From Hollywood

From the Hollywood Reporter:A high-wattage gathering of Hollywood moguls feted New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo in Brentwood on Thursday night, raising nearly $600,000 for his reelection campaign and quietly discussing their hope that Cuomo will seek presidency, if Hillary Clinton decides not to run.Behind Hillary, he's the second pick," said one attendee at the evening gathering, held at the Spani

by reality-based edu... / 5min

If Common Core "Roll-Out" Flawed, Why Are CCSS Tests Still Scheduled This Year?

Chris Cerrone on the Twitter:If the Common Core roll out in NYS is flawed, why are we giving the CC aligned state assessments this year? @senatormaziarz @AlGrafNY— Chris Cerrone (@Stoptesting15) January 24, 2014That's a good question.NYSED Commissioner King heard from many State Senators yesterday who told him that the state's implementation of the new Common Core State Standards has been horrendo

by reality-based edu... / 11min 

NYSED Commissioner John King Says New York Legislature Doesn't Have Power To Pull State Out Of Common Core

I know, sounds crazy, but he said it:Some legislators have suggested ditching the Common Core standards altogether. King defended their educational value, descibring that they push students to improve in writing, comprehensive reading and mathematical problem solving.But, ultimately, it wasn't the Legislature's decision to adopt the Common Core, and it won't be in their power to scrap it, King sai

by reality-based edu... / 50min 

Common Core Criticism Rises To A Crescendo Across The State

Newsday reported that Cuomo's call for a Common Core commission to look at the CCSS roll-out isn't going over so well with critics: Long Island educators and parents Wednesday denounced Gov. Andrew M. Cuomo's proposed panel to review the rollout of the Common Core academic standards, repeating calls for an immediate moratorium and saying the state's schoolchildren are being harmed by a hasty, flaw

by reality-based edu... / 16min hide  //  save

Rob Astorino Does Not Seem To Understand The Problems With Common Core

Jessica Bakeman at Capital NY:ALBANY—Westchester County Executive Rob Astorino, the closest thing there is to a plausible Republican challenger to New York's Democratic governor this year, took the opportunity at an impromptu press conference Wednesday to blast what he called "Cuomo's Common Core."And in fact Governor Andrew Cuomo beat him to the punch Tuesday, criticizing the state's ro

by reality-based edu... / 5h  

1-23-14 Perdido Street School

Perdido Street School: Gothamist Still Mocking Upper East SideBy saying they're right in their allegations, Bill de Blasio has given the Murdoch Street Post a victory in the "Socialist Mayor Plays PayBack With God-Fearing Upper East Side Capitalists" meme that emerged yesterday after the Murdoch outlets decided to manufacture a news story to make de Blasio look incompetent and inept with

by mike simpson / 9h 

Ohio School Choice Leaves Behind Traditional Public Schools of Last Resort | janresseger

Ohio School Choice Leaves Behind Traditional Public Schools of Last Resort | janresseger:

Ohio School Choice Leaves Behind Traditional Public Schools of Last Resort

Posted on January 24, 2014 by janresseger

Policy Matters Ohio has released Misleading Measurements: How Ohio School Ratings Foster False Comparisons, a new report on school ratings in Ohio’s large urban districts.  The report examines demographic characteristics of students in Ohio’s highest rated urban district public schools (often special or magnet schools) and highest ranked urban charters.

“Policy Matters compared demographics of the urban schools scoring highest on state measures with the districts in which they are located.  We found that the majority of the highest-rated schools served different populations from those districts, enrolling fewer children with disabilities, fewer poor students, and fewer minorities.”

Here are specifics:

• Of 28 high-rated schools studied, 27 enroll a lower percent of students with disabilities than the school district where the school is situated.
• While Ohio’s urban districts serve, on average, 86 percent of students in poverty, the higher rated district and charter schools average only 50 percent poor students.
• Highly ranked schools, with one or two exceptions, serve significantly fewer black and Hispanic students and more white students.
• Nearly two-thirds of the schools studied are selective.  Examples of screens include a 

Schooling in the Ownership Society: More from Davos

Schooling in the Ownership Society: More from Davos:

More from Davos

From Bloomberg

Filipino mogul Enrique Razon loathes rubbing shoulders with fellow billionaires in Davos. “It’s loaded with bloated self-importance,” the casino and cargo-terminal owner said in an interview today in the Swiss village, where he was wrapping up his second trip to the World Economic Forum’s annual meeting. “I’m here to do business, not save the world.” 

 Razon, who controls a $4.7 billion fortune, according to the Bloomberg Billionaires Index, is one of at least 80 billionaires in town. Most have spent their time attending panels on the state of the global economy, debating income inequalityand attending parties with bankers.

Bill & Melinda are there

Gates insists the world's a better place than it used to be. For him and his 84 friends, maybe. The world’s 85 wealthiest people hold as much wealth as the 

Trial to challenge job protections for California teachers | Pass / Fail | 89.3 KPCC

Trial to challenge job protections for California teachers | Pass / Fail | 89.3 KPCC:

LA Unified's backlogged music repair shop to expand

Broken bows rest in a pile on a table at Los Angeles Unified School District's Music Repair Shop.; Credit: Grant Slater/KPCC The Los Angeles Unified School District has quietly moved to expand its instrument repair shop - a decision that came after KPCC reported that it is swimming in a backlog of at least 2,600 broken instruments. Some instruments had been sitting on shelves since 2010.  Two new

by Mary Plummer / 0min hide  //  save

Despite benefits of full-day preschool, most state programs are half day

Ms DeLelio is starting her three-hour afternoon class at 11.30am. She teaches El Sereno Elementary's state PreK program to 23 children from 8am-11am and 23 children from 11.30am-2.30pm. ; Credit: Deepa Fernandes / KPCC It’s the usual school scene: a gaggle of parents waiting outside a locked gate to collect their children at the end of the school day. But these parents are waiting outside El Sere

by Deepa Fernandes / 31min 

Trial to challenge job protections for California teachers

A view of the defendant's table in a courtroom at the Stanley Mosk Courthouse in downtown Los Angeles.; Credit: Robyn Beck/AFP/Getty Images The major players in California public education will face off in an unusual trial in a Los Angeles next week, where a judge will be asked to determine whether California teacher job protections interfere with students' constitutional right to an adequate edu

by Adolfo Guzman-Lop... / 31min 

How Long Can You Stay Mad at a 10-Year Old? | Mr. Teachbad

How Long Can You Stay Mad at a 10-Year Old? | Mr. Teachbad:

How Long Can You Stay Mad at a 10-Year Old?

Last week I was out walking the dog when I saw him. We were walking toward each other on the sidewalk. As the distance between us closed, I maneuvered the dog so that I would be between she and Brad as we passed. She’s an intimidating dog.

It was just as we passed that I recognized him. Even up close I was only about 80 percent sure. It was dark and we were both wearing hoodies on that cold night. It’s been years since I’ve seen him. I kept walking. Then I stopped and turned around.

Me: Brad!
Brad* stops and turns around, but doesn’t say anything.
Me: Is your name Brad?
Brad: Who are you?
Me: I said is your name Brad?
Pause
Brad: No.
Me: Yes, it is.
Brad: No it ain’t.
Me: Yes, it is. I’m Mr. Teachbad. Your fourth grade teacher at Noyes.
Relief and some confusion come over Brad’s face. We walk toward one another again.

So it was Brad. Wow. I really hated Brad. And feared him. It was my first year teaching. I started after Thanksgiving with a newly assembled fourth grade class at my neighborhood elementary school. It was terrible. All of it. And Brad did way more than his part.

He was the kind of kid who makes anything you try to do, anything at all, about 35% harder; all day long, every single 

A Superintendent’s Dreaded Decision | Larry Cuban on School Reform and Classroom Practice

A Superintendent’s Dreaded Decision | Larry Cuban on School Reform and Classroom Practice:

A Superintendent’s Dreaded Decision

School closings due to snow and bad weather in the Midwest and along the East coast have occurred weekly this winter. While doing research at two high schools in Washington, D.C. in early December, sleet and rain mixed with snow closed schools in the city and surrounding counties. Winter storm Janus just a few days ago shut down schools from Boston through Washington, D.C.

Does closing schools harm student achievement? Probably not since most districts add “snow days” to the Spring calendar for every day schools are closed. One commentator even made the argument that closing schools helps students and their families. I have no opinion on the pundit’s point since I really do not know.

What I do know is that when I was Arlington (VA) superintendent for seven years (1974-1981), it was the one decision of many that I made that I dreaded. Over those years, I moved several elementary school principals for not improving academic achievement and a high school principal for inept leadership, survived teacher union votes of no confidence, consolidated seven schools–shutting them down permanently–and built a system of teacher professional development and accountability for student academic achievement.  Yet after all of those  consequential decisions, weather forecasts of snow between December and March scared me silly.

Why?

1. We lived in a weather zone where a change of a few degrees in temperature would turn a cold rain into sleet, hail, or inches of snow. Thus, we depended heavily on weather predictions and even ones within 24-hours generated by advanced computer models would often give a range of temperatures making a decision a nerve-wracking one.

2. Closing down 35 schools for 15,000 students (in the 1970s) meant that their 

Mike Klonsky's SmallTalk Blog: Notes from the bottom of the barrel

Mike Klonsky's SmallTalk Blog: Notes from the bottom of the barrel:

Notes from the bottom of the barrel

Note to Cong. Eric Cantor -- Hope you are enjoying your junket to Davos and relaxing after working so hard to cut our unemployment benefits. Must be great skiing this time of year. But next time you and Rory grab some coffee over at the Kongress, be sure not to leave the receipt on the table.  Folks back in Virginia might get pissed. You don't want to wind up like your pal, Bob.

Note to Dinesh D'Souza -- You probably shouldn't have Tweeted that racist remark about Obama and Trayvon Martin. Shit like that sometimes comes back to haunt you.

Note to Arne Duncan -- Careful what you write about PISA test scores representing "a national failure". Remember, it's your Race To The Top and we're about 6 years into it. Readers may put 2 and 2 together.

Note to self -- Self, be sure and register today for the upcoming NPE Conference in Austin. Anthony Cody says they're filling up fast and only a few rooms left at conference rate. Remember, your Movement Building panel starts at 11:15 on Saturday, March 1.