The DeVos Family now wants to remake part of a southeast Grand Rapids neighborhood

It seems clear from these minutes that AmplifyGR wants to move forward quickly and not have to be bothered by the tedious process of public and resident input, because there is an “urgency.”

All of these developments are taking place somewhat under the radar and should concern all of us who care about justice and equity. The group Grand Rapids Homes for All is hosting a meeting with AmplifyGR on Thursday, June 8, from 6 – 8pm at the Baxter Community Center. Come with questions, come with concerns and lets not allow the DeVos family to dictate the future of yet another part of the city of Grand Rapids. — read the full blog post — https://griid.org/2017/05/29/the-devos-family-now-wants-to-remake-part-of-a-southeast-grand-rapids-neighborhood/

Grand Rapids Institute for Information Democracy

Over the past several years, we have seen the impact that developers and investors are having on the gentrification of neighborhoods throughout Grand Rapids.

The Wealthy Street corridor, Michigan Street, the Belknap neighborhood, Bridge Street and West Fulton are just a few examples of neighborhoods that have seen the cost of rent rise dramatically, houses being torn down, families being displaced and the new development projects primarily benefiting the business/professional class.

There are now plans under way in the Southtown area of Grand Rapids, specifically the area that is bordered by Hall St. to the North, Burton St. to the South, Division St. to the West and Fuller/Kalamazoo to the East. Some people also refer to this area as the Boston Square neighborhood and the Cottage Grove business district.

One of the entities that is pushing for the re-development of this area is the Rockford Construction Company. Last year it…

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Poet on “The Stories Data Never Tell”

Diane Ravitch's blog

Responding to a post of the same name by Larry Lee of Alabama, SomeDam Poet writes:

“The stories that data never tell”

The stories that data never tell

Are known to the teachers very well

The pride in art

The joy of song

A brand new start

In something long

The growth that’s gauged

By smiles and laughs

And not encaged

By tests and graphs

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Personalized Learning Pathways & the Gig Economy

Personalized Learning Pathways & the Gig Economy
by seattleducation2010
Individual learning pathways, 21st century skills, Embracing the whole child; These empowering phrases are being used to sell the public on a technology-centric, radical redesign of public education. Why? So our students will be able to keep pace in the highly competitive global economy. David Coleman, father of the common core standards, let slip a … Continue reading Personalized Learning Pathways & the Gig Economy

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Seattle Education

Individual learning pathways,

21st century skills,

Embracing the whole child;

These empowering phrases are being used to sell the public on a technology-centric, radical redesign of public education. Why? So our students will be able to keep pace in the highly competitive global economy.

David Coleman, father of the common core standards, let slip a rare insight into the real role individual students are to play in the new personalized education landscape of college and career readiness. Coleman’s statement was in response to the common core writing standards’ emphasis of analysis over opinion writing.

“As you grow up in this world, you realize people really don’t give a s— about what you feel or what you think,” he said. “It is rare in a working environment that someone says, ‘Johnson, I need a market analysis by Friday, but before that I need a compelling account of your childhood.’”

Forgive me, but…

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Do all you possibly can

Do all you possibly can
by Wendy E. N. Thomas

It’s that time of year for kids and young adults to graduate. In our family we have at one end – a college graduation (and he goes right into the army from there) and at the other end, we also have one who will be entering her senior year in high school.

She’s not sure what she wants to study when she goes to college. She’s got a few options in mind but hasn’t come to a decision.

“What do you think, mom?” She asks.

Live to Write - Write to Live

It’s that time of year for kids and young adults to graduate. In our family we have at one end – a college graduation  (and he goes right into the army from there) and at the other end, we also have one who will be entering her senior year in high school.

She’s not sure what she wants to study when she goes to college. She’s got a few options in mind but hasn’t come to a decision.

“What do you think, mom?” She asks.

“Take a bunch of classes,” I tell her. “Find out what subjects really get you excited. That’s going to be a clear indication of what field you will be most happy working in – and then do all you possibly can to make it so that you work in that field. Don’t make the mistake I did. I took English and writing classes, but because…

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Celebrate Memorial Day With A Wilderness Walk.

Yesterday I celebrated Memorial Day by sitting in a five-hour traffic jam on I-93 between Manchester and Concord, NH.  I was coming back from a graduation at a high school in Wolfeboro, as far as I could tell everyone else was driving to Lake Winnipesauke to eat soft ice cream at a drive-in, take the kids to a water park, or maybe just enjoy being inside their car instead of sitting in their backyard.

              The more our society becomes urbanized and suburbanized, the more we all want to find a way to get back to the rustic delights of the out-of-doors and nature, even if we can only do it when everyone else is trying to do it too. But as I was sitting on the highway, I kept thinking of what Jane Goodall once said, “I don’t give two hoots about civilization. I want to wander in the…

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COINTELPRO — The History of US-Sponsored Terror & Repression of Leftists That Progressives Should Know »

It is a period of unrest for the United States. The republic has been infiltrated by Russian agents using false reports & propaganda to spread confusion in the population. Few can be trusted. The Senators & Representatives

Source: COINTELPRO — The History of US-Sponsored Terror & Repression of Leftists That Progressives Should Know »