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Monday, June 24, 2013

California children facing poor economic conditions, education | Pass / Fail | 89.3 KPCC

California children facing poor economic conditions, education | Pass / Fail | 89.3 KPCC:

California children facing poor economic conditions, education

Options Head Start - 1
Teacher Lawana Nelson teaches preschoolers Marissa Arellano, left, and Andrea Castaneda how to snap their fingers during the afternoon session at Options Head Start in Monrovia on Thursday, May 16.; Credit: Maya Sugarman/KPCC
study out Monday shows that more children nationwide are living in poverty than previous years, with California kids faring particularly poorly. The 2013 KIDS COUNT Data Book ranks California’s children 41st out of the 50 states in overall well-being.
The statistics are from an annual study by the Annie E. Casey Foundation examining how children nationwide are faring in terms of health, education, family, community and economic well being. The foundation gives eachstate a score in each area and combines them for the overall rankings.
Children in California ranked 46th out of 50 in terms of economic well being. Casey officials said one big reason

Tablets in the classroom bring cutting edge problems, too

Apple Ipad
A young girl holds an Apple iPad on display.; Credit: Dan Kitwood/Getty Images
Administrators at L.A. Unified may want to read an article out today in the technology news website Information Week about stumbling blocks that may hinder classroom iPad  programs.
Tech writer and wireless network administrator Lee Badman outlines a multitude of problems educators face when incorporating iPads into the school day including failing wireless networks and teachers serving double duty as tech support.
The Los Angeles Unified School District's Board of Education last week approved a $30 million contract with Apple Inc. to purchase iPads for students and teachers at 47 schools. After the initial rollout phase, the district ultimately plans to equip every student in the district with a tablet.