Monthly Archives: January 2012

Comparing Funding for Charter Schools and Their School District Peers

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Legislative Analyst’s Office: K-12 Education Publications, Handouts and Budget Recommendations

The 1992 legislation that authorized charter schools in California created a funding model intended to provide charter schools with the same per-pupil operational funding as received by other schools in the same school district. The state subsequently modified this policy in 1998, enacting legislation specifying that “charter school operational funding shall be equal to the total funding that would be available to a similar school district serving a similar pupil population.” This policy remains in place. In this report, we assess whether operational funding received by charter schools and their school district peers is comparable. We (1) describe the funding models used for charter schools and school districts, (2) compare funding rates for the two groups, and (3) provide recommendations to simplify the funding system, maximize flexibility for both school types, and equalize funding rates for charter schools under the current funding system or under a fundamentally restructured system.

via Comparing Funding for Charter Schools and Their School District Peers.

California school districts change board elections to avoid lawsuits

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Google Alerts – “California Department of Education”

By Hudson Sangree and Melody Gutierrez

In recent years, the rural Esparto Unified School District has eliminated teaching jobs and classes as it struggled to absorb state funding cuts.

So district officials, eager to avoid a costly legal battle with San Francisco civil rights lawyers, chose to change the way school board members are elected.

Read more here: http://www.sacbee.com/2012/01/27/4219065/california-school-districts-change.html#storylink=cpy

via California school districts change board elections to avoid lawsuits.

Benicia High drama leader hopes fundraiser is music to her ears

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Google Alerts – “Benicia High School”

By Rich Freedman

If Christina Mani juggles any more plates, she would have to be an octopus to prevent a complete disaster. Either that or have a good broom nearby.The Benicia High School drama instructor has the Feb. 4 fundraising dinner, auction and musical showcase, “An Evening of Love,” in high gear while also rehearsing “The Music Man,” which opens in late March. Oh, and the school’s annual dance show gets kicking in a few weeks.

via Benicia High drama leader hopes fundraiser is music to her ears.

Experts say math preparation should begin in preschool

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EdSource Extra!

Education leaders in California are turning their sights to making sure students have a strong foundation in mathematics when they enter kindergarten. And that means introducing students to math in preschool.

Preschool math was the focus of a meeting of leading educators and researchers from around the state at Stanford University last week. Participants included Michael Kirst, the president of the California State Board of Education, Catherine Atkin, president of Preschool California, and Kris Perry, executive director of First 5 California.

via Experts say math preparation should begin in preschool.

Starbound Theatre expands its youth program to three new cities

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Daily Republic

by Amy Maginnis-Honey

FAIRFIELD — Starbound Theatre, a youth program for ages 7-17, will soon be in four Solano and Napa county cities.

The program began in Fairfield in 2003. Since then more than 400 youth have been a part of 16 shows.

Beginning in February, Starbound is expanding to Dixon, American Canyon and Vacaville.

via Starbound Theatre expands its youth program to three new cities.

No weaseling out of school fees case

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The Educated Guess

By John Fensterwald – Educated Guess

A Los Angeles County Superior Court judge drew a bright line Wednesday on Gov. Jerry Brown’s goal of shifting control over education decisions from Sacramento to local districts. What the state can’t do is pawn off its constitutional duty ensuring that California’s children get their fundamental right to a free education, Judge Carl West indicated in a terse tentative ruling. He is expected to elaborate on and finalize the ruling within the next few days.

The ruling marks a clear victory for plaintiffs who had sued the state and state education officials for failing to crack down on school districts that illegally charge students school fees ranging from payments for sports uniforms and textbooks to lab materials and AP tests. It’s a common practice that has become more prevalent as budget-strapped districts have sought ways to save money – often at the expense of low-income families that can’t afford the extra fees.

via No weaseling out of school fees case – by John Fensterwald – Educated Guess.

New school food guidelines mean healthier fare

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SFGate: Education

Jill Tucker, Chronicle Staff Writer

School cafeterias will have to feature a lot more whole grain, fruits and vegetables, and reduce salt, fat and fried foods under new federal rules released Wednesday.

The new regulations are the first major changes to school breakfast and lunch standards in 15 years and, for the first time, set maximum calories allowed per meal.

via New school food guidelines mean healthier fare.

New USDA School Meal Rules Cut Calories, Salt; Not Potatoes

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Politics K-12

From guest blogger Nirvi Shah:

Alexandria, Va.—Long-awaited rules about what school breakfasts and lunches that cut salt and fat, limit calories, and increase servings of fruits and vegetables became final Wednesday, about a year after they were proposed by the U.S. Department of Agriculture.

The sweeping changes, which school districts must act on in the 2012-13 school year, were made based on recommendations from the medical community, and could have a huge influence on children’s health in the U.S., because many kids get more than half the calories they eat in a day at school.

via New USDA School Meal Rules Cut Calories, Salt; Not Potatoes.

Vallejo schools preparing for a possible new round of state budget cuts

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By Lanz Christian Bañes

School board members on Wednesday condemned the potential for millions more in cuts to the Vallejo City Unified School District.”I hope I’m not the only one who feels angry about this. It’s developing a terrible pattern,” board member Raymond Victor Mommsen said about a potential loss of $5.6 million.

via Vallejo schools preparing for a possible new round of state budget ….

San Francisco Schools Won’t Offer Transitional Kindergarten in 2012-13

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Posted by Jon Brooks

A state law signed by Gov. Schwarzenegger in 2010 required school districts to start phasing in a new transitional kindergarten grade over a three-year period. The new set of classes is intended for students too young to be in traditional kindergarten but too old to be in pre-school. Under a transitional kindergarten program, students who turn five years old by Sept 1 in any school year would qualify to enroll.

But Governor Jerry Brown’s recently proposed budget called for eliminating funding for transitional-K programs, even though many districts have already started pilot programs. San Francisco was one of those districts, but it announced today it won’t offer transitional kindergarten in the next school year due to the uncertainty surrounding funding.

via San Francisco Schools Won’t Offer Transitional Kindergarten in 2012-13.

May Fair and Solano College partner to bring new art events to annual fair

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Dixon Tribune’s Facebook Notes

Brianna Boyd, Editor

The Dixon May Fair and Solano College’s art department are teaming up to bring two new events to the 137th annual fair.

Then, on May 11 and May 12, local artists and Solano County school groups will create large-scale printmaking projects in the Solano Steamroller Smackdown. The, 12-ton black and white steamroller will be rolling through the fair and spinning inky imagery created by participants. All prints and t-shirts produced will be for sale, with proceeds benefiting the college’s art department.

Bounds joined the May Fair’s team almost a year ago and focused his time on bringing more educational components to the fair. Other plans for this year’s fair include a super science room with hands-on activities for children, and the “I Built a Bridge” competition between area high schools. The May Fair is collaborating with Solano County Office of Education on the bridge contest, which will test students’ abilities to construct bridges using Popsicle sticks.

via May Fair and Solano College partner to bring new art events to annual fair.

Big backing for Brown’s tax increase

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By John Fensterwald – Educated Guess

 

The proportion of Californians who favor Gov. Jerry Brown’s proposed tax initiative has increased: 72 percent say they support it, compared with 65 percent when asked a month ago, according to the latest poll by the Public Policy Institute of California.

via Big backing for Brown’s tax increase – by John Fensterwald – Educated Guess.

Sacramento school a case study for NCLB waiver

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The Educated Guess

By Kathryn Baron

A couple hundred children sitting cross-legged covered the floor of the multipurpose room at Oak Ridge Elementary School in Sacramento. Behind them, parents, grandparents, and siblings filled rows of metal folding chairs, while teachers stood beside their students. The room was abuzz with excitement as principal Doug Huscher bounded onto the stage and led everyone in a cheer.

via Sacramento school a case study for NCLB waiver – by Kathryn Baron.

Obama Wants Lower College Costs, Higher Dropout Age

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Politics K-12

by Alyson Klein

President Obama gave college affordability a prominent place in his domestic agenda during his annual State of the Union address, calling directly on universities to hold down costs in order to make higher education more accessible to the middle class. He outlined a set of proposals that include threatening universities with a loss of federal money if they are unable to tamp down tuition.

via Obama Wants Lower College Costs, Higher Dropout Age.

Solano County Office of Education’s Workshop Helps Support K-6 Children Against Bullying

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News and Announcements (Solano County Office of Education)

FAIRFIELD – The Solano County Office of Education (SCOE) will present a workshop designed to help parents and guardians support their kindergarten through sixth grade children against the harmful, long-lasting effects of bullying. The workshop will be held on Monday, February 13, from 6:00 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. at SCOE’s main office, 5100 Business Center Drive in Fairfield. SCOE is presenting this Parent Engagement Workshop in partnership with the Fairfield Suisun Rotary Club, Kiwanis Club of Suisun City, Fairfield F.a.S.T. Lions Club, and Valero.

via Solano County Office of Education’s Workshop Helps Support K-6 Children Against Bullying.

Kindergarten math skills key to later success, researchers say

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California Watch: K–12

It’s one of the biggest debates going on among early childhood development experts: Is it more important for kindergartners to focus on academics and learn their ABC’s and numbers? Or spend more time on social and emotional issues, like how to play nice and pay attention?

Recent research by a UC Irvine education professor shows that math skills among kindergartners turn out to be a key predictor for future academic success.

via Kindergarten math skills key to later success, researchers say.

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