Education Week: Pre-K Lessons Tied to TV Shows Found to Spur Gains

Education Week: Pre-K Lessons Tied to TV Shows Found to Spur Gains:

"Video and interactive games are effective in teaching disadvantaged preschoolers the literacy skills they need for kindergarten, according to a large-scale evaluation financed by the U.S. Department of Education and the Corporation for Public Broadcasting.

The randomized controlled study looks at a technology-supported literacy curriculum that involved video from “Super Why!,” “Sesame Street,” and “Between the Lions,” programs that are produced by PBS as part of the Education Department’s Ready to Learn Initiative. The study also included online games produced by the programs' producers, which targeted some of the same literacy skills as the shows themselves."

Education Week: Successful Schools Avoid False Choices

Education Week: Successful Schools Avoid False Choices:

"I know I am not the first to notice that education as a field tends to get whipsawed between what seem like incompatible alternatives: We can teach phonics or surround children with literature; we can teach skills or content; we can prepare students for the workforce or for college; we can provide schools that are equitable or schools that are excellent. The examples are endless."

For the past five years, I have been examining schools that have, for the most part, sidestepped these battles. They are schools I have visited as part of my work for the Education Trust, a Washington-based nonprofit organization. The job involves identifying and writing about schools with significant populations of low-income children and children of color that are also high-achieving or rapidly improving. In many of these, just about all of the students meet or exceed state standards, and achievement gaps are narrow, or sometimes nonexistent.

Ultimately, there’s no magic to how these schools achieve success. As one teacher told me, “It’s not rocket science. You figure out what you need to teach, and then you teach it.” She makes teaching sound easy, the way Tiger Woods makes golf look easy.

Education Week: NAEP Math Scores Idle at 4th Grade, Advance at 8th

Education Week: NAEP Math Scores Idle at 4th Grade, Advance at 8th:

"After marching steadily upward for the past two decades, students’ scores in 4th grade mathematics have stagnated on a prominent nationwide exam. That result seems likely to prompt calls for an inspection of state and federal efforts to boost elementary instruction in the subject.

Scores among 8th graders on the exam, the National Assessment of Educational Progress, continued to rise, meanwhile—a fairly consistent trend since the early 1990s.

Yet the scores on the 4th grade NAEP, a federally administered test touted as “the nation’s report card,” are bound to receive close scrutiny. Federal officials released the results at both grade levels today."

TEACHER ASKS FOR HELP

Friends, can you help? Our kids don't have jackets.

If you have an old jacket of your own child or can spare some time to buy some used jackets from Goodwill for kids, let me know. I can collect them.

Here's the request: PLEASE HELP--I WILL TOO

e-mail me: hkernan@mills.edu

Hey Holly-

I have a HUGE request that has recently come to my attention. Many of my students do not have jackets.

When I asked them why they did not bring a jacket today-(freezing and rainy) they said they didnt have one.

I almost started crying.

Any sort of donations of jackets, sweaters, rain boots, clothing etc. would be greatly appreciated. I know that kids grow like weeds-so maybe parents have items that just don't fit their child anymore.

Our students could really use them.

I appreciate your concern and caring so much.

Many thanks and Hopes-

Tracy

School lunches test Congress' appetite for spending | SouthCoastToday.com

School lunches test Congress' appetite for spending SouthCoastToday.com:

"Here's what everyone agrees on: Too many kids are fat. The food they get at school, which provides 35 percent of most schoolchildren's calories, is not nutritious enough and tastes lousy, to boot. And there's not enough money to change this unwholesome picture.

So here's the question: How much will it cost to fix school lunch?

Congress will seek the answer this fall as it budgets for childhood nutrition programs, which include about $12 billion annually for school meals. There is no lack of proposals. The nonprofit School Nutrition Association is asking for a 35-cent-per-lunch increase in the federal reimbursement rate, which now stands at $2.68. Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand, D-N.Y., wants a 70-cent raise. Berkeley, Calif., chef and local-food pioneer Alice Waters is lobbying to bring the total to $5 per student. The administration, too, supports improving school food, at least rhetorically: President Obama has proposed an additional $1 billion for child nutrition programs, including school lunch, in his 2010 budget. Michelle Obama is promoting healthful eating as a signature issue."

Homosexuality 'not a civil right' (OneNewsNow.com)

Homosexuality 'not a civil right' (OneNewsNow.com):

"The chairman of the Orange County (California) Board of Education says she is 'appalled' that Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger is asking schools to set aside a day to honor a controversial homosexual activist.

Schwarzenegger signed a bill earlier this week creating an annual day of recognition for Harvey Milk. The designation of each May 22 as 'Harvey Milk Day' encourages schools around the state to commemorate the murdered homosexual politician and activist. (See earlier story)

Last month, the Orange County Board of Education voted unanimously (5-0) to oppose the creation of Harvey Milk Day. Dr. Alexandria Coronado, chairman of that board, says she is 'absolutely furious' that the homosexual community is claiming that passage of the Harvey Milk bill is a civil rights victory."

Morgan Freeman helps friend in Miss. gov's race - Wire Entertainment - sacbee.com

Morgan Freeman helps friend in Miss. gov's race - Wire Entertainment - sacbee.com:

"CLARKSDALE, Miss. -- Academy-Award winner Morgan Freeman says Mississippi is 'starving' for the right leadership, so the actor is using his celebrity status to help his friend run for governor in 2011.

Freeman has written a fundraising letter and is one of the hosts for a cocktail party in Los Angeles next week for Bill Luckett, an attorney seeking the Democratic nomination. Term limits prevent Republican Gov. Haley Barbour from seeking a third term."

A time for ideas, not illegal raids - Vallejo Times Herald

A time for ideas, not illegal raids - Vallejo Times Herald:

"Anyone who made even a cursory examination of last July's state budget agreement could see that it was a sham. It made unreasonable assumptions, desperate raids on local revenues that have to be repaid and relied on illegal transfers of special-purpose funds.

As time goes on, the shortcomings of the budget agreement are becoming even more apparent. The latest blow to the state's budgeting shenanigans comes from the California Supreme Court. It upheld a lower-court ruling that raids on funding for bus and train service are illegal.

The court rejected an appeal by the Schwarzenegger administration, which sought the right to divert $3.4 billion in transit funds to the general fund to help fill a gaping deficit hole."

PSLweb (Party for Socialism and Liberation): San Francisco Forum: Why Socialism?

PSLweb (Party for Socialism and Liberation): San Francisco Forum: Why Socialism?:

"It is during a moment of crisis that the true nature of capitalism is revealed.

Capitalism puts making profits over the needs of working people. Under capitalism, we see an endless cycle of war, environmental destruction, unemployment, people living on the streets and many dying of illnesses because they cannot afford health care.

Socialism, on the other hand, is the type of society whose main goal is to cover the needs of people. Under socialism, everyone will have a job, free high-quality health care, affordable housing and a free education. Join us for a talk and discussion on how this can be achieved."

Overcrowding impacts nursing students - News

Overcrowding impacts nursing students - News:

"Student enrollments in nursing programs in California have increased over the last few years, but shortage of well-trained nurses remains a problem because of budget cuts to higher education.

California colleges and universities will need to graduate more than 40,000 nurses within the next decade to meet projected demand, according to a report from the Legislative Analyst's Office.

However, because of the budget crisis, funds needed to expand or maintain nursing programs in state universities and community colleges are either cut or unchanged, said Sara Bachez, consultant for the Assembly Budget Committee."

O'Neill, Deukmejian campaign in support of tax hike to benefit LBUSD - Press-Telegram

O'Neill, Deukmejian campaign in support of tax hike to benefit LBUSD - Press-Telegram:

"LONG BEACH - Two prominent political figures from opposing parties are jointly campaigning in favor of a Nov. 3 property tax increase that would fund the Long Beach Unified School District.

Former Mayor Beverly O'Neill, a Democrat, and former Gov. George Deukmejian, a Republican, are urging voters to support the Nov. 3 ballot measure that would assess all properties $92 annually for five years. The measure would raise about $12.5 million a year toward a $95 million shortfall expected over the next two years.
Deukmejian and O'Neill also urged absentee voters to support the initiative.

'We can no longer depend upon Sacramento to provide the funds necessary to maintain a high-quality educational program here in Long Beach,' Deukmejian said in an interview. 'In my opinion, those of us who live here need to do everything we possibly can to maintain as a high a level of educational programs as possible.'"

Queer history month - News

Queer history month - News:

"The Sacramento State PRIDE Center is celebrating Queer History Month throughout October, striving to promote awareness and education of the queer community on campus and at large.

Gay Lesbian Bi-Sexual Transgender Month, as it is known nationally, has been recognized every October in countries around the world for nearly 50 years. Today queer communities around the world will commemorate National Coming Out Day, a holiday focused on promoting awareness of GLBT persons living honest and open lives.

National Coming Out Day was established in 1988 by Robert Eichberg and Jean O'Leary. The day was created to celebrate the second national march in Washington, D.C., the year before, when more than 500,000 people marched for queer rights."

Three special sessions mean another busy fall for California Legislature - San Jose Mercury News

Three special sessions mean another busy fall for California Legislature - San Jose Mercury News:

"In what's become an increasingly common routine under Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger's watch, legislators are once again giving up their traditional autumn vacations in hopes of tackling a host of issues lost amid another bad year of budget cuts.

This time, Schwarzenegger has summoned them back for three special sessions — the 12th, 13th and 14th since he's taken office — asking lawmakers in each instance to swing for the fences on subjects that have long divided the state: an overhaul of the state's crumbling water system, fundamental education reform and a proposal to dramatically alter California's tax code."

California's data-tracking system on students misfires - Sacramento News - Local and Breaking Sacramento News | Sacramento Bee

California's data-tracking system on students misfires - Sacramento News - Local and Breaking Sacramento News Sacramento Bee:

"After years of effort, California has launched a statewide system that can track all manner of data for individual public school students as they move from kindergarten through high school.

But it's off to a shaky start.

Debbie Bennett at Black Oak Mine Unified School District in Georgetown kept getting the same message last week when she tried to log into the California Longitudinal Pupil Achievement Data System: 'Please bear with us while we correct this.'"

California joins race for school stimulus funds - Sacramento News - Local and Breaking Sacramento News | Sacramento Bee

California joins race for school stimulus funds - Sacramento News - Local and Breaking Sacramento News Sacramento Bee:

"California is back in the race.

Sunday afternoon Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger signed a bill that took away the biggest obstacle to the state winning a share of $4.35 billion in federal Race to the Top funds for education.
Senate Bill 19, authored by Sen. Joe Simitian, D-Palo Alto, eliminates a statewide ban against tying student test scores to teacher evaluations."

Genevieve Shiroma Endorses Patrick for City Council

Patrick Kennedy:

"SMUD Director Genevieve Shiroma has endorsed Patrick Kennedy for Sacramento City Council.

Genevieve has served the SMUD Board of Directors with distinction since 1998, representing the Fourth Ward, which includes Curtis Park. She also serves on the California Agricultural Labor Relations Board.

“Genevieve understands the plight of the working people in the 5th District. As the daughter of a farm worker, she understands the hardships of low income families and has spent her public career as a voice for those who are often voiceless. Having her support is truly humbling,” said Patrick upon announcing the endorsement."

Mayor Johnson's missing garment bag is recovered in San Francisco - Latest News - sacbee.com

Mayor Johnson's missing garment bag is recovered in San Francisco - Latest News - sacbee.com:

"The bag was apparently found by a young man who was walking to a restaurant near Union Square with his girlfriend. That man called Johnson's office on Tuesday and described the contents of the bag, Johnson wrote on his blog.

The suit was on its way back to Sacramento, Johnson wrote."

OPINION Blog | The Dallas Morning News

OPINION Blog The Dallas Morning News:


"It places the responsibility on the universities to compete and maintain standards before receiving funding as they upgrade to the Tier One level. The program's success could provide future Texans the educational opportunities that many Californians have, and the industrial development that California had before it began taxing and regulating itself to death.

Industry, investment and jobs are leaving California each year, so why not give them an incentive to relocate to Texas? This amendment does not affect taxes, and the funding has already been set aside."

Students urge Sodexo to go “cage-free” : The Temple News

Students urge Sodexo to go “cage-free” : The Temple News:

"The University of Pennsylvania and the State of California are cage-free. Organizations gathered 4,000 signatures for Temple to follow suit.

CORY POPP TTN The Sexy Green Truck outside the Student Center touts its use of cage-free eggs. Temple Dining Services plans to add cage-free to next year’s budget.

Three Temple student organizations are campaigning against university dining services’ use of battery-caged eggs in the cafeteria.

The Student Animal Legal Defense Fund, Environmental Law Society and the Promoters of Animal Welfare issued a policy paper imploring the university to go cage-free, according to a new Web site, cagefreetemple.com ."

Removal of educational "firewall" praised | L.A. NOW | Los Angeles Times

Removal of educational "firewall" praised L.A. NOW Los Angeles Times:

"The nation’s top education official praised Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger today for signing a bill that will make California eligible for competitive federal education funding.

Schwarzenegger signed the bill, SB 19 by Sen. Joe Simitian (D-Palo Alto), on Sunday, striking a clause in a 2006 law Simitian wrote that bars state use of testing data to determine educator pay or promotion.

Obama administration officials have said that states applying for $4.35 billion in education funding cannot have any 'firewalls' between student achievement data and teachers.
“This is a victory for children,” said U.S. Secretary of Education Arne Duncan in a telephone interview this afternoon."

voiceofsandiego.org: Schooled... Virginia Group Challenges School Labor Pact

voiceofsandiego.org: Schooled... Virginia Group Challenges School Labor Pact:

"A Virginia-based organization filed federal charges of unfair labor practices against San Diego Unified last week, arguing that a labor agreement on its $2.1 billion school construction bond 'enriches union officials (and) punishes nonunion workers and employers.' The agreement requires employers to provide healthcare largely through union plans, sets steep goals for local hiring, and gives apprentices from union programs the first shot at jobs to build their skills.

The National Right to Work Legal Defense Foundation sent out a press release stating that it had filed the charges with the National Labor Relations Board on the behalf of a nonunion employee:"

Foundation attorneys are providing free legal aid to and filing the federal charges for Wesley Fuller, a Brady Company employee who hangs drywall and has completed all state apprenticeship requirements, and all similarly situated employees. But, because Fuller’s particular apprenticeship program was not established through union monopoly bargaining, he is being illegally denied access to employment.

Reliable Source - Top News Item

Reliable Source - Top News Item:

"There's much more important Michelle Rhee news these days, like, say, her controversial firing of nearly 400 school employees. You can read about that in other sections. We just want to point out that she has a sharp new haircut -- seen here, at a conference hosted Friday by Jeb Bush's Foundation for Excellence in Education. That's all."

Closing the Achievement Gap: Partnerships Resource Kit

Closing the Achievement Gap: Partnerships Resource Kit

State Schools Chief Jack O'Connell Offers Education Agencies a New Toolto Combat the Achievement Gap


SACRAMENTO - State Superintendent of Public Instruction Jack O’Connell today announced that a key recommendation by his CaliforniaP-16 Council is being implemented with the release of a new online tool called the Resource Kit for Developing Partnerships to Close the Achievement Gap (Resource Kit).

"Family and community partners are powerful and critical allies for schools working to improve student success and close the achievement gap," said O'Connell. "The success of our students is directly connected to the success of our state and national economy. That’s why I urge businesses, faith-based organizations, parents, community groups, and others to get involved in their local schools. We all have a stake in preparing all students to compete in the hypercompetitive global economy, and schools need our support and assistance to reach that goal."

The Resource Kit may be used by families, communities, and organizations to develop partnerships with schools that can help narrow the academic achievement gap that exists between higher-performing and lower-performing students. This online tool can help anyone understand the importance of partnerships, how to create them, and help existing partnerships improve. Users may access links to information on different types of partnerships with families, faith-based organizations, community-based organizations, business, government agencies, institutions of higher learning, and youth service organizations. The Resource Kit also offers examples of real-life successful partnerships.

The Resource Kit is a result of one of the recommendations made in January by O'Connell's California P-16 Council. The P-16 Council was formed in 2004 to examine ways to improve student achievement and create a comprehensive, integrated system of student learning from preschool through higher education. The Council researched factors that inhibit successful student learning and grouped them into four themes called ACES:

1. Access: Do students have equal access to good teachers and rigorous curriculum?

2. Culture and Climate: Are students' learning environment safe and promote a sense of belonging?

3. Expectations: Does a culture of excellence exist for students and adults alike, so that a common, high standard is the norm for all students?

4. Strategies: Are proven teaching practices being used?

One of the ACES recommendations is to develop partnerships to close the achievement gap. The P-16 Council found that connecting schools with educational organizations, city and county agencies, faith-based organizations, parent groups, and businesses is necessary to foster partnerships that will support a well-defined student support system. Such partnerships recognize that students have needs outside the classroom that, if unmet, can significantly and adversely affect their ability to learn. Breaking down barriers and creating partnerships throughout California is an important step toward implementing a consistent approach to a high-quality and inclusive educational program.

"Too often in government, when recommendations are made by task forces or blue ribbon commissions on complex issues, they are forgotten as soon as the group disbands," added O'Connell. "The Resource Kit is one of 14 recommendations by the P-16 Council to narrow the achievement gap that we are engaged in implementing. I fully intend to implement all 14 recommendations before my term in office expires so that we can improve conditions at the state level that help close the gap. We must ensure that every child has a chance to succeed academically and in life."

The Coordinated School Health Work Group Steering Committee worked with the statewide P-16 Council to create the Resource Kit. The Committee represents education and community health partners, and other state-level stakeholders. The Resource Kit is available online through the California Department of Education's Closing the Achievement Gap Web site at www.closingtheachievementgap.org/partnerships. For more information on the P-16 Council, please visit http://www.cde.ca.gov/eo/in/pc/. The California Department of Education is a state agency led by the State Superintendent of Public Instruction Jack O'Connell. The core purpose of CDE is to lead and support the continuous improvement of student achievement, with a specific focus on closing achievement gaps. For more information, please visit http://www.cde.ca.gov/ or by mobile device at http://m.cde.ca.gov/. You may also follow Superintendent O'Connell (@SSPIJack) on Twitter at http://www.twitter.com/sspijack.

Gavin Newsom: Shake the System

Gavin Newsom: Shake the System:

"This is a tremendous opportunity to create real, long-term reform.

Let's repeal the two-thirds vote requirement to pass a budget so a few members of the minority party can't hold up the budget process and California won't have to issue IOUs. Let's consider instituting a more robust rainy day fund, so we save when times are good for those times when things aren't so good. We need to think about a multi-year budget cycle, something that will force the legislature to take a longer view when considering priorities. And it's time to give more local control to counties and municipalities - after all, they know what is best for their communities, and they should have more discretion on how to spend funds.

There is nothing that is stopping us from building a new foundation."

Sacramento State president nominated to Student Aid Commission - Sacramento Business Journal:

Sacramento State president nominated to Student Aid Commission - Sacramento Business Journal::


"The president of California State University Sacramento has been tagged to serve on the California Student Aid Commission.

Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger’s appointment of Alexander Gonzalez needs state Senate confirmation. Gonzalez would serve through next October.

The commission’s mission is to make education beyond high school financially accessible to all Californians. The commission, which consists of 15 appointed members, manages financial aid initiatives such as the Cal Grant program.

“I have seen thousands of students achieve their dreams through higher education, and I look forward to working with the commission so future generations can go to college and make positive contributions to California’s culture and economy,” Gonzalez said in a news release."

Saving California - California Progress Report

Saving California - California Progress Report:

"Even the state’s leading historian, Dr. Kevin Starr, has his doubts about California’s ability to recover from its current downward spiral. Quoted in a recent article in Great Britain’s Sunday Guardian, Starr warned that California may become “America’s first failed state.”

Foreclosures have leveled suburbs from Riverside to Merced. California is home to one of every four mortgages in the country where the loan is worth more than the property.

Employment numbers have plunged even more dramatically. At 12.2 percent, the state’s unemployment rate is the highest it has been since the 1940s. In many areas of the state, the job picture is almost surreal. The central valley town of Mendota, for example, is grappling with 38 percent unemployment. Nearly 5,000 East Bay jobs will disappear in one broad stroke when Fremont’s NUMMI auto plant closes early next year.

There are other alarming crisis indicators as well. The poverty rate in Los Angeles has climbed to 20 percent. Our schools, once the backbone of California’s ingenuity and progress, are now ranked 47th out of 50 states. This, coupled with spiraling higher education costs, has resulted in a 13-percent reduction over eight years in the number of 19-year-old Californians enrolled in college."

CSU Enrollment Cuts Leave Prospective Transfer Students Uncertain - The Daily Californian

CSU Enrollment Cuts Leave Prospective Transfer Students Uncertain - The Daily Californian:

"Students looking to transfer from Berkeley City College to a CSU next school year are going to be facing an uphill battle.

All CSUs are cutting their enrollment by approximately 10 percent and campuses on the semester system have stopped offering spring admission and moved up fall application deadlines in an effort to close budget gaps and counteract overcrowding. The cuts have left many prospective transfer students worried for their futures.

Amela Alijagic, a Berkeley City College freshman who hopes to transfer to San Francisco State University and study medicine, initially attended Cal State Sacramento but was unhappy there, so she came to Berkeley to 'start over.' Now she is not sure she will get that chance."

College professor, a breast cancer survivor, will replace Moran on debate panel | Politicker NJ

College professor, a breast cancer survivor, will replace Moran on debate panel Politicker NJ:

"The addition of Lee to the debate panel potentially offers an interesting dynamic to a campaign that has seen coverage of the cost of mammograms emerge as a major issue: in 2003, Lee resigned as the journalism dean at the University of Nevada, Reno after being diagnosed with breast cancer. Her cancer was discovered early during a routine mammography. She had a partial mastectomy a month after taking her new job, and returned to the New York area to be closer to her family during her radiation treatments. She joined William Paterson in 2007.

Prior to her career in education, Lee was CNN's first New York correspondent. She also worked as a reporter for ABC and CBS local affiliates in Sacramento, Chicago and Philadelphia. She chairs the William Paterson University Communications Department."

CSUB faculty question administrator numbers - Bakersfield.com

CSUB faculty question administrator numbers - Bakersfield.com:

"This year CSUB employs 71 administrators, compared to 57 in 2002, according to the university. That's a 25 percent jump.

Faculty numbers have decreased from 550 to 465, or 15 percent, in that time.

Over seven years, full-time student enrollment has grown slowly, by about 400 students, to 6,948 in 2008."

Governor Schwarzenegger takes on tax reform in California for the 21st Century Economy | The Gov Monitor

Governor Schwarzenegger takes on tax reform in California for the 21st Century Economy The Gov Monitor:

"The people elected me to fix what was broken in Sacramento. Together, we have tackled the big issues, whether it is workers’ compensation, infrastructure, redistricting or the budget.

Now, we have a historic opportunity to reform another broken system and help unleash a new wave of prosperity across our state.
California’s tax system was created nearly 100 years ago, before the Great Depression. It is outdated and antiquated, and no longer works in our technology and information-based economy.
That’s why last October, I joined Democrat and Republican leaders to form a bipartisan Commission on the 21st Century Economy."

Education Week: States Stung by Criticism on Use of Stimulus Aid

Education Week: States Stung by Criticism on Use of Stimulus Aid:

"Several states are defending their use of federal stimulus money after receiving an official scolding from the U.S. Department of Education’s internal watchdog.

The memorandum issued by the department’s inspector general pointed to Connecticut, Massachusetts, and Pennsylvania as examples of how states are undermining the school improvement aims of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act in their use of fiscal-stabilization funds to avert or minimize cuts to their education budgets."

Education Week: Education Secretary Leads Chorus Calling for Big City-Hall Role

Education Week: Education Secretary Leads Chorus Calling for Big City-Hall Role:

"The troubles that plague many local school boards prompt some observers to throw up their hands. But when it comes to big-city districts, there’s a popular remedy that continues to gain momentum: mayoral control.

This governance arrangement sidelines school boards, for the most part, in favor of a strong chief executive handpicked by the mayor."

U.S. Secretary of Education Arne Duncan, who for seven years ran Chicago’s public schools under Mayor Richard M. Daley, is using his bully pulpit to aggressively promote the approach as a necessity for reversing decades of abysmal academic performance in some cities. In a speech to mayors and school superintendents last spring, in fact, Duncan said he would consider his time as education secretary a “failure” if more mayors didn’t take over city school systems by the end of his tenure.

Education News & Comment

Education News & Comment:

"“Two people working together who have the best interest of the child in mind
lead to better outcomes for students.”

Parent-Teacher Conferences:
Oct 23 – Nov 24, 2009

ELEMENTARY SHORTENED DAYS
Check with your school"

U.S. Standards Initiative Seeks to Equalize Benchmarks - washingtonpost.com

U.S. Standards Initiative Seeks to Equalize Benchmarks - washingtonpost.com:

"The opening of Jane Austen's 'Pride and Prejudice.' Toni Morrison's 1993 Nobel lecture. Walt Whitman's poem 'O Captain! My Captain!' The Declaration of Independence. The Rev. Martin Luther King Jr.'s 'Letter From Birmingham Jail.'

Those were among a handful of texts chosen to illustrate proposed standards for skills and knowledge that every high school graduate should have in English language arts.
And that should be the cue for another 'great works' debate. Every so often, educators, politicians, parents, students and those who care about schools will tussle over lists of works deemed essential (or not) for a culturally literate young adult. It gets especially fierce when the nation's academic reputation is perceived to be at stake."

‘Mama’ Shines Her Light - INQUIRER.net, Philippine News for Filipinos

‘Mama’ Shines Her Light - INQUIRER.net, Philippine News for Filipinos:

"In its Editor’s note, NAM wrote: “In early September, on schoolyards and in hallways across the country, the same excited, anxious question rings out: ‘Who’d you get?’

“While parents and politicians worry about crumbling facilities and decimated budgets, students know that the heart of education beats inside the individual teacher. More than spacious playgrounds or sparkling cafeterias; more, even, than top-notch textbooks and state-of-the art computers, it’s the teacher who makes the difference. When NAM asked young people in our youth communications programs to write about the one teacher who’d really made a difference, they barely had to think before the keys were flying. This collection of pieces was underwritten by a project funded through the California Teachers Association.”)"

Sweetwater teachers rally for a contract | SocialistWorker.org

Sweetwater teachers rally for a contract SocialistWorker.org:

"CHULA VISTA, Calif.--One day after an estimated 1,000 members of the Sweetwater Education Association (SEA), the California Teachers Association and the National Education Association, rallied along with students, parents and community members in front of the Sweetwater Union High School District (SUHSD) building, a tentative agreement was reached between the district and SEA bargaining teams.

On October 7, protesters marched in South Bay San Diego to confront the SUHSD, which had failed to bargain a union contract in good faith for well over a year. The rally picked up steam when a large group of students, gathered next to the building opposite where SUHSD administrators were holding a 'fact finding' meeting, started chanting on behalf of their teachers: 'What do we want? A contract! When do we want it? Now.'"

Inland educators not counting on federal stimulus dollars, despite governor's effort | Inland News | PE.com | Southern California News | News for Inland Southern California

Inland educators not counting on federal stimulus dollars, despite governor's effort Inland News PE.com Southern California News News for Inland Southern California:

"California could get about $500 million out of the $4.3 billion up for grabs in the federal Race to the Top education program, said David Sanchez, president of the California Teachers Association. The state had cut about $4.5 billion from the education budget for kindergarten through community college because of the fiscal crisis.

'If we were talking about significant money, we would probably be more excited about it,' Sanchez said.

Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger on Sunday signed into law Senate Bill 19, which allows student performance on standardized tests to be used in evaluating teachers and principals -- previously prohibited in California. States with such bans are prevented by federal rules from applying for the stimulus money."

Sacramento mayor Kevin Johnson, a former Cal and NBA star, robbed in San Francisco - San Jose Mercury News

Sacramento mayor Kevin Johnson, a former Cal and NBA star, robbed in San Francisco - San Jose Mercury News:

"SAN FRANCISCO — Sacramento mayor Kevin Johnson, former Cal and NBA star, was reportedly robbed on the streets of San Francisco over the weekend, KCRA-TV in Sacramento is reporting.

In a post on his blog, Johnson said he was near Union Square helping an elderly man get into a cab when someone stole his garment bag.
Johnson, former NBA All Star, said he lost a suit, a pair of shoes and some personal items.

'Not the end of the world, but frustrating,' Johnson wrote. 'The real crime was the vulnerability of it all, the idea that I could leave my bag on a crowded street, turn my back for 30 seconds and have my stuff stolen.'"

Helpless Mayor Blames School Violence On Parents, Feds (Again) - District 299

Helpless Mayor Blames School Violence On Parents, Feds (Again) - District 299:

"Then Mayor Daley came on and blamed everything on family problems, privacy laws, and...well, anyone but himself. There is no violence problem...or if there is it's not his fault. It was an amazing performance. Completely self-serving and convenient, full of false indignation and distractions. You'd think he wasn't mayor.

Gayle read a letter from a CPS teacher (good job!) that says 'Fenger is just a microcosm of what occurs every day in some CPS schools and in schools nation-wide. Reform after reform has yet to provide many of our children with some education foundation that is badly needed.'

Daley's response was to defend the principal of Fenger and assert that there was no real violence problem in the schools. Which would be an appropriate defense if it were true and if Daley weren't in charge of the schools AND the streets.And would be more believable if there hadn't just been a violence summit."

Privatize nonteaching services in schools | detnews.com | The Detroit News

Privatize nonteaching services in schools detnews.com The Detroit News:

"If all school privatization opportunities were realized, it would save hundreds of millions of dollars, dwarfing a $165 per-pupil foundation grant cut on the table in state budget negotiations. For example, Richmond Public Schools expects to save $823,545 annually from contracting out custodial services -- an effective per-pupil funding increase of $435.

Wyoming-Godwin Heights schools will save $69 per pupil, and Troy $14 by privatizing food service. And Benton Harbor Area Schools projects annual savings equal to $113 per pupil by privatizing transportation."

California Chronicle | Governor Signs Simitian's Education Data Bill, Ensuring Access to Federal Funds

California Chronicle Governor Signs Simitian's Education Data Bill, Ensuring Access to Federal Funds:

"State Superintendent of Public Instruction Jack O´Connell praised the new law as a win for reform efforts. 'The ´Race to the Top´ competition has the potential to usher in a period of bold and far-reaching structural reform of our nation´s K-12 public education system,' said O´Connell. 'Senate Bill 19 will help California move more quickly into having the right conversation about how to use data to make informed and targeted decisions that will have a great impact on improving student achievement.'"

Sarkozy aims to reform French schools, avoid protest - Forbes.com

Sarkozy aims to reform French schools, avoid protest - Forbes.com:

"Education reform is a difficult balancing act for Sarkozy, who does not want to appear weak by backing down on a hot button issue but who is wary of unleashing a new round of demonstrations that could undermine his authority."

The Associated Press: Del. 1st grader faces reform school for camp tool

The Associated Press: Del. 1st grader faces reform school for camp tool:

"NEWARK, Del. — A Delaware first-grader who wanted to eat lunch at school with his favorite camping utensil, a combination of folding fork, knife and spoon, now faces 45 days in reform school.

Hundreds of people were expected to attend a school board meeting Tuesday evening to object to the suspension of 6-year-old Zachary Christie from Downes Elementary School for bringing the camping utensil from home.

The folding knife is banned as a dangerous instrument under the Christina School District's zero-tolerance policy in the student code of conduct and officials said they have to act regardless of his age or what he planend to do with the instrument.

Zachary's mother, Debbie Christie, is appealing her son's suspension and said she'd prefer that the district's policy take into consideration a child's age and intent."