3-10-14 LA School Report - What's Really Going on Inside LAUSD

LA School Report - What's Really Going on Inside LAUSD (Los Angeles Unified School District):

Vergara witness says San Diego district, teachers worked together

Richard Barrera A member of the San Diego Unified School District board testified today in the Vergara v California trial that the district increased student achievement scores while managing deep budgetary cutbacks. Richard Barrera, who has served on the board since 2008, told the court that he attributed the academic gains to creating “a culture of collaboration and teamwork between teachers and

by Mark Harris / 1h 

Hudley-Hayes: ‘I will not be bullied’ out of school board race

Alex Johnson In her first public comments since a rival in the LA Unified school board race accused her of falsifying her resume, Genethia Hudley-Hayes told LA School Report today she considers the allegations to be “mudslinging” in an effort “to bully” her out of the race. “I will not be bullied,” she said, of the charges from Alex Johnson. “My record stands for itself, with 30 years of service i

2 36min hide  //  save

LAUSD Museum opens doors to commemorate first arts festival

Click to view slideshow. The LAUSD’s Art and Artifact museum will open to the public for the first time at 1 p.m. tomorrow. The museum is making its debut in honor of the LAUSD Arts Fest, which ends Sat., March 15 with a day-long celebration of student excellence at Grand Park in downtown Los Angeles. Vintage artifacts, such as old typewriters, inkwells, desks, rare Roman coins, old textbooks, imp

2 20min 

Morning Read: LAUSD iPads content still unavailable

LAUSD iPads: Officials chose incomplete software over competitors When the Los Angeles Unified School District set out last year to buy tablets for every teacher and student, officials drew up a scoring system to rate 19 hardware and software options. The scores meant a lot: the contract will ultimately be worth about $500 million and marks the largest school technology expansion in the country. K

18min 

3-8-14 This Week in LA - School Report - What's Really Going on Inside LAUSD

LA School Report - What's Really Going on Inside LAUSD (Los Angeles Unified School District):LA Unified District 1 special election narrows to 9 candidatesThe original field of 13 candidates vying for the vacant LA Unified school board seat just got smaller. Thirteen candidates had expressed interest in the District 1 race, but at the 5 p.m. deadline today, only nine filed the required petitions t

1 by mike simpson / 28min 

Uncommon Core Heightens Race and Class Math Divide | Alan Singer

Uncommon Core Heightens Race and Class Math Divide | Alan Singer:

Uncommon Core Heightens Race and Class Math Divide

ASSOCIATED PRESS

The uproar over high-stakes testing associated with Common Core in New York State and complaints that children are being tested on things they were not taught, has obscured the deepening of racial, ethnic and class divisions in education in New York and the United States. Not only are the tests unfair, but according to a new study by the National Urban Research Group (NURG), math instruction and the educational system in the United States are deeply unfair, especially to Black and Latino students from poorer families.

The study conducted by the National Urban Research Group , The Common Core Promise: A Baseline Assessment of New York City's Implementation of Common Core Learning Standard, utilized data from 198,556 students in New York City Public Middle Schools who were administered the Common Core math assessment in Spring 2013. Based on their analysis of the data, NURG concluded, "If the 2013 Common Core math assessments are sensible proxies for grade-level expectations, then too many students in the New York City public school system are not prepared to meet the rigorous learning benchmarks. This is particularly the case for black students, Hispanic students, and students living in poverty."

The results on the Common Core Math tests are disturbing for all students, but especially disturbing when broken down by race, ethnicity, and social class. While the percentage of New York City middle school students scoring at proficiency level (Level 3 and 4) dropped for all grades and all groups, it was much steeper for students from minority and poorer families. For example, in the sixth grade, Hispanic students recorded the steepest declines. Their proficiency rate dropped from 50.4 percent in 

FCMAT » Cali Education Headlines Monday, March 10, 2014

FCMAT » Fiscal Crisis & Management Assistance Team:

Fensterwald: Crisis over - California gets waiver for Common Core field tests without penalties

Education Headlines

Monday, March 10, 2014

FCMAT provides links to California K-12 news stories as a service to the industry. However, some stories may not be accessible because of newspapers' subscription policies.

Tam High embroiled over teacher firings and new teaching methods

The dismissal of three teachers at Tamalpais High School has ignited a bitter controversy on the Mill Valley campus and called into question new Tamalpais Union High School District teaching methods that claim to "transform schools into innovative learning environments."

Pomona Unified has buyer for first piece of surplus property

A more than 3-acre parcel in southern part of the city that has been in the hands of the school district will soon have a new owner.

Centinela Valley schools lag in academic performance despite paying superintendent $663K

The tiny Centinela Valley Union High School District employs one of the most expensive superintendents in the state of California, if not the nation. But the district’s test scores — while on the rise — remain the lowest among all 80 school districts in Los Angeles County.

Embattled Rialto Unified superintendent to retire

Bringing six months of uncertainty to an end, the Rialto Unified school board accepted the retirement of embattled superintendent Harold Cebrun on Friday, saving the district 18 months of salary — $360,900 — that they would have owed him if he were fired.

Gaston, Fresno High construction almost done

Bubble-gum pink insulation foam now covers what soon will be walls at Rutherford B. Gaston Middle School in southwest Fresno. The school's concrete floors are now polished, the windows are in their frames, but there still are a few months left of work on the $36.7 million project before next school year.

Read more here:http://www.fresnobee.com/2014/03/08/3811840/gaston-fresno-high-building-almost.html#storylink=cpy

Attorney urges appeal of Corona del Mar expulsions

Arguing that the expulsion agreements signed by 11 Corona del Mar students accused of cheating were fraudulent and coerced, an attorney is urging the Orange County Board of Education to listen to the appeals of at least two students implicated in the cheating scandal.

Candidates vying to lead UTLA reflect recent teacher woes

The 10 candidates running for president of United Teachers-Los Angeles seek to lead a dispirited and divided teacher corps with common grievances but who lack consensus on how to move forward.

News group's fight to obtain district documents heading to court

The jury trial for former Woodside Elementary teacher Joseph Martin -- who has been charged with 150 counts of molestation involving 14 former students while he taught at the Concord campus in the Mt. Diablo school district -- has been postponed until May. But, the Bay Area News Group lawsuit seeking district records related to an internal report about suspicions of abuse raised in 2006, along with any other relevant documents, is set to be heard March 19 in Contra Costa County Superior Court.

In standoff with California over testing, US Education Department blinks

The U.S. Department of Education is allowing California to bypass federal requirements by giving standardized tests in math and reading to millions of public school students this spring without publicly reporting results or using them to hold schools or teachers accountable.

US approves California's new K-12 testing plan

Federal education officials on Friday approved California's plan to roll out new computer-based standardized tests this spring, ending a months-long dispute that put the state at risk of sacrificing $1.5 billion in federal school funding.

Vietnamese language program could be state's first

Garden Grove Unified is increasing its language offerings and outlining a path to creating a K-6 dual language immersion school by 2016-17 – one advocates hope will be the first Vietnamese/English school in California.

A big early schooling shift

California’s new transitional kindergarten is designed to give the youngest students two years to prepare for the first grade. Schools across San Diego County have discovered a hidden and unintended benefit to the program: a new source of help for struggling kindergartners and first-graders who are on the wrong end of the academic achievement gap.

EdSource: Hundreds of districts, partnerships signal interest in ‘career pathways’ grant program

Competition is shaping up to be fierce for a new state grant program supporting programs that link academics with real-world career opportunities.

Frey: Innovative San Jose alternative school bucks ‘school of last resort’ label

Broadway High is a continuation high school in San Jose Unified, one of more than 500 such “second-chance” schools in California for students who are behind in course credits and in danger of not graduating.

Fensterwald: Crisis over - California gets waiver for Common Core field tests without penalties

California will not face penalties or multimillion-dollar fines from the federal government for giving all students a preliminary test on the new Common Core standards, instead of on the old state standards that California has abandoned.

Friday, March 7, 2014

Kern HSD teachers reach deal to get salary raises

The Kern High School District and its teachers union reached a tentative contract agreement Wednesday that would include the first on-schedule salary raise for teachers since pre-recession years, according to an email obtained by The Californian Thursday.

Lincoln teachers, district still at odds

The Lincoln Unified School District and its teachers union are officially at an impasse in their contract negotiations, Superintendent Tom Uslan confirmed Wednesday evening.

Why is traffic at schools so jammed?

A proposed $19 million project across from Aliso Viejo Middle School has sparked new debate about an eternal issue: school traffic.

Teacher's arrest on sex abuse charges raises concerns about hiring practices

As shock spread Thursday about the arrest of a Richmond middle school teacher suspected of child sexual abuse, questions followed about how he landed a new teaching job at a public school even as police were investigating him on allegations that he had abused students from his previous school.

Modesto school board eyes cutting librarian positions, focusing on tech instruction

Modesto City Schools is poised to cut 29 full-time teaching positions for next year, including most elementary school librarians.

California releases child abuse identification and reporting guidelines for parents

State Superintendent of Public Instruction Tom Torlakson on Wednesday issued new guidelines to help parents and guardians report suspected child abuse at schools.

California lawmaker wants to stop 'excessive' school superintendent pay

Prompted by reports in the Daily Breeze last month that the Centinela Valley Superintendent was paid $663,365 in total compensation as the top executive of the 6,637 student high school district, Torrance area state assemblyman Al Muratsuchi has introduced a bill that would prevent excessive school superintendent salaries.

Special education needs a ‘do-over,’ state panel told

Eight minutes into a public meeting on how to reform the state’s vast special education system, the woman who ran special education in California for nine years came up to the microphone. Alice Parker was blunt.

California school spending goal would cost $36 billion more

Representatives of the Education Coalition told a state Senate budget subcommittee Thursday that despite increases in school spending in the current state budget and promises of more in the next one, California still needs to spend much more money on education.

New teachers scarce after state funding cut

Young teachers have become far more scarce in California classrooms after school districts slashed their budgets to survive the recession.

3-10-14 Schools Matter All Week

Schools Matter:

Rochester Teachers Sue Over Bogus VAM Scores

by Christine Fien:The Rochester Teachers Association filed a lawsuit today (read the complaint below) alleging that the new teacher evaluations are unfair because they fail to adequately account for the effects of severe poverty on students. The suit names John King, commissioner of the State Education Department; the State Board of Regents; the State Education Department; the University of the St

6 by Jim Horn / 3h 

University Profs Support Chicago Boycott Against High Stakes ISAT

University educators support CPS teachers refusing to testFebruary 28, 2014STATEMENT OF SUPPORT FOR CHICAGO TEACHERS REFUSING TO ADMINISTER THE ILLINOIS STANDARD ACHIEVEMENT TESTFROM UNIVERSITY EDUCATION FACULTYAs university faculty whose responsibilities include preparing future educators, we support the action of teachers at the Saucedo and Drummond elementary schools in Chicago who are refusing

by Jim Horn / 1h 

First of Many Tennessee Lawsuits Filed Over Use of High Stakes Value-Added Testing

Andy Spears has more here.From WATE in Knoxville:NOXVILLE (WATE) - The Tennessee Education Association has filed a lawsuit against the Knox County Board of Education saying its use of Tennessee Value Added Assessment System estimates in high-stakes bonus decisions is unconstitutional."It is unacceptable for any teacher to be punished financially or otherwise as a result of unreliable, flawed

by Jim Horn / 1h hide  //  save

Bill de Blasio Under Fire from Wall Street Billionaires and Vulture Philanthropists

Corporate Welfare Queen, Eva MoskowitzWith the Oligarchs now marching out Eli Broad's rabid poodle, Steve Barr, to attack Bill de Blasio for his position on charter schools, the Mayor has his hands full.  Thankfully, he is not flinching, even with the lead corporate welfare queen and snapping hyena, Eva Moskowitz, in full attack mode. With her half-million dollar salary at stake, Little Eva cancel

2 by Jim Horn / 1h 

Support Chicago Boycott of ISAT

Support Chicago Teachers’ Test Boycott: Call and Sign PetitionChicago teachers, joined by parents and students, are boycotting the Illinois ISAT tests at several schools. The district is threatening teachers with loss of certification, and bullying and intimidating parents and students who have opted out or wish to opt out of the ISAT.They need your support. Please call the Chicago Board of Educat

by Jim Horn / 30min 

3-9-14 Schools Matter All Week

Schools Matter: The common core: An untried curriculum plus nonstop testingSent to the Salt Lake Tribune, March 9, 2014M. Donald Thomas is right: "Common Core supporters (are) providing misinformation" (March 7). In addition to the points he makes, there are other serious problems.First, the common core standards are untested.  There were no pilot studies. Second, the common core require

by mike simpson / 18h

EDUCATORS STAND IN SOLIDARITY WITH CHICAGO TEST REFUSERS | I AM AN EDUCATOR

EDUCATORS STAND IN SOLIDARITY WITH CHICAGO TEST REFUSERS | I AM AN EDUCATOR:

EDUCATORS STAND IN SOLIDARITY WITH CHICAGO TEST REFUSERS

By I AM AN EDUCATOR on March 10, 2014

In a public petition released today, more than fifty educators and researchers, including some of the most well-respected figures in the field of education, pledged support for the boycott of the Illinois Standards Achievement Test (ISAT) by teachers at two elementary schools in Chicago, Saucedo Scholastic Academy and Drummond Elementary School and called on Chicago’s mayor and schools chief to rescind threats of punishment for those who participated in the action. 

Among the signers of the statement are former US Assistant Secretary of Education Diane Ravitch, Chicago Teachers Union President Karen Lewis, American Federation of Teachers President Randi Weingarten, and activist and educator William Ayers.  

Today, Monday March 10, the Chicago Teachers Union is calling for a Day of Action to support the boycotting teachers. The CTU is encouraging members and supporters to wear red and attend a rally in Chicago at 4pm. Supporters outside of Chicago can call the Board of Education at 773-553-1600 and say: 

“I’d like to leave a message for all members of the Chicago Board of Education. I support families boycotting the ISAT and there should be no retaliation against teachers who stood up for their students on the ISAT.” 

To add your name to the petition, send an email to educatorsolidarity@gmail.com.

*

PETITION TO MAYOR RAHM EMANUEL & CHICAGO PUBLIC SCHOOLS CEO BARBARA BYRD-BENNETT: 

CELEBRATE CHICAGO’S TEACHERS OF CONSCIENCE, DON’T PUNISH THEM! 

Teachers at two public elementary schools in Chicago, Saucedo Scholastic Academy and Drummond Elementary School, have refused to administer the Illinois Standards Achievement Test (ISAT). By taking this bold action at great personal risk, these teachers are standing up for authentic teaching, learning, and assessment. We believe that these teachers are heroes who are worthy of praise and thanks, not punishment and censure. 

The teachers at these schools believe that boycotting this test is in the best interest of their students. Hundreds of parents and students agreed. At Drummond, 112 students out of 178 students refused to take the test. At Saucedo, roughly 450 of 1200 students refused also. For teachers who declined to administer the test, this was not a day off — they were able to conduct actual lessons with students who opted out. Threatening to punish teachers who prefer to teach rather than give standardized tests is not in the best interest of students. 

The ISAT test is being phased out, and will not be given next year. The results from this test will not be used to improve teaching and learning, to determine grades or promotion in Chicago Public Schools. It’s only purpose is to satisfy the accountability requirements of the No Child Left Behind (NCLB) legislation. NCLB demands that schools raise test scores every year, pressure which has led to an abusive over-emphasis on standardized test preparation nationwide. 

Like early participants in the Civil Rights Movement, the teachers at Saucedo and Drummond who have refused to administer the ISAT have taken an enormous risk for what they believe is right. And like those early Civil Rights protesters, they are facing intimidation and threats that they may be fired or lose their teaching licenses. 

We, the undersigned, call on Mayor Rahm Emanuel and Chicago Public Schools CEO Barbara Byrd-Bennett to stop all threats and punishments directed at the teachers of conscience at Saucedo Scholastic Academy and Drummond Elementary.  

Signed*: 

Curtis Acosta Founder Acosta Latino Learning Partnership, Tucson

Wayne Au Associate Professor of Education University of Washington, Bothell

William Ayers Retired University of Illinois

 Bill Bigelow Curriculum Editor Rethinking Schools 

Stephen Brier Professor Ph.D. Program in Urban Education The Graduate Center, City University of New York 

Phyllis A. Bush Northeast Indiana Friends of Public Education, Fort Wayne 

Alex Caputo-Pearl  Teacher Frida Kahlo High School, Los Angeles 

Julie Cavanagh Teacher Public School 15, Brooklyn 

Sumi Cho Professor of Law DePaul University College of Law

 Linda Christensen Rethinking Schools 

Anthony Cody Co-Founder Network for Public Education

 Tammy Oberg De La Garza Assistant Professor of Language and Literacy College of Education Roosevelt University, Chicago 

Bertis Downs Board Member Network for Public Education 

John W. Duffy Retired Illinois Education Association 

Lisa Edstrom Barnard Education Program Barnard College, Columbia University 

Stephanie Farmer Assistant Professor of Sociology Roosevelt University, Chicago

Judith Gouwens Professor of Elementary Education College of Education Roosevelt University, Chicago 

Helen Gym Asian Americans United/Parents United for Public Education Rethinking Schools

 Jesse Hagopian Teacher Garfield High School, Seattle 

Leonie Haimson Executive Director Class Size Matters 

Nini Hayes University of Massachusetts, Amherst 

Julian Vasquez Heilig Associate Professor of Educational Policy and Planning University of Texas, Austin 

Robin Hiller Executive Director Network for Public Education

Brian Jones PhD Program in Urban Education The Graduate Center, City University of New York

Denisha Jones Assistant Professor of Education Howard University  

Stan Karp Rethinking Schools  

Bill Kennedy Urban Teacher Education Program University of Chicago 

 Karen GJ Lewis National Board Certified Teacher President Chicago Teachers Union

 Barbara Madeloni Educators for a Democratic Union 

Eleni Makris Associate Professor Northeastern Illinois University

 Morna McDermott Associate Professor Towson University 

Deborah Menkart Executive Director Teaching for Change

Nicholas M. Michelli Presidential Professor Ph.D. Program in Urban Education The Graduate Center, City University of New York 

Mark B. Miller School Board Director Centennial School District Pennsylvania School Boards Association 

Isabel Nuñez Associate Professor Concordia University Chicago

Dani O’Brien College of Education University of Massachusetts, Amherst 

Bob Peterson President Milwaukee Teachers’ Education Association 

Anthony Picciano Executive Officer PhD Program in Urban Education City University of New York – Graduate Center 

Bree Picower New York Collective of Radical Educators 

Amira Proweller Associate Professor DePaul University, College of Education 

Diane Ravitch Research Professor of Education New York University 

Mary Cathryn D. Ricker National Board Certified Teacher President Saint Paul Federation of Teachers, Local 28 

Karyn Sandlos Assistant Professor of Art Education School of the Art Institute of Chicago 

Mara Sapon-Shevin Professor of Inclusive Education Syracuse University  

Nancy Schniedewind Professor State University of New York, New Paltz 

Tim Slekar Dean School of Education Edgewood College, Madison 

Simeon Stumme Associate Professor Center for Policy Studies and Social Justice Concordia University, Chicago 

Daiyu Suzuki Doctoral Student Teachers College, Columbia University 

Peter M. Taubman Professor  Brooklyn College 

Dora Taylor President Parents Across America 

Angela Valenzuela Professor University of Texas, Austin 

Lois Weiner Professor New Jersey City University 

Randi Weingarten President American Federation of Teachers 

Barbara Winslow School of Education Brooklyn College 

*organizations are listed for identification purposes only