Tough times catching up to teacher pay, benefits | Philadelphia Inquirer | 09/21/2009

Tough times catching up to teacher pay, benefits Philadelphia Inquirer 09/21/2009:

"Nevertheless, Garden State teachers are faring better than school workers on average nationally. According to data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics, elementary and secondary school salaries averaged a 2.8 percent increase from June 2008 to June 2009.

And even that is better than the paltry 1.5 percent increases on average being handed out nationally to private-industry workers, according to the labor bureau."

William J. Adelman, 1932-2009: Teacher formed a union at school, became labor history expert -- chicagotribune.com

William J. Adelman, 1932-2009: Teacher formed a union at school, became labor history expert -- chicagotribune.com:

"'We wouldn't be here today if it weren't for Bill and his devotion to preserving our history,' said Larry Spivack, president of the society, the oldest organization of its kind in the United States. 'He was for many years the public face of the labor movement in Illinois.'

Mr. Adelman, 77, who died in his Oak Park home Tuesday, Sept. 15, apparently of a heart attack, became such a renowned labor expert that he often was an adviser, writer and narrator of films and documentaries on the labor movement, particularly those dealing with Chicago's history, family members said."


William J. Adelman

“The popular and peripatetic prophet of labor history; teacher, author, lecturer, and tireless tour leader.”

Throughout his career, Adelman has promoted the history of Chicago labor. For twenty-five years he served as professor at the Institute of Labor and Industrial Relations at the University of Illinois. In 1969, he was a co-founder of the ILHS and has published numerous books on labor history: Touring Pullman: Labor Sites in the Chicago Area, Haymarket Revisited, and Pilsen: A Tour Guide. During the 1990s Adelman has lectured on Chicago labor and ethnic history before a variety of unions and community groups.

My vision for a strong MPS - BizTimes

My vision for a strong MPS - BizTimes:

"A strong, reform-minded superintendent - of the caliber that D.C. Mayor Fenty found in Michelle Rhee, New York Mayor Bloomberg identified in Joel Klein and Chicago Mayor Daley (and ultimately President Obama) landed in Arne Duncan - that is looking to come to a district where they can implement real reform.

Such leaders would be frustrated under the current system where they have to cater to the changing directives of board leadership. And they would certainly be frustrated by recent actions by the current school board such as redirecting $300,000 for an office of accountability that shifts key powers away from the administration to an elected board, or redirecting $250,000 to pay private lawyers to support the status quo and resist reform efforts."

Google’s Digitization Gains C.U.’s Support, Despite Suit | The Cornell Daily Sun

Google’s Digitization Gains C.U.’s Support, Despite Suit The Cornell Daily Sun:

"In 2007, Cornell joined five other universities in an agreement with Google to digitize its eight million-volume collection. The goal of the project was to allow Cornell to buy access to Google’s ever-increasing online library. Although copyrighted books — only those published after 1923 — were initially shown in “snippet,” a highly fragmented format, the Association of American Publishers and the Authors Guild filed a lawsuit against Google for copyright violation on Sept. 20, 2005."

An activist turns a page - The Globe and Mail

An activist turns a page - The Globe and Mail:

"Ralph Nader, the consumer activist and corporate scourge, is saying nice things about the kind of folks you'd expect him to despise.
“Never in America have there been more super-rich people with relatively enlightened views,” says Nader, lean and hopeful at age 75, dark eyes aglow as he speaks at the offices of Public Citizen, the progressive research and advocacy group he founded nearly 40 years ago.
“Not all the super-rich are craven greedhounds, dominators and bullies. Some of them take on their counterpart greedhounds, dominators and bullies.”
It's as if Glenn Beck had found the bright side of socialism."

From K-12, students can opt to take their classes in cyberspace | Family | Wichita Eagle

From K-12, students can opt to take their classes in cyberspace Family Wichita Eagle:

"Officials project that 310 public middle and high school students will take all of their classes online this year, with 200 other students choosing to supplement their traditional or home-school studies with virtual courses. Their teachers work for the county's virtual school, based in Davie. Broward Virtual School contracts with Florida Virtual School for its middle and high school courses. Florida Virtual operates out of Orlando."

Wing nuts are too stupid to win their fake Civil War

Wing nuts are too stupid to win their fake Civil War:

"Even so, with a long social history of being looked down upon by the slave owners and valued below their expensive chattel, the so-called white trash class was full of believers quick to identify with those above them in wealth, power and education. The trash was convinced of their rightness, once the mythology got up a good head of steam, to the point of suicidal obnoxiousness. These men actually thought that their constitutional rights would be torn asunder if slavery ended.

But you know how it goes: The rough and ready fighting men were taken into meat grinders like Gettysburg. After three days of battle in that small Pennsylvania town, Robert E. Lee discovered that the men he commanded were far from invincible."

Health Officials: Vaccine is Best Protection against H1N1 - Pravda.Ru

Health Officials: Vaccine is Best Protection against H1N1 - Pravda.Ru:

"The only thing experts can say for sure about this flu season is that it won't be similar to any other. There will be multiple flu viruses circulating, one of which most people are defenseless against. 'This year we are in uncharted territory,' says Centers for Disease Control and Prevention director Thomas Frieden. 'What will happen in the coming weeks and months will only become clear in the weeks and months ahead.' Here is a handy guide to prepare for flu season by USA TODAY's Steve Sternberg, compiled from information provided by the CDC and other sources."

Education Technology News: Verizon Offers Free Online Resources for California Educators

Education Technology News: Verizon Offers Free Online Resources for California Educators:

"A new initiative from the California K-12 High Speed Network, or K12HSN, a state-funded education program, and the Verizon Foundation will reportedly provide free online resources for California teachers, parents and students, through Verizon's (News - Alert) Thinkfinity.org."

Young people should strive for a more complete skill set - Sacramento Opinion - Sacramento Editorial | Sacramento Bee

Young people should strive for a more complete skill set - Sacramento Opinion - Sacramento Editorial Sacramento Bee:

"If we are going to educate a new generation of informed, responsible Americans who are ready to work in an increasingly interdependent world, Sorensen says, we must start with a basic grounding in subjects such as history and political science. In addition, she promotes the teaching of foreign languages, so each student reaches a point of fluency in at least one of them. Later, as students move into the university, Sorensen believes they should take one or more courses in economics, and develop as broad a base as possible in world literature and culture.

How does one accommodate such needs in already crowded curricula at the secondary-school level?"

Education: Report forecasts surge of new students for community colleges – North San Francisco Bay Area, Sonoma, Marin, Napa counties - North Bay Business Journal - Archive

Education: Report forecasts surge of new students for community colleges – North San Francisco Bay Area, Sonoma, Marin, Napa counties - North Bay Business Journal - Archive:

"The report, entitled “Ready or Not, Here They Come,” will be presented at the commission’s quarterly meeting to be held later this month in Sacramento.

According to the report, the state’s 110 community colleges will need to increase their capacity over the next decade in order not to turn away the 222,000 additional students who will seek to enroll. It estimates that the number of students during the next decade will increase by 12.3 percent."

The Conversation: Education chief wants a transformation - Sacramento Opinion - Sacramento Editorial | Sacramento Bee

The Conversation: Education chief wants a transformation - Sacramento Opinion - Sacramento Editorial Sacramento Bee:

"Join the conversation: Should teacher pay be linked to student performance? Leave your comments in our forum.

U.S. Secretary of Education Arne Duncan is a man in a hurry. Children, he says, have only one chance to get an education: 'We cannot wait because our children cannot wait.'"

Sacramento committee plan opposes strong-mayor proposal - Sacramento News - Local and Breaking Sacramento News | Sacramento Bee

Sacramento committee plan opposes strong-mayor proposal - Sacramento News - Local and Breaking Sacramento News Sacramento Bee:

"A draft report by the Charter Review Committee recommends keeping the city governance structure virtually untouched, except for granting the mayor the power to appoint – but not have final approval over – a nomination for city manager."

Students, education officials take precautions | Grand Forks Herald | Grand Forks, North Dakota

Students, education officials take precautions Grand Forks Herald Grand Forks, North Dakota:

"“Awareness certainly is heightened,” Pace said. “We have Minnesota Health Department information on our Web site, and I’m looking at attendance figures earlier than ever, asking what are the reasons for people being out. We’re in our second week and we’re getting some students who are sick, but that’s normal.”

While nobody is panicking over H1N1, “They’re scared of the unknown,” Carlstrom said. “How bad is it going to get? We don’t know.”"

Money problems sowing discontent in Univerity of California system - San Jose Mercury News

Money problems sowing discontent in Univerity of California system - San Jose Mercury News:

"The expected showdown this week — on the first day of classes at eight of the 10 campuses — follows a raucous UC Board of Regents meeting last week where officials presented their tuition plan and 14 of about 100 demonstrators were arrested.

'It's going to explode pretty soon, if it hasn't already,' said Will Smelko, a senior political science major at UC-Berkeley and the student-body president.

The growing rumbles come after a rough year for the university, which has cut enrollment and raised student fees to make up for state budget cuts. In November, the Board of Regents is expected to vote to increase tuition by 32 percent over the next year, pushing it to more than $10,000 annually."

The Associated Press: Calif. panel set to recommend major tax overhaul

The Associated Press: Calif. panel set to recommend major tax overhaul:

"According to a draft of the plan, the state's personal income tax structure would be flattened and taxes on the wealthy would be reduced. The state sales and corporate taxes would be replaced with a new business levy that taxes net receipts.

The commission is recommending a simpler income tax to replace California's more progressive structure, in which people who make more, pay more — up to 10.55 percent for millionaires. The commission is recommending just two rates: 2.75 percent for individuals making up to $28,000 a year and couples making $56,000, and 6.5 percent for those making more."

Mayor Johnson persuades homeless campers to leave downtown property - E-mail Alerts -- Breaking News - sacbee.com

Mayor Johnson persuades homeless campers to leave downtown property - E-mail Alerts -- Breaking News - sacbee.com:

"In his blog, Johnson wrote: 'I was there last night, meeting with about 15 homeless campers. I listened as they told me of their strong desire to have a legal place to camp in Sacramento. They listened as I pledged to work on solutions to homelessness. As we shared a meal, I was impressed by the strong sense of community and mutual support among the campers. After discussions and dinner, they told me they are ready move on and leave the camp.'"

The White House - Blog Post - Eid Mubarak

The White House - Blog Post - Eid Mubarak:

"'As Muslims in the United States and around the world complete the month of Ramadan and celebrate Eid-ul-Fitr, Michelle and I would like to extend our personal greetings on this joyous occasion. Eid is a time to celebrate the completion of 30 days and nights of devotion. But even on this festive occasion, Muslims remember those less fortunate, including those impacted by poverty, hunger, conflict, and disease. Throughout the month, Muslim communities collect and distribute zakat-ul-fitr so that all Muslims are able to participate in this day of celebration. As I said in Cairo, my Administration is working to ensure that Muslims are able to fulfill their charitable obligations not just during Ramadan, but throughout the year. On behalf of the American people, we congratulate Muslims in the United States and around the world on this blessed day. Eid Mubarak.'"

Appointing vs. electing MPS leaders should be about real change - JSOnline

Appointing vs. electing MPS leaders should be about real change - JSOnline:

"There is a difference between an elected board and a non-elected board, experience elsewhere shows. Elected officials are likely to be more responsive to constituents, to organizations, to the people who call them and who do show up at the meetings. Non-elected members are likely to be less responsive to those seeking their attention, in the name of being more responsive to the general public and broad needs. Or, in the view of some, in the name of being part of an elite group that wants to shut the community out of decisions.

You want to keep your school from being closed? Your best bet is an elected board. You want more schools in the city to be closed? Your best bet is an appointed board. The same with a lot of other decisions."

Open for business: Cash-strapped schools looking for ways to make money -- OrlandoSentinel.com

Open for business: Cash-strapped schools looking for ways to make money -- OrlandoSentinel.com:

"Cash-strapped school districts across Central Florida are scrambling to find a new source of money by marketing everything from online websites to gymnasium naming rights -- and even Friday night football games.

They're hoping advertisers will line up for the ready-made audience of students, teachers and parents, as well as the general public."