Remembering 'Norma Rae' Crystal Lee Sutton

Remembering 'Norma Rae' Crystal Lee Sutton:

"She was a warrior to the end, Price said.

'I've never seen any woman fight cancer as hard as she did. She was in a wheelchair in the last few months, and she wanted me to push her to a protest about a school's teacher cuts.'

Last year, a Burlington Times News reporter asked Sutton how she'd like to be remembered. 'It is not necessary I be remembered as anything,' she said, 'but I would like to be remembered as a woman who deeply cared for the working poor and the poor people of the U.S. and the world. That my family and children and children like mine will have a fair share and equality.'"

NSBA and NEA Publish Undocumented Students Legal Issues Guide « Docuticker

NSBA and NEA Publish Undocumented Students Legal Issues Guide « Docuticker:

"The National School Boards Association (NSBA), with a generous grant from the National Education Association (NEA), released a publication designed to help school districts answer questions about the legal rights of undocumented students in public K-12 schools. Legal Issues for School Districts Related to the Education of Undocumented Children offers practical information for schools as they deal with this complicated issue.

Sixteen national education organizations have signed onto the guide, which will go to every school district in the United States and is available on NSBA and NEA’s websites. The guide provides answers to 13 questions that school districts face as they navigate the growing trend of undocumented student enrollment."

Full Document (PDF; 717 KB): http://www.docstoc.com/docs/11634376/NSBA-and-NEA-Undocumented-Students-Legal-Issues-Guide

Kids Celebrate Reading | Literacy News

Kids Celebrate Reading Literacy News:

"Originally created as a one-day event to celebrate the joy of reading on March 2, the birthday of Dr. Seuss, NEA’s Read Across America has grown into a nationwide initiative that promotes reading every day with more than 45 million participating annually.

“As teachers and parents, we know that kids who read – and are read to – do better in school and in life,” said NEA President Reg Weaver."

Frisco, other Dallas-area districts are emphasizing preschool programs | News for Dallas, Texas | Dallas Morning News | News: Education

Frisco, other Dallas-area districts are emphasizing preschool programs News for Dallas, Texas Dallas Morning News News: Education:

"'Fewer children who receive early childhood education are entering the juvenile justice or welfare system. They are going to college. When they start early, more succeed.'
And, she said, Americans are finally recognizing it.

'Economists, business leaders, Bill Gates, all the major folks are out there touting the benefits of early education,' Johnson said, including the current administration."

Bloomberg mailer attacks Thompson with fuzzy facts

Bloomberg mailer attacks Thompson with fuzzy facts:

"Education statistics are notoriously malleable, and Team Thompson has argued that Bloomberg and Schools Chancellor Joel Klein have cooked the books.
Expect to be buried under an avalanche of education statistics for the next six weeks. Bloomberg will point to better performance, helped by money and control that Thompson never had.
Thompson will say the mayor has turned schools into testing mills that ignore arts and music - though in his first TV ad, he never mentions his time as board president.
Which argument wins the election?"

Race To The Top puts too much pressure on schools | Delawareonline.com | The News Journal

Race To The Top puts too much pressure on schools Delawareonline.com The News Journal:

"It’s precisely in the 5,000 chronically failing public schools targeted by the initiative that this particular mandate needs to be debated most openly. These schools are almost always located in inner cities and in rural areas. They are overwhelmingly populated by poor students who come from chaotic backgrounds."

When teachers inherit classroom after classroom of these students year after year, it’s extremely difficult to focus on instruction. That’s because of the powerful effect of out-of-school factors on learning. Too many poor students go to school each day without a nutritious breakfast, without sufficient sleep and without parents who are involved in their education. As a result, teachers are forced to perform triage rather than teach.
This bleak situation has long existed, but the recession has increased the number of students who are homeless and who have lost access to health care. About 1.6 million people, including 340,000 children, were homeless across the nation before the recession began, according to the Center on Budget and Policy Priorities. With unemployment on the rise, the situation will only get worse.

azdailysun.com Top Stories

azdailysun.com Top Stories:

"The private school tuition organizations take advantage of a different state tax credit than do mainstream public and charter schools. The latter allows tax credits for donations to extracurricular programs, and it has drawn criticism that it primarily benefits schools in more affluent areas where residents can afford to make donations."

Sun Gazette Newspapers - from Archives - Arlington > News

Sun Gazette Newspapers - from Archives - Arlington > News:

"“We need more parents trained to advocate for their kids, and we need volunteers,” said Dr. Talmadge Williams, a former president of the Arlington NAACP and chairman of Parent Allies for Student Success (PASS). The group on Sept. 10 held its second-annual graduation ceremony, honoring 42 parents who spent weeks learning to be a bigger part of their children’s academic lives."

Teachers say parental involvement makes a difference in how children do at school - The Morning Sun News: Serving Clare, Gratiot and Isabella counties

Teachers say parental involvement makes a difference in how children do at school - The Morning Sun News: Serving Clare, Gratiot and Isabella counties:

"And indeed, the terminology may be so new that few parents have even heard of it. How many, after all, know what the word 'regrouping' is as it relates to elementary school arithmetic?

'Regrouping is another word for old fashioned borrowing and carrying,' Philson said. '(Some of the terminology) may be new to us too. Parents need not be afraid to ask.'"

Suzanne Fields: Facts being diluted in name of diversity | democratandchronicle.com | Democrat and Chronicle

Suzanne Fields: Facts being diluted in name of diversity democratandchronicle.com Democrat and Chronicle:

"A new report by the American Textbook Council, an independent research organization that monitors the quality of textbooks, is a new wake-up call. In 'Textbook Troika: How publishers, activists and multiculturalists keep students in the dark about Islam,' Gilbert T. Sewall, the director of the council, documents the malign influence Muslim activists exert on social studies texts. Not only do texts distort historical fact, but 'disinterested scholarship' is in jeopardy, threatened by a gathering perfect storm of academic failure and fatuousness."

Scary California stories aren't true - The Denver Post

Scary California stories aren't true - The Denver Post:

"No self-respecting state would want that. The massive budget cuts, the IOUs, the celebrity governor autographing government-surplus sale items . . . yikes! Just the thought makes your blood curdle.

The 'change makes us California' story is intended to scare us, but like many good tales, it's blatantly untrue. Budget reforms will not transform us into the Golden State. Almost the opposite is true. In many ways, Colorado is already like California, and if we don't change, more California-type problems are likely."

Emily Young: Initiative overload ruining California » Redding Record Searchlight

Emily Young: Initiative overload ruining California » Redding Record Searchlight:

"Also contributing to our state government woes is a representative democracy that is not functioning properly. According to think tanks watching these things, California's election districts are frequently producing little two-party competition, and state legislators tend to come from the two parties' ideological poles.
Furthermore, California is the only state where passing a budget and passing a tax increase both require a two-thirds majority vote in each house. As a result, the minority party has more power than is true in other state legislatures. With one-third plus one votes, it can block programs since most legislation has budget implications. Hence, the California Legislature's lack of accomplishments and annual budget fights."

» The Political Mechanics of ACORN The Speakers Lobby « FOXNews.com

» The Political Mechanics of ACORN The Speakers Lobby « FOXNews.com:

"ACORN is the acronym for the Association of Community Organizations for Reform Now. It’s a community organization that says its mission is to assist low and middle-income families with housing, health and voting issues. ACORN’s come under heavy fire for alleged voter fraud in the 2008 presidential election. Some of its employees are now under criminal indictment. And the heat’s intensified in recent days. Undercover videos are plastered all over the internet showing ACORN employees willing to help filmmakers James O’Keefe and Hannah Giles posing as a pimp and a prostitute as they seek aid to set up cathouses. The Census Bureau announced earlier this month it was severing its ties with ACORN. It’s believed ACORN has received $54 million dollars in federal assistance in the last 15 years."

Schools shakeup | Editorials | PE.com | Southern California News | News for Inland Southern California

Schools shakeup Editorials PE.com Southern California News News for Inland Southern California:

"The Legislature should start by giving local districts more power to make decisions, instead of setting policy from Sacramento. The state needs to streamline an overgrown education code that puts more emphasis on administrative paperwork than good education practices.

The state also needs to change an education financing system that dispenses money without regard to needs, costs or educational goals. And the Legislature should give districts more flexibility to use school money to meet local needs, instead of dictating spending priorities from the state Capitol."

California must lead way, education chief urges - Sacramento Opinion - Sacramento Editorial | Sacramento Bee

California must lead way, education chief urges - Sacramento Opinion - Sacramento Editorial Sacramento Bee:

"California has an eighth of all the students in the country. You can't overstate how important California's success as a state is to our success as a country. I do absolutely think California is at a crossroads, a fundamental fork in the road. This is a time where we need real courage and real leadership. The status quo isn't going to get us where we need to go. California has to, at its heart, decide: Is the state going to continue to lead the country? Or is the state going to retreat to the sidelines or take a step backwards?"

Politics at play in county schools association formation - San Jose Mercury News

Politics at play in county schools association formation - San Jose Mercury News:

"Before that happens, however, the association will have to tackle numerous questions, including whether there should be proportional representation for districts based on size and whether charter schools will have direct membership. Some area educators also have suggested the county education board shouldn't be allowed to join.

So far, organizers have welcomed the county's participation but are dismayed by its hesitation. Organizers have further argued that, based on how the Santa Clara County School Board Association and similar organizations are designed, each school district should have only one vote."

Gerald W. Bracey: State's exit exams deserve a failing grade - Sacramento Opinion - Sacramento Editorial | Sacramento Bee

Gerald W. Bracey: State's exit exams deserve a failing grade - Sacramento Opinion - Sacramento Editorial Sacramento Bee:

"The impact was disproportionately large for minorities and for girls. This is important because while it might be thought that minorities suffered from attending lower-quality schools, girls are distributed over all schools. The researchers were also able to rule out that minorities and girls might have been counseled into less-demanding courses that didn't prepare them as well for the test."

Rick Braziel: The time to act is before the dropout gets arrested - Sacramento Opinion - Sacramento Editorial | Sacramento Bee

Rick Braziel: The time to act is before the dropout gets arrested - Sacramento Opinion - Sacramento Editorial Sacramento Bee:

"Fortunately, a lot can be done to bring dropout rates down. First, kids who start school ready to learn are much less likely to fall behind and off track. Quality preschool has been shown to boost graduation rates by as much as 44 percent and cut crime significantly. It's a place where kids learn to interact with each other, respect authority and become responsible for their actions before entering an academic school environment. For example, when a child takes a toy from a classmate and then gets reprimanded, that child learns the value of sharing."

The Conversation: Education chief wants a transformation - Sacramento Opinion - Sacramento Editorial | Sacramento Bee

The Conversation: Education chief wants a transformation - Sacramento Opinion - Sacramento Editorial Sacramento Bee:

"The bottom line for public education is that whatever difficulties swirl around a school and a community – principal turnover, changing curriculum, poverty and violence, student troubles at home – the classroom has to be a refuge of learning. And those in it have to have, as Duncan puts it, 'a fundamental, unalterable belief that every child can learn.'"

Dissident Voice : Duncan Donuts with Arne!

Dissident Voice : Duncan Donuts with Arne!:

"Well put on a sundress and sing me a show song! Newt Gingrich, his pal the Reverend Al Sharpton and Secretary of Education Arne Duncan are teaming up to push for the ‘reformation American education’. The ménage de trois will saddle up and begin a whirlwind tour starting at the end of September and they will be pushing Arne’s great Race to the Top and of course charter schools, the Trojan horse for the privatizers and the liquid center of the Great Race."

A Post Remorse?

A Post Remorse?:

"Across the District, it is theorized the editorial board of The Washington Post provides cover and protection to Mayor Fenty and Chancellor Rhee. Despite the political shenanigans of Mayor Fenty and Chancellor Rhee, along with the intellectual hypocrisy of the editorial board of The Washington Post, the DC State Board of Education is independent from Mayor Fenty, Chancellor Rhee, and DC State Superintendent of Education Kerri Briggs. Since his mayoral election, District residents are growing in their disappointment and distrust Mayor Fenty is committed to following District statutes, let alone keeping his word not to sell or to give closed DCPS school buildings to developers. It would be unfortunate if the editorial board of The Washington Post were supporting unlawful conduct and false statements by District public officials."

Initiative Focuses on Early Learning Programs - NYTimes.com

Initiative Focuses on Early Learning Programs - NYTimes.com:

"The initiative, the Early Learning Challenge Fund, would channel $8 billion over eight years to states with plans to improve standards, training and oversight of programs serving infants, toddlers and preschoolers.

The Senate is expected to pass similar legislation this fall, giving President Obama, who proposed the Challenge Fund during the presidential campaign, a bill to sign in December."

Hi-Desert Star > Editorial > Letter: Teachers pay for retirement pensions

Hi-Desert Star > Editorial > Letter: Teachers pay for retirement pensions:

"Since public pensions seem to be a “hot topic” in the media today, the members of the California Retired Teachers Association of the Morongo Basin feel the need to educate and set the record straight on a few key points.

Many people seem to think that teachers receive their pension as a free benefit when in fact they pay into their retirement account.

After teaching for 26 years, the average retired teacher receives $2,700 per month in benefits. For those 26 years, they were required to pay 8 percent of their salary into the California State Teachers Retirement System (CalSTRS), unlike corporate workers."

Study pours cold water on performance-based teacher pay | L.A. NOW | Los Angeles Times

Study pours cold water on performance-based teacher pay L.A. NOW Los Angeles Times:

"One of the most intensely debated aspects of President Obama's 'Race to the Top' fund for education, especially here in California, has been its insistence on a mechanism that would allow for teacher evaluations based on the performance of their students. It's a no-brainer as far as a lot of people are concerned, but teachers unions abhor it and California law specifically forbids linking teachers with student achievement, at least at the state level.
Now comes some interesting, and perhaps counterintuitive, news from Portugal, where the government recently began tying teacher pay to student achievement. A study released in May"

Read full report: http://www.docstoc.com/docs/11569337/Individual-Teacher-Incentives-StudentAchievement-and-Grade-Inflation

Sacramento Press / Strong mayor friends, foes react to committee's report

Sacramento Press / Strong mayor friends, foes react to committee's report:

"An opponent of the strong mayor initiative, SAVE Sacramento (Support Accountability, Voice, and Ethics in Sacramento), was pleased by the initial report. 'SAVE Sacramento applauds the open, inclusive, and well-informed process of the Charter Review Commission,' said SAVE founder, Sacramento attorney Anna Molander. 'These recommendations were made through public deliberation by a diverse group of Sacramentans - not written in secret by an ultraconservative lawyer and paid for by rich, out-of-town developers.”"

Viewpoint: Make our schools a place where all students feel safe | Kalamazoo Opinion - - MLive.com

Viewpoint: Make our schools a place where all students feel safe Kalamazoo Opinion - - MLive.com:

"The National School Climate Survey released by the Gay, Lesbian and Straight Education Network (GLSEN) reports that 90 percent of gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender (GLBT) students indicate the word 'gay' is used as a negative comment; 74 percent report hearing other homophobic remarks; 67 percent received negative remarks about gender expression; and 63 percent report that educators or school staff have made disparaging comments."

For full report click here: http://www.docstoc.com/docs/11567105/2007-National-School-Climate-Survey-GLSEN-the-Gay-Lesbian-and-Straight-Education-Network

PhillyBurbs.com: District, teachers still at odds

PhillyBurbs.com: District, teachers still at odds:

"The union said the district wants the community to think everything's under control, but that's not the case. The educators claim the school board has been unwilling to compromise on any issues by taking a district wins/teachers lose stance on all points and has failed to bargain in good faith.

The union also claims the district ignored the union's multiple attempts to start bargaining before the state mandated timeline of January 2008."

Dan Brown: Mass Teacher Layoffs in D.C. Amount To One Hell of a Power Play by Michelle Rhee

Dan Brown: Mass Teacher Layoffs in D.C. Amount To One Hell of a Power Play by Michelle Rhee:

"The power plays over D.C. public schools just went into gonzo territory. This week, D.C. Schools Chancellor Michelle Rhee announced a reduction in force (RIF) was imminent -- despite having just hired 900 new teachers in a system of just 3,800 teachers. Layoffs begin September 30; fear and confusion abounds."

Is AYP a fair measure of a school's success? | Worthington Daily Globe | Worthington, Minnesota

Is AYP a fair measure of a school's success? Worthington Daily Globe Worthington, Minnesota:

"There are a number of noble qualities to NCLB. Many would argue that there are also a number of flaws with NCLB that make it unreasonable. In particular, there are two factors that I would argue make AYP an unfair measure of whether or not a school is successful."

Making sense of Adequate Yearly Progress | delmarvanow.com | The Daily Times

Making sense of Adequate Yearly Progress delmarvanow.com The Daily Times:

"Public education is not without its fair share of acronyms: NCLB for No Child Left Behind, SOL for Standards of Learning and the ever-confusing AYP for adequate yearly progress based on the AMO, which is annual measurable objectives.

Regardless of the acronym, it is important to know that all public schools in the nation must meet specific benchmarks set by the U.S. Department of Education and by 2014, all children must pass mathematics and English/reading tests administered by the schools."

Loretta Keller: Drawn into the education budget sinkhole - SGVTribune.com

Loretta Keller: Drawn into the education budget sinkhole - SGVTribune.com:

"Although one-time federal stimulus funds have been used to restore teaching posts in California and other states for this school year, that has only blunted - not solved - our state's education crises. The Feds want states to take teacher performance into account, but California's education moguls are balking, and 'Race to the top' stimulus monies may not come through as a result. The unions have said 'no' to teacher merit pay or linking teachers to student performance. Nor do they care about getting and keeping the best teachers. Seniority, rigidly defined, determines who will or will not have a job over the coming years.

What this means for Alicia is that her path to a teaching career has been road blocked, at least for now. Her former principal, who thinks the world of her, tried very hard to keep her at the school, but to no avail. About 120 teachers in her district were let go and the education code states that laid off teachers need to be placed in open positions before new hires can be taken on. Alicia is perfectly willing to take what's known as a long-term subbing job, which she's had in the past, but because in the eyes of the union she isn't a laid off employee, she isn't even eligible to sub day to day in her district. Three times she thought she had found something in other districts but three times the openings fell through. Yet she hasn't given up."

Public Education: The End of an Era? — Empire Report

Public Education: The End of an Era? — Empire Report:

"A popular statistic of this era of economic crisis is that every $1 invested in education results in $4 of future economic activity. I have often heard the argument that the more than $600 million cut by state legislators will result in a decrease of nearly $2.5 billion in future economic activity. The question has also been posed, 'how can and why did the state cut $2.5 million in future economic activity?'

I'm not sure who to point the finger at here, or if it's even worth pondering. I know its not the faculty's fault, and as for the administration, I'm pretty sure they're just reacting to the outrageous demands that have been placed on them. Obviously, the state of California is making these cuts, but I find myself wondering what the alternative would be. What's done is done, and what's cut has been cut."

Did ACORN get too big for its own good? | ajc.com

Did ACORN get too big for its own good? ajc.com:

"As if volunteers allegedly signing up cartoon character Mickey Mouse to vote didn't give ACORN enough bad publicity, the public is enthralled with new videos appearing on the Internet and TV news shows showing ACORN employees in Brooklyn, N.Y., advising a couple posing as a prostitute and pimp to lie to get housing aid, and employees in other cities counseling the pair on tax, banking and immigration issues."

UC fee hikes: a two-edged sword -- latimes.com

UC fee hikes: a two-edged sword -- latimes.com:

"Even in the best of times, few California households can easily afford a 44% increase in their children's college tuition within two years. The proposal to raise University of California undergraduate fees to about $10,300 a year by the fall of 2010 -- including a midyear fee hike in January -- would come as a financial shock to many families and a real hardship for some."

Teachers pressured by Obama, minorities | McClatchy

Teachers pressured by Obama, minorities McClatchy:

"The pressure is particularly intense in California, where U.S. Education Secretary Arne Duncan says the state has 'lost its way' with public schools.

In an attempt to improve California's schools, the Obama administration is threatening to withhold federal stimulus money if the Golden State does not rescind a state law that prevents the state from tying test scores to teacher performance.

None of this is exactly what teachers had in mind when they knocked on doors to help elect Obama."

Glendale News Press > Archives > Politics > Krekorian poised for runoff election

Glendale News Press > Archives > Politics > Krekorian poised for runoff election:


"Each campaign mailer sent by a candidate can cost between $10,000 and $15,000, Waldman said.

“Candidates who haven’t raised close to $100,000 are unlikely to really get their message out,” he said.

That leaves the top three fundraisers most likely to succeed and progress to a runoff in the crowded field, he said.

“The only way I’d be surprised is if someone other than those three made it into the runoff,” he said."

Hiram Johnson Sports Face Probe, Forfeit Games Over Football Player Eligibility | News10.net | Sacramento, California | Local News

Hiram Johnson Sports Face Probe, Forfeit Games Over Football Player Eligibility News10.net Sacramento, California Local News:

"'Mr. Cvitanov informed me on Thursday that he learned we had ineligible players competing,' Sacramento City Unified School District Superintendent Jonathan P. Raymond said. 'I am proud of the steps he took to investigate and report the issues to the Sac-Joaquin Section Commissioner of the California Interscholastic Federation and to tell school parents about it.'"

Wyoming Tribune Eagle Online : Education Sec. Duncan pitches community colleges

Wyoming Tribune Eagle Online : Education Sec. Duncan pitches community colleges:

"Community colleges are a crucial part of America’s economic recovery, U.S. Secretary of Education Arne Duncan said Friday.

“This is really their day in the sun,” he said of community colleges and added that the spotlight will be on the colleges as they train and retrain people during an economic crisis.

“Community colleges are going to be an absolute catalyst to help people get back on their feet.”"

The Associated Press: Cursive may be a fading skill, but so what?

The Associated Press: Cursive may be a fading skill, but so what?:

"CHARLESTON, W.Va. — Charleston resident Kelli Davis was in for a surprise when her daughter brought home some routine paperwork at the start of school this fall. Davis signed the form and then handed it to her daughter for the eighth-grader's signature.

'I just assumed she knew how to do it, but I have a piece of paper with her signature on it and it looks like a little kid's signature,' Davis said.

Her daughter was apologetic, but explained that she hadn't been required to make the graceful loops and joined letters of cursive writing in years. That prompted a call to the school and another surprise."

Gov. Schwarzenegger Announces Expedited Recovery Act Funding for Schools : Thu, 17 Sep 2009 : California Newswire™

Gov. Schwarzenegger Announces Expedited Recovery Act Funding for Schools : Thu, 17 Sep 2009 : California Newswire™:

"SACRAMENTO /California Newswire/ — Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger today announced that $1.3 billion in expedited State Fiscal Stabilization Funds (SFSF) will be available for California’s school districts, colleges and universities this year. In May, the U.S. Department of Education provided California $3.2 billion for the first phase of SFSF, 67 percent of California’s total $4.9 billion allocation, to help mitigate the effects of budget reductions to education"

Education debate takes divisive turn - Burlington, MA - Burlington Union

Education debate takes divisive turn - Burlington, MA - Burlington Union:

"“I view the readiness schools as a direct attack on teachers’ rights,” Ed Doherty, special assistant to the American Federation of Teachers Massachusetts, told members of the Education Committee, who moved in and out of the packed hearing as they were drawn to the House and Senate chambers for debate and votes on other issues.

Doherty said the Patrick administration’s proposals would strip teachers of collective bargaining rights and authorize “unprecedented state control” over schools, including the ability to replace staff and suspend policies. Doherty said the governor’s plans were “heavy-handed” and would stifle collaboration with teachers in education."

Robert Creamer: Time to Just Say No to Giant Corporate "Parasites" -- and Recognize Them for What They Are

Robert Creamer: Time to Just Say No to Giant Corporate "Parasites" -- and Recognize Them for What They Are:

"Sounds like a movie script. Giant parasites stalk the American landscape disguised as benign upstanding participants in the 'free market.'

The dictionary defines parasite as:

'An organism that lives on or in an organism of another species, known as the host, from the body of which it obtains nutriment.'"

Feds drop charges against Hmong leader Vang Pao - Sacramento News - Local and Breaking Sacramento News | Sacramento Bee

Feds drop charges against Hmong leader Vang Pao - Sacramento News - Local and Breaking Sacramento News Sacramento Bee:

"The federal government has dropped its charges against Hmong leader Vang Pao, who was indicted along with 10 others more than two years ago for allegedly plotting the violent overthrow of the communist regime in Laos."

Teacher Beat: UPDATED: Unionized Boston Charter Will Decide New Pay Structure

Teacher Beat: UPDATED: Unionized Boston Charter Will Decide New Pay Structure:

"The details of the differential pay program will be hashed out during the 2009-10 school year by a committee of teachers and administrators formed to come up with the pay plan.

Teachers will get traditional raises that year, and the program will go into effect for the 2010-11 school year (though the contract will allow it to be tweaked after that).

The only stipulation in the contract about this pay program is that it can't be based on student test scores, said Thomas Gosnell, the president of AFT Massachusetts. Other measures of student performance would be allowable, he added."

Education Week: Not Too Adept at the Monkey Bars

Education Week: Not Too Adept at the Monkey Bars:

"Some children do well in such an environment. But many do not. School, to them, is little short of prison, with the days’ boredom interrupted periodically by criticism, disapproval, and reinforcement of failure. Three or four times a year, their inadequacy is recorded and released to parents and guardians, who then use those report cards to further demean them. Is it a wonder that so many young people dread school?"

Education Week: Early Education Issues Return to Spotlight

Education Week: Early Education Issues Return to Spotlight:

"“The poverty statistics, to me, highlight how enormous the needs are, the vulnerability of kids,” said Olivia Golden, a senior fellow at the Washington-based Urban Institute, who spoke at the conference, which brought together teams of state education, health, and human services officials. “And the states are mostly dealing with extremely difficult budgets.”"

Ms. Jablonski's Class Blog: California's Shattered Jewel

Ms. Jablonski's Class Blog: California's Shattered Jewel:

"I'm one of the millions whose life possibilities were greatly elevated by the California Master Plan for Higher Education, a masterpiece of forward-thinking public policy making established in 1960. Under the Master Plan, California dedicated itself to the availability of higher education for all of its citizens. In the nearly 50 years of its existence, California's research universities, state colleges and community colleges became the envy of the nation and the world."

Coaxing dropouts back in - The Boston Globe

Coaxing dropouts back in - The Boston Globe:

"Some get pregnant, become homeless, or end up in prison. Others prefer to get a job or just despise homework."

Students give many reasons for dropping out of high school.

Then there are those like Anthony Haskins Jr., who fall behind in their classes, stop showing up, and then months or years later can’t remember what it was exactly that made them quit.

“I didn’t have any reasons for it; I just stopped,’’ said Haskins, 17, who dropped out during his freshman year at Madison Park High School in Roxbury.

Previously, students such as Haskins - there were 2,036 of them last year in Boston - might have never heard from the school system again, with many of their names logged among the lost causes.

The Answer Sheet - The Same Story in D.C.

The Answer Sheet - The Same Story in D.C.:

"Here we go again: The D.C. school system starts the new year with high hopes, and in just a few weeks questions are raised about suspicious erasures on standardized test scores, and, now, there are budget problems that may force teacher layoffs.

Schools Chancellor Michelle A. Rhee says the city’s financial troubles will force her to cut as much as $40 million in spending by the end of October.
My colleague Bill Turque also reported that Rhee said that she did not expect any disruptions to major academic programs or course offerings--but that some teachers will lose their jobs and some classes will get bigger."