Schools tackle teacher-on-teacher bullying - USATODAY.com

Schools tackle teacher-on-teacher bullying - USATODAY.com

Schools tackle teacher-on-teacher bullying Updated 3h 20m ago | Comments 25 | Recommend 5

By Keith Matheny, USA TODAY Most schools have policies that target bullying, but they are usually aimed at students. Now, school districts in Iowa and California are developing rules to prevent teachers from bullying teachers. "Kids are very vulnerable to what adults say. Adult modeling is a very powerful force in shaping youth behavior," said Stan Davis, a school guidance counselor in Sidney, Maine, and a bullying prevention expert The Sioux City, Iowa, community school district approved its policy last April. Desert Sands Unified School District of La Quinta, Calif., is awaiting final passage later this month. The two school districts are believed to be the only ones nationwide developing anti-bullying policies for their adult employees, said Gary Namie, who — with his wife and fellow psychologist, Ruth Namie — founded the Workplace Bullying Institute in Bellingham, Wash. CASE: Not guilty pleas made for 3 in Mass. bullying Promoting an anti-bullying message among students is "undermined when a principal bullies a teacher in front of the kids," Namie said. Though there are just two adult-specific programs so far, the concept may expand, Davis said Nationwide, 41 states have anti-bullying laws affecting schools, according to the Department of Health and Human Services. A few states, such as North Carolina, Florida and Utah, include school employees with students in their measures, a USA TODAY review of those policies showed. The Desert Sands school district spent $45,000 for consulting fees and training for its new bullying policy; a price tag some say was too much, considering the district faces a $15 million budget shortfall for the next school year, according to Superintendent Sharon McGehee. "I just think the money should go toward the kids, not the adults," said Elizabeth Lira, a parent-teacher group member at the district's Ronald Reagan Elementary in Palm Desert, Calif.

L.A. Unified rescinds permit change, for now - latimes.com

L.A. Unified rescinds permit change, for now - latimes.com

L.A. Unified rescinds permit change, for now

Supt. Cortines responds to parents' outcry over curtailing the policy that allows students to attend schools in other districts. He postpones the change while he studies the issue.

A police officer stands guard as children join a protest outside the L.A. Unified School District headquarters. Families expressed relief when Cortines amended his permit decision, at least for the next year. (Luis Sinco / Los Angeles Times /April 6, 2010)

• RELATED
• Union fails to restrict charter schools
• L.A. Unified manager indicted for alleged conflict of interest
• Parents fear students may lose placement outside L.A. Unified
• STORIES
• L.A. school unions agree to cut days from academic calendar

By Carla Rivera

April 7, 2010

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Los Angeles schools Supt. Ramon C. Cortines said Tuesday that most students who attend schools outside of the district can continue to do so next year, a retreat from a recent, more restrictive policy that provoked an outcry from parents, other school districts and some members of his own Board of Education.

But whether students who live in the Los Angeles Unified School District will be allowed to continue to attend schools elsewhere after the 2010-11 school year remains unresolved. Cortines said he expects to return to the board in September with a new policy.

He said he will assess, among other things, why families are rejecting L.A. Unified for what they consider better options.

Speaking at a packed board meeting, Cortines said he had consulted with parents, other local superintendents and district lawyers, and concluded that the district had been neither clear nor consistent in handing out permits.

Applause erupted when Cortines announced that most students will continue receiving permits for next year. "I'm not knowingly going to harm the education of boys and girls and young people or

Daily 49er - Our View- Cortines, LAUSD to limit intradistrict transfers

Daily 49er - Our View- Cortines, LAUSD to limit intradistrict transfers

Our View- Cortines, LAUSD to limit intradistrict transfers

By Staff

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Published: Tuesday, April 6, 2010

Jeff Chang

The Obama administration’s “Race To the Top” education initiative carried out a crucial first step by granting two states, Delaware and Tennessee, $600 million in federal aid last Monday.

We may be biased in saying this — we want nothing but the best for the Sunshine State — but California should have received some of that money. Specifically the Los Angeles Unified School District, which is currently arguing over whether or not it will continue to grant permits to students wishing to transfer into surrounding districts, since the funding would have benefited it greatly. However, unlike Delaware and Tennessee, California has not taken the necessary steps to merit such funds. Both states have implemented a new system that rewards teachers on student preformance.

More than 12,000 students living in the LAUSD boundaries, ranging from elementary school to high school, have a permit allowing them to avoid attending their neighborhood schools.

LAUSD Superintendent Ramon Cortines has decided that this habit of intradistrict transfers is over. Yes, this move warrants anger but the superintendent has full authority to act in such a manner. L.A. schools need funds.

Cortines claims that the district has upgraded many of its campuses, so families should no longer be worried about the quality of education their children will receive.

By bringing students back into the district, LAUSD will receive $51 million in state funding.

Not suprisingly, the superintendent’s announcement resulted in heated debates between him and parents who are hoping to keep their children at the schools they are enrolled in. Cortines’ concern seems to be with revenue while parents are obviously concerned with the their children’s education.

Forcing students to attend their neighborhood schools would result in discomfort and this could ultimately affect their learning. Relocation means having to adjust to new teachers, new classmates and of course a new institution — all of which is stressful, especially when students do not think it necessary.

Although this new policy would bring in more money for the district, demanding that 12,000 students switch

Why Are Districts at Job Fairs After Laying Off Teachers? - KION - Monterey, Salinas, Santa Cruz - News Weather

Why Are Districts at Job Fairs After Laying Off Teachers? - KION - Monterey, Salinas, Santa Cruz - News Weather

Why Are Districts at Job Fairs After Laying Off Teachers?

Posted: Apr 06, 2010 6:25 PM PDTUpdated: Apr 06, 2010 7:01 PM PDT

Video Gallery

Why Are Districts at Job Fairs After Laying Off Teachers? 2:35

Marina, CALIF- Tuesday dozens of school districts along the Central Coast went to CSUMB hoping to find teachers to hire. That leads to this KION question, why are school districts going to job fairs even though they laid off teachers? Central Coast News went to the job fair today to get answers.

Hundreds of teachers showed up for the teacher recruitment at CSUMB Tuesday. Despite thousands of layoffs, districts are still trying to fill specific needs.

Nadene Dermody has worked in the Spreckles Union School District as a music teacher for ten years. Last month she got a pink slip and now she's nervous she won't be hired back," We don't know, we don't know. Yes I'm Iooking around of course I think we all have families to take care of and mortgages to pay and therefore you have to solidify your future for yourself in order to make any plans," said Dermody.

Districts like Alisal Union, and Monterey Peninsula Unified have made dozens of teacher lay offs this year so why are they recruiting? "We might be handing out pink slips with one credential and we might be recruiting with another credential," said Monterey High School Principal Bill Crockett.

Teachers with credentials in math and science are in high demand. Also being a credentialed bilingual teacher will put you on the top of the interview list. Matthew Courtney is graduating from CSUMB with his credential next month. He is bilingual not deterred by the number of layoffs in Alisal Union School District, "The fact that they are giving people pink slips isn't really something I'm concerned about. I'm looking for my first job just like the other teacher credential candidates here

Pasadena schools remove campaign signs amidst controversy - Pasadena Star-News

Pasadena schools remove campaign signs amidst controversy - Pasadena Star-News

Pasadena schools remove campaign signs amidst controversy

By Brian Charles Staff Writer

Posted: 04/06/2010 10:37:22 PM PDT

Education

Get the scoop on schools, teachers and students. Visit our Education pagefor more articles and photos.

One week after signs supporting a parcel tax were vandalized at Webster Elementary School, Pasadena Unified School District has told its PTAs and principals that school buildings are no place for campaign signs.

Signs supporting Measure CC, which would levy a $120-a-year parcel tax in the district, were posted at several PUSD schools.

On Monday, Superintendent Edwin Diaz sent an e-mail asking the signs be removed from all campuses.

"Because of the controversy about their posting and them being vandalized, I decided we're detracting from what we need to be doing, which is getting the information out to the people in the public," Diaz said.

His move came less than 24 hours before a visit by State

Read more:http://www.pasadenastarnews.com/news/ci_14834673#ixzz0kPqU5AKw

Possible election violation at PUSD has experts divided

By Brian Charles, Staff Writer

Posted: 04/06/2010 12:15:21 PM PDT

Public policy experts are split on whether pro-parcel tax signs at Pasadena cchools are a violation of state and local election laws.

Signs supporting Measure CC, the district's $120 annual parcel tax are posted at several schools within the Pasadena Unified School District. The signs have been posted by pro-parcel tax groups including local Parent and Teacher Associations.

After an incident where one of the signs at Webster Elementary was vandalized some in the community questioned whether the pro-parcel tax signs should be displayed at district schools.

Two California government watchdog groups said the signs at worst are a minor election law infraction, and at best represent poor public policy on the part of the school district.

"It's highly inappropriate," said Bob Stern, president of the Center for Governmental Studies, a non profit policy think tank. "The school district should not use its property to promote a ballot initiative or a candidate unless they give the opposition the same opportunity."

Stern was unsure whether the school district's actions were legal, but said if the school district broke the law by allowing the pro-parcel tax signs "it's a minor offense and nothing that would send anyone to jail."

Kathy Feng, executive director of California Common Cause, a non profit public policy lobbying group, said

Read more:http://www.pasadenastarnews.com/news/ci_14829278#ixzz0kPqdTrKu

Jack O'Connell visits Muir and warns of future crisis - Pasadena Star-News

Jack O'Connell visits Muir and warns of future crisis - Pasadena Star-News

Jack O'Connell visits Muir and warns of future crisis

By Brian Charles Staff Writer

Posted: 04/06/2010 05:19:43 PM PDT

Education

Get the scoop on schools, teachers and students. Visit our Education pagefor more articles and photos.

A gloomy future looms for California schools if the state doesn't find a way to increase the number of teachers it employs, State Superintendent of Public Instruction Jack O'Connell said Tuesday.
Photo Gallery: Jack O'Connell speaks at John Muir High School
Speaking before an audience of educators, students and Pasadena Unified School District officials assembled at John Muir High School, O'Connell said that without a pipeline for new teachers, classrooms will swell and education in the state will suffer.
"During the past several years there has been unrelenting devastation to education," O'Connell said pointing to $17 billion cut from the state's education budget in the past five years.
O'Connell's plan is to support a bill in Sacramento to lower the threshold for passing a parcel tax from two-thirds to 55 percent.
The stance comes as Pasadena Unified supporters hope voters approve a district-wide a $120 annual parcel tax. The parcel tax mail-in ballots are due May 4.
Supporters say that money from the parcel tax would help close the district's

The Orion - California teachers not making it to ‘Top’

The Orion - California teachers not making it to ‘Top’

California teachers not making it to ‘Top’

By Patty Conover

Updated: Monday, April 5, 2010

Illustration by Robert Vargas

California is trailing behind in the Race to the Top.

President Barack Obama’s plan for nationalizing public education standards calls for states to compete against each other for more than $4 billion of federal funding, according to the U.S. Department of Education Web site. Currently, 16 states have met the criteria and will receive a portion of the money. California is not one of them.

While the plan is aimed at improving education, some people, like Dr. Al Schademan, a professor in the education department, say theRace to the Top plan may cause harm. The basis for funding is predominantly centered on test scores, which puts teachers in the dangerous position of either raising students’ test scores or being out of a job.

One of the biggest components of the Race to the Top is making sure only quality teachers are up in front of the classrooms, Schademan said. One concern professors have is that since students’ test scores are linked to the teacher, the quality of the teacher can be traced to the college that trained them.

Following graduates and their students’ test scores will probably become the next step in insuring that California employs quality teachers, he said. Chico State has a relatively high graduation rate for the credential program.

The university started as a normal school to train teachers, so students in the credential program come from a school with a long-standing reputation of credibility, Schademan said.

In October 2009, Chico State was awarded $7.3 million in federal Teacher Quality Partnership grants, which were given to 28 universities nationwide to improve teacher preparation in instructing students at high-need schools,

Golden Gate [X]press : Education left behind

Golden Gate [X]press : Education left behind

Education left behind by [X]press Staff APRIL 6, 2010 10:34 AM
Great in theory, but a failure in practice. That is what education reform in California has turned into. As students and members of a public school institution, we are the products of the No Child Left Behind Act. Enacted in 2001, this program was started by President Bush with the hopes of making sure that all children in the public education system were able to graduate by giving them more funds and programs and by keeping a close eye on them. But as Big Brother usually does, he turned a blind eye to the younger siblings in elementary schools. In California, these programs that were put into place were merely just to pass children through different grades, making sure that everyone gets a diploma come senior year of high school. Students in more affluent communities were able to sore while students in poor communities were able to slip through the cracks year after year. After eight years of this program, the flaws are starting to show. In 2009, the California Standardized Testing and Reporting (STAR) for San Francisco Unified District results showed that there were less than 40 percent of students from grades 2 to 11 who tested at the advanced level for English skills. Only third and fourth graders ranked in the 40th percentile in math scores. The first act made the state and government responsible for the efforts and achievements of the students. President Obama's recent call for overhauling No Child Left Behind will put more pressure will be put on teachers, who are already underpaid and stretched to the maximum with classroom sizes growing every year. This reform also plans to give more

Editorial and Dissent: Unpaid internship programs - The Daily Princetonian

Editorial and Dissent: Unpaid internship programs - The Daily Princetonian

Editorial and Dissent: Unpaid internship programs

By DAILY PRINCETONIAN EDITORIAL BOARD

Published: Wednesday, April 7th, 2010

Work experience, which for undergraduates usually comes in the form of internships, has increasingly become a prerequisite for securing a job after graduation. Many of these internships, including some of those at for-profit companies, are unpaid. A recent article in The New York Times discussed how unpaid internships at for-profit companies must meet six criteria — which are often difficult to fulfill — in order to be legal, noting that regulators in some states are now cracking down on the proliferation of illegal unpaid internships despite students’ interest in them. The U.S. Department of Labor’s six criteria should be changed so that companies can continue to offer unpaid internships without facing a significant burden.

Internships are designed to be a form of educational work experience. Thus, the best internships are those in which students learn about an industry or type of job by engaging in the kind of work they would do as an employee. One of the requirements for unpaid internships, however, is that the work not be of any immediate benefit to the employer, essentially making the position of little

California's school woes hit home - Capitol and California - fresnobee.com

California's school woes hit home - Capitol and California - fresnobee.com

Dan Walters: California's school funding woes hit home

Posted at 12:07 AM on Wednesday, Apr. 07, 2010

By Dan Walters - dwalters@sacbee.com

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The depth of California's educational crisis was underscored a few weeks ago when new nationwide test results placed the state's fourth- and eighth-graders at or near the bottom in basic academic skills.

The dismal academic rankings were released just after California failed to qualify for one of the Obama administration's Race to the Top education improvement grants even though it had hurriedly made school governance changes, albeit after some nasty political infighting.

The political climate was so divisive that California could not muster the required level of support for Obama-style reform from school districts, teachers and unions to qualify for a grant. And the atmosphere remains so toxic that California may not even apply in subsequent rounds.

After its brief foray into the quicksand of pedagogic policy, the Capitol is returning to a more familiar political battleground – money.

Unions and other elements of the education establishment that were hostile to the reforms pushed by Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger with White House support are again chanting their fundamental mantra – that real improvement in California's sorry academic performance

Read more: http://www.fresnobee.com/2010/04/07/1886895/dan-walters-californias-school.html#ixzz0kPnbUZYP

Twin Rivers Unified's lawsuit at a glance - Sacramento News - Local and Breaking Sacramento News | Sacramento Bee

Twin Rivers Unified's lawsuit at a glance - Sacramento News - Local and Breaking Sacramento News | Sacramento Bee

Twin Rivers Unified's lawsuit at a glance

Published: Wednesday, Apr. 7, 2010 - 12:00 am | Page 14A

Last Modified: Wednesday, Apr. 7, 2010 - 12:08 a
m

The Twin Rivers Unified School District has filed a $95 million suit against California Financial Services, the investment company that advised the Grant Joint Union High School District, which Twin Rivers absorbed in 2008. The lawsuit says CFS defrauded Grant, leaving Twin Rivers with a perilous financial future. CFS denies the claims. Other allegations:

• CFS advised Grant from 1999 to 2008, during which CFS billed for $2 million in fees "by using false information to induce Grant to overburden itself with debt in the form of general obligation bonds and certificates of participation that were not justified."

• CFS misled Grant about its need for a $158 million complex in Natomas called the East Natomas Education Complex and unfunded debt obligations of $97 million. Twin Rivers says it can't demonstrate a need for the complex to qualify for state matching funds.

• CFS advised the purchase of 69 acres for the Natomas project in 2004 for $13 million, 7.4 acres

Read more: http://www.sacbee.com/2010/04/07/2660669/twin-rivers-unifieds-lawsuit-at.html#ixzz0kPn08tEh