SHOW ME THE MONEY « Teachers Fight Back

SHOW ME THE MONEY « Teachers Fight Back:

SHOW ME THE MONEY

by alkleen

Some of the suggestions for improving our schools and education system that appear in the newspaper just amaze me.  I’m sure the people who suggest these improvements are well-meaning, but the cost of many of these suggestions is prohibitive.
A group of American pediatricians is urging all school districts to have a doctor to oversee school health services.  The group recommends having a doctor in every school district and a nurse in every school.  A nice idea, but exactly where is the money going to come from for these doctors ?
The American Federation of Teachers President is calling for a national exam that would test a teacher’s mastery of subjects and his or her ability to teach those subjects. Such an exam could require would-be teachers, before they are licensed, to demonstrate skills and understanding they need to be effective. The Chicago Tribune began salivating over such a suggestion, since they believe most teachers are incompetent. The Tribune suggested the process could be modeled after the bar exam for lawyers or the board certification of 

Mike Klonsky's SmallTalk Blog: New Year comes in with roar of Chicago gunfire

Mike Klonsky's SmallTalk Blog: New Year comes in with roar of Chicago gunfire:

New Year comes in with roar of Chicago gunfire

by Mike Klonsky

The new year rolled into Chicago the same way the old year rolled out -- in a blaze of gunfire.

Chicago ends 2012 with a total of 506 murders, a `16% jump from Rahm's first year in office.  2013 didn't exactly come in like a lamb. Three homicides, and 15 more  other non-fatal shootings were reported around the city's South and West sides between the early morning hours and early evening on New Year's Day.

Rahm's people, including top-cop McCarthy are holding the city's gangs and the weather largely responsible.

The Tribune reports:

"Largely contributing to the spike was the unusual number of homicides that occurred during the 

Common Core, Whole Child, Teacher Leadership, & Action Research: A Perfect Storm? — Whole Child Education

Common Core, Whole Child, Teacher Leadership, & Action Research: A Perfect Storm? — Whole Child Education:

THE WHOLE CHILD BLOG

Common Core, Whole Child, Teacher Leadership, & Action Research: A Perfect Storm?

January 2, 2013 by Craig Mertler

My sense is that most educators are viewing the Common Core State Standards (CCSS) as another inconvenience, yet another requirement to be met in our classrooms. However, I would argue that the CCSS presents us with an incredibly unique set of opportunities, if we choose to embrace them as a collective "opportunity." Knowing that we may have to restructure what we do and how we do it, we have opportunities to truly re-examine our practice and adjust it accordingly in order to better meet the academic needs of our students. Additionally, and perhaps more critically, we don't necessarily need to limit our focus on our students' academic needs.

Since the CCSS are not simply an "upgrade" to what we've been dong, but rather a whole new approach, we have an opportunity to also address more comprehensively the needs of the whole child. In a sense, we're developing new unit plans, new ideas for instructional reinforcement, new plans for formative assessments, etc. This will offer us the chance to critically re-examine—in an extremely reflective manner—our own practice and, therefore, our own effectiveness as professional educators. ASCD's Whole Child Initiative states that all students should be healthy, safe, engaged, supported, and challenged. A reorganization of our approaches to instruction provides us with the opportunity to integrate these five aspects into our instruction. Further, as professional educators, these are things that we should not do occasionally, but rather we should strive to integrate them every day and for every child.

But, how can we do this?

• Data-driven educational decision making. Adding the science of teaching to the art of teaching; this is 

Five Questions to Ask about the Common Core* by YongZhao - Education in the Age of Globalization

Education in the Age of Globalization » Blog Archive » Five Questions to Ask about the Common Core*:

Five Questions to Ask about the Common Core*

by YongZhao

If you are reading this, you know the world didn’t end in 2012. But the world of American education may end in 2014, when the Common Core is scheduled to march into thousands of schools in the United States and end a “chaotic, fragmented, unequal, obsolete, and failing” system that has accompanied the rise of a nation with the largest economy, most scientific discoveries and technological inventions, best universities, and largest collection of Nobel laureates in the world today. In place will be a new world of education where all American children are exposed to the same content, delivered by highly standardized teachers, watched over by their equally standardized principals, and monitored by governments armed with sophisticated data tools.

This is the last year to ensure that happens: parents and school boards have to be convinced to remove any lasting resistance; teachers have to be fully trained so they can be turned on automatically when 2014 arrives; school leaders have to be readied so they can identify and incentivize good Common Core practic

Last Stand for Children First: 2012 - A Banner Year in Education Reform

Last Stand for Children First: 2012 - A Banner Year in Education Reform:

2012 - A Banner Year in Education Reform

by Last Stand for Children

It was a banner year for education reform.  We told our story on the big screen in Won't Back Down and the movie broke 25 year old box office records.  It was also a heartwarming story of what can happen when parents band together to turn over public resources to corporations looking to take over a school.  It was easily one of the three most realistic school movies of the year along with Pitch Perfect and Red Dawn, which also demonstrated just how far our school children are falling behind Korea.

2012 was a great year for Michelle Rhee who showed herself as a true champion not only of putting students first, but of respecting second amendment rights as her organization endorsed many of the Michigan state legislators who pushed to allow concealed carry in Michigan schools.   After the Newtown shootings however, 

'Tennessee Waltz' singer Patti Page dies at 85 | The Detroit News | detroitnews.com

'Tennessee Waltz' singer Patti Page dies at 85 | The Detroit News | detroitnews.com:

'Tennessee Waltz' singer Patti Page dies at 85

• By Chris Talbott
• Associated Press
• 0 Comments

Nashville, Tenn. ) — Patti Page, the "Singing Rage" who stumbled across "Tennessee Waltz" and made it one of the best-selling recordings ever, has died. She was 85.

Page died on New Year's Day in Encinitas, Calif., according to publicist Schatzi Hageman.

Page was the top-selling female singer of the 1950s with more than 100 million records sold. Her most enduring songs remain "Tennessee Waltz," one of two songs the state of Tennessee has officially adopted, and "(How Much Is That) Doggie in the Window."

"I was a kid from Oklahoma who never wanted to be a singer, but was told I

From The Detroit News: http://www.detroitnews.com/article/20130102/ENT09/301020400#ixzz2GrFYS1RK

EDjango Unchained: The Coming Revolt against ‘No Excuses’ Schools Coalition for Public Education/Coalición por la Educación Pública

Coalition for Public Education/Coalición por la Educación Pública:

EDjango Unchained: The Coming Revolt against ‘No Excuses’ Schools

     

An elementary student at a ‘no-excuses’ charter school in Memphis.

<<With a few notable exceptions this is largely a movement driven by white people—from the young teachers who staff the schools, to the advocates who serve as flacks, to the funders who underwrite their expansion, to the edupreneurs who now seek to “scale up” and “leverage” the schools’ success and earn a hefty return in the process.>> 

 January 2, 2013-- http://edushyster.com/?p=1700#more-1700

For tens of thousands of black and brown students who attend what are billed as “college-prep” academies, today’s return to school begins as always: in straight, silent lines. For these students, more and more of them in our cities every day, school is now synonymous with control. While the specific systems of rewards and 

“…the quality of an idea doesn’t justify an… « Deborah Meier on Education

“…the quality of an idea doesn’t justify an… « Deborah Meier on Education:

“…the quality of an idea doesn’t justify an…

by debmeier

As the management theorist Peter Scholtes used to say, “People don’t resist change. They resist being changed.” (Note: people includes students of all ages.) Thank you, Alfie, for this quote from management theorist Peter Scholtes. It’s a good thing to reflect upon as we welcome 2012. Then read the whole column: “…the quality of an idea doesn’t justify an attempt to shove it down people’s throats. Nor does it increase the likelihood that such an effort will be successfully digested. ( Read the whole column: “http://www.alfiekohn.org/teaching/decree.htm)
We have two problems. One is that so many so-called reform ideas are either stupid (e.g. fear can motivate good thinking) or ill-intended (making a profit off children’s eduction, outlawing unions, etc). But the second problem is, in some ways, an old enemy and harder to fight. It’s one practiced by the right and left, and those in-between, 

UPDATE: Seattle Schools Community Forum: WEA to Fight-1240 In Court

Seattle Schools Community Forum: WEA to Fight-1240 In Court:

WEA to Fight-1240 In Court

by Melissa Westbrook

But the WEA DID NOT!

I have received word that the WEA Board of Directors has decided to fight I-1240 in court.  From their statement:

“Though our candidates won, we are disappointed that corporate interests with their $11 million were able to pass the charter school initiative. Looking forward, your board of directors has decided to fund a legal challenge against the new charters law and, as we did with McCleary, are seeking partners and developing an approach and timeline for this effort.  More details about this will come.”

The Washington Policy Center is itself already on the attack against this action.    From their statement;

The union faces a costly, uphill battle. A lot of information about successful charter schools in other states is now available. New research about charter schools shows they are a successful option for students within the 

Teens and Drugs - Communication Seminars Upcoming

by Melissa Westbrook

From Prevention WINS:

Teens, Marijuana & Alcohol: Setting the Framework for Healthy Communication

Featuring Dr. Kevin Haggerty, University of Washington Social Development Research Group

·         Tuesday, January 15, 7PM @ Nathan Hale High School, hosted by Raiders Against Destructive Decisions

·         Thursday, January 17, 7PM @ Roosevelt High School, hosted by the Roosevelt High School PTSA

For more information contact:
Annemarie Michaels at anplumpe@seattleschools.org 

or Inga Manskopf at inga.manskopf@seattlechildrens.org. 

WEA Considering a Court Fight Against 1240

by Melissa Westbrook

I have received word that the WEA Board of Directors has decided to fight I-1240 in court.

From their statement:

 “Though our candidates won, we are disappointed that corporate interests with their $11 million were able to pass the charter school initiative. Looking forward, your board of directors has decided to fund a legal challenge against the new charters law and, as we did with McCleary, are seeking partners and developing an approach and timeline for this effort.  More details about this will come.” 

Please note: the WEA has NOT filed anything but this was a statement made to their membership last month.  Naturally, these kinds of efforts take time and money and the WEA is making all due consideration 

NYC Public School Parents: Cuomo Commission report predictably leaves out class size

NYC Public School Parents: Cuomo Commission report predictably leaves out class size:

Cuomo Commission report predictably leaves out class size

by Leonie Haimson

Welcome back and Happy New Year.  The first report of the Cuomo Commission on Education Reform was released today.

As expected, given the pre-established views of the Commissioners selected by the Governor, the report makes a big push for more full day preK, more extended school time and more online learning, higher standards for acceptance into teacher prep programs, measuring the quality of those programs through analyzing the student test score data of their graduates, and a more rigorous, national certification exam, as AFT president Randi Weingarten and Commission member has proposed.

It remains silent on the need for smaller classes, the top priority of New York City parents and 

House Republicans like Indiana for education panel

House Republicans like Indiana for education panel:

House Republicans like Indiana for education panel

by Valerie Strauss

Death to Public Schools

The Republicans have chosen their lineup for the U.S. House Committee on Education and the Workforce in the 113th Congress, and it turns out that Indiana took top honors in terms of number of seats.

Indiana is the state where voters in November removed controversial State Superintendent of Public Instruction Tony Bennett and elected veteran teacher Glenda Ritz in his place. Bennett, a leader of the national market-driven school reform movement who pushed through a statewide voucher program, is taking over as education chief in Florida, where his mentor, former governor Jeb Bush, still has big influence in the education sphere.

Read full article >>

Diane in the Evening 1-2-13 Diane Ravitch's blog

Diane Ravitch's blog:

Jonathan Pelto Reports: Has CNN Dropped Dr. Steve Perry?

by dianerav

According to Connecticut blogger Jonathan Pelto, CNN has severed its relationship with Dr. Steve Perry.
Dr. Perry became best known for his putdown of teaches and unions, as well as his claims about his own miraculous achievements as director of a magnet school in Hartford.
Pelto does a good job deconstructing those claims.
Jersey Jazzman deconstructed his claims last year in multiple posts. See here. And here. And here.
Could it be that CNN executives read Jersey Jazzman?

When Students Love Learning

by dianerav

I often get comments by teachers that move me close to tears. This is one of them. In the best of times, what the writer says would not be remarkable. In these times, these words remind us how education can be powerful and why these days it is not, it is just filling in the blanks.
I thought that several years ago the NCTE had come out with a position or paper arguing that rubrics were not appropriate for several reasons. I tried rubrics for several years and found them to be limiting and the products that I received in Social Studies, English and Humanities courses to be less than what I knew the kids could do. It’s a natural human thing to want to please and then focus on doing what is defined in front of you ala a rubric 

A Newspaper with a Split Personality

by dianerav

Two days ago, the New York Daily News published a beautiful tribute to the heroes of Sandy Hook, both the dead and the living. The newspaper called them its Heroes of the Year. The editorial was written with such eloquence and feeling that it brought me to tears.
I admit I was surprised by this editorial because the Daily News is known for its stridently anti-teacher, anti-union editorializing. (On the other hand, its reporters are unfailingly fair, and the newspaper publishes the amazing Juan Gonzalez, whose column has exposed numerous scandals.)
Today, the New York Daily News resumes its regular flaying of teachers and their union with one of the world’s

LISTEN TO DIANE RAVITCH 1-2-13 Diane Ravitch's blog

coopmike48 at Big Education Ape - 1 hour ago

Diane Ravitch's blog: [image: Click on picture to Listen to Diane Ravitch] Jersey Jazzman Deconstructs Joel Klein’s Record by dianerav Joel Klein served as Chancellor of the New York City public schools for eight years. He had no previous experience as an educator. But he came to the job with a determination to reinvent the system and wipe out whatever he found. He has often boasted of the dramatic gains that occurred under his leadership, at the same time that he claims that public education is in terrible shape due to teachers’ unions and tenure laws that protect incompetent... more »

"If You Would Take a Bullet for a Child..." - Teacher in a Strange Land - Education Week Teacher

"If You Would Take a Bullet for a Child..." - Teacher in a Strange Land - Education Week Teacher:

"If You Would Take a Bullet for a Child..."

by Nancy Flanagan

Roseanne Eckert posted this comment on one of the many ed-reform Facebook pages. Eckert, who is an attorney and parent, not a teacher, gave permission for use.
WARNING: Unpopular comment coming! I have seen many teachers bask in the glow of the extraordinary bravery displayed by the teachers at Sandy Hook. I have seen comments that suggest that all teachers would take a bullet for their kids. This is in direct contrast to the many comments that I have seen from teachers who state that they know that [mandated state standardized tests] and Common Core are bad for kids but they have to go along because they don't want to lose their jobs. If you would take a bullet for a child, then why would you keep them from recess and PE or impose homework that consists of mind-numbing drill sheets for your paycheck?
I think Eckert's asking a good and valid question here--and ought to note that her "unpopular" comment led to a 

Tiburcio Vasquez School In California Named After Bandido Ignites Controversy:

Tiburcio Vasquez School In California Named After Bandido Ignites Controversy

By GOSIA WOZNIACKA 01/01/13 01:17 PM ET EST

FRESNO, Calif. -- Scaffolding climbs the walls of the new elementary school in Salinas, an agricultural city celebrated as John Steinbeck's birthplace but plagued by gang violence.

Although still under construction, the school is already embroiled in controversy because the school board decided to name it after Tiburcio Vasquez, one of the state's most notorious Old West bandidos.

Critics say he was a 19th century outlaw who robbed and terrorized Californians before he was convicted and hanged for murder. They say naming a school after him glorifies crime.

In a city where two-thirds of residents are Latino, some Mexican-Americans say Vasquez was defending his land, culture and Spanish-speaking community from greedy white settlers who overran the state in pursuit of Manifest Destiny and gold.

Naming a school after Vasquez symbolizes opposition to discrimination and is an act 

Why STEM Education & Minority Achievement are Interlinked

by Voxxi

By Hope Gillette, Voxxi
Economists agree – science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) education is critical to the future success of the United States.
Yet even at the K-12 level, these subjects are not being given the emphasis they deserve. According to a Huffington Post blog by Stephen M. Coan, president of the Sea Research Foundation, early education has focused primarily on reading and basic math, ignoring the importance of advanced STEM education.
“For those who stay in school, most flock to non-STEM tracks because these subjects turned them off at an early age. To prepare students for the workforce or higher education, schools must better advance STEM interest 

Pew Research Year in Review The Year in Data – Pew Research Center for the People and the Press

Pew Research Year in Review The Year in Data – Pew Research Center for the People and the Press:

The Year in Data

Take a look at Pew Research Center’s top findings of the year that told us a bigger story about the trends shaping our world.

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REPORT INFOGRAPHICS

• The Year in Data
• The Lost Decade of the Middle Class
• Record Educational Achievement
• The Growing Burden of Student Debt
• The Boomerang Generation
• A Gender Reversal in Career Aspirations
• Plurality Support for Gay Marriage
• Decline of U.S. Birth Rate
• Asian American Population Surges
• The Decline of Migration from Mexico
• The Growth of the Latino Vote
• The Widening American Political Divide
• More See Evidence of Global Warming
• A Shift in Global Power?
• Low Marks for the Presidential Campaign
• ‘Dual Screening’ Live Events
• A Shift in News Reading Habits
• Americans Embrace Social Media
• Mobile Tipping Point
• New Mobile and Digital Habits
• A Less Religious Nation