'Redshirting' four-year-olds from kindergarten provokes debate
In college sports, the practice of "redshirting" is used to give still developing athletes extra time to successfully transition and adjust. A bill currently before the state Assembly would do the same to children under the age of 5.
Currently, any child who turns 5 before Dec. 2 can enter kindergarten. But Senate Bill 1381, would change that entry date to Sept. 1. Those who can't make the cut would have to sit out a year - hence the redshirt analogy.
On the surface, you might ask: What's the big deal? Well, apparently a lot could be at stake.
Studies from the Rand Corporation and the Public Policy Institute of California argue that a change in the enrollment date could lead to higher standardized testing scores.
Supporters of the bill say the skill and maturity differences between 4-year-olds in kindergarten and children turning 6 during that first year, have become problematic, with the younger children getting left behind. They contend that "redshirting" the children who don't make the cut will ultimately give them an extra year to prepare for schooling.
The bill's author, Sen. Joe Simitian, D-Palo Alto, summarized that view with the following inMonday's San Francisco Chronicle:
Do you really want kids to start school before they're ready? The answer to that question is obviously no.
But the issue gets thorny when discussing the potential impact of such a decision.
By some estimates, changing the enrollment date would annually save about $700 million.
State leads way in boycott of Arizona immigration law
California has taken the lead in the number of cities and communities that have approved boycott measures against Arizona following passage of legislation intended to push illegal immigrants out of the state.
The latest to join the boycott steamroller is Sacramento, whose city council approved legislation last night.
It joins several of California's largest cities – Los Angeles, San Francisco, San Jose and Oakland – as well as
When Californians leave, where do they go?
The latest to join the boycott steamroller is Sacramento, whose city council approved legislation last night.
It joins several of California's largest cities – Los Angeles, San Francisco, San Jose and Oakland – as well as
When Californians leave, where do they go?
John Bruner at Forbes took IRS migration data from data.gov and built a slick, interactive map that shows the net inflow or outflow of people from one county into another.
If you click on Los Angeles, you'll see a bunch of red lines emanating from the county, indicating that a greater number of people moved from the county than to it. There's also a pretty tight knot of black lines, indicating that
Do hospital recruiters exploit foreign-educated nurses?
If you click on Los Angeles, you'll see a bunch of red lines emanating from the county, indicating that a greater number of people moved from the county than to it. There's also a pretty tight knot of black lines, indicating that
Do hospital recruiters exploit foreign-educated nurses?
Some international firms that recruit nurses to work in the U.S. are concerned about bad actors in their midst, according to a George Washington University researcher who looked into the foreign-educated nurse recruiting industry.
Patricia Pittman, an associate professor, set out to examine the business models in international nurs
Texas oil company pumps more cash into delay of global warming law
Patricia Pittman, an associate professor, set out to examine the business models in international nurs
Texas oil company pumps more cash into delay of global warming law
Valero Energy Corp. has given hundreds of thousands of dollars in additional contributions to a November ballot initiative that would suspend California’s global warming law until unemployment falls significantly.
Valero, a Texas-based oil company, has been the largest contributor to the campaign, donating more than $500,000 since February. This month, in filings with the secretary of state's office, the California Jobs Initiative
Valero, a Texas-based oil company, has been the largest contributor to the campaign, donating more than $500,000 since February. This month, in filings with the secretary of state's office, the California Jobs Initiative