Latest News and Comment from Education

Friday, May 7, 2010

Acalanes board approves pest management program - ContraCostaTimes.com

Education - ContraCostaTimes.com

Acalanes board approves pest management program

Updated: 05/07/2010 04:42:52 PM PDT




The Acalanes school board last week approved a pest management program, over the objections of several parents who say it is not strong enough.
Under the program, the district will consider a "full range" of alternatives to chemical pesticides and herbicides and only use "pesticides that pose the least possible hazard" to the public's health.
At least 72 hours before using pesticides, program rules state, the district must post warning signs where the chemicals would be used and tell those who requested notification about pesticide use.
Officials must also give 24 hours notice through the district's general e-mail list and on the district website. Associate Superintendent for Business Services Christopher Learned said staff will also explore additional ways to notify the public when chemical use is planned.
The district's policies have caught the attention of a group called Parents for a Safer Environment. As they did in November when the school board last looked at the issue, they said this week the program is too broad.
The program bans any pesticides that are new or contain a new active ingredient, that has been granted a conditional or interim registration by the state, or ones with an experimental restriction by the federal Environmental Protection Agency.
The parents' group feels those restrictions aren't specific enough, and want the district to create lists of banned and approved pesticides.
In addition, they



NorthJersey.com: Bonuses, longer wait for tenure among changes in education commissioner's overhaul

NorthJersey.com: Bonuses, longer wait for tenure among changes in education commissioner's overhaul

Bonuses, longer wait for tenure among changes in education commissioner's overhaul
Friday, May 7, 2010
LAST UPDATED: FRIDAY MAY 7, 2010, 7:14 PM
THE RECORD
STAFF WRITER
Education commissioner Bret Schundler laid out his vision for sweeping overhaul of New Jersey public schools Friday, including giving bonuses to the best teachers, letting teachers launch their own schools, and making students’ academic progress count for at least half of a teacher’s evaluation.
Education commissioner Bret Schundler
FILE PHOTO
Education commissioner Bret Schundler
To earn tenure, a new teacher would have to wait five years, instead of the current three, and would have to be deemed effective for at least three of those years. The commissioner also wants to give bonuses to lure the most effective teachers to work with at-risk students in the most challenging classrooms.
Some of these changes require legislative approval. He hopes that by June 1, lawmakers will pass a general statement requiring that student learning be made a key part of awarding pay and promotions to teachers and principals. That step would bolster the state’s chance to win $400 million in federal grant money in the contest known as Race to the Top.
The New Jersey Education Association has long fought against merit pay and using student performance to measure teachers. But Schundler said doing so will boost accountability for schools and teachers.

Schools Matter: New Cure for ADHD: Recess

Schools Matter: New Cure for ADHD: Recess

New Cure for ADHD: Recess

From HuffPo:
On April 15, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention held a media conference at the National Press Club in Washington, D.C., to announce the release of a new report on school-based physical activity and its association with academic performance.
The report -- a review of 50 studies published in 43 articles -- reached a conclusion that is no great surprise to those of us who know kids well (I have five), and work to promote their health (both physical, and intellectual). Physical activity is good for body and brain, alike. As often seems to be the case, modern analytic methods and systematic review of evidence landed us right in the middle of Grandma's common sense counsel: sound mind, sound body.
The fundamental findings of CDC's 129-page report were that diverse interventions for kids of various ages produced a net improvement in academic performance more often than not. Over 50 percent of the studies analyzed improved some measure of cognition or academics. An additional

Herhold: Morgan Hill school wrong in flag shirt flap - San Jose Mercury News

Herhold: Morgan Hill school wrong in flag shirt flap - San Jose Mercury News

Herhold: Morgan Hill school wrong in flag shirt flap

Updated: 05/07/2010 04:25:43 PM PDT




Let us grant that the four boys at Live Oak High School who wore American flag T-shirts on Cinco de Mayo were not behaving sensitively toward their Latino classmates.
Let us acknowledge that they were immature, even offensive, when they picked a Mexican holiday to exhibit their patriotism.
It was a more subtle message than the Border Patrol T-shirts that some kids tried wearing in the San Jose Unified District. But given our battles over immigration, it was not a wholly friendly message.
Let us grant all that. It was still a mistake for an assistant principal to ask them to turn the T-shirts inside out or go home. It was a mistake not to let them wear the flag.
I don't say that because I'm a big flag-waving patriot. I loathe the simple dictums of the Tea Party. I hate the Arizona law that allows cops to demand papers on the street.
But as a professional rabble-rouser, I believe in free speech, even offensive speech. And I don't think an American

A grant to create community schools makes strange bedfellows | GothamSchools

A grant to create community schools makes strange bedfellows | GothamSchools

A grant to create community schools makes strange bedfellows


The last time he led a New York City project, Geoffrey Canada, the founder of Harlem Children’s Zone, had the teachers union as his opponent. Now the two are partnering on a grant proposal that would take struggling elementary schools and surround them with the support services that barely exist outside their doors.
Naturally, the two have a buffer: Good Shepherd Services and the Children’s Aid Society, which is the lead applicant for an Investing in Innovation Fund (i3) grant — money that was set aside as part of the federal stimulus package. The grant proposal calls for $30 million to be used over four years to reduce absenteeism in nine schools in low-income neighborhoods like Harlem, the South Bronx, and Central Brooklyn.
All of the schools that are eventually chosen for the grant will have low-performing students, but they must also have a large number of students who don’t attend class. At least 30 percent of their students must be chronically absent, meaning they miss a month or more of school, hence the grant’s name: “Attend, Achieve, Attain,” or “a3.”
The idea is to keep more children in school for longer by lengthening the school day, adding after-school and

Remainders: Rhee doubling senior staff to raise school standards

Joel Klein heading to Jerusalem to tout school reforms

A poster advertising the Jerusalem education conference where Joel Klein will be speaking.
A poster advertising the Jerusalem education conference where Joel Klein will be speaking.
If the past is any guide, Israel could be the next foreign country to import New York City-style school reforms.
Chancellor Joel Klein is leaving Saturday night for a two-day trip to Israel, during which he will argue that education reform is both possible and necessary at a day-long education conference hosted by Jerusalem mayor Nir Barkat.
The last country Klein visited in his capacity as chancellor, Australia in 2008, adopted a New York City-style school grading system shortly afterward. Klein also visited the United Kingdom shortly before its education minister announced plans to adopt a similar school grading system, according to Department of Education spokeswoman Ann Forte.

UTLA - LAUSD Not So Lite - Perdaily.com

UTLA - LAUSD Not So Lite - Perdaily.com

UTLA = LAUSD Not So Lite

UTLA gives credibility to LAUSD by making the advocacy process look real when in really isn't. When UTLA gets a complaint from a member and files a grievance, they treat it as if they have never had a complaint like this before. When in reality, they might have had or presently have the same kind of complaint against the same principal who is doing the same thing to another teacher- they just will not share that information with you.

In continuing to suffer the harassment and assault coming from LAUSD in the form of endless disciplinary hearings and suspension piled onto suspension with no good faith belief as to their veracity, I wondered why it was that administrators at LAUSD have absolutely no fear for their clear bad faith and possibly criminal actions to violate the rights of their teacher employees.

In recent posts, we have talked about the immunity LAUSD administration thinks that Government Code section 821.6 bestows upon them- something that I think is probably not true if you ever get into a real legal process. And then of course, there is the deep pockets of LAUSD to hire the biggest and baddest law firms in California in lieu of their own mediocre in house legal staff to assure that anybody with the temerity to go after them for their continuing crimes will be tied up in litigation long after Superintendent Ramon Cortines has moved on to the next reality or at the very least his next urban school district.

The piece of the puzzle that I would like to specifically address today with this post is the role of UTLA plays in strengthening LAUSD administration's hubris vis a vis its teachers and all who pay close to $60 a month for UTLA to supposedly advocate on their behalf. In past posts we have pointed out that like LAUSD leadership, UTLA's is highly compensated officers and staff are never going back into a classroom, which gives them the

Final School Carnival Event for Garfield Elementary — Citrus Heights Herald

Final School Carnival Event for Garfield Elementary — Citrus Heights Herald

Final School Carnival Event for Garfield Elementary

by EMILY CARDIFF on MAY 7, 2010 · 0 COMMENTS
Post image for Final School Carnival Event for Garfield Elementary
During Garfield Elementary School’s last open house this past Thursday, the school respectfully combined events by also holding a good-bye closing ceremony to honor its 56 years of educational history. In light of Garfield Elementary’s closing in Carmichael, staff, students and parents will be cheerfully hosting the school’s final spring carnival. Every school year, Garfield staff has held several yearly events on school grounds such as the annual Halloween festival and an end of the year spring carnival. Even though this will be the last school carnival, it is predicted to be just as fun as ever.
It has been decided that the Friday, May 14, carnival event will be a 1950s decade and dance theme, and everyone is welcome to join in. The food, fun and exciting festivities will begin at 5PM and go until 8PM. Current students, staff and their families, as well as Garfield Elementary alumni are especially encouraged to participate. Other San Juan School District students and faculty members, along with surrounding community members and public school supporters are also invited join the fun!
Not only will the carnival have wonderful game prizes and special activities set up for the evening’s events, but it will also offer a tasty selection of foods and sweets. Hot dogs, corn dogs, nachos with melty cheese, chili bowls and popcorn! Those with a sweet tooth can choose from a snow cone earlier in the evening, or munch on a wand of sticky cotton candy later. Then, sometime during the night’s festivities, there will be a band playing live Rock n’ Roll music performed by former Garfield student Todd Morgan and The Emblems.
Along with fun games and activities for all ages, like a cak

Presidential Proclamation--Mother's Day | The White House

Presidential Proclamation--Mother's Day | The White House

Presidential Proclamation--Mother's Day

A PROCLAMATION
Generations of mothers have labored tirelessly and selflessly to support and guide their children and families. Their loving, devoted efforts have broadened horizons for their children and opened doors of opportunity for our Nation's daughters and granddaughters. On Mother's Day, we pay tribute to these women who have given so much of themselves to lift up our children and shape America's character.
Julia Ward Howe, who wrote the words for the song The Battle Hymn of the Republic, led early efforts to establish a day honoring the influence of mothers on our lives and communities. In the ensuing decades, many Americans rallied to support this cause, including Anna Jarvis. After the loss of her own mother, Anna helped spur the nationwide institution of Mother's Day we celebrate each year.
From our first moments in this world and throughout our lives, our mothers protect us from harm, nurture our spirits, and encourage us to reach for our highest aspirations. Through their unwavering commitment, they have driven and inspired countless acts of leadership, compassion, and service across our country. Many mothers have struggled to raise children while pursuing their careers, or as single parents working to provide for their families. They have carried the torch of trailblazers past, leading by powerful example and overcoming obstacles so their sons and daughters could reach their fullest potential.
Whether adoptive, biological, or foster, mothers share an unbreakable bond with their children, and Americans of all ages and backgrounds owe them an immeasurable debt. Nurturing families come in many forms, and children may be raised by two parents, a single mother, two mothers, a step-mom, a grandmother, or a guardian. Mother's Day gives us an opportunity to celebrate these extraordinary caretakers, mentors, and providers who have made us who we are. As we honor today's mothers, we also reflect upon the memory of those who have passed, and we renew our commitment to living the values they cultivated in us.
The Congress, by a joint resolution approved May 8, 1914 (38 Stat. 770), has designated the second Sunday in May each year as "Mother's Day" and requested the President to call for its appropriate observance.
NOW, THEREFORE, I, BARACK OBAMA, President of the United States of America, do hereby proclaim May 9, 2010, as Mother's Day. Let us express our deepest love and thanks to our mothers and remember those who, though no longer with us, inspire us still.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand this seventh day of May, 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

Presidential Proclamation--National Women's Health Week

A PROCLAMATION
In recent decades, our Nation has made extraordinary progress in promoting women's health issues. However, far too many women remain underserved and we must continue working to ensure all women can access medical services, receive fair treatment, and make healthy choices. During National Women's Health Week, we recommit to breaking existing barriers and improving the health of American women for generations to come.
Many American women face significant obstacles in caring for themselves and their families. That is why my Administration fought tirelessly to pass the Affordable Care Act, which I recently signed into law. This landmark legislation gives Americans greater control over their health care decisions and access to affordable and equitable insurance. It lowers costs for women and prohibits insurance companies from overcharging because of gender or denying coverage due to a pre existing condition. The Affordable Care Act also requires that new health care plans cover preventive care, routine screenings, and regular checkups, as well as basic pediatric services for children. These services are vital to maintaining individual well being, and empower women when making choices for themselves and their families. Visit HealthReform.gov to learn more about how the Affordable Care Act benefits Americans across the country.
We have taken steps to provide access to high-quality, affordable health care, but individuals must also lead healthy lives and set a good example for their children. From scheduling regular medical examinations to applying sunscreen, simple, everyday activities can make a positive impact on the lives of women. Regular exercise, coupled with a nutritious diet, helps prevent heart disease, obesity, and other chronic conditions. Visit WomensHealth.gov and GirlsHealth.gov for more information and resources on women's health issues. I also encourage Americans to visit www.WhiteHouse.gov/Administration/EOP/CWG to learn about the White House Council on Women and Girls a body I created to bring women's issues to the forefront, and to emphasize women's roles as full partners in shaping and implementing our Nation's policies.
The health of American women and girls is not just a women's issue; all Americans have a vested interest. Women are the foundation of many families, and by encouraging their wellness, we also promote the vitality of our children and our communities. By standing firm in our commitment to improve women's health, we can give our daughters and granddaughters and all Americans a brighter future.
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 9-15, 2010, as National Women's Health Week. I encourage all Americans to celebrate the progress we have made in protecting women's health and promote prevention, awareness, and educational activities that improve the health of all women.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand this seventh day of May, 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