Category Archives: Take Action

Myths of Madison Prep, Part 2

That Petrol Emotion – “Big Decision” (click to listen or download) Part 1 here, (the introductory material is copied from there). The discussion around the Madison Preparatory Academy (MPA) proposal and the related events and processes has been heated, but … Continue reading

2 Comments

Filed under Accountability, Best Practices, education, Equity, Gimme Some Truth, Local News, Take Action, Uncategorized

Myths of Madison Prep, Part 1

Van Morrison – “Too Many Myths” (click to listen or download) The discussion around the Madison Preparatory Academy (MPA) proposal and the related events and processes has been heated, but not always grounded in reality.  Many have said that just … Continue reading

2 Comments

Filed under Accountability, Best Practices, Contracts, education, Equity, Gimme Some Truth, Local News, Scott Walker, Take Action, Uncategorized

MMSD Administrative Analysis of Madison Prep and a Rumor

The Staple Singers – “This May Be The Last Time” (click to listen or download) The required Administrative Analysis of the Madison Preparatory Academy charter school proposal  by the Madison Metropolitan School District staff has been posted, and it doesn’t … Continue reading

Leave a Comment

Filed under "education finance", Accountability, Best Practices, Budget, Contracts, education, Equity, Gimme Some Truth, Local News, National News, School Finance, Take Action

“It’s time to spread the truth about impact of budget on Wisconsin’s public schools”

The Jam – “Time for Truth” (click to listen or download) I haven’t posted any Wisconsin Alliance for Excellent Schools  advocacy material this way lately, so here goes.  Short version:  The “tools” aren’t working, our students aren’t getting the opportunities … Continue reading

Leave a Comment

Filed under "education finance", Best Practices, Budget, Contracts, education, Equity, finance, Gimme Some Truth, Local News, School Finance, Scott Walker, Take Action

People Have the Power: SB 22 Dead (For Now)

Patti Smith – “People Have the Power” (click to listen or download)  Susan Troller is reporting in the Cap Times that SB 22, the bill creating a partisan, political state charter school authorizing board to override the wishes of local … Continue reading

Leave a Comment

Filed under Accountability, Best Practices, education, Elections, Equity, Gimme Some Truth, Local News, National News, Scott Walker, Take Action, Uncategorized

Some Truth About Urban Prep and Why It Matters

The Undisputed Truth – ” Smiling Faces” (click to listen or download) Introduction To bolster their case and push their agendas, advocates for market-based education reform and   market-based policies in general tout “miracle schools” that have supposedly produced amazing results … Continue reading

1 Comment

Filed under "education finance", Accountability, Best Practices, education, Equity, Gimme Some Truth, Local News, National News, Take Action, Uncategorized, We Are Not Alone

Madison Prep – 1,2,3 Yellow Light (updated)

The Talking Heads, “1,2,3 Red Light” (live, 1977 — click to listen or download). [Update — I forgot a huge issue:  Waivers.  ULGM had previously asked for a blanket waiver of all MMSD policies and some state laws.    There has … Continue reading

2 Comments

Filed under "education finance", Accountability, Best Practices, Budget, Contracts, education, Equity, finance, Gimme Some Truth, Local News, School Finance, Take Action, Uncategorized

Madison Prep and the Attack on Public Education

Mission Of Burma – “Academy Fight Song” (click to listen or download). [Note;  This post is adapted from an article I wrote over a week ago for the Progressive Dane Newsletter (as of this writing PD has not taken  a … Continue reading

2 Comments

Filed under Accountability, Best Practices, Budget, education, Equity, finance, Gimme Some Truth, Local News, National News, School Finance, Take Action, We Are Not Alone

Is it “all about the kids” (and what that might mean)? — Take One (in relation to ULGM and Madison Prep)

Sir Mack Rice “Money Talks” (click to listen or download) My training as a historian has taught me that all knowledge is tentative and that this is especially true when it comes to assigning motives to people’s actions.  It has … Continue reading

1 Comment

Filed under "education finance", Arne Duncan, Best Practices, Budget, Contracts, education, Equity, finance, Gimme Some Truth, Local News, National News, nclb, No Child Left Behind, Take Action, Uncategorized

Save Our Schools Rally — Madison, July 30, 2011 — 3:00 PM

The Staple Singers -”Long Walk To D.C” (click to listen or download) Yes, it is a long walk to D.C. and many of us who care deeply about the future of public education will not be able to join the … Continue reading

Leave a Comment

Filed under "education finance", Accountability, AMPS, Arne Duncan, Best Practices, Budget, Contracts, education, Elections, Equity, finance, Gimme Some Truth, Local News, National News, nclb, No Child Left Behind, School Finance, Scott Walker, Take Action, We Are Not Alone