Special Nite Cap: Catch Up on Today's Post 10/18 /15

CORPORATE ED REFORM

Beyond Programs: A Teacher's Role in Preventing Bullying - NEA Today

Beyond Programs: A Teacher's Role in Preventing Bullying - NEA Today: Beyond Programs: A Teacher’s Role in Preventing BullyingBullying prevention programs do a good job of raising awareness and generating buy-in from school staff. However, programs can only do so much. For students to buy in, teachers, as first responders, must take the lead.Beginning the school year with previews of the curriculu

by mike simpson / 33min 

Behind the Story: Diane Ravitch | KWBU

Behind the Story: Diane Ravitch | KWBU: Behind the Story: Diane RavitchThis week on Behind the Story we talk with Diane Ravitch, an education historian and researcher who also served as the U.S. Assistant Secretary of Education. In this episode, KWBU talks with Ravitch about her memories growing up in the Texas education system, her thoughts on No Child Left Behind, Race to the Top, charter school

by mike simpson / 44min 

Focus on testing in schools is misplaced: #tellusatoday

Focus on testing in schools is misplaced: #tellusatoday: Focus on testing in schools is misplaced: #tellusatodayA recent column suggested the  is headed for a split over approaches to improve public education. :While I am flattered by commentary writer Richard Whitmire’s description of me, I take great exception with his characterization of what unions support and why (“Column: The Democrats’ grea

by mike simpson / 54min 

Alfie Kohn on Universal ‘high-quality’ Pre-K | Seattle Education

Alfie Kohn on Universal ‘high-quality’ Pre-K | Seattle Education: Alfie Kohn on Universal ‘high-quality’ Pre-KBut here’s the catch: Very few people are talking about the kind of education that would be offered — other than declaring it should be “high quality.” And that phrase is often interpreted to mean “high intensity”: an accelerated version of skills-based teaching that most early-childhood e

by mike simpson / 1h 

San Jose: DCP charter school to move to Southern Lumber site - San Jose Mercury News

San Jose: DCP charter school to move to Southern Lumber site - San Jose Mercury News: San Jose: DCP charter school to move to Southern Lumber siteSAN JOSE -- A deal is nearly inked to acquire the former Southern Lumber site in San Jose's Alma neighborhood and allow Downtown College Preparatory charter school to renovate the old warehouse and move in by August.In a creative swap involving no cash,

by mike simpson / 1h 

Teaching is Like an Abusive Relationship - You Only Stay for the Children | Cultured Vultures

Teaching is Like an Abusive Relationship - You Only Stay for the Children | Cultured Vultures: TEACHING IS LIKE AN ABUSIVE RELATIONSHIP – YOU ONLY STAY FOR THE CHILDRENcording to figures released by Labour this week, 50,000 teachers quit last year. The mother of a friend of mine summed up the current situation perfectly after yet another tearful phone call where her daughter was considering whethe

by mike simpson / 2h 

Pornography and Relevance in Education | My Island View

Pornography and Relevance in Education | My Island View: Pornography and Relevance in EducationWhen asked to define what Pornography in the public domain was, United States Supreme Court Justice Potter Stewart said: “I shall not today attempt further to define the kinds of material I understand to be embraced within that shorthand description [“hard-core pornography”], and perhaps I could never su

by mike simpson / 4h 

LAUSD'S PREMEDITATED "EGREGIOUS MISCONDUCT"- A CRIMINAL CONSPIRACY? - Perdaily.com

LAUSD'S PREMEDITATED "EGREGIOUS MISCONDUCT"- A CRIMINAL CONSPIRACY? - Perdaily.com: LAUSD'S PREMEDITATED "EGREGIOUS MISCONDUCT"- A CRIMINAL CONSPIRACY?(Mensaje se repite en Español)How did the LAUSD School Board unanimously vote to fire famed teacher Rafe Esquith? The answer might surprise you as it is codified in law. According to The Brown Act section 54956.9 the board is com

by mike simpson / 4h 

Seattle Schools Community Forum: Crucial Voting for Seattle School Board

Seattle Schools Community Forum: Crucial Voting for Seattle School Board: Crucial Voting for Seattle School BoardIt happens every single time there are school board races - that it is VITAL to vote and get the right people on the Board.I will admit that last time, in trying to find good candidates for a couple of races, I certainly got fooled.  I really thought that Sharon Peaslee and Marty McLare

by mike simpson / 4h 

CURMUDGUCATION: PA: Shutting Down Special Ed

CURMUDGUCATION: PA: Shutting Down Special Ed: PA: Shutting Down Special EdThe Background Among the Duncan-Obama administration's beliefs about education, we find the belief that special ed is unnecessary.Secretary of Education Arne Duncan has been pretty clear about this. He has argued that students with disabilities just need teachers who expect them to do well (Stop being dyslexic, Pat-- I belie

by mike simpson / 5h 

When a Sac High teacher went against the Kevin Johnson team | Game to 100

When a Sac High teacher went against the Kevin Johnson team | Game to 100: When a Sac High teacher went against the Kevin Johnson teamThrough Kevin Johnson’s long history of sexual scandals, deniers and defenders have been eager to rush to Johnson’s side. One man who didn’t – and paid a price for it – was Erik Jones.Back in 2007, Jones was a teacher at Sacramento High School. He said a 17-year-old

by mike simpson / 5h 

Seattle Schools Community Forum: Who I'm Voting for to Sit on the Seattle City Council

Seattle Schools Community Forum: Who I'm Voting for to Sit on the Seattle City Council: Who I'm Voting for to Sit on the Seattle City CouncilI view the City Council races in two ways. One, public education in Seattle.  I want people on the Council who know where the line is between the district running itself and the City's role in supporting that effort.Two, livability in Seattle (which I think i

by mike simpson / 5h 

Mike Klonsky's SmallTalk Blog: Vouchers for private schools: This is what passes for 'school reform' in D.C.

Mike Klonsky's SmallTalk Blog: Vouchers for private schools: This is what passes for 'school reform' in D.C.: Vouchers for private schools: This is what passes for 'school reform' in D.C.D.O.E.-- The Education Pentagon in D.C.Posting from D.C. --Remember back in 2010 when Michelle Rhee was ruling the roost in D.C.? Rhee, with plenty of back-up from Arne Duncan and the Gates Foundation, became one

by mike simpson / 6h 

Are School Closings Really Land Grabs? YES! | @ THE CHALKFACE

Are School Closings Really Land Grabs? YES! | @ THE CHALKFACE: Are School Closings Really Land Grabs? YES!Source: Are School Closings Really Land Grabs?In some cases, they are, and it’s pretty easy to figure this out.Our school in SE Washington, DC, for instance, was formerly in a building adjacent to highly coveted real estate: next to a DC Metro stop. As the area was slowly showing signs of gent

by mike simpson / 6h 

4LAKids - some of the news that doesn't fit: Op-Ed: DICHOTOMY OF TODAY’S TEACHING, LEARNING

4LAKids - some of the news that doesn't fit: Op-Ed: DICHOTOMY OF TODAY’S TEACHING, LEARNING: Op-Ed: DICHOTOMY OF TODAY’S TEACHING, LEARNINGBY LARRY WHITE, SPECIAL TO THE STOCKTON RECORD  | HTTP://BIT.LY/1ONDGNXPosted Oct. 17, 2015 at 5:00 PM  ::  Schools are in the business of educating students and operate on the principles that all students can learn and all students must learn.This reflects a b

by mike simpson / 6h 

Ms. Katie's Ramblings: The Ugly Truths of Choice and That Which Divides Us

Ms. Katie's Ramblings: The Ugly Truths of Choice and That Which Divides Us: The Ugly Truths of Choice and That Which Divides UsI spent the summer working on the Southwest side of Chicago-knocking on doors, organizing, and helping plan education justice events. I met amazing people who care deeply about equity, about justice, about improving the educational opportunity for their children.  I saw th

by mike simpson / 6h 

Education Does Not Cure Poverty – It Cures Ignorance | gadflyonthewallblog

Education Does Not Cure Poverty – It Cures Ignorance | gadflyonthewallblog: Education Does Not Cure Poverty – It Cures IgnoranceWhat good is an education?Will it get you money? Will it make you rich?No. Not really.And that’s one of the biggest problems with American public school policy of the last 15 years. It misunderstands the purpose of the very thing it purports to promote.Poverty is skyrocke

by mike simpson / 8h 

BustED Pencils Trending News: Life Limits; Attacked; Futile | BustED Pencils

BustED Pencils Trending News: Life Limits; Attacked; Futile | BustED Pencils: BustED Pencils Trending News: Life Limits; Attacked; FutileThe same, with the same at the same.  SAY WHAT?!Diploma Options for Students with Developmental Disabilitieshttps://theoptoutfloridanetwork.wordpress.com/2015/10/04/options-for-students-with-developmental-disabilities/Harsh is an understatement!CSCU asks faculty

by mike simpson / 8h 

CURMUDGUCATION: ICYMI: Loads of Interwebs Goodies

CURMUDGUCATION: ICYMI: Loads of Interwebs Goodies: ICYMI: Loads of Interwebs GoodiesMany goodies this week. Here are some of the better items I found.Black Women Teachers Need Better Working ConditionsAndre Perry talks about the challenges of holding onto black women teachers in the city, and why it's so important to create the conditions that will help them stay.The Passion of St. ArneMany, many

by mike simpson / 8h 

Ms. Katie's Ramblings: AUSL: A Pale Imitation of Good Teaching

Ms. Katie's Ramblings: AUSL: A Pale Immitation of Good Teaching: AUSL: A Pale Imitation of Good TeachingThe other day, I was at a professional development at an elementary school near mine on the south side of Chicago. I'm a Social-Emotional Lead at my school, so once a month, we go to a different school in the Network and learn from our peers about what works in their schools. We always start the

by mike simpson / 8h 

Are School Closings Really Land Grabs? | Diane Ravitch's blog

Are School Closings Really Land Grabs? | Diane Ravitch's blog: Are School Closings Really Land Grabs? Leslie T. Fenwick, dean of the Howard University School of Education, has a different analysis of the rationale for school closings. It is a land grab. This article, published originally over two years ago, kept haunting me as I watched the process of school closings and takeovers tearing urban co

by mike simpson / 8h 

Sunday posts, pics and tweets. | Fred Klonsky

Sunday posts, pics and tweets. | Fred Klonsky: Sunday posts, pics and tweets.The Rauners on election night. They made $58 million during his first year in office.Chicago teacher Sarah Chambers writes: You can apologize to the cameras, but who has to apologize to the kids of Chicago? Teachers across this city apologize every day to their students.Today, I told my wide-eyed student with a disability

by mike simpson / 8h 

CURMUDGUCATION: Charter Real Estate

CURMUDGUCATION: Charter Real Estate: "Charter Real Estate"Charter Real EstateYou know who really loves the charter school movement? According to the Wall Street Journal, real estate investors are just loving the growth of the charter school biz.There's a real estate boom that comes attached to charter growth. In LA, I've watched a huge new charter go up on a several-lot parcel across the

by mike simpson / 8h 

How parents and teachers should talk to each other - LA Times

How parents and teachers should talk to each other - LA Times: How parents and teachers should talk to each otherStudents aren’t the only ones who have homework. We parents also have an ongoing assignment: building, nurturing and maintaining a relationship with our kids’ teachers.“The level of success a child experiences during a school year is definitely enhanced by communication and cooperation

by mike simpson / 8h 

As Charter Schools Become Divisive, Two Parents Give Their Take : NPR

As Charter Schools Become Divisive, Two Parents Give Their Take : NPR: As Charter Schools Become Divisive, Two Parents Give Their Take It used to be a given: When your kids reached school age, they'd strap on their backpacks and head for the neighborhood elementary school. Or, you'd pay a hefty tuition to send them to private school.In the last two decades, a third option has emerged. Today, there

by mike simpson / 9h 

Fed corruption probe targets DPS, EAA officials

Fed corruption probe targets DPS, EAA officials: Fed corruption probe targets DPS, EAA officialsThe FBI has launched a corruption investigation involving Gov. Rick Snyder’s K-12 reform district and Detroit Public Schools, the latest blemish for districts struggling with low test scores, falling enrollment and funding shortfalls.FBI agents are investigating multiple officials from DPS and the Snyde

by mike simpson / 9h 

New K-12 student scholarship program proposed for Georgia | www.ajc.com

New K-12 student scholarship program proposed for Georgia | www.ajc.com: A panel working for Gov. Deal recommends new K-12 student scholarshipsMembers of Gov. Nathan Deal’s Education Reform Commission are recommending the establishment of another student scholarship organization program after the current one reached its $58 million cap in one day.The program allows people to direct state tax dolla

by mike simpson / 9h 

From bond measure to federal probe: How Fresno Unified caught the eye of investigators | Fresno Bee

From bond measure to federal probe: How Fresno Unified caught the eye of investigators | Fresno Bee: From bond measure to federal probe: How Fresno Unified caught the eye of investigatorsSince Fresno Unified School District found itself under fire for a “lease-leaseback” contract, superintendents and developers across the state have been quick to point out that the no-bid alternative is a legal wa

by mike simpson / 9h 

YESTERDAY

Arne Duncan, Next Governor of Illinois? | deutsch29

Arne Duncan, Next Governor of Illinois? | deutsch29: Arne Duncan, Next Governor of Illinois?Arne Duncan and his family have been residing in Virginia since just after Duncan’s appointment as US secretary of education in December 2008.In July 2015, Duncan’s wife and children moved back to Chicago, and Duncan was was expected to commute to DC, as Washington Post education writer Valerie Strauss repo

by mike simpson / 21h 

Child Poverty Target - First Focus

Child Poverty Target - First Focus: Child Poverty TargetOne-in-five kids are living at or below the poverty line. This trend is in stark contrast to the progress America has made in reducing poverty among seniors to about 9 percent, or less than half the child poverty rate. Meanwhile, the United Kingdom effectively cut child poverty in half over the same period, even during the global recession, t

by mike simpson / 21h 

Melissa Harris-Perry on how Chicago Public Schools 'enabled' corruption | MSNBC

Melissa Harris-Perry on how Chicago Public Schools 'enabled' corruption | MSNBC: Melissa Harris-Perry on how Chicago Public Schools 'enabled' corruptionWhen children in Chicago are "just running for their lives trying to get to school," as President Obama recently said, and the former CEO of the city's public schools is mired in an alleged kickback scheme, is it time to question the enti

by mike simpson / 22h 

Special Nite Cap: Catch Up on Today's Post 10/17/15

CORPORATE ED REFORMCLICK HERE To GO To  The War Report on Public EducationIs Education a National Issue? - The Crucial VoiceThe Crucial VoiceIs Education a National Issue? - The Crucial VoiceThe Crucial Voice: Is Education a National Issue?Education is not mentioned in the Constitution…. We have heard how this argument goes.Because of no specific mention of education, the responsibility for educat

by mike simpson / 1d 

Beyond Programs: A Teacher's Role in Preventing Bullying - NEA Today

Beyond Programs: A Teacher's Role in Preventing Bullying - NEA Today:

Beyond Programs: A Teacher’s Role in Preventing Bullying

Bullying prevention programs do a good job of raising awareness and generating buy-in from school staff. However, programs can only do so much. For students to buy in, teachers, as first responders, must take the lead.

Beginning the school year with previews of the curriculum, overviews of rubrics and routines, expectations of homework, tardy policies, etc. is no longer adequate for creating a safe and supportive learning environment for kids. Ice breaker activities aren’t enough, either. Today’s teachers must be willing to engage in a direct dialogue with students about safety, concern, the freedom to make mistakes – and the opportunity to recover from those mistakes – respect, and acceptance. We must be willing to tell our own stories, share anecdotes, and assure students that we care about them, both corporately and as individuals.

The first day of school is a perfect time to share a bullying story of your own. As a K-2 student, I was picked on because of a speech impairment. When I spoke, the class whispered and giggled. Kids made sounds back to me at recess and lunch. Even relatives “teasingly” mimicked my inability to form the “S” sound correctly. As a result, I learned to use humor to divert attention from my speech to something else. I became the class clown as a way of coping. Thanks to a supportive and loving family, along with the outstanding work of a speech therapist, I was able to overcome the obstacle. Had I not, I very likely would never have become a teacher.

Why would a teacher use valuable class time to share a story like this? Aren’t there Beyond Programs: A Teacher's Role in Preventing Bullying - NEA Today:

Behind the Story: Diane Ravitch | KWBU

Behind the Story: Diane Ravitch | KWBU:

Behind the Story: Diane Ravitch

This week on Behind the Story we talk with Diane Ravitch, an education historian and researcher who also served as the U.S. Assistant Secretary of Education. In this episode, KWBU talks with Ravitch about her memories growing up in the Texas education system, her thoughts on No Child Left Behind, Race to the Top, charter schools and the future of education. 

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30:03

Behind the Story: Diane Ravitch | KWBU:

Focus on testing in schools is misplaced: #tellusatoday

Focus on testing in schools is misplaced: #tellusatoday:
Focus on testing in schools is misplaced: #tellusatoday

A recent column suggested the Democratic Party is headed for a split over approaches to improve public education. Letter to the editor:

While I am flattered by commentary writer Richard Whitmire’s description of me, I take great exception with his characterization of what unions support and why (“Column: The Democrats’ great education schism”).

Our union calls out policies that have failed and promotes proven solutions, like engaging curriculum that includes music, art and career and technical programs; collaboration between educators and administrators; and community schools that provide much-needed services for disadvantaged children and families. We also believe, as does the public, that charter schools should be transparent and held accountable, just like other public schools.

The fixation on “test, punish and privatize” policies pushed by Education SecretaryArne Duncan and former New York State Education commissioner John King, who will be Duncan’s successor, has not worked. In New York, the opposition to King’s policies was organic, led by parents and educators throughout the state who were fed up with reducing kids to test scores. There may be healthy differences among Democrats over education policy, but I believe Hillary Clinton wants to listen to parents and teachers. That would be a step toward providing all children with the kind of rigorous, well-rounded education that will prepare them for career, college and life.

Randi Weingarten, president American Federation of Teachers; Washington, D.C.

POLICING THE USA: A look at race, justice, media

USA TODAY

Column: The Democrats' great education schism

Comments from Facebook are edited for clarity and grammar:

Charter schools have so much clout because people such as Bill Gates and others who pushed high-stakes standardized testing as the way to improve public schools. Charters appear to “work” because they drill endlessly so that kids can pass standardized tests. Does passing these tests have anything to do with real learning or doing well in the real world? Of course it does not. And in the name of passing high-stakes testing, things such as art, music, recess and even sometimes social studies are getting cut.

— Chris Darling

Focus on testing in schools is misplaced: #tellusatoday: