11-15-13 Wait What?

Wait What?:

Perry “urging” Capital Prep staff to lobby for his plan to take over Capital Prep and Sand Elementary

Just when you thought things couldn’t get any worse when it comes to Capital Preparatory Magnet School Principal Steve Perry and his lobbying effort to convince the Hartford Board of Education to allow him to set up his own company and then adopt a no-bid contract to give Perry full financial control of both Capital […]The post Perry “urging” Capital Prep staff to lobby for his plan to take over C

4 by jonpelto / 41min 

Steve Perry’s rhetoric…where nothing adds up

Yesterday, Steve Perry spoke in New Jersey.  His speech was laced with sexist comments and that was when he wasn’t trashing teachers. Perry’s bizarre behavior and even stranger commentary included comments like: “How can your job be hard? You work with kids all day! If it’s so hard, quit!”  We have these conversations in closed […]The post Steve Perry’s rhetoric…where nothing adds up appeared firs

by jonpelto / 36min 

Enough! Kishimoto, Segarra, Poland… you have an obligation to take action against Steve Perry

Steve Perry with be on the WNPR radio show this morning at 9am.   http://wnpr.org/post/education-conversation-dr-steve-perry But the situation with Capital Prep’s Steve Perry has reached a crisis level. Maybe Hartford officials give Capital Prep’s Steve Perry special treatment because of some secret deal.  Maybe it is because they are scared of the bully.  Maybe it is […]The post Enough! Kishimoto

5 by jonpelto / 1h 

11-14-13 Wait What?

Wait What?: NEWS FLASH: Hartford’s Sands Elementary School Next Takeover Target – to be handed to Steve PerryWith the fires caused by Hartford Superintendent of Schools Christina Kishimoto’s disastrous plan to close Clark Elementary School and hand it over to Achievement First are still raging, out-going Hartford Superintendent is headed to Sands Elementary School today tell parents and staff ther

by mike simpson / 8h 

11-15-13 The Answer Sheet

The Answer Sheet:

Actually, the high school coach didn’t bully the band he kicked off the field

Michael Scott, the football coach at Annandale High School in Virginia, is getting blasted in the media for yelling at the school’s award-winning marching band during halftime at a game and forcing them off the field so his players could warm up. Mean move. Stupid move. But it’s not a bullying move, which is what […]    

1 by Valerie Strauss / 19min 

The battle over Christmas music in school begins

It’s not even Thanksgiving but the battle over religious Christmas music at school events has already been enjoined in at least two school districts as the seemingly never-ending confusion continues over the answer to this question: Can public schools play religious music in holiday celebrations? In the Wausau School District in Wisconsin, a  tussle over whether […]    

2 by Valerie Strauss / 1h mark as read  //  save

A school counselor’s request to Michelle Obama

First Lady Michelle Obama has taken on a new policy role: helping to promote the idea among young people about the important of going to college. She began this week speaking to students at Bell Multicultural High School in the District, telling them about the goal President Obama set several years for the United States to […]    

2 by Valerie Strauss / 3h 

11-14-13 The Answer Sheet

The Answer Sheet: A new college theology course on Bruce SpringsteenIt’s been quite a week for me. First I had a somewhat reasonable educational excuse to write about John Lennon — school  records showing that he was quite adept at getting detentions were being put up for sale. And now, thanks to Rutgers University, I get to write about a new Bruce Springsteen course. Here, […]    7 by Valerie Str

by mike simpson / 8h 

11-15-13 the becoming radical | A Place for a Pedagogy of Kindness (the public and scholarly writing by P. L. Thomas, Furman University)

the becoming radical | A Place for a Pedagogy of Kindness (the public and scholarly writing by P. L. Thomas, Furman University):

Education Reform Guide

In her “Diving into the Wreck,” the speaker of Adrienne Rich’s poem explains, “the sea is another story/the sea is not a question of power.” Critical response to this poem often includes some ambiguity about just what the wreck constitutes in the poem, but the speaker is clear about her purpose: I came to explore the wreck. The words are purposes. The words are maps. I came to see the damage that

5 by plthomasedd / 17min 

empathyeducates – the kindness school

empathyeducates – the kindness school (beyond the archeology of white people, pt. 2).

by plthomasedd / 10min 

remnant 40: “is in the touching”

remnant 40: “is in the touching”.

by plthomasedd / 1h

empathyeducates – the kindness school

empathyeducates – the kindness school (beyond the archeology of white people, pt. 2)

by P. L. Thomas / 3h  

11-14-13 the becoming radical | A Place for a Pedagogy of Kindness

the becoming radical | A Place for a Pedagogy of Kindness (the public and scholarly writing by P. L. Thomas, Furman University): 21st Century Numbers Games21st Century Numbers Games.by plthomasedd / 1h empathyeducates – The Central Issue at the Heart of America’s Growing Education Gapempathyeducates – The Central Issue at the Heart of America’s Growing Education Gapby P. L. Thomas / 3h  11-13-13 R

by mike simpson / 8h 

11-15-13 Perdido Street School

Perdido Street School:

Boycotting Tisch-Owned Businesses

A commenter raises the following point:We might get "Money Honey" Tisch's ear by boycotting ALL Tisch family products and services, here and nationally. Aren't they in movie houses, entertainment, real estate...weren't they in big tobacco at one point...? Since this is a class war brought on us from the oligarchy....we gotta hit em where it hurts...that goes for Money Honey's empire...Ru

by reality-based edu... / 57min 

Why Student Information Should NOT Be Given To InBloom

by reality-based edu... / 38min 

Obama's ACA Mess Foreshadowed By Race To The Top

The NY Times compares Barack Obama to George W. Bush on its front page and wonders which president was more incompetent:WASHINGTON — Barack Obama won the presidency by exploiting a political environment that devoured George W. Bush in a second term plagued by sinking credibility, failed legislative battles, fractured world relations and revolts inside his own party. President Obama is now threaten

by reality-based edu... / 16min 

Why Isn't Michelle Rhee Getting Scrutiny In The Calderon Scandal?

Cosmo Garvin:Everything connected to the Calderon political family is getting media scrutiny now, since state Sen. Ron Calderon was named in an FBI affidavit, made public by the Al Jazeera America news organization, alleging the Montebello Democrat took bribes from undercover agents. One Sacramento Bee follow-up story looked at allegations that Calderon and his brother Tom Calderon, a lobbyist and

by reality-based edu... / 5h  

11-14-13 Perdido Street School

Perdido Street School: NYSED Commissioner King Compares Himself To Martin Luther King Jr.I bet you're thinking, nah, he didn't do that.Yeah, he did - on Tuesday.Jessica Bakeman had the story at Capital NY.Here's the set-up:ALBANY—In a keynote speech to teachers on Tuesday, education commissioner John King began by describing a cartoon about turkeys who revolt to avoid becoming Thanksgiving dinner,

by mike simpson / 8h

Excuse Me, Your Privilege Is Showing (White Privilege in Ed Reform) - The Jose Vilson | The Jose Vilson

Excuse Me, Your Privilege Is Showing (White Privilege in Ed Reform) - The Jose Vilson | The Jose Vilson:

Excuse Me, Your Privilege Is Showing (White Privilege in Ed Reform)

by JOSE VILSON on NOVEMBER 14, 2013

in JOSE

It always starts when someone brings up a point about race within your “own” ranks.

Whatever that means.

I’m OK with taking on the role as education’s Race Man, but the more I write about it, the more prevalent these discussions become. It’s almost as if people are waiting for [insert name of favorite White leader / blogger / activist / ed professor] to come in and tell you what you need to hear instead of listening to the concerned citizens of color right next to you, so let me come out and say this: this ride has many seats, so if you fall into the following, sit in all of them at once.

People within education reform ostensibly fall into three rails: the education reformers, the neo-lib-conservative conglomerate that calls themselves education reformers, and the maker-spacers / ed-techers who don’t want to get too involved with the politics because it’s so yucky-ucky-ucky. In all cases, everyone’s in agreement that these reforms and laws aren’t about rich students, but poor students. The dialogue always goes rich-poor-rich-poor when in reality, we also mean “richwhite-poorblack-richwhite-poorblack.” Most of us get that even when some of my White brethren have a hard time saying Black and use African-American instead. (It’s cool,

- See more at: http://thejosevilson.com/excuse-privilege-showing-white-privilege-education-reform/#sthash.q1g3gIEN.dpuf

My advice to TFA staffers: Quit For America | Gary Rubinstein's Blog

My advice to TFA staffers: Quit For America | Gary Rubinstein's Blog:

My advice to TFA staffers: Quit For America

by Gary Rubinstein

The organization of TFA is a bit like a pyramid scheme.  There are a bunch of VPs who are making a lot of money for a non-profit, certainly six figures.  Then there are the majority of staffers, people who work in recruitment, teacher ‘effectiveness’, even the alumni team, IT, etc., who make much less.  But regardless of the status of the TFA staffer, they all have one thing in common:  They are all accessories to a $300 million annual fraud funded, in part, by taxpayers, and which has, I’m sorry to say, contributed to the weakening of the pubic school system which has, in turn, hurt innocent kids and, yes, their hard working teachers.

I feel kind of bad for these staffers.  I suppose there are some staffers who are oblivious about what seems so obvious to me.  But the majority, I think, are much too smart to not realize what, to use an expression from VP Juice Fong’s blog, “negative unintended consequences” TFA has caused and continues to cause.

It must be disheartening for those more enlightened staffers.  Like being in a relationship with a guy who used to be good and who still might have it in him to be good again, and who claims he is aware that he has not been himself lately but that he’s going to really try to turn over a new leaf soon, but who never demonstrates that these are any more than empty words.

To these staffers, I’m their secret hero.  They’re reading this right now and grateful that someone has the guts to call TFA out on this.  I’ve spoken to some of them and though they haven’t been so explicit, they have given me hints (and please TFA, understand that it’s not everyone I’ve 

Why is no one in Sacramento looking at Michelle Rhee's connection to the Calderon family? Sacramento News & Review

Sacramento News & Review - Scrutiny and oversight - Bites - Opinions - November 14, 2013:

Scrutiny and oversight

Why is no one in Sacramento looking at Michelle Rhee's connection to the Calderon family?

By Cosmo Garvin 
cosmog@newsreview.com

This article was published on 11.14.13.

Related stories: We have a choice Maggy Krell provides an alternative in the district attorney's office. SN&R, 10.17.13.

Officially, the race for Sacramento County district attorney is nonpartisan. Behind the scenes, it’s all political. The position of Sacramento DA, like that of sheriff, has been dominated by Republicans for many decades. Anne Marie Schubert, a deputy DA and anointed successor to present District Attorney Jan Scully, began her campaign so early, and starting racking up endorsements and money from the Republican political establishment so quickly, that for a time, she seemed almost alone in the race.
Maggy Krell, a state deputy attorney general, jumped in this spring and started snapping up the support from the Democratic establishment. This month,Todd Leras, another Democrat and a prosecutor with the U.S. attorney’s office, jumped in as well. Leras is playing catch-up, since he was prevented by federal rules from campaigning until recently, when he officially gave up his job with the U.S. attorney.
After 20 years of Scully, both of the Democrats can make a strong case for change. Leras has criticized what he says is a top-down culture fostered by Scully,

National education reform advocate sought Calderon's influence | Al Jazeera America

National education reform advocate sought Calderon's influence | Al Jazeera America: National education reform advocate sought Calderon'€™s influenceby Trevor Aaronson October 31, 2013  5:41PM ETA private meeting with lobbyists for Michelle Rhee occurred before the CA state senator sponsored education reform billTopics: Politics Crime Law & JusticeDanny Moloshok/UPI/LandovSACRAMENTO, Calif.

3 by mike simpson / 12h

Rhee-lated $tory: Michelle Rhee answers Ravitch in New Book

al$o $ee Rhee-lated $tory: Excerpts from "Rhee The Art of the Deal" a new $tory about Corporate Education Reform and the Woman that make$ it Happen!

Money for new curriculum is out, education firms ready sales pitch | Pass / Fail | 89.3 KPCC

Money for new curriculum is out, education firms ready sales pitch | Pass / Fail | 89.3 KPCC:

Money for new curriculum is out, education firms ready sales pitch

Annie Gilbertson | November 15th, 2013, 6:00am

EducationPlus/Flickr

New state money to help with Common Core learning standards can be used for teacher training, new materials and technology. The state plans to spend $1.25 billion on the transition.

Money hits schools this week to help in the transition to new the Common Core learning standards. The California legislature appropriated $200 per student to purchase new materials, teacher training and technology.

The list of products emblazoned with Common Core is growing long: there are seminars, tablets, trainers, a library of new books, and, yes, many apps. 

The Common Core is a set of new learning standards that emphasizes analytical thinking over rote memorization.

“I probably have 20 or 30 different books over there – samples. I haven’t bought any yet," said Craig Merrill, the principal of Global Education Academy, an elementary charter school near USC.

“There are a lot of people coming out of the woodwork. I get emails everyday from individuals, organizations who are promoting this or that,” he said.

Merrill said most of the ads will end up in the trash can. His school will spend the bulk 

NYC Educator: How to Get a Voice in the UFT

NYC Educator: How to Get a Voice in the UFT:

How to Get a Voice in the UFT

While I face dozens of complaints about the new paradigm of endless observations, incessant testing, and listening to King and Silent Merryl recite that they understand, they really understand, but are prepared to do nothing, I continually wonder what the UFT is doing about it.

Here's what I know for sure:

1. We support Common Core.
2. We support the rating of teachers via junk science VAM.
3. We support endless observations.
4. We'd like them to kind of slow down a bit, and hope it becomes marginally less awful under Bill de Blasio.

This is not inspiring to my colleagues or me. Yesterday I was speaking to a supervisor about the Wednesday night rally in Mineola. She asked me why I don't get more involved in the central union. That was actually the most interesting questions anyone had asked me for a while.

There are only several ways to be involved in the union. You can be independent, like I am, and blog, and write for anyone that will publish you, shout from the rooftops, and hope for the best. You can even stand for chapter leader. But once people realize you aren't Unity, you can't get recognized in the DA. If you're called on by mistake, you may perhaps inspire some hilarious joke. A few months ago I saw a guy who questioned the Thompson 

Union-Led Reform Project in California Shares Lessons - Living in Dialogue - Education Week Teacher

Union-Led Reform Project in California Shares Lessons - Living in Dialogue - Education Week Teacher:

Union-Led Reform Project in California Shares Lessons

By Anthony Cody on November 15, 2013 6:39 AM

If you were to think of the key things that you would want to do to support learning at high poverty schools, what would be on your list? Leaders at the California Teachers Association asked that question six years ago, and came up with a program that provides extra funding to about 400 high poverty schools across the state.

 There has been an ongoing research project to track how well the program has met its objectives, and a second report has been issued.  (I wrote about the first report when it was issued in 2010.

The new report focuses on ten schools that have been exemplary in putting the QEIA funds to good use. The authors indicated several aspects of QEIA that were especially helpful. The first was reducing class size. The report indicates:

As a key pathway, CSR [class size reduction] opened the door to instructional opportunities that would not exist otherwise. Respondents commonly noted that CSR paved the way for the following changes in instruction: 1) More small group instruction; 2) Differentiated instruction; 3) Individual time with each student; 4) Instruction geared toward developing more complex skills; 5) Expanded time for re-teaching; and 6) Frequent and ongoing assessment.

Time for teacher collaboration was also of great value:

Collaboration served as a gateway to change in
every exemplary school; collaboration led to 

Reports Expose Extreme Pressure Groups Masquerading as Think Tanks | PR Watch

Reports Expose Extreme Pressure Groups Masquerading as Think Tanks | PR Watch:

Reports Expose Extreme Pressure Groups Masquerading as Think Tanks

Center for Media and Democracy and Progress Now Reports Show Expansive Reach Of State Policy Network

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

CONTACT: Rebekah Wilce, (608) 260-9713, rebekah@prwatch.org

Twelve new reports released today expose the State Policy Network (SPN), an $83 million web of right-wing "think tanks" in every state across the country. Although SPN's member organizations claim to be nonpartisan and independent, an in-depth investigation reveals that SPN and its state affiliates are major drivers of the American Legislative Exchange Council (ALEC)-backed corporate agenda in state houses nationwide, with deep ties to the Koch brothers and the national right-wing network of funders. The reports show how these groups masquerade as "think tanks," and describe how some of them may be skirting tax laws while really orchestrating extensive lobbying and political operations to peddle their legislative agenda to state legislators, all while reporting little or no lobbying activities.

"The 'experts' of State Policy Network groups get quoted on TV, in the papers, or in the legislature as if they were nonpartisan, objective scholars on issues of public policy," said Lisa Graves, Executive Director of the Center for Media and Democracy (CMD). "But in reality, SPN is a front for corporate interests with an extreme national policy agenda tied to some of the most retrograde special interests in the country, including the billionaire Koch 

Schooling in the Ownership Society: Enron's "King of Natural Gas" turns to power philanthropy. Goes after "lavish" pensions.

Schooling in the Ownership Society: Enron's "King of Natural Gas" turns to power philanthropy. Goes after "lavish" pensions.:

Enron's "King of Natural Gas" turns to power philanthropy. Goes after "lavish" pensions.

John and Laura Arnold

Power philanthropist and billionaire hedge-funder John Arnold comes out of Enron's criminal enterprise. Arnold made millions trading natural gas derivatives at Enron and then billions from his hedge fund. He was known on Wall Street as the  "king of natural gas."  But when natural gas prices slumped, he turned full-time to running his foundation along with wife, Laura. According to the John and Laura Arnold Foundation, the fund has assets of $1.2 billion. They probably figured, if Bill and Emily could make the jump from Microsoft...

The pair have tried and reinvent themselves and escape further Enron tarring by setting up their own foundation "which seeks to effect transformative change in some of our nation’s most pressing and complex policy areas, including education, criminal justice, research integrity, public accountability and health care."

What is this "transformative change" they wish to bring to public education?

They have been one of the largest benefactors behind Paul Vallas'