The American Spectator : Arne Duncan City Limits

The American Spectator : Arne Duncan City Limits:

"As U.S. Secretary of Education, Arne Duncan is garnering much praise for rallying states to increase the number of charter schools and overhaul how teachers are trained and paid. But a string of stories about Chicago Public Schools, where Duncan served as its chief executive, are reminders that no one, not even Duncan, is a miracle worker when it comes to overhauling America's traditional public school districts.

On Sunday, Duncan's successor, Ron Huberman, drew criticism after the Chicago Tribune reported that he drove not one, but two cars -- including a hybrid version of Chevrolet's Malibu sedan -- leased on his behalf by the district for $1,800 a month. That news, along with the fact that the district leased a fleet of vehicles for its senior staff and other civil servants at an annual cost of $800,000, didn't sit too well with either the district's teachers or parents, who were already annoyed with Huberman over a new round of proposed school closings."

Text Of NJ Gov. Jon Corzine's State Of The State - cbs3.com

Text Of NJ Gov. Jon Corzine's State Of The State - cbs3.com:

"(AP) Remarks, as prepared, delivered Tuesday by Gov. Jon Corzine during his State of the State address:

Happy New Year to you all and a warm welcome to the members of the 214th legislature.

Let me especially welcome the new legislative leadership team.

Senate President Sweeney and Speaker Oliver."

Parents Choice Of Schools, Teachers & Principals - myMotherLode.com

Parents Choice Of Schools, Teachers & Principals - myMotherLode.com: "Governor Schwarzenegger was Tuesday's KVML 'Newsmaker of the Day'. Here are his words:

'Hello, this is Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger with another California Report.

The first week of January is always the busiest time of the year for a governor.

And we started this week with some very good news for education.

The California legislature passed major education-reform bills and let me tell you, many people thought that could never happen.

But we know too many children have been trapped in low-performing schools.
The exit doors may as well have been chained.

Now, parents have the right to free their children from underperforming schools without a principal's permission.

That means parents can send their children to a new school or even a new district. That is a great freedom."

California Chronicle | Governor Signs Simitian School Accountability Bill

California Chronicle | Governor Signs Simitian School Accountability Bill:

"SACRAMENTO – Governor Schwarzenegger signed Senate Bill (SB) 2 (in the 5th Extraordinary Session), authored by State Senator Joe Simitian (D-Palo Alto). Senate Bill X5 2 expands and improves public access to Californias student performance data (CALPADS). The bill passed during a special session focused on enacting legislation to qualify California to compete for up to $700 million in federal 'Race to the Top' funding.

'This bill is a step in the right direction for our schools,' Simitian said. 'It makes us more competitive for federal funding, and it will ultimately help us use scarce resources in the best way possible.'"

Local News | Legislature weighs giving up control over university tuition hikes | Seattle Times Newspaper

Local News | Legislature weighs giving up control over university tuition hikes | Seattle Times Newspaper:

"A proposal to allow the state's public universities to raise tuition without the Legislature's approval is gaining momentum in Olympia.

The University of Washington and Washington State University, in particular, long have wanted to set their undergraduate tuition rates but have been rebuffed by lawmakers who've wanted to retain that power and keep the cost of college in check.

However, the $2.6 billion state budget shortfall — on the heels of last year's big cuts to higher education — has prompted lawmakers to look again at the idea as a way to let the universities raise more money"

01.11.2010 - Researcher's study sheds new light on math ability, gender equity

01.11.2010 - Researcher's study sheds new light on math ability, gender equity:

"BERKELEY — Marcia Linn, a University of California, Berkeley, professor of education known for exploring the teaching and learning of science and their connection to gender, is offering proof once again that girls' math abilities are just as good as boys'.

Marcia Linn, professor of education
But Linn and her fellow researchers note in their global study, reported in the latest issue of American Psychological Association's Psychological Bulletin, that while there are only small differences, on average, between girls' and boys' math abilities, the gaps vary widely from country to country. For girls to perform as well as boys on math tests, the researchers found that they need equal access to education, encouragement to do well in math and female role models in math-oriented careers.

The study was funded by the National Science Foundation. It looked at results released in 2003 of two key math tests — one focusing on basic math knowledge and the other on students' ability to use math skills in the real world — that were administered to nearly half a million boys and girls between the ages of 14 and 16 in 69 countries. The tests were the Trends in International Mathematics and Science Study and the Programme for International Student Assessment."

California Munis: No Need to Panic - WSJ.com

California Munis: No Need to Panic - WSJ.com:

"It now costs more to insure Californian municipal debt against default than it does bonds issued by the government of Kazakhstan. The central Asian country satirized in 'Borat.'

That is neither a joke, nor hyperbole. Californian munis cost 2.6% of face value per year to insure, reports CMA DataVision in London, which tracks bond insurance data. Kazakh bonds: Just 1.8%. It is 'now less expensive to insure Kazakh debt than that of Greece, California and various other entities,' confirms CMA spokesman Simon Mott. (Crisis-stricken Greece, incidentally, costs about the same as California).

Borat, one. The Terminator, zero."

Education, other leaders call for state budget reform� Ventura County Star

Education, other leaders call for state budget reform� Ventura County Star:

"Pummeled by the state budget crisis and saying change is needed, local government and school officials listened to two plans for reforming California’s legislative and budget system at a forum this week.

“It has become no secret that our legislative process needs review and reformation, as evidenced by California’s recent budget struggles and with the political gridlock in Sacramento,” said John Walker, a Ventura Unified School District trustee who sits on the board of directors for the California School Boards Association.

“For some time, there has been keen interest in addressing our legislative and budgeting process. New directions are needed to get our state moving again,” he said."

State tries to attract math and science teachers | Politics | PE.com | Southern California News | News for Inland Southern California

State tries to attract math and science teachers | Politics | PE.com | Southern California News | News for Inland Southern California:

"SACRAMENTO - Some would-be teachers will have a new and potentially faster way to receive credentials under this month's state legislation meant to improve California's chances of getting federal school-improvement money.

Inland Assemblyman Brian Nestande said the change should help ease the state's shortage of math, science and vocational instructors by attracting mid-career people who want to teach but are unwilling to spend months in a traditional credentialing program.

It's for someone who says, 'I don't need to spend a year of my life getting a credential when I probably know the issue better than anyone in the room teaching me,' said Nestande, R-Palm Desert, who is vice chairman of the Assembly Education Committee. 'Let's try something different and try to get those people into the classroom.'"

Measures 66 and 67: considering the educational losses | The Stump - OregonLive.com

Measures 66 and 67: considering the educational losses | The Stump - OregonLive.com:

"Economists understand that taxes have consequences. But the effect of Measures 66 and 67 on most businesses and individuals in Oregon will be minimal, and the state will remain one of the lowest business tax states in the country.

How low? According to the conservative Tax Foundation, even with the new taxes, Oregon will rank 14th in lowest tax states. Thus Oregon businesses are neither excessively burdened by taxes, nor likely to find greener pastures elsewhere. The effect of the new taxes on employment is therefore likely to be very small, and may be more than offset in the short run by jobs preserved in social services, public safety and education."

States' report card ignores family data - UPI.com

States' report card ignores family data - UPI.com:

"PALO ALTO, Calif., Jan. 12 (UPI) -- A California education researcher said a category in an education magazine's annual states' report card doesn't accurately assess student potential for success.

Margaret Raymond, director of the Center for Research on Education Outcomes at Stanford University in Palo Alto, said the 'chance for success' area, one of six on the magazine Education Week's 'Quality Counts 2010' report cards, is not reliable in measuring a state's ability to help young people succeed, a release by Stanford University reported."

KCBS - State Lawmakers Approve Oil & Gas Tax for Education

KCBS - State Lawmakers Approve Oil & Gas Tax for Education:

"SACRAMENTO (KCBS) -- A state Assembly committee has passed legislation that would tax oil and gas companies who do business in California.

The Revenue and Taxation Committee approved the bill, authored by Assembly Majority Leader Alberto Torrico of Fremont.

The bill would pass the extra tax revenue from oil and gas firms to the state's cash-strapped public higher education institutions.

The legislation now heads to the Assembly Appropriations Committee and will be heard on Thursday, January 21st.

Similar legislation has been vetoed by the governor in the past."

Charter leaders must disclose financial details and follow policy on disabled students | L.A. NOW | Los Angeles Times

Charter leaders must disclose financial details and follow policy on disabled students | L.A. NOW | Los Angeles Times:

"Charter school operators will have to disclose details about their personal financial holdings under a new policy unanimously adopted today by the Los Angeles Unified School District's Board of Education.

Officials also affirmed that charter schools will have to abide by a sweeping court settlement over services to disabled students.

Both requirements were opposed by the California Charter Schools Assn."

'If you've got a trade, you've got it made' - latimes.com

'If you've got a trade, you've got it made' - latimes.com:

"One repeated theme in President Obama's education agenda is that he wants the United States to have the highest proportion of college graduates in the world. As he put it in an address to a joint session of Congress, 'We expect all our children not only to graduate from high school but to graduate from college and get a good-paying job.'

Although I applaud the president's strong commitment to higher education, he is seriously neglecting the importance of vocational training in school. Not every student needs to go to college. There are plenty of high school kids who find college-prep classes boring and irrelevant. Many drop out because they feel school is not preparing them for anything practical. Most of these kids are not lazy or defiant; they just want to work with their hands, learn a skill and pursue a solid, honorable, blue-collar trade after high school."

Glendale News Press > Education

Glendale News Press > Education:

"GLENDALE — Despite some misgivings, the Glendale Unified School District Board of Education has unanimously affirmed its intent to compete for a share of up to $700 million in federal grants.

But its application could be soiled by the Glendale Teachers Assn., which refused to sign on to the memorandum of understanding last week because of uncertainty in Sacramento. State education officials said the more signatures from each district, the stronger the application for funding.

“It’s the details; things had changed from the last draft, and they’re continuing to be changed,” said Tami Carlson, president of the teachers union.

The deadline for memos to the California Department of Education was Dec. 8 , which meant it was unlikely Glendale Unified’s application would carry the full complement of signatures as other districts."

Challenges abound for schools-over-prisons proposal

Challenges abound for schools-over-prisons proposal:

"Stanford professors say an amendment to the California constitution proposed by Governor Schwarzenegger that would require the state to invest more money in its public universities than its prisons will face many challenges before becoming actual legislation.

The proposal, which has been both lauded and criticized since the governor’s State of the State address last Wednesday, would require California to spend no less than 10 percent of its annual budget on higher education and no more than seven percent on prisons. It would nearly reverse the current situation: 7.5 percent and 11 percent of the budget are allotted to universities and prisons, respectively."

Beverly Hills Blocks Outside Students - NYTimes.com

Beverly Hills Blocks Outside Students - NYTimes.com:

"BEVERLY HILLS — During a contentious meeting ringed by police officers, the Beverly Hills school board voted Tuesday night to dismiss roughly 470 students enrolled in its schools on out-of-district permits.

The school system here has long opened its doors to students who live outside the district — currently about one in seven of its roughly 4,800 students — in large part because they brought a financial windfall for the system. But now, because cash-poor California has reduced local support to schools, including the reimbursements for out-of-district students, the so-called “permit students” are more of a burden to the schools than a boon."

One Hashtag Helps Educators Change Their Schools

One Hashtag Helps Educators Change Their Schools

Every day on Twitter, educators discuss issues they’re facing, share advice and pass on resources. But as Tom Whitbyfound out when he started debates on thesocial network, conversations can be hard to follow, especially when they’re mixed in with a bunch of tweets from other people.

That’s where the hashtag edchat comes in. Whitby worked with Shelly Terrell and Steven W. Anderson to provide a time, a place and a tag for educators to talk about major issues.

“We’re fostering a conversation that needs to be had,” said Anderson, an instructional technologist for 19 schools in North Carolina.
 

Edchat empowers educators to ask questions

When Anderson goes to educational conferences, he hears about all the wonderful things that schools have, such as smartboards and 1-1 laptop programs. But he

The Educated Guess � Race to Top czar: Competition works

The Educated Guess � Race to Top czar: Competition works:

"The woman overseeing Race to the Top for the Obama administration said Monday that federal Department of Education officials have been “stunned” by the impact of the program.

Before even a dollar has been handed out, states competing to win a share of the $4.3 billion program have enacted reforms on a level not seen before, Joanne Weiss, director of Race to the Top, told a conference at Stanford on turning failing schools around.

To boost the chances of winning money, states have eliminated limits on charter schools, changed methods for evaluating teachers and principals and enacted aggressive rules on intervening in failing schools. By removing the ban on using standardized test data for teacher evaluations, California took care of a prerequisite to applying for the money. Only Nevada, of 40 states that indicated an intent to apply, has eligibility problems, Weiss said."

From PhilanthropyRoundtable.org

Joanne S. Weiss
Chief Operating Officer
NewSchools Venture Fund

Joanne S. Weiss is partner and chief operating officer atNewSchools Venture Fund. She also sits on the boards of Leadership Public Schools, New Leaders for New Schools, and Teachscape. Ms. Weiss has spent twenty years in the design, development, and marketing of technology-based products and services for education. She was co-founder, interim CEO, and vice president of products and technologies at Academic Systems, a company that helps hundreds of thousands of college students prepare for college-level work in mathematics and English. In the early 1990s, Ms. Weiss was executive vice president of business operations at Wasatch Education Systems, where she led the product development, customer service, and operations organizations for this K-12 educational technology company. She began her career as vice president of education R&D at Wicat Systems, where she was responsible for the development of nearly 100 multimedia curriculum products for K-12 schools.

Education Research Report: 'Essential Supports' for School Reform

Education Research Report:

'Essential Supports' for School Reform

"Leaders looking for ways to improve learning in urban schools can depend on five key factors which, when working together, have proven to boost student achievement, according to a landmark study that led to a new book, Organizing Schools for Improvement, Lessons from Chicago.

The results emerged from a study of 390 Chicago public elementary schools over a seven-year period following the implementation of a 1988 law that increased decision-making at the local school level.

The authors of the study, current and former researchers with the Consortium on Chicago School Research, part of the Urban Education Institute at the University of Chicago, said those five essential supports are school leadership, parent and community ties, professional capacity of the faculty, a student-centered learning climate and a coherent instructional plan. They were effective in a wide variety of schools, including especially troubled ones. By looking closely at the social context in which schools are embedded, the book provides new insight into why schools in communities with high rates of crime and poverty struggle with improving student outcomes."