MSNBC has a show that is practically a commercial for the privatization of public education called “Education Nation.” Fans of charter schools, “school choice,” and other trendy approaches to education that enrich ed tech companies are all invited. Voices of those who feel the public education system — for all its flaws — is worthwhile […]
Why Rahm Does Not Care About the Kids in Chicago
Chicago leads the country in the number of murders of any major city. Our mayor continues to ignore this fact and go ahead with funding and building new parks that cost $55 million downtown and a new river walk downtown that costs $100 million. My students on the South Side of the city live in […]
What My Students Wrote in a Free Write About the Strike
The Friday before the strike was anticipated to possibly start here in Chicago. I asked my students the simple question at the end of a quiz, “Should your teachers go on strike?” Here is a sampling of their responses. This was a free write so I just typed what they had written. “I Support my […]
Chicago Teachers Union Strike: A Proxy for Deep Teacher-Parent Dissatisfaction With Current Education Policy
This is a must-read from The Nation on why the Chicago teacher’s strike is much more than a local issue. Secretary of Education Arne Duncan and Chicago Mayor Rahm Emanuel share roots in the city that was Obama’s training ground as a politician, and so they’re deserved targets as well as proxies for all that […]
Chicago Teachers Strike: Why I'm On Strike & What I'm Telling My Family and Friends
As the strike makes national news I am finding along with many teachers that many people are weighing in on the strike who really have no idea what is going on and are basing their opinions off a 2 minute news clip. Here are the talking points and explanation I will share with my family. […]
What Backers of the "Parent Trigger"/Parent Tricker Law Don’t Want You to Know: Real Democratic Involvement in Public Schools Works
Around the country, REAL parent heroes are putting the lie to the version of the story told in the movie Won’t Back Down. The “parent trigger”, or “parent tricker” law is in the news again, this time with a glossy film starring popular actors Viola Davis and Maggie Gyllenhaal. The heart-string-tugging movie is called Won’t […]
Parent Trigger = Parent Tricker
This is a must-read EdWeek article by Diane Ravitch with regard to the trickery behind the “parent trigger” law, and the recent decision by the U.S. Conference of Mayors to endorse a boilerplate bill pushed in four states by a hard-line right-wing group (ALEC). She notes that not one of the charter laws in CA, […]
90% of Chicago Teachers Vote to Strike If Contract Negotiations Break Down
Via the Washington Post: as of June 11, 2012, ninety percent of the 26,000-plus teachers in the city of Chicago voted to strike if contract negotiations with the city fall apart. At issue are longer school days minus any corresponding increases in pay, and other disputes over class size, restoration of school libraries, art and […]
End Homophobic Bullying? Anti-Gay Allegations Won't Stop Michelle Rhee From Speaking at Church Conference
Best known for her claim to put “Students First” and more controversially, to use student standardized test scores to evaluate teacher performance, Michelle Rhee will likely go ahead with plans to speak on Friday, August 12, 2011, at the Global Leadership Summit at Willow Creek, a conference held at a Chicago-area “mega-church.” …Rhee’s continued participation at the conference and lack of any statement regarding the need to accept and keep LGBT youth safe from bullies has riled many LGBT activists and caused allies to question Rhee’s devotion to her slogan.
Save Our Schools: Why I March — Seasoned Teacher Tells Us
Seasoned Teacher tells us about how her recent visit to a humble elementary school inspires her to travel from her home in the Midwest to the Save Our Schools March in Washington DC this July 28-31, 2011: “I visited La Casita yesterday. The mothers were very welcoming, enjoyed showing us La Casita and were incredibly proud of their library. They also shared the latest plan by Chicago Public Schools: close Whittier School, relocate the children and sell the entire property to the private school for their soccer field. …The mothers told us over and over that CPS claims to want parent involvement but has refused to allow them to be involved. There was a police car in front of the school; the mothers said the police are there frequently.”