Monday, January 2, 2017

Special Nite Cap: Catch Up on Today's Post 1/2/17


Special Nite Cap: Catch Up on Today's Post 1/2/17

Featured Post

Christian fundamentalist schools put kids ‘at risk’ with exorcisms and marriage grooming: inspectors





CURMUDGUCATION: Test Prep Abroad
by mike simpson / 8min
CURMUDGUCATION: Test Prep Abroad : Test Prep Abroad Because I search for a wide assortment of education-related stuff on line, the cookie-bot dance often brings me strange, new advertisements. Like a link to Scoregetter.com, an test prep outfit in Nungambakka, Chennai, which is on the southwest side of India. Just up the street from Pizza Hut. Right there in the world. Just up the street from Piz
NYC Public School Parents: Two new research summaries on the multiple benefits of class size reduction
by mike simpson / 12min
NYC Public School Parents: Two new research summaries on the multiple benefits of class size reduction : Two new research summaries on the multiple benefits of class size reduction Here are two research summaries on the evidence for the wide-ranging benefits of class size reduction; the first is for use by any teacher, parent or advocate nationally ; the second is meant primarily for residents of
A Teacher on Teaching: Forced to Betray My Mission: What a Real Teacher Fears
by mike simpson / 2h
A Teacher on Teaching: Forced to Betray My Mission: What a Real Teacher Fears : Forced to Betray My Mission: What a Real Teacher Fears If you think high-stakes testing is doing severe damage to U. S. education you are not alone. I know, when I retired in 2008, after thirty-three years in the classroom, it seemed I might be crazy. High-stakes testing was not improving education. In fact, it appear
E. D. Hirsch: “American Teachers Are Being Blamed for Intellectual Failings That Permeate the System Within Which They Must Work.” | Ed In The Apple
by mike simpson / 2h
E. D. Hirsch: “American Teachers Are Being Blamed for Intellectual Failings That Permeate the System Within Which They Must Work.” | Ed In The Apple : E. D. Hirsch: “American Teachers Are Being Blamed for Intellectual Failings That Permeate the System Within Which They Must Work.” Its hard to believe that its been thirty years since the publication of E. D. Hirsch’s Cultural Literacy: What Every
BATs Support Journey for Justice and Network for Public Education Campaigns to Stop Devos - Badass Teachers Association
by mike simpson / 2h
Badass Teachers Association : BATs Support Journey for Justice and Network for Public Education Campaigns to Stop Devos BATs a few weeks ago BATs held a successful social media campaign, call in, petition, and emails to our Senators to tell them to stop Betsy Devos. NPE circulated a successful email campaign that got over 90,000 letters sent to Senators to tell them stop the Devos nomination. We
Betsy DeVos: Jeb Bush’s consolation prize - POLITICO
by mike simpson / 3h
Jeb Bush’s consolation prize - POLITICO : Jeb Bush’s consolation prize There may be a silver lining for Jeb Bush — the elevation of his longtime friend, patron and political ally, Betsy DeVos, as education secretary. There may be a silver lining to the 2016 presidential election for Jeb Bush — the elevation of his longtime friend, patron and political ally, Betsy DeVos, as education secretary. If
Teachers Are Stressed, And That Should Stress Us All : NPR Ed : NPR
by mike simpson / 3h
Teachers Are Stressed, And That Should Stress Us All : NPR Ed : NPR : Teachers Are Stressed, And That Should Stress Us All We all experience stress at work, no matter the job. But for teachers, the work seems to be getting harder and the stress harder to shake. A new report out this month pulls together some stark numbers on this: Forty-six percent of teachers say they feel high daily stress. Tha
State lawmaker calls for ‘timeout’ on approving new charter schools - The Santa Fe New Mexican: Northern New Mexico Education
by mike simpson / 3h
State lawmaker calls for ‘timeout’ on approving new charter schools - The Santa Fe New Mexican: Northern New Mexico Education : State lawmaker calls for ‘timeout’ on approving new charter schools By Robert Nott The New Mexican A New Mexico lawmaker wants the state to stop allowing new charter schools to open for at least two and a half years so officials can evaluate such schools now in operation
Thoughts on Junk Indicators, School Rating Systems & Accountability | School Finance 101
by mike simpson / 3h
Thoughts on Junk Indicators, School Rating Systems & Accountability | School Finance 101 : Thoughts on Junk Indicators, School Rating Systems & Accountability Over the past few years, co-authors Preston Green and Joseph Oluwole and I have written a few articles on the use, misuse and abuse of student growth metrics for evaluating teachers and for imposing employment consequences based on those me
Schools Matter: Understanding KIPP Model Charter Schools: Part 16
by mike simpson / 3h
Schools Matter: Understanding KIPP Model Charter Schools: Part 16 : Understanding KIPP Model Charter Schools: Part 16 Probably the most graphic display of the unchecked KIPP Model in action was played out in a KIPP school in Fresno, CA, where organizational zeal, moral blindness, and an absence of public oversight and accountability combined to create an abusive, inhumane school environment that
Call Your Senators: List of local phone numbers and addresses - Network For Public Education
by mike simpson / 3h
List of local phone numbers and addresses - Network For Public Education : Call Your Senators: List of local phone numbers and addresses Here is a list of Washington and local phone numbers and addresses for US Senators. It is pre-election. We will update as soon we get the new numbers. Click Here to Find Yours
State Board of Education Ignores Governor, Parents And Own Policy | Arizona Daily Independent
by mike simpson / 4h
State Board of Education Ignores Governor, Parents And Own Policy | Arizona Daily Independent : Please Continue Reading: State Board of Education Ignores Governor, Parents And Own Policy | Arizona Daily Independent :
Christian fundamentalist schools put kids ‘at risk’ with exorcisms and marriage grooming: inspectors
by mike simpson / 4h
Christian fundamentalist schools put kids ‘at risk’ with exorcisms and marriage grooming: inspectors : Christian fundamentalist schools put kids ‘at risk’ with exorcisms and marriage grooming: inspectors Several Christian fundamentalist schools have been downgraded in the UK after a government watchdog group followed up on an exclusive report done by The Independent . As the site reported this su
What I Learned During My Break | Diane Ravitch's blog
by mike simpson / 7h
What I Learned During My Break | Diane Ravitch's blog : What I Learned During My Break I announced that I was taking a break from Christmas to New Year’s. I think my break lasted a few hours. I learned that I need to connect with my friends. I learned that my need to communicate was greater than my need for a break. I learned that I need to adjust my schedule so it is not as constrained as it was
CURMUDGUCATION: The Conservative Argument Against DeVos
by mike simpson / 7h
CURMUDGUCATION: The Conservative Argument Against DeVos : The Conservative Argument Against DeVos It's not just progressives who have been up in arms about the nomination of Betsy DeVos to the post of Secretary of Education. The same network of conservative parent activists that raised an effective fuss over Common Core are exceedingly unpleased about the big-money donor and lobbyist being given
Education Lessons From A Sparkly District: Who Is Voting On New Jersey's New Charter Regulations?
by mike simpson / 8h
Education Lessons From A Sparkly District: Who Is Voting On New Jersey's New Charter Regulations? : Who Is Voting On New Jersey's New Charter Regulations? The issue of conflict of interest has been coming up a lot lately. Just before the holiday weekend, a friend pointed out one of the choices for Ambassador to the Vatican, William E. Simon, Jr., is the brother of one of the members, J. Peter Sim
Mississippi children aren’t the only ones struggling to learn to read | SunHerald
by mike simpson / 9h
Mississippi children aren’t the only ones struggling to learn to read | SunHerald : Mississippi children aren’t the only ones struggling to learn to read When Victoria Norman was growing up in Laurel, she didn’t have anyone to help her with her homework. She and her brother were raised by her grandparents, who didn’t do much reading and couldn’t assist with her English lessons. “I wasn’t that goo
School district still recovering from 'reform' - Loveland Reporter-Herald
by mike simpson / 9h
School district still recovering from 'reform' - Loveland Reporter-Herald : School district still recovering from 'reform' The letter, "Extensive reform needed in school district," (Dec. 18) could not be further from the truth. The community, Thompson Board of Education and school district survived the two-year efforts of the conservative reform majority of four and their leader and Board Preside
Need for cash puts charter schools in questionable company - Local - Ohio
by mike simpson / 9h
Need for cash puts charter schools in questionable company - Local - Ohio : Need for cash puts charter schools in questionable company Ohio’s charter schools ... Drawing state dollars from local school districts, charter schools presented a cheaper, market-driven alternative to government-run schools. ■ Ohio law allowed for the first charter schools in 1998. ■ Nearly 40 percent of the 595 charter
The NPE Toolkit: Stop Betsy DeVos - Network For Public Education
by mike simpson / 9h
The NPE Toolkit: Stop Betsy DeVos - Network For Public Education : The NPE Toolkit: Stop Betsy DeVos The more we learn, the more we are certain that Betsy DeVos is bad for public schools and for kids. When De Vos has to choose between quality schools and “the free market,” she chooses “the free market” of privatized choice every time. The best interests of children take a back seat. And we know t
Few women run the nation's school districts. Why? | PBS NewsHour
by mike simpson / 10h
Few women run the nation's school districts. Why? | PBS NewsHour : Few women run the nation’s school districts. Why? Nearly a decade after she was hired as the first woman to run the Council Bluffs, Iowa, school district, Mary Martha Bruckner is often one of the only women in the room. That was the case in October when about two dozen superintendents and finance officers from Iowa’s urban school

YESTERDAY



Special Nite Cap: Catch Up on Today's Post 1/1/17
by mike simpson / 1d
Special Nite Cap: Catch Up on Today's Post 1/1/17 Featured Post Mike Klonsky's SmallTalk Blog: Stopping the nomination of Betsy DeVos Faith and Hope as we face these extraordinary times - Wait What? by mike simpson / 8min Faith and Hope as we face these extraordinary times - Wait What? : Faith and Hope as we face these extraordinary times Faith has to do with things that are not seen and hope wit

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CURMUDGUCATION: Test Prep Abroad

CURMUDGUCATION: Test Prep Abroad:

Test Prep Abroad

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Because I search for a wide assortment of education-related stuff on line, the cookie-bot dance often brings me strange, new advertisements. Like a link to Scoregetter.com, an test prep outfit in Nungambakka, Chennai, which is on the southwest side of India. Just up the street from Pizza Hut.

Right there in the world.

Just up the street from Pizza Hut

I wish I had saved their ad, but some copy from their website gives you a taste of Scoregetter's almost-but-not-quite-there appeal:

A student, for us, is not a client, but a chance to showcase our proven ability all over again. We have, over the years, understood what it takes for students to achieve a good score.

Scoregetters will help you prep for any of the major standardized tests in Australia, Singapore, New Zealand, Germany, Canada, and the USA. Germany's appeal is "zero tuition fees" while New Zealand "has a global recognition as a contributor of excellent education. It has a progressive education CURMUDGUCATION: Test Prep Abroad:

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NYC Public School Parents: Two new research summaries on the multiple benefits of class size reduction

NYC Public School Parents: Two new research summaries on the multiple benefits of class size reduction:

Two new research summaries on the multiple benefits of class size reduction

Image result for class size reduction

Here are two research summaries on the evidence for the wide-ranging benefits of class size reduction; the first is for use by any teacher, parent or advocate nationally; the second is meant primarily for residents of New York state.

These research briefs are especially useful in advocating for your state or district to use its Title IIA funds for class size reduction, as the new federal law known as ESSA, or Every Student Succeeds Act, requires evidence if these funds will be used to hire teachers to lower class size.









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A Teacher on Teaching: Forced to Betray My Mission: What a Real Teacher Fears

A Teacher on Teaching: Forced to Betray My Mission: What a Real Teacher Fears:

Forced to Betray My Mission: What a Real Teacher Fears



If you think high-stakes testing is doing severe damage to U. S. education you are not alone.

I know, when I retired in 2008, after thirty-three years in the classroom, it seemed I might be crazy. High-stakes testing was not improving education. In fact, it appeared to be doing harm.

Eight years later, it seems I wasn’t crazy.

To wrap up 2016 Badass Teachers Association (if you haven’t joined you should) posted the following picture on its Facebook page. It came by way of Ken Previti, an education blogger, himself:

 There were a number of quick comments in support. Cedie Ache, another education blogger, added #6: “The tests make both curricula investors and test-makers RICH, RICH, RICH.”


Then Bobby Lee Reuss weighed in, speaking from the heart—speaking, probably, for millions of educators who work with or have with children every day. He captures, I fear, many of the deepest concerns of front line teachers, principals, psychologists, and counselors, as they try to avoid the yawning pitfalls of “school reform.” Like so many who work with children, Reuss wonders if reforms have been driven by fools at the top. Now he fears the new administration in Washington, D. C. could be even worse. Here’s his (lightly edited) response:
The majority of experienced teachers who actually earned our post-graduate degrees and teaching credentials after having been educated and trained by the Education Departments of real and respected colleges and universities have a justifiably immense trepidation about the nomination of Betsey DeVos and the incoming Trump administration’s orientation and A Teacher on Teaching: Forced to Betray My Mission: What a Real Teacher Fears:

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E. D. Hirsch: “American Teachers Are Being Blamed for Intellectual Failings That Permeate the System Within Which They Must Work.” | Ed In The Apple

E. D. Hirsch: “American Teachers Are Being Blamed for Intellectual Failings That Permeate the System Within Which They Must Work.” | Ed In The Apple:

E. D. Hirsch: “American Teachers Are Being Blamed for Intellectual Failings That Permeate the System Within Which They Must Work.”

Image result for E. D. Hirsch Cultural Literacy: What Every American Needs to Know

Its hard to believe that its been thirty years since the publication of E. D. Hirsch’s Cultural Literacy: What Every American Needs to Know. The book proposes,
…that all public schoolchildren should be provided with instruction aimed at familiarizing them with a wide variety of topics, including literature, geography, history, math, science, art and music, in order to have the background knowledge that would make them successful readers and learners.
The book became famous, or, depending your place on the ed reform spectrum, infamous, for the 63-page index of 5,000 essential subjects and concepts that Hirsch believed teachers should impart to students.
Hirsch, a self-described, “almost Socialist” was painted as a neo-conservative and few school districts adopted his ideas.
The current apostasy are Common Core standards.
In many schools an unintended consequence of the emphasis on Common Core-based testing has been purging classrooms of all but what is tested.
Since the 1987 publication innumerable “innovations” or “reforms” have come and gone: from Ebonics to the Common Core; the Core Knowledge Foundation (Explore Core Knowledge Sequences here), continues to support parents and schools that advocate the cultural literacy philosophy.  The foundation, a not-for-profit provides a K – 8 curriculum; a grade-by-grade sequence of lessons, of E. D. Hirsch: “American Teachers Are Being Blamed for Intellectual Failings That Permeate the System Within Which They Must Work.” | Ed In The Apple:


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BATs Support Journey for Justice and Network for Public Education Campaigns to Stop Devos - Badass Teachers Association

Badass Teachers Association:

BATs Support Journey for Justice and Network for Public Education Campaigns to Stop Devos



BATs a few weeks ago BATs held a successful social media campaign, call in, petition, and emails to our Senators to tell them to stop Betsy Devos.  NPE circulated a successful email campaign that got over 90,000 letters sent to Senators to tell them stop the Devos nomination.  We must keep up the pressure because the Devos hearing is slated for January 11th. 


WE MUST KEEP UP THE PRESSURE.  

Please join Journey for Justice #DumpDevos campaign on social media as well as their call in campaign to the HELP committee members.  J4J has a goal of 10,000 calls beginning Jan 4th.  How can you support this campaign?

1.  Join the twitter storm on Jan. 4th.  from 7-8 CST  https://www.thunderclap.it/projects/51580-dumpdevos - tell members of the HELP committee on twitter to say NO to Devos.  Here are some tweets that you can send to the twitter account of all the HELP members.  Please do so from 7-8 PM CST during the J4J twitter storm.   https://docs.google.com/document/d/1EOzysckZypLdeyRbjEBLQH-rENBvZKOrUwLkZ83y2VI/edit

2.  Please call members of the HELP committee beginning on  Jan. 5th.  Here are the numbers and script attached.  https://drive.google.com/file/d/0BwABMxjvCadzU3dvVDVhWE5TWlk/view
Please also check in with Journey for Justice for their full event package here http://www.j4jalliance.com/

Network for Public Education has gathered the numbers for every Senator.  Please use the attached to once again call your State Senator to tell them to STOP the nomination of DeVos

Thank you to Carol Burris, Executive Director of NPE, for compiling all these numbers and contact info.  Please use it to place your calls this week https://docs.google.com/document/d/1tRWFq5g0o0FI3ifql60h0_LCtrhTImWPEfK26kncFBo/edit?usp=sharing


Here are some talking points you can use as to why Betsy Devos is BAD for public education.






BAT Press Release on her nomination http://badassteachers.blogspot.com/2016/11/press-release-badass-teachers_23.html


 Badass Teachers Association:
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