Californians Worry About Education, Sacramento Still Unpopular - Bay Area Blog - NYTimes.com

Californians Worry About Education, Sacramento Still Unpopular - Bay Area Blog - NYTimes.com:

"Update 1:54 p.m. Our colleague over at The Choice blog, Jacques Steinberg, points out that Mark Yudof of the University of California system has been named one of Time Magazine’s “10 Best College Presidents.” Sure, he walked into “one of the toughest jobs in higher education” last year, but the article, which ran with a photo of Mr. Yudof rolling up his sleeves, suggests he’s the right man to guide UC to safe harbor. Thoughts on Mr. Yudof, anyone?

California’s foundering higher education system is a source of both pride and worry for state residents, a new poll finds, but most are wary of tuition and fee hikes."

If you or your family or friends work for, attend or live nearby some of the Bay Area schools, we’d like to get your reaction to the plight of public higher eduction and to the poll by the Public Policy Institute of California.

The poll shows that roughly two in three residents consider the California Community College, California State University and University of California systems “good” or “excellent” — the same level of confidence state-funded higher education has enjoyed for the past two years.

Some interesting divisions along party lines:

California Corrections Teachers Protest Layoffs - 11/13/09 - Fresno News - abc30.com

California Corrections Teachers Protest Layoffs - 11/13/09 - Fresno News - abc30.com:

"Chowchilla, California (KFSN) -- The California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation is planning to cut between 600 and 900 prison staff members across the state to deal with a more than one billion dollar budget deficit. But employees at the two prisons in Chowchilla say the proposed lay-offs come with too high of a price for the public. Dozens of staff members from the two women's prisons in Chowchilla rallied outside the gates of the Central California Women's Facility in hopes of sending a message to the community. John Plain said, 'The state of California, Arnold Schwarzenegger is going to severely cut the number of teachers who work in prisons and that will severely impact public safety, and we want them to know what's coming"

Watch video: http://abclocal.go.com/kfsn/video?id=7116192

Federal schools grant program adds a bit of flexibility - Sacramento Politics - California Politics | Sacramento Bee

Federal schools grant program adds a bit of flexibility - Sacramento Politics - California Politics Sacramento Bee:

"Race to the Top, the nation's largest competition for school grants, quieted some critics by adding flexibility to final rules released by the Obama administration this week – but the fighting is far from over in California.

The stage is set now for school officials to craft competing applications for a slice of $4.35 billion designed to reward innovation in meeting goals ranging from enhancing academic standards to improving teacher effectiveness and turning failing schools around."

News: Liberal Arts in Jeopardy? - Inside Higher Ed

http://www.insidehighered.com/news/2009/11/13/ccas:

"BALTIMORE — As colleges across the country continue to cinch their belts, both administrators and students have been forced to decide which sorts of programs are good investments and which are now unaffordable luxuries. And with students sweating a cutthroat job market that favors specific skills, many in higher education have been left wonder how the recession stands to affect the liberal arts.

That was much on the minds of liberal arts leaders gathered here at the annual meeting of the Council of Colleges of Arts and Sciences. How to maintain the appeal of “an education for wisdom and virtue” as families and institutions fixate anxiously on their bottom lines was the question of the day."

Numbers Don't Lie - The Daily Californian

Numbers Don't Lie - The Daily Californian:

"Forty thousand spots to be cut in three years. 266,152 total applications for the 2010-11 academic year. A 230-percent increase in transfer applications. The numbers of the ongoing crisis at the California State University are staggering.

The University of California faces similar obstacles: an estimated 4,600 fewer spots in two years and a potential 32 percent fee hike for the next academic year. But the sheer magnitude of the CSU enrollment cuts, especially in the face of a 53-percent increase in total applications, may better represent the dire situation faced by California's public universities."

The CSU system has already slashed nearly 10,000 spots and on Tuesday Chancellor Charles B. Reed announced the system would go forward with further cuts over the next two years.
According to the Chronicle of Higher Education, California public colleges plan to cut nearly 300,000 students from their campuses in the next year and a half. For these students, the enrollment cuts could very well make the prospect of attending college an impossibility.

Especially for Californians of limited means, higher education is increasingly becoming out of reach. The door of opportunity is being shut in the faces of more and more qualified students each year.

Final Race to the Top Documents Released « The Enterprise Blog

Final Race to the Top Documents Released « The Enterprise Blog:

"Today, the Department of Education releases its much-anticipated final criteria for the Race to the Top program (RTT). I’m not as keen on the final versions as I was on the draft “proposed priorities” released a couple months ago, but overall it’s still mostly laudable.

Unions and others roundly criticized the first versions, but reformers were pretty excited by their scope and verve. The amended documents are less intrepid, much more palatable to the establishment. But I don’t think we necessarily need to see this as a loss; elsewhere I compared the shift to the difference between campaigning in poetry and governing in prose.

In terms of timing and process, there will be two competitions, with awards given in the spring and fall of 2010. The few awards will reflect the winning states’ populations (for example, should Wyoming win, it will get far less than California). Education Week does an excellent job providing more details."

Race to the Top Fund Final priorities, requirements, definitions, and selection criteria. -

Race to the Top Program Executive Summary Rules November 2009 -

Higher education master plan getting ignored

Higher education master plan getting ignored:

"California's Master Plan for Higher Education - which set academics ablaze with the promise of a nearly free college education for all who qualified - is limping toward the half-century mark largely ignored by lawmakers who don't even pretend they can live up to its expensive commitment."

That's the finding of a report released Thursday by the state's Office of the Legislative Analyst. It says today's reality of soaring student fees, volatile college budgets and enrollment caps are so far removed from the guiding Master Plan, that something must be done to bring them in line.

The Master Plan was crafted in 1960 to establish a coordinated system of colleges and universities, with the goal of steering students appropriately toward the University of California, California State University or community college largely free of charge.

"Today its assumptions look pretty quaint," said Steve Boilard, the report's author. "There's a big disconnect between what the state's priorities are and what's actually going on.

"Read more: http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/c/a/2009/11/13/BADC1AJG4C.DTL#ixzz0WkNuQFPX

Higher education master plan getting ignored

Higher education master plan getting ignored:

"California's Master Plan for Higher Education - which set academics ablaze with the promise of a nearly free college education for all who qualified - is limping toward the half-century mark largely ignored by lawmakers who don't even pretend they can live up to its expensive commitment."

That's the finding of a report released Thursday by the state's Office of the Legislative Analyst. It says today's reality of soaring student fees, volatile college budgets and enrollment caps are so far removed from the guiding Master Plan, that something must be done to bring them in line.

The Master Plan was crafted in 1960 to establish a coordinated system of colleges and universities, with the goal of steering students appropriately toward the University of California, California State University or community college largely free of charge.

"Today its assumptions look pretty quaint," said Steve Boilard, the report's author. "There's a big disconnect between what the state's priorities are and what's actually going on.

"Read more: http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/c/a/2009/11/13/BADC1AJG4C.DTL#ixzz0WkNuQFPX

KCBS - CA Competes for Billions in Ed. Stimulus Funds

KCBS - CA Competes for Billions in Ed. Stimulus Funds:

"The announcement was made by Education Secretary Arne Duncan, who made it clear that for California to win a chunk of this 'Race to the Top' Grant, the state must show that it has a strong commitment to teacher excellence and student performance.

”We’re going to fund those states that have demonstrated the ability to raise the bar and close the gap,” said Duncan. “But most importantly this is for those who have the capacity to get dramatically better, and take scale of what’s working.”

California has cut funding to education this year to balance the budget, and secretary Duncan says that how the state prioritizes the money it does have will determine whether it wins a piece of this $4.35 billion education stimulus grant."

KCBS’ Barbara Taylor Reports

National Day of Protests for Education Rights | Fight Back! – News and Views from the People's Struggle

National Day of Protests for Education Rights Fight Back! – News and Views from the People's Struggle:

"Students from across the country participated in a National Day of Action for Education Rights, Nov. 10, demanding an end to the budget cuts, layoffs and tuition hikes hitting schools since the economic crisis began.

The Campaign for Education Rights, a working group of the Network to Fight for Economic Justice, organized the protests after the students, faculty and staff of the University of California system held mass walk-outs and occupations in September. “Now is the time to carry the momentum forward into a nationwide movement for education rights,” reads the call to action. Over a dozen organizations endorsed the National Day of Action for Education Rights."

Tom Torlakson, California schools candidate, campaigns at Salinas' Second Chance Youth Center | thecalifornian.com | The Salinas Californian

Tom Torlakson, California schools candidate, campaigns at Salinas' Second Chance Youth Center thecalifornian.com The Salinas Californian:

"A former schoolteacher running for the state's highest education position chose an unusual campaign stop Thursday in Salinas."

Assemblyman Tom Torlakson, D-Antioch, who's campaigning to replace state Superintendent Jack O'Connell in 2010, met with local education and youth leaders at the Second Chance Youth Center in east Salinas. The nonprofit has spent 20 years helping young people leave gangs and criminal lifestyles.

"Most of these students are still in the K-12 system," Torlakson said, explaining his choice for the stop. "We need to give them the foundation for success. Teachers know the kids who need help, and they know how to help, but they just don't have the resources."

Much of Thursday's discussion focused on trading ideas about bringing more resources to Salinas, such as academic software, career training and more of the wrap-around family mentoring programs now active in Salinas schools.

New York governor sees risk of California bond default | Money & Company | Los Angeles Times

New York governor sees risk of California bond default Money & Company Los Angeles Times:

"Besides understanding his own state’s finances, New York Gov. David Paterson apparently has an excellent grasp of California’s fiscal situation.

So much so, in fact, that Paterson feels confident speculating publicly about the probability of California eventually defaulting on its municipal bond debt.

In a Bloomberg Radio interview on Thursday, Paterson described his plans for dealing with New York’s financial woes, and why it was important to avoid budget 'gimmicks which grind up your credit rating.'

New York still has an 'AA' credit rating from Standard & Poor’s, compared with California’s 'A' rating, which is the lowest of any state."

Student sick days will hurt school finances | student, once, enrollment - Local News - Appeal-Democrat

Student sick days will hurt school finances student, once, enrollment - Local News - Appeal-Democrat:

"An enrollment decline once projected to cost about $268,000 in state funds has leveled off — but a separate spike in student illness is likely to reduce revenue to the Yuba City Unified School District.

About 4,800 more sick days were reported through mid-October than at the same time last year, said Bruce Morton, director of attendance for Yuba City Unified.

The attendance dip affects state aid to the school district because the payments are based on average daily attendance of students.

'If they're in the seat, you get the money,' Morton said of how Sacramento calculates such finances."

Elk Grove Citizen : Archives > News > Momentum continues to build, moving ‘Support CA Kids’ in statewide direction

Elk Grove Citizen : Archives; News; Momentum continues to build, moving ‘Support CA Kids’ in statewide direction:

"It was standing room only Monday night as support for Marie Correa’s “Support CA Kids” has gone from a two-cup coffee meeting to a “coalition.”

Support California Kids has launched a campaign to help parents of public school students communicate with their state legislators. The focus is to bring attention to the negative impact of inadequate education funding.

At the Nov. 9 meeting hosted by Support California Kids and sponsored by the Elk Grove Citizen, Elk Grove parents showed their concern about cuts to education, and their determination to do something about it."

Michael Jackson will be a “subject” at A.R. Rahman’s Music Conservatory

Entertainment icon Michael Jackson will be a subject at Oscar winner musician A.R. Rahman’s (Slumdog Millionaire) KM Music Conservatory, according to reports.

Rahman himself will reportedly give the inaugural lecture on Jackson. Rahman loved Jackson’s music and has said about Jackson in the past: “one of the greatest musicians of our time… pushed the milestone of Pop music to unbelievable levels… I am yet to find an artist with that energy, perfection and vision…”

During their meeting in Los Angeles (USA) earlier this year, when Jackson showed Rahman a five second example of his dance move, Rahman stated: “It was like a lightning strike”. Jackson even reportedly asked Rahman during this meeting to compose a unity anthem. Jackson collaborated with Rahman on Ekam Satyam track in 1999. Rahman is reportedly developing an album in memory of Jackson, which will include musicians from all over the world.

Founded by Rahman (who is also its Principal), KM Music Conservatory in Kodambakkam area of Chennai in Tamil Nadu state of India envisions expanding the horizon of musicians in India by offering education in both Indian and Western music besides music technology and its mission is to provide students with a strong artistic, intellectual, and technical foundation. T. Selvakumar is the Managing Director of this international school of music and music technology whose tagline is "Become the Future of Music".

Conservatory offers Preparatory Program (2-5 years), Foundation Program (1-2 years), and Degree Program (three years) under affiliation of Middlesex University in United Kingdom (UK), and has proposed to offer Diploma Program (one year) for international students) and Masters Program (two years) with concentrations in music performance-composition-technology-education. Many faculty members have degrees from USA and UK. Sound editor Joe E. Rand (Titanic) has lectured here besides demonstration by Vienna Chamber Orchestra.

Acclaimed Indo-American statesman Rajan Zed has applauded Rahman for creating a bridge between the music of east and west and for strengthening the worldwide market and stature of Indian music. Zed, who is the chairperson of Indo-American Leadership Confederation, in a statement in Nevada (USA) today, urged Rahman to help nourish the next generation with the richness of Indian music, elements of whose theory were first found in ancient Hindu scripture Sama-Veda. Rajan Zed further said that Michael Jackson’s personal life might had been controversial, but he did provide “joy” to a large populace of the world through his music. One of the ancient Hindu scriptures “Taittiriya Upanishad” talking about “joy” says: From joy are born all creatures, by joy they grow, and to joy they return.

Rahman, who has reportedly recorded sales of over 300 million, was called “Mozart of Madras'' by Time magazine. Rahman sees music “as a way to connect to spirituality and embrace it” and for “creating harmony in troubled times”.

Confident state ed officials press forward on Race to the Top | GothamSchools

Confident state ed officials press forward on Race to the Top GothamSchools:

"Brushing aside criticism that current state laws could jeopardize New York’s chances at Race to the Top Funds, state officials say they will enter the contest in round one.
On Monday, the State Education Department will release a comprehensive plan to overhaul teacher training, Board of Regents Chancellor Merryl Tisch said today. Tisch called the proposal a “very aggressive package” that will be a major element of New York’s Race to the Top application."

Austin News: Del Valle ISD: We don't need no stinkin' PTAs - AustinChronicle.com

Austin News: Del Valle ISD: We don't need no stinkin' PTAs - AustinChronicle.com:

"On its website, the Del Valle Inde­pendent School District says it 'values ALL forms of parent involvement.' Yet parents are finding there is one form that the district administration doesn't value highly enough to allow on campus: parent-teacher associations. After being rebuffed in her efforts to establish PTAs to assist staff and students, Del Valle Elementary School parent Liliana Orozco said: 'Why don't they want us to get organized on our own? I just don't understand, and the other parents are baffled.'"

Covering much of southeast Travis County, Del Valle ISD faces complex challenges. Even though it achieved "recognized" status in the state's latest accountability ratings, 27.5% of its 2008-09 enrollment of 9,555 students were classified by the Texas Education Agency as having limited English proficiency and 79.2% were classified as economically disadvantaged.

Determined to help out on campus, Orozco tried to join her local PTA but found there wasn't one at any of the district's 12 schools. Convinced that she could find the 20 parents required to form a PTA and that additional parents would pay the required $4 annual fee, she tried to get the administration to assist this new parent initiative.

Yet at successive meetings with Del Valle Elementary School Principal Bertha Hernandez, the board of trustees, and Superintendent Bernard Blanchard, parents got the same message: The district doesn't have PTAs and so far has rejected all requests to formally discuss the matter at the board level. Orozco said, "They don't seem to be interested in finding out what good a PTA can do for the district."

Texas PTA Executive Director Kyle Ward called the administration's push-back "stronger than anything I have seen in my three-and-a-half years here." He said Blanchard had told him that here had been independent parent-teacher organizations, but they had fallen apart over funding and nonprofit tax status issues – two decades ago. Now each campus has a parent-involvement committee, operated by the administration. Del Valle ISD Communications and Community Relations Director Celina Bley explained, "Each campus meets with parents and talks with parents about different upcoming events and volunteer opportunities."

VegCooking > Celebrate a Vegan Holiday!

VegCooking > Celebrate a Vegan Holiday!:

"These delicious recipes will please every palate and make it easier to give up the giblets, giving everyone—including animals—something to be thankful for this holiday season.
Make the center of your holiday feast the new Garden Protein Vegan Turkey Breast With Wild Rice and Cranberry Stuffing. Available at select Whole Foods nationwide, this tasty vegan turkey will delight all your guests. And don’t forget to check out our helpful holiday guide for tips on how to prepare a vegan feast."

Sacramento Press / Cohn, Hammond, Fong say they didn't know about permit program

Sacramento Press / Cohn, Hammond, Fong say they didn't know about permit program

Some members of the City Council said Wednesday they were unaware of the permitting program that played a key role in the recent controversy over the Nestlé company’s efforts to set up a water bottling plant in Sacramento.

The city closed down its Facilities Permit Program Oct. 27 during the public debate over Nestlé’s plans. Nestlé’s project was greenlighted through the FPP.

With the FPP, businesses that work with the city on an ongoing basis can receive quick approval for tenant improvements or remodeling of commercial and industrial buildings, said David Kwong, the city’s planning division director.

In the case of Nestlé, the company and its contractors received verbal approval from the city to start construction work. But the company and its contractors did not have a city building permit or “start-work authorization.”

Nestlé has said it followed city laws.

The city attorney’s office recently declared that it is illegal for the city to approve the start of construction for projects that do not have building permits, Kwong said.

The High Cost of Higher Education | NBC Bay Area

The High Cost of Higher Education NBC Bay Area

The High Cost of Higher Education

An NBC Bay Area Editorial and Your Feedback

Please register now and let us know what you think in the comments section below

The state's massive cuts to the University of California budget have impacted the lives of students, faculty and staff systemwide.

Teachers are facing furloughs and paycuts, and students are set to face their 9th tuition increase in 8 years. Over 225,000 students, and 19,000 faculty call the UC system home.

In this editorial, we discuss the real cost facing us in the future, if we don't act today.

Original Editorial - The High Cost of Higher Education

Teacher has a gift for making math add up - washingtonpost.com

Teacher has a gift for making math add up - washingtonpost.com:

"Woodbridge Senior High School freshman Tina Warner said math never came easily to her, until a unique teacher sent her in a new direction.

After failing the math Standards of Learning test last year and seeing her grades slip, Tina said it took educator Sharon Dravvorn and her somewhat unusual teaching techniques to help her turn things around."

"I was so surprised when I had an A in this class at first and now a B," the 14-year-old said. "This has never happened before in a math class. She is easier to understand because of the way she teaches, and her attitude is different. Some teachers are here just to get through the day, but she really cares."

Tina, along with some of her classmates, said Dravvorn's teaching methods include quirky sound effects and classical music. Dravvorn thinks outside the box, they said, and that is why it came as no surprise when the 19-year educator received a $25,000 award from the Milken Family Foundation during a school assembly last week.

Center for American Progress Today's Cartoon

Center for American Progress Today's Cartoon

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Sacramento City Unified School District

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Poll: Flunking Grades for Governor, Legislature on Higher Education | California Progress Report

Poll: Flunking Grades for Governor, Legislature on Higher Education California Progress Report:

"A new poll by the Public Policy Institute of California gave the governor and state lawmakers low grades for their handling of higher education.

The poll comes as California State University announces drastic plans to reduce enrollment by 40,000 students and in the wake of record tuition hikes and enrollment cuts at the University of California.

California’s Community Colleges are reeling under the double whammy of state funding cuts and increasing enrollment demand as students crowded out of UC and CSU attempt, with diminishing success, to find space in courses at local community colleges."

AB540 conference- fall '09 - R.I.S.E. at Cal

AB540 conference- fall '09 - R.I.S.E. at Cal

R.I.S.E. at Cal

Rising Immigrant Scholars through Education (R.IS.E.) at UC Berkeley presents:
APPLYING TOWARDS SUCCESS
AB540 CONFERENCE

RSVP now!
http://www.surveymonkey.com/s.aspx?sm=JXs_2bkbFL03k4JfndaecnZA_3d_3d

Saturday November 14, 2009

9:00AM to 4:30 PM

@ West Pauley Ballroom at UC Berkeley

The purpose of the conference is to spread awareness about the application process to the University of California system. In doing so, we hope to increase the representation of undocumented students in higher education.

Come learn about:

admissions

scholarships

fill out mock UC application

personal statement

ab540 student panel

parent workshops

Sponsored by ASUC, Ethnic Studies Fifth Account ADA accessible

For directions, go to: http://tinyurl.com/d9dyod click on

Martin Luther King Jr. Student Union UC Berkeley

a bubble will appear asking you to "Get Directions" then click "To Here"

and type your start address of where you'll start your trip.

voiceofsandiego.org: Schooled... Bright and Early

voiceofsandiego.org: Schooled... Bright and Early

One thing I left out of my story about calculus at Crawford High is that every now and then, Jonathan Winn sings. (The song is addressed to his classroom volunteer, Becky Breedlove, who is nicknamed B squared.) That and other, somewhat less musical tidbits in your daily newsblitz:

It's a calculus class so crazy, it just might work. Seventy-odd teens are packing an early morning class at Crawford High to learn calculus with a guy who resembles Jim Carrey with a mathematics degree. Advanced Placement classes like this are commonplace in La Jolla and Scripps Ranch, but are historically less common at disadvantaged schools such as Crawford, which threw the class open to anyone.

Free speech advocates are challenging Southwestern College on how it handled a campus protest, particularly putting four professors on leave, the Union-Tribune reports.

Race to the Top Fund

Race to the Top Fund

Race to the Top Fund

Purpose Funding Status Eligibility Laws, Regs, & Guidance Applicant Info Resources Performance Contacts

Office of Elementary and Secondary Education Home
Purpose

What's New

More Resources Race to the Top Assessment Program

The rules for the Race to the Top competition have now been finalized!

Thank you to the 1,161 people and organizations who sent us comments on our draft rules—your collective outpouring of thoughtful input prompted us to make numerous changes and improvements to the final application. But just as important, the overwhelming volume of comments demonstrates the potential for Race to the Top to propel the transformational changes that students and teachers need.

You can now find:

The Press Release announcing the final application -->

The Race to the Top Application MSWord (784K)

The key policy details, summarized in the Executive Summary PDF (288K)

A Summary of the Major Changes we made based on the comments we received PDF (376K)

More details for applicants in the Notice Inviting Applications PDF

The full details on Race to the Top, including our responses to comments, in the Notice of Final Priorities PDF (1.3M)

Upcoming Events

We intend to host two Technical Assistance Planning Workshops this December for States who are considering applying. The first will be in Denver, Colorado on December 3, 2009. The second will be in the Washington, D.C. area on December 10, 2009. We recommend that applicants attend one of these two workshops. For those who cannot attend, transcripts of the meetings will be available on our website.

Watch here for more details regarding the workshops.

Program Description

Program Office: Office of Elementary and Secondary Education (OESE)
CFDA Number: 84.395 Program Type: Discretionary/Competitive Grants

Through Race to the Top, we are asking States to advance reforms around four specific areas:
Adopting standards and assessments that prepare students to succeed in college and the workplace and to compete in the global economy;

Building data systems that measure student growth and success, and inform teachers and principals about how they can improve instruction;

Recruiting, developing, rewarding, and retaining effective teachers and principals, especially where they are needed most; and

Turning around our lowest-achieving schools.

Awards in Race to the Top will go to States that are leading the way with ambitious yet achievable plans for implementing coherent, compelling, and comprehensive education reform. Race to the Top winners will help trail-blaze effective reforms and provide examples for States and local school districts throughout the country to follow as they too are hard at work on reforms that can transform our schools for decades to come.

Cutting sports and opportunity at Hartford Public - Rick Green | CT Confidential

Cutting sports and opportunity at Hartford Public - Rick Green CT Confidential:

"This is education reform that makes no sense: eliminating high school sports for city kids.

Is there a population of young males and females more in need of the discipline and motivation that high school athletics can bring?

We've got gangs and shootings while a city council member and staff spend thousands of dollars on travel junkets. There are bonuses for aides to the mayor and raises all around for teachers and administrators. There's just not enough money for high school athletics.

As my colleague Lori Riley wrote this past Sunday, it's over for the 16 boys who hoped to wrestle at Hartford Public High School this year. Tennis, golf, freshman volleyball and JV soccer were also cut."

Alex Jones’ Prison Planet.com » Liberals refuse to admit Obama’s policies look a lot like Bush’s

Alex Jones’ Prison Planet.com » Liberals refuse to admit Obama’s policies look a lot like Bush’s:

"During last year’s Republican National Convention, South Carolina GOP leaders were regularly calling in to talk radio station WTMA to provide event coverage. On the day they were supposed to talk to me, I was informed that Republican Party officials did not wish to speak to Jack Hunter. A denouncer of big government and all its works, I never saw any reason to make special exceptions for Republicans, and for my anti-GOP sins I had become persona non grata.

Today, everyone is denouncing big government. Since Obama’s election, tea party protests have sprung up across the country and conservatives are now rallying loud and clear against Washington’s spending. But liberal politicians and pundits who are calling conservative activists “crazy” — or to borrow MSNBC host Chris Matthew’s phrase, “wing nuts” — have it exactly backwards. It was crazy that anyone who might claim the label “conservative” would also claim to be a part of George W. Bush’s GOP. Today’s conservatives haven’t lost their sanity — they’ve regained it."

Views: A New Manhattan Project - Inside Higher Ed

Views: A New Manhattan Project - Inside Higher Ed:

"The seemingly endless debates about the pros and cons of race-based affirmative action point to two essential conclusions. First, without denying the relevance of moral or philosophical arguments and legal principles, it is important to confront claims with empirical evidence. This is what we do in our new book, No Longer Separate, Not Yet Equal — a study of how students’ racial and social class backgrounds are intimately intertwined with the selective college experience. We find, for instance, that:"

Compared to white applicants at selective private colleges and universities, black applicants receive an admission boost that is equivalent to 310 SAT points, measured on an all-other-things-equal basis. The boost for Hispanic candidates is equal on average to 130 SAT points. Asian applicants face a 140 point SAT disadvantage.

"Descendant" black applicants (those who are in the fourth-or-higher immigrant generation and single race — to a first approximation, the descendants of the American slave population) are admitted to selective colleges at significantly higher rates than "vanguard" black candidates (students who are multiracial and/or first- or second-generation immigrants). Even so, vanguards make up close to 60 percent of all black students on private college campuses and nearly 25 percent at public universities. Vanguards represent even larger shares of black applicant pools.

We find evidence for and against a "mismatch" hypothesis. Students who are the beneficiaries of race-based affirmative action are more likely to graduate, more likely to enroll in professional or graduate schools, and more likely to have higher lifetime incomes if they attend a more selective college. However, class rank at college graduation for a given student is likely to decline as college selectivity goes up.

No boys left behind at Detroit public school | freep.com | Detroit Free Press

No boys left behind at Detroit public school freep.com Detroit Free Press:

"The school-to-prison pipeline, especially in poverty-plagued cities like Detroit, has become a national disgrace. Nearly eight in 10 African-American males drop out of Detroit public schools."

As someone who spends a lot of time in Michigan's prisons, I see where too many of them wind up. Black men make up more than half of the nearly 50,000 people locked up in Michigan, and a similar slice of the more than 2 million people imprisoned in America.

Nationwide, more than half of high school dropouts, ages 16 to 24, are jobless, and an estimated one in 10 male dropouts are in jail. It's no accident that prisoners typically read at a sixth-grade level.

Community leaders, including Mayor Dave Bing and Bishop Edgar L. Vann II, will seek some solutions to this local and national tsunami during the "Boys to Men" education forum on Saturday. I'd suggest they also spend some time at Detroit's Frederick Douglass Academy, an all-male middle and high school that's changing lives and switching the statistics.

Formerly an alternative school for bad boys, Frederick Douglass has become, over the last five years, a high-achieving college preparatory academy. All 32 of this year's graduating class were accepted to college, clocking $1.2 million in scholarships and financial aid. It was one of only a handful of Detroit public high schools to make adequate progress under the No Child Left Behind Act.

Education Week: Peer Review Undergoing Revitalization

Education Week: Peer Review Undergoing Revitalization:

"Around a conference table, six people finger binders stuffed with teaching standards, sheets on which to record teachers’ practices, and handbooks outlining when materials need to be submitted. For good reason: They are now immersed in the intensive period of documenting in writing whether the teachers they counsel have improved over the course of the year. Ultimately, their findings will help determine whether their teacher “clients” remain employed.

The job’s downside—lots of paperwork—contrasts with its high point: helping teachers reach their potential.

“The best part is when you get thankful e-mails and phone calls, when they are just so happy that they’ve tried something new out and seen that it works,” said Greg Barnes, one of..."

Mayor Cory Booker to speak at Pioneer Institute dinner - BostonHerald.com

Mayor Cory Booker to speak at Pioneer Institute dinner - BostonHerald.com:

"The Newark, N.J. mayor who carried on a facetious feud with “Tonight Show” host and Brookline native Conan O’Brien is in Boston tonight to discuss the more sober topic of urban school choice and reform.

Mayor Cory Booker is the keynote speaker at the Lovett C. Peters Lecture and Dinner sponsored by the Pioneer Institute.

Booker, a rising figure in national Democratic politics, proved he could pursue a second career in comedy after carrying on a frivolous spat with O’Brien."

Valdosta State University > International Education Week Nov. 16-20

Valdosta State University International Education Week Nov. 16-20

International Education Week Nov. 16-20

VALDOSTA -- The Center for International Programs will host International Education Week Nov. 16-19 to celebrate the benefits of worldwide education and exchange. Various activities will take place throughout the week to inform the public about different countries, cultures and points of view.

In mid-November, VSU President Patrick J. Schloss signed a university proclamation recognizing the 10th year of this joint effort between the U.S. Departments of State and Education to promote international awareness and exchange worldwide.

View the president’s commitment to international education at http://www.valdosta.edu/news/media/2009/11/proclamation.pdf

The following International Education Week events are free and open to the public:

Monday, Nov. 16 7 p.m. “Parade of the Nations: Breaking Stereotypes” in Powell Hall Auditorium. International students will talk about various stereotypes associated with their countries and dispel myths and misconceptions. An informal question and answer session will follow the various presentations.

Tuesday, Nov. 17 11 a.m-2 p.m. Study Abroad Fair on the Palms Quad Come learn about the latest study abroad and exchange opportunities. 12:30 p.m.-2 p.m. Parade of the Nations: International Talent Show on the Palms Quad. International students will showcase traditional outfits, perform cultural dances and engage in other native demonstrations. Come enjoy the sights and sounds of the world.

Wednesday, Nov. 18 7:30 p.m. International Movie Night: “Pulse: a STOMP Odyssey” Bailey Science Center Auditorium, Room 1101. The Center for International Programs will present the full-length film, “Pulse: a STOMP Odyssey,” a celebration of global beats from the creators of the acclaimed stage production, “STOMP.”

Friday, Nov. 20 2:30 p.m. Society for International Students Cookout at the Center for International Programs, 204 Georgia Avenue. Enjoy free food and fellowship with people of all nations at this tasty event.

Go to http://iew.state.gov/ to learn more about International Education Week and ways you can get involved in the global movement. Call VSU’s Center for International Programs at (229) 333-7410 for more information about the week’s events as well as other study abroad opportunities.

Education reform package produces odd alliances

Education reform package produces odd alliances:

"The package of education reform bills just signed by Gov. Jim Doyle featured an unusual lineup of friends and foes, with politics making some strange bedfellows.

The state’s largest teachers union, Wisconsin Education Association Council, reversed its long-standing opposition to using student test scores to evaluate teacher performance.

The Wisconsin Association of School Boards switched positions, too. In the past, the school board association supported the use of student test data in doing teacher evaluations; this time the group was opposed."

The Milwaukee Association of Commerce, not usually an ally of WEAC, was on record in favor of the legislation. Madison Teachers Inc. did not formally oppose the bills, but executive director John Matthews distanced himself from WEAC’s position, bluntly cautioning against hasty lawmaking in an effort to chase down federal funding.

“We should be careful to change laws based on what’s best in the long run for Wisconsin,” he says.

The new federal funding causing all the fuss is associated with President Barack Obama’s “Race to the Top” program, which allows states to compete for $4.3 billion in stimulus funds aimed at education reform. Obama touted the program last week in Madison at Wright Middle School.

U.S. devises scoring system for school reform contest - washingtonpost.com

U.S. devises scoring system for school reform contest - washingtonpost.com:

"Educators argue endlessly about the merits of one idea or another to improve schools. But with billions of dollars at stake, the Obama administration Thursday will lay out a novel federal system for keeping score.

Making education funding a priority? Good for 10 points. Demonstrating significant progress in raising achievement and closing gaps? That's worth 30. Developing and adopting common academic standards, turning around the lowest-achieving schools and ensuring successful conditions for high-performing charter schools: Those are worth 40 each."

CUNY's got math problem: Report shows many freshmen from city HS fail at basic algebra

CUNY's got math problem: Report shows many freshmen from city HS fail at basic algebra:

"More city kids are graduating from high school, but that doesn't mean they can do college math.

Basic algebra involving fractions and decimals stumped a group of City University of New York freshmen - suggesting city schools aren't preparing them, a CUNY report shows.

'These results are shocking,' said City College Prof. Stanley Ocken, who co-wrote the report on CUNY kids' skills. 'They show that a disturbing proportion of New York City high school graduates lack basic skills.'"

8th-graders' shot at elite high schools better :: CHICAGO SUN-TIMES :: Education

8th-graders' shot at elite high schools better :: CHICAGO SUN-TIMES :: Education:

"Poring over data about eighth-graders who applied to the city's elite college preps, Chicago Public Schools officials discovered an alarming pattern.
High-scoring kids were being rejected simply because of the order in which they listed their college prep preferences."

"I couldn't believe it,'' schools CEO Ron Huberman said. "It's terrible.''

CPS officials said Wednesday they have decided to let any eighth-grader who applied to a college prep for fall 2010 admission re-rank their preferences to better conform with a new selection system.

Previously, some eighth-graders were listing the most competitive college preps as their top choice, forgoing their chances of getting into other schools that would have accepted them if they had ranked those schools higher, official said.

Under the new policy, Huberman said, a computer will assign applicants to the highest-ranked school they qualify for on their list.

The merit-pay test

The merit-pay test:

"With Election Day behind him, Mayor Bloomberg is politically free to drive a much tougher bargain in negotiations on the city's teacher-union contract than he did four years ago.

The current contract expired Oct. 31, and City Hall has already warned that it won't feel bound by the 'pattern' of recent municipal-labor deals, which saw pay hikes of 4 percent. With state and city finances deteriorating by the day, salary raises should be offset by gains elsewhere in the contract, the Citizens Budget Commission recommends.

In tight economic times, real reforms become a must. A 'go along to get along' contract can't be justified."

Dallas-Fort Worth programs helping Hispanic mothers find teaching moments | News for Dallas, Texas | Dallas Morning News | News: Education

Dallas-Fort Worth programs helping Hispanic mothers find teaching moments News for Dallas, Texas Dallas Morning News News: Education

Dallas-Fort Worth programs helping Hispanic mothers find teaching moments


Catalina Vazquez had to become a student herself to learn how to be her child's first teacher.

Jovita Torres wants to help keep her daughter Karen, 3, learning and is doing so with the help of Avance, a program that teaches mothers how to engage their children and prepare them for school. Jovita Torres wants to help keep her daughter Karen, 3, learning and is doing so with the help of Avance, a program that teaches mothers how to engage their children and prepare them for school.

With help from the Dallas nonprofit program Avance, she and other Hispanic mothers are taking a more active role preparing their children for school.
"At school, he likes to read and participate in class," Vazquez said of her 4-year-old son, Angel. "The teacher asked, 'Who taught him this?'

China’s Tough Measures on Flu Appear to Pay Off - NYTimes.com

China’s Tough Measures on Flu Appear to Pay Off - NYTimes.com:

"CHANGGANG, China — Few farmers in this southern village gave much thought to the epidemic that had begun spreading rapidly in the United States early this summer until the authorities sealed its 100 residents off from the outside world for about a week. It turned out that a visitor from California had shown symptoms of the swine flu virus, or H1N1, when he arrived for a funeral."

Quarantines and medical detentions are among the aggressive measures that Chinese officials have taken to slow the transmission of H1N1, which quickly spread worldwide after being diagnosed first in North America.

To protests from around the world, China isolated entire planeloads of people entering the country if anyone on the plane exhibited flulike symptoms. Local authorities canceled school classes at the slightest hint of the disease and ordered students and teachers to stay home. China was virtually alone in taking such harsh measures, which continued throughout most of the summer.

Author will speak about multicultural education - News

Author will speak about multicultural education - News:

"This year's multicultural education conference will feature Brian D. Schultz, author of 'Spectacular Things Happen Along the Way,' an acclaimed and widely read book by Sacramento State education students.

The 16th Annual Multicultural Education Conference entitled 'Social Justice Through Civic Engagement and Action' will be held from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Nov. 14 at the University Union.

It will include a panel forum by the candidates for California State Superintendent of Public Instruction and multiple presentations by faculty and graduate students from the department. Schultz will also have a book signing after the candidates' forum."

Editorial: State must stop destruction of higher education - San Jose Mercury News

Editorial: State must stop destruction of higher education - San Jose Mercury News:

"Faced with a $42 million budget cut, San Jose State University is making the best of a terrible situation.

It will cut enrollment by 2,500 students next year, on top of the 3,000 slots eliminated last year, and give priority to applicants from Santa Clara County. The strategy will help preserve the quality of instruction, and it's the fairest way to choose who will get a coveted spot at SJSU.

Some rejected applicants may be admitted to another California State University campus. But given that the system is shrinking overall enrollment by 40,000, many will end up on the doorsteps of community colleges. These schools are dealing with catastrophic budget cuts of their own."

Michigan will be among the poorest states for years, study says | freep.com | Detroit Free Press

Michigan will be among the poorest states for years, study says freep.com Detroit Free Press:

"Reliance on a shrinking automotive industry, the loss of 1 million jobs, outmoded taxes and lack of government reforms will make Michigan one of the nation's 10 poorest states for the foreseeable future, according to a study released Wednesday."

Michigan's state government -- trailing just Rhode Island and Arizona -- was amid nine states in danger of following California into an even deeper financial crisis, the report by the Pew Center on the States said.

"Michigan is adjusting to a new normal, where the state may just have to deal with a permanent set of pared-back services," said Susan Urahn, managing director for the Washington-based think tank.

Michigan suffers because of chronic deficits fed in part by generous tax exemptions to businesses and retirees and no tax on services, the report says. People 65 and older are the only segment of Michigan's population that's growing.

"In 20 years, we're going to look like Florida if the demographic trends continue, and no one's going to be paying taxes except those ... working," Mitch Bean of the House Fiscal Agency told researchers.

Schwarzenegger estimates another $17 billion budget shortfall -- will education pay again?

Schwarzenegger estimates another $17 billion budget shortfall -- will education pay again?:

"Governor Schwarzenegger is predicting a $17 billion dollar budget shortfall and stated that he will once again propose cuts across the board as the choice method for balancing the budget; however there are only two things that the State of California is constitutionally obligated to pay: for education and for the debts it incurs.

School districts across the State have made unprecedented cuts already. Minimum guarantees have fallen victim to the Sacramento game of smoke and mirrors and the original intent of safeguards, such as Prop 98, have been manipulated and distorted under the guise of not “hurting” education."

After Criticism, the Administration Is Praised for Final Rules on Education Grants - NYTimes.com

After Criticism, the Administration Is Praised for Final Rules on Education Grants - NYTimes.com:

"Three months after provoking an outpouring of criticism with preliminary plans for the nation’s largest competitive education grant program, the Obama administration has added flexibility in the final rules, released Wednesday, drawing praise from a state governor who was initially critical and from leaders of the national teachers’ unions.

But the Race to the Top program, which will reward some states undertaking bold school improvement initiatives with awards totaling $4 billion, retains politically volatile elements."

California could get up to $700 million in U.S. education funds -- latimes.com

California could get up to $700 million in U.S. education funds -- latimes.com:

"California could be eligible for up to $700 million in federal education stimulus funds under guidelines scheduled to be released today by the U.S. Department of Education.

Earlier this year, the Obama administration proposed a series of reforms, including abolishing charter school caps and using student test score data to evaluate educators, as part of a $4.35-billion competitive grant known as Race to the Top. The administration accepted public comment for several months before finalizing the regulations."

Report: 10 states face looming budget disasters | digitalBURG.com

Report: 10 states face looming budget disasters digitalBURG.com:

"SACRAMENTO, Calif. (AP)--In Arizona, the budget has grown so gloomy that lawmakers are considering mortgaging Capitol buildings. In Michigan, state officials dealing with the nation's highest unemployment rate are slashing spending on schools and health care.

Drastic financial remedies are no longer limited to California, where a historic budget crisis earlier this year grew so bad that state agencies issued IOUs to pay bills.

A study released Wednesday warned that at least nine other big states are also barreling toward economic disaster, raising the likelihood of higher taxes, more government layoffs and deep cuts in services"

Faculty works to better SCUSD middle schools - News

Faculty works to better SCUSD middle schools - News:

"Four Sacramento State faculty members have teamed together to work with the Sacramento City Unified School District to improve middle school teaching in science, mathematics and English.

Their professional development project is funded by a four-year Improving Teacher Quality grant, recently awarded by the California Postsecondary Education Commission. The $986,120 grant is part of the federal No Child Left Behind Act.

Led by Pia Wong, professor of bilingual and multicultural education, the project will focus on improving teaching skills and boosting student achievement.

The other faculty members involved are Scott Farrand, professor of mathematics, Judi Kusnick, professor of geology and Debbie Stetson, project director for the CSUS Mathematics Project."