Report Questions Duncan’s Policy of Closing Failing Schools - NYTimes.com

Report Questions Duncan’s Policy of Closing Failing Schools - NYTimes.com:

"Secretary of Education Arne Duncan presided over the closing of dozens of failing schools when he was chief executive of the Chicago public schools from 2001 until last December. In his new post, he has drawn on those experiences, putting school turnaround efforts at the center of the nation’s education reform agenda."

Now a study by researchers at the University of Chicago concludes that most students in schools that closed in the first five years of Mr. Duncan’s tenure in Chicago saw little benefit.
“Most students who transferred out of closing schools re-enrolled in schools that were academically weak,” says the report, which was done by the university’s Consortium on Chicago School Research.

Furthermore, the disruptions of routines in schools scheduled to be closed appeared to hurt student learning in the months after the closing was announced, the researchers found.
The reading scores of students in schools designated for closing “showed a loss of about six weeks of learning” on standardized tests in the months after the closing announcement, the report said. Math scores declined somewhat less, it said.

Read the full report: http://www.docstoc.com/docs/14004229/When-Schools-Close-Effects-on-Displaced-Students-in-Chicago-Public-Schools

Doyle announces bill to let mayor take over MPS - JSOnline

Doyle announces bill to let mayor take over MPS - JSOnline:

"Milwaukee's mayor would have the power to not only appoint the city school system's superintendent but also set its annual tax levy under a legislative proposal Gov. Jim Doyle detailed Tuesday.

Flanked by five Milwaukee-area legislators, Doyle released more components of what he said would be within a bill introduced in the Legislature giving the mayor a strong hand in governance of Milwaukee Public Schools.

With little time left in the legislative session and the bill still in the drafting stage, Doyle said he may call a special session this year to consider mayoral takeover of MPS.
'I think we all feel this incredible sense of urgency that this has to be done,' Doyle said."

Michelle Obama makes room for classical music at the White House | Culture Monster | Los Angeles Times

Michelle Obama makes room for classical music at the White House Culture Monster Los Angeles Times:

"Classical music education will get some welcome attention next week when Michelle Obama opens the White House for a special concert.

Next Wednesday, the first lady will host a Classical Music Student Workshop Concert, which will feature an appearance by superstar violinist Joshua Bell, guitarist Sharon Isbin, cellist Alisa Weilerstein and pianist Awadagin Pratt. The afternoon concert, which will be held in the East Room, is part of the White House's ongoing Music Series, which was created by the first lady to celebrate the arts and demonstrate the importance of arts education.

The White House said that the concert will include two young performers: cellist Sujari Britt and marimba player Jason Yoder, who will perform with Weilerstein. On the same day, the White House will hold music workshops for 120 middle and high school students from around the country."

Education Week: L.A. Gives Parents 'Trigger' to Restructure Schools

Education Week: L.A. Gives Parents 'Trigger' to Restructure Schools:

"Who should decide when it’s time to overhaul a chronically underperforming school?

Soon, in Los Angeles, parents can.

Under new rules released this week by the Los Angeles Unified School District, parents whose children attend some of the lowest-performing schools in the city will have the ability to force the district to launch new reform initiatives at troubled campuses. The rules—written by Superintendent Ramon C. Cortines and his team—are part of a series of regulations being crafted to govern the district’s new school choice policy, which will allow outside groups, such as charter school organizations, to operate schools where student achievement has not..."

Parents and community leaders voice opinions on Renaissance 2010 program - WGN

Parents and community leaders voice opinions on Renaissance 2010 program - WGN:

"CHICAGO - Chicago Public School parents and community leaders voicing their opinions on the Renaissance 2010 program at the CPS board meeting today.

Some parents alleging that Renaissance 2010 is endangering students lives, disrupting communities and wasting public dollars. Parents also saying there is a connection between recent school violence and the Renaissance 2010 program.

CPS parent Julie Woesterhoff says that it's irresponsible for the CPS school officials to not make that connection.

'If there is any possibility that a policy your putting in place is killing children and escalating violence, you need to put the breaks on it,' Woesterhoff said.

Some parents at the meeting were in favor of Renaissance 2010. Adrienne Leonard saying it is not the reason for escalating violence blaming the parents instead.

'It's parental involvement, if parents were involved our schools wouldn't be in the shape that they are in,' Leonard said, 'We are all responsible for what's going on.

CPS Board president Michael Scott has promised to meet with parents regarding the program. But right now they have no plans to rescind Renaissance 2010.

As defined by CPS, Renaissance 2010 was started back in 2005 as an effort to create 100 high-performing public schools in designated communities of need by 2010. Mayor Daley has long been a supporter of Renaissance 2010."

Sequoia district gives Everest charter school a raw deal - San Jose Mercury News

Sequoia district gives Everest charter school a raw deal - San Jose Mercury News:

"Back in 2002, when I began with The Daily News as a freelance reporter, one of my first assignments was covering a fledgling charter school in Redwood City. It was Aurora High School, and I wrote that parents who were attracted to it were most interested in academic excellence and student safety. I also wrote that despite the school being located in a windowless business space, the school glowed with enthusiasm and a family-like spirit.

Unfortunately, among charter schools within the Sequoia Union High School District, Aurora struggled and finally closed, as did another noble charter experiment, High Tech High. Current charter high schools within the district include two in the East Palo Alto area. The most successful appears to be Summit Preparatory Charter High School in Redwood City, which opened its doors in 2002."

Top universities are now posting lectures online - Oct. 29, 2009

Top universities are now posting lectures online - Oct. 29, 2009:

"(Money Magazine) -- Last autumn I took time off to go back to school. The timing turned out to be just right: My American economic history course at the University of California at Berkeley got to the Great Depression in early October, around the time everyone became convinced we were about to have another one.

The professor, a former Treasury official named Brad DeLong, had no shortage of opinions on what needed to be done about the current crisis. Hearing those arguments in the context of the Depression's grim history made the stakes especially vivid."

Yudof Seeks More Federal Aid for Public Universities - The Daily Californian

Yudof Seeks More Federal Aid for Public Universities - The Daily Californian:

"Amid dwindling state funds and proposed student fee increases, UC President Mark Yudof is calling for an increase in federal support for public higher education.

In a proposal released last week, Yudof outlined ideas for an 'integrated national strategy' that would increase federal funding for public universities across the nation, suggesting a $2.5 billion federal investment in universities' operations and an additional $3 billion for graduate programs."

San Mateo Daily Journal

San Mateo Daily Journal: "One year ago, State Superintendent of Public Instruction Jack O’Connell anticipated having $18 billion more to spend on students in the state than his department has today.

That dollar amount was hoped for before the state found itself in its current financial quagmire. The loss of revenue has prevented class-size reduction, diminishing the achievement gap and funding more career technical programs, O’Connell said at a town hall meeting last night hosted by state Assemblyman Jerry Hill, D-San Mateo.

“The budget is ugly. No matter how bad I say it is — it’s worse,” O’Connell said."

Schwarzenegger sends hidden retort » Corpus Christi Caller-Times

Schwarzenegger sends hidden retort » Corpus Christi Caller-Times:

"SACRAMENTO, Calif. — Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger typically attaches a message to bills he signs or vetoes telling lawmakers why he took the action.

A Democratic assemblyman who heckled the governor during a recent event in San Francisco actually received two messages: the veto letter itself and a not-so-subtle rebuke creatively hidden within it.

Like a find-the-word puzzle, the second message was visible by stringing together the first letter of each line down the left-handed margin. It consisted of a common four-letter vulgarity followed by the letters “y-o-u.”

“My goodness. What a coincidence,” said Schwarzenegger spokesman Aaron McLear. “I suppose when you do so many vetoes, something like this is bound to happen.”"

PE.com | Southern California News | News for Inland Southern California

PE.com Southern California News News for Inland Southern California:

"More than a quarter of English learners don't make it into mainstream classes by the eighth grade in Los Angeles and most of those who don't were born in the United States, according to a study released Wednesday.

The study by Tomas Rivera Policy Institute at the University of Southern California showed 29 percent of English learners in the Los Angeles Unified School District were still in these classes in the eighth grade. More than half of these students were born in the United States and were in classes for English learners for more than eight years.

'They're staying too long' in these classes, Institute President Harry Pachon told reporters.

'It's much easier to be shunted into the ELL (English language learner) classes than it is to be shunted out,' he said."

Daily 49er - Calif. oil, gas tax bill in Assembly

Daily 49er - Calif. oil, gas tax bill in Assembly:

"A bill that could give higher education funding in California a shot in the arm is currently in committee in the Assembly.

Assembly Bill 656, authored by majority leader Alberto Torrico, D-Fremont, would place a 9.9 percent severance tax on oil and gas extracted in California. According to a statement released by Torrico, the bill would raise approximately $1 billion for the University of California, California State University and California Community College systems.

The California Faculty Association has been collecting pledges in support of the bill since Oct. 12. Roughly 5,000 signatures were collected in the first week alone, according to CFA Communications Director Alice Sunshine.

CFA members spoke and collected pledges at Cal State Long Beach on Tuesday. Sunshine said the events have been successful in raising awareness and collecting signatures."

Gazettes Town-News > Opinion > Editorials

Gazettes Town-News > Opinion > Editorials:

"What? They want money again?

They do. And we need to give it to them.

The “they” is the Long Beach Unified School District, and the “they” is us. We need to keep our schools functioning at their current level, and the only way to insure that is to pass Measure T at the special election Tuesday.

Measure T would impose a $92 parcel tax in Long Beach for the next five years. The only property owners to be exempted would be seniors older than 65 who apply for that exemption.

That means we all would share the burden — homeowners, shop owners and factory owners. And you can bet home and business renters will foot part of the bill in the form of increased rent, just as they do every time a property tax comes along."

Classwish

Classwish:

"Our schools simply don’t have the resources our children need to explore their potential and excel.

ClassWish.org, an exciting new nonprofit, offers a simple solution.

Teachers and school leaders create Wish Lists of the items they need, as easily as shopping online. Parents, alumni, local businesses and others see exactly what is needed and how their tax-deductible contribution can help. ClassWish sends the materials to the school at no cost.

The result? Teachers get the support they need. Communities are engaged in supporting classrooms and funding the things they care about. And everyone is united in helping our children learn, grow and perform at their best.

Get Involved: Teachers Parents & Supporters PTA & PTO"

PunjabNewsline.com - Student kicked out from school for wearing traditional nose stud

PunjabNewsline.com - Student kicked out from school for wearing traditional nose stud:

"NEVADA(USA): Indo-Americans have urged Bountiful Junior High School in Utah (USA) to immediately reinstate its student who was reportedly kicked out of school for nose piercing, alleging violation of school dress code.

Indo-American statesman Rajan Zed, in a statement in Nevada (USA) today, said that this student was apparently honoring the tradition of her father, who was reportedly from India, by putting a stud in her pierced nose. Nose piercing and nose ornaments had been a tradition of women of India for centuries and the Hindu goddesses had been depicted wearing nose ornaments."

The DC VOICE Ostrich: Moving the Discussion to Teacher Quality

The DC VOICE Ostrich: Moving the Discussion to Teacher Quality

Teacher quality and effectiveness have long been topics of debate among DC VOICE members and constituents. One positive aspect of the recent RIF (Reduction In Force), school equalization, and DCPS budget discrepancies is that teacher quality has once again been positioned at the forefront of discussion. Chancellor Rhee has stated that this RIF was necessitated by school budget cuts at the City Council level, while many others believed that it was an internal strategy aimed at improving teacher quality beyond the strict confines of the existing, yet outdated, Washington Teacher’s Union Contract. While the RIF will long be argued, DC VOICE believes this is an opportunity to refocus the conversation on overall teacher quality. Budget shortfalls and tenure aside, DCPS students deserve quality, experienced teachers who are continually offered enhanced development and instruction techniques.

Texas Education Agency Launches New Brand and Website for Texas 21st CCLC Program | Business Wire

Texas Education Agency Launches New Brand and Website for Texas 21st CCLC Program Business Wire:

"SAN ANTONIO--(BUSINESS WIRE)--The Texas Education Agency (TEA) announced today a new dynamic brand for the Texas 21st Century Community Learning Centers (CCLC) Program. The new brand, Afterschool Centers on Education™, referred to as ACE™, communicates the focus of academics through extended learning with the incorporation of “Education” in the program name.

ACE provides extended learning opportunities for students and their families in over 630 Centers across the state that offer innovative, hands-on activities based on research and best practices. A main goal of ACE is to provide engaging out-of-school-time activities to ensure that all students graduate prepared for college and the work place."

http://www.texas21afterschool.org/08/

Education Week: STEM Defection Seen to Occur After High School

Education Week: STEM Defection Seen to Occur After High School:


"Despite popular opinion, the flow of qualified math and science students through the American education pipeline is strong—except among high-achievers, who appear to be defecting to other college majors and fields.
That is the provocative conclusion of a study, released today, which disputes the idea that students are leaving the mathematics and science fields because they lack preparation or ability.

A chorus of elected officials and policymakers have suggested that U.S. schools are not producing students with the talent necessary to make it academically or professionally in the “STEM” fields of science, technology, engineering, and math."

voiceofsandiego.org: Schooled... Talks Begin Quietly on Fixing Schools

voiceofsandiego.org: Schooled... Talks Begin Quietly on Fixing Schools

Education, business and community leaders who earlier aired their concerns about the exit of Superintendent Terry Grier are meeting at the University of San Diego today to go over a new study of test scores, finances and employment in San Diego Unified.

They also plan to talk about improving what happens for kids in the massive school district.

It is the first such gathering after Grier departed, signaling that the alarm about the status quo at the school district hasn't disappeared along with the last superintendent. It could be a reawakening for business leaders, who have shied from school matters in the years since Alan Bersin led the schools, though members stress that the coalition also includes educators, community members and parents outside the business sphere.

Nestle Waters gets partial OK to resume plant construction - Sacramento News - Local and Breaking Sacramento News | Sacramento Bee

Nestle Waters gets partial OK to resume plant construction - Sacramento News - Local and Breaking Sacramento News Sacramento Bee:

"Nestlé Waters can resume building its water bottling plant in south Sacramento after City Attorney Eileen Teichert ruled Tuesday the project was exempt from special permits the City Council might pass regulating similar facilities.

City building officials said the company could resume electrical and utilities work at its plant in the Florin Fruitridge Industrial Park today, after part of a stop work order issued Friday was removed. The work stoppage had been ordered while the council considered placing special permits on beverage bottling plants and building officials researched permits issued to Nestlé."