Villaraigosa, teacher groups vie for 4 schools -- latimes.com

Villaraigosa, teacher groups vie for 4 schools -- latimes.com:

"Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa and groups of teachers backed by the Los Angeles teachers union will compete for control of four campuses, including Jefferson High School, as part of a groundbreaking reform initiative.

The impending face-off emerged Monday as groups inside and outside the Los Angeles Unified School District scrambled to meet a 5 p.m. deadline for applications to run 30 district schools. In separate news conferences, the union and the mayor lauded their own education records as they marked a milestone in the widely watched reform effort.

After filing 'letters of intent' for their targeted schools, the bidders, including charter school operators, now have until Jan. 11 to develop full-fledged proposals."

Educational Policy Expert Receives Urban School Improvement Research Grant : University of Rochester News

Educational Policy Expert Receives Urban School Improvement Research Grant : University of Rochester News:

"Educational policy expert Kara Finnigan, who is an assistant professor in the Department of Educational Leadership at the University of Rochester's Warner School of Education, has been awarded a grant from the William T. Grant Foundation with her colleague Alan Daly, an assistant professor at the University of California, San Diego, for a study of how low-performing schools use research evidence in an effort to improve outcomes for youth.

Finnigan and Daly will use the funding—$342,246—to research how urban systems and high schools in need of improvement diagnose problems; identify strategies; and define, acquire, use, and diffuse research evidence to improve under No Child Left Behind (NCLB). This study will be the first attempt to provide an in-depth longitudinal examination of schools under sanctions in two regions of the U.S. representing two distinct types of urban districts. The study will employ mixed methodologies and will take place in secondary schools in San Diego, Calif. and Rochester, N.Y."

Schools to compete for state Distinguished School Awards - DailyBulletin.com

Schools to compete for state Distinguished School Awards - DailyBulletin.com:

"Sixteen Inland Valley elementary schools have been invited to apply for the California School Recognition Program 2010 Distinguished School Awards.

The program identifies and honors schools that have students who demonstrated educational excellence and have shown progress in narrowing the achievement gap.

The school had to meet several qualifications, which include being an elementary school, not having previously been a distinguished school or a state monitored school; and must have been open since 2007-08."

With Texas moving toward online material, is this the final chapter for textbooks? | Top Storie...

With Texas moving toward online material, is this the final chapter for textbooks? Top Storie...:

"Textbooks could be going the way of slide rules and Big Chief tablets within a few years in Texas classrooms.

State legislation passed in the spring could put up-to-the-minute instructional content at students’ fingertips — either online or in customized printed form — eliminating the mass-market hardback textbook.

The sea change could happen sooner rather than later, beginning as early as the 2010-11 school year.

'This is one of the few times we can do things cheaper, faster and better all at the same time,' said the measure’s author, state Rep. Scott Hochberg, D-Houston."

Education's 5 Big Lies | Philadelphia Daily News | 11/17/2009

Education's 5 Big Lies Philadelphia Daily News 11/17/2009:

"AFTER 30 years of teaching, and 20 of talk radio and participating in dozens of education forums, I've heard 'theories' of education from all over the spectrum - from the innovative to the idiotic. I've concluded that there are five big lies about schools and education that are widespread and damaging.

THE MONEY LIE

The grandaddy of the big lies says our schools are woefully underfunded. If only other interests in society that get adequate funding could be stopped, our schools could get the resources to perform magnificently. This position is summarized by the famous bumper sticker, 'It will be a great day when our schools get all the money they need and the Air Force has to hold a bake sale to buy a bomber.'

In practical terms, this lie comes down to if only each kid had a laptop, each school an Olympic-size swimming pool and each cafeteria a five-star menu, then students would all be headed off to Princeton."

EDUCATION: Foreign Students Flock Back to U.S - IPS ipsnews.net

EDUCATION: Foreign Students Flock Back to U.S - IPS ipsnews.net:

"WASHINGTON, Nov 16 (IPS) - The number of international students attending colleges and universities in the United States has reached an all-time high of 671,616, largely bolstered by an increasing number of undergraduate students from China, while U.S. students are also studying abroad in higher numbers.

The 2008/2009 academic year marked the largest increase - eight percent – in the number of international students attending U.S. colleges and universities since the 1980/1981 academic year, according to a report released Monday by the Institute of International Education (IIE).

While the ranks of international students in the U.S. are increasing, so to are the numbers of U.S. students choosing to study abroad."

Unite Behind the Strike for UC Workers, Students and Staff - The Daily Californian

Unite Behind the Strike for UC Workers, Students and Staff - The Daily Californian:

"We are currently engaged in a great struggle that will define what the University of California will be in the 21st century. There have been myriad questions about the details of furlough programs, UC reserves, program closures, the number of layoffs and how to challenge them, what temporary layoffs might mean and so on.

It is important that these details do not engross our attention so profoundly that we lose sight of the big picture: that UC President Mark Yudof and the UC Board of Regents are striving to downsize and privatize the university. If they succeed, thousands of jobs will vanish, protections for workers will and access to the university will shift away from the middle classes of California to wealthier people from other parts of the country and indeed the world. Programs that serve the people will be replaced by programs that serve the same corporate interests who back this shift"

Milken Educator Awards take two California teachers by surprise | L.A. NOW | Los Angeles Times

Milken Educator Awards take two California teachers by surprise L.A. NOW Los Angeles Times:

"Even as she heard cheers explode from students assembled at Richardson Prep Hi Middle School in San Bernardino, the fourth and final California recipient of this year’s Milken Educator Award couldn’t believe she was the winner.

“I really thought it was going to go to a coworker,” said 7th grade English teacher Marisa Rivas, still recovering. “There are people who have worked here since 1987, so I feel like I’m unworthy.”

Complete with a giant, no-strings-attached $25,000 check, the award is not a lifetime achievement award, said Lowell Milken, chair of the Milken Family Foundation. The prize, which will go to 54 educators across the nation this year, is meant to encourage early- and mid-career teaching professionals -- and alleviate some of the financial issues that come with the calling.

The other California winners were Roberto Gonzalez of Virgil Middle School, Ana Higuera of Lynwood High School and San Diego teacher Jaime Enochs."

California's education and economic problem; Chevron's aide

California's education and economic problem; Chevron's aide:

"Aside from jobs, education funding is the most important problem in California. I was surprised to learn that Chevron Oil Company - the company commonly associated for bad things and unfairly so in my view - was behind a $7 million initiative to fund education non-profit organizations in Northern California.

It's called The California Partnership and was developed to help those organizations that were focusing on, and making a difference in, disadvantages neighborhoods, primarily in Northern California.

I was invited to join other media at the San Francisco City Club and frankly learned something shocking. I learned that while other media outlets were invited, at least one organization said they only covered a story involving non-profits if their was something negative, like a staff member stealing funds, for example."

Steve Kang: UC Merced: A catalyst for Valley's prosperity | visaliatimesdelta.com | Visalia Times-Delta and Tulare Advance-Register

Steve Kang: UC Merced: A catalyst for Valley's prosperity visaliatimesdelta.com Visalia Times-Delta and Tulare Advance-Register:

"Earlier this fall, the University of California, Merced marked a major milestone as we welcomed our fifth — and by far our largest — incoming class of students. Of the 3,400 students enrolled this fall, compared with just 875 in our inaugural year, nearly 100 are from Kings and Tulare counties. These results should make everyone in the Greater Visalia area very proud."

We all benefit when the doors of higher education are opened to the future leaders of our region, our state and our nation.

While enrollment growth may be the best single measure of year-to-year progress, economic investment may be the best measure of potential long-term impact. Solid growth continues on this front as well. Since UC Merced began administrative operations in 2001, the value of construction contracts awarded to San Joaquin Valley businesses and goods and services purchased within the Valley has reached more than $450 million. In Kings and Tulare counties alone, that number is about $3.3 million, while the statewide total is approaching $1 billion.

Although this growing level of investment hasn't been enough to offset the most difficult financial climate our region has seen in decades, it is clearly helping to stabilize the regional economy, create new jobs and position us well for future financial progress when the underlying state economy rebounds.

Commercial Property Tax-Hike Initiatives Afoot

Commercial Property Tax-Hike Initiatives Afoot:

"SACRAMENTO-Two new potential ballot initiatives are afoot that would drastically change how commercial properties in California are assessed and how much they are taxed. One calls for a 55% increase in the current property tax rate for commercial properties while the other wants commercial properties’ fair market value appraised more frequently. Currently, under Prop. 13, properties are taxed annually at 1% of their appraised value when purchased and may only have its fair market value adjusted after a majority stake is sold.

Attorneys from the San Leandro-based law firm Remcho, Johansen & Purcell LLP filed title and summary language for the proposed 2010 ballot initiatives earlier this month. They are the 'Protect Homeowners and Close Corporate Tax Loopholes Act' and the 'Education and Taxpayer Fairness Act.” In order to qualify as a potential constitutional amendment for the November 2010 ballot, each initiative would have to garner 700,000 signatures by the spring."

Koreans 3rd Largest Group in US Colleges

Koreans 3rd Largest Group in US Colleges

The number of Korean college students in the U.S. has reached a record high of 75,065, while Korea has a total of 50,591 foreigners studying at colleges.

The Institute of International Education (IIE), a U.S.-based education and training organization, announced Tuesday that Koreans formed the third largest group of international students in the 2008-2009 academic year at American colleges after Indians and Chinese.

The number of Korean students rose 8.6 percent from the previous year, accounting for 11.2 percent of the total.

W. Sac principal sidelined by injuries he suffered in breaking up fight - Sacramento News - Local and Breaking Sacramento News | Sacramento Bee

W. Sac principal sidelined by injuries he suffered in breaking up fight - Sacramento News - Local and Breaking Sacramento News Sacramento Bee:

"The principal of West Sacramento's River City High School is recovering at home from serious injuries he suffered while trying to break up a fight involving a number of students outside the cafeteria Oct. 28.

Stuart MacKay, who had a concussion and neck injuries, said Monday he doesn't remember everything that occurred that Wednesday.

'A couple of kids said I may have been kicked during the incident,' he said. 'They indicated it was on purpose.'"

Crowd packs Sacramento County's first public flu clinic - Sacramento News - Local and Breaking Sacramento News | Sacramento Bee

Crowd packs Sacramento County's first public flu clinic - Sacramento News - Local and Breaking Sacramento News Sacramento Bee:

"Some people staked out places at Hiram Johnson High School as early as 7:45 a.m. Many brought books to read, toys for the kids, and home-cooked lunches. And most of the 5,000 people who showed up Monday for Sacramento County's first public H1N1 vaccine clinic carried the hope they might shield themselves from what's becoming an aggressive flu season.

Right on cue, the large crowd began filling the school's cafeteria, a makeshift clinic staffed by Sacramento County public health officials, at 3:30 p.m. Monday."

Strategy & Technology Consulting for Education by SourcePOV Cary, NC

Strategy & Technology Consulting for Education by SourcePOV Cary, NC


Innovation: the Path to Ecosystem Change

Paradigms create models that define the way things work.

Do you know the prevailing paradigms for EDUCATION?

How are the core forces going to shift? What are we doing to shift them?

We are bringing focus to opportunities for innovation at the National and State level, to better frame the challenges and pathways ahead. We advocate transparency and an open agenda for change. See samples of our work, below.

OUR INSIGHTS:

RESEARCH: Framing Issues in Public Education (Nationally).

RESEARCH: A Framework for Change in SOCIAL ECOSYSTEMS (Blog).

RESEARCH: A Framework for Change in SOCIAL ECOSYSTEMS (PDF).

RESEARCH: Process Model for Problem Solving in COMPLEX ADAPTIVE ECOSYSTEMS.

RESEARCH: Paradigm Basics.

BLOG: Reflections on Twitter as New Communications Paradigm.

NEA - American Education Week

NEA - American Education Week:

"NEA's American Education Week (AEW) spotlights the importance of providing every child in America with a quality public education from kindergarten through college, and the need for everyone to do his or her part in making public schools great.

Our annual tagline, Great Public Schools: A Basic Right and Our Responsibility, reflects the Association's calling upon America to provide students with quality public schools so that they can grow, prosper, and achieve in the 21st century."

In 2009, the 88th annual American Education Week will take place November 15–21. Each day during the week spotlights a different aspect of school life:

Monday, November 16Open House Day From national commemorations to local community events, millions of Americans celebrate public education.

Tuesday, November 17Parents DaySchools invite parents into the classroom for a hands-on experience of what the day is like for their child. (En español)

Wednesday, November 18Education Support Professionals Day Individuals who provide invaluable services to schools are recognized for their outstanding work. (En español)

Thursday, November 19Educator for a Day Community leaders are invited to serve as educators to get a glimpse at a day in the life of a school employee. (En español)

Friday, November 20Substitute Educators DayThis day honors the educators who are called upon to replace regularly employed teachers. (En español)

Use Our Toolkit to Plan Your AEW EventUse our online tools to plan your celebration. Download our 2009 artwork here.

The materials presented here reflect NEA's mission as an advocate for the nation's public schools, school employees, and the communities they serve.

Other organizations are free to use this material or create their own. If you use this material (art, theme, articles, resources), please credit NEA as the creator of content.

Chickashanews.com - Parent involvement + attendance = success

Chickashanews.com - Parent involvement + attendance = success:

"Many parents are not aware of how important they are in their child’s education. The family is the young child’s earliest educator, and parents have a lasting influence on children’s attitudes, values, learning, concepts, emotions, and ideas.

They have the right and the responsibility to influence their children’s education. There is extensive and convincing evidence regarding the benefit of parent involvement in the development and education of their children.

Educators believe parents make the difference between a mediocre school and a great school. Everyone benefits when parents are involved in children’s education, and all parents have the ability, when fully supported, to help their children succeed in school."

For the teaching of young children to be effective, a positive link must be made between the school and the home; they must be partners, since the two are vital parts of the child’s life and education. Involving parents in children’s education improves the children’s achievements and the overall level of achievement in our schools.

The overall level of achievement in our school can only come from the understanding of the importance of attendance. Bill Wallace is committed to the success of all its students. A critical component of academic success is coming to school on a regular, consistent basis.

Students who are in school each day, all day learn in a consistent manner. They apply the knowledge they have gained one day to the new insights and understanding they will gain in the next day. A disruptive attendance pattern interferes with the continuity of instruction that is essential to the learning process. There is simply no substitute for being in class: to listen, to participate, to question, to experiment, to challenge. The stimulation of being in a classroom with other learners, guided by a highly qualified teacher, is the core of a sound education.

Learning builds day by day, and consistent attendance is vital to make learning meaningful. Parents should help children understand that coming to school on time and everyday is a family priority that will help them as they become contributing citizens of their world. Education is our passport to the future, for tomorrow belongs to the people who prepare for it today.

•Thomas Jeffries in principal at Chickasha’s Bill Wallace Early Childhood Center.

Sacramento schools superintendent continues tour of schools - Latest News - sacbee.com

Sacramento schools superintendent continues tour of schools - Latest News - sacbee.com:

"Since his appointment in late August, Sacramento City Unified School District Supt. Jonathan P. Raymond has traveled to more than 60 schools on a 'listening and learning' tour.

Tonight he visits Leonardo da Vinci School, a kindergarten through eighth-grade campus in South Sacramento's Hollywood Park neighborhood. Da Vinci, 4701 Joaquin Way, is an ethnically diverse school of nearly 600 students with thematic instruction at its core, according to a district Web site."

The meet-and-greet for parents, community members and students occurs from 6 to 8 p.m. Board of Education Vice President Patrick Kennedy and Sacramento City Vice Mayor Lauren Hammond are sponsoring the gathering.

Children taught not to stamp on insects and to respect worms - Telegraph

Children taught not to stamp on insects and to respect worms - Telegraph:

"New curriculum guidance says the well-being of 'mini-beasts', including bees, ants and worms, should be taught in classes as part of primary school's 'animals and us' section of the citizenship curriculum.

By the age of seven, pupils will have learnt that 'not stamping on insects' is appropriate behaviour 'in areas where animals live'.

The guidance, drawn up by the Department for Children, Schools and Families, says children can learn good citizenship skills by learning about the wellfare of insects because 'other living things have needs and they have responsibilities to meet them'.

Rhiannon Pursall, a beetle expert at the Royal Entomological Society, welcomed the move, which is not compulsory."

Soldiers of the Soil – United States School Garden Army — City Farmer News

Soldiers of the Soil – United States School Garden Army — City Farmer News:

"“Every boy and every girl should be a producer. Production is the first principle in education. The growing of plants and animals should therefore become an integral part of the school program. Such is the aim of the U.S. School Garden Army.”

With these words, the federal Bureau of Education (BOE) launched the United States School Garden Army (USSGA) during World War I. The USSGA represented an unprecedented governmental effort to make agricultural education a formal part of the public school curriculum throughout the United States."