Group sues to block illegal immigrants from getting in-state tuition | Monday Education | Chron.com - Houston Chronicle

Group sues to block illegal immigrants from getting in-state tuition | Monday Education | Chron.com - Houston Chronicle

Attorneys for an anti-illegal immigration organization are challenging a Texas state law that allows illegal immigrant students to attend colleges and universities at in-state rates, saying it violates federal law.

David A. Rogers, a lawyer for the Immigration Reform Coalition of Texas, an organization that opposes illegal immigration, said the lawsuit filed on Monday in Harris County District Court marks the first direct court challenge of the Texas law.

Texas is one of 10 states in the nation that have laws offering in-state tuition to illegal immigrants who meet certain criteria, including graduating from a local high school and pledging to legalize their immigration status as soon as possible.

The lawsuit specifically names the University of Houston, Houston Community College and Lone Star College systems. A spokesman for UH declined to comment on Tuesday, citing the pending litigation. HCC officials said a copy of the lawsuit was under review by their attorneys. A Lone Star spokesman said the college was not prepared to comment Tuesday afternoon.

Classrooms become new battleground for Google, Microsoft

Classrooms become new battleground for Google, Microsoft:

"As they plunged into a project on ancient Egypt this fall, Jay Martino's Cupertino Middle School students probably didn't realize they were on the front lines of a high-stakes battle between Google Inc. and Microsoft Corp.

But the sixth-graders, who did their entire research project on a 'walled' network of student Web sites using document-sharing software and e-mail provided by Google for free, are among the thousands of students worldwide that Google and Microsoft are fighting over."

Laney College students protest budget cuts, fee hikes - 12/15/09 - San Francisco News - abc7news.com

Laney College students protest budget cuts, fee hikes - 12/15/09 - San Francisco News - abc7news.com

OAKLAND, CA (KGO) -- It is not just the California State University system proposing major fee increases for students, community colleges across California are raising their tuitions as well. On Tuesday night, students in the East Bay protested plans by the Peralta Community College District to increase tuition by nearly a third -- a hike that affects 30,000 students.

The community college students are fired up over the proposal to increase tuition by $6 per unit, followed by $13 million in cuts to staff, classes, and services.
"I know how it is for people who are trying to get help and can't afford their books. It's tough. It makes getting an education even harder," said Leonard Hutton, a Laney College student.

Elluminate Web Conferencing for Education Enables Academic Institutions to Expand Reach, Reduce Costs, Maintain Competitive Advantage, Drive Technology Adoption, and More

Elluminate Web Conferencing for Education Enables Academic Institutions to Expand Reach, Reduce Costs, Maintain Competitive Advantage, Drive Technology Adoption, and More: "PLEASANTON, Calif. - (Business Wire) Elluminate, Inc., the leading provider of web, audio, video, and social networking products designed for teaching, learning, and collaboration, today announced that a growing number of higher education institutions and systems are implementing multi-purpose Elluminate solutions enterprise-wide to support both academic and business objectives. These include expanding reach and access, reducing costs, facilitating technology adoption, leveraging limited resources, maintaining competitive advantage, and creating a culture of collaboration.
System-wide implementations of Elluminate solutions include California Polytechnic State University, California State University in Sacramento, CCC Confer (California Community Colleges), Chattanooga State University, Curtin University of Technology, Empire State College, Ngee Ann Polytechnic, Portland State University, San Jose State University, State Fair Community College, UniversitLaval, University of Alaska, University of Iowa, and University of Wyoming."

U. of Phoenix agrees to pay $67.5 million - UPI.com

U. of Phoenix agrees to pay $67.5 million - UPI.com

SACRAMENTO, Dec. 15 (UPI) -- The Universityof Phoenix has agreed to pay $67.5 million to settle a suit by two whistle-blowers over its recruitment policy, federal officials said Tuesday.
Mary Hendow and Julie Behn, both former employees, sued under the False Claims Act in federal court in Sacramento, the U.S. Justice Department said. They will receive $19 million, with the rest going to the U.S. Department of Education.
The university will also pay $11 million to the women's lawyers, bringing the total payout to $78.5 million.
Hendow and Ben charged the university violated federal regulations that bar employees involved in recruitment and admissions at post-secondary institutions that receive federal aid from having pay tied to the number of students they bring in.
Phoenix, a for-profit institution owned by the Apollo Group, has more students than any other higher education institution in North America and is the biggest recipient of federal aid for college students. But a 2005 study found only a small percentage of the students who enter receive degrees, The Sacramento Bee reported.

Herdt: 3 percent of students, 100 percent of controversy� Ventura County Star

Herdt: 3 percent of students, 100 percent of controversy� Ventura County Star:

"There are 10,129 public schools in California, attended by about 6.3 million students. There are about 850 charter schools, attended by about 200,000 students.

The current hang-up in Sacramento over accessing up to $700 million in federal funds to improve education for these 6.5 million kids is mostly about the 3 percent who attend charter schools.

For all the bluster that has emanated in recent weeks from Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger and others, the controversy over legislation to bring California into compliance with federal Race to the Top funding guidelines is mostly about charter schools."

As schools struggle, California politics slow education reform - USATODAY.com

As schools struggle, California politics slow education reform - USATODAY.com

SACRAMENTO — To education reformers, a $4.3 billion school funding competition from the Obama administration seemed like just the push California needed to start making long overdue changes to restore academic luster to the state's public schools.

But the drive to dramatically turn around a faltering system that serves more than 6 million children has run into political reality in a Legislature dominated by special interests. The result could leave the state with the nation's largest public school system ill-positioned to compete for the so-called Race to the Top funds.

RACE TO THE TOP: Education grant propels states to change

Officials estimate California stands to gain up to $700 million.

Lawmakers meeting in a special session on education called by Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger are considering competingDemocratic bills. Both are intended to clear the way for California's federal application and to deal with some of the same issues, such as increasing the number of charter schools, revamping state tests and restructuring the worst-of-the-worst schools.

Opinion: Bass sells out school kids in favor of teacher unions - San Jose Mercury News

Opinion: Bass sells out school kids in favor of teacher unions - San Jose Mercury News:

"Assembly Speaker Karen Bass' feet are so firmly planted on the wrong side of school reform that it makes me wonder what on earth could make the first black woman leader of the California Assembly turn a blind eye to the plight of minority children in public schools. The sad answer: Her Democratic caucus' loyalty to unions.

The state of public education could not be any more desperate for black children. I, too, am a black woman, and I sit on the California State University board of trustees with Karen Bass. We know that 81 percent of California's black seniors graduate high school ineligible to apply to a state college, and yet Karen Bass finds herself stuck leading a chorus of cynics deriding President Barack Obama's $4.3 billion Race to the Top education reform challenge."

Put power over California's schools in hands of parents -- latimes.com

Put power over California's schools in hands of parents -- latimes.com:

"They should be able to trigger actual reforms at failing schools, a concept that would help the state compete for federal 'Race to the Top' dollars."

Let me tell you about my recent trip to Sacramento. It is a story about why we need a revolution.

Earlier this month, Senate leaders introduced a "parent trigger" into California's "Race to the Top" education reform legislation.

Under the policy, parents at a systemically failing school could circulate a petition calling for change. If 51% of the parents signed it, the school would be converted to a charter school or reconstituted by the school district, with a new staff and new ways of operating. The concept recognized a truth that school officials often discount: Parents are in the best position to make decisions about what's right for their kids.

Last week, the parent trigger legislation moved to the Assembly Education Committee, chaired by Assemblywoman Julia Brownley (D-Santa Monica). Thousands of parents sent letters, made calls, staged protests and showed up to testify before her committee about the importance of parents taking back power over our schools.

We told the committee about how 50% of kids in L.A. public schools aren't graduating and 90% aren't going to college. We talked about innovative models -- at both charter and traditional public schools -- that apply the same amount of money to the same kind of kids and send them to college instead of prison. We explained that we can't wait any longer for half-measures and pilot programs because our kids need great schools now.

Brownley seemed to agree with parents that they needed real power over the education of their own children, and it felt as if we finally had the momentum to enact meaningful change.

Asian Americans drive Army recruiting boom in L.A. -- latimes.com

Asian Americans drive Army recruiting boom in L.A. -- latimes.com:

"Asians have traditionally joined the military at the lowest rate among all races, but -- lured by job security, college aid and, for some, citizenship -- they are signing up in larger numbers. Their enlistments rose 80% in L.A. County."

On a chilly Saturday morning this month, the future soldiers of the U.S. Army huffed and puffed through push-ups, sit-ups and stretches in Whittier Narrows Regional Park in South El Monte.

There was the gangly white kid with the blond buzz cut and the buffed-out Latino dude, head draped in a black bandanna.

And then there was Jennifer Ren, small, slight and bespectacled, an immigrant from China who gamely kept up with the guys and sees the Army as a ticket to U.S. citizenship and a job in accounting and finance.

Down the training line was Christopher Ly, the son of Chinese immigrants from Vietnam who figures that the Army will help pay for a hoped-for Stanford University education and an eventual career as an Army lawyer.

Gery Denniswara, a Diamond Bar high school senior and Jakarta native, sees the Army as a way to pursue his childhood dream of becoming a doctor.

Ren, Ly and Denniswara helped drive the biggest Army recruitment boon for Los Angeles in two decades -- led by an 80% increase in Asian enlistments in the last year. Asians have traditionally joined the military at the lowest rate among all races.

New School Bond Testimony - Year 2009 (CA Dept of Education)

New School Bond Testimony - Year 2009 (CA Dept of Education)

State Schools Chief Jack O'Connell Calls for
New School Bond at School Facilities Hearing

SACRAMENTO — State Superintendent of Public Instruction Jack O'Connell testified today at a hearing held by the Senate Select Committee on School Facilities. At the hearing he cited the need for a new school bond to meet the needs of California students in the 21st century.

"We speak often about preparing our children for the future, but achieving this goal will only increase in difficulty if our kids continue to learn in schools of the past," O'Connell said. "It is essential that we transition our schools from the old industrial model to the age of information and green technology, which frankly is where students today are already living."

O'Connell highlighted the need for additional school facilities funding by citing that California currently needs $9.7 billion to modernize school facilities and $200 million for career technical education facilities projects.

"There is an obvious need to improve school facilities throughout California, and we cannot afford to wait to meet this need," O'Connell continued. "I fully appreciate that we are still embroiled in a national economic downturn, but a school facilities bond would do much to further our long-term goal of creating a competitive workforce in California, as well as achieving the short-term goal of creating jobs and getting people back to work.

"Improving school facilities also goes hand in hand with increasing student achievement and closing California's persistent achievement gaps. Quality school facilities are a key to creating an environment in which all children can learn the skills necessary to become informed citizens and compete in the 21st century global economy.

"We absolutely must seek to create and maintain clean, safe, and sustainable school facilities that are centers of their communities and not overcrowded. We must also construct attractive food service centers to encourage kids to eat healthy meals. These are all critical components in our efforts to ensure that all children in our state have the same opportunities for high-quality learning and a shot at future success."

# # # #

---

Jack O'Connell — State Superintendent of Public Instruction
Communications Division, Room 5206, 916-319-0818, Fax 916-319-0100

Is Race to the Top an Urban Game? - Politics K-12 - Education Week

Is Race to the Top an Urban Game? - Politics K-12 - Education Week

Is Race to the Top an Urban Game?

By Alyson Klein on December 15, 2009 5:19 PM | No Comments | No TrackBacks

Some state officials have a sneaking suspicion that Race to the Top is an urban state's game and that has made some question whether they should apply, at least in Round 1.

For instance, Vermont had originally planned to apply for Round 1 of the competition, but is now going to hold off for Round 2, Rae Ann Knopf, the deputy commissioner of education transformation and innovation, told me. That's why you won't see Vermont's name on the U.S. Department of Education's list of states planning to apply in the first round.

The state decided to sit out the first round because of the competition's rules on charter schools. Vermont, a largely rural state, doesn't have them, but it does have some other innovative public schools, Knopf said. But, under the RttT regulations, the state can only get up to eight points for its innovative schools, out of a possible 40, since it doesn't have a charter school law. Vermont may seek written clarification from the department on that point, Knopf said.

Sacramento Press / Rally held against new pesticide

Sacramento Press / Rally held against new pesticide

Near 100 people rallied in front of the Capitol on Monday, opposing a new pesticide containing methyl iodide that could potentially be used at strawberry farms statewide.

The group - made up of farm laborers from around the state, local activists and consumers - marched from Caesar Chavez Park to the south Capitol steps, carrying signs and chanting slogans characterizing the chemical as a “poison.” Methyl iodide, which would be used as a fumigant sprayed onto field soil, is still awaiting approval by state pesticide officials before it can be sold or used in California.

Organizers of the rally have said the chemical could be “one of the most dangerous pesticides in use,” adding that it is used to create cancer cells in laboratory animals and is listed as a cancer-causing carcinogen under the state’s Proposition 65 statute.

Fair Oaks resident, Gina Colombatto, who attended the rally, said she

Sacramento Press / Westfield will sell plaza; Mayor seeks buyers

Sacramento Press / Westfield will sell plaza; Mayor seeks buyers

Mayor Kevin Johnson said Tuesday he will start searching for buyers for Downtown Plaza within weeks, after Westfield Group announced its willingness to sell the struggling plaza.

After the holidays, Johnson will start talking to "big developers" and investment groups who understand the plaza's role in revitalizing downtown. Potential buyers could include people interested in developing a new downtown arena at that site, he said.

"Westfield has agreed to step aside, and, if necessary, sell its interests in Downtown Plaza," Johnson said during his weekly press conference Tuesday morning. "That could be very monumental for the downtown corridor. The big news is Westfield is no longer willing to stand in the way of the downtown mall being developed."

The city is "extremely committed" to reviving the plaza, he added.

"It's one of our most important assets," Johnson said. "We want a developer to say, 'This is also a high priority for us.' "

However, Johnson added that Westfield's decision should "enhance" arena developers' ability to talk to Westfield about buying the property for a

voiceofsandiego.org | News. Investigation. Analysis. Conversation. Intelligence. - A Free Market for Teachers

voiceofsandiego.org | News. Investigation. Analysis. Conversation. Intelligence. - A Free Market for Teachers:

A Free Market for Teachers

"By EMILY ALPERT

Part three of a three-part series.

NEW YORK CITY | The old rap on New Dorp High was that if you could send your kids elsewhere, you should. Its scores were below average in its stretch of the city, the working class enclave of Staten Island.

Yet the austere brick building was a destination for veteran teachers from the island who were tired of trekking to work in Brooklyn. They regularly bumped young teachers out of their jobs. Principal Deidre DeAngelis called it 'a grazing ground' for older teachers who only wanted to be there to shorten their commutes."

Such problems were endemic to New York City, which once forced schools to take teachers they didn't choose. San Diego Unified still does it today.

Principals can be handed teachers they never even interview. Teachers can be sent to schools they didn't pick. The system is driven by seniority and the need to find spots for teachers when schools shrink or close programs -- factors that can have little to do with what each school needs.

New York faced similar problems. Then, four years ago, it overhauled its system completely.

It freed principals to hire whoever they wanted, allowing schools to ferret out the best teachers from across the city. New Dorp could also hang on to promising new teachers like Diana Composto, instead of seeing them shoved aside by others. Her glasses slide down her nose as she bounces around her classroom, encouraging students to imagine MySpace websites for the characters in a Steinbeck novel

Sacramento Press / Any Given Child survey for arts education

Sacramento Press / Any Given Child survey for arts education:

"A little over two months ago, the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts chose Sacramento over 27 other cities as the first partner for the 'Any Given Child' program. The program, which promotes arts education, will be developed in Sacramento over the next two years before rolling out nationwide.

Mayor Kevin Johnson emailed the following survey regarding participation in the Any Given Child program:

In October, the Kennedy Center announced that it would pilot its Any Given Child program here in Sacramento with the goal of providing access and equity in arts in education to all students. Since then, we've been hard at work focusing on this welcome opportunity to expand arts opportunities for all children in Kindergarten through eighth grades."

Part of the Any Given Child work here in Sacramento is an audit of arts education resources that are currently available in and out of schools. We need your help to gather this information.

If you are a teaching artist, a representative of an arts organization or of community-based organization with an arts program, I ask that you complete the appropriate online survey below by January 8th. The survey should not take more than 8 minutes of your time. The survey is being conducted by Meta Research, an independent research firm.

We expect the data that results from the survey will lead to recommendations for ways more teaching artists and organizations can be more involved in working with students in and out of schools. We will share the survey results with all who participate in the Spring. Your participation is key to a future where ANY given child has access to the arts.

For Art’s Sake Education Initiative Survey Link:

http://www.keysurvey.com/survey/284698/9ac5/

Education Secretary Arne Duncan Says Merit Pay Should Be Tied to Student Growth - US News and World Report

Education Secretary Arne Duncan Says Merit Pay Should Be Tied to Student Growth - US News and World Report:

"With billions in stimulus funding, Education Secretary Arne Duncan has more power to create change in the nation's schools than any of his predecessors. Before taking his current post, Duncan was CEO of the Chicago Public Schools. During his tenure there, reading and math scores set new records, and the number of high school students taking Advanced Placement courses more than tripled. Now he faces the challenge of prodding school districts around the country to improve student performance while local school budgets are tanking. U.S. News Senior Writer Kim Clark asked Duncan how leadership will help him reform American education in the midst of a recession. Listen to a podcast of this interview. Excerpts:"

Online Colleges, Online Degree, Online Schools @ Westwood College

Online Colleges, Online Degree, Online Schools @ Westwood College

CAREER-FOCUSED CURRICULUM

Westwood College offers more than 25 diploma, associate, bachelor's and master's programs, ranging from Business Administration to Criminal Justice to Game Art to Information Technology. You can go to college online or at one of our 17 campuses in 6 states. Westwood offers a unique hands-on, career-focused curriculum providing three-year bachelor’s degrees in high-growth fields. More than 20,000 graduates have transformed their lives by obtaining the skills, tools, experience and connections necessary to achieve meaningful careers.

CAMPUS LOCATIONS

17 CONVENIENT LOCATIONS & ONLINE

Choose a state or our convenient online learning option:

Los Angeles Colleges Denver Colleges Atlanta Colleges Chicago Colleges

Colleges in Dallas Virginia Online

ASSOCIATE, BACHELOR’S AND MASTER’S DEGREES

OVER 25 PROGRAMS TO CHOOSE FROM

School of Design
School of Technology
School of Business
School of Justice
School of Healthcare
School of Industrial Services
School of Professional Studies

Our mission

Westwood College is an institution of higher learning dedicated to providing quality, career-focused undergraduate and graduate programs that prepare students with the knowledge, skills, and credentials needed to launch, enhance, or change careers. The College offers broad access to education and serves a diverse, multicultural body of students in an environment that promotes pride, respect, and teamwork. The College's programs are designed to empower students to pursue their individual career goals.

Who we are

Headquartered in Denver, Colorado, Alta College, Inc. (Alta) is the parent organization for Westwood College.  Since its inception, Alta has been a leader in career-focused education, meeting workforce needs in high-demand employment fields. As occupational challenges and opportunities are recognized, Alta develops new programs in cooperation with industry leaders to meet the needs of our students and graduates and of employers, as well. As our success has grown, so has our company; we currently employ more than 3,000 full-time employees, including 1,200 full and adjunct instructors.

Westwood College

Westwood College is an institution of higher learning founded in Denver, Colorado in 1953. Today, Westwood has 17 campuses across California, Colorado, Georgia, Illinois, Texas and Virginia and a top-ranked online campus. Westwood offers a unique hands-on, career-focused curriculum providing three-year bachelor’s degrees in high-growth fields. We have more than15,000 students enrolled in one of our 27 degree programs in business, design, technology, industrial services, justice and healthcare. To date, more than 20,000 Westwood graduates have transformed their lives by obtaining the skills, tools, experience and connections necessary to achieve meaningful careers.