Wednesday, April 28, 2010

New City Council bill aims to overhaul city space estimates | GothamSchools

New City Council bill aims to overhaul city space estimates

by Maura Walz

New legislation introduced in the City Council aims to change the way the city decides when a school is filled to capacity.
Many of the city’s most heated education battles, from how to solve overcrowding to the charter school space wars, boil down to one question: whether the city has adequately planned how many students fit in each school building.
The bill, sponsored by 23 of the Council’s 51 members, would require the Department of Education to break down its space capacity estimates into much more detail than the city currently reports. Instead of offering a single figure for how many students a school building can accommodate, generated by an abstruse formula, the city would have to reveal specific data points about each building, such as whether rooms such as gymnasiums, libraries or science labs have been converted to general classroom space.
The bill would also require the city to use the class size limits the state has set when planning how buildings will

Bronx high school may be the last of its kind to see scanners

by Anna Phillips

For it’s size, which is colossal, Herbert Lehman High School has been one of the Bronx’s safest high schools for years. But recent changes and a spate of fights have put the school on track to get permanent metal detectors next year.
If Lehman does get scanners, it means there will be no large, comprehensive high school in the Bronx without them.
Department of Education spokesman Marge Feinberg said the city’s police department has yet to decide whether to install permanent scanners next year, but students and teachers at the school said they’ve been told to expect scanners in September.
Metal detectors in airports and government buildings are standard fare, but in the city’s public schools, they’re

THE EDUCATION FRONT Blog | The Dallas Morning News

How DISD is engaging parents

by William McKenzie/Editorial Columnist

What educators worry about over the summer time is the amount of knowledge their students may lose. Between the closing of school doors in early June to their reopening in late August, students often lose some gains they made over the previous school year.
That's a risk for students from all socio-economic groups, but there's a difference for children from more affluent families. They often attend summer day camps that feed them academically. As a result, they are less likely to lose as much knowledge over the summer months. Their programs help them begin the school year ahead of peers from lower-income families, and they often stay that way for the next nine months.
The educators in the Dallas school district get this point, which is why they are hosting a Summer Quest meeting at the Yvonee A. Ewell Townview Center on Saturday from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Several dozen organizations will host booths at the meeting to inform parents and students about summer enrichment opportunities, from arts classes to reading programs to student jobs.
The meeting provides a perfect chance for parents to enroll their children in a challenging summer environment. The gathering especially is a good opportunity for families that don't know much about summer opportunities across Dallas.
In other words, it's a way for parents to step up for their child's own good. After studying the work of exceptional

Two UC Divestment Votes Coming Tonight � Student Activism

Two UC Divestment Votes Coming Tonight

by Angus Johnston

The saga of the UC Berkeley student government’s Israel divestment resolution continues this evening, in the final student senate meeting of the academic year.
Meanwhile, students at the University of California San Diego, inspired by the Berkeley example, will be bringing a vote on a similar resolution to their own student government for the first time tonight.
Neither of the two resolutions call for divestment from Israeli businesses. Instead, each urges divestment from

135 Berkeley Faculty Call for Suspension of Disciplinary Action Against Student Protesters

by Angus Johnston

Saying that “current disciplinary procedures are so badly flawed that they should be abandoned at this time,” more than a hundred Berkeley professors have signed a petition asking administrators to suspend disciplinary proceedings against students who participated in campus protests on November 20 and December 11, 2009.
Citing specific inadequacies in the campus code of conduct and “flagrant instances of bad judgment on the part of those conducting the inquiries,” the petitioners argue that “no just outcome can emerge from these procedures in their current form.” In closing, they ask the university to re-affirm its commitment

to rights of free speech, which include rights to peaceful protest. If these rights are arbitrarily suspended or

New Jersey High Schoolers Stage Huge Walkout
by Angus Johnston
Tens of thousands of New Jersey high school students walked out of classes yesterday in what the New York Times called “one of the largest grass-roots demonstrations to hit New Jersey in years.” The protests were a response to school funding cuts by New Jersey’s new governor, and to the rejection of school funding measures in ballot initiatives across the state last week.
The walkouts were the result of a Facebook call-to-arms posted weeks ago by Michelle Ryan Lauto, an 18-year-old college first-year and 2009 graduate of Northern Valley Regional High School in Old Tappan.
Governor Christopher Christie belittled the protests in a statement, expressing the “firm hope that the students

A Report Worth Reading � The Quick and the Ed

A Report Worth Reading

by Erin Dillon

Fordham’s latest report Charter School Autonomy: A Half-Broken Promise is well worth reading (disc: I was on the advisory panel). We’ve known for a while that some states restrict charter school freedoms more than others, but this report adds an important dimension to the issue of charter school autonomy by digging into how charter school authorizers do, or don’t, restrict charter school operations. The report finds that on average authorizers reduce charter schools’ overall autonomy ‘grade’ from a B+ to a B-.
Autonomy and accountability are often thought of as a trade-off in charter schooling–expanded autonomy in exchange for increased accountability. But this report shows that there is also an intersection between autonomy and accountability, and that accountability may ultimately impinge on autonomy. This may be in the form of additional requirements in a charter application, subtle pressure from an authorizer to use a particular

Classified Employees of 2010 - Year 2010 (CA Dept of Education)

State Schools Chief Jack O'Connell Announces Selection of California's 2010 Classified School Employees of the Year

SACRAMENTO — State Superintendent of Public Instruction Jack O'Connell today named six exemplary school employees as California's 2010 Classified School Employees of the Year.

"I am proud to announce the selection of six remarkable people who provide enormous support and expertise that is key to their schools' work to improve student achievement and close the achievement gap," said O'Connell. "They represent the best of California's dedicated school support community that is integral to school site operations and the success of our students."

The annual program honors six outstanding classified school employees, each representing one of the following categories: child nutrition, maintenance and operations, office and technical support, para-educator and instructional assistance, support services and security, and transportation.

The 2010 Classified School Employees of the Year are:

Child Nutrition: Darlene Hill, Child Nutrition Worker II, Cajon Valley Union School District, San Diego County.

Ms. Hill has been the nutrition worker at Lexington Elementary School for 17 years. "Darlene approaches her job…with enthusiasm and a love for the children of Lexington School," writes Principal Sylvia Casas-Werkman. "She transforms the auditorium into an environment that is positive and warm for children and greets each child by their first name as they enter."

Maintenance and Operations: Fred Avelar, Head Custodian, North Humboldt Union School District, Humboldt County.

Mr. Avelar has been the lead custodian at McKinleyville High School for 17 years. "Fred serves our staff and students first and never fails to give a few words of encouragement to anyone in need," writes Principal David Lonn. "He is an exceptional employee, providing the school and district his attention to detail and expertise on a daily basis. He participates in the school on many levels, including serving on the Safe School Committee and the School Site Council."

Office and Technical: Cindy Mangan, School Secretary, Twin Rivers Unified School District, Sacramento County.

Ms. Mangan has been the school secretary at the Regency Park Elementary School for five years and a school secretary for more than 20 years. "Cindy's daily work, focus to detail, and commitment to relationships is greatly responsible for building our school's positive culture," states Principal Mike Reed. "Everyone knows they can count on Cindy to support them, follow through on her commitments, and meet any timelines required."

Para-Educator and Instructional Assistance: Jerilyn Binker, Instructional Assistant, Nevada County Office of Education, Nevada County.

Ms. Binker has been an instructional assistant at Nevada City School of the Arts for 13 years. "Jeri possesses all the qualities needed to be an excellent aide: she is kind, calm, always fair with children, and she cares deeply and passionately about her work with the students," writes School Director Holly Pettitt. "She comes to school every day with such positive energy it is impossible not to feel good around her. Jerilyn is the perfect employee."

Support Services and Security: Olga Arrieta, Community Liaison, Alum Rock Union School District, Santa Clara County.

Ms. Arrieta has been a Community Liaison at Dorsa Elementary School for seven years. "During this time Olga has proven to be the most committed employee, an essential team member, and outstanding leader," writes Principal Norma Rodriguez. "Her commitment to support and empower all parents to work as a team with the school community to ensure high-quality education for all students is lived with high energy and absolute determination for excellence in every task she undertakes."

Transportation: Phil Slater, Vehicle and Equipment Mechanic, Newport-Mesa Unified School District, Orange County.

Mr. Slater has been a mechanic in the Newport-Mesa Unified School District Transportation Department since 1978. "What really sets Phil apart is the manner in which he approaches issues," writes Pete Meslin, director of transportation. "He is thorough, thoughtful, dependable, and takes his responsibility for child safety seriously. Phil is an integral part of a very successful team of mechanics."

O'Connell personally notified and congratulated the winners Wednesday morning by phone.

Ninety-four applicants from 25 counties competed for the 2010 awards. Each of the awardees underwent a county and state review process. At the state level, applications were reviewed by a team of job category experts, including at least one member representing local educational agency administration, one member representing employee job-alike groups, and one member provided by the California Department of Education who reviewed the candidates on the basis of at least five years of service in their nomination category. Candidate evaluation was organized around four themes: work performance, school/community involvement, leadership and commitment, and service above and beyond.

O'Connell will formally honor the six award recipients on May 18 at a recognition luncheon he is hosting in Sacramento. The luncheon coincides with California's observation of the Classified School Employee Week, May 17-21, 2010.

The California Classified School Employees of the Year Award is sponsored by the California Department of Education in partnership with the California School Employees Association, Service Employees International Union, California Teachers Association, California Federation of Teachers, Association of California School Administrators, California School Boards Association, and business and industry organizations.

For more information on the California Classified School Employees of the Year Program, please visit: Classified School Employee of the Year - School/Teacher Recognition.

The Rancho Cordova Post — Local News, Events, Things to Do

Rancho Cordova City Staff Wins Prestigious Volunteer Award

by HELEN BREWER on APRIL 28, 2010 · 0 COMMENTS

in NEWS, VIEWPOINTS

Photo Courtesy of the City of Rancho Cordova

Rancho Cordova city staff were the honored with the “Hands on Sacramento Award for Encouraging Year-Round Employee Volunteerism” at the recent People Helping People Awards Luncheon in Sacramento. They were nominated for their volunteer efforts which included a list of 66 projects and activities on the nomination form and involved 100% of City staff.

If there is a community venture or need, City staff members help out in a variety of ways. Staffers have mentored students, participated in Rancho Cordova’s Relay for Life, staffed booths at community events, helped at e-waste clean-ups, donated socks and shoes for homeless students, and funded scholarships; they’ve donated blood, gotten muddy at the Mather Mud Run, and built floats for parades. Some activities take place during the noon

The California Majority Report // Ex-Phoenix Sun, Sacramento Mayor Urges Arizona Boycott over Immigration Law

Ex-Phoenix Sun, Sacramento Mayor Urges Arizona Boycott over Immigration Law

Sacramento Mayor Kevin Johnson today will move to sever the city's economic ties with Arizona in the wake of the state's new immigration law. Johnson wrote a personal note on his blog today: It's here in the entirety:

I've never said much about this, but there was deep personal sadness when I was traded from the Cleveland Cavaliers to the Phoenix Suns in February 1988. 

The trouble had no connection with basketball. I was ashamed of my new state for another reason: A year before

The Quick and the Ed QUICK Hits

The Quick and the Ed

QUICK Hits

Quick Hits is a short compilation of question-raising news stories, blog posts, and video clips that Education Sector team members are reading and viewing each day. The content of these Hits is not necessarily endorsed by the organization or any particular team member.

Riding the bus to and from school can be a noisy, chaotic, and sometimes dangerous trek. But what if the school bus transformed into a library? (MSNBC)

Will generous donors “pay it forward” when scholarships and financial aid run out for needy college students? (CO-Fund)

Are some charter schools really “apartheid schools,” like the authors of a UCLA Civil Rights Project report claim? Jay Greene exposes the flaws of this argument. (Jay P. Greene)

By The Numbers: What impact are hiring freezes having on alternative teaching certification programs in NYC? (Gotham Schools)

If you can’t beat ‘em, Tweet ‘em? (NPR)

Leaders, Teachers and Turnarounds A new synthesis of research on school principals by CALDER (pdf) is a timely reminder of the importance of good leadership. A few key takeaways: How important is the quality of a principal? Very. Principals affect a range of outcomes, including ...

The California Master Plan: Transfer Students and Community Colleges *50 years ago Monday the California Legislature signed into law the 1960 California Master Plan for Higher Education. Read a brief history of the Plan and how it intersects with the SAT and affirmative action.* The California Master Plan is best ...

voiceofsandiego.org | Ne'A White Elephant Wanted by a Few Select Interests'

voiceofsandiego.org | News. Investigation. Analysis. Conversation. Intelligence.

'A White Elephant Wanted by a Few Select Interests'

A candidate who wants to unseat Katherine Nakamura on the San Diego Unified school board is taking aim at her decision to support the schoobrary, a charter school located in the planned downtown library.

Business owner and school board candidate Steve Rosen sent out a press release last night calling the move "foolish" and arguing that it wasn't what voters had in mind when they approved $2.1 billion in bond funding to renovate schools:

This is a classic case of "bait and switch" and is unfair to students, teachers and taxpayers. ... We need to fix the roofs, repair classrooms and attend to the needs of students, not waste scarce funding on unrealistic plans for a white elephant wanted by a few select interests.

Nakamura, who represents the northeastern areas of San Diego Unified, has been one of the strongest backers of the idea of placing a charter school in the library. She voted last night to approve leasing two floors of the library for the school, praising it as a valuable partnership with the city and a new resource for kids.

Bright and Early: The Education Newsblitz

If you want to get the gory details on what happened at the school board meeting last night, you can always check out my Twitter feed. Now for the newsblitz:

We blogged about the latest news from the San Diego Unified school board: Studentswon't have to take an Advanced Placement test to get a higher grade in AP classes. And the schoobrary took another key step forward when the school board approved a lease with the city.
Marsha Sutton at SDNN writes that the AP decision puts San Diego Unified in line with other districts.
Two Escondido school districts are weighing whether to unify, the North County Times reports.
California lost out on the first round of Race to the Top, a competition between states for more school money. Now it has a new strategy for the second round, the Los Angeles Times reports: Only having three large districts apply. San Diego Unified, which has sat out on Race to the Top, isn't one of them.
Educated Guess blogs about how a radio show, This American Life, challenged the way that California gubernatorial candidate Steve Poizner portrayed a San Jose high school. I just listened to the show last night and it is fascinating stuff.
The new No Child Left Behind could focus more on student health and other needs outside the classroom, Education Week writes.

Malcolm X’s Killer Released after 44 Years? Sorry But the Real Killers Never Went to Jail � Davey D’s Hip Hop Corner-(The Blog)

Malcolm X’s Killer Released after 44 Years? Sorry But the Real Killers Never Went to Jail

Posted on April 28, 2010 by Davey D

2 Votes

Sure today a bunch of people are gonna be up in arms and have been up in arms when it was announced thatThomas Hagan the only man who admitted his role in the 1965 killing of Malcolm X was paroled yesterday. He had been in jail 44 years… As far as I’m concerned homeboy has gotten what he fully deserved-44 years is a lifetime. However, before folks start picketing the parole board and start sending petitions to some how reverse this decision, I suggest we fall back and go after the real killers-The CIA, FBI and high-ranking members of the United States government.

Sure Hagan played a role. He’s admitted to that but at the end of the day he’s small fry, the proverbial street dealer that existed within the larger machinery and movement that working overtime to slay Malcolm X. In pursuing the real killers of Malcolm, we can start by demanding an official apology from the government for the implementation of Cointel-Pro. We can also demand that any building with the nameJ Edgar Hoover be stripped of his name and when his name pops up in our history books we don’t want it removed. In fact we want it highlighted. People need to know his name for the next 400 years. We just need to put his name right up there with Adolf Hitler and tell future generations Hoover was piece of shit who ruined lives, destroyed communities, was the architect to assassination and incarceration of those who tried to do good. We need to be taught guys like Hoover and his actions were a detriment to

Sac City Unified gets fitness center for exercise contest win - Sacramento Business, Housing Market News | Sacramento Bee

Sac City Unified gets fitness center for exercise contest win

by mgutierrez@sacbee.comcomcom (Melody Gutierrez)

Sacramento City Unified School District will receive a $100,000 fitness center after winning the 2010 Governor's Fitness Challenge.
Eight California schools will receive the fitness centers from Coca-Cola Company after winning the challenge, a contest among state schools to encourage students, parents and teachers to lead active, healthy lives.
District Superintendent Jonathan Raymond was in Los Angeles this morning accepting the award from Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger.
"We are thrilled to be recognized," Raymond said in a press release. "Healthy kids achieve more academically and miss fewer days of school, which is important in these challenging fiscal times."
Participants registered with the program and recorded the number of days they exercise for at least 30 minutes. Statewide, more than 1 million students signed up for this year's challenge.
Sacramento City Unified had 40,402 students registe

Local News | UW Provost Wise says she won't seek president's job | Seattle Times Newspaper

UW Provost Wise says she won't seek president's job

University of Washington Provost Phyllis Wise said Wednesday she won't be a candidate to replace UW President Mark Emmert, who is leaving to take the top job with the National Collegiate Athletic Association.

By Nick Perry

Seattle Times higher education reporter

However, Wise, the No. 2 administration under Emmert at the university, said she would be "ready to serve" if asked by the Board of Regents to be interim president while the Regents search for Emmert's permanent replacement.

Wise joined the UW as provost in 2005, after being dean of the division of biological sciences at the

Disparate Reactions to the Stanford New School and Milwaukee Vouchers :: Frederick M. Hess

Disparate Reactions to the Stanford New School and Milwaukee Vouchers

by Frederick M. Hess • Apr 28, 2010 at 9:37 am
Cross-posted from Education Week

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Some readers challenged me last week on an intriguing question: Why did I react so differently to the underwhelming findings on the performance of Milwaukee voucher students and to the Ravenswood City school board's effort to shutter the Stanford Graduate School of Education's charter school for mediocre performance? As you may recall, I casually brushed off the Milwaukee voucher results as telling us nothing important butsuggested that the performance of Stanford New School raises real questions about the "expertise" of Stanford's big-name pedagogues.

A few eagle-eyed commenters asked if this isn't a case of double standards or even blatant hypocrisy (see, for

What Does Personalized Customized Learning Look Like? - THE DAILY RIFF - Be Smarter. About Education.

What Does Personalized Customized Learning Look Like?

by CJW

One Of The Greatest Challenges Teachers Face Is How To Differentiate Learning Tailored To Each Student's Pace & Needs - Watch How It Is Done With Tech : Video
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