Oil tax supporters, detractors clash on campus - News

Oil tax supporters, detractors clash on campus - News:

"A group of conservative students protested a rally Monday that was designed to drum up support for an oil tax to fund higher education.

The students silently held up signs in front of Assembly Majority Leader Alberto Torrico as he was speaking to about 400 people at the Cesar Chavez Memorial Arch.

The rally was in support for Assembly Bill 656, which would charge oil companies a 9.9 percent severance tax to help fund higher public education in California, according to the text of the bill.

About seven students, many of whom said they were with the College Republicans at SJSU, stormed the podium when Torrico took the stage and held up signs that read 'Don't think you won't pay this tax' and 'Tax cost 9,000 jobs.'

Others with signs supporting the bill quickly rushed the stage to counter the protesters."

Five myths about paying good teachers more | detnews.com | The Detroit News

Five myths about paying good teachers more detnews.com The Detroit News:

"Education Secretary Arne Duncan says paying public school teachers based on their performance is his 'highest priority,' and he plans to dole out hundreds of millions of dollars to states and school systems that embrace the idea. In the District of Columbia, Schools Chancellor Michelle Rhee has made such reform a cornerstone of her agenda -- and a backdrop to her recent move to lay off 229 teachers in response to budget cuts. But school reformers have been trying unsuccessfully to introduce performance pay in public education for decades. If today's reformers want to break the deadlock, they're going to have to let go of several myths hanging over the debate:"

Voice of the Day | News-Leader.com | Springfield News-Leader

Voice of the Day News-Leader.com Springfield News-Leader:

"Former California Governor Jerry Brown once famously said, 'A little vagueness goes a long way in this business.'* Obviously Springfield Public Schools officials have taken that advice to heart as concerns the proposal relating to Study and Westport.

Or perhaps, more accurately, it is not vagueness but prevarication that best describes the ever-changing explanations, rationalizations and fabrications that comprise the narrative 'spun' by SPS."

t has been publicly and privately asserted that "research" justifies this proposal and/or, alternatively, that one can "find numbers/data/research that say anything." Understandably, SPS doesn't really desire to engage in an open discussion regarding either the existing national research or the local experience relevant to this matter.

First, the "research" cited by SPS administrators is generally not research at all. Various lists provided at various times in various circumstances include virtually nothing of substance but rather consist of a motley collection of magazine articles, personal essays and the like. The one unifying element of these pieces is that they do not, in any manner, endorse the proposal at hand. Indeed, the one most compelling argument each makes is for the creation and/or retention of smaller schools-precisely opposite of the course of action pursued by SPS. The case that is being made therein for the relative virtues of new K-8** schools is contingent on the small size existing or proposed for such entities as against the larger middle schools prevalent in urban settings where such re-configurations are being undertaken.

'Future of Education Computing' Recognized via Award From National School Boards Association | Reuters

'Future of Education Computing' Recognized via Award From National School Boards Association Reuters:

"SAN JOSE, Calif.--(Business Wire)--
Wyse Technology, the global leader in thin computing and client virtualization,
today announced that Brian Seaman, Network Administrator at the Western Wayne
School District in Northeast Pennsylvania has been named by the National School
Boards Association`s Technology Leadership Network (TLN) annual list of '20 to
Watch' emerging leaders in education technology. These individuals are
recognized by NSBA for championing technology initiatives that make a difference
for students, teachers, school districts, and the greater education technology
community.

According to Ann Flynn, Director of Education Technology for NSBA, 'This year's
'20 to Watch' represents educators who see the potential that technology brings
to the learning environment, and who know how to translate that knowledge in a
way that excites and inspires their students and colleagues.'"

Education Week: Education Secretary Leads Chorus Calling for Big City-Hall Role

Education Week: Education Secretary Leads Chorus Calling for Big City-Hall Role:

"The troubles that plague many local school boards prompt some observers to throw up their hands. But when it comes to big-city districts, there’s a popular remedy that continues to gain momentum: mayoral control.

This governance arrangement sidelines school boards, for the most part, in favor of a strong chief executive handpicked by the mayor.

U.S. Secretary of Education Arne Duncan, who for seven years ran Chicago’s public schools under Mayor Richard M. Daley, is using his bully pulpit to aggressively promote the approach as a necessity for reversing decades of abysmal academic performance in some cities. In a speech to mayors and school superintendents last spring, in fact, Duncan said he would consider his time as education secretary a “failure” if more mayors didn’t take over city school systems by the..."

Early statistics show teachers gaining the most from Obama's stimulus plan by avoiding layoffs -- latimes.com

Early statistics show teachers gaining the most from Obama's stimulus plan by avoiding layoffs -- latimes.com:

"In California, the stimulus was credited with saving or creating 62,000 jobs in public schools and state universities. Utah reported saving about 2,600 teaching jobs. In both states, education jobs represented about two-thirds of the total stimulus job number. Missouri reported more than 8,500 school jobs, Minnesota more than 5,900. In Michigan, where officials said 19,500 jobs have been saved or created, three out of four were in education.

'They're going to be the biggest driver of jobs from the state side,' said Chris Whatley, who tracks stimulus programs for the Council of State Governments.

Figures for construction companies will vary because some states have spent that money faster than others. Unlike construction jobs, which require bidding and contracting, teaching jobs were relatively quick to save once billions of dollars in aid arrived from Washington."

AuburnPub.com - Center enlists art groups for education

AuburnPub.com - Center enlists art groups for education:

"Sacramento Mayor Kevin Johnson told The Associated Press the initiative could not have come at a better time as school districts face budget cuts. Groups like the Sacramento Theater Company and Crocker Art Museum will also benefit by fostering a new generation of patrons for theater, ballet and art, he said.

Over the next few months, the Kennedy Center will conduct an audit of the local arts scene and existing arts programs in the Sacramento Unified School District and Twin Rivers Unified School District."

Education Week: Questions Raised on New York Test System's Reliability

Education Week: Questions Raised on New York Test System's Reliability:

"The recent news that 97 percent of New York City public schools got an A or B under the district’s grading system might be seen as reason for celebration, but critics suggest the grades hold little value and highlight the need to revisit the state assessment system.

The results, they say, reveal far more about flaws in the city’s so-called “progress reports” —and the state testing regime that largely drives them—than they do about the quality of education in the 1.1 million-student district."

Schools Chancellor Touts Test Score Gains to Business Leaders - City Room Blog - NYTimes.com

Schools Chancellor Touts Test Score Gains to Business Leaders - City Room Blog - NYTimes.com:

"Supporters of mayoral control of city schools like to say that having one person in charge of the schools eliminates the old politics of the Board of Education. But it’s simply been replaced by a different kind of politics, centered on just how well Mayor Michael R. Bloomberg and his schools chancellor, Joel I. Klein, have done in the battle to improve city schools.

So it was hard to put aside politics Monday at an hour-long presentation Mr. Klein gave to business leaders on the 50th floor of the J.P. Morgan Chase building on Park Avenue. With his back to a stunning view of the Chrysler Building, Mr. Klein went over a dozen graphs charting out what he called tremendous progress of the city’s schools."

City Insider : This isn't the kind of steal Kevin Johnson used to relish

City Insider : This isn't the kind of steal Kevin Johnson used to relish:

"When he played for the Phoenix Suns, point guard Kevin Johnson was known for his steals. But the tables were turned on Johnson, now the mayor of Sacramento, when he visited Union Square over the weekend and had his belongings snatched.
Johnson describes the troubling incident on his blog. Apparently, the Good Samaritan - in San Francisco for an arts education conference - was helping an elderly man get into a cab when someone grabbed his garment bag. He lost a suit, pair of shoes and toiletries."

CAVALA: Legislature Victim Of Yet Another ‘Cheap Shot’? - California Progress Report

CAVALA: Legislature Victim Of Yet Another ‘Cheap Shot’? - California Progress Report:

"The Sacramento BEE is leading yet another crusade against the State Legislature. This attack focuses on the benefits provided Legislative employees. While factually accurate, the BEE story is biased and unfair.

After listing the benefits – which contrast favorably on paper with those enjoyed by other state employees and many private sector employees (like BEE reporters), and then allowing reliable witnesses like Jonathan Coupal of the Howard Jarvis organization to take his usual shot at any government action, it isn’t until paragraph 16 (after the fold) that we find the following:"

“Unlike other state workers legislative aides lack civil service protections, receive no automatic pay increases can be fired without cause, receive no overtime compensation and must try to get hired by another legislator when theirs leaves office”.

Which, because of term limits, is a five year occurrence.

Let’s look at the lavish benefits exposed in this hard-hitting report.

Vacations? “Vacations ranging up to six weeks for long time employees”. But with a 35% staff turnover “every year” – a fact listed in paragraph 17 – how many “long time employees” are around to enjoy their six weeks? I was such an employee. In my 25 years of service I enjoyed a net 20 days of “vacation”. My vacation “time” was used up in unpaid volunteer service in political work in an effort to keep my employer in a job where he could employ me.

Retirement benefits? The same as other state employees and not as good as those enjoyed by the staff of Legislative “sergeants” – who are “peace officers”. But who are the Legislative employees who serve long enough or are old enough to retire in grade? Typically they are the clerical workers of the Legislature, not the highly paid attaches of my grade.

Education Week: State law blocks stimulus education funds

Education Week: State law blocks stimulus education funds:

"RENO, Nev. (AP) — Nevada is ineligible to compete for millions of stimulus education funding because of a state law pushed by the teachers union.

The law prohibits student achievement data from being used in teacher evaluations. That means the state isn't eligible to enter the Obama administration's Race to the Top, a $4.3 billion competition for states trying to turn around failing schools."

State superintendent Keith Rheault says Nevada won't apply for the first round of funding because of the law, which would need a special legislative session to change.

"If you're desperate for money and you get a credit card offer in the mail, you read the fine print to see what the interest rate is," Rheault said. "This to me is like a 35 percent interest rate, with all the federal reporting requirements and changes to regulations. But it just depends on how desperate you are for the money."

The state can still work to resolve other issues in time for the second phase of funding, Rheault said.

Rheault said changing the state law would not immediately make the state eligible for the federal funds because the competition requires states to have increased education funding between 2008 and 2009 and Nevada had to cut its funding. The state would also have to dedicate money for after the stimulus funds ran out.

Education Week: Protest Planned Against N.J. School's Obama Song

Education Week: Protest Planned Against N.J. School's Obama Song:

"Conservative groups plan to rally Monday near a New Jersey school where students performed a song celebrating President Barack Obama.
The planned rally has school district officials planning to beef up security at the B. Bernice Young School in Burlington Township, which houses kindergartners through second-graders.

The song drew national attention last month after a video of the performance was posted on YouTube. Conservatives say it shows how schoolchildren are being indoctrinated to idolize Obama, allegations school officials have denied."

Education Week: 'Dropouts Happen'

Education Week: 'Dropouts Happen':

"Webster defines realism as “a concern for fact or reality and the rejection of the impractical or visionary.”

For perhaps too long, we educators have denied the realities of public schools in favor of a tireless, unending quest for excellence and the success of all students. While these are certainly desirable and justifiable goals, the failure to achieve them should not result in an overwhelming sense of failure, or worse, guilt.

This is not intended to excuse ourselves from the all-important task of educating our young. Rather, it is a plea to accept some of the realities of public schools that contravene our best efforts."

Schwarzenegger signs gay rights bills - Latest News - sacbee.com

Schwarzenegger signs gay rights bills - Latest News - sacbee.com:

"Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger has signed two gay rights bills, one honoring late activist Harvey Milk and another recognizing same-sex marriages performed in other states.

In the last of hundreds of bill actions taken before midnight Sunday, Schwarzenegger approved the two bills by Sen. Mark Leno, D-San Francisco.

The governor last year vetoed the measure declaring May 22 a state day of recognition for Milk, suggesting that the former San Francisco supervisor be honored locally. But he subsequently named him to the California Hall of Fame."

Education News & Comment

Education News & Comment:

"Dear Parent and Community Leaders:

We are currently accepting applications for the current session of the School, Family and Community Partnership Leadership Academy. The Leadership Academy is a leadership development program that promotes excellence in education and is sponsored by the Sacramento City Unified School District in partnership with the Parent Teacher Association (PTA).

The goals of the program are to raise participant awareness of how the educational system works, enhance communication and collaboration with school and district staff, promote interaction and networking among parent and community and to develop the leadership capacity of participants to lead effectively and strategically."

Please forward the attached brochure (application inside brochure), and session outline to parent leaders in your school, your district advisory committees, or to administrators, teachers and/or community organizations and members who you think would benefit from this training.

Applications are due by October 20, 2009 at the Office of Parent Engagement and Support Services (see brochure). On October 27, 2009 applicants will be notified if they were accepted into the program. The first training session begins on November 2, 2009 (see enclosed session topics and dates). The program selects 20-25 participants per training cycle.

If you have any questions, please call me at (916) 643-7912.

Manuel Guillot

Director Parent Engagement and Support Services

Tsakopoulos-Kounalakis appointed ambassador to Hungary - Latest News - sacbee.com

Tsakopoulos-Kounalakis appointed ambassador to Hungary - Latest News - sacbee.com:

"WASHINGTON - President Barack Obama today named Eleni Tsakopoulos-Kounalakis, a prominent Democratic fundraiser and developer from Sacramento, as his ambassador to the Republic of Hungary.

The president said he was confident that she'll be part of a team that 'will work to keep our nation safe at home and strengthen our partnerships abroad.'
Tsakopoulos-Kounalakis is a civic leader, philanthropist and president of AKT Development Corp., one of California's largest land development firms."

Houston schools slow to add Bible elective 2 years after law | Houston & Texas News | Chron.com - Houston Chronicle

Houston schools slow to add Bible elective 2 years after law Houston & Texas News Chron.com - Houston Chronicle:

"Two years ago state lawmakers made it OK for schools to provide elective Bible classes but, so far, few Houston-area school districts have taken them up on the offer.

The 2007 law requires schools, beginning this year, to include some Bible literacy in history and literature classes. Bible classes are optional but encouraged under the law. The thinking is that educated students must be familiar with biblical references and themes that pervade culture and society.

“It's not like a Bible study like you have at church,” said Gale Drummond, assistant superintendent of secondary education for Conroe ISD. “It's about looking at the Bible and its influence in Western civilization.”"

Schwarzenegger OKs school bill required by US law - Yahoo! News

Schwarzenegger OKs school bill required by US law - Yahoo! News:

"SACRAMENTO, Calif. – California is removing a legal ban on using the results of student achievement tests to evaluate teachers, under a bill signed into law by Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger.

The bill lifts a barrier that prevented California from applying for $4.5 billion under the federal Race to the Top program. Schwarzenegger says more legislation is needed beyond the bill he signed Sunday. He has called lawmakers back into special session this fall.

California still has to qualify for the federal money in competition with other states.

To do so, education officials say the state must approve other reforms, including removing a cap on the number of charter schools, improving poorly performing local schools, and giving the state more authority to intervene in failing schools."

Obama Becomes Japan’s English Teacher - NYTimes.com

Obama Becomes Japan’s English Teacher - NYTimes.com:


"TOKYO — When Utako Sakai was changing the background music in her beauty parlor recently, she did not opt for the classical piano pieces she usually chose.

A CD of President Barack Obama's inaugural speech has sold a half million copies in Japan, leading publishers to flood the market with over a dozen language-learning titles centered on his oratory. Instead, she picked her favorite CD: “President Obama’s Inaugural Address,” released by Asahi Press, a Japanese publisher of language books. She says the speech lifts her spirits and helps her to learn English all at once.

“All our customers love it,” said Ms. Sakai, who is based in Ayase City, in Kanagawa Prefecture, outside Tokyo."