Teacher Crashes ALEC Policy Meeting in Denver and Takes over the Legislative Floor

Watch: Teacher Infiltrates ALEC Education Meeting, Confronts Members own Turf

To see the video, click the link below. Story is here as well. 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o5WffLmRBNY

Education activist Sabrina Joy Stevens, a former teacher in the Denver school system, tells right-wing, would-be policymakers how their agenda is destructive to education.

December 3, 2012  |  

This two-minute video is well worth watching, especially for the part where one of the task force members mansplains to Stevens that she doesn't understand how ALEC really works. Why, the task force doesn't set policy, he says, implying that Stevens had chosen the wrong target.

In reality, ALEC's task forces draft policy recommendations that are taken up by the national body.

Stevens wrote on her YouTube posting:

On November 30, 2012, I had the rare and deeply disturbing experience of witnessing part of the American Legislative Exchange Council's Education Task Force meeting: a closed-door policy-shaping session open only to the state legislators who help to pass them, the corporate lobbyists who pay big money to shape and sponsor them-- and scrappy activists like me, who are no longer willing to cede our policy-making processes to unaccountable, undemocratic organizations who hide from the people their decisions ultimately affect. Here's me speaking from my heart as a teacher driven from the classroom into activism by destructive policies like theirs. 

Stevens formerly worked as a teacher in Denver, Colo., and in another capacity with students in Philidelphia, Penn. She took her ALEC mission on as a "rogue operation" she says, wholly on her own. She is currently employed by the American Federation of Teachers.

You can follow her on Twitter: @TeacherSabrina

Adele M. Stan is AlterNet's Washington correspondent. She co-edited, with Don Hazen, the AlterNet book, Dangerous Brew: Exposing the Tea Party's Agenda to Take Over America. Follow her on Twitter: www.twitter.com/addiestan . Send tips to: adele@alternet.org

Southfield schools chief named 2013 Michigan Superintendent of the Year

Published: Sunday, December 02, 2012

Southfield School Superintendent Wanda Cook-Robinson has been named as the 2013 Michigan Superintendent of the Year by the Michigan Association of School Administrators.

MASA Executive Director William H. Mayes presented the honor at the Southfield Board of Education meeting.

“This is a most prestigious honor,” said Mayes during the presentation. “You can be proud to have been chosen from a group of highly qualified nominees. It is clear to me — as it was to our selection committee — that Dr. Wanda Cook-Robinson is a leader to watch as she improves learning, closes achievement gaps, and supports excellence in the Southfield district and throughout her region.”

Earlier in November, a panel of judges selected Cook-Robinson from a pool of highly qualified nominees. The selection of the Michigan recipient is part of the American Association of School Administrator’s National Superintendent of the Year Program. As the MASA honoree, Cook-Robinson also becomes a finalist for the National Superintendent of the Year Award.

“Not only has Dr. Cook-Robinson set the highest standards for herself in terms of professional development and improvement, she also models for students, parents, staff and administrators dedication to children and quality service delivery,” wrote nominators wrote in their letter. “Dr. Cook-Robinson exemplifies the commitment to education, quality, and ethical integrity that has strengthened and advanced Southfield Public Schools over the last six years.”

MASA’s superintendent selection panel comprises representatives from Michigan’s various education stakeholders, including superintendents from local and intermediate school districts, the Michigan Board of Education, the Michigan PTSA, local school boards, principals, and school business officials. MASA will recognize Cook-Robinson at its Midwinter Conference in Kalamazoo in January 2013. She will have opportunities throughout the year to address superintendents statewide, and her name will be inscribed on a commemorative plaque on display at the MASA office in Lansing.

The Superintendent of the Year Award is presented by MASA to one member who has shown tremendous effort and dedication to enriching the lives of children and the community as a whole. Cook-Robinson is recognized for her visionary leadership and energetic advocacy for public education.

As evidence, nominators say that during her six years as superintendent, Cook-Robinson has worked tirelessly to drive a common focus on differentiated instruction in order to better meet the needs of all Southfield students, and to close the system-level gap related to socioeconomic status. Under her leadership, SPS established a four-year partnership with the national Association for Supervision and Curriculum Development to implement district-wide professional development for staff. This partnership focused on incorporating the “Understanding by Design” framework district-wide to support differentiated instruction as a strategy to improve student achievement in targeted areas. The district’s use of this model enables teachers to monitor and respond in a focused way to what students know and what they need so teachers can better support and challenge students to gain skills and move forward.

As a result, SPS now serves as a model site for ASCD, and student achievement has risen. For example, reading proficiency scores (as measured by the Michigan Educational Assessment Program, or MEAP) show an overall rise in student achievement and smaller gaps between all students and those who face economic disadvantages.

Cook-Robinson also earned accolades for her strength in both personal and organizational communication, which has strengthened partnership with parents, post-secondary institutions, community and business organizations, and educational leaders across the U.S. Supporters say that her energy, hard work and leadership have created collaborative linkages to support stronger communication networks and systems.

“Dr. Cook-Robinson’s educational leadership at the local, state and national levels benefit the City of Southfield — far beyond the walls of its 14 school buildings,” said City of Southfield Mayor Brenda L. Lawrence. “Her commitment to students and education in the city of Southfield and beyond is exemplary, and her willingness to network far beyond the boundaries of the school system has made her an invaluable ally and colleague.”

Cook-Robinson received praise from the higher-education community for her work in improving university programs that prepare future educators.

“Dr. Cook-Robinson’s commitment to students and the field of education is exemplified in her service and dedication to Wayne State University’s College of Education Board of Visitors and the Young Educator’s Society of Michigan,” said Janice Green, assistant dean of academic services in the WSU College of Education. “Her contributions to our efforts have been invaluable.”

MASA is a statewide association that represents the superintendents and first-line administrators of Michigan’s local and intermediate school districts. The mission of MASA is to develop leadership and unity within its membership to achieve the continuous improvement of public education in Michigan.

— From staff reports

Local Harley Davidson dealership collects a wall of toys for kids

This video story will show how a local Harley Davidson dealership is collecting thousands of dollars worth of toys for north Oakland County children.

http://youtu.be/bv74NbHiV6Q

100%

Charles Dickens Festival takes people back to yesteryear

Charles Dickens Festival takes people back to yesteryear.
This 1 minute video story takes students and teachers back to another time.

http://youtu.be/wEbgMKjBtVk

100%

State Superintendent Mike Flanagan Talks MIchigan Education for 2013

In a podcast sent to educators across the state, State Superintendent Mike Flanagan shares his thoughts on keeping the enthusiasm of teaching and learning alive in our schools. Flanagan is a big proponent of Unions as you will see in the communication link below.

 

http://www.michigan.gov/mde/0,4615,7-140-37818_45256-290743--,00.html

South Lyon Teacher Promoting Gay Rights is reinstated

     A student brings you a song, movie or link to You Tube and you do not check it out before playing it during the school day. Is that very smart for any professional? In the case of Susan Johnson, she used the poor judgement of using material in her classroom and played a popular song called "Same Love," which advocates gay rights in her middle school classroom. But what was the bigger mistake. Was it her giving one side of a hot button issue and presenting it as a fact or was it the South Lyon school district which at first suspended her then received communication from the ACLU's Michigan's Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender project. Johnson at first was suspended for three days and two without pay before the communication and will now be paid for all three of her days off. In the story published in the Detroit News, the story is pretty one sided with no rebuttals from parents or people with a differing opinion and it might be one reason schools should stay away from this issue unless all viewpoints are presented. In the case of Johnson, having her opinion is not in dispute. Forcing it on students is quite another. The smart thing for any educator to do is to use district video sources and get any material approved. The best policy is to follow district policy and Never accept material from a student without looking at it and getting it approved. The story is below. vv
 

November 30, 2012 at 2:45 pm

South Lyon teacher's pay restored after suspension over gay-themed song

• By Shawn D. Lewis
• The Detroit News

 

South Lyon — The South Lyon Community Schools teacher who was suspended without pay for playing a gay-themed song, "Same Love," is back at work.
"Her pay will be restored," district spokeswoman Melissa Baker said Friday.
Susan Johnson played the popular hip-hop song, billed as an anthem for gay marriage, during her eighth-grade performing arts class at Centennial Middle School at the request of a student.
Another student complained to administrators, who told Johnson she should have asked permission before playing the song.
Ellen DeGeneres praised the song's artists, Macklemore and Ryan Lewis, as her new hip-hop heroes when they recently performed it on her show.
The district said in a statement earlier this week that the use of recorded material in class is covered by the staff handbook.
"It requires that instructor to first preview any taped material to be used in the classroom, including YouTube clips, then submit a completed form about the proposed clip to a building administrator for approval," the district said.
Superintendent William Pearson followed up with another email, apologizing if his decision to suspend Johnson offended anyone.
"I am willing to not uphold the suspension, but the violation of the district practice regarding web-based clips and our expectations for instructions previewing materials under this will remain in writing," he said in a statement.
Gay rights groups expressed disappointment Thursday with the school district's suspension of Johnson, and the American Civil Liberties Union of Michigan said it was looking into the incident.
The ACLU said Friday it would continue looking into the situation.
"That's good news that her pay will be restored and that she's back at work, but we will continue our investigation," said Jay Kaplan, staff attorney for the ACLU of Michigan's Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender project.
"Was it about the policy, or is it related to the school not truly wanting to have these topics discussed? We want to make sure they're not trying to censure a message of tolerance for gay people."
The superintendent addressed this concern, in part, in his most recent statement.
"If students believe this discipline is a form of bullying, will encourage bullying, or most importantly, causes any member of our school community to feel they do not belong, then I have sent the wrong message and must correct that," Pearson said. "We want all students to feel they belong and that they are valued, and our policies and procedures must support this."


From The Detroit News: http://www.detroitnews.com/article/20121130/SCHOOLS/211300446#ixzz2DkEJw5B4

97% of Teachers are Rated as Effective- Why is everyone in a hurry to change the system?

     You go to a teacher college and student teach for free. An unpaid internship for a semester or longer awaits you and if you are lucky, you are hired out of a hiring pool of most likely 1,000-2,000 applicants and maybe ten people are interviewed for a scant few openings. You are the best of the best most personnel directors would like to think. The thing is, some in The Lansing Department of Education (DOE) would like to change the perception that 97% are effective in the classroom.  This figure is derived from data compiled by the DOE where administrators evaluate teachers and make almost everyone mildly or highly effective. When everyone passes according to Lansing, why evaluate teachers at all. In a story by the Detroit Free Press, they break down how teacher evaluations will occur as soon as next year.

================================

Grading teachers proves difficult: Staffs at some of state's worst schools get gushing reviews

November 29, 2012  

By Lori Higgins

Detroit Free Press Education Writer

Related Links

• How does your school rate its teachers' effectiveness? Search this database
• PDF: Mich. Dept. of Education report on teacher effectiveness ratings
• PDF: Report on need for smart teacher evaluation in Michigan (2.1 MB)

A first look at how effective teachers are across the state provides a clear picture of just how far school districts must go to have strong evaluation systems in place that give teachers the kind of feedback they need to improve.
The new state data find that about 97% of the state's 96,000 teachers were rated effective or highly effective during the 2011-12 school year -- the first year districts had to assign one of four ratings to teachers. Those ratings were: highly effective, effective, minimally effective or ineffective.
Some of the state's worst-performing schools doled out favorable ratings to teachers: 48 of the state's 146 priority schools -- so named because they are in the bottom 5% academically -- rated all of their teachers in the top two categories. Several said all of their teachers were highly effective.
Related content
• How does your school rate its teachers' effectiveness? Search this database
• PDF: Report on need for smart teacher evaluation in Michigan (2.1 MB)
• PDF: Michigan Dept. of Education report on teacher effectiveness ratings
But state data also show that more teachers in priority schools were rated in the bottom categories than other schools.
The data isn't surprising given that it was the first year districts had to report the effectiveness ratings, said Jan Ellis, spokeswoman for the Michigan Department of Education.
The ratings will likely change, she said, "once there's a more common system and a common measurement."
That common system will come via the work of the Michigan Council for Educator Effectiveness, a panel working to develop a statewide system for evaluating educators, as well as guidelines for districts that opt to develop their own systems.
The fact that few teachers were rated ineffective makes the work of the council crucial, experts say.
It tells the council "that districts need a lot of support and assistance in how to move forward," said Sandi Jacobs, vice president and managing director of state policy for the National Council on Teacher Quality.
That point is also illustrated in a report the Education Trust-Midwest released today. It analyzed the evaluation systems in 28 school districts and found few of the systems met a set of standards they say research indicates are necessary for a strong system.
"All of them fell short on at least one component. Many fell short on all of them," said Drew Jacobs, a data and policy analyst for the Education Trust-Midwest, a Royal Oak-based nonprofit education policy organization.
Among those standards: having annual observations; using state test data in evaluating teachers for whom the data is available; providing specific directions on how to score all criteria that teachers are evaluated on, and having a sophisticated observation process.
The observation process -- in which an evaluator comes into a teacher's classroom to observe -- is where schools tend to struggle, said Robert Floden, co-director of the Education Policy Center at Michigan State University.
What's missing, he said, are resources. Teachers should be observed multiple times by an evaluator, but that's often difficult given the amount of time that goes into multiple observations.
"The system we have -- and Michigan is not unique -- says it's really important ... but the system does not invest resources in making that happen," Floden said.
Those resources are crucial, however.
"In order for this to have the kind of impact educators and families want to see ... there needs to be a significant amount of investment so teachers really benefit and grow as educators," said Nate Walker, a policy analyst at the American Federation of Teachers-Michigan.
Contact Lori Higgins: 313-222-6651 or lhiggins@freepress.com