The NJTAG "Politics of Education Reform" Presentation
Below is a link to a presentation we developed about education reform politics. We encourage you to use it in your own contexts. Many of the slides have more text than we might call ideal because the presentation was made with three things in mind: 1. You could have more to take from and edit it down rather than the other way around, 2. It might be given to complete novices - people completely new to "education reform," and 3. The slides are used well as notes handouts.
Politics of Reform Presentation
Solidarity with Garfield High School Teachers!! Scrap the MAP!!
NJTAG stands in full solidarity with the brave stand taken by GHS terchers, refusing to administer high stakes tests!!
The high stakes testing juggernaut must be stopped. May this brave stand be the first of many. Solidarity!!
(For an essay by NJTAG co-founder Brian Ford see the attached file below)
The Revolution Will Not Be Quantified
Links:
National Day of Action to Support Seattle MAP Test Boycott
Facebook page
Garfield Teachers letter
Online petition
Statements of Support
Suerintendent José Banda: superintendent@seattleschools.org
Phone: (206) 252-0180
Fax: (206) 252-0209
Solidarity with CTU!!! Their Fight is Our Fight!!!
NJTAG stands in full solidarity with the Chicago Teachers Union and their brave and important strike!
For more information on the strike, the solidarity pledge, and how to contribute, go to the national TAG network's CTU Solidarity page.
NJTAG member Brian Ford has gathered some links on the strike at his Delicious.com page. There are more of course.
IMPORTANT NJ Updates:
Cami Anderson uses dictatorial powers to veto NPS board and move ahead with charter leases/co-locations.
Please sign this petition to reject proposed destructive changes to already-broken NJ charter regulations.
NJ school funding intact, but battles remain.
Christie vetoes millionaires' tax...again.
NJ Working Families has a new ad about Governor Christie's destructive agenda.
Please sign this petition to reject proposed destructive changes to already-broken NJ charter regulations.
NJ school funding intact, but battles remain.
Christie vetoes millionaires' tax...again.
NJ Working Families has a new ad about Governor Christie's destructive agenda.
NJTAG Responds to Tenure "Reform" Bills
NJTAG's "Tenure Reform: The Teacher Perspective" is our response to tenure "reform" legislation being proposed in New Jersey. Read and distribute widely!!
Our friends at NEW Caucus have a website!!
It's still under construction, but here is the URL: http://newarkeducationworkerscaucus.com/
May 5 mini-conference, "Teachers Who Dare," a success
"Teachers Who Dare" brought together over 50 educators and activists to learn about and discuss social justice pedagogy, the threats to public education, teachers as researchers, and ongoing actions and next steps for our small but growing NJ education movement.
We'd like to thank the attendees, the speakers and workshop facilitators, and the volunteers. We'd also like to thank NJ SOS, United Opt-Out, Central High School, and Ras Baraka.
(left: Brian Jones, NYC educator-activist, addressing attendees)
(below, left: Dr. Lois Weiner discusses the global assault on teachrs; below, right: Leah Owens, Michelle Fine, and Stan Karp on our policy panel)
We'd like to thank the attendees, the speakers and workshop facilitators, and the volunteers. We'd also like to thank NJ SOS, United Opt-Out, Central High School, and Ras Baraka.
(left: Brian Jones, NYC educator-activist, addressing attendees)
(below, left: Dr. Lois Weiner discusses the global assault on teachrs; below, right: Leah Owens, Michelle Fine, and Stan Karp on our policy panel)
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Spring Conference: Teachers Who Dare!
Be sure to check the page for our Spring conference, "Teachers Who Dare: Claiming Our Power, Transforming Our Schools."
February meeting: Social Justice Curriculum Planning "work session"
The NJDOE is planning to provide a "model curriculum" by next year that could be imposed on low-performing districts. They are now forming teams to develop the curriculum...well, we are forming our team too! Join us in the morning on Saturday, Feb. 4 for a brief workshop on creating social justice-focused curriculum, followed by a marathon collaborative planning session for all grades & subjects represented. Hopefully this will be the first of several and ultimately result in our own model curriculum infused with themes of social justice, which we can present to the NJDOE and also make available online as resources for teachers locally and nationwide. Let's get those creative activist juices flowing! The more the merrier-spread the word and invite as many teachers as you like! Be sure to bring lesson plans and ideas you already have that have a social justice/activism focus!
We'll meet from 9:30 AM to 12:PM (with an organizational meeting to follow) at Rutgers-Newark. Building/room TBA.
We'll meet from 9:30 AM to 12:PM (with an organizational meeting to follow) at Rutgers-Newark. Building/room TBA.
Workshop success, more events to come...
The teacher activism workshop was a big success. Educators from around the area explored several relevant issues and networked for future collaboration. A membership meeting followed.
NJTAG is currently planning screenings fo the film Parent Power. Contact the group for more information or to help the planning.
While the plans are very preliminary, NJTAG is planning a statewide teacher activist conference and curriculum fair for the spring. Contact teh group if you're interested in planning the event and/or participating. This is going to be an exciting event. More details to come....
NJTAG is currently planning screenings fo the film Parent Power. Contact the group for more information or to help the planning.
While the plans are very preliminary, NJTAG is planning a statewide teacher activist conference and curriculum fair for the spring. Contact teh group if you're interested in planning the event and/or participating. This is going to be an exciting event. More details to come....
NJTAG to host Teacher Activism Workshop
NJTAG will hold a workshop entitled, "What Does Teacher Activism Look LIke?" on Saturday 11/5. The time and place right now look to be 10AM-2PM at Montclair State University. Guest speakers and breakouts are being planned at the moment. The flyer below has all the newest details - click it to enlarge it.. Join our Google group for future email updates.
NJTAG at Occupy Wall Street!!
Members of NJTAG had the pleasure of attending a grade-in for public education on 10/2 at Occupy Wall Street. We also led an anti-Columbus Day teach-in there on 10/9. New Jersey and NYC teachers plan to be at the protests every Sunday at least through October. Stay tuned for more info.
