StudentsFirst, the Full Court Press (Arne Duncan would be Proud) and Olympic Videos in Missouri.

StudentsFirst practicing Arne Duncan's love of basketball moves.

StudentsFirst's full court press has started in Missouri.  We've gotten 2 new lobbyists for the organization (one is from the national office), Lea Crusey lets us know which Missouri politicians support RTTT-like mandates  and we now have a video from the organization with an Olympic theme of American students falling behind in educational competition with other countries. We are somewhat behind the curve of some folks in getting this video.  It hit the national circuit last week and it has not been a critical success with many bloggers, educators and writers.  They take Ms. Rhee and her organization to task for this video. From Rheefirst: StudentsFirst ‘Olympic’ ad reaction roundup The Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel Online picked up on all the backlash that Rhee’s new “ad” has created. EdWeek also took notice of the commercial’s poor reception. Gary Rubinstein took umbrage at the inaccuracies of the ad. Liz Dwyer took offense at the tone. Anthony Cody pointed out that the commercial’s message is homophobic. Diane Ravitch called the ad “disgusting” The coverage wasn’t all bad, however.  RedState loved it. Below is StudentsFirst email about American students falling behind other countries.  Read it and determine what you think about the video.  One bit of information about international testing that just might skew Studentsfirst's message is that the US educational systems test every public education students, including special education students.  Other countries don't test all their students so these test results might not be "apples to apples".  Here's another thought: if American students are "falling behind", maybe this is because of the onerous federal mandates districts and teachers must adhere to...and what does "education reform" of the Obama administration and private organizations do?  Just creates MORE mandates via Common Core/RTTT.   StudentsFirst should make a video pointing out that fact instead of placing all the blame on teachers and public schools.  They can't possibly succeed with unattainable standards and mandates.  Was nothing learned from the failure of NCLB?  Apparently not.  It's just easier to blame the teachers and schools that have to teach under goals that can never be reached: ************************************************************************************************* No bronze, no silver, and certainly no gold. The London Olympics are well underway and, while our athletes are putting on an incredible performance, the U.S. continues to fall behind in a far more important competition: our children's education. We can do better than this. While our teachers and students are working incredibly hard, the U.S. education system has failed to give them the support they need to succeed. The sad thing is, we know what it takes to improve things, but we just aren't doing it. Let me give you an idea of how badly we're doing. If our education system jumped into a pommel horse routine ... well, let's just say it wouldn't look too pretty: Watch the video now That's right: 25th place in math and 17th in science. If the U.S. education system is ever going to go for gold we need to shape up. Your involvement is helping StudentsFirst bring common sense reforms to states across the country, but we need your voice to help us spread the word. See how U.S. education stacks up and share our latest video with your friends and family now: http://www.studentsfirst.org/olympics-video-2 Thanks you for all you do -- keep it up. Hari Sevugan Vice President of Communications StudentsFirst P.S. Learn more about how we can make change in a new op-ed written by Michelle Rhee in USA Today: http://ow.ly/cE5lT

StudentsFirst Increases Lobbyists in Missouri. Where are Our Gift Cards?

StudentsFirst Ms. Robinson's protestations make about as much sense as this snippet.

Michelle Rhee's StudentsFirst is a hot topic on some educational blogs yesterday.  Diane Ravitch and Bob Sikes have unleashed an unexpected avalanche of readers' comments on their recent blogs about StudentsFirst and a letter from a StudentsFirst paid organizer, Catherine Durkin Robinson.  Robinson took exception to being called out by name in Sikes' blog about her plea for StudentsFirst supporters to comment online and support the education reformers and their version of school "choice":

With a legislative battle looming in Florida, corporate reformers propagandists have their marching orders. Last night, Michelle Rhee’s Florida rep sent out calls for an online comments campaign.

> From: Catherine Robinson
> Date: July 26, 2012 9:58:12 PM EDT
> To: Catherine Robinson
> Subject: rapid responses needed – and a contest!

Hi all,
… starting right now, there will be a monthly contest for the best rapid response. The more comments you leave on blog posts, the more times you can enter! Post a polite and persuasive pro-reform comment and email me the link so I can check it out.
That’s all you have to do!
At the end of the month (August 26th at midnight) I will announce the winner. Not only will that winner get a gift card to the restaurant or store of choice, but he or she will also be promoting the cause of real and transformative change in public schools! What could be better?

Robinson submitted a list of supporting signatures at the Florida Senate Budget Committee on Parent Trigger last spring on behalf of Rhee’s StudentsFirst.  As of yet, Scathing Purple Musings has not received any “polite and persuasive pro-reform”  comments.

Ms. Robinson replied on Sikes' blog:

I sent along an email to super-supporters called a Rapid Response Team, asking them to send me their best comments for the chance to win a gift card. I’m disheartened and dismayed that one of them would then forward my email and mischaracterize my intentions. 

Whether it’s the Obama campaign offering to buy a supporter a round-trip ticket to Chicago, or me offering to buy someone what would be a $5 gift card out of my own pocket, recognizing volunteers for their extraordinary efforts is common in grassroots organizations.

I should know. I’ve spent my whole life organizing and advocating. And so now I’m organizing over 119,000 Florida parents, teachers and concerned citizens. This has subjected me to great levels of heroism and integrity. But it has also exposed me to organized and well-funded hatred and character assassinations.

My record is clear. 

As a 25-year veteran of campaigns to end apartheid, support animal rights, protect a woman’s right to choose, bring recycling to college campuses, champion the rights of the LGBT community… 

As an 8-year teacher of at-risk youth and ESE students…

As a canvasser for Dukakis, Clinton, Gore, Kerry, and Obama in rural Pasco and Polk counties…

As a concerned mom and PTA officer…

…nothing prepared me for the level of nastiness and vitriol that descended upon me when I took this job and began to vocally advocate for policies that put students first.

But nothing will deter me or scare me away. Because last week I spoke with a mom who’s only hope of putting her son in a good school is to break the law and pretend to live in another district. I’ll keep fighting against powerful union and school board interests. I’ll keep fighting…to help her.

And shame on the rest of you.

The blog floodgates opened and readers responded to the wagging finger of "shame on the rest of you" comment by Ms. Robinson.  Be sure to read them.  Apparently the carrot of a free gift card and dinner isn't enough for these folks to give up the idea that communities and taxpayers that financially support schools should be the ones driving the educational decisions, not a organization with paid organizers.  In Missouri, the state director for StudentsFirst doesn't even live in Missouri and she didn't offer prizes to Missourians as did Ms. Robinson for Missourian support.

I wrote a response on Sikes' site and linked an article in which Ms. Robinson lectures her fellow progressives and how they should be supporting the corporate takeover of education.  Remember, "it's for the kids" and it's HER vision (via StudentsFirst) on the best educational practices that taxpayers should support and adopt.

Don't think the pressure won't be present in Missouri from Ms. Crusey to gin up the "grassroots" and StudentsFirst professional lobbyists.  The organization added two more lobbyists in our state in May 2012, bringing the total number of registered lobbyists to six: 

STUDENTSFIRST

Back to all lobby tweets

The client and lobbyist information on this page is for informational purposes only.
All information on this page has been obtained from the Missouri Ethics Commission.
Pelopidas cannot provide any additonal information about the people or companies listed on this page.

Present lobbyists

• Adam Childers
• Doris Anne Clouse
• Ximena Hartsock
• D Scott Penman
• Scott Swain
• David Winton

Changes in the last 90 days

Changes on: 05/01/2012
Adam Childers		Added	STUDENTSFIRST
Ximena Hartsock		Added	STUDENTSFIRST

The much larger state of Florida only has four registered lobbyists for StudentsFirst:

2012 Legislative Principal StudentsFirst Lobbyists representing principal:    Tim Melton    Jeri Powell    Michelle Rhee    Stacey S. Webb

I am surmising since Florida has implemented more of the educational reforms supported by Arne Duncan and the Obama administration, as well as Republicans wedded to the idea that schools should operate on a business model, that it doesn't need as much prodding as do our on the fence Missouri legislators. 

The letters urging "grassroots support"  is really quite unnecessary for an organization with nine paid lobbyists, don't you think?  It really doesn't matter what the taxpayers want.  This organization will twist legislators' arms for their corporate blueprint of education.  I wonder what the StudentsFirst budget is for gift cards and free dinners in Missouri?    

Reader Calls Carpetbagging StudentsFirst Request Asking Missouri Citizens to "Pick up the Phone...Hooey"--Part II

Educational reform in Missouri?

The carpetbagging organization StudentsFirst is pleased with the passage of HB1526 which is now advancing to the Senate.  This bill states teacher performance, not seniority, should govern teacher layoffs.  From the St. Louis Post Dispatch:


JEFFERSON CITY • The Missouri House's Republican leadership pushed through one of its priorities today, passing a bill aimed at ending some job protections for veteran public school teachers.

Under the bill, school districts that have to let teachers go because of falling enrollment or declining revenue could not base layoff decisions on seniority.

A teacher's performance -- including "evidence of increased student achievement" -- would be the most heavily weighted factor in the decision, according to the bill.

Supporters said teachers should be held accountable for their performance.

"This bill's about freedom, it's about empowerment of local school districts, and it's ultimately about whether your children have the chance to succeed," said Majority Leader Tim Jones, R-Eureka.

Rep. Joe Aull, D-Marshall and a former school administrator, viewed the bill as a slap at teachers.

He said Missouri's teacher pay ranks 47th in the nation. Yet by many yardsticks, such as a 10 percent rise in the state's high school graduation rate, Missouri schools are improving, Aull said.

"These statistics tell me that somebody's doing a pretty good job, and that somebody is teachers," he said.

The House had already scaled back the bill, removing provisions that would have set up a teacher evaluation system based in part on student growth, as measured by standardized tests and other means.

StudentsFirst, a California-based national student advocacy group, has been lobbying for the bill and running television ads touting it. The group said it was pleased to see the slimmed-down version advance.

"We have an opportunity here to take a solid step forward on a truly bold educational reform," said Lea Crusey, state director of StudentsFirst.

Lea Crusey, who has no experience in Missouri as a teacher or administrator once again knows what is best for Missouri students.  Does this sound the same as other special interest lobbying groups knowing what is best for students?  This is a fight between the teacher unions and the educational reformers who want to diminish the unions' hold on educational matters.  

Representative Jones talks about the "empowerment of local school districts" to now make decisions.  That's partially true as districts can make this decision based on state action.  What is lost in this discussion is that the local districts still don't have autonomy to make their own decisions for their own schools in terms of how to fire teachers (that's from the state), assessment choices and in practicality, curriculum decisions since the curricula must fit the assessments.   Are these the same legislators that tout "local control"?
  

The legislature seems content to let the Common Core consortia drive how and what Missouri children learn so why are they so concerned about the control of teacher tenure? Is it because StudentsFirst approves of common core and centralized, nationalized control of education?

Below is another email sent from a reader signed by Ms. Crusey which urged support from Missouri residents on HB 1526.  Note the second paragraph.  Just who should be setting these teacher and principal evaluations?  StudentsFirst?  The unions?  The legislature?  The local school district?  Again, does the parent/taxpayer even have a voice in these decisions?

Take note of her third paragraph.  She's as much special interest as the groups she rails on about.  

**************************************************************************

***see remarks below (Email header):" xxx, can you pick up the phone today?"


Dear xxx,

Missouri's education policies must put student interests above all others -- now is the time to stand up for student-focused education reform.

Missouri legislators are considering a bill that would be a big win for our students. HB 1526 will help make sure that every Missouri student has a great teacher by establishing meaningful teacher and principal evaluations statewide that reflect student learning. It is the right thing to do for our kids.

Unfortunately, special interests are coming out in force in defense of the status quo and are lobbying against this bill. Please take a minute to call your legislator and tell them to vote YES on HB 1526 so that every Missouri child has the benefit of an effective teacher. If you click on the link below, we’ll give you all of the information you need and even connect you to your representative.

Call your representative now!

Meaningful teacher and principal evaluations will enable Missouri to build an excellent teacher workforce by finally recognizing and retaining excellent educators and providing support to those who need improvement. In addition, the legislation being considered will make sure that even when layoffs are unfortunately necessary, the most effective teachers will stay in the classroom. Layoffs will no longer be based solely on seniority but will take teacher quality into account.

Teachers have the most significant impact on student success of any in-school factor. Every Missouri student deserves an excellent teacher. Please make sure your voice is heard -- tell your representative to vote in support of HB 1526 so that Missouri's kids have the best teachers possible:

StudentsFirst.org/call-your-missouri-legislator

Thank you for your support at this critical moment.

Lea

Lea Crusey
Missouri State Director, StudentsFirst
Twitter.com/MOStudentsFirst


***************************************************************************************************************

****From the reader: 

 I'll pick up the phone when StudentFirst actually put students first: first in line to receive blame for not working, first in line to suffer the consequences of consciously rejecting the educational system.  When my kid sits in class and is surrounded by 5 students who shove the worksheet back in the teacher's hand and say, "Don't even bother.  I ain't doin' that sh**" we need to blame those students first and not the teacher for "failing to motivate them."  What a bunch of hooey.

Carpetbagger StudentsFirst Missouri State Director Knows What's Best for Missouri Students--Part I

Are carpetbagging educational reformers coming to your state?

A reader received an email from one of our new national educational lobbying groups in Missouri, Michelle Rhee's StudentsFirst organization.  This article from Fast Company details Rhee's vision and method of operation.  Rhee makes it sounds as if the choice of education would be delivered back to the parents, but that's not accurate.  A different set of laws and regulations written by private corporations, organizations and lawmakers will replace those now in place.  It's one set of power brokers taking over another set of power brokers with the taxpayer/parent looking on from the outside.

StudentsFirst, a private organization, is attempting to determine and drive legislation that it believes is "best for children" in Missouri and other states.  A one-size fits all educational system, whether it be teacher tenure, charters, standards, assessments...should be implemented in all states.  Think of it as a centralized, national plan for children, taxpayers and local school districts.  It's not "choice".  It's an identical plan for every child, every taxpayer, every teacher/administrator in every state.  Taxpayers are funding these decisions made by lobbying groups and implemented by state legislators.  The lobbyists are determining through legislative process how educational decisions should be made and how education is delivered with taxpayer funding.

When children are viewed as human capital and the main purpose of education is to provide human capital for a successful global economy, it would make sense that the Missouri State Director from StudentsFirst who isn't from Missouri, doesn't live in Missouri or even works in Missouri can make statements that she knows what Missouri students, parents, teachers and administrators need.  When you have a centralized system, individualistic and regional differences don't exist. Cogs in the system must be the same and treated as such.

Lea Crusey, Missouri State Director of StudentsFirst, signed her name to the letter below.  Who is Lea Crusey?  From LinkedIn:

Lea Crusey

Education reform advocate

Sacramento, California

Public Policy

Current

• State Director at StudentsFirst

Past

• Director- Financial Operations at LAZ Parking
• President, KIPP Ascend Associate Board at KIPP Ascend Charter School
• Project Coordinator at Chicago Transit Authority

• Product Manager, Smart Cards at Chicago Transit Authority
• Analyst, Part-time and Graduate Intern at Economics Research Associates
• Graduate Policy Fellow at Sovereign Wealth Fund Samruk-Kazyna
• Research Assistant- Center for Race, Politics, & Culture at University of Chicago
• Systems Consultant at IMI Indoor Climate
• Instructor at Dimensions Education Group
• Policy Consultant at The Turner Corporation
• Corps Member at Teach for America
• Teach for America Corps Member at Edison McNair Academy
• Intern at Glass, Lewis & Co.
• Undergraduate Intern at Massachusetts Immigrant & Refugee Advocacy Coalition (MIRA)
• Tennis instructor at Silver Bay Association YMCA

Education

• University of Chicago
• Claremont McKenna College
• Princeton High School

She was a former TFA member, Research assistant the the Center for Race Politics and Culture, CTA project manager and President of KIPP schools. Most recently she was working to get rid of cars in downtown Chicago.  Does this background make her uniquely qualified to speak about what Missouri needs in education?  She was in Missouri recently testifying in favor of charter schools, but other than that, there is no evidence of any long term connection to Missouri in terms of employment or residence.

The education reform carpetbaggers are taking over education and using taxpayer money and children for their agenda.

From a StudentsFirst email to a Missouri resident:

********************************************************************

Dear xxxx,


Research shows that the teacher in front of the classroom has the largest impact on student success of any in-school factor. That's why every Missouri student deserves great teacher.

The problem is that current bureaucratic policies and outdated systems do not support the development of an excellent teaching force. In fact, they get in the way. Effective teachers are not recognized for their impact on student learning and struggling teachers are not given the support they need to improve. But we have a chance to change that this year.

Missouri legislators are considering a bill right now which would establish a teacher and principal evaluation system that would reflect student learning and value all the different ways teachers support learning in their classrooms and schools. Missouri's teachers would finally get meaningful feedback about their performance and receive professional development tailored to their specific needs. And principals would be held accountable for student results. The Missouri House will vote on the bill this week and the Senate vote will soon follow.


Please ask your legislators to support meaningful evaluation for Missouri's educators!


Teacher evaluation should be based on multiple factors including student achievement growth, principal observations, and more. Principals should be evaluated based on student learning and their ability to recruit and develop an excellent teaching force. The legislation being considered does just that.


Most importantly, this teacher and principal evaluation system will result in a more effective teaching force. This is what Missouri's students need so they have the best possible teachers and the best chance at success. Please tell your legislators to pass HB1526!


StudentsFirst.org/what-missouri-students-need


Thank you for your continued efforts to make sure every Missouri student gets a quality education. I’ll be in touch again soon.

Lea

Lea Crusey
Missouri State Director, StudentsFirst
Twitter.com/MOStudentsFirst

***********************************************************************************

We'll have more email requests from Ms. Crusey tomorrow.  She has more advice for us in Missouri on what we need in our schools.

From thefreedictionary.com:

carpetbagger [ˈkɑːpɪtˌbægə]

n

1. (Government, Politics & Diplomacy) a politician who seeks public office in a locality where he has no real connections

2. (Business / Insurance) (Economics, Accounting & Finance / Banking & Finance) Brit a person who makes a short-term investment in a mutual savings or life-assurance organization in order to benefit from free shares issued following the organization's conversion to a public limited company

3. (Historical Terms) US a Northern White who went to the South after the Civil War to profit from Reconstruction

Collins English Dictionary – Complete and Unabridged © HarperCollins Publishers 1991, 1994, 1998, 2000, 2003