Thursday, December 18, 2014
Corporate Education Reform (Charters, TFA, High-Stakes Testing, Teacher Discipline, i.e. VAM) = Heading into collapse?
By Anthony Cody.
There is growing evidence that the corporate-sponsored education reform project is on its last legs. The crazy patchwork of half-assed solutions on offer for the past decade have one by one failed to deliver, and one by one they are falling. Can the edifice survive once its pillars of support have crumbled? Read the entire article
Wednesday, December 17, 2014
How many ways to express racism on social media?
Social media is said to be a new and 'revolutionary' movement tool. However it is also a vehicle for anti-movement 'reaction' of various kinds, much of it, in the context of Ferguson, comprised of deeply racist attacks. This is perhaps intensified by the anonymity of social media, though much of this more and less veiled racism is expressed publicly, and with attribution. These reactions reveal an often hidden (or at least hidden from certain publics) language and sentiment of racist ideology. How do we interpret and understand the worlds expressed here?
Compiling examples of racism & racist use of social media. (Under construction, thoughts and examples)
1. Trolls. Twitter phenomenon -- a vocabulary of racism
2. Comments. (Post-Dispatch finally turned off commenting on its editorials because of the vitriol).
3. Photoshop/media manipulation (Imgur): http://blogs.riverfronttimes.com/dailyrft/2014/12/riverfront_times_photo_goes_viral_after_being_edited_to_seem_super_racist.php
4. Facebook (check the Police Association's publicly accessible comments page & the cop talk blog page).
5. Blogworld/extremist media world...
6. Racist movements, in and outside of the digital space (KKK, community expressions against the NAACP march, bar offering a Michael Brown drink special…)
Compiling examples of racism & racist use of social media. (Under construction, thoughts and examples)
1. Trolls. Twitter phenomenon -- a vocabulary of racism
2. Comments. (Post-Dispatch finally turned off commenting on its editorials because of the vitriol).
3. Photoshop/media manipulation (Imgur): http://blogs.riverfronttimes.com/dailyrft/2014/12/riverfront_times_photo_goes_viral_after_being_edited_to_seem_super_racist.php
4. Facebook (check the Police Association's publicly accessible comments page & the cop talk blog page).
5. Blogworld/extremist media world...
6. Racist movements, in and outside of the digital space (KKK, community expressions against the NAACP march, bar offering a Michael Brown drink special…)
Stanford CREDO Director: Free Market Doesn't Work in Education...
10th Period: UPDATED Stanford CREDO Director: Free Market Doesn...: This post has been updated to include Dr. Raymond's complete comment on the effect of markets in education. The quote was taken from the...
Tuesday, December 16, 2014
WITNESS 40: Waiting for more on this to come in: 'Witness 40': Exposing A Fraud In Ferguson | The Smoking Gun
Was Witness 40 even there? And, is Witness 40 (self-proclaimed bipolar racist), reliable? Did FBI throw out her testimony? What does the use of this witness as main defense of Darren Wilson suggest about the Grand Jury process and Bob McCulloch? Need some more answers on this.
'Witness 40': Exposing A Fraud In Ferguson | The Smoking Gun
and Shaun King (and Chris Hayes) on Witness 40: http://www.dailykos.com/story/2014/12/12/1351303/-Hannity-s-favorite-witness-for-Darren-Wilson-is-a-self-admitted-racist-with-severe-memory-loss
Riverfront Times on Witness 40, serial racist commenter, bipolar, history of false representations of knowledge about criminal cases, is this for real?
http://blogs.riverfronttimes.com/dailyrft/2014/12/sandra_mcelroy_witness_40_in_ferguson_grand_jury.php
McCulloch confirms Witness 40 was not at the scene.
'Witness 40': Exposing A Fraud In Ferguson | The Smoking Gun
and Shaun King (and Chris Hayes) on Witness 40: http://www.dailykos.com/story/2014/12/12/1351303/-Hannity-s-favorite-witness-for-Darren-Wilson-is-a-self-admitted-racist-with-severe-memory-loss
Riverfront Times on Witness 40, serial racist commenter, bipolar, history of false representations of knowledge about criminal cases, is this for real?
http://blogs.riverfronttimes.com/dailyrft/2014/12/sandra_mcelroy_witness_40_in_ferguson_grand_jury.php
McCulloch confirms Witness 40 was not at the scene.
How have the region's political and economic actors responded to Ferguson?
-- in progress, still compiling --
Military and Police Response
Amnesty for warrants
STL City Govt:
20141204: Civilian oversight bill reintroduced to STL Board of Alders
MO Attorney General
20151218: Missouri Sues 13 St Louis Suburbs Over Predatory Traffic Fines (NYT)
MO Governor
Ferguson Commission
Non-Profits
Churches *"Ferguson Forward" slogan also being used by a local church.
The Regional Business Council started the fund with a $10,000 donation in the hopes that others would join in and help. Thank you to the kind and generous people who have stepped up since that inaugural donation to show the Ferguson community our support. The Regional Business Council is a St. Louis business organization set up to improve the quality of life in the bi-state St. Louis region. North County Regional Development Association is the 501(c)(3) arm of North County Inc. an economic and community development organization serving the North St. Louis County community.
#FergusonRebuild, #RebuildFerguson. Peter Kander, Missouri Sec'y of State, through promoted tweets, raising money to, well, the hashtag proclaims it. http://www.gofundme.com/fergrebuild "Secretary of State Jason Kander on December 11, 2014 announced that he partnered with the Regional Business Council and North County Incorporated to create #FergusonRebuild, an initiative that will provide non-governmental grants to businesses in Ferguson and the surrounding area in partnership with the Reinvest North County Fund."
Wash U
#WashUVoices: Wash U 'Voices'
WUMS/DBBS: See also: http://dbbs.wustl.edu/resources/Pages/Many-Identities-One-Community.aspx
Military and Police Response
Amnesty for warrants
STL City Govt:
20141204: Civilian oversight bill reintroduced to STL Board of Alders
MO Attorney General
20151218: Missouri Sues 13 St Louis Suburbs Over Predatory Traffic Fines (NYT)
MO Governor
Ferguson Commission
Corporations & Business
20140902 Centene plans claims center with up to 200 jobs in Ferguson area
20140918 Emerson pledges money for educ, job training 'Ferguson Forward'
20150112 Dave Spence starts Ferguson 1000 Jobs; takes group to Harvard
20140918 Emerson pledges money for educ, job training 'Ferguson Forward'
20150112 Dave Spence starts Ferguson 1000 Jobs; takes group to Harvard
Non-Profits
#HealSTL (Antonio French) "turning a moment into a movement"
Churches *"Ferguson Forward" slogan also being used by a local church.
@ILoveFerguson: "Supporting small businesses w/ immediate and long term relief in #Ferguson. Donate atbit.ly/ILOVEFERGUSON - 501(c)3 ILoveFerguson.com"
The Regional Business Council started the fund with a $10,000 donation in the hopes that others would join in and help. Thank you to the kind and generous people who have stepped up since that inaugural donation to show the Ferguson community our support. The Regional Business Council is a St. Louis business organization set up to improve the quality of life in the bi-state St. Louis region. North County Regional Development Association is the 501(c)(3) arm of North County Inc. an economic and community development organization serving the North St. Louis County community.
#FergusonRebuild, #RebuildFerguson. Peter Kander, Missouri Sec'y of State, through promoted tweets, raising money to, well, the hashtag proclaims it. http://www.gofundme.com/fergrebuild "Secretary of State Jason Kander on December 11, 2014 announced that he partnered with the Regional Business Council and North County Incorporated to create #FergusonRebuild, an initiative that will provide non-governmental grants to businesses in Ferguson and the surrounding area in partnership with the Reinvest North County Fund."
We were holding a press conference for #FergusonRebuild when a fundraiser broke out. http://t.co/HvArwOyZTO pic.twitter.com/e6uru0LGJL
— Jason Kander (@JasonKander) December 11, 2014
Wash U
#WashUVoices: Wash U 'Voices'
WUMS/DBBS: See also: http://dbbs.wustl.edu/resources/Pages/Many-Identities-One-Community.aspx
- The St. Louis Regional Business Council and North County Inc. together established a “Reinvest North County” fund to assist businesses and school children affected in the wake of the unrest. We have made an institutional donation on behalf of Washington University. Those interested in donating can visit Reinvest North County.
- We have provided counseling support to the Ferguson-Florissant School District to better equip their employees to address the needs of their students.
- The PB&Joy Food Drive in support of Ferguson and neighboring communities is helping to put food on the dinner tables of families affected by the protests in Ferguson.
In Other News: The battle over public school reform is tied up in the national political struggle over workers' pensions (and rights). Institutional Investor offers a look at the political field.
The 2014 Pension 40: The Battle Is On: Our ranking of the 40 most influential players in U.S. pensions highlights new names swept up in an intensifying political struggle.
Monday, December 15, 2014
Young Activists vs. the Establishment - Notes on NAN, NAACP March -- (Journey for Justice) - Nov 28 - Dec. 5, 2014 & Notes on Inter-generational tensions NAN/NAACP & Youth Activists
Notes
An inter-generational schism has emerged in the aftermath of Michael Brown's shooting (or so it is represented by most). Why? What is happening here? Implications for movements?
(--still compiling--)
NAACP Journey for Justice (Canfield Drive to Jefferson City, MO)
20141128: STL American: NAACP march starts tomorrow
http://www.stlamerican.com/news/local_news/article_f95c08a8-7778-11e4-8941-c312233af829.html
20141210: STLA: Mother, daughter brave racist taunts...(pic, right).
20141211: STLA: NAACP completes Journey of Justice
20141212: STLA: NAACP in Justice for All march
Justice for All March (NAN) - Dec. 13, 2014
20141215: The Root: Sharpton responds to Criticism that his Movement [NAN, National Action Network] Excludes Younger Activists
An inter-generational schism has emerged in the aftermath of Michael Brown's shooting (or so it is represented by most). Why? What is happening here? Implications for movements?
(--still compiling--)
NAACP Journey for Justice (Canfield Drive to Jefferson City, MO)
20141128: STL American: NAACP march starts tomorrow
http://www.stlamerican.com/news/local_news/article_f95c08a8-7778-11e4-8941-c312233af829.html
20141210: STLA: Mother, daughter brave racist taunts...(pic, right).
20141211: STLA: NAACP completes Journey of Justice
In Rosebud, McFadyen-Ketchum said they encountered “hardcore” racism. “I really didn’t realize that people were that racist,” he said.
20141211: StL Public Radio on Reaction to march in Rosebud, MO 20141212: STLA: NAACP in Justice for All march
Justice for All March (NAN) - Dec. 13, 2014
20141215: The Root: Sharpton responds to Criticism that his Movement [NAN, National Action Network] Excludes Younger Activists
“We came here knowing that our voices would be excluded from the program,” said Janessa Robinson, an organizer with D.C. Ferguson, the group of activists who rushed the stage. “We had to force them to give us a voice.”
Robinson dismissed the march as “an event and not a representation of the movement” and chided national civil rights leaders for refusing to acknowledge the activists who have largely been responsible for the near-daily protests taking place across the country in the wake of nonindictments by grand juries after the killings, by police, of Michael Brown in Ferguson, Mo., and Eric Garner in New York City.
20141213 Another March on Washington?.... Steven W Thrasher (Guardian)
20141213 Another March on Washington?.... Steven W Thrasher (Guardian)
Insights on city politics, from STL American's Political EYE: The Ferguson Commissions that weren’t - St. Louis American: Political Eye
The Ferguson Commissions that weren’t - St. Louis American: Political Eye: Once there was a Ferguson crisis, there was going to be a Ferguson Commission. The first player to push for the idea was the office of Mayor F…
Despite discrepancies, Dorian Johnson consistent in accounts of Brown shooting - St. Louis American: Local News
STL American December 15, 2014
Notes
The quote from McCulloch seems a bit disingenuous. A case like this and one inadvertently omits the closest witness?
"It was brought to my attention that I omitted the FBI interview of Dorian Johnson. Upon review of the files, I discovered that I had inadvertently omitted a number of witness interviews and a few other documents which had been presented to the grand jury," he wrote. "It should be noted that the sworn testimony of these witnesses, including Johnson, was released on November 24, 2014."
Despite discrepancies, Dorian Johnson consistent in accounts of Brown shooting - St. Louis American: Local News: (CNN) -- Dorian Johnson, who was walking with Michael Brown before Officer Darren Wilson fatally shot Brown in August, told remarkably similar…
Notes
The quote from McCulloch seems a bit disingenuous. A case like this and one inadvertently omits the closest witness?
"It was brought to my attention that I omitted the FBI interview of Dorian Johnson. Upon review of the files, I discovered that I had inadvertently omitted a number of witness interviews and a few other documents which had been presented to the grand jury," he wrote. "It should be noted that the sworn testimony of these witnesses, including Johnson, was released on November 24, 2014."
Despite discrepancies, Dorian Johnson consistent in accounts of Brown shooting - St. Louis American: Local News: (CNN) -- Dorian Johnson, who was walking with Michael Brown before Officer Darren Wilson fatally shot Brown in August, told remarkably similar…
ATHLETES, ACTIVISM, RACISM, APOLOGY: The athlete as "accidental activist" (Zirin) & racialized politics of the "apology" in the US...something to sort out (Tamir Rice was a 12 year old boy, killed by Cleveland Police; John Crawford was executed in a Walmart. Both were unarmed..)
20141215: Shaun King: In demanding apologies, police unions show white supremacy is a core value (Daily Kos)
20141215 Travis Waldron (Think Progress) Cleveland Police demand apology.... 20141215 All in w Chris Hayes (MSNBC) Police Union Chief calls killing of 12-year-old justified; and emotional, thoughtful reflections by Browns receiver Andrew Hawkins "justice means that the innocent should be found innocent...those who do wrong should get their due punishment, ultimately it means fair treatment...a call for justice shouldn't warrant an apology." 20141216 Dave Zirin (The Nation) Movements, athletes, "accidental activist"  |
Cleveland Browns wide receiver Andrew Hawkins wears a shirt calling attention to the police shooting of Tamir Rice before an NFL football game against the Cincinnati Bengals Sunday, Dec. 14, 2014, in Cleveland.
CREDIT: AP PHOTO
|
Neither John Crawford or Tamir Rice broke 1 LAW when they were killed within 2 seconds by OHIO police & they want the @Browns to apologize?
— Shaun King (@ShaunKing) December 15, 2014
No. Stop it. Cleveland Police: You don't get to ask for an apology for a shirt. You get to offer one for #TamirRice and #TaneshaAnderson
— No Justice No Peace (@drumbeats4peace) December 15, 2014
Friday, December 12, 2014
Thursday, December 11, 2014
Charter schools in St. Louis team up to boost special education : News
Charter schools in St. Louis team up to boost special education : News
Notes
Does not seem to be a sustainable model (depends on fund-raising, philanthropy).
Are pro-charter stories being pushed on the media by corporate interests in the face of growing evidence that charters are part of the problem, not part of the solution?
Notes
Does not seem to be a sustainable model (depends on fund-raising, philanthropy).
Are pro-charter stories being pushed on the media by corporate interests in the face of growing evidence that charters are part of the problem, not part of the solution?
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