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 »

        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 »

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 »

“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 »

Just who is Bertis Downs?  In this episode Jed and Tim talk to the man, the myth, the legend.  OK maybe that’s too much hype but check it out as Bertis Downs talks to Jed and Tim about his 30 years as manager of the mega rock band REM and how he came to be…… Read more »

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 »

  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 »

  Hey! Guess what? Wisconsin Republicans like big government! Who cares? Not the media! Yes it’s that simple.  Last week, in another embrace of big government and disdain for local control, the Wisconsin Republican Party pushed legislation that would outlaw the simple practice of democracy all the way down to the local level. Wisconsin republicans want to… Read more »

Working in a district that is under “accreditation watch” while also working in one of the district’s “turnaround” schools brings intense stress and high stakes mandates everywhere you turn. I wonder if folks understand what it’s like to feel guilty about asking your school to purchase you a trashcan? Or – being told there are… Read more »

  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 »