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Tuesday, May 21, 2013

UPDATE: FCMAT » Cali Education Headlines Tuesday, May 21, 2013

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California won't try again for No Child Left Behind waiver





Education Headlines

Tuesday, May 21, 2013

Frey: May budget revise offers funding reprieve to some Regional Occupational Centers

Some California Regional Occupational Centers – the primary providers of career technical education for high school students in the state – have been given a reprieve from Gov. Jerry Brown’s original plan to eliminate any future dedicated funding for them.

New form of discipline aims to keep students in school

In the Newport-Mesa Unified School District, hundreds of students are suspended each year under a strict zero-tolerance policy. But this school year, the district is working to reduce its number of suspensions through a new form of discipline called restorative justice.

Transitional Kindergarten is for new kids on the block

Before 2012, children who turned 5 on or before Dec. 2 were eligible to start kindergarten that fall. The Kindergarten Readiness Act rolled that date back to Nov. 1 last fall. It will be Oct. 1 this coming school year, and finally Sept. 1 in 2014. Transitional Kindergarten is offered for those children whose birthdays are caught up in the roll back.

Denair parents ask schools chief tough questions

How many kids will be in my daughter's class next year? Will there be Advanced Placement classes next year? How do we stop kids from leaving Denair High? Can we afford to pay you $600 a day? Parents peppered Denair Unified Interim Superintendent Walt Hanline with frank questions and got no-nonsense answers Monday night.

Funding to L.A. magnet school restored

School district officials have reversed a decision that cost a top-performing Los Angeles campus about $300,000 in funding after parents uncovered evidence that a bureaucratic error led to the loss of funds. Five other schools also are likely to get more dollars as well.

Union City: Teacher accused of molesting students had 'cutiest girl list,' child tells police

Police say third-grade teacher Michael Howey made sure he had extracurricular activities for girls -- specifically arts and crafts, during recess for a choice group of students who made his "cutiest (sic) girl list."

Mt. Diablo school board appoints interim superintendent

The Mt. Diablo school board on Monday appointed John Bernard as interim superintendent through Sept. 30 and selected Leadership Associates to conduct its search for a permanent superintendent.

Brentwood school district places principal and teacher on leave after alleged incident

The principal and a teacher at Loma Vista Elementary have been placed on administrative leave while the Brentwood school district investigates the handling of a parent's claim regarding alleged abuse, which the police have since deemed unfounded.

Trial begins In lawsuit over Encinitas school district yoga class

Trial of a lawsuit that seeks to stop yoga instruction in the Encinitas Union School District got underway today in a San Diego courtroom. The lawsuit was filed by the National Center for Law and Policy on behalf of Stephen and Jennifer Sedlock, whose children attend one of the district's nine schools. They contend that Ashtanga yoga is religious in nature, and that opting out costs students physical education time.

California won't get relief from No Child Left Behind law

The federal government made it clear again Monday that California will get no relief from education mandates that officials across the country consider a burden.

California won't try again for No Child Left Behind waiver

Citing the difficulty of reforming the state's education system, California will not make another attempt to get a waiver of the federal law requires that every youngster be proficient in English and math by 2014, officials said Monday.
Monday, May 20, 2013

Common Core collaboration among local teachers 'unprecedented'

Although Common Core goes into great detail about what students should know when, the state Board of Education hasn't dictated how teachers should teach the new standards, nor has it provided a curriculum or instructional materials.

School safety concerns latest issue for Linden Unified

Four Waverly Elementary School parents have filed uniform complaints with the California Department of Education against Linden Unified School District.

Soledad Unified hires new superintendent

A veteran educator from Southern California has been hired as superintendent of the Soledad Unified School District. Rupi Boyd, who holds a doctorate among several degrees and credentials, was hired May 8.