Carol Burris: The Secretary of Education We Need–and Those We Don’t | Diane Ravitch's blog

Carol Burris: The Secretary of Education We Need–and Those We Don’t | Diane Ravitch's blog

Carol Burris: The Secretary of Education We Need–and Those We Don’t

Carol Burris wrote the following post. Marla Kilfoyle provided assistance. They asked me to add that there are dozens more exceptionally well qualified people who should be considered for this important post: they are career educators who believe in public education, not closing schools or privatization.

The media has been filled with speculation regarding Joe Biden’s pick for Secretary of Education. Given the attention that position received with Betsy De Vos at the helm, that is not a surprise. 

In 2008, Linda Darling Hammond was pushed aside by DFER (Democrats for Education Reform) for Arne Duncan, with disastrous consequences for our public schools. Race to the Top was a disaster. New Orleans’ parents now have no choice but unstable charter schools. Too many of Chicago’s children no longer have a neighborhood school from the Race to the Top era when it was believed that you improved a school by closing it.

But the troubling, ineffective policies of the past have not gone away. Their banner is still being carried by deep-pocketed ed reformers who believe the best way to improve a school is to close it or turn it over to a private charter board. 

Recently, DFER named its three preferred candidates for the U.S. Secretary of Education. DFER is a political CONTINUE READING: Carol Burris: The Secretary of Education We Need–and Those We Don’t | Diane Ravitch's blog

Teacher Tom: Imagine If We Stood On the Shoulders of the Remote Learning Giants

Teacher Tom: Imagine If We Stood On the Shoulders of the Remote Learning Giants

Imagine If We Stood On the Shoulders of the Remote Learning Giants

A couple days ago, I wrote a piece that had been long coming in which I called upon educators to embrace the opportunities and challenges presented by this pandemic to reimagine how we teach young children while continuing to embrace the "freedom, equality, and hands-on democratic education" that so many of us fear we are losing, especially with remote learning. In that spirit, I will be throwing out my own thoughts and ideas from time to time, like the ones below.

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Remote learning wasn't born in 2020. Mister Rogers was doing it, and doing it well, in 1968. Language teacher Anne Slack pioneered distance learning in the 1950s. Chef Julia Child started teaching the art of French cuisine to Americans in 1963. Art instructor Bob Ross showed us how to paint "happy little trees" throughout the 80's and 90's, while Levar Burton shared his love of books on Reading Rainbow. "The Crocodile Hunter" Steve Irwin was teaching us about nature and wildlife up until his tragic death in 2006. Documentary filmmaker David Attenborough and science educator Bill Nye the Science Guy are still going strong.

Even a cursory look at the work of these remote educators shows us how most of our schools are getting it wrong in this era of pandemic education. We are continuing to persist in compelling children to "watch," just as we compel them to physically attend during normal times. No one ever made us CONTINUE READING: Teacher Tom: Imagine If We Stood On the Shoulders of the Remote Learning Giants

Federal Judge Permanently Bars DeVos from Diverting CARES Funds to Private Schools | Diane Ravitch's blog

Federal Judge Permanently Bars DeVos from Diverting CARES Funds to Private Schools | Diane Ravitch's blog

Federal Judge Permanently Bars DeVos from Diverting CARES Funds to Private Schools

While Trump appointees are doing their best to impose their policies before January 20, a federal judge in California told Betsy DeVos in no equivocal terms by a federal judge that she cannot divert CARES money to private schools. The nation’s nearly 100,000 public schools received $13.2 billion in CARES funding, which they were required to share with charter schools and to private schools with low-income students. However, charter schools, religious schools, and private schools also qualified for billions more from the CARES Payroll Protection Program, which excluded public schools. DeVos initially tried to wedge private schools into the public schools’ $13.2 billion fund, even if the private schools had no low-income students. But three federal judges rejected her efforts. Now she is permanently enjoined.

LANSING, Mich — A judge has formally closed the case on U.S. Education Secretary Betsy DeVos’ efforts to rewrite a section of the Coronavirus Aid, Relief and CONTINUE READING: Federal Judge Permanently Bars DeVos from Diverting CARES Funds to Private Schools | Diane Ravitch's blog

The Legacy Of Education Secretary Betsy DeVos | 89.3 KPCC

The Legacy Of Education Secretary Betsy DeVos | 89.3 KPCC

The Legacy Of Education Secretary Betsy DeVos

What to make of the tenure of U.S. Education Secretary Betsy DeVos depends, like Beauty itself, on the eye of the beholder.

To the president who asked her to run the Department of Education, she was a loyal lieutenant who argued for her department's irrelevance in a nation where control of schools is a local affair — that is, until she argued the opposite, at the president's urging, and threatened schools with a loss of federal funding if they refused to reopen mid-pandemic.

To Christian conservatives, she was a hero who once proclaimed, "I fight against anyone who would have government be the parent to everyone." DeVos used her bully pulpit to champion religious education, push for school choice and help private schools in financial turmoil.

To her critics, including the nation's teachers unions, she was a stone-cold villain who famously suggested guns belong in some schools (to fend off bears), who needed the vice president's vote to survive confirmation and who spent four years disparaging American public education.

Whatever view you take of Secretary DeVos, here's a look back at the facts of her CONTINUE READING: The Legacy Of Education Secretary Betsy DeVos | 89.3 KPCC

NYC Educator: Another Message from Our Esteemed Chancellor

NYC Educator: Another Message from Our Esteemed Chancellor

Another Message from Our Esteemed Chancellor

Dear Colleagues,

This has been an eventful and challenging year on so many levels. Not for me, of course. I’ve been able to not only sit in my office at Tweed, but also stay home and not even get out of bed over the past several weeks. To date, we have seen a COVID-19 positivity rate of only 0.19 percent out of more than 120,000 students and staff tested. This has been a reassuring sign that testing anyone who felt like getting tested, as opposed to actual random samples of people in schools, has been an effective measure. 

Indeed, the Times and Post are full of columns saying we ought to stay open, but the teacher union is insisting we follow the damn agreement. What do I care? I sit here regardless.

As you are aware, the City as a whole is experiencing elevated rates of COVID-19 transmission. As you may recall. President Trump said the problem wasn’t too much COVID, but too much testing. By avoiding actual testing, we’ve proven him right. If you just test the same handful of people over and over, you can make it look like the spike isn’t happening.

As of this morning, the City has now reached this threshold of test positivity citywide and, as a result, the DOE will temporarily close down all public school buildings, effective Thursday, November 19. This action, along with other city-wide measures, is a key component to address the CONTINUE READING: NYC Educator: Another Message from Our Esteemed Chancellor

Covid-19 In Historic Context - Perdaily.com

Covid-19 In Historic Context - Perdaily.com

Covid-19 In Historic Context

If we truly wanted to deal with Covid-19 in an effective manner, designed to minimize and ultimately stop its continuing- yet avoidable- murderous effects on our species, we would have to look at all the historical and scientific factors, that we have so far ignored, that have made us the prime target for such a pandemic- or other plague- that we clearly have the scientific knowledge to minimize or avoid completely, if our leaders only listened to the scientists and historians, who clearly know better. And in so doing we might conclude that what is truly astonishing is that it has taken this long for modern humans to be "attacked" by a virus or other avoidable pandemic, given the cavalier way we continue to occupy this planet as if we weren't part of, or dependent on a healthy earth biosphere.

There are presently 7.8 billion people living on this planet, which optimally should support a population of no more than 1.5 and 2 billion people. To deal with such overpopulation, over the centuries, caused by humans without birth control continuing to encroach on the habitat of other species, nature has created viruses and other plagues to cull the human and other animal herds.

In the 14th century, Europe was hit by the Black Death or CONTINUE READING: Covid-19 In Historic Context - Perdaily.com

As District Covid Cases Increase, McKeesport Schools Remain Open Temporarily | gadflyonthewallblog

As District Covid Cases Increase, McKeesport Schools Remain Open Temporarily | gadflyonthewallblog

As District Covid Cases Increase, McKeesport Schools Remain Open Temporarily

Next week, McKeesport Area School District will go fully remote to keep students safe from an ongoing outbreak of Covid-19 at several district buildings.

Two new cases are suspected today at the western Pennsylvania district, says a source close to the school board.

However all district buildings were open, and administrators say classes will continue in-person Thursday and Friday.

On Monday, the district will close for three days while all students learn on-line. Buildings will remain closed through Thanksgiving Break. Classes are scheduled to begin in-person again on Tuesday, Dec. 1.

Meanwhile, two staff members – one at the high school and one at Founders Hall – were reported having undergone tests for the virus this morning, according to a source close to the school board.

Allegheny County Health Department (ACHD) has not yet returned results for these CONTINUE READING: As District Covid Cases Increase, McKeesport Schools Remain Open Temporarily | gadflyonthewallblog

Education Matters: District staff to start subbing... sort of... (draft)

Education Matters: District staff to start subbing... sort of... (draft)

District staff to start subbing... sort of... (draft)

You know I wish I didn't have to write pieces like this, ones where I point out how little the district cares about its staff, and this time they are showing it by doing as little as possible to avert the subbing crisis or lack of sub crisis if you will, that is going on in the district. To help out, district staff for two days only will be subbing in our schools, then it's back to good luck getting a sub. 

Next week, district staff with at least sixty credit hours and who don't have meetings may be placed in our schools to the sub. I am not sure if they are doing this willingly or being voluntold. When I asked the district this is what they told me.

To answer your question regarding “the district planning on having staff with more than 60 credit hours start subbing,” we anticipated a need for additional subs during the Thanksgiving Holiday week. One of the ways we are planning to meet that need is by using district administrative personnel. Many have extensive teaching experience, and all meet the requirements of performing as a substitute teacher.  

 

This is not the first time we have used district staff to cover classrooms. You may recall that we used this option last year so teachers could attend the “Rally in Tally.”  This is a voluntary option for staff members, and they are not receiving any additional compensation.  

To be honest, I don't remember district staff subbing last January, but if they did, awesome. That being said, CONTINUE READING: Education Matters: District staff to start subbing... sort of... (draft)

Should we talk about blended learning? Some in the UFT do not think so | JD2718

Should we talk about blended learning? Some in the UFT do not think so | JD2718

Should we talk about blended learning? Some in the UFT do not think so

I submitted a resolution to this month’s Delegate Assembly – to move away from Blended Learning. I am attaching the text at the bottom. I submitted as late as possible – five minutes before the deadline – assuming that I would be #14 on the list and it would not come up. I was a bit surprised – there were only two submissions. The Stop Blended Learning reso would come up.

However, with today’s closure, no one is teaching blended tomorrow. And the agenda included a dozen resolutions, and #1 and #12 I really want to vote on (#1, Black Lives Matter, has already passed).

So I was prepared to withdraw the resolution for today. I drafted what I would say:

Jonathan Halabi, Chapter Leader, High School of American Studies at Lehman College. – bear with me for a moment. We really do need to talk about blended learning. All of our members need to be part of that conversation. But we have a dozen important resolutions coming up; I want to get to them all. And, with today’s announcement, no one is teaching “blended” tomorrow. Michael, I’m not making a motion today. Let’s move the agenda.

But I didn’t get a chance to graciously withdraw the reso. The leadership of the United Federation of Teachers filibustered. Mulgrew dragged out the first motion, and added three minutes of commentary CONTINUE READING: Should we talk about blended learning? Some in the UFT do not think so | JD2718

Larry Ferlazzo's Websites of the Day... | The latest news and resources in education since 2007

A VERY BUSY DAY
Larry Ferlazzo's Websites of the Day...
The latest news and resources in education since 2007

Big Education Ape: THIS WEEK IN EDUCATION Larry Ferlazzo's Websites of the Day... The latest news and resources in education since 2007 - http://bigeducationape.blogspot.com/2020/11/this-week-in-education-larry-ferlazzos_14.html

A Look Back: Here’s The Video Of The Keynote I Gave At The VirtuEL Conference: “We will find a way or make one: Overcoming COVID-19 challenges facing ELLs & their teachers”

by Larry Ferlazzo / 11h

I thought that new – and veteran – readers might find it interesting if I began sharing my best posts from over the years. You can see the entire collection here . I’m starting with posts from earlier this year. mohamed_hassan / Pixabay The VirtuEL Conference took place earlier this year – it provides lots of great professional development sessions by ELL educators for ELL educators. This one was

Free Resources From All “My” Books

by Larry Ferlazzo / 11h

Every two months, I reprint this post so that new subscribers learn about these resources. I have many free resources, including excerpts and student hand-outs, available from all “my” books (“my” is quotation marks because several are ones I have co-authored or edited). Clicking on the covers will lead you to them. Look for a fourth book in my student motivation series (out in 2023) and a second

Thursday’s Must-Read Articles & Must-Watch Videos About School Reopenings

by Larry Ferlazzo / 11h

kalhh / Pixabay Here are new additions to THE BEST POSTS PREDICTING WHAT SCHOOLS WILL LOOK LIKE IN THE FALL : After 8 months, D.C. Public Schools reopens buildings for more than 400 students is from The Washington Post. New York City schools closing because of rising coronavirus rates — and so are all schools in Kentucky is from The Washington Post. Why restaurants are open and schools are closed

“Distance Learning ‘Has Been OK, I Guess’: Students Share About This Year’s Experiences”

by Larry Ferlazzo / 11h

Distance Learning ‘Has Been OK, I Guess’: Students Share About This Year’s Experiences is the headline of my latest Education Week Teacher column. Four high school students write about their distance learning experiences this year, sharing mixed feelings, including liking not having to wake up early but also suffering from eye strain. Here are some excerpts:

The Best Science Sites Of 2020 – Part Two

by Larry Ferlazzo / 12h

It’s time for another “Best” list! I’ll be adding this list to I’m adding this post to ALL END-OF-YEAR “BEST” LISTS FOR 2020 IN ONE PLACE! You can see all previous editions of this Science list, along with other Science-related “Best” lists, here (Best lists on Planets & Space are here ). Let me know what I’m missing… This year’s Part Two list is much shorter than Part One: HENRIETTA LACKS WOULD

Three New Thanksgiving Teaching Resources

by Larry Ferlazzo / 12h

anncapictures / Pixabay Here are new additions to The Best Sites To Teach and Learn About Thanksgiving : Five Ideas to Change Teaching about Thanksgiving, in Classrooms and at Home is from The Smithsonian 

Larry Ferlazzo's Websites of the Day... | The latest news and resources in education since 2007