Michelle Rhee an innovator, not so fast

Michelle Rhee an innovator, not so fast:

"When national newspaper columnists like Mr. Thomas L. Friedman, Mr. Nicholas Kristoff, Mr. Jonathan Capehart, and Ms. JoAnn Armao write about District of Columbia public schools, they do so from a position of intellectual arrogance. When newspaper editorial boards like those of The Wall Street Journal, The New York Times, and The Washington Post publish editorials about DC public schools they do so from a distance of social deception."

While they will sit and meet with DC Mayor Adrian M. Fenty or DCPS Chancellor Michelle Rhee and their "reform" supporters, they seem unwilling to sit and meet with District parents and community education advocates critical of Mayor Fenty and Chancellor Rhee. Moreover, Chancellor Rhee appears willing only to preach her brand of education reform religion before faithful audiences and adoring national media. It is unfortunate even some local District reporters and news editors have resorted to selective reporting on DCPS test scores and accomplishments. Following the election of Mayor Fenty, reporting on District public education has been massive, but it has not been accurate, fair, and balanced.

Since the governance change of DCPS, Mayor Fenty and Chancellor Rhee were given great deference to implement their reform efforts free of public participation or media scrutiny. Members of the public and parents who initially gave Chancellor Rhee the opportunity to lead and to succeed began to see what she was doing and spoke out against her policies were frozen out by Chancellor Rhee and ignored by reporters and news editors. Through the misrepresentation of test scores, Chancellor Rhee was viewed as a strong willed and faultless champion of reform.

Helping kids read - South Sound - The Olympian - Olympia, Washington

Helping kids read - South Sound - The Olympian - Olympia, Washington:

"WASHINGTON – There are zero-book children, 1,000-book children, the summer slide, Early Readers, Reading First, Striving Readers, and programs, methods and studies with names and acronyms that won’t quit. It’s all part of the effort to teach the nation’s children to read.

But with state and local funding for education being squeezed, school administrators and classroom teachers are hoping a bill introduced by Sen. Patty Murray, D-Wash., will inject some much-needed cash into what most consider the cornerstone of learning. The bill would provide nearly $12 billion for literacy programs over five years.

“The need for federal funds is critical,” said Patti Banks, superintendent of the University Place School District."

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SCUSD Observer: County will begin series of flu shot clinics at Hiram Johnson

SCUSD Observer: County will begin series of flu shot clinics at Hiram Johnson

County will begin series of flu shot clinics at Hiram Johnson

Sacramento County's series of free public clinics to distribute the vaccine against the H1N1 flu starts on Monday.

For the first two weeks, the vaccine will only be for those in priority groups-Pregnant women-Healthcare workers-Persons caring for children under 6 months of age-Children and young adults aged 6 months to 24 years-Adults aged 24-64 with underlying medical conditionsIf you plan on attending one of the free clinics, you may save time by downloading the consent form and bringing it with you.

Here is a complete schedule of the upcoming clinics:

Hiram Johnson High SchoolMonday, November 16th 3:30 p.m. - 7:30 p.m.6879 14th AvenueSacramento, CA 95820

Rio Linda High SchoolTuesday, November 17th 3:00 p.m. - 7:00 p.m.6309 Dry Creek RoadRio Linda, CA 95673


Loaves & FishesWednesday, November 18th 10:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m.1321 North C StreetSacramento, CA 95814

Casa Roble High SchoolThursday, November 19th 3:00 p.m. - 7:00 p.m.9151 Oak AvenueOrangevale, CA 95662

Samuel Pannell Community CenterFriday, November 20th 10:00 a.m.- 2:00 p.m.2450 Meadowview RoadSacramento, CA 95832

Town & Country Lutheran ChurchSaturday, November 21st 10:00 a.m.- 2:00 p.m.4049 Marconi AvenueSacramento, CA 95821

First Covenant ChurchMonday, November 23rd 3:00 p.m. - 7:00 p.m.10933 Progress CourtRancho Cordova, CA 95670

La Sierra Community CenterTuesday, November 24th 10:00 a.m.- 2:00 p.m.5325 Engle RoadCarmichael, CA 95608

Scottish Rite Masonic CenterMonday, November 30th 3:00 p.m. - 7:00 p.m.6151 H StreetSacramento, CA 95819

North Highlands Community CenterTuesday, December 1st 3:00 p.m. - 7:00 p.m.6040 Watt AvenueNorth Highlands, CA 95660
Isleton Elementary SchoolWednesday, December 2nd 4:00 p.m. - 8:00 p.m.412 Union StreetIsleton, CA 95641

South Natomas Community CenterThursday, December 3rd 10:00 a.m.- 2:00 p.m.2921 Truxel RoadSacramento, CA 95833

Antelope High SchoolFriday, December 4th 3:00 p.m. - 7:00 p.m.4635 Elverta RoadAntelope, CA 95843

American River CollegeSaturday, December 5th 10:00 a.m.- 2:00 p.m.4700 College Oak DriveSacramento, CA 95841

Sheldon High SchoolMonday, December 7th 3:30 p.m. - 7:30 p.m.8333 Kingsbridge DriveSacramento, CA 95829

Anthony Pescetti Community Roomat City of Galt Police DepartmentTuesday, December 8th 10:00 a.m.- 2:00 p.m.455 Industrial DriveGalt, CA 95632

Burbank High SchoolWednesday, December 9th 3:30 p.m. - 7:30 p.m.3500 Florin RoadSacramento, CA 95823

Citrus Heights City HallThursday, December 10th 10:00 a.m.- 2:00 p.m.6237 Fountain Square DriveCitrus Heights, CA 95621

Florin High SchoolFriday, December 11th 3:30 p.m. - 7:30 p.m.7956 Cottonwood LaneSacramento, CA 95828

Franklin High SchoolSaturday, December 12th 10:00 a.m.- 2:00 p.m.6400 Whitelock ParkwayElk Grove, CA 95757

Mesa Verde High SchoolMonday, December 14th 3:00 p.m. - 7:00 p.m.7501 Carriage DriveCitrus Heights, CA 95621

Folsom High SchoolTuesday, December 15th 3:00 p.m. - 7:00 p.m.1655 Iron Point RoadFolsom, CA 95630

St. Rose ParishWednesday, December 16th 10:00 a.m.- 2:00 p.m.5961 Franklin Blvd.Sacramento, CA 95824

Sacramento High SchoolThursday, December 17th 3:30 p.m. - 7:30 p.m.2315 34th StreetSacramento, CA 95817

Encina High SchoolFriday, December 18th 3:30 p.m. - 7:30 p.m.1400 Bell AvenueSacramento, CA 95825

Rosemont High SchoolMonday, December 21st 3:30 p.m. - 7:30 p.m.9594 Kiefer Blvd.Sacramento, CA 95827

Natomas High SchoolTuesday, December 22nd 3:00 p.m. - 7:00 p.m.3301 Fong Ranch RoadSacramento, CA 95834

Robertson Community CenterMonday, December 28th 10:00 a.m.- 2:00 p.m.3525 Norwood AvenueSacramento, CA 95838

Sears - Florin Mall “Drive-Thru”Tuesday, December 29th 10:00 a.m.- 2:00 p.m.7000 65th StreetSacramento, CA 95823

St. Anthony's ChurchWednesday, December 30th 10:00 a.m.- 2:00 p.m.14012 2nd AvenueWalnut Grove, CA 95690

First Baptist ChurchMonday, January 4th 10:00 a.m. - 2:00 p.m.4401 San Juan AvenueFair Oaks, CA 95628

Elk Grove High SchoolTuesday, January 5th 3:30 p.m. - 7:30 p.m.9800 Elk Grove-Florin RoadElk Grove, CA 95624

Grant Union High SchoolWednesday, January 6th 3:00 p.m. - 7:00 p.m.1400 Grand AvenueSacramento, CA 95838

Sunrise Mall “Drive-Thru”Thursday, January 7th 10:00 a.m. - 2:00 p.m.6041 Sunrise (behind Sears)Citrus Heights, CA 95610

Inderkum High SchoolFriday, January 8th 3:00 p.m. - 7:00 p.m.2500 New Market DriveSacramento, CA 95835

Valley High SchoolMonday, January 11th 3:30 p.m. - 7:30 p.m.6300 Ehrhardt AvenueSacramento, CA 95823

Sacramento Japanese United Methodist ChurchTuesday, January 12th 10:00 a.m.- 2:00 p.m.6929 Franklin Blvd.Sacramento, CA 95823

Christ Community ChurchWednesday, January 13th 10:00 a.m. - 2:00 p.m.5025 Manzanita AvenueCarmichael, CA 95608

Sacramento City Public Safety CenterThursday, January 14th 10:00 a.m.- 2:00 p.m.5770 Freeport Blvd.Sacramento, CA 95822
County Administrative CenterFriday, January 15th 10:00 a.m.- 2:00 p.m.700 H StreetSacramento, CA 95814

Posted by Sac City Schools Observer at 7:30 AM
Labels: H1N1 vaccine, Luther Burbank High School

Pile of Empty Beer Cartons Evolves into Open Air Library | GOOD

Pile of Empty Beer Cartons Evolves into Open Air Library GOOD:

"I would love to see a community library like this in Los Angeles!

“What began as an assemblage of 1,000 empty beer cartons pulled together by residents in East Germany has now evolved into an incredible open air public library. Designed by Karo Architekten in collaboration with local residents, the grassroots project revitalizes a post-industrial district in Magdeburg, Germany by creating a cultural center and pop-up library where books are free to take and leave 24 hours a day. Opened this past June, the project introduces plenty of green space and reuses the facade of an old warehouse to beautiful effect.

Libraries and book lending are a great green practices insofar as they encourage the use of shared resources and cut down on crates of pressed tree pulp circulating the globe. They’re even better when they foster a communal spirit of sharing, as does Magdeburg’s new Open Air Library."

Educators Grow Green Schools | Edutopia

Educators Grow Green Schools Edutopia:

"Green schools are emerging around the country, and they are nothing short of spectacular. Whether built from the ground up or retrofitted, they are awash in daylight and the glow of natural wood, equipped with individualized air, light, and temperature control, and surrounded by rich landscapes designed to shade and regenerate our air and water.

Green schools cost less than 2 percent more than conventional schools to build but provide 20 times the financial benefits, according to author Greg Kats. Even in existing schools that are making smaller changes to lighten their impact on the planet, the benefits are obvious: savings in energy, water, materials, land, and transportation. In a 2006 study of 30 American schools, Kats identified an average 33 percent reduction in energy use and a 32 percent reduction in water use in green schools (as defined by the U.S. Green Building Council) when compared with conventional schools."

GradeFund

GradeFund

Starting a revolution one A at a time.

Our Mission

Our goal is to be the most important resource for students across the world to get a great education. We want students to have a friend who works tirelessly to help make a great education more affordable and more accessible. The GradeFund has also been designed to help students find jobs and internships easier as they contemplate life after school. We have taken the first small steps of a long journey to help students across the world achieve a higher level of education.

Our Values

1. Students should be rewarded for academic excellence.2. A great education should be available to all of the world's students.3. Educational resources should be deployed as efficiently as possible.4. The world needs to be better able to find the talent it needs to solve important problems.

What we do in 100 Words

Students invite their friends and family to sponsor their drive for good grades. Sponsors choose grade levels and sponsorship amounts for each grade (as low as $5). Each semester students upload their transcript. We verify grades, collect money from sponsors, and send it to schools or students depending on sponsor preferences. For individuals or companies that want to create an educational cause, they select the classes and grade levels at the universities they want to sponsor. We send the money to the eligible students who achieve the target performance levels.

Why we do it

We wanted to help all students with a service that encouraged them to pursue higher education and focus on doing well while in school. We love education and think it is the most enjoyable and enriching activity we engage in as humans. It is our hope that we can bring that passion and excitement to students across the country and the world.

Our People

GradeFund's management team includes Zachary Suchin, CEO, and Jason Schutzbank, COO. We are also pleased to have Arup Banerjee and Owen Wendland as our board members. Our team is a dedicated group of individuals seeking to aid students around the country by providing a solution that enables them to put more resources towards their education. We are passionate and always looking for others to help us spread our cause. If you have further questions for our management team please e-mail info@gradefund.com.

Secret Recipes Revealed: Demystifying the Title I Part A Funding Formulas

Secret Recipes Revealed: Demystifying the Title I Part A Funding Formulas:

"The 1965 passage of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act marked an increased role for the federal government in ensuring equal opportunity in education. Title I, Part A of the act is the centerpiece of this federal role in elementary and secondary education. The law authorizes substantial grants—almost $14 billion for the fiscal year that ended in 2008—to augment the education of children living in areas where low-income families are concentrated. Yet the funding formulas that determine the amount of money granted to each school district are not necessarily compatible with the law’s intent."

Flypaper: Education reform ideas that stick, from the Thomas B. Fordham Institute

Flypaper: Education reform ideas that stick, from the Thomas B. Fordham Institute:

"Posted on November 13, 2009 at 11:41 am by Jamie Davies O'Leary
Ohio keeps its word, will adopt Common Core Standards

For the last month, we’ve been wondering whether Ohio would truly adopt the NGA/CCSSO Common Core State Standards , or whether the Ohio Department of Education would forge its own path in revising academic content standards so as to meet the June 2010 deadline. The issue was one of timing, as Common Core Standards won’t be finalized until January, and this didn’t give Ohio enough time to meet its June 2010 mandate.

Given that Fordham gave Ohio a “D+” in our last State of the State Standards report, and that we think the Common Core Standards are substantially better (see our latest report, “Stars by Which to Navigate“), the possibility of Ohio reneging on the Common Core Initiative was worrisome. Emmy wrote on Flypaper:"

Read the full report: http://www.docstoc.com/docs/16391598/Stars-by-Which-to-Navigate-Scanning-National-and-International-Standards-in-2009

Thomas W. Carroll: Schumer's Role in "Race to the Top": Is the Fix In?

Thomas W. Carroll: Schumer's Role in "Race to the Top": Is the Fix In?:

"For months, rumors have circulated in New York political and educational circles that U.S. Senator Chuck Schumer has received assurances from the Obama administration that New York will receive a 'round one' grant from the highly competitive federal $4 billion Race to the Top competition for educational dollars. This could mean as much as $350 million for the cash-strapped state.

The indefatigable Schumer is the third-ranked Senator in the United States Senate, a possible successor to Harry Reid as Majority Leader (if Reid loses his tenuous re-election bid), and a linchpin for getting Obama-care through the Senate. Schumer also is very close personally to Chancellor Merryl Tisch, who views Race to the Top as a priority. So, the theory has at least surface plausibility."

Hmong charter school has culture of learning - JSOnline

Hmong charter school has culture of learning - JSOnline:

"Give me some adjectives to describe your school, the visitor asked a couple of dozen eighth-graders at the Hmong American Peace Academy one morning last week.
Peaceful, one volunteered.

Dependable, another said.

Successful.
Educational.
Fair.
Respectful.
Hard.
Supportive.

Show me a school where kids volunteer a list like that, and I'll show you a bright spot on Milwaukee's educational landscape. Which is exactly the case with this school, popularly known as HAPA.

Entering its sixth year, HAPA has a kindergarten through eighth-grade enrollment of 435, nearly twice the number when the doors first opened in 2004. That's not counting another 60 in a partner high school, International Peace Academy, that is in its second year and just beginning to grow."

Raise dropout age to 18 - The Boston Globe

Raise dropout age to 18 - The Boston Globe:

"BILLS TO raise the compulsory school age have been kicking around the State House as aimlessly as high school dropouts on graduation day. And like those dropouts, the bills will need to be nurtured carefully if they are ever to amount to anything."

Last week, the Legislature’s Education Committee held a hearing on a bare-bones-bill that would raise the dropout age from 16 to 18. Upping the age when students can leave school makes good sense - but only if lawmakers and educators focus as much on what students need to achieve success as the date on their birth certificates.

Dropping out of high school wasn’t always an irrational act. As late as the 1960s and ’70s, dropouts in Massachusetts could find decent-paying jobs in manufacturing plants. But a high school diploma is now the rock-bottom minimum requirement to establish an independent life.

The Boss - Michael Chasen Sought to Wire Education Before Dot-Com Boom - NYTimes.com

The Boss - Michael Chasen Sought to Wire Education Before Dot-Com Boom - NYTimes.com:

"WHEN I was about 10 years old, my father, an endodontist, bought a Radio Shack-brand TRS Model III computer in order to track billing. At first, it stayed in a guest bedroom that doubled as an office. Within a few months, I had moved it into my bedroom."

My friend Billy Berger and I began to write programs and were soon writing them for local businesses. We got clients by word of mouth. Working on my own in high school, I charged as much as $25 an hour for computer consulting for local companies. I was always interested in technology and knew I wanted to run my own computer company one day.

I got an undergraduate degree in computer science at American University. Then I decided to get an M.B.A. with a specialization in accounting and follow that with a law degree.

Selling Lesson Plans Online, Teachers Raise Cash and Questions - NYTimes.com

Selling Lesson Plans Online, Teachers Raise Cash and Questions - NYTimes.com:

"Between Craigslist and eBay, the Internet is well established as a marketplace where one person’s trash is transformed into another’s treasure. Now, thousands of teachers are cashing in on a commodity they used to give away, selling lesson plans online for exercises as simple as M&M sorting and as sophisticated as Shakespeare."

While some of this extra money is going to buy books and classroom supplies in a time of tight budgets, the new teacher-entrepreneurs are also spending it on dinners out, mortgage payments, credit card bills, vacation travel and even home renovation, leading some school officials to raise questions over who owns material developed for public school classrooms.

“To the extent that school district resources are used, then I think it’s fair to ask whether the district should share in the proceeds,” said Robert N. Lowry, deputy director of the New York State Council of School Superintendents.

The marketplace for educational tips and tricks is too new to have generated policies or guidelines in most places. In Fairfax County, Va., officials had been studying the issue when they discovered this fall that a former football coach was selling his playbook and instructional DVDs online for $197; they investigated but let him keep selling.

How good are schools if students can't get in?: Jarvis DeBerry | Opinions - - NOLA.com

How good are schools if students can't get in?: Jarvis DeBerry Opinions - - NOLA.com:

"Once upon a time in New Orleans, parents had a hard time enrolling their children into a good public school because a good public school was something of an endangered species.

Today, good schools are easier to spot. One might encounter them anywhere. But the difficulty parents have getting their children into a good school lingers. As becomes clear in reporter Sarah Carr's five-day series 'The Challenge of Choice,' our decentralized grouping of schools is difficult for parents and students to access.

Different schools have different application deadlines. Some schools require face-to-face meetings with parents and child during the hours most parents are working."

School choice series: High school search frustrates ambitious student

By Sarah Carr, The Times-Picayune
November 12, 2009, 1:40AM
In the face of rejection, persistence pays off Full story »
Comments (10)
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School choice series: Grandmother struggles to navigate system

By Sarah Carr, The Times-Picayune
November 10, 2009, 10:40PM
Gathering information not always easy for working parents Full story »
Comments (5)
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School choice series: Mother is determined to find best public pre-K

By Sarah Carr, The Times-Picayune
November 10, 2009, 5:40AM
'When he's older, he'll remember all we did to get him into a good school,' she says of her 4-year-old Full story »
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School choice series: Family works hard to find perfect fit for 12-year-old

By Sarah Carr, The Times-Picayune
November 09, 2009, 5:40AM
Father, aunts, grandmother study all the options Full story »
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School choice is a real test for parents in New Orleans

By Sarah Carr, The Times-Picayune
November 08, 2009, 1:40PM
Navigating the system, finding the right fit for their children can be a frustrating, bewildering process Full story »
Comments (15)

'Positive Parenting' under way | recordonline.com

'Positive Parenting' under way recordonline.com:

"Milford — Parenting isn't easy.

'With love, limits, and lots of involvement, parents can be a major influence in developing happy, healthy, and well-behaved children,' said a spokesman for Penn State Cooperative Extension, which is sponsoring a Positive Parenting workshop this month in two locations, one in Matamoras and another in Milford. 'Parenting education can be the key to building strong families.'

Positive Parenting is a university-developed parent education program providing effective parenting tools and strategies that will benefit families of infants, school-age children and teens."

Alan Pagano, Teaching and Learning: Arne Duncan and No Child Left Behind - Santa Cruz Sentinel

Alan Pagano, Teaching and Learning: Arne Duncan and No Child Left Behind - Santa Cruz Sentinel:

"For those unfamiliar with the name Arne Duncan, he is the current U.S. Secretary of Education, appointed by the president and confirmed by the Senate. According to his resume, Duncan has had extensive experience in the development of education policy and served eight years as the CEO of Chicago Public Schools.

However, Duncan has never been a teacher, counselor or school site administrator. As a result, I am extremely skeptical of his ability to understand the challenges and constraints of local issues.

One of the secretary's most important tasks will be the reauthorization of the No Child Left Behind Act. In a previous column, I stated: The federal government instituted the No Child Left Behind legislation, which examines student achievement, provides a status category based on that achievement and if the 'school's' achievement is consistently insufficient, imposes sanctions.

In fact, the punitive nature of NCLB and the absence of a targeted focus on real student reform and change, severely undermine the proposed outcomes of the legislation."

Groups Rally Behind Cesar Chavez As Jobs Are Cut - KRDO.com Colorado Springs and Pueblo News, Weather and Sports

Groups Rally Behind Cesar Chavez As Jobs Are Cut - KRDO.com Colorado Springs and Pueblo News, Weather and Sports:

"PUEBLO - Job cuts at the Cesar Chavez Academy and Dolores Huerta Preparatory High School took students and staff by surprise on Friday.

NEWSCHANNEL 13 learned that several coaches were let go following the final bell on Friday. It left teams showing up for practice with nothing to do but console each other. According to sources, that upset students and staff alike because of there was such little forewarning.

The job cuts are part of a plan to make up for a $1.5 million dollar budget shortfall. It reportedly includes 29 staff members but only two teacher positions. Administrators, teachers and staff we tried to talk to all refused comment or didn't return our call. Word from the chief financial officer within the network is that they tried to make cuts that would have the least impact on the classroom"

Repeal of school reform law rejected - Bangor Daily News

Repeal of school reform law rejected - Bangor Daily News:

"Maine voters have rejected a move to repeal the state’s school district consolidation law — and they did so in convincing fashion.

With 87 percent of the state’s precincts reporting early Wednesday morning, the vote was 284,117 to 201,203 — or 58.5 percent to 41.5 percent — against repealing the law.

“We’re all very disappointed by the vote,” said Skip Greenlaw, chairman of the Maine Coalition to Save Schools, which mounted the drive to repeal the law. “I suppose when you can spend $300,000 on television ads and we had no money for ads, this is what happens. We know we were right, but a lot of people were not able to hear our message, and that’s unfortunate.”"

Pew Identifies States, Like California, in Fiscal Peril

Pew Identifies States, Like California, in Fiscal Peril:

"Washington, D.C. - 11/11/2009 - A report released today by the Pew Center on the States shows that some of the same pressures that have pushed California toward economic disaster are wreaking havoc in a number of other states, with potentially damaging consequences for the entire country. Arizona, Florida, Illinois, Michigan, Nevada, New Jersey, Oregon, Rhode Island and Wisconsin join California as the 10 most troubled states, according to Pew’s analysis, 'Beyond California: States in Fiscal Peril'.

These states' budget troubles can have significant repercussions for their residents: higher taxes or fees; layoffs or furloughs of state workers; longer waits for public services; more crowded classrooms; higher college tuition and less support for the poor or unemployed. They also pose challenges for the nation as a whole. Together, the 10 states account for more than one-third of America's population and economic output. And actions taken by state governments to balance their budgets–such as tax increases and drastic spending cuts—can slow down the country's recovery."

California spends $7,500 per student and a whopping $47,000 per prisoner -- you do the math

California spends $7,500 per student and a whopping $47,000 per prisoner -- you do the math:

"California’s first rate educational system used to be the mark to meet for other states, but those days are long gone. While the powers in Sacramento have not positioned us dead last in per pupil spending – the fifth largest economy in the world does rank a paltry 47th…ahead of only Utah, Nevada, Texas and Arizona.

With more than 6.2 million students California has almost 2 million more students than the next most populous state of Texas. Running a school system of this scope and size is a daunting task and is not the only challenge California faces. The state also has the highest percentage of English learners in the nation and is close to the top in the number of students living below the poverty level."

The Signal - Santa Clarita Valley News - Let teachers teach

The Signal - Santa Clarita Valley News - Let teachers teach:

"Parents, do you know where your teachers are?

If your children attend any of the nine elementary schools within the Sulphur Springs Union School District, your child's teacher may be found performing yard duty instead of the important duties she or he is trained to provide.

This is like a symphony conductor being ordered to become a theater usher, seating all the concert guests before taking the podium to lead the orchestra."

Picture the pilot of a jumbo jet also serving as the baggage handler, or a bank president rolling pennies. You get the picture.Parents, are you aware that your child's teacher is wasting valuable classroom preparation time, parent communication time and extra student attention time on such an inappropriate chore?

If I had a child in the district, I'd be bombarding the district office with e-mail, phone calls and petitions demanding a better solution.Yes, all California schools are in a budget dilemma - but how many other districts are taking their best and brightest assets and squandering their talent?

Education for foster youth is key

Education for foster youth is key:

"Overcrowded prisons continue to be a costly issue for Californians as we struggle with a catastrophic economy and budget crisis. In recent news, we learned that the state is being ordered to cut its inmate population by 44,000. Yet little attention is given to how we got into this crisis. Yes, some have talked about the “three strikes” law and probation problems and the lack of facilities to house prisoners. But few have examined the underlying cause for why so many people are turning to a life of crime.

The answer is lack of educational opportunities. The relationship between the educational path verses the criminal path is a clear one.

Consider one subgroup: foster youth. Surveys report that well over half of California’s inmates were in the foster care system at one time. Even though 70 percent of foster youth desire a college experience, nationally only half of them even get a high school degree. Of those who do, only 3 percent end up on a university campus. Of this 3 percent, only half of them actually succeed in earning a four-year degree. The rest – 98.5 percent are underemployed at best or unemployed, with a disproportionate number on public assistance or homeless – both situations that are often a pathway to crime."

College crisis is a disaster California can't afford

College crisis is a disaster California can't afford:

"In a disaster flick that opened this weekend, supposedly based on prophecies left behind by the Maya, 2012 is the year that California will crash into the Pacific, during a swirl of cataclysmic events that reshapes the world.

Assuming that the Maya or their Hollywood interpreters weren't right and we actually survive 2012, California may face a disaster of its own making within the next 15 years or so, much quieter than the widescreen version but capable of its own form of devastation.

Call it the Education Apocalypse."

Six in 10 California community college students give up transfer plans, never making it to universities - Oroville Mercury Register

Six in 10 California community college students give up transfer plans, never making it to universities - Oroville Mercury Register:

"As California's universities cut back slots for incoming freshman, they are still touting one route to a bachelor's degree that remains wide open: Start off at a community college and then transfer to UC or CSU.

But a new analysis shows that fewer than half the students who undertake that path ever reach their goal, waylaid by financial, personal and procedural potholes.

Only 40 percent of California's degree-seeking students are ready to transfer to universities after community college, according to the state's latest annual accountability report for community colleges. Silicon Valley schools do somewhat better — with success rates that range from 48 percent at San Jose City College to 68 percent at De Anza and Foothill colleges."

Dads give babies headstart | The Courier-Mail

Dads give babies headstart The Courier-Mail:

"But increasingly research is showing that the things fathers bring to the equation can make enormous differences to their children's lives.

Dr Bruce Robinson, co-ordinator of The Fathering Project at the University of Western Australia, has spoken to thousands of fathers and father figures about ways they can engage with their children and the rewards that it brings.

'In general, mothers tend to spend their time worrying about the kids. 'Have you got clean knickers, have you eaten your vegetables, have you brushed your teeth?'. Whereas dads tend to be a bit more laid-back,' Robinson says.

'Those differences are good, so long as they are two good parts of one thing."

Homeless man has key role in Sacramento debate - Sacramento News - Local and Breaking Sacramento News | Sacramento Bee

Homeless man has key role in Sacramento debate - Sacramento News - Local and Breaking Sacramento News Sacramento Bee:

"Rudolph John Kraintz's gray eyes smolder as he stands outside his tent north of downtown Sacramento, rolling a cigarette with tobacco-stained fingers.

'I'm trying to work within the system, but the system is a mess!' he declares.

Scraggly, rumpled and destitute, having lived outdoors for the better part of seven years, Kraintz has become a most unlikely political force."