Education Week: Questions Raised on New York Test System's Reliability

Education Week: Questions Raised on New York Test System's Reliability:

"The recent news that 97 percent of New York City public schools got an A or B under the district’s grading system might be seen as reason for celebration, but critics suggest the grades hold little value and highlight the need to revisit the state assessment system.

The results, they say, reveal far more about flaws in the city’s so-called “progress reports” —and the state testing regime that largely drives them—than they do about the quality of education in the 1.1 million-student district."

Schools Chancellor Touts Test Score Gains to Business Leaders - City Room Blog - NYTimes.com

Schools Chancellor Touts Test Score Gains to Business Leaders - City Room Blog - NYTimes.com:

"Supporters of mayoral control of city schools like to say that having one person in charge of the schools eliminates the old politics of the Board of Education. But it’s simply been replaced by a different kind of politics, centered on just how well Mayor Michael R. Bloomberg and his schools chancellor, Joel I. Klein, have done in the battle to improve city schools.

So it was hard to put aside politics Monday at an hour-long presentation Mr. Klein gave to business leaders on the 50th floor of the J.P. Morgan Chase building on Park Avenue. With his back to a stunning view of the Chrysler Building, Mr. Klein went over a dozen graphs charting out what he called tremendous progress of the city’s schools."

City Insider : This isn't the kind of steal Kevin Johnson used to relish

City Insider : This isn't the kind of steal Kevin Johnson used to relish:

"When he played for the Phoenix Suns, point guard Kevin Johnson was known for his steals. But the tables were turned on Johnson, now the mayor of Sacramento, when he visited Union Square over the weekend and had his belongings snatched.
Johnson describes the troubling incident on his blog. Apparently, the Good Samaritan - in San Francisco for an arts education conference - was helping an elderly man get into a cab when someone grabbed his garment bag. He lost a suit, pair of shoes and toiletries."

CAVALA: Legislature Victim Of Yet Another ‘Cheap Shot’? - California Progress Report

CAVALA: Legislature Victim Of Yet Another ‘Cheap Shot’? - California Progress Report:

"The Sacramento BEE is leading yet another crusade against the State Legislature. This attack focuses on the benefits provided Legislative employees. While factually accurate, the BEE story is biased and unfair.

After listing the benefits – which contrast favorably on paper with those enjoyed by other state employees and many private sector employees (like BEE reporters), and then allowing reliable witnesses like Jonathan Coupal of the Howard Jarvis organization to take his usual shot at any government action, it isn’t until paragraph 16 (after the fold) that we find the following:"

“Unlike other state workers legislative aides lack civil service protections, receive no automatic pay increases can be fired without cause, receive no overtime compensation and must try to get hired by another legislator when theirs leaves office”.

Which, because of term limits, is a five year occurrence.

Let’s look at the lavish benefits exposed in this hard-hitting report.

Vacations? “Vacations ranging up to six weeks for long time employees”. But with a 35% staff turnover “every year” – a fact listed in paragraph 17 – how many “long time employees” are around to enjoy their six weeks? I was such an employee. In my 25 years of service I enjoyed a net 20 days of “vacation”. My vacation “time” was used up in unpaid volunteer service in political work in an effort to keep my employer in a job where he could employ me.

Retirement benefits? The same as other state employees and not as good as those enjoyed by the staff of Legislative “sergeants” – who are “peace officers”. But who are the Legislative employees who serve long enough or are old enough to retire in grade? Typically they are the clerical workers of the Legislature, not the highly paid attaches of my grade.

Education Week: State law blocks stimulus education funds

Education Week: State law blocks stimulus education funds:

"RENO, Nev. (AP) — Nevada is ineligible to compete for millions of stimulus education funding because of a state law pushed by the teachers union.

The law prohibits student achievement data from being used in teacher evaluations. That means the state isn't eligible to enter the Obama administration's Race to the Top, a $4.3 billion competition for states trying to turn around failing schools."

State superintendent Keith Rheault says Nevada won't apply for the first round of funding because of the law, which would need a special legislative session to change.

"If you're desperate for money and you get a credit card offer in the mail, you read the fine print to see what the interest rate is," Rheault said. "This to me is like a 35 percent interest rate, with all the federal reporting requirements and changes to regulations. But it just depends on how desperate you are for the money."

The state can still work to resolve other issues in time for the second phase of funding, Rheault said.

Rheault said changing the state law would not immediately make the state eligible for the federal funds because the competition requires states to have increased education funding between 2008 and 2009 and Nevada had to cut its funding. The state would also have to dedicate money for after the stimulus funds ran out.

Education Week: Protest Planned Against N.J. School's Obama Song

Education Week: Protest Planned Against N.J. School's Obama Song:

"Conservative groups plan to rally Monday near a New Jersey school where students performed a song celebrating President Barack Obama.
The planned rally has school district officials planning to beef up security at the B. Bernice Young School in Burlington Township, which houses kindergartners through second-graders.

The song drew national attention last month after a video of the performance was posted on YouTube. Conservatives say it shows how schoolchildren are being indoctrinated to idolize Obama, allegations school officials have denied."

Education Week: 'Dropouts Happen'

Education Week: 'Dropouts Happen':

"Webster defines realism as “a concern for fact or reality and the rejection of the impractical or visionary.”

For perhaps too long, we educators have denied the realities of public schools in favor of a tireless, unending quest for excellence and the success of all students. While these are certainly desirable and justifiable goals, the failure to achieve them should not result in an overwhelming sense of failure, or worse, guilt.

This is not intended to excuse ourselves from the all-important task of educating our young. Rather, it is a plea to accept some of the realities of public schools that contravene our best efforts."

Schwarzenegger signs gay rights bills - Latest News - sacbee.com

Schwarzenegger signs gay rights bills - Latest News - sacbee.com:

"Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger has signed two gay rights bills, one honoring late activist Harvey Milk and another recognizing same-sex marriages performed in other states.

In the last of hundreds of bill actions taken before midnight Sunday, Schwarzenegger approved the two bills by Sen. Mark Leno, D-San Francisco.

The governor last year vetoed the measure declaring May 22 a state day of recognition for Milk, suggesting that the former San Francisco supervisor be honored locally. But he subsequently named him to the California Hall of Fame."

Education News & Comment

Education News & Comment:

"Dear Parent and Community Leaders:

We are currently accepting applications for the current session of the School, Family and Community Partnership Leadership Academy. The Leadership Academy is a leadership development program that promotes excellence in education and is sponsored by the Sacramento City Unified School District in partnership with the Parent Teacher Association (PTA).

The goals of the program are to raise participant awareness of how the educational system works, enhance communication and collaboration with school and district staff, promote interaction and networking among parent and community and to develop the leadership capacity of participants to lead effectively and strategically."

Please forward the attached brochure (application inside brochure), and session outline to parent leaders in your school, your district advisory committees, or to administrators, teachers and/or community organizations and members who you think would benefit from this training.

Applications are due by October 20, 2009 at the Office of Parent Engagement and Support Services (see brochure). On October 27, 2009 applicants will be notified if they were accepted into the program. The first training session begins on November 2, 2009 (see enclosed session topics and dates). The program selects 20-25 participants per training cycle.

If you have any questions, please call me at (916) 643-7912.

Manuel Guillot

Director Parent Engagement and Support Services

Tsakopoulos-Kounalakis appointed ambassador to Hungary - Latest News - sacbee.com

Tsakopoulos-Kounalakis appointed ambassador to Hungary - Latest News - sacbee.com:

"WASHINGTON - President Barack Obama today named Eleni Tsakopoulos-Kounalakis, a prominent Democratic fundraiser and developer from Sacramento, as his ambassador to the Republic of Hungary.

The president said he was confident that she'll be part of a team that 'will work to keep our nation safe at home and strengthen our partnerships abroad.'
Tsakopoulos-Kounalakis is a civic leader, philanthropist and president of AKT Development Corp., one of California's largest land development firms."

Houston schools slow to add Bible elective 2 years after law | Houston & Texas News | Chron.com - Houston Chronicle

Houston schools slow to add Bible elective 2 years after law Houston & Texas News Chron.com - Houston Chronicle:

"Two years ago state lawmakers made it OK for schools to provide elective Bible classes but, so far, few Houston-area school districts have taken them up on the offer.

The 2007 law requires schools, beginning this year, to include some Bible literacy in history and literature classes. Bible classes are optional but encouraged under the law. The thinking is that educated students must be familiar with biblical references and themes that pervade culture and society.

“It's not like a Bible study like you have at church,” said Gale Drummond, assistant superintendent of secondary education for Conroe ISD. “It's about looking at the Bible and its influence in Western civilization.”"

Schwarzenegger OKs school bill required by US law - Yahoo! News

Schwarzenegger OKs school bill required by US law - Yahoo! News:

"SACRAMENTO, Calif. – California is removing a legal ban on using the results of student achievement tests to evaluate teachers, under a bill signed into law by Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger.

The bill lifts a barrier that prevented California from applying for $4.5 billion under the federal Race to the Top program. Schwarzenegger says more legislation is needed beyond the bill he signed Sunday. He has called lawmakers back into special session this fall.

California still has to qualify for the federal money in competition with other states.

To do so, education officials say the state must approve other reforms, including removing a cap on the number of charter schools, improving poorly performing local schools, and giving the state more authority to intervene in failing schools."

Obama Becomes Japan’s English Teacher - NYTimes.com

Obama Becomes Japan’s English Teacher - NYTimes.com:


"TOKYO — When Utako Sakai was changing the background music in her beauty parlor recently, she did not opt for the classical piano pieces she usually chose.

A CD of President Barack Obama's inaugural speech has sold a half million copies in Japan, leading publishers to flood the market with over a dozen language-learning titles centered on his oratory. Instead, she picked her favorite CD: “President Obama’s Inaugural Address,” released by Asahi Press, a Japanese publisher of language books. She says the speech lifts her spirits and helps her to learn English all at once.

“All our customers love it,” said Ms. Sakai, who is based in Ayase City, in Kanagawa Prefecture, outside Tokyo."

Sacramento Press / Town hall suspicious of strong mayor proposal

Sacramento Press / Town hall suspicious of strong mayor proposal:

"Participants in a town hall meeting on Thursday held at Caleb Greenwood Elementary School expressed skepticism and suspicion about the 'strong mayor' proposal endorsed by Sacramento Mayor Kevin Johnson.

'I suspect that it [the strong mayor initiative] is a power grab, but I suspect that something will come out of [the town hall meeting] and I'll be able to make a rational decision,' said resident Mike Montgomery.

The town hall meeting, which attracted about 50 people, included a thorough presentation of the strong mayor proposal that has been placed on the June 2010 ballot. The presentation was by members of the Charter Review Committee, a group created by the City Council to research and draft an alternative to the strong mayor proposal."

City Charter Review panel hears draft final report

What: The Sacramento Charter Review Committee, which is formulating an alternative to Mayor Kevin Johnson's strong-mayor ballot proposal, lists on its agenda reviewing a minority report and a draft of the ad hoc committee's final report.

When: 6 p.m.

Where:Council chambers, New City Hall, 915 I St., Sacramento

Education? You be the judge | PressDemocrat.com | The Press Democrat | Santa Rosa, CA

Education? You be the judge PressDemocrat.com The Press Democrat Santa Rosa, CA:

"Meet Supreme Court Justice Irene Waters. With her pursed lips and dark hair pulled back in a bun, she bears a passing resemblance to Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg. In her jurisprudence, however, Waters may be more like Justice Sandra Day O’Connor, who cast the swing vote in many key cases before retiring in 2006."

Waters is more animated than either of those two justices, and even more so than Justice Antonin Scalia.

But Waters wasn’t there for the official start of the court’s new term this week. She’s a member of the fictional high court in “Supreme Decision,” an online game designed to teach schoolchildren about the judicial branch. (We told you she was animated!)

O’Connor, the nation’s first female justice, has a new job description: video game promoter. Frustrated by the fact that two-thirds of Americans are unable to name the three branches of government, among other lowlights of the state of civic knowledge, she is spearheading a project called Our Courts, which develops Web-based games aimed at teaching seventh- and eighth-graders about government.

Community must be involved with education in Harrisburg | Our Views & Yours - PennLive.com - - PennLive.com

Community must be involved with education in Harrisburg Our Views & Yours - PennLive.com - - PennLive.com:

"Urban districts have been pushed and pulled through the child-centered curriculum, school and community, No Child Left Behind, unified curriculum, outcomes-based instruction and other approaches to remedy embedded issues with the focus on the teachers doing a better job. While I agree that there are some teachers who can and should do more daily, they are not alone.


Parents, students and adults in our communities need to join in with the efforts of doing more. Nothing will be more helpful to coming out of the abyss of urban decay we currently find ourselves in than a buy-in from the main stakeholders in our communities: parents, students and community representatives.


These stakeholders have to promote the reality of students’ best interests being served when there is community expectation of excelling in school and the workplace. This commitment means having the discipline to study outside of the school walls and time frame."

Is President Obama Continuing Conservative Education Policies? -- New York Magazine

Is President Obama Continuing Conservative Education Policies? -- New York Magazine:

"“Duncan’s plan is cut from the same cloth as the education policies of the Bush administration,” said Sara Bennett after watching the show from her Park Slope home. “It is misguided, disastrous for schoolchildren, and has no basis in sound research.” A Legal Aid lawyer turned activist and the mother of a tenth-grader in a public high school, in 2006 Bennett co-authored The Case Against Homework, which helped launch what came to be known as the “anti-homework movement.” Parents from all over the country, but especially in the gentle strongholds of enlightened parenting like Park Slope, Santa Monica, Berkeley, and Mercer Island near Seattle, began organizing against what Bennett and others have called a “skyrocketing” increase in the amount of homework kids are assigned. They see it as a symptom of a deeper problem—the pressure placed on teachers by school districts to improve their students’ test scores and thereby secure state and federal funding. Many of the movement’s activists are directing their fire toward Duncan’s plan, which they claim will only further enslave children to homework and testing and create a homogenized “monoculture.”"

Children are being left behind -- latimes.com

Children are being left behind -- latimes.com:

"What needs reform just as badly as the schools, however, is the No Child Left Behind Act, a well-meant but ham-handed law that actually encourages schools to lower their academic standards and that often leaves behind the students who most need help. That revision cannot wait; it must take place in tandem with the grant program. Neither the federal government nor schools can measure success without reasonable, consistent targets.

Fortunately, Education Secretary Arne Duncan has started talking about overhauling No Child Left Behind. Though the details have not been worked out, Duncan has found the right focus: The law's method of determining whether schools have met their goals is rigid, unrealistic and counterproductive."

Cape Fear Business News – Wilmington NC Business News – Brunswick County – New Hanover County – Pender County – Columbus County – Southeastern North Carolina » Opinion: Benefits of Longer School Day, Longer School Year Do Not Add Up

Cape Fear Business News – Wilmington NC Business News – Brunswick County – New Hanover County – Pender County – Columbus County – Southeastern North Carolina » Opinion: Benefits of Longer School Day, Longer School Year Do Not Add Up:

"RALEIGH, NC – North Carolina law requires children to attend school a minimum of 180 days each year, with at least 1,000 hours of instruction covering at least nine calendar months. For years, state education leaders, school officials, and public school advocacy groups have urged the North Carolina legislature to raise these minimum requirements, thereby extending the school day and year.

Our state is not alone. Michael Van Beek of the Mackinac Center for Public Policy recently noted that education leaders in Michigan have been campaigning to lengthen the school day for public schools throughout the Great Lake State."

Central Valley Business Times

Central Valley Business Times:


"Carol Tomlinson-Keasey, who spearheaded the multi-year effort to establish the 10th University of California campus in Merced and served as its founding chancellor from 1999 to 2006, died Oct. 10 in Decatur, Ga., due to complications related to breast cancer, the university says. She was 66.

“We are deeply saddened by Carol’s passing,” says UC Merced Chancellor Steve Kang, who succeeded Ms. Tomlinson-Keasey in March 2007. “Simply put, UC Merced would not exist were it not for her visionary leadership, her tireless determination and her remarkable gift of persuasion.”"

Math and science conference for girls set Nov. 7 | fdlreporter.com | Fond du Lac Reporter

Math and science conference for girls set Nov. 7 fdlreporter.com Fond du Lac Reporter:

"The fifth annual Girls+Math+Science=Opportunities (GMSO) one-day conference for girls in Grades 6 to 8 has been scheduled for Saturday, Nov. 7, at Moraine Park Technical College.
Agnesian HealthCare, Moraine Park Technical College and UW-Fond du Lac/UW-Extension Continuing Education are founding sponsors.The conference begins at 9 a.m. with an opening session followed by two workshops, a social luncheon, afternoon workshop and a closing presentation. The event concludes at 3 p.m."

Quick Takes: Schwarzenegger Vetoes Limits on Administrators' Pay - Inside Higher Ed

Quick Takes: Schwarzenegger Vetoes Limits on Administrators' Pay - Inside Higher Ed:

"California Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger on Sunday vetoed a bill that would have barred most salary increases and bonuses for executives at the University of California and California State University systems in bad budget years, such as this one. In his veto message, the governor criticized the measure as too broad and intrusive. 'A blanket prohibition limiting the flexibility for the UC and CSU to compete, both nationally and internationally, in attracting and retaining high level personnel does a disservice to those students seeking the kind of quality education that our higher education segments offer. The regents and the trustees should be prudent in managing their systems, given the difficult fiscal crisis we face as a state, but it is unnecessary for the state to micromanage their operations.' The veto drew a sharp response from Sen. Leland Yee, sponsor of the bill and a leading legislative voice for closer oversight of the university systems. Yee noted that well compensated executives have continued to receive bonuses and raises even as the university systems face unprecedented budget cuts. “It is deeply disappointing that the governor wants to ensure top executives live high on the hog while students suffer,” Yee said. “The governor’s veto is a slap in the face to all UC and CSU students and the system’s low wage workers. His veto protects the UC and CSU administration’s egregious executive compensation practices and allows them to continue to act more like AIG than a public trust.”"

PR-USA.net - Attorney General Holder Announces $37 Million in Grants to Support Youth Mentoring Initiatives

PR-USA.net - Attorney General Holder Announces $37 Million in Grants to Support Youth Mentoring Initiatives:

"U.S. Attorney General Eric Holder today announced more than $37 million in Recovery Act and Fiscal Year 2009 grants have been awarded to support organizations in developing, implementing and expanding youth mentoring activities.

'These funds allow us to invest further in the future of today's youth by providing mentoring opportunities to help children reach their full potential,' said Attorney General Holder. 'These grants will help steer young people away from criminal activities by providing them with healthy life alternatives, positive role models, and direct contact with caring adults.'

The Recovery Act, signed into law by President Obama, provides the Office of Justice Programs' Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention (OJJDP) with more than $12 million for local mentoring programs to reduce juvenile delinquency, violence, gang participation, school failure and dropout rates. The Recovery Act Local Mentoring grant recipients are:"

-- Turlock, Modesto, Merced Youth for Christ, Modesto, Calif. ($499,989)
-- Sacramento County Office of Education, Sacramento, Calif. ($494,534)
-- Fighting Back Partnership, Vallejo, Calif. ($500,000)

Union firing up protests at CSUS - Sacramento News - Local and Breaking Sacramento News | Sacramento Bee

Union firing up protests at CSUS - Sacramento News - Local and Breaking Sacramento News Sacramento Bee:

"A week of rallies, speeches, testimonials and teach-ins at California State University campuses begins today at Sacramento State. The statewide protests organized by the faculty union are designed to show how budget cuts are hurting the university and to urge support for a bill that would tax oil extraction to pay for higher education.

Facing historic budget cuts by the Legislature, CSU trustees had a $584 million deficit this summer. They furloughed employees, cut back on classes and services, reduced enrollment and raised student fees by 32 percent over last year."

Kumon Fills Gaps Left by U.S. Public Schools

Kumon Fills Gaps Left by U.S. Public Schools:

"Something magical is happening at the Largo Kumon Center located in Largo,
Maryland: students are studying beyond school grade level and actually enjoying it.

Not surprisingly, their parents have great things to say about Kumon.

One mom, Sandy Frazier, said: “Kumon gave my son the challenge that he needed. He wasn’t challenged in school. I started him in Kumon in the fourth grade and he reached algebra before middle school.”

Another mom, Kim McCarley, said: “We initially got our children into Kumon to help with giving them a foundation for math and reading. The thing we really like about Kumon is that our children don’t just learn math and reading, but it’s set up in a way that allows them to master math and reading. They don’t progress until they master something. Whereas in school, it’s once you have knowledge of, an awareness of, you move on. At Kumon, it’s once you master it. And I think that’s a big difference in that foundation for them.”"

The Associated Press: US education chief appeals for great new teachers

The Associated Press: US education chief appeals for great new teachers:

"CHARLOTTESVILLE, Va. — U.S. Education Secretary Arne Duncan appealed Friday for a new generation of extraordinary teachers, calling education the civil rights cause of our time.

Duncan told about 100 prospective teachers at the University of Virginia that veterans, retirees and professionals seeking a second career must heed the call to teach. He said the need is especially acute for black men in the nation's classrooms.

'Put plain and simple, this country needs an army of great, new teachers — and I can think of no better place to start recruiting them than in Thomas Jefferson's hallowed halls,' Duncan told Curry School of Education students in the Jefferson-designed Rotunda, the academic heart of U.Va.'s Charlottesville campus."

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.

Sacramento News & Review > Blogs > SNOG > Mayor Johnson not comfortable celebrating freethought > October 10, 2009

Sacramento News & Review > Blogs > SNOG > Mayor Johnson not comfortable celebrating freethought > October 10, 2009:

"But this year when Beverly Church, organizer of the local Freethought Day committee, asked new mayor Kevin Johnson’s staff for a similar proclamation, she was told it was a no-go. Something about wanting to remain “neutral” and that the mayor (or maybe just the mayor’s staff) were “not comfortable” with declaring Sunday Freethought Day.

The mayor is said to be a pretty religious guy, but that doesn’t seem like a good reason to stiff those people who don’t have invisible sky friends. Said Church:
“I’m really kind of surprised. This isn’t religion bashing. It’s a celebration of the separation of church and state, which is in our constitution.”"

HeraldNet: Schools often lack resources to combat bullying

HeraldNet: Schools often lack resources to combat bullying:

"WASHINGTON — At Vivian Elementary School in Lakewood, Colo., about 12 miles from the site of the 1999 shootings at Columbine High School, students spend about an hour once a week talking about bullies, and what to do when they see one.

Every child from kindergarten through sixth grade — and all the adults in the school — learn how to identify bullying behaviors and how to stand up to a bully without inflaming the situation.

“This is the culture of our school,” said social worker Molly Lacy. “Safety is our big concern. We give the children tools so that they have the ability to problem solve most situations, but they are also comfortable asking an adult for help.”"

U.S. states suffer unbelievable revenue shortages | Special Coverage | Reuters

U.S. states suffer unbelievable revenue shortages Special Coverage Reuters:

"WASHINGTON (Reuters) - The U.S. economy may be creeping toward recovery after the worst slowdown since the Great Depression, but many states see no end in sight to their diving tax revenues.

Tax revenues used to pay teachers and fuel police cars continue to trail even the most pessimistic expectations, despite the cash from the economic stimulus plan pouring into state coffers.

'It's crazy. It's really just unbelievable,' said Scott Pattison, executive director of the National Association of State Budget Officers, and called the states' revenue situations 'close to unprecedented.'"

Over age 50? This is not your father’s job market - BostonHerald.com

Over age 50? This is not your father’s job market - BostonHerald.com:

"The transition into new employment - perhaps a new field - may be hard, but it’s far from impossible, says Carissa Brehm of the California Career Development Association. “The hard part is knowing what job they’re looking for and to think about transferable skills they can apply to all sorts of jobs.”

Angel, who’s lived in South Natomas, Calif., since 2001 and is PTA president at Two Rivers Elementary School, wanted to be a substitute teacher. Then she discovered her teaching credential had expired in 1988. And the substitute teacher pool, with more than 350 names as well as those of 40 teachers recently laid off, is closed to new applicants."

SID THE SCIENCE KID Explores Germs, Viruses and Vaccines Just in Time for Flu Season in a Special Episode 'Getting a Shot: You Can Do It!' | Reuters

SID THE SCIENCE KID Explores Germs, Viruses and Vaccines Just in Time for Flu Season in a Special Episode 'Getting a Shot: You Can Do It!' Reuters:

"HOLLYWOOD, Calif., Oct. 9 /PRNewswire/ -- Everyone's favorite preschool
scientist, Sid, star of SID THE SCIENCE KID, is hearing a lot of talk this
fall about how to stay healthy, which leads him to ask lots of questions about
what can make a person sick and what he can do to keep from getting sick. In
the new special episode 'Getting a shot: You Can Do It!' from the
Emmy®-nominated series, Sid and his friends will learn the basic science
behind germs, viruses and vaccines using age-appropriate vocabulary and
scientific concepts that have become a hallmark of the series. PBS KIDS will
premiere the series on Monday, October 26 (check local listings) with several
re-airings over the following weeks.

It's vaccination day at Sid's school, and Sid and his friends are a little
apprehensive about getting a shot. Thankfully, a very special nurse will be
giving the kids their vaccination--Sid's Grandma! Throughout the special
episode, Grandma, Teacher Susie, Mom and Dad all do their part to make
vaccination day a fun learning experience filled with music, games and lots of
laughs."

Can I have your attention?

Can I have your attention?:

"One in four teachers loses 30 per cent of classroom time because of disruptive student behaviour and administrative tasks, according to a report card of the world's education systems.

The survey of public and private schools in 23 countries, including Australia, is the first to provide an international comparison of the conditions of teaching and learning.

It found the classroom climate — one of the most important predictors of student achievement — is being undermined by discipline problems and administrative tasks in many countries.

Teachers in Australia, Italy, Malta, Portugal, Spain and Iceland spend on average more than 14 per cent of their classroom time restoring order, slightly more than the international average of 13 per cent."

Read full report: http://www.docstoc.com/docs/13021334/Creating-Effective-Teaching-and-Learning-Environments-First-Results-from-TALIS

The Associated Press: A darker side of Columbus emerges in US classrooms

The Associated Press: A darker side of Columbus emerges in US classrooms:

"TAMPA, Fla. — Jeffrey Kolowith's kindergarten students read a poem about Christopher Columbus, take a journey to the New World on three paper ships and place the explorer's picture on a timeline through history.

Kolowith's students learn about the explorer's significance — though they also come away with a more nuanced picture of Columbus than the noble discoverer often portrayed in pop culture and legend.

'I talk about the situation where he didn't even realize where he was,' Kolowith said. 'And we talked about how he was very, very mean, very bossy.'
Columbus' stature in U.S. classrooms has declined somewhat through the years, and many districts will not observe his namesake holiday on Monday. Although lessons vary, many teachers are trying to present a more balanced perspective of what happened after Columbus reached the Caribbean and the suffering of indigenous populations."

Reportlinker Adds China Education and Training Industry Report, 2008-2009 Report | Reuters

Reportlinker Adds China Education and Training Industry Report, 2008-2009 Report Reuters:

"China Education and Training Industry Report, 2008-2009

http://www.reportlinker.com/p0151250/China-Education-and-Training-Industry-Report-2008-2009.html

There were 109,000 private schools (educational institutions) of all levels in
China in 2008, and the student enrollment registered 28.244 million, in which
640 private colleges (including 322 independent colleges) had the 4.013 million
enrolled students. In addition, the number of private training institutions
registered 19,579, where 8.3476 million person times have been trained.

Nearly 100 million Chinese take part in the training of all kinds each year,
wherein, the medium- and low-level training enjoys an 80% share, and the
high-level training is just in the initial stage of development. In general,
training market has great potential in China, yet the low-level training is in
rather disorderly management, and the high-level training is not mature.
Currently, the training industry concentration is low, and there is none
training institution to have 1% market share."

Teachers' salary issue: AIFUCTO to stage protest - Ahmedabad - City - The Times of India

Teachers' salary issue: AIFUCTO to stage protest - Ahmedabad - City - The Times of India:

"AHMEDABAD: All India Federation of University and College Teachers' Organization (AIFUCTO) will stage a demonstration on Sunday to protest against
state government's decision to fix college professors' salaries as per Sixth Pay Commission ignoring UGC's recommendation.

Expressing a sense of solidarity with agitating members of Gujarat State Teachers' Association, AIFUCTO has decided to organize the demonstration at the statue of Mahatma Gandhi near Income Tax Circle at 4 pm. About 650 representatives of the organization, who have come to attend the 25th three-day national seminar on Higher Education in India Issues & Challenges', will participate in the event."

PhillyBurbs.com: District, teachers still looking for neutral arbiter

PhillyBurbs.com: District, teachers still looking for neutral arbiter:

"The North Penn School District and its teacher union staved off a strike by agreeing to submit their contract dispute to a third party for arbitration.
One month later, that process has yet to begin.

The sides are moving on to Plan B after trying, and failing, to find a neutral arbiter for their three-person panel on their own. Now, each side will take turns crossing names off a seven-candidate list provided by the American Arbitration Association. The last name left becomes the arbitrator.

In mid-September, negotiators for teachers and the district said they'd submit to nonbinding arbitration, a process that puts each disputed contract provision before a three-person panel for recommendations. Each side has picked one advocate for the panel and now must select a third."

School Friction - washingtonpost.com

School Friction - washingtonpost.com:

"AFL-CIO PRESIDENT Richard L. Trumka took center stage Thursday at a well-orchestrated rally in downtown Washington to denounce the 'cold, hard' tactics of D.C. Schools Chancellor Michelle A. Rhee. Washington Teachers' Union President George Parker wrote a letter that appeared on this page Friday saying that his organization has tried to collaborate with Ms. Rhee. There is the suggestion that Ms. Rhee's recent layoff of 229 teachers could dampen the chance of future cooperation.

Let's review the record to examine the plausibility of those charges."

Black Male Dropouts Lead Nation in Incarceration | Reuters

Black Male Dropouts Lead Nation in Incarceration Reuters:

"CHICAGO, Oct. 9 /PRNewswire/ -- On any given day, nearly 23 percent of all
young Black men ages 16 to 24 who have dropped out of high school are in jail,
prison, or a juvenile justice institution in America, according to a
disturbing new national report released today on the dire economic and social
consequences of not graduating from high school.

Dropouts become incarcerated at a shocking rate: 23 of every 100 young Black
male dropouts were in jail on any given day in 2006-07 compared to only 6 to 7
of every 100 Asian, Hispanic or White dropouts. While young Black men are
disproportionately affected, the report found that this crisis cuts across
racial and ethnic lines. Male dropouts of all races were 47 times more likely
to be incarcerated than their peers of a similar age who had graduated from a
four-year college or university."

Miracle of St. Anthony: Long Beach icon rebounds - Press-Telegram

Miracle of St. Anthony: Long Beach icon rebounds - Press-Telegram:

"Former Long Beach City Councilman Frank Colonna, who worked with Press-Telegram columnist Tom Hennessy on a successful campaign to bring back the St. Anthony marching band with donated instruments, credited his alma mater's high expectations, personal attention, strong faculty and intimate setting at 620 Olive Ave.

'Many people are looking toward the security of their youngsters getting an education through a private school with a bit of a religious bent,' Colonna says. 'People just feel, in general, that there is a discipline in the school, the responsibility that is imparted to the students, a certain type of camaraderie that is ingrained in the students and teachers who care a lot.'

When he joined St. Anthony in 2008, Principal Schabert recruited heavily in Catholic primary schools and churches. He touted a college-preparatory curriculum that meets University of California requirements, a 13 to 1 teacher ratio and opportunities to play sports.

'From the moment you apply, you are important to us,' he says.

Though many students come from Protestant, Buddhist and other religious backgrounds, the majority are Catholic."

Paul Krugman: If we stop educating our kids, we’ll suffer

Paul Krugman: If we stop educating our kids, we’ll suffer:

"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."

Marie Reed Elementary Embraces Japanese 'Lesson Study' - washingtonpost.com

Marie Reed Elementary Embraces Japanese 'Lesson Study' - washingtonpost.com:

"It is a wholly different approach from the workshop-with-an-outside-expert model that dominates professional development for U.S. teachers, according to a February report by Stanford University researchers. And although its effect on student achievement has not been well-documented by researchers, there is some promising evidence: A 2006 study showed that the increase in test scores over four years at a California school where teachers engaged in lesson study was triple that of other schools in the same district. A broader study of 15 schools in California showed that at schools in which teachers met two or three times a month to address students' specific academic struggles, test scores rose relative to the district average."

School district, teachers must solve budget crisis together - The Reporter

School district, teachers must solve budget crisis together - The Reporter:

"Last year, the district was forced to acknowledge it has a structural deficit that makes it unable to guarantee financial solvency for the next three years.

Travis isn't alone in that fiscal pickle, of course. Eighteen other California school districts also filed 'negative' certifications at the end of the last school year, and another 89 were on the 'qualified' list, meaning they're not sure if they can meet their financial obligations.

Travis school board and district managers have been scrambling to reduce costs. Since the vast majority of school money goes toward salaries and benefits, the vast majority of cuts will have to come from those areas.

Elementary music and physical education specialists have been eliminated as the district has cut positions and programs, enlarged class sizes and reduced such things as janitorial services to the bare minimum.

The district also asked teachers to take a 2 percent pay cut. Last week, the teachers resoundingly said no."

Candidates owe voters straight talk about cutting school spending — and getting better results. -- dailypress.com

Candidates owe voters straight talk about cutting school spending — and getting better results. -- dailypress.com:

"Real solutions begin by acknowledging the problems. Many officials, from governors and legislators to school board members, don't face that reality. They'd rather brag on schools than face up to or try to fix their shortcomings. Too many concentrate on a few bits of campaign fluff. For example: 'I pledge to work to raise teacher salaries to the national average' — an educational red herring.

That average is a statistical fluke, driven up by a few states, such as California and New York, where the cost of living is high and unions are strong. Their circumstances aren't relevant to Virginia — which is in the middle of states in its teacher pay.

Yes, we should be talking about teacher pay. But we should be looking at how we can use it to accomplish the real need: attracting more high-quality teachers and getting the best out of them."

GOP shill game -- latimes.com

GOP shill game -- latimes.com:

"California's Republican state senators claim they act the way they do -- blocking budget votes, demanding health and education cuts, opening tax loopholes for downtrodden classes such as yacht owners -- because they want to protect their constituents from overbearing and ineffective government. They're becoming progressively less believable, especially after GOP senators last month held more than 20 mostly worthy bills hostage in order to try killing a program that old-school Republicans would have championed.

The senators refused to vote on Democrats' bills in an effort to eliminate ReadyReturn, a service of the Franchise Tax Board. Instead of just combing tax returns for mistakes, the board came up with the program to actually help some taxpayers, Tax officials complete returns for simple filers -- those whose income is mostly from wages -- allowing them to just sign it and send it in (with a check). Filers, if they prefer, can still figure their taxes themselves."

John Affeldt: Time for Schwarzenegger the Action Figure to Emerge on Education

John Affeldt: Time for Schwarzenegger the Action Figure to Emerge on Education:

"When the state that educates 1 in 8 American children is failing miserably at that task, America should care. When that state is also the 8th largest economy in the world, we should be up in arms. It's not just California's future that is tied to the quality of the state's education system; it's the nation's.

Unfortunately serious progress on the education front may be tossed overboard in the next few days if Governor Schwarzenegger, absent a water deal this weekend, follows through with his threat to veto all bills. In laying the foundation for a long overdue overhaul of California's archaic and highly dysfunctional school funding system, Assembly Bill 8 (AB 8) by Assembly Education Committee Chair Julia Brownley is among the most important of the threatened measures."

The Daily News Online - Batavia, NY > Entertainment > Kennedy Center enlists art groups for education

The Daily News Online - Batavia, NY > Entertainment > Kennedy Center enlists art groups for education:

"The pilot 'Any Given Child' project announced Friday for schools in Sacramento, Calif., could be expanded to as many as three cities each year, the center said. Under the strategy, the Kennedy Center will link local arts groups with schools to help teach students in grades K-8.

The groups will draft long-range plans specific to each city to ensure all students have access to music, theater and the visual arts. The Kennedy Center is devoting about $500,000 to begin the program and expects to keep costs low for local schools.

'A frustration I have is that every arts education program sounds good, but I'm not sure it's always contributing to a well-educated child,' said Kennedy Center President Michael Kaiser, who developed a reputation in New York and Washington for turning around arts groups struggling with financial problems. 'We're trying to find an affordable approach to systematic arts education.'"