'No Child Left Behind' Overhaul in Sights of Obama Administration - ABC News

'No Child Left Behind' Overhaul in Sights of Obama Administration - ABC News:

"'Few laws have generated more debate. Few subjects divide educators so intensely,' Education Secretary Arne Duncan said today. 'Many teachers complain bitterly about NCLB's emphasis on testing. Principals hate being labeled as failures. Superintendents say it wasn't adequately funded. And many parents just view it as a toxic brand that isn't helping children learn.'"

Hail Billie Jean King and Ted Kennedy – Native American Contributors to Title 1X - Sports Features Communications®

Hail Billie Jean King and Ted Kennedy – Native American Contributors to Title 1X - Sports Features Communications®:

"Native Americans can take pride that Tennis icon Billie Jean King, a Cherokee, and Ted Kennedy, descendant of an honorary Iroquois Chief, did wonders to create equal opportunities for girls/women in sports and education in America and abroad.


By enforcing the 1972 Title 1X Education Amendments Act, they actually helped restore those equitable traditional ways of the First Americans, which were interrupted in the last 150 years."

Smacking hits kids' IQ - life - 25 September 2009 - New Scientist

Smacking hits kids' IQ - life - 25 September 2009 - New Scientist:

"A good spanking may leave a mark on a child that's worse than the red handprint. Spanking and other corporal punishments stunt children's intelligence, new research shows.

The IQs of 2- to 4-year-olds who received regular spankings from their parents dropped by more than 5 points over four years, compared with kids who were not spanked."

09.24.2009 - Boisterous rally draws thousands to Sproul Plaza to vent anger at UC cutbacks

09.24.2009 - Boisterous rally draws thousands to Sproul Plaza to vent anger at UC cutbacks:

"About 5,000 people, many wearing red armbands and carrying placards, overflowed Sproul Plaza for a noontime rally that some veterans of earlier protests called the largest such gathering there since the Vietnam-war era. Following longstanding Berkeley tradition, speakers addressed the crowd from the Sproul steps, urging those able to make out their words to 'save UC' from the draconian budget cuts — more than $800 million systemwide — that have led to steps that even top UC officials acknowledge threaten the university's public mission. Administrators — backed by large numbers of faculty and staff — have sought to put the onus squarely on Sacramento, demanding that legislators fully fund higher education in California."

SRI International Education Researchers to Evaluate California High School

SRI International Education Researchers to Evaluate California High School:

"The California Multiple Pathways District Initiative is funded by the Irvine Foundation and managed by ConnectEd: The California Center for College and Career, an independent nonprofit organization established by the Irvine Foundation. The overall goal of the initiative is to support districts in developing a system of multiple pathways that lead to improved high school graduation and college-attendance rates, increased academic achievement and learning, and increased earning power after graduation, especially for low-income youth. SRI's evaluation will provide data that examine district-level implementation of a system of pathways and student outcomes associated with a pathways approach. The evaluation will conclude in January 2013.

In June 2009, after an extensive planning and review process, ConnectEd awarded grants of over $1 million to each of six school districts throughout California to develop systems of pathways. All six districts - Antioch Unified, Long Beach Unified, Pasadena Unified, Porterville Unified, Sacramento City Unified, and West Contra Costa Unified - will be included in the evaluation of the initiative."

School nurse shortage hampers swine flu response - Sacramento News - Local and Breaking Sacramento News | Sacramento Bee

School nurse shortage hampers swine flu response - Sacramento News - Local and Breaking Sacramento News Sacramento Bee:

"The shortage of school nurses could lead to more students falling ill from the H1N1 virus, which can be particularly dangerous for children with weakened immune systems or respiratory conditions such as asthma, experts say."

Katy Grimes: Strong mayor might work; this plan won't - Sacramento Opinion - Sacramento Editorial | Sacramento Bee

Katy Grimes: Strong mayor might work; this plan won't - Sacramento Opinion - Sacramento Editorial Sacramento Bee:

"Emulating Chicago-style politics, replete with the Daley family monarchy, is hopefully not what Johnson had in mind when he supported the strong-mayor concept. However, one need not look much further than his ambitious political advisers, supporters and 'Kitchen Cabinet' members for complicity. Developers and hopeful city contractors will have to cater only to the mayor, not all nine council members. Johnson's friends, groupies, consultants and advisers looking for future appointments will have plenty of jobs to consider – Chicago-style."

Natomas schools hit by harsh budget bloodletting - Sacramento News - Local and Breaking Sacramento News | Sacramento Bee

Natomas schools hit by harsh budget bloodletting - Sacramento News - Local and Breaking Sacramento News Sacramento Bee:

"The County Office of Education had exhausted all warnings to the district and, as of Wednesday morning, had stepped in to right the district's finances. County education officials told Natomas trustees to cut $200,000 from this year's budget and $5 million from the budgets of each of the next three years."

University of California campuses protest cuts, fee hikes - Sacramento News - Local and Breaking Sacramento News | Sacramento Bee

University of California campuses protest cuts, fee hikes - Sacramento News - Local and Breaking Sacramento News Sacramento Bee:

"From Davis to San Diego – and on eight campuses in between – the University of California erupted Thursday in protests, pickets, walkouts and teach-ins. About 7,000 people participated in rallies that were generally peaceful and resulted in no arrests."

My Word: School district needs community's help on master plan - San Jose Mercury News

My Word: School district needs community's help on master plan - San Jose Mercury News:

"Like school districts across California, the Alameda Unified School District is facing a perfect storm of fiscal crises. The nationwide recession that has reduced state revenue has in turn significantly reduced state funding to the Alameda district.

In 2010-2011, we will face a $3 million deficit, and in 2011-2012, a $7 million deficit.

By 2012-2013, when funding from Measures A and H parcel taxes expires, Alameda Unified School District schools will face a devastating $16 million deficit."

Passionate protests, marching and 'teach-ins' on UC campuses all over the state - San Jose Mercury News

Passionate protests, marching and 'teach-ins' on UC campuses all over the state - San Jose Mercury News:

"Against a backdrop of protests and picket lines on UC campuses all over California, some students got lessons not found anywhere in a textbook: Why they're getting less, but paying more, for their education.

Offering an alternative to a UC-wide 'Walk Out,' some faculty members held 'teach ins,' to describe the theories and finance of tuition hikes, enrollment cuts, layoffs, furloughs and increased class sizes that they said harms students.

'The state's contribution to education is plummeting and your family's contribution is rising,' said Economics of Labor professor Lori Kletzer, as students winced and took notes."

Winning the Battle on Majority Rule - California Progress Report

Winning the Battle on Majority Rule - California Progress Report:

"Earlier David Dayen leveled his criticism of the Sacramento Democratic establishment for their apparent failure to produce an initiative to roll back the 2/3rds rule and start fixing California's broken government.

Here I want to offer a slightly different perspective on the issue of what we need to do to win the battle. This isn't a disagreement with David, but instead a discussion of something related - the question of how it is we win this battle."

David Greenwald: Over 1000 Students, Staffers, Employees and Faculty Members Participate in Walk Out Rally at UC ...

Over 1000 Students, Staffers, Employees and Faculty Members Participate in Walk Out Rally at UC ...

Over 1000 students, employees, faculty members, staffers, and others affiliated with the University filled the East Quad at UC Davis on Thursday afternoon advocating against fee increases that many see as the death knell for public education in California. Speakers were concerned about talk that UC President Mark Yudoff is moving toward a hybrid public-private university that will make fees that are set to go up as much as 32% in the next year, unaffordable for many.

Among the speakers on Thursday was Professor Markus Luty, a physics professor who jokingly encouraged students that it was a great day to ditch class.

On a more serious note, he reminded students that the UC system began in 1960 with a Master Plan that included a spot for the top 1/8 of all California school graduates--free of charge.He liken UC to a Superbowl-winning football team:

"The University of California is like a Superbowl-winning football team. If you stop investing in it, it will still be great fora while. But eventually the top players will. start leaving, you won't be able to recruit top talent to replace them, and you will end up with a mediocre team."He continued:

"The UC system is at a tipping point between greatness and mediocrity. Faculty morale is low, and I hear a lot from my colleagues about leaving the UC system. This has been noticed outside California: a recent editorial in the Austin Statesman suggested that the University of Texas should set aside money specifically to recruit top UC faculty. Those Texans know a thing or two about football!"Furthermore, UC is now in serious trouble.

"This great university system is now in serious trouble. The problems did not start this year. Since the 1980s, higher education funding has been cut more than any other major sector of the state budget. It is the only sector that had a reduction in real per capita revenues between 1984 and 2004. Then in 2004, Governor Schwarzenegger made a "compact" with the University of California and California State Universities that fundamentally changed the model for higher education in California. The universities committed to shift financing from state funding to student fees and private donations. In return the compact was supposed to guarantee a minimum level of state support. But the governor and the California state legislature have walked away from this agreement and made further cuts."

On Wednesday evening, the Vanguard discussed the issue of the UC Davis Walkout in protest of furloughs and student tuition hikes. We interviewed five individuals from four different groups for their perspective. Guests: Julia Tachibana a 4th year English major, Sarah Raridon, a 4th year Gender Studies major, Jeff Bergamini from UPTE, Rick Sandoval from AFSCME, and Pat Turner, the Vice Provost of Undergraduate Studies represented the university.

Click here to listen to the radio show. The Vanguard will have a full story and many more pictures tomorrow morning with speakers who ranged from students, graduate students, lecturers, faculty, representatives from various unions, and many others.---David M. Greenwald reporting

California Progress Report

UC protests loud but peaceful; no major disruptions or problems reported | L.A. NOW | Los Angeles Times

UC protests loud but peaceful; no major disruptions or problems reported L.A. NOW Los Angeles Times:

"About 700 students, faculty and staff attended a noontime rally at UCLA's Bruin Plaza today as part of a systemwide day of protests against UC fee hikes, class reductions and pay cuts.
The enthusiastic but peaceful rally did not seem to disrupt the rest of life on campus on the fall quarter's first day of classes.

Among those in the crowd was third-year psychology major Vico Melgoza of Santa Ana. He said he was skipping two classes today to be there. 'This is more important. That's my personal belief,' said Melgoza, 21, adding that he was worried about how fee increases will affect not only his future but also future generations of low-income students. The fee hikes and cutbacks, he said, 'are beating the people who are already beaten.'"

The Associated Press: U. of California cuts protested at campus rallies

The Associated Press: U. of California cuts protested at campus rallies:

"Agnes Balla, a 21-year-old junior majoring in public health, said she was skipping three classes to join the walkout.

'I think the quality of education has been diminished by these budget cuts,' she said. 'I don't mind paying more for my education, but what I'm paying for is classes being cut, services being cut and a system that's becoming increasingly inaccessible.'"

Nestle Announces Sacramento as Replacement for McCloud - Take Action : Indybay

Nestle Announces Sacramento as Replacement for McCloud - Take Action : Indybay:

"On August 9th, Mayor Kevin Johnson was quoted in the Sacramento Bee as saying, “We’re going to have to learn to use water smarter, which is a new way of thinking in our city where residents have tapped into two major rivers for generations… We need to light a fire under the city’s efforts to save water so we can be a shining example of how to use water more efficiently instead of being a showcase of waste and inefficiency.” This is in stark contrast to statements Johnson made in response to Nestle moving into Sacramento. Johnson trumpeted Nestle’s arrival by saying “During these tough economic times, this company will not only bring jobs to the city, but it is also nice to have a reaffirmation that many firms still see Sacramento as such a desirable location.” Nestle stated in their press release that Sacramento will be a better site for them because their Northern California customers are mostly located in Sacramento and the Bay Area. It’s time to let them know that people in Sacramento and the Bay Area completely oppose this project."

Sacramento Press / Mayor Johnson, Bobby Jackson and VSP Partner for Local Kids in Need

Sacramento Press / Mayor Johnson, Bobby Jackson and VSP Partner for Local Kids in Need:

"VSP® Vision Care partnered with Sacramento Mayor Kevin Johnson and former Sacramento Kings player, Bobby Jackson, to provide no cost eye exams, eyewear and school supplies to students at Herman Leimbach Elementary in South Sacramento this past Sunday, September 20th."

EdSource | Local Revenues for Schools: Limits and Options in California

EdSource Local Revenues for Schools: Limits and Options in California:

"With K-12 schools representing the single largest expenditure in the state budget, education funding has been a central issue throughout the chaos that has recently characterized California's budget process.

School districts throughout California have endured deep cuts in state funding, and more cuts are looming. But state law severely limits the revenue-raising authority of school districts and local communities. At the same time, the results of local bond and parcel tax elections indicate that Californians want better funding for their local schools and are willing to tax themselves to achieve that."

Education Week: National Subject-Matter Standards? Be Careful What You Wish For

Education Week: National Subject-Matter Standards? Be Careful What You Wish For:

"What’s the big picture right now? Clashes on the fault lines between religions, societies, and civilizations. Terrorism. A widening gap between rich and poor. The confusing of national power with national greatness. Boardroom dishonesty. Violence promoted as entertainment. Lobbyist-dominated legislatures. Great confidence in the ability of force to improve the world. Tax evasion and other evidences of a lack of a sense of social responsibility. An education system in disarray from policies driven by ideology and simplistic conventional wisdom."

National Briefing - West - California - System Will Grant Degrees to Those Sent to Internment Camps - NYTimes.com

National Briefing - West - California - System Will Grant Degrees to Those Sent to Internment Camps - NYTimes.com:

"California State University is set to begin granting honorary degrees to former Japanese-American students who were sent to internment camps during World War II. The system’s Board of Trustees approved the measure to honor former students whose studies were interrupted more than 60 years ago. The move follows the University of California’s decision in July to confer honorary degrees to its former students who were interned."