Monday, November 4, 2013

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Education Headlines

Monday, November 4, 2013

School superintendent's firing proves expensive for Shandon

When the Shandon school district's board of trustees decided to fire its superintendent earlier this month before his contract was up, it locked the rural district already struggling with state budget cutbacks into paying two administrator salaries.

Fresno Unified's Edison High may get new $3.9 million pool

It's been nearly 15 years since Fresno Unified School District started replacing its high schools' decades-old swimming pools, many antiquated and beyond repair. Now it's Edison High's turn.

Central Unified hopes to avoid LA's tablet problem

As Central Unified School District rolls out its new tablets-for-students program, administrators say they're determined to avoid budget problems and hasty decisions plaguing Los Angeles Unified, which aimed to give each of its students an iPad this year.

EDUCATION: Vocabulary lessons boost learning

Fast-paced, high-energy vocabulary lessons are credited with improving the test scores of black and low-income students at two Moreno Valley schools.

Chico to shift to middle-school arrangement

Chico has taken a first step toward middle schools, where sixth-, seventh- and eighth-graders will be attending school together.

Common Core incurs uncommon costs for Modesto area schools

State funding for Common Core – about $200 per student – is being split among technology needs, textbooks and training. That per-student amount is a fraction of what school districts, the state and nation will shell out to implement the new Common Core philosophy, standards and teaching techniques – and legions of companies and consultants have lined up to help them spend it.

Mt. Diablo school district teachers nearly ready to declare impasse

The Mt. Diablo school board has said it wants to make the district a preferred destination for high quality employees. But teachers who have gone without raises for six years, and pay nearly $18,000 a year for family medical coverage, say the district may be the last place the best and brightest want -- or can afford -- to be.

In bid to keep students, Sacramento districts launch IB programs

IB programs can be tough going for all but the most committed students, advocates say. They require advanced study in languages, social and natural sciences, mathematics, history and art. The program’s goal is to guide students to be independent, critical thinkers with a global perspective.

Supt. Deasy's style could make or break his legacy in L.A. Unified

Superintendent John Deasy must pair strong leadership with an open mind to achieve his goals for the school district.

San Diego football coaches, teacher suspended for wearing blackface

Two high school football coaches and a teacher are each being suspended for two days without pay after posting pictures on Facebook showing themselves wearing blackface and costumes meant to mimic the famed Jamaican bobsled team, school officials announced Friday.

Proposition 30: A year later, California schools seeing benefits of tax measure

Today, few Californians are arguing that Proposition 30, which to the surprise of many political observers sailed to an easy victory in last year's Nov. 6 election, hasn't been a good thing for the state.

LAUSD issuing far fewer truancy tickets, report says

Los Angeles school police have sharply curtailed the number of tickets issued for truancy to L.A. Unified students by 93.7% over the last four years, reflecting a step back from punitive disciplinary practices, according to a new report.

Fensterwald: State Board executive director optimistic conflict with feds over testing can be resolved

Despite a threatening letter last week from an assistant secretary of the federal Department of Education, the executive director of the State Board of Education is expressing confidence that the state will reach an agreement over standardized testing next spring to avoid tens of millions of dollars in federal penalties.
Friday, November 1, 2013

Report: Many school districts lack full-time nurses

Fewer than half of the state's school districts, only 43 percent, have full-time school nurses, according to a recent report by researchers from California State University, Sacramento.

Feds threaten to withhold school funds

Though federal officials have threatened to withhold more than $15 million in federal funds, California continues to back a dramatic testing overhaul that would push the state out of compliance with federal rules.

Adams: Parents push for more prominent place at the school budget table

Four months into the rollout of the new state education funding law, parent leaders across California are trying to ensure that “local control” over school spending truly includes parents.

LAUSD board set to tackle iPad project on Tuesday

The Los Angeles Unified board will delve into the district’s controversial iPad project — everything from curriculum and keyboards to infrastructure and electricity — during a special meeting on the $1 billion plan set for Tuesday.
Thursday, October 31, 2013

Schwarzenegger: 'My eye is on the ball'

Former California Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger has formed an alliance with top Senate Democrats to protect federal funding for after-school programs that may be in danger of losing money.

First food allergy guidelines for schools posted by government

The federal government is issuing its first guidelines to schools on how to protect children with food allergies.

Appeal revives school yoga lawsuit

The law firm that unsuccessfully sued to end a yoga program in the Encinitas Union School District earlier this year is appealing the court decision that allowed the practice to continue.

Leaders call for Deasy, LAUSD board to work together