Nearly 900 California Schools Implement Reading Program -- THE Journal

Nearly 900 California Schools Implement Reading Program -- THE Journal:

"Seeking to make reading proficiency and comprehension a priority, nearly 900 schools throughout California have implemented the Lexia Reading program, which helps students in grades pre-K through 12 improve their reading skills while offering teachers a tool for fully integrated assessment reporting.

Lexia's technology offers more than 800 activities for reading skills development, all of which are age- and skill-specific and conform to federal reading guidelines. A notable feature is the individualized 'branching' technology that determines when a student needs additional practice in each skill and ensures mastery of the skill before the student progresses to the next one."

CalPERS tweets back at 'misinformation' - Los Angeles Business from bizjournals:

CalPERS tweets back at 'misinformation' - Los Angeles Business from bizjournals::

"The California Public Employees’ Retirement System wants to get its message out directly, so it launched a Web site that links to its social media posts on Twitter, Facebook and YouTube.

CalPERS said CalPERSResponds.com offers the nation’s largest public pension fund a way to let its members, employees, employers and others keep up with issues in national health care reform, pensions investments and security.

“There’s a lot of information and misinformation about CalPERS,” said Patricia Macht, CalPERS director of external affairs. “We hope this site will help separate the facts from fiction and provide some education, insight and clarity to these issues.”"

Democrats go back to the well for taxes - ContraCostaTimes.com

Democrats go back to the well for taxes - ContraCostaTimes.com:

"SACRAMENTO — As oil companies continue to reap record profits amid strained state revenues, a pair of Democratic lawmakers are hoping to tap into their deep pockets by installing an oil severance tax that could relieve growing pressures to cut more state services.

Assemblyman Pedro Nava, D-Long Beach, introduced a bill Monday called the Fair Share Act, that would impose a 10 percent oil severance fee on extractions from California wells to bring in $1.5 billion to the state's coffers.

A similar bill that has already cleared one committee, by Assemblyman Alberto Torrico, D-Fremont, would impose a 9.9 percent fee, but would earmark the revenues to higher education funding."

Poor Math Scores Come as Education Cuts Continue - 10/27/2009 - School Library Journal

Poor Math Scores Come as Education Cuts Continue - 10/27/2009 - School Library Journal:

"California’s budget crisis has come home to roost as the 2009 Nation’s Report Card puts the state lower than the nation’s average for fourth graders and eighth graders on the biennial National Assessment of Educational Progress (NAEP)."

California’s fourth graders earned 232 out of 500 points, compared to an average of 239 for U.S. students overall. The state’s eighth graders averaged 270 points out of 500, still below the nation’s 282 average score.

The $6.1 billion California cut from public school funds during its budget crisis this year can’t help. Already, teachers, school librarians, superintendents, and even parents and students are scrambling as schools lay off educators and increase class size.

David Driscoll, chair of the National Assessment Governing Board, which administers the NAEP, says that math instruction has to be better—and that starts with teacher comprehension. “Classroom teachers, especially at the elementary school level, are crucial to math instruction in many ways,” he says in a statement. “We’re clearly not requiring enough of our math teachers, and we’re not challenging them in pre-service or equipping them as well as we should.”

@issue: the walkout : The Collegian Online

@issue: the walkout : The Collegian Online:

"On last Wednesday afternoon, an estimated 400 student-activists marched on California State University, Fresno’s campus, protesting budget cuts, higher fees and class cuts. The “walkout” was an impressive show of solidarity and as The Fresno Bee put it, “succeeded in publicizing complaints about rising costs and reduced benefits.”

And I, like the majority of my peers, did not participate in it.

Not to be a “Debbie Downer,” but 400 students out of the more than 20,000 that are enrolled at Fresno State is not a very inspiring number."

Tufts Daily - Editorial | Cutting costs, compromising education

Tufts Daily - Editorial Cutting costs, compromising education:

"Universities both public and private are struggling to deal with the financial realities of this national recession without compromising their commitment to education. Economic constraints have made budget cuts unavoidable for most universities, and the California State University (CSU) system, hamstrung by a particularly tight state budget, has cut costs in ways that directly harm student education.

The CSU’s decision was unwise, but all the blame cannot be placed on the schools, subject as they are to California’s capricious state funding.

In response to major funding cuts from the state, professors in the CSU system are now required to take off two teaching days per month and accept a 10 percent salary cut. Students’ testimonies indicate that they are feeling the effects of this decision, and they are not pleased. Teachers faced with less classroom time are forced to slash entire sections from their curricula. In short, students are losing out."

The Signal - Santa Clarita Valley News - Literacy program’s future uncertain

The Signal - Santa Clarita Valley News - Literacy program’s future uncertain:

"Alma Vega wants to create a better future for her two children, ages 2 and 1.

The 17-year-old is struggling to learn English and how to take care of her children. That led her to the Newhall School District's Even Start program earlier this year, where she has been able to learn and befriend other families who face similar struggles.

'I feel comfortable here,' she said. 'I don't feel alone.'"

Is Mayor Bloomberg caving on the UFT contract? | GothamSchools

Is Mayor Bloomberg caving on the UFT contract? GothamSchools:

"New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg — up by 18 points over his opponent in the latest polls and with Election Day next week — apparently is not willing to use his position to forge new ground with the teacher contract he is negotiating with the United Federation of Teachers. The current contract expires Saturday.

In the first apparent “leak” from the tight-lipped Bloomberg camp, Chris Cerf, now a Bloomberg campaign education advisor and until recently Joel Klein’s deputy chancellor, announced in a WNYC interview yesterday that the Mayor agreed with Bill Thompson that performance bonuses should be handed out to teachers on a school-wide basis, rather than based on the individual merit of teachers. This disclosure, first covered by GothamSchools, likely was a calculated move to dampen expectations before a contract agreement is announced."

The Women's Conference | GlamNest

The Women's Conference GlamNest:

"Today is the 2009 Women’s Conference in Long Beach, California. The annual affair founded and hosted by Maria Shriver is a day of empowerment, inspiration, and transformation for women all around the world. Attendees are fortunate to participate in education and motivational sessions and listen to speeches given by powerful men and women in politics, business, arts, medicine, and pop culture. Madeline Albright, Katie Couric, Elizabeth Edwards, Governor Arnold Schwartzenegger, Alicia Keys, and Maria Shriver are just a few of this year’s speakers.

Shriver encourages women to be “architects of change” and shape the world around them. She wants women to voice their opinions and join the conversation.

Follow the Women’s Conference live HERE, and stay tuned for coverage on Glam."

UCs Governed by Well-Paid Gravedigger - Daily Nexus

UCs Governed by Well-Paid Gravedigger - Daily Nexus:

"Dear President Yudof,

In a recent New York Times interview, you shared your view that “being president of the University of California is like being manager of a cemetery: There are many people under you, but no one is listening.” This is a particularly interesting image; it might be more accurate, however, had you not so detached yourself from the UC’s demise. You are not the manager who thrives above ground. In fact, you are a much more sinister, capitalistic figure who has destroyed the UC system. If we are underground, you are most certainly down under with us, demanding more money for fee hikes. I picture you in the role of the mythological Greek character Charon, who ferried souls across the River Styx to their final resting place in Hades. Charon, however, would only admit the deceased to the underworld after collecting a compensation of one coin from each of the deceased."

Barnidge: There's a reason for legislators' low approval ratings - ContraCostaTimes.com

Barnidge: There's a reason for legislators' low approval ratings - ContraCostaTimes.com:

"BECAUSE legislative gridlock has become an institutional tradition in Sacramento, it would have been a tall order for Darrell Steinberg to remedy the problem in the course of a 75-minute presentation to the Commonwealth Club in Lafayette last week.

Instead, the California Senate president pro tem touched on the root causes. An unwieldy two-thirds-vote requirement annually turns the state budget into a months-long marathon.

Adherence to party ideology — Republicans' aversion to taxes and Democrats' to budget cuts — heightens partisanship. He also mentioned the 'lost art of legislating,' which can be loosely translated as an inability to compromise.
Add it all up, and what do you get?"

Losing Faith - The Daily Californian

Losing Faith - The Daily Californian:

"Facing an increasingly unhelpful (and unreliable) partner in the state government, the University of California is gradually turning to other sources for needed funds. Though ideally public support would be sufficient to fund the university, the decision to seek more private donations demonstrates that administrators are taking the necessary steps to address budget cuts in a realistic way.

On Friday, UC President Mark Yudof announced the kick-off of Project You Can, a systemwide scholarship campaign to raise $1 billion in four years for financial aid. This effort is unprecedented, given that the campuses collectively raise only about $100 million annually in private donations to support students and it indicates how doubtful university leaders are that they can count on government support. And with reason-there's little extra money going around in Sacramento for anything, let alone for a low priority like higher education."

The Challenge in Counting Stimulus Returns - WSJ.com

The Challenge in Counting Stimulus Returns - WSJ.com:

"The Wichita, Kan., government is slated to get more than $26 million from the U.S. economic-stimulus program. By early October, eight months after the stimulus program was signed into law, it had received only about 2% of those funds.

And much of that money went toward cats and dogs.

The city recently launched a $55,000 project to spay and neuter pets owned by low-income residents. Unwanted pets ultimately cost $240 apiece to collect, board and euthanize, the city estimates, so the program covering 800 animals should save taxpayers money in the long run."

Obamas rockin’ White House with music series - MUSIC- msnbc.com

Obamas rockin’ White House with music series - MUSIC- msnbc.com:

"WASHINGTON - Michelle and Barack Obama sat one table over from J. Lo and Marc Anthony, and all four of them were rocking in their seats as Sheila E. shook the house — well, really the tent.

The latest installment of the White House music series was too big for the East Room, so a high-wattage assortment of Latin musicians sent pulsating, can’t-help-but-bob-along rhythms tumbling out of a giant tent on the mansion’s South Lawn.

As it happens, music of all sorts — rock, jazz, country, classical — has been busting out of the White House all year long."

My Teacher, My Hero | True Stories of Great Teachers

My Teacher, My Hero True Stories of Great Teachers:

"Did you have a great teacher inspire you and change your life?

We all did.

My Teacher, My Hero celebrates those teachers.

See stories from leaders around the world and share one of your own!"

Sacramento Bee -- Capitol Alert

Sacramento Bee -- Capitol Alert:

Boxer, Feinstein pushing for public option

"As the Senate prepares to debate a massive health care overhaul, California Democratic Sens. Barbara Boxer and Dianne Feinstein are pushing hard for a public option, which would allow the federal government to compete with private insurers.

The two senators are included in a group of 30 who wrote a letter earlier this month to Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid of Nevada, asking that a public option be included in the Senate bill.

The senators got their wish today, when Reid announced that the Senate bill will indeed include a public option. Democratic House Speaker Nancy Pelosi of San Francisco says the final House bill will include a public option, too.

But there still are plenty of details to be worked out."

Reid: "The Public Option With An Opt-Out Is The One That's Fair"

Reid: "The Public Option With An Opt-Out Is The One That's Fair":

"The public option lives.

Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-Nev.) announced Monday that the bill he will bring to the Senate floor will include a public health insurance option that individual states could decline to participate in.

'I've concluded --with the support of the White House, Senators Dodd and Baucus -- that the best way to move forward is to include a public option with the opt-out provision for states,' said Reid, referring to the Senate health and finance committee representatives, respectively, Sen. Chris Dodd (D-Conn.) and Sen. Max Baucus (D-Mont.). 'The public option, with an opt-out, is the one that's fair.'"

The Women's Conference - Empowerment, Inspiration and Education for Women - The Home for Architects of Change

The Women's Conference - Empowerment, Inspiration and Education for Women - The Home for Architects of Change

TUESDAY, OCTOBER 27

8:00 - 10:00 AM

NATIONAL ANTHEM WITH ANGEL BLUE

Opera Singer

WELCOME WITH PAULA ZAHN

Host and Executive Producer, Discovery ID, On the Case with Paula Zahn and Co-Host, WNET’s Sunday Arts

ARCHITECTS OF CHANGE: THE WOMEN'S CONFERENCE VIDEO

LAREE RENDA

Executive Vice President, Chief Strategist and Administrative Officer, Safeway Inc.

GEENA DAVIS

Founder, See Jane

ANNE SWEENEY

Co-Chair, Disney Media Networks and President, Disney/ABC Television Group

ROBIN ROBERTS INTRODUCES A ONCE-IN-A-LIFETIME CONVERSATION: TOUGH LEADERSHIP DECISIONS IN TOUGH TIMES

Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger

Sheila C. Bair, Chairman of the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC)

Sir Richard Branson, Founder and President,The Virgin Group

Moderated by Robin Roberts, Co-Anchor, ABC News’ Good Morning America

CHERYL SABANAuthor and Founder, The Women’s Self Worth Foundation

EVE ENSLERPlaywright, Performer, V-Day Founder

SOMALY MAMFounder, AFESIP, President, The Somaly Mam Foundation

CLOSING WITH PAULA ZAHN

MORNING BREAKOUT CONVERSATION
10:30 -11:30 AM
ONCE-IN-A-LIFETIME CONVERSATION: LEGEND TO LEGEND

HOST: PATRICIA CLAREY

Senior Vice President, Chief Regulatory and External Relations Officer, Health Net, Inc.

MODERATOR: KATIE COURIC

Anchor & Managing Editor, The CBS Evening News with Katie Couric

ANNIE LEIBOVITZPhotographer

Links

Conference Overview
Meet the Speakers
A Day of Transformation
Night at The Village
The Minerva Awards
Maria's Page
How I Did It{ Tips from Women Entrepreneurs }
Our Kitchen Table
The XX Effect
Sponsors

Universities urge parental activity | clarionledger.com | The Clarion-Ledger

Universities urge parental activity clarionledger.com The Clarion-Ledger:

"Maureen Edwards is getting a little help with the transition from high school to college, but she's not a student."

Edwards' daughter, Arielle, is the one who started college at the University of Southern Mississippi this fall.

"We've always been involved," Edwards said of her daughter's high school years. "I think it's really important to continue that."

While some may question parental involvement beyond high school, USM is one of several universities now hoping to aid parents like Edwards with the transition, and hopefully gain something from their eagerness: improved student success rates.

"We are putting a lot of emphasis on creating a climate of academic success," USM President Martha Saunders said. "Working with parents is very helpful and a very important part of the process."

The university recently held a "Parents University" workshop, providing information on subjects ranging from midsemester check-ups to campus resources.

The (political) dangers of H1N1 | 44 | washingtonpost.com

The (political) dangers of H1N1 44 washingtonpost.com:

"President Obama's decision to declare the H1N1 flu a national emergency over the weekend is a recognition of the political peril the virus could inflict on the White House.
The declaration came after 72 hours of stories -- both locally and nationally -- focused on the long lines for the swine flu vaccine and the mounting fear surrounding the illness.
And, it came just days after a Washington Post/ABC national poll showed that a majority (52 percent) of Americans were worried that they or someone in their family would contract H1N1 -- up from 39 percent who said the same in a mid-August survey."