Parent Involvement 2010

Parent Involvement 2010:

Parent Involvement 2010

What happens … begins in the council chamber, the school board meeting room, the state house, the U.S. Capitol, and the White House. "Every decision is a political decision," says NEA President Reg Weaver (speaking of teachers but applies even more for parents). "We should no longer accept people making decisions for us, about us, and without us."

How Can Schools, Families and Community Groups Put these Goals into Action?

• Recognize that all parents, regardless of income, education or cultural background, are involved in their children's learning and want their children to do well.

• Design programs that will support families to guide their children's learning, from preschool through high school.

• Develop the capacity of school staff and families to work together.

• Link activities and programs for families to improving student learning.

• Focus on developing trusting and respectful relationships among staff and families.

• Build families' social and political connections.

• Embrace a philosophy of partnership and be willing to share power.

• Make sure that parents, school staff, and community members understand that the responsibility for children's educational development is a collaborative enterprise.

• Build strong connections between schools and community organizations.

• Include families in all strategies to reduce the achievement gap between white, middle-class students and low-income students and students of color.

When parents talk to their children about school, expect them to do well, help them plan for college, and make sure that out-of-school activities are constructive, their children do better in school. When schools engage families in ways that are linked to improving learning, and support parent involvement at home and school, students make greater gains. When schools build partnerships with families that respond to their concerns, honor their contributions, and share power, they are able to sustain connections that are aimed at improving student achievement. And when families and communities organize to hold poorly performing schools accountable, school districts make positive changes in policy, practice, and resources.

"Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world. Indeed, it's the only thing that ever has." ~~ Margaret Mead (1901 - 1978)

Excluding teachers hinders education gains - The Boston Globe

Excluding teachers hinders education gains - The Boston Globe:

"MASSACHUSETTS HAS one of the finest education systems in the world. Our students are not only first in the nation on measures of math and reading, but also performed better than students in every European country on a recent international assessment of math and science skills."

Teachers are justifiably proud of these accomplishments. Teachers also know firsthand that significant achievement gaps remain: Minority, low-income, and special-needs students, along with English language learners, often struggle to meet education standards.

There is no simple formula for eliminating the gaps, but there are strategies that can help. Teachers must be equal partners with administrators, community leaders, and state officials in figuring out solutions. Other institutions in society must also be part of the mix. The three R’s alone cannot overcome the ill effects of poverty.

A complex education bill being debated in the Legislature seeks to address the achievement gaps. Some proposed changes are helpful and long overdue, while others could actually slow reforms by marginalizing the teachers who must

Amid criticism, Obama reaches out to blacks - The Boston Globe

Amid criticism, Obama reaches out to blacks - The Boston Globe:

"WASHINGTON - Stung by accusations from some African-Americans that he has not done enough for urban communities, President Obama has embarked on an effort to soothe a constituency once counted as his fiercest source of support"

In a series of interviews this week with media outlets aimed at African-Americans, Obama said he understands pent-up frustrations about foreclosures, bank bailouts, and festering social issues, while he also challenged assertions that he has given short shrift to cities.

Steps he has taken to improve education, health care, and urban economies, the president said, will improve the day-to-day lives of all Americans, including blacks and other minorities.

“This notion somehow that, because there wasn’t a transformation overnight, that we’ve been neglectful is simply factually not accurate,’’ Obama said in an interview with the American Urban Radio Networks on Monday.

“I can’t pass laws that say I’m just helping black folks. I’m the president of the entire United States,’’ he said. “What I can do is make sure that I am passing laws that help all people, particularly those who are mos

2009 flubs and fiascoes of Mayor Daley :: CHICAGO SUN-TIMES :: Politics

2009 flubs and fiascoes of Mayor Daley :: CHICAGO SUN-TIMES :: Politics:

"Mayor Daley has endured countless highs and lows in his 20-year reign, but the seesaw seemed to stop in 2009: It was one gigantic downer.

The city's parking meter privatization fiasco drove Daley's approval rating to an all-time low -- and most of the $1.15 billion windfall was drained to fill a massive budget shortfall.

Daley's Olympic dream went up in first-round flames. Chicago learned it's losing talk-show icon Oprah Winfrey, two major trade shows at McCormick Place and the $2.5 billion deal that would have privatized Midway Airport."

The year on campus: change and hard times | digitalBURG.com

The year on campus: change and hard times | digitalBURG.com:

"For higher education, 2009 was a time of lofty goals and harsh realities, of major policy shifts in Washington and financial struggle on campuses nationwide.

In Washington, President Barack Obama called for the United States again to lead the world in college attainment by 2020. Congress poured billions of stimulus dollars into research and student financial aid and reshaped the federal student loan system. Veterans enjoyed vast new benefits and student borrowers with low incomes or public service jobs got new flexibility paying down their debts.

But the defining images of 2009 were thousands of miles away, in California: Students cramming into overcrowded classrooms, parents protesting tuition hikes, activists occupying buildings and breaking windows."

Cutting services for disabled children will be costly | mydesert.com | The Desert Sun

Cutting services for disabled children will be costly | mydesert.com | The Desert Sun:

"For the past 30 years, children younger than 3 with disabilities, their families and the professionals who work on their behalf have seen firsthand the benefits of early intervention. Early intervention is the process of providing therapies and education to babies at risk for disability because of premature birth, autism, drug exposure or other high-risk factors. Early intervention services have been instrumental in reducing special education costs."

In July 2009, the California Legislature signed into law provisions that eliminated early intervention services for babies at risk and raised the eligibility criteria for children with delayed development from 33 percent to 50 percent. The long-term negative fallout from this decision is unimaginable.

The number of children entering the school system at age 3 with significant, though preventable, disabilities will be detrimental to special education and health-care budgets. The cost to taxpayers for long-term care for these children will be astronomical.

Peninsula school districts unsure of 'Race to the Top' proposal - San Jose Mercury News

Peninsula school districts unsure of 'Race to the Top' proposal - San Jose Mercury News:

"School districts are weighing their commitment to a federal program that could bring them millions of dollars but also plenty of uncertainty.


The state is asking districts to sign off on its proposed application for funding under the Obama administration's 'Race to the Top' initiative, in which California could earn up to $700 million for school reforms in a competition with other states.


Several local districts, including Jefferson Union High and Sequoia Union High, have told the state they intend to participate in that application although they remain wary of unintended consequences."


"The problem for many of us is it's unclear what the state's play is going to be," said Michael Crilly, superintendent of Jefferson Union in Daly City. "So it's almost signing up for something that you're not totally clear about." 


State lawmakers are hurriedly trying to piece together legislation that would make California eligible for the $4.4 billion program. The deadline for states to submit their application is Jan. 19.


Ahead of that, state education leaders want districts by Jan. 8 to send in a memorandum of understanding, or MOU, that confirms their participation.


"We're trying to get as many on board because it'll help bolster the application to the feds," said Tina Jung, spokeswoman for the state Department of Education.


As of Tuesday morning, 385 educational agencies out of more than 1,000 sent the state a letter of intent, according to the department.


"A portion have already submitted MOUs," Education Department spokeswoman Hilary McLean added. "We expect more MOUs to come in before Jan. 8."

Removing obstacles for the disabled - LA Daily News

Removing obstacles for the disabled - LA Daily News:

"Hizella Martinez felt too wobbly to walk, too scared to join her mom at the market and too awkward in her blindness to have any friends.

But it was all smiles after the Van Nuys toddler discovered the Therapeutic Living Centers for the Blind.

'Sing a song, Hizella,' urged TLC teacher Anne Bell as the beaming youngster two-stepped to a guitar. 'You have a beautiful voice, so beautiful.'

For nearly 35 years, the nonprofit centers in Reseda have been a pillar of support for disabled blind residents and their families."

J.H. Fischer, Educator in Turbulent Times, Is Dead at 99 - Obituary (Obit) - NYTimes.com

J.H. Fischer, Educator in Turbulent Times, Is Dead at 99 - Obituary (Obit) - NYTimes.com:

"John H. Fischer, whose cool, determined leadership as school superintendent made Baltimore the first large American city to integrate its public schools, and who brought reform and innovation to Teachers College of Columbia University as its dean and president in the 1960s and ’70s, died on Friday at his home in Westwood, Mass. He was 99."

Hispanic College Fund President Steps Down

Hispanic College Fund President Steps Down:

"The president of the Hispanic College Fund (HCF) announced Tuesday she will resign from the position she has held since 2007.

Idalia Fernandez joined the HCF as a volunteer 10 years ago and became a scholarship program manager. Since then she has helped the organization's revenue and programming grow. She moved up to vice president, then chief operating officer in 2001 and was named president two years ago.

'We have transformed this organization from a scholarship-granting entity to an organization that offers targeted, effective support to Hispanic students through all stages of their education,' Fernandez said."

Governor advises education cuts | clarionledger.com | The Clarion-Ledger

Governor advises education cuts | clarionledger.com | The Clarion-Ledger:

"Gov. Haley Barbour is recommending a 68 percent cut to gifted, special and vo-tech education programs - a move that would result in a loss of $176 million in federal funds"

State Superintendent of Education Tom Burnham said such a cut would take the special ed and vo-tech programs below the minimum funding amounts required for federal support.

The cut is among a recommended $430 million less than fiscal 2010. It is designed to help make up for an estimated $715 million shortfall - $370 million of which state officials plan to make up with stimulus money.

Barbour's proposed budget spells out a recommended cut of 12 percent across the board in K-12 education, but the cut actually would be about 15 percent, House Education Committee Chairman Cecil Brown said. In contrast, the Joint Legislative Budget Committee, suggesting $310 million in cuts, is recommending a 5.9 percent cut for K-12 education and a 10 percent cut for most other agencies.

Barbour's budget is only a proposal; it's the job of lawmakers to craft a budget.

Ike Haynes, superintendent of the struggling Jefferson Davis County School District, said a double-digit cut "would put us in jeopardy of giving back all the progress we've made financially. We'd have to look at laying off teachers."

Barbour recently lifted the state o

Florida schools up to feds' challenge - Other Views - MiamiHerald.com

Florida schools up to feds' challenge - Other Views - MiamiHerald.com:

"Florida is taking part in a high-stakes competition with the other 49 states to bring up to $700 million in national education funding to the state. The U.S. Department of Education is sponsoring a $4.35 billion competitive grant program called Race to the Top to reward states for addressing some of the most persistent challenges in public education. First round applications, to be submitted by the governors of each state, are due Jan. 19. Winners will be announced in the spring."

Mather Cottages Prepared to Welcome Homeless Women and ChildrenNews10.net | Sacramento, California | Community

Mather Cottages Prepared to Welcome Homeless Women and ChildrenNews10.net | Sacramento, California | Community:

"RANCHO CORDOVA, CA - Empty cottages on the Mather Community Campus will soon be a winter home for about 100 now homeless women and children.

The first five families now staying at St. John's Shelter for Women and Children will move into the cottages on Saturday.

'I was able to tell five families yesterday that they can move in Saturday,' St John's Kelly Dockendorf said. 'There were some tears. They were really happy. They said that's the best Christmas present they could ever get.'

The use of the cottages is part of a plan organized by Sacramento Mayor Kevin Johnson to provide some 270 shelter beds for the homeless this winter."

Weekly Address: Celebrating Christmas and Honoring Those Who Serve | The White House

Weekly Address: Celebrating Christmas and Honoring Those Who Serve | The White House:

"Weekly Address: Celebrating Christmas and Honoring Those Who Serve

Posted by Jesse Lee on December 24, 2009 at 06:00 PM EST

For the first time in a weekly address, the President is joined by the First Lady as they celebrate Christmas. They both honor those serving overseas, those who have sacrificed for their country, and the families that stand by them. Find ways to lend our troops and their families a home through DOD’s Military Homefront, OurMilitary.mil, and of course the USO."

The Educated Guess

The Educated Guess

Time off for the holidays

Posted in Uncategorized

Rather than write merely for my own amusement and an audience of one, I’ll be writing only occasionally through the holidays. 2010 promises to be incredibly challenging for schools and the Legislature, so let’s all take a deep breath and enjoy time with friends and family.
I started The Educated Guess just two months ago. Thanks to all of you who have followed the blog; I welcome your comments, suggestions and criticisms.
Early next year, you’ll be seeing changes to the site, as I turn what has been a one-way conversation into a dialogue with many voices. More on that in coming weeks.
Meanwhile, if anything exciting happens on the Race to the Top bill still lingering in the Legisalture (Keep working, Rick Simpson, and members of the Assembly Education Committee!), I may put up a post. Or you can sign up to follow me onTwitter for all the news in 140 characters or less.
Best wishes for the holidays,
John Fensterwald

Official NORAD Santa Tracker

Official NORAD Santa Tracker

Official NORAD Santa Tracker

Teachers Score Higher Than Other Professionals in Well-Being

Teachers Score Higher Than Other Professionals in Well-Being

Teachers rate their lives higher in four of six well-being indexes

by Shane Lopez and Sangeeta Agrawal

Page: 12

WASHINGTON, D.C. -- A career in teaching might be good for your well-being. While the Gallup-Healthways Well-Being Index previously revealed that business owners were richer in well-being than other job types, further research isolating teachers from other professionals finds teachers fare as well as or better than business owners in overall well-being.

Gallup typically includes teachers in the "professional worker" occupation category, but asks an additional question --"Are you currently a teacher in a public or private school (at any level, secondary, elementary, college, pre-school)?" -- to distinguish teachers from non-teaching professionals.
An analysis of data collected between July 2008 and June 2009 finds that teachers score highest (or tied for highest) among all 12 job types on how they evaluate their lives, access to resources needed to lead a healthy life, emotional health, and their the likelihood of engaging in healthy behaviors. Overall, the findings reveal numerous benefits and some drawbacks related to the teaching profession.
(Page 2 includes details on how Gallup defines each occupational category.)

Christmas at the White House 2009 | The White House

Christmas at the White House 2009 | The White House

Christmas at the White House 2009

A glimpse of this year's holiday decorations at the White House. December 17, 2009 (Public Domain)

Sacramento Press / "The reality of the Christmas Assistance program"

Sacramento Press / "The reality of the Christmas Assistance program":

"Most of us have heard about the Salvation Army’s toy drive for local needy families. Through the media we see a family that is very happy to receive several presents given to children that otherwise would go without. All of this generous charity work begins with expensive marketing, fundraising events, donations, and of course volunteers. The most important part of this charity process is the families with children in need.

When a family signs up for Christmas assistance from the Salvation Army they must provide certain documents, such as a proof of income, proof of residency, ID, etc. When a family signs up they must go to the Salvation Army sign-up location. The location for this year was on the far side of north Sacramento. Families had to spend the day on a bus in order to reach the sign-up location or, as with most families, have vehicle transportation. That means a family spent at least $6 for an all-day bus pass or they spent approximately $6 for gas depending upon how far they lived from the sign-up location."

Teachers Defy Gravity to Gain Students’ Interest - NYTimes.com

Teachers Defy Gravity to Gain Students’ Interest - NYTimes.com:

"NORWALK, Conn. — Before showing a video to the 11th and 12th graders in his physics class, Glenn Coutoure, a teacher at Norwalk High School, warned them that his mouth would be hanging open, in childlike wonderment, almost the whole time."

Mr. Coutoure then started the DVD, showing him and other science teachers floating in an airplane during a flight in September. By flying up and down like a giant roller coaster along parabolic paths, the plane simulated the reduced gravity of the Moon and Mars and then weightlessness in 30-second chunks.

The teachers performed a series of experiments and playful stunts, like doing push-ups with others sitting on their backs and catching in their mouths M & M’s that flew in straight lines, that they hoped would help them better explain to their students the laws of motion that Sir Isaac Newton deduced centuries ago.
“You see the ball just hangs there,” Mr. Coutoure said.
“That’s hot,” a student interjected.

Education Week: 'Race to Top' Driving Policy Action Across States

Education Week: 'Race to Top' Driving Policy Action Across States:

"As governors and state legislators gear up for a new year of budget action and policymaking, the federal Race to the Top competition is helping to drive a flurry of measures nationwide aimed, at least in part, at making states stronger candidates for a slice of the $4 billion in education grants.
Those efforts emerge as a priority in the 2010 legislative season, even as many cash-strapped states face the prospect of tough spending decisions—including school budget cuts—on top of the midyear cuts they enacted in recent months."

Gov. Phil Bredesen of Tennessee earlier this month called on his legislature to hold a special session in January to consider a package of education measures, including a requirement that student-achievement data be used in teacher evaluations, and a proposal he said would strengthen provisions allowing the state to intervene in chronically low-performing schools.

“The whole Race to the Top just provided a focal point for a whole range of things that might have been difficult to do in other times,” Gov. Bredesen, a Democrat, said of the discretionary grants under the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act. The money is intended to encourage states’ efforts to improve education.

Editorial: Tortoises stall 'Race to the Top' - Sacramento Opinion - Sacramento Editorial | Sacramento Bee

Editorial: Tortoises stall 'Race to the Top' - Sacramento Opinion - Sacramento Editorial | Sacramento Bee:

"ALL SIDES NEED TO COMPROMISE AND GET DEAL DONE NOW – NOT IN 2010

It's looking increasingly likely the California Legislature will get an 'incomplete' grade in completing 'Race to the Top' education legislation before the new year.

That's unfortunate. States face a Jan. 19 deadline to submit applications in a competition for $4.35 billion in federal funds. Three-quarters of the states have said they will apply, but only from six to 12 will get funding.

The Michigan Legislature on Saturday was the latest to pass an overhaul package. California cannot afford to stall now."

Schwarzenegger to seek federal help for California budget -- latimes.com

Schwarzenegger to seek federal help for California budget -- latimes.com:

"Reporting from Sacramento - Facing a budget deficit of more than $20 billion, Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger is expected to call for deep reductions in already suffering local mass transit programs, renew his push to expand oil drilling off the Santa Barbara coast and appeal to Washington for billions of dollars in federal help, according to state officials and lobbyists familiar with the plan.

If Washington does not provide roughly $8 billion in new aid for the state, the governor threatens to severely cut back -- if not eliminate -- CalWORKS, the state's main welfare program; the In-Home Health Care Services program for the disabled and elderly poor, and two tax breaks for large corporations recently approved by the Legislature, the officials said."

Year in Review: Edutopia's Staff Picks | Edutopia

Year in Review: Edutopia's Staff Picks | Edutopia

It was a year filled with historical events (the election of Barack Obama) and miraculous moments (the heroism of Captain Sullenberger) and celebrity shockers (the death of Michael Jackson). But for us at Edutopia, 2009 was another year of inspiration and awe as we went around the country to meet and tell the stories of amazing students, teachers, administrators, and parents trying to improve our public schools. You never cease to surprise us with your dedication and passion and ingenuity!
And so we asked our staff to tell us which stories made the biggest impressions on them. Here are some of our favorites from 2009:
Betty Ray, community manager:
Edutopia Welcome Lounge: Thank-a-Teacher Discussion
"The Edutopia community expresses gratitude for the teachers who inspired us the most."
Cindy Johanson, chief operating officer:
"The Right Way to Ask Questions in the Classroom"
"I love this column, because it's so practical, but especially for the response from readers -- more than 135 tips and comments!"
David Markus, editorial director:
"A Louisiana School Leader Answers the Call of Duty" (magazine title: "Call of Duty")
This profile packaged a slew of Edutopia core values and virtues (social and emotional learning, project learning, technology in the classroom, professional development) and illuminated them through the compelling story of one heroic New Orleans prinicipal, who overcame enormous odds and enabled all those around her -- especially her students -- to achieve as they had never before. To me, that is the definition of inspiration.
Amy Erin Borovoy, video coordinating producer:
Opening Minds Through The Arts
"I love watching the faces of the kids light up as they experience the connections between their core academic subjects and performing arts. Nothing beats second graders singing opera!"
YES Prep Boasts a College-Bound Culture
"The passion of these teachers is so clear -- this story puts a face on the goals of every great educator. It's very moving to see how the hard work of everyone at this school in Houston pays off."
Milton Chen, executive director:
Opening Minds Through The Arts
"Shows how reading and writing skills depend on surrounding children with a rich linguistic environment and how opera singers can work with teachers to create it."

Read More:Year in Review: Edutopia's Staff Picks | Edutopia

Rancho Cordova Installs New Mayor and Vice Mayor — The Rancho Cordova Post

Rancho Cordova Installs New Mayor and Vice Mayor — The Rancho Cordova Post:

"Ken Cooley, a member of the Rancho Cordova City Council since the City incorporated in 2003, was sworn in as Mayor at the Rancho Cordova City Council meeting on December 21st. Robert McGarvey, also a Council Member from the City’s beginning, was sworn in as Vice Mayor.

California State Assembly Member Alyson Huber performed the swearing-in ceremony for the new Mayor and Pastor Mike Mitchum from the Rancho Cordova Neighborhood Church swore in the Vice Mayor.

The new Mayor is the California State Senate’s top advisor on insurance matters as principal consultant to the Senate Banking, Finance, and Insurance Committee. Before that, Cooley was a long-time counsel to State Farm Insurance and a top advisor on banking and insurance for the California Assembly. He has been very active in the League of California Cities and was appointed by the Governor to the California Seismic Safety Commission."

Parents To Protect School Over Holidays - Sacramento News Story - KCRA Sacramento

Parents To Protect School Over Holidays - Sacramento News Story - KCRA Sacramento: "SACRAMENTO, Calif. --

More than two dozen parents are working a night job at their child's school over the holiday break.

Parents of students at Westlake Charter Elementary volunteered to patrol the campus during the holiday break after a rash of school break-ins.

School leaders said since the school year began they have been targeted by vandals six times and have had more than $20,000 in damage and stolen equipment."

Parents, like Phil Nanni, said he feels parents have to make sure the school is well protected.

THE DAILY RIFF'S "PERSON OF THE YEAR" IN EDUCATION - THE DAILY RIFF - Be Smarter. About Education.

THE DAILY RIFF'S "PERSON OF THE YEAR" IN EDUCATION - THE DAILY RIFF - Be Smarter. About Education.:

Larry Rosenstock wins because he speaks to all of us
personally and profoundly:
 students, parents, teachers, administrators,
and everyone who cares about education.

Rosenstock wins because if more people knew about his successful schools,
they would be clamoring for them in their own backyards.

He edged out Geoffrey Canada by a hair, but that is another story.  Michelle Rhee, Arne Duncan, POTUS Obama are higher on the news-maker scale (Time's criteria), but we went for the person hitting the most chords.  Rosenstock walks the talk.  He is guided by principles that defy conventional wisdom in education.  

Rosenstock is founding principal and CEO of High Tech High in San Diego, which has been called a "great liberal arts school in disguise".  In other words, it's not your father's tech school.  With a college entry rate of 100%, this charter school (now a group of schools in southern California) is envied because it dispels many accepted notions of "what works" in education both in practice and by results.   

Education Week: Teaching for America

Education Week: Teaching for America:

"As a Teach For America corps member, I taught up to 32 kindergartners, without recess, in a rat-infested South Bronx basement. My school’s staff was cracking under intense scrutiny, because fewer than 30 percent of our students were on grade level. With a 60 percent staff-turnover rate and a majority of new teachers on an emergency credential, the experienced, expert teacher my students deserved was not waiting in line for my job.

I did the best I could. I worked tireless hours. I built a respectful classroom community and strong relationships with families. Using culturally relevant pedagogy, I worked to ensure that my students were on a 1st grade reading level at the end of the year."

Education Reform and the States - Part 1of 5

Amherst, MA (PRWEB) December 23, 2009 -- Education reform is a national priority. Pearson, the education, services and technology company, is stimulating discussions of school reform issues with today's launch of a series of video interviews with nationally recognized education leader David Driscoll, Ed.D. The company's Evaluation Systems group, the most experienced provider of standards-based teacher certification testing programs, developed these thought-provoking videos with the former Massachusetts Commissioner of Education to contribute to the national conversation on the most effective ways to improve student achievement.


In these five Web video segments, Driscoll addresses a wide range of school reform topics from his perspective as a leader in education for more than 43 years. He began his career as a secondary math teacher and then served in district leadership roles, as a state commissioner of education, president of Council of Chief State School Officers and is now the chairman of the National Assessment Governing Board (NAGB), which oversees the National Assessment of Educational Progress: The Nation's Report Card. Driscoll discusses key areas of school reform, including state education initiatives; the role of teachers, principals and educator preparation in school improvement; and the best strategies for transforming education in the future.

"The national conversation about how to reform education has reached new heights over the past several years," said William Gorth, Ph.D., president of the Evaluation Systems group of Pearson. "We developed this video series to help education, community and government leaders consider the potential that initiatives such as the movement toward common core standards and efforts to improve teaching can and will have on student achievement. Who better than Dr. Driscoll, with his experience in education reform at all levels, to lead this discussion?"
Part 1 of 5 - A conversation with Dr. David Driscoll, past president of the Council of Chief State School Officers and 22nd Commissioner of Education for Massachusetts, on education reform, the experience in Massachusetts, lessons learned, implications for other states, and how to move reform ahead. For related information, see http://teacher.PearsonAssessments.com

Alonso's focus on principals carries benefits and risks -- baltimoresun.com

Alonso's focus on principals carries benefits and risks -- baltimoresun.com:

"Over half a century after the best-selling book 'Why Johnny Can't Read' shocked the nation, poor Johnny still can't read - or compute. Neither can poor Tyesha or Juan or millions of other predominantly low-income children of color.

This national tragedy is not because of lack of effort. For the past 25 years, the condition of public education has been regarded as a national crisis. In the name of reform, countless strategies have proliferated, most famously (or infamously) the federal No Child Left Behind Act of 2001 (NCLB). It is impossible to find a single large, urban school system that has not been flooded over the years by an overflowing stream of reform initiatives."

The American Spectator : Bargaining for Reform?

The American Spectator : Bargaining for Reform?

Considering its role in sparking the most-important teachers union strike in American history five decades ago with its shutdown of New York City's schools, and the years it has since spent making teaching the public sector profession most-insulated from performance management, the American Federation of Teachers is an unlikely name to be found among the wonks and advocates at the helm of reforming America's public schools.

But these days, the nation's other national teachers union is getting some qualified praise for supporting a handful of initiatives that tip-toe toward the prescription of more-rigorous curriculum standards, standardized tests, school choice and consequences advocated by the school reformers the union has long opposed. Whether or not the AFT will fully embrace school reform -- or simply backslide into its inveterate support of traditional education concepts -- is another matter entirely.

In October, the AFT shocked the education world when its New Haven, Conn., local agreed to a new contract that would allow the New England city's school district to offer merit pay to the best-performing teachers and allows for the conversion of laggard schools into charter schools. Given the longstanding hostile opposition to performance pay of any kind, the concession even made normally skeptical education scholar Andy Smarick of the Thomas B. Fordham Institute call it "a set of very exciting developments."

My Turn: Predictable failure of school reform | burlingtonfreepress.com | The Burlington Free Press

My Turn: Predictable failure of school reform | burlingtonfreepress.com | The Burlington Free Press:

"The Vermont DOE is again engaged in studying the efficiency and effectiveness of our public schools. Unfortunately, this is likely to follow the 'predictable failure of educational reform' unless we consider fundamental changes in the governance and organization of our schools."

Despite the hard work of educators to meet countless demands of the educational system pulling them in disparate directions, our schools are failing our kids and our society. By trying to do everything, schools sometimes end up doing little very well. With over 30 percent of our students nationwide not graduating from school, huge numbers not proficient in basic skills, and endless streams of students saying they find school irrelevant, the current system is untenable.

It isn't as if there haven't been innumerable efforts to improve our schools. More testing, new programs, innovation grants, conferences, consultants, new regulations, cutting-edge technology, revised policies, new curricula, and on and on. As educational expert Michael Fullan observes, very few large-scale educational reform efforts have been effective. As Albert Einstein noted, the definition of

Opinion: California school reform: 'It's the teaching, stupid' - San Jose Mercury News

Opinion: California school reform: 'It's the teaching, stupid' - San Jose Mercury News:

"As the California legislative battle lines are drawn over school reform, and as attempts are being made to put the state on track to Race to the Top by seeking its share of the $4.3 billion federal fund, what seems to be sorely missing is any informed discussion on the strategy to improve teaching.

Recognizing the importance of teaching, No Child Left Behind emphasized the improvement of teacher quality as a central objective. The same emphasis is incorporated in the rules states must follow for the Race to the Top fund. A perfect application for a grant would earn a state a total of 500 points, of which 138 points, the largest chunk, are allotted for recruiting quality teachers and for evaluating their effectiveness. States must clearly articulate innovative strategies for improving classroom teaching.

But in putting together its application, California seems to be paying no attention to classroom teaching."

Coatesville investigates Graystone charter | Philadelphia Inquirer | 12/22/2009

Coatesville investigates Graystone charter | Philadelphia Inquirer | 12/22/2009:

"A Chester County charter school is being investigated by the Coatesville Area School District, which is requesting a wide range of information about its operations.

The district also has directed Graystone Academy Charter School not to purchase any real estate for a new site 'in light of the serious nature of our investigation.'

Graystone's lawyer said the school had complied with the request for information and was not about to purchase land anyway."

THE NEXT WAVE IN COMPUTER SCIENCE - THE DAILY RIFF - Be Smarter. About Education.

THE NEXT WAVE IN COMPUTER SCIENCE - THE DAILY RIFF - Be Smarter. About Education.:

"What Every Parent, Teacher & Administrator Needs To Know

The stereotypical image of the geeky nerd - the lonely male in a dark basement punching out computer code - may soon be a picture of the past. Instead, imagine both girls and boys learning, understanding, and embracing computer code as an everyday universal language and a necessary part of a well-rounded education. It's happening right now across the country, not in big waves yet, but it is happening.

Science is in the forefront of the news recently, with computer science gaining mainstream attention with its connection to future jobs and career enhancement. The link of computer science to science and math skills, logical thinking and problem solving is also a key driver to this conversation, which seems to building momentum even outside of tech circles. From The New York Times, click dates for full articles on Dec. 21st and Dec. 22nd:"

The Educated Guess � Open enrollment provision needs work

The Educated Guess � Open enrollment provision needs work: "Assembly Speaker Karen Bass’ office has been mum� about whatever progress there has been in resolving differences over SBX5-4, the compromise Race to the Top bill that the Senate passed last week.

One part of the bill that needs fleshing out through amendments involves a significant expansion of parental choice that Gov. Schwarzenegger� and Sen. Gloria Romero have pushed hard for."


Romero’s original bill, which died in the Assembly, would have given parents in the lowest 30 percent performing schools the right to transfer to a better school in another school district. The current bill scales back that right to the bottom tenth. But it still marks a major shift in state policy and philosophy – and a victory for Los Angeles parent groups that made their voices heard in Sacramento.

Just last summer, the advocacy group EdVoice looked like it was fighting a losing battle to renew a strictly voluntary parental choice program affecting only 5,000 students attending schools in districts that volunteered to take them.
Now, open enrollment will expand to theoretically hundreds of thousands of children. And all districts with space  for more students will be required to accept children from the worst schools, based on a lottery system.
Romero sold open enrollment as a civil rights issue, providing families stuck in failing schools the right to a good education. And she’s right.

But the language of the bill is largely aspirational. It lacks details on how the program would work. Sen. Joe Simitian, while voting for the bill, raised serious questions that need answers. Among them:

• How would be reimbursement work? Would the full tuition follow the student to the receiving district, or would it be partial? Would the sending district get the tuition for one more year after the student leaves, to soften the impact, as currently happens in declining enrollment dsitricts?

• Could a district claim financial hardship and deny an out-of-district admission? How would that be defined?

• What is the definition of available space? If a school technically has room for more students, but has limits on class size, would it have to abandon small classes to accommodate more students? Or reopen closed schools?

• Would largely wealthy basic-aid districts, like Palo Alto and Woodside, 

Education Week: Charter Schools: Education's Fox in the Henhouse?

Education Week: Charter Schools: Education's Fox in the Henhouse?:

"Successful urban charter schools are showing that high demand, high support education works for all students—not just Jewish and Asian and upper-class kids, but all kids who commit to academic success. Some of these schools’ achievement gains are very impressive.

So why am I, a retired public school teacher of 34 years, cautious and suspicious?

Perhaps there’s a hidden agenda, one that may be revealed..."