8-30-14 Wait What? - Jonathan Pelto: Supporter of Public Education and A Really Nice Guy

Wait What?:

  Wait What? All Week

 Pelto/Murphy 2014 

An appreciated editorial from the Hartford Courant

While it doesn’t remove the sting of failing to get the 7,500 signatures needed to get on the 2014 gubernatorial ballot, the Hartford Courant has written an editorial that is appreciated and helps illuminate some of the challenges petitioning candidates face. While the bottom line is that a candidate should never try to be their […] The post An appreciated editorial from the Hartford Courant appea

by jonpelto / 18min 

Pelto Statement on falling short of the 7,500 signatures needed to get on the ballot

Later today, the Connecticut Secretary of State’s Office is expected to officially announce that the Jonathan Pelto/Ebony Murphy ticket did not collect the 7,500 certified signatures needed to qualify for a position on the 2014 gubernatorial ballot. On behalf of the Pelto/Murphy campaign, Jonathan Pelto has released the following statement; “We are, of course, deeply […] The post Pelto Statement o

77 by jonpelto / 18h 

AUG 27

What the ______?  Debate reveals Malloy’s position on teacher tenure is even worse….

The question for Governor Malloy should have been a simple one; “Mr. Malloy, you are the only Democratic governor in the United States who has proposed doing away with teacher tenure and repealing collective bargaining for teachers in the lowest performing (the so called turnaround schools), will you this opportunity to renounce your 2012 tenure […] The post What the ______?  Debate reveals Malloy

26 by jonpelto / 2d 

Pelto requests that teacher tenure and collective bargaining question be asked at gubernatorial debate

The Norwich Bulletin newspaper is hosting the first gubernatorial debate tonight between Dannel “Dan” Malloy and Tom Foley. On behalf of the more than 100,000 active and retired teachers, their families and public education advocates, I am publicly requesting that the following question be asked; Governor Malloy:  You are the only Democratic governor in the […] The post Pelto requests that teacher

18 by jonpelto / 2d 

Barriers for 3rd party challengers are widespread – Here is a new disturbing case in Massachusetts

Proving that the notion that supporting the Constitution and “Protecting Freedom and Democracy” is a relative term for some people. Secretary Galvin [Secretary of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts] Sued over Rejection of Voter Signatures.  Rejection of Ballot Petitions Clears Way for Democratic Incumbent to Run Unopposed State election officials have rejected all 3000 voter signatures […] The post

21 by jonpelto / 2d 

AUG 26

Illinois School Bans Discussions of Michael Brown’s Death (by Paul Thomas)

This article was written by fellow pro-public education blogger Paul Thomas for Alternet.  Paul Thomas is a an associate professor of education at Furman University and a powerful voice on behalf of public education .  His blog can be found at: http://radicalscholarship.wordpress.com/ Illinois School Bans Discussions of Michael Brown’s Death (By Paul Thomas) When faced with tragedies […] The post

7 by jonpelto / 3d 

AUG 25

Terrence Carter’s Ph.D. Award Date Arrives, But His Doctorate Doesn’t

The Hartford Courant’s investigative reporter, Jon Lender, “effectively “finishes up his sure to be award winning series on U.S.  Secretary of Education Arne Duncan’s “hand-picked” education reform disciple, Terrence Carter, with a breaking news story entitled,  Terrence Carter’s Ph.D. Award Date Arrives, But His Doctorate Doesn’t. Lender, who led the Courant’s investigation of “Dr.” Michael […] T

13 by jonpelto / 4d 

Gubernatorial Debates:  Ask questions that matter.

On Wednesday, August, 27th, 2014, the Norwich Bulletin newspaper will host the first of the 2014 gubernatorial debates.  Ray Hackett, the Bulletin’s editorial page editor will moderate the debate. For reasons that I can’t seem to wrap my head around, Democratic Gov. Dannel P. Malloy, and Republican challenger Tom Foley are the only gubernatorial candidates […] The post Gubernatorial Debates:  Ask

24 by jonpelto / 4d 

AUG 24

Highlights and Lowlights of the Pelto/Murphy 2014 campaign continue to grow

Kicked off by yesterday’s Wait, Wait? Blog post, the Hartford Courant’s Chris Keating wrote a news update entitled, “Breaking: Pelto Fears He Will Not Reach 7,500 Signatures To Get On Ballot.” Keating began his article with the following, In a potential political boost for Gov. Dannel P. Malloy, liberal Democrat Jonathan Pelto told The Hartford […] The post Highlights and Lowlights of the Pelto/Mu

20 by jonpelto / 5d 

AUG 23

You’re right…You just can make this sh*t up

[First, on a personal note.  The Secretary of the State’s office continues to count the Pelto/Murphy petitions as they are sent in by local town clerks.  While the process won’t be concluded until the middle of next week, it appears increasingly likely that we will fall short of the 7,500 “valid” signatures to get on […] The post You’re right…You just can make this sh*t up appeared first on Wait W

39 by jonpelto / 6d 

8-30-14 Seattle Schools Community Forum Week

Seattle Schools Community Forum:

Seattle Schools Community Forum

Friday Open Thread

Boy do I like public disclosure laws because that story out of LA about the iPad debacle only gets better/worse.  I'll have another thread on that soon.Kids and Uzis - I'm not sure there is anything that could better demonstrate a lack of common sense.   Very funny story from the Scary Mommy blog about going back to school in the 1970s (some of us were doing that) and going back today.In a big &qu

by Melissa Westbrook / 21h 

AUG 28

No Internet for Your Kid

I regularly check the district's website for updates.  Here's the latest one (bold mine):All Seattle Public School students in grades K–12 will be able to access their personal email accounts from District computers beginning this fall. This change comes at the request of District principals with approval of senior leadership.SPS is not providing email accounts to students, nor is SPS recommending

2 by Melissa Westbrook / 1d 

Look What's Arriving at Seattle Schools

by Melissa Westbrook / 1d 

Guest Post on Garfield Field Trip Rape

Please support a much more critical demonstration next Wed, Sept 3rd, at the Seattle School Board meeting.  The District is making decisions about its next step regarding the Garfield HS rape victim. We know the District’s response was outrageous, but the general public must also become educated. The self-serving Seattle Times reporting did nothing to inform the public of the facts. We know the Di

1 by Melissa Westbrook / 1d 

AUG 27

School District in Florida Votes to Opt-Out of Common Core Testing

 Update: will you look at that?  Another Florida district is considering this idea (Palm Beach County School Board). “They say testing has gotten out of control and creates too much pressure for students and teachers. After discussing the opt-out idea at a recent meeting, board members asked their lawyers for further study. They will discuss it again at a workshop in the next few weeks.“Sometimes

2 by Melissa Westbrook / 2d 

OSPI Releases State Test Results

Someone at OSPI has a sense of humor.  Their press release is called, "State Test Scores in a Waiverless World." Seattle's Test scores  I have to say that those 10th grade scores are looking pretty good for reading and writing:Reading: 81.2%, Writing 84.5%Math and Science EOC - looks they are holding steady at about 61-64%, not great.From the press release: More than 90 percent of 12th g

1 by Melissa Westbrook / 2d 

I Have a New Twitter Follower

Welcome, Mr. Gates (no, I don't believe he reads anything I write but it brought a smile to my face).Bill Gates @billgates_sInspirational quotes from Bill Gates Following: 1409 · Followers: 1115 Follow

by Melissa Westbrook / 2d 

Finding Common Ground

I have been an education activist for a long time and I have never had any delusions about my effectiveness. After all, the district officials have all of the power and all of the authority, so they don't have to do anything they don't want to do and they are free to do whatever they like. We have seen that there is almost no accountability or consequences for them, so they really aren't answerabl

by Charlie Mas / 2d 

AUG 26

Issues with Test Scores for a Seattle School?

A letter sent out from Superintendent Nyland:Dear Seattle Public Schools community, I’m writing today to let you know that on Wednesday we will receive our final state Measurements of Student Progress (MSP) test scores. Earlier this month, while reviewing preliminary data, we discovered an anomaly with Beacon Hill’s test results. We requested that the scores at Beacon Hill International School be

1 by Melissa Westbrook / 3d 

Seattle Schools' Equity and Race Advisory Committee

The district is looking for new members via nominations.This committee is a commitment to transforming our current practices at a systemic level to eliminate disproportionality in education and in all aspects of its administration. These efforts require a long-term commitment from our advisors that includes both making recommendations and staying engaged as our work progresses over time.The Superi

4 by Melissa Westbrook / 3d 

Tuesday Open Thread

 In the "grrrr" edition of Open Thread:In Jurupa Valley (a small city near Irvine, California), school officials apologized to parents of high school Sped students because, as part of a "functional skills program," the schools had them dig through trash for items that could be recycled for money.  The Superintendent carefully phrased his apology:“I personally apologize to any s

by Melissa Westbrook / 3d 

AUG 25

Later school start times for teens - Doctor's orders

The American Academy of Pediatrics issued a policy statement calling on school districts to move start times to 8:30 am or later for middle and high schools, so that students can get at least 8 1/2 hours of sleep a night.Full story here.

by Charlie Mas / 4d 

If You Want to Transfer Your Child under NCLB, Get that Request In

I was reading the Spokane newspaper and it was stated that for Spokane's school district, the deadline to request a transfer to a new school under NCLB is August 26th.  So I wrote to SPS to ask what their deadline is.  Here's the answer I received: Parents have to request a transfer by the first day of school by 4 pm. They will then be sent an application with their PSC options.That PSC is "

1 by Melissa Westbrook / 4d 

AUG 24

Wondering about how to Get Your Kid Ready for College?

Here's a great website from the DOE, chock-full of good advice and information.Whether you’re a student or parent, years away from college or just about to start, the following checklists will help you get ready. Elementary School Checklist: Student and parent checklists that start the student on the road to enjoying learning and point the parent to resources for college savings accounts.Middle Sc

2 by Melissa Westbrook / 5d 

Seattle Schools This Week

Update: I had forgotten that tomorrow is the date that WA State Supreme Court answers the Legislature on the McCleary decision.  That should be illuminating.end of update. Seemingly, the quiet before the storm that is the reopening of school next week. The only item on the district calendar is one I erred about in the Friday Open Thread.  Director Patu's Saturday Community meeting is this Saturday

by Melissa Westbrook / 5d 

Seattle Preschool - Time to Start Thinking about Your Vote

 Update:  Here's an event to talk about this issue from the League of Women Voters/King County:Help lay a foundation of understanding for the continuing public discourse on early learning and the role of public policy. Participate in the LWVS-KC conversation on September 4 with panelists representing the Puget Sound Educational Service District, University of Washington, and Thrive by Five. Where

2 by Melissa Westbrook / 5d 

Garfield Field Trip Rape Case

I need a little help (although I know this info is out there somewhere, I'm trying to find it quickly).Aviva (Garfield parent), you had said you might be able to fill in some info for me.  Something new has come to light and I'm hoping you might be able to tell me about it.

by Melissa Westbrook / 5d 

Fix the omission

Something's missing and we all know what it is.It's the unfulfilled commitment I have been requesting for over ten years. It's the hole at the heart of the district's dysfunction. It is the emptiness at the root of the complaints and protests about the Garfield rape case. It is what was absent from Director Peaslee's understanding of the protests and it was omitted from Dr. Nyland's letter.The Dis

3 by Charlie Mas / 5d 

AUG 23

Seattle School Updates

I neglected to mention Director Patu has a Community Meeting from 10 am to noon today at Cafe Vita.I read thru the general letter from SPS to families about NCLB.   As I previously noted, the Washington Policy Center is claiming 33 letters went out about different schools (I need to get confirmation from the district on this) but they also claim there isn't info on tutoring and/or changing schools

by Melissa Westbrook / 6d