One Parents view: REJECT SENATE BILL 5x 1.

One Parents view: REJECT SENATE BILL 5x 1.


ATTENTION!
State Senator Gloria Romero (D- Los Angeles ), a candidate for State Superintendent of Public Instruction (FYI, Eli Broad and Richard Riordan are heavily backing her), is using the federal Race to the Top (RTTT) program to push through unnecessary legislation that will hurt teachers, students and schools.

CONTACT STATE SENATOR LONI HANCOCK AND ASK HER TO REJECT SENATE BILL 5x 1.

DO IT TODAY!!!

Senator Hancock's District Office Phone: (510) 286-1333 (you'll be instructed to press 0 to leave your voicemail)

Senator Hancock's District FAX: (510) 286-3885

Senator Hancock's Web site: http://dist09.casen.govoffice.com/

Background: Hastily Amended Bill, Short Notice

Under the cover of the special session on education called by Gov. Schwarzenegger, Sen. Romero has amended her measure and worked with Sen. President Pro Tempore Darrell Steinberg (D-Sacramento) to put the bill on a “fast track.”

The bill was amended Thursday night with the intention of having the Senate Education Committee pass it on Monday, followed immediately by a vote of the full Senate. Not only is this “short cut” suspect, it also prevents lawmakers from giving the measure and its major education changes the careful study they deserve.

Members of the education community and the public deserve time to review and have input on this legislation.

What’s even worse – the bill would change state law before the RTTT federal regulations are even finalized. Those regulations may not be finalized until December. It makes no sense to pass the Romero bill now.

SB 5x 1 has numerous problems:

It locks into state law unnecessary changes Sen. Romero claims are needed to implement RTTT even before the federal regulations governing the program have been adopted.

It repeats the mistakes of the fatally flawed No Child Left Behind Act, including the overreliance on test scores as the only measure of student achievement.

It modifies regulations governing the entire School Improvement Grant Program in hopes of helping California get one-time RTTT funds, but it would also cause schools to lose SIG money if they do not comply with the new state regulations.

It forces irresponsible and punitive changes in teacher and administrator evaluations.
It allows unfettered increases in under-regulated charter schools that are not responsible to the community.

It substitutes narrow compliance in place of innovation and local flexibility vital to schools’ success.

It increases costs and mandates at a time schools are staggering under $17 billion in cuts and 20,000 educator layoffs.

Please help spread the word!

http://www.leginfo.ca.gov/yourleg.html

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Senators' Addresses

Will the Digital Divide Close by Itself? - Bits Blog - NYTimes.com

Will the Digital Divide Close by Itself? - Bits Blog - NYTimes.com:

"On the subject of tech and education, academics and executives are worried about many divides.

There’s the growing divide between kids who have access to technology and those who don’t; kids who participate in creating content with technology at home and school, and those who can’t; and the kids who know a lot about technology, and the parents who fear them.

Divides also enter into the equation for proponents of education reform.

Early Wednesday at Google’s “Breakthrough Learning in the Digital Age,” at Google headquarters in Mountain View, Calif., a spat broke out over the urgency of filling in all the gaps."

Cal Expo board extends arena pact despite Johnson task force - Sacramento Business Journal:

Cal Expo board extends arena pact despite Johnson task force - Sacramento Business Journal::

"Uncertain if it might become a jilted lover, Cal Expo decided Friday to extend its courtship with the National Basketball Association.

A day after Sacramento Mayor Kevin Johnson surprised the Cal Expo board by announcing he is actively soliciting proposals for any and all sites for a new sports and entertainment center, board leaders agreed to extend their letter of understanding with the NBA for another six months. The current agreement to negotiate exclusively with one another was set to expire Nov. 30, and now runs to May 31."

Revising the Guide and Template for the Single Plan for Student Achievement (SPSA)

Dear Categorical Program Director:

The California Department of Education (CDE) is currently in the process of revising the Guide and Template for the Single Plan for Student Achievement (SPSA) and would like your input. Improving academic performance and ensuring equity of achievement of all students is the top priority of the education system in California. The California Education Code (EC) sections 41507, 41572, and 64001 and the federal Elementary and Secondary Education Act (ESEA) require each school to consolidate school planning requirements into the SPSA for all programs funded through the Consolidated Application, ESEA Program Improvement, the School and Library Improvement Block Grant, Economic Impact Aid (EIA), the Pupil Retention Block Grant, and the Quality Education Investment Act (QEIA) into the SPSA. ECsection 11502 requires the integration of parent involvement programs into the school plan.

It is very important to the CDE that all interested stakeholders have an opportunity to provide input. The CDE will be conducting this revision process over the next few months. The current Guide and Template for the SPSA can be viewed on the CDE SPSA Web page at http://www.cde.ca.gov/nclb/sr/le/singleplan.asp.

Please e-mail your comments and recommendations to spsa@cde.ca.gov before November 30, 2009.
Sincerely,

/FB/

Fred Balcom, Director
District and School Improvement Division

The charter school problem: Results are much less positive than a new study suggests

The charter school problem: Results are much less positive than a new study suggests:

"Charter schools are not a panacea for our education problems. The recent study by Caroline Hoxby of Stanford University concludes that disadvantaged students who attended charter schools in New York City for nine years, from kindergarten through eighth grade, can close most of what she calls the 'Scarsdale-Harlem achievement gap.' Hoxby does not say how many students completed nine years in a charter school - a key detail, as the city had only about a dozen small charters in 2000."

The results are impressive, but they are not typical of charter schools across the nation.

Nationally there are about 4,600 charter schools enrolling 1.4 million students. They run the gamut from excellent to abysmal. Even their most ardent supporters recognize that they vary widely in quality. Chester Finn, whose Thomas B. Fordham Institute sponsors charter schools in Ohio, wrote, "Some of the best schools I've ever been in are charter schools, some of which are blowing the lid off test scores in such vexed communities as Boston, New York and Chicago. And some of the worst - and flakiest - schools I've ever been in are charter schools."
A national study conducted by Stanford University economist Margaret Raymond found that 37% of charter schools got worse results than comparable neighborhood public schools, 46% did about the same and only 17% were superior to the local public schools. The Raymond study surveyed half the charter schools in the nation and more than 70% of all charter school students. Raymond said, "If this study shows anything, it shows that we've got a 2-to-1 margin of bad charters to good charters."

Unlike the Hoxby study, the Raymond study concluded: "This study reveals in unmistakable terms that, in the aggregate, charter students are not faring as well as their TPS [traditional public school] counterparts. Further, tremendous variation in academic quality among charters is the norm, not the exception. The problem of quality is the most pressing issue that charter schools and their supporters face."

Charter schools have participated in the federal testing program since 2003. Charter school students have never outperformed students in regular public schools, except in isolated instances. In 2007, charter students had lower scores than students in regular public schools in fourth-grade reading, fourth-grade mathematics and eighth-grade mathematics. Only in eighth-grade reading did charter school students score the same as their peers in regular public schools. Education Week reported that "the latest data do not bolster the early hopes of charter advocates that the sector as a whole would significantly outperform regular public schools."

Read more: http://www.nydailynews.com/opinions/2009/09/27/2009-09-27_the_charter_school_problem_results_are_much_less_positive_than_a_new_study_sugge.html#ixzz0VWslDpSB

Colbert I. King - Colbert I. King on D.C. youth offenders - washingtonpost.com

Colbert I. King - Colbert I. King on D.C. youth offenders - washingtonpost.com:

"The D.C. Council labored mightily this week to give Schools Chancellor Michelle Rhee her comeuppance for firing teachers and staff whom legislators wanted kept on the payroll. The way Rhee went about the layoffs may have handed council members ammo that could be used against her. But if test scores are up and the school system has stopped bleeding students, as The Post has reported, it's not all bad. Face it, a good bedside manner is not one of Rhee's strong points."

That said, the council has every right, and a duty, to exercise oversight of the school system. If, however, lawmakers are sincere about bringing accountability to efforts in behalf of children, they must cast a wider net. Youth are being shortchanged by more than poor teaching. To be blunt, the council needs to investigate why the lives of our youth are being jeopardized daily by one of the very departments charged with helping them.

Consider teenager Tyrone Hopkins, who made the big time this week. He was charged with armed robbery, as an adult, under Title 16 of the D.C. Code. It's a section of the law not often invoked against youth offenders.

Pa. charter school overhaul legislation proposed | Philadelphia Inquirer | 10/31/2009

Pa. charter school overhaul legislation proposed Philadelphia Inquirer 10/31/2009:

"Aiming to end abuses recently uncovered in Philadelphia-area charter schools, a bipartisan legislative committee yesterday unveiled a sweeping overhaul of the state's 12-year-old charter law.

The proposal takes a carrot-and-stick approach, pushing changes that would enable charters to grow in size and number, but holding them to far stricter standards of accountability and oversight.

The changes 'were developed in response to several stories written by The Philadelphia Inquirer on the fiscal abuses of some Philadelphia-based charter schools over the last several months,' said a statement accompanying the legislation proposed by Sen. Jeffrey E. Piccola (R., Dauphin), the majority chair, and Sen. Andrew E. Dinniman (D., West Chester), minority chair of the Education Committee."

The New Public Domain - At Public Universities - Less for More - NYTimes.com

The New Public Domain - At Public Universities - Less for More - NYTimes.com:

"SUSAN LI’S senior year at the University of California, Los Angeles, was fast approaching, and she was running out of time. She needed at least three classes to qualify for financial aid. But a week before classes began, she had registered for only one course."

“They’re not offering the classes I need,” said Ms. Li, a history major. “I don’t know what I’m going to do.”

In her first two attempts to register, she hadn’t been able to get her outstanding general-ed requirements or any advanced classes in her major. Classes were full, or not being offered this term. If she can’t complete what she needs to graduate, Ms. Li doubts she can afford a fifth year. She has taken out $8,000 in loans each year.

“Hopefully something will open up,” she said, and after scanning the registration Web site each day something did: two Asian-American studies electives, neither of which would move her closer to completing her major.

Witch School on move -- chicagotribune.com

Witch School on move -- chicagotribune.com:

"Since the Witch School set up shop in tiny Rossville two years ago, some of the Christian flocks in this former factory town have protested and prayed that the pagans would pick up and leave. Some even sprinkled the wheels of their cars with holy water and cruised around town to ward off witches.

Their prayers will be answered Halloween weekend when the handful of teachers and staff from the school pull up stakes and move where they feel more welcome: Salem, Mass., the site of the infamous witchcraft trials more than three centuries ago.

'This area is not real conducive to the occult,' said the Rev. Adam Taubert, pastor of First Baptist Church in nearby Hoopeston, where the Witch School operated before moving to Rossville. 'I don't know if they were trying to create controversy. Some people try to stir up things to promote themselves because it's free publicity.'"

Cambridge University allows Muslim students to wear burkhas under their mortar boards at graduation | Mail Online

Cambridge University allows Muslim students to wear burkhas under their mortar boards at graduation Mail Online:

"Cambridge University will allow female Muslim students to wear burkas at graduation ceremonies, it emerged yesterday. By tradition, students are required to wear dark suits and white shirts under their graduation gowns. Cambridge has clamped down on breaches of the rules after officials complained students were increasingly wearing casual clothes to ceremonies. They warned the code 'is strictly enforced at ceremonies, and if you do not observe it, you may not be permitted to graduate on a particular occasion'."

Georgetown University rally denounces anti-gay violence - washingtonpost.com

Georgetown University rally denounces anti-gay violence - washingtonpost.com:

"About 50 Georgetown University students rallied on campus at noon Friday to show solidarity with a student who was allegedly attacked this week because of her perceived sexual orientation.

'We should not have to fear for our lives when we walk down the street,' said freshman JM Alatis, secretary and historian of GU Pride, the student group that organized the rally in less than 24 hours via Facebook, Twitter, text message and e-mail."

Editorial - Hawaii’s Children, Left Behind - NYTimes.com

Editorial - Hawaii’s Children, Left Behind - NYTimes.com:

"The economic crisis has forced every state to scramble to get its budget in balance. This has meant torturous efforts to preserve essential services and minimize the pain and damage from slashed spending and lost jobs. Every state has sacrificed. But Hawaii has sacrificed its own schoolchildren."

The 50th state, the only one with a single statewide school district, has just cut 17 days from the academic year, under a new labor contract with public school teachers that avoids layoffs in favor of pay cuts and furloughs, all to be taken on instructional days. Barring a court order or other intervention, there will be no classes on most Fridays for the rest of the school year, leaving 170,000 children in the lurch. Parents are furious that a state already lagging in academic achievement would willingly adopt the country’s shortest school year.

The teachers’ union, the school board, the Department of Education and Gov. Linda Lingle all share responsibility for the debacle; they all signed off on the new contract last month. Ms. Lingle issued a statement at the time praising it as being “in the best interest of teachers, our students and the general public.”

The Answer Sheet - Enough feuding! It's time for a D.C. schools summit

The Answer Sheet - Enough feuding! It's time for a D.C. schools summit:

"I just might scream if I hear one more person invoke what is “best for the kids” in the growing conflict between D.C. Schools Chancellor Michelle A. Rhee and her critics.
Tension is rising over a seemingly growing gap between what Rhee says in public and what she actually does--and while everybody is arguing about who is right and who is wrong and who didn’t call whom back, guess who is going to suffer?

(Did I just invoke what is “best for the kids?” Okay, I’m screaming.)

Yesterday Rhee was hit by D.C. Council Chairman Vincent C. Gray for deciding unilaterally to lay off teachers and staff instead of trimming summer school operations as the council had ordered to save $9 million. It was suggested that she broke the law; she said she was on solid legal ground."

Ms. Rhee's show trial - washingtonpost.com

Ms. Rhee's show trial - washingtonpost.com:

"D.C. SCHOOLS Chancellor Michelle A. Rhee stands accused, it seems, of trying to manage her budget in a way that will do the least harm to students. Not a crime, you might think -- unless, like Ms. Rhee's accusers on the D.C. Council, you are more interested in scoring political points than in hearing what she is doing for children.

Ms. Rhee was called before the council Thursday to explain the layoffs of 388 employees, including 266 teachers and other educators. She provided convincing evidence of the budget pressures leading to this month's reduction in force. She offered solid reasons for the hiring of some 900 teachers last spring and summer, and held out an olive branch to the council -- saying she never intended to blame it for the layoffs. She made clear that her goal was to save summer school as an option for as many children as possible."

National Summer Learning Association - Home

National Summer Learning Association - Home:

"Welcome to the National Summer Learning Association

We opened our doors September 1, staffed by former staff of the National Center for Summer Learning. Find out why, and what it means to you. Join the Association.

Secretary Duncan Champions Summer Learning

U.S. Secretary of Education Arne Duncan received the Association’s “Champion of Summer Learning” award as part of a recent ceremony in Washington, DC. Duncan, who advocates using American Recovery and Reinvestment Act funds to promote and strengthen summer learning programs, explains the basis for his support.
Funding Available for Summer Learning Programs

Funding is available for summer learning like never before, so make sure your summer programs reap the benefits. Get the information you need to make your case for funding, in the Association’s new policy brief, ARRA, School Improvement and Summer Learning—Funding Blueprint for States and Districts."

Rhee is right--summer learning is vital - Class Struggle - Jay Mathews on Education

Rhee is right--summer learning is vital - Class Struggle - Jay Mathews on Education:

"I don't have a transcript of yesterday's raucous D.C. Council hearing over the disputed layoffs of 266 teachers early this month, but the TV clip I saw had Council Chairman Vincent C. Gray asking D.C. Schools Chancellor Michelle A. Rhee if she thought she was smarter than everybody else in deciding not to cut $9 million for the 2010 summer school, as the council told her to do. Anyone who has looked at the data on summer learning loss would have to say Rhee was right, and the council was wrong. That won't solve the communication problem the city government is struggling with, but if you are concerned with raising the achievement of D.C. kids, it is important to emphasize that point."

Take a look at the studies compiled by the National Summer Learning Association and see for yourself. At the very least, there is a one month loss of learning because of the traditional summer vacation. Several studies, including some from Johns Hopkins University, have noted the startling difference in the loss of learning between impoverished urban children---like the majority of kids in the D.C. schools---and affluent suburban kids. Suburban parents manage to inject more learning into their children's summers than low-income urban parents do.

New DPS contract sparks concerns | detnews.com | The Detroit News

New DPS contract sparks concerns detnews.com The Detroit News:

"A $40 million contract with a book publishing company has resurrected concerns over Detroit Public Schools making business deals with former employers of its administrators.

DPS contracted with Boston's Houghton Mifflin Harcourt for a Web-based teaching product called Learning Village, and for curriculum, training and books. Barbara Byrd-Bennett, the district's chief academic and accountability officer, used to work for Harcourt School Publishers.

The contract is the largest single deal ever for Houghton Mifflin Harcourt, one of the oldest publishers in the nation."

The agreement follows Bobb's hiring of Public Financial Management Inc., where he was a part-time consultant, under a $972,000, no-bid contract. (The Broad Foundation is paying $450,000 of that contract.) The Philadelphia company was contracted to work on DPS finances.

Byrd-Bennett wasn't available for comment, but DPS spokeswoman Jennifer Mrozowski said the Houghton Mifflin Harcourt contract was competitively bid and the publisher was chosen over the two others that gave the district proposals because it had the highest evaluation from a panel of senior academic staff. Byrd-Bennett was not on this panel, Mrozowski said.

"She was not a part of the bid process or the selection with this company or any of the others," Mrozowski said. "Because she has had relationships with so many (education companies), she deliberately does not participate in the process."

AFP: Harvard University again world's best: Chinese ranking

AFP: Harvard University again world's best: Chinese ranking:

"BEIJING — Harvard University in the United States is once again the world's top institute of higher education for 2009, according to a Chinese ranking that is dominated by American colleges.

Stanford University was second, followed by the University of California at Berkeley, said the annual ranking by the Centre for World-Class Universities and the Institute of Higher Education at Shanghai's Jiaotong University.

The Annual Ranking of World Universities was posted on its website at www.arwu.org."

The Signal - Santa Clarita Valley News - We need education funding reform

The Signal - Santa Clarita Valley News - We need education funding reform:

"I am writing this to raise awareness of a situation that is going on right under our noses that most of us are too blind to see.

Our public education system is flawed. Not only flawed, but it is failing.

As a college student, I know the struggle that students face to find classes. I know how much the increases in fees hurt my wallet.

I know what it is like to pay more for less of an education.

I see teachers getting laid off, and others are getting their pay cut through “furloughs.”"

Dan Walters: School duels, using surrogates - Inside Bay Area

Dan Walters: School duels, using surrogates - Inside Bay Area:

"ONE OF the more obscure — and probably more important — of California's many political conflicts pits an organization called EdVoice against the California Teachers Association and other school unions.

It centers on our ever-deepening education crisis, manifested in low test scores and high dropout rates, especially among black and Latino kids.

EdVoice, maintained by some wealthy Californians such as Southern California developer Eli Broad and Silicon Valley tycoon Reed Hastings, advocates charter schools, tougher teaching standards and other aggressive approaches.

The CTA and its allies, meanwhile, say California's chief education issue is money, specifically its below-average level of per-pupil spending."

Claud Evans honored as OSU Distinguished Ag Alumnus

Claud Evans honored as OSU Distinguished Ag Alumnus:

"Dr. Claud Evans of Okemah has been named a 2009 Distinguished Agriculture Alumnus of Oklahoma State University's Division of Agricultural Sciences and Natural Resources.

Evans is perhaps best known to Oklahomans for the 16 years he served as a member of the Board of Regents for Oklahoma State University and the Agricultural and Mechanical Colleges.
'Dr. Evans has certainly had a great influence on our extended OSU family over the years, and the division continues to directly benefit from his expertise and experience through his membership on the Dean's Advisory Council,' said Robert E. Whitson, DASNR dean and director and vice president of agricultural programs at OSU."

PR-USA.net - Barona Tribe Awards 13 Education Grants Totaling $65,000 to Soledad Enrichment Action Charter School

PR-USA.net - Barona Tribe Awards 13 Education Grants Totaling $65,000 to Soledad Enrichment Action Charter School:


"Today, staff and students of 13 Soledad Enrichment Action (SEA) charter schools from Long Beach to Los Angeles to Pomona joined 45th District Assemblymember Kevin de Leon to accept a $65,000 education grant from the Barona Band of Mission Indians. The check was presented by Edwin 'Thorpe' Romero, Chairman of the Barona Band of Mission Indians, and represented $5,000 for each school as part of the Barona Education Grant program.

Since 2006, the Barona Band of Mission Indians has been helping lessen the blow of budget cuts for schools throughout California with the creation of the Barona Education Grant program, which has awarded more than $800,000 to over 165 schools statewide, including $140,000 to the SEA schools over the past two years."

California Forward Action Fund Submits Reform Initiatives | Reuters

California Forward Action Fund Submits Reform Initiatives Reuters:

"The California Forward Action Fund submitted a pair of nonpartisan initiatives
Friday that would bring comprehensive reform to California`s broken budget
process, protect funding for local services and give communities new tools and
resources to set their own priorities and chart their own paths for the future.

'In jobs and technology, education and quality of life, our state has always led
the way. We`ve been to every corner of the state, talked to hundreds of people
from every walk of life and spent months of research refining our proposals.
These reforms get California moving again so California can lead again,' said
Bob Hertzberg, co-chair of the California Forward Action Fund and former
Assembly Speaker.

'Politics as usual won`t solve our problems,' said Thomas McKernan, California
Forward Action Fund co-chair and CEO of the Automobile Club of Southern
California. 'It`s time to focus on common sense - by taking practices that have
proven themselves in business and other states, and putting them to work in
California, balancing the budget, reducing waste and delivering better results.'"

River City High principal hurt trying to quell food fight - Latest News - sacbee.com

River City High principal hurt trying to quell food fight - Latest News - sacbee.com:

"A West Sacramento high school principal spent Thursday and Friday at home resting after suffering a head injury breaking up a food fight Wednesday in his campus cafeteria.
The extent of the head injury to River City High School Principal Stuart McKay is not clear, but a district official said she expected McKay to be fit for duty Monday"

Are you switching your kid from public to private school?

Are you switching your kid from public to private school?:

"A decade ago, going public meant frothy tech IPOs. Now, it's what private school kids do when their parents can no longer pay their tuition. Private school enrollments are down everywhere, from Washington D.C. to Tennessee to California, while requests for financial aid are up. Yet recessionary budget cuts have hit many public schools hard, forcing them to lay off teachers (which increases class size), scale back instruction in art, music and theater, and even shorten the school year. Given the cutbacks, public school parents who can afford it may consider sending their kids to private schools.

Are you thinking of transferring your child from private school to public? Or from public to private? Have you already done so recently? Why? What has the transition been like for your children and family? If your kids are already in a public school, are you seeing an influx of children this year who formerly went to private schools? Has that changed the school in any way?

I'm reporting on this topic for DoubleX and I'd love to get your feedback. Please e-mail your responses to doublexschool@gmail.com. E-mail may be quoted in DoubleX unless the writer stipulates otherwise. If you want to be quoted anonymously, please let us know."

No progress + lower standards = progress (OneNewsNow.com)

No progress + lower standards = progress (OneNewsNow.com):

"The Department of Education has released a new report that shows a disturbing trend in state educational standards.

The National Assessment of Educational Progress (NAEP) report found that many states are setting educational standards so low that they can claim they made progress when none was made. States also continue to get federal dollars through the No Child Left Behind program. Neal McClusky, associate director of the Cato Institute's Center for Educational Freedom, believes the report will be used to argue in favor of stricter federal standards in education."

"Well, if you see almost everybody setting the lowest standards [they] can, [and] almost every politician setting the lowest standards they can set, why would you ever think, 'If we put it at the federal level, then everything we've seen in politics will change, and somehow they'll set high standards?' Of course they won't because all of the incentives are to set low standards, so they're easy to meet," argues McClusky. The Center's associate director contends that control of education needs to be given over to parents so that they can decide which schools their children attend. With control then taken away from the federal and even the state governments, he says schools will have to compete for dollars and students. That way, he says, failing institutions will not be able to survive.

Illinois school test scores: Income-based gap proves hard to close -- chicagotribune.com

Illinois school test scores: Income-based gap proves hard to close -- chicagotribune.com:

"Surrounded by sports fields and suburban lawns, Hadley Junior High School could be the envy of the state.

Nine of every 10 students at the Glen Ellyn school passed state exams in reading and math, according to the 2009 Illinois School Report Card made public Friday.

But average scores belie a widespread problem the federal government has spent billions trying to fix nationwide: While at least 95 percent of Hadley's well-off students passed the eighth-grade reading and math tests, about half of their low-income classmates met the same goals, revealing an achievement gap that is as persistent as it is pernicious.

Seven years after the federal No Child Left Behind Law ambitiously pledged to eliminate such disparities and invested nearly $6.2 billion in Illinois schools alone, the progress has been modest and isolated."

Sacramento Press / Sacramento Press: Enabling the Community to Offer Food for Thought

Sacramento Press / Sacramento Press: Enabling the Community to Offer Food for Thought:

"Recently I read an article by Mayor Kevin Johnson, 'It's all about accountability,' in which Johnson writes, 'I love accountability ... and I find it curious when elected officials and the media decide the moment has arrived to wrap their arms around the fundamentals of accountability for the time being. They demand accountability for everyone but themselves. They choose which rules they follow .... Let's talk about accountability. It's a subject I understand ... I demand accountability for myself, my staff and every employee in the city of Sacramento.'

Surely we can see how community members can be frustrated when many feel the mayor hasn't been held accountable with mismanagement of St. Hope, with allegations of a relationship with minors, with the $25,000 loan to SAG which was forgiven and became a gift in the midst of controversy and other concerns."

College enrollment up, mostly at 2-year schools • Schools (www.HometownAnnapolis.com - The Capital)

College enrollment up, mostly at 2-year schools • Schools (www.HometownAnnapolis.com - The Capital):

"Some are there because of the recession, and others despite it. Regardless, more young Americans than ever are in college — especially community college, according to a new report."

A record high of about 11.5 million Americans age 18 to 24, or nearly 40 percent, attended college in October 2008, according to a study of Census data released Thursday by the Pew Research Center. Virtually all the increase of 300,000 students over the previous year came at two-year schools, while attendance at four-year schools remained flat.

Community colleges almost certainly saw attendance go up at least that much again this year, though final figures are not yet available. The American Association of Community Colleges reports growth rates of 10 percent and higher have been common this fall on many campuses.

Overall college attendance has been going up for about 30 years; what's new is the sharp uptick at community colleges, driven in large part by recessionary bargain hunting and closer ties between two- and four-year colleges that give students more confidence they'll be able to transfer.

Flu closes some metro schools, but disruptions minimal | StarTribune.com

Flu closes some metro schools, but disruptions minimal StarTribune.com:

"Serious outbreaks of the H1N1 flu are being reported at scattered Twin Cities schools, forcing a few to close and some to alter their instruction to account for all the absent kids.

Statewide, the number of schools with outbreaks has continued to climb since September, reaching 288 last week, according to the state Department of Health. The list includes public and private schools in Minneapolis, White Bear Lake, Richfield, Burnsville, Maplewood, Edina, Apple Valley, Anoka and St. Paul."

Education Week: 'Funding Cliff' Looms Large for States

Education Week: 'Funding Cliff' Looms Large for States:

"Amid a still-shaky economy, a troubling reality is starting to set in for states and school districts: The budget situation may get a lot worse when the federal economic-stimulus spigot runs dry.

The hope of the Obama administration and Democrats in Congress has been that the $787 billion in the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act—including some $100 billion for education—would soften the pain of the recession and help drive a recovery.

But as helpful as many state and local officials have found the once-only stimulus aid in coping with current and anticipated revenue shortfalls, it creates some awfully big holes to fill when the money begins to run out late next year in what’s widely known..."

Michelle Obama Reaps Bonanza From White House Garden -- Politics Daily

Michelle Obama Reaps Bonanza From White House Garden -- Politics Daily:

"The White House garden, a project of First Lady Michelle Obama's East Wing, was planted last April. As of Thursday, when Mrs. Obama presided over the fall harvest, it had produced 963 pounds of food.

When the grades come in on President Obama's first year in office -- and next Wednesday marks the anniversary of his election -- the garden on the South Lawn should get an A (as in arugula) because it was one heck of a good idea.

The garden has been great PR for Mrs. Obama, providing a non-controversial, picturesque backdrop to talk about her inter-related issues -- healthy eating, exercise, obesity, eating locally produced food, plugging the Obama health reform plan pending in Congress and opening up the White House to the community."

Amherst Bulletin | Editorial: State applies brakes to school mergers

Amherst Bulletin Editorial: State applies brakes to school mergers:

"The long arm of the law from Boston won't be compelling small school districts like Hadley to find new partners, it turns out. At least not now.

We believe that when done right, school regionalization can widen academic offerings and reduce administrative costs. It has already done so in many area schools, though small districts continue to dot the state's educational landscape.

Now, recent local studies are questioning the money side of the equation. And the state finds itself - in a financially dismal 2009 - unable to bankroll change."

With New York Teachers’ Contract Set to Expire, Talks Are Unusually Quiet - NYTimes.com

With New York Teachers’ Contract Set to Expire, Talks Are Unusually Quiet - NYTimes.com:

"With two days left on the New York City teachers’ contract, it would be reasonable to expect a thunder-and-lightning storm of fists pounding on tables and accusations flying in the press."

But this is no ordinary year for the United Federation of Teachers, the city’s teachers’ union, or for City Hall.

Instead, there is near silence. While the union and city officials are indeed negotiating, few expect any agreement before Tuesday, which is Election Day. The union is all but certain to stay neutral in the mayoral race — a boon for Mayor Michael R. Bloomberg, who has been widely criticized among the rank and file. And despite nearly constant calls for changes by the schools chancellor, Joel I. Klein, observers are doubtful that the new contract will contain radical changes in the way teachers are employed and paid.

L.A. schools leader considers shortened school year to balance budget | L.A. NOW | Los Angeles Times

L.A. schools leader considers shortened school year to balance budget L.A. NOW Los Angeles Times

Los Angeles schools Supt. Ramon C. Cortines has asked his chief financial officer to study the possibility of shortening the school year to offset part of an expected shortfall of at least $500 million, The Times has learned.

The strategy, if adopted for the 2010-11 school year, would run counter both to the direction of national reform efforts and to the wishes of Cortines, who agrees with research touting the benefits of an extended academic calendar.

"You know I fought fiercely for a longer school year and a longer school day," Cortines said.

At this week's school board meeting, Cortines said he had no alternative but to consider all options. He added that some strategies had to remain off the table. He’s unwilling, for example, to make class sizes larger in middle and high schools. Classes are too large already, he said. Nor would employee furlough days be sufficient to make up the dollar shortfall. Cortines also stipulated that he would not shorten the school year for overcrowded, year-round schools, which operate on overlapping schedules that reduce each student's school year by 17 days.

Furlough days and shortening the school year would have to be negotiated with employee unions, said district spokeswoman Lydia Ramos. Cortines will review the internal analysis from Chief Financial Officer Megan Reilly when he returns from a weeklong trip to China, which began today, Ramos said.

-- Howard Blume

State budget nears completion | detnews.com | The Detroit News

State budget nears completion detnews.com The Detroit News:

"Lansing -- Gov. Jennifer Granholm intends today to sign the final six budget bills, which are most contentious and likely to include line-item vetoes.

One line that won't be vetoed in the higher education budget is for agricultural extension and experiment station programs. Granholm and Michigan State University officials struck a deal announced Thursday that continues funding for those programs and changes their focus to support the green economy."

The budgets awaiting the governor's approval cover higher education, State Police, human services, community health, general government and energy, labor and economic growth. The bills include steep cuts to programs and services including Promise Grants for college students, Medicaid and revenue sharing to help local governments pay for police and fire service. Granholm wielded her veto pen on earlier bills, the most significant one slashing from the school aid budget $52 million in funding for the state's highest spending school districts. Matt Marsden, spokesman for Senate Majority Leader Mike Bishop, R-Rochester, said Granholm can veto what she wants out of the final six bills, but it won't force Republicans to raise taxes.

"If she chooses to use the veto to cut further, we've made it clear she's within her right to do that -- but we've also been clear we have no intention of passing tax increases to fund her line items," Marsden said. "Any additional veto cuts will result in unfunded lines and we'll consider that to be savings for the next fiscal year."

School Hearing Not an Executive Thing: Fenty | NBC Washington

School Hearing Not an Executive Thing: Fenty NBC Washington:

"Noisy protesters greeted District Council members before a special meeting on school reform Thursday morning.

Council members and community residents had asked D.C. Mayor Adrian Fenty to attend the hearing, but the mayor said he doesn't go to hearings in D.C. for the same reason that executives across the country, including the president, don't go to legislative hearings.

Responding to an editorial in the Washington Post that called him 'a child who's too obtuse to his obligations to work cooperatively,' Fenty said, 'I don't go to hearings in D.C. [for] the same reason that Mayor Bloomberg in New York, or Mayor Daley in Chicago, Governor Patrick in Massachusetts, President Obama in the country... executives don't go to legislative hearings.'"

William R. Hite Jr. and Donald J. Briscoe - How performance pay works in the Prince George's schools - washingtonpost.com

William R. Hite Jr. and Donald J. Briscoe - How performance pay works in the Prince George's schools - washingtonpost.com:

"Performance pay is supposed to be the third rail of education reform. But in Prince George's County, we have shown that it doesn't have to be.

Two years ago, we agreed to reward teachers and principals who elevate student achievement in high-need schools. Our program shows that the government can be a catalyst for school reform and that the Obama administration's plans to dramatically expand incentive programs are essential to changing school systems that currently fail, or cannot afford, to reward effective teaching."

New Haven Education Experiment Could Be A Leading Light For Schools Around Nation -- Courant.com

New Haven Education Experiment Could Be A Leading Light For Schools Around Nation -- Courant.com:

"New Haven, increasingly a model city for the state, is about to begin an education experiment that could lead school reform efforts around the nation.

Teachers will be evaluated, at least in part, on how well students perform. Classroom teachers who struggle will be asssisted and bad ones may be given the boot. It's also possible teachers will get bonus pay if students perform well. Failing schools may close and new ones could open. The union will not be able to block school reforms.

And teachers, for a change, will play an active part in making decisions."

Dan Walters: School reform duel shifts to surrogates - Sacramento Politics - California Politics | Sacramento Bee

Dan Walters: School reform duel shifts to surrogates - Sacramento Politics - California Politics Sacramento Bee:

"One of the more obscure – and probably more important – of California's many political conflicts pits an organization called EdVoice against the California Teachers Association and other school unions.

It centers on our ever-deepening education crisis, manifested in low test scores and high dropout rates, especially among black and Latino kids."

EdVoice, maintained by some wealthy Californians such as Southern California developer Eli Broad and Silicon Valley tycoon Reed Hastings, advocates charter schools, tougher teaching standards and other aggressive approaches.

The CTA and its allies, meanwhile, say California's chief education issue is money, specifically its below-average level of per-pupil spending.

It's not so much a partisan or even ideological conflict – Broad and many other EdVoice leaders are Democrats – as it is one of pedagogic philosophy, but that doesn't make it any less abrasive.

Study: California sets among highest math, reading standards | standards, california, reading, state, math - News - OCRegister.com

Study: California sets among highest math, reading standards standards, california, reading, state, math - News - OCRegister.com:

"California's testing standards for public school students in reading and math are tougher than in most states, a National Center for Education Statistics study reveals.

The federal report released today compared the rigor of different states' standards from 2007 on their own tests, the California Standards Tests here, and also to state performance on National Assessment of Education Progress, dubbed NAEP or the Nation's Report Card exams."

Internet’s 40th anniversary celebrated in US

Internet’s 40th anniversary celebrated in US:

"San Francisco, Oct 30 (IANS) The 40th anniversary of the birth of the Internet was celebrated in the US with events being organised at the University of California and the Computer History Museum in Los Angeles to mark the occasion.

Industry leaders, researchers and analysts, among others, attended the function at the California University Thursday, Xinhua reported.

Computer science professor of the university, Leonard Kleinrock, who on Oct 29, 1969 headed a team to send the first message over the ARPANET, which later came to be known as Internet, also attended the event."

Live This City: ... And the bands played on - Sacramento Entertainment - Sacramento Movie Theaters, Music | Sacramento Bee

Live This City: ... And the bands played on - Sacramento Entertainment - Sacramento Movie Theaters, Music Sacramento Bee:

"If music be the food of love, then students in the Rio Americano High School Band program are preparing for the feast of their lives. Luckily, they have the metabolism – and the heart – to handle all 17 courses.

Next Friday, in a school tradition that spans nearly three decades, Rio Americano's 200 student musicians will perform – with fingers, lungs, and carefully concentrating brains – for 17 continuous hours, from 7 a.m. to midnight, in an effort to connect with the community and to raise funds and awareness for the school's award-winning music program."

California Budget Crisis Diaries: F-bomb controversy

California Budget Crisis Diaries: F-bomb controversy

People surrounding Capitol Hill are wondering whether Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger’s office offered some choice words to an assemblymember, while the state’s chances to qualify for stimulus funds increases.

Increase in charter schools: The number of charter schools in California has risen to 809.


The California Charter Schools Association announced Wednesday that it has opened 88 new public charter schools - adding 56,000 new students to the system. According to the Association, this is the largest single-year enrollment increase in state history.

“California charter schools are experiencing explosive growth, roughly 20 percent growth for two years in a row,” said President Jed Wallace. “This consistent growth is phenomenal given this tough economic climate and it speaks to the choices that both parents and teachers are making and their demand for high-quality educational options.”

The increase in charter schools may look good to President Barack Obama, who has expressed his concern with states who have caps on the number of charter schools. If California removes its cap, the state may be eligible for additional education funds under Obama’s “Race to the Top” stimulus plan.

“As a strong supporter of charter schools I couldn’t be happier to learn that enrollment is breaking records and the number of schools is steadily increasing,” Schwarzenegger said. “Charter schools have proven that their innovative teaching practices are helping California students receive the quality education they deserve and that is why I am working to lift the cap on charter schools entirely - so that parents up and down the state have the option to send their children to a high-quality charter school.”

According to the Association, there are 341,000 students enrolled in the 809 California charter schools.

Read more: http://www.sdnn.com/sandiego/2009-10-29/politics-city-county-government/california-budget-politics-city-county-government/california-budget-crisis-diaries-f-bomb-controversy#ixzz0VQHlchSX

Sacramento Press / C.H.A.E.D Charter High School of Architecture+Engineering+Design

Sacramento Press / C.H.A.E.D Charter High School of Architecture+Engineering+Design:

"It starts with the premise of caring for high school students’ future by providing them a quality education to be successful. CHAED will deliver innovative methods to improve and achieve academic excellence, reduce the number of high school dropouts, and give students the opportunity to excel in higher learning and compete with today’s challenge.

In today’s world, it is important that high school students stay current with technology and information, engage in real life applications, and be discipline in their study in order to be competitive. This school will provide the competitive edge."

Why isn't our union fighting? | SocialistWorker.org

Why isn't our union fighting? SocialistWorker.org:

"A CRISIS is tearing through the American public education system like a tornado. It threatens to uproot and overturn everything in its path.

It's no secret that our schools are in a miserable place, and it's something that can't last indefinitely. No one wants it to. So far, the proposals for change are pretty dismal: More cuts to funding. More high-stakes testing. More shredding of collective bargaining rights. More merit pay. More charter schools.

So where is the California Teachers Association (CTA) in all this?"

California Teacher's Association president visits Tahoe/Truckee schools | SierraSun.com

California Teacher's Association president visits Tahoe/Truckee schools SierraSun.com:

"TRUCKEE, Calif. — Sacramento doesn't take public education funding seriously enough. That's a message that David Sanchez, president of the thousand-plus chapter, 300,000-plus member California Teacher's Association, shared this week with local educators.

However, despite his view that Sacramento lacks leadership, Sanchez said he is amazed by the state's teachers making the best of the situation.

Sanchez on Thursday toured the Tahoe Truckee Unified School District and answered a few questions from the Sierra Sun on the state of education in California.

Sierra Sun: David, when you take these site tours, what concerns do you hear? What positives do you see?"

Sacramento Press / Marshall School Closure Blow to Central City Renaissance

Sacramento Press / Marshall School Closure Blow to Central City Renaissance:

"The sudden directive by Sacramento City Unified School District that California Montessori Project must abandon the Old Marshall Elementary School has done more than disrupt the lives of the students, parents and faculty. It has the potential to strike a major blow to the renaissance of the central city. One of the primary reasons families choose where they live is what schools are available. CMP had operated successfully out of the Pioneer Church for eight years. The site did limit the size of the enrollment. When SCUSD deemed Old Marshall School safe for charter school and offered it to CMP, after careful consideration they accepted the offer. CMP was thrilled to have a beautiful building that could be used for it's original purpose and they could expand to meet the strong demand for more student enrollment. Central city neighborhood leaders also expressed their enthusiasm for Old Marshall School returning as an elementary school with a program that attracted more families to Midtown and the surrounding area. "

Rancho Cordova feels slighted by homeless task force - Sacramento News - Local and Breaking Sacramento News | Sacramento Bee

Rancho Cordova feels slighted by homeless task force - Sacramento News - Local and Breaking Sacramento News Sacramento Bee:

"When Sacramento Mayor Kevin Johnson trumpeted a collaborative plan for sheltering homeless people this winter, he caught some key players by surprise.

In Rancho Cordova, where Johnson announced last week that homeless families could be housed on the Mather Community Campus, city leaders bristled."

Uprooting a fall harvest at the White House kitchen garden | 44 | washingtonpost.com

Uprooting a fall harvest at the White House kitchen garden 44 washingtonpost.com:

"Rarely has a giant sweet potato, a muddy knee and a stubbornly rooted fennel plant caused such a stir. But when first lady Michelle Obama led groups of fifth graders from Bancroft Elementary and Kimball Elementary schools in the fall harvesting of the White House Kitchen Garden Thursday afternoon, much oohing, giggling, cuteness and shutter-clicking ensued."

The students, White House kitchen staff and representatives from Miriam's Kitchen -- which feeds the homeless and was the main beneficiary of the vegetable haul -- gathered on the South Lawn around picnic tables draped in red and white checked tablecloths and topped with baskets of apples. White House assistant chef Sam Kass -- he of the bald pate and the People magazine-worthy physique -- divided the kids into groups of three. A trio of girls from Bancroft were paired with the first lady, who initiated a contest to see which kids could dig up the largest sweet potato. Obama noted that she and her daughters had already harvested a particularly hefty one. "They're huge," she said, underscoring the size of the potatoes by holding her hands approximate 12" apart. "They're huge!"

The first lady -- dressed in a pair of lapis jeans, a purple cardigan and purple sneakers -- and her team of students -- dressed in yellow Bancroft T-shirts -- produced a basket filled with impressive tubers, which she presented to the assembled photographers and reporters for documentation.