Big Education Ape

Friday, January 8, 2010

AFT - Publications and Reports

AFT Publications and Reports

Links to our periodicals, as well as our latest reports,
appear below.

	American Teacher, our monthly newspaper for AFT Teachers.		Our quarterly magazine, American Educator.

	AFT On Campus, a publication of AFT Higher Education.		Healthwire, the bi-monthly newspaper of the AFT Healthcare division.

	PSRP Reporter, a publication of the Paraprofessional and School-Related Personnel division.		Public Employee Advocate, the bi-monthly newspaper of the AFT Public Employee division.

	AFT Human Rights News, a publication of the Human Rights and Community Relations Department.		American Academic, the policy journal from the AFT Higher Education division.

	The AFT Retirees Electronic Newsletter, produced by the AFT Program on Retirement and Retirees.		See a complete list of AFT e-mail newsletters, each with a link for subscribing.

State Revenue Systems: Options for the Current Fiscal Crisis
This publication provides an explanation of current revenue structures state-by-state and suggests alternatives to improve revenue stability and progressivity.

Importing Educators: Causes and Consequences of International
Teacher Recruitment
The growing number of overseas-educated teachers in U.S. schools has put many talented educators in classrooms, but the trend also has led to a host of concerns about exploitation, questionable hiring practices and harmful effects in the countries that are losing their most qualified teachers. (June 2009)
Read AFT news. | Share your story.

2008 Public Employees Compensation Survey

AFT Public Employees 2008 Compensation Survey
Salaries for state government professionals registered a modest 2.4 percent increase from 2007 to 2008, according to the ninth annual AFT Public Employees Compensation Survey.

Education Week: Incentivizing Educational Ingenuity

Education Week: Incentivizing Educational Ingenuity:

"Over the past 25 years, high-profile school reform efforts have addressed false problems with flawed solutions. By imposing blanket reforms on varying local circumstances, policymakers have stifled educational ingenuity. To actually improve the education of America’s children, state and federal policymakers should formulate and implement policies that provide incentives for problem-solving in local settings.

To do this, they will first need to recognize that some of the “problems” our public schools are called upon to solve are problematic in themselves. These include claims that U.S. productivity lags behind that of other countries, that students’ achievement here is far eclipsed by their international peers’, that academic achievement translates into worker productivity, and that we have a shortage of workers with math and science skills."

The Educated Guess � CTA advises local unions not to sign MOU

The Educated Guess � CTA advises local unions not to sign MOU:

"One day before the deadline for commitments to Race to the Top, state education officials were again encouraging ambivalent school districts to sign on. The California Teachers Association, for the first time, was explicitly encouraging union locals not to. And that could spell trouble for the state’s application.

State officials said they needed signed memorandums of understanding by Friday, so that they could finish the budget for the Race to the Top proposal by Jan. 19, when it’s due in Washington. Nearly 800 superintendents and charter school leaders, in charge of more than 60 percent of state’s students, had indicated they would participate in the program, if California wins a piece of the $4.3 billion competition."

Schools Matter: More Segregated Corporate Charter Schools Approved by MA House

Schools Matter: More Segregated Corporate Charter Schools Approved by MA House:

"The Mayor of Boston was out and about this week using his bully pulpit to urge passage of state legislation intended to remove legal obstacles to the unlimited growth of apartheid corporate charter schools in urban areas of the Commonwealth. Side benefits of the new legislation for the Broad, Gates, and Boston Foundations include the crippling of collective bargaining and tenure for teachers, the limiting of school committee oversight in favor of the CEO model of goverance, and the imposition of teacher evaluation based on test scores. As he walked and talked, Mayor Menino was heard to use the bold corporate reformers' advertising jingle: 'Education is the civil rights issue of this generation.'"

What Race to the Top Tells Us About the Future of the ESEA | NewAmerica.net

On Monday Ed Week published an article positing that the priorities outlined in Race to the Top, a $4.35 billion competitive grant program created by the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act, could be a template for the reauthorization of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act (ESEA). One former Department of Education official interviewed for the story suggested that these priorities - including improving supports for struggling schools, quality and distribution of teachers, state data systems, and standards and assessments – could become compulsory for states receiving ESEA Title I funds, a wide departure from the current requirements for these funds that focus on equitable distribution of funds.

While the Race to the Top priorities closely reflect the Obama administration’s agenda for education, the administration made it clear from the beginning that they wanted an ESEA that was strong on outcomes but not on methods. One of No Child Left Behind’s greatest weaknesses, they believed, was that it was very strict about methods (i.e. testing and teacher qualifications) but weak on outcomes (i.e. standards and assessments).

In other words, 50 states currently measure student achievement based on 50 different sets of academic standards, resulting in vastly different ability levels across the county. A reauthorized ESEA that mandates the types of activities supported by Race to the Top would be considered exceptionally strict on methods in addition to being potentially strong on outcomes.

Fluency at issue as ex-teacher's suit goes to SJC - Lowell Sun Online

Fluency at issue as ex-teacher's suit goes to SJC - Lowell Sun Online:

"BOSTON -- Should a teacher who can't speak fluent English to her students be allowed to stay in the classroom?

The outcome of Phanna Rem Robishaw's case against the Lowell School Department and Lowell School Committee holds statewide ramifications for the state's educational system.

Today, the state Supreme Judicial Court was scheduled to hear arguments from Robishaw, a former Lowell teacher who was fired for failing an English-fluency test, after a lower-court judge upheld the firing, saying the teacher's English proficiency was 'utterly incomprehensible.'

In 2002, Massachusetts' voters passed Question 2, requiring all school superintendents to attest to the English fluency and literacy of their teachers where 'the teacher's fluency is not apparent through classroom observation and assessment or interview assessment.'"

voiceofsandiego.org | News. Investigation. Analysis. Conversation. Intelligence. - Bright and Early: The Education Newsblitz

voiceofsandiego.org | News. Investigation. Analysis. Conversation. Intelligence. - Bright and Early: The Education Newsblitz:

"It's good to be back from vacation. Something just doesn't seem right when I don't start my days combing through educational news. It's what makes your newsblitz:

Vista schools and their teachers union are stalled after three years of bargaining, the Union-Tribune reports. Class sizes in middle and high school and how teachers are transferred are sticking points.

More from Vista: The North County Times writes about the debate over when to transfer students into a brand-new campus, which will be ready in a few months.

I forgot to include this yesterday: OBRag argues that a recent Union-Tribune editorial on the idea of San Diego Unified eliminating the superintendent job got its facts wrong.

New commissioner opens a conversation with R.I.’s best teachers | Education | projo.com | The Providence Journal

New commissioner opens a conversation with R.I.’s best teachers | Education | projo.com | The Providence Journal:

"PROVIDENCE — On a recent visit to North Providence High School, Education Commissioner Deborah A. Gist noticed a lanky student with a scruffy haircut slouched in a chair, looking adrift.

Gist said she made a beeline over to him and asked what he was working on.

“He said he was working on his senior project, and he just lit up,” Gist told a gathering of 35 of the state’s best teachers, principals and superintendents on Wednesday. “He told me he was a drummer and his project was on drums, and he started talking about it … I was totally blown away.”"

Gov. Butch Otter warns cuts are coming to Idaho schools | Local News | Idaho Statesman

Gov. Butch Otter warns cuts are coming to Idaho schools | Local News | Idaho Statesman:

"If Idaho public schools are asked to immediately cut spending this year, several local districts say they have the cash reserve to get through it.

It won't be easy, but superintendents say they prefer using their own surplus accounts to getting an advance on next year's appropriation, which is an idea legislative leaders have suggested and Gov. Butch Otter embraces.

Otter said Thursday that he'll announce more funding cuts for this year in Monday's State of the State address, though he won't say how severe they will be or how much they will affect public education. Next year's budget, he said, will hold the line with this new, pared-back spending plan."

Gibbons' education plan would replace voter-elected board - Friday, Jan. 8, 2010 | 1:50 a.m. - Las Vegas Sun

Gibbons' education plan would replace voter-elected board - Friday, Jan. 8, 2010 | 1:50 a.m. - Las Vegas Sun:

"Gov. Jim Gibbons’ proposed overhaul of public education would include the dismantling of the State Board of Education, a 10-member panel elected by voters.

Gibbons’ proposal would replace the State Board with a five-member advisory panel – three people appointed by the governor, with the Assembly speaker and Senate majority leader each getting one pick.

The governor would also choose the state superintendent of public instruction, who is now appointed by the State Board.

The State Board also sets policy for Nevada's 17 school districts. The board can suspend or revoke teacher licenses and is the conduit for federal education money awarded to Nevada."

Bredesen, teachers union at odds over tenure rules | tennessean.com | The Tennessean

Bredesen, teachers union at odds over tenure rules | tennessean.com | The Tennessean:

"Gov. Phil Bredesen will push ahead with a proposal to tie teacher evaluations to test scores without the full support of the state's biggest teachers union, saying Thursday that he doubted he could reach a compromise on a crucial issue before the start of a special legislative session next week."

Bredesen said he will ask the legislature Monday to appoint an independent committee to come up with a new system for deciding whether teachers are awarded tenure in their fourth year. The new system will be based significantly on student test scores, meaning that teachers' careers could soon hinge on whether their students show improvements on standardized tests.

Bredesen plans to move forward without the endorsement of the Tennessee Education Association. The group, which represents more than 55,000 schoolteachers statewide, says it accepts the notion of using test scores in tenure decisions, but it wants to limit the extent to which they are a factor.

The group also says it wants the committee that will devise the new system to include its members and for the legislation to ensure that its recommendations will not be set aside by the State Board of Education.

City schools contract with PFT nearing deadline | Philadelphia Inquirer | 01/08/2010

City schools contract with PFT nearing deadline | Philadelphia Inquirer | 01/08/2010:

"With a contract deadline next Friday, talks between the Philadelphia School District and its largest union, the 17,000-member Philadelphia Federation of Teachers, are accelerating.
But both sides are also focused on a more immediate date.

By Wednesday, the union and the district must agree to collaborate on sweeping changes for Philadelphia schools to enter the $4.35 billion Race to the Top. The competitive federal program rewards districts that promise to revamp teacher salary structures and evaluations and to turn around failing schools.

The Philadelphia district could be eligible for as much as $8 million. The grant could pay for changes that Superintendent Arlene Ackerman has long insisted on, and that the union has long opposed."

Minority groups want more input on school books | Houston & Texas News | Chron.com - Houston Chronicle

Minority groups want more input on school books | Houston & Texas News | Chron.com - Houston Chronicle:

"AUSTIN — Minority advocacy groups urged their members to attend a State Board of Education public hearing next week to appeal for more Hispanic and African-American historical figures in public school textbooks.

Registration to give public testimony starts today for Wednesday's hearing at the William B. Travis Building, where the Texas Education Agency is located.

The 15-member board planned to take a preliminary vote later in the week before final action in March on new standards for the social studies curriculum, which will influence how history and government books are written for the state's 4.7 million public school children.

Hispanic school children already make up a small majority in early elementary grades, and they will soon will be the majority in the entire public school system."

State teachers union lays out plan to improve education

State teachers union lays out plan to improve education:

"The Pennsylvania State Education Association wants to be leading the conversation about improving education, not reacting.

So it has pulled together what it considers the best proven ways to enhance education in a 169-page report intended to reach political candidates and the general public.

The report, released yesterday, is titled 'The Power of a Great Education: PSEA's 20/20 Vision for the Future -- Strong Schools, Successful Children, Vibrant Communities.' It can be found at www.psea.org/vision.

'The primary purpose is we want to get out there as we're entering the 2010 election cycle and engage politicians and policymakers,' said PSEA President James Testerman."

Chesterfield cuts could force closure of governor's schools | Richmond Times-Dispatch

Chesterfield cuts could force closure of governor's schools | Richmond Times-Dispatch:

"Central Virginia's two full-time governor's schools could face severe changes or even closure if Chesterfield County eliminates its participation in them.

Chesterfield school officials sent a survey to its employees Tuesday asking them to choose ways to cut nearly $40 million from its proposed fiscal 2011 budget.

Among the many options is to stop sending students to Appomattox Regional Governor's School for Arts and Technology in Petersburg and Maggie L. Walker Governor's School for Government and International Studies in Richmond.

In an impact statement accompanying the survey, Chesterfield acknowledges that if it ends its participation at the governor's schools, a $2 million savings, 'this option would likely result in both schools closing.'"

Some capital-area school districts sit out race for federal funds - Sacramento News - Local and Breaking Sacramento News | Sacramento Bee

Some capital-area school districts sit out race for federal funds - Sacramento News - Local and Breaking Sacramento News | Sacramento Bee:

"California politicians scurried for months to pass legislation to ensure state schools have a chance to compete for federal Race to the Top stimulus funds. But many local districts have decided to watch the race from the sidelines.

Roseville City Unified Elementary School District, Camino Union Elementary School District and Sutter Union High School District are just a few that have decided not to apply for a piece of the $4.35 billion funding."

Bill to fix low-performing schools clears panel | courier-journal.com | The Courier-Journal

Bill to fix low-performing schools clears panel | courier-journal.com | The Courier-Journal:

"FRANKFORT, Ky. — The House Education Committee passed a bill Thursday morning that officials hope would better position Kentucky to win federal money to improve the academic performance of public schools"

House Bill 176, sponsored by Rep. Carl Rollins, D-Midway, would allow school districts to close low-performing middle and high schools and restart them under the management of a private or non-profit operator, known as an educational-management organization, or EMO.

“I think (the bill) helps us be a little more competitive in the Race to the Top,” Kentucky Education Commissioner Terry Holliday said after the committee meeting. “It shows we have a real good plan to help turn around low-performing schools.”

The bill passed 24-1, with two members abstaining. Rollins said he hopes the full House could vote on the measure early next week.

Kentucky could receive up to $200 million through President Barack Obama's Race to the Top contest. The competition pits states against each another and awards those who develop plans to improve student achievement.

House bill would give superintendents more authority - The Boston Globe

House bill would give superintendents more authority - The Boston Globe:

"Superintendents would gain broad new powers to make dramatic changes at the state’s worst schools, including the removal of ineffective teachers, under the education bill approved by the House early yesterday."

The bill, which must now be reconciled with a version approved by the Senate late last year, would also give Boston the right to open and control four charter schools without union approval.

Mayor Thomas M. Menino had aggressively sought that concession for months, making phone calls to key House leaders during their marathon session that ended early yesterday morning.

At a press conference outside his City Hall office yesterday morning, Menino said the bill was “made in heaven.’’

“This is a new era for all of us when it comes to public education,’’ Menino said, surrounded by city school leaders and legislators.

Other education leaders were more reserved in their response as they tried to unravel - and, in some cases, just to get a copy of - the flurry of last-minute

NY1 | 24 Hour Local News | Education | Hundreds Rally To Keep Queens School Open

NY1 | 24 Hour Local News | Education | Hundreds Rally To Keep Queens School Open:

"A spirited rally was held Thursday night outside Jamaica High School in Queens.
More than 500 parents, students, teachers and alumni rallied against plans to replace the school with several small high schools in the same building.

'We're here to tell them that our school is a viable place, and it's a good school, and it's been around for 118 years. It deserves to be around as Jamaica High School for 118 more,' said Jamaica High School teacher James Eterno.

Inside, more than 100 signed up for speaking slots to tell officials why the doors to Jamaica High should stay open.

'We're here tonight to show our support because Jamaica is a great school. We have great academics, great programs,' said Jamaica High School student Rachael Ali. 'What's not to like here? We have a great atmosphere, we have a great, beautiful campus. Why do they want to close our school down?'

The Department of Education cites the high school's 46 percent graduation rate and falling enrollment, but teachers say statistics are improving."

In Pursuit of School Grants, New York Governor Seeks Changes to Law - NYTimes.com

In Pursuit of School Grants, New York Governor Seeks Changes to Law - NYTimes.com:

"Gov. David A. Paterson on Thursday proposed a host of changes in state education law, including eliminating the cap on the number of charter schools, which he said would make the state more likely to receive $700 million in federal grant money.

The governor’s bill would also repeal a 2008 law that banned the use of standardized test scores in tenure decisions, as well as give the state the ability to pay for charter school construction and allow the state to take over low-performing schools."

Lawmaker predicts MTA student fares won't be cut - NYPOST.com

Lawmaker predicts MTA student fares won't be cut - NYPOST.com:

"A lawmaker with oversight of the MTA predicted today that student fares won’t be cut for hundreds of thousands of students – and that the state and city will be footing the bill.

Assemblyman Richard Brodsky said he agrees that the MTA shouldn’t have to fork over any funds to pay for free and reduced-fare student MetroCards – the transit agency used to be the only in the nation to do so.

'We're confident there's going to be a good outcome,' he said after a committee hearing.

Yet Brodsky, Assemblywoman Joan Millman and Assemblyman Kevin Kavanaugh – who also attended the hearing – were three of the legislators to approve Gov. Paterson’s massive cut to student fares last December, prompting the MTA to cancel the program totally."

Uncharted territory: Success Academy riles another Harlem school with plans to move in next fall

Uncharted territory: Success Academy riles another Harlem school with plans to move in next fall:

"Just months after Eva Moskowitz's Success Academy II had movers break locks off doors to squeeze the charter into a Harlem public school, the charter is slated to move into another unwilling school next fall, the Daily News has learned.

With tensions still simmering at Public School 123 after the charter took over precious classroom space there, parents at the charter's new proposed home - PS 30 in East Harlem - also are worried about losing space and resources.

'This is a good school,' said Whit Scitio, whose daughter Destiny, 9, and son Devin, 5, go to PS30. 'We have a lot of things for our children here. They do"

Minnesota seeks ways to ease safety concerns at new charter schools | StarTribune.com

Minnesota seeks ways to ease safety concerns at new charter schools | StarTribune.com:

"Minnesota's charter schools often open with a host of fire code violations.

Inadequate fire alarm and sprinkler systems, improper exits, lack of firewall protection, and inadequate water supply are among problems fire code inspectors have found when they inspect just-opened charter schools.

The problem, state officials say, is that the law doesn't require schools in leased space -- where charter schools generally are located -- to release building plans to state inspectors prior to signing leases and opening."

Klein announces 1 percent midyear school budget cut | GothamSchools

Klein announces 1 percent midyear school budget cut | GothamSchools:

"The dreaded mid-year school budget cuts have arrived. This morning, Chancellor Joel Klein instructed principals to cut their budgets by 1 percent — about $79 million across the city’s schools — by the end of January.

The Department of Education’s central and field operations budget will also be reduced by 2.5 percent, which will mean layoffs of 5 percent of central staff. (UPDATE: The layoffs will affect approximately 500 central and field office employees, DOE spokeswoman Ann Forte said.)

This is the fifth round of budget cuts the school system has sustained in the last two years, though one set of cuts in June 2008 was limited to the central office budget. In November, Mayor Michael Bloomberg ordered the DOE to cut its spending by $113 million dollars. When the DOE announced raises to central staff last month, they were smaller than originally allocated in order to lessen cuts in other areas."

Romero Leads California to Race to the Top

Romero Leads California to Race to the Top:

"SACRAMENTO, Calif. - (Business Wire) EdVoice applauds Senator Gloria Romero, Senate Pro Tempore Steinberg, Speaker Bass, the Governor and the courageous legislators on both sides of the aisle for putting politics aside to do what’s best for kids and fair for adults. Senator Gloria Romero’s tireless effort to push California to boldly Race to the Top came to fruition today with the Governor’s signature on a bi-partisan package of education reform. The two bills, SB 5X 1 and SB 5X 4, enable California to compete for a share of the $4.3 billion federal Race to the Top program.

“Senator Romero has made it clear she’s a champion for California kids,” explained Rae Belisle, EdVoice CEO and State Board of Education Member. “It took courage to buck the status quo and give parents real power to drive change in their own neighborhood school and also have the choice to enroll in a higher performing public school in another school district. Senator Gloria Romero, the Governor and leadership in the Senate and Assembly deserve a tremendous amount of respect for this bold action.”"

Incarceration vs. higher education? Easy choice | mydesert.com | The Desert Sun

Incarceration vs. higher education? Easy choice | mydesert.com | The Desert Sun:

"The biggest headline in the governor's Wednesday morning speech was his declaration that the state should not spend more on prisons than on higher education.

This pledge deserves enthusiastic support. Thirty years ago, 10 percent of the general fund went to colleges and 3 percent to prisons. Today, nearly 11 percent goes to prisons and 7.5 percent goes to colleges.

“Spending 45 percent more on prisons than universities is no way to proceed into the future,” Schwarzenegger said. “What does it say about our state? What does it say about any state that focuses more on prison uniforms than on caps and gowns?”"

Court to decide LAUSD battle with charters - ContraCostaTimes.com

Court to decide LAUSD battle with charters - ContraCostaTimes.com:

"A battle between Los Angeles Unified and charter groups could be decided today when the State Board of Education is expected to rule whether charters statewide can take complete control of educating their special needs students.
Publicly funded and independently run charters have argued that they should control special education funding, as they do for their general education student population. They accuse large school districts like LAUSD of controlling federal special education dollars and obstructing charters from getting their fair share.
But L.A. Unified officials say charters traditionally cherry pick special education students with less severe disabilities and leave LAUSD with severely disabled students who are more expensive to teach."

America as Texas vs. California, Part III � The Enterprise Blog

America as Texas vs. California, Part III � The Enterprise Blog:

"Responding to my post on Texas vs. California and the better education students get in the Lone Star State, a reader writes:

A new neighbor (former migrant worker from northern California who opened a family business, and had to move to Houston for a young daughter’s cancer treatments) reports to me that when she enrolled her 10 year old in the neighborhood elementary school, they determined that the child was at least a year behind. This is a school with an English-as-a-second-language program, and despite normal demographics which would put it in the bottom rung of schools, won an exemplary rating from the state. The mom pleaded with them to keep her daughter in the higher grade, and promised that she would work with her every day to catch her up. So far so good, but she says she’s never seen a school work her kid so hard. In her words, she thinks Texas is her family’s salvation. Not only did her younger daughter get the cancer treatment she needed at M.D. Anderson Cancer Center here, but her other daughter is now getting a quality education."

Beverly Hills' unwanted out-of-towners - latimes.com

Beverly Hills' unwanted out-of-towners - latimes.com:

"California's formulas for funding schools are labyrinthine, outdated and just plain weird. They have needed a radical makeover for decades, though this year Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger unwisely vetoed legislation to begin the process. The most recent victims of this messy situation are students who attend schools in Beverly Hills without living there.

The prestigious public school district was glad to have nearly 500 nonresidents attend under its 'opportunity' permits when each student brought in annual state funding of more than $6,000. But under California's convoluted formulas, Beverly Hills is likely to become one of the state's 90 or so 'basic aid' districts, meaning it will be funded by local property taxes instead of per-pupil dollars. Now the district's financial incentive is to have fewer students, not more."

Most local schools bypassing Race to Top

Most local schools bypassing Race to Top:

"While the California Department of Education and the state Legislature are clearing the track to compete for federal Race To The Top (RTTP) funding, many local agencies have chosen to not step into the starting blocks.

The Santa Maria-Bonita, Santa Maria Joint Union High School, Orcutt Union, Lompoc Unified and Santa Ynez Valley school districts have all decided to not participate in the program.
Locally, only Lucia Mar Unified and Guadalupe Union school districts have filed paperwork to be included in the RTTP.

The American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 set aside $4.35 billion nationally for RTTP funding. California could be eligible for up to $700 million, but it must “compete” with other states for the funds according to the rules set forth by the federal Department of Education."

As We See It: State failing its children - Santa Cruz Sentinel

As We See It: State failing its children - Santa Cruz Sentinel:

"In the aftermath of Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger's 'State of the State' call for education over incarceration, California must face the reality of how children in the state are faring.

Children Now, a group that lobbies for better health care and education for kids in California, released its annual report card earlier this week and the results were dismal.

Here's a few of the sobering grades:

Health coverage: D

K-12 education: D

Early learning and development: C

Child safety: D

Obesity: C-"

State education plan makes parents responsible

State education plan makes parents responsible:

"Giving parents their choice of schools. Making sure teachers are qualified. Forcing bad schools to improve."

All are tackled in the huge school reform package signed into law Thursday by Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger, and approved with lightning speed by state lawmakers this week, to give California a shot at winning $700 million in the national education competition called Race to the Top. The application deadline is Jan. 19.

But to anyone who has spent time in a school over the past decade, such reforms will sound familiar: They have been part of the federal No Child Left Behind Education Act that has strictly governed school accountability since 2001.

California's new Race to the Top plan "sounds very similar to No Child Left Behind," said Mike Kirst, education professor emeritus of Stanford University. "What's different is that NCLB relies on top-down enforcement from the state and federal governments," while the new plan requires parent participation to fix low-scoring schools.

Read more: http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/c/a/2010/01/07/MNT41BEGO3.DTL#ixzz0c1erDyRk

California's education reforms hand more power to parents / The Christian Science Monitor - CSMonitor.com

California's education reforms hand more power to parents / The Christian Science Monitor - CSMonitor.com:

"Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger signed an education reform bill Thursday that lets California vie for federal 'Race to the Top' grants. The reforms, opposed by teachers' unions, would let parents to force changes in failing schools."

Los Angeles

California is now competitive in President Obama’s national $4.35 billion “Race to the Top” education competition. After six months of bipartisan massaging, hand-wringing, and compromise, Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger signed reform legislation Thursday that will ensure the state can vie for up to $700 million in federal funding for its schools.

But the debate over the reforms – which puts more power in the hands of parents – spilled over into the signing at the Mary McLeod Bethune Middle School in south central Los Angeles. Both teachers unions opposing the reforms and parents groups supporting the bill showed up to make their voices heard.

Mr. Obama created the “Race to the Top” education fund last year as part of the stimulus bill investment in critical sectors. The fund rewards states that create the conditions for education innovation and reform and improve student outcomes and graduation rates.

California could not apply for the funds because of a so-called educational “firewall” that kept its students' test scores from being used to evaluate teachers. Two bipartisan measures have cleared away

Autism Clusters Tied to College-Educated Parents : Discovery News

Autism Clusters Tied to College-Educated Parents : Discovery News:

"Highly educated parents may be more likely to have children diagnosed with autism, according to a recent study from the University of California at Davis.

The findings suggest a new, major risk factor for this complex, and still mysterious, developmental disability.

Dr. Karla Van Meter, the lead author for the study published online this month in the journal Autism Research, and her colleagues examined the birth records for 2.4 million live births that took place in California between 1996 and 2000."

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