Morning Wink 8-24-13 AM Posts #BATsACT #RealEdTalk #EDCHAT #P2 #Cheats4Change

BIG EDUCATION APE - MORNING WINK  AM POSTS

TODAY

LISTEN TO DIANE RAVITCH 8-24-13 Diane Ravitch's blog | A site to discuss better education for all

Diane Ravitch's blog | A site to discuss better education for all: The Biggest Fallacy of the Common Core Standards: No EvidenceLately, I have noticed that defenders of the Common Core are smearing critics as Tea Party fanatics and extremists. That is what Arne Duncan said to the nation’s newspaper editors last month, when he claimed that opponents of the Common Core are members of “fringe groups,

by mike simpson / 15min 

WEEKLY ADDRESS: Making Higher Education More Affordable for the Middle Class | The White House

WEEKLY ADDRESS: Making Higher Education More Affordable for the Middle Class | The White House: WEEKLY ADDRESS: Making Higher Education More Affordable for the Middle ClassWASHINGTON, DC— In his weekly address, President Obama noted that while college education has never been more important, it has also never been more expensive.  That’s why the President proposed major new reforms to make college

by mike simpson / 20min 

Data Drunk — Let’s Take the Ass Out of Assessment | toteachornototeach

Data Drunk — Let’s Take the Ass Out of Assessment | toteachornototeach: Data Drunk — Let’s Take the Ass Out of Assessmentby Larry StraussTruth — or the passionate pursuit of truth — should always be a guiding principle in the educating of our children. So we ought never delude ourselves about whether we are effectively teaching our students.Without some means of measurement, a belief in our effect

by mike simpson / 22min 

Back to school: “This isn’t reform. This is destruction.” | Parents United for Public Education

Back to school: “This isn’t reform. This is destruction.” | Parents United for Public Education: Back to school: “This isn’t reform. This is destruction.”Posted on August 23, 2013 by HELENGYMLeave a comment(Photo: Emma Lee for Newsworks)Emani Edwards, 9, and Khyair Goodwin, 7, rally at City Hall for Philly schools.Listening to Superintendent William Hite on “Radio Times” was a harsh wake up call

by mike simpson / 34min 

8-24-13 teacherken at Daily Kos

teacherken at Daily Kos: Saturday morning - another reflection on teachingwhich may seem a little premature.  After all, I do not see students until next week.  This was teacher planning week, full of meetings, setting up the classroom, making copies, and even planning. I am back in my role as a classroom teacher. I will have 6 classes, each of which will meet alternate days for 90 minutes, a new

by mike simpson / 36min 

8-24-13 Get Schooled | www.ajc.com Obama: 'Higher education cannot be a luxury."

Obama: 'Higher education cannot be a luxury." | Get Schooled | www.ajc.com: Obama: 'Higher education cannot be a luxury."  COMMENT(15) 0 2 0 2President Barack Obama speaks about affordable college education during a town hall meeting at Binghamton University, Friday, Aug. 23, 2013, in Vestal, N.Y. Obama is on a the second day of his two-day bus tour in upstate New York and Pennsylvania. (AP Photo/

by mike simpson / 40min 

8-24-13 Perdido Street School

Perdido Street School: It's Time For Bill Gates To Get Out Of His Public Education Malanthropy Work And Go Save MicrosoftMicrosoft is a disaster.CEO Steve Ballmer announced his retirement on Friday, though it seems he was pushed from the company for his many failures:The company portrayed the departure as voluntary, but it comes amid rising complaints among investors and a month after a disappoint

by mike simpson / 43min 

8-24-13 Radical Scholarship

Radical Scholarship: Why Critique the Druid Hills Charter Cluster in DeKalb County, GeorgiaWhy Critique the Druid Hills Charter Cluster in DeKalb County, Georgia1 by P. L. Thomas / 3h YESTERDAYPassive Radicals: The Manufactured Myth — Writers on Writing — MediumPassive Radicals: The Manufactured Myth — Writers on Writing — Medium1 by P. L. Thomas / 19h What We Know NowWhat We Know Now (and How It

by mike simpson / 48min 

Larry Ferlazzo’s Websites of the Day… 8-24-13 …For Teaching ELL, ESL, & EF

Larry Ferlazzo’s Websites of the Day… | …For Teaching ELL, ESL, & EFLLARRY FERLAZZO’S WEBSITES OF THE DAYSorry Again About The Multiple EmailsSorry again for the multiple emails. This post is a test one being sent out by Edublogs staff to confirm the problem has been fixed. It’s another example of why I recommend Edublogs so highly — their customer service is unmatchable!by Larry Ferlazzo / 13

by mike simpson / 1h 

4LAKids - some of the news that doesn't fit 8-17-13

4LAKids - some of the news that doesn't fit:4LAKIDS - SOME OF THE NEWS THAT DOESN'T FITLAUSD CHARGED WITH VIOLATING UNION CONTRACT IN TEACHER EVALUATION + smf’s 2¢By Barbara Jones, Los Angeles Daily News  | http://bit.ly/13XkEAL 8/22/13, 9:05 PM PDT  ::  Los Angeles Unified’s teachers union has filed an unfair labor practice charge against the school district, saying administrators failed to negot

by mike simpson / 1h 

NPE News Briefs ← from The Network for Public Education 8-24-13

NPE News Briefs ← from The Network for Public Education:NPE News BriefsChancellor Tisch Promises Higher Test Scores Next Year | Diane Ravitch’s blogThe head of Néw York state’s Board of Regents Merryl Tisch says everyone should calm down about the collapse of test scores across the state. Next year, she promised, the scores will go up. You can count on that, because the state commissioner can lowe

by mike simpson / 1h 

This Week's Education Research Report 8-24-13 #SOSCHAT #EDCHAT #P2

Education Research ReportTHIS WEEK'S EDUCATION RESEARCH REPORTSingle-sex classes & student outcomes: Evidence from North CarolinaThe effects of single-sex education are hotly contested, both in academic and policy circles. Despite this heated debate, there exists little credible empirical evidence of the effect of a U.S. public school's decision to offer single-sex classrooms on the educationa

by mike simpson / 1h 

All Week 8-24-13 @ THE CHALK FACE knows SCHOOLS MATTER

@ THE CHALK FACE knows SCHOOLS MATTER: All Week 8-10-13 @ THE CHALK FACE knows SCHOOLS MATTERWe Were Doing Just Fine, ThanksThe following is an excerpt from my latest book, Uncommon: The Grassroots Movement to Save Our Children and Their Schools. Before NCLB (and even during those years, for some), public education was moving along quite well in many places under locally controlled entities, such

by mike simpson / 1h 

LISTEN TO DIANE RAVITCH ALL WEEK LONG Diane Ravitch's blog 8-24-13 #thankateacher #EDCHAT #P2

Diane Ravitch's blogLISTEN TO DIANE RAVITCH ALL WEEK LONGDIANE RAVITCH'S BLOGChicago Parents Say: Follow the MoneyChicago Public Schools say they are out of money, but look where they are spending money freely. FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE – Representatives available for print or broadcast media interviews Contact: Amy Smolensky, 312-485-0053 Parent Group, Raise Your Hand Blasts CPS for Budget Priorities

by mike simpson / 1h 

YESTERDAY

Discipline and Punish | Bill Ayers

Discipline and Punish | Bill Ayers: Discipline and PunishMichel Foucault, the French philosopher and historian, analyzes a novel kind of disciplinary power that was implemented in the 17th century to combat the plague, a new threat that was lethal, invisible, and highly contagious. The innovative approach not only isolated a town or village in which an outbreak had occurred, it also brought a grou

by mike simpson / 12h 

Choosing Democracy: Join the March on Washington

Choosing Democracy: Join the March on Washington: Join the March on Washington“You can’t talk about ending the slums without first saying profit must be taken out of the slums. . . . There must be a better distribution of wealth . . . and maybe America must move toward a democratic socialism.”-Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., speech to the SCLC staff, Frogmore, S.C., November 14, 1966    Democratic soc

by mike simpson / 12h 

Friday Nite Special 8-23-13 Corporate Reform School Girls News Breakout

Friday Nite Special 8-23-13 Corporate Reform School Girls News BreakoutTODAY8-23-13 Wait What? Malloy balks at efforts to require the state to further desegregate Hartford’s schoolsWait What?: Malloy balks at efforts to require the state to further desegregate Hartford’s schoolsMalloy balks at efforts to require the state to further desegregate Hartford’s schools (CT Mirror 8-23-2013) Wait, What?

2 by mike simpson / 13h 

8-23-13 Wait What? Malloy balks at efforts to require the state to further desegregate Hartford’s schools

Wait What?: Malloy balks at efforts to require the state to further desegregate Hartford’s schoolsMalloy balks at efforts to require the state to further desegregate Hartford’s schools (CT Mirror 8-23-2013) Wait, What? “Gov. Dannel P. Malloy drew a line in the sand on what he is willing to agree to.” Wait, what?? Malloy says…“Let me be very clear, I don’t think failing to reach a standard is a rea

by mike simpson / 13h 

IS PRIVATIZATION WORKING FOR YOU? Mapped: Every Protest on the Planet Since 1979 - By J. Dana Stuster | Foreign Policy

Mapped: Every Protest on the Planet Since 1979 - By J. Dana Stuster | Foreign Policy: Mapped: Every Protest on the Planet Since 1979From Cairo to Wall Street to the West Bank, plotting a world of upheaval.BY J. DANA STUSTER | AUGUST 22, 2013This is what data from a world in turmoil looks like. The Global Database of Events, Language, and Tone (GDELT) tracks news reports and codes them for 58 field

2 by mike simpson / 13h 

Remarks by the President and the Vice President on College Affordability | The White House

Remarks by the President and the Vice President on College Affordability | The White House: Remarks by the President and the Vice President on College AffordabilityLackawanna CollegeScranton, Pennsylvania4:42 P.M. EDTTHE VICE PRESIDENT:  Urica, thank you very much for that introduction. Hello, Scranton!  (Applause.)  I tell you, it’s good to be home.  I left you a long time ago, but as a lot of my

by mike simpson / 14h 

NYC Educator: The Campbell Brown Show

NYC Educator: The Campbell Brown Show: The Campbell Brown ShowSome people simply call this place earth, but for legal expert Campbell Brown, it's a forum for her to shock us with her spectacular and lurid accusations. There are 128 teachers who were accused of some sort of sexual offense. Why can't Walcott fire them? The short answer, of course, is that arbitrators, chosen jointly by UFT and DOE,

by mike simpson / 14h 

SBE Agenda for September 2013 - State Board of Education

SBE Agenda for September 2013 - State Board of Education (CA Dept of Education): SBE Agenda for September 2013Agenda for the California State Board of Education (SBE) meeting on September 4, 2013.State Board MembersMichael W. Kirst, PresidentIlene W. Straus, Vice PresidentSue BurrCarl CohnBruce HoladayAida MolinaPatricia A. RuckerNiki SandovalTrish WilliamsJesse Zhang, Student MemberVacancySecreta

by mike simpson / 14h 

4LAKids - LAUSD CHARGED WITH VIOLATING UNION CONTRACT IN TEACHER EVALUATION + smf’s 2¢

4LAKids - some of the news that doesn't fit: LAUSD CHARGED WITH VIOLATING UNION CONTRACT IN TEACHER EVALUATION + smf’s 2¢: LAUSD CHARGED WITH VIOLATING UNION CONTRACT IN TEACHER EVALUATION + smf’s 2¢BY BARBARA JONES, LOS ANGELES DAILY NEWS  | HTTP://BIT.LY/13XKEAL8/22/13, 9:05 PM PDT  ::  Los Angeles Unified’s teachers union has filed an unfair labor practice charge against the school district, sa

by mike simpson / 14h 

California Educators, Events to Honor 50th Anniversary of March on Washington - California Teachers Association

California Educators, Events to Honor 50th Anniversary of March on Washington - California Teachers Association: California Educators, Events to Honor 50th Anniversary of March on WashingtonNOTE TO MEDIA ON INTERVIEWS: To arrange interviews with a few Bay Area teachers who were at the historic march in 1963, contact Mike Myslinski at CTA at 408-921-5769.BURLINGAME – California educators, labor and

2 by mike simpson / 14h 

Nite Cap 8-23-13 #BATsACT #RealEdTalk #EDCHAT #P2 #Cheats4Change

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 CAPTODAYThe school with no name. The child with no name. | Reclaim ReformThe school with no name. The child with no name. | Reclaim Reform: ← Fifty Shades of Ravitch: A Book ReviewThe school with no name. The child with no name.Posted on August 23, 2013by Ken

1 by mike simpson / 15h 

The school with no name. The child with no name. | Reclaim Reform

The school with no name. The child with no name. | Reclaim Reform: ← Fifty Shades of Ravitch: A Book ReviewThe school with no name. The child with no name.Posted on August 23, 2013by Ken PrevitiThe school with no nameThe child with no nameThe parent with no nameThe library with no nameThe community with no nameThe community center with no name no longer exists. It was intentionally demolished, era

by mike simpson / 15h 

FLASHBACK: "All you have to do is care"—Kennedy's Final Words on Education #BATsACT #RealEdTalk #EDCHAT #P2 #Cheats4Change

FLASHBACK: "All you have to do is care"—Kennedy's Final Words on Education #BATsACT #RealEdTalk #EDCHAT #P2 #Cheats4Change: MONDAY, AUGUST 31, 2009FLASHBACK: "All you have to do is care"—Kennedy's Final Words on Education #BATsACT #RealEdTalk #EDCHAT #P2 #Cheats4Change"All you have to do is care"—Kennedy's Final Words on Education In one of Ted Kennedy's final interviews, with BigThink, he spoke a

4 by mike simpson / 15h 

Fund Philly Schools Short-term fixes aren’t enough. Philadelphia needs real, long-term solutions to help our children achieve their dreams.

Fund Philly Schools: Here are some recent news articlesSalon: “Indescribably insane”: A public school system from hell, August 19, 2013Philadelphia Inquirer: Until the next crisis, August 18, 2013Philadelphia Inquirer: The least they can do, August 16, 2013New York Times: Philadelphia borrows so its schools open on time, August 15, 2013Philadelphia Inquirer: Stop blaming the teachers, August 15, 2

by mike simpson / 17h 

Presidential Proclamation -- 50th Anniversary of the March on Washington for Jobs and Freedom | The White House

Presidential Proclamation -- 50th Anniversary of the March on Washington for Jobs and Freedom | The White House: Presidential Proclamation -- 50th Anniversary of the March on Washington for Jobs and Freedom50TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE MARCH ON WASHINGTONFOR JOBS AND FREEDOMBY THE PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICAA PROCLAMATIONOn August 28, 1963, hundreds of thousands converged on the National M

by mike simpson / 17h 

8-23-13 Seattle Schools Community Forum

Seattle Schools Community Forum: Seattle Schools' Calendar Coming OutFrom SPS Communications:Seattle Public Schools would like to thank those organizations and businesses that sponsored the District’s 2013-14 wall calendar and family guide, which will be mailed soon to Seattle Public Schools students, families and staff. Sponsors include: Boy Scouts of America, Comcast, Defensive Driving School, D

by mike simpson / 17h 

Feds charge Pa. cyber-charter school founder - SFGate

Feds charge Pa. cyber-charter school founder - SFGate: Feds charge Pa. cyber-charter school founderBy JOE MANDAK, Associated Press PITTSBURGH (AP) — The founder and former CEO of Pennsylvania's largest cyber-charter school has been charged with siphoning more than $8 million from the school through a network of companies, then scheming with his accountant to avoid income taxes.Nicholas Trombetta s

by mike simpson / 17h 

8-23-13 Radical Scholarship

Radical Scholarship: Passive Radicals: The Manufactured Myth — Writers on Writing — MediumPassive Radicals: The Manufactured Myth — Writers on Writing — Mediumby P. L. Thomas / 2h mark as read  //  saveWhat We Know NowWhat We Know Now (and How It Doesn't Matter)by P. L. Thomas / 4h Paul Thomas: Advice for Moguls and Celebrities | Diane Ravitch's blogPaul Thomas: Advice for Moguls and Celebrities |

by mike simpson / 17h 

Anger and frustration aimed at Hite and SRC at meeting | Philadelphia Public School Notebook

Anger and frustration aimed at Hite and SRC at meeting | Philadelphia Public School Notebook: Anger and frustration aimed at Hite and SRC at meetingby thenotebook on Aug 23 2013 Posted in Latest news="" style="color: rgb(76, 153, 72); cursor: pointer; float: left; padding: 0px 2px;">Share on emailCOMMENTS (9)PRINTby Paul JablowRobin Dominick, her 2nd-grade daughter, Leah, at her side, told the Sch

by mike simpson / 17h 

“I Was There!” Teachers are Witness to History at the March on Washington | NEA Today

“I Was There!” Teachers are Witness to History at the March on Washington | NEA Today: “I Was There!” Teachers are Witness to History at the March on WashingtonAugust 23, 2013 by Rebeca Logan  Filed under Featured News, Jobs, Minority Community Outreach,NEA, Social Issues, Top Stories, UncategorizedLeave a CommentThis picture was taken by Harry Klugel on the march from Selma to Montgomery. He took

by mike simpson / 17h 

The Best Education Ideas in the World: Adventures on the Frontiers of Learning — Whole Child Education

The Best Education Ideas in the World: Adventures on the Frontiers of Learning — Whole Child Education: THE WHOLE CHILD BLOGThe Best Education Ideas in the World: Adventures on the Frontiers of LearningAugust 23, 2013 by ASCD Whole Child BloggersPost written by Jessica DuBois-Maahs, a Medill School of Journalism candidate at Northwestern University concentrating in finance reporting and interactiv

by mike simpson / 18h 

8-23-13 Jersey Jazzman

Jersey Jazzman: New Camden Super Appointment Rushed With NO Community Input!This is incredible: The New Jersey State Board of Education has scheduled a special meeting Monday to vote on Gov. Christie's selection for Camden superintendent. Paymon Rouhanifard, 32, of New York, was announced Wednesday as Christie's pick for the next Camden school chief. The state board is expected approve the selecti

by mike simpson / 18h 

Portal:School boards and school board elections - Ballotpedia

Portal:School boards and school board elections - Ballotpedia: Learn about school districts in your stateSchool district newsDecreased enrollment, school closures, and state takeover influencing Birmingham City School Board Elections Aug 20, 2013by Alex SchafferBirmingham, Alabama: On August 27, 25 candidates will be vying for nine seats on the Birmingham City School Board in the Birmingham City s

by mike simpson / 18h 

Diane in the Evening 8-23-13 Diane Ravitch's blog | A site to discuss better education for all

Diane Ravitch's blog | A site to discuss better education for all: Chancellor Tisch Promises Higher Test Scores Next YearThe head of Néw York state’s Board of Regents Merryl Tisch says everyone should calm down about the collapse of test scores across the state. Next year, she promised, the scores will go up. You can count on that, because the state commissioner can lower the cut score if he wants

by mike simpson / 18h 

The Undermining of Democracy | Deborah Meier on Education

The Undermining of Democracy | Deborah Meier on Education: The Undermining of DemocracyPosted on August 23, 2013 by nicholasmeier Reblogged from Nicholas Meier:I just got one of those "Surveys" from the Democratic National Party, asking my opinion about the Republican Party and Obama's record. It also asked me to prioritize my top issues. The issue it did not include is the undermining of and atta

by mike simpson / 18h 

US Ed Secretary to DeKalb Schools: Nation is in awe of what... | Get Schooled | www.ajc.com

US Ed Secretary to DeKalb Schools: Nation is in awe of what... | Get Schooled | www.ajc.com: US Ed Secretary to DeKalb Schools: Nation is in awe of what you did. COMMENT(40) 2 51 18 90John SpinkMcNair Discovery Learning Academy students returned Thursday morning to the campus they fled Tuesday after a gunman slipped into the building and terrorized the DeKalb County school.Previous PostsDo we need

by mike simpson / 18h 

8-23-13 Schools Matter @ The Chalk Face

SCHOOLS MATTER @ THE CHALK FACE: Passive Radicals: The Manufactured Myth — Writers on Writing — Medium0 0 1 100 570 Furman 4 1 669 14.0 Normal 0 false false false EN-US JA X-NONE /* Style Definitions */ table.MsoNormalTable {mso-style-name:”Table Normal”; mso-tstyle-rowband-size:0; mso-tstyle-colband-size:0; mso-style-noshow:yes; mso-style-priority:99; mso-style-parent:”"; mso-padding-alt:0in 5.4p

by mike simpson / 18h 

Department of Education Proposes to Eliminate "2 Percent Rule" in Assessing Students with Disabilities | U.S. Department of Education

Department of Education Proposes to Eliminate "2 Percent Rule" in Assessing Students with Disabilities | U.S. Department of Education Department of Education Proposes to Eliminate "2 Percent Rule" in Assessing Students with Disabilities August 23, 2013 Contact:  Press Office, (202) 401-1576, press@ed.gov The U.S. Department of Education has proposed regulations, published today, to transition a

by mike simpson / 21h 

Are high-risk and district No Child waivers illegal? - Caitlin Emma - POLITICO.com

Are high-risk and district No Child waivers illegal? - Caitlin Emma - POLITICO.com: Are high-risk and district No Child waivers illegal?821  Arne Duncan's plan, critics say, is at least an overreach and at worst illegal. | AP PhotoCloseBy CAITLIN EMMA | 8/23/13 5:02 AM EDTAn unprecedented set of recent Education Department decisions about No Child Left Behind waivers is at the least an overreach a

by mike simpson / 22h 

Big Education Ape is Experiencing Technical Difficulties

Big Education Ape is Experiencing Technical Difficulties We are working to get things back in orderShould be back by 3PM Pacific Daylight Time

1 by mike simpson / 22h 

Cali Education Headlines Friday, August 23, 2013

FCMAT » Fiscal Crisis & Management Assistance TeamDiane Ravitch's Newest - Pre-order Price GuaranteeEducation HeadlinesFriday, August 23, 2013Fresno, Clovis school districts on economic upswing but face large class sizesA review of California's 30 largest school districts shows two Valley districts are successfully digging out of the Great Recession, even as they contend with large class sizes

by mike simpson / 23h 

Philly teachers: We won't stop until we get fair schools funding | Philadelphia Public School Notebook

Philly teachers: We won't stop until we get fair schools funding | Philadelphia Public School NotebookPhilly teachers: We won't stop until we get fair schools fundingby thenotebook on Aug 23 2013 Posted in Latest news="" style="color: rgb(76, 153, 72); cursor: pointer; float: left; padding: 0px 2px;">Share on emailCOMMENTS (0)PRINTby Holly Otterbein for NewsWorksMore than 1,000 Philadelphia teache

by mike simpson / 23h 

Missouri Education Watchdog: Story Hour In Rockwood

Missouri Education Watchdog: Story Hour In Rockwood: Story Hour In RockwoodEmail ThisBlogThis!Share to TwitterShare to FacebookLast night I attended a district sponsored meeting about Common Core. They announced it in advance to the high school parents and planned it for the hour before the Open House began, thus ensuring that the meeting had a limited time frame. Parents were treated to about 40

by mike simpson / 23h 

Morning Wink 8-23-13 AM Posts #BATsACT #RealEdTalk #EDCHAT #P2 #Cheats4Change

BIG EDUCATION APE - MORNING WINK  AM POSTSTODAYMorning Wink 8-23-13 AM Posts #BATsACT #RealEdTalk #EDCHAT #P2 #Cheats4ChangeBIG EDUCATION APE - MORNING WINK  AM POSTSby mike simpson / 6min How sequestration Head Start cuts ripple through a community | Pass / Fail | 89.3 KPCCHow sequestration Head Start cuts ripple through a community | Pass / Fail | 89.3 KPCC: How sequestration Head Start cuts rip

1 by mike simpson / 1d 

2nd Banana 8-17-13 Recap of Last Week's Best Post 

2nd Banana 8-10-13 Recap of Last Week's Best Post

2nd Banana 8-3-13 Recap of Last Week's Best Post 

2nd Banana 7-27-13 Recap of Last Week's Best Post 

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 

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LISTEN TO DIANE RAVITCH 8-24-13 Diane Ravitch's blog | A site to discuss better education for all

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

Her Last Day of Teaching First Grade

This came in my private email:   As many of you know, I just retired from teaching, having spent most of my career in first grade. Over the last few years, my teaching had become gradually more restricted. Instead of running a center-based day, I was required to run scheduled periods of Fundations, Writing Workshop, Reading Workshop, and (this year) of Envision math. To encourage me to retire, my

21 by dianerav / 1h 

Breaking News: Founder of Pennsylvania Cyber Charter Indicted

Nicholas Trombetta, founder of the Pennsylvania Cyber Charter School, has been indicted by federal authorities on 11 fraud and tax charges. Trombetta’s school is the largest cyber charter in the state and possibly the nation, with 10,000 students and annual revenues in excess of $100 million. Prosecutors said that Trombetta had stolen nearly $1 million. He “is accused of creating entity after enti

by dianerav / 0min 

The Biggest Fallacy of the Common Core Standards: No Evidence

Lately, I have noticed that defenders of the Common Core are smearing critics as Tea Party fanatics and extremists. That is what Arne Duncan said to the nation’s newspaper editors last month, when he claimed that opponents of the Common Core are members of “fringe groups,” people who don’t care about poor kids, and people who falsely accuse the federal government of having something to do with the

12 by dianerav / 54min mark as read  //  save

What Is Happening in Muskegon Heights?

This reader reports on the for-profit charter chain that took control of the students in Muskegon Height, Michigan: “I have a close friend who works in this very charter school in Muskegon Heights. “If Mosaica isn’t the worst charter operation in America, it’s in the top ten. “A few observations from my friend: “1. They instituted a homeroom period at the start of the day. Students were ASSIGNED t

6 by dianerav / 55min 

Diane in the Evening 8-23-13 Diane Ravitch's blog | A site to discuss better education for all

Diane Ravitch's blog | A site to discuss better education for all: Chancellor Tisch Promises Higher Test Scores Next YearThe head of Néw York state’s Board of Regents Merryl Tisch says everyone should calm down about the collapse of test scores across the state. Next year, she promised, the scores will go up. You can count on that, because the state commissioner can lower the cut score if he wants

by mike simpson / 5h 

LISTEN TO DIANE RAVITCH ALL WEEK LONG Diane Ravitch's blog 8-24-13 #thankateacher #EDCHAT #P2

Diane Ravitch's blogLISTEN TO DIANE RAVITCH ALL WEEK LONGDIANE RAVITCH'S BLOGChicago Parents Say: Follow the MoneyChicago Public Schools say they are out of money, but look where they are spending money freely. FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE – Representatives available for print or broadcast media interviews Contact: Amy Smolensky, 312-485-0053 Parent Group, Raise Your Hand Blasts CPS for Budget Priorities

by mike simpson / 1h 

WEEKLY ADDRESS: Making Higher Education More Affordable for the Middle Class | The White House del Presidente para hacer que la educación universitaria sea más asequible

WEEKLY ADDRESS: Making Higher Education More Affordable for the Middle Class | The White House:

WEEKLY ADDRESS: Making Higher Education More Affordable for the Middle Class

WASHINGTON, DC— In his weekly address, President Obama noted that while college education has never been more important, it has also never been more expensive.  That’s why the President proposed major new reforms to make college more affordable for middle class families and those fighting to get into the middle class.  The President’s bold plan would tie federal financial aid to the value and opportunity that colleges provide students, encourage innovation and competition, and help Americans manage their existing student debt by allowing everyone to cap monthly payments at 10 percent of their discretionary income.  The President acknowledged that these reforms won’t be popular with everyone – especially those who benefit from the status quo – but we have to shake up the current system because the path we’re on is simply unsustainable. 

The audio of the address and video of the address will be available online at www.whitehouse.gov at 6:00 a.m. ET, August 24, 2013.

Remarks of President Barack Obama
Weekly Address
The White House
August 24, 2013

Hi, everybody.  Over the past month, I’ve been visiting towns across America, talking about what our country needs to do to secure a better bargain for the middle class. 

This week, I met with high school and college students in New York and Pennsylvania to discuss the surest path to the middle class – some form of higher education.

But at a moment when a higher education has never been more important, it’s also never been more expensive.  That’s why, over the past four years, we’ve helped make college more affordable for millions of students and families with grants and loans that go farther from before.

But students and families and taxpayers cannot just keep subsidizing college costs that keep going up and up.  Not when the average student now graduates more than $26,000 in debt.

We cannot price the middle class out of a college education.  That’s why I proposed major new reforms to make college more affordable and make it easier for folks to pay for their education. 

First, we’re going to start rating colleges based on opportunity – are they helping students from all kinds of backgrounds succeed, and on outcomes – their value to students and parents.  In time, we’ll use those ratings to make sure that the colleges that keep their tuition down are the ones that will see their taxpayer funding go up. 

Second, we’re going to jumpstart competition between colleges over innovations that help more students graduate in less time, at less cost, while maintaining quality.  A number of schools are already testing new approaches, like putting more courses online or basing course credit on competence, not just hours spent in the classroom.

And third, we’re going to help more students responsibly manage their debt, by making more of them eligible for a loan repayment program called Pay-As-You-Earn, which caps your loan payments at 10 percent of what you make.  And we’ll reach out directly to students to make sure they know that this program exists.

These reforms won’t be popular with everybody.  But the path we’re on now is unsustainable for our students and our economy.

Higher education shouldn’t be a luxury, or a roll of the dice; it’s an economic imperative that every family in America should be able to afford. 

Thanks, and have a great weekend.

La Directora Ejecutiva de la Iniciativa de la Casa Blanca para la Excelencia Educativa para los Hispanos, Alejandra Ceja, habla sobre el plan del Presidente para hacer que la educación universitaria sea más asequible

August 24, 2013 | 2:43 | Public Domain

En el mensaje de esta semana, la Directora Ejecutiva de la Iniciativa de la Casa Blanca para la Excelencia Educativa para los Hispanos del Departamento de Educación, Alejandra Ceja, habló del plan del Presidente para hacer la educación universitaria más asequible, de cómo combatir el aumento de los costos, y mejorar su valor para los estudiantes y sus familias. En su gira de dos días por autobús, el Presidente habló con estudiantes de preparatoria y de universidad en Nueva York y Pennsylvania para hablar sobre la vía más segura hacia la clase media− algún tipo de educación superior. El Presidente propuso nuevas e importantes reformas para hacer que la universidad sea más asequible y hacer los pagos universitarios más cómodos para la gente, en particular, los jóvenes latinos que asisten a las universidades en números más elevados que nunca.

Data Drunk — Let’s Take the Ass Out of Assessment | toteachornototeach

Data Drunk — Let’s Take the Ass Out of Assessment | toteachornototeach:

Data Drunk — Let’s Take the Ass Out of Assessment

by Larry Strauss

Truth — or the passionate pursuit of truth — should always be a guiding principle in the educating of our children. So we ought never delude ourselves about whether we are effectively teaching our students.

Without some means of measurement, a belief in our effectiveness can too easily be manufactured. Those of us concerned with teaching our students to think and helping them develop the skills and appreciation for pursuing truth would therefore be hypocrites to disdain data as a valid tool.

But many of us have come to be wary of the manner in which a certain kind of mass-produced data gets presented — worshiped even — as truth.

Not all data is equal. Not even close. The poorest performing Mutual Funds can find a 6- or 12-month period in which it showed phenomenal growth.

I have worked at a school that looked awful on paper but did great work luring young men and women out of gangs and despair and into the world of ideas. I still hear from many of those students thanking me and my colleagues for saving their lives.

I’ve also worked at a school that looked great on paper but wasn’t doing nearly as much for its students as it should have.

At that under-performing model school, the principal retired and a few of the teachers were invited to be part of interviews for prospective replacements. Almost all the candidates 

UPDATE: Back to school: “This isn’t reform. This is destruction.” | Parents United for Public Education

Back to school: “This isn’t reform. This is destruction.” | Parents United for Public Education:

50 years after King’s speech, will public education be a last stand?

As we honor the 50th anniversary of the March on Washington today, we reflect on the powerful words of the Rev. Martin Luther King Jr. at his most prophetic and radical: “When machines and computers, profit motives and property rights, are considered more important than people, the giant triplets of racism, extreme materialism, and militarism are incapable of being conquered.” Never is that more

16 by helengym / 25min 

Back to school: “This isn’t reform. This is destruction.”

Posted on August 23, 2013 by HELENGYMLeave a comment

(Photo: Emma Lee for Newsworks)
Emani Edwards, 9, and Khyair Goodwin, 7, rally at City Hall for Philly schools.

Listening to Superintendent William Hite on “Radio Times” was a harsh wake up call to every parent across the district. He said that the resources given to him will allow Philadelphia to open “functional types of schools”:

“On September 9th, we will expect 134,000 young people to return to schools, and when they return to school, they will find very different schools. Now I don’t want anyone to get me wrong. We will be ready for those young people to return. However, schools will not have the same number of individuals that were there. They will have teachers, they will have access to services . . .  however some of the resources that we typically expect in schools will not be there.”

News has started to leak out about what exactly this means. Consider:

• Overcrowded and split grade classrooms:  During the Vallas administration, Parents United successfully worked to eliminate split grade classrooms as a matter of policy. Split grades (when two grades are merged in one classroom due to budget cuts) were universally deemed a pedagogical fail. Today, they may be back in schools all across the city since the District is only allotting teachers based on the maximum number of students allowed by the teachers’ union contract.

Parents United statement on school fundraising

The following statement came out of a numerous requests to have Parents United weigh in on recently publicized school efforts to fundraise for basic staff and services amidst the current budget crisis. Parents United for Public Education believes that public education must remain free and available to all children regardless of background. This is particularly important in Philadelphia where pover

5 by parentsunitedphil... / 1d 

Parents United statement on school fundraising

The following statement came out of a numerous requests to have Parents United weigh in on recently publicized school efforts to fundraise for basic staff and services amidst the current budget crisis. Parents United for Public Education believes that public education must remain free and available to all children regardless of background. This is particularly important in Philadelphia where pover

5 by helengym / 1d 

AUG 19

Citywide Parents Meeting: Back to School?

What can parents expect for the first day of school? What are our best strategies to change school resources before school starts? The last 10 days have been a rollercoaster of school ultimatums, dueling press conferences, and protests and actions. Get the latest updates on the schools situation, work with other parents citywide to address school resources, and determine strategies and actions to

70 by parentsunitedphil... / 5d 

8-24-13 teacherken at Daily Kos

teacherken at Daily Kos:

Saturday morning - another reflection on teaching

which may seem a little premature.  After all, I do not see students until next week.  This was teacher planning week, full of meetings, setting up the classroom, making copies, and even planning. I am back in my role as a classroom teacher. I will have 6 classes, each of which will meet alternate days for 90 minutes, a new pattern for me, one requiring me to totally rethink even lessons which hav

11 by rss@dailykos.com ... / 1h 

YESTERDAY

50 Years Later

As we approach the 50th anniversary of the March on Washington, I have a gnawing in my gut, an uneasy sense of society and its racial reality. So begins Charles M. Blow, writing on the forthcoming anniversary of the August 28, 1963  March on Washington for Jobs and Justice, with the famous speech by Martin Luther King Jr. (and might I note the lesser known but must-read/watch speech by the 23 year

3 by rss@dailykos.com ... / 9h 

A few thoughts on the intelligence apparatus

which I wrote in a free-flowing discussion on a private list.  Since these are my thoughts, and I do not quote or refer to the words of anyone else, I feel free to share them here. Make of them what you will. -----  do not grant to the military-intelligence complex the right to determine for itself what are legitimate functions and targets of intelligence gathering.  Surely in a system whose gover

2 by rss@dailykos.com ... / 17h 

Eugene Robinson: GOP in Fantasyland

The make-believe crusade by publicity-hound Republicans to somehow stop Obamacare is one of the most cynical political exercises we’ve seen in many years. And that, my friends, is saying something. That is the opening paragraph of this Washington Post column in which the Pulitzer Prize winner takes apart those Republicans who are arguing for the GOP to somehow defund or otherwise stop the continua

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AUG 22

Don't worry, I haven't vanished

even though I have not even been posting comments. This is teacher prep week at my new school. I have had tons of meetings. I have had tos et up my classroom, which was somewhat interfered with because my room was one of four places for the rotations for professional development rotations on Monday morning and this morning. I hope to post a book review of a book on education over the weekend. I am

2 by rss@dailykos.com ... / 1d 

AUG 18

interesting insights on how Brits react to us

can be read as a part of Ta-Ta, London. Hello, Awesome., written by Sarah Lyall, who spent 18 years in the UK as a correspondent of sorts for the New York Times. Several paragraphs jumped out at me: And so a country where even Conservatives are proud of the nationalized health service cannot comprehend a system that leaves tens of millions of people unable to afford basic health care. A country th

3 by rss@dailykos.com ... / 5d 

AUG 17

short diary

James Madison Barbara Mikulski Eddie Gaedel and Randy Newman was NOT being serious Peace. and Bermuda

2 by rss@dailykos.com ... / 6d