My Word: Awful school funding formula plagues Alameda County - Inside Bay Area

My Word: Awful school funding formula plagues Alameda County - Inside Bay Area:

"CALIFORNIA'S FISCAL outlook continues to worsen.

Concern is mounting over the impact the state's budget deficit will have on education funding.

The California Teachers Association (CTA), along with state Superintendent of Public Instruction Jack O'Connell, claims California's per-pupil funding now ranks 47th nationally. In reality, most experts agree California is around the middle of the pack when it comes to school funding, including the CTA's own parent organization, the National Education Association.

But what matters to most California parents isn't how much other states are spending — it's the results their children's school districts are getting compared to other school districts in California."

On that front, California must do better. It's not because there's too little funding. It's because the state's school financing system is illogical and inequitable.

The California School Finance Center database — a new project from the Pacific Research Institute and the Educational Results Partnership (formerly Just for the Kids-California) that compiles data from a dozen California Department of Education sources — helps shed some much-needed light on this reality.

The data show some troubling discrepancies among similar school districts.

GOODMAN: Education cuts spur student organization

GOODMAN: Education cuts spur student organization:

"California campuses have been rocked by protests this past week, provoked by massive student fee increases voted on by the University of California Board of Regents. Following a year of sequential budget cuts, faculty and staff dismissals and furloughs, and the elimination of entire academic departments, the 32 percent fee increase proved to be the trigger for statewide actions of an unprecedented scale.

As President Barack Obama's anticipated Afghanistan war strategy is soon to be announced, which, according to one leak, will include a surge of 35,000 troops, the juxtaposition of education cuts and military increases is incensing many, and helping to build a movement."

Cassidy: Elmo and Intel, helping kids learn - San Jose Mercury News

Cassidy: Elmo and Intel, helping kids learn - San Jose Mercury News:

"Anytime you recruit both Elmo and Craig Barrett to help you with a problem, you know you've got a big problem.

And so it is with the poor performance of American school kids when it comes to math, science and technology. The Obama administration this week announced that the world's most lovable Muppet and the former CEO of the world's largest chipmaker would be among those joining in a vast effort to keep the United States competitive when it comes to building the world's future."

Op-Ed Columnist - The Other Education - NYTimes.com

Op-Ed Columnist - The Other Education - NYTimes.com:

"Like many of you, I went to elementary school, high school and college. I took such and such classes, earned such and such grades, and amassed such and such degrees.

But on the night of Feb. 2, 1975, I turned on WMMR in Philadelphia and became mesmerized by a concert the radio station was broadcasting. The concert was by a group I’d never heard of — Bruce Springsteen and the E Street Band. Thus began a part of my second education.

We don’t usually think of this second education. For reasons having to do with the peculiarities of our civilization, we pay a great deal of attention to our scholastic educations, which are formal and supervised, and we devote much less public thought to our emotional educations, which are unsupervised and haphazard. This is odd, since our emotional educations are much more important to our long-term happiness and the quality of our lives.

In any case, over the next few decades Springsteen would become one of the professors in my second education. In album after album he assigned a new course in my emotional curriculum."

BBC News - War of words over teacher numbers

BBC News - War of words over teacher numbers:

"Scotland's education secretary has clashed with local authorities over a drop in the number of teachers north of the border.

The figure fell by 1,348 over the past year, a drop which was described as 'unacceptable' by Education Secretary Fiona Hyslop.

However, her claims were rejected by local authority umbrella body Cosla, which expressed 'surprise and disappointment' at her comments.

Here are their statements in full."

Half of Scotland's councils have delivered improvements in primary school class sizes.

Half have not. What is more, there has been a sharp fall in the number of teachers. That is simply unacceptable.

Letters: On retooling of education | Viewpoints, Outlook | Chron.com - Houston Chronicle

Letters: On retooling of education Viewpoints, Outlook Chron.com - Houston Chronicle:

"In response to professor Charles Meisgeier's article about the need to retool education to teach how children learn (“America must make effort to retool education system,” Page B7, Saturday), if he looked around his community he would know there is a highly reputable and successful tool right here in Houston, The Neuhaus Education Center. NEC has taught thousands of teachers a method of teaching any subject, called Multi-Sensory Training."

Ruling on D.C. Teacher Layoffs Raises Broader Issues - Teacher Beat - Education Week

Ruling on D.C. Teacher Layoffs Raises Broader Issues - Teacher Beat - Education Week:

"A Washington superior court judge has backed Chancellor Michelle Rhee in a dispute with the Washington Teachers' Union over layoffs. The union sought a preliminary injunction that would essentially have required Rhee to reinstate teachers who were laid off supposedly due to budget cuts while other legal claims worked their way through the District of Columbia school system.

In essence, the union said that Rhee hired hundreds of young teachers over the summer, more than the district could pay for, thus forcing a later need to make cuts. Because of a series of administrative rulings in the late 1990s, layoffs in D.C. are done not only by seniority but also by performance. In this case, principals laid off many veteran teachers. That precipitated protests, allegations from the WTU that Rhee was bypassing termination procedures in the contract, and hearings with the D.C. Council."

Alaska’s Rural Schools Fight Extinction - NYTimes.com

Alaska’s Rural Schools Fight Extinction - NYTimes.com:

"NIKOLSKI, Alaska — This distant dot in the Aleutian Islands needed just 10 students for its school to dodge a fatal cut from the state budget. It reached across Alaska and beyond but could find only nine."

Built by the Bureau of Indian Affairs in 1939, the little Nikolski School will not be the last in Alaska to close. Four others have closed this fall and at least 30 more are at risk because of dwindling enrollment; one school in remote southeast Alaska survived only by advertising on Craigslist for families with school-aged children.

“We lose one or two every year,” said Eddy Jeans, the director of school finance for the Alaska Department of Education and Early Development.

As Alaska celebrates its 50th anniversary of statehood amid new political prominence and urban aspirations, it is confronting a legacy of loss in rural communities that are unlike any others in the United States.

Flypaper: Education reform ideas that stick, from the Thomas B. Fordham Institute

Flypaper: Education reform ideas that stick, from the Thomas B. Fordham Institute:

"Despite the rainy weather, early morning start, and day-before-Thanksgiving scheduling, the CAP event with Secretary Duncan and NYC Mayor Bloomberg was standing room only. Going in it wasn’t at all clear what the actual purpose of the event was (Ed Trust’s Kati Haycock was on the panel as well). As it turned out, it was a stage for Bloomberg to make some important announcements.

Secretary Duncan’s opening speech was generally his ARRA/RTT talking points—not bad by any means, just not hot-off-the-presses new. Of note, he once again name-checked Louisiana for its strong use of data. He also said that RTT isn’t so much about states competing with one another as it is about each state building consensus within its borders for major change."

Accountable Talk: The Surgeon's Knife

Accountable Talk: The Surgeon's Knife:

"Looks like I'm going to lose my bet that the teachers' contract would be announced right before Thanksgiving. Unless you let me count Thanksgiving, 2o10.

Mayor4Life Bloomberg launched an attack on the UFT today, asking for the moon and trying to run an end-around through the state legislature. He wants to tie test scores to tenure, have the right to fire ATRs and in the event of layoffs, to get rid of teachers based on test scores rather than seniority. (All of you who believe that good teachers with high salaries won't get laid off, raise your hands.)"

Blather, Rinse, Repeat at The Core Knowledge Blog

Blather, Rinse, Repeat at The Core Knowledge Blog:

"In a debate on the Education Next website, Joe Williams of Democrats for Education Reform and Pedro Noguera of New York University wrestle with the question, “Should school reformers pay more attention to the non-academic needs of poor children?” The more pertinent question might be which of the two groups Williams and Noguera speak for–the Education Equality Project (Williams) and the Broader, Bolder Approach to Education (Noguera)–is paying attention to the academic needs of poor children. Based on the evidence, it’s hard to say."

CN&R > Local Stories > California meltdown > 11.26.09

CN&R Local Stories California meltdown 11.26.09:

"The meltdown went positively volcanic this week, as UC students by the thousands protested steep tuition hikes, dozens were arrested, and we learned the state again faced a huge budget deficit that would last for at least five years.

Nov. 11: The Sacramento Bee reports that, according to the Pew Center on the States, nine other states are facing “some of the same pressures that have pushed California toward economic disaster.” With California, they represent one-third of the nation’s population and economic output.

Nov. 12: Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger warns that the state budget deficit could swell to more than $14 billion, and that deeper spending cuts will be needed to close it."

Mulgrew challenges Bloomberg’s get-tough tactics on tenure | GothamSchools

Mulgrew challenges Bloomberg’s get-tough tactics on tenure GothamSchools:

"WASHINGTON, D.C. — The United Federation of Teachers is indicating it will resist Mayor Michael Bloomberg’s effort to judge city teachers based on their students’ test scores beginning this year.

“When we see an actual proposal in writing we will take appropriate action,” Mulgrew said in an emailed statement. “The new state Commissioner of Education says the state tests are a broken measurement. Are these the tests the Mayor wants to use as a tool to evaluate teachers?”"

Mulgrew also specifically challenged Bloomberg’s effort to make changes that could also made through the teachers union contract, which the union and the city are currently negotiating.

“These issues could have been — and still could be — resolved with better management and hard work, not legislation,” Mulgrew said. “His other proposals deserve thoughtful review by the Legislature, which has demonstrated appropriate skepticism in the past about mayoral initiatives like the failed West Side stadium plan and congestion pricing.”

But Bloomberg’s speech today was a strong signal that the mayor could try to bypass talks with the union and go directly to the state legislature to achieve his goals. The mayor also offered another get-tough tactic: A threat to sue the state if the legislature does not eliminate the charter school cap, which limits the number of those schools permitted to 200.

Council Member David Sander Voices Concerns to Board over School Closures — The Rancho Cordova Post

Council Member David Sander Voices Concerns to Board over School Closures — The Rancho Cordova Post:

Council Member David Sander sent a letter to the FCUSD board, urging them to delay their decision until they have a more complete understanding of their situation. The contents of letter were sent in an email from Save Cordova Lane, an organization of parents who are campaigning to keep their school open."

Board Members:

I’m writing to share some concerns about the elementary school closure proposal that you will be hearing and deciding on Thursday evening.

As you know, it is THE major goal of Rancho Cordova to improve the quality of life in our community, making up for years of decline before our incorporation as an independent city.

Your proposal to close two of our elementary schools obviously does not assist us in seeking this goal of improving our community. Closed school are by their very nature a blight on a community. There has been a good deal of speculation that a closed school could be used for some other purpose, and I agree that it may be possible — eventually. It is extremely unlikely however the City of Rancho Cordova or the Park District will find the resources necessary to do so. These will be empty campuses, damaging our neighborhoods and our property values and our morale and image.

I have many concerns about these proposed closures, and I’d like to address a few of the to you in writing:

Process Concerns

My biggest concern about this proposal is the process I’ve observed to date. Within a very short period of time, less than one month, my community has been asked to accept the closure of two elementary schools. We have been given no real alternatives which make this proposal sound more like an ultimatum than a community and school district decision. Meetings have been held at the same time as City Council meetings — and while public participation has been robust the public has not had much time to assess and make recommendations on this proposal.

I don’t see any reason for this rush to decision. Surely, last year such a study could have been made if the case is so strong for closure. Or the year before that. Why now, and why require a board decision in such a short period of time? This feels like a rush to judgement – or a deliberate attempt to limit public review of the decision. Either way, not a good process. Our community hasn’t had time to reflect on it, understand it, or balance it with any other priorities. If there was a deadline – why wait so long to talk about this?

False Choice?

I can understand your fiscal position – you have very significant cuts to make — but I haven’t, and my community hasn’t seen an analysis of what your other options are. What we see is a choice of choosing one neighborhood disaster or a different neighborhood disaster — it feels like a false choice.

We need to know what the real alternatives are. School athletics have also been held out as an option for cuts, along with class size increases, limits on electives, etc. – but none directly offered as an alternative to these closures. If the decision is not to close schools, then what’s the next option? What can parents and school staff do to increase efficiency and stretch existing dollars? Asking us to choose our poison without demonstrating that it is absolutely necessary is presenting my community with a false choice.

Big Picture

Rancho Cordovans also need a picture of the situation larger than just our end of the district. Many of my constituents are now saying something to the effect of – “Great – they close two Rancho Cordova Schools, and therefore don’t have to make similar cuts in Folsom!”. We need an answer to these sorts of points. Is any of the closed-school equipment (paid for by Rancho Cordova taxpayers only) going to be shipped to Folsom? Where are the commensurate cuts occurring only on the Folsom end of the District?

If school closures are the best means of balancing the budget – why only propose closing two? Wouldn’t four save twice as much money and therefore be better? We need to see the big picture situation and the full options to answer these questions. Why wasn’t this studied in previous years when real alternatives could have been discussed? It would be far easier to have this discussion if we knew that a charter or magnet school would be coming to our community as a result of the closure – that could be a net benefit rather than this proposed pure loss.

Metrics

Why close the large higher scoring schools and move the students to smaller lower performing schools? We seem to be punishing success and rewarding relative failure with these choices. Wouldn’t it make more sense to put the lowest scoring schools higher on the hit list? Why are test scores and ratings not under consideration? These metrics are a very big deal for us in Rancho Cordova where our school test scores are a major source of problems for our real-estate values and economic development. We know the District is capable of producing higher scores, and we’re patiently waiting for them — but closing the higher-scoring schools is a step in the wrong direction.

Recommendation

My recommendation for School Board Members is that you delay your decision until such time as you have real alternatives and a real choice in front of you. Wait until you can answer the questions posed here, and until you have scrubbed the budget in total and have a complete plan. Wait until you can be sure of the big picture, and our community has time to understand your situation and to work with you for better solutions.

A rushed decision taken now is likely to be a very poor decision. None of us can afford that.

Sincerely,

David M. Sander, Ph.D.
Councilman, City of Rancho Cordova

Coming to a Voting Booth Near You... | California Progress Report

Coming to a Voting Booth Near You... California Progress Report:

"Unless the weak array of other candidates sucks Dianne Feinstein into the race for governor – you can take that verb in several ways, all descriptive – the most important decision for voters next year may not be the Tweedle-dee vs. Tweedle-dum run for governor.

It could be the contest over one or several of the 76 initiatives – yes 76 -- that may appear on the same ballot. Some are promising. Some are awful. Some are initiatives voters have rejected before, in some cases not long ago, that seem to be designed largely to harass and force opponents to spend resources they could otherwise spend in other ways."

Feinstein told Channel 5 in San Francisco earlier this month that her decision on the governor’s race will depend on “what precise programs are put forward by various candidates to handle what is a very serious structural budget deficit in this state…It's of major consequence and California is in considerable distress, and there have to be reforms."

Given what we know now about the candidates, she’s in.

California Can’t Help Itself | California Progress Report

California Can’t Help Itself California Progress Report:

"Indulge me for a minute while I talk California state politics. I swear there’s a lesson for everyone…
John Garamendi, the state’s Lieutenant Governor, won election to Congress earlier this month. Arnold Schwarzenegger has the opportunity to appoint a replacement, who must then be confirmed by the Senate. He named that replacement last night on the Jay Leno Show (I’m sure announcing a Constitutional officer in state politics did wonders for Jay’s ratings): a guy named Abel Maldonado."

This is important for one big reason. There are 26 districts out of 40 in the California state Senate which have major Democratic registration advantages. And there are two swing districts. Because of the insane 2/3 rules to pass a budget or raise taxes, Democrats need 27 votes on the most important pieces of legislation. And they even hold one of the swing districts. But they’re two votes short of a 2/3 majority right now because of two seats in the central part of the state, held by Republicans Jeff Denham and…Abel Maldonado.

If Democrats didn’t botch a recall effort against Denham and actually run somebody against Maldonado in 2008, they might have that 2/3 majority already. But Denham is termed out next year, and there’s already a credible Democratic candidate expected to win that seat. So Maldonado getting the LG position and vacating his seat sets Democrats up to win 2/3 in the Senate, without too much trouble.

Ranking Maldonado – A Review of Scorecards | California Progress Report

Ranking Maldonado – A Review of Scorecards California Progress Report:

"Announcing his pick for Lieutenant Governor on the Jay Leno show last night, Governor Schwarzenegger said this about Senator Abel Maldonado “He’s a terrific, loyal man that has worked very hard in public service. But he’s also into bipartisanship and post partisanship, so he can cross the aisle. He makes decisions based on what’s best for the people rather than what’s best for the party.”"


A review of legislative scorecards prepared by organizations across the ideological spectrum shows that Senator Maldonado gravitates somewhat closer to the center than most of his Republican colleagues. These scorecards rank lawmakers on votes cast for or against the organization’s position on a range of bills in the organization’s issue areas. (In several cases 2009 scorecards are not yet available so we looked at 2008 scorecard).

The California Labor Federation gave Maldonado a failing grade of 29% on key labor votes cast in 2008. In contrast, the California Chamber of Commerce’s 2009 scorecard gave Maldonado an 85% pro-business voting record.

The Consumer Federation of California gave Senator Maldonado a 2009 score of 64% on consumer protection bills, and the Congress of California Seniors’ 2009 scorecard gave him a grade of 58% on senior citizen issues. Both were failing grades, but the highest achieved by a Republican lawmaker.

Bloomberg to Klein: use student data in tenure decisions this year | GothamSchools

Bloomberg to Klein: use student data in tenure decisions this year GothamSchools:

"WASHINGTON, D.C. – The city’s Department of Education will use student test scores in teacher tenure decisions this year, Mayor Michael Bloomberg announced this morning.

Speaking at the Center for American Progress, Bloomberg asked Schools Chancellor Joel Klein to follow a new interpretation of the state law that bans the use of student performance in tenure decisions. The law only applies to teachers hired after July 1, 2008, Bloomberg said. Teachers up for tenure this year, who were hired in 2007, are not subject to the rule, according to this interpretation, and so will be evaluated using their students’ test score progress as a factor."

voiceofsandiego.org

voiceofsandiego.org: Schooled...

This is your last newsblitz for the week before I head up to the Alpert family homestead. Drive safe, be thankful and don't overdose on the cranberry relish:

We blog that the teachers union in San Diego Unified won http://www.voiceofsandiego.org/articles/2009/11/24/this_just_in/972workload112409.txt a controversial rule to limit workloads. It had proved one of the toughest issues at the bargaining table between the union and the school district, with critics fearing that the rule would hamstring principals and schools from making changes. Bargaining is still continuing over other issues, nearly a year and a half after teachers' last contract was due to expire.

The Union-Tribune reports that a state appellate court ruled that part of a settlement with a former MiraCosta College president was an illegal expenditure of public money, defying a lower court ruling. You might remember this as part of Palmgate and its aftermath.

The UT also reports on the different ways that schools are handling Thanksgiving, including taking it as an opportunity to teach kids more about American Indian cultures.

Revisit class-size limits -- OrlandoSentinel.com

Revisit class-size limits -- OrlandoSentinel.com:

"Fed up with subpar schools and do-little lawmakers, state voters in 2002 took matters into their own hands.

Relying on promises that leaner classrooms would spur wide-ranging benefits and reform Florida's troubled schools, voters passed Amendment 9. The measure set mandatory class-size limits into constitutional cement.

Parents hailed its approval as a crowning feat, while others predicted a crushing folly. Florida TaxWatch, a respected financial watchdog group, said passing Amendment 9 would be a 'blunder of major fiscal proportions.'

Seven years later, that warning is coming true."