Tuesday, July 16, 2013

FCMAT » Cali Education Headlines Tuesday, July 16, 2013

FCMAT » Fiscal Crisis & Management Assistance Team:

Next Generation Science Standards Proposed - Year 2013 (CA Dept of Education)





Education Headlines

Tuesday, July 16, 2013

Recall decision looms over Coachella Valley school board

The Riverside County registrar’s office has until Thursday to decide if an effort to recall the Coachella Valley Unified school board will finally move forward.

Tustin schools offer healthier lunches, more vegetarian choices for fall

Come fall, Tustin Unified School District will serve healthier, less processed options for lunch, including more vegetarian entrees and no peanut or nut items.

Tustin police increase, improve lockdown trainings for district teachers

The Tustin Police Department and Tustin Unified School District plan to increase and update lockdown training for school personnel and shore up building security. The changes are in response to the Sandy Hook Elementary School shooting in Newtown, Conn., that killed 26 people in December.

Study: Low-income kids throughout California are missing out on federally funded lunch program

School is out for summer and consequently many children from low-income families in Marin are missing out on the free and reduced-price lunches they receive during the academic year, according to a report by California Food Policy Advocates.

OMG! Survey, like, says digital-savvy students are good at writing!

Despite popular perceptions that digital technologies are ruining writing skills, a Pew survey of teachers finds some advantages.

Oakland: Summer bridge program gives the youngsters a jump on school

A shortage of publicly funded preschool spots means that not every eligible California child will attend a state preschool or Head Start program before enrolling in kindergarten. And the high cost of private preschool can be a barrier for many middle-class families. The summer bridge programs are often the only option for some.

El Cerrito landmark eyed for new charter school

Silicon Valley-based charter school operators who are petitioning the West Contra Costa schools for approval of a charter are simultaneously negotiating to lease an iconic El Cerrito landmark to house the new school.

Riley: California should embrace new national teacher preparation standards

Are we finally about to get serious about improving the professional training of school teachers and principals in this country? And will California be a leader or laggard in this effort?

Fensterwald: CORE districts to make final personal pitch for No Child Left Behind waiver

Quickly running out of time, a delegation from nine California school districts will go to Washington this week to make a last pitch to federal officials for a waiver from the No Child Left Behind law.

La Jolla ASB funds found missing

A former La Jolla High clerk is under investigation after auditors determined she removed more than $25,000 from student activity funds and used accounting tricks to cover up, San Diego Unified School District officials said.

Small schools anticipate funding cuts

As the Legislature prepares to pass Gov. Jerry Brown’s state budget, educators in five of Siskiyou County’s small schools are anticipating a significant loss of funding, and the fate of these institutions remains unknown.
Monday, July 15, 2013

Mom-and-pop operation

During a workshop last week to hone the skills of parent leaders in Stockton Unified, participants were asked to introduce themselves to their counterparts and to engage them in a series of one-on-one conversations.

Local schools eye more money in budgets

California's school financing system has been overhauled for the first time in 40 years, forcing Mother Lode districts to revise their budgets but promising to fill gaps left by the recession.

Greenfield's outgoing superintendent made a big impact on schools

With his blond hair and football-player swagger, it's difficult to see that Greenfield Union Superintendent Trevor McDonald has anything in common with the students in his mostly Latino school district. But as the only child of a single mother, McDonald said he did not grow up much differently than many of the students, who come from low-income families.