Big Education Ape

Saturday, March 27, 2010

Not now, not my education - Opinion

Not now, not my education

Kelly Sheeran

Issue date: 3/26/10 Section: Opinion

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Teachers are slowly becoming few in quantity, while the number of students is always going to increase.
If states are not allowed to run a deficit, then of course they must cut spending wherever they can, but wouldn't it make more sense to put more money into education? Not only to account for the ever increasing number of students, but also because the younger, future voters, are being deprived of the knowledge and skills that they will need in order to help this country get back on its feet.
Educated people are the foundation for this nation's success. California has some of the best universities, not just in the nation, but in the world. Diverting funds and attention to possibly the most important aspect of American life could prove to garner some serious consequences.
When you stop and turn on the news these days, you realize that the problems Americans face are just as inflated and daunting as they have been since the American Revolution.
When the 1960's experienced a sudden change from the conservative afraid of the communist lurking underneath their bed to the peace-loving hippy, the government began to fear the younger generations.
A few college students misbehaved and if they happened to go to Berkeley 40 years ago, or even worse, Kent State, then they received a bullet from a government afraid of what a group of furious college kids were capable of.
Today, college students may be fed up with the wars, but violent protests just don't seem to be worth it anymore. Students, especially in California, are instead clinging on to the one

When the Rich wage war - Opinion

When the Rich wage war
Aaron Ruiz
Issue date: 3/25/10 Section: Opinion
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Wait, what year is it? Protests throughout the state, historical bills being passed by the president, a war going on that many disapprove of, is it 1969 or 2010?

Well, it's 2010 folks, but it feels like things are changing once again for the citizens of the U.S. and once again the students are the ones getting most upset.

Recently many students and teachers joined campuses across the state to protest and rally against the budget cuts to our education.

Gov. Schwarz-enegger's recent 2010-2011 state budget plan announcement of $2.5 billion in cuts to schools and colleges has caused pandemonium for students, teachers and other staff because what is at stake for them is a chance for a legitimate education and their jobs.

Students enroll in school to escape their hometowns and to become a successful person in life, but the Governator is making it really hard for any of us to transfer to a university and further our education.

Over the past two years, more than $17 billion has been cut from California public schools and colleges. And we wonder why we couldn't enroll in that one class that we oh so desperately needed to transfer.

Maybe we haven't actually felt the effect of the budget cuts yet, but they're coming. We will notice classroom sizes expanded, we will discover the difficulties of trying to transfer to a university, we will notice certain classes cut all together, especially in arts,

San Jos�City College Times

‘March in March’ rallied thousands of students to state capitol

Protestors tell legislators to ‘save our schools’

March 26, 2010

by CHARLES BECKER
TIMES STAFF

Thousands of students from CSU and community colleges across California met in Sacramento on March 22 to protest slashes in education and increases in tuition.

Raley Field was a palette of school colors, as thousands of students crammed into the ballpark’s parking lot. Participants left the premise after the last bus arrived at 9 a.m. from a sister college in southern California.

The crowd of protestors set a brisk pace down West Capitol avenue, chanting slogans such as “save our schools” with police officers blocking approximately two miles of congested roadway until they arrived at the West Steps of the Capitol.

The California State Student Association and California Assembly members then addressed student grievances and gave a mission statement.

The message was clear: education should be the state’s No. 1 priority and it should be free or highly subsidized.

“We need to demand that higher education become a priority in our state again,” said Steve Dixon, president of the CSSA, to an attentive audience of 15,000 students.

His agenda was followed by emotional speeches from student representatives of the CSSA.

“Most families, like my own, work part time jobs that barely pay for the basic necessities,” said Jamie Lopez, a communication major from Sacramento State. “But, somehow I was still denied financial aid for college.”

Lopez’s comments led to an eruption of “si, se puede” or “yes, we can” chants from the crowd.

The problem with securing financial aid for low-income students raised concerns about the inequity in the California education system.

“Education should not be limited to the rich and wealthy … it should be a civil right,” said Alberto Torrico, the assembly majority leader.

2nd Banana FRIDAY, MARCH 26, 2010

Friday, March 26, 2010

Schools Matter: Arne Duncan's Chicago Charade Goes National

Arne Duncan's Chicago Charade Goes National

by Jim Horn

From Democrcacy Now:

When President Obama’s Education Secretary, Arne Duncan, was the head of Chicago’s Public Schools, his office kept a list of powerful, well-connected people who asked for help getting certain children into the city’s best public schools. The list—long kept confidential—was disclosed this week by the Chicago Tribune. We speak with the Chicago Tribune reporter who broke the story and with two Chicago organizers about Duncan and his aggressive plan to expand charter schools.

In wake of ruling against school closures, what happens next? | GothamSchools

In wake of ruling against school closures, what happens next?

by Maura Walz

Now that the State Supreme Court has brought the city’s plans to shutter 19 schools to a screeching halt and the city is planning to immediately appeal the decision, the fates of the schools, their staffs and a large number of students are in limbo.
Here are some questions that we have about the way forward, and here is what we know so far:
What happens to eighth-graders who wanted to attend one of the 14 high schools the city slated for closure?
When the city’s eighth-graders begin receiving their high school placement letters this weekend, none of them will have been assigned to the formerly closing high schools, Chancellor Joel Klein said today. Instead, the 8,500 students who listed one of those schools among their top choices will receive a second letter along with their placement, telling them that if the schools do remain fully intact in the fall, students who want to can choose to

Remainders: Race to the Top winners to be announced Monday

by Anna Phillips

Given a reprieve by the court, a teacher at a formerly closing school says she’s “thrilled.”
The reprieve is good news for the UFT, writes Edwize, but they’re still waiting for an apology.
Four charter schools are among those affected by the court’s decision to void 19 school closures.
U.S. Education Secretary Arne Duncan will announce Race to the Top winners on Monday.
Andy Smarick says the results of the competition probably won’t live up to the hype.
Rick Hess thinks the contest has been a distraction from the work of figuring out how to do more with less.
Pentagram, a design firm, transforms a Brooklyn charter school with lots of paint and slogans.
In part two in a series on charters serving high needs students, WNYC looks at John Lavelle Prep.
WNYC reporter Beth Fertig has a new blog that focuses on federal edu reforms.
A New Action candidate for a seat on the UFT’s exec board writes about the upcoming election.
In a series on the 2005 contract, a UFT member writes about the end of the grievance procedure.
An NYC public school parent interviews historian Diane Ravitch about education in the U.S.
Here’s an amazing picture from a school budget cut protest in Florida.
And happy spring break! We’re taking a bit of a break, too. We’ll be posting, but more lightly than usual.

Presidential Proclamation -- Education and Sharing Day, U.S.A. | The White House

Presidential Proclamation -- Education and Sharing Day, U.S.A.

To secure a bright future for America, we must instill in our children a love of learning as well as a spirit of compassion. These are two of our Nation's most cherished and enduring values. Today, let us rededicate ourselves to preparing our next generation of leaders for the world they will inherit.

For America to thrive in the 21st century, we need a workforce with the knowledge and skills to compete in the global economy. More than ever before, the success of every American will depend on their level of academic achievement. A world class education can unlock every child's full potential, and that remains our best roadmap to prosperity.

However, our leadership in the world relies upon citizens who are not only well-educated, but also driven by their humanity and civic virtue. In the wake of this year's devastating earthquakes in Haiti and Chile, Americans stepped forward to help, carrying on the unmatched tradition of generosity that defines our national character. By passing on this spirit of compassion to our children, we help ensure America remains a beacon of hope to people around the world.

The importance of education and kindness was promoted in the work of Rabbi Menachem Mendel Schneerson, the Lubavitcher Rebbe, inspiring countless individuals to uphold these values in their own lives and communities. Each year, Education and Sharing Day, U.S.A., reminds us of his legacy and the principles to which he dedicated himself. As we strengthen our Nation's ladders of opportunity, let us teach our children to lift up generations yet to come.

NOW, THEREFORE, I, BARACK OBAMA, President of the United States of America, by virtue of the authority vested in me by the Constitution and the laws of the United States, do hereby proclaim March 26, 2010, as "Education and Sharing Day, U.S.A." I call upon all Americans to observe this week with appropriate ceremonies and activities.

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand this twenty-fifth day of March, in the year of our Lord two thousand ten, and of the Independence of the United States of America the two hundred and thirty-fourth.

BARACK OBAMA

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