Weasel Of The Week: Governor Jack Alan “Veto” Markell…But Who Are The Offspring?

Every week, Rick Jensen on WDEL has a Weasel of the Week.  This week, in honor of his veto of House Bill 50, Governor Markell was the chosen one.  But who are the offspring weasels?  Find out here, for a limited time in this awesome podcast!

SBAC: Test, Label, and Punish

After the President of the Delaware State Board of Education, Dr. Teri Quinn Gray, was quoted in different media sources about House Bill 50 and opt-out,  former blogger and current teacher and President of the Red Clay Educators Association Mike Matthews shot out an email to Dr. Gray and several others in response to Gray’s comments.  With Mike’s permission, I present his email:

• Matthews Michael
• Today at 9:21 AM

To

• Gray Teri

 

CC

• Johnson Donna R
• Murphy Mark
• Markell Jack
• Frederika.Jenner@dsea.org
• Sokola David
• Townsend Bryan
• Jaques, Jr Earl
• Williams Kimberly
• Matthews Sean
• jyd1988@gmail.com
• kevino3670@yahoo.com
• Kowalko John
• KOOK JACKIE
• KEMPSKI MICHAEL S

Dr. Gray:

I read with some concern a comment you made to WDEL, which was:

“It [SBAC] does provide information for parents, teachers, educators and the community about how we’re doing in terms of implementing curriculum.”

Could you please detail for me the information that is provided by this test? Further, can you provide for me details on how this information will at all be relevant for teachers to provide immediate feedback to students and parents as well as their ability to shift lesson planning to address those needs, especially considering scores won’t be revealed for more than three months after the test has been administered? Also, I’m a bit confused by your statement that this test will measure “how we’re doing in terms of implementing curriculum.” The Governor and many others have said for years that Common Core is not a curriculum, but your quote would seem to say otherwise.

Further in the article, you state “Most of the students will benefit from the test.” Again, could you provide meaningful data or evidence to back up this statement? How will students benefit? For nearly 15 years, students have been subjected to standardized tests, but neither the Executive nor the Legislative branches of government over two administrations have done much of value in taking the deficiencies we KNOW our schools have and then addressing those deficiencies in a tangible way. It’s my expectation that we will continue this status quo under SBAC: Test, Label, and Punish. More Priority Schools. More of the same. So, how exactly do students benefit? I look forward to hearing your specific examples. 

Wishing you all the best and looking forward to seeing you at the HB 50 hearing this afternoon.

Mike

Well said Mr. Matthews.  Between the DOE’s current bid proposals for upcoming contracts regarding school accountability, the pending “discussion group” regarding Delaware colleges and universities embedding Smarter Balanced into more areas, and pending priority school contracts, it seems like the DOE and the State Board are not thinking twice about backing away from Smarter Balanced.  The drums of war between those who side with the false ideology of Governor Markell, the DOE, and the State Board of Education and the realistic logic of teachers, parents, the Delaware PTA, and DSEA are getting louder by the minute folks.

Christina Board Member John Young & Christy Mannering Will Be On WDEL’s Rick Jensen At 2pm To Discuss Referendum

After the horrible defeat of the Christina referendum yesterday, a devastated district is left to pick up the pieces today.  On The Rick Jensen Show today, at 2pm, Christina board member John Young and parent Christy Mannering will discuss the implications of the referendum results and what has to happen to move forward.  You can call in at 302-478-9335 and listen in here: http://www.delmarvabroadcasting.com/player/?st=WDEL

The Key Moments For House Bill 50 Opt-Out Victory In The Delaware House

There were many seminal moments on the road to this important victory for parents in Delaware.  I’ll start at the beginning:

1) Delaware bloggers Kavips and Transparent Christina begin talking about opt-out in the Spring of 2014.  It’s who got me to start thinking about it for Delaware.

2) Matt Lindell and the Capital School Board: a year ago, the Capital school board started the discussion on this, but it was tabled.  Then it came roaring back last fall for a unanimous vote by the Capital Board.

3) The Delaware DOE letters: In early December of 2014, the Delaware DOE began sending school districts a “suggested” letter to give to parents about opt-out should they ask or opt-out.  The confusing Delaware state code regarding this was exposed immediately by yours truly.  It took a while for this to be clarified by the DOE, but once the genie was out of the bottle, it made the DOE look ineffective

4) Delaware State Rep. Kowalko and Senator Lawson introduce House Bill 50 in early February. WDEL radio show host Rick Jensen starts having opt-out advocates on his show.

5) The Delaware PTA holds the first Delaware Parent Opt-Out Town Hall in mid-February.  Wide discussion about bullying tactics by school districts really ticks parents off.  What was meant to be a scare tactic fast turns into a rallying point for Delaware parents. President Terri Hodges announces publicly she is opting her own child out.

6) Delaware State Rep. Earl Jaques tells a group of Christina Educator Association teachers House Bill 50 will never pass as Brandywine Superintendent Dr. Mark Holodick attempts to dictate terms about opt-out to parents in that district which does not work out as planned.

7) Delaware PTA holds Kent County Parent Opt-Out Town Hall in early March.  DOE is forced to admit parent opt-out can’t be stopped and the state law only applies to teachers and school staff, not parents.

8) Christina board of Education passes parent opt-out resolution in large measure due to the hard work in preparing the resolution by board member Elizabeth Paige and a fiery speech supporting parent opt-out by board member John Young.

9) Governor Markell announces initiative to reduce assessments for Delaware students while conveniently ignoring the elephant in the room, the Smarter Balanced Assessment.  This leads to Jaques referring to Smarter Balanced as a “little test”.

10) Governor Jack Markell is forced to talk about opt-out at Howard High School, which leads to remarks by Jaques which fans the opt-out flames even more, especially for special needs parents.  Jaques quickly apologizes.

11) The Delaware News Journal publishes a front-page cover story on opt-out from both sides of the fence.  A cover photo of parent Jackie Kook with her daughter brings it home for many parents.  Parent who never heard the words opt-out start looking into it.

12) In front of an audience of over 1,000 people at the Imagine Delaware forum, teacher and President of the Red Clay Educator Association Mike Matthews announces he supports the opt-out movement.

13) As the Smarter Balanced Assessment begins, parents start opting out by the hundreds in Delaware.  Many schools give parents a rough time, which causes parents to talk to each other and spread the news about opt-out.

14) Delaware State Rep. Sean Matthews and Jaques go head to head in a News Journal dual opinion piece on opt-out.  Matthews clearly wins the contest and shows why opt-out is important in regards to Delaware education.

15) Both Red Clay and Christina Educators Association hold joint press conference announcing no confidence vote in Delaware DOE, the State Board of Education, and Secretary of Education Mark Murphy.

16) Delaware PTA passes resolution officially supporting opt-out and House Bill 50.

17) DSEA (Delaware Educators Association) passes resolution supporting opt-out and House Bill 50, as well as a vote of no confidence in Mark Murphy.

18) Parent Press Conference/Rally at Legislative Hall in early April, though small, draws most Delaware media to it and more media coverage of opt-out.

19) Delaware State Rep. Kim Williams publicly announces she is opting out her own son, a high school junior who, like many Delaware juniors, are forced to take weeks and weeks of testing.

20) Mark Murphy appears on The Delaware Way with Larry Mendte and states “parents aren’t allowed to opt-out students”.

21) Red Clay Consolidated School Board passes parent opt-out resolution with excellent writing by board member Adrianna Bohm.

22) The day before the House Education Committee vote, Governor Markell announces initiative to have Smarter Balanced Scores tie into elimination of remedial classes for four Delaware universities and colleges.  The announcement is critically slammed by legislators, parents and teachers.

23) At the House Education Committee meeting on April 22nd, Kowalko and Jaques battle each other as Kowalko is forced to answer a barrage of questions by Jaques.  Kowalko successfully fends him off.  After discussion from other legislators, public comment from parents shows near overwhelming support for the release of the bill.  Opposition includes organizations well-known to support Governor Markell’s corporate education agendas.  After a vote to have the bill tabled falls apart, the bill is released from the committee in an 8-4 vote ending the over two hour debate.

24) Mark Murphy’s claim of federal funding cuts of $40-$90 million over potential opt-outs and the passage of House Bill 50 is debunked the next day with the release of the US DOE letter which clearly states schools cannot opt students out, and the letter never mentions the words parent opt-out.

25) Last week, organizations such as GACEC and Council for Persons with Disabilities release near identical letter in opposition to House Bill 50 with claims that are quickly debunked.

26) In a hasty and damaging example of executive overreach, Governor Markell announces to radio host Rick Jensen on WDEL he will veto House Bill 50 if it reaches his desk.

27) Parents begin emailing all the legislators of the Delaware House and public support for the bill is clearly seen by the legislators.

28) State Rep. Sean Matthews introduces an amendment to House Bill 50 the day of the House vote which changes the language of the legislation from “the state assessment” to the “Smarter Balanced Assessment”.

All leading to today’s enormous victory in the Delaware House of Representatives, with a 36-3 victory with two reps absent.  At the end of the day, this is about parents using their voice to initiate change.  This could not have been done by one individual at all.  It took a great deal of advocacy, hard work, sweat, social media, and legislators, parents, organizations and ordinary citizens spreading the word and supporting the cause.

What also helped were some obvious tactical blunders by the Delaware DOE, Secretary Murphy, and Governor Markell.  And God bless him, we cannot forget Earl Jaques.  He revealed today House Bill 50 got in the way of his planned legislation to reduce the Smarter Balanced Assessment to only three grades of testing.  Which is a noble gesture, but legislation getting rid of the “little” test would be a much grander statement.

While getting the bill through the House was an undertaking, it remains to be seen how the Delaware Senate will receive the legislation.  Folks are already guessing which Senate members will support the bill.  Delaware Senator Brian Pettyjohn already announced on Facebook tonight he will vote yes.  Senator Lawson, a co-sponsor of the bill, is a lock.  But the others are a mystery for now.  I can guess and predict, but until they publicly announce their intentions or a vote, we must email them and call them as much as we can.

Podcast of DE PTA Yvonne Johnson on WDEL, Hear A Caller Call Mark Murphy A Sycophant

The Rick Jensen show on WDEL today had Rick interviewing Delaware PTA’s very own Yvonne Johnson.  The two discussed House Bill 50, standardized tests, common core and more.  And then John Young called in and things got very interesting!

Even I called in at the end to announce the publishing of Part 31 of the priority school FOIA series I’ve been posting for the past few weeks to give a clear example of what the Delaware DOE is doing with all this important “data” they receive from standardized testing.

Delaware PTA’s Yvonne Johnson Will Be On WDEL w/Rick Jensen Tomorrow at 2:30 AND On Delaware Way w/Larry Mendte May 9th on Me-TV

The Delaware PTA has been a HUGE advocate for parent opt-out in 2015.  They hosted Parent Opt-Out Town Halls in Newcastle County and Kent County.  They have gone to many meetings at Legislative Hall.  They passed a resolution supporting parent opt-out.  Now Delaware PTA’s own Yvonne Johnson is on the media circuit.

Tomorrow, May 5th, she will be on WDEL with Rick Jensen at 2:30pm.  This should be a very interesting interview based on Governor Markell’s potential veto of House Bill 50.  When I say potential, that’s if it passes the Delaware House and Senate.

Then, in a pre-recorded segment, she will appear on Larry Mendte’s Delaware Way on Me-TV on Saturday May 9th (time to be announced).  If you don’t live in Wilmington, Mendte puts all his Delaware Way videos up on Youtube a few days later.

Is Yvonne running for Governor?  Just kidding on that one.  I’m glad to see the PTA being so active in this movement.  It’s all about parent choice and their rights!

Listen To Governor Markell Say He Will Veto House Bill 50, Kowalko Response On WDEL Coming NOW!

WDEL has put up a podcast of the arrogant and condescending comments made by Governor Jack Markell today in an interview with Rick Jensen.

The part about his Alan Jackson email address begins at the 7:00 mark, his remarks about opt-out and common core begin at 12:16, and his BIG remark about the veto starts at 18:03 with the “Yeah”

To hear the report by WDEL’s Amy Cherry on it, you can listen here: http://wdel.com/story.php?id=67882 but note the part where Markell clearly says the word “yeah” in the podcast does not appear on her report.  In my estimation, his yeah is confirmation he would veto the bill.

Meanwhile, Delaware State Rep. John Kowalko is on WDEL with Allan Loudell, right at this very moment.

Brandywine Superintendent Mark Holodick Is Markell’s Mini-Me

“You complete me.”

Dr. Mark Holodick, the Superintendent of the Brandywine School District, told reporter Yossi Goldstein with WDEL the Smarter Balanced Assessment is absolutely necessary.  Why?  It’s all about the data.

“We’ve got to stay committed to the particular assessment that we select,” continued Holodick. “So that, over time, the data is relevant and valuable.”

I’m sorry Mark, did you say “that we select”?  Parents and teachers didn’t select this god awful test.  The Delaware Department of Education did, and only after they purchased it did they seek legitimacy from legislators and stakeholders.

“The student already has to take, at some point, a high stakes test, so to speak–to determine whether or not they’re going to have to take a remedial course in college. It might as well be while they’re in high school. So I don’t see that being a negative. I see it being a positive.”

Dr. Brandywine, are you actually admitting the Smarter Balanced Assessment is a high-stakes test?  Thank you!  Yes, I agree with you that high school juniors should have to take some type of test while in high school.  I don’t have an issue with that.  But every year from 3rd to 8th grade?  I don’t think so.  As Kavips recently wrote:

“You have to stop these people from throwing your child into those shrieking whirling blades. Once they ouch your child, whether good or bad, there is no going back. Nothing good ever comes out of a wood chipper. Be the adult. Opt them out.”

Why, I do swear Dr. Brandywine, you sound exactly like Governor Markell.  Do you just listen to his sound bites and practice in front of the mirror when you aren’t shaving (you really should based on your picture, even Mark Murphy does that)?  What’s next?  Should we expect to see a bald Dr. Brandywine in the future?

Will Delaware Representative Jaques Meet The Challenge? *UPDATE* He did not!

In 40 minutes, I will be on the Rick Jensen show on WDEL/1150 AM for a second time discussing parent opt out of standardized testing in Delaware.  1pm est.  You can listen in on http://www.wdel.com

I have sent the following email to Delaware State Representative Earl Jaques.  Will he make the call?  Stay tuned!

Representative Jaques,

I will be on Rick Jensen’s show on WDEL today at 1pm.  I would love if you could call in and explain your statement at the Christina Educators Association meeting on Wednesday night concerning “The parent opt out bill will never pass.  We will never give up Federal money.”  The phone # for the show is 302-478-9335.  Thank you,

Kevin Ohlandt

Save The Date: Tomorrow, Friday 2/27, 1:00PM, WDEL, 1150AM, Rick Jensen, Me, Parent Opt Out Round Two

Rick Jensen with WDEL/1150AM has graciously invited me back to his radio show tomorrow to discuss parent opt out in Delaware.  We will be discussing more of the nitty-gritty on what parents can do and the process on how to go about doing it.  I will certainly put a podcast up if it becomes available.  If you have any questions you want answered, I will do my best to find the answers between now and then.

The  phone number for WDEL is 302-478-9335.  If State Rep. Jaques wants to call to explain his public comment about the Parent Opt Out Bill never passing, and let listeners know why he is against this bill, I would gladly welcome it.

Delaware House Rep Sean Matthews on WDEL!

Please listen to what Delaware State Representative Sean Matthews had to say on WDEL last Thursday.  This was about United States Secretary of Education Arne Duncan’s visit to Delaware.  The day before, Matthews and DE State Rep. John Kowalko wrote a letter to Arne Duncan on his visit.

To see the letter Matthews and Kowalko wrote to Duncan, please go here: https://exceptionaldelaware.wordpress.com/2015/02/18/breaking-news-delaware-state-reps-kowalko-and-matthews-open-letter-to-arne-duncan-for-his-visit-tomorrow/

Podcast of WDEL Interview w/Rick Jensen on Parent Opt Out of High-Stakes Testing

I had an awesome time with Rick Jensen today talking about parent opt out of the Smarter Balanced Assessment.   There was so much more I could have said, but I had an hour.  Some folks called in.  John Young from the Christina School Board, Delaware State Rep Sean Matthews and Delaware State Rep John Kowalko.  Rick and I talked about special needs children, the Delaware DOE, Smarter Balanced Assessment, and how it is not illegal to opt your child out in Delaware.  We talked about the “scare tactic” letter the DOE wants districts to give to parents when they opt their kid out and how it is based on state code that does not include parents at all.  I hope to do this again soon!

WDEL 1150AM, Today at 3pm-4pm with Rick Jensen, Parent Opt Out Of Smarter Balanced Assessment

I will be on Rick Jensen today from 3pm to 4pm discussing parent opt out!  If you are in your car, give a listen.  If you are at home, you can go on their website, http://wdel.com or you can listen later if they put a podcast up.

Last night at the Christina School Board meeting, the very first speaker to give public comment said “My kid can’t sit still for ten minutes.  He is not taking this test,” and gave his opt out letter to Superintendent Williams.  This is how it’s done folks!

I Will Be On WDEL 1150 AM with Rick Jensen on 2/11 From 3-4pm To Discuss Parent Opt Out

Please listen to WDEL on Wednesday February 11th from 3:00-4:00 pm.  Rick Jensen and I will discuss the issue of parent opt out of standardized testing.  I look forward to giving this issue a wider span of media interest in Delaware as the Smarter Balanced Assessment will begin on March 10th.

The phone number for WDEL is 302-478-9335.  Feel free to call in with any questions or concerns you may have while I am on the air.  I welcome any member of the Delaware Department of Education, the Delaware State Board of Education or Governor Markell to call in and discuss the legality of the letter parents are receiving from schools when they inform the school they are opting their child out of the Smarter Balanced Assessment.

Mark Murphy’s WHYY Interview…God, I Can’t Stand This Guy!

WDEL conducted an interview Delaware Secretary of Education Mark Murphy recently.  My new favorite education report, Avi Wolfman-Arant, conducted the interview.  It covers Race To The Top, Priority Schools, Common Core, Smarter Balanced Assessment (and not a word about Parent Opt Out), Teacher Pay, and more.

You can view the video, or if you have a weak stomach, you can just read the article here: http://www.newsworks.org/index.php/local//item/77771-delaware-education-secretary-talks-common-core-teacher-pay-and-learning-video/

Murphy needs to be fired.  He needs to go back to being a gym teacher somewhere at some lovey-dovey charter school.

Mike Matthews Excellent Interview on WDEL w/Al Mascitti

Ex Blogger Current Special Education and RCEA President Mike Matthews appeared on the WDEL Morning Show with Al Mascitti today to talk about the priority schools, the Delaware Department of Education, Race To The Top, and the 148th General Assembly.  This is a must-hear podcast!

 

*Thanks to blogger extraordinaire Teachezwell for updating me on the link!

 

The Kowalko-Schwartzkopf Battle Takes Center Stage At Legislative Hall On First Day

Ten days ago, Delaware House Speaker for the State of Delaware Pete Schwartzkopf kicked State Representative John Kowalko off the education committee and removed him as chair of the energy committee.  While Kowalko has been very outspoken about the decision, including having a press conference before the General Assembly convened on the first day of their legislative session, Schwartzkopf stayed silent on the issue.  Until today.

According to a report from Amy Cherry with WDEL, Schwartzkopf denied his decision was based on Kowalko’s stance on the priority schools which he has made very public.  According to the WDEL report, Schwartzkopf said the following:

He said “I don’t agree with the governor’s plan on the priority schools. I don’t agree that all the teachers up there should have to resign; I don’t think they should have to re-apply for their jobs. I don’t think these principals need to be moved out of their schools,” he said. “I’m directly opposed to it.”  

Cherry reported the following statement: The speaker said he’s been largely silent on the priority schools plan because it’s not a Sussex issue.

Thank the Lord this stuff doesn’t happen down in Sussex.  Newsflash Pete: You represent the state as Speaker of the House, not the county you live in.  How many other statewide issues do you stay silent on cause they happen in your neck of the woods?

 “You know, the bottom line is this, if he wants to come in and talk to me, that’s fine, I’ll sit here and talk with him. I don’t have a problem with that, but the committees aren’t changing.”

Way to be flexible there Pete.  Blame the guy for speaking out on an issue that you completely agree with but manage to stay silent on for over four months.

Meanwhile, at Kowalko’s press conference, the state representative told members of the public to:

“Send letters to every member of the General Assembly and demand they give you honest answers.”  “There are alterior motives at play here.” “41 people are chilled by this leadership attitude.” (speaking about the 41 state representatives)

Kowalko said he is not afraid of being marginalized in the caucus, but he does view Schwartzkopf’s decision as punitive and a punishment.  He views the often phrased “Delaware Way” as a “Department of closeness” and this way of doing things is “incestuous and cronyism”.  He believes the state should have an Inspector General to investigate and “patrol and police a willingness to hide things.”  This new agency, according to Kowalko, should have “no allegiance to anything.” Referring to the bias of the media in Delaware, Kowalko said “If we have silence of the media, we have silence of the public.”

I will definitely say I take Kowalko’s side on this matter, and not just because I agree with his opinions about the priority schools.  Cause I agree with Schwartzkopf’s newly found opinion as well.  I take issue with anyone doing something punitive for being an “activist”.  Someone who rallies the people is an activist.  So what exactly are you doing when you are trying to get their vote Mr. Speaker?

For more information on Schwartzkopf’s side, please read AND listen at http://www.wdel.com/story.php?id=65449

 

 

John Kowalko Booted Off Education Committee By Speaker Schwartzkopf and He Is Not Happy About It

In a shocking announcement today, John Kowalko has been kicked off the Delaware House Education Committee.  As Kowalko reported to WDEL today, Schwartzkopf told him in a phone call this weekend he was given the boot and “You’ve become an activist.  You carry your message to the blogs, to the papers, and on the radio, and you can’t be a legislator and an activist.”

Is this even in Delaware state code?  Politicians talk about issues they are hot about all the time.  This comes at a very odd, yet opportune time for Governor Markell.  He has two years left, and while many say he is a lame duck, I think he will use his power to the utmost in the next two years.  Kowalko recently released many FOIAs to different bloggers, this one included.  He has also been very passionate about his opposition to the priority schools.

If there is one thing Markell doesn’t like, it’s anybody messing with his eduation initiatives.  It’s a shame the first state to sign the constitution is no longer a state where people can say or think what they want without retribution from the almighty Markell.  This punishment isn’t just for Kowalko, it’s for all the politicians who would dare to go against Jack.  Schwartzkopf may be the speaker for the house, but we all know who runs the show.

There is a very interesting list of legislators on the education committee led by Earl Jacques as chairman and Kim Williams as vice-chairman.  The other 12 members has some new faces on it, so this should be interesting.