4LAKIDS - SOME OF THE NEWS THAT DOESN'T FIT
GOOD NEWS FOR ADULT EDUCATION IN CALIFORNIA
smf at 4LAKids - some of the news that doesn't fit - 10 hours ago
from the AALA Update | http://bit.ly/166dFHV 21 March 2013 :: Members of the State Assembly Budget Subcommittee on Education Finance rejected Governor Brown’s plan to move administrative and financial responsibility for adult education from K-12 districts to the community colleges on Wednesday, March 20, 2013. This vote, by a Democrat-controlled committee, indicates that the
INSTEAD OF CLOSING (or reconstituting, charterizing, privatizing, magnetizing or pilotizing) SCHOOLS - HOW ABOUT THIS?
smf at 4LAKids - some of the news that doesn't fit - 16 hours ago
Given that school reformers are always talking about the importance of giving parents “school choice,” you’d think they’d listen to the people who want their neighborhood schools saved. You’d think. By Valerie Strauss, The Washington Post/Answer Sheet | http://wapo.st/WTfWoo Updated: March 22, 2013 :: When Michelle Rhee told D.C. school residents that she, as chancellor of public
SENATOR PADILLA DROPS HIS TEACHER DISMISSAL BILL, SB10 - IN FAVOR OF ASSEMBLY ED CHAIR BUCHANAN’S AB 375
smf at 4LAKids - some of the news that doesn't fit - 17 hours ago
By John Fensterwald, EdSource Today | http://bit.ly/13j02aA UPDATE: March 21st, 2013 :: Two days after Assemblymember Joan Buchanan, D-Alamo, introduced a bill that would make it quicker and potentially cheaper to fire teachers, Sen. Alex Padillo, D-Los Angeles, has shelved his controversial version of a teacher dismissal bill and signed on as a principal co-author of hers.
ALLEGATIONS OF COVER-UP + FAILURE TO REPORT CHILD ABUSE @ DE LA TORRE ELEMENTARY IMPLICATE SENIOR LAUSD OFFICIALS
smf at 4LAKids - some of the news that doesn't fit - 20 hours ago
L.A. Unified officials let abuse allegations slide, lawyers say Two high-level district employees heard but failed to act on accusations of sexual misconduct by an elementary school teacher, according to attorneys representing alleged victims. By Howard Blume, Los Angeles Times | http://lat.ms/10rOJsV March 21, 2013, 11:05 p.m. :: Incidents of alleged child abuse by a teacher at a
ARIA DOHERTY, 14, DIES OF “HUFFING” COMPUTER CLEANER + smf’s 2¢
smf at 4LAKids - some of the news that doesn't fit - 2 days ago
Aria Doherty, 14, died on Monday, March 18, 2013, apparently after inhaling computer keyboard duster, a practice known as "huffing," "bagging" or "dusting./from KNBC4.com 14-Year-Old Girl Dies After Inhaling Computer Duster An honor student in Northridge, Aria Doherty had aspirations of becoming a surgeon. By Gordon Tokumatsu and Samantha Tata, NBC Southern California http://bit.ly/10l7s9p
THE POLITICAL FUTURE OF THE TEACHING PROFESSION
smf at 4LAKids - some of the news that doesn't fit - 2 days ago
Commentary By Arthur E. Wise & Michael D. Usdan/Education week | March 13, 2013, :: Despite the unified Democratic Party and teachers' union support for the re-election of President Barack Obama, a philosophical divide over how to strengthen teaching quality in the United States remains. Will teaching and learning be improved through increased regulation, mandated standards, standardized
MORE FROM TUESDAY’S BOARD MEETING: Magnets Redux + Security in Early Childhood Ed
smf at 4LAKids - some of the news that doesn't fit - 2 days ago
LAUSD considers allowing students to enter magnets all year long by Howard Blume, LA Times/LA Now | http://lat.ms/ZMhPAY LAUSD preschools to get $7 million in security upgrades By Barbara Jones, Staff Writer, LA Daily News |http://bit.ly/WFeGnn March 20, 2013 | 9:05 am :: Officials are working to
WHY ANTONIO VILLARAIGOSA FELL SHORT AS LA’s EDUCATION MAYOR
smf at 4LAKids - some of the news that doesn't fit - 2 days ago
Adolfo Guzman-Lopez| Pass / Fail | 89.3 KPCC | http://bit.ly/YoommQ Damian Dovarganes/AP - Los Angeles Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa, left, and Meg Whitman, right, help third grade elementary math class students: David Ozorio, middle, and Cecil Pascal, right, at the 99th St. Elementary campus Wednesday, Sept. 14, 2011, in Los Angeles. March 19th, 2013, 6:00am :: As Los Angeles Mayor Antonio
US DEPT OF ED INSPECTOR GENERAL FINDS INADEQUATE CHARTER SCHOOL OVERSIGHT AT FEDERAL & STATE LEVEL
smf at 4LAKids - some of the news that doesn't fit - 2 days ago
by smf for 4LAKidsNews 20 March 2013 :: In her semi annual report to congress, Kathleen S. Tighe, the Inspector General of the US Department of Education reports: Our investigative efforts led to an unprecedented number of criminal actions taken against high ranking school officials. These educators used their positions of trust for personal gain and cheated the students they promised to
COMMITTEE WRESTLES WITH INCORPORATING GRAD RATES INTO API
smf at 4LAKids - some of the news that doesn't fit - 3 days ago
By John Fensterwald | EdSource Today http://bit.ly/WUROTk March 19th, 2013 :: As part of a push to measure how well a school is educating its students based on more than just test scores, California for the first time is planning to factor graduation rates into the state’s main measure of a school’s academic achievement. The state Department of Education is recommending that as early as next
GRANADA HILLS & EL CAMINO HIGH SCHOOLS ADVANCE TO NATIONAL ACADEMIC DECATHLON
smf at 4LAKids - some of the news that doesn't fit - 3 days ago
Two California teams advance to national academic decathlon -- Rick Rojas, LA times | http://lat.ms/ZMSnJV March 17, 2013 | 1:09 pm :: For the first time, two Academic Decathlon teams from California will proceed to the national competition, setting the stage for a showdown between former national title winners from Los Angeles Unified. Granada
TUESDAY LAUSD BOARD MEETING: 3 PILOT SCHOOLS APPROVED, GARCIA REPUDIATED
smf at 4LAKids - some of the news that doesn't fit - 3 days ago
New school to teach entrepreneurship is approved, location isn't -- Teresa Watanabe, LA Times/LA NOW | http://lat.ms/Xpc8qQ L.A. school board targets Garcia with term-limits vote Howard Blume, LA Times/LA NOW | http://lat.ms/ZZFVrD March 19, 2013 | 6:35 pm :: A new school to
LAUSD CAN BALANCE BUDGET THIS YEAR, BUT POTENTIAL LOSSES LOOM + smf’s 2¢
smf at 4LAKids - some of the news that doesn't fit - 3 days ago
By Barbara Jones, Staff Writer, LA Daily News | http://bit.ly/YF1zPO 3/19/2013 04:50:17 PM PDT :: Los Angeles Unified can balance its budget this year thanks to a windfall from voter-approved Proposition 30, but needs lawmakers to pass Gov. Jerry Brown's new student funding formula to keep its coffers filled next year, district officials said Tuesday. The news came as the school board passed
Thursday April 11: PUBLIC HEARINGS ON LAUSD’s COMPLIANCE WITH SPECIAL EDUCATION LAWS
smf at 4LAKids - some of the news that doesn't fit - 3 days ago
from the Office of the Independent Monitor | http://www.oimla.com/ Parents of children with IEPs and all other members of the LAUSD community are invited to provide comments to Mr. Frederick Weintraub, the court appointed Independent Monitor, during two hearings scheduled for Thursday, April 11, 2013 (9:00 a.m. - 11:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m. - 7:00 p.m.). Written Comments may be sent to:
FRANKLIN HIGH SCHOOL WINS ACA-DECA SUPER QUIZ, FALLS JUST SHORT OF NATIONAL FINALS + smf’s 2¢
smf at 4LAKids - some of the news that doesn't fit - 3 days ago
FHS had the third highest score in the nation in this weekend's Academic Decathlon competition By David Fonseca, . Highland Park-Mount Washington, CA Patch http://bit.ly/Ym8MrW Franklin's 2013 Academic Decathlon Team Credit Sam K. March 18, 2013 :: Benjamin Franklin High School students made history in Sacramento on Saturday, earning first place in the super quiz portion of the
Opinion: LET’S SHELVE THE CSTs SO THE REAL WORK CAN BEGIN
smf at 4LAKids - some of the news that doesn't fit - 4 days ago
By Merrill Vargo / commentary in EdSource Today | http://bit.ly/16Eq07v March 17th, 2013 :: I was troubled the other day to hear a colleague describe how hard it was to motivate a group of teachers to take on some aspect of the Common Core because they were “so focused on the high-stakes assessments.” I’m not blaming the teachers, but this reaction is a signal that leaders need to step up
CDE, TORLAKSON LEAD EFFORT TO FORGE AHEAD ON COMMON CORE DESPITE CHALLENGES
smf at 4LAKids - some of the news that doesn't fit - 4 days ago
By Tom Chorneau. SI&A Cabinet Report | http://bit.ly/146RZ0f Sunday, March 17, 2013 :: There’s no shortage of skeptics when it comes to the plan to begin testing students in the new common core curriculum standards beginning in the spring of 2015. After more than five years trapped inside the deep recession, the Legislature has been unable to set aside additional funds to buy the new
HIATUS FOR SCHOOL TESTS SOUGHT: State schools chief wants to hold off on some standardized tests
smf at 4LAKids - some of the news that doesn't fit - 4 days ago
Tom Torlakson says waiting until the system is computerized could save $15 million, but some figure the new exams could end up costing up to $1 billion. By Teresa Watanabe, Los Angeles Times | http://lat.ms/ZUJVtB Tom Torlakson, state superintendent of public instruction, says there's no point in spending money on outdated testing. (Brian van der Brug, Los Angeles Times / December 14,
GRANADA HILLS HIGH SCHOOL WINS STATE ACCA-DECA CHAMPIONSHIP
smf at 4LAKids - some of the news that doesn't fit - 5 days ago
March 17, 2013 by e-mail at 4:22 pm Dear GHCHS Parents, Alumni, Community and Supporters, Earlier today Granada Hills Charter High School’s Academic Decathlon team, for the third consecutive year, took first place in the California State Decathlon competition in Sacramento. This year’s field was extremely competitive with the top four teams separated by less than 1,000 of the
SOME SEE ADULT-SCHOOL FUNDING SHIFT AS DISASTEROUS
smf at 4LAKids - some of the news that doesn't fit - 5 days ago
The governor's plan would make it the responsibility of community colleges. Providers think the plan unrealistic; students fear being out of their comfort zone. By Carla Rivera, Los Angeles Times | http://lat.ms/Wx4GMX Tiffany Bonham uses a dummy patient during a certified nursing assistant class at Azusa Adult School, which will close this year. (Gina Ferazzi, Los Angeles Times / March 14,
This just in: CALIFORNIA STATE ACADEMIC DECATHLON SUPER QUIZ RESULTS
smf at 4LAKids - some of the news that doesn't fit - 5 days ago
Franklin High School from LAUSD wins the top score: 4,725; 5 LAUSD schools in top 10. from the Ventura County Star [edited] | http://bit.ly/XSjMOf March 17, 2013 :: SACRAMENTO — The California Academic Decathlon Super Quiz took place on Saturday – followed by an evening of suspense, with several questions contested by coaches at the last minute. “We always get some challenges, but this is
IMPROVING MORALE: A MORAL IMPERATIVE
smf at 4LAKids - some of the news that doesn't fit - 6 days ago
From the Associated Administrators of Los Angeles Update/Week of March 18th. | http://bit.ly/YCMscQ 14 March, 2013 :: Employee morale can be defined as the employee's outlook, optimism, self - concept and belief in themselves and their organization, its mission, goals, defined path, daily decisions and employee appreciation. Employee morale describes the overall outlook, attitude and
UC REGENTS VOTE TO KEEP $60 ANNUAL SURCHARGE FOR STUDENTS
smf at 4LAKids - some of the news that doesn't fit - 6 days ago
The fee helps the university finance massive refunds for past illegal tuition practices. Regents say they had no alternatives other than possibly cutting spending on classes and other services. By Larry Gordon, Los Angeles Times | http://lat.ms/XfmHws UCLA students protest fee hikes outside the Covel Commons Building in November 2009. (Barbara Davidson / Los Angeles Times / March 15,
®EFORMERS BY ANY OTHER NAME? + smf’s 2¢
smf at 4LAKids - some of the news that doesn't fit - 1 week ago
Commentary by Hillel Aron, LA Schools Report | http://bit.ly/YhEvY3 March 15, 2013 :: In September, I was talking about pension reform on my now-defunct weekly podcast, LA Redux with the LA Times’ David Zahniser, who covers City Hall (and is in my opinion one of the best reporters in Los Angeles). Zahniser said that he hardly ever uses the word ‘reform,’ in his stories, although editors
PRESCHOOL TEACHERS NEED SCHOOLING IN HEALTH AND NUTRITION FACTS – AND PRACTICES
smf at 4LAKids - some of the news that doesn't fit - 1 week ago
Deepa Fernandes | Pass / Fail | 89.3 KPCC http://bit.ly/10ZO9Fc Larry Crowe/AP March 14th, 2013, 3:20pm :: Digging into the concept of whether you can teach what you don't know, a recent survey by researchers at the University of Texas School of Public Health sought to uncover the health and nutrition knowledge --and practices-- of a group of teachers. Two of the questions asked of almost
SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA TEAMS COMPETE IN ACADEMIC DECATHLON IN SACRAMENTO
smf at 4LAKids - some of the news that doesn't fit - 1 week ago
By Barbara Jones, Staff Writer, LA Daily News http://bit.ly/12XPOfE 3/15/2013 06:59:14 PM PDT :: SACRAMENTO -- There were just 20 minutes to go before the 61 Academic Decathlon teams were scheduled to file in for their first test, and the students from Granada Hills Charter were still studying. Oblivious to the organized mayhem created by 500-plus other teens from around California, the
L.A. Now Live: LAUSD's $30-MILLION MIRAMONTE SETTLEMENT + smf’s 2¢
smf at 4LAKids - some of the news that doesn't fit - 1 week ago
The district expects insurance to cover all of it. LA Now Live is a Daily Webcast/Interview/Call-In/”Conversation with the Newsroom” sponsored by the LA Times | This is a transcript of the webcast from last Wednesday | http://lat.ms/WMhDF1 March 13, 2013 | 7:40 am :: Attorneys representing parents in 58 legal claims have agreed to a $30-million settlement with the Los Angeles Unified School
140 CHARACTERS (OR LESS) GATHER IN SAN DIEGO: Tokofsky tweets from the California Charter Schools Conference
smf at 4LAKids - some of the news that doesn't fit - 1 week ago
smf/4LAKids/14March2013: The California Charter Schools Association – which pretends to altruistically represent all the charter schools in California – but in actuality represents/advocates-for/lobbies-on-behalf-of the charter schools that pay to join the trade association (which tends to align with the big-box charter management organizations ) – is holding its annual convention in San Diego
SUSPENDING SOME STANDARDIZED TESTS WOULD SAVE STATE $15 MILLION
smf at 4LAKids - some of the news that doesn't fit - 1 week ago
-- Teresa Watanabe | LA Times/LA Now | http://lat.ms/XyOFcu Photo: State Supt. of Public Instruction Tom Torlakson in a 2010 file photo. Credit: Brian van der Brug / Los Angeles Times March 13, 2013 | 9:07 pm :: A plan to suspend California’s standardized testing for certain grades while new computerized exams are developed could save $15 million, the state’s top education official said
L.A. SCHOOLS FALLING APART, LITERALLY + smf’s 2¢
smf at 4LAKids - some of the news that doesn't fit - 1 week ago
Years of budget cuts have meant many repairs simply aren't getting done. There are at least 35,442 unresolved calls for service and repairs, with about 1,100 more coming in each day. By Steve Lopez, LA Times Columnist | http://lat.ms/10G4cUz The bleachers in the Marshall High School gymnasium are an example of disrepair plaguing L.A. Unified schools, with holes in
LAUSD CHARTERS WOULD LOSE FUNDING UNDER GOVERNOR BROWN’S ‘LOCAL CONTROL FUNDING FORMULA’ + smf’s 2¢
smf at 4LAKids - some of the news that doesn't fit - 1 week ago
By Barbara Jones, Staff Writer, LA Daily News | http://bit.ly/YrDagv 3/12/2013 04:15:12 PM PDT :: Wilbur Elementary got $230,000 in state grants when it converted to a charter last fall, a windfall that allowed the Tarzana campus to keep class sizes small and provide personalized help to struggling students. Now, administrators at Wilbur and other affiliated charters, nearly all of them in
LAUSD ANNOUNCES MULTIMILLION-DOLLAR SETTLEMENT OF 58 OF 191 MIRAMONTE SEX ABUSE CLAIMS
smf at 4LAKids - some of the news that doesn't fit - 1 week ago
BY Vanessa Romo With contributions by AP | Pass / Fail | 89.3 KPCC | http://bit.ly/Y9pDhF Grant Slater/KPCC Parents of students at Miramonte Elementary School escort children out of school on Feb. 6, 2012. March 12th, 2013, 6:29pm :: After months of mediation with students and their families the Los Angeles Unified School District announced Tuesday it settled 58 lawsuits over allegations
1:1 Computing/"Tablets4All": MURDOCH GROUP UNVEILS AMPLIFY TABLET FOR U.S. SCHOOLS
smf at 4LAKids - some of the news that doesn't fit - 1 week ago
from the wonderful folks who brought you the Phone Hacking Scandal in the UK, Fox News in the US, and gave a quarter-of-a-million-dollars (so far) to Mayor Tony’s School Board Slate PAC. BBC News (UK) - http://bbc.in/10KMLGh The Amplify tablets come preloaded with a digital curriculum 6 March 2013 Last updated at 08:11 ET :: A new tablet for schools has been unveiled by Rupert
LAUSD Board of Ed Election 2013: DIVIDED OVER L.A. UNIFIED
smf at 4LAKids - some of the news that doesn't fit - 1 week ago
United Teachers Los Angeles remains at odds with the district over reform measures. LA Times Editorial | http://lat.ms/WkjFtq Newly reelected school board member Steve Zimmer is seen on election night. (Los Angeles Times / March 5, 2013) March 12, 2013 :: One nasty election later, there is no sign that the divisiveness in the Los Angeles Unified School District will abate. If anything, it
Parent Trigger @ 24th St Elementary: LA PARENTS GET 4 OFFERS TO RUN FAILING SCHOOL
smf at 4LAKids - some of the news that doesn't fit - 1 week ago
They wanted a new principal …they may get given away! The Associated Press from the San Jose Mercury News | http://bit.ly/Xnvlib 3/11/2013 03:24:39 PM PDT :: LOS ANGELES—Parents seeking to reform a failing Los Angeles Unified elementary school have received bids from four organizations, including the school district. The 24th Street Elementary Parents Union said Monday that Los Angeles
1:1 Computing/"Tablets 4 All" RFP: LAUSD INVITES PROPOSALS FOR MAJOR ED-TECH CONTRACT + RFP
smf at 4LAKids - some of the news that doesn't fit - 1 week ago
By Sean Cavanagh, Marketplace K-12 - Education Week http://bit.ly/YpimGy March 11, 2013 9:47 AM :: The Los Angeles Unified School District recently approved plans to spend $50 million initially—and up to $500 million over time—to provide all students in the nation's second-largest school system with a computer device. It's the kind of business opportunity that the leaders of many of the
THE WRONG FIGHT OVER SCHOOLS: Wasting money on a school board election
smf at 4LAKids - some of the news that doesn't fit - 1 week ago
The politics of education need to shift from who controls governance to building the system's capacity Op-Ed in the LA Times by By Charles Taylor Kerchner | http://lat.ms/Yoeo0G LAUSD Board President Monica Garcia, right, and Schools Superintendent John Deasy listen to deliberations at a board meeting. (Los Angeles Times / March 13, 2012) March 11, 2013 :: Over the last century,
HEAD START CUTS COULD MEAN 2,000 FEWER SEATS IN L.A. COUNTY
smf at 4LAKids - some of the news that doesn't fit - 1 week ago
As they wait to see whether the cuts are allowed to go forward, educators worry that the ultimate effects could trickle down generations. By Dalina Castellanos, Los Angeles Times | http://lat.ms/13RUGmd Teacher Janet Matthews gets the attention of preschoolers Daniela Caudillo, left, Henry Saenz and Esther Morataya in a PACE early education program. (Lawrence K. Ho, Los Angeles