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Bright and Early: The Education Newsblitz

It's the newsblitz and it's coming your way:

• You're new to the country and speak little English. You've only had a few years of schooling in your own tongue. And now you've got to pass the California high school exit exam. Newcomer teens are in a race against time, and Crawford High is one of five campuses that have a special program to help them catch up.
• The Union-Tribune writes that Carlsbad teens swept a national student broadcast competition.
• Also in the UT: Escondido is starting young -- very young -- on the idea of college.
• And the UT editorial page has two arguments on education: It urges City Council to move forward on the schoobrary. And it wants California to keep working to link teacher pay to student test scores.
• Parents and bus drivers in Poway will plead with their school district not to cut bus routes, the North County Times writes.
• The NCT also reports that Vista teachers are going back to the bargaining table with the Vista school district after months of protests at school board meetings.
• Educated Guess blogs that a newly proposed law would allow school districts to lay off teachers based on effectiveness, not seniority, and push back the date for warning teachers of a possible layoff. The California Teachers Association is likely to fight it, John Fensterwald writes.

It's a Race Against Time for San Diego's Newest Teens

Developer of Cell Phone Tool for Migrants Under Investigation by UCSD

Children Make the Rules at This School

How a Strict Earthquake Safety Law Doesn't Apply to All Schools

San Diego's Expulsion Purgatory

Summer School Cuts Could Weaken the Limited Lifeline

Blog Entry: The Letter --a farewell to the American Educational System - CafeMom

Blog Entry: The Letter --a farewell to the American Educational System - CafeMom

The Letter--a Farewell to the American Educational System

The language was PR department perfect. Earnest. Hopeful. Helpful, even.

But the purpose of the letter—buried somewhere toward the end--was also clear. So clear that it took my breath at first.

The district, it said, due to budget constraints, would not be able to offer me an administrative contract for next fall. I could, when the budget dust storm settled and a few positions reopened, apply for another administrative job or join the “teacher pool” to go back into the classroom.

It’s not like I didn’t see it coming. In fact, we’d been told that all K-8 schools would be down to one orno assistant principals—and in some cases, no full time principal either. And we’d also been told that all of us working at schools with more than one AP would receive pink slips. In fact, all assistant principals probably would, to allow for some shuffling.

In every scenario the message, for me, was the same. I was done.

Now, due to circumstances completely under my control, after that first, “Ouch,” I merely laughed, passed the letter around to friends in the administrative offices of my middle school and put it into my purse. I may frame it. It’s my first “pink slip,” ever.

And it’s meaningless in my case. You see, I’m retiring. In fact, I’d told my principal last year that to save the younger AP she’d just hired, I was totally ready to go and would file the necessary paperwork as soon as possible. So I should never have received a letter. There’d been a glitch somewhere in HR.

I wrote to them at once to tell them to recheck their retiree list. To rub their noses in it a little bit—I’m entitled to a little rebelliousness after 20 plus years--I also told them that while I was “highly qualified” to teach English (a coveted qualification these days), I would not be asking to join the “teacher pool” or to be considered for any of the few administrative positions that the 63 other administrators who received those letters—and the others who’ll get them later--will be competing for. If there are any.

Real College Acceptance Rates Are Higher Than You Think � The Quick and the Ed

Real College Acceptance Rates Are Higher Than You Think � The Quick and the Ed

Real College Acceptance Rates Are Higher Than You Think Every year around this time colleges and universities release their acceptance rates. Every year the most selective colleges report that acceptance rates are at an all-time low, which freaks out the next class of high school juniors to no end. So ...

Your chance to stand up for TJ! The Texas State Board of Education has posted its proposed Social Studies standards (you know–the ones that take Thomas Jefferson out of the list of Enlightenment thinkers). Here’s your chance to weigh in. It’s especially important for Texans to ...

VAR Partners � Blog Archive � Less Deliberation; More Leadership

VAR Partners � Blog Archive � Less Deliberation; More Leadership

Less Deliberation; More Leadership

Looking for signs of leadership in the newly formed Senate HELP Committee, I watched the entire education hearing held last Tuesday. The deliberative chamber is certainly taking it’s time considering reauthorization of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act (ESEA)—the sweeping education omnibus that in its last iteration became the driving force in American education. Taking an extra year could actually be a good thing if a coherent bill was in formation, but it’s difficult to detect where bipartisan leadership will emerge on this committee to complement Miller’s leading man role in the House.

Joel Klein, NYC Chancellor, and Marco Petruzzi, Green Dot CEO, headlined the panel. The Committee was at least deferential to the successful close/replace strategy that the two have executed on opposite coasts. Klein, having replaced 90 failing schools with 400 new schools, argued that districts should use outside partners given their ability to attract talent and deliver coherent solutions.

Sen. Harkin noted that the entire panel supported schools of a manageable size but desperately wanted the answer to be class size. The panel unanimously suggested teacher quality was a much more important variable. Harkin suggested that there should be a child psychologist to every classroom—this could be a long deliberation.

Fun Math Blog How far would Mantle’s mighty smash have traveled, had it not smacked the upper façade?

Fun Math Blog

How far would Mantle’s mighty smash have traveled, had it not smacked the upper façade?

by Sol

Princeton University Press is interviewing its authors in April for Math Awareness Month. This year’s theme is Mathematics and sports.

This morning Princeton University Press published an interview with Mike Huber, author of Mythematics, a book I reviewed last October. It turns out that Huber is passionate about baseball, especially about the Mathematics of the sport.

As part of our Math Awareness Month celebrations we interviewed previous faculty member of the United States Military Academy at West Point and current Associate Professor of Mathematics at Muhlenberg College, Dr. Mike Huber. Although Huber teaches courses ranging from Statistics to Calculus his real passion is sabermetrics, the computerized measurement of baseball statistics.

The Educated Reporter: Get your teacher quality groove on, today.

The Educated Reporter: Get your teacher quality groove on, today.

Get your teacher quality groove on, today.

Turns out you can see today’s 3 p.m. event on teacher quality even if you aren’t in D.C. Register for the live webcast here. It’s Joel Klein, Randi Weingarten, David Monk, Andy Rotherham and me. We are dispensing with the whole prepared-remarks thing and going “Meet the Press” style, me being the press. Is there something you want me to ask? Put it in the comments below.

Promise and Pitfalls: Creating a World-Class Teaching Profession Monday, April 19th, 2010 3:00p.m. - 4:30p.m/ Reception 4:30p.m.-5:30p.m.

Event Registration ♦ Register for event here» ♦ Register for live webcast here» ♦ Join the conversation on facebook» About the Event The $4.3 billion "Race to the Top" federal funds provide an unprecedented opportunity to drive landmark teacher quality reforms across the country. The focus is right. Hard evidence confirms that teacher quality is the key to improving student achievement. The timing is none too soon. A Nation at Riskrang the clarion call about U.S. education 27 years ago this month. The U.S. has fallen behind many of its competitor nations in educational attainment and achievement. Can reforming the teaching profession lead the way to a world-class education for America’s students in the 21st century global economy? The contributors to a new book edited by Dan Goldhaber and Jane Hannaway, Creating a New Teaching Profession, argue the answer is YES, but it will require rethinking the processes that govern teaching talent from the ground up. In this book, notable scholars, including Eric Hanushek (Stanford University), Frederick Hess (American Enterprise Institute), Alan Blinder (Princeton University), and Jennifer King Rice (University of Maryland) draw on evidence, international practice, and private sector lessons to identify systemic factors that determine the quality of the U. S. teaching workforce and propose bold reforms to tackle this human capital challenge. Chancellor of New York City Schools Joel Klein, AFT President Randi Weingarten, Dean of Penn State School of Education David Monk and Co-Founder and Partner of Bellwether Education Andrew J. Rotherham respond to the bold new approaches posed by the scholars and weigh in on the practical and political promise and pitfalls of these reforms. Panelists Joel I. Klein, Chancellor, New York City Schools Randi Weingarten, President, American Federation of Teachers    Andrew J. Rotherham, Co-Founder and Partner, Bellwether Education Moderator Linda Perlstein, Public Editor, Education Writers Association

http://www.examiner.com/examiner/x-16322-Colorado-Charter-Schools-Examiner~y2010m4d19-Last-weeks-Colorado-charter-school-roundup

http://www.examiner.com/examiner/x-16322-Colorado-Charter-Schools-Examiner~y2010m4d19-Last-weeks-Colorado-charter-school-roundup

Last week's Colorado charter school roundup

A number of charter schools related news items hit last week. Perhaps the biggest was that Speaker of the House Terrence Carroll withdrew his three bills designed to regulate charter schools and charter authorizers. Instead, he is proposing a study for a year into best practices in charter school authorizing.According to Indenvertimes.com, House Bill 10-1412 seems to be a replacement for the other bills that had been discussed. This gives both proponents and opponents of the proposed regulation to consider what laws would be best for improving the oversight of charter schools without schools losing the freedoms to innovate.

In another big move, Democratic Senator Michael Johnston has introduced a bill that would tie teacher tenure to various performance expectation. Teachers in Steamboat Springs have already expressed opposition to the bill.

According to the Berthoud Reporter, New Vision Charter Schoolselected a new principal this past week. Carmella M. Schroeder was chosen to lead the K-8 school in the Loveland/Berthoud area. Ms. Schroeder comes to NVCS from The Pinnacle charter School in Denver.

Monument Academy is seeking to end its chartering relationship with its school district and become authorized by the Charter School Institute. The school believes it can save money by eliminating some district provided services, including special education.

Senator Keith King's bill to allow charter schools to pool together for purchasing goods and services

Saving a neighborhood school � Ventura County Star

Saving a neighborhood school � Ventura County Star

Saving a neighborhood school

The concept of a neighborhood public elementary school is as American as apple pie. Neighborhood schools provide our children neighborhood friends. A neighborhood school also provides a culture similar to the culture in which our homes are located.

Further, in a neighborhood school, our children are generally closer to us — we can get to them more quickly in emergencies when we must. Finally, we can attend meetings at school more easily if our house is near to the school.

The concept of a neighborhood school is being severely tested right now in the small, rurally isolated town of Piru. Culturally, it is home to ranchers and farmers who have lived among the citrus orchards, palm trees and cactus for generations. A large Spanish-speaking population, some of them migrant, also live both in Piru and close by in a housing development called Rancho Sespe.

Piru contains one public elementary school. A sign on campus reads, “Piru Elementary School Est. 1887.” Of its 345 students, Spanish is the home language for 191 of the students, or 55 percent. The nearest elementary school outside of Piru is San Cayetano, which is also part of Fillmore Unified School District. It is 6 miles west of Piru, down busy Highway 126.

Piru has an even smaller group of tenured teachers, 9 out of 17, who work at elementary school and have filed a petition with the California Department of Education to convert the school to a charter school. What conversion means is that the school would no longer

Media Advisories--Department of Education

Media Advisories--Department of Education

Event Date: Tuesday, April 20 at 9:45 a.m. ET

Contacts: Jane Glickman or Stephanie Babyak, (202) 401-1576 or press@ed.gov

UNDER SECRETARY MARTHA KANTER TO ADDRESS SEN. SHERROD BROWN’S 2010 OHIO COLLEGE PRESIDENTS’ CONFERENCE

U.S. Under Secretary Martha Kanter will address Sen. Sherrod Brown’s third annual Ohio College Presidents Conference at 9:45 a.m. ET on Tuesday, April 20, at the U.S. Capitol Visitor’s Center. Her remarks will focus on President Obama’s goal for America to once again have the highest percentage of college graduates in the world by the year 2020, as well as how to prepare college graduates for employment and keep them in Ohio to strengthen the state’s economy.

Event Date: Tuesday, April 20, 2010
Contacts: Jane Glickman, Stephanie Babyak, (202) 401-1576 or press@ed.gov

SECRETARY DUNCAN DISCUSSES DEPARTMENT’S EFFORTS TO SUPPORT HEALTH EQUITY AT CONGRESSIONAL BLACK CAUCUS HEALTH BRAINTRUST EVENT

U.S. Secretary of Education Arne Duncan will headline a panel discussion exploring recently launched federal government efforts to eliminate health disparities and achieve health equity at the Congressional Black Caucus (CBC) Health Braintrust/National Minority Quality Forum Leadership Summit on Tuesday, April 20, at 2:30 p.m. ET. The event is being held at the Ritz Carlton Hotel, 1150 22nd St. N.W., Washington, D.C.

During the panel discussion, which will be moderated by Congresswoman Donna Christensen, Secretary Duncan will discuss the administration’s FY 2011 budget proposal for Promise Neighborhoods. The president has proposed $210 million for Promise Neighborhoods, a competitive grant program modeled on the Harlem Children's Zone that combines comprehensive social services with school improvements in order to transform whole neighborhoods.

This year’s summit brings together legislators, policy makers, clinical experts, and distinguished honorees

Event Date: Monday-Tuesday, April 19-20, 2010
Contacts: Jim Bradshaw or Elaine Quesinberry, (202) 401-1576 or press@ed.gov

DEPUTY SECRETARY MILLER TO VISIT SAN FRANCISCO SCHOOL, MEET BUSINESS LEADERS, PARTICIPATE IN CITY HALL FORUM WITH PARENTS

U.S. Deputy Secretary of Education Tony Miller will visit San Francisco Monday and Tuesday, meeting business leaders, touring a school and participating in a City Hall forum where he will listen to parents and brief them on the administration's efforts to promote educational excellence.

Miller, the No. 2 official at the U.S. Department of Education, will begin Monday at a breakfast meeting, providing business leaders at the Bay Area Council with an overview of the department’s agenda and identifying the important role they can play in education reform.

From 10:30 a.m. to noon, he will visit Marshall Elementary School, holding a roundtable discussion with teachers and school leaders to learn about their reform efforts, including a parent involvement initiative, a quality afterschool program and collaborative professional development.

On Tuesday, Miller will participate in a City Hall forum with parent organizations from 2 to 3:30 p.m. to learn about their work and share with them the school, student and parent focus of the Education Department's reform projects. Among those expected to attend will be representatives of the Parent Advisory Board, Parents for Public Schools, PTA and Coleman Advocates.

Event Date: Monday, April 19, 2010 at 8 a.m. EDT
Contacts: Jane Glickman or Stephanie Babyak, (202) 401-1576

U.S. SECRETARY OF EDUCATION ARNE DUNCAN TO ADDRESS 15TH ANNUAL NATIONAL CAPITOL FORUM ON HISPANIC HIGHER EDUCATION (HACU)

Event Date: Monday-Tuesday, April 19-20, 2010
Contacts: Jim Bradshaw or Elaine Quesinberry, (202) 401-1576 or press@ed.gov

DEPUTY SECRETARY MILLER TO VISIT SAN FRANCISCO SCHOOL, MEET BUSINESS LEADERS, PARTICIPATE IN CITY HALL FORUM WITH PARENTS

U.S. Deputy Secretary of Education Tony Miller will visit San Francisco Monday and Tuesday, meeting business leaders, touring a school and participating in a City Hall forum where he will listen to parents

Event Date: Monday, April 19 – 9 a.m.-3 p.m. CDT
Contacts: David Thomas, (202) 401-1576 or press@ed.gov

DEPARTMENT OFFICIALS TO CONDUCT MEETINGS WITH TRIBAL OFFICIALS

Senior education officials to receive feedback on various education matters affecting American Indian and Alaska Native students

The Educated Reporter: Why we can't judge on clicks alone—or even mostly.

The Educated Reporter: Why we can't judge on clicks alone—or even mostly.

Why we can't judge on clicks alone—or even mostly.

That Pulitzer-prize-winning Bristol Herald Courier series on rural Virginians being denied royalties to the natural gas production under their land got less than half the hits of a story about local waitresses being picked for a Hooters calendar, according to the paper’s editor, quoted in the

Parents Organize In Hawaii | Engaging Parents In School...

Parents Organize In Hawaii | Engaging Parents In School...

Parents Organize In Hawaii Parents have been organizing to expand Hawaii’s shortest school year in the nation. You can read about their latest action here. If you scroll down, you see links to many stories about their previous efforts.

Parents Oppose Charter Conversion Saving a neighborhood school is an article in the Ventura County Star about an attempt to convert a public elementary school. The interesting thing is that the majority of parents — predominantly Latino — oppose the conversion. I obviously don’t know ...

Presidential Proclamation- National Day of Service and Remembrance for Victims and Survivors of Terrorism | The White House

Presidential Proclamation- National Day of Service and Remembrance for Victims and Survivors of Terrorism | The White House

Presidential Proclamation- National Day of Service and Remembrance for Victims and Survivors of Terrorism

NATIONAL DAY OF SERVICE AND REMEMBRANCE FOR VICTIMS AND SURVIVORS OF TERRORISM, 2010

BY THE PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

A PROCLAMATION

There is no greater evil than willful violence against innocents. On this National Day of Service and Remembrance for Victims and Survivors of Terrorism, we pause to remember victims of terrorism at home and abroad, we honor the heroes who have supported them, and we redouble our efforts to build the kind of world that is worthy of their legacy.

Fifteen years ago, terrorists bombed the Alfred P. Murrah Federal Building in Oklahoma City, killing over 160 men, women, and children, and injuring hundreds more. Even before the dust settled, heroes had emerged. First responders, medical professionals, clergy, relief organizations, local leaders, and everyday citizens stepped forward to help victims and their families. Again, when terrorists struck on September 11, 2001, and thousands of Americans –- and scores of foreign nationals --perished in New York City, at the Pentagon, and in Shanksville, Pennsylvania, Americans made a historic effort to assist all those affected. The dignity of those who were attacked -- and the courage of those who came to their aid -- reaffirmed the strength of our Nation, and the human spirit.

Terrorists prey on the innocent and vulnerable, and have nothing to offer except hatred and destruction. No cause justifies their actions, yet they have claimed many victims around the world. Wherever they kidnap or kill, they reveal only their own bankrupt vision, and disrupt or destroy lives. Their actions impact not only their victims, but the families, friends, and fellow citizens of those who are targeted.

Survivors of terrorism and their families, though bound at first by anguish and loss, are united by extraordinary acts of courage, love, faith, and commitment. They have risen against terrorism in the aftermath of the Oklahoma City bombing, the September 11 attacks, and other incidents of violence around the world. They are giving a voice to victims, speaking out against violent and extremist ideologies, easing the suffering of survivors, and helping them heal and hope once more.

Today, let us honor the good works of this inspiring movement that shows us that hope is more powerful than fear, and recognize the sacrifice of extraordinary citizens worldwide who have shown fortitude in the face of unspeakable tragedy.

NOW, THEREFORE, I, BARACK OBAMA, President of the United States of America, by virtue of the authority vested in me by the Constitution and the laws of the United States, do hereby proclaim April 19, 2010, as National Day of Service and Remembrance for Victims and Survivors of Terrorism. I call upon all departments, agencies, and instrumentalities of the United States to display the flag of the United States at half staff on this day in honor of the individuals who lost their lives as a result of terrorism. I invite the Governors of the United States and the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico and interested organizations and individuals to join in this observance. I encourage all Americans to observe this solemn day of remembrance with appropriate ceremonies, activities, and acts of community service in memory of the victims and survivors of terrorism worldwide.

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand this sixteenth day of April, in the year of our Lord two thousand ten, and of the Independence of the United States of America the two hundred and thirty-fourth.

BARACK OBAMA

Complimentary E-copy: Teaching as an Act of Love:Thoughts and Recollections of a Former Teacher, Principal and Kid > Richard Lakin's Thanks2Teachers.com - A Wellspring of Teacher Appreciation and Teacher Inspiration > Inspiration for Teachers and Parents

Complimentary E-copy: Teaching as an Act of Love:Thoughts and Recollections of a Former Teacher, Principal and Kid > Richard Lakin's Thanks2Teachers.com - A Wellspring of Teacher Appreciation and Teacher Inspiration > Inspiration for Teachers and Parents
Inspiration for Teachers and Parents
Complimentary E-copy: Teaching as an Act of Love:Thoughts and Recollections of a Former Teacher, Principal and Kid

Here's your complimentary e-copy of my book!
Click on the title below:
Teaching as an Act of Love:
Thoughts and Recollections of a Former Teacher, Principal and Kid 

This is copyrighted material, but you are free to and encouraged to FORWARD it to anyone you wish--teachers, parents, colleagues, students, friends--as long as you don't make any changes or profit from its use.

If you prefer a paperback edition or to give it as a gift to a teacher or a friend, you can purchase it online at:
Amazon | Barnes & Noble
Thanks,
Richard

This Week In Education AM News: Okla. Victims' Children, 15 Years Later

This Week In Education

AM News: Okla. Victims' Children, 15 Years Later

by Alexander Russo

Okla. bombing victims' children build new lives AP: Dion Thomas' life began spiraling out of control after her mother was killed in the Oklahoma City bombing, when the straight-A student started skipping classes and saw her grades slip to D's, F's and incompletes... Washington area vies for Round 2 of Race to the Top funds Washington Post: Washington area vies for Round 2 of Race to the Top funds...Supreme Court To Hear All-Comers Policy CaseNPR: The U.S. Supreme Court hears arguments in a case testing whether state colleges and universities can deny official status and subsidies to student groups that bar gay and other groups from membership. The case could affect public institutions across the country...Does D.C. School System Really Have A Surplus? NPR: Washington D.C. schools chancellor Michelle Rhee and the teachers union have reached agreement on a new contract after more than two years of wrangling... Education" href="http://www.nytimes.com/2010/04/19/education/19regents.html" target="_blank" style="color: rgb(34, 68, 187); ">Alternative Education for Teachers Gaining Ground NYT: In New York, alternative teacher programs may soon offer a master’s degree, delivering a blow to education schools... Education" href="http://www.nytimes.com/2010/04/19/nyregion/19tradebooks.html" target="_blank" style="color: rgb(34, 68, 187); ">New York Schools Streamline Trade-Book Purchasing NYT: New York school officials say the new process will save the city $18 million this year, but local companies complain that it will put them out of business...Students from Haiti's Only Film School Keep Their Cameras Rolling PBS: When New York filmmaker Annie Nocenti became the first teacher at Cine Institute, Haiti's only film school, two years ago, she was excited to see what her students would capture. Last Tuesday, her students faced their most challenging test when a powerful earthquake ravaged the island...NY teen charged with threatening school massacre AP: Police say a 17-year-old boy on New York's Long Island threatened to go on a shooting spree at his former school on the anniversary of the Columbine (KAHL'-uhm-byn) High massacre... Food-fighting students get 'cheesy' punishment from lunch ladies AP: Cafeteria workers served only cheese sandwiches for two days as punishment for a food fight in Atlantic City

National Journal Online -- Education Experts

National Journal Online -- Education Experts

The Florida Teacher Bill

Florida Gov. Charlie Crist last Thursday vetoed legislation approved by the Republican-controlled legislature that would have overhauled the state's education system by eliminating the traditional teacher tenure system and linking teacher pay to student performance. The backlash from teachers, students and other concerned citizens wasunprecedented: Crist's office received thousands of e-mails and phone calls in opposition to

How Should Students Be Assessed?

The Education Department unveiled final regulations last week for its $350 million assessment grant competition. A component of the $4.35 billion Race to the Top program -- the Obama administration's signature education initiative -- the competition aims to "create a new generation of tests that measure critical thinking skills and a broader range of

Should Undocumented Students Get Federal Support?

Thousands rallied on the National Mall on March 21 in support of comprehensive immigration reform, including the DREAM Act. Formally known as the Development, Relief, and Education for Alien Minors Act, the measure would allow undocumented student immigrants who meet certain conditions to receive federal assistance to attend college and a