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Friday, February 14, 2014

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The school standards rebellion

Education Headlines

Friday, February 14, 2014
FCMAT provides links to California K-12 news stories as a service to the industry. However, some stories may not be accessible because of newspapers' subscription policies.

Solar panels pay off for Scott Valley schools

A recent review showed that the devices are exceeding expectations for energy collection.

Monterey Peninsula USD working through its math problem

Math scores throughout the Monterey Peninsula Unified School District show that students are struggling mightily.

Long Beach charter New City Public Schools avoids California Dept. of Education disciplinary action

New City Public Schools will not be disciplined by the state for failing to meet targets on standardized tests.

Rialto Unified board: Superintendent's fate to be decided soon

The top two administrators in the Rialto Unified School District being out on paid leave for the past five months have cost taxpayers the equivalent of three veteran teachers during that time. But the pair won’t be in limbo much longer, according to board members.

Fresno Unified says teacher contract talks are at impasse, teachers union disagrees

Over the objections of the teachers' union, Fresno Unified School District on Thursday unilaterally declared an impasse in negotiations for a new labor contract.

Teacher put on leave after massage allegations

A veteran third-grade teacher at Salt Creek Elementary School in Chula Vista who was placed on leave for allegedly soliciting massages from her students in exchange for “class dollars” will not finish the school year after more parents complained when she returned to the classroom.

Grossmont school board discusses members' rights

Tension among Grossmont Union High School District trustees was evident Thursday when the board passed a resolution to limit trustees' attendance at meetings of the district's Bond Oversight Committee.

LAUSD food effort makes local farms healthier too

The district is working with local farms that produce vegetables, a program that offers relief as growers switch from fruit over worries about an invasive and deadly citrus pest.

Adams: Proposal would allow military instructors to teach physical education

High school military instructors could become authorized physical education teachers if a contentious regulation change before the state Commission on Teacher Credentialing is approved Friday.

California schools have $37.5 billion in unissued bonds

Though California has exhausted its authorization to issue state bonds for schools, school and community college districts have $37.5 billion in approved but unissued local school construction bonds.

The school standards rebellion

A standards rebellion — or in the eyes of the opponents, the dumbing down of America — is sweeping red states and blue, promoted by both Republicans and Democrats. President Barack Obama has called for a rigorous college-prep curriculum for all students. States, however, are responding with defiance: They’re letting teens study welding instead of Spanish, take greenhouse management in place of physics and learn car repair instead of muddling over imaginary numbers.
Thursday, February 13, 2014

Moorpark school superintendent to retire June 30

Moorpark Unified School District Superintendent Teresa Williams announced Tuesday that she will be retiring and her last day with the district will be June 30.

Simi Valley school trustees take up financial matters

After weeks of talking about closing schools, Simi Valley trustees broadened their discussion to money matters this week, taking up their future budget, a potential bond measure and the sale of surplus property.

Rowland teachers call for new superintendent

Just minutes after the Rowland Unified School District school board evaluated their superintendent behind closed doors Tuesday night, a steady stream of teachers evaluated him in public — in front of all gathered inside a packed board room.

Monterey Peninsula USD working through its math problem

Students are refining and improving their algebra knowledge with a computer program called Assessment and Learning in Knowledge Spaces, or ALEKS, which evaluates students' skills before giving them more challenging problems.

Long Beach charter New City Public Schools avoids California Dept. of Education disciplinary action

New City Public Schools will not be disciplined by the state for failing to meet targets on standardized tests.

Fresno Unified says confidential information will be secure

Fresno Unified Superintendent Michael Hanson assured parents Wednesday night that confidential information about district schools and students sent to a research institution at Stanford University will be secure.

Los Al school board OKs graduation at church hall

Two middle-school graduations and a concert will be held at a local megachurch this year despite arguments by a parent and atheist group that it would violate the separation of church and state.

Ocean View to overhaul tech gear, infrastructure

The Ocean View School District has developed standards for what type of technology to have in its classrooms, announcing a massive overhaul of the district's technology and infrastructure costing about $1.9 million.