Tag: links

Some links and reads to tide you over…

• Arthur Goldstein at NYC Educator with a must read on the hypocrites known as Unity Caucus.
• Norm Scott discusses how the Buffalo teachers appear ready to choose their side in the NYSUT elections.  Norm wonders if now is the time for real opposition at the state level?
• RBE points out Buffalo’s part in the bizarro world known as UFT/NYSUT/AFT.
• Jersey Jazzman says, “Yes Reformers, We SHOULD Talk About YOUR Kids’ Schools“
• Ravitch: Indiana Wants to Ban Testing for Voucher Schools

A few links for your reading pleasure…

Fred LeBrun from the Albany Times Union on how the “tax cap denies a sound basic education system”.

The Bedford Central School District, in Westchester County, New York voted a resolution against the overuse and misuse of standardized testing.

Diane Ravitch with how you can help the courageous Garfield High School teachers in Seattle.

Ravitch on how Pearson cheated a blind student.

Reality Based Educator on why lobbyist for the students anti corporate lackey Andrew Cuomo will never be president.

On the coldest day of 2013 a few links to read by the fire…

DOE affirms parent right to opt out of standardized testing

Michelle Rhee hires a criminal attorney in response to her cheating scandal

Rethinking Schools on the new teachers union movement

Some people describe this new unionism as an organizing model. Others call it “social justice unionism” or “social movement unionism.” Regardless, the Chicago teachers demonstrated its main features:

• Unapologetically defend wages and working conditions of public school educators. Teachers’ working conditions are students’ learning conditions.
• Stand up for students, the teaching profession, and an equal and nurturing education that embraces the whole child.
• Defend public education—the only educational institution in our communities that has the capacity, commitment, and legal obligation to serve all children.
• Forge alliances with parents and community organizations to work for better schools and for social justice in the entire community.
• Build democratic union structures that encourage members to be organizers and active participants.

In cities around the country, teachers and other education activists are strategizing how the lessons from Chicago’s strike can be applied to their specific situations. It is time to use the energy and lessons from Wisconsin and Chicago to refocus the national narrative on education, to strengthen and transform our unions, and to broaden the fight for quality education for all.

It may be a bit late to read during your Sunday morning coffee, but here are a few good links to check out before the work week begins…

A good critique on NBC’s “Education Nation”

A city school teacher talks about The Next Big Thing in education. (Thanks Steve Nielsen for the link)

The Washington Post’s Harold Meyerson on “Lessons from the teachers strike”

Some background on who is behind the propoganda film known as “Won’t Back Down”

Diane Ravitch goodies…

Diane discussing the $1 million ad that was put out after the CTU strike to spin the story in favor of “reform” groups.

Diane on who paid for the anti-union ads that were played during the strike. (Democrats For Education Reform, of course).

What one teacher did on Back-to-School night.

Two links (here and here) about NBC’s push for the corporate reform of education look at education in the US.