2-13-14 With A Brooklyn Accent Go BATs: Why NY Principals Founder Carol Burris sees the Ball/Zeldin Bill in the NY State Legislature as a Step Forward:

With A Brooklyn Accent: Why NY Principals Founder Carol Burris sees the Ball/Zeldin Bill in the NY State Legislature as a Step Forward::

Why NY Principals Founder Carol Burris sees the Ball/Zeldin Bill in the NY State Legislature as a Step Forward:

It is the closest thing to a true moratorium that I have seen and it will strike a huge blow against standardized testing and evaluating teachers by test scores. Here is why.It BANS the use of state tests for retention, placement, gifted programs...everything but AIS. That means that it will make it much easier for opt out and it will protect students.The tests have to be made public, which will d

by Mark Naison / 25min  

2-9-14 With A Brooklyn Accent Go BATs All Week

With A Brooklyn Accent: Democracy at Risk in the Nation's SchoolsBecause current Education Policies were made without the consent or input of those who experience them on the ground- teachers, students, and parents- they only way they can be implemented is through an ugly dose on of fear and intimidation, first on the teachers required to teach according to their precepts, then on the students and

by mike simpson / 48min

Abandoning Children’s Privacy – redqueeninla

Abandoning Children’s Privacy – redqueeninla:

Abandoning Children’s Privacy

Written by redqueeninla in Education

 The time has come for my youngster to confront immanent militaristic ipad “deployment” and all this implies for privacy and responsibility, coercion and choice, for mother and for child.

LAUSD’s district IT spokesman concedes upon questioning, that privacy concerns revert almost immediately to a matter of trust by the parent of the district.

But with regard specifically to this ipad “rollout”, what about the entire program could possibly inspire confidence or trust?  A short, incomplete list of taxpayer treachery would include:

• Cost; the program’s predicted cost rises at an alarming rate – is it $30M? $50M?  $1B?  more?  [here's a fun Common Core algebra II problem for our HS juniors:  if the ipad program estimated cost increases at a rate of approx. $150M/month, given A=Pe^(kt), when will LAUSD be bankrupt?]

• Disingenuous assurances to the Bond Oversight Committee, whose citizen’s influence has been systematically marginalized; ipads were conceded as infrastructure because it was promised they would never leave school premises rendering them ‘one of the fixtures’, yet immediately following their appropriation through construction bond monies, the ipads were sent home 

H.Res.476: Denouncing the President's coercion of States into adopting the Common Core State Standards by conferring preferences in Federal grants and flexibility waivers.. OpenCongress

H.Res.476: Strongly supporting the restoration and protection of State authority and flexibility in establishing... OpenCongress:

Bill Introduced: H.Res. 476: Strongly supporting the restoration and protection of State authority and flexibility in establishing and defining challenging student academic standards and assessments, and strongly denouncing the President's coercion of States into adopting the Common Core State Standards by conferring preferences in Federal grants and flexibility waivers.

Strongly supporting the restoration and protection of State authority and flexibility in establishing and defining challenging student academic standards and assessments, and strongly denouncing the President's coercion of States into adopting the Common Core State Standards by conferring preferences in Federal grants and flexibility waivers.

28min 

Bill Enacted: H.R. 2642: Farm bill

To provide for the reform and continuation of agricultural and other programs of the Department of Agriculture through fiscal year 2018, and for other purposes.February 06, 2014: Became Public Law No: 113-79.

28min 

Bill Signed by President: H.R. 2642: Farm bill

To provide for the reform and continuation of agricultural and other programs of the Department of Agriculture through fiscal year 2018, and for other purposes.February 06, 2014: Signed by President.

28min 

Bill Introduced: S.Res. 345: A resolution strongly supporting the restoration and protection of State authority and flexibility in establishing and defining challenging student academic standards and assessments, and strongly denouncing the President's coercion of States into adopting the Common Core State Standards by conferring preferences in Federal grants and flexibility waivers.

A resolution strongly supporting the restoration and protection of State authority and flexibility in establishing and defining challenging student academic standards and assessments, and strongly denouncing the President's coercion of States into adopting the Common Core State Standards by conferring preferences in Federal grants and flexibility waivers.

28min hide  //  save

Bill Introduced: S. 1978: Increasing Primary Care Access Act of 2014

A bill to increase access to primary care services through training and accountability improvements.

28min 

Bill Introduced: H.Res. 476: Strongly supporting the restoration and protection of State authority and flexibility in establishing and defining challenging student academic standards and assessments, and strongly denouncing the President's coercion of States into adopting the Common Core State Standards by conferring preferences in Federal grants and flexibility waivers.

Strongly supporting the restoration and protection of State authority and flexibility in establishing and defining challenging student academic standards and assessments, and strongly denouncing the President's coercion of States into adopting the Common Core State Standards by conferring preferences in Federal grants and flexibility waivers.

5min hide  //  save

Bill Introduced: S.Res. 345: A resolution strongly supporting the restoration and protection of State authority and flexibility in establishing and defining challenging student academic standards and assessments, and strongly denouncing the President's coercion of States into adopting the Common Core State Standards by conferring preferences in Federal grants and flexibility waivers.

A resolution strongly supporting the restoration and protection of State authority and flexibility in establishing and defining challenging student academic standards and assessments, and strongly denouncing the President's coercion of States into adopting the Common Core State Standards by conferring preferences in Federal grants and flexibility waivers.

5min 

Bill Introduced: H.Res. 471: Expressing support for designation of the week of February 3, 2014, through February 7, 2014, as "National School Counseling Week".

Expressing support for designation of the week of February 3, 2014, through February 7, 2014, as "National School Counseling Week".

5min 

We need real answers from the US Department of Education! - The Action Network

We need real answers from the US Department of Education! - The Action Network:

We need real answers from the US Department of Education!

Gregory Smith, Director, FOIA Service Center

Integrity in Education recently launched an investigative campaign focused on the US Department of Education. Recognizing how many top staffers have direct ties to corporate front groups, we want to understand the full extent of corporate influence over the education policies stifling students and teachers nationwide.

We've made a big request, for important reasons. This administration has made a dramatic shift in the federal role in education policy; some initiatives have caused observers to wonder whether they are even legal or constitutional.

But last week, the US Department of Education notified us that they rejected our request for a fee waiver. They claim that we haven't demonstrated that there is sufficient public interest in the information that we're seeking, effectively sticking us with the bill for the Department’s lack of transparency. They know this fee could be prohibitive, but we won’t let them scare us off from finding out the truth. We’re going to appeal, but we need your help. 

Please sign today to let them know that you are interested in the truth about what's going on at the US Department of Education!

2-13-14 Seattle Schools Community Forum

Seattle Schools Community Forum:

Saying Goodbye

I've been through a lot of changes in my personal and professional life in the past year or so. Actually, I'm still in a sort of transition period, but that period and those changes will be complete in April. Among other things, I'll be moving away from Seattle, which has been my home since 1987. For the past several months I have been splitting my time between Seattle and Charlottesville, Virgini

by Charlie Mas / 58min 

Seattle Capital Programs

I attended the Board Work Session yesterday on Capital Programs and Plans.  It was both informative and annoying.Attending were Directors McLaren, Patu, Blanford, Peters, Peaselee and Martin-Morris.  Director Carr, like at last week's Board meeting, was not in attendance.  Staff included Superintendent Banda and the head of Capital/Facilities, Flip Herndon.  Dr. Herndon gave the entire presentatio

by Melissa Westbrook / 25min 

City of Seattle Neighborhood Summit

Mayor Murray is having a neighborhood summit on Saturday, April 5th from 9 am to 1 p.m at the Seattle Center's Pavilion Room.They have a survey going on for citizen input before the event in order to help shape it.  To learn more about the Seattle Neighborhood Summit, you can email SNS2014@seattle.gov or call 206.684.8069.This is a good opportunity to let the City know how you feel about schools a

by Melissa Westbrook / 18min 

Seattle Schools Math Adoption Committee Work

I attended the Math Adoption Committee meeting a week ago.  I stayed about 2 hours (out of a daylong meeting).  I didn't have high hopes at the beginning as the meeting seemed disorganized and slow to start.  The meeting was monitored by staffers Anna Box and Shauna Heath. They first went over the discussion from the Board-asked-for Work Session that had occurred the day before about the math adop

by Melissa Westbrook / 21min hide  //  save

Read This

Read this guest column by Colin Pierce, IB Coordinator at Rainier Beach High School, that appeared in the Seattle Times Education Lab.You can comment there on the Seattle Times site.

by Charlie Mas / 31min 

2-12-14 Seattle Schools Community Forum

Seattle Schools Community Forum: Teach for America Contract Due to Expire but Hires can ContinueSeattle Public Schools' Agreement with Teach for America was approved by the Board on November 17, 2010. The agreement terminates on August 31, 2014 unless renewed by mutual consent of both parties. I don't believe that a majority of the current Board would vote to extend it. The Agreement has been more

by mike simpson / 10min 

A Tale of Two States: Equity Outperforms Inequity | National Opportunity to Learn Campaign | Education Reform for Equity and Opportunity

A Tale of Two States: Equity Outperforms Inequity | National Opportunity to Learn Campaign | Education Reform for Equity and Opportunity:

A Tale of Two States: Equity Outperforms Inequity

Posted on: Thursday February 13th, 2014

New York and New Jersey sit just on opposite sides of the Hudson River, but the two states are much further apart when it comes to investing in children and education. Areport from the Campaign for Fiscal Equity (CFE) and Alliance for Quality Education (AQE) details how New Jersey's fair school funding system, which dedicates more resources towards lower-income students, has helped the state beat out its neighbor and become a model for ensuring equity and opportunity in education.

"A Tale of Two States" explains that New York has aregressive funding system; for every dollar invested in affluent districts, low-income districts get just 87 cents. This creates stark disparities in access to educational resources. The funding gap between New York's 100 wealthiest and 100 poorest school districts is a whopping $8,601. 

New Jersey is just the opposite; its progressive funding system ensures that for every dollar invested in affluent districts, low-income districts get $1.42. So even though New York spends on average more 

Subprime Learning: Early Education in America Since the Great Recession | National Opportunity to Learn Campaign | Education Reform for Equity and Opportunity

Subprime Learning: Early Education in America Since the Great Recession | National Opportunity to Learn Campaign | Education Reform for Equity and Opportunity: Subprime Learning: Early Education in America Since the Great RecessionPosted on: Wednesday February 12th, 2014As the US recovers from the Great Recession, pre-k and early learning have moved into the national spotlight. Advocates, organize

by mike simpson / 22h 

2-13-14 THE WHOLE CHILD BLOG - Insights on Building School Morale

Insights on Building School Morale — Whole Child Education:

THE WHOLE CHILD BLOG

Insights on Building School Morale

February 13, 2014 by Klea Scharberg

Teacher morale matters. So how can schools improve it? The February 2014 issue ofEducational Leadership explores why schools must become happier places for educators and how they can make it happen. Articles in this issue discuss both the reality that educators feel underappreciated and the small—or radical—changes everyone connected to schools can make to give educators reasons for optimism.

In her "Perspectives" column, Editor-in-Chief Marge Scherer notes that it's easy to list problems that contribute to low morale, but what is it that builds high morale? How do we rise above the anger and apathy engendered by simultaneously being treated as objects of distrust and being expected to change the world?

Articles in the issue include

• "An Open Letter on Teacher Morale" by Dina Strasser
  Advice from educators for educators about how to stay balanced during challenging times.
• "Can't Wait for Monday" by Rafe Esquith
  Is teaching a daily grind, or not? And what makes the difference?
• "Getting Beyond the Blame Game" by James Harvey
  Belt tightening and teacher bashing have had debilitating consequences for the well-being of schools.
• "Tough Teacher Evaluation and High Morale?" by Robert Maranto
  At YES

2-12-14 THE WHOLE CHILD BLOG - I Love To Watch Tucker When He Is Learning

I Love To Watch Tucker When He Is Learning — Whole Child Education: THE WHOLE CHILD BLOGI Love To Watch Tucker When He Is LearningFebruary 12, 2014 by Jeffrey BensonI love to watch Tucker when he is learning. His eyes widen, his face lights up, and he cannot contain himself, shouting out answers—no, not answers but ideas and concepts and "ah has"—and he often gets in trouble for being in

by mike simpson / 20h 

Penetrating the Smokescreen | Taking Note DC, CHEATING, MICHELLE RHEE

Penetrating the Smokescreen | Taking Note:

Penetrating the Smokescreen

by JOHN MERROW on 25. APR, 2013 in 2013 BLOGS, 2013 DC, CHEATING, MICHELLE RHEE

A great deal has happened since “Michelle Rhee’s Reign of Error” appeared in this space two weeks ago.

• DC Schools Chancellor Kaya Henderson testified under oath that she learned of Sandy Sanford’s long-buried memo from my blog this past January. My source recalls being in at least one meeting when Ms. Henderson and then Chancellor Michelle Rhee discussed the memo and its contents.  Someone is lying.
• The DC City Council held what it called a ‘round table’ that, for the most part, danced around the crucial issues and failed to address an important question: “Did Chancellor Rhee cover up the 2008 erasures?”
• The DC Inspector General continued to evade direct questions, further embarrassing himself and his inadequate investigation.
• The Rhee-Henderson smokescreen–their claim that six investigations have proved they did the right thing–has become easier to see through. It turns out that everything rests on the first ‘investigation’ done by Caveon, a shaky foundation if ever there was one.

At the risk of burying the lead, I propose to examine these points in order.[1]

“The first time I ever saw the Sandy Sanford memo was in January of this year. John Merrow reported on it, and I had to ask my staff, ‘What is this Sandy Sanford memo? Can I see it?’  It has been alleged that I have been in meetings with former Chancellor Rhee about this issue. That was not something that I would have been engaged in, in the scope of my responsibilities at that time.”

That is Kaya Henderson’s sworn testimony before the City Council’s ‘roundtable’ hearing on education on April 18, 2013.  She prefaced her statement by acknowledging that she knew she was under oath.

As noted above, my source told me about being present at ‘at least one meeting’ in 2009 when Ms. Henderson and Ms. Rhee discussed the memo and its contents.  My source is absolutely terrified of being publicly identified, and I have sworn to protect my source’s identity, but I can tell you that my source had little to gain by speaking to me in the first place. “If anyone ever figures out that it was me, I will never work in education again,” my source said, trembling.  Such is the level of fear that Ms. Rhee and Ms. Henderson inspire.

But leave aside the contradiction between Ms. Henderson and my source for a moment. Consider instead the likelihood of Henderson’s not being involved in discussions of this deadly serious challenge to Ms.