L.A. charter schools get a chance to grow, but how big? -- latimes.com

L.A. charter schools get a chance to grow, but how big? -- latimes.com:

"But the mayor's team did not wait for a formal process to quietly take control of the Mendez Learning Center, a high school opening this fall in Boyle Heights. In an interview, Cortines said that he had opposed the hand-over but that school board President Monica Garcia, a Villaraigosa ally, had insisted on it.

'There was an end-run by the partnership,' the superintendent said. 'They found a way to . . . steal the school, and it's unfortunate.'

Cortines said the new procedures for taking charge of a school would establish rules that neither the mayor nor anyone else could circumvent.

The reform plan will be overseen by newly arrived district official Matt Hill, whose $160,000salary is paid by the foundation of philanthropist Eli Broad. Hill's staff expenses are likely to be covered in part by a $4.3-million grant from Los Angeles sports executive Casey Wasserman. Both donors have given money to charter schools, and Broad has said he hopes charters will gradually dismantle L.A. Unified, which he considers beyond hope for rapid improvement."

One inside formula would be based on 10 experimental pilot schools in the Pico-Union area.At these schools, for example, the teachers union has agreed to a process by which ineffective teachers, even tenured ones, can be removed. And principals must receive an annual vote of confidence from a school governing committee.No entity fought the reform plan harder than United Teachers Los Angeles. Union leaders characterized it as a right wing-inspired privatization scheme that could destabilize public education. They may yet file suit to stop it, but they have also urged teachers to participate."If we seize this chance, we could turn this destructive idea into a more promising one," UTLA President A.J. Duffy said in a bulletin to members. "It could be the mechanism by which we free schools from top-down control."

Parents upset over 'leftist propaganda' video

Parents upset over 'leftist propaganda' video - Salt Lake Tribune

A school principal has apologized for showing a video at an assembly that a politically conservative group leader is calling "radical, leftist propaganda."

Children at Eagle Bay Elementary School in Farmington were shown a short video called "I pledge" on Aug. 28. The video opens with an image of President Barack Obama and part of a speech in which he says, "Let us summon a new spirit of patriotism, of responsibility where each of us resolves to pitch in and work harder and look after not only ourselves but each other." The video then features celebrities making pledges about how they will help the president and the world -- and that's where some say the problem lies.

Many pledges, such as supporting local food banks,
I Pledge poll
Should the video "I Pledge" be shown in an elementary school?
Yes?
No
smiling more, and caring for the elderly are noncontroversial. But other pledges, such as "to never give anyone the finger when I'm driving again," "to sell my obnoxious car and buy a hybrid" and to advance stem cell research cross the line, some say.

New York Measuring Teachers by Test Scores - New York Times

New York Measuring Teachers by Test Scores - New York Times:

"The effort comes as educators nationwide are struggling to figure out how to find, train and measure good teachers. Many education experts say that until teacher quality improves in urban schools, student performance is likely to stagnate and the achievement gap between white and minority students will never be closed. Other school systems, including those in Dallas and Houston as well as in the whole state of Tennessee, are also using student performance and improvement as factors in evaluating teachers.

The United Federation of Teachers, the city’s teachers’ union, has known about the experiment for months, but has not been told which schools are involved, because the Education Department has promised those principals confidentiality.

Randi Weingarten, the union president, said she had grave reservations about the project, and would fight if the city tried to use the information for tenure or formal evaluations or even publicized it. She and the city disagree over whether such moves would be allowed under the contract."

Do charter schools help rural districts with 300 students? | Get Schooled

Do charter schools help rural districts with 300 students? Get Schooled:

"If you have time, take a look at this article from Education Week. The article examines how the Obama-Duncan education reforms will impact America’s rural schools and the 13 million students they serve.

A chief concern of rural educators is the administration’s emphasis on creating new charter schools to buoy student achievement. They say that some rural districts can barely fill their existing schools now, never mind afford to open new schools.

As an example, the article states: ”Denise Juneau, Montana’s superintendent of schools, in a July 28 letter to Mr. Duncan, formally objected to the federal department’s use of charter schools as one metric by which states will be judged. She pointed out that only 6 percent of her state’s school districts have student populations greater than 500, while 54 percent have enrollments of fewer than 100. The state doesn’t have charter schools, which are publicly funded but largely autonomous. ‘Montana’s rural context and economic status has made it challenging for many communities and the state to support the public schools we currently have, much less encourage the duplication of infrastructure a charter school would mean in most communities,’ wrote Ms. Juneau in the letter.”

The article also talks about a concern that I have — attracting top-of-the line teachers to rural schools. It’s great to urge the hiring of bright teachers and inspiring principals, but how do you entice them to rural districts?"

WaPo Explains It All: Loose Lips Daily - City Desk - Washington City Paper

WaPo Explains It All: Loose Lips Daily - City Desk - Washington City Paper:

"Fenty will grace the first annual Democrats for Education Reform school year calendar. ‘The calendar, entitled “10 Champions for America’s Students,” highlights 10 star reformers who have demonstrated their long-term commitment to education reform in the communities they serve as well as on a national scale. Mayor Fenty has been selected as a champion of America’s students for his efforts to breathe new life into the failing Washington, DC school system. The Mayor is pictured in the calendar with students from John Eaton Elementary School, in Washington, D.C.’ Other honorees: Cory Booker, Kevin Johnson."

Stanford poll: Obama sways public on controversial education issues - San Jose Mercury News

Stanford poll: Obama sways public on controversial education issues - San Jose Mercury News:

"At the height of his popularity, President Obama could significantly sway public opinion on three controversial education issues: charter schools, merit pay and vouchers, a new study has found.

The president's favorable views on charter schools and merit pay for teachers increased approval for those issues by more than 10 percentage points — and by as much as 23 points for African-American respondents.

The findings suggest that Obama's views could gather support for education reform, which he has championed. On Tuesday, the White House announced that Obama would address schoolchildren Tuesday in a nationally broadcast talk to classrooms.

Obama's influence is notable because public opinion usually shifts gradually, according to one of the authors of the survey, which was conducted by Education Next, a journal of the Hoover Institution at Stanford University, and by the Program on Education Policy and Governance at Harvard University."

Top News - Schools get help in using Web 2.0 tools

Top News - Schools get help in using Web 2.0 tools:

"Web 2.0 tools also can enhance schoolwide communication and decision making, said Gordon Dahlby, director of curriculum and technology for the West Des Moines Community School District in Iowa.

One-way communication, in which eMail blasts, newsletters, web posts, or meeting minutes are used to spread the word, 'is so last century,' Dahlby said. Instead, he recommended using Web 2.0 tools to facilitate problem solving and increase collaboration and transparency. 'The committee,' according to Dahlby, 'is dead.' Why choose a group of people to meet and make decisions, he explained, when you can post the question online and let people respond using Web 2.0 tools?

To help educators better understand the different tools available, the EdTechNext report breaks down the different types of Web 2.0 tools into more specific categories, such as:"

City schools that failed Education Department's first two progress reports face changes

City schools that failed Education Department's first two progress reports face changes:

"The United Federation of Teachers, working with parents, successfully sued to block the closure of Public School 194 in Harlem and PS 150 in Brownsville, Brooklyn - even though they had each gotten a D and an F on two progress reports.

'[Parents] felt very connected to their school, which is a good thing,' Mulgrew said. 'They felt they were moving in the right direction.'

Last year's progress report was the first used as part of principals' official evaluation, but the grade counts for just under a third of the determination.
Council of School Supervisors officials noted not all principals who left the schools with bad grades were forced out.

'Many of these people - we would expected to have announced their retirement a long time ago,' said Council of School Supervisors Vice President Peter McNally."

Education | Kent Schools takes teachers to court | Seattle Times Newspaper

Education Kent Schools takes teachers to court Seattle Times Newspaper:

"The Kent School District is seeking an injunction to try to force its striking teachers back to work.

Superintendent Edward Vargas said this afternoon that the teachers strike that began Monday is illegal. He said strikes by public-school employees are against Washington common law.
Vargas told reporters at a 3 p.m. news conference that the district is seeking the injunction for the sake of the students who need to begin school.

The 1,700 teachers voted to strike Aug. 26 and formed picket lines the following day. It is the first strike in Kent School District history and has delayed the opening of school, which was supposed to happen on Monday"

Unions have a big chance to be major players in school reform - STLtoday.com

Unions have a big chance to be major players in school reform - STLtoday.com:

"The National Education Association, the nation's largest teachers union, has criticized the program.

The NEA says the initiative has an 'unhealthy focus on standardized tests' and argues that 'it is inappropriate to require that states be able to link data on student achievement to individual teachers for the purpose of teacher and principal evaluation.'

The program encourages the creation of 'high-quality charter schools,' which the NEA sees as proof that 'the administration has decided that charter schools are the only answer to what ails America's public schools.'"

Charter school ignores deadline for replacing CEO | Philadelphia Inquirer | 09/02/2009

Charter school ignores deadline for replacing CEO Philadelphia Inquirer 09/02/2009:

"The board of the embattled New Media Technology Charter School ignored yesterday's deadline for replacing Ina Walker, the school's chief executive officer, setting up a possible showdown with the Philadelphia School Reform Commission.

Two weeks ago, the commission voted unanimously to require New Media to replace Walker, board chairman Hugh C. Clark, and the rest of its board, and to meet more than 20 other conditions in order to obtain a new, five-year operating charter.

The conditions were designed to address allegations of financial mismanagement and conflicts of interest at the school, which has campuses in the city's Stenton and Germantown sections."

40% of schools fail to make the grade | WWLP.com

40% of schools fail to make the grade WWLP.com:


"Connecticut education officials say 40 percent of the state's public schools failed to meet performance standards this year under the federal No Child Left Behind law.

A report released Tuesday by the state Department of Education says 406 of 987 schools failed to make 'adequate yearly progress' under the federal law. That's down slightly from the 408 schools that didn't meet the standards last year.

The schools on this year's list include some prestigious ones, like Greenwich High School, West Hartford's Hall High School and Glastonbury High School."

Enough, already, of the current No Child Left Behind law | Commentary | Minnesota Public Radio NewsQ

Enough, already, of the current No Child Left Behind law Commentary Minnesota Public Radio NewsQ:


"The test data provide a wholly inadequate snapshot of how Minnesota's students and schools are doing on a given day. Think of your driver's license photo. It's actually you in the picture, but how many of us would consider it a true representation of how we look?

NCLB test results are designed in such a way that all Minnesota's schools will be on the failure list by 2014, according to the legislative auditor. The arbitrary standards defy common sense. Schools can fail by missing one of 37 different criteria. If 100 percent of Special Ed kids aren't proficient, the school doesn't meet standards. And every year the standards change."

Dress code for teachers and new committees highlight Cleveland mayoral candidate Kimberly Brown's education agenda - Inside Cleveland City Hall - cleveland.com

Dress code for teachers and new committees highlight Cleveland mayoral candidate Kimberly Brown's education agenda - Inside Cleveland City Hall - cleveland.com:

"Education Steering Committee will be immediately developed/support to assist Board Members with vital decisions being made and parental engagement. More so, an Oversight Committee will be implemented to oversee and monitor policies, procedures and financial responsibilites of the district set forth by state law and community values.

This Committee will report directly to the Mayor per 60 days for appropriate accountability of all services rendered and procured within our school district. The Education Steering Committee will complement the appointed school board - assist the school's CEO (on hands) - support and invest in our teachers - build relationships with our parents - engage and prepare our children"

Sacramento Press / U.S. Secretary of Education Duncan to Boost School Reform in Sacramento Thursday

Sacramento Press / U.S. Secretary of Education Duncan to Boost School Reform in Sacramento Thursday:


"I believe that must change. And to that end, at my invitation, U.S. Secretary of Education Arne Duncan will be in Sacramento on Thursday to bring his message of education reform to our city and to our state’s leadership.

He’ll start his day in the Capitol. I have arranged for him to meet with Senate President pro Tem Darrell Steinberg, Speaker Karen Bass, the Democratic and Republican Caucuses.

Later that afternoon, Secretary Duncan will meet with Sacramento area superintendents of instruction and the business community. The dialogue will emphasize that education reform takes a concerted effort; it’s everyone’s responsibility."

AFL-CIO NOW BLOG | ‘Young Workers: A Lost Decade’

AFL-CIO NOW BLOG ‘Young Workers: A Lost Decade’:


"These are the findings of a new report, “Young Workers: A Lost Decade.” Conducted in July 2009 by Peter D. Hart Research Associates for the AFL-CIO and our community affiliate Working America, the nationwide survey of 1,156 people follows up on a similar survey the AFL-CIO conducted in 1999. The deterioration of young workers’ economic situation in those 10 years is alarming."

http://www.docstoc.com/docs/10628967/“Young-Workers-A-Lost-Decade”-AFL-CIO--Working-America

President Addresses American Students 9-8-09

President Addresses American Students 9-8-09:

PRESIDENT OBAMA TO DELIVER NATIONALLY BROADCAST ADDRESS TO STUDENTS ON SEPT. 8

The President will deliver a speech about the importance of persisting and succeeding in school on Sept. 8, the first day of school for many children across America.

The Department of Education is encouraging educators, students and parents to use this opportunity to help students get focused and begin the school year strong. The speech will be broadcast live on www.whitehouse.gov at 1 p.m. EDT.

The Department of Education has also asked a group of U.S. Department of Education Teaching Ambassador Fellows to develop some suggested classroom activities around the speech to help engage students and stimulate discussion on the importance of education in their lives.

The suggested classroom activities will be available on http://www.ed.gov/.

Here's how the President described the speech in a recent interview with 11 year-old reporter Damon Weaver yesterday: "On Sept. 8, when young people across the country will have just started or are about to go back to school, I'm going to be making a big speech to young people all across the country about the importance of education, the importance of staying in school, how we want to improve our education system, and why it's so important for the country.
And so I hope everybody tunes in.

"WHO:President Obama

WHAT:Presidential Address To Students

WHEN:1 p.m. EDT, Tuesday, Sept. 8, 2009

WHERE:Broadcast live at www.whitehouse.gov

President Addresses American Students 9-8-09

President Addresses American Students 9-8-09:

"President Addresses American Students 9-8-09"

President Obama to Deliver Nationally Broadcast Address to Students Sept. 8
U.S. Department of EducationOffice of Communications & Outreach, Press Office400 Maryland Ave., S.W.Washington, D.C. 20202

MEDIA ADVISORYEVENT DATE:1 p.m. EDT, Tuesday, Sept. 8, 2009Contact: Sandra Abrevaya(202) 401-1576 or sandra.abrevaya@ed.gov

PRESIDENT OBAMA TO DELIVER NATIONALLY BROADCAST ADDRESS TO STUDENTS ON SEPT. 8

The President will deliver a speech about the importance of persisting and succeeding in school on Sept. 8, the first day of school for many children across America. The Department of Education is encouraging educators, students and parents to use this opportunity to help students get focused and begin the school year strong. The speech will be broadcast live on www.whitehouse.gov at 1 p.m. EDT.

The Department of Education has also asked a group of U.S. Department of Education Teaching Ambassador Fellows to develop some suggested classroom activities around the speech to help engage students and stimulate discussion on the importance of education in their lives. The suggested classroom activities will be available on http://www.ed.gov/.

Here's how the President described the speech in a recent interview with 11 year-old reporter Damon Weaver yesterday: "On Sept. 8, when young people across the country will have just started or are about to go back to school, I'm going to be making a big speech to young people all across the country about the importance of education, the importance of staying in school, how we want to improve our education system, and why it's so important for the country. And so I hope everybody tunes in.

"WHO:President Obama
WHAT:Presidential Address To Students
WHEN:1 p.m. EDT, Tuesday, Sept. 8, 2009
WHERE:Broadcast live at www.whitehouse.gov

U.S. Secretary of Education Arne Duncan to Visit Sacramento

U.S. Secretary of Education Arne Duncan to Visit Sacramento

U.S. Secretary of Education Arne Duncan to Visit Sacramento


On Thursday, September 3rd United States Secretary of Education Arne Duncan is coming to Sacramento. I admired Arne Duncan’s leadership before he was appointed Secretary of Education. A former Chicago superintendent, Duncan’s district was one of the first to push mutual consent in teacher hiring, ensuring that every school was staffed with high quality teachers. His Renaissance 2010 initiative closed down vacant schools to reopen them with strong options for young people.

Secretary Duncan is now bringing those same ideals and strategies to schools and districts across the nation. He wants to make sure that we are a country that has a common set of rigorous standards, strong data systems linking student and teacher performance, performance and merit pay, and intervention for failing schools.
What does this mean for Sacramento? I firmly believe that if you have great schools, you will have a great city. As Mayor, my commitment is to make sure that the City of Sacramento, our county and our region are known for great public schools.

Sacramento can be one of the leaders in education reform. As the capitol of California, we should be the hotbed of reform and innovation.

We have created an education “white paper” for Sacramento that aligns with Secretary of Education Duncan’s plan for national reform. I encourage you to read the "white paper" and learn more about Secretary of Education Duncan’s visit to Sacramento.

http://www.docstoc.com/docs/10382430/Education-That-Works-Ideas-for-Sacramento

ALTERNATIVE CERTIFICATION PROGRAMS: MEETING THE DEMAND FOR TEACHERS

ALTERNATIVE CERTIFICATION PROGRAMS: MEETING THE DEMAND FOR TEACHERS:

"In recent years, all 50 states and the District of Columbia have established alternative certification programs to help meet this challenge of finding and retaining teachers. But have these programs been successful?

School districts must constantly recruit new teachers due to turnover. According to a nationwide study by the Nebraska State Education Association:
Six percent of teachers leave the profession each year.

One-fifth of new hires quit teaching within three years.

In urban areas, 50 percent of educators quit after five years.

Education researchers Paul E. Peterson and Daniel Nadler found that many states' alternative certification programs require just as many college-level education courses as regular certification. As a result, these programs produce few new teachers. By contrast, less restrictive programs require fewer hours of instruction and produce more teachers.

According to the National Center for Alternative Education, the oldest and most established state programs -- in California, New Jersey and Texas -- produce the most new teachers.

Texas and California report that about one-third of their new teachers come from alternative programs. In New Jersey, it is about 40 percent."