Latest News and Comment from Education

Monday, March 26, 2012

Today's Big Education Ape - PostRank Top Late Nite Posts 3-26 #soschat #EDReform


OCCUPY EDUCATION - Education is not for sale from Taiwan to Quebec .. #ows.

OCCUPY EDUCATION - Education is not for sale from Taiwan to Quebec ...: Education is not for sale from Taiwan to Quebec One World One...Education is not for sale from Taiwan to QuebecOne World One Struggle

Court upholds limits on religious messages in schools

Court upholds limits on religious messages in schools: Court upholds limits on religious messages in schoolsBob EgelkoMonday, March 26, 2012PrintE-mailShareComments(0)Font|Size:3MORE EDUCATIONSF City College slashing summer school enrollment03.26.12Education reformer Michelle Rhee tells her side03.25.12UC review backs use of pepper spray on protesters03.24.12(03-26) 12:50 PDT WASHINGTON, D.C.-- The U.S. Supreme Court left intact Monday two rulings by the federal appeals court in San Francisco that limit the ability of teachers and charter schools to spread religious messages in the ... more »

RheeFirst! » D.C. test tampering hurting teachers, poisoning schools

RheeFirst! » D.C. test tampering hurting teachers, poisoning schools: D.C. test tampering hurting teachers, poisoning schoolsbyadminWritten by Jay Mathews forThe Washington Post. Read theentire article here.“When J.P. Cotton began teaching at Davis Elementary School in Southeast Washington in August 2010, he puzzled over the scores of his fifth-graders on the previous spring’s D.C. tests. They were doing poorly in his class, as were most of the children at a school long plagued by low expectations and teacher turnover.Yet several of ... more »

“Chartering Equity” | The G Bitch Spot

“Chartering Equity” | The G Bitch Spot: “Chartering Equity”byG BitchMead, Julie, and Preston Green.Chartering Equity: Using Charter School Legislation and Policy to Advance Equal Educational Opportunity. National Education Policy Center, U. of Colorado, Feb. 21, 2012. PDF.Charter schools are not panaceas—they can expand educational options or replicate current ones, do better or worse than traditional schools, and alone cannot solve all, or most, educational issues like racial disparities, poverty, paper-thin budgets, etc. One thing I do not believe was part ... more »

A Different March Madness: The DCPS Lottery

A Different March Madness: The DCPS Lottery: A Different March Madness: The DCPS LotteryMONDAY, MARCH 26TH, 2012 AT 4:16 PMSince last fall, I’ve been working on a new book about a year in the life of the DC public school system(s) — as seen primarily through two schools: one a brand-new charter school, the other a 90-year-old neighborhood school — so I was thrilled to hear that WAMU’s Kojo Nnamdi was dedicating a show to the DCPS lottery and various ... more »

All Education Matters: Bloomberg: Obama Relies on Debt Collectors Profiting From Student Loan Woe

All Education Matters: Bloomberg: Obama Relies on Debt Collectors Profiting From Student Loan Woe: Bloomberg: Obama Relies on Debt Collectors Profiting From Student Loan WoebyCryn JohannsenThisarticlewas published today, and discusses the cozy relationship that the Department of Education has with private debt-collection companies who are putting more pressure on borrowers to repay their student loans.Here are some highlights:With $67 billion of student loans in default, the Education Department is turning to an army of private debt-collection companies to put the ... more »

Bringing the Community to Schools Webinar Date: Tuesday, March 27, 2-3 p.m. ET

Event Registration (EVENT: 412491):Bringing the Community to SchoolsThe "community school" model is turning school buildings into vibrant neighborhood hubs of activity. In addition to the academic program offered to students during the day, community schools provide a wide range of services to children in partnership with local organizations. The services include breakfast and dinner for low-income children; early-childhood programs; after-school recreation; academic enrichment; and adult education. One thriving program with a long track record in this field is the 13-year-old ... more »

Mike Klonsky's SmallTalk Blog: Duncan Etch-a-Sketches on publishing teacher names in Times

Mike Klonsky's SmallTalk Blog: Duncan Etch-a-Sketches on publishing teacher names in Times: Duncan Etch-a-Sketches on publishing teacher names in TimesbyMike KlonskyTalk about yourEtch-a-Sketchpoliticians -- Arne Duncan wasthe first in line to applaudthe L.A. Times for its publishing of teachers names alongside students test scores, a new low in public debasement of the teaching profession. "What's there to hide?"asked a glib Duncan back in August of 2010.But now it's 2012 and the winds of change are blowing in the other direction ... more »

In Case You Missed It: State orders mediator to oversee City teacher evaluation negotiation; PEP approves 19 co-locations « EdVox

In Case You Missed It: State orders mediator to oversee City teacher evaluation negotiation; PEP approves 19 co-locations « EdVox: In Case You Missed It: State orders mediator to oversee City teacher evaluation negotiation; PEP approves 19 co-locationsbyedvoxnyHere on EdVox we’re excited to bring you the latest news about education issues and policies affecting our communities. It can be hard to keep up with all of the events and happenings, so – in case you missed it…Here is a recap ... more »

Playing Smart: A New Guide to Help Communities Open the Schoolyards | LFA: Join The Conversation - Public School Insights

Playing Smart: A New Guide to Help Communities Open the Schoolyards | LFA: Join The Conversation - Public School Insights: Playing Smart: A New Guide to Help Communities Open the SchoolyardsbyNEA Health Information NetworkWe’ve never needed safe play spaces in our communities more than we do now.Nearly a third of kids and adolescents in America – and two-thirds of adults – are overweight or obese. Many are urged to get more exercise but can’t follow this advice very easily where ... more »

Missouri Education Watchdog: Facebook Privacy = Student Privacy. It's the Same Issue.

Missouri Education Watchdog: Facebook Privacy = Student Privacy. It's the Same Issue. Where's the Outrage over the Longitudinal Data System? The Argument is the Same. Your Privacy is YOURS. Your Data is Not Your Employer's and not the Government's.: Facebook Privacy = Student Privacy. It's the Same Issue. Where's the Outrage over the Longitudinal Data System? The Argument is the Same. Your Privacy is YOURS. Your Data is Not Your Employer's and not the Government's.bystlgretchenFacebook put out a statement about ...more »

The Fate of the Common Core: The View from 2022 :: Frederick M. Hess

The Fate of the Common Core: The View from 2022 :: Frederick M. Hess: The Fate of the Common Core: The View from 2022by Frederick M. Hess • Mar 26, 2012 at 8:31 amCross-posted fromEducation WeekPrintSendRSSShareFunny story. A few weeks back, I was out in DC after one of my AEI working groups. It got late and just a few of us were left, including ed tech gurus Jonathan Harber, Larry Berger, and Mick Hewitt. Anyway, walking out of Panache ... more »

5 Tips for a Successful Parent-Teacher Conference - High School Notes (usnews.com)

5 Tips for a Successful Parent-Teacher Conference - High School Notes (usnews.com): 5 Tips for a Successful Parent-Teacher ConferenceByLAURA MCMULLENMarch 26, 2012RSS FeedPrintParents andhigh schoolteachers are not typically people with ample free time. But as the two groups that often influence children and their education the most, parents and teachers need to make time to communicate with each other.They should form a partnership, saysNational Parent Teacher Association (PTA)president Betsy Landers, because parents and teachers both want their students to succeed. ... more »

(CReATE): Misconceptions and Realities about Teacher and Principal Evaluation: An Open Letter of Concern to Mayor Rahm Emanuel, CPS CEO Jean-Claude Brizard, and the Chicago School Board

Chicagoland Researchers and Advocates for Transformative Education (CReATE): Misconceptions and Realities about Teacher and Principal Evaluation: An Open Letter of Concern to Mayor Rahm Emanuel, CPS CEO Jean-Claude Brizard, and the Chicago School Board: Misconceptions and Realities about Teacher and Principal Evaluation: An Open Letter of Concern to Mayor Rahm Emanuel, CPS CEO Jean-Claude Brizard, and the Chicago School BoardbyCreate ChicagoMarch 26, 2012Misconceptions and Realities about Teacher and Principal EvaluationAn Open Letter of Concern toMayor Rahm Emanuel,Chicago Public S... more »

20 questions for parents about K-12 school reform - The Answer Sheet - The Washington Post

20 questions for parents about K-12 school reform - The Answer Sheet - The Washington Post: 20 questions for parents about K-12 school reformbyValerie StraussThiswas written by Ronald Willett, a former university professor, researcher and administrator, and former corporate executive, entrepreneur and CEO. For the last decade, as an avocation, he has tracked and researched U.S. K-12, and advocated its legitimate reform and pursuit of innovation.By Ronald WillettInan earlier post, I made a case for taking a broader perspective about ... more »

solidaridad: Why everyone effected by the LAUSD cuts needs to come to Thursday’s rally at Mariachi Plaza

solidaridad: Why everyone effected by the LAUSD cuts needs to come to Thursday’s rally at Mariachi Plaza: Why everyone effected by the LAUSD cuts needs to come to Thursday’s rally at Mariachi PlazabyRobert D. Skeels * rdsathenePopoutMicheltorena Screening: The Inconvenient Truth Behind Waiting for SupermanbyRobert D. Skeels * rdsatheneThe Inconvenient Truth Behind Waiting for Superman Micheltorena Screening

The legislative shell game in Olympia and its roots in the corporate privatization of our public schools | Seattle Education

The legislative shell game in Olympia and its roots in the corporate privatization of our public schools | Seattle Education: The legislative shell game in Olympia and its roots in the corporate privatization of our public schoolsbyseattleducation2011Why is this man laughing?I came across this article that I had saved under “Online Learning” and realized that it needs to see the light of day once again. It is reflective of the legislative games that Republicans (and Rodney Tom) have been playing ... more »

Melissa Harris-Perry: Standing in solidarity with Trayvon Martin #trayvonmartin

msnbc video: Standing in solidarity with Trayvon Martin: Visit msnbc.com for breaking news, world news, and news about the economyMelissa Harris-Perry Mocks Geraldo Rivera For Trayvon Martin Hoodie Comments (VIDEO)Posted: 03/25/2012 10:10 am Updated: 03/25/2012 10:19 amVisit msnbc.com forbreaking news,world news, andnews about the economy89736352,126GET MEDIA ALERTS:SIGN UPREACT:AmazingInspiringFunnyScaryHotCrazyImportantWeirdFOLLOW:Video,Geraldo Rivera Melissa Harris-Perry,Melissa Harris-Perry,Melissa Harris-Perry Geraldo,Melissa Harris-Perry Trayvon Martin,Trayvon Martin Melissa ... more »

Today's Big Education Ape - PostRank Top Late Nite Posts 3-25 #soschat #EDReform

Jersey Jazzman: Arne Duncan: Indifferent ManiacBig Education Ape - PostRank (PostRank: All)-12 minutes agoJersey Jazzman: Arne Duncan: Indifferent Maniac: Arne Duncan: Indifferent ManiacbyDukeWhat a nutcase:Publishing teachers' ratings in the newspaper in the wayThe New York Timesand other outlets have done recently is not a good use of performance data, U.S. Secretary of Education Arne Duncan said in an interview yesterday."Do you need to publish every single teacher's rating in the paper? I don't think you do," he said. "There's not ... more »

Walton Family Foundation awards Denver $8M for school reform - The Denver Post

Walton Family Foundation awards Denver $8M for school reform - The Denver Post: "Walton Family Foundation "Walton Family Foundation awards Denver $8M for school reformPOSTED: 03/25/2012 01:00:00 AM MDTBy Karen AugĂ©The Denver PostThe Walton Family Foundation gave out more money for education reform last year than any other year in its history, and a big chunk of it ended up in Denver.Organizations here, from individual schools to influential nonprofits, got just shy of $8 million of the $159 million in ... more »

DOUBLE WHAMMY, WHY TEACHERS ARE FRUSTRATED AND ANGRY « Teachers Fight Back

DOUBLE WHAMMY, WHY TEACHERS ARE FRUSTRATED AND ANGRY « Teachers Fight Back:


DOUBLE WHAMMY, WHY TEACHERS ARE FRUSTRATED AND ANGRY

I just finished interviewing dozens of teachers.  I was trying to find out why so many teachers are frustrated and angry. The majority of teachers gave examples of how much more demanding and difficult their jobs have become compared to a few years ago. The following are typical responses:
New curriculum demands are virtually impossible to fulfill. The curriculum is geared to the latest mandatory student testing and the testing goals are above and beyond the students’ abilities. Teachers are putting in endless hours to help the slowest students master what is needed.
Parents have been alerted to the test goals and are making more frequent inquiries, especially if their kids are not meeting the goals. Parent contact time is way up the last few years. Teachers are frequently on the phone and in conferences during their lunch time and during planning periods.
Teachers are constantly attending meetings where curriculum experts explain the most successful methods to 

Teachers' Support For Reform Depends In Part On Experience -- Gates/Scholastic Survey

Teachers' Support For Reform Depends In Part On Experience -- Gates/Scholastic Survey:


Teachers' Support For Reform Depends In Part On Experience -- Gates/Scholastic Survey

Posted: 03/26/2012 7:08 pm Updated: 03/26/2012 7:30 pm




Teacher Reform
Revamping the makeup of the teaching profession through tweaks such as altering tenure and teacher evaluations has become a policy debate du jour, one that has riled many a state house in recent years. As it turns out, teachers themselves support that overhaul, according to recent survey data.
But that support may depend on a factor central to many of these teacher reforms: experience.
survey released recently by the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, in collaboration with Scholastic Education, asked 10,000 pre-K-12 public-school teachers questions about their satisfaction, environment and views on school policies. The metric of teacher support for certain policies is increasingly important as a chorus of voices claims educators have been excluded from the biggest debates over laws affecting