Latest News and Comment from Education

Wednesday, February 19, 2014

Nite Cap 2-19-14 #BATsACT #RealEdTalk #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



The education reform compromise heard round the US - CSMonitor.com
The education reform compromise heard round the US - CSMonitor.com: The education reform compromise heard round the USTo fix New Haven’s failing schools, the teachers union and mayor forged a rare compromise – a model for school districts and unions across the country in how to confront major challenges facing public education, without blaming each other, resisting change, or fighting in the stree
2-19-14 Ed Notes Online Week
Ed Notes Online: UFT/NYSUT NYSUT: History of Cozying Up to Anti-union Politicians is not newHow Revive NYSUT lies:The tax cap was a terrible mistake. NYSUT waiting almost two full years, just two days prior to the expiration date, to file a lawsuit was irresponsible at best and did great harm. We will fight to get rid of the tax cap completely.  Who was in charge of the NYSUT legislative program?
NEA President: We Need a Course Correction on Common Core | NEA Today
NEA President: We Need a Course Correction on Common Core | NEA Today: NEA President: We Need a Course Correction on Common CoreFebruary 19, 2014 by twalker  Filed under Common Core State Standards, Featured News, Top StoriesLeave a CommentBy Dennis Van RoekelDuring my 23 years as a high school math teacher, I learned some important lessons.  One of the most important was that effective teaching a
Paul Horton: Will Liberal Arts be Saved by the Common Core? - Living in Dialogue - Education Week Teacher
Paul Horton: Will Liberal Arts be Saved by the Common Core? - Living in Dialogue - Education Week Teacher: Paul Horton: Will Liberal Arts be Saved by the Common Core?By Anthony Cody on February 19, 2014 12:04 PMGuest post by Paul Horton.The most valuable course I had in high school was a yearlong Humanities course. My teacher taught us philosophy, art history, music history, literature, and politi
What do Americans want for their schools? Choice, yes. Charters, not so much | HechingerEd Blog
What do Americans want for their schools? Choice, yes. Charters, not so much | HechingerEd Blog: What do Americans want for their schools? Choice, yes. Charters, not so muchWhat’s a charter school? Or the Common Core? A new poll out today suggests many Americans are unfamiliar with the hottest topics in the education world, and that they’d rather trust their local schools and teachers—not the fede
2-18-14 THE WHOLE CHILD BLOG - Throughout February and March: Building School Morale
Throughout February and March: Building School Morale — Whole Child Education: THE WHOLE CHILD BLOGThroughout February and March: Building School MoraleFebruary 19, 2014 by Klea ScharbergEducators working in a positive school culture experience collegiality, trust, and tangible support as leaders and peers, creating an environment where there are high expectations, involvement in decision making,
2/19/2013 – When Being ‘For The Kids’ Really Isn’t
2/19/2013 – When Being ‘For The Kids’ Really Isn’t:  February 19, 2014 SubscribeTHIS WEEK: Pre-K And Wealth Redistribution … Effects Of Disadvantaged Students … Guards Outnumber Educators … Big Fights Over Tests … Value Of High School Exit ExamsTOP STORYWhen Being ‘For The Kids’ Doesn’t Do Much GoodBy Jeff Bryant“Much in the same way policy leaders have resorted to duck-and-cover drills as a way p
Star-Ledger: Baraka the threat vs Jeffries the scholar. Yikes. | Bob Braun's Ledger
Star-Ledger: Baraka the threat vs Jeffries the scholar. Yikes. | Bob Braun's Ledger: Star-Ledger: Baraka the threat vs Jeffries the scholar. Yikes.I’ve taught journalism at a variety of colleges in New Jersey and I can’t resist offering lessons in the craft now that I have my own blog. Today’s lesson is how to deal with claims of objectivity, especially from main stream media.First, this: I am not
Suspension of principal draws questions
Suspension of principal draws questions: Suspension of principal draws questionsTUESDAY, 18 FEBRUARY 2014 20:16 LOCAL TALK NEWS EDITOR 0 2 0 0 Questions remain on the "whys" and "hows" of five NPS elementary school principals' 48 hour suspensions by administrators Jan. 17-19 remain although three of the five have been reinstated.Lisa M. Brown, of the Ivy Hill Elementary School,
Study challenges charter schools' superiority | News Blog | Rochester City Newspaper
Study challenges charter schools' superiority | News Blog | Rochester City Newspaper: Study challenges charter schools' superiorityPOSTED BY TIM LOUIS MACALUSO ON TUE, FEB 18, 2014 AT 11:24 AMA new study seems to confirm what many traditional public school officials have been saying for years about student performance in charter schools: when all things are equal, traditional public schools and ch
SCUSD Exploring Ideas For Shuttered Schools - capradio.org
SCUSD Exploring Ideas For Shuttered Schools - capradio.org: SCUSD Exploring Ideas For Shuttered SchoolsBy  Marianne RussMore Sharing ServicesShare|Share on facebookShare on twitter|Andrew Nixon / Capital Public Radio    The Sacramento City Unified School district is getting closer to figuring out what to do with seven schools it closed recently due to declining enrollment.Permalink Tags: education
2-19-14 Schools Matter
Schools Matter: Common Core Voted Down Unanimously in Bradley County, TNBradley County Schools was the first school district to formally stand against linking teacher license renewal to Tennessee’s value-added assessment system, an outlandish idea that passed on October 17, 2013.  Pressure across the state built, and late last month the State Board of Education announced plans to shelve those plan
2-19-14 LA School Report - What's Really Going on Inside LAUSD
LA School Report - What's Really Going on Inside LAUSD (Los Angeles Unified School District): Morning Read: LAUSD board finds a liaison for open seatL.A. Unified names caretaker for vacant board seat The Los Angeles Board of Education on Tuesday appointed a former district administrator to oversee the seat left vacant by the death of member Marguerite Poindexter LaMotte in December. In a closed-do
Bachelor's degrees from California community colleges on horizon - San Jose Mercury News
Bachelor's degrees from California community colleges on horizon - San Jose Mercury News: Bachelor's degrees from California community colleges on horizonBy Katy Murphy and Paul Burgarino Staff WritersCalifornia's community college students could soon stay put -- and pay a lot less -- to earn what they thought they would have to go elsewhere to get: a four-year bachelor's degree.As the demand for
Founding Fathers and Floundering Fathers on Public Education
Founding Fathers and Floundering Fathers on  Public EducationWashington to Franklin, Adams and Jefferson, every one offered his ideas about the state of education and the best ways to build an informed citizenry — from the lowliest mechanic's son to the most exalted Harvard grad. Each called at least implicitly for public education.Jefferson wrote of his Virginia education plan in a letter to his
5 Reasons Your Portfolio Should be Online | Connected Principals
5 Reasons Your Portfolio Should be Online | Connected Principals: 5 Reasons Your Portfolio Should be Onlineby George Couros • February 19, 2014 • 0 Comments“My prediction is that in the next ten years, resumes will be less common, and your online presence will become what your resume is today, at all types and sizes of companies.” Dan Schawbel, 2011Having a conversation with teachers and administr
FCMAT » Fiscal Crisis & Management Assistance Team
FCMAT » Fiscal Crisis & Management Assistance Team: CalPERS decides to speed up rate increases for stateCalSTRS financial reforms could hit districts hardEducation HeadlinesWednesday, February 19, 2014FCMAT provides links to California K-12 news stories as a service to the industry. However, some stories may not be accessible because of newspapers' subscription policies.Desert Sands Unified Sc
Mike Klonsky's SmallTalk Blog: UIC STRIKE, DAY 2. BUSES ROLE TO SPRINGFIELD
Mike Klonsky's SmallTalk Blog: UIC STRIKE, DAY 2. BUSES ROLE TO SPRINGFIELD: UIC STRIKE, DAY 2. BUSES ROLE TO SPRINGFIELDHundreds of classes at the University of Illinois at Chicago were canceled Tuesday as part of the first faculty walkout in the school's history.While faculty march outside UIC, busloads of teachers, cops, firefighters and other public employees are on their way from Chicago to t
Chris Christie and Chris Cerf: Dismantling Equity in New Jersey’s Public Schools | janresseger
Chris Christie and Chris Cerf: Dismantling Equity in New Jersey’s Public Schools | janresseger: Chris Christie and Chris Cerf: Dismantling Equity in New Jersey’s Public SchoolsPosted on February 19, 2014 by janressegerLate last week New Jersey Spotlight, an online news service that covers information on issues critical to New Jersey, published an opinion piece by Mark Weber, Looking Closely at the
4LAKids - some of the news that doesn't fit 2-19-14
4LAKids - some of the news that doesn't fit: 13 Candidates File For Board District 1 Electionfrom CITY OF LOS ANGELES CLERK - ELECTION DIVISION by Order of  Filing Date  ||  2/18/2014  5:47 pm Final: MEMBER OF THE BOARD OF EDUCATION, DISTRICT NO. 1 DAVID EARLE MOCH  Educator GENETHIA HUDLEY-HAYES  Education Consultant GEORGE MCKENNA  Retired Principal/Superintendent HATTIE B. MCFRAZIER  Retired Ed
Morning Wink 2-19-14 AM Posts #BATsACT #RealEdTalk #EDCHAT #P2
BIG EDUCATION APE - MORNING WINK  AM POSTSLISTEN TO DIANE RAVITCH 2-19-14 Diane Ravitch's blog | A site to discuss better education for allDiane Ravitch's blog | A site to discuss better education for all: The Debate of the Decade Would be Schneider vs. Gates on CCSSMercedes Schneider recently wrote an open letter to Bill Gates. She is angry that he will be the keynote speaker for the National Boa
LISTEN TO DIANE RAVITCH 2-19-14 Diane Ravitch's blog | A site to discuss better education for all
Diane Ravitch's blog | A site to discuss better education for all: The Debate of the Decade Would be Schneider vs. Gates on CCSSMercedes Schneider recently wrote an open letter to Bill Gates. She is angry that he will be the keynote speaker for the National Board for Professional Teaching Standards. Let’s face it: Bill Gates has never taught and most of what he knows about education is wrong. Schn
2-19-14 Engaging Parents In School All Week… | Going Beyond Parent "Involvement"
Engaging Parents In School… | Going Beyond Parent "Involvement": Parent Involvement & The New Federal Discipline GuidelinesYou may have heard about the new school discipline guidelines issued by the federal government last month (see Holder, Duncan announce national guidelines on school discipline from The Washington Post). I didn’t really notice it at the time, but apparently there
2-19-14 @ The Chalk Face
@ THE CHALK FACE: Three Poems: For Jordan Davis and Trayvon MartinThree Poems: For Jordan Davis and Trayvon Martin. via Three Poems: For Jordan Davis and Trayvon Martin.1 by plthomasedd / 7min  2-18-14 @ The Chalk Face@ THE CHALK FACE: The Analogy, Hyperbole Problem: “With explanation kind” (Tone, pt. 5)The Analogy, Hyperbole Problem: “With explanation kind” (Tone, pt. 5). via The Analogy, Hyperbo
2-19-14 the becoming radical | A Place for a Pedagogy of Kindness by P. L. Thomas, EdD
the becoming radical | A Place for a Pedagogy of Kindness (the public and scholarly writing by P. L. Thomas, Furman University): Three Poems: For Jordan Davis and Trayvon Martincriminal acts (black&white) — justice — hoods (justice pt. 2)by plthomasedd / 6min 2-18-14 the becoming radical | A Place for a Pedagogy of Kindness by P. L. Thomas, EdDthe becoming radical | A Place for a Pedagogy of K
2-19-14 Wait What?
Wait What?: Connecticut Education Committee members hear from a CT educatorA number of Connecticut legislators have told constituents that Governor Malloy and Commissioner Stefan Pryor are implementing education policies that are very different from what they were told during the 2012 debate that lead up to the passage of Malloy’s “education reform” legislation. Here is a letter that James D. Trif
2-19-14 The Answer Sheet
The Answer Sheet: How children learn to readHow do children really learn to read? Answering that question is  Joanne Yatvin, a past president of the National Council of Teachers of English who now supervises student teachers for Portland State University. She also writes books for teachers. By Joanne Yatvin A few months before my fifth birthday my parents enrolled me in kindergarten.  […]    9 by
2-19-14 Seattle Schools Community Forum
Seattle Schools Community Forum: Washington State Legislature Gets Busy on Education BillsMajor news on two important education bills in the Legislature.First, the State Senate REJECTED a teacher-evaluation bill that would have changed using student test scores in teacher evaluations from "can" to "must" because the feds wanted that change.  The feds were using - as a carrot or
2-19-14 Scathing Purple Musings | Color me purple in Florida ALL Week
Scathing Purple Musings | Color me purple in Florida, red in Washington, dark sky-blue in Israel and public school in Education: Florida BOE Faces the Music; Passes Common Core AnywayFlorida’s unelected Board of Education, long serving as reliable cronies to rubber stamp Jeb Bush’s education agenda, finally had to face critics in yesterday’s public hearing on Common Core. Not that there ever any d
2-19-14 Larry Ferlazzo’s Websites of the Day… | …For Teaching ELL, ESL, & EFL
Larry Ferlazzo’s Websites of the Day… | …For Teaching ELL, ESL, & EFL: “Reading Is a ‘Means to Bigger and Better Things’”Reading Is a ‘Means to Bigger and Better Things’ is Part Two in my Education Week Teacher series on developing life-long readers. Today, educators Kristi Mraz, Marjorie Martinelli, Kathy Barclay and Cindi Rigsbee contribute their thoughts. Here’s are some excerpts:by Larry F
2-19-14 Fred Klonsky | Daily posts from a retired public school teacher
Fred Klonsky | Daily posts from a retired public school teacher who is just looking at the data.: Bruce Rauner: “I talk to Arne all the time.”The Republican debate last night wasn’t all talk about Dan Rutherford’s crotch grabbing. In fact, nobody mentioned it. I would have mentioned it if I had been in the debate. But maybe that’s why I’m not a Republican. If somebody I know goes around grabbing g
Shanker Blog » Select Your Conclusions, Apply Data
Shanker Blog » Select Your Conclusions, Apply Data: Select Your Conclusions, Apply DataPosted by Matthew Di Carlo on February 19, 2014The recent release of the National Assessment of Educational Progress (NAEP) and the companion Trial Urban District Assessment (TUDA) was predictably exploited by advocates to argue for their policy preferences. This is a blatant misuse of the data for many reasons
Q&A with San Antonio Mayor Julián Castro: Preschool initiative ‘a model for the nation’ | Hechinger Report
Q&A with San Antonio Mayor Julián Castro: Preschool initiative ‘a model for the nation’ | Hechinger Report: Q&A with San Antonio Mayor Julián Castro: Preschool initiative ‘a model for the nation’By Emily RichmondEducation Writers AssociationA few years ago, San Antonio Mayor Julián Castro – the Democratic Party’s first Hispanic keynote convention speaker – decided his city needed to expand
“Significant Flaws” with New York’s Teacher Evaluation Data |
“Significant Flaws” with New York’s Teacher Evaluation Data |: “Significant Flaws” with New York’s Teacher Evaluation DataNew York “State officials admit problems with new teacher ratings” is how the headline reads. More specifically, it seems that New York State Education Department officials are acknowledging “significant flaws” with their new system of rating more than 126,000 teachers statewid
2-19-14 Perdido Street School
Perdido Street School: Obama Should Apologize To ALL TeachersIn case you didn't hear, Obama slammed art history last week:WASHINGTON — President Obama issued an artful apology Tuesday, taking back a “glib” remark encouraging students to ditch art history for more lucrative pursuits. Playing to the lunchpail crowd at a General Electric plant in Wisconsin late last month, Obama took a swipe at art-h
Students Last: Teacher Bashing: New Olympic Event?
Students Last: Teacher Bashing: New Olympic Event?: Teacher Bashing: New Olympic Event?Sochi, Russia - Even before the games have ended, officials are debating what events to include at the 2018 Olympics to be held in South Korea.Olympic spokesman Vladmir Grasmoski offered the short list of potential events to reporters yesterday during a press conference in Sochi. The proposed events include: ice
Grades predict college success more than test scores, study says | Education Lab Blog | Seattle Times
Grades predict college success more than test scores, study says | Education Lab Blog | Seattle Times: Grades predict college success more than test scores, study saysPosted by Linda ShawWhen it comes to success in college, a  new study again raises questions about whether college-entrance exams such as the SAT predict how well students will do.The study’s authors examined the records of 123,000 s
College English Prof: Common Core Will Make My Job Harder | Truth in American Education
College English Prof: Common Core Will Make My Job Harder | Truth in American Education: College English Prof: Common Core Will Make My Job HarderFiled in Common Core State Standards by Shane Vander Hart on February 19, 2014 • 0 Comments714Aaron Barlow, an associate professor of English at the New York City College of Technology wrote a piece on the Academe Blog (of which he’s the Executive Editor
NYC Educator: Who Does Your Chapter Leader Represent?
NYC Educator: Who Does Your Chapter Leader Represent?: Who Does Your Chapter Leader Represent?It should be clear that your UFT chapter leader needs to represent you when you have issues with administration. Sometimes, people tell me their chapter leader says things like, "I can't take sides," and that's inappropriate. Your chapter leader needs to take your side, particularly when there i
With a trial looming, here’s where things stand in the Atlanta school cheating scandal
With a trial looming, here’s where things stand in the Atlanta school cheating scandal: With a trial looming, here’s where things stand in the Atlanta school cheating scandalBY MARK BERMANFebruary 19 at 9:03 amIn this June 2011 file photo, former Atlanta schools superintendent Beverly Hall, center, arrives for her last Atlanta school board meeting (AP Photo/Atlanta Journal-Constitution, Curtis Com
“One Newark” plan faces legislative investigation | Bob Braun's Ledger
“One Newark” plan faces legislative investigation | Bob Braun's Ledger: “One Newark” plan faces legislative investigationState Sen. Ronald RiceThe co-chairman of the Legislature’s Joint Committee on Public Schools last night said he would pursue an investigation into possible abuses tied to state control of the Newark schools. State Sen. Ronald Rice (D-Essex), who already is pursuing legislation a

YESTERDAY

My name is Andrea Rediske, and I am Ethan Rediske’s mother. Please Pass the Ethan Rediske Act! | Teachers' Letters to Bill Gates
My name is Andrea Rediske, and I am Ethan Rediske’s mother. Please Pass the Ethan Rediske Act! | Teachers' Letters to Bill Gates: My name is Andrea Rediske, and I am Ethan Rediske’s mother. Please Pass the Ethan Rediske Act!Posted on February 19, 2014by Teachers'LettersToBillGatesDear Bill and Melinda,A national wave of empathy and outrage was created when the state of Florida demanded a child nam
Community schools can help break the cycle of poverty | EdSource Today
Community schools can help break the cycle of poverty | EdSource Today: Community schools can help break the cycle of povertyFebruary 18th, 2014 | Add a Comment | By Ed Center / commentaryEd CenterWe’ve known for some time that children from low-income families are less likely to succeed in school relative to their higher-income peers. Many solutions to address this achievement gap have been explo
Report: College Success Compared of Those Submitting ACT, SAT Scores Versus - Higher Education
Report: College Success Compared of Those Submitting ACT, SAT Scores Versus - Higher Education: Report: College Success Compared of Those Submitting ACT, SAT Scores VersusFebruary 18, 2014 | Category: News,Subfeature | :     inShare        by Ronald RoachNo significant differences were found in the success rates of students who provided standardized admissions test scores to colleges in comparison
DIARY OF A PUBLIC SCHOOL TEACHER!: Questions for a Standardized Test: Maybe Your Creators Can Answer!
DIARY OF A PUBLIC SCHOOL TEACHER!: Questions for a Standardized Test: Maybe Your Creators Can Answer!: Questions for a Standardized Test: Maybe Your Creators Can Answer!See the picture above, that's my first question.Why am I told to make anchor charts that my students use throughout the year, and then told to take them down during testing? Do you really believe that any of my anchor charts have a
The mother of the seriously disabled child who recently died, tells the FLDOE about the insane high stakes testing demands… | Reclaim Reform
The mother of the seriously disabled child who recently died, tells the FLDOE about the insane high stakes testing demands… | Reclaim Reform: The mother of the seriously disabled child who recently died, tells the FLDOE about the insane high stakes testing demands…Posted on February 18, 2014by Ken PrevitiEthan Rediske, the seriously disabled child who recently died, was pressured until his death t
Wisconsin Senate adopts narrow voucher school accountability bill | Larry Miller's Blog: Educate All Students!
Wisconsin Senate adopts narrow voucher school accountability bill | Larry Miller's Blog: Educate All Students!: Wisconsin Senate adopts narrow voucher school accountability billFiled under: Vouchers — millerlf @ 8:38 pm No sanctions included in measureBy Jason Stein of the Journal Sentinel 2/18/14Madison — The state would better track the performance of taxpayer-funded private voucher schools and
Justice Dept. Urged to Investigate Treatment Immigrant Children in NC | HispanicallySpeakingNews.com
Justice Dept. Urged to Investigate Treatment Immigrant Children in NC | HispanicallySpeakingNews.com: Justice Dept. Urged to Investigate Treatment of Immigrant Children in NC SchoolsPublished at 6:39 pm EST, February 18, 2014A coalition of civil rights groups on Tuesday urged the federal Justice Department to launch an investigation of two North Carolina school districts for discrimination by deny
Are you busy busy, busy? | Connected Principals
Are you busy busy, busy? | Connected Principals: Are you busy busy, busy?by Amber Teamann • February 19, 2014 • 0 CommentsThis post is cross posted from Technically yours, Teamann.Busy is the new black. Ask anyone how they are doing and what do response do you get?“Stressed!” “Overwhelmed!” “Can’t keep up!” “Tired!”Can you imagine what would happen if you just answered that question with a “Inbox
New Report: An Empirical Critique of “One Newark” « New Jersey Education Policy Forum
New Report: An Empirical Critique of “One Newark” « New Jersey Education Policy Forum: New Report: An Empirical Critique of “One Newark” Our new report is too long to post in its entirety in blog form.The report can be downloaded here: Weber.Baker_OneNewark_Jan24_2014Below is the executive summary of the report:Executive SummaryOn December 18, 2013, State Superintendent Cami Anderson announced a w
Cami to Newark parents: Don’t worry, we know best. | Bob Braun's Ledger
Cami to Newark parents: Don’t worry, we know best. | Bob Braun's Ledger: Cami to Newark parents: Don’t worry, we know best.Cami Anderson: You don’t need to knowPity the parents of Newark’s public school children. Many are unsure where their children will attend school in the fall. They’ve had to fill out application forms and hope they get their first choices in an ever-changing program called “On
Right Wing War on Public Schools Drones On | National Review Online
Winning the War on Charter Schools | National Review Online: Winning the War on Charter SchoolsBy Reihan SalamFebruary 18, 2014 1:21 PMComments1The public charter school movement is entering a new phase. To put it bluntly, charter schools are finally becoming genuinely frightening to the powers-that-be in traditional public education, and for good reason. Charter schools have always been frighteni
Shallal criticizes D.C. school reform efforts, saying he would chart a different course - The Washington Post
Shallal criticizes D.C. school reform efforts, saying he would chart a different course - The Washington Post: Shallal criticizes D.C. school reform efforts, saying he would chart a different course The District’s high-profile efforts to improve public schools have largely failed, according torestaurateur Andy Shallal, the first mayoral candidate to challenge the fundamental policies that have dri
Nite Cap 2-18-14 #BATsACT #RealEdTalk #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 CAP2-18-14 THE WHOLE CHILD BLOG - ED Pulse Poll Results: What Types of PLCs Are Most Effective? — Whole Child EducationED Pulse Poll Results: What Types of PLCs Are Most Effective? — Whole Child Education: THE WHOLE CHILD BLOGED Pulse Poll Results: