FCMAT » Cali Education News Monday, August 19, 2013

FCMAT » Fiscal Crisis & Management Assistance Team:

NYC Educator: Arne Duncan Sics His Flying Monkeys on Diane Ravitch

 Monday, August 19, 2013

Enrollment up in many Marin schools this year

"We're seeing increased enrollment in many districts," Marin County Superintendent of Schools Mary Jane Burke said. "Mill Valley has 200 more kids. San Rafael has an increase in numbers. We are lucky to get more children this year."

Frey: Principals take the initiative to keep school open in the summer

Despite tight district budgets, some principals in Los Angeles Unified and Oakland Unified have on their own initiative figured out a way to provide programs this summer by reaching out to their local communities and private foundations for support.

Fresno Unified School District faces big year with new money, new standards

Fresno Unified officials say they're preparing for a historic year as the district gets an extra $15 million from the state, freedom from federal accountability laws and a new set of education standards. But the changes are creating heartburn for some teachers and school board members, who worry new programs will bring higher expectations and put extra pressure on already-overworked educators.

Pension perk under scrutiny

Top administrators at Twin Rivers Unified enjoy a perk considered rare for public school employees: They don't have to pay any portion of their pension contributions. The district has given this benefit to its top brass since it formed in 2008 in a merger of four north Sacramento area districts. Since then, Twin Rivers has extended the perk to 13 past and present administrators.

Education changes place demands on parents too

Over the next two years, academic demands on students will change dramatically across all grades, as new Common Core State Standards-based curriculum pushes kids to think more creatively and critically about school subjects and the world around them.

Chino Valley Unified Board delays additional hours for aides

Board members unanimously restored $1.3 million of classified positions and work days to the current school year at the meeting. But one item on the superintendent’s list of recommended restorations was tabled. That was to increase the work day by one hour for 29 special education instruction aides.

Republican lawmaker pulls son from class over California transgender law

A Republican state lawmaker says a new California law allowing transgender students to choose which restroom and locker room they use is part of the reason at least one of his sons will not return to his local public school this fall.

Number of Marin children without vaccinations continues to grow; health officials worried

The number of Marin parents choosing not to vaccinate their children when they enter kindergarten is continuing to grow, despite the best efforts of local public health officials to educate the community about the dangers of opting out.

Yoga helps children focus, relieve stress and concentrate at school

It may be a rare sight to see an American child practicing yoga. But starting kids off early with yoga helps them develop skills to manage stress, relax, and improve concentration and self-esteem, a local instructor says. Read more here:http://www.sacbee.com/2013/08/16/5655260/yogo-helps-children-focus-relieve.html#mi_rss=Our%20Region#storylink=cpy

Gov. Brown urged to restrict suspensions for 'willful defiance'

Civil right leaders from across the country sent a letter this week to Gov. Jerry Brown encouraging him to support legislation that would ban expulsions and restrict suspensions for "willful defiance" in California schools.

Deasy: $1 billion price tag to restore staff, programs to pre-recession levels

The battle is expected to begin in earnest Tuesday over how Los Angeles Unified should spend hundreds of millions of dollars in revenue generated by a voter-approved sales-tax hike that will bring a windfall to the district under the state’s new education-funding formula.

L.A. Unified president pushes board’s authority to set policy

The new president of the Los Angeles Unified school board is moving aggressively to reshape the panel’s operation and mission, including plans to improve communication, enhance collaboration and take a more decisive stance in setting district policy.