Wendy Davis On Education: 'We Texans Have A Different Way Of Doing Things':

Wendy Davis On Education: 'We Texans Have A Different Way Of Doing Things'

Posted: 03/05/2014 7:40 pm EST Updated: 03/05/2014 7:59 pm EST

Gubernatorial candidate Wendy Davis makes an election day visit to her campaign phone bank at Wendy Davis campaign headquarters in Fort Worth, Texas, Tuesday, March 4, 2014. (Max Faulkner/Fort Worth Star-Telegram/MCT via Getty Images) | Fort Worth Star-Telegram via Getty Images

 AUSTIN, Texas -- Fresh from winning the Democratic nomination in the Texas governor's race, state Sen. Wendy Davis outlined her education platform at the SXSWedu conference on Wednesday, drawing a stark contrast with her Republican opponent, Attorney General Greg Abbott.

"I've laid out a detailed platform … I've been talking about it already to a great extent," Davis told reporters. "Greg Abbott in contrast to that is still defending indefensible cuts to our public school system. With his words he says that education is a priority, but with his actions he shows that it's not." Abbott's campaign could not immediately be reached for comment.

Davis on Tuesday trounced Reynaldo Madrigal by 60 percentage points in the Democratic gubernatorial primary, becoming the first female nominee since the 1990s. Abbott sailed to victory in the GOP primary.

Following a speech at SXSWedu Wednesday in which she attacked the state's massive education cuts and class size increases. Davis promised to fight for Texas children like she did when she filibustered $5 billion in education cuts in 2011. She said those cuts, combined with high expectations for teachers, led to 11,000 lost teaching positions through layoffs and attrition.

Texas is one of just four states not implementing Common Core State Standards, a set 

CURMUDGUCATION: Coleman Speaks Out (Sort of)

CURMUDGUCATION: Coleman Speaks Out (Sort of):

Coleman Speaks Out (Sort of)

Oh, the interwebs were alive with the sound of David Coleman today. His fervent presentation about the new, CCSS-infused SAT roused journalists (Wall Street Journalist), sort of journalists (Huffington Post), and tweetists (now we're on my level) galore. I read splintered quotes of Colemania, which must have merely scratched the surface, because I also read that his SAT speech earned the Standing O from the crowd in Austin

But I couldn't be there (I was busy, you know, working for a living). So now, using such classic faux journalist techniques as "Splicing Together Secondary Sources" and "Reading Real Journalism" and even one I like to call "Making Shit Up," I am going to bring you, loyal reader, David Coleman's presentation of the the ideas behind the New SAT!

Let's face it. The SAT is a doddering dinosaur of a test. Research just proved for the umpteenth time that it doesn't predict college success as well as high school GPA, and proving that is laced with loads of cultural bias has become a training exercise for freshmen-level research assistants. The old girl needs a facelift, a tummy tuck, and a boob job. It's not that I particularly care about the validity or usefulness of the test, but we are losing market share to the ACT and some colleges are starting to ignore us altogether. We've got a product to move, and that means releasing this year's hot new 

Smarter Balanced Question Types - Smarter Balanced Assessment System (CA Dept of Education)

Smarter Balanced Question Types - Smarter Balanced Assessment System (CA Dept of Education):

Smarter Balanced Question Types

Examples of question types that students may encounter on the Smarter Balanced Field Test, and the student technology skill required to respond to each question type.

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The Smarter Balanced Consortium also has developed Practice and Training Tests  that include examples of all of the question types that students will encounter on the Spring 2014 Smarter Balanced Field Test.  School districts are encouraged to use the Practice Test and Training Test to familiarize students with the various question types, software, and interface features.

As students prepare for the field test, it is important that they have an opportunity to view and practice each of the question types. The following table outlines each question type, technology skills needed to respond to each question type, and examples of each question type on the Practice Test and Training Test. In addition to responding to question types, the student should become familiar with accessing the context menu for embedded resources such as strikethrough, highlighter, American Sign Language videos, and text-to-speech.

ELA = English language arts
Math = Mathematics

Content Area	Question Response Type	Student Technology Skill Required	Practice Test Examples	Training Test Examples
ELA and Math	Multiple choice, single correct response (radio buttons)	Select the radio button corresponding to an option To deselect an option, select a different radio button Only one option can be selected	G3 ELA, Question 2 G3 Math, Question 3 G4 ELA, Question 1 G4 Math, Question 6 G5 ELA, Question 1 G5 Math, Question 4 G6 ELA, Question 2 G6 Math, Question 21 G7 ELA, Question 3 G7 Math, Question 21 G8 ELA, Question 8 G8 Math, Question 12 G11 ELA, Question 1 G11 Math, Question 22	G3-5 ELA, Question 2, Part A G3-5 Math, Question 1 G6-8, ELA, Question 4 G6-8 Math, Question 7 High School ELA, Question 4
ELA and Math	Multiple choice, single correct response (highlight)	Highlight an option by selecting an option To deselect an option, select a different option Only one option can be selected	G3 ELA, Question 1 G4 ELA, Question 5 G5 ELA, Question 5 G6 ELA, Question 3 G7 ELA, Question 1 G8 ELA, Question 9 G11 ELA, Question 2	None available
ELA and Math	Multiple choice, multiple correct responses (checkboxes)	Mark checkbox corresponding to an option To deselect an option, click on the checkbox that is already marked One or more options can be marked	G3 Math, Question 2 G4 Math, Question 8 G7 Math, Question 14 G8 Math, Question 25	G3-5 ELA, Question 2, Part B G3-5 Math, Question 6 G6-8 Math, Question 4 High School Math, Question 6
ELA and Math	Multiple choice, multiple correct responses (highlight)	Highlight an option by selecting an option To deselect an option, click on the previously highlighted option One or more options can be selected	G3 ELA, Question 21 G4 ELA, Question 18 (Highlight sentences in a paragraph) G5 ELA, Question 4 G6 ELA, Question 4 G7 ELA, Question 19 G8 ELA, Question 5 G11 ELA, Question 7	None available
ELA and Math	Matching Tables (variation using True/False or Yes/No format)	Select checkbox corresponding to an option in a table cell To deselect an option, select a checkbox that is already marked	G4 ELA, Question 25 G5 ELA, Question 13 G7 ELA, Question 27 G11 ELA, Question 37	G3-5 ELA, Question 6 G3-5 Math, Question 4 G6-8 ELA, Question 5 G6-8 Math, Question 6 High School ELA, Question 6 High School Math, Question 3
ELA and Math	Short Text	Keyboard entry into multiline text box (no text formatting) Ability to edit previously entered text	G3 ELA, Question 7 G3 Math, Question 12 G4 ELA, Question 3 G4 Math, Question 3 G5 ELA, Question 6 G6 ELA, Question 1 G6 Math, Question 11 G7 ELA, Question 7 G8 ELA, Question 12 G8 Math, Question 3 G11 ELA, Question 3	G3-5 ELA, Question 1 G3-5 Math, Question 8 G6-8 ELA, Question 1 High School ELA, Question 1 High School Math, Question 2
Math Only	Drag and Drop (select and move objects)	Click and drag object to appropriate location in Question response area	G3 Math, Question 16 G4 Math, Question 2 G5 Math, Question 20 G6 Math, Question 3 G7 Math, Question 13 G8 Math, Question 6 G11 Math, Question 17	G3-5 Math, Question 3 G6-8 Math, Question 5 High School Math, Question 1
Math Only	Hot Spot	Select targeted areas in the response area	G3 Math, Question 5 G4 Math, Question 19 G5 Math, Question 18 G6 Math, Question 25 G7 Math, Question 8 G11 Math, Question 18	G3-5 Math, Question 5 G6-8 Math, Question 8 High School Math, Question 5
Math Only	Table Fill in	Keyboard entry into table cells or drag/drop objects into table cells	G8 Math, Question 11 G11 Math, Question 15	G3-5 Math, Question 9 G6-8 Math, Question 3 High School Math, Question 7
Math Only	Graphing	Select the Add Point icon. Click in the Question response area to create a new point. To remove the point, select the Delete icon. Click on the point to be deleted. Select the Connect Line icon. Click in the Question response area where the line is to start. Click and drag to the area where the line is to end. To remove the line, select the Delete icon. Click on the line to be deleted.	G3 Math, Question 1 G5 Math, Question 2 G6 Math, Question 13 G7 Math, Question 15 G8 Math, Question 1 G11 Math, Question 19	G3-5 Math, Question 7 G6-8 Math, Question 1 High School Math, Question 8
Math Only	Equation/numeric	Select buttons representing numbers and mathematic symbols to create a numeric response or equation	G3 Math, Question 9 G4 Math, Question 12 G5 Math, Question 17 G6 Math, Question 7 G7 Math, Question 18 G8 Math, Question 2 G11 Math, Question 23	G3-5 Math, Question 2 G6-8 Math, Question 2 High School Math, Question 4
ELA Only	Two-part multiple-choice, with evidence responses	Multiple-choice (radio buttons) or multiple-choice (highlight)	G3 ELA, Question 1 G4 ELA, Question 5 G7 ELA, Question 1 G11 ELA, Question 4	G3-5 ELA, Question 2 G6-8 ELA, Question 3 High School ELA, Question 2
ELA Only	Hot Text (select and move text)	Select text, click and drag text to new area	G3 ELA, Question 24	None available
ELA Only	Listening Tasks	Student must start or pause an audio clip by selecting buttons	G3 ELA, Question 19 G4 ELA, Question 19 G5 ELA, Question 20 G6 ELA, Question 20 G7 ELA, Question 18 G8 ELA, Question 22 G11 ELA, Question 27	G3-5 ELA, Question 5 G6-8 ELA, Question 4 High School ELA, Question 5
ELA Only	Essay	Keyboard entry using text formatting buttons Ability to edit previously entered text	ELA Performance Tasks	None available

Related Content

• Accessing Context Menu for Embedded Resources - Description on accessing the context menu for embedded resources using the Smarter Balanced Secure Browser.
• Spring 2014 Smarter Balanced Field Test - Information on the Smarter Balanced Field Test that will be administered in spring 2014.

Questions:   California Assessment of Student Performance and Progress Office | caaspp@cde.ca.gov | 916-445-8765

Choosing Your Tomorrow Today — Whole Child Education

Choosing Your Tomorrow Today — Whole Child Education:

THE WHOLE CHILD BLOG

Choosing Your Tomorrow Today

March 5, 2014 by Whole Child Symposium

Choosing your tomorrow today. What does this phrase mean to you? Probably your first thought is that it conveys an understanding that what we decide today affects what we become tomorrow. Obviously skills, behaviors, and knowledge learned today increase or decrease the potential for us all to do things in the future. But is there more to this phrase? Can it be parsed out? Take each word one at a time.

CHOOSING

What does this word conjure up?

Choice can bring empowerment.

Choice can develop responsibility and ownership.

Choice is an important concept.

YOUR

What meaning comes to mind?

It can indicate autonomy.

It promotes voice—your voice.

It can also speak to personalization and individualization.

TOMORROW

Tomorrow can mean the future.

It can refer to how our society and our economy grows, develops, and matures.

Or it can just refer to tomorrow, because the future starts today.

TODAY

Is that the 21st century?

Or is it this school year?

Or is it now?

The decisions we make today—for our systems, our schools, and our classrooms—will affect what all of our tomorrows will look like tomorrow. This month ASCD launches its inaugural Whole Child Symposium—a conversation about the future of education comprising three events over eight weeks that includes not only some of the leading educators and thinkers, but also you and your voice.

So, what does it mean to you? What do you think is most important? What word has the greatest impact, the greatest potential, and the greatest need? Follow the conversation here on the blog, share your thoughts in the comments and by e-mail, and pose your questions on Twitter using the hashtag #WCSymposium2014.

 

Bring Yourself to Work Every Day to Build Trust, Morale, and Culture — Whole Child Education

Bring Yourself to Work Every Day to Build Trust, Morale, and Culture — Whole Child Education: THE WHOLE CHILD BLOGBring Yourself to Work Every Day to Build Trust, Morale, and CultureFebruary 27, 2014 by Whole Child PodcastDownload Podcast Now [Right-Click to Save]Educators working in a positive school culture experience collegiality, trust, and tangible support as leaders and peers, creating an en

by mike simpson / 19h 

Civil and Human Rights Coalition Annual Awards Dinner to Honor Sen. Tom Harkin, Randi Weingarten, and Eliseo Medina

Civil and Human Rights Coalition Annual Awards Dinner to Honor Sen. Tom Harkin, Randi Weingarten, and Eliseo Medina:

Civil and Human Rights Coalition Annual Awards Dinner to Honor Sen. Tom Harkin, Randi Weingarten, and Eliseo Medina
Hubert H. Humphrey Award is the Highest Honor of the Civil and Human Rights Coalition

For Immediate Release
Contact: Scott Westbrook Simpson, 202.466.2061, simpson@civilrights.org
March 5, 2014

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WASHINGTON – On Thursday, May 15, The Leadership Conference on Civil and Human Rights will honor Senator Tom Harkin, American Federation of Teachers president Randi Weingarten, and leading labor organizer and immigration reform advocate Eliseo Medina with the civil and human rights  coalition’s highest honor at the 38^th Annual Hubert H. Humphrey Civil and Human Rights Award Dinner.

The Humphrey Award is presented annually to outstanding individuals who best exemplify Senator Humphrey’s selfless and devoted service in the cause of equality—an honor roll that, over the years, has included President Bill Clinton, Congressman John Lewis, former chair of the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation Sheila Bair, civil rights champion Dr. Dorothy Height, disability advocate Tammy Duckworth, and labor leader Dolores Huerta, among others. Last year’s honorees were voting rights champion Barbara Arnwine and fair lending advocate Martin Eakes.

“All of us who value equality and freedom can be inspired by these strong voices of inclusion and champions of social justice,” said Wade Henderson, president and CEO of The Leadership Conference on Civil and Human Rights. “In the spirit of our award's namesake, our honorees have answered Senator Humphrey's exhortation to embrace civil rights for all Americans and to ‘walk forthrightly into the bright sunshine of human rights.’”

Ticket and sponsorship information are available by calling (202) 466-3646 or at http://www.civilrights.org/dinner.

What: The 38^th Annual Hubert H. Humphrey Civil and Human Rights Award Dinner honoring Senator Tom Harkin, Randi Weingarten, and Eliseo Medina

When: Thursday, May 15, 2014 - Reception at 5:30 p.m. - Dinner at 7:00 p.m.

Where: Washington Hilton, 1919 Connecticut Avenue, N.W., Washington, D.C.

Press Pass Availability: Reporters seeking to cover the event should contact Scott Simpson at 202.466.2061 or Simpson@civilrights.org.

The Leadership Conference on Civil and Human Rights is a coalition charged by its diverse membership to promote and protect the rights of all persons in the United States. The Leadership Conference works toward an America as good as its ideals. For more information on The Leadership Conference and its 200-plus member organizations, visit www.civilrights.org.

It's All About Eva Moskowitz southbronxschool.com

http://www.southbronxschool.com:

It's All About Eva Moskowitz

OK, time to get things straight about all this charter school hullabaloo.

Yes, Uncle Mike pushed through co-locations and approval of charter schools at the October PEP. Nineteen of these co-locations were charter schools. AsDNAinfo.com reported; 

De Blasio axed Moskowitz's plan to move into the August Martin High School complex in Jamaica, Queens, and Murry Bergtraum High School in Lower Manhattan, sources said. He also froze a plan to expand Success Academy Middle School to P.S. 149 in Harlem, officials said.

That's three schools out of seven that were reversed leaving Eva with 4 schools along with 8 other charters that are being co-located throughout the city. So Eva is batting .571. How many Yankee fans would have accepted that average for A-Rod in any post season series? Even Thurman Munson batted only .529 in the 1976 World Series!

But while we are on the Yankees, let's not forget that a new mayor overturning agreements made by the previous mayor is not unprecedented.

In the fall of 2001 Rudy Giuliani promised both the Yankees and the Mets brand new stadiums built 

Why MUST our children take high stakes state mandated tests? | Reclaim Reform

Why MUST our children take high stakes state mandated tests? | Reclaim Reform:

Why MUST our children take high stakes state mandated tests?

 “Know your place, and be thankful you have a job.”

Yes, our children are learning this right now – unless we refuse useless high stakes testing for them. Re-learn what Charles Dickens once taught us.

Our children are being forced to take high stakes state mandated tests that have been proven again and again to have little or no value to their education. Obviously, Pearson and other testing related corporations are making billions of dollars from taxes intended for public education. But there comes a point of greed and destructive purpose that must be opposed. The perfect example is in the Illinois tests of the Chicago Public Schools. The ISAT tests will not be used for any purpose – no student or school assessments, no teacher evaluations, no funding requirements, no college preparation, no job requirements… Nothing.
Read HERE and HERE and HERE.

According to Mayor Rahm Emanuel and Barbara Byrd-Bennett, CEO of CPS, teachers will be fired and their certification revoked to end their careers in education for refusal to prep and give the tests. Students will receive a whole list of punishments. Parents have been 

New SAT To Bring Back 1600-Point Scale -- With Optional Essay:

New SAT To Bring Back 1600-Point Scale -- With Optional Essay

Posted: 03/05/2014 2:18 pm EST Updated: 03/05/2014 2:59 pm EST

JC559 via Getty Images

 AUSTIN, Texas -- The venerable SAT college admissions test will look very different in spring 2016. And, according to the new test's architect, there will be "no more mysteries."

The essay will be optional, and will be based on a source document included in the test. The top test score will be 1,600 -- as it was before 2005, when the writing section and essay were added. The test's two mandatory sections, "evidence-based reading and writing," and math, and will take up to three hours to complete. The essay will take up to 50 minutes, and will be scored separately.

Some math questions will prohibit calculator use. Students will no longer lose points for wrong answers. The test will be available both in print and digitally. The price hasn't been announced.

David Coleman, who in 2012 became president of the nonprofit company College Board that owns the SAT, will present the broad outline of the test redesign in a speech in Austin on Wednesday, part of the SXSWedu conference. The changes are meant to mitigate the unfair test-prep culture the SAT has engendered, to foster more meaningful learning in school, and to make the testing process more open, Coleman said in the prepared text of his speech. More details will be released in mid-April.

"We plan to make an exam that is clearer and more open than any in our history," Coleman said in the speech. "We need to get rid of the sense of mystery and dismantle 

Child Abuse Reporting Guidelines - Year 2014 (CA Dept of Education)

Child Abuse Reporting Guidelines - Year 2014 (CA Dept of Education):

State Schools Chief Releases Guidelines Helping Parents Identify and Report Child Abuse

SACRAMENTO—Parents and guardians have a new and updated tool in their efforts to keep their children safe, State Superintendent of Public Instruction Tom Torlakson announced today as he released revised "Child Abuse Reporting Procedures for Parents and Guardians."

"Every child deserves to feel safe all the time," Torlakson said. "And a secure environment surrounded by caring adults helps them learn better as they prepare for college and careers. These guidelines add another layer of protection, by clearly defining what is child abuse, how to file a complaint with the proper authorities, and the process to address these complaints."

Torlakson explained in a letter to school officials today that California Education Code Section 48987 requires the California Department of Education (CDE) to adopt guidelines for parents and guardians to follow if they want to file a complaint against a person for allegedly abusing their child at school. The guidelines first define child abuse as negligent treatment, willful injury or harm, sexual abuse, assault, and/or exploitation. Child abuse does not include a fight between two minors, or injury caused by an adult or peace officer who is trying to stop a disturbance.

Local educational agencies should share these guidelines with their students, parents, and guardians, Torlakson said. The guidelines advise parents or guardians of their right to file a child abuse complaint with the proper authorities. These include police departments, sheriff's departments, or county probation, welfare, or child protective services departments. Once a complaint of child abuse is confirmed, the law enforcement agency will then send a report of its investigation to the governing school board that oversees the school where the abuse occurred. A confirmed report of child abuse will also be sent to the California Department of Justice's Child Abuse Central Index, and a notice will be sent to the alleged abuser that he or she is being listed in the Index. A complaint may also be filed with the local educational agency. The local educational agency does not investigate allegations, but it does investigate possible further action against the alleged abuser.

If a student receiving special education services is an alleged victim of child abuse, a parent or guardian may also file a complaint with the CDE. The CDE investigates conditions that may involve an immediate physical danger or threat to the health, safety, or welfare of a child.

For more information on the reporting of child abuse, visit the CDE's Child Abuse Prevention Web page and the Child Abuse Reporting Procedures for Parents and Guardians (PDF) Web document.

# # # #

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

Student Organization Galvanizes Education Community With Second Student Voice Live! Event Student Voice to Mobilize “Pro Voice” Education Influencers at New York Conference

Student Organization Galvanizes Education Community With Second Student Voice Live! Event Student Voice to Mobilize “Pro Voice” Education Influencers at New York Conference:

Student Organization Galvanizes Education Community With Second Student Voice Live! Event Student Voice to Mobilize “Pro Voice” Education Influencers at New York Conference

March 4, 2014

CONTACT:
Public Relations Correspondent
Jessica Schram
732-616-1018
Jessica@stuvoice.org

Student Organization Galvanizes Education Community With Second Student Voice Live! Event
Student Voice to Mobilize “Pro Voice” Education Influencers at New York Conference

NEW YORK, NY — Today, Student Voice announced plans to host the second annual Student Voice Live! conference on Sept. 20 in New York, N.Y. Students, teachers and education influencers will meet at shootdigital studios at 9 a.m. for a daylong discussion regarding the current education climate as well as student-initiated plans for its improvement.

 This year’s Student Voice Live! will focus on progress over the last year as well as how the world can better integrate students into the global education discussion. The organization’s launch of its new show, Students Ignite, will highlight this work as well as other Student Voice endeavors. Student Voice Live! will also push the organization’s new Pro Voice initiative, which aims to inspire education influencers to advocate for students to become partners in designing their educational experience.

 By partnering with Dell, last year’s inaugural Student Voice Live! event reached more than 5 million people, convening more than 300 students and Pro Voice supporters in April 2013. This year, Dell has renewed their commitment to Student Voice Live! by co-sponsoring September’s event.

Student Voice Executive Director, Zak Malamed, says the organization has plans to top its 2013 success.  “We will include the most influencers and facilitate greater impact than any other student-led, student-centered event this year,” Malamed said.

This year’s Student Voice Live! event will feature student, inventor, scientist and cancer researcher Jack Andraka;  author of the New York Times best-seller, “The Smartest Kids in the World,” Amanda Ripley; and Dell’s 12 Under 22 list of young global influencers, among other soon-to-be named participants.

Through weekly Monday #StuVoice Twitter chats at 8:30 p.m. EST, Student Voice maintains the world’s largest social dialogue for student education. Most notable was the recent chat hosted with U.S. Secretary of Education, Arne Duncan, which discussed American college entry access and related collegiate policies.

Although the Student Voice movement lives predominantly online, Student Voice Live! will be one of many physical extensions of the global education conversation. This conversation, which leverages 96 percent of students with Internet access and 59 percent who use social networking to discuss education, specifically, has changed the way students advocate for the improvement of their education.

About Student Voice
Student Voice is a student-run, non-partisan, not-for-profit organization inspired by the lack of student voices in education. Research shows that only 44 percent of students believe they have a voice in decision making and this dips to as low as 34 percent in 12th grade.  Student Voice strives to enhance the overall effectiveness of the student voice movement and create a greater understanding of why student voice is essential in the education and community ecosystems through its services-based approach. For more information about Student Voice, visit www.StuVoice.org or follow us on Twitter @Stu_Voice.

THIS ENTRY WAS POSTED IN PRESS RELEASES AND TAGGED PRESS, STUDENT VOICE LIVE.

Louisiana Educator: Education Legislation

Louisiana Educator: Education Legislation:

Education Legislation

I have asked my readers to consider participating in my Defenders of Public Education email system. This system is designed to provide up to the minute information about important education legislation. The “Defenders” can then contact their legislators and advise them before they vote. The Defenders include a cross section of parents, school board members, and educators whose primary interest is to see our public schools constantly improve and provide a great education to our students. Over 1100 persons have signed up so far. All you have to do if you want to receive emails about important actions on education legislation, is just send me an email at louisianaeducator@gmail.com and include your zip code so I can figure out who your legislators are.  This post will give you a first look at the important education legislation of this upcoming session that starts Monday, March 10^th. But before I go into legislation, I need to tell you about a very important national group.

The Best National Group Supporting Our Public Schools

This blog has often identified the enemies of public education. Now I want to tell you briefly about a great National group that is a true champion of public education. This is the group called the Network for Public Education (NPE). It was formed by a group of public education leaders including Diane Ravitch and Education 

3-5-14 LA School Report - What's Really Going on Inside LAUSD

LA School Report - What's Really Going on Inside LAUSD (Los Angeles Unified School District):

In Vergara, defense witness says districts can overcome ineffective teachers

Robert Fraisse The defense in Vergara v California began its case today, calling to the witness stand a veteran educator whose testimony about identifying and dealing with ineffective teachers came in stark contrast to the views of earlier witnesses in the case. Robert Fraisse, whose career included serving as superintendent in three California school districts, appeared to give the defense a boos

1 by Mark Harris / 2h 

Tensions rise as UTLA candidate take on issues, each other

David Garcia (left), Alex Caputo-PearlCandidates for President of UTLA Tensions deepened last night among the candidates running for the top job at United Teachers Los Angeles (UTLA) as one of them came close to a physical confrontation with another after the event ended. Hosted by the teacher advocacy group, Educators4Excellence, at City Hall in Boyle Heights, the event played before a crowd of a

1 by Brianna Sacks / 2h hide  //  save

Commentary: Where I would spend the ‘Local Control’ money

Want to play the least fun game in the world? It’s called “Principal for a Day.” I know, back when you were five, it used to sound so fun to follow the principal around, issuing commands—Extra recess for everyone! Free donuts in the cafeteria!—but thanks to years of budget cuts, the game is no longer any fun, unless you really love crying over a pile of spreadsheets. After the passage of Prop 30,

3 by Ellie Herman / 2h 

LA Unified board votes to pay Deasy for unused vacation

Superintendent John Deasy: Little time for vacation Superintendent John Deasy works too much. So much so, that he rarely takes time off for vacation. As a result, the Los Angeles Unified School board voted at its monthly meeting yesterday to pay him for up to 24 days of unused vacation time, the equivalent of nearly $30,000 added to his annual salary of $330,000, according to Megan Reilly, the dis

by Vanessa Romo / 22min hide  //  save

Morning Read: CA moving away from bilingual education

Calif. Bill Would Repeal Bilingual-Education Restrictions A new bill that seeks to repeal California’s long-running restrictions on bilingual education may be only the most recent signal of a shifting political climate around English-language-learner instruction in that state. California drew national attention in 1998 when voters passed Proposition 227, a ballot measure that severely restricted t

2 52min 

3-4-14 LA School Report - What's Really Going on Inside LAUSD

LA School Report - What's Really Going on Inside LAUSD (Los Angeles Unified School District): Livestream coverage of today’s LAUSD school board meetingLA Unified School Board members meet today with a hefty agenda that includes charter school renewals, approving building repairs and a possible discussion about how to spend the new local control funding (though that will likely be put off for a fut

by mike simpson / 18h