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Monday, March 3, 2014

Nite Cap 3-3-14 #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




Just home from #NPEConference & Ready to AWAKE Activate AGITATE in FL Join Me ? @DianeRavitch #LetThemKnow #AwakeFL | Continuing Change
Just home from #NPEConference & Ready to AWAKE Activate AGITATE in FL Join Me ? @DianeRavitch #LetThemKnow #AwakeFL | Continuing Change: Just home from #NPEConference & Ready to AWAKE Activate AGITATE in FL Join Me ? @DianeRavitch #LetThemKnow #AwakeFLMarch 3, 2014Educationawakefl, education, Florida, rally, sayfie, teacher, testing,vam      Rate ThisFLORIDA PLEASE SHARE AND RALLY TOMORROW
Guidance for Teachers and Schools - Year 2014 (CA Dept of Education)
Guidance for Teachers and Schools - Year 2014 (CA Dept of Education): State Schools Chief Torlakson Releases Guidance for Teachersand Schools as They Prepare Students for Careers and CollegeSACRAMENTO—Twelve new standards—ranging from being able to apply technology effectively to working productively with a team—are designed to guide California's teachers as they help students achieve college and
NY Teacher Mercedes Schneider shreds Common Core from NPE Conference #npeconference
NY Teacher Mercedes Schneider shreds Common CoreThe Network For Public Education | NPE CALLS FOR CONGRESSIONAL HEARINGSThe Network For Public Education | PRESS RELEASE – NPE CALLS FOR CONGRESSIONAL HEARINGS:  NPE CALLS FOR CONGRESSIONAL HEARINGSMarch 2, 2014 NPE NewsPRESS RELEASEPress Conference to be held in the Thompson Conference Center at 3:30 pm, Sunday, March 2.AUSTIN, TX The Network for Pub
SPECIAL Mid Day Banana Break 3-3-14 #RealEdTalk #edreform
Big Education Ape - Mid Day Banana BreakGreetings from Scamden, NJIn Camden, NJ an effort to privatize the local schools finds little resistance among local elites Camden, NJ teacher Keith Benson. A recent *community meeting* at Camden’s Catto Elementary School exemplified the vast chasm that divides my city these days, between well-connected elites and the marginalized residents they profess to s
3-3-14 @ The Chalk Face
@ THE CHALK FACE: Critical Pedagogy or Core Knowledge?Critical Pedagogy or Core Knowledge?. via Critical Pedagogy or Core Knowledge?.1 by plthomasedd / 1h  All Week 3-1-14 @ THE CHALK FACE@ THE CHALK FACE knows SCHOOLS MATTER: All Week @ THE CHALK FACE My Open Letter to Dennis Van RoekelMr. Van Roekel: I haven’t formally thanked you for allowing me to share the stage with you in December of last y
Mike Klonsky's SmallTalk Blog: CTU Press Release
Mike Klonsky's SmallTalk Blog: CTU Press Release: CPS USES ‘FEAR TACTICS’ TO SLOW ISAT BOYCOTTTeachers continue bold and moral stance against unnecessary low-stakes testCHICAGO—The Chicago Teachers Union (CTU) this week continues its steadfast support of the teachers at Saucedo Scholastic Academy and Thomas Drummond Montessori School who are boycotting the Illinois Standards Achievement Test (ISAT
Denver Student Union Speak Out! Join Us! | United Opt Out National
Denver Student Union Speak Out! Join Us! | United Opt Out National: DENVER STUDENT UNION SPEAK OUT! JOIN US! WHAT: State of the Student AddressWHEN: Monday, March 3rd, 2014 from 4:00pm – 5:00pm (Main address will begin at 4:30)WHERE: West Steps of the Colorado State CapitolDenver Student Union hosts the first annual State of the Student Address and deliver’s petitionOn March 3rd, the Denver Studen
Low Morale in Your School? Nothing a Little Teacher Empowerment Can't Fix — Whole Child Education
Low Morale in Your School? Nothing a Little Teacher Empowerment Can't Fix — Whole Child Education: THE WHOLE CHILD BLOGLow Morale in Your School? Nothing a Little Teacher Empowerment Can’t FixMarch 3, 2014 by Rich McKinneyPick up a newspaper or spend a few moments watching the evening news and you will find evidence that many schools across the country are in the midst of a morale crisis. In many
Schools Require A Functional Exchange of Information Too – redqueeninla
Schools Require A Functional Exchange of Information Too – redqueeninla: Schools Require A Functional Exchange of Information TooWritten by redqueeninla in EducationSeveral years ago before we were to leave the country for a year one of my children and I tried to visit the middle school she might attend upon our return.  We were stopped 10 feet into the school, before even reaching the front offic
The Test Boycott Is On! | I AM AN EDUCATOR
The Test Boycott Is On! | I AM AN EDUCATOR: The Test Boycott Is On!By I AM AN EDUCATOR on March 3, 2014The testing boycott is official!Today, teachers at Maria Saucedo Elementary Scholastic Academy and Thomas Drummond Elementary School are refusing to distribute the Illinois Standards Achievement Tests (ISAT), even though Chicago Public Schools CEO Barbara Byrd-Bennett has said they could lose the
Invest in Kids: Restoring the American Dream | Bruce Lesley
Invest in Kids: Restoring the American Dream | Bruce Lesley: Invest in Kids: Restoring the American Dreamhttp://www.firstfocus.net/The idea of the American dream -- the idea that the opportunity for achieving one's hopes and dreams along with successful upward mobility is available to each successive generation regardless of circumstances of birth or zip code is a concept deeply help by the Americ
NYS Test Refusals Hit Main Street OPT-OUT
New York State Allies for Public Education (http://www.nysape.org/) Director: Lawrence Basso; Illustrator: Michael Hayes; Voiceover: Tara Burnham; Audio: John Delehanty & Sal Tillio; Special Thanks: Scott NadeauOPT-OUT/REFUSAL GUIDES FOR EACH STATEAll documents are for informational purposes only and do not substitute as legal advice or legal counsel. The information contained in these documen
Alliance for Quality Education & The Campaign for Fiscal Equity Visit 14 School Districts | Long Island Exchange
Alliance for Quality Education & The Campaign for Fiscal Equity Visit 14 School Districts | Long Island Exchange: ALLIANCE FOR QUALITY EDUCATION & THE CAMPAIGN FOR FISCAL EQUITY VISIT 14 SCHOOL DISTRICTSFind Evidence of Constitutional Violations by New York State(ALBANY, NY) During the week of February 24-28th, the Alliance for Quality Education and the Campaign for Fiscal Equity, a projec
3-3-14 Seattle Schools Community Forum Week
Seattle Schools Community Forum: Seattle Schools This WeekHad a great time at the Network for Public Education conference in Austin this weekend.  Very inspirational and got to talk with two education heroes - Diane Ravitch and Karen Lewis, the head of the Chicago Teachers Union.  More on this later especially about Common Core.To note, the district and bus drivers have reached a tentative agreeme
Teachers For Social Justice: UNIVERSITY EDUCATION FACULTY LETTER OF SUPPORT FOR PARENTS AND TEACHERS AT SAUCEDO AND DRUMMOND ELEMENTARY SCHOOLS
Teachers For Social Justice: UNIVERSITY EDUCATION FACULTY LETTER OF SUPPORT FOR PARENTS AND TEACHERS AT SAUCEDO AND DRUMMOND ELEMENTARY SCHOOLS: UNIVERSITY EDUCATION FACULTY LETTER OF SUPPORT FOR PARENTS AND TEACHERS AT SAUCEDO AND DRUMMOND ELEMENTARY SCHOOLSMARCH 3, 2014 LEAVE A COMMENTFebruary 28, 2014STATEMENT OF SUPPORT FOR CHICAGO TEACHERS REFUSING TO ADMINISTER THE ILLINOIS STANDARD ACHIEVEM
3-3-14 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): Vergara lawyers await decision on whether to let case proceedPlaintiffs’ lawyer Marcellus McRae After a one-week recess, the court resumes tomorrow in the case of Vergara vs. California. Attorneys for both the defense and the nine student plaintiffs are gearing up for what could turn out to be a critical
The Network For Public Education | NPE Calls for Congressional Hearings – Summary
The Network For Public Education | NPE Calls for Congressional Hearings – Summary: NPE Calls for Congressional Hearings – SummaryMarch 3, 2014 UncategorizedNetwork for Public Education Calls for Congressional Hearings on High-Stakes Standardized TestingNPE requests Congress hold formal hearings to investigate the over-emphasis, misapplication, costs, and poor implementation of high-stakes standard
3-3-14 for the love of learning
for the love of learning: Progressive Education: What it isn'tThis was written by Alfie Kohn who writes and speaks about parenting and education. His website is here and he tweets here. This is an excerpt from a larger article found here.by Alfie KohnMisconceptions about progressive education generally take two forms. Either it is defined too narrowly so that the significance of the change it repr
FCMAT » Cali Education Headlines Monday, March 3, 2014
FCMAT » Fiscal Crisis & Management Assistance Team: Community helps shape profile of ideal schools superintendent Education HeadlinesMonday, March 3, 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.Community helps shape profile of ideal schools superintendentWhen it c
3-3-14 the becoming radical EMPATHYEDUCATES! | 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): Critical Pedagogy or Core Knowledge?For those of us committed to critical pedagogy (CP) as scholars and classroom teachers, Tait Coles’s call for CP instead of commitments to core knowledge (CK) is a rare moment in the mainstream press, as Coles concludes: Education has
Morning Wink 3-3-14 AM Posts #BATsACT #RealEdTalk #EDCHAT #P2
BIG EDUCATION APE - MORNING WINK  AM POSTSLISTEN TO DIANE RAVITCH 3-3-14 Diane Ravitch's blog | A site to discuss better education for allDiane Ravitch's blog | A site to discuss better education for all: Julia Sass Rubin: School Performance Measures Are Poor Measures of School PerformanceJulia Sass Rubin here analyzes “school report cards” in New Jersey. This analysis was published last year but
LISTEN TO DIANE RAVITCH 3-3-14 Diane Ravitch's blog | A site to discuss better education for all
Diane Ravitch's blog | A site to discuss better education for all: Julia Sass Rubin: School Performance Measures Are Poor Measures of School PerformanceJulia Sass Rubin here analyzes “school report cards” in New Jersey. This analysis was published last year but is as valid now as it was last May. Rubin writes: “Comparing schools to those with similar demographics is a good idea that highlights tha
3-3-14 Wait What? All Week
Wait What?: Malloy administration’s farce of a hearing on Common CoreThe development and implementation of the Common Core and its related Common Core testing scam is one of the most important issues facing American public education. The Common Core was developed in relatively secrecy and forced upon the states by Presidents George W. Bush and Barack Obama.  Some of the people who developed the Co
3-3-14 The Answer Sheet
The Answer Sheet: Why school isn’t for children anymore — teacherDawn Neely-Randall, a 24-year veteran teacher in Ohio,  has watched with alarm the rising influence of standardized testing on public education in recent years. In an e-mail, she said she is “weary” of the “testing abuse inflicted” on her students and profession. Neely-Randall wrote the following piece a few days ago about what she s
3-3-14 Schools Matter
Schools Matter: Alan Morrison: Another Indiana Amway/Walmart PlayerBy Doug MartinAfter Indiana House District 42’s Republican Alan Morrison appeared at a crackerbarrel session in the small town of Clinton over the weekend, someone noted on facebook that “Morrison was very condescending and argumentative to some of the citizens, especially to a couple of local school teachers.”   This is no surpris
3-3-14 Larry Ferlazzo’s Websites of the Day… | …For Teaching ELL, ESL, & EFL
Larry Ferlazzo’s Websites of the Day… | …For Teaching ELL, ESL, & EFL: Practice Pronunciation With Tongue-Twisters AND Learn About Dinosaurs!Practice pronunciation with “tongue-twisters” and learn about the dinosaurs at the same time with my latest New York Times post for English Language Learners. A student interactive and teaching ideas are included. I’m adding this post to The Best Sites Fo
3-3-14 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.: Today is the first day of early voting. I won’t be voting for Kirk Dillard.Today is the first day of early voting in Illinois. After some coffee and breakfast I will head over to the library on Milwaukee Avenue and vote for Will Guzzardi in the 39th State Representative District. I promised to do that
3-3-14 Engaging Parents In School… | Going Beyond Parent "Involvement"
Engaging Parents In School… | Going Beyond Parent "Involvement": Student-Led Conferences: “Instead of Mrs. Haug telling us what we learned, we tell her what we learned.”Teachers switching format of parent conferences is an article in St. Louis Today sharing how teachers in one school began moving their parent-teacher conferences into student-led ones. I’m adding it to The Best Resources
3-3-14 Ed Notes Online Week
Ed Notes Online: Video Inspiration: Karen Lewis and John Kuhn @ Network for Public Education Conf, Austin, TXfrom Vincent Precht at http://vimeo.com/87984834by ed notes online / 10h 3-2-14 Ed Notes Online WeekEd Notes Online: Portelos on SCI LiesIf you had sat through the 23 day3020a trial and listened to the evidence, there were many "break out laughing" moments at the farce the DOE was
4LAKids - some of the news that doesn't fit 3-3-14
4LAKids - some of the news that doesn't fit: Meet the ®eformers: TED MITCHELL + DAVID WELCHTHE EDUCATION OF TED MITCHELL | Written by Gary Cohn/CAPITAL & MAIN | INVESTIGATING POWER & POLITICS |  http://bit.ly/1oiNdlI 28 Feb 2014-CALIFORNIA EXCLUSIVE  ::  The nomination of Californian Ted Mitchell to the number two position at the U.S. Department of Education is the latest indication that p
Doing a Snow Job On Educators: The V.A.M. Sham As It Relates to the Weather
V.A.M.: Value Added Measure: Doing a Snow Job On Educators: The V.A.M. Sham As It Relates to the WeatherOriginally, there was a large storm predicted for NYC today.  The meteorologists kept scaling down numbers until the storm diminished into something that could not even close schools on Long Island, let alone in Manhattan. Since I find some value in the Tao, I will simply go with the flow; but,
3-3-14 Perdido Street School
Perdido Street School: Putting Common Core In PerspectiveA commenter at the Newsday story reporting Cuomo is going to run his own pro-CCCSS ads:CC is part of a world-wide corporate globalization initiative to dumb down teachers, currricula and students and turn them into scared, uncreative, unimaginative, test- taking drones. The de-skilling of teachers and students will turn them into lower-paid,
EmpowerED 2014 – Elevating Student Power in Los Angeles
EmpowerED 2014 – Elevating Student Power in Los Angeles: EmpowerED 2014 – Elevating Student Power in Los Angeles“If you had the power to change the education system, what would you do?”This is my favorite question to ask students that I mentor in Los Angeles. Their responses are wonderfully imaginative, ranging from broader curriculum to outdoor classrooms. However, when I ask them what is stoppin
Michelle Gunderson: Administrator's Pledge on Ethical Treatment of Students Who Opt Out - Living in Dialogue - Education Week Teacher
Michelle Gunderson: Administrator's Pledge on Ethical Treatment of Students Who Opt Out - Living in Dialogue - Education Week Teacher: Michelle Gunderson: Administrator's Pledge on Ethical Treatment of Students Who Opt OutBy Anthony Cody on March 3, 2014 8:16 AMOn Saturday I shared a report from Chicago teacher Michelle Gunderson about the decision by the faculty at two Chicago elementary schools
Learning from the Past: The Economy and School Reform Then and Now* | Larry Cuban on School Reform and Classroom Practice
Learning from the Past: The Economy and School Reform Then and Now* | Larry Cuban on School Reform and Classroom Practice: Learning from the Past: The Economy and School Reform Then and Now*There is hardly any work we can do or any expenditures we can make that will yield so large a return to our industries as would come from the establishment of educational institutions which would give us skille
Teachers as Trustees, Part 2 | InterACT
Teachers as Trustees, Part 2 | InterACT: Teachers as Trustees, Part 2MARCH 3, 2014tags: guest post, Kirby-Gonzalez, school boardby ACT Guest Blog PostsInterACT Guest Blog Post by Sarah Kirby-GonzalezInterACT features many blog posts on the topic of teacher leadership, but very few teachers are able to view the field from the perspective of elected office – especially one held concurrently with the
Russ on Reading: Dispatches from the Front 2
Russ on Reading: Dispatches from the Front 2: Dispatches from the Front 2Notes from Day 2 of the Network Of Public Education ConferenceDay 2 of the Network for Public Education Conference in Austin, TX began with people lining up in the aisles of the Lady Bird Johnson Auditorium to get Diane Ravitch to sign their copy of Reign of Error. Poor Anthony Cody struggled to get people into their seats to
Public Education, Public Obligation, and the Distribution of Opportunity | janresseger
Public Education, Public Obligation, and the Distribution of Opportunity | janresseger: Public Education, Public Obligation, and the Distribution of OpportunityPosted on March 3, 2014 by janressegerA just society would distribute opportunity fairly and, in the case of K-12 education, give each child the chance to realize her or his promise.  While our society has never fully realized this ideal, w
Eli Broad appoints head of philanthropic education efforts | Pass / Fail | 89.3 KPCC
Eli Broad appoints head of philanthropic education efforts | Pass / Fail | 89.3 KPCC: Eli Broad appoints head of philanthropic education efforts After more than a decade of directly overseeing $1 billion in education reform grants from his non-profit foundation, philanthropist Eli Broad is grooming a replacement.He's hired Bruce Reed, a high profile Washington political operative who spent decades
CURMUDGUCATION: 11 Essential Questions from the Network for Public Education
CURMUDGUCATION: 11 Essential Questions from the Network for Public Education: 11 Essential Questions from the Network for Public EducationAt the wrap-up from last weekend's Network for Public Education conference in Austin, TX, the leaders of the national pro-public education (I realize that alignment should be obvious from the title, but these days you can't assume these things) issued a call for
Pink Hula Hoop. Worse than a crime. Racism. | Bob Braun's Ledger
Pink Hula Hoop. Worse than a crime. Racism. | Bob Braun's Ledger: Pink Hula Hoop. Worse than a crime. Racism.Rice with Quintana and CaputoState Sen. Ronald Rice (D-Essex) said he believes  the story of “Pink Hula Hoop” is astory about crime. That’s the quaint name given to the convoluted way in which rich and politically-connected people and wealthy organizations raised mostly public money to buy—
New All-Digital Curriculums Hope to Ride High-Tech Push in Schoolrooms - NYTimes.com
New All-Digital Curriculums Hope to Ride High-Tech Push in Schoolrooms - NYTimes.com: New All-Digital Curriculums Hope to Ride High-Tech Push in SchoolroomsBy MOTOKO RICHMARCH 3, 2014English language curriculums built entirely on a digital platform — replacing written textbooks, worksheets or printed study guides — are about to enter the market from several companies, with promises that they will
NYC Educator: Epic Fail at UFT Leadership
NYC Educator: Epic Fail at UFT Leadership: Epic Fail at UFT LeadershipI've been speaking to heads of other locals, and they're pretty shocked when they hear we've gone over five years without a raise. They tell me if that happened where they are, they'd have been voted out. Of course, where they are, it's not customary for over 80% of their members to sit out elections.Now of course Unity-New Acti
Mike Klonsky's SmallTalk Blog: WEEKEND QUOTABLES
Mike Klonsky's SmallTalk Blog: WEEKEND QUOTABLES: WEEKEND QUOTABLESCTU Pres. Karen Lewis asks NPE conferees, "If you support the [test-boycotting] teachers at Saucedo & Drummond, stand up and say aye."Diane Ravitch "A for-profit public school is an oxymoron." -- Speech at NPE ConferenceMark WoodsI’m not even sure where to begin. But let’s start with the music, P.E. and art

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Teachers For Social Justice: edTPA Boycott: UIC Grad Students Follow Parents and Teachers’ Lead
Teachers For Social Justice: edTPA Boycott: UIC Grad Students Follow Parents and Teachers’ Lead: edTPA Boycott: UIC Grad Students Follow Parents and Teachers’ LeadMARCH 2, 2014 LEAVE A COMMENT(Saucedo teachers and parents boycotting the ISAT  - photo by John Kugler) Chicago's Students United for Education Justice (SUEJ) letter of support for Saucedo and Drummonds(photo by Greg Goodman) March 1, 20
Schooling in the Ownership Society: IFT leader claims ALEC leader Dillard as his champion -- "A strong voice for teachers." Really?
Schooling in the Ownership Society: IFT leader claims ALEC leader Dillard as his champion -- "A strong voice for teachers." Really?: IFT leader claims ALEC leader Dillard as his champion -- "A strong voice for teachers." Really?Dillard (left) and Rauner. They're both worse. The American Legislative Exchange Council (ALEC) represents the most reactionary, anti-people, anti-teach
NYU Prof Says American Education a “Hoax” - Higher Education
NYU Prof Says American Education a “Hoax” - Higher Education: NYU Prof Says American Education a “Hoax”March 2, 2014 | Category: News,Subfeature | :     inShare        by Jamaal Abdul-AlimDiane RavitchINDIANAPOLIS ― American education has been besieged by an onslaught of “hoaxes” that threaten to undermine traditional public schools and demoralize teachers.That’s the message that New York Universi
CALL TO ACTION | Opt Out Orlando
CALL TO ACTION | Opt Out Orlando: CALL TO ACTIONPosted on March 2, 2014 by Opt Out Orlando — Leave a commentCALL TO ACTIONParents united for ALL children!!!There is a confluence of significant events happening in Florida and throughout the country now.  In the last few weeks alone: The documentary “Standardized” continues to be shown nationwide and has been opening the eyes of parents and embolden
One Teacher's Perspective: Walker's Act 10 Devalues Teaching in Wisconsin
One Teacher's Perspective: Walker's Act 10 Devalues Teaching in Wisconsin: Walker's Act 10 Devalues Teaching in WisconsinWisconsin Teacher Value Not Adding UpMy first teaching contract 19 years ago at a Midwest Catholic high school grossed $15,000. My retirement benefits consisted of a whopping $500 401K. Cutting into my take-home pay was a $1500 annual premium for an inadequate health insurance p
3-2-14 Schools Matter
Schools Matter: The Witch of Wall Street May Go to CourtFederal Judge Orders Michelle Rhee Suit to Go Forward, will Broaden to Concealment and Fraud ClaimsA US federal judge has denied a Motion to Dismiss by former DC Public School Chancellor Michelle Rhee in a wrongful termination lawsuit over the mass firings of DC Public School teachers back in 2009. Case to be amended to add concealment and fr
CURMUDGUCATION: Distance Learning & Best Ravitch Line from NPE Conference
CURMUDGUCATION: Distance Learning & Best Ravitch Line from NPE Conference: Distance Learning & Best Ravitch Line from NPE ConferenceIn the midst of show weekend with my students here in PA, it was interesting to try to follow the Network for Public Education Conference in Austin this weekend. I have two initial takeaways from the experience.Distance Learning Is Even Worse Than Phone SexI f
Dillard gains backing from state's two major teachers' unions - chicagotribune.com
Dillard gains backing from state's two major teachers' unions - chicagotribune.com: Dillard gains backing from state's two major teachers' unionsEmailPinterest0Republican gubernatorial candidate Kirk Dillard speaks at a press conference announcing the endorsement of the Illinois Education Association in the 2014 campaign for the GOP nomination for Governor. IEA president Cinda Klickna, left, joins
Nite Cap 3-2-14 #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 CAPThe Network For Public Education | NPE CALLS FOR CONGRESSIONAL HEARINGSThe Network For Public Education | PRESS RELEASE – NPE CALLS FOR CONGRESSIONAL HEARINGS:  NPE CALLS FOR CONGRESSIONAL HEARINGSMarch 2, 2014 NPE NewsPRESS RELEASEPress Conferen