The Associated Press: School book ban raises censorship concerns in PR

The Associated Press: School book ban raises censorship concerns in PR:

"SAN JUAN, Puerto Rico — Several university professors in Puerto Rico are protesting a decision to ban five books from the curriculum at public high schools in the U.S. territory because of coarse language.

The Spanish-language books previously were read as part of the 11th grade curriculum, but proofreaders this year alerted education officials about 'coarse' slang, including references to genitalia in 'Mejor te lo cuento: antologia personal,' by Juan Antonio Ramos.

Also among the banned books is the novel 'Aura' by Carlos Fuentes of Mexico, one of Latin America's most prominent contemporary writers. The other four authors affected are from Puerto Rico."

SCUSD Observer: Local AFL-CIO mobilizes against Johnson

SCUSD Observer: Local AFL-CIO mobilizes against Johnson

URGENT MOBILIZATION!

STOP THE POLITICAL VENDETTA AGAINST THE AFL-CIO SUPPORTER
ON THE LAW AND LEGISLATION COMMITTEE!

Tuesday, September 15th @ 6 PM*

This should be one of the first items on the agenda

*Sacramento City Council Meeting

City Hall
915 I Street,
Sacramento

On Tuesday, September 8th, Mayor Kevin Johnson removed Councilwoman Sandy Sheedy as chair of the City’s Law and Legislation Committee.

Sheedy has been an outspoken advocate for workers issues on and off the city council.

Councilmember Sheedy raised questions reflecting the concerns of Labor regarding the potential corruption in the strong mayor proposal advocated by the group Sacramentans for Accountable Government.

D.C. Teachers, Rhee Appear Close to Contract; Both Sides Might Yield Some Ground - washingtonpost.com

D.C. Teachers, Rhee Appear Close to Contract; Both Sides Might Yield Some Ground - washingtonpost.com:

"Under a proposed 'mutual consent' provision, principals would have more power to pick and choose teachers. Teachers who failed to find new assignments would have three options. They could remain on the payroll for a year, accepting at least two spot assignments as substitutes or tutors or in some other support role. If they can't find a permanent job after a year, they would be fired. Teachers could also choose to take a $25,000 buyout or, if they have at least 20 years' service to the city school system, retire with full benefits."

School's Out for Laid-Off L.A. Teacher - Christina Davidson

School's Out for Laid-Off L.A. Teacher - Christina Davidson:

"According to the California Teachers Association, districts across the state have laid off more than 20,000 educators. Los Angeles Unified--the second largest school district in the country--had to cut almost a billion dollars from its budget this year. Nearly 9,000 teachers, counselors, and administrators received layoff notices in the Spring, though an infusion of federal stimulus funds eased budget constraints enough to finance re-hiring around 6,700 of them."

PD Editorial: Teacher pay | PressDemocrat.com | The Press Democrat | Santa Rosa, CA

PD Editorial: Teacher pay PressDemocrat.com The Press Democrat Santa Rosa, CA:

"For 15 years, Long Beach has used data-based systems to track and evaluate students and teachers, while receiving national acclaim for its performance. Among other things, district officials use data to match specialists with students needing extra help and coaches with struggling teachers. Yes, data also could — and should — be a factor in awarding merit raises to deserving teachers, but that’s not the same as a rigid formula linked to test scores.

More schools would benefit from the middle ground championed by Long Beach educators. So would our politics."

Russ Pulliam: Obama's right on this reform | IndyStar.com | The Indianapolis Star

Russ Pulliam: Obama's right on this reform IndyStar.com The Indianapolis Star:

"Democrats are engaged in an internal debate over education -- with unions on one side and reformers like Duncan on the other. The reformers have become better organized in recent years, with groups such as Democrats for Education Reform, a political action committee headed by Kevin Chavous, an Indianapolis native. Chavous practices law in Washington and has served on the City Council there. His group wants teacher performance and pay tied to student test results, along with more charter schools."

The Obama Lecture: Hey Kids, Don't Read This | theledger.com | The Ledger | Lakeland, FL

The Obama Lecture: Hey Kids, Don't Read This theledger.com The Ledger Lakeland, FL:

"It was a speech clearly meant to be one that would draw youngsters in (How often does a president talk about an Xbox?). It made Florida Republican Party Chairman Jim Greer statement last week - he was 'absolutely appalled that taxpayer dollars are being used to spread President Obama's socialist ideology' - seem even more clueless than it was at the time."

Parents flex muscles in Kent teacher strike | Local News | Seattle News, Local News, Breaking News, Weather | KING5.com

Parents flex muscles in Kent teacher strike Local News Seattle News, Local News, Breaking News, Weather KING5.com:

"Parents are entering the fight to end the teacher strike that has canceled the first nine days of school in the Kent School District.

The Kent Parents Coalition has collected about 300 signatures and plans to file a petition to recall school board members if a contract isn't agreed on by Sunday night.

'The school board itself is elected by us. If they won't listen to our voice, then we need to make sure to replace them,' said grandparent Pam Buher.

'If they don't, then we're going to do what we can do to remove them from office,' added Charles Allen, group spokesperson."

The Associated Press: Teacher strike in Washington focused on class size

The Associated Press: Teacher strike in Washington focused on class size:

"The strike is not centered on wage and contract issues like most labor disputes. Kent teachers are instead fighting for smaller class sizes, arguing that the district should spend some of the $21 million it has in reserve to alleviate overcrowding.

The district maintains that it needs to hold on to the reserve funds during such poor economic times and that classes are not as crowded as teachers claim. Some teachers complain that they don't have enough desks for students, with more than 30 students in some elementary and middle school classes."

Hopper tries, hits wall in changing school teacher evaluations | thenorthwestern.com | Oshkosh Northwestern

Hopper tries, hits wall in changing school teacher evaluations thenorthwestern.com Oshkosh Northwestern:

"Teachers' unions have long opposed linking test scores with evaluations and teacher pay because they believe it's unfair to judge a teacher's performance on a single test. They also note the tests can be flawed, don't test every subject, and that many students learn from more than one teacher.

But in a statement issued Friday, Wisconsin Education Association Council president Mary Bell said, 'In any legislative changes, we support the use of multiple measures when evaluating educators.'

She also said any reform must be carefully evaluated for fairness to teachers because changes in the law will be applied whether or not the money follows."

Go slow on charter schools, city asks : City & Region : The Buffalo News

Go slow on charter schools, city asks : City & Region : The Buffalo News:

"Buffalo School Superintendent James A. Williams has taken a favorable view of charter schools during the first several years, saying they spawn innovation and provide healthy competition for traditional public schools.

But now, after a series of run-ins with local charter schools, he is asking for a state moratorium on the creation of new charter schools in Buffalo and its adjoining suburbs.
Williams' request is driving the tense relationship between charter and traditional schools to new levels of acrimony."

Feds slap education officials with fine - Salt Lake Tribune

Feds slap education officials with fine - Salt Lake Tribune:

"The federal government imposed a $58,000 penalty on the Utah State Office of Education in August for defying testing rules in order to proceed with an experimental testing program.
Though Utah won't lose the money -- the state office must shift it to school districts instead of use it at the state level -- the U.S. Department of Education doesn't often financially punish states. The sanction came after the state failed to give a certain test in two Utah school districts that are piloting a new testing system for Utah, a system that an independent evaluation shows is yielding mixed results."

Plan would limit charter schools' independence | Philadelphia Daily News | 09/11/2009

Plan would limit charter schools' independence Philadelphia Daily News 09/11/2009:

"If a proposed amendment to the charter-school policy is approved by the School Reform Commission this fall, the city's charter schools will be one step closer to losing their independence, a charter-school official said yesterday at a public hearing."

Labor Union and Students Fight California State University Budget Cuts - Bulatlat

Labor Union and Students Fight California State University Budget Cuts - Bulatlat:

"California prisons have been garnering tax dollars at a vastly higher rate than higher education in the past quarter century. From 1984-1985 to 2009-2010, state spending on postsecondary schools has increased 159 percent versus an increase of 685 percent for incarceration in the same 25-year period, according to the nonpartisan Legislative Analyst’s Office."

It's Politics: Sens. Bob Huff, Gloria Romero work together on educational reform bill - Whittier Daily News

It's Politics: Sens. Bob Huff, Gloria Romero work together on educational reform bill - Whittier Daily News:

"You don't usually see Democrats and Republicans working together in Sacramento.

But state Sens. Bob Huff, R-Diamond Bar, and Gloria Romero, D-Los Angeles, have introduced legislation to help California's education system get $4.5 billion in federal grant money.

'Education is not a partisan issue,' Huff said. 'It's about helping our kids excel and compete. We're trying to get things done for the state in spite of the normal political skirmishing we see.'
SB 1-5X would allow the use of student test data to evaluate teacher performance. It also would eliminate a limitation on the number of charter schools in California."

Pattern of government influence in schools

Pattern of government influence in schools:

"There has been much discussion the last week about the President’s decision to speak directly to the students in US schools on September the 8th. Those on the right worried about the “indoctrination” of the youth. The uproar was so great that the U.S. Department of Education even changed the study guide that was made available for the teachers to use. Removed was the question where students were asked what they could do to help the president."

California Chronicle | SCHOOL EDUCATION DATA BILL ENSURES ACCESS TO FEDERAL FUNDS, INCREASES EDUCATION ACCOUNTABILITY

California Chronicle SCHOOL EDUCATION DATA BILL ENSURES ACCESS TO FEDERAL FUNDS, INCREASES EDUCATION ACCOUNTABILITY:


"SACRAMENTO- The State Legislature has passed SB 19 by State Senator Joe Simitian, (D-Palo Alto). The measure is designed to put to rest a controversy Simitian describes as 'a tempest in a teapot' over California´s eligibility for federal funds for schools.

SB 19 is necessary said Simitian, 'because of a misinterpretation by federal officials over the meaning of California state law; a misinterpretation that has the potential to preclude California access to $4.5 billion in federal education 'Race to the Top' funds.'

Although Simitian and others, including State Superintendent of Public Instruction Jack O´Connell, argued that the feds were misreading the state law, Simitian said he quickly concluded it was wiser to simply 'eliminate, rather than prolong the debate.'"

Fitch Downgrades Natomas USD, California's GOs to 'BBB'; Watch Negative

Fitch Downgrades Natomas USD, California's GOs to 'BBB'; Watch Negative

NEW YORK--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Fitch Ratings downgrades Natomas Unified School District (USD), California's (the district) $64.6 million of outstanding general obligation (GO) bonds to 'BBB' from 'A-' and places the bonds on Rating Watch Negative.

While the original rating was assigned July 29, 2004, the ratings on the 1999 refunding GO bond was not reflected on Fitch's web site. The full rating history is now available at 'http://cts.businesswire.com/ct/CT?id=smartlink&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.fitchratings.com&esheet=6048430&lan=en_US&anchor=www.fitchratings.com&index=1'.

The downgrade reflects the district's deteriorating financial position, as evidenced by a significant structural imbalance and projected year end deficit balances for fiscals 2010-12. With the weakened financial position brought on largely by misestimates of student enrollment and reduced state funding without commensurate spending cuts, Fitch believes the district's ability to achieve balance and rebuild reserves will be hindered in the future by the area's significantly impacted housing market and a local moratorium on new home building. While the district is working with a consultant and the Sacramento County Office of Education to reduce the budgeted fiscal 2010 deficit, Fitch views the level of actions needed to return reserves to levels consistent with the prior 'A-' rating as unlikely in the near-term. Also, the district's debt amortization is very slow, further reducing financial flexibility.

John Burton: Governor's cuts to child services run deep - Sacramento Opinion - Sacramento Editorial | Sacramento Bee

John Burton: Governor's cuts to child services run deep - Sacramento Opinion - Sacramento Editorial Sacramento Bee:

"A child goes to school too weak from hunger to cry, much less learn. A foster child is turned out on the street on her 18th birthday, with no shelter, no job, no health care and no one to turn to. Sound familiar?

These are stories too often reported on the pages of this newspaper and others across the state. They are stories I've spent my entire career trying to prevent."