5-23-14 @ The Chalk Face

@ THE CHALK FACE:

NCTQ Gets Caught in a Data Collecting Lie

The National Council on Teacher Quality (NCTQ) will be “grading” university-level, traditional teacher training programs again soon. Last year, 2013, they released this report on June 18. They “grade” in a superficial manner, relying upon program artifacts to form skewed judgments– judgments that they publish in US News and World Report and that are meant to damage the credibility of […]

1 by deutsch29 / 46min 

“most people of high intellect have sought to serve power and not critique or question it”

“most people of high intellect have sought to serve power and not critique or question it”. via “most people of high intellect have sought to serve power and not critique or question it”.Filed under: PAUL THOMAS: Becoming Radical

1 by plthomasedd / 1h 

5-22-14 @ The Chalk Face

@ THE CHALK FACE: Segregation not about Proximity, but EquitySegregation not about Proximity, but Equity. via Segregation not about Proximity, but Equity.Filed under: PAUL THOMAS: Becoming Radical1 by plthomasedd / 49min 5-21-14 @ The Chalk Face@ THE CHALK FACE: Why Did Cory Booker and Mark Zuckerberg Ignore Newark’s Families?Dale Russakoff’s New Yorker profile “Schooled” is a wonderful account of

by mike simpson / 9h 

5-23-14 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):

Margaret Fuller: “I find no intellect comparable to my own”

“Men disappoint me so,” Margaret Fuller shared in a letter (21 February 1841) to Reverend William Henry Channing. Born on May 23, 1810, Fuller was a contemporary of Ralph Waldo Emerson and Henry David Thoreau, notable for what I believe is my favorite comment by Fuller: “I now know all the people worth knowing in America, and I find no intellect comparable to my own.” The only known daguerreotype

by plthomasedd / 41min 

“most people of high intellect have sought to serve power and not critique or question it”

“The Role of the Intellectual – An Analysis,” Lawrence Davidson, Truthout, Speakout

1 by plthomasedd / 1h 

5-22-14 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): Segregation not about Proximity, but EquityFor several years, I have been showing Little Rock Central: 50 Years Later in both my introductory education course and an interim educational documentaries course at the selective private university where I teach. Two scenes ad

by mike simpson / 9h 

5-23-14 Curmudgucation Week

CURMUDGUCATION:

Pearls, Triggers, Exonians & Checker

The trigger warnings issue has now reached a massive level of pearl clutching all around.What's the Issue?We know that trigger warnings are a thing because the New York Times wrote about them last Sunday. The basic idea seems to be that certain works of literature, classroom subjects, even statues, should come with warning labels attached because they might trigger a traumatic memory or reaction o

1 by Peter Greene / 58min 

Tyranny of the Test

When Michelle Obama spoke up in support of the arts this week, I was not moved. In fact, I was bummed. Because her "defense" of the arts was simply one more sign that we live under the Tyranny of the Test.The bottom line here is very clear: Arts education isn't something we add on after we've achieved other priorities, like raising test scores and getting kids into college. It's actually

by Peter Greene / 14min 

Why Students Drop Out

This pooped up on twitter a few days agoTo ensure every student graduates HS, 1st we need to understand why some don’t. New Grad Nation report helps explain http://t.co/5xS6f1m2ep— Arne Duncan (@arneduncan) May 22, 2014And, because I'm always interested in what Arne has to say, I followed the link. And I think Arne maybe didn't actually read it.The link goes to a report from Gradnation, a project

9 by Peter Greene / 1h 

5-22-14 Curmudgucation Week

CURMUDGUCATION: Flunking GeographyIf you want to find the grubby handprints of Rich People on education, look at the issue of geography.It has become fashionable for Reformsters to decry the influence of geography, to say that students should not be stuck with a school based on zip code, that community schools are quaint and all, but their time has passed. From Denver to Newark, Reformsters are ta

by mike simpson / 2h 

5-23-14 Perdido Street School

Perdido Street School:

Cuomo Caught In Lie Over Independence Party Nomination

Governor Cuomo is famous for avoiding on the record interviews and Q&A's with reporters because this is the kind of thing that can happen with a shifty politician like Sheriff Andy - they can catch him in a lie:Gov. Cuomo appears to have misled reporters Thursday when he said a decision on whether to seek the Independence Party nomination would be made “down the road.”Documents submitted by th

by reality-based edu... / 44min 

How To Make Governor Andrew M. Cuomo Very Unhappy This Election Day

Shelly Silver at the State Democratic Conention, making nice with and for Governor Cuomo, responded this way to a statement about how many New York teachers are not happy with the governor:“Teachers should be very happy with him,” Silver said of a group that has been protesting Cuomo.Silver's either high or full of shit - there can be no third choice here.Governor Cuomo has pushed an education ref

by reality-based edu... / 6min hide  //  save

Cuomo's Common Core Panel May Skip Writing A Final Report

When Governor Cuomo first announced his Common Core panel, many of us thought it was a jive move to make it look like he was doing something about all the parent and educator complaints about Common Core and the state's education reform agenda while really doing nothing at all about themThis news seems to confirm just that:ALBANY—I.B.M. executive Stanley Litow, who chaired Governor Andrew Cuomo's

2 by reality-based edu... / 6h 

5-22-14 Perdido Street School

Perdido Street School: Cuomo Puts A Criminal In Charge Of The State Democratic PartyFrom State of Politics:Former Gov. David Paterson on Wednesday was formally installed by the state Democratic Committee as its next chairman, assuming the post from Harlem Assemblyman Keith Wright. Paterson, addressing the delegates on the first day of the Democratic convention here in Melville, naturally opened wi

by mike simpson / 9h 

Truth Telling by Chicago Educators | janresseger

Truth Telling by Chicago Educators | janresseger:

Truth Telling by Chicago Educators

Posted on May 23, 2014 by janresseger

Chicago provided the model for school “reform” as we now experience it in America.  A decade ago Arne Duncan, then C.E.O. of the Chicago Public Schools, launched Renaissance 2010, whose purpose was to expand school choice by opening 100 new schools by 2010, many of them charter schools, and closing so-called “failing” public schools.  New Schools for Chicago, a supporter of Ren10, as it was called, provides this puff-piece history: “In June 2004, Mayor Richard M. Daley, then Chicago Public Schools (CPS) CEO Arne Duncan, and leaders from the Chicago business community announced Renaissance 2010 (Ren10).  The goal of this bold initiative was to open 100 new schools and provide all students, regardless of socioeconomic background, with the opportunity to compete on the global playing field.  The Renaissance Schools Fund (RSF) was established by the Civic Committee of the Commercial Club as the fundraising and strategic partner to the Renaissance 2010 effort.”

When Barack Obama became President of the United States in the fall of 2008, he brought Arne Duncan with him to Washington, D.C. as the Secretary of Education, and along cameRen10 as the school “reform” template that would be rolled-out nationwide in programs like Race to the Top and the school “turnaround” models in School Improvement Grants.

In Chicago, Ren10 was launched in June of 2004—ten years ago.  So how’s it going back where it all began?  Not so well — according to new reports and commentaries by those charged with educating Chicago’s children.

Yesterday, May 22, on the first anniversary of Chicago’s vote “to close 50, ‘turn around’ five, and co-locate 17 elementary schools” the Chicago Teachers Union released a report, Twelve Months Later: The Impact of School Closings in Chicago.  The report was produced by the Chicago Teachers Union Research Department which conducted interviews with “teachers from seven of the receiving schools, Chopin, Courtenay, Dett, Earle, Nicholson, Otis, and South Shore Fine Arts — to gather information about the fulfillment of CPS promises.  Additionally, Truth Telling by Chicago Educators | janresseger:

4 Things I Wish I Knew Before College – Musings of a College Graduate

4 Things I Wish I Knew Before College – Musings of a College Graduate:

4 Things I Wish I Knew Before College – Musings of a College Graduate

 Like many college graduates across the nation, I’ve spent the last few weeks being fed anecdotes and exposes about what life is really like in the post-graduate abyss. I’ve heard words ranging from “scary” to “exciting”, “stressful” to “stimulating”. It’s easy to empathize with this anxiety and sense of the unknown that seems almost universal across the Class of 2014. Taxes, retirement savings plans, and insurance plans are about as comprehensible to some college graduates as hieroglyphics. The idea of finding our “passion” and our “purpose” looms as we try to remain “flexible” in the job search and justify our intriguing prospects for post-graduate employment.

A lot of people have been asking me one strange and daunting question, “What do you feel like you’ve taken away from college? What advice do you have for other students?” Yikes. It left me thinking back to what I didn’t know as a freshman. Disclaimer: I can’t claim to be an expert. I haven’t written any New York Times bestsellers or gotten any PhDs. Do not take these words as those of a specialist, preacher, or guru, but simply a student. If you are a high school student, college freshman or even a graduate like myself, I present to you a collection of lessons I’ve learned at the University of Maryland that I wish I knew earlier:

Identify Your Own Vehicles For Success – What does success mean to you? For the longest time, I thought it meant getting a good job and making money. Standard. Through college however, I’ve gone on to expand my perspective of success and now I feel that my definition revolves around empowering and inspiring people. My sense of pride arises from teaching and helping others. Your definition of success will change, as will your habits. It’s not bad to take advice and learn some new useful habits, but don’t force something upon yourself that will not fulfill you. I can’t tell you how many times I’ve been recommended books about “What The Top Ten Most Successful People Do Daily.” If you strive to emulate your life around others, you’ll lose track of what works for you. If you write your best papers the night before they are due, don’t let people tell you that you “should be more organized” or that you “should plan better.” If you’re nocturnal and do your best work at night, embrace it. Different things work for different people. Personally, I worked best under pressure, procrastinated a lot, and was fine. Find out what you want, find out what works best for you and 

Russ on Reading: A New Design for a Charter School? Hmm.

Russ on Reading: A New Design for a Charter School? Hmm.:

A New Design for a Charter School? Hmm.

We here at Russ on Reading are constantly on the lookout for educational innovation, so when we heard of the new charter franchise, The College and Career Ready Scholars Rigorously Pursuing Educational Excellence Academy Charter School and Dollar Store (CCRSRPEEACSDS) we had to look into how this school was going to meet the needs of our inner-city youth.

First we stopped by the school's web site where we discovered this mission statement:

At CCRSRPEEACSDS we prepare scholars to succeed in a world that is controlled by the 1%. Our scholars are taught to love learning or else. Our rigorous curriculum is designed to ensure that children learn to comply with the demands that their superiors place on them. Chief among these demands is performance on standardized tests. Students are encouraged to score well on tests through our innovative "data wall" in the main corridor which displays each student's test scores for all to see. 

On the same page we found the school motto: In Virtute Autem Implerentur Dies Multi (which can be loosely translated as "Shaming You into Excellence").

Further down the page we find the description of how CCRSRPEEACSDS defines "career ready" innovation:

Our innovative design includes every student receiving on the job training in the Dollar Store which  is co-located in the building (pending the removal o

The Cami cover-up | Bob Braun's Ledger

The Cami cover-up | Bob Braun's Ledger:

The Cami cover-up

Chris Christie and Cami Anderson–covering up?

The chairman of the Legislature’s Joint Committee on Public Schools has asked the state education commissioner, the state attorney general, and the state comptroller to coordinate an investigation into the state’s operation of the Newark school district. He asked many of these questions before–and, so far, the Christie Administration and its legislative allies, including Democrats, have stonewalled his efforts and covered up the possible violations of law.

State Sen. Ronald Rice (D-Essex), in a 10-page letter to the state officials, lists scores of detailed questions he wants answered about the Newark district’s proposed $53 million deficit, the hiring of consultants, the granting of raises to top aides of the state-appointed school superintendent,  the operation of the district’s “One Newark” enrollment plan,  possible business connections between public officials and private entrepreneurs,  the lack of state oversight over her spending and travel practices, the treatment of special education students, and possible conflicts of interest involving the state Economic Development Authority (EDA) that has awarded more than $100 million in construction funds to Newark charter schools.

Rice has twice demanded state-appointed superintendent Cami Anderson appear before his committee to answer the questions but she blew off his invitations twice—including when she traveled to California to attend a conference, part of her disappearance from Newark in the run-up to the mayoral election.

“The lack of information, transparency, and accountability by Superintendent Cami Anderson and her administrators has raised much concern by the public regarding the sale of the 18the Avenue School building, the ‘One Newark’ plan, the igh salaries and raised provided to her staff, her relationship with consultants as well as the superintendent’s continuous travel out of state to conferences rather than being in the district to address the problems of the Newark Public Schools,” Rice wrote.

For five months, Rice has asked these questions and they have been reported in the media–including, at times, the main-stream media. Clearly, state education The Cami cover-up | Bob Braun's Ledger:

Labor Groups Petition Arne Duncan To Dump Sallie Mae:

Labor Groups Petition Arne Duncan To Dump Sallie Mae

A prominent student group and the nation’s largest labor federation are among organizations with close ties to the White House demanding that the Department of Education terminate its contract with the student loan company formerly known as Sallie Mae.

The AFL-CIO, United States Student Association, American Federation of Teachersand other advocacy groups in recent days have called on their members to sign anonline petition urging Education Secretary Arne Duncan to sever Navient Corp.’s lucrative contract to collect monthly payments on federal student loans after federal authorities accused the company of cheating soldiers. Sallie Mae recently split itself into two companies, Navient and Sallie Mae Bank.

The involvement of the AFL-CIO, an ally of the White House and the Democratic Party, opens a new political front in student advocates’ campaign to force Duncan to hold Navient accountable.

“The Department of Education shouldn't be in business with companies like Sallie Mae that break the law, and I don't want my taxpayer dollars supporting such a company,” the petition states. “I urge you to not turn a blind eye to these disreputable practices. Please take these matters seriously by ending your agency's contract and business dealings with Sallie Mae at once.”

Last week, the Department of Justice and the Federal Deposit Insurance Corp. accused Sallie Mae and its former loan unit, Navient, of intentionally violating the Servicemembers Civil Relief Act for years by overcharging active-duty troops beginning in 2005. The FDIC also said Sallie Mae and Navient illegally processed borrowers’ monthly student loan payments in a way that maximized late fees.

The organizations’ joint petition, which has garnered more than 50,000 signatures and was organized by the nonprofit Jobs With Justice, threatens to ratchet up pressure on Duncan to penalize Navient.

The Education Department last fall told Sallie Mae it intended to renew its contract(now held by Navient), even though federal investigators a few months earlier had discovered evidence that the company had violated the servicemembers law. Breaking the law constitutes a breach of the company’s contract with the Education Department.

Sen. Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.) has said the Education Department risks becoming a "lapdog" as a result of its lackluster supervision of Sallie Mae. The company has told Labor Groups Petition Arne Duncan To Dump Sallie Mae:

John White’s “Statewide Trends” of LEAP Supposed to be Publicized on May 27 | deutsch29

John White’s “Statewide Trends” of LEAP Supposed to be Publicized on May 27 | deutsch29:

John White’s “Statewide Trends” of LEAP Supposed to be Publicized on May 27

May 22, 2014

When Louisiana State Superintendent John White withheld the Louisiana Education Assessment Program (LEAP) scores on Friday, May 16, 2014– the day that these scores were supposed to be released, he chose to wait until midday to contact the schools.

White offered no reason for the delay. However, by now, it is no secret that scores for White’s pet project, predominately-charter Recovery School District (RSD), were likely the reason for the delay.

On May 19, 2014, White issued a district newsletter that opened with a message from him. Here is that message, in full:

Dear Colleagues,

In the body of this weekly email you will find instructions regarding 2014 LEAP, iLEAP, and LAA 2 results. The results are now available in the secure LEAPWeb portal, and you may access them at this time. 

In the days to come, the Department will issue a summary report detailing statewide trends. We will provide you notice of when the report will be issued and would ask that until that time you use the posted results for educational John White’s “Statewide Trends” of LEAP Supposed to be Publicized on May 27 | deutsch29:

Reflecting on the effects of violence | Parents United for Public Education

Reflecting on the effects of violence | Parents United for Public Education:



Reflecting on the effects of violence

Posted on May 22, 2014 by SSPRAGUELOTTLeave a comment

 Every year, the Philadelphia Coalition for Victim Advocacy holds a candle lighting to honor victims and survivors of crime in the Philadelphia area. This year the PCVA felt it especially important to incorporate a youth portion to the event. PCVA, Victim Witness Services of South Philadelphia (VWSSP), Asians American United (AAU), and youth from Science Leadership Academy (SLA) decided to reflect about what violence means to youth. Youth are impacted by violence everyday – in our schools, in our neighborhoods, in our homes. Statistics show that 42% of people victimized in 2006 were under the age of 25. But I don’t want to limit this to just physical violence. It also means exposure to violence, exposure to tragedy or harassment. 

VWSSP and youth at SLA did a poll earlier this month to get an overview of what types of violence young people are exposed to and how it has impacted the lives of students.  It was overwhelming how many young people have been affected by violence and don’t feel safe in our communities. On the other hand in many ways violence has been completely normalized to youth. We heard young people talk about bullying like it was a rite of passage. We heard young people talking about fighting and retaliation and snitching like those were normal things. 

VWSSP and myself decided to create a survey to give youth an opportunity to voice their opinions on safety, violence and their communities. Here are a couple of responses from the survey:

• “I feel as if the violence in Philadelphia has changed the way Philadelphia looks at their youth. Not all of us contribute to the crime in Philadelphia and we should not be treated as if we do. Even if it just for precaution. They think that anywhere we go there is going to be a fight or flash mob. Some of us would just like to get lunch after school without having to be in the liberty place by a certain time, or else we aren’t allowed in.”
• “I think that violence can be directly related to ignorance and the way people are being formed in this city. Not only can the lack of education affect the future generation but it has been affecting this generation greatly.” 
• “Violence is not only about physical attacks but also verbal attacks. Sometimes, people internalized the violence they encountered. This is not right. No one should have the power to oppress others. To stop Reflecting on the effects of violence | Parents United for Public Education:

4LAKids - some of the news that doesn't fit: “If you don’t like the criticism, fire the critic 2!”: OUSTED OPPONENT OF LA SCHOOLS iPAD FIGHTS TO REGAIN SEAT ON OVERSIGHT COMMITTEE

4LAKids - some of the news that doesn't fit: “If you don’t like the criticism, fire the critic 2!”: OUSTED OPPONENT OF LA SCHOOLS iPAD FIGHTS TO REGAIN SEAT ON OVERSIGHT COMMITTEE:

“If you don’t like the criticism, fire the critic 2!”: OUSTED OPPONENT OF LA SCHOOLS iPAD FIGHTS TO REGAIN SEAT ON OVERSIGHT COMMITTEE

1. ALSO SEE: “If you don’t like the criticism, fire the critic!”: SCHOOL BOARD BLOCKS APPOINTEE CRITICAL OF iPADS | http://bit.ly/1sU4iVd

2. BASED ON ED REPORTER HOWARD BLUME's TWITTER FEED, A MAJOR STORY IS COMING FROM THE LA TIMES: @howardblume: ●Next week's meeting of school bond oversight committee has new agenda item: Stuart Magruder, the nominee Board of Ed wouldn't approve. ●Current & former committee members say L.A. Unified exceeded authority by blocking Magruder from panel overseeing spending of bond $s. ●Some LAUSD officials say they had right to reject Magruder, the nominee of architects assn. He's a vocal critic of $1billion+ iPad effort. ●Bond Committee apparently not giving in to district. They'll take up matter first off at meeting next week.

3. NOTE TO THE LAUSD BOARD: What part of “Independent Oversight” is so hard to understand?

4. WITNESS THE WITLESSNESS YOURSELF:  http://bit.ly/RfEbM9  Start it at 8:30, turn your volume up and pay more attention to the words and actions of the members who are OFF mic, rather than the ones who are ON-mic, right up to the point where Ms Galatzan says, "Jeff, I'm confused."

BY ANNIE GILBERTSON |  PASS / FAIL | 89.3 KPCC HTTP://BIT.LY/1JBGMXU

FREDERICK FLORIN/AFP/Getty Images

May 21st, 2014, 5:38pm  ::  The architect tossed off a Los Angeles Unified School District oversight committee Tuesday is fighting to be reinstated.

The school board voted to remove Stuart Magruder, an outspoken critic of the district's iPad program, from a list of renewal appointments on the committee that oversees how bond funds are spent. Those voter-approved bonds have been the principal funding source for Superintendent John Deasy's $1 billion one-to-one tablet initiative.

School officials have said bond funds can be spent on technology upgrades.

But Magruder said voters clearly meant for the $19 billion loans to be used to maintain and build schools, not to buy "the modern equivalent of pencils and paper." He said his ouster was political retribution.

"It drastically calls into question the independence of the committee," he said in an interview.

On Wednesday, the American Institute of Architects asked the school board — nicely — to reconsider his reappointment, given that the committee's founding documents give the institute to a guaranteed seat on the committee.

"According to the charter memorandum of understanding, the school board shall appointment one member nominated by the American Institute of Architects Los 4LAKids - some of the news that doesn't fit: “If you don’t like the criticism, fire the critic 2!”: OUSTED OPPONENT OF LA SCHOOLS iPAD FIGHTS TO REGAIN SEAT ON OVERSIGHT COMMITTEE:

SKrashen: In education, satire is obsolete (Alfie Kohn)

SKrashen: In education, satire is obsolete (Alfie Kohn):

In education, satire is obsolete (Alfie Kohn)

Quite a few people who reacted to my post (see below) thought it was real. It wasn't. It was an attempt at satire. Part of its failure was my fault, for not making it clear that it was satire. And part was the situation we are now living in, a situation so bizarre that this kind of announcement is believable. The reaction confirms Alfie Kohn's statement: In education, satire is now obsolete.

The post was inspired by the news that 69% of Californians said they liked the Common Core standards after hearing a brief statement about them. The statement said only that they "are designed to ensure that students graduating from high school have the knowledge and skills they need to enter college programs or the workforce." I'm surprised anybody would object.

I owe more than a hat-tip to Andy Borowitz, who writes amazing political satire. Follow him on borowitzreport.com.

OVERWHELMING SUPPORT FOR THE COMMON CORE!!!

There is now no doubt: Americans overwhelmingly support the common core. In a poll organized by the Pearson Publishing Company, 96% strongly agreed with the statement, "Schools should teach important things." By a wide margin, those surveyed also agreed that "teachers should help students learn stuff."

Education Secretary Arne Duncan announed that "This poll is a real-game changer. Despite the complaints of nay-sayers, the public has finally got the SKrashen: In education, satire is obsolete (Alfie Kohn):

Children, schools, teachers, pensions, hotels, basketball, real estate, stocks, hedge funds and everything else where money can be made corruptly. | Reclaim Reform

Children, schools, teachers, pensions, hotels, basketball, real estate, stocks, hedge funds and everything else where money can be made corruptly. | Reclaim Reform:

Children, schools, teachers, pensions, hotels, basketball, real estate, stocks, hedge funds and everything else where money can be made corruptly.

Posted on May 22, 2014by Ken Previti

This is NOT about political parties and ideological differences. This is about children, schools, teachers, pensions, hotels, basketball, real estate, stocks, hedge funds and everything else where money can be made corruptly.

Who are the players in the wholesale destruction of public schools, public services and all forms of democratic government?

Billionaire Kenneth Griffin, Chicago Mayor Rahm Emanuel (D), ex-Mayor Richard M. Daley (D), convicted felon and ex-Governor of Illinois Rod Blagojevich (D), New Jersey Governor Chris Christie (R), Presidential Candidate Mitt Romney (R), Political Propagandist Karl Rove (R), Illinois Governor Pat Quinn (D), billionaire Illinois republican gubernatorial candidate Bruce Rauner (R) and a list of outwardly diverse players who in reality serve the American Gods of Greed – including the Koch Brothers.

“Keep in mind–TIFs divert property tax dollars from public schools that are so dead broke many of them can’t afford to buy basic supplies, like toilet paper. Moreover, the mayor is earmarking money to build the Marriott at the very moment he says he has to jack up property taxes and cut payments to pensioners because the city can’t afford to make good on its pension obligations.”

“In short, the city claims it doesn’t have money for its school children or retirees, but it somehow has plenty of cash to enrich a hotel corporation – one that just so happens to be part owned by the hedge fund of the mayor’s largest contributors.”

“In his speech last year to the Economic Club of Chicago, Griffin said that Mayor Children, schools, teachers, pensions, hotels, basketball, real estate, stocks, hedge funds and everything else where money can be made corruptly. | Reclaim Reform: