In race for early childhood millions, Georgia was not at the top of fed’s list this time around
Georgia is not one of the states awarded a Race to the Top grant for early childhood education, despite its role as a pioneer in the field. The state had been hoping for a $70 million grant. The U.S. DOE will announce the winners later today, but states have already been notified.
Georgia did not win a new Race to the Top program for early learning. (AJC file)
In a meeting in October here at the AJC, Bobby Cagle, commissioner of the Georgia Department of Early Care and Learning, said, “We are kind of an underdog. People don’t know what we have done here.”
One of those things, he said, was pioneer early learning standards. That apparently was not enough.
Georgia isn’t coming out a winner in the latest federal Race to the Top grant competition.
The White House is scheduled to announce today the winners of the latest Race to the Top grant competition aimed at early childhood education. And Georgia won’t be among them, said Bobby Cagle, commissioner of the Georgia Department of Early Care and Learning, the agency that would have been recipient of the grant.
“We just heard this morning that we did not get it, and that’s official,” Cagle said. North Carolina and Ohio are to be announced as winners in the category of states where Georgia was competing, he said.
Had Georgia been chosen it would have been eligible to receive up to $70 million over a four-year period.
UPDATE at 11 a.m. Here is the release from the feds about the winners:
Today, the White House announced that nine states – California, Delaware, Maryland, Massachusetts, Minnesota, North Carolina, Ohio, Rhode Island and Washington — will receive grant awards from the $500 million Race to the Top-Early Learning Challenge fund, a competitive grant program jointly administered by the U.S. Departments of Education and Health and Human Services.
President Obama asked Congress in his budget to authorize and make permanent an Early Learning Challenge Fund in previous years. Unfortunately, Congress did not act on that proposal, so the Administration took action to ensure this program was funded this year through Race to the Top, because our kids only get one shot at a top-notch education and they cannot afford to wait.
“Education must be our national mission,” said President Barack Obama. “All of us must work to give all our children the best education possible. And today, we’re acting to strengthen early childhood education to better prepare our youngest children for success in school and in life”
“In a matter of months, early education and child development experts throughout the country, together with state and local leaders, worked to build comprehensive plans for expanding access to high-quality early learning,” said U.S. Secretary of Education Arne Duncan. “All applicants showed tremendous dedication and drive to build stronger foundations and create greater opportunities for more children. Their work will help lead the way in ensuring excellent early learning and support for every child.”
–From Maureen Downey, for the AJC Get Schooled blog
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77 comments Add your comment
Roach
December 16th, 2011
10:17 am
Good! Dodged a bullet. The grant-writers won’t get their bonus, but this is a win for everyone else connected to Georgia’s eduactional system. These grants are nothing but trouble, and only distract from the central educational mission.
MS Teacher wishing today were over with
December 16th, 2011
10:25 am
Thank goodness!
Pluto
December 16th, 2011
10:38 am
Of course Georgia did not make it. Georgia is a red state and the Obama taxpayer give-away sweepstakes does its level best to punish unacceptable behavior. Besides there really ain’t no money anyway.
Really amazed
December 16th, 2011
11:01 am
I thought last year Georgia was awarded RTTT funds?? This is the best news Georgia DOE could have received. More money has never helped correct GADOE only has made things worse! Now GA won’t have to adhere to more gov’t bs. Now if only the teachers could teach true subject not to the test. Georgia students will never truly know how to study or take notes because of all of this non teaching. Pluto does have this correct.
Tony
December 16th, 2011
11:07 am
This is good news for us, but it will probably mean PreK will face additional cuts this year. Our politicians had pinned their hopes on this grant application thinking they would be able to shore up the funding needs for our PreK program.
Georgia’s PreK had been an excellent model until the previous governor began whittling away at it. Then, the legislature and Gov. Deal made extreme cuts to the program last year. There is plenty of evidence of the positive effects of PreK for Georgia’s children. However, the feds do not need to interfere with states’ prek programs.
liberalefty
December 16th, 2011
11:18 am
since this is a red state i thought repubs hate education
Dr NO / Mr Sunshine
December 16th, 2011
11:21 am
This is wonderful news.
tekgirrl
December 16th, 2011
11:26 am
Educational excellence is not in the vocabulary of Georgia’s leadership today….it’s pay my buddies. Guess you will not receive that gift under you Xmas tree this year!
Beverly Fraud
December 16th, 2011
11:27 am
“In a matter of months, early education and child development experts throughout the country, together with state and local leaders, worked to build comprehensive plans for expanding access to high-quality early learning,”
Why does one get the feeling if these people were collectively put in charge of teaching fish how to swim they’d create 6 levels of bureaucracy, 7 models of “reform”, 8 forms of “authentic assessment” for teaching fish how to swim…and 9 years later a “position paper” lamenting the fact the fish are not being adequately prepared to swim in the 21st century, calling for millions of dollars to be invested in remediation?
Lee
December 16th, 2011
11:33 am
So, the bloated federal government confiscates the wealth of its citizens at the point of a gun and then doles it back out piecemeal as long as the recipients pay homage to the narcistic fools in Washington.
That clear it up for you?
@ Beverly Fraud
December 16th, 2011
11:35 am
Thank you for brightening my day. I love a good sarcastic vent. All you need to do now is put it to music.
tipster
December 16th, 2011
11:36 am
Beverly Fraud @ 11:27. One of the best comments I’ve ever read! Would be hilarious if it weren’t so sadly true.
Beverly Fraud
December 16th, 2011
11:38 am
“Would be hilarious if it weren’t so sadly true.”
So true we better ask Maureen to delete it, lest anyone get any ideas.
Cobb Parent
December 16th, 2011
11:48 am
As much as I do not want the federal government overly involved in local education, I do wish the “local” education would get the money it needs for pre-k education. We need to write our local politicians – state, county, city – about sufficient taxes to fund a good pre-k program. We need to be willing to be taxed locally to provide good education. Are the studies wrong that show pre-k is important in preparing kids of school?
Dr. John Trotter
December 16th, 2011
12:05 pm
North Carolina and Ohio are considered battleground states for the upcoming election. I am surprised that Pennsylvania and Florida were not also awarded money. Perhaps they didn’t apply. Ha!
NJ loses out on $60M in competition for federal education money – The Star-Ledger – NJ.com | Just Top News – Daily News Magazine
December 16th, 2011
12:18 pm
[...] improve early learningBoston.comAP Newsbreak: 9 states to win early learning grantThe Seattle TimesAtlanta Journal Constitution (blog) -The Associated [...]
Dr. John Trotter
December 16th, 2011
12:25 pm
@ Bev: You are too much! Keep up the blogging! It adds spice to the blog! Maureen, let Beverly Fraud be Beverly Fraud, ok? Ha! I take it as a compliment that some people have accused me of being Beverly Fraud. I am not. I am not that talented. Bev has a funny way of seeing reality and putting it into words. I guffaw when I read his or her comments! Maureen, you have a good and lively blog!
Hey folks, have a great weekend!
P. S. I saw Earl of Ft. Liquordale at the Boca Raton Evangelistic Diamonds Swap and Shop meeting at the Boca Raton Hilton. (Earl and the Mrs. were staying in their camper out back in the parking lot, but they had gone to the Boca Raton Hilton to see Earl’s cousin, Elvis the Evangelist.) Earl asked me to tell you, Bev, that he thoroughly enjoys your posts — when the Mrs. allows him to look at the blog! Why was I there? I was there to attend the National Conference on the Call for Discipline in our Schools. Only three attended, including me. Next door in the other large ballroom, however, there was a conference entitled, “How to Keep Teachers Accountable for the Lack of Performance from Lazy and Defiant Students.” It was packed out, especially with educrats from all over the country sent to this meeting with all expenses paid. I heard some conferees in the lobby talking about hanging out at The Clevelander on Ocean Drive in South Beach that night. One crisply dressed (with cuff links and suspenders) young educrat stated to others: “Heck, my school system is paying for everything! I’m gonna take advantage of it!”
Dr. John Trotter
December 16th, 2011
12:27 pm
@ Bev: You are too much! Keep up the blogging! It adds spice to the blog! Maureen, let Beverly Fraud be Beverly Fraud, ok? Ha! I take it as a compliment that some people have accused me of being Beverly Fraud. I am not. I am not that talented. Bev has a funny way of seeing reality and putting it into words. I guffaw when I read his or her comments! Maureen, you have a good and lively blog!
Hey folks, have a great weekend!
P. S. I saw Earl of Ft. Liquordale at the Boca Raton Evangelistic Diamonds Swap and Shop meeting at the Boca Raton Hilton. (Earl and the Mrs. were staying in their camper out back in the parking lot, but they had gone to the Boca Raton Hilton to see Earl’s cousin, Elvis the Evangelist.) Earl asked me to tell you, Bev, that he thoroughly enjoys your posts — when the Mrs. allows him to look at the blog! Why was I there? I was there to attend the National Conference on the Call for Discipline in our Schools. Only three attended, including me. Next door in the other large ballroom, however, there was a conference entitled, “How to Keep Teachers Accountable for the Lack of Performance from Lazy and Defiant Students.” It was packed out, especially with educrats from all over the country sent to this meeting with all expenses paid. I heard some conferees in the lobby talking about hanging out at The Clevelander on Ocean Drive in South Beach that night. One crisply dressed (with cuff links and suspenders) young educrat stated to others: “Heck, my school system is paying for everything! I’m gonna take advantage of it!”
Are you guys at the AJC trying to “moderate” Earl of Ft. Liquordale? Ha!
Ron
December 16th, 2011
12:28 pm
“Why does one get the feeling if these people were collectively put in charge of teaching fish how to swim they’d create 6 levels of bureaucracy, 7 models of “reform”, 8 forms of “authentic assessment” for teaching fish how to swim…and 9 years later a “position paper” lamenting the fact the fish are not being adequately prepared to swim in the 21st century, calling for millions of dollars to be invested in remediation?”
There’s just nothing to say to beat that!
Dr. John Trotter
December 16th, 2011
12:31 pm
Maureen, for some strange reason, my latest post keeps getting held up by Mr. Filter. It may be because I mentioned seeing Earl of Ft. Liquordale and the Mrs. down in Boca Raton recently. (Perhaps you guys at the AJC have “Earl of Fr. Liquordale” in the “moderation” mode and won’t let him out until you see what he says. He just wanted me to give a “shout out” to Beverly Fraud.)
I could talk like Donald Trump and say that “millions” are clamoring for a return of Earl. Ha! But, I wouldn’t want to mess up your weekend!
Ron
December 16th, 2011
12:33 pm
I work with “at-risk” kids in upper grades and I see the need for LOTS of early intervention. Pre-K may not statistically seem to make a difference, but I see a sizable difference in kids’ ability to learn, if not their motivation, when they had pre-k and/or Head Start. We can’t overcome all the challenges poverty or lack of parenting create, but those programs do help lay a foundation for learning that does make a difference later in a child’s life.
9 states win ‘Race to the Top’ contest for childhood education funds – Washington Post | headlinenewsreport.org
December 16th, 2011
1:15 pm
[...] Atlanta Journal Constitution [...]
Beverly Fraud
December 16th, 2011
1:51 pm
Now a debate moderated by Earl of Ft. Liquordale would be worth watching. Maybe Air Tran and the AJC can get together and fly up Earl and the Missus to Atlanta to moderate the next AJC education roundtable.
carlosgvv
December 16th, 2011
1:52 pm
Georgia is not only the underdog, we are the rock bottom dog. And, hey, we work at it!!!!
You Get What You Deserve
December 16th, 2011
1:52 pm
@Pluto December 16th, 2011 10:38 am – Of course Georgia did not make it. Georgia is a red state and the Obama taxpayer give-away sweepstakes does its level best to punish unacceptable behavior.
*********************************************
If what you say is true – Georgia DOES NOT deserve anything.
It is not a punishment, however, its an “if you support me I will support you.”
Paulo977
December 16th, 2011
1:53 pm
Thank Heavens!!
Beverly Fraud
December 16th, 2011
1:58 pm
I’ve never understood why we constantly ridicule Georgia’s educational achievements, when they consistently rank in the top 50 states of the nation.
It just makes a mockery of education in Georgia. A veritable mockery, I tell you.
Paulo977
December 16th, 2011
1:59 pm
Ron …: but I see a sizable difference in kids’ ability to learn, if not their motivation,
_______________________________
Wow what an attitude! Suggested reading
Baratz&Baratz 1970
Pluto
December 16th, 2011
2:00 pm
I never said Georgia DOES NOT deserve anything but I am not a real fan of political extortion either. Georgia deserves exactly what it gets with the leadership she has. Not getting the $$$ is a good thing.
Grob Hahn
December 16th, 2011
2:17 pm
They probably thought we’d just blow all the money on erasers.
Grobbbbbbbbbbbbbb
Dr. Craig Spinks/ Georgians for Educational Excellence
December 16th, 2011
2:37 pm
Between Beverly Fraud and Dr. JT, a good time was had by all- well, almost all.
9 states win ‘Race to the Top’ contest for childhood education funds – Washington Post « Contacto Latino News
December 16th, 2011
2:46 pm
[...] Atlanta Journal Constitution [...]
William Casey
December 16th, 2011
2:53 pm
I am writing a 2012 grant proposal entitled “How to Eliminate All Non-Teaching Positions in the Public Schools Except for the Lunch Ladies, Maintenance People and Bus Drivers.” I’ll donate my grant-winning bonus to MACE.
Top School
December 16th, 2011
2:54 pm
I email the WHITE HOUSE and the US SECRETARIES OFFICE monthly…
I think they’ve finally figured it out …someone KNOWS what’s really going on in Atlanta, Georgia.
I document and memorialize every contact I’ve made.
In a nutshell … on a national level…THEY KNOW there ARE TOO MANY SKELETONS IN SCHOOL HOUSE closets in Georgia…the documents and records don’t lie.
It’s too risking for Washington, DC to support ATLANTA GEORGIA…knowing this is where the CIVIL RIGHTS MOVEMENT began. The TRUTH has been EXPOSED. . . OBAMA can’t risk the damage of more exposure involving Atlanta in an re-election campaign. He already gave BEVERLY HALL the Superintendent of the Year AWARD.
EXPOSURE of the rest of the truth about HIDDEN SEGREGATION in the big ATL. would surely damage his possibilities for re-election.
The TRUTH about APS: Retaliation still EXISTS as long as the LEADERSHIP has not been REPLACED.
The recorded FACTS DON’T LIE:
http://www.youtube.com/user/TopSchoolAtlanta?blend=1&ob=video-mustangbase
Top School
December 16th, 2011
3:02 pm
@ Dr. Trotter and @ Beverly Fraud…
As long as you are entertaining and NOT SPELLING OUT the TRUTH…your posts are not censored.
Most of all…don’t question the BUCKHEAD side of this…and you will continue to be ALLOWED TO POST.
http://www.facebook.com/TopPublicSchoolCorruptionAtlanta
Beverly Fraud
December 16th, 2011
3:10 pm
One would think, with all that has happened in APS with the cheating scandal, and the documented corporate culture of retaliation, if you have someone willing to speak on the record like Top School, the AJC might have done at least one interview with him.
There does appear to be a story here, to say the least.
9 states win early education grant – The Associated Press « Contacto Latino News
December 16th, 2011
3:22 pm
[...] Atlanta Journal Constitution [...]
Top School
December 16th, 2011
3:38 pm
North Carolina…
Because they have the model systems…EQUAL SCHOOLS and EQUAL OPPORTUNITY…
ATLANTA is SEGREGATED and a minority LEADERSHIP hides the SEGREGATION.
The OZ behind the Atlanta curtain has been exposed…and WASHINGTON DC …has been properly informed. ATLANTA and GEORGIA is an embarassment to the entire country. AND if ALL of the TRUTH is exposed about the additional hidden secrets of segregation under a MINORITY LEADERSHIP …
ATLANTA birth of the CIVIL RIGHTS MOVEMENT is a disgrace to the WORLD.
sEE the foundation…and the OBAMA administration is doing all that it can to keep the US Education SHIP from totally sinking.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2mbJhjCbwo8
NORTH CAROLINA is the only state in the south that ACTUALLY INTEGRATED their schools.
Proper investigation and the truth about GEORGIA’S SCHOOLS would shock the world.
Ed Johnson
December 16th, 2011
3:38 pm
“The White House is scheduled to announce today the winners of the latest Race to the Top grant competition ….”
Gosh, this just makes my heart and soul hurt. Not the winners and losers per se; rather, we’ve a president who creates winners and losers in education.
Top School
December 16th, 2011
3:47 pm
The AJC is owned, operated and funded by the 99% trying to keep all this out of the publics eye.
Beverly Fraud
December 16th, 2011
3:59 pm
“sEE the foundation…and the OBAMA administration is doing all that it can to keep the US Education SHIP from totally sinking.”
Top School…are you forgetting Obama sent Arne Duncan down here twice to prop up Beverly Hall politically, even AFTER it was apparent that the largest cheating scandal in United States educational history was unfolding?
Or that Obama still tried to name Beverly Hall to one of his major educational advisory boards?
As far as what’s WORST for children, doesn’t seem much different than Bush shilling for Rod Paige and the Houston “Miracle”
9 states win early education grant – The Associated Press — Today News Now
December 16th, 2011
4:43 pm
[...] Atlanta Journal Constitution [...]
California schools to get millions from White House grant – Los Angeles Times « Contacto Latino News
December 16th, 2011
4:56 pm
[...] Atlanta Journal Constitution [...]
California schools to get millions from White House grant – Los Angeles Times | U.S.A News
December 16th, 2011
5:07 pm
[...] Atlanta Journal Constitution [...]
double
December 16th, 2011
6:05 pm
whew! I thought we had lost first place with Bank Failures.
TW
December 16th, 2011
6:55 pm
Kinda odd for a state so anti-handout to get on its knees in front of Obama like this.
Guess when you turn FOX off and put money where your mouth is, Georgia is just another hypocritical welfare state of the south.
Good thing people in GA are so stupid, or those elected would have to lead…lol…
Top School
December 16th, 2011
7:56 pm
Oh Maureen’s back… there goes that censor button again…MODERATION…
too much of the TRUTH will get your posts deleted.
Last 3 posts censored. Oh my…they are on my facebook page.
State to receive nearly $53 million in Race to the Top funding to improve … – San Jose Mercury News « Contacto Latino News
December 16th, 2011
8:26 pm
[...] Atlanta Journal Constitution [...]
Rick
December 16th, 2011
8:55 pm
Pluto,
You make yourself look ignorant. Georgia has been awarded the grant in prior years. Not so long, ago in fact, per a Governor’s Office release: “Georgia Wins Race to the Top
Tuesday, August 24, 2010 Contact: Office of Communications 404-651-7774
ATLANTA – Governor Sonny Perdue today announced that Georgia was selected as a winner by the U.S. Department of Education for the second round of “Race to the Top” grants. The state is projected to receive $400 million over four years to implement its plan.”
my personal computer
December 16th, 2011
9:27 pm
Pam Adamson wants anyone who disagrees with her or who does not support Heatley off the board. Her motives are clearly racist. She is very rude, condescending, and demeaning.
Top School
December 16th, 2011
11:48 pm
The Gates Foundation…and all those in the inner circle are playing the same rip-off game.
This is OBAMA bowing down to the master… but when the re-election starts …LET THE REAL GAMES BEGIN!
OOOOOO BA AM A MESS…
Top School
December 16th, 2011
11:59 pm
OBAMA …MODELING the proper way to run down the middle of the UNDERGROUND RAILROAD TRACK before re-eLECTION.
And those on the APS Board and in Atlanta Leadership positions are doing the same song and dance.
Just can’t wait for the re-election! Should be some serious RISE-IN-UP from the people.
And it won’t just be 1% …they’ve been a knocked down…WHEN THEY DO GET UP AGAIN…THERE WILL BE SOME SERIOUS RISING UP from the people.
People are tired of all the BS.
And as for correcting typos… this is a blog… POP QUIZ …figure it out.
California wins $52.6 million in early childhood development grants – Los Angeles Times « Contacto Latino News
December 17th, 2011
12:56 am
[...] Atlanta Journal Constitution [...]
California wins $52.6 million in early childhood development grants – Los Angeles Times | headlinenewsreport.org
December 17th, 2011
1:15 am
[...] Atlanta Journal Constitution [...]
ScienceTeacher671
December 17th, 2011
7:11 am
@Beverly Fraud 11:27 am: Gotta be Post of the Week!
If Georgia really wanted to keep its Pre-K program, it would have been much easier to require the Lottery Corp. to pay its “suggested” percentage to education, and/or charge tuition on a sliding scale for students attending state Pre-K. There would have been far fewer strings attached, and the program could actually have been funded, rather than adding to our ever-increasing credit tab to China.
Much easier to attack teachers than to address the real problems facing education in Georgia.
Observer
December 17th, 2011
12:23 pm
Funny, but both Beverly Fraud and Top School seem to have the same message, and both of them write half their posts in capital letters…and half the posts in these blogs lately seem to be by one or the other.
And get off Obama, already. He’s not the subject of this post. Go over to Wingfield’s blog.
Observer
December 17th, 2011
1:00 pm
And also, on many of these blogs recently, right after Beverly Fraud has posted, Dr. Trotter shows up to praise her wit and insight to the skies.
Will be nice when Maureen finally gets the name registration in order for this blog so everyone will only have 1 moniker per ID.
Dr. John Trotter
December 17th, 2011
1:52 pm
@ Observer: Sorry to disappoint you but I am not Beverly Fraud. I am, however, a fan of Bev. I am not so conceited that I cannot acknowledge that others write cogently and poignantly. I enjoy Bev’s insights and his or her ability to put forth some zingers.
@ Top School: My friend, I appreciate your persistency, but don’t think for a moment that I have not regularly (but not nearly as often) skewered the “coalition” of Buckhead business moguls and the Northside mommies who enjoyed their “independence” apparently granted to them by Beverly Hall. In fact, this week or last week, Maureen ran the article about the forced student transfers. I chimed in on this theme then and even called for folks to inquire as to who was selling the land to the school system for the new schools. This was not the first time I have urged people to “follow the money.” I believe that the land which was determined to be the location of the new Buckhead high school was being bought (or at least negotiated for) from one of the wealthiest families of Atlanta. I will not name the family (though I did, I believe, in a previous post) but this family apparently made the lion’s share of its post-Civil War money in Georgia in railroad construction, construction that was undertaken mainly by convict labor. I know a little about this convict labor (”Slavery Under Another Name,” as it is now referred to) since my great, great grandfather, Robert A. Alston, who was chairman of the Penitentiary Committee in the Georgia House of Representatives, led the charge in Georgia to have his state “disenthralled from this great sin” (to quote Alston’s letter to a member of this aforementioned family which was written and/or published on December 25, 1878 in The Atlanta Daily Constitution [the AJC's papa paper]). Robert A. Alston was murdered in the Georgia Capitol on March 11, 1879. I know a little bit about what money will drive people to do. You don’t have to watch a movie like Brubaker to know that corruption abounds when it comes to privilege and money.
Top Gun, I do appreciate your courage to speak out, but be careful not to speak out against those who are your friends and allies. Keep the faith, brother!
Dr. John Trotter
December 17th, 2011
2:12 pm
@ Observer: One other thing…why would I use a pseudonym? Ha! If I am praising things which Beverly Hall is writing, isn’t this putting my imprimatur on what she (or he…I don’t know who Bev really is) is saying? Besides, I enjoy blogging under my real name. Whom do I fear? I will quote a teacher who was on the staff where I was an administrator and was in the middle of a great controversy: “Dr. Trotter, you are impervious to pain.”
People don’t tend scare nor intimidate me. Now this doesn’t mean that I need to rush in where angels fear tread, right? I try to use wisdom but also try to live without fear and trepidation.
Observer, I don’t need to use an alias. People know me, and people know how forthcoming and candid (some say “blunt”) that I am. I don’t try to be politically correct either, though I try not to go out of my way to needlessly offend the innocent. For example, we have had parties for MACE teachers and friends for 17 years during the Holiday Season. We have never called it a “Christmas Party” because I realize that many MACE members are Muslims or Hindus or of other faiths. Therefore, we have always referred to having “the Holiday BASH” or “the Holiday Mix & Mingle.” Now this might raise the ire of some of the FOX News talking heads, but I just believe that we should be sensitive to others. But, if I find that a MACE teacher has been treated unprofessionally, callously, rudely, and stupidly, then politeness is set aside. Would you politely run into a burning house to try to rescue people in danger of dying? When angry and abusive administrators callously try to kill the professional careers of good, effective, and conscientious teachers, then there is not virtue in being polite and it is not the order of the day.
Observer
December 17th, 2011
2:20 pm
@ Dr. John Trotter, “One other thing…why would I use a pseudonym?”
It’s a familiar trick on a blog where posters may remain anonymous, to make it seem as if there is a landslide of support when actually there is only the one hand clapping.
Mountain Teacher
December 17th, 2011
3:22 pm
I’m a Pre-K teacher, and I think I’ve said this before here, but I would love to see Pre-K come under the auspices of the state BOE and see all eligible 4-year-olds able to attend, instead of a select few who get a spot. Pre-K is now what Kindergarten used to be; colors, numbers, letters, social skills, large and small motor skills, beginning math and literacy skills. Even though it looks like they’re “just playing,” there is so much more going on than that. Four-and-five-year-olds learn by doing, and Pre-K is structured enough to have Content Standards, but flexible enough to allow the students to learn the way they do best — by “doing.” As a Pre-K teacher, I can see a child learning about patterns when he/she builds a wall with alternating red and blue color cubes. I can test their knowledge of book-handling skills by pretending to not know how to hold a book right-side-up and see who catches it and corrects me. I can expose them to the natural world by pointing out the squirrels who populate the pecan trees next to our playground and talk about how they’re collecting nuts for winter. I can show them how to roll clay balls and ropes and thus strengthen their small motor muscles in preparation for correctly holding a pencil and scissors. I can teach them how to follow rules and routines in school (I work in a Pre-K class in a school system) and better prepare them for social interaction with others in the following school years. There are so many more concepts than just these that I’ve mentioned, but these are just a few examples of what we Pre-K teachers see and do every day. We individualize for all our students every week depending on their individual needs, and we provide loving guidance and a positive first school experience for the students who are in our classrooms.
Top School
December 17th, 2011
6:17 pm
There is only 1% of us speaking… ? I think that explains where this will go.
And I have a name…most know it…and Maureen has my email address.
The land hand something to do with the name “GRANT”
I would think Warren Fortson and John Grant could easily explain. They are both working the APS from the GEORGIA PROFESSIONAL STANDARDS COMMISSION.
I think it is ironic that the corruption seems to go round and round in the same inner circle.
They have nothing to fear…there is only 1% of the population willing to speak up.
Dr. Trotter…Beverly Fraud…ChillyWilly…and a few others.
We do not have any power over the 99% running this show.
Ed Johnson
December 17th, 2011
8:10 pm
“I try to use wisdom but also try to live without fear and trepidation.”
Nicely said, Dr. Trotter. Nicely said.
Top School
December 17th, 2011
8:48 pm
@ Dr. Trotter said…”Top Gun, I do appreciate your courage to speak out, but be careful not to speak out against those who are your friends and allies.”
Not sure who I offended or spoke out against that would be my friends and allies…
or what I said that was considered offensive. Don’t beat around the bush…get to the point.
I can say this…when it comes to off the topic discussion and utterly ridiculous personal information shared on this blog…in some of the longest ego paragraphs ever written @ Dr. Trotter has been given special privilege by the “Get Schooled” censor.
Trotter can state it like no other…humor, wit, and sometimes the angle?#$%**&^ … but his opinion and comments are valued or should I say tolerated. Kind of like the “jester” in the room.
I don’t consider the AJC, Maureen, or numerous others in Buckhead friends or allies. I just tell what I know from my personal experiences as a former insider, facts, with documentation that support what I believe to be true.
I don’t like pretending…when the truth is obvious. I think many like “Dr. Trotter” have been taught to stay in their place…and if they do so…they are tolerated…and given a place inside the house at the main table.”
What has been established since my posting began…
I am considered a traitor in Buckhead for telling the truth about Northside APS schools. The only person that would tell you the truth … once an insider and played the game…I gathered the information that exposes their game.
I do not care to rub noses and elbows any longer with those involved in this illusion of success.
I used the APS northside schools until there was no use for them. Their secrets became to disgusting for me to continue my involvement…even if only to gather the information of their corruption.
If my comments on this blog are made to “speak out” against those hiding the truth. I think the comments I make are serving their purpose. Even if they are censored.
…AND I AM ATTEMPTING TO CONFORM TO THE LOWER CLASS (CASE) typing so all can read with ease
http://www.youtube.com/user/TopSchoolAtlanta?feature=mhee
Top School
December 17th, 2011
8:54 pm
%$#%%^%$^??? How does discussing the “holiday bash” for MACE…have anything to do with this blog?
Topic:
Get Schooled
In race for early childhood millions, Georgia was not at the top of fed’s list this time around
Top School
December 17th, 2011
11:12 pm
So…Maureen
Why don’t you verify to your readers that we are all certifiably insane individuals. We are the 1% that waste our time trying to make a difference. We are considered the crazy ones…the blasphemers of leaders in politics and education.
You have no problem putting us under “moderation” and in the corner with tape over our mouths when we’ve attempted to say too much.
Why not step forward and verify our existence?
Honestly…The reason why there is any truthful information in the media is because someone took time on a blog to question the unethical conduct of individuals in positions of authority. Blogs = Exposure.
Observer
December 18th, 2011
12:23 pm
@ Top School, “The reason why there is any truthful information in the media is because someone took time on a blog to question the unethical conduct of individuals in positions of authority.”
Ridiculous statement. Blogs permitting anonymity CANNOT serve as a source of serious information. They are unverifiable, and in this country the accused is supposed to be able to face his or her accuser. There’s no way of knowing if one person with a lot of aliases is writing many posts, or if the poster is lying.
Blogs can be valuable as a way of learning from those with experience, as with the many anecdotal testimonies here from educators–teachers and principals. (And an occasional former college president, as with Dr. Jerry Eads.)
I don’t know the reasons for “moderation” on this blog. I’ve had posts held “in moderation” for a time myself. I assume that some ID names are routinely held for awhile if they’ve posted problematic entries before. I would think also that grounds for moderation would be posts with libelous accusations against identified persons, repeated postings by the same named blogger that ramble on and don’t relate to the topic, loooong posts that cut-and-paste the blogger’s previous posts and/or go on incessantly about personal events in the blogger’s life. And some of those sort of posts often HAVE gotten through moderation here. Trying for others to read.
To quote Shakespeare: “Methinks the lady doth protest too much.”
Top School
December 18th, 2011
5:03 pm
“Real” information is leaked through blogs…
As with the tabloids …
Cheap…gossip…rumor…and talking around the cooler is inside information…
Whistle blowers are encouraged not to expose who they are.
The should remain anonymous and leak the information out through the agencies that use media through blogs to strategically expose the corruption.
I did it for 10+ years which is what eventually caused news reporters in AJC to start asking the right questions to expose cheating and corruption in Atlanta Public Schools.
Planting the seeds in the right places with the right amount of manure and sunlight…will make the truth grow and seed again. Which makes change…
Your ignorance is ridiculous…get your head out of the sand and add the proper fertilizer.
My name is exposed. I would suggest you read blogs and tabloids to get the first wave of information. After news has been raised to national level…it is old news and those exposed are like an exposed CIA agent. Their cover and ability to gather any additional information is over. They are the pawn or scapegoat used at the height of the media frenzy once the actual “old” news has been “out” for some time.
Think about PENN STATE media spin…that’s all old news. And look how long those rumors existed.
The Catholic Church… the lists go on and on.
Most news starts as rumor…in the cheap blogs and tabloids.
and later is caught in the safety net of local and national news as those in positions of leadership attempt to put out the media fire.
I am a trained whistleblower…been doing this a long time… was undercover…now obnoxiously in your face about APS. Which means…most people are not going to listen to what I have to say.
I train other whistleblowers…once you are exposed by name your cover has been blown. And your whistleblowing days are over.
See whistle while you work
at http://www.whistleblower.org/multimedia/whistle-where-you-work
Once your name is exposed…like Dr. Trotter…and myself….your information is useless.
Top School
December 18th, 2011
5:36 pm
@ observer…
It is an honor to have @ Dr. Trotter and @ Beverly Fraud…sitting at my table. I’ve not had the opportunity to meet them individually but if they ever get off their own “ego trip” they can contact me through my website. I did contacted Dr. Trotter…but he did not respond. I am not sure how to contact @Beverly Fraud
Seriously … to serve us at the HOLIDAY PARTY will take 3 place settings … my mama taught me not to eat off another persons plate…and to use my own fork and knife…AND I THINK IT IS NASTY TO DRINK FROM SOMEONE’S CUP.
Obviously you’ve not visited the website…my name and contact information is posted. Google the info and the actual lawsuit and names are public record.
http://www.youtube.com/user/TopSchoolAtlanta?feature=mhee
Observer
December 18th, 2011
5:37 pm
@Top School. I’ll note the obvious…your name sure is not exposed on here, where you simply are “Top School.” You can make all the grandiose claims you want, but there’s no way of knowing whether they’re true or not. However, you certainly seem to enjoy dominating this blog.
Observer
December 18th, 2011
6:13 pm
@ Top School.
Gee Whiz!! Your name is exposed “…like Dr. Trotter”; you’ve been a whistle-blower on APS and you train whistle-blowers; you have a website… Could it be…….that you too, like Beverly Fraud, ARE Dr. John Trotter???!!!
Top School
December 18th, 2011
10:05 pm
Please…no body has time for this.
@ Observer…Ask Maureen to verify…
The website states my name at http://www.TopPublicSchoolCorruptionAtlanta.com
And I think it’s all over the web.
http://www.facebook.com/TopPublicSchoolCorruptionAtlanta
http://www.toppublicschoolcorruptionatlanta.com/?page_id=2
2007 U.S. App. LEXIS 11987,*;225 Fed. Appx. 84
JOHN SAM, JR., ALL ABOUT LEARNING AFTER SCHOOL, INC., Plaintiffs-Appellants, versus LORRAINE B. REICH, BOARD OF EDUCATION OF THE CITY OF ATLANTA, ATLANTA INDEPENDENT SCHOOL SYSTEM, Defendants-Appellees.
I think you post before you research your facts.
@ observer is an appropriate name…But maybe you should change to
@ blow …to express how you respond without really investigating the facts provided.
Honestly…this is Maureen’s blog…she should be glad anyone responds…MOSTLY BECAUSE IT IS A WASTE OF TIME AND ENERGY.
Top School
December 18th, 2011
10:12 pm
as for @Dr. Trotter…he is real and has a verifiable website too.
@ Beverly Fraud…I am not sure if it is a male or female…but he/she has valid points that just happen to be on the same page.
no need to worry…We are only 1% ….no need to fear of a “take over”…
Besides ON…Dec. 21, 2012 NEXT YEAR…all human GREED AND EGO will end on this earth.
That’s enough to keep you worried. I am ready for the SPACE SHIP. I am not worried at ALL.
Observer
December 19th, 2011
11:01 am
@ Top School, 10:05. You know quite well that Maureen is not going to “verify” anything.
This is the first time you’ve posted any web site, or given any facts, in your posts here. The Facebook page you cite here is “Not Available.” I checked the website address you post, and still am not sure…is your name John Sam, Jr., or what? No information is given on this website, only an account of the legal outcome of a 2007 lawsuit against an APS administrative official and this Sam person.
2007 is a long time ago…many don’t remember a thing about this dramatic lawsuit you’re citing…or even, to tell you the truth, much about Dr. Trotter’s history in Clayton County in 2008.
Move on. You (and Beverly Fraud and Dr. Trotter) keep alluding in your innumerable posts to conspiracies and events that are long ago, in the pre-APS Report era. I can remember the events of the Vietnam War, but don’t talk about them.
Top School
December 20th, 2011
12:31 am
I am going to choose to ignore your ignorance.
Beverly Hall served in a position of authority for 10+ years…
My information is documented during that time and clearly documents the retaliation that was used to silence the masses.
I’ve moved on… but I continue to post …because…to date…not a leader in APS has been held accountable…and many INVOLVED IN THE CORRUPTION ARE STILL EMPLOYEES of APS.
As an @observer…you don’t know much.
John Sam… I am… and I experienced APS fraud and corruption first hand.
As for VIETNAM…i think many can compare it to the most recent war…
Your comment is does not deserve a response. I think your title speaks volumes…@ observer
Nothing else needs to be said… your position is clear.
Top School
December 20th, 2011
1:06 am
History does speak highly of OBSERVERS during the HOLOCAUST…the Civil Rights Movement… Vietnam…and the list can go on forever.
I am not an OBSERVER.
Observer
December 20th, 2011
10:43 am
@ Top School. I was an observer of the Vietnam War not a participant, because I’m female and in those days women weren’t drafted. I’m not a K-12 teacher, in APS or elsewhere, so I only know of the Beverly Hall fascist regime through hearsay… which at this point has been pretty voluminous. So that’s why I term myself “Observer.” I think that many of the readers here are the same, whether bloggers or lurkers.
Clearly that regime has left many of those who lived through it with a sort of PTSD, and evidently you’re one of them.
But this is still playing out in the courts, and we don’t know how it will end. As an “observer” only, it seems to me that the entire APS culture has changed, however. From what you say here, you helped to bring about that change and that is to be admired. But give the reminders and postings about this past a rest….people will just ignore them after awhile.
There’s an old Russian folk-saying that’s relevant here: God sees the truth, but waits.