EduShyster needs our help to go to Camp Philos to hear the great thoughts of such brilliant educational philosophers as Governor Andrew Cuomo, Sacramento Mayor Kevin Johnson (Michelle Rhee’s husband), Senator Mary Landrieu of Louisiana, and Whatz-is-name the mayor of Denver.
She has raised $600. She needs $400 more. I made a contribution. Will you?
EduShyster promises to share with us all she learns from the deepest educational thinkers of our time.
Please go to the link in this post and make a donation. What’s it worth to you to know what our philosophers are thinking?
EduShyster
Diane Ravitch's blog 
Thought this was interesting. It’s same-old, same-old decade-long push, but they’re “rebranding”, or were:
“Now there’s a new group of Democratic mayors with an interest in education beyond the borders of their cities. And they’re hoping to be more subtle about changing public education than their predecessors.
This week, four politically ascendent mayors from smaller cities — Julián Castro of San Antonio; Angel Taveras of Providence, R.I.; Michael Hancock of Denver; and Kevin Johnson of Sacramento, Calif. — kicked off a what they’re calling the “Mayors for Educational Excellence Tour” in Denver.
The tour is not branded as an education reform effort.
That term often conjures images of Republicans, Democrats and hedge-fund donors who advance policies that promote charter schools and rigorous teacher evaluations, and has become so loaded that a school board candidate in Denver recently referred to it as the “r-word.”
Even so-called reformers have recognized the shortcomings of their good-vs.-evil narrative. John White, the schools chief of Louisiana who made his name as a New York City deputy education chancellor under Joel Klein, recently gave a speech arguing reformers must adapt to survive. He said America’s inherently populist tendencies will topple the movement if it doesn’t move beyond the same old fights and self-righteous justifications.”
But maybe they aren’t very worried about “America’s populist tendencies” if they’re bragging about meeting at this luxe resort to discuss the public schools they don’t value and hope to privatize as quickly as possible.
Also, is it true that Castro dropped out, and if so, why? Anyone know?
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2013/10/18/education-reform-mayors_n_4119868.html
LikeLike
Also, far be it from me to judge the “thought leaders” (which is how they describe themselves) but isn’t this sort of a thin list?
The Honorable Andrew Cuomo
Honorary Chairman
Joe Williams
Executive Director, Education Reform Now
And Special Guests
Senator Mary Landrieu
Mayor Kevin Johnson
Russlynn Ali
One governor, one lobbyist, one mayor, a senator and a celebrity?
Maybe the attendees don’t get top billing like the “thought leaders”, and there’s other elected officials who’d rather not have their names up on top 🙂
LikeLike
It’s because they didn’t have a race to the top. Nobody really gets to the top of anything without a race, right?
(wrong)
LikeLike
I made a donation. Maybe we should send some more people.
LikeLike
In the spirit of true civil disobedience we should send a contingent to physically block the entranceway (third graders would be even better). Only cost would be gas money. Let’s Do It
LikeLike
NY,
When is the meeting? I am in NJ so I could possibly get there. Do you have any contacts in the area? Would other people go? I am getting tired of sitting on my backside.
LikeLike
Camp Philos opens on Sunday, May 3 and closes out on Tuesday May 5. from the website, About 2.5 hours north of Albany, NY
Thanks For Your Interest in Attending and Supporting Camp Philos.
Registration is Now Open. Click the Register button at the top of the page to be a part of this inaugural event.
Please join:
The Honorable Andrew Cuomo
Honorary Chairman
Joe Williams
Executive Director, Education Reform Now
And Special Guests
Senator Mary Landrieu
Mayor Kevin Johnson
Russlynn Ali
Adirondack Mountains
Lake Placid, NY
Whiteface Lodge
May 4 – 6, 2014
As in the summer of 1858 when the poets and scholars Ralph Waldo Emerson, James Russell Lowell, with Horatio Woodman retreated to the mountains for respite in kindred company:
Education Reform Now will convene Camp Philos in Lake Placid, NY.
Embark on three spring days of fun, fellowship and strategy with the nation’s thought leaders on education reform. The exquisite and secluded Whiteface Lodge, which ranks among North America’s top luxury destinations, is nestled in the majestic woods of our country’s largest wilderness park.
Reform
Relax
Retreat
For questions or additional information, please contact events@edreformnow.org
LikeLike
Sorry May Sun 4 – Tues May 6
LikeLike
Bring a BUS of Jersey teachers, and stage a sit in I n the entranceway.
LikeLike
Wouldn’t it be funny if most of the attendees at Camp Philos were public school teachers and parents.
LikeLike
Bob Shepherd wherever you are, have your meter ready because they are about to shatter the world record for Colemans registered at any one event.
“The Coleman” is the internationally accepted metric unit for quantifying arrogance/ignorance
LikeLike
Best $20 I ever spent. Give my regards to the honorary, and honorable Governor Quid Pro Cuo[mo] THE premiere national thought leader on dismantling the public school system in NY.
LikeLike
NY
I am not as influential as Eva. Are you bringing a bus? Where are all the other shmoozers tonight? Two teachers do not a rally make.
LikeLike
No bus. Doesn’t mean we cant make it happen.
LikeLike
Here’s DFER’s Twitter.
See if you can find a public school.
You’ll find plenty of cheerleading on standardized testing and plenty of pom pom waving on charters, but oddly enough for a group that claim to be “public education supporters” you won’t find a single positive mention of a public school.
LikeLike
“EduShyster promises to share with us all she learns from the deepest educational thinkers of our time. ”
Sounds like a blank blog coming up…. 😉
LikeLike
Imagine , somewhere in a parallel universe, a meeting of the national thought leaders on open heart surgery is taking place. And, when we see the announcement, not one single doctor or surgeon is on the bill.
LikeLike
I can’t wait to hear about all of the marvelous things Shyster learns from attending Philos. It sounds as though all of the finest people will be there. I hope she brings back souvenirs. Maybe a Cuomo for Pres. shirt, a Success Academy mug, or perhaps a hedge fund manager’s business card.
LikeLike
Maybe a few “My governor is a national thought leader on education reform” bumper stickers.
LikeLike
Sunday 04.13.14 11:21 PM
TWO THOUSAND! 2,000 emails/letters sent by outraged parents, teachers, administrators, and concerned citizens to President Obama, Senators, and House members to protest the imposition of the Common Core standards and the high stakes testing regime that came with it.
I started this at Petition2Congress yesterday morning. It is very easy to sign, copies are automatically sent to President Obama, and your own senators and your House representative. Please take the time to read and sign the petition entitled:
STOP COMMON CORE TESTING.
Thank you.
http://www.petition2congress.com/15080/stop-common-core-testing/?m=5265435
LikeLike
May her incisive intelligence help them untangle their befuddled thinking strings! Does she have enough funding yet?
LikeLike