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Monday, March 24, 2014

PSAA Meeting Minutes--February 20, 2014 - Public Schools Accountability Act (CA Dept of Education)

PSAA Meeting Minutes--February 20, 2014 - Public Schools Accountability Act (CA Dept of Education):



PSAA Meeting Minutes--February 20, 2014

Minutes of the Advisory Committee for the Public Schools Accountability Act (PSAA) of 1999.


PSAA Advisory Committee Members Present:
  • Co-Chair: Ting Sun, Educational Programs Director, Natomas Charter School
  • Co-Chair: Kenn Young, Superintendent, Riverside County Office of Education|
  • Nancy Aaberg, Superintendent, Yuba City Unified School District
  • Wendell Callahan, Director, Assessment, Research, and Pupil Services, San Diego County Office of Education
  • Dennis Cima, Senior Vice President, Silicon Valley Leadership Group
  • Edward Haertel, Emeritus Professor, School of Education, Stanford University
  • Julianne Hoefer, Director, Assessment and Accountability, Fountain Valley Unified School District
  • Mia Keeley, Analyst, Admissions and Records/Early Assessment Program, California Community Colleges Chancellor's Office
  • Clifford Kusaba, Teacher, California Teachers Association
  • Chet Madison, Sr., President, Board of Education, Elk Grove Unified School District
  • Laurie Olsen, Director, The Sobrato Early Academic Language Program
  • Jeff Patterson, English Teacher, SOAR Prep Academy
PSAA Advisory Committee Members Absent:
  • Colleen A.R. You, President, California State PTA
Principal California Department of Education (CDE) Staff to the Advisory Committee:
  • Keric Ashley, Director, Analysis, Measurement, and Accountability Reporting Division (AMARD)
  • Jenny Singh, Administrator, Academic Accountability Unit
State Board of Education (SBE) and Legislative Representative:
  • SBE Liaisons to the PSAA Advisory Committee: Ilene Straus
  • SBE Staff: Patricia de Cos, Deputy Executive Director
Please note that the complete proceedings of the February 20, 2014, PSAA Advisory Committee meeting, including captioning, are available on the CDE PSAA Meeting Webcast Archive 2014 Web page.
Public Session
February 20, 2014
Ting Sun called the meeting to order at approximately 10:06 a.m.
AGENDA ITEMS
Item 1
Subject: Welcome and introductions
It was announced that SBE member Nicolasa Sandoval will replace Trish Boyd Williams as one of the two SBE Liaisons to the PSAA Advisory Committee. Ms. Sandoval will begin attending at the next Committee meeting. CDE staff, on behalf of the State Superintendent of Public Instruction, the CDE, the Committee, and the California educational system thanked Ms. Williams for her years of service and guidance as a liaison for the Committee. Laurie Olsen, Director, The Sobrato Early Academic Language Program, was welcomed as a new member to the PSAA Advisory Committee and replaces one of three members who retired from the Committee in December 2013.
ACTION: No action taken.
Item 2
Subject: CDE Update—Information
In response to a request by the PSAA Advisory Committee, a timeline of future activities and notable events from 2014 to 2016 was provided to members. In addition, a February 2014 Report of Survey Results on the Inclusion of New Indicators in the High School Academic Performance Index (API) was also provided to members. The report was updated from the August 2013 report to include qualitative information.
The SBE has approved emergency regulations for the Local Control Funding Formula (LCFF), including the template for the Local Control Accountability Plan (LCAP). As part of the LCFF, school districts, county offices of education (COEs), and charter schools are required to develop, adopt, and annually update a three-year LCAP, beginning on July 1, 2014, using a template adopted by the SBE. As the Committee considers new indicators for the API, it will need to evaluate the usefulness of each indicator at the state level versus the local level.
The Smarter Balanced field test will take place March through June 2014.  The Committee will be considering how the new assessments will be included in the API.
ACTION: No action taken.
Item 3
Subject: Review Decisions Made at the December 9, 2013, PSAA Committee Meeting—Information
The CDE staff summarized PSAA Advisory Committee meeting actions from its December 9, 2013 meeting:
  • The Committee recommended to maintain existing reassignment rules under California Code of Regulations, Title 5 (5CCR) sections 1039.2 and 1039.3 but to reconsider changes at a later time once LCFF plans and reporting as well as new indicators for the API are in place. This recommendation was provided in a memo to the SBE in December 2013.
  • The Committee recommended changing the definition of continuous enrollment for July through December California High School Exit Examination (CAHSEE) administrations to require enrollment of 90 calendar days or more, which would require revision of the 5 CCR and SBE approval.
  • The Committee recommended that the 2014 Growth API for high schools not be produced. This recommendation will be presented to the SBE at its March 2014 meeting.
ACTION: No action taken.
Item 4
Subject: : Presentation: Considering Measures for a College and Career Readiness Indicator: Research Plan and Analytical Framework by Dr. Charis McGaughy and Sarah Collins Lench (Educational Policy Improvement Center [EPIC])—Information
  • Dr. McGaughy provided background information about the EPIC organization, its mission, its staff and partners, and its four keys to college and career readiness. Ms. Collins Lench described the project and analytical framework that will guide the literature reviews for the CDE. EPIC will produce six white papers between April and August 2014 and a final report to be presented to the SBE in December 2014. Further discussion on potential measures for the six white paper reviews occurred later in the meeting (see Item 7 below).
ACTION: No action taken.
Item 5
Subject: Presentation: Using Course Sequences in Accountability Systems: Insights from Mathematics Trajectories that Predict College Readiness by Dr. Neil Finkelstein (WestEd)—Information
Dr. Finkelstein described the transcript analysis from his 2012 study.  Some key findings of the study were:
  • Seventh-grade mathematics performance is predictive of high school mathematics course taking.
  • The majority of students who achieved at least Proficient on their mathematics California Standards Tests are those who took Algebra 1 in grade eight, geometry in grade nine, and Algebra 2 in grade ten.  In general, however, this accelerated pathway does not support students who are not proficient in mathematics in grade seven.
  • Few students who repeat algebra become Proficient on their second attempt.
Dr. Finkelstein suggested that accountability systems might include relevant information on students’ course progression patterns.  Dr. Finkelstein discussed considerations regarding the stability of course sequences and concluded with a set of policy considerations for the PSAA Advisory Committee.
ACTION: No action taken.
Lunch Break
Item 6
Subject: Presentation: Using the API to Increase College Readiness in Mathematics Now by Dr. Louise Jaffe (Santa Monica College Board of Trustees)—Information
Dr. Jaffe presented findings and implications from her study of mathematics course pathways from high school to community college. The study looked at course taking at one high school of 2,920 students, two thirds of whom went on to community colleges, and found:
  • CAHSEE mathematics scores were a significant predictor of placement at all below-college-level mathematics.
  • Students in lower level mathematics pathways, such as students not taking mathematics in grade twelve, diminished their chances for postsecondary success.
  • High schools have little accountability to assist students to achieve proficient or advanced on the CAHSEE mathematics test because schools get full credit toward the API if students simply pass the CAHSEE.
Dr. Jaffe recommended the following revisions to the API:
  • Reward growth in the number of students performing at Proficient and Advanced levels on the CAHSEE mathematics test.
  • Reward growth in the number of students taking mathematics in grade twelve.
  • Reward growth in the number of students taking mathematics coursework beyond Algebra 2.
ACTION: No action taken.
Item 7
Subject: Additional Measures for Literature Reviews—by Dr. Charis McGaughy and Sarah Collins Lench (EPIC)—Information
Ms. Collins Lench discussed points to consider and potential measures for the six white paper literature reviews to be conducted by EPIC.  As approved by the PSAA Advisory Committee at its December 2013 meeting, two of the six reviews will be (1) ACT/SAT (College Entrance Exams) and (2) Advanced Placement/International Baccalaureate Participation and Achievement. The Committee provided input and discussion on potential measures for the remaining four literature reviews. 
ACTION: Member Olsen moved that the Committee select the following three additional literature reviews:
  • Career readiness assessments and Career Technical Education certifications/credentials
  • Innovative measures (e.g., non-cognitive, performance tasks)
  • Course taking/pathways/a-g requirements (clusters of courses)
Member Callahan seconded the motion.
Yes Votes: Members Sun, Young, Callahan, Cima, Haertel, Hoefer, Keeley, Kusaba, Madison, Olsen, Patterson.
No Votes: None.
Absent: Members Aaberg, You.
***ADJOURMENT OF MEETING***
The meeting was adjourned at approximately 2:40 p.m.
Questions: Karen Heiner | KHeiner@cde.ca.gov | 916-319-0635 
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3-24-14 Seattle Schools Community Forum

Seattle Schools Community Forum:







Seattle Schools and "Refusal" to Take Tests
I asked SPS for a comment on what the policies are for parents who want to opt their students out of standardized testing.  (Although MAP is not mentioned, these answers probably apply.)  Here is the reply (and I'm happy to see this district not being punitive):Currently for the MSP, we do not have “opt out” but rather parent or student refusal. (The language from the Washington State Assessment C
by Melissa Westbrook / 2min hide  //  save
Common Core and What is Coming
I remember from talking to a teacher in Pittsburgh (where coincidentally, this photo was taken), that she told me her school had a "data room" where any teacher in any class could see how every single student was doing AND look up all the data on them - discipline records, F/RL, etc.  This appears to be such a room.  She said the door was not locked and any adult could wander in there. 
by Melissa Westbrook / 21min  
3-23-14 Seattle Schools Community Forum
Seattle Schools Community Forum: Race in our Public SchoolsMore news on race and children in America.I offer this information as news.  I have tried not to editorialize much here but to listen to what others are saying.  Somewhere in this country, people are suspending preschoolers and most of them are children of color or Special Education students.  (I didn't even know you could suspend a pre-sc
by mike simpson / 18h 
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FCMAT » Cali Education Headlines Monday, March 24, 2014

FCMAT » Fiscal Crisis & Management Assistance Team:



Fensterwald: One superintendent’s spending priority under local control - social workers



Education Headlines

Monday, March 24, 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.

Lucia Mar works on plan for improvements at aging schools

District administrators are working to address the problems, though the process will take years. But they’re nearing the conclusion of the first step: Creating a master plan that will identify all of the needs at each school, prioritize projects and identify funding sources.

State, feds investigate Central Unified for discrimination allegations

A Central High School East Campus senior who says she has been relentlessly bullied by students and a teacher for two years — so severely that she developed an eating disorder and tried to commit suicide — is pushing for change at the school.

Alpine superintendent stepping down

Alpine Union School District Superintendent Tom Pellegrino, who just saw the five-school district through the first teachers’ strike in San Diego County in nearly 20 years, announced he will step down from his post in June.

Encinitas to buy Pacific View property

The Encinitas school district has accepted an offer from the city to buy the closed Pacific View School site for at least $9.5 million.

SD Unified takes on diversity gap

As the San Diego Unified School District strives to diversify its workforce to better reflect its student body, a new report emphasizes the striking absence of Latino educators in the classroom.

Teacher layoffs down around Marin, state

Most Marin County school districts reported they wouldn't be laying off teachers. San Rafael City Schools, which governs the elementary and high school districts, was an exception, issuing slips for 13.5 "full-time equivalent" positions at the elementary school level and four positions at the high school level.

Sweetwater district on edge

The Sweetwater Union High School District begins a two-week spring break Monday with a great deal of uncertainty about what happens when it ends.

Six-figure teachers, school officials show dramatic rise in Modesto area

While the Great Recession has yet to recede Valleywide, the number of top-earning educators roared back in 2013, buoyed by the higher taxes of Proposition 30, passed in 2012.

Hayward Unified teachers get 5.5 percent raise

Teachers this week overwhelmingly approved a contract that gives them a 5.5 percent raise, retroactive to July 2013. The Hayward Unified contract, which runs through the 2015-16 school year, passed by 99.4 percent, according to a Hayward Education Association spokeswoman.

S.F. schools give students second chance at breakfast

Too many of the students at San Francisco's Charles R. Drew Elementary were skipping the before-school breakfast, arriving too late to eat or not feeling hungry first thing in the morning. They ended up cranky in class, distracted by their growling tummies and less able to learn. Two weeks ago, the school started offering them a second chance to eat - at recess. It's a pilot for the Second Chance Breakfast program for the school district.

Fensterwald: Legislators tell state board to consider changes to school funding rules

Non-profits and community groups that want to tighten the Local Control Funding Formula regulations to ensure more money will go to minority students have enlisted an influential ally: legislators.

Fensterwald: One superintendent’s spending priority under local control - social workers

One of the first school districts to finish a draft of the spending and accountability plan required by the state’s new school funding law is proposing to hire social workers to deal with the effects of troubled home lives, cyberbullying and other social and emotional issues hobbling students’ ability to concentrate and learn.
Friday, March 21, 2014

Bassett Unified hires Alex Rojas as deputy superintendent

La Puente Valley Regional Occupational Program’s superintendent will take over as second-in-command in the Bassett Unified School District starting April 1.

North Monterey teachers, district at impasse

Fed up over years without a pay raise and rising class sizes, teachers in the North Monterey County Unified School District are taking to the picket lines.

‘Many causes for concern’ found in audit of Rialto Unified’s spending

“Many causes for concern” in how the Rialto Unified School District spends its money were found in the audit report given to the San Bernardino County District Attorney’s Office two weeks ago.

State schools leader promises drought relief for Valley districts

 California schools facing temporary closures, or increased numbers of absences due to the drought, can breathe a sigh of relief following an announcement Wednesday that the state won't punish districts when budget time comes around later this year.

Improprieties found in operation of Beverly Hills camp

A report commissioned by the Beverly Hills Unified School District has found a number of financial and ethical improprieties related to a summer sports camp that was run by the high school principal — including his failure to report more than $40,000 in earnings.

Santa Clara County School Board names interim superintendent

The Santa Clara County Board of Education early Thursday named Mary Ann Dewan as interim superintendent of the County Office of Education, effective Friday.

EdSource: School funding reforms spark push to get parent input

California’s new school funding law has sparked a major push to get input from parents, at least in most school districts being tracked by EdSource in diverse parts of the state.

Race to lead L.A. teachers union headed to runoff

The contest to head the nation's second-largest teachers union will go to a second round, pitting incumbent Warren Fletcher against challenger Alex Caputo-Pearl.

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Colonizing the Black Natives: Reflections from a former NOLA Charter School Dean of Students | Cloaking Inequity

Colonizing the Black Natives: Reflections from a former NOLA Charter School Dean of Students | Cloaking Inequity:



Colonizing the Black Natives: Reflections from a former NOLA Charter School Dean of Students

gfmbl01 (Custom)
Are some charters’ practices new forms of colonial hegemony? When examining current discipline policies and aligned behavioral norms within charter school spaces, postcolonial theory is useful because of the striking similarities between problematic socialization practices and the educational regimes of the uncivilized masses in colonized nations. A number of postcolonial theorists focus on multiple ways that oppressors dominate their subjects and maintain power over them. For example, while working as the Dean of Students for a charter school in New Orleans, it took me some time to realize that I had been enforcing rules and policies that stymied creativity, culture and student voice. Though some of my main duties involved ensuring the safety and security of all students and adults at the school, investigating student behavioral incidents and establishing a calm and positive school culture, I felt as if I was doing the opposite.
My daily routine consisted of running around chasing young Black ladies to see if their nails were polished, or if they added a different color streak to their hair, or following young men to make sure that their hair wasn’t styled naturally as students were not able to wear their hair in uncombed afro styles. None of which had anything to do with teaching and learning, but administration was keen on making sure that before Black students entered the classroom that they looked “appropriate” for learning. As if students whose hair was natural or those whose parents could not afford a uniform tie could not achieve like others who possessed these items.
Most times, teachers and administrators scolded Black students for their appearance before they even spoke in morning. If a student did not have the right shoes, they would be placed in a holding area until their parent could be 
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3-24-14 @ The Chalk Face

@ THE CHALK FACE:






The Fatal Flaw of the Common Core Standards
Originally posted on The Indignant Teacher:The following as a copy of an article posted tonight by Diane Ravitch…it speaks volumes, and should be shared far and wide. The Fatal Flaw of the Common Core StandardsPosted: 03/24/2014 9:16 am EDT Updated: 03/24/2014 9:59 am EDT Print ArticleShare157Tweet192Email31Comment20 MORE: Éducation Common Core Standards Bill Gates Common…
1 by jillconroy / 1h 

Conditions v. Outcomes: More on What’s Wrong with Teacher Education (and Accountability)? pt. 2
Conditions v. Outcomes: More on What’s Wrong with Teacher Education (and Accountability)? pt. 2. via Conditions v. Outcomes: More on What’s Wrong with Teacher Education (and Accountability)? pt. 2.
by plthomasedd / 5min 


“Grit”: Demanding Superhuman from African Americans, Impoverished

“Grit”: Demanding Superhuman from African Americans, Impoverished. via “Grit”: Demanding Superhuman from African Americans, Impoverished.
1 by plthomasedd / 27min 


3-23-14 @ The Chalk Face
@ THE CHALK FACE: Of the thousands of slacktivists, we only have 1,756 signatures?I know what you’re going to say: petitions don’t matter. I get it. But I’ve seen one of the most respected authors and activists around, Susan Ohanian, publish a new White House petition to “Direct the Department of Education and Congress to Remove Annual Standardized Testing Mandates of NCLB and RtTT.” Just this mor
by mike simpson / 20min 


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NYC Public School Parents: Contact your legislators today! Urge them to require provisions in budget bill to strengthen student privacy!

NYC Public School Parents: Contact your legislators today! Urge them to require provisions in budget bill to strengthen student privacy!:



Contact your legislators today! Urge them to require provisions in budget bill to strengthen student privacy!

We have heard that there is going to be privacy language in the budget bill due April 1 -- just one week from tomorrow.  Please call your legislators in the Assembly and Senate today and tell them the language in A8929 needs strengthening to make it clear that parents will have the right to opt out of the disclosure of their child's personal data to third parties  (the current bill is contradictory on this issue, and in one section seems to leave it up to the Commissioner) ANDthat there are sufficient security protections, including robust encryption standards, audits, and indemnification provisions, along the lines of the Class Size Matters language.



The legislature should also appoint a task force of stakeholders to study current and future data sharing practices, and make further recommendations as to how to protect student privacy.





You can follow up with an e-mail to your legislators giving them this link which has our suggested amendments.  The language we are proposing, along with the reasons for it, are also posted below. Thanks!




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3-24-14 the becoming radical | A Place for a Pedagogy of Kindness by P. L. Thomas, EdD

the becoming radical | A Place for a Pedagogy of Kindness (the public and scholarly writing by P. L. Thomas, Furman University):






Conditions v. Outcomes: More on What’s Wrong with Teacher Education (and Accountability)? pt. 2
After posting What’s Wrong with Teacher Education?, I received comments and responses that are fairly represented in the comments at the original post from Peter Smyth and psmagorinsky (Peter Smagorinsky). For full disclosure, these two Peters are acquaintances that I respect a great deal, and thus, take their comments quite seriously. To Peter Smyth’s concern (voiced by a few others offering feed
by plthomasedd / 5min 


“Grit”: Demanding Superhuman from African Americans, Impoverished
While writing about Black Pathology and the Closing of the Progressive Mind, Ta-Nehisi Coates concludes his piece with a resounding rejection of the “grit” narrative:
by plthomasedd / 0min 




3-23-14 the becoming radical | A Place for a Pedagogy of Kindness by P. L. Thomas, EdD
the becoming radical | A Place for a Pedagogy of Kindness (the public and scholarly writing by P. L. Thomas, Furman University): The Politics of Misinformation in Education ReformAppointed and elected officials related to education have some important characteristics in common. Consider U.S. Secretary of Education Arne Duncan and South Carolina Superintendent of Education Mick Zais. Neither have e
by mike simpson / 25min 


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3-24-14 Schools Matter

Schools Matter:






Mayor de Blasio Won't Back Down from Support for Public Schools
Despite a multi-million ad campaign by corporate welfare queen, Eva Moskowitz, and tough rhetoric from the Wall Street's charter empire stooge, Governor Cuomo, the Mayor will not back down.  From the Wall Street Journal:In a speech at Riverside Church in Harlem, the mayor said he failed to clearly lay out his decision in February to approve more than a dozen charter schools but roll back the expan
by Jim Horn / 32min 



Doug Martin's Book Due at Amazon Next Week: Get the Best Deal Before Then
Today Doug Martin is busy signing pre-ordered copies of his compelling new book, Hoosier School Heist.  You can still get the book for $12.99 with no tax and no shipping charge by ordering here. He will sign it, too!
by Jim Horn / 21min

Indiana is Officially Opting OUT of Common Core: Only 44 States to Go
ht to TN Education Reports.  From Indianapolis Star:Gov. Mike Pence signed legislation today requiring Indiana to adopt its own academic standards and opt out of Common Core — making Indiana the first state to opt out of the controversial national standards.The law basically solidifies action already in the works to redesign Indiana’s academic standards by the Department of Education and the Cente
2 by Jim Horn / 29min 

AERA Folks and Philadelphia Citizens--Please Attend This Important Meeting
Pennsylvania Education Crisis Highlights - March 24, 2014You Are Invited to APhiladelphia Education Town HallThursday April 3, 5:30 to 8:30 PMArch Street United Methodist ChurchBroad and Arch StreetsCalled by delegates to theAmerican Educational Research Association Convention& the Alliance for Philadelphia Public Schools Click here for details.
by Jim Horn / 0min 


Maryland Has Some of the Best Public School Protection Laws in the Nation

AP has a piece in WaPo that pretend that two most voracious advocacy groups for corporate welfare charters represent research groups: Center for Education Reform and the National Alliance for Public Charter Schools.  In pointing out that CER's charter welfare queen, Jeanne Allen, has labeled Maryland among the worst states, then you can be sure that Maryland is one of the best in advancing public
by Jim Horn / 6min 


3-23-14 Schools Matter
Schools Matter: Be in Worcester, MA Wednesday Morning to Greet DuncanFrom MassLive:WORCESTER — Hoping to bring more attention to the federal changes in academic standards, protesters will greet U.S. Secretary of Education Arne Duncan with picket signs along Skyline Drive and Belmont Street Wednesday morning.Duncan is scheduled to visit Worcester Technical High School on Wednesdayat 9 a.m. as part
by mike simpson / 16min 


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Report: $1 billion in taxpayer money went to anti-science private schools last year | The Raw Story

Report: $1 billion in taxpayer money went to anti-science private schools last year | The Raw Story:



Report: $1 billion in taxpayer money went to anti-science private schools last year

By Travis Gettys
Monday, March 24, 2014 10:38 EDT


'Elementary School Kids In Science Class Using A Microscope' [Shutterstock]




Taxpayers are helping to pay for courses and textbooks that encourage students to mistrust science, mathematics, and the secular world itself – and those efforts seem likely to expand into other states.
Currently, taxpayers in 14 states funnel nearly $1 billion in private school tuition through voucher programs, paying those schools to teach children that Adam and Eve lived alongside dinosaurs less than 10,000 years ago in the Garden of Eden.
Politico reviewed hundreds of pages of course outlines, textbooks, and school website and reported Monday that many of these taxpayer-funded, faith-based schools portray science and mathematics as a web of lies.
Textbooks popular in Christian schools describe evolution as “a wicked and vain philosophy,” while students practice vocabulary lessons that claim “many scientists today are creationists.”
According to the report, schools often distort basic facts about the scientific method, set aside time during math lessons to explore numbers in the Bible, or teach that mathematics laws were ordained by God.
The schools make clear that religious instruction is a higher priority than academic learning, which students are taught to mistrust.
“Our understanding is not complete until we filter it through God’s Word,” one school assures 
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