Monthly Archives: March 2016

State awards $245 million in career technical education grants | EdSource

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By Theresa Harrington

More than 250 California schools, districts and other educational agencies will split $245 million in grants for career technical education and professional training approved Wednesday by the State Board of Education.

“California’s Career Technical Education leads the way in providing our students with a rigorous academic education in addition to the practical job skills that are in the greatest demand,” said Tom Torlakson, State Superintendent of Public Instruction, in a prepared statement. “At the same time, we’re providing businesses and our communities with a next-generation workforce needed to keep our economy thriving.”

The grants – ranging from $28,562 for Southern Trinity Joint Unified to $32.5 million for Los Angeles Unified – were awarded through the state’s Career Technical Education Incentive Grant program. The 265 agencies receiving the grants include schools, districts, charter schools, Regional Occupational Centers and Programs, or groups of schools and districts that often partner with nonprofits and businesses. In January, the state awarded $91 million in similar grants to 100 applicants.

Source: State awards $245 million in career technical education grants | EdSource

Survey Improve Local Control and Accountability – Year 2016 (CA Dept of Education)

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State Superintendent of Public Instruction Tom Torlakson today announced a new online survey to improve local educational agencies’ three-year plans to improve student achievement.

Knows as Local Control and Accountability Plans (LCAPs), these are key tools for establishing goals to improve student outcomes and to align spending decisions with those goals.

The survey will let anyone who is interested – students, parents, educators, community members and others – help make the plans easier to use, understand, and review. The survey will be open until 5 p.m. March 25, Torlakson announced at the State Board of Education’s (SBE) March meeting. The SBE will be considering input from stakeholders about how to improve the LCAP template this fall.

“The LCAPs should allow everyone to find out how well their local school district is doing,” Torlakson said. “The system is new and still evolving. Please use the survey and we can work together to make the system better.”

Source: Survey Improve Local Control and Accountability – Year 2016 (CA Dept of Education)

$13,370 in lodging costs go before Fairfield-Suisun School District trustees – Daily Republic

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By Ryan McCarthy

Lodging costs of $13,370 – including stays at the Bahia Resort Hotel in San Diego, the Nugget Casino Resort in Sparks, Nevada, and a Motel 6 in Palm Springs – go before Fairfield-Suisun School District trustees when they meet Thursday.

It cost $504 for a school district administrator to stay at the Bahia while attending the Association for Career and Technical Education conference.

An administrator’s stay at the Nugget cost $810 when attending an Association of California School Administrators conference. Nine teachers staying at a Motel 6 in Palm Springs for a Conference on Education Technology cost $3,228.

Source: $13,370 in lodging costs go before Fairfield-Suisun School District trustees

Dozen districts offer free SAT to all juniors | EdSource

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By John Fensterwald

A dozen California school districts are joining more than two dozen states and a fast-increasing number of districts that are making the SAT or its rival, the ACT, available to all high school juniors for free in an effort to encourage more students to apply to college.

Beginning this month, the students are taking the new SAT, which debuted last week. The College Board, the nonprofit that developed and administers the test, says the latest version better measures the core skills that students learn in high school, such as citing evidence from lengthy reading passages to back up their answers. The test also aims to reflect what students learn under the Common Core standards. Among the changes, it eliminated the vocabulary quiz of arcane words that students would rarely see outside of SAT prep courses.

Source: Dozen districts offer free SAT to all juniors | EdSource

It takes a village to raise high expectations – Daily Republic

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By Mayrene Bates

February and March are exciting times for many students, educators, parents, volunteers and sponsors.

If you’re thinking Academic Decathlon, you’re absolutely right. While the Academic Decathlon is a competitive event modeled after the Greek Olympics that focused on physical strength, the Academic Decathlon focuses on academic achievement and honors “athletes of the mind.”

The competitions include tests in art, music, language and literature, mathematics, economics, science and social science. In addition, there are communication tests that include the writing of an essay, the delivery of a prepared speech and an interview.

Source: It takes a village to raise high expectations

Torlakson Issues Tech Challenge – Year 2016 (CA Dept of Education)

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State Superintendent of Public Instruction Tom Torlakson today announced a “Tech Challenge” to California”s technology industry to help improve access to Local Control Accountability Plans (LCAPs).

Torlakson made the announcement during a presentation to the prestigious South by Southwest® Education conference in Austin, Texas.

“Today, I challenge the tech community – by fall 2016 – to assemble a dream team with one goal. Develop a user-friendly portal and application for the Local Control Accountability Plans.”

The LCAPS are a critical part of California”s new Local Control Funding Formula (LCFF) for schools. Each school district must engage parents, educators, employees, and the community to establish these plans, which describe the school district”s overall vision for students, annual goals, and specific actions.

Source: Torlakson Issues Tech Challenge – Year 2016 (CA Dept of Education)

Vallejo sixth-grader grabs second consecutive county spelling championship – Times Herald

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By Chris Riley

It was a sweet French wine that helped sixth-grader Gabriella Pasami capture her second consecutive Solano County Spelling Bee Championship on Monday night. No, she wasn’t partaking, but “Sauterne” was the winning word.

It was apparent that the final word gave Gabriella some concern, but as the definition was read, a slight head nod and small grin reassured her familiarity with the vocabulary.

Source: Vallejo sixth-grader grabs second consecutive county spelling championship

Bulldog cheerleaders honored for Super Bowl performance – The Reporter

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By Kimberly K. Fu

All smiles on Tuesday, members of Vacaville High School’s Cheer Squad were honored by the Solano County Board of Supervisors for their performance at an iconic event last month — Super Bowl 50.

Part of the crew performing during the halftime show, the squad — a mix of junior varsity and varsity members — said they were more than honored to make an appearance.

“I think it’s pretty remarkable that a team from Vacaville could make it all the way to the Super Bowl,” enthused Supervisor John Vasquez.

Varsity captain Jaye Villa agreed.

“The experience was just unreal,” she said. “It was just a great experience.”

Fellow captain Cherise Jackson described the occasion as “cool.”

Source: Bulldog cheerleaders honored for Super Bowl performance

Shadow a Student Challenge helps administrators understand kids | EdSource

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By Theresa Harrington

Achieve Academy charter school Co-Principal Lucy Schmidt was one of more than 1,000 administrators who recently spent a day seeing her campus through the eyes of a student as part of a national “Shadow a Student Challenge.”

The goal was to help school leaders empathize with students and teachers – and to identify strengths and weaknesses, then take actions to improve their learning environments and campus cultures.

The national, weeklong challenge was created through a partnership between the “School Retool” professional development program, Stanford University’s d.school, IDEO design and innovation consultants and the William and Flora Hewlett Foundation. According to the Shadow a Student website, 1,440 educators in 26 countries pledged to shadow students, jot down their observations and then debrief with their staffs to discuss “hacktivities” – or short-term solutions – to challenges faced by their students. In California, 277 educators signed up to participate.

Source: Shadow a Student Challenge helps administrators understand kids | EdSource

Why conversation about teacher diversity is important – The Reporter

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By Richard Bammer

The question of whether having teachers of the same ethnicity affects academic performances and outcomes of racial or ethnic minority students remains an ongoing topic of discussion in education circles, especially in California K-12 schools.

That teacher diversity is a concern has long been established, and, in an age when it lags behind student demographics, teacher diversity — and its importance — is once again the subject of a national conversation today, when it will be aired at an educator panel in Washington, D.C.

A question for John King, the acting U.S. Secretary of Education, and Randi Weingarten, president of the American Federation of Teachers, and others, when they meet at Howard University, is how teacher diversity can be increased and sustained through recruitment, retention and support for teachers of color.

Source: Richard Bammer: Why conversation about teacher diversity is important

Food costs, budgets, contract proposals on TUSD agenda tonight – The Reporter

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By Richard Bammer

The costs of breakfasts and lunches, the second interim budget report, and adoption of a district initial contract proposal to teachers is on the agenda when Travis Unified leaders meet tonight in Fairfield.

Ken Forrest, the district’s chief business official, will tell the five-member governing board that cafeteria meal costs largely match those of surrounding districts.

However, a reduction in the state’s reimbursement rate and an increase in labor, food and supply costs require a 10-cent increase for breakfasts and lunches.

The price increase will help the cafeteria fund to continue to bear “indirect costs” from the general fund and continue with program improvements, he will report, according to agenda documents.

Trustees are expected to approve the increase, which will take effect at the outset of the new fiscal year, July 1.

Source: Food costs, budgets, contract proposals on TUSD agenda tonight

Armijo High student, accepted to Harvard, recipient of surprise $5,000 college scholarship – Daily Republic

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By Ryan McCarthy

Armijo High School senior Chelsea Vuong, who has been accepted to Harvard University, received a $5,000 check Monday presented by the San Jose Earthquakes mascot Q for the Bay Area All-Star Scholarship Team.

Vuong, 18, said after the surprise presentation during a biology class for the International Baccalaureate program that as a child she wanted to be a doctor before discovering her aversion to blood and needles.

Source: Armijo High student, accepted to Harvard, recipient of surprise $5,000 college scholarship

Student Privacy Protections in Morgan Hill Case – Year 2016 (CA Dept of Education)

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State Superintendent of Public Instruction Tom Torlakson today applauded a federal court order strengthening protections for student data in the case of Morgan Hill Concerned Parents Association vs. California Department of Education.

“The court has heard loud and clear from California’s families that they want their students’ privacy protected. This is a good first step. The court responded to these concerns and ordered additional measures to safeguard data,” Torlakson said. “The California Department of Education will continue to fight vigorously to protect student privacy rights as this case proceeds.”

In her March 1 order, U.S. District Court Judge Kimberly Mueller noted the large number of objections to the potential release of student data received by the court following the posting of the Notice of Disclosure of Student Records on February 1. In response to the objections, the court ordered that the CDE maintain custody of the most sensitive of its databases, the California Longitudinal Pupil Achievement Data System #CALPADS#, while running searches for information requested by the plaintiffs. The court also reiterated that no student personally identifiable information may be released to the plaintiffs unless and until they demonstrate to the satisfaction of the court that the method to be used to store the sensitive student data is secure. The parties are still litigating the extent of the disclosure of student data.

Source: Student Privacy Protections in Morgan Hill Case – Year 2016 (CA Dept of Education)

Vacaville Unified leaders hear update about proposed revisions to grading policy – The Reporter

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By Richard Bammer

A grading committee update Thursday prompted a somewhat lengthy discussion between Vacaville Unified leaders and district staffers about what grades on homework and tests mean and how and why they should be applied in the 12,300-student district.

Mark Frazier, the chief academic officer, and members of the grading committee — Lois Chancellor, Joanna Adams and Brian Speck — led the discussion in the Educational Services Center, where trustees heard the latest developments toward revising the district’s grading policy.

The issue of grades has long been debated in American education circles, since the early 1930s, Frazier told the seven-member governing board.

Source: Vacaville Unified leaders hear update about proposed revisions to grading policy

RoboVikes ready to rumble at regional competitions – The Reporter

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By Richard Bammer

Earnest and focused, working quietly in a somewhat noisy multipurpose room, Edesiri Mushale, 15, and Mackensie Murphy, 17, made minor tweaks to a robot named Loki.

Hovered over the ’bot Thursday at Sierra Vista School, the two Vanden High students, members of the Fairfield schools robotics team, the RoboVikes, worked on the metal, motorized machine during Press Day at Sierra Vista School in Vacaville.

Source: RoboVikes ready to rumble at regional competitions

District considers new scoreboard, replacing synthetic track, field at Armijo High – Daily Republic

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By Ryan McCarthy

A new scoreboard at Armijo High School, along with replacing the synthetic field and track, would be paid for with Measure C funds in a proposal Fairfield-Suisun School District trustees take up Thursday.

Track surfaces should be refurbished or replaced every five to seven years and the synthetic field should be replaced after 10 years, said a report by Kim Van Gundy, director of facilities and construction for the school district.

Source: District considers new scoreboard, replacing synthetic track, field at Armijo High

‘Mystery Skyping’ Connecting Classrooms Worldwide – Education News

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By Ina Krasteva

When current adults attended primary school, it was unthinkable to communicate with a peer from New Zealand during a geography class — Skype, Facebook, and Google Hangouts were yet to be developed. But now thanks to Mystery Skype, an entire class can participate in a call with another class virtually anywhere in the world.

The video conversations are a critical thinking challenge aimed at broadening students’ knowledge of geography, world history and cultures. The goal of Mystery Skype is to guess the other’s school location by asking different questions. Invented by teachers, it is suitable for all age groups.

As Katrina Keene of eSchoolNews writes, Mystery Skyping is an innovative, fun way to knock down the walls of the traditional K-12 classroom and bring new experiences to both students and teachers.

Source: ‘Mystery Skyping’ Connecting Classrooms Worldwide

Vallejo school board pulls bond issue from agenda – Times Herald

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By John Glidden

For a brief time Wednesday night, there was a strong possibility the Vallejo school board would have to end its meeting before any business was even heard.

During the approval of the board agenda phase of the meeting, Vallejo City Unified School District trustee Burky Worel made a motion to pull an information item outlining the results from a recent polling survey of Vallejo residents regarding a school bond this November.

Worel took issue that the actual results and data numbers were given to board members shortly before the start of the meeting, and not when the agenda was released to the public last week.

It’s physics and engineering, to be eggs-act – The Reporter

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By Richard Bammer

Houston did not have a problem, but the budding physicists and engineers in Valerie Blanchard’s Orchard Elementary third-graders did.

Can an “astronaut” (a raw egg in this case) survive an 8-to-12-foot drop to the moon’s surface (the multipurpose room floor) in a capsule (say, an empty plastic liter soda bottle stuffed with cotton balls or paper) that you have designed and built?

Source: It’s physics and engineering, to be eggs-act

7 Reading Readiness Apps for Special Needs Students | Edutopia

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By Jayne Clare

What is reading readiness? The dictionary defines it as the point when a child transforms from being a non-reader to being a reader. But this definition leaves out the concept that reading readiness may actually begin in the womb. Watch Annie Murphy Paul’s TED Talk to learn more about what is called fetal origins.

In another vein, as Maryanne Wolf writes in Proust and the Squid: The Story and Science of the Reading Brain, “We were never born to read.” Getting ready to read takes years of informal exposure to language and print in a myriad of ways. This stage is called early literacy. Talking and interacting with children about daily literacy-based activities that interest them in their everyday lives best accomplishes acquiring these skills. Storytelling, print and book awareness, and playing with words #rhyming, clapping, stomping out syllables, rolling and bouncing a ball# are all great ways to get started at an early age. But even when the stage has been set with all the right components, the special-education child usually grapples with reading and writing.

Source: 7 Reading Readiness Apps for Special Needs Students | Edutopia