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Welcome to News-Journal!:

"While some larger school districts have in-house personnel to offer some programs, smaller school districts turn to resources like the Region 7 Education Service Center for support.

“There is a wide array of services that they provide for the districts,” Ore City Superintendent Lynn Heflin said. “You can tailor your contract with the service center based on the needs of the district. We would be a lot less effective if it wasn’t for the service center and all of the things they provide for our school district.”

The State Board of Education in 1967 divided Texas into 20 regions. Each region received a $67,524 grant to establish a regional education service center. The Region 7 Education Service Center, based in Kilgore, serves 106 school districts in 17 East Texas counties. Nationwide there are 620 regional education service centers in 42 states, according to the Association of Educational Service Agencies."

Michael Scott remembered at funeral service -- chicagotribune.com

Michael Scott remembered at funeral service -- chicagotribune.com:

"Chicago Board of Education President Michael Scott was remembered Saturday as a civic giant who remained calm amid adversity, and as a doting father and faithful friend.

'Michael, I will miss you,' Mayor Richard Daley said, choking back emotion as he eulogized a man who worked on his 1983 campaign. 'You were my best friend.'

Several speakers told the crowd of more than 900 at Holy Family Catholic Church on Chicago's West Side that they may never understand the violent circumstances of Scott's death. The 60-year-old was found Monday in shallow water off the Chicago River's North Branch. The Cook County medical examiner's office called it a suicide, and police are waiting test results and reviewing evidence."

Change or die: Michigan's education system is failing students and taxpayers - AnnArbor.com

Change or die: Michigan's education system is failing students and taxpayers - AnnArbor.com:

"When I was a boy, I learned you had to pull up the anchor if you wanted to set sail. It seems many in Lansing never learned this lesson.
The foundation on which our schools have been built has disappeared.

Raising taxes to perpetuate the failed status quo is insanity. It is the equivalent of trying to set sail without pulling up anchor.

Today's economic crisis should provide the impetus to innovate and change.

Let's get radical

If we are to thrive and not mearly survive in this century, we must be

willing to ask: what of the impossible isn't?

How radical should we be? Here are a few examples:"

School district wins PR awards | hattiesburgamerican.com | Hattiesburg American

School district wins PR awards hattiesburgamerican.com Hattiesburg American:

"Hattiesburg Public School District recently won six awards for its parent and community outreach publications at the Mississippi School Public Relations Association conference in Jackson."

"I was ecstatic," said Jas N Smith, the district's communications director, who received the awards last week. "It's great to be recognized for doing something you believe in."

The district won first place in the state for its external electronic newsletter, Words From Wimbish.

The newsletter is sent to roughly 800 subscribers in the community each week and contains information about school board meetings, upcoming events and individual awards.

Also, the district won second place for its internal electronic newsletter and third place for its annual reports, calendars, image packages and print newsletters.

Smith said the award-winning print newsletter - Providing Academic Resources, Education News, Tips and Strategies - is part of the district's efforts to increase parent involvement.

It's discipline - Letters - NewsObserver.com

It's discipline - Letters - NewsObserver.com: "

I read the Nov. 9 Point of View article about school suspensions and letters in the paper about it, and I think one of them has the right idea.

I am a student at Chapel Hill High School, and my mother teaches at Jordan High School. I have seen the variety of disciplinary measures that precede suspension.

One letter-writer said that suspension is when the authorities send the student away because they don't know how to deal with him or her, and she's right - suspension is the last resort, after lunch detention, in-school-suspension, after-school detention, letters home, calling of parents, referrals and visits to the principal's office don't work."

After a student has that many chances to reform his or her behavior and doesn't, there is no other option.

But another writer's idea is perfect - it's really the parents who failed to discipline their children and they need to see what little monsters they've been sending in to disrupt my seventh-period algebra class.

Maya Handa

Chapel Hill

COLUMN - Politicians should examine their own motives in school funding battle - Holland, MI - The Holland Sentinel

COLUMN - Politicians should examine their own motives in school funding battle - Holland, MI - The Holland Sentinel:

"Lansing, MI — I have a vivid memory of my beautiful granddaughter, Lucy, standing in front of a mirror just after she turned two:

“No,” she said. “No, no, no, no.”

Pause.

Then, “No, no, no, no, no.”

“Just practicing for the terrible twos,” said my wife.

She was right, of course. If there’s something 2-year-olds are really good at, it’s saying “no” over and over and over again.

All this came to mind when I reflected on the continuing quarrel between Gov. Jennifer Granholm and Senate Majority Leader Mike Bishop over school funding. Alert readers will remember that in order to plug the state budget deficit — which was almost $3 billion — the Legislature first cut school spending. Then the governor cut it some more, saying the money just wasn’t there."

Catholic conservatives, liberals battle over anti-poverty funding -- chicagotribune.com

Catholic conservatives, liberals battle over anti-poverty funding -- chicagotribune.com:

"In the wake of criticism that the national Catholic Campaign for Human Development has financed organizations that violate church teachings, leaders of the Chicago campaign have been scouring grantees for such violations and redefining who qualifies for funds.

At least three Chicago agencies funded by the national campaign are under investigation on suspicion of defying church guidelines about same-sex marriage, birth control and partisan politics.

'Our goal in Chicago is ... to help the poor, but it has to be from a Catholic perspective,' said Rey Flores, director of the Chicago Catholic Campaign for Human Development."

The Conversation: Strong-mayor debate is a chance to examine other possibilities - Sacramento Opinion - Sacramento Editorial | Sacramento Bee

The Conversation: Strong-mayor debate is a chance to examine other possibilities - Sacramento Opinion - Sacramento Editorial Sacramento Bee:

"What would be your argument for changing Sacramento's form of city government? To comment on this issue, please see our forum.

You can call it 'strong mayor' or 'governance reform.' Whatever you call it, Sacramento Mayor Kevin Johnson's proposal for revamping the power of his office would be the biggest change in governance in the city's history.

In any city, it's a good thing to periodically ask fundamental questions and re-examine old ways of doing things."

Holistic education lost - MontereyHerald.com :

Holistic education lost - MontereyHerald.com ::

"With everyone's attention on the bad economy, government health insurance and the war in Afghanistan, many issues have been pushed aside.

Two years ago, when the time came to reinstate No Child Left Behind, the Congress voted no. Unfortunately, the federal government never told the states and schools to stop the program or take time to re-evaluate it.

As more and more schools fell into the curse of being labeled in Program Improvement, a gap began to develop between affluent school districts and those struggling.

One superintendent once told me being placed on Program Improvement was like being swept down a black hole. Instead of moving forward, you are being swept back. Meanwhile, schools in affluent communities moved forward. Let me explain."

When a school is categorized as Program Improvement, it is required to focus on two specific areas: language skills and math skills. The really sad part of No Child Left Behind is that the whole school suffers for the poor scores of a few. Instead of going back and focusing on only those students who are struggling with language and math skills, NCLB makes the entire school work on just those two areas.

This almost sounds like communism or socialism.

The first areas to be cut from the daily school life are electives. Electives are what give all those language and math skills real-life meaning in the minds of a young student. So we begin to cut music, shop, art, home ec, athletics, etc., subjects important to the development of the whole child.

Following California off the Cliff | Guest Writer | Politics | NewWest.Net

Following California off the Cliff Guest Writer Politics NewWest.Net:

"Heavy use of citizen initiatives is one of the clearest predictions of states that are in danger of following California “to the brink of insolvency,” according to an extensive survey of state financial problems by the nonpartisan Pew Center on the States. Oregon, looking toward a critical vote in January, is perhaps the next state in danger of insolvency; if voters reject a $733 million tax increase on upper incomes and corporations, the state will face a huge budget deficit even after cutting state spending by $2 billion in the 2009 legislative session.

Among the states with the most serious financial problems, the top seven all have a super-majority requirement for their legislatures to pass taxes without a popular vote, allowing a minority to deadlock revenue measures; and six of the seven endangered states make use of citizen initiatives and referendums. Across the country, the two work hand in hand; nearly every state with a super-majority got there via citizen initiative."

Tuition Turmoil

Protests recently broke out at many Calif. College Campuses following a steep hike in tuition at state schools. As Ben Tracy reports, a severe budget crisis is the cause.

Parent volunteers hit roadblock in Dixon - ContraCostaTimes.com

Parent volunteers hit roadblock in Dixon - ContraCostaTimes.com:

"Hoping to fill in the gap left by laid-off school crossing guards, a group of Dixon parents has been volunteering their time to do the work but have run into a legal roadblock with no clear answer on how to get around it.

Joe DiPaola, former candidate for the Dixon Unified Governing Board and parent of a child at Tremont Elementary School, at 355 Pheasant Run Drive, said it was a group of about eight parents who took turns as crossing guards in front of the school. But their good deed was brought to a screeching halt after a member of law enforcement informed a parent, who was crossing students without a STOP sign, that crossing guards must be trained and failure to comply would result in a ticket."

"We realized it was a big problem and we needed to do something," said Sally Moore, a Tremont parent. "It was actually kind of fun to get out there and, with a little common sense, it's very easy to get kids across the street safely."

California Highway Patrol spokesman Marvin Williford cited California Vehicle Code section 21100(e), which states that local authorities may adopt rules requiring a person who directs traffic, in this case a crossing guard, be trained.

The city of Dixon and the Dixon Unified School District have an agreement that crossing guards, while funded by the city, will be trained by district personnel.

"Everyday good Samaritans can't be good Samaritans," said Moore. "Parents want to be involved but can't help."

Push for charter schools sparks segregation concerns | montgomeryadvertiser.com | Montgomery Advertiser

Push for charter schools sparks segregation concerns montgomeryadvertiser.com Montgomery Advertiser:

"With the promise of massive amounts of federal funds pressing a decision on whether the state should have charter schools, some legislators and education groups are urging the state to slow down.

Alabama is in the hunt for its share of more than $4 billion in federal funds and the quest for that money has sparked a debate about charter schools that some say the state shouldn’t be having if the goal is rushing legislation through during the 2010 session.

States must apply for the first round of federal Race to the Top funds by mid-January. States that don’t receive any grants or didn’t apply during the first round can apply during a second round in June 2010. The U.S. Department of Education will make all awards by Sept. 30, 2010."

A Letter of Discontent from those Occupying Kerr Hall at UCSC : Indybay

A Letter of Discontent from those Occupying Kerr Hall at UCSC : Indybay:

"We are a group of students dynamically and peacefully participating in the reformation of our California public higher education system, aligned with Clark Kerr's ideals that education should be accessible to all, regardless of economic means. The 32% increase in student fees is a direct product of structural failures in California's political and economic system; the dire threat to accessibility this creates has prompted us to occupy our University spaces.
A Letter of Discontent 11/21/09

From: An Autonomous Group of Students Occupying UCSC

We are a group of students dynamically and peacefully participating in the reformation of our California public higher education system, aligned with Clark Kerr's ideals that education should be accessible to all, regardless of economic means. The 32% increase in student fees is a direct product of structural failures in California's political and economic system; the dire threat to accessibility this creates has prompted us to occupy our University spaces.

With drastically increasing student fees, insulting cuts to workers' hours, diminishing academic programs, and increasing privatization of this public institution, many of us are appalled and outraged. Across the UC system we are paying more for less – class sizes are growing, students are being denied access to essential classes, and vital student services are facing cuts. We want change and are committed to achieving it nonviolently."

Ramp up entrepreneurship education, training

Ramp up entrepreneurship education, training:

"California's unemployment rate is now officially 12.5 percent, but the real unemployment rate, including discouraged and part-time workers who want full-time jobs, is more than 20 percent. Members of the California Association for Micro Enterprise Opportunity report that in African American and Latino populations, the rate is closer to 30 percent. Where are the jobs, and how do we train and educate for them?"

We believe that self-employment and micro-business is the labor trend of the future.

Data from the Small Business Administration show that rates of self-employment increased by 8 percent over each of the past two years - up from 4 percent per year during the previous five years. As in any downturn, many people turn to self-employment to supplement family income; they sharpen their skills, they network, they take risks and they pursue a dream of self-sufficiency.

For those with financial and emotional support networks, as well as the drive to succeed, the entrepreneurial path is a viable option and a positive alternative to job training. We believe that 5 percent of our state's unemployed are entrepreneurial in nature and could be successfully self-employed if supported with the tools, training and education.

California has an important infrastructure of nonprofit organizations that focus on micro-business development. These organizations provide services ranging from technical assistance to financing for California's micro-businesses (businesses that have five or fewer employees and are capitalized with $35,000 or less). Micro-businesses start small but can grow to be large enterprises.

Read more: http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/c/a/2009/11/22/IN2H1ALDO1.DTL#ixzz0XavX6xQ7

As We See It: Protesting UC fees - Santa Cruz Sentinel

As We See It: Protesting UC fees - Santa Cruz Sentinel:

"It's probably not coincidental that for nearly two weeks one of the most popular, and searched for, items on the Sentinel's Web site has been a database listing salaries of UC Santa Cruz employees.

A survey of that database revealed that 25 administrators and professors made more than $200,000 in 2008 -- but that overall, UCSC compensation lags behind most other University of California campuses.

Public interest in what the top echelon is getting paid correlates directly with what UC regents did last week. They raised student fees by 32 percent over the next two years -- which will cost many students, or their parents, an additional $2,500 to attend a UC campus. The cost of attending UC, including room and board, will soon be close to $30,000 a year."

Poor California: No money and no leadership -- latimes.com

Poor California: No money and no leadership -- latimes.com:

"In the new movie '2012,' whose video trailers were bombarding television airwaves last week, the world as we know it gives way three years hence under a siege of floods, eruptions, undulating continents and earthquakes. In other words, it's not much different from what is happening in California, fiscally speaking, except that the state will be lucky to hang on that long.
To recap: the state's chief budget analyst reported last week that California faces a $21-billion deficit through the next fiscal year. For the two budget years after that, deficits will total $44 billion more, the analyst said. Those are not updates on the budget deficits that California twice faced earlier this year; these are new projections. We are getting to the point when, if you take a long nap, you're at risk of missing the next dire pronouncement."

Opinion: Dan Walters: California's budget morass could lead to default on debts - San Jose Mercury News

Opinion: Dan Walters: California's budget morass could lead to default on debts - San Jose Mercury News:

"When Mac Taylor, the California Legislature's chief budget adviser, declared last week that the state budget enacted just four months ago is already billions of dollars upside down, no one in the Capitol should have been surprised.

Anyone with half a brain and a hand calculator could figure out that many assumptions on which the budget was based, both spending and revenues, were unrealistic, some of them conjured out of thin air to 'balance' an inherently unbalanced budget for political reasons.

Taylor reported that the current budget is $6.3 billion out of balance and the 2010-11 budget has another $14.4 billion hole. But, as grim as it sounds, that's really a best-case scenario because Taylor has a relatively benign forecast of revenues and the underlying economy."

The Signal - Santa Clarita Valley News - School workers hit hard

The Signal - Santa Clarita Valley News - School workers hit hard:

"While many Santa Clarita Valley teachers saw their jobs saved by federal stimulus money, school classified employees — including clerks, instructional aides and custodians — have been hit hard by layoffs and pay cuts, officials said last week.

“We have to balance our budgets, but the state doesn’t have to balance theirs,” said Pam Castagna, president of the California School Employees Association Chapter 349, which represents more than 700 non-teaching employees at the William S. Hart Union High School District."

Commentary: The right to a great public education | McClatchy

Commentary: The right to a great public education McClatchy:

"We've got to stop cutting public education. To ease the budget crisis, one state after another is taking an ax to higher education. This is cruel and shortsighted.

Cruel because it denies students the right to a decent education. Shortsighted because how will this generation of students get prepared to compete globally or even to clean up the financial mess brought about by Wall Street?"

I'm a product of the worst and best public education California has to offer. I grew up in an East Los Angeles housing project in the 1970s and 1980s. I attended overcrowded public schools in the inner city. Like many racial minorities from America's barrios and ghettos, I received an inadequate education.

While I excelled in mathematics, I was never taught to read or write at a competent level throughout my K-12 schooling. To complicate matters, the longest paper assigned to me in high school was two pages long.

I taught myself how to properly read and write while going through college to compensate for my poorly funded K-12 education. But what will happen to those without this same self-drive that I learned from my Mexican immigrant mother? Fortunately, I also benefited from affirmative action and from numerous educational outreach programs and policies like Occident College's Upward Bound - a preparatory program for students from disadvantaged communities.