Latest News and Comment from Education

Thursday, April 29, 2010

Calif. Senate rejects gov's education board choice - San Jose Mercury News

Calif. Senate rejects gov's education board choice - San Jose Mercury News

Calif. Senate rejects gov's education board choice

By ROBIN HINDERY Associated Press Writer
Updated: 04/29/2010 02:07:39 PM PDT



SACRAMENTO, Calif.—The state Senate on Thursday squashed Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger's nominee to the state Board of Education, with those opposed to her appointment saying her current job makes for an "irreconcilable" conflict of interest.
It was just the third time over the last five years that the Senate had rejected a gubernatorial appointee.
The Senate voted 17-11 on a strict party-line vote to reject Jeannie Oropeza. Democrats said her regular job as Schwarzenegger's education expert in the Department of Finance would prevent her from being an independent voice on the board.
She has worked for the state for 20 years.
"We all respect her work ethic and her knowledge of the issues," said Sen. President Pro Tem Darrell Steinberg, D-Sacramento. "But I see an irreconcilable conflict between her day job and the role of Board of Education member."
California law prohibits individuals from holding two public offices that are incompatible due to circumstances such as one office having hiring or firing power over members of the second office.
In her role at the finance department, Oropeza would be in a position to make Board of Education appointment recommendations to the governor, while simultaneously serving on that board, Steinberg said. He also noted her

If Thrasher Did His Homework… � Tangerine, Florida

If Thrasher Did His Homework… � Tangerine, Florida

If Thrasher Did His Homework…

By CHERYL MIKAN MANUCY

Sen. John Thrasher’s judgment of Senate Bill 6 for merit pay for teachers, reminds me of a plaque which read, “Which way did they go, which way did they go? Take me to them. I am their leader.”

A recent article in the newspaper verifies that Thrasher has not done his homework on the issue, something teachers face daily from their students. Guess if I were Thrasher’s teacher, I wouldn’t receive a merit increase based on his performance.

Did he do any research on the facts surrounding our teachers? Does he know what happens in the classroom? Has he talked to any teachers? Did he talk to our school board — even one member?

Thrasher’s district includes portions of five counties. He should have contacted each of these school boards and the teacher organizations for their input. These are the folks who know the system.

Thrasher should remember that he works for us and for the teachers. He should make his decisions based on

The Education Report Oakland teacher strike participation: 91%

The Education Report

Oakland teacher strike participation: 91%

By Katy Murphy
Thursday, April 29th, 2010 at 2:29 pm in OEA, community, union contract

picket line at Skyline High SchoolI’m no longer at the big, musical rally at Frank Ogawa Plaza, but union leaders there have reported that 91 percent of the district’s teachers participated in today’s strike.
The CTA says the rally drew nearly 2,000 people. That number seems a bit high to me, but I’m not very good at crowd estimates. In any event, there were lots of teachers, students and parents there.
Still waiting on student attendance stats. If they reflect the numbers at Skyline (about 60-65, according to my head count this morning), McClymonds, Oakland Tech (a grand total of 12 kids, according to teacher David de Leeuw) and Futures Academy, the elementary school I toured this morning, it will be extremely low. Read the rest of this entry »
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Strike Day vandalism at American Indian school

By Katy Murphy
Thursday, April 29th, 2010 at 11:20 am in charter schools, union contract

graffiti on a sign celebrating American Indian Public Charter School's National Blue Ribbon award. Photo submitted by John Glover, director
John Glover, director of the American Indian Model Schools, sent me this photo today. He said he found this graffiti — and glue stuck in the charter school’s gate lock – this morning. Based on a neighbor’s description, he suspects the culprit was wearing a union T-shirt.
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Striking students outnumber teachers at Fremont

By cburt
Thursday, April 29th, 2010 at 10:03 am in strike, students, teachers, union contract

strike day at Fremont Federation. Photo by Lane Hartwell/Oakland Tribune8:45 a.m. Angela Hill reports that there were about 50 to 60 people scattered around the perimeter of Fremont High School along Foothill Boulevard, High Street and 47th Avenue.
About 15 or 20 were teachers, but most were students — some supporting the teachers and holding picket signs, but most just in small clusters hanging out with friends.
The campus looked nearly deserted, and one teacher said he counted about 70 students going in, but more than half of them soon wandered back out. So far, there had been no major confrontations.
“We have strict rules that we are not going to block anyone trying to cross the picket line,” said Sid Waxman, who has taught English for about three years in the Paul Robeson High School, one of four small schools on the Fremont campus. Robeson is slated for closure. Read the rest of this entry »
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Glenview teachers persuasive

By cburt
Thursday, April 29th, 2010 at 9:28 am in strike, teachers

8:15 a.m. Reporter Chris Metinko met up with striking teachers at Edna Brewer Middle School and at Glenview Elementary.
Four or five emergency subs had crossed the picket line at Glenview, but at least one decided to turn around and leave when approached by the striking teachers, said 5th grade teacher Jennifer Brouhard, a 14-year veteran of Oakland Unified.
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Skyline tries to teach; students not so interested

By cburt

The Educated Reporter: A-W-E-S-O-M-E.

The Educated Reporter: A-W-E-S-O-M-E.

A-W-E-S-O-M-E.

Did you know there are competitive middle school Scrabble teams? I didn’t either, but now I do, thanks to Stefan Fatsis. Stefan is a sports journalist whose book about competitive Scrabble, Word Freak, is marvelously engaging, and he coaches school Scrabble in D.C. I’m going to help him when the school year starts up again, and I couldn’t be more excited. This is the longest stretch of my life I haven’t done some sort of work directly with (other people’s) children, and while my current volunteer work as a cooking school assistant is gustatorially

NFL Star on Why He Gives Back Women's Conference

NFL Star on Why He Gives Back

NFL STAROn Why He Gives Back

Architects of Change

Nnamdi Asomugha 250x300
Nnamdi Asomugha, Oakland Raiders Cornerback & Founder, ACTS

Oakland Raiders cornerback Nnamdi Asomugha is the highest paid defensive back in NFL history. He's also committed to giving back. Here, he tells us why he started his organization, Asomugha College Tour for Scholars, which allows him to take inner city students on college tours -- opening their eyes to the world of possibility afforded by education.

How did you, a star football player, find yourself taking underprivileged kids on college tours across the country?

When I was younger, I sometimes saw education as an impediment to fun -- to playing, to going to the basketball court. But education was something that my siblings and I were raised on, going back to where my parents are from in Nigeria.

As I got older, I started to see people who didn’t have the same stress on education in their home, and how that would set someone back. It made me want to help. So I started helping my peers in high school.

I want everyone to have the same opportunity. So I thought, “How can I help get people on the same level?” That was how I became inspired to start the Asomugha College Tour for Scholars(ACTS).

The other half of what motivated me to start the tours was my love of travel. I’ve always had an affinity for seeing different places, different cultures. (When I was young we’d go back to Nigeria almost every other year.) I thought, ”How can I put traveling and giving back together – not only for the people I help, but also for me?”

What are the tours like?

They’re not just about showing the students colleges. Sometimes we’ll go to a basket ball game or a Broadway play. There are so many different ways to give the students the sense that there is more out there than just the little area that they live in.

I think this year we’re going to start a scholarship program. When you look at these underserved communities, the kids can get into school – but do they actually have the money to go?

Has anything surprised you about the students who have gone on these trips with you?

The thing that stands out for me is how focused these kids are. These are children from underserved communities who have wonderful GPAs; it’s this anomaly. So you know that each

Presidential Proclamation--National Charter Schools Week | The White House

Presidential Proclamation--National Charter Schools Week | The White House

Presidential Proclamation--National Charter Schools Week

NATIONAL CHARTER SCHOOLS WEEK, 2010

BY THE PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

A PROCLAMATION

Our Nation's future depends on the education we provide to our sons and daughters, and charter schools across America serve as laboratories for education. Ideas developed and tested by charter schools have unlocked potential in students of every background and are driving reform throughout many school districts. During National Charter Schools Week, we recommit to supporting innovation in teaching and learning at high quality charter schools and ensuring all our students have a chance to realize the American Dream.

Principals, teachers, parents, school boards, and communities are working together to transform our public schools, and countless children stand to benefit from the replication of effective education models. In the 21st century, a world class education is our best avenue to prosperity. The skills and knowledge students gain in school -- reinforced by the love of learning educators and mentors can foster -- can empower young Americans to achieve their dreams and lead our country in the global marketplace.

The size and scope of the challenges before us require us to align our deepest values and commitments to the demands of a new age. My Administration is committed to helping schools prepare the next generation of leaders by reaching beyond standardized methods and promoting creative teaching strategies and learning techniques. By giving all our children access to a complete and competitive education, we will pass on the American spirit of limitless possibility to the next generation.

NOW, THEREFORE, I, BARACK OBAMA, President of the United States of America, by virtue of the authority vested in me by the Constitution and the laws of the United States, do hereby proclaim May 2 through May 8, 2010, as National Charter Schools Week. I commend our Nation's charter schools, teachers, and administrators, and I call on States and communities to support charter schools and the students they serve.

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand this twenty-ninth day of April, in the year of our Lord two thousand ten, and of the Independence of the United States of America the two hundred and thirty-fourth.

BARACK OBAMA

The Rancho Cordova Post — Local News, Events, Things to Do

The Rancho Cordova Post — Local News, Events, Things to Do

Learning Point Rewards Program Gains Traction and Welcomes First School

by ANNE LOWE on APRIL 29, 2010 · 0 COMMENTS
Post image for Learning Point Rewards Program Gains Traction and Welcomes First School
After just a few weeks of entering the Sacramento Market, Learning Point Rewards, an innovative funding program designed to aid schools in gaining additional funds through a family’s everyday purchases, announces W.E. Mitchell Middle School in Rancho Cordova as the first participant to join.
Learning Point Rewards provides a way for schools to receive a percentage of everyday expenditures made by students, their families and friends, while providing local participating merchants an increased interaction with a growing base of loyal customers.
“We’re excited to be one of the first schools to sign up for this dynamic program,” said Jay Berns, Principal of W.E. Mitchell Middle School in Rancho Cordova. “Learning Point Rewards is a wonderful opportunity for the Sacramento community to work together to improve education.”
Over the past two years $18 billion have been cut in education alone. In light of the current economic crisis, the program could not have arrived at a better time.
Long-time Sacramento resident and community volunteer, Pam Dahl, is spearheading the new program, a first of its kind in California. “We couldn’t be more pleased with the great response we’re getting from merchants, foundations and schools in the community,” said

Pro-charter group: “Stop Listening to the Teachers Union” | GothamSchools

Pro-charter group: “Stop Listening to the Teachers Union” | GothamSchools




Pro-charter group: “Stop Listening to the Teachers Union”
by

A new TV spot by the pro-charter coalition Education Reform Now debuted today, three days before the state has to officially declare whether it will submit a bid for Race to the Top round two.
The ad, which features unnamed people (some charter parents, some not) criticizing the state legislature for not lifting the state’s charter cap, promotes the idea that the cap was a major reason for New York’s loss in round one. The state placed 15 out of 16 finalists. State education officials have already said that they intend to reapplyand that while lifting the cap would help their chances, other measures such as tying test scores to tenure would also give the state a needed boost.
Teachers union president Michael Mulgrew told the Daily News today that the attack ad was full of “blatant lies.”
In January, state officials asked the legislature to lift the cap on charter schools, but lawmakers froze, in large part because of opposition from the state teachers union. Union leaders have refused to endorse a charter cap lift

Remarks by the First Lady at Congressional Service Event | The White House

Remarks by the First Lady at Congressional Service Event | The White House

Remarks by the First Lady at Congressional Service Event

Marie Reed Community Learning Center
Washington, D.C.
2:55 P.M. EDT
MRS. OBAMA: Thank you. (Applause.) Thank you so much. Look, there’s not much more I need to say. Rachel, Dayo both did just an outstanding job in laying out the organizations that are working with us today, the schools. These are valuable initiatives. We’ve already done a great job highlighting them, but it’s just wonderful to have the opportunity to get my colleagues, my friends, my peers at the Congressional Club, the spouses, here seeing what’s going on, being able to bring the press and the media to highlight the good work that's being done. So I want to thank you all for the work that you did to pull this together in a fairly short period of time.
We have a relationship, but creating a mural and organizing a group of well-intentioned but not necessarily artistic people -- (laughter) -- to do -- to entrust us with your walls is -- it’s a huge risk to take. And we’re honored to be a part of it.
I want to thank Rachel and Rocco for their leadership, their commitment. They’ve been -- both been true assets to this nation and to the White House. They’ve provided us with the backbone we need to open up the White House to make it a place for all folks to celebrate culture and arts and all forms of important expression. We have a lot more to do, but you all have been just terrific.
So Lynsey and Ed, you guys are doing some phenomenal work. It was wonderful to have you at the White House for the Coming Up Taller Awards, and all my kids who were there, as well. It’s good for me to get out here and see what you’re doing.
But we’re very excited to be here. We wouldn’t be here if it weren’t for my folks -- my fellow folks at the Congressional Club, all the spouses. We had an opportunity to spend a wonderful lunch yesterday. It was just a truly special afternoon and it’s so good that everyone has made a commitment to step out of our tea dresses and away from the crystal and to roll up our sleeves and be ready to paint and to get a little dirty.
It’s important, so important, not just to me but to the community to have us out here; for our kids to see that we not only care about them, which we do -- we are so proud of you all and we want the world to see you all and understand your potential, to see grade point averages go from 2.0 to 3-point-who-knows-what. We are so proud and we want to keep lifting you up and showing other kids that these opportunities are available.
But you all also do us a big favor, too. You give us a real good excuse to get out in beautiful weather, to kind of be silly with you all, and we get to know one another a lot better through these projects and these initiatives.
All of the congressional spouses are committed in some way to service. Many of them are doing something important in some way, shape or form in their own states, in their own districts. The fact that they’re willing to take even more time out to come to the District and to learn more about what’s going on and to roll up their sleeves is just a testament to their courage, to their commitment and to their belief in you all, these community organizations and schools and students, and a belief in the, you know, just the beauty of this country and all that we have to offer.
These walls were blank. I saw the pictures. You all have been working really hard. It looks beautiful. And I think the end result is that every wall, I understand, including the retaining walls, are going to be just full of color.
And this project is not only important for the school, but it’s also important for the community, and so many of these organizations have worked to beautify this area; to be a part of the reinvigoration of a neighborhood that needs the support of us all. And this is just another project that's going to add a little brightness to a community that is growing and developing every single day.
So thank you all for taking the time. I’m ready to get my paintbrush and get started. And I'll make sure I get around to everybody to say hello before I go, but I got to work first. (Laughter.) So thank you all. Thanks again. (Applause.)
END
3:00 P.M. EDT

Richmond school on state's 'low performing' list set for shake-up Education - ContraCostaTimes.com

Education - ContraCostaTimes.com

Richmond school on state's 'low performing' list set for shake-up

Updated: 04/29/2010 01:33:11 PM PDT

Life at Richmond's Lincoln Elementary might look and feel quite different next year as West Contra Costa educators move forward with a staff shake-up.

After the state placed Lincoln on its list of "persistently lowest-achieving schools" in March, district staff chose one of four available action plans, which includes evaluation of school staff and rehiring no more than 50 percent of them.

This week, district officials finished interviewing Lincoln's staff, and the school board approved the guidelines the district will use to evaluate teachers and determine whom to hire back.

"We needed to do something urgent that involved parents, staff and changing the culture and making sure everybody's working toward the same goal," said Nia Rashidchi, the district's assistant superintendent for educational services.

The changes are part of the "turnaround" plan, one of four choices the district had under new federal legislation. States were required to identify their lowest-achieving schools, then ensure the lowest 5 percent of those implement one of four intervention models next year.

West Contra Costa's chosen "turnaround" model includes the staff evaluation process and replacement of the principal. In Lincoln's case, Principal Mimi Melodia will not be replaced because she joined the school less than two years ago.

Under this plan, district staff this week finished interviewing Lincoln's staff, and teachers from other schools interested


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in working there next year. They will be evaluated on "competencies" based on four areas of the California Standards for the Teaching Profession: planning and preparation; classroom environment; instruction; and professional responsibility.

Rashidchi would not say how many of Lincoln's current teachers requested to stay at the school. Teachers will be notified by the end of the school year whether they will stay at Lincoln or move to another site in the district.

The other improvement models included turning Lincoln into a charter school, closing it or "transformation," which

Texas Ed School Study Highlights Disparate Preparation - Teacher Beat - Education Week

Texas Ed School Study Highlights Disparate Preparation - Teacher Beat - Education Week

Texas Ed School Study Highlights Disparate Preparation

The National Council on Teacher Quality's big review of 67 Texas education schools is finally out.
In what will no doubt drive headlines in the Lone Star State, the report says that eight large programs that prepare a significant number of teachers are in need of some serious attention. They are Lamar University, Midwestern State University, Our Lady of the Lake University, Texas A&M University-Commerce, Texas Christian University, Texas Tech University, and Texas Woman's University.
Lest you think NCTQ is all about criticism, the council also found four programs it deems worthy of commendation: Dallas Baptist University, Southern Methodist University, the University of Texas -- Pan American, and the University of Texas at Austin.
The council didn't rate all of the schools it studied because it felt it didn't have enough information on some of

Remarks by the President in the Rose Garden | The White House

Remarks by the President in the Rose Garden | The White House

Remarks by the President in the Rose Garden

1:54 P.M. EDT
THE PRESIDENT: Good afternoon, everybody. Hello, everybody. Please have a seat. Welcome to the White House. Welcome to the Rose Garden. This is an extraordinary occasion, a beautiful day -- appropriately so. So I hate to intrude on it, but before we begin I do want to speak briefly to the American people about the recent BP oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico.
I've been receiving frequent briefings from members of my Cabinet and White House staff, including an update last night on the additional breach and another update this morning. And while BP is ultimately responsible for funding the cost of response and cleanup operations, my administration will continue to use every single available resource at our disposal, including potentially the Department of Defense, to address the incident.
Earlier today, DHS Secretary Napolitano announced that this incident is of national significance and the Department of Interior has announced that they will be sending SWAT teams to the Gulf to inspect all platforms and rigs. And I have ordered the Secretaries of Interior and Homeland Security as well as Administrator Lisa Jackson of the Environmental Protection Agency to visit the site on Friday to ensure that BP and the entire U.S. government is doing everything possible, not just to respond to this incident, but also to determine its cause. And I've been in contact with all the governors of the states that may be affected by this accident.
Now, earlier this week, Secretaries Napolitano and Salazar laid out the next steps for a thorough investigation into what precipitated this event. I am sure there may be a few science teachers here who have been following this issue closely with their classes, and if you guys have any suggestions, please let us know. (Laughter.)
That's the real reason why all of you are here, because you are great teachers, engaging your students in the world around you. So I want to start by congratulating all of you for your extraordinary achievement. We could not be prouder. And I had occasion to meet each and every one individually -- you could not ask for a better bunch. And it made me want to go back to school. (Laughter.) Maybe not take the exams, but -- (laughter) -- but you could just tell these are people who love their work.
I want to acknowledge our wonderful Secretary of Education, Arne Duncan --(applause) -- who is your biggest booster, day in and day out -- as well as my good friend, and a teacher herself, Dr. Jill Biden, who is here. (Applause.)
I also want to thank Senator Harkin, Representative Boswell, and Dennis Van Roekel, President of the National Education Association, for their leadership and for joining us here today. (Applause.)
So to all the award winners -– congratulations. We are thrilled to have you in what has been a long tradition here at the White House. For nearly six decades, through 12 presidential administrations, we’ve gathered here to honor America’s teachers and to celebrate your contribution to the life of our country. And we do this because we recognize the role that you play in sustaining our democracy -– in creating the informed citizenry and engaged leaders that we need for our government, a government of and by and for the people.
And we do this because you’re the key to our success in the global economy -– preparing our kids to compete at a time when a nation’s most valuable currency is the knowledge and skills of its people. And we do this because the impact you’ve had on all of our lives: pushing us, believing in us, insisting -– sometimes, despite all evidence to the contrary -– that we have potential and that we have something worthy to contribute.
As President Kennedy once said, “Our progress as a nation can be no swifter than our progress in education… The human mind is our fundamental resource.” And it’s all of you who we entrust every day with that resource and that responsibility.
And that’s why as President, I’m committed to doing every single thing that I can do to support your work -– to create better standards and assessments that you can use in your classrooms; to make critical investments in education at every level, from early childhood education through college; and to recruit and develop and reward excellent teachers.
And it’s why, through our recovery efforts, we’ve provided emergency aid that saved the jobs of more than 400,000 teachers and other education jobs -– and why I believe these efforts must continue. (Applause.) I believe these efforts must continue as states face severe budget shortfalls that put hundreds of thousands of jobs at risk. We need and our children need our teachers in the classroom. We need your passion and your patience, your skill and experience, your determination to reach every single child -- the very qualities that define this year’s Teacher of the Year, Sarah Brown Wessling, from Johnson High School in Johnson, Iowa. So, congratulations, Sarah. (Applause.)
Whether teaching basic writing to at-risk freshmen, or literary theory to advanced placement seniors, Sarah writes: “I see a story in every learner, unique and yearning to be read.”
That’s why she creates individualized podcasts for each student with extensive feedback on their papers, prompting one parent to report that his own writing had improved just by listening to Sarah’s comments to her daughter -- to his daughter. (Laughter.)
Sarah also helped develop 15 new courses this year alone, taking into account a wide array of interests and learning styles. And her students don’t just write five-paragraph essays, but they write songs, public service announcements, film storyboards, even grant proposals for their own non-for-profit organizations.
One of her students reports that in Sarah’s class, “No discussion was fruitless, no assignment was pointless, and not one day was boring.” And I’m not sure I could have said that when I was in school. (Laughter.)
And all of this is in addition to her work mentoring other teachers, organizing a statewide teaching symposium, helping design Iowa’s core curriculum, serving as president of the Iowa Council of Teachers of English, and much more.
Slow down. (Laughter.) Plus she’s got these three cute kids in front. (Laughter.)
With Sarah as a teacher, good students have become great students. Student who had been discouraged and disengaged have discovered a passion for learning. And many of her students have gone on to become teachers themselves, one of the best tributes any teacher could ask for.
In her application essay, Sarah wrote movingly about the achievements of several of her students, describing the transformation of one student as follows: “Instead of asking what, she asked why; instead of asking why, she asked, why not; instead of asking why not, she asked what if.”
In honoring Sarah Brown Wessling and all of you, we also honor all those teachers across America who inspire students to ask “what if?” -– who enrich their lives and their prospects every single day.
But let’s be clear -– I think all the teachers here would agree with me this is not the responsibility of teachers alone. Our teachers can prepare the best lesson plans imaginable, but you all can’t guarantee that your students will show up ready to learn. You can be there for them before school, after school, and during lunch, but you can’t be there at night to make sure those assignments get done, or in the morning to make sure they’re out of bed and to school on time. You can give your students all the encouragement in the world, but you can’t give them the constant support and unconditional love that they need to succeed.
All of that is our job as parents. So today, even as we honor America’s teachers, let’s not forget that we all have a responsibility to educate our children. It is not just the job of schools, it’s not just the job of teachers, but it’s the job of our parents, it’s the job of our communities, our places of worship. The message that we send, in terms of our children being curious and active and aspiring for excellence -- that’s a job that all of us have to take on. (Applause.)
So let’s turn off the TV. Let’s put away the video games. Let’s read to our kids once in a while. Let’s make sure that homework is done, and that they get a good night’s sleep and a decent breakfast. Let’s reach out to their teachers and ask what we can do to help. Let’s be partners with teachers to prepare our kids to lead productive, fulfilling lives.
In the end, I think Sarah put it best when she wrote, simply, “My greatest contributions are my students.” That’s true of us as a society as well –- that our greatest contribution is what we do for the next generation: the sacrifices we make, the examples that we set, and all that we do to give them opportunities that we never dreamed of.
All of you have dedicated your lives to that work, and for that, we honor you and we thank you, today and every day. Congratulations, everybody.
And it’s now my pleasure to introduce the 2010 Teacher of the Year, Sarah Brown Wessling, and invite her to say a few words. But first I’m going to give her the apple. (Applause.)
(The award is presented.) (Applause.)
END
2:06 P.M. EDT