http://www.southbronxschool.com: Teacher Depression in New York CityI have been reading MORE's demands for the new contract and find most of it pretty logical and to the point. But one thing is lacking.Where is the demand supporting teachers with mental health and substance abuse issues?We live in a country that;Major Depression Disorder affects approximately 14.8 million American adults, or about

Laurel Sturt: Time for Teachers to Stand Up to Professional Bullies - Living in Dialogue - Education Week Teacher: Laurel Sturt: Time for Teachers to Stand Up to Professional BulliesBy Anthony Cody on February 15, 2014 4:56 PMGuest post by Laurel Sturt.For as long as humanity has existed, feelings of insecurity and powerlessness have forged, in a crucible of inferiority, the cruelty which yet deni

Newark voters will decide–either Ras Baraka or Christie’s plan to close city’s public schools | Bob Braun's Ledger: Newark voters will decide–either Ras Baraka or Christie’s plan to close city’s public schoolsRas Baraka outside Weequahic HS. A real school choiceNewark’s voters  won’t be able to stop Gov. Chris Christie’s plan to close and sell off the city’s neighborhood public schools and expand

Charter School “Midyear Dump” Tactics | Teacher Reality: Charter School “Midyear Dump” TacticsFebruary 15, 2014 by TeacherRealityThis is an interesting must-read comment by one of Diane Ravitch’s readers. He talks about the “midyear dump” that often occurs in some charter schools as a means to improve the odds of school test scores. This is one of the games being played in Arne Duncan’s Race to th

Contact Wyoming House Education Committee on HB97 | Truth in American Education: Contact Wyoming House Education Committee on HB97Filed in Common Core State Standards, Education at State Level by Shane Vander Hart on February 15, 2014 • 0 Comments34From Wyoming Citizens Opposing Common Core:IMMEDIATE ACTION NEEDED: Now that HB 97 passed introduction. The Wyoming House Education committee will meet

Class Action: An Activist Teacher’s Handbook | The Classroom Sooth: Class Action: An Activist Teacher’s HandbookPosted on February 15, 2014 | Leave a commentThe newest Jacobin project features articles about the coordinated fight back against corporate-style education reform and all the damage it has done to our public school system.  I say without exaggeration, that it is some of the most cogent

Live at CATE: Are you an Upstander, a Bystander or a Victim? | Gatsby In L.A.: Live at CATE: Are you an Upstander, a Bystander or a Victim?Biggest takeaway at CATE: pretty much everyone seems in agreement that the Common Core standards, though not perfect, are full of exciting possibilities (as opposed to the Common Core tests, which are almost inevitably paired with the phrase “train wreck.”)All

Here's looking at you, kidsLove the name!

BIG EDUCATION APE 2ND BANANARECAP OF LAST WEEK'S BEST POSTRace to the Top Corporate Education Reform: A Page Out of IMF & World Bank Playbook?Race to the TopCorporate Education Reforms maybe the US version IMF and WB "structural adjustment policies". These policies were applied to the "Banana Republics" during the later part of the 20th century. Race to the Top has based ai

AASA :: AFT’s Weingarten Asks AASA to Join in Combat for Public Schooling: AFT’s Weingarten Asks AASA to Join in Combat for Public Schoolingby Lisa Fingeroot  Randi Weingarten, president, American Federation of Teachers.Teacher advocate Randi Weingarten issued a battle cry to AASA members Friday morning and asked them to join her in “reclaiming the promise of public education for each and every ch

BIG EDUCATION APE - MORNING WINK  AM POSTSBill Ayers and Bernardine Dohrn Spark Lively and Thoughtful Exchange on Rag RadioBill Ayers and Bernardine Dohrn Spark Lively and Thoughtful Exchange on Rag Radio: Bill Ayers and Bernardine Dohrn Spark Lively and Thoughtful Exchange on Rag RadioFriday, 14 February 2014 09:17By Thorne Dreyer, TheRagBlog | Interview2font size   Print EmailActivist-scholars B

Bill Ayers and Bernardine Dohrn Spark Lively and Thoughtful Exchange on Rag Radio: Bill Ayers and Bernardine Dohrn Spark Lively and Thoughtful Exchange on Rag RadioFriday, 14 February 2014 09:17By Thorne Dreyer, TheRagBlog | Interview2font size   Print EmailActivist-scholars Bill Ayers and Bernardine Dohrn, who were preeminent — and controversial — figures in the ’60s-’70s New Left, were our guest

V.A.M.: Value Added Measure: Humpty Dumpty Sat On a Wall (Courtesy of a Suburban Mother Goose)Below is an excerpt from one of two poems, referencing Greek mythology on a high-school PARCC Common-Core test (http://www.parcconline.org/computer-based-samples).Ovid's poem (and the subsequent one by Anne Sexton) captivate some audiences, but I doubt the selections will do much for my largely foreign-b

PBS News Admits Hidden Sponsor of Anti-Pension Series; Stops Coverage of Story | janresseger: PBS News Admits Hidden Sponsor of Anti-Pension Series; Stops Coverage of StoryPosted on February 15, 2014 by janressegerHere is a quick weekend update on an important development about media coverage of issues connected to school reform. This time the topic is so-called news coverage of public pensions, t

LA School Report - What's Really Going on Inside LAUSD (Los Angeles Unified School District):Defense tries hard to undermine an expert in Vergara trialArun Ramanathan was back on the stand. Arun Ramanathan, Executive Director of The Education Trust–West, a group that works for high academic achievement, returned to the witness stand today for more questions by the defense, aimed at undermining his

empathyeducates:Florida’s Race-Based Academic Goals Prompt Protest PetitionThe Florida Board of Education set different proficiency goals for different racial groups. (Palm Beach Post file photo) By Leslie Postal | The Orlando Sentinel. February 14, 2014 Florida’s race-based academic goals prompted controversy when they were adopted in 2012 — and now have sparked an online […]by empathy / 8h SPLC

Engaging Parents In School… | Going Beyond Parent "Involvement":Intriguing Early Ed Program Focuses On Latino Parents In ChicagoI’ve previously written several posts about the excellent parent engagement efforts by the Logan Square Neighborhood Association in Chicago. I’ve also written posts about a program for Latino parents of very young children called Abriendo Puertas/Opening Doors.

SKrashen:A bad solution to a non-existent problemSent to the New York Times, Feb. 14, 2014"The common core in New York" (Feb. 14) neglects to say that:The standards are untested.  There were no pilot studies. They come with a substantial increase in testing; research has indicated that increasing testing does not mean greater achievement.The new tests will cost a fortune because they mus

With A Brooklyn Accent:With A Brooklyn Accent Go BATs All WeekThe Romance Is Gone From Predatory School ReformDriving home from work today, I had an epiphany I wanted to share with you. And it is this. Even though terrible things are happening to teachers and students and families all over the nation, the Romance is gone from Predatory School Reform. It has been reduced to naked power, greed, and

Education - U.S. Congress - OpenCongress:Bill Introduced: H.R. 3927: To amend section 3716 of title 31, United States Code, to raise to at least the poverty line the amount of Social Security benefits that are exempt from being offset to satisfy student loan debt.To amend section 3716 of title 31, United States Code, to raise to at least the poverty line the amount of Social Security benefits that

Scathing Purple Musings | Color me purple in Florida, red in Washington, dark sky-blue in Israel and public school in Education:Scathing Purple Musings  Color me purple in Florida ALL WeekPam Stewart Snubs Teachers in Recognizing AP Success, ParticipationFrom an FDOE press release: Tallahassee, Fla., February 11, 2014 – Florida earned high marks for the percentage of graduates from the class of 20

Ms. Jablonski's Class Blog:Israel Denies Medical TreatmentIsrael denied about 50 permits for entry. The Gazans trying to enter were seeking medical care and were denied because the paperwork said "State of Palestine" at the top of the paper. Those with cases considered urgent were allowed entry, the other 50 so were denied. The letters were returned and told to be resubmitted in the prop

teacherken at Daily Kos:teacherken at Daily Kos This WeekMilbank gets it right on Cruz and companyin a column titled High cost of an ego trip, written after watching what Cruz put Republican senators through on raising the debt ceiling. A couple of relevant snips: Cruz’s ego trip had come at a high cost. He had forced McConnell, Sen. John Cornyn of Texas and other Republicans to cast votes that co

The Answer Sheet:All Week @ The Answer SheetHow ‘data walls’ in classrooms can humiliate young kidsA long time ago I had a math teacher at West Miami Junior High School who changed the seating arrangement in my class every week according to how well each of her students did on weekly exams. Given that math was  not one of my better subjects, this weekly exercise generally left me mortified with […

Mike Klonsky's SmallTalk Blog:Schooling in the Ownership SocietyMike Klonsky's SmallTalk Schooling in the Ownership SocietyIEA backs Dillard. He ALEC's go-to guy in ILThe union gave Dillard’s campaign $250,000¿ along with a cadre of political foot soldiers.Yes, you're reading this right. The Chicago Tribune reports that the IEA is backing Kirk Dillard, ALEC's top guy in Illinois, in the Republican

Wait What?:  Wait What? All WeekWho on earth would require HS juniors to take the Common Core Field Test in the spring?Ah….  Well… Governor Malloy, Commissioner of Education Stefan Pryor and their corporate education reform industry allies are doing exactly that. When it comes to these proponents of education reform, three of their favorite words tend to be “Common Core, “Standardized Testing,” an

Seattle Schools Community Forum:Seattle Schools Community ForumStudent Survey Coming about Teachers but Why?Several weeks back I became aware that some Seattle PTAs were working with the district, students on the Seattle Youth Commission, SPS Research, Evaluation & Assessment and "teachers associated with Teachers United" on a student survey. To whit via McClure PTA:--The work is to

Ed Notes Online: Ed Notes OnlineMills TA Calls on NYSUT to Lead Statewide Boycott of Grades 3-8 AssessmentWhile parents have been opting out, teacher organizations are beginning to revolt too. Can they pressure Iannuzzi to make this move? I'm guessing most likely not. When the Mulgrew pro-Cuomo team wins, NO CHANCE. Before you read the resolution check this sample Common Core 1st Grade Question. I

Jersey Jazzman:Jersey Jazzman Jammin' All WeekChris Cerf's Top Ten Reformy MomentsThe resignation of former Acting Commissioner of Education Chris Cerf deserves a contemplative and appropriately serious response.Until then, I present...Chris Cerf's Top Ten Reformy Moments!#10: That's Not A Knife; THIS Is a Knife!Some more insight into Cerf's world:chewytrain Dale Chu @Chiefs4Change Chris Cerf: &qu

Fred Klonsky | Daily posts from a retired public school teacher who is just looking at the data.: Fred All Week Klonsky | Daily posts from a retired public school teacherGlen Brown. Choosing Dillard is a sad state of affairs- Glen Brown “…According to [IEA President Cinda] Klickna, who spent more than 30 years as a high school English teacher, ‘Senator Dillard has consistently shown that he values

Perdido Street School: Perdido Street School WeekDe Blasio Has His Work Cut Out For HimEverywhere I went today, I kept hearing variations on the same theme:De Blasio is an idiot.Heard it at Starbucks, heard it on the train, heard it in the elevator in my building, heard it at work - de Blasio is in over his head, we miss Bloomberg.In the past, I might have defended Mayor de Blasio and pointed out

THE BECOMING RADICALRadical ScholarshipEMPATHYEDUCATES!the becoming radical  A Place for a Pedagogy of Kindness by Living and Learning in Perpetual CrisisLiving and Learning in Perpetual Crisis.1 by plthomasedd / 1h No Excuses?: Giving Power a PassNo Excuses?: Giving Power a Pass1 by plthomasedd / 1h remnant 54: “it starts with an earthquake”remnant 54: “it starts with an earthquake”.1 by plthomas

4LAKids - some of the news that doesn't fit:4LAKIDS - SOME OF THE NEWS THAT DOESN'T FIT  THE VIRAL PHOTO OF THE FRUSTRATED GIRL: Don’t blame it on Common Core …It’s the Worst Job in the World!This photo has been going around on the web for a day or two …going viral: The photo shows a frustrated 7-year-old girl in tears and anguish after she is unable to solve a math equation using the suggested pr

Larry Ferlazzo’s Websites of the Day… | …For Teaching ELL, ESL, & EFLLARRY FERLAZZO’S WEBSITES OF THE DAYMore Reasons Why Our Students Should Continue Their Academic CareerHere are new additions to The Best Resources For Showing Students Why They Should Continue Their Academic Career: Wage Premium From College Is Said to Be Up is from The New York Times. Going To College May Cost You, But So W

Education Research ReportTHIS WEEK'S EDUCATION RESEARCH REPORTHigh School Students Who Experience “Job-Shadow” Opportunities in STEM Environments, More Likely to Consider a STEM Career PathStudents exposed directly to work environments in science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) fields are more likely to decide to follow paths that will lead to such careers, according to the findings of “V

Schools Matter:  Schools Matter All WeekNo Excuses?: Giving Power a PassNo Excuses?: Giving Power a Pass*"After several decades of rigorous effort, it is fair to say that the majority of our attention in political science has been given to interstate war and civil war," explains Christian Davenport, adding:I would say that it would be interesting to count the number of articles over the

@ THE CHALK FACE knows SCHOOLS MATTER: All Week @ THE CHALK FACE Living and Learning in Perpetual CrisisLiving and Learning in Perpetual Crisis* What do the fiscal cliff and Common Core (CC) have in common? For the answer consider this scenario: An arsonist sets a home on fire, and then risks his life fighting the blaze—but the house eventually succumbs to the flames. The media and the public prai

Diane Ravitch's blogLISTEN TO DIANE RAVITCH ALL WEEK LONGDIANE RAVITCH'S BLOGPeter Greene: Pearson Press Release, 2015:Peter Greene, a high school English teacher in Pennsylvania, has concocted a press release by Pearson, issued soon after it purchased the U.S. Department of Education in 2015. In this press release, Pearson announces the release of the Common Core 2.0. Here is a sample: “*We’re pr

Proclamation from SCTA and SEIU 1021 on CORE NCLB Waiverhttp://sacteachers.org/wp-content/uploads/proclamation.pdf

Portland teachers strike: Leaders cautiously optimistic, workload and salary among key unresolved issues | OregonLive.com: Portland teachers strike: Leaders cautiously optimistic, workload and salary among key unresolved issuesGrant High School teachers gathered their belongings ahead of the long holiday weekend in case the union goes on strike late next week. Portland Public Schools and union lea

4LAKids - some of the news that doesn't fit: THE VIRAL PHOTO OF THE FRUSTRATED GIRL: Don’t blame it on Common Core …It’s the Worst Job in the World!This photo has been going around on the web for a day or two …going viral: The photo shows a frustrated 7-year-old girl in tears and anguish after she is unable to solve a math equation using the suggested problem-solving method. “I’m a photographer,”

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 CAPNew Jersey’s Occupied School Districts » CounterPunch: Tells the Facts, Names the NamesNew Jersey’s Occupied School Districts » CounterPunch: Tells the Facts, Names the Names: New Jersey’s Occupied School Districtsby MICHELLE RENEE MATISONS and S