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Tuesday, September 9, 2014

Morning Wink 9-9-14 AM Posts #edchat #edreform


BIG EDUCATION APE - MORNING WINK  AM POSTS




9-9-14 Answer Sheet
Answer Sheet: Strauss: Michelle Obama’s shout-out to Khan AcademyThe Obama administration keeps expressing its admiration for Khan Academy and its founder, Salman Khan. Last year, Khan, who started the now-famous Web site that offers thousands of free videos for students in a range of subjects, interviewed Education Secretary Arne Duncan  about the future of education. (You can watch the video her
by mike simpson / 3min 
LISTEN TO DIANE RAVITCH 9-9-14 Diane Ravitch's blog | A site to discuss better education for all
Diane Ravitch's blog | A site to discuss better education for all: McKinsey: The Global Powerhouse Behind “Reform”Which is the most powerful player behind the scenes in corporate reform? This article says, without doubt, McKinsey. Where did David Coleman, architect of the Common Core standards, get his start: McKinsey. Which firm pushes the narrative of a “crisis in education”: McKinsey. Which fir
by mike simpson / 6min 
9-9-14 Larry Ferlazzo’s Websites of the Day… | …For Teaching ELL, ESL, & EFL
Larry Ferlazzo’s Websites of the Day… | …For Teaching ELL, ESL, & EFL: The Ten “All-Time” Most Popular Posts From My Ed Week ColumnMy latest column at Ed Week Teacher features links to the ten “all-time” most popular posts that have appeared there. Here’s an excerpt from the number one post:4 by Larry Ferlazzo / 1h 9-8-14 Larry Ferlazzo’s Websites of the Day… | …For Teaching ELL, ESL, & EF
by mike simpson / 8min 
9-9-14 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.: Privatizing custodial services. Chicago schools are filthy.Latest report from AAPLE, an organization of Chicago school principals. Catalyst: Principals say the cleanliness of their buildings is integral to students learning and note that they are naturally held accountable for it. However, under the n
by mike simpson / 10min 
We Must Demand Equitable Funding for our Schools in Texas
We Must Demand Equitable Funding for our Schools in Texas: We Must Demand Equitable Funding for our SchoolsSeptember 9, 2014 by Lily's BlackboardCategories: Education, General, I just had to say this, Media CenterTags: funding, noel candelaria, schools, student success, texasWe both began our teaching careers working with disadvantaged students. The very first thing we learned is that these childr
by mike simpson / 12min 
9-9-14 Curmudgucation - Adding Insult to Injury
CURMUDGUCATION: Adding Insult to InjuryIt's a fair question. There have been plenty of reform movement imposed on education-- why is the current wave of reforminess evoking such a severe reaction among teachers. It's not just the injuries that NCLB, RttT and Waiverism (RttT Lite) have inflicted on education. It's the insults that have gone with them.First, there's the professional insult.Imagine a
by mike simpson / 14min 
9-9-14 Perdido Street School
Perdido Street School: What's Wrong With Andrew Cuomo?There is no better emblem of what's wrong with Andrew Cuomo then this past weekend's exhibition of petulance, arrogance and hubris at the Labor Day Parade.His opponent in the Democratic Primary, Zephyr Teachout, attempted to say hello to him at the parade.Cuomo, who has never once uttered her name in public, did everything he could to make beli
by mike simpson / 16min 
How the ideal student experience would look in NOLA | The Hechinger Report
How the ideal student experience would look in NOLA | The Hechinger Report: How the ideal student experience would look in NOLABy Andre PerryYou have to see this handsome, new public elementary school located in New Orleans.In this neighborhood, the question of will you send your child to a public school isn’t analogous to Abraham’s willingness to sacrifice Isaac. The choice is not personal; it’s
by mike simpson / 18min 
Rising Tide Conference this weekend | Crazy Crawfish's Blog
Rising Tide Conference this weekend | Crazy Crawfish's Blog: Crazy Crawfish's BlogZesty Louisiana Education PoliticsRising Tide Conference this weekendPosted on September 9, 20140If anyone is looking for an excuse to go to New Orleans this weekend I can give you a few right now. This Saturday, September 13, the annual Rising Tide Social Media conference will be held at Xavier University. I heard a
by mike simpson / 22min 
True Education Reform is Possible | The Crucial Voice of the People
True Education Reform is Possible | The Crucial Voice of the People: True Education Reform is PossibleThe truth: Some places do a better job educating children than others.So what do we really need to do to improve the quality of education for those in need of improving? Must we go the way of lawsuits? Can’t we settle this matter, finish this fight over education reform, like civilized human being
by mike simpson / 26min 
Controversy over Federal NCLB Waivers Creates Opening for Pressure Against Test-and-Punish | janresseger
Controversy over Federal NCLB Waivers Creates Opening for Pressure Against Test-and-Punish | janresseger: Controversy over Federal NCLB Waivers Creates Opening for Pressure Against Test-and-PunishPosted on September 9, 2014 by janressegerThe shifting of public opinion sometimes happens while we aren’t paying attention, and then it becomes clear that something has changed.  Arne Duncan, the U.S. Se
by mike simpson / 29min 
NYC Educator: Stay Out of the Teacher Lounge, New Teachers
NYC Educator: Stay Out of the Teacher Lounge, New Teachers: Stay Out of the Teacher Lounge, New Teachersby special guest blogger Michael Fiorillo Last month I gave a short presentation about unionism and the UFT to a group of teachers, many of whom were incoming Teaching Fellows. At one point during the question and answer portion of the event, the topic of divisions (real, imagined and provoked)
1 by mike simpson / 45min 

YESTERDAY

Teachers Wearing Hate on Their Sleeves BY YOHURU WILLIAMS
Teachers Support NYPD: Teachers Wearing Hate on Their SleevesBY YOHURU WILLIAMSShare on facebookShare on twitterShare on emailShare on pinterest_shareMore Sharing Services1Why we should all be concerned about the teachers who sported those NYPD shirts.In the introduction to his 1962 publication The Other America, Michael Harrington notably observed that what the U.S. poor needed most was “an Ameri
3 by mike simpson / 9h 
The Conspiracy at PS 154 in the Bronx .southbronxschool
http://www.southbronxschool.com: The Conspiracy at PS 154 in the BronxI never got around to saying thank you for all the support that was shown to me for my blog post of August 7, 2014 in which I shared how my principal, DR Alison Coviello, Ed.D of PS 154 in the Bronx conspired with Michael Agona to ensure that I would be found incompetent.As a reminder, let us delve into the past and see what DR
1 by mike simpson / 9h 
NYC Public School Parents: Egregious distortions in NYT article on Success Charters, say parents, teachers & journalist
NYC Public School Parents: Egregious distortions in NYT article on Success Charters, say parents, teachers & journalist: Egregious distortions in NYT article on Success Charters, say parents, teachers & journalistThis Sunday’s NY Times featured an outrageously one-sided article on Success charters.  It is not the first.  One remembers the Steve Brill article from 2010 on Harlem Success Aca
1 by mike simpson / 9h 
What the Market Basket Grocery Strike Can Teach Educators | Life at the Intersections
What the Market Basket Grocery Strike Can Teach Educators | Life at the Intersections: WHAT THE MARKET BASKET GROCERY STRIKE CAN TEACH EDUCATORSSEPTEMBER 8, 2014 BRETT DICKERSONMarket Basket strikers – Credit BBCIn just three weeks, employees of Market Basket,  a regional chain of grocery stores based in Massachusetts, pulled off an upset in the world of labor relations: They successfully drove th
1 by mike simpson / 9h 
State sides with fired Teachers Union President | WWLP.com
State sides with fired Teachers Union President | WWLP.com:State sides with fired Teachers Union PresidentGus Morales was fired backing June By Yoojin ChoRelated CoverageTeachers union president issued “no trespassing” orderHolyoke teacher feels he was fired for speaking outHOLYOKE, Mass. (WWLP) – The Massachusetts Department of Labor Relations has sided with Gus Morales, the Holyoke Teachers Unio
1 by mike simpson / 12h 
Common Core: It Seemed Like a Good Idea Until It Existed | deutsch29
Common Core: It Seemed Like a Good Idea Until It Existed | deutsch29: Common Core: It Seemed Like a Good Idea Until It ExistedSeptember 8, 2014In 2008, Education Next asked 3,200 respondents (700 of whom were public school teachers) about their thoughts on having “the same set of educational standards” in order to “hold schools accountable.” Respondents were divided into sub-samples and asked one
1 by mike simpson / 12h 
9-8-14 @ The Chalk Face
@ THE CHALK FACE: About the radio showJoin Drs. Shaun Johnson and Tim Slekar LIVE Sundays at 6PM EST and Wednesdays at 7PM EST on Blog Talk Radio for progressive, pro-public education talk radio. Call in to speak live with Tim and Shaun during the show, (805) 727-7111. You can also listen to our Monday "Sunday-Replay" at 7PM EST, and re-broadcasts of the archives every Tuesday and Thursd
1 by mike simpson / 13h 
Schools must report sports equity data :: SI&A Cabinet Report
Schools must report sports equity data :: SI&A Cabinet Report :: The Essential Resource for Superintendents and the Cabinet: SEPTEMBER 08, 2014Schools must report sports equity databy Kimberly Beltran(Calif.) There should be no question about whether girls and boys have equal sports opportunities now that Gov. Jerry Brown has signed a bill requiring school districts to track and publicize corr
2 by mike simpson / 13h 
What do we do to our superb retired teachers? Lies, insults and slow starvation seem politically popular today. | Reclaim Reform
What do we do to our superb retired teachers? Lies, insults and slow starvation seem politically popular today. | Reclaim Reform: What do we do to our superb retired teachers? Lies, insults and slow starvation seem politically popular today.Posted on September 8, 2014by Ken PrevitiAs we mature, we realize how many people helped us and influenced our lives – people we often took for granted. Teache
2 by mike simpson / 13h 
Nite Cap 9-8-14 #BATsACT #RealEdTalk #EDCHAT
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 CAP9-8-14 Engaging Parents In School… | Going Beyond Parent "Involvement"Engaging Parents In School… | Going Beyond Parent "Involvement": Good Parent Engagement Idea From Donalyn MillerI’m adding this tweet to The Best Sources Of
2 by mike simpson / 15h 
9-8-14 Engaging Parents In School… | Going Beyond Parent "Involvement"
Engaging Parents In School… | Going Beyond Parent "Involvement": Good Parent Engagement Idea From Donalyn MillerI’m adding this tweet to The Best Sources Of Parent Engagement Advice For Teachers: A4. Check out books to parents. Offer two copies of the same book, so they can read with/alongside their child. #titletalk — Donalyn Miller (@donalynbooks) September 7, 20142 by Larry Ferlazzo /
by mike simpson / 16h 
NYC Educator: Think Twice and Vote Once
NYC Educator: Think Twice and Vote Once: Think Twice and Vote OnceFor Zephyr Teachout and Tim Wu. Here's why.
by mike simpson / 16h 
Why I am Refusing to Give the FAIR Test to my Kindergarteners! | Opt Out Orlando
Why I am Refusing to Give the FAIR Test to my Kindergarteners! | Opt Out Orlando: Why I am Refusing to Give the FAIR Test to my Kindergarteners!By Opt Out OrlandoWhen teachers are refusing to administer tests on principle, and some are even opting their own children out of high stakes tests, parents need to take heed. I came across this letter today in the Opt Out Alachua Facebook group, one of fi
by mike simpson / 16h 
9-8-14 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): Commentary: Vergara could be a win-win for students and teachersCommentary: Vergara could be a win-win for students and teachers Via EdWeek | by Carl Finer As a veteran urban educator and career union member, I care deeply about both my students and building the systems to ensure that all students and tea
by mike simpson / 17h 
9-8-14 the becoming radical | A Place for a Pedagogy of Kindness
the becoming radical | A Place for a Pedagogy of Kindness (the public and scholarly writing by P. L. Thomas, Furman University): Our Practice, Our SelvesIn my undergraduate introductory education course, I read aloud the first or second class Sandra Cisneros’s “Eleven.” The central character is Rachel, and the setting is her school day on her eleventh birthday. School that day strips all the shine
by mike simpson / 17h 
9-8-14 Curmudgucation - John Oliver, Student Debt, and the Edubiz Marketplace
CURMUDGUCATION: The College Bias: John Oliver, Student Debt, and the Edubiz MarketplaceI really have nothing to add to this, but boy do you need to see it..Okay, I have one thing to add to it. He actually missed the part where the fed bailed out Corinthian.This is what twisted market forces look like when they hit education. When the government sets up a system with the main function of using stud
by mike simpson / 17h 
Russ on Reading: The Irony of 21st Century School Reform
Russ on Reading: The Irony of 21st Century School Reform: The Irony of 21st Century School ReformOn Friday, September 5, 2014, The New York Times carried the obituary of Michael Katz, the University of Pennsylvania professor, historian and social theorist probably best remembered today for his influential 1990 book, The Undeserving Poor: From the War on Poverty to the War on Welfare. In that semin
by mike simpson / 18h 
Standardized Tests Are The Tail Of Education: they never could wag this puppy, and they shouldn’t try – redqueeninla
Standardized Tests Are The Tail Of Education: they never could wag this puppy, and they shouldn’t try – redqueeninla: Standardized Tests Are The Tail Of Education: they never could wag this puppy, and they shouldn't try As a young adult, which was by now many, many moons ago, I was drawn – goaded, really – into what was for me a very intense war of words (repeatedly) on the subject of SAT tests. M
by mike simpson / 18h 
9-8-14 All NEW Living in Dialogue - A Response to Bill Nye (The Science Guy): Standards? Yes. The Common Core State Standards? No.
Home - Living in Dialogue: A Response to Bill Nye (The Science Guy): Standards? Yes. The Common Core State Standards? No.By Stephen Krashen Bill Nye (“The Science Guy”) is enthusiastic about the Common Core because he feels that there are some basic principles that students simply need to know: Everybody needs to learn “a little bit of physics, chemistry, mathematics and you got to learn some evol
by mike simpson / 22h 
9-8-14 Schools Matter All Week
Schools Matter: NAEP, Common Core, and the Continued Production of FailureFor those who never knew Gerald Bracey's work, all I can say is you have a lot of catching up to do.  It was his writing in the Kappan in the 1990s that caught my attention, and then came his books.  He was a master at using his steel trap logic and his delightfully sharp pen to pop all the gas bags floating over the educati
by mike simpson / 22h 
9-8-14 NEA Today
NEA Today: More Teachers Adopting Restorative Discipline PracticesBy Luke Towler When the bell rings at the start of class, not every student takes heed. Often, many continue their own conversations. But sixth-grade science teacher Christopher Martin has found a way to transition students quickly from sports, music and celebrities to the solar system, electricity and tectonic plates – whatever his
by mike simpson / 23h 
Morning Wink 9-8-14 AM Posts #edchat #edreform
BIG EDUCATION APE - MORNING WINK  AM POSTSLISTEN TO DIANE RAVITCH 9-8-14 Diane Ravitch's blog | A site to discuss better education for allDiane Ravitch's blog | A site to discuss better education for all: Eton Headmaster: U.K. Exam System Is Obsolete“Tony Little, headmaster of Eton, says that the U.K.’s testing system is unimaginative and misleading. “England’s “unimaginative” exam system is littl
3 by mike simpson / 1d 




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9-9-14 Answer Sheet

Answer Sheet:






How U.S. News concocts its college rankings
U.S. News& World Report just released the 2015 version of its famous college rankings (which, frankly isn’t very different from the 2014 version). Princeton is No. 1. Harvard is No. 2. Yale is 3. And it turns out, there are three No. 4s — Columbia, Stanford and Chicago. Stanford and Chicago  both shared No. 5 […]
8 by Valerie Strauss / 2h 
Bill Gates wants your kids to learn history this way — and he’s paying to get it into schools
Bill Gates can’t seem to stop getting big ideas about public education — and then using part of his fortune to see them implemented. The Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation has spent billions of dollars on various initiatives that Gates thought would help improve public education, including a small schools initiative that he abandoned when […]
29 by Valerie Strauss / 7h 
Strauss: Michelle Obama’s shout-out to Khan Academy
The Obama administration keeps expressing its admiration for Khan Academy and its founder, Salman Khan. Last year, Khan, who started the now-famous Web site that offers thousands of free videos for students in a range of subjects, interviewed Education Secretary Arne Duncan  about the future of education. (You can watch the video here or below.) Read full article >>
by Valerie Strauss / 2min 


9-8-14 Answer Sheet
Answer Sheet: ‘We must push back against the misguided and dangerous belief that a new generation of teachers can emerge spontaneously’The Urban Teacher Education Consortium is a national consortium of teacher educators who are dedicated to development strong preparation programs for cities across the country. Members of the consortium have just released a position paper on the training of teacher
by mike simpson / 8h 
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LISTEN TO DIANE RAVITCH 9-9-14 Diane Ravitch's blog | A site to discuss better education for all

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





Good News: Anti-Due Process Group in Missouri Drops Its Campaign This Year
Good news for teachers in Missouri. The group seeking a constitutional amendment to eliminate teachers’ right to due process (aka “tenure”) has decided to abandon its campaign for now. Called Teach Great, the organization hoped to make test scores the key factor in all decisions about teachers. “The proposed amendment will still appear on the ballot. It seeks to end tenure and require that decisi
2 by dianeravitch / 1h 


Here is a Link to Tavis Smiley Show
In case you missed, here is my interview with Tavis Smiley from September 8. It is about 12 minutes. Tavis asked about the Vergara decision and teacher tenure, about the attacks on teachers and public education, about the goals of the current “reform” movement, Common Core, and my judgment of Race to the Top. All in 12 minutes! By the way, if you wonder why I was holding my head in last minutes o
21 by dianeravitch / 2h hide  //  save
And Now a Word from “Sad Teacher”
A reader with the name “Sad Teacher” wrote the following comment: “My problem is that I cannot follow the Marzano rubric and continue to get excellent test scores. I’ve been told for many years what to teach, but now we are being ordered how to teach it. It is almost against the law now for a teacher to go to the dry erase board and explain the strategies to solve a proportion. That is called dir
19 by dianeravitch / 4h 
If CCSS is not a Curriculum, Why Do All the Textbooks Look Alike?
A letter from a public school parent: “Hi Diane – I am an avid follower of you, Carol Burris, and other brilliant experts who have helped me understand the state of education today. A lot has been written about CCSS, and we know that advocates love to say “It’s standards, not curricula” and “States are free to teach the standards their own way; it’s not prescriptive.” What I don’t see addressed is
28 by dianeravitch / 6h 
What Is the Real Cost of Federally-funded Common Core Tests?
This report from the Pew Charitable Trusts says that many states are reconsidering the costs of Common Core testing, and a small number have withdrawn from participation in the two federally-funded tests, PARCC or Smarter Balanced Assessment Consortium. “But as controversy over the Common Core has challenged some states’ commitment to the standards, a number of states have decided to withdraw from
30 by dianeravitch / 7h 


Dawn Neely-Randall: Silent No More
Dawn Neely-Randall is a teacher in Ohio. She is in her 25th year in the classroom. For a long while, she watched in silence as the testing mania absorbed more and more instructional time. And then she decided she had to speak out. She had to defend her students. She had to defend her professional ethics. She could not remain silent. And speak she did. Here is an article that she wrote that appeare
by dianeravitch / 5min 


Idaho Says SBAC Not Valid But Will Use It to Evaluate Teachers Anyway
Levi Cavener, a teacher of special education in Idaho, learned that Idaho will give the Common Core test SBAC) to tenth graders even though it includes e length grade content. “However, I was shocked during this exchange when the Director told me that the decision was due to the fact the state was worried students wouldn’t take the test seriously, and they didn’t want their data set tainted…becau
by dianeravitch / 0min

McKinsey: The Global Powerhouse Behind “Reform”
Which is the most powerful player behind the scenes in corporate reform? This article says, without doubt, McKinsey. Where did David Coleman, architect of the Common Core standards, get his start: McKinsey. Which firm pushes the narrative of a “crisis in education”: McKinsey. Which firm believes that Big Data will solve all problems? McKinsey. Look behind the screen, behind the curtain: McKin
3 by dianeravitch / 58min hide  //  save
Schneider: How “EdNext” Spins Polling About Charters
Mercedes Schneider decided to analyze how the conservative journal “Ednext” gauges public opinion about one of its favorite reforms, charter schools. She reviews the wording of the questions asked over several years. She notes that Ednext never mentions charter school scandals, which are a hot topic in states like Michigan, Ohio, and Forida. “There’s a lot of unregulated money to be made in “sch
1 by dianeravitch / 1h 
LISTEN TO DIANE RAVITCH 9-8-14 Diane Ravitch's blog | A site to discuss better education for all
Diane Ravitch's blog | A site to discuss better education for all: Eton Headmaster: U.K. Exam System Is Obsolete“Tony Little, headmaster of Eton, says that the U.K.’s testing system is unimaginative and misleading. “England’s “unimaginative” exam system is little changed from Victorian times and fails to prepare young people for modern working life, Eton’s headmaster has said. “Tony Little said th
1 by mike simpson / 8h 




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9-9-14 Larry Ferlazzo’s Websites of the Day… | …For Teaching ELL, ESL, & EFL

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






Video: A Rube Goldberg Machine Powered By Light
I’m adding this video to The Best Resources For Learning About Rube Goldberg Machines:
5 by Larry Ferlazzo / 24min hide  //  save
“My Storybook” Is A New (& Free) Good Site For Students To Write Online
My Storybook lets students easily create simple virtual books with text and images/characters you can insert with a click. You can also draw your own. I’m adding it to The Best Places Where Students Can Write Online.
10 by Larry Ferlazzo / 3h 
Teaching Tolerance Releases Ambitious “literacy-based, anti-bias curriculum”
Teaching Tolerance, the organization justifiably well-known for developing very good social-justice oriented teaching resources, has just unveiled: “Perspectives for a Diverse America… a literacy-based curriculum that marries anti-bias social justice content with the rigor of the Common Core State Standards.” It’s a very ambitious site, and I think most teachers will find the highlight to be 300
5 by Larry Ferlazzo / 3h 

The Ten “All-Time” Most Popular Posts From My Ed Week Column
My latest column at Ed Week Teacher features links to the ten “all-time” most popular posts that have appeared there. Here’s an excerpt from the number one post:
4 by Larry Ferlazzo / 1h 


9-8-14 Larry Ferlazzo’s Websites of the Day… | …For Teaching ELL, ESL, & EFL
Larry Ferlazzo’s Websites of the Day… | …For Teaching ELL, ESL, & EFL: Study: “Asking for Advice Makes You Seem More Competent, Not Less”New York Magazine (and a bunch of other news outlets) recently reported on new research which found, as the headline of the magazine article and this post says, that “Asking for Advice Makes You Seem More Competent, Not Less.” Here’s an excerpt: I’ve certainl
by mike simpson / 8h 
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