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Monday, October 14, 2013

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Mongeau: New funding formula revives push for smaller class sizes






Education Headlines

Monday, October 14, 2013

Founts in spotlight

When Mick Founts reversed course over summer and announced he would not run for a second term as the highest-ranking and most powerful education official in San Joaquin County, he said his reasons were private and his decision was "personal."

Bassett school board OK’s investigation into alleged bullying of students, teachers by administrators

The Bassett Unified School District Board of Education has authorized a third-party investigation of alleged “personnel problems” at Bassett High School after repeated claims of bullying against students and teachers by school administrators.

Mongeau: New funding formula revives push for smaller class sizes

Just weeks into the school year, some districts are struggling with a provision in California’s dramatic revision of its school financing system that calls for smaller class sizes in grades K-3.

Coachella Valley Unified to begin issuing iPads

After a few weeks of delay, east valley schools will start rolling out iPads on Monday, handing out about 1,200 student tablets over the following week.

Palm Springs Unified School District strapped for substitutes

A surge of training that has taken teachers out of the classroom or added hours to their week has exacerbated a shortage of substitutes in west valley schools, so the Palm Springs Unified School District is asking qualified candidates to consider stepping into a classroom.

Rialto Unified superintendent denies romantic relationship with Oakes

Saying enemies are campaigning to oust him, Rialto Unified Superintendent Harold Cebrun denied on Friday any knowledge of the embezzlement allegedly committed by former district accountant Judith Oakes and having a romantic relationship with her.

Fresno teachers union blasts district's recent contract offer

Union officials for Fresno Unified teachers are lambasting a proposed three-year deal giving educators a 2.5% raise in the first year and the district more leverage to discipline instructors.

School district studies plan for defibrillators

Officials in Orange Unified School District are studying a plan to add defibrillators to campuses following the death of a high school football player during practice this summer.

'Excessed teachers' to vie for jobs

The San Diego Unified School District has a lot riding on first-grade teacher Kimberly Warren. Warren’s job at Euclid Elementary School will soon be eliminated due to a drop in enrollment and higher class size limits. That puts Warren into a pool of 366 “excessed teachers” who will compete for open jobs or have one created for them by the district, which is obligated to employ every instructor on the payroll.

Opponents start ballot effort to dump transgender law

Californians could face another divisive, expensive battle over lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender rights now that a coalition of conservative groups has hired the veteran GOP strategist behind Proposition 8 - and raised hundreds of thousands of dollars - to qualify a ballot measure that would repeal a new law requiring schools to make accommodations for transgender students.

School's military-style reboot aims to push students further

To boost college-attendance rates, North Valley Military Institute in Granada Hills combines teaching with physical training and a rank structure.

Case of cursing LAUSD teacher raises legal questions about secret recordings

The teacher, who last week was placed on paid leave while Los Angeles Unified School District administrators investigate the matter, argues that she shouldn’t be disciplined because the student broke the law by making the recording. But is that true?

Suit: Peninsula teacher made slur, OK'd punch

A former Sequoia High School student has filed a lawsuit that alleges his teacher made derogatory comments about his Canadian heritage and allowed another student to punch him in the face so hard she broke his nose.

East Bay teens suspended after photo of school fight hits Instagram

Several students were suspended from Pittsburg High School after sharing a photo posted on the Instagram social network site that included derogatory comments about a girl whom the principal was trying to restrain during a fight, authorities said.

Oakland schools set goals for increasing number of graduates

Oakland public school leaders hope to see the graduation rate rise to 64 percent by the end of this school year and the percentage of students who drop out fall to 21 percent as part of a yearly goal setting program for the district called the Balanced Scorecard.

Students in foster care face 'invisible achievement gap,' study says

Thousands of California students in foster care are suffering from an "invisible achievement gap," with worse academic performance, a higher dropout rate and placement in more failing schools than their statewide peers, according to a study set for release Monday.
Friday, October 11, 2013

Greenfield takes community approach to literacy

Greenfield represents a microcosm of many small and rural agricultural communities scattered throughout California. Most of the community's parents are first-generation immigrants, and they share the hopes, dreams and optimism that their children will have opportunities never given to them

Residents clash with district over late-night football practice

Two residents living behind Fountain Valley High School filed a lawsuit that has forced the Huntington Beach Union High School District to stop leasing its practice fields to a nonprofit youth football league.

Sleepy school board elections get a wake-up call

School board elections draw more interest in tight times. Parents don’t want programs cut. Employees don’t want their pay cut. Taxpayers want a frugal eye over it all. This year, better times bring a different problem. More money is coming to San Joaquin Valley schools, with extra for poor kids, English learners and foster children – all of which we have in high numbers – and more local control with it.

Pittsburg High School students suspended for inappropriate comments posted on Instagram

Several students were suspended from Pittsburg High School after sharing a photo posted on the Instagram social network site that included derogatory comments about a girl whom the principal wa