Friday, September 21, 2012

Susan Ohanian Update: Sept. 20, 2012

can't even describe these items. Proceed at your own risk.  I've been working on a couple of big new pieces. . . not ready for public yet. The good news from Vermont is that I found someone to use a chain saw on some of our downed trees. Next he's coming to split them. My husband is temporarily disabled but we'll have WOOD for the winter.

No, I could never want a log so badly I'd go anywhere near a chain saw or an axe.

Susan

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State docks Metro Schools more than $3 million for rejecting Great Hearts
Staff
Nashville City Paper
2012-09-18
http://susanohanian.org/show_atrocities.php?id=9837

I don't pretend to know anything about Nashville, but this sure looks like the typical ed reform tactic: using money to make the locals do what you want them to do.

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Time For 'Testing As Child Abuse Suits"'to Fill the Nation's Courts
Mark Naison
California Progress Report
2012-09-14
http://susanohanian.org/show_atrocities.php?id=9836

Mark Naison urges lawyers to contact Parents Across America and United Opt Out.

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Here's how Bill Gates  Gets the Common Core . . . or Something Called the Common Core
Susan Ohanian

2012-09-16
http://susanohanian.org/core.php?id=347

With considerable fanfare, LearnZillion announced the posting of more than 2,000 Common Core lessons developed by a Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation-funded 'Dream Team' of 123 teachers. And so I decided to take a look.

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 Chicago school teachers give us all a lesson
Dean Baker

2012-09-20
http://susanohanian.org/show_commentary.php?id=1053

The writer, a US macroeconomist, says that we call all learn a lot from the Chicago teachers and their well-planned collective action.

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 A Letter from an Art Teacher You Won't Forget
Brandi Martin

2012-09-19
http://susanohanian.org/show_commentary.php?id=1052

Here's an in-your-face declaration of love for teaching and an answer to the teacher-bashers who want proof that her art lessons improve state math scores.  You'll remember this one long after you finish reading it!

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Chicago you are not alone... World-wide support grows for Chicago Teachers Union strike
Rich Gibson

2012-09-18
http://susanohanian.org/show_commentary.php?id=1051

Chicago has offered the best pedagogy in the country. They've shown us that it is possible, and right, to rebel.

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 Can the Chicago Teachers' Strike Fix Democratic Education Reform?
 Richard D.Kahlenberg

2012-09-18
http://susanohanian.org/show_commentary.php?id=1050

Whatever the particulars of the final resolution to the strike, the dustup will be successful if it shakes up the wrongheaded, yet increasingly bipartisan, sense that teachers and their unions are what ail American education.

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Are We Asking Too Much From Our Teachers?
Alex Kotlowitz

2012-09-17
http://susanohanian.org/show_commentary.php?id=1049

The author say we too often impute to teachers impossible powers. Don't you wish the editorial writer at the Times would read this?

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Dear Ellen,
Jane Watson

2012-09-19
http://susanohanian.org/show_letter.php?id=1475

Ellen Degeneres had a piece on Teach For America & JC Penney support, so longtime teacher Jane Watson sent her a letter explaining the issues,

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To the editor
Oliver Sacks
The New York Review of books
2012-07-12
http://susanohanian.org/show_letter.php?id=1474

Of course I am happy that Oliver Sacks wrote this letter--but angry that he needed to.

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To the editor
Timothy D. Sleka
Altoona Mirror
2012-09-15
http://susanohanian.org/show_letter.php?id=1473

Here's a good letter--giving parents something specific to do--opting their kids out of state tests.

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Children's Progress Academic Assessment
Press Releases

2012-02-17
http://susanohanian.org/outrage_fetch.php?id=1454

Subject: Compliance with Kindergarten Reading Assessment Data. That just stops me cold.

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'Won't Back Down' Film Pushes ALEC Parent Trigger Proposal
Mary Bottari
Center for Media and Democracy PR Watch
2012-09-19
http://susanohanian.org/outrage_fetch.php?id=1453

When people tell you what an emotionally appealing film the upcoming 'Won't Back Down' is, this thorough expose of the forces behind it will give you plenty of answers. Even if you don't plan on seeing the movie, you need to read this. Of course I had to add the Pearson connection.

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School Days Resume in Chicago as the Lessons From a Strike Are Assessed
Monica Davey and Steven Greenhouse
New York Times
2012-09-20
http://susanohanian.org/outrage_fetch.php?id=1452

You want to help readers understand the Chicago teachers strike--and so you give the loudspeaker over to Michelle Rhee? And there's more.

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Chicago strike ends, but debate continues over how we regard and treat teachers in America
Maureen Downey
Atlantic Journal-Constitution  Get Schooled Blog
2012-10-19
http://susanohanian.org/outrage_fetch.php?id=1451

Marc Tucker is back in the news--promoting himself, as usual.

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Education Apartheid: The Racism Behind Chicago’s School “Reform”
By Joel Handley and Rosa Trakhtensky
Occupied Chicago Tribune
2012-09-12
http://susanohanian.org/outrage_fetch.php?id=1450

Let's hope the next phase of activism from the Chicago Teachers Union will be to address the class war in Chicago. This article is a start.

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In Search of An Accountable Education Editor at the New York Times
Jim Horn
New York Times
2012-09-17
http://susanohanian.org/outrage_fetch.php?id=1449

Jim Horn offers an excellent knock-down of the New York Times education editorialist Brent Staples. Follow the links and you will get an education in the underside of value-added. And more.

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Anti-Union Ads in Chicago Paid for By Hedge Funds, Billionaires
 David Dayen<
Firedog Lake blog
2012-09-19
http://susanohanian.org/outrage_fetch.php?id=1448

Surprise. Surprise. Hedge funds involved in opposing teacher strike. And here's a look at why you should pay attention to Democrats for Education Reform.

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Romney Campaign Announces 'Educators For Romney'
Alyson Klein
Education Week blog
2012-09-14
http://susanohanian.org/outrage_fetch.php?id=1447

Offered as your laugh of the day.

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Assessment expected to help teachers keep students on track
Tracey McManus
Augusta Chronicle
2012-09-16
http://susanohanian.org/outrage_fetch.php?id=1446

Georgia district ups the testing requirement. We're going to see more and more of this.

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Chicago Strike and the Corporate Attack on Education
News Release
Institute for Public Accuracy
2012-09-17
http://susanohanian.org/outrage_fetch.php?id=1445

Progressive radio is asking about the corporate connection. Hey, they're asking me.

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Opt-Out Movement Gains Steam
Jon Marcus
Harvard Education Letter
0000-00-00
http://susanohanian.org/show_yahoo.php?id=787

Imagine the Harvard Education Letter featuring the Coalition for Better Education billboard urging parents to opt their kids out of state testing.

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Texas Workforce Commissioner Tom Pauken demands end to testing treadmill
Patricia Kilday Hart
The Chronicle
2012-09-16
http://susanohanian.org/show_nclb_atrocities.php?id=4261

The comparison of Vietnam numbers and U. S. Department of Education numbers is right on target.
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