Latest News and Comment from Education

Friday, April 5, 2013

A ‘kissing cousin’ of segregated proms: segregated high school reunions. Are they common? | Get Schooled

A ‘kissing cousin’ of segregated proms: segregated high school reunions. Are they common? | Get Schooled:


A ‘kissing cousin’ of segregated proms: segregated high school reunions. Are they common?

A reader of the segregated prom blog sent me a note about something that DeKalb school chief Michael Thurmond referenced in a recent speech, racially segregated class reunions.
Thurmond said that his high school graduating class — he attended high school in Athens and was among the first black students to attend high school with white students — holds two reunions divided by race.  “We have come a long way. But we have a long way to go,” he said.
Like racially segregated proms, these reunion events are not officially sponsored or organized by the high schools, so the guest list can be selective if the organizers so desire.
And apparently, sometimes organizers do limit who’s included in the planning and notifications. A friend went to her high school reunion in South Carolina. She, too, graduated in one of the first integrated classes and 

Schools Matter: Another chapter in the online testing boondoggle

Schools Matter: Another chapter in the online testing boondoggle:


Another chapter in the online testing boondoggle


The situation described here is not a problem for computer companies. In fact, it is good news. More computer sales! They are not worried how Union Local will find the money: they are sure that the local community, enchanted with technology thanks to massive propaganda in the media, will find a way. A bond issue, a tax increase, benefits, raffles and lotteries, all ways of taking money from the needy and giving it to the greedy.
And those new computers will need to be updated and upgraded regularly, and replaced every few years ….


Note: Windows 95: born 1995- died (no longer supported) 2001

http://stateimpact.npr.org/ohio/2013/03/21/rural-schools-struggle-to-prepare-for-common-cores-online-tests/
Rural Schools Struggle to Prepare for Common Core’s Online Tests
March 21, 2013
…a new curriculum, called the Common Core, is pushing districts in many states – including Ohio – into the Internet era.
That’s because the new standardized tests that accompany the Common Core will be given online.

BREAKING NEWS!!!! Former NYC Principal Caught On Audio!!!.southbronxschool.com

http://www.southbronxschool.com:


BREAKING NEWS!!!! Former NYC Principal Caught On Audio!!!

Way back in June of 2012 I reported on my former principal at PS 154, Marsha Elliott, lack of true Christianity. She repeated a lie, and repeated it repeatedly.

But first a little back story. In May of 2011 I was teaching character education, which is basically
citizenship. I gave up being dean and SAVE room coordinator due to a senior teaching whining and kvetching about filing a grievance. Honestly it is a fantastic  curriculum.  But needs to be kept away from stupid decision makes that tend to ruin curriculum.

I wanted to do a lesson based on the late 60's experiment Jane Elliott did in Iowa, the “blue-eyed/brown-eyed" experiment. Unfortunately being in the South Bronx negates such an experiment, since all the students are brown eyed, and me being the only blue eyed person in the class or for that matter, tha

Activists Re-Launch Campaign to Repeal Louisiana’s Creationism Law | Repealing the Louisiana Science Education Act

Activists Re-Launch Campaign to Repeal Louisiana’s Creationism Law | Repealing the Louisiana Science Education Act:




Activists Re-Launch Campaign to Repeal Louisiana’s Creationism Law

Activists Re-Launch Campaign to Repeal Louisiana’s Creationism Law

Since 2008, the Louisiana Science Education Act Has Been the Subject of National and International Criticism and Ridicule
For Immediate Release
Baton Rouge, LA — (March, 18, 2013) — Senator Karen Carter Peterson (D-New Orleans) recently filed SB 26 to repeal the Louisiana Science Education Act, Louisiana’s misnamed and misguided creationism law.
Since its passage in 2008, the Louisiana Science Education Act (LSEA) has been the subject of national and international criticism and ridicule, and its repeal has been endorsed an overwhelming consensus of scientists and educators and a broad coalition of religious leaders and clergy. This is Senator Peterson’s third attempt at repealing the act.
Previous hearings about the Louisiana Science Education Act were the focus of intense national interest.  Videos of the meetings have collectively received more than 680,000 views on YouTube and were covered by national publications including io9 and Slate.  The campaign has been covered both nationally and internationally, including in The Guardian,The Boston GlobeThe Huffington PostThe Washington PostItalian Vogue, MSNBC, and Bill Moyers’s “Moyers and Company.”
Originally conceived as the Louisiana Academic Freedom Act, the LSEA is based on a model statute developed by the Discovery Institute, a Seattle-based think tank that lobbies for legislation promoting creationism in the classroom.
State Senator Ben Nevers, the bill’s original sponsor, explained that he filed the bill at the behest of the Louisiana Family Forum. “They (the Louisiana Family Forum) believe that scientific data related to creationism should be discussed when dealing with Darwin’s theory,” Senator Nevers said.
Nobel laureate chemist Sir Harry Kroto said, “The present situation (the LSEA) should be likened to requiring Louisiana school texts to include the claim that the sun goes round the Earth.”
Three years ago, Sir Harry Kroto was the first Nobel laureate to publicly endorse the act’s repeal. Today, the repeal campaign is endorsed by 78 Nobel laureate scientists, nearly 40% of living Nobel laureate scientists, and numerous other prominent scientists.  It has also been endorsed by the American Association for the Advancement of Science and other major science and educator organizations in Louisiana and the United States.
In addition, thousands of clergy members, who are part of the Clergy Letter Project, have joined the repeal campaign. Reverend Welton Gaddy, President of the Interfaith Alliance,said, “(The repeal effort) represents the best thinking in American science, the best thinking in American religion, and it also reflects the United States Constitution.”
Over 70,000 people from Louisiana and around the country have signed a Change.org petition and other petitions in support of this repeal.
The conservative Thomas Fordham Institute stated the Louisiana Science Education Act creates “anti-evolution pressures (that) continue to threaten state science standards.” In its evaluation of Louisiana’s education system, the Thomas Fordham Institute called the LSEA a “devastating flaw.”
Zack Kopplin, the student who began the campaign against the law said:
“America needs a scientific revolution; a Second Giant Leap for Humankind.  Fighting for a repeal of Louisiana’s creationism law is ground zero of this revolution.
“We need a grassroots movement of students who stand up and demand their public officials to support evidence-based science.”
Supporters of the repeal believe they will see a breakthrough this year because Louisiana’s public officials are becoming increasingly pro-science.  This spring, the Society for Integrative and Comparative Biology lifted a boycott of New Orleans (a boycott still remains on the rest of Louisiana), which had begun after the passage of the Louisiana Science Education Act.  The boycott was lifted after the New Orleans City Council voted unanimously to support the repeal of Louisiana’s creationism law, and the Orleans Parish School Board banned creationism from their classrooms in reaction to the passage of this law.
The bill to repeal the Louisiana Science Education Act in 2012 was defeated in committee, by a vote of 2-1.
“We believe that this spring we can muster the votes we need to pass,” Kopplin said.

9th grade is still where most fall off track | Philadelphia Public School Notebook

9th grade is still where most fall off track | Philadelphia Public School Notebook:


9th grade is still where most fall off track

Sub Title: 
Giving students personalized attention in large high schools continues to be a challenge.
Author: 
by Paul Jablow
Author Bio: 
Paul Jablow is a regular freelance contributor to the Notebook
Sheila Hernandez was 15 when she quit Frankford High School in the 9th grade. There was a lot of fighting in the school, and Hernandez, a slight girl with her hair cut short, was also bullied over her appearance.
When she had problems academically, she said, “I’d ask for help, and they wouldn’t give it to you.”
Damaries Rodriguez got pregnant in 9th grade and dropped out of Franklin Learning Center because she found she had too much work to make up when she returned.
Angel Sostre found 9th grade at Edison High School to be a miserable experience, because “they kept changing my roster. They kept changing teachers, and I had trouble keeping up to the work.” He lasted only a short while in 10th grade before leaving school.
Unlike most dropouts from the Philadelphia schools, all three are now in alternative high schools designed to give students a second chance at earning a diploma – Hernandez at El Centro de Estudiantes in Norris Square, and Rodriguez and 

Image Caption: 
Angel Sostre says he was shuffled around as a 9th grader but has thrived in an alternative school.
Photo Credits: 
Harvey Finkle

Jersey Jazzman: Leonie Haimson: American Hero

Jersey Jazzman: Leonie Haimson: American Hero:


Leonie Haimson: American Hero

Since critical thinking is in such short supply these days (thanks, in part, to the growing bubble test obsession in our public schools), let me explain why the smear against Leonie Haimson is both slimy and illogical:

Regular readers here know I have great respect for Haimson, both as a champion for New York City's public schools and for the work she has done with her group, Class Size Matters. She advocates tirelessly for reduced class sizes, a broad and rich curriculum, parental involvement in school governance, and a deemphasis on standardized testing.

I don't know where Haimson is sending her son for high school; however, I will safely assume it has small class sizes and doesn't evaluate its teachers on a "growth model" that is a proven disaster. So Haimson is giving her son what she has been fighting to give all of New York City's children. I'm sure she's very grateful she has the wherewithal to provide this opportunity to her child; in fact, I'd argue it would be inconsistent if she had the means and didn't enroll him in a school that shares her values.

Contrast this to:

Chris Christie, who says any problem with New Jersey's urban schools "is not about money", yet sends his kids to a school that spends way more per pupil than any public district in New Jersey; this in spite of the fact that this private school has an elite admissions standard and, therefore, doesn't serve the most expensive children to educate.

Michelle Rhee, who, unlike Haimson, won't even give a straight answer about whether her children attend a private school or not. If they do attend private schools, they will certainly not be subject to the standardized tests that Rhee fetishizes over as necessary for "accountability."

Barack Obama, who, through Race To The Top, has overseen the largest expansion of high-stakes standardized testing ever, yet sends his own daughters to a school that is exempted from such testing.

- Michael Bloomberg, who famously declared that class sizes in New York's public schools should double, yet sent his own daughters to an exclusive, expensive private school with small class sizes and high per-pupil spending.

- Bill Gates, who has pushed test-based teacher evaluation under the phony banner of "multiple measures," andsuggests class sizes in public schools are too small, yet sends his own kids to a school that does not use these very same measures and has small class sizes. (Oh, did Bill change his mind? No, not really - more in a bit...)

- The New Chicago Mob, including Mayor Rahm Enamuel and Obama's good buddy Penny Pritzker, who send their kids to a private school, Chicago Lab - a school whose president decries the very practices they seek to implement in the city's public schools. And add SecEd Arne Duncan to the list of hypocrites who attended Chicago Lab.

So when Joe Williams take a cheap shot at Haimson like this:
"Leonie has to do what is best for her kids," said Joe Williams, who as head of advocacy group Democrats for Education Reform has often clashed with Ms. Haimson. "The only problem is that she keeps choosing to defend the same awful schools she would never allow her kids to attend."
Understand that she is not defending public schools as they are under the current reformy regime: she is trying to change them to make them more like the education she seeks for her own child. That is completely different from all of these hypocrites, who seek to make the public schools less like the education they provide for their own children.

And when Erin Shaw delivers a low blow like this:
Erin Shaw, a spokeswoman for Ms. Rhee's advocacy group StudentsFirst, said it was "unfortunate that others want to exercise choice for their own kids, but are working hard to make sure other parents don't have the same options, trapping other peoples' kids in failing schools."
Understand that the "choices" Shaw's boss, Rhee, proposes for public school parents are nothing like the "choice" Rhee made for her own child. Again, that is completely the opposite of what Haimson fights for.

Leonie Haimson is a genuine American hero. Her critics are illogical. Their bosses are hypocrites. It's really that simple.

Big Education Ape Nite Cap 4-5-13 #SOSCHAT #EDCHAT #P2


James Baldwin said it best: 

"For these are all our children, and we will profit by or pay for whatever they become."

A BIG EDUCATION APE NITE CAP




Jersey Jazzman: Leonie Haimson: American Hero

coopmike48 at Big Education Ape - 34 seconds ago
Jersey Jazzman: Leonie Haimson: American Hero: Leonie Haimson: American Hero by Duke [image: animated waving flag, very cool] Since critical thinking is in such short supply these days (thanks, in part, to the growing bubble test obsession in our public schools), let me explain why the smear against Leonie Haimson is both slimy and illogical: Regular readers here know I have great respect for Haimson, both as a champion for New York City's public schools and for the work she has done with her group, Class Size Matters. She advocates tirelessly for reduced class sizes, a broad an... more »

Obama Tobacco Tax To Fund Preschool Faces Industry Resistance

coopmike48 at Big Education Ape - 34 seconds ago
Obama Tobacco Tax To Fund Preschool Faces Industry Resistance: Obama Tobacco Tax To Fund Preschool Faces Industry Resistance by Joy Resmovits Though President Barack Obama's administration hasn't formally released its 2014 budget, one component is already facing resistance from the tobacco industry. That's because the president plans to foot the bill for a major new pre-kindergarten program in part with an increase in tobacco taxes, The New York Times first reported Friday and the White House confirmed to HuffPost. The proposal would expand pre-K access to all 4-year-olds whose f... more »

Seattle Schools Community Forum: When Will Bill Gates Leave Public Education Alone?

coopmike48 at Big Education Ape - 2 hours ago
Seattle Schools Community Forum: When Will Bill Gates Leave Public Education Alone?: When Will Bill Gates Leave Public Education Alone? by Melissa Westbrook There can be no doubt that Bill Gates is a smart guy. What I have a tough time with is that because he is smart AND has lots of money that somehow that makes him an expert on anything he decides is important. Mr. Gates, like Eli Broad and the Waltons, have created a playbook (probably via our friends at ALEC) for ed reform. Just to be fair, I'm sure it is as frustrating to them as it is to all American citizens at the stubb... more »

Public Education Justice Alliance of Minnesota(PEJAM): Defending Public Education in Minneapolis: An Interview on the DTOE Talk Show

coopmike48 at Big Education Ape - 2 hours ago
Public Education Justice Alliance of Minnesota(PEJAM): Defending Public Education in Minneapolis: An Interview on the DTOE Talk Show: Defending Public Education in Minneapolis: An Interview on the DTOE Talk Show *DTOE Talk Episode 7 (04.05.13) – Robert Panning-Miller, Minneapolis Teacher, Former MFT President, and Co-Founder of the Public Education Justice Alliance of Minnesota (PEJAM)* *I had a chance to talk with Francesco Portelos on his on-line talk show, Don't Tread on Educators. We discussed many of the various corporate reforms affecting Minneapolis and Minnesota in gen...more »

Are you an IEA Retired member who has not received a mailed ballot? | Fred Klonsky

coopmike48 at Big Education Ape - 2 hours ago
Are you an IEA Retired member who has not received a mailed ballot? | Fred Klonsky: Are you an IEA Retired member who has not received a mailed ballot? by Fred Klonsky I’m out of town for a family wedding this weekend. I wasn’t going to say much. But I have received messages from some IEA Retired members saying that they have not received their ballots for NEA RA delegate. The deadline for getting them back is April 24th. They are contacting me because they want to vote for me. I appreciate that. But I can’t get them a ballot. Only the IEA can. But since these are votes for me, I have ... more »

Chinese Investing Big Bucks in Florida Charter Schools | Crooks and Liars

coopmike48 at Big Education Ape - 2 hours ago
Chinese Investing Big Bucks in Florida Charter Schools | Crooks and Liars: Chinese Investing Big Bucks in Florida Charter Schools By karoli ENLARGE [image: rickscottcharterschool.jpg] United States immigration laws met Florida charter schools, and it was love at first sight. Via Miami Today News: Investment money is pouring into Florida from wealthy Chinese who find that Florida has exactly what they are looking for — and what they need to secure US green cards. Chinese investors are taking advantage of the EB-5 investment visa program, the so-called "green card via red carpet," by... more »

Chicago Schools Segregation Then and Now

coopmike48 at Big Education Ape - 3 hours ago
*Chicago Schools Segregation Then and Now* * * *A look at the strained race relations in Chicago under Mayor Richard J. Daley and Mayor Rahm Emanuel* * * * *

Oakland Unified Chief Tony Smith resigns to be with family in Chicago - San Jose Mercury News

coopmike48 at Big Education Ape - 3 hours ago
Oakland Unified Chief Tony Smith resigns to be with family in Chicago - San Jose Mercury News: Oakland Unified Chief Tony Smith resigns to be with family in Chicago By Angela Woodall Oakland Tribune Posted: 04/05/2013 12:00:05 PM PDT Updated: 04/05/2013 12:43:52 PM PDT Click photo to enlarge Oakland School District Superintendent Tony Smith speaks during an Oakland Unified School... From the Education Report blog - Smith: "This is our work over the next 10 years " OAKLAND -- Oakland Unified School Superintendent Tony Smith announced his resignation today after nearly four ye... more »

Diane in the Evening 4-5-13 Diane Ravitch's blog | A site to discuss better education for all

coopmike48 at Big Education Ape - 3 hours ago
Diane Ravitch's blog | A site to discuss better education for all: An Apology to Michelle Rhee by dianerav Yesterday I participated in the first day of Occupy the DOE, where parents and teachers spoke out against DOE policies that demand high-stakes testing and school closings. In my own presentation, I urged the DOE to stop its punitive policies and instead to follow the positive agenda of the Network for Public Education. According to an account I read later, an earlier speaker used offensive language, calling Michelle Rhee an “Asian bitch.” I was not there to hear it, but ... more »

CESAR CHAVEZ DE MARZO - MIEMBROS SCUSD COMUNIDAD DE MARCHA "LA EDUCACIÓN PÚBLICA PARA TODOS", ESPECIALMENTE EN NUESTRAS ESCUELAS pequeño barrio DIRIGIDA AL ABANDONO DE

coopmike48 at Big Education Ape - 4 hours ago
VIERNES, 05 DE ABRIL 2013 CESAR CHAVEZ DE MARZO - MIEMBROS SCUSD COMUNIDAD DE MARCHA "LA EDUCACIĂ“N PĂšBLICA PARA TODOS", ESPECIALMENTE EN NUESTRAS ESCUELAS pequeño barrio DIRIGIDA AL ABANDONO DE Favor considere unirse al contingente del MIEMBROS DE LA COMUNIDAD SCUSD MARCHA DE "EDUCACIĂ“N PĂšBLICA PARA TODOS", EXPECIALLY EN NUESTRAS ESCUELAS pequeño barrio DIRIGIDAS PARA CERRAR EL AĂ‘O QUE VIENE O EN UN AĂ‘O SIGUIENTE: Por favor, Ăşnase a nosotros en el esfuerzo de *recuperar, restaurar y renovar* la educaciĂłn pĂşblica. Es hora de *levantarse* y exigir la * rescisiĂłn* de los votos pa... more »

CESAR CHAVEZ MARCH - SCUSD COMMUNITY MEMBERS MARCHING FOR “PUBLIC EDUCATION FOR ALL”, ESPECIALLY IN OUR SMALL NEIGHBORHOOD SCHOOLS TARGETED FOR CLOSING

coopmike48 at Big Education Ape - 4 hours ago
PLEASE CONSIDER JOINING THE CONTIGENT OF SCUSD COMMUNITY MEMBERS MARCHING FOR “PUBLIC EDUCATION FOR ALL”, EXPECIALLY IN OUR SMALL NEIGHBORHOOD SCHOOLS TARGETED FOR CLOSING NEXT YEAR OR IN A FOLLOWING YEAR: Please join us in the effort to *Reclaim, Restore and Renew* public education. It is time to *Rise*up and demand the* Rescission* of the vote to close seven neighborhood schools. On the occasion of his recent birthday anniversary, Cesar Chavez's son-in-law and current UFW president shared: "... To give true meaning to his life and work, we — you and I — must be directly ... more »

Theresa Soares – Imagining Students as the Solution: Redefining Youth, Starting With ‘Our’ Stories Student Voice

coopmike48 at Big Education Ape - 5 hours ago
Student Voice: Theresa Soares – Imagining Students as the Solution: Redefining Youth, Starting With ‘Our’ Stories by Editor Admin The Huffington Post will be promoting various Student Voice articles prior to the *Student Voice Live! *summit on April 13th. The following is from *Theresa Soares*: In this world, everyone has a story. In the United States of America, everyone who has a story has the right to tell it. Our stories are the culmination of our social experiences which influence our future actions. For many, the voicing of their personal stories is the initiation of their ... more »

Will religious schools bring our public education system to its knees? On Grothman's private school tax credit and other repugnancies : blue cheddar

coopmike48 at Big Education Ape - 5 hours ago
Will religious schools bring our public education system to its knees? On Grothman's private school tax credit and other repugnancies : blue cheddar: Will religious schools bring our public education system to its knees? On Grothman’s private school tax credit and other repugnancies by bluecheddar “… no man shall be compelled to frequent or support any religious worship, place, or ministry whatsoever, nor shall be enforced, restrained, molested, or burthened in his body or goods, nor shall otherwise suffer on account of his religious opinions or belief; but that all men shall be f... more »

April is School Library Month! — Whole Child Education

coopmike48 at Big Education Ape - 5 hours ago
April is School Library Month! — Whole Child Education: THE WHOLE CHILD BLOG [image: Kristen Pekarek]April is School Library Month! April 5, 2013 by Kristen Pekarek [image: AASL - School Library Month] School libraries are critical to every child's education and career—with nearly 31 million elementary, middle, and high school students relying on school library services each week. This April, join whole child partner American Association of School LibrariansSchool Library Month. The month-long celebration will showcase the vital role and resources school libraries provide to student... more »

UPDATE: Seattle Schools Community Forum: Seattle Schools Updates

coopmike48 at Big Education Ape - 6 hours ago
Seattle Schools Community Forum: Seattle Schools Updates: Seattle Schools Updates by Melissa Westbrook A story from KPLU about the Rainier Beach High School's new IB program. It's a good one. From SPS: Seattle Public Schools is seeking applicants for a newly formed Native American Advisory Committee. The committee will advise Superintendent JosĂ© Banda on implementing Native American Education in Seattle Public Schools. It will be composed of Native families, Native community representatives, Native SPS staff, Native higher education representatives and Native students who re... more »

4LAKids - some of the news that doesn't fit: PARENT TRIGGER GROUP RECOMMENDS LAUSD TAKES OVER FAILING LAUSD SCHOOL

coopmike48 at Big Education Ape - 6 hours ago
4LAKids - some of the news that doesn't fit: PARENT TRIGGER GROUP RECOMMENDS LAUSD TAKES OVER FAILING LAUSD SCHOOL: PARENT TRIGGER GROUP RECOMMENDS LAUSD TAKES OVER FAILING LAUSD SCHOOL ●●smf: This article is a-little-more-than-somewhat misleading - *sometimes the spin makes the reporters dizzy.* The recommendation of the 24th St Parents Union is a “recommendation” – *not * the final parent vote. The LA Parent Union is an unholy owned subsidiary of ®eform Inc., *the Broad/Gates/WalMart/Charter School Kool-Aid is dispensed by the hogshead at every meeting!* BY BEAU YARBROUGH | SAN... more »

Georgia students fight segregated proms

coopmike48 at Big Education Ape - 6 hours ago
Georgia students fight segregated proms: *Georgia students fight segregated proms* Posted by Valerie Strauss on April 5, 2013 at 11:09 am [image: (Credit: WSAV)] Students from Wilcox County High School who are fighting to have an integrated prom. (Screengrab from a video by WSAV) This seems hard to believe in 2013, but students at Wilcox County High School in Georgia have long held segregated proms — one for blacks and one for whites. This year a group of black and white teens who have been friends for years are fighting for a fully integrated prom. But it hasn’t been easy. Chann... more »

What is it about Teachers that makes them targets? | My Island View

coopmike48 at Big Education Ape - 7 hours ago
What is it about Teachers that makes them targets? | My Island View: What is it about Teachers that makes them targets? by tomwhitby People who know me understand that I have hot buttons that set me off when it comes to certain topics of education. That would actually encompass a huge number of topics including the rights of teachers. As I scanned the news channels last week, I came upon a story covering a teacher strike in one of the urban districts of the U.S. The reporter covering the event kept repeating and repeating a single line during his coverage that just set me off. “The... more »

FCMAT » Cali Education Headlines Friday, April 5, 2013

coopmike48 at Big Education Ape - 7 hours ago
FCMAT » Fiscal Crisis & Management Assistance Team: Fensterwald: Brown’s funding plan faces vigorous review – and speed bump Education Headlines *Friday, April 5, 2013* Natomas district bus driver takes autistic boy to wrong schoolA Sacramento mother said she felt panic Tuesday after learning that a substitute bus driver for the Natomas Unified School District dropped her 6-year-old autistic son at the wrong elementary school. Claremont school district could send layoff notices to five classified employees; denies charter school requestClaremont Unified School District board membe... more »

Seven moments in UFT history possibly more pivotal than this one | Hechinger Report

coopmike48 at Big Education Ape - 7 hours ago
Seven moments in UFT history possibly more pivotal than this one | Hechinger Report: Seven moments in UFT history possibly more pivotal than this one by Sarah Darville [image: Seven moments in UFT history possibly more pivotal than this one] Even as many unions nationwide are struggling to retain their clout, the United Federation of Teachers is still flexing considerable muscle in New York City. But with a teacher evaluation deal still up in the air and Mayor Michael Bloomberg's last months in office approaching, the teachers union is nonetheless at a crossroads. Just how much the ... more »

Wrecking physical ed: Ohio’s P.E. assessment for kids

coopmike48 at Big Education Ape - 8 hours ago
Wrecking physical ed: Ohio’s P.E. assessment for kids: Wrecking physical ed: Ohio’s P.E. assessment for kids Posted by Valerie Strauss on April 5, 2013 at 10:06 am [image: gym]On the list of absurdities connected to the national trend of evaluating teachers by student achievement are situations where, for example, teachers are assessed on the standardized test scores of students they didn’t have. Here’s an addition to the list: The physical education assessment tool that Ohio physical education teachers will use to evaluate their students. Students had been evaluated in the past in ... more »

Christian Roots of School Voucher Movement Still Pretty Obvious | Mother Jones

coopmike48 at Big Education Ape - 8 hours ago
Christian Roots of School Voucher Movement Still Pretty Obvious | Mother Jones: Christian Roots of School Voucher Movement Still Pretty Obvious —By Kevin Drum | Thu Apr. 4, 2013 10:20 AM PDT 121 - - The hits just keep coming from the Tennessee legislature. This time it's the sudden realization that if you provide state money to religious schools, you can't just limit it to Christian schools: In Tennessee, [] a plan to transfer taxpayer money to religious academies is running into trouble as GOP lawmakers slowly realize that all religions will be eligible for public f... more »

UPDATE: Whoa there…Let’s try telling the truth… + The Dan to Dannel transformation on the most important education lawsuit in Connecticut history - Wait, What?

coopmike48 at Big Education Ape - 9 hours ago
The Dan to Dannel transformation on the most important education lawsuit in Connecticut history - Wait, What?: Whoa there…Let’s try telling the truth… by jonpelto *The CTMirror has a “must read” follow up story about Governor Malloy’s “request” to interview and select a finalist for the position of President of the Connecticut Board of Regents.* In the article, the CTMirror reports that, “The governor’s spokesman, Andrew Doba, said the interviews aren’t unusual. He noted that the University of Connecticut trustees in late 2010 allowed then-Governor-elect Malloy to interview final... more »

The Intersection Between the Common Core and School Culture | LFA: Join The Conversation - Public School Insights

coopmike48 at Big Education Ape - 9 hours ago
The Intersection Between the Common Core and School Culture | LFA: Join The Conversation - Public School Insights: The Intersection Between the Common Core and School Culture by National Association of Elementary School Principals *By Gail Connelly, Executive Director of the National Association of Elementary School Principals (NAESP)* Communications scholar Marshall McLuhan once said, "We don't know who discovered water, but we know it wasn't the fish." Water shapes a fish's existence so profoundly — and, swimming right in the middle of it, the fish can't grasp how water impacts th... more »

“your very existence is an act of rebellion” – @ the chalk face

coopmike48 at Big Education Ape - 10 hours ago
“your very existence is an act of rebellion” – @ the chalk face: “your very existence is an act of rebellion” by Barbara Madeloni [image: @TCF on Blog Talk Radio] We’ve been clanging the warning bells in higher education for years, maybe this story about computer scoring of essays as a way to *improve *students’ writing will get the attention of our colleagues in the academy. Like all of the data driven, computer based instruction that is being sold to us/imposed on us, this is dangerous in so many ways. We know that this eliminates jobs while increasing profits for corporations. ... more »

MORNING UPDATE LISTEN TO DIANE RAVITCH 4-5-13 Diane Ravitch's blog | A site to discuss better education for all

coopmike48 at Big Education Ape - 11 hours ago
Diane Ravitch's blog | A site to discuss better education for all: [image: Click on picture to Listen to Diane Ravitch] Anthony Cody: Can We Trust Bill Gates? by dianerav Anthony Cody read Bill Gates’ article in the Washington Post, in which he said it is time to reduce the emphasis on high-stakes testing. Anthony wondered if Gates means it. Anthony writes: “No one in America has done more to promote the raising of stakes for test scores in education than Bill Gates….You can read his words…, but his actions have spoken so much more loudly, that I cannot even make sense out of what ... more »

Even in Victory, Trujillo Misrepresents Opposition to Parent Trigger | Scathing Purple Musings

coopmike48 at Big Education Ape - 11 hours ago
Even in Victory, Trujillo Misrepresents Opposition to Parent Trigger | Scathing Purple Musings: Even in Victory, Trujillo Misrepresents Opposition to Parent Trigger by Bob Sikes The most surprising news from yesterday’s passage of Parent Trigger (HB 867) in the that they Florida House was that there were seven republican votes against it in the final 68-51 tally. What wasn’t surprising was that bill sponsor, Carlos Trujillo, continued with his dubious rhetoric. From *Palm Beach Post *reporter John Kennedy: A “parent-trigger” bill pushed by former Gov. Jeb Bush was among several ... more »

Reading between the lines: Florida’s retention program is not worth replicating | Get Schooled

coopmike48 at Big Education Ape - 11 hours ago
Reading between the lines: Florida’s retention program is not worth replicating | Get Schooled: Reading between the lines: Florida’s retention program is not worth replicating by Maureen Downey Paul Thomas, a Furman University associate professor of education, writes about range of education issues, including the push in South Carolina to follow Florida’s retention policy. This is *his second appearance on the Get Schooled blog*, but you can read more of his stuff at his “becoming radical” blog. Thomas sent me this opinion column on the issue of retention. Retention is still one... more »

Mike Klonsky's SmallTalk Blog: Talk on the street

coopmike48 at Big Education Ape - 11 hours ago
Mike Klonsky's SmallTalk Blog: Talk on the street: Talk on the street by Mike Klonsky Congressmen Danny Davis and Bobby Rush lead walking tour to dramatize the daily trip students will have to make to their receiving school. Safety is a major concern of parents around the proposed closings. LOOK OUT KID, THEY KEEP IT ALL HID... A cabbie who works 125 Clark St. tells me that in addition to the latest round of closures, CPS plans to open 14 new high schools next year, of which 12 will be charters. One is actually called "Social Justice" (not to be confused with the real Greater La... more »

Why Was Atlanta's Beverly Hall Indicted For Racketeering While Michelle Rhee Won't Be? | Black Agenda Report

coopmike48 at Big Education Ape - 11 hours ago
Why Was Atlanta's Beverly Hall Indicted For Racketeering While Michelle Rhee Won't Be? | Black Agenda Report: Why Was Atlanta's Beverly Hall Indicted For Racketeering While Michelle Rhee Won't Be? Wed, 04/03/2013 - 10:27 — Bruce A. Dixon Printer-friendly version *By BAR managing editor Bruce A. Dixon* Atlanta's black former school superintendent and 34 other black teachers and administrators have been indicted for “racketeering” in a cheating scandal. Why aren't others like former DC Schools chancellor Michelle Rhee and her team indicted? Should we be rallying the racial w... more »

Ed Notes Online: Portelos Talk Show From Rubber Room: Lois Weiner, Minnesota Eductors Today

coopmike48 at Big Education Ape - 11 hours ago
Ed Notes Online: Portelos Talk Show From Rubber Room: Lois Weiner, Minnesota Eductors Today: Portelos Talk Show From Rubber Room: Lois Weiner, Minnesota Eductors Today by ed notes online Don't Tread On Educators Talk Show is back!!! Here is an interview I did with Professor Lois Weiner during lunch in the Rubber Room. Great talk with Lois. Mentioned unionism, MORE, along with a little Mulgrew and Unity and what they haven't done. Only my 430th day under investigation without being charged. Professor Weiner explains her views on why. http://wp.me/P31ecs-kK Email me if you are inte... more »

Brown’s funding plan faces vigorous review – and speed bump | EdSource Today

coopmike48 at Big Education Ape - 11 hours ago
Brown’s funding plan faces vigorous review – and speed bump | EdSource Today: Brown’s funding plan faces vigorous review – and speed bump - by John Fensterwald by John Fensterwald The chair of the Assembly Education Committee turned Gov. Jerry Brown’s comprehensive plan for education finance reform into bill form Thursday, ensuring that all aspects will get an extensive review, while raising the possibility that the plan may not pass in time to take effect July 1, as the governor wants. [image: Buchanan is worried that funding for some districts would stagnate while funding for o... more »

Are charter schools being milked by the Louisiana Department of Education? | Crazy Crawfish's Blog

coopmike48 at Big Education Ape - 11 hours ago
Are charter schools being milked by the Louisiana Department of Education? | Crazy Crawfish's Blog: Are charter schools being milked by the Louisiana Department of Education? by crazycrawfish A funny thing happened at a community organizing meeting I attended earlier this week. I was going there to meet with someone who was supposed to help me organize and mobilize an anti-student-data-sharing campaign, although I missed that person I made a few interesting contacts. I also heard a story that made me wonder if many charters are getting a bad rap, and being coerced into abusive re... more »

Daily Kos: Krugman: "The Urge to Purge"

coopmike48 at Big Education Ape - 11 hours ago
Daily Kos: Krugman: "The Urge to Purge": Krugman: "The Urge to Purge" by rss@dailykos.com (teacherken) This column is the Nobel Laureate's detailed explanation of why David Stockman is wrong in what Krugman calls "a mammoth screed," the former Reagan Budget director's “The Great Deformation.” Krugman begins by reminding us that when the Great Depression struck, When the Great Depression struck, many influential people argued that the government shouldn’t even try to limit the damage. Among these were Herbert Hoover's Secretary of the Treasury Andrew Mellon, whom he quotes as opi... more »

Mother Crusader: The Charter Circus Is Back In Town

coopmike48 at Big Education Ape - 11 hours ago
Mother Crusader: The Charter Circus Is Back In Town: The Charter Circus Is Back In Town by darciecima Step right up to the dais and get yourself a charter school!! That's Pastor Michael McDuffie. Much like Pastor Amir Khan at the Voorhees Town Hall, McDuffie was sitting right behind Governor Christie at the Paterson Town Hall; one of only seven to make it onto the dais. New Jersey's last round of charter applications was a stealth affair. With no suburban applications, and no big controversies, nobody paid much attention. Well, except me of course... But mark my words, this ro... more »

NYC Educator: Who Puts Children First, Always?

coopmike48 at Big Education Ape - 11 hours ago
NYC Educator: Who Puts Children First, Always?: Who Puts Children First, Always? by NYC Educator I continue to be amazed at the depths reformy folks will sing when personally attacking their critics. Now, if you send your kid to a private school, you have no right to criticize charters. This is the new paradigm because charters are the "choice" you get if you aren't rich. Some choice. I should send my kid to some heavily regiment test prep factory instead of a public school. I went to a Gotham Schools fundraiser where I watched films by Doug Lemov. One showed the amazing teacher wh... more »

Accountability for Mr. Gates: The Billionaire Philanthropist Evaluation - Living in Dialogue - Education Week Teacher

coopmike48 at Big Education Ape - 17 hours ago
Accountability for Mr. Gates: The Billionaire Philanthropist Evaluation - Living in Dialogue - Education Week Teacher: Accountability for Mr. Gates: The Billionaire Philanthropist Evaluation by Anthony Cody Bill Gates, who is more responsible than anyone for the absurd evaluations by which teachers are now being held accountable, had the gall to write this week in a tone of exasperation about the results of his own advocacy for these very practices. Yesterday I asked when Mr. Gates, the great enthusiast for accountability for others, might hold himself accountable for his own hand... more »

The Educated Reporter: Is Public School Activist's Status as Private School Parent Relevant?

coopmike48 at Big Education Ape - 19 hours ago
The Educated Reporter: Is Public School Activist's Status as Private School Parent Relevant?: Is Public School Activist's Status as Private School Parent Relevant? by Emily Richmond There are plenty of education activists who aren’t also parents of school-aged children. But when parents opt for private school, does that diminish their standing as advocates for public education? It’s a familiar debate that’s in the spotlight this week in New York City, after it was learned that well-known education activist Leonie Haimson opted to put her younger child in private school. (She has ... more »

Politics K-12 - Education Week

coopmike48 at Big Education Ape - 19 hours ago
Politics K-12 - Education Week: U.S. Dept. of Ed. Protesters Turn Fierce Rhetoric on 'Corporate' Reform *Washington* * * ** * * As they kicked off four days of protests at the U.S. Department of Education, organizers of Occupy DOE 2.0 today used inflammatory—and, in one case, racially insulting—rhetoric to rally opposition against high-stakes testing, "corporate" education reform, and the "dismantling of public education." Standing in front of the Education Department's headquarters in downtown Washington, Miami-Dade County teacher Ceresta Smith referred to former District of Colum... more »

Governance in the School Trenches | Lefty Parent

coopmike48 at Big Education Ape - 19 hours ago
Governance in the School Trenches | Lefty Parent: Governance in the School Trenches by Cooper Zale [image: peter dewitt 2]My friend, Peter DeWitt, is a public elementary school principal in upstate New York. He is a thoughtful and caring person, and I think probably represents the best of his public school principal profession, and I think any of my teacher friends would be happy to have such a leader for their school. He writes a daily blog for Education Week magazine online, and his pieces generally wrestle with trying to be a humanistic educational leader within a bureaucratic ... more »

Intention-to-Treat Analysis: A Primer for Those Not In “The Stats Club” | deutsch29

coopmike48 at Big Education Ape - 20 hours ago
Intention-to-Treat Analysis: A Primer for Those Not In “The Stats Club” | deutsch29: Intention-to-Treat Analysis: A Primer for Those Not In “The Stats Club” by deutsch29 In Patrick Wolf’s work with other researchers on this study of late, *Student Attainment and the Milwaukee Parent Choice Program: A Final Follow-Up Analysis*, Wolf et al. use a statistical analysis know as the Intention-to-Treat (ITT) analysis. In this post, I will explain the analysis, discuss its original intended usage, and discuss its application to Wolf’s work, including limitations. This post is meant to s... more »

Jersey Jazzman: The Reformy Campaign Finance Machine: Over $1/4 Million and Rising!

coopmike48 at Big Education Ape - 20 hours ago
Jersey Jazzman: The Reformy Campaign Finance Machine: Over $1/4 Million and Rising!: The Reformy Campaign Finance Machine: Over $1/4 Million and Rising! by Duke *Dave, I wonder what all these people have in common...* My previous post about the secret, coordinated, reformy campaign finance machine is going viral, which is great: I'm hoping people read it and say: "Hey, I've seen those names before!" *Let me know if your local school district or your state legislative district has seen an influx of money from these reformy folks.* The sad truth is that, despite all the campaign di... more »

“FAILING SCHOOLS” | Teachers Fight Back

coopmike48 at Big Education Ape - 20 hours ago
“FAILING SCHOOLS” | Teachers Fight Back: “FAILING SCHOOLS” by alkleen “Failing schools” is an interesting phrase that I had never heard of up until a few years ago. Now it seems to be the most frequently used phrase of school reformers, teacher- bashers, teacher union bashers, and politicians. I constantly hear reformers say, “we’ve got to close our failing schools.” “We need more charter schools so those students that attend failing schools have somewhere else to go.” “Failing schools”, the very phrase leads one to believe that somehow a school building itself is responsible f... more »

Parents with power over L.A. school weigh their options - latimes.com

coopmike48 at Big Education Ape - 21 hours ago
Parents with power over L.A. school weigh their options - latimes.com: Parents with power over L.A. school weigh their options by By Howard Blume Parents with power over L.A. school weigh their options*The Real Question: Is Eli for Public Schools or Will he Privatize?* - By Howard Blume April 4, 2013, 5:46 p.m. About 50 parents on Thursday attended a presentation to help them decide who should run 24th Street Elementary School, a campus whose fate is in the hands of families who are trying to change the management of the school under the controversial parent trigger law.... more »

For Students, No Success Goes Unpunished | The Jose Vilson

coopmike48 at Big Education Ape - 22 hours ago
For Students, No Success Goes Unpunished | The Jose Vilson: For Students, No Success Goes Unpunished by JOSE VILSON on APRIL 4, 2013 [image: Oscar Wilde] Oscar Wilde It started from the first time teachers found out I could read above grade level. The kindergarten teacher, Ms. Greene, calls on some of her colleague to watch me read a book, where they marveled that I already knew how to enunciate words a few grades above grade level. My first grade teacher, Mrs. Klein, already heard about the wunderkind going to her class after an accidental switch to a bilingual class. She pulls me ... more »

Live Show REPLAY [livestream] Thu Apr 4 2013 01:16:27 PMon CaliFather - live streaming video powered by Livestream

coopmike48 at Big Education Ape - 23 hours ago
Live Show [livestream] Thu Apr 4 2013 01:16:27 PMon CaliFather - live streaming video powered by Livestream: [image: Channel Banner] [image: califather] Live Show [livestream] Thu Apr 4 2013 01:16:27 PM Created 6 hours ago on *califather* - Pop-out - Expand Premium Channel Now Broadcasting on this Channel[image: Now Broadcasting on this Channel] CaliFather[image: video thumbnail] - Watch and Chat Live Related Live Channels - - Live Now[image: video thumbnail]janelafalcao - *27* viewers - Live Now[image: video thumbnail]RobertChristianshow ... more »

Ed Notes Online: MORE Elem Ex Bd Cand Jia Lee Helps Sponsor Ed Forum at Earth School on Testing April 8

coopmike48 at Big Education Ape - 23 hours ago
Ed Notes Online: MORE Elem Ex Bd Cand Jia Lee Helps Sponsor Ed Forum at Earth School on Testing April 8: MORE Elem Ex Bd Cand Jia Lee Helps Sponsor Ed Forum at Earth School on Testing April 8 by ed notes online Why MORE has a future? Activists like Jia Lee who doesn't just talk about the problems with high stakes testing. A number of MORE teacher/parents and allies are opting out of tests in increasing numbers. The big events in Washington DC starting tomorrow will spark a national movement. Jia and her school are doing their part. Please join us as we discuss our questions, conc... more »

Bubble tests take on new meaning Parents United for Responsible Education

coopmike48 at Big Education Ape - 23 hours ago
Parents United for Responsible Education » Blog Archive » Bubble tests take on new meaning: Bubble tests take on new meaning by admin [image: gum_1775702c]When my sons were in school, they were fed“superdonuts” on test days to boost test scores. Now kids are supposed to chew gum for better test scores. I first read this in a column by Tribune writer John Keilman, who reported that his children’s Chicago-area school recommended sending them to school with gum and mints on test days. In an earlier article on the same subject, he found that in a study funded by the Wrigley Science I... more »

Reply to SCOE Board President Geeting The Sacramento Coalition to Save Public Education

coopmike48 at Big Education Ape - 23 hours ago
The Sacramento Coalition to Save Public Education: [image: Home] [image: slideshow 2] April 4, 2013 President Geeting: Thank you for catching that error in my letter of April 2 about the Fortune School location. I meant to say that SCOE approved the re-zoning of the location without input from the public in Elk Grove. You are correct in stating that the Aspire case dealt with a statewide benefit charter--I did mention that in my letter. I wrote that the situations with Aspire and the Fortune school charter were analogous. However, I didn't quote you in my letter. I paraphrased a... more »

9-year-old Orlando boy with severe disabilities forced to take state-mandated test | News - Home

coopmike48 at Big Education Ape - 1 day ago
9-year-old Orlando boy with severe disabilities forced to take state-mandated test | News - Home: 9-year-old Orlando boy with severe disabilities forced to take state-mandated testFla. rep. pushes to change law to eliminate state testing for special needs students Author: Sheli Muniz, Reporter, smuniz@wkmg.com Published On: Apr 04 2013 04:44:15 PM EDT Updated On: Apr 04 2013 06:21:35 PM EDT video platformvideo managementvideo solutionsvideo player ORLANDO, Fla. - A 9-year-old blind boy with severe disabilities is being forced to take a state-mandated test, despite his special ... more »

Special Diane in DC 4-4-13 Diane Ravitch's blog | A site to discuss better education for all

coopmike48 at Big Education Ape - 1 day ago
Diane Ravitch's blog | A site to discuss better education for all: *Diane Ravitch* 3h *In DC with Ceresta Smith of Florida and Karran Harper Royal of NĂ©w Orleans *pic.twitter.com/VlEamGq441 More: Texas Legislature Turns Down Vouchers by dianerav Read here for first summary. Will post again when new stories available. Breaking News: Vouchers Fail in Texas! by dianerav Wayne Slater, senior political writer for the Dallas Morning News, tweeted this: @WayneSlater Put a fork in school vouchers in Texas — ban on taxpayer money for private schools passes overwhelming in conservative ... more »

The business of education in Wisconsin

coopmike48 at Big Education Ape - 1 day ago
The business of education in Wisconsin: The business of education in Wisconsin from Dailycensored.com by Danny Weil [image: Governor of Wisconsin Scott Walker and the business of educational reform] From: *The Progessive* http://progressive.org/education.html On August 30 the newly-formed School and District Accountability Design Team held the first of five meetings on the UW-Madison campus. The Design Team is led by “Quad-Chairs” Governor Scott Walker, Senator Luther Olsen, chair of the Senate Education Committee, Representative Steve Kestell, chair of the Assembly Education Com... more »

DIARY OF A PUBLIC SCHOOL TEACHER!: "Ed Reformers" Are Bullies:They Know Who to Pick On!

coopmike48 at Big Education Ape - 1 day ago
DIARY OF A PUBLIC SCHOOL TEACHER!: "Ed Reformers" Are Bullies:They Know Who to Pick On!: "Ed Reformers" Are Bullies:They Know Who to Pick On! from DIARY OF A PUBLIC SCHOOL TEACHER! by Lisa M [image: bullying at school] As an educator, I have to deal with bullies every year. There's a pattern that I have noticed in every instance. They know who to pick on. They find the weakest kids, the kids who won't tell, the kids who, most likely, won't fight back. *See the connection?* When I first read Diane Ravitch's post about Tennessee cutting 30% of welfare benefits if their children ... more »

Emotions running high in Atlanta Public School cheating scandal

coopmike48 at Big Education Ape - 1 day ago
Emotions running high in Atlanta Public School cheating scandal: Emotions running high in Atlanta Public School cheating scandal Atlanta : GA : USA | Apr 04, 2013 at 5:37 AM PDT BY Harold Michael Harvey, J. D. [image: send a private message][image: SelectMedia] 40 VIEWS: 4,875 [image: Shirley Franklin] [image: Back] 1 of 4 [image: Next] Former Atlanta Mayor Shirely Franiklin weighs in on the Atlanta Public School Cheating Scandal [image: Atlanta School System Caught in Epic Cheating Scandal] Emotions are running at a fever pitch in the southern Piedmont area of Georgia. One by one, w... more »

UPDATE: “Hell Raiser”: Fred Klonsky

coopmike48 at Big Education Ape - 1 day ago
Roger and me. | Fred Klonsky: IEA Retired Skokie “Hell Raiser” chapter is ready to go. by Fred Klonsky [image: 20130404-172420.jpg] Roger and me. by Fred Klonsky Popout. When I read yesterday that Roger Ebert announced he would no longer do any more writing, I figured the writing was already on the wall. I posted this on Facebook yesterday. *I wish Roger Ebert the best of luck in fighting the latest illness. I was lucky enough to take two film classes with Ebert about a dozen years ago. One was a survey of 10 significant films that included some I’d seen, and a few I’d never seen.... more »