Perdido Street School: Regent Betty Rosa Says NYSED Rigs Data To Make NY State Schools Look Like Failures

Perdido Street School: Regent Betty Rosa Says NYSED Rigs Data To Make NY State Schools Look Like Failures

Regent Betty A. Rosa wants people to know that her board of 17 members aren't all in agreement about the public education reform agenda that's currently upsetting many parents, teachers and school administrators statewide.

Arne Duncan: ‘White suburban moms’ upset that Common Core shows their kids aren’t ‘brilliant’

Arne Duncan: ‘White suburban moms’ upset that Common Core shows their kids aren’t ‘brilliant’

U.S. Education Secretary Arne Duncan told a group of state schools superintendents Friday that he found it “fascinating” that some of the opposition to the Common Core State Standards has come from “white suburban moms who — all of a sudden — their child isn’t as brilliant as they thought they were, and their school isn’t quite as good as they thought they were.”

Government corruption: Decoding the Common Core Curriculum scam

Government corruption: Decoding the Common Core Curriculum scam

Designed in secret, fixes nothing, and a total disaster

Designed in secret, fixes nothing, and a total disaster - See more at: http://www.brasschecktv.com/videos/government-corruption-1/decoding-the-common-core-curriculum-scam.html#sthash.P3o0IfdR.dpuf

NY Parents Sue State to Halt Children’s Data Giveaway » The Epoch Times

NY Parents Sue State to Halt Children’s Data Giveaway » The Epoch Times

NEW YORK—Twelve New York City parents are suing the state’s education authorities to stop them from sending students’ personal data to private contractors.

New York Prosecutor Vows To Press Probe of Anti-Semitism in Pine Bush Schools – Forward.com

New York Prosecutor Vows To Press Probe of Anti-Semitism in Pine Bush Schools – Forward.com

New York Attorney General Eric Schneiderman vowed to press on with a full state and federal response to the allegations of bullying and pervasive harassment of Jewish students in an upstate school district.

Lawmakers call for education chief's resignation | Capital New York

Lawmakers call for education chief's resignation | Capital New York

ALBANY--Unions and their legislative allies are increasing the pressure on New York State education commissioner John King, with state lawmakers calling for his resignation and a powerful teachers' union planning public forums to “fill the void” created by the ones the commissioner canceled.

Group Presses for Safeguards on the Personal Data of Schoolchildren - NYTimes.com

Group Presses for Safeguards on the Personal Data of Schoolchildren - NYTimes.com

A leading children’s advocacy group is challenging the educational technology software industry, an estimated $8 billion market, to develop national safeguards for the personal data collected about students from kindergarten through high school. 

The Empire Center for New York State Policy

The Empire Center for New York State Policy

An updated searchable online database of earnings for 384,186 employees of New York State school districts outside New York City was posted today at www.SeeThroughNY.net, the transparency website sponsored by the Empire Center for Public Policy.

High expectations for DASA - Buffalo - Business First

High expectations for DASA - Buffalo - Business First

The way students treat one other in school and how they interact via social media outside the classroom is an ongoing case study by educators and attorneys in the effort to prevent bullying.

FBI — U.S. Attorney Continues Focus on Education Funds Fraud

FBI — U.S. Attorney Continues Focus on Education Funds Fraud

PITTSBURGH—Following the beginning of a new school year, U.S. Attorney David J. Hickton today focused public attention on the office’s School Corruption Hotline, 412-894-7515. The hotline number rings directly in the U.S. Attorney’s Office, where callers may leave their name, contact information, and details regarding suspected misuse of tax dollars supporting education.

Federal database to include your children?

Federal database to include your children?

The federal government is laying the foundation for a national database that could include all of the personal details of every student in every public school in every state, warns a report by the leading homeschool advocacy group.

Governor Cuomo Announces "Every Student Present" Campaign Launched to Reduce High Absenteeism in New York's Schools | LongIsland.com

Governor Cuomo Announces "Every Student Present" Campaign Launched to Reduce High Absenteeism in New York's Schools | LongIsland.com

One in ten students misses at least ten-percent of school days each year; Initiative aimed at reversing disturbing trend.

Schools are prisons: The Common Core Curriculum scam

Schools are prisons: The Common Core Curriculum scam [VIDEO]

It's not as if the public school system does a good job of teaching people to think independently.

But its about to get worse - much, much worse. - See more at: http://www.brasschecktv.com/videos/schools-are-prisons-1/the-common-core-curriculum-scam.html#sthash.gbN4nsh4.dpuf

It's not as if the public school system does a good job of teaching people to think independently.

But its about to get worse - much, much worse. - See more at: http://www.brasschecktv.com/videos/schools-are-prisons-1/the-common-core-curriculum-scam.html#sthash.gbN4nsh4.dpuf

It's not as if the public school system does a good job of teaching people to think independently.

But its about to get worse - much, much worse. - See more at: http://www.brasschecktv.com/videos/schools-are-prisons-1/the-common-core-curriculum-scam.html#sthash.gbN4nsh4.dpuf

It's not as if the public school system does a good job of teaching people to think independently.

But its about to get worse - much, much worse. - See more at: http://www.brasschecktv.com/videos/schools-are-prisons-1/the-common-core-curriculum-scam.html#sthash.gbN4nsh4.dpuf

State's Dignity Act signals serious approach to bullying | Star-Gazette | stargazette.com

State's Dignity Act signals serious approach to bullying | Star-Gazette | stargazette.com

School has just begun in the Southern Tier, and while many students are excited about the year ahead, for nearly 28 percent of the nation’s middle- and high-school students, there’s also the unsettling prospect they will be a target of bullying.

NY Courts: Appellate Division Ruling Will Not Be Appealed: "He Has Decided Not to Pursue This Matter Any Further at This Point" - Human Rights Today

NY Courts: Appellate Division Ruling Will Not Be Appealed: "He Has Decided Not to Pursue This Matter Any Further at This Point" - Human Rights Today

Eric Fechter, through his attorney Kevin S. Mahoney, of Counsel, for Hogan & Willig, PLLC (Getzville, NY) "...has decided not to pursue this matter any further at this point."

Supreme Court Ruling Stuns North Tonawanda Woman | PRLog

Supreme Court Ruling Stuns North Tonawanda Woman | PRLog

Rhonda Mangus of North Tonawanda, New York: Ruling comprises "an injustice of statewide public import "

Sanctuary of Mary: Gregory Spring - bullied to death in New York State

Sanctuary of Mary: Gregory Spring - bullied to death in New York State

Gregory Spring, age 17, died on June 17, 2013, in Allegany, New York State.


Note: In my own personal experience, I have also found the following to be pathetically true:

Excerpt: "...the school ALWAYS denies that any bullying occurred. We have seen this time and time again. They don't want to admit to anything that could get the school or the school board sued for negligence in the care of their students. They don't want to get fired from their jobs."

Creating Artificial Student Failure in New York @nysed @nysut – @ THE CHALK FACE knows SCHOOLS MATTER

Creating Artificial Student Failure in New York @nysed @nysut – @ THE CHALK FACE knows SCHOOLS MATTER

New York Teacher, Jennifer Fatone, posted some pretty shocking information on the UOO Facebook site recently, along with her comments and a letter to Steven Katz, the Director of New York State Assessments.  This is blatant.  This is wrong.  If there was any doubt that New York has an agenda to show failure in the public schools, the truth is starting to smack us in the face.  If you are in a different state, pay attention.  If this hasn’t already started in your neck of the woods, it probably will soon.

FERPA – Could Your DNA Target You For Government Intervention? : Freedom Outpost

FERPA – Could Your DNA Target You For Government Intervention? : Freedom Outpost

Congress did not legislate any changes to the Privacy Laws to expand the access to personally identifiable records. Obama, the US Department of Education & Secretary Duncan, with a swipe of a pen, issued new regulations to be written. Please read the following changes to FERPA, Family Education Rights & Privacy Act.

Rally: Standardized tests must go - Times Union

Rally: Standardized tests must go - Times Union

Albany

Two characters infamous among educators mingled with the thousands at the One Voice United rally for education reform at the Empire State Plaza Saturday.

The story of an ‘offending’ blog post

The story of an ‘offending’ blog post

Here is a new piece from award-winning Principal Carol Burris of South Side High School in New York.

NY Parents Protest Foundation-Funded inBloom Education Data Portal - NPQ - Nonprofit Quarterly

NY Parents Protest Foundation-Funded inBloom Education Data Portal - NPQ - Nonprofit Quarterly

The Education Data Portal is the creation of inBloom Inc. (formerly the Shared Learning Cooperative).  According to the NYSED’s description, the portal is designed for “the delivery of innovative data tools and curriculum content, including customizable dashboards for educators, parents, and students; early warning supports to help provide targeted resources to students at risk of not completing high school ready for college and careers; electronic transcript transfer between high schools and New York's public colleges and universities; and curriculum/instructional resources to support our professional development and student learning goals.”

Break Out of the Race to Nowhere

Break Out of the Race to Nowhere

Elle DelGrosso, A student from Michigan talks about how seeing “Race to Nowhere” changed the way she views her education.

Watch Elle tell her story in a speech to her school here.

Anti-Bullying Doesn’t Apply at Test Time – @ the chalk face

Anti-Bullying Doesn’t Apply at Test Time – @ the chalk face

“…the moral test of government is how that government treats those who are in the dawn of life, the children…”

— Mahatma Ghandi

Letter: Exercise right to say no to tests - Times Union

Letter: Exercise right to say no to tests - Times Union

I have been a classroom teacher in New York for 20 years, and a parent for almost half that time. Recently, I have watched as the State Education Department has cheapened our children's education in the name of reform, with its obsessive focus on mandated testing.

Homeschoolers alarmed by plans to track students

Homeschoolers alarmed by plans to track students

The nation’s leading homeschooling organization is warning parents that the federal government is advancing its aim of identifying and tracking students throughout their school careers, from birth through college graduation.

Note: In New York State, Parents, Experts Blast New State Database of Private Student Info

State Education Commissioner Responds To Complaints About ELA Tests | wgrz.com

State Education Commissioner Responds To Complaints About ELA Tests | wgrz.com

Buffalo, N.Y. - Gina Kemna of North Tonawanda says her two kids, a fourth grader and a sixth grader, will not be taking the state's new English, Language and Arts tests next Tuesday.

Outsiders Should Evaluate Teachers as Well as Students - Bloomberg

Outsiders Should Evaluate Teachers as Well as Students - Bloomberg

The most important determinant of educational quality is teacher quality. Yet, as a recent study of school principals’ permissiveness in teacher evaluations and a cheating scandal in Atlanta show, this performance is difficult to measure. 

Some Parents Will Let Students Skip State Tests | wgrz.com

Some Parents Will Let Students Skip State Tests | wgrz.com

BUFFALO, NY - School districts are trying to protect the much-needed state and federal dollars they rely on. They're challenged by families who think there's too much testing in schools and refuse to allow their kids to take mandatory tests.

Who is Stockpiling and Sharing Private Information About New York Students? - New York - News - Runnin' Scared

Who is Stockpiling and Sharing Private Information About New York Students? - New York - News - Runnin' Scared

Most New York City public school parents don't know that their child's personal information will be available to third-party companies through a new data-sharing initiative.

Captain filling in as chief » Local News » Tonawanda News

Captain filling in as chief » Local News » Tonawanda News

Tonawanda News — A longtime North Tonawanda police officer will lead the department on an interim basis when its outgoing chief steps down later this month. 

Note: Is North Tonawanda Police Department Captain William Hall the 'man' for the job?

Bullying kept off the books - Times Union

Bullying kept off the books - Times Union

Students use Facebook to tease a classmate. A boy shoves a kid in the hallway outside the cafeteria. A girl is bullied in gym class.

 Note: No surprise that school violence figures are often manipulated. 

Officials join anti-data push, but Sheldon Silver sides with state | GothamSchools

Officials join anti-data push, but Sheldon Silver sides with state | GothamSchools

Parents concerned that a new student database could break privacy laws are getting the support from a new high-profile set of allies: elected officials.

Note: I agree with Michelle Malkin who "... has said the data project represents “yet another encroachment of centralized education bureaucrats on local control and parental rights.”"

4 Judges, 3 Private-Practice Lawyers in Line for Jones' Seat

4 Judges, 3 Private-Practice Lawyers in Line for Jones' Seat

ALBANY - Governor Andrew Cuomo will select the next associate judge of the state Court of Appeals from among seven candidates, including four appellate judges and three attorneys in private practice.

Note: Particular attention should be given to The New York State Commission on Judicial Nomination of, at the very least, 61 year old Eugene M. Fahey. In 2010, Justice Fahey was redesignated as an associate justice of the Appellate Division, Fourth Department by Governor Andrew M. Cuomo. In addition, both Justice Fahey and then New York State Attorney General Andrew M. Cuomo, among others, were party to another shameful chapter in New York State Supreme Court history ~ a NYS Supreme Court Decision that speaks loudly on the 'system of justice' in New York State.

Penalties for Falsely Reporting Child Abuse - ChildLaw Blog

Penalties for Falsely Reporting Child Abuse - ChildLaw Blog

The Jerry Sandusky criminal trial is over; the civil lawsuits are in active settlement mode. Undoubtedly, the entire country is more tuned into child abuse than it ever was. The National Conference of State Legislatures reports that about 105 bills on the reporting of suspected child abuse and neglect have been introduced in 2012 legislative sessions in 30 states and the District of Columbia. ¹ All of them include a penalty for failing to report suspected child abuse.

Note: It is not always the case that those who file false reports of child abuse and/or neglect will be held accountable; particularly for false reports made by those in education. One classic example in New York State, where numerous agencies/individuals made every effort to cover-up the filing of false allegations and misuse of state agencies, among other things: City of North Tonawanda School District Files Second Charge of Educational Neglect to NYS Office of Children & Family Service.

Video: How Teachers Unions Hurt Schools, Kids and Education

Video: How Teachers Unions Hurt Schools, Kids and Education

We talk endlessly about improving public schools. So what's standing in the way? Stanford Political Science Professor, Terry Moe, identifies the biggest obstacle -- teachers unions.

Peter DeWitt: Do School Board Policies Really Help Protect LGBT Students?

Peter DeWitt: Do School Board Policies Really Help Protect LGBT Students?

According to the American Institutes for Research, "[a]n estimated 2.7 million adolescents who are lesbian, gay, or bisexual live in the United States." Do they feel safe when they go to school?

Schools are prisons: The Purpose Of Schooling

Schools are prisons: The Purpose Of Schooling

John Taylor Gatto (born December 15, 1935) is a retired American school teacher with nearly 30 years experience in the classroom, and author of several books on education. He is an activist critical of compulsory schooling, of the perceived divide between the teen years and adulthood, and of what he characterizes as the hegemonic nature of discourse on education and the education professions.

Oversight of Child Protective Services Outside New York City Report 2011-F-19

Oversight of Child Protective Services Outside New York City | Report 2011-F-19

Note: Once again both New York State Office of Family and Children Services Commissioner Gladys Carrion and the Office of the New York State Comptroller attempt to 'normalize' New York State Office of Family and Children Services circumvention of the laws of New York SOS Article 6, Title 6, Section 424.

Read related articles on history of NYS OCFS circumventing SOS Article 6, Title 6, Section 424, here and here.

NYSED and the Fear Machine, revisited « The Plain Satisfactions

NYSED and the Fear Machine, revisited « The Plain Satisfactions

You might recall my post–my reaction–to the memo that NYSED sent to all schools across New York State back in January.  If not, you can read that here, and also read the memo itself.

Letter: Governor is clueless on education reform - Opinion - The Buffalo News

Letter: Governor is clueless on education reform - Opinion - The Buffalo News

I was appalled by the inaccuracies and misinformed notions contained within Chris Gabrieli’s Another Voice column reflecting upon the “new” direction of public education and the impact of Gov. Andrew Cuomo’s regime. Crediting Cuomo for education reform is severely misappropriated.

Related reading: Cuomo’s strong-arm tactics won’t improve public schools

Politics on the Hudson | Education department creates digital cheating tipline

Politics on the Hudson 

Education department creates digital cheating tipline

The state Education Department on Friday launched a new website designed to improve the integrity of state testing.

High School Specializes in Bullies | Video - ABC News

High School Specializes in Bullies | Video - ABC News

Upstate N.Y. school addresses kids' anger head-on, and says almost all students end up graduating. 

Rule would clarify N.Y. judges' role in pro se cases

Rule would clarify N.Y. judges' role in pro se cases

NEW YORK, Jan 25 (Reuters) - The New York State Office of Court Administration has proposed a rule that would authorize judges to make reasonable efforts to facilitate the ability of unrepresented litigants to have their matters fairly heard.

Note: OCA is accepting public comments on the proposal through March 25. 

Not giving us the facts we should have in Abdi case - City & Region - The Buffalo News

Not giving us the facts we should have in Abdi case - City & Region - The Buffalo News

What part of “public” do public servants not understand? Come to think of it, you could ask the same question about “servant,” which causes equal amounts of confusion in government offices.

Note related reading here and here.

Legally Kidnapped: State lawmaker wants CPS workers to be licensed, bonded

Legally Kidnapped: State lawmaker wants CPS workers to be licensed, bonded

A state lawmaker says she has heard far too many horror stories of botched child abuse investigations and she wants to up the standards for caseworkers by requiring that they be licensed and bonded.

Mom taking bullying claims to Albany - YNN, Your News Now

Mom taking bullying claims to Albany - YNN, Your News Now

A case of alleged bullying in the Buffalo Public School district could now make it's way to the state's education department after the mother of a former student says the district mishandled their investigation. YNN's Meg Rossman has more on her claims and how the district is responding.

Note: Related reading from New York State Standards and Truths of Equality: Fundamental Responsibilities of Parenting.

NYC Educator: Governor Cuomo and His Grand Experiment

NYC Educator: Governor Cuomo and His Grand Experiment

Governor Andrew Cuomo has proclaimed himself the student lobbyist. This is, apparently, because no one else in the state cares about students. Certainly teachers don't care. They're so utterly worthless they can't even be trusted to grade the tests of students in their buildings. And parents don't care either. So it's on Andrew Cuomo, alone, to take on this monumental task.

One injustice after another - The Observation Deck - timesunion.com - Albany NY

One injustice after another - The Observation Deck - timesunion.com - Albany NY

Our opinion: Violence continues to plague New York’s juvenile detention centers. What will it take for the state to address juvenile crime in a safer atmosphere?

New York State Gov. Andrew Cuomo's education reform commission releases its report | syracuse.com

New York State Gov. Andrew Cuomo's education reform commission releases its report | syracuse.com

Gov. Andrew Cuomo created an education reform commission last spring and asked it to come up with big ideas for fixing the state’s public schools. Wednesday the commission unveiled its preliminary action plan.