Greasy Deasy to Head LA Schools - Black Redux but with a phony degree

I just can't keep up with all the ed/pol stuff coming in. I could post something every hour. Half the day is taken up just trying to stay even. I was better off without my Blackberry, which is inundated with email from my Gmail and AOL accounts - it looks like it is actually swelling up - well it is BOLD.

I haven't even been able to write about all the interesting stuff going on around the closing schools - keep an eye on the GEM blog for now.

In case you didn't hear, Los Angeles is replacing Ray Cortines with sleazy John Deasy -


Here is some stuff from Susan Ohanian.

I've been following John Deasy since 2003. Conclusion: His associate ends up in jail. Deasy ends up at the Gates Foundation and then as Los Angeles schools chief.

John Deasy first appeared on my site in 2003, back in his Santa Monica days. When Deasy moved from Santa Monica to become schools chief in Prince George's County, Stanford University education professor Michael Kirst remarked that he had a "zest for politics." The record shows that Deasy carefully notes which side of the bread is buttered. Follow the money.

As schools chief in Prince George's County, Deasy hooked up with Jon Schnur of New Leaders for New Schools, who insists that if you can lead an Army unit in Iraq, you can turn around a failing school in a large urban district.

In an ugly 2007 Associated Press story about school restructuring under NCLB, Deasy's position was quoted about Arrowhead Elementary in Prince George's County:

Superintendent Deasy acknowledges the atmosphere at Arrowhead is more intense than at schools that aren't facing restructuring. He said lessons at schools missing testing goals have to be very targeted, and he says there often isn't time for electives and free play like at other schools.

Rich kids can play. Poor kids (90% African American, 52% poverty) need to stick to the scripts.
At a 2008 Aspen Institute Education Summit, Deasy appeared on a panel with comfortable bedfellows, Kati Haycock, President, The Education Trust and Randi Weingarten, President, American Federation of Teachers. 

It is worthwhile to consider the stated mission [ED NOTE - THE PLAN TO UNDERMINE PUBLIC ED LAYED OUT] of this Summmit:

The missions of the Summit are to:

*build broad public awareness of the critical
weaknesses in American education today in
relation to other industrialized nations, and
an understanding that every American has a
shared responsibility and stake in the solution
build recognition that a high quality,
effective education is vital to the success of
every American and the future health and
prosperity of our nation

*develop a national consensus that immediate
action is needed to sustain and build on the
essential principles of accountability,
transparency and high expectations for every
student

*develop a process to grow this consensus and
achieve lasting educational reform
establish common ground and chart the bold
steps necessary to quicken the pace of reform
and mobilize the support needed to create a
public education system that helps every
student succeed and assures a more hopeful and
prosperous future for our country.

Critics said Deasy got out of Prince George's County just ahead of the trainwreck, moving on to the Gates Foundation, where he became assistant director of education. The Gates press release is pure puffery, ending with the statement that in all of his tenures as school superintendent Deasy "championed fair teacher and administrator evaluations, pay-for-performance, staff development and training, and data-based decision-making."

That reads like the tombstone inscription for the death of childhood.

In the Winter 2009 issue of Philanthropy,Deasy termed his Gates work on pay-for- performance "responsible philanthropy." Interestingly, this puff piece mentions his education: Deasy received a master's degree in education as well as a well as a bachelor's degree in chemistry and education from Providence College in Rhode Island.

No mention of a Ph.D.

The Gates Foundation puff piece on his hiring avoids any mention of his education or degrees. The president of the University of Louisville defended Deasy's Ph.D. here.

I was interested in the fact that the scandal over Deasy's PhD hit the headlines at the same time he was hired by Gates. His financial connections with Robert Felner date back to his Santa Monica days:

A year after taking over as superintendent of
the Santa Monica-Malibu Unified School District
in 2001, Deasy recommended that his school
system pay $125,000 for a survey performed by
the National Center on Public Education and
Social Policy, which is run by Felner. The
survey was later extended for two more years at
the same price, for a total of $375,000.

In 2010 Felner was sentenced to 5 1/4 years for misappropriating funds from a research grant and from contracts with urban school districts.

Deasy stayed at the Gates Foundation only a year and a half, practicing that"responsible philanthropy," which amounts to handing out money with one hand while throwing a bomb with the other. Many speculate that the Gates job was just a holding pattern for the Los Angeles appointment, which will give him the opportunity to turn LA in to the Gates model district.

Conclusion: Felner's in jail. Deasy continues to have his bread buttered side up. 

Here is the  link to Susan's comments followed by  the Rich Gibson and Amber Goslee piece at
Substance News
2011-01-07
http://susanohanian.org/show_atrocities.php?id=9593


Check out Norms Notes for a variety of articles of interest: http://normsnotes2.blogspot.com/. And make sure to check out the side panel on right for news bits.

Another Texas "Miracle" Dashed

 Ed activists have been on the case of the Houston so-called miracle that vaulted Rod Paige into the national spotlight under George Bush only to find out that there was massive cheating going on. It's too bad that Paul Krugman, who with every column nails the scams and crooks running their jive through the political economy doesn't make the connection to the ed scam artists.

Today he gets closer but doesn't close the deal in an article about the Texas economic "miracle."

These are tough times for state governments. Huge deficits loom almost everywhere, from California to New York, from New Jersey to Texas.
Wait — Texas? Wasn’t Texas supposed to be thriving even as the rest of America suffered? Didn’t its governor declare, during his re-election campaign, that “we have billions in surplus”? Yes, it was, and yes, he did. But reality has now intruded, in the form of a deficit expected to run as high as $25 billion over the next two years.
And that reality has implications for the nation as a whole. For Texas is where the modern conservative theory of budgeting — the belief that you should never raise taxes under any circumstances, that you can always balance the budget by cutting wasteful spending — has been implemented most completely. If the theory can’t make it there, it can’t make it anywhere.
How bad is the Texas deficit? Comparing budget crises among states is tricky, for technical reasons. Still, data from the Center on Budget and Policy Priorities suggest that the Texas budget gap is worse than New York’s, about as bad as California’s, but not quite up to New Jersey levels.
The point, however, is that just the other day Texas was being touted as a role model (and still is by commentators who haven’t been keeping up with the news). It was the state the recession supposedly passed by, thanks to its low taxes and business-friendly policies. Its governor boasted that its budget was in good shape thanks to his “tough conservative decisions.”
Oh, and at a time when there’s a full-court press on to demonize public-sector unions as the source of all our woes, Texas is nearly demon-free: less than 20 percent of public-sector workers there are covered by union contracts, compared with almost 75 percent in New York.

Krugman concludes with:

Right now, triumphant conservatives in Washington are declaring that they can cut taxes and still balance the budget by slashing spending. Yet they haven’t been able to do that even in Texas, which is willing both to impose great pain (by its stinginess on health care) and to shortchange the future (by neglecting education). How are they supposed to pull it off nationally, especially when the incoming Republicans have declared Medicare, Social Security and defense off limits?
People used to say that the future happens first in California, but these days what happens in Texas is probably a better omen. And what we’re seeing right now is a future that doesn’t work.

Read it all here

If we could only get Krugman to take a hard look at how the future of ed deform won't work either before there is barely a shell of teacher unionism left.

And let me say right here, no matter how deep my criticisms of the people leading our union I feel teacher unions could be the major defense against the onslaught against children - yes, policies that keep kindergarten children from being allowed to play. That is why my hostility towards teacher union leaders is so great - they have walked on the other side of the line.

Check out Norms Notes for a variety of articles of interest: http://normsnotes2.blogspot.com/. And make sure to check out the side panel on right for news bits.

All You Need to Know in a Nutshell/ Support the Indypendent

See several funny-but-true videos on education reform:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BpmQZ5MXs8c&feature=&p=D6ACA64BD8FD7FFA&index=0&playnext=1

 MESSAGE FROM JOHN TARLETON of The Indypendent

Meet the new boss. Just like the old boss. Cathie Black will become Schools Chancellor tomorrow. However nothing she or her high-profile supporters say can change the fact that increasing numbers of New Yorkers are not only questioning her personal credentials but the Mayor's autocratic handling of the city's schools over the past eight years.

In that vein, I can't tell you how many people have told me that they finally “get it” when it comes to understanding what's really happening with public education here in New York and elsewhere after reading The Indypendent.

In 2010, we provided unique, hard-hitting coverage, 4-color pull-out posters and even a full 20-page back-to-school issue that brought a deeper, richer understanding of what's happening in public education to many tens of thousands of people throughout the city.

I want to ask you for your support.

Right now, we are trying to make our goal of raising $20,000 in our fund drive, which will help sustain us in 2011.

Your support will enable us to continue reporting on issues that matter like the struggle over the future of public education here in New York City and beyond.

We don't have the deep pockets of a Murdoch or a Zuckerman or the hedge fund crowd to get our message out. Instead, for the past decade we have relied on people like yourself to keep us going strong.

This is why we can report without illusions about how power is exercised in this city and for whose benefit. It is what enables us to connect the dots and tell it like it is in a clear, coherent voice that our readers have come to value.

We also know that meaningful change always comes from below which is why listen to and amplify the voices of parents, teachers, students and community advocates who understand the what's really happening to  our city's 1.1 million school children and the teachers who serve them and are fighting for a school system that is truly democratic and empowering for all its participants.

However, our goal is to do more than produce top-notch journalism. We seek to help movements like the one for a just and fully democratic system of public education to develop and grow.

Toward that end, we need a movement behind us to develop and grow ourselves. We have had more than 300 people donate more than $16,000, meaning we are closing in on our fundraising goal!

Whatever you can give - $25, $50, $100 (or more) - you have my deep gratitude. It may sound like a cliché but it really does make all the difference.

The easiest way to donate is online at: www.indypendent.org/donate

Or you can mail a check made out to The Indypendent to:

The Indypendent
666 Broadway, Suite 500
NY, NY 10012

Also, please consider passing this message onto other people you know who might want to support our work.

Best wishes, and have a Happy New Year!

John

Highlights from the Indy's 2010 Education Coverage

"Taking the Public Out of Schools" by John Tarleton

"Inside Columbus High School" by Mary Heglar

"Experience Is the Best Teacher: Bronx School Fights to Save Building Trades Program As DOE Pushes College Prep Over Hands-on Learning" by Mary Heglar

"Think Globally, Privatize Locally: Education Is Under Attack Around the World" by Lois Weiner

"Teaching Under Assualt: Two Visions of Education Clash as Bloomberg Prepares to Layoff 6,400 Teachers" by Norm Scott

"Why Teachers Unions Matter" by Lois Weiner

"Ticket to Ride: Students Win Metro Card Fight" by Jaisal Noor

"Students at Tilden High School Win Last Chance for Diploma" by Jaisal Noor

"An Education at Any Age: A Boy from Baghdad and His Parents Navigate Different Ends of the NYC School System" by David Enders

"Learning the 3 C's: Competition, Corruption and Cheating" by Arthur Goldstein and Lucas Hilderbrand

"A Parent's Guide to School Involvement" by John Tarleton

"Education Rediscovered" by Stanley Aronowitz

"Queer Youth Embrace Fluid Identities" by S. Leigh Thompson

"School Closings Pushback Begins" by John Tarleton

"Experience Be Damned!: Education Department's Self-Inflicted Crisis Leaves More Than 1,000 Veteran Teachers in Limbo" by Marc Epstein 

It is Not Only Bloomberg's Secret Agenda

This article (Bloomberg's Secret Education Agenda) by Marc Epstein has a lot of meat in it. But it is misleading in focusing attention on Bloomberg and not on the national ed deform attack. Before there was a Bloomberg and Klein, there was Mayor Daly and Paul Vallas in Chicago since 1995. Ed Notes began trumpeting the dangers as early as 2001 starting on the day that Randi Weingarten endorsed the concept of mayoral control. She accused me, with much outrage, of calling her a sellout. Hmmm. I also tried to steer the conversation from just focusing on what Klein was doing and onto the full agenda.

Of course, the UFT wanted to focus only on Klein (even often making Bloomberg out to be a good guy who you could deal with. Now, knowing full well the leadership knew what I did about the "agenda" and signed on to whole parts of it, I had to come to the conclusion they were purposely mis-educating the membership as to what is really going on. From there it was easy to jump to "They are collaborators."

"Politicians and Education Carpetbaggers have come to realize that you can fund charter schools like group homes and eliminate your public education payroll, pension, and benefit packages. Their attitude towards public education is "why do it for free when you can make money at it?"

I suspect that the powers that be really don't think they can turn things around and educate kids from horrific social circumstances by firing teachers endlessly. But if they succeed in decoupling public education from government, they'll live quite comfortably ever after. 

The handwriting is on the wall. When the small school initiative fails, Bloomberg or his successor will have an easier job of washing their hands of the system and suggest that not for profit charters take the headache of their hands.

The shell game can't last."

---Excerpt from Jamaica HS teacher Marc Epstein's, Bloomberg's Secret Education Agenda at the Huffington Post.

Check out Norms Notes for a variety of articles of interest: http://normsnotes2.blogspot.com/. And make sure to check out the side panel on right for news bits.

Fact-checking Waiting for 'Superman': Documentary or Urban Myth?

Leonie Haimson
Huffington Post
2011-01-03
http://susanohanian.org/show_research.php?id=387

Susan comments:
Kudos to Leonie Haimson, who conducted research to check out some teacher-bashing claims in Waiting for Superman. Where are the teacher unions, the teacher professional organizations, and the teacher ed colleges in refuting the myths perpetrated by the corporate oligarchy?

The Washington Teacher blog becomes the 'official blog' of the Washington Teachers' Union

"My advocacy on behalf of teachers came with a high price and earned me a mandatory summons to meet with the Chancellor in 2008 about my involvement in political activities (i.e. protests, writing about DCPS , speaking to the press, etc). These events marked the beginning of the harassment that I endured." 
           - Candi Peterson, V.P., Washington Teachers Union

Here are excerpts from Candi's story:

I started out my union career as a Washington Teachers' Union building representative for itinerant teachers and related service providers. Years ago, a soon to be departing colleague urged me to take on this role because she was planning to retire. She argued after all that I would be good in this job because of my outspokenness. I remember thinking how could I reach the almost 200 or so union members who were spread out in our schools. Building ties to people, came easy for me in part due to my background in the field of social work. I reasoned to myself that a great deal of my career had been spent working with those who didn’t want to be reached. Surely, I thought I’d be up for the challenge connecting to union members.

 --------
Just as the success of The Washington Teacher blog garnered interest from union members, it also drew the ire of the Rhee/Henderson administration as it covered the other side of the public education reform story that was rarely told by the mainstream media. My advocacy on behalf of teachers came with a high price and earned me a mandatory summons to meet with the Chancellor in 2008 about my involvement in political activities (i.e. protests, writing about DCPS , speaking to the press, etc). These events marked the beginning of the harassment that I endured. What came next was being stripped of ten points on the Core Professional component of my IMPACT evaluation due to what was described by my supervisor (words paraphrased) : “Someone is out to get you.” My attendance at a rally while on approved leave was cited as the reason for my loss of the ten evaluation points.

MORE: From The Bottom Up! Featuring, Candi Peterson - WTU General V.P. 

AFTERBURN

From Queens Teacher: It's War - Private Sector v. Public Sector 

Gazillionaires are orchestrating warfare. Read this great comment from nytimes.com

Check out Norms Notes for a variety of articles of interest: http://normsnotes2.blogspot.com/. And make sure to check out the side panel on the right for news bits.

The AFT/UFT/Unity Caucus Leadership: Dupes or Vichy?

 A few weeks ago a young teacher asked Why? at a meeting. Why would the union not fight charters and school closings vehemently since the ultimate goal was to undermine and weaken the union? I attempted to give a quick answer in this post: Why?

But we need to do a much deeper analysis to get to the crux of the matter. Many people in the opposition or even those not in the opposition offer up ideas like: "Write to Mulgrew and tell him what's going on." Or "pressure the leadership from the bottom to get them to act." I take a contrary view. They will never act and if they do it will be to undermine whatever actions that might really work in the interests of the rank and file. Why? Ahhh, that is the question.

UFT critic bloggers like Chaz and Reality-Based Educator at Perdido Street School have suggestions for the UFT/AFT:

Chaz wish list for how the UFT should approach 2011:

1. A contract that includes the "City pattern" with no givebacks!.
2. No ATR time limit, ever!
3. No changing the "last in, first out" layoff list.
4. No weakening of our "due process" rights.
5. The right to a fair and independent investigation for alleged misconduct.
6. Elimination of the PIP+ termination program.
7. Teacher input into the teacher evaluation program.

RBE adds a few more items to the list and expands the wish list to the AFT as well:  Some New Year's Wishes For The UFT/AFT
RBE closes with:

Not that the UFT or AFT will follow any of these as they sell members down the river on test scores, TDR's, school closures, merit pay, and the rest. But at least we can offer some alternatives to the current jive the UFT and AFT offer.

But WHY won't will they sell members down the river when the end game of ed deform is their weakening and possible elimination? Even Peter Lamphere and Lee Sustar the Socialist Worker
with a wide-ranging piece don't really get to the crux of the WHY?

I'm going to take some shots at answering the WHY question in some upcoming posts which may take us on a tour through UFT/AFT history. 
____________
Check out Norms Notes for a variety of articles of interest: http://normsnotes2.blogspot.com/

 

Welcome to the New Year - I Think

Happy New Year to all. I hope y'all are rested and ready for the battles ahead.

With today being Cathie Black's first day on the job, I can't help thinking what would have happened if the blizzard were postponed by exactly one week and began yesterday - which was one of the 2 days where we didn't have an official chancellor (Klein's departure was on Dec. 31). For how many days would Black have decided to close the schools?

I had lots of phone outages. My Blackberry died just as the blizzard hit - must have been chilled. Then my home phone system went out too on Monday. Verizon gave us an appointment - on Jan. 17. "Go outside, open up the phone box and plug in a phone to see if the problem is ours or inside your house" were the instructions. I'm out the door with a screwdriver and a phone when my wife says, "One more thing. Don't do it if it's wet." Oh, I'm thinking as I climb a 6 foot snow bank and start unscrewing the cover. I finally find the plug and the phone does work outside - hey I can just stand in the snow bank and answer the phone. Well we unplug everything inside and the phone comes back. Next day it goes out again. And comes back. And out.

I did go to a long meeting on Thursday which I could only get to by taking the S train from Rockaway Park to Broad Channel for the A to Jay St. for the F down to Park Slope. I should have left the day before. It felt like Mao's Long March - which is really known as the Long Schlep. And the only phone we had (Fed-ex overnight becomes 3 days in a snowstorm) was my wife's chintzy little cell phone - after using a smart phone this felt like going back to the Dark Ages- I couldn't figure out how to get to the contacts and actually had to dial a number when I wanted to call home - which I did numerous times with no answer - yes the phones at home went out again. And a whole day without checking email every 10 seconds. Man, back in the ancient times of the 20th century.

From the perspective of this trip it was hard to believe they could have opened schools at all for the entire week. But Black probably would have and the chaos that would have reigned would have made for an interesting start.

The meeting lasted for 5 hours - but there was food so I could have gone on forever. And I bought a dozen donuts to munch on.

Don't get me wrong - many of these meetings are not just meetings for the sake of meetings - they are action oriented towards organizing an effective response to the attack on public education and the inaction of the UFT.

That a dedicated group of working teachers gave up an entire day of their vacation to do this ed/pol stuff is very impressive. One question that I raised - how many teachers are there who are willing to do this? Yet finding a group of people who are ready to take action will be crucial. But first, an effective organization, run in a democratic manner, must be built. And as the length of the meeting attests, democracy takes time - everyone wants to speak and all attempts are made to reach consensus. It is possible - but what do you do if you get a hundred people together? Thus some structures must be in place - someone called them "gears" so people who are out there and ready to act have a place to go that they feel comfortable working within.

This is not easy task as we have been finding out. I've been thinking a lot about questions of leadership and how a strong leader interacts with members? Or do you make sure not to have too strong a leader? But that can weaken a group? I have no answers but watching the UFT over the years provides a lot of clues as what not to do to build a democratic org. Of course, if all you are interested in is taking power forever then the UFT/Unity Caucus is the model you follow.

Well, later today is another meeting with another group of people. And another on Wednesday. When I get a chance I will post the schedule for the next 6 weeks of three PEP meetings dealing with school closings and charter co-locations - and all those hearings in the schools that go with it. I get tired just looking at it. I guess the vacation really is over.

I had a tough slog blogging last week during the vacation. "What vacation," people ask? "Retirees are on permanent vacation." Very true. But it is hard to get out of the school-based rhythm you've been in since the age of 5. I started a few blogs but it was more fun activating my new Blackberry Bold and my wife's first smart phone.  And shoveling out my driveway every few hours after the snow plow blocked it again and again. I need to move to the other side of the street.

Finally, an Analysis of Cathleen Black's Corporate Skills - Or Lack Thereof

 Here's a Black critique from the pro-Joel side of the tracks. But we've been hearing she was kicked upstairs and also many of use weren't willing to accept as gospel she was a brilliant innovator or manager. The word out in the publishing industry to describe her and why she was brought in is obvious to us: union buster.

" Say what you will about Joel Klein, who has held the job since 2002, but the fact is that 40 percent of all kids in Harlem now start their education at a charter school...It required an audacious, rule-breaking spirit to accomplish, not cautious tinkering. But everything about Cathie Black's management background screams "incrementalist." She has never been a change agent."

Another take on why Black doesn't qualify...

http://www.politicsdaily.com/2011/01/02/why-cathleen-black-was-the-wrong-choice-to-head-new-york-citys/

Why Cathleen Black Was the Wrong Choice to Head New York City's Schools

As usual, the press and the complaining hordes are focusing on the wrong issues. Everyone assumes that Cathleen Black, who starts her job next week as New York City Schools Chancellor, is a fine choice from a management perspective, but what's lacking from her resume are any educational credentials.

I challenge that. What the New York City school system needs is bold and imaginative thinking that breaks out of the calcified structures that have imprisoned it and its students for decades. Say what you will about Joel Klein, who has held the job since 2002, but the fact is that 40 percent of all kids in Harlem now start their education at a charter school. This is a stunning statistic. It could never, ever have happened under a Black-led regime, It required an audacious, rule-breaking spirit to accomplish, not cautious tinkering. But everything about Cathie Black's management background screams "incrementalist." She has never been a change agent.

First, what do we really know about her management skills? Since Hearst is a private company, we don't know her "metrics." I put metrics in scare quotes because one of the huge fights raging now in the New York City school system is over whether teacher performance data should be made public, and whether the Klein Era has put too much emphasis on teaching for the test. Ironically, we have no view into Cathie Black's own performance record, even though it is her management skills that Mayor Bloomberg cited as the reason for her selection.

When you look at her tenure at Hearst, it was marked by two essential successes – the creation of O magazine, launched in April of 2000, and the expansion of Cosmopolitan globally. She also launched Food Network magazine.

None of these were innovative or game-changing. Martha Stewart Living was launched ten years before Oprah. All Cathie Black did was Xerox the concept of an eponymous lifestyle magazine, and successfully pitch it to Oprah Winfrey. So Ms. Black's big resume item was a copycat idea whose success was due to the galactic appeal of the most powerful woman in media.

I'm not minimizing her ability to sell. That's her calling card - she started as an ad salesperson and climbed the ladder to publisher, which is nothing but a salesperson with a bigger office, town car, and wardrobe allowance. So let's be honest about her accomplishments. Most people outside of publishing and the media don't understand what Cathie Black did, they don't know the difference between editors and publishers, and often attribute an un-earned aura of creativity and imagination to the publisher business card. Publishers have a simple mission – to sell ads and cultivate relationships with big advertisers.

Ms. Black's other big success was the global expansion of Cosmopolitan. A fine tactical move, but considering that the UK edition of the magazine was launched back in 1972, it doesn't exactly take a visionary to say "Hey, why don't we take our successful formula of 'fearless sexuality' everywhere?" The current #1 featured story on the Cosmopolitan website: How to Give Him a Lap Dance." That'll help prepare students for the jobs of tomorrow.

She also had flops. Talk magazine, in partnership with Miramax, and Lifetime magazine, cost the Hearst heirs many tens of millions. And it's not like these flops were noble failures based on innovative ideas that were ahead of their time. Both Talk and Lifetime were small (at best) twists on existing magazine formulas.
But the biggest shortcoming of Cathie Black's tenure was her failure to recognize and stay ahead of the tectonic shifts that the Internet has brought to the traditional publishing model.

Hearst was every bit as Paleolithic as its publishing peers. Which means they were slow to bring their magazines online and slow to recognize the power of Web 2.0 and the social aspects of sharing and community. There isn't a single meaningful web innovation that has come out of Hearst. Even now, their digital revenue, according to MediaWeek, is only "slightly better" than the industry average.

Further, under Mrs. Black's leadership, Hearst was abysmal when it came to recognizing its internal limitations and, in turn, using its massive bank account to make smart strategic acquisitions. Hearst failed to identify and invest in entrepreneurial start-ups and early-stage companies in any significant way, either. They haven't built anything real, or bought anything important. Their digital acquisitions include a cheesy question-and answer company called Answerology.com, a company that tricks you into buying vitamins by asking you what your "real age" is (RealAge.com) and Kaboodle.com, a third-rate shopping site.

Her newspaper experience is no better, perhaps worse. She was President and CEO of the Newspaper Association of America from 1991 through 1996. These were pivotal, critical years for the industry, its last chance to redefine newspapers for the Internet era. Anyone who has witnessed the carnage of the last few years in the industry – the gutting of staff, the closing of venerated newspapers, "for-rent" signs being hammered on bureaus around the world – is painfully aware that the newspaper industry was shockingly negligent in planning for its own future. Even with the standards of social promotion, you'd have to give Mrs. Black an "F" for that tenure.

Mayor Bloomberg defended his secretive selection of Mrs. Black by describing her as an "expert manager." But even that is a whopping overstatement. Hearst isn't a complicated business to run. No publishing company really is. There's a sales force and an editorial group to manage. And newsstand distribution. That's essentially it. There's no R&D, no complex supply chain, no complicated retailer ecoystem, no buying and hedging of commodities, no manufacturing, no giant employee network, no unions. It's wildly misleading for Mayor Bloomberg to elevate Mrs. Black to the level of a real world-class manager, say someone like Alan Mulally, who transformed Boeing and moved brilliantly to Ford, where he was the only auto CEO who didn't need bail-out money.

But even if she was an expert manager, the New York City school system, with its massive bureaucracy and entitled constituencies, requires far more. And besides, expert management should exist at many levels below the chancellor position, especially after eight years of Joe Klein and his culture-changing leadership.

To deliver high quality education to every student, to lift up the still-suffering performance of minority students and dozens of schools, cries out for someone with a history of seeing ahead, with a passion for new ideas who takes genetic pleasure at upending conventional wisdom.

Joel Klein said his biggest regret wasn't being "bold enough." When you can point to something profound and inspiring that happened at Good Housekeeping, Popular Mechanics, Redbook or Hearst itself, then you can tell me that Cathie Black has the necessary boldness for the job.

The Wave: The Play's The Thing

Published December 31, 2010
by Norman Scott

What I Learned From Theater 101

For the past four years I have watched in wonder videotaping one wonderful production after another of the Rockaway Theatre Company as the acting, singing and dancing wowed audiences. I was so awed by the talent I often couldn't separate the performances from the real people. The very idea of me performing was frightening. Then for a lark, I started taking Frank Caiati's acting classes at the RTC. Last year when he had us perform monologues in front of a live audience and I did a section from Eric Bogosian's "Radio Days." I lost some of my stage fright. But a monologue is easy compared to interacting with other actors.

Well, I did make it through my acting debut in the Rockaway Theatre Company's presentation this past month of "The Odd Couple," playing Vinnie, the whinny hen-pecked husband (I get a lot of practice at home). I considered this challenge one of the bigger ones I have undertaken, maybe even bigger than taking Calculus in high school. What a relief it's over and I'm no longer sleeping with the script.

"What's the big deal," I was asked? "You stood in front of children for 30 years. Teaching is a form of performing." Sure, but I didn't actually have to memorize lines or be prepared to come in on cue or actually have to remember to put out a prop or go to a specific spot on stage (I never knew that was called "blocking") while trying to say a line. "Was it fun," I was asked repeatedly? If not for the nerves associated with the fear of not hitting my line of cue, it was. But that's like saying jumping out of a plane is fun as long as you stop worrying about the chute opening. On opening night I would have taken the plane.

But it all seemed to work out. By the final weekend I was pretty comfortable. People laughed, no one said I sucked and the experienced directors, Peggy Page and Michael Wotypka, seemed very satisfied with everyone's work, even saying they would consider me for another part at some point. Working with Mike and Peggy was an enlightening experience as they both have a deep understanding of the theater, the script and how to make it all come together from the initial readings to opening night. They stressed that the script was the thing - a playwright like Neil Simon agonizes over every word and actors are not free to re-interpret. I was told I would feel the energy of the audience but in fact barely noticed them, though it was fascinating how different audiences laughed (or didn't) at different lines. Basically, I was too focused on what the other actors were saying and doing on stage and trying to make sure I didn't miss my cues.

I never felt I was actually acting. Vinnie has the fewest lines and Mike and Peggy knew what they were doing when they cast me – and the rest of the cast, most of whom are experienced actors. Bernard Bosio as Oscar (he did a wonderful job as Senor Sanchez in "Cactus Flower") and David Risley as Felix could not have been more perfect. David has done one top notch performance after another at RTC for eight years, especially his noteworthy Hysterium in this past summer's "A Funny Thing Happened..."

Susan Corning and Kim Simek were perfectly Pigeon, with their high-pitched giggling and crying and "ta-ta's." Susan's acting has blown me away since she starred in "Steel Magnolias" and finding myself in the same production was a treat. In addition, Susan seems to do just about everything that needs doing around RTC and has become an essential part of the company. I first saw Kim as the only girl protean in "A Funny Thing..." and I'm sure we'll see her more often at RTC. (One of my young cousins came to the show and liked Kim enough to consider taking up acting so he could meet pretty girls.) And I just loved working with a young, idealistic teacher who spent almost every minute backstage doing schoolwork.

My fellow card players were the guys I got to hang out with the most and they treated the newcomer with advice and support. Founding RTC member Joe Canizio played the cantankerous Speed to perfection, refusing to blow his cigar smoke towards New Jersey and harassing me (Vinnie) throughout the play. Frank Freeman as Roy the accountant was so believable I was going to ask him to do my taxes. Frank has been in numerous productions and was the consummate amateur/pro. Jose Velez, as far from type casting as possible as Murray the cop, was a revelation in his first performance in a non-musical. Jose kept getting better and better with each rehearsal and performance. I would have thought he was doing this stuff forever.

But it was working with the behind the scenes people that I learned what makes live theater work. I never knew how important a role the Stage Manager plays as the mother hen of the production. I've been up in the booth with Nora Coughlin for numerous shows and finally saw how crucial she was to the operation up close and personal. She was tender and tough when she had to be and in many ways I learned the most about the world of the theater from the way she did her job. The wonderful actress, singer and music teacher Jodee Timpone (who wowed us as the female lead in "Cactus Flower") assisted her, and along with the Prop Mistress Naomi Seitz, these two ladies were backstage with us providing support and encouragement - and bringing us snacks and coffee. And thanks to Naomi, I often got to eat a real bacon and tomato sandwich during the performance. As usual, master set designer and carpenter Tony Homsey put together a fabulous set, Robert Press and Andrew Woolbridge (another teacher) made the place light up to perfection, and Rich Louis-Pierre, John Henshon and Cat McEntee made the sound - which seems so complicated - work without a hitch. And behind the scenes, Producer (And retired teacher) Susan Jasper was there to make sure it all worked.

I was interested in all of it and that was perhaps my biggest lesson. I may have learned a bit about acting but I truly learned what the theater is all about - and yes, the play's the thing. Would I do it again? Considering the vast amount of time acting in a play takes up, I'm ambivalent. I probably would and also want to get more involved in RTC backstage work.

My education/political pals came to one of the performances and one of them told me I was forbidden to do this again as the growing anti-(Cathie) Black and Bloom movement needs me to chronicle their efforts. I went up to Albany on Dec. 23 to cover the Norman Siegel lawsuit challenging the Cathie Black nomination as chancellor (see accompanying story). If they don't win the case, Black will become chancellor on Jan. 3. Then you will see true acting as Black puts on the performance of her life trying to play someone who has a clue about education.

When Norm is not trying to be Laurence Olivier, he blogs at http://ednotesonline.blogspot.com. Email: normsco@gmail.com.

Parody: In Fuhrer Bloomberg's Blizzard Bunker

OK, Get ready for a few politically incorrect items here but I can't resist "A snowstorm, a snowstorm. I broke a teachers union" and Bloomberg's crying daughter being told she could go riding. Well, maybe the "blue little pill" line too.

For those praising and panning the video - give me no credit as I had nothing to do with it. I don't even know who did it.



http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7ZQk1E9lE04&feature=player_embedded

UFT/AFT Long Time Support for Shutting Down Schools

Former UFT and AFT President Sandra Feldman: “If a public school is not doing the job it is supposed to do, I think it ought to be closed down and redesigned.” 

Culled From the (Mike Antonucci) Vault: September 28, 1998

What does that mean - supposed to do?  Shanker said much the same thing from the early 80's on - the true beginning of the sell-out to ed deform.

*  “I don’t think having money out as a carrot is going to work.” — Feldman on merit pay.
 Don't think for a minute Feldman or Shanker would have opposed the various merit pay schemes floated through MulGarten.

Then head on over to Norms Notes and re-read the Newsweek Gate-Weingarten piece and tell me which side the UFT/AFT is on.  Bill Gates and Randi Weingarten

Afterburn: Mike's EIA archive also had this tidbit.
*  Linda Darling-Hammond of the National Commission on Teaching & America’s Future:
Her stance on alternative forms of teacher certification caused some controversy among the crowd. Terming these programs “education lite,” Darling-Hammond claimed they “keep salaries low and use teacher education as the cash cows to fund the law school and the engineering school.” Her view angered many proponents of alternative certification, particularly those who were holding a workshop at the conference to introduce their programs to the participants.

Happy New Year, ya'll.

Oh, the Irony: Deny Black Waiver Post Dec. 23 hearing comments of parents and lawyers

At the end of the hearing on Dec. 23 I did short interviews with some of the participants. Below is about 4 minutes of irony given the outcome.

The full video coverage - see for yourself what went on in front of the judge and decide if he made a good legal decision or was it politically tainted. Read the judge's decision:
SupremeCourtDecisionOnWaiver_101230.pdf

Part of a series of videos.
28 minute Norman Siegel presentation: http://vimeo.com/18152230
State Attorney General and City Corp Council defense of Black - so you can see just how lame it is. http://vimeo.com/18154003
Roger Wareham presentation: http://vimeo.com/18162396
Eric Snyder presentation: http://vimeo.com/18169037
Rebuttals from all sides: http://vimeo.com/18169854
 
Post-hearing reactions: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gX2YGKw4DOI

Deny Waiver Coalition Response

SupremeCourtDecisionOnWaiver_101230.pdf

DENY WAIVER COALITION . FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Thursday, December 30, 2010 CONTACT: Norman Siegel (Attorney)          347-907-0867 Mona Davids                                 917-340-8987 Noah E. Gotbaum                          917-658-3213 Lupé Todd (for Asm. Jeffries)      917-202-0116 Parents Vow To Continue Fight For Quality Education In NYC . Albany Supreme Court Judge Sides With Education Commissioner; Rejects Challenge To Steiner-Black Waiver On Wednesday, December 29, Judge Gerald Connolly of the Albany County Supreme Court denied the petitions submitted on behalf of 13 parent Petitioners and one teacher challenging New York State Education Commissioner David Steiner's waiver of employment requirements for Cathleen Black so she could assume the office of Chancellor of the New York City Department of Education.  The Petitioners, including New York State Assemblymember Hakeem Jeffries (D-57) and members of the Deny Waiver Coalition, contend that Ms. Black does not have the qualifications necessary under New York State law to oversee the educational system that serves their children and, furthermore, that Commissioner Steiner misinterpreted State law and exceeded his authority in granting the waiver to Ms. Black. Attorney Norman Siegel, representing the 14 Petitioners, stated the following:  "We are disappointed with the Court's decision.  We believed that there would be a different outcome and that Ms. Black's waiver would not be allowed to stand.  I will be consulting with the parents and teacher to determine their next step."  Assemblyman Hakeem Jeffries, a parent Petitioner, said, "The decision by Judge Connolly is extremely disappointing but we will not throw in the towel with respect to the effort to improve our public schools system. Cathie Black remains unqualified to be chancellor. We will make a determination about whether to appeal shortly." Parent Petitioner Mona Davids said, "I am disappointed in Judge Connolly's decision but not surprised.  The decision to grant a waiver to Black who is clearly unqualified shows our children that it's not what you know but who you know. The appointment of unqualified Black has served as a catalyst to mobilize parents throughout the city to fight for a quality education for our children." Noah E. Gotbaum, parent Petitioner, stated, "This case is just the beginning of the movement of parents and educators to fight for our 1.1 million kids and to stand up against the current business model of education and its constituency of out-of-touch billionaires." Teacher Petitioner Julie Cavanagh was unhappy with the decision.  "I am saddened by the decision handed down today, but I am inspired by the brave parents, educators and citizens who stood up and fought for justice and for their voice to be heard. I stand firm in the beliefs held by the Deny Waiver Coalition; our children deserve a qualified Chancellor with the education credentials the law requires." Parent Petitioner Patricia Connelly said, "While I am profoundly disappointed with today's decision by Judge Connolly, I for one am not ready to let this illegal and immoral waiver stand.  I join my fellow petitioners in demanding that the public be restored to our rightful place at the table in protecting and promoting a truly democratic public education system here in New York City." Parent Petitioner Shino Tanikawa, said, "I am deeply disappointed and puzzled by Judge Connolly's decision.  However, I am, along with the others, determined to continue fighting for what is right." Chris Owens, a parent Petitioner, expressed his frustration with the perspective of Commissioner Steiner and the Court.  "Unfortunately, this judge ignored the true intent of the Education Law - to protect the quality and integrity of education management in New York State.  Given the current state of our streets, I am uncomfortable with someone who only has management credentials handling this City's education storm and the future of my two sons." Ms. Black was nominated by Mayor Bloomberg on November 9, 2010 to succeed outgoing Chancellor Joel Klein.  Commissioner Steiner granted the waiver on November 29.   Attorneys Norman Siegel and Herbert Teitelbaum, representing the 14 Petitioners, were joined by attorneys Roger Wareham and Eric Snyder, each representing additional New York City public school parents who are also challenging the Steiner waiver.  Three separate Article 78 petitions challenging the waiver had been filed and were consolidated during the court hearing. Parent Petitioners were Assemblyman Jeffries (Brooklyn), Hon. Chris Owens (Brooklyn), Ms. Mona Davids (Bronx), Mr. Noah Gotbaum (Manhattan), Ms. Khem Irby (Brooklyn), Ms. Lydia Bellahcene (Brooklyn), Ms. Patricia Connelly (Brooklyn), Ms. Monica Ayuso (Queens), Ms. Mariama Sanoh (Manhattan), Mr. John Battis (Brooklyn), Ms. Latrina Miley (Manhattan), Ms. Shino Tanikawa-Oglesby (Manhattan) and Ms. Maria Farano-Rodriguez (Staten Island), as well as teacher Petitioner Julie Cavanagh (Brooklyn).   # # #    Visit the Deny Waiver Coalition website:  http://www.denywaiver.com/

The DENY WAIVER COALITION ("DWC") is an association of public school parents and educators as well as concerned community leaders opposed to granting a waiver of employment qualifications to Ms. Cathleen Black, the proposed Chancellor of the New York City Department of Education.  The DWC also supports improvements to the Chancellor selection process.

Supreme Court Rules for Black Despite Strong Arguments Against Her Nomination, Parents Stand Firm

UPDATE:  SupremeCourtDecisionOnWaiver_101230.pdf

If you've seen the videos I posted apparently the lame pro-Black arguments won out - or maybe it all didn't make a difference.  Now some of our allies think this is a good thing for all over time. But let's wait and see.

Meanwhile, my wife's co-worker who manages large systems and numerous employees in a large hospital called today to say she is more qualified than Black. And my wife who also managed at the same place just reminded me she has a Masters in Public Administration from NYU. I'm sending Bloomberg her info just in case Black makes a total mess.

One thing I thought was funny was how even some attorneys at the hearing gave Black the benefit of the doubt about her managerial ability - large budgets, lots of employees, managing large facilities - when the largest number of employees is supposedly around 2000 - and in fact she was being kicked upstairs.

Thanks to Queens Teacher 

Update: Story is now here. Money quote from Mayor4life Bloomberg:

"This decision should bring an end to the politicking and grandstanding and allow us all to focus on what matters most: continuing to improve the quality of education we offer New York City’s public school children..."

No doubt he'll give those 1.1 million schoolchildren the same attention he gave the snow around their homes.

I have bad news for his dishonor- it's only just begun.

JOIN IN JANUARY 19 AT BROOKLYN TECH TO GREET BLACK FOR HER FIRST PEP MEETING.

NY Times report here (and there will be an appeal.)

Well anyways, here is a report I wrote with Lisa Donlan based on the notes she took at the hearing for The Wave to be published in the Dec. 31 edition. Lisa and I are working on putting her extensive notes into some form of historical record to go with the videos so next time they choose someone even less unqualified than Black - why have any degree at all?


Lawyers for Three Groups Fighting Black Nomination Get Hearing in Albany

by Norm Scott and Lisa Donlan 

With designated NYC schools chancellor Cathie Black due to take office on Jan. 3, a hearing was held on December 23 in Albany over three lawsuits opposing the nomination with State Supreme Court justice Gerald Connolly presiding.

Attorney and Brooklyn parent of two children Eric Snyder made the first argument followed by Roger Wareham representing two parents and famed civil rights attorney Norman Siegel representing one teacher and 13 parents, including Brooklyn State Assemblyman Hakim Jeffries.

Snyder claimed that all routes to qualifications for Chancellor outlined in the law require a graduate degree. The legal question seemed to hinge on the fact that while State Ed Commissioner regulations relating to how the education law is to be applied explicitly require a graduate degree, the education law itself (revised in 2007) does not explicitly do so. Snyder argued that the statute refers to the regulations and the regulations are explicit in NOT allowing the waiving of the higher degree requirement. The legal problem seems to be to puzzle out the intentions of the law: is a Master’s degree required by law or not?

Waivers for past chancellors, all of them lawyers but not meeting the qualifications for the Chancellorship (Joel Klein and Harold Levy among others) were granted because a JD degree is considered equivalent to a Masters. Black only holds a BA. The judge pointed out that he was “cognizant” of the disconnect between the statute and the regulations. Snyder claimed that State Education Commissioner Steiner’s decision in granting the waiver relied on the regulations and not the statute.

Norman Siegel claimed that even in granting the waiver, Commissioner Steiner pointed out that Black lacks skills in many critical areas: educational standards, curriculum, accountability and the use of performance data, preparation of great teachers and turning around low performing schools, only granting the waiver on the condition that a deputy with these skills be appointed. Chief Accountability Officer Shael Polokow-Suransky was subsequently given the position but Mayor Bloomberg affirmed that Black would be totally in charge.

Siegel said that the statute makes no provision for a chancellor to rely on a staff for these qualifications with the law specifically referring to how “the candidate” (and never a plural or team or staff supported candidate) shall meet the requirements laid out in the law for the position of Chancellor (termed by Roger Wareham as a "shadow" Chancellor as second in command to palliate the lack of training, credentials and experience of the candidate). "Thus one can make an irrefutable inference as to the intentions of the legislature on this matter."

Wareham reviewed Black's lack of qualifications, interest, knowledge or involvement of any kind in public education and said the over 1 million children would be done irreparable harm with the appointment of a Chancellor who was not even qualified to teach, let alone supervise teachers who all must hold a Masters. "If this nomination goes through I can foresee the day when even a Bachelors degree is waived," said Warenham.

"Black has exceptional experience in dealing with large organizations, collaborating, leading, engaging diverse stakeholders, building relationships and managing facilities and money," said Assistant Attorney General Kelly Munkwitz, who represented Steiner and NY State, claiming that what Black didn't get in the classroom was covered in her career as a magazine and newspaper publisher.

This led to some discussion over the nature of substantial experience, private vs. public sector, the experience that would inform decisions making, the role a second in command with qualifications could play, and the fact that surely an educator with substantial management experience could have been found. Wareham pointed out that indeed context does mater when it comes to qualifications for decision making in public education, citing several coaches/sports teams managers who by the same logic would be as qualified to run our public school system as Black by these standards.

"This is about the individual best suited to run a school system that's the size of a fairly large city," said Assistant Corporation Counsel Chlarens Orsland who represented Bloomberg. None of the lawyers pointed out that with a $23 billion budget, 1700 schools and 135,000 employees, managing the NYC school system is far out of the range of Black's managerial experience in organizations with no more than 2000 employees and budgets not even one tenth the NYC schools budget. "What does she know about facilities management," asked one observer in the gallery?

The respondents made mention of the unique nature of NYC school district, which the law mentions in several places may require unique requirements for NYC as an argument for the Black waiver even though this section of the law does not make this exception explicit. Had the Legislature wanted NYC to have different requirements for the NYC chancellor the law would state so claimed the lawyers challenging Black.

Death Panels, Bloomberg Style

With Ambulances Stuck in Snow, City Resorted to Triage

By SHARON OTTERMAN and AL BAKER

A woman with stroke symptoms in Midwood, Brooklyn, waited for an ambulance for six hours, finally arriving at the hospital with telltale signs of advanced brain damage. In Forest Hills, Queens, bystanders waited for three hours next to a man lying unconscious in the snow before they were able to flag down help. And in Crown Heights, Brooklyn, a mother in labor who started calling 911 at 8:30 a.m. on Monday did not get an ambulance until 6 p.m., too late to save the baby.
As a blizzard bore down on New York City on Sunday and Monday, 911 dispatchers fielded tens of thousands of calls, trying to triage them by level of severity, from snowed-in cars at the low end to life-threatening emergencies at the highest. But even the ambulances assigned the most serious of the calls sometimes could not get there. At least 200 ambulances got stuck on unplowed streets or were blocked in by abandoned cars, city officials said Tuesday.
As the backlog of calls grew — it ultimately reached 1,300 at its highest point — an unusual directive went out across the computer screens within ambulances, emergency workers said. It told them that after 20 minutes of life-saving effort on a nonresponsive patient, they should call a supervising doctor, who would make the call about whether to give up. While it is rare for a person to be revived after 20 minutes, it is usually up to the medical crew to decide when to call the doctor.
 MORE:  http://www.nytimes.com/2010/12/29/nyregion/29hospitals.html?_r=1&hp=&pagewanted=print

Check out Norms Notes for a variety of articles of interest: http://normsnotes2.blogspot.com/

Bloomberg is Understanding!

by Lynne Winderbaum, retired teacher and Bronx HS UFT District Rep and Executive Board member
Posted to NYCEdNews listserve.

No one should say that our mayor is not understanding of how unique challenges can affect the statistical measurement of one’s job performance. And so it was that I listened to Mayor Bloomberg explain with a bit of impatience and annoyance that the city’s performance in the wake of the snowstorm was not up to par because of a series of unique challenges. He begged for understanding because, you see, it was the biggest effort to clear snow that the city has ever seen, there were a large number of city agencies and personnel involved, there were near white-out conditions, and hundreds of city buses and dozens of ambulances were stuck in the snow.

But the mayor should be aware that all that matters is the outcome, not the difficulties inherent to the job. The data shows that the average response time to structural fires in 2008 was four minutes 33 seconds. The average response time for medical emergencies in 2008 was four minutes 30 seconds. However, in this case, data released today show that the FDNY had a 3-hour delay in response to critical cases, like heart attacks, and 12-hour delays for non-critical calls. A five alarm fire in Elmhurst raged for 3 hours when firefighters were delayed by the blizzard conditions.

Surely, firemen and EMT’s are to be judged “ineffective” when it comes to a response time so far below the city standard.

It is incumbent on the news organizations, for the sake of our citizens, to FOIL a list of all firemen and EMT’s that were on duty during this time period and to identify them by name in the newspapers. The mere fact that response time data was influenced by so many factors beyond their control, as detailed by the mayor above, is no excuse to fail to reach or exceed the standard of response time expected by the city.

The Fire Department of the New York is expected to comply with the request of the news agencies for the release of names and response times recorded in this snapshot of time. Extraordinary challenges notwithstanding, emergency responses to all calls should be within five minutes.

UFA objections that FDNY personnel who were not on duty during this time period would not produce data, and therefore would not be publicly judged as are their colleagues, are unfounded. UFA objections that response time data does not reflect the totality of the job and are unreliable are unfounded as well.

Perhaps there should be merit bonuses for the fastest responders to ensure that firefighters show more dedication to their work and our citizens’ welfare. Those who take on the most challenging conditions are no exception. Data is king and the statistics are the only objective way to measure the value of the workers.

It is also unfounded to excuse the longer response times from any engine companies who were impacted by the increased demands created by the closure of firehouses in their neighborhoods.

It is commendable that the FDNY receives the gratitude of the citizenry and the satisfaction of knowing they have saved lives and property. But these things are not measurable as are response times.

It is incomprehensible that in the face of this disappointing data the mayor would excuse FDNY performance by saying, ““And I want them to know that we do appreciate the severity of these conditions they face, and that the bottom line is we are doing everything we possibly can, and pulling every resource from every possible place to meet the unique challenges…”

Oh wait. Nobody wants to privatize the fire department or find reason for it to be run by corporate interests who have scant experience improving performance in fire and medical emergencies. Nevermind.

Lynne Winderbaum, retired teacher
__._,_.___
Check out Norms Notes for a variety of articles of interest: http://normsnotes2.blogspot.com/

Why?

Why would the UFT/AFT not take a strong stand against charter schools and school closings since both lead to severe reductions in teachers belonging to the union and thus weaken the union? This was a question asked by a young teacher at a recent meeting.

My short response was that their prime directive is holding onto power and any fight back would require organizing the rank and file into a potent force which would require democratizing the union (once you wake people up they make demands) which would in turn threaten their hold on power. Thus they will readily accept a smaller membership - which they can control in a very tight manner. And after all, fighting the oligarchy pushing ed deform is one big job and isn't it better for the leaders to be on their good side and hope for some goodies from Gates and Broad (who gave the UFT charter $1 million) along the way. (Don't worry, they know you're with them and understand when you mouth off a bit for the benefit of the members.)

And then I came across this from a piece by Chris Hedges (Chris Hedges on Orwell and Huxley).

“The Party seeks power entirely for its own sake,” Orwell wrote in “1984.” “We are not interested in the good of others; we are interested solely in power. Not wealth or luxury or long life or happiness: only power, pure power. What pure power means you will understand presently. We are different from all the oligarchies of the past, in that we know what we are doing. All the others, even those who resembled ourselves, were cowards and hypocrites. The German Nazis and the Russian Communists came very close to us in their methods, but they never had the courage to recognize their own motives. They pretended, perhaps they even believed, that they had seized power unwillingly and for a limited time, and that just round the corner there lay a paradise where human beings would be free and equal. We are not like that. We know that no one ever seizes power with the intention of relinquishing it. Power is not a means; it is an end. One does not establish a dictatorship in order to safeguard a revolution; one makes the revolution in order to establish the dictatorship. The object of persecution is persecution. The object of torture is torture. The object of power is power.”

Check out Norms Notes for a variety of articles of interest: http://normsnotes2.blogspot.com/

Great Satire: Last Stand for Children First And Accountable Talk

http://www.laststand4children.org/
 



MORE SATIRE



I swear I was going to write something along these lines below but I can't top Accountable Talk. However, wouldn't it have been perfect if the storm came one week later on Jan. 2 in the in between period between Klein's leaving on Dec. 31 and Black taking over on Jan. 3? Imagine the conversations on Jan. 2 as the snow was falling. 

Schools Open Today, "Chancellor" Announces

In her first major decision as presumptive "chancellor", Cathie Black announced today that despite the blizzard that dumped more than a foot of snow on NYC, public schools would be open today.

Read SMORE at AT

Julie Cavanagh on The Dangers of Edu-Philanthropy: Education's Trojan Horse

Julie Cavanagh

Special Education Teacher in Red Hook, Brooklyn and a member of CAPE (Concerned Advocates for Public Education) and GEM (Grassroots Education Movement).

Published at The Huffington Post, Dec. 24, 2010

The season of giving is upon us. In the month of December, most Americans find themselves ignited with a civic spirit and generously give of their time, their talent, and their treasure. At my little school in Red Hook, Brooklyn we aim to make giving a value that is present throughout the year. Our school, and hundreds of schools across New York City and the country, participate in the Penny Harvest, a Common Cents program.

The Penny Harvest is a program that is aimed at igniting the civic spirit of a new generation and teaches children about the importance of philanthropy. Students harvest pennies throughout the fall. Common Cents turns those pennies into dollars and the children turn those dollars into good deeds. Common Cents awards each school's "Student Roundtable" a grant. Roundtable students engage in a democratic process to identify local and global needs and design service projects and make donations to causes they, and their school as a whole, feel are important. Students at my school have assisted BARC animal shelter here in Brooklyn, they have created a certified bird habitat, and have started a GRRReen Campaign at our school, which includes holding an annual GO GRRReen festival to increase their community's environmental awareness.

The children in my school have certainly learned what philanthropy is through our partnership with Common Cents; we have been named a School of Excellence because, school-wide, our children engage in a myriad of service projects and programs, which ultimately empowers them to make a positive difference in their world. From my perspective -- as an urban educator -- empowerment is the most important element of a program that serves children and families who have historically been disempowered. All too often, decisions are made for subsections of our citizenry without their input; often, the decisions being made do not wholly benefit those they are intended for. If only we worked to empower those that have been so often left behind, we could engage in policy discussions that would move our society forward. Instead, we ignore the actual stakeholders, particularly when it comes to education policy, creating results that are often not beneficial to the intended targets.

As the saying goes, "Nothing about us, without us," and I love those who have added to the end, "...is for us."

Our students are well on their way to becoming engaged, and thoughtful citizens. They have learned that everyone has something to give, no matter how small. More importantly they have learned that giving is an act that reminds us all of our interconnectedness; that our efforts should be spent benefiting the many, not the few, and that when even one of our citizens suffers, we all suffer. The grown-ups who largely consider themselves philanthropists today, particularly edu-philanthropists, could use a lesson from my students.

From Gates, to Broad, to Bloomberg, edu-philanthropists have been pouring their time, talent and treasure into education. They tout themselves as education reformers, but, largely, their dollars are not simply good deeds. Instead, their gifts are thinly veiled attacks on our public education system. Edu-philanthropy is education's Trojan horse.

Read more: The Huffington Post

Parental Choice: Mona Davids Responds to Michael Benjamin

"I am tired of hearing folks say parental choice but not telling parents that you give up your parental and civil rights and your mouth is duct taped when you enter most charters by the folks like Walton who hijacked it."   - Mona Davids, President NY Charter Parents Association

While many of us consider Mona Davids a strong ally in the struggle against the ed deformers she deserted less than a year ago, many of us oppose the political use of "parent choice" in the push for charters because we understand the end game is the takedown of the public school system with the result that there will ultimately be no choice - sort of like the "choice" you have between Republicans and Democrats. One day we wil convince Mona that we can fight for real choice and variety of programs within the public schools as Lisa Donlan has often pointed out she helped put into effect on the old District 1 (lower east side) school board.

But here, her nuanced response to outgoing State Assemblyman Michael Benjamin, who hopes to fuel his career with charter school supporterd funding, is worth noting. Benjamin's performance at the Bill Perkins charter school hearings last March was fairly obnoxious, especially when he questionned Mulgrew who stood up to him fairly well. I have some tape of that which if I ever get time I will dig out.

Dear Ms. Davids -

I'm on the Host Committee for BAEO's Symposium 2011. I am helping to raise $50K so we can have the best possible Parental Choice Symposium in the NY/NJ Metro area. The symposium will be held March 3-5, 2011 in Jersey City, NJ. (See details below.) A number of charter schools from the 79 AD have been invited to participate. I hope you will assist me in making sure NY parents learn about education reform and how it enhances parental choice. Please consider responding to the appeal below and support BAEO's 2011 Symposium.

Michael Benjamin
Member of Assembly (thru 12/31)

Mona replies

Huh?? I think Mr. Benjamin must have forgotten when he refused to let me speak on his panel at his charter education workshop last February. Heard it was a blast with CPE unexpectedly rocking up for that workshop.

Never heard of this org but see they received Walton funding.

So, they just target black families for charters. Hmmm.

Since I'm persona non grata in charterland for not knowing my place, having the audacity to expect accountability and transparency, parent rights, independent pa/pta's, student rights, qualified and certified teachers, compliance with iep's and IDEA etc.---- all those things black parents should not expect, this may be of interest to others...

I'm all for school choice, I help parents who want to go to charters and those being pushed out but want to stay anyway. I don't want anyone telling me where I can or cannot send my child.

However, I am tired of hearing folks say parental choice but not telling parents that you give up your parental and civil rights and your mouth is duct taped when you enter most charters by the folks like Walton who hijacked it.

Like working for Walmart, you have no rights once you accept the job...guess it's better to start training those black children now while in school so that by the time they're adults, they'll know their place and be great Walmart workers.

Hey BAEO, what about doing a workshop on sped rights or parent rights in charters? Even better, a workshop on charter law and parental rights in a non-profit education corporation.

It's time for parents to make educated choices on education, be transparent and explain what a non-profit education corporation is.

Best,
Mona Davids

Afterburn
Read Larry Cuban at Valerie Staruss' The Answer Sheet

By Larry Cuban
The Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation and top policymakers have promoted and funded small urban high schools for nearly a decade. Then Bill Gates said in his 2009 Annual Letter that while these small urban high schools had accomplished much for students they had largely failed to improve academic achievement. No more big bucks for this initiative. No other foundation executives or federal/state officials, all of whom had tripped over themselves in hailing small urban high schools, said "Oops!"
Ditto for charter schools. Policy elites across both political parties for the past decade have promoted charter schools to offer urban parents and their children choices they would not have in district regular schools. A 15-state study concluded that, indeed, 17 percent of charters offered “superior educational opportunities for their students.” Nearly half of the charters, however, differed little from regular public school “options,” and here is the kicker: 37 percent of the charters “deliver learning results that are significantly worse than their students would have realized had they remained in traditional public schools.”
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