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Monday, April 14, 2014

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How Common Core education standards are changing the way LAUSD schools test children



Education Headlines

Monday, April 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 to save Long Beach Unified $2 million over next 25 years

Thanks to the newly installed solar panels at Cabrillo High, Long Beach Unified School District expects to slash its utility bills by $2 million over the next 25 years.

Fresno Unified, teachers take contract dispute into fact-finding phase

 Contract talks between the Fresno Teachers Association and the Fresno Unified School District stalled Friday as state-appointed mediators determined that no settlement in the months-long deadlock was possible.

Santa Ana school police seek witnesses in use-of-force investigation involving teen

Santa Ana Unified School District Police Chief Hector Rodriguez asked for witnesses to come forward as the department investigates video footage apparently showing a school police officer restraining a sobbing 14-year-old boy with a headlock.

Sweetwater's next challenge

The Sweetwater Union High School District may have cleared a hurdle by reaching a three-year tentative contact agreement Thursday with the teachers union, but it’s not out of the woods yet.

SD school workers want raises, no healthcare increases

Cafeteria workers, landscapers, clerks and other nonteaching employees of the San Diego Unified School District are asking for higher wages and fighting to prevent changes to health benefits during labor negotiations. The roughly 6,000 employees have made their case public, distributing fliers and holding rallies to promote their cause.

Report: State agency ill-equipped to spot school district food service fraud

Recent mismanagement issues with the nutrition services departments of two San Bernardino County school districts, Colton Joint Unified and Rialto Unified, are among a series of similar problems in California made worse by “overmatched” state investigators facing what could be a flood of such cases, according to a report prepared last year for the state Senate.

McKinleyville district, teachers each turn in 'final offers'

With offers to end a nearly year-long labor dispute now under review by a mediator, officials from the McKinleyville Union School District and the McKinleyville Teachers Association both sounded notes of optimism Friday over the chance of striking a deal soon.

Schools aim to get truants back into class

Inland educators are working to reverse what a top state official has called a school “crisis” – one of every five elementary students in California were truant.

How Common Core education standards are changing the way LAUSD schools test children

This spring, in California and states across the nation, the usual barrage of standardized tests have been put on hold. California districts are getting used to track the quality of schools and districts over time. Instead, educators are preparing for the next big thing: The new Smarter Balanced English-language arts and mathematics tests that school districts have already begun using in classrooms.

Swett board exploring bond to replace Carquinez Middle School in Crockett

 The John Swett School District took the first step in replacing its aging middle school April 9, when the board commissioned a poll that will test the community's receptiveness to placing a $50 million bond measure on the November ballot.

Teen substance abuse is the new 'normal,' school counselor says

Gone are the days when "stoners" could be picked out of a crowd on high school campuses, a counselor at College Park High warned parents this week. These days, Jason Lechner told the parents and students Thursday night, even star athletes and top-achieving students drink, smoke marijuana, abuse prescription painkillers or have tried heroin.

L.A. teachers union president ready to step aside for challenger

Los Angeles teachers' union president Warren Fletcher said he will no longer actively campaign for reelection, clearing the path for challenger Alex Caputo-Pearl to become the next leader of United Teachers Los Angeles.

'Premium' on school bond issues violates law

Despite warnings that the practice is illegal, schools across California continue to squeeze extra cash out of bond deals to pay banks and lawyers – leaving taxpayers with an unexpected bill.<
Friday, April 11, 2014

Kern High School District approves last group of raises

The Kern High School District board approved a last round of 5 percent raises for union members -- this time transportation workers -- during a special board meeting Thursday.

Preliminary deal reached in Oxnard Union contract talks

The Oxnard Union High School District and employee union leaders have reached a tentative deal, ending a contract negotiation process that led to several packed school board meetings. Reached on Wednesday, the deal calls for at least a 2 percent raise and the elimination of five furlough days.

California Department of Education: Colton Joint Unified ‘now in compliance’ on financial issues

Eight months after issuing a report that harshly criticized how Colton Joint Unified used the district’s cafeteria fund and the failure of staff to obey state and federal regulations, the California Department of Education said Thursday that the district is “now in compliance” with required regulations.

FBI initiates probe into Centinela Valley school district activities

The FBI is beginning to probe the activities of the Centinela Valley high school district at a time when the board has vowed to do a full investigation in the wake of Superintendent Jose Fernandez’s placement on paid leave this week.

Fresno County educators, Sikh leaders vow to work against bullying

Valley Sikh leaders and Fresno County educators at a public forum addressing the bullying of Sikh American students say they are willing to work together to resolve the problem.

Sweetwater talks yield tentative deal

The Sweetwater Union High School District and its teachers union reached a tentative contract agreement Thursday night after a year of contentious negotiations and a strike authorization vote just last month.

Legislation to strengthen mandated reporting by teachers makes gains

Two bills -- one to strengthen teachers' mandated reporting requirements and the other to provide additional funding for new state education standards -- were approved by the Assembly Education Committee.

Mt. Diablo trustees approve administrator raises, leave out top managers

The Mt. Diablo school board on Wednesday approved about $1.1 million in administrator raises and bonuses, but in a 4-1 vote excluded four top managers covered by contracts.

High-paid South Bay schools superintendent is put on leave

A South Bay schools superintendent who attracted scrutiny for his $674,559 pay was placed on administrative leave this week, pending an internal investigation.

EdSource: Southern California districts seeking parent input on funding plans

Making parents partners in the state's new school funding process and encouraging them to share their ideas and opinions is a complex and delicate task that has taken many forms in three of the school districts
Thursday, April 10, 2014

Preliminary deal reached in Oxnard Union contract talks

The Oxnard Union High School District and its union leaders have reached a tentative deal, ending a contract negotiations process that packed a couple of school board meetings.

Contract approved for new Tracy Unified chief

A three-year contract naming Brian Stephens as the next superintendent for Tracy Unified schools was approved Tuesday night by the district school board, with one abstention and one absence.