Butler Teachers could walk out on Sept. 21 - Pittsburgh Tribune-Review

Butler Teachers could walk out on Sept. 21 - Pittsburgh Tribune-Review:

"Students will be out of the classroom less than two weeks after starting school if teachers go forward with another strike in 12 days.

The school board Wednesday night accepted a strike notice from the teachers union, which suggested meeting dates through Friday, Sept. 18.
As a precaution, the board at its meeting also canceled classes for Sept. 21."

Boston Teachers Union opening its own pilot school - The Boston Globe

Boston Teachers Union opening its own pilot school - The Boston Globe:

"They say that at their pilot school, teachers will have an opportunity to showcase what they can do when their voices are heard. Pilot schools can ignore district-imposed programs, which teachers often deride as misguided, one-size-fits-all approaches to boost test scores that may not actually help many students master the necessary material.

“We want to bring back some of the joy of teaching,’’ said Richard Stutman, the teachers union president. “You want people to reach their own professional potential by allowing them to do things differently.’’"

School speech flap a troubling sign

School speech flap a troubling sign:

"Obama delivered a perfect back-to-school speech on Tuesday at Wakefield High School in Arlington, Va. — which was broadcast around the nation — challenging students to work hard, to stay in school, and to find their callings in life. He also appealed to their sense of patriotism when he said: “We need every single one of you to develop your talents, skills and intellect so you can help solve our most difficult problems. If you don’t do that — if you quit on school — you’re not just quitting on yourself, you’re quitting on your country.”"

Teachers reflect on changes in schools, education over years - Life - The Modesto Bee

Teachers reflect on changes in schools, education over years - Life - The Modesto Bee:

"Landes didn't used to be so connected with his students — another change he believes schools have seen in the past 20 or so years. Teachers are starting to care more about their students on a personal level and are striving to connect with them and provide more encouragement instead of remaining detached. Landes couldn't be happier about this development and hopes kids will come to school with more positive attitudes and willingness to learn.

On the other hand, he also has experienced a decline in parental involvement with their children's education. Few parents come to back-to-school nights. For instance, if Landes has a class of 40 students, only about five parents usually show up, he said. He'd really like to see parents get more involved with schools."

Griego: Who helps the parents succeed? - The Denver Post

Griego: Who helps the parents succeed? - The Denver Post:

"Let's talk about parents.

Here is a reader's comment:

'YOU forgot the most important thing in a child getting a good education. The one who guides, teaches, loves and teaches them their values. PARENTS or PARENT . . . Those who have the guidance and involvement of their parents, parent or mentor stay in school and succeed.'

That remark came in response to Saturday's column about President Barack Obama's speech, but it is typical of some reaction to my columns on education and low-income students.
Why, these readers ask, do you not talk about the role and responsibility parents play in preparing their children to succeed in school?"

I came across the original copy of Obama’s speech before he cleaned it up to avoid raising the ire of our politically Center-Right nation. | Gainesville.com | The Gainesville Sun | Gainesville, FL

I came across the original copy of Obama’s speech before he cleaned it up to avoid raising the ire of our politically Center-Right nation. Gainesville.com The Gainesville Sun Gainesville, FL:

"After wading through a number of the Interweb’s various Infotubes, I came across the original copy of Obama’s speech before he cleaned it up to avoid raising the ire of our politically Center-Right nation. What follows is the offending text:

Good morning, my young comrades. How are you? I’m coming to you from Wakefield High School in Arlington, Virginia, and am being beamed into schools across the nation by satellite. I am everywhere and nowhere at once. Always remember that."

Dodd Decision Raises Odds for Overhaul of Financial Rules - WSJ.com

Dodd Decision Raises Odds for Overhaul of Financial Rules - WSJ.com:

"Mr. Dodd (D., Conn.) on Wednesday confirmed that he wouldn't leave the panel to head the Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Committee, after the death of its chairman, Sen. Edward Kennedy (D., Mass.). Sen. Tom Harkin (D., Iowa), who is seen as a staunch advocate for organized labor, will take over as chairman of the Senate health committee, overseeing a range of programs, including labor and wage standards, and pension rules."

Sacramento State, UC Davis stress flu shots for students - Sacramento News - Local and Breaking Sacramento News | Sacramento Bee

Sacramento State, UC Davis stress flu shots for students - Sacramento News - Local and Breaking Sacramento News Sacramento Bee

There was a carnival atmosphere inside the University Union at Sacramento State on Wednesday, with jugglers, magicians, fortune tellers, balloon artists … and nurses giving flu shots.
An annual campus festival designed to expose students to all the food and fun available in the union included a decidedly practical activity this year. Nurses from the student health center administered 200 seasonal flu shots at a satellite operation inside the union.

School reform: The Arne-and-Arnold agenda - California Progress Report

School reform: The Arne-and-Arnold agenda - California Progress Report:

"The ambitious school reform demands Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger dropped on the legislature a couple of weeks ago come with a lot of points in their favor. But careful review and input from California’s education community isn’t one of them. Again, the governor parachuted into an issue that he’s never showed much interest in and that his office has little capacity for."

Van Jones and the Boycott of Glenn Beck | CommonDreams.org

Van Jones and the Boycott of Glenn Beck CommonDreams.org:

"Glenn Beck was mad. He’s the right-wing talk radio host who has a television program on the Fox News Channel. Advertisers were fleeing his Fox program en masse after the civil rights group Color of Change mounted a campaign urging advertisers to boycott Beck, who labeled President Barack Obama a “racist.” As the campaign progressed, Beck began his attacks against Van Jones. Jones was appointed by Obama in March to be special adviser for green jobs. He co-founded Color of Change four years ago. After weeks of attacks from Beck, Jones resigned his position at the White House last Sunday."

Elk Grove Citizen : News

Elk Grove Citizen : News:

"Joe and Lynda Tallerico are examples of community volunteerism, and this is how they explain the work that they do:

“We were both raised in small communities in northern California, Joe in McCloud, and Lynda in Mount Shasta. In a small town, you know everyone and everyone knows you.

We both had careers in education, Joe as a teacher and administrator in Sacramento City Unified, and Lynda with the California School Boards Association.

We have met so many wonderful and committed people by being involved in SPOTLIGHT. The work of the Elk Grove Community Foundation is something that we truly believe in, and we thank everyone who has made our volunteer time such a wonderful experience.

We are proud to be part of Elk Grove.”"

THE OAKBOOK - Not So Fast

THE OAKBOOK - Not So Fast:

"Oakland Unified School District’s Governing Board will hear a charter petition Wednesday evening for California Connections Academy @ VIMS, a proposed online “learning community” that’s similar to a petition Sacramento’s Board of Education nixed earlier this year."

Sacramento Schools Chief: Test Scores Only One Measure | News10.net | Sacramento, California | News

Sacramento Schools Chief: Test Scores Only One Measure News10.net Sacramento, California News:

"SACRAMENTO, CA - The new superintendent for the Sacramento City Unified School District said test scores will be only one measure of student achievement.

Jonathan Raymond appeared on Wednesday's Live_Online with News10's Sharon Ito as part of our forum with local superintendents. He told viewers he will also be looking at qualitative measures, such as a school's culture and whether the public feels welcome on campus."

http://www.news10.net/video/default.aspx?maven_playerId=articleplayer&maven_referralPlaylistId=playlist&maven_referralObject=1247788483

GUIDANCE Using Title I, Part A ARRA Funds for Grants to Local Educational Agencies

GUIDANCE Using Title I, Part A ARRA Funds for Grants to Local Educational Agencies:

"GUIDANCE Using Title I, Part A ARRA Funds for Grants to Local Educational Agencies

PURPOSE OF THIS GUIDANCE

The purpose of this document is to provide assistance to State educational agencies (SEAs), local
educational agencies (LEAs), and schools in determining how to identify, create, and structure
opportunities and strategies to strengthen education, drive school reform, and improve the
academic achievement of at-risk students using funds under Title I, Part A of the Elementary and
Secondary Education Act of 1965 (ESEA) made available through the American Recovery and
Reinvestment Act of 2009 (ARRA)."

SFGate: Politics Blog : Schwarzenegger's government transparency Web site - Take 2!

SFGate: Politics Blog : Schwarzenegger's government transparency Web site - Take 2!:

"State Inspector General Laura Chick today asked Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger to expand his government transparency Web site to include more internal audits of state and local agencies, and to overhaul the Web site to make it more user-friendly.

The governor responded quickly, announcing an executive order that requires state agencies and departments to post 'all program reviews, monitoring and accountability reports, evaluations, inspections, assessments and studies of audits' for public viewing on the transparency site.

Schwarzenegger initially ordered state agencies to post all external and internal audits, as well as government contracts totaling more than $5,000 to be posted on www.reportingtransparency.ca.gov ."

Curriculum Matters: As the World Economy Slumps, Ed Investment Brings a Payoff, OECD Says

Curriculum Matters: As the World Economy Slumps, Ed Investment Brings a Payoff, OECD Says:


As nations around the globe, including the United States, attempt to crawl out of a deep recession, the evidence suggests they would be wise to invest in education because of the strong economic payoff it brings across their societies and to individual workers, a new report says.

The Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development, or OECD, makes that case in a new report, 'Education at a Glance,” which offers comparisons across countries in various educational and economic indicators.

Part of the reason that encouraging students to stick with K-12 education"

On Special Education: Ed. Dept. Gives Guidance on Providing Special Education During a Swine Flu Outbreak

On Special Education: Ed. Dept. Gives Guidance on Providing Special Education During a Swine Flu Outbreak:


"The U.S. Department of Education has offered some legal guidance to schools about their requirements to educate special education students in times of a swine flu outbreak.
Some schools closed their doors after cases of swine flu first appeared last spring. Not much was known about how schools would handle educating students with disabilities if there were ever long school closures or long absences by students because of the H1N1 virus. With a new school year under way, the U.S. Department of Education released legal guidelines Sept. 1."

First thoughts: Obama's three audiences - First Read - msnbc.com

First thoughts: Obama's three audiences - First Read - msnbc.com:

"Obama's three audiences: Perhaps the best way to view (and also judge) President Obama's health-care address tonight is to consider that he's speaking to three audiences. The first is ordinary American voters -- call them Joe and Jane from Kansas City. What we've picked up from the White House is that the president isn’t expected to get into the legislative weeds in tonight’s speech, but instead hopes to explain to Joe and Jane that his health-care reform will 1) cover nearly everyone and 2) cut costs in the long run. If that message isn’t hammered home to Joe and Jane, then the White House will consider tonight’s speech a failure. By the way, Joe and Jane in Kansas City live in the geographic AND political middle."

Sacramento News & Review > Blogs > SNOG > KJ vs City Attorney flap gets nastier > September 8, 2009

Sacramento News & Review > Blogs > SNOG > KJ vs City Attorney flap gets nastier > September 8, 2009:

"KJ vs City Attorney flap gets nastier

So the Fair Political Practices Commission today said that mayor Kevin Johnson is off the hook for any legal conflict of interest regarding an upcoming council vote to help along his strong mayor initiative. As I reported last week (and in tomorrow’s Bites column, the wonders of weekly journalism), City Attorney Eileen Teichert figured that KJ had a conflict because he loaned $25,000 to Sacramentans for Accountable Government, the committee running his strong mayor campaign. And, as reported, Johnson got around the problem, at least in part, by forgiving the loan and making it a gift."

Local News | Kent teachers defy court order, still on strike | Seattle Times Newspaper

Local News Kent teachers defy court order, still on strike Seattle Times Newspaper:

"Kent teachers were supposed to be in school Tuesday, preparing for the first day of class Wednesday, but instead were still on the picket line in defiance of a court order.

Denisha Saucedo, a sixth-grade teacher at Kent Elementary, said it was a difficult decision between continuing to fight for smaller class sizes and defying the judge who ruled the strike that began Aug. 31 was illegal.

'I became a teacher to try to make a difference,' Saucedo said. After growing up in the same school district and learning in a classroom with as many as 40 students, she said she didn't want to see her students have the same experience."