David Moshman: Compulsory Patriotism: Requiring the Pledge of Allegiance.

This should horrify everyone, including our most patriotic citizens, if they truly love freedom and our constitution.

I have had several friends and students, some who were very patriotic, who don’t say the pledge of allegiance for a wide variety of reasons including: being atheist, being Christian, not believing in pledging to a symbol, not believing in blind allegiance to a government, to not believing in saying “justice for all” until that’s true

Forcing American citizens to participate in daily patriotic sayings is completley un-American, let alone a serious violation of their first amendment rights.

Teacher Development At Center Of New Center For American Progress Studies.

Rating doctors on how healthy their patients are is a perfect comparison since their patients many times come to them unhealthy in the first place.

It is the same thing as holding doctors accountabl e for how well their patients follow their medical advice or how many of their patients get cured of their ailments.

Doctors can’t force patients to lose weight or quit smoking any more than teachers can force some students to learn, or take those tests seriously or force their parents to support their child’s education (or change some of the factors that can affect low test scores like not speaking English, having a learning disability, or coming from a low socio-economic status).

School Districts Shortchange Low-Income Schools: Report.

In 1991, Jonathan Kozol detailed this in his book, Savage Inequalities: Children in America’s Schools, that discusses the disparities in education between schools of different classes and races. It is based on his observations of various classrooms in the public school systems of East St. Louis, Chicago, New York City, Camden, Cincinnati, and Washington D.C.
His observations take place in both schools with the lowest per capita spending on students and the highest, ranging from just over $3,000 in Camden, New Jersey to a maximum expenditure of up to $15,000 in Great Neck, Long Island.
In his visits to these areas, Kozol illustrates the overcrowded, unsanitary and often understaffed environment that is lacking in basic tools and textbooks for teaching. He cites the large proportions of minorities in the areas with the lowest annual budgets, despite the higher taxation rate on individuals living in poverty within the school district.

This article states that, “Though Duncan highlighted the glaring disparities Wednesday, his administration has so far prioritized other issues — such as standards and innovation — over funding equity.”
These glaring disparities have always been known so, unfortunately, I doubt the report will alter priorities any more than Kozal’s findings did.

Michigan Senate Approves House Version Of Anti-Bullying Bill, Drops Religious Language.

I don’t know if you have heard of this bill but Michigan passed a bill, called “Matt’s Safe School Law” that had an added clause protecting those doing the bullying if teachers and students can claim that their actions are rooted in a “sincerely held religious belief or moral conviction.”

I can’t express how relieved I am to know that they have altered the bill to be more appropriate. I was more freaked out by the original story than any thing I’ve read recently about education so I am celebrating the victory.

Watch the video of Senator Gretchen Whitmer if you haven’t seen it. She is my hero right now.

It’s completely amazing (and disheartening) how many ridiculous comments are made on this article. I forget how the majority of people have no clue to how real trafficking and the sex slave trade is.

After much research over the years on this subject, I can attest to THIS IS WHAT IS BEHIND MOST EDUCATION REFORM AND THE “NEED TO IMPROVE” TEACHER EVALUATIONS.

The privatization of public schools (school-choice, voucher system, etc.) would have he most damning results on education. Don’t we have enough evidence what happens when a few billionaires control an institution? Turning education into corporate profit would only serve those who would make millions from this, NOT THE STUDENTS.

Read Michelle Rhee’s Wikipedia page (I checked all the references).

The Student’s First website makes it clear what their agenda is. Although they should be commended for their anti-bully and pro LGBT stance, that is where the students coming first stops.

(You may also want to read a piece Larry Strauss wrote for The Huffington Post called, Students First and Other Lies).

It is a travesty that a bill (named after MATT no less) that was supposed to address bullying in schools and keeping kids safe, makes okay and protects those that bully if their actions come from a “sincerely held religious belief or moral conviction “.

As a teacher, I am appalled. As a Christian, I am utterly disheartened.
This is probably the most insane legislation I have heard of relating to education, and I think we all know that is saying A LOT.

This is the first show I’m helping with so come and support the arts.

Reggae in the Valley: Napa Valley’s Earth Day Evening Celebration!
Saturday, April 24, 2010
Napa Valley Expo, Chardonnay Hall (575 3rd Street) in Napa, CA
4:30 pm – 11 pm (doors @ 4)
www.ReggaeInTheValley.com
Caribbean-Style Food!
Hot Air Ballon Ride Raffle
All Ages Event!
Tickets $20 Advance / $25 Door

Info from the press release:
This event will benefit Arts Council Napa Valley’s Arts Education Programs. A destination that should not be missed, this Wine Country is the most widely visited Valleys in the country as a wine and dining epicenter mecca, and event producer James Byrum says that “we plan to turn this valley into a music mecca as well.” Event is sponsored by 1440 KVON & 99.3 THE VINE, Reggae Festival Guide magazine and Ozcat Vallejo Community Radio.

For more information, contact THE CALENDAR GUY PRODUCTIONS at 707-225-5649 or visit www.ReggaeInTheValley.com
ARTISTS PERFORMING ARE:
DAVID KIRTON
RAS INDIO
ISHI DUBE
ROCKER T
MYSTIC ROOTS BAND
C.R.VIBES