Latest News and Comment from Education

Thursday, April 5, 2012

Geaux Teacher!: LETTER WRITING CAMPAIGN !!

Geaux Teacher!: LETTER WRITING CAMPAIGN !!:


LETTER WRITING CAMPAIGN !!

I join the thousands of teachers statewide who are very disappointed that due to factors beyond our control we were unable to join the rally on the Capitol steps yesterday. I propose that we "rally" via a letter writing campaign that will afford each and every one of us the opportunity for a strong personal voice in this one-way conversation with legislators. There seems to be not much left but to HOLD THEM ACCOUNTABLE to us and to the public.

I am suggesting to all my contacts (educators, parents, students and their neighbors, friends, relatives) that they write a short (or long) letter to each one of the Senators who voted YES yesterday in the Senate for HB 976 and HB 974. In that letter, they will include a copy of each of these vote count records (see links below). These letters MUST BE SENT BY SNAIL MAIL - U.S. POST OFFICE - TO THEIR LEGISLATIVE OFFICES. Those who are willing to spend a little more should send them Certified or Return Receipt Requested. The added expense is small compared to the price that we will all pay as a result of this legislation.

I am sending the following letter which can be used, edited or replaced by anyone who participates. Above all, it must conclude with a question and a request for a response to the return address. I would like to collect those responses (or a record of the lack of response) for a future press release/conference on the steps of the Capitol.

Lets make this campaign VIRAL.

INSTRUCTIONS:

1. Write a letter to each Senator who voted YES for HB 976 and/or HB 974. Indicate in your letter which of the bills they voted FOR.

2. The most effective letters are personal accounts. but conclude your letter with a question and a request for a written response.

3. Attach a copy/copies of the final votes for each of the bills. Circle the Senator's name in RED!

4. Mail using the attached address list.

5. Collect copies of as many letters as you can from your personal circle of friends and professionals and mail or deliver to me at: 178 Abita Oaks Loop, Abita Springs, LA 70420 If you send your correspondence via certified or return receipt requested mail, please include those in your package.

This is my letter:

Dear Senator _______:

At the conclusion of the historic debate on April 4, 2012, your vote was cast to dismantle public education via the provisions of HB 976. No longer will every child in the State of Louisiana have an equal opportunity for a free and appropriate education. Many children will be reduced to nothing more than a name on a lottery ticket. Gambling in Louisiana has reached its zenith with the passage of this bill.

Your vote was also cast to remove the Profession of Educator in the state of Louisiana via the provisions of HB 974. The expertise earned by our classroom teachers, principals, administrators and our District Superintendents through their continued pursuit of advanced degrees and certification has been denied. The respect and quality developed through experience and years of professional development have been deemed meaningless. Classroom teachers are now nothing more than at-will employees - human capital (lower case).

The fact that so many highly qualified educators throughout the state and the nation have expressed so much opposition to the types of provisions contained in these laws should have been a red light - an indicator to STOP, look BOTH ways, before speeding head long into passage of this legislation. Instead you chose to accuse teachers of being incompetent, lazy, and self-serving. That was your primary SELLING point to the public as you bartered with Governor Jindal for your vote.

I would appreciate a response from you explaining how you believe these bills will improve the quality of education in the classroom. What provisions in these bills actually address that? Senator Guillory said, "You can tell a good school when you SEE one." What do you expect to SEE when you visit a good school? When you visit a classroom of children and are handed a list of test scores, can you match the score with the child?

I look forward to your response so that we can all know what good teachers and good schools LOOK like.

Sincerely,

Lee P. Barrios, M.Ed., NBCT
Retired Teacher/Parent/Grandparent
178 Abita Oaks Loop
Abita Springs, Louisiana 70420


HB 976 FINAL PASSAGE http://legis.la.gov/billdata/streamdocument.asp?did=789473

HB 974 FINAL PASSAGE http://legis.la.gov/billdata/streamdocument.asp?did=789137

Senator Robert Adley
611 Jessie Jones Drive
Benton, LA 71006

(318) 965-1755
adleyr@legis.la.gov

Senator John A. Alario
1063 Muller Parkway
Westwego, LA 70094

(504) 340-2221
alarioj@legis.la.gov

Senator R.L. "Bret" Allain
600 Main Street
Suite 1
Franklin, LA 70538

(337) 828-9107
(985) 850-2738
allainb@legis.la.gov

Senator "Jody" Amedee
2109 S. Burnside Ave.
Suite A
Gonzales, LA 70737

(225) 644-1526
amedeej@legis.la.gov

Senator Conrad Appel
721 Papworth Avenue
Suite 102A
Metairie, LA 70005

(866) 946-3133
appelc@legis.la.gov

Senator Sharon Weston Broome
P. O. Box 52783
Baton Rouge, LA 70892

(225) 359-9352
lasen15@legis.la.gov

Senator Troy E. Brown
P.O. Box 974
Napoleonville, LA 70390

(985) 369-3333
brownte@legis.la.gov

Senator Sherri Smith Buffington
9973 Mansfield Road
Keithville, LA 71047

(318) 687-4820
smithbuffington@legis.la.gov

Senator Norby Chabert
P.O. Box 2417
Houma, LA 70361

(985) 858-2927
chabertn@legis.la.gov

Senator Dan Claitor
7520 Perkins Road
Suite 160
Baton Rouge, LA 70808

(225) 765-0206
claitord@legis.la.gov

Senator Page Cortez
101 W. Farrell Road
Bldg. 5, Suite 100
Lafayette, LA 70508

(337) 993-7430
cortezp@legis.la.gov

Senator A.G. Crowe
201 Crowe's Landing
Pearl River, LA 70452

(985) 643-3600
crowea@legis.la.gov

Senator Jack Donahue
3030 East Causeway Approach
Mandeville, LA 70448

(985) 727-7949
donahuej@legis.la.gov

Senator Yvonne Dorsey-Colomb
1520 Thomas H. Delpit Drive Suite 226
Baton Rouge, LA 70802

(225) 342-9700
dorseyy@legis.la.gov

Senator Dale M. Erdey
P.O. Box 908
Livingston, LA 70754

(225) 686-2881
erdeyd@legis.la.gov

Senator Rick Gallot
P.O. Box 1117
Ruston, LA 71270

(318) 251-5019
gallotr@legis.la.gov

Senator Elbert L. Guillory
633 East Landry Street
Opelousas, LA 70570

(337) 943-2457
guillorye@legis.la.gov

Senator David Heitmeier
3501 Holiday Drive
Suite 225
New Orleans, LA 70114

(504) 361-6356
HeitmeierD@legis.la.gov

Senator Ronnie Johns
1011 Lakeshore Drive
Suite 515
Lake Charles, LA 70601

(337) 491-2016
johnsr@legis.la.gov

Senator Robert W. "Bob" Kostelka
P.O. Box 2122
Monroe, LA 71207

(318) 362-3474
kostelka@legis.la.gov

Senator Eric LaFleur
P.O. Box 617
Ville Platte, LA 70586

(337) 363-5019
lafleure@legis.la.gov

Senator Gerald Long
P.O. Box 151
Winnfield, LA 71483

(318) 628-5799
(800) 265-2437
longg@legis.la.gov

Senator Daniel "Danny" Martiny
131 Airline Highway
Suite 201
Metairie, LA 70001

(504) 834-7676
martinyd@legis.la.gov

Senator Fred H. Mills
800 S. Lewis St.
Suite 203
New Iberia, LA 70560

(337) 365-8484
millsf@legis.la.gov

Senator Jean-Paul J. Morrell
6305 Elysian Fields Ave.
Suite 404
New Orleans, LA 70122

(504) 284-4794
morrelljp@legis.la.gov

Senator Dan "Blade" Morrish
119 W. Nezpique Street
Jennings, LA 70546

(337) 824-3979
morrishd@legis.la.gov

Senator Edwin R. Murray
1540 N. Broad St.
New Orleans, LA 70119

(504) 945-0042
murraye@legis.la.gov

Senator Ben Nevers
724 Avenue F
Bogalusa, LA 70427

(985) 732-6863
neversb@legis.la.gov

Senator Barrow Peacock
1619 Jimmie Davis Highway
Bossier City, LA 71112

(318) 741-7180
peacockb@legis.la.gov

Senator Jonathan W. Perry
P.O. Box 100
Kaplan, LA 70548

(337) 740-6425 --- )
perryj@legis.la.gov

Senator Karen Carter Peterson
1010 Common St.
Suite 2510
New Orleans, LA 70112

(504) 568-8346
petersonk@legis.la.gov

Senator Neil Riser
P.O. Box 117
Columbia, LA 71418

(318) 649-0977
risern@legis.la.gov

Senator Gary Smith
P.O Box 189
Norco, LA 70079

(985) 764-9122
smithgl@legis.la.gov

Senator John R. Smith
611-B South 5th Street
Leesville, LA 71446

(337) 238-2709
smithj@legis.la.gov

Senator Gregory Tarver
1024 Pierre Avenue
Shreveport, LA 71103

(318) 227-1499
tarverg@legis.la.gov

Senator Francis Thompson
P.O. Box 68
Delhi, LA 71232

(318) 878-9408
thompsof@legis.la.gov

Senator Mike Walsworth
4007 White's Ferry Rd
Suite A
West Monroe, LA 71291

(318) 340-6453
walsworthm@legis.la.gov

Senator Rick Ward
3741 Highway 1
Port Allen, LA 70767

(225) 246-8838
wardr@legis.la.gov

Senator Mack "Bodi" White
808 O'Neal Lane
Baton Rouge, LA 70816

(225) 272-1324
whitem@legis.la.gov

State Regulators Let Vocational Schools Operate without Approvals - The Bay Citizen

State Regulators Let Vocational Schools Operate without Approvals - The Bay Citizen:


State Regulators Let Vocational Schools Operate without Approvals

Lack of proper oversight leaves students with few protections

  • TEXT SIZE
  •  
  • A
  •  
  • A
  •  
  • A
By  on April 5, 2012 - 6:21 p.m. PDT
Sarah Rice for The Bay Citizen
Students arrive at Prime Career College in Vallejo Tuesday morning, which offers vocational nursing degrees and other programs. Prime is one of 137 schools statewide whose state approvals have lapsed
Job prospects for thousands of California students are being threatened by the failure of state regulators to crack down on unapproved private vocational schools. Despite vowing to strengthen protections for Californians attending vocational nursing, technical and trade schools, and other private colleges, the regulators have allowed more than 130 schools to operate for months without state approval, according to state records.
Private vocational schools in California require the approval of the California Bureau for Private Postsecondary Education, established two years ago to provide stricter oversight of schools that serve 400,000 students across the state. Yet up to 10 percent of the state’s 

School Tech Connect: Reductions Are Actually Increases

School Tech Connect: Reductions Are Actually Increases:


Reductions Are Actually Increases

I noticed that the IFT and IPACE-endorsed Elaine Nekritz and Lou Lang are the sponsorsof the pension test billthat Glen is talking about.  I don't think the endorsements were wrong, by the way. You can't be responsible for everything your friends do.

To be honest, I'd never even heard of this pension system. Now I regret not researching the Water Reclamation candidates. Who knows what kind of wingnuts I may have voted for?

If I'm reading the bill correctly, and who the hell knows... it seems to me that they're increasing the employer contribution without increasing the benefit, and they're going to argue that it's constitutional because the employer is increasing their contribution, too, and well, if the system survives, then that's an increase in benefit over insolvency because it's another underfunded system going down the toilet.

Sounds pretty shaky to me.

Incidentally, in the back of my mind I've been thinking about writing about how the NEA has been beating the wrong drums for years and how the only two things that come to mind when I think of the NEA are A) credit card 

Today's Big Education Ape - PostRank Top Early Evening Posts 4-5 #SOSchat #p2 #edreform


Schools Matter: Krash Course #5: Reform We Need

Schools Matter: Krash Course #5: Reform We Need: Krash Course #5: Reform We NeedbyP. L. ThomasEach time I publish or post a critique of the education reform insanity coming from the Corporate Reformers, I receive badgering responses asking what I would do instead. So here is a list of Reform We Need:• Secretary of Education Arne Duncan needs to resign, and apologize for his inexpert leadership and harm done to public education.• Federal and state policies must address the lives ... more »

My Island View Pizza, Wine, and Vasectomies

My Island View: Pizza, Wine, and VasectomiesbytomwhitbyWhat is not to love about a zone of comfort; it is a comfy cocoon. It is a pleasurable place that is safe, sound, and satisfying. It is a place where alliterative adjectives may abound with abandon. Comfort zones are safe havens where residents of those zones need not do anything that would in any way slow the flow of comfort. Comfort zones exist in our personal lives as well as our professional lives.My ... more »

Elizabeth Catlett. The power of the image. « Fred Klonsky

Elizabeth Catlett. The power of the image. « Fred Klonsky: Elizabeth Catlett. The power of the image.byFred KlonskyAs a kid in the 50s and 60s, I could walk into any home of my parents’ friends, politically progressive and more often than not Jewish, and see two framed prints on their walls. Of course, my parents had them as well.One was by the African-American artist, Charles White. The other was by the African-American artist Elizabeth Catlett.White’s was a lithograph of a ... more »

For they are not doing what they can’t yet do « Cooperative Catalyst

For they are not doing what they can’t yet do « Cooperative Catalyst: For they are not doing what they can’t yet dobyChad SansingDon't read on me by cIn mulling overthe school to prison pipelineandthe cosmetic differences between grouping and tracking, I’ve found myself asking the same questions over and over again:Is there a link between early-childhood placement in a reading remediation program or scripted learning environment and eventual incarceration? (Don’t click if you hate Elseiver.) Even if there is ... more »

A last, desperate plea for Iowa legislators to not retain 3rd graders | Dangerously Irrelevant

A last, desperate plea for Iowa legislators to not retain 3rd graders | Dangerously Irrelevant: A last, desperate plea for Iowa legislators to not retain 3rd gradersbydr.scott.mcleod@gmail.com (Scott McLeod)Dear Iowa legislators,I am pleading with you to not pass an education reform law that includes retention of 3rd graders.4+ decades of unanimous peer-reviewed research studies show that retention of elementary students results in short-term academic gains thatdisappear completelyin later school years. What you get for that now-you-see-it, now-you-don't test score bump ... more »

Opting out of the testing madness, why and how | Seattle Education

Opting out of the testing madness, why and how | Seattle Education: Opting out of the testing madness, why and howbyseattleducation2011For the “why” of opting out of the testing madness that has taken hold of our school districts, a great article to start with isTesting Our Limitsby Melissa Bollow Tempel in the latest issue of Rethinking Schools. To follow is an excerpt:I walked away from the rest of my class and over to the three computers in the corner of ... more »

Seattle Schools Community Forum: Creative Approach Schools

Seattle Schools Community Forum: Creative Approach Schools: Creative Approach SchoolsbyCharlie MasThere was a meeting Tuesday afternoon to answer questions about Creative Approach Schools. The meeting, led by Phil Brockman, Executive Director of Schools for the Northeast Region, went through the timeline, process, and rules for Creative Approach Schools.It was a second meeting, following an introductory meeting for principals. This meeting was for principals to return with their school teams to learn more. A number of schools were well represented, including ... more »

The in box. Richard Ingram must go. « Fred Klonsky

The in box. Richard Ingram must go. « Fred Klonsky: The in box. Richard Ingram must go.byFred KlonskyAs retired teachers, we urge you to fire Mr. Ingram immediately. As executive director, Mr. Ingram’s duty is not only to protect the interests of TRS and its members, but also to defend the Illinois Constitution. Some think it is only the job of the Supreme Court to defend the Constitution. They are wrong. It is also the obligation of the governor, the ... more »

Jersey Jazzman: Living Large at the NJ DOE

Jersey Jazzman: Living Large at the NJ DOE: Living Large at the NJ DOEbyDukeChris Christie tells us over and over,“We cannot spend money we don’t have.” Well, apparently, New Jersey can somehow find money to pay education consultants big bucks.Last week,ACTING Commissioner Chris Cerfof the NJ DOE had to explain to the legislature how the state could afford some hefty consulting fees:In documents provided to the OLS in its budget review, the department disclosed consultants on the Cerf’s school funding ... more »

Louisiana Educator: Governor's Education "Deform" Passes Senate

Louisiana Educator: Governor's Education "Deform" Passes Senate: Governor's Education "Deform" Passes SenatebyMichael DeshotelsClick on this link to read the Times Picayune articleabout HB 974.HB 974 passed the Louisiana Senate Wednesday afternoon by a vote of 23-16. I will report the names of the Senators voting for and against the bill in my next post. The bill must now go back to the House floor for a vote because several amendments were added on the Senate floor. If the House approves ... more »

Reflections on Teaching » Blog Archive » Hmm, that’s one way to look at it…

Reflections on Teaching » Blog Archive » Hmm, that’s one way to look at it…: Hmm, that’s one way to look at it…“All too often, supporters and opponents of charter schools claim that bad charter schools don’t close,” said Jeanne Allen, president of The Center for Education Reform. “The truth is charter schools that don’t measure up are closing at a rate of 15 percent. Regrettably, the same can’t be said for traditional public schools.”– from Charter School Closure Rate ... more »

Democurmudgeon: K12 Inc. Virtual Charter Schools sued for "deceptive recruiting" and passing students with poor or nonexistent performance."

Democurmudgeon: K12 Inc. Virtual Charter Schools sued for "deceptive recruiting" and passing students with poor or nonexistent performance.": K12 Inc. Virtual Charter Schools sued for "deceptive recruiting" and passing students with poor or nonexistent performance."Scott Walker wants to expand virtual and vouchersschools, both parallel educational systems that under perform and undermine public schools. This shocking lawsuit against the biggest virtual school, K12, exposes what I've been saying all along; for profit schools are after the money and will destroy public ... more »

Who Are These People So Concerned With Education Reform? - Jonathan Kantrowitz - Connecticut News

Who Are These People So Concerned With Education Reform? - Jonathan Kantrowitz - Connecticut News: Jonathan KantrowitzPolitical activist, health nutAbout Jonathan KantrowitzWho Are These People So Concerned With Education Reform?April 4, 2012 at 10:43 pm byJonathan KantrowitzLet’s start withConnCAN,Here’s their Board Of Directors:Board of DirectorsBrian Olson, ChairCo-Founder, Viking Global InvestorsChairman, Civic BuildersAndy BoasPrincipal, Carl Marks Management, LLCDirector, Bridgeport Public Education FundSarah GreenhillFormer Vice President of Finance, Ultimate Software GroupWi... more »

Failed DC Chancellor Michelle Rhee Comes To New York Uninvited

SOUTH BRONX SCHOOL: Michelle Rhee Comes To New York Uninvited: Michelle Rhee Comes To New York Uninvitedbynoreply@blogger.com (Bronx Teacher)Did you hear that? You hear nothing correct? Don't be too sure, for that is the sound of the groundswell of support inviting Michelle Rhee and her minions with Students First as they bogart their way here into NY.It is true, sad, but it is true. In today'sNew York Times,MichelleRheeFirst, that grassroots organization heard the imagined pleas of parents all through this ... more »

The Duke - Jersey Jazzman

Jersey Jazzman: More "What Research?!"DukeatJersey Jazzman-1 hour agoAs I've moaned before, I hate it when anyone says "research shows..." and then refuses to cite the research. I mean, I *really* hate it: Teachers are the No. 1 in-school factor affecting student success. Research says a highly effective teacher can help students achieve as much as an additional year's worth of academic gains over one school year compared with a less effective teacher. [...] Research shows that there are both outstanding ... more »

Early Literacy:The Key to Unlocking Illiteracy? « Diary of a Public School Teacher!

Early Literacy:The Key to Unlocking Illiteracy? « Diary of a Public School Teacher!: Early Literacy:The Key to Unlocking Illiteracy?byOldschoolteachEarly Literacy:The Key to UnlockingIlliteracy?Posted April 4, 2012 by Oldschoolteach inBlogging about Education,Education Blog,Elementary Education Blog. Tagged:early literacy,Education,importance of early literacy,Literacy,reading aloud,Ready for Kindergarten. Leave a CommentAs I mentioned in an earlier post, every Tuesday, I head over to the day care center across the street from my school. I am a member ofRead Aloud DE. What do I do? ...more »

Today's Big Education Ape - PostRank 4-4 Top Early Evening Posts #SOSchat #p2 #edreform

This Week In Education: Quotes: "I Don't Live In Other Nations"Big Education Ape - PostRank (PostRank: All)-18 minutes agoThis Week In Education: Quotes: "I Don't Live In Other Nations": Quotes: "I Don't Live In Other Nations"byAlexander RussoRavitch: Interesting that top-performing and most equitable nations in world do not have vouchers or charters.Fuller: I don't live in other nations I live here I believe we need choice for poor families. If this is Diane u used to believe it too.Exchange between ... more »

School districts pass resolutions against TEACHNJ Act - NorthJersey.com

School districts pass resolutions against TEACHNJ Act - NorthJersey.com: School districts pass resolutions against TEACHNJ ActWEDNESDAY APRIL 4, 2012, 6:46 PMBY KAREN KLEIMANNMANAGING EDITORTOWN JOURNALPAGES:1234DISPLAY ON ONE PAGE|PRINT|E-MAILSchool districts in the Town Journal area have officially voiced their opposition to a proposed Senate bill that would remove school boards and superintendents from personnel decisions by establishing a school improvement panel in its place.The proposed S-1455 bill, sponsored by Senator Teresa Ruiz (D-Newark), would look to adopt different tea... more »

The Best Resources To Remember Dr. Martin Luther King’s Death (& Life) | Larry Ferlazzo’s Websites of the Day…

The Best Resources To Remember Dr. Martin Luther King’s Death ( Life) | Larry Ferlazzo’s Websites of the Day…: The Best Resources To Remember Dr. Martin Luther King’s Death ( Life)byLarry FerlazzoOn this day in 1968, Dr. Martin Luther King was assassinated.I thought I’d bring together a few related resources, and will add more.You might also be interested inThe Best Websites For Learning About Martin Luther King.Here are my choices for The Best Resources To Remember Dr. Martin Luther King’s ... more »

Hoping to please parents, school introduces real-time polling | GothamSchools

Hoping to please parents, school introduces real-time polling | GothamSchools: Hoping to please parents, school introduces real-time pollingbyJessica CampbellThe results of the Department of Education’s learning environment surveys, due tomorrow, aren’t likely to go public until June. ButCatina Venning, the executive director of Fahari Academy Charter School, doesn’t want to wait. Since the start of the year, she has been polling Fahari’s families monthly about their satisfaction and tweaking the school’s practice in response.She launched the polls after Fahari scored ... more »

Jersey Jazzman: More "What Research?!"

Jersey Jazzman: More "What Research?!": More "What Research?!"byDukeAs I've moaned before, I hate it when anyone says "research shows..." and then refuses to cite the research.I mean,Ireallyhate it:Teachers are the No. 1 in-school factor affecting student success. Research says a highly effective teacher can help students achieve as much as an additional year's worth of academic gains over one school year compared with a less effective teacher.[...]Research shows that there are both outstanding teachers and ineffective teachers across all levels ... more »