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Saturday, December 26, 2015

Special Nite Cap: Catch Up on Today's Post 12/26/15



CORPORATE ED REFORM






In ever-important third grade, most Sacramento-area students miss reading standard on new test | The Sacramento Bee
In ever-important third grade, most Sacramento-area students miss reading standard on new test | The Sacramento Bee: In ever-important third grade, most Sacramento-area students miss reading standard on new test Jennifer Sandfort devotes nearly two hours each morning to English instruction in her third-grade class at Empire Oaks Elementary School, ranging from interactive lessons to free reading t
California school scores tied to attendance, not proficiency - ContraCostaTimes.com
California school scores tied to attendance, not proficiency - ContraCostaTimes.com:California school scores tied to attendance, not proficiencyFor more than a decade, the release of federal scores indicating California public school students' progress -- or lack of it -- has incited alarm, anxiety and anguish among educators.But when those marks were ever so quietly posted this month, barely anyo
A Holiday Letter to Peter Cunningham and Education Post - Mitchell Robinson: Reforming Reform
A Holiday Letter to Peter Cunningham and Education Post - Mitchell Robinson: Reforming Reform: A Holiday Letter to Peter Cunningham and Education PostI had an interesting "discussion" on Twitter recently with Peter Cunningham, the Executive Director of Education Post--the investment banker, hedge fund manager-bankrolled communications mouthpiece of the corporate education reform industry
Alabama Teacher of the Year Resigns– The Backstory, Part V | deutsch29
Alabama Teacher of the Year Resigns– The Backstory, Part V | deutsch29: Alabama Teacher of the Year Resigns– The Backstory, Part VOn November 20, 2015, I traveled to Alabama to extensively interview 2014-15 Alabama Teacher of the Year, Ann Marie Corgill, who had resigned from her fifth grade teaching position with Birmingham City Schools on October 30, 2015.  Ann Marie CorgillIt is not as though C
Videos 2015 Teaching, Testing, and Acountability: Poverty and Charters | Live Long and Prosper
Videos 2015 | Live Long and Prosper: Videos 2015Teaching, Testing, and Acountability: Poverty and ChartersEvery now and then I’ll embed a video in my blog. Here I have chosen six – informative and inspiring – from 2015, comprising about 2 hours of video. I’ve added emphasis with boldface and italics.February 1What would happen if state and federal legislators actually listened to educators? Notice
As Graduation Rates Rise, Experts Fear Diplomas Come Up Short - The New York Times
As Graduation Rates Rise, Experts Fear Diplomas Come Up Short - The New York Times: As Graduation Rates Rise, Experts Fear Diplomas Come Up ShortA United States government class for seniors at Berea High School in Greenville, S.C. Graduation rates at the school, below 65 percent just four years ago, have jumped to more than 80 percent. Credit Sean Rayford for The New York TimesGREENVILLE, S.C. — A
Florida Illustrates the Problem with Charter-School Capital Funding | Nonprofit Quarterly
Florida Illustrates the Problem with Charter-School Capital Funding | Nonprofit Quarterly: Florida Illustrates the Problem with Charter-School Capital FundingThe National Education Policy Center (NEPC) recently published an important report concluding that “Public assets are being unnecessarily transferred to private hands, at public expense, risking the future provision of “public” education.” A
A Glimpse of Possibilities – John Lennon | Creative by Nature
A Glimpse of Possibilities – John Lennon | Creative by Nature: A Glimpse of Possibilities – John Lennon“The thing the sixties did was to show us the possibilities and the responsibility that we all had. It wasn’t the answer. It just gave us a glimpse of the possibility.Love is like a precious plant. You can’t just accept it and leave it in the cupboard or just think it’s going to get on by itself.
What If Teachers ARE NOT the Problem? - Sharing Kindergarten
What If Teachers ARE NOT the Problem? - Sharing Kindergarten: WHAT IF TEACHERS ARE NOT THE PROBLEM?I recently saw this video on Facebook that touched my heart. I live and teach in Georgia. Right now, Georgia is considering an educational change that will take away step raises for years of experience as well as raises for advanced degrees in school.Their proposal will change my pay to be based on s
The Common Core of Goodwill - Living in Dialogue
The Common Core of Goodwill - Living in Dialogue: The Common Core of Goodwill By Michelle Gunderson.  One of the things you learn as an elementary teacher in the Chicago Public Schools is to always have materials available and an extra desk or space for new students. You learn to expect the unexpected and that a child can show up on your doorstep at any minute of any day.And usually it is not an e
Are Urban Public Boarding Schools the Answer to Serving Students Who Suffer From Childhood Trauma? - The Atlantic
Are Urban Public Boarding Schools the Answer to Serving Students Who Suffer From Childhood Trauma? - The Atlantic: The Rise of Urban Public Boarding SchoolsThey’re designed to provide extra attention to students who suffer from trauma. But are they worth all the extra taxpayer dollars?WASHINGTON—The founding Monument Academy teachers and staff knew that running a 24-hour school for children who’ve
BBB’s Christmas Party. | Fred Klonsky
BBB’s Christmas Party. | Fred Klonsky:BBB’s Christmas Party.From today’s Chicago Sun-Times.Rahm’s CPS CEO threw a Christmas Party in 2012Baux sent Byrd-Bennett the proposals with recommendations: “Gary thinks the JW (Marriott) is prettier. Tom and I both like the Union League Club. Everything there is classy.”The Dec. 21, 2012, party that Byrd-Bennett hosted for top CPS staffers, Chicago Board of
New Jersey School District Eases Pressure on Students, Baring an Ethnic Divide - The New York Times
New Jersey School District Eases Pressure on Students, Baring an Ethnic Divide - The New York Times: New Jersey School District Eases Pressure on Students, Baring an Ethnic DivideThis fall, David Aderhold, the superintendent of a high-achieving school district near Princeton, N.J., sent parents an alarming 16-page letter.The school district, he said, was facing a crisis. Its students were overburd
Legislature lets tragic failure in Detroit schools go on
Legislature lets tragic failure in Detroit schools go on: Legislature lets tragic failure in Detroit schools go onIt is outrageous that our state Legislature  could deliver year-end  partisan holiday goodies like ending straight-ticket voting, and finding new ways for money to win elections while failing to deliver  what is most needed in Detroit — a real plan to help Detroit school children learn
ESSA to support schools may help reduce health barriers to learning | TheHill
Legislation to support schools may help reduce health barriers to learning | TheHill: ESSA to support schools may help reduce health barriers to learningAmidst the intense media coverage of terrorism, mass shootings and presidential primary hoopla, a glimmer of domestic good news emerged earlier this month when President Barack Obama signed the Every Student Succeeds Act – or, ESSA. This is worth

YESTERDAY

Special Nite Cap: Catch Up on Today's Post 12/25/15
CORPORATE ED REFORMHappy Holidays from the Big Education Ape 2015From My Family to YoursEight education predictions (and some wishful thinking) for 2016 — a teacher’s list - The Washington PostEight education predictions (and some wishful thinking) for 2016 — a teacher’s list - The Washington Post: Eight education predictions (and some wishful thinking) for 2016 — a teacher’s list Here is veteran