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?