Tuesday, December 22, 2009

Education Shouldn't be a Debt Sentence - Home

UVic Students’ Society to host free soup kitchen to highlight the need to reduce student debt

VICTORIA—The UVic Students’ Society (UVSS) will be hosting a free soup kitchen for students tomorrow as part of a day of campus events throughout Vancouver Island for the Education Shouldn’t be a Debt Sentence campaign. Students at UVic, Camosun College, Vancouver Island University, and North Island College will be gathering signatures on the provincial petition to reduce student debt at the event.

The events come on the heels of last week’s government report on the public consultations held for the 2010 BC budget. The report recommended that the government address BC’s high student loan interest rates and inadequate funding for universities and colleges.

“We’re building pressure on the government right up to the release of the 2010 BC budget,” said UVSS Chairperson Veronica Harrison, “This government must commit to a plan to reduce student debt over the four years of its mandate.”

D.C.'s City Collegiate Public Charter School plans to close - washingtonpost.com

D.C.'s City Collegiate Public Charter School plans to close - washingtonpost.com:

"A four-year-old D.C. charter school plans to close at the end of June because of falling enrollment and financial concerns.

Officials with City Collegiate Public Charter School, a middle school in the Dupont Circle neighborhood, told the D.C. Public Charter School Board of the plans Monday evening.

'There's no right time to close a school, but we've looked at next year, and we believe we would not have the enrollment, the per-pupil funding that we'd need,' said Julie Klingenstein, co-chairman of the school's board of trustees. The school had budgeted for 100 students but has only 70, she said, suggesting that rapid turnover in school leadership hurt enrollment."

The Washington Teacher: RIF'ed DC Teachers Challenge Union Colleagues To Fight

The Washington Teacher: RIF'ed DC Teachers Challenge Union Colleagues To Fight:

"Teachers and school counselors who were recently laid off by the Rhee administration have stepped up their fight on behalf of unfairly laid off teacher colleagues. These group of laid off teachers and school staff are known as Fight for Fired DC personnel. Included in this activist group are Washington Teachers’ Union Executive Board members Sheila Gill, Willie Brewer and Agnes Dyson. This group plans to work to combat unfair November 2 teacher cuts by Chancellor Rhee’s administration.

Fight For Fired DC Personnels’ first actions included advancing their written request to the Washington Teachers’ Union for financial assistance to the cover the cost of their legal appeals to OEA (Office of Employee Appeals). This request was sent to the WTU President George Parker as well as AFT President Randi Weingarten via certified mail."

At last week’s rescheduled December 15 executive board meeting, Sheila Gill, WTU Board member proposed a motion that the WTU will file a legal appeal of Judge Bartnoff’s November 24 ruling. It was noted that there is a 30 day timeline to file an appeal. Although much discussion ensued, WTU President George Parker did not lend his support for a motion to appeal Bartnoff’s decision. He indicated that he did not vote since the motion did not result in a tie. Unfortunately, our union attorney was not present at the WTU Executive Board meeting.

I spoke in favor of laid off teachers’ right to an appeal even though WTU President George Parker would not allow me to speak in the first round and only reluctantly allowed me to speak in the second round of discussions on this matter. I do not agree with the parliamentarian’s opinion (John Tatum) that I should not be allowed to vote ex-officio as a member of the Board of Trustees (BOT) given that a decision was made for BOT members to be included in all executive board meetings. So it seems that Parker twists Robert's Rules of Order to his convenience denying me the opportunity to speak or requiring me to speak last in an effort to prevent my voice from being heard.

Given that union president, George Parker historically is not a fighter, it is not surprising that he does not support teachers' legal right to file an appeal to Judge Bartnoff’s November 24 legal decision. However, what came as a

District Court Takes Up Arizona ELL Case Again - Learning the Language - Education Week

District Court Takes Up Arizona ELL Case Again - Learning the Language - Education Week:

"District Court Takes Up Arizona ELL Case Again

By Mary Ann Zehr

Arizona's long-running federal court case about the education of English-language learners is being considered again in a U.S. district court, according to a story published by Capitol Media Services. (The Arizona Republic also covered the story this week.) The U.S. Supreme Court ruled in the case, Horne v. Flores, in June that the federal district court should take another look at the evidence.

Judge Raner C. Collins of the U.S. district court in Tucson released a brief this week, saying the court would review programs for ELLs statewide, though state lawyers had argued that the court should examine only programs for such students in the Nogales school district, where the case originated."

Ca. Gov. Schwarzenegger Announces Appointments for 12.22.09 : Tue, 22 Dec 2009 : California Newswire™

Naomi Rainey, 59, of Long Beach, has been appointed to the Advisory Commission on Special Education. Since 2003, she has been an independent education consultant. From 2000 to 2003, Rainey was a principal on special assignment on Long Beach Polytechnic High School where she was previously assistant principal from 1996 to 2000. She was assistant principal for Millikan High School from 1995 to 1996. Rainey served the Compton Unified School District as district administrator for communications and community relations from 1988 to 1990, supervisor of communications and community relations from 1986 to 1988, program manager for the university college program from 1983 to 1986 and an educator and counselor from 1977 to 1983. Prior to that, she was a substitute teacher for the Long Beach and Compton Unified School Districts from 1975 to 1977. Rainey is a member of the Long Beach City College Foundation Board of Governors. This position does not require Senate confirmation and there is no salary. Rainey is a Republican.

AB 656 - Fair Share for Fair Tuition | Alberto Torrico for Attorney General

AB 656 - Fair Share for Fair Tuition | Alberto Torrico for Attorney General:

"AB 656 - Fair Share for Fair Tuition

AB 656 will help reverse the skyrocketing fees and tuition at our UC, CSU and community college campuses.

While California is struggling with record deficits and education funding is being gutted, big oil is enjoying historic profits. But California is the only major oil producing state in the country that doesn’t charge big oil their fair share. Alaska imposes a 25% oil severance fee and Texas raises up to $400 million annually through a similar fee.

It's time to make the oil and gas industry pay their fair share to help save our colleges and universities.
Please join me right now in support of AB 656 to fund higher education in California"

The Epstein Community Foundation

http://www.epsteinglobal.com/index.html

Epstein Community Foundation

BUILDING A BRIGHTER FUTURE

The employees of Epstein, a Chicagobased architecture, interiors, engineering and construction firm, have founded the Epstein Community Foundation to partner with communities for improved schools, safe environments and sustainable design.

The first major Epstein Community Foundation project is with McNair Academy, located at 4820 W. Walton Street in the South Austin neighborhood. The K-8 student body of 650 (including 150 special education students) is composed almost entirely of African-American students from low-income households.

The employees of Epstein created the Epstein Community Foundation to help build brighter futures in areas that need help and McNair School was the perfect candidate to partner with. McNair is embarking on positive changes, including significantly improved test scores. The percentage of students who meet or exceed standards for their grades grew from 23% in 2005 to 41% in 2007. Epstein wanted to support the efforts of the principal, teachers, students and the community to continue the momentum of these improvements.

Currently underway at McNair is the Epstein-sponsored program, "Real Men Read." Epstein employees regularly visit McNair to participate in reading sessions with students, aimed at demonstrating that "real men" read and value education. The program aims to encourage and improve literacy skills of students, provide mentoring opportunities, and reinforce the importance of student achievement as well as community
partnerships.

The Epstein Community Foundation has put in place a number of other programs for McNair students, including:

" Letters to Santa (wishes fulfilled by Epstein employees)

" 3,500 items donated in a school supply drive

" Summer Build program, in which students learned design, engineering ; construction techniques at Epstein offices

" Architectural Field trips

Epstein Community Foundation -

Education Week: Review Backs New Tool for Principal Evaluation

An examination of how to size up the performance of principals has found that one evaluation method is best suited for judging the effectiveness of school leaders: the Vanderbilt Assessment of Leadership in Education.

Created in 2006 and just now widely available for districts to purchase, the assessment, called VAL-ED, is the newest of the principal instruments in the review conducted by Matthew Clifford and Christopher Condon, researchers with Learning Point Associates, a nonprofit educational consulting firm based in suburban Chicago. ("Assessment to Rate Principal Leadership to Be Field-Tested," Jan. 16, 2008.)

Education Week: Scholars Test Emotion-Sensitive Tutoring Software

Education Week: Scholars Test Emotion-Sensitive Tutoring Software:

"A high school student is working on a geometry problem with her tutor, “Jane.” The student solves the problem incorrectly and expresses frustration. Empathetic, Jane shows momentary frustration, too.

Then she responds encouragingly, “Let’s read again what the problem is asking.”

This scene would not be out of place in most educational environments were it not for one important detail: Jane is a character on a computer screen.

Developed by teams of researchers at the University of Massachusetts Amherst and Arizona State University in Tempe, the computer tutor in this scenario is part of a growing number of research projects around the country looking to build a social and emotional support system into intelligent-"

Treat Your Volunteers Right - PTOToday.com

Treat Your Volunteers Right

Don’t wait for the big annual event to say thanks. We've rounded up a bunch of simple recognition and appreciation ideas that can be used year-round.

by Patty Catalano

How does your group treat its volunteers? Taking the time to properly thank members for their contributions can motivate them to do even more great work for your school. But saying thanks and recognizing your dedicated helpers for their time and talents should go beyond an end-of-year appreciation luncheon. Here are some great ways to make your group’s volunteers feel special and appreciated throughout the whole year.

Make Them Stars

At its spring fair, the Valley Forge Elementary PTO in Wayne, Pa., gave some 400 volunteers the star treatment: Their names were placed on cardboard stars and added to a huge display in the café area.

Email It

Incorporate a weekly email blast detailing all of the volunteers who have helped your group in any way and their specific contributions. (A couple of suggested titles: High-Five Friday, Wednesday Wonders.) Be sure to copy your school’s principal on the email.

Let the Family Know

Write a letter to your volunteer’s family letting them know how much that person’s work is appreciated, and thank the family for supporting her efforts.

Hold an Awards Night

One parent group holds an annual GEM (“go the extra mile”) Awards night to honor parent volunteers and supporters from the business community. School faculty and staff members are given nomination forms and nominate up to 10 people or organizations to be recognized. The parent and community partners with the most nominations are named Parent of the Year and Partner of the Year, respectively. All nominees receive a certificate of recognition; the two top honorees are given plaques and gifts. The group receives about 60 nominations each year.

Sleep on It

NJ Left Behind: Warp Speed for Interdistrict School Choice

Warp Speed for Interdistrict School Choice

The Philadelphia Inquirer gives us a status report on our embryonic Interdistrict Public School Choice Program, conceived in 2000 as a five-year pilot. It’s been fairly successful within its circumscribed limits and could offer choices for kids stuck in falling schools if the Legislature gives a thumbs-up to move it off pilot-status, where it’s been sitting for the last 4 years in spite of recommendations for expansion. Right now its constraints include limiting receiving districts to one per county and limiting the number of kids allowed to transfer to 2% per grade from the sending school. The new bill would allow more than one district per county to be labeled as a receiving district and expands the quota of kids allowed to transfer to 15% per grade or 10% of a school. In its current configuration the program serves about 900 kids who, because they’re lucky enough to have a receiving district within their county (15 of our 21 districts do) can get out of a failing school and into a higher-achieving one.

As we’ve reported before, sometimes the non-expanded version doesn’t work so well. Each district gets to volunteer (or not) to be a “choice district.” In Mercer County, for example, the only district to raise its hand is Trenton School District. Therefore, all those kids at Princeton High, where 100% pass the 11th grade HSPA, can elect to attend Trenton Central High where 48% of kids can pass the HSPA. In Burlington County, the volunteer is Green Bank, an impoverished K-8 district with a total population of 69 kids. If you want to take advantage of Interdistrict School Choice and you’re a high school student in Burlington, tough luck.

By all reports, the current group of kids who do elect to take go this route are happy, well-adjusted, and eager to take advantage of greater educational opportunity. (The Inquirer piece interviews a mother who exudes gratitude that her daughter can attend a school outside of her home district of Camden.) So why has the expansion been put in suspended animation for the last 4 years?

"This is all about providing opportunity," said NJEA spokesman Stephen Wollmer, "but you have to ensure you're very careful you don't deny opportunity to the kids who stay behind."

This is actually the same argument used against charter schools: if a kid is lucky enough to have proactive parents who show up at charter school lotteries, then this hurts the home school by “creaming off” the best kids and leaving the unlucky ones in an even lower-achieving environment. It’s a strange sort of logic. While everyone agrees that this child might be better off a

Public Education Network: Home

Public Education Network Web Site -

School district launches EDV-TV Web site - Education - BradentonHerald.com

School district launches EDV-TV Web site - Education - BradentonHerald.com:

"BRADENTON — Allie Smart’s relatives couldn’t make it over from England to watch her school ballet recital at Sarasota’s Ringling Museum of Art.
But that doesn’t mean they didn’t see it.

Thanks to a new service launched recently, viewers can now jump online from anywhere and watch on-demand videos of student performances through the Manatee County School District’s television station, EDV-TV."

How to watch

To view the district’s student and school on-demand videos visit www.edvtv.org and under Watch EDV-TV Online, click watch on-demand videos.

The site is also accessible through http://www.manatee.k12.fl.us/. Just click on the EDVTV link and follow the same directions.

Brighthouse Channel 620 and Verizon channel 39

"The mission of EDV-TV is to produce and broadcast television programs supporting the vision of the School District of Manatee County, the core values of EdVantage, and the educational needs of our students, staff, and community."

Below is EDV-TV's weekly block schedule description:

	Florida's DOE Programs		Deutsche Welle Programs
	EDV-TV Original Programs		Research Channel Programs

QUICK LINKS	TIMES	WORK DAYS	WEEKENDS
* Schedule * Purchase Form (pdf) WATCH EDV-TV ONLINE * EDV-TV Live (PC) * EDV-TV Live (Mac) * On-Demand Videos (PC) * On-Demand Videos (Mac)	07:00 - 07:30 am	District Bulletin News (30 min)
	07:30 - 08:00 am	International Block (60 min)	International Forum (30 min)
	08:00 - 08:30 am		Yoga Today (60 min)
	08:30 - 09:00 am	Elementary Block (90 min)	Staff Development Block (180 min)
	09:00 - 10:00 am
	10:00 - 11:00 am	Middle School Block (60 min)
	11:00 - 12:00 pm	High School Block 1 (60 min)
	12:00 - 12:30 pm	District Bulletin News (30 min)
	12:30 - 01:30 pm	High School Block 2 (60 min)	Staff Development Block (60 min)
	01:30 - 02:30 pm	General Interest Block (60 min)
	02:30 - 03:00 pm	International News (30 min)
	03:00 - 04:00 pm	Parent/Adult Block (60 min)	Staff Development Block (60 min)
	04:00 - 05:00 pm	Staff Development Block (60 min)
	05:00 - 05:30 pm	International Culture (30 min)
	05:30 - 09:00 pm	EDV-TV Original Programming Block (270 min) (produced by EDV-TV in cooperation with Manatee County Schools and local organizations)
	9:00 pm-7:00 am	Advanced Research - Night Program
	* School Board Meetings live on scheduled Mondays and re-broadcast on Thursdays at 5:45 pm. *
Visitors:	Updated: 12/15/09	For questions about this website or to report a problem, contact the Webmaster..

Eduflack: Under the Eduflack Tree 2010

Under the Eduflack Tree 2010

It is that time of the year again. Most of the year, Eduflack can be critical, cynical, and downright combustible about what is happening in the education community. We spend a great deal of time talking, but little time delivering. We get caught up on the 20 percent or so of improvements we don't agree on, thus neglecting the 80 percent that could make real change now. And we regularly fall into a cult of personality, rather than focusing on the substance of both character and ideas.

But Christmas is a special time of year, that time when we all get a blank slate and we all look forward to a new year with a renewed sense of purpose and commitment. As for Eduflack, I don't believe in naughty lists (personally, I'm worried about what all of my general agitation would mean for such databases). And with two little kiddos at home who are the absolute loves of my life and motivations for getting up each morning, I'm all for being generous and giving gifts for both a great 2009 and the hopes of an even better 2010. So without further ado, let's check out what's under the ol' Eduflack tree this holiday season.

To NYC Schools Chancellor Joel Klein, a return to the spotlight. In 2008, Chancellor Klein was the king of the ed reform kingdom. Scores were up in NYC. The city was coming off the Broad Prize, and Klein was on the short list for U.S. Secretary of Education. But a funny thing happened in 2009. The good chancellor seemed to take a public back seat, dealing with collective bargaining agreements, a city council that was trying to take away mayoral control, and other such operational issues. He even seemed to take a back seat with the Education Equality Project, letting Al Sharpton and Newt Gingrich play center stage for much of 2009. But 2010 is Klein's year again. With states and districts desperate to demonstrate sustained student gains on assessments and a closing of the achievement gap, there is no better model than the revolution that has happened in NYC over the last decade. And the NYC experience is one that can serve as a research-based model for many urbans looking to secure i3 grants in the coming year. Klein has always been a force, but with all of the elements coming together, 2010 can very well be the year of Klein.

To Detroit's de facto public schools chief Robert Bobb, a wide berth. By now, most of us have written off Detroit Public Schools, believing there is no hope for America's most struggling urban district, whether it declares bankruptcy or not. But for those not paying attention, Bobb is really trying to do God's work up in the Motor City. With a new mayor and a renewed sense of purpose, Bobb and his team and rebuilding the DPS infrastructure while taking on instructional reforms designed to improving student learning and close the dreaded achievement gap. Bobb has thrown a lot against the wall in the past year. Here's hoping the city (and the nation) the time to see what sticks and build on what works. Improvement is possible in Detroit, with the right time and support.

Elk Grove Citizen : News Dickens Faire opens Christmas Season

Elk Grove Citizen : News:

Dickens Faire opens Christmas Season

"The Christmas season began Nov. 28 in Elk Grove: A rescue of Santa from atop an Elk Grove business, caroling, visits to Old St. Nick, a Parade of Lights, Christmas shopping fun and lighting the official Elk Grove Christmas Tree. The Elk Grove Yuletide Season came alive with the Dickens Faire in Old Town Elk Grove.

The spirit of an old-fashioned Christmas, highlighting the era of A Christmas Carol author Charles Dickens was brought to life by the Old Town Elk Grove Foundation.

Co-chairpersons of the event were Kristi Peck and Sasha Gareau. Peck said that preparations for the Dickens Faire gets under way many months before the event actually is held. Elk Grove Boulevard was closed for the events, but shuttles took visitors to featured locations.

A major feature of this year’s Dickens Faire was a free snow park"

Dozens of School Children Receive New Shoes — The Rancho Cordova Post

Atotal of 62 children at Riverview Elementary School in Rancho Cordova,many of them from families with limited income, received new pairs of shoes and socks Thursday, courtesy of Kaiser Permanente physicians, nurses and staff.

The annual shoe distribution, in its final year due to the school’s scheduled closure, is part of a Kaiser Permanente program known as H.E.A.L. (Healthy Eating, Active Living), which encourages children to exercise frequently, including taking school-sponsored walks on campus.

On December 17th at a special assembly, the 62 wide-eyed students in grades K-2 received wrapped boxes containing new shoes.

“The staff at Kaiser Permanente’s Medical Office Building in Rancho Cordova have been committed to

The Educated Guess � The rush to common-core standards

The Educated Guess � The rush to common-core standards:

"Of all the reforms that legislators are on the verge of passing to enhance its Race to the Top application, the most consequential also has been the least discussed.

California is about to commit to junk its decade-old, much ballyhooed system of K-12 academic standards by Aug. 2. Doing so will the require writing new assessments and curriculum frameworks and adopting new textbooks over the next few years– at a cost that easily run in the hundreds of millions of dollars.

What’s amazing is not the state’s consideration of the Obama administration’s push for “common core” standards. The concept of internationally benchmarked academic standards to which students in all states can be measured and compared is certainly sound."

Education Futures - Share the love: Embedding the Education Futures timeline

Education Futures - Share the love: Embedding the Education Futures timeline:

"Share the love: Embedding the Education Futures timeline"

Source: Education Futures

VIET NAM NET Top 10 education issues for 2009

VIET NAM Top 10 education issues for 2009

1. University tuition ceiling raised to 240,000 dong

On August 21 the Prime Minister raised university tuitions from 180,000 dong to 240,000 dong per month. The tuition adjustment is part of the National Assembly’s Resolution on renovating education and training finances.

Tuition hikes have brought new worries to students burdened with higher daily expenses, room rents and other study costs. Many question if higher tuitions mean higher quality in education.

2. MOET drafts strategy for education development in 2009-2020

The Ministry of Education and Training (MOET) announced plans for education development in 2009-2020, but it was not welcomed. Many believe that the ministry needs to devise a more scientific and feasible strategy.

Experts have pointed out that the time frame is not realistic and planners did not consult prestigious scientists and teachers from universities or education institutes. The plan’s goals are termed both unnecessary and unfeasible.

3. The future of multiple university entrance exams undecided

MOET tried multiple times to end university entrance exams and organize a single test for both high schools and universities, but the public has not supported the measure.

4. Many schools became hospitals to fight A/H1N1 flu

On July 19, 2009, Ngo Thoi Nhiem High School in HCM City became the first school in Vietnam to serve as a hospital to fight swine flu. Other schools followed, becoming makeshift hospitals with physicians, ambulances and medical equipment.

5. Schools try to renovate teaching and learning methods

Many schools have sought to improve teaching and learning methods to replace older approaches that have been criticized as “out of date and ineffective.” Luong Dinh Cua Primary School in HCM City, for example, organised group-based classes to shift to student-centered teaching methods.

The HCM City Education and Training Department supported these changes.

6. Too many school fees frighten students’ parents

Education inspection tours discovered that schools collected too many fees and burdening parents and students. One primary school in Hanoi, for example, had a long list

Star Academy shines The Post and Courier - Charleston SC newspaper

Star Academy shines The Post and Courier - Charleston SC newspaper:

"It doesn't look like a typical high school classroom, and that's because it isn't.

The Stall High School classroom with the ball chairs and laptops is home to the school's Star Academy, a place where students who are behind can complete eighth and ninth grades in one year. They use the laptops for individualized lessons at their own pace, and the ball chairs allow them more movement than stiff, plastic ones.

'We're trying to meet the needs of nontraditional kids in a nontraditional way because a traditional setting hasn't worked for these kids,' said Anna Dassing, one of the school's assistant principals and director of the Star Academy."

Schools shortchange special needs kids, sending them home early

Schools shortchange special needs kids, sending them home early:

"The city has cheated some special needs kids out of valuable time in school, pulling them from class early to catch their ride home.

Across the city, the Daily News found scores of students boarding school buses as much as 40 minutes before the official end of the day.

'It's not right. They're not helping the kids learn more or get better in school,' said Jacqueline Peralta, 35, mother of two students, Luis Diaz, 16, and Carla Diaz, 14, who attend Public School 79 in East Harlem because they use wheelchairs and have learning disabilities.

On a December afternoon, two dozen students at PS 79 boarded buses at least a half-hour before the end of classes."

2theadvocate.com | News | La. tops U.S. in teacher training — Baton Rouge, LA

2theadvocate.com | News | La. tops U.S. in teacher training — Baton Rouge, LA:

"Louisiana may score low in many national education rankings, but the rest of the country is paying more attention to the way the state trains its teachers.

Just this past week, education officials from at least 10 states — from California to Georgia — visited Baton Rouge to study Louisiana’s state’s teacher-prep model, officially called the Value-Added Teacher Preparation Assessment Model.

Studies thus far have shown that, in some cases, new Louisiana teachers are performing as well or even better than more-experienced peers after going through “redesigned” teacher-preparation programs."

Nerd, nerd, nerd is the word: Prof says the slur scares kids off science and math

David Anderegg, a professor of psychology at Bennington College who puts the "egg" in "egghead," believes he knows one reason why America lags in producing math and sciences whiz kids.

It's because, he thinks, the U.S. has stereotyped the intellectually advanced among us as pocket protector-wearing social misfits. And no teenager worth his or her acne medication wants to be seen as such a retro creature.

Anderegg suggests banning two words from the vocabulary: "nerd" and "geek."

That guy who won't make eye contact because he's enraptured by a new social networking app on his iPhone? Call him a technophile.

That guy who won't read a novel, not even the sci-fi book of the year, unless it's available for the Kindle? He's an environmentally aware, cutting-edge bookworm.

Rochester school board approves 2 new high schools | democratandchronicle.com | Democrat and Chronicle

Rochester school board approves 2 new high schools | democratandchronicle.com | Democrat and Chronicle

Rochester school board members signed off Monday on proposals for two new high schools, but as enrollment in the city declines, the move means closing old ones.

As state and federal governments push for quick closure of failing schools, the decision to open the new schools — supported by nearly $1 million in public and private grants — likely locks the district into phasing out at least two schools starting this fall. Superintendent Jean-Claude Brizard said it could be as many as five.

At a meeting to discuss the proposals, Brizard told board members that the new schools' costs will be absorbed easily into the district's budget.

"Most of the funding is going to come internally," Brizard said. "We anticipate, of course, closing schools to replace these schools. We intend to hopefully operate fewer facilities."

Early College High School, a partnership between the district, St. John Fisher

College and Monroe Community College, will be designed with input from the Asia Society, a national nonprofit with school planning experience.

The early college model, which allows studentsto earn as many as 20 college credits during high school, was the subject of