FCMAT » CALI Education Headlines Friday, August 17, 2012

FCMAT » Fiscal Crisis & Management Assistance Team:

Anthony Cody

Anthony Cody spent 24 years working in Oakland schools, 18 of them as a science teacher at a high needs middle school. He is National Board certified, and now leads workshops with teachers focused on Project Based Learning. With education at a crossroads, he invites you to join him in a dialogue on education reform and teaching for change and deep learning. For additional information on Cody's work, visit his Web site, Teachers Lead. Or follow him on Twitter.

Education Headlines

Friday, August 17, 2012

Baron: Charters and state at odds over Transitional Kindergarten

The first lesson that the state’s youngest students may learn is about the meaning of words – specifically, words in the state education code that may or may not give these children access to Transitional Kindergarten in charter schools.

Online learning funding system cited as key barrier as lawmakers respond

On the same day a blue ribbon panel on education technology cited California’s strict school funding mechanism as a key barrier, lawmakers moved legislation aimed at adding flexibility to encourage online learning.

Fensterwald: Evaluation bill moves on to state Senate

On a 5-2 party line vote, with two Republicans opposed, the Senate Appropriations Committee voted Thursday to send AB 5, the bill rewriting the teacher evaluation law, to the full Senate for a vote next week.

CA moves ahead on linking teacher evaluations to test scores

A controversial teacher evaluation bill is headed to the Senate floor after its author added a last-minute funding plan to cover costs school districts would incur implementing a new review system.

Bill to create statewide teacher evaluation system clears key hurdle

A key Senate committee approved a bill Thursday aimed at enhancing teacher evaluations that would effectively eliminate state requirements to use student standardized test scores to measure an instructor's effectiveness.

Bill to create statewide teacher evaluation system clears key hurdle

A key Senate committee approved a bill Thursday aimed at enhancing teacher evaluations that would effectively eliminate state requirements to use student standardized test scores to measure an instructor's effectiveness.

Troubled Oakland school padded enrollment, district finds

A controversial West Oakland private school, now reportedly drawing FBI scrutiny, has padded its roster sheets with public school students, according to an Oakland Unified School District investigation.

Thursday, August 16, 2012

Brown warns of deep school cuts if tax hike fails

Gov. Jerry Brown is kicking off his campaign for tax increases at a Sacramento high school, saying Proposition 30 is the only way to avoid billions of dollars in cuts to schools and higher education.

Tamien residents object to plans for Rocketship school

Rocketship, the darling of the national charter movement, hit a speed bump Tuesday in its quest to open more schools that serve low-income, disadvantaged children. The Santa Clara County Board of Education unanimously postponed a decision affecting a parcel where Rocketship wants to open another school.

Moreno Valley trustee cases cost district thousands

The Moreno Valley Unified School District has spent more than $9,000 in legal costs as a result of two criminal cases involving trustee Mike Rios. A review of invoices through July 31, 2012, revealed that the district has spent $9,145.88 in legal costs in response to board member Mike Rios’ arrests, incarcerations and court orders, according to Mays Kakish, assistant superintendent of business services.