The Blue Banner - Expensive schools value luxury instead of education

The Blue Banner - Expensive schools value luxury instead of education

Expensive schools value luxury instead of education

By Jessica Yee - Copy Desk Chief

Published: Wednesday, September 15, 2010

Updated: Wednesday, September 15, 2010 10:09

Barbie and Ken did nothing to earn their dream house.

Likewise, the low-performing Los Angeles Unified School District did not deserve to build the most expensive public school complex in the country.

“My elementary school looked like a jail and I turned out fine,” said senior health and wellness student Katherine Mullen. “It doesn’t matter about the building, it’s the teachers in it.”

The Robert F. Kennedy Community Schools, which cost $578 million to construct, opened on Monday. Talking benches, a state-of-the-art swimming pool, a 10-acre park and faculty dining rooms are only some of the campus’s luxurious amenities.

“That’s just mind-boggling. Talking benches? You just don’t need talking benches,” said Pat O’Cain, UNC Asheville honors program assistant. “That just doesn’t make sense to me as an educational enhancement.”

During the past two years, the district laid off 3,000 teachers. It seems administrators consider the talking benches, which recount the history of the campus when one sits on them, adequate substitutes for actual teachers.

According to the California Department of Education, a $640 million deficit waits to confront LAUSD. Gov. Arnold

How Adrian Fenty lost his reelection bid for D.C. mayor

How Adrian Fenty lost his reelection bid for D.C. mayor

VIDEO

Video: Adrian Fenty loses bid for reelection

Adrian Fenty, the youngest mayor in four decades of home rule, lost the Democratic mayoral primary to D.C. Council Chairman Vincent Gray.

» LAUNCH VIDEO PLAYER

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By Nikita Stewart and Paul Schwartzman

Washington Post Staff Writers
Wednesday, September 15, 2010; 4:56 AM

One afternoon in late June, D.C. Mayor Adrian M. Fenty's political advisers invited their boss to a downtown conference room to report an unsettling development: Focus groups commissioned by the campaign were saying that Fenty's leadership style was offensive and that he was oblivious toconstituents' concerns.

THIS STORY

• How Adrian Fenty lost his reelection bid for D.C. mayor
• Primary day in D.C.
• Gray defeats Fenty as voters choose conciliatory approach over brash tactics

View All Items in This Story

If the mayor had any chance of winning them over, the prospective voters told the campaign, he needed to apologize for his actions.

This Week In Education: Graphs: The College Tuition Bubble

This Week In Education: Graphs: The College Tuition Bubble

Graphs: The College Tuition Bubble

by Alexander Russo

Is college tuition experiencing a speculative bubble like housing was? That's what the Consumerist (and others) are saying (When Will The College Tuition Bubble Burst?).

Only difference is that the federal government provides the loans for college

Educational Leadership:Giving Students Meaningful Work:Five Hallmarks of Good Homework

Educational Leadership:Giving Students Meaningful Work:Five Hallmarks of Good Homework

September 2010 | Volume 68 | Number 1 Giving Students Meaningful Work Pages 10-15 Five Hallmarks of Good Homework Cathy Vatterott Homework shouldn't be about rote learning. The best kind deepens student understanding and builds essential skills. For tonight's homework, Write the 10 spelling words 3 times each. Write definitions of the 15 science vocabulary words. Do the math problems on page 27, problems 1–20 on dividing fractions. Check any homework hotline, and you're likely to find similar homework assignments, which look an awful lot like those we remember from school. But do these tasks really reinforce learning? Do they focus on rote learning—or on deeper understandings? The Fundamental Five The best homework tasks exhibit five characteristics. First, the task has a clear academic purpose, such as practice, checking for understanding, or applying knowledge or skills. Second, the task efficiently demonstrates student learning. Third, the task promotes owner ship by offering choices and being personally relevant. Fourth, the task instills a sense of competence—the student can success fully complete it without help. Last, the task is aesthetically pleasing—it appears enjoyable and interesting (Vatterott, 2009). Hallmark 1: Purpose Let's start by examining how purposeful tonight's homework assignments are and whether there are better alternatives. The purpose of the spelling homework—"Write the 10 spelling words 3 times each"—might be to practice spelling words correctly—a rote memory task. Many teachers believe that writing is a good method, especially if they learned well that way when they were students. But not all students remembe

Top House Republican on Education Talks ESEA, Race to Top - Politics K-12 - Education Week

Top House Republican on Education Talks ESEA, Race to Top - Politics K-12 - Education Week

Top House Republican on Education Talks ESEA, Race to Top

by Alyson Klein

It's looking more and more like the Republicans may take the House of Representatives when the 2010 midterm elections roll around in November. There is even a chance that they could take over the U.S. Senate. Bottom line: It seems certain that they'll hold more seats in Congress.

What could that mean for education policy and spending? Well, for starters, if the GOP takes the House, Rep. John Kline of Minnesota, the top Republican on the House Education and Labor Committee, would likely become chairman of the panel.

Rep. Kline is one of the Big 8 lawmakers the Obama administration is courting in its push to renew the Elementary and Secondary Education Act. He will be a major player on ESEA reauthorization no matter what happens in the November election.

I interviewed Kline this week about his priorities and where his caucus stands. Kline declined to answer any

College-Ready Students and Student-Ready Colleges: Remarks of Deputy Secretary Tony Miller at the Historically Black Colleges and Universities Conference | U.S. Department of Education

College-Ready Students and Student-Ready Colleges: Remarks of Deputy Secretary Tony Miller at the Historically Black Colleges and Universities Conference | U.S. Department of Education

College-Ready Students and Student-Ready Colleges: Remarks of Deputy Secretary Tony Miller at the Historically Black Colleges and Universities Conference

SEPTEMBER 14, 2010

Related Resources
	HBCU website

Thank you, Thelma, for that generous introduction. I am delighted and honored to be here in Secretary Duncan's place. He has always enjoyed the opportunity to speak and meet with HBCU presidents. He sends his regrets that he could not join you. But I know that improving the education of all students—but especially for students of color--is never far from his mind.

He believes, and I believe, that education is the civil rights issue of our generation. And so I know the Secretary is filled with a sense of urgency today about transforming the education of African American children as he joins the President in Philadelphia. He also has a deep appreciation for the tireless commitment, the extraordinary accomplishments, and the proud traditions of the nation's Historically Black Colleges and Universities.

I don't think it's a secret to anyone in this room that HBCUs are at a pivotal moment in their long and distinguished history. In the current fiscal climate, the budgetary challenges for all institutions of higher education are great--and especially so for HBCUs.

The administration recognizes the essential role that HBCUs play--and we have provided unprecedented resources at the federal level for HBCUs. The historic Health Care and Education Reconciliation Act that the president signed earlier this year provides the biggest infusion of student aid and Pell Grants since at least the days of the G.I. bill.

This new law provides HBCUs with $850 million over the next decade in mandatory funding to renew, reform, and expand programs, so that all students at these institutions get every chance to rise to their full potential. It is legislation will help shape the future of HBCUs for decades to come.

Now, despite this increase in federal support, we recognize that HBCUs still face a daunting financial crunch.

Stimulus gives Bay Area schoolchildren supplies

Stimulus gives Bay Area schoolchildren supplies

Stimulus gives Bay Area schoolchildren supplies

Erasers, rulers, glue sticks, pencils and binder paper are raining down upon Bay Area schoolchildren...

DreamBox, Mad Science helping kids learn

Educational computer games are so old school. As students settle back into the classroom, they are...

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Eduwonk � Blog Archive � 9-11

Eduwonk � Blog Archive � 9-11

9-11 From the Pentagon Memorial Fund: *The Pentagon Memorial Fund, responsible for the September 11th Memorial at the Pentagon, is looking to recruit members for its new Educator’s Leadership Group. This group would be responsible for helping to create ...

Eduimplications! A couple of education implications from yesterday’s primaries. In Baltimore Bill Ferguson (D) won, keep an eye on that. In Delaware two outcomes from the Christine O’Donnell upset in Delaware. First, Rep. Mike Castle (R) was a pretty consistent ...

President’s Back to School Speech Sparks Teachable Moment for Dual-Roled Educator – ED.gov Blog

President’s Back to School Speech Sparks Teachable Moment for Dual-Roled Educator – ED.gov Blog

Rethinking and Strengthening Arts Education

President’s Back to School Speech Sparks Teachable Moment for Dual-Roled Educator

Teaching Ambassador Fellow Tracey Van Dusen.

President Obama’s back-to-school address, delivered in a Philadelphia auditorium, was made a teachable moment for high school students who watched the live broadcast of the speech in their Ann Arbor, Michigan, classroom through the efforts of teacher Tracey Van Dusen, recently appointed by Secretary Duncan as a 2010-2011 Teaching Ambassador Fellow (TAF).

“Several students said they liked the way the President related his own less-than-perfect school experiences to really personalize it,” said Van Dusen, who remains a full-time government and history teacher at Pioneer High School while serving part-time in the TAF corps, described by the Secretary as “the voice of teachers in the Department,” and “ambassadors to teachers, students and parents across the country.”

The President’s speech provided Van Dusen a perfect catalyst to integrate those dual roles by sharing her newly-honed insights into the real world of federal policymaking with her Advanced Placement Government class. Before the broadcast began, she walked students through a history of federal education policy in the U.S., from the days of one-room school houses to current education reforms like Race to the Top.

The veteran teacher was impressed with the way the President subtly wove messages about education reform into his speech.

“He drove home the importance of education at this point in history by talking about the real-life recession struggles that many families are experiencing, and linking that to students’ everyday school achievement and its potential impact on their future and on America’s future as we compete with other nations,” said Van Dusen.

Van Dusen’s lesson and Obama’s words sparked lively classroom dialogue on a variety of provocative topics, including the appropriate role of the federal government in education, the value of student testing, and what makes a great school. She looks forward to continuing that discussion in her future AP classes, and to expanding the conversation to students in other Pioneer government classes by incorporating the taped video of the President’s address and similar activities around it.

Donning her Teaching Ambassador Fellow “hat,” Van Dusen is excited about the future opportunities she’ll have to discuss federal initiatives with other educators in their districts and states, and to encourage their input into efforts to improve education at all levels of government.

Julie Ewart
Office of Communications and Outreach

This Week In Education: AM News: Fenty, Castle Out In Primaries

This Week In Education: AM News: Fenty, Castle Out In Primaries

AM News: Fenty, Castle Out In Primaries

by Alexander Russo

Castle Loses Senate Primary in Delaware EdWeek: Coons also has a record on education issues; he serves on the board of the Rodel Foundation, which helped craft Delaware's winning application in the federal Race to the Top competition... 2 D.C. Council members to push Gray and Rhee to compromise on contract extension Washington Post: Two D.C. Council members said Tuesday that they will press mayoral primary winner Vincent C. Gray and Schools Chancellor Michelle A. Rhee to negotiate an "extended transition" that could keep her in the job until the end of the 2011-12 school year... State Tests and NAEP Gains Seen on Same Trajectory EdWeek: A study shows progress on state tests is running more parallel to gains on NAEP, a possible indication of real student progress... California Online School Seeks Students, Tax DollarsNPR: Elk Grove Unified near Sacramento has opened a Virtual Academy offering online curricula for kindergarten through 12th grade. Officials hope to attract home-school students and children from other districts. But critics question using public tax dollars to fund a private school's curriculum.

The Daily Churn: Wednesday | EdNewsColorado

The Daily Churn: Wednesday | EdNewsColorado

The Daily Churn: Wednesday

by Alan Gottlieb

What’s churning:

Denver election officials on Tuesday rejected a second attempt by a group trying to launch a recall of Denver Public Schools board member Andrea Merida, again citing clerical errors. The second rejection letter, issued three days after the first rejection, cites similar issues – missing words, unnecessary legal citations, typos and grammatical errors. Alton Dillard, spokesman for the city’s Elections Division, said the group can resubmit its

NOAA Bay Watershed Education and Training Program

NOAA Bay Watershed Education and Training Program

Funding Opportunities

• California B-WET, K-12 Watershed Education- Announcement Open. Proposals Due October 5, 2010.
• B-WET, Adult and Community Watershed Education- Announcement Closed.

For more information contact:
Seaberry Nachbar
CA B-WET Program Manager
299 Foam Street
Monterey, CA 93940
(831) 647-4204
seaberry.nachbar@noaa.gov

Does your school have what it takes to help protect the ocean for the future? Become an Ocean Guardian School!

. . . . . . . . .

Bringing the Environment into Classrooms in a Meaningful Way!

The NOAA California Bay Watershed Education and Training (B-WET) Program provides funds to support environment-based education throughout the watersheds of San Francisco Bay, Monterey Bay, and Santa Barbara Channel.

Funded projects provide "meaningful"(pdf)watershed educational experiences to students, teachers, and communities.

Recognizing that an educated community is the key to understanding and sustaining the Nation's ocean and coastal environments, NOAA has developed B-WET into a national program.

Texas education board to consider rule on Islam's portrayal in textbooks- EducationNews.org

Web's #1 Source for K12 and Higher Education News and Commentary - EducationNews.org

Texas education board to consider rule on Islam's portrayal in textbooks 9.15.10 - AUSTIN - Just when it appeared the State Board of Education was done with the culture wars, the panel is about to wade into the issue of what students should learn about Islam. Blue-ribbon schools wear prize with pride 9.15.10 - Kindergarten teacher Alexis Ray, wrapping up a rhyming lesson at Gallaher Elementary School in Ogletown that included the tale of Jack and Jill, held up cards with each child's name written on the front... For first time, more women than men earn PhD 9.15.10 - With female enrollments growing at all levels of higher education, doctoral degrees have been one area where men have continued to dominate. No more. New data being released today show that in 2008-09, for the first time, women earned a majority of the doctoral degrees awarded in the USA. ... Obama urges students to dream big 9.15.10 - PHILADELPHIA - With an acknowledgment that he had slacked off in school himself on occasion, President Obama exhorted the nation's students Tuesday to show "discipline and drive" to help their country compete in the global economy. ...

Commentaries

Balanced Treatment of Religious Groups in Students' Textbooks: Vote by Tex. State Bd. of Ed. on 9.24.10 Donna Garner - The Texas State Board of Education members will take an up-or-down vote on 9.24.10 on the Resolution: Balanced Treatment of Religious Groups (a.k.a., Rives Resolution). An Interview with Dr. Robert Lawson: About Discipline 9.15.10 - Michael F. Shaughnessy - Mike, first of all, I am honored to have the opportunity to chat with you again and absolutely thrilled that you've asked me to discuss the concept of discipline and its importance in the life of a student athlete. Let's see. You're right. With Mike Rose, We Should All Be Asking - Why School? 9.15.10 - Reviewed by Kenneth Bernstein - Before going on, let me provide some specifics. Why School? Reclaiming Education for All of Us is published by The New Press, which is based in New York City, and which was established two decades ago as a not-for-profit alternative to large publishing houses. The publishing house

NJ Spotlight | State Board of Education Struggles to Redefine Itself

NJ Spotlight | State Board of Education Struggles to Redefine Itself

State Board of Education Struggles to Redefine Itself In the wake of the Schundler ouster, New Jersey’s Board of Education has been testing it’s muscle -- and its vocal cords.

Solar Bill Too Costly, Complicated for Former Backers One-time supporters are backing away from a community solar-project bill they say adds unneeded subsidies and is too complex for small solar contractors.

Number of the Day: 5 New Jersey wine is not easy to find on restaurant menus, so it may come as a surprise that the Garden State is No. 5 in wine production in the country, following California, New York, Oregon and Washington. There are almost 40 wineries stretched across ...