Fate of three underperforming Queens schools will be decided in early 2010

Fate of three underperforming Queens schools will be decided in early 2010:

"Several Queens schools may be in hot water after failing to make the grade on the city's annual progress reports.

The city is considering closing Beach Channel High School in Rockaway Park; the Business, Computer Applications and Entrepreneurship High School in Cambria Heights and Jamaica High School, after they received D's on the reports released last week. Other schools may also be under consideration.

'We review all low-performing schools for closure,' said Education Department spokesman William Havemann. 'But the progress report is not the only factor to be considered.'"

Schools Can Again Be What They Once Were - WSJ.com

Schools Can Again Be What They Once Were - WSJ.com:

"Your Nov. 17 editorial 'The Edsel of Education Reform' on America's public schools is right to say that there has been a valuable generation of innovation in our schools. Charter schools and smart reforms by public schools have contributed to a new set of approaches for achieving great education for our children. We've learned that all our schools—public, charter and private—need four basics in order to succeed: outstanding teaching, sufficient and well-designed learning time, money to pay for for that time, and strong accountability to make sure both money and time are used well and that our children are getting ahead."

Coalition for Science After School Members Seek to Increase Quantity and Quality of After School Science Programs

Coalition for Science After School Members Seek to Increase Quantity and Quality of After School Science Programs:

"President Obama announced today the critical need for more and better science education for youth and that schools are incapable of being the only source for the distribution of knowledge. Funds, which will be distributed at the state level, will be given for innovative programs. What is California doing?

(PRWEB) November 23, 2009 -- As the White House announced the 'Education To Innovate' campaign to strengthen America’s economic competitiveness through leadership in science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) education, members of the Coalition for Science Afterschool (CSAS) are providing resources and expertise to enable effective science and math learning in After school."

“You know the success we seek is not going to be attained by government alone,” Mr. Obama said kicking off the initiatives. “It dep on the dedication of students and parents, and the commitment of private citizens, organizations and companies. It dep on all of us.”

Coaltion Steering Committee Member and Director of the Lawrence Hall of Science Elizabeth Stage, who attended the event said “Enrollment has dramatically increased in after school programs, creating a great opportunity to increase the amount of quality science that kids do, yet only half of the afterschool programs we surveyed do science. The problem is not that they don’t want to, the problem is they need materials and training that will allow them to do so effectively.” The Coalition is headquarted at the Lawrence Hall of Science, and the Hall provides key research, resources, and expertise to the organization.

Time Warner Cable (TWC) has partnered with CSAS on their newest and largest philanthropic initiative, “Connect a Million Minds,” which will introduce youth and their parents to important opportunities to increase their excitement and involvment in after school learning opportunies in math and science.

Occupational Hazard - The Daily Californian

Occupational Hazard - The Daily Californian:

"Early Friday morning, 40 activists (mostly UC Berkeley students) barricaded themselves inside the second floor of Wheeler Hall in a dramatic act of protest over the unprecedented 32 percent fee hike passed by the UC Board of Regents the day before.

As onlookers and supporters gathered around Wheeler, the national media took notice. Though the means were questionable, we're glad the occupation successfully drew widespread attention to the serious financial struggle the university and its students are now facing."

UC Berkeley investigates alleged police brutality during fee hike protests - 11/23/09 - San Francisco News - abc7news.com

UC Berkeley investigates alleged police brutality during fee hike protests - 11/23/09 - San Francisco News - abc7news.com:

"BERKELEY, CA (KGO) -- The University of California, Berkeley is investigating allegations of police brutality against students and employees who protested fee hikes and budget cuts last week.

Police action on Friday night prompted Berkeley's chancellor to call for an independent investigation by the Campus Police Review Board.
Natalia Garcia Pasmanick is a student who on Friday was protesting a tuition hike by the Regents outside Wheeler Hall."

LA school district chief warns of big deficit

LA school district chief warns of big deficit: "In the face of multimillion-dollar budget shortfalls, the superintendent of the giant Los Angeles Unified School District ordered spending cuts and froze hiring for some positions on Monday."

Superintendent Ramon Cortines said the nation's second-largest school district faces a deficit of $50 million to $60 million this school year and an estimated $480 million deficit next school year.

Exceptions will be made for classroom teachers, principals, assistant principals and other essential school-based positions, he said.

The cuts are necessary because of California's $20.7 billion budget shortfall next year, which might mean further cuts to the district's budget, Cortines said.

"It is imperative that we ensure that every dollar we spend is essential to the operation of this District, and more importantly, supports our instructional mission," he said.

Cortines also cut spending on travel, conferences, professional development contracts and food at district meetings.

Read more: http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/n/a/2009/11/23/state/n172143S78.DTL&type=business#ixzz0XmXsbzTX

My View: California not honoring UC commitment - Sacramento Opinion - Sacramento Editorial | Sacramento Bee

My View: California not honoring UC commitment - Sacramento Opinion - Sacramento Editorial Sacramento Bee

Mark Yudof has been roundly criticized for likening his role as the president of the University of California to being the caretaker of a cemetery. On Nov. 18, faculty and staff learned that it is the policymakers and leaders of state government who are the caretakers for the cemetery that holds the tens of thousands of dreams of K-12 students and the countless visions of innovators.

The beginning of the last chapter of the greatest public university in the world can be found among the pages of the report of the Legislative Analyst Office at www.lao.ca.gov. Its authors make it clear that in the current political climate the state of California will not honor its commitments to faculty, staff and future generations of students.

The Signal - Santa Clarita Valley News - UC hike may flood COC

The Signal - Santa Clarita Valley News - UC hike may flood COC:

"As University of California tuition rises, the overflow of students who can't afford the higher price tag might flood community colleges like College of the Canyons, officials said Monday.

UC officials last week raised tuition 32 percent to more than $10,000 a year for undergraduate fees - about triple the cost of a decade ago. This latest blow to California's higher-education system threatens to heap more of a burden on inexpensive community colleges."

Bridgepoint Education to Present at Wedbush Securities 10th Annual California Dreamin' Management Access Conference

Bridgepoint Education to Present at Wedbush Securities 10th Annual California Dreamin' Management Access Conference:

"SAN DIEGO, Nov. 24 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Bridgepoint Education, Inc. (NYSE: BPI), a provider of postsecondary education services, announced today that Andrew Clark, Chief Executive Officer, and Dan Devine, Chief Financial Officer, will make a presentation at the Wedbush Securities 10th Annual California Dreamin’ Management Access Conference on Wednesday, December 9, 2009, at 1:30 p.m. Eastern Time (10:30 a.m. Pacific Time) at the Fairmont Miramar Hotel in Santa Monica, CA.

The presentation will be audio webcast live at http://www.wsw.com/webcast/wedbush10/bpi/. The webcast will also be available on the 'Events & Presentations' section of the Bridgepoint Education website at http://ir.bridgepointeducation.com/events.cfm for 30 days."

Local School Likes New Education Initiative | News10.net | Sacramento, California | News

Local School Likes New Education Initiative News10.net Sacramento, California News:

"SACRAMENTO, CA - The White House has launched a campaign to improve math and science education in the United States and that is good news for a Sacramento school.

The School of Engineering and Sciences is part of the Sacramento City Unified School District's new approach to education. It is a small, theme-oriented working to prepare students in grades 7 through 12 for degrees in engineering and science.

Principal Belinda Kirk told News10, 'Science and engineering has to come alive in all content areas, such as English, math and science. How do you ingrain math and science in those particular courses?'"

Preventing the Spread of H1N1/Swine Flu in Your School

Preventing the Spread of H1N1/Swine Flu in Your School

"This free webinar, designed for families, educators and administrators, will offer tips, suggestions and information on how to prevent the spread of H1N1/swine flu in schools. Drs. Meg Fisher and Peter Wenger will provide expert advice. Dr. Fisher is a world renowned pediatric infectious disease consultant, and Dr. Wenger specializes in pediatric infectious diseases, immunizations and infection control. This is an opportunity that you do not want to miss!"

Ex-Intel CEO Barrett, Xerox CEO Burns Part of National Science Education Push

Ex-Intel CEO Barrett, Xerox CEO Burns Part of National Science Education Push:

"Former Intel CEO Craig Barrett and current Xerox CEO Ursula Burns are part of a group that will push forward the Obama administration’s effort to improve science and math education in the United States. In addition, the public-private partnership will look to grow an interest in the subjects among U.S. students. Group members said the effort is important to help keep the United States competitive in the global economy.


Craig Barrett, former chairman and CEO of Intel, has been vocal over the past few years about the need to improve the math and science education in the United States to ensure that the country continues to be competitive in the global economy."

5 Tips from the Nation's Top School Principals

5 Tips from the Nation's Top School Principals:

"The nation's top principals gathered in Washington, D.C. last month, winners of the National Distinguished Principals award. The honor—which went out to 63 principals of public and private elementary schools—is sponsored by the National Association of Elementary School Principals, together with the U.S. Department of Education.

They came from all over country, leaders of elementary schools of all sizes in large cities as well as rural areas, each principal confronted with the issues particular to their region and school. All were nominated for the prestigious award by their peers, bosses or community members and determined by the NAESP to be the best of the best."

Obama Urges Efforts to Enhance Math, Science Education | USA | English

Obama Urges Efforts to Enhance Math, Science Education USA English:

The White House has launched a campaign to improve math and science education in the United States. President Barack Obama says the private sector is coming through with talent and money to support the cause.

"The White House has launched a campaign to improve math and science education in the United States. President Barack Obama says the private sector is coming through with talent and money to support the cause.

A student experiment in robotics was front and center at the White House.

The metal contraption built by two teenagers caught and threw a ball. President Obama said the demonstration was held to underscore the importance of science and math education."

Hindu monk welcomed at University of Nevada-Reno

Hindu monk welcomed at University of Nevada-Reno

People belonging to different religions and denominations came to listen to well-known Hindu monk Swami Vedananda at University of Nevada-Reno (USA) on November 20, which was organized by Universal Society of Hinduism (USH).
Welcoming Swami, Bruce Brinkerhoff, Director of Public Relations for Northern & Western Nevada for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (LDS), thanked Swami for coming to Nevada to spread the message of love, human improvement, and peace.

In his keynote address, Swami Vedananda said that self of the person (called Atman) is at the base of everything and the first cause of everything. He talked about real nature of reality, final emancipation from the cycle of birth and death, nature of Brahman (the supreme being) and its relation to the world and individual soul, etc.

Rajan Zed, USH president, who organized this event, pointed out that peace began with us and we should lift our eyes from our own selfish concerns to some greater ideal. We should seek unity that celebrated diversity, he added.

Others who participated included Michael Slater and Barbara Slater, chairpersons of National Association of Interchurch and Interfaith Families; Sierra Foundation; Sharon Limroth and her group from local Rosicrucian Order; Ron Arnold, Lutheran Pastor; Tell Gifford, Dean DeGidio, Trish Sebastian, and Zona Allgire-Avila of Vedanta Nevada; Susannah Lee of Sustainable Energy Forum; etc.

Details of the picture attached: From left to right—Lutheran Pastor Ron Arnold, Professor Tell Gifford, Bruce Brinkerhoff of LDS, monk Swami Vedananda, Hindu leader Rajan Zed.

Social Media Revolution

Social Media Revolution: Is social media a fad?

Or is it the biggest shift since the Industrial Revolution? This video details out social media facts and figures that are hard to ignore. This video is produced by the author of Socialnomics.

In Manhattan, Preparing for Kindergarten Admission Test - NYTimes.com

In Manhattan, Preparing for Kindergarten Admission Test - NYTimes.com:

"Kayla Rosenblum sat upright and poised as she breezed through the shapes and numbers, a leopard-patterned finger puppet resting next to her for moral support."

But then came something she had never seen before: a visual analogy showing a picture of a whole cake next to a slice of cake. What picture went with a loaf of bread in the same way?

Kayla, who will be 4 in December, held her tiny pointer finger still as she inspected the four choices. “Too hard,” she peeped.

Test preparation has long been a big business catering to students taking SATs and admissions exams for law, medical and other graduate schools. But the new clientele is quite a bit younger: 3- and 4-year-olds whose parents hope that a little assistance — costing upward of $1,000 for several sessions — will help them win coveted spots in the city’s gifted and talented public kindergarten classes.

Green Dot Public Schools Chairman Steve Barr steps down | 89.3 KPCC

Green Dot Public Schools Chairman Steve Barr steps down 89.3 KPCC:

"Steve Barr, the founder and chairman of the influential charter school company Green Dot Public Schools, is stepping down from day to day activities and his position as chair. A spokeswoman said today Barr is leaving Green Dot to work on “national education issues.” She gave no other details about his departure."

Steve Barr wanted smaller schools with young, motivated teachers willing to experiment with lesson plans. He opened his first Green Dot campus nine years ago with only 140 high school students.

Barr’s view was that his charter schools – independent from school district control - could outperform traditional schools, especially in low-income neighborhoods.

Education researchers point out that charter schools like Green Dot attract motivated students with parents active in their children’s education. Green Dot says 80 percent of its ninth graders graduate – and the vast majority of those graduates get into four year colleges.

Parent involvement is up in area schools, UCLA education researcher John Rogers said, while L.A. Unified and other school districts now talk about a school's guiding principles not whether it should be run by the district or as a charter.

“All these changes, to some extent, were initiated because Steve Barr really pushed on the system and sought to open it up by establishing his group of charter schools,” Rogers said.

Rogers remembers Barr talking to him about opening a school in the mid 1990s. At the time Barr had a slew of Democratic party experience under his belt. In 1990 he co-founded the non-partisan "Rock The Vote" outreach campaign and hosted an inaugural ball for President Bill Clinton.

The latest updates from Barack Obama's Facebook news feed. - By Christopher Beam and Chris Wilson - Slate Magazine

The latest updates from Barack Obama's Facebook news feed. - By Christopher Beam and Chris Wilson - Slate Magazine

Our colleagues at Slate have released the latest version of their hit satirical feature, "Barack Obama's Facebook Feed." This edition has updates on health care and Sarah Palin -- as well as Khalid Sheikh Muhammad's iTunes playlist.

Barack Obama's Facebook Feed

Health care, Sarah Palin, and Khalid Sheikh Muhammad's iTunes playlist.

By Christopher Beam and Chris Wilson

Posted Monday, Nov. 23, 2009, at 11:33 AM ET

The Yearbook Chronicles | Show Cast, Episode Guides, Trailers, Aftershow & Previews | MTV Tr3s

The Yearbook Chronicles Show Cast, Episode Guides, Trailers, Aftershow & Previews MTV Tr3s

MTV Tr3s Shows

Show Summary

In the United States, a student drops out of high school every 29 seconds. The chances of the student being Latino...very likely, considering that Latinos have the highest high school dropout rate among all racial or ethnic groups in the nation. In response to this disturbing reality, MTV Tr3s brings you Yearbook Chronicles, which tells the story of both, the Latino youth who have made it, and those who, caught in a web of personal life struggles and peer pressures, were forced to cut their high school journey short. In this special documentary, MTV Tr3s gives you an inside look into the lives of four Latino students who are members of their senior yearbook club at Bell High School, located in southeast LA. As they complete their senior year, the yearbook members reflect on their past struggles, share their hopes and dreams for the future and remember the friends who have dropped out of school along the way. Understanding the importance of an education, these students embark on a quest to find their former classmates to find out why they dropped out and encourage them to return to school. In this special documentary, MTV Tr3s gives you an inside look into the lives of four La This is a must-see para toda la familia, so be sure to get everyone together and tune in to Yearbook Chronicles, Saturday, September 26 at 2pm.