1-3-14 4LAKids - some of the news that doesn't fit

4LAKids - some of the news that doesn't fit:

THE LAUSD BOARD OF ED NEEDS TO MAKE A DECISION …and that decision should be to appoint a representative to fill Marguerite LaMotte’s seat.

  smf’s 2c in 4LAKidsNews Friday Jan 3, 2014  ::  The LA Times editorial board offered some excellent advice to the board of Ed  on New Years Eve: Next Tuesday the board needs to decide whether to call an election or make an appointment to fill the seat vacated by the untimely death of Marguerite LaMotte. I am all for elective democracy – and in The Best of All Possible Worlds the board

1 by smf / 55min 

Letters: COLLEGE, RECRUITERS AND MONEY

letters to the LA Times | http://lat.ms/1cNPToT Students gather in college counselor Teresa Carreto's room at Roosevelt High in L.A.'s Boyle Heights, one of the area campuses receiving relatively few visits from college counselors. (Bob Chamberlin, Los Angeles Times / December 13, 2013) RE: College recruiters give low-income public campuses fewer visits By Larry Gordon  Story | December

by smf / 9min 

A New York parent writes to Mrs. Obama: SAVE OUR CHILDREN

by Jill Bernardi, Reblogged from Diane Ravitch’s blog |  http://bit.ly/1bDYxBM Jill Berardi is the parent of a child in kindergarten in New York. She is also the assistant principal of Linden Avenue Middle School, Red Hook, New York - in the Hudson Valley. Here she appeals directly to Michelle Obama to take action to help children like her own. January 3, 2014 Dear Mrs. Obama,

by smf / 2min 

AFTER BUNGLED iPAD ROLLOUT, LESSONS FROM L.A. PUT TABLET TECHNOLOGY IN A TIME OUT

By Brenda Iasevoli/The Hechinger Report from EdSource Today | http://bit.ly/KowHTV This article was originally published in The Hechinger Report.

by smf / 2min 

Lcff: State Board Of Education To Vote On New Spending Template

Adolfo Guzman-Lopez | Pass / Fail | 89.3 KPCC http://bit.ly/JyOxUa Rich Pedroncelli/AP | Gov. Jerry Brown deliver his State of the State address before a joint session of the Legislature at the Capitol in Sacramento, Calif., Wednesday, Jan. 18, 2012. Brown urged lawmakers to help make California great again by taking on major initiatives and funding schools. January 2nd, 2014, 6:00am  ::

by smf / 17min 

The New Ged May Be Harder …But It’S Also Costlier As It Moves From Non-Profit Business Model To For-Profit – Courtesy Of Pear$On

GED switching to tougher, computer-based tests in January By Barbara Jones, Los Angeles Daily News | http://bit.ly/JO1TLH File - Sibusiso Kunene works at a computer during a General Educational Development test preparation class at the Sonia Gutierrez Campus of the Carlos Rosario International Public Charter School in Washington Oct. 22,

by smf / 28min 

Us Dept Of Agriculture Permanently Relaxes Rules On Healthier School Meals

from Reuters via Huffington Post  | http://huff.to/1euZ3p3   Posted: 01/02/2014 8:11 pm EST  |  Updated: 01/02/2014 10:59 pm EST | WASHINGTON, Jan 2 (Reuters)  ::  U.S. regulators said on Thursday they were permanently relaxing school meal rules that were designed to combat childhood obesity by reining in calories and portion sizes but aroused complaints the policies caused students to

by smf / 18min 

COURT REVERSES CONVICTIONS OF EX-BEVERLY HILLS SCHOOLS CHIEF + smf’s 2¢

Jeffrey Hubbard was convicted in 2012 of misappropriating public funds, but justices agree with his lawyers that he was not responsible for authorizing payouts. By Hannah Fry, Los Angeles Times | http://lat.ms/1cqynGa Jeffrey Hubbard, right, in court in 2012; a state appellate court panel has reversed his two felony convictions of misappropriating public funds. (Scott Smeltzer, Daily

by smf / 18min 

1-1-14 4LAKids - some of the news that doesn't fit

4LAKids - some of the news that doesn't fit: Letter: WHY TENURE MAKES GOOD TEACHERSLetter to the Editor of the L.A. Times | http://lat.ms/KjPyQD January 1, 2014 Re  George Skelton's column: "New Year's resolutions for Sacramento politicos / Dec 30 |  http://lat.ms/18Yw4Mj When George Skelton recommended that one of the governor's New Year's resolutions should be to stand up to labor and make

by mike simpson / 22h

1-3-14 @ The Chalk Face

@ THE CHALK FACE:

Beware of Data Sharing Cheerleaders Offering Webinars

Perhaps the most sobering component of the privatization push is its unprecedented demand for data collection (data “mining”) on American students. Data mining is not just an American issue. However, on the American front, two education activists have been at the forefront of the fight against this mammoth student data collection: Louisiana’s Jason France (here’s a great […]

by deutsch29 / 1h 

Constantly saying teachers are “poor” kind of pisses me off. I think we should stop it.

I get it. We all get it. Relative to other careers with similar education credentials, teachers are underpaid, given that many have graduate degrees. To wit: The average salary for full-time public school teachers in 2010–11 was $56,069 in current dollars (i.e. dollars that are not adjusted for inflation). In constant (inflation-adjusted) dollars, the average […]

1 by Shaun Johnson / 14min 

@johnkuhntx: The Tyranny of the Datum

By John Kuhn Data is a big deal. A great deal of innovation is happening right now in the field of data collection, storage, and management in the field of education. There are some well-documented fears among parents and teachers regarding these trends. Who will control the data? How will the data be used? Will […]

4 by Timothy D. Slekar / 29min 

@ArneDuncan is suzerain to the vassals

The Washington Post (aka Valerie Strauss) reported just days ago that the Secretary of Education intervened in choice of chancellor of NYC schools, discouraging choice of MD Supe Josh Starr. How dare Duncan, yes? Interfering in local education matters. My analysis? NYC is not merely a local education matter. This isn’t Albuquerque. This is New […]

by Shaun Johnson / 7min \

Guest Post: Here’s to a Progressive/Conservative Movement to Take Back Our Schools

We met the other day in the kitchen of a retired teacher. We were quite the mix of people, with a far right conservative and a far left progressive; long­time retired teachers, and currently working teachers; elementary teachers, high school teachers and a university teacher. Despite our differences, we all came together out of a single concern: what is happening to public education.   Although th

by Kris Nielsen / 4min 

The Observation Gap?

The Common Core State Standards (CCSS) has become the black hole of education discussions or “debates.” In fact, I’d submit that we spend far too much time and energy arguing for, or against, the CCSS that we’re neglecting other critical aspects of our profession. Case in point: the role classroom observations serve in providing teachers […]

by Angel Cintron Jr. / 16min 

Conditions of Teaching Are Conditions of Learning: On Students

Conditions of Teaching Are Conditions of Learning: On Students. via Conditions of Teaching Are Conditions of Learning: On Students.

1 by plthomasedd / 51min 

1-2-14 @ The Chalk Face

@ THE CHALK FACE: @johnkuhntx Teaching: The Card GameBy John Kuhn In the spirit of “War” and “Old Maid,” I present a card game called “Teaching.” (Note: there is something inherently icky about symbolizing students with numbers or, in this case, playing cards. I didn’t create this game to imply that students are merely numbers or that some students are “worth more” than […]8 by Timothy D. Slekar /

by mike simpson / 8h 

1-3-14 With A Brooklyn Accent Go BATs:

With A Brooklyn Accent:

Thoughts on Socialism, Liberty, and Government and Corporate Powe

   As long as there is a huge concentration of wealth at the top of the society, as we have now in the US, we cannot assume that centralized government initiatives will have positive consequences. Government at all levels has become the tool of powerful corporations.  This makes the historic socialist identification with strong government highly problematical. In the US today, policies which are e

by Mark Naison / 4h 

 

1-2-14 With A Brooklyn Accent Go BATs:

With A Brooklyn Accent: otorious Phd’s Quick Tips for College Teaching in the Liberal Arts.Notorious Phd’s Quick Tips for College Teaching in the Liberal Arts.1. Make sure that the reading materials you assign are inspiring as well as informative. Don't be afraid to include literature as well as non-fiction. Students need to use their imagination as well as intellect.2. When you are lecturing, alw

by mike simpson / 1h 

1-3-14 the becoming radical | A Place for a Pedagogy of Kindness by P. L. Thomas, EdD

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

Civil Rights Issue of Our Time?

While the credibility of challenges leveled at the current education reform agenda—such as commitments to Common Core or the rise of “no excuses” charter schools—is often called into question throughout social and mainstream media, I see little to no questioning of political mantras of education crisis, utopian expectations for schools, and the consistent refrain of education reform being the civi

by plthomasedd / 7min 

Conditions of Teaching Are Conditions of Learning: On Students

I’m not prone to New Year’s resolutions, but I have decided that with the arbitrary designation of a new calendar year, I have a way to focus on new commitments, specifically in how I interact in the virtual world. So when I read a derogatory comment on one of my blog posts (describing my post with “stupidest” and then making a word choice error or typo), I resisted the urge to comment, but posted

6 by plthomasedd / 48min hide  //  save

remnant 48: “I am from the poor people”

remnant 48: “I am from the poor people”.

1 by plthomasedd / 2h 

1-2-14 the becoming radical | A Place for a Pedagogy of Kindness by P. L. Thomas, EdD

the becoming radical | A Place for a Pedagogy of Kindness (the public and scholarly writing by P. L. Thomas, Furman University): remnant 47: “I’m not sure all these people understand”remnant 47: “I’m not sure all these people understand”.1 by plthomasedd / 2h  1-1-14 the becoming radical | A Place for a Pedagogy of Kindness by P. L. Thomas, EdDthe becoming radical | A Place for a Pedagogy of Kindn

by mike simpson / 8h 

1-3-14 Perdido Street School

Perdido Street School:

Is Shael Polakow-Suransky Staying On At Tweed?

Buried in Eliza Shapiro's Capital NY article about Carmen Farina's first workday as NYCDOE schools chancellor is this:Asked about whether the D.O.E's chief academic officer, Shael Polakow-Suransky, will stay on, Fariña said "no personnel decisions have been made yet."This wasn't the only polite answer she gave. When asked about charters, Shapiro reported that Farina said that "the d

by reality-based edu... / 7min 

Snow Day

NEW snow totals. 7-9" in #Queens, #Bronx, & #Brooklyn http://t.co/9clr0yZqEG @ABC7NY @Evansweather @JeffSmithABC7 @AmyFreeze7— Lee Goldberg (@LeeGoldbergABC7) January 3, 2014No school anywhere in the area - even NYC public schools.Would have been nice of the new mayor to make the call for closure before 4:45 AM.Some teachers have to make a decision on whether to try and get in to work by

by reality-based edu... / 3h  

1-2-14 Perdido Street School

Perdido Street School: Lee Goldberg's Snow ForecastBrunt is overnight. All travel shud be suspended. Sunrise Fri: Blowing snow.14 feels like -5. Snow tapers during AM. pic.twitter.com/rlU65ycMWh— Lee Goldberg (@LeeGoldbergABC7) January 2, 2014by reality-based edu... / 37min Update On Incoming SnowstormReading through the weather forum and looking at the National Weather Service updates, the models

by mike simpson / 8h 

United Opt Out in Denver, CO: March 28th to 30th, 2014 | United Opt Out National

United Opt Out in Denver, CO: March 28th to 30th, 2014 | United Opt Out National:

UNITED OPT OUT IN DENVER, CO: MARCH 28TH TO 30TH, 2014

Join us for our third annual event in protest of corporatized education reform. Our first two Occupy the DOE events were held in Washington, DC. In 2014, we’re taking our fight to the Mile High City as we join friends and colleagues in their struggles against privatization. Details to follow soon – but be sure to mark your calendar now – March 28th to 30th, 2014!

How much do dropouts cost us? The real numbers behind ‘pay now or pay later’ | Education Lab Blog | Seattle Times

How much do dropouts cost us? The real numbers behind ‘pay now or pay later’ | Education Lab Blog | Seattle Times:

How much do dropouts cost us? The real numbers behind ‘pay now or pay later’

Posted by Claudia Rowe

Plenty of educators opine vaguely about the costs to society when a student drops out of school. But in 2011, an economist and professor of public policy at Columbia University dug into the numbers to tally the actual dollar figures, and they are stunning.

Of 40 million Americans between 16 and 24, about 6.7 million are neither in school nor employed. About half are high school droupouts; the others may have a GED. All are underemployed, if they work at all.

To taxpayers, each of these so-called “opportunity youths” imposes a lifetime cost of about $235,680 in welfare payments, food stamp, criminal justice and medical care. Multiply that across the full 6.7 million cohort and the hit is nearly incomprehensible: $1.6 trillion.

“The economic consequences of opportunity youth are enormous,” write authors Clive Belfield, Henry Levin and Rachel Rosen in “The Economic Value of Opportunity Youth,” which was published in 2011.

Because they are far more likely to be in jail, use welfare or live on food stamps, each youth costs us about $13,890 each year. That’s a lot more than the $5,000 Washington State spends per student in the public schools.

But policy-makers in Olympia have come up with a promising answer, a way to get our 30,000 

Check Out NY Daily News Coverage of Public Education in NYC | janresseger

Check Out NY Daily News Coverage of Public Education in NYC | janresseger:

Check Out NY Daily News Coverage of Public Education in NYC

Posted on January 3, 2014 by janresseger

As our local newspapers fade away (Ours in Cleveland prints every day but inexplicably delivers only on Sunday, Wednesday, Friday and Saturday.), many of us go to the New York Times on-line almost as if it is our own daily paper.  But we are less equipped to unpack the local biases of another city’s newspaper.  After all, we are not immersed in that city’s facts on the ground.

To learn about public education in New York City, it is important to check out another point of view in addition to the one presented in the NY Times.  The New York Daily News is far more supportive of traditional public schools than the NY Times, that has pretty much endorsed former Mayor Bloomberg’s school reform policies featuring letter grades for schools, choice, charters, and public school closures.  This is especially true since the NY Times removed Michael Winerip, who appreciates public schools and public school teachers, from the education beat.

This morning the New York Daily News features Carmen Farina’s first day on the job.  The 

NYC Educator: The Eternal Question--To Go or Not to Go?

NYC Educator: The Eternal Question--To Go or Not to Go?:

The Eternal Question--To Go or Not to Go?

 Update: Very cool to see Mayor Bill de Blasio actually shoveling snow in front of his Brooklyn home on CBS 2. Doubtless it's for show, and he says he's going to share with Dante, but it's impressive.

Can you imagine Emperor Bloomberg doing that? Neither can I. The only show we got from Mayor Money was the pretense of going to the subway. Actually, two SUVs came to his brownstone each AM to drive him, since his preferred subway stop was too far for him to walk.




Update 4:47 AM: NYC SCHOOLS ARE CLOSED.

Mayor de Blasio made a good call. Perhaps he simply waited so as to look a little tougher to his manifold corporate critics. But he did the right thing. You don't send a million kids out in weather like this, even though it was no problem for a guy like Rudy Giuliani, and even though it took Mike Bloomberg until maybe 6:30 AM a few years back.

Also, unless they're using some very sophisticated new technology, it appears Bill de Blasio is in NYC rather than Bermuda. 

LIE will remain closed until at least 8 AM, so in case you feel like going in anyway, don't. 

Update: As of 4:12 AM CBS TV says they don't expect a decision from the mayor until around 5 AM. They also say that plowing the streets has been useless, as the wind blows the snow instantly back. Wind chill 10-15 below zero and LIE is still closed. Crews still trying to 

Mike Klonsky's SmallTalk Blog: Waiting for a Chicago de Blasio?

Mike Klonsky's SmallTalk Blog: Waiting for a Chicago de Blasio?:

Waiting for a Chicago de Blasio?

Interesting piece in yesterday's S-T,"Chicago lefties look for their own Bill de Blasio". Dan Mihalopoulosobviously has his ear to the ground.

A nation — or at least the left-leaning activists of this one big city — is eager to turn its lonely eyes to someone who can take on the Chicago mayor whom lefties deride as “Mayor 1%” and the quintessential DINO (Democrat in Name Only).... Meanwhile, all the talk from the East Coast about combating income inequality, reining in charter-school expansion and other leftist issues has warmed Chicago lefties who see de Blasio as the sort of mayor this city needs instead of Rahm Emanuel.

But Mihalopoulos must understand that it's not just "lefties" or the CTU who want to take out Rahm. His positive ratings are lower than snail shit and there's even a significant section of Chicago's ruling class who have grown tired of the chaos, violence and corruption that have 

1-2-13 Ms. Jablonski's Class Blog

Ms. Jablonski's Class Blog:

South Korea's take on online gaming

South Korea is considering on passing a law that categorizes gaming as an antisocial addiction like gambling, drugs, and alcohol. In 2011, an annual study showed that 2% of South Koreans aged 10-19 were either at risk of addiction, or needed treatment for excessive gaming. The government is aiming for a society where everyone is clean from the four addictions. Their solutions are to limit advertis

by Justin Ng / 39min 

12-31-13 Ms. Jablonski's Class Blog

Ms. Jablonski's Class Blog: Too High On MethRecently, Andrew Frey, a man from Oregon was high on meth and decided to have an adventure outside. He apparently went to a store named Brook's Market and refused to leave for his unusual behavior. Eventually an employee finally kicked him out of the store, but he happened to stumble into a bar. The most strangest thing was he began to masturbate in the

by mike simpson / 8h