FCMAT » Cali Education Headlines Monday, July 29, 2013

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Parent Trigger Law changes failing Adelanto school into new charter

Education Headlines

Monday, July 29, 2013

Alisal intends to drop Youth Orchestra Salinas

The Alisal Union School District Board of Trustees faces a serious culture clash when it convenes its meeting Wednesday night.

Fontana Unified school board members see more cooperation

"You could feel a difference when you walked into the room," said Kathy Binks, a 25-year veteran of the school board. She was referring to the first Fontana Unified school board meeting after a recall election ousted Leticia Garcia and Sophia Green. 

Parent Trigger Law changes failing Adelanto school into new charter

After years of legal and political battles, a controversial law giving parents the power to take control of a failing school will be put into action today, when the former public Desert Trails Elementary School will reopen as a charter school, Desert Trails Preparatory Academy.

Campus skylines changing as PV, Chico High projects continue moving on

It will be months before projects at Chico's two comprehensive high schools are completed, but the multi-million-dollar efforts are already changing the skylines at the two campuses.

Chico Unified School District's new fiscal chief has family ties to district

Even though Kevin Bultema has never been a teacher and doesn't have a credential, the vast majority of his professional career has involved the schools.

East valley school smoothie pilot program raises concern

Eastern Coachella Valley schools will introduce smoothies in an effort to add more fruits and vegetables to student meals, but some experts insist the sugar and calories in the drinks outweigh the nutritional benefits.

EEOC investigating Clovis Unified for discrimination

The federal Equal Employment Opportunity Commission is investigating Clovis Unified School District for allegedly discriminating against a veteran teacher who says she was treated unfairly based on her age.

Teachers, Capo reach tentative labor deal

Teachers would receive a salary boost under a tentative deal announced Friday by the Capistrano Unified School District.

Laid-off teachers hope to beat deadline

For the past three years, it was almost impossible for teacher Ann Brewer to take her eyes off the calendar. That's because when she was laid off in 2010 by the Temecula Valley Unified School District, Brewer and other teachers who lost their permanent jobs were put on a district re-employment list. They had 39 months to get rehired or they’d lose their jobs permanently.

Charter school offers academics, life skills, job training

The teachers make John Muir Charter School students want to come to class at Riverside’s Bryant Park, says student Cassandra Naranjo. The school for high school dropouts ages 16 to 24 or those who never graduated opened in the park’s community center in the Arlanza neighborhood almost a year ago and plans to open a second location in August at Bobby Bonds Park on Riverside’s Eastside.

Sylvan teachers get lesson on iPads to pass on the sixth-graders

Teachers in Sylvan Union School District took a turn on the other side of the notebook last week, learning how to use tablet technology they know their students will pick up in a snap

Security force, student discipline on Modesto school meeting agenda

The Modesto City Schools board will consider school safety and discipline issues when it meets tonight. Board members will discuss hiring school security guards or creating a school district police force. An agenda report gives no specifics on what it might cost to hire guards or create a force.

GED test changes have students scrambling

The process to get the certificate -- a vital badge of achievement for those who never earned a diploma -- is going through a major overhaul that happens about once a decade.

California national rank on per-pupil spending abysmal, but tide is poised to change

The state now ranks 35th in per pupil spending, according to the latest figures from the U.S. Census Bureau. Factor in cost-of-living considerations and California's place in the pecking order among all 50 states and the District of Columbia is a dismal 49. However, the needle is poised to begin moving in the other direction, thanks to two big game-changers.

Debate looms over how to spend money for high-needs students

As school districts statewide get their first revenue installment from Gov. Jerry Brown's new education funding model, Los Angeles Unified officials are debating the best way to boost the performance of disadvantaged students.

Baron: Q&A - Special trustee Bob Agrella talks about saving City College of San Francisco

Bob Agrella, the special trustee entrusted with saving City College of San Francisco, wants to make one thing clear: City College is fully accredited and open for business, and his intention is to keep it that way.

Friday, July 26, 2013

List of needs piling up at Scotts Valley schools

All four schools of Scotts Valley Unified School District are currently being assessed by a team of architects and engineers to point out the district's most immediate needs, though none is considered worse off than the 74-year-old middle school.

Late night school board protest cause of concern for teens

They came bearing signs, posters and hand-written speeches, more than 40 Valley High School students ready for an exercise in democracy: Addressing the Santa Ana Unified School Board in the hope of saving the jobs of two beloved teachers.

Adams: ‘Run, hide, fight’ new mantra for schools in post-Newtown environment

Traditional school safety techniques had students huddling in locked classrooms and waiting for rescue if danger approached during school hours. But tragic lessons in Newtown, Conn., and Columbine, Colo., have given rise to new recommendations from the U.S. Department of Education for keeping students safe: Run away and hide, they say. Or if you have to, fight.