GREAT UNCERTAINTY OVER DIRECTION OF STATE STANDARDIZED TESTS: “State policymakers are ready to deemphasize the role of standardized tests in the school accountability system”
BY JOHN FENSTERWALD, EDSOURCE TODAY | HTTP://BIT.LY/TUJWME
November 26th, 2012 :: With the statute authorizing state standardized tests due to expire in June 2014, the incoming Legislature is facing some hard decisions on the future of the state testing system: What subjects should be tested, for whom, how often (not every year in every subject, perhaps), at what cost, and, perhaps the biggest question, for what purpose?
The state will likely end up with a hybrid system, a combination of state-created tests and tests designed in partnerships with other states. The principal partnership is Smarter Balanced Assessment Consortium, one of two multistate consortia with contracts with the U.S. Department of Education to develop an assessment system aligned to the Common Core State Standards. Smarter Balanced is designing tests for California and two dozen other states. Its new tests are expected to be more demanding and will require new approaches to teaching. But the tests, due to roll out in springPushing K-12 off the Fiscal Cliff: CUT DEEP - HOW THE SEQUESTER WILL IMPACT OUR NATION'S SCHOOLS
smf at 4LAKids - some of the news that doesn't fit - 7 hours ago
from the American Association of School Administrators | http://bit.ly/X2BA9k The cuts of sequestration are estimated to between eight and nine percent, which would reduce funding for the US Education Department by an additional $4 billion and affect millions of students, classrooms and teachers by increasing class size, reducing programs and services and eliminating educator jobs. State/
DOE v. DEASY/TEACHER TALKS: What happens if they can’t agree?
smf at 4LAKids - some of the news that doesn't fit - 8 hours ago
by Hillel Aron, L.A. School Report | http://bit.ly/YsEIMa November 28, 2012 :: The deadline set by Judge Chalfant for LAUSD and UTLA to agree on a teacher evaluation system that satisfies the requirements of the Stull Act is December 4 — less than a week away. Neither side is saying how the negotiations are going – other than, well, “they’re going.” That sounds good, but the district and the
SCHOOL FUNDING CHANGES DEBATED AT EDUCATORS MEETING
smf at 4LAKids - some of the news that doesn't fit - 8 hours ago
Adolfo Guzman-Lopez | Pass / Fail | 89.3 KPCC | http://bit.ly/Ww8J8B Rich Pedroncelli/AP November 28th, 2012, 6:00am :: Educators at a private meeting Tuesday sounded off on an expected proposal to increase state funding to disadvantaged school districts. Conversation focused on Governor Jerry Brown's proposal to redistribute education funding pots known as categoricals among districts
LAUSD PUTTING ON A SHOW – A TALENT SHOW …to showcase employee-entertainers and raise money for after-school programs
smf at 4LAKids - some of the news that doesn't fit - 8 hours ago
By Barbara Jones, Staff Writer LA Daily News | http://bit.ly/Srp2Fg 11/28/2012 03:33:09 PM PST :: Sure, America and even Britain have talent. Turns out, Los Angeles Unified does, too. The nation's second-largest school district is organizing a variety show to spotlight the talents of its 60,000-plus employees while raising money to fund after-school programs. "I want to really show the
FOSTER YOUTH IN THE SEX TRADE: Most L.A. County youths held for prostitution come from foster care
smf at 4LAKids - some of the news that doesn't fit - 9 hours ago
The Board of Supervisors launches a multiagency task force to address the issue. By Abby Sewell, Los Angeles Times | http://lat.ms/Qrve0n November 27, 2012, 8:51 p.m. :: A majority of juveniles arrested on prostitution charges in Los Angeles County come from the county's foster care system, and, in some cases, pimps use underage sex workers to recruit fellow group home residents, county
U P D A T E D: TEACHER JAILS FILL AS THE GHOSTS OF MIRAMONTE + TELFAIR (+ PENN STATE) HAUNT LAUSD
smf at 4LAKids - some of the news that doesn't fit - 10 hours ago
LAUSD 'jails' fill with teachers as misconduct complaints rise By Barbara Jones, Staff Writer, LA Daily News | http://bit.ly/V4dMf0 Students are escorted to a waiting bus as they leave Miramonte Elementary school after classes Tuesday, Jan. 31, 2012 in Los Angeles. Veteran Miramonte Elementary school teacher Mark Berndt, 61, was arrested Monday, Jan. 30, on charges of lewd conduct with 23
CHARTER SCHOOL PROPONENTS TO ANNOUNCE MAJOR FOCUS ON SHUTTING DOWN FAILING SCHOOLS
smf at 4LAKids - some of the news that doesn't fit - 11 hours ago
“We didn't start this movement in order to create more failing schools, but that's what we have - hundreds of them. Greg Richmond, President & CEO, National Association of Charter School Authorizers Joy Resmovits, Huffington Post | http://huff.to/QrfDOr 11/28/2012 12:28 am EST Updated: 11/28/2012 8:33 am EST ::
A ROAD MAP FOR L.A. UNIFIED …when maybe GPS is needed?
smf at 4LAKids - some of the news that doesn't fit - 20 hours ago
A six-year study provides a wealth of information on how to recruit, assign, pay and, when necessary, lay off teachers in ways that help students most. LA Times Editorial | http://lat.ms/10WgUA9 November 28, 2012 :: There are big differences in how well Los Angeles' teachers help their students learn, a new study shows — bigger variations than in other districts, where teaching quality
A challenge for HIV/Health Ed in our schools: CDC + KAISER FOUNDATION REPORTS TROUBLING RISE IN HIV INFECTIONS AMONG YOUNG PEOPLE
smf at 4LAKids - some of the news that doesn't fit - 1 day ago
CDC acknowledges need for more and improved HIV prevention education for teens Kaiser Survey finds Black and Latino Youth “Very Concerned” about Impact of HIV on themselves and others their age by Sarah Childress | PBS FRONTLINE | ENDGAME: AIDS in Black America | http://to.pbs.org/SbJKrB November 27, 2012, 4:42 pm ET :: Every month, 1,000 young Americans become infected with HIV.