Education News For Week Ending July 31, 2010
Education news this week has been breaking at a dizzying pace. This interview with on Democracy Now with Diane Ravitch, a professor of education at NYU, New York University, and senior fellow at the Brookings Institution, and Leonie Haimson, a public school parent and executive director of Class Size Matters, is well worth a read. Here are some highlights:
Today is Last Day to Register For Public Pre-K
Seats are still available in public Universal Pre-K programs throughout the city for September 2010. See previous post for details. Application must be submitted or mailed by the end of the day today.
NY State ELA and Math Test Scores – What Do They Mean?
The New York State English Language Arts (ELA) and Math test scores for the 2009-2010 school year have been released. The document is rather larger so here are the relevant sections for the schools in Harlem and Upper Manhattan: District 3 - pgs. 622-639 District 4 - pgs. 640-654 District 5 - pgs. 655-670 District 6 - pgs. 671-684 Before we get into any of the commentary about the results (and there's plenty already), let's go over what these levels mean.
“Framework for Providing All Students an Opportunity to Learn”
At long last, a document on education that makes sense! On Monday, a coalition of civil rights groups realeased a 17 page framework for education reform that excoriates, in a nice way, President Obama's education policies and offers direction for how to make things right.
Pre-K Registration Round 2 for 2010-2011 School Year
Round 2 Pre-K admissions for the 2010-2011 school year are underway. These are pre-K options for families who applied in Round 1 and did not receive an offer, as well as opportunities for families who are applying for the first time for pre-K options at both DOE sites and community based organizations. Directories and applications are available online and at borough enrollment offices. The deadline to submit an application is Friday, July 30. Offer letters will be sent to families in late August. See our previous post on the subject for additional details. If you live in Distritct 3, an additional Pre-K ...
HBO Documentary – “A Small Act” — Airs tonight.
A Small Act is an HBO Documentary film that airs tonight-- Monday, July 12th -- at 9:00 p.m. The film is a wonderfully inspiring and compelling story that every adult and teen should see. As an impoverished boy in Kenya, Chris Mburu's life was dramatically changed when
Press the reset button
Our groundbreaking education blog has a new look and a new name. Preschoolpov is now Let's Talk Schools. Over the last few months we have been reevaluating our mission and goals: What is our purpose? We all want our children to get a good education so they can succeed in life. But, what does a good education mean and how can we find it in our community? Where are the good schools? Why aren't all schools good schools? What are our children learning? What should they be learning and how should they learn it? These are questions we started asking ourselves, our ...
2010/2011 Kindergarten enrollment deadline is today!
Today is the last day to enroll your child in public kindergarten for this coming September. Here's the reminder from the DOE: The last day to submit your Kindergarten application is Friday, March 12. Families should go directly to their zoned school and any other school for which they are eligible to apply for Kindergarten. Parents/guardians should bring proof of address (two documents) and proof of birth date for their child when they visit a school to apply. They do not have to bring their children with them. For additional information on Kindergarten Admissions, please visit our Elementary School ...
NYC Pre-K applications for the 2010-2011 school year
It's the most wonderful time of the year (not!). The Preschool application season has begun anew in New York City for the 2010-2011 school year. Here's the deal - if your child turns 4 years old before December 31, 2010 then you can enroll him/her in a public school pre-k program that starts in September 2010. That's the easy part. How to do so will take a bit more effort on your part. But do not despair, I'll help walk you through the process.
massive school cuts
PS 180, like every other school, has been hit by the budget cuts. Every day it seems like another service is being cut. Our principal has been the master of getting money from stones, but even he is saying that we need to organize NOW. So a great PTA meeting this last Sat. I have to say I am impressed in that I have not seen a drop in PTA meeting attendance. We're starting grant writing workshops in earnest. I touched base with a friend who is VP of a firm that specializes in grant writing for non-profits, so ...
Education news this week has been breaking at a dizzying pace. This interview with on Democracy Now with Diane Ravitch, a professor of education at NYU, New York University, and senior fellow at the Brookings Institution, and Leonie Haimson, a public school parent and executive director of Class Size Matters, is well worth a read. Here are some highlights: Read the rest of Education News For Week Ending July 31, 2010 »
Seats are still available in public Universal Pre-K programs throughout the city for September 2010. See previous post for details.
Application must be submitted or mailed by the end of the day today.
Admissions by .
The New York State English Language Arts (ELA) and Math test scores for the 2009-2010 school year have been released. The document is rather larger so here are the relevant sections for the schools in Harlem and Upper Manhattan:
District 3 – pgs. 622-639
District 4 – pgs. 640-654
District 5 – pgs. 655-670
District 6 – pgs. 671-684
Before we get into any of the commentary about the results (and there’s plenty already), let’s go over what these levels mean. Read the rest of NY State ELA and Math Test Scores – What Do They Mean? »
Testing by .
At long last, a document on education that makes sense!
On Monday, a coalition of civil rights groups realeased a 17 page framework for education reform that excoriates, in a nice way, President Obama’s education policies and offers direction for how to make things right. Read the rest of “Framework for Providing All Students an Opportunity to Learn” »
Education Policy by .
Round 2 Pre-K admissions for the 2010-2011 school year are underway. These are pre-K options for families who applied in Round 1 and did not receive an offer, as well as opportunities for families who are applying for the first time for pre-K options at both DOE sites and community based organizations.
Directories and applications are available online and at borough enrollment offices. The deadline to submit an application is Friday, July 30. Offer letters will be sent to families in late August. See our previous post on the subject for additional details.
If you live in Distritct 3, an additional Pre-K section will open at PS 191 (210 West 61 Street).
For more information, visit the Pre-Kindergarten Admissions page on the New York City Department of Education website.
A Small Act is an HBO Documentary film that airs tonight– Monday, July 12th — at 9:00 p.m. The film is a wonderfully inspiring and compelling story that every adult and teen should see.
As an impoverished boy in Kenya, Chris Mburu’s life was dramatically changed when Read the rest of HBO Documentary – “A Small Act” — Airs tonight. »
Current Events by .
Our groundbreaking education blog has a new look and a new name. Preschoolpov is now Let’s Talk Schools.
Over the last few months we have been reevaluating our mission and goals:
What is our purpose? We all want our children to get a good education so they can succeed in life. But, what does a good education mean and how can we find it in our community? Where are the good schools? Why aren’t all schools good schools? What are our children learning? What should they be learning and how should they learn it?
These are questions we started asking ourselves, our friends, our teachers and, more importantly, our children; things we need to know before dropping our kids off at school.
There are so many school to choose from – public, private, charter, parochial; progressive vs. classical teaching methods; standardized testing; how do we sort through everything?
Let’s Talk Schools provides an “insider’s view” of our local schools using the shared opinions of parents, students and educators who have experienced the schools first hand. Guided by our ratings and feedback, parents will have the information they need to smart decisions for their child’s education.
Additionally, reform of our education system is a tremendous undertaking that’s front and center in the national conversation and parent voices are largely missing from the debate. We aim to be that voice in the national conversation.
We need to educate ourselves about the issues and get involved. Let’s work with the schools in our local community to figure out what they need to provide a decent education for ALL children, not just our own.
So join us and Let’s Talk Schools!
Today is the last day to enroll your child in public kindergarten for this coming September. Here’s the reminder from the DOE:
The last day to submit your Kindergarten application is Friday, March 12. Families should go directly to their zoned school and any other school for which they are eligible to apply for Kindergarten. Parents/guardians should bring proof of address (two documents) and proof of birth date for their child when they visit a school to apply. They do not have to bring their children with them.
For additional information on Kindergarten Admissions, please visit our Elementary School Admissions page.
If you have any questions about the application process, please e-mail the Office of Student Enrollment at ES_Enrollment@schools.nyc.gov.
Admissions by .
It’s the most wonderful time of the year (not!). The Preschool application season has begun anew in New York City for the 2010-2011 school year. Here’s the deal – if your child turns 4 years old before December 31, 2010 then you can enroll him/her in a public school pre-k program that starts in September 2010. That’s the easy part. How to do so will take a bit more effort on your part. But do not despair, I’ll help walk you through the process. Read the rest of NYC Pre-K applications for the 2010-2011 school year »
Admissions Public School by .
PS 180, like every other school, has been hit by the budget cuts. Every day it seems like another service is being cut. Our principal has been the master of getting money from stones, but even he is saying that we need to organize NOW. So a great PTA meeting this last Sat. I have to say I am impressed in that I have not seen a drop in PTA meeting attendance. We’re starting grant writing workshops in earnest. I touched base with a friend who is VP of a firm that specializes in grant writing for non-profits, so once we’re on our way she can help with polish.
ALSO our school has been awarded the 2010 Outstanding Early Childhood Program Award. Apparently it has been many years since a Public School has won this award which is given by the NYC Interagency Early Childhood Professional Development Institute. So that’s pretty awesome….
In addition to grant writing workshops which I’ll be attending, I’m also arranging a Feb cocktail party with raffle and a letter writing campaign to some local officials who are pretty open about wanting higher office. Time to get better at playing the game…