Students look beyond state - Sacramento News - Local and Breaking Sacramento News | Sacramento Bee

Students look beyond state - Sacramento News - Local and Breaking Sacramento News Sacramento Bee:

"The annual race to get into college has begun, and for students who want to attend California's public universities, the competition this year is going to be cutthroat.

The number of high school graduates in California is expected to peak with this year's graduating class. Despite the soaring number of potential college students, the University of California and California State University are cutting back the number of freshmen they admit."

Barrow teacher done in by anonymous “parent” e-mail about her Facebook page | Get Schooled

Barrow teacher done in by anonymous “parent” e-mail about her Facebook page Get Schooled:

"I have spent a good part of this week working on the story about Barrow County teacher Ashley Payne. Payne resigned – under pressure, she alleges — after her principal said she was going to be suspended for her Facebook postings of photos with alcohol and her use of the word “bitch.” She is now suing the system. (See earlier posting on this for more background.)

Payne posted that she was headed out to play Crazy Bitch Bingo, a popular game played weekly at Joe’s On Juniper in Atlanta.

Her photos are just standard tourist shots of Payne on vacation in Europe, sitting at pubs and beer gardens. Of 700 vacation photos, 10 had alcohol in them.

Somehow, the principal told Payne that a student had seen her Facebook page. I asked several times this week for Barrow to explain to me how it learned that a student saw the page since Payne says her buddy list does not include any parents or students. It does include fellow teachers.

Barrow officials told me a parent had brought the information to the superintendent’s attention, but the district would not release the parent’s name."

The Answer Sheet - How well do kids do research today? Should they ever look at Wikipedia?

The Answer Sheet - How well do kids do research today? Should they ever look at Wikipedia?:

"Readers had some interesting responses to yesterday’s post from high school senior Adam Turay about how unexpectedly difficult it was for him to do a research paper using books rather than the Internet.

Parents: How extensively do your children do research for school papers? Does anyone still own encyclopedias?

Teachers: What sources and how many of them do you require when you assign a research paper? Is Wikipedia acceptable as a source?

Posted by: jane100000
Adam, some would say (and I would agree) that neither conducting an on-line search nor consulting an encyclopedia counts as doing a research paper. Google and wikipedia can give a student a great start in gaining some grasp of the issues s/he is planning to address in a paper, but only reading entire chapters (or entire books) and being able to consult journal articles can get you even close to confidence that you’re not missing the boat."

State colleges accepting more nonresidents to keep up revenue - washingtonpost.com

State colleges accepting more nonresidents to keep up revenue - washingtonpost.com:

"Raechel Hanson toiled through high school to build an academic transcript strong enough for admission to the College of William and Mary, the storied 'public Ivy' in Williamsburg. She maintained a 3.9 grade-point average, played flute in the band, presided over the Spanish club and amassed more than 100 hours of community service.

It wasn't enough. She wound up 20 miles away at a less-selective state school, Christopher Newport University."

This was a particularly tough year for Virginians seeking entry to William and Mary and several other prestigious public universities because of machinations in the admissions cycle that favored applicants from outside the state.

"I spent most of my life working toward getting in at William and Mary," said Hanson, 19, of Winchester. "I thought I was of the caliber of students who would get in."

Many of the nation's top public universities accepted nonresident students in greater numbers this year, hoping to increase -- or at least sustain -- a pool of incoming freshmen who pay two or three times the tuition charged to locals. At some schools, the push for nonresidents has made it harder for residents to get in.

Teacher shortage gives way to teacher glut - USATODAY.com

Teacher shortage gives way to teacher glut - USATODAY.com:

"LAWRENCE, Kan. — When Lilli Lackey started college, talk of a growing teacher shortage gave her confidence that a job would be waiting for her when she got out.

Now, six months after graduating, she considers herself lucky just to find work as a substitute."

Across the country, droves of people like Lackey are unable to find teaching jobs, in large part because the economy is forcing school systems to slash positions. The teacher shortage that many feared just a few years ago has turned into a teacher glut.

"I always thought that if I didn't find a job, I would be able to sub. And then once that started to be more difficult, it was really kind of devastating," Lackey, an art teacher, said during a career fair for educators at the University of Kansas.

Since last fall, school systems, state education agencies, technical schools and colleges have shed about 125,000 jobs, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.

At the same time, many teachers who had planned to retire or switch jobs are staying on because of the recession, and many people who have been laid off in other fields are trying to carve out second careers as teachers or applying to work as substitutes to make ends meet.

L.A. Unified asks union to OK four furlough days this year -- latimes.com

L.A. Unified asks union to OK four furlough days this year -- latimes.com:

"Los Angeles school district officials asked union members Friday to agree to four furlough days this year and a future 12% pay cut to help offset a nearly $500-million budget shortfall next year.

Without the concessions, the district may have to lay off up to 8,500 employees this summer, according to a letter to employees from Supt. Ramon C. Cortines. L.A. Unified, the nation's second-largest district, faces nearly a $60-million deficit this year and a projected $480-million shortfall next year, and Cortines said he expects future reductions in state funding."

Teachers learn write way as penmanship returns | Houston & Texas News | Chron.com - Houston Chronicle

Teachers learn write way as penmanship returns Houston & Texas News Chron.com - Houston Chronicle:

"Pencil and paper — that's what Aldine teacher Ebony Brown typically uses to help her 4- and 5-year-old students learn to write.

“It's frustrating for them,” Brown said, noting that many children come to school unable to grip a pencil properly. “They don't have fine-motor skills.”

Brown, like most teachers, never took a college course in handwriting instruction, so on Friday she joined about 60 preschool educators and occupational therapists at a workshop in Houston to gain some pointers. (The first one: Start the young kids with crayons.)

Even in the computer age, handwriting is gaining more attention these days — especially in preschool classes — in part because parents are demanding it, said Katrina Erickson, who led the “Handwriting Without Tears” session."

UC plan to raise fees breaks its own rules

UC plan to raise fees breaks its own rules:

"The University of California is expected to raise fees next week for 24 graduate programs in violation of its own policy against boosting prices higher than competing public institutions."

When it meets in Los Angeles next week, UC's governing Board of Regents is likely to raise fees for 44 graduate programs, including the 24 whose in-state fees would exceed the average price of selected degree programs at other public universities.

UC officials are aware of the violation. Instead of maintaining current fee levels, however, they will reconsider their policy - but not until next year.

"We are finding that this aspect of the policy is not workable in the current fiscal environment," said Ricardo Vazquez, a spokesman for the regents. "We intend to conduct a review of the policy in the next year.

"Read more: http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/c/a/2009/11/14/BAJT1AJUT5.DTL#ixzz0WqcHGLN7

Coaches still draw big salaries | hattiesburgamerican.com | Hattiesburg American

Coaches still draw big salaries hattiesburgamerican.com Hattiesburg American:

"BERKELEY, Calif. - Jeff Tedford is a proven, program-building football coach who makes no apologies for the contract extension he landed before this season - and $2.8 million in pay he's guaranteed this year - from the University of California.

He's on board, too, with more than $430 million in planned improvements and additions to Cal's venerable Memorial Stadium.But here and elsewhere across big-time, big-budgeted college athletics, these are sensitive times."

Education Notes Online: Bogus Charges Hurt Effort to Remove Teachers Who Should Be Removed: Teacher says, "Take a lap (run)"

Education Notes Online: Bogus Charges Hurt Effort to Remove Teachers Who Should Be Removed: Teacher says, "Take a lap (run)"

....sees words twisted into asking a student to "sit on his lap." DOE turns it into sexual harassment charge and 2nd year rubber room assignment."I have something that I normally say. I say take a lap and sit on your spot.

Students are assigned floor spots. This young lady said, 'Oh, I have to sit on your lap?' and I said, 'No, you heard what I said. You'll take a lap and then sit on your spot,'" Smith said.

See NY1 report.

It is cases like these (and there are so many of them) that undermine and discredit any move to get rid of teachers who should be removed and makes all teachers did in their heels to assure their protection.Some may cast doubt on the teacher's version, but I have no doubt he is telling the truth because of the stories coming in.

Worst-case for California's budget deficit next year? $25 billion - San Jose Mercury News

Worst-case for California's budget deficit next year? $25 billion - San Jose Mercury News:

"SACRAMENTO — With high unemployment continuing to eat at California's tax revenues, and risky budget gimmicks failing to materialize, the state's deficit next year could hit a staggering $25 billion.

If worst-case scenarios hold true, several insiders who track the state's financial picture tell the Mercury News, the deficit through June 2011 would be billions higher than previous estimates.

Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger's best-case estimate earlier this week was half that sum, at $12.4 billion. Assembly Republican leader Sam Blakeslee of San Luis Obispo floated a number as high as $20 billion during water negotiations."

Budget cuts will cripple California colleges and universities

Budget cuts will cripple California colleges and universities:

"From the 1960s to the 1990s the education system in California was second to none. People flocked to this great state so that their children not only had access to the K-12 system, but to a public university system that rivals the Ivy League.

The University of California system is a big player in the world of secondary education; however, with the recent budget cuts – and the plans for more – that may all be changing. This is a travesty and will only serve to tip the scales in the wrong direction."

California's leisurely pace may cost it from qualifying for federal schools funding - San Jose Mercury News

California's leisurely pace may cost it from qualifying for federal schools funding - San Jose Mercury News:

"While the state Assembly takes a leisurely look at education reform, California may miss its chance to compete for a share of $4.35 billion in education stimulus funds.

The federal government this week detailed how it will judge applications for Race to the Top grants, due Jan. 19. To boost its application, California must show it's serious about judging teacher and principal effectiveness, improving its data systems and turning around low-performing schools. That all requires new state laws.

However, despite a special session called by the governor, the Assembly isn't meeting and Speaker Karen Bass said she won't reconvene it until Jan. 4."

Burbank Leader > Politics

Burbank Leader > Politics:

"GLENDALE — An additional tax that could steer Glendale and Burbank school districts away from a looming funding cliff has piqued the interest of administrators, especially with the latest warning coming down from Sacramento.

A parcel tax, which recently won in Culver City and failed in Long Beach, could preserve teaching jobs, class sizes, and arts and athletic programs that might otherwise face additional cuts as state financing fails to meet budget projections.

Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger predicted Tuesday that there would be additional cuts in education and other funding as the state continues to grapple with a budget cap between $5 billion and $7 billion."

Sacramento Press / Grandmother fights for students' safety

Sacramento Press / Grandmother fights for students' safety:

"Located between a low-income housing project and an old industrial zone south of Broadway, Jedediah Smith Elementary and Arthur A. Benjamin Health Professions High School, both on McClatchy Way, attract few passers-by. Before and after school, however, a swarm of students descend upon the street, which badly strains the neighborhood's infrastructure and places the children's lives at risk.

Jean Caruthers has frequently witnessed the street's poor condition. For over two years she has walked her three grandchildren to school along McClatchy Way, and has watched children jaywalk and cars drive by unsafely. 'Kids walk out, looking at their shoes, and cars go by very fast,' she said."

voiceofsandiego.org: Schooled... Principals Won't Be Evaluated with Test Scores

voiceofsandiego.org: Schooled... Principals Won't Be Evaluated with Test Scores:

"Remember the fuss about including school test scores as part of principals' evaluations? It looks like that is now off the table.

This week, the San Diego Unified board approved a plan to keep using the old evaluation for principals this year, before rolling out a new version that doesn't include test scores. That version was piloted by principals last spring, before the school district altered its proposed evaluation to include school performance. That proved controversial with principals, who pushed against it."

Newt Gingrich and Al Sharpton: Odd couple tackles education reform - washingtonpost.com

Newt Gingrich and Al Sharpton: Odd couple tackles education reform - washingtonpost.com:

"BALTIMORE -- On a mission from the president, these special envoys for education reform know their roles and play them well: swoop into a successful school, watch kids and teachers hard at work, ask encouraging questions, maybe slip in a partisan jab at one another for the television cameras and then marvel at how amazing it is that they have teamed up on what they call the civil rights issue of the 21st century.

The Rev. Al Sharpton, liberal Democrat, and former House speaker Newt Gingrich, conservative Republican, did all that here Friday, as they have in several other cities since September. President Obama met with them at the White House in May and urged them to go on tour to promote school innovation."

Take Action: Tell the Senate: Let the Senate Debate Begin for Real Health Care Reform.

Take Action: Tell the Senate: Let the Senate Debate Begin for Real Health Care Reform.


Tell the Senate: Let the Senate Debate Begin for Real Health Care Reform.

We are further along in the process for real health care reform today than we have ever been.

The historic House bill is truly a momentous achievement, but enormous challenges remain.

To keep the process moving forward, it is critical that the Senate start to debate its health care reform bill now. Your signature will be delivered to your senators, as well as Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid and Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell.

Educated Guess » Race to the Top criteria don’t help laggard California

Educated Guess » Race to the Top criteria don’t help laggard California:

"With the firing of the starting pistol for applying to the federal Race to the Top competition, California’s odds of winning, already low because of a lack of direction and leadership, probably grew slimmer.

Race to the Top’s four pillars of reform haven’t changed. But the feds’ priorities, as outlined in a detailed rating system, have shifted to California’s disadvantage. And other states have already moved purposefully while California has spun its wheels for months."

Those spearheading Race to the Top on behalf of the governor and superintendent of public instruction have said that the state would focus on one priority, turning the lowest achieving schools around. California certainly needs to do that; Sen. Gloria Romero’s SB 5X-1 last week, which the state Senate passed last week, would give the state more authority in that area.

SBA, Six Universities to Offer Business Training for Iraq, Afghanistan Disabled Vets | Kansas City infoZine News | USA

SBA, Six Universities to Offer Business Training for Iraq, Afghanistan Disabled Vets Kansas City infoZine News USA:

"SBA Adds New Training Tools to Increase Opportunities for Vets"

Washington, D.C. - infoZine - The U.S. Small Business Administration today announced a three-year agreement to expand and deliver entrepreneurship training for service-disabled veterans of the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan.The agreement with SBA’s Office of Veterans Business Development will support the expansion of the year-long Entrepreneurship Bootcamp for Veterans with Disabilities (EBV).

The expansion of this innovative management training and mentorship program will maximize small business programs for veterans, service-disabled veterans, reserve-component members, and their dependents or survivors.Additionally, this week SBA launched a new online contracting tutorial on http://www.sba.gov/, as part of its ongoing efforts to expand services to veterans and service-disabled veterans.

Veterans and military spouses who own small businesses can utilize this free online course to learn how to identify and take advantage of federal contracting opportunities.