12-7-13 Wait What? All Week

Wait What?:

 

Steve Perry continues his record of excessive absences….

Yesterday Capital Prep Principal Steve Perry missed yet another morning of school, choosing instead to continue his unending list of paid speaking engagements.  Friday it was off to Massachusetts to be the key-note speaker rather than bother with his full-time job of serving as the head of Capital Prep Magnet School. Today Perry is off […]The post Steve Perry continues his record of excessive abse

by jonpelto / 1h 

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Malloy Gets Standing Ovation From State Union Leaders: Rank + file wonder if someone spiked the punch

Late today the Hartford Courant posted a blog item entitled, “Malloy Gets Standing Ovation From State Union Leaders.” The Courant wrote, “Gov. Dannel Malloy rarely receives any plaudits from Republicans or skeptics of his policies on the state budget and other issues…But he still receives a warm response from the state’s unions – as shown […]The post Malloy Gets Standing Ovation From State Union Leaders: Rank + file wonder if someone spiked the punch appeared first on Wait What?.

13h 

Malloy pulls in $36,000 plus from Connecticut nursing home industry

Malloy faces more controversy on fundraising strategy as he collects at least $36,000 from Connecticut’s nursing home industry in recent months. If Governor Malloy thought he could hide campaign donations by running them through the Democratic State Central Committee’s “federal” account, he is learning the hard way that even that route has been discovered. Thanks […]The post Malloy pulls in $36,000 plus from Connecticut nursing home industry appeared first on Wait What?.

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News Flash: Malloy, Pryor and Jepsen get slapped down by Court

As CT Mirror’s Jacqueline Rabe Thomas is reporting in an article entitled, Trial guaranteed on CT school funding and reforms, earlier today a Superior Court judge “rejected the state’s request to throw out a lawsuit charging that Connecticut has failed to provide enough money to its poorest school districts.” “The decision comes eight years after […]The post News Flash: Malloy, Pryor and Jepsen get slapped down by Court appeared first on Wait What?.

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DEC 05

Campaign Finance Reform Malloy Style: NU CEO says support Malloy by giving to the Connecticut Democratic Party

Not long ago Connecticut adopted a landmark campaign finance reform law.  As a result of that law, candidates running for governor who wanted to participate in the public financing system could not accept donations greater than $100. For few short years Connecticut’s campaign finance law served as a model for the nation. When more and […]The post Campaign Finance Reform Malloy Style: NU CEO says s

by jonpelto / 2d 

Arne Duncan is an idiot

Earlier this week, some data about the results of some international standardized test scores were released.  Diane Ravitch put them in perspective in a piece published by the Huffington Post.  (See: What You Need to Know About the International Test Scores). But quite frankly, more interesting than the results was the way the corporate education […]The post Arne Duncan is an idiot (and a liar) ap

by jonpelto / 2d 

DEC 04

Did you see the “For Sale” sign that they Malloy Administration put up?

The evidence continues to surface… Since Governor Malloy and the Connecticut General Assembly changed the law to allow individuals to donate larger amounts of money to the respective State political parties, the funds have been flowing in to the Democratic State Central Committee courtesy of those who do business with the state or want to […]The post Did you see the “For Sale” sign that they Mallo

by jonpelto / 2d 

Are Alliance School Districts implementing their Turnaround Plans with “fidelity”?

That unbelievable question is what Morgan Barth; Malloy’s School Turnaround Director at the State Department of Education (and former Achievement First Inc. administrator) is asking Connecticut’s Alliance School Districts. Are you implementing your plan with fidelity…? As the direction of Stefan Pryor, Malloy’s Commissioner of Education, the State Department of Education has managed to put […]The

by jonpelto / 3d 

DEC 03

Malloy can’t contain himself, uses speech to criticize lobbying effort by teachers and education unions…

As readers are aware, Governor Dannel Malloy traveled to Washington D.C. yesterday to speak to the right-wing, neoconservative American Enterprise Institute.  His speech was entitled, “School reform dos and don’ts: Lessons from Connecticut Governor Dannel Malloy.” As originally proposed, Malloy’s “education reform” initiative was the most anti-teacher, anti-union education reform legislation propo

by jonpelto / 3d 

Time for the Connecticut Democratic State Central Committee to come clean about spending

Over the last few months the Connecticut Democratic State Central Committee has been raising money that purportedly would be used to help Democratic candidates beat Republican candidates. But as Wait, What? readers know from earlier posts, Governor Malloy, Democratic Party Chair Nancy DiNardo and the Democratic State Central Committee syphoned over more than $37,000 in […]The post Time for the Con

by jonpelto / 3d 

And on Education Funding… Malloy misleads audience… again…

According to an article published in the CT Mirror and entitled, “Malloy makes no promises to increase school funding further,” when speaking to the right-wing American Enterprise Institute yesterday, Governor Malloy was “noncommittal Monday when asked during a forum in Washington, D.C., if he would further increase education funding again next year.” In what has […]The post And on Education Fundi

by jonpelto / 3d 

DEC 02

Malloy tells right-wing American Enterprise Institute he is the “education governor”

As reported earlier today, Governor Malloy traveled to Washington D.C. today to speak to the ultra-right wing American Enterprise Institute.  (see Wait, What? post: Malloy speaks to right-wing American Enterprise Institute in ongoing effort to alienate every teacher and public education advocate). The purpose of his trip to D.C. was to brag about his Education Reform […]The post Malloy tells right

by jonpelto / 4d 

Malloy speaks to right-wing American Enterprise Institute in ongoing effort to alienate every teacher and public education advocate

With the 2014 gubernatorial election on the horizon, Governor Dannel P. Malloy remains true to his never-ending effort to alienate every teacher and public education advocate in Connecticut. Today he travels to the ultra-right wing American Enterprise Institute in Washington, D.C. to speak on “School Reform.” American Enterprise Institute (AEI) is the leading “think-tank” for […]The post Malloy sp

by jonpelto / 5d 

DEC 01

David Samuels: The Community Party’s Powerful Voice for Social Justice

David Samuels is the founder of the Community Party.  The Community Party is a Connecticut statewide network of activists dedicated to addressing issues of social justice and criminal justice reform.  Samuels and the Community Party have been working to educate people and change public policy on a wide variety of issues.  In particular, Samuels and […]The post David Samuels: The Community Party’s

by jonpelto / 5d 

Perry returns to the paid speaking circuit

Tonight, December 1, 2013, Steve Perry will be speaking at George Washington University from 7pm – 9pm (no word whether the will be back in time for school tomorrow morning).  But he’ll certainly be missing another school day on Friday when he speaks at the METCO Directors’ Association meeting outside of Boston from 8:30am – […]The post Perry returns to the paid speaking circuit (while taxpayers p

by jonpelto / 5d 

NOV 30

School Choice or Extortion

Public education advocate and fellow commentator Wendy Lecker has an outstanding piece in this weekend’s Stamford Advocate and other Hearst Media outlets about Hartford’s recent “school choice” debacle. You can find Wendy’s piece at: http://www.stamfordadvocate.com/news/article/Lecker-School-choice-or-extortion-5022275.php.  Below is a somewhat longer version. Both do an excellent job laying out t

by jonpelto / 6d 

12-7-13 Seattle Schools Community Forum Week

Seattle Schools Community Forum:

Seattle Schools Community Forum

Random Seattle Schools Thoughts

From SPS history:South Africa's first black president, Nelson Mandela, visited Seattle and toured Madrona Elementary School almost 14 years to this date on Dec. 8, 1999. Madrona is now a K-8 school.What a lucky group of students on that day.At Board retreat today, a very different tone and feel.  Still the same kind of talk and team-building but not the same vibe.  A major theme is being collegial

by Melissa Westbrook / 27min 

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Education News Roundup

I know that many of you do not read these Ed News Roundups.  I get it; there's a lot to do and read in a day.But understand this is to let you know what the REST of the country is experiencing so that (1) we don't have these things happening to our state and our district and (2) we can learn what works and doesn't work.My biggest fear is really two-fold.  One, that too many entities for not-so-good reasons will want access to more data.  The district has confirmed to me that MORE entities ARE asking for MORE data so this is not a "what if."   Every single provider and group does not

15h 

Friday Funny

Well, I just saw this and loved it so for the Friday funny - a flash mob for a painting.

17h 

Friday Open Thread

My husband just happens to be in a conference in South Africa.  He said they had a moment of silence this morning for Nelson Mandela and their first speaker said this:"He shamed us into putting aside our petty differences by shaking the hand of his tormentors when he was released from prison."I wouldn't say I have tormentors but I would like, as an early New Year's resolution, to try to talk with those whose work/opinions are different from mine and see if we can find common ground (especially in trying to get the Legislature to fulfill McCleary).   I have tried in the past to do thi

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DEC 05

City to Ease Pot Buffer Near Schools?

Publicola has been covering the issue of where pot stores will be springing up now that Washington State has a law to make them legal.  There are more than 80 stores with applications to be in Seattle.In this thread, they show a map of where stores are proposed to be.  However: If you overlay Baker's map with the city's own map of the areas where pot stores are likely to be allowed—under Seattle r

by Melissa Westbrook / 1d 

Nelson Mandela - A Giant of a Man

I had thought for a long while that it was futile to wish for Mandela to live for much longer.  He was very old and had been through so much.  And so he has passed. But he gave so much to this world and if it was only one thing (and I come back to this again and again as a topic) - it is not hope or fighting the good fight.  It is resiliency.  The ability to believe that you can and will overcome

by Melissa Westbrook / 1d 

Katie Dolan; Activist

 Katie Dolan, a long-time activist for the rights of disabled people in Washington state, died last Saturday, the Seattle Times reports.  I had never heard of Ms. Dolan but I'm glad to have read about her important contributions.  Her family was among the first to participate in Northwest Center, which provided developmentally disabled students with teaching and jobs. In 1971, under what he once c

by Melissa Westbrook / 1d 

Religion Comes to School

There was an interesting story from Inside Bainbridge about Bainbridge Island School district about some volunteers who were youth pastors.  An investigation was launched and the district has promised to improve its volunteer screening.  The story was about a middle school where three evangelical youth pastors had been volunteering over the last year, mostly in the lunchroom and at registration. 

by Melissa Westbrook / 1d 

DEC 04

New Seattle School Board Leadership Elected

Sharon Peaslee has been elected President of the Seattle School Board by a vote of 4-3.  Sherry Carr was also nominated. Betty Patu was elected unanimously to be Vice-President. Marty McLaren was elected unanimously to be Member-at-Large. Superintendent Banda conducted the elections.I'll have a longer wrap-up of the Board meeting but a few notes.Blanford recused himself from two votes that involve

by Melissa Westbrook / 2d 

How Those Walls are Tottering

And I'm speaking of ed reform walls that are looking like mud caves in Seattle. - ALEC (the shadow group American Legislative Exchange Council) is losing its pow.  Who would have thought that a group so powerful - both in money and in legislative power - could be falling so fast.  But according to The Guardian story:The Guardian has learned that the American Legislative Exchange Council (Alec), wh

by Melissa Westbrook / 2d 

Structural Racism 101 for Youth

The organization, School's Out Washington, is sponsoring a workshop for youth (middle school to young adults), Structural Racism 101 for Youth. It's Saturday, December 7th from 10 am to 2:30 pm.  It's free and breakfast and lunch are provided.  801 23rd Avenue S.It's "an opportunity to talk about race and your experience, to learn what youth can do about racism, and to provide input about how

by Melissa Westbrook / 2d 

We Have a New Seattle School Board

I attended the Oath of Office ceremony this afternoon for our two new and one returning Board members.  It had all the usual trappings; family, supporters and a fair number of staff.  There were speeches (mercifully brief) but, from talking to others, there is one person who stood out to many of us.I think I'll write this thread as straight as I can and you can be the judge of what stands out.  (I

by Melissa Westbrook / 2d 

DEC 03

One Girl at a Time

From City Living Seattle, a great listing of empowerment programs for girls.  Many types, many locations - good stuff.  (Thank you to reader Carolyn.)

by Melissa Westbrook / 3d 

Tuesday Open Thread

For once, I am actually looking forward to going down to the JSCEE.  Not that I hate it but it's usually for some lengthy meeting.  Nope, today I get to see the installation of some new Board members.  It is very nice to see some family member standing proudly next to the new Board member.  It's a warm, fuzzy feeling and a brief shining moment, the Board stands as one (even if it's just for a phot

by Melissa Westbrook / 3d 

PISA Results

Today is PISA day (no, not the leaning tower although, having lived there, it's great).  That's the day when the results of the international test (the Program of International Student Assessment) are announced.  (It's given every three years to 15-year olds around the globe and where we get our hair-pulling upset over US students versus students in other countries).  The Answer Sheet has the U.S.

by Melissa Westbrook / 3d 

DEC 02

Is There Such a Thing as "Casual Sexism"?

 I've been noticing many more articles about sexism and the Web.  I'm going to try to string some of these articles together in this thread to raise the issue of why more women and girls aren't in computer science AND why girls may not play as many video games (it might have something to do with the reception at online gaming rooms).The first article was a story on KUOW about UW and young women in

by Melissa Westbrook / 4d 

DEC 01

Seattle Schools This Week

A bit of an exciting week as the district welcomes two new Board members.Also FYI, the district is looking for members for its School Wellness Task Force.Seattle Public Schools is seeking members for a Task Force to review, revise, monitor, communicate and evaluate policies and procedures governing school food, competitive foods, nutrition education, physical education and physical activity. The T

by Melissa Westbrook / 5d 

NOV 29

The Third Rail in Education; Parents

Now we come to that third rail of education - parents.  I have said this a lot in person but naturally, it's a dangerous subject.  Just like the first rule of Fight Club is not talking about Fight Club, the first rule of parenting is you don't criticize others' parenting.  Everyone has their own ideas about what is "good" parenting. What might really help the education conversation - is

by Melissa Westbrook / 7d hide  //  save

Friday Open Thread

Wow.  Listen to this less-than-3 minute video of noted teacher evaluation expert, Charlotte Danielson, talk about teacher evaluation.  My favorite line?  "You can't fire your way to Finland."  Should be required viewing for every school district administrator.   Next favorite line? "What can count as evidence and how can that be attributed to an individual teacher?"  She also s

by Melissa Westbrook / 7d