Fresh proof: charters work - NYPOST.com

Fresh proof: charters work - NYPOST.com:

"For the second time in six months, a promi nent researcher has put New York City's public charter schools under a microscope and found that, overall, they're outperforming the city's traditional public schools.

This confirmation couldn't come at a more appropriate time. Last month, the state Board of Regents proposed a package of education reforms aimed at winning New York $700 million in desperately needed funding from the federal Race to the Top. A key recommendation was lifting the artificial cap on charters."

Bass, Steinberg React to Gov's State of State

Bass, Steinberg React to Gov's State of State:

"Shile she heralded much of Governor Schwarzenegger's vision in his last State of the State address Wednesday morning -- Assembly Speaker Karen Bass had some concerns about his proposals to stimulate California's economy.

Rather than extend another tax credit for home buyers, Bass would like to see a measure that would help struggling homeowners, something '...that will help more families avoid foreclosure, that helps stabilize our housing market and I believe that's a win for the economy and for the budget.'"

Calif. Gov. Schwarzenegger Announces Appointments : Wed, 06 Jan 2010 : California Newswire™

Calif. Gov. Schwarzenegger Announces Appointments : Wed, 06 Jan 2010 : California Newswire™:

"Valerie Purnell, 51, of Sacramento, has been appointed assistant vice chancellor of federal relations for the California Community Colleges. Since 2008, she has served as owner of Purnell Partnerships, a consulting and advocacy firm. Previously, Purnell served the University of California’s Office of the President as associate director of state governmental affairs for from 2000 to 2007 and assistant director from 1994 to 2000. She worked for Children Now as director of external affairs 1993 to 1994 and director of political and legislative affairs from 1989 to 1992. Purnell was a law associate and health care advocate for Public Advocates, Inc. in 1989. This position does not require Senate confirmation and the compensation is $103,608. Purnell is a Democrat."

Charters, LAUSD in special ed tug of war - ContraCostaTimes.com

Charters, LAUSD in special ed tug of war - ContraCostaTimes.com:

"A battle between Los Angeles Unified and charter groups could be decided today when the State Board of Education is expected to rule whether charters statewide can take complete control of educating their special needs students.

Publicly funded and independently run charters have argued that they should control special education funding, as they do for their general education student population. They accuse large school districts like LAUSD of controlling federal special education dollars and obstructing charters from getting their fair share.

But L.A. Unified officials say charters traditionally cherry pick special education students with less severe disabilities and leave LAUSD with severely disabled students who are more expensive to teach."

Raising dropout age sends mixed message | detnews.com | The Detroit News

Raising dropout age sends mixed message | detnews.com | The Detroit News:

"The message that the Legislature and governor are trying to send by raising the dropout age to 18 from 16 is on target: Students need to get a full education to have a chance at meeting the demands of the 21st-century work force. Unfortunately, the educational cart has been put before the horse.

When students want to drop out, they usually are indicating that traditional schools aren't engaging them. To make an increase in the dropout age work, the state and local school districts need to help at-risk students by developing a solid network of alternative education in the middle and high schools.

Without enough alternative schools, early dropouts will continue to be a problem. After all, raising the dropout age gets short-circuited by the lame-brained legislative loophole of allowing a parent to write an excuse note that lets a child drop out of school before 18.

Historically, a significant portion of the dropout population comes from problem-ridden homes, yet"

De Beck: Fantasy-based budgeting in a financial crisis

De Beck: Fantasy-based budgeting in a financial crisis:

"By now everyone in the community should know that California schools are in a financial pickle. The state deficit has for the past two years been a disaster for public schools, and attempts to balance school budgets include such choices as issuing layoff notices, cutting programs and general downsizing. The process for cuts has been poorly explained, and poorly understood in many communities.

For years the conventional budget process in San Diego City Schools has been to examine the prior year’s budget, identify the shortage of income from that year to the current year, and have the board select cuts in the amount needed.

In some cases staff was able to find places where budgets were inflated by unfilled positions, or places where staff over-budgeted funds in anticipation"

Schwarzenegger wants more federal money for California

Schwarzenegger wants more federal money for California:

"SACRAMENTO, California (Reuters) - California Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger on Wednesday vowed to pry more dollars from the federal government, which he said took more than it gave, but left details on how to close a $19.9 billion state budget gap until later this week.

In a state of the state speech, the governor said creating jobs was the top priority for his last year in office and proposed spending $500 million in worker training funded by part of the budget which is in surplus."

Race to the Top causes friction at RU schools | hometownlife.com | the Observer & Eccentric Newspapers and Hometown Weeklies

Race to the Top causes friction at RU schools | hometownlife.com | the Observer & Eccentric Newspapers and Hometown Weeklies:

"Redford Union school officials are willing and anxious to participate in the Race to the Top program and qualify for some of the $400 million in federal funding available for Michigan.

But Redford Union teachers — following the lead of state Michigan Education Association officials — have thus far declined to sign the memo of understanding required as a first step.

Race to the Top is a federal program that provides for $100 billion nationwide to encourage and reward school districts committed to improving student achievement. Governor Jennifer Granholm on Monday signed legislation enabling state districts to compete for part of Michigan's share ($400 million)."

San Mateo Daily Journal Educators optimistic, cautious

San Mateo Daily Journal:

Educators optimistic, cautious

"Education needs to be a priority in California, according to the governor, but local officials are cautious to celebrate the statement before the budget plan is revealed Friday.

It’s all about priorities, Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger said in his annual State of the State yesterday. And California needs to prioritize education despite facing a $20 billion deficit. The ideas drew optimism from local education leaders but also generated questions about making those priorities a reality.

“Because our future economic well-being is so dependent upon education, I will protect education funding in this budget. And we can no longer afford to cut higher education either. The priorities have become out of whack over the years,” Schwarzenegger said.

Prioritizing education was welcomed by local officials, however all wondered how funding it could be achieved."

California Race to the Top bills give parents more say in schools - Sacramento Politics - California Politics | Sacramento Bee

California Race to the Top bills give parents more say in schools - Sacramento Politics - California Politics | Sacramento Bee:

"California lawmakers have given parents of children in the state's lowest-performing schools sweeping new authority to improve their kids' education. But whether the new laws will lead to substantive reforms in many struggling schools depends on how many parents take advantage of their new powers.

The Senate approved the Race to the Top package of bills Wednesday, and Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger began his State of the State speech promising to sign them into law."

N.J. scrambles for education stimulus funds | Philadelphia Inquirer | 01/06/2010

N.J. scrambles for education stimulus funds | Philadelphia Inquirer | 01/06/2010:

"The New Jersey Department of Education offered a glimpse yesterday into its strategy to win up to $400 million in federal Race to the Top stimulus funds.

Highlights include expanding the use of technology and student and teacher assessments to aid instruction and track progress, developing and rewarding outstanding teachers, turning around low-performing schools through support and intervention, and possibly closing those that continue to fail.

Those goals - consistent with federal guidelines for the $4.35 billion mega-pot of education aid - were discussed yesterday in Trenton by state education officials and close to 600 administrators, school board members, and union officials from about 200 districts."

No consensus on prevention at South Phila. High meeting | Philadelphia Inquirer | 01/06/2010

No consensus on prevention at South Phila. High meeting | Philadelphia Inquirer | 01/06/2010:

"No one disputes that 30 Asian students were victims of racial violence last month at South Philadelphia High School.

Yesterday, however, there was little agreement on the reasons behind the problem, who or what was to blame, or how to prevent it from happening again.

As part of an investigation begun last week, the Pennsylvania Commission on Human Relations called a private meeting with representatives of the Asian community to get their take on the trouble."

The Educated Guess � Open enrollment explained

The Educated Guess � Open enrollment explained:

"Sen. Gloria Romero’s willingness to compromise on the most controversial parental choice provision may have saved her parents rights bill – SBX5-4 – though with not one vote to spare in a critical Assembly vote Tuesday.

Students trapped in persistently bad schools will now have the right to choose an academically better school in another school district. This marks a fundamental shift in school governance. But, during hearings, legislators and lobbyists for school boards and teachers had less of a problem with principle than with the details of how open enrollment would work. The bill lacked specifics.

Amendments satisfied some concerns – and also weakened the program’s potential impact. But a cautious approach makes sense, considering there will"

Colorado Gov. Bill Ritter Won't Run For Re-Election - Politics K-12 - Education Week

Colorado Gov. Bill Ritter Won't Run For Re-Election - Politics K-12 - Education Week

Colorado's Gov. Bill Ritter, a Democrat whose state is engaged in an all-out campaign for a Race to the Top Fund grant, has decided to not run for re-election.

It's too soon to say what his decision will mean for the Centennial State's chances in the hot competition for a slice of the $4 billion in economic-stimulus program grants. Maybe nothing. Lt. Gov. Barbara O'Brien told me the state has worked hard to get broad, bipartisan support so that the plan will be carried through no matter who is in office next year.

But some folks had speculated that Colorado might get an edge in the Race to the Top competition, in part to help the endangered Ritter and Sen. Michael Bennet, the former Denver schools chief and a fellow Democrat, who has been on the job for less than a year. (O'Brien and the Department have both made it clear that they don't expect politics to play a role in the competition.)

Tough to say what this might mean for Bennett, too. It can't be a good sign for Colorado Dems in general if

Calif. Education Reform Bills Before State Senate - ABC News

Calif. Education Reform Bills Before State Senate - ABC News:

"Facing a fast-approaching deadline, California senators are being asked to back education reforms that give parents and state officials authority to overhaul the state's worst schools."

The state Senate is scheduled Wednesday to consider a pair of education-reform bills intended to help California qualify for $700 million in competitive federal grants.

"We are not in a position to turn our backs on the potential of $700 million to help kids in high-poverty schools," said Senate President Pro Tem Darrell Steinberg, D-Sacramento.

The money is being offered as part of the Obama administration's Race to the Top initiative and the first deadline is less than two weeks away.

The state Assembly adopted the bills Tuesday night with the slim majority it needed. Senate approval would send the legislative package to Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger, who has been pushing lawmakers to act since calling a special session in August.

Schwarzenegger said the measures were needed to ensure California could submit a competitive application for a portion of the $4.3 billion being made available by the federal government.

Lawmakers who support the reforms said the legislation would provide a lifeline to parents and students in California's poorest-performing school districts.

Schwarzenegger urges broad changes to budget, tax, pension systems | L.A. NOW | Los Angeles Times

Schwarzenegger urges broad changes to budget, tax, pension systems | L.A. NOW | Los Angeles Times:

"Schwarzenegger urges broad changes to budget, tax, pension systems

Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger, delivering his final State of the State address to lawmakers this morning, will ask them to work with him on broad changes to the state's budget, tax and pension systems, to require that more money be spent on higher education than on prisons, and to pass initiatives he says would create new jobs.

According to his remarks prepared for delivery, Schwarzenegger will also demand that the federal government fix a system that he says gives back to California less in federal tax dollars than it spends, while other states get more.

'We can no longer ignore what is owed to us, or what we are forced to spend on federal mandates,' the governor is expected to say. 'We need to work with the feds so that we can fix the flawed formula that demands that states spend money they do not have.'

He will also ask lawmakers to help him campaign for passage of an $11-billion bond to fix the state's water system, part of the deal they reached with Schwarzenegger in November.

--Michael Rothfeld in Sacramento"

Text of Gov. Schwarzenegger's State of the State address - Capitol and California - Fresnobee.com

Text of Gov. Schwarzenegger's State of the State address- Capitol and California- Fresnobee.com

Text of Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger's State of the State address

I want to begin with a true story from which we can draw a worthwhile lesson.

As you might guess, the Schwarzenegger household is something of a menagerie.

An Austrian bodybuilder, a TV journalist, four children, a dog, the normal goldfish and hamsters and so forth -- and in recent years we added a miniature pony and a pot-bellied pig.

It's not unusual for me to look up from working on the budget or something to find a pig and a pony standing there staring at me.

Now, the dog's food, which we keep in a canister with a screw-on lid, sits on the top of the dog's kennel.

The pony has learned to knock the canister off the top of the kennel, and then he and the pig wedge it into the corner.

There's this ridge on the lid of the canister, and the pig with his snout pushes this ridge around and around until it loosens, and then they roll the canister around on the floor until the food spills out.

I don't know how they ever figured all of that out.

It's like humans figuring out how to create fire.

But it is the greatest example of teamwork. I love it.

So one lesson to draw from the pig and the pony story is what we can accomplish when we work together.

And last year we here in this room did some great things working together.

We had a pig and pony year.

With Dodd Bowing Out, NCLB Foe May Run for Senate - Politics K-12 - Education Week

With Dodd Bowing Out, NCLB Foe May Run for Senate - Politics K-12 - Education Week:

"Sen. Christopher J. Dodd of Connecticut, a Democrat who has been very active on education issues throughout his decades-long career and came super close to being chairman of the Senate education committee when Sen. Edward M. Kennedy, D-Mass., passed away, plans to announce today that he won't seek re-election.

Dodd has struggled with Connecticut voters who haven't liked his leadership on financial issues. (He's the chairman of the Senate banking committee and helped craft the multibillion-dollar Wall Street bailout/rescue package in fall 2008.)

Interestingly, Dodd's departure might mean more of a role for education in the Senate race, not less. The leading Democratic contender to replace Dodd on the ballot, at least according to published reports, is Richard Blumenthal, the attorney general who initiated the Nutmeg State's lawsuit against the No Child Left Behind Act. He contended that the federal law was an unfunded mandate, because the money appropriated for the law didn't come close to the big increases Congress authorized when they passed it."

Education Week: Detroit Students, Officials Clash Over 9/11 Shirt

Education Week: Detroit Students, Officials Clash Over 9/11 Shirt:

"A group of Arab-American students in the class of 2011 at Dearborn's Edsel Ford High told school officials they were showing pride in their class with their choice of sweatshirts Monday.

But school officials disagreed, confiscating the sweatshirts and scheduling meetings with the students and their parents because the images on the sweatshirts referenced the Sept. 11, 2001, attacks on the World Trade Center. Along with the words, 'You can't bring us down,' the sweatshirts featured the No. 11 as the twin towers with windows included on each digit. The school's mascot, a thunderbird, was flying nearby.

'The whole design gave prominence to the 9/11 tragedy,"

Education Week: The Future of Ed. Schools

Education Week: The Future of Ed. Schools

Five Lessons From Business Schools

By Robert Maranto, Gary Ritter, & Arthur E. Levine

U.S. Secretary of Education Arne Duncan recently urged the nation’s schools of education to pursue reforms, and particularly to strengthen their teacher-preparation programs. Could the recent history of business schools offer a future for schools of education?

As the management scholar William G. Ouchi pointed out in his 1985 essay “Reflections on Management Education,” from 1961 to 1981 the percentage of undergraduate degrees awarded in business administration nearly doubled (from 13 percent to 22 percent). M.B.A.s more than tripled their market share, from 6 percent to 22 percent. By the 1980s, business schools had become “the largest single component of the modern academy.”

Less noticed was a quantum leap in the quality of the degree, particularly remarkable since the easiest way to grow in quantity is to shrink in quality. In the 1950s, business schools were seen as places for marginal students to skate by, and for privileged students to network into future careers. Yet by the 1980s, business schools were training many of the best and the brightest, and became more prominent within universities. What changed?

Ouchi makes a powerful case that a 1959 Ford Foundation