George Washington Carver School of Arts and Science

Sam Mazza Garden NEWS!

George Washington Carver School of Arts and Science

Produce for Sale

Friday, November 20 from 3-4 pmVegetables for sale$1.00 bunchesBring a basket to fill.

Greetings! The Produce Market was a huge success last Friday! Thank you for your patronage: we hope you enjoyed the vegetables. We will sell individual bunches of vegetables this week for your Thanksgiving dinner! Read more about this weeks veggie sale and a review from one of our visitors last week.

Gratitude

On Friday, November 13, a professor from Bank Street College of Education in New York City visited out campus. Professor McKersie is currently on sabbatical and working to open a school of arts and technology for at-risk teens in the Hudson Valley. She spent a couple hours on campus, and has seen many high schools around the country as part of her research. Here is her note of appreciation:

It was a great pleasure meeting you and getting to observe your terrific staff and students in action. I deeply appreciate the timeyou took from your busy schedule to discuss both the joys andchallenges of leading a dynamic institution, such as George Washington Carver. I was struck by the kindness exhibited between students, and the caring and supportive interactions between teachers and students.

This alone says a lot about your school!

It's deeply inspiring the efforts you are making to introduce Waldorf methods to your staff and students.

This is such important work! Indeed, if young people are going to be prepared to participate in an increasingly complex world, they will need to be open and responsive and demonstrate originality and inventiveness. As you said, these skills are not acquired through textbooks or standardized tests, but through hands-on inquiry and experimentation. The ability to document the effectiveness of Waldorf methods (in both lower and upper grade levels) would be invaluable to school reform efforts everywhere, I imagine.

Thank you for the delicious vegetables. The bok choy was heavenly!

Friday's Produce Sale

On Friday, November 20 from 3- 4 pm we will be selling produce. This week we will sell individual bunches for $1.00 per bunch. Bring your basket or bag to fill up for Thanksgiving dinner.

For Sale on 11/20:

bok choy lettuce spinach radishes cilantro red Asian greens

Music and merry-making will be on display as well!

We look forward to seeing you at our second produce market:

Friday, November 20 from 3-4 pm in the front court yard. You will be glad you came!

Sincerely,

Allegra Alessandri

George Washington Carver School of Arts and Science

Waldorf High School Garden and Farm

44 - First lady promoted exercise and nutrition during visit with Va. school children

44 - First lady promoted exercise and nutrition during visit with Va. school children:

"First lady Michelle Obama visited Hollin Meadows Elementary School in Alexandria on Wednesday to tour the school's outdoor classrooms and promote the importance of nutrition and physical education to learning.

'Anyone who has kids knows they need recess and exercise to focus. If you own a dog, you know that,' Obama said, drawing laughs from school officials."

The aging brick school, which has a science and math focus, has more than 14,000 square feet of gardens on its campus, and teachers often bring their lessons outside. The courtyard hosts an outdoor library, and math and science lessons can involve measuring worms or studying the anatomy of real plants, rather than diagrams. It was one of 61 schools in Fairfax County recognized by the U.S. Department of Agriculture for an emphasis on health and nutrition.

Community colleges: Top-tier places for green-job training - Nov. 17, 2009

Community colleges: Top-tier places for green-job training - Nov. 17, 2009:

"(Fortune Magazine) -- Community colleges have long held second-class-citizen status in the world of higher education. But they've suddenly become top tier when it comes to one important thing: training for new green-economy jobs.

In recent months, administrators at two-year schools across the country have been adding certification programs for everything from wind technicians to solar cell designers to energy auditors, positioning themselves at the forefront of a rapidly changing job market and spurring unprecedented spikes in enrollment.

In part the increase in demand at junior colleges is due to the recession: Many students can no longer afford pricey four-year colleges and are opting to attend two-year programs instead."

L.A. County keeping sugary drinks around -- for now -- latimes.com

L.A. County keeping sugary drinks around -- for now -- latimes.com:

"Supervisors approve health initiatives to improve the county's chances of receiving federal stimulus funds, but vote against a proposal to discourage the consumption of sugar-sweetened beverages."

In an effort to strengthen their bid for as much as $40 million in federal stimulus funds intended for communities that promote healthy living, Los Angeles County supervisors approved a package of health initiatives Tuesday that included new community gardens and bike paths.

But they stopped short on a controversial proposal, backed by Supervisors Mike Antonovich and Mark Ridley-Thomas, to ban advertising for sugar-sweetened drinks at county facilities and to develop a plan to prohibit such beverages from all county facilities.

"Where you lose me is if you are going to tell me that a patron of the Hollywood Bowl . . . can't buy a Coke. You've lost me," Supervisor Zev Yaroslavsky said."This is overreaching," Supervisor Don Knabe said.

Education News & Comment

Education News & Comment:

"Board of Education Meeting (Changed from 11/19/09)
Wednesday 11-18-2009

Special Board of Education Meeting
Thursday 11-19-2009

Dear DAC members:

The district will be discussing Title I polices, guidelines, process, and the budget. The SCUSD received $19,338,780 in Title I, Part A Allocations and an additional $5,898,944 in Title I Allocations-ARRA.

I highly recommend DAC members attend this meeting on Wednesday, November 18, 2009. The meeting begins at 6:30 pm, but the agenda item 9.5 is scheduled for 8:33 pm. Please come and be informed.


Wanda Yañez
Chairperson
District Advisory Committee (DAC)
Sacramento City Unified School District
Work: (916) 654-7729
Website: http://sacdac.org/Dacupdate.aspx"

SCUSD Board of Ed Agenda Item 9.5 Title I 11-18-09 -

SCUSD Board of Ed 11-18-09 Reg Agenda -

Parenting with a Plan

Parenting with a Plan:

"Future president Barack Obama addressed a packed church in his hometown of Chicago on Fathers Day 2008. Speaking on the issue of responsible fatherhood, he said:

But if we are honest with ourselves, we’ll admit that what too many fathers also are is missing—missing from too many lives and too many homes. They have abandoned their responsibilities, acting like boys instead of men. And the foundations of our families are weaker because of it."

These comments touched a nerve, sparking conversations in the blogosphere, at water coolers, in barbershops, and around kitchen tables. Obama was noting an issue that is clearly evident, but rarely raised by national-level leaders—the fact that many fathers are missing from their children’s lives. And this is reflective of another significant concern that receives even less attention—the difficulties involved in two people parenting together while living apart, and the frequent exclusion of low-income people from the systems that our nation has created to support such families.

The issue of post-break-up parental conflict pervades our culture, whether we are developing colorful terms for it like “baby mama drama,” or engrossing ourselves in how celebrities like Alec Baldwin, Charlie Sheen, or Jon and Kate mismanage the beginnings of their post-break-up parenting relationships. These examples of high-profile couples at the extremes of conflict and the pervasiveness of the issue can lead to the conclusion that nothing can be done to help families experiencing these difficulties. But the nation’s family courts and relevant practitioners have for decades been improving upon approaches such as mediation, parent education, and counseling that help couples reach agreements about visitation arrangements or parenting plans and set them on the right course toward effectively parenting together while living apart. These tools are definitely not a cure-all, and won’t work for all couples, but they have been associated with increased father visitation and child support payments.

Yet these helpful tools can be out of reach for low-income families because they are typically connected to the courts and are often part of divorce or custody/visitation actions. This presents great difficulties for parents who are unable to afford an attorney or face educational, literacy, or other barriers to self-representation.


Parenting with a Plan How TANF Can Support Positive Parenting Relationshipsand Foster Father Involvement -

The Answer Sheet - BRADY: When captains of business and industry ‘hijacked’ education--and teachers let them

The Answer Sheet - BRADY: When captains of business and industry ‘hijacked’ education--and teachers let them:

"MEMO: TO THE MEMBERS OF MY PROFESSION

'We have met the enemy, and he is us,' said Pogo.

We educators should make the wise little opossum from Walt Kelly’s comic strip our mascot.

The single worst shoot-yourself-in-the-foot act that contributed to our loss of control of education reform happened about 20 years ago. That’s when leaders of business and industry, convinced that educators either didn’t know enough or didn’t care enough about educating the young to be trusted, hijacked our profession. And we let them."

Obama and Duncan Are Wrong About Charters - Bridging Differences - Education Week

Obama and Duncan Are Wrong About Charters - Bridging Differences - Education Week:

"The legislators who passed the Elementary and Secondary Act in 1965 repeatedly assured their colleagues and the American public that the federal government would never interfere with state and local control of schools. The purpose of the law was clear: To provide additional funding to the nation's neediest students.

Of course, that vow did not preclude federal intervention to abolish racial segregation, because segregation was one of the sources of inequity and there was a Supreme Court decision requiring an end to state-sponsored segregation.

Now, we see that the original promise has not only been forgotten, but broken. Today we see the Obama administration using federal dollars to bribe states to pursue remedies that are highly contested and whose results are uncertain. They do this in the name of 'reform,' but today anyone with a plan—good or bad—calls himself or herself—a 'reformer.' Calling something a 'reform' does not mean that it will improve education."

Here is some news. I went to the NAEP Web site and used a function called NAEP Data Explorer (http://nces.ed.gov/nationsreportcard/naepdata/). This made it possible to compare charter schools and regular public schools on the NAEP 2009 math assessments, which were released a few weeks ago. No one else has done this, so our blog will be the first place in which these results appear.

Education Week: Schools Need a Culture Shift

Education Week: Schools Need a Culture Shift:

"Consider this description of the work environment of California-based Meebo, one of the Web’s fastest-growing messaging companies, and then ask yourself if today’s classrooms can be described the same way:

“A great team, and tons of meaty problems to solve. … It’s open, collaborative. … We’re facing problems that are pretty unusual. … We take the smartest and most passionate team-oriented people we can find and put them in an environment where they can thrive. We value innovation, teamwork, and good clean fun. … We’re still a small company, so one person can make a big impact.”"

National Assessment of Educational Progress

National Assessment of Educational Progress

For decades, when elected officials, researchers, educators, and parents have wanted a clear-eyed measure of what students know in a range of subjects, they have turned to an authoritative source: the National Assessment of Educational Progress.

Now the country stands poised to enter a new testing era. All but two states have agreed to work toward creating common academic standards, with the eventual goal of establishing common assessments.

Which leads to an obvious question: What will become of NAEP?

Some say the federally sponsored program is unlikely to change as a result of the ongoing standards and assessment project. Others say that until more is known about the structure and schedule of common state tests, it’s difficult to predict whether NAEP’s role will grow or shrink.

“There’s nothing in this project that would put the NAEP out of business,” said Gary W. Phillips, a vice president and chief scientist at the Washington-based American Institutes for Research. “There’s no way a bottoms-up test could do what the NAEP is built to do, every day.”

Sacramento Press / Nestlé at the City Council: Public Discussion or Backroom Deal? - Part II

Sacramento Press / Nestlé at the City Council: Public Discussion or Backroom Deal? - Part II:

"Who is to Blame?

Nestlé was recruited by the Sacramento Area Commerce and Trade Organization and the Economic Development Department, one of a series of bad projects they have brought here that include the municipal waste burning incinerator and the natural gas storage facility beneath homes in South Sacramento.

The EDD worked with SACTO in secrecy to convince Nestlé to choose Sacramento over Roseville or Stockton. Since the project has been announced Johnson has been Nestlé's only public supporter. He glowingly informed us of Nestlé's arrival in the SACTO press release in July and solemnly apologized to them at the council meeting for being forced to temporarily obey the law."

He also is the connection to their sole benefactor in town, the Sacramento Metro Chamber of Commerce. Five days before the meeting, one of Johnson's top advisers, Michelle Smira, left city hall to work as a paid consultant for Nestlé. Smira is also the head of the chamber's powerful political action committee. As soon as she got on Nestlé's payroll the chamber sprang into action. Speaking Out Against Nestlé After Nestlé had got what it wanted in the back room, public comment on the plant was allowed. The mayor said there were 16 speakers on each side of the issue — although who knows what the accurate break down was, because a number of people speaking against Nestlé were called forward when it was the other side's turn to speak. Each side was given a total of 10 minutes to speak.

AFL-CIO NOW BLOG | Paid Leave Key to Slowing Spread of H1N1

AFL-CIO NOW BLOG Paid Leave Key to Slowing Spread of H1N1:

"The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) estimates that one worker sick with the H1N1 (swine flu) virus will infect one in 10 co-workers if he or she goes to work while infected with the virus. Even more frightening, another recent study predicted that 63 percent of Americans will be infected with the virus by the end of December.
Today, family advocates and heath care professionals told the House Education and Labor Committee that along with vaccinations, and good hygiene practices, the best way to protect workers and slow the spread of the H1N1 virus is through guaranteed paid sick leave legislation, such as the Healthy Families Act.
The CDC’s guidelines to employers and workers to slow the spread of the virus says workers who suspect they have the swine flu or another influenza-like illness should stay home and employers should allow workers to stay home “without fear of reprisals or…losing their jobs.”"

voiceofsandiego.org: Schooled... Bright and Early

voiceofsandiego.org: Schooled... Bright and Early:

Bright and Early

I spent last night tweeting the school board meeting and boy, is my beak tired. You can catch up on all the gritty details here. Now for your morning newsblitz:

We blog about another objection to the cuts that an internal team has scrounged up for San Diego Unified: Auditors say a recommendation to cut "non-financial auditors" is just plain impossible because they don't exist. They also argue that cutting the fraud hotline doesn't make sense because it has recovered more money than it costs. (Want an example? 10News reported on this employee who was rooted out by the anti-fraud team.)

We also blog about how the two Gompers charter schools are seeking to become one -- and how it could impact their status under No Child Left Behind.

The Write Stuff Literacy Campaign - National Day of Reading

The Write Stuff Literacy Campaign - National Day of Reading:

The Write Stuff Literacy Campaign

"Not just a literary reality show. We are a movement!"

"Saturday November 21, 2009 10:00 AM - 6:00 PM

Earlier this year, ABC News reported that over 30 million Americans ages 16 and up were unable to read or write well. This proves what many have said for some time: Illiteracy is an epidemic that is spreading daily, claiming victims of all ages, nationalities and backgrounds."

Shadow Play Entertainment, Conversations Book Club, The Write Stuff Literacy Campaign and their literary partners are excited to announce a historic event geared towards sharing the gift of reading and books across the United States under a show of united support in each state. On Saturday, November 21, 2009 between the hours of 10-6p.m., The Write Stuff founder and host Cyrus A. Webb is working with others in scheduling Reading Parties (see http://tinyurl.com/readingparties ;) throughout the country in all 50 states geared towards 1) speaking in one voice in support of encouraging reading, 2) supporting local authors and their books and 3) providing a positive outlet that is sometimes overlooked with all the chaos going on in the world around us.

Whether it is a booksigning, literary meet and greet with book lovers or a just sharing passages from your favorite boks, each Reading Party will be designed for that particular area by that particular area. Webb and his supporters will only act as a means to promote the event and help strategize where their is a need for assistance. During the time frame selected by each Reading Party, there will be booksignings, book discussions or whatever seems appropriate to that host. The events are part of the Art, Books & Beats movement (http://www.artbooksandbeats.com/ ) which combines the power of visual/literary art, books and music. Those participating will be listed online at http://www.thewritestufftv.com/ identified by their state along with what type of event they are hosting as well as the time of their event. All Reading Parties are free to the public.

Stop Homework » Moms (and Dads) on a Mission – San Anselmo, California

Stop Homework » Moms (and Dads) on a Mission – San Anselmo, California:

"Last year, I posted a piece by Torri Chap­pell, a teacher and mother from San Anselmo, Cal­i­for­nia, who wrote about some of the suc­cess she had had in advo­cat­ing for school reform.

Two weeks ago, the high school in her com­mu­nity hosted a show­ing of Race to Nowhere, a doc­u­men­tary film that I’ve writ­ten about before. (I’m an adviser and appear in the film.). Torri was both­ered by the dis­cus­sion fol­low­ing the screen­ing and sent the fol­low­ing let­ter to her local newspaper."

Parental Involvement Reaps Big Benefits | Edutopia

Parental Involvement Reaps Big Benefits Edutopia:

"Parent involvement isn't a luxury -- it's an integral component of student achievement and school reform. Decades of research studies on the effect of meaningful parent involvement programs in schools have found that"

when parents are involved, students achieve more, regardless of socioeconomic status, ethnic/racial background, or the parents' education level.

when parents are involved, students exhibit more positive attitudes and behavior.

to have long-lasting gains for students, parent involvement activities must be well planned, inclusive, and comprehensive.

children from diverse cultural backgrounds tend to do better when parents and professionals collaborate to bridge the gap between the culture at home and the learning institution.

schools that work well with families have better teacher morale and higher ratings of teachers by parents.

school programs that involve parents outperform identical programs without parent and family involvement.

effective programs are led by a team of administrators, educators, and parents and have access to financial resources.

when they are treated as partners and given relevant information by people with whom they are comfortable, parents put into practice the involvement strategies they already know are effective but have been hesitant to contribute.

collaboration with families is an essential component of a reform strategy, but it is not a substitute for high-quality education programs or comprehensive school improvement.

Research findings courtesy of the National PTA. Go to the National PTA's Web site for more information about parent involvement

Getting Parents Involved Is the Foundation of Student Success | Edutopia

Getting Parents Involved Is the Foundation of Student Success Edutopia:

"Most educators agree that parental involvement is a key ingredient in how well a student learns. A small school in the Silicon Valley town of Saratoga, California, has taken this truism and run with it. Christa McAuliffe Elementary School (named after the schoolteacher killed in the Challenger shuttle disaster) has a program that not only encourages parents to be active members in their children's education but also requires it.

Parents with kids at McAuliffe are expected to spend two roughly ninety-minute sessions (three if they have two children) every week in their children's classrooms. And they don't simply drop in. Rather, they are initially required to attend a seven-session STEP (Systemic Training for Effective Parenting) class, designed to help increase their usefulness when they do appear in class. That usefulness goes well beyond simply being teachers' adjuncts."

NY1 | 24 Hour Local News | Education | Budget Crunch Hits Sour Note At City Schools

NY1 24 Hour Local News Education Budget Crunch Hits Sour Note At City Schools:

"PS 229 Principal James Harrigan says he already knows which programs will be the first to go once the call is made.

'I have what you call the band orchestra. I have a strings violin program. I have a visual arts program. I have a writing program,' Harrigan said.

Harrigan says arts programs like those currently offered at his school will all go away if education cuts the mayor ordered on Monday trickle down to the city's education system. And that's not the only threat to many principals' bottom lines."

School Grades Reflect a Persistent Disparity - NYTimes.com

School Grades Reflect a Persistent Disparity - NYTimes.com:

"Over the last three years, high schools that received the lowest marks from the city have been the ones with the highest percentages of poor, black and Hispanic students, despite an evaluation system that was meant to equalize differences among student bodies, according to an analysis by The New York Times of school grades released this week.

Blacks and Hispanics make up on average 77 percent of the student population in the 139 schools that received A’s this past year, compared with more than 90 percent of the schools that received C’s or worse. While the vast majority of A schools have a high minority enrollment, 14 of the 15 largest high-performing schools in the city have drastically lower black and Hispanic enrollment."

DPS teachers close to securing new contract | freep.com | Detroit Free Press

DPS teachers close to securing new contract freep.com Detroit Free Press:

"This is not a typo: The Detroit Federation of Teachers is close to forging a new contract with the Detroit Public Schools that would include peer review and merit pay.

Getting either in place would be a major accomplishment in a district where both concepts have long been anathema. Getting both would be a sign that the district's teachers are truly embracing reform, and understand that it can't happen without them.So congrats are in order for the two leaders involved here: emergency financial manager Robert Bobb and DFT President Keith Johnson."

Just a few months ago, Bobb saw union trouble on the horizon. He needed major concessions from teachers to continue his fight to balance the district's books. And for long-needed educational progress, he needed the unions to accept some modifications to the current tenure provisions, which, in the harshest terms, protect bad teachers from consequence.

But Bobb didn't wage a big, public anti-union campaign. In fact, it's difficult to recall him ever disparaging the unions. Instead, he stayed at the bargaining table, extended the contract after he hit an expiration deadline, and worked to get what he needed.

Only three bids for Gardena, San Pedro in School Choice program - The Daily Breeze

Only three bids for Gardena, San Pedro in School Choice program - The Daily Breeze:

"Two local schools drew less interest from outside operators than almost all of the other campuses that Los Angeles Unified School District has put up for bid under its Public School Choice reform initiative.

Just three letters of intent to operate Gardena and San Pedro high schools were submitted by a Monday evening deadline for the program, under which groups from both outside and within the school district can apply for control of 12 low-performing and 18 new campuses.

Only one other school generated such little interest, while a majority of campuses drew six or more applicants, according to a list issued Tuesday by the school district.
A staff member for Richard Vladovic, the Board of Education member who represents Gardena and San Pedro, had a positive take on the lack of outside interest from charter school and nonprofit groups.

'One can argue that Gardena and San Pedro High School have done a good job of building community these past few weeks and outside operators see they have their act together,' said David Kooper, Vladovic's chief of staff."

Duncan Hosts Meeting with Rural School Superintendents As He Continues to Seek Input on Education Reform

Duncan Hosts Meeting with Rural School Superintendents As He Continues to Seek Input on Education Reform:

"U.S. Secretary of Education Arne Duncan met today with a group of rural school superintendents from nine states to listen and learn about their needs and to discuss ways the Education Department can be a partner in helping to find solutions to their educational challenges.

'Rural schools have unique challenges and benefits, and we value the input of rural school leaders as we work together to improve education for all children,' Duncan said. 'Nearly every state has rural schools, which frequently lack resources, have trouble attracting teachers, and serve students living in areas with high concentrations of poverty. At the same time, we know that all children can learn with the appropriate support. We must learn from and replicate the many examples of success in small rural schools.'"

Today's meeting is part of the Obama administration's ongoing effort to solicit input on how to strengthen rural America. Last summer the administration launched a rural tour in which several cabinet secretaries visited rural communities around the country to learn about their challenges and how the federal government can be a partner in finding solutions. Secretary Duncan visited Alaska and North Carolina on the White House rural tour and has visited rural schools in Arizona Montana, West Virginia and Wyoming on his Listening and Learning tour around the country as he engages in a national dialogue on education reform.

The nine superintendents who met with Duncan today at the Department of Education were: Mark Bielang of Paw Paw Public Schools (Mich.); Randy Mohundro of Deleon Independent School District (Texas); Lyn Guy of Monroe County Schools (W.Va.); Elizabeth Reust of Plainville Unified School District 270 (Kan.); Timothy Mitchell of Chamberlain School District (S.D.); Kevin Mitchell of Park County School District 1 (Wyo.); Deborah Jackson-Dennison of Window Rock Unified School District 8 (Ariz.); Randy Shaver of Tupelo Public School District (Miss.); and Beatriz Ramirez of Raisin City Public Schools (Calif.).

Also attending were three leaders from the American Association of School Administrators (AASA), which helped organize the meeting: Daniel Domenech, executive director; Brian Hunter, associate executive director; and Mary Kusler, assistant director of policy and advocacy.

The secretary's discussion with the superintendents focused on turnaround schools and school improvement efforts for rural communities. Participants were also briefed on the stimulus funding (the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act) by Deputy Secretary Tony Miller and about reauthorization of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act (ESEA) by Carmel Martin, the assistant secretary for policy and evaluation.

According to "Why Rural Matters 2009," a new report from the Rural School and Community Trust, approximately one in five students in the U.S., or more than 10.5 million children, attends rural schools. Rural communities serve different student populations with diverse needs. Recruiting and retaining teachers remains a huge challenge for small rural schools. The report also notes that graduation rates are below 60 percent in some rural states and even lower in high-poverty rural school districts. At the same time, some small rural schools have been quite successful in helping students overcome the challenges associated with poverty.

"Conversations with rural school leaders and rural education experts are critical to providing a balanced overall program, and important to informing the Department of Education's work with Congress on the reauthorization of ESEA," Duncan said. "We must account for and understand the differences between schools, and we have an unprecedented opportunity to support innovative programs that are demonstrating success in rural communities."

PhillyBurbs.com: Bill targets teacher strikes

PhillyBurbs.com: Bill targets teacher strikes:

"The proposed change would make Pennsylvania the 38th state to prohibit public school teacher strikes.

New legislation that would make school strikes unconstitutional under state law was introduced in Harrisburg on Tuesday.

State Rep. Daryl Metcalfe, R-Butler, along with other state House members, unveiled the STRIKE-FREE Education Amendment House Bill 2092. It would modify Article 3 Section 14 of the state Constitution.

The law currently states: 'The General Assembly shall provide for the maintenance and support of a thorough and efficient system of public education to serve the needs of the Commonwealth.'"

PETER E. WEBER: What kind of governance reform does state need? - Opinions in The Bee - Fresnobee.com

PETER E. WEBER: What kind of governance reform does state need? - Opinions in The Bee - Fresnobee.com:

"California voters are understandably angry about the way our state is being governed. The respected non-partisan PEW Center for the states evaluates and ranks state government performance. Only two states rank lower than California, and California ranks dead last on fiscal performance. Voter dissatisfaction is leading to a plethora of reform initiatives that voters will have to wade through on next year's ballots.

Here are some questions voters should ask themselves about these reform initiatives:

Will they control the Legislature's propensity for runaway spending?

Will they cause budget priorities to reflect the views of voters rather than those of the special interests that currently control the budget?"

STEM education for girls grows beyond school boundaries - Mass High Tech Business News

STEM education for girls grows beyond school boundaries - Mass High Tech Business News:

"Seventy five percent of Nobel laureates in science first encountered the lure and power of discovery outside of school hours. But what about all the latent scientists and engineers who may not have ready access to the outdoors, to books, equipment and materials at home or at school, or who may not have parents or adults to provide encouragement and stoke their imagination about possible careers?

We applaud the creation of the Governor’s STEM Council to increase the interest and proficiency of Massachusetts’ students in Science, Technology, Engineering and Math. To ensure that the Commonwealth remains an engine of innovation and discovery, the council must adopt what the National Research Council calls an expansive view of “systematic educational reform.” This means recognizing the contributions and synergies of school and out-of-school experiences, including the family and community."

A facade of reform - JSOnline

A facade of reform - JSOnline:

"A shortage of committees is not what ails Milwaukee Public Schools. And forming a new one - even with Milwaukee's mayor as a partner - does not have a chance of launching the kind of change the district needs to better educate its children.

To counter another proposal that gives the mayor control of the district, other area legislators propose a plan in which the School Board essentially continues to run the district, giving the mayor only limited authority. This offers only the façade of reform.

Let's be clear: The School Board is part of the problem at MPS. The district's history of underachievement to the detriment of Milwaukee's children stands as ample testimony to the board's distinct lack of efficacy. Continuing this is not a viable option."

Memphis City Schools to sign pact for $90 million from Gates Foundation » The Commercial Appeal

Memphis City Schools to sign pact for $90 million from Gates Foundation » The Commercial Appeal:

"The city school board is expected to sign an agreement today with the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation that will funnel more than $90 million to Memphis for a plan to change how teachers are hired, placed, evaluated and retained.

The Gates Foundation will confirm the winners of its education grants in a teleconference Thursday morning.

The Memphis school district is one of the school systems in four cities expecting approval.

Boards of education in Hillsborough County, Fla. (Tampa); Pittsburgh; and a consortium of charter schools in Los Angeles signed agreements with the foundation this week. The Memphis Board of Education has scheduled a meeting for 4:30 p.m. today to vote on a contract."

Union blocks teacher bonuses - BostonHerald.com

Union blocks teacher bonuses - BostonHerald.com:

"Grinchlike union bosses are blocking at least 200 of Boston’s best teachers from pocketing bonuses for their classroom heroics in a puzzling move that gets a failing grade from education experts.

The Boston Teachers Union staunchly opposes a performance bonus plan for top teachers - launched at the John D. O’Bryant School in 2008 and funded by the Bill and Melinda Gates and Exxon Mobil foundations - insisting the dough be divvied up among all of a school’s teachers, good and bad.

“It’s insanity,” said Jim Stergios, executive director of the nonpartisan Pioneer Institute. “They’re less concerned about promoting the interest of individual members than maintaining control over their members.”"

City Council questions limits on charter school growth | Philadelphia Inquirer | 11/18/2009

City Council questions limits on charter school growth Philadelphia Inquirer 11/18/2009:

"At a time when the state legislature is mulling placing more restrictions on charter schools, City Council held an unusual hearing last night to question whether the Philadelphia School District has too much oversight over charters.

'Charter school operators tell me that they must meet standards that the public schools don't,' said Councilwoman Jannie L. Blackwell, chairwoman of Council's Education Committee.
Other Council members expressed concerns that the district's efforts to limit charter growth were limiting educational options for Philadelphians.

The session focused on a proposed change in the way the district regulates when charters can increase their enrollment or change their grade configurations."

La Opinión - noticias locales, nacionales e internacionales desde Los Ángeles - impre.com - Intimidation of parents

La Opinión - noticias locales, nacionales e internacionales desde Los Ángeles - impre.com - Intimidation of parents:

"Intimidation of immigrants is a tactic used far too often, but that does not make it any less repugnant when it happens. All too frequently, conflicts end with threats of deportation as a way to force the undocumented to act against their own interests. It is outrageous that this is exactly what happened to Los Angeles parents concerned about their children’s education.

Last week, anonymous persons chose this strategy as a way to discourage undocumented parents of childen at Gratts Elementary School in the Pico-Union neighborhood from supporting charter schools. The missive warned them not to sign the petitions for charter schools because they could be deported."

It is appalling to find such threats occurring in the debate on educational reform taking place in the Los Angeles Unified School District. Poor academic performance has sparked a dramatic push for change, including exploring new alternatives for operating the schools. Charter schools are not a magical solution for education, but they are a valid option to consider among others. Yesterday was the deadline to submit bids to operate a group of public schools.

Those behind the threatening flyers oppose charter schools and are capable of stooping very low to prevent parents from having options for their children’s education. For these individuals, education has little to do with student learning and more with self-interest.

The threat of deportation is used to intimidate the undocumented and exploit their vulnerabilities. It is outrageous to use this tactic to pressure parents not to defend their children’s right to learn.

Indian students in US cross 100,000 mark - US - World - The Times of India

Indian students in US cross 100,000 mark - US - World - The Times of India:

"WASHINGTON: The number of students from India enrolled in US universities and colleges crossed 100,000 for the first time ever this year even as international enrollments in America registered the largest percentage increase since 1980, defying broad economic trends."

As the number of international students at colleges and universities in the US increased by 8% to an all-time high of 671,616 in the 2008/09 academic year, students from India made up 103,260 of the overall number, according to the Open Doors report, which is published annually by the Institute of International Education (IIE) in collaboration with the US government.

The Indian numbers went up 9.2 per cent from 94,563 in 2007/2008 to cross 100,000 for the first time to retain its position as the top place of origin for international students in the United States. China remained in second place, although there was a sharp 21 per cent spike in students from China, going up from 81,127 last academic year to 98,235 this year. South Korea (69,000 to 75,000) remained in third place.

This is the eighth consecutive year that India has remained in the top spot. In course of a preview of the forthcoming visit to Washington of Prime Minister Manmohan Singh next week,

Indian officials said on Monday that Indian student inflow contributed nearly $ 3 billion to the US economy last year. Overall, international students contribute $17.8 billion to the US economy, through their expenditures on tuition and living expenses, according to the US Department of Commerce.

Golden Gate [X]press : AB 540, dreaming for a higher education

Golden Gate [X]press : AB 540, dreaming for a higher education:

"The dream: Access to higher education for undocumented students.

The goal: to inform students that it's possible to achieve that dream.

That's what Improvement Dreams, Equity, Access and Success, a new student organization at SF State is all about.

Founded in fall 2008 and currently with over 20 members, the organization has been devoted to organizing events that provide information ranging from how to apply to a university to information on scholarships and other resources available on and off campus for undocumented AB 540 students.

AB 540 is a California law, passed in 2001, that allows students, including undocumented students to pay in-state tuition in public universities and community colleges if they have gone to high school for three years and have graduated. These students are excluded from applying to federal or state financial aid like FAFSA."

Stand in Solidarity with UPTE Workers, Students and Faculty at UC | www.socialism.com

Stand in Solidarity with UPTE Workers, Students and Faculty at UC www.socialism.com:

"Bravo to the University of California staff, faculty, students and community members who are picketing, rallying and demonstrating at UC Berkeley and UCLA to oppose the devastating cuts being levied by UC administrators. The University Professional and Technical Employees (UPTE CWA 9119) strike, which is in solidarity with the UCLA protests against the UC Regents’ vote on the 32% fee hikes, shows the depths of the anger at UC President Yudof who is hell-bent on union busting and privatizing the premier public education institution in the country.

Public education is a right, not a privilege

With a recession brought on by the chaotic boom-bust cycles of capitalism, affordable and accessible public universities for all are needed more than ever. College is a lifeline for low-income, women, immigrant, people of color and those needing job skills. Yet never-ending tuition increases, partnered with escalating rent, medical and childcare expenses, equals increasing student debt and more families who can’t afford to send their children to college."

Why Are We Destroying Public Education? University of California Students and Staff Prepare for System-Wide Strike to Protest Cuts

Why Are We Destroying Public Education? University of California Students and Staff Prepare for System-Wide Strike to Protest Cuts:

"The governing body of the University of California system, the Board of Regents, is preparing to vote on a major tuition hike for both undergraduate and graduate students. Undergraduate tuition would rise an average 32 percent, while some graduate schools would begin charging thousands of dollars for programs that are currently tuition-free. The Regents are meeting Thursday at UCLA, where students from across the state are converging for what organizers have dubbed a “Crisis Fest,” including mass protests, civil disobedience and teach-ins."

Federal sick-leave bills aim to slow H1N1 spread | LoHud.com | The Journal News

Federal sick-leave bills aim to slow H1N1 spread LoHud.com The Journal News:

"A House of Representatives panel wrestled Tuesday with the pros and cons of requiring employers to provide paid sick leave to help slow the spread of swine flu."

An estimated 98,000 Americans have been hospitalized with the H1N1 virus, Assistant Surgeon General Anne Schuchat told the House Education and Labor Committee. The virus has spread to 46 states and sickened 22 million Americans.

The Emergency Influenza Containment Act, proposed by Reps. George Miller and Lynn Woolsey, both California Democrats, would require employers to provide at least five paid sick days to workers who are sent home from work ill or told to stay home.

A second bill, unveiled Tuesday by two Connecticut Democrats, Sen. Chris Dodd and Rep. Rosa DeLauro, would require seven days paid sick leave and would include parents who stay home with sick children. Both bills would expire after two years.

Texans, Co-Ops and Socialists - The Daily Californian

Texans, Co-Ops and Socialists - The Daily Californian:

"Crushing entitlements, sweetheart deals for co-ops and unsolicited political advice: all on the menu at Chez Roman this Wednesday. Make sure to fill yourself up before you go on the big hunger strike this week to protest Mark Yudof eating puppies. Or something.

The Roots of Our Ills

We like to make fun of Texas here. The people there speak funny. And Dubya was from Texas. What is there to like?"

Well, a lot, it seems, at least judging by the fact that Texas is one of the states that people are moving to, in the aggregate, while they're moving out of California. The California dream is dying under the weight of its own short sightedness. Despite having similar demographics to the Golden State, and thus similar challenges, Texas's public services have improved tremendously in the last fifteen or twenty years. It would be wishful thinking to suggest the same about California.

Texas has an unemployment rate 4 percent below ours, showing its low-tax, low-regulation, limited-government aid agenda works. California's schools and roads are falling apart, and our state's credit rating has gone out the window. (All the whining aside, the UC system, with its autonomy and strong ability to attract private funding, does a lot better than many other public services which lack similar capacity.) In these rainiest of days, the Texas Senate unanimously passed a budget that actually sets aside money into a rainy-day fund. Let's not even mention what happens in Sacramento with the budget. The Economist has done a good job covering this dichotomy between these states.

As is to be expected, the Lone Star State's public services do lag behind California's in many areas. But it spends a significantly larger portion of its budget on items that serve society at large--transportation and education being prime examples--not special interests. What do they spend less on?

OC schools can't sustain more cuts, educators say | state, schools, budget - News - The Orange County Register

OC schools can't sustain more cuts, educators say state, schools, budget - News - The Orange County Register:

"COSTA MESA Orange County's k-12 schools, community colleges and universities can't sustain another round of massive state budget cuts and continue to deliver a quality education to students.

That was the message today during a news conference by a coalition of teachers, school board members, union representatives, and other educators from schools throughout the county who gathered to raise awareness of the potential impacts of further cuts to schools."

"The game being played with our schools is not fair," said Kimberly Claytor, president of the Newport Mesa Federation of Teachers. "In order to reverse this trend, we're going to need to fix the state budget through tax reform."

The group said state-level tax reforms could help avert billions in cuts to schools expected over the next year. Reforms include reinstating the full vehicle license fee, returning the top tax bracket to the 10 percent and 11 percent rate, reassessing commercial properties, enacting a severance tax on oil produced in the state, and repealing loopholes that favoring big businesses from last year's state budget deal.

The group also supported repealing the two-thirds majority requirement for passing a state budget by lawmakers. Public schools receive up to 80 percent of all revenue from the state budget. In the past two budget years, state spending for education has been slashed by a total of about $15 billion.

"The rules as they stand now don't favor schools," Claytor said.

Community Journalism at it's Best Sacramento Press Workshop

Community Journalism at its Best

Facebook workshop

As mentioned, we have a Facebook workshop scheduled for Wednesday, Nov. 18.

Jeff Marmins, who is the creator of Social Media Path and a social networker extraordinaire.

He's given talks on Twitter and LinkedIn and is very active in all forms of social media.

We will serve food at 6:30 and get the workshop started around 6:45 p.m.

We plan on ending at 8 p.m. but if there are lots of questions, it may run longer.

Marmins will go over how to use Facebook and keep your work and personal lives separate while still enjoying the benefits of social networking.

Please bring your laptop if you have one; we have wi-fi so you can follow along on your computer.If you have specific questions that you want covered, you can send them along with your RSVP, so we can go over them for the group.We are limiting attendance to 30 people for space reasons.

RSVP by clicking on the RSVP below.

Our office is located at 431 I St., Suite 107 in the Amtrak station. We are in the same building complex as Starbucks. If you are facing Starbucks, go around the building to the left and you'll see our Sac Press sign out front.

We recommend you find parking on the street, bike or take light rail, as the Amtrak parking lot charges $1.50 per half hour and we cannot cover the cost of parking.

If you take light rail, we will give you two passes when you get here - one to cover your trip here and one to cover your trip back.

If you have any trouble finding our office, you can give us a call at (916) 443-5403.Thanks, and we hope to see you there!

RSVP

Join us at:
Sacramento Press
431 I Street, Suite 107
Sacramento, CA

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