tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36079317864586239432024-03-05T17:16:32.842-08:00Educator MusingPromoting A Radical Change In EducationEducator Musinghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06534275422637444965noreply@blogger.comBlogger85125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3607931786458623943.post-40180390957054686452013-06-21T13:29:00.000-07:002013-06-27T11:29:57.888-07:00Reforming the Parent Trigger Law<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">LAUSD Board Meeting June 18, 2013</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Mr. Zimmer's Resolution calls for reforming the Parent Trigger Law. Please read it! I urge school districts to adopt similar resolutions to bring order to the chaos that the Parent Trigger Law brings to local communities. </span><br />
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<blockquote class="tr_bq">
Item 45. Mr.Zimmer - Comprehensive Information for Parent Initiated School Transformation (Noticed June 18, 2013, 9am)</blockquote>
Whereas, The Governing Board of the Los Angeles Unified School District recognizes the essential role of parents and legal guardians in every aspect of their child's education and in the successful transformation of schools in the Los Angeles Unified School District;<br />
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Whereas, California State Education Code 53300-53303 (The Parent Empowerment Act) allows for parents at persistently lowest achieving schools to trigger options for school transformation if over 50% of parents or legal guardians at a campus sign a petition calling for the implementation of one of four interventions;<br />
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Whereas, California State Education Code 53300-53303 only allows parents and legal guardians who sign the petition to vote for the selected transformation model;<br />
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Whereas, California Education Code 53300-53303 does not currently require public meetings or other mechanisms to ensure accurate and balanced information about school performance or transformation options be provided to all stakeholders during the petition process;<br />
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Whereas, Two District elementary schools have been transformed through this process in the 2013-14 school year and the Board assumes there will be several attempts to transform District schools in the 2014-15 school year;<br />
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Whereas, Very limited information about the school and monitoring of the signature gathering process was presented to the Board for 24th Street and Weigand Avenue Elementary Schools;<br />
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Whereas, The Board has not adopted specific policies and guidelines for receiving petitions and validating the transformation process; and<br />
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Whereas, The Superintendent has not issued clear guidelines for principals and school site personnel regarding protocols and operational procedures for each stage of the parent trigger process; now, therefore, be it<br />
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Resolved, That the Governing Board of the Los Angeles Unified School District directs the Office of General Counsel and the Superintendent to submit the following information to the Board for each future transformation petition that is presented to the Board:<br />
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1. Independent verification of the signatures and the signature gathering process<br />
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2. Evidence of public notice and a summary of information presented at a public meeting held in the school community detailing accurate information about the school and the available options for transformation<br />
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3. An analysis of five years of school data<br />
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4. A summary of interventions attempted at the school site and an analysis the success or failure of these attempted interventions<br />
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5. An analysis of school report card data and/or school climate survey data:<br />
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Resolved further, That the Superintendent bring guidelines and operational procedures for school site personnel to use during parent trigger process for review by the Board at the first scheduled business meeting of the 2013-14 school year; and, be it finally<br />
<a href="http://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=3607931786458623943" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"></a><a href="http://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=3607931786458623943" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"></a><a href="http://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=3607931786458623943" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"></a><a href="http://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=3607931786458623943" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"></a><a href="http://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=3607931786458623943" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"></a><a href="http://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=3607931786458623943" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"></a><br />
Resolved, That the Board urges the Superintendent and the Office of Government Relations staff to seek legislative changes to California State Education Code 53300-53303 that will better serve all parents and legal guardians in the transformation process. These changes should include, but not be limited to:<br />
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1. Provisions that ensure all parents and legal guardians (not solely those who sign the petition) be allowed meaningful participation in all aspects of the transformation process and vote on the transformation option;<br />
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2. Provisions that ensure accurate and independently verifiable information about school performance and transformation options that are available to all parents; and<br />
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3. Provisions that safeguard against manipulation of families in the process and validate training of all Parent Empowerment Act Signature gathers.<br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: white;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #37404e; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">LAUSD 6-18-2013 board meeting. Item 45 from timeline 7:10:00 to 8:04:00. Mr. Zimmer: Comprehensive Information For Parent -Initiated School Transformation Resolution. It calls for reforming the Parent Trigger Law.</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #37404e; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"> </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #37404e; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #37404e; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #37404e; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><a href="http://lausd.granicus.com/MediaPlayer.php?clip_id=58" target="_blank">http://lausd.granicus.com/MediaPlayer.php?clip_id=58</a></span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: white;">Parent to LAUSD School Board: Please Protect Us with Fairness</span></span><br />
<a href="http://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=3607931786458623943" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"></a><a href="http://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=3607931786458623943" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"></a><a href="http://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=3607931786458623943" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"></a><a href="http://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=3607931786458623943" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"></a><a href="http://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=3607931786458623943" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"></a><a href="http://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=3607931786458623943" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #37404e; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><a href="http://buff.ly/11RaRd4" rel="nofollow nofollow" style="color: #3b5998; cursor: pointer; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank">http://buff.ly/11RaRd4</a></span>Educator Musinghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06534275422637444965noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3607931786458623943.post-40239600885308250902013-04-07T04:35:00.002-07:002013-04-07T04:37:42.744-07:00True Parent Empowerment <!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Florida is reconsidering a bill that has been commonly
called the Parent Trigger law.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>California was the first state to actually make Parent Trigger a
law.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The law has been spun to
present a picture of empowered parents uniting a community to save a failing
school.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In my experience, there
has never been anything further from the truth.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">I was the school board president of the Adelanto Elementary
School District when Parent Revolution, a lobbyist group, bullied our small
California school district with lawsuits into accepting the parent trigger
petition.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">The Parent Trigger Law essentially states that the
signatures of a simple majority of parents in a failing school can force the
district into one of five intervention models.</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">The intervention models are as followed:</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">1. Transformation - Replace the principal.</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">2. Turn Around - Replace the principal and 50% of all
staff.</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">3. Restart - Convert the school into a charter.</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">4. Closure - Close the school.</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">5. Alternative Governance - Any other major
restructuring of the school's governance.</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Parent Revolution devised a two-petition strategy to get
parent signatures.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The first
petition, the popular choice among the parents, was described as being along
the lines of the Alternative Governance model.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The second petition was considered to be the back up plan
and called for converting the school into a charter school.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>All the parents from both sides of the
issue told the school board that they did not want Desert Trails Elementary
School to be a charter school.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Yet
it was the charter school petition that was submitted to the board.</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Many parents felt that the signature process misled
them.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They asked the school board
to remove their signatures from the petition.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We honored their request and the number of signatures fell
below the simple majority needed to make the petition valid.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>That was not to be the end.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The board supported many of the reforms
mentioned by the parents and set in motion action to implement them.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Parent Revolution was not satisfied and
took the district to court.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The
judge ruled that it was not up to the district to allow parents to change their
mind and revoke their signatures – even if they felt misled. </span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Just to be clear, the district worked with the parents and
teacher union to bring reforms to Desert Trails. The reforms included adding
instructional minutes to the school day, a new curriculum, staff development,
an infusion of technology, a memorandum of understanding with the teacher
union, signed pledges by teachers to support these reforms, a school site coach
to support the reforms, an elected council to oversee the reforms, and of
course, an excellent principal to make it happen. In short, what the parents
wanted. </span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Politics and the law threw all that away to bring a charter
that only a minority group of parents were even eligible to help select.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Yes, only the parents that signed the
petition were allowed to vote for the charter school selection and only a
fraction actually voted.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>That is
not bringing a community together, but creating an elitist group to wrest
public schools away from the community.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>I am convinced that only the private sector without public funds and
grants from corporate reformers will provide an alternative education that is
re-imagined for the century we live in.</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Just to clarify. I do not support privatizing public
schools. The management of public schools should not be handed over to private
companies. If they were any good they wouldn't need to hijack public schools to
get publicly funded tuition. I'm just at the point where I know that the
creativity and innovation needed to bring education into the 21st century will
not come from the entrenched bureaucracy and politics of public education. </span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">I’m promoting a radical change in education.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Consider the technology we have
today.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Research what we now know
about the brain and learning.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Look
at where our current school system is inadequate.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>How would you re-imagine education if a system had to be
created today?</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">I thought of Coach Lerning Academies.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Official Coach Lerning Academies is a
21st century concept of education. Regionally accredited independent studies
schools that blend online gamified story lines with project-based mastery. It
is still in the developmental stage. Students are not enrolled in a particular
school, but rather have membership privileges in all of the academies. Coach
Michael Lerning is the central character of a gamified story line that
motivates and guide students through the 21st century learning experience. </span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Parents and students enjoy a lot of flexibility with this
model.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Most of the content
delivery is online with gamified story lines.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Students have access to this 24 hours a day.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Parents have the flexibility of signing
their children up for enrichment activities at any of the Official Coach
Lerning Academies.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Students earn
credit by demonstrating mastery of content through problem-solving projects at
any of the academies.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Mastery of
content is reported with earned digital badges that list actual accomplishments
and not by report cards and vague inaccurate grades.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Grade levels are determined by mastery level – not by age
group.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This is real parental
choice.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This is real parent
empowerment.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This is a real 21<sup>st</sup>
century concept of education. </span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Alas, it is not currently a reality.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It is a concept that I am working on
and pushing for acceptance.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You
can be an early supporter by <a href="http://www.facebook.com/pages/Coach-Lerning-Academies/143037582510375" target="_blank">Liking our Facebook page</a>.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>If you want a radical change in education
– start <a href="http://www.facebook.com/pages/Coach-Lerning-Academies/143037582510375" target="_blank">here</a>.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">…</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">We will continue to explore the uniqueness of Official Coach
Lerning Academies in future posts. Thank you for visiting. Please
continue to visit our blog and follow us on <a href="https://twitter.com/Coach_Lerning">Twitter</a> and <a href="http://www.facebook.com/pages/Coach-Lerning-Academies/143037582510375">Facebook</a>.</span></div>
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<!--EndFragment-->Educator Musinghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06534275422637444965noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3607931786458623943.post-54949312852361942222013-03-17T16:10:00.002-07:002013-03-17T16:10:36.020-07:00The Elevator Pitch<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; font-weight: 300; line-height: 22px;"></span><br />
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I recently read an interesting <a href="http://www.gablepr.com/clientserviceresults/60-seconds-to-glory-outline-for-crafting-the-essential-elevator-pitch/" style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; color: #0071b2; font-family: inherit; font-size: 15px; font-style: inherit; font-weight: inherit; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">article</a> about crafting the essential elevator pitch. An elevator pitch is basically a tight speech for a call to action to a busy investor in the time it takes an elevator to travel a few levels. Usually the call to action is to set up a meeting to consider investing in the idea pitched.</div>
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I am not calling for capitalization. We are still a ways away from that. Instead I want to bring awareness to how Official Coach Lerning Academies is a unique 21st century concept of education. So here is my Elevator Pitch:</div>
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We need a 21st century change in education. Official Coach Lerning Academies is a 21<sup style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; bottom: 1ex; font-family: inherit; font-size: 11px; font-style: inherit; font-weight: inherit; height: 0px; line-height: 0; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; position: relative; vertical-align: baseline;">st</sup> century concept of education.</div>
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My name is Carlos Mendoza. I’m a 20-year veteran educator with administrative experience. I have served on the school boards of Adelanto Elementary School District and Victor Valley Christian School. My expertise is in alternative education, special education, education media design, and technology. I have a traditional Master’s degree in Education and a nontraditional online Master of Science degree in Educational Media Design and Technology. My goal is to promote a radical change in education. I am the founder and lead innovator of Official Coach Lerning Academies.</div>
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Our current school system is based on a late 19<sup style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; bottom: 1ex; font-family: inherit; font-size: 11px; font-style: inherit; font-weight: inherit; height: 0px; line-height: 0; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; position: relative; vertical-align: baseline;">th</sup> century model of industrialization that no longer exists today. The factory jobs students were being prepared to fill are now gone. No Child Left Behind, Race To The Top, Waivers, Vouchers and other federal programs are screaming that our school system is not working.</div>
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Yet schooling has not fundamentally changed in over a hundred years. Private schools have not progressed any further than public schools. To put it simply, our society has made advancement in technology that has yet to reach the average classroom.</div>
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Official Coach Lerning Academies is different. It has re-imagined education for the 21<sup style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; bottom: 1ex; font-family: inherit; font-size: 11px; font-style: inherit; font-weight: inherit; height: 0px; line-height: 0; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; position: relative; vertical-align: baseline;">st</sup> century. It is the first of its kind to offer education developed for this century.</div>
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Official Coach Lerning Academies break out of the late 19<sup style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; bottom: 1ex; font-family: inherit; font-size: 11px; font-style: inherit; font-weight: inherit; height: 0px; line-height: 0; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; position: relative; vertical-align: baseline;">th</sup> century mold with private regionally accredited independent studies schools that blend online gamified story lines with project-based mastery.</div>
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Students are not enrolled in a particular school, but rather have membership privileges in all of the academies. Coach Michael Lerning is the central character of a gamified story line that motivates and guide students through the 21st century learning experience.</div>
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While education reformers are wasting time trying to make an outdated school system relevant – Official Coach Lerning Academies can open everywhere with the ease of an Internet connection and a local facilitator. Official Coach Lerning Academies is a school system with the flexibility of a tutoring center. The bulk of the instruction is done online with gamified story lines. Enrolled students can earn credit by completing problem-based projects. They can visit any academy and depending on the size signup for various enrichment activities and submit their projects.</div>
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Most students rather not attend school – it is boring. It is designed for one-size fits all. They go through the motions of learning to get through the system. Our students are attracted by compelling gamified story lines, but are enrolled for the flexible quality education that was once reserved for royalty that could afford to commission tutors to educate their children. Universal membership with Coach Learning Academies with online gamified learning and project-based mastery is unique, but totally doable in the 21<sup style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; bottom: 1ex; font-family: inherit; font-size: 11px; font-style: inherit; font-weight: inherit; height: 0px; line-height: 0; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; position: relative; vertical-align: baseline;">st</sup> century.</div>
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Look at our school system today. You know a change has to happen. That change for the better can happen – with your help. All you have to do is Like Us on <a href="http://www.facebook.com/pages/Coach-Lerning-Academies/143037582510375" style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; color: #0071b2; font-family: inherit; font-size: 15px; font-style: inherit; font-weight: inherit; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Facebook</a>. Yes, click <a href="http://www.facebook.com/pages/Coach-Lerning-Academies/143037582510375" style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; color: #0071b2; font-family: inherit; font-size: 15px; font-style: inherit; font-weight: inherit; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">here</a> and Like our Facebook page. That is it. And you will be an early supporter making a difference in education.</div>
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We will continue to explore the uniqueness of Official Coach Lerning Academies in future posts. Thank you for visiting. Please continue to visit our blog and follow us on <a href="https://twitter.com/Coach_Lerning" style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; color: #0071b2; font-family: inherit; font-size: 15px; font-style: inherit; font-weight: inherit; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Twitter</a> and <a href="http://www.facebook.com/pages/Coach-Lerning-Academies/143037582510375" style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; color: #0071b2; font-family: inherit; font-size: 15px; font-style: inherit; font-weight: inherit; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Facebook</a>.</div>
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Educator Musinghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06534275422637444965noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3607931786458623943.post-11633526084950006662013-02-02T18:16:00.003-08:002013-02-02T18:26:10.215-08:005 key reasons we are poised to take the next step<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">“There is nothing more resistant to change than the public
school system.” </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">- Joel Klein</span></blockquote>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Joel Klein is the CEO of <a href="http://amplify.com/" target="_blank">Amplify</a>,<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>an innovative education technology
company.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He was the Chancellor of
New York City Public Schools.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He
was on the Foreign Relations Committee that described our public school systems
as national security risks.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In
other words, he is a mover and shaker in education.</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Much of what he says about education is spot on
correct.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The same can be said
about U.S. Secretary of Education Arne Duncan and former Governor Jeb
Bush.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They can all agree that
accountability with standardized testing is narrowing the curriculum and
forcing teachers to teach to the test, and still push policies that make it the
law of the land.</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">In a recent article with <a href="http://www.edtechmagazine.com/k12/article/2013/01/joel-klein-and-ed-tech-zeitgeist" target="_blank">Ed Tech Magazine</a>, however, he stuck to areas that we can mostly agree on.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>21<sup>st</sup> century learning is not
simply about adopting technology for education.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The right innovative technologies for education are tools
that empower students to learn.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>From
there, Joel Klein offered 5 key reasons why our national school system is
poised to take the next step toward full-scale technology integration.</span></div>
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<!--[if !supportLists]--><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Cambria;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">1.<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><!--[endif]-->The
Common Core</span></div>
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<!--[if !supportLists]--><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Cambria;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">2.<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><!--[endif]-->Economics</span></div>
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<!--[if !supportLists]--><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Cambria;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">3.<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><!--[endif]-->More
Blended Instruction</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Official Coach Lerning Academies is a 21<sup>st</sup>
century concept of education and has been influenced by all of these reasons.</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">1.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Common Core</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Common Core is a set of education standards adopted by
states.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I remember being excited
about <a href="http://coreknowledge.org/" target="_blank">Core Knowledge</a> and the adoption of state standards.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>For the first time, educators were able to agree on at least a state
level what students should know and be able to do at the end of each grade
level. Common Core brings this uniformity to the national level.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Official Coach Lerning Academies does not lock students at
grade levels by age.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We do,
however, assess mastery by comparing actual performance with the Common Core
and state standards.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This makes
our program universally acceptable across states.</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">2.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Economics</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Our current education system is based on a late 19<sup>th</sup>
century industrial age based model of schooling meant to prepare students for
simple factory work.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It is based
on an economic system of mass production, monopoly, and profit maximization
through cost cutting and reduction of staff.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>That system of schooling is not working well in the 21<sup>st</sup>
century.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Innovation in technology has brought us Amazon, Google,
Facebook, Apple, and Microsoft.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Students now have direct access to information anywhere (except most
public schools) through tablets and smart phones.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Technology has also provided analytics that measure
individual student progress as it happens.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>No longer need to wait for the return of state tests to know
how a student performed the previous school year.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>21<sup>st</sup> century is not about mass production of
students.</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Official Coach Lerning Academies provide options for
students to chose from to personalize their learning.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Students also have a say in their challenged-based
projects.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Mobile learning
technologies also provide flexibility that includes universal membership in all
of the academies as opposed to a single brick and mortar schoolhouse.</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">3.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>More Blended
Learning.</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Official Coach Lerning Academies is a firm supporter of
blended learning.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Official
Coach Lerning Academies is a 21<sup>st</sup> century concept of education.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We blend online gamified story lines
with project-based mastery at our centers.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In one form or another, we provide education 24 hours a day
for seven days a week all year.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>And students have universal membership at all of the academies!</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">4.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Younger
Instructors</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">As an educator, I know better than to discount the value of
veteran master teachers.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Younger
does not mean better.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The next
generation of educators, however, must be trained differently.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The focus must be on students learning
and not teachers covering content.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Future educators must be facilitators and coaches.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They must have, among others skills,
the ability to code and create interactive digital desktop authorship products.
</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Official Coach Lerning Academies are regionally accredited
independent study schools with facilitators and tutors to guide students
through their education experience.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">5.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Investor
Interest</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">There has been significant interest and investment in
developing educational technologies.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>I will honestly state that Official Coach Lerning Academies has not yet
develop a single innovative software for education.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We rely on what has already been created by others and out
on the market.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We do not intend to
recreate the wheel.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Instead, we
rely on 21<sup>st</sup> century mashup of technologies to make what is uniquely
our own.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Anyone can do it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>At the very least, we aim to show that
we can do it.</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">We will continue to explore the uniqueness of Official Coach
Lerning Academies in future posts. Thank you for visiting. To learn more, please
continue to visit our blog and follow Official Coach Lerning Academies on <a href="https://twitter.com/Coach_Lerning">Twitter</a> and <a href="http://www.facebook.com/pages/Coach-Lerning-Academies/143037582510375">Facebook</a>. Thank you.</span></div>
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<!--EndFragment-->Educator Musinghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06534275422637444965noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3607931786458623943.post-28251261362666226822013-01-26T11:53:00.002-08:002013-01-26T11:53:42.397-08:00What is Andragogy?
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYohyphenhyphennU2QOP56aXMycBOiCJjFpbDdXuRwDXclQXUS-RPGf1hiVWVZlybQHAiRyaNezW0H0_w3EAwsjnbm2iXljeBxzRutsILBITtPtFWx3Op1EO6tGf9qpxcodejc0xgpDVw_DK5xzDIwl/s1600/CoachLerning_logo.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYohyphenhyphennU2QOP56aXMycBOiCJjFpbDdXuRwDXclQXUS-RPGf1hiVWVZlybQHAiRyaNezW0H0_w3EAwsjnbm2iXljeBxzRutsILBITtPtFWx3Op1EO6tGf9qpxcodejc0xgpDVw_DK5xzDIwl/s320/CoachLerning_logo.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">What is Andragogy?</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Ferdi Serim, author of Digital Learning: Strengthening and
Assessing 21<sup>st</sup> Century Skills, defines andragogy as a theory of how
humans learn.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This is an important
term to add to your vocabulary.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Up
until recently, pedagogy (how we teach) has been the dominant term in major
discussions on education. The pivot in the 21<sup>st</sup> century is away from
centering on teaching and looking closer to how we learn. </span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Ferdi Serim has listed six (6) tenets of andragogy – how we
learn:</span></div>
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<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpFirst" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Cambria;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">1.<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><!--[endif]-->Need
to Know (Why You Do)</span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Cambria;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">2.<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><!--[endif]-->Experience
(Including Error)</span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Cambria;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">3.<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><!--[endif]-->Readiness
(Just in Time)</span></div>
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<!--[if !supportLists]--><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Cambria;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">4.<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><!--[endif]-->Orientation
(Problem Centered)</span></div>
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<!--[if !supportLists]--><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Cambria;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">5.<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Motivation (Internal)</span></div>
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<!--[if !supportLists]--><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Cambria;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">6.<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><!--[endif]-->Self-Concept
(In Charge of Your Own Learning)</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Official Coach Lerning Academies is a 21<sup>st</sup>
century concept of education and addresses all of these tenets.</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">1.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Need to know
(Why You Do):<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Educators often have to address the question of why do we
need to learn this or when will I ever use that because of our fragmental
approach to teaching.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Official
Coach Lerning Academies use compelling story lines to provide context (a
problem to solve) that motivates and guide students through the learning
experience.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Coach Michael
Lerning is the central character, but there are several others that provide hilarious
misadventures in learning.</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">2.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Experience
(Including Error):</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Official Coach Lerning Academies allow students to develop
deeper understanding by learning from their mistakes without penalties.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Students are not graded in the
traditional method of allowing mediocre work (a D+ for example) to pass as
acceptable work for credit.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Students must demonstrate mastery through problem-solving project-based
assignments.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Students earn badges
of achievements when they demonstrate mastery.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The lessons learned while earning badges cannot be
quantified or graded but provide the best kind of education.</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">3. Readiness (Just in Time):</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Most students study under the premise that anything and
everything covered in class might be on a test (Just in case studying).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The result is called load and
dump.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In other words, they study
everything that might be on a test and then forget the information after the
test.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The information that they
were studying had no relevance to anything outside of the test and, therefore,
no longer important enough to remember.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>This is not a conscious decision among students, but a result from how
our brain is wired to learn and remember what is important.</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Official Coach Lerning Academies provides relevance by
putting problem-solving projects in the context of a compelling story
line.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Students study and learn
what they need to know to solve a problem and complete a task.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">4.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Orientation
(Problem Centered):</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Marc-André Lalande invented a new word –
Schoolisyzation.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Hdu5oyv0Lig">http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Hdu5oyv0Lig</a><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">“- n. the act of force fitting a notion or concept into a
real-life context or vise-versa, for teaching purposes, resulting in a somewhat
absurd lesson or exercise that would never be considered outside of a teaching
facility.”</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">These are problems meant to put a concept into a context for
students, but instead provoke bewilderment that anyone would ever need or want
to do that in real life.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Official Coach Lerning Academies presents problem-solving
assignments in the context of a compelling story line that makes sense and
motivates the student to solve. </span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">5.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Motivation
(Internal):</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Self-motivation is key to learning.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The expression – you can lead a horse
to water, but can’t make it drink, is well known, but not actually true.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Our school systems have been salting
the oats to force students to participate for a very long time.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Official Coach Lerning Academies want
to take our students for a run that will work up a thirst.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>(OK, I may have stretched that analogy
too far).</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">The point is this:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Story telling, song, dance, and games have been used to teach for
thousands of years because they work.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Students are so caught up in the enjoyment of learning that the do not
realize that they are being taught.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>This is the heart of what makes Official Coach Lerning Academies
radically different from other programs.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>We have re-imagined education for the 21<sup>st</sup> century and found
that current technology makes it possible to center on learning as oppose to
force teaching.</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">6.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Self-Concept
(In Charge of Your Own Learning):</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">This tenet is about people having the need to be responsible
for their own education – make their own choices.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This includes involvement in the planning and evaluation of
their instruction.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Official Coach
Lerning Academies provides students with opportunities to choose among options
where they want to follow in the gamified story line, but this is actually
superficial to their education.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In
addition to completing problem-solving project-based assignments – there is
Challenge-Based Learning.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">http://www.challengebasedlearning.org/pages/welcome</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">As described by the Apple Classrooms of Tomorrow – Today
(ACOT2) program, Challenge-Based Learning is an engaging multidisciplinary
approach to teaching and learning that encourages students to leverage the
technology they use in their daily lives to solve real-world problems through
efforts in their homes, schools and communities.</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Individual Official Coach Lerning Academies are not
disengaged from the real world around us.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>There are true-life problems in our communities and around the world
that our students must be a part of the solution.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Our students are required to periodically submit a
Challenge-Based Learning project.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>And since Official Coach Lerning Academies are not bound by traditional
school hours and days, our students have the flexibility to be fully engaged in
Challenge-Based Learning.</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Official Coach Lerning Academies is a unique and radical 21<sup>st</sup>
century change in education.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Please show support by following us on Twitter and liking our Facebook
page.</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Official Coach Lerning Academies is a 21st century concept
of education. Regionally accredited independent study schools that blend online
gamified story lines with project-based mastery. It is still in the developmental
stage. Students are not enrolled in a particular school, but rather have
membership privileges in all of the academies. Coach Lerning is the name
of a character of a gamified story line that motivates and guide students
through the 21st century learning experience. </span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">We will continue to explore the uniqueness of Official Coach
Lerning Academies in future posts. Thank you for visiting. To Learn more About Official Coach Lerning Academies - visit our blog and follow them on <a href="https://twitter.com/Coach_Lerning">Twitter</a> and <a href="http://www.facebook.com/pages/Coach-Lerning-Academies/143037582510375">Facebook</a>.</span></div>
<!--EndFragment-->Educator Musinghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06534275422637444965noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3607931786458623943.post-26140928685265629132013-01-19T17:13:00.000-08:002013-01-19T17:13:06.567-08:00Making the Case for 21st Century Learning in 2013 <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; font-weight: 300; line-height: 22px;">Lydia Dobyns, President of New Tech Network, recently stated in a <a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.com/lydia-dobyns/a-21st-century-education-_b_2441252.html://" style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; color: #0071b2; font-family: inherit; font-size: 15px; font-style: inherit; font-weight: inherit; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Huff Post Education article</a>, that phrases like 21st century classroom or 21st century skills are empty phraseology designed to sound like we are preparing for the future when we are already living in that future. Interestingly, the rest of her article actually makes the case for using such phraseology.</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; font-weight: 300; line-height: 22px;"></span><br />
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Today’s education system does not reflect the innovative gains in technology and social media made in recent years. Our school system is still based on the late 19th century Industrial Age model of schooling used to prepare students for factory work. It is not preparing students for the reality of our 21st century economy. Heck, we are still using the agrarian calendar to determine a school year. Honestly, her suggestion to use phrases like “deeper learning” does not convey the irony of wanting 21st century learning in the year 2013.</div>
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It is true that tech giants like Google do not need to tout that they are 21st century companies because they are too busy being 21st century companies. Our schools can’t make that same statement. We need to use terms like 21st century learning to differentiate what is happening in schools from what should be happening in schools.</div>
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Ms. Dobyns may not like phrases like 21st century learning, but she is a strong advocate for it. She insists that school districts must change from delivering education that inhibits innovation to ones that encourages it. Accordingly, it is time to move on and develop education systems that meet students where they live and are relevant.</div>
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Official Coach Lerning Academies agree. Students should not walk into a classroom that represents a step back from the connected world that they live in. Our concept of 21st century learning is blending online gamified story lines that motivates and guide students through problem-solving and projected-based mastery of knowledge and skills at academies with flexible hours.</div>
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Our students seek knowledge in their 24×7 connected world all the time. The help they need is in relating their natural curiosity to skills and knowledge needed in a 21st century economy. You see, there isn’t anything wrong in schooling students to be prepared workers for the economy – it just has to be for the century that they live in. That is why we use the phrase 21st century learning.</div>
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We will continue to explore the uniqueness of Official Coach Lerning Academies in future posts. Thank you for visiting. To learn more about Official Coach Lerning Academies please visit their <a href="https://twitter.com/Coach_Lerning" style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; color: #0071b2; font-family: inherit; font-size: 15px; font-style: inherit; font-weight: inherit; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Twitter</a> and <a href="http://www.facebook.com/pages/Coach-Lerning-Academies/143037582510375" style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; color: #0071b2; font-family: inherit; font-size: 15px; font-style: inherit; font-weight: inherit; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Facebook</a>.</div>
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Educator Musinghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06534275422637444965noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3607931786458623943.post-53635091715924903102013-01-06T16:32:00.001-08:002013-01-06T16:38:43.771-08:00Official Coach Lerning Academies<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; font-weight: 300; line-height: 22px;"></span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFiAONwJlf1R7mpryRZ-Hpa7qmFrzsctStUXVKdgZSITk7zQawjpJFvzK90fFllJ4B_wWiaPEUCd2VZnqXTrPu2lnbg5mloh13hfDxqGFCxNwNWj4I37SJqUkdnORxO6URBVCdaeKVnMc9/s1600/CoachLerning_logo.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFiAONwJlf1R7mpryRZ-Hpa7qmFrzsctStUXVKdgZSITk7zQawjpJFvzK90fFllJ4B_wWiaPEUCd2VZnqXTrPu2lnbg5mloh13hfDxqGFCxNwNWj4I37SJqUkdnORxO6URBVCdaeKVnMc9/s320/CoachLerning_logo.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; font-weight: 300; line-height: 22px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; font-weight: 300; line-height: 22px;"><br /></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large; font-weight: 300; line-height: 22px;">Official Coach Lerning Academies is a 21st century concept of education. Making it a reality is my ultimate professional goal.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 22px;"><br /></span>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: 300; line-height: 22px;">Our current education system is based on a late 19th century model of teaching meant for preparing workers for factory work in an industrialized nation. It is not surprising that special interests have become entrenched in a system that is more than a hundred years old. It wouldn’t be a problem except that this antiquated system is not preparing students for the 21st </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-weight: 300; line-height: 22px;">century.</span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-weight: 300; line-height: 22px;"><br /></span>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-weight: 300; line-height: 22px;"></span></span><br />
<div style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-weight: inherit; margin-bottom: 1.5em; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Some are proposing that market-based reforms that provide school choice for parents will transform schools to meet today’s societal and economic needs. And I’m sure that they can – if schools were part of a free market. Schools are not in a free market. Public schools are in a monopolistic system ensnared in obsolete traditions, laws, red tape, and strings attached to grants and government funding. Most private schools are also trapped in the late 19th century model of schooling and are too busy struggling to surviving to be innovative.</span></div>
<div style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-weight: inherit; margin-bottom: 1.5em; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Coach Lerning Academies intends to break out of this mold. Its funding model will not be based on grants and government funding. Its funding model will not even be based on tuition. Coach Lerning Academies will be funded by free market acceptance of its 21st century model of learning. This will include initial capitalization through crowd-funding and multiple streams of income through membership and other goods and services.</span></div>
<div style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-weight: inherit; margin-bottom: 1.5em; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">The concept behind Coach Lerning Academies is 21st century simplistic. Students follow gamified story lines that motivates and guide them through online learning experiences that culminate in demonstrating mastery in project-based assignments in one of the academies. Students have flexible hours because they are not bound by traditional school hours. In fact, they are not bound to any one brick and mortar school. Membership in a Coach Lerning Academy is universal to all Coach Lerning Academies.</span></div>
<div style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-weight: inherit; margin-bottom: 1.5em; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">We will continue to explore the uniqueness of Coach Lerning Academies in future posts. Thank you for visiting. Please continue to visit our blog . To learn more about Official Coach Lerning Academies follow them on <a href="https://twitter.com/Coach_Lerning" style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; color: #0071b2; font-family: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-weight: inherit; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Twitter</a> and <a href="http://www.facebook.com/pages/Coach-Lerning-Academies/143037582510375" style="border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; color: #0071b2; font-family: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-weight: inherit; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; outline-color: initial; outline-style: initial; outline-width: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Facebook</a>.</span></div>
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Educator Musinghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06534275422637444965noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3607931786458623943.post-65776855203353309282012-09-16T04:58:00.004-07:002012-10-17T20:25:42.286-07:00Op-Ed proposal the L.A. Times would not print<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgaxYp9PvWc14OCE4F4-Kpro9MQm9ThjxCMYGD25atpoR3ehB5rvUaSaJP07kO9I-SQHr0Tp1FKC0byMZG1HD2MQhx_8DzlvArhcQ9LxnkzsnKP-ZVVdJes3trgGxZRwcoyPY_-bzWJI9I_/s1600/press_equipment_400_clr_9515.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="261" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgaxYp9PvWc14OCE4F4-Kpro9MQm9ThjxCMYGD25atpoR3ehB5rvUaSaJP07kO9I-SQHr0Tp1FKC0byMZG1HD2MQhx_8DzlvArhcQ9LxnkzsnKP-ZVVdJes3trgGxZRwcoyPY_-bzWJI9I_/s320/press_equipment_400_clr_9515.png" width="320" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">The following is an OP-Ed proposal the L.A. Times would not print. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">There is no such thing as a free lunch.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>That is one of the first lessons I
teach my students in economics.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I
realize the statement identifies me as a teacher and to some that is somehow
tantamount to confessing that I am a villain.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> That is unfair because I love teaching. </span>I am also the Board President of the Adelanto School
District– the first district (albeit by court order) to accept a Parent-Trigger
petition.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This article is to clear
some of the misperceptions surrounding that event.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And that brings me back to the lack of free lunches.</span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">A true story illustrates this point.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>A few years back, I was in line at a
gas station store for a cup of coffee.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Ahead of me was man in a hurry and not in the best of moods.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He paid for his coffee, but did not
grab the complimentary newspaper that went with it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The attendant called out to him. “Hey, you forgot your free
newspaper!” The man turned around.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>“Can anyone walk in here and grab a newspaper,” he asked.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The answer was no. You had to buy a cup
of coffee first.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Then it’s
not free,” he concluded. </span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Another true story that illustrates this point is Parent
Revolution’s involvement in the Desert Trails’ Parent-Trigger petition.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Parent Revolution is the corporation
behind the Parent Trigger law.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Their expert advice and related professional services may be called “Pro
Bono”, but it is not free.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They
have an agenda that must be satisfied.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">The Parent-Trigger Law allows parents of underperforming
schools to circulate a petition that will force the implementation of one out
of several federal school interventions.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Restarting a school as a charter is one of the options.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The parents of Desert Trails Elementary
School have said from the start that they did not want a charter.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They wanted reforms.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Parent Revolution, however, devised a
two-petition strategy that had parents sign two different petitions. The
first petition was described as wanting reforms that included changes to the
teacher collective bargaining agreement, curriculum, and professional
development.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Absolutely nothing
that is not up for negotiation or review periodically anyway.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The second petition was for a
charter.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The purpose of the second
petition was to strategically intimidate the district into taking the first
petition seriously.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>At least that
is how it was described. Interestingly, it was the second petition for a
charter that was actually submitted.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Many parents representing almost 100 students wanted to take
back their signatures.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They did
not want a charter.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They felt
misled or confused by the signature gathering process.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The school board honored the requests
of these parents and did not include them in the petition count.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This brought the number of signatures
below the required amount to make the petition valid.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Parent Revolution backed the lawsuit against the district
that had this decision reversed.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>The judge in this case ruled that the school board was prohibited from
allowing parents to change their minds.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">In the meanwhile, the district had been working with the
community to bring reforms to the school.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>The reforms include adding instructional minutes to the school day, a
new curriculum, staff development, an infusion of technology, a memorandum of
understanding with the teacher union, signed pledges by teachers to support
these reforms, a school site coach to support the reforms, an elected council
to oversee the reforms, and of course, an excellent principal to make it
happen.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In short, what the parents
wanted.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">The school board complied with the judge’s order and
accepted the petition. The board also concluded that it was not possible to
implement a charter for this school year.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>The board, as allowed under the Parent-Trigger law, chose another
intervention that supported the reforms instead.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>A charter school option for next school year as sought by
Parent Revolution would undermine the efforts of improving the school THIS
YEAR.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Parent Revolution backed
another lawsuit against the district anyway.</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">It is not true that the board has tried to stymie the law
and blocked improvements to the school.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>That is crazy talk that makes no sense.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>What is true is that the parents stated
that they did not want a charter.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>What is true is that Parent Revolution will not agree to place this
question up to the parents in a secret ballot vote.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>What is true is that a lawsuit and a charter school the
parents did not want are undermining the reforms that have been set in place to
improve the school.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Why is that
happening?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I suggest it is because
Parent Revolution is calling the shots and there is no such thing as a free lunch.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 18px;">Please join me in my reflections on 21st century learning. I want to read your comments and opinions. I will do my best to answer questions.</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #cccccc; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 18px;"><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #cccccc; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 18px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #cccccc;"><br /></span></span></span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: medium; line-height: 25px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 18px;">Please friend me on</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 18px;"> </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #cccccc; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 18px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #cccccc;"><a href="http://www.facebook.com/people/Carlos-Mendoza/100001181600277" style="color: #dd7700; text-decoration: none;">Facebook</a></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #cccccc; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 18px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #cccccc;"> </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 18px;">and follow me on</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 18px;"> </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #cccccc; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 18px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #cccccc;"><a href="https://twitter.com/#!/EducatorMusing" style="color: #dd7700; text-decoration: none;">Twitter</a></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">.</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"> </span></div>
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<!--EndFragment-->Educator Musinghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06534275422637444965noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3607931786458623943.post-35656578950012012422012-09-01T08:50:00.000-07:002012-09-04T22:16:40.095-07:00Parent Revolution Pants on Fire<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">“Ironically, the Desert Trails Parents’ Union initially had
no interest in their school becoming a charter school.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span> David Phleps – National Communications
Director of Parent Revolution <a href="http://parentrevolution.org/recent-criticism-regarding-won%E2%80%99t-back-down">http://parentrevolution.org/recent-criticism-regarding-won’t-back-down</a></blockquote>
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">“This group of parents would do anything rather than bring
in an outside charter operator.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span> Patrick DeTemple – Organizing Director of Parent Revolution</blockquote>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">David Phelps, National Communications Director of Parent
Revolution, in a Parent Revolution blog post stated that opponents resort to
personal attacks, half-truths and conspiracy theories to defend the status
quo.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Really?!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The above quotes are just samplings
that prove my contention that the parents of Desert Trails Elementary School in
Adelanto - did not want a charter.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>EVERY parent from both sides of the issue that spoke to the Board stated
that they did not want a charter.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Parent Revolution, however, devised a two petition strategy that had
parents sign two different petitions.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>One petition was described as implementing reforms – the one that
initiated the Parent Trigger discussion.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>The other, as strategy, was for a charter.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> This petition was meant to intimidate the Board to take the first petition seriously. But i</span>t was the petition for a charter school that was actually submitted
to the Board.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Parents representing
almost 100 students then wanted to remove their signatures from that petition
because they felt misled or was confused by the process.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The Board honored their requests and
the number of signatures fell below the required amount needed for the petition
to be valid.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Parent Revolution
backed a lawsuit against the school district because of that. The judge ruled
that the district was prohibited from allowing parents to revoke their
signatures. This is not a personal attack, half-truth, or a conspiracy
theory.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It’s what happened.</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Here is a list of conspiracy theories.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">1. The School Board rejected the parents’ earlier proposal
and ultimately filed suit to deny the parents’ petition.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Complete fabrication!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The School Board did not reject the
parents’ proposal.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We were waiting
for the petition with those proposals to be submitted so that we can formally
discuss it and vote on it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Was this supposed to be a backdoor deal without public discussion?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Way to go for openness,
transparency, and honesty.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>BTW,
Parent Revolution backed the only suit filed and it was against the district. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">2.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>There was a
campaign of intimidation and harassment targeting Desert Trails parents. That’s
a lot of parents to harass and remain sinisterly anonymous. Were there any
police reports filed? Or does this accusation rely on a couple of affidavits?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Let’s be honest, there was spirited
campaigning on both sides of the issue.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Both sides complained of harassment and intimidation - but a campaign?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>That’s conspiracy talk and it came from
Parent Revolution.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">3.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The
rescissions are riddled with fraud and forgery.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>There was a rescission that had two copies
submitted.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>One had the box
indicating that the person was misled or confused by the petition checked, and
the other did not.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The person
swore in an affidavit that they did not check the box.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This rescission was then thrown out –
just like the petition signature that was nowhere near to the signature on
record.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Forgery? Maybe, but we
didn’t accuse the whole petition of being riddled with forgery because of it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But Parent Revolution created a media
circus by calling for the District Attorney to investigate the rescissions for
fraud.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They held press conferences
and got politicians to make the same call for an investigation. That’s
conspiracy talk and it came from Parent Revolution.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>BTW, the District Attorney’s office concluded that a crime
was not committed.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Mr. Phelps referred to the pro Parent Trigger Wall Street
Journal to justify his statements.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>The Wall Street Journal is interesting.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The Wall Street Journal managed to take a juicy quote from
Board Trustee Wright and still get it wrong.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Mr. Wright made the following statements: </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">“There’s a lot of things I’m willing to do and if I’m found in contempt of court – I brought my own handcuffs – take me away today. I don’t care any more.” This was prior</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"> to a
vote in which the Board complied with the judge’s order to accept the petition,
but changed the intervention.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> What is there to say? </span>Mr. Wright did say that. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">The Wall Street Journal, however, stated that Mr. Wright
vowed to stand in the schoolhouse door in handcuffs.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He did not.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But
it was convenient to the narrative of the story if he had.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>So in the article he did.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The writer was trying to tie Mr.
Wright’s statement to Orval Faubus, the Arkansas Governor who in 1954 tried to
block school integration.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Is that
a half-truth? Poetic license? <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I
think it’s the worse kind of journalism – twisting the facts to fit a narrative.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">The Board is not trying to violate anyone’s civil
rights.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We honored the requests of
parents who felt misled by Parent Revolution.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The Board complied with the Judge's order and accepted the
petition. Unfortunately, it was too late to implement a charter for the 2012-13
school year. The Board, allowed under the Parent Trigger law, chose another
intervention instead. While parent Revolution and Desert Trails Parent Union
was taking resources from students throughout the district with a lawsuit, the
community got together and agreed to implement reforms. A charter school for
the 2013-14 year would have undermined all of their efforts to turn this school
around - THIS YEAR. Is it about the kids or is it about a charter school? </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Here's another question. What ever happened to the first
petition? You know, the popular and original petition that initiated the Parent
Trigger discussion. Why was that never submitted when the charter petition lost
the support of parents that did not want a charter? I believe that petition was
never submitted and is now probably lost because it did not meet the political
goals of Parent Revolution. They would rather use their deep pocket resources
to pound a small school district with lawsuits than admit that the majority of
the parents do not want a charter. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Let's stop the divisive lawsuits and arguments. Put the
issue of charter school or no charter school to the parents of Desert Trails
Elementary School with a secret ballot vote monitored by neutral parties. Let's
know for sure in a democratic fashion the true will of the parents.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<!--EndFragment--><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 18px;">Please join me in my reflections on 21st century learning. I want to read your comments and opinions. I will do my best to answer questions.</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 18px;"><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 18px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #cccccc;"><br /></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 18px;"><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 18px;">Please friend me on</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 18px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #cccccc;"> </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 18px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #cccccc;"><a href="http://www.facebook.com/people/Carlos-Mendoza/100001181600277" style="color: #dd7700; text-decoration: none;">Facebook</a></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 18px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #cccccc;"> </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 18px;">and follow me on</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 18px;"> </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 18px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #cccccc;"><a href="https://twitter.com/#!/EducatorMusing" style="color: #dd7700; text-decoration: none;">Twitter</a></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #cccccc; font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">.</span></span>Educator Musinghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06534275422637444965noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3607931786458623943.post-7941079622788124782012-08-21T06:10:00.000-07:002012-08-21T06:10:38.447-07:00Parent Empowerment? Let Parents Vote!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuSWhAikueauuKB3itUsRj8UqZDBLFJ6hfoHLzNR4q2lSFJ834AZYJ4CXMsR_jcXAbAKvDCXTjcoBTfTq1xy9dYTRfm6ru9dxL3YPgaSqzONYxpykEKlcH6ZOtMBrLbValCIENlHIFpZdr/s1600/vote_checkmark_400_clr_6802.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuSWhAikueauuKB3itUsRj8UqZDBLFJ6hfoHLzNR4q2lSFJ834AZYJ4CXMsR_jcXAbAKvDCXTjcoBTfTq1xy9dYTRfm6ru9dxL3YPgaSqzONYxpykEKlcH6ZOtMBrLbValCIENlHIFpZdr/s320/vote_checkmark_400_clr_6802.png" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<div style="font-family: Tahoma;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">What is parent empowerment? I hope it is not a powerful corporation (like Parent Revolution) using a law (like Parent-Trigger) and lawsuits to impose their will on a school that is contrary to the parents' original stated goals. That seems to be the case in Adelanto, California. If so, then let's simply bring the issue back to the parents in a secret ballot vote. </span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Parent-Trigger (really called the Parent Empowerment Act), allows parents to submit a petition representing 50% + 1 of a failing school population to a local school board that would force one of several federal interventions on that school. </span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">The Parent-Trigger law has been a divisive issue in our small community. It didn't have to be. Parent Revolution could have been honest and have parents sign one Parent-Trigger petition. Instead they had parents sign two petitions and submitted a charter proposal parents stated that they did not want. Many parents pushed back at Parent Revolution with almost 100 requests to remove their signatures from the petition because they felt misled or was confused by the process. The School Board honored their requests. This caused the Parent-Trigger petition to fall below the required number of signatures. That is what happened.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Parent Revolution has been spinning the story to make it seem that the Board is anti-parent and not listening to the will of the parents. Totally untrue. Every parent on both sides of the issue told the Board that they did not want a charter school. The Desert Trails Parent Union provided a list of their original objectives (see link below) and it never included converting the school into a charter.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<a href="http://deserttrailsparentunion.webs.com/listofobjectives.htm"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">http://deserttrailsparentunion.webs.com/listofobjectives.htm</span></a><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">The Adelanto School District has acted in good faith. In the lawsuit brought against the district, Judge Malone issued a ruling stating that the Board was prohibited from allowing parents to revoke their signatures from the Parent-Trigger petition. The School District was ordered to accept the petition and the School Board complied with that order. The Board also determined that it could not impose the charter school for the 2012-13 school year. Instead, as allowed by the Parent-Trigger law, another federal intervention, alternative governance, was chosen. This intervention is closer to the parents' original requests for reform. </span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="font-family: Tahoma;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">While Parent Revolution and the Desert Trails Parent Union have been robbing district funds from kids with lawsuits, the community has been busy implementing reforms to transform the school to what they originally claimed to want.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">1. Establishment of Desert Trails Council that reports directly to the superintendent.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">2. Program Improvement Planning Team</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">3. Memorandum of Understanding related to teacher involvement.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">4. New curriculum</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">5. School Site Coach for intervention program support</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">6. Extended day instruction</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">7.</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"> Technology infusion in the classrooms </span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">8. Signed Commitment Letters from certificated staff </span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Plus an excellent principal chosen with community involvement.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Compare this with Desert Trails Parent Union's original list of objectives. It is clear that the parents and students have won! Parent Revolution, however, is considering backing another lawsuit against the district.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">The Desert Trails Parent Union now have a choice. They can partner with the district through the alternate governance plan and transform the school or they can continue to partner with Parent Revolution to further rob our kids with lawsuits. </span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="font-family: Tahoma;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">I would like to issue a personal challenge (have not discussed this with the Board). If the issue is about Parent Empowerment, then I challenge Parent Revolution and the Desert Trails Parent Union to put it up to the parents in a secret ballot vote. Why waste district funds on a lawsuit? I contend that the district has complied with the reforms asked for by parents. I accuse Parent Revolution of making this about what that organization wants and not what the majority of parents want. Let the parents of Desert Trails Elementary School vote up or down in a secret ballot monitored by neutral parties the issue of a charter school. I'm not afraid of the results - no matter what it may be. Can Parent Revolution and the Desert Trails Parent Union say the same? Or are they too invested in a win that true Parent Empowerment has been dropped from their vocabulary?</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 18px;"></span></span><br />
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Educator Musinghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06534275422637444965noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3607931786458623943.post-57225579649540378762012-08-18T16:40:00.000-07:002012-08-18T22:36:00.494-07:00Parent Revolution Robbing School District<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhp1ITcRZb7rlOsaR1bSUZ-MUWnF-_ylovEIgqyq5Mb137w1DAb829ssZiVfBTOVx_s1Yj-Ms1AfkX8b2yPLmga65Hb984srdkzTLS5PAT0q5-aYsj-ijNSTaEol9kbbo_OJShn6ngsLhcZ/s1600/hold_up_400_clr_7066.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhp1ITcRZb7rlOsaR1bSUZ-MUWnF-_ylovEIgqyq5Mb137w1DAb829ssZiVfBTOVx_s1Yj-Ms1AfkX8b2yPLmga65Hb984srdkzTLS5PAT0q5-aYsj-ijNSTaEol9kbbo_OJShn6ngsLhcZ/s320/hold_up_400_clr_7066.png" width="212" /></a></div>
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">'Trigger' parents sue Adelanto School District</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="http://www.vvdailypress.com/articles/adelanto-33801-sue-trigger.html">http://www.vvdailypress.com/articles/adelanto-33801-sue-trigger.html</a></div>
</blockquote>
<br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Parent Revolution backed an expensive lawsuit against the Adelanto School District to impose a charter the parents claim to not want. Now Gabe Rose of Parent Revolution is consulting with attorneys to do it again. This small school district may not be able to stand against the big league juggernaut funded by wealthy foundations.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">This is so wrong. While Parent Revolution is robbing needed funds from school kids through lawsuits, the community has gotten together with school improvement reforms that will transform Desert Trails into the school the Desert Trails Parent Union claimed to want. </span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Recap:</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Parent Trigger is a poorly written experimental law that allows a petition of parents representing 50% plus 1 of a failing school to impose one of several federal interventions on the school. Parent Revolution is a nonprofit corporation funded by wealthy backers that organizes parents to use this law. They had parents with children in Desert Trails Elementary School sign two petitions. The first petition has been described as transforming the school through alternative governance reforms. The second petition was to impose a charter on the school. The second petition was submitted to the Adelanto School District. Many parents felt that they were misled or confused by the process and did not want a charter for their school. Every parent on both sides of the issue told the School Board that they did not want a charter. Parents mobilized to rescind their signatures from the petition. Parent Revolution insisted that rescissions are not allowed. The Board, however, allowed the parents to remove their names from the petition. This caused the petition to fall short of the required number of signatures. Parent Revolution backed an expensive and successful lawsuit against the district. </span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Current:</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">On July 18th, Judge Malone of the Superior Court, County of San Bernardino, issued a ruling, in which it was held that the Board was prohibited from allowing parents to revoke signatures from the petition. He ordered the district to accept the petition.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Yesterday, the Adelanto School District complied with the court order and accepted the petition. Upon accepting the petition - it is part of the Parent Trigger Law for the School Board to make a final disposition with respect to the petition. The Board had to decide if the district could implement the petition. If not, then another intervention can be selected. The School Board concluded that it was impossible to implement a charter on Desert Trails Elementary School for the 2012-13 school year. It cannot be done. The Board then chose another intervention model (alternative governance) that can be implemented this school year.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">I believe that the alternative governance is closer to what the Desert Trails Parent Union has been claiming to want than a charter school. They have been stating that they really want reform and not a charter. The alternative governance reforms will include a community advisory council that will oversee improvements such as an extended school day, new curriculum, more technology, more school progress reports, and a school site improvement coach. And, as reported by the LA times, teachers will be asked to pledge support for the reforms in commitment letters and those who choose not to sign may move to another school. </span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Gabe Rose of Parent Revolution is consulting with attorneys. Interesting that he did not state that he will be consulting with the parents. </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">The Desert Trails Parent Union, if allowed by Parent Revolution, now has a choice. They can partner with the district through the alternative governance plan and transform the school or they can continue to partner with Parent Revolution to further rob our kids with lawsuits.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 18px;"></span></span><br />
<div style="text-align: left;">
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><a href="http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/lanow/2012/08/adelanto-parents-lose-charter-school-bid.html" target="_blank">Adelanto Parents Lose Charter School Bid</a> </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"></span><br />
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</span>Educator Musinghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06534275422637444965noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3607931786458623943.post-70536901206511787802012-07-23T11:41:00.000-07:002012-07-24T17:42:16.046-07:00Parent Revolution's Bait and Switch Sleigh of Hand Worked<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Tahoma;">This group of parents would do anything rather than bring in an outside charter operator.</span></span></blockquote>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Tahoma;"></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Tahoma;"> Patrick DeTemple</span></span> </blockquote>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Tahoma;">Organizing Director of Parent Revolution </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"> </span></blockquote>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Tahoma;">But we had rejected bringing in a charter.</span></span></blockquote>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Tahoma;"></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Tahoma;"> Melody Medrano (parent)</span></span> </blockquote>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Tahoma;">Coordinator with Desert Trails Parent Union</span></span></blockquote>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">I've just received phone calls from reporters asking for a reaction to Judge Malone's decision to not allow rescissions in the Adelanto Desert Trails Parent Trigger Law petition. The petition was rejected by the Adelanto School Board for not having enough valid signatures due to a significant number of parents taking back their signatures. According to what I have been told - parents will not be allowed to take back their signatures, the petition is valid, and the Parent Trigger leaders will be allowed to solicit bids to convert Desert Trails into a charter school. </span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">The Board of Trustees has not met to receive a briefing on the decision yet. </span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Personally, I am not concerned about converting Desert Trails into a charter school as long as the board has a say with community input on what that charter school will be. I am, however, gravely concerned about Parent Revolution's two petition strategy to push their agenda through. For that reason I would recommend that the decision be appealed. I do not believe that the two petition strategy should be acceptable nor allowed to be used again anywhere. Read my posts in May and April <a href="http://educatormusing.blogspot.com/" style="color: blue; text-decoration: underline;" target="_blank" title="http://educatormusing.blogspot.com/
Cmd+Click to follow link">http://educatormusing.blogspot.com/</a></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">The controversy centers on parents taking back their signatures because they felt misled or were confused by the process of signature gathering. Parent Revolution, the nonprofit organization backing the parent trigger petition, had parents sign two different petitions and submitted the least favored one to the board. Petition #1 was for structural changes in the school organization. Parent Trigger leaders, however, stated that they knew it would not give them what they wanted. Petition #2 was for charter school conversion. Parent Trigger leaders stated that this petition would give them what they wanted, but knew that parents were opposed to charter school conversion. Seems to me that the two petition strategy was predisposed to submitting petition #2. Parent Revolution refers to the two petition approach as strategy to get the district to negotiate. I'm calling it bait and switch. State Senator Gloria Romero, author of the Parent Trigger Law, initially called their two petition approach a dubious strategic choice. You only need one petition at the ready to threaten a district to negotiate under the parent trigger law - not two. How does having parents signing two different petitions and submitting the least favorite choice a strategy to convince districts to negotiate? I'm in favor of parent empowerment and that argument sounds dubious to me too. I believe the judge's decision should be appealed.</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"> For our first strategy, and this was and remains our first choice, we knew we could achieve our goals within the district, but the district would have to formally make changes and just as important the teacher's union would have to make changes to their operations. This model became petition #1. And it calls for the district to give certain powers to Desert Trails Kids First and for the union to enter into an agreement with the district that waives certain provisions of the teachers' union contract like the ones that would control who taught at Desert Trails and allow time for things like professional development. The problem was that even with the Parent Trigger Law we knew that we could not just force the district and teachers' union to make these changes. They have to come voluntarily. </span></blockquote>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"> Second, we knew that the freedom that we were looking for could be achieved by a charter passed. But we had rejected bringing in a charter. Our community has been burdened by outside charters before and we had never wanted to bring someone in to run our school. Our answer after a lot of thought was to use certain charter provisions of the Parent Trigger Law to propose our own community school. One that was run by parents and the best education talent we could find. This outcome would be required if we failed to work out a satisfactory solution with the district and the district with the union. This is plan B petition # 2.</span></blockquote>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Melody Medrano (parent) - Coordinator with Desert Trails Parent Union</span></blockquote>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"> This group of parents would do anything rather than bring in an outside charter operator. What they chose to do, and I will explain in just a second why, was take the step of deciding to form a school using California charter law that they call a community school. I know it doesn't exist in law per se - right? - but they call it a community school, formed out of California charter law with a majority parent control, bringing in the best people they can get to make it work.</span></blockquote>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"> ... I will tell you quite frankly, and again this is probably more kind of cutting edge law than anybody here wants to hear, but it is a serious question as to whether or not the implementation of the Turn Around or Transformation option or Alternative Governance for that matter under the Parent Trigger law would be able to have an impact on the collective bargaining agreements if the union didn't want it. The charter option on the other hand is somewhat more robust in that regard.</span></blockquote>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Patrick DeTemple - Organizing Director of Parent Revolution</span></blockquote>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Note: The views posted on my blog are my own and should not be confused as statements from the Adelanto School Board.</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">The Adelanto School District Board of Trustees determined on February 21, 2012 that the Parent Trigger Law petition submitted by the Desert Trails Parent Union did not have enough valid signatures to be accepted and adopted. The petition was resubmitted at a later date, but it was determined again not to have enough verifiable valid signatures. </span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">The Parent Trigger Law is a 2010 California law that has been adopted by several other states, but has not yet been successfully implemented anywhere. It's a failed law. The purpose of the law is to empower parents whose children make up 50% of a school, through a petition, the authority to force a district to impose one out five Race To The Top intervention models on their failing school. </span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">The intervention models are as followed:</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">1. Transformation - Replace the principal.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">2. Turn Around - Replace the principal and 50% of all staff.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">3. Restart - Convert the school into a charter.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">4. Closure - Close the school.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">5. Alternative Governance - Any other major restructuring of the school's governance.</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">The problem with this law is that it not energized by grass roots support and has not been successfully implemented anywhere. It needs the support and organization of the nonprofit Parent Revolution. In the meanwhile, the <a href="http://unitedoptout.com/" target="_blank">Test Opt Out movement</a>, a real parent rebellion, is beginning to sweep the nation with no need for such support to catch on as a movement.</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">The Desert Trails Parent Union submitted a Restart petition to allow itself the option of choosing the newly created Desert Trails Kids First organization to manage the independent charter school restart of Desert Trails Elementary School. Very little is known about the Desert Trails Kids First organization. Parent Revolution provided the strategy, technical support, and a few staff members for this petition. It then became the role of the school district to verify the signatures of the petition. Signatures that could not be verified as legitimate for various reasons or were rescinded by parents who felt they were misled or confused were not counted. </span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">The rescission of signatures by parents has been a major topic of discussion. Former State Senator Gloria Romero, author of the Parent Trigger Law, has stated that there is no provision in the law for the rescission of signatures. Of course that also means that there are no prohibitions against rescissions. This is a discussion that will probably be settled in a courtroom. Riveting stuff, really. </span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">I believe that Parent Revolution's two petition strategy is the center of this controversy. Yes, Parent Revolution had parents sign two different petitions at the same time. Desert Trails Parent Union submitted the least popular 2nd petition to the district. Former State Senator Gloria Romero initially took the position that it was a dubious strategic choice that was bound to confuse parents. She then later called it smart and strategic. She also initially stated that parents should be given one chance to revoke their signature within a specified time limit if they believe they were misled into signing the petition.</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Is Parent Revolution's two petition strategy confusing or misleading? I haven't decided yet. Perhaps I am too confused to understand that parents may have been misled. Parent Revolution parents have consistently stated that they do not want a charter school. Parent Revolution confirms this. Yet they submitted the one petition out of the two signed petitions that called for converting Desert Trails Elementary School into a charter.</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Patrick DeTemple, organizing director of Parent Revolution, understands that a school created under California's charter laws is a charter school. Interestingly, the parents of Desert Trails Parent Union, whom say they do not want a charter school, are willing to accept a charter school if they call it a community school and is operated by their created Desert Trails Kids First organization. As stated previously, we know very little about the Desert Trails Kids First organization.</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">The two petition strategy has been called by the same person as a dubious strategic choice that is bound to confuse parents and also smart. Can the difference be reconciled? </span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">This is how it was explained to me by Melody Medrano and Patrick DeTemple. Parents at Desert Trails Elementary School were unhappy and frustrated by the lack of progress at that school. They contacted Parent Revolution to learn more about the Parent Trigger Law. I happen to know that it was Lisa Marie Garcia's idea. She is a former board member of the Adelanto School District. </span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">The parents did not want a charter school, but they wanted to be able to hire and fire the principal. They also wanted the principal to be able to hire, fire, assign teachers and make other decisions without union contract restraints. Parent Revolution helped them get organized. They formed the Desert Trails Parent Union and created the Desert Trails Kids First organization. And they devised a two petition strategy.</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Parent Revolution and Desert Trails Parent Union asked parents to sign two different petitions at the same time. Petition #1 is said to be their first choice. I have never actually seen it. This petition has been described much like the Alternative Governance intervention model in which major restructuring of the school's governance is made. This is what the Desert Trails Parent Union said they were negotiating for. Parent Revolution and the Parent Union, however, never believed that this petition could force the district to give them the power they wanted. Petition #2, a Restart intervention model calling for a charter school operated by Desert Trails Kids First, however could give them the power they wanted. Instead of calling it a charter school - they are calling it a community school. It has been described as their backup plan. </span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">The submission of petition #2 was aligned with the timeline needed to get a charter school approved. </span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">I am confident that each petition was individually explained carefully to the parents that signed them. I'm not sure, however, how the rationale for signing the two different petitions at the same time was explained. Were the parents told that Parent Revolution and the Parent Union were not confident that the popular first petition was going to accomplish their goals and so they needed the charter school option? Or were they told that the unpopular charter school option was needed to force the district to negotiate the first petition? There is a huge difference in rationale between the two explanations.</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">The first explanation implies that Parent Revolution and Desert Trails Parent Union will make an attempt, up until the timeline for getting a charter school approved, to negotiate for the first petition, but they were going to submit the more "robust" 2nd petition. </span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">The second explanation implies that Parent Revolution and the Parent Union were going to fight for the first choice petition of changing the governance of the school and will hold the charter school petition as a threat to force the district to negotiate. If that is the case, then they really only needed one petition at the ready to make the district negotiate. But I forget, they had no confidence that the first petition could force the district to give them what they wanted. So they really needed two petitions, right?</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">I am now also wondering if the parents would have just signed the charter school petition option alone without the possibility of the more popular Alternative Governance option. </span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">It is little wonder that parents wanted to take back their signatures. I believe a reasonable person can understand that a scenario has been created in which a parent can legitimately state that the signature process for two different petitions and the submission of the least favored charter petition was either confusing or misleading. They should be allowed to rescind their signature.</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">What is your opinion? Was Parent Revolution's two petition strategy confusing or misleading?</span></div>
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(Audio) Melody Medrano PowerPoint Part 1 AESD Board Meeting 02-21-2012</div>
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(Audio) Melody Medrano PowerPoint Part 2 AESD Board Meeting 02-21-2012</div>
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(Audio) Patrick DeTemple on Two Petition Strategy Part 1 AESD Board Meeting 02-21-2012</div>
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(Audio) Patrick DeTemple on Two Petition Strategy Part 2 AESD Board Meeting 02-21-2012<br />
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To order $10 CD with complete audio recording of AESD Board Meeting 02-21-2012, contact Superintendent Secretary at (760) 246-8691</div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">The Sun</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><a href="http://www.sbsun.com/pointofview/ci_20503258/parent-trigger-misfires-again" target="_blank">Parent Trigger Misfires, Again</a></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">April 28, 2012</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Heartlander</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><a href="http://news.heartland.org/newspaper-article/2012/02/24/california-school-district-rejects-parent-trigger-petition" target="_blank">California School District Rejects Trigger Petition</a></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">February 24, 2012</span></div>
</div>Educator Musinghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06534275422637444965noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3607931786458623943.post-2450307820320342412012-04-22T17:34:00.000-07:002012-04-24T16:27:36.534-07:00Real Parent Empowerment is a Rebellion<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiU1dj4bKq_NepOhyphenhyphenUV9Qs80EiwR2svMZZWe3jzu8vgtyCtxp3aZoi8CdJNRuJY70hASn1KPlGyeQzcTbilCd6xVbW122L18HlmTEySqocd3053w7MBzT6eUexrUOuAeKtqQMKHlW-dPCef/s1600/freedom_breaking_through_wall_400_clr.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiU1dj4bKq_NepOhyphenhyphenUV9Qs80EiwR2svMZZWe3jzu8vgtyCtxp3aZoi8CdJNRuJY70hASn1KPlGyeQzcTbilCd6xVbW122L18HlmTEySqocd3053w7MBzT6eUexrUOuAeKtqQMKHlW-dPCef/s200/freedom_breaking_through_wall_400_clr.png" width="200" /></a></div>
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<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"> If without medical justification, [your son] is absent from
school on any day during the Assessment period, the District will deem this
absence as unexcused. Further, if you keep [your son] home from school during the
Assessment period, without medical verification, it is within the District’s
discretion to deem these absences as indicia of educational neglect, which
would leave the District little choice but to contact Child Protective Services
(“CPS”). Pursuant to the New York State Education Department’s 2012 School
Administrator’s Manual, a student will receive a final score of “999<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';">″</span>
and will be counted as “not tested” if: (1) he is absent from the entire test; (2) he refuses
the entire test; (3) he is absent for any session; or (4) he is present for all
sessions, but does not respond to even one question on the test. Accordingly,
if [your son] engages in any one of these activities, he will receive a final score
of 999, he will be counted as not tested, he may receive an unexcused absence,
and CPS may have to be called. </span><br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Thomas Capone - Principal of School #2</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Oceanside School District</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Oceanside, NY</span></div>
</blockquote>
<br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">There's been a lot of talk about parent empowerment. I'm not seeing a lot of it. The Parent Trigger Law, as I have seen it applied to the Adelanto School District, is not parent empowerment. It is a vehicle to impose Race To The Top policies on school districts. It does more to empower outside groups to make decisions affecting children than it does to empower their parents. Many of our laws from so-called education reformers do little to nothing for parent empowerment. Many of them actually restrict parent empowerment.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br /></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">In the latest opt out news, Christine Dougherty wanted to opt her son out of state testing. Her son attends School #2 in Oceanside, New York. She informed the principal that after watching her son struggle and listening to his concerns they decided to opt him out of this unnecessary testing. Her son was still required to take the test when he arrived at school. Also, Thomas Capone, the principal, responded to her decision by threatening to contact Child Protective Services if her son did not participate in state testing.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br /></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Really?! What the heck! Where are the Pro Bono lawyers to fight for her constitutional parent empowerment rights? Where are the deep pocket funded astro turf nonprofit organizations to organize civil rights resistance to the tyranny of the state? Where are the liberal or conservative politicians that wax eloquently that they support disenfranchised parents? They are nowhere because it is not a cause that aligns with their goals. It doesn't impose their policies on school districts. </span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br /></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">We are in an era in which the state and federal governments want to make decisions for us. This is a bipartisan effort by politicians that can't balance or pass a real budget, or secure our borders, but want to take over the education of our children. And standardized state testing is a key element in how it is done.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br /></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Good luck to the parents that want to opt out of state testing. Such an option takes away power from politicians and deep pocket funded astro turf nonprofit organizations that want to use state testing for their purposes. Opting out of state testing is exercising true parent empowerment. It is the actual parent rebellion demanding real reforms to education. </span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br /></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">There is a grassroots parent rebellion forming across the country that is demanding real improvement in schools, or parents will opt their students out of state testing. It has nothing to do with the nonprofit organization called Parent Revolution. The nonprofit Parent Revolution has had more than two years and several states to properly implement a parent trigger law petition and hasn't succeeded yet. Their problem - The Parent Trigger Law is not a grassroots movement. It causes division wherever it goes and winds up initiating a lawsuit instead of reform.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br /></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Opting out of state testing, however, is a real parent rebellion. There are <a href="http://www.q13fox.com/news/kcpq-snohomish-parents-opt-students-out-of-federal-testing-20120409,0,6092315.story" target="_blank">parents in Seattle</a> protesting state budget cuts to education by opting their children from state testing. The parents reason that the $40 million a year the state spends on testing could be better used in the classroom. </span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br /></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">There is an <a href="http://www.change.org/petitions/new-york-state-regents-end-the-reliance-on-high-stakes-standardized-testing" target="_blank">online petition to the New York State Regents</a> to end the reliance on high stakes standardized testing.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br /></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">There are <a href="http://www.tasanet.org/adopted-board-resolutions" target="_blank">more than 300 school districts in Texas </a> that have adopted a resolution saying that standardized tests are "strangling" public schools and asking their State Board of Education to rethink the testing regime.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br /></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">The rebellion is growing. More and more parents are considering opting their children out of state testing. There are more open letters from professionals calling for the end of high stakes testing and the beginning of true education reforms. And there are good reasons for this.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br /></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">The federal and state use of standardized state testing is hurting - not reforming education for our students. It is narrowing the curriculum to only what will be on the test - crowding out social studies, science, and the arts. It is limiting teaching to simple test prep instruction. Critical thinking is being limited to deciphering the correct answer out of four choices on a fill in the bubble test. Its only real purpose is to give politicians and influential groups an easy to score leverage to impose their educational policies on schools. </span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br /></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Parents, if you really want to hold your school, district, state, and federal government hostage to your demands for better education - opt your students out of state testing. </span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">...</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #cccccc; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; line-height: 18px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Please join me in my reflections on 21st century learning. I want to read your comments and opinions. I will do my best to answer questions.<br /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #cccccc; font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br /></span><br /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #cccccc; font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Please friend me on </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #cccccc; font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><a href="http://www.facebook.com/people/Carlos-Mendoza/100001181600277" style="color: #dd7700; text-decoration: none;">Facebook</a></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #cccccc; font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"> and follow me on </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #cccccc; font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><a href="https://twitter.com/#!/EducatorMusing" style="color: #dd7700; text-decoration: none;">Twitter</a></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #cccccc; font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">.</span></span></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;"><a href="http://www.q13fox.com/news/kcpq-snohomish-parents-opt-students-out-of-federal-testing-20120409,0,6092315.story" target="_blank">Parents Resist School Testing – Seattle’s Q 13 FOX News (Video)</a><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;">April 09, 2012</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">The Innovator
Educator - Blog<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><a href="http://innovativeedu.visibli.com/share/VCteJT" target="_blank">Tell Bully Principal How You Feel</a><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">April 19, 2012<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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American Principles In Action</div>
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<a href="http://www.americanprinciplesinaction.org/blog/preserving-innocence/education/oceanside-union-free-school-district-standardized-testing-trumps-parental-rights/" target="_blank">Oceanside Union Free School District: Standardized Testing Trumps Parental Rights</a></div>
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April 19, 2012</div>
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Grumpy Educators</div>
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<a href="http://grumpythings.blogspot.com/2012/04/testing-perversion-parent-threatened.html" target="_blank">Testing Perversion: Parents Threatened and Parental Rights Violated in NY</a></div>
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April 18, 2012</div>
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Schools Matter</div>
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<a href="http://www.schoolsmatter.info/2012/04/special-ed-child-forced-to-take-test.html" target="_blank">Special Ed Child Forced to Take Test, Mom Threatened by School Officials in Oceanside NY</a></div>
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April 18, 2012</div>
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The Washington Post – The Answer Sheet</div>
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<a href="http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/answer-sheet/post/education-reform-protests-pick-up-steam/2012/04/19/gIQA8KiXUT_blog.html" target="_blank">Education reform protests pick up steam</a></div>
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April 20, 2012</div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">New York Times – School Book</span><br />
<a href="http://www.nytimes.com/schoolbook/2012/04/16/with-test-week-here-parents-consider-the-option-of-opting-out" target="_blank">With Test Week Here, Parents Consider the Option of Opting Out</a><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">April 16, 2012</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"> </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"></span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><a href="http://www.q13fox.com/news/kcpq-snohomish-parents-opt-students-out-of-federal-testing-20120409,0,6092315.story" target="_blank">Snohomish Parents Opt Students of Federal Testing</a></span></div>
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Herald Net</div>
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<a href="http://www.heraldnet.com/article/20120409/NEWS01/704099945" target="_blank">Political attention comes to parents opting out of tests</a></div>
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April 09, 2012</div>
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My San Antonio</div>
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<a href="http://www.mysanantonio.com/community/northeast/news/article/Schools-coming-out-against-high-stakes-testing-3456797.php" target="_blank">Schools coming out against ‘high stakes’ testing</a></div>
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April 03, 2012</div>
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The Washington Post – The Answer Sheet</div>
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<a href="http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/answer-sheet/post/a-statement-of-our-just-grievances/2012/03/30/gIQAXTqGmS_blog.html" target="_blank">‘A statement of our just grievances’</a></div>
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March 31, 2012</div>
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The Miami Herald</div>
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<a href="http://www.miamiherald.com/2012/03/27/2717878/can-parents-have-kids-opt-out.html" target="_blank">Can parents have kids opt out of FCAT?</a></div>
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March 27, 2012</div>
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The Washington Post – The Answer Sheet</div>
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<a href="http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/answer-sheet/post/in-texas-a-revolt-brews-against-standardized-testing/2012/03/15/gIQAI5N0VS_blog.html" target="_blank">In Texas, a revolt brews against standardized testing</a></div>
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March 23, 2012</div>
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The Washington Post – The Answer Sheet</div>
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<a href="http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/answer-sheet/post/why-obamas-nclb-waivers-arent-what-he-says-they-are/2012/02/09/gIQA3Mbw2Q_blog.html" target="_blank">Why Obama’s NCLB Waivers Aren’t What He says They Are</a></div>
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February 10, 2012</div>
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The New York Times</div>
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<a href="http://www.nytimes.com/2012/02/05/us/student-assessments-facing-stiff-backlash-in-texas.html?_r=2" target="_blank">In Texas, a Backlash Against Student Testing </a></div>
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February 04, 2012</div>
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The Huffington Post – Education</div>
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<a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.com/timothy-d-slekar/opt-out-chronicles-fighti_b_1244223.html?ref=education-reform" target="_blank">Opt Out Chronicles: Fighting Sabotage</a></div>
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January 31, 2012</div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>Educator Musinghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06534275422637444965noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3607931786458623943.post-14537663907237065462012-04-05T22:50:00.001-07:002012-04-10T20:03:42.851-07:00State Senator Gloria Romero Addresses School Board - Parent Trigger Law Petition<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJBuNbO___rcbkR2t86B2rJyJKRAx8jYIgJ_0ctOnebn_6_zvWkXyyT7rVRDrb-fhQLhtoniLK9WSDd_tSx3kuXkFBbvut96mMKkAwg7y4dybEAenD6BSTqqrNql4uWrGRRaYwmHt6PZRV/s1600/reading_long_list_400_clr.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="175" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJBuNbO___rcbkR2t86B2rJyJKRAx8jYIgJ_0ctOnebn_6_zvWkXyyT7rVRDrb-fhQLhtoniLK9WSDd_tSx3kuXkFBbvut96mMKkAwg7y4dybEAenD6BSTqqrNql4uWrGRRaYwmHt6PZRV/s200/reading_long_list_400_clr.png" width="200" /></a></div><blockquote class="tr_bq"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"> Even as she affirmed support for Parent Revolution, Romero called the group's two petition tactic a "dubious strategic choice" that was bound to confuse parents. She also criticized what she called "rookie political mistakes" in making demands she found politically unrealistic, such as a freer hand to hire and fire teachers, and allowing the debate to focus again on charter schools, which also occurred in Compton.</span></blockquote><div style="text-align: center;">L.A.Times: <a href="http://www.latimes.com/news/local/la-me-parents-adelanto-20120227,0,6919301.story" target="_blank">California's Parent Trigger Law Meets New Tests in Adelanto</a> February 26, 2012</div><br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"> In particular, Romero said presenting Adelanto parents with two petitions to sign was needlessly confusing and only aided those opposing the effort. ...</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"> Romero also said several of the parents' goals, including changes in the curriculum and textbooks, could not be reached through in-district reforms.</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"> "You cannot negotiate for something the district cannot do," Romero said. "That's not negotiating in good faith."</span></blockquote><div style="text-align: center;">Heartlander: <a href="http://news.heartland.org/newspaper-article/2012/02/24/california-school-district-rejects-parent-trigger-petition" target="_blank">California School District Rejects Trigger Petition</a> February 24, 2012</div><br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"> Meanwhile, the author of the 2010 parent trigger law, former state Sen. Gloria Romero said parents should be given one chance to revoke their signature within a specified time limit if they believe they were mislead into signing the petition. "This would put the onus on organizers that you really have to be truthful and open and honest with parents," she said.</span></blockquote><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">L.A.Times:</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"> </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><a href="http://www.latimes.com/news/local/la-me-parents-adelanto-20120227,0,6919301.story" target="_blank">California's Parent Trigger Law Meets New Tests in Adelanto</a></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"> </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">February 26, 2012</span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br />
</span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Note: The views posted on my blog are my own and should not be confused as statements from the Adelanto School Board. </span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br />
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<div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><u>Parent Empowerment</u></span></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Parent empowerment is a good idea. Our public school system was founded on local control - the original old G of parent empowerment. The concept of a public school system was centered on community-based run education. The system allowed for local people to be elected by the community to be trustees of their school district. It evolved to allow parent involvement as volunteers, members of the school site councils, members of district committees, PTA, Boosters, and members of interview panels for teachers, principals, and superintendents. </span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Unfortunately, the public school system is no longer centered on community-based run education. Local control has been drained from public schools. What we now have is only a facade of local control. Education is now being run by politicians in state capitols and from Washington D.C.. The politicians, in turn, are influenced by the deep pocket affluence of nonprofit and for-profit organizations pushing their agenda on education. </span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">No Child Left Behind and Race To The Top grants are federal laws that are pushing states to adopt laws and policies that have been narrowing the curriculum and forcing our schools to be test prep institutions at the expense of science, social studies, and the arts. The "essential standards" taught now are only the ones that appear on state tests. Fear of punishment by state and federal government agencies is forcing all other subjects out of the curriculum. Even U.S. Education Secretary Duncan has conceded this point.</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Every dollar received in grants by schools from the state and federal government have strings attached to them that specifically directs how they should be spent. They are called restricted funds - restricted because they can only be spent to satisfy a particular state or federal policy. Local school districts only have real say on unrestricted funds that are almost all for employee salaries and benefits. It is sad that local control now means that districts can cut the salaries and benefits of employees during the tough times, but have little say on how to spend other monies for education.</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">The California parent trigger law doesn't empower parents to fix any of these problems. The parent trigger law is limited to imposing Race To The Top policies on local school districts. The parent trigger law is a vehicle to obligate school districts to enforce one out of five Race To The Top intervention models on a failing school. A real parent empowerment law would give parents the power to provide their school districts relief from onerous policies limiting our ability to provide a complete and better quality education for students. </span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Charter schools, for example, are considered to be superior to traditional public schools because they are free from regulations and policies that hamper traditional public schools. Well, then why not just provide similar freedom to school districts without the involvement of outside nonprofit or for-profit charter school organizations?</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Aside from that thought, some parent empowerment is better than none. The California parent trigger law allows for a petition of parent signatures representing 50% plus one of a failing school population to impose one of five Race To The Top intervention models on that school.</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">The intervention models are as followed:</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">1. Transformation - Replace the principal.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">2. Turnaround - Replace the principal and 50% of all staff.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">3. Restart - Convert the school into a charter.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">4. Closure - Close the school.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">5. Alternative Governance - Any other major restructuring of the school's governance.</span><br />
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<div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><u>The Adelanto School District</u></span></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">The Adelanto School District received a Restart Model parent trigger petition from parents calling themselves the Parent Union of Desert Trails Elementary School. The petition called for converting that school into a charter. Parent Revolution, a nonprofit organization, provided the strategy, technical support, and a few staff members for this petition. The school board determined that there were not enough verified valid signatures to accept the petition and is now going to be taken to court.</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">The failure of this parent trigger law petition should be attributed directly to Parent Revolution. They mismanaged the process. The school board of the Adelanto School District has always taken the position that they were going to comply with the law. They had no interest in challenging the law. Verifying for valid signatures on the petition is very much a part of the law. Signatures that could not be verified as legitimate for various reasons or were rescinded were not counted. </span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">A major contention is the rescinded signatures. The school board was caught by surprise as much as anyone else when a grass root movement of parents who felt that the signature campaign was confusing or misleading wanted to take back their signatures from the petition. They submitted rescissions to take back their signatures. And yes, they did receive support from CTA.</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Parent Revolution's two petition strategy is the center of this controversy. Parent Revolution had parents sign two different petitions. The first petition was to force an alternative governance solution to improve the school. The second petition, the one actually submitted, was to convert Desert Trails Elementary School into a charter school. The purpose of the two different petitions has not been clear. And the decision process to submit the charter school petition over the alternative governance petition has also not been clear. </span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">The Adelanto School Board held two public hearing that lasted for hours. Parents from both sides of the issue addressed the board. They conveyed two points of agreements. 1. They wanted a quality education for their children. 2. They did not want to convert Desert Trails Elementary School into a charter school.</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">The Parent Union addressed the board with a powerpoint presentation. In it they made clear that parents signed two different petitions. They also made it clear that it was the least favored petition that was submitted. Parent after Parent Revolution parent, when asked directly, stated that they did not want a charter school.</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">It begs the question. Why have parents sign two different petitions and submit the one with the Race To The Top intervention model that they don't want? The answer is baffling - it was strategy. </span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">According to the strategy, the two petitions were required to force the district into negotiations. That is interesting because only one petition at the ready is actually needed to threaten a district into negotiations with the parent trigger law. So why have parents sign two different petitions? And if a petition was going to be submitted - then why not submit the one desired by the parents? Why not submit the petition that the parents were negotiating for?</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">A reasonable person can understand that a scenario has been created in which a parent can legitimately state that the signature process for two different petitions and the submission of the least favored charter petition was either confusing or misleading. That being the case, why should they not revoke their signature from the petition? </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">The failure of this parent trigger law petition is not their fault. Instead, the fault should be attributed directly to Parent Revolution and its two petition strategy.</span><br />
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<div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><u>State Senator Gloria Romero</u></span></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">The author of the California Parent Empowerment Law, former State Senator Gloria Romero, addressed the Adelanto School Board in support of the submitted parent trigger charter school petition. In February, she called Parent Revolution's two petition strategy a "dubious strategic choice." At the board meeting she called it "smart" and "strategic." In February, she supported allowing parents to revoke their signatures if they believe they were mislead into signing the petition. At the board meeting she stated that the parent trigger law did not allow for rescissions. </span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">One can see how implementing the parent trigger law could be confusing or misleading.</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">Please join me in my reflections on 21st century learning. I want to read your comments and opinions. I will do my best to answer questions. </span><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dyP9A_niisfgT41_G1QvQpPKomdvVzMPtga4jvUeimCjZgCRLnToNE3nQ3jCSPU4fRuUs_fu_V1e8TKJFy7lw' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Former State Senator Gloria Romero Part 1 - <a href="http://WWW.ustream.tv/channel/adta-t-v" target="_blank">ADTA T.V.</a></span></span></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Former State Senator Gloria Romero Part 3 - <a href="http://WWW.ustream.tv/channel/adta-t-v" target="_blank">ADTA T.V</a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dy8PWHp6fR9VPrg7zBh0PCmWTjTWvA7iU2Mkx9D7TePrzieW-ykF0H_rF3QlyMugczM-DXwQLPrYUJ-Pc485g' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Former State Senator Gloria Romero Part 5 - <a href="http://WWW.ustream.tv/channel/adta-t-v" target="_blank">ADTA T.V.</a></span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dy9yvQMQSo_jnq9oizlTmx-tFZ9bSIgHUM2uQQQ3Q10-1DjuJ42IsqorpLXTGgzWIZPmET3x_TXpXe4TU-s' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">ADTA President La Nita Dominique Response - <a href="http://WWW.ustream.tv/channel/adta-t-v" target="_blank">ADTA T.V.</a></span></span></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br />
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</span></div>Educator Musinghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06534275422637444965noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3607931786458623943.post-44622742022018299382012-03-25T18:33:00.001-07:002012-03-25T18:38:50.004-07:00Atlanta Journal Constitution Widens Cheating Investigation<blockquote class="tr_bq"><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2ddiGLJ6M7nmoPHcJzYeEoYg148x-CKLYLkyJzwqoWjoZvoaTKL_-FjJMDFpJ5k9od7mith6gS6x7YsuJioZZKg5PMXKVBZawISq4oTel54OhKDnt7zEyZDI0lsEkSNQdi05o2bHPLB6T/s1600/sitting_on_x_thumbs_down_400_clr.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2ddiGLJ6M7nmoPHcJzYeEoYg148x-CKLYLkyJzwqoWjoZvoaTKL_-FjJMDFpJ5k9od7mith6gS6x7YsuJioZZKg5PMXKVBZawISq4oTel54OhKDnt7zEyZDI0lsEkSNQdi05o2bHPLB6T/s200/sitting_on_x_thumbs_down_400_clr.png" width="135" /></a></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">"We're lying to our children when we tell them they're proficient, but they're not achieving at a level that will prepare them for success once they graduate."</span><br />
<div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">U. S. Education Secretary Arne Duncan- October 30, 2009</span></div></blockquote><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">No Child Left Behind required states to create tests that will hold them accountable for raising test scores. This was a decade ago. </span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">The Atlanta Journal Constitution (AJC) broke the story of wide spread cheating among schools in Atlanta. The cheating artificially raised the test scores of many schools throughout that city. Bonuses and accolades were wrongly given to educators at all levels that did not earn them. Parents and students were given a false sense of achievement based on a lie. So now AJC is using the same methodology to question the test scores of other cities across the nation. Their analysis doesn't actually prove cheating, but it reveals patterns that, in Atlanta, indicated cheating in multiple schools. </span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Cheating is wrong. Unfortunately, cheating done by erasing and correcting wrong answers or giving hints to test struggling students is actually superficial compared to how our students are and have been cheated out of a quality education. </span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">States, like Mississippi, set their test scores to a lower standard to create the impression that their students were achieving at a level that will prepare them for success in the next grade. School districts have redrawn boundaries to change the testing population of schools to artificially raise test scores. Magnet and charter schools have released their poorest performing students back to the neighborhood schools to artificially raise their test scores. </span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">All of this is bad. It's cheating. Worse, many of these actions and more are sanctioned as OK to implement as sound strategies to improve schools. </span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Worse still is the narrowing of the curriculum. We have become a nation with a test prep education system that willingly sacrifice social studies, science, vocational classes, and the arts to concentrate solely on what is going to be on the federally controlled state test. Teachers are being force to not only teach to the test but to eliminate everything else that will not be on the test. U.S. Education Secretary Arne Duncan and President Obama have both spoken against this unintended consequence of No Child Left Behind, but promote tying the same policy to teacher performance evaluations with Race To The Top grants. And republican politicians eagerly provide bipartisan support to this already proven bad policy. </span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">It is a bad idea to tie teacher performance evaluations, bonuses, and federal monies to this failed policy called accountability. It does not account for or reliably measure a quality education. </span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">There is a better way. Spelling bees. Science fairs. Projects. In the 21st century, students should be required to demonstrate with projects that they have mastered the state standards. Badges can be earned to demonstrate achievement and proficiency. Give students this kind of challenge and they won't guess that the answer is A, B C, or D. </span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Please join me in my reflections on 21st century learning. I want to read your comments and opinions. I will do my best to answer questions. </span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: x-large;">Please friend me on </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: x-large;"><a href="http://www.facebook.com/people/Carlos-Mendoza/100001181600277" style="color: #dd7700; text-decoration: none;">Facebook</a></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: x-large;"> and follow me on </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: x-large;"><a href="https://twitter.com/#!/EducatorMusing" style="color: #dd7700; text-decoration: none;">Twitter</a></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: x-large;">.</span><br />
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</div><div class="MsoNormal">Atlanta Journal Constitution March 25, 2012</div><div class="MsoNormal">Cheating Our Children: Suspicious School Tests Scores Across the Nation</div><div class="MsoNormal"><a href="http://www.ajc.com/news/cheating-our-children-suspicious-1397022.html">http://www.ajc.com/news/cheating-our-children-suspicious-1397022.html</a></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">Huffington Post March 25, 2012</div><div class="MsoNormal">Schools Cheating Investigation: Atlanta Journal Constitution Flags Improbable Test Scores In Analysis</div><div class="MsoNormal"><a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/03/24/schools-cheating-investig_n_1377767.html?ref=education">http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/03/24/schools-cheating-investig_n_1377767.html?ref=education</a></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dz0qqxOQGn5XNUVbnbhVykfZn6yQNYKc-19tk_U8GDuy_bUR8hspVOMttUTKKpAJxrOIyn71plJ4yHiWf0m8g' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div><div class="MsoNormal"></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">NBC Nightly News March 24, 2012</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">U.S. School Scrutinized Over Test Scores</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/3032619/ns/nightly_news/#46845688">http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/3032619/ns/nightly_news/#46845688</a></div>Educator Musinghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06534275422637444965noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3607931786458623943.post-87927409875043178422012-03-24T19:43:00.002-07:002012-03-25T06:57:24.886-07:00Looking Up and Beyond<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBUctYwtyOv2ZSO62OtdeGsw50wqiOXRXRzcU2Lo6hmxNVaUXjmuUerBqpSDYmctTyycxsbWxbBZWFkhIuFeZFtqpvZQITIlg0BsLBFhwahHDDL1sH8k_x8OsOSL0Vnh6qL6cYDc6XvM5V/s1600/visionary_figure_pointing_400_clr.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBUctYwtyOv2ZSO62OtdeGsw50wqiOXRXRzcU2Lo6hmxNVaUXjmuUerBqpSDYmctTyycxsbWxbBZWFkhIuFeZFtqpvZQITIlg0BsLBFhwahHDDL1sH8k_x8OsOSL0Vnh6qL6cYDc6XvM5V/s200/visionary_figure_pointing_400_clr.png" width="150" /></a></div><blockquote class="tr_bq"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">"My voice shalt thou hear in the morning, O Lord; in the morning will I direct my prayer unto thee, and will look up."</span><br />
<div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Psalms 5:3</span></div></blockquote><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Hi!</span><br />
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</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">It's been awhile. Truth is - I needed a break from writing and attending school. I have been reminded that life is not only unfair, but also short. My mom passed away last summer after many years of poor health. We celebrated her 75th birthday that weekend and on her actual birthday passed away. Now my dad will be undergoing surgery to remove a tumor in his colon. A weak heart further complicates the surgery. </span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">My dad is still the funniest person I know, rivaled only by my youngest daughter. She's the one that would be a vegetarian if it weren't for bacon. She's the one that wonders why she is not allowed to watch certain shows when she hears the same language on the school bus - and what does those words mean anyway? Well, he is sort of like that. He is not concerned about ever living in the house he just bought in Florida. He is more curious to see if the Mayan calendar actually predicts the end of the world in 2012. (I've learn to just accept and not try to understand).</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">I believe in prayer. If you believe in prayer, please include my dad in one of them. He would be disappointed to miss the opportunity to see if the world will end in 2012. What can I say - he's my dad.</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">In the meanwhile, I will return to being outspoken, writing, and advocating for what I believe is right. That is the kind of person my parents raised me to be.</span><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dyDNkvSQiR7NOvUsm3T5DIHsHU0sSzS3dkEQrADyE0fTcidsBWX2NMjajk1aPgB70Ve2Nx897vhLi7BD8D2hw' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div><div style="text-align: center;">In Loving Memory of Dora Hilda Estrada Laureano Mendoza</div>Educator Musinghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06534275422637444965noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3607931786458623943.post-11344373902353248212011-08-01T17:00:00.000-07:002011-08-10T09:17:03.326-07:00The New Digital Divide<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUkqXp-AC2Cf_CRnE9iw8WGTDJ8MX8mz8MuWS2WXocK8YE0YLDZzwqxu70L1WpsV7U_K7vAiAm_iUQocf8R_qrQDLfYQos2aRr9zLx_HRRmbbHMCpr_U7sR2G1bJhg7EkMwX79a_OlGzB6/s1600/build_puzzle_bridge_pc_400_clr.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="194" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUkqXp-AC2Cf_CRnE9iw8WGTDJ8MX8mz8MuWS2WXocK8YE0YLDZzwqxu70L1WpsV7U_K7vAiAm_iUQocf8R_qrQDLfYQos2aRr9zLx_HRRmbbHMCpr_U7sR2G1bJhg7EkMwX79a_OlGzB6/s320/build_puzzle_bridge_pc_400_clr.png" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<blockquote><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: white;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Every one of us gets through the tough times because somebody is there, standing in the gap to close it for us.</span></span></blockquote><blockquote style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">- Oprah Winfrey</span></blockquote><blockquote><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: white;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">While 73% of faculty say digital content is essential for 21st century classroom, only 11% of districts are using it, according to IT professionals.</span></span></blockquote><blockquote style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">- 2011 CDW-G 21st-Century Classroom Report</span></blockquote><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><o:p><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"> </span></o:p><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Not all students have equal access to technology. The gap between those that have access to technology and those that do not has been called the digital divide.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">There are different levels of access that needs to be considered. Does the student have access to technology, such as a computer? Does the technology have access to the Internet? Does the student possess the skill sets needed to access and use an e-learning system? Is adapted technology needed to overcome a physical handicap, such as blindness or loss of hearing? Then there is a new one. Does the school actually provide e-learning or is the e-learning experience up to the level of the students’ expectation and proficiency in technology?</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Discussions on the digital divide express the concern that students without computers and without access to the Internet do not participate in online learning and other online benefits. According to a <a href="http://www.pewinternet.org/Static-Pages/Trend-Data-for-Teens/Whos-Online.aspx.">2009 survey</a> conducted by the PEW Internet and American Life Project, 95% of all teenagers ages 14 – 17 use the Internet. According to a <a href="http://www.pewinternet.org/Static-Pages/Trend-Data/Whos-Online.aspx">2010 survey</a> conducted by the same group, 90% of all young adults ages 18 - 29 use the Internet. The Digital Divide widens as older age brackets are examined and when race, ethnicity, and income are considered. The trend, however, is that the digital divide based on access to technology and to the Internet has lessen significantly and is diminishing. And by inference, concerns about the skill sets needed to access e-learning systems should also diminish.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"> It is a mistake, however, to assume that teachers and students would instinctively know how to access and use an e-learning system. As a guideline to teaching online, <a href="http://atimod.com/">Gilly Salmon</a> has outlined a Five-Phase Model for Online Learning. In this model, there are five stages of e-learning from the student, teacher, and technological perspectives. </span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">For the student the first stage is learning to access the system. In the second stage the student begins to appreciate the social environment of the e-learning experience. The student begins in the third stage to appreciate the benefits of the e-learning experience. The fourth stage there is a change in roles in which teacher and student begin to work collaboratively. The student, in the final stage, becomes more independent in the e-learning experience. </span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">The teacher in the first phase is welcoming and encouraging as the student learns to access system. In the second phase, the teacher provides bridges between cultural, social, and learning environments as the student begins to appreciate the online experience. In the third phase, the teacher facilitates tasks as the student begins to appreciate the benefits of online learning. In the fourth phase, the teacher facilitates the learning process while working collaboratively with student. And in the fifth phase, the teacher is encouraging, as the student becomes a more independent e-learner.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">There is also help to close the digital divide based on other factors. For example <a href="http://club-digital.com/?lang=en_us">Club Digital</a> is a program designed to help families bridge this technological gap. A <a href="http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/impremedia-launches-club-digital-126503683.html">Spanish language summer program pilot</a> was recently launched to help close the divide that disproportionally affects Hispanic families in America. It is a comprehensive bilingual multimedia Internet training program. Created with the partnership of AT & T, California Emerging Technology Fund (CETF), and Dewey Square Group, it will provide a free opportunity for millions to learn basic Internet skills. </span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><o:p><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"> </span></o:p><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"> </span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">According to the <a href="http://www.pewinternet.org/Reports/2011/Disability.aspx">Pew Internet and American Life Project (2011)</a>, one in four American adults live with a disability that interferes with activities of daily living. Only 54% of these adults use the Internet while 84% percent of adults without such disabilities use the Internet. This subsection, of course, overlaps with the older age bracket of adults that seldom use the Internet. The point that adaptive technology is needed for students with a disability is still valid and more pressing than for the general population.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">New and interesting to note is a juxtaposition shift in the Digital Divide discussion. In a news release by a private provider of technology products and service, CDW (2011), the second annual <a href="http://www.blogger.com/goog_727942514">21</a></span><sup><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><a href="http://www.blogger.com/goog_727942514">st</a></span></sup><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><a href="http://newsroom.cdw.com/features/feature-06-27-11.html"> Century Classroom Report</a> states that only 39% percent of students say their high schools are meeting their technology expectations. Perhaps it is time to consider that the Digital Divide now is more about meeting the expectation of today’s students than it is about making technology available.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Please join me in my reflections on 21st century learning. I want to read your comments and opinions. I will do my best to answer questions.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">I would like to add you to my circle of friends on Google+. Please email me at carlosmendoza3@educatormusing.com if you are interested in receiving a Google+ invitation. </span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">I would also like to include you in my growing circulation of </span><a href="http://paper.li/EducatorMusing/1310912004"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Educator Musing Daily</span></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"> </span><a href="http://paper.li/EducatorMusing/1310912004"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Posts</span></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">. If you are interested in subscribing to the free daily updates and news, please visit the publication and click on Subscribe.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">To subscribe to Educator Musing, submit your email address in the Follow By Email box in the sidebar or if you prefer an RSS feed click on Posts.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Please friend me on </span><a href="http://www.facebook.com/people/Carlos-Mendoza/100001181600277"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Facebook</span></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"> and follow me on </span><a href="https://twitter.com/#!/EducatorMusing"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Twitter</span></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><o:p><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"></span></o:p><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Thanks!</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br />
</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12px;"></span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dz53q6ftIXXT7rRLaWOMS0BVxPrfq_tqUPJ8POo3AEAeIBFsdteXwiKUSmw9F-WSLAfv7OjeHEpC6x7tLb1lA' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div><!--StartFragment--> <div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">Source: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yCHslv51d5c</div><!--EndFragment--> <h1 id="watch-headline-title" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-color: initial; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-top-width: 0px; color: #333333; font-weight: bold; height: 1.1363em; line-height: 1.1363em; margin-bottom: 5px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; max-height: 1.1363em; overflow-x: hidden; overflow-y: hidden; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: white; font-size: small; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;">Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa Club Digital </span></h1>Educator Musinghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06534275422637444965noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3607931786458623943.post-89331325158850028172011-07-22T22:19:00.000-07:002011-07-22T22:20:56.274-07:00Adumbrating the Failure of No Child Left Behind<div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyVm7O0bdC5xKWVnu1NIaAMJvnPUPwuylD2fR4FYmdICIVkk4JJlxHAeThKwZs__ps-X0SraTj940guAELWX1xFbMQsSKXVv-UJvpEgJOHfJvqf_geNyY2AIGcvRilyADK-XE_AO734r5k/s1600/fortune_teller_crystal_ball_400_clr.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyVm7O0bdC5xKWVnu1NIaAMJvnPUPwuylD2fR4FYmdICIVkk4JJlxHAeThKwZs__ps-X0SraTj940guAELWX1xFbMQsSKXVv-UJvpEgJOHfJvqf_geNyY2AIGcvRilyADK-XE_AO734r5k/s200/fortune_teller_crystal_ball_400_clr.png" width="150" /></a></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
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</div><blockquote><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">“I’m disappointed that House legislation passed today doesn’t fix the real problems with No Child Left Behind … and doesn’t give states the kind of flexibility and reform they’re asking for.”</span></blockquote><div class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><o:p></o:p></span></div><blockquote><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">- </span><a href="http://www.ed.gov/news/press-releases/statement-secretary-arne-duncan-house-education-and-workforce-committees-passage"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: orange;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">U.S. Department of Education Secretary, Arne Duncan July 13, 2011</span></span></a></blockquote><blockquote><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br />
</span></blockquote><blockquote><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">"We're pleased to see some recent progress among all age groups in reading and among younger age groups in math. We're also pleased to see achievement gaps shrinking in reading, but we still have a lot more work to do. Our focus on raising standards, increasing academic rigor and improving teacher quality are all steps in the right direction."</span></blockquote><blockquote><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">- </span><a href="http://www.ed.gov/news/press-releases/us-secretary-education-arne-duncan-issues-statement-2008-national-assessment-edu"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: orange;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">U.S. Department of Education Secretary, Arne Duncan April 28, 2009</span></span></a></blockquote><blockquote><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br />
</span></blockquote><blockquote><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">"While flexibility is the watchword of NCLB those of us who must implement this important law have found that a lack of flexibility is causing us difficulty in ensuring we meet its promise."</span></blockquote><blockquote><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">- </span><a href="http://www.cde.ca.gov/nr/ne/yr04/yr04rel27.asp"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: orange;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Then California Superintendent of Public Instruction, Jack O’Connell March 24, 2004</span></span></a></blockquote><div class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br />
</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">U.S. Department of Education Secretary Arne Duncan has come to a realization. States need flexibility to create the reforms sought for in education. That is quite a growth from federal government focus and control on raising standards and increasing academic rigor. He has come to understand that No Child Left Behind has actually lowered standards, narrowed curriculum, and doesn’t work. What could have caused such understanding?</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br />
</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">11 Alive News July 21, 2011 – </span><b><a href="http://www.11alive.com/News/Education/198424/11/Elite-Teach-for-America-thrust-into-APS-scandal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Elite Teach For America thrust into APS scandal</span></a></b></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br />
</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">CNN July 20, 2011 – </span><b><a href="http://www.cnn.com/2011/US/07/20/georgia.atlanta.schools.cheating/index.html"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Seven Atlanta educators step down as cheating scandal unfolds</span></a></b></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br />
</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">NJ.com July 20, 2011 – </span><b><a href="http://www.nj.com/news/index.ssf/2011/07/34_nj_schools_to_be_investigat.html"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">34 N.J. schools to be investigated for possible cheating after state discovers test score irregularities</span></a></b></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br />
</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">USA Today July 20, 2011 – </span><b><a href="http://content.usatoday.com/communities/ondeadline/post/2011/07/nj-schools-probed-for-possible-test-cheating/1?csp=34news"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">N.J. schools probed for possible test cheating</span></a></b></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br />
</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Education Week July 20, 2011 – </span><b><a href="http://blogs.edweek.org/teachers/teaching_now/2011/07/update_allegedly_false_test_scores_used_to_dismiss_teachers.html"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">D.C. Update: Allegedly False Test Scores Used for Value-Added Calculations</span></a></b></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br />
</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">New York Times July 17, 2011 – </span><b><a href="http://www.nytimes.com/2011/07/18/education/18oneducation.html"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Cracking a System in Which Test Scores Were for Changing</span></a></b></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br />
</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">New York Times July 16, 2011 – </span><b><a href="http://www.nytimes.com/aponline/2011/07/16/us/AP-US-Schools-Cheating-Fallout.html?_r=2&hp"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Atlanta Schools Created Culture of Cheating, Fear</span></a></b></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br />
</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">USA Today July 14, 2011 – </span><b><a href="http://www.usatoday.com/news/education/2011-07-14-atlanta-testing-scandal-award_n.htm"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Ex-Atlanta superintendent at center of scandal to keep award</span></a></b></div><div class="MsoNormal"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">and </span></b><b><a href="http://bcove.me/f99ssz5o"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Video</span></a></b></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br />
</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">CNN July 14, 2011 – </span><b><a href="http://www.cnn.com/2011/OPINION/07/13/jackson.schools.cheating/index.html?hpt=op_t1"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Flawed policy on testing drives schools to cheat</span></a></b></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br />
</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">New York Times July 12, 2011 – </span><b><a href="http://www.nytimes.com/aponline/2011/07/12/us/AP-US-State-Tests-Cheating.html"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Pa. Looking Into Possible Cheating on State Tests</span></a></b></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br />
</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">New York Times July 12, 2011 - </span><b><a href="http://www.nytimes.com/2011/07/13/education/13educ.html?_r=1&ref=politics"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Schools Chiefs See a Path to Proposing Their Own Accountability Systems</span></a></b></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br />
</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">FOX News July 10, 2011– </span><a href="http://www.foxnews.com/politics/2011/07/10/education-department-concerned-about-wave-cheating-probes-allegations/"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Education Department ‘Concerned’ About Wave Cheating Probes Allegations</span></b></a></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br />
</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">The Atlanta Journal Constitution July 10, 2011 – </span><b><a href="http://www.ajc.com/news/atlanta/cheating-scandal-adds-fuel-1007784.html"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Cheating scandal adds fuel to debate over high-stakes tests</span></a></b></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br />
</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">The Commercial Appeal July 5, 2011– </span><a href="http://www.commercialappeal.com/news/2011/jul/05/schools-eye-no-child-left-behind/"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Tennessee Eyes Waiver For No Child Left Behind</span></b></a></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br />
</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">NPR: June 29, 2011– </span><a href="http://www.npr.org/2011/06/29/137476810/states-threaten-to-defy-no-child-left-behind?ft=1&f=1003"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">States Threaten To Defy No Child Left Behind</span></b></a></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br />
</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Baltimore Sun June 25, 2011 – </span><b><a href="http://www.baltimoresun.com/news/maryland/bs-md-cheating-on-tests-20110625,0,6697385.story"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Cheating scandals put tests in the spotlight</span></a></b></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br />
</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">USA Today March 17, 2011 – </span><b><a href="http://www.usatoday.com/news/education/2011-03-06-school-testing_N.htm"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">When test scores seem too good to believe</span></a></b></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br />
</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Washington Post: March 9, 2011- </span><a href="http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2011/03/09/AR2011030905748.html"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Most schools could face 'failing' label under No Child Left Behind, Duncan says</span></b></a></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br />
</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">NPR January 30, 2008- </span><a href="http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=18432881"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">'No Child' Law Picked Apart as Renewal Fight Looms</span></b></a></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br />
</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Houston Chronicle December 15, 2006 – </span><b><a href="http://www.chron.com/disp/story.mpl/front/4404069.html"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">State discounts TAKS cheating</span></a></b></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br />
</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Amarillo Globe News December 2004 – </span><b><a href="http://amarillo.com/stories/122004/tex_paperfinds.shtml"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Dallas paper finds evidence of TAKS cheating</span></a></b></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br />
</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">California Department of Education March 24, 2004 - </span><b><a href="http://www.cde.ca.gov/nr/ne/yr04/yr04rel27.asp"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">More Than a Dozen Schools Chiefs Join California Superintendent O'Connell to Fight Changes to No Child Left Behind Act</span></a></b></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br />
</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br />
</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Now if DOE Secretary Arne Duncan will only also see that Race To The Top is No Child Left Behind on steroids. Or will he continue to push for the direct federal centralization of public education?</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br />
</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Please join me in my reflections on 21st century learning. I want to read your comments and opinions. I will do my best to answer questions.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br />
</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">I would like to add you to my circle of friends on Google+. Please email me at carlosmendoza3@educatormusing.com if you are interested in receiving a Google+ invitation. </span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br />
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</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Thanks!</span></div>Educator Musinghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06534275422637444965noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3607931786458623943.post-78913469332479958862011-07-21T13:08:00.000-07:002011-07-21T13:27:23.909-07:00Corporate Knights of the Round Table<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_NOcjBBF_otAjpdudcylW0Qq9T9NaEOxn7lr6UoBMfn1swcMTr9y9NcrfUulbq2G_eU5Vj82RKMKk-9NfN4kwp0pqSRcy5vAfq9ES6ctrAyxosZJ6_VOBs30eVJuiPkGNofFKRQKKQmT0/s1600/Global+Business+Stance.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="217" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_NOcjBBF_otAjpdudcylW0Qq9T9NaEOxn7lr6UoBMfn1swcMTr9y9NcrfUulbq2G_eU5Vj82RKMKk-9NfN4kwp0pqSRcy5vAfq9ES6ctrAyxosZJ6_VOBs30eVJuiPkGNofFKRQKKQmT0/s320/Global+Business+Stance.png" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<blockquote><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">“A world-class education is the single most important factor in determining not just whether our kids can compete for the best jobs, but whether America can outcompete countries around the world.”</span></blockquote><blockquote><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">- President Obama</span></blockquote><div class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">In an education roundtable meeting Monday, in which there were no educators, President Obama secured millions of dollars from corporate leaders. In attendance was:</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 63.0pt; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list 63.0pt; text-indent: -27.0pt;"><span style="font-family: Symbol;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">·</span><span style="font: normal normal normal 7pt/normal 'Times New Roman';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"> </span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Marguerite Kondrake, Pres. & CEO of America’s Promise</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 63.0pt; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list 63.0pt; text-indent: -27.0pt;"><span style="font-family: Symbol;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">·</span><span style="font: normal normal normal 7pt/normal 'Times New Roman';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"> </span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Alma Powell, Chairwoman of America’s Promise</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 63.0pt; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list 63.0pt; text-indent: -27.0pt;"><span style="font-family: Symbol;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">·</span><span style="font: normal normal normal 7pt/normal 'Times New Roman';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"> </span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">General Colin Powell, founding Chairman of America’s Promise</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 63.0pt; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list 63.0pt; text-indent: -27.0pt;"><span style="font-family: Symbol;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">·</span><span style="font: normal normal normal 7pt/normal 'Times New Roman';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"> </span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Craig Barrett, former Pres. & CEO of Intel</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 63.0pt; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list 63.0pt; text-indent: -27.0pt;"><span style="font-family: Symbol;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">·</span><span style="font: normal normal normal 7pt/normal 'Times New Roman';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"> </span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Glenn Britt, CEO of Time Warner Cable</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 63.0pt; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list 63.0pt; text-indent: -27.0pt;"><span style="font-family: Symbol;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">·</span><span style="font: normal normal normal 7pt/normal 'Times New Roman';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"> </span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Steve Case, former Chairman & CEO of America Online</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 63.0pt; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list 63.0pt; text-indent: -27.0pt;"><span style="font-family: Symbol;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">·</span><span style="font: normal normal normal 7pt/normal 'Times New Roman';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"> </span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Brian Gallagher, Pres. & CEO of United Way Worldwide</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 63.0pt; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list 63.0pt; text-indent: -27.0pt;"><span style="font-family: Symbol;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">·</span><span style="font: normal normal normal 7pt/normal 'Times New Roman';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"> </span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">William Green, Pres. & CEO of Accenture</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 63.0pt; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list 63.0pt; text-indent: -27.0pt;"><span style="font-family: Symbol;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">·</span><span style="font: normal normal normal 7pt/normal 'Times New Roman';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"> </span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Fred Humphries, Senior Vice President of Microsoft</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 63.0pt; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list 63.0pt; text-indent: -27.0pt;"><span style="font-family: Symbol;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">·</span><span style="font: normal normal normal 7pt/normal 'Times New Roman';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"> </span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Rhonda Mimms, Foundation Pres. of ING</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 63.0pt; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list 63.0pt; text-indent: -27.0pt;"><span style="font-family: Symbol;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">·</span><span style="font: normal normal normal 7pt/normal 'Times New Roman';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"> </span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Kathleen Murphy, Pres. of Fidelity Personal Investments</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 63.0pt; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list 63.0pt; text-indent: -27.0pt;"><span style="font-family: Symbol;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">·</span><span style="font: normal normal normal 7pt/normal 'Times New Roman';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"> </span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Ed Rust, CEO of State Farm</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 63.0pt; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list 63.0pt; text-indent: -27.0pt;"><span style="font-family: Symbol;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">·</span><span style="font: normal normal normal 7pt/normal 'Times New Roman';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"> </span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Randall Stephenson, Chairman & CEO of AT &T</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 63.0pt; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list 63.0pt; text-indent: -27.0pt;"><span style="font-family: Symbol;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">·</span><span style="font: normal normal normal 7pt/normal 'Times New Roman';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"> </span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Bill Swanson, Chairman & CEO of Raytheon</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 63.0pt; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list 63.0pt; text-indent: -27.0pt;"><span style="font-family: Symbol;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">·</span><span style="font: normal normal normal 7pt/normal 'Times New Roman';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"> </span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Laysha Ward, Foundation Pres. of Target</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 63.0pt; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list 63.0pt; text-indent: -27.0pt;"><span style="font-family: Symbol;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">·</span><span style="font: normal normal normal 7pt/normal 'Times New Roman';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"> </span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">David Zaslav, Pres. & CEO of Discovery Communications</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 63.0pt; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list 63.0pt; text-indent: -27.0pt;"><span style="font-family: Symbol;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">·</span><span style="font: normal normal normal 7pt/normal 'Times New Roman';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"> </span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Bob Wise, a former governor, Pres. of Alliance for Excellent Education</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 63.0pt; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list 63.0pt; text-indent: -27.0pt;"><span style="font-family: Symbol;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">·</span><span style="font: normal normal normal 7pt/normal 'Times New Roman';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"> </span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Anne Finucane, Chair of the Bank of America Charitable Foundation</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Many of my colleagues correctly point out that there were no educators at the meeting. I can understand why not. Educators cannot raise the kind of money that was pledged to education initiatives that day. Collectively, more than $100 million in pledges to new initiatives was announced in conjunction with the meeting.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">The meeting was essentially a fundraiser for education. Nonprofit corporations have fundraisers all the time. There is nothing improper about that. Unfortunately our school system isn’t really set up to receive and distribute that large amount of pledges in an effective meaningful way. </span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">I just had a thought. A congressional Act can abolish the U.S. Department of Education. Its $79 billion budget could then be used to establish and fund a private not-for-profit corporation to facilitate the development of public education. This would be similar to the Public Broadcasting Act of 1967. Such a move can place in motion the means to shape the growing market for eLearning to serve our students. The current attempt to centralize public education through No Child Left Behind (NCLB) and Race To The Top (RTTT) is not working. The education equivalent of the Corporation for Public Broadcasting (CPB) would accomplish more and be more effective.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Private foundations, like the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, Eli and Edythe Broad Foundation, and the Walton Family Foundation, that distribute hundreds of millions of dollars to education initiatives, are already trying to do this on their own. Corporate foundations have invested over $514 million in education initiatives. President Obama in this recent roundtable meeting secured millions more from corporations. In short, it's happening anyway without public accountability.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">A radical change in education from direct government control to government funded private not-for-profit corporations is an idea worth pursuing. Finding the right mixture of instruction, management, and structure for sustainable funding and accreditation will be a challenge, but our kids are worth it.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Please join me in my reflections on 21st century learning. I want to read your comments and opinions. I will do my best to answer questions.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">I would like to add you to my circle of friends on Google+. Please email me at carlosmendoza3@educatormusing.com if you are interested in receiving a Google+ invitation. </span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">I would also like to include you in my growing circulation of </span><a href="http://paper.li/EducatorMusing/1310912004"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Educator Musing Daily</span></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"> </span><a href="http://paper.li/EducatorMusing/1310912004"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Posts</span></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">. If you are interested in subscribing to the free daily updates and news, please visit the publication and click on Subscribe.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
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</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Please friend me on </span><a href="http://www.facebook.com/people/Carlos-Mendoza/100001181600277"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Facebook</span></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"> and follow me on </span><a href="https://twitter.com/#!/EducatorMusing"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Twitter</span></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dwPLJBjVyyxGBrOSKSjPkrzXSKcJszzWQMg7dzS0NqFqOW1XYMEEbFWeuwEkxqu8xj3NhAhWzxg1lJg9AP-jg' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><o:p><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"> </span>Source: Fox News: </o:p>http://video.foxnews.com/v/1064114245001/ceos-pledge-investments-in-education</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br />
</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">America’s Promise Org. - </span><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><a href="http://www.americaspromise.org/News-and-Events/News-and-Features/2011-News/July/WH-Business-Roundtable.aspx">America’s Promise Alliance joins President Obama, U.S. Education Secretary and CEOs at White House roundtable on education</a></span></b></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><b><br />
</b></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Ed.gov Blog - </span><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><a href="http://www.ed.gov/blog/2011/07/staying-competitive-through-education-the-president-and-american-business-leaders-announce-new-commitments/">Staying Competitive Through Education: The President and American Business Leaders Announce New Commitments</a></span></b></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br />
</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Executivegov. com - </span><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><a href="http://www.executivegov.com/2011/07/obama-hosts-roundtable-to-discuss-education-americas-future/">Obama Hosts Roundtable to Discuss Education, America’s Future</a><o:p></o:p></span></b></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br />
</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Substance News -</span><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"> <a href="http://www.substancenews.net/articles.php?page=2442&section=Article">Obama hosted July 18 'Education Roundtable' at the White House — without educators or teachers</a></span></b></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">U.S. Department of Labor - </span><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><a href="http://www.doleta.gov/usworkforce/whatsnew/eta_default.cfm?id=5449">President Obama Hosts Education Roundtable to Discuss Industry-Led Partnerships to Transform Educational System.</a></span></b></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br />
</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Washington Post - </span><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><a href="http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/answer-sheet/post/president-obamas-unusual-education-roundtable/2011/07/18/gIQAf3UJMI_blog.html">President Obama’s unusual education roundtable</a></span></b></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br />
</span></div>Educator Musinghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06534275422637444965noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3607931786458623943.post-19960411494713822142011-07-19T21:12:00.000-07:002011-07-19T21:33:29.796-07:00Commercial Markets Determining The Future Of Schooling<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiiL4DEtzaaP-6RjLFJiQRXSMFx2p_K4EYFopHtdiWaFc_uCdoN1pLJ2FA_ps5s7MdLgXvRLOShhu1SxgQS3XVjdrnBDwRWfC4iv47hRYhLJr1z7rzuJeAuTwJ_cW8K-yzJSfq6VnkslrOZ/s1600/drawing_graph_400_clr.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="291" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiiL4DEtzaaP-6RjLFJiQRXSMFx2p_K4EYFopHtdiWaFc_uCdoN1pLJ2FA_ps5s7MdLgXvRLOShhu1SxgQS3XVjdrnBDwRWfC4iv47hRYhLJr1z7rzuJeAuTwJ_cW8K-yzJSfq6VnkslrOZ/s320/drawing_graph_400_clr.png" width="320" /></a></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
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</div><blockquote><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">“Capitalism is the worst economic system in the world – except for everything else we’ve tried.”</span></blockquote><blockquote style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"> Pat Dorsey – MorningStar.com</span></blockquote><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><a href="http://www.AmbientInsight.com/Default.aspx"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Ambient Insight</span></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">, founded in 2004, is an international market research firm that uses predictive analytics to identify revenue opportunities for global eLearning and Mobile Learning suppliers. They released a new report predicting that the worldwide market for Self-paced eLearning products and services will grow from $32 billion to $49.9 billion by 2015.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">The </span><a href="http://www.AmbientInsight.com/News/Ambient-Insight-2010-2015-Worldwide-eLearning-Market.aspx"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Worldwide Market for Self-paced eLearning Products and Services: 2010-2015 Forecast and Analysis</span></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"> report identifies a consistently growing pattern of demand for Self-paced eLearning in government agencies. Countries with centralized educational systems, such as, China, are outspending corporate buyers for these products and services. Even so, according to Chief Research Officer, Sam S. Adkins, North America is predicted to be the top buying region throughout the forecast period.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">The global market is changing. Corporations are no longer the top buyers of Self-paced eLearning products. The demand is stronger now for academic products for government agencies. </span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">According to Tyson Greer, CEO and Chief Content Officer (CCO) for Ambient Insight, “The global market is transitioning from a corporate story to an academic narrative.”</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">The growths of markets represent demands for products and services. Here is another trend to consider that may explain the change in the global market for eLearning products. For each new generation, more Americans are using the Internet. This is backed up with a </span><a href="http://www.pewinternet.org/Static-Pages/Trend-Data-for-Teens/Whos-Online.aspx"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">2009 survey</span></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"> conducted by the </span><a href="http://www.pewinternet.org/"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">PEW Internet and American Life Project </span></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">stating that 95% of all teenagers ages 14 – 17 use the Internet. According to a </span><a href="http://www.pewinternet.org/Static-Pages/Trend-Data/Whos-Online.aspx"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">2010 survey</span></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"> conducted by the same group, 90% of all young adults ages 18 - 29 use the Internet. </span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">In a news release by a private provider of technology products and services, </span><a href="http://newsroom.cdw.com/features/feature-06-27-11.html"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">CDW</span></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">, the second annual 21</span><sup><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">st</span></sup><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"> Century Classroom Report states that only 39% percent of students say their high schools are meeting their technology expectations. Perhaps now is the time to consider that the Digital Divide now is more about meeting the expectation of today’s students than it is about making technology available.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">The current formal school system is no longer working to the best benefit of our students and society. This is being manifested in changing global markets and student perceptions of school. </span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">A congressional Act can abolish the U.S. Department of Education. Then they can establish and fund a private not-for-profit corporation to facilitate the development of public education. This would be similar to the Public Broadcasting Act of 1967. Such a move can place in motion the means to shape the growing market for eLearning to serve our students. The current attempt to centralize public education through No Child Left Behind (NCLB) and Race To The Top (RTTT) is not working. The unintended consequence of direct federal government involvement in education is causing a collapse of the system. </span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">A radical change in education from direct government control to government funded not-for-profit corporations is an idea worth pursuing. Finding the right mixture of instruction, management, and structure for sustainable funding and accreditation will be a challenge, but our kids are worth it.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Please join me in my reflections on 21st century learning. I want to read your comments and opinions. I will do my best to answer questions. </span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">I would like to add you to my circle of friends on Google+. Please email me at carlosmendoza3@educatormusing.com if you are interested in receiving a Google+ invitation. </span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">I would also like to include you in my growing circulation of </span><a href="http://paper.li/EducatorMusing/1310912004"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Educator Musing Daily</span></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"> </span><a href="http://paper.li/EducatorMusing/1310912004"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Posts</span></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">. If you are interested in subscribing to the free daily updates and news, please visit the publication and click on Subscribe.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">To subscribe to Educator Musing, submit your email address in the Follow By Email box in the sidebar or if you prefer an RSS feed click on Posts.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Please friend me on </span><a href="http://www.facebook.com/people/Carlos-Mendoza/100001181600277"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Facebook</span></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"> and follow me on </span><a href="https://twitter.com/#!/EducatorMusing"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Twitter</span></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Thanks!</span></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"> </span><br />
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</div>Educator Musinghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06534275422637444965noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3607931786458623943.post-58333911758240707982011-07-14T10:51:00.000-07:002011-07-19T09:19:55.573-07:00We Need A Public Broadcasting Act of 1967 in 2012 for Education<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHSFSjqnquwmLKZaqCZJlfrknyNIL4Zc8o2seoRlwUb9gncHtP73l6SZHPa-c3_7hbLoQV_V19RJ776-hpcugfv9j_-_GExcK2fL0Bfhb_fOdrNkBxvkgnNGCoKhuN36oWH8X_FTNnKBeY/s1600/arrow_down_stickman_falling_400_clr.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="175" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHSFSjqnquwmLKZaqCZJlfrknyNIL4Zc8o2seoRlwUb9gncHtP73l6SZHPa-c3_7hbLoQV_V19RJ776-hpcugfv9j_-_GExcK2fL0Bfhb_fOdrNkBxvkgnNGCoKhuN36oWH8X_FTNnKBeY/s200/arrow_down_stickman_falling_400_clr.png" width="200" /></a></div><br />
<blockquote><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">“If midyear budget cuts are realized, AB 114 severely restricts the ability of school districts to deal with them. … Consequently, midyear cuts, coupled with statutory restrictions on how they may manage them, could drive more districts to financial insolvency. Ironically, this would result in those districts being "taken over" by the very state that forced their insolvency.”</span></blockquote><blockquote style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">- California School Boards Association</span></blockquote><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><o:p><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"> </span></o:p><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Assembly Bill 114 in California is another example of why our school system needs to be privatized away from direct government control. The bill specifically dictates to school districts how their budgets need to be presented, limits their ability to balance their budget, and forces districts to use misleading finance projections. Micro-management of education from Sacramento and Washington D.C. has created a mess. There are other alternatives to funding education.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">The Public Broadcasting Act of 1967 is an example of how government can and perhaps should fund education. Through this act, Congress established and funds the Corporation of Public Broadcast (CPB) as a private not-for-profit corporation to facilitate the development of public media. The Corporation for Public Broadcasting does not produce any programming but instead provides support for independent noncommercial non-profit organizations, such as, the Public Broadcast Service (PBS), National Public Radio (NPR), and independent public television stations. PBS, NPR, and public television stations then work with private corporations to produce what has been excellent public television programming.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Congress can dissolve the U.S. Department of Education and establish a private not-for-profit corporation to facilitate the development of public education. The billions of dollars wasted by No Child Left Behind (NCLB) and Race To The Top (RTTT) could have been better spent by an entrepreneurial approach similar to the Public Broadcasting Act of 1967. This is an idea worth pursuing. Finding the right mixture of instruction, management, and structure for sustainable funding and accreditation will be a challenge, but our kids are worth it.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Please friend me on <a href="http://www.facebook.com/people/Carlos-Mendoza/100001181600277">Facebook</a> and follow me on <a href="http://twitter.com/#!/EducatorMusing">Twitter</a>.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Thanks!</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dxhUiyYTD0zMoW3EyZ7jpgU_URA586p1jPR_RpOE1eALJ-smPJuyIrtbh6h6n-kXlDr-KO0j4xEgyXdH3yBtA' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><b><a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VeyvRzhx9F0&feature=share">This Just In From CSBA: Executive Director Vernon Billy on AB 114</a></b></div><div class="MsoNormal"><o:p><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br />
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</span></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Around the Capitol – </span><b><a href="http://www.aroundthecapitol.com/Bills/AB_114/20112012/"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">AB 114 (Committee on Budget) Education Finance</span></a></b></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br />
</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">California School Boards Association - </span><b><a href="http://www.csba.org/NewsAndMedia/Publications/CASchoolNews/2011/June/ElectronicOnly/2011_06_03_BudgetUpdate.aspx"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">CSBA Budget Update: Analysis of Trailer Bill AB 114</span></a></b><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"> </span></b></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br />
</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Corporation of Public Broadcasting (CPB) – </span><a href="http://www.cpb.org/aboutcpb/"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">About CPB</span></a></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br />
</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Leginfo.ca.gov – </span><b><a href="http://www.leginfo.ca.gov/pub/11-12/bill/asm/ab_0101-0150/ab_114_bill_20110630_chaptered.html"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">California Assembly Bill 114</span></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><o:p></o:p></span></b></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br />
</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><b><a href="http://www.cpb.org/aboutpb/act/"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Public Broadcasting Act of 1967</span></a></b></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><b><a href="http://www.current.org/pbpb/legislation/PBA67.html#purposes"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Public Broadcasting Act of 1967</span></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><o:p></o:p></span></b></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br />
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</div>Educator Musinghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06534275422637444965noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3607931786458623943.post-7925261238606637082011-07-12T09:52:00.000-07:002011-07-12T10:08:33.529-07:00Failing to make the No Child Left Behind Cut<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzPJzzW_4OX4eOu3HTdTpq0EDCCSw4OQlYCffi6v8DWJeF6s47BNLwdqhxBdTeSvTA9Rspm40A9hRMdgPoC4BSbv3uNSjGhyphenhyphenJUcfdJ5VN6Mkwa9fxfq5UNdILu1XDwnzd05VWzgeGLLdRa/s1600/business_figure_pointing_sign_PA.gif" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzPJzzW_4OX4eOu3HTdTpq0EDCCSw4OQlYCffi6v8DWJeF6s47BNLwdqhxBdTeSvTA9Rspm40A9hRMdgPoC4BSbv3uNSjGhyphenhyphenJUcfdJ5VN6Mkwa9fxfq5UNdILu1XDwnzd05VWzgeGLLdRa/s200/business_figure_pointing_sign_PA.gif" width="200" /></a></div><blockquote><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">"The law has created dozens of ways for schools to fail and very few ways to help them succeed. We should get out of the business of labeling schools as failures and create a new law that is fair and flexible and focused on the schools and students most at risk."</span></blockquote><blockquote><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">U.S. Department of Education Secretary – Arne Duncan</span></blockquote><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">It’s all about the test scores. Administrators, pressured to reach or maintain test scores to No Child Left Behind (NCLB) adequate yearly progress benchmarks, insists that teachers strictly adhere to the “essential standards” that will be tested on the standardized state test. Only the courageous teacher will deviate to include the visual and performing arts, social studies, and other subjects with nonessential standards.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">NCLB is federal legislation signed into law with bipartisan support in 2002 meant to improve public schools. The original intent was to provide billions of dollars and other support to close the achievement gap between different groups of students. Standards-based education was to be developed by the states to clearly define what a child should know and be able to do by the end of a school year. And for the first time, visual and performing arts was listed as a core academic subject. Standardized annual state tests were also to be implemented to measure adequate yearly progress in closing the achievement gaps. </span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">The funds to aid the states never fully materialized. And punitive damages to states, districts, and schools tied to the standardized state tests changed the dynamics of the law’s original intent.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Schools will do whatever it takes to avoid the punitive damage that NCLB will visit upon then if the do not reach the test benchmarks. Cheating, unfortunately, has become a problem. In the wake of the city wide cheating scandal in Atlanta, U.S. Department of Education, Arne Duncan, has expressed his concern about cheating – again. </span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Unfortunately, there are other ways of beating the test-based accountability system besides cheating. </span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Did you ever see the 1990 movie, Pump Up The Volume, starring a young Christian Slater? It was about a shy teenager with a pirate radio station connecting with other teens as he found his voice to speak his mind. The story in the background was about a principal finding unjustified reasons for expelling poor performing students that will lower the school’s test scores.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Closer to real life is the closing and reopening of schools with a new name. Changing the student testing population of a school. Lowering the standard for what is defined as proficient on test scores. Or, if it is a charter or magnet school, dropping low performing students back to their regular neighborhood public school. </span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Such seems to be the case of Katherine Sprowal’s son, Matthew. Ms. Sprowal was initially please that Matthew won the lottery to attend a New York City charter school. It soon became clear that the school that will not let him fail was recommending that he would be better suited elsewhere to be successful. Matthew was diagnosed with having an attention disorder. Years later, Ms. Sprowal became convinced that her son was done an injustice. Fortunately, he thrived at Public School 75.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">In 2010, Harold Maready, superintendent of McKeel Schools in Florida, defended the charter school’s dismissal rate. Charter schools must accept all students. It is only when a charter school is filled to capacity that a lottery system is used to select students. Once enrolled, however, a signed contract with a very defined policy on reasons for dismissal, including behavior, attendance, and academic performance may drop a student later. Typically these students return to the neighborhood public school.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Soon it will not matter. The system is falling apart. The NCLB test benchmarks are raised in intervals over the years to measure yearly adequate progress toward the goal of 100 percent of all students proficient or better in math and English language arts by the year 2014. U.S. Department of Education, Arne Duncan has estimated that 82 percent of schools may be labeled as failed schools in the next test cycle because the benchmark has become so high.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Arne Duncan has called upon Congress to change the law. It was suppose to be revised in 2008 to avoid the pending catastrophic test scores, but it never happened. In the meanwhile he is offering a waiver from the test results to desperate states if they will agree to restrictive stipulations that will give the federal government more control over public education. He did the same with billions of Race To The Top Grant dollars.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">States are now abandoning NCLB and daring Congress to do something about it. Congress will eventually do something, but they are so far down the wrong path that it will not be the right thing. Ultimately the federal government needs to get out of the school improvement business. They are not very good at it. We need to privatize public education out of direct government control without imposing tuition on parents and still meet the public good. Finding the right combination of instruction, management, and structure for sustainable funding and accreditation will be a challenge, but our kids are worth it.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Educator Musing is the place to explore this idea.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Please friend me on <a href="http://www.facebook.com/people/Carlos-Mendoza/100001181600277">Facebook</a> and follow me on <a href="http://twitter.com/#!/EducatorMusing">Twitter</a>.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Thanks!</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
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</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">The Commercial Appeal – </span><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><a href="http://www.commercialappeal.com/news/2011/jul/05/schools-eye-no-child-left-behind/">Tennessee Eyes Waiver For No Child Left Behind</a></span></b></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">FOX News – </span><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><a href="http://www.foxnews.com/politics/2011/07/10/education-department-concerned-about-wave-cheating-probes-allegations/">Education Department ‘Concerned’ About Wave Cheating Probes Allegations</a></span></b></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">The Ledger – </span><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><a href="http://www.theledger.com/article/20101001/NEWS/10015007/1410?Title=Maready-Defends-McKeel-s-Policies">Maready Defends McKeel’s Policies</a></span></b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"> </span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">NPR - </span><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><a href="http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=18432881">'No Child' Law Picked Apart as Renewal Fight Looms</a></span></b></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">NPR – </span><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><a href="http://www.npr.org/2011/06/29/137476810/states-threaten-to-defy-no-child-left-behind?ft=1&f=1003">States Threaten To Defy No Child Left Behind</a><o:p></o:p></span></b></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br />
</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">NPR – </span><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><a href="http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=4629062">Utah Is First State To Abandon No Child Left Behind podcast</a></span></b></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">NY Times – </span><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><a href="http://www.nytimes.com/2011/07/11/nyregion/charter-school-sends-message-thrive-or-transfer.html?_r=2&pagewanted=1&hp">Message From a Charter School: Thrive or Transfer</a></span></b></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br />
</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Washington Post - </span><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><a href="http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2011/03/09/AR2011030905748.html">Most schools could face 'failing' label under No Child Left Behind, Duncan says</a></span></b></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br />
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</div>Educator Musinghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06534275422637444965noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3607931786458623943.post-46488626231359349622011-07-11T08:31:00.000-07:002011-07-12T09:59:58.978-07:00NCLB + Race To The Top = Federal Extortion, Hijack, and Takeover of Public School System<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2ZMARNp9uC6WElFjvtuumc8p89lp9FsYIYCzzQuXa3fmQBKCfOoR62Ob7_gZBl3iNVE0DxCfDkSf-dxq7lyC2WzyerC-rumunJGPlU6ViodcRk_0svhHUMgKG6L4x-mw_uWzE8rHYhU9I/s1600/stick_figure_threatened_400_clr.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2ZMARNp9uC6WElFjvtuumc8p89lp9FsYIYCzzQuXa3fmQBKCfOoR62Ob7_gZBl3iNVE0DxCfDkSf-dxq7lyC2WzyerC-rumunJGPlU6ViodcRk_0svhHUMgKG6L4x-mw_uWzE8rHYhU9I/s200/stick_figure_threatened_400_clr.png" width="150" /></a></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: white; font-family: Georgia, Palatino, 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 21px; line-height: 27px;"><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: white; font-family: Georgia, Palatino, 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 27px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: black; font-family: sans-serif; line-height: 18px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: white; font-family: Georgia, Palatino, 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 27px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: white; font-family: sans-serif; line-height: 18px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Duncan has announced plans to dangle No Child Left Behind waivers in exchange for desperate states embracing the department's ideas on education reform.</span></span></span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: white; font-family: Arial; font-size: x-large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 24px; line-height: 33px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, Palatino, 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: x-large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 21px; line-height: 27px;"><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: white; font-family: Georgia, Palatino, 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: x-large;"><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 25.0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 24px;">Extortion attempt! <a href="https://twitter.com/#!/search?q=%23edchat">#edchat</a>Secretary Arne Duncan responds to questions about waiver plan<a href="http://j.mp/nj7Zwd">http://j.mp/nj7Zwd</a></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 25.0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 25.0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 18pt;">House Committee pushes back. Arne Duncan is not the nation's superintendent. Race To The Top coercion is over the top. <a href="http://t.co/58rQug9">http://t.co/58rQug9</a><o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 25.0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 25.0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 18pt;">New RTTT targeting 4yr olds <a href="https://twitter.com/#!/search?q=%23edchat">#edchat</a> Politics K-12: New Race to Top Stresses Pre-K Tests, Early Ed. Program Ratings <a href="http://t.co/wmgepWk">http://t.co/wmgepWk</a><o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 25.0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 25.0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 24px;">The Christian Science Monitor:<span style="color: #c1c1c1;"> <a href="http://www.csmonitor.com/USA/Education/2011/0613/Education-secretary-tells-Congress-Change-No-Child-Left-Behind-or-I-will"><b><span style="color: #c76722; text-decoration: none;">Education secretary tells Congress - Change No Child Left Behind or I will</span></b></a></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 18.0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 25.0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 18pt;">Detroit Free Press: <span style="color: #c1c1c1;"><a href="http://www.freep.com/article/20110613/NEWS06/110613058/Education-chief-We-ll-help-states-commit-school-reform?odyssey=nav%7Chead"><b><span style="color: #c76722; text-decoration: none;">Education chief - We’ll help states that commit to school reform</span></b></a></span></span><span style="color: #c1c1c1; font-family: Arial; font-size: 13pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 18.0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 25.0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 18pt;">New York Times:<span style="color: #c1c1c1;"> <a href="http://www.nytimes.com/2011/06/12/education/12educ.html?ref=education"><b><span style="color: #c76722; text-decoration: none;">Education Secretary May Agree to Waivers on ‘No Child’ Law Requirements</span></b></a></span></span><span style="color: #c1c1c1; font-family: Arial; font-size: 13pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 25.0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 25.0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 18pt;">NPR:<span style="color: #c1c1c1;"> <a href="http://www.npr.org/2011/06/13/137155147/duncan-to-congress-rewrite-no-child-this-summer"><b><span style="color: #c76722; text-decoration: none;">Duncan to Congress – Rewrite No Child This Summer</span></b></a></span></span><span style="color: #c1c1c1; font-family: Arial; font-size: 13pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 25.0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 25.0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 18pt;">The Wall Street Journal:<span style="color: #c1c1c1;"> <a href="http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052702304259304576378104116703210.html?mod=WSJ_hp_MIDDLENexttoWhatsNewsSecond"><b><span style="color: #c76722; text-decoration: none;">Duncan Threatens to Alter No Child Left Behind</span></b></a></span></span><span style="color: #c1c1c1; font-family: Arial; font-size: 13pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 25.0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 18pt;">The Washington Post:<span style="color: #c1c1c1;"> <b><span style="color: #c76722; text-decoration: none;"><a href="http://www.washingtonpost.com/local/education/duncan-pledges-no-child-relief-for-states/2011/06/10/AGOrJ2QH_story.html">Duncan pledges ‘No Child’ relief for states</a></span></b></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 18pt;"><span style="color: #c1c1c1;"><b><br />
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</b></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Arial;"><span style="color: #c1c1c1;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #cccccc; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-weight: normal; line-height: 18px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Please friend me on </span><a href="http://www.facebook.com/people/Carlos-Mendoza/100001181600277" style="color: #dd7700; text-decoration: none;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Facebook</span></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"> and follow me on </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><a href="https://twitter.com/#!/EducatorMusing">Twitter</a></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">.</span></span></b></span></span></div></span>Educator Musinghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06534275422637444965noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3607931786458623943.post-88957534715989569682011-07-08T14:00:00.000-07:002011-07-09T16:46:57.841-07:00We Can Have Teachers Without Borders Part 3<blockquote style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifnPcoxnNOh7H5Gxz4bf6y6I9EUmp2i7G9YsYsr9nW0ty9rQBxhPThnznUiEa0vlQfdcHrKPQl5-7WhNbEH9W6BlYr3fzUx9x7-fMyKrbx4S3nrQTUG8csSfh6h-EWgoY18_uqYMfPYvR_/s1600/figure_house_shopping_400_clr.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifnPcoxnNOh7H5Gxz4bf6y6I9EUmp2i7G9YsYsr9nW0ty9rQBxhPThnznUiEa0vlQfdcHrKPQl5-7WhNbEH9W6BlYr3fzUx9x7-fMyKrbx4S3nrQTUG8csSfh6h-EWgoY18_uqYMfPYvR_/s200/figure_house_shopping_400_clr.png" width="200" /></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Location! Location! Location!</span></blockquote><blockquote style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">What Does Location, Location, Location Mean?</span></blockquote><blockquote><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">It means identical homes can increase or decrease in value due to location. It's repeated three times for emphasis, and so you will remember the phrase. It's the number one rule in real estate, and it's often the most overlooked rule. The best locations are those in prime spots such as:</span></blockquote><blockquote><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">·</span><span style="font: normal normal normal 7pt/normal 'Times New Roman';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"> </span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Within Top-Rated School Districts</span></blockquote><blockquote><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">·</span><span style="font: normal normal normal 7pt/normal 'Times New Roman';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"> </span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Close to Outdoor Recreation and Nature </span></blockquote><blockquote><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">·</span><span style="font: normal normal normal 7pt/normal 'Times New Roman';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"> </span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Homes with a View </span></blockquote><blockquote><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">·</span><span style="font: normal normal normal 7pt/normal 'Times New Roman';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"> </span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Near Entertainment and Shopping </span></blockquote><blockquote><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">·</span><span style="font: normal normal normal 7pt/normal 'Times New Roman';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"> </span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">In Conforming Areas </span></blockquote><blockquote><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">·</span><span style="font: normal normal normal 7pt/normal 'Times New Roman';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"> </span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">In Economically Stable Neighborhoods </span></blockquote><blockquote><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">·</span><span style="font: normal normal normal 7pt/normal 'Times New Roman';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"> </span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Near Public Transportation, Health Care and Jobs </span></blockquote><blockquote><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">·</span><span style="font: normal normal normal 7pt/normal 'Times New Roman';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"> </span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">In the Center of the Block</span></blockquote><blockquote style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Elizabeth Weintraub – about.com</span></blockquote><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
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</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">This is the last in a three part series.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Real estate agents know more about public education than politicians. Elizabeth Weintraub in an </span><a href="http://homebuying.about.com/od/marketfactstrends/qt/013008_location.htm"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">article</span></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"> for about .com states, “Home buyers with children are concerned about their children's education and often will pay more for a home that is located in a highly desirable school district.”</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Unfortunately, not everyone can afford to buy a home in neighborhoods with top-rated schools. Tanya McDowell, not the best poster parent for school reform, was recently arrested again, but now for drug charges. She first received media coverage when she was arrested for stealing a $15,000 kindergarten education by using a fraudulent address to enroll her son in a school in a more affluent neighborhood.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Kelly Williams-Bolar spent nine days in jail for fraudulently using her father’s address to enroll two of her children in a school in a more affluent neighborhood. </span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">What is it about schools in more affluent neighborhoods that seem to make them better than other schools? That is besides having parents with more education. And besides being in a more economically stable neighborhood. They are better funded. </span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">In California, schools are funded from three sources: state, federal, and local. On average for the past ten years school districts receive 79% of their funding from the state, 13% from the federal government, and 8% locally. The percentages change according to neighborhoods. For example, a school district in an affluent neighborhood, such as, Beverly Hills Unified may receive 70% of their funding from the state, 4% from the federal government, and 26% locally. A school district in a much less affluent area, such as, Adelanto Elementary School District, may receive 86% of their funding from the state, 10% from the federal government, and only 4% locally.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Now consider this, approximately 30% of California’s budget is for K-12 education. There is a $9.4 billion dollar deficit that has been deferred for a later date. However, when the state eventually deals with its huge budget deficit with cuts to services – the schools more dependent on state funding will get hurt the most. The districts that can raise more money locally can better maintain services and keep enrichment classes in the curriculum.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">The U.S. Department of Education’s </span><a href="http://www2.ed.gov/about/offices/list/ocr/index.html"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Office of Civil Rights</span></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"> gathered </span><a href="http://ocrdata.ed.gov/"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">information</span></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"> from 72,000 schools across the nation to gain insight on how equitable or inequitable schools are within districts and across states. Not all of the information has been released yet. But the new federal data shared last week showed that not all schools and districts offer an equivalent high quality rigorous education. </span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">U.S. Education Secretary Arne Duncan stated, “These data show that far too many students are still not getting access to the kinds of classes, resources and opportunities they need to be successful.”</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Nirvi Shah, in an </span><a href="http://www.edweek.org/ew/articles/2011/07/01/36data.h30.html"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">article</span></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"> for Education Week, broke down the data. </span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 63.0pt; mso-list: l1 level1 lfo2; tab-stops: list 63.0pt; text-indent: -27.0pt;"><span style="font-family: Symbol;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">·</span><span style="font: normal normal normal 7pt/normal 'Times New Roman';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"> </span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">3, 000 schools serving 500,000 high school students did not offer Algebra II classes.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 63.0pt; mso-list: l1 level1 lfo2; tab-stops: list 63.0pt; text-indent: -27.0pt;"><span style="font-family: Symbol;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">·</span><span style="font: normal normal normal 7pt/normal 'Times New Roman';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"> </span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">7,300 schools serving 2 million high school students did not offer calculus.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 63.0pt; mso-list: l1 level1 lfo2; tab-stops: list 63.0pt; text-indent: -27.0pt;"><span style="font-family: Symbol;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">·</span><span style="font: normal normal normal 7pt/normal 'Times New Roman';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"> </span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">At schools where the majority of students were African-American, teachers were twice as likely to have only one or two years of experience compared with schools within the same district that had a majority-white student body.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Is it little wonder that parents are willing to pay more for a house in a top-rated school district? Is it any wonder that parents unable to buy homes within a top-rated school district are willing to lie to enroll their children there anyway?</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">A 21</span><sup><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">st</span></sup><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"> century education, if not tied to a location, doesn’t have that problem. New and creative ways to provide an education online are being developed all the time. </span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><a href="http://Sophia.org/"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Sophia.org</span></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">, for example, is a free social learning community focused on education. Founded by CEO Don Smithmier, Sophia is built on the belief that it can be the place where you teach what you know and learn what you don’t know. </span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">The ambition is clear when the search bar on Sophia asks, what do you want to learn? The categories offered include applied sciences, English/literature, humanities, mathematics, and more. The categories are then broken down to more specific subjects.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Registering on Sophia is like joining any other online social network. One creates an account and customizes their profile by uploading a picture and sharing a short bio. You then have access to create learning packets, create groups, provide ratings and reviews, and follow others.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Learning packets are multimedia created tutorials with a learning objective using tools such as text, images, video, audio, and slideshows. They can be shared privately with a group or made public. Sophia provides a dual rating and review system for users to evaluate the packets for quality control.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Groups are invitation only. They can be used to coordinate a study group, organize a class, or evolve around an interest. A “bookshelf” of learning packets can be created or adopted by the group. </span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Sophia recently acquired </span><a href="http://www.guaranteach.com/"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Guaranteach</span></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">, a web-based service that provides customized short-form mathematics video tutorials along with assessment tools. Guarantech has nearly 23,000 videos from counting to calculus developed by 200 teachers and experts in mathematics. They also provide quizzes and other assessment tools to match tutorials to learning styles and provide student progress reports. Prior to the acquisition, this service was provided solely on a pay per use basis to schools. The videos will be available for free on Sophia.org.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Sophia.org plan to expand the Guarantech model to include a full range of English and science tutorials. And create a new platform that may be licensed by colleges and schools.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Don Smithmier states that the acquisition will provide students and instructors a free resource of math tutorials ranging from basic math to college algebra. For colleges and schools the combination of Guaranteach’s adaptive learning model and Sophia’s social learning capabilities will provide a powerful platform for differentiated instruction and blended learning.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Sophia.org is not an accredited school. It is, however, an example of how learning can be re-imagined online away from the brick and mortar of traditional schooling.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Online, teachers can teach without physical borders and boundaries. </span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
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</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Please friend me on </span><a href="http://www.facebook.com/people/Carlos-Mendoza/100001181600277"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Facebook</span></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"> and follow me on </span><a href="https://twitter.com/#!/EducatorMusing"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Twitter</span></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">. </span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Thanks!</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dzTf463mRRJvvIwQLU3ILirq85eGVSsm1TasCTZ78aVwBVnOcfXDwdPj6Pcuf3_E-OCkE0qyqUVnoX9LpSG_A' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><o:p><a href="http://www.sophia.org/">Sophia.org: Video</a> </o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal"><o:p><br />
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</o:p></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dw_U0io-pIEbuHsGYJtb2s-VnFroEcJ5XDtphO7dMcYjw1Hzrm7e5tvtDbvEAPgA3EMHCZRbOiH6bWLLYhHHg' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.guaranteach.com/welcome/about">Guaranteach: Video</a></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">CTPost.com: <b><a href="http://www.ctpost.com/local/article/Lawmakers-raise-questions-in-case-of-homeless-1355598.php#ixzz1RWvLdSgq">Lawmakers raise questions in case of homeless woman enrolling son in Norwalk school</a><o:p></o:p></b></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">EdSource: <b><a href="http://www.edsource.org/pub11-fiscal-crisis-brief.html">California’s Fiscal Crisis: What Does it Mean for Schools</a></b></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">EdSource: <b><a href="http://www.edsource.org/pub10-challenging-times.html">Challenging Times: California Schools Cope with Adversity and the Imperative To Do More</a></b> </div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">EdSource: <b><a href="http://www.edsource.org/pub10-how-ca-ranks.html">How California Ranks</a></b></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">EdSource: <b><a href="http://www.edsource.org/pub11-school-finance-highlights.html">School Finance Highlights 2010-11</a></b></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">Education Week: <b><a href="http://www.edweek.org/ew/articles/2011/07/01/36data.h30.html">Federal Data Shed Light on Education Disparities</a></b> </div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">Ohio.com: <b><a href="http://www.ohio.com/news/break_news/122935348.html">Judge - Kelley Williams-Bolar not close to becoming teacher</a></b> </div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">Sophia Blog – <b><a href="http://blog.sophia.org/2011/05/purchase-will-add-tens-of-thousands-of-math-tutorials-to-sophia-org-and-new-capabilities-for-licensed-use-by-colleges-and-schools/">Purchase Will Add Tens of Thousands of Math Tutorials to Sophia.org and New Capabilities for Licensed Use By Colleges and Schools</a></b></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">Used by U.S. Department of Education: <b><a href="http://ocrdata.ed.gov/">Civil Rights Office Data Collection</a></b></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
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</div>Educator Musinghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06534275422637444965noreply@blogger.com0