Morning Wink 5-20-14 AM Posts #BATsACT #RealEdTalk #EDCHAT #P2

BIG EDUCATION APE - MORNING WINK  AM POSTS

LISTEN TO DIANE RAVITCH 5-20-14 Diane Ravitch's blog | A site to discuss better education for all

Diane Ravitch's blog | A site to discuss better education for all: North Carolina Teacher Takes Senator Curtis to TaskThis letter came from Stuart Egan, one of North Carolina’s National Board Certified Teachers. The state has more NBCTs than any other, and almost the lowest salaries of any state. Egan responded to Senator David Curtis’s letter brushing off science tea her Sarah Wiles. Stuart Egan

by mike simpson / 13min 

5-20-14 Wait What?

Wait What?: Wait What? Next up:  WNPR’s Where We Live – 9am todayJonathan Pelto Looks to Shake Up the Race For Governor Former state legislator Jonathan Pelto has been a vocal critic of Governor Dannel Malloy since day one. His frustration with the current administration may push him to run for governor as a liberal third-party candidate. Pelto joins us in-studio to talk about why he’s considering

by mike simpson / 17min 

5-20-14 The Answer Sheet

The Answer Sheet: Florida legislator: Common Core advocates are trying to make ‘your children’ gayWhether you support the Common Core State Standards or don’t,  it’s important to recognize when critics are going off the rails in their dissent. Here’s a newly publicized example: A Republican Florida state legislator, Charles Van Zant, told an audience at a conference in Orlando that the organizatio

by mike simpson / 18min 

5-20-14 Fred Klonsky | Daily posts from a retired public school teacher

Fred Klonsky | Daily posts from a retired public school teacher who is just looking at the data.: Ten minute drawing. Four things that will make you gay.Think Progress: Common Core may not be a well-intentioned set of improved educational standards, as supporters would have you believe, but instead a trojan horse designed to turn every schoolchild in Florida, if not America, gay. This ominous warn

by mike simpson / 20min 

5-20-14 Ed Notes Online

Ed Notes Online: Video: I Tape Carmen Farina at CEC 2 Town HallI was asked to tape this event at the brand new building housing PS 59 and HS of Music and Art - by CEC 2 head, the always amazing Shino Tawikawa - see the wonderful well-deserved tribute to Shino at the end. [Something went wrong with my camera and I didn't get Carmen's opening speech - but the entire 45 minute Q&A is here.]It was

by mike simpson / 22min 

5-20-14 @ The Chalk Face

@ THE CHALK FACE: Post-apocalyptic Mindset in a Civilized WorldPost-apocalyptic Mindset in a Civilized World. via Post-apocalyptic Mindset in a Civilized World.Filed under: PAUL THOMAS: Becoming Radical1 by plthomasedd / 1h hide  //  save“A Sustained Critique of the Entire System”“A Sustained Critique of the Entire System”. via “A Sustained Critique of the Entire System”.Filed under: PAUL THOMAS:

by mike simpson / 27min 

5-20-14 With A Brooklyn Accent Go BATs

With A Brooklyn Accent: The Passing of Dr Vincent Harding- Minister, Scholar, Activist- Proud Product of the BronxToday, I just learned of the passing of Dr Vincent Harding, a minister, civil rights leader, and pioneering scholar in the emerging field of Black Studies. Dr Harding's odyssey led him from a childhood in the Bronx, where he graduated as valedictorian of Morris High School, to work wit

by mike simpson / 28min 

5-20-14 the becoming radical | A Place for a Pedagogy of Kindness by P. L. Thomas, EdD

the becoming radical | A Place for a Pedagogy of Kindness (the public and scholarly writing by P. L. Thomas, Furman University): Post-apocalyptic Mindset in a Civilized WorldThe mass of men lead lives of quiet desperation. Henry David Thoreau, Walden Since October 1999, when I experienced several weeks of unrelenting panic attacks, I have been negotiating my lifelong struggle with anxiety—many of

by mike simpson / 31min 

5-20-14 Curmudgucation Week

CURMUDGUCATION: Further Proof Researchers Don't Understand HumansMost of us suffer from employment bias, the belief that we are doing work that is self-evidently important. On that list of Things They Don't Teach You In Teacher School is the realization that while we can see how obviously important our work is, not everyone shares that belief.Our employment bias simply sets us up for discouragemen

by mike simpson / 33min 

Pearson’s Behavioral Assessments for Students. Welcome to School Hell. | Missouri Education Watchdog

Pearson’s Behavioral Assessments for Students. Welcome to School Hell. | Missouri Education Watchdog: Pearson’s Behavioral Assessments for Students. Welcome to School Hell.inShareThe role of public schools today. Behavioral observation and tracking.Anne previously wrote about permission requested from parents for their children to be subjects of a Pearson Research Project for Behavior Assessments.

by mike simpson / 43min 

U.S. Department of Education Takes First Step toward Regulating Charters | janresseger

U.S. Department of Education Takes First Step toward Regulating Charters | janresseger: U.S. Department of Education Takes First Step toward Regulating ChartersPosted on May 20, 2014 by janressegerLast week something important happened, “finally,” as Valerie Strauss emphasized in herWashington Post report.  The U.S. Department of Education’s Office of Civil rights issued new guidance confirming th

by mike simpson / 45min 

Here’s The Painful Truth About What It Means To Be ‘Working Poor’ In America | Larry Miller's Blog: Educate All Students!

Here’s The Painful Truth About What It Means To Be ‘Working Poor’ In America | Larry Miller's Blog: Educate All Students!: Here’s The Painful Truth About What It Means To Be ‘Working Poor’ In AmericaFiled under: Poverty — millerlf @ 7:42 am Posted: 05/19/2014 Huffington PostIn a nation that has long operated on the principle that an “American Dream” is available to anyone willing to try hard enoug

by mike simpson / 52min 

La. Superintendent John White Requires Districts to Embargo LEAP Summary Public Reports | deutsch29

La. Superintendent John White Requires Districts to Embargo LEAP Summary Public Reports | deutsch29: La. Superintendent John White Requires Districts to Embargo LEAP Summary Public ReportsMay 20, 2014When it comes to the 2014 Louisiana Education Assessment Program (LEAP) scores he was supposed to release on Friday, May 16, 2014, Louisiana State Superintendent John White has apparently found himsel

by mike simpson / 52min 

Test consortium offers work readiness tool :: SI&A Cabinet Report :: The Essential Resource for Superintendents and the Cabinet

Test consortium offers work readiness tool :: SI&A Cabinet Report :: The Essential Resource for Superintendents and the Cabinet: MAY 20, 2014Test consortium offers work readiness toolby Kimberly Beltran(Olympia, Wash.) School districts struggling to adequately prepare students who want to enter the workforce after graduation now have a new tool to guide them in that endeavor.Developed over the

by mike simpson / 1h 

Shanker Blog » Expectations For Student Performance Under NCLB Waivers

Shanker Blog » Expectations For Student Performance Under NCLB Waivers: Expectations For Student Performance Under NCLB WaiversPosted by Matthew Di Carlo on May 20, 2014A recent story in the Chicago Tribune notes that Illinois’ NCLB waiver plan sets lower targets for certain student subgroups, including minority and low-income students. This, according to the article, means that “Illinois students

by mike simpson / 1h 

NYC Educator: ATR--A SImple Twist of Fate

NYC Educator: ATR--A SImple Twist of Fate: ATR--A SImple Twist of FateNote-This story originally appeared in Gotham Schoools, now Chalkbeat NY.  One of the most disturbing features of this contract is the two-tier due process we've established for ATR teachers. I don't see how we, as union, can justify a different and lower standard for their due process. I could've easily been an ATR for being at

by mike simpson / 1h 

Mike Klonsky's SmallTalk Blog: Randi tours Chicago with Karen Lewis. Leaves blasting the mayor.

Mike Klonsky's SmallTalk Blog: Randi tours Chicago with Karen Lewis. Leaves blasting the mayor.: Randi tours Chicago with Karen Lewis. Leaves blasting the mayor."It feels that the Chicago mayor wants to kick the public [school] system in the teeth at every opportunity."AFT's Randi Weingarten and NEA's Dennis Van Roekel have been trying to ride two horses at the same time, courting approv

by mike simpson / 1h 

YESTERDAY

empathyeducates – How Charter Schools and Testing Regimes Have Helped Re-Segregate Our Schools

empathyeducates – How Charter Schools and Testing Regimes Have Helped Re-Segregate Our Schools: How Charter Schools and Testing Regimes Have Helped Re-Segregate Our SchoolsPhotographic Credit; Chris Hondros/GettyBy Sally Kohn | Originally Published at The Daily Beast. May 16, 2014Sure, it’s mostly the courts, but as we approach the 60th anniversary of Brown v. Board of Education, charter schools a

by mike simpson / 9h 

Choice–or child abuse? | Bob Braun's Ledger

Choice–or child abuse? | Bob Braun's Ledger: Choice–or child abuse?The appeal form–read it carefullyTo the stupidity, unworkability, and sheer arrogance of Cami Anderson’s “One Newark”  school enrollment plan, add yet another trait—cruelty.  Cruelty to children and their parents.  And nothing  is crueler than the plan’s alleged “appeal” process for those parents unhappy with the choices made for t

by mike simpson / 9h 

Geaux Teacher!: Louisiana Senator Conrad Appel Rightfully Called Out

Geaux Teacher!: Louisiana Senator Conrad Appel Rightfully Called Out: Louisiana Senator Conrad Appel Rightfully Called OutI felt like giving voice to one of our very active parents against the  Common Core Initiative.  This letter from Sara Wood of St. Tammany Parish was written in response to a Facebook Post by one of our Louisiana senators.  Sara is a conservative Republican who has engaged with

by mike simpson / 10h 

National teachers union leader criticizes Emanuel | Early & Often

National teachers union leader criticizes Emanuel | Early & Often: Randi Weingarten, president of the American Federation Teachers, speaking at a rally in Topeka, Kansas on Saturday. On Monday, she was in Nashville, Tenn., addressing a conference of education writers, where she blasted Chicago Mayor Rahm Emanuel. | Associated PressNational teachers union leader criticizes EmanuelMON, 05/19/201

by mike simpson / 10h 

5-19-14 Engaging Parents In School… | Going Beyond Parent "Involvement"

Engaging Parents In School… | Going Beyond Parent "Involvement": Boy, These “Academic Parent-Teacher Teams” Sound Worse Every Time I Read About ThemI’ve previously posted about something called Academic Parent-Teacher Teams, and I just read an article about their implementation in Georgia. Here’s what I wrote about them last year: I’ve previously posted about a program called Academic Pa

by mike simpson / 13h 

Campaign 2014 - June 3 Primary Election is Fast Approaching

CTA Campaign 2014 - California Teachers Association: The LatestMay 19, 2014Sacramento Bee - Capitol NewsBig money pours into California schools chief race as challenger gains steamRead more here: http://www.sacbee.com/2014/05/19/6414171/big-money-pours-into-california.html#storylink=cpyAmong California’s eight statewide constitutional offices, the superintendent of public instruction is a peculiar

by mike simpson / 14h 

Free and easy ways to connect with your staff & parents! | Connected Principals

Free and easy ways to connect with your staff & parents! | Connected Principals: Free and easy ways to connect with your staff & parents!by Amber Teamann • May 19, 2014 • 0 CommentsThere are a variety of ways that teachers and administrators can communicate with their class, staff, and parents. Effective communication is vital to a schools success. Not just the typical teacher to parents w

by mike simpson / 14h 

Nite Cap 5-19-14 #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 CAPCalifornia should delay Common Core tests for at least 2 years | EdSource TodayCalifornia should delay Common Core tests for at least 2 years | EdSource Today: California should delay Common Core tests for at least 2 yearsMay 19th, 2014 | Add a C

by mike simpson / 15h 

California should delay Common Core tests for at least 2 years | EdSource Today

California should delay Common Core tests for at least 2 years | EdSource Today: California should delay Common Core tests for at least 2 yearsMay 19th, 2014 | Add a Comment | By Doug McRae / commentaryDoug McRaeSince June 2011 when California joined the Smarter Balanced Assessment Consortium, the target date for implementation of computer-adaptive Common Core tests has been spring 2015. With that

by mike simpson / 15h 

Opposition to Common Core Growing Among NEA Members | Truth in American Education

Opposition to Common Core Growing Among NEA Members | Truth in American Education: Opposition to Common Core Growing Among NEA MembersFiled in Common Core State Standards by Shane Vander Hart on May 19, 2014 • 0 Comments1341NEA President Dennis Van RoekelMike Antonucci notes an increase in opposition to the Common Core among members of the National Education Association seen in a recent survey the

by mike simpson / 15h 

Education Roundup for 5-16-14 - Year 2014 (CA Dept of Education)

Education Roundup for 5-16-14 - Year 2014 (CA Dept of Education): Education Roundup for Week Ending May 16, 2014SACRAMENTO—The California Department of Education (CDE) today issued this week's roundup of education-related announcements of public interest.CDE Staffer Receives National AwardThe CDE congratulates one of its own this week, as specialist Lesley Taylor was selected as the 2014 recipient

by mike simpson / 16h 

Why Did Corporate Reformers Overlook Newark's Children and Families? | John Thompson

Why Did Corporate Reformers Overlook Newark's Children and Families? | John Thompson: Why Did Corporate Reformers Overlook Newark's Children and Families?Posted: 05/19/2014 2:20 pm EDT Updated: 1 hour agoAs the climax approached in Dale Russakoff's compelling New Yorker article,"Schooled," a Newark mother asked the key question of Superintendent Cami Anderson, "Did you think this th

by mike simpson / 18h 

Big money pours into California schools chief race as challenger gains steam | State News | FresnoBee.com

Big money pours into California schools chief race as challenger gains steam | State News | FresnoBee.com: Big money pours into California schools chief race as challenger gains steamBY ALEXEI KOSEFFakoseff@sacbee.comMay 19, 2014 Updated 6 hours agoRead more here: http://www.fresnobee.com/2014/05/19/3932475/big-money-pours-into-california.html?sp=/99/406/552/#storylink=cpy Among California’s eight

by mike simpson / 18h 

Many teachers face a retirement savings penalty when leaving the profession - The Washington Post

Many teachers face a retirement savings penalty when leaving the profession - The Washington Post: Many teachers face a retirement savings penalty when leaving the professionBy Andrew J. Rotherham and Chad Aldeman, Published: May 16Andrew J. Rotherham is a co-founder and partner at Bellwether Education, a nonprofit working with education organizations. Chad Aldeman is an associate partner at Bellw

by mike simpson / 19h 

Mending School | Taking Note

Mending School | Taking Note: Mending Schoolby JOHN MERROW on 19. MAY, 2014 in 2014 BLOGSWhen do complaints about ‘too much’ standardized bubble testing become strong enough to bring about change?  Now that some students are spending more than 10% of their school ‘instructional’ time on test-prep and testing, have we reached the tipping point?  Now that some students are reported to be taking 20 d

by mike simpson / 20h 

5-19-14 LA School Report - What's Really Going on Inside LAUSD

LA School Report - What's Really Going on Inside LAUSD (Los Angeles Unified School District): Another week, another LA Unified school board meetingIt’s hard to believe after last week’s marathon 10-hour session, but LA Unified school board members will be meet again tomorrow with a full agenda. Most of the issues before the board are much less contentious than those addressed a week ago. They incl

by mike simpson / 20h 

5-19-14 Wait What?

Wait What?: Wait What? Dannel Malloy and Arne Duncan will hold press event in Hartford Today – May 19, 2014Governor Dannel “Dan” Malloy, who introduced the most anti-teacher, anti-public education “reform legislation” of any Democratic governor in the nation will join Arne Duncan, the anti-teacher, anti-public education United States Secretary of Education, for a joint appearance in Harford today.

by mike simpson / 20h 

No ESEA Waiver for Wyoming Until They Toe Federal Line | Truth in American Education

No ESEA Waiver for Wyoming Until They Toe Federal Line | Truth in American Education: No ESEA Waiver for Wyoming Until They Toe Federal LineFiled in Common Core Assessments, Education at State Level by Shane Vander Hart on May 19, 2014 • 0 Comments4972By Shane Vander HartThe Casper Star Tribune released a document they received indicating that Wyoming would not receive an ESEA waiver.  In a memo f

by mike simpson / 21h 

It's Time for a New Accountability in American Education | Randi Weingarten

It's Time for a New Accountability in American Education | Randi Weingarten: It's Time for a New Accountability in American EducationVoices across the country are raising concerns about the new Common Core State Standards. But if you listen carefully to the conversations, the main concern is not about the standards, themselves, but about the consequences of high-stakes tests attached to the standa

by mike simpson / 21h 

Segregation Nation: Recap and video from visit to @MSNBC @MHPshow #afamedchat | Cloaking Inequity

Segregation Nation: Recap and video from visit to @MSNBC @MHPshow #afamedchat | Cloaking Inequity: Segregation Nation: Recap and video from visit to @MSNBC @MHPshow #afamedchatFrom MSNBC:Sixty years after Brown v. Board of Education, segregation remains in some public schools. ProPublica’s Nikole Hannah-Jones, The Advancement Project’s Judith Browne Dianis, Julian Vasquez Helig from the Educationa

by mike simpson / 21h 

Douglas County principal on leave amid investigation into teacher evaluations - 7NEWS Denver TheDenverChannel.com

Douglas County principal on leave amid investigation into teacher evaluations - 7NEWS Denver TheDenverChannel.com: Douglas County principal on leave amid investigation into teacher evaluationsCastle Rock, Colo. - 7NEWS has confirmed the principal of Douglas County's Rock Ridge Elementary School has been put on administrative leave.Multiple sources confirmed Amber Sorg was put on leave Friday after

by mike simpson / 23h 

5-19-14 The Whole Child Blog — A Matter of Choice — Whole Child Education

A Matter of Choice — Whole Child Education: THE WHOLE CHILD BLOGA Matter of ChoiceMay 19, 2014 by Whole Child SymposiumPost written by Walter McKenzieWhat if I told you the answer to all that ails public education is choice? Not dollars. Not standardization. Not test scores. Choice. Surprisingly effective in its simplicity.The current education equation is not simple by any stretch of the imaginat

by mike simpson / 23h 

Morning Wink 5-19-14 AM Posts #BATsACT #RealEdTalk #EDCHAT #P2

BIG EDUCATION APE - MORNING WINK  AM POSTSLISTEN TO DIANE RAVITCH 5-19-14 Diane Ravitch's blog | A site to discuss better education for allDiane Ravitch's blog | A site to discuss better education for all: Bob Braun: Cami Will Lay Off 500, including 200 TeachersThe election for Mayor of Newark is over, but state-appointed superintendent Cam Anderson reminds everyone she is still in charge of the s

1 by mike simpson / 23h 

2nd Banana 5-17-14 Recap of Last Week's Best Post

2nd Banana 5-10-14 Recap of Last Week's Best Post 

2nd Banana 5-3-14 Recap of Last Week's Best Post 

2nd Banana 4-26-14 Recap of Last Week's Best Post

2nd Banana 4-19-14 Recap of Last Week's Best Post

2nd Banana 4-12-14 Recap of Last Week's Best Post

2nd Banana 4-5-14 Recap of Last Week's Best Post 

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LISTEN TO DIANE RAVITCH 5-20-14 Diane Ravitch's blog | A site to discuss better education for all

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

In Which Mercedes Schneider Flays Pearson

Mercedes Schneider here reviews the transcript of a board meeting of Pearson in April 2014. Anyone can read the transcript but is allowed to quote only 400 words. That was Mercedes’ challenge. What struck her was that Pearson’s business plan is heavily tied to adoption of CCSS. In this case, contrary to the assurances of Bill Gates, national standardization promotes monopolization, not competitio

by dianeravitch / 0min 

Peter Greene: Are You a Serious Person or a Silly Person?

Peter Greene has determined that some people in the world of education are serious and some are very silly. Serious people understand that words have consequences. They seek some congruity between their reality, their values, and their goals. Greene identifies a number of people who are very silly. For example: “The Hedgemasters backing the charter movement are not serious people. Charters are

2 by dianeravitch / 9min 

Laura Chapman on Sludge and Conflicts of Interest

Reader Laura H. Chapman has a provocative critique of the way that money and power has compromised some education leaders. If she looked at the list of prominent education organizations (like ASCD) that have accepted millions from the Gates Foundation to promote Common Core, she would find lots more sludge. She comments: Unfortunately this take-over has been aided and abetted by the sludge and com

1 by dianeravitch / 7min 

North Carolina Teacher Takes Senator Curtis to Task

This letter came from Stuart Egan, one of North Carolina’s National Board Certified Teachers. The state has more NBCTs than any other, and almost the lowest salaries of any state. Egan responded to Senator David Curtis’s letter brushing off science tea her Sarah Wiles. Stuart Egan writes: I am a high school teacher from Winston-Salem / Forsyth County Schools. On Monday, May 12, I read an article

by dianeravitch / 6min hide  //  save

North Carolina Teacher: “I Am Embarrassed to Confess: I Am a Teacher”

Sarah Wiles, a science teacher in the Charlotte-Mecklenburg schools with six years experience and a master’s degree, sent an email to every member of the North Carolina General Assembly with the subject line: “I am embarrassed to confess: I am a teacher.” This was her email: “From: Sarah Wiles “Sent: Tuesday, May 06, 2014 6:47 PM “Every year there is a debate on teacher compensation. This is onl

11 by dianeravitch / 1h 

Hundreds of Scholars Criticize PISA; Schleicher Defends It

A letter written by State University of Albany’s Heinz Dieter Meyer and educator Katie Zahedi protested the negative effects of PISA on education goals because of its emphasis on standardized tests and international competition. The letter has been translated into many languages and collected hundreds of signatures from scholars and educators around the world. The letter was addressed to Andreas

5 by dianeravitch / 2h 

Just How Meaningful Are Those Value-Added Ratings?

The studies of value-added measurement keep on coming, and the findings usually show what an utterly absurd idea it to think that teacher quality can be judged by student test scores. In a just world, Arne Duncan would be held accountable for the stupid and harmful theories he has imposed on the nation’s public schools. The U.S. Department of Education has become a malignant force in American educ

20 by dianeravitch / 3h 

LISTEN TO DIANE RAVITCH 5-19-14 Diane Ravitch's blog | A site to discuss better education for all

Diane Ravitch's blog | A site to discuss better education for all: Bob Braun: Cami Will Lay Off 500, including 200 TeachersThe election for Mayor of Newark is over, but state-appointed superintendent Cam Anderson reminds everyone she is still in charge of the schools. Bob Braun reports that Cami will cut 500 Newark public schools employees, “including 200 teaching positions, 200 central office emp

by mike simpson / 8h 

5-20-14 Wait What?

Wait What?:

Wait What? 

Next up:  WNPR’s Where We Live – 9am today

Jonathan Pelto Looks to Shake Up the Race For Governor Former state legislator Jonathan Pelto has been a vocal critic of Governor Dannel Malloy since day one. His frustration with the current administration may push him to run for governor as a liberal third-party candidate. Pelto joins us in-studio to talk about why he’s considering […] The post Next up:  WNPR’s Where We Live – 9am today appeared

by jonpelto / 2h  

5-19-14 Wait What?

Wait What?: Wait What? Dannel Malloy and Arne Duncan will hold press event in Hartford Today – May 19, 2014Governor Dannel “Dan” Malloy, who introduced the most anti-teacher, anti-public education “reform legislation” of any Democratic governor in the nation will join Arne Duncan, the anti-teacher, anti-public education United States Secretary of Education, for a joint appearance in Harford today.

by mike simpson / 5h 

5-20-14 The Answer Sheet

The Answer Sheet:

A dozen problems with charter schools

School reformers keep talking about charter schools as if they were the answer to public education’s problems, when there is a great deal of evidence that shows big problems with the charter sector. For example, a report on Pennsylvania’s charter schools recently released by a state legislator found that only one in six of the […]

25 by Valerie Strauss / 1h 

A different way to implement Common Core

Critics of the critics of high-stakes standardized testing and the Common Core State Standards often say that the attackers don’t provide alternatives but just complain. That has never been true of many of the critics of these school reforms, and it still isn’t. Here is a piece about what a different accountability system could look […]

3 by Valerie Strauss / 39min 

Florida legislator: Common Core advocates are trying to make ‘your children’ gay

Whether you support the Common Core State Standards or don’t,  it’s important to recognize when critics are going off the rails in their dissent. Here’s a newly publicized example: A Republican Florida state legislator, Charles Van Zant, told an audience at a conference in Orlando that the organization that has won a $220 million contract […]

43 by Valerie Strauss / 5h  

5-19-14 The Answer Sheet

The Answer Sheet: Haverford commencement speaker calls some students ‘immature’ and arrogant’The commencement address at Haverford College in Pennsylvania wasn’t your typical commencement address on Sunday. One of the speeches at the event was delivered by William G. Bowen, the former president of Princeton University, who was chosen after the first choice for speaker, Robert J. Birgeneau, became

by mike simpson / 8h 

5-20-14 Fred Klonsky | Daily posts from a retired public school teacher

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

When the teachers and staff risked their jobs for their students, the UFT was absent and silent.

1 by Fred Klonsky / 32min 

Ten minute drawing. Four things that will make you gay.

Think Progress: Common Core may not be a well-intentioned set of improved educational standards, as supporters would have you believe, but instead a trojan horse designed to turn every schoolchild in Florida, if not America, gay. This ominous warning came at an anti-Common Core event in March courtesy of Florida State Rep. Charles Van Zant (R). Speaking at the “Operation Education Conference” in

by Fred Klonsky / 12min hide  //  save

Where is the all-powerful Mike Madigan now?

Back on December 3rd Michael Madigan had no problem getting the votes he needed to pass pension theft. Senate Bill 1 had little support among Republicans because they thought the larceny didn’t go far enough. It actually left some coins in the jar. They wanted it all. But Madigan’s Democratic Caucus backed him up.  Many admitted that they knew it was morally wrong and probably unconstitutional. M

by Fred Klonsky / 34min 

John Dillon. Teacher life after Senate Bill 7 and PERA.

- John Dillon is a retired teacher, activist and blogger at Pension Vocabulary. A Dinner with an active colleague in May, 2014: Sorry, you guys, but while you have been fighting for us in pensions, they’ve come under the cracks in the door. You missed what happened since you left, since the Performance Reform Evaluation Act. The classes you remember no longer exist. The teachers you remember no l

by Fred Klonsky / 2h 

5-19-14 Fred Klonsky | Daily posts from a retired public school teacher

Fred Klonsky | Daily posts from a retired public school teacher who is just looking at the data.: Drugs in the war on poor kids.“For now, we’re left with one of the ironies of income inequality: a rare instance of poor children getting more of something than they need.” More than 10,000 American children ages 2 and 3 are being medicated for Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD). They are

by mike simpson / 8h