Political odd couple fights for school reform

Political odd couple fights for school reform:

"Sharpton says, 'I was raised by a single mother from when I was 10. My father wasn't there--on welfare, the whole 9 yards. But she went to every PTA meeting. She went to every open school week. She had the teachers home numbers.'

Gingrich says, 'They are fully capable of going to the local school board and raising cain. They're 4th, capable of going to their state legislature and asking why they're betraying their children.'"

Rise & Shine: Charter school backers say growth will be costly | GothamSchools

Rise & Shine: Charter school backers say growth will be costly GothamSchools:

"Some schools with interesting art and architecture use them as teaching tools. (Times)
Charter school backers say Mayor Bloomberg will have to put money where his plans are. (Daily News)
In an interview, Joel Klein proposes a song to describe his relationship with the teachers union. (Fortune)
Middle schools help students handle the high school application process. (NY1)
The Post says Bloomberg’s charter school expansion plan is “not only wise policy but wise politics.”"

Charter advocates to Bloomberg: More schools fine, but more money needed

Charter advocates to Bloomberg: More schools fine, but more money needed:

"City Controller William Thompson, Bloomberg's rival in the upcoming election, questioned whether he could add more charters if there isn't space or money available for them.
'I think we are seeing how political Mike really is,' said Thompson mayoral campaign spokesman Mike Murphy."

John de Beck: Just what is a free public education?

John de Beck: Just what is a free public education?:

"Recent complaints by parents about costs they have to pay for student materials, uniforms, and supplies and equipment is creating a review of the school district practice of charging parents for things that schools require for participation in classes, extra curricular activities and competitions by bands, drill squads, and cheerleading teams.

While I am not a lawyer, I have strong concerns about school districts (and mine in particular) requiring any purchases for participation that is not specifically ruled legal by court precidents, or by the constitution itself"

When sick, stay home, cover your cough, wash your hands and don't touch your face. Did we say stay home? - San Jose Mercury News

When sick, stay home, cover your cough, wash your hands and don't touch your face. Did we say stay home? - San Jose Mercury News:

"When the H1N1 virus invaded last spring, health officials sent home students in afflicted schools and improvised policies to combat the newcomer flu strain.

Now, in tandem with drug researchers who are rushing a swine flu vaccine to market, California education officials have scrambled to devise policies to guide schools through an anticipated outbreak.

In announcing the 43-page draft manual Thursday, officials seized on the chance to remind the public that individuals' health habits are the first line of defense."

Karen Symms Gallagher: Seniority? Test Scores? Student Outcomes? The Argument for Rethinking Teacher Compensation

Karen Symms Gallagher: Seniority? Test Scores? Student Outcomes? The Argument for Rethinking Teacher Compensation:

"The federal government often uses carrots and sticks to incentivize reluctant state and local agencies to change their policies and practices. The most current example of this is the Race to the Top legislation. To be eligible for the $4.35 billion in federal 'Race to the Top' funds, states must allow student test scores to be used in decisions about teacher effectiveness. States with laws restricting a link between student data and teacher pay, such as California and New York, are scrambling to change them in order to get a shot at these funds."

Textbooks already outdated in Lodi-area school districts

Textbooks already outdated in Lodi-area school districts:

"Students in California won't read in their U.S. history textbooks about our first black president for another seven years — or more. Science books won't mention the value of stem cell research, and global terrorism might not appear in world history texts used in the classroom.

That was part of the provision struck by the governor and the Legislature in adopting the state's budget earlier this year."

Glendale News Press > Archives > Education > Education bill up to gov.

Glendale News Press > Archives > Education > Education bill up to gov.:

"The legislation “removes any doubt that California is committed to using data to improve instruction and teacher effectiveness,” O’Connell said in a statement.

Using data to improve student achievement is one requirement for states to qualify for the Race to the Top funds, the largest sum of discretionary spending in the history of the federal Department of Education.

But using student performance to judge teacher effectiveness is deeply controversial among teachers and their unions. The state legislation would delete language from the California education code, which union officials said served as a firewall between student performance and teacher efficiency."

Sac City Schools Ramp Up H1N1 Flu Prevention | News10.net | Sacramento, California | News

Sac City Schools Ramp Up H1N1 Flu Prevention News10.net Sacramento, California News:

"SACRAMENTO, CA - Sacramento students began the school year with new classes. They're also getting lessons on H1N1 (swine) flu prevention.

A microbiologist recently visited students at Leonardo da Vinci School. She talked to them about the H1N1 virus. Fifth-grader Destiny Mathis said, 'We learned if you don't take care of it soon, you can get really sick from it and possibly die.'"

Education News & Comment

Education News & Comment:

"Please mark your calendar

First District Advisory Committee (DAC) General meeting
October 20, 2009

Special Guests to include:
Mr. Jonathan Raymond, New SCUSD Superintendent
Dr. Geni Boyer, the Director of Cambridge Academies/California Parent Information Resource Center (PIRC)"

At this meeting we have the following:

* Our new district superintendent, Mr. Jonathan Raymond will be there to greet you and introduce himself and his vision for the district.

* Guest Speaker Dr. Geni Boyer, the Director of Cambridge Academies/California Parent Information Resource Center (PIRC) 2. She will be speaking about parental engagement, school policies, Section 1118, school compacts, accountability and how school site councils can lead improvement at school sites. She is dedicated to promoting, supporting and sustaining educational opportunities for disadvantaged and at-risk students. Check out PIRC 2 website for helpful information: http://www.calpirc.org/. Dr. Boyer is very knowledgeable. Ask your questions.

* An overview of School Site Council and DAC which will help you know which task are at the local site and which are at the district level.* The Consolidated Application Overview, Part I for 2010-2011 & Part II (2009-2010)

* Welcoming School Training with Jeana Preston, Director of the California Parent Center on October 21, 2009- See attachment.
Website: http://parent.sdsu.edu/

* Special Handouts folder: SES/Choice, District Parent Involvement Policy, District Administrative Regulations (Section 1118), Leadership Academy Applications, School Site Council Overview & Scope, CDE Parent Involvement flyer (also available in Spanish & Chinese), and more.

Wanda Yañez
ChairpersonDistrict Advisory Committee (DAC)
Sacramento City Unified School District
Work: (916) 654-7729

UC Davis Over-Reported Sex Assault Stats - Sacramento News Story - KCRA Sacramento

UC Davis Over-Reported Sex Assault Stats - Sacramento News Story - KCRA Sacramento:

"DAVIS, Calif. -- The University of California, Davis, said it significantly over-reported the number of forcible sex offenses that were committed on and around campus in 2005, 2006 and 2007."

The findings announced Thursday are based on an internal review and an independent, outside review of the crime statistics the university reports each year to the federal government under the Clery Act, the school said in a news release.

Specifically, in last year's Clery Act statistics, UC Davis reported 48, 68 and 69 forcible sex offenses in 2005, 2006 and 2007, respectively.

However, based on the two recent reviews, the university has determined that the correct statistics for each of the years are less than half of the earlier numbers: 21 reported in 2005, 23 in 2006 and 33 in 2007.

The Clery Act requires publication of an annual report that contains specified campus crime statistics for the previous three calendar years.

Education Week: Books Face Extinction as Schools Go High-Tech

Education Week: Books Face Extinction as Schools Go High-Tech:

"Hitting the books is becoming a thing of the past, as more schools across Massachusetts implement virtual classrooms and equip students with laptops.

'If you look at a textbook it's very static. It's very convoluted,' said Hopkinton High math teacher Carla Crisafulli, who will post homework assignments to moodle.org and use Jing to create lesson voice-overs. 'We're going to be able to reach out via the Internet and make geometry come alive.'

Hopkinton High is piloting a physics course that will be conducted exclusively online, said Principal Alyson Geary. For freshman geometry and junior American literature, students will carry laptops instead of textbooks."

http://www.cetpa-k12.org/pub/htdocs//affiliates.html

Teacher Magazine: EPA Warns of Cancer-Causing PCBs in Schools

Teacher Magazine: EPA Warns of Cancer-Causing PCBs in Schools:

"The danger to students is uncertain, and EPA does not know for sure how many schools could be affected. But the agency is telling schools that they should test old caulk and remove it if PCBs turn up in significant amounts.

EPA Administrator Lisa Jackson said PCBs remain in schools and many other buildings built before the chemicals were banned in the late 1970s.

'We're concerned about the potential risks associated with exposure to these PCBs, and we're recommending practical, common sense steps to reduce this exposure as we improve our understanding of the science,' Jackson said in a news release issued Friday."

English Companion

English Companion:

"A place to ask questions and get help. A community dedicated to helping you enjoy your work. A cafe without walls or coffee: just friends."

Parents consider paying teachers | HonoluluAdvertiser.com | The Honolulu Advertiser

Parents consider paying teachers HonoluluAdvertiser.com The Honolulu Advertiser:

"Parents at some public schools are looking into the possibility of renting their schools and paying teachers directly to keep their children learning on 'furlough Fridays.'"

The plan has caused some concern that Hawai'i's public school system is opening itself up to a new form of privatized education.

Several Parent Teacher Student Associations around the Islands are trying to figure out how much it would cost per family to pay to have their children's teachers in school during 17 upcoming teacher furlough days — and to keep the school lights on and the air conditioning running, said Valerie Sonoda, president of the Hawai'i State PTSA.

The topic was discussed at a meeting last week at 'Aikahi Elementary School attended by about 50 parents.

Some were concerned that they — and not their tax dollars — would bear the direct costs of educating their children on teacher furlough days.

NEA moves to help poor schools with best teachers - USATODAY.com

NEA moves to help poor schools with best teachers - USATODAY.com:

"Van Roekel said the move is part of the union's 'Priority Schools' campaign that will also encourage 'the most accomplished teachers-members' to start their teaching careers in high-needs schools, remain there or transfer there.

In the past, NEA has come under fire from critics for supporting contracts that allow experienced teachers with more seniority to transfer to schools that serve more middle-class children.

The critics include the Education Trust, a Washington-based advocacy group for low-income and minority students.

'They've said (it's a) local issue,' says Amy Wilkins, the Education Trust's vice president for government affairs. 'That's a non-approach.'
Wilkins on Tuesday said that she welcomes the move but that she's not holding her breath. 'I want to see it,' she said."

D.C. Launches Rigorous Teacher Evaluation System - washingtonpost.com

D.C. Launches Rigorous Teacher Evaluation System - washingtonpost.com:

"Rhee is investing $4 million in the system, called IMPACT, which will also assess teachers against an elaborate new framework of requirements and guidelines that cover a range of factors, including classroom presence and how carefully they check for student understanding of the material.

But IMPACT is likely to be another flash point in Rhee's turbulent relationship with local and national teachers union leaders. They say that growth statistics are too unreliable to include in performance evaluations and that the new assessment system -- which the District can legally impose without union consent -- is an instrument to identify and remove struggling teachers, not a means to help them improve."

Parent involvement in education month celebrated in October | International Falls Daily Journal

Parent involvement in education month celebrated in October International Falls Daily Journal:

"Research shows that students learn more, have higher grades, and have better school attendance when parents are involved.

Try some of the following activities with your child to encourage success:

• Look for upcoming school activities or events that you could be involved in
• Check out books at the library that relate to what your child is learning in school.
• Have a family game night. Have your child keep score.
• Have a family reading night. One person can read aloud, or everyone can read silently.
• Talk with your children about their day. What was the best part?"

Berkeley High School to open yet another academy -- for green energy - Inside Bay Area

Berkeley High School to open yet another academy -- for green energy - Inside Bay Area:

"School launched Green Academy, its own environmentally conscious program. Berkeley High already offers an academy for social justice and ecology, as well as for arts and sciences, community partnerships, and arts and humanities.

Four other California schools were awarded the green energy grant: Foothill High School in Sacramento, Independence High School in Bakersfield, Venture Academy in Stockton and Edison High School in Fresno."

Budget woes, school reform collide - Sacramento News - Local and Breaking Sacramento News | Sacramento Bee

Budget woes, school reform collide - Sacramento News - Local and Breaking Sacramento News Sacramento Bee:

"O'Connell said California schools must continue to improve test scores and narrow the achievement gap, despite diminishing budgets.

He's hoping for help for reforms from another pool of federal money, $4.35 billion in competitive federal education grants for the program called Race to the Top. The funds will go to as many as 20 states that can set up winning models for education innovation, according to federal officials. Applications for the funds are due in December. The first round of awards will be given in March.

'The Race to the Top money is an unprecedented amount of federal dollars for systematic change,' O'Connell said."