A daily compilation of education news coverage of statewide interest provided by UCLA's Institute for Democracy, Education and Access.
Top Stories and Commentary for Tuesday, May 13, 2008
By Deb Kollars/Sacramento BeeFive years ago, California took a bold step and began requiring algebra of every graduating high school senior. The grumbling ran deep. The work was hard. The underlying equation came through loud and clear: More math in high school would equal more students prepared for college. For many, it hasn't added up. In a pattern that has area math professors scratching their heads, some community colleges are seeing an increase in the numbers and proportions of entering students who can't do algebra, or even basic arithmetic.
When some of my fellow bloggers need to pump up readership, they casually throw in references to Milley Cyrus or Lindsay Lohan. Not me: I mention Propositon 13. The discussion of Prop 13 that I started six weeks ago by far generated the most comments to Educated Guess’ short life. That told me the issue continues to have to passionate defenders and detractors. It’s been a fascinating thread to read, and I credit readers for their insights and suggestions. I’ve learned much from your contributions. This week, Gov. Schwarzenegger will present his revised budget. The picture looks bleak. ment (concerts, shows and movies). And yes, a discussion of revising Proposition 13.
A school bus emblazoned with the words "Cuts Hurt" and a picture of a forlorn student pulls up in front of Butte Community College. Union officials scramble off to meet teachers, parents and a handful of students bearing protest signs. The recent rally about 90 minutes north of the state capital was another stop on a show-of-strength tour by the California Teachers Association as it protests Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger's proposed budget cuts to education.
The tour may have a quaint feel at times, featuring a band called the "Tired Angry Teachers" at some stops, but the union behind it is one of the state's most influential political interest groups.
Third Ward City Councilman Tobin Brinker links the national high-school dropout crisis to the landmark Brown vs. Board of Education ruling. The 1958 Supreme Court case called for all children, regardless of ethnicity, to have equal access to education. Fifty years later, Brinker says a forum he is spearheading Saturday on the dropout rate is continued work on that promise. "I see this conference as another step in this journey," he said. Brinker, a teacher at Rialto's Frisbie Middle School and a former Colton Joint Unified School District trustee, said he started talking about the dropout issue five or six years ago.
Raids by federal authorities on undocumented immigrants in Northern California panic parents and school officials as fears spread that students might be targeted. Oakland Mayor Ron Dellums and other big-city mayors are denouncing the raids.
Also Noted for Tuesday, May 13, 2008:
Police patrol the halls and specialists counsel students on the first school day following Friday's campus melee.By Howard Blume, Los Angeles Times
Conflict-resolution teams and tight security helped ease jitters at Locke High School on Monday, the first school day following the roving, half-hour-long melee last week that involved 600 students and required more than 100 police officers to defuse. The riot was the most dangerous occurrence to date during a difficult transition year for the Watts school. The campus at 111th and San Pedro streets has long been one of the most troubled in the Los Angeles Unified School District, with frequent fights and low test scores.
With Los Angeles Unified facing spending cuts of as much as a half-billion dollars amid a statewide budget crunch, the district is coming under renewed scrutiny for its nearly $175 million in consulting contracts with outside firms covering everything from legal help to improving student achievement. The LAUSD has dozens of multiyear professional-services consulting deals that total $173 million, according to a document obtained by the Daily News. While some of the contracts are designed to aid students and teachers in the classroom, others are for administrative and technology services that have prompted a review this week amid calls for greater oversight.
By Deborah Schoch/Los Angeles Times
More than 400 parents, students and community leaders rallied at Crenshaw High School on Saturday in a unity event that took on added urgency after a student melee Friday at another South Los Angeles school. The group formed a massive prayer circle on the school football field, joining hands with ministers and police officers in a sign of support for Crenshaw students. A local bishop led them in prayer. "I want you to look around. I want you to get a picture of what you're seeing on this field . . . and I don't want you to forget it," said Bishop Kenneth C. Ulmer of Faithful Central Bible Church in Inglewood. "I want you to see that you matter. I want you to see that we care."
By Caroline An/Pasadena Star News
Pasadena Unified School District could lose $300,000 in state funding because Pasadena High School administrators failed to meet class-size reduction mandates. The district receives $213 per student, per class from the state for keeping ninth-grade math and English classes to 20 or fewer students. While some of those classes at Pasadena High had as few as 18 students, others had as many as 27 students, said Michele McLowry, assistant superintendent of business services. PUSD could have received $577,656 from the state for reducing math and English class sizes for ninth-graders but now could lose up to $300,000 of that for not meeting the goals.
Public schools don't violate students' freedom of expression by requiring them to wear uniforms, a federal appeals court in San Francisco ruled Monday. In a 2-1 decision, the Ninth U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals upheld a Nevada school district's clothing rules against challenges from students, including a high school junior who was suspended five times for a total of 25 days for wearing a T-shirt with religious slogans. The Clark County School District's policies were not intended to squelch free speech, but instead were aimed at "creating an educational environment free from the distractions, dangers and disagreements that result when student clothing choices are left unrestricted," Judge Michael Hawkins said in the majority opinion.
Editor’s note: Washington DC public schools Chancellor Michelle Rhee, Prince George’s County public schools Superintendent John Deasy and Arlington County public schools Superintendent Robert Smith all shared their challenges and vision for creating 21st century school systems with a diverse group of ethnic media. This ethnic media briefing was co-sponsored by New America Media and American University in Washington, DC. Wendy Sefsaf is a reporter for New America Media.
Superintendents of three of the most diverse public school systems in the Washington DC metro area came together last week to discuss their plans for “closing the achievement gap” for disadvantaged and minority students in the DC area. They each stressed the importance of creating early intervention strategies, improving teacher quality and bringing constructive community involvement into schools.
By Dana Hull/San Jose Mercury News
KIPP, the popular charter school network known for high test scores and a rigorous curriculum, is opening a new high school in East San Jose this summer.
But that might be the last Bay Area KIPP. KIPP is studying whether to expand further in California, where state reimbursements are as low as half what other states pay. Although KIPP has aggressive expansion plans in cities like Newark, N.J., Houston and New Orleans, there are no other KIPPs in the Bay Area pipeline. "For us to grow, one of the factors we're going to look at is the financial feasibility," said KIPP spokesman Steve Mancini. "If per pupil funding went up in Sacramento, it would be a lot easier."
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