Susan Ochshorn: Charter Ed for the Early Childhood Workforce: A Recipe for Disaster

Susan Ochshorn: Charter Ed for the Early Childhood Workforce: A Recipe for Disaster:

Charter Ed for the Early Childhood Workforce: A Recipe for Disaster

Last month, amid a flurry of natural disasters, the Brookings Institution and Rockefeller Foundation dumped a dangerous proposal on the overworked, underpaid, unrespected early childhood workforce. In "Beyond Bachelor's: The Case for Charter Colleges of Early Childhood Education," Sara Mead and Kevin Carey bring the K-12 charter school movement right on down to the earliest years of education. At the heart of their concept is a simple bargain: increased flexibility in exchange for increased accountability to deliver results.

A Faustian bargain, to be sure.

The early childhood workforce, as I've often noted, inthis space and elsewhere, is a highly challenged species. Qualifications are all over the map across states and settings (that means Head Start, child care, and state pre-K). In some parts of the country, women with high school diplomas are guiding the critical learning and development that occurs in the first five years of life. Levels of education for the workforce have been on the decline, even as the field, after years of debate, has embraced the bachelor's degree, with specialized training in early

BREAKING: UCIPD Simulating an Anti-Occupation Operation at UC Irvine « occupy california

BREAKING: UCIPD Simulating an Anti-Occupation Operation at UC Irvine « occupy california:

BREAKING: UCIPD Simulating an Anti-Occupation Operation at UC Irvine

by mtd

IRVINE, California – We have just received word from our comrades at UC Irvine that as of 3:00pm today, UCIPD and Irvine PD are running an anti-occupation operation at the Gateway Commons Study Center at UC Irvine. Campus staff are pretending to be student protesters and are simulating the occupation of the Gateway Commons building, while police are in full SWAT gear and Irvine PD are dressed in olive green and brown military

Mike Klonsky's SmallTalk Blog: In Ohio, it's Obama school construction vs. 'Boehnernomics'

Mike Klonsky's SmallTalk Blog: In Ohio, it's Obama school construction vs. 'Boehnernomics':

In Ohio, it's Obama school construction vs. 'Boehnernomics'

Obama spoke at the Fort Hayes Art and Academic High School, which has recently received federal funding for renovations.

“There are construction projects like this all over the country just waiting to get started,” Mr. Obama said. “So my question to Congress is, ‘What on earth are you waiting for?’ ”
The crowd of more than 3,000 people at the school acted like they were at a campaign event, too. They chanted: “Pass this bill! Pass this bill! Pass this bill!” -- NYT

White House officials said the $25 billion, if approved by lawmakers, would help

Schooling in the Ownership Society: Pearson buys virtual schools company

Schooling in the Ownership Society: Pearson buys virtual schools company:

Pearson buys virtual schools company

by Mike Klonsky

Textbook publisher Pearson announced today that it has acquiredConnections Education, which operates virtual schools or academies in 21 states and serves roughly 40,000 students. The company is expected to turn a $190 million profit in 2011.

This acquisition is the latest in a long string of mergers and acquisitionswithin the ed-tech business community, and it marks the first time that one

Did Florida Republicans Deliberately Mislead Voters on Race to the Top? | Scathing Purple Musings

Did Florida Republicans Deliberately Mislead Voters on Race to the Top? | Scathing Purple Musings:

Did Florida Republicans Deliberately Mislead Voters on Race to the Top?

by Bob Sikes

The Florida Education Association was skeptical of the Obama-Duncan Race to the Top (RttT) initiative, but eventually became part of the team which then governor Charlie Crist put together to apply for the grant. As it turns out RttT has turned out to be as what republican presidential candidate Rick Perry calls an “unacceptable intrusion on states’ control over education.”

Florida’s republican leaders liked it. Jeb Bush supported the measure. In a statement released through his foundation he said, “my hope is that states are bold and provocative in their proposals for Race to the Top Funds. This unprecedented federal investment in education reform should be used to introduce transparent and relevant world-class standards, dramatically improve teacher quality and employ technology to radically transform the

Top Ten Back-to-School Songs | The Nation

Top Ten Back-to-School Songs | The Nation:

Top Ten Back-to-School Songs

Peter Rothberg on Friday, September 9, 2011 - 21:15

Songs about school have probably been sung by students for as long as there has been formal schooling. Wikipedia reports that examples of such literature can be found dating back to medieval England. Here, we've tried the highly dubious task of trying to highlight ten of the best such songs ever written. Please use the comments field below to let us know what we've missed.

Pink Floyd, Another Brick in the Wall

Dolly Parton, Coat of Many Colors

The Clash, Mark Me Absent

The Ramones, Rock and Roll High School

Belle & Sebastian, We Rule the School

The Replacements, F*** School

The Smiths, The Headmaster Ritual

Chuck Berry, School Days

Pete Seeger, What Did You Learn in School Today?

Vampire Weekend, Campus

Related Topics: Music

ACCS Meeting Notice- Advisory Commission on Charter Schools (CA Dept of Education)

ACCS Meeting Notice--Advisory Commission on Chart - Advisory Commission on Charter Schools (CA Dept of Education):

• Home »
• SBE Home »
• Commissions & Committees »
• Advisory Commission on Charter Schools

Printer-friendly version

Meeting Notice

Advisory Commission on Charter Schools

An advisory body to the State Board of Education

Thursday, September 28, 2011
10:00 a. m. ± – 4:00 p. m. ±


East End Complex Auditorium
1500 Capitol Avenue
Sacramento, CA 95814
916-322-6029

Commission Members

Dr. Vicki Barber
Brian Bauer
Gary Davis
Beth Hunkapiller*
Kelly Kovacic
John Porter
Dr. Mark Ryan
Christopher Thomsen
Curtis L. Washington

Liaisons from the State Board of Education

Yvonne Chan
Trish Williams

* Represents the State Superintendent of Public Instruction

AGENDA

Call to Order

Salute to the Flag

Welcome and Introductions

Review and Adoption of Meeting Notes

Review/Reordering of the Meeting Agenda

The primary areas of focus of the Advisory Commission on Charter Schools (ACCS) at this meeting are anticipated to be as listed. The actual allocation of time and order of consideration will be decided at the meeting.

---

ITEM 1

Type of Action: Discussion

Subject: Public Comment*. Depending on the number of individuals wishing to address the State Board, the presiding officer may establish specific time limits on presentations.

ITEM 2

Type of Action: Discussion

Subject: Senate Bill (SB) 740 Training and Background Information

Staff: Jill Rice and Jay Harris

ITEM 3 (DOC; 553KB; 56pp.)

Type of Action: Action/Discussion

Subject: Petition for the Establishment of a Charter School Under the Oversight of the State Board of Education: Consideration of the Synergy Charter School Charter Petition, Which Was Denied by the Pittsburg Unified School District and Contra Costa County Office of Education.

Staff: Bonnie Galloway

• Item 3 Attachment 3
• Item 3 Attachment 4 (PDF; 1.15MB; 42pp.)
• Item 3 Attachment 5 (PDF; 2.3MB; 29pp.)

ITEM 4

Type of Action: Action/Discussion

Subject: Long Valley Charter School: Consider Request for Material Revisions to Charter to Increase Enrollment and Add Resource Centers.

Staff: Stephen Work

ITEM 5 (DOC: 72KB; 5pp.)

Type of Action: Discussion/Information

Subject: Discussion and Public Testimony Regarding the Measurement of Pupil Academic Achievement in the Authorization, Renewal, and Revocation of California Charter Schools.

Staff: Bonnie Galloway

• Item 5 Attachment 1

In addition to the above, the ACCS hereby provides notice that it reserves the right to consider and make recommendations at this meeting concerning other areas of the State Board of Education’s authority with respect to charter schools, which include but are not limited to:

• Taking appropriate action, including, but not limited to, revocation with respect to State Board-granted and locally granted charters under specific circumstances set forth in statute.

• Jointly with the State Superintendent of Public Instruction, approving district-wide charter petitions when those petitions are determined to be satisfactory.
• Developing and adopting regulations to implement various provisions of the Charter Schools Act of 1992 (Part 26.8 of the Education Code, commencing with Section 47600). Approving or denying requests to waive otherwise applicable provisions of law based upon requests submitted by charter schools and other local education agencies.
• Assigning numbers to charter school petitions to ensure that the statutory cap on the number of charter schools is not exceeded.

---

Future Meeting Schedule

Day/Date	Location
Wednesday, November 30, 2011	California Department of Education 1430 N Street, Suite 1101 Sacramento, CA 95814-5901
Wednesday, February 8, 2012	California Department of Education 1430 N Street, Suite 1101 Sacramento, CA 95814-5901
Wednesday, April 11, 2012	California Department of Education 1430 N Street, Suite 1101 Sacramento, CA 95814-5901
Wednesday, June 20, 2012	California Department of Education 1430 N Street, Suite 1101 Sacramento, CA 95814-5901
Wednesday, August 15, 2012	California Department of Education 1430 N Street, Suite 1101 Sacramento, CA 95814-5901
Wednesday, October 10, 2012	California Department of Education 1430 N Street, Suite 1101 Sacramento, CA 95814-5901

---

THE ORDER OF BUSINESS MAY BE CHANGED WITHOUT NOTICE

Notice is hereby given that the order of consideration of matters on this agenda may be changed without prior notice.

REASONABLE LIMITATIONS MAY BE PLACED ON PUBLIC TESTIMONY

The presiding officer of the Advisory Commission on Charter Schools (ACCS) reserves the right to impose reasonable time limits on public testimony to ensure that the agenda is completed.

SPECIAL PRESENTATIONS MAY BE MADE

Consistent with the requirements of the Bagley-Keene Open Meeting Act, notice is hereby given that special presentations not mentioned in the agenda may be made at this meeting. However, any such presentation will be for information only.

REASONABLE ACCOMMODATION WILL BE PROVIDED FOR ANY INDIVIDUAL WITH A DISABILITY

Pursuant to the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 and the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990, any individual with a disability who requires reasonable accommodation to attend or participate in this meeting of the Advisory Commission on Charter Schools (ACCS) may request assistance by contacting the Charter Schools Division at:

Charter Schools Division
California Department of Education
1430 N Street, Suite 5401
Sacramento, CA 95814-5901
Phone: 916-322-6029
Fax: 916-322-1465

FOR MORE INFORMATION

For more information concerning this agenda, or to join the Advisory Commission on Charter Schools specialized e-mail distribution list, please contact:

Tina Simonoff
Charter Schools Division
California Department of Education
1430 N Street, Suite 5401
Sacramento, CA 95814-5901
Phone: 916-322-6029
Fax: 916-322-1465
csimonoff@cde.ca.gov

This notice appears on the CDE Advisory Commission on Charter Schools Web page .

---

*Time(s) will be set aside for public comment at this meeting. Depending on the situation, and at the direction of the presiding officer, public comment may be entertained as appropriate at the beginning of, during, and/or at the end of the meeting. Reasonable limits will be placed on the amount of time allowed for individual comments.

NAACP Data on Dismal Conditions Faced by Milwaukee’s Black Citizens « Larry Miller's Blog

NAACP Data on Dismal Conditions Faced by Milwaukee’s Black Citizens « Larry Miller's Blog:

NAACP Data on Dismal Conditions Faced by Milwaukee’s Black Citizens

by millerlf

The NAACP issued a report in June of this year called Milwaukee Today: An Occasional Report of the NAACP.

As poverty significantly increases in Milwaukee and around the nation the data presented in this report exposes the dire conditions facing African Americans in our city. While the lack of response by too many leaders is appalling, other Milwaukee leaders have willingly supported and encouraged draconian measures by Tea Party Republicans. This is criminal.

Included in the report is an extensive list of the problems faced particularly among Milwaukee’s African American

SignOn.org Beta:

Want a Real Economic Stimulus and Jobs Plan? Forgive Student Loan Debt!

By Robert Applebaum (Contact)

To be delivered to: The United States House of Representatives, The United States Senate and President Barack Obama

Forgiving the student loan debt of all Americans will have an immediate stimulative effect on our economy. With the stroke of the President's pen, millions of Americans would suddenly have hundreds, or in some cases, thousands of extra dollars in their pockets each and every month with which to spend on ailing sectors of the economy. As consumer spending increases, businesses will begin to hire, jobs will be created and a new era of innovation, entrepreneurship and prosperity will be ushered in for all. A rising tide does, in fact, lift all boats - forgiving student loan debt, rather than tax cuts for corporations, millionaires and billionaires, has a MUCH greater chance of helping to rise that tide in a MUCH shorter time-frame. The future economic success of this country is wholly dependent upon a well-educated, prosperous middle class. Instead of saddling entire generations with debt from which there is no escape, let's empower the American people to grow this economy on their own!

Therefore, we, the undersigned, strongly encourage Congress and the President to support H. Res 365, introduced by Rep. Hansen Clarke (D-MI), seeking student loan forgiveness as a means of economic stimulus.

Charter School Opponents Want DOE To Charge Rent - NY1.com

Charter School Opponents Want DOE To Charge Rent - NY1.com:

Charter School Opponents Want DOE To Charge Rent

By: NY1 News

The battle over Charter Schools and whether or not they should be allowed to use space in public school buildings free of charge is playing out in court.

At issue are some 100 charter schools.

One parents' group estimates the city loses $100 million annually by not charging the charters rent.

"My biggest advocate are my children and I have to advocate for them so I want to see changes made. Big changes made," said one lawsuit supporter.

"Right now, basically they're getting a free ride that's money that could be collected and not only

Broward names new, Michelle Rhee-affiliated school superintendent | Florida Independent

Broward names new, Michelle Rhee-affiliated school superintendent | Florida Independent:

Broward names new, Michelle Rhee-affiliated school superintendent

By Marcos Restrepo | 09.15.11 | 9:32 am

• 0 Comments
• Share6
• 

Michelle Rhee and Gov. Rick Scott (Pic via flgov.com)

The Broward County School Board on Wednesday selected former businessman Robert Runcie as Broward’s next school superintendent. The Broward school system ”is the sixth largest and the largest fully accredited K-12 and adult school system in the country” with “nearly 257,000 students, 230 traditional schools and centers, 68 charter schools and one virtual school that serves elementary, middle and high school students.”

According to the South Florida Sun Sentinel, the decision to select Runcie “ultimately came down to his business savvy and ability to improve technology and transportation in Chicago’s public schools.”

The Sun Sentinel adds that Runcie, a Harvard economist who has no classroom experience and has

Getting teacher evaluation right - The Answer Sheet - The Washington Post

Getting teacher evaluation right - The Answer Sheet - The Washington Post:

Getting teacher evaluation right

By Valerie Strauss

Here is an edited version of a briefing on the right way to evaluate teachers that Stanford University Professor Linda Darling-Hammond and other leading education research experts gave this week on Capitol Hill to policymakers.

This is long, but I am publishing because the issue of how to evaluate teachers and develop high-quality teaching has become a — if not THE — primary focus of federal and state education.

I have removed footnotes in the original, though sources are listed at the end. The forum was sponsored by the American Educational Research Association and the National Academy of Education.

Along with Darling-Hammond, who was the leader of President Obama’s

Education Research Report: Preschoolers' grasp of numbers predicts math performance in school years

Education Research Report: Preschoolers' grasp of numbers predicts math performance in school years:

Preschoolers' grasp of numbers predicts math performance in school years

Ω

Study reveals link between early number sense and elementary math scores

A new study published today in the journal PLoS ONE reports that the precision with which preschoolers estimate quantities, prior to any formal education in mathematics, predicts their mathematics ability in elementary school, according to research from the Kennedy Krieger Institute.

Humans have an intuitive sense of number that allows them, for example, to readily identify which of two containers has more objects without counting. This ability is present at birth, and gradually improves throughout childhood. Although it's easier to compare quantities if the amounts differ greatly (such as 30 versus 15 objects), greater precision is needed when comparing items that are much closer in number. When this ability is measured during the school age years, it correlates with mathematics achievement. However, it has been unclear until now whether this intuitive ability actually serves as a foundation for school-age math abilities.

Results of the new study show that children's ability to make numerical estimates in preschool predicted their performance on mathematical tests taken in elementary school, more than two years later. The relationship appeared to be specific to math ability, because preschool number skills

An Attorney's Observations of LAUSD's Rubber Rooms by Ron Lapekas, esq. - Perdaily.com

An Attorney's Observations of LAUSD's Rubber Rooms by Ron Lapekas, esq. (Observaciones de un abogado de habitaciones de goma LAUSD por Ron Lapekas, esq.) - Perdaily.com:

An Attorney's Observations of LAUSD's Rubber Rooms by Ron Lapekas, esq. (Observaciones de un abogado de habitaciones de goma LAUSD por Ron Lapekas, esq.)

by Leonard Isenberg

(Mensaje se repite en Español)

(For a national view of public education reform see the end of this blog post)

I am an attorney who was a whistleblower in the 70's. I learned the hard way that it is extremely difficult to find a lawyer who is both competent and willing to represent someone crazy enough to report wrongdoing. So, I filed my first case - my own - while I was in law school. After winning the writ proceeding, I won my first appeal during my first year of practice. All in all, it took me 12 years to clear my name. As a result, a substantial part of my practice for the past several decades has been employment law.

A few weeks ago I came into contact with Lenny Isenberg, a teacher who also was a whistleblower. He had been given a notice of dismissal and was preparing to defend himself because the attorney who originally represented

Blue Ribbon Schools for 2010-11 - Year 2011 (CA Dept of Education)

Blue Ribbon Schools for 2010-11 - Year 2011 (CA Dept of Education):

State Schools Chief Tom Torlakson Congratulates California
Winners of the National Blue Ribbon Schools Program

SACRAMENTO—State Superintendent of Public Instruction Tom Torlakson congratulated 20 California public schools and one private school that were named today by U.S. Secretary of Education Arne Duncan as national Blue Ribbon Schools for 2010-11.

The list of schools is attached.

"Congratulations to all 21 schools, and the students, teachers, school employees, administrators, and parents who worked hard to earn the title Blue Ribbon School," Torlakson said. "Today's awards are just one more sign of the dedication California's educators have to improving opportunities for students, even in the face of painful budget cuts."

The Blue Ribbon Schools Program (BRSP) is a U.S. Department of Education program. BRSP honors public and private schools from elementary through high schools, whose students achieve at very high levels or have made significant progress and helped close gaps in achievement, especially among disadvantaged and minority students.

Public schools are nominated by the Chief State School Officers, the Department of Defense Education Activity, and the Bureau of Indian Education. All nominees must qualify as either:

• High performing: Schools are measured by state tests in both English-language arts and mathematics, or assessments referenced against national norms; or
• Improvement to high levels: Schools have at least 40 percent of their students from disadvantaged backgrounds and have improved student performance to high levels in English-language arts and mathematics on state assessments or assessments referenced against national norms. Disadvantaged means students eligible for free or reduced-priced meals, who receive Title I services, are limited English proficient, migrant, or in need of special services.

Blue Ribbon Schools are honored at a national awards ceremony in Washington, DC in the fall, where each winner receives a plaque and flag. Blue Ribbon winners may fly this flag at their schools as a mark of excellence and a symbol of quality. These schools serve as examples of excellence for other schools throughout the nation. Details of their achievements are shared on the U.S. Department of Education's Web site at Blue Ribbon Schools Program (Outside Source).

For more information on California's past winners, please visit the California Department of Education's Web site at Blue Ribbon Schools.

Attachment

California Blue Ribbon Public Schools for 2010-11

County	District	School
Alameda	Fremont Unified	James Leitch Elementary
Alameda	Oakland Unified	Peralta Elementary
Fresno	Sanger Unified	Sanger Academy Charter
Fresno	Clovis Unified	Miramonte Elementary
Los Angeles	Long Beach Unified	California Academy of Mathematics and Science
Los Angeles	Los Angeles Unified	Gertz-Ressler Academy High
Los Angeles	Newhall	Dr. J. Michael McGrath Elementary School
Los Angeles	West Covina Unified	Merced Elementary
Orange	Garden Grove Unified	Ethan B. Allen Elementary
Orange	Santa Ana Unified	John Muir Fundamental Elementary
Orange	Santa Ana Unified	Jim Thorpe Fundamental
Orange	Buena Park Elementary	Charles G. Emery Elementary
Riverside	Lake Elsinore Unified	William Collier Elementary
Riverside	Palm Springs Unified	Katherine Finchy Elementary
Riverside	Beaumont Unified	Sundance Elementary
San Diego	Poway Unified	Los Penasquitos Elementary
San Francisco	San Francisco Unified	Ulloa Elementary
Santa Clara	Berryessa Union Elementary	Ruskin Elementary
Stanislaus	Ceres Unified	Westport Elementary
Ventura	Santa Paula Elementary	Grace S. Thille Elementary

California Blue Ribbon Private School for 2010-11

County	City	School
San Diego	Solana Beach	Santa Fe Christian Lower

# # # #

Tom Torlakson — State Superintendent of Public Instruction
Communications Division, Room 5206, 916-319-0818, Fax 916-319-0100