Blog LinkEd Tidbits
Event Recap: Celebration of Teaching & Learning
Posted by Rachel
March 10, 2010, 3:31 pm
On Saturday, March 6th, the LinkEd team headed over to the Hilton New York Hotel to attend the 5th annual Celebration of Teaching & Learning, the nation's premiere professional development conference for educators. Over 8,500 educators from across the country attended this year - wow!
Are Charter Schools a Fad?
Posted by annamarkowitz
December 08, 2009, 10:42 am
There is an interesting article in Gotham Schools that talks about the sustainability of charter schools. They are concerned that if the hedge fund managers stop thinking that charter schools are the "hip, trendy way to donate money" that their success could waver. They also suggest that they are taking money and resources away from innovative public schools... though I make the argument that this money would not have gone to schools in general and that the popularity of charter schools is just adding money to the education system.
A College Degree Won't Stop Racism
Posted by annamarkowitz
December 02, 2009, 7:37 am
Every parent wants their child to get a college degree in hopes that they will get a good job that pays well and makes them happy. Unfortunately, it seems that racism is getting in the way of this dream. The unemployment rate for black male college graduates 25 and older in 2009 has been nearly twice that of white male college graduates — 8.4 percent compared with 4.4 percent. Many job seekers have even edited their resumes to seem "less black". Read the full story here.
Teachers get Performance Bonuses even at Low Performing Schools
Posted by annamarkowitz
November 20, 2009, 8:16 am
New York City DOE gave out performance bonuses to schools that achieved their goals, even if that school received a D on their report card. Read about how they made these decisions and how much the teachers are raking in.
New York Faces Huge Budget Cuts
Posted by annamarkowitz
November 16, 2009, 5:33 am
New York is facing budget deficits that could put them in the same boat as California who is giving IOU's to their state employees. To try to reduce the deficit and stay afloat, they are going to be cutting education funds. They promise that there will be no teacher layoffs, but they want to reduce the spending per child since we pay 63% more per child than most states. Read the full story here.
Unions Support Charter Schools?
Posted by annamarkowitz
October 09, 2009, 9:34 am
Unions in New York City have switched their anti charter school stance. Check out this Post article to see if it is a real switch or just a cosmetic change.
Charter Schools are Closing the Achievement Gap
Posted by annamarkowitz
September 24, 2009, 11:36 am
A recent article in NY Daily News reported that charter schools in New York are 90% of the way towards closing the achievement gap between the predominantly low income students in the charter schools and their wealthier counter parts in Scarsdale. An eight year study followed students who were not chosen to attend charter schools verses their peers who were chosen to attend charter schools.
Queens rises to the challenge
Posted by annamarkowitz
September 08, 2009, 7:28 am
This year Queens is raising the bar and only 40 schools are "in need of improvement", this is down from 63 schools last year. That is a 37% improvement compared with a citywide improvement of 27%. So way to go Queens! Keep up the hard work and clue in the rest of the boroughs to what you are doing right. Check out this NY daily news article to read more about this.
Free Museum Day - 9/26!
Posted by Beardy
September 03, 2009, 4:27 am
Mark your calendars for Free Museum Day on September 26th. Take a look at the list of participating museums, print the coupon, get a group together, and take the kids to the museum of their choice.
An inside view of NYC's Rubber Rooms
Posted by Rachel
August 24, 2009, 10:46 am
A New Yorker article examines New York City's "Rubber Rooms," places where teachers accused of incompetence or misconduct sit idle, often for months, while continuing to receive full salaries.
http://www.newyorker.com/reporting/2009/08/31/090831fa_fact_brill?currentPage=all
DOE Back to School Kick-Off on Saturday
Posted by AdminLinkEd
August 21, 2009, 6:48 am
Back to School Sweepstakes
Posted by Beardy
August 18, 2009, 12:05 pm
Pottery Barn Kids and Real Simple are teaming up with a $5,000 back to school sweepstakes. It's free to enter, so why not? Take a look >
Stimulus Money for School Supplies or Cable Bills?
Posted by Beardy
August 17, 2009, 4:56 pm
Here is another update on the $200 gift to each child in NYC whose family is on food stamps: the money was deposited in EBT accounts last week and families have at least 90 days to cash in the money, according to NY Times. Cash is cash and it can be used however people want - school supplies or cable television bills. Hopefully people will opt to buy their kids the books or uniforms they need for classes, some of which start August 24th and others in September.
NYC Kids Get $35 Million Back to School Gift
Posted by Beardy
August 13, 2009, 1:52 pm
In case you haven't already heard, George Soros made a pretty significant donation to put $200 in the pockets of New York City children who's families are on welfare. The point is to help the students pay for school expenses - uniforms, books, pencils, etc. - with no strings attached. The money for the eligible children goes straight into the food stamp accounts. That money is a great start given the increase of expenses to families because of school budget cuts.
Summer Streets this Saturday!
Posted by Beardy
August 12, 2009, 8:08 am
Don't let summer get away from you. Be sure to take advantage of this finally clear summer weather and explore Park Avenue on foot, bike, skates with no cars!
Park Avenue and connecting streets from the Brooklyn Bridge to Central Park will again be temporarily closed to vehicle traffic. The 6.9 mile route will be open for all to walk, bike, skate, run and play. Take part in free fitness classes, family and art activities, listen to musical performances along the route, and enjoy free bike and skate share. Come out and see New York in a whole new way!
Be A Mentor!
Posted by Beardy
July 31, 2009, 11:30 am
Are you looking for a new activity to engage yourself with the community? Maybe help out a growing kid or young adult? iMentor has an event on August 6th where you can learn more about their program and finish off the summer with a great plan for the fall months. Check it out here >>
French Language Program Starts in Queens
Posted by annamarkowitz
July 30, 2009, 8:13 pm
Did you know that 31,000 children in our New York City school system speak French but that there are only 5 dual language French programs in New York? Now PS. 151 in Queens is accommodating its French European and African students. Read more about the program here.
Unionizing Charter Schools: Helpful or Hurtful?
Posted by Beardy
July 27, 2009, 2:06 pm
The hot topic continues: Unionizing Charter Schools - helpful or hurtful?
The statement “Charter schools have been too successful for the unions to ignore” from the NYTimes article today: As Charters Unionize, Many Debate Effect, is an odd statement. If charter schools are so successful, why start adding some of the same structures used in a broken system?
New York Could Miss Out on 4.35 Billion in Stimulus Funds
Posted by annamarkowitz
July 24, 2009, 9:13 am
Obama is announcing the guidelines for education stimulus funding today. Arne Duncan and Obama have hinted that states who do not base teacher salaries on test performances will not be eligible to apply. That would mean that New York, California and Wisconsin would be out of the race for 4.35 Billion in funds. Ouch.
Read the whole article here.
Free event for NYC educators, with FREE FOOD! August 3rd
Posted by Rachel
July 23, 2009, 10:46 pm
Are you a teacher in the New York City area or are you going to be in NYC this summer?
