Latest News and Comment from Education

Saturday, February 8, 2014

2-8-14 Ed Notes Online Week

Ed Notes Online
Ed Notes Online




UFT Dues Structure: Regressive for Everyone But Retirees
As to the calculated rate for teachers and other inservice groups, why should it be aligned to the salary of a near maximum teacher (i.e. 8B, L20) instead of being a percentage of a person's actual salary?... As to the pass throughs from the state and national unions, they are voted on at their respective conventions without direct membership approval.  Not the last point -- a chunk of the dues is
Newark Update: Cami Anderson Closes Schools While Still Engaging in Chris Christie-Like Thug Tactics
Newark parent leader arrested, jailed, after criticizing state plan to close schools....Before we get to that story there is this from a Newark teacher:Inclement Weather - Schools Closed February 5, 2014In the interest of the safety of our students, and due to hazardous weather conditions, all Newark Public Schools are CLOSED on Wednesday, February 5, 2014. All events, meetings and after school pr
Inside Buffalo: More Rumors on Rumore (Phil)
Even those trying to follow the NYSUT soap opera are emailing asking me wtf is going on because I seem to be nothing more than confusing them. But that is my job. Here is another dispatch from a credible source on the Buffalo Teachers Federation leader Phil Rumore's relationship with Dick Iannuzzi and why Rumore is leaning toward the Revive NYSUT/Mulgrew/UFT slate, which if you read some of my pos

FEB 05

Teachers Unite Sat. Feb 8: Restorative Justice and Teacher Unions: What are the connections?
I believe in the Restorative Justice model as an alternative to discipline models in schools. Teachers Unite is showing it can work.People accuse me of living in a dream world - I've never supported suspending kids or placing all the blame on kids for problems in schools. You know the argument -- "if I could just get rid of the scumbags, as one teacher" recently told me. I'm not interest
The Battle for NYSUT: Iannuzzi was made in 2005 and unmade in 2014 - By the same people
It's like they just found any warm body to run for president of a 600,000 member union... NYSUT member on Karen Magee...it’s a once-in-a-lifetime chance for any one of NYSUT’s nearly half-million members to make a leadership run. Oh, except the endorsement of NYSUT’s dominant internal caucus has already gone to sitting vice president Richard Iannuzzi, ensuring his election. Better luck in 2037! ..

FEB 04

Change the Stakes' Fred Smith Infiltrates Super Bowl Press Box, Little Mermaid and MORE
During NY Jet games I text my fellow Jet fans "turning point" -- usually with the Jets losing and often all too early in the game. Super Bowl night I texted "Turning Point" - after the first play.Saturday, at the MORE Than a Test Score awesome event organized by the amazing crew from MORE and Change the Stakes, testing guru Fred Smith pulled me aside and showed me his Media Acc
AndersonGate - Cami Anderson Uses Chris Christie Lane Closure Tactics in Snow Day Late School Closures
Newark Supt. Cami Anderson, who helped destroy the District 79 program here in NYC when she was Joel Klein's agent of destruction, is quickly turning into Michelle Rhee junior. Diane Ravitch points out today (Is Chris Christie’s Newark Superintendent Shaping the Mayoral Race?)as to how Anderson is affecting the race for Newark Mayor just as Rhee was responsible for the loss of her patron in Wash.
Randi Position on NYSUT Revealed in Interview
Randi Weingarten ‏@rweingarten  @perdidostschool-...if the divisiveness wasn't so sad, the blog post would be a fun piece of fiction to read cc: @NormScott1Thus Randi tweeted in response to PerdidoStSchool when he posted my contention that she is behind the entire thing. She contended the AFT was neutral -- note she said AFT not her -- parsing, as usual.So read this selection from a Capital Pro ar
Help The State Assembly Choose New Regents Who Oppose High-Stakes Testing
Remember, NYS Regents is headed by Merryl Tisch and they hired John King etc -- so if the 4 candidates win it limits her power and control -- By the way, the Staten Island candidate is Mike Reilly, a retired cop and pro true reform on education. Looking for a write in candidate for mayor and getting a pro-Reilly email I wrote in his name. Hope he wins this one -- remember, the state legislature vo

FEB 03

AndersonGate: Cami Anderson Last Minute Newark Schools Closing Endangers Children and Staff
Add Andersongate to Christie's list of misfortunes. Some students were already on the buses. What happens if the parents are not home when the children many of whom have special needs are dropped off? Some teachers traveled over an hour on slippery roads. Security guards were at their posts. Custodians were outside clearing walks. The crossing guard was in position. None of them knew school was cl
NYSUT Update: Kiev on the Hudson as Randi Plays Role of Ukraine President Yanukovych
Randi is behind the so-called NYSUT insurgency multiple and trusted sources have informed us. I don't have particulars but this info came in response to my comments the other day in this post (The Battle for NYSUT: Ebbs and Flows)While some think Randi must be behind the move of the UFT to take over NYSUT completely and totally (they pretty much have a lot of control now) this doesn't have her fin

FEB 02

Norm in The Wave: Three Weeks of the Good, the Bad, and the Ugly
Published January 31, 2014

FEB 01

[Teachersunite] Restorative Justice & Teacher Unions: Join us Feb 8th!
Featuring Alex Caputo-Pearl, candidate for President of the LA teachers union.Restorative Justice and Teacher Unions: What are the connections? How can organizing around restorative practices & social justice relate to union work at your school site? A panel & discussion with Union Power Caucus ofUnited Teachers Los Angeles (UTLA) Saturday, February 8, 2014Noon-2pm EST Teachers College525
The Battle for NYSUT: Ebbs and Flows
We have reports that a 100 locals have signed on to the Iannuzzi slate. You can track what is going on at their site - NYSUT - STRONGER TOGETHER - Home.While Phil Rumore's Buffalo may be leaning away from Iannuzzi, the article below show the other 3 cities -- Rochester, Syracuse and Yonkers may be on the fence.The bigger issue is whether a true resistance to a Mulgrew dominated NYSUT will grow out