Educator groups upset as $500 supplement for retired teachers is blocked | News for Dallas, Texas | Dallas Morning News | Latest News

Educator groups upset as $500 supplement for retired teachers is blocked News for Dallas, Texas Dallas Morning News Latest News:

"AUSTIN – An estimated 250,000 retired educators in Texas won't be getting a supplemental $500 payment in December because the money was not properly appropriated, Attorney General Greg Abbott said in an opinion issued Monday."

While the attorney general said the Legislature can arrange for one-time payments to retired teachers and state employees, it did not follow the normal procedures for distributing the money earlier this year when it sent $155 million to the state comptroller rather than the state pension funds.

Of that total, about $120 million was supposed to go to retired educators and the other $35 million was slated for retired state employees.

Oregon teachers may get OK to wear religious clothing in class | Oregon Education - OregonLive.com

Oregon teachers may get OK to wear religious clothing in class Oregon Education - OregonLive.com:

"Teachers are likely to win the right to wear religious clothing such as turbans, yarmulkes, crosses and headscarves in public schools when the Oregon Legislature meets in February, elected officials say.

Oregon's prohibition on allowing teachers to exercise their faith by covering their heads or wearing other religious garb dates to a shameful anti-Catholic, anti-immigrant period in state history and is overdue to be changed, House Speaker Dave Hunt, D-Gladstone, said Monday.

Hunt plans to introduce a bill to repeal the 1923 law and said he is optimistic it will pass, given the broad spectrum of Christians, Jews, Hindus, Muslims and Sikhs who support the change."

The Answer Sheet - New study: 'Alarming' TV watching by preschoolers in daycare

The Answer Sheet - New study: 'Alarming' TV watching by preschoolers in daycare:

"The first study in more than 20 years to examine screen time in childcare settings has found that many really young kids are watching twice as much television as was previously estimated.

And really young kids aren’t supposed to be watching ANY television, pediatricians say.

The study, “Preschool-Aged Children’s Television Viewing in Child Care Settings,” is in the December issue of Pediatrics, http://pediatrics.aappublications.org/ the journal of the American Academy of Pediatrics and available on line today."

Gaming Out The Bloomberg III Cabinet: Schools, Parks, FDNY and DEP

Gaming Out The Bloomberg III Cabinet: Schools, Parks, FDNY and DEP:

"Joel Klein

To say there are a lot of people who would love to see Schools Chancellor Joel Klein kicked to the curb would be a gross understatement. Critics of Klein’s data-driven approach to school governance have long bellowed for his removal, just as “Dump Klein” became a popular refrain for Comptroller Bill Thompson’s mayoral campaign. But true to form, Bloomberg has kept the controversial chancellor close, rebuffing his critics and declaring unqualified support whenever prompted.'

But after eight years at the helm of the Department of Education—longer than any other chancellor in recent history—many believe that Klein could be on his way out."

This Week In Education: People: Green Dot Founder Reported Leaving Changing Roles

This Week In Education: People: Green Dot Founder Reported Leaving Changing Roles:

"There was little indication last week when he was in DC and NYC that Steve Barr was going to be leaving Green Dot, the organization he founded. But California public radio station KPCC's Adolfo Guzman-Lopez is now reporting that Barr is stepping down [as chairman]. For months there has been fretting and clucking about the news that Barr was being forced to repay $50,000 in unreimbursable or undocumented expenses that he'd racked up wining and dining teachers and funders. He stepped down as CEO just over a year ago. But Barr seemed unperturbed about the situation during an interview last week. No one from Green Dot has so far responded to my emails seeking confirmation or further explanation."

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.