Education Week: Questions Raised on New York Test System's Reliability

Education Week: Questions Raised on New York Test System's Reliability:

"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 revisit 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."

Schools Chancellor Touts Test Score Gains to Business Leaders - City Room Blog - NYTimes.com

Schools Chancellor Touts Test Score Gains to Business Leaders - City Room Blog - NYTimes.com:

"Supporters of mayoral control of city schools like to say that having one person in charge of the schools eliminates the old politics of the Board of Education. But it’s simply been replaced by a different kind of politics, centered on just how well Mayor Michael R. Bloomberg and his schools chancellor, Joel I. Klein, have done in the battle to improve city schools.

So it was hard to put aside politics Monday at an hour-long presentation Mr. Klein gave to business leaders on the 50th floor of the J.P. Morgan Chase building on Park Avenue. With his back to a stunning view of the Chrysler Building, Mr. Klein went over a dozen graphs charting out what he called tremendous progress of the city’s schools."

City Insider : This isn't the kind of steal Kevin Johnson used to relish

City Insider : This isn't the kind of steal Kevin Johnson used to relish:

"When he played for the Phoenix Suns, point guard Kevin Johnson was known for his steals. But the tables were turned on Johnson, now the mayor of Sacramento, when he visited Union Square over the weekend and had his belongings snatched.
Johnson describes the troubling incident on his blog. Apparently, the Good Samaritan - in San Francisco for an arts education conference - was helping an elderly man get into a cab when someone grabbed his garment bag. He lost a suit, pair of shoes and toiletries."

CAVALA: Legislature Victim Of Yet Another ‘Cheap Shot’? - California Progress Report

CAVALA: Legislature Victim Of Yet Another ‘Cheap Shot’? - California Progress Report:

"The Sacramento BEE is leading yet another crusade against the State Legislature. This attack focuses on the benefits provided Legislative employees. While factually accurate, the BEE story is biased and unfair.

After listing the benefits – which contrast favorably on paper with those enjoyed by other state employees and many private sector employees (like BEE reporters), and then allowing reliable witnesses like Jonathan Coupal of the Howard Jarvis organization to take his usual shot at any government action, it isn’t until paragraph 16 (after the fold) that we find the following:"

“Unlike other state workers legislative aides lack civil service protections, receive no automatic pay increases can be fired without cause, receive no overtime compensation and must try to get hired by another legislator when theirs leaves office”.

Which, because of term limits, is a five year occurrence.

Let’s look at the lavish benefits exposed in this hard-hitting report.

Vacations? “Vacations ranging up to six weeks for long time employees”. But with a 35% staff turnover “every year” – a fact listed in paragraph 17 – how many “long time employees” are around to enjoy their six weeks? I was such an employee. In my 25 years of service I enjoyed a net 20 days of “vacation”. My vacation “time” was used up in unpaid volunteer service in political work in an effort to keep my employer in a job where he could employ me.

Retirement benefits? The same as other state employees and not as good as those enjoyed by the staff of Legislative “sergeants” – who are “peace officers”. But who are the Legislative employees who serve long enough or are old enough to retire in grade? Typically they are the clerical workers of the Legislature, not the highly paid attaches of my grade.

Education Week: State law blocks stimulus education funds

Education Week: State law blocks stimulus education funds:

"RENO, Nev. (AP) — Nevada is ineligible to compete for millions of stimulus education funding because of a state law pushed by the teachers union.

The law prohibits student achievement data from being used in teacher evaluations. That means the state isn't eligible to enter the Obama administration's Race to the Top, a $4.3 billion competition for states trying to turn around failing schools."

State superintendent Keith Rheault says Nevada won't apply for the first round of funding because of the law, which would need a special legislative session to change.

"If you're desperate for money and you get a credit card offer in the mail, you read the fine print to see what the interest rate is," Rheault said. "This to me is like a 35 percent interest rate, with all the federal reporting requirements and changes to regulations. But it just depends on how desperate you are for the money."

The state can still work to resolve other issues in time for the second phase of funding, Rheault said.

Rheault said changing the state law would not immediately make the state eligible for the federal funds because the competition requires states to have increased education funding between 2008 and 2009 and Nevada had to cut its funding. The state would also have to dedicate money for after the stimulus funds ran out.

Education Week: Protest Planned Against N.J. School's Obama Song

Education Week: Protest Planned Against N.J. School's Obama Song:

"Conservative groups plan to rally Monday near a New Jersey school where students performed a song celebrating President Barack Obama.
The planned rally has school district officials planning to beef up security at the B. Bernice Young School in Burlington Township, which houses kindergartners through second-graders.

The song drew national attention last month after a video of the performance was posted on YouTube. Conservatives say it shows how schoolchildren are being indoctrinated to idolize Obama, allegations school officials have denied."

Education Week: 'Dropouts Happen'

Education Week: 'Dropouts Happen':

"Webster defines realism as “a concern for fact or reality and the rejection of the impractical or visionary.”

For perhaps too long, we educators have denied the realities of public schools in favor of a tireless, unending quest for excellence and the success of all students. While these are certainly desirable and justifiable goals, the failure to achieve them should not result in an overwhelming sense of failure, or worse, guilt.

This is not intended to excuse ourselves from the all-important task of educating our young. Rather, it is a plea to accept some of the realities of public schools that contravene our best efforts."

Schwarzenegger signs gay rights bills - Latest News - sacbee.com

Schwarzenegger signs gay rights bills - Latest News - sacbee.com:

"Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger has signed two gay rights bills, one honoring late activist Harvey Milk and another recognizing same-sex marriages performed in other states.

In the last of hundreds of bill actions taken before midnight Sunday, Schwarzenegger approved the two bills by Sen. Mark Leno, D-San Francisco.

The governor last year vetoed the measure declaring May 22 a state day of recognition for Milk, suggesting that the former San Francisco supervisor be honored locally. But he subsequently named him to the California Hall of Fame."

Education News & Comment

Education News & Comment:

"Dear Parent and Community Leaders:

We are currently accepting applications for the current session of the School, Family and Community Partnership Leadership Academy. The Leadership Academy is a leadership development program that promotes excellence in education and is sponsored by the Sacramento City Unified School District in partnership with the Parent Teacher Association (PTA).

The goals of the program are to raise participant awareness of how the educational system works, enhance communication and collaboration with school and district staff, promote interaction and networking among parent and community and to develop the leadership capacity of participants to lead effectively and strategically."

Please forward the attached brochure (application inside brochure), and session outline to parent leaders in your school, your district advisory committees, or to administrators, teachers and/or community organizations and members who you think would benefit from this training.

Applications are due by October 20, 2009 at the Office of Parent Engagement and Support Services (see brochure). On October 27, 2009 applicants will be notified if they were accepted into the program. The first training session begins on November 2, 2009 (see enclosed session topics and dates). The program selects 20-25 participants per training cycle.

If you have any questions, please call me at (916) 643-7912.

Manuel Guillot

Director Parent Engagement and Support Services

Tsakopoulos-Kounalakis appointed ambassador to Hungary - Latest News - sacbee.com

Tsakopoulos-Kounalakis appointed ambassador to Hungary - Latest News - sacbee.com:

"WASHINGTON - President Barack Obama today named Eleni Tsakopoulos-Kounalakis, a prominent Democratic fundraiser and developer from Sacramento, as his ambassador to the Republic of Hungary.

The president said he was confident that she'll be part of a team that 'will work to keep our nation safe at home and strengthen our partnerships abroad.'
Tsakopoulos-Kounalakis is a civic leader, philanthropist and president of AKT Development Corp., one of California's largest land development firms."

Houston schools slow to add Bible elective 2 years after law | Houston & Texas News | Chron.com - Houston Chronicle

Houston schools slow to add Bible elective 2 years after law Houston & Texas News Chron.com - Houston Chronicle:

"Two years ago state lawmakers made it OK for schools to provide elective Bible classes but, so far, few Houston-area school districts have taken them up on the offer.

The 2007 law requires schools, beginning this year, to include some Bible literacy in history and literature classes. Bible classes are optional but encouraged under the law. The thinking is that educated students must be familiar with biblical references and themes that pervade culture and society.

“It's not like a Bible study like you have at church,” said Gale Drummond, assistant superintendent of secondary education for Conroe ISD. “It's about looking at the Bible and its influence in Western civilization.”"

Schwarzenegger OKs school bill required by US law - Yahoo! News

Schwarzenegger OKs school bill required by US law - Yahoo! News:

"SACRAMENTO, Calif. – California is removing a legal ban on using the results of student achievement tests to evaluate teachers, under a bill signed into law by Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger.

The bill lifts a barrier that prevented California from applying for $4.5 billion under the federal Race to the Top program. Schwarzenegger says more legislation is needed beyond the bill he signed Sunday. He has called lawmakers back into special session this fall.

California still has to qualify for the federal money in competition with other states.

To do so, education officials say the state must approve other reforms, including removing a cap on the number of charter schools, improving poorly performing local schools, and giving the state more authority to intervene in failing schools."

Obama Becomes Japan’s English Teacher - NYTimes.com

Obama Becomes Japan’s English Teacher - NYTimes.com:


"TOKYO — When Utako Sakai was changing the background music in her beauty parlor recently, she did not opt for the classical piano pieces she usually chose.

A CD of President Barack Obama's inaugural speech has sold a half million copies in Japan, leading publishers to flood the market with over a dozen language-learning titles centered on his oratory. Instead, she picked her favorite CD: “President Obama’s Inaugural Address,” released by Asahi Press, a Japanese publisher of language books. She says the speech lifts her spirits and helps her to learn English all at once.

“All our customers love it,” said Ms. Sakai, who is based in Ayase City, in Kanagawa Prefecture, outside Tokyo."

Sacramento Press / Town hall suspicious of strong mayor proposal

Sacramento Press / Town hall suspicious of strong mayor proposal:

"Participants in a town hall meeting on Thursday held at Caleb Greenwood Elementary School expressed skepticism and suspicion about the 'strong mayor' proposal endorsed by Sacramento Mayor Kevin Johnson.

'I suspect that it [the strong mayor initiative] is a power grab, but I suspect that something will come out of [the town hall meeting] and I'll be able to make a rational decision,' said resident Mike Montgomery.

The town hall meeting, which attracted about 50 people, included a thorough presentation of the strong mayor proposal that has been placed on the June 2010 ballot. The presentation was by members of the Charter Review Committee, a group created by the City Council to research and draft an alternative to the strong mayor proposal."

City Charter Review panel hears draft final report

What: The Sacramento Charter Review Committee, which is formulating an alternative to Mayor Kevin Johnson's strong-mayor ballot proposal, lists on its agenda reviewing a minority report and a draft of the ad hoc committee's final report.

When: 6 p.m.

Where:Council chambers, New City Hall, 915 I St., Sacramento

Education? You be the judge | PressDemocrat.com | The Press Democrat | Santa Rosa, CA

Education? You be the judge PressDemocrat.com The Press Democrat Santa Rosa, CA:

"Meet Supreme Court Justice Irene Waters. With her pursed lips and dark hair pulled back in a bun, she bears a passing resemblance to Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg. In her jurisprudence, however, Waters may be more like Justice Sandra Day O’Connor, who cast the swing vote in many key cases before retiring in 2006."

Waters is more animated than either of those two justices, and even more so than Justice Antonin Scalia.

But Waters wasn’t there for the official start of the court’s new term this week. She’s a member of the fictional high court in “Supreme Decision,” an online game designed to teach schoolchildren about the judicial branch. (We told you she was animated!)

O’Connor, the nation’s first female justice, has a new job description: video game promoter. Frustrated by the fact that two-thirds of Americans are unable to name the three branches of government, among other lowlights of the state of civic knowledge, she is spearheading a project called Our Courts, which develops Web-based games aimed at teaching seventh- and eighth-graders about government.

Community must be involved with education in Harrisburg | Our Views & Yours - PennLive.com - - PennLive.com

Community must be involved with education in Harrisburg Our Views & Yours - PennLive.com - - PennLive.com:

"Urban districts have been pushed and pulled through the child-centered curriculum, school and community, No Child Left Behind, unified curriculum, outcomes-based instruction and other approaches to remedy embedded issues with the focus on the teachers doing a better job. While I agree that there are some teachers who can and should do more daily, they are not alone.


Parents, students and adults in our communities need to join in with the efforts of doing more. Nothing will be more helpful to coming out of the abyss of urban decay we currently find ourselves in than a buy-in from the main stakeholders in our communities: parents, students and community representatives.


These stakeholders have to promote the reality of students’ best interests being served when there is community expectation of excelling in school and the workplace. This commitment means having the discipline to study outside of the school walls and time frame."

Is President Obama Continuing Conservative Education Policies? -- New York Magazine

Is President Obama Continuing Conservative Education Policies? -- New York Magazine:

"“Duncan’s plan is cut from the same cloth as the education policies of the Bush administration,” said Sara Bennett after watching the show from her Park Slope home. “It is misguided, disastrous for schoolchildren, and has no basis in sound research.” A Legal Aid lawyer turned activist and the mother of a tenth-grader in a public high school, in 2006 Bennett co-authored The Case Against Homework, which helped launch what came to be known as the “anti-homework movement.” Parents from all over the country, but especially in the gentle strongholds of enlightened parenting like Park Slope, Santa Monica, Berkeley, and Mercer Island near Seattle, began organizing against what Bennett and others have called a “skyrocketing” increase in the amount of homework kids are assigned. They see it as a symptom of a deeper problem—the pressure placed on teachers by school districts to improve their students’ test scores and thereby secure state and federal funding. Many of the movement’s activists are directing their fire toward Duncan’s plan, which they claim will only further enslave children to homework and testing and create a homogenized “monoculture.”"

Children are being left behind -- latimes.com

Children are being left behind -- latimes.com:

"What needs reform just as badly as the schools, however, is the No Child Left Behind Act, a well-meant but ham-handed law that actually encourages schools to lower their academic standards and that often leaves behind the students who most need help. That revision cannot wait; it must take place in tandem with the grant program. Neither the federal government nor schools can measure success without reasonable, consistent targets.

Fortunately, Education Secretary Arne Duncan has started talking about overhauling No Child Left Behind. Though the details have not been worked out, Duncan has found the right focus: The law's method of determining whether schools have met their goals is rigid, unrealistic and counterproductive."

Cape Fear Business News – Wilmington NC Business News – Brunswick County – New Hanover County – Pender County – Columbus County – Southeastern North Carolina » Opinion: Benefits of Longer School Day, Longer School Year Do Not Add Up

Cape Fear Business News – Wilmington NC Business News – Brunswick County – New Hanover County – Pender County – Columbus County – Southeastern North Carolina » Opinion: Benefits of Longer School Day, Longer School Year Do Not Add Up:

"RALEIGH, NC – North Carolina law requires children to attend school a minimum of 180 days each year, with at least 1,000 hours of instruction covering at least nine calendar months. For years, state education leaders, school officials, and public school advocacy groups have urged the North Carolina legislature to raise these minimum requirements, thereby extending the school day and year.

Our state is not alone. Michael Van Beek of the Mackinac Center for Public Policy recently noted that education leaders in Michigan have been campaigning to lengthen the school day for public schools throughout the Great Lake State."

Central Valley Business Times

Central Valley Business Times:


"Carol Tomlinson-Keasey, who spearheaded the multi-year effort to establish the 10th University of California campus in Merced and served as its founding chancellor from 1999 to 2006, died Oct. 10 in Decatur, Ga., due to complications related to breast cancer, the university says. She was 66.

“We are deeply saddened by Carol’s passing,” says UC Merced Chancellor Steve Kang, who succeeded Ms. Tomlinson-Keasey in March 2007. “Simply put, UC Merced would not exist were it not for her visionary leadership, her tireless determination and her remarkable gift of persuasion.”"

Math and science conference for girls set Nov. 7 | fdlreporter.com | Fond du Lac Reporter

Math and science conference for girls set Nov. 7 fdlreporter.com Fond du Lac Reporter:

"The fifth annual Girls+Math+Science=Opportunities (GMSO) one-day conference for girls in Grades 6 to 8 has been scheduled for Saturday, Nov. 7, at Moraine Park Technical College.
Agnesian HealthCare, Moraine Park Technical College and UW-Fond du Lac/UW-Extension Continuing Education are founding sponsors.The conference begins at 9 a.m. with an opening session followed by two workshops, a social luncheon, afternoon workshop and a closing presentation. The event concludes at 3 p.m."

Quick Takes: Schwarzenegger Vetoes Limits on Administrators' Pay - Inside Higher Ed

Quick Takes: Schwarzenegger Vetoes Limits on Administrators' Pay - Inside Higher Ed:

"California Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger on Sunday vetoed a bill that would have barred most salary increases and bonuses for executives at the University of California and California State University systems in bad budget years, such as this one. In his veto message, the governor criticized the measure as too broad and intrusive. 'A blanket prohibition limiting the flexibility for the UC and CSU to compete, both nationally and internationally, in attracting and retaining high level personnel does a disservice to those students seeking the kind of quality education that our higher education segments offer. The regents and the trustees should be prudent in managing their systems, given the difficult fiscal crisis we face as a state, but it is unnecessary for the state to micromanage their operations.' The veto drew a sharp response from Sen. Leland Yee, sponsor of the bill and a leading legislative voice for closer oversight of the university systems. Yee noted that well compensated executives have continued to receive bonuses and raises even as the university systems face unprecedented budget cuts. “It is deeply disappointing that the governor wants to ensure top executives live high on the hog while students suffer,” Yee said. “The governor’s veto is a slap in the face to all UC and CSU students and the system’s low wage workers. His veto protects the UC and CSU administration’s egregious executive compensation practices and allows them to continue to act more like AIG than a public trust.”"

PR-USA.net - Attorney General Holder Announces $37 Million in Grants to Support Youth Mentoring Initiatives

PR-USA.net - Attorney General Holder Announces $37 Million in Grants to Support Youth Mentoring Initiatives:

"U.S. Attorney General Eric Holder today announced more than $37 million in Recovery Act and Fiscal Year 2009 grants have been awarded to support organizations in developing, implementing and expanding youth mentoring activities.

'These funds allow us to invest further in the future of today's youth by providing mentoring opportunities to help children reach their full potential,' said Attorney General Holder. 'These grants will help steer young people away from criminal activities by providing them with healthy life alternatives, positive role models, and direct contact with caring adults.'

The Recovery Act, signed into law by President Obama, provides the Office of Justice Programs' Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention (OJJDP) with more than $12 million for local mentoring programs to reduce juvenile delinquency, violence, gang participation, school failure and dropout rates. The Recovery Act Local Mentoring grant recipients are:"

-- Turlock, Modesto, Merced Youth for Christ, Modesto, Calif. ($499,989)
-- Sacramento County Office of Education, Sacramento, Calif. ($494,534)
-- Fighting Back Partnership, Vallejo, Calif. ($500,000)

Union firing up protests at CSUS - Sacramento News - Local and Breaking Sacramento News | Sacramento Bee

Union firing up protests at CSUS - Sacramento News - Local and Breaking Sacramento News Sacramento Bee:

"A week of rallies, speeches, testimonials and teach-ins at California State University campuses begins today at Sacramento State. The statewide protests organized by the faculty union are designed to show how budget cuts are hurting the university and to urge support for a bill that would tax oil extraction to pay for higher education.

Facing historic budget cuts by the Legislature, CSU trustees had a $584 million deficit this summer. They furloughed employees, cut back on classes and services, reduced enrollment and raised student fees by 32 percent over last year."