Education Report: A long view of public education in Oakland - Inside Bay Area

Education Report: A long view of public education in Oakland - Inside Bay Area:

"When I began teaching in 1969, there were students in my regular eighth-grade English classes who could not read 10 words. These were students who entered school before President Johnson's War on Poverty had set up the Head Start Preschool program and Title I funding for schools in low-income areas. Although we still have many students who read far below grade level, the complete nonreader has disappeared from regular classes at the schools where I have worked."

KIPP, union disagree on Baltimore teachers' pay | 89.3 KPCC

KIPP, union disagree on Baltimore teachers' pay 89.3 KPCC:

"In his speech to school children today, President Obama will tell them to study more. Many educators say low income kids, in particular, need to spend more hours per day and more days per week in school. Still, a dispute involving teachers in Baltimore is raising questions about whether the country can afford to pay for extra time. NPR's Larry Abramson reports."

Old School in Virginia - washingtonpost.com

Old School in Virginia - washingtonpost.com:

"Low salaries discourage people from entering, and staying, in teaching. But across-the-board increases to an artificial average are a discredited relic -- the education equivalent of building a gas guzzler when the market has turned to hybrids. For one, systems don't compete nationally for teachers; the ability to be competitive with nearby districts is far more important."

Marcos Breton: Our mayor looks sharp -- but what has he done, really? - Sacramento News - Local and Breaking Sacramento News | Sacramento Bee

Marcos Breton: Our mayor looks sharp -- but what has he done, really? - Sacramento News - Local and Breaking Sacramento News Sacramento Bee:

"You can't say the Lord Mayor has no clothes because he's quite a dapper man.

It's the suit that sometimes seems empty.

Months into his tenure as mayor, we know what we've always known about KJ: He has connections; he can raise big money; he has adoring followers; and he's often on national television.
If the mayor's job were about mojo, he'd be the Austin Powers of municipal leaders."

Kent teachers' strike pits parent against parent | KOMO News - Seattle, Washington | Local & Regional

Kent teachers' strike pits parent against parent KOMO News - Seattle, Washington Local & Regional:

"COVINGTON, Wash. - With no breakthrough in the Kent teachers' strike and a deadline looming, battle lines are forming between parents in the sprawling district.

Some parents are backing the teachers, while other parents are ready to push them back to school.

The two duelling camps faced off across the street from one another Saturday morning, waving signs and shouting slogans."

District must demand details on concessions | livingstondaily.com | Livingston Daily

District must demand details on concessions livingstondaily.com Livingston Daily:

"Teachers were voting last week on a plan in which they would pay from $1,300 to $1,800 a year for insurance, or about $100 to $150 a month. While that might not seem like a lot to some, the fact is the teachers don't have to make that concession at all, because they have a contract through the end of this school year.

The problem, though, is that this deal extends the contract another year through the summer of 2011. That means that all raises and step increases are still in place. Even with the health-care contribution, the district will still be increasing its compensation package for teachers."

Charter schools: They're not better for our kids - The Denver Post

Charter schools: They're not better for our kids - The Denver Post:

"The claim of privatized school 'innovation' also has not been validated. Both Green Dot and KIPP charter programs have gained notoriety by simply employing well-known academic achievement variables in a highly structured environment, such as requiring parental support; requiring regular attendance; teaching a rigorous curriculum aligned to the requisite tests; and establishing an achievement-oriented school culture. Students failing to meet these expectations drop out or are disenrolled, thus improving the appearance of class post-test performance by the persistent."

Let’s continue to reform alternative teacher licensing | thestarpress.com | The Star Press

Let’s continue to reform alternative teacher licensing thestarpress.com The Star Press:

"• Anyone with a bachelor’s degree could pass a test from the American Board for Certification of Teacher Excellence.

• Administrators could be hired from outside the education field.

• No more than 30 credit hours in teaching methods would be required for elementary education majors.

• Elementary education majors would have to minor in a content area.

• Elementary teachers could move to high school and vice versa by passing a test.

These proposed reforms are in response to “Race to the Top, a federal grant program that will divide $5 billion among schools in states that qualify. But to be considered, states must raise standards and show they’re trying new methods to improve.”"

Writing Your Own Destiny: Obama's Universal Message for Youth - JamaicaObserver.com

Writing Your Own Destiny: Obama's Universal Message for Youth - JamaicaObserver.com:

"In the Caribbean, waking up with the sun's rise to study was a norm for many students in rural areas whose homes had no electricity and whose parents could not afford private schools or extra lessons. In some cases, study in the light of the early-morning sun preceded work in the field before setting off for school.

Many of the professionals in Caribbean life today reached the pinnacles they have by recognising then what Obama, from his own similar experience, could say today: 'Each of you has a responsibility for your education, (It is) a responsibility you have to yourself.'"

Final flurry caps tough session for Legislature : State : Ventura County Star

Final flurry caps tough session for Legislature : State : Ventura County Star:

"By Friday evening, after lawmakers had tackled the prison reform issue and were close to closing deals on the others, Assembly Speaker Karen Bass, D-Los Angeles, was asked if she thought lawmakers had done enough to satisfy Schwarzenegger’s concerns.

“I’m tired of being threatened by the governor,” she responded. “We have been working tirelessly on these issues, and he knows that.”"

Charter schools 101: Charter schools in California's Central Valley

Charter schools 101: Charter schools in California's Central Valley:

"Charter schools are regulated but self-governing tuition-free public schools that tend to utilize innovative approaches in teaching, such as the use of natural and logical consequences, multi-age classrooms, class meetings, life skills education, Montessori principals, appreciation of brain compatibility and multiple intelligences, off-site teaching, community involvement, independent study, technology, and the all-important parent-teacher volunteers. A few charter schools have a focus such as art, music, college-prep or technology."

Where candidates stand on key issues

Where candidates stand on key issues:


"Jerry Brown-Gavin Newsom-Tom Campbell-Steve Poizner-Meg Whitman"

Sacramento teacher selected for Holocaust summit - Sacramento News - Local and Breaking Sacramento News | Sacramento Bee

Sacramento teacher selected for Holocaust summit - Sacramento News - Local and Breaking Sacramento News Sacramento Bee:

"U.S. teachers will meet in Washington, D.C., with a special envoy from the U.S. State Department, as well as representatives of American Jewish organizations, and cultural and political departments of the Polish Embassy. From there, they will travel to Warsaw and Krakow for a four-day conference organized by the Polish National Teacher's Training Center.
Tillotson has taught in Sacramento for 12 years. She began her career at St. John the Evangelist School in Carmichael. For the past two years, she has taught English and U.S. history at Cristo Rey High School in south Sacramento."

Will schools honor Harvey Milk? It's up to governor - Sacramento News - Local and Breaking Sacramento News | Sacramento Bee

Will schools honor Harvey Milk? It's up to governor - Sacramento News - Local and Breaking Sacramento News Sacramento Bee:

"In vetoing a similar measure last year, Schwarzenegger applauded Milk as an 'important community leader and public official.'

'However, I believe his contributions should continue to be recognized at the local level by those who were most impacted by his contributions,' Schwarzenegger's veto message said.

Leno contends that Schwarzenegger recently 'negated his comments' from last year's veto message by noting the extraordinary global impact of this year's California Hall of Fame nominees, who include Milk."

Recent dust-ups may shed light on Kevin Johnson's strong-mayor vision - Sacramento News - Local and Breaking Sacramento News | Sacramento Bee

Recent dust-ups may shed light on Kevin Johnson's strong-mayor vision - Sacramento News - Local and Breaking Sacramento News Sacramento Bee:

"The mayor's adversaries aren't impressed. They see a political newbie intent on becoming a 'Boss Johnson' who wants to wield the kind of ax swung by political machines in Chicago or New York.

Either way, Johnson's actions over the past few weeks may offer a glimpse into the kind of mayor – what kind of 'strong' mayor – he might want to be."

The Associated Press: School book ban raises censorship concerns in PR

The Associated Press: School book ban raises censorship concerns in PR:

"SAN JUAN, Puerto Rico — Several university professors in Puerto Rico are protesting a decision to ban five books from the curriculum at public high schools in the U.S. territory because of coarse language.

The Spanish-language books previously were read as part of the 11th grade curriculum, but proofreaders this year alerted education officials about 'coarse' slang, including references to genitalia in 'Mejor te lo cuento: antologia personal,' by Juan Antonio Ramos.

Also among the banned books is the novel 'Aura' by Carlos Fuentes of Mexico, one of Latin America's most prominent contemporary writers. The other four authors affected are from Puerto Rico."

SCUSD Observer: Local AFL-CIO mobilizes against Johnson

SCUSD Observer: Local AFL-CIO mobilizes against Johnson

URGENT MOBILIZATION!

STOP THE POLITICAL VENDETTA AGAINST THE AFL-CIO SUPPORTER
ON THE LAW AND LEGISLATION COMMITTEE!

Tuesday, September 15th @ 6 PM*

This should be one of the first items on the agenda

*Sacramento City Council Meeting

City Hall
915 I Street,
Sacramento

On Tuesday, September 8th, Mayor Kevin Johnson removed Councilwoman Sandy Sheedy as chair of the City’s Law and Legislation Committee.

Sheedy has been an outspoken advocate for workers issues on and off the city council.

Councilmember Sheedy raised questions reflecting the concerns of Labor regarding the potential corruption in the strong mayor proposal advocated by the group Sacramentans for Accountable Government.

D.C. Teachers, Rhee Appear Close to Contract; Both Sides Might Yield Some Ground - washingtonpost.com

D.C. Teachers, Rhee Appear Close to Contract; Both Sides Might Yield Some Ground - washingtonpost.com:

"Under a proposed 'mutual consent' provision, principals would have more power to pick and choose teachers. Teachers who failed to find new assignments would have three options. They could remain on the payroll for a year, accepting at least two spot assignments as substitutes or tutors or in some other support role. If they can't find a permanent job after a year, they would be fired. Teachers could also choose to take a $25,000 buyout or, if they have at least 20 years' service to the city school system, retire with full benefits."

School's Out for Laid-Off L.A. Teacher - Christina Davidson

School's Out for Laid-Off L.A. Teacher - Christina Davidson:

"According to the California Teachers Association, districts across the state have laid off more than 20,000 educators. Los Angeles Unified--the second largest school district in the country--had to cut almost a billion dollars from its budget this year. Nearly 9,000 teachers, counselors, and administrators received layoff notices in the Spring, though an infusion of federal stimulus funds eased budget constraints enough to finance re-hiring around 6,700 of them."

PD Editorial: Teacher pay | PressDemocrat.com | The Press Democrat | Santa Rosa, CA

PD Editorial: Teacher pay PressDemocrat.com The Press Democrat Santa Rosa, CA:

"For 15 years, Long Beach has used data-based systems to track and evaluate students and teachers, while receiving national acclaim for its performance. Among other things, district officials use data to match specialists with students needing extra help and coaches with struggling teachers. Yes, data also could — and should — be a factor in awarding merit raises to deserving teachers, but that’s not the same as a rigid formula linked to test scores.

More schools would benefit from the middle ground championed by Long Beach educators. So would our politics."