Up for Debate: Should Kids Be Taught How to Argue? - The Juggle - WSJ

Up for Debate: Should Kids Be Taught How to Argue? - The Juggle - WSJ:

"Studies of high school and college students show they are able to identify the main claims and reasons in an argument only 30% of the time, says M. Anne Britt, a researcher at Northern Illinois University. Much of the time, they wrongly identified the counterclaim as the main argument. Students have an even harder time thinking up logical arguments to weaken an opposing argument. Instead, a Columbia University researcher says, “they tend to … give all the reasons supporting their side, and absolutely ignore the alternative. They say what they have to say, and then say it louder, and hope the other side will go away.” The federal government has funded 13 studies since 2002 on how teachers can instruct students on improving their arguing skills."

Woodson High, South County Secondary Leave National PTA - washingtonpost.com

Woodson High, South County Secondary Leave National PTA - washingtonpost.com:

"The growing number of splinter parent groups, which typically focus on an individual school's needs, is a continuing challenge for the 'Every child/one voice' mission of the national PTA.

'People today look more for: 'What's in it for me? How will this help my child?' ' said Melissa Nehrbass, president of the Virginia PTA. Declining PTA membership, she said, means fewer people who will fight for children who don't have a parent speaking out for them."

District Dossier: Tackling Bullying Based on Sexual Identity

District Dossier: Tackling Bullying Based on Sexual Identity:

"School bullying is a serious issue almost everywhere. But there's a growing concern about bullying targeting a particular population of students.

Students who identify as gay, lesbian, bisexual, or transgender (or who other students assume are) experience not only taunting and ridicule, but physical violence from some of their peers.

A new research brief, published by GLSEN, the Gay, Lesbian and Straight Education Network, found many 'GLBT-identifying' middle school students were reporting harassment and hearing homophobic epithets at school on a regular basis."

Read Brief here: http://www.docstoc.com/docs/12223279/THE-EXPERIENCES-OF-LESBIAN-GAY-BISEXUAL-AND-TRANSGENDER-MIDDLE-SCHOOLSTUDENTS-FINDINGS-FROM-THE-2007-NATIONAL-SCHOOL-CLIMATE-SURVEY

Read the full report here: http://www.docstoc.com/docs/11567105/2007-National-School-Climate-Survey-GLSEN-the-Gay-Lesbian-and-Straight-Education-Network

Inside School Research: Post Editorial Says Study 'Demolishes' Anti-Charter Debates

Inside School Research: Post Editorial Says Study 'Demolishes' Anti-Charter Debates:

"That kind of enthusiam might be a little premature. New York is just one city—and one that charter school experts tell me is known for the quality of its authorizing system for charter schools. What's more, the promising practices that the report identifies were merely linked to higher student achievement. Even study author Caroline M. Hoxby points out that her findings don't suggest that things like longer school days, performance pay, or strict classroom management caused the charter school students to outperform their peers in traditional schools."

Education Week: Management Guru Says 'Student Load' Key to Achievement

Education Week: Management Guru Says 'Student Load' Key to Achievement:

"Mr. Ouchi lays out that message in a new book, The Secret of TSL, published this month by Simon & Schuster of New York City. The letters stand for “total student load,” which Mr. Ouchi defines as the number of students that teachers come in contact with each academic term and the number of papers they grade.

In a not-yet-published study of 442 schools in eight large urban districts that have devolved power to local principals, Mr. Ouchi finds that schools that have reduced TSL in measurable ways also tend to have higher passing rates on state exams."

Schools becoming more 'tolerant' as 'zero tolerance' rules end | News for Dallas, Texas | Dallas Morning News | News: Education

Schools becoming more 'tolerant' as 'zero tolerance' rules end News for Dallas, Texas Dallas Morning News News: Education:

"That's welcome news for Robert Hess, whose son Taylor was briefly expelled from L.D. Bell High School in Hurst after a bread knife fell out of a 20-year-old cutlery set bound for Goodwill, and was found in his truck bed on campus.

'That certainly would have saved us an awful lot of trouble,' said Hess, who holds no ill will toward school administrators over the 2002 incident. 'They were bound by their own rules that they had written to dole out this ridiculous punishment, which was one year in alternative education.'"

Despite Test Scores, Shaw Is on the Right Track - Class Struggle - Jay Mathews on Education

Despite Test Scores, Shaw Is on the Right Track - Class Struggle - Jay Mathews on Education:

"Now her poster boy for reform appears to be in trouble, bringing I-told-you-so blog posts from many people who don’t like Rhee, her ideas or her brash style.

How bad was Shaw’s first year? It depends a bit on how you read the data. According to the State Superintendent of Education’s web site, Shaw dropped from 38.7 to 30.5 in the percent of students scoring at least proficient in reading, and from 32.7 to 29.2 in math.
But those were not the numbers Rhee read to Betts over the phone."

Religion remains sticky in social studies debate | Houston & Texas News | Chron.com - Houston Chronicle

Religion remains sticky in social studies debate Houston & Texas News Chron.com - Houston Chronicle:

"“It is absolutely right to suggest that Puritans who settled New England came here with a vision for a Christian commonwealth,” Hughes said. “It is absolutely wrong to suggest that America's founders had that same vision. They simply didn't.”

Many of the Founding Fathers were connected with churches and many were not, he said. Letters written by Thomas Jefferson, author of the Declaration of Independence, indicated he held the Christian church in utter contempt, the religion professor said. Jefferson viewed Jesus as a moral teacher, but believed that churches had corrupted those teachings, Hughes said."

The Perimeter Primate: Introducing "The Broad Report"

The Perimeter Primate: Introducing "The Broad Report"

I’m not the only one who is bothered by what Eli Broad has been up to over the last several years. Since I started this blog in February 2008, I’ve been contacted by other people via private emails and blog comments. As it turns out, there are many other public school parents, public school teachers, and a variety of people all across the U.S. who are greatly disturbed by things that are happening to the public school systems where they live, courtesy of Eli Broad's "philanthropy." We certainly don’t feel like our communities, or our kids, are benefiting from his largess.

Because the dissatisfaction is definitely out there, I thought it was time to create a place where people could come come together and share what they know. The result is a website I put together over this past weekend called The Broad Report.

Fourth Annual National Bullying Prevention Awareness Week Is Oct. 4 - 10,

Fourth Annual National Bullying Prevention Awareness Week Is Oct. 4 - 10,:

"As part of PACER Center's fourth annual National Bullying Prevention Awareness Week, Oct. 4-10, 2009, children, teens, adults, schools, and communities across the country are encouraged to partner with PACER to prevent bullying. The movement is being given a boost with the launch of PACERTeensAgainstBullying.org -- a relevant, edgy Web site created by and for teens. In addition to videos, stories, blogs, and social networking, the site features a toolbox of things teens and schools can do to address bullying -- from creating their own videos to performing role plays for younger students.

Every day, more than 160,000 children nationwide stay home from school to avoid bullying. Up to one-third of the nation's students are bullied during the academic year, and more than 60 percent witness bullying daily. The results of bullying can be devastating -- or even tragic."

The American Spectator : Running from Reform

The American Spectator : Running from Reform:

"In August, Fenty's integrity took a hit after the mayor -- who makes much of chauffeuring himself around town -- got into a fender-bender. It turns out that Fenty may have violated the spirit (if not the letter) or city regulations by allowing a friend and campaign donor, Keith Lomax, to tool around in city-owned Lincoln Navigators and Smart Cars. Lomax's landscaping firm, by the way, garnered $11 million in city contracts since Fenty took office."

Editorial - Mr. Duncan and That $4.3 Billion - NYTimes.com

Editorial - Mr. Duncan and That $4.3 Billion - NYTimes.com:

"His power to press for reforms was dramatically enhanced earlier this year when Congress gave him control of $4.3 billion in grant money — the Race to the Top fund — that is to be disbursed to the states on a competitive basis. Mr. Duncan will need to resist political pressure and special pleadings and reward only the states that are committed to effective and clearly measurable reform."

Faculty Walkout Teaches an Important Lesson - Daily Nexus

Faculty Walkout Teaches an Important Lesson - Daily Nexus:

"These cuts will have a severely negative impact on all aspects of University operations: Employees will be forced to accept involuntary work reductions (furloughs) and many will even be laid off. There will be much less support for lecturers and TAs, as courses will be cut and many others reduced in size. With fewer classes being taught and less room in the remaining classes, it will take you longer to finish your degrees. The quality of the instruction you receive, indeed, your educational experience as a whole, will also suffer"

Five reasons N.J.'s property tax system is failing you | thedailyjournal.com | The Daily Journal

Five reasons N.J.'s property tax system is failing you thedailyjournal.com The Daily Journal:

"New Jersey's heavy reliance on property taxes as the main source of education funding creates extreme disparities in school funding that the state repeatedly has tried to address.It also pits communities against each other, with residents of suburban districts complaining that too many of the state's resources have been funneled to underperforming urban schools.The state constitution requires local school districts to provide children with a 'thorough and efficient' education from kindergarten through high school, and establishes rules and regulations governing everything from core curriculum to teacher training to class sizes."

WE ARE FAMILY - California's Family Day

WE ARE FAMILY - California's Family Day:

"Family Day - A Day to Eat Dinner with Your Children™ is a national movement launched by The Naitonal Center on Addiction Substance Abuse (CASA) in 2001 based on their research that has consistently found that the more often kids eat dinner with their families, the less likely they are to smoke, drink, or use drugs."

Top News - Comcast, Discovery team up to extend learning

Top News - Comcast, Discovery team up to extend learning:

"In a move that could help extend students' learning after school hours, the state of Indiana, Comcast Corp., and Discovery Education have teamed up to provide students with free on-demand digital resources that are aligned with state standards.

Discovery Education On Demand By Comcast is a first-in-the-nation service that will give Indiana families instant, at-home access to educational video clips, hands-on activities, interactive content, subject guides, puzzles, and homework help tools. Content is available at no additional cost to local Comcast Digital Cable customers on their cable TV service and to all Indiana parents and students online. (With free registration, persons outside of Indiana may access the content as well.)"

The Importance Of The Arts In Education - The Philadelphia Bulletin

The Importance Of The Arts In Education - The Philadelphia Bulletin:

"The arts play a significant role in education for their intrinsic value as well as for the enrichment of the learning experience they provide. Study of the various arts sharpens cognitive as well as social skills and plays a part in improving achievement in grades and standardized tests."

Other Views: California schools need a shakeup | schools, california, state - Editorials - Appeal-Democrat

Other Views: California schools need a shakeup schools, california, state - Editorials - Appeal-Democrat:

"The Legislature should start by giving local districts more power to make decisions, instead of setting policy from Sacramento. The state needs to streamline an overgrown education code that puts more emphasis on administrative paperwork than good education practices.

The state also needs to change an education financing system that dispenses money without regard to needs, costs or educational goals. And the Legislature should give districts more flexibility to use school money to meet local needs, instead of dictating spending priorities from the state Capitol."

California's budget should hold up until winter, analysts say — but plenty of pain still in store - San Jose Mercury News

California's budget should hold up until winter, analysts say — but plenty of pain still in store - San Jose Mercury News:

"A funny thing has happened on the way to California's next regularly scheduled fiscal doomsday: a glimmer of good economic news.

Of course, those glad tidings may just be a temporary respite. But for now, buoyed by a resurgent stock market and other signs the recession is on its way out, the state's fragile revenue and spending projections ought to hold up until at least mid-January — and maybe even beyond, analysts and economists say.

If true, it would mark the longest stretch in more than a year when deficit-slashing wasn't the topic du jour in Sacramento."

Michigan Schools: education reform would provide home owners for empty metro Detroit homes | detnews.com | The Detroit News

Michigan Schools: education reform would provide home owners for empty metro Detroit homes detnews.com The Detroit News:

"Metro Detroit has one of the highest foreclosure rates in the nation and is littered with empty homes. It needs a strategic plan to address its growing home abandonment crisis. What few community leaders and activists have considered as a solution: education reform.

That should change. As a new report shows, there is perhaps no other strategy that would tackle the area's housing problem as effectively."

School choice would reshape U.S. education | Philadelphia Inquirer | 09/28/2009

School choice would reshape U.S. education Philadelphia Inquirer 09/28/2009:

"Tomorrow in Philadelphia, two of politics' most interesting personalities - the Rev. Al Sharpton and former House Speaker Newt Gingrich - are expected to join Education Secretary Arne Duncan in kicking off a tour of America's urban public schools. Sharpton and Gingrich have said they intend to draw attention to persistent problems and promising remedies in education."

Education gap is leading to a 'Great He-pression' -- chicagotribune.com

Education gap is leading to a 'Great He-pression' -- chicagotribune.com:

"For years now, women have been earning the most college degrees. That trend is accelerating, leaving experts to wonder if men are somehow missing the latest economic wake-up call.

Given a knowledge-based economy and a sluggish outlook for skilled trades, men are facing the economic recovery with significantly bleaker career prospects than the opposite sex."

Education Week: GAO Report Sounds Stimulus Warning on Four States

Education Week: GAO Report Sounds Stimulus Warning on Four States:

"California, Illinois, Michigan, and Texas have been singled out for intensive technical assistance by the Education Department to help them implement good practices in using the federal money. The District of Columbia and Puerto Rico also made the department’s list."

Read full report here: http://www.docstoc.com/docs/12188302/RECOVERY-ACT-Accountability-and-Reporting-Challenges-GAO-Report-to-the-Congress

Testimony - Commission on the 21st Century Economy

Testimony - Commission on the 21st Century Economy


Governor Schwarzenegger's Executive Order S-15-09 mandated the bipartisan Commission on the 21st Century Economy to re-examine and modernize California's out-of-date revenue laws that contribute to feast-or-famine state budget cycles.

The Commission is comprised of 14 members; seven appointed by the Governor, and seven appointed by the legislature.

Applying the principles outlined in Governor Schwarzenegger's Executive Order S-15-09, the Commission will suggest changes to state and local revenues that will result in a revenue stream that is more stable and reflective of the California economy. The Commission will report its findings to the Governor and legislature on or before September 20, 2009.

Principles

Establish a 21st century tax structure that fits with the state's 21st century economy;

Stabilize state revenues and reduce volatility;

Promote the long-term economic prosperity of the state and its citizens;

Improve California's ability to successfully compete with other states and nations for jobs and investments;

Reflect principles of sound tax policy including simplicity, competitiveness, efficiency, predictability, stability, and ease of compliance and administration;
Ensure that tax structure is fair and equitable.

Almanac : Glimmers of change in stress-filled high schools?

Almanac : Glimmers of change in stress-filled high schools?:

"In private sessions Saturday, 22 school teams from around the country will toss around ideas on how schools can help to broaden the rigid notion of 'success' that has taken hold on so many hyper-competitive campuses -- high grades, top test scores and acceptance into prestigious colleges."

Why are so many people in Georgia mad about math? | Get Schooled

Why are so many people in Georgia mad about math? Get Schooled:

"Of all the curriculum debates, the ongoing sparring over Georgia’s new math standards is the most vigorous. A while back, I ran two related articles on Monday AJC education pages. I am rerunning them here in response to the comments Wednesday about the math standards. Warning, these are long essays so they may only interest those concerned about math."

Schwarzenegger: Overlook glitch, let paralyzed grad take bar exam - CNN.com

Schwarzenegger: Overlook glitch, let paralyzed grad take bar exam - CNN.com:

"California Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger on Saturday called on the state bar to overlook a technical error and allow a paralyzed law school graduate to take the bar exam next week."

"It is outrageous that someone who has overcome so much in life is penalized by a bureaucratic error that prevents her from taking the bar exam next week," the governor said in a statement.

"Government should work for the people, not against them, and I'm calling on the state bar to allow Sara Granda to take next week's test. Sara is a fighter, and I am with her all the way."
The state bar's Web site never processed Granda's application for Tuesday's test because California's Department of Rehabilitation paid her $600 fee with a check, according to the Sacramento Bee. The Web site requires a credit card number, but Granda said she was assured by a state bar representative that she was properly registered with the check, the newspaper reported.

U.S. 'Soviet-style' education system not cutting it - CNN.com

U.S. 'Soviet-style' education system not cutting it - CNN.com:

"Finnish students ranked No. 1 in science scores, and No. 2 in both math and reading. And the United States? We come in at No. 29 in science, No. 35 in math, and a recent U.S. reading score which wouldn't even track in the top 10 countries in the world.

In Finland, children begin studying algebra, geometry and statistics in the first grade. By 15, they speak three languages, which, of course, is not uncommon throughout Europe."

According to The Dallas Morning News, a team of Texas educators recently traveled to Helsinki to learn from the Finns. What they found was that teachers had 100 percent freedom to educate as they saw fit. They treated their classroom like an entrepreneur would treat his or her business.

Contrast that to how we do things in America with our five-year plans and giant bureaucracies determining what gets taught. Our brand of institutionalized "education lite" -- with far too few hours spent in the classroom and an antiquated summer vacation schedule from America's agrarian days -- just isn't cutting it.

Commentary: Obama on risky ground on schools - CNN.com

Commentary: Obama on risky ground on schools - CNN.com:

"However, as the administration navigates its way into the policy debates that are swirling over the future of education, it would be wise for it to proceed with caution.
The administration has already staked out positions on a number of issues -- charter schools and merit pay for teachers being two of the big ones -- which run the risk of generating additional controversy in the polarized debates over how to reform education.

If these issues and the stimulus money being made available under the Race to the Top (RTT) program are not handled carefully, conflict and even paralysis are likely to ensue. The president may even inadvertently alienate an important core constituency that he will surely need in the years ahead -- public school teachers."

Garfield High is eligible for takeover -- latimes.com

Garfield High is eligible for takeover -- latimes.com:

"Garfield High, which became nationally known as the real-life setting for the film 'Stand and Deliver,' will be among the initial 12 local campuses, including six high schools, eligible for takeover because of persistent academic failure, officials announced Friday.

The nation's second-largest school system will invite bidders from inside and outside the district to run these schools next year through a proposal process that is still being developed."

Texas Board of Education's choice of investment consultant takes heat | News for Dallas, Texas | Dallas Morning News | Texas Politics | The Dallas Morning News

Texas Board of Education's choice of investment consultant takes heat News for Dallas, Texas Dallas Morning News Texas Politics The Dallas Morning News:

"The Texas State Board of Education has courted controversy in recent years by promoting intelligent design, debating whether minorities like César Chávez and Thurgood Marshall are overrepresented in social studies lessons, and balking at approving a high school health textbook that mentioned the word 'condom.'

But its financial management of the Texas Permanent School Fund's investments has largely gone unnoticed.

Over the past year, board members have twice spurned the investment advice of the school fund's professional staff by hiring consultants that cost hundreds of thousands of dollars more than their competitors."

Sacramento railyard 'shining light' for struggling developer Thomas - The Times-Herald

Sacramento railyard 'shining light' for struggling developer Thomas - The Times-Herald:

"Sacramento officials remain believers in Thomas and the project.

'A number of other projects in our city have been suspended, but this one keeps moving forward,' said Mayor Kevin Johnson.

Yet the partnership between Thomas and the city has been strained by a disagreement over a 2006 land transaction.

To help him buy the land from Union Pacific, the city agreed to pay Thomas a 'placeholder' sum of $55 million for a 33-acre chunk of the site, with the understanding the two sides would negotiate a final price later."

More School - Obama Would Curtail Summer Vacation - NYTimes.com

More School - Obama Would Curtail Summer Vacation - NYTimes.com:

"''Our school calendar is based upon the agrarian economy and not too many of our kids are working the fields today,'' Education Secretary Arne Duncan said in a recent interview with The Associated Press.

Fifth-grader Nakany Camara is of two minds. She likes the four-week summer program at her school, Brookhaven Elementary School in Rockville, Md. Nakany enjoys seeing her friends there and thinks summer school helped boost her grades from two Cs to the honor roll."

OpEdNews - Article: IF MICHAEL MOORE WAS GERMAN, HE MIGHT HAVE BEEN ELECTED CHANCELLOR this SEPTEMBER 2009

OpEdNews - Article: IF MICHAEL MOORE WAS GERMAN, HE MIGHT HAVE BEEN ELECTED CHANCELLOR this SEPTEMBER 2009:

"As the title of this article suggests, Michael Moore of the USA is also a strategic thinker and critique of capitalism of 2009 and is seriously calling for change—not just in his homeland: the USA . For this reason, Germans who are tired of capitalism as usual, might invite Michael Moore to lead a coalition of the major three left parties in Germany . For an example of Moors rhetoric, the day his new film on Capitalism opened in New York , Moore stated unequivocally that CAPITALISM of 2009 (as it is now) needs to be suspect and forced to reform. Moore say it is simply a big Pansy or pyramid scheme for the elite (and the very lucky) or well-connected. Speaking on inequality and lack of access to good loan conditions and livelihood for the vast majority, Moore stated “There's the larger crime, though, of course, of how the pie is divided in this country. And the fact that one guy can come to the table and take nine slices of that pie and leave one slice for everyone else at the table to fight over, that is criminal."

More parents signing kids up for free tutoring - The Item - South Carolina

More parents signing kids up for free tutoring - The Item - South Carolina:

"As part of the No Child Left Behind Act, free private tutoring has been offered as a supplemental educational service since the 2002-03 school year for students living in poverty who attend schools that don't make the grade.

Sumter School District 17 Title 1 Coordinator Suzanne Wates said the number of parents opting for academic tutoring has increased in the district, with 240 students receiving tutoring in last school year.

Not all students are eligible.

They must receive free or reduced-price lunch and be enrolled in a Title 1 school that has failed to make 'adequate yearly progress' for three consecutive years and has been identified as being 'in need of improvement' under the federal education law.

Parents are the decision makers. They decide if they want the tutoring for the children, and they determine who provides it. School districts are required to provide a list of the state-approved service providers to qualifying children and their families."

SUPPLEMENTAL EDUCATIONAL SERVICES (SES) FREE TUTORING PARENT FAIRS
For more information please contact (916) 643-9051 or visit:www.scusd.edu/federal_state_prgms

Federal K-12 Law Should Drive School Reforms That Prepare Students for Success

Federal K-12 Law Should Drive School Reforms That Prepare Students for Success:

"In his speech, Duncan said that the NCLB law has significant flaws and that he looks forward to working with Congress to address the law's problems. He said the law puts too much emphasis on standardized tests, unfairly labels many schools as failures, and doesn't account for students' academic growth in its accountability system.

'But the biggest problem with NCLB is that it doesn't encourage high learning standards,' Duncan said. 'In fact, it inadvertently encourages states to lower them. The net effect is that we are lying to children and parents by telling kids they are succeeding when they are not.'"

La Opinión - noticias locales, nacionales e internacionales desde Los Ángeles - impre.com - Education saves money

La Opinión - noticias locales, nacionales e internacionales desde Los Ángeles - impre.com - Education saves money:

"Dropping out of school does not automatically lead to a life of crime but data indicates that a large percent of violent crimes are committed by individuals who never finished high school.
The school dropout rate —estimated at 20% and even worse for Latinos— is a serious problem for the education system. The numbers aren’t precise because there isn't an accurate measure of the magnitude of the problem. Given this, we support State Senator Gloria Romero’s SB651, which requires pulling together the fragmented and inconsistent methods for measuring dropout rates into an annual report highlighting early warning indicators of students at high risk of dropping out of school. The bill isn’t a solution but at least it is a start."

Wallace Baine, Baine Street: Do we really value higher education? - Santa Cruz Sentinel

Wallace Baine, Baine Street: Do we really value higher education? - Santa Cruz Sentinel:

"The really painful part of the current crisis is that a UC education used to be free, or at least nominally so. Fees weren't imposed on students until the mid-1950s and then the system was careful not to call such fees 'tuition.' In 1956, those fees were about $42 a semester. And this was for a world-class education, the envy of the world, a beacon to bright young people from all over the planet to come to California to study and eventually to work and live.

That sounds like some silly Disneyland fantasy now. Today, a college education has become a commodity like everything else. What's worse, it's become another wedge in the culture wars, a target for self-defeating class resentments and bogus beefs about elitism. The far right will argue campuses are cesspools of Marxist indoctrination. The far left says that colleges are only interested in producing armies of tame little consumers. And meanwhile, students are exploited for their revenue potential, saddled with crippling loans and pushed into high-paying fields like finance to pay off those loans. Our culture becomes the loser in that deal."

People's Weekly World - Univ. of California community protests cutbacks

People's Weekly World - Univ. of California community protests cutbacks:

"“The UC system is a public resource built over far more than a century with taxpayers’ money, private generosity and shrewdness, and the intellectual energy of generations of students, teachers and staff,” opening rally speaker and art history professor T.J. Clark told the crowd. “A state in its right mind does not destroy that resource when times get tough. But this is what is happening.”"

New Tax Structure? Worth considering since the present one isn't working - The Reporter

New Tax Structure? Worth considering since the present one isn't working - The Reporter:

"Government is a victim of the same economic woes that have felled the business world.

* The state revenue stream relies too heavily on capital gains taxes and, in turn, the fortunes of the stock market, leaving it vulnerable to unpredictably wild swings in revenue.

A year ago, the governor appointed a 14-member panel to study the state's tax structure and make recommendations on how to stabilize it. The Commission on the 21st Century Economy was supposed to make its report a week ago. As of Friday morning, it was still working on the final document. But draft reports had already drawn plenty of naysayers, including one commission member who was reported to have said that he would not sign off on the document."

Oakland campus caters to refugees, immigrants -- latimes.com

Oakland campus caters to refugees, immigrants -- latimes.com:

"Everyone was speaking English and it confused me,' said Kanwea, a lanky student with a wide smile. 'And I felt scared because I think that I was the only one who didn't know how to read.'

New immigrants and refugees have long posed challenges for educators in the United States, but Kanwea and others like him present unique problems because they are often strangers to traditional schools. Academic issues are only one facet of their adjustment. Not only must educators teach them English and move them toward graduation, but they also must counsel many students grappling with the trauma of wars, persecution or poverty."

Anti-bullying effort in Alameda under fire - Sacramento News - Local and Breaking Sacramento News | Sacramento Bee

Anti-bullying effort in Alameda under fire - Sacramento News - Local and Breaking Sacramento News Sacramento Bee:

"Jensen, one of the targets of the recall, has subsequently appeared on the Fox News Channel to speak on the controversy. She says she has no misgivings about her vote supporting the lesson, adding that while no student with an LGBT background has yet to formally complain of being bullied, research indicates it's just a matter of time.

The curriculum was created to assist teachers in reacting to incidents of bullying of all students from all classes, protected or not, she said."

For More Information on Bullying : http://www.docstoc.com/docs/11567105/2007-National-School-Climate-Survey-GLSEN-the-Gay-Lesbian-and-Straight-Education-Network

Hands On Sacramento Day Renovates Non Profit's Urban Farm for Healthy Communities

Hands On Sacramento Day Renovates Non Profit's Urban Farm for Healthy Communities:

"'Unlike many places around the world, we still have the unique capacity to feed ourselves and create sustainability around good, locally grown food,' explains Shawn Harrison, Executive Director & Co-Founder of Soil Born Farms Urban Agriculture Project. 'Preserving and nourishing this rare opportunity now may be the most important long term health decision we make as a community.'

Community leaders including Mayor Kevin Johnson, Karen Baker with CaliforniaVolunteers, corporate leaders and employees across the Sacramento region came together for this important cause to help support healthy communities and low-cost food sources in our local area."

Sacramento Press / Johnson talks to residents about strong mayor issue

Sacramento Press / Johnson talks to residents about strong mayor issue:

"Kathi Windheim of the Greenhaven / Pocket neighborhood asked the mayor to address controversial legal issues with the strong mayor initiative. The initiative, which will go on the ballot in June 2010, proposes to change the city’s current system of government to a strong mayor system. “It’s alarming -- the problems with the initiative,” Windheim said."

Sacramento Press / Charter Review Committee hold Town Hall Meeting

Sacramento Press / Charter Review Committee hold Town Hall Meeting:

"Sacramento residents voiced their opinions to Charter Review Committee members about the strong-mayor proposal during a Town Hall Meeting in Ben Ali Shrine Temple Thursday evening.

Committee members attentively listened to the responses of the community regarding the possible changes to the mayor position in Sacramento."