Wednesday, August 7, 2013

UPDATE: FCMAT » Cali Education Headlines Wednesday, August 7, 2013

FCMAT » Fiscal Crisis & Management Assistance Team:

Statement on NCLB Waiver Approval - Year 2013

"All California schools deserve relief from the unworkable mandates of No Child Left Behind"




Education Headlines

Wednesday, August 7, 2013

Fensterwald: A compelling or distracting NCLB waiver?

Education Secretary Arne Duncan’s approval of the CORE districts’ waiver from unattainable provisions of the No Child Left Behind law, exposed some old and some new internecine disputes in California education.

Ex-schools chief appeals ruling in favor of Capistrano Unified

James Fleming – the former Capistrano Unified School District chief who created a database of parent critics – is appealing an Orange County judge's decision to dismiss his $1.6 million breach-of-contract lawsuit.

Principal departures shake up Newport-Mesa

With the school year just weeks away, top administrative slots at three Newport-Mesa Unified School District schools remain unfilled after a summer of unusually high turnover, leaving faculty, parents and students with the prospect of having to quickly adjust to their new principals' leadership styles.

With school around the corner, it's time to get kids immunized

While Sacramento's children burn through their final weeks of summer freedom, school officials are urging parents to prepare for the school year by getting kindergartners and seventh-graders their proper immunizations.

School officials deny politicking report

San Diego Unified School District officials say they did not violate state law with political postings through the district’s website and email accounts. The district was responding to a report in May by the county grand jury, a 19-member civic panel that reviews local government issues. The report cited U-T Watchdog stories in 2012 regarding political messages using district resources.

2 hearing-impaired students' lawsuits can proceed

The Tustin and Poway hearing-impaired students have sued their school districts over transcription services for classes.

Strategic plan highlights shortcomings with West Contra Costa school district

West Contra Costa schools trustees heard Monday that their district suffers from a slate of problems, including a low level of trust in the community, poor communication with stakeholders and no sense of urgency to embrace change.

Lodi schools to require student contract in campaign against cyberbullying

Fed up with episodes of cyberbullying, Lodi Unified School District officials are requiring high school athletes and club members to sign a contract vowing not to post inappropriate language or photos online.

Fensterwald: Eight California districts receive historic NCLB waiver

Eight California school districts collectively will receive the first district waiver from penalties under the No Child Left Behind law, U.S. Secretary of Education Arne Duncan announced Tuesday.
Tuesday, August 6, 2013

Final rush for Central Library School

Weeks before San Diego’s newest and most novel high school is set to open inside the downtown library, educators and construction crews are scrambling to recruit the final students, hammer the last nails and negotiate operating costs.

L.A. teachers give their new iPads a test drive

LAUSD instructors gather at six schools this week to train on iPads, which 31,000 students and 1,500 teachers in 47 schools will begin using this year.
Monday, August 5, 2013

#dislike: Lodi Unified students protest social media policy aimed at bullying

The policy cracks down on threats towards other people and other bullying techniques. It allows schools to bench athletes or remove students from clubs if officials learn they have posted inappropriate, profane or sexual language on a social media site - or boasted or endorsed illegal or violent activity.

New school

One Stockton Unified teacher says she's anticipating having more fun than she has in 15 years. Another speaks of looking forward to greater freedom to flex her creative muscles. One even went so far last week as to call coming changes to California public education "almost like an aphrodisiac if you're a teacher."

Common Core issues: Money, tech, testing

Some observers say it may take three or more years before Common Core is running at optimum speed and efficiency.