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Thursday, February 16, 2017

Special Nite Cap: Catch Up on Today's Post 2/16/17


Special Nite Cap: Catch Up on Today's Post 2/16/17

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Parents - Just say NO to the 2017 SBAC Testing Scheme - Wait What?




Betsy DeVos, No ESSA Did Not End Common Core | Truth in American Education
by mike simpson / 14min
Betsy DeVos, No ESSA Did Not End Common Core | Truth in American Education : Betsy DeVos, No ESSA Did Not End Common Core Secretary of Education Betsy DeVos said that Congress ended Common Core when they passed the Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA). Seriously, she said this. DeVos told Frank Beckmann on Detroit’s WJR News Talk 760 AM on Wednesday that ESSA “essentially does away with the notion o
DeVos softens stance on protesters at higher ed event - The Washington Post
by mike simpson / 9min
DeVos softens stance on protesters at higher ed event - The Washington Post : DeVos softens stance on protesters at higher ed event Education Secretary Betsy DeVos softened her view Thursday on the objections to her appointment to President Trump’s Cabinet, a day after she criticized protesters who she said want to keep new thinking out of schools. “While some have characterized the flurry of att
Support for First Amendment Spikes Among High School Students
by mike simpson / 23min
Support for First Amendment Spikes Among High School Students : Support for First Amendment Spikes Among High School Students While your average 13-year-old may not have much of a clue how a bill becomes a law or what the separation of powers refers to, American teenagers support for the First Amendment has never been stronger, according to a new survey by the Knight Foundation. The national stud
Alfre Woodard Gives Life to Sojourner Truth SF Public School Mom
by mike simpson / 23min
Alfre Woodard Gives Life to Sojourner TruthSF Public School Mom : BHM Series #6: Alfre Woodard Gives Life to Sojourner Truth In honor of Black History Month , I’m reposting a previous series. A few years ago, (2015 to be exact!) I challenged myself to write 28 posts highlighting African-American History . This year I finally reached my goal!!! Check out my original post below which appeared on Fe
Getting What You Pay For – redqueeninla
by mike simpson / 2h
Getting What You Pay For – redqueeninla : Getting What You Pay For Is it true there are LAUSD board candidates “supported by” Betsy DeVos? Recently this very central, very arresting question was posted to a neighborhood social media website, highlighting the core themes of today’s political perplexity: culpability, association and formal logic. The thread claimed that those who opposed DeVos shou
The Network for Public Education Joins Journey for Justice's Campaign to Support Public Schools - Network For Public Education
by mike simpson / 4h
The Network for Public Education Joins Journey for Justice's Campaign to Support Public Schools - Network For Public Education : The Network for Public Education Joins Journey for Justice’s Campaign to Support Public Schools On February 15th, Jitu Brown, the Executive Director of Journey for Justice (J4J) led a media briefing for the #WeChoose (public schools) Campaign launch at the Chicago City
Schools Matter: The Dubious Claims by the TN Dept. of Education
by mike simpson / 5h
Schools Matter: The Dubious Claims by the TN Dept. of Education : The Dubious Claims by the TN Dept. of Education Tennessee politicians enjoy a long, sordid history of underfunding public schools, crying about poor education quality, making outrageous demands of students and teachers, and complaining about federal interference while begging for federal grant stashes to keep state school doors ope
HB 1518: “The Summer Step-Up Act” re: Social Emotional Learning: Why are we experimenting on low income four-year old’s? | Seattle Education
by mike simpson / 5h
HB 1518: “The Summer Step-Up Act” re: Social Emotional Learning: Why are we experimenting on low income four-year old’s? | Seattle Education : HB 1518: “The Summer Step-Up Act” re: Social Emotional Learning: Why are we experimenting on low income four-year old’s? I took a deep dive into the realm of Social Emotional Learning recently and someone brought to my attention a House Bill that is in com
Parents - Just say NO to the 2017 SBAC Testing Scheme - Wait What?
by mike simpson / 6h
Parents - Just say NO to the 2017 SBAC Testing Scheme - Wait What? : Parents – Just say NO to the 2017 SBAC Testing Scheme SBAC testing will begin soon in Connecticut’s schools. FACT : Parents have a fundamental and inalienable right to REFUSE to have their children take the Smarter Balanced Assessment Consortium (SBAC) test – Period, End of Story. Do not be bullied into believing that you have l
Investigation: Charter school leaders, founders linked to controversial Turkish cleric
by mike simpson / 6h
Investigation: Charter school leaders, founders linked to controversial Turkish cleric : Investigation: Charter school leaders, founders linked to controversial Turkish cleric A group of charter schools that arose from North Jersey’s Turkish community is rapidly growing in the state, with seven schools collecting more than $60 million in taxpayer money last year alone to fund their growth. Now, a
State superintendent candidate: Challenger offered 6-figure job to drop out of race | Politics and Elections | host.madison.com
by mike simpson / 6h
State superintendent candidate: Challenger offered 6-figure job to drop out of race | Politics and Elections | host.madison.com : STATE SUPERINTENDENT | CANDIDATE OUTLINES CHALLENGER’S DEAL FOR $150k POSITION State superintendent candidate: Challenger offered 6-figure job to drop out of race A candidate for state superintendent offered an opponent a taxpayer-funded $150,000 job if he dropped out
'A Day without Immigrants' protests: L.A. Unified urges students not to take part - LA Times
by mike simpson / 7h
'A Day without Immigrants' protests: L.A. Unified urges students not to take part - LA Times : 'A Day without Immigrants' protests: L.A. Unified urges students not to take part LA Unified is urging students not to join in any walkouts or demonstrations planned for Thursday as part of a national “Day without Immigrants” being marked across the country. The nation’s second-largest school district c
State Solidarity Still Eroding on Common-Core Tests - Education Week
by mike simpson / 7h
What Tests Does Each State Require? - Education Week : What Tests Does Each State Require? An Interactive Breakdown of States’ 2016-17 Testing Plans By Catherine Gewertz In 2016-17, states’ testing systems have begun to settle down after several years of transition sparked by the Common Core State Standards. By now, most states have chosen not to use the PARCC and Smarter Balanced assessments, wh
A Portrait of the Artist as Activist: “in the sunlit prison of the American dream” | radical eyes for equity
by mike simpson / 7h
A Portrait of the Artist as Activist: “in the sunlit prison of the American dream” | radical eyes for equity : A Portrait of the Artist as Activist: “in the sunlit prison of the American dream” Standing in Starbucks a few days ago, just a couple weeks after I discovered honey in the sweetener and creamer station, I was peeling open a packet of honey when three lines came to me: we rape the bees b
‘School Choice Is Not Serving The Most Disenfranchised’ | PopularResistance.Org
by mike simpson / 7h
‘School Choice Is Not Serving The Most Disenfranchised’ | PopularResistance.Org : ‘School Choice Is Not Serving The Most Disenfranchised’ Above Photo: Kevin Kumashiro: “If we’re now saying that the role of the federal government is not to advance issues of equity, diversity and social justice, but rather to fuel the privatizing and the dismantling of public education, then that absolutely is a bi
Parent Experiences with Child Care and Preschool Costs in California: An EdSource survey of California Parents | EdSource
by mike simpson / 8h
Parent Experiences with Child Care and Preschool Costs in California: An EdSource survey of California Parents | EdSource : Parent Experiences with Child Care and Preschool Costs in California: An EdSource survey of California Parents The high cost of child care and preschool is placing a financial strain on California families and has forced many parents of young children to make difficult trade
Jeff Bryant News: Betsy DeVos Is Coming For Your Children + More
by mike simpson / 8h
2/16/2017 – DeVos’s Stumbles Right Out Of The Gate Are Nothing To Laugh About : THIS WEEK: What DeVos Did … Choice Causes Segregation … School Integration … Voucher Disaster … Trump’s Muslim Ban TOP STORY DeVos’s Stumbles Right Out Of The Gate Are Nothing To Laugh About By Jeff Bryant “Betsy DeVos’s … stumbles right out the gate reveal disturbing characteristics of her leadership … Given her lack
CURMUDGUCATION: The Proper Use of Mockery
by mike simpson / 8h
CURMUDGUCATION: The Proper Use of Mockery : The Proper Use of Mockery Jimmie Fallon has done it again , and not, I'm afraid, in a good way. Fallon has now twice included a Betsy DeVos sketch. His show's version of DeVos is bumbling and clueless, the kind of hapless twit who says, in response to questions about her fitness for the job, replies "I am totally got this." As regular readers of this bl
Our Segregated Capital: An Increasingly Diverse City with Racially Polarized Schools — The Civil Rights Project at UCLA
by mike simpson / 8h
K-12 Education — The Civil Rights Project at UCLA : K-12 Education We are committed to generating and synthesizing research on key civil rights and equal opportunity policies that have been neglected or overlooked. Well before the passing of the "Leave No Child Behind" Act of 2002, which renewed the nation's interest in K-12 education, The Civil Rights Project had been focused on critical issues
“Public Schools Flush with Cash” — Trump’s Assessment Is Tragically Inaccurate | janresseger
by mike simpson / 8h
“Public Schools Flush with Cash” — Trump’s Assessment Is Tragically Inaccurate | janresseger : “Public Schools Flush with Cash” — Trump’s Assessment Is Tragically Inaccurate It is state budget season, a time fraught with accusations and distortions and even alternative facts, but one thing is very clear. When President Donald Trump declared in his Inaugural Address that public schools are “flush
CURMUDGUCATION: I Am Not Hostile To Change
by mike simpson / 9h
CURMUDGUCATION: I Am Not Hostile To Change : I Am Not Hostile To Change Secretary of Education Betsy DeVos spoke today to a gathering of Magnet School folks, and opened up by suggesting that "some people" are "hostile" to change. I just want to be clear. I am not hostile to change. In fact, there are some changes that I would love to see. I would love to see a change in the rhetoric about failing
DeVos: DC Protesters “Hostile to Change”; “Keeping Kids In and New Thinking Out” | deutsch29
by mike simpson / 9h
DeVos: DC Protesters “Hostile to Change”; “Keeping Kids In and New Thinking Out” | deutsch29 : DeVos: DC Protesters “Hostile to Change”; “Keeping Kids In and New Thinking Out” On February 15, 2017, US Secretary of Education Betsy DeVos spoke at the 2017 National Policy Training Conference of the Magnet Schools of America. It was her first public speech as secretary of education. She chose to use
Kasich Proposes Requirement That ALL Educators Complete On-Site Work Experience
by mike simpson / 9h
Kasich Proposes Requirement That ALL Educators Complete On-Site Work Experience : Kasich Proposes Requirement That ALL Educators Complete On-Site Work Experience Governor John Kasich’s latest budget bill, House Bill 49, contains a variety of non-budget related legislation (as has always been the case), but one short section tucked far into the budget has captured the attention of teachers and adm
Hybrid Learning, Cicada Killers & the Next Big Fight | Seattle Education
by mike simpson / 10h
Hybrid Learning, Cicada Killers & the Next Big Fight | Seattle Education : Hybrid Learning, Cicada Killers & the Next Big Fight Those seeking to privatize our schools know framing the conversation is key. That’s why institutions like the MacArthur Foundation have put serious time and money into social science research . Focus group results have been refined into sophisticated campaigns designed t

YESTERDAY

Special Nite Cap: Catch Up on Today's Post 2/15/17
by mike simpson / 1d
Special Nite Cap: Catch Up on Today's Post 2/15/17 Featured Post Should Progressives Help Secretary DeVos? | The Merrow Report Influential conservative group: Trump, DeVos should dismantle Education Department and 

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Betsy DeVos, No ESSA Did Not End Common Core | Truth in American Education

Betsy DeVos, No ESSA Did Not End Common Core | Truth in American Education:
Betsy DeVos, No ESSA Did Not End Common Core
Secretary of Education Betsy DeVos said that Congress ended Common Core when they passed the Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA).
Seriously, she said this.
DeVos told Frank Beckmann on Detroit’s WJR News Talk 760 AM on Wednesday that ESSA “essentially does away with the notion of a Common Core.” She also said that ESSA “encourages states to set forth their own levels of achievement expectation.”
Here’s the kicker… she said the approval of state plans is a “good and important role for the federal government.”
Somebody tell me where that is at in the Constitution. DeVos is in error, and if President Trump is serious about dealing with Common Core will set her straight. This is a 180 from the agenda he set forth and what she said she planned to do.
At a post-election Trump rally last December DeVos said her agenda included, “finally putting an end to the federalized Common Core.”
Did simply lie herself? Either she lied or she is being lied to…. Neither are stupid, but to say ESSA deals with Common Core is stupid.
As a requirement of the ESSA, states must “demonstrate” to the Secretary that they have adopted standards that are aligned to the same definition of “college and career” standards used to force states into adopting Common Core under NCLB waivers.
Also, “The state accountability system must be structured as per the federal bill.”
Then, we shared, “Bill language appears to require standards that align with career and technical education standards, indicating that the standards must align to the federally approved Workforce Betsy DeVos, No ESSA Did Not End Common Core | Truth in American Education:


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DeVos softens stance on protesters at higher ed event - The Washington Post

DeVos softens stance on protesters at higher ed event - The Washington Post:

DeVos softens stance on protesters at higher ed event


Education Secretary Betsy DeVos softened her view Thursday on the objections to her appointment to President Trump’s Cabinet, a day after she criticized protesters who she said want to keep new thinking out of schools.
“While some have characterized the flurry of attention around my confirmation in negative terms, I view it as expressions of passion, passionate parents and passionate advocates who care deeply about their kids and about education,” Devos said in remarks to a conference of community college leaders in Washington. “I applaud it and I know the same kind of passion drives all of you.”
[DeVos: Protesters show hostility to change, new ideas in education]
In her first appearance at a public higher education event, DeVos lauded the work of community colleges, but offered no details on how the department she leads will support their efforts. DeVos, who has no professional experience in education and narrowly won Senate confirmation, has not said much about her vision for higher education. As a result, policy analysts and college leaders have been eager for signs of where she and the Trump administration stand on student aid, regulations and other higher ed issues.
On Thursday, DeVos praised two-year public schools as “essential engines of workforce and economic development.” Though she named legislative priorities that are top of mind for community colleges, including an expansion of Pell Grants for low-income students, DeVos did not take a position on any of them. Congress has authority to affect higher ed policy through legislation, but the secretary can advocate policies she deems important. It was unclear from Thursday’s event whether DeVos plans to use her bully pulpit to that end, and the audience had no chance to ask because the secretary was whisked off stage following her remarks.
[How will DeVos influence higher education?]
DeVos spent much of her brief remarks on the role of community colleges in workforce development, noting Trump’s plans to expand vocational and technical education that she said two-year institutions “excel” at providing. She said she shares the president’s vision of making multiple paths for postsecondary education a priority, without elaborating on how the department will accomplish that.DeVos softens stance on protesters at higher ed event - The Washington Post:


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Support for First Amendment Spikes Among High School Students

Support for First Amendment Spikes Among High School Students:

Support for First Amendment Spikes Among High School Students

first amendment high schools

While your average 13-year-old may not have much of a clue how a bill becomes a law or what the separation of powers refers to, American teenagers support for the First Amendment has never been stronger, according to a new survey by the Knight Foundation.
The national study of 11,998 high school students and 726 teachers – the sixth such survey the Foundation has conducted since 2005 – found that 91 percent of students said it was important to be able to “express unpopular opinions,” up from 83 percent who felt that way in 2004. First Amendment support is highest among students who had a class that dealt with the First Amendment and used digital media on a regular basis.
“This year’s study paints a very favorable picture of the future of the First Amendment,” said Kenneth Dautrich, author of the report and president of The Stats Group. “Today’s high school students are more supportive of free expression rights than any we’ve surveyed in the past.”
This enthusiasm is not without its limits, however. Students backed away a bit in their support when it comes to offensive words and bullying. Only 45 percent believe speech intended to offend people should be protected and even fewer students (36 percent) support speech that could be considered bullying.
Breaking down by demographics yields some interesting, if not particularly surprising, results. Male students were 10 percent more likely than female students to support protections for offensive speech. By the same margin, White students were more supportive than Hispanic and Asian students of these protections. This discrepancy increased to 20 percent with Black students.
The gap between student support and adult support has narrowed over the past decade. (See graph below)
Source: Future of the First Amendment, Knight Foundation 2017

News Consumptions Makes a Difference

Probably the most useful data point for social studies and media literacy teachers is Support for First Amendment Spikes Among High School Students:
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