Obama Welcomes India Prime Minister - WSJ.com

Obama Welcomes India Prime Minister - WSJ.com:

"WASHINGTON -- President Barack Obama showered praise on India and Prime Minister Manmohan Singh in an elaborate welcoming ceremony Tuesday, declaring it was only fitting the Indian leader should be the first state visitor of his administration.

Mr. Obama said the U.S. and India share the 'bold experiments' of becoming democracies after breaking from rule by a colonial power, and in modern times both have known the pain of international terrorism.

'Our nations are two global leaders, driven not to dominate other nations but to build a future of security and prosperity for all nations,' Mr. Obama said"

Blacks hit hard by economy's punch - washingtonpost.com

Blacks hit hard by economy's punch - washingtonpost.com:

"These days, 24-year-old Delonta Spriggs spends much of his time cooped up in his mother's one-bedroom apartment in Southwest Washington, the TV blaring soap operas hour after hour, trying to stay out of the streets and out of trouble, held captive by the economy. As a young black man, Spriggs belongs to a group that has been hit much harder than any other by unemployment."

Joblessness for 16-to-24-year-old black men has reached Great Depression proportions -- 34.5 percent in October, more than three times the rate for the general U.S. population. And last Friday, the Bureau of Labor Statistics reported that unemployment in the District, home to many young black men, rose to 11.9 percent from 11.4 percent, even as it stayed relatively stable in Virginia and Maryland.

His work history, Spriggs says, has consisted of dead-end jobs. About a year ago, he lost his job moving office furniture, and he hasn't been able to find steady work since. This summer he completed a construction apprenticeship program, he says, seeking a career so he could avoid repeating the mistake of selling drugs to support his 3-year-old daughter. So far the most the training program has yielded was a temporary flagger job that lasted a few days.

Education Uber Alles | The Advocate

Education Uber Alles The Advocate:

"The recent round of stu­dent protests and build­ing take-overs at cam­puses across the Uni­ver­sity of Cal­i­for­nia sys­tem this week have been both inspir­ing and heart-breaking. The dev­as­tat­ing and unprece­dented 32 per­cent increase in stu­dent “fees” (the UC system’s way of get­ting around using the word “tuition”) approved by the UC regents on Novem­ber 19 reminds us of just how short-sighted, stu­pid, and cal­lous most uni­ver­sity admin­is­tra­tions have been in their response to state bud­get cuts across the coun­try.

Instead of stand­ing up to Sacra­mento and demand­ing restora­tion of cuts, UC Pres­i­dent Mark Yudof told reporters after the vote: “Our hand has been forced. When you don’t have any money, you don’t have any money.” This is, of course, easy for Mr. Yudof to say whose first year salary was $828,000 and whose $10,000 a month house in Oak­land, the New York Times reports, is entirely paid for by the Uni­ver­sity."

Instead of throw­ing up his hands and say­ing there is noth­ing he can do, why did Yudof not threaten to resign? Why not encour­age the regents, all of them who voted for this dis­as­trous increase, to do the same and resign unless the state restores the cuts? Why not work with his stu­dents to oppose these cuts rather than kow­tow­ing to the whims of the state?
The answers to these ques­tions are clear: because the gov­er­nance of the UC sys­tem, like so many uni­ver­sity sys­tems across the nation, is such that admin­is­tra­tors and regents and pres­i­dents and trustees see them­selves as some­how at odds with the fac­ulty and stu­dents whom they are sup­posed to serve.

The trend of corporate-structured over­sight of pub­lic uni­ver­si­ties has brought those insti­tu­tions to their knees and until this is changed there is lit­tle hope that these kinds of cuts will not con­tinue.Equally heart­break­ing was the rel­a­tively low turnout in response to these increases.

Instead of thou­sands, even tens of thou­sands of stu­dents protest­ing at every cam­pus across the UC, the biggest protests never reached more than 1,500 peo­ple and although some cam­pus build­ings were taken over and strikes called, they seem to be hav­ing lit­tle impact on the actual func­tion­ing of the schools, which con­tin­ued with their busi­ness as usual, despite the noise of protest all around.

Arizona Union Challenges Law Changes on Teachers - ABC News

Arizona Union Challenges Law Changes on Teachers - ABC News:

"The state's largest teachers union is asking the Arizona Supreme Court to rule that recently enacted legislation affecting public school employees is unconstitutional.

A special-action lawsuit filed Monday by the Arizona Education Association challenges legislation dealing with such topics as teachers' seniority rights in layoffs and deadlines for school districts to decide whether to renew contracts."

The AEA contends the legislation approved last summer was illegal on several grounds. The union says it wasn't included as a topic for a special legislative session called on budget matters.

House Speaker Kirk Adams defends the legislation as valid. He says policy determinations are a long-standing part of budget-making.

Albertson Foundation funds $20 million strategy to get kids in college | Eyepiece | Idaho Statesman

Albertson Foundation funds $20 million strategy to get kids in college Eyepiece Idaho Statesman:

"The J.A. and Kathryn Albertson Foundation unveiled its program Monday for raising the state's dismal performance in college completion. Idaho ranks 43rd in the nation in the number of ninth-graders who go on to complete post-high school education.

Executive Director Jamie MacMillan said the foundation will make the money available to each of the colleges for scholarships to retain Idaho students in post-secondary schools and see that they complete their programs.

It is not yet known how many students would get scholarships or how much money individual students would receive. The scholarships would go only to Idaho residents. The money must be committed by January 2011."

Making Science Cool: “Educate to Innovate” | GeekDad | Wired.com

Making Science Cool: “Educate to Innovate” GeekDad Wired.com:

"“We’re going to show young people how cool science can be.”

Those were some of the inspiring words by President Barack Obama at the launching of the new “Educate to Innovate” campaign on Monday this week. This initiative aims to increase science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) literacy amongst students to improve our national standing from average (or in some cases, below average) to the top. $4.35 billion in Federal grants will be offered to schools who can innovate in STEM education and the private sector is stepping up with an additional $260 million in related funding and programs."

Minnesota Indian Women's Resource Center | About Us

Minnesota Indian Women's Resource Center About Us:

"The Minnesota Indian Women’s Resource Center (MIWRC) is a non-profit social and educational services organization committed to the holistic growth and development of American Indian women and their families. Founded in 1984, MIWRC provides a broad range of programs designed to educate and empower American Indian women and their families, and to inform and assist those who work providing services to the community."

MIWRC is located in the Phillips neighborhood of Minneapolis, which has the third largest urban American Indian population in the United States. MIWRC is the only organization addressing the gender and culturally specific needs of our community.

Programs are developed to reflect the needs of our families, and are tailored to address issues that significantly affect their well being; such as family services, child advocacy, child care services, legal services, affordable housing, parenting skills, chemical dependency, mental health care, cultural resilience, historical trauma and many other family and community issues.

Our Mission

"To assist American Indian women so they can enjoy a better quality of life for themselves and their families."

ChipIn: Trout's TED Global Fund 2010

ChipIn: Trout's TED Global Fund 2010:

"I have been accepted as 1 of only 700 to attend TED Global 2010 in Oxford. Help me present a doable, achievable solution for global education and bring about eSingularity -- the point all learning is free and accessible to all."

Trout talks about why he feels he should talk at Ted and why people should nominate him to talk at Ted. See http://bit.ly/troutted. Want to help him cover out of pocket expenses? Check out http://bit.ly/TEDfund

Dr. Janette M. Hughes - Multiple Literacies

Dr. Janette M. Hughes - Multiple Literacies

Multiple Literacies

We read the world through images, symbols, colours, signs, body language and in the gaps and margins as well as through printed text. But traditionally, the print text has been privileged in English language arts classrooms. The notion of “text” has broadened to include texts of all kinds including images, sounds, and even the body.

Graphic Novels

Today, book-length comics, better known as graphic novels, have evolved as a popular medium for children and adolescents. There is a growing North American market for import books like Japanese Manga, and traditional bookstores and libraries are devoting multiple shelves and, in some cases, entire walls to their graphic novel collections. There has been an explosion of graphic novels that retell classic stories and childhood favourites. Graphic novels appeal to a generation of children and adolescents who have grown up in a more visual society, and their inclusion in English language arts classes has been touted as a wonderful new way to engage reluctant readers and especially boys (Christensen, 2007; Frey & Fisher, 2004; Gallo & Weiner, 2004; Schwarz, 2006).

Contrary to this trend to promote graphic novels as “simpler” texts for struggling readers, graphic novels actually require different and possibly even more complex reading skills than traditional print texts. The inclusion of pictures, for example, does provide the reader with visual clues to help understand what is happening in the text; however, readers of graphic novels need to understand not only print text and visual images (facial expression and gestures, for example), but also how certain media techniques are employed for different effects. For example, why is a close-up used in a floating panel or how is a panoramic image used to convey a certain effect? As Peter Gutierrez (2009) points out, “By their nature [graphic novels] force readers to get information from the art within a panel, from the progression of images from panel to panel, from the printed text of speech balloons and captions, and often from the in-art ‘audio’ text of sound effects—all at the same time. You must synthesize as you go”. Although comics have been around for decades, the increasing availability of graphic novels provide readers with opportunities to engage with a medium that complements the literacies required by the kinds of multimodal platforms many of them are immersed in daily, such as MSN, Facebook, Twitter and YouTube.

The Digital Newsroom | Global leaders achieve major outcomes at first World Innovation Summit for Education – WISE

The Digital Newsroom Global leaders achieve major outcomes at first World Innovation Summit for Education – WISE:

"Declaration of 10 core education priorities for the 21stcentury

The closing plenary session of the first World Innovation Summit for Education – WISE has produced a number of ground-breaking outcomes that signal the beginning of a new era in global collaboration on education. WISE concluded with a declaration of 10 core education priorities, an announcement of two initiatives and a renewed commitment to the three main areas of focus for WISE in the future.

Held in Doha, Qatar and attended by 1,000 influential opinion leaders from diverse sectors across the globe, the Summit, through its theme of “Global Education: Working Together for Sustainable Achievements” has created a new dynamism towards addressing the most challenging educational issues in the 21st century."

voiceofsandiego.org: Schooled...

voiceofsandiego.org: Schooled...

Bright and Early

It may be a short school week, but you still have your daily newsblitz:

I overlooked this story last week from KPBS on the forums that San Diego Unified is holding on its budget crisis. We'll be following up with more reporting on the financial troubles soon.

Vista schools decided against merging a middle school and an elementary school to save money, the North County Times writes.

The Union-Tribune profiles a 2nd grader with a knack for violin who spends her weekends at Juilliard.

The Beach and Bay Press writes that those interactive whiteboards popping up in San Diego classroom have an equivalent for preschoolers: the Smart Table.

Read More at the voiceofsandiego.org

A Million Ways to Teach

A Million Ways to Teach



About EnCorps
The EnCorps Teachers Program is a nonprofit that represents the innovative public-private partnership dedicated to increasing the number of much-needed math and science teachers in California’s public middle and high schools.


Developed with guidance from the Governor’s Committee on Educational Excellence, EnCorps helps math and science professionals transition into teaching in low income schools throughout California.


Why EnCorps Is Needed?

Despite California's current budget challenges, underresourced school districts around our state still need quality math and science teachers. In fact, over the next seven to ten years, some 33,000 math and science teachers will be needed in California.


How Can the Baby Boomer Generation Help?

Rewire, don’t retire! Baby boomers are retiring at a younger age than any prior generation. Initial research shows that as boomers begin to retire, they are looking for ways to continue working, specifically in positions which allow them to give back to society in a meaningful manner. Fifty-five percent of upcoming retirees who indicate their intent to continue working express an interest in teaching. Considering this, there is a large pool of potential teachers among the eleven million Californians retiring in the next two years.

The Educated Guess » EnCorps recruiting 250 science, math teachers

The Educated Guess » EnCorps recruiting 250 science, math teachers:

"For those nearing retirement or otherwise ready to hang it up from high tech, here’s something to mull over during Turkey Day: If you’ve pondered teaching as a second career, EnCorps may have a place for you.

Buoyed by its first year track record, the San Francisco-based non-profit has set a goal of recruiting 250 science and math teachers for underserved high schools in the Bay Area and Los Angeles. It’s hoping for serious inquiries from nearly 2,000 candidates within the next two months and is counting on a viral ad campaign millionwaystoteach.org to help."

UC Berkeley to reconsider protest policies amid heavy criticism, claims of police brutality - ContraCostaTimes.com

UC Berkeley to reconsider protest policies amid heavy criticism, claims of police brutality - ContraCostaTimes.com:

"OAKLAND -- Amid complaints of police brutality and heavy criticism about the university's handling of a massive protest and takeover of a campus building Friday, the university announced it will ask for an independent investigation of police actions that could bring about changes to the way officers handle protest crowds.

The announcement came on a day when about 75 protesters, a few of them wearing casts and splints on their arms and fingers, gathered outside an Oakland courthouse to denounce what many say was abusive behavior by police at a UC Berkeley protest Friday."

LAUSD Superintendent orders hiring freeze and other cuts - LA Daily News

LAUSD Superintendent orders hiring freeze and other cuts - LA Daily News:

"In the face of a multimillion-dollar budget deficit, Los Angeles Unified School District Superintendent Ramon Cortines ordered an immediate hiring freeze Monday and cut other expenses, including travel, conferences and food at district meetings.

Cortines said the district is facing an estimated $50 million to $60 million deficit this year and a possible $480 million deficit for the 2010-11 school year."

"As a result of the financial challenges that we are facing, 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. "Therefore, effective immediately, I am placing a freeze on the hiring and filling of vacancies; travel, conference and convention attendance; procurement of contracted professional development services; the rental of non-district facilities and the purchase of catering or refreshments to be served at employee meetings."

The only exceptions to the hiring freeze will be for classroom teachers, principals, assistant principals, cafeteria managers, school police officers, bus drivers teachers' assistants, education aides, special education assistants and plant managers.

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."