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BustED Pencils Trending News: DeVos is Keeping the “Last” Last.

So Ms. DeVos is a devout Christian who believes that if a parent wants their child to bask in the glory of God then damn it the government should pay for it.  And let’s be honest she is referring to the God of Christians—only! Ok.  I’ll work with her.  What does Jesus—the son of God—… Read more »

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BustED Pencils Trending News: Teacher Licenses Under Attack.

Let’s be very clear. There is NO teacher shortage. There is a teacher Exodus. Loosening, tinkering, and doing away with teacher licenses will do NOTHING except kill the profession of teaching and dramatically increase systemic inequity. It is happening all across the country. Policy makers, pundits and idiots keep screaming teacher shortage.  And, in the… Read more »

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BustED Pencils Trending News: Hold the Rigor and Pass the Play.

So called “kindergarten readiness” has transformed American early childhood education into  a disaster zone where “rigor” and “academics” rule the day. Why? Because as a nation we’re delusional at best and intentional at worst.  Delusional because we actually think that “rigor” prepares the mushy minds of toddlers for academic success at some future—yet to be… Read more »

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BustED Pencils Trending News: Where Have All the Teachers Gone?

It’s not a shortage! It’s not a human capital issue! It’s a mass EXODUS! Change the narrative. 30 years of war against teachers and the casualties are now insurmountable. THAT IS NOT A SHORTAGE! It’s a warning that public schools are close to being privatized and our most vulnerable children will be thrown to a… Read more »

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BustED Pencils Trending News: DeVos Dump.

Here it is in the middle of March and Betsy DeVos has been on the job for about two months.  Some questioned whether a woman with no real work experience let alone experience working in the education field could actually handle the responsibilities that come with being the Secretary of Education. Question: Is Betsy DeVos… Read more »

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UPDATED! BustED Pencils Trending News: Howard Zinn Banned in Arkansas!

Let’s make a difference! Here at BustEd Pencils we have a special place in our hearts for Howard Zinn.  Hell every show ends with our Moment of Zinn—a quote from Howard that encourages “civil disobedience.” However it seems that some dolt in Arkansas thinks that book banning should make a come back and authored a… Read more »

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BustED Pencils Trending News: Vouchers Suck.

It’s been decades since a bunch of blockheads decided to listen to Milton Friedman’s idea that public education should be funded through a voucher system that allows parents a school of their “choice.”  After all the invisible hand of the free market would make American schools “great again.” However, just this week we find out… Read more »

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BustED Pencils Trending News: Resistance!

Stark.  Bleak. Depressing. etc. Have you used any of these words to describe your sense of the world lately?  Hey it’s hard not to.  But let’s not forget that the solutions we seek and the remedy for this malaise is within each of us. So in that spirit here are three stories of resistance—with endings… Read more »

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BustED Pencils Trending News: Betsy Blocked!

Brand spanking new Secretary of Education Betsy DeVos was blocked from entering a public school in Washington D.C.  Don’t believe us?  Take a look for yourself.   http://wjla.com/news/local/video-protesters-block-education-secretary-devos-from-entering-dc-school http://patch.com/district-columbia/washingtondc/protesters-greet-betsy-devos-outside-dc-middle-school http://www.huffingtonpost.com/entry/betsy-devos-blocked-protesters_us_589de192e4b03df370d5b4aa

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Last posting

Earlier today I passed along word to Tim Slekar that while I’ve appreciated the chance to be a part of the BustED Pencils group, growing responsibilities in other areas of my life will make it hard to be consistent with the Trending News here. I am sneaking in one last post, though, with two requests… Read more »

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‘You’re fired!’: NY school board chair opens a massive can of whoopass on Trump racist Carl Paladino

Part of me wants to be amazed people like Paladino are even remotely involved in education. Most of me recognizes assholes like this exist everywhere. “They would like me to tell you, ‘You’re fired,’” (School Board President Barbara Seals) Nevergold continued, as the audience applauded. She asked that he do the right thing and resign.”… Read more »

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The Anti-Authoritarian Academic Code of Conduct (Updated)

The Anti-Authoritarian Academic Code of Conduct (Updated)   1. I will not aid in the registering, rounding-up, or internment of students and colleagues on the basis of their religious beliefs.   2. I will not aid in the marginalization, exclusion, or deportation of my undocumented students and colleagues.   3. I will, as my capacities… Read more »

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“Bankruptcy is not a problem for kids”

“Bankruptcy is not a problem for kids”. Oh yes, she actually said it. Who? CEO of EdBuild, Rebecca Sibilia, formerly of StudentsFirst. Who is EdBuild? According to their website, “EdBuild is a catalyst organization, working to fundamentally disrupt the status quo of illogical & inequitable school funding.” Go figure that their donors include the Walton,… Read more »

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The Special Ed Students Deserve

We continually say that in order to be heard, teachers must speak. Awesome to see Chicago teacher Katie Osgood doing exactly that. From this post in Jacobin: “In recent years, Chicago Public Schools (CPS) has attempted to implement free-market reforms to its special-education program, closely following the strategy that then–Secretary of Education Arne Duncan laid… Read more »

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Rev. Barber: We are witnessing the birth pangs of a Third Reconstruction

We need Moral Mondays in every damn major metro area of the United States. We need leaders willing to stand up and speak truth, not people looking for others to follow. “We need a moral movement to revive the heart of American democracy and build a Third Reconstruction for our time. This work is not… Read more »

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From 2011: Got Dough? How Billionaires Rule Our Schools

Had the good fortune tonight of having someone on Facebook share this article written by Joanne Barkan in 2011. We continue to preach the truth about what she wrote back then: “A few billion dollars in private foundation money, strategically invested every year for a decade, has sufficed to define the national debate on education;… Read more »

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The new standardized testing craze to hit public schools

I’m going to pause here for just a moment. This is irritating. Not because it’s a new form of the continued testing of students. That’s hardly a surprising thing. This is irritating simply because we’ve known about this for a while. Advocates like Alison Hawver McDowell and Emily Talmage have been talking about this for… Read more »

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What The Hillsdale College Connection Reveals About Donald Trump’s Extremist Education Agenda

Jeff Bryant over at Education Opportunity Network writes (and backs up): “No one – not a single source I can find – anticipated Trump would look for education expertise in the deep, dark well he repeatedly seems to draw from – the extremist, rightwing evangelical community.” The bad chef concoction of DeVos, Falwell Jr., Hillsdale… Read more »

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Trump’s Plan to Turn Public School Money Into Private School Vouchers

Gotta wonder how much organizations like the Gates-funded NPR helped prime American society for this. By promoting the false narrative of “bad teachers”, “school choice”, the need for “higher standards” and “accountability”, NPR has only fueled the privatization movement. Read this dribble from NPR here. Even now they only tepidly discuss the issues behind vouchers…. Read more »

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Teacher Shortages Are Looming, but It Doesn’t Need to Be This Way

In the continuing media discussions over why there’s a teacher shortage, this piece from TruthOut showed up today. No, it doesn’t need to be this way. But until we stop supporting the failed political views of corporate Democrats who see public education through the same lens as any run-of-the-mill Republican, nothing is going to change.

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Senator Cory Booker Whiffs It

You can count me amongst the people who have been worried about the meteoric rise of Cory Booker. He is the neoliberal politician personified and I was a little surprised he didn’t end up as Hillary Clinton’s vice presidential choice. Maybe his views on public education had something to do with it. As Daniel Katz… Read more »

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Trump and “higher national standards”

“The President-elect and Vice President-elect then met with Ms. Michelle Rhee and enjoyed an in-depth discussion about the future of public education in our country. This included the possibility for increasing competition through charter and choice schools. They also brought the idea of merit pay for teachers going above and beyond in their classrooms into… Read more »

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DeVos’ Michigan schools experiment gets poor grades

More on the experiment that is the nuclear option for Western civilization. “Donald Trump’s pick to lead the Education Department, Betsy DeVos, has spent two decades successfully pushing “school choice” in her home state of Michigan — a policy that she and her husband vowed in 1999 would “fundamentally improve education.” Except the track record… Read more »

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A Nashville School Board Member Figures Out the Secret: How Charter SchoolsGet Rich Off Public Tax Dollars

An excellent article. Even though it’s out of Tennessee, it’s spot-on true for anywhere. Share it with the pro-charter legislator you love to hate.  “I explained that there are many ways non-profit charters make money, including: (1) a 39% federal tax credit that allows investors to double their money in seven years; (2) all sorts… Read more »

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Now is the time to talk about what we are actually talking about

A fair statement to say that Chimamanda Negozi Adichie has become a voice that I turn to when I need my soul recharged. Her piece in the New Yorker on Friday needs to find its way on to everyone’s reading list. While the piece in its entirety speaks to our current shift in society towards… Read more »

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Betsy Devos and Public Education: The Coming Storm

In which blogger Michael Lambert summarizes all of the articles about Betsy DeVos that have been passed round the last week, and includes the wise warnings of Alison Hawver McDowell: “What’s so scary about DeVos is that she may fast forward and jump over charters by offering lean “value” private schools that rely on cyber education… Read more »

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Stop blaming teachers for falling results and give them the trust and time to actually teach

I am so sick of this shit. I don’t really understand, I guess, how hard it is to understand: the more stupid crap I have to do to prove that I’m a good teacher takes away from my time to actually be one. I know, I know- it’s a political thing meant to frame the… Read more »

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Message to Journalists in the Trump Era

WaPo editor Marty Baron: “Just do our job. Do it as it’s supposed to be done.” I know how ya feel, my man. I know because that’s what teachers have been trying to do. Especially in the face of popular mainstream media selling the corporate Democrat stories of bad teachers and accountability and the need… Read more »

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The Problem with Choice

I’m so friggin’ sick of the “failing school” argument. Yes, we can have “school choice”- we can choose to make our public schools better. We’ve been saying this for years: “If we want true education reformation, we need to make sure the public tax dollars are being used correctly to create an actual choice movement within… Read more »

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What you should know about Betsy DeVos, Trump’s education secretary pick — and what her choice might tell us about his plans

Progressive advocates for public schools weren’t going to like anyone who Trump selected for Education Secretary. But now we know what his vision for public education is and who he thinks can stand against us. Wrong. The Revolution Begins. What you should know about Betsy DeVos, Trump’s education secretary pick — and what her choice… Read more »

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Trump selects DeVos for Secretary of Education

The enemy has a formal name. President-elect Donald Trump has tapped school-choice activist, philanthropist and Republican mega-donor Betsy DeVos to lead the Education Department.

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Pearson takes a financial beating

Looking for some good news for a change? The Wall Street Journal reports: “Pearson’s share price has declined 32% over three years and sales have fallen in three of the past four.” Music to my ears. Read Pearson’s Bet on Common Core Fails to Pay Off for more.

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Top 5 Reasons @TeachForAmerica and ed reformers LOVE Trump and Rhee

Julian Vasquez Heilig on this thing with Trump, Rhee, and corporate education reformers: “Word on the street is that Teach For America (TFA) wants to publicly endorse Michelle Rhee (TFA alum) for US Secretary of Education. Apparently there is some pushback within the organization against the alliance of TFA, Rhee and Trump. The election of… Read more »

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Carol Burris on Trump and his education plan

If you follow me on Facebook, you’ve seen me post about needing to erase the boundaries that divided us in the past. In 2017, the attacks on education are going to be brutal and we need to be speaking with one voice. Privatization is coming. Read “Trump opposes federal involvement in education. But do his… Read more »

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Let’s Privatize American Education Even If There Is Little to No Research to Support School Choice

I’m beyond annoyed- even dismayed- that I have to post an article like this under Trending News. As Jack Hassard points out in the article “Let’s Privatize American Education Even If There Is Little to No Research to Support School Choice“, efforts to privatize education are hardly new. The only pushback I would offer here… Read more »

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Not all was lost- a look at anti-privatization wins

Okay, so we got our progressive asses kicked by corporate Democrats and the hate-filled, racist, sexist, Trump bigots. But we didn’t lose everywhere. As Jeff Bryant points out, charter schools took a blow in Massachusetts and that was a big win. Read Anti-Privatization Education Victories We Can Rally Around for a round up of some of… Read more »

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New York: Common Core and education commissioner must go

The latest from Fordham University Professor Nicholas Tampio: “It is time for the Regents to replace Elia. New York needs an education commissioner who works for all children to receive a well-rounded education rather than one spent preparing for high-stakes standardized tests.” Read Common Core and education commissioner must go. Get ready folks- the world of… Read more »

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Labor Leaders Deserve Their Share of the Blame for Donald Trump’s Victory

There are no words fit to print here that describe my level of anger and dismay, disagreement and disappointment over the major unions and their level of all-in support for Hillary Clinton. Most especially, my scathing anger is reserved for the National Education Association’s Lily Eskelsen Garcia and the leadership team that circumvented the wishes… Read more »

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Calling All Science Educators (And news on Sarah Palin)

“Ms. Rumphius” has it spot on: “We are the leaders that remain in the moral vacuum of a Trump white house. More than ever, public institutions that serve and educate the public need to band together and toil to promote diversity, tolerance, equity and sustainability for all. We need a broad alliance dedicated to protecting… Read more »

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“Hell, I never vote for anybody. I always vote against.”

It’s almost like W.C. Fields knew 2016 would happen, isn’t it? Whatever your take on this election- no matter how tired, bored, insane, or angry it makes you- it’s over tomorrow. Vote.

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Massachusetts- Vote No on Question 2

Do the corporate elite that are trying to kill off public schools truly believe they can continue to sell bullshit to the great people of Massachusetts? The Schott Foundation for Public Education released a blog post titled “A Question of Better Education for All” in which they remind us again that “When the corporate concept of… Read more »

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“So what do I do?”

I posted a link to a Paul Thomas blog post the other day- you can read Verboden!: Autonomy and Critical Thinking in Education if you missed that. Thankfully, someone asked him the question we all struggle with as teachers: “So what do I do? I want to teach practical skills and meaningful texts. I am instead faced… Read more »

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Patrick, Gates, and the Destruction of Texas Education

I had all sorts of amazing an profane things to write, but nothing sticks out more to me about how Texas, and America, is screwing the public school system, especially in communities of color than this line: “It was a “conversation” in which a middle-aged white man having a “conversation” in a room filled with… Read more »

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Massachusetts and Question 2

A gentle reminder to my friends and colleagues out in Massachusetts- VOTE NO ON QUESTION 2 AND STOP THIS CHARTER SCHOOL BULLSH*T. For a more reasoned and adult approach, read this piece from Jonathan Kozol.

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The Walking Man Reports a Crime

Way too early for me to up out here on the left coast after being my children’s Uber for Halloween. But through my half open eyes I read this piece from Jesse “The Walking Man” Turner- it’s an open letter about education to whomever takes over the White House after this year’s presidential circus draws to… Read more »

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John Oliver and School Segregation

I’m not always the biggest John Oliver fan. Okay, I’m hardly a fan. But this piece (lame humor aside) on the continuing segregation in our school systems is a must-watch- Filter on John Oliver: Segregation Failures Haunt OKCPS Please note that as is often the case with John Oliver, this is NSFW.

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Is Your District Changing its Grading Policy? Here’s the Real Reason Why

I don’t even know where to start with grades anymore. I think they used to mean something, although looking back to my high school years I can’t really be sure. I know they don’t mean much when I assign them to my students. Yeah, sure, they tell me something about the point collection a student… Read more »

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That damn equality/equity meme

Caught this on social media tonight and it’s being passed around like crazy. For good reason. I’ve never much liked the meme, but that’s because the one I’ve always seen has white children in it. As a metaphor for education- the way I’ve seen it used most- it’s, well, crap. But this piece takes a… Read more »

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Clinton supports charters, Trump to end DOE?

News from EdWeek (yeah, I read it from time to time) today- a Hillary Clinton surrogate said the Democratic presidential nominee and likely successor to the White House said: “She’s a big supporter of public charter schools.” Now we’ll get back to letting everyone quibble over what “public charter schools” are while the next administration… Read more »

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Noam Chomsky on the Perils of Market-Driven Education

More on why-we’re-doing-what-we’re-doing. Sometimes the best way forward is to take a step back to examine the landscape of where we are now,  think about where we want to be, and consider how we plan on going about getting there. From Noam Chomsky: “The market-driven education tendencies that you mention are unfortunately very real, and… Read more »

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The Skills Delusion

“Everybody agrees that better education and improved skills, for as many people as possible, is crucial to increasing productivity and living standards and to tackling rising inequality. But what if everybody is wrong?” Yeah, you know you’re interested. Read it here.

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Don’t Know Much About History

“Is anyone else thinking that we should get over our obsession with job readiness and coding and start teaching civics, history and critical thinking again?” YES. Thanks for speaking it again Mrs. Rumphius. Read here and share for this beautiful paragraph: “In the most elite private schools and liberal arts colleges students do more than… Read more »

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Why The Academic Achievement Gap Is A Racist Idea

The best piece going around lately on race and the “achievement gap”. In it, Ibram X. Kendi talks about what so many of us have been fighting for: “What if our educational system focused on opening minds instead of filling minds and testing how full they are? What if we realized the best way to standardize a… Read more »

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Private Donations to Public Schools: The Latest Way to Undermine Funding Equity

Really not sure what else there is to say. A piece out of a Oregon looks at the role of school foundations- and the philanthropic ones, too. One of the brain slivers for me was the author’s recognition that as an early career teacher, none of this was important. It took years in the profession… Read more »

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An Ivy League professor on why colleges don’t hire more faculty of color

I love when truth about some of the horrendous things in education comes out. Case in point: “The reason we don’t have more faculty of color among college faculty is that we don’t want them. We simply don’t want them.” To understand why this is a plea for increased diversity amongst higher education professors, read this over… Read more »

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Why “Grading” Schools is Wrong

One of my favorite bloggers is Alison Collins. A mom and former educator, she blogs about primarily San Francisco public schools but often touches tangentially on many issues that I find interesting. In this blog post Alison hits back on the idea of how testing is used to measure our schools and how those measurements… Read more »

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Jack Hassard: The Undemocratic Character of Improving Struggling Schools

“The strategy of school reconstitution advocated by many states and the Federal government, is highly questionable, and in most cases, a perversion of the democratic notion upon which public school education is rooted.” In this piece, former high school teacher and professor Jack Hassard takes up a wonderful- and research-based- defense of the public school… Read more »

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A teacher responds to the Chicago Tribune

Found on Facebook, and shared in its entirety. ______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ Here is my response to the Trib’s b.s. editorial today. I’m guessing they won’t print it, so I’m self-publishing. (Feel free to share!) Tribune Editorial Board: Today’s editorial is the most clueless piece of nonsense yet from the Trib editorial board. Does anyone on the board… Read more »

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Every article on teacher shortages is a distraction

“What the teacher is, is more important than what he teaches.” ― Karl A. Menninger Articles on teacher shortages irritate the crap out of me. This fall, they’ve become all the rage: here’s one from NPR, one from U.S. News and World Report, from the Christian Science Monitor, Marketplace and The Cap Times. Why am I irritated so?… Read more »

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Deceptions, exposed

“Just because something isn’t a lie does not mean that it isn’t deceptive. A liar knows that he is a liar, but one who speaks mere portions of truth in order to deceive is a craftsman of destruction.” ― Criss Jami So people, let’s have a chat about Diane Ravitch and how she treats you all like… Read more »

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The New Yorker: Stop Humiliating Teachers

I’m not sure why this is finally making the rounds in September (did it earlier and I not see it?- because that would be hard to believe)- but this from the New Yorker was pretty spot on. A couple of minor missteps but it’s worth the read.  

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Black to School: The Rising Struggle to Make Black Education Matter

For those who may have taken the summer off from such matters, Jesse Hagopian does an excellent job of summarizing where we are at in our fight for equity in our education system. An EXCELLENT read that covers the keys information regarding charter schools, DFER, the NAACP, standardized testing, and the Black Lives Matter movement…. Read more »

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A seat at the table?

“I’d rather sit alone than sit with fakes and snakes. If you can’t be real and loyal then stay away from me and my table.” ― Reddioui Islam This from the excellent Fred Klonsky: Lily and Randi get their seat at the table. They are surrounded by corporate reformers. Maybe it’s just me, but I find myself… Read more »

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#whatschoolsneed

Sometimes opportunities are too good to pass up. This tweet came out from the US DOE recently and as a friend from Hawaii noted, “Seriously? The Feds destroy schools and then want us to send them pictures of the damage they created?” Why yes- and I hope everyone responds appropriately. Respond via the original tweet… Read more »

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The selling off of the Democratic Party

“The idea behind charter schools is that not all kids are the same—they have different needs; they have different environments—but there is a certain common level of education that all kids need, no matter how different they are, and that it would be a good thing to allow schools to be developed which had a… Read more »

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John Oliver on Charter Schools

The irreverent humor of John Oliver strikes again. This time he takes aim at charter schools with an emphasis on the mess that is Ohio. Most of the good stuff is NSFW (I mean, c’mon, it is Last Week Tonight)- and I wish I had that writing team! Watch it on the YouTube channel here…. Read more »

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Who profits from a “broken public school” narrative?

There’s a lot of great writing out there today. Peggy Robertson and Steven Singer both have important reads for your Sunday. I may have time to revisit those later today. But I’m going to ask you to include this piece from Alison Collins on your list today. Her blog is something I share from time to time, but this is… Read more »

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Testing’s “Next Generation”

“Study hard what interests you the most in the most undisciplined, irreverent and original manner possible.” -Richard Feynman A recent report out of Massachusetts has a New Hampshire-based company coming up with the “Next Generation MCAS”. Is this like New Coke? It’s a $150 million dollar waste, that’s for sure. And “next generation” makes me… Read more »

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Laws and Sausages- and Test Scores

“If a black and white student respond identically to questions on the NAEP assessment, the reported ability for the black student will be lower than for the white student, reflecting the lower average performance of black students on this assessment.” -Brian A. Jacob from “Student test scores: How the sausage is made and why you should care” “Profits, like sausages…… Read more »

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Race and Education, American Style

“Race doesn’t really exist for you because it has never been a barrier. Black folks don’t have that choice.” ― Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie Recently, NPR attempted to discuss race in our schools. The piece, Want To Address Teachers’ Biases? First, Talk About Race, is a pretty fair (if basic) look at how some of our implicit biases are… Read more »

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BustED Pencils Trending News: WWMDMS 6/17/16; Bar; Strong; Against

BustED Pencils Radio – What Would Matt Damon’s Mom Say? (WWMDMS) WWMDMS – 6/17/16 WWMDMS – 6/17/16 Is the bar too high? Is Your Child Ready For Kindergarten Based on This List? http://www.popsugar.com/moms/Your-Child-Ready-Kindergarten-42158936  Together we ARE strong!  It’s an honor to have you on our team Peggy Robertson!!  You have forever been busting pencils!!  CLAP CLAP CLAP!! Resignation,… Read more »

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BustED Pencils Trending News: WWMDMS 5/9/16; Drilling; Violated; Alfie

BustED Pencils Radio – What Would Matt Damon’s Mom Say? (WWMDMS) WWMDMS – 5/9/16 WWMDMS – 5/9/16 Drilling not Teaching????  Seriously, is this about the kids at all??!!  Alan Singer brings this question into the light.  Way to bust those pencils!! If Test Scores Go Up Did Education Improve? http://www.huffingtonpost.com/alan-singer/if-test-scores-go-up-did_b_11292532.html Dr. Julian Vasquez Heilig   points out… Read more »

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BustED Pencils Trending News: WWMDMS 4/22/16; Change; Greening; Rebellion

BustED Pencils Radio – What Would Matt Damon’s Mom Say? (WWMDMS) WWMDMS – 4/22/16 WWMDMS – 4/22/16 First we have to change the national conversation about education. How to fix the apathy problem in schools http://www.newsobserver.com/opinion/op-ed/article81668307.html Todd Lilly puts it all out there explaining the American education cash cow! The Greening of American Education The Greening of… Read more »

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BustED Pencils Trending News: Episode 19; Best; Moore; Violating

BustED Pencils Radio Episode 19 –  Punk Rock + Education = One Kick A$$ Show! Episode 19: Punk Rock + Education = One Kick A$$ Show! Finland has the best schools in the world??? “Where To Invade Next” Finland? http://teachertomsblog.blogspot.com/2016/04/where-to-invade-next-finland.html?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+TeacherTom+%28Teacher+Tom%29 A Documentary Film Maker has a few things to say about education.  “So simple, so… Read more »

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BustED Pencils Trending News: WWMDMS 4/8/16; Civics; Activist; Defrauding

BustED Pencils Radio – What Would Matt Damon’s Mom Say? (WWMDMS) WWMDMS – 4/8/16 WWMDMS – 4/8/16 Tim and Percy kick some Civic BUTT!!  History white wash what??? Busting Pencils! For The Record: Civics instruction in Wis. schools http://www.channel3000.com/news/opinion/For-The-Record-Civics-instruction-in-Wis-schools/40209766 http://www.wcss-wi.org/civics-test-graduation-req.html Jesse Hagopian, what an ACTIVIST!!!  Way to bust some pencils! Teacher Uses Settlement Proceeds To Fund Activists, Organizations… Read more »

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BustED Pencils Trending News: WWMDMS 3/11/16; Evolving; Money; Look-see

BustED Pencils Radio – What Would Matt Damon’s Mom Say? (WWMDMS) WWMDMS – 3/11/16 WWMDMS – 3/11/16 Charter schools evolving as “A WAY TO MAKE MONEY”!  WHAT??!!  Are kids for profit now????  If so, they absolutely should be paid.  Isn’t there a child labor law??? Charter Schools Break the Rules and Don’t Seem to Care http://www.huffingtonpost.com/alan-singer/charter-schools-break-the_b_10500448.html Money… Read more »

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BustED Pencils Trending News: WWMDMS 3/26/16; Protest; Napier; Weird

BustED Pencils Radio – What Would Matt Damon’s Mom Say? (WWMDMS) WWMDMS – 3/26/16 WWMDMS – 3/26/16 They protest the intentional destruction of their internationally recognized university system!  Busting Pencils!! Wisconsin Faculty Fighting the Destruction of Public Higher Education Wisconsin Faculty Fighting the Destruction of Public Higher Education Even the parents don’t want to hand Napier over to… Read more »

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BustED Pencils Trending News: Episode 18; Floating; Think; Dangerous

BustED Pencils Radio Episode 18 –  It’s “easy being GREEN” for Dr. Jill Stein Episode 18: It’s “easy being GREEN” for Dr. Jill Stein Floating a new chartier image. MA: How To Gut Schools, Boston Edition http://curmudgucation.blogspot.com/2016/04/ma-how-to-gut-schools-boston-edition.html To question is to think.  Wait a minute, I’ve got a question. Sooo… You Think I’m a Conspiracy… Read more »

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BustED Pencils Trending News: WWMDMS 2/26/16; Tucked; Stand; Stamped

BustED Pencils Radio – What Would Matt Damon’s Mom Say? (WWMDMS) WWMDMS – 2/26/16 WWMDMS – 2/26/16 Tucked away in a letter.  Gates Foundation failures show philanthropists shouldn’t be setting America’s public school agenda http://www.latimes.com/opinion/editorials/la-ed-gates-education-20160601-snap-story.html Standing up by NOT standing up she stood up taller than inticipated!! High school valedictorian skips graduation over speech about bullying http://www.pennlive.com/news/2016/06/high_school_valedictorian_skip.html  … Read more »

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BustED Pencils Trending News: WWMDMS 2/12/16; WALK; Sweeping; Poetic; Riddled

BustED Pencils Radio – What Would Matt Damon’s Mom Say? (WWMDMS) WWMDMS – 2/12/16 WWMDMS – 2/12/16 LET NOAH WALK!!!  Sign this petition in support of Noah, it’s not to late and it might just work!! http://www.ipetitions.com/petition/let-noah-walk-with-his-senior-class BustED Pencils supports you Noah!!  We are busting pencils for you! High schooler with immune disorder told he can’t walk in graduation… Read more »

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BustED Pencils Trending News: WWMDMS 10/26/15; Stiff; Bite; Repeat

BustED Pencils Radio – What Would Matt Damon’s Mom Say? (WWMDMS) WWMDMS – 10/26/15 WWMDMS – 10/26/15 Stiff public school kids??? What?!! Roberts: No money for K-12 but $100 million for charter school operators http://www.azcentral.com/story/opinion/op-ed/laurieroberts/2016/04/28/roberts-no-money-k-12-but-100-million-charter-school-operators/83666154/ Bite me rigorous!! The new education law (ESSA) could mean much much more testing http://skrashen.blogspot.com/2016/04/the-new-education-law-essa-could-mean.html Works? Repeat.  Makes sense to me!!  Hmmmm???? Teachers’… Read more »

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BustED Pencils Trending News: Episode 17; Ignored; Cuckoo; Valid

BustED Pencils Radio Episode 17 –  Episode 17: Grit? You Ain’t Got NO Grit! Episode 17: Grit? You Ain’t Got NO Grit! Ignoring the black community!??! STOP Stop saying it’s “best for the kids” when it’s really about ignoring the black community Stop saying it’s “best for the kids” when it’s really about ignoring the… Read more »

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BustED Pencils Trending News: WWMDMS 4/10/15; Combative; Preparing; Adopting

BustED Pencils Radio – What Would Matt Damon’s Mom Say? (WWMDMS) WWMDMS – 4/10/15 WWMDMS – 4/10/15 Combative enemies. Heavy politics in campaigns for School Board http://www.buffalonews.com/city-region/buffalo-public-schools/heavy-politics-in-campaigns-for-school-board-20160430 https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=10209114234114757&set=gm.1269515616411367&type=3&theater Is Common Core really preparing young people? Common Core, high cost of college tackled at live event May 10: ONE NATION http://www.app.com/story/news/education/homeandschool/2016/04/29/common-core-high-cost-college-tackled-live-event-may-10-one-nation/83617514/ Adopting their own education standards. Missouri lawmakers eliminate… Read more »

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BustED Pencils Trending News: WWMDMS 2/26/15; Encouraging; Decide; Thumbs Down

BustED Pencils Radio – What Would Matt Damon’s Mom Say? (WWMDMS) WWMDMS – 2/26/15 WWMDMS – 2/26/15 Encouraging everyday teachers, students, parents and community members to challenge the  dominant paradigms of capitalism, imperialism, racial and gender oppression.  Keep BUSTING pencils – Clap clap clap Check out Rebel Teacher Blog! Check out Rebel Teacher Blog! Take a look –… Read more »

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BustED Pencils Trending News: Episode 16; Over what?; 12345; Better

BustED Pencils Radio Episode 16 –  Episode 16: Is this the Revolution we’ve been waiting for? Episode 16: Is this the Revolution we’ve been waiting for? Overprotective tendencies?????  Hmmmmmmm – What the???? The opt-out movement and the coddling epidemic http://thehill.com/blogs/pundits-blog/education/275154-the-opt-out-movement-and-the-coddling-epidemic 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 OPT OUT! Common Core: Top 5 districts opting out so… Read more »

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BustED Pencils Trending News: WWMDMS 12/1/14; Sick; 100; Deleted; Corporate

BustED Pencils Radio – What Would Matt Damon’s Mom Say? (WWMDMS) WWMDMS – 12/1/14 WWMDMS – 12/1/14     94 closed and counting.  Is the sickout working?  Fingers crossed.  Work for no pay??!!  No other “profession” is treated this poorly!!  Appalling.  Teachers DESERVE better! Detroit schools closed again due to teacher ‘sickouts’ http://www.cnn.com/2016/05/03/us/detroit-schools-teacher-sickout/ The “Pearson 100” is… Read more »

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BustED Pencils Trending News: WWMDMS 1/29/16; NOT required; Strikes; Voices

BustED Pencils Radio – What Would Matt Damon’s Mom Say? (WWMDMS) WWMDMS – 1/29/16 WWMDMS – 1/29/16 Not a legal requirement for graduation.  It’s NOT.  Well being of the child, NOT data collection. EB PARCC Protest Strikes against policies. Test-Driven Teacher Evaluations Strike Out http://www.huffingtonpost.com/john-thompson/test-driven-teacher-evalu_b_9714366.html Teachers voices. Teachers talk back: The effect of being evaluated by student… Read more »

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BustED Pencils Trending News: WWMDMS 1/15/16; Won’t; Troy; Alaska Canceled

BustED Pencils Radio – What Would Matt Damon’s Mom Say? (WWMDMS) WWMDMS – 1/15/16 WWMDMS – 1/15/16   In a June 2011 speech given by Dr. Carlsson-Paige she won the Embracing the Legacy Award from the Robert F. Kennedy Children’s Action Corps, she said, “Teachers cannot thrive in punitive environments where they are measured, compared, and threatened…. Read more »

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BustED Pencils Trending News: Episode 15; In Support of Troy LaRaviere

BustED Pencils Radio Episode 15 –  Episode 15: Rockin in the History Classroom. Episode 15: Rockin in the History Classroom   Troy calls out the “bullying” and he winds up getting “BULLIED”! ORGANIZED CONFUSION: PARCC HYPOCRISY, BULLYING, AND FEAR-MONGERING IN CPS Organized Confusion: PARCC Hypocrisy, Bullying, and Fear-Mongering in CPS A man of this caliber placed on… Read more »

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BustED Pencils Trending News: WWMDMS 1/8/16; Another; Hunger; Invest

BustED Pencils Radio – What Would Matt Damon’s Mom Say? (WWMDMS) WWMDMS – 1/8/16 WWMDMS – 1/8/16 Yet another reason Standardized tests should not be in schools. Creativity at Its Best…! https://www.facebook.com/binishkumarks/videos/10150455838601609/?fref=nf What an interview!  Tons of information on this.  Keep Busting Pencils Jeanette Beatrice Taylor-Ramann Jeanette Beatrice Taylor-Ramann Parent Parent Organizer The Chicago Parent Hunger Strike… Read more »

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BustED Pencils Trending News: WWMDMS – 11/17/15; Kids Cash; Finding Language; Go Baltimore

BustED Pencils Radio – What Would Matt Damon’s Mom Say? (WWMDMS) WWMDMS – 11/17/15 WWMDMS – 11/17/15 If you have “to help encourage students to be present and take the Math test, each day they are here…” you probably should reevaluate why your giving this test and determine if it’s in the best interest of children.  We know… Read more »

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BustED Pencils Trending News: What Would Matt Damon’s Mom Say (WWMDMS 10/26/15); Not Allowed; Absurd; Enemy

BustED Pencils Radio – What Would Matt Damon’s Mom Say? (WWMDMS) WWMDMS – 10/26/15 WWMDMS – 10/26/15 Teacher’s are not allowed to tell you about the test???!!  What???!!! Teacher: What third-graders are being asked to do on 2016 Common Core test https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/answer-sheet/wp/2016/04/12/teacher-what-third-graders-are-being-asked-to-do-on-2016-common-core-test/ A loop-hole to AVOID Special Education Services.  ABSURD! Response to Intervention Falls Short Response to… Read more »

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BustED Pencils Trending News: Episode 14; Head Nods; Bullying-Revolution; Finding

BustED Pencils Radio Episode 14 –  No Excuses. No Excuses. No Excuses! Episode 14: No Excuses. No Excuses. No Excuses! A teachers view point… WAIT what???!!  NICE (with head nods) Where Have All the Teachers Gone? https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2qz7dysrSFw Bullying happens when a revolution is attempted. The Opt Out Irony http://www.pegwithpen.com/2016/04/the-opt-out-irony.html Finding a way forward. Root to… Read more »

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BustED Pencils Trending News: What Would Matt Damon’s Mom Say (WWMDMS 6/3/15); Raw; Oh YEAH; We object

BustED Pencils Radio – What Would Matt Damon’s Mom Say? (WWMDMS) WWMDMS – 6/3/15 WWMDMS – 6/3/15 A teacher; not a test; is what knows best!!!  A heartfelt, heartbreaking raw honest view from the inside. Untimed Testing is Not a Solution Untimed Testing is Not a Solution See we told you!!  BustED Pencils is education news that seeks the… Read more »

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BustED Pencils Trending News: SPECIAL Episode; Danish-style; Fragile; Barf

BustED Pencils Radio SPECIAL Episode –  Special Episode of BustED Pencils: Busting Pencils in Chicago Special Episode of BustED Pencils: Busting Pencils in Chicago Danish-style kindergarten.  WHAT??!!!  Free play, decision making, physical activity, creating, understanding their environment??  BRAVO.  Look how happy the kids are!!  American kindergarteners would be begging for this if they knew about it!!!… Read more »

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BustED Pencils Trending News: Episode 13; Comply; June 17th; Validity

BustED Pencils Radio Episode 13 –  Civil Rights, Inequities and History   Systems all teachers MUST comply with. Should Teachers Join in Building “Learning Management Systems”? Should Teachers Join in Building “Learning Management Systems”? June 17th – Ohio – Sing, Dance, Laugh, Learn A Show that Celebrates Teachers & Sends up All the Nonsense https://www.smore.com/714f2-barry-lane-s-literacy-cabaret… Read more »

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BustED Pencils Trending News: Episode 13; TESTOCRATS; Stripped; Missions

BustED Pencils Radio Episode 13 –  Civil Rights, Inequities and History Episode 13: Civil Rights, Inequities and History TESTOCRATS Florida and Stupid Rules http://www.huffingtonpost.com/peter-greene/florida-and-stupid-rules_b_9425582.html “Our work as educators is being stripped…” says Peggy. Understanding Teach Like a Champion http://www.pegwithpen.com/2015/09/understanding-teach-like-champion.html Missions Aligned. Generic vs Coherent Teacher Prep Generic vs Coherent Teacher Prep   Get BustED Pencils… Read more »

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BustED Pencils Trending News: Episode 12; Fight; Honoring; Really

BustED Pencils Radio Episode 12 –  “In the Middle” with Nancie Atwell Episode 12: “In the Middle” with Nancie Atwell It’s NOT an April fools joke!  This activist stuff is real!! Chicago Teachers Union Rallies with Community and Labor Allies Ahead of April 1 Mass Action http://portside.org/2016-03-12/chicago-teachers-union-rallies-community-and-labor-allies-ahead-april-1-mass-action A teacher learning FROM the children! HONORING A… Read more »

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BustED Pencils Trending News: Episode 11; Cares; $95,000; Featured

BustED Pencils Radio Episode 11 –  Busting Pencils with Marion Brady, Morna McDermott, and Matt’s Mom. Episode 11: All In with Marion Brady, Morna McDermott, and Matt Damon’s Mom Depriving teachers, feeling like a tourist and it was all about respect, effort and decency.  Time was the missing link.  No more “plugging” the achievement gaps instead… Read more »

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BustED Pencils Trending News: Episode 10; Visit; Suspicious; Unfair

BustED Pencils Radio Episode 10 –  Teacher Education Under Assault: Busting Pencils with Dr. Ken Zeichner. Episode 10: Teacher Education Under Assault: Busting Pencils with Dr. Ken Zeichner A great thing. Watch Michelle Obama crash these D.C. classrooms and surprise students https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/education/wp/2016/03/03/michelle-obama-surprises-some-excited-students-working-with-their-school-gardens/ “Suspicious behavior” FBI Orders High School Teachers To Report Anti-Government Students FBI Orders… Read more »

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BustED Pencils Trending News: Episode 9; Inflicted; Multiple; HAHAHA

BustED Pencils Radio Episode 9 –  Common Core : Complex or Critical? @ChrisTienken says… Episode 9: Common Core : Complex or Critical? @ChrisTienken says… Testing abuse inflicted. Why school isn’t for children anymore — teacher https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/answer-sheet/wp/2014/03/03/why-school-isnt-for-children-anymore-teacher/ Multiple choice? The One Thing I Don’t Do When I’m Assessing Students The One Thing I Don’t Do When… Read more »

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BustED Pencils Trending News: Episode 8; Crap; IF; Deemed

BustED Pencils Radio Episode 8 –  Busting Pencils with Alfie Kohn! Episode 8: Busting Pencils with Alfie Kohn! Math – AKA “Common Core” – They have FREE tutoring lessons for this crap, I mean math approach.  Watch this! Scary Common Core math lesson – this is what they’re teaching … https://www.facebook.com/thepeoplesvoicetv/videos/611927505621361/?fref=nf Still a “giant” if…. Read more »

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BustED Pencils Trending News: Episode 7; Overwhelming; Morning People; Omission Racism

BustED Pencils Radio Episode 7 –  BustED Pencils goes Bad Ass! Bad Ass Teachers that is. Episode 7: BustED Pencils goes Bad Ass! Bad Ass Teachers that is You should see this bar chart!! Wholly cow!!  Appalling!!!!!!!! Study says standardized testing is overwhelming nation’s public schools https://www.washingtonpost.com/local/education/study-says-standardized-testing-is-overwhelming-nations-public-schools/2015/10/24/8a22092c-79ae-11e5-a958-d889faf561dc_story.html?postshare=1481456637980293&tid=ss_fb “There are various factors that impact children’s test results:… Read more »

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BustED Pencils Trending News: Episode 6; Application?; Abuse; Chicago Fighter

BustED Pencils Radio Episode 6 –  Bertis Downs, REM, NPE and one BAT Episode 6: Bertis Downs, REM, NPE and one BAT No formal application needed. Americans can study in Germany for free, in English. An increasing number are doing it. https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/worldviews/wp/2016/02/20/americans-can-study-in-germany-for-free-in-english-an-increasing-number-are-doing-it/?tid=sm_fb Abuse of special education monies. Senator Andy Manar goes after special education. Senator Andy… Read more »

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BustED Pencils Trending News: Episode 5; UOO Strong; Lurking; Recess?

BustED Pencils Radio Episode 5 –  Admiring Administrators Episode 5: Admiring Administrators Still going on today and boy are they standing up STRONG!!  Way to go United Opt Out National – clap clap clap Keep Busting those pencils!! UNITED OPT OUT: The Movement to End Corporate Education Reform http://unitedoptout.com/ Beware of the frying pan. Is Co-Opted… Read more »

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BustED Pencils Trending News: LIVE RIGHT NOW – Our Very Own Tim Slekar about to speak!

    Tim Slekar LIVE  Right now at the UNITED OPT OUT: The Movement to End Corporate Education Reform   LIVE LIVE LIVE LIVE LIVE – NOW NOW NOW NOW https://www.youtube.com/user/flamelamothe/live http://unitedoptout.com/   Get BustED Pencils Trending News to come right to your in-box! Enter your email under “SUBSCRIBE” on our Home or Trending News… Read more »

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BustED Pencils Trending News: LIVE RIGHT NOW – Our Very Own Tim Slekar!!! Go go go!

    SPECIAL EDITION BustED Pencils Presents Tim Slekar LIVE Right now at the UNITED OPT OUT: The Movement to End Corporate Education Reform   Tim to speak LIVE at the United Opt Out conference in 5 minutes! LIVE LIVE LIVE LIVE LIVE – NOW NOW NOW NOW https://www.youtube.com/user/flamelamothe/live http://unitedoptout.com/   Get BustED Pencils Trending… Read more »

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BustED Pencils Trending News: Episode 4; Sing It; Fired; Limiting

BustED Pencils Radio Episode 4 – 6/3/15 Episode 4: 6/3/15 Come on everybody, join in and sing along!  A kind dedication to courage. It’s Still Opting Out for Me https://www.facebook.com/baldpianoguy/videos/1512331875739860/?fref=nf Take a closer look at this story, it gets a little weird. NKHS teacher to be fired for insubordination http://www.independentri.com/independents/ind/north_kingstown/article_176141ec-4604-5126-828b-f327f279957d.html The over-testing is no secret… Read more »

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BustED Pencils Trending News: Episode 3; NOT PARRC; Bonds; Consultants

BustED Pencils Radio Episode 3 – 4/10/15 Episode 3: 4/10/15 #1 – The test is NOT diagnostic!! #2, #3, #4, #5, #6, #7, #8, #9, #10!  Keep BUSTING PENCILS Marie! My testimony at the 2.10.16 NJ State BOE meeting in Trenton https://www.facebook.com/corfieldfornjea/videos/1031885956869752/?fref=nf Crossing into conflict of interest. The bond between business and education http://www.baltimoresun.com/news/opinion/readersrespond/bs-ed-schools-letter-20160129-story.html Oh… Read more »

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BustED Pencils Trending News: Episode 2; Caring; Scheduled; Shitty

  BustED Pencils Radio Episode 2 – 2/26/15 Episode 2: 2/26/15   Someone cares and that person is Shalon Miller.  Keep Busting Pencils Shalon, your efforts matter! I’m a Detroit teacher protesting our awful school conditions. Here’s why I think we’ll win. http://www.vox.com/2016/2/8/10915958/detroit-public-school-teacher Scheduled for this fall!! D.C. Public Schools, closely watched for its reform efforts,… Read more »

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BustED Pencils Trending News: Episode 1; Trade Show; Ethical; New Fad

    Episode 1 – 12/1/14 Episode 1: 12/1/14 Morna McDermott – She is NOT making this up. If George Orwell Hosted an Education Conference, It Would be This If George Orwell Hosted an Education Conference, It Would be This Anthony Cody calls out Alexander Russo! Keep busting pencils Anthony!! Will Ethical Walls Protect Education Journalism from Billionaire… Read more »

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BustED Pencils Trending News: Don’t; Warning; Will NOT

Troy LaRaviere makes a true statement: …”the work “activism” marginalizes people”… .  We tend to agree with this statement. DON’T CALL IT ACTIVISM Don’t Call It Activism Testing turns into a “daily” process!  Oh no!! Emily Talmadge Warns that Gates is Infiltrating Opt Out Emily Talmadge Warns that Gates is Infiltrating Opt Out   Jonathan Pelto has a fantastic point!… Read more »

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BustED Pencils Trending News: True; the BANK; SAT’s Useless

The “IP address”.    True. Marzano Says Detroit Contract Untrue. Reporter Proves It is. Marzano Says Detroit Contract Untrue. Reporter Proves It is. The news thought they were going to City Hall.  OMG they went to the bank!!! Collective bargaining in the streets. Collective bargaining in the streets.   This is the better story to care about than who… Read more »

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BustED Pencils Trending News: TRIPLED; 3 HOURS; BEST?

“Teachers Union has tripled the public support of Emanuel”   –   TRIPLED!!!!!!!  WAY TO KEEP BUSTING THOSE PENCILS CTU – clap clap clap Thousands rally downtown for Chicago Teachers Union http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/local/breaking/ct-chicago-teachers-union-rally-0205-20160204-story.html A 3 HOUR exam and a driving test… Algebra 1 EOC: Ridiculously High Stakes Algebra 1 EOC: Ridiculously High Stakes   No lists of “best”… Read more »

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BustED Pencils Trending News: Phony; Punish; Please

Grass roots rebellion growing. We’re onto the phony education reformers: Charter school charlatans and faux reformers take it on the chin http://www.salon.com/2016/01/09/were_onto_the_phony_education_reformers_charter_school_charlatans_and_faux_reformers_take_it_on_the_chin/ Simply failing the test, not the course, is call for punishment? Spike proposal to punish school districts for student test failures http://www.bradenton.com/opinion/editorials/article54898810.html Please, this whole thing is nonsense! A ‘No-Nonsense’ Classroom Where Teachers… Read more »

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BustED Pencils Trending News: Tim; Prevent; Charges

Tim Slekar deeply cares about the lives of children and teachers, particularly within the public schools.  He is courageous in his writings and interviews as he tells the truth that is not often heard.  He carries the voice of the child and teacher.  He sees the pain, sadness and heartache that has been put in… Read more »

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BustED Pencils Trending News: Cold; Half; March in July

How long does it take to gather information??!! Detroit mayor: Dead mouse, cold kids, bad floor in schools http://news.yahoo.com/detroit-mayor-tour-schools-teachers-complaints-070912729.html Eli Broad wanted to take HALF the kids!  A takeover will NOT be had. Shocker: Los Angeles School Board Votes 7-0 for Resolution Opposing Eli Broad Takeover Shocker: Los Angeles School Board Votes 7-0 for Resolution… Read more »

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BustED Pencils Trending News: This!; Netflix; Detroit

Create sustainable, equitable and meaningful public schools for all children.  There’s a thought! PRIVATIZATION OF PUBLIC EDUCATION: THIS CHANGES EVERYTHING PRIVATIZATION OF PUBLIC EDUCATION: THIS CHANGES EVERYTHING Children are now considered a “Pet Project”?? Netflix Founder Drops $100 Million to Join Billionaire Crusade to Privatize Our Public Schools http://www.alternet.org/education/netflix-founder-drops-100-join-billionaire-crusade-privatize-our-public-schools It SOOOOO didn’t have to be this way. Life… Read more »

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BustED Pencils Trending News: Brooklyn; NOT; Taken

The Brooklyn accent. The making of an education catastrophe-one activist’s journey of discovery: Mark Naison at TEDxCCSU  NOT the Common Core state standards or corporate influences.  A primer on the damaging movement to privatize public schools https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/answer-sheet/wp/2016/01/07/a-primer-on-the-damaging-movement-to-privatize-public-schools/ $300 MILLION taken from special education! Illinois state board votes to move special ed funding to charter schools. Illinois… Read more »

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BustED Pencils Trending News: Dumb; Central; Pied

Christie is dumb. Christie: Teachers union ‘single most destructive force’ in education http://thehill.com/blogs/ballot-box/gop-primaries/265324-christie-teachers-union-single-most-destructive-force-in The “central result”. Students Can Grade Themselves When We Make It About Learning http://blogs.edweek.org/teachers/work_in_progress/2016/01/students_can_grade_themselves_.html Fun and engagement? Yes.  Rigor? No!  The Pied Piper?  Maybe. This Principal’s ‘Electric’ Education Strategy Is ‘Making A Difference’ http://www.nbcnews.com/nightly-news/video/this-principals–electric–education-strategy-is-making-a-difference-598805059508 https://www.facebook.com/nbcnightlynews/videos/10153923415943689/?fref=nf Get BustED Pencils Trending News to come… Read more »

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BustED Pencils Trending News: Over…; Hungry; Delusion

Writing as a parent. ‘Beyond Measure: Rescuing an Overscheduled, Overtested, Underestimated Generation’ http://www.nytimes.com/2015/12/20/books/review/beyond-measure-rescuing-an-overscheduled-overtested-underestimated-generation.html?_r=0  Fired for having a heart!  What??!!  We say “Higher the Hero” – Dalene Bowden is Busting Pencils!!! This Idaho Middle School Lunch Lady Was Fired for Giving a Free Lunch to a Hungry Student http://news.yahoo.com/idaho-middle-school-lunch-lady-233401253.html Update: Cafeteria worker fired over free lunch… Read more »

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BustED Pencils Trending News: Religon; Evolution?; Stopped!

Fired-Religous Struggle-In Social Studies U.S. History Class. Muslim Teacher Fired After Showing Malala Video http://www.bluejersey.com/2015/12/3-5/ “…disregarding science in favor of a particular religious belief is unconstitutional,” writes Stephen D. Foster Jr. 11-Year-Old Student Sues His Florida Public School For Failing To Teach Evolution https://www.freespeech.org/text/11-year-old-student-sues-his-florida-public-school-failing-teach-evolution Reading for enjoyment??? What an idea! Teacher: Why I stopped assigning homework… Read more »

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BustED Pencils Trending News: Nope; Busting; Standing Parents

No meaningful link!  First part of this article rocks.  The second part doesn’t really relate to the standardized tests.  It more relates to the “teacher made” tests.  Take a look and decide for yourself. Four Tips to Make it Easier on Everyone http://southhills.macaronikid.com/article/1124535/too-much-testing Clap clap clap! BustED some Pencils!! How important is arts education? https://www.facebook.com/natgeotvUS/videos/10153617771436005/?fref=nf… Read more »

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BustED Pencils Trending News: Grit; Segregation; Gold

“the exposure to trauma has a profound impact…” , writes AISHA SULTAN The Limitations of Teaching ‘Grit’ in the Classroom http://www.theatlantic.com/education/archive/2015/12/when-grit-isnt-enough/418269/ High-achievers segregated. The New ‘Education Segregation’ Hurting the U.S. http://www.forbes.com/sites/haroldsirkin/2015/12/03/the-new-education-segregation-hurting-the-u-s/   Gold for corporations! TS Gold – A Child’s Report Card http://www.pegwithpen.com/2015/12/ts-gold-childs-report-card.html Get BustED Pencils Trending News to come right to your in-box! Enter your… Read more »

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BustED Pencils Trending News: Closed & Sad; Deny; Hmmmm

Boring to students and teachers.  Type of bullying.  Follow the rules, do what you are told, ignore the interactive part.  Keep BUSTING PENCILS Barry!! The Sad Art of Closed Reading http://www.barrylane.com/2015/12/closed-reading/ RTI raises MANY concerns! “Response to Intervention”—An Excuse to Deny Services to Students with Learning Disabilities? http://www.livingindialogue.com/response-intervention-excuse-deny-services-students-learning-disabilities/ Smoke in Mirrors!!! Success Metrics Questioned in… Read more »

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BustED Pencils Trending News: Stop; Karate Chop; Chop Chop

…”a much needed student centered redesign of public education”, writes Jamaal Bowman Principal to N.Y. Gov. Cuomo: Stop spreading a false narrative about public education https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/answer-sheet/wp/2015/11/27/principal-to-n-y-gov-cuomo-stop-spreading-a-false-narrative-about-public-education/    Can the Kahn Academy “personalize” karate? Education is broken — but this entrepreneur has a stunningly simple idea to fix it http://www.businessinsider.com/how-to-fix-education-khan-academy-ted-video-2015-11 The things we know that help children develop are… Read more »

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BustED Pencils Trending News: Congress Dumps; Really Simple; Replaced

The Bush-era law. Gone with NCLB.  Is ESSA (The Every Student Succeeds Act) even close to an acceptable replacement?? Congress set to dump No Child Left Behind http://www.politico.com/story/2015/11/no-child-left-behind-education-bush-congress-216291#ixzz3t5wy3vba A public school teacher and a businessman walk onto a plane… (“Fewer people who think there is one single thing that would solve all of our problems… Read more »

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BustED Pencils Trending News: Unprecededented; Sick; Reckless; “beaten curs”

        170 teaching vacancies in early November! UNPRECEDENTED for Detroit Public Schools. DPS facing surge of midyear teacher departures http://www.freep.com/story/news/local/michigan/detroit/2015/11/26/dps-teachers-leaving/76311802/       Sick schools, air unfit to breath, teachers fear being fired if reported, Asthma (in some schools) reach epidemic levels. Crumbling Schools Add Health Problems to Classroom Stress http://news.yahoo.com/crumbling-schools-add-health-problems-classroom-stress-190223653.html   “As future… Read more »

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BustED Pencils Trending News: Community Heard; Trouble Painted; Uh-oh

Less testing AND listening to the community?!  Wow WV Department Of Education Suggests Dropping Common Core Standards, Replacing Them http://www.wchstv.com/news/features/eyewitness-news/stories/WV-Department-Of-Education-Suggests-Dropping-Common-Core-Standards-Replacing-Them-231556.shtml#.VkskdGSrS2w   A trouble picture painted. What could be wrong with a “community school” model? http://appsphilly.net/what-could-be-wrong-with-a-community-school-model/ Overturn broad authority! Uh-oh!! Effort to curb schools superintendent’s powers goes before Wisconsin Supreme Court http://www.jsonline.com/news/statepolitics/effort-to-curb-schools-superintendents-powers-goes-before-wisconsin-supreme-court-b99615882z1-350061921.html?ipad=y Get BustED Pencils Trending News… Read more »

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BustED Pencils Trending News: Less; Squashed; Ass Backwards

“Less school, (way) more play” 5 Reasons Finland Has More Effective Schools Than The U.S. https://www.facebook.com/HuffingtonPost/videos/10153486502541130/?fref=nf   Freedom and creativity in the classroom squashed by drilling and excessive state Standards testing. Burnt out: teachers overwhelmed and resigning http://www.dailycommercial.com/news/article_0fa3f74b-508b-54c1-8e96-e565c3d8fbe4.html   If this isn’t ass backwards… IEPs Must Be Aligned to Grade-Level Standards, Says New Federal Guidance… Read more »

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BustED Pencils Trending News: Bloody Murder; Sick; Core of the Common SURVEY

“…cry bloody murder to your school board!” Author on Common Core: ‘A Comprehensive Dumbing Down of American Education at Every Level’ http://cnsnews.com/news/article/barbara-hollingsworth/common-core-comprehensive-dumbing-down-american-education-every   Elaine Cox, M. D. says it so eloquently, “Perhaps supporting our teachers to find professional fulfillment in educating students, rather than teaching to the test, will allow their enthusiasm for knowledge to shine… Read more »

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BustED Pencils Trending News: L.A. students cut in half; Principles?; Cutting Cramming

    Broad and Walton plan to move half of L.A. students into charter schools over the next 8 years!  Good night John-boy!! Walton foundation sustains local funding for Teach For America with new grant http://www.latimes.com/local/lanow/la-me-ln-walton-funding-tfa-20151106-story.html Principals without Principles! NYC Public Schools: Money Over Age https://www.facebook.com/NYCMoneyOverAge/videos/1629401783976960/?fref=nf Cramming and cutting… More than 11,000 school staff members are ‘missing’… Read more »

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BustED Pencils Trending News: Strong Teacher; Amendment; “Tribute”

    “We may have reached a tipping point.”  We thought AFT already had strong teachers. Why the hell would AFT sign on to TeachStrong? https://medium.com/@rweingarten/why-the-hell-would-aft-sign-on-to-teachstrong-682acc9df9e7 If this amendment passes we may be stuck with another pro-basketball player telling teachers what to do! State Superintendent Constitutional Amendment Introduced https://wasblegupdate.wordpress.com/2015/11/10/state-superintendent-constitutional-amendment-introduced/   How easy is it to push… Read more »

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BustED Pencils Trending News: Philanthropic “smoke screen”; Busting; Growing ARMY

Hey Melinda and Bill Gates, here is a MUST READ for ya! We can’t believe Melinda and Bill Gates are calling their “dismantling” of public schools across the entire country as “philanthropic work”!  Let me remind you what the definition is for “philanthropic” – The difference commonly cited is that charity relieves the pains of social… Read more »

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BustED Pencils Trending News: Resignation? NO; ALEC targets WI; Common Cuomo

  The more you “FU” the system… NO MORE TEACHER RESIGNATION LETTERS! https://bustedpencils.com/2015/11/no-more-teacher-resignation-letters/   “ATTACK PUBLIC EDUCATION IN WISCONSIN” – What the hell??!!! ALEC’s Next Wisconsin Target: Public Education http://www.publicnewsservice.org/2015-10-26/education/alecs-next-wisconsin-target-public-education/a48638-1   Direct attempts to limit participation!  Seriously?! Why why why?!!  Answer the “Why?”. Cuomo Doesn’t Want To Hear Your Thoughts On Common Core http://perdidostreetschool.blogspot.com/2015/11/cuomo-doesnt-want-to-hear-your-thoughts.html?spref=fb&m=1   Get… Read more »

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BustED Pencils Trending News: Life Limits; Attacked; Futile

  The same, with the same at the same.  SAY WHAT?! Diploma Options for Students with Developmental Disabilities https://theoptoutfloridanetwork.wordpress.com/2015/10/04/options-for-students-with-developmental-disabilities/ Harsh is an understatement! CSCU asks faculty for ‘unprecedented’ givebacks http://ctmirror.org/2015/10/07/cscu-asks-faculty-for-unprecedented-givebacks/   Chanel M. Quintero (New York) puts the word “special” to a whole new level!  Her commitment to her “other babies” is to be applauded.  Way to bust… Read more »

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BustED Pencils Trending News: Must Win; Profit not CHILD; Suspension King

Go Michigan Department of ED! Critical thinking and creativity over memorizing facts and filling in bubbles!  Way to BUST SOME PENCILS!!  (Confetti shower please) In teaching versus testing, teaching must win http://www.freep.com/story/opinion/contributors/2015/10/09/teaching-versus-testing-teaching-must-win/73528336/ Melinda Gates said “Parents rightfully said, ‘Oh my gosh, a new test,” – Really Melinda?!!  I believe it was more like “What the… Read more »

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BustED Pencils Trending News: Duncan dunked; Bye Bye Standardized; Busting Pencils

  Deputy Secretary of Education John B. King, Jr., Really?!! Education Secretary Arne Duncan stepping down http://www.cnn.com/2015/10/02/politics/arne-duncan-resigns-education-secretary-obama/ Standardized tests SAT/ACT on the way out, good students are in!  Bye Bye Standardized. What one college discovered when it stopped accepting SAT/ACT scores https://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/answer-sheet/wp/2015/09/25/what-one-college-discovered-when-it-stopped-accepting-satact-scores/?postshare=7841443318078886   Schools being creative in spite of Standardized testing!  This is what happens… Read more »

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BustED Pencils Trending News: Augh-Gupta; Another?!; Taken Away

   Ravi Gupta, tsk tsk tsk… WARNING: THE CONTENT OF THIS POST IS NOT APPROPRIATE FOR CHILDREN. http://dianeravitch.net/2015/09/10/warning-the-content-of-this-post-is-not-appropriate-for-children/    Announcement! Wisconsin picks a new state test. Breaking News: Wisconsin political hacks maintain status quo era of inequitable public education policy. https://bustedpencils.com/2015/09/breaking-news-wisconsin-political-hacks-maintain-status-quo-era-of-inequitable-public-education-policy/   This is insane!  OK, they are taking away the alternative tests for students with… Read more »

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BustED Pencils Trending News: Crash Course; VAM; Fear

Satirical approach to start of school advise. John Oliver Prepares Returning Students With Awesome Back-To-School Crash Course http://www.complex.com/pop-culture/2015/09/john-oliver-back-to-school-advice   Long Island NY Elementary School Teacher, Sheri Lederman, stands up for all public educators!  The current evaluation is unfair to the children, educators and school community as a whole! Controversial method to evaluate teachers leads to… Read more »

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BustED Pencils Trending News: UNCONSTITUTIONAL; Day 20; 100 Day Loophole

  Are we finally at the point where people realize “charter schools” are NOT public schools. State Supreme Court: Charter schools are unconstitutional http://www.seattletimes.com/seattle-news/education/state-supreme-court-charter-schools-are-unconstitutional/   Began August 17th and still going!  Chicago public schools DON’T respect the public. Activists to continue hunger strike over Dyett High School’s fate http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/local/breaking/ct-dyett-hunger-strike-met-0905-20150904-story.html   Parents find loophole to get… Read more »

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BustED Pencils Trending News: PA teachers not paid; Sensory issues; Educate this Editorial Board

    Charter schools strain local budgets.  Employees of the school literally found out they would not receive pay less than a week before the start of the new school year!   State law requires school districts to pay the charters for every student in the district that goes to a charter school. Why teachers… Read more »

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BustED Pencils Trending News: NAfMA Wins For ARTS; Ed In China; WISCAPE Vision

    NAfMA gets a win for the Arts.  HUGE step!! Senate Passes Act That The Arts Are Considered Core Subjects http://theodysseyonline.com/unr/senate-passes-act-that-the-arts-are-core-subjects/127337   America style Ed in China. WHAT????? Made in America: China’s Importing Charter Schools http://news.yahoo.com/made-america-chinas-importing-charter-schools-191817725.html   Our blogtalkradio show at Michelangelo’s with guests Jason Lee and Noel Radomski from WISCAPE – An amazing… Read more »

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BustED Pencils Trending News: C-3PO; Demonized; Right Way-Child’s Eyes

No-Nonsense Nurturer Program (aka – Nonsense).  Be a person not a robot!  C-3PO from Star Wars had more personality than this crazy approach to teacher training. Teacher blasts popular classroom training program: It is turning us into robots. http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/answer-sheet/wp/2015/07/25/teacher-blasts-popular-classroom-training-program-it-is-turning-us-into-robots/ Teaching is HARD.  So why are teachers being “demonized”? Why Is It That America Hates Teachers… Read more »

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BustED Pencils Trending News: 400 miles achieved; 12 year old gets it right; Live at Michelangelo’s;

400 Miles Achieved all in the name of children!  Congratulations Jesse!  Find Jesse Turner in satirical mock trial as Arne Duncan. (44.01 minutes into the trial) Mock Trial LIVE STREAM http://educationtownhall.org/2015/07/24/mock-trial-live-stream/ Children are more than test scores http://childrenaremorethantestscores.blogspot.com/   Lacey wrote a research paper about standardized testing. We had no idea she was doing this… Read more »

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SPECIAL BustED Pencils Trending News: Jesse = 400 miles

  SPECIAL SPECIAL SPECIAL SPECIAL SPECIAL SPECIAL SPECIAL SPECIAL SPECIAL SPECIAL SPECIAL SPECIAL Jesse “The Walking Man” Turner has ARRIVED Walked 400 miles from CT to D.C.! Children are more than a test score http://www.badassteacher.org/ Dear Jesse, Congratulations, um, proud of you and respect what you are doing, what you did and what you continue… Read more »

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BustED Pencils Trending News: 3 to go; “Avoidable” he says; Only one; Reconstituted; Hate school

  Jesse Turner‎Children are more than test scores 1 hr · Three miles from DC, three miles to turn this candle into a fire of humanity that takes back childhood for 53 million children being abused by the inhumane policies of test and punish. I have been on this road long enough that my every… Read more »

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BustED Pencils Trending News: Jesse – 5 to go; Pro-union; LaRaviere is here; Quickie

             Jessie “The Walking Man” Turner almost to DC, 5 days left!! http://saveourschoolsmarch.org/2015/05/jesse-the-walking-man-turner-from-ct-to-d-c/ childrenaremorethantestscoresblog.com   Bringing “charters closer to their historical roots and original mission”. Charter schools’ worst nightmare: A pro-union movement may change charters forever http://www.salon.com/2015/07/18/charter_schools_worst_nightmare_a_pro_union_movement_may_change_charters_forever/  No need to worry about missing Troy last week, here he is. Chicago Principal Troy… Read more »

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BustED Pencils Trending News: Law crap; Play war; Fundamentally flawed

            Federal LAW ESEA (Elementary and Secondary Education Act) turned into test and punishment!!  We can’t say it enough, this is NOT a left and right thing, this is a child abuse thing! The Democrats May Have Just Aligned Themselves With Test and Punishment – We Are Doomed https://gadflyonthewallblog.wordpress.com/2015/07/17/the-democrats-may-have-just-aligned-themselves-with-test-and-punish-we-are-doomed/ Preserving… Read more »

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BustED Pencils Trending News: Ohio cuts; Emanuel cuts; US destroys

      OK, this all sounds like it’s a move in the right direction for public education, BUT, is moving toward Smarter Balanced and ACT Aspire any movement at all?? How much is that going to cost? Ohio cuts funding for PARCC Common Core testing.  What’s next? http://news.yahoo.com/ohio-cuts-funding-parcc-common-core-testing-whats-212430220.html Chicago’s Mayor Rahm Emanual actually said… Read more »

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BustED Pencils is on Vacation

The attack on public education never stops so of course we will be back next week with all the trending news, blogs, and podcasts that strike fear in the heart of all education reformers!

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BustED Pencils Trending News: Assist, Don’t Miss; 59; Targeted Elimination; “Walking Man Jesse”

How about assisting these families instead!!  Clearly these are the families that need the most help!  Shame on you Michigan. Punishing the poor: Michigan adopts law to take away families’ food assistance if kids miss school http://www.rawstory.com/2015/06/punishing-the-poor-michigan-adopts-law-to-take-away-families-food-assistance-if-kids-miss-school/ Why why why? 59 teachers dismissed in Lawrence http://www.eagletribune.com/news/teachers-dismissed-in-lawrence/article_e1d28705-6082-5aba-b8e8-a7c947c0507f.html This should be a wake up call to ALL… Read more »

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BustED Pencils Trending News: The Walking Man; Walker!!! GRRRR; Insensitivity

He’s on the move!!  Jesse Turner is WALKING AND TALKING – Sunday, June 14th @ 2:30 Walking for Education Justice http://uuse.org/walking-for-education-justice/#.VXrZT1VVikq This explains why my hair is all gone! GRRRRRR Scott Walker’s op-ed on K-12 education: Act 10 ‘changed that broken system’ http://host.madison.com/wsj/news/local/govt-and-politics/scott-walker-s-op-ed-on-k–education-act/article_9886d356-0087-5369-9ded-9c324cd44b4e.html Talk about insensitivity and lack of understanding.  Congressman Cresent Hardy -“Some people have… Read more »

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BustED Pencils Trending News: Apologize to the students; Brian did what??; Haunting

 These tasks are not really related to your usual job.  If you don’t care, is it working??  Apologies are in order. The First Hurdle http://www.huffingtonpost.com/peter-greene/the-first-hurdle_b_7517602.html?utm_hp_ref=tw  Nevada governor Brian Sandoval, WHAT did you just do??!! Nevada Enacts Universal School Choice http://www.nationalreview.com/article/419438/nevada-enacts-universal-school-choice The COMMON theme. High School Students Create Haunting Artwork About Standardized Tests http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2015/06/10/standardized-test-art_n_7546756.html?1433968512    … Read more »

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BustED Pencils Trending News: “F” Word; Opt out?; Killing tenure

Don’t bother coming to Wisconsin if you want to learn. Is it time to start using the “F” Word in Wisconsin? https://bustedpencils.com/2015/06/is-it-time-to-start-using-the-f-word-in-wisconsin/ “I am teaching my children…” Darcey Addo You opted out? What are you teaching your kids? http://www.darceyforschoolboard.com/#!You-opted-out-What-are-you-teaching-your-kids/c1tem/1 Fear, resentment and suspicion. Killing tenure is academia’s point of no return http://america.aljazeera.com/opinions/2015/6/killing-tenure-is-academias-point-of-no-return.html   Want BustED… Read more »

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BustED Pencils Trending News: WALKING MAN; Crappy Alec!; Retaliation?; Busting pencils

      COUNT DOWN – 10 days until… Jesse is Walking to Washington, DC http://childrenaremorethantestscores.blogspot.com/ http://blogs.edweek.org/teachers/living-in-dialogue/2010/03/jesse_is_walking_to_washington.html   LIVE SHOW with Jesse Turner on Blogtalkradio.com/bustedpencils THIS SUNDAY at 5:00pm central time   Crappy Creepy Alec, enough said. Meet the Latest Secret Free-Market Group That Wants to Take Over Your Public School http://inthesetimes.com/article/17992/the-secret-group-that-wants-to-take-over-your-school Serious educational issues in… Read more »

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SPECIAL BustED Pencils Trending News: Wisconsin’s Ground Zero; Fight Takeover of MPS; Milwaukee schools under attack

In the week of the Joint Finance Committee’s attack on public schools BustED Pencils talks to activist Angela Walker about Milwaukee’s “week of action”. Update from Milwaukee: Wisconsin’s Ground Zero in the Battle for Public Schools http://www.blogtalkradio.com/bustedpencils/2015/05/31/update-from-milwaukee-wisconsins-ground-zero-in-the-battle-for-public-schools The actual website you can go to get involved; Come and help the community rise up for MPS… Read more »

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BustED Pencils Trending News: Demonized; Carnival Ban; Christi profits

No failed schools in America, only governments failed policy. Why America Demonizes Its Teachers http://www.huffingtonpost.com/frank-breslin/why-america-demonizes-its-teachers_b_7463084.html The horrible realities of “pay to play”.  If you ever saw the look of an elementary school child being left out and not understanding why (“I’ve been a good kid too.”) you would be outraged by this action.  It’s wrong… Read more »

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BustED Pencils Trending News: Who’s paying?; Common NOT Cure; Foundations Matter?

A private meeting being paid for by whom? So a Lobbyist and an ALEC Legislator Walk into a Bar…Caught on Tape by NBC http://www.prwatch.org/news/2015/05/12838/alec-lobbyist-funding-caught-on-tape God forbid an educator speaks! Common Core Does Not Cure Student Mobility https://gadflyonthewallblog.wordpress.com/2015/05/25/common-core-does-not-cure-student-mobility/   How about keeping the experiences in the classroom that are the foundation for learning?  Nancy Carlsson-Paige needs to… Read more »

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BustED Pencils Trending News: Tester bill to ELIMINATE; RED in Seattle; Budget harms kids

  Senator John Tester introduces a bill to ELIMINATE the “federal” annual testing requirements. Tester’s Student Testing and Accountability Act https://www.facebook.com/senatortester/videos/10153219592096665/?fref=nf All wearing RED Thousands of teachers rally in downtown Seattle http://www.king5.com/story/news/local/seattle/2015/05/19/seattle-teachers-strike-and-rally/27591025/   Thousands who came out in “droves” seem to be ignored and the children are being hurt by it! While You Were Sleeping:… Read more »

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BustED Pencils Trending News: Red Flag; CC Promoters $$; Snake Oil

Red flag regarding student information!  A cautionary tale for school districts. Millions of Student Records Sold in Bankruptcy Case http://www.edweek.org/ew/articles/2014/12/10/millions-of-student-records-sold-in-bankruptcy.html?cmp=SOC-SHR-FB   I don’t typically align myself with the FEDERALISTS, but the details in this story cannot be  ignored. Ten Common Core Promoters Laughing All The Way To The Bank http://thefederalist.com/2015/01/05/ten-common-core-promoters-laughing-all-the-way-to-the-bank/   Classrooms of the 21st century… Read more »

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BustED Pencils Trending News: predictable; big lie; college readiness declining

Christopher comes to BustED Pencils first with this breaking education news.  When are CNN and MSNBC going to cover this story?  BustED Pencils to become the mainstream media! “Predictable Results” with Dr. Christopher Tienken http://www.blogtalkradio.com/bustedpencils/2015/05/13/predictable-results-with-dr-christopher-tienken Education for “citizenship” – That’s not measurable.  Obliged to care more about profit than children. Education “reforms” big lie: The… Read more »

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BustED Pencils Trending News: The Walking Man; Student Loses Hope; We Can Cancel

Jesse “the walking man” Turner walking for our nation’s children – 400 miles in 40 days!! “Going to DC, ganna right some wrong” Walking TO DC youtube video YOUTUBE 16 year old Maddy Ortega may be one voice, but she is the voice of many young children in public schools today. Student Loses Hope After Too Much Testing… Read more »

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BustED Pencils Trending News: Mom Revolt; Long-Term Harm; Worth Celebrating?

We get that the movement is growing, but why do they have to make it “an upper-middle-class thing”.  It is so much more than that. So much more. The Soccer Mom Revolt Against Common Core http://www.wsj.com/articles/the-soccer-mom-revolt-against-common-core-1430867989 Peter Grey, PhD points out that social and emotional development is at risk.  Play-based schooling wins out over academic… Read more »

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BustED Pencils Trending News: 3 step down, “Rigor”, John Oliver spot on

  1.  Caring voices will always win out over money!  THREE Pearson members stepping down, revenues declining in North America. Pearson confirms departure of chairman Glen Moreno http://uk.frienddy.com/uk/inews/73740 2.  Dr. Walter Stroup seven hour wait to testify in 2012 at a legislative hearing at the Texas Capitol about “Rigor” has turned into Pearson counterattacking largely… Read more »

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BustED Pencils Trending News: Slekar speaks; 12-year-old voice; LEGAL Rights

            1.   You REALLY want to understand the opt out movement?  Listen here as our own Dr. Tim Slekar explains. No Child Left Behind & Standardized Testing http://www.wortfm.org/no-child-left-behind-standardized-testing/   2.   CJ Pearson is an articulate 12 year old boy who gets the voice of children out.  A must watch, very… Read more »

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BustED Pencils Trending News: Pearson/ADHD; Angry White Mom; No test Tulsa

  Does that mean Pearson is starting to head down another road and get out of our public schools or does it mean disaster ahead? Pearson Acquires ADHD Testing Company BioBehavioral Diagnostics http://www.pearsoned.com/news/pearson-acquires-adhd-testing-company-biobehavioral-diagnostics/#.VCzJf_ldXWl   Our own “Mom Michelle” and “Activist of the Week” from BustED Pencils is deeply offended and insulted by Arne Duncan’s remarks… Read more »

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BustED Pencils Trending News: Dem. Declares War; No Show for SBAC; Racist? REALLY??!!

  Senator John Tester of Montana (who was a teacher) says, “Students shouldn’t be learning for the test, they should be learning for life.” Democratic Senator Declares War on Standardized Tests http://dailycaller.com/2015/04/21/democratic-senator-declares-war-on-standardized-tests/ Diane Ravitch’s Blog says it best! No juniors show up to take SBAC at Seattle high school http://www.king5.com/story/news/local/seattle/2015/04/23/sbac-standardized-testing-nathan-hale-high-school/26267407/ Really? The “Feds” can step… Read more »

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BustED Pencils Trending News: Religious Reasons Yinz; Tim & WI movement; Adorable Girls Parody

  The inherent worth and dignity of every person.  Yinzercation creator/blogger Jessie B. Ramey, PhD writes one for yinz guys. The Religious Reasons My Kids Won’t be Taking the Test https://yinzercation.wordpress.com/2015/04/13/the-religious-reasons-my-kids-wont-be-taking-the-test/ One of the founding members of United Opt Out (Tim) helps opt out gain traction in WI. As Wisconsin’s new Badger Exam rolls out,… Read more »

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BustED Pencils Trending News: Lied To, Jailing Teachers, Heart Strings

  Common core causing a lot of upset in Ohio. URGENT – You Are Being Lied To – Read What’s Really in the Law http://ohioansagainstcommoncore.com/urgent-you-are-being-lied-to-read-whats-really-in-the-law/   Scapegoats for a broken system is EXACTLY right.  What was Michelle Rhee’s punishment??? Hmmm Why Jailing Cheating Teachers Probably Won’t Help America’s Kids http://news.yahoo.com/why-jailing-cheating-teachers-probably-won-t-help-215428792.html;_ylt=A0LEVr.E0jFV7bUAyyEPxQt.   Hold onto your heart,… Read more »

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BustED Pencils Trending News: Seattle Opt Out press conference; A child’s voice; Teacher Moral plummetting

Seattle’s NAACP stands up against targeted performance testing! WooHoo!! Education Chair, Rita Green, says “costs tied to the test this year is approximately $200,000,000 (two hundred million dollars)…” Did you hear that dollar amount?!  NAACP oppose SBAC and are calling on all parents to opt out and to opt out NOW. Jesse Hagopian, “Teachers in the Seattle… Read more »

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BustED Pencils Trending News: Common Core’s political fiasco; PA opt outers will not be denied; No evidence to support FSA

It’s not a right or left thing! Parties unite on this issue.  In fact, as Diane Ravitch says, “As [U.S. Secretary of Education Arne] Duncan’s chief of staff JoAnne Weiss wrote at the time, Common Core was intended to create a national market for book publishers…”. Common Core’s political fiasco: How it united the left and… Read more »

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BustED Pencils Trending News: “Every Child Achieves Act” Gains Traction.

  Below are three stories that feature the main news of the day.  ESEA and now the new  Every Child Achieves Act appears to have bipartisan support. Is this good news? Depends. Depends on what part of the old NCLB and NCLB waivers you hated. BustED Pencils’ biggest concern is the fact that the national testing… Read more »

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