Wednesday, August 10, 2011

Big Education Ape: 8-10-11 PM "the passion-driven school" EDition

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In Common Core, Little to Cheer About

edweek.org - Published Online: August 9, 2011Published in Print: August 10, 2011, as In Common Core, Little to Cheer AboutCommentary ByAndew C. PorterThe United States has long resisted a national curriculum, b...

DianeRavitch

Put it into law - Timesonline.com: Editorials:

timesonline.com - Posted: Wednesday, August 10, 2011 4:00 am | Updated: 4:20 pm, Tue Aug 9, 2011. Democrats in Harrisburg ought to make state Rep. Jim Christiana put his legislation where his mouth is. At a hearing ...

DianeRavitch

The NEA’s Circus | Labor Notes

labornotes.org - Despite fewer delegates than previous years—just about 9,000, down from 10,000—the National Education Association’s annual convention is still the largest delegated decision-making body in the worl...

DianeRavitch

PSBA | News Headlines

psba.org - 8/9/2011 Peter L. DeCoursey, Capitolwire Bureau ChiefREPRINTED WITH PERMISSIONHARRISBURG (Aug. 8) -- Education Secretary Ron Tomalis and Senate Education Committee Chairman Jeff Piccola, R-Dauphin,...

DianeRavitch

My response to a proposed charter in RSU #3 Text of my talk on "the passion-driven school" Making the case.... To quit or not to quit? School Detox If I was a kid Rant

mindsofkids.blogspot.com - This blog post began life as a letter to my fellow board members in an effort to explain what I could barely understand myself: why I felt so firmly opposed to a proposed charter school, The Rural ...

DianeRavitch

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Following the Charter Dollars - News & Announcements

lsba.com - Following the Dollars Who benefits financially from the pro-market charter school movement? The charter school reform emerged in part out of a progressive effort to promote innovation that ...

leoniehaimson

SOS March on Washington gives thousands a voice

substancenews.net - Sharon Schmidt - August 03, 2011'Fired' tee shirts told a dramatic story of the teacher bashing policies of the Obama administration. George and Annie Mclaughlin taught at Central Falls High School...

DianeRavitch

Kate Walsh, the NCTQ and US World and World Report

seattleducation2010.wordpress.com - On the news wires this week, U.S. News & World Report and the National Council on Teacher Quality (NCTQ) announce today the launch of a landmark survey. The survey will consist of more than 1,000 ...

leoniehaimson

SocietySee all

HedgeFund.net: Public news from HedgeNews

hedgefund.net - Ever wonder how a hedge fund manager ended up on the board of directors of your local charter school? Thatâ€™s the question Don Whittinghill, a consultant to the Louisiana School Boards Association...

mikeklonsky

New images of Britain

michaelklonsky.blogspot.com - Oppression breeds resistanceBut the riots also reflect the alienation and resentment of many young people in Britain, where one million people from the ages of 16 to 24 are officially unemployed,...

fklonsky

There is a context to London's riots that can't be ignored | Nina Power | Comment is free

guardian.co.uk - Police in riot gear in Enfield, north London, on Sunday night. Photograph: Stefan Wermuth/Reuters Since the coalition came to power just over a year ago, the country has seen multiple student prote...

leoniehaimson

PoliticsSee all

Blog posts on this issue

whitehouse.gov - The White House Office of the Press Secretary For Immediate Release August 10, 2011 James S. Brady Press Briefing Room 12:46 P.M. EDT MR. CARNEY: Why don't we start? I don't have any anno...

mikeklonsky

Delta Threat to Fly the Coop in Atlanta Sounds Like Political Hot Air | Flying Lessons

blog.seattlepi.com - In a fawning interview earlier this summer with anchorman, Neil Cavuto, Anderson sounded an awful lot like he was threatening to take his big ole Atlanta-based airline out of the country if those O...

mikeklonsky

Murdoch-Owned Wireless Generation's $27M Contract Should Be Scratched, Teachers' Union Leaders Write

huffingtonpost.com - NEW YORK -- New York should drop a $27 million contract with Wireless Generation, a Rupert Murdoch-owned student data tracking company, in light of News Corporation's alleged wrongdoings, teachers'...

mikeklonsky

StoriesSee all

Our daily newpapers: four different takes on NYC test scores

nycpublicschoolparents.blogspot.com - The Wall Street Journal says charter schools’ scores – especially those of Eva Moskowitz’s schools -- are so stellar that they should stop opponents in their tracks. Of course! Privatization is...

leoniehaimson

What work is. « Fred Klonsky's blog

preaprez.wordpress.com - What work is. by Philip Levine, the new US Poet Laureate We stand in the rain in a long line waiting at Ford Highland Park. For work. You know what work is—if you’re old enough to read this you kno...

fklonsky

A very sad day in the Co-op world

davisfoodcoop.blogspot.com - Last month I blogged about the good our Co-op is doing in our local community, but today I'd like to point out that we are also part of a national and even global community, which is to say, the Co...

coopmike48

WorldSee all

Chile: Protest in Santiago Grows Violent

nytimes.com - Violence erupted on the streets of Chile’s capital, Santiago, on Tuesday as tens of thousands of students staged another protest demanding increased financing for public education. Masked protester...

fklonsky

BBC News - Parliament recalled to tackle riots

bbc.co.uk - 9 August 2011 Last updated at 06:23 ET Please turn on JavaScript. Media requires JavaScript to play. Amateur footage appears to show a gang of youths charging at police in south-east London Parliam...

leoniehaimson

Bomb Package Explodes Mexican Campus, Injuring 2 Professors

hispanicallyspeakingnews.com - Published at 1:05 pm, August 9, 2011 Photo Credits: Bomb Explodes on Monterrey Institute of Technology Campus Mexico City authorities are reporting a package bomb exploded at the Monterrey Institut...

coopmike48

CrimeSee all

Chicago Shopping

chicagotribune.com - By Annie Sweeney Tribune reporter 10:57 p.m. CDT, August 9, 2011 A federal judge has ruled that former Mayor Richard M. Daley can be sued for alleged police brutality conspiracies that happened und...

fklonsky

Chicago Shopping

chicagotribune.com - By Annie Sweeney, Tribune reporter August 10, 2011 A federal judge has ruled that former Mayor Richard M. Daley can be sued for alleged police brutality conspiracies that happened under former Chic...

mikeklonsky

Principal found dead at Tenn. school; student held

boston.com - MEMPHIS, Tenn.—A school principal was killed Wednesday in an apparent homicide at a private school and a 17-year-old student was taken into custody, police said.Officers said the body Suzette York,...

coopmike48

#edu Read this paperSee all

A Revolution Within the UTLA

bigeducationape.blogspot.com - A Revolution Within the UTLAA Revolution from Withinby Sarah Rosenberg The 40,000-member United Teachers Los Angeles is not known as a leader in education reform. In fact, Los Angeles Mayor Antoni...

coopmike48

Don't be a Bully | EdNews #Parent

bigeducationape.blogspot.com - Brad Scornavacco – Bullying | EdNews Parent Brad Scornavacco – Bullying *Brad Scornavacco* is a nationally-renowned martial artist who brings the best of the martial arts into the world of schools ...

coopmike48

Randi Weingarten: Wisconsin Fight "Inspirational," Citizens United Contributed to Dem Losses - Dana Goldstein

bigeducationape.blogspot.com - Randi Weingarten: Wisconsin Fight "Inspirational," Citizens United Contributed to Dem Losses - Dana GoldsteinRandi Weingarten: Wisconsin Fight "Inspirational," Citizens United Contributed to Dem Lo...

coopmike48

#parent Read this paperSee all

Don't be a Bully | EdNews #Parent

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What work is. « Fred Klonsky's blog

What work is.

by Fred Klonsky

What work is.

by Philip Levine, the new US Poet Laureate

We stand in the rain in a long line

waiting at Ford Highland Park. For work.

You know what work is—if you’re

old enough to read this you know what

work is, although you may not do it.

Forget you. This is about waiting,

shifting from one foot to another.

Feeling the light rain falling like mist

into your hair, blurring

A Revolution Within the UTLA

A Revolution from Within

by Sarah Rosenberg

The 40,000-member United Teachers Los Angeles is not known as a leader in education reform. In fact, Los Angeles Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa, a former teachers union employee, characterized UTLA leaders as standing as, “one unwavering roadblock to reform.” But reform is brewing within the UTLA.

NewTLA, a progressive caucus within UTLA, currently holds 90 of the 350 elected leadership seats in UTLA’s official governing body. With over 25% of the seats, NewTLA holds considerable power to shift UTLA policy towards NewTLA’s priorities which include: comprehensive teacher evaluation, meaningful professional development, and quality-based criteria for determining layoffs and dismissals. Earlier this year during a hotly contested runoff election for union president, NewTLA endorsed underdog and self-described change agent Warren Fletcher over UTLA vice-president and front-runner Julie Washington. Fletcher won the

Don't be a Bully | EdNews #Parent

Brad Scornavacco – Bullying | EdNews Parent

Brad Scornavacco – Bullying *Brad Scornavacco* is a nationally-renowned martial artist who brings the best of the martial arts into the world of schools and teaching. A graduate of Northwestern University, Scornavacco has studied peak mind/body performance for more than 25 ...

Mike Harris – Internet safety, cyberbullying *Investigator Mike Harris* supervises the Child Sex Offender Internet Investigations Unit (CSOII) with the First Judicial District Attorney’s Office, which serves Jefferson and Gilpin counties. Harris has 31 years experience in law enforcement. ...

Linda Kanan – School safety, mental health, bullying *Linda Kanan *is director of the Colorado School Safety Resource Center. Kanan received her doctorate in school psychology from the University of Denver. She is a former teacher and school psychologist with over 25 years of experience with youth and

Christine Harms – School safety, crisis response, mental health *[image: Christine Harms]Christine Harms *is a former public school teacher, private school administrator, and trainer with more than 30 years experience working with youth, professionals and parents in schools, private practice and victim serving ...

Jane Grady – School safety, violence prevention *[image: Jane Grady]Jane Grady* is assistant director of the Center for the Study and Prevention (CSPV) at the University of Colorado, Boulder, and director of the CSPV Information Clearinghouse. Grady has more than 20 years experience working in the ...

Sabrina Arredondo Mattson – School safety, after-school programs, violence prevention *[image: Sabrina Arredondo Mattson]Sabrina Arredondo Mattson*, PhD, is the director of the Safe Communities – Safe Schools Initiative (SCSS) at the Center for the Study and Prevention of Violence at the University of Colorado, Boulder. She has a ...

Bethy Leonardi – Literacy, math, middle school, high school, alternative education *Bethy Leonardi* is in her second year as a doctoral student at the University of Colorado at Boulder in Educational Foundations, Policy and Practice. She received her master’s in the same discipline at CU. Leonardi, a native of New Orleans, also has ...

Jackie Hernandez – Bilingual education, languages ***Jackie Hernandez *comes to us from Phoenix, Ariz., where she spent five years working in ESL (English as a Second Language) and Spanish immersion classrooms. While K-12 education is her practice professionally, her hobby is in adult language ...

Kevin Jones – Rural education, teens, high school, PE *[image: Principal Kevin Jones with microphone outside.]**Kevin Jones *graduated in 1990 from Alamosa High School. He was an ornery kid who gave teachers a hard time. He didn’t try very hard and only got by to be eligible for sports. Sports took him ...

Sarah Brenkert – Early childhood and elementary education, science *[image: Sarah Brenkert]**Sarah Brenkert *has worked with young children, families, and educators for 15 years, and holds an M.S. Ed in early childhood and elementary education from Bank Street College in New York City. A mom to Liam, 3, and Vivian, ...

Randi Weingarten: Wisconsin Fight "Inspirational," Citizens United Contributed to Dem Losses - Dana Goldstein

Randi Weingarten: Wisconsin Fight "Inspirational," Citizens United Contributed to Dem Losses

by Dana Goldstein

I had lunch with American Federation of Teachers president Randi Weingarten this afternoon here in New York. Our conversation was filled with interesting tidbits, and I'll give it a fuller treatment on the blog tomorrow. For now, I want to share her take on the recall vote in Wisconsin yesterday, in which Democrats won two of the six Republican seats up for grabs, falling two seats short of the number needed to gain control of the state senate.

The election was an important milestone for labor unions, which spent millions attempting to recall Republican lawmakers allied with Gov. Scott Walker, who successfully curtailed collective bargaining rights for teachers and other public employees. Conservative organizations such as Americans for Prosperity, funded by the Koch brothers, also poured millions into the state. "If you don't think Citizens United had an impact, just look at

Rahm hands us the check. « Fred Klonsky's blog

Rahm hands us the check.

by Fred Klonsky

Imagine going out to dinner at Mayor Rahm’s restaurant. The food is just so-so. You’ve had way better. But even worse is the fact that when you get the bill, it says you owe $85.

But there is nothing on the bill that says what you ordered. It is loaded with gibberish.

Over the next few days, and with very little notice, there will be hearings around the city on the proposed property tax increase for Chicago Public Schools.

The hearings are tonight, tomorrow night and Friday night. The budget is 2,000 pages long. Parents are welcome to comment.

Sure.

There should be no tax increase until the books are opened for serious scrutiny and the Chicago Teachers Union

Teaching strategies that work! But for what? - The Answer Sheet - The Washington Post

Teaching strategies that work! But for what?

by Valerie Strauss

This was written by Alfie Kohn, the author of 12 books about education and human behavior, including “The Schools Our Children Deserve,” “The Homework Myth,” and the newly published“Feel-Bad Education . . . And Other Contrarian Essays on Children & Schooling.” He lives (actually) in the Boston area and (virtually) atwww.alfiekohn.com.

By Alfie Kohn

Read full article >>

The Associated Press: Britain's rioters: young, poor and disillusioned

Britain's rioters: young, poor and disillusioned

By MEERA SELVA, Associated Press – 1 hour ago

LONDON (AP) — Young rioters clogged Britain's courthouses Wednesday, each one painting a bleak picture of a lost generation: a 15-year-old Ukrainian whose mother died, a 17-year-old who followed his cousin into the mayhem, an 11-year-old gangster arrested for stealing a garbage can.

Britain is bitterly divided on the reasons behind the riots — some blame the unrest on opportunistic criminality, others say conflicting economic policies and punishing government spending cuts have deepened inequalities in the country's most deprived areas.

Many of the youths themselves struggle to find any one plausible answer, but a widespread sense of alienation emerges from their tales.

"Nobody is doing nothing for us — not the politicians, not the cops, no one," a 19-year-old who

Schooling in the Ownership Society: Following the Charter Dollars

Following the Charter Dollars

by Mike Klonsky

A report from the Louisiana School Boards Assoc. reveals many of the hedge-funders and ownership society forces behind the current charter school movement.

Following the Dollars

The DeVos are joined in the outspoken group of billionaires who proclaim publicly that they favor ending government involvement in education. Among the biggest contributors are Richard Mellon Scaife (owner of the Pittsburg Tribune Review), and the Koch family foundations. Other foundations include Olin, Bradley, Smith Richardson and the Walton family who join in the drive to

"This is how things are done in Illinois."

by Mike Klonsky

That's what Joseph Cari, former finance chairman for the Democratic National Committee, told a Virginia investment firm seeking millions in business with the Illinois State Pension Fund. Cari told them that they could get a piece of the state's teacher retirement money if they would only kick back $850,000 his way.

Cari's downfall came after he assisted Stuart Levine, a corrupt trustee of the Illinois Teachers' Retirement System who was also convicted in the scandal, in an attempted extortion. Levine made a series of calls in 2004 to executives of JER

Why parents can’t save schools - Class Struggle - The Washington Post

Why parents can’t save schools

By Jay Mathews

One of the summer scandals keeping us education wonks amused until school starts is a American Federation of Teachers gaffe in Connecticut. Union officials posted online an analysis of their lobbying against a parent trigger law in that state that revealed too much about their distaste for letting moms and dads decide who should run their schools.

Bloggers RiShawn Biddle and Alexander Russo exposed the union celebrating its gutting of a Connecticut version of California’s parent trigger law. School reform organizations and editorialists were aghast. AFT president Randi Weingarten disowned the Web post. Activists

Where Hedge Funds Meets Charter Schools HedgeFund.net

HedgeFund.net: Public news from HedgeNews

Where Hedge Funds Meets Charter Schools
by Ricardo Kaulessar , Reporter
Published:August 10, 2011

Ever wonder how a hedge fund manager ended up on the board of directors of your local charter school?

That’s the question Don Whittinghill, a consultant to the Louisiana School Boards Association, set out to answer in a recent report posted on LSBA’s website.

The report, “Following The Dollars,” looks at how those in the corporate world have seized upon investment opportunities in the charter school movement.

Charter schools are free public schools founded by parents and/or educators. They are different in that most avoid the local school board oversight and teacher’s union contracts that other public schools must face. And in many cases, charter schools have their own boards.

Most of their funding comes from taxpayer money with the rest received in

The U.S. Military's Plan for London-Like Riots - Global - The Atlantic Wire

Reuters

The U.S. Military's Plan for London-Like Riots

JOHN HUDSON3:23 PM ET85 ViewsComment

With British Prime Minister David Cameron authorizing the use of rubber bullets and water canons in wake of the turbulent London riots spreading through Britain, questions have been raised about how authorities in the U.S. would respond to a similar domestic disturbance threatening the nation's stability. According to National Journal's White House correspondent Marc Ambinder the U.S. already has a game plan in place. "If what happened in London ever happened in the US, the military has plans -- CONPLAN 3501 and 3502 -- to suppress the 'insurrection,' he tweeted. The mysterious reference to a numbered military plan generated a flurry of interest on Twitter as NPR host Michele Norris shot back:"I want to know more about the military's plan to suppress any potential 'insurrection.'-- CONPLAN 3501 and 3502????"

Interestingly, the CONPLAN (which stands for an "operation plan in concept format" at the Pentagon) Ambinder referenced is a popular subject among conspiracy theorists and critics of martial law. According to the public policy organization GlobalSecurity.org, CONPLAN 3502 is the U.S. military's plan for assisting state and local authorities in the event of a riot or major civil disturbance: "Tasks performed by military forces may include joint patrolling with law enforcement officers; securing key buildings,

How Big Urban Districts Can Succeed, Part II | The Education Front Blog | dallasnews.com

How Big Urban Districts Can Succeed, Part II

by William McKenzie/ Editorial Columnist

How can big urban school districts succeed?

Here's the second major element they need: a pipeline of leaders flowing into their classrooms and principal offices.

All the innovation projects in the world won't make a difference without teachers who know how to lead a classroom and principals who know how to preside over a campus.

Fortunately, the Dallas school district has tried to get ahead of the curve here. Former Superintendent Michael Hinojosa made a priority out of improving DISD's principal corps. He was selective in many hires.

Unfortunately, the district has not had enough top-notch candidates. Sometimes Hinojosa's hands were tied. He

An Urban Teacher's Education: Dear President Obama and Secretary Duncan

Dear President Obama and Secretary Duncan

by James Boutin

Dear President Obama and Secretary Duncan,

On Monday, the Department of Education issued a press release informing states that they would be given an opportunity to dodge NCLB's silly requirements if they are willing to embrace "education reform."

As a teacher, I'd like you to know that I'm deeply troubled by two aspects of this proposal.

First, as inept as NCLB has been in attempting to improve "failing" schools, sidestepping federal law in the name of your preferred policy sets a dangerous precedent. Is what you're proposing even legal? Can we not trust elected officials to come together and mend major legislative flaws without resorting to carrot and stick

Big Education Ape - PostRank Today's 8

This Week In Education: Reform: Illinois Teacher Reform Effort Comes In Last This Week In Education: Reform: Illinois Teacher Reform Effort Comes In Last Reform: Illinois Teacher Reform Effort Comes In Last [image: Picture 15] With funding from Walton, the pro-reform DC consulting firm Bellwether Partners has taken a look at ...

Daily Kos: A must-read by Frankie Schaeffer Daily Kos: A must-read by Frankie Schaeffer A must-read by Frankie Schaeffer by rss@dailykos.com (teacherken) at Alternet, titled Michele Bachmann Was Inspired By My Dad and His Christian Reconstructionist Friends -- Here's Why That's Terrifying. It is, ...

All Education Matters: Conversations with Candidates: David Hunsicker All Education Matters: Conversations with Candidates: David Hunsicker Conversations with Candidates: David Hunsicker by C. Cryn Johannsen *If you are a candidate running for office (city, state, or at the national level) and would like to be promoted by ...

Save Seattle Schools Community Blog: No Child Left Behind - What Should It Be Called Now? Save Seattle Schools Community Blog: No Child Left Behind - What Should It Be Called Now? No Child Left Behind - What Should It Be Called Now? by Melissa Westbrook I do want to write up a thread on No Child Left Behind. The poor program is now in a bit ...

4LAKids - some of the news that doesn't fit: Schools that Expel, Suspend, Deny (Update): SCHOOL DISCIPLINE OFTEN METED OUT UNEVENLY 4LAKids - some of the news that doesn't fit: Schools that Expel, Suspend, Deny (Update): SCHOOL DISCIPLINE OFTEN METED OUT UNEVENLY Schools that Expel, Suspend, Deny (Update): SCHOOL DISCIPLINE OFTEN METED OUT UNEVENLY NPR TALK OF THE NATION + ...

IL teachers. If you wait on pensions, it will be too late. « Fred Klonsky's blog IL teachers. If you wait on pensions, it will be too late. « Fred Klonsky's blog IL teachers. If you wait on pensions, it will be too late. by Fred Klonsky I received this from Glen Brown this morning. Pass it on. *Dear colleague and friend,* *John ...

Tom Torlakson’s blueprint | Thoughts on Public Education Tom Torlakson’s blueprint | Thoughts on Public Education Tom Torlakson’s blueprint - by John Fensterwald - Educated Guess by John Fensterwald - Educated Guess Create a Commission on Educator Excellence to jump-start policies on teacher and principal ...

State education chief: Time to invest in schools is now | California Watch State education chief: Time to invest in schools is now | California Watch State education chief: Time to invest in schools is now by Corey G. Johnson Corey G. Johnson U.S. Census Bureau State Superintendent for Public Instruction Tom Torlakson said ...

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