Monday, June 23, 2014

Morning Wink 6-23-14 AM Posts #edchat #edreform


BIG EDUCATION APE - MORNING WINK  AM POSTS




LISTEN TO DIANE RAVITCH 6-23-14 Diane Ravitch's blog | A site to discuss better education for all
Diane Ravitch's blog | A site to discuss better education for all: BATS Vote “No Confidence” in Arne DuncanOn the eve of the national conventions of the two major teachers’ unions, the BATS–a voluntary association of 48,000 teachers–voted “no confidence” in Arne Duncan and called for his replacement. This is their statement: “Badass Teachers Association Press Release FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: June 22
by mike simpson / 1min 
6-23-14 Fred All Week 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.: UNO fraud hasn’t slowed Wall Street charter investors.Crain’s graphic. The charges against UNO of fraud by the Security Exchange Commission has had little impact on charter school investments by Wall Street. Crain’s is reporting today that “the charter school bond market is back.” Finance Authority Ch
by mike simpson / 6min 
6-23-14 Wait What? - Jonathan Pelto: Gubernatorial Candidate and A Really Nice Guy
Wait What?: Wait What? Charter School champion, “OxyContin producer” gives Malloy operation over $200,000This month Governor Dannel “Dan” Malloy will be getting a check for $6.2 million in public funds through the Connecticut Public Financing Program to pay for part of his campaign for governor. But Malloy’s fundraising operation goes far beyond that money.  Malloy and his political operatives are
by mike simpson / 9min 
6-23-14 Answer Sheet
Answer Sheet: In surprise move, key legislator allows state testing moratorium to passThis actually happened: A key legislator listened to his constituents and changed his mind about an important piece of legislation, which changed the fate of the bill. It just happened in Rhode Island, where House Speaker Nicholas Mattiello first opposed a three-year moratorium on using a standardized test as a r
by mike simpson / 11min 
6-23-14 Larry Ferlazzo’s Websites of the Day… | …For Teaching ELL, ESL, & EFL
Larry Ferlazzo’s Websites of the Day… | …For Teaching ELL, ESL, & EFL: Monday’s New World Cup ResourcesHere are new additions to The Best Sites For Learning About The 2014 World Cup In Brazil: The Curious History Of The World Cup Soccer Ball is a slideshow from Fast Company. 22 maps that explain the World Cup is from Vox. World Cup 2014 resources and activities is from TES Connect.by Larry Fer
by mike simpson / 12min 
6-23-14 Jersey Jazzman Jammin' All Week
Jersey Jazzman: Who Gets the Shaft When Schools Are Underfunded? Ask Paterson's TeachersPaterson is one of the most impoverished cities in New Jersey. In my last post for NJ Spotlight, I gave some detail about how so many of city's children suffer under crushing poverty:According to U.S. Census Bureau data for 2012, nearly 40 percent of Paterson’s children live in poverty. Unemployment is about 15
by mike simpson / 14min 
6-23-14 @ The Chalk Face
@ THE CHALK FACE: Education Reform as the New Misogyny: A ReaderEducation Reform as the New Misogyny: A Reader. via Education Reform as the New Misogyny: A Reader.by plthomasedd / 32min All Week 6-22-14 @ THE CHALK FACE@ THE CHALK FACE: Sgt. Bowe BergdahlOriginally posted on Bill Ayers:My brother Rick was one of the heroes of the American war against Viet Nam—he helped to organize and articulate w
by mike simpson / 17min 
6-23-14 the becoming radical | A Place for a Pedagogy of Kindness (the public and scholarly writing by P. L. Thomas, Furman University)
the becoming radical | A Place for a Pedagogy of Kindness (the public and scholarly writing by P. L. Thomas, Furman University): Education Reform as the New Misogyny: A ReaderWhile watching The Wolverine (2013) starring Hugh Jackman, I noticed that along with Wolverine’s adamantium claws, Jackman’s nipples were featured prominently, leading me to search for the film’s promotional poster. And my su
by mike simpson / 18min 
6-23-14 Curmudgucation
CURMUDGUCATION: Behaving As Expected"You just didn't react the way you were supposed to."This is another thread that runs through support of the CCSS complex. There's nothing wrong with the policy or program; people just didn't react the way they were supposed to.For instance, Anne Hyslop over at Real Clear Education, called concern over test-and-punish a "state of mind, not state o
by mike simpson / 21min 
6-23-14 Perdido Street School
Perdido Street School: NYCDOE Should Expand Composting Program To Include Common Core/EngageNY ModulesFrom the Times:New York City’s school composting program, kicked off just two years ago by parents on the Upper West Side, is now in 230 school buildings in Manhattan, Brooklyn and Staten Island, and is expected to more than double in size and reach all five boroughs in the fall, with an ultimate
by mike simpson / 22min 
Our Own Effort Is The Common Thread In Democracy – redqueeninla
Our Own Effort Is The Common Thread In Democracy – redqueeninla:  Our Own Effort Is The Common Thread In DemocracyWritten by redqueeninla in COLA, Education, Local neighborhoodsI think some of those who moan loudest about the dissolution of the social fabric are themselves most complicit in its flimsiness.At a recent neighborhood potluck frequented by a lot of white-haired, old-time southern Calif
by mike simpson / 26min 
I graded the AP World History exam and all I got was this lousy racist t-shirt
I graded the AP World History exam and all I got was this lousy racist t-shirt: I GRADED THE AP WORLD HISTORY EXAM AND ALL I GOT WAS THIS LOUSY RACIST T-SHIRT"Rampant cultural appropriation, cultural insensitivity, and straight up racism" at annual exam readingEvery year, the Education Testing Service (ETS) -- yes, the folks behind the SAT -- invites over a thousand high school and colle
by mike simpson / 39min 
Refusing to Educate Other People’s Children: Woes Continue in Philadelphia | janresseger
Refusing to Educate Other People’s Children: Woes Continue in Philadelphia | janresseger: Refusing to Educate Other People’s Children: Woes Continue in PhiladelphiaPosted on June 23, 2014 by janressegerWhat does it mean when, in June, the leaders of a school district that serves over 131,000 students are working with city and state governments to locate enough money to open school in August?  In t
by mike simpson / 42min 
Hespe offers Cami a contract: Has Baraka been “played” already? | Bob Braun's Ledger
Hespe offers Cami a contract: Has Baraka been “played” already? | Bob Braun's Ledger: Hespe offers Cami a contract: Has Baraka been “played” already?Cami Anderson–will she sign?Ras Baraka–has he been played?                Cami Anderson, the controversial state-imposed superintendent of Newark schools, has been offered a new one-year-contract, that, despite restrictions on her freedom to act, will
by mike simpson / 53min 

YESTERDAY

Arne Meets A BAT
Arne Meets A BATMark Naison speaks to Veteran Teacher Lucianna Sanson after her visit to the White House to meet with Secretary of Education Arne Duncan. Little did he know,...
by mike simpson / 9h 
PARCC Security Breaches Revealed; Microsoft, InBloom, News Corp. Implicated
PARCC Security Breaches Revealed; Microsoft, InBloom, News Corp. Implicated: PARCC Security Breaches Revealed; Microsoft, InBloom, News Corp. ImplicatedWritten by  Guest OpED // Friday, 20 June 2014 08:27 //Written by Tom Aswell, publisher of Louisiana Voice.When LouisianaVoice broke the story about the stealth agreement between the Louisiana Department of Education (DOE) and Rupert Murdoch’s News
by mike simpson / 11h 
Universal Pre-K in Seattle: Reasons to be cautious | Seattle Education
Universal Pre-K in Seattle: Reasons to be cautious | Seattle Education: Universal Pre-K in Seattle: Reasons to be cautiousI was looking through a memory book that I had put together when my daughter was a small child and came across her pre-school schedule. It goes like this:8:30-9:00 AM: Free time: Blocks, books and coloring9:00-9:30 AM: Circle: French, Spanish, German and sign. (The children and
by mike simpson / 12h 
Nite Cap 6-22-14 #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 CAP4LAKids - some of the news that doesn't fit 6-22-144LAKids - some of the news that doesn't fit: Op-Ed: WORLD WAR I, A WAR TOO EASY TO FORGETIn the rush to prepare kids 'to compete in the global economy',' current events and a lot of history get l
by mike simpson / 15h 
4LAKids - some of the news that doesn't fit 6-22-14
4LAKids - some of the news that doesn't fit: Op-Ed: WORLD WAR I, A WAR TOO EASY TO FORGETIn the rush to prepare kids 'to compete in the global economy',' current events and a lot of history get lost by Christopher L. Doyle, Op-Ed in the L.A. Times | http://lat.ms/1uUeYEi United States Army troops stand in the trenches in France during World War I. (Associated Press) 22 June 2014  :: Commenting rec
by mike simpson / 15h 
6-22-14 Schools Matter
Schools Matter: Learning About Liberty in a Charter Chain GangThis KIPP knock-off, Nashville Prep, has had numerous complaints about the severity of its penal pedagogy and abuse.  Here it is cleaned up for the cameras, i. e., minus the screaming and humiliation and silence.  If you find this disturbing, you have to remember that this is what they are most proud of--this is as good as it gets.by Ji
by mike simpson / 15h 
Common Core Memorandum of Understanding Not Just for “Development” | deutsch29
Common Core Memorandum of Understanding Not Just for “Development” | deutsch29: Common Core Memorandum of Understanding Not Just for “Development”June 22, 2014On June 18, 2014, Louisiana Governor Bobby Jindal announced that he had contacted the National Governors Association (NGA) and Council of Chief State School Officers (CCSSO) to tell them that he was terminating Louisiana’s Common Core State
by mike simpson / 15h 
Dirty Secret in the Education Wars: Money Matters | NationofChange
Dirty Secret in the Education Wars: Money Matters | NationofChange: Dirty Secret in the Education Wars: Money MattersAn interesting twist in the ever-fascinating narrative of Republican politics unfolded in Mississippi this month when political operatives in the campaign to re-elect U.S. Senator Thad Cochran to another term attacked their primary challenger for wanting to “deeply cut federal educa
by mike simpson / 16h 
Video: Seattle schools superintendent expects to leave post this summer; parents worry about revolving door | Q13 FOX News
Seattle schools superintendent expects to leave post this summer; parents worry about revolving door | Q13 FOX News: Seattle schools superintendent expects to leave post this summer; parents worry about revolving doorSEATTLE — He’s only been the Seattle schools superintendent for about two years but now Jose Banda is announcing he may be leaving the district to take a superintendent job in Califor
by mike simpson / 19h 
Seattle Schools Community Forum: From Friday's Mad Dash News over Banda's Pending Departure
Seattle Schools Community Forum: From Friday's Mad Dash News over Banda's Pending Departure: From Friday's Mad Dash News over Banda's Pending DepartureUpdates:I spoke with several people connected with this issue on Friday.Gabe Ross is the communications person for Sacramento Schools.  He verified that some Sacramento School Board members will visit SPS this week.  He said that their Board has to
2 by mike simpson / 19h 
6-22-14 Jersey Jazzman Jammin' All Week
Jersey Jazzman: Charter School Reality: Hoboken, NJ EditionLet's return, once again, to the Northeast's home of charter school segregation denial: Hoboken, NJ.As I've stated before, the local charter school cheerleaders may try to deny the obvious, but the evidence is quite clear: the three charter schools in Hoboken do not serve nearly as many students in economic disadvantage as the public schoo
by mike simpson / 22h 
6-22-14 Answer Sheet
Answer Sheet: A teacher’s plea to bosses: Give us ‘time and autonomy to create solutions’If you talk to teachers about their jobs, one of the things you will hear most consistently is that they don’t have enough time to plan, collaborate and learn from each other. Here is an open letter from a teacher to superintendents and administrators everywhere explaining why this is so important. It was writ
by mike simpson / 22h 
NYC Educator: Wayne Barrett Is Shocked, Shocked
NYC Educator: Wayne Barrett Is Shocked, Shocked: Wayne Barrett Is Shocked, ShockedIt's important to Wayne Barrett that you know he is progressive.I am a progressive, How can you argue with that? After all, that's clear. You are, therefore, supposed to take his argument against union that much more seriously. But that's not all:...have been one since the 1960s, when I became a New York City public
by mike simpson / 22h 
Viewpoints: Eliminating teacher tenure will not improve public education - Viewpoints - The Sacramento Bee
Viewpoints: Eliminating teacher tenure will not improve public education - Viewpoints - The Sacramento Bee: Viewpoints: Eliminating teacher tenure will not improve public educationBy Erwin Chemerinsky and Catherine FiskSpecial to The BeePublished: Sunday, Jun. 22, 2014 - 12:00 amEliminating job security for teachers is not going to attract better teachers or do much to improve the quality of publi
by mike simpson / 23h 
MOOCs and Online Instruction: Cartoons | Larry Cuban on School Reform and Classroom Practice
MOOCs and Online Instruction: Cartoons | Larry Cuban on School Reform and Classroom Practice: MOOCs and Online Instruction: CartoonsRecently, I posted an update on MOOCs after three years in the hype cycle. Afterwards, I scoured the web for cartoons on MOOCs and its kissing cousin, online learning (aka elearning, distance education). Here are some that might make you smile, giggle, or even prompt
by mike simpson / 23h 
Morning Wink 6-22-14 AM Posts #edchat #edreform
BIG EDUCATION APE - MORNING WINK  AM POSTS6-22-14 Larry Ferlazzo’s Websites of the Day… | …For Teaching ELL, ESL, & EFLLarry Ferlazzo’s Websites of the Day… | …For Teaching ELL, ESL, & EFL: Five Useful Ed Tech Articles & PostsHere are some recent useful pieces on ed tech-related issues: From Apple II to Touchcast, the evolution of computers in the classroom is from The Washington Post.
by mike simpson / 1d 





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LISTEN TO DIANE RAVITCH 6-23-14 Diane Ravitch's blog | A site to discuss better education for all

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



Click on picture to Listen to Diane Ravitch


For-Profit Charter Blankets Detroit Free Press with Ads
The Detroit Free Press is running a week-long series about Michigan’s charter sector. The first story was about a $1 billion industry with no accountability and poor results. Most charters in the state operate for profit. The industry’s response? National Heritage Academies, a for-profit charter chain, bought up the advertising space around the story to tout their wares. See the screen shot.
by dianeravitch / 4min 


U.S. Department of Education Bails Out Failing For-Profit College Chain
Peter Greene comments here on the U. S. Department of Education’s decision to bail out Corinthian Colleges, Inc., a for-profit chain.   Not so long ago, the U.S. DOE pledged to monitor predatory for-profit colleges. Not so, it seems.  Not now.   Greene writes:   “Corinthian has a somewhat checkered past. Okay, checkered might be generous. They have grown prodigiously since being founded in 1995, a
1 by dianeravitch / 23min 


Arizona: State Commissioner John Huppenthal as Sock Puppet
Arizona State Commissioner of Education John Huppenthal admitted he left many comments anonymously on blogs. This is causing him some problems in his re-election campaign, as some of his comments were highly insulting and inflammatory to various groups. The Arizona Chamber of Commerce and Industry canceled plans to honor him at its annual awards ceremony. Here are what one blog calls his “top te
by dianeravitch / 2min 

Peter Greene: What Is “Whole Brain Teaching?”
Yesterday I posted a clip of students at Nashville Prep chanting the answers to questions. I should have mentioned that chanting the answers to questions was a common practice in mid-nineteenth century schools. Students would chant their geography lessons, for example, singing out the names of continents or mountains or oceans. They did not necessarily knew where to find them on a map, but they kn
by dianeravitch / 2min 


Jason Stanford: Former Texas Commissioner Robert Scott Was Right About Testing and Common Core
Texas journalist Jason Stanford says it is time to recognize one of the heroes of the Education Spring: former Texas Commissioner Robert Scott, who bluntly said that high-stakes testing had grown too powerful and who warned that Common Core was intended to create a national curriculum and testing system. He came under a lot of criticism at the time and had to step down, but he has been proven righ
by dianeravitch / 5min 


BATS Vote “No Confidence” in Arne Duncan
On the eve of the national conventions of the two major teachers’ unions, the BATS–a voluntary association of 48,000 teachers–voted “no confidence” in Arne Duncan and called for his replacement. This is their statement: “Badass Teachers Association Press Release FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: June 22, 2014 More Information Contact: Marla Kilfoyle, General Manager, BATs Melissa Tomlinson, Asst. General M
13 by dianeravitch / 13min hide  //  save
The Catch in Starbucks’ Offer of Free College Education for Workers
Starbucks received wonderful publicity for its offer to pay the tuition of thousands of workers who took online courses at Arizona State University. But there is a catch. “Any Starbucks employee who works at least 20 hours per week will soon be able to complete his/her junior and senior years of college at Arizona State University (ASU) Online, thanks to a deal between the coffeehouse colossus and
15 by dianeravitch / 1h 
Anthony Cody: Is Gates’ Moratorium Real or a Tactic to Defuse Opposition?
When the Gates Foundation issued a press release calling for a two-year moratorium on the use of test scores to evaluate teachers, its position met a mixed reception. Some saw it as a victory for the critics of high-stakes testing; others as an attempt to weaken the critics by deferring the high stakes. Anthony Cody says, don’t be fooled. The Gates Foundation gives no indication that it understan
26 by dianeravitch / 2h 
Detroit Free Press Investigation: Michigan Charters Get Poor Results, Have No Accountability
After a year-long investigation, the Detroit Free Press published a scathing report on the state’s thriving charter sector. Charter schools receive $1 billion in taxpayer funding with virtually no accountability. They get worse results than traditional public schools. 140,000 children attend charter schools in Michigan. Michigan has more for-profit charters than any other state. The for-profit
30 by dianeravitch / 3h 


LISTEN TO DIANE RAVITCH 6-22-14 Diane Ravitch's blog | A site to discuss better education for all
Diane Ravitch's blog | A site to discuss better education for all: EduShyster Interviews Jose Luis Vilson about His New BookEduShyster interviewed Jose Luis Vilson, New York City teacher and blogger, about his new book, “This Is Not a Test.” Vilson has woven together the story of his own life with narratives about his students and classroom experiences. My impression, when I read his book, is that
by mike simpson / 9h 




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6-23-14 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.:



50 years




Explaining the Crain’s article in Peter Rabbit English. Why Wall Street is bullish on charters.
Bill sends me an email about my Crain’s posting this morning. Fred, Can you explain it in Peter Rabbit English. I don’t get how they make $$$ - Bill Some readers are surprised when those of us who are critics of large-scale charter companies talk about profits and charters. Technically, many of these charter operators are not profit-based organizations. But that doesn’t mean that money isn’t bein
by Fred Klonsky / 4min 


UNO fraud hasn’t slowed Wall Street charter investors.
Crain’s graphic. The charges against UNO of fraud by the Security Exchange Commission has had little impact on charter school investments by Wall Street. Crain’s is reporting today that “the charter school bond market is back.” Finance Authority Chairman Bill Brandt says the UNO violation caused “consternation,” but charter schools fit the agency’s mission to foster education, employment and econ
4 by Fred Klonsky / 28min 






6-22-14 Fred All Week 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.: Ken Previti. The sanctity of contracts in a capitalist society – but not for teachers. The recently signed 75 year contract for a parking meter “concession agreement” is sacred.- Ken Previti is a retired teacher, activist and blogger living in Florida. Reclaim Reform can be found here. $6.50 per hour
by mike simpson / 9h 
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6-23-14 Wait What? - Jonathan Pelto: Gubernatorial Candidate and A Really Nice Guy

Wait What?:



Wait What? 




Will Bridgeport learn from the Michael Sharpe and Jumoke/FUSE disaster?
As more and more facts come out about Michael Sharpe, the CEO of the Jumoke/FUSE Charter School Management, parents, public school advocates and the taxpayers of Bridgeport and Connecticut are turning their attention to the decision by Paul Vallas and former Bridgeport Board of Education, Chairman Kenneth Moales, Jr. to hand over Bridgeport’s Dunbar School, […] The post Will Bridgeport learn from
by jonpelto / 5min 


Charter School champion, “OxyContin producer” gives Malloy operation over $200,000
This month Governor Dannel “Dan” Malloy will be getting a check for $6.2 million in public funds through the Connecticut Public Financing Program to pay for part of his campaign for governor. But Malloy’s fundraising operation goes far beyond that money.  Malloy and his political operatives are raising millions through various loopholes in Connecticut law. […] The post Charter School champion, “Ox
by jonpelto / 44min 

6-22-14 Wait What? - Jonathan Pelto: Gubernatorial Candidate and A Really Nice Guy
Wait What?: Wait What? All WeekFinally, an opportunity to speak to union membersAfter being shut out from speaking to the members of the American Federation of Teachers’ endorsing committee and the AFL-CIO delegates charged with selecting a candidate for endorsement, the Connecticut Working Families Party was kind enough to adhere to the fundamental principle of democracy and fairness and allow me
by mike simpson / 9h 
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6-23-14 Answer Sheet

Answer Sheet:







The best and worst education news of 2014 — so far
Larry Ferlazzo is a veteran teacher in California who writes a teacher advice blog for Education Week Teacher, has his own popular resource-sharing blog, and has written five books on education. Ferlazzo, who teaches English and Social Studies at Luther Burbank High School in Sacramento, California, closely follows education news and every year, at least once […]
7 by Valerie Strauss / 50min 


Northwestern’s journalism school misspells its name on 2014 diploma
Northwestern University’s Medill school of journalism changed its name several years back to this unwieldly title: Northwestern University’s Medill School of Journalism, Media, Integrated Marketing Communications.  It wasn’t a popular decision; in fact, the Chicago Tribune made fun of the change in this 2010 story that started: Hogwarts faculty members voted this week in support of […]
by Valerie Strauss / 46min 


In surprise move, key legislator allows state testing moratorium to pass
This actually happened: A key legislator listened to his constituents and changed his mind about an important piece of legislation, which changed the fate of the bill. It just happened in Rhode Island, where House Speaker Nicholas Mattiello first opposed a three-year moratorium on using a standardized test as a requirement for high school graduation, but then […]
17 by Valerie Strauss / 5h 


6-22-14 Answer Sheet
Answer Sheet: A teacher’s plea to bosses: Give us ‘time and autonomy to create solutions’If you talk to teachers about their jobs, one of the things you will hear most consistently is that they don’t have enough time to plan, collaborate and learn from each other. Here is an open letter from a teacher to superintendents and administrators everywhere explaining why this is so important. It was writ
by mike simpson / 7h 




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