Trouble ahead for new stimulus bill
Tags: Harkin
Posted in Finance, State Budget
Democratic U.S. Sen. Tom Harkin of Iowa has proposed spending an additional $23 billion to prevent thousands of teacher layoffs across the country.
U.S. Secretary of Education Arne Duncan blessed the idea in testimony before Congress earlier this month, warning of an “educational catastrophe.” Last December, the U.S. House approved the money and has been waiting since for Senate action.
But if Dianne Feinstein’s conditional support is any indication on how the Senate may lean – and her position often is a telltale sign – then school districts shouldn’t bank on getting the money.
Feinstein issued a one-paragraph statement last week, in which she called for offsetting any additional spending with cuts in other parts of the federal budget. That requirement will further complicate chances for Harkin’s bill.
(Read more and comment on this post)
Spending flexibility, yes, but at whose expense?
Tags: Public Advocates, SB 1396
Posted in Advocacy organizations, Education Excellence Committee, Finance,Student spending
In slashing education spending over the past two years, Gov. Schwarzenegger and the Legislature have given school districts more authority to choose how to spend their dwindling dollars. Sacramento has untied the strings on many “categorical programs” – those funded for specific purposes, such as buying textbooks and teaching civics education.
But, to an extent, equity has been sacrificed for flexibility: In many districts, programs primarily benefiting low-income, minority students – summer school, high school exit exam tutoring, community day schools – have been sacrificed to prevent further layoffs and keep the lights on for everyone.
Now there’s an opportunity to really get it right.
(Read more and comment on this post)
All agree on value of EAP
Tags: California Diploma Project, EAP, Early Assessment Program
Posted in Community Colleges, UC and CSU, Uncategorized
Seven years ago, the California State University system developed a test in math and English language arts to help inform high school juniors whether they are on track to attend one of their campuses. The Early Assessment Program – EAP – has become a national model, and many high school students use the results in deciding whether to seek extra math and English help in their senior year.
Now, the heads of the state community colleges and the University of California have gone on record in agreeing that EAP is a solid measure of college readiness. And they’ve pledged to promote its use among their potential students. While that may not seem like a big deal, it’s a strong signal that the state’s staunchly independent higher ed institutions plan to unite in more assertively working with K-12 schools to prepare students for graduation – not simply remediate them once they show up as freshmen.
(Read more and comment on this post)
Trouble ahead for new stimulus bill
Tags: HarkinPosted in Finance, State Budget
Democratic U.S. Sen. Tom Harkin of Iowa has proposed spending an additional $23 billion to prevent thousands of teacher layoffs across the country.
U.S. Secretary of Education Arne Duncan blessed the idea in testimony before Congress earlier this month, warning of an “educational catastrophe.” Last December, the U.S. House approved the money and has been waiting since for Senate action.
But if Dianne Feinstein’s conditional support is any indication on how the Senate may lean – and her position often is a telltale sign – then school districts shouldn’t bank on getting the money.
Feinstein issued a one-paragraph statement last week, in which she called for offsetting any additional spending with cuts in other parts of the federal budget. That requirement will further complicate chances for Harkin’s bill.
(Read more and comment on this post)
U.S. Secretary of Education Arne Duncan blessed the idea in testimony before Congress earlier this month, warning of an “educational catastrophe.” Last December, the U.S. House approved the money and has been waiting since for Senate action.
But if Dianne Feinstein’s conditional support is any indication on how the Senate may lean – and her position often is a telltale sign – then school districts shouldn’t bank on getting the money.
(Read more and comment on this post)
Spending flexibility, yes, but at whose expense?
Tags: Public Advocates, SB 1396Posted in Advocacy organizations, Education Excellence Committee, Finance,Student spending
In slashing education spending over the past two years, Gov. Schwarzenegger and the Legislature have given school districts more authority to choose how to spend their dwindling dollars. Sacramento has untied the strings on many “categorical programs” – those funded for specific purposes, such as buying textbooks and teaching civics education.
But, to an extent, equity has been sacrificed for flexibility: In many districts, programs primarily benefiting low-income, minority students – summer school, high school exit exam tutoring, community day schools – have been sacrificed to prevent further layoffs and keep the lights on for everyone.
Now there’s an opportunity to really get it right.
(Read more and comment on this post)
But, to an extent, equity has been sacrificed for flexibility: In many districts, programs primarily benefiting low-income, minority students – summer school, high school exit exam tutoring, community day schools – have been sacrificed to prevent further layoffs and keep the lights on for everyone.
Now there’s an opportunity to really get it right.
(Read more and comment on this post)
All agree on value of EAP
Tags: California Diploma Project, EAP, Early Assessment ProgramPosted in Community Colleges, UC and CSU, Uncategorized
Seven years ago, the California State University system developed a test in math and English language arts to help inform high school juniors whether they are on track to attend one of their campuses. The Early Assessment Program – EAP – has become a national model, and many high school students use the results in deciding whether to seek extra math and English help in their senior year.
Now, the heads of the state community colleges and the University of California have gone on record in agreeing that EAP is a solid measure of college readiness. And they’ve pledged to promote its use among their potential students. While that may not seem like a big deal, it’s a strong signal that the state’s staunchly independent higher ed institutions plan to unite in more assertively working with K-12 schools to prepare students for graduation – not simply remediate them once they show up as freshmen.
(Read more and comment on this post)
Now, the heads of the state community colleges and the University of California have gone on record in agreeing that EAP is a solid measure of college readiness. And they’ve pledged to promote its use among their potential students. While that may not seem like a big deal, it’s a strong signal that the state’s staunchly independent higher ed institutions plan to unite in more assertively working with K-12 schools to prepare students for graduation – not simply remediate them once they show up as freshmen.
(Read more and comment on this post)
