Friday, March 5, 2010

States’ education leaders could make all the difference in RttT | GothamSchools

States’ education leaders could make all the difference in RttT

As finalist states head into the home stretch of competition for coveted Race to the Top funds, who’s running the show could make all the difference, U.S. Education Secretary Arne Duncan said today.

Duncan appeared today at a panel with former Education Secretary Richard Riley at a professional development conference for teachers in Manhattan. Speaking with reporters afterward, Duncan reiterated what he has often said: Race to the Top applications will be judged on “the three C’s,” a state’s “courage, commitment and capacity” to put its plans into action.

When I asked him today how the contest’s reviewers will determine capacity, Duncan said judges’ appraisals of the people behind the plans will be the most important factor — more important, he said, than a state’s policy track record so far.

That stance is likely to comfort New York officials, who have banked in part on the strong reputations of the state education system’s leadership to drive the state’s Race to the Top application, even in the face of perceived setbacks such as the legislature’s failure to lift the statewide cap on charter schools.

State Education Commissioner David Steiner arrived at his job in October bringing with him promises of change in the state education department and a reputation as an innovator in the field of teacher training. And Board of Regents Chancellor Merryl Tisch has often emphasized that her reform priorities and those of Steiner — centered around raising academic standards, improving state tests, overhauling the state’s system for tracking student data and making teacher training more practical — align with Obama administration goals.

Phil Pluckebaum on his support for Patrick Kennedy, Sacramento City Council District 5

Phil highlight's some of Patrick Kennedy's key qualities.

Sacramento Press / Sacramento Hispanic Chamber 38th Annual Business Awards & Recognition Gala

Sacramento Press / Sacramento Hispanic Chamber 38th Annual Business Awards & Recognition Gala:

"Over 700 business, community, and political leaders gathered at the Sacramento Convention Center to celebrate 38 years of service of the Sacramento Hispanic Chamber of Commerce. The 2010 Business Award winners were also honored that evening as well as Astronaut Jose Hernandez who is the first recipient of the Unity Award.

Astronaut Jose Hernandez, keynote speaker, honored the Sacramento Hispanic Chamber of Commerce with a photo collage of his first mission to the International Space Station autographed by the crew patch aboard the United Space Shuttle Discovery. His message was inspirational and moved over 700 guests who attended this memorable event."

City debuts its new common application for charter schools | GothamSchools

City debuts its new common application for charter schools

by Anna Phillips

Every spring, the city’s charter schools hold admissions lotteries and every year, parents applying to multiple charters must fill out a different application for each school. But this year, parents will have a new option: a common application.

The application, which can be sent or turned in to any of the city’s 99 charter schools, is one page long and is available in eight different languages.

It’s not a complete replacement for schools’ individual applications. This year, schools have to accept both the common application and their individualized forms, a change that Department of Education officials hope will make the process simpler and increase the number of applicants. Officials are considering making the common application mandatory in coming years.

DOE officials have been developing the application for months, and in January officials from the State University of New York and Board of Regents charter authorizers agreed to have their charter schools join city-authorized schools in using the application.

A side effect of the common application is that it could quiet criticism that the difficulty of filling out dozens of different applications is narrowing the field of applicants to those with motivated, supportive parents.

“The intention is to make the process accessible to those who might but get deterred by the six page applications or something like that,” said DOE spokesman Jack Zarin-Rosenfeld. “It’s not as if this is meant to pull people away from district schools. It’s to make the process for those already interested a much more accessible and easily understand process.”

Cuts Hurt ~Angry Tired Teachers~ Cuts Hurt Our Schools

Closed out the March 4 Rally in Oakland last night

In Sacramento, Democrats support protesters – Oakland North -- North Oakland News, Food, Art and Events.

Democrats Support Rally in Sacramento from Will Jason on Vimeo.

Thousands rally on campuses, streets for schools

(03-04) 17:58 PST SAN FRANCISCO -- Gathering for a series of feisty rallies on college campuses, in civic plazas and in the streets, thousands of protesters lashed out Thursday against the budget cuts and neglect that they say are breaking down the state's public education system.
The historic day of demonstrations in the Bay Area and beyond was largely peaceful, with students and others carrying signs like "Chop from the top," a reference to what they see as puffed-up executive salaries. They chanted, recited poetry and shared personal stories.
But amid an often festive atmosphere, there were also efforts to make more forceful statements during the protests, called the Day of Action to Defend Public Education.
More than 150 protesters were arrested on Interstate 880 in Oakland after using an exit ramp to walk onto the freeway and shut it down for nearly an hour. Many wore black, identified themselves as anarchists and carried a banner that read, "Occupy everything."
The action just before 5 p.m., which backed up rush-hour traffic for miles, came after a peaceful rally at

Video: http://cbs5.com/video/?id=62653@kpix.dayport.com
Read more: http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/c/a/2010/03/04/MNC41CAAM1.DTL#ixzz0hJrbqxfY

Sacramento Press / Maria Shriver | Honoring Women's History Month

California's First Lady, Maria Shriver and The Women’s Conferencepartnered with The California Museum to celebrate National Women’s History Month with an extraordinary all-day free event – Day at The Museum yesterday in Sacramento.

Over 10,000 people came through the doors after it kicked off with A Breakfast Meet-and- Greet with Women Elected Officials, the day was packed with information and activity;

A tour of the State Archives, Office of the Secretary of State, Minerva Award Exhibit and Minerva Quilt Project Recognition, “If I Can Do It, So Can You,” panel on the rewards of being a compassionate citizen hero, Chef demonstrations and book signings, “Only in California: A Celebration of California Creativity”, Honoring Our Women in the Military and “I Did It My Way,” a Once in a Lifetime Conversation with Astronaut and educatorDr. Sally K. Ride, Environmental activist Erin Brockovich, award-winning journalist Lisa Ling and award-winning actress, singer and entertainerRita Moreno.

Tax Oil Companies, Not Students | California Progress Report

By Robert Cruickshank
As protests unfold across the state and the nation today against cuts to education and fee increases, more attention is finally being drawn to the massive crisis facing our students, our schools, and our future.

20 years ago a year at UC Berkeley cost just over $1,000 in fees. Even that was much higher than the $0 cost that the 1960 Master Plan pledged. The early 1990s saw a big rise in fees, and by the time I started at UCB in 1997 the cost had risen to over $4,000 a year. Now the cost is slated to rise to a whopping $10,000 per year, something many students and their families cannot afford to pay. And even as those costs rise, including at CSU and community colleges, classes are being cut as educational quality declines.

It's no way to run a state. California's current prosperity is owed largely to the investments Pat Brown made in the 1960s, building a public higher education system that was the world's envy - and that fueled our innovation and economic creativity. But instead of renewing those investments for a new century, Arnold Schwarzenegger is destroying them. The fee increases are a massive tax increase on the young and on the working- and middle-classes. They must be reversed.

The only way they will be reversed is to generate new revenue. That's why the Courage Campaign, where I work as Public Policy Director, is joining the California Faculty Association and the University of California Students Association in launching our pledge to support AB 656, the oil severance tax for California.

AB 656, authored by Assemblymember Alberto Torrico, would generate $2 billion a year for higher education by levying a 12% tax on the extraction of oil and gas in California. Texas uses this tax to fund higher education there, and Sarah Palin increased Alaska's oil severance tax in 2007 in order to buy the love of her constituents. Every major oil producing state in the union has an oil severance tax - except California.

UC San Diego and Black Student Union Sign Agreement, Announce Common Goals

The University of California, San Diego reports success in defining common goals at today’s meeting between senior administrators, faculty and students, led by Black Student Union co-chairs David Ritcherson and Fnann Keflezighi to address diversity issues to improve the campus climate. The adopted recommendations aim to move the university past hurtful incidents and improve the campus climate by enhancing diversity on the campus, in the curriculum and throughout the UC San Diego community.

“We’re pleased to see such a great exchange of ideas today. We now have a signed agreement to move forward,” said UC San Diego Chancellor Marye Anne Fox. “We applaud our student leaders, the campus and the San Diego community for their engagement, passion and leadership on finding solutions to these issues. Although there is much work ahead of us, our ongoing partnership will build a healthier campus climate that supports everyone in a meaningful way.”

A joint statement noted: “The UC San Diego administration and students have engaged in a productive wide-ranging conversation about how our common goals can be reached. The conversations of this week show that there is a commitment from all participants to work together for the benefit of the entire campus.”

The administration and students collectively determined measurable steps and concrete milestones to ensure that UC San Diego moves forward in working with students, faculty and staff on complex and vital issues. Suggestions that resulted from meetings during the past week include enhancing programs the campus already has in place to target first-generation and low-income students, attract and retain qualified and diverse faculty, and ensure that the university provides a curriculum that reflects the cultural richness of the state and region.

Notes from the news, Mar. 5 | Philadelphia Public School Notebook

Notes from the news, Mar. 5

by Erika Owens on Mar 05 2010 Posted in Notes from the news

Pa. clears a hurdle in race for school grantThe Inquirer
Pennsylvania made the first cut for the competitive Race to the Top Funds, which could bring in about $400 million for the state. Sec. Duncan cited collaboration as a key feature of apps. that made the first round.

See also: Pa is RttT finalist The Notebook blog
Philly schools could get $8M from U.S. education program Daily News
PA and DE in line to receive education grants WHYY

S. Philly High violence: Time to clear the record about Dec. 2 The Notebook blog
The report could not verify the claim that Asian students beat a disabled African American student on Dec. 2. Superintendent Ackerman had cited that alleged incident as part of her explanation of the events on Dec. 3.

Editorial: Hard lesson The Inquirer
The Obama administration's supportive response to the wholesale firing of teachers in a district in Rhode Island shows its determination in turning around schools.

Auditor General Jack Wagner calls for General Assembly to ban municipal use of interest-rate swaps The Examiner
The risky swaps have also been used by school districts--a practice Wagner would also like to see stopped.

All You Need is Love Philly Teacher blog

Who Are "THESE" Kids?? A Good Day Teaching blog

Please email us if we missed anything today or if you have any suggestions of publications, email lists, or other places for us to check for news.

Click here to get Notes from the news in your inbox every day.

Notes from the news

Education Research Report: Students' Physical Fitness- Higher Academic Achievement

Students' Physical Fitness- Higher Academic Achievement

Physical fitness is associated with academic performance in young people, according to a report presented at the American Heart Association's 2010 Conference on Nutrition, Physical Activity and Metabolism.

"As children's health continues to be a concern -- especially when it comes to obesity -- some have suggested that children's physical fitness is associated with their academic performance," said Lesley A. Cottrell, Ph.D., study presenting author and associate professor of pediatrics at West Virginia University in Morgantown, W.Va. "The research, however, had not developed enough to define the nature of that relationship."

To study the association between children's physical fitness and academic performance, Cottrell and colleagues analyzed the body mass index percentiles, fitness levels and standardized academic test scores of 725 fifth grade students in Wood County, W.Va. The researchers focused more on the children's fitness level than their weight. They then compared that data to students' fitness and academic performance two years later, in the seventh grade.

They separated the participants into four groups of students who were:

* in high physical fitness levels in fifth grade and remained so in seventh grade;
* fit in fifth grade but had lost their fitness by seventh grade;
* not fit in fifth grade but were physically fit by seventh grade;
* not physically fit at the beginning of the study, in fifth grade, nor at the end of the study, in seventh grade.

Children who had the best average scores in standardized tests in reading, math, science and social studies were fit at the start and end of the

Video: Controversy Over "Step" Dance Contest This Week In Education

This Week In Education

Video: Controversy Over "Step" Dance Contest

In a nutshell: White sorority learns step dancing 15 years ago at a black/white sorority mixer, enters and wins national contest last month (see performance above). Controversy ensues, contest sponsors declare a tie. Washington Post article here.

Sattler: Growth Isn't Enough

Secretary Duncan loves to tell the story of a hypothetical fifth-grade teacher who is considered a failure under NCLB despite having raised a child's reading level two grade levels in one academic year because that child entered reading at a 2nd grade level and so is still a year behind. Now I'm not aware of anything in the NCLB that actually calls any teacher a failure but it's true that the child would still not be performing on grade level and that would contribute to a school's failure to make AYP. And I agree with Duncan that the teacher in question should be considered an excellent teacher not a failure.

But when Duncan uses this example to talk about how we should focus on growth, that's where I start worrying.

Continue reading "Sattler: Growth Isn't Enough" »

News: Re-Staffing Announced For 6 Boston Schools

Dramatic shake-up planned at 12 Boston public schools James Vaznis Boston Globe: Boston school officials announced yesterday that staff at six schools will have to reapply for their jobs and five principals will be replaced after the schools were listed among nearly three dozen statewide that will probably be declared “underperforming’’ and subject to drastic change.

Grant Program Opens Door Wide, Some Lament Eliza Krigman National Journal: New York failed to enact a law to increase the amount of charter schools permitted in the state, and it doesn't allow test scores to be used as a factor in teacher tenure decisions, two reasons insiders weren't optimistic about the state's chances.

Teachers Suspended Over Role Model Choice Jennifer Steinhaur NYT: Three white teachers got three-day suspensions for picking O. J. Simpson, Dennis Rodman and RuPaul as exemplars for Black History Month.

Click below for links to more morning news stories.

Continue reading "News: Re-Staffing Announced For 6 Boston Schools" »

SCUSD Observer: You say you want a revolution?

You say you want a revolution?

There is a lot to say about yesterday's protests across the city and state.

Let's pause and focus, for a moment, on this picture (taken in Oakland by an AFP photographer).

These kids are protesting cuts to their education.

Think about it.

1 comments:

Lori Jablonski said...: I'm for law and order, the way that it should be This song's about the night they spent protecting you from me Someone called us outlaws in some ol' magazine New York sent a posse down like ain't never seen

Big cuts, high anxiety in Cupertino The Educated Guess

The Educated Guess

Big cuts, high anxiety in Cupertino

Posted in State Budget, Taxes

Families in Cupertino Union School District are anguished over their schools.
They thought that they had largely solved their district’s financial problems a year ago when they passed their first parcel tax, raising $4 million.
But now this K-8 Silicon Valley district, home of Apple Computer and some of the highest performing schools in the state, is facing a $9 million deficit for next year. And that’s putting in jeopardy many of the programs parents consider essential: small classes, summer school, the GATE program for gifted children, librarians.
On Thursday evening, when thousands of Bay Area teachers, students and supporters joined a protest in San Francisco’s Civic Center Plaza, 300 or so Cupertino parents gathered in a middle school gym to hear how the state’s funding crisis has finally hit home and to plot what they can do about it.
(Read more and comment on this post)

Elk Grove Citizen : Monterey Trail High School rallies against proposed cuts

Elk Grove Citizen : News:

"WITH VIDEO | Monterey Trail High School was busy a little earlier than usual March 4, as students, teachers and staff gathered to voice their opposition to a proposal that would cut counselors, teachers, sports, summer school and ROP classes.

Another protest is scheduled for the noon hour."

Race to the Top Bracketology � The Quick and the Ed

Fifteen states and Washington DC made it to the finals of the first round of the Race to the Top (RttT) – Colorado, Delaware, the District of Columbia, Florida, Georgia, Illinois, Kentucky, Louisiana, Massachusetts, New York, North Carolina, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Carolina, and Tennessee. The Secretary of Education has stated “we expect no more than half of the money will be awarded in phase 1 to ensure a robust competition in phase 2.” So assuming that this means that around $2 billion will be distributed in this phase, this tells us a lot about how the finals of round I will look. There has been a lot of flack in the blogs about too many states making it into the finals. (See my colleague Chad’s post below for links).
In the end how many states receive grants is a combination of the quality of the grant and some simple math. At the end of the second round, it is clear that all of the $4 billion will be granted to states. It seems reasonable to distribute half of the funding in the first round and the other half in the second round, especially when the more obvious states and easier to justify states will be the ones funded in the first round. Choosing states in the second round will be a much more difficult set of decisions.
Two key decisions will have a big impact on how many states win grants. First, are states funded at the level that they requested or are they funded at the non-binding estimates that the Department proposed before the applications were submitted. In developing these grant ranges, the Department was sending a strong signal that they wanted a lot of winners. If all states received the max of the proposed funding range, it would total – around $12 billion. So when the Department set their non-binding funding ranges, the expected that around one third of states would win RttT grants – somewhere around 16 states.

Rise & Shine: Student says bake sale rules already hurting clubs | GothamSchools

New York is a Race to the Top finalist; winning isn’t assured. (GothamSchools, Post, Daily News, NY1)
Some of the 15 other finalist states seem more likely to win. (Times, Wall Street Journal, AP)
The Daily News questions whether New York has the political will to win the next round.
Peter Murphy of the NY Charter Schools Association says being a finalist could backfire. (Post)
Nelson Denis, a former Assemblyman, says legislators should lift the charter cap now. (Daily News)
A senior at Queens’ Bayside High School says new bake sale rules are costing student groups. (Post)
Some schools were wrongly told they could close; a few are closing already. (Times, Daily News, Post)
IS 89 is among the schools planning to cut budgets by slashing afterschool. (Downtown Express)
Major protests against education budget cuts swept California yesterday. (Times, L.A. Times)
Jay Mathews says a local school district is unusual in promoting charter schools. (Washington Post)
All staff members at six Boston schools will have to reapply for their jobs this summer. (Boston Globe)
A D.C. parent describes the city’s packed online lottery for seats at top schools. (Washington Post)