Wednesday, December 16, 2009

Education Week: Major Study Gives Edge to Scripted Reform Models

Major Study Gives Edge to Scripted Reform Models

Capstone to Massive Study Finds Test Gains for More-Prescriptive Models

Many studies have tested whether a particular school improvement program that looks promising works in real classrooms. Far fewer have tried to figure outwhy.

When a program fails to increase students’ learning, for instance, was it because teachers simply didn’t implement it? Or were the instructional practices off base?

A team of researchers from the Consortium for Policy Research in Education, or CPRE, set out 13 years ago to answer such questions with a massive study that involved 115 elementary schools, 300 teachers, 800 school leaders, 7,500 students, and three brand-name models of comprehensive school reform.

Viewed

Emailed

Commented

1. Congress OKs Budget With Increase for...

2. More Top Scorers Found in Tracked...

3. Commentary: Six Tips for Winning 'Race...

4. Politics K-12: 37 States Plan to Apply...

5. Bridging Differences: The Race to...

Calendar of Events - Board Committee Meetings Today and Tomorrow

Calendar of Events - Calendar of Events - Board Committee Meetings Today

Facilities Committee

The next meeting is:

Wednesday, December 16, 2009 Agenda/Handouts/Minutes
Time: 5:30 to 6:30 p.m.
Location: Luther Burbank High School
3500 Florin Road, Sacramento, California 95823
Room Number 220

Meeting Schedule January - June 2009

Board of Education Members:

Roy Grimes, MPA, MBA, Board President (Area 6)
Patrick Kennedy, Board 2nd Vice President and Committee Chairman (Area 7)
Donald Terry, Board Member (Area 3)

We want to know what you think

Qualified School Construction Bonds (QSCB) are a U.S. debt instrument created by Section 1521 of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009. QSCB funds may be used for the rehabilitation, repair and equipping of schools. QSCBs provide federal income tax credits in lieu of interest to lenders who purchase bonds from eligible school districts. Sacramento City Unified School District has received a direct allocation of $21,251,000 for two years.

The Facilities Committee is seeking your input/comments regarding the establishment of potential projects to be funded by QSCB funds. This topic will also be discussed at the November 17, 2009 Facilities Committee Meeting.

Click here to submit your comments

Links for additional information:

IRS Website - QSCB Allocations 2009
http://www.irs.gov/irb/2009-17_IRB/ar08.html#d0e1281

California Department of Education Facilities Website – QSCBs
http://www.cde.ca.gov/ls/fa/qs/index.asp

$2.5 million gift to Sacramento State will fund math teacher development - Latest News - sacbee.com

$2.5 million gift to Sacramento State will fund math teacher development - Latest News - sacbee.com:

"Sacramento State has received a gift estimated at $2.5 million from the estate of a Sacramento teacher that is meant to go toward helping create the next generation of math instructors in area high schools.

The gift from estate of David B. Steinberg, who died Nov. 1 at the age of 92, will endow the Voula Steinberg Memorial Mathematics Programs Fund in the College of Natural Sciences and Mathematics. Voula Steinberg was David Steinberg's wife."

Both Steinbergs taught high school in the Sacramento City Unified School District. David established the memorial fund in honor of his late wife.

The fund supports scholarships that encourage students to pursue careers as mathematics teachers at the secondary level.

Mathematics and statistics professor Doraiswamy Ramachandran said David Steinberg was a warm and caring person who was "passionate about helping to create outstanding teachers of mathematics."

David Steinberg's death notice said he also was a quiet hero. During World War II, he was a bombardier-navigator during 25 missions flown over Europe, although he was dismissive of his service. He was recognized with the Distinguished Flying Cross.

In Sacramento, Yet Another Freshman Speaker | California Progress Report

In Sacramento, Yet Another Freshman Speaker

Posted on 15 December 2009

By Peter Schrag
California Progress Report Columnist

When his Democratic colleagues designated freshman Assemblyman John A. Perez of Los Angeles as the next speaker of that august body, it was duly noted that he was both Latino and gay. Former Speaker Willie Brown also observed that it wasn’t either of those things that got him selected. It was the fact that he has a good labor record.

But electing a Latino as speaker is hardly unusual these days. He’s the third in the past dozen years, among them his own cousin, Anthony Villaraigosa, now the mayor of Los Angeles, and Cruz Bustamante of Fresno, who went on to become lieutenant governor and then had a spectacular flameout when he ran for governor in the 2003 recall.

And while Perez appears to be the first openly gay speaker, even that distinction isn’t terribly notable. At almost the same time he was selected last week, Annise Parker, a lesbian who with her partner in raising three children, was elected mayor of Houston. That’s a real first, though even in Houston they’re not making much of a fuss over it

What may, in the larger scheme of things, be more notable about John Perez is that he won his primary in June 2008 with just 4905 votes – roughly 3000 more than his nearest opponent. He prevailed in the November general election – needlessly to say, in an absurdly safe Democratic and overwhelmingly Latino district – by 51,556 to 9,180, a lopsided margin, but the lowest voter turnout of any of the state’s

SCUSD Observer: Still $8 million and holding?

Still $8 million and holding?

The SCUSD Board of Directors will elect officers at tomorrow night's board meeting. Superintendent Raymond is scheduled to report on his 100 days findings and recommendations. Action items include bond money reallocation with regard to the $8 million set aside for the unresolved issue of the consent decree high school and also presumably for modernization of The Met, financial reports by acting CFO Patricia Hagemeyer, and approval for a memorandum of understanding for Race to the Top funds.

The board meeting will stream live beginning at 6:30 p.m.
For more SCUSD Observer: Still $8 million and holding?

New Deputy Superintendent Named - Year 2009 (CA Dept of Education)

State Schools Chief Jack O'Connell Names New Deputy Superintendent of Government Affairs and Charter Schools

SACRAMENTO — State Superintendent of Public Instruction Jack O'Connell today announced the appointment of Lupita Cortez Alcalá as Deputy Superintendent of the Government Affairs and Charter Development Branch.

"As California continues to implement the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act, competes in the Race to the Top, and negotiates our own state's ongoing economic crisis, it is reassuring to know that a person of Lupita's leadership ability, experience, and knowledge will help guide efforts to improve public education," O'Connell said.

In her new capacity, Alcalá is responsible for directing the Superintendent's legislative and fiscal policy agenda, and overseeing the California Department of Education's (CDE) charter schools division. Alcalá is CDE's lead representative and advocate for legislative and fiscal priorities before policy and budget committees. She also works with representatives of legislative and executive offices and education stakeholders to address education policy issues.

Alcalá is a graduate of Harvard University's School of Education, where she earned a master's degree in Planning Administration and Social Policy. She has a bachelor's degree in Political Science from the University of California, San Diego. Alcalá previously served for three years as CDE's Director of Legislative Affairs. Before joining CDE, Alcalá served as deputy legislative secretary to former Governor Gray Davis.

Alcalá replaces Andrea Ball, who has accepted a position as Executive Director of the California Academic Partnership Program, an intersegmental program that resides in the California State University Chancellor's Office in Long Beach.

Related Content

Government Affairs & Charter Development Branch - Contact information for branches and divisions of the California Department of Education.

Jack O'Connell — State Superintendent of Public Instruction

Communications Division, Room 5206, 916-319-0818, Fax 916-319-0100

Education Secretary Arne Duncan Says Merit Pay Should Be Tied to Student Growth - US News and World Report

Education Secretary Arne Duncan Says Merit Pay Should Be Tied to Student Growth - US News and World Report:

"With billions in stimulus funding, Education Secretary Arne Duncan has more power to create change in the nation's schools than any of his predecessors. Before taking his current post, Duncan was CEO of the Chicago Public Schools. During his tenure there, reading and math scores set new records, and the number of high school students taking Advanced Placement courses more than tripled. Now he faces the challenge of prodding school districts around the country to improve student performance while local school budgets are tanking. U.S. News Senior Writer Kim Clark asked Duncan how leadership will help him reform American education in the midst of a recession. Listen to a podcast of this interview."

Schools Matter: Arnold's Henchwoman Defends Race to the Top, CA Reforms - And Padding Her Own Pockets!

Arnold's Henchwoman Defends Race to the Top, CA Reforms - And Padding Her Own Pockets!

A few days ago, the Mercury News (CA) printed a story, "Governor's ties to charter schools driving Race to the Top goals?" that outlined how the various pro-charter reformers, including Eli Broad and his pals at the NewSchools Venture Fund, had aided and influenced the Governator's education agenda. Well, the story certainly infuriated Margaret Fortune, whom Arnold appointed as his director of the Governor's Initiative to Turn Around Failing Schools back in 2008 (with a cushy $100,000 salary). Fortune responded to the Mercury's previous article about Arnold's reform agenda with this opinion piece, "Bass sells out kids in favor of teacher unions," which bashes the much more reasonable legislation proposed by Assemblywoman Julia Brownley, legislation the Governator has promised to terminate if it reaches his desk. Fortune and her boss, the Milton Friedman-loving, Ronald Reagan-admiring Governor, strongly prefer the bill of Gloria Romero, the same woman who has pushed uber-choice proposals, charter school legislation, and the "trigger provision" that would greatly help charter school chains in their hostile takeover of public education. Fortune's piece begins like this

voiceofsandiego.org | News. Investigation. Analysis. Conversation. Intelligence.

voiceofsandiego.org | News. Investigation. Analysis. Conversation. Intelligence.:

"Barrera is New School Board Prez

The new president of the San Diego Unified school board is Richard Barrera, who won the job with a unanimous vote, replacing Shelia Jackson. The vice president will be John Lee Evans.

While the president does not have dramatic powers, it can be a political springboard for school board members, as our article last winter explains. Both Barrera and Evans were elected last fall, are considered sympathetic to the teachers union, and are usually part of the majority vote on the split board.

-- EMILY ALPERT"

Holiday Run for Youth a Success for Community — The Rancho Cordova Post

Holiday Run for Youth a Success for Community

by XIUL MIRANDA on DECEMBER 12, 2009 · 3 COMMENTS

in LIFESTYLE, SPORTS

Rancho Cordova PAL Fun Run 2009 - The Rancho Cordova Post

The crowd cheered for every single runner. Although rough winds were starting to rush in, the runners at the Holiday Run for the Youth by theRancho Cordova Police Activities League were giving their best effort to cross the finish line.

Josh Gruver, a 17-year-old Cordova High School student won first place in the 5k run with a time of 17 minutes and 25 seconds. Anthony Enriquez, a 17-year-old from Sacramento took second, and Mitch Garrett from Galt placed third.

Anthony Fagundes from Fair Oaks took first place in the 10k run with a time of 35 minutes and 59 seconds. Second place was taken by Rancho Cordova resident Tony Giglini, 33 and third by Elk Grove resident Gary Campbell.
The PAL Holiday Run for the Youth was held at Village Green Park located near Zinfandel Drive. Participants took part in a 5k, 10k or 1.2 mile run/walk and a toy drive was also underway for less fortunate families in the area. Benefits will go to the Rancho Cordova Police Activities League, which offers free activities for the youth in Rancho Cordova.

Elk Grove Citizen : Lifestyle

Elk Grove Citizen : Lifestyle:

"Recent tuition hikes at major colleges became a hot controversial matter, reaching national attention. It is also the local impact that is causing a lot of concern.

Still, the cost of tuition continues to climb, making it difficult for students and parents to provide for a “complete” education for the youth of our nation.

This problem will have far reaching repercussions. With more people unable to complete their education what will happen to the intellectual standards of this country?

Already we have seen statistics that many European countries, especially some of the smaller ones, have a more educated youth population than the United States.

Lack of educationally trained individuals has been brought to our attention before. Remember the days when Russia sent its first Sputnik satellite into outer space? Leaders brought the need for more and better education to the forefront."

New Jobs Bill Would Include Money for Facilities, Edujobs - Politics K-12 - Education Week

New Jobs Bill Would Include Money for Facilities, Edujobs

By Alyson Klein on December 16, 2009 9:50 AM | No Comments | No TrackBacks

Don't call it a second stimulus, but House Democratic leaders introduced a bill yesterday that's meant to help jump-start the still-sluggish economy, but includes some new money for K-12 education (although nothing on the scale of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act, passed last winter).

The bill includes a $23 billion state "education jobs fund," which looks fairly similar to the nearly $50 billion State Fiscal Stabilization Fund that was created under the ARRA, in that states must restore cuts, proportionally, to K-12 and higher education, then the rest of the money goes for other education purposes.

Most notably: It appears that those four education redesign assurances you've heard so much about would not apply to these new funds. That means states wouldn't have to report on how they plan to make progress on turning around low-performing schools, improve teacher quality and distribution, bolster standards and assessments, and step up data collection.

The Educated Guess � Obama official: Innovation to drive ed agenda

The Educated Guess � Obama official: Innovation to drive ed agenda

Educators and legislators have dismissed the federal Race to the Top money and related competitions for education dollars as one-time gimmicks designed to push President Obama’s agenda on education.
James Shelton has some advice: Get used to it. Innovation, he said will drive reform in the new administration. “This is early training for what’s to come.”
As the assistant deputy secretary for innovation and improvement at the U.S. Department of Education, Shelton knows about what he speaks. Shelton manages the department’s competitive teacher quality, school choice and learning technology programs. That will include what’s expected to be hotly contested Invest in Innovation or I3 grants, a $650 million program that will award school districts, in partnerships with museums, corporations and universities, with grants of $5 million to $50 million.
Shelton spoke this week to educators and business leaders at the HP’s Cupertino campus in an event sponsored by the Silicon Valley Education Foundation and TechNet, the high tech lobby.

Make Your Group a Resource - PTOToday.com

Make Your Group a Resource

If people think of your group as welcoming and helpful, they'll turn there first when they have questions—and the PTO will gain their support and loyalty.

by Evelyn Beck

You probably don’t think of “serving parents” as a goal for your PTO. You help the school and the students; parents should be serving the PTO, not the other way around. In truth, though, helping parents is probably the most important thing you can do to ensure the long-term health of your group and the school. shows that when parents get involved in their children’s education, students do better in school, the school improves, and teachers are happier. That’s why the most successful groups focus on building a stronger connection with parents. They know that giving moms and dads a more positive image of their group and the school pays off in increased involvement. That translates into more volunteers, better fundraising, a stronger school community, and a better learning environment.

A key way to grow that connection is to make your group a resource for parents. You have access to valuable information and contacts that can help parents. You just need to put them to use.

Help for Newcomers

The PTO for the Maine School Administrative District 51, based in Cumberland, has a mentoring program for new families. Newcomers receive a list of names they can call, or they can request that someone contact them. The advice sought ranges from recommendations for pediatricians to where to get the best pizza in town, says PTO cochairwoman Gloria Nicholson. A more formal mentoring program at Our Lady’s Christian School in Erie, Pa., matches new and veteran families who have children of the same age.

Some parent groups assemble handbooks with tips on everything from what to do if your child is sick to the school’s visitor policy. Information like this is posted on a new parent webpage at Sylvan Park Elementary Paideia Design Center in Nashville, Tenn. It includes a map to illustrate the drop-off and pickup route and the ending time for kindergarten. The website address is posted on the school marquee as well as on a magnet sent home with students. “We encourage people to make it their homepage,” says PTO president Julie James.

PTOs also offer more general parenting resources. For example, the Lincoln Park (N.J.) Elementary PTO links to “Questions Parents Ask About Schools,”a free pamphlet from the U.S. Department of Education.

Get Schooled | ajc.com

Arne Duncan at Grady: Students willing to tackle race issues

4:34 am December 16, 2009, by Maureen Downey

In his whirlwind tour of Atlanta Monday, Education Secretary Arne Duncan seemed to have the most fun with the students at Grady High School. (See earlier blog on his session with educatorsand community leaders.)

The session was short but lively as the teens talked about bridging the racial divide at their midtown high school

Duncan joined 23 members of Grady’s Social Diversity Club. The education secretary listened far more than he talked, but was impressed with the students’ insightful comments about why teens tend to socialize with classmates who are similar to them. Some kids felt the racial divide had its roots in elementary and middle schools that were largely segregated due to Atlanta housing patterns.

Grady High School principal Vincent Murray, left, U.S. Education Secretary Arne Duncan, center, Adolfo Carrion, director of the White House Office of Urban Affairs Policy, and APS Superintendent Beverly Hall listen to a discussion of the Social Diversity Club during

Continue reading Arne Duncan at Grady: Students willing to tackle race issues »

Rules on teachers, schools could change to snare aid | freep.com | Detroit Free Press

Determined not to leave up to $400 million in federal funds on the table, state lawmakers appear determined this week to resolve differences in House and Senate bills that mandate significant changes in public schools.

To qualify for the Race to the Top federal stimulus money, Michigan would have to make changes to allow merit pay for teachers, lessen restrictions on opening charter schools, plan for sanctions for underperforming schools and make it easier for people to become teachers. Teachers unions and local school officials have fought the ideas in the past.

Rep. Tim Melton, D-Auburn Hills, said state and federal initiatives will produce "a sea change" in the way troubled schools operate and kids learn. "It's a huge deal," he said.

And it's a lot of money for a state with big money problems. The Democrat-controlled House and Republican-controlled Senate have approved different versions of legislation that must be resolved before Gov. Jennifer Granholm can sign it.

Michigan's Race to the Top application is due Jan. 19, with the first round of funding to be announced in April.

School grants spur state lawmakers to action

U.S. Education Secretary Arne Duncan has called the Obama administration's Race to the Top initiative "education reform's moon shot," the largest pot of discretionary school funding -- $4 billion or so -- in the nation's history.

But the scramble set off to qualify for the federal government'scompetitive grants has been very much Earth-bound.

In Michigan and other states, legislators and education officials have engaged in a frenzy of deal-making to win Race to the Top funding.

Whether the end result is real classroom change -- especially in the chronically troubled schools that are the main target for reform -- won't be known for years.

Latest News and Comment from Education