Catalyst Notebook :: Teachers, community groups want role in choosing a new schools chief

Catalyst Notebook :: Teachers, community groups want role in choosing a new schools chief

Catalyst writers and editors share their perspectives, analyses and the news behind the news on improving Chicago area public schools. Our on-the-ground reports will tell you what’s happening in schools and education circles here and elsewhere. Our views will tell you what to make of it.

Huberman unveils new admission guidelines for magnet and selective schoolsAs parents begin to apply for seats in magnet and selective schools, CPS officials on Thursday unveiled changes to the admissions process that could set the stage for more racial and economic diversity in the district’s most sought-after schools.
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Posted By: Sarah Karp On Thu Nov 4, 2010 In Government and Policy
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Teachers, community groups want role in choosing a new schools chiefA community panel should conduct a nationwide search for the next schools leader following the election of a new mayor this February, Chicago educators and community leaders said at a City Hall press conference today. The goal is not to find an immediate replacement for current CEO Ron Huberman, who’s slated to leave at the end of November, said Chicago Teachers Union President Karen Lewis. Instead, community members should start a dialogue now, she said, so they will be ready to suggest a qualified candidate to a new mayor once he or she is elected next year.



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Posted By: Taryn Tawoda On Thu Nov 4, 2010 In CPS Administration
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In the News: More schools to use Chicago Urban Education Institute's STEP literacy toolStarting in January, elementary schools in Baltimore will use the STEP™ literacy tool to assess their students, joining national charter networks, top Chicago schools, and other public schools across the country. STEP™ (Strategic Teaching and Evaluation of Progress), developed by the University of Chicago Urban Education Institute, is an assessment and instructional improvement tool that provides teachers and leaders with evidence about what students in pre-kindergarten through third grade know and need to learn as they develop their literacy skills. (press release)

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Posted By: Cassandra West On Thu Nov 4, 2010 In In the News
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Huberman to leave Chicago Public Schools at end of monthConfirming weeks of speculation that Ron Huberman would exit the Chicago Public Schools the middle of the school year, CPS issued a statement late Wednesday that Nov. 29 would be his last day.
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Posted By: Rebecca Harris and Sarah Karp On Wed Nov 3, 2010 In CPS Administration
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Mike Klonsky's SmallTalk Blog

Mike Klonsky's SmallTalk Blog

Something to cheer about in Arizona

One election night bright spot was progressive Rep. Raul M. Grijalvaholding onto his congressional seat representing southern Arizona. Grijalva, a four-term representative who had easily won reelection in the past, got into trouble after urging a boycott of his state once it enacted a tough immigration law in April. Grijalva, said the law would promote racial profiling.

He was also part of a group of Dems, led by Rep. Obey (D-WI), who

Effort launched to get Multnomah County students to finish high school, college | OregonLive.com

Effort launched to get Multnomah County students to finish high school, college | OregonLive.com

Effort launched to get Multnomah County students to finish high school, college

Published: Thursday, November 04, 2010, 6:35 PM Updated: Thursday, November 04, 2010, 6:36 PM

Betsy Hammond, The Oregonian
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View full sizeRoss William Hamilton/The Oregonian

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Spurred by Portland State University, a new coalition of government, nonprofit, business and education leaders set out Thursday to get more Multnomah County students to graduate from high school and college.

Their plan is to track students' progress at key points from kindergarten through college graduation and career entry to collect evidence on what programs and techniques keep students on track at each stage -- and which don't.

"Student success teams" will then use that evidence to drive changes in the way schools, community groups, colleges and other youth-serving institutions do their work.

PSU President Wim Wiewel, a creator of the new "Cradle to Career" initiative, predicts it will lead to better outcomes among county students in two or three years. He said

Provider proposals in; Innovation model out | Philadelphia Public School Notebook

Provider proposals in; Innovation model out | Philadelphia Public School Notebook

Provider proposals in; Innovation model out

by Benjamin Herold

The Nov. 2 deadline for potential Renaissance Schools managers to respond to a Request for Qualifications for turnaround teams has passed, with District officials saying they are in “good shape” based on the submissions they have received.

“We’re still compiling [the responses],” said Diane Castelbuono, the District’s associate superintendent for strategic programs.“There is a nice mix of national and local [providers.]”

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Durham Elementary students to "stamp out" prejudice for a day | OregonLive.com

Durham Elementary students to "stamp out" prejudice for a day | OregonLive.com

Durham Elementary students to "stamp out" prejudice for a day The students will take part in national "Mix It Up at Lunch Day" on Nov. 8.

School districts make adjustments, add staff as enrollment of Somali-speaking students rises in Portland, David Douglas schools English-speaking services have been enhanced to Portland Public Schools as enrollment Somali-speaking students has steadily increased since 2005.

MHCC student Christina Nelson will share her ideas with NASA at a national scholars event Airplanes have always intrigued Christina Nelson, 40. Her father was a hobbyist model airplane builder, and she remembers finished airplanes and unassembled parts routinely laid out on the kitchen table. The fond memories created the desire to design ...

Challenger to improve on education - LA Daily News

Challenger to improve on education - LA Daily News

Challenger to improve on education

JAIL: Under settlement, juvenile hall will improve system in which `every child has been left behind.

By Troy Anderson, Staff Writer

Posted: 11/04/2010 04:54:15 PM PDT

Updated: 11/04/2010 04:56:58 PM PDT

When "Casey A." graduated from high school at the Challenger Memorial Youth Center, he couldn't read a single word on his diploma.

"He didn't know what a diploma was, even though he was handed one," Mark D. Rosenbaum, chief counsel for the American Civil Liberties Union of Southern California, said Thursday.

"And when we asked him where he wanted to have lunch to celebrate, he said `Denny's' because there were pictures on the menu and that was the only place he could order."

Hundreds of youths like Casey A. at the Lancaster youth camp will now be targeted for improved educational efforts under the settlement of a class-action lawsuit filed by the ACLU and other public interest law firms.

The groups sued the county in January alleging the county's largest juvenile detention facility had failed to

Sacramento Press / Mayor to discuss Arden Arcade annexation

Sacramento Press / Mayor to discuss Arden Arcade annexation

Mayor to discuss Arden Arcade annexation

by Kathleen Haley, published on November 4, 2010 at 4:28PM

Storyline: Regional Issues

Community Tags: annexation arden arcade city and county consolidation cityhood city of sacramento incorporation mayor kevin johnson measure dpolitics sacramento county sacramento metro chamber

Sacramento Mayor Kevin Johnson said Thursday that he wants to start discussing two controversial ideas in 2011: merging the city and county, and the city incorporating the community of Arden Arcade.

Johnson made his comments two days after voters rejected Measure D, a ballot measure to form a city of Arden Arcade.

Johnson said he did not know whether Arden Arcade residents would like to stay in the unincorporated county or join the city of Sacramento. But he

N.J. education head's absence at NJEA conference sparks speculation about pressure from Gov. Christie | NJ.com

N.J. education head's absence at NJEA conference sparks speculation about pressure from Gov. Christie | NJ.com

N.J. education head's absence at NJEA conference sparks speculation about pressure from Gov. Christie

Published: Thursday, November 04, 2010, 8:42 PM Updated: Thursday, November 04, 2010, 8:47 PM

Jessica Calefati/The Star-Ledger
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The Star-LedgerActing Education Commissioner Rochelle Hendricks, left, announced Wednesday she will not be attending the teacher union's convention, headed by NJEA President Barbara Keshishian, right.

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ATLANTIC CITY — At least one member of the state Board of Education today questioned whether Gov. Chris Christie pressured his education chief to reject an invitation to speak at the annual New Jersey Education Association convention in Atlantic City.

The accusation centered on a letter acting Commissioner Rochelle Hendricks wrote to NJEA President Barbara Keshishian this week to "respectfully decline" the union’s offer to address its members. Hendricks cited what she called the union’s lack of interest in working with the governor on "reforms that put results for our children first."

Some believe those weren’t the commissioner’s thoughts, but rather those of the governor, who has been locked in a messy and ongoing battle with the state’s largest teachers union.

"She may have signed (the letter), but I honestly