Colorado Independent » Move toward national education standards goes forward

Colorado Independent » Move toward national education standards goes forward:

"Monday, the Common Core Standards Initiative, a project of the National Council of Governors and the Council of Chief State School Officers, released the first official draft of standards in English language arts and math, standards that it hopes will one day be adopted by every state in the nation. Currently, 48 states have signed on to the project, expressing interest in voluntarily adopting the standards once they are written. (The not-surprising exceptions are Texas and Alaska.)

Colorado appears significantly on board with the project by virtue of the fact that it was one of six states asked to review the standards before they were made public—this, despite the fact that it is currently in the process of revising its own standards."

AdaEveningNews.com - Ada, Oklahoma - No Child Left Behind Act explained

AdaEveningNews.com - Ada, Oklahoma - No Child Left Behind Act explained:

"“A State’s definition of AYP is based on expectations for growth in student achievement that is continuous and substantial, such that all students are proficient in reading and math no later than 2013-2014,” a letter from U.S. Secretary of Education Rod Paige to the schools said. “Accountability systems must establish proficiency goals statewide, based on assessment data from the 2001-02 school year, that progressively increase to reflect 100 percent proficiency for all students by 2013-14.”

While definitions were set by each state, the letter said definitions of AYP were to be, “based primarily on the State’s academic assessments.” After a fourth year of failing to achieve AYP, the school would have to plan for restructuring. This could include replacing staff and state governments taking over the school."

BeyondChron: San Francisco's Alternative Online Daily News » The Chronicle 's Dangerous Proposal for the UC System

BeyondChron: San Francisco's Alternative Online Daily News » The Chronicle 's Dangerous Proposal for the UC System:

"The editorial proposed several ways of generating more revenue for the UC system. The first suggestion urged UC to implement a three tier tuition system in which students would pay the most money to attend UC’s most prestigious and most popular campuses (Berkeley, UCLA), less to attend the next most popular campuses, (Davis, San Diego Santa Barbara and Santa Cruz) and the least expensive fees would be paid by students attending the Merced, Riverside and Irvine campuses. Such a plan could mean only the rich and well connected can attend the state’s best public universities."

K-State Collegian - Students still finding jobs, despite recession

K-State Collegian - Students still finding jobs, despite recession:

"The unemployment rate for college graduates almost doubled from 2.8 percent last year to most recently 4.7 percent, according to statistics published by the Bureau of Labor Statistics in July.
More recently, employers responding to a National Association of Colleges and Employers’ Job Outlook 2010 Fall Preview survey expect to trim college hiring again this year, following significant cutbacks in hiring that affected the class of 2009."

Students Warned to Prove Texas Residence or Leave - NYTimes.com

Students Warned to Prove Texas Residence or Leave - NYTimes.com:

"DEL RIO, Texas (AP) -- Students living in northern Mexico have skirted residency requirements to attend U.S. public schools for generations, but when the superintendent in one Texas border town got word that about 400 school-age children were crossing the international bridge each day with backpacks but no student visas, he figured he had to do something."

With silent lips. "Give me your tired, your poor,
Your huddled masses yearning to breathe free,
The wretched refuse of your teeming shore.
Send these, the homeless, tempest-tost to me,
I lift my lamp beside the golden door!"

Rooftop gardens grow among the skyscrapers | csmonitor.com

Rooftop gardens grow among the skyscrapers csmonitor.com:

"In recent years, enthusiasm has grown for green roofs, hailed for harnessing rainwater that can overwhelm urban sewage systems, and keeping buildings warmer in winter and cooler in summer, lowering electricity use.

But amid increasing interest in fresh, local food, this season seems to herald the era of the rooftop farm. It’s as though somewhere someone decreed, “Roofs shall not lie fallow.” And a colony of entrepreneurs, residents, schoolteachers and restaurateurs set to work.

Flanner considered going to the country to farm — only to realize he didn’t want to leave the city, he just wanted to be a farmer. He quit his job at E-Trade and partnered with Annie Novak, 26, who had farming experience. The green-roof design firm Goode Green agreed to do the installation for free and the production company Broadway Stages agreed to pay for it, as an experiment on the roof of its Greenpoint building."

WWJ Newsradio 950 - California IT Firm To Add 1,000-Plus Jobs In Ann Arbor

WWJ Newsradio 950 - California IT Firm To Add 1,000-Plus Jobs In Ann Arbor:

"“A collaboration between state and regional partners to provide Systems in Motion with the training resources, tax incentives and other business-critical support helped the company choose Michigan over competing sites,” said Ken Theis, director, Michigan Department of Information Technology. “Growing companies often need far more resources and support than one entity can provide, so by recognizing shared strengths and coming together to fill the gaps, collaborative efforts, like the one in place to bring Systems in Motion to Michigan, can help grow our economy and bring thriving businesses to our state.”"

“We’re delighted to be able to join with state, county and local agencies, as well as education institutions in Michigan to build a true public-private partnership,” said Neeraj Gupta, CEO, Systems In Motion. “Systems In Motion’s Ann Arbor facilities will drive technology leadership for global enterprises, while providing an important job creation engine for the local community.“

TNJN - Qualms stirred over Obama and education

TNJN - Qualms stirred over Obama and education

"Obama did not encourage a formal education; he encouraged each student to take responsibility for whatever education - formal or technical - that he or she decided to attain. He gave students a dose of realism: most people do not gain success as a rapper or basketball player. A solid education will provide a solid foundation for all dreams. He told students that ultimately, they will fix the issues plaguing the world today. Taking responsibility for the education that teachers and parents try to provide is the only way to gain the knowledge that will help rectify the global problems."

The Associated Press: Census: Recession had sweeping impact on US life

The Associated Press: Census: Recession had sweeping impact on US life:

"The homeownership rate fell to 66.6 percent last year, the lowest in six years, after hitting a peak of 67.3 percent in 2006. Residents in crowded housing jumped to 1.1 percent, the highest since 2004, a sign people were 'doubling up' with relatives or friends to save money.

_ The share of people who carpooled to work rose to 10.7 percent, up from 10.4 percent in the previous year. Commuters who took public transportation increased to 5 percent, the highest in six years, with Washington, D.C., at the top.

_ Women's average pay still lagged men's, but the gap has been narrowing. Women with full-time jobs made 77.9 percent of men's pay, up from 77.5 percent in 2007 and about 64 percent in 2000.

_ More people are getting high school diplomas. Only two states, Texas and Mississippi, had at least 1 in 5 adults without high school diplomas. This is down from 17 states in 2000 and 37 in 1990."

Obama gets personal on the 'Late Show with David Letterman' -- latimes.com

Obama gets personal on the 'Late Show with David Letterman' -- latimes.com:

"In a more personal moment, Obama talked about how tough the homework load is at Sidwell Friends School, the Quaker school his daughters, Sasha and Malia, attend in Washington.

'We decided there weren't going to be any fancy camps during the summer,' Obama said. 'They basically just goofed off during the summer . . . which I couldn't do.'

'Others have,' Letterman said, a possible reference to the previous administration, drawing only a laugh from the president.

Obama also offered some insight into date nights with the first lady when shown a picture of the two of them wearing 3D glasses. They were watching the movie 'Up' at the time, he said."

Obama On Letterman

Watch CBS Videos Online

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:

"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.'

And he's a one-man whirlwind in a battle against stifling bureaucracy at all levels – whether at the Department of Education in Washington or in rules and regulations at the local level that get in the way of efforts to improve student achievement."

Tweet-tweet goes Schwarzenegger, a big Twitter user - Sacramento News - Local and Breaking Sacramento News | Sacramento Bee

Tweet-tweet goes Schwarzenegger, a big Twitter user - Sacramento News - Local and Breaking Sacramento News Sacramento Bee:

"Schwarzenegger still delivers a weekly radio address and sends press releases. But he seems most obsessed with communicating in 140 characters or fewer via Twitter.

Since joining the social networking site last year, the governor has drawn 1.15 million followers. He visited Twitter headquarters in San Francisco last month and started a Web site that solicits ideas via Twitter. He even used it to wish his son Patrick a happy 16th birthday last week, calling him 'a true stud.'"

Survey: Financial worries more common than financial plans | Philly | 09/21/2009

Survey: Financial worries more common than financial plans Philly 09/21/2009:

"'There is no excuse to not have the info you need to get your financial house in order,' Smiley said in an interview this week.

Smiley on Saturday will deliver the keynote speech at a free financial workshop that is part of a five-city tour promoting economic empowerment and financial literacy.

The survey conducted by the Blackstone Group for the Smiley Group found that 31 percent of Sacramentans expect their household situation to be worse a year from now, but only 15 percent say they have written a financial plan, compared with 22 percent nationally. The survey of 1,600 respondents done in January has a margin of error of 7 percentage points."

WireTap Magazine - Black Male Teachers Are a Missing Ingredient

WireTap Magazine - Black Male Teachers Are a Missing Ingredient:

"'I was shocked,' said Alexander 'I had never had a Black male teacher before, except for P.E.' Alexander's experience is remarkably common. Only 2 percent of the nation's 4.8 million teachers are Black men, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. The shortage of Black male teachers compounds the difficulties that many African-American boys face in school. About half of Black male students do not complete high school in four years, statistics show. Black males tend to score lower on standardized tests, take fewer Advanced Placement courses and are suspended and expelled at higher rates than other groups officials say."

SCUSD Observer: No child left behind races to the top?

SCUSD Observer: No child left behind races to the top?

No child left behind races to the top?
Last week's release of the AYP Progress report for SCUSD shows that many of the schools in our district are failing to adequately educate Sacramento children according to No Child Left Behind standards.

SCUSD schools in year 1 of program improvement status jumped from 3 in 2008-09 to 15 to 2009-10.

The statistics are troubling. Many of our local high schools are at risk of entering PI status next year.

In last week's Sacramento Bee, Superintendent Raymond describes the vicious cycle of program improvement:

"It's like the Hotel California, you check in but you never check out."

The Common Core State Standards Initiative

The Common Core State Standards Initiative

Common Core State Standards Available for Comment

NGA Center, CCSSO Release First Official Public Draft of the College- and Career-Readiness Standards

Contact: Jodi Omear, 202-624-5346 Office of Communications

WASHINGTON—The National Governors Association Center for Best Practices (NGA Center) and the Council of Chief State School Officers (CCSSO) today released the first official public draft of the college- and career-readiness standards in English-language arts and mathematics as part of the Common Core State Standards Initiative, a process being led by governors and chief state school officers in 51 states and territories. These standards define the knowledge and skills students should have to succeed in entry-level, credit-bearing, academic college courses and in workforce training programs.

The NGA Center and CCSSO are encouraging those interested in the standards to provide feedback, which must be supported by research and evidence, by October 21 at www.corestandards.org.

After the feedback period, the standards are subject to review by the expert Validation Committee. The Validation Committee is comprised of national and international experts on standards. This group will review the standards development process and the substance of the standards to ensure they are research- and evidence-based. Members of the committee are being selected by governors and chiefs and will be formally announced in the coming weeks.
The NGA Center and CCSSO will soon begin the process of developing the K-12 standards that will enable students to meet the validated college and career-readiness standards.

"We are pleased to release the college- and career-readiness standards today and to begin receiving comments on them," said Dane Linn, director of the NGA Center's Education Division. "These standards are vital to ensuring our students are prepared to compete and succeed in a global economy. I would also like to thank Delaware Gov. Jack Markell and Georgia Gov. Sonny Perdue for serving as the NGA co-leads on this initiative."

"The college- and career-readiness standards are really just the beginning," stated Gene Wilhoit, executive director of CCSSO. "We need this confirmed, validated goal of fewer, clearer, and higher standards to take on the real work of ensuring students have a roadmap from grades K-12 for achieving these standards."

The college- and career-readiness standards have been informed by input from education and content experts and feedback from participating states. They were developed based on the following guiding considerations:
Fewer, clearer, higher: It is critical that any standards document be translatable to and teachable in the classroom. As such, the standards must cover only those areas that are critical for student success.

Evidence: Each document includes sources of evidence for the standards. Evidence informed what was included in the standards.

Internationally benchmarked: These standards are informed by the content, rigor and organization of standards of high-performing countries and states.
Special populations: In the development of these standards, the inclusion of all types of learners was a priority.

Assessment: The standards will ultimately be the basis for a system of high quality assessments.
Standards and curriculum: Standards are not curriculum. The curriculum that follows will continue to be a local responsibility (or state-led, where appropriate).

21st century skills: The draft English-language arts and mathematics standards have incorporated 21st century skills.

For more information, please visit www.corestandards.org.
###

Founded in 1908, the National Governors Association (NGA) is the collective voice of the nation's governors and one of Washington, D.C.'s most respected public policy organizations. Its members are the governors of the 50 states, three territories and two commonwealths. NGA provides governors and their senior staff members with services that range from representing states on Capitol Hill and before the Administration on key federal issues to developing and implementing innovative solutions to public policy challenges through the NGA Center for Best Practices. For more information, visit www.nga.org.

The Council of Chief State School Officers (CCSSO) is a nonpartisan, nationwide, nonprofit organization of public officials who head departments of elementary and secondary education in the states, the District of Columbia, the Department of Defense Education Activity, and five U.S. extra-state jurisdictions. CCSSO provides leadership, advocacy, and technical assistance on major educational issues. The Council seeks member consensus on major educational issues and expresses their views to civic and professional organizations, federal agencies, Congress, and the public. www.ccsso.org.

Expert Objects to Rampant Subjectivity in Grading

Expert Objects to Rampant Subjectivity in Grading:

"These schools overhauled the grading system, in part to make sure that students taking the same classes got the same scores. Some of the changes included:

-- Setting learning targets and linking grades to the achievement of those targets.

-- Giving grades based solely on achievement and separately reporting attendance, effort and participation.

-- Grading only individual achievement, not group work.

-- Giving scores only to certain assignments and choosing carefully which scores should be included in the final grade.

-- Making sure students understand how their grades are being determined.

The first step toward change, Reeves said, is eliminating 'dumb errors.'"

Education | Schools, students see impact of cash crunch | Seattle Times Newspaper

Education Schools, students see impact of cash crunch Seattle Times Newspaper:

"Meredith Westerside loved her work as a Bellevue School District librarian. But this year, for the first time in 20 years, she's back teaching English — part of the fallout from the deepest cuts in public-school funding in decades.

With the new school year under way, parents, students, teachers and staff in many districts across the state are feeling those cuts in ways large and small. Classes are bigger, new textbook orders are on hold, fees to play sports are up, music programs shut down and bus service cut back."

Dallas-Fort Worth school districts calculate different ways to use netbooks in classes | News for Dallas, Texas | Dallas Morning News | Latest News

Dallas-Fort Worth school districts calculate different ways to use netbooks in classes News for Dallas, Texas Dallas Morning News Latest News:

"More local students are using 'netbooks' at school. The small computers are much lighter and cheaper than traditional laptop computers.

One sign of that shift took place when the Irving school district decided in May to begin replacing aging and bulkier student laptops with about 4,600 netbooks.
'It's a lot easier to carry,' said Luis Hernandez, 11, a Travis Middle School student. 'I like how it looks, and it has a camera.'"