Friday, May 28, 2010

New $23B for teacher subsidies falters in House - Boston.com

New $23B for teacher subsidies falters in House

By Laurie Kellman

Associated Press Writer / May 27, 2010

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WASHINGTON—A $23 billion payout to save thousands of educators' jobs faltered Thursday -- perhaps for good -- to election-year jitters among moderate Democrats over deficit spending and only lukewarm support from the White House.

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The proposal's chief advocate in the House abruptly canceled a committee meeting to put the money in a war spending bill. Its lead sponsor in the Senate gave up trying to do it, acknowledging he lacked the necessary votes.

The developments jeopardized what progressives in Congress and some members of the Obama administration had described as a life raft for 100,000 to 300,000 teachers and other school personnel whose billions of dollars in stimulus salary subsidies run out this fall.

Outside the Beltway, educators said it wasn't clear how big a hit they would take if more federal money didn't come through.

"The specter of layoffs is there," said Maryland Department of Education spokesman Bill Reinhard. "The economy has not totally turned around yet."

Maureen Dinnen, a retired teacher and school board member in Broward County, Fla., said 800 teacher jobs are in jeopardy there. The limbo, she said, wakes her up at night.

"I think to myself, the future of our schools, that's just as important as the auto industry or the financial interests," Dinnen said. "That's our lifeblood for the

GLOBE EDUCATION NEWS

230 Quincy teachers receive layoff notices

About 230 Quincy teachers received pink slips yesterday, but officials said the $2.3 million in wage concessions this week by the teachers union will end up saving some of those jobs. (By Molly A. K. Connors, Globe Correspondent)

Souter defends judicial activism

Retired Supreme Court justice David H. Souter, delivering the commencement speech at Harvard University yesterday, defended justices who interpret the Constitution and identify rights not explicitly mentioned in America’s founding document. (By Jonathan Saltzman, Globe Staff)

Three new members join Sharon School Committee at Thursday’s meeting

Three new members are making their debut on the Sharon School Committee tonight, and with half of the panel seats being filled by new members, it represents quite a shake-up for the local school board. (By Emily Sweeney, Globe Staff)

Pentucket marching bands caps comeback with Washington, D.C., parade

When the marching band at Pentucket Regional High School in West Newbury was discontinued in 1999, its green-and-white uniforms were put in storage. (By Wendy Killeen, Globe Correspondent)

A comic gets his diploma ...

Jimmy Tingle stood in Harvard Square at rush hour one afternoon, crowds buzzing around him. He didn’t see them. He was looking back, way back. (By Bill Porter, Globe Staff)

LATEST EDUCATION NEWS WIRE UPDATES

House spending bill trimmed, Senate OKs war funds(AP, 3:50 a.m.)
War funding bill passes Senate (AP, 5/27/10)
New $23B for teacher subsidies falters in House (AP, 5/27/10)
Highlights of RI House budget plan passed Thursday(AP, 5/27/10)
Senate OKs war funding; House to cut spending bill (AP, 5/27/10)

LATEST K-12 EDUCATION NEWS

LA schools rescind 522 teacher layoff notices (AP, 5/27/10)
NH teacher charged with student calculator thefts (AP, 5/27/10)
Ex-justice O’Connor gives schools poor civics marks(Boston Globe, 5/26/10)
LA schools rescind 522 teacher layoff notices (AP, 5/26/10)
Rell signs bill to boost Conn. bid for aid (AP, 5/26/10)

NorthJersey.com: The Christie administration is backing away from attempts to consolidate and regionalize many of the state’s small school districts and will instead encourage the schools to share more services.

NorthJersey.com: The Christie administration is backing away from attempts to consolidate and regionalize many of the state’s small school districts and will instead encourage the schools to share more services.

N.J. backs off school district mergers

Friday, May 28, 2010
LAST UPDATED: FRIDAY MAY 28, 2010, 6:46 AM

BY PATRICIA ALEX

THE RECORD

STAFF WRITER

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The Christie administration is backing away from attempts to consolidate and regionalize many of the state’s small school districts and will instead encourage the schools to share more services.

An English class at Manchester Regional High School, which shares a superintendent, business administrator and other staff with Haledon’s school district.

ELIZABETH LARA/STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER

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An English class at Manchester Regional High School, which shares a superintendent, business administrator and other staff with Haledon’s school district.

The Legislature mandated that steps be taken to combine small districts — ones that do not educate students all the way from Grades K to 12 — as a way to cut costs and coordinate the curriculum in the elementary, middle and high schools. Half of the districts in Bergen and Passaic counties would have been affected.

It was to be a fledgling step toward consolidation in a state with 600 school districts, but like regionalization efforts before it, this one has been derailed.

Education Commissioner Bret Schundler said forced consolidation would "generate a lot of lawsuits and political acrimony." The Education Department will instead encourage districts to share more services, including personnel, he said.

But the author of the legislation that mandated the consolidation plans said he wants to know why the state is flouting the law.

"Given the governor’s fervent commitment to reducing taxes, it’s all the more disturbing that his administration would chose to ignore the law," Sen. Bob Smith, D-Middlesex, wrote in a letter to Schundler this week.

Smith said the plans, formulated after months of committee hearings, were designed to bring long-term property tax relief.

"To give that up without further discussion is just crazy and it’s against the law we

Schools Matter: preschool will be school in Kalamazoo

preschool will be school in Kalamazoo

by skrashen

In Kalamazoo, preschool will be school

Sent to the Detroit News, May 24, 2010

Kalamazoo is now putting more focus on literacy in preschool to prepare children for a more demanding kindergarten, which will include more instruction on reading, writing, science, history and math ("Kalamazoo schools create college culture," May 24).

Statement by the President on Votes to Repeal “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” | The White House

Statement by the President on Votes to Repeal “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell”

I have long advocated that we repeal ‘Don’t Ask Don’t Tell’, and I am pleased that both the House of Representatives and the Senate Armed Services Committee took important bipartisan steps toward repeal tonight. Key to successful repeal will be the ongoing Defense Department review, and as such I am grateful that the amendments offered by Representative Patrick Murphy and Senators Joseph Lieberman and Carl Levin that passed today will ensure that the Department of Defense can complete that comprehensive review that will allow our military and their families the opportunity to inform and shape the implementation process. Our military is made up of the best and bravest men and women in our nation, and my greatest honor is leading them as Commander-in-Chief. This legislation will help make our Armed Forces even stronger and more inclusive by allowing gay and lesbian soldiers to serve honestly and with integrity.

Education - Sacramento News - Local and Breaking Sacramento News | Sacramento Bee

Natomas Unified closes all 8 elementary school libraries

By Diana Lambert - Published: 12:00 am

Is it the end of an era, or just a blip on the education budget radar?

Natomas school district closes libraries

UC Davis study: Newspapers must adapt to survive

By Laurel Rosenhall - Published: 7:41 pm

Newspapers will have to change to survive, according to a new UC Davis study, moving away from the rote patterns that have driven the industry over the last century and embracing innovation, online networking and different business models.

California college grads head overseas

By Laurel Rosenhall - Updated: 10:53 am

College graduates discouraged by the tight job market are finding creative ways to pad their résumés until the economy improves: Many are leaving the country to find adventure – and work.

Winner to be announced for school library makeover

Published: Thursday, May 27 2010 - 12:00 am

Three low-income Sacramento elementary schools have been named finalists for a library makeover, courtesy of Target and the Heart of America Foundation.

Towns Challenge New Jersey Voters’ Wishes Education News - The New York Times

Education News - The New York Times

From left, the author Hilaire Belloc is said to have failed to get into All Souls College. But fellows included Joseph Stiglitz, a Nobel Prize-winning economist, T. E. Lawrence (of Arabia) and Sir Christopher Wren.

Oxford Tradition Comes to This: ‘Death’ (Expound)

By SARAH LYALL

All Souls College is scrapping its one-word exam, on which applicants demonstrated their intellectual flexibility.

Sample Fellowship Exam

Towns Challenge New Jersey Voters’ Wishes

By WINNIE HU 12:33 AM ET

Going against election results, councils have adopted many defeated school budgets with few additional cuts.

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Virginia: University Objects to an Inquiry

By SINDYA N. BHANOO

The University of Virginia filed a motion in circuit court asking the state to halt an investigation into the work of a prominent climate researcher.

More Scrutiny for Charter Schools in Debate Over Expansion

By NICHOLAS CONFESSORE and JENNIFER MEDINA

A review of public documents shows that many charter schools have spent money in questionable ways.

Yale Patron Held in Scheme That Benefited the University and Its Baseball Team

By JOHN ELIGON

John D. Mazzuto gave the university $1.5 million worth of stock in a company he controlled, but prosecutors said the shares were worthless.

In 2003, Lawrence H. Summers, center, announced Elena Kagan was succeeding Robert C. Clark, left, as dean of Harvard Law.

At Harvard, Kagan Aimed Sights Higher

By SHERYL GAY STOLBERG

Elena Kagan, the Supreme Court nominee, had hoped to succeed Lawrence H. Summers as the president of the university.

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Mike Klonsky's SmallTalk Blog: A NEW VISION FOR SCHOOL REFORM

A NEW VISION FOR SCHOOL REFORM

by Mike Klonsky

Pedro Noguera is guest editor at The Nation, for the magazine's special issue on education. His editorial offers a sharp critique of current administration policies as well as a way out.

Before his election President Obama carved out what many regarded as a more progressive and enlightened position on education reform. Recognizing that No Child Left Behind (NCLB) had become widely unpopular because of its

J.P Morgan bailout brings a gift for charter operators

by Mike Klonsky

Conservative think-tanks like Fordham and AEI are pouring out their hearts to the poor for-profit school reformers who they claim, are being squeezed out of Duncan's i3 funding opportunities. They also claim that privately-managed charter schools are "terribly underfunded." Debra Viadero at Edweek, gives the claim some credence in this blog post although she can't help but "wonder whether this report takes into account the dollars that many charter schools get from foundations and other private donors." Wonder indeed, Deb.

Meanwhile, back in the real world, J.P. Morgan Chase took out full-page ads in the

“Oil Spill Remedies: Trial and Error in Deep Water” | Larry Ferlazzo's Websites of the Day...

“Oil Spill Remedies: Trial and Error in Deep Water”

by Larry Ferlazzo

Oil Spill Remedies: Trial and Error in Deep Water is an interactive graphic from The New York Times examining the various attempts to stop the Gulf Oil Spill.
I’m adding it to The Best Sites To Learn About The Gulf Oil Spill.

“Critically Endangered Creatures” Slideshow

Oil Spill Update

Here’s What I’m Doing For My Class Final Exam

by Larry Ferlazzo

Our school has been very fortunate by working with Jayne Marlink from the California Writing Project over the past two years. She has been working with all of our English teachers to help us become better teachers of writing.
Largely because of her suggestions at a session with her today, I’ve developed a plan for what I think should be a useful “final exam” for my mainstream ninth-grade English class, and thought readers might find it useful/interesting — and help me make it better!
Students in all our English classes at the beginning of the school year read a very short text and responded to a prompt. Then, this month, we gave them similar text and prompt to respond to, and we’re looking at both through

SRC OKs spending plan that relies heavily on state aid | Philadelphia Inquirer | 05/27/2010

SRC OKs spending plan that relies heavily on state aid

By Kristen A. Graham

Inquirer Staff Writer

If Harrisburg doesn't come through with the state aid the Philadelphia School District is banking on, cuts to its newly adopted $3.2 billion budget could come from the classroom, officials said Wednesday.

The School Reform Commission approved a spending plan that pays for new labor contracts, bigger pension obligations, and $180 million for Superintendent Arlene Ackerman's strategic plan. The budget relies heavily on federal stimulus money and $1.68 billion in state aid - a figure that Gov. Rendell proposed but that the legislature has not approved.

State aid accounts for 55 percent of the district's budget.

Michael Masch, district chief business officer, defended the budget as "sound" and based on the best information available. He noted that the district had shown improved test scores for the last seven years.

A spokesman for Senate Majority Leader Dominic Pileggi (R., Delaware) pointed to an April 27 letter to all Pennsylvania superintendents, in which state Republican leaders warned that there was "no guaranteed level of funding" and that the state's financial position had "changed significantly" since Rendell's proposal.

Last year, the district counted on Rendell's proposal and ended up having to make $144 million in cuts. The budget already contains efficiencies, Masch said, but more would be considered if Harrisburg doesn't come through.

"If revenue shortfalls can't be eliminated solely through operating efficiencies," he said, "we will consider changes that affect our educational programs, but only as a last resort."

Those might include rolling back initiatives to reduce class sizes and add counselors, scaling back summer school, and delaying proposed expansions for charter schools, Masch said.

The budget passed, 4-0. Commissioner David Girard-diCarlo said he supported the budget "reluctantly," and Commissioner Johnny Irizarry abstained.

Irizarry declined to immediately say why he did not support the budget.

While praising Masch and Ackerman for doing the best they could, Girard-diCarlo warned th

Stanford budget on the mend - San Jose Mercury News

News > Education


	Stanford budget on the mend University forecasts balanced budget for next school year, after major cutbacks in 2009 San Jose State taps Kassing as interim president New chancellor — Rita Cepeda — to lead San Jose/Evergreen Community College District Herhold: The fate of a high school newspaper Nisei woman, 87, and other Japanese-Americans to be honored by San Jose State

The Education Report Two top OUSD staffers out the door

The Education Report

Two top OUSD staffers out the door

By Katy Murphy
Thursday, May 27th, 2010 at 12:16 pm in OUSD central office, Tony Smith, budget,leadership changes
8 Comments »

As leaders came and went from Oakland Unified’s 1025 Second Avenue headquarters, Chief Services Officer Laura Moran and Chief Academic Officer Brad Stam stayed put, helping the state-run district weather one transition after another. They worked under Randy Ward, Kim Statham, Vince Matthews, Roberta Mayor and, now, Superintendent Tony Smith.

But soon they, too, will be gone.

Read the rest of this entry »

School's out, but should it be? - The Denver Post

School's out, but should it be? 5But experts say extended school year would avoid "summer slide"05/28/2010Smiling Asbury Elementary students hugged one another, stuffed their backpacks and barely contained their excitement as the final minutes of school came to an end Thursday.

Students' cheating takes a high-tech turn 7405/27/2010 - Six Golden High School students were caught cheating on a chemistry final last week, forcing the school to make all 100 students enrolled in the course take the exam again before summer break begins next week.

Data may help DPS improve regional outcomes05/25/2010 - School officials are parsing data to try to figure out why educational outcomes for Denver Public Schools students are inconsistent from region to region.

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