At de Blasio Inauguration

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1. jean sanders says:

   January 1, 2014 at 11:24 am

   i have been trying to write to the Governor of Massachusetts (constituent services) about Arne Duncan…. I have signed petitions to have Arne Duncan removed… I am concerned that Obama doesn’t here this…. I actually voted for JFK and McGovern but my support for all democrats has dwindled and I keep writing to Governor Patrick to tell him that. for selected individual candidates I will do door to door canvassing in my neighborhood….. See Diane’s earlier post about Kuhn’s New Year resolutions especially # 1…. be active. I just wrote to Elizabeth Warren to tell her that I admire her work but she needs to be more detailed about her educational philosophy (even while she has to concentrate on the big banks)… There are places on line that will show you how to write letters to the editor; you can sign petitions on line…. make your voices heard!!!! I learned some ot that while Senator Kennedy was still active…. it worries me that some individuals are afraid to approach these people who are “politician” elites…..

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   • Robert Rendo says:

     January 1, 2014 at 11:55 am

     Jean Sanders,

     Yours was an excellent reminder about Warren still having to concentrate on the big banks.

     But the big banks ARE very much connected to what has happened to public education. They are part and parcel. They are interconnected. They are, in part, cause and effect. Make no mistake about it.

     We may want to remind Ms. Warren of that as well.

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   • Jen B says:

     January 2, 2014 at 11:02 am

     Deval Patrick is on the Board of Directors for Achieve Inc. He’s pretty deep in…

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2. Linda says:

   January 1, 2014 at 11:25 am

   And the federal government doesn’t control our school; it’s all local decisions and CCS is “state-led” (the biggest lie of all) and voluntary.

   If it’s truly voluntary, Arne, then we can voluntarily back out, eh?

   Sure says Arne who reports to the Gates USDOE for his talking points each day.

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3. deutsch29 says:

   January 1, 2014 at 11:27 am

   Since 2009, Duncan has publicly pushed for the testing to accompany Common Core.

   I am sorry to learn of his lobbying de Blasio, but I am not surprised.

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   • Joanna Best says:

     January 1, 2014 at 10:58 pm

     I guess the party connection (both Democrats) is what gives Arne an in to begin with, huh?

     I have learned not to assume anything about the Democratic Party anymore. It is this single indicator (well, and his position as Sec of Ed) that gives Arne the clout to even be listened to, I think. Or he is very savvy at convincing (manipulating???). And it is these assumptions that just because someone is a Democrat means they stand for public school.
     Bull.
     I hope he is just listening to Arne right now to be polite and then makes up his own mind instead of being sandbagged by neo-liberal trickery.

     As Diane says sometimes, what gives?

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     • Joanna Best says:

       January 1, 2014 at 11:00 pm

       These assumptions that have led people to think that the Democratic Party stands up for public education (my thought above was incomplete). It has not and it is not.

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4. Karen Burke says:

   January 1, 2014 at 11:29 am

   http://www.washingtonpost.com/local/education/education-officials-lobbied-against-starr-in-new-york-city/2013/12/31/c3017ed0-7249-11e3-8b3f-b1666705ca3b_story.html

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5. jean sanders says:

   January 1, 2014 at 11:30 am

   Linda, you are on target….. there are a few local school committees that are working on the issues…. see for an example Tracy Novick at the Worcester MA school committee site (where she writes her own blog)…. also get to know the names of the representatives in your locale …..
   on the national/federal level this site was helpful for organzing information when I was opposed to Scott Brown’s voting in Washington and I was able to get some letters through and to have examples of letters to the editor etc. The only time the newspaper quoted me was when the hate groups were bringing pictures of Hitler to the Town Halls (in Massachusetts — for example at Niki Tsongas’ Town Hall and the post office where I lived)… usually the newspapers skip over the letters but I keep writing them anyway….
   Linda, thanks for your posting and keep up the good work!!!

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6. Stern Advice says:

   January 1, 2014 at 11:30 am

   And we vote democrat because…?

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   • Linda says:

     January 1, 2014 at 11:33 am

     Actually many don’t anymore. We need a party for the people without a party. Neither represent us anymore.

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     • Robert Rendo says:

       January 1, 2014 at 11:56 am

       EXCELLENT! TRUE!

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     • Joan says:

       January 1, 2014 at 3:01 pm

       I’ve felt that way for a very long time- AND have voted for GREEN Party candidates. Yes, people have said that I’m “throwing away my vote”. However, if enough people become disgruntled with the ruling parties we now have, MAYBE there will be a change. Democrats, Republican, don’t see a difference there at all.

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     • jcgrim says:

       January 1, 2014 at 4:25 pm

       I send small donations to the Progressive Democrats of America http://www.pdamerica.org/ and to the Progressive Change Campaign http://boldprogressives.org/?akid=17219.6992.wyJT7N.

       The last phone call I received from the DCC & DNC I told them to take me off the list until Obama & the Dems stopped privatization of public schools and replaced Duncan with an educator.

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   • jean sanders says:

     January 1, 2014 at 11:33 am

     here is the blog by the Worcester School Committee woman
     she is vocal at state meetings and gets quoted by the Boston Globe
     Tracy has postings here at Diane’s web/blog that is how I found her name.
     Good examples of what the school committee should be aware of and how
     to affect politics locally (don’t give up on Washington either ; make your voices heard)
     http://who-cester.blogspot.com/2012/04/claremont.html

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   • vbigelow says:

     January 1, 2014 at 11:38 am

     Because the republicans are far worse than even neo-lib democrats like Duncan. They are anti-teacher, pro-privatization, anti-public schools, pro-testing…the list goes on.

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     • Dienne says:

       January 1, 2014 at 1:22 pm

       The *Republicans* are “anti-teacher, pro-privatization, anti-public schools, pro-testing? Never knew Obama, Duncan, Emanuel, Booker, etc. were all Republicans.

       In fact, when Republicans push this anti stuff, people actually fight back. But when the Democrats push it, people assume it must be good liberal policy and support it.

       So tell me why the Republicans are worse?

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     • Linda says:

       January 1, 2014 at 1:42 pm

       There’s only one difference between this administration and Republicans on education policy: vouchers.

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     • vbigelow says:

       January 1, 2014 at 1:31 pm

       Republicans focus strictly on market-based education solutions (mostly benefitting entrepreneurs). They vote against programs that mitigate the effects of poverty and/or support social mobility through education (e.g. preschool funding, caps on Pell grants, unemployment benefits, healthcare programs, etc. etc. etc.).

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     • Cosmic Tinker says:

       January 1, 2014 at 2:15 pm

       Democrats focus very heavily on market-based solutions, too. Most of the other matters are more related to social programs in general and are only marginally protected by Democrats. For example, proposed cuts to Social Security keep going back on the table and Obama et al. have been LETTING that happen instead of putting their foot down and saying SS is non-negotiable.

       As far as Education, I have no faith in the Democrats’ plans for preschools and higher education –and both of those are my fields! I am against their pushed down academic curriculum for young children, and I cannot support their blatant manipulation of colleges, such as their plans to rank schools and provide financial aid to students based on the incomes of the graduates of colleges. That is likely to reduce the number of college programs in fields that are very valuable but less lucrative, such as Liberal Arts, Social Sciences and Education.

       Both major parties are a Humanist’s nightmare.

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     • vbigelow says:

       January 1, 2014 at 2:29 pm

       @Cosmic Thinker-I didn’t say neo-liberal democrats weren’t focused on market-based solutions. I said that democrats, in general, also focus on social contexts affecting educational outcomes whereas republicans act in ways that make those contexts worse. While I share your frustration with the precarious state of SS and the democrats’ failure to absolutely protect it, SS is not the only social program.
       I am also in higher education (teaching and research) and in music. I share all of the concerns you mention. However, at least the democrats vote to fund Head Start and other preschool programs. At least they support social intervention programs. I truly believe it would be worse under the republicans.
       Looking down the road at 2016, it looks like we have Clinton (neo-lib) and Christie (hopeless). What alternatives do you propose?

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     • Joan says:

       January 1, 2014 at 3:04 pm

       Didn’t the President and Duncan “applaud” the closing of the school in Rhode Island?
       HOW are THEY different? And, if the President TRULY believes in public education, his children would be attending the PUBLIC schools in Washington, D.C., no?
       Maybe I’m hopelessly old fashioned, but, I truly believe that we lead by example.

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     • Chris says:

       January 1, 2014 at 7:32 pm

       John McCain did not seem to have K-12 education on his radar screen. If that perception is true, I’m sorry I voted for Obama. Obama enticed us vowing Linda Darling Hammond policies-bait and switch!
       I was disturbed to hear Bill Clinton came to deBlasio inauguration. I hope Clinton wasn’t pressuring deBlasio to follow Arne Duncan mandates.

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     • vbigelow says:

       January 1, 2014 at 8:06 pm

       Chris-John McCain supports charters and vouchers: http://www.ontheissues.org/celeb/John_McCain_School_Choice.htm
       AND..his running mate was Sarah Palin.

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     • Joanna Best says:

       January 1, 2014 at 11:01 pm

       Exactly Dienne. I agree.

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     • Cosmic Tinker says:

       January 2, 2014 at 4:33 am

       That’s about the same choice as what we had in the last presidential election. Instead of voting for the just barely lesser evil, for the first time in my life, rather than vote Democrat, I voted 3rd party, Green.

       Only 26% of Americans feel adequately represented by the Democratic and Republican parties and 60% believe we need a third party:
       http://www.gallup.com/poll/165392/perceived-need-third-party-reaches-new-high.aspx

       I agree. Independent Bernie Sanders of VT and his people have been surveying voters regarding a possible run for president in 2016 and he’s gotten substantial support. If he does run, Sanders will absolutely get my vote.

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     • ECE Teacher says:

       January 2, 2014 at 10:22 am

       vbigelow: I’ve worked in many Head Start, Preschool and Kindergarten programs over the past half decade. Please believe me when I tell you that funding academically oriented programs for young children is not a positive thing, yet that is what we are getting under this administration. That’s evidenced by the pushed down curriculum represented in the Common Core, such as the ELA standard that five year olds “read with purpose and understanding” in their first year of formal schooling as Kindergartners –which had been an expectation in 1st and 2nd grade for decades.

       Model programs, such as in Steiner’s Waldorf schools and public schools in Finland, delay formal academics until age 7 and provide enriched preschool experiences focusing on such things as language development and learning through play. Non-educator leaders in this country think that pressuring kids to achieve earlier is some kind of panacea. It is not and there is no evidence supporting an advantage in learning how to read earlier in life: http://www.voxy.co.nz/national/research-finds-no-advantage-learning-read-age-five/5/33888

       Many private programs, which is where preschool is primarily situated even when publicly funded –and will continue to be located– have pushed academics in preschool for years, in order to gain a marketing edge. With the CC standard requiring reading in KG, the pushed down curriculum is already expanding in PreK programs across the country, to get kids “ready for Kindergarten.” What that ends up being is a lot of drill for skill, rote learning for young children, not enriched experiences and learning through play. In fact, play is often eliminated in such programs. I have seen way too many young children over the years cry and turn off to school after experiencing those pressures.

       There there is the matter of testing young children. While Duncan has claimed there will be no standardized testing of preschoolers, he failed to mention that there are already testing requirements in Head Start for children as young as 3, so it’s very difficult to imagine there are no plans to require testing of other children of preschool age in programs receiving public funds.

       There are many ECE/child development specialists who recognize that this is not developmentally appropriate, consider it to be child abuse and, thus, cannot in good conscience support the plans this administration has for America’s young children.

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     • vbigelow says:

       January 2, 2014 at 11:59 am

       We are not at odds, ECE Teacher. I understand what you are saying and I support your position against forced academics and testing in preschool. However, the Republicans aren’t offering a shift to the Finnish model. They are proposing cutting funding for Head Start and other preschool interventions. I’d ration stick with the Dems and push for a paradigm shift rather than losing programs all together. I don’t think simply plopping students who come from first generation, low income families who typically come to school less prepared (e.g. vocabulary) than economically advantaged students into elementary school (without the advantage of pre-school) is a constructive solution to the problem of forced academics and testing in preschool. Also, consider that educational outcomes are affected by more than just what goes on in school. The Democrats have a better track record for supporting social support interventions for poor families, such as nutritional programs and healthcare. They also support college preparation and access programs for high school students encourage high educational aspiration and avoidance of risk behavior. I don’t support the neoliberal agenda at all, but given the two choices, I find they are the lesser of two evils.

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     • ECE Teacher says:

       January 2, 2014 at 10:24 am

       Oops. sorry, I meant to say that I’ve worked in many ECE programs over the past half CENTURY, not half decade!

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     • Jen B says:

       January 2, 2014 at 11:17 am

       Yes Joan they did applaud the closing of Central Falls. Does the DOE really believe all the bad teachers are working in CF and all the “Good” teachers are working in Barrington? If CF could just get high quality teachers they could get the same results out of students as Barrington? No excuses! By the way when RI’s Commissioners term was up Arne Duncan endorsed her and strongly reccomended that her term be renewed (which it was, desipte a low approval rating from both teachers and the general public). What is the Federal DOE doing endorsing or blocking candidates on the local level? It’s not enough we have Governor appointed State Ed Boards, but the DOE themselves is steering it? This has gotten totally out of control.

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     • ECE Teacher says:

       January 2, 2014 at 1:23 pm

       Both parties serve the oligarchy and show little concern for the common man, woman and child. I won’t vote for a Democratic president anymore and I think it’s a huge mistake to promote Democrats just because “they are the lesser of two evils.”

       I think the time is ripe for a 3rd party in America and I’m willing to take my chances and vote for a progressive 3rd party candidate.

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     • Bill Morrison says:

       January 2, 2014 at 2:03 pm

       I’m a little concerned about our collective responses. Is there any one of us who didn’t expect Duncan to try to pressure Mayor de Blasio? I’m all for initiating an email or letter writing campaign reminding him of just who put him in office and the debt he owes to teachers of NYC. Then, let’s give the man a chance to do the right thing. We will know soon enough if he caves to Fuhrer Duncan.

       Dianne, can you provide an address so that we could write letters and emails to the new mayor? Thanks!

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     • Harlan Underhill says:

       January 2, 2014 at 2:13 pm

       Conservatives are not generally in favor or “reform” type testing. I encourage you to go third party progressive, Nader, etc. That way Conservative Republicans have a better chance of winning against Hilary.

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     • vbigelow says:

       January 2, 2014 at 2:23 pm

       I love Bernie Sanders and I wish there were more like him. Unfortunately, re: presidential elections, I believe a vote for a third party won’t do anything but put a republican in office.

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     • ECE Teacher says:

       January 2, 2014 at 2:42 pm

       Don’t count on it Harlan. Many in your Tea Party are similarly concerned about the two major parties and are just as likely to put up their own candidate in the next presidential election –and steal votes from the GOP.

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     • Harlan Underhill says:

       January 2, 2014 at 4:58 pm

       You are quite right about that. It’s the epitome of folly, but conservatives are stupid too I guess.

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     • Robert Rendo says:

       January 2, 2014 at 9:37 pm

       Gee, Harlan.

       Who would ever dream of the day where you would be waxing instrospective . . . . .

       What are you going to do with all that TP self reflection now?

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   • vbigelow says:

     January 1, 2014 at 11:41 am

     Because the republicans are even worse (pro-privatization, anti-public schools, anti-teacher, anti-union, pro-testing) than neo-liberal democrats like Duncan.

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     • Cosmic Tinker says:

       January 1, 2014 at 12:23 pm

       Sorry, vbigelow, but you just described the Democrats, too. The GOP and Democrats are on the same page regarding education. The only difference is that the Democrats are not openly supportive of vouchers, but they don’t fight them either.

       Unfortunately, in 2003, Elizabeth Warren wrote that she supported vouchers, so it’s really imperative that we get a grip on what she promotes in education today. .

       We need to all get behind the same party so we don’t split the vote. The Working Families Party has been making headways in NY, CT, OR and some other states: http://www.workingfamiliesparty.org/

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     • vbigelow says:

       January 1, 2014 at 12:28 pm

       Cosmic Thinker,
       You are confusing the neo-liberal arm of the democratic party with REAL democrats. Still the republicans are worse than the neo-liberal democrats.

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     • Cosmic Tinker says:

       January 1, 2014 at 12:50 pm

       What “REAL Democrats”? The party has been dominated by neo-liberals ever since Clinton established the “New Democrats” and turned the party hard right aka “centrist” when he ran for president in 92, in order to capture Southern votes.

       Even my own longstanding representative in Congress, who belongs to the Progressive Caucus, I don’t trust to be a real Democrat because, although she responds to me about virtually every other issue, she never replies regarding education –and she is a former teacher.

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     • Dienne says:

       January 1, 2014 at 1:23 pm

       “Real Democrats”? Like Bernie Sanders? Oh, wait, he’s a Socialist.

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     • Urbanschoolteacher says:

       January 2, 2014 at 4:41 am

       Re cosmic Tinker Sanders shows that a third way, an independent way, can and will move though the body politic and help shape public education for the better. We can change the game by supporting Bernie Sanders or any and all other alternative voices. Our gracious hostess is another important voice for change, for sanity, for our posterity

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7. Marsha says:

   January 1, 2014 at 11:34 am

   Wow! That’s amazing. Jean, can you give me a site that would show how to write letters to the editor or to the senate? I hope Montgomery County leads the way for the push back on testing and teaching to the tests. We need to return to teaching children to inspire a love of learning.

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   • crunchydeb says:

     January 1, 2014 at 3:24 pm

     Not holding my breath, personally. Despite the fact that we’ve all moved on to CCSS, we’re not administering PARCC till next year, so Maryland (including MoCo) is supposed to administer the MSA, which is aligned to the old curriculum. At least it isn’t counting toward teacher evaluations in MoCo (it is in at least one county that I’m aware of), so why he’s not pushing back Garfield-style is beyond me. There is a LOT of time and a LOT of money put toward that test. 😦 So far I’ve only heard him talk the talk; I’d love to see him walk the walk now.

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8. bbbbmer says:

   January 1, 2014 at 11:35 am

   What a sneaky snaky thing for Duncan to do… The Obama administration once more sinks to new lows…

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   • Linda says:

     January 1, 2014 at 11:37 am

     Arne reports to Bill. Obama obeys.

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9. Chase says:

   January 1, 2014 at 11:39 am

   “Poor people have been voting democrat for 50 years, and they’re still poor.”

   – Charles Barkley

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   • Robert Rendo says:

     January 1, 2014 at 11:58 am

     Poor conservative people have been voting GOP for 50 years, and they are poorer still . . . .

     Truth be known, both parties are horrendous for the most part. I can count tend people on either side of the aisle whoa re decent and really interested in the average everyday person.

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10. Concerned Citizen says:

    January 1, 2014 at 11:47 am

    de Blasio said good things on the campaign trail, but that doesn’t mean public school activists can sit back and relax.

    de Blasio must be held accountable for his choices and actions. How much power has de Blasio already ceded to Arne Duncan?

    I’m also disturbed by reports that Kaya Henderson was in the running to become chancellor. What is the story behind that?

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    • Robert Rendo says:

      January 1, 2014 at 12:00 pm

      We in New York are lucky we did not get Henderson. Yet we may have been better off with Starr.

      We MUST, wait, watch, see, and keep on top of our elected officials with our communications always.

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11. eatingon1 says:

    January 1, 2014 at 11:54 am

    They have the money. We have the people. We need to let any other new appointee know, we will give that person H*&^. And give a new mayor H*^&. over it every single day he is in office. Look to Arne Duncan’s wife’s firm sprouting playgrounds in New York city as a bribe. Children need education-more. And the way it is done it is still a lie, it will look private but will be on the taxpayer’s dime. A rotating committee that sits at every meeting the mayor attends willing to do something simple- hold a sign. “STOP PAYOFFS AGAINST CHILDREN.”

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12. Mom/speducator says:

    January 1, 2014 at 11:55 am

    Well it’s a coup we have Farina? Will continue to support J. Starr and he will continue to move toward a position like Farina’s.

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13. LLC1923 says:

    January 1, 2014 at 11:57 am

    Abolish the US Department of Corporate Education.

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14. Linda says:

    January 1, 2014 at 11:58 am

    I don’t want to end up in moderation so I will make into two posts.

    Today print this and then compare to the next link.

    WARNING: this requires close reading.

    And a huge thank you, applause and standing ovation to Mercedes 👏

    This AFT piece: 10 myths about CCS to Mercedes post, below

    Click to access TFT_Resources.pdf

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    • Linda says:

      January 1, 2014 at 12:00 pm

      AFT’s 10 Myths: Unyielding Devotion to the Common Core

      December 31, 2013

      AFT’s 10 Myths: Unyielding Devotion to the Common Core

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      • Miss Dee says:

        January 1, 2014 at 12:35 pm

        Thank you. I just read these myths. Once again, I refused to join NEA because of its support of the CCSS.

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15. Chiara Duggan says:

    January 1, 2014 at 12:03 pm

    “In January 2011, while D.C. Mayor Vincent C. Gray (D) deliberated on who would succeed Michelle A. Rhee as D.C. schools chancellor, Duncan said publicly that he hoped Kaya Henderson, Rhee’s deputy, would get the job. She did.”

    That is too easy on Duncan. Here’s what actually happened:

    “As Duncan’s department awarded RTTT funding, he praised the Fenty-Rhee education record as “absolutely extraordinary.” The Washington Post’s Bill Turque reported, “if any doubt remained about where the Obama Administration’s sympathies are in the District primary, they were eliminated at a morning photo op that preceded the official RTTT announcement.” Duncan’s announcement of the grant on the eve of the election had “the unmistakable feel of a Fenty campaign stop,” as Duncan joined the embattled mayor and his controversial chancellor in a walk with children wearing Fenty campaign stickers. Asked if he was taking sides in the Democratic primary, Duncan said of Fenty, “I’m a big fan.”
    Soon afterwards, Duncan phoned the new mayor, Vincent Gray, urging him to retain Rhee as chancellor. He explained the intrusion into local affairs by saying of Rhee that he is a “big fan” of hers.
    Duncan subsequently raised eyebrows by joining Rhee in a panel discussion at a time when D.C. schools were under investigation by the Office of the Inspector General. The New York Times’ Michael Winerip noted, “You would think Mr. Duncan would want to keep Ms. Rhee at arm’s length during the investigation. And yet there they were, sitting side by side last month.”

    http://blogs.edweek.org/teachers/living-in-dialogue/2013/04/john_thompson_did_duncan_load_.html

    I think appearing with Rhee during the IG investigation was unethical, and he should have been called on it.

    When Duncan is asked to comment on state or local issues that harm existing public schools he retreats behind “state and local issues”. But if an ed reformer needs a boost he’s happy to intervene. Duncan’s political activism should have been called into question years ago.

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16. Green Mountain Educator says:

    January 1, 2014 at 12:04 pm

    How much more evidence do we need to prove that Duncan is a control freak? He is no educator, yet expects educators to go along with his misguided proposals. As does his boss, he works for the corporate interests, not the students.

    I met Joshua Starr at Duncan’s Cincinnati summit, “Collaborating to Transform the Teaching Profession” in 2012. He is one of the most impressive educational leaders I have ever met in my 27 years of teaching. He is quick to give his teachers and staff all the credit and values a team approach to solving problems. It makes perfect sense that Duncan would fight against this man of reason and compassion.

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17. Chiara Duggan says:

    January 1, 2014 at 12:21 pm

    The hardest thing to completely absorb for me over the last decade of free market ed reform is the idea that the US Department of Ed is basically ANTI public schools.

    I know it’s a big agency and there are career people who probably support public schools, but it’s just wild to me that we’ve had a decade of leadership there that aren’t really interesting in improving or supporting existing public schools.

    I heard a piece of an interview Duncan gave on CNN about NYC schools and the one and only success he felt he could point to was a charter school. Really? There’s ONE good school in NYC and it’s a charter school?

    If this is “agnostic” on public schools I’d hate to see what “hostile” looks like.

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    • Linda says:

      January 1, 2014 at 12:25 pm

      I learn from you, please keep posting. It is all mind blowing to me. They are leading us nowhere. This must implode soon.

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      • Mom/speducator says:

        January 1, 2014 at 1:08 pm

        Yes, Chiara imagine if the DOD came out daily berating the military and creating private military units and then pitting he armed forces and private military against each other while Gates and others in power use them as chess pieces as their recreation.

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18. Harlan Underhill says:

    January 1, 2014 at 12:46 pm

    Ah yes, the beginning of the DeBlasio administration. You read it and weep. I laugh sardonically. “I told you so.” You have just bought yourselves in NYC a white Obama. Enjoy. Farina is Klein in a dress.

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    • Dienne says:

      January 1, 2014 at 1:26 pm

      If he does turn out like Obama, bug business fans like you should rejoice.

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      • Dienne says:

        January 1, 2014 at 1:27 pm

        Arg, that should be “big business”. Although “bug business is fitting too, I suppose.

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    • NY teacher says:

      January 1, 2014 at 3:19 pm

      Wrong again Harlan.

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    • Robert Rendo says:

      January 1, 2014 at 3:37 pm

      Uh-oh.

      What if you’re right?

      Why won’t you accept the idea that both parties are rotten?

      Although, it’s still too early to tell about Farina, Harlan.

      AND, if Starr had the position, you would have been berating him as well in your generalized sweeping approach to thinking and communicating.

      Then again, if you’re right, you will be right but still an outlier – and appropriately so – on this blog . . . . .

      Not that you care all that much.

      If youa re right, those of us who voted in De Blasio will communicate to him non-stop how we feel. It’s still a democracy in the vein . . . .

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      • Harlan Underhill says:

        January 2, 2014 at 2:20 pm

        I’m not that much a fan of “bug” business, but of small businesses.

        I am more than an outlier on this blog; I’m a contrarian. But I do value it immensely for educating me about what’s wrong in the thinking of public school defenders and what is wrong in the practice of characterizers and privatizers.

        Good luck on moving DeBlasio in any direction other than big government statism. I’ll BET he continues co-location of charters in NYC.

        We’ll see. DeBlasio, in my view, will turn out to be a white Obama and will run NYC into the ground just as Obama is running the USA into the ground.

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      • Robert Rendo says:

        January 2, 2014 at 9:42 pm

        Yours is a reasonable reply, but I hope you are wrong.

        Let’s not forget that Starr had a lucrative contract with Pearson. What does that do to his credibility of “anti-testing”?

        How could you ever think that Bloomberg has any soul or morality? Maybe I am being presumptous.

        You repulse me, Harlan, but at the same time, you fascinate me because we truly do see things the same way for some of our overlap about Obama. And then when the overlap ends, we may as well be Cain and Abel.

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19. Chiara Duggan says:

    January 1, 2014 at 1:26 pm

    Just to highlight Duncan’s double standard regarding public schools. Here’s the brave reformer in Chicago, dodging questions on Rahm’s policy of defunding and closing public schools and replacing them with charters:

    http://www.suntimes.com/news/education/24422256-418/ed-secretary-duncan-dodges-hot-topic-of-charter-schools-during-chicago-visit.html

    “The education secretary however dodged questions on a local hot topic, charter schools. Asked what he thought of CPS’ proposal to open 21 new charters after closing more the 52 regular schools, Duncan said he’s for anything that will improve results for students, but that the proportion of charters to regular schools was a local issue he has no control over.”

    Ed reform policy and practice that harm existing public schools and that he agrees with are “local” but he has no problem intervening when there’s the threat of a dissenter being hired, locally.

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    • KrazyTA says:

      January 1, 2014 at 7:02 pm

      Chiara Duggan: you nailed it!

      😎

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20. Alabama teacher says:

    January 1, 2014 at 1:33 pm

    If Duncan will do this in one state, he will do it in all of the others. We’ve really got to find a way to get rid of him.

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21. Karen Bednarek says:

    January 1, 2014 at 2:25 pm

    Rats!

    >

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22. Bill Morrison says:

    January 1, 2014 at 2:31 pm

    I sincerely hope that Mayor de Blasio has the courage of his convictions and stands up to Duncan. The mayor knows of Duncan’s frauds and should not cave to him. Perhaps we should start a petition or a letter-writing campaign to shore him up!

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23. NY teacher says:

    January 1, 2014 at 3:17 pm

    Just heard a piece on NPR. Spokesperson was pro-data collection re: testing. She stated that parents who opt their children out of the testing/data collection loop are as negligent as parents who refuse to have their children vaccinated. I kid you not. Some minor push back from a second interviewee. Sorry but missed the names and affiliations. NPR interviewer as expected remained neutral.

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    • Linda says:

      January 1, 2014 at 3:25 pm

      Then what are the parents (beyond negligent?) whose children do not take these tests at all? Sidwell? Lakeside? Shall we call DCF on the Obama’s?

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      • NY teacher says:

        January 1, 2014 at 9:38 pm

        Sound like child abandonment. Will someone call CPS.

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    • Robert Rendo says:

      January 1, 2014 at 3:39 pm

      NY Teacher,

      NPR get HUGE grants and funding from the Gates Foundation. They also compete very hard to be the top reporters on technology.

      This connection is a no brainer.

      I have called the network and stopped by donations altogether.

      I listen to WBAI with Amy Goodman and others in the greater Metropolitan region. If you are not already a fan, try it. You will not be disappointed.

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      • NY teacher says:

        January 1, 2014 at 9:44 pm

        Not sure if I can get WBAI up here, but thanks. Just cant listen to the shills on NPR any more. Happen to catch this piece indirectly. What struck me was the level to which the rhetoric has devolved. They must be feeling some heat. I know that there is a class action suit over InBloom’s data collection.

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      • Robert Rendo says:

        January 2, 2014 at 12:22 am

        you can stream WBAI online . . . .

        Bloomberg should be sued just for his very breathing the air.

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24. joseph says:

    January 1, 2014 at 4:31 pm

    Thinking that Harlan may be onto something. Clinton, who supports Obama, may have gotten to DeBlasio. I am no longer enchanted by the Clintons and the devastating policies of his administration. Hoping that Bill is not falling in line already. Clinton used FDRs bible to swear in Bill, but ironically, he is the biggest supporter of the fat cats.

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    • Susan says:

      January 1, 2014 at 6:47 pm

      http://thehill.com/video/policy-areas/184249-bill-clinton-weighs-in-on-education-

      “Clinton praised Obama’s race to the top initiative and credited it’s success to Education Secretary Duncan’s time as a school superintendent.”

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25. maureenkeeney2013 says:

    January 1, 2014 at 7:43 pm

    Unbelievable… Very sad. Hope something can happen to reverse this stuff.

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26. ojlowe says:

    January 1, 2014 at 8:56 pm

    http://ojlowe.wordpress.com/2013/12/30/10-thoughts-a-teacher-hopes-all-parents-know/

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27. Anthony Bruno says:

    January 1, 2014 at 8:58 pm

    DiBlasio could be the second coming of David Dinkins! As Bette Davis said, “Fasten your seatbelts, it’s going to be a bumpy night”

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28. Concerned parent & teacher says:

    January 1, 2014 at 9:54 pm

    The quote is “… a bumpy ride” if you ask me we’re on a roller coaster. Back to the original premise…we cannot assume anything…we must hold all officials accountable…we must speak up and out at every turn.

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29. Yvonne Siu-Runyan says:

    January 2, 2014 at 11:54 am

    Joan wrote: “Didn’t the President and Duncan “applaud” the closing of the school in Rhode Island?
    HOW are THEY different? And, if the President TRULY believes in public education, his children would be attending the PUBLIC schools in Washington, D.C., no?
    Maybe I’m hopelessly old fashioned, but, I truly believe that we lead by example.”

    I agree. When I saw both of them clap, THAT was IT for me. I was actually embarrassed to be a citizen of this country when I saw Duncan and Obama “clap” when RI teachers were fired.

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    • Harlan Underhill says:

      January 2, 2014 at 2:23 pm

      Right, Siu-Runyan and Joan. Lead by example. If that is the real criterion Obama is a COMPLETE failure as a leader. He lives by “Do as I say” rather than “Do as I do.”

      Wake up and smell the stench.

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      • Robert Rendo says:

        January 2, 2014 at 9:48 pm

        Oh God, I am crossing over to the dark side as I get in touch with my inner Luke Skywalker.

        Darth Harlan Vadar here is right about Obama. His RttT is a fraud, and his ACA is a gift to the insurance companies.

        And then Obama and his vapid, hairstyle-indecisive wife get to live in a $34,000,000 manse paid for by his fairy godmonster, Penny Pritzker.

        I’m holding my nose.

        But I would easily suffocate inhaling the perfume of most people on both sides of the aisle . . . .

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30. Jeannie Kaplan says:

    January 2, 2014 at 1:07 pm

    And we are surprised about Duncan’s interference why? Do not under estimate the power, influence and the conviction of the “reformers.” Just look at who is Colorado’s junior Senator and how he got to be in the US Senate. From Denver Public Schools superintendent to Senator in one easy step – and a few phone calls from DC.There are no limits to what the “reformers” will do to try to prove their solutions are right. They have been particularly successful in Denver in silencing dissent.

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    • Harlan Underhill says:

      January 2, 2014 at 2:25 pm

      HOW has “dissent” in Denver been silenced?

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31. Cosmic Tinker says:

    January 2, 2014 at 6:03 pm

    I don’t get why you failed to mention that Starr was not the superintendent when the contract was issued. He didn’t sign that, the previous superintendent, Weast, signed the contract. Just because there is a new employee running an organization doesn’t mean contracts become null and void. Contracts are legally binding.

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32. Karen says:

    January 2, 2014 at 7:42 pm

    Oh, the guy that helped to engineer and justify the destruction of a public school district, including the firing of all of the teachers, supported employing an emergency manager and for profit charter school which was awarded a $1.7 million yearly profit off the backs of the most vulnerable socio-economic demographic population of children in the county, while blaming the teacher’s union for the demise, while collecting a $100,000 plus salary personally and currently unable to account for the 400 children who left the district whom other districts don’t want.

    >

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