Editorial: Arts initiative will put Sacramento on the map - Sacramento Opinion - Sacramento Editorial | Sacramento Bee

Editorial: Arts initiative will put Sacramento on the map - Sacramento Opinion - Sacramento Editorial Sacramento Bee:

"It all began in May. The Sacramento Region Community Foundation brought in Michael Kaiser, president of the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts. He told arts organizations how they could survive and thrive during a troubled economy.

Mayor Kevin Johnson spoke briefly to the standing-room-only group. Kaiser and Johnson later met and hit it off.

Then the mayor in June launched a major arts initiative, 'For Arts Sake.' That effort has attracted 400 volunteers, meeting once a month, to spark an arts-and-culture revival.
Now comes a giant boost."

Sacramento State event encourages girls to pursue math, science - Sacramento News - Local and Breaking Sacramento News | Sacramento Bee

Sacramento State event encourages girls to pursue math, science - Sacramento News - Local and Breaking Sacramento News Sacramento Bee:

"Two at a time, the tall bottles of soda blasted streams more than a dozen feet into the air over a courtyard at California State University, Sacramento, on Saturday.

Each time, the spectacular experiment led to the same conclusion: Mint Mentos and Diet Pepsi create a bigger explosion than if the candy is combined with root beer, orange soda, 7UP, regular Pepsi, Coke or even Diet Coke."

New Rule: Everyone deserves equal rights.

Bill Maher: New Rule: Everyone Deserves Equal Rights

New Rule: Everyone deserves equal rights. That's why they're called "equal" and "rights." Tomorrow night President Obama will speak before a gay rights group, and on Sunday there will be a massive gay rally in Washington, or as I call it, the Million Mo March. Which makes this weekend the perfect time for Obama to announce he's repealing "don't ask, don't tell" and committing to a full-throated endorsement of gay marriage. One, because it's the right thing to do and two, because it will throw the conservative base into such a frenzied, pants-shitting panic that they'll drop all that BS about death panels and socialism and let us all get some actual work done.

Education Week: Youth Push for Louder Conversation About Suicide

Education Week: Youth Push for Louder Conversation About Suicide:

"The topic of suicide makes many people squirm. It's something we've been told we're not supposed to talk about. If you speak it, someone might do it.

But there's a growing conversation about suicide that's happening on college campuses, in high school auditoriums and online — even among youth some might think are too young to consider suicide. The hope is that a public discussion between young people and the teachers and counselors who work with them could inspire peers in distress to get help."

High School Connections: Who's at the Leading Edge of Career-Tech Ed Policy?

High School Connections: Who's at the Leading Edge of Career-Tech Ed Policy?:

"Who's at the Leading Edge of Career-Tech Ed Policy?

As more people talk about the importance of college and workplace readiness, the evolution of career and technical education is worth keeping an eye on. In a recent brief, the Education Commission of the States describes state-level efforts that it considers 'ahead of the curve' in developing top-notch CTE programs.

It ain't voc-ed anymore, folks. Take a look here. States are infusing career and tech ed work into high school curricula and giving it core course credit. They're incorporating it into their accountability systems to ensure it's rigorous. They're creating what they say are new-age career tracks that will produce young people with enviable, practical skills, not just an impressive command of English literature (okay, there has been a tiny controversy about Louisiana's career diploma. But I digress...)."

Education Week: Sen. Boxer Plans Hearing on Toxic School Drinking Water

Education Week: Sen. Boxer Plans Hearing on Toxic School Drinking Water:

"The head of the U.S. Senate Environment Committee said Wednesday that legislators will hold hearings to address toxic drinking water in the nation's schools following an Associated Press probe into the widespread problem.

California Democratic Sen. Barbara Boxer called for the hearings to be held in Washington this year after an AP investigation revealed unsafe levels of lead, bacteria and pesticides have surfaced in the water supplies at thousands of schools. ('Nation's School Drinking Water Contains Toxins,' Sept. 25, 2009.)"

Education Week: Standards Aren't Enough

Education Week: Standards Aren't Enough:

"While Americans spent the summer watching shouting matches over health care, quiet but historic progress was being made on another of President Barack Obama’s domestic-policy priorities: getting schools to ask more of their students so that they graduate better prepared for life and work.

In late September, a new draft of national end-of-high-school standards intended to demand of students a greater depth of understanding of math, reading, and writing was unveiled. A philosophically diverse validation committee of senior scholars and practitioners has been appointed to examine the evidence supporting the standards and to recommend revisions. The next step will be to write standards for each grade, starting in kindergarten. ('New Standards Draft Offers More Details,' Sept. 30, 2009.)"

CPR: News Story | Kennedy Center Names Sacramento Inaugural City for Arts Education Initiative

CPR: News Story Kennedy Center Names Sacramento Inaugural City for Arts Education Initiative:

"It’s intended to offer an arts curriculum to every Sacramento student from kindergarten through eighth grade. For example, the Sacramento ballet might work with one grade level and the symphony with another.

Kennedy Center President Michael Kaiser says the goal is make an arts education more constant and systematic – instead of the haphazard way it’s taught now.

Kaiser: “If a third grade teacher loves the arts, he or she might bring the class to many different arts experiences. Then those same children go to the fourth grade. And if the fourth grade teacher doesn’t love the arts or doesn’t know about the arts, then the children get no arts exposures. We don’t teach any other subject that way.”

All of the city’s school districts are participating in the program, as are the Sacramento Metropolitan Arts Commission, local organizations and Mayor Kevin Johnson’s new arts initiative.

Under the program, Kennedy Center staff will audit Sacramento’s schools over the next six months, then work with arts organizations to craft a curriculum that would start next fall.

The center wants other cities to join the program once it gets started."

Johnson Favors Railyards As New Kings Arena Site - cbs13.com

Johnson Favors Railyards As New Kings Arena Site - cbs13.com:

"Sacramento Mayor Kevin Johnson is speaking out about plans for a new arena.

Mayor Johnson says he prefers the downtown railyards as a site. Johnson says he recently spoke to NBA commissioner David Stern who had this warning:

'Sacramento's a great market and we want to be here and we're committed to keeping the Kings in Sacramento, but know that there has to be an entertainment complex that is consistent with competition around the country.'

Mayor Johnson says building an arena is a top priority and says he's trying find a way to pay for it."

Watch video: http://www.cbs13.com/video/?id=61499@kovr.dayport.com

voiceofsandiego.org: Schooled... Schools Still Not Gauging What Works

voiceofsandiego.org: Schooled... Schools Still Not Gauging What Works:

"San Diego Unified still needs a way to evaluate whether programs have worked, according to an internal report on instruction slated to go to the school board Tuesday.

Employees noticed the same problem earlier this year, in a similar report. The school district has introduced more innovative programs this year, such as a program to boost attendance and a mentoring program that is being expanded with stimulus money, but there is no systematic way to measure whether each program met its stated goals, the report found."

But fixing that could be a problem: "There are staffing resource needs in the area of Research and Evaluation associated with the development and consistent implementation of this process that would need to be addressed before undertaking a project of this magnitude," the report says. Translation: It would take more people to do that than San Diego Unified now has.This finding was especially interesting to me after writing about the extinct High School Readiness Program, which suffered a lot of logistical problems and hasn't had a clear verdict of whether it worked. Another example might be the City Heights Educational Collaborative, which is an outside effort that didn't set clear goals.

House Votes to Expand Hate Crimes Definition - NYTimes.com

House Votes to Expand Hate Crimes Definition - NYTimes.com:

"WASHINGTON — The House voted Thursday to expand the definition of violent federal hate crimes to those committed because of a victim’s sexual orientation, a step that would extend new protection to lesbian, gay and transgender people."

Democrats hailed the vote of 281 to 146, which brought the measure to the brink of becoming law, as the culmination of a long push to curb violent expressions of bias like the 1998 murder of Matthew Shepard, a gay Wyoming college student.

“Left unchecked, crimes of this kind threaten to ruin the very fabric of America,” said Representative Susan A. Davis, Democrat of California, a leading supporter of the legislation.

Under current federal law, hate crimes that fall under federal jurisdiction are defined as those motivated by the victim’s race, color, religion or national origin.

UC Students Gear Up for Oct. 24 Conference. Category: Front Page News from The Berkeley Daily Planet - Thursday October 08, 2009

UC Students Gear Up for Oct. 24 Conference. Category: Front Page News from The Berkeley Daily Planet - Thursday October 08, 2009:

"About 200 students gathered in Lower Sproul Plaza Sept. 30 to discuss the upcoming Oct. 24 mobilizing conference at UC Berkeley, potentially the next big event planned in protest of the university’s budget cuts, furloughs and fee hikes.

Various student groups that took part in the Sept. 24 faculty and student walkout in the 10-campus UC system organized Wednesday’s general assembly in front of Eshelman Hall for students to brainstorm ideas for future protests or other forms of action.

A group of UC Berkeley students moderating the meeting described it as “an open forum for all groups to come together,” calling the walkout the “first time faculty, staff and students had come together in a show of solidarity.”

Later that night, students met to form three committees—the general assembly committee, an Oct. 24 committee and a peace committee which would ensure that all future protests were non-violent."

Commentary: Teen murders aren't about race - CNN.com

Commentary: Teen murders aren't about race - CNN.com:

"SAN DIEGO, California (CNN) -- Those of us in the U.S. can be so smug about what we think we know about why some teenagers turn into bloodthirsty predators -- even when it turns out that we don't know much.

Frankly, we might know more if we didn't jump to conclusions and let our prejudices get in the way.

After the videotaped beating death of Derrion Albert, a 16-year-old African-American honors student in Chicago, Illinois, I criticized President Obama for avoiding public comment about the tragedy and thus blowing the opportunity to have the first African-American president address the issue of black-on-black crime."

Perriello adds amendment for early childhood education | GoDanRiver

Perriello adds amendment for early childhood education GoDanRiver:

"The Student Aid and Fiscal Responsibility Act moving through Congress includes an amendment from Rep. Tom Perriello, D-5th District, to even out funding between rural and urban areas for early childhood education programs.

Perriello held a conference call Thursday with Rep. George Miller, D-California, chairman of the House Committee on Education and Labor, who described the SAFRA bill as “an historical act.”

“(This legislation) is the largest commitment by the federal government to higher education in our his-tory,” Miller said.

The bill, H.R. 3221, would improve college accessibility through an overhaul of the federal student loan process by creating a direct loan program in 2010. The program will form a public-private partnership and take the place of taxpayer-subsidized lenders, keeping the loan program “entirely insulated from market swings,” according to a news release from the education and labor committee."

School chef pushes fresh food

School chef pushes fresh food:

"Childhood obesity in America 'is something we can change,' a Baltimore schools chef told a congressional panel Thursday, describing a school garden where students 'plant a seed, pick a tomato ... and taste the flavor explode in their mouth.'"


The experience "forever changes the way a kid looks at food," said chef Anthony Geraci.

As Congress prepares to overhaul school nutrition programs, it is drawing on food guru Alice Waters' radical school-garden experiment in Berkeley in 1995 that has caught fire nationwide. The aim is to change the relationship between children and food to help blunt a public health catastrophe.

The federal government feeds breakfasts and lunches to 32 million schoolchildren at a cost of about $14 billion a year. At the same time, obesity and the chronic diseases that accompany it cost nearly $150 billion a year in added health care spending and kill more than 100,000 Americans each year.Read more: http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?file=/c/a/2009/10/09/MN681A309R.DTL#ixzz0TRSwzMLv

As We See It: Tough choices for UCSC - Santa Cruz Sentinel

As We See It: Tough choices for UCSC - Santa Cruz Sentinel:

"All the discussion over the future of higher education in California reminds us of the old saw 'all politics is local.'

The University of California, perhaps the best public university system in the world in terms of quality of research, is in the midst of a historic crisis. With a drastic cut in state funding, campuses are being forced to furlough employees and impose steep fee hikes for students.

This is true at UC Santa Cruz, just as it is in Berkeley, Davis or San Diego, and other UC campuses. Fortunately, UCSC Chancellor George Blumenthal has been willing to make some tough choices in the name of preserving the university's core missions of education and research.

That's the local part."

Op-Ed Columnist - The Uneducated American - NYTimes.com

Op-Ed Columnist - The Uneducated American - NYTimes.com:

"If you had to explain America’s economic success with one word, that word would be “education.” In the 19th century, America led the way in universal basic education. Then, as other nations followed suit, the “high school revolution” of the early 20th century took us to a whole new level. And in the years after World War II, America established a commanding position in higher education."

But that was then. The rise of American education was, overwhelmingly, the rise of public education — and for the past 30 years our political scene has been dominated by the view that any and all government spending is a waste of taxpayer dollars. Education, as one of the largest components of public spending, has inevitably suffered.

Until now, the results of educational neglect have been gradual — a slow-motion erosion of America’s relative position. But things are about to get much worse, as the economic crisis — its effects exacerbated by the penny-wise, pound-foolish behavior that passes for “fiscal responsibility” in Washington — deals a severe blow to education across the board.

Pew Hispanic Center study reveals blocks in Latinos' road to college | thecalifornian.com | The Salinas Californian

Pew Hispanic Center study reveals blocks in Latinos' road to college thecalifornian.com The Salinas Californian:

"A new Pew Hispanic Center survey found that 90 percent of Latino students say it's 'necessary' to get a college education to get ahead in life — more than any other ethnic or racial groups in the country — but financial pressures are keeping them from attending college.The study shows that Latino students want to go to college just as much as their peers, but they face more barriers.Nearly 74 percent of those students who dropped out of high school or didn't finish college say they did it to help support their families. An additional 40 percent said they cannot afford school.The national survey of young Latinos was conducted between Aug. 9 and Sept. 16. The results were released Wednesday."

Big Hollywood » Blog Archive » In Defense of Obama’s Safe School Czar (Sort Of) – or I Was A Teenage ‘Lolito’

Big Hollywood » Blog Archive » In Defense of Obama’s Safe School Czar (Sort Of) – or I Was A Teenage ‘Lolito’:

"Which brings me to the fracas over Obama czar number five hundred and… well, who’s counting. The conservative blogosphere has been in an uproar because Kevin Jennings – the (deep breath) Assistant Deputy Secretary of the Office of Safe and Drug Free Schools at the U.S. Department of Education, or “Safe School Czar” - failed, in 1988, while still a mere teacher, to advise a 15-year-old boy (according to some reports, he might have been older) to stop having sex with adult men (in particular one man the teenager had met in a public restroom). Instead, Jennings reminded the boy to “play safe,” and use condoms.

To be honest, I don’t see what the big deal is. Based on his own experience, Jennings probably figured it was no use trying to convince the boy to stop seeing the man – take it from me, that would have had the exact opposite effect – so the more practical tack was to urge the kid to at least protect himself, ASAP, as Jennings did. Let’s not forget the high suicide rate among gay youth; twenty years ago, that teenager surely needed somebody to talk to."

Suit looming against California over school funding - San Jose Mercury News

Suit looming against California over school funding - San Jose Mercury News:

"Top California school leaders said they soon will sue the state over chronically underfunded schools — a move that in other states has infused billions of dollars into school systems.

California spends $35.7 billion, or about 30 percent of its budget, on its 10,000 public K-12 schools. Like other state programs, education has suffered waves of cuts in two years as state revenues have shrunk. In per-pupil spending, California ranks anywhere from 30th to 47th among states, depending on how cost of living is adjusted.

The California Constitution requires the Legislature 'to provide for a system of common schools by which a free school shall be kept up and supported.' The suit will allege that the state violates that provision by not ensuring adequate support."

Funding grab? 'F' | Editorials | PE.com | Southern California News | News for Inland Southern California

Funding grab? 'F' Editorials PE.com Southern California News News for Inland Southern California:

"California schools cannot realistically expect to get more money from a state government mired in deficit. Education interests should be more focused on seeking reforms that allow the most effective use of available funding, which would improve California's school system regardless of current budget woes.

The California School Boards Association, which represents elected school trustees, plans to sue the state over inadequate school funding, according to news reports this week. Just what suing the state might accomplish was not clear, however. The current budget already features a $7 billion to $8 billion deficit, which could easily grow to $10 billion or more by 2010-11.

And the state will likely face huge budget shortfalls for years to come. About all a lawsuit would do is further obstruct the process of setting rational priorities for the use of public funds."

Sacramento Mayor Johnson aids Read for the Record - Sacramento News - Local and Breaking Sacramento News | Sacramento Bee

Sacramento Mayor Johnson aids Read for the Record - Sacramento News - Local and Breaking Sacramento News Sacramento Bee:

"Sacramento Mayor Kevin Johnson received positive reviews Thursday from young patients at Shriners Hospitals for Children Northern California after reading the classic book 'The Very Hungry Caterpillar' as part of a worldwide read-a-thon."

News - Sacramento Tree Foundation

News - Sacramento Tree Foundation:

"With summer ending and the rain soon upon us, October is a great month to get out and get dirty!

To celebrate National NeighborWoods Month, the Sacramento Tree Foundation will host a series of tree related trainings, awareness events, and plantings. These events are some of more than 100 regreening, educational, and training efforts throughout the country being promoted during October as part of NeighborWoods Month. NeighborWoods Month is a national campaign of the Alliance for Community Trees (ACT). The Sacramento Tree Foundation is a member of ACT’s NeighborWoods Network."

Appleseed President Joins Duncan

Appleseed President Joins Duncan:

"National Leaders in Educational Philanthropy Meet
Chicago Student's Death Underscores Reform Urgency

Duncan's St. Louis Visit Caps 'historic moment'

CHICAGO, IL - Following an 'emotional meeting'' with a dozen Chicago Public School students, Arne Duncan, U.S. Secretary of Education called for a 'national conversation'' about values and teen violence and said he will visit other cities 'to talk with people and find ways to protect our children'. Secretary Duncan told more than 400 of the nation’s leaders in educational philanthropy - including Project Appleseed President Kevin Walker - gathered in Chicago that reforming education is a collaborative effort of schools, funders and his department."

First 5 California: First 5 California Invites You to a Special Screening of Sid the Science Kid

First 5 California: First 5 California Invites You to a Special Screening of Sid the Science Kid

Join First 5 California at Kidspace Children’s Museum for a special sneak-preview of an upcoming episode of “Sid the Science Kid” on the importance of vaccinations. The episode – “Getting a Shot: You Can Do It!”– explains how vaccinations keep people healthy and teaches kids how to prevent the spread of germs during flu season. At the event, children can meet and take photos with Sid, as well as participate in educational activities. Healthy snacks will be served and event participants will receive goodie bags filled with fun items for kids and resources to keep the whole family healthy this flu season.

Festivities begin at 3 p.m. and the show starts at 3:30 p.m.

Tuesday, October 20, 2009

3 – 5 p.m. (40% off admission cost)

Sid-related activities are FREE

Kidspace Children’s Museum 480 N. Arroyo Boulevard, Pasadena, CA 91103

voiceofsandiego.org: Schooled... Sweetwater Teachers Reach Tentative Deal

voiceofsandiego.org: Schooled... Sweetwater Teachers Reach Tentative Deal:

"Under a tentative deal struck this morning, Sweetwater teachers will trade larger student-to-teacher ratios for the promise not to cut salaries or give newly hired employees a different set of benefits than current employees.

The two sides had grappled over a contract since last June. Tensions had escalated in the South Bay district, with teachers cutting back on work beyond the school day, toting signs to protest and even calling for the ouster of Superintendent Jesus Gandara.

The agreement was reached around 12:30 a.m. today after a full day of bargaining in front of a 'fact-finding' panel, a stage of bargaining that followed months of unsuccessful meetings. According to a press release from the school district, the agreement includes:


Staffing ratios of 30 students per teacher for this year, which have already been in place, compared to 28-to-one last year. That ratio will grow to 31-to-one for the next three school years."

Sacto 9-1-1: Sacramento PD helps two school districts land security grant

Sacto 9-1-1: Sacramento PD helps two school districts land security grant:

"The Sacramento Police Department wrote a successful grant application that will bring more than $460,000 for security improvements in the Sacramento City Unified and Robla school districts.

The $463,699 grant required a law enforcement agency to apply although the funds are being used for the purchase of cameras, lighting and door hardware at eight schools in the districts, a police spokesman said.

The grant is provided through the U.S. Department of Justice, Office of Community Oriented Policing Services, according to a Police Department news release.
'We are in tough economic times and are grateful that we have received several grants to help make our schools and community safer,' Police Chief Rick Braziel said."

Oklahoma Abortion Law: Details To Be Publicly Posted Online

Oklahoma Abortion Law: Details To Be Publicly Posted Online:

"A new Oklahoma law requires physicians to disclose detailed information on women's abortions to the State's Department Of Health, which will then post the collected data on a public website. The controversial measure comes into effect on November 1 and will cost $281,285 to implement, $256,285 each subsequent year to maintain.

Oklahoma women undergoing abortion procedures will be legally forced to reveal:"

1) Date of abortion

2) County in which abortion is performed

3) Age of mother

4) Marital status of mother

5) Race of mother

6) Years of education of mother

7) State or foreign country of residence of mother

8) Total number of previous pregnancies of the mother

Read more at: http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2009/10/08/oklahoma-abortion-law-det_n_313779.html

Vote Yes--Or Else - California Progress Report

Vote Yes--Or Else - California Progress Report:

"On October 5, the governor suggested to the Senate President Pro Tem that the Legislature withdraw nearly 700 bills now on his desk awaiting signature. The clear inference is that if they are not withdrawn, the governor will make good his threat to veto them because he has not yet gotten his way on water.

The veto power overrides the work of the Legislature which represents the will of the people. It is an extraordinary power and should not be exercised capriciously or casually. This governor, however, has repeatedly abused his veto power and threatens to do it again.

Last year, the Governor vetoed over 400 bills, 136 of them with a generic veto message, because he was unhappy after protracted budget negotiations."

ACLU: Teachers abuse kids with LD - Quality teaching | GreatSchools

ACLU: Teachers abuse kids with LD - Quality teaching GreatSchools:

"Landon K., an autistic 6-year-old, was a first-grader in Mississippi when an assistant principal administered an approved punishment: striking the child on his bottom with an inch-thick paddle.

The incident terrified the child, causing him to lose control. 'He was screaming and hollering,' Landon's grandmother Jacquelyn K. later told the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU). 'It just devastated him.'

Landon was so upset by the paddling he had to be sedated by ambulance workers.

Sound like one of those random but rare cases of abuse that grab headlines but are basically unprecedented? Unfortunately, the facts are a little more disturbing."

Read the report: http://www.docstoc.com/docs/12813872/Impairing-Education-Corporal-Punishment-of-Students-with-Disabilitiesin-US-Public-Schools

Education Week: States Face Budget Hurdles on Testing, GAO Says

Education Week: States Face Budget Hurdles on Testing, GAO Says:

"Congress’ investigative arm is spotlighting the challenges states face with their testing systems, from recession-driven budget pressures to ensuring the validity and reliability of statewide student assessments.

A new, wide-ranging report by the Government Accountability Office on state testing under the No Child Left Behind Act finds that although most states today spend far more on assessments than in 2002, when the federal law was enacted, 19 reported recent cuts in their testing budgets because of fiscal constraints. Ten others expected future reductions in such spending."

U.S. GAO - No Child Left Behind Act: Enhancements in the Department of Education's Review Process Could Improve State Academic Assessments

U.S. GAO - No Child Left Behind Act: Enhancements in the Department of Education's Review Process Could Improve State Academic Assessments

The No Child Left Behind Act of 2001 (NCLBA) requires states to develop high-quality academic assessments aligned with state academic standards. Education has provided states with about $400 million for NCLBA assessment implementation every year since 2002. GAO examined (1) changes in reported state expenditures on assessments, and how states have spent funds; (2) factors states have considered in making decisions about question (item) type and assessment content; (3) challenges states have faced in ensuring that their assessments are valid and reliable; and (4) the extent to which Education has supported state efforts to comply with assessment requirements. GAO surveyed state and District of Columbia assessment directors, analyzed Education and state documents, and interviewed assessment officials from Maryland, Rhode Island, South Dakota, and Texas and eight school districts in addition to assessment vendors and experts.

States reported their overall annual expenditures for assessments have increased since passage of the No Child Left Behind Act of 2001 (NCLBA), which amended the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 (ESEA), and assessment development was the largest expense for most states. Forty-eight of 49 states that responded to our survey said that annual expenditures for ESEA assessments have increased since NCLBA was enacted. Over half of the states reported that overall expenditures grew due to development of new assessments. Test and question--also referred to as item--development was most frequently reported by states to be the largest ESEA assessment expense, followed by scoring. State officials in selected states reported that alternate assessments for students with disabilities were more costly than general population assessments. In addition, 19 states reported that assessment budgets had been reduced by state fiscal cutbacks. Cost and time pressures have influenced state decisions about assessment item type--such as multiple choice or open/constructed response--and content. States most often chose multiple choice items because they can be scored inexpensively within tight time frames resulting from the NCLBA requirement to release results before the next school year. State officials also reported facing trade-offs between efforts to assess highly complex content and to accommodate cost and time pressures. As an alternative to using mostly multiple choice, some states have developed practices, such as pooling resources from multiple states to take advantage of economies of scale, that let them reduce cost and use more open/constructed response items. Challenges facing states in their efforts to ensure valid and reliable assessments involved staff capacity, alternate assessments, and assessment security. State capacity to provide vendor oversight varied, both in terms of number of state staff and measurement-related expertise. Also, states have been challenged to ensure validity and reliability for alternate assessments. In addition, GAO identified several gaps in assessment security policies that were not addressed in Education's review process for overseeing state assessments that could affect validity and reliability. An Education official said that assessment security was not a focus of its review. The review process was developed before recent efforts to identify assessment security best practices. Education has provided assistance to states, but issues remain with communication during the review process. Education provided assistance in a variety of ways, and states reported that they most often used written guidance and Education-sponsored meetings and found these helpful. However, Education's review process did not allow states to communicate with reviewers during the process to clarify issues, which led to miscommunication. In addition, state officials were in some cases unclear about what review issues they were required to address because Education did not identify for states why its decisions differed from the reviewers' written comments.

Read report here: http://www.docstoc.com/docs/12812895/No-Child-Left-Behind-Act-Enhancements-in-the-Department-of-Educations-Review-Process-Could-Improve-State-Academic-Assessments

Or go to the GAO web site: http://www.gao.gov/products/GAO-09-911

GAO-09-911 September 24, 2009
Highlights Page (PDF) Full Report (PDF, 58 pages) Accessible Text Recommendations (HTML)

Where is Data Driving Us?

Living in Dialogue

Where is Data Driving Us?

Many of our schools these days are guided by a business school practice known as Data-Driven Decision-Making (DDDM). This approach means that we do not base decisions on whim or convenience, but rather rely on actual student achievement outcomes to guide us. The first step in this process is determining which data we actually care about. That key decision has been made for us in the public schools by the mandates of NCLB. The data that matter most are student test scores in language arts and math. Data-Driven Decision-Making means we then must make choices that will increase those scores.

The term "Data-Driven Decision-Making" has a sort of value-neutral, rational sound to it. It means we are basing our choices on facts, that we are willing to make tough choices in the interest of student achievement. That should be good news, right?

But the choices that are made actually do carry value judgments, and I am not sure that we are considering all the relevant data when we make these decisions.

Teacher Magazine: More Ind. Teachers Take Nontraditional Path to Class

Teacher Magazine: More Ind. Teachers Take Nontraditional Path to Class:

"INDIANAPOLIS (AP) — An increasing number of teachers without traditional education degrees are poised to enter Indiana's classrooms.
Supporters argue that such teachers bring expertise in subject areas that education schools don't always provide. But critics question whether they're equipped to handle special cases such as helping children who struggle with reading.

The programs are enjoying strong political support from Gov. Mitch Daniels, a Republican, and President Barack Obama, a Democrat."

Teacher Magazine: Why Good Teaching Matters

Teacher Magazine: Why Good Teaching Matters:

"“Mrs. McDowell was the kind of teacher whose influence permeated everything—my quest for knowledge, my understanding of history, my place in the world,” Jennifer shared with me recently. “She helped teach me to question what I thought I knew as well as what others told me. She inspired my curiosity. She believed in me, which pushed me to always strive to be the best student and person I could be.”

What better testimony to quality and effectiveness could any teacher hope for? Though we saw each other infrequently, Polly stayed in my heart and mind. I considered her a kindred spirit. I hoped my students admired me as much as Jennifer admired Mrs. McDowell."

Teacher Professional Development Sourcebook: The Online Option

Teacher Professional Development Sourcebook: The Online Option:

"Between the ringing bells and the regimented class periods, teachers have among the most structured of all careers. Their time for professional growth is equally prescribed, often being set by contracts, district policies, and even state law.

But imagine a teacher who finishes grading some papers, puts the children to bed, and at 9:30 p.m. logs on to an online module to learn new practices for differentiating instruction for his or her English-language-learner students."

Dianne Linderman -- Un-teaching Teachers

Dianne Linderman -- Un-teaching Teachers:

"When will we realize that all of our kids start out as passionate entrepreneurs, explorers, and adventurers who teach themselves how to walk and talk? What makes us believe that they are not capable of discovering education at its finest without the written rule that our teachers have been unknowingly harnessed with and have brought into America’s classrooms because they have been in a long line of teachers who have been taught by the same rule forever and ever."

Rally for labor pact

Rally for labor pact - SignOnSanDiego.com

CHULA VISTA — Hundreds of South County educators rallied outside Sweetwater Union High School District headquarters yesterday in an effort to pressure officials to settle an impasse in labor talks.

While district and union representatives met with a mediator in the boardroom, about 400 teachers, students and supporters chanted outside.

“What do we want?” they asked. “A contract!” the group yelled. “When do we want it? Now!”

The Sweetwater Education Association's 1,800 teachers have been working without a contract for about 15 months, prompting picketing and limiting work to contracted hours. Last month, nearly eight out of 10 teachers at Chula Vista Middle School called in sick in what a district official alleged was a “concerted activity” meant to put pressure on the district in its negotiations with the union.

Class sizes are at the heart of the dispute.

Teachers Sue District Over Layoffs - D.C. Wire -

Teachers Sue District Over Layoffs - D.C. Wire -:

"The Washington Teachers Union sued today to block last week's teacher layoffs, charging that District public school principals improperly targeted educators for dismissal on the basis of age or their willingness to speak out against administrators, union president George Parker said late this afternoon.

Parker said the suit, filed in D.C. Superior Court, asks that DCPS be enjoined from firing the 388 teachers and other staff, who are scheduled to be dropped from the payroll on Nov. 2.

'This was a RIF (reduction in force) that was done in entirely a loose fashion,' said Parker, who briefed teachers this afternoon at the Metropolitan AME Church on M St. NW. 'It allowed principals to get rid of teachers regardless of their performance. Outspoken teachers, strong union advocates, they were targeted. 'That's the bottom line.'"

D.C. Teachers Stunned by Their Dismissal - washingtonpost.com

D.C. Teachers Stunned by Their Dismissal - washingtonpost.com:

"A neat row of X's stretches down Eve McCarey's performance evaluation, showing that in category after category, she is someone who 'exceeds expectations.' With three years of experience as a special education teacher at Anacostia High School, she is hardworking, well-spoken and now unemployed."

McCarey seems to be the sort of teacher any hard-charging, reformist schools chancellor would want in a classroom. But despite layoff rules designed to help the system retain high-performing teachers, McCarey found herself out of a job Friday, along with other educators who range from idealistic Teach for America newcomers to a 32-year guidance counselor who is praised by parents as uncommonly effective.
"It just feels like my heart has been broken," said counselor Sheila Gill, 57, of McKinley Technology High School. "I have been trying to process all of what's going on. It happened so quickly and so suddenly."

Attorney General, in Chicago, Pledges Youth Violence Effort - NYTimes.com

Attorney General, in Chicago, Pledges Youth Violence Effort - NYTimes.com:

"CHICAGO — Trying to spark what he called “a sustained national conversation” about youth violence, Attorney General Eric H. Holder Jr. met with public school students and elected officials here Wednesday, pledging a heightened crime-fighting commitment from the federal government toward vulnerable children."

Mr. Holder, joined by Education Secretary Arne Duncan, the former head of the local public schools, said the Obama administration was dedicated to being a full partner in the fight against youth violence, in part, because “too many of today’s victims become tomorrow’s criminals.”

“Youth violence is not a Chicago problem any more than it is a black problem, a white problem or a Hispanic problem,” Mr. Holder said at a morning news conference, flanked by Mayor Richard M. Daley and other city officials. “It is something that affects communities big and small and people of all races and all colors. It is an American problem.”

San Fernando Valley Sun - Census Becomes Point of Contention for Latinos

San Fernando Valley Sun - Census Becomes Point of Contention for Latinos:

"It's still six months away, but the U.S. Census 2010 has become a controversial issue in the Latino community, with some groups advocating for a boycott, while others are gearing up campaigns to push immigrants to get themselves counted.

'If we cannot count on the government, why are we going to get counted?,' asked Nativo Lopez, president of Hermandad Mexicana Latinoamericana who along with Rev. Miguel Rivera, chairman of the National Coalition of Latino Clergy, are asking undocumented immigrants to abstain from participating in the census as a way to pressure the Obama administration to pass an immigration reform.

Lopez said Latino participation was very high in the past two censuses, in 1990 and 2000 because there was an incentive for immigrants to participate."