Eli Broad expands plans for his Westside museum -- latimes.com

Eli Broad expands plans for his Westside museum -- latimes.com:

"Art collector and philanthropist Eli Broad has nearly doubled the size of the museum he intends to build on the Westside for his 2,000-piece collection of contemporary art, and the cities of Beverly Hills and Santa Monica are vying to be its home.

Broad said Saturday that he isn't playing two municipalities against each other -- and he said a third city is in the running that he declined to name. He said he hopes to accelerate the process of building the headquarters for his Broad Art Foundation by talking to several cities."

Five Things the U.S. Can Learn from China - Yahoo! News

Five Things the U.S. Can Learn from China - Yahoo! News:

"All true - and all, for the most part, beside the point. After decades of investment in an educational system that reaches the remotest peasant villages, the literacy rate in China is now over 90%. (The U.S.'s is 86%.) And in urban China, in particular, students don't just learn to read. They learn math. They learn science. As William McCahill, a former deputy chief of mission in the U.S. embassy in Beijing, says, 'Fundamentally, they are getting the basics right, particularly in math and science. We need to do the same. Their kids are often ahead of ours.' (See pictures of China on the wild side.)

What the Chinese can teach are verities, home truths that have started to make a comeback in the U.S. but that could still use a push. The Chinese understand that there is no substitute for putting in the hours and doing the work. And more than anything else, the kids in China do lots of work. In the U.S., according to a 2007 survey by the Department of Education, 37% of 10th-graders in 2002 spent more than 10 hours on homework each week. That's not bad; in fact, it's much better than it used to be (in 1980 a mere 7% of kids did that much work at home each week). But Chinese students, according to a 2006 report by the Asia Society, spend twice as many hours doing homework as do their U.S. peers."

The American Spectator : No Education Silver Bullets

The American Spectator : No Education Silver Bullets:

"The Latino teens graduating from the Animo Leadership High School just outside Los Angeles probably aren't familiar with the arguments for expanding Head Start and pre-kindergarten programs offered by advocates such as Nobel Laureate James Heckman. And the Latino middle-schoolers being prepared for high school and college success by the KIPP Summit Academy in the working class San Francisco suburb of San Lorenzo aren't up to speed on attempt to link academic achievement and immigration trends offered the Manhattan Institute's Heather Mac Donald and other immigration restrictionists."

Educators wary of federal grants - Local - Modbee.com

Educators wary of federal grants - Local - Modbee.com:

"President Barack Obama is trying to overhaul public education by offering states billions of dollars in stimulus money if they improve student assessments, teacher effectiveness, collection and use of data, and support for struggling schools.

Called Race to the Top, the program provides $4.35 billion in federal stimulus money to public schools if they meet certain requirements, such as linking teacher pay to students' test scores.

The changes are drawing support from politicians — including Gov. Schwarzenegger and State Superintendent Jack O'Connell — and ire from educators, especially teacher unions."

MissionTimesCourier.com | Mission Times Courier | San Diego news, Local community news

MissionTimesCourier.com Mission Times Courier San Diego news, Local community news:

"WHEN THEY CUT…WE ALL BLEED

(Mission Times Courier, San Diego, Ca) - Associated Students (AS) is organizing a student march and rally at San Diego State University (SDSU) on Monday, November 16th from 11:50 a.m. to 1 p.m. The event is being held as a protest of the State of California’s cuts to higher education with the goal of sending a strong message to the state legislature.

The slogan for the rally is “WHEN THEY CUT…WE ALL BLEED”. AS believes that students must unite and demand that their voices be heard. At the rally, AS will help facilitate this by setting up an “AS Advocacy Tent” that will give students the opportunity to register to vote, learn about and sign postcards in support of Assembly Bill 656, and by writing letters to legislators."

San Jose Unified's chief nurse sees swine flu vaccines as an education matter - San Jose Mercury News

San Jose Unified's chief nurse sees swine flu vaccines as an education matter - San Jose Mercury News:

"Melinda Landau ran her hands over the white Styrofoam cooler as though it were a treasure chest.

'Do you know what this is?' the chief nurse of San Jose Unified School District asked. 'Our first 300 doses.'

The contents of the container — the scarce and coveted H1N1 vaccine—are ready to be administered Tuesday to the students of Lowell Elementary School in downtown San Jose, the first to partake in an ambitious districtwide program intended to protect its 32,000 students against swine flu."

State cuts give private colleges an edge -- latimes.com

State cuts give private colleges an edge -- latimes.com:

"Thousands of other students might have jumped at the chance to attend UCLA, but not Michael Rodriguez. He passed up his UC acceptance last year in order to attend California Lutheran University, a less well-known but more intimate private campus in Thousand Oaks.

Rodriguez, who is happy with his choice, said one reason for the decision was a financial aid program Cal Lutheran established specifically to lure students who had been admitted to several top UC campuses. A math and physics major from San Fernando, Rodriguez also said he wanted a more personal setting with small classes and hoped to avoid the overcrowding and other problems state budget cuts are causing at UC schools."

Courts caught in state's budget mess - Capitol and California - Fresnobee.com

Courts caught in state's budget mess - Capitol and California - Fresnobee.com:

"When the state assumed full financial responsibility for the court system a decade ago, it was billed as a way of relieving pressure on county finances.

However, much like the state's shouldering the financial burden for schools, judicial centralization has created unintended consequences. In both cases, hitherto independent systems have found that shifting financial responsibility to Sacramento puts them in competition with other sectors of the state budget for increasingly limited dollars.

That's why the California Teachers Association and other school interests created an Education Coalition that wages constant war in political and legal arenas to protect its share of the state budget. And that's why judges now find themselves in the Capitol's political maelstrom – and even squabbling among themselves – as the governor and legislators whack court funds to deal with a deepening budget crisis."

Higher education collapse: Dream now a nightmare - The Reporter

Higher education collapse: Dream now a nightmare - The Reporter:

"Whatever happened to the great California dream -- the promise of a good, affordable education for every qualified, committed student? The dream that in 1960 was hammered into policy as the California Master Plan for Higher Education?

It was a farsighted document that argued that the future economic well-being of California depended upon a well-educated work force that would encourage business investment in the state, as well as drawing smart people. The list of benefits was long and, as it turned out, prophetic.

That dream is now fading. As state funds to colleges and universities have been slashed, classes and programs have been eliminated, faculty and staff have been laid off or required to take furlough days, and student fees have been raised. Even if students can afford their education, they are no longer sure they will be able to get the classes they need in a timely manner."

State officials target new teachers' effectiveness

State officials target new teachers' effectiveness:

"State school officials are proposing two new assessments - or nearly new - to measure the effectiveness of thousands of fledgling teachers in their classrooms before they become fully licensed.

Under the plan to be announced Monday at an Albany news conference, the first assessment would be administered before teachers could obtain initial state certification. The second assessment would come after teachers had spent two years on the job and would include a look at whether the teachers had raised student test scores.

Teachers would have to pass the second assessment to become permanently certified. About 25,000 teachers obtain certification statewide each year."

DonorsChoose.org To Contribute $25 Towards School Projects for Every Person

DonorsChoose.org To Contribute $25 Towards School Projects for Every Person:

"New Partnership Kicks Off American Education Week (November 16-20) with Twitter and Web Contests -- Simply Acknowledging Great Teachers With A Personal Webcam Video Can Help Fund Teacher and Public School Projects Nationwide

NEW YORK, Nov. 16 /PRNewswire/ -- My Teacher, My Hero, a social video-driven site dedicated to honoring teachers, today announced a partnership with DonorsChoose.org, an online charity that makes it easy for 'citizen philanthropists' to help public schools in need. Beginning today - to honor the kickoff of the National Education Association's American Education Week - anyone who posts a video thanking their favorite teacher on MyTeacherMyHero.com during the month of November will receive a $25 'Giving Card' from DonorsChoose.org.

The card can then be used towards a donation on the online charity site, which lists requests by schools and individual classrooms across the country for funding special projects and supplies. Just 18 uploaded videos will fully fund the average project budget of $450."

Editorial: Last resort for schools: Closure - Sacramento Opinion - Sacramento Editorial | Sacramento Bee

Editorial: Last resort for schools: Closure - Sacramento Opinion - Sacramento Editorial Sacramento Bee:

"What do you do when year after year after year a school continues to struggle?

You can opt for marginal change, but the school still flails.

Or you can do something dramatic to bring about fundamental change.

That's what California must do to turn around its chronically underperforming schools. It can be done. And despite resistance, some school districts already are doing it."

California Catholic Daily - “You must do something to protect your children”

California Catholic Daily - “You must do something to protect your children”:

"The San Juan Unified School District in Sacramento County is scheduled tomorrow to discuss and vote on a change that would relax an existing policy governing when students may leave campus without parental consent for “confidential medical services,” including abortions.

The San Juan Unified School District, with 49 elementary schools, nine middle schools and nine high schools, represents the latest district to consider the matter in what has become a statewide, district-by-district controversy pitting groups like Planned Parenthood and the ACLU against parental rights advocates."

Michelle Rhee an innovator, not so fast

Michelle Rhee an innovator, not so fast:

"When national newspaper columnists like Mr. Thomas L. Friedman, Mr. Nicholas Kristoff, Mr. Jonathan Capehart, and Ms. JoAnn Armao write about District of Columbia public schools, they do so from a position of intellectual arrogance. When newspaper editorial boards like those of The Wall Street Journal, The New York Times, and The Washington Post publish editorials about DC public schools they do so from a distance of social deception."

While they will sit and meet with DC Mayor Adrian M. Fenty or DCPS Chancellor Michelle Rhee and their "reform" supporters, they seem unwilling to sit and meet with District parents and community education advocates critical of Mayor Fenty and Chancellor Rhee. Moreover, Chancellor Rhee appears willing only to preach her brand of education reform religion before faithful audiences and adoring national media. It is unfortunate even some local District reporters and news editors have resorted to selective reporting on DCPS test scores and accomplishments. Following the election of Mayor Fenty, reporting on District public education has been massive, but it has not been accurate, fair, and balanced.

Since the governance change of DCPS, Mayor Fenty and Chancellor Rhee were given great deference to implement their reform efforts free of public participation or media scrutiny. Members of the public and parents who initially gave Chancellor Rhee the opportunity to lead and to succeed began to see what she was doing and spoke out against her policies were frozen out by Chancellor Rhee and ignored by reporters and news editors. Through the misrepresentation of test scores, Chancellor Rhee was viewed as a strong willed and faultless champion of reform.

Helping kids read - South Sound - The Olympian - Olympia, Washington

Helping kids read - South Sound - The Olympian - Olympia, Washington:

"WASHINGTON – There are zero-book children, 1,000-book children, the summer slide, Early Readers, Reading First, Striving Readers, and programs, methods and studies with names and acronyms that won’t quit. It’s all part of the effort to teach the nation’s children to read.

But with state and local funding for education being squeezed, school administrators and classroom teachers are hoping a bill introduced by Sen. Patty Murray, D-Wash., will inject some much-needed cash into what most consider the cornerstone of learning. The bill would provide nearly $12 billion for literacy programs over five years.

“The need for federal funds is critical,” said Patti Banks, superintendent of the University Place School District."

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SCUSD Observer: County will begin series of flu shot clinics at Hiram Johnson

SCUSD Observer: County will begin series of flu shot clinics at Hiram Johnson

County will begin series of flu shot clinics at Hiram Johnson

Sacramento County's series of free public clinics to distribute the vaccine against the H1N1 flu starts on Monday.

For the first two weeks, the vaccine will only be for those in priority groups-Pregnant women-Healthcare workers-Persons caring for children under 6 months of age-Children and young adults aged 6 months to 24 years-Adults aged 24-64 with underlying medical conditionsIf you plan on attending one of the free clinics, you may save time by downloading the consent form and bringing it with you.

Here is a complete schedule of the upcoming clinics:

Hiram Johnson High SchoolMonday, November 16th 3:30 p.m. - 7:30 p.m.6879 14th AvenueSacramento, CA 95820

Rio Linda High SchoolTuesday, November 17th 3:00 p.m. - 7:00 p.m.6309 Dry Creek RoadRio Linda, CA 95673


Loaves & FishesWednesday, November 18th 10:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m.1321 North C StreetSacramento, CA 95814

Casa Roble High SchoolThursday, November 19th 3:00 p.m. - 7:00 p.m.9151 Oak AvenueOrangevale, CA 95662

Samuel Pannell Community CenterFriday, November 20th 10:00 a.m.- 2:00 p.m.2450 Meadowview RoadSacramento, CA 95832

Town & Country Lutheran ChurchSaturday, November 21st 10:00 a.m.- 2:00 p.m.4049 Marconi AvenueSacramento, CA 95821

First Covenant ChurchMonday, November 23rd 3:00 p.m. - 7:00 p.m.10933 Progress CourtRancho Cordova, CA 95670

La Sierra Community CenterTuesday, November 24th 10:00 a.m.- 2:00 p.m.5325 Engle RoadCarmichael, CA 95608

Scottish Rite Masonic CenterMonday, November 30th 3:00 p.m. - 7:00 p.m.6151 H StreetSacramento, CA 95819

North Highlands Community CenterTuesday, December 1st 3:00 p.m. - 7:00 p.m.6040 Watt AvenueNorth Highlands, CA 95660
Isleton Elementary SchoolWednesday, December 2nd 4:00 p.m. - 8:00 p.m.412 Union StreetIsleton, CA 95641

South Natomas Community CenterThursday, December 3rd 10:00 a.m.- 2:00 p.m.2921 Truxel RoadSacramento, CA 95833

Antelope High SchoolFriday, December 4th 3:00 p.m. - 7:00 p.m.4635 Elverta RoadAntelope, CA 95843

American River CollegeSaturday, December 5th 10:00 a.m.- 2:00 p.m.4700 College Oak DriveSacramento, CA 95841

Sheldon High SchoolMonday, December 7th 3:30 p.m. - 7:30 p.m.8333 Kingsbridge DriveSacramento, CA 95829

Anthony Pescetti Community Roomat City of Galt Police DepartmentTuesday, December 8th 10:00 a.m.- 2:00 p.m.455 Industrial DriveGalt, CA 95632

Burbank High SchoolWednesday, December 9th 3:30 p.m. - 7:30 p.m.3500 Florin RoadSacramento, CA 95823

Citrus Heights City HallThursday, December 10th 10:00 a.m.- 2:00 p.m.6237 Fountain Square DriveCitrus Heights, CA 95621

Florin High SchoolFriday, December 11th 3:30 p.m. - 7:30 p.m.7956 Cottonwood LaneSacramento, CA 95828

Franklin High SchoolSaturday, December 12th 10:00 a.m.- 2:00 p.m.6400 Whitelock ParkwayElk Grove, CA 95757

Mesa Verde High SchoolMonday, December 14th 3:00 p.m. - 7:00 p.m.7501 Carriage DriveCitrus Heights, CA 95621

Folsom High SchoolTuesday, December 15th 3:00 p.m. - 7:00 p.m.1655 Iron Point RoadFolsom, CA 95630

St. Rose ParishWednesday, December 16th 10:00 a.m.- 2:00 p.m.5961 Franklin Blvd.Sacramento, CA 95824

Sacramento High SchoolThursday, December 17th 3:30 p.m. - 7:30 p.m.2315 34th StreetSacramento, CA 95817

Encina High SchoolFriday, December 18th 3:30 p.m. - 7:30 p.m.1400 Bell AvenueSacramento, CA 95825

Rosemont High SchoolMonday, December 21st 3:30 p.m. - 7:30 p.m.9594 Kiefer Blvd.Sacramento, CA 95827

Natomas High SchoolTuesday, December 22nd 3:00 p.m. - 7:00 p.m.3301 Fong Ranch RoadSacramento, CA 95834

Robertson Community CenterMonday, December 28th 10:00 a.m.- 2:00 p.m.3525 Norwood AvenueSacramento, CA 95838

Sears - Florin Mall “Drive-Thru”Tuesday, December 29th 10:00 a.m.- 2:00 p.m.7000 65th StreetSacramento, CA 95823

St. Anthony's ChurchWednesday, December 30th 10:00 a.m.- 2:00 p.m.14012 2nd AvenueWalnut Grove, CA 95690

First Baptist ChurchMonday, January 4th 10:00 a.m. - 2:00 p.m.4401 San Juan AvenueFair Oaks, CA 95628

Elk Grove High SchoolTuesday, January 5th 3:30 p.m. - 7:30 p.m.9800 Elk Grove-Florin RoadElk Grove, CA 95624

Grant Union High SchoolWednesday, January 6th 3:00 p.m. - 7:00 p.m.1400 Grand AvenueSacramento, CA 95838

Sunrise Mall “Drive-Thru”Thursday, January 7th 10:00 a.m. - 2:00 p.m.6041 Sunrise (behind Sears)Citrus Heights, CA 95610

Inderkum High SchoolFriday, January 8th 3:00 p.m. - 7:00 p.m.2500 New Market DriveSacramento, CA 95835

Valley High SchoolMonday, January 11th 3:30 p.m. - 7:30 p.m.6300 Ehrhardt AvenueSacramento, CA 95823

Sacramento Japanese United Methodist ChurchTuesday, January 12th 10:00 a.m.- 2:00 p.m.6929 Franklin Blvd.Sacramento, CA 95823

Christ Community ChurchWednesday, January 13th 10:00 a.m. - 2:00 p.m.5025 Manzanita AvenueCarmichael, CA 95608

Sacramento City Public Safety CenterThursday, January 14th 10:00 a.m.- 2:00 p.m.5770 Freeport Blvd.Sacramento, CA 95822
County Administrative CenterFriday, January 15th 10:00 a.m.- 2:00 p.m.700 H StreetSacramento, CA 95814

Posted by Sac City Schools Observer at 7:30 AM
Labels: H1N1 vaccine, Luther Burbank High School

Pile of Empty Beer Cartons Evolves into Open Air Library | GOOD

Pile of Empty Beer Cartons Evolves into Open Air Library GOOD:

"I would love to see a community library like this in Los Angeles!

“What began as an assemblage of 1,000 empty beer cartons pulled together by residents in East Germany has now evolved into an incredible open air public library. Designed by Karo Architekten in collaboration with local residents, the grassroots project revitalizes a post-industrial district in Magdeburg, Germany by creating a cultural center and pop-up library where books are free to take and leave 24 hours a day. Opened this past June, the project introduces plenty of green space and reuses the facade of an old warehouse to beautiful effect.

Libraries and book lending are a great green practices insofar as they encourage the use of shared resources and cut down on crates of pressed tree pulp circulating the globe. They’re even better when they foster a communal spirit of sharing, as does Magdeburg’s new Open Air Library."

Educators Grow Green Schools | Edutopia

Educators Grow Green Schools Edutopia:

"Green schools are emerging around the country, and they are nothing short of spectacular. Whether built from the ground up or retrofitted, they are awash in daylight and the glow of natural wood, equipped with individualized air, light, and temperature control, and surrounded by rich landscapes designed to shade and regenerate our air and water.

Green schools cost less than 2 percent more than conventional schools to build but provide 20 times the financial benefits, according to author Greg Kats. Even in existing schools that are making smaller changes to lighten their impact on the planet, the benefits are obvious: savings in energy, water, materials, land, and transportation. In a 2006 study of 30 American schools, Kats identified an average 33 percent reduction in energy use and a 32 percent reduction in water use in green schools (as defined by the U.S. Green Building Council) when compared with conventional schools."

GradeFund

GradeFund

Starting a revolution one A at a time.

Our Mission

Our goal is to be the most important resource for students across the world to get a great education. We want students to have a friend who works tirelessly to help make a great education more affordable and more accessible. The GradeFund has also been designed to help students find jobs and internships easier as they contemplate life after school. We have taken the first small steps of a long journey to help students across the world achieve a higher level of education.

Our Values

1. Students should be rewarded for academic excellence.2. A great education should be available to all of the world's students.3. Educational resources should be deployed as efficiently as possible.4. The world needs to be better able to find the talent it needs to solve important problems.

What we do in 100 Words

Students invite their friends and family to sponsor their drive for good grades. Sponsors choose grade levels and sponsorship amounts for each grade (as low as $5). Each semester students upload their transcript. We verify grades, collect money from sponsors, and send it to schools or students depending on sponsor preferences. For individuals or companies that want to create an educational cause, they select the classes and grade levels at the universities they want to sponsor. We send the money to the eligible students who achieve the target performance levels.

Why we do it

We wanted to help all students with a service that encouraged them to pursue higher education and focus on doing well while in school. We love education and think it is the most enjoyable and enriching activity we engage in as humans. It is our hope that we can bring that passion and excitement to students across the country and the world.

Our People

GradeFund's management team includes Zachary Suchin, CEO, and Jason Schutzbank, COO. We are also pleased to have Arup Banerjee and Owen Wendland as our board members. Our team is a dedicated group of individuals seeking to aid students around the country by providing a solution that enables them to put more resources towards their education. We are passionate and always looking for others to help us spread our cause. If you have further questions for our management team please e-mail info@gradefund.com.