“Coming into this new technology for me was just — it was like going from the old ages to Star Wars. It was very overwhelming.”
—Jessie Pender, 48, who was released from the Clinton Dannemora correctional facility in 2011 after 13 years behind bars

These two photos capture everything you need to know about last night’s lively community forum on school reform in Newark. Listen to Brian Lehrer’s conversation with Mayor Cory Booker and teachers, principals, (protesting) students and parents. Full audio and highlights here.

-Jody, BL Show-

Happy first day of school! READ MORE

theatlantic:

School’s Out Forever: Parents Who Don’t Believe in Education

Radically unschooled children are allowed to live each day in freedom, being exactly who and what they are at that moment. They have no bedtime, no mandatory foods, no off-limit words. If your child is tender-headed and shrieks like a parrot when her hair is brushed, the Radical would suggest you not brush her hair. If she prefers to let it mass into a giant dreadlock that collects food and gnats, well, it’s really not your problem, is it? After all, it’s not your hair; it’s hers. The basic operating principle is that you should not treat a child any differently than you would treat another adult, which is to say without guilt, coercion or threats.

Read more. [Image: Lisa James/Shutterstock]

walyce:

While some parents believe summer time should be a time of rest and play for children, others use the time for their children to continue learning in order to go back to school fully prepared. Some moms and dads are able to send their children to camps or programs specifically designed to ensure…

Announcement!

WNYC and the New York Times have partnered to launch SchoolBook, an interactive education website of news, information and conversation about New York City schools, starting September 7.

theweekmagazine:

The study: Over the span of five summer weeks, 18 second-graders were divided into two groups; one group read aloud to another person for 30 minutes once a week, and the other group read aloud to a dog.

Guess which group saw a decrease in their words-per-minute reading rate…

Today on WNYC:

Must-see arts in the city, a weekly roundup from Carolina Miranda, includes “Talk to Me” at MoMA. (Photo above by Sascha Nordmeyer.)

Now on the Brian Lehrer Show: Nick Davies, the Guardian reporter who broke much of the News of the World phone-hacking story.

The 23rd annual NewFest LGBT Film Festival kicks off.

LAWSUIT: The city isn’t removing PCBs from schools fast enough…

MUSIC: The Brooklyn-dwelling Israeli trio Balkan Beat Box brings their dance-oriented global stylings to Brooklyn Bowl tonight. Free download!

braiker:

whinewinewhine:

The Most Aggressive Defense Of Teachers You’ll Hear This Year

The guy who asked teacher Taylor Mali, “What do you make?” at a dinner party certainly never thought he’d get this answer.

Amazing. Take three minutes out of your day to watch this. It’s so powerful and spot-on. Go Teachers!

Watch this. Now. 

wooooooooooooooo!!!!! -A.P.

Today on WNYC:

The New York Dolls played live on Soundcheck yesterday (and read lyrics from a paper but whatever). VIDEO

Nuclear power in the tri-state area.

All Japan news: http://www.wnyc.org/japan

Teaching Mid-East events to students—and staying on-pace with the state’s curriculum.

Ted Danson is talking to Leonard Lopate now about his efforts to save the oceans.

-Liz