Monthly Archives: September 2014

Classroom in the Cloud: Technology as a Learning Environment | Edutopia

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By Laura Fleming

In September 2013, I was recruited by then-principal Eric Sheninger to be the new library media specialist of New Milford New Jersey High School, and was tasked with seeking to improve student performance by developing an exciting and engaging learning environment for all. My vision was of a learner-centered space where students and teachers would have access to exciting technologies, digital and print resources, and productive spaces offering scope for collaboration and creativity. In seeking to turn what been a largely unvisited and unused library into a vibrant part of the school community, I felt challenged by the limitations of the physical space. The library had not been renovated in decades, and it offered very little in terms of what a modern-day learning “commons” should be.

via Classroom in the Cloud: Technology as a Learning Environment | Edutopia.

2013-14 California High School Exit Exam Results – Year 2014 (CA Dept of Education)

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SACRAMENTO—State Superintendent of Public Instruction Tom Torlakson today announced that the California High School Exit Examination (CAHSEE) rate for the Class of 2014 was 95.5 percent—matching the record high passage rate from last year.

“I am pleased California’s high school students continue to pass this graduation exam at record rates,” Torlakson said. “Dedicated educators have worked hard in difficult times to prepare students for college and careers, but we must keep striving for even higher levels of achievement so all students have the skills, knowledge, and tools they need to be successful.”

The CAHSEE is administered each year to ensure students who graduate from public high schools demonstrate competency in reading, writing, and mathematics. Students who do not pass the CAHSEE in grade ten have two opportunities in grade eleven and up to five opportunities in grade twelve to pass the exam.

The preliminary 2013–14 results are for the July, October, November, and December 2013 and the February, March, and May 2014 test administrations.

via 2013-14 California High School Exit Exam Results – Year 2014 (CA Dept of Education).

Travis teachers bring creativity to Shakespeare – Daily Republic

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By Susan Winlow

A group of Travis School District teachers are working to put a little more punch and enthusiasm in Shakespeare for the students.

Armed with a $7,300 grant from the Institute for Teaching and knowledge from a workshop at Shakespeare’s famed Globe Theatre in London, Aimee Korynta is leading the way in revolutionizing how Shakespeare is taught at both Golden West Middle School and Vanden High School, beginning this month.

“Not everyone develops a love of Shakespeare,” Korynta said. “The idea is to get the students up and out of their seats. I love Shakespeare. Shakespeare is my passion but I knew I wasn’t doing it right.”

via Travis teachers bring creativity to Shakespeare Daily Republic.

Fairfield teen scouts books – Daily Republic

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By Ryan McCarthy

What happened Sunday in a garage off Green Valley Road will go across the world.

Boy Scouts of America, Troop 482 in Fairfield, helped Ben Gribi collect books for his Eagle Scout project to send about 10 boxes of books as part of the Books for Africa drive.

“It was about not thinking about ourselves,” said his father, Jim Gribi. “What we do here has an impact somewhere else.”

Gribi, 17, a graduate of Buckingham Charter Magnet High School in Vacaville who attends Solano Community College, said the drive included circulating fliers in neighborhoods a week before returning to pick up books.

via Fairfield teen scouts books Daily Republic.

BUSD Trustees OK new job descriptions – Benicia Herald

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by Keri Luiz

Deputy Superintendent Michael Gardner presented three new job descriptions Thursday for Benicia Unified School District trustees to approve.

For two — Benicia High School registrar and district senior accounting assistant — the change comes with additional duties and an impact to the district budget of about $2,000 each, Gardner said.

Both changes were approved unanimously.

The third job description, for food services production manager, was a little different, trustees were told.

“This is a management position, moving up from just a lead position in the food services,” Gardner said.

via Trustees OK new job descriptions.

Vacaville school trustees face light agenda tonight – The Reporter

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Vacaville Reporter Posted:

VUSD trustees face light agenda tonight

When they meet tonight, Vacaville Unified leaders face a relatively light agenda, of superintendent and trustees comments, the consent calendar, and approval of a geometry textbook for the independent study program.

The consent calendar, items routinely approved, typically, with little or no discussion, includes contracts between the district and a special education and rehabilitation services company and with the Placer County Office of Education.

Trustees are expected to approve a contact, not to exceed $107,952, with Alpha Vista, a Sunnyvale-based company, for occupational therapy and speech and language services. The PCOE contract, not to exceed $35,350, is for consulting services, according to wording in agenda%2

via Vacaville school trustees face light agenda tonight – The Reporter.

New Vacaville school district business official ‘feels strongly’ about education – The Reporter

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By Richard Bammer

Vacaville Unified’s new chief business officer, Jane Shamieh, may be a slight woman physically, but she shoulders weighty and wide-ranging responsibilities in the 12,400-student district.

For one, she oversees this year a $88 million budget that, in the coming weeks and months, will be tweaked by any number of particular demands and needs.

“Basically, I’m responsible for anything not instructional,” said Shamieh, 52, a former elementary school teacher who replaced interim CBO Lettie Allen after Kari Sousa resigned the post earlier this year.

via New Vacaville school district business official ‘feels strongly’ about education – The Reporter.

How Looking at Student Work Keeps Teachers and Kids on Track | MindShift

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By Katrina Schwartz

Such of the work students produce is read only by their teachers. It can feel disconnected from the class as a whole and irrelevant to a broader conversation. That’s why examining and critiquing student work as a regular part of classroom interactions can be a powerful way for both teachers and students to reflect on their work, while building a community culture that focuses on the process of learning.

Increasingly, educators are focusing on teaching students about their learning brains, in addition to specific subject content. Research by Stanford psychologist Carol Dweck and others on developing academic mindsets have helped show that students’ perceptions of themselves as learners plays a large role in their academic success. Evaluating student work throughout the creation process is a great way to make sure students are grasping the concepts being taught along the way, and can be a gentle way of focusing evaluation toward improvement.

via How Looking at Student Work Keeps Teachers and Kids on Track | MindShift.

Report critical of charter school oversight | EdSource

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By Susan Frey

A lack of oversight of the nation’s charter schools has led to too many cases of fraud and abuse and too little attention to equity, according to a new report that offers recommendations to remedy the situation.

The largest problems are a lack of transparency and having school managers serve on governing boards, said report author Leigh Dingerson, a consultant to the Annenberg Institute for School Reform at Brown University. The institute released the report, Public Accountability for Charter Schools: Standards and Policy Recommendations for Effective Oversight, on Thursday.

In one example, about $1.8 million in public money provided to the Cleveland Academy of Scholarship, Technology, and Leadership Enterprise was funneled to 13 shell companies associated with members of the governing board, according to the report.

Because of their autonomy from the regular public school system, charter schools in general face less scrutiny regarding finances, Dingerson said.

via Report critical of charter school oversight | EdSource.

Event will give teachers Common Core State Standard insights from the experts – The Reporter

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Doug Ford – Vacaville Reporter Posted:

K-12 educators from across northern California will soon have an opportunity to learn about how to implement the new Common Core State Standards (CCSS) from some of the professionals who have had significant roles in developing the CCSS. The UC Davis School of Education One Day Conference on Nov. 15 is designed for “teachers, coaches, district administrators, and expanded learning program staff.”

Participants will be welcomed by Dr. Harold G. Levine, Dean of the UC Davis School of Education. Presenters will be from UC Davis, Stanford University’s Graduate School of Education, California State University at Sacramento, and experienced teachers and administrators from across California and other states.

via Doug Ford: Event will give teachers Common Core State Standard insights from the experts – The Reporter.

Focus on school attendance now, always – Daily Republic

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By Mayrene Bates

If you listen to KUIC radio, you’ve probably heard Solano County Superintendent of Schools Jay Speck making public service announcements about the social and academic risk factors of chronic absence and truancy.

In addition to public service announcements, the attendance awareness campaign also includes the use of Facebook, newspaper editorials, personalized banners for every school, a poster contest and tool kits for every school.

Lisette Estrella-Henderson, associate superintendent for student programs and educational services, recently made a presentation to the county school board and shared some of the research findings on student attendance:

via Focus on school attendance now, always Daily Republic.

Vacaville school trustees face light agenda tonight – The Reporter

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Vacaville Reporter Posted:

VUSD trustees face light agenda tonight

When they meet tonight, Vacaville Unified leaders face a relatively light agenda, of superintendent and trustees comments, the consent calendar, and approval of a geometry textbook for the independent study program.

The consent calendar, items routinely approved, typically, with little or no discussion, includes contracts between the district and a special education and rehabilitation services company and with the Placer County Office of Education.

Trustees are expected to approve a contact, not to exceed $107,952, with Alpha Vista, a Sunnyvale-based company, for occupational therapy and speech and language services. The PCOE contract, not to exceed $35,350, is for consulting services, according to wording in agenda%2

via Vacaville school trustees face light agenda tonight – The Reporter.

Fate of high school exit exam undecided | EdSource

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By Michelle Maitre

While the state’s standardized testing program is being revamped during the transition to the new Common Core State Standards, the fate of the high school exit exam – the one test students must pass – remains murky.

In overhauling the state assessment system last year, officials postponed a decision about the exit exam, which students need to pass in order to receive a high school diploma. Most other tests are on temporary hiatus while students take a practice test aligned to Common Core. The voluntary standards, adopted by California and 42 other states, set common requirements for what students should know in math and English.

But the exit exam – aligned to the old state standards – remains in place as a requirement for graduating seniors. The most recent scores, for the class of 2014, are expected to be released Friday.

via Fate of high school exit exam undecided | EdSource.

Bill to Improve After School and Expanded Learning – Year 2014 (CA Dept of Education)

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SACRAMENTO—State Superintendent of Public Instruction Tom Torlakson today praised Governor Edmund G. Brown, Jr. for signing Senate Bill 1221, sponsored by State Senator Loni Hancock, D-Berkeley, which will improve the quality of after school and expanded learning programs and encourage more programs to operate year-round.

“Strengthening and increasing access to after school and expanded learning programs is a top priority,” Torlakson said. “High-quality programs help students succeed inside and outside the classroom by improving school attendance and academic success, while reducing high school dropout rates and juvenile crime.”

The legislation is just one part of Torlakson’s effort to upgrade expanded learning programs, which include before and after school, summer and intersession programs focused on developing the academic, social, emotional, and physical needs of students.

via Bill to Improve After School and Expanded Learning – Year 2014 (CA Dept of Education).

Common Core, PLAs highlight Vacaville school candidate forum – Daily Republic

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By Ryan McCarthy —

Project labor agreements and Common Core proved key issues at a Wednesday forum for Vacaville School District candidates.

The new school standards known as Common Core won support, while Deloris Roach – one of seven candidates for the three full-term seats on the school board – cited Common Core as an example of how communication has to improve in Vacaville. California lawmakers approved the program in 2010, she recounted.

“I didn’t hear about it,” Roach said.

Incumbent Whit Whitman, speaking at the Vaca Valley Tea Party forum at Pietro’s No. 2 restaurant, called Common Core a good program.

via Common Core, PLAs highlight Vacaville school candidate forum Daily Republic.

Why Quality Professional Development for Teachers Matters | Edutopia

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By Ben Johnson:

“Please look at the labels on the walls and with your elbow partner; pick the top three priorities for educators and schools.” Posted around the walls were the words: Curriculum, Assessment, Instruction, Professional Development, Student Learning, Equity, Differentiation, and Classroom Management. I gave the principals a few minutes to chat and come up with a prioritized list and then we began discussing their conclusions.

Some thought it was an obvious trick question and chose student learning as the number one priority. Others chose curriculum because, “If you have nothing to teach, students can’t learn — beat that!” Still others countered, “But if you have the best curriculum but low quality instruction, students won’t learn either — so there!” “If only affluent students learn, then there is no equity for poor students — try that on for size!” This lively discussion continued for each of the elements.

via Why Quality Professional Development for Teachers Matters | Edutopia.

Senate Education Panel Clears Education Research Bill – Education Week

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By Lauren Camera

The Senate education committee cleared an education research bill Wednesday with bipartisan support, altering the House-passed version only slightly before readying it for a full Senate vote.

The bill is the product of a bipartisan, bicameral deal, said Sen. Tom Harkin, D-Iowa, chairman of the Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions Committee—the second of its kind this week.

On Monday, the House passed the Child Care and Development Block Grant under suspension of the rules amid much fist bumping from lawmakers on both sides of the aisle.

The unanimous support for the research bill from committee members, signaled through a voice vote, is just the latest in a burst of bipartisanship from both the House and Senate on education bills.

via Senate Education Panel Clears Education Research Bill – Politics K-12 – Education Week.

Vallejo school district board to hear update on facilities and enrollment – Vallejo Times Herald

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Times-Herald staff report Posted:

The Vallejo City Unified School District Board of Education will meet at 5 p.m., Wednesday, at district offices in the Governing Board Room, 665 Walnut Ave.

The board will receive a “warm body count” report on the number of students currently enrolled in VCUSD schools. Also, the board will review an update to the Facilities Master Plan Project List. The update outlines all the types of projects which would benefit from the passage of Measure E this November.

Measure E is a $239 million facilities general obligation bond for the renovation of district buildings, which was placed on the November ballot by the board in July.

via Vallejo school district board to hear update on facilities master plan and enrollment numbers – Vallejo Times Herald.

Two Vallejo school board candidates withdraw from contest – The Reporter

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By John Glidden

Vallejo City Unified School District Board of Education candidates John Lewis and Richard Porter have both confirmed that they have officially withdrawn their names from the fall election.

Due to a leg injury suffered several weeks ago, Lewis said he has withdrawn his name from consideration so he can focus on recovery.

“I’ve learned a lot (about campaigning),” Lewis said by phone Friday. “I’ll come back in two years. You haven’t seen the last of me.”

Lewis said that he currently endorses all the candidates, except for incumbents A.C. “Tony” Ubalde Jr. and Hazel Wilson.

via Two Vallejo school board candidates withdraw from contest – The Reporter.

Solano College board set to approve deficit budget – The Reporter

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By John Glidden

The Solano Community College Governing Board — facing a $1.3 million deficit — will meet Wednesday to discuss and approve the 2014-15 fiscal year budget.

In early August, Yulian Ligioso, Vice President of Finance and Administration at SCC, reported to the governing board that the district was headed toward a $2.6 million deficit for 2014-15.

Ligioso updated the board in September that he had trimmed around $1.6 million from the deficit by freezing the hiring of new personnel for several vacant positions, reducing the amount of overtime available and working with the adjunct faculty budget.

via Solano College board set to approve deficit budget – The Reporter.