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Saturday, August 24, 2013

LISTEN TO DIANE RAVITCH 8-24-13 Diane Ravitch's blog | A site to discuss better education for all

Diane Ravitch's blog | A site to discuss better education for all:

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Her Last Day of Teaching First Grade
This came in my private email:   As many of you know, I just retired from teaching, having spent most of my career in first grade. Over the last few years, my teaching had become gradually more restricted. Instead of running a center-based day, I was required to run scheduled periods of Fundations, Writing Workshop, Reading Workshop, and (this year) of Envision math. To encourage me to retire, my

Breaking News: Founder of Pennsylvania Cyber Charter Indicted
Nicholas Trombetta, founder of the Pennsylvania Cyber Charter School, has been indicted by federal authorities on 11 fraud and tax charges. Trombetta’s school is the largest cyber charter in the state and possibly the nation, with 10,000 students and annual revenues in excess of $100 million. Prosecutors said that Trombetta had stolen nearly $1 million. He “is accused of creating entity after enti


The Biggest Fallacy of the Common Core Standards: No Evidence
Lately, I have noticed that defenders of the Common Core are smearing critics as Tea Party fanatics and extremists. That is what Arne Duncan said to the nation’s newspaper editors last month, when he claimed that opponents of the Common Core are members of “fringe groups,” people who don’t care about poor kids, and people who falsely accuse the federal government of having something to do with the
What Is Happening in Muskegon Heights?
This reader reports on the for-profit charter chain that took control of the students in Muskegon Height, Michigan: “I have a close friend who works in this very charter school in Muskegon Heights. “If Mosaica isn’t the worst charter operation in America, it’s in the top ten. “A few observations from my friend: “1. They instituted a homeroom period at the start of the day. Students were ASSIGNED t

Diane in the Evening 8-23-13 Diane Ravitch's blog | A site to discuss better education for all
Diane Ravitch's blog | A site to discuss better education for all: Chancellor Tisch Promises Higher Test Scores Next YearThe head of Néw York state’s Board of Regents Merryl Tisch says everyone should calm down about the collapse of test scores across the state. Next year, she promised, the scores will go up. You can count on that, because the state commissioner can lower the cut score if he wants

LISTEN TO DIANE RAVITCH ALL WEEK LONG Diane Ravitch's blog 8-24-13 #thankateacher #EDCHAT #P2
Diane Ravitch's blogLISTEN TO DIANE RAVITCH ALL WEEK LONGDIANE RAVITCH'S BLOGChicago Parents Say: Follow the MoneyChicago Public Schools say they are out of money, but look where they are spending money freely. FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE – Representatives available for print or broadcast media interviews Contact: Amy Smolensky, 312-485-0053 Parent Group, Raise Your Hand Blasts CPS for Budget Priorities