The Power of Good Schools - washingtonpost.com

The Power of Good Schools - washingtonpost.com:

"In their quest to move out of their rented Rockville townhouse and buy a single-family home, Lisa Hollaender and her husband, Laurent, first considered the Carderock Springs neighborhood of Bethesda, then moved on to Potomac and later explored Olney. They also ventured across the Potomac to Vienna. But they haven't been to a single open house, let alone made an offer."

Seattle Education 2010: Search results for The connection between the Broad Foundation and push for Strong Mayors

Seattle Education 2010: Search results for The connection between the Broad Foundation and push for Strong Mayors:

"The Broad (which rhymes with 'toad') Foundation claims to be a philanthropic organization, created by billionaire Eli Broad. The Broad Foundation supports privately run charter schools and actively develops a system of charter schools in urban areas.

Broad claims it engages in 'venture philanthropy':

'Our Approach to Investing: Venture Philanthropy. We take an untraditional approach to giving. We don't simply write checks to charities. Instead we practice 'venture philanthropy.' And we expect a return on our investment.'"

The Daily Politics - NY Daily News

The Daily Politics - NY Daily News:

"Bill Thompson's campaign is responding to a new TV ad from Mayor Bloomberg that continues to slam his Democratic opponent's tenure as Board of Education president.

I have yet to see the ad, but Thompson spokeswoman Carly Lindauer helpfully provided the script that appears below along with the following comment:

'Republican Mike Bloomberg has gone negative - setting the tone and direction for his campaign. He’s inundating the airwaves and filling the mailboxes of New Yorkers with false claims about Bill Thompson’s record. It’s unfortunate that a two-term incumbent mayor feels he needs to stoop so low.'

The mailer to which Lindauer is referring hit New York City mailboxes last week (right around primary day), and also focused on education. DN City Hall Bureau Chief Adam Lisberg dissected the piece and found some its claims were a bit on the fuzzy side."

Jim Graham’s Guy Gets Handcuffs: Loose Lips Daily - City Desk - Washington City Paper

Jim Graham’s Guy Gets Handcuffs: Loose Lips Daily - City Desk - Washington City Paper

Inza Rhee said to Michelle, “What is wrong with you? You just don’t care what people think of you!”

‘ That gives way to a discussion of ‘the broom’ (check the outtakes from the Time photo shoot), and the thought from George Parker that ‘no previous superintendent has managed to wreck morale better than Rhee.’

There’s no huge scoop in here, but a lot of great detail about Rhee’s background and her style: ‘Rhee is all about control. She agreed to come to Washington only after being assured greater authority over the schools than any superintendent had ever had.

Almost instantly, she managed to alienate important people.’ Fisher gets details on her manicure habits, too, but not her relationship with Kevin Johnson. Rhee also does video interview with WaPo columnist Steve Pearlstein.

INVITATION - October 24 Mobilizing Conference to Save Public Education

We invite all UC, CSU, JC, and K-12 students, workers, teachers, and their organizations across the state to participate in and collectively build the October 24 Mobilizing Conference to Save Public Education.
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INVITATION October 24 Mobilizing Conference to Save Public Education

We have the power to stop the catastrophic budget cuts, fee hikes, and layoffs — but to save public education in California requires coordinating our actions on a state-wide level.

We invite all UC, CSU, JC, and K-12 students, workers, teachers, and their organizations across the state to participate in and collectively build the October 24 Mobilizing Conference to Save Public Education.

The all-day conference will take place at UC Berkeley (contact us for more logistics).

The purpose of this conference is both simple and extremely urgent: to democratically decide on a state-wide action plan capable of winning this struggle, which will define the future of public education in this state, particularly for the working-class and communities of color.

Why UC Berkeley? On September 24, over 5,000 people massively protested and effectively paralyzed the UCB campus, as part of the UC-wide walkout. A mass General Assembly of over 400 individuals and dozens of organizations met that night and collectively decided to issue this call.

We ask all organizations and individuals in the state who want to save public education to endorse this open conference and help us collectively build it.

Save public education! No budget cuts, fee hikes, or layoffs! For state-wide student, worker, and faculty solidarity!

Please contact oct24conference [at] gmail.com to endorse this conference and to receive more details.

Mix fun with education on Bay Area museum outing - San Jose Mercury News

Mix fun with education on Bay Area museum outing - San Jose Mercury News:

"I've witnessed spontaneous combustion.

Unite my 10-year-old daughter with her two precocious cousins, ages 10 and 13, and it's like putting a lighted match to gunpowder. An explosion of screeching, shouting, jumping and caterwauling follows.

So on a museum outing with all three, I needed to find frivolous fun to balance the mental stimulation. That's how we ended up pairing the cerebral stimulus of a visit to the California Academy of Sciences in Golden Gate Park with the lighthearted fun of a stop at the Burlingame Museum of Pez Memorabilia."

Scrutiny rises over NJ kids singing Obama song - Sacramento News - Local and Breaking Sacramento News | Sacramento Bee

Scrutiny rises over NJ kids singing Obama song - Sacramento News - Local and Breaking Sacramento News Sacramento Bee:

"That month, a group of smiley and fidgety students at B. Bernice Young School sang a medley of two short songs at an assembly praising the president. The first song begins, 'Mmm, mmm, mmm, Barack Hussein Obama/He said that all must lend a hand/To make this country strong again.'

The second one was set to 'The Battle Hymn of the Republic,' and included the refrain, 'Hooray, Mr. President.'"

Lyrics to the Pro-Barack Obama Song sung by school children in Burlington, New Jersey. Video of the children singing the song was released on YouTube recently. The Drudge Report and other media outlets focused on the video today.

Lyrics to School Children’s Song to Obama
Mm, mmm, mm!Barack Hussein Obama
He said that all must lend a handTo make this country strong againMmm, mmm, mm!Barack Hussein Obama
He said we must be fair todayEqual work means equal payMmm, mmm, mm!Barack Hussein Obama
He said that we must take a standTo make sure everyone gets a chanceMmm, mmm, mm!Barack Hussein Obama
He said red, yellow, black or whiteAll are equal in his sightMmm, mmm, mm!Barack Hussein Obama
Yes!Mmm, mmm, mmBarack Hussein Obama
Song 2:Hello, Mr. President we honor you today!For all your great accomplishments, we all doth say “hooray!”
Hooray, Mr. President! You’re number one!The first black American to lead this great nation!
Hooray, Mr. President we honor your great plansTo make this country’s economy number one again!
Hooray Mr. President, we’re really proud of you!And we stand for all Americans under the great Red, White, and Blue!
So continue —- Mr. President we know you’ll do the trickSo here’s a hearty hip-hooray —-
Hip, hip hooray!Hip, hip hooray!Hip, hip hooray!

Thousands in California Protest Campus Cuts, Furloughs -- Politics Daily

Thousands in California Protest Campus Cuts, Furloughs -- Politics Daily:

"Thousands of University of California students, faculty members, and employees rallied statewide Thursday to voice their concern about President Mark Yudof's and the regents' handling of the budget crisis (prior Cram coverage here)."

Coalition files legal brief in support of state tuition law | L.A. NOW | Los Angeles Times

Coalition files legal brief in support of state tuition law L.A. NOW Los Angeles Times:

"The state’s highest court is considering the case, Martinez vs. Regents of the University of California, which challenges the 2001 state law, AB 540, allowing documented and undocumented students to pay in-state rather than out-of-state tuition if they attend at least three years of high school in California, graduate from a state high school and promise to apply for permanent residency.
The difference in costs is considerable: In the current school year, for example, typical fees for an out-of-state undergraduate to attend a University of California campus total nearly $30,000, compared with about $8,000 for a resident."

Occupy California! Statement from the UCSC occupation - Infoshop News

Occupy California! Statement from the UCSC occupation - Infoshop News:

"We are occupying this building at the University of California, Santa Cruz, because the current situation has become untenable. Across the state, people are losing their jobs and getting evicted, while social services are slashed. California’s leaders from state officials to university presidents have demonstrated how they will deal with this crisis:

everything and everyone is subordinated to the budget. They insulate themselves from the consequences of their own fiscal mismanagement, while those who can least afford it are left shouldering the burden. Every solution on offer only accelerates the decay of the State of California. It remains for the people to seize what is theirs."

Back to School 101: Meet the teacher in advance

Back to School 101: Meet the teacher in advance:

"For parents, the advantage of meeting a parent in advance is being able to establish some sort of rapport from the very beginning. Take advantage of this quick trip in to get a feel for the teacher and her classroom. Share pertinent information that will help her get to know your child better. Find out when Parent Night is scheduled and the best method for contacting her with any questions, comments, or concerns.

This initial meeting also allows the teacher to connect your face with your child and your name. It makes later communication a bit more personal and can give the teacher some insight into your child and his needs."

How much do central Illinois teachers make? - Peoria, IL - pjstar.com

How much do central Illinois teachers make? - Peoria, IL - pjstar.com:

"Some 93 percent of school districts nationwide decide teacher salaries according to a salary schedule, according to the National Center for Educational Statistics. In Illinois, 849 of 868 school districts, or 98 percent, have negotiated contracts.

Most reward teachers for longevity; each year of additional experience often comes with additional pay.

Teachers also can receive additional compensation for continuing education, such as earning a master's degree. That practice, started decades ago, recently has come under question in a report by Raegen Miller, a senior policy analyst at the Center for American Progress, and reported in Education Week."

Critics Assail Obama's 'Safe Schools' Czar, Say He's Wrong Man for the Job - Political News - FOXNews.com

Critics Assail Obama's 'Safe Schools' Czar, Say He's Wrong Man for the Job - Political News - FOXNews.com:

"Jennings was appointed to the position largely because of his longtime record of working to end bullying and discrimination in schools. In 1990, as a teacher in Massachusetts, he founded the Gay, Lesbian and Straight Education Network (GLSEN), which now has over 40 chapters at schools nationwide. He has also published six books on gay rights and education, including one that describes his own experiences as a closeted gay student."

Sacramento Press / Johnson talks to residents about strong mayor issue

Sacramento Press / Johnson talks to residents about strong mayor issue:

"Kathi Windheim of the Greenhaven / Pocket neighborhood asked the mayor to address controversial legal issues with the strong mayor initiative. The initiative, which will go on the ballot in June 2010, proposes to change the city’s current system of government to a strong mayor system. “It’s alarming -- the problems with the initiative,” Windheim said.

In response, Johnson made his case in support of the initiative. He said that cities often change to a strong mayor system when they become larger. Several other California cities that are the size of Sacramento have the strong mayor form of government, he pointed out. “When I said Sacramento has a chance to be a world class city, I think this is a tremendous opportunity to do that,” he said. “This is just an evolution.”"

Education Week: Duncan Sounds Starting Gun on ESEA Renewal

Education Week: Duncan Sounds Starting Gun on ESEA Renewal:

"But the secretary said some of the law’s critics are correct in their assertion that NCLB “unfairly labeled many schools as failures even when they are making progress—it places too much emphasis on raw test scores rather than student growth.”

Secretary Duncan also invoked Martin Luther King Jr.’s “Letter From Birmingham Jail,” which made the case for nonviolent civil disobedience to achieve overdue racial equality, at a time when others counseled patience."

D.C. Teachers Rally Against Rhee, Union Head - washingtonpost.com

D.C. Teachers Rally Against Rhee, Union Head - washingtonpost.com:

"A small but vocal band of District teachers, angry about impending layoffs, rallied against Chancellor Michelle A. Rhee and their own union president in front of the school system's central offices early Thursday evening.

'Our teachers are running scared right now, because they're not sure they'll have a job,' said Malvery Smith, a second grade teacher at Turner Elementary School@Green in Southeast."

District Dossier: Post Magazine Writer Tries to Figure Out D.C. Chancellor

District Dossier: Post Magazine Writer Tries to Figure Out D.C. Chancellor:

"Fisher spent part of five months reporting on Rhee. He was privy to her senior staff meetings, her meetings with parents, and question-and-answer sessions with teachers at schools. She agreed to let him talk to her parents, as well as friends and colleagues who've known her for years. Off limits were her two children and her love life. (Sorry folks, Rhee won't spill on her relationship with former NBA star Kevin Johnson, a charter school founder and mayor of Sacramento.)"

Next Version of the Federal K-12 Law Should Drive School Reforms That Prepare Students for Success

Media-Newswire.com - Press Release Distribution - PR Agency:

"(Media-Newswire.com) - U.S. Secretary of Education Arne Duncan today said that the $24.8 billion in federal funds available annually to the nation's schools should support reforms that prepare students for success in college and careers.

'Today, I am calling on all of you to join with us to build a transformative education law that guarantees every child the education they want and need—a law that recognizes and reinforces the proper role of the federal government to support and drive reform at the state and local level,' Duncan told more than 200 leaders of major education groups in his first major speech about the future of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965."

Dyersburg State Gazette: Story: DPS students benefit from Invest in Kids initiative

Dyersburg State Gazette: Story: DPS students benefit from Invest in Kids initiative:

"'We host a parent-involvement breakfast and activities at Christmas,' said DeBerry. 'Times where parents come to school and have a positive experience with their child, because maybe they didn't have a positive experience in school. And we know that a leading indicator for academic success is parent involvement.'"

Unions Criticize Obama School Reform's Reliance on Tests, Charters as 'Bush III' - washingtonpost.com

Unions Criticize Obama School Reform's Reliance on Tests, Charters as 'Bush III' - washingtonpost.com:

"Standardized testing, school accountability, performance pay, charter schools -- all are integral to President Obama's $4.35 billion 'Race to the Top' grant competition to spur innovation. None is a typical Democratic crowd-pleaser.
Labor leaders, parsing the Education Department's fine print, call the proposal little more than a dressed-up version of the No Child Left Behind law enacted seven years ago under Obama's Republican predecessor."

'No Child Left Behind' Overhaul in Sights of Obama Administration - ABC News

'No Child Left Behind' Overhaul in Sights of Obama Administration - ABC News:

"'Few laws have generated more debate. Few subjects divide educators so intensely,' Education Secretary Arne Duncan said today. 'Many teachers complain bitterly about NCLB's emphasis on testing. Principals hate being labeled as failures. Superintendents say it wasn't adequately funded. And many parents just view it as a toxic brand that isn't helping children learn.'"

Hail Billie Jean King and Ted Kennedy – Native American Contributors to Title 1X - Sports Features Communications®

Hail Billie Jean King and Ted Kennedy – Native American Contributors to Title 1X - Sports Features Communications®:

"Native Americans can take pride that Tennis icon Billie Jean King, a Cherokee, and Ted Kennedy, descendant of an honorary Iroquois Chief, did wonders to create equal opportunities for girls/women in sports and education in America and abroad.


By enforcing the 1972 Title 1X Education Amendments Act, they actually helped restore those equitable traditional ways of the First Americans, which were interrupted in the last 150 years."

Smacking hits kids' IQ - life - 25 September 2009 - New Scientist

Smacking hits kids' IQ - life - 25 September 2009 - New Scientist:

"A good spanking may leave a mark on a child that's worse than the red handprint. Spanking and other corporal punishments stunt children's intelligence, new research shows.

The IQs of 2- to 4-year-olds who received regular spankings from their parents dropped by more than 5 points over four years, compared with kids who were not spanked."

09.24.2009 - Boisterous rally draws thousands to Sproul Plaza to vent anger at UC cutbacks

09.24.2009 - Boisterous rally draws thousands to Sproul Plaza to vent anger at UC cutbacks:

"About 5,000 people, many wearing red armbands and carrying placards, overflowed Sproul Plaza for a noontime rally that some veterans of earlier protests called the largest such gathering there since the Vietnam-war era. Following longstanding Berkeley tradition, speakers addressed the crowd from the Sproul steps, urging those able to make out their words to 'save UC' from the draconian budget cuts — more than $800 million systemwide — that have led to steps that even top UC officials acknowledge threaten the university's public mission. Administrators — backed by large numbers of faculty and staff — have sought to put the onus squarely on Sacramento, demanding that legislators fully fund higher education in California."

SRI International Education Researchers to Evaluate California High School

SRI International Education Researchers to Evaluate California High School:

"The California Multiple Pathways District Initiative is funded by the Irvine Foundation and managed by ConnectEd: The California Center for College and Career, an independent nonprofit organization established by the Irvine Foundation. The overall goal of the initiative is to support districts in developing a system of multiple pathways that lead to improved high school graduation and college-attendance rates, increased academic achievement and learning, and increased earning power after graduation, especially for low-income youth. SRI's evaluation will provide data that examine district-level implementation of a system of pathways and student outcomes associated with a pathways approach. The evaluation will conclude in January 2013.

In June 2009, after an extensive planning and review process, ConnectEd awarded grants of over $1 million to each of six school districts throughout California to develop systems of pathways. All six districts - Antioch Unified, Long Beach Unified, Pasadena Unified, Porterville Unified, Sacramento City Unified, and West Contra Costa Unified - will be included in the evaluation of the initiative."

School nurse shortage hampers swine flu response - Sacramento News - Local and Breaking Sacramento News | Sacramento Bee

School nurse shortage hampers swine flu response - Sacramento News - Local and Breaking Sacramento News Sacramento Bee:

"The shortage of school nurses could lead to more students falling ill from the H1N1 virus, which can be particularly dangerous for children with weakened immune systems or respiratory conditions such as asthma, experts say."

Katy Grimes: Strong mayor might work; this plan won't - Sacramento Opinion - Sacramento Editorial | Sacramento Bee

Katy Grimes: Strong mayor might work; this plan won't - Sacramento Opinion - Sacramento Editorial Sacramento Bee:

"Emulating Chicago-style politics, replete with the Daley family monarchy, is hopefully not what Johnson had in mind when he supported the strong-mayor concept. However, one need not look much further than his ambitious political advisers, supporters and 'Kitchen Cabinet' members for complicity. Developers and hopeful city contractors will have to cater only to the mayor, not all nine council members. Johnson's friends, groupies, consultants and advisers looking for future appointments will have plenty of jobs to consider – Chicago-style."

Natomas schools hit by harsh budget bloodletting - Sacramento News - Local and Breaking Sacramento News | Sacramento Bee

Natomas schools hit by harsh budget bloodletting - Sacramento News - Local and Breaking Sacramento News Sacramento Bee:

"The County Office of Education had exhausted all warnings to the district and, as of Wednesday morning, had stepped in to right the district's finances. County education officials told Natomas trustees to cut $200,000 from this year's budget and $5 million from the budgets of each of the next three years."

University of California campuses protest cuts, fee hikes - Sacramento News - Local and Breaking Sacramento News | Sacramento Bee

University of California campuses protest cuts, fee hikes - Sacramento News - Local and Breaking Sacramento News Sacramento Bee:

"From Davis to San Diego – and on eight campuses in between – the University of California erupted Thursday in protests, pickets, walkouts and teach-ins. About 7,000 people participated in rallies that were generally peaceful and resulted in no arrests."