Teacher bitch-slaps Arne Duncan re: RTTT

Is there a love affair between two education PACs in Delaware ?

Complaint filed against political group in school board elections written by NICHOLE DOBO The News Journal

Department of Elections that PAC paperwork was mistakenly filed under the wrong name, according to Paul Baldwin, an accountant at the department. The group was filing its expenditure reports under the name “Ed Voters of DE” instead of “Voices 4 Delaware Education,” Baldwin said. The group indicated they would fix this issue, he said.

Voices for Delaware Education was filing its expenditure reports under the wrong name ??? Hey Beau Biden, see any red flags here?

Oops John Young did it again! Put his finger in Rodel’s eye

See here……………..

Former Delaware DOE administrator bitch-slaps Markell re: Sec of Ed nominee

Lowery’s replacement a ‘neophyte’ Horacio D. Lewis

I was surprised to learn that Mark Murphy was named by Governor Jack Markell as his nominee to replace Dr. Lillian Lowery as Delaware’s Secretary of Education.

This nomination, if approved by the State Senate, will not only politicize Delaware’s education, with Murphy’s Vision 2015 affiliation, but will hand-over the state’s academic reins to a virtual administrative neophyte, handicapping him with unequal footing in interactions with district superintendents and more experienced academicians.

Mr. Murphy, while promising as a future education innovator, may not yet be ready to garner the necessary respect, audience and support required as we tackle the important issues of Delaware’s STEM education and other Race to the Top initiatives.

As a former veteran DOE administrator, I can say without a doubt that the job demands a seasoned educator capable of filling the profound shoes of Dr. Lowery. Indeed, a state sperintendent with a “teacher’s heart,” in the words of Gov. Markell, can be found among the dozens of proven current state leaders.

All for nothing Mr. Lewis! Markell not only has the state senate drinking the Kool-aid, he has them mixing it. Don’t count on any Republican response, Markell also owns them. Another Markell done deal!

Newark Charter plays the money card and Schooley needs to go!

Debate over charter schools touches nerves at meeting Written by DOUG DENISON The News Journal

DOVER – People on both sides of the ongoing debate about the role and governance of charter schools met Tuesday night to air their opinions before lawmakers eyeing reform.

Rep. Terry Schooley, who chairs the committee, laid strict ground rules for public testimony, but emotions ran high in discussing what one charter school administrator termed a “civil war” in Delaware’s education community.

Rep Schooley needs to step-down as Chair if the Delaware House Education Committee. The forum for this  debate shouldn’t be at the hands of one of Governor Markell’s puppets who wants to stifle the truth!

“Charter schools do serve special-education students in numbers comparable to local districts. Charter schools do serve English-language learners. … Charter schools are a bargain for the amount of money they receive,” said Esther Jackson, dean of instruction at Newark Charter School

I cannot believe these administrators at Newark Charter School! Meece give it one black-eye and Ms. Jackson gives it another. Wasn’t Newark Charter given a tongue-lashing over school diversity by the Delaware Secretary of Education ? The only charter school required to formulate a diversity plan! Christina School District serves Special Ed population of 14.8% and Newark Charter 5.9% and Low income 59.8% for Christina and 15.8%. Wouldn’t it of made sense for Newark Charter School administration and staff to stay out of this debate? A bargain re: money?? But yet cry we can’t meet the needs because we don’t get equal funding? Sorry Newark Charter Parent , I know you’ve been through enough but come on, your administrators just don’t know when to stop!

“I think it’s time we look at reform for the Delaware charter school law,” said Audrey Erschen, principal of Providence Creek Academy in Clayton. “What started as an experiment is now 10,000 students strong.”

Wow even a charter school calling for reforming the Delaware charter school law! Why doesn’t Rep Schooley get this? Everybody including Governor Markell knows the law needs to be changes! Markell raised concerns about resegregation and, skimming and cream of students. Or was that just campaign talk.

Does it really matter who the wins school board races

As many can see I’ve step-back postings on school board candidates. I’ve been engaged in the issues for many years and have attended many board meetings. Sure there might be agendas between those fighting for control of public schools. But voting for a board member and not “personally” engaging the issues is really a waste of a vote.

School boards don’t hold the power. The power has always been with the people. However, it certainly appears the most influential have an edge as does the business round-table. So be it ! Parents of school children are often manipulated in thinking their involvement is all about funding raising and maintaining a positive view of their child’s school. Just as many abused children never stop loving their parents, parents of low performing schools will rally to defend that school with a little help of some Kool-aid. We never see parents picketing their child’s school demanding real changes or even conversion of that school to a charter school. Why is it in Delaware more than 50% of parents “and” more than 50% of staff are required to approve a conversion to a charter school? Why not just not let it be the voice of the parents and perhaps raise it to 75%? Why should the union have a vote? Public school exists to serve the public not the other way around. Many rally pro charter school board members and candidates. Why should parents rely on a board vote for new charter to address the so-called failure in a traditional public school? Step up and take that power and call for changes in the law to give parents within the traditional school to convert it to a charter.

Recently a young friend who happens to be a teacher enlighten me to a reality. Both candidates are good people! If they truly are good people we need not fear them and they should welcome all comments good or bad. Also, another friend much older who happens to be a teacher enlighten me on not be on the attack without really knowing a board candidate. The older (in age) friend is more seasoned and has greater depth to his analogies. The world is full of mixed messages and certainly as you can see so are school board races. If your engagement begins and ends voting for a school board candidate you maybe clueless. Don’t get me wrong, both the old and young friend spin some shit from time to time, just like me. Somewhere in the mix egos takeover and the personal conflict go beyond the issues. Which friend hurt me the most? The one who had to hurt me to impress the other friend. Don’t get me wrong, I am not here crying and feeling rejected. There comes a time friendship is more important than foolish debates.

You nor I really need to run for school board to have voice and power regarding the issues. I’ve addressed the Red Clay school board many times. I praise them and I scold them. Also, I took a stance on Red Clay building a new school and the voters said ,yes! I bruised some relationships within Red Clay but move on and accept the voice of the people. There are those who kiss school administrator’s asses just for some positive stroking. Folks, power is your’s as a taxpayer and a parent with or without children in public schools. When someone runs for school board they aren’t required to do what’s best for the school district. They are required to so what’s best for public education within that district. We’re at a crossroad with charter schools. Just because for instance a Red Clay school board member is pro charter doesn’t mean they are anti Red Clay. I support school choice and charter happens to be one. However, I have deep concerns on the negative impact charters have on traditional schools the other “choice”.

Parents go vote but when you pull that lever say to yourself, I voting for me (you) as a voice. You believe in that candidate and you have an “obligation” to hold that board member accountable. But do network with all board members and express yourself. Just think if 1,000 parents step-up and make their voices heard for or against charter is Red Clay for an example! Some will listen! Voting for a board candidate pro or oppose to charters doesn’t get your voice heard. It’s you stepping up to be heard by phone, E-mail or at board meetings. And yes even on blogs or letters to to the editor.

I don’t need to debate board candidates as who is better than the other. I know either way I must and will address the issue important to me no matter what others says. Those who say, you don’t vote don’t complain are full of shit! I say, you don’t step-up to complain and ask question don’t complain. Don’t think if you vote for a board candidate they owe you something for your vote! They don’t! You owe you children and community by engaging the issues and confronting them head on and not waiting for any board member to speak for you!