Teachers and public pensions myths | TheUnion.com

Teachers and public pensions myths TheUnion.com:


"The topic of public pensions seems interwoven into most newspapers these days. As a retired teacher, the “educator” in me feels the need to set the record straight on a few key points. Many people seem to think that teachers receive their pensions as a free benefit when, in fact, they pay into their own retirement account.

The average teacher paid into his/her retirement for more that 26 years and receives $2,700 per month in benefits. (Those who retired in the 70s or 80s receive a far smaller monthly benefit). Most do not receive medical benefits following retirement.

Although teachers are eligible to retire at 55, they lose a certain percentage of their benefit for each month between their retirement age and age 60. Unlike corporate workers, teachers are required to contribute to their pensions; most paid eight percent into the California State Teachers' Retirement System (CalSTRS) which is higher than the rate private workers pay for Social Security.

In general, teachers aren't eligible for Social Security so their CalSTRS pension is their only guaranteed income in retirement. Just as private sector retirees rely on Social Security, retired teachers rely on CalSTRS.

Teachers don't enter the profession to get rich. They made contributions in good faith, were promised a pension in return, and should be able to depend on this modest retirement income."

Texas takes another stab at teacher merit pay | News for Dallas, Texas | Dallas Morning News | Texas Regional News

Texas takes another stab at teacher merit pay News for Dallas, Texas Dallas Morning News Texas Regional News:


"'A good teacher is a good teacher, and all merit pay does is divide and separate us, and create a negative atmosphere on campus where teachers compete for what I consider insignificant amounts of money,' Brothers said."

YouTube - Parents, Schools Make Plans for Swine Flu

YouTube - Parents, Schools Make Plans for Swine Flu:

"Hundreds of schools are heeding the government's call to set up flu-shot clinics this fall, preparing for what could be the most widespread school vaccinations since the days of polio. (Aug. 18)"

Report Says Texas Students Should Study Only Conservatives

Report Says Texas Students Should Study Only Conservatives:

"The first draft of proposed standards for the state’s high school history books says Texas public school students should learn about former Republican U.S. House Speaker Newt Gingrich and other conservative politicians, but not about liberals."

Some California teachers oppose stimulus aid - 8/21/09 - San Francisco News - abc7news.com

Some California teachers oppose stimulus aid - 8/21/09 - San Francisco News - abc7news.com:

"SACRAMENTO, CA (KGO) -- California could lose hundreds of millions of federal stimulus dollars, if the state fails to make changes in education. Now Governor Schwarzenegger is calling for a special legislative session to make sure the state gets that much-needed cash."

Nation Digest: Teachers Union Criticizes Obama's Schools Initiative - washingtonpost.com

Nation Digest: Teachers Union Criticizes Obama's Schools Initiative - washingtonpost.com:


"'Despite growing evidence to the contrary, it appears that the administration has decided that charter schools are the only answer to what ails America's public schools -- urban, suburban, exurban and rural -- and all must comply with that silver bullet.'"

Rocklin schools sue state board over academy's charter - Roseville/Placer County News - sacbee.com

Rocklin schools sue state board over academy's charter - Roseville/Placer County News - sacbee.com:

"The Rocklin district says the state Board of Education approved the public charter school without putting the issue on a meeting agenda. The district also accuses state board members of discussing the matter outside of the meeting, a violation of open meeting laws, and other procedural mistakes."

Imperial Valley News - Governor Schwarzenegger Discusses Education Reform in Weekly Radio Address

Imperial Valley News - Governor Schwarzenegger Discusses Education Reform in Weekly Radio Address:


"Now, let me give you a few highlights of this reform package.

Number 1: Current California law caps the number of charter schools allowed in the state. Not only does this stifle innovation but it’s prohibited under the President’s plan. So I am asking the legislature to lift that cap.

Number 2: The key to excellence in any area, including education, is competition and consumer choice. Yet current law tempers competition and limits choice. Our reforms change that. We will empower students, especially those suffering in our lowest-performing schools, to transfer to a school and a district of their choosing.

Number 3: We must increase accountability and transparency, by collecting and using data more effectively. How can we improve if we don’t know what’s working and what’s not?"

Children and media: Involved parents make informed choices

Children and media: Involved parents make informed choices:

"The media that children are exposed to affects their moods, their ability to get along with other people, their self-image, and how they participate in society."

Connect at Home: School success requires parent involvement

Connect at Home: School success requires parent involvement:

"Parents should be partners with their child's teacher. Introduce yourself to the teacher and talk about goals, communication preferences, concerns you have about your child, etc. Talk with teachers even when things are going well with your child, not just when problems arise. If there are problems, it is easier to work them out if you already have a relationship with the teacher."

Sac City's brand new boss - Sacramento News - Local and Breaking Sacramento News | Sacramento Bee

Sac City's brand new boss - Sacramento News - Local and Breaking Sacramento News Sacramento Bee:


"The new Sacramento City Unified schools superintendent, Jonathan Raymond, stops by the Matriculation & Orientation Center on Florin Road and chats with supervisor Luda Hedger, left, parent Elvia Patino and translator Leticia Magallan.
The former Charlotte, N.C., schools chief spent his first day on the job Friday visiting schools and centers in the district."

George Washington Carver School of Arts and Science Newsletter Aug 09

George Washington Carver School of Arts and Science Newsletter Aug 09:

"George Washington Carver School of Arts and Science Newsletter Aug 09"

IF YOU ARE CREATIVE AND EXCITED ABOUT LEARNING "OUTSIDE THE BOX;"

IF YOU ARE AN ARTIST, A DREAMER, A CREATOR OR A THINKER,

ENROLL AT

George Washington Carver School of Arts and Science.

How will You Engage the World?

call the office for enrollment materials: 916/228-5751

download forms at http://www.carverartsandscience.org/

become a fan on Facebook

The White House - Blog Post - Ramadan Kareem

The White House - Blog Post - Ramadan Kareem:

"Each Ramadan, the ninth month on the lunar calendar, Muslims fast daily from dawn to sunset for 29 or 30 days. Fasting is a tradition in many religious faiths and is meant to increase spirituality, discipline, thankfulness, and consciousness of God's mercy. Ramadan is also a time of giving and reaching out to those less fortunate, and this summer, American Muslims have joined their fellow citizens in serving communities across the country. Over the course of the month, we will highlight the perspectives of various faiths on fasting and profile faith-based organizations making real impacts in American cities and towns."

Proposed Mayoral Takeover Of MPS Causes Debate - Education News Story - WISN Milwaukee

Proposed Mayoral Takeover Of MPS Causes Debate - Education News Story - WISN Milwaukee:

"'We believe school reform works best when the educators in the classroom as well as the community is involved in shaping that reform,'"

National Forum Notes Model Created by Center for Urban Education - USC News

National Forum Notes Model Created by Center for Urban Education - USC News:

"The Obama administration is particularly interested in innovative methods being used by colleges such as Long Beach City College as the government plans to increase the role of community colleges as conduits to higher education and specialized careers. In July, the administration announced a 10-year, $12-billion initiative to invest in community colleges and has made a goal of five million additional community-college graduates by 2020"

voiceofsandiego.org: Schooled... Blogger for a Day: Holding a Lighted Match Under the Thermostat

voiceofsandiego.org: Schooled... Blogger for a Day: Holding a Lighted Match Under the Thermostat:


"To use another analogy, merit pay is like holding a lighted match under the thermostat in order to claim that the temperature of the room is rising. If the current testing regime becomes even more 'high stakes' for teachers, they will certainly seek out teaching assignments in schools where students are the most likely to score high on tests or to show improvements in test scores from year to year. This means that teachers will avoid schools with the student populations who are most in need of high quality instructors."

Education task force to study local efficiencies - San Jose Mercury News

Education task force to study local efficiencies - San Jose Mercury News:

"SANTA CRUZ -- The county Board of Education on Thursday unanimously approved a request by Superintendent Michael Watkins to form a task force that will study ways local school districts could be more efficient, such as combining some services.
The task force will be made up of a superintendent and trustee from each of the 10 districts, which combined are responsible for educating about 38,000 students. Watkins said the idea is to 'reduce redundancies' in special education, transportation, maintenance, food service, professional development and other spending."

Region's unemployment rate inches up to 11.8% - Sacramento Business Journal:

Region's unemployment rate inches up to 11.8% - Sacramento Business Journal::

"seasonal public and private education cutbacks led regional job declines"

Juan Sepúlveda, Director, White House Initiative on Educational Excellence for Hispanic Americans—Biography

Dear Parents & Friends:

Juan Sepulveda, executive director of the White House Initiative onEducational Excellence for Hispanic Americans, in collaboration with Dr.Kathryn E. Jeffery, President, Sacramento City College, invites you toparticipate in a White House Initiative Community Conversation from 1 p.m.to 3:30 p.m., Saturday, August 22, in the Student Center on the SCC campus,located at 3835 Freeport Blvd., Sacramento, CA.

This session will provide you with an opportunity to voice your thoughts intwo areas:

1) how Latino education attainment can and should be improved;and

2) what the White House Initiative should be doing. The informationgleaned from these sessions will be recorded and collected and will serve asthe foundation for the new presidential executive order that will govern theWhite House Initiative and will be signed by President Barack Obama.

Please RSVP to Flavia Lara, Sacramento City College, at 916-558-2441 orlaraf@scc.losrios.edu.

For more information about the event, contactGlorimar M. Nosal, marketing-communications manager, White House Initiative,at 202-401-0078 or Glorimar.Nosal@ed.gov.Attached please find the link to the campus map your convenience.

Sac City Map: http://www.scc.losrios.edu/x1092.xml

Mr. Sepulveda bio:http: http://www.ed.gov/news/staff/bios/sepulveda.html

Orange Register Article: http://www.ocregister.com/articles/sepulveda-santa-college-2531795-education-latinoBe the "parent" voice for our school district.Louis YanezParent EducationThird District PTAHome: 916-455-6683Email: learnwisdom@sbcglobal.net




"Juan Sepúlveda, Director, White House Initiative on Educational Excellence for Hispanic Americans—Biography

Juan Sepúlveda was appointed by Secretary of Education Arne Duncan on May 19, 2009, to the position of director of the White House Initiative on Educational Excellence for Hispanic Americans. In this capacity, he is responsible for directing the efforts of the White House Initiative in engaging Hispanic students, parents, families, organizations, and anyone working in or with the education system in communities nationwide as active participants in improving the academic achievement of Hispanic Americans"

Klein showing confidence in state’s Race to the Top chances | GothamSchools

Klein showing confidence in state’s Race to the Top chances GothamSchools:

"New York and California both face a possible shut-out from the Race to the Top Fund because of the grant program’s requirement that states allow teachers to be evaluated based on student test scores. Both states have laws on the books banning such evaluation that would seemingly render the states ineligible for the funds."

Politics K-12: California Lawmakers Racing Back for Race to the Top

Politics K-12: California Lawmakers Racing Back for Race to the Top:


"From Schwarzenegger's statement, it looks like the political positioning has already begun. He's using the Obama administration for political cover. That might help give his proposals a boost with the Democratically controlled legislature and with voters in one of the bluest states in the country."

Commission on No Child Left Behind | The Aspen Institute

Commission on No Child Left Behind The Aspen Institute:

"The Commission on No Child Left Behind is a bipartisan effort to identify and build support for improvements in federal education policy to ensure the Nation has effective tools to spur academic achievement and close the achievement gap. Following a comprehensive review process with extensive public input, the Commission in 2007 released a blueprint for strengthening the landmark No Child Left Behind Act by preserving the law’s core principles and making needed changes to accelerate progress toward achieving its goals, particularly in the areas of teacher and principal effectiveness, robust accountability and data, higher academic standards, stronger high schools, and increased options for students. The Commission will continue to advocate bold reform during the NCLB reauthorization process and consideration of related measures in pursuit of an excellent education for all children."

U.S. Education Secretary Briefs Stakeholders on 'Investing in Innovation Fund' at Symposium held by ACT, Inc. and America's Choice

U.S. Education Secretary Briefs Stakeholders on 'Investing in Innovation Fund' at Symposium held by ACT, Inc. and America's Choice:

"'I want the Department to become an engine of innovation, not a compliance monitor,' said Secretary Duncan. 'We are looking to you - the districts and nonprofits - to unleash your creativity and build the next generation of education reform.'"

Schwarzenegger's plan would reshape education in California -- latimes.com

Schwarzenegger's plan would reshape education in California -- latimes.com:


"Schwarzenegger's reforms include:

* Adopting a merit pay system that would reward effective teachers and give them incentives to work at low-performing campuses;

* Abolishing the current cap on the number of charter schools that can open every year;

* Forcing school districts to shut down or reconstitute the lowest-performing schools or turn them over to charter schools' independent management;

* Allowing students at low-performing campuses to transfer to a school of their choosing;

* Requiring school districts to consider student test data when evaluating teachers, something the federal government believes is prohibited under state law."

Schwarzenegger calls special legislative session to push school reform - Oroville Mercury Register

Schwarzenegger calls special legislative session to push school reform - Oroville Mercury Register:


"On Thursday the governor outlined several reforms he wants the Legislature to pass at a special session that extends its term into October:
Link student achievement data with teacher performance data.
Repeal the state cap on the number of charter schools, which are public schools that run independently of local school boards.
Give parents in the lowest-performing schools freedom to choose another school in the state.
Focus help on the lowest-performing 5 percent of schools.
Reward teachers doing the toughest jobs.
Help identify what works in the classroom."

HometownSource.com - No Child Left Behind message undermines public education

HometownSource.com - No Child Left Behind message undermines public education:

"For example, in the Farmington Middle School West, the school did not make AYP because of low reading test scores among students who have learning disabilities even though the normal students in grades tested above the state average.

Of the 1,048 schools that did not make AYP, 466 missed the mark in one subgroup. A total of 480 schools failed in the learning disabled category, 141 failed in the English as a second language category and 480 failed in the kids in poverty category."

Tough Action Needed to Fix California - California Progress Report

Tough Action Needed to Fix California - California Progress Report:

"End the two-thirds majority requirement in the Legislature to approve budgets. This is an archaic system embraced by only three states. Who honestly believes this serves the best interest of California? When the two-thirds vote was enacted, Franklin Roosevelt was still in his first term as president and five states had more electoral votes than California."

Lassen County school superintendent investigated » Redding Record Searchlight

Lassen County school superintendent investigated » Redding Record Searchlight:

"The audit, performed by the state's Fiscal Crisis and Management Assistance Team, found 'violations of California government code ... may have existed regarding the employment of (Bietz) as superintendent in the school district and the concurrent ... superintendency service' he provided the charter school."

NEW YORK'S CHARTER-SCHOOL CHALLENGE - New York Post

NEW YORK'S CHARTER-SCHOOL CHALLENGE - New York Post:

"New York already has a problem in that a law (passed in April 2008) bans the use of student-test data in decisions on granting tenure to teachers. Both Obama and Duncan have condemned such laws -- with Duncan specifically citing New York's, along with California's and Wisconsin's, as a Race to the Top liability.
According to a report at gothamschools.org, Regents Chancellor Merryl Tisch is challenging the president and Secretary Duncan to a 'verbal duel' over this issue. Maybe she can talk them around that one -- but she'll need more luck when it comes to the Race to the Top challenges on charter schools."

CityWatch - An insider look at City Hall - LAUSD Plan Good for the Mayor, Not the Public

CityWatch - An insider look at City Hall - LAUSD Plan Good for the Mayor, Not the Public:


"“Thank you for your article on the resolution before LAUSD,”emailed Zella Knight, a parent of a gifted 16-year-old. “I have found that LAUSD has the tenacity with its varied leaders to author plans for change.... all of which still emphasize that 'Houston we have a problem."

CPR: Story- Senate Approves Prison Bill

CPR: Story- Senate Approves Prison Bill:


"It’s intended to trim a Billion dollars from the state corrections budget. But Senate leader Darrell Steinberg says it’s more than that…

“It’s not just about this year’s budget. It is about how over time we are going to change that awful statistic that has California spending more money on corrections than higher education.”"

Governor proposes merit pay for educators | L.A. Now | Los Angeles Times

Governor proposes merit pay for educators L.A. Now Los Angeles Times:

"Union leaders have already said they are against a state-wide merit pay system and using test score data to evaluate educators."

Education News & Comment

Education News & Comment:

"Interpreting “Race to the Top”: Summary & Analysis of USDE Draft Guidelines "


The New Teacher Project is encouraged to see the focus on better evaluation systems and teacher effectiveness data in July’s draft Race to the Top guidelines. The preliminary criteria reflect a real commitment to meaningful reform and echo many of the recommendations of TNTP’s recent report, The Widget Effect.
Now, districts and states face the challenge of responding to the guidelines with a smart teacher effectiveness agenda. To that end, TNTP has assembled a tool for education leaders and policymakers interested in pursuing Race to the Top reforms."

Gov. Schwarzenegger calls special session | thecalifornian.com | The Salinas Californian

Gov. Schwarzenegger calls special session thecalifornian.com The Salinas Californian:

"The office of California Governor Schwarzenegger has announced the governor has called a special session of the legislature and announced a legislative package to ensure California meets the Obama Administration's eligibility requirements and be highly competitive for the state's share of Race to the Top funding."

Contra Costa Teachers Voting To Authorize Strike - cbs5.com

Contra Costa Teachers Voting To Authorize Strike - cbs5.com:

"'If you're a teacher earning between $40,000-45,000 a year, it could mean that 25 percent of your salary would be going for health care for your family,' she said."

G.W. Carver School of Arts & Sciences

G.W. Carver School of Arts & Sciences:


"Our school culture is based on critical thinking (head), creative expression (heart), and wholesome action (hands). We are developing an environment for thinking, creating, and healthy activity. We foster respect for the individuality of each student throughout the school. Our college preparatory curriculum is integrated with the arts. Here you will find a place for students to explore and experiment; every classroom is like a laboratory or art studio where students and teachers engage in academic inquiry and test their ideas."

More California students taking and doing well on the ACT, but worries persist | L.A. Now | Los Angeles Times

More California students taking and doing well on the ACT, but worries persist L.A. Now Los Angeles Times:


"More California students in the class of 2009 than ever before took the ACT college entrance exam, and they outperformed their peers nationally, according to the nonprofit organization that administers the test.
'I am pleased to see that a record number of California students this year took the ACT college readiness exam,' said state Supt. of Public Instruction Jack O'Connell. 'This continued increase is a clear indication that each year growing numbers of our students are setting and reaching a higher standard and making the decision to go on to college.'"

School announces "no homework" plan - WAFB Channel 9, Baton Rouge, LA |

School announces "no homework" plan - WAFB Channel 9, Baton Rouge, LA :

"She said parents were shocked and students were excited. She also said the announcement was not only unexpected, but it was something she had never heard of before."

Education News & Comment

Education News & Comment:

"Board Meeting Tonight"

Next Board Meeting

Thursday, Sep 3, 2009 6:30 p.m. Open Session

Please Note: All Video of SCUSD Board Meetings are provided to
the Public by the Excellent Work of the SCUSD Web Team"

Education Week: Research Doesn't Offer Much Guidance on Turnarounds

Education Week: Research Doesn't Offer Much Guidance on Turnarounds:

"“There is both a lack of turnarounds in education and a lack of research about turnarounds,” said Bryan C. Hassel, a co-director of Public Impact, a Chapel Hill, N.C., consulting firm that has studied turnarounds in education and other fields. “And the research base for turnarounds outside of education isn’t any kind of ‘gold standard’ research base, either.” But he also maintains that the collected wisdom on the subject so far is strong enough to help schools bring about change."

Teacher Magazine: Educators View Push to Fix Schools With Hope, Skepticism

Teacher Magazine: Educators View Push to Fix Schools With Hope, Skepticism:

"Change in the city's schools often brings controversy, and the turnaround effort has been divisive. Teachers and principals are mad about getting fired, communities are incensed over another reform agenda they feel excluded from and students are confused returning to a group of teachers they don't trust."

Education Week: Texas Braces for Debate on U.S. History Standards

Education Week: Texas Braces for Debate on U.S. History Standards:

What the state incorporates into its standards can have nationwide significance because publishers often look to Texas, as well as California—the two biggest adoption states—when writing textbooks.

"Peter Marshall, the president of Peter Marshall Ministries, for instance, said he objected to a 5th grade “citizenship” standard that called for students to be able to identify Cesar Chavez, a Latino civil rights and labor leader; and Benjamin Franklin as people who modeled active participation in U.S. democracy. Mr. Marshall wrote, “To have Cesar Chavez listed next to Ben Franklin is ludicrous. Chavez is hardly the kind of role model that ought to be held up to our children as someone worthy of emulation.”"

Teacher Magazine: Do National Standards Make Sense?

Teacher Magazine: Do National Standards Make Sense?

National standards are hot right now. The case for common standards is predicated on a bedrock belief that high school graduates in America must share a set of skills and proficiencies. For the basic subjects—reading, writing, and arithmetic— that sounds fine.

However, schools today are offering increasingly diversified panoplies of skills and experiences. "Specialty" charter schools, focusing on areas like the arts or languages, are in. Incorporating the use of new technologies (blogs, Web sites, PowerPoint) into the classroom is in vogue. Successful schools are expected to offer a broad array of extracurricular opportunities for burnishing college applications. American schools—like the communities they are parts of— are profoundly varied and rooted in local educational values and resources. Should Amidon and Ramey be evaluated like the specialized Stuyvesant High School in New York City or a community school in El Paso?

Bill Cosby urges 'no more cuts' for Pa. schools - USATODAY.com

Bill Cosby urges 'no more cuts' for Pa. schools - USATODAY.com:

"'Ladies and gentlemen, is it that we don't like children? I mean, what did these people ever do to you that you want to cut? They're moving on a course that is very, very favorable,' said Cosby, decked out in a yellow T-shirt, red baseball cap, sunglasses and sandals. 'Why would you wants to take money from the success story and pull back on it so that they will start to enter prison?'"

MPS School Board chief rebuts mayoral takeover plan - JSOnline

MPS School Board chief rebuts mayoral takeover plan - JSOnline:

"Duncan has been a strong advocate of mayoral control of urban schools, and Doyle and Barrett said last week that they believe the change in governance in Milwaukee will put the state in a better position to compete for Duncan's Race to the Top dollars.
Wisconsin state law prohibits using student test data to evaluate teacher performance - an immediate disqualifier according to the proposed application guidelines for Race to the Top grants."

SCUSD Observer: Board Meeting Thursday evening...

SCUSD Observer: Board Meeting Thursday evening...:

"On the agenda:

Charter School Quarterly Report
St. HOPE public schools
Charter Facility Use Agreements"

No teachers on Teach for America, KIPP, YES Prep or New Teacher Project boards

No teachers on Teach for America, KIPP, YES Prep or New Teacher Project boards:

"The school reform agenda mirrors the changes businesses have achieved in the private sector since the Reagan presidency—lessening of job security and seniority rights, weakening of unions, greater pay differentials between educators, and empowering management, at both the central-office and school-level, at the expense of teacher influence over their profession."

Human Resources - Teacher quality under the microscope

Human Resources - Teacher quality under the microscope:

"It's no secret that one of the keys to creating better schools is to raise the quality of teaching in the nation's classrooms. But how to identify, and encourage, high-quality teaching is proving to be a challenge.
Several efforts to address this question are under way. The Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation has just launched a five-year, $500 million initiative to quantify what, exactly, makes a teacher effective and how to tie that to student achievement (see story). And the Obama administration has cited improving teacher quality as one of four education-reform areas it plans to target in particular. (See 'Duncan outlines school reform agenda.')"

Americans Doubt Effectiveness of “No Child Left Behind”

Americans Doubt Effectiveness of “No Child Left Behind”:

"While NCLB is currently in limbo, awaiting congressional reauthorization, Gallup finds no consensus among either the entire American adult population or parents of school-aged children that the landmark education act has improved the quality of education received by public school children in the U.S. In fact, of those who are familiar with NCLB, a large majority say either it has had no effect on students' education or has made it worse. A bit of better news for supporters of NCLB is the finding that parents of school-aged children are a little more positive about the impact of the Act than are those who do not have children in school."

Commission on No Child Left Behind Expands Membership and Launches New Hearings to Update Recommendations

Commission on No Child Left Behind Expands Membership and Launches New Hearings to Update Recommendations:

"'Beyond NCLB's bold recommendations are becoming more widely supported, and their core principles are at the heart of the new ARRA requirements. Momentum is building among the states to develop and adopt high-quality common standards and tests, and states have made dramatic progress in developing data systems,' said Secretary Thompson."

Test scores offer reality check for Villaraigosa's schools -- latimes.com

Test scores offer reality check for Villaraigosa's schools -- latimes.com:

"The test results arrived at a crucial juncture for the mayor, for the charter school movement and for school improvement citywide. A school board resolution, scheduled for a vote next week, could turn over new schools as well as low-achieving campuses to outside operators, including the mayor and charter schools. The mayor's team already has quietly obtained control of a new Boyle Heights campus, an implied endorsement by the district of his effort at nearby Roosevelt High School."

Parent involvement is key to academic improvement - LA Daily News

Parent involvement is key to academic improvement - LA Daily News:

"Yet, the type of parent involvement that is desperately needed from all parents, and is the most difficult to obtain, is the type that takes active and daily personal interest in one's own child's performance with regard to both academic achievement and social behavior.
Involved parents make sure their children's daily attendance and punctuality is excellent. They supervise homework and make sure it's returned on time. They promptly respond to contacts by teachers and other school personnel. They regularly show up for scheduled parent conferences.
Involved parents let their children know, in no uncertain terms, that they are united with the school in their dedication to help their children grow and benefit from their time in school."

City's increase in kindergartners leaves less room to learn | San Francisco Examiner

City's increase in kindergartners leaves less room to learn San Francisco Examiner:

"But growing class sizes are a scenario that has become all too real for San Francisco Unified School District teachers, who are facing the pain induced by shrinking school revenue at the same time enrollment is soaring."

Fostering communication: Professionals join forces at summit to improve education opportunities for foster youth - Times-Standard Online

Fostering communication: Professionals join forces at summit to improve education opportunities for foster youth - Times-Standard Online:

"”Regardless of budget issues, California really has to take care of our foster kids,” Crandall said, lamenting cuts to Calworks, Healthy Families and other programs that potentially affect the county's foster children. “I don't think the governor's administration got that message.”"

Teachers take alternate route into classroom

Teachers take alternate route into classroom:

"While many are experts in their field - scientists, lawyers, accountants, business executives - they still need the basics: pedagogy, classroom management, lesson planning and how to work with English learners, for example.
'They want to get into teaching right away,' Kearney said. 'They have the life experience and the content expertise, and they're ready.'"

Editorial: State can't let money slip away - Sacramento Opinion - Sacramento Editorial | Sacramento Bee

Editorial: State can't let money slip away - Sacramento Opinion - Sacramento Editorial Sacramento Bee:

"California, of course, should tap this fund to make big improvements in student achievement. Obama has made it clear that states leading the way in four core areas can win hundreds of millions of dollars, if they can show that they are:
• Setting and enforcing rigorous standards.
• Turning around historically low-performing schools.
• Using data to determine student needs and measure teacher effectiveness.
• Putting outstanding teachers in classrooms, especially in high-poverty schools and in hard-to-staff subjects such as math, science and special education"