Health Officials: Vaccine is Best Protection against H1N1 - Pravda.Ru

Health Officials: Vaccine is Best Protection against H1N1 - Pravda.Ru:

"The only thing experts can say for sure about this flu season is that it won't be similar to any other. There will be multiple flu viruses circulating, one of which most people are defenseless against. 'This year we are in uncharted territory,' says Centers for Disease Control and Prevention director Thomas Frieden. 'What will happen in the coming weeks and months will only become clear in the weeks and months ahead.' Here is a handy guide to prepare for flu season by USA TODAY's Steve Sternberg, compiled from information provided by the CDC and other sources."

Education Technology News: Verizon Offers Free Online Resources for California Educators

Education Technology News: Verizon Offers Free Online Resources for California Educators:

"A new initiative from the California K-12 High Speed Network, or K12HSN, a state-funded education program, and the Verizon Foundation will reportedly provide free online resources for California teachers, parents and students, through Verizon's (News - Alert) Thinkfinity.org."

Young people should strive for a more complete skill set - Sacramento Opinion - Sacramento Editorial | Sacramento Bee

Young people should strive for a more complete skill set - Sacramento Opinion - Sacramento Editorial Sacramento Bee:

"If we are going to educate a new generation of informed, responsible Americans who are ready to work in an increasingly interdependent world, Sorensen says, we must start with a basic grounding in subjects such as history and political science. In addition, she promotes the teaching of foreign languages, so each student reaches a point of fluency in at least one of them. Later, as students move into the university, Sorensen believes they should take one or more courses in economics, and develop as broad a base as possible in world literature and culture.

How does one accommodate such needs in already crowded curricula at the secondary-school level?"

Education: Report forecasts surge of new students for community colleges – North San Francisco Bay Area, Sonoma, Marin, Napa counties - North Bay Business Journal - Archive

Education: Report forecasts surge of new students for community colleges – North San Francisco Bay Area, Sonoma, Marin, Napa counties - North Bay Business Journal - Archive:

"The report, entitled “Ready or Not, Here They Come,” will be presented at the commission’s quarterly meeting to be held later this month in Sacramento.

According to the report, the state’s 110 community colleges will need to increase their capacity over the next decade in order not to turn away the 222,000 additional students who will seek to enroll. It estimates that the number of students during the next decade will increase by 12.3 percent."

The Conversation: Education chief wants a transformation - Sacramento Opinion - Sacramento Editorial | Sacramento Bee

The Conversation: Education chief wants a transformation - Sacramento Opinion - Sacramento Editorial Sacramento Bee:

"Join the conversation: Should teacher pay be linked to student performance? Leave your comments in our forum.

U.S. Secretary of Education Arne Duncan is a man in a hurry. Children, he says, have only one chance to get an education: 'We cannot wait because our children cannot wait.'"

Sacramento committee plan opposes strong-mayor proposal - Sacramento News - Local and Breaking Sacramento News | Sacramento Bee

Sacramento committee plan opposes strong-mayor proposal - Sacramento News - Local and Breaking Sacramento News Sacramento Bee:

"A draft report by the Charter Review Committee recommends keeping the city governance structure virtually untouched, except for granting the mayor the power to appoint – but not have final approval over – a nomination for city manager."

Students, education officials take precautions | Grand Forks Herald | Grand Forks, North Dakota

Students, education officials take precautions Grand Forks Herald Grand Forks, North Dakota:

"“Awareness certainly is heightened,” Pace said. “We have Minnesota Health Department information on our Web site, and I’m looking at attendance figures earlier than ever, asking what are the reasons for people being out. We’re in our second week and we’re getting some students who are sick, but that’s normal.”

While nobody is panicking over H1N1, “They’re scared of the unknown,” Carlstrom said. “How bad is it going to get? We don’t know.”"

Money problems sowing discontent in Univerity of California system - San Jose Mercury News

Money problems sowing discontent in Univerity of California system - San Jose Mercury News:

"The expected showdown this week — on the first day of classes at eight of the 10 campuses — follows a raucous UC Board of Regents meeting last week where officials presented their tuition plan and 14 of about 100 demonstrators were arrested.

'It's going to explode pretty soon, if it hasn't already,' said Will Smelko, a senior political science major at UC-Berkeley and the student-body president.

The growing rumbles come after a rough year for the university, which has cut enrollment and raised student fees to make up for state budget cuts. In November, the Board of Regents is expected to vote to increase tuition by 32 percent over the next year, pushing it to more than $10,000 annually."

The Associated Press: Calif. panel set to recommend major tax overhaul

The Associated Press: Calif. panel set to recommend major tax overhaul:

"According to a draft of the plan, the state's personal income tax structure would be flattened and taxes on the wealthy would be reduced. The state sales and corporate taxes would be replaced with a new business levy that taxes net receipts.

The commission is recommending a simpler income tax to replace California's more progressive structure, in which people who make more, pay more — up to 10.55 percent for millionaires. The commission is recommending just two rates: 2.75 percent for individuals making up to $28,000 a year and couples making $56,000, and 6.5 percent for those making more."

Mayor Johnson persuades homeless campers to leave downtown property - E-mail Alerts -- Breaking News - sacbee.com

Mayor Johnson persuades homeless campers to leave downtown property - E-mail Alerts -- Breaking News - sacbee.com:

"In his blog, Johnson wrote: 'I was there last night, meeting with about 15 homeless campers. I listened as they told me of their strong desire to have a legal place to camp in Sacramento. They listened as I pledged to work on solutions to homelessness. As we shared a meal, I was impressed by the strong sense of community and mutual support among the campers. After discussions and dinner, they told me they are ready move on and leave the camp.'"

The White House - Blog Post - Eid Mubarak

The White House - Blog Post - Eid Mubarak:

"'As Muslims in the United States and around the world complete the month of Ramadan and celebrate Eid-ul-Fitr, Michelle and I would like to extend our personal greetings on this joyous occasion. Eid is a time to celebrate the completion of 30 days and nights of devotion. But even on this festive occasion, Muslims remember those less fortunate, including those impacted by poverty, hunger, conflict, and disease. Throughout the month, Muslim communities collect and distribute zakat-ul-fitr so that all Muslims are able to participate in this day of celebration. As I said in Cairo, my Administration is working to ensure that Muslims are able to fulfill their charitable obligations not just during Ramadan, but throughout the year. On behalf of the American people, we congratulate Muslims in the United States and around the world on this blessed day. Eid Mubarak.'"

Appointing vs. electing MPS leaders should be about real change - JSOnline

Appointing vs. electing MPS leaders should be about real change - JSOnline:

"There is a difference between an elected board and a non-elected board, experience elsewhere shows. Elected officials are likely to be more responsive to constituents, to organizations, to the people who call them and who do show up at the meetings. Non-elected members are likely to be less responsive to those seeking their attention, in the name of being more responsive to the general public and broad needs. Or, in the view of some, in the name of being part of an elite group that wants to shut the community out of decisions.

You want to keep your school from being closed? Your best bet is an elected board. You want more schools in the city to be closed? Your best bet is an appointed board. The same with a lot of other decisions."

Open for business: Cash-strapped schools looking for ways to make money -- OrlandoSentinel.com

Open for business: Cash-strapped schools looking for ways to make money -- OrlandoSentinel.com:

"Cash-strapped school districts across Central Florida are scrambling to find a new source of money by marketing everything from online websites to gymnasium naming rights -- and even Friday night football games.

They're hoping advertisers will line up for the ready-made audience of students, teachers and parents, as well as the general public."

Budget cuts push some classrooms way over capacity -- latimes.com

Budget cuts push some classrooms way over capacity -- latimes.com:

"The impact of California's budget cuts has varied from school to school. Because of the patchwork of federal and state funding for education, some campuses have felt the pinch far less than others. But at schools like Fairfax, hard hit by the $6 billion in education reductions enacted by the Legislature and Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger, this is shaping up to be one difficult year.

'I'm very frustrated,' Collier said. 'I mean, it's a good class -- it's an honors class, and the kids are really good. But it's unreasonable to ask me to teach a class of 48 kids and give attention to everybody.'"

Remembering 'Norma Rae' Crystal Lee Sutton

Remembering 'Norma Rae' Crystal Lee Sutton:

"She was a warrior to the end, Price said.

'I've never seen any woman fight cancer as hard as she did. She was in a wheelchair in the last few months, and she wanted me to push her to a protest about a school's teacher cuts.'

Last year, a Burlington Times News reporter asked Sutton how she'd like to be remembered. 'It is not necessary I be remembered as anything,' she said, 'but I would like to be remembered as a woman who deeply cared for the working poor and the poor people of the U.S. and the world. That my family and children and children like mine will have a fair share and equality.'"

NSBA and NEA Publish Undocumented Students Legal Issues Guide « Docuticker

NSBA and NEA Publish Undocumented Students Legal Issues Guide « Docuticker:

"The National School Boards Association (NSBA), with a generous grant from the National Education Association (NEA), released a publication designed to help school districts answer questions about the legal rights of undocumented students in public K-12 schools. Legal Issues for School Districts Related to the Education of Undocumented Children offers practical information for schools as they deal with this complicated issue.

Sixteen national education organizations have signed onto the guide, which will go to every school district in the United States and is available on NSBA and NEA’s websites. The guide provides answers to 13 questions that school districts face as they navigate the growing trend of undocumented student enrollment."

Full Document (PDF; 717 KB): http://www.docstoc.com/docs/11634376/NSBA-and-NEA-Undocumented-Students-Legal-Issues-Guide

Kids Celebrate Reading | Literacy News

Kids Celebrate Reading Literacy News:

"Originally created as a one-day event to celebrate the joy of reading on March 2, the birthday of Dr. Seuss, NEA’s Read Across America has grown into a nationwide initiative that promotes reading every day with more than 45 million participating annually.

“As teachers and parents, we know that kids who read – and are read to – do better in school and in life,” said NEA President Reg Weaver."

Frisco, other Dallas-area districts are emphasizing preschool programs | News for Dallas, Texas | Dallas Morning News | News: Education

Frisco, other Dallas-area districts are emphasizing preschool programs News for Dallas, Texas Dallas Morning News News: Education:

"'Fewer children who receive early childhood education are entering the juvenile justice or welfare system. They are going to college. When they start early, more succeed.'
And, she said, Americans are finally recognizing it.

'Economists, business leaders, Bill Gates, all the major folks are out there touting the benefits of early education,' Johnson said, including the current administration."

Bloomberg mailer attacks Thompson with fuzzy facts

Bloomberg mailer attacks Thompson with fuzzy facts:

"Education statistics are notoriously malleable, and Team Thompson has argued that Bloomberg and Schools Chancellor Joel Klein have cooked the books.
Expect to be buried under an avalanche of education statistics for the next six weeks. Bloomberg will point to better performance, helped by money and control that Thompson never had.
Thompson will say the mayor has turned schools into testing mills that ignore arts and music - though in his first TV ad, he never mentions his time as board president.
Which argument wins the election?"

Race To The Top puts too much pressure on schools | Delawareonline.com | The News Journal

Race To The Top puts too much pressure on schools Delawareonline.com The News Journal:

"It’s precisely in the 5,000 chronically failing public schools targeted by the initiative that this particular mandate needs to be debated most openly. These schools are almost always located in inner cities and in rural areas. They are overwhelmingly populated by poor students who come from chaotic backgrounds."

When teachers inherit classroom after classroom of these students year after year, it’s extremely difficult to focus on instruction. That’s because of the powerful effect of out-of-school factors on learning. Too many poor students go to school each day without a nutritious breakfast, without sufficient sleep and without parents who are involved in their education. As a result, teachers are forced to perform triage rather than teach.
This bleak situation has long existed, but the recession has increased the number of students who are homeless and who have lost access to health care. About 1.6 million people, including 340,000 children, were homeless across the nation before the recession began, according to the Center on Budget and Policy Priorities. With unemployment on the rise, the situation will only get worse.