Monthly Archives: June 2015

Postsecondary Transition for Students in Special Education: The Road Ahead – Education Week

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By Christina Samuels

Each year, hundreds of thousands of students in special education graduate from their high schools.

And then what happens?

In the 10th annual edition of its Diplomas Count report, Education Week tries to answer that question. The report is a blend of journalism and reseach: the Education Week Research Center delved into federal data to offer an important snapshot of where students with disabilities end up after they leave high school. My journalist colleagues and I give life to those numbers by talking to students as they make important future decisions about college and about work.

For example: Do students with disabilities tell their colleges about their special needs, or do they try to go without any of the supports they may have used in high school? (The answer: most of them do not disclose.) For students who are headed directly to the workplace, have they been taught how to advocate for themselves? (The answer: its hit-or-miss.)

via Postsecondary Transition for Students in Special Education: The Road Ahead – On Special Education – Education Week.

Fairfield High celebrates 50th commencement – Daily Republic

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By Kevin W. Green

Fairfield High School celebrated its 50th commencement Wednesday as members of the Class of 2015 received their diplomas at Schaefer Stadium.

James Macariola spoke of fear, failure and family in addressing the graduates in front of the capacity crowd of family and friends who filled the grandstands.

“Fear and failure can be a great catalyst for you in the future, as long as you allow them to move you in a positive direction,” said the Fairfield High teacher.

via Daily Republic | Solano Countys News Source.

Perseverance pays off for Maine Prairie graduates – The Reporter

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By Richard Bammer

With just minutes to go before the 2015 commencement ceremony, Maine Prairie High School Principal Yvette Ramos said, “The kids have had to persevere. It’s been a tough year in Dixon.”

Standing in the Dixon High theater, where the graduation was held Wednesday, she alluded to the April 17 shooting death of Maine Prairie junior Charlie Moore Jr., the Dixon High electronic grade-changing scandal that made national TV news in mid-May, and last week’s widespread — and costly — vandalism just a few steps outside the 300-seat theater on the College Way campus.

On a more upbeat note, she added, “It’s a good group of kids,” with 16 of 17 seniors “walking” to pick up their diplomas and later celebrate with family, relatives and friends.

via Perseverance pays off for Maine Prairie graduates.

Adult school graduation includes does of technology – Daily Republic

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By Amy Maginnis-Honey

Technology got a decent amount of attention Wednesday as the Fairfield-Suisun Adult School feted its 2015 graduating class.

Kris Corey, superintendent of the Fairfield-Suisun School District, snapped a picture of the graduates with a promise to post it to her Twitter feed.

Student speaker Latonia McGruder talked about society’s dependence on cellphones.

via Adult school graduation includes dose of technology.

Free Online Test Prep For The SAT : NPR Ed

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By Eric Westervelt

The SAT is undergoing major changes for 2016.

And, as of today, students — for free — can tap into new online study prep tools from Khan Academy, the online education nonprofit.

The partnership between Khan Academy and the College Board, which administers the SAT, could take a big bite out of the test prep-industrial complex; a multimillion dollar field that offers everything from $4,000 private tutoring courses to SAT prep shower curtains … for $28.99, plus shipping.

And both organizations are working with the Boys & Girls Clubs of America to make both online and in-person tutoring available at clubs for students who dont have computers, internet access or a supportive or safe place to study.

via Free Online Test Prep For The SAT : NPR Ed : NPR.

Schools face challenge of explaining Common Core test results to parents | EdSource

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By Sarah Tully

As school districts wrap up administering new online assessments aligned with the Common Core, educators now face another challenge: how best to share with millions of parents how their children fared on the tests.

At stake is whether parents – and by extension students themselves – will be able to understand what the scores on the new tests mean. Without that understanding, test scores on the new online tests could raise anxieties among both parents and students, including whether students are being adequately prepared for the next grade, college and the workplace.

One special concern among educators is that they anticipate fewer students will meet standards compared to those who scored proficient on the California Standards Tests students took until the spring of 2013.

via Schools face challenge of explaining Common Core test results to parents | EdSource#.VW8rZ2fbLGg#.VW8rZ2fbLGg.

Speaker urges Matt Garcia grads to follow their dreams – Daily Republic

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By Amy Maginnis-Honey

Michele Haymon gently wiped the tears from her eyes. With those tears was a big smile.

Her son, Wesley Newton, was one of the 21 seniors who graduated Tuesday from the Matt Garcia Learning Center.

“It’s been a struggle,” Haymon said. “We didn’t know until 11 a.m. today he was graduating.”

Cindy Lenners, principal at the learning center, had remarked earlier that some of the graduates completed their graduation requirements earlier in the school year. Others, she said, pulled it together in the past few weeks.

via Speaker urges Matt Garcia grads to follow their dreams.

Sem Yeto turns loose the Class of 2015 – Daily Republic

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By Susan Winlow

Deyontae Bonner got an enthusiastic hug, kiss and candy lei from his cousin as she hurried up to him behind the stadium while he waited in line to begin his walk to collect a long-awaited diploma.A diploma, a year ago, the 18-year-old wasn’t sure he’d be able to collect.“It’s crazy that I made it,” he said. “I was missing a lot of credits but I made it up.”

His smile told a lot about his happiness.

Bonner joined 109 other Sem Yeto High School students on a wind-whipped evening Tuesday at Solano Community College’s Doc Hollister Stadium to celebrate the end of high school.

via Sem Yeto turns loose the Class of 2015.

The Quantified Student: An App That Predicts GPA : NPR Ed

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By Anya Kamenetz

It sees you when youre sleeping … it knows when youre awake … it knows if youve been hitting the books, so be good for goodness sake!

No, its not Santa Claus. Its the digital Jiminy Cricket each of us carries in our pocket, otherwise known as a smartphone.

In a small experiment, researchers at Dartmouth College have shown that data automatically collected by an Android app can guess how students are spending their time — predicting their end-of-term grades with scary accuracy.

How did they do this? And what does it mean?

via The Quantified Student: An App That Predicts GPA : NPR Ed : NPR.

Legislators propose boosting preschool funding | EdSource

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By Sarah Tully and Michael Collier

Lawmakers are proposing to add hundreds of millions more dollars to childcare and preschool initiatives than what Gov. Jerry Brown proposed in the state budget, but the increase is likely to meet resistance from the governor.

The Assembly and Senate budget committees passed proposals in recent weeks to increase the amount of money and spaces for childcare, boost voucher programs and give more money to centers that watch over children.

The Assembly’s proposal adds $605 million for childcare and preschool programs, while the Senate’s plan adds $332 million. Both proposals would substantially increase what Brown proposed in his revised budget for the 2015-16 fiscal year.

via Legislators propose boosting preschool funding | EdSource#.VW3iMGfbLGg#.VW3iMGfbLGg.