Nite Cap 7-26-13 #BATsACT #thankateacher #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 CAP

TODAY

Student Voice

Student Voice: On Bias and LearningBias is dangerous.More than any other time in our lives, we students are now coming head-to-head with the future. That’s a frightening concept, especially for those of us who are interested in leaving an impact on our societies. We’re forced to acknowledge that if we are going to make a change, the time is now. The most important action one must take in order to

by mike simpson / 25min 

Mike Klonsky's SmallTalk Blog: Summer reading

Mike Klonsky's SmallTalk Blog: Summer reading: Summer readingI'm trying to catch up this summer on reading that's piling up in the Kindle. Aside from beach novels -- I've reloaded The Ninth Wave by Eugene Burdick, a favorite from my ill-spent youth in L.A.. Burdick also authored popular '60s reads, The Ugly American and Fail Safe -- I'm trying to get to the serious stuff.On top of the new pile is 

by mike simpson / 31min 

Shooting for the Stars: Let’s Read! Let’s Move! | ED.gov Blog

Shooting for the Stars: Let’s Read! Let’s Move! | ED.gov Blog: Shooting for the Stars: Let’s Read! Let’s Move!Posted on July 26, 2013 by Guest BloggerThe third installment of the Let’s Read! Let’s Move! summer series at the Department of Education took kids’ imaginations all the way to the moon and back this week with space-themed activities and a strong focus on STEM. The event was part of the Co

by mike simpson / 37min 

Diane in the Evening 7-26-13 Diane Ravitch's blog | A site to discuss better education for all

Diane Ravitch's blog | A site to discuss better education for all: How Arizona Discriminates Against Public SchoolsA comment from a reader in Arizona: “I live in Arizona, am freshly retired from the US military, and have no children. Even from this vantage point, it doesn’t take much effort to see that Arizona’s under paid, hard working (at multiple jobs), parents are too busy trying to survive to

by mike simpson / 38min 

What Parents really want from the New ESEA

What Parents really want from the New ESEA 

by mike simpson / 3h 

This Week In Education: Update: Goodbye (& Good Luck) To LA School Report

This Week In Education: Update: Goodbye (& Good Luck) To LA School Report: http://laschoolreport.com/Update: Goodbye (& Good Luck) To LA School ReportHere's a copy of an email that I sent earlier this morning to a handful of LA educators, advocates, and journalists I've been working with for the past 18 months:Friends and colleagues:As you may already know, my stint building and running LA

by mike simpson / 4h 

Once You Were Children, a poem by Sandy White Hawk | Maine Wabanaki-State Child Welfare Truth & Reconciliation Commission

Once You Were Children, a poem by Sandy White Hawk | Maine Wabanaki-State Child Welfare Truth & Reconciliation Commission:Once You Were Children, a poem by Sandy White Hawk | Maine Wabanaki-State Child Welfare Truth & Reconciliation Commission“Once You Were Children” © July 2013 by TRC Commissioner Sandy White HawkOnce you were childrenInnocent with no thought that evil or harm existedYour

by mike simpson / 4h 

John Pike, Pepper-Spraying Cop, Seeks Workers Comp From UC Davis

John Pike, Pepper-Spraying Cop, Seeks Workers Comp From UC Davis: John Pike, Pepper-Spraying Cop, Seeks Workers Comp From UC Davis07/26/13 12:45 AM ET EDT DAVIS, Calif. -- The former police officer who pepper-sprayed students during an Occupy protest at the University of California, Davis is appealing for worker's compensation, claiming he suffered psychiatric injury from the 2011 confrontation.Jo

by mike simpson / 4h 

Choosing Democracy: Willful Defiance ?

Choosing Democracy: Willful Defiance ?: Willful Defiance ?Talk It Out: A Community Conversation to Fix School Discipline (a short play based on real life stories about school discipline in Sacramento County).  Catch WILLFUL on Cable TV! All cablecasts will be on Comcast/Surewest Channel 17 and AT&T U-Verse Channel 99, Pacific Daylight/Standard Time, unless otherwise specified. If you don't hav

by mike simpson / 5h 

Walking the Labyrinth of the Corporate-Owned-Common Core | United Opt Out National

Walking the Labyrinth of the Corporate-Owned-Common Core | United Opt Out National: WALKING THE LABYRINTH OF THE CORPORATE-OWNED-COMMON CORE

by mike simpson / 5h 

7-26-13 Wait, What? - Working to educate, persuade and mobilize through "perceptive and acerbic" observations about Connecticut Government and Politics

Wait, What? - Working to educate, persuade and mobilize through "perceptive and acerbic" observations about Connecticut Government and Politics: Adamowski, Pryor and State Department of Education violate Connecticut Law on Windham Turnaround Plan…Categories: Malloy State Board of Education State Representative Susan Johnson State Senator Don Williams Stefan Pryor Steven Adamowski WindhamTags: Mall

by mike simpson / 5h 

Action Alert: Parent Trigger Conference Call | Seattle Education

Action Alert: Parent Trigger Conference Call | Seattle Education: Action Alert: Parent Trigger Conference CallParents to Rep. George Miller: To celebrate “National Parents Day,”please listen to parents!Parents Across America, a network of grassroots parents and parentgroups across the U.S., has learned that Rep George Miller, rankingDemocratic member of the House education committee, is holding at

by mike simpson / 5h 

Parents to Rep. George Miller: To celebrate “National Parents Day,” please listen to parents!

Parents to Rep. George Miller: To celebrate “National Parents Day,”please listen to parents! Parents Across America, a network of grassroots parents and parentgroups across the U.S., has learned that Rep George Miller, rankingDemocratic member of the House education committee, is holding ateleconference today to celebrate the July 28th National Parents Day.The teleconference is taking place today,

by mike simpson / 5h 

SI&A Cabinet Report – News & Resources

SI&A Cabinet Report – News & Resources: Digital content bill one step from governor’s deskBy Tom ChorneauFriday, July 26, 2013A two-year effort to pass legislation requiring textbook publishers to make available digital versions of their content appears to be one step from the governor’s desk.AB 133 by Assemblyman Curt Hagman, R-Chino Hills, would mandate digital formats be made by any pub

by mike simpson / 6h 

7-26-13 Schools Matter @ The Chalk Face

SCHOOLS MATTER @ THE CHALK FACE: Attended the @educationgadfly event on #optorcop yesterday. Nice people, here’s my rantHere’s a link to video of the event at the Fordham Institute on a debate about opting out of test-based accountability in education reform. I’ll have to watch the video to see if my question/comment was recorded. I’m still kicking myself because I feel like I botched it. I was a

by mike simpson / 6h 

Cali Education Headlines Friday, July 26, 2013

FCMAT » Fiscal Crisis & Management Assistance Team: #ASKARNE What'sup? with SEC. 1118. PARENTAL INVOLVEMENT in the New ESEA?Education HeadlinesFriday, July 26, 2013List of needs piling up at Scotts Valley schoolsAll four schools of Scotts Valley Unified School District are currently being assessed by a team of architects and engineers to point out the district's most immediate needs, though no

by mike simpson / 6h 

The Fight Ahead | EduShyster

The Fight Ahead | EduShyster: The Fight Ahead What we should be talking about when we talk about Teach for AmericaTeachers and students protest the closure of 50 public schools in Chicago. Teach for America increasingly drives the policies behind such school closures.Unless you’ve been under a rock, you’ve no doubt noticed that the debate about Teach for America has ratcheted up considerably in re

by mike simpson / 6h 

An Open Letter to Badass Supporter of Public Education Jon Stewart | teacherbiz

An Open Letter to Badass Supporter of Public Education Jon Stewart | teacherbiz: An Open Letter to Badass Supporter of Public Education Jon StewartDear Mr. Stewart,You were a badass when The Jon Stewart Show was the second highest rated show on MTV—right behind Beavis and Butthead.You were a badass when you made appearances on Saturday Night Live, The Simpsons, American Dad, Spin City, NewsRadio, 

by mike simpson / 6h 

Thunderclap: Stand with Chicago Teachers

Thunderclap: Stand with Chicago Teachers: Stand with Chicago Teachers“Rahm shouldnt layoff 3K+ experienced educators & spend $1.6M to hire #TFA novices. Kids deserve better #StopCPSCuts http://thndr.it/19g7nK4”Join AFT in sharing this message together at the same time - automatically.SUPPORT WITHTWITTER FACEBOOKInvite friends to this campaign.You will allow Thunderclap to share this message on

by mike simpson / 6h 

Migration Information Source - Limited English Proficient Population of the United States

Migration Information Source - Limited English Proficient Population of the United States: Limited English Proficient Population of the United StatesBy Monica Whatley and Jeanne BatalovaMigration Policy Institute Click here for a larger version of map.Related Articles:•Limited English Proficient Workers and the Workforce Investment Act: Challenges and Opportunities•Shaping Citizenship Policies to

by mike simpson / 6h 

With ‘Parent Trigger’ laws on the ropes, three overhauled schools reopen in Los Angeles | Hechinger Report

With ‘Parent Trigger’ laws on the ropes, three overhauled schools reopen in Los Angeles | Hechinger Report: With ‘Parent Trigger’ laws on the ropes, three overhauled schools reopen in Los AngelesBy Natasha LindstromThis story also appeared at:LOS ANGELES—When classes resume in Southern California in the coming weeks, three public schools will be the first in the nation to reopen under new manageme

by mike simpson / 7h 

Metro school board’s Frogge decries deep-pocketed national ‘reform’ movement | In Session

Metro school board’s Frogge decries deep-pocketed national ‘reform’ movement | In Session: Metro school board’s Frogge decries deep-pocketed national ‘reform’ movementStudents, parents and the future of public schools are up against a well-funded national “reform” machine that ultimately hurts the children it purports to want to help, according to Metro school board member Amy Frogge.Frogge, elect

by mike simpson / 7h 

The Educated Reporter: Follow-Up Friday: Sequester Hits Defense Department Schools, New Algorithm Might Help Schools ID Potential Dropouts

The Educated Reporter: Follow-Up Friday: Sequester Hits Defense Department Schools, New Algorithm Might Help Schools ID Potential Dropouts: Follow-Up Friday: Sequester Hits Defense Department Schools, New Algorithm Might Help Schools ID Potential DropoutsRemember sequestration? The impact of the forced federal budget cuts on public schools been shoved to the back burner amid heated debate over the

by mike simpson / 7h 

Morning Wink 7-26-13 AM Posts #BATsACT #edreform #EDCHAT #P2

BIG EDUCATION APE - MORNING WINK  AM POSTSTODAYLISTEN TO DIANE RAVITCH 7-26-13 Diane Ravitch's blog | A site to discuss better education for allDiane Ravitch's blog | A site to discuss better education for all: Mark Naison: How TFA Is DestructiveMark Naison sent the following thoughts about Teach for America: Why Teach for America is Seductive to Mayors and Legislators and Destructive to Everyone

by mike simpson / 7h 

LISTEN TO DIANE RAVITCH 7-26-13 Diane Ravitch's blog | A site to discuss better education for all

Diane Ravitch's blog | A site to discuss better education for all: Mark Naison: How TFA Is DestructiveMark Naison sent the following thoughts about Teach for America: Why Teach for America is Seductive to Mayors and Legislators and Destructive to Everyone Else Teach for America offers states and municipalities the opportunity to subcontract their teaching to non-union workers, saving large expense

by mike simpson / 7h 

For Any Working Mom, Child Care Is Essential | California Progress Report

For Any Working Mom, Child Care Is Essential | California Progress Report: For Any Working Mom, Child Care Is EssentialPosted on 26 July 2013Printer-friendly versionSend by emailBy Mary Kay HenryService Employees International UnionIf 2012 was the year of the woman, 2013 is the year of the working mom. And that's why I'm headed to California.Last week, House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi along with

by mike simpson / 7h 

“Corporate Reform” or Failed, Desperate Corporate Management? | School Finance 101

“Corporate Reform” or Failed, Desperate Corporate Management? | School Finance 101: “Corporate Reform” or Failed, Desperate Corporate Management?Posted on July 26, 20132       1 VotesI suspect there are a lot of readers of my blog and twitter followers who frequently use the phrase “corporate reform” to characterize the current heavily privately financed movement to push specific “reforms” to publ

by mike simpson / 7h 

A Conservative Take Down of the Florida Five’s Common Core Spin | Scathing Purple Musings

A Conservative Take Down of the Florida Five’s Common Core Spin | Scathing Purple Musings: A Conservative Take Down of the Florida Five’s Common Core SpinPosted on July 26, 2013by Bob Sikes      Rate ThisHarvard Law School grad Jane Robbins has penned a blistering dismissal of the Common Core Standards defense published by five former Florida state GOP chairs. Writing forAmerican Principles Projec

by mike simpson / 8h 

Obscure state law requires all students be taught the arts | Pass / Fail | 89.3 KPCC

Obscure state law requires all students be taught the arts | Pass / Fail | 89.3 KPCC: Obscure state law requires all students be taught the artsMary Plummer | July 26th, 2013, 6:00amMary Plummer/KPCCCalabasas High School musical theater students perform "Cool" from their production of West Side Story at the Pantages Theater.As budgets worsened over the past several years, schools throughout Califo

by mike simpson / 8h 

NYC Educator: Gotham Schools Exercises Its Psychic Powers to Hype Astroturfer Teacher Bashing

NYC Educator: Gotham Schools Exercises Its Psychic Powers to Hype Astroturfer Teacher Bashing: Gotham Schools Exercises Its Psychic Powers to Hype Astroturfer Teacher Bashing“So how can Anthony run for Mayor, when a teacher for the same conduct would be fired,” Weingarten said in a tweet yesterday.She was referring to a push to tighten punishments for teachers foundguilty of inappropriate behavior

by mike simpson / 8h 

Schools Must Warn Students, Families If Big Brother Is Watching - NJ Spotlight

Schools Must Warn Students, Families If Big Brother Is Watching - NJ Spotlight: SCHOOLS MUST WARN STUDENTS, FAMILIES IF BIG BROTHER IS WATCHINGJOHN MOONEY | JULY 26, 2013New guidelines require districts to notify parents, kids that software and built-in camera can monitor use.The provocatively named Anti-Big Brother Act arose out of a situation in Pennsylvania in which a school district was accuse

by mike simpson / 8h 

Missouri Education Watchdog: MAJOR ALERT for Private School and Homeschool Parents. The Plan: Your Child WILL be Taught Common Core.

Missouri Education Watchdog: MAJOR ALERT for Private School and Homeschool Parents. The Plan: Your Child WILL be Taught Common Core.: MAJOR ALERT for Private School and Homeschool Parents. The Plan: Your Child WILL be Taught Common Core.Email ThisBlogThis!Share to TwitterShare to FacebookState education departments can gain control of private education and homeschooling through more regulations, o

by mike simpson / 8h 

Mike Klonsky's SmallTalk Blog: After being ousted as Bridgeport Supt., Vallas gets schools to pay his legal fees

Mike Klonsky's SmallTalk Blog: After being ousted as Bridgeport Supt., Vallas gets schools to pay his legal fees: After being ousted as Bridgeport Supt., Vallas gets schools to pay his legal fees “We thought we had a good guy,” said Tammy Boyle, a parent leader and mother of two children. “But at each and every turn, he has ignored the wishes and the voices of the people of Bridgeport.” -- New Yor

by mike simpson / 8h 

Is School Enough? Of Course Not, But Its Role Is Important | LFA: Join The Conversation - Public School Insights

Is School Enough? Of Course Not, But Its Role Is Important | LFA: Join The Conversation - Public School Insights: Is School Enough? Of Course Not, But Its Role Is ImportantBy Cheryl S. Williams on July 26, 2013I recently attended a screening of a documentary titled Is School Enough? that’s scheduled to air on local PBS stations in early September.  The film profiled four project based learning act

by mike simpson / 8h 

Cartoons from Robert Rendo | Larry Cuban on School Reform and Classroom Practice

Cartoons from Robert Rendo | Larry Cuban on School Reform and Classroom Practice: Cartoons from Robert RendoFor this month’s feature on cartoons*, I chose a selection from Robert Rendo. We met through my blog and he sent along a sampling of his cartoons from which I selected some  on students and testing. He sent me the following description of himself.Robert Rendo grew up in New Hyde Park, New Yo

by mike simpson / 8h 

Jersey Jazzman: How the Newark Teachers Union Shot Itself In the Foot

Jersey Jazzman: How the Newark Teachers Union Shot Itself In the Foot: How the Newark Teachers Union Shot Itself In the FootBy now, those of us in Jersey are well aware of the construction trade unions' endorsement of Chris Christie, the biggest foe of public worker unions in the Northeast. I guess these supposed "allies" of teachers and cops think Christie's "pro-business" policies will lead to m

by mike simpson / 8h 

Reflection on GLSEN/UNESCO Convening on Global Safe Schools for LGBT Youth

Reflection on GLSEN/UNESCO Convening on Global Safe Schools for LGBT Youth « Feminist Teacher: Reflection on GLSEN/UNESCO Convening on Global Safe Schools for LGBT YouthDuring the World Congress on Comparative Education in Buenos Aires, I presented my Fulbright research on LGBT youth in Mexico City’s schools (photo: Steven Toledo/GLSEN).Last month, I had the honor of attending a convening in Bueno

by mike simpson / 8h 

‘Run, hide, fight’ new mantra for schools in post-Newtown environment | EdSource Today

‘Run, hide, fight’ new mantra for schools in post-Newtown environment | EdSource Today: ‘Run, hide, fight’ new mantra for schools in post-Newtown environmentJuly 26th, 2013 | Add a Comment | By Jane Meredith AdamsShare on twitterShare on facebookShare on emailShare on printMore Sharing ServicesIn an “active shooter” simulation at Alhambra High School in June, a staff member plays the role of an ar

by mike simpson / 8h 

7-26-13 teacherken at Daily Kos

teacherken at Daily Kos: Lincoln Memorial vandalized and shut downNot too many details, but the local all-news station, WTOP, including this story as the lead in their daily news email. Green paint was splashed at the base of the statue. Park Police believe the event occurred at about 1:30 AM this morning. The link I have provided will provide what details WTOP has in their story, as well as a bat

by mike simpson / 8h 

Georgia school chief explains Common Core test retreat: We... | Get Schooled | www.ajc.com

Georgia school chief explains Common Core test retreat: We... | Get Schooled | www.ajc.com: Georgia school chief explains Common Core test retreat: We couldn't afford it. We will have similar test. COMMENT(16) 2 24 29 55View Larger JOHNNY CRAWFORD / JCRAWFORD@AJC.State School Superintendent Dr. John Barge listens to questions about Common Core on Wednesday, June 10, 2013 in Fayeville.Previous Post

by mike simpson / 8h 

YESTERDAY

7-25-13 Ed Notes Online

Ed Notes Online: Today 4-7PM - MORE Summer Series: How Should We View the UFT/AFT Leadership?I helped organize this discussion based on what I see as various points of view regarding the union leadership in the UFT/AFT. It will take place at Local 138 (138 Ludlow St, a block and a half north of Delancey.)There have been internal debates for years in ICE, GEM and MORE on this issue. How far does an

by mike simpson / 17h 

Supreme Court leaves Vallas in place during appeal process… (updated with statement from plaintiffs) - Wait, What?

Supreme Court leaves Vallas in place during appeal process… (updated with statement from plaintiffs) - Wait, What?: Supreme Court leaves Vallas in place during appeal process… (updated with statement from plaintiffs)  Last Friday lawyers for Paul Vallas filed a brief arguing why Paul Vallas should stay “on the job” during the Supreme Court’s review of Judge Bellis’ ruling that Vallas cannot serv

by mike simpson / 18h 

Missouri Education Watchdog: Why Are Some Florida Former GOP Leaders Supporting Common Core? Are They Really Republicans?

Missouri Education Watchdog: Why Are Some Florida Former GOP Leaders Supporting Common Core? Are They Really Republicans?: Why Are Some Florida Former GOP Leaders Supporting Common Core? Are They Really Republicans?From Truth in American Education and Countering Florida GOP Leaders Defense of the Common Core:Five former Florida Republican Party leaders have urged the state GOP to ignore the parent

by mike simpson / 18h 

7-25-13 Fred Klonsky | Daily posts from a retired public school teacher who is just looking at the data.

Fred Klonsky | Daily posts from a retired public school teacher who is just looking at the data.: Road Trip Week 2Ken Davis’ Chicago Newsroom on Rahm and pensions.[ youtube=http://m.youtube.com/watch?v=Y4J-00iHqDM&desktop_uri=%2Fwatch%3Fv%3DY4J-00iHqDM]by Fred Klonsky / 1h  7-24-13 Fred Klonsky | Daily posts from a retired public school teacher who is just looking at the data.Fred Klonsky | Da

by mike simpson / 18h 

Ty Fahner of the Civic Committee of the Commercial Club of Chicago admits to rigging the Illinois bond rating. | Reclaim Reform

Ty Fahner of the Civic Committee of the Commercial Club of Chicago admits to rigging the Illinois bond rating. | Reclaim Reform: Ty Fahner of the Civic Committee of the Commercial Club of Chicago admits to rigging the Illinois bond rating.Posted on July 25, 2013by kenprevitiTy Fahner of the Civic Committee of the Commercial Club of Chicago admits to rigging the Illinois bond rating. Hundreds of mi

by mike simpson / 18h 

#ASKARNE What'sup? with SEC. 1118. PARENTAL INVOLVEMENT in the New ESEA?

SEC. 1118. PARENTAL INVOLVEMENT.(a) LOCAL EDUCATIONAL AGENCY POLICY-(1) IN GENERAL- A local educational agency may receive funds under this part only if such agency implements programs, activities, and procedures for the involvement of parents in programs assisted under this part consistent with this section. Such programs, activities, and procedures shall be planned and implemented with meaningfu

by mike simpson / 20h 

solidaridad: Ethnic Cleansing Illustrated: The Echo Parque Gang Injunction. Join the resistance!

solidaridad: Ethnic Cleansing Illustrated: The Echo Parque Gang Injunction. Join the resistance!: Ethnic Cleansing Illustrated: The Echo Parque Gang Injunction. Join the resistance!Robert D. Skeels @rdsatheneEthnic Cleansing Illustrated: The Echo Parque Gang Injunction. Join the resistance! http://j.mp/12njtiv  pic.twitter.com/eAhm27E1A63:41 PM - 25 Jul 2013 from Los Angeles, CA, United States

by mike simpson / 23h 

Study finds musical interaction cultivates empathy in children | The Raw Story

Study finds musical interaction cultivates empathy in children | The Raw Story: Study finds musical interaction cultivates empathy in childrenSchools could one day add “empathy education” to their curriculum. New research suggests that understanding the emotional state of others is something that can be learned and practiced.According to a study published in the July issue of Psychology of Music,

by mike simpson / 23h mark as read  //  save

Nite Cap 7-25-13 #BATsACT #thankateacher #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 CAPTODAYPat Buchanan, Trayvon Martin, And Why Racism Isn't Going Away - The Jose Vilson | The Jose VilsonPat Buchanan, Trayvon Martin, And Why Racism Isn't Going Away - The Jose Vilson | The Jose Vilson: Pat Buchanan, Trayvon Martin, And Why Racism Isn’t Goin

by mike simpson / 23h

2nd Banana 7-20-13 Recap of Last Week's Best Post

2nd Banana 7-13-13 Recap of Last Week's Best Post

2nd Banana 7-6-13 Recap of Last Week's Best Post 

2nd Banana 6-29-13 Recap of Last Week's Best Post 

2nd Banana 6-22-13 Recap of Last Week's Best Post 

2nd Banana 6-15-13 Recap of Last Week's Best Post

2nd Banana 6-8-13 Recap of Last Week's Best Post

2nd Banana 6-1-13 Recap of Last Week's Best Post

Nite Cap 7-25-13 

Nite Cap 7-24-13

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Nite Cap 7-20-13

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Big Education Ape Nite Cap 7-2-13

Big Education Ape Nite Cap 7-1-13

On Bias and Learning Student Voice

Student Voice:

On Bias and Learning

Bias is dangerous.

More than any other time in our lives, we students are now coming head-to-head with the future. That’s a frightening concept, especially for those of us who are interested in leaving an impact on our societies. We’re forced to acknowledge that if we are going to make a change, the time is now. The most important action one must take in order to implement change is simply to learn–to gather and analyze information in order to effectively decide which are the best moves to make and the best strategies to pursue.

Learning isn’t as easy as cracking open a book and taking notes, or doing a Google search on a piece of information; the process requires a bit more brainpower than that. There’s a reason why language teachers constantly lecture their students on gathering information from as many different sources as possible when creating a project or writing an essay. It isn’t just to practice different methods of formatting a bibliography. Real learning requires thorough investigation into books, newspapers and websites, as well as people. Real learning requires changing your very mindset in order to truly understand the information you’re processing. The process of learning never stops; it continues throughout everything that happens in our everyday lives, big

- See more at: http://www.stuvoice.org/2013/07/25/on-bias-and-learning/?utm_source=feedly#sthash.mrwSqQL7.dpuf

Mike Klonsky's SmallTalk Blog: Summer reading

Mike Klonsky's SmallTalk Blog: Summer reading:

Summer reading

I'm trying to catch up this summer on reading that's piling up in the Kindle. Aside from beach novels -- I've reloaded The Ninth Wave by Eugene Burdick, a favorite from my ill-spent youth in L.A.. Burdick also authored popular '60s reads, The Ugly American and Fail Safe -- I'm trying to get to the serious stuff.

On top of the new pile is Charter Schools and the Corporate Makeover of Public Education: What's at Stake? by Michelle Fineand Michael Fabricant. It came out a year ago but I'm just getting to it. I try and keep up with everything Michelle writes but it's an impossible task -- she's prolific.

Sports writer supreme, Dave Zirin wrote this great piece, Rahm Emanuel's Zombie Pigs vs. Chicago's Angry Birds, in The Nation, back in May. Just got to it. It's a take-down of Rahm's insane plan to build a new basketball stadium for DePaul, which fellow sports writer Rick Telander calls, "a new arena of stupidity," with millions in tax payer dollars -- money that could be used to save our schools.

Chicago teacher  Greg Michie, author of We Don't Need Another Hero and Holler if you hear me,  has a strong response today to Rahm and Byrd-Bennett's "students-first" mantra.

What's happening in Chicago schools -- and in many other places across the 

Shooting for the Stars: Let’s Read! Let’s Move! | ED.gov Blog

Shooting for the Stars: Let’s Read! Let’s Move! | ED.gov Blog:

Shooting for the Stars: Let’s Read! Let’s Move!

Posted on July 26, 2013 by Guest Blogger

The third installment of the Let’s Read! Let’s Move! summer series at the Department of Education took kids’ imaginations all the way to the moon and back this week with space-themed activities and a strong focus on STEM. The event was part of the Corporation for National and Community Service’s Let’s Read! Let’s Move! summer enrichment series, which engages children in summer reading and physical activity over the summer months, and promotes healthy eating habits.

Thanks to NASA, educators from the Smithsonian’s National Air and Space Museum, and Miss America 2013 Mallory Hagan, the children received a special opportunity to “Train like an Astronaut” through core strength exercises, and learned about the solar system through an interactive “mission to space” dance.

Hagan, along with Secretary Duncan, U.S. Secretary of Commerce Penny Pritzker, Senator Johnny Isakson (R-GA), Senator Michael Bennet (D-CO) and two-time space shuttle astronaut, George Zamka,  joined forces to read Pluto’s Secret: An Icy World’s Tale of Discovery to a room of eager young learners. Zamka told the children that Neil Armstrong’s “one small step for man” was only achieved through a series of preceding little steps, like working extra hard on homework.

The Let’s Move! portion of the afternoon, carried out with the help of the YMCA of Metropolitan Washington, included a “Shooting Stars Jumbo Jam,” “Comet Blast Relay,” and food tasting station with healthy star fruit. At the end of the active afternoon, children were encouraged to keep their minds active as well, by taking home a new book and book bag, courtesy of Target.

The last two installments of this summer’s Let’s Read! Let’s Move! series will take place on August 1 and 6. Each event supports First Lady Michelle Obama’s Let’s Move initiative, dedicated to promoting healthy eating and an active lifestyle, while also encouraging strong early learning programs to ensure children get started on the right track.

For highlights of this week’s event, watch our video wrap up here!

Sandra Ramos is a student at Cornell University and a current intern in the Office of Communication & Outreach at the U.S. Department of Education.

Diane in the Evening 7-26-13 Diane Ravitch's blog | A site to discuss better education for all

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

Principal: “Who Is Going to Help the Children of Florida?”

A principal writes about the sharp drop in school grades, caused by a change (again) in the grading system by the state: “As a principal of a school in Florida who ‘fell’ from a B to a C, despite all the news press of the lack of reliability in the change in grades, our parents will still think our school is ‘getting worse’. In reality, our scores are the same or better than last year. Trying to e

by dianerav / 25min 

How Arizona Discriminates Against Public Schools

A comment from a reader in Arizona: “I live in Arizona, am freshly retired from the US military, and have no children. Even from this vantage point, it doesn’t take much effort to see that Arizona’s under paid, hard working (at multiple jobs), parents are too busy trying to survive to notice that their legislators are feeding their tax dollars to private school corporations, by the buckets! We ca

by dianerav / 3h 

LISTEN TO DIANE RAVITCH 7-26-13 Diane Ravitch's blog | A site to discuss better education for all

Diane Ravitch's blog | A site to discuss better education for all: Mark Naison: How TFA Is DestructiveMark Naison sent the following thoughts about Teach for America: Why Teach for America is Seductive to Mayors and Legislators and Destructive to Everyone Else Teach for America offers states and municipalities the opportunity to subcontract their teaching to non-union workers, saving large expense

by mike simpson / 3min 

What Parents really want from the New ESEA

What Parents really want from the New ESEA 

This Week In Education: Update: Goodbye (& Good Luck) To LA School Report

This Week In Education: Update: Goodbye (& Good Luck) To LA School Report:

http://laschoolreport.com/

Update: Goodbye (& Good Luck) To LA School Report

Here's a copy of an email that I sent earlier this morning to a handful of LA educators, advocates, and journalists I've been working with for the past 18 months:

Friends and colleagues:

As you may already know, my stint building and running LA School Report ended earlier this month, just short of the site's first anniversary.

In December 2011, longtime Democratic political activist Jamie Alter Lynton called me wanting help getting a new local education site started.

She had the energy and resources to help get something up and running.  I had the know-how to make it happen.

Lynton initially wanted the site to be advocacy-based, providing readers with enough information to get them to do something (sign a petition, call a politician, appear at an event, donate to a campaign); however I was able to convince her that an independent news site covering all sides fairly would be more effective in the long run (and was necessary to attract quality writers).

When it came time to launch the site last summer, Lynton asked me to take the reins.

My job included assigning and editing stories, coordinating coverage, writing some of my own pieces, and generally making sure the site was consistently smart and timely. Reporters (including most notably Hillel Aron and Samantha Oltman) handled the reporting and writing duties and endured my stubborn views and ham-fisted editing.  Lynton provided invaluable financial support, helpful news tidbits, and strong opinions.

Over all, I'm extremely proud of the results. Despite its small, part-time staff, LA School Report established itself as a go-to site for daily education news and commentary in Los Angeles. The site broke news, explored issues with greater depth and regularity than the mainstream outlets were able to do, frequently (and I think evenly) challenged one or the other "side" of the education debate, and occasionally made some news, too. 

There were numerous challenges, to be sure -- the most persistent of which was establishing, maintaining, and defending the site's editorial integrity.  I spent a lot of time insisting on transparency and balance, running interference between Lynton and others, and urging readers and colleagues to judge the site based on its coverage. Good thing I had a long track record writing about education (and wasn't financially dependent on the paycheck).

Things started getting better after the March school board primaries, and as the 2012-2013 school year ended I came to think that finding a news editor to handle the day-to-day story assignments and editing would -- along with a second regular reporter -- be a good way to bolster the news-gathering operation and create time and space for me to write commentary and do fundraising and outreach and other things to help the site grow and improve.

Lynton embraced the idea at first but then decided she didn't want me to have any editorial/ management role over the site going forward. Despite repeated negotiations and attempts at compromise, we parted ways over whether this was wise or appropriate. Former New York Times and Bloomberg journalist Michael Janofsky has been editing the site for the past two weeks.

Disappointed as I am, I remain proud to have helped make LA School Report as much of a success as it has been and I wish the journalists who are involved with the site good luck.   I'll still be writing about LAUSD in magazines and online -- and I'll be watching closely to see if it remains the feisty, independent site that it's been up to this point.

Thanks again for all your help and support.

/Alexander

Co-founder, founding editor, LA School Report

Image via @adolfoguzmanlopez

Once You Were Children, a poem by Sandy White Hawk | Maine Wabanaki-State Child Welfare Truth & Reconciliation Commission

Once You Were Children, a poem by Sandy White Hawk | Maine Wabanaki-State Child Welfare Truth & Reconciliation Commission:


Once You Were Children, a poem by Sandy White Hawk | Maine Wabanaki-State Child Welfare Truth & Reconciliation Commission
HawkOnce You Were Children, a poem by Sandy White

“Once You Were Children” © July 2013 by TRC Commissioner Sandy White Hawk

Once you were children
Innocent with no thought that evil or harm existed
Your hearts were pure and trusting
You played without fear
Until they came and took you
Until……….. that first day of school
When they took your clothes, your toys, and your hair, your name
No talking, no laughing, no friends
Only crying, thoughts of home, wondering when you get to leave
Then they took your innocence, dignity and trust
Then………………. you became Victims
Once you were children
Then you became victims
Victims who were at the mercy of those who only knew darkness and evil
Victims of evil and harm that words cannot describe
Some of you came home
Some of you wandered for years before you found your way home
Some are still wondering in pain, shame and confusion
Some never made it past the school yard gate
Left to lay in unmarked graves
Those who made it home……
Their bodies carry the scars seen and unseen – spirits broken
Their hearts walled up – not able to trust – show or receive love
Lost in the swirl of alcohol and violence that repeated for generations in your families
and communities – only because that is all you knew
Carried these wounds and scars in shamed silence believing the lie that Indians are
less than human.
Then………..You spoke
Told the stories of those prison schools
You shared your pain – encouraged each other
You found sobriety and peace
You found friends and laughed again
Then………….you found healing
Then you became survivors
Once you were children
Then you were victims
Then you were survivors
Survivors who walk the Red Road – with pride and dignity and with the strength of your
ancestors
Now you are warriors
Taking back your language
Healing in ceremonies
Warriors who carry the battle scars of brutality
Some scars invisible to the eye yet deep and permanent
Warriors who bravely tell their stories to their grandchildren
So they understand……………..
So they can have compassion to understand some of that pain they still see
You tell our grandchildren so they know the legacy they come from
A generation of warriors who
Once were children
Then were victims
Then were survivors
Who are now warriors
Warriors who we honor today – their relatives can stand with pride of their strength
A community who is here because these warriors gave them life
Warriors who share their stories – breaking the silence – mending the sacred circle of
life
Once you were children
Then you were victims
Then you were survivors
Now you are warriors

John Pike, Pepper-Spraying Cop, Seeks Workers Comp From UC Davis:

John Pike, Pepper-Spraying Cop, Seeks Workers Comp From UC Davis

07/26/13 12:45 AM ET EDT

DAVIS, Calif. -- The former police officer who pepper-sprayed students during an Occupy protest at the University of California, Davis is appealing for worker's compensation, claiming he suffered psychiatric injury from the 2011 confrontation.

John Pike has a settlement conference set for Aug. 13 in Sacramento, according to the state Department of Industrial Relations' website.

Pike was fired in July 2012, eight months after a task force investigation found that his action was unwarranted.

Online videos of him and another officer casually dousing demonstrators with pepper spray went viral, sparking outrage at UC Davis leaders. The images became a rallying symbol for the Occupy Wall Street movement.

Hackers posted Pike's information online. He received scores of threats that led an Alameda County Court judge to rule against releasing the names of other officers at the scene.

This week, a state appeals court ruled news organizations are entitled to know the names of a dozen University of California police officers who were interviewed about the use of pepper spray on demonstrators at UC Davis.

The Los Angeles Times and The Sacramento Bee are seeking the officers' identities,