Teen Unemployment Hits 25.9%, Congress Lends an Ear - Real Time Economics - WSJ

Teen Unemployment Hits 25.9%, Congress Lends an Ear - Real Time Economics - WSJ:

"The unemployment rate for 16 to 19-year-olds hit 25.9% in September, the highest rate recorded since at least 1948 (the earliest data the Labor Department supplies).
Lately, their plight hasn’t been falling on deaf ears. The House Education and Labor Committee held a hearing earlier this week to address low unemployment among young people.

“Indeed, because of the horrible economy, younger workers are now competing with more experienced workers for positions traditionally [in] the domain of the young and less experienced,” Rep. George Miller, a California Democrat and the committee chairman, said according to prepared remarks. “Until the economy as a whole turns around, younger workers will continue to be hit the hardest.”"

Green California Community College Summit | GreenBiz.com

Green California Community College Summit GreenBiz.com:

"Pasadena, CA — Building Gateways to the Green Economy
California’s community colleges are home to some of nation’s most ambitious green building , renewable energy and green curriculum initiatives. They also account for 79 percent of higher education enrollment in the state, and engaging this diverse student population in green careers is critical to the state’s economic future.

In tough economic times, innovative ideas and new solutions are needed to sustain the growth of the sustainability movement. The second annual Green Community College Summit, October 5-7, 2009 at the Pasadena Convention Center, offers a rare chance for those involved in community college building, operations, and workforce development programs to get up to date on the latest developments in policy, technology and funding."

Bake Sales Are Banned in New York Schools - NYTimes.com

Bake Sales Are Banned in New York Schools - NYTimes.com:

"In an effort to limit how much sugar and fat students put in their bellies at school, the Education Department has effectively banned most bake sales, the lucrative if not quite healthy fund-raising tool for generations of teams and clubs.

The change is part of a new wellness policy that also limits what can be sold in vending machines and student-run stores, which use profits to help finance activities like pep rallies and proms. The elaborate rules were outlined in a three-page memo issued at the end of June, but in the new school year, principals and parents are just beginning to, well, digest them."

Op-Ed Columnist - Cracks in the Future - NYTimes.com

Op-Ed Columnist - Cracks in the Future - NYTimes.com:

"Now there are ominous cracks appearing in that cornerstone of American civilization. Exhibit A is the University of California, Berkeley, the finest public university in the world and undoubtedly one of the two or three best universities in the United States, public or private.

More of Berkeley’s undergraduates go on to get Ph.D.’s than those at any other university in the country. The school is among the nation’s leaders in producing winners of the Nobel Prize. An extraordinary amount of cutting-edge research in a wide variety of critically important fields, including energy and the biological sciences, is taking place here."

Feds investigate allegedly inflated UC Davis crime reports - Sacramento News - Local and Breaking Sacramento News | Sacramento Bee

Feds investigate allegedly inflated UC Davis crime reports - Sacramento News - Local and Breaking Sacramento News Sacramento Bee:

"Federal officials said Friday that they are looking into reports of inflated campus crime data by the University of California, Davis.

Representatives from the U.S. Department of Justice are considering whether the school appropriately earned more than $1 million in grants for violence prevention, while the U.S. Department of Education is reviewing statistics that UC Davis reported to the government and that the university now says are false."

SCOE | Sacramento County Teachers of the Year 2010 Announced

SCOE Sacramento County Teachers of the Year 2010 Announced:

"A 6th grade teacher from the San Juan Unified School District and a 2nd grade teacher from the Elk Grove Unified School District are the Sacramento County Teachers of the Year 2010, the Sacramento County Office of Education (SCOE) announced September 2nd at a county-wide teacher recognition banquet.

Deb House, who teaches 6th grade math, science and language arts at Kingswood Elementary School in the San Juan District and JoEllen Shanks, who teaches 2nd grade at Stone Lake Elementary in Elk Grove, were selected from the 15 Sacramento area district Teachers of the Year representing Sacramento County in the California Teachers of the Year competition.
A community selection committee comprised of education professionals, including previous Teachers of the Year, met to interview each local district Teacher of the Year and selected the two finalists.

All 15 Sacramento area teachers will be honored when the Sacramento Kings host the Phoenix Suns on Friday, February 5, 2010 at ARCO Arena. The Sacramento River Cats will also host a special Teacher Appreciation Night on Monday, May 3, 2010 when the River Cats host the Salt Lake Bees"

Lawmakers set to debate education reform issues | MyDesert.com | The Desert Sun

Lawmakers set to debate education reform issues MyDesert.com The Desert Sun:

"A bipartisan effort to reform the state education system and secure federal stimulus dollars is being viewed with skepticism by some local teachers, who fear it will be used to institute what they view as unfair pay-for-performance requirements.

The effort, under way in a special legislative session that's been called by the governor, centers around the state's ability to apply for the $4.35 billion Race to the Top program. State lawmakers estimate California could stand to gain $500 million or more from the program, but wording of current state law renders California ineligible."

Sac City Unified hopes hand washing twice a day keeps flu away - Sacramento News - Local and Breaking Sacramento News | Sacramento Bee

Sac City Unified hopes hand washing twice a day keeps flu away - Sacramento News - Local and Breaking Sacramento News Sacramento Bee:

"Starting Monday, students at Sacramento City Unified schools will have a new subject to master: hand washing.

On Thursday new district Superintendent Jonathan Raymond announced that a hand-washing campaign will kick off next week. District schools are now required to designate two times a day when all students will get up, go to the nearest sink and wash their hands."

Ex-pupil defends Obama aide over controversial advice in 1988 - CNN.com

Ex-pupil defends Obama aide over controversial advice in 1988 - CNN.com:

"Conservative groups charge that Jennings, who is openly gay, condoned statutory rape and child molestation. That's in reference to an incident in 1988 when Jennings, who was a teacher at the time, did not tell authorities that a 16-year-old student revealed to Jennings that he'd had sex with an older man.

Now that former student is speaking out for the first time and telling CNN he did not have sex with that man at all. He did not elaborate on what he told Jennings at the time. Jennings could not be reached for comment late Friday.

In a statement obtained by CNN, the former student, who wanted to be called Brewster, wrote: 'Since I was of legal consent at the time, the 15-minute conversation I had with Mr. Jennings 21 years ago is of nobody's concern but his and mine. However, since the Republican noise machine is so concerned about my 'well-being' and that of America's students, they'll be relieved to know that I was not 'inducted' into homosexuality, assaulted, raped, or sold into sexual slavery.'"

Gay couples challenge federal marriage law as Republicans prepare for battle - Sacramento News - Local and Breaking Sacramento News | Sacramento Bee

Gay couples challenge federal marriage law as Republicans prepare for battle - Sacramento News - Local and Breaking Sacramento News Sacramento Bee:

"But they file their federal taxes as single individuals, paying hundreds of dollars more each year. That's because a law called the Defense of Marriage Act bars federal agencies from recognizing gay marriages.

Backers of gay rights are pushing to repeal the law, buoyed by a growing acceptance of same-sex marriage, which is now legal in six states.

But Republicans on Capitol Hill are ready to fight."

KCBS - Adult Classes Fall Short

KCBS - Adult Classes Fall Short:

"A nonprofit advocacy group said Friday state adult education programs are having trouble meeting the demand for classes due in part to California's budget crisis.

'We are seeing that community colleges and adult education programs are having to reduce the number of courses they offer because of budget constraints,' said Vicky Lovell with the California Budget Project. She added that the demand for adult education courses remains high. According to Lovell, 4 out of 5 students entering community colleges and more than half the students in the Cal State University system are ill prepared to do college level work."

Parent Rights under NCLB

Parent Rights under NCLB:

"No Child Left Behind

What Parents Need to Know
School District Policy


No Child Left Behind is the new education plan that was signed into law by President Bush in January of 2002. It’s designed to improve student achievement and help schools do a better job of teaching. The law includes a number of important opportunities for parents to be involved with the schools. This Tip Sheet, from the Kansas Parent Information Resource Center (KPIRC), is designed to help parents understand their rights under the law."

What happens … begins in the council chamber, the school board meeting room, the state house, the U.S. Capitol, and the White House. "Every decision is a political decision," says NEA President Reg Weaver (speaking of teachers but applies even more for parents). "We should no longer accept people making decisions for us, about us, and without us."How Can Schools, Families and Community Groups Put these Goals into Action?
• Recognize that all parents, regardless of income, education or cultural background, are involved in their children's learning and want their children to do well.
• Design programs that will support families to guide their children's learning, from preschool through high school.
• Develop the capacity of school staff and families to work together.
• Link activities and programs for families to improving student learning.
• Focus on developing trusting and respectful relationships among staff and families.
• Build families' social and political connections.
• Embrace a philosophy of partnership and be willing to share power.
• Make sure that parents, school staff, and community members understand that the responsibility for children's educational development is a collaborative enterprise.
• Build strong connections between schools and community organizations.
• Include families in all strategies to reduce the achievement gap between white, middle-class students and low-income students and students of color.
When parents talk to their children about school, expect them to do well, help them plan for college, and make sure that out-of-school activities are constructive, their children do better in school. When schools engage families in ways that are linked to improving learning, and support parent involvement at home and school, students make greater gains. When schools build partnerships with families that respond to their concerns, honor their contributions, and share power, they are able to sustain connections that are aimed at improving student achievement. And when families and communities organize to hold poorly performing schools accountable, school districts make positive changes in policy, practice, and resources.


"Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world. Indeed, it's the only thing that ever has." ~~ Margaret Mead (1901 - 1978)

CSUB To Receive $12.6M Grant To Improve Teacher Quality - Education News Story - KERO Bakersfield

CSUB To Receive $12.6M Grant To Improve Teacher Quality - Education News Story - KERO Bakersfield:

"United States Secretary of Education, Arne Duncan, has announced that California State University, Bakersfield is said to receive a $12,595,813 grant to improve teacher quality and reform teacher education at high-need schools in central California.

The federal grant is one of only 28 in the nation, and the largest award in California, to be given as part of the Teacher Quality Partnership aimed at improving instruction in struggling schools."

Shikha Dalmia, Adrian Moore and Adam B. Summers: Don't Blame the Voters for California's Budget Woes - WSJ.com

Shikha Dalmia, Adrian Moore and Adam B. Summers: Don't Blame the Voters for California's Budget Woes - WSJ.com:

"Even this overstates the case against ballot-box budgeting. K-12 spending has remained remarkably stable at around 40% of the budget pre- and post-Prop. 98. Today, California is 24th among the 50 states in terms of the percentage of its general funds it devotes to K-12. This suggests that education spending is not grossly out of line. Prop. 98 aside, Mr. Matsusaka found that only about 2% or 3% of California's budget is frozen as a result of ballot initiatives."

News : Arizona spends money on police and corrections, but is 38th in education - Inside Tucson Business - newspaper, business news, opinion, classifieds

News : Arizona spends money on police and corrections, but is 38th in education - Inside Tucson Business - newspaper, business news, opinion, classifieds:

"Roger Hartley, associate professor of public administration and policy at the University of Arizona, said the money states spend on education correlates with earning potential, while poverty correlates with crime.

“We can see that we’re putting more money into putting people in prison rather than educating and thereby keeping people out of prison,” he said.Kavanagh called that conclusion overreaching, and pointed to Washington, D.C., as evidence.”

They have one of the worst crime rates, and they spend more than just about anybody per student,” he said.

Travis Pratt, an associate professor of criminology and criminal justice at ASU, said crime rates aren’t simple enough to link one-on-one with education, but he said it would be wrong to dismiss any connection with education.

He said spending on law enforcement pays political dividends much sooner than education."

Federal Spending on Academic Research Rose Slightly in 2008 - Government - The Chronicle of Higher Education

Federal Spending on Academic Research Rose Slightly in 2008 - Government - The Chronicle of Higher Education: "

33 U. of California at Davis Number 33

Federal spending on scientific research at universities and colleges rose slightly in 2008, following two years of declines, but the federal share of total academic research spending again dropped, according to figures released on Thursday by the National Science Foundation.
Over all, higher-education institutions reported research-and-development expenditures of $51.9-billion in the 2008 fiscal year, 2.3 percent more than the previous year in inflation-adjusted dollars, the NSF said in a summary of the findings of its latest "Survey of Research and Development Expenditures at Universities and Colleges." The federal government remained the largest source of such funds, providing $31.2-billion in 2008, up from $30.5-billion in 2007. But the figures show a continuing erosion in the federal share of total spending, from 64 percent in 2005 to 60 percent last year.

Cal State LA holds teach-in about cuts - News

Cal State LA holds teach-in about cuts - News:

"The California Faculty Association and the Students for Social Justice/No Cuts Coalition presented a teach-in for California college students regarding recent budget cuts and enrollment fee increases Tuesday at Cal State LA.

Few PCC students were in attendance attempting to inform themselves with information about the various fiscal issues occurring within the California State University system for the upcoming semesters."

Punter Net prostitutes thank Harriet Harman for publicity boost - Home News, UK - The Independent

Punter Net prostitutes thank Harriet Harman for publicity boost - Home News, UK - The Independent:

"Prostitutes who use a website to advertise their services to punters have thanked Harriet Harman for giving them a free publicity boost when she called for the site’s closure earlier this week.

During her speech to the Labour Party Conference on Wednesday the equalities minister challenged California’s governor Arnold Schwarzenegger to shut down Punter Net, a US-based website that allows British prostitutes to advertise themselves and the men who use them to rate their experiences."

Touro fights high school dropout rate of 40 percent - Vallejo Times Herald

Touro fights high school dropout rate of 40 percent - Vallejo Times Herald:

"Toward that aim, Touro has launched its urban education program. It prepares teachers to serve effectively in districts like Vallejo's that struggle with poverty, inadequate resources, low test stores, and diverse languages and cultures, O'Connor said.

Touro also is staging a day-long conference to give those who work with at-risk youth some tools and strategies they can use, O'Connor said. Among those are problem-solving techniques, ways to foster empathy and build listening skills, instilling self-esteem, and strengthening what he called the 'persistence muscle.'"

WBFO: Stimulus can't ease job pain for U.S. states and cities (2009-10-02)

WBFO: Stimulus can't ease job pain for U.S. states and cities (2009-10-02):

"Even after receiving billions of dollars of stimulus funds, state governments lost 10,000 jobs -- all in education -- and the trend may get worse in coming months.

'I don't believe that states have bottomed out yet,' said Raymond Scheppach, executive director of the National Governors Association. 'This fiscal year 2010 will be the worst year.'"