New report warns shorter school year would hurt low-income, other students
A report released Monday by a statewide advocacy group warns that low-income students, students of color and English learners will be disproportionately harmed if school districts in California move to further shorten the academic calender due to budget cuts.
The report by the nonprofit The Education Trust-West cites research findings that extending instructional time leads to academic gains and narrows the achievement gap for low-income students and struggling schools. Yet two years ago, amid a floundering economy, the state allowed districts to reduce the calender from 180 to 175 days.
And in June, Gov. Jerry Brown signed legislation -– AB 114 -- that permits districts to further shorten the school year by up to seven additional days to accommodate a $1.8-billion cut in school funding
Hateful comments target lesbian homecoming couple at high school
A high school where a lesbian couple was selected as Homecoming King and Queen have been the subject of hateful phone calls and emails as the story spread across the nation.
Officials did not detail the messages but described some of them as disturbing.
Supt. Bill Kowba said adults criticizing the selection of Rebecca Arellano and Haileigh Adams are "demonstrating such a lack of tolerance and are presenting such a negative role model for children with their