National CHARACTER COUNTS! Week to Commence Weeklong Celebration Across the Country

National CHARACTER COUNTS! Week to Commence Weeklong Celebration Across the Country:

"Helping to answer the Obama Administration's nationwide call for renewed service and education reform, more than 5 million youth, parents, teachers, and volunteers will gather in thousands of schools across the country and around the world to spruce up schools, reclaim neighborhoods, and celebrate good character during the 16th annual National CHARACTER COUNTS! Week on October 18-24.

Los Angeles, CA (PRWEB) October 16, 2009 -- Helping to answer the Obama Administration's nationwide call for renewed service and education reform, more than 5 million youth, parents, teachers, and volunteers will gather in thousands of schools across the country and around the world to spruce up schools, reclaim neighborhoods, and celebrate good character during the 16th annual National CHARACTER COUNTS! Week on October 18-24."

Government Investigates High School Diploma Mills - US News and World Report

Government Investigates High School Diploma Mills - US News and World Report:

"Government investigators are pursuing high school diploma mills, which, for a fee, give high school dropouts diplomas or answers to the tests that enable them to enroll in college and qualify for federal financial aid."

In testimony before a congressional panel on Wednesday, George Scott, a director of the Education, Workforce, and Income Security division of the Government Accountability Office, played secretly made audiotapes of a test proctor apparently giving students the answers to college-qualifying tests.

The tapes were made by investigators looking into for-profit colleges. Scott said the investigators walked into Washington, D.C.-area offices of a publicly traded for-profit college and told the admissions officers that they did not have high school diplomas but wanted to enroll. Scott did not identify the colleges or testing companies his agency investigated.

Normally, colleges don't admit students who haven't graduated from high school. To qualify for federal financial aid, students without diplomas or GED certifications must pass tests to show they have enough language and math skills to ensure their "ability to benefit" (often abbreviated as "ATB") from a college education. ATB tests are supposed to be given by companies or proctors who have no connections to colleges, so that there is no incentive to improperly pass students.

Michelle Obama to parents: Turn off those TVs | Top of the Ticket | Los Angeles Times

Michelle Obama to parents: Turn off those TVs Top of the Ticket Los Angeles Times:

"Now that we're all up to speed on Meghan McCain's bra cup situation and California First Lady Maria Shriver's 'punishment' for illegally talking on a cellphone while driving, we have news about First Lady Michelle Obama's latest thoughts about teachers and schools and parents.

She's penned an essay for U.S. News & World Report in which she warns of a dramatic impending teacher exodus and, like previous first ladies, advocates that parents shut off the video games and TV more often, presumably not when her husband's talking again about healthcare reform. (And no mention of Fox News.)

She also comes out in favor of her husband's $3-billion government program to boost teacher training."

Youth Policy Institute (YPI) Awarded $26 Million Grant for Afterschool Programs | Reuters

Youth Policy Institute (YPI) Awarded $26 Million Grant for Afterschool Programs Reuters:

"Dixon Slingerland, Executive Director of the Youth Policy Institute, proudly
announced today that the California Department of Education has awarded YPI
nearly $26 million to provide afterschool academic and enrichment programs in
twenty-one Los Angeles and San Fernando Valley K-12 schools.

'It is an honor to receive such a significant grant award from the California
Department of Education,' YPI Executive Director Dixon Slingerland said. He
added, 'We gratefully accept it in recognition of YPI's strong track record in
afterschool programming, and are excited about the potential to serve thousands
of additional students, families, and leaders of tomorrow.'

The check presentation is scheduled for the morning of October 20th on the steps
of Pacoima Charter Elementary School at 9:30 AM. On hand to announce the
five-year grant will be the State Superintendent of Public Instruction Jack
O`Connell, State Senator Gloria Romero - Chair of the Senate Education
Committee, Assemblymember Felipe Fuentes (D-Sylmar), LAUSD Board Members Nury
Martinez and Tamar Galatzan, and many of the students and families that have
benefitted from YPI`s enrichment programs."

News: Out-of-State Dreams - Inside Higher Ed

http://www.insidehighered.com/news/2009/10/16/outofstate:

"At a time when getting admitted to many flagship universities is harder than ever, a growing number are considering plans to increase enrollments -- dramatically in some cases -- of out-of-state applicants.

The theory behind these plans is straightforward: Public universities charge much more for out-of-state students; the parents who must pay those bills vote in other states, so these tuition dollars are much less politically costly than those gained by raising in-state rates; states have run out of money. Add those factors together, and all of the sudden everyone wants a larger national student body."

Some flagships have been doing this for years. At the University of Vermont, three quarters of freshmen are from out of state, and the University of Delaware routinely enrolls more from out of state than in state. But whether out-of-state enrollments can grow nationwide -- and whether they should -- is doubted by many policy experts.

They note that the states that successfully enroll many non-residents don't have massive in-state demand. Some worry that the quest for high non-resident tuition will amount to an increased emphasis on enrolling wealthy white students -- those who are likely to be well served by some college no matter what. And guidance counselors who work with students say that this strategy may work for some institutions, but may be a flop at others.

Nonetheless, it's clear that the terrible budget situation has many flagship presidents thinking that this policy shift needs to happen (even if none of them would approach the levels of Vermont or Delaware). Consider these ideas and policies that are in play:

The American Spectator : Fool's Gold?

The American Spectator : Fool's Gold?:

"California Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger and the state's Democratically-controlled legislature have become better-known for dysfunctional sparring matches and dueling tax increase packages than for any form of unanimous agreement. So the last month proved to be amazing as legislators agreed to pass a string of the Governator's school reform measures, including a measure that allows more parents to choose schools for their kids outside of the districts in which they reside, and, even more shocking, end a ban on the use of student test scores in evaluating teacher performance."

Certainly Schwarzenegger has earned his bona fides as a school reformer. After all, he has strongly backed a string of unsuccessful voter referendums since replacing the much-loathed Gray Davis six years ago. Among his lowlights: A plan to increase the time it takes for teachers to gain lifetime job protections through the granting of tenure was widely defeated thanks to a $15 million campaign against it by state and local affiliates of the National Education Association and American Federation of Teachers.

But why did legislators, beneficiaries of $346,300 in donations from the unions in 2008 alone (along with campaign help from their rank-and-file), turn their backs on their erstwhile allies? The opportunity to tap some of the $4.5 billion in so-called "Race to the Top" funds, provided through the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act, has proven to be too tempting to ignore. Declared Schwarzenegger this week after signing the bill: "These bills represent an important first step in bringing California's students and schools closer to billions of much-needed federal funding."

Daily Pilot - Serving Newport Beach & Costa Mesa, California

Daily Pilot - Serving Newport Beach & Costa Mesa, California:

"About a dozen students, parents, pastors and advocates attended Wednesday’s Orange County Board of Education meeting to speak out against comments board President Alexandria Coronado made to the Daily Pilot regarding a state bill to create a Harvey Milk Day, in honor of the slain gay rights activist and San Francisco county supervisor.

“If you want that lifestyle, don’t make my tax dollars pay for it, and don’t make me teach it to my children,” Coronado, who represents portions of Costa Mesa and other cities, told the Daily Pilot on Sept. 22."

Editorial: Sacramento community attendance centers reduce truancy, crime - Sacramento Opinion - Sacramento Editorial | Sacramento Bee

Editorial: Sacramento community attendance centers reduce truancy, crime - Sacramento Opinion - Sacramento Editorial Sacramento Bee:

"When kids skip school, it costs the larger community. The students themselves miss out on learning opportunities and are more likely to drop out, reducing their chances of good jobs later in life.

School districts lose money, which is based on per-student average daily attendance. Neighborhoods lose out with higher crime rates, as kids wandering the streets end up in gangs or on drugs. Local and state budgets suffer as many of these kids end up in jail or prison.

But communities do not have to accept truancy without a fight. Sacramento Area Congregations Together, a community-based organization, has shown that turnaround is possible."

Squeezed capital-area school districts ponder campus closures - Sacramento News - Local and Breaking Sacramento News | Sacramento Bee

Squeezed capital-area school districts ponder campus closures - Sacramento News - Local and Breaking Sacramento News Sacramento Bee:

"Sacramento City Unified School District officials have proposed closing six to eight schools over the next three years, though they have not yet made a proposal. The district closed four schools at the end of the last school year.

Natomas Unified School District officials plan to close an elementary school next year but have not identified which one.

District spokesman Heidi Van Zant said the closure would save the district $400,000.

'We want to have tremendous community input into this important decision,' she said.

Natomas Unified's enrollment dipped by 400 students, many of whom enrolled at a new charter school, Van Zant said."

Swine flu vaccine starts arriving in Sacramento; much more to come - Sacramento News - Local and Breaking Sacramento News | Sacramento Bee

Swine flu vaccine starts arriving in Sacramento; much more to come - Sacramento News - Local and Breaking Sacramento News Sacramento Bee:

"Kennedy Joplin's roar was deafening – perhaps excruciating for her father, Steven Joplin.

The 2-year-old squirmed and wailed on Thursday as a nurse sprayed into her nostrils one of the Sacramento region's first doses of the H1N1 vaccine.

'It hurts me, too. I don't like seeing daddy's little princess cry,' said Joplin, a soldier based in Fairbanks, Alaska, doing his fatherly duties before returning to his military duties. 'She spends a lot of time with other kids in child care, and with flu season coming, better safe than sorry.'"

Michelle Obama: Teachers Are Key to a Successful Economy - US News and World Report

Michelle Obama: Teachers Are Key to a Successful Economy - US News and World Report:

"Michelle Obama is the first lady of the United States.

This is a busy time of year in the Obama household. Like so many parents all across this country, I watch with a mixture of pride and anxiety as my daughters stuff their backpacks, kiss me goodbye, and move ahead in another school year without so much as a backwards glance. [See photos of the Obama family.]"

My girls are now making new friends, tackling challenging new subjects, and moving closer to becoming the strong, confident women I know they can be. But when I see them come home, bursting with excitement about something they have learned or someone they have met, I can't help but think that some of the most influential people in my daughters' lives won't be the ones they socialize with on the playground or read about in the pages of a book—they will be the people who stand up every day in front of their classrooms.

We all remember the impact a special teacher had on us—a teacher who refused to let us fall through the cracks; who pushed us and believed in us when we doubted ourselves; who sparked in us a lifelong curiosity and passion for learning. Decades later, we remember the way they made us feel and the things they inspired us to do—how they challenged us and changed our lives. So it's not surprising that studies show that the single most important factor affecting students' achievement is the caliber of their teachers. And when we think about the qualities that make an outstanding teacher—boundless energy and endless patience; vision and a sense of purpose; the creativity to help us see the world in a different way; commitment to helping us discover and fulfill our potential—we realize: These are also the qualities of a great leader.

CDC H1N1 Flu | Resources for Parents and Caregivers

CDC H1N1 Flu Resources for Parents and Caregivers


Taking Care of a Sick Person in Your Home

Advice for Parents on Talking to Children

Feeding your Baby: What Parents Should Know

Interim CDC Guidance on Day and Residential Camps

Seasonal and Novel H1N1 Flu: A Guide for Parents

Action Steps: If School is Dismissed or Children Must Stay Home

Action Steps: Protect Your Child and Family from Flu

Action Steps: For Parents of Children at High Risk for Flu Complications
See also

General Information About H1N1

Resources for Pregnant WomenInfo for Child Care Providers. -->

Resources for Child Care

Resources for K-12 Schools

Resources for Colleges & Universities

contenido disponible solamente en inglés -->

voiceofsandiego.org: Education... How a Controversial Rule Played Out in Other Schools

voiceofsandiego.org: Education... How a Controversial Rule Played Out in Other Schools:

"Wednesday, Oct. 14, 2009 As bargaining grinds on between San Diego Unified and its teachers union over its expired contract, a public debate has erupted over a few paragraphs of legalese.

Teachers and their union say a new proposal will help kids by preventing teachers from being overloaded with new duties. Opponents say it will allow the union to veto any changes to what teachers do -- even small ones -- by enshrining all existing practices in the contract. It has pitted the principals union against the teachers union, divided and perplexed parents."

Yet both its backers and its critics point out that the proposal, known as "maintenance of standards," is nothing new. Similar rules show up in teachers union agreements as early as the 1970s in New York and have cropped up across Wisconsin and Michigan, spreading to Colorado and even Alaska. They typically state that working conditions "shall be maintained at not less than the highest minimum standards in effect" at the time -- language that isn't always clear to the average person.

That wording has varied, along with its impact. Attorneys and educators tell radically different stories about how the clause works. A Wisconsin attorney calls it "a union trump card." A Minnesota superintendent said it posed no problems. And a New York official said it's sometimes difficult.

Bag Theft Scoop: Mayor Kevin Johnson and his lost garment bag

MacArthur Metro - Money Honeys, Articles, & News

MacArthur Metro - Money Honeys, Articles, & News:

by Sharon Higgins

"Kids eating junk food? That is nothing new. I nag, preach, and explain to my kids that they need to limit the amount of junk food they eat. On some days, they get more than they should. On some days, so do I. Last spring at Bret Harte Middle School, after seeing a young man eat chips for breakfast (which he purchased at the cafeteria that morning), after attending a student-safety meeting and after working on the school's litter problem for almost two years, I decided to find out what the students were eating. For three days I randomly approached 90 students during lunchtime and asked them about their lunches."

"The two other options for kids are to bring lunch from home (18 percent) or to have the tray lunch (14 percent). The tray lunch may be purchased at a reasonable price by any student but rarely is. Usually students have it because their income qualifies them to receive it free or for a reduced price. The tray lunch is subsidized and must adhere to federal dietary guidelines. The students described the food on the tray lunches as "all right." Unfortunately, throughout Oakland in the middle and upper grades, tray lunches are stigmatized by many students and, therefore, avoided. Additionally, some families who would qualify for the lunch are unaware that they are eligible. So the sad fact is that many who can least afford to pay for their lunch will do so."

The White House - Blog Post - The Story of the White House Garden

The White House - Blog Post - The Story of the White House Garden:

"The Story of the White House Garden
Posted by Jason Djang

Since ground-breaking and initial tilling in March, we've been documenting the progress of the first garden on White House grounds since Eleanor Roosevelt's Victory Garden during World War II. This new garden was planted with the help of local elementary school children and has yielded a constant supply fresh produce for the First Family and White House events. Hear and see the story of the garden first-hand from First Lady Michelle Obama and White House chef Sam Kass."

First 5 California Joins Sid the Science Kid to Talk about the Importance of Immunizations

First 5 California Executive Director Kris Perry joined Sid the Science Kid in a PSA informing young children and parents about the importance of vaccinations.

Come meet Sid and attend a special screening of Sid the Science Kid on Tuesday, October 20 from 3-5 pm. Show starts at 3:30 pm at the Kidspace Children's Museum (480 N. Arroyo Blvd., Pasadena, CA 91103).

For more information about health, education, services and support, visit www.first5california.com/parents.

NASA hosts lunar robotics competition - UPI.com

NASA hosts lunar robotics competition - UPI.com:

"MOFFIT FIELD, Calif., Oct. 15 (UPI) -- NASA says 23 teams are participating in this weekend's 2009 Regolith Excavation Challenge in California to find better ways of handling moon dust.

The two-day event begins Saturday at NASA's Ames Research Center at Moffett Field, Calif.

The space agency said the $750,000 prize competition -- part of its Centennial Challenges Program -- will involve 23 teams from across the nation using robots they designed and built to excavate simulated lunar soil, known as regolith. Teams will test their robots in a box approximately 13 feet square and 1 1/2 feet deep that contains eight tons of simulated moon soil."

Welcome to Reporting Transparency in Government Website - State of California

Welcome to Reporting Transparency in Government Website - State of California:

"Welcome to California’s site dedicated to transparency. Governor Schwarzenegger recognizes the importance of making data available to its citizens. Governor Schwarzenegger also believes these data should be easily accessible and easy to view."

Read the report California Budget Transparency 2.0 at : http://www.docstoc.com/docs/13258579/California-Budget-Transparency-20

For Hearing, Sign Language Becomes Classroom Tool - washingtonpost.com

For Hearing, Sign Language Becomes Classroom Tool - washingtonpost.com:

"Teachers come to the classroom with noble goals -- closing the achievement gap, illuminating young minds. But first they must confront a more pressing problem: how to manage children's urgent requests, in the middle of the most carefully planned lessons, for permission to sharpen pencils, get drinks of water or visit the bathroom.

One solution, a growing number of teachers are finding, is learning to speak without making a sound.

'The very first year I taught, I realized how much time I was wasting in my classroom for my students to be constantly raising their hands,' said Fran Nadel, 25, a second-grade teacher at Woodburn School for the Fine and Communicative Arts in Falls Church. 'I realized if they could do this without talking, I could send them somewhere with a flick of my finger.'"