2-13-14 @ The Chalk Face

@ THE CHALK FACE:

Reflections on My Common Core Debate for the West St. Tammany Chamber

Below is a post that I wrote for Brietbart regarding my February 4th debate on Common Core. The debate occurred in the Louisiana parish in which I both live and teach, St. Tammany. (The somewhat-edited version posted in Breitbart can be found here.) St. Tammany has had a solid reputation among southern Louisiana teachers for as long as I have […]

1 by deutsch29 / 9min 

King Corn: Common Core Syrup

I read an article by Alice Crites about the influence of big business (corn and sugar) on the food policies and productions. I was astounded at how, within the first minute of reading about how BIG BUSINESS manipulates legislation and public perception in food production, I was able to see how that system of corruption […]

3 by educationalchemy / 7min 

2-12-14 @ The Chalk Face

@ THE CHALK FACE: Does the Gates Foundation’s Evidence Argue For or Against Vergara?The corporate reform group Students Matter wants to strike down the duly-enacted laws of California that protect the rights of teachers. Their case, Vergara vs. California claims that laws protecting teachers damage poor children of color. Vergara is known as the “bad teacher” lawsuit. I have joked, however, that i

by mike simpson / 39min 

Controversial Education Maven Michelle Rhee Riles Up Minnesota

Controversial education expert Michelle Rhee, founder of Students First and former chancellor of the Washington, D.C. public school system, brought her combative education reform rhetoric to Minnesota last week, drawing a vocal protest from opponents and challenging state educators to alter teacher seniority systems that Rhee said contribute to the achievement gap between white students and students of color.

Rhee headlined the Minnesota Chamber of Commerce 2014 Education Summit at the Crowne Plaza Hotel in St. Paul, calling for Minnesota to re-do teacher seniority rules she characterized as “last in, first out” in the hiring and firing of teachers. The conference, which included a panel moderated by Alice Seagren, former Minnesota education commissioner (appointed by former GOP Gov. Tim Pawlenty) and another featuring former Minneapolis Mayor R.T. Rybak, a DFLer who is now executive director of Generation Next, prompted a protest by the group Minnesotans Against Common Core.

(The protesters braved temperatures of 10-below zero; some of them talking to The UpTake’s camera with just their fogged-up glasses open to the elements. Watch the video, above!)

Rhee, who started her educational career as a Teach for America teacher after a five-week training program, founded the nonprofit The New Teacher Project before becoming head of Washington’s public schools in 2007, a job she held through 2010. During her controversial tenure, Rhee became a polarizing figure who closed schools, fired 600 teachers and principals, and implemented performance-based and test-driven policies. At last week’s conference, Rhee responded to critics who alluded to a cheating scandal under her administration, saying six different investigations have “shown no evidence of widespread cheating.” She said that while the district still has as an achievement gap, “students have made significant progress.”

Rhee now runs Students First, an organization that each year gives report cards to states based on their teacher hiring and firing policies, their engagement with parents and their fiscal responsibility, but does not measure student achievement.

In her opening address, Rhee outlined three things that she felt schools need to be doing to change the trajectory for the better. First, she said, teachers need to be honored and respected for the 

2-13-14 This Week in LA - School Report - What's Really Going on Inside LAUSD

LA School Report - What's Really Going on Inside LAUSD (Los Angeles Unified School District):

Experts in Vergara trial endure bumpy rides on the witness stand

Arun Ramanathan, on the stand As plaintiffs come down the home stretch in the landmark trial Vergara vs. California, attorneys for the nine-student litigants are attempting to underscore key points in their case by calling more expert witnesses. For two of them, at least, defense lawyers made it as challenging for them as they could today, peppering testimony with objections that called into quest

by Mark Harris / 5min 

A series of meetings planned to explain state’s new funding

In the next few months the LA Unified school board is set to make a number of critical decisions regarding the spending of new education dollars coming into the district. To prepare, both LAUSD officials and local advocacy groups are ramping up community engagement efforts to get public input on spending priorities. Communities for Los Angeles Student Success (CLASS) is holding the first of eight

5 by Chase Niesner / 43min 

A bill to require CA school personnel to spot, report abuse

Assemblyman Michael Gatto A Los Angeles state assembly member introduced a bill yesterday that would require formal training for all school employees on the identification and reporting of suspected child abuse. Assembly Bill 1432 is sponsored by Michael Gatto, a Democrat whose district includes Atwater Village, Burbank, Glendale, Hollywood, La Cañada, Flintridge, La Crescenta, Los Feliz, Montrose

2 by Vanessa Romo / 29min 

Vergara trial resumes today with more ‘expert’ testimony

Beatiz Vergara, the lead plaintiff The Vergara v California trial continues this morning, with Dan Goldhaber, an expert in education policy at the University of Washington, continuing his testimony after the court took a day off yesterday Following him, attorneys for the plaintiffs are expected to call more expert witnesses, including Sandi Jacobs, Vice President and Managing Director for State Po

2 21min hide  //  save

SF seen as model in bilingual education over English only

Via SF Chronicle | By Jill Tucker In the 15 years since voters essentially banned bilingual education in state schools, teaching English learners to read, write and do arithmetic first in their native language has nearly disappeared from California classrooms. Since Proposition 227 overwhelmingly passed in June 1998, it’s been all about learning English, first and foremost – but not in San Francis

2 21min 

Morning Read: CA ranks highest in new charters, students

California leads nation in new charter schools and students California led the country in opening new charter schools this fiscal year, adding 104 campuses and 48,000 students, according to a report released Wednesday. Data compiled by the National Alliance for Public Charter Schools showed that California also led the nation in charter school closures with 39, leaving California with 1,130 charte

2 21min 

2-12-14 This Week in LA - School Report - What's Really Going on Inside LAUSD

LA School Report - What's Really Going on Inside LAUSD (Los Angeles Unified School District): LA Unified board votes against a caretaker (twice) for vacant seatPresident Vladovic: His vote doomed caretaker The LA Unified school board on Tuesday quashed any chance for temporary representation for the 110 schools and nearly quarter million students in board District 1, twice defeating measures that

by mike simpson / 21h 

Alabama Board of Education Member Wants Truce on Common Core to Preserve Status Quo | Truth in American Education

Alabama Board of Education Member Wants Truce on Common Core to Preserve Status Quo | Truth in American Education:

Alabama Board of Education Member Wants Truce on Common Core to Preserve Status Quo

Filed in Common Core State Standards, Education at State Level by Shane Vander Hart on February 13, 2014 • 0 Comments

• 1

Alabama Board of Education member Mary Scott Hunter wants a truce among board members in the fight over the  Common Core State Standards, Challen Stephens reports:

Mary Scott Hunter says it’s time for the members of the Alabama state school board to call a truce and stop fighting over Common Core.

"Both sides of this debate can claim victories," said Hunter in a recent interview with AL.com.

"My opinion, we need to declare a truce on this and move on to other important things."

But the answer from fellow GOP officials is clear. The battle will continue.

"We haven’t done anything significant," said board member Betty Peters this week. "We changed the name (from Common Core), but we haven’t changed any significant content."

Hunter, the Republican board member for northeast Alabama, said the state board has taken steps to distance itself from the creators of Common Core.

Hunter pointed out the state school board in November rescinded the memorandum of agreement with the authors of the national standards. Last month the state board voted to remove any link to the list of national exemplars, the so-called "de facto national reading list" 

Have you heard?: Jeff Santos & Dr. Julian Vasquez Heilig on Revolution Radio Network | Cloaking Inequity

Have you heard?: Jeff Santos & Dr. Julian Vasquez Heilig on Revolution Radio Network | Cloaking Inequity:

Have you heard?: Jeff Santos & Dr. Julian Vasquez Heilig on Revolution Radio Network

Take a listen to our live radio conversation from Tuesday 2/11/14 about vouchers, charters, testing and accountability.

Part 1 of the conversation: https://soundcloud.com/revolution-radio-network/jeff-santos-dr-julian-vasquez?utm_source=soundcloud&utm_campaign=share&utm_medium=twitter

Part 2 of the conversation: https://soundcloud.com/revolution-radio-network/jeff-santos-dr-julian?utm_source=soundcloud&utm_campaign=share&utm_medium=twitter

Thanks to the NEA for tweeting about the conversation. A few tweets:

House Democrats to Duncan: States are backsliding on help for low achievers - The Washington Post

House Democrats to Duncan: States are backsliding on help for low achievers - The Washington Post:

House Democrats to Duncan: States are backsliding on help for low achievers

J. Scott Applewhite/AP - Rep. George Miller (D-Calif.), the ranking member of the House Committee on Education and the Workforce.

By Lyndsey Layton, Published: February 12 E-mail the writer

House Democratic leaders are worried that Education Secretary Arne Duncan is not doing enough to hold states accountable for educating public school students who are low-income, minority, disabled or English-language learners.

Rep. George Miller (Calif.), the ranking Democrat on the House Committee on Education and the Workforce, and the chairs of the black, Asian and Hispanic caucuses wrote to Duncan on Tuesday, expressing concerns that several states are backsliding on their responsibilities to groups that are historically low­achieving.

The lawmakers said they were concerned that the states were not meeting their commitments, made under the Obama administration’s waiver program, to improving achievement for those disadvantaged groups.

Since 2011, the Education Department has been awarding waivers to states to excuse them from the more onerous requirements of No Child Left Behind, the 2002 federal education law.

The law sets conditions and requirements for every public school receiving federal funds to educate poor students and those with special needs. It defines academic progress and sets specific improvement strategies and sanctions for schools that do not measure up. One requirement, that all students must be proficient in math and reading by 2014, is now broadly seen as unrealistic.

The law expired in 2007, but Congress has been unable to find consensus on a new version.

With Congress stalled and complaints mounting from governors and school districts that they could not meet the demands of No Child Left Behind, Duncan began issuing waivers, freeing states from the requirements if they agreed to embrace certain education policy changes favored by Obama. To date, 42 states as well as the District of Columbia and Puerto Rico have received two-year waivers, and many are in the process of seeking a one-

FCMAT » Cali Education Headlines Thursday, February 13, 2014

FCMAT » Fiscal Crisis & Management Assistance Team:

California leads nation in new charter schools and students

Education Headlines

Thursday, February 13, 2014

FCMAT provides links to California K-12 news stories as a service to the industry. However, some stories may not be accessible because of newspapers' subscription policies.

Moorpark school superintendent to retire June 30

Moorpark Unified School District Superintendent Teresa Williams announced Tuesday that she will be retiring and her last day with the district will be June 30.

Simi Valley school trustees take up financial matters

After weeks of talking about closing schools, Simi Valley trustees broadened their discussion to money matters this week, taking up their future budget, a potential bond measure and the sale of surplus property.

Rowland teachers call for new superintendent

Just minutes after the Rowland Unified School District school board evaluated their superintendent behind closed doors Tuesday night, a steady stream of teachers evaluated him in public — in front of all gathered inside a packed board room.

Monterey Peninsula USD working through its math problem

Students are refining and improving their algebra knowledge with a computer program called Assessment and Learning in Knowledge Spaces, or ALEKS, which evaluates students' skills before giving them more challenging problems.

Long Beach charter New City Public Schools avoids California Dept. of Education disciplinary action

New City Public Schools will not be disciplined by the state for failing to meet targets on standardized tests.

Fresno Unified says confidential information will be secure

Fresno Unified Superintendent Michael Hanson assured parents Wednesday night that confidential information about district schools and students sent to a research institution at Stanford University will be secure.

Los Al school board OKs graduation at church hall

Two middle-school graduations and a concert will be held at a local megachurch this year despite arguments by a parent and atheist group that it would violate the separation of church and state.

Ocean View to overhaul tech gear, infrastructure

The Ocean View School District has developed standards for what type of technology to have in its classrooms, announcing a massive overhaul of the district's technology and infrastructure costing about $1.9 million.

No contract yet for OC Dept. of Ed. workers

About 20 school staff members demonstrated outside the Orange County Department of Education on Wednesday to boost support for their union’s push for cost-of-living increase, a one-time pay increase and a boost to the cap on health care benefits.

As budget improves, Folsom Cordova Unified gives employees 5 percent bonuses

As K-12 districts begin seeing more state money, nearly 2,000 employees in Folsom Cordova schools will receive one-time bonus checks next month equal to 5 percent of pay.

San Ysidro mediated talks to go to round three

“Unfortunately, the status remains the same.” So responded Gloria Madera, interim superintendent for the San Ysidro School District, in an email to U-T San Diego when asked about recent state-mediated labor talks between the district and the teachers union.

County board of ed approves Sweetwater districts

The San Diego County Board of Education, acting as a committee on school district organization, approved a proposal Wednesday to have voters elect Sweetwater school trustees from geographic areas within the district, a move that a citizens group says will improve representation.

Santa Clara County schools chief chosen as finalist to head Texas district

Xavier De La Torre, the embattled chief of the Santa Clara County Office of Education, late Wednesday was named the lone finalist for superintendent of the Ysleta Independent School District in El Paso.

School's late-night alarms upset Oakland neighbors

Neighbors say the alarm has gone off about six times in the past 10 months, many times shaking them from their slumber. It has stayed on for as short as 15 minutes, they say, and as long as five hours.

High-paid Centinela Valley Superintendent Jose Fernandez had just one performance review since 2009

Jose Fernandez, the Centinela Valley school superintendent who amassed $663,000 in total compensation last year, has been formally evaluated by the school board only once since he was given one of the most lucrative contracts in the state in 2009.

California leads nation in new charter schools and students

California led the country in opening new charter schools this fiscal year, adding 104 campuses and 48,000 students, according to a report released Wednesday.

State schools superintendent endorses mandatory child abuse training legislation

Tom Torlakson, state Superintendent of Public Instruction, announced his support Wednesday for legislation that would require school districts to train employees in identifying and reporting suspected child abuse.

Wednesday, February 12, 2014

Salinas joins effort to save ag education funding

As if the drought gripping California wasn’t enough to worry about, hundreds of Salinas Valley youths face the drying up of a key source of funding if Gov. Jerry Brown succeeds in eliminating $4.1 million for high school agriculture programs.

Monterey Peninsula USD transcript changes: Policies to blame, report says

Unclear and contradictory board policies and practices at the Monterey Peninsula Unified School District paved the way for changing the transcripts of 93 students. That was one of the major conclusions reached by Monterey County Superintendent of Schools Nancy Kotowski and her team of investigators after they conducted an audit behind the changes to the transcripts.

Novato school district planning use for Hamilton property

Novato Unified School District has been gifted a large piece of property from the military and district leaders are now trying to figure out what to do with it.

Ex-school board member charged with stealing $750,000

A former board member for a Newport Beach-based charter school district was arrested this week on charges he stole $750,000 in school funds for personal use.

San Ysidro schools face $12M judgment

A San Diego County Superior Court jury on Tuesday awarded a solar-power company $12 million in damages against the San Ysidro School District, already facing significant financial troubles.

StudentsFirst forming small donor campaign fund for local, state elections

Sacramento-based StudentsFirst is seeking to expand its political clout in California by asking its members to contribute to a new election campaign fund.

Fensterwald: Charter schools association continues push to weed out low-scoring schools

Upping its campaign to root out what it views as its lowest performing schools, the California Charter Schools Association last week criticized a San Jose school district for allowing a charter school to open two more campuses next year.

L.A. school board rejects proposal to put a caretaker in vacant seat

A proposal to appoint a caretaker to a vacant Los Angeles Board of Education seat failed Tuesday when a majority of the remaining trustees refused to support it.