Education News & Comment

Education News & Comment:

"Please mark your calendar

First District Advisory Committee (DAC) General meeting
October 20, 2009

Special Guests to include:
Mr. Jonathan Raymond, New SCUSD Superintendent
Dr. Geni Boyer, the Director of Cambridge Academies/California Parent Information Resource Center (PIRC)"

At this meeting we have the following:

* Our new district superintendent, Mr. Jonathan Raymond will be there to greet you and introduce himself and his vision for the district.

* Guest Speaker Dr. Geni Boyer, the Director of Cambridge Academies/California Parent Information Resource Center (PIRC) 2. She will be speaking about parental engagement, school policies, Section 1118, school compacts, accountability and how school site councils can lead improvement at school sites. She is dedicated to promoting, supporting and sustaining educational opportunities for disadvantaged and at-risk students. Check out PIRC 2 website for helpful information: http://www.calpirc.org/. Dr. Boyer is very knowledgeable. Ask your questions.

* An overview of School Site Council and DAC which will help you know which task are at the local site and which are at the district level.* The Consolidated Application Overview, Part I for 2010-2011 & Part II (2009-2010)

* Welcoming School Training with Jeana Preston, Director of the California Parent Center on October 21, 2009- See attachment.
Website: http://parent.sdsu.edu/

* Special Handouts folder: SES/Choice, District Parent Involvement Policy, District Administrative Regulations (Section 1118), Leadership Academy Applications, School Site Council Overview & Scope, CDE Parent Involvement flyer (also available in Spanish & Chinese), and more.

Wanda Yañez
ChairpersonDistrict Advisory Committee (DAC)
Sacramento City Unified School District
Work: (916) 654-7729

UC Davis Over-Reported Sex Assault Stats - Sacramento News Story - KCRA Sacramento

UC Davis Over-Reported Sex Assault Stats - Sacramento News Story - KCRA Sacramento:

"DAVIS, Calif. -- The University of California, Davis, said it significantly over-reported the number of forcible sex offenses that were committed on and around campus in 2005, 2006 and 2007."

The findings announced Thursday are based on an internal review and an independent, outside review of the crime statistics the university reports each year to the federal government under the Clery Act, the school said in a news release.

Specifically, in last year's Clery Act statistics, UC Davis reported 48, 68 and 69 forcible sex offenses in 2005, 2006 and 2007, respectively.

However, based on the two recent reviews, the university has determined that the correct statistics for each of the years are less than half of the earlier numbers: 21 reported in 2005, 23 in 2006 and 33 in 2007.

The Clery Act requires publication of an annual report that contains specified campus crime statistics for the previous three calendar years.

Education Week: Books Face Extinction as Schools Go High-Tech

Education Week: Books Face Extinction as Schools Go High-Tech:

"Hitting the books is becoming a thing of the past, as more schools across Massachusetts implement virtual classrooms and equip students with laptops.

'If you look at a textbook it's very static. It's very convoluted,' said Hopkinton High math teacher Carla Crisafulli, who will post homework assignments to moodle.org and use Jing to create lesson voice-overs. 'We're going to be able to reach out via the Internet and make geometry come alive.'

Hopkinton High is piloting a physics course that will be conducted exclusively online, said Principal Alyson Geary. For freshman geometry and junior American literature, students will carry laptops instead of textbooks."

http://www.cetpa-k12.org/pub/htdocs//affiliates.html

Teacher Magazine: EPA Warns of Cancer-Causing PCBs in Schools

Teacher Magazine: EPA Warns of Cancer-Causing PCBs in Schools:

"The danger to students is uncertain, and EPA does not know for sure how many schools could be affected. But the agency is telling schools that they should test old caulk and remove it if PCBs turn up in significant amounts.

EPA Administrator Lisa Jackson said PCBs remain in schools and many other buildings built before the chemicals were banned in the late 1970s.

'We're concerned about the potential risks associated with exposure to these PCBs, and we're recommending practical, common sense steps to reduce this exposure as we improve our understanding of the science,' Jackson said in a news release issued Friday."

English Companion

English Companion:

"A place to ask questions and get help. A community dedicated to helping you enjoy your work. A cafe without walls or coffee: just friends."

Parents consider paying teachers | HonoluluAdvertiser.com | The Honolulu Advertiser

Parents consider paying teachers HonoluluAdvertiser.com The Honolulu Advertiser:

"Parents at some public schools are looking into the possibility of renting their schools and paying teachers directly to keep their children learning on 'furlough Fridays.'"

The plan has caused some concern that Hawai'i's public school system is opening itself up to a new form of privatized education.

Several Parent Teacher Student Associations around the Islands are trying to figure out how much it would cost per family to pay to have their children's teachers in school during 17 upcoming teacher furlough days — and to keep the school lights on and the air conditioning running, said Valerie Sonoda, president of the Hawai'i State PTSA.

The topic was discussed at a meeting last week at 'Aikahi Elementary School attended by about 50 parents.

Some were concerned that they — and not their tax dollars — would bear the direct costs of educating their children on teacher furlough days.

NEA moves to help poor schools with best teachers - USATODAY.com

NEA moves to help poor schools with best teachers - USATODAY.com:

"Van Roekel said the move is part of the union's 'Priority Schools' campaign that will also encourage 'the most accomplished teachers-members' to start their teaching careers in high-needs schools, remain there or transfer there.

In the past, NEA has come under fire from critics for supporting contracts that allow experienced teachers with more seniority to transfer to schools that serve more middle-class children.

The critics include the Education Trust, a Washington-based advocacy group for low-income and minority students.

'They've said (it's a) local issue,' says Amy Wilkins, the Education Trust's vice president for government affairs. 'That's a non-approach.'
Wilkins on Tuesday said that she welcomes the move but that she's not holding her breath. 'I want to see it,' she said."

D.C. Launches Rigorous Teacher Evaluation System - washingtonpost.com

D.C. Launches Rigorous Teacher Evaluation System - washingtonpost.com:

"Rhee is investing $4 million in the system, called IMPACT, which will also assess teachers against an elaborate new framework of requirements and guidelines that cover a range of factors, including classroom presence and how carefully they check for student understanding of the material.

But IMPACT is likely to be another flash point in Rhee's turbulent relationship with local and national teachers union leaders. They say that growth statistics are too unreliable to include in performance evaluations and that the new assessment system -- which the District can legally impose without union consent -- is an instrument to identify and remove struggling teachers, not a means to help them improve."

Parent involvement in education month celebrated in October | International Falls Daily Journal

Parent involvement in education month celebrated in October International Falls Daily Journal:

"Research shows that students learn more, have higher grades, and have better school attendance when parents are involved.

Try some of the following activities with your child to encourage success:

• Look for upcoming school activities or events that you could be involved in
• Check out books at the library that relate to what your child is learning in school.
• Have a family game night. Have your child keep score.
• Have a family reading night. One person can read aloud, or everyone can read silently.
• Talk with your children about their day. What was the best part?"

Berkeley High School to open yet another academy -- for green energy - Inside Bay Area

Berkeley High School to open yet another academy -- for green energy - Inside Bay Area:

"School launched Green Academy, its own environmentally conscious program. Berkeley High already offers an academy for social justice and ecology, as well as for arts and sciences, community partnerships, and arts and humanities.

Four other California schools were awarded the green energy grant: Foothill High School in Sacramento, Independence High School in Bakersfield, Venture Academy in Stockton and Edison High School in Fresno."

Budget woes, school reform collide - Sacramento News - Local and Breaking Sacramento News | Sacramento Bee

Budget woes, school reform collide - Sacramento News - Local and Breaking Sacramento News Sacramento Bee:

"O'Connell said California schools must continue to improve test scores and narrow the achievement gap, despite diminishing budgets.

He's hoping for help for reforms from another pool of federal money, $4.35 billion in competitive federal education grants for the program called Race to the Top. The funds will go to as many as 20 states that can set up winning models for education innovation, according to federal officials. Applications for the funds are due in December. The first round of awards will be given in March.

'The Race to the Top money is an unprecedented amount of federal dollars for systematic change,' O'Connell said."

Despite evidence to contrary, Fox News machine claims Jennings "cover[ed] up statutory rape" | Media Matters for America

Despite evidence to contrary, Fox News machine claims Jennings "cover[ed] up statutory rape" Media Matters for America:

"Despite evidence to the contrary, Fox News -- led by Sean Hannity -- and other right-wing media have claimed that Department of Education official Kevin Jennings 'cover[ed] up statutory rape' and violated Massachusetts law by not reporting to authorities a 1988 conversation in which a high school student told Jennings about his relationship with an older man. In fact, Jennings' attorney wrote in a 2004 letter that the student was 16 years old, which is -- and was at the time -- the legal age of consent in Massachusetts."

» Dept of Education statements on 1988 incident involving “Safe School” Czar Kevin Jennings Row 2, Seat 4 « FOXNews.com

» Dept of Education statements on 1988 incident involving “Safe School” Czar Kevin Jennings Row 2, Seat 4 « FOXNews.com:

"The Department of Education has put out the following statements today regarding a 1988 incident involving Kevin Jennings, who was named Assistant Deputy Secretary or Safe and Drug-Free Schools in July. The incident is detailed in his book, 'One Teacher In 10,' and details how as a young teacher in Concord, MA, he did not go to school authorities after an underage student, 'Brewster', told him that he had been involved with an older man."

SN&R > Columns > Bites > Serious misgivings > 10.01.09

SN&R > Columns > Bites > Serious misgivings > 10.01.09:

"When the council, under the influence of some arm twisting by Johnson and his paid political team, rushed the strong-mayor proposal onto the June 2010 ballot—the Bee supported the move. That undercut the work of the charter committee and precluded discussion of many of the alternative reforms that were on the committee’s agenda—including major election reform, term limits and the creation of an ethics commission.

But you wouldn’t know any of that from reading the Bee, which hasn’t covered any of the meetings or any of the discussion of the committee, and indeed has barely even acknowledged that the committee exists."

Schwarzenegger's Crusade | Newsweek Leadership and the Environment | Newsweek.com

Schwarzenegger's Crusade Newsweek Leadership and the Environment Newsweek.com:

"Once pilloried for driving his Hummer (he now has hydrogen and biodiesel models), Schwarzenegger is out to prove that environmentalism and hedonism can coexist. 'That was the point of doing the show,' he says later, over lunch. 'To show people that biofuel is not like some wimpy feminine car, like a hybrid. Because the muscle guys, they have this thing: 'I don't want to be seen in the little, feminine car'.'"

Capitol Alert: AM Alert: Greening the globe

Capitol Alert: AM Alert: Greening the globe:

"Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger kicks off his second global summit on climate issues today.

Leaders from more than 70 states, provinces and countries are expected to attend the four-day conference in Los Angeles. Schwarzenegger, EPA Administrator Lisa Jackson, former British Prime Minister Tony Blair and the governors of six other U.S. states are on tap as speakers.

As Kevin Yamamura reported in Tuesday's Bee, Schwarzenegger is looking to shore up his legacy by shining a spotlight on his environmental achievements, namely the 2006 passage and signing of AB 32."

ACS: Access Data

ACS: Access Data

American Community Survey (ACS)

Census Bureau Releases 2008 American Community Survey Data

The U.S. Census Bureau today released the latest American Community Survey (ACS) data, providing a statistical portrait of the characteristics of the nation’s population in 2008.

According to the new snapshot, one-in-four people in Texas (24.1 percent) lacked health insurance in 2008, the highest rate in the nation. At the other end of the spectrum, fewer than one-in-20 Massachusetts residents (4.1 percent) lacked coverage.

Health insurance coverage was one of three new topics added to the ACS for 2008. Every question on the ACS is included either because the data are required to satisfy one or more federal laws, regulations or court decisions, or are needed to manage federal programs and allocate more than $400 billion of federal tax dollars annually to states and local communities.

The ongoing survey of approximately 3 million addresses every year provides one of the most complete pictures of our population available. It covers more than 40 topics such as income, educational attainment, housing, family structure and more. All survey responses are strictly confidential and protected by law.

Today’s release compiles social, housing, demographic and select economic data collected throughout 2008 and includes areas with populations of 65,000 or more. Additional 2008 ACS economic data related to family income, poverty and receipt of food stamps will be released on Tuesday, Sept. 29.

Get Data
American FactFinder (AFF)
File Transfer Protocol (FTP) Site
Public Use Microdata Sample (PUMS) Files - Available Fall 2009
Request a Custom Tabulation

Data User Tools & Tips

What's New & Notable
Highlights of changes to the 2008 ACS, including new content and products
2008 Data Product Details
Table shells/IDs, maps, geographic areas, and more
2008 ACS 1-Year Estimates-->
The ACS Compass Products
User-specific handbooks, PowerPoint presentations, and other educational materials
Comparing ACS Data
Guidance on making data comparisons between the 2008 ACS, 2007 ACS, and Census 2000
2008 ACS 1-Year Estimates
Using Multiyear Estimates
Guidance on how to use the new ACS multiyear estimates
Geographic Overview
Details on geographic areas in ACS data products

Education Week: Demand Soars for Stimulus-Backed Facilities Bonds

Education Week: Demand Soars for Stimulus-Backed Facilities Bonds:

"Construction bonding authority—a technical, and often obscure, source of capital funding for school districts—has emerged as a hot ticket for those looking to finance school facilities work under the federal government’s economic-stimulus program.

With little stimulus money expected to be left for construction after states make up for recession-driven budget cuts, districts are scrambling for some $24 billion or more in zero- or low-interest bonds under the $787 billion American Recovery and Reinvestment Act."

Barrett will discuss mayoral control of MPS in public forums - JSOnline

Barrett will discuss mayoral control of MPS in public forums - JSOnline:

"For the first time since he proposed changing the governance structure of Milwaukee Public Schools in mid-August, Mayor Tom Barrett will appear onstage with leading critics of mayoral control for two public meetings in the next week.

The organizers of the meetings - a trio of Milwaukee aldermen for Thursday's forum at Riverside High School, and leaders of the city and state PTA for next Tuesday's session at the Milwaukee Center for Independence - say that they are planning inclusive discussions that will allow residents to ask questions."

New education chief hopes to expand pre-school programs, not budget | Arkansas News

New education chief hopes to expand pre-school programs, not budget Arkansas News:

"Pre-school programs could be made available to all of Arkansas’ 3- and 4-year-olds without additional state funding, the state’s new education commissioner said today.
Tom Kimbrell spent his first day as director of the state Department of Education meeting staff and attending a conference on the economic benefits of early childhood education.

In a speech at the Arkansas Economic Summit for Early Childhood, Kimbrell told more than 200 pre-school advocates that he hopes every child in Arkansas eventually has the opportunity to attend a pre-kindergarten program.

The Arkansas Better Chance program and its companion Arkansas Better Chance for School Success program serve more than 25,000 3- and 4-year-olds around the state."