White House seeks comments on education law - Sacramento News - Local and Breaking Sacramento News | Sacramento Bee

White House seeks comments on education law - Sacramento News - Local and Breaking Sacramento News Sacramento Bee:

"That means millions of children are a long way from reaching the law's ambitious goals. The law pushes schools to improve test scores each year, so that every student can read and do math on grade level by the year 2014.

Opponents insist the law's annual reading and math tests have squeezed subjects like music and art out of the classroom and that schools were promised billions of dollars they never received."

Systemwide protest planned for University of California -- latimes.com

Systemwide protest planned for University of California -- latimes.com:

"Bob Samuels, president of UC-American Federation of Teachers, which represents more than 4,000 lecturers and librarians, said the union's contract forbids members from canceling classes. But he expects many teachers to raise the budget issues during class and said some might move their sessions elsewhere to avoid crossing picket lines.

The goal is not to shut down UC, but 'to create enough resistance and difficulty so people talk about the issues,' said Samuels, who is a UCLA writing instructor and has been warned that he may be laid off next school year because of the cutbacks. He and other UC critics contend that the most painful austerities could be avoided by reducing top executives' salaries and tapping financial reserves that UC leaders insist already are spent on educational purposes."

UC Walkout: Trapped in a Partisan Cul-de-Sac? : Indybay

UC Walkout: Trapped in a Partisan Cul-de-Sac? : Indybay:

"Proponents of a UC walkout tomorrow have yet to place the reasons for the crisis of the UC system in a broader, national context.

Tomorrow, many faculty throughout the University of California system will participate in a walkout on the first day of class. After raising registration fees, known elsewhere as tuition, 9.3% in May, UC President Mark Yudof has recommended an additional 30% increase to fully take effect by the fall of 2010. UC campuses have already laid off 884 employees, and plan to lay off an additional 1,006 more. Most employees that remain are now participating in a furlough plan that will result in salary reductions between 4% and 10%."

Gavin Newsom: Let's get our priorities straight

Gavin Newsom: Let's get our priorities straight:

"With the upcoming University of California walkout, we asked our Facebook community recently how the impending UC and CSU cuts were affecting them. The response was overwhelming:
Stephanie from SF State needed only two classes to graduate with her bachelor's degree. But one of the courses was eliminated -- graduation will have to wait until next year."

Obama education chief Duncan to push schools reform - USATODAY.com

Obama education chief Duncan to push schools reform - USATODAY.com:

"In a speech to be delivered Thursday in Washington to more than 150 education, business, civil rights, charitable and social services groups, Duncan plans to invoke the Rev. Martin Luther King's 1963 letter from a Birmingham jail that made the case for non-violent civil disobedience as state and local governments dragged their feet in integrating schools and communities. Duncan will tell the group that after 50 years of school reforms, court rulings and 'watershed' reports, 'we're still waiting for the day when every child in America has a high-quality education that prepares him or her for the future.'"

Sacramento mayor hosts town hall meeting - Latest News - sacbee.com

Sacramento mayor hosts town hall meeting - Latest News - sacbee.com:

"Sacramento Mayor Kevin Johnson will hold a town hall-style forum tomorrow night at California Middle School in Land Park.

Among the topics the mayor will discuss are the homeless, K Street development and his strong-mayor proposal.

The event runs from 7 to 8 p.m. California Middle School is located at 1600 Vallejo Way, at Land Park Drive."

Ground Game on Schools

Ground Game on Schools:

"Beneath all this headline turmoil, Obama is overseeing a quiet upheaval in the nation's approach to education from preschool through college. I've been somewhat skeptical of the president's ability to pull this off, questioning his determination to stand up to two political giants: the student-lending lobby and teachers unions.

The final results aren't in. The biggest challenge -- overhauling the No Child Left Behind law -- has no clear legislative path in sight. But when the National Education Association unloads on an Obama administration proposal to promote charter schools and teacher accountability as a 'series of top-down directives,' you know the administration is doing something bold."

Education | Seattle Children's rolls out a mobile lab to spread word: Science is cool | Seattle Times Newspaper

Education Seattle Children's rolls out a mobile lab to spread word: Science is cool Seattle Times Newspaper:

"The first science-lab-on-wheels on the West Coast rolled up to Seattle's Northgate Elementary Tuesday, and fourth- and fifth-graders, looking like miniature scientists in aprons, latex gloves and safety glasses, successfully isolated their DNA."

Erasures on D.C. Tests Apparently Concentrated in Six Schools - washingtonpost.com

Erasures on D.C. Tests Apparently Concentrated in Six Schools - washingtonpost.com:

"Forty-five of Washington's 150 public schools had at least one classroom with an elevated erasure level in 2008, according to the analysis, disclosed by District officials this month. A closer examination of the data shows that suspicious erasures were most heavily concentrated in third-, fourth-, fifth- and sixth-grade classrooms at a half-dozen schools: Aiton Elementary (seven classrooms); Marie Reed Elementary (six); Takoma Education Campus (five); Langdon Education Campus (four); J.O. Wilson Elementary (four); and Bowen. Five of the schools made gains that exceeded citywide averages. Langdon's scores held relatively steady."

William C. Thompson Jr. Promotes Changes in Schools in Run for Mayor - NYTimes.com

William C. Thompson Jr. Promotes Changes in Schools in Run for Mayor - NYTimes.com:

"Declaring that Mayor Michael R. Bloomberg’s “corporate model” has failed students and parents alike, William C. Thompson Jr., the Democratic nominee for mayor, pledged on Tuesday night to hire educators to run the school system, shrink class sizes and get parents more involved in the education process."

The Answer Sheet - A Troubling Trend in D.C. Schools

The Answer Sheet - A Troubling Trend in D.C. Schools:

"Reporters like to declare a trend when they see at least three examples of the same phenomenon.
Based on the rules of trends, The Answer Sheet sees a troubling trend involving D.C. Schools Chancellor Michelle Rhee and what seems to be her difficulty in being forthcoming.

Example #1: Rhee and Mayor Adrian M. Fenty (D) announced last week that budget cuts in the District were suddenly forcing them to cut up to $40 million from D.C. schools and that teachers would have to be laid off just as the new year was starting."

District Dossier: Bloomberg's Education Record at Issue in NYC Mayoral Race

District Dossier: Bloomberg's Education Record at Issue in NYC Mayoral Race:

"In Thompson's major policy address on schools last night, Thompson said he would focus more attention on English-language learners, 'fix' the curriculum so teachers aren't 'teaching to the test' and work on reducing class size.

His first priority? Hiring an chancellor with 'a solid and extensive education background'—a jab at current chancellor Klein, who is a former Justice Department antitrust lawyer."

Education Week: New York Test Scores Raise Eyebrows

Education Week: New York Test Scores Raise Eyebrows:

"The recent news that 97 percent of New York City public schools got an A or B under the district’s grading system might be seen as reason for celebration, but critics suggest the grades hold little value and highlight the need to rethink the state assessment system.

The results, they say, reveal far more about flaws in the city’s so-called “progress reports” —and the state testing regime that largely drives them—than they do about the quality of education in the 1.1 million-student district."

Education department ignores superintendent-in-district law: Critics

Education department ignores superintendent-in-district law: Critics:

"One of the few changes to mayoral control passed in Albany this past summer hasn't been put into effect, advocates will charge at a City Council hearing on Wednesday.
After changes to the law, school superintendents were to be assigned duties only in their local district so they could focus more on parents' concerns.

But advocates said superintendents are still forced to oversee schools outside their geographic districts, making them less in control."

Mayor Bloomberg's boast on graduation rates is misleading, according to study

Mayor Bloomberg's boast on graduation rates is misleading, according to study:

"Mayor Bloomberg's claim that graduation rates are up at small schools he created after shuttering large dysfunctional ones is misleading, a new study asserts.

The study, done at Columbia University's Teachers College, questions a key vehicle Bloomberg hopes to ride to a third term as mayor.

A recent TV ad from the Fund for Public Schools, which Bloomberg founded to funnel private money into public schools, cites Evander Childs High School as an example of a 'turnaround school.'"

MinnPost - Minneapolis School Board drops The Big One

MinnPost - Minneapolis School Board drops The Big One:

"The Minneapolis School Board dropped the big one Tuesday night, finally voting through the plan that will close four schools and eliminate the transportation-heavy 'open choice' program. Those decisions are among several changes certain to throw wrenches in family school planning all over town. The Strib's Emily Johns reports: 'Gone is the citywide school choice system, a patchwork of magnet and community schools that developed over decades as a way to deal with federal and state integration laws. The Minneapolis school district currently transports 74 percent of its students to school, and spends $33 million on transportation every year as its buses criss-cross the city.' She says 200 people showed up for the decisive meeting."

Do we need a longer school day? | Philadelphia Public School Notebook

Do we need a longer school day? Philadelphia Public School Notebook:

"Proponents of a longer school day point to other countries that have longer school days and/or school years that appear to correlate with greater academic achievement. The experience of some charter schools, notably KIPP, that have incorporated a longer days is also frequently cited. These schools, which have boosted student achievement as measured by standardized tests, argue that a longer day is necessary to make up the deficit so many urban students have in reading and math."

WKMS: Possible Education Expansion in Kentucky (2009-09-23)

WKMS: Possible Education Expansion in Kentucky (2009-09-23):

"According to the National Education Association, charter schools are publicly funded schools that have been freed from some of the rules and regulations that apply to public schools. These schools have been most successful in urban areas, but U.S. Secretary of Education Arne Duncan believes the rural areas of America are ready for charter schools. With the new Race to the Top fund, the possibility of these schools reaching rural areas in Kentucky is greater each day. Caleb Campbell has more."

'No Child Left Behind' needs another look - NewburyportNews.com, Newburyport, MA

'No Child Left Behind' needs another look - NewburyportNews.com, Newburyport, MA:

"When some of the top-rated public schools in the nation have a hard time achieving the goals of the federal No Child Left Behind act, should we be concerned that the American education system is incapable of keeping pace?

Or should we be more concerned that bureaucrats and lawmakers have set goals that are unrealistically high?

Certainly there are elements of both in the debate over No Child Left Behind. As Newburyport's middle school enters the growing ranks of schools considered in need of 'restructuring' due to its test scores, we should consider that the rigid and punitive standards don't necessarily reflect reality."

altmuslimah.com - Community: Muslim Americans answer Obama’s call to service

altmuslimah.com - Community: Muslim Americans answer Obama’s call to service:

"By Halima Samad, September 23, 2009

President Barack Obama's national call to service was heard and answered by many Muslim organizations and communities to re-capture the American spirit in the post 9/11 era, to stimulate interfaith activities to be more action-based, and to help re-build local economic landscapes in the wake of the recession. Although these are signs of charitable maturity within the Muslim community, it is still essential that all Muslims catapult these issues to the forefront of their human service agendas."

Salinas High board OKs classified pay cut | thecalifornian.com | The Salinas Californian

Salinas High board OKs classified pay cut thecalifornian.com The Salinas Californian:

"The Salinas Union High School District Board of Trustees approved a 2.7 percent pay cut Tuesday night for members of the California School Employees Association."

Strike set to shutdown UC system Thursday

Central Valley Business Times:

"Thursday is supposed to be the first day of classes at most University of California campuses, but students may find their instructors walking picket lines instead.

More than 1,100 UC faculty, including some faculty members at the two Central Valley campuses in Davis and Merced, vow to strike for a day to protest tuition hikes, enrollment cuts, layoffs, furloughs, and increased class sizes."

Teacher sues LA school dist. over gay agenda

Teacher sues LA school dist. over gay agenda:

"Fernandez also drew fire for voicing the requests of his predominantly Hispanic Catholic students that a pro-gay poster be moved inside to a classroom bulletin board so they would not have to walk under it several times a day. Fernandez was then shunned by fellow teachers and administrators, given larger, more unruly classes, moved to a less desirable location, and ordered not to send any problem students to the principal’s office. Fernandez eventually sought medical treatment for stress and related medical problems and finally placed on medical leave by his physician after more than a year of harassment. Fernandez’ lawsuit, filed in state court and removed by LAUSD to federal court, alleges First Amendment violations and discrimination, harassment and retaliation under state employment laws."

Notes from the Institution: Education politics

Notes from the Institution: Education politics:

"Yet somehow I found the speech delivered by President Obama on Sept. 8 to be incredibly interesting. This highly publicized disquisition has become a center of controversy as many citizens construed his speech as an attempt to push socialist ideas on the youth of America. Parents in states such as Texas, California, and even Connecticut had requested that schools refrain from showing Obama’s oration to the students. As a member of the student population addressed, I feel compelled to argue that listening to the commander-in-chief advocate the benefits of hard work in school is extremely valuable."

California chef takes school lunch campaign to D.C. - San Jose Mercury News

California chef takes school lunch campaign to D.C. - San Jose Mercury News:

"Congress is rolling up its sleeves to debate new rules involving the Child Nutrition Act, which sets standards for 30 million school lunches a day and is scheduled to expire later this year.

Chef Ann Cooper, who transformed Berkeley school lunches over four years, headed to Capitol Hill this month to lobby for better food. But she also wants to share her secrets — recipes, food-buying tips and strategies to get kids to eat well — with the rest of the nation.

With Whole Foods, Cooper has launched the Boulder, Colo.-based Lunch Box (www.thelunchbox.org), a site with resources for parents, schools and cooks on how to make lunch healthier. We talked to her about the project:"

Editorial: Veto of teacher data bill would send terrible message - San Jose Mercury News

Editorial: Veto of teacher data bill would send terrible message - San Jose Mercury News:

"The highest barrier to California's getting its fair share of $4 billion in federal 'Race to the Top' education grants is a 2006 law that prohibits linking teacher evaluations to student test scores. U.S. Secretary of Education Arne Duncan has made California's ban a national laughing stock. Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger has proclaimed that it must go.

A bill eliminating the barrier, SB19, authored by state Sen. Joe Simitian (D-Palo Alto), is on the governor's desk. But amazingly, he may not sign it. Schwarzenegger wants additional reforms as well, and some Republicans feel eliminating the data problem will leave less incentive for lawmakers to deal with the rest of the package."

Spring admissions open for 150 students - News

Spring admissions open for 150 students - News:

"A small group of 150 Sacramento State students will be admitted into the teacher credential programs this spring despite the California State University system's closure of all spring 2010 admissions.

Sac State's teacher credential program is known for preparing California's teachers, and with thousands of teachers expected to retire in the next five years, Sac State is credentialing more and more teachers.

'As an institution that's primarily been charged with educating future teachers, we were given special permission to continue admitting and enrolling students into teacher preparation programs,' said Vanessa Sheared, dean of the College of Education"

Teachers make house calls in new school program | rgj.com | Reno Gazette-Journal

Teachers make house calls in new school program rgj.com Reno Gazette-Journal:

"The project started in 1998 in Sacramento and has been used in school systems across the country.
Contrary to some students' concerns, the visits won't be focused on problems a child has, said Carrie Rose, executive director of the Parent/Teacher Home Visit Project.
Rose was among those who traveled from the Sacramento area last week to speak with teachers at Hug.
She said home visits are a way to show families that schools care."

In Which the Hope Embedded in the Cal Expo Arena is Sapped, If Not Destroyed - Sactown Royalty

In Which the Hope Embedded in the Cal Expo Arena is Sapped, If Not Destroyed - Sactown Royalty:

"Mayor Kevin Johnson obviously touched a nerve Tuesday in his blog post bemoaning Sacramento's loss of hosting privileges for the NCAA Tournament and questioning the pace of the Cal Expo arena plan development. Bee reporters Tony Bizjak and Ryan Lillis found NBA rep John Moag, the leader of the Cal Expo effort, and synced him up to the mayor's concerns.
The result is not particularly ebullient."

My View: UC Davis strike: We must stand up now for the long-term good of the UC system - Sacramento Opinion - Sacramento Editorial | Sacramento Bee

My View: UC Davis strike: We must stand up now for the long-term good of the UC system - Sacramento Opinion - Sacramento Editorial Sacramento Bee:

"We need to renew the social contract that binds the University of California with the people of the state. We need California residents to reconnect with the university as their own, and for the UC leadership to make more convincing cases as to why increased public support is warranted.

The University of California belongs to all of us. Let's come together to make it, and the rest of the state's education system, as great as the public it serves."

My View: UC Davis strike: Teaching is more than just about being paid - Sacramento Opinion - Sacramento Editorial | Sacramento Bee

My View: UC Davis strike: Teaching is more than just about being paid - Sacramento Opinion - Sacramento Editorial Sacramento Bee:

"While the proposed walkout has now expanded to include student groups, unions and others protesting a variety of issues, all this chatter has spurred the two of us to think about a couple of very basic questions that drove us to do what we do today:

Where would we be today as professors without students? And, just as important, where would those students be without us?"

Bravo, Braziel, on dropout piece- Sacramento Opinion - Sacramento Editorial | Sacramento Bee

Letters to the Editor - Sacramento Opinion - Sacramento Editorial Sacramento Bee:

Bravo, Braziel, on dropout piece

"Re 'The time to act is before the dropout gets arrested' (Viewpoints, Sept. 20): I want to thank The Bee for printing Sacramento Police Chief Rick Braziel's perspective on the dropout crisis. His testimony before the Select Committee on Lowering California's High School Dropout Rate was very insightful and I appreciate his dedication to raising awareness about the issue and offering solutions."

Dozen UC Davis students flash flesh to protest fee hikes - Sacramento News - Local and Breaking Sacramento News | Sacramento Bee

Dozen UC Davis students flash flesh to protest fee hikes - Sacramento News - Local and Breaking Sacramento News Sacramento Bee:

"About a dozen UC Davis students flashed a bit of flesh today to protest University of California President Mark Yudof's proposal to raise fees 30 percent over the next year.
The scantily clad student protesters said their lack of attire was to symbolize that students are 'being stripped' of their right to accessible, quality public education."

'Naked rally' at UC Davis sets stage for Thursday walkout - Sacramento News - Local and Breaking Sacramento News | Sacramento Bee

'Naked rally' at UC Davis sets stage for Thursday walkout - Sacramento News - Local and Breaking Sacramento News Sacramento Bee:

"Now the walkout has grown to include students who are upset about a proposal to increase fees by more than 30 percent and non-teaching staff who are locked in labor negotiations. Across UC campuses on Thursday, union workers will picket, students will rally and professors will walk out."

Sacramento diocese sees big drop in Catholic school enrollment - Sacramento News - Local and Breaking Sacramento News | Sacramento Bee

Sacramento diocese sees big drop in Catholic school enrollment - Sacramento News - Local and Breaking Sacramento News Sacramento Bee:

"Diocesan leaders are responding quickly to the recent drop by trying to increase awareness of Catholic schools. Over the next month, they will educate principals on public relations, talk to parents of students in faith formation classes about sending the children to parochial schools, and reach out to the Latino community – the fastest growing segment of the church.
Tuition at a Catholic K-8 school in the Sacramento diocese averages $3,800 annually. Financial assistance is available to needy students."