Pérez, Messing honored for gay rights efforts | MyDesert.com | The Desert Sun

Pérez, Messing honored for gay rights efforts MyDesert.com The Desert Sun:

"Equality California honored Assemblyman V. Manuel Pérez and Emmy award-winning actress Debra Messing Saturday for their work promoting gay civil rights at the nonprofit organization's annual awards ceremony in Palm Springs."

Saturday night's event drew more than 400 people.

The Palm Springs Equality Awards is one of five statewide events to recognize lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender issues, while raising money for the San Francisco-based nonprofit group.
“This raises the funds that allows us to do the work,” said Geoff Kors, executive director of Equality California and a part-time Palm Springs resident.
Last year's statewide events raised more than $2 million, organizers said.

Gay civil rights is an important issue in the Palm Springs area, which boasts one of the largest gay populations, per capita, in the United States.

Pérez, D-Coachella, was recognized for championing measures important to the gay community, such as supporting the repeal of Proposition 8, a constitutional amendment that defined marriage as between a man and woman, and establishing a day honoring the nation's first elected openly gay person, Harvey Milk.

eChalk Joins Project RED in New Research Aimed at Demonstrating Technology Can Revolutionize Learning and Save Money in Schools

eChalk Joins Project RED in New Research Aimed at Demonstrating Technology Can Revolutionize Learning and Save Money in Schools:

"New York, NY (PRWEB) October 18, 2009 -- eChalk, the instructional technology company that pioneered online communication tools to connect school leaders, teachers, students and parents, recently signed onto Project RED, joining the ranks of Intel, Apple, Pearson and Qwest. The new project's research and advocacy efforts aim to measure the transformative effects of educational technology in ways that better demonstrate impact and cost savings implications for states, districts and schools."

"We're looking closely at schools and districts that have 1:1 initiatives and who provide Internet access to every student to determine best practices. Thirty years, 40,000,000 computers and $60,000,000,000 after microcomputers first entered U.S. classrooms, we're on the hunt for compelling results and secure funding streams for technology," explains Jeanne Hayes, Project RED management team member and CEO and Founder of The Hayes Connection.

"We believe that properly implemented ubiquitous technology schools can produce dramatic improvements in achievement, be revenue positive at the state and federal level and contribute positively to issues of STEM, 21st Century skills and lifelong learning," added Tom Greaves, Project RED management team member and CEO and Founder of The Greaves Group.

"Success depends on new legislation, new state education policies, implementation of identified success factors, strong leadership from classroom to governor, teachers transforming their classrooms and access to appropriate technology," explains Leslie Wilson, Project RED management team member and President of the One-to-One Institute.

Sacramento Press / City Charter Review Committee Final Town Hall Reveals "Gordian Knot"

Sacramento Press / City Charter Review Committee Final Town Hall Reveals "Gordian Knot":

"The City Charter legally and procedurally defines the City of Sacramento and its operations. Kevin Johnson's Strong Mayor Initiative, which would dramatically change the City Charter, will be on the June 2010 ballot.

Sacramento was founded with a City Charter in 1858. In 1921, during the Progressive Era, in response to rampant corruption, Sacramento changed to the current strong manager/council system to achieve more accountability. Ironically, the current Strong Mayor Initiative proponents have campaigned that accountability is not possible under the current system.

In light of Johnson's own proposals for redefining the checks and balances of power, a public process of charter policy analysis is appropriate. The City Council appointed the Charter Review Committee to explore and recommend potential changes to the City Charter."

The Pueblo Chieftain :: Today's preschoolers will become your best employees in 2025

The Pueblo Chieftain :: Today's preschoolers will become your best employees in 2025:

"We learn many of our best skills in pre-school and kindergarten that set the stage for the rest of our lives: sharing and playing well, self-control and self-direction. The importance of early childhood education is more pronounced when we understand the impacts of what kids don’t learn in those critical young years.

By age three, children whose parents are on welfare have vocabularies of about 500 words, children of working class parents have about 700 words, and children of college-educated parents have vocabularies of about 1,200 words. Yet words are the key to how successfully children make their way in the world."

Joan Rentoul: The golden age of education is a myth - John Rentoul, Commentators - The Independent

Joan Rentoul: The golden age of education is a myth - John Rentoul, Commentators - The Independent:

"We don't half like moaning about how awful life is. Take schools, for instance. Dreadful. Children shouldn't go to them. Not until they are at least six, and possibly 16. Most of them leave school unable to read and write, anyway. And testing. That's a load of rubbish. Scrap the SATs. Then all those children who are not at school but presumably roaming the streets will pick up the three Rs by osmosis. Learning by doing.

What we really like is comparisons that tell us that life is worse than in the 19th century. A minor news story a few years ago reported a claim that the health gap between rich and poor in Britain was greater than in Victorian times. Patent nonsense if given a moment's thought, but we haven't time for that before we're on to the next story about our better yesterdays. Last month Lesley Ward, the new president of the Association of Teachers and Lecturers union, had her 15 minutes of name recognition for the claim that a 'small, significant and growing minority' of children endure a level of poverty 'mirroring the times of Dickens'. No, they don't."

University World News - US: Online education's outrageous fortune?

University World News - US: Online education's outrageous fortune?:

"Imagine training to become a Certified Professional Midwife online. You can at Aviva Institute of Duluth, Minnesota. Opportunities like this may seem promising, especially in the context of economic uncertainty or when full-time, on-campus study is not an option. But should traditional brick-and-mortar universities be concerned?

Kevin Carey, Policy Director for Education Center, thinks they should. In a recent article published in the Washington Monthly, he suggests that many universities risk following the recent experience of newspapers against the tide of new media.

The statistics tend to corroborate his observations: more than four million college students or 20% of those in the US took at least one online class in 2008 and, of these, about one in 10 enrolled in exclusively internet-based programmes."

The Shriver Report released, claims it's a woman's nation

The Shriver Report released, claims it's a woman's nation:

"Maria Shriver has teamed with the Center for American Progress to produce the Shriver Report, a look at the changing nature of women’s roles in society, particularly their rise in the workplace. With chapters ranging from “Invisible yet essential: immigrant women in America” to “Where have you gone, Roseanne Barr?”, and an epilogue by Oprah Winfrey, the report locates women in economic and cultural shifts. The report, which includes research and a survey sponsored by the Rockefeller Foundation and Time, also examines how government, businesses, education, faith and media can do a better job of adapting to the increase of working women and the resulting changes in family dynamics."

The “Garden at Eden” grows vegetables, hope for students » Naples Daily News

The “Garden at Eden” grows vegetables, hope for students » Naples Daily News:

"The “Garden at Eden,” taking shape off of County Barn Road in Naples, is expected to bear fruit in a variety of ways. The compact farm, a project of Eden Autism Services Florida, will produce organic vegetables and tropical fruits, giving students at Eden’s Eimerman Education Center food, cash and the opportunity to gain experience selling their crops at local farmers’ markets and restaurants.

Volunteers and friends of Eden Florida gathered on Saturday morning to plant some of the final fruit trees in their new grove and enjoy a light lunch. Rainy skies couldn’t dampen the participants’ enthusiasm; planting continued right through several showers."

Kid's Corner | Learning Computers and Development on MSDN

Kid's Corner Learning Computers and Development on MSDN:

"Are you a cool kid who wants to impress your friends and family with your mad skillz? Check out the Kid's Corner for lots of fun, easy to understand lessons on programming!"

Are you a parent or teacher looking to start your kids learning about computer programming? Start here!

Fake H1N1 Flu Drugs Surface - Health News Story - KPHO Phoenix

Fake H1N1 Flu Drugs Surface - Health News Story - KPHO Phoenix:

"NEW YORK -- A New York congressman has issued a warning about con artists selling fake flu drugs online.

Democrat Anthony Weiner says people may be so worried about the H1N1 flu outbreak and what officials say is a temporary vaccine shortage, that they'll take a risk buying drugs online without thinking about it.

He said his office easily found sites selling fake flu drugs. Weiner says FDA investigators saw some that turned out to be acetominophen, the active ingredient in the over-the-counter pain killer Tylenol.

Weiner said buyers need to be sure an online site is legitimate and requires a prescription."

PR-CANADA.net - Investing in the Future: $2 Million Lilly Endowment Grant to CICP Foundation Will Support Indiana Sc

PR-CANADA.net - Investing in the Future: $2 Million Lilly Endowment Grant to CICP Foundation Will Support Indiana Sc:

"The Indiana Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (I-STEM) Resource Network announced today that a $2 million grant from Lilly Endowment Inc. to the Central Indiana Corporate Partnership Foundation will support the I-STEM Resource Network. The initiative was established in 2007 and partially funded by a $3.4 million grant from the Endowment.

The Network is a statewide consortium of 18 Indiana higher education institutions dedicated to measurably improving K-12 student achievement in the STEM disciplines. Over the last two years, the Network has focused on providing research-based professional development for current Indiana math teachers to help meet statewide academic standards. More than 6,000 teachers, who work with more than 150,000 K-12 students throughout Indiana, have participated in I-STEM professional development programs."

Override funding key to stabilizing FUSD

azdailysun.com Opinion:

"It is not overly dramatic to assert that Arizona's system of mainstream public schools is on the edge of a financial cliff.

Voters in the Flagstaff Unified School District can help pull their community's schools back from the edge by renewing the 10 percent budget override for another seven years on Nov. 3. But even then, the financial ground might still continue to crumble away.

The problem began 25 years ago as part of a statewide taxpayer revolt that resulted in limits being placed on the ability of school districts to raise and spend money from local taxes."

Plagued by politics and unrest, Capistrano Unified shows its academic might | capistrano, year, unified, district, school - News - OCRegister.com

Plagued by politics and unrest, Capistrano Unified shows its academic might capistrano, year, unified, district, school - News - OCRegister.com:

"SAN JUAN CAPISTRANO – For once, Capistrano Unified can celebrate – and not because one of its warring parent factions is declaring a political victory over another.

After years of criticism that its test scores should be higher, Capistrano Unified surged this year past neighboring Saddleback Valley Unified and onto a playing field with Orange County's most academically successful districts, including top-ranked Irvine Unified.

'We're in very good company, or rather, they are in very good company,' Capistrano's executive director of assessment and research, Michelle Benham, told trustees at a school board meeting last week. '… Every year, we are very competitive down here, and it is important that we continue to keep pace with our neighbors.'"

Capistrano Unified remains embroiled in a five-year, parent-driven battle for control of the school board, has seen a once-celebrated superintendent indicted on felony corruption charges and has been forced to slash tens of millions of dollars from its budget. It's also under intense scrutiny by parents who criticize its every move, and has even been targeted by outsiders as a poster child for what is wrong with the U.S. public education system.

Our View: Reform requires new attitudes, new dollars | Opinion | Idaho Statesman

Our View: Reform requires new attitudes, new dollars Opinion Idaho Statesman:

"President Obama might yet pull off the impossible. He might actually get American kids to care about politics.

And by using the presidential bully pulpit to advocate a longer school day or a longer school year, Obama has also gotten the attention of parents and educators.

At least Obama is starting a discussion - on an important topic. Do we need to fundamentally rewrite our school calendar in order to make sure American students can compete in a global workplace? Any change would require new thinking, and new dollars to match.

What do we think the school day and school calendar should look like? Following the president's lead, let's discuss that."

Ms Gillard goes to Washington

Ms Gillard goes to Washington:

"But accents aside, Ms Gillard sees much common ground between Australia and the US, particularly when it comes to the challenges they face in reforming their education systems to bridge the gap between black and white, rich and poor.

'We are so much on the same page as the leading thinkers in America about the nature of our school reform agenda,' she says. This may sound ominous for teachers' unions, which are resisting Ms Gillard's moves to publish school performance data, and who fear the impact of an aggressive American-style approach to teacher accountability.

Ms Gillard cites common ground on the need for transparency to drive school improvement, a focus on literacy and numeracy, and a push to lift teacher quality and school leadership."

CONGRESSMAN HONDA & CHIVUKULA & NJ ASIAN AMERICAN LEADERS CAMPAIGN TO STRENGTHEN SUPPORT FOR CORZINE/WEINBERG & DEMOCRATS | Politicker NJ

CONGRESSMAN HONDA & CHIVUKULA & NJ ASIAN AMERICAN LEADERS CAMPAIGN TO STRENGTHEN SUPPORT FOR CORZINE/WEINBERG & DEMOCRATS Politicker NJ:

"(EDISON) -- U.S. Representative Michael Honda (CA-15), chair of the Congressional Asian Pacific American Caucus, today joined Assemblyman Upendra Chivukula (D-Union) and Asian American leaders from across New Jersey at several cultural celebrations across the state of New Jersey to campaign for Governor Jon S. Corzine, Senator Loretta Weinberg and New Jersey Democrats running for office at all levels to solidify support among New Jersey’s Asian American voters.

“I am honored to have Congressman Honda in New Jersey today,” said Corzine. “He is a national leader and a prominent member of the Asian American community and his efforts today will ensure that even more Asian Americans who call New Jersey home will recognize the hard work of New Jersey Democrats who are dedicated to working for the issues that matter most to all New Jersey families. I am proud of the support I receive from the Asian American community, which is one of the fastest growing segments of our population, and the Democratic Party, in our state.”"

THE CANALIS REPORT: Maria Shriver's `Village' event also star-filled

"California first lady Maria Shriver's annual Women's Conference sold out faster than a Stones concert.

The gathering of marquee speakers from the worlds of business, politics, education, human rights advocacy, the arts, publishing and other fields, is arguably Long Beach's most engaging annual event.

The only problem, as Shriver explained to me earlier this year, is that not enough women are able to attend the program at the Long Beach Convention Center and Arena because demand outstrips capacity.

To address the problem, Shriver expanded an auxiliary event, the Oct. 26 Night at the Village, to accommodate more women and feature more big-name guests. She is billing the Village as a place to network, shop, hear speakers, meet chefs and talk books with authors. It all adds up to a one-evening respite from work and familial responsibilities.

'Night at The Village is a celebration of women and all the things we love,' Shriver said Friday. 'From the very beginning, the vision for this event was to enrich a woman's mind, body and spirit by connecting them to important information, products, services, professional networking and volunteer opportunities, as well as to other women who will empower them to be architects of change in their lives, within their communities and around the world.'"

Green Dot’s toughest test | INDenverTimes

Green Dot’s toughest test INDenverTimes:

"Green Dot Public Schools is perhaps best known for running a dozen small charter high schools, in some of LA’s toughest neighborhoods, that outperform traditional schools in graduation rates and other indicators.

But in July 2008, the network founded by Steve Barr with a stated goal of transforming public education in the nation’s second largest school district, took on a whole different assignment.

With a 51 percent vote of the staff, Green Dot took over Locke High School in Watts, a school where only 22 of every 100 freshmen graduated four years later – and only 12 of those 22 graduated meeting the requirements to apply to California’s university system."

Patrick Welsh -- To Explain the Achievement Gap, Examine the Parenting Gap - washingtonpost.com

Patrick Welsh -- To Explain the Achievement Gap, Examine the Parenting Gap - washingtonpost.com:

"'Why don't you guys study like the kids from Africa?'

In a moment of exasperation last spring, I asked that question to a virtually all-black class of 12th-graders who had done horribly on a test I had just given. A kid who seldom came to class -- and was constantly distracting other students when he did -- shot back: 'It's because they have fathers who kick their butts and make them study.'

Another student angrily challenged me: 'You ask the class, just ask how many of us have our fathers living with us.' When I did, not one hand went up."

Will Schwarzenegger save his legacy before judgment day? - The Daily Breeze

Will Schwarzenegger save his legacy before judgment day? - The Daily Breeze:

"Just a little over one year from today, Californians will elect a successor to Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger. How will they remember him after that successor takes over?

Will he seem a blustery buffoon who caused far more problems than he resolved, a governator who could not govern? Will he look like a hypocrite who preached against accepting special interest campaign donations, then set records for doing so?

Will the verdict on his appeals for 'post-partisanship' be that they were mere nostrums doing little or nothing to prevent the state Legislature from sliding into its most divisive era ever?

Will he be remembered as the spark behind efforts to reform taxation, budget and water policies in California? Will he leave behind a sharp reduction for the California dream of unfettered opportunity for those brave and visionary enough to settle here?

All these questions remain open, and Schwarzenegger will get ample opportunities over the next year to fix things that have gone wrong and clean up messes made on his watch."