Sunday, February 14, 2021

THE TOP BANANA: TODAY'S EDUCATION HEADLINES Sunday, February 14, 2021 #REDFORED #tbats #BLM #BLACKLIVESMATTER #BLACKHISTORYMONTH #RIPKARENLEWIS

THE TOP BANANA
TODAY'S EDUCATION HEADLINES

New York Was the 1st Big School District to Reopen. Here’s What Happened. https://www.nytimes.com/2021/02/14/nyregion/coronavirus-elementary-school-reopening.html

J. Hillis Miller, 92, Dies; Helped Revolutionize Literary Studies https://www.nytimes.com/2021/02/13/us/j-hillis-miller-dead.html

The coronavirus pandemic is making many Americans rethink having kids https://www.salon.com/2021/02/14/the-coronavirus-pandemic-is-making-many-americans-rethink-having-kids/

Sacramento City Unified to host COVID vaccine clinics for teachers starting Feb. 9 | COVID-19 updates for Northern California https://www.abc10.com/article/news/health/coronavirus/vaccine/covid-19-updates-for-northern-california-feb-12-2021/103-76f2f6fa-67c4-4193-b04b-f0919f1048c1 via @ABC10

Analysis | No, the CDC did not order people to wear two masks — and other lessons on fake news https://www.washingtonpost.com/education/2021/02/14/did-cdc-order-people-to-wear-masks/?tid=ss_tw

Analysis | The covid-19 stress test in two school districts https://www.washingtonpost.com/education/2021/02/14/how-two-school-districts-handled-covid/?tid=ss_tw

CDC releases 5 strategies to reopen schools | PhillyVoice https://www.phillyvoice.com/cdc-reopen-schools-strategies-face-masks/

Education Department investigates Fairfax schools for services to disabled students during pandemic https://www.washingtonpost.com/local/education/fairfax-disabled-students-investigation/2021/02/13/eb458616-6e18-11eb-9ead-673168d5b874_story.html?tid=ss_tw

Resident assistants, campus housing staff push for access to coronavirus vaccines https://www.washingtonpost.com/local/education/college-housing-workers-vaccines-covid/2021/02/13/ee5b2b02-6d5b-11eb-9ead-673168d5b874_story.html?tid=ss_tw

It's the third anniversary of the Parkland shooting, in which 17 high school students and staff were killed by a lone gunman. https://www.huffpost.com/entry/parkland-shooting-third-anniversary_n_60292f3ec5b6d667582d8e89?ncid=engmodushpmg00000004 via @HuffPost

Chris Christie bullies Black CEO about 'urban kids' and 'failing' teachers to oppose COVID relief - Raw Story - Celebrating 16 Years of Independent Journalism - https://www.rawstory.com/chris-christie-teachers/

Big Education Ape: CATCH UP WITH CURMUDGUCATION + ICYMI: Happy Valentines Day Edition (2/14) - http://bigeducationape.blogspot.com/2021/02/sunday-february-7-2021-catch-up-with.html

Big Education Ape: NANCY BAILEY: 26 Reasons to Love Teachers During the Pandemic - http://bigeducationape.blogspot.com/2021/02/nancy-bailey-26-reasons-to-love.html

Big Education Ape: Clara Luper, Black Educator Hall of Fame - Philly's 7th Ward - http://bigeducationape.blogspot.com/2021/02/clara-luper-black-educator-hall-of-fame.html

Big Education Ape: Who Is Cindy Marten? | Diane Ravitch's blog - http://bigeducationape.blogspot.com/2021/02/who-is-cindy-marten-diane-ravitchs-blog.html

Big Education Ape: Educators Everywhere See Chance to Ditch Exam Straitjacket | Diane Ravitch's blog - http://bigeducationape.blogspot.com/2021/02/educators-everywhere-see-chance-to.html

Big Education Ape: This Teacher Worked for K12 Inc. and Now Regrets It | Diane Ravitch's blog - http://bigeducationape.blogspot.com/2021/02/this-teacher-worked-for-k12-inc-and-now.html

Big Education Ape: EdAction in Congress February 14, 2021 - Education Votes - http://bigeducationape.blogspot.com/2021/02/edaction-in-congress-february-14-2021.html

Big Education Ape: Over a Billion – Tennessee Education Report - http://bigeducationape.blogspot.com/2021/02/over-billion-tennessee-education-report.html

Big Education Ape: Dr. Marcus A. Foster, Black History Hall of Fame - Philly's 7th Ward - http://bigeducationape.blogspot.com/2021/02/dr-marcus-foster-black-history-hall-of.html

Big Education Ape: What's In A Blaine? | Blue Cereal Education - http://bigeducationape.blogspot.com/2021/02/whats-in-blaine-blue-cereal-education.html

Big Education Ape: Rhode Island Senate Democrats Pass Three-Year Moratorium on New Charters | Diane Ravitch's blog - http://bigeducationape.blogspot.com/2021/02/rhode-island-senate-democrats-pass.html

Big Education Ape: The Day After NYC Freedom Day | JD2718 - http://bigeducationape.blogspot.com/2021/02/the-day-after-nyc-freedom-day-jd2718.html

Big Education Ape: CURMUDGUCATION: My Battle With Learning Loss - http://bigeducationape.blogspot.com/2021/02/curmudgucation-my-battle-with-learning.html

Big Education Ape: A VERY BUSY DAY Larry Ferlazzo's Websites of the Day... The latest news and resources in education since 2007 #BLM #BLACKLIVESMATTER #BLACKHISTORYMONTH - http://bigeducationape.blogspot.com/2021/02/a-very-busy-day-larry-ferlazzos_14.html

YESTERDAY

TOP POSTS THIS WEEK 2/13/21 #REDFORED #tbats #REOPENSCHOOLSSAFELY #TOPBANANAHEADLINES #BLM #BLACKLIVESMATTER #BLACKHISTORYMONTH

Big Education Ape / 20h

Big Education Ape TOP POSTS THIS WEEK 2/13/21 ‘Slaying Goliath’: Diane Ravitch argues in new book that public education advocates have beat back efforts to privatize schools - The Washington Post The real story of New Orleans and its charter schools - The Washington Post THE TOP BANANA: TODAY'S EDUCATION HEADLINES Friday, February 12, 2021 #REDFORED #tbats #BLM #BLACKLIVESMATTER #BLACKHISTORYMONT

THE TOP BANANA: TODAY'S EDUCATION HEADLINES Saturday, February 13, 2021 #REDFORED #tbats #BLM #BLACKLIVESMATTER #BLACKHISTORYMONTH #RIPKARENLEWIS

Big Education Ape / 20h

Big Education Ape THE TOP BANANA TODAY'S EDUCATION HEADLINES Sentinel Editorial: Gutting education; Latest school voucher bill is the most ambitious, and worst, yet | Editorial | sentinelsource.com - https://www.sentinelsource.com/opinion/editorial/sentinel-editorial-gutting-

Big Education Ape

NANCY BAILEY: 26 Reasons to Love Teachers During the Pandemic

26 Reasons to Love Teachers During the Pandemic

26 Reasons to Love Teachers During the Pandemic

Let teachers know how much they’re cared for on Valentine’s Day! Their mental health is important during this troubling time, so reach out and say something kind. No matter what anyone thinks about school reopenings it’s important to express love and appreciation for all that teachers do and have done during the pandemic.

While Covid-19 has been a tragedy and schooling is a concern for parents, another tragedy is unfolding in this country. It’s the loss of qualified, experienced teachers. The most important person in a child’s life next to their parents and family is their teacher.

Here are 26 examples pulled from social media and through discussions with teachers during this trying time. They’re in no particular order and provide a small example of what all teachers do. But they show a beautiful profession and teachers who always make it so, especially during Covid-19. Feel free to share your story or provide additional examples of the good that teachers do.

Teachers take food and supplies to students. Here they rode school buses 150 miles a day traversing gravel and dirt roads to hand out food and homework to children.
Teaching in frigid weather outside or in chilly rooms with windows open must not be easy, but here teachers mean to keep students safe and protest unsafe school reopening plans.
These teachers make home visits where they connect with families and children.
Some teachers show up for in-person schooling even though they’re pregnant. CONTINUE READING: 26 Reasons to Love Teachers During the Pandemic

Clara Luper, Black Educator Hall of Fame - Philly's 7th Ward

CLARA LUPER, BLACK EDUCATOR HALL OF FAME

E’ry day this month, the Center for Black Educator Development, in partnership with Phillys7thWard.org, will highlight a Black Educator Hall of Famer.

But, don’t forget, e’ry month is Black History Month…February is just the Blackest.

Today, our featured Black Educator is Clara Luper.

Clara Luper was an eduactivist who’s a seminal figure in Oklahoma history. Born in Oklahoma in 1923, Luper was a mathematics major and history minor in college. She graduated from Langston University and was the first Black person admitted to the history program at the University of Oklahoma, where she’d graduate with her master’s degree in history; the first Black graduate as well.

I wanted to read the books. I wanted to explore new ideas, but the walls separated us and we were caught behind the walls.

Luper taught history and public relations at Dunjee High School in Spencer, Oklahoma, and at John Marshall and Classen High Schools in Oklahoma City. While we know a lot about the preachers who played significant roles in the CONTINUE READING: Clara Luper, Black Educator Hall of Fame - Philly's 7th Ward

Who Is Cindy Marten? | Diane Ravitch's blog

Who Is Cindy Marten?

The Biden administration selected San Diego Superintendent of Schools Cindy Marten to become Deputy Secretary of Education, the #2 job in the Department of Education.

She has a long career as a teacher, as principal of a high-poverty school in San Diego, and as Superintendent of the state’s second largest district since 2013.

Louis Freedberg of Edsource describes her career in this article.

Marten has been superintendent of San Diego Unified since 2013. But before that she had been a teacher for 17 years, as well as principal of San Diego’s Central Elementary School, a school in the diverse City Heights neighborhood where 96% of students qualify for free and reduced-priced meals.

It was after several years at Central Elementary that she made the virtually unheard of jump from an elementary school principal to being superintendent of her district — not just any district, but the second-largest district in California and the 20th-largest in the nation.

Derrick Johnson, President of the national NAACP, tweeted his support for her candidacy.

The San Diego chapter of the NAACP, strong supporters of charter schools, has criticized Cindy Marten for the CONTINUE READING: Who Is Cindy Marten? | Diane Ravitch's blog

Educators Everywhere See Chance to Ditch Exam Straitjacket | Diane Ravitch's blog

Educators Everywhere See Chance to Ditch Exam Straitjacket

The Financial Times reports on a new phenomenon: educators around the world see the pandemic as an opportunity to break free of standardized exams.

Tony Stack, a Canadian educator, was developing a new way to assess children even before coronavirus. The decision to scrap end-of-year assessments after the pandemic struck presented the chance to put the “deep learning” approach into practice. “It offered an opportunity for an authentic learning experience, outside some of the constraints of an exam,” said Mr Stack, director of education for Newfoundland and Labrador province. This alternative model, used in 1,300 schools across eight countries, that prioritises skills and independent thinking “set a way forward for a more ethical approach to assessment,” he explained. “Skills that students need to learn through the pandemic cannot be assessed in a single test,” he added.

Most viewed the abrupt cancellation of exams in countries around the world as a regrettable loss that CONTINUE READING: Educators Everywhere See Chance to Ditch Exam Straitjacket | Diane Ravitch's blog

This Teacher Worked for K12 Inc. and Now Regrets It | Diane Ravitch's blog

This Teacher Worked for K12 Inc. and Now Regrets It

I have been writing for many years about the low quality “education” that virtual charter schools provide their students. They make fabulous promises in their marketing materials, but the results for their schools are awful. Their students have low test scores, low graduation rates, and high attrition rates. Their teachers often have huge classes. Study after study has demonstrated that those who attend these virtual charters get a very poor quality education. One CREDO study found that it was equivalent to not going to school at all. K12 Inc. is fabulously profitable, but not for its students.

A teacher responded to this post by writing the following comment on this blog:

Indeed, “It IS worth pondering why and how the Democratic Party abandoned its longstanding belief in equitable, well-resourced public schools as a common good.” As a newly credentialed secondary school teacher in California, my first (and, to date, last) full-time “public school” employment occurred at CA Virtual Academies, a subsidiary of K12, inc. (now a.k.a. Stride).

Little did I know when I began that the challenges of CONTINUE READING: This Teacher Worked for K12 Inc. and Now Regrets It | Diane Ravitch's blog

EdAction in Congress February 14, 2021 - Education Votes

EdAction in Congress February 14, 2021

Key committees approve components of COVID-19 package

Key components of President Biden’s $1.9 trillion COVID-19 stimulus and relief package advanced this week as they passed out of these House committees: Education and Labor, Ways and Means, Energy and Commerce, and Oversight and Reform. The next stop is the House floor the week of Feb. 22, and then the Senate. Democrats are pushing to pass the entire package by early to mid-March, when unemployment benefits again expire.

The package approved by House committees this week includes NEA’s top priorities: $170 billion in dedicated education funding to help advance the process of safely returning to in-person instruction at K-12 public school buildings, college campuses and universities; $350 billion in state and local aid to avoid further layoffs of educators and other essential public servants; and $7 billion to address an aspect of the digital divide known as the homework gap—the inability to do schoolwork at home due to lack of internet access—via the E-Rate program administered by the Federal Communications Commission (FCC).

NEA is also pushing to require all employers to provide paid sick leave for the duration of the pandemic. Sixty percent of U.S. workers do not have access to paid sick leave through their employers, including many education support professionals. TAKE ACTION

Cardona gets bipartisan support at confirmation hearing

The Senate Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions (HELP) Committee voted to advance Dr. Miguel Cardona’s nomination for Secretary of Education by a vote of 17-5. During his confirmation hearing, Cardona stressed that “we must be able to reduce spread and contain the virus” to reopen school buildings safely. “If we really want to recover, we need to invest now,” he said, noting that President Biden’s COVID-19 package would make it possible to hire more teachers, school counselors, and expand summer programming. The full Senate is expected to confirm Cardona’s nomination before the month is out. TAKE ACTION

Biden’s executive orders: what they mean for educators and students

From day one, President Joe Biden has been working with educators to address the pandemic and systemic racism, aid our school communities, and support the labor movement across the country. Along with Dr. Jill Biden and Secretary-designate Miguel Cardona, President Biden has made efforts to lift up educators’ voices in the White House and the Department of Education, providing more support than ever for educators, students, and families.

“Educators are encouraged not only by President Biden’s leadership, but also by knowing that there is finally a true partner in the White House who will prioritize students by working with educators in the decision-making process,” said NEA President Becky Pringle. READ MORE

Cheers and Jeers

Reps. Jim Langevin (D-RI) and Glenn Thompson (R-PA), co-chairs of the House Career and Technical Education Caucus, introduced a resolution honoring February as CTE Month.

Sens. Richard Burr (R-NC), Susan Collins (R-ME), Bill Cassidy (R-LA), Lisa Murkowski (R-AK), Mitt Romney (R-UT), and Jerry Moran (R-KS) voted to confirm Dr. Miguel Cardona as Secretary of Education, along with all the Democrats on the Senate Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions Committee.

Sens. Richard Burr (R-NC), Susan Collins (R-ME), Bill Cassidy (R-LA), Lisa Murkowski (R-AK), Roger Marshall (R-KS), Mitt Romney (R-UT), and Tommy Tuberville (R-AL) voted to confirm Marty Walsh as Secretary of Labor, along with all the Democrats on the Senate Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions Committee.

Rep. Mary Miller (R-IL) offered a voucher amendment that would redirect federal funding from public to private schools via “education savings accounts” during the House Education and Labor Committee’s markup of COVID-19 relief legislation. It was defeated.

Rep. Andy Biggs (R-AZ) reintroduced the Native American Education Opportunity Act (H.R. 505), which would create a voucher-like program for students who now attend schools operated by the Bureau of Indian Education.

Rep. Jason Smith (R-MO) proposed an amendment to the budget reconciliation bill that would expand 529-eligible expenses to include K-12 educational expenses. It was defeated

Sens. Rand Paul (R-KY), Mike Braun (R-IN), Roger Marshall (R-KS), Tommy Tuberville (R-AL), and Tim Scott (R-SC) opposed confirming Dr. Miguel Cardona as Secretary of Education.

Sens. Rand Paul (R-KY), Mike Braun (R-IN), Tim Scott (R-SC), and Jerry Moran (R-KS) opposed confirming Marty Walsh as Secretary of Labor.

EdAction in Congress February 14, 2021 - Education Votes

Over a Billion – Tennessee Education Report

OVER A BILLION

he surplus for the current fiscal year is now over $1 billion with six more months to go, according to figures released by the Tennessee Department of Revenue. This announcement comes as the Sycamore Institute recently released an analysis demonstrating that lawmakers will have at least $3.1 billion in “excess” or unplanned revenue with which to budget in the current cycle.

The figures for January indicated revenue coming in at $380 million above projections. This prompted TEA President Beth Brown to point out that the January surplus alone is three times what Gov. Lee has proposed investing in teacher pay this year.

Lee has shown no indication he plans to make any bold or meaningful investment in public schools, instead preferring to maintain the status quo of an underfunded school system.

The last decade has seen Tennessee’s Republican leadership consistently demonstrate that public schools are not a funding priority.

In fact, the Education Law Center has released a report noting that from 2008 to 2018 CONTINUE READING: Over a Billion – Tennessee Education Report

Dr. Marcus A. Foster, Black History Hall of Fame - Philly's 7th Ward

DR. MARCUS A. FOSTER, BLACK HISTORY HALL OF FAME

E’ry day this month, the Center for Black Educator Development, in partnership with Phillys7thWard.org, will highlight a Black Educator Hall of Famer.

But, don’t forget, e’ry month is Black History Month…February is just the Blackest.

Today, our featured Black Educator is Dr. Marcus Foster.

Marcus A. Foster was born on March 31, 1923 in Georgia. However, Foster is a Philadelphian through and through. He is a graduate of South Philadelphia High School, Cheyney State College, and the University of Pennsylvania having earned his degree as Doctor of Education. His thesis was titled, Utilizing the Sellin-Wolfgang index of delinquency to determine the efficacy of a treatment pro-gram for delinquent and predelinquent boys (1972).

Dr. Foster also authored the book Making Schools Work: Strategies for Changing Education (Westminster John Knox Press, 1971).

Dr. Foster dedicated almost the entirety of his career to the students of CONTINUE READING: Dr. Marcus A. Foster, Black History Hall of Fame - Philly's 7th Ward

What's In A Blaine? | Blue Cereal Education

What's In A Blaine?

I've written about the Blaine Amendment before in the context of Oklahoma GOP shenanigans a few years back. This time around, I'm looking to go a bit 'bigger picture' and give it a brief chapter in "It Followed Her To School One Day," which might actually be finished before summer. Below is the first draft of that chapter.

The final product will be tighter (this one's too long) and less ranty-ravee about things.While I'm not going for detached and boring in the book, I will shoot for something a bit more balanced and accessible to the average reader. This is not an ethical decision so much as capitalistic lust. I mean, let's be honest - conservative dollars spend the same as liberal dollars, and they have WAY more of them, so no sense alientating them right out of the gate. Keep it subtle, so they can be offended and horrified after it's too late to return it.

Here with you, however, my Eleven Faithful Followers, I can share my unfiltered wisdom with spices and color intact.

What's In A Blaine?

Blaine Gators While it was not always mentioned by name, several major decisions of the Court in the early 21st century very much involved the history and potential future of the “Blaine Amendment.” Blaine is a general label applied to various provisions in 37 different state CONTINUE READING: What's In A Blaine? | Blue Cereal Education

Rhode Island Senate Democrats Pass Three-Year Moratorium on New Charters | Diane Ravitch's blog

Rhode Island Senate Democrats Pass Three-Year Moratorium on New Charters

The Rhode Island State Senate overwhelmingly passed a three-year moratorium on the opening of new charter schools. The vote was 30-6, with only one Democrat in opposition. Under the leadership of Governor Gina Raimondo, who is about to become President Biden’s Commerce Secretary, the state has welcomed charter operators (Raimondo was a hedge fund executive before she became Governor).

This delay offers state officials time to stabilize public schools in Providence and elsewhere, where charters have flocked and removed students and funding.

Linda Borg of the Providence Journal reports:

Sen. Ryan Pearson has seen Cumberland, one of his districts, lose a significant number of traditional public school students to charter schools.

He argued that the latest charter expansion would have a CONTINUE READING: Rhode Island Senate Democrats Pass Three-Year Moratorium on New Charters | Diane Ravitch's blog

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Sunday, February 14, 2021