Updated: Wednesday, 15 Sep 2010, 3:01 PM CDT
Published : Wednesday, 15 Sep 2010, 3:01 PM CDT
HOUSTON - The Texas Education Agency says a northeast Houston charter school is officially closed, but one day after the state order, Benji's Academy is still holding classes.
Benji's Academy buses filled with students rolled into the campus Wednesday morning. Parents dropped their children off for school too, because they say the school vowed to stay open.
The TEA announced Tuesday the 30-year-old charter school with almost 550 students was no longer financially viable. The agency also said it needs to close the school to protect the health, safety, and welfare of the students.
But many in the community love the school. They say it
MONTPELIER, Vt.—Vermont is getting $19 million in federal funding to retain teachers.
The funding is part of $10 billion going to school districts around the country included in emergency legislation passed last month.
The grants will be used to rehire laid-off teachers
My take on what a Fenty loss likely means for schools in DC and for school reform nationally is my column this week at Time. Punchline: Instability in DC, politics nationally, talent drain, and not a great day for reformers if she goes. But there is more via the link above.
Over at TNR Seyward Darby’s take is well-worth checking out, too. I’d argue, however, that the next contract
Quick Hits is a short compilation of question-raising news stories, blog posts, and video clips that Education Sector team members are reading or viewing each day.
The District's budget is still balanced despiterecent state funding cutbacks, Chief Financial Officer Michael Masch told the SRC Wednesday - mostly thanks to the August adoption of a federal education jobs bill that will send $98 million to Philadelphia.
The $10 billion federal bill provides money "for one purpose and one purpose only - to create or retain education jobs," Masch explained. The funds can be expended between now and September 2012.
Masch said he expected to use half of the money - $49 million - to bring the budget into balance for the current school year and the other half next year. This is enough funding each year to protect more than 500 teacher jobs, he said.
Returning to the classroom isn’t just a source of anticipation and stress for teachers. It’s also a source for blog fodder.
The GothamSchools community section has been abuzz since last week with back-to-school thoughts from contributors old and new. Read Ruben Brosbe on the little-known phenomenon of teacher backsliding; Lizzie Hetzer on the mixed emotions brought on by moving to a more teacher-friendly school; Dana Lawit on the symbolism of fresh pencils; and Stephen Lazar on his hopes and fears for the new year.
The section’s newest author is actually a former city teacher. Collin Lawrence just left the city after four years at a small high school in Brooklyn, which he is calling the Brooklyn Arts Academy. In his first post, “Back to Civilian Life,” Lawrence outlined his project:
I have decided to chronicle the tumultuous four-year saga that marked my tenure at the Brooklyn
11TH ANNUAL HISTORICALLY BLACK COLLEGE RECRUITMENT FAIR |
Contact: Karen Compton Phone: (916) 921-UCAN (8226) ucan@kcimedia.com The United College Action Network (U-CAN), of Sacramento, California Nehemiah Corporation of America and New Faze Development in partnership with Elk Grove Unified School District, Sacramento City Unified School District, Twin Rivers Unified District, Oakland Unified School District, Stockton Unified School District, a consortium of education partners in, Solano county, and local community organizations wishes to announce the upcoming Tenth Annual Black College Recruitment Fair. U-CAN President Alan H. Rowe states, “Last years regional event drew more than 15,000 students and parents from Sacramento and surrounding counties, and was an overwhelming success with many students receiving on the spot admissions and scholarship offers.” Event coordinators anticipate this year's attendance will once again also draw thousands. Representatives from more than thirty of the countries leading Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) United College Action Network (U-CAN!) will be recruiting college bound students on-site during the weeklong event. The College Fair locations are scheduled on Monday evening, September 13, 2010 at Mt. Calvary Baptist Church in Fairfield, Tuesday, September 14, 2010 at Bear Creek High School in Stockton, Wednesday, September 15, 2010 at Laney College in Oakland Thursday, September 16, 2010 at Sacramento City College in Sacramento California, Friday, September 17, 2010 at Foothill High School in Sacramento, and Saturday, September 18, 2010 at Valley High School in Sacramento, California within the Elk Grove Unified School District, Elk Grove. Interested high school and college students will have the opportunity to receive preliminary "on-the-spot" admissions, scholarships, financial aid information and face-to-face exposure with many of the most respected historically black institutions of higher learning within the United States. A partial list of participating colleges includes: Alabama State University, Dillard University, Grambling State University, Hampton University, Howard University, Johnson C. Smith University, Lincoln University, Morgan State University, South Carolina State University, Spelman College, Tuskegee University and Xavier University of Louisiana, among many other colleges and universities. Each college fair event is free and open to the public and all students. Students who wish to apply and qualify for "on-the-spot" admissions and scholarships should bring an official transcript, if available, and a copy of their ACT/SAT test scores, if taken, for each college application they plan to complete. All high school and community college students and their parents will not want to miss this annual college planning event and opportunity. This event is open to all students. For more information visit us on the web at www.ucangotocollege.com or contact us at (916) 921-UCAN (8226) ucan@kcimedia.com |
To View the Video:
http://blip.tv/file/4114920
PW: comcoll
Washington, D.C. — The White House announced today that Dr. Jill Biden will convene the first-ever White House Summit on Community Colleges on Tuesday, Oct. 5, 2010. President Obama asked Dr. Biden to chair this event to highlight the critical role that community colleges play in developing America's workforce and reaching our educational goals.
The summit is an opportunity to bring together community colleges, business, philanthropy, federal and state policy leaders, and students to discuss how community colleges can ensure that we have the most educated workforce in the world, so that American businesses can compete in the global economy and that we can achieve the President's goal of leading the world with the highest proportion of college graduates by 2020. Community colleges are the largest and fastest growing segment of America's higher education system enrolling more than eight million students each year. This administration is making historic investments in a series of new innovations and reforms to expand and strengthen opportunities at America's community colleges.
The summit will also enable Americans across the country to submit their thoughts, questions and challenges for discussion as part of the summit dialogue. The White House has set up a number of ways for the public to participate in the summit online at WhiteHouse.gov/CommunityCollege. Community college students are encouraged to submit their stories about how community college has changed their lives. Educators, administrators, students and stakeholders can also participate in an online dialogue about improving community colleges for the future.
As a lifelong educator and community college instructor for the past 17 years, Dr. Biden knows that community colleges are uniquely positioned to graduate more Americans with the skills that businesses and the economy will need to compete in the 21st century. Since coming to the White House, she has visited successful job training and completion programs as well as student support programs at community college campuses throughout the country.
"Community colleges are a key part of our economic vision for the future," said Dr. Biden. "I see firsthand the power of community colleges to change lives every single day I am in the classroom. I am proud to be part of an administration that recognizes the value of a community college education and is working to make it more accessible to students across this nation."
Today's announcement video features current community college students as well as community college graduates. To watch the video, please go to: www.whitehouse.gov/communitycollege.
Individuals highlighted in the video today include:
Details about media credentialing and logistics for the summit on community colleges will be released at a later date.
