Our Courts - Homepage

Our Courts - Homepage

Retired Supreme Court Justice Sandra Day O'Connor just released two interactive animated games aimed at middle school students on her website, Our Courts.

NEA Attacks Administration's Education Reform Plan | 44 | washingtonpost.com

NEA Attacks Administration's Education Reform Plan 44 washingtonpost.com

The nation's largest teachers union sharply attacked President Obama's most significant school improvement initiative on Friday evening, saying that it puts too much emphasis on a "narrow agenda" centered on charter schools and echoes the Bush administration's "top-down approach" to reform.

Instead of focusing on strengthening enforcement of civil rights laws to promote access and opportunity for students, the Administration has chosen the path of a series of top-down directives that may discourage rather than encourage productive innovation in classrooms and schools across the country. Despite growing evidence to the contrary, it appears that the Administration has decided that charter schools are the only answer to what ails America’s public schools—urban, suburban, exurban, and rural—and all must comply with that silver bullet, despite the fact that charters have often produced lower achievement gains than district-run public schools. [See recent report on Chicago’s Renaissance 2010 initiative: Young, V.M., Humphrey, D.C., Wang, H., Bosetti, K.R., Cassidy, L., Wechsler, M.E., Rivera, E., Murray, S., & Schanzenbach, D.W. (2009). Renaissance Schools Fund-supported schools: Early Outcomes, challenges, and opportunities. Menlo Park, CA: Stanford Research International and Chicago: Consortium on Chicago School Research.]

http://www.docstoc.com/docs/10385595/NEAs-statement-to-the-Department-of-Education

New Sacramento City Teachers Association web site

New Sacramento City Teachers Association web site

Welcome to the new website
for the
Sacramento City Teachers Association

http://www.sacteachers.org/?q=content/home

http://www.docstoc.com/docs/9903135/New-Sacramento-City-Teachers-Association-web-site

Chicago selective enrollment high schools face huge demand for few spots -- chicagotribune.com

Chicago selective enrollment high schools face huge demand for few spots -- chicagotribune.com:


"'It's so crazy competitive that you basically have to send your kid to school sick just to make sure she doesn't ruin her chances of getting into a good high school,' said Celia's mother, Lisa Hensey. 'My daughter did everything she had to do academically, but she gets punished because she got sick. What kind of message does that send to kids?'

As a federal investigation swirls around admissions practices at Walter Payton and the city's eight other vaunted selective enrollment high schools, it has spotlighted a troubling problem in the city's education system: There are so few good high schools that high-achieving teenagers like Celia must fight over scarce slots."

Kindergarten crunch: Lack of playtime killing joy of learning, say advocates - Salt Lake Tribune

Kindergarten crunch: Lack of playtime killing joy of learning, say advocates - Salt Lake Tribune:

"Child advocates, though, worry play, exercise and exploration in most public kindergartens is vanishing.
Authors of a 2009 report, 'Crisis in the Kindergarten' call the current state of affairs, 'a national disgrace.' They call for return to play-based teaching, warning the nation is 'blindly pursuing educational policies that could well damage the intellectual, social and physical development of an entire generation.'"

for report go to:
http://www.docstoc.com/docs/5100683/Crisis-in-the-Kindergarten-Why-Children-Need-to-Play-in-School

CALIFORNIA BRIEFING -- latimes.com

CALIFORNIA BRIEFING -- latimes.com:


"The Los Angeles Unified School District board is scheduled to vote today on the resolution, which would allow independent groups, including charters and an education group overseen by the mayor, to apply to take over campuses. The resolution originally targeted 50 schools scheduled to open over the next several years but was amended to include an additional 200 underperforming campuses.

Many unions and some board members and other elected officials have expressed concern with aspects of the resolution, saying that it could create a stratified education system that may not serve low-income students. Union leaders also complained that they had been left out of the process of creating the resolution."

State education law misguided, but so are Obama requirements - Opinion Blog

State education law misguided, but so are Obama requirements - Opinion Blog:

"The New York Legislature should repeal the legislation, or at least let it expire next year. But that decision should be a state one, not a federal one. Duncan's proposal to deny millions of dollars in potential grants to states that don't comply with his policy preferences is an example of the kind of federal overreach on education that many hoped had ended with the Bush administration. Bush's No Child Left Behind law -- a product of widespread bipartisan agreement -- greatly expanded the federal role in education, traditionally a state and local function. For the Obama administration to extend such intrusion by bullying states in areas like teacher evaluation and charter schools is both surprising and disappointing."

The Greatest Chicago Gang of Them All | Chicago Daily Observer

The Greatest Chicago Gang of Them All Chicago Daily Observer:

"Little wonder the parents of this historic, middle-class neighborhood—which changed from white to black in the 1970s—are so angry. Daley’s controversial Renaissance 2010 “school reform” project robbed them not only of a neighborhood school, but a name that still resonates through jazz history.
It goes back to 1922, when the 20’s were just starting to roar. A time when the “beer wars” were just about to begin and Al Capone was just another mope rising in the Chicago mob. Chicago was rugged and corrupt even then, but the ratatatatat of a tommy gun had not yet become its subtextual eponym."

Oregon's a slow starter in race to better schools - OregonLive.com

Oregon's a slow starter in race to better schools - OregonLive.com

Look, we're not yet completely sold on the claims that charter schools and performance pay are the end all, be all of school reform. And we still believe that the first step toward strengthening a school is to put a great principal in charge, surround her or him with teachers who are committed and work well together, and give kids -- every one of them -- the attention they need.

But what's going on with education here is not in the best Oregon tradition. This is a state that's been a bold, creative national trendsetter on everything from land-use planning to juvenile justice to protection of public beaches. And yet here we are, chugging along on schools, continually bickering over money and control, fighting most changes, and imagining all the while that we're actually in a race to the top.

Danny Weil: The Charter School Hype and How It's Managed

Danny Weil: The Charter School Hype and How It's Managed:

"As I worked on an investigation of charter schools my journey led me through a myriad of think tanks, front groups, advocacy organizations, and reform clubs and associations active in the controversy over charter schools. What I found particularly noticeable were literally hundreds of think tanks, many of which have been active in proposing charter school legislation for decades under the auspices of privatization. I was struck by how large these think tanks were and had become, how well-funded they seemed to be and how they have the ability to create multi-issue networks that can respond on a wide range of issues in a relatively short period of time, a plus in the 24/7 news cycle world within which we live. Many of the think tanks I visited in my research, though not all are also often the same think tanks that promote private vouchers, engage in anti-teacher rhetoric and encourage the privatization of education in general. It is important that as consumers of a great deal of think tank commentary and information about charter schools we take the time to analyze just what a think tank is, why they exist and whose interests they serve."

Judging teachers by test scores is wrong : Opinion : Ventura County Star

Judging teachers by test scores is wrong : Opinion : Ventura County Star:

"Children are the sum of their experiences and teachers are only a small part of the equation. Children arrive at school with various life experiences that hamper and hinder, or enhance their ability to learn. Teachers do not control these factors and, therefore, should not be penalized or rewarded because of them."

Teachers Without Contract Sound Off - Indiana News Story - WRTV Indianapolis

Teachers Without Contract Sound Off - Indiana News Story - WRTV Indianapolis:

"'We don't feel that we're respected, so that's the biggest thing for us,' said Carmel High School teacher Dawn Laumeyer.
Teachers' contracts expired in June 2008. Administrators and teachers haven't been able to come to an agreement on a new contract.
'With declining revenues, hard choices have to be made,' said Brian Lyday, president of the Carmel Clay Education Association. 'We're asking that the administration looks in other places besides just the teaching staff.'"

Teachers in school districts considering strikes | Top Stories | NWCN.com | Northwest News and Weather

Teachers in school districts considering strikes Top Stories NWCN.com Northwest News and Weather:


"'This is the worst time this state has seen in decades. I can't stress to you people how serious this is,' said one school administrator.
Shoreline teachers are meeting Thursday to get an update. They have already voted to authorize a strike but would have to take another vote to actually go on strike."

Sacramento Press / Mayor's education report praises charter schools

Sacramento Press / Mayor's education report praises charter schools:

"One of the recommendations states that the city could contact “educational management organizations that have seen success across the state and nation to open schools in Sacramento or partner in turning around low-performing schools.”"

for report go to:

http://www.docstoc.com/docs/10382430/Education-That-Works-Ideas-for-Sacramento

LAUSD takes on `school choice' plan - ContraCostaTimes.com

LAUSD takes on `school choice' plan - ContraCostaTimes.com:


Fiercely opposing the plan is organized labor and some community leaders, who see the reforms as divisive and polarizing.

Hundreds of protesters on both sides of the issue are expected to crowd today's board meeting downtown. Streets surrounding LAUSD's Beaudry headquarters will be blocked off by around 10 a.m."

Labor organizations have blasted the mayor's involvement with the proposal.
"After voters decided that they did not want the mayor involved in our schools, this is his alternate route to get his takeover," said Andrea Canty, a spokeswoman for the California School Employees Association.
The mayor was also sharply criticized this month for attending "invitation-only" town hall meetings about the school choice plan sponsored by the Parent Revolution, a parent group funded by the Green Dot Charter organization, that excluded several parents.
A.J. Duffy, president of United Teachers Los Angeles, has vocally opposed the school choice plan, calling it the "privatization" of public education.
Duffy cited recent studies, including a Stanford study released this spring that revealed that about 30 percent of all charters nationwide are performing worse than comparable noncharter schools.
"Is no one reading the data?" Duffy asked. "Charters are not doing any better. This is clearly an attempt to break up UTLA."

Making Geeks Cool Could Reform Education

Making Geeks Cool Could Reform Education

"The driving force in the life of a child, starting much earlier than it used to be, is to be cool, to fit in," Grodd told the group. "And pretty universally, it's cool to rebel." In other words, prepare for you and your netbook to be jeered out of the room. "The best schools," Grodd told me later, "are able to make learning cool, so the cool kids are the ones who get As. That's an art."

It's an art that has, for the most part, been lost on educators. The notion itself seems incredibly daunting—until you look at one maligned subculture in which the smartest members are also the most popular: the geeks. If you want to reform schools, you've got to make them geekier.

"Geeks get things done. They're possessed. They can't help themselves," says Larry Rosenstock, founding principal of eight charter schools in San Diego County collectively called High Tech High. He has come up with a curriculum that forces kids to embrace their inner geek by pushing them to create.

Why school choice plan is a bad idea for our district - LA Daily News

Why school choice plan is a bad idea for our district - LA Daily News:

"HOW can you have an education 'town hall' where the townsfolk aren't invited?

Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa and Ben Austin staged two such events this month touting LAUSD Vice President Yolie Flores Aguilar's school choice resolution, which is up for vote on Tuesday.

Locking out those most concerned with the content of those meetings - parents, educators and the community - is a harbinger of how public education may look should the resolution pass. In fact, the closed meetings stand as metaphors for how the majority of charter management organizations work: undemocratic, top down, run by noneducators, and unaccountable to the communities where they operate.

Noting widespread public opposition to Flores Aguilar's resolution, particularly at town halls featuring LAUSD Superintendent Ramon Cortines, the mayor and his Green Dot allies made sure their Boyle Heights and Venice meetings were town halls in name only.

The first was held midday Aug. 11. The Garfield Town Hall was hosted at Catholic Charities instead of Garfield High School, notably because Garfield's parents, teachers, and community have vehemently opposed Green Dot's ongoing hostile takeover attempts for over a year. The community was locked outside while parents bused in from other locations comprised the audience.

Those locked out were told they would have been admitted had they called to reserve a spot.
That's what many people did for the next day's town hall in Venice once they obtained a number for RSVPs. The number was voice mail for Green Dot's paid organizer and none of us were ever called back. The Aug. 12 town hall in Venice was another closed meeting. "

Stop the Power Grab at tomorrow night's City Council Meeting

Please show up to City Council tomorrow (Tuesday), August 25th after 6pm and urge the City Council to vote NO on using taxpayer resources to fix legal flaws with the "Strong Mayor" initiative.

By doing so, we could finally put an end to the power grab.According to a review by the City Attorney, there are legal flaws with the proposal. If these legal issues are not resolved before the election, there is a chance that even if passed by the voters, the initiative could not take effect.

Recognizing that its legal flaws may end up killing the initiative, proponents of the measure are now urging the Council to direct city staff to draft accompanying measures to fix the proposal's legal flaws.

Proponents drafted the "Strong Mayor" initiative in secret and without public input or oversight. Then they hired a firm to collect signatures and claimed that it was the "will of the voters" to put this measure on the ballot in its original form.

They dismissed the idea of a charter review committee that was established to do the job right. Now they want the city council to fix their mistakes and are asking for the taxpayers to foot the bill.We need to put an end to this nonsense.

Please show up to City Council in strong numbers tomorrow and urge them to VOTE NO on using city resources to fix this legally flawed initiative and let's finally put this power grab to rest!
If you can't attend the meeting please contact the City Council at

http://www.cityofsacramento.org/council/index.html or

the FAX number for all Council Members is 916-264-7680.

Patrick Kennedy

Patrick Kennedy for Council 2010

Patrick Kennedy

Former Sacramento Fire Chief Julius Cherry Endorses Patrick Kennedy for Sacramento City Council
Monday, August 24
Former Sacramento Fire Chief Julius Cherry endorsed Patrick Kennedy’s campaign for Sacramento City Council, District 5. “I am proud to support Patrick Kennedy for City Council because of his commitment to public safety and years of service to the neighborhoods of District 5,” said Chief Cherry.

City Employees Support Patrick Kennedy
Monday, August 24
The International Union of Operating Engineers, Stationary Engineers, Local 39 in Sacramento, has endorsed Patrick Kennedy for Sacramento City Council. Local 39 represents approximately 2,500 workers in the City of Sacramento and covers a wide variety of workers in the Public and Private sectors, such as engineers, water treatment plant operators, building inspectors, code enforcement officers, librarians, park maintenance workers, and sanitation workers, just to name a few.
“I welcome the support of working men and women at the City and I look forward to working side-by-side with them to make Sacramento great,” said Patrick.

Sacramento Builders Exchange Endorses Patrick
Monday, August 17
The Sacramento Builders Exchange, the largest development association in California, has endorsed Patrick Kennedy for Sacramento City Council. In doing so, the Builders Exchange has put its faith in Patrick's economic development message and the leadership he will bring to City Hall.
"Patrick Kennedy is far and away the most qualified candidate for the job. We don't often make endorsements this early, but when you get a candidate like Patrick, the decision is easy,” said Matt Hedges, Director of Public Affairs for the Sacramento Builders Exchange.

Patrick Reaches Early Fundraising Goal
Wednesday, August 05
I am proud of the broad range of support that I received from all across Sacramento. It shows the level of support this campaign is attracting from so many walks of life in every community of the City.
A big thank you for everyone who helped me reach my early fundraising goal!

School success requires parent involvement

School success requires parent involvement:

"Your children are learning the most from you – by watching you, talking to you and interacting with you. In many ways, parents are the most important teachers children will have and it’s important to support your children’s education both at school and at home."

Parents should be partners with their child’s teacher. Introduce yourself to the teacher and talk about goals, communication preferences, concerns you have about your child, etc. Talk with teachers even when things are going well with your child, not just when problems arise. If there are problems, it is easier to work them out if you already have a relationship with the teacher. You and the teacher can work together in your different roles to help your children succeed in school.