Tuesday, May 18, 2010

Education | 226 school districts in Washington join application for federal money | Seattle Times Newspaper

226 school districts in Washington join application for federal money

At least 226 of Washington state's 295 school districts have signed on to the state's application for $250 million in federal funding for education reform, state education officials said Monday.

By DONNA GORDON BLANKINSHIP

The Associated Press

At least 226 of Washington state's 295 school districts have signed on to the state's application for $250 million in federal funding for education reform, state education officials said Monday.

A little more than a month ago, Gov. Chris Gregoire asked the districts to join her campaign for Washington to win a grant from the highly competitive federal Race to the Top program, saying, "everybody has to be part of the game for us to qualify."

Monday was the deadline for districts to say whether they would participate, but the governor and the state's education department were expecting more partnership agreements to trickle in over the next few days.

In Seattle, for example, the teachers union didn't vote on the matter until Monday night — and decided to sign on, as long as the district sticks to its agreement that any changes to the teachers' contract be negotiated.

The Seattle School Board had already agreed to join, as had the school district's principals association and

Seattle school district tries to make room for siblings

Seattle Public Schools is trying to make room for all incoming kindergartners who want to attend their older brother or sister's schools, but 148 are on waiting lists, causing consternation among those parents.

Students irked by Eastside Catholic layoffs

When Andrew "A.J." Rehn heard administrators at Eastside Catholic School in Sammamish had laid off some of his favorite teachers, the Eastside senior walked out of class in protest. About 200 students joined Rehn in the private school's courtyard Monday morning in a protest of the layoffs.

Plumbers union flexes muscle in local campaigns - Sacramento Politics - California Politics | Sacramento Bee

Plumbers union flexes muscle in local campaigns

By Ryan Lillis and Robert Lewis
rlillis@sacbee.com

Published: Tuesday, May. 18, 2010 - 12:00 am | Page 1A

From prison guards to teachers, organized labor wields influence over California politics like an iron pipe. In the Sacramento region, one group's clout rises above the others.

The Plumbers and Pipefitters Local 447 has poured hundreds of thousands of dollars into local campaigns over the years. They've groomed young candidates on utility boards, attacked mayoral hopefuls and given heavily to local Democratic organizations.

In the past three years, Local 447 has pumped $758,803 into area candidates, political committees and measure campaigns, records compiled by the secretary of state's office show. That's more than the region's two largest law enforcement unions, the firefighters union and the Sacramento Metropolitan Chamber of Commerce – combined.

Another $470,000 in plumber money has gone to groups and individuals outside the Sacramento region, from the Los Angeles

The Children Are Bright; the Setting, Scruffy Education News - The New York Times

Education News - The New York Times

The Children Are Bright; the Setting, Scruffy

By SHARON OTTERMAN

Ruby Washington/The New York Times

Kindergarten at TAG Young Scholars, which serves mostly minority students.

At TAG Young Scholars, a citywide school in East Harlem for the talented and gifted, what goes on inside the classroom is praised, but the aesthetics and facilities are, in a word, challenging.

Going Back to School: Fired Staff Is Rehired

By KATIE ZEZIMA

All the staff members of Central Falls High School, who were fired in February as part of a turnaround plan for the underperforming school, will be rehired.

A CONVERSATION WITH JEFFREY L. BADA

Jeffrey L. Bada, 67, is the distinguished professor of marine chemistry at the University of California, San Diego. He studies how life began.

A Marine Chemist Studies How Life Began

By CLAUDIA DREIFUS

Jeffrey L. Bada, a professor in San Diego, says scientists are “closing in” on determining how amino acids became life.

Massachusetts: Student Accused of Faking His Way Into Harvard

By THE ASSOCIATED PRESS

A Delaware man has been charged with faking his way into Harvard and duping the university out of $45,000 in financial aid, grants and scholarships.

Boston University held a graduation ceremony for its class of 1970 on Sunday morning. The original commencement was canceled amid a tumultuous spring.

40 Years Later, a Proper Graduation

By KATHARINE Q. SEELYE

About 300 members of Boston University’s class of 1970 attended a graduation ceremony on Sunday, four decades after the original was canceled amid political unrest.

Video: 1970 Revisited (bu.edu)

OUR TOWNS

Quick Exit by President of UConn

By PETER APPLEBOME

Michael J. Hogan gave notice to the head of the university trustees by cellphone at 5:30 p.m. the day before his announcement.

Columnist Page

WEEK IN REVIEW

Plan B: Skip College

By JACQUES STEINBERG

A group of economists argue that it’s time to develop alternatives for students unlikely to succeed in pursuing a higher degree, or who may not be ready to do so.

Join the Discussion on The Choice Blog

‘The Death and Life of the Great American School System’

By DIANE RAVITCH
Reviewed by ALAN WOLFE

An expert on schools changes her mind about testing and choice.

Scholar’s School Reform U-Turn Shakes Up Debate

Fallingwater Animation | Larry Ferlazzo's Websites of the Day...

Fallingwater Animation

by Larry Ferlazzo

Fallingwater is the famous house designed by Frank Lloyd Wright. You can now see an amazing animation of the home.
I’m adding the link to The Best Images Of Weird, Cool & Neat-Looking Buildings (& Ways To Design Your Own).
Thanks to Flowing Data for the tip.

The Pic Lab

“Gusher In The Gulf”

My Best Posts On Students Setting Goals

National Standards: Should We Take a Seat at the Table? � InterACT

National Standards: Should We Take a Seat at the Table?

by Martha Infante

image from engagingexecutives.com

In the last decade, the talk in the education community has been focused around the buzz words of accountability and reform. The No Child Left Behind Act of 2001 encouraged schools to aim for high test scores for all of their students, and thus a disproportionate focus was placed on English-Language Arts and Mathematics, the two disciplines most widely tested and measured by NCLB. At that time, the middle school in which I worked quickly jumped on to the test score bandwagon and reduced the number of elective classes for students, in order to increase the amount of instruction in English and Math. “Hey, if the kids can’t read, why should they be fooling around making wooden ducks in shop class!” Gone were the ceramics, drama, wood

9 Phila. charters under U.S. probe seek Race to the Top money | Philadelphia Inquirer | 05/17/2010

9 Phila. charters under U.S. probe seek Race to the Top money

By Martha Woodall

Inquirer Staff Writer

Nine Philadelphia charter schools under federal investigation for possibly misspending taxpayer money hope to obtain even more public funding.
The schools are included in Pennsylvania's statewide application for $400 million under the federal Race to the Top program, The Inquirer has learned.
But even as the state Department of Education retools its application to meet a June 1 deadline, officials say they do not plan to remove those nine charters from the bid for money to turn around failing schools, revamp teacher evaluations, and help struggling students.
Acting Education Secretary Thomas E. Gluck said it would be unfair to bar schools when no wrongdoing had been found.
"Race to the Top is about bringing bold reform to schools so that all students achieve at high levels," Gluck said in a statement to The Inquirer. "It would be wrong to deny this opportunity to the stu

For-profit education stocks rally on news that critic is leaving D.C. | California Watch

For-profit education stocks rally on news that critic is leaving D.C.

by Erica Perez

Erica Perez

Stock prices of for-profit education companies shot up yesterday after news that a federal education official who had closely scrutinized the industry was stepping down from his post.
The Chronicle of Higher Education reported that U.S. Education Deputy Undersecretary Robert Shireman would leave his job this summer. Shireman had focused much of his career on reforming the bank-based federal

Monday, May 17, 2010

Schools spared more cuts in governor's budget revise | governor, cuts, spared - News - Desert Dispatch

Schools spared more cuts in governor's budget revise

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Districts also to get funds from local redevelopment agency

May 17, 2010 4:57 PM

By EUNICE LEE, staff writer

School districts across the state avoided more cuts to education in the governor’s May budget revision released last week, but will still be getting up to $250 less per student next year.

Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger proposed reducing state funding for social service programs, such as early childcare, instead of taking another slice from public schools.

“It’s good news and bad news still,” said Jill Kemock, Silver Valley Unified School District assistant superintendent of business.

The state is also sweeping money from local redevelopment agencies to school coffers of districts located within redevelopment area. The Barstow RDA transferred $1,341,883 to the San Bernardino County Auditor-Controller’s office on May 10, according to City Finance Director Terri Willoughby.

RDA funds will keep the district from having to make additional cuts, but according to Tony Wardell, Barstow Unified School District assistant superintendent of business, it’s just replacing state funds rightfully owed to schools in the first place.

Redevelopment agencies are supposed to distribute extra

Palos Verdes Peninsula district courting transfer permit students - The Daily Breeze

Palos Verdes Peninsula district courting transfer permit students

By Melissa Pamer Staff Writer

Posted: 05/17/2010 07:35:25 PM PDT

May 10:
Big Cat Sighting?
Jan 14:
AT WORK: RHE man promotes remotes
Jan 3:
The last piece of the Peninsula puzzle
Dec 11:
York loses latest round with RPV
Nov 27:
Couple works to fetch dog park for Hill
Jul 3:
RHE man to pay for battle over city codes
Rancho Palos Verdes man to celebrate 100th birthday on July 4

In an effort to raise revenue and reverse a trend of declining enrollment, the Palos Verdes Peninsula school district has begun aggressively marketing a policy allowing parents who work on The Hill to send their children to the area's high-achieving campuses.

Those who are employed at least 15 hours per week within the district's boundaries can apply for a transfer permit for their child.

District officials have in recent weeks reached out to the four local city councils, the chamber of commerce, private preschools, golf courses, and Terranea Resort, which opened nearly a year ago and is expected to provide the bulk of the new students, said assistant superintendent Susan Liberati.

"We're just trying to make sure everyone is aware of the opportunities in the district," Liberati said.

A flier being distributed highlights the Palos Verdes Peninsula Unified School District's high test scores, college acceptance rates and all 16 Peninsula schools' placement in the top tenth of campuses statewide on the just-released Academic Performance Index rankings.

About 200 new students are expected to enroll in the 12,000-student district through parent employment permits next year, Liberati said, calling the expected increase "small."

The permit policy - which has been promoted in past years when the district experienced declining enrollment - was renewed in February, when the

Sacramento Press / Local student filmmakers tackle variety of issues

Local student filmmakers tackle variety of issues

With family and friends in attendance, 40 aspiring high school filmmakers debuted their documentary shorts at the second annual Documentary Foundation Film Festival Sunday. The Sacramento student filmmakers covered a multitude of issues including racism in high school, legalization of marijuana, pink-slipped teachers and prisoner work programs in Folsom Prison.

The program is taught by Sacramento native documentary filmmakers Keith Ochwat and Christopher Rufo and sponsored by KVIE. The duo created the Documentary Foundation student program as a means to inspire future generations of documentary filmmakers.

"There are so many issues that affect peoples' lives," Ochwat said. He spoke of the importance for the students participating to think critically about social issues. "It's (also) about the journalism (and) the storytelling," he said.

With nine documentaries on the program, the event kicked off with a look at the Sacramento Zoo's lovable red pandas. The short film highlighted the environment the pandas live in at the zoo and their current state of endangerment. The film elicited many "aww"s at the sight of the pandas.

There were less fuzzy feelings during "Nestle Waters," about the debate over a Nestle Corporation Plant coming to Sacramento. The film covered both sides, interviewing both Nestle management about plans to use the

Living | Group uses music to beat mischief | Seattle Times Newspaper

Group uses music to beat mischief

Program aims to help troubled kids find inspiration and sense of purpose through music

McClatchy Newspapers

Gibson Guimesly, 13, left, practices making a clear note with music instructor Chad Bernstein in the hallway outside the classroom door, Bernstein, trombonist with Spam AllStars and Suenalo, has launched and is teaching GOGO, Guitars Over Guns Operation, a program at North Miami Middle which aims to mentor and teach kids to deal with/ violence.

CARL JUSTE / MCCLATCHY NEWSPAPERS

Gibson Guimesly, 13, left, practices making a clear note with music instructor Chad Bernstein in the hallway outside the classroom door, Bernstein, trombonist with Spam AllStars and Suenalo, has launched and is teaching GOGO, Guitars Over Guns Operation, a program at North Miami Middle which aims to mentor and teach kids to deal with/ violence.

By Jordan Levin

MIAMI — Edrice Gerbier is small for 11, though he usually makes up for it with an explosion of noise and motion. But the memory of two friends kicking another boy as he lay on the ground can stop him cold. "They were kicking on him 'cause he was small," Edrice whispers, standing taut and still.

On this recent day, however, nothing can stop the diminutive live-wire, who is flying around a small classroom at North Miami Middle School banging assuredly on drum pads, clamoring for his turn on a keyboard, exuberantly making himself heard.

Once a week after school, Edrice and a dozen classmates let go of their worries by making music with GOGO, Guitars Over Guns Operation, a program created by Chad Bernstein, a Ph.D candidate at the University of Miami's Frost School of Music and trombonist for popular Miami bands Spam Allstars and Suenalo Sound System.

Bernstein, 26, has worked without pay on GOGO for more than two years, aiming to help this small group of kids — and eventually, he hopes, many more — find the inspiration and sense of purpose he discovered in

SAT prep company stops claiming 255-point boost - Boston.com

SAT prep company stops claiming 255-point boost

This undated photo provided by George Lange for The College Board shows high school students in a classroom at Columbia High School in Maplewood, N.J. With competition to get into top colleges ever-stiffer, and kids with SAT scores well into the 700s finding themselves rejected not just by Ivy League schools but also by well-known colleges all over the country, you might think most high school students these days are getting scores in the stratosphere. (AP Photo/The College Board, George Lange)

By Beth J. Harpaz

Associated Press Writer / May 17, 2010

Text size – +

NEW YORK—Why don't most students' SAT scores dramatically improve the more times they take the test?

	Discuss
	COMMENTS (0)

A. They don't study hard enough.

B. Their parents don't enroll them in fancy test-prep classes.

C. Most kids who take the SAT twice simply do not see large improvements in their scores.

The correct answer is C, according to the College Board, the nonprofit organization that administers the SATs. And here's the latest development in the debate over whether kids can dramatically improve their scores: The Princeton Review company no longer claims that its "Ultimate Classroom" SAT test-preparation course can boost SAT scores by 255 points.

The National Advertising Division of the Council of Better Business Bureaus, which examines accuracy in advertising, announced May 12 that The Princeton Review would "voluntarily discontinue certain advertising claims . following a challenge by Kaplan, Inc., a competing test-preparation service."

High school students and their parents are often bombarded with SAT test-prep

School District Eyes Three-Day Year Reduction; More Cuts on Horizon The Rancho Cordova Post — Local News, Events, Things to Do

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

School District Eyes Three-Day Year Reduction; More Cuts on Horizon

by ANNE LOWE on MAY 17, 2010 · 0 COMMENTS

in SCHOOLS

Post image for School District Eyes Three-Day Year Reduction; More Cuts on Horizon

In an effort to trim operating costs by $14.1 million for the 2010-2011 school year, the Folsom Cordova Unified School District has tentatively agreed to cut the school year by three days, Superintendent Pat Godwin said Thursday.

By implementing the school year reduction, the school district will be able to rescind layoff notices for approximately 20 employees of the district, a tentative agreement with thr Folsom Cordova Education Association said. The school district had original sent out 92 preliminary layoff notices in March, but with the school year reduction the number of layoffs has been reduced to 77. A three-day work reduction amounts to a 3 percent salary cut for remaining employees, Godwin said.

The agreement would also allow the district to restore middle school electives and keep class sizes small in first and second grade classes.

Members of the education association will vote on the tentative agreement between May 20 and May 27, and ratification results will be available May 29. The school year reduction requires 55 percent approval by the association’s members before it will be ratified.

“The agreement with FCEA (if approved by the membership) will allow us to address the

Education - ContraCostaTimes.com Judge rules against El Cerrito residents

Education - ContraCostaTimes.com

Judge rules against El Cerrito residents

By Shelly Meron
Contra Costa Times

Posted: 05/17/2010 04:16:09 PM PDT

A Contra Costa County judge has tentatively ruled against a group of El Cerrito residents who argued that the environmental review process for the Portola Middle School rebuilding project was flawed.

Judge Barbara Zuniga handed down the tentative ruling Friday in the suit against the West Contra Costa Unified School District in regards to a rebuilding of the middle school at the old Castro Elementary site. She heard arguments from both parties Monday but did not issue a final ruling.
"We were surprised," said Robert Brower, the attorney representing the El Cerrito residents. He said that he thinks Zuniga did not completely address the issues at hand.
In their suit, neighbors argued that the school district mishandled aspects of the project's environmental review process, including the effect on special education students and Cooper's Hawks, making project documents available to the public, and consideration of alternative sites for the new middle school. They also asserted that the school board violated the Brown Act in its discussions of the project.
Zuniga dismissed those claims, saying the district met its obligations under both the California Environmental

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