Daily 49er - CSUs to make exceptions to keep special programs alive

Daily 49er - CSUs to make exceptions to keep special programs alive:

"The California State University system is planning to prioritize its enrollment by setting aside enrollment slots for athletes, ROTC, musicians and other special-skills students this fall. The decision is being made amidst plans to cut enrollment in the system by 40,000 students next year.

A $564-million budget cut is affecting the CSU campuses this fiscal year. One of the main factors in the decision to prioritize enrollment was to ensure that, despite the budget constraints, various programs in the CSU, such as athletics, engineering and orchestra, are filled.

“If you’re going to have an orchestra, you need to be able to enroll all the students to get a full band,” said CSU Director of Enrollment Management Services Jim Blackburn."

Joining forces : The Collegian Online

Joining forces : The Collegian Online:

"As activism rises on Fresno State’s campus, faculty show support of student involvement

Recent student activism on the California State University, Fresno campus has received support from many faculty members.

Professors could be seen in and outside of the Henry Madden Library during the protest staged after closing hours in November. October’s walkout also featured faculty members who addressed the crowd in the Peace Garden."

Dr. Loretta Kensinger, a professor for the women’s studies program, said that her participation was strictly in support for the students involved. She joined the family and friends of students who stood outside of the library for moral support for the students demonstrating inside, she said.

“I think the students are raising awareness for all of us about what the plight is for the California State University system right now,” Kensinger said.

She said students, as well as faculty, have been impacted by the budget cuts. It is important to support the students as they push for the state to fully fund education, Kensinger said.

Texas colleges counting economic blessings - for now

Texas colleges counting economic blessings - for now:

"SAN ANTONIO — Denise Trauth, president of Texas State University, tries not to gloat. But when she meets with counterparts from across the nation, as she did at the annual gathering of the American Association of State Colleges and Universities recently, she feels fortunate to be in Texas.

Many public colleges and universities across the nation are laying off employees, reducing student financial aid and taking other painful steps to cope with the economic downturn and declining state appropriations"

The University of North Alabama, for example, has raised tuition 9.5 percent in each of the past two years. California State University, Bakersfield, has scaled back academic programs and enrollment in response to a $15 million, or 25 percent, cut in the state portion of its budget. And Mississippi Gov. Haley Barbour has proposed merging three public, historically black universities to cut costs.

Institutions of higher learning in Texas haven't been immune to the belt-tightening. Hiring for many positions throughout the 15-campus University of Texas System is frozen. UT-Austin is laying off some staff members to free up money to retain and recruit top professors.

But schools in Texas, with its relatively strong economy, have largely been spared the harsh cuts taking place in many other states. Indeed, the Texas Legislature increased higher education funding this spring by $1.2 billion for the two-year budget and boosted financial aid by 35 percent, to $1 billion.

Different approaches considered amid some school officials' unease | San Bernardino County | PE.com | Southern California News | News for Inland Southern California

Different approaches considered amid some school officials' unease San Bernardino County PE.com Southern California News News for Inland Southern California:

"SACRAMENTO - Inland school officials are apprehensive about signing on to any state effort to get school grants from the federal government, with California lawmakers still divided on the issue as next month's application deadline approaches.

Wednesday, the Assembly Education Committee is scheduled to consider bills meant to improve the state's chances at receiving money from the $4.3 billion Race to the Top program, a centerpiece of President Barack Obama's education reform agenda. A vote of the full Assembly is expected Thursday."

WestsideConnect - The West Side's News Source - Professionals find their calling in special education

WestsideConnect - The West Side's News Source - Professionals find their calling in special education:

"NEWMAN – In the daily bustle of activity on local school campuses, one group of educators go about their work with little public fanfare – but with a particularly profound impact on the lives of the students they serve.

More than 30 classroom teachers, aides and specialists – often working closely with general education classroom teachers – devote themselves to serving students with special needs in the Newman-Crows Landing Unified School District.

Today (Thursday), special education professionals across the state are being acknowledged by the California Organization for Special Educators during its designated “Day of the Special Educator.”"

Are educated youth leaving California? - Bakersfield.com

Are educated youth leaving California? - Bakersfield.com:

"CALIFORNIA BRAIN DRAIN?

Here's something new to consider: the high cost of living in California and the rising cost of a university education is leading to a statewide 'brain drain' of college kids out of our state. That's the conclusion of a Capitol Weekly report that said for the first time since the 1980s, California sent more college kids out of state than it received from other states.

This is amazing stuff and points to the increasing cost of a California bachelor's degree combined with other factors like state and local taxes and housing costs that are sending kids elsewhere."

New teachers having trouble finding jobs in a competitive market - Whittier Daily News

New teachers having trouble finding jobs in a competitive market - Whittier Daily News:

"Michael Korte received his teaching credential from Azusa Pacific University in January.

Nearly a year later, with more than 50 applications and two dozen job interviews under his belt, the Glendora resident is still working as a security guard.

'Every semester, I keep telling myself, `well, next semester I'll start getting calls.' I'm always sending out resumes and always looking for jobs online. Now I'm hoping I'll have one by spring,' Korte said."

California Deserves Better Than Yudof's Failed Leadership | California Progress Report

California Deserves Better Than Yudof's Failed Leadership California Progress Report:

"Executives revel in taxpayer-backed bonuses while front-line workers suffer layoffs and wage cuts. Ordinary people see their livelihoods diminished and their children’s futures eroded while the corner office club gets richer. Costs increase for consumers though they get less value in return.

These were the stories you heard following the fallout on Wall Street during the meltdown of AIG and Lehman Brothers. But now they’re just as applicable to result of the misplaced priorities of the University of California under UC President Mark Yudof."

La Opinión - noticias locales, nacionales e internacionales desde Los Ángeles - impre.com - An opportunity for California

La Opinión - noticias locales, nacionales e internacionales desde Los Ángeles - impre.com - An opportunity for California:

"California’s educational system desperately needs additional funds to address the budget crisis while, at the same time, it also must tackle reforms to improve student learning. The State Assembly has the possibility to achieve both of these goals by passing a single legislative bill.

The Obama administration is pushing significant changes in the education system across the country through a program called 'Race to the Top,' which has $4.5 billion to award to states that adopt new standards for student learning and new systems to assess student achievement, that recruit and train effective teachers and principals, and finally, that turn-around low-achieving schools."

Montessori program at S.F. school stirs clash

Montessori program at S.F. school stirs clash:

"When San Francisco school officials opened a public Montessori program in an under-enrolled elementary school adjacent to the city's low-income Western Addition neighborhood in 2005, it sounded like a good idea."

It meant that poor, mostly African American students would have free and convenient access to what often is an expensive private program, out of reach and relatively unknown to inner-city children.
Instead, the effort has turned into a major headache for district administrators who now are embroiled in a bitter community battle over the educational fate of Cobb Elementary School.

At the heart of the fight is a district plan to phase out the school's traditional general education program - now serving predominantly African American students - to convert Cobb to all Montessori. While the program is offered to any family in the city, the intent of placing a Montessori program at Cobb was to better serve the neighborhood's African American families. Yet few parents from the community there seem to know much about the program or want it.

Read more: http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi file=/c/a/2009/12/07/MNLT1APV54.DTL#ixzz0Z0lqG5Te

Three Cheers for Community Colleges -- baltimoresun.com

Three Cheers for Community Colleges -- baltimoresun.com:


"DEAR JOYCE: My nephew's college plans are uncertain. His mother says a small scholarship and student loans can pay for a local private college with a $35,000 annual tuition. When I suggested he start out at a two-year public community college ($2,500 yearly tuition) and later transfer to a state university, she dismissed the idea as 'graduate high school.' Your opinion? -- V.M.

Debt loads for graduating college students are at a record high. The average recent college graduate with debt owes a total of $21,000 -- and the payback figure can be as steep as the high fives. (Debt totals for graduate and professional studies are another jaw-dropping story; research student debt and you'll see what I mean.)"

Bob Williams: UC's withering heights» Redding Record Searchlight

Bob Williams: UC's withering heights» Redding Record Searchlight:

"Back in 1960, California adopted the Master Plan for Higher Education. It was a three-tiered system. At the top was the research and Ph.D.-granting University of California. Next was what is now renamed the California State University. Finally, there were the two-year community colleges.

This plan has worked extremely well and has provided many of the scientists, engineers, doctors, agricultural specialists and others who have made this state an economic and innovative powerhouse that accounts for 13 percent of our nation's gross domestic product. It became a model emulated by other states and, to an extent, other nations."

Update: California Labor Union Demands Resignation of UC Technology Chief

Update: California Labor Union Demands Resignation of UC Technology Chief:

"The University of California labor union (AFSCME) is demanding the immediate resignation of David J. Ernst, the university executive accused of pocketing more than $150,000 in improper expense reimbursements during his tenure at California State University.

The union sent a letter to UC President Mark Yudoff on Saturday, stating that Ernst’s 'jet-setting global junkets, lavish meals and opulent retreats at taxpayer expense is an insult to workers who have been asked to put less food on their tables and students who have been forced to forgo their dreams.'"

In-state tuition rates for illegal immigrants questioned - San Bernardino County Sun

In-state tuition rates for illegal immigrants questioned - San Bernardino County Sun:

"At a time of unprecedented peril for the state's education system, a growing number of school districts are going the extra mile to promote a law that allows illegal immigrant students to receive subsidized tuition at California colleges and universities.

The move is viewed by some state lawmakers and others as wasting scarce tax dollars on a program that benefits illegal immigrants at the expense of legal residents and U.S. citizens."

National Journal Online -- Education Experts -- Do Charter Schools Deserve The Spotlight?

National Journal Online -- Education Experts -- Do Charter Schools Deserve The Spotlight?:

"President Obama and Education Secretary Arne Duncan have made it clear that expanding charter schools is a critical part of successful education reform. 'States that do not have public charter laws or put artificial caps on the growth of charter schools will jeopardize their applications under the Race to the Top Fund,' Duncan said in June.

But two major studies on charter schools released this year had dramatically different findings. One study found that charter schools nearly closed the achievement gap between students in poor and affluent communities, while the other found that most charter schools deliver academic results that are no better, or worse, than those in regular public schools.
Do charter schools deserve the attention that the Obama administration is giving them? Why or why not?"

CSUS students protest outside president's home - Local - Modbee.com

CSUS students protest outside president's home - Local - Modbee.com:

"TURLOCK — Several dozen students protested in front of California State University, Stanislaus, President Hamid Shirvani's home Saturday afternoon, decrying budget cuts, his management style and the direction he is taking the campus.

'We feel like we've tried everything else,' said Barbara Olave, a senior studying sociology and one of the demonstrators. She said students have spoken with and written to Shirvani but to no avail.

The protesters did not speak with Shirvani. Olave said one student knocked on Shirvani's front door but no one answered."

Our View: California has lost its mojo for once great UC, CSU - Our View - MercedSun-Star.com

Our View: California has lost its mojo for once great UC, CSU - Our View - MercedSun-Star.com:

"Students protest higher fees. Faculty lament cuts to instruction. Administrators complain that the state is an unreliable funding partner to California's public colleges and universities.
It's time to get beyond griping and move on to solutions.

Ironically, California is about to mark -- celebrate certainly would not be the right word -- the 50th anniversary of the Master Plan for Higher Education.

That 1960 plan made a commitment that 'all Californians should be afforded the opportunity to receive a college education.'

It made California a national model.

For a generation, the 1960 Master Plan delivered prosperity to the state and a higher standard of living for residents."

NY1 | 24 Hour Local News | Education | School Laws Could Disqualify New York State From "Race To The Top" Funds

NY1 24 Hour Local News Education School Laws Could Disqualify New York State From "Race To The Top" Funds:

"Washington lawmakers are offering up to $700 million in educational funding to New York State, but some educational laws could disqualify the state. NY1's Educational reporter Lindsey Christ filed the following report.

The federal government is giving away $4.5 billion in education funding as part of the 'Race To The Top,' and New York State could get up to $700 million, if President Barack Obama's administration likes the state's application.

'It is a big load of money,' says State Senator Suzi Oppenheimer, the chair of the State Senate Education Committee."

Schools' testing success can come at a price - washingtonpost.com

Schools' testing success can come at a price - washingtonpost.com:

"Terry Dade, the 33-year-old principal of Tyler Elementary in Southeast Washington, freely describes himself as a 'data geek' who shares Chancellor Michelle A. Rhee's educational creed: Digging relentlessly into student test scores, diagnosing weaknesses and tailoring teaching to address them can ultimately lift a school's academic performance.

Hired by Rhee as a first-time principal last year, Dade dug out a success story at Tyler, with double-digit boosts in reading and math proficiency. It's also left Dade with a challenge that has thwarted many other principals: what to do for a second act."

Without ready access to computers, students struggle - washingtonpost.com

Without ready access to computers, students struggle - washingtonpost.com:

"Julija Pivoriunaite's heart sinks when one of her teachers at Glasgow Middle School announces that students must go online to do a homework assignment. It happens almost every school day.

The 11-year-old's mind whirls with the complicated and stressful options available to get her assignments done, since her family has no reliable Internet service at home. She could work after classes in her Fairfax County school's computer lab, but it is open just two days a week. The library has free computers, but time online is limited if it's busy. Finding rides is tough."