California's High School Drop Out Crisis
Calif. Progress Report By Duane Campbell
California has a Secretary of Education as well as a Superintendent of Public Instruction. The Superintendent organizes the state educational programs and implements state mandates. The Secretary of Education is an advisor to the Governor. The current Secretary is Bonnie Reiss, about the 5th Secretary under Arnold Schwarzenegger.
Calif. Schools on Brink of Bankruptcy
NPR (blog) - Scott Neuman - 1 hour ago
More than a dozen California school districts face imminent bankruptcy and dozens more are at risk of going under, according to a Los ...
Walters: California Schools Hit Reality Wall -- Jack O'Connell, the outgoing state superintendent of schools, declared Tuesday that a record 174 school districts have been placed on the state's list of financially troubled education systems. DAN WALTERS in the Sacramento Bee -- 6/30/10
Lawmakers Face Challenges Over Growing School 'Watch List' -- If creating budgets is like a battle, then the state's education department may have just used fiscal transparency to throw a solid left-right jab at the state Assembly. COREY G. JOHNSON California Watch -- 6/30/10
California Ranks 23rd In Per-Pupil Spending -- California ranks 23rd among U.S. states in per-pupil spending on public education, below the national average of $10,259, according to newly released financial data from the U.S. Census Bureau. SCOTT MARTINDALE in the Orange County Register -- 6/30/10
Many Sacramento-Area School Districts Face Money Woes, California Official Says -- Nearly every Sacramento County school district and some in Placer, El Dorado and Yuba counties are in financial trouble, state officials announced Tuesday. DIANA LAMBERT in the Sacramento Bee -- 6/30/10
Five Monterey County school districts face insolvency
Monterey County Herald - Claudia Meléndez Salinas - 8 hours ago
The number of California school districts that appear headed for financial trouble has increased dramatically since March, ...
Calaveras Unified school budget outlook even bleaker than expected
Stockton Record - Dana M. Nichols - 9 hours ago
To avoid being placed under state government control, California school districts have to balance their budgets and maintain minimum financial reserves.
Local community colleges adjust to fewer classes, greater student need
Lake County News - Elizabeth Larson - 8 hours ago
Reported to be the largest system of higher education in the nation, California's system has 72 districts and 112 colleges serving 2.9 million students per ...
Plan Could Keep Some L.A. County Alternative School Programs Open -- Officials are looking at possible cost-sharing with school districts that could save some of the programs, set to close for budgetary reasons and displace hundreds of students. CARLA RIVERA in the Los Angeles Times -- 6/30/10
Stories from the Road: Teacher Would Move Almost Anywhere for Job
Wed Jun 30, 2010 — In the latest "Story from the Road," we check in with Natomas teacher Margaret Carder. She spent the last school year as a substitute. But now, it’s summer – and she’s on unemployment as she hunts for a new job.
Growing Number of School Districts at Risk of State Takeover
Tue Jun 29, 2010 — The number of California school districts spending more money than they have has jumped nearly 40 percent from earlier this year.
State News: 6/30
Education News: 6/29
Paramount teachers will take 4 furlough days next year
Contra Costa Times - Kevin Butler - 16 hours ago
The district in ongoing labor negotiations has proposed that its other major union - the California School Employees Association - also agree to four ...
Budget cuts hurting San Mateo County summer meal programs
San Jose Mercury News - Neil Gonzales - 11 hours ago
A recently released report shows that participation in this type of program is down largely because of cuts to summer school programs.
Fewer hungry children getting free summer meals
The Associated Press - Mary Clare Jalonick - 1 hour ago
"Low-income children across the country clearly bore the brunt of budget cuts," said Jim Weill, president of the Food Research and Action Center, ...
Summer school classes vanishing as South Bay students scramble for options
San Jose Mercury News - Sharon Noguchi - 22 hours ago
Her own school district, San Jose's East Side Union, canceled most summer school for lack of money. Welcome to the summer of the California budget crisis.
Paramount teachers will take 4 furlough days next year
Contra Costa Times - Kevin Butler - 16 hours ago
The district in ongoing labor negotiations has proposed that its other major union - the California School Employees Association - also agree to four ...
Higher Ed Lobbies Gubernatorial Candidates -- A higher education nonprofit organization, The Campaign for College Opportunity, is asking California’s 2010 gubernatorial candidates to sign a pledge of support for improved access to higher education and higher graduation rates. LISA VORDERBRUEGGEN Political Blotter weblog -- 6/29/10
Fensterwald: State Declines Leadership Role In Designing New Standardized Tests -- California will be a passenger, not a driver, among states moving forward with the next generation of standardized tests that will likely replace California Standards Tests and other states’ exams. JOHN FENSTERWALD educatedguess.org -- 6/29/10
Could $416 Million Push School Districts To Reform By Friday? -- After months of budget cuts, layoffs and an embarrassing poor showing in the Obama administration's reform contest, California finally got a nearly $416 million break. COREY G. JOHNSON California Watch -- 6/29/10
Court Says Public Universities May Enforce Non-Discrimination Policies
The US Supreme Court ruled that a law school in the University of California system can deny recognition to a student club that excludes gay people or anyone who refuses to sign on to the group's religious beliefs. Reporter: Mina Kim.
The Giving State: Skateboarding Students
In our occasional series profiling people who volunteer in California, we meet Shane Medanich, a San Francisco teacher who stays after school to supervise a skate park he built
Schools Can Help Obese Kids Shed Weight, Get Healthier
NPR (blog) - Whitney Blair Wyckoff - 3 hours ago
Here's some research news that's bound to make the first lady and lots of other parents take note: Schools have more power to ...
State News: 6/29
Whitman’s Attack on Brown: Baloney and Blather
California Progress Report By Peter Schrag
Meg Whitman’s overnight conversion from immigrant-basher to Latino-lover shows that she’s just as adept at self re-invention as Jerry Brown, who became a born-again tax-cutter the night Proposition 13 passed in 1978.
New Campaign Disclosure Rules Sought For Budget Season -- Lawmakers would have to immediately disclose money raised during peak legislative deadlines under a measure approved by the state Senate on Monday. PATRICK MCGREEVY in the Los Angeles Times -- 6/29/10
Catch 22: California Lawmakers To Head Home Without Budget Deal -- With California set to begin a new fiscal year Thursday with no budget, the Legislature had to decide between taking a scheduled recess throughout July or staying in Sacramento and collecting per diem with no deal to vote on. Verdict? Pack your bags. JIM SANDERS in the Sacramento Bee -- 6/29/10
CFT In the News:
6/26
US education chief talks change at Mill Valley event
Marin Independent-Journal - Rob Rogers - Jun 26, 2010
A small number of protesters from the California Teachers Association, California Federation of Teachers and other unions had initially planned to picket ...
6/25
REGION: Temporary teachers a vanishing breed in school districts
North County Times - Jun 25, 2010
In the Poway Unified School District, for example, all 1500 teachers began as temporary teachers somewhere, said Poway Federation of Teachers President ...
Education News: 6/28
Is it time for national education standards?
CNN (blog) - Dave Schechter - 4 hours ago
But shouldn't students from Maine to California, from Washington to Florida, be at par with each other on the core subjects?
Classrooms or Prison Cells?
Newsweek - 3 hours ago
... priorities, like higher education. Now that's beginning to change. University of California students and their supporters confront campus police on Nov.
School districts cut summertime free lunch programs
Sacramento Bee - Diana Lambert - 11 hours ago
... closing or shutting down summer school programs," said Phyllis Bramson-Paul, director of nutrition services at the California Department of Education.
Public schools: A return to 'haves' v. 'have nots'?
Manteca Bulletin - Dennis Wyatt - 9 hours ago
It could force yet another court decision that would knock California education funding sideways again as it did over three decades ago or it could ...
Fensterwald: Smart Report On Teacher Evaluations -- An insightful report by an independent group of experienced teachers can provide needed middle ground on the polarized issue of how to evaluate — and ultimately pay — teachers. JOHN FENSTERWALD educatedguess.org -- 6/28/10
FUSD Mandate Ups Summer School Attendance -- Summer school numbers are up dramatically in Fresno Unified, which now requires students earning D's and F's to attend. TRACY CORREA in the Fresno Bee -- 6/28/10
Students Face Closure Of Alternative Schools Because Of L.A. County Budget Cuts -- Students, teachers and some county leaders are mounting a last-ditch effort to keep the schools open, at least temporarily. 'I don't think I have a place to go,' one student says. CARLA RIVERA in the Los Angeles Times -- 6/28/10
6/27:
EDITORIAL: Tenure spurs schools' pink-slip woes
North County Times - Jun 27, 2010
So here's the mountain that must be conquered if we are to look for education reform: Sacramento, where the California Teachers Association rules the roost.
Walters: High School Graduation Rate Puts California To Shame -- Let's assume, at least for the purposes of this screed, that the primary purpose of a public education system is to produce a maximum number of high school graduates prepared to either pursue higher education of some kind or enter the work force. DAN WALTERS in the Sacramento Bee -- 6/27/10
Some California Cities OK Higher Taxes For Schools -- To help protect their schools from California's unrelenting budget crisis, some communities are voting to pay more property taxes to preserve teacher jobs, smaller class sizes and electives such as art and music. TERENCE CHEA AP -- 6/27/10
UC Researchers Struggle To Obtain Better Wages -- The University of California has long defended the lucrative salaries it pays to its leaders and top-flight faculty researchers, saying that multi-hundred-thousand-dollar paychecks are necessary to attract the world's best brains. NANETTE ASIMOV in the San Francisco Chronicle -- 6/27/10
State News: 6/27
Corporate PACs spent freely in spring races
By Steven Harmon Contra Costa Times
Updated: 06/27/2010 10:54:07 AM PDT
SACRAMENTO — A network of corporate-backed political action committees has coordinated the allocation of millions of dollars into a number of legislative races this spring, blurring the identity of contributors while overseeing a dizzying exchange of money that critics say is meant to conceal the true extent of their influence.
CFT In the News: 6/26
Majority Vote Budget Initiative Qualifies for November Ballot
California Majority Report - Roger Salazar - 15 hours ago
... and a common sense solution for California's state budget process,” said Marty Hittelman, president of the California Federation of Teachers.
Majority-vote budget measure qualifies for the ballot
Sacramento Bee (blog) - Torey Van Oot - 17 hours ago
... to the Governor by the June 15 constitutional deadline," Marty Hittelman, president of the California Federation of Teachers, said in a statement.
November ballot initiatives shaping up as battle for California's future
San Jose Mercury News
... supporting the proposition to lower the budget threshold from two-thirds to a simple majority, which is backed by the California Federation of Teachers. ...
Education News: 6/26
Oakland adult education soon could be thing of the past
San Jose Mercury News - Katy Murphy - 16 hours ago
For more than a century, adult education programs in California have offered free or low-cost classes to immigrants, refugees, high school dropouts, ...
Banning Unified balances budget after $3.2 million in cuts
Press-Enterprise - Erin Waldner - 12 hours ago
The Board of Education of the Banning Unified School District recently approved a budget for next fiscal year, balancing it by making $3.2 ...
Teachers In LA And SF Will See More Cutbacks And Pink Slips In 2010-2011 -- Amid protest signs and tearful pleas, school boards in San Francisco and Los Angeles approved budgets this week that will result in more furlough days and pink slips. COREY G. JOHNSON California Watch -- 6/25/10
Villaraigosa Backs Charter School Bids, Rips Cortines -- The mayor says L.A. Unified didn't give charters a fair chance in an earlier bid for control of new and low-performing campuses. HOWARD BLUME in the Los Angeles Times -- 6/25/10
Schools Brace For A Cliff As Stimulus Money Peters Out -- Millions of stimulus dollars that helped school districts across San Diego County survive this year and patch together their budgets for next year are drying up next summer, leaving districts that relied on the money to pay teachers or other employees fending off deficits as deep as before. EMILY ALPERT Voiceofsandiego.org -- 6/25/10
Speech Puts Spotlight on Private Foundations at Public Universities
Sarah Palin's appearance at a fundraiser for the California State University at Stanislaus tonight has sparked controversy even before the former governor of Alaska's spoken a word. The nonprofit foundation that's sponsoring it claims to be a separate entity from the university, and thus not required to disclose speakers' fees. Reporter: Sasha Khokha. California Report KQED
CTA-Backed Measure To Repeal Corporate Tax Benefits Qualifies -- The measure, backed by the California Teachers Association, targets tax benefits that would give businesses more flexibility in calculating their tax liability. TOREY VAN OOT SacBee Capitol Alert JOSH RICHMAN Political Blotter weblog DENIS C. THERIAULT in the San Jose Mercury WYATT BUCHANAN in the San Francisco Chronicle -- 6/25/10
State News: 6/26
CalBuzz: Ross: Budget Debate: Cuts And Taxes Versus Cuts Alone -- As the state slouches toward the start of the new fiscal year, there’s been little progress toward reconciling the three vastly different spending plans offered up by the Senate and Assembly majorities and the Governor. JEAN ROSS CalBuzz -- 6/25/10
CFT In the News: 6/24/10
PV school leaders set date for start of classes
San Jose Mercury News - Donna Jones - 12 hours ago
The positive outcome was not assured two weeks ago, when the board rejected a calendar negotiated with Pajaro Valley Federation of Teachers - the second ...
Education News: 6/24/10
Fight against taking CLAD is 'temper tantrum'
Manteca Bulletin - 7 hours ago
As someone who has taught over 20 CLAD courses (currently re-titled CTEL; California Teachers of English Learners) I feel I have read too many articles, ...
Pacoima middle school in deadly neighborhood
Los Angeles Times - Ken Schwencke - 14 hours ago
The school is losing six or seven teachers to budget cuts this year, Arreguin said. Mize is among those being laid off.
Financial Woes Afflict Summer School
Education Week News - Erik W. Robelen - 2 hours ago
Survey data from school districts issued earlier this month by the California education department indicate that about one-quarter of the respondents said ...
Calistoga school board OKs ballot language for $42 million bond measure Weekly Calistogan
Teacher, San Carlos Elementary School District impasse could lead to strike
San Mateo Daily Journal - Heather Murtagh - 5 hours ago
... teachers in San Carlos made between $44946 and $85330 annually, with an average salary of $65284, according to the California Department of Education.
Lucia Mar approves school budget Santa Maria Times
Editorial: No more well for Visalia Unified School District to dip into
Visalia Times-Delta - 6 hours ago
ÔªøThe Visalia Unified School District will again try to avoid significant cuts in programs and services with its budget for the next fiscal year.
A heartbreaker in Alameda
San Francisco Chronicle (blog) - 21 hours ago
Only in California! I can only begin to imagine the frustration and fear for the future that Alameda's parents, teachers and school administrators are ...
Libraries fading as school budget crisis deepens
The Associated Press - Donna Gordon Blankinship - 12 minutes ago
While the American Association of School Librarians says some states like California, Michigan and Arizona have been hit especially hard, a map of cutbacks ...
FORUM: State should invest in children via education
North County Times - Kristi Rutz-Robbins - 9 hours ago
Print California schools are struggling to fund what we know is in the best interest of children. Schools try to make the case that they are doing great and ...
State News: 6/24/10
Some Democrats Call For Arizona Boycott – Capital Public Radio
Wed Jun 23, 2010 — Some legislative Democrats are calling for an economic boycott of Arizona. They’re condemning that state’s stricter immigration laws.
Democrats Move Toward Compromise, Even As Old Rivalries Rear Their Heads -- This week, both Senate Leader Darrell Steinberg, D-Sacramento, and Assembly Speaker John Perez, D-Los Angeles, laid out budget proposals to reporters. The two leaders have been meeting daily and it now appears that the shell of an outline is forming for a plan that Democrats in both houses can agree upon. ANTHONY YORK in Capitol Weekly -- 6/24/10
CFT In the News: 6/23
ABC board to take up teacher furlough deal
Contra Costa Times - Kevin Butler - Jun 21, 2010
... same number they took in 2009-2010 - as part of the tentative agreement between the district and the ABC Federation of Teachers, the teachers' union.
Education News: 6/23
Superintendent Finalist Has Strengths, Weaknesses
KPBS - Ana Tintocalis - 4 hours ago
Both are from Northern California. Some parents and teachers say Kowba was a shoe-in for the job because he's been with the district for several years.
Ensuring Transparency at Our Public Institutions
By State Senator Leland Yee, California Progress Report 6/23/10
There is an unfortunate growing trend among our public higher education institutions of doing public business behind closed doors without any accountability to the taxpayer. Over the past several years, I have authored new laws to bring greater transparency to executive compensation decisions and provide protections to students and workers who report waste, fraud, and abuse.
$40 Per Unit Community College Fee Gets Some Support -- A move to increase the fees that California Community College students pay from $26 per unit to $40 per unit is getting some support in lawmakers' budget discussions. ERICA PEREZ California Watch -- 6/23/10
Slashed budget for schools all but OK'd
San Diego Union Tribune - Maureen Magee - 11 hours ago
Districts across California have gutted their budgets due to ongoing cuts from the state. Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger proposed a $2.5 billion reduction in ...
LA Unified budget includes nearly 3000 layoffs
89.3 KPCC - 5 hours ago
Many of the employees who face layoff are campus clerical workers represented by the California School Employees Association.
Final LA Unified budget deals especially hard blow to non-teaching employees
Los Angeles Times (blog) - 13 hours ago
The California School Employees Assn. expects about 1400 layoffs, while an additional 1100 workers face wage reductions of as much as 29%.
SFUSD cuts could impact gains
San Francisco Examiner - Mike Aldax - 11 hours ago
The SFUSD has joined other California school districts in a lawsuit against the state for underfunding education. The cuts threaten the steady progress The ...
Lopez: A Golden Apple And A Pink Slip -- Last Wednesday, Alhambra High School library technician Terry Cannon rose to a standing ovation from his peers as he was named the school's employee of the year. Two days later, the employee of the year got laid off. STEVE LOPEZ in the Los Angeles Times -- 6/23/10
State budget cuts reduce funds for local schools
California Democrat - David A. Wilson - 3 hours ago
Cuts announced in the state budget will affect the California School District, according to California Superintendent Marty Albertson.
Fensterwald: Governor Insists: End Seniority-Based Layoffs -- Last week, it looked like plaintiffs for children suing the state and Sen. President pro Tem Darrell Steinberg had cut a deal to protect students in low-income schools from disproportionate layoffs of their teachers. JOHN FENSTERWALD educatedguess.org -- 6/23/10
A California High School That Values College, and the Real World
New York Times (blog) - Rachel Gross - 2 hours ago
Though his mother did not graduate high school, Tele'jon says he is confident higher education is for him. “Me wanting to have a better life than what I ...
California School Employees Fight to Save Education, Student Services, and ...
Los Angeles County Federation of Labor, AFL-CIO (press release) - 20 hours ago
After months of negotiations, the Los Angeles Unified School District rejected the California School Employees Association's plan to save student services ...
The Emergence of the National University and the Role of the Federal Government
Huffington Post (blog) - Jun 22, 2010
Around the same time my parents' generation was dreaming that higher education was in their children's future, the California Legislature adopted the Master ...l
State News: 6/23
CFT/Affiliates In the News: 6/22
23000 California State Workers Reach Tentative Pact—and More Bargaining News
AFL-CIO (blog) - Belinda Boyce - 22 hours ago
AFT, Pittsburgh Public Schools: The Pittsburgh Federation of Teachers (AFT) ratified a new five-year contract with Pittsburgh Public Schools.
Education News: 6/22
Mercury News editorial: Bill would ensure more equitable teacher layoff process
San Jose Mercury News - 14 hours ago
SB 1285 would require the rate of layoffs at California's low-performing schools to be the same as the district average, even when teachers with more ...
Joan Sullivan & Celia C. Ayala: Early childhood education needs additional ...
Los Angeles Daily News - Joan Sullivan, Celia C. Ayala - 5 minutes ago
... California intend to prepare the next generation for the increasingly competitive global economy, more resources need be invested in early education.
Modesto City Schools approves pruned budget
Modesto Bee - J.N. Sbranti - 10 hours ago
To pare costs, the schools will raise class sizes so fewer teachers are needed. The district also has declining enrollment, which means even fewer teachers ...
Grant works wonders until teachers get pink-slipped
Sacramento Bee (blog) - 14 minutes ago
A $400000 grant from the California Department of Education meant fourth- and fifth-grade kids at three Elk Grove Unified elementary schools could learn to ...
Can't get a summer school class? Try online
News10.net - 15 hours ago
SACRAMENTO, CA - Some Sacramento teachers have an alternative for students shut out of summer school classes. Like other cash-strapped California districts ...
SB city school district gets more money per student
San Bernardino Sun - James Rufus Koren - 15 hours ago
... 2008 received $15093 per student, compared to $10000 to $11000 most districts received, according to data compiled by California School Finance Center.
Fensterwald: Fight Brewing Over New Controls On Charter Schools -- The chairwoman of the Assembly Education Committee is citing embezzlement charges against the operators of a Southern California charter school organization as evidence why her two charter school accountability bills should become law. JOHN FENSTERWALD educatedguess.org -- 6/22/10
UC Davis Athletes File Grievance Following Elimination Of Sports -- About 100 UC Davis student athletes have filed a grievance against the university, alleging its decision to eliminate four sports was arbitrary and violates the contracts the students have with the university. LAUREL ROSENHALL in the Sacramento Bee -- 6/22/10
The Emergence of the National University and the Role of the Federal Government
Huffington Post (blog) - 4 hours ago
Around the same time my parents' generation was dreaming that higher education was in their children's future, the California Legislature adopted the Master
In Law Schools, Grades Go Up, Just Like That
New York Times - Catherine Rampell - 14 hours ago
Loyola, for example, had a mean first-year grade of 2.667; the norm for other accredited California schools is generally a 3.0 or higher.
State News: 6/22
Walters: A Three-Way Stalemate Over California's Budget -- Budget, budget, who's got a budget? The governor has a state budget that his fellow Republicans more or less support. DAN WALTERS in the Sacramento Bee -- 6/22/10
CFT Late News From 6/17:
Paso Robles Public Schools trustees endorse Laird for State Senate
Paso Robles Press
John Laird has also been endorsed by the Cuesta College Federation of Teachers, California Teachers Association, California Faculty Association, California ...
Education News:
6/21
Superintendent's Corner: A new budget calls for new priorities
San Gabriel Valley Tribune - Mark Skvarna - 7 hours ago
I would argue that a rally on the Capitol steps by all the superintendents in the state of California demanding the full funding of education would be a ...
Slowing graduation rate growing problem in state
San Francisco Chronicle - 12 hours ago
If we make an urgent task out of learning how to keep these students engaged and on-track for higher education, California will have another opportunity to ...
To streamline state government, start at top
San Francisco Chronicle - Larry N. Gerston - 12 hours ago
Superintendent of public instruction: As the state's guardian of public education, the superintendent of public instruction oversees state education ...
Will we finally get reform?
Stockton Record - 9 hours ago
Arnold Schwarzenegger and a member of the board of the California State Teachers' Retirement System. "Pension promises are debt, and the longer their ...
6/19
20 questions for the gubernatorial candidates
San Francisco Chronicle - Jun 19, 2010
Describe your philosophy of education: How do children best learn? What should be the goals of our public schools? Should California pay for a K-12 public ...
Cal State To Increase Student Fees By 5 Percent -- Cal State trustees voted to boost student fees by 5 percent beginning this fall, saying it is the only way to offset deep funding cuts and reduced enrollment. LISA KRIEGER in the Contra Costa Times CARLA RIVERA in the Los Angeles Times -- 6/19/10
Are immigrants dragging down the public school system?
Saturday, June 19, 2010 5:59 AM PDT
Comments (6 comment(s))
When I grew up in California during the mid-1950s, the state's proudest achievement was its outstanding public school system. Now, 50 years later, K-12 is a disaster with little hope for improvement over the short term.
State News: 6/19-21
Corporate welfare and California's budget deficit
MICHAEL HILTZIK
The government handouts include tax breaks for businesses and incentives for some of the state's largest industries.
Slate Cards Influence Outcome Of State Schools Chief Race -- Tony Quinn, co-editor of California Target and one of the most knowledgeable analysts of politics in the state, has an explanation for how a virtual unknown – Larry Aceves – came o ut as the top vote getter in the first round of the race for state Superintendent of Public Instruction. LOUIS FREEDBERG California Watch -- 6/21/10
Budget Deadline Missed, Again KQED 6/20/10
Most Californians didn't seem to notice, but the state Legislature this week failed to meet a constitutional deadline. Lawmakers were supposed to have passed a new state budget by June 15. It's become a symbolic deadline since the Legislature has blown it 26 times in the last 30 years. What happens next? Guest: John Myers, KQED's Sacramento bureau chief.
Q&A: How Four California State Worker Union Agreements Would Work -- Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger and four state employee unions reached tentative agreements Wednesday that include pension concessions. Here are some questions and answers about the agreements and what happens next. JON ORTIZ in the Sacramento Bee -- 6/19/10
CFT In the News: 6/18
Viewpoints: State's teachers are being scapegoated
Sacramento Bee - Gary Ravani - 9 hours ago
But it is much more convenient to scapegoat teachers. Gary Ravani is president of the California Federation of Teachers Early Childhood K-12 Council.
Capsule movie reviews: '2:22'
Los Angeles Times - 15 hours ago
... it stirringly captures the anti-charter school sentiment facing Success Academy founder Eva Moskowitz, courtesy of the United Federation of Teachers ...
Yates: California spending on the future - of its criminals
SDNN - Eric Yates - 16 hours ago
But it should when you compare it to the $7571 California spends per student each year, according to the California Federation of Teachers.
Education News: 6/18
SUSD to lose $1.2M in grants
Stockton Record - Roger Phillips - 8 hours ago
The district learned last month from the California Department of Education that it must restore nearly $1.1 million in federal funds because the money was ...
Contract falls short of approval
Glendale News Press - Max Zimbert - 1 hour ago
Stalled negations with the Glendale Teachers Assn. could also spell termination for 72 teachers by June 30, the end of the fiscal year.
Negotiations with Moraga teachers stall over health benefits
Tri Valley Herald - Jonathan Morales - 20 hours ago
California Teachers Association representative Kerry Moriarty filed a request with the state Public Employment Relations Board on May 27 asking the board to ...
Cal State schools may face another fee hike
abc7.com - 40 minutes ago
(KABC) -- The California State University board of trustees will hold a special meeting on Friday to consider raising the cost of going to school.
School district approves 2010-11 budget
Elk Grove Citizen - 17 hours ago
Trustee Priscilla Cox said that in her position, (California School Board Association director) other school districts have asked her how they, the school ...
'Equal opportunity bullying' hits OC schools
OCRegister - Brittany Levine - 9 minutes ago
Schools across the country use anonymous tip lines, but those can be costly and tough for OC schools to get in times of deep budget cuts. School insiders ...
Fensterwald: Newsweek’s ‘Best High Schools List’ Has Plenty From California -- More than one out of six – about 18 percent – of public high schools on this year’s list of Newsweek’s “best high schools” are from California. They make up 285 of the 1,663 schools on the list, which comprise 6 percent out of America’s 27,000 high schools. Ten California high schools made the top 100, including four charter high schools. JOHN FENSTERWALD educatedguess.org -- 6/18/10
Schools chief finalists step before the public
San Diego Union Tribune - Maureen Magee - 4 hours ago
Although the other two candidates are from Northern California, both have ties to San Diego Unified. All three professed their long-term commitment the ...
State News: 6/18
CFT In the News: 6/17
The Real Reason Public Employee Unions Are On The Defensive
California Progress Report - Robert Cruickshank - 3 hours ago
The California Federation of Teachers launched their March for California's Future earlier this year specifically to generate and consolidate public support ...
With Missed Deadline, Proponents of Measure to Eliminate 2/3 Budget ...
California Majority Report - Steven Maviglio - 13 hours ago
... come with being one of only three states that requires a 2/3 vote to pass the budget,” said California Federation of Teachers President Marty Hittelman.
Education News: 6/17
Santa Cruz City Schools trustees approve $55 million budget
San Jose Mercury News - Megha Satyanarayana - 1 hour ago
... increases," said Diane Morgenstern, assistant superintendent of educational services, "but modestly so compared to districts up and down California.
Modesto City Schools dip into reserve
Modesto Bee - J.N. Sbranti - 10 hours ago
That's a more than $21 million drop in revenue, primarily because of California education funding cuts. But Modesto schools are being hit particularly hard ...
Los Angeles Unified says it is saving nearly 2500 jobs
Los Angeles Times - Howard Blume - 15 hours ago
But 682 teachers and support personnel face job losses. By Howard Blume, Los Angeles Times Employee furloughs, federal funds and cost-cutting measures are ...
District, teachers deadlock on salaries The Desert Sun
LOS ANGELES Summer School San Fernando Valley Sun
Fensterwald: Steinberg Bill Remedies Suit Over Layoffs -- Senate President pro Tem Darrell Steinberg has introduced a bill directly responding to issues raised in a February lawsuit challenging the large-scale layoffs of teachers at three Los Angeles Unified middle schools and in low-performing schools elsewhere in California. Passage of SB 1285 could go a long way toward settling a serious suit with uncommon speed. JOHN FENSTERWALD educatedguess.org -- 6/17/10
'Redshirting' Four-Year-Olds From Kindergarten Provokes Debate -- In college sports, the practice of "redshirting" is used to give still developing athletes extra time to successfully transition and adjust. A bill currently before the state Assembly would do the same to children under the age of 5. COREY G. JOHNSON California Watch -- 6/17/10
State News: 6/17
Education News: 6/16
UC: Millions Lost In Research Costs From Grants -- The University of California misses out on hundreds of millions of dollars each year that could be used to bolster campus budgets because it is too passive in recovering research-related costs as other universities do, a UC advisory group has found. NANETTE ASIMOV in the San Francisco Chronicle -- 6/16/10
UC's Payroll In 2009 Shows Spending Hike -- Last year marked one of the toughest budget years in history for the University of California, prompting furloughs for many employees and steep fee increases for students. Nevertheless, the state's premier university system spent more on its payroll in 2009 than it did in 2008, according to a Bee analysis of UC salary data. LAUREL ROSENHALL and PHILLIP REESE in the Sacramento Bee -- 6/16/10
Quest For Best Could Kill Good Kindergarten Bill -- For two decades, bills to exclude 4-year-olds from kindergarten have foundered in the Legislature, even though child advocates and kindergarten teachers all but universally agree that children that young don’t belong in their classes. JOHN FENSTERWALD educatedguess.org -- 6/16/10
A Race that Should Be Run
Voice of San Diego - Alexandra Abbott - 5 hours ago
San Diego is the largest school district in California to refuse to participate, and its refusal dealt a blow to California's consideration by the Education ...
Union negotiations stalled in Mt. Diablo, budget cuts loom
San Jose Mercury News - Theresa Harrington - 9 hours ago
She said the district plans to file a declaration of impasse next week with the California Employees Association and with Local One Maintenance and ...
Temecula school employees contest additional layoffs
Southwest Riverside News Network - Maggie Avants - 11 hours ago
Representatives with the Temecula chapter of California School Employees Association said Tuesday they plan to file an unfair labor practice grievance ...
School district to cut 112 more jobs
The Desert Sun - 9 hours ago
The California School Employees Association, which represents classified workers, took a 1.75 percent pay cut for this school year to avoid job cuts and is ...
Lodi Unified School District approves budget
Lodi News-Sentinel - Jennifer Bonnett - 8 hours ago
The budget includes more than 300 classified and certificated layoffs, as well as cuts to non-core curriculum such as foreign language, Advanced Placement ...
Jump in US college enrollment highest in 40 years
The Associated Press - Hope Yen - 6 minutes ago
A study released Wednesday by the Pew Research Center highlights the growing diversity in higher education amid debate over the role of race in college ...
Education Report: Should California keep 4-year-olds out of kindergarten?
Oakland Tribune - Katy Murphy - 20 hours ago
This is a sampling of The Education Report, Katy Murphy's Oakland schools blog. Read more at www.ibabuzz.com/education.
Fisher: Making sure kids are ready for kindergarten
San Jose Mercury News - Patty Fisher - 12 hours ago
The Legislative Analyst and the state's kindergarten teachers organization back the bill. Ironically, only the California Teachers Association opposes it.
Steinberg Unveils Legislation to Prevent Disproportionate Teacher Layoffs ...
California Chronicle - 20 hours ago
The measure ensures that schools throughout California have an equal balance of teacher experience, prevents disproportionate layoffs at the lowest ...
State News: 6/16
Education News: 6/15
Survey Shows How California Schools are Coping with Budget Cut Pains
By Rupa Dev New America Media in the California Progress Report
Faced with budget cuts, K-12 public schools in California are grappling with terrible choices about what should get the ax. A new survey of almost 400 schools finds the cuts over the last two years were felt everywhere from grounds upkeep to instructional material to school nurses.
Sacramento Teachers To Vote On Contract
Mon Jun 14, 2010 — Teachers in the Sacramento City Unified School District will be voting on a new labor contract over the next three days. The deal would help the district reduce a $32 million budget deficit by a few million.
No Relief For CSU Students: Higher Fees Coming -- California State University fees are about to increase again. On Friday, CSU trustees will decide whether it’s 10 percent or only 5 percent now with the possibility of at least another 5 percent in November. JOHN FENSTERWALD educatedguess.org -- 6/15/10
Merced Grads Grab Alternatives -- Lousy jobs market sends many off to more school, service posts. JAMIE OPPENHEIM in the Modesto Bee -- 6/15/10
School voucher program could help fix California's crippling budget deficit
California Independent Voter Network - 4 hours ago
Think of what this could mean for California. Education could actually improve and only cost 25% as much as it does presently.
Viewpoints: Master plan for higher education is alive and well
Sacramento Bee - Brice Harris, Linda Katehi - 10 hours ago
That bold vision - the California Master Plan for Higher Education - created a three-tiered system. The University of California, now 10 campuses strong, ...
California budget woes cast shadow over day-care centers
Los Angeles Times - 10 hours ago
She cited calculations that her group made with the California Department of Education that predict the cuts would affect 200000 children across the state.
Lodi Unified School District budget approval scheduled for tonight
Lodi News-Sentinel - Jennifer Bonnett - 8 hours ago
Dozens of library assistants' hours were cut or eliminated altogether. They are part of the local California School Employees Association.
Teachers Make All the Difference
Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa , Los Angeles News
Teacher layoffs have a devastating effect on our schools: students are deprived of stablility; staff moraledeclines; and too often, bright, young, commited teachers are the the first to go.
Does new RUSD math add up?
Manteca Bulletin - Glenn Kahl - 7 hours ago
Each year the California Department of Education publishes two forms of the California Academic Performance Index.
State News: 6/15
Lawmakers Set To Miss Budget Deadline Again -- California lawmakers' constitutional deadline to pass a state budget by June 15 will be ignored today – again. JIM SANDERS in the Sacramento Bee -- 6/15/10
California's Economy To Keep Improving Slowly, UCLA Forecast Says -- California's economic recovery will continue despite a difficult housing market and the European debt crisis, according to the latest UCLA forecast. DALE KASLER in the Sacramento Bee -- 6/15/10
CFT In the News: 6/11-15
Getting a grip on our school district's financial woes
Register Pajaronian - Bill Beecher - Jun 11, 2010
It appears that this was the conscious direction that the Pajaro Valley Federation of Teachers took over the last 20 years: higher benefits and lower wages.
Initiative to preserve state parks added to Nov. ballot
Signal - Jun 12, 2010
It's early supporters include California Travel Industry Association, California Federation of Teachers, Boy Scouts of America, California State Parks ...
Vote to protect our coastline on June 22
Cal Coast News - Marilyn Armstrong - Jun 12, 2010
He is endorsed by the Sierra Club, the California League of Conservation Voters, California Federation of Teachers, Cuesta College Federation of Teachers, ...
Education News:
6/14
California: The “Least-Educated State”?
By Peter Schrag in the California Progress Report
This one doesn’t quite belong under “lies, damned lies and statistics”, but it’s close enough. On Thursday, CIS, the Washington-based Center for Immigration Studies, issued a press release headlined “California Now the Least-Educated State: Report Examines How Immigration Has Changed the Golden State.” Huck Finn would have called that a stretcher.
Fensterwald: Symantec Chairman Calls For Prop 13 Reform -- This was not your typical after-dinner acceptance speech by a corporate honoree. JOHN FENSTERWALD educatedguess.org -- 6/14/10
For-Profit Colleges Draw Attention From Regulators And Millions Of Students -- A year ago, Joseph Carrillo Jr. had to fight to get into crowded classes here at the public American River College. He couldn't find a guidance counselor, and he felt lost. So he switched to the private University of Phoenix. There, everything fell into place -- at 17 times the cost. ELAINE KORRY and LIZ WILLEN in the Washington Post -- 6/14/10
Fensterwald: Grad Rate Falls 5 Percentage Points In A Decade -- Fifteen states saw a decline in their high school graduation rates from 1997 to 2007, and California, with a drop of 4.7 percentage points, from 67.4 to 62.7 percent, was the second worst, behind Nevada, according to Education Week’s latest Diplomas Count. John Fensterwald educatedguess.org -- 6/14/10
Hope For Hungry Students At UCLA -- The student-run Food Closet and Swipes for the Homeless reach out to the campus' needy, many of whom prefer to remain hidden during hard times. CARLA RIVERA in the Los Angeles Times -- 6/14/10
California Universities Consider Adopting The T-Word: Tuition -- Since 1960's master plan for public higher education, which had the goal of tuition-free schooling for all, the word has been eschewed in favor of "fees." But recent realities argue for a change. LARRY GORDON in the Los Angeles Times -- 6/14/10
California Community Colleges Give Firms An Education -- Workers are receiving free or low-cost training in a variety of subjects to keep them up to speed on fast-changing technologies or productivity-boosting methods. CYNDIA ZWAHLEN in the Los Angeles Times -- 6/14/10
Lawsuit Challenges School Funding System -- State officials have about a week to respond to a lawsuit that could force lawmakers and the governor to overhaul California's school finance system and policies. CANAN TASCI in the Inland Daily Bulletin -- 6/14/10
Shadow of uncertainty at East Bay day care centers
Contra Costa Times - Eric Kurhi, Katy Murphy - 9 hours ago
The center is at risk of losing its funding and closing if the governor's proposed cuts to early childhood education make it into the final budget.
Hundreds of Stanislaus County teachers hang on to jobs
Modesto Bee - J.N. Sbranti - 9 hours ago
School districts scrambled to cut budgets this spring because of shrinking state revenues and declining enrollments.
http://www.modbee.com/2010/06/13/1208610/hundreds-of-stanislaus-county.html
http://www.contracostatimes.com/business/ci_15282521
Back to the Future in Education Reform Huffington Post (blog)
6/13/10
Year-Round Schools Return To Traditional Schedule In Sacramento Area -- You've heard the debate for years: Year-round school vs. a traditional calendar with that nice long summer vacation built in – which is better for learning? How about for families? DIANA LAMBERT in the Sacramento Bee -- 6/13/10
Black Students Added To Discrimination Probe At L.A. Unified -- Under pressure from local community leaders, the federal Office for Civil Rights will look at whether low academic achievement of African American students results from discrimination -- intentional or not -- by the Los Angeles Unified School District. HOWARD BLUME in the Los Angeles Times -- 6/13/10
CFT In the News: 6/11
San Luis Obispo County educators endorse Laird for 15th State Senate
Examiner.com - 18 hours ago
Cuesta College Federation of Teachers, California Teachers Association, California Faculty Association, California Federation of Teachers, California State ...
Education News: 6/11
Interview with Robles-Wong Attorney Bill Koski
San Francisco Chronicle (blog) - 1 hour ago
The lawsuit charges that the State of California has failed to fulfill its constitutional obligation to provide a basic education to California students ...
Suit shows what's wrong with California schools
San Francisco Chronicle - Ben Boychuk - 15 hours ago
California, is a broad indictment of a dysfunctional and obsolete state education system. The complaint succeeds brilliantly in chronicling the ruin of the ...
Maintenance, administration biggest casualties of school budget cuts
San Jose Mercury News - Theresa Harrington, Katy Murphy - 17 hours ago
The survey was released Thursday by the California Department of Education. "The survey results make clear that school administrators are making ...
More California Budget Cuts Leave Schools on the Losing End
KSRO - 49 minutes ago
Last month Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger announced his budget plan for California. It's a bleak year for the golden state and school budgets are among the ...
Watercooler Stories
UPI.com - 7 hours ago
But in the past two years the Napa Unified School District has cut $20 million from its budget and the closing of Wooden Valley will save $100000 more money ...
Larger classes mean shortchanging kids
San Francisco Chronicle - Julie Bussgang - 15 hours ago
All over the Bay Area, schools are increasing class sizes to deal with state budget cuts. In Oakland, teachers may soon go on strike over the district's ...
State Superintendent Releases Budget Cut Survey
KHTS Radio - Jun 10, 2010
The California Department of Education launched the survey in April to ask administrators in county offices of education, school districts, ...
Orcutt SD approves three-year budget
Santa Maria Times - 11 hours ago
She also told the board she is anticipating another $1.4 million in cuts from the state for the 2011-12 school year and $3.8 million for 2012-13.
Fensterwald: North-South Divide On Parcel Taxes -- This is proving to be a tough year to pass a parcel tax – unless you live in the Bay Area, where voters in even low-income districts are coming to accept a parcel tax as a necessary price in a low-funded state. JOHN FENSTERWALD educatedguess.org -- 6/11/10
CSU Trustees Scheduled To Vote On Fee Hike June 18 -- The university is recommending that trustees raise fees by 5 percent, or $204, for a full-time undergraduate student. LAUREL ROSENHALL in the Sacramento Bee -- 6/11/10
UCLA Health System statement regarding nurse union activity
UC Los Angeles - 18 hours ago
Because we respect and admire the dedication and professionalism of our nursing staff, support them if they want to further their education, ...
State News: 6/11
Atlantic mag takes its shot at troubled California – Sac Bee Capitol Alert
California's chronic economic, fiscal and political woes have been drawing global media attention, including more than a few comparisons to hapless Greece.
Cruickshank: The Lesson Of June 2010: Corporate Power Can Be Beaten -- In looking at the disparate results of the June 2010 election, there are two themes that stand out to me: ROBERT CRUICKSHANK (Calitics) Cal Progress Report -- 6/11/10
CFT In the News: 6/10
Democrat Williams says he doubts GOP can capture 35th Assembly District
Ventura County Star - Timm Herdt - 13 hours ago
“Nobody I know is talking about a strong Republican effort there,” said Kenneth Burt, political director of the California Federation of Teachers.
Under the radar: Another view of Election Night
By Anthony York | 06/10/10 12:00 AM PST
Election Night came and went this week with the headlines most political observers expected: Whitman vs. Brown; Fiorina vs. Boxer. But there were some nail-biters in legislative races and a couple of surprises in statewide contests that caught some of the so-called experts flat-footed.... less than either Edvoice or the California Teachers Association and California Federation of Teachers on the race, they spent it buying up Republican slate cards and targeting voters in the Central Valley and in Republican districts....
Are Unions Completely Overrun by Radicals?
The New American - Raven Clabough - Jun 9, 2010
The American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU), California Faculty Association, California Federation of Teachers, and California Teachers Association came out ...
Of Interest:
Calif. teachers pension sues Massey Energy
BusinessWeek - 14 hours ago
The public pension for California's teachers is joining two other investors in suing Massey Energy Co., accusing the company of having an "abysmal" safety ...
Education News: 6/10
CSU Trustees To May Raise Student Fees 10% -- California State University trustees may ignore a recommendation by their own staff to raise student fees by 5 percent next week, opting instead to boost the price by 10 percent, board Chairman Herb Carter told The Chronicle Wednesday. NANETTE ASIMOV in the San Francisco Chronicle -- 6/10/10
English Language Learners and the Power of Personal Stories
New York Times (blog) - Katherine Schulten - 1 hour ago
By LARRY FERLAZZO Education is not the filling of a pail, but the lighting of a fire. Community organizers talk about the difference between “irritation” ..
Exporting public school teachers to Abu Dhabi?
San Francisco Chronicle (blog) - Hana Baba - 16 hours ago
Recently, Crosscurrents interviewed Kafi Payne of California Teacher Corps, about their program to retrain laid-off teachers to be special education ...
Teacher layoffs undermine school reforms
San Francisco Chronicle - Norton Grubb - 16 hours ago
"My teachers don't leave, unless they retire or move." On her watch, ER Taylor Elementary became a National Blue Ribbon School, one of just 25 in California ...
Chino district readies for deficit
Contra Costa Times - Neil Nisperos - 16 hours ago
CHINO - Dread over new budget cuts hangs over the Chino Valley Unified School District as officials face a potential $30 million deficit in the next two ...
State News: 6/10
VIDEO: Union protesters outside GOP victory breakfast in Anaheim – Sac Bee Capitol Alert
Protesters including teacher Elaine Burn, playing Queen Meg, rallied this morning outside the Hilton hotel in Anaheim, where the state Republican Party is holding its victory breakfast. The organizers include the Orange County Labor Federation and the California Nurses Association.
Joining Queen Meg, a spin on Republican gubernatorial candidate Meg Whitman, is Princess Carly, a send-up of Republican U.S. Senate candidate Carly Fiorina.
CFT In the News: 6/9
Cut from the Job
Tam News (blog) - Elissa Stolman - 3 hours ago
“This is the saddest day that ever was,” Britt Block, Tamalpais Federation of Teachers (TFT) Union President and Redwood drama teacher, told the Board of ...
State Schools Chief Primaries Prompt Runoffs in Calif., SC
Education Week News (blog) - Lesli Maxwell - 3 hours ago
The CTA, along with the California Federation of Teachers, sank money into radio spots for Mr. Torlakson, while EdVoice, with money from wealthy supporters, ...
Williams leading in tough Assembly primary
Ventura County Star - Timm Herdt - 7 hours ago
... in contested primaries, damage to the nominee seldom materializes, said Kenneth Burt, political director for the California Federation of Teachers.
Yamada and Connor will battle for Yolo-Solano Assembly seat
Sacramento Bee (blog) - Micaela Massimino - 11 hours ago
The incumbent lists AFSCME California, the California Association of Highway Patrolmen and the California Federation of Teachers among the groups endorsing ...
Education News: 6/9
Measure E falling short
Los Angeles Daily News - Connie Llanos - 14 hours ago
Measure E would generate $92 million a year over the next four years to save hundreds of arts and music teachers, school librarians, campu
Job outlook brightens for new grads _ just barely
The Associated Press - Eric Gorski - 59 minutes ago
"It's been a little depressing," said Lauren Wiygul, who will earn a master's degree in secondary English education from Vanderbilt University in Nashville, ...
Law professor Bill Koski takes the state's education finance system to court
San Francisco Chronicle (blog) - 17 hours ago
The fall of California's schools, though, reflects more than just this year's massive budget deficit. Public education in the state has been in decline for ...
School Board Slashes $48 Million and It's Not Done Cutting
Voice of San Diego - 13 hours ago
Board members said they were still reeling from cuts that have grown deeper over the past few weeks as California poses new cuts and budget staffers ...
L.A. School Bond Measure Falling Short Of Required Two-Thirds Majority -- The $100-per-parcel tax would raise $92.5 million annually for four years to offset some of the district's looming funding cuts. HOWARD BLUME in the Los Angeles Times -- 6/9/10
Fensterwald: Parent Activists Come Together -- Cupertino parents’ success in raising $2.5 million in eight weeks to save 100 teachers’ jobs and small classes is providing a model for parents in other communities distraught over budget cuts threatening their schools. JOHN FENSTERWALD educatedguess.org -- 6/9/10
School Documents Provide Glimpse Of 'Pay To Play' Practices -- In April 1984, the state Supreme Court ruled that schools violate the state's constitutional guarantee to a free education when they charge children to participate in extracurricular activities. COREY G. JOHNSON California Watch -- 6/9/10
College, Including Living Expenses, Costs More In California Than Elsewhere, Study Finds -- In-state fees at California's public universities may be lower than tuition at similar campuses in other states, but when living expenses are factored in, the total cost of going to college here is more, new research by the California Postsecondary Education Commission shows. LAUREL ROSENHALL in the Sacramento Bee -- 6/9/10
State News: 6/9
Election 2010: Governor's Primary and Propositions
The results of last night's primary will pit the state's most seasoned politician, Jerry Brown, against the state's most wealthy newcomer, Meg Whitman, in the November race for governor. And despite a combined $62 million in spending, two measures placed on the ballot by big corporations failed to win approval from voters. Reporter: John Myers.
http://www.californiareport.org/archive/R201006090850/a
Analysis: Too Much Money Spent On GOP Primary Race For Governor?
Wed Jun 9, 2010 — One political analyst says the GOP candidates for Governor spent more money than they needed to in the primary campaign.
http://www.capradio.org/articles/articledetail.aspx?articleid=8372
CFT In the News: 6/8
Education News: 6/8
Of Interest:
Pols turn on labor unions
Mercury News editorial: California should consider common core... San Jose Mercury
Loss of pink-slipped teachers looms for schools throughout East Bay
San Jose Mercury News - Theresa Harrington, Katy Murphy - 18 hours ago
Newer teachers are some of the best-trained in the history of California education, he said. "What concerns me is that we may end up losing a generation of ...
Governor's welfare cuts are blows to schools
San Francisco Chronicle - Miriam Walden - 16 hours ago
According to the California Budget Project, 78 percent of all CALworks recipients are children. All the money the state refuses to them would be going to ...
New Ideas on Schools' Chopping Block
Voice of San Diego - 16 hours ago
San Diego Unified was already planning to shorten the school year by five days to help balance its budget, but after California imposed new cuts on schools ...
California students sue over disappearing teachers
SDNN - Rupa Dev - 1 hour ago
“There are not enough resources and staff members in schools because of budget cuts,” said Maya Robbles-Wang, a 16-year-old student at Alameda High School, ...
Big Spenders
The Bay Citizen - Richard Parks - 11 hours ago
“Has any of these candidates told the California voter what has to be done to balance the budget?” asked John Ellwood, a political science professor at UC ...
Fensterwald: Leg Analyst Predicts Prop 98 Suspension -- Legislative Analyst Mac Taylor believes it may be unavoidable – and may be preferable – to suspend Proposition 98, the primary method of funding K-12 schools and community colleges, in a year when the state is struggling to close a massive $20 billion deficit. JOHN FENSTERWALD educatedguess.org -- 6/8/10
Liberal House Dems, Unions Push For $23B Fund To Save Teacher Jobs -- Soon after Congress returns from its Memorial Day recess, liberal House Democrats and teachers unions will make one last push to pass a $23 billion fund to prevent teacher layoffs. WALTER ALARKON The Hill -- 6/8/10
Website Aims To Educate The Public About State Government -- The nonpartisan site, created by scholars at Stanford and UC Berkeley, aggregates information, endorsements, news and resources on how the state operates. Encouraging reform is a major goal. CARLA RIVERA in the Los Angeles Times -- 6/8/10
State News: 6/8
Take Heart! The End is Near!
In the California Progress Report By Peter Schrag
So who ran the sleaziest campaign? Now that this election is all but over, the best catharsis other than a long shower may be in reflection. I fantasize about a poll for who should be chosen as having spewed the largest, slimiest mass of political sludge into the soil of what used to be called our democratic process.
Walters: California's Voting Gap Widens -- John A. Pérez effectively claimed his seat in the state Assembly – and a fast-track to its speakership – when he won the June 2008 Democratic primary in Los Angeles' 46th Assembly District with 4,905 votes. DAN WALTERS in the Sacramento Bee -- 6/8/10
California Is Stuck In 1st Gear -- California is rebounding more slowly than the rest of the U.S., weighing down the nation's recovery and underscoring how hard-hit the state remains on the eve of Tuesday's primaries. CARI TUNA in the Wall Street Journal -- 6/8/10
CFT In the News: 6/5-7
Focus on Attacking California's Problems - Not Fellow Democrats
Huffington Post (blog) - 18 hours ago
... groups - from the California Police Chiefs Association and California Professional Firefighters to the California Federation of Teachers and California ...
Educators Are Opposed to Obama's School Plan
New York Times - Gerry Shih - Jun 5, 2010
This week, by a vote of 48 to 28, the California Assembly passed a bill written by Mr. Ammiano and sponsored by the California Federation of Teachers that ...
Late News:
Pro-Jerry Brown groups opposing Meg Whitman join forces
Sacramento Bee (blog) - Torey Van Oot - Jun 3, 2010
"Jerry Brown is the right choice for California's teachers, support staff and students," said CFT President Marty Hittelman said in a statement. ...
Education News:
6/7:
Divvying up education funding; George Skelton's take on California ...
Los Angeles Times - 3 hours ago
Please, please tell me the superintendent of the nation's second-largest school district did not say, "When you fund some of the special ed things, ...
Our View: Education reform breaks union mold
Pasadena Star-News - 14 hours ago
If not, California risks falling further behind other states, and even the District of Columbia, in enacting real education reform.
Study UC, CSU should be accepting more students Daily Democrat
Summer school stuffed
Signal - Tammy Marashlian - 6 hours ago
State budget cuts have forced COC leaders to strategically reduce the number of courses each term. This summer, the college will offer 51 courses at the ...
Schools wait on funding; low performers' plans hinge on federal money
San Bernardino Sun - Debbie Pfeiffer Trunnell - 12 hours ago
She described the situation as a challenge for both the California Department of Education and school districts. "It's a little like sitting on a ticking ...
Fensterwald: Skeptics Named To Common-Core Commission -- Two men who helped craft the state’s math standards in 1997 and have been critical of the effort to create national common-core standards in math and English language arts are among the 11 individuals named by Gov. Schwarzenegger to a commission to evaluate them. JOHN FENSTERWALD educatedguess.org -- 6/7/10
Inland Ethnic Studies Free Of Bias, Educators Say -- Inland educators defend ethnic studies, saying the subjects are more important than ever now in the face of changing American demographics. Arizona passed a law last month prohibiting some high school ethnic studies. DAYNA STRAEHLEY in the Riverside Press -- 6/7/10
6/6
Major cuts: High schools face hard economic lessons
USA Today - Paul Sakuma - Jun 6, 2010
California's relentless budget crisis is taking its toll on schools like Silver Creek High, part of San Jose's East Side Union High School District, ...
Seeking to shore up Hispanic graduation rates, colleges learn it's all in the ...
Los Angeles Times - Eric Gorski - Jun 6, 2010
Two Southern California schools - one large public university in the desert and one small private liberal arts college that educated Richard Nixon - back ...
Educators Oppose Obama’s School Plan -- Clashes over millions in federal school funds weaken bid. GERRY SHIH Bay Citizen -- 6/6/10
Needy College-Bound Grads Get Help In Twin Rivers District -- Jourdan Carpenter wasn't thinking about sheets, shampoo or laundry baskets after getting accepted to San Diego State University. MELODY GUTIERREZ in the Sacramento Bee -- 6/6/10
Lopez: Bureaucrats Buckle, And Two L.A. Schools Will Get Makeovers -- L.A. Unified at first rejected the offer of the new TV show "School Pride," which is to premiere in the fall. STEVE LOPEZ in the Los Angeles Times -- 6/6/10
CalSTRS:
Divided CalSTRS Board Delays Rate Hike Decision -- A divided CalSTRS board yesterday delayed action until November on a staff recommendation to lower its earnings forecast, a change that would boost the multi-billion dollar increase already wanted from the Legislature. ED MENDEL Calpensions.com -- 6/5/10
State News: 6/7
Walters: Budget Deadline Nears With No Progress In Sight -- It's a week before the June 15 constitutional deadline for enacting a state budget, an appropriate moment to consider the status of this year's version of the annual fiscal drama. DAN WALTERS in the Sacramento Bee -- 6/7/10
CFT/Affiliates In the News: 6/4
How old should kindergarteners be? KPCC Air Talk w/Larry Mantle
Guest: Gary Ravani, President of Early Childhood K-12 Council for California Federation of Teachers audio
The Solution They Won't Try
Inside Higher Ed - Bob Samuels - 9 hours ago
According to a recent study by the American Federation of Teachers, "Reversing Course," the average salary cost per class for a tenured professor at a ...
EDUCATION COALITION SUPPORTS ASSEMBLY BUDGET PROPOSAL, REJECTS GOVERNOR’S MAY REVISION BUDGET
All Reports by Robin Swanson June 03, 2010 @ 9:32 PM
Today the Education Coalition hosted a budget briefing to announce their support of the Assembly budget proposal and to oppose the Governor’s May Budget Revision, which cuts more than $4.1 billion from California’s schools and students according to the Legislative Analysts’ Office.
Education News: 6/4
ESCONDIDO: One teacher's story: Uncertainty awaits following layoff
North County Times - 14 hours ago
(Photo by Jamie Scott Lytle - Staff photographer) With 26000 California teachers receiving layoff notices this year, the five teachers losing their jobs in ...
Clocking Ticking On Hayward School District
KTVU San Francisco - 10 hours ago
The Hayward School District was facing a takeover Thursday by the State of California due to its financial troubles.
Adult education faces another tough school year in San Bernardino Contra Costa Times
High school students face hard lesson in economics
The Associated Press - Terence Chea, Christine Armario - 21 hours ago
There is no more summer school. And student athletes must pay $200 each. State budget cuts will make things even worse next year.
With Public Money, Online Charters Grow -- Laura Drews has converted a corner of her San Jose dining room into a public school. Every weekday, she guides her first-, fifth- and eighth-grade children through their class assignments, delivered through textbooks and desktop computers. CAROL POGASH Bay Citizen -- 6/4/10
State Budget Cuts Compromising Community Colleges, Chancellor Says -- From packed classrooms to the slashing of summer sessions, community colleges have so far been able to withstand the state's budget cuts - but it can't go on like this much longer, according California Community Colleges Chancellor Jack Scott. TRACY GARCIA in the San Gabriel Tribune LARRY GORDON and GALE HOLLAND in the Los Angeles Times MATT KRUPNICK in the Contra Costa Times -- 6/4/10
Thousands On Waiting List For Community College
KPBS - 2 hours ago
By Jenny O'Mara, California Capitol Network California - School's out for summer for many California college students—including those who'd like to keep ...
California to Create Easier Path to Four-Year Schools From Community Colleges
U.S. News & World Report (blog) - 21 hours ago
... from a California community college to the California State University system a smoother process, the Chronicle of Higher Education reports.
New Immigrants, Same Old Confounding Issue -- Last month’s report charging California schools with failing to educate English language learners is hardly the first such indictment. And given all the other crises confronting the schools and the state, it won’t get nearly the official attention it deserves. PETER SCHRAG educatedguess.org -- 6/4/10
Bill Would Allow State Colleges To Consider Race -- The California Assembly has approved a bill that would allow the state's public universities to consider race, gender and other demographic characteristics when they admit students. AP -- 6/4/10
Valley Students Pursuing Master's As Plan B -- Business is booming in graduate schools here and around the country as more students seek shelter from the lousy job market. CYNDEE FONTANA in the Fresno Bee -- 6/4/10
CSTRS:
California Teachers Fund to Use Commodities to Hedge Inflation
BusinessWeek - Michael B. Marois - 18 hours ago
June 3 (Bloomberg) -- The California State Teachers' Retirement System, the second-biggest US public pension fund, agreed to begin ...
State News:
CFT In the News: 6/3
CUSD workers bracing for layoffs
Los Angeles Wave Newspapers - Leiloni De Gruy - 14 hours ago
But according to Carolyn Richie, president of American Federation of Teachers Local 6119, which represents classified employees, it actually amounts to 170 ...
Homestretch for Assembly primary
Milpitas Post - Wes Bowers - 19 hours ago
His campaign has raised more than $400,00, and has garnered endorsements from the Service Employees International Union, California Federation of Teachers, ..
Economy a hot topic in Assembly race
Folsom Telegraph - Eric Laughlin - Jun 2, 2010
He was formerly Vice President and chief counsel of the Cal Worthington auto group and his endorsements include the California Federation of Teachers.
Education News: 6/3
Congress pulls back state aid package, leaving a $2-billion hole in California ...
Los Angeles Times - Richard Simon, Evan Halper - 13 hours ago
They are not realizing the bigger threat is the economy could slide back into recession as a result of state and local budget cuts." In California ...
Cash-Strapped UC Adds High-Salary Positions -- It has been a period of austerity at the University of California, with layoffs, across-the-board pay cuts and fee hikes. Yet some UC employees earned significantly more money in 2009 than in 2008, with two more million-dollar earners added to the payroll, new salary data show. NANETTE ASIMOV in the San Francisco Chronicle -- 6/3/10
California Budget Crisis Diaries: Pay the bills by screwing education
SDNN - Hoa Quach - 1 hour ago
It's that time again, California. It's time for us to bake in the sun while those who we elected into office figure out how to close yet ...
California to decide adoption of national school standards 89.3 KPCC
Fensterwald: Let The Common-Core Debate Begin -- The drafters of the common-core state standards released their final version Wednesday with fanfare and the endorsement of a slew of educators and political leaders in Atlanta. JOHN FENSTERWALD educatedguess.org -- 6/3/10
Students Fight To Make Sure Their Teachers Aren't Fired
Huffington Post (blog) - 4 hours ago
"This is the worst yet," said Superintendent Kirsten Vital, a 20-year veteran of California's education system.
L.A. Unified To Shutter 200 Classes, Campus For Disabled Students -- The schoolchildren will be transferred to other classes, sometimes meaning longer commutes to other schools. It's part of the beleaguered district's attempts to deal with a $640-million deficit. HOWARD BLUME in the Los Angeles Times -- 6/3/10
DN class sizes may rise again
Daily Triplicate - Kelley Atherton - 3 hours ago
The School Board is on track to approve a balanced budget at its June 24 meeting that includes cuts and cost-saving measures.
Grossmont, union make progress in talks
San Diego Union Tribune - Maureen Magee - 10 hours ago
The school board has approved $6 million in proposed cuts to next year's budget, including increases in freshmen English and math classes from 25 students ...
Schools Parcel Tax Is Narrowly Defeated—Malibu 'No' Voters Made a Major ...
Malibu Surfside News - 14 hours ago
However, the budget cuts approved by the school board were less than the $8.9 million recommended by Superintendent Tim Cuneo.
School Beat: 2009-2010 School Year in Review - Jun 03
Beyond Chron - Lisa Schiff - 6 hours ago
... and Secretary of Education Arne Duncan, who enthusiastically promotes standardized testing and competitive grant-based learning models, California's ...
To laid-off teachers: California Teacher Corps needs you
San Francisco Chronicle (blog) - 17 hours ago
California has a critical shortage of special education teachers. There are nearly 680000 special-ed students in the state.
California School District Closes All K–5 Libraries
American Libraries - Beverly Goldberg - 21 hours ago
Although Van Zant emphasized that the libraries would be reopened once the budget crisis ends, K–5 students will find their school library collections ...
FYI: GOVERNOR: Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger has a busy day today. .. in the afternoon, he'll be at Sacramento City College to talk at a rally held by UC, CSU and community college student leaders.
State News: 6/3
Congress Pulls Back State Aid Package, Leaving A $2-Billion Hole In California Budget -- House Democrats kill a $24-billion fund to help cash-strapped states cover costs. States are lobbying hard to have it restored, warning of further devastating cuts to healthcare and social services. RICHARD SIMON and EVAN HALPER in the Los Angeles Times -- 6/3/10
Progressive Voter Guide for June 2010 Ballot Propositions
Click here for the California Progress Report's voter guide to to Ballot Propositions appearing on the June 8, 2010 election. The voter guide lists the recommendations of several leading statewide progressive organizations, along with a quick summary of each proposition.
Election 2010: Prop 14, Part One
California's primary election is just five days away, and all signs point to a low voter turnout. That will change, say supporters of Proposition 14, if voters are allowed to choose any candidate they want in a primary. Supporters further argue that all of that competition will produce lawmakers who are less partisan and more open to compromise. Reporter: John Myers.
Proposition 15: Public Financing Of Political Campaigns
Thu Jun 3, 2010 — Is political campaign spending is getting out of hand? Supporters of Proposition 15 say their initiative is the answer. It would lift California’s ban on public funding of campaigns. But opponents say taxpayer dollars shouldn't be used for politics.
CFT/Affiliates In the News: 6/2
School district rescinds more pink slips; staff takes 2 percent pay cut
The Turlock Journal - Maegan Martens - 9 hours ago
... on March 19 asking the Turlock Teachers Association, the California School Employees Association, the Turlock Classified American Federation of Teachers ...
Education News: 6/2
California Applies Again For Federal School-Reform Grant -- "Race to the Top" funds would help the state link teacher evaluations to student performance and better use data to improve teaching. Lack of union support could hurt the state's chances. HOWARD BLUME in the Los Angeles Times -- 6/2/10
School districts wary of applying for funds
Contra Costa Times - Canan Tasci - 11 hours ago
... in one-time funding to California schools through the America Recovery and Reinvestment Act. The funding comes with some required education reforms, ...
'Race To Top' Fizzles Out In Orange County -- One district in Orange County – Santa Ana Unified – will join the 300 others statewide in applying for the second phase of a federal Race to the Top Funds. FERMIN LEAL in the Orange County Register -- 6/2/10
Fensterwald: Schwarzenegger: We’re Too Big To Ignore -- In their Race to the Top applications, some states have downplayed the lack of union support for their reforms. You have read deep into the applications to get the real numbers. Not California. JOHN FENSTERWALD educatedguess.org -- 6/2/10
English As A Second Language Program Being Trimmed -- But she won't be going to those classes in the near future because Modesto City Schools is cutting its funding of the program as it struggles with a $24 million budget shortfall. ROSALIO AHUMADA in the Modesto Bee -- 6/2/10
Cuts Lead To Smaller Fresno State Freshman Class -- This fall, Fresno State expects to enroll its smallest freshman class in years -- and anyone waiting in the wings is out of luck. CYNDEE FONTANA in the Fresno Bee -- 6/2/10
Budget pressure heightens South Bay charter-school district disputes
San Jose Mercury News - Sharon Noguchi - 21 hours ago
... in the vague rules governing charters, which are public schools allowed to operate independently of local school boards and California's education code.
VISTA: VUSD reaches tentative deals with unions
North County Times - 12 hours ago
Revenue is declining for districts across California, as state officials cut education funding to deal with their own budget woes.
Education Report: School food, student media, child care cuts and big ...
Oakland Tribune - Katy Murphy - 14 hours ago
Hal said his team is scrambling to figure out what to do, and that he will likely present a 2010-11 budget for OUSD without those cuts, since they have yet ...
California Gets Education Data Huffington Post (blog)
California: School Libraries Axed at Cash-Starved Districts
ResourceShelf (blog) - 1 hour ago
“These kinds of cuts are a last resort. No one wants to close elementary school libraries, but our budget situation is so severe there was no choice.
Schools of thought on looming teacher layoffs
Washington Post - 12 hours ago
George Miller, a California Democrat, is chairman of the House Education and Labor Committee. White House economic adviser Christina D. Romer tells us ...
State News: 6/2
CFT In the News: 6/1
O'Connell endorses Torlakson's SPI bid – Sac Bee Capitol Alert
State Superintendent of Public Instruction Jack O'Connell has endorsed Assemblyman Tom Torlakson, D-Antioch, in the race to replace him as the state's schools chief... Torlakson is supported by the state's major teachers unions, including California Teachers Association and the Californian Federation of Teachers,
Education News:
6/1
Fensterwald: Half Of English Learners Left Behind -- A new report on English learners in California is indicting and disturbing. At the end of elementary school, half of English learners still lack basic fluency in academic English. Their future in school is bleak without it. JOHN FENSTERWALD educatedguess.org -- 6/1/10
A Battle Over Who Speaks For Latinos In Vista Schools -- Now the group is embroiled in Vista's struggle to find a voice for a Latino community that has grown in numbers but not in political posts over the last decade. EMILY ALPERT Voiceofsandiego.org -- 6/1/10
A failing grade for public school funding
Los Angeles Times - 1 hour ago
Though there are valid questions about whether schools use their money wisely, there's no ignoring the fact that conditions at California schools compare ...
California's dilemma over academic standards
San Francisco Chronicle - Scott Hill - 15 hours ago
, a former California undersecretary of education, is vice president of education policy at School Innovations & Advocacy, a Sacramento consulting ...
Fleeing Bend: Students leaving small school due to cutbacks
Contra Costa Times - Tang Lor - 56 minutes ago
School districts with fewer than 250 students do not have to grant tenure to teachers, according to the California Education Code.
Pink-slipped teachers switch to special ed in Cal State San Bernardino intern ...
Press-Enterprise - Dayna Straehley - 12 hours ago
The California Teacher Corps is recruiting pink-slipped teachers from general education to earn credentials in special education.
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