Media-Newswire.com - Press Release Distribution - PR Agency

Media-Newswire.com - Press Release Distribution - PR Agency:

"(Media-Newswire.com) - U.S. Secretary of Education Arne Duncan today called for America’s colleges of education to dramatically change how they prepare the next generation of teachers so that they are ready to prepare their future students for success in college and careers.

Noting that America’s schools will need to hire up to 200,000 first-time teachers annually for the next five years, Duncan said that those new teachers need the knowledge and skill to prepare students for success in the global economy.

“By almost any standard, many if not most of the nation’s 1,450 schools, colleges, and departments of education are doing a mediocre job of preparing teachers for the realities of the 21st century classroom,” Duncan said in a major speech at Teachers College, Columbia University. “America’s university-based teacher preparation programs need revolutionary change--not evolutionary tinkering.”"

State Board of Education members accused of not disclosing gifts | News for Dallas, Texas | Dallas Morning News | Texas Politics | The Dallas Morning News

State Board of Education members accused of not disclosing gifts News for Dallas, Texas Dallas Morning News Texas Politics The Dallas Morning News:

"AUSTIN – A nonprofit watchdog group filed complaints Monday with the Texas Ethics Commission against two State Board of Education members, saying they failed to disclose gifts they received from a company seeking an investment contract with the board.

Texans for Public Justice said board members Rick Agosto and Rene Nunez, both Democrats, did not disclose gifts they received last year from AEW Capital Management of Boston in their personal financial disclosure statements filed with the ethics commission.

Public officials in Texas are required to disclose gifts they receive valued at more than $250."

After Complaints, Gates Foundation Opens Education Aid Offer to All States - NYTimes.com

After Complaints, Gates Foundation Opens Education Aid Offer to All States - NYTimes.com:

"Last July, Bill Gates sat down with lawmakers from 15 states in a conference room in Philadelphia, and he had good news. His foundation would give their states up to $250,000 each, he said, to help them prepare the kind of sparkling grant proposals that could help their states win hundreds of millions of dollars in federal money.

“He said he’d identified 15 states he’d like to work with, and if you’re in this room, you’re one of the 15 states,” said Senator Nancy C. Detert, chairwoman of the Education Committee in the Florida Senate, one of the lawmakers who attended."

Naturally, the 15 states were delighted. But the other 35, not so much. Some officials complained that the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation was trying to handpick the winners of the Department of Education’s $4 billion grant competition, known as Race to the Top. The National Conference of State Legislatures was one of several groups that relayed objections.

“We expressed concerns that it appeared that Gates people were involved in helping the department pick winners and losers,” said David Shreve, federal affairs counsel at the national conference.

Editorial: New approach needed for funding education | Kalamazoo Opinion - - MLive.com

Editorial: New approach needed for funding education Kalamazoo Opinion - - MLive.com:

"It’s ironic that at a time when schools are showing gains in test scores and other areas, they are also under increasing pressure to cut everywhere.

On the positive side, the Michigan Educational Assessment Program (MEAP) scores have been on the increase.

The Kalamazoo Public Schools are making great strides in better preparing students, including minorities, for college. A major example is the explosion of numbers of KPS students taking AP classes.

Advanced Placement courses follow a national curriculum and offer college-level academics to high school students who then get college credit for passing a national AP test.

Kalamazoo Public Schools Superintendent Michael Rice recently reported that enrollment in the AP program in his district has increased 71 percent during the two years he has been at the helm. Especially encouraging is that the percentage of minority AP students has tripled. Rice also reported that the goal of doubling the AP enrollment within six years will happen much sooner."

Albert Lea Tribune | Special education services start shortly after boy’s birth

Albert Lea Tribune Special education services start shortly after boy’s birth

At the age of 5 months, Jesus Sifonte became a student of Albert Lea Area Schools. He has been receiving service year-round since Feb. 12, 2007. Jesus was born with Down syndrome, a condition known to hinder development.

Jesus is eligible to receive special education services according to both federal and state statutes. In Minnesota, these services are mandated for school districts to provide.
Services provided included home-based visits by an early childhood special education teacher, occupational therapist, and physical therapist serving him in his home. He also received indirect service from one of the district’s speech/language pathologists. Before Jesus was 2 years old, he had gained enough skills so the services of the occupational therapist and physical therapist have become less direct and more consultative.

http://idea.ed.gov/

Vampire Lit Lures Students at VCU | Articles/Archives | Style Weekly Richmond's alternative for news, arts, culture and opinion

Vampire Lit Lures Students at VCU Articles/Archives Style Weekly Richmond's alternative for news, arts, culture and opinion:

"It’s an old story: Boy meets girl, boy sneaks into girl’s room and gnaws on her neck, girl joins ranks of the undead, boy turns into a large bat and flits out a window.

With one foot in eastern European lore and the other straddling 21st-century popular culture, vampire legends are now the topic of a Virginia Commonwealth University literature course, Vampires from Dracula to Twilight, which explores the birth of the original undead bloodsucker and his seemingly eternal life in pop culture.

The class charts his bizarre evolution from ghastly ghoul to lisping breakfast cereal pitchman to irresistible teen heartthrob."

Obama to visit Madison

Obama to visit Madison:

visit will be about education

"On the anniversary of his historic election November 4, President Obama will visit the Madison area. The White House says Wednesday’s visit will be about education. There’s speculation the event meant to drum up support for a potential gubernatorial run by Milwaukee Mayor Tom Barrett. Rumors have circulated that the Obama team is secretly encouraging Barrett to run for the seat

The event also coincides with a bill supported by Governor Doyle and Barrett to have the Milwaukee mayor’s office take control of city schools. Barrett argues such education reforms are looked favorably upon by the US Education Department and would put Wisconsin in better standing for federal stimulus funds.
The scheduled stop will be Obama’s first to the Madison area since November of 2008 while campaigning prior to the Democratic primary."

Ex-member of DPS reform board testifies | Detroit Free Press | Freep.com

Ex-member of DPS reform board testifies Detroit Free Press Freep.com:

"A former member of the city's reform school board testified today that the body had a few reports about the progress of the $1.5-billion bond program but no authority over the spending."

Reginald Turner, who left the Detroit Public Schools reform board in 2003 to join the state school board, also told school officials that he had concerns about the district's move from its former headquarters that it owned outright to the Fisher Building.

The transaction cost the district $24 million for five floors of the Fisher in addition to $17 million in construction costs and $2 million a year in leasing costs.

Turner testified this morning at the third investigative hearing into real estate transactions that occurred during the state takeover using funds from the $1.5-billion bond voters approved in 1994.

Turner said a school official assured him at the time of the transaction - 2002 - that the move to the Fisher Building would result in "significant savings."

Fenty Gets the Royal Treatment: Loose Lips Daily - City Desk - Washington City Paper

Fenty Gets the Royal Treatment: Loose Lips Daily - City Desk - Washington City Paper:

"AFTER THE JUMP—WaPo editorial calls for investigation of parks contracts; TV reporters dig in; closed-door council meeting gets testy; key senator refuses to allow D.C. vote on defense approps bill; principal neglects to proofread court filing; judge stalking trial begins

The WaPo opinion page is starting to realize that, with Mayor Adrian M. Fenty, good intentions do not necessarily make good government. Editorialists say that his parks contract maneuverings demand further investigation: ‘Fenty boasts that his administration represents a break from the old ways of doing business in the District, when whom you knew mattered more than what you could do for the city. What, then, to make of reports that the administration bypassed the D.C. Council to award tens of millions of dollars in contracts and that some of the firms may have ties to Mr. Fenty?

…It’s important that the D.C. Council, which plans a roundtable on the issue on Friday, get all the information about the projects in question, determine whether proper procurement steps were indeed followed and then decide how to proceed in protecting the best interests of the city.’ The piece also describes as ‘apt’ Mary Cheh’s comment that the process seems ’sneaky.’"

Power to the principals -- baltimoresun.com

Power to the principals -- baltimoresun.com:

"Most school districts find something that works for one particular teacher for one particular group of kids and then try to force everyone to apply it, as if teachers were robots and kids were interchangeable. It doesn't often result in high-quality education, but it sure makes life easier for central office bureaucrats.

Education is supposed to involve professionals building relationships with kids. Good teachers in good schools get to know their students and then figure out what works for those kids. Good principals are the same. The best ones are empowered leaders who allocate resources based on what their students need - not what the central office wants.

That is the theme of this year's must-read education book, 'The Secret of TSL' by William G. Ouchi, a professor at UCLA and arguably the nation's best management writer. Through the 1970s and 1980s, Mr. Ouchi explained Japanese management to U.S. business. Now, after observing 665 schools across the U.S. and Canada, Mr. Ouchi concludes that, as in business, management matters in schools."

Immigrant Children Lost in Education Reform - NAM

Immigrant Children Lost in Education Reform - NAM:

"Ruby Takanishi, president and chief executive officer of Foundation for Child Development, recently co-edited a new book titled, Immigration, Diversity and Education, with Elena L. Grigorenko. She spoke with New America Media Education Editor Carolyn Ji Jong Goossen about the current challenges facing immigrant children in the United States and the reforms needed to support their future health, wellbeing, and academic success.

Do you feel like the new administration has adequately addressed immigrant children’s issues thus far?

No. The fact of the matter is that immigrant children are not on anybody’s agenda, except in a negative way. First of all, there has already been a decision to exclude many immigrant children and their families from public health insurance access. There is also very little discussion in the education initiatives being presented, including the “Race To The Top” funds, the stimulus funds, and even the No Child Left Behind policy. The opportunities for doing positive social policy is not evident.

I would say that in terms of the Immigration and Customs Enforcement tactics, it does seem to be that the shift from going after employees to going after employers would be less traumatic to children.That’s not to say that undocumented workers won’t still lose their jobs, but at least their parents won’t disappear. I understand that they are trying to change some of their practices of detaining families in detention facilities, so that’s certainly encouraging. But overall, I personally have been very disappointed that the administration had opportunities to do positive things for children of immigrants, but hasn’t done anything so far."

A Look at Community Schools

A Look at Community Schools:

"Children living in poverty face many obstacles outside the classroom that can hinder their success in the classroom. Unaddressed health care needs interfere with learning and cause low attendance. Inadequate and inconsistent housing may deprive students of a safe and quiet place to study. A lack of affordable and accessible child care forces many young adults to sacrifice learning opportunities to care for younger family members. And poverty’s economic stress may cause students to be less engaged and parents to be less involved in their children’s education.

The advent of accountability-based school reform has pushed many high-poverty schools to focus on providing effective instruction and meeting high academic standards. Numerous schools have made progress in these areas but few have been adequately equipped with the tools needed to confront external learning obstacles related to poverty."

Education Week: Chicago School Closings Show Little Academic Gain

Education Week: Chicago School Closings Show Little Academic Gain:

"A majority of Chicago students affected by school closings were sent to schools that were low-performing, just like those they left behind—moves that had no significant impact on performance for most students, a study released today finds.

The study, by the University of Chicago’s Consortium on Chicago School Research , examines the academic effects of the closings on students at 18 elementary schools shut down between 2001 and 2006. To measure the impact, the researchers compared students age 8 and older with their counterparts in schools that had similar characteristics but continued to operate. The schools had a combined enrollment of 5,445 students at the time of their closing."

L.A. Unified to allow parents to initiate school reforms -- latimes.com

L.A. Unified to allow parents to initiate school reforms -- latimes.com:

"For the first time in Los Angeles, parents will be able to initiate major reforms at low-performing individual schools, rather than waiting for the school district to make changes, under a plan unveiled Tuesday.

This new parental power has emerged as part of a school-control resolution that allows for groups inside and outside the Los Angeles Unified School District to take over campuses. Supt. Ramon C. Cortines has included 12 underachieving schools and 18 new campuses in the process, but the parent option could add others to the list, especially in future years."

American Thinker: What Bill Ayers Saw in Barack Obama

American Thinker: What Bill Ayers Saw in Barack Obama:

"In 1994, while Barack Obama's memoir Dreams From My Father was being polished off, Bill Ayers co-authored an essay whose title befits a former merchant seaman: 'Navigating a restless sea: The continuing struggle to achieve a decent education for African American youngsters in Chicago.'

In 'Navigating,' Ayers and his nominal co-author, former New Communist Movement leader Michael Klonsky, offer a detailed analysis of the Chicago school system and a discussion of potential reforms. Curiously, so too does Obama in Dreams."

Taking educators to school | IndyStar.com | The Indianapolis Star

Taking educators to school IndyStar.com The Indianapolis Star:

"I can't remember the last time a politician told Indiana's medical school or law schools they had too much say in how doctors and lawyers were educated.Or that we needed to make it easier for laypersons to become doctors, lawyers, even chiefs of surgery and judges."

Yet there's manifest and manifold political support for state Superintendent of Public Instruction Tony Bennett's siege upon the Indiana education "establishment," which would be the university education schools and the teacher associations.

The idea is that unsatisfactory student achievement is the fault of a closed teaching society that is loath to change with the times and dedicated to the welfare of salaried adults rather than the needs of children.

Refutation of these presumptions is ample. Innovation and self-criticism are staples of teacher education and are reflected in state accountability law that predates Bennett. Dedicated teachers, even those protected by unions from arbitrary firing, are not the exception.

The Turnaround Fallacy : Education Next

The Turnaround Fallacy : Education Next:

"For as long as there have been struggling schools in America’s cities, there have been efforts to turn them around. The lure of dramatic improvement runs through Morgan Freeman’s big-screen portrayal of bat-wielding principal Joe Clark, philanthropic initiatives like the Gates Foundation’s “small schools” project, and No Child Left Behind (NCLB)’s restructuring mandate. The Obama administration hopes to extend this thread even further, making school turnarounds a top priority.

But overall, school turnaround efforts have consistently fallen far short of hopes and expectations. Quite simply, turnarounds are not a scalable strategy for fixing America’s troubled urban school systems."

Rhee has asked how to regain teachers' trust, principals say - washingtonpost.com

Rhee has asked how to regain teachers' trust, principals say - washingtonpost.com:

"Schools Chancellor Michelle A. Rhee, facing a showdown Thursday with the D.C. Council over layoffs and budget cuts, has asked principals what she can do to 'regain the trust' of the school system's teachers, some principals say.

Rhee posed the question last week during the monthly meeting of her school leadership at Gallaudet University's Kellogg Conference Center, according to two participants and a third source who was briefed later by others who attended. The two principals, who spoke on condition of anonymity because they were discussing internal deliberations, said Rhee expressed concern that even her best teachers have been shaken by the turmoil surrounding the Oct. 2 layoffs of 266 educators and the introduction of a rigorous evaluation system."

Inside City Hall: East Sacramento candidate would get a haircut for job - Sacramento Politics - California Politics | Sacramento Bee

Inside City Hall: East Sacramento candidate would get a haircut for job - Sacramento Politics - California Politics Sacramento Bee:

"After months of speculation that he would jump into the race, former mayoral candidate Shawn Eldredge is taking a run at the District 3 seat held by Councilman Steve Cohn.

Eldredge, a small-business owner who lives and works in midtown, was known on last year's mayoral campaign trail as the guy with the long hair who wore Led Zeppelin T-shirts to debates. The hair is as lush as ever – for now – although Eldredge says he's shopping for business suits.

'I'm not going to sell out or change who I am to be in office,' he said. 'However, I want the job more than I need to keep my hair. If somebody tells me you can have the job if you cut your hair, I will.'"

Sacramento Press / Mayor clashes with city staff over Nestlé decision-making

Sacramento Press / Mayor clashes with city staff over Nestlé decision-making:

"Mayor Kevin Johnson said the city’s order to halt construction work at the plant Nestlé plans to use for a water-bottling operation is bad for business in Sacramento.

Johnson has praised the jobs that Nestlé will bring to Sacramento, while Councilman Kevin McCarty opposes the plant's plan to bottle and sell water from the American River. Councilwoman Lauren Hammond has also raised concerns about Nestlé's plans."

Santa Monica Mirror

Santa Monica Mirror:

"The District has several committees working on ways to deal with the deficit which could include reducing expenditures and/or revenue enhancements. They are the Financial Oversight Committee, the Emergency/ Temporary Parcel Tax Feasibility Committee, and the Superintendent’s Budget Committee. Initial recommendations will be discussed at the School Board meeting on December 10.

Cuneo also mentioned that the District is considering having all District staff pay a portion of their health premium with the amount being based upon their salary level in order to save $2.2 million. Currently, the District pays the full premium for its entire staff. This has caused an impasse in District negotiations with its bargaining units so a mediator is being brought in. Another idea is having employees take a reduction in pay so lay offs don’t have to be made and new hires don’t have to made when the budget improves."

Schwarzenegger Airs Medicaid Cost Concerns, but Still Backs Action - WSJ.com

Schwarzenegger Airs Medicaid Cost Concerns, but Still Backs Action - WSJ.com:

"California Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger on Tuesday reiterated his call for Congress to pass a bill this year to overhaul the U.S. health-care system, while also expressing concerns about the legislation's potential impact on state budgets.

In a letter sent to congressional leaders, the governor -- one of few prominent Republicans supporting the health effort in Washington -- said he opposed proposals to expand Medicaid to provide health-care coverage to the uninsured. Such expansions, which other governors are also protesting, could cost California more than $1 billion a year, Mr. Schwarzenegger said.

'Our state cannot afford its current Medicaid program as structured and governed by federal rules,' Mr. Schwarzenegger said. 'Mandating the addition of 25% more people into an already fiscally unsustainable program will only worsen our situation.'"

Teacher salaries | Napa Valley Register

Teacher salaries Napa Valley Register:

"No one ever gets rich teaching. I doesn’t matter how good you are or where you work, the rewards of teaching are not financial. That said, I can’t complain that much about my salary. The party line is that teachers are poorly paid, but the truth is more nuanced. It all depends on your perspective.

First of all, teachers are seasonal employees. We work the school year, not the business year. The average American works 50 weeks with around 10 days paid holidays, around 240 days annually. The average teacher works 180 days. So I work about 75 percent of the time the average person does. We are effectively laid off every summer. Having summers off is a perk to some, but to others the loss of income needs to be made up with summer jobs."

Democrats go back to the (oil) well for taxes - ContraCostaTimes.com

Democrats go back to the (oil) well for taxes - ContraCostaTimes.com:

"SACRAMENTO — As oil companies continue to reap record profits amid strained state revenues, a pair of Democratic lawmakers are hoping to tap into their deep pockets by installing an oil severance tax that could relieve growing pressures to cut more state services.

Assemblyman Pedro Nava, D-Long Beach, introduced a bill Monday called the Fair Share Act, that would impose a 10 percent oil severance fee on extractions from California wells to bring in $1.5 billion to the state's coffers.

A similar bill that has already cleared one committee, by Assemblyman Alberto Torrico, D-Fremont, would impose a 9.9 percent fee, but would earmark the revenues to higher education funding."

Spat Between Schwarzeneggger, Pro-Marriage Equality Lawmaker Gets Creative :: EDGE Boston

Spat Between Schwarzeneggger, Pro-Marriage Equality Lawmaker Gets Creative :: EDGE Boston:

"Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger typically attaches a message to bills he signs or vetoes telling lawmakers why he took the action.

A Democratic assemblyman who heckled the governor during a recent event in San Francisco actually received two messages: the veto letter itself and a not-so-subtle rebuke creatively hidden within it.

Like a find-the-word puzzle, the second message was visible by stringing together the first letter of each line down the left-hand margin. It consisted of a common four-letter vulgarity followed by the letters 'y-o-u.'

'My goodness. What a coincidence,' said Schwarzenegger spokesman Aaron McLear. 'I suppose when you do so many vetoes, something like this is bound to happen.'"

Interim principal takes over at McClatchy High - Sacramento News - Local and Breaking Sacramento News | Sacramento Bee

Interim principal takes over at McClatchy High - Sacramento News - Local and Breaking Sacramento News Sacramento Bee:

"McClatchy High School Principal Cynthia Clark will move to the Sacramento City Unified School District administration offices Thursday as a 'principal on special assignment.'
'She will be working with central office administrators to help schools improve curriculum,' said Maria Lopez, district spokesman."

Sacramento Press / Parents split over possible Montessori school move

Sacramento Press / Parents split over possible Montessori school move:

"A five-hour board meeting on the fate of California Montessori Project's Capitol Campus ended around 10:45 p.m. Monday night with a resolution: If an assessment says the Marshall School building in which the school resides is not compliant with state building codes, the school must move 'expeditiously.'

If the assessment, which has still not been made public, says the building does meet minimum state codes, the board will reconvene to decide if the school will move or not."

Programs bring life back to many closed Sacramento-area K-12 campuses - Sacramento News - Local and Breaking Sacramento News | Sacramento Bee

Programs bring life back to many closed Sacramento-area K-12 campuses - Sacramento News - Local and Breaking Sacramento News Sacramento Bee

Children no longer play on the jungle gym at 49-year-old Billy Mitchell Elementary School in North Sacramento, but inside its stark white halls teenagers are taking classes in math, computer science and French.

The San Juan Unified School District campus has found new life as Choices Charter School.

The district has shuttered 10 schools in the past five years and is considering closing two more, as are the Sacramento City Unified and Folsom Cordova Unified school districts. Tight budgets and decreasing enrollments are forcing districts to consider school closures, despite their unpopularity.

Dennis Bakke to Imagine Schools: Pick your board members carefully | The Grade | STLtoday

Dennis Bakke to Imagine Schools: Pick your board members carefully The Grade STLtoday:

"This is the unedited e-mail sent from Virginia-based Imagine Schools CEO Dennis Bakke to his top executives and schools principals."

Sacramento tells Nestle: Stop building bottled water plant - Sacramento News - Local and Breaking Sacramento News | Sacramento Bee

Sacramento tells Nestle: Stop building bottled water plant - Sacramento News - Local and Breaking Sacramento News Sacramento Bee:

"The city of Sacramento has ordered food giant Nestlé to stop work on construction of a new bottled water plant in south Sacramento while the City Council decides whether to impose new planning requirements on such facilities.

The council is scheduled to vote tonight on whether to require special permits for beverage bottling plants – which means they would have to go through public hearings before the Planning Commission and council.

Stricter environmental regulations could also be placed on the projects if the proposed ordinance is passed, said David Kwong, acting director of the Community Development Department."

Editorial: Nestlé ordinance a bad precedent - Sacramento Opinion - Sacramento Editorial | Sacramento Bee

Editorial: Nestlé ordinance a bad precedent - Sacramento Opinion - Sacramento Editorial Sacramento Bee:

"Over the years, numerous bottling firms and breweries have set up shop in Sacramento.

To date, none of these bottlers – from Alhambra to Coca-Cola – has triggered much opposition for the products they sell or the water rates they pay. Yet both of those issues have bubbled to the surface with the arrival of Nestlé Waters to Sacramento.

Nestlé was welcomed by Mayor Kevin Johnson when it signed a lease in July for a building at the Florin Fruitridge Industrial Park. Since then, the reception has been less welcoming. Activists have targeted Nestlé for its efforts to site a bottling plant in McCloud, in Northern California, and for its threat to sue Miami-Dade County, Fla., over ads promoting city tap water."

Des Moines to consider 'fast-track' diploma to cut dropout rate | desmoinesregister.com | The Des Moines Register

Des Moines to consider 'fast-track' diploma to cut dropout rate desmoinesregister.com The Des Moines Register:

"Some Des Moines students would be able to graduate with 18 credits - five fewer than the 23 now needed - under a committee recommendation school board members will consider in the coming weeks.

Students who receive a 'fast-track' diploma would meet all state and district requirements as well as the entrance criteria at Iowa's three state universities, Superintendent Nancy Sebring said.

The proposal comes when school officials nationwide are searching for ways to keep students on pace to graduate from high school rather than dropping out."

And it comes after a period when many of the country's school districts increased the number of credits required to graduate from high school. Study halls were eliminated and school officials added online and after-school courses and summer school as ways students can earn additional credits or make up credits from failed classes.

"I do believe it was sort of credits gone wild in order to prove our students could learn the most," Sebring said. "Ultimately, I think there is a limit on what is reasonable for high school students."

Sebring and others believe that the increased number of credits needed to graduate play a role in a district's dropout rate. And that belief has prompted some districts to re-examine their course requirements and diploma options for students.

Sacramento County's CEO announces retirement - Latest News - sacbee.com

Sacramento County's CEO announces retirement - Latest News - sacbee.com:

"Terry Schutten, the top administrator in Sacramento County, is retiring at the end of this calendar year.

Schutten has been the county executive officer since June 1999 and has led the county through the Freeport Regional Water project, the airport expansion, increased neighborhood participation and land conservation efforts.

He has also been the man at the helm of the worst county budget in modern history. His announcement comes weeks after the Board of Supervisors finalized this year's budget that has so far led to nearly 800 county workers losing their jobs and social service programs closing down. Schutten spent the past year weathering blistering criticism from the unions and other officials for his handling of the budget. Sheriff John McGinness called for Schutten's firing last spring."

The Perimeter Primate

The Perimeter Primate:

"Jerry Brown wants to have another turn on the Governor of California ride. The 'About' page on his campaign website features a little story about him.

Of the 1035 words written to summarize Jerry’s long political career, 196 words are dedicated to Brown’s accomplishments while he served as Oakland’s mayor from 1998 to 2006. Of those 196 words, 53 words quite accurately describe Brown’s involvement in education during that time. His interest in the education of Oakland’s school children is explained as such:"

Brown personally founded the Oakland School for the Arts and the Oakland Military Institute. Both schools serve students from the 6th grade through the 12th and are among the best performing schools in Oakland. Their graduates are now studying in such outstanding universities as Yale, Vassar, Stanford, West Point, UCLA and UC Berkeley.

Now, an astute observer will notice something’s missing – namely any mention of the 50,000 or so students who attended the schools which weren’t either of Jerry’s charters. With so little information about his views on public education or any other possible involvement he had had, an independent critical thinker will be curious how the claims on Jerry’s website mesh with reality.

SCUSD Observer: Let's really be bold

SCUSD Observer: Let's really be bold

Let's really be bold

On the editorial pages of the Sacramento Bee recently, writers have touted the successes of local school districts that have acted "boldly" in turning around our failing schools.The reconstitution of Jonas Salk Middle School is cited in one editorial as the brave action that San Juan Unified took to improve its test scores.Another laughable puff piece in the series displays the Bee's continued insistence that Sacramento Charter High School has been transformed by the St. Hope Corporation into a successful school with glowing reviews.

How does rape become a spectator sport at homecoming dance? | Get Schooled

How does rape become a spectator sport at homecoming dance? Get Schooled

Again, I have to ask: What is wrong with us?

How could teenagers at a high school homecoming dance stand by and watch the sexual assault of a young girl? We talked about this a few weeks ago after the school bus beating video, but I still am baffled.

Are the teens fearful of repercussions if they protest?

Are bystanders too drunk themselves to realize what is happening?

Or have we shown our children so much violence in movies and TV that they are unfazed when they see it in person?

I understand more and more the reluctance of schools to host evening events. As this story notes, there were seven adults monitoring this school dance, including four police officers. Yet, this crime occurred undetected outside the homecoming dance.

From the Associated Press:

Police believe as many as a dozen people watched a 15-year-old girl get beaten and gang-raped outside her high school homecoming dance without reporting it.

Two suspects were in custody Monday, but police said as many as five other men attacked the girl over a two-hour period Friday night outside Richmond High School.
“She was raped, beaten, robbed and dehumanized by several suspects who were obviously OK enough with it to behave that way in each other’s presence,” Lt. Mark Gagan said. “What makes it even more disturbing is the presence of others. People came by, saw what was happening and failed to report it.”
The victim remained hospitalized with non-life-threatening injuries.

Manuel Ortega, 19, was arrested at the scene and was being held on $800,000 bail for investigation of rape and robbery. He is not a student at the school.
Richmond police Sgt. David Harris said he did not know if Ortega had retained an attorney.

A 15-year-old student also was booked late Monday on one count of sexual assault, Gagan said.

Police said the girl left the dance and was walking to meet her father for a ride home when a classmate invited her to join a group drinking in the courtyard. The victim had drank a large amount of alcohol by the time the assault began, police said.

Officers received a tip about a possible assault on campus and found the girl semi-conscious near a picnic table.

Marin Trujillo, a spokesman for the West Contra Costa Unified School District, said there were four police officers and three school administrators monitoring the dance, but the assault happened away from the gym.

Police say dozen people watched Calif. gang rape | ajc.com

Police say dozen people watched Calif. gang rape ajc.com

RICHMOND, Calif. — Police believe as many as a dozen people watched a 15-year-old girl get beaten and gang-raped outside her high school homecoming dance without reporting it.

Two suspects were in custody Monday, but police said as many as five other men attacked the girl over a two-hour period Friday night outside Richmond High School.

"She was raped, beaten, robbed and dehumanized by several suspects who were obviously OK enough with it to behave that way in each other's presence," Lt. Mark Gagan said. "What makes it even more disturbing is the presence of others. People came by, saw what was happening and failed to report it."

The victim remained hospitalized with non-life-threatening injuries.

Manuel Ortega, 19, was arrested at thescene and was being held on $800,000 bail for investigation of rape and robbery. He is not a student at the school.

Richmond police Sgt. David Harris said he did not know if Ortega had retained an attorney.

A 15-year-old student also was booked late Monday on one count of sexual assault, Gagan said.

Bridging Differences: What Does the Best and Wisest Parent Want?

Bridging Differences: What Does the Best and Wisest Parent Want?:

"Dear Deborah,

Well, I certainly agree with you that all kids should have the quality of education now available only for students in the best schools. Given how much our nation spends on education, this should not be a pipe dream, but we know that it is not happening and has not happened in the past.

We both recall that John Dewey wrote that what the best and wisest parent wants for his own child is what the community should want for all its children. That's a good starting point. What does the best and wisest parent want for his or her own child?"

Education Week: Turnover in Principalship Focus of Research

Education Week: Turnover in Principalship Focus of Research:

"On good days, Jamie Gillespie loves her job as a high school principal in Edenton, N.C. On bad days, she contemplates switching careers.

Ms. Gillespie has been a principal for six years: one year at Edenton’s John A. Holmes High School and five years previously in Evansville, Wis. New research suggests that she may be one of the survivors in her profession.

Data available from a handful of states suggest that only about half of beginning principals remain in the same job five years later, and that many leave the principalship altogether when they go."

Message to Educonomists: You Can't Ignore the Important Stuff | LFA: Join The Conversation - Public School Insights

Message to Educonomists: You Can't Ignore the Important Stuff LFA: Join The Conversation - Public School Insights:

"Emily and Bryan Hassel have an idea: Don't get too hung up on plans to make teachers better. Instead, figure out how to help the best teachers reach far more students. After all, they argue, the top 20 percent of teachers are three times as effective as the bottom 20 percent.

Try as they might, though, they cannot escape the need to support teachers through good old fashioned staff development, curriculum and assessment. It's time the education economists paid much closer attention to these critical areas, which are just so déclassé these days.

Of course, the Hassels' argument raises all sorts of questions. How do you identify the top 20 percent of teachers? Do we trust test scores? Will teachers stay in the top 20 percent from year to year? Are the 'top' teachers good in every kind of school? Are they effective with every kind of student?"

LAUSD plan to have outsiders run 36 of its schools nears reality - The Daily Breeze

LAUSD plan to have outsiders run 36 of its schools nears reality - The Daily Breeze:

"Pushing aside the threat of lawsuits and complaints about the process, Los Angeles Unified officials today will begin finalizing a controversial reform plan that allows the outside operation of three dozen schools.

The school board will meet today to finalize an application that could be released Wednesday to charter operators and other nonprofit organizations seeking to run 36 new and under-performing campuses.

Locally, Gardena and San Pedro high schools - two of the lowest-performing schools in the South Bay and Harbor Area - are targeted for takeover by outsiders.
District leaders said they refused to see their reform effort derailed by the threat of lawsuits by employee unions and concerns of charter school advocates."

Sacramento Press / Agencies plan to set up 419 winter shelter beds

Sacramento Press / Agencies plan to set up 419 winter shelter beds:

"Despite Sacramento County’s financial crisis, the city and county intend to provide 151 more beds for the homeless this winter than last.

That’s because city officials expect 419 winter shelter beds to be funded through a variety of entities, including the city, nonprofit organizations, the federal government, the county and private donors. Last year, there were 268 winter shelter beds for the homeless.

“The strategy provides for a collaborative public and private solution to increasing winter shelter options for the region's most vulnerable population during the coldest months of the year,” according to an Oct. 27 report to the City Council from Cassandra Jennings, assistant city manager, and La Shelle Dozier, executive director for the Sacramento Housing and Redevelopment Agency."

New Haven teachers pact: message to Rhee? - D.C. Wire -

New Haven teachers pact: message to Rhee? - D.C. Wire -:

"Education Secretary Arne Duncan and American Federation of Teachers president Randi Weingarten have been pounding the blackboard in praise of the recently completed New Haven teachers contract, hailing it as a model for what's possible when unions and elected officials collaborate in good faith.

The agreement calls for teacher evaluations that use student growth as one of many measures, flexible work rules to help turn around failing schools and peer assistance for struggling educators. It is also described as a not-so-subtle rebuke to Chancellor Michelle A. Rhee over the District's inability to close a deal with its union.

The New Haven contract, approved by membership October 13 by an 842-39 margin, took about four months to complete, AFT officials said. Talks in the District, plagued by accusations of bad faith, are headed for the two-year mark."

voiceofsandiego.org: Education... How a Controversial Rule Played Out in Other Schools

voiceofsandiego.org: Education... How a Controversial Rule Played Out in Other Schools:

By EMILY ALPERT

"Wednesday, Oct. 14, 2009 As bargaining grinds on between San Diego Unified and its teachers union over its expired contract, a public debate has erupted over a few paragraphs of legalese.

Teachers and their union say a new proposal will help kids by preventing teachers from being overloaded with new duties. Opponents say it will allow the union to veto any changes to what teachers do -- even small ones -- by enshrining all existing practices in the contract. It has pitted the principals union against the teachers union, divided and perplexed parents."

Yet both its backers and its critics point out that the proposal, known as "maintenance of standards," is nothing new. Similar rules show up in teachers union agreements as early as the 1970s in New York and have cropped up across Wisconsin and Michigan, spreading to Colorado and even Alaska. They typically state that working conditions "shall be maintained at not less than the highest minimum standards in effect" at the time -- language that isn't always clear to the average person.

Editorial: Gov. Granholm's attack on Prop A misdirected | detnews.com | The Detroit News

Editorial: Gov. Granholm's attack on Prop A misdirected detnews.com The Detroit News:

"Gov. Jennifer Granholm told a Grand Rapids audience last week she wants to rejigger the state school aid funding formula because it no longer is working. But the real problem is Michigan's moribund economy, which has led to a shortage of money from many tax sources.

Granholm argues that the continual decline in school aid revenue is caused by Proposal A, the landmark 1994 property tax reform that switched the majority of school funding from local districts to state government.

In these tough times, all revenues are shrinking. Michigan's educational property tax revenue is down 16 percent. Revenue from the sales tax, three-quarters of which funds schools, has declined 10 percent."

New Haven teachers’ pact sets standard for school reform - Rockford, IL - Rockford Register Star

New Haven teachers’ pact sets standard for school reform - Rockford, IL - Rockford Register Star:

"New Haven, Conn., is 800 miles away, but we’re excited about a groundbreaking agreement there last week on a teacher contract.

Education Week said the New Haven contract could be a model for the nation.

What’s important about the contract is its flexibility and potential to advance school reform goals. Randi Weingarten, president of the American Federation of Teachers, told The Wall Street Journal: “I rarely say that something is a model or a template for something else, but this is both.”"

DPS evaluates school remedies - The Denver Post

DPS evaluates school remedies - The Denver Post:

"Denver Public Schools is the first district in Colorado set to deploy stern academic reforms pushed by a White House education-stimulus program to fix the nation's worst schools.
DPS also is the first to feel the heat.

The district is eyeing federally suggested turnaround strategies that could shut down school programs or remove staff and principals at Greenlee and Philips elementary schools and Lake Middle School. It also is scrutinizing the renewals of three low-performing charter schools: P.S. 1 Charter, Northeast Academy and Skyland Community High School.

Recommendations will be made Nov. 9. The board will vote Nov. 30 on changes to schools."

Nearly 900 California Schools Implement Reading Program -- THE Journal

Nearly 900 California Schools Implement Reading Program -- THE Journal:

"Seeking to make reading proficiency and comprehension a priority, nearly 900 schools throughout California have implemented the Lexia Reading program, which helps students in grades pre-K through 12 improve their reading skills while offering teachers a tool for fully integrated assessment reporting.

Lexia's technology offers more than 800 activities for reading skills development, all of which are age- and skill-specific and conform to federal reading guidelines. A notable feature is the individualized 'branching' technology that determines when a student needs additional practice in each skill and ensures mastery of the skill before the student progresses to the next one."