Monthly Archives: April 2016

Number of new math and science teachers declining in California | EdSource

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By Pat Maio

Posing an ongoing challenge for California educators trying to tackle a critical teacher shortage area, the number of credentials issued to new math and science teachers in California continues to decline, according to new figures released Monday by the California Commission on Teacher Credentialing.

In the 2014-15 school year, a total of 1,119 math credentials were issued, down 8.4 percent from the 1,221 in the previous school year. For that same year, there were 1,347 science credentials issued, down 6 percent from the 1,434 issued the year before.

The figures underscore the difficulty California still faces in addressing the longstanding shortage of math and science teachers in the state, a problem other states are also grappling with.

Source: Number of new math and science teachers declining in California | EdSource

Vallejo school board to get info on water protest – Times Herald

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By John Glidden

One of the city’s largest water consumers is poised to protest Vallejo’s proposed water rate increase.

During its meeting Wednesday, the Vallejo City Unified School District Board of Education will receive information on submitting letters of protest regarding a proposed water increase, which, if approved by the city council, will require the district to pay $1.2 million annually for water by 2020. Currently, the district pays $493,261 annually for water.

The district has the opportunity to submit a protest letter for each of the 56 properties owned by VCUSD.

The city’s Water Division is seeking $85 million or 80 percent of full funding needed to reduce deferred maintenance to Vallejo’s aging water system over the next 10 years.

Source: Vallejo school board to get info on water protest

Largest Districts Hire More Security Officers Than Counselors – Education News

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By Raymond Scott

Many of America’s largest school districts are hiring more security officers than they are counselors. In four of the top ten largest public school districts in the country, including New York City, Chicago, Miami-Dade County, and Houston, security officers outnumber school counselors.

A report released by the website The 74 reveals that the nation’s largest school districts are prioritizing security over counseling, despite research that demonstrates effective and comprehensive counseling can increase school’s security. In New York and Chicago, there are about half as many counselors as there are security officers.

“I’m not surprised, but it still concerns me deeply,” says Dennis Parker, director of the ACLU’s racial justice programs. “It reflects an approach to school discipline and school safety that is ultimately counterproductive.”

The ACLU has shown that public school security disproportionately disciplines students of color, which adds a racial dimension to this dilemma. Students subjected to harsh discipline are more likely to end up in the criminal justice system. The majority of students in the largest ten school districts are students of color, who are disproportionally affected by the repercussions of stepped up security and underfunded counseling.

Source: Largest Districts Hire More Security Officers Than Counselors

$100,000 Career Technical Education Grant – Year 2016 (CA Dept of Education)

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State Superintendent of Public Instruction Tom Torlakson announced today that the California Department of Education (CDE) has received a $100,000 grant to develop a career readiness action plan and expand job opportunities for California students.

California is one of 24 states and the District of Columbia that won “New Skills for Youth” grants, part of a $75 million, five-year initiative developed by global financial services firm JPMorgan Chase. The effort includes a partnership with the Council of Chief State School Officers (CCSSO) and Advance CTE, a national nonprofit that represents Career Technical Education (CTE) leaders in states.

The grants will increase career-focused education, starting in high school and ending with postsecondary degrees or professional credentials focused on the skills that modern industries need.

“We are pleased to receive this grant because it will allow us to do additional analysis and planning in career technical education,” Torlakson said. “Improving and expanding career technical education is a top priority because these programs engage students and communities in so many different ways. They provide students with hands-on learning opportunities, internships, and mentorships with business leaders, and create pathways to 21st Century careers.”

Source: $100,000 Career Technical Education Grant – Year 2016 (CA Dept of Education)

Dixon Unified school district board seeks to fill vacancy – The Reporter

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The Governing Board of the Dixon Unified School District took action at its meeting last night to open an application window for any individuals interested in filling the current board member vacancy. The Board also established a meeting date to interview applicants for the seat and make the provisional appointment.

The vacancy on the Board was created by the resignation of Andy Bloom in March. Whomever the Board appoints to the position will serve until Dec. 8. The remaining two years of Mr. Bloom’s term will be added to the ballot for November 2016. The person appointed to the seat now is eligible to run for that seat or either of the two seats with expiring terms already on the November ballot.

The application window runs from through 4 p.m. April 18. Applicants must complete a form and submit a written statement of no more than 500 words explaining why they want to serve on the Governing Board.

Source: Dixon Unified school district board seeks to fill vacancy

Wolk recognizes Dixon resident as Woman of the Year – The Reporter

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In celebration of Women’s History Month Thursday, Senator Lois Wolk, D-Solano, honored Caitlin O’Halloran of Dixon as the 3rd Senate District’s Woman of the Year.

Every March, the California State Senate celebrates Women’s History Month by honoring women whose contributions improve lives in their communities, a tradition dating back to 1987.

O’Halloran, a Dixon resident, is the co-founder of the Dixon Montessori Charter School and currently serves as a governing board member and vice president of the Dixon Unified School District, commissioner for the State Board of Education Advisory Commission on Charter Schools and president of the Dixon Public Library Board.

O’Halloran also currently serves as Wolk’s Legislative and District director, managing district staff to communicate, represent and provide outreach for the senator throughout six counties and working with Capitol staff on Wolk’s legislative package.

Source: Wolk recognizes Dixon resident as Woman of the Year

School Climate: Ed. Dept. Provides Free Surveys, Resources to Schools – Education Week

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By Evie Blad

The U.S. Department of Education released a free, web-based survey Thursday that schools can use to track the effectiveness of school climate efforts and resources on how to best improve learning environments for students.

The surveys, developed with input from researchers and the department’s office of safe and healthy students, can be administered to middle and high school students, staff, parents, and guardians, providing real-time data about their perceptions of the school environment.

That data can be stored on state and local data systems, the Education Department said, adding that “the federal government is planning to conduct a sample-based study using the surveys for benchmarking but will not collect or store data generated by schools using the surveys for their own school climate improvement purposes.”

Source: School Climate: Ed. Dept. Provides Free Surveys, Resources to Schools – Rules for Engagement – Education Week

Education Dept. Seeks More Input for Online Teacher-Prep Program Regs – Education Week

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By Andrew Ujifusa

The U.S. Department of Education is inviting additional comment on its long-delayed teacher-preparation proposal—this time, on how to apply the regulations to online teacher-preparation programs.

Although the reopened comment period is limited only to this specific issue, it would seem to further delay the final regulations, which were due out last December. The notice inviting comment will appear in tomorrow’s Federal Register, and comments are due in 30 days.

This might seem like a pretty narrow thing to worry about, but as I reported some years back, online teacher education programs, both for- and non-profit, are among the largest in the country. These big providers include the University of Phoenix and Grand Canyon University, both based out of Arizona; National University, in California; and Walden University, in Minnesota.

Source: Education Dept. Seeks More Input for Online Teacher-Prep Program Regs – Politics K-12 – Education Week

Something for every school in Measure J, trustees told – Daily Republic

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By Ryan McCarthy

Every school will get something – if only a shade structure – should voters approve the $249 million Measure J school bond, trustees for the Fairfield-Suisun School District were told Thursday.

Kelly Bartel, assistant superintendent for business, said more than 100 dire-need projects are on a list that will go before trustees at their April 14 meeting, with action set for April 28.

“I think you’ll be very pleased with what we’re able to do,” Bartel said.

Citing $1.3 billion in projects identified as needed in the district, she said of bond-funded work that, “You have to choose.”

Source: Something for every school in Measure J, trustees told