Archives for category: Administrators, superintendents
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Jon Pelto: Meet the Latest Education Reformer with a Dubious Degree

By dianeravitch
July 20, 2014 //
65

Jon Pelto reports that New London, Connecticut, is about to award a lucrative contract as superintendent to a “reformer” who has called himself “Dr.” without having earned a doctorate. Pelto commends Hartford Courant reporter Jon Lender for digging up the story.

Pelto writes:

“For more than eight years, “Dr.” Terrence Carter, the incoming New London superintendent of schools and self-described education reform expert, bragged that he had a Ph.D.

“At one point, Carter’s bio materials claimed that he had a doctorate from Stanford University.

“In another article his doctorate came from a joint program between Stanford and Oxford.

“And more recently he claimed his doctorate was from Lesley University.

“But it was all a lie.

“Interestingly he also claimed that he was hand-picked to be an education reform leader by none-other than the Arne Duncan, President Obama’s anti-teacher, anti-public education, pro-Common Core Secretary of Education.

“In a breaking news story written by the Hartford Courant’s investigative reporter Jon Lender, we now learn that the incoming New London superintendent of schools is an expert —- an expert at falsifying his resume.

“And just watch how the Malloy administration, Commissioner Stefan Pryor, and Special Master Steven Adamowski try to explain this embarrassment.

“After reading the Courant article, one thing is clear.

“The New London Board of Education is scheduled to vote on “Dr.” Terrence Carter’s lucrative contract on Monday night.

“Before that meeting, Malloy and Pryor need to make sure that Carter withdraws his name from consideration.

“And if Malloy and Pryor fail to do that, then the New London Board needs to reject Carter and re-open the search.”

Categories Accountability, Administrators, superintendents, Connecticut, Corporate Reformers

NPE Endorses Valerie Wilson for State Superintendent in Georgia

By dianeravitch
July 10, 2014 //
2

This comes from the website of the Network for Public Education:

Fight for public ed. in GA to be decided in July 22 run-off. Support Valarie Wilson for GA State Superintendent.

On July 22, the run-off for Georgia State School Superintendent will be decided. Valarie Wilson, NPE’s endorsed candidate and the past-president of the Georgia School Boards Association, was the top vote-getter in the May primary. She is a staunch advocate for local control and she stands opposed to the privatization of the education system. As we have seen in campaigns throughout the country, backers of privatization and a test-driven vision of education have contributed to Valarie’s opponent – a backer of corporate reforms like virtual schools and the proliferation of charters.

Bertis Downs, a member of the NPE Board of Directors and an attorney in Athens, GA explained the importance of the Georgia race and why Valarie is the right choice for State School Superintendent.

“Along with her experience at the state level, Valarie has demonstrated the resolve, skills and acumen required for a nuanced role like State School Superintendent,” said Downs. “But Valarie’s main distinction is that she knows what must be done to deliver on the promise of public education, what each student needs to succeed.”

The Network for Public Education is pleased to support Valarie Wilson and we ask you to please consider contributing to her campaign. Let your friends and colleagues in Georgia know that Valarie Wilson is the right choice for State School Superintendent and be sure to get out the vote on July 22nd.

For more information about Valarie Wilson and her campaign for the future of public education in Georgia, check out http://valforeducation.com.

Categories Administrators, superintendents, Georgia, Network for Public Education

Indiana: Governor Pence Strikes a Blow at Democracy Today

By dianeravitch
July 9, 2014 //
17

Governor Mike Pence didn’t like the results of the election in 2012 when voters chose Glenda Ritz as State Superintendent of Education. For the past two years, he has whittled away the authority and funding of her office and transferred it to other agencies. He even created a new agency to assume control of education policy, turning her office into an empty shell. He mat think he is clever but in fact he is acting like a tinhorn dictator, defying the will of the voters.

In this editorial, Karen Francisco of the Fort Wayne Journal Fazette explains Pence’s shabby and shameful machinations.

She writes:

“When voters elected Glenda Ritz nearly two years ago, they made it clear they didn’t like the direction of Indiana schools under Superintendent of Public Instruction Tony Bennett.

“Today, an appointed State Board of Education is set to undo the results of the 2012 election. Two resolutions that would strip most of Ritz’s authority are on the board’s meeting agenda. Working in concert with a new education bureaucracy created by Gov. Mike Pence, the 10 members – all appointed by Pence or Gov. Mitch Daniels – are preparing to reduce the superintendent to a figurehead and wrest control of key functions of her office.

“Aside from painting Ritz as weak and ineffective in advance of the next election, the proposals hand unprecedented control of Indiana schools to the governor’s office without any consideration by voters.

“Even the GOP-controlled General Assembly seems to have been duped into laying the groundwork for the takeover.

“A measure was quietly passed in 2013 to establish the new Center for Education and Career Innovation, with money transferred from the Department of Education. Not even the chairman of the Senate Education and Career Development Committee was aware of the financial sleight of hand. CECI’s staff now works full time to undermine Ritz.

“The State Board of Education includes professionals who seem to have the best interests of students at heart. They should recognize the resolutions crafted by the governor’s education staff are counter to the very democratic principles taught in our schools….

“Hoosiers should be angered by efforts to subvert the democratic process. Voters don’t elect supermajorities. They choose individual representatives and statewide officials entrusted to respect the will of the voters.

“Supermajority status does not confer the right to nullify an election, and we believe that members of the State Board of Education and the Republican legislators themselves do not support that course.

“The board members can demonstrate it by rejecting the resolutions and focusing instead on their responsibilities toward students. It’s the course Indiana voters chose.”

Governor Pence seems determined to strip Ritz of any authority. By doing so, he shames himself, defies the voters, and presents to the nation an example of anti-democratic behavior.

Categories Administrators, superintendents, Indiana

Huppenthal Apologizes for Internet Comments and Weeps

By dianeravitch
June 26, 2014 //
36

John Huppenthal called a press conference to apologize for his outrageous comments on the Intermet, posted anonymously. He said he would not resign as he faces re-election. He broke down and cried.

“”I’m here to renounce those blog comments,” Huppenthal told reporters. “They’re not what is in my mind, they don’t reflect the love that is in my heart.”

A sample of the comments that don’t reflect what is in his mind or heart:

“”No spanish radio stations, no spanish billboards, no spanish tv stations, no spanish newspapers. This is America, speak English,” he wrote, according to the Arizona Republic.”

Categories Administrators, superintendents, Arizona

Breaking News: Oklahoma Superintendent Loses Republican Primary

By dianeravitch
June 24, 2014 //
17

Janet Barresi, state superintendent in Oklahoma, was defeated in the Republican primary by Joy Hofmeister, a former teacher and state school board member. Barresi was a member of Jeb Bush’s Chiefs for Change (which dropped from seven to six with Barresi’s defeat). . She supported Jeb’s A-F grading system for schools, which Hofmeister opposed. Like Jeb, Barresi supported Common Core until Oklahoma dropped (h/t to Mercedes Schneider for the correction); Joy Hofmeister does not.

Categories Administrators, superintendents, Oklahoma

Arizona: State Commissioner John Huppenthal as Sock Puppet

By dianeravitch
June 23, 2014 //
10

Arizona State Commissioner of Education John Huppenthal admitted he left many comments anonymously on blogs.

This is causing him some problems in his re-election campaign, as some of his comments were highly insulting and inflammatory to various groups.

The Arizona Chamber of Commerce and Industry canceled plans to honor him at its annual awards ceremony.

Here are what one blog calls his “top ten” anonymous comments.

Huppenthal is in hot water. As one editorialist in Arizona wrote:

“He called poor people “lazy pigs” and made inane comparisons between stuff he doesn’t like and Hitler, but let’s honor the First Amendment here and leave the content of his speech off the table. He did two things wrong – he hid behind pseudonyms, and when caught he offered up a non-apology apology.

“If you’re going out in the public sphere, use your name, be you and own it. Otherwise, you don’t deserve an audience.

“And if you step in it, do not say what Huppenthal did (and in a “statement,” no less): “I sincerely regret if my comments have offended anyone.”

“What a load of horse puckey.

“What he’s saying is, if no one’s offended by what he said, then he’s not sorry. So if there’s no fundamental level of sorry-ness, why are you apologizing?

Mr. Huppenthal, you’re a leader. If you’re sorry about what you posted, say, “What I said was wrong, I renounce it, and I promise not to promote those beliefs again.” If you’re not sorry, say, “Yeah, I said it, I meant it, and I will use my own name from now on.”

Huppenthal is identified on Jeb Bush’s Foundation for Excellence in Education website as “one of Arizona’s leading education reformers” because of his support for school choice and the Common Core.

Categories Administrators, superintendents, Arizona

Superintendent Mark Henry Slams High-Stakes Testing

By dianeravitch
June 14, 2014 //
25

Mark Henry, superintendent of the Cypress-Fairbanks district in Texas, stood up and spoke out for common sense and education ethics. In this article, he explains why his district–the third largest in Texas–will not participate in a pilot test to evaluate teachers by student test scores.

He writes:

“This latest movement to “teacher-proof” education places additional fear, anxiety and pressure on professionals who are stressed enough already. I have seen this first-hand with principals and teachers who fret over the STAAR test, a once-per-year high-stakes assessment that measures how a child performed on one test on one day. Is that really learning? I don’t think so. Testing is a key diagnostic tool, and results should be used to assess the progress of students so plans can be developed to address the gaps and deficiencies of each student.
Learning is not a business; it’s a process. Use of a teacher evaluation system tied to standardized test scores alienates educators by trying to transform classrooms into cubicles. There are many more elements that go into teaching and learning than a high-stakes, pressurized test. Tying student test scores to a teacher’s evaluation may improve test scores, but does it improve a child’s educational outcome?”

Henry says there are three reasons that schools fail: mismanagement by school boards and superintendents; ineffective principals; lack of community support.

He does not blame teachers for poor leadership or systemic failure.

He writes:

“Let’s quit trying to “teacher-proof” education and stop the overreliance on data from one high-stakes test. The answers for improvement are recruiting, training and supporting our teaching professionals. Attention to these will deepen the effectiveness of what we do in the classroom and the biggest winners will be our children. ”

Mark Henry is a hero of public education for his willingness to stand against a misinformed and harmful status quo.

Categories Administrators, superintendents, Honor Roll, Teacher Evaluations, Testing, Texas

Superintendents: Slow Down CCSS Implementation

By dianeravitch
June 14, 2014 //
41

American Association of School Administrators say the Common Core must be slowed down.

“Dear Colleagues:

As we move forward in advocating on behalf of school superintendents, one of the hottest topics right now is the Common Core State Standards. I am pleased to share with you that AASA, The School Superintendents Association, released today a report on the implementation of Common Core and other new state standards.

This report follows a survey of superintendents nationwide which received more than 500 responses from 48 states. The report’s findings echoed the position AASA has taken on Common Core: we need to slow down to get it right. Given enough time and resources, districts and teachers will have the opportunity to implement the standards and aligned assessments in a way that bolsters student learning. AASA opposes the overreliance on standardized testing and the use of one test to assess both student learning and teacher effectiveness, especially so early in the implementation of the new standards.

The survey’s key findings included:

Superintendents overwhelmingly (92.5 percent) see the new standards as more rigorous than previous standards.
More than three quarters (78.3 percent) agree that the education community supports the standards, but that support drops to 51.4 percent among the general public.

Nearly three quarters of the respondents (73.3 percent) agree that the political debate has gotten in the way of the implementation of the new standards.

Nearly half (47 percent) say their input was never requested in the decision to adopt or develop new standards or in planning the implementation.

More than half (60.3 percent) of the respondents who had begun testing say they are facing problems with the tests.

Just under half (41.9 percent) say schools in their states are not ready to implement the online assessment, while 35.9 percent say they lack the infrastructure to support online assessments.

A superintendent from Connecticut said, “don’t fly the ship while you are building it. Students shouldn’t be stressed about testing on something they have never been taught. Teachers shouldn’t be evaluated on the success of student on the tests when they have not been teaching the breadth of the (Common Core State Standards).”

The results from the survey demonstrate that districts are working with limited resources to implement the new, more rigorous standards, despite technology deficits, a dearth of quality professional development materials for school personnel and a challenging national debate. These results reinforce the AASA position that the standards will be a positive change, if districts are given the necessary time and funding to properly implement the new standards and assessments.

To access a copy of the report, visit http://aasa.org/uploadedFiles/Publications/AASA_CCSS_Report.pdf. Thank you to all who participated.

Sincerely,

Dan Domenech

Categories Administrators, superintendents, Common Core

Is Louisiana Superintendent John White Doing a Good Job?

By dianeravitch
June 8, 2014 //
6

Vote here:

http://www.nola.com/education/index.ssf/2014/06/education_supt_john_white_how.html#comments

Categories Accountability, Administrators, superintendents, Louisiana

The Crucial Race for State Superintendent in California

By dianeravitch
June 1, 2014 //
25

The race for State Superintendent of Education in California pits veteran educator Tom Torlakson–who has held the job since 2010–against Marshall Tuck, who is closely associated with the privatization movement. A third candidate, Lydia Gutierrez, is notable in the race for her opposition to Common Core. With the unions supporting Torlakson and the business sector behind Tuck, Gutierrez is considered a long shot.

The election will be held on June 3.

Gary Cohn, a Pulitzer Prize-winning investigative reporter, profiled the two men.

Cohn writes about Marshall Tuck:

“The 40-year-old Tuck is a Harvard Business School graduate who has worked as an investment banker for Salomon Brothers and as an executive at Model N, a revenue-management software company. He is a former president of Green Dot Public Schools, a charter school operation in Los Angeles, and later served as the first head of the Partnership for Los Angeles Schools — former Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa’s controversial education nonprofit that tried to improve 17 low-performing public schools, with mixed results.

“Tuck’s candidacy is supported by the same mix of wealthy education privatizers, Silicon Valley and entertainment money, hedge fund and real estate interests that backed privatization candidates in the 2013 Los Angeles Unified School District school board election — when billionaire businessmen such as Eli Broad and Michael Bloomberg gave large campaign contributions to an unsuccessful effort to defeat board member Steve Zimmer. (The Broad Residency, an education management program operated by the Broad Foundation, lists Tuck as an alumnus.)”

Torlakson, by contrast, takes pride in his years as a teacher. “Torlakson is a veteran science teacher and track coach. Torlakson, who is still a teacher on leave from Contra Costa County’s Mount Diablo Unified School District, says he usually teaches one community college course every year. He was elected as California’s 27th State Superintendent of Public Instruction in 2010 after serving in the state legislature.”

Tuck supports the parent trigger law, which allows a simple majority of parents to seize control of their school and hand it over to a charter corporation. He also supports the plaintiffs in the Vergara case, a lawsuit that seeks to eliminate teachers’ due process rights.

Robert D. Skeels, writing in L.A. Progressive, rips Marshall Tuck for closing down ethnic studies programs and heritage language studies programs while running the Partnership for Los Angeles Schools. He reviews Tuck’s record at Green Dot charter schools and the Mayor’s Partnership and renders a scathing judgment.

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Categories Administrators, superintendents, California
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