Amid criticism, Obama reaches out to blacks - The Boston Globe

Amid criticism, Obama reaches out to blacks - The Boston Globe:

"WASHINGTON - Stung by accusations from some African-Americans that he has not done enough for urban communities, President Obama has embarked on an effort to soothe a constituency once counted as his fiercest source of support"

In a series of interviews this week with media outlets aimed at African-Americans, Obama said he understands pent-up frustrations about foreclosures, bank bailouts, and festering social issues, while he also challenged assertions that he has given short shrift to cities.

Steps he has taken to improve education, health care, and urban economies, the president said, will improve the day-to-day lives of all Americans, including blacks and other minorities.

“This notion somehow that, because there wasn’t a transformation overnight, that we’ve been neglectful is simply factually not accurate,’’ Obama said in an interview with the American Urban Radio Networks on Monday.

“I can’t pass laws that say I’m just helping black folks. I’m the president of the entire United States,’’ he said. “What I can do is make sure that I am passing laws that help all people, particularly those who are mos

2009 flubs and fiascoes of Mayor Daley :: CHICAGO SUN-TIMES :: Politics

2009 flubs and fiascoes of Mayor Daley :: CHICAGO SUN-TIMES :: Politics:

"Mayor Daley has endured countless highs and lows in his 20-year reign, but the seesaw seemed to stop in 2009: It was one gigantic downer.

The city's parking meter privatization fiasco drove Daley's approval rating to an all-time low -- and most of the $1.15 billion windfall was drained to fill a massive budget shortfall.

Daley's Olympic dream went up in first-round flames. Chicago learned it's losing talk-show icon Oprah Winfrey, two major trade shows at McCormick Place and the $2.5 billion deal that would have privatized Midway Airport."

The year on campus: change and hard times | digitalBURG.com

The year on campus: change and hard times | digitalBURG.com:

"For higher education, 2009 was a time of lofty goals and harsh realities, of major policy shifts in Washington and financial struggle on campuses nationwide.

In Washington, President Barack Obama called for the United States again to lead the world in college attainment by 2020. Congress poured billions of stimulus dollars into research and student financial aid and reshaped the federal student loan system. Veterans enjoyed vast new benefits and student borrowers with low incomes or public service jobs got new flexibility paying down their debts.

But the defining images of 2009 were thousands of miles away, in California: Students cramming into overcrowded classrooms, parents protesting tuition hikes, activists occupying buildings and breaking windows."

Cutting services for disabled children will be costly | mydesert.com | The Desert Sun

Cutting services for disabled children will be costly | mydesert.com | The Desert Sun:

"For the past 30 years, children younger than 3 with disabilities, their families and the professionals who work on their behalf have seen firsthand the benefits of early intervention. Early intervention is the process of providing therapies and education to babies at risk for disability because of premature birth, autism, drug exposure or other high-risk factors. Early intervention services have been instrumental in reducing special education costs."

In July 2009, the California Legislature signed into law provisions that eliminated early intervention services for babies at risk and raised the eligibility criteria for children with delayed development from 33 percent to 50 percent. The long-term negative fallout from this decision is unimaginable.

The number of children entering the school system at age 3 with significant, though preventable, disabilities will be detrimental to special education and health-care budgets. The cost to taxpayers for long-term care for these children will be astronomical.

Peninsula school districts unsure of 'Race to the Top' proposal - San Jose Mercury News

Peninsula school districts unsure of 'Race to the Top' proposal - San Jose Mercury News:

"School districts are weighing their commitment to a federal program that could bring them millions of dollars but also plenty of uncertainty.


The state is asking districts to sign off on its proposed application for funding under the Obama administration's 'Race to the Top' initiative, in which California could earn up to $700 million for school reforms in a competition with other states.


Several local districts, including Jefferson Union High and Sequoia Union High, have told the state they intend to participate in that application although they remain wary of unintended consequences."


"The problem for many of us is it's unclear what the state's play is going to be," said Michael Crilly, superintendent of Jefferson Union in Daly City. "So it's almost signing up for something that you're not totally clear about." 


State lawmakers are hurriedly trying to piece together legislation that would make California eligible for the $4.4 billion program. The deadline for states to submit their application is Jan. 19.


Ahead of that, state education leaders want districts by Jan. 8 to send in a memorandum of understanding, or MOU, that confirms their participation.


"We're trying to get as many on board because it'll help bolster the application to the feds," said Tina Jung, spokeswoman for the state Department of Education.


As of Tuesday morning, 385 educational agencies out of more than 1,000 sent the state a letter of intent, according to the department.


"A portion have already submitted MOUs," Education Department spokeswoman Hilary McLean added. "We expect more MOUs to come in before Jan. 8."

Removing obstacles for the disabled - LA Daily News

Removing obstacles for the disabled - LA Daily News:

"Hizella Martinez felt too wobbly to walk, too scared to join her mom at the market and too awkward in her blindness to have any friends.

But it was all smiles after the Van Nuys toddler discovered the Therapeutic Living Centers for the Blind.

'Sing a song, Hizella,' urged TLC teacher Anne Bell as the beaming youngster two-stepped to a guitar. 'You have a beautiful voice, so beautiful.'

For nearly 35 years, the nonprofit centers in Reseda have been a pillar of support for disabled blind residents and their families."

J.H. Fischer, Educator in Turbulent Times, Is Dead at 99 - Obituary (Obit) - NYTimes.com

J.H. Fischer, Educator in Turbulent Times, Is Dead at 99 - Obituary (Obit) - NYTimes.com:

"John H. Fischer, whose cool, determined leadership as school superintendent made Baltimore the first large American city to integrate its public schools, and who brought reform and innovation to Teachers College of Columbia University as its dean and president in the 1960s and ’70s, died on Friday at his home in Westwood, Mass. He was 99."

Hispanic College Fund President Steps Down

Hispanic College Fund President Steps Down:

"The president of the Hispanic College Fund (HCF) announced Tuesday she will resign from the position she has held since 2007.

Idalia Fernandez joined the HCF as a volunteer 10 years ago and became a scholarship program manager. Since then she has helped the organization's revenue and programming grow. She moved up to vice president, then chief operating officer in 2001 and was named president two years ago.

'We have transformed this organization from a scholarship-granting entity to an organization that offers targeted, effective support to Hispanic students through all stages of their education,' Fernandez said."

Governor advises education cuts | clarionledger.com | The Clarion-Ledger

Governor advises education cuts | clarionledger.com | The Clarion-Ledger:

"Gov. Haley Barbour is recommending a 68 percent cut to gifted, special and vo-tech education programs - a move that would result in a loss of $176 million in federal funds"

State Superintendent of Education Tom Burnham said such a cut would take the special ed and vo-tech programs below the minimum funding amounts required for federal support.

The cut is among a recommended $430 million less than fiscal 2010. It is designed to help make up for an estimated $715 million shortfall - $370 million of which state officials plan to make up with stimulus money.

Barbour's proposed budget spells out a recommended cut of 12 percent across the board in K-12 education, but the cut actually would be about 15 percent, House Education Committee Chairman Cecil Brown said. In contrast, the Joint Legislative Budget Committee, suggesting $310 million in cuts, is recommending a 5.9 percent cut for K-12 education and a 10 percent cut for most other agencies.

Barbour's budget is only a proposal; it's the job of lawmakers to craft a budget.

Ike Haynes, superintendent of the struggling Jefferson Davis County School District, said a double-digit cut "would put us in jeopardy of giving back all the progress we've made financially. We'd have to look at laying off teachers."

Barbour recently lifted the state o

Florida schools up to feds' challenge - Other Views - MiamiHerald.com

Florida schools up to feds' challenge - Other Views - MiamiHerald.com:

"Florida is taking part in a high-stakes competition with the other 49 states to bring up to $700 million in national education funding to the state. The U.S. Department of Education is sponsoring a $4.35 billion competitive grant program called Race to the Top to reward states for addressing some of the most persistent challenges in public education. First round applications, to be submitted by the governors of each state, are due Jan. 19. Winners will be announced in the spring."

Mather Cottages Prepared to Welcome Homeless Women and ChildrenNews10.net | Sacramento, California | Community

Mather Cottages Prepared to Welcome Homeless Women and ChildrenNews10.net | Sacramento, California | Community:

"RANCHO CORDOVA, CA - Empty cottages on the Mather Community Campus will soon be a winter home for about 100 now homeless women and children.

The first five families now staying at St. John's Shelter for Women and Children will move into the cottages on Saturday.

'I was able to tell five families yesterday that they can move in Saturday,' St John's Kelly Dockendorf said. 'There were some tears. They were really happy. They said that's the best Christmas present they could ever get.'

The use of the cottages is part of a plan organized by Sacramento Mayor Kevin Johnson to provide some 270 shelter beds for the homeless this winter."

Weekly Address: Celebrating Christmas and Honoring Those Who Serve | The White House

Weekly Address: Celebrating Christmas and Honoring Those Who Serve | The White House:

"Weekly Address: Celebrating Christmas and Honoring Those Who Serve

Posted by Jesse Lee on December 24, 2009 at 06:00 PM EST

For the first time in a weekly address, the President is joined by the First Lady as they celebrate Christmas. They both honor those serving overseas, those who have sacrificed for their country, and the families that stand by them. Find ways to lend our troops and their families a home through DOD’s Military Homefront, OurMilitary.mil, and of course the USO."

The Educated Guess

The Educated Guess

Time off for the holidays

Posted in Uncategorized

Rather than write merely for my own amusement and an audience of one, I’ll be writing only occasionally through the holidays. 2010 promises to be incredibly challenging for schools and the Legislature, so let’s all take a deep breath and enjoy time with friends and family.
I started The Educated Guess just two months ago. Thanks to all of you who have followed the blog; I welcome your comments, suggestions and criticisms.
Early next year, you’ll be seeing changes to the site, as I turn what has been a one-way conversation into a dialogue with many voices. More on that in coming weeks.
Meanwhile, if anything exciting happens on the Race to the Top bill still lingering in the Legisalture (Keep working, Rick Simpson, and members of the Assembly Education Committee!), I may put up a post. Or you can sign up to follow me onTwitter for all the news in 140 characters or less.
Best wishes for the holidays,
John Fensterwald

Official NORAD Santa Tracker

Official NORAD Santa Tracker

Official NORAD Santa Tracker

Teachers Score Higher Than Other Professionals in Well-Being

Teachers Score Higher Than Other Professionals in Well-Being

Teachers rate their lives higher in four of six well-being indexes

by Shane Lopez and Sangeeta Agrawal

Page: 12

WASHINGTON, D.C. -- A career in teaching might be good for your well-being. While the Gallup-Healthways Well-Being Index previously revealed that business owners were richer in well-being than other job types, further research isolating teachers from other professionals finds teachers fare as well as or better than business owners in overall well-being.

Gallup typically includes teachers in the "professional worker" occupation category, but asks an additional question --"Are you currently a teacher in a public or private school (at any level, secondary, elementary, college, pre-school)?" -- to distinguish teachers from non-teaching professionals.
An analysis of data collected between July 2008 and June 2009 finds that teachers score highest (or tied for highest) among all 12 job types on how they evaluate their lives, access to resources needed to lead a healthy life, emotional health, and their the likelihood of engaging in healthy behaviors. Overall, the findings reveal numerous benefits and some drawbacks related to the teaching profession.
(Page 2 includes details on how Gallup defines each occupational category.)

Christmas at the White House 2009 | The White House

Christmas at the White House 2009 | The White House

Christmas at the White House 2009

A glimpse of this year's holiday decorations at the White House. December 17, 2009 (Public Domain)

Sacramento Press / "The reality of the Christmas Assistance program"

Sacramento Press / "The reality of the Christmas Assistance program":

"Most of us have heard about the Salvation Army’s toy drive for local needy families. Through the media we see a family that is very happy to receive several presents given to children that otherwise would go without. All of this generous charity work begins with expensive marketing, fundraising events, donations, and of course volunteers. The most important part of this charity process is the families with children in need.

When a family signs up for Christmas assistance from the Salvation Army they must provide certain documents, such as a proof of income, proof of residency, ID, etc. When a family signs up they must go to the Salvation Army sign-up location. The location for this year was on the far side of north Sacramento. Families had to spend the day on a bus in order to reach the sign-up location or, as with most families, have vehicle transportation. That means a family spent at least $6 for an all-day bus pass or they spent approximately $6 for gas depending upon how far they lived from the sign-up location."

Teachers Defy Gravity to Gain Students’ Interest - NYTimes.com

Teachers Defy Gravity to Gain Students’ Interest - NYTimes.com:

"NORWALK, Conn. — Before showing a video to the 11th and 12th graders in his physics class, Glenn Coutoure, a teacher at Norwalk High School, warned them that his mouth would be hanging open, in childlike wonderment, almost the whole time."

Mr. Coutoure then started the DVD, showing him and other science teachers floating in an airplane during a flight in September. By flying up and down like a giant roller coaster along parabolic paths, the plane simulated the reduced gravity of the Moon and Mars and then weightlessness in 30-second chunks.

The teachers performed a series of experiments and playful stunts, like doing push-ups with others sitting on their backs and catching in their mouths M & M’s that flew in straight lines, that they hoped would help them better explain to their students the laws of motion that Sir Isaac Newton deduced centuries ago.
“You see the ball just hangs there,” Mr. Coutoure said.
“That’s hot,” a student interjected.

Education Week: 'Race to Top' Driving Policy Action Across States

Education Week: 'Race to Top' Driving Policy Action Across States:

"As governors and state legislators gear up for a new year of budget action and policymaking, the federal Race to the Top competition is helping to drive a flurry of measures nationwide aimed, at least in part, at making states stronger candidates for a slice of the $4 billion in education grants.
Those efforts emerge as a priority in the 2010 legislative season, even as many cash-strapped states face the prospect of tough spending decisions—including school budget cuts—on top of the midyear cuts they enacted in recent months."

Gov. Phil Bredesen of Tennessee earlier this month called on his legislature to hold a special session in January to consider a package of education measures, including a requirement that student-achievement data be used in teacher evaluations, and a proposal he said would strengthen provisions allowing the state to intervene in chronically low-performing schools.

“The whole Race to the Top just provided a focal point for a whole range of things that might have been difficult to do in other times,” Gov. Bredesen, a Democrat, said of the discretionary grants under the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act. The money is intended to encourage states’ efforts to improve education.

Editorial: Tortoises stall 'Race to the Top' - Sacramento Opinion - Sacramento Editorial | Sacramento Bee

Editorial: Tortoises stall 'Race to the Top' - Sacramento Opinion - Sacramento Editorial | Sacramento Bee:

"ALL SIDES NEED TO COMPROMISE AND GET DEAL DONE NOW – NOT IN 2010

It's looking increasingly likely the California Legislature will get an 'incomplete' grade in completing 'Race to the Top' education legislation before the new year.

That's unfortunate. States face a Jan. 19 deadline to submit applications in a competition for $4.35 billion in federal funds. Three-quarters of the states have said they will apply, but only from six to 12 will get funding.

The Michigan Legislature on Saturday was the latest to pass an overhaul package. California cannot afford to stall now."