School board OKs first half of elementary student achievement plans – Benicia Herald

By Nick Sestanovich

The Governing Board of the Benicia Unified School District unanimously approved the Single Plans for Student Achievement (SPSAs) at two of its elementary schools Thursday. The plans were written by the school’s site councils and presented by their principals.

Robert Semple Elementary

The first to present was Christina Moore, the principal of Robert Semple Elementary School. The first thing she did was go over the previous year’s goals.“These goals were written by our Site Council, taken to my staff and developed in a way that we thought would really allow us to monitor progress,” she said. “What we found was that it was actually more difficult than we anticipated.

”The first two goals were to increase the amount of students meeting and exceeding math and English Language Arts (ELA) standards by 5 percent, as measured by the results of the Benchmark and California Assessment of Student Performance and Progress (CAASPP) exams. Most grades showed increases in these areas and some showed decreases, but Moore said additional work needed to be done to analyze this data for future goals.

Source: School board OKs first half of elementary student achievement plans

BUSD highlights successes, areas for improvement in state test results – Benicia Herald

By Nick Sestanovich

Benicia Unified School District outlined positive highlights and areas for improvement when data from the most recent Smarter Balanced Assessment Consortium (SBAC) was presented at Thursday’s Governing Board meeting.

The SBAC was initiated in 2015 and replaced the previous California Standards Test following the state’s shift to Common Core practices. The statewide assessment is given to all students in grades 3 to 8 and 11 in the areas of math and English Language Arts (ELA). According to Dr. Leslie Beatson, BUSD’s assistant superintendent of educational services, the test is taken on a computer and quizzes students in a variety of formats, including multiple choice, short answer, constructed response and performance test. The test also utilizes a concept called universal design where accommodations such as enlarged text or Individualized Education Program arrangements for special education students can be built in.

Source: BUSD highlights successes, areas for improvement in state test results

BUSD to tackle state test data at Thursday’s school board meeting – Benicia Herald

By Nick Sestanovich

The school board will hear a report and discussion on the data from the Smarter Balanced Assessment Consortium (SBAC) at Thursday’s meeting.

The SBAC is a statewide assessment administered to all third through eighth-graders and 11th-graders in the areas of English Language Arts (ELA) and Mathematics. The SBAC replaced the California Standards test following the state’s shift to Common Core standards and allow students to not only answer questions in a variety of formats but also require students to explain their answers in an effort to demonstrate their knowledge. It also utilizes a computer whereas the previous test used the traditional pencil and paper.

Assistant Superintendent Dr. Leslie Beatson and Educational Services Coordinator Stephanie Rice will dive into the findings from the results at Thursday’s meeting.

Source: BUSD to tackle state test data at Thursday’s school board meeting

Public Comment on First English Framework – Year 2013 (CA Dept of Education)

SACRAMENTO—California is taking another step forward in implementing the Common Core for English language arts by gathering public comment on a new framework, State Superintendent of Public Instruction Tom Torlakson announced today.

The English Language Arts/English Language Development Framework for California Public Schools: Kindergarten Through Grade Twelve (ELA/ELD Framework) will provide guidance for implementing the new Common Core State Standards and California’s new English Language Development Standards. Addressing both English language arts and English language development, the ELA/ELD Framework will help ensure that California’s students graduate with the knowledge and skills they need to succeed in college and careers. The ELA/ELD Framework will help teachers, publishers, and other educators design instructional materials, curriculum, instruction, assessment, and professional learning.

via Public Comment on First English Framework – Year 2013 (CA Dept of Education).

Parents’ Guide to Student Success – Year 2013 (CA Dept of Education)

SACRAMENTO—State education officials are working with the California State PTA to get information on the Common Core State Standards into the hands of parents across California, Superintendent of Public Instruction Tom Torlakson announced today.

As part of this effort, the organizations are distributing the Parents’ Guide to Student Success—a series of resources designed to help parents understand what their children will be learning at each grade level in English-language arts and mathematics.

via Parents’ Guide to Student Success – Year 2013 (CA Dept of Education).

Lessons in Cyberspace : Education Next

By Jeanne DelColle

The Internet has become a tremendous resource for teachers both for the sheer volume of information available and for opportunities to connect with each other. Educators can collaborate through virtual learning networks like Edmodo. On Twitter, there is a chat group with the hashtag #edchat, run by Tom Whitby (@tomwhitby), where one can ask questions on all things education and fellow educators respond. You can also find great materials with broad searches, as long as you are willing to adapt what you find to your classroom needs. I recently combined material from different online sources to prepare my students to write an essay on racism.

via Lessons in Cyberspace : Education Next.

Early literacy programs receive boost from national campaign | EdSource Today

By 

Galvanized by a national reading campaign, communities across California are launching innovative partnerships that are resulting in new early literacy programs in schools, libraries and even laundromats.

“There’s a lot of books here, really good books,” said 9-year-old Melanie Garcia-Macias, who sat with her back to a big red bookshelf at the end of a long line of washing machines at the Clean Express Coin Laundry in Richmond one recent Wednesday. A copy of “The Night Before Christmas” was splayed open on her lap.

via Early literacy programs receive boost from national campaign | EdSource Today.

Statistics indicate SCC help needed in math, English to boost college completion rates – Daily Republic

By

FAIRFIELD — Statistics for 2011-12 show that at Solano Community College, “unprepared” students persist at a more successful rate in the first three school terms than those who arrive “prepared.”

Initially.

Unprepared students are considered as those who must take a remedial level math or English class upon entering college. Those students considered prepared, according to the California Community College’s Student Success Scorecard, are at college level in those areas.

Statistics indicate help needed in math, English to boost college completion rates Daily Republic.

The Reporter: Love of books makes Vacaville school librarian’s job a joy

By Richard Bammer/ RBammer@TheReporter.com

Hers is a 30-by-30-foot book-lined space, filled with nine round tables and blue chairs, but, for the young students who visit, it is a safe universe of fun, dreams, knowledge, hope and possibilities.

Vacaville Unified library tech Christine Zavaglia on Friday welcomed a class of Padan Elementary fifth-graders into the small library, the students filing in, selecting books, checking them out at her desk, speaking with her briefly and quietly, and returning to their room. It was just one of some eight to 10 classes which typically visit the library on any given day. (She works at Padan Elementary on Wednesdays and Fridays and job-shares with Karen Hiemke.)

via Love of books makes Vacaville woman’s job a joy.

Daily Republic Opinion: FSUSD takes bold step toward child literacy

I had intended to write about the prospects of financial disaster in America in this column. I may do that next month. Today, I would rather write about something very positive instead: The arrival of literacy in Fairfield-Suisun School District.

I have been an almost constant critic of the failure of public schools to build foundations in language for many of their students. Almost 50 percent of fourth-graders have been reading below basic for more than 20 years.

via District takes bold step toward child literacy.

Dixon Tribune’s Facebook Wall: Over 300 children battle with books at Gretchen Higgins

Brianna Boyd, Editor

In a contest as nail biting as a sporting competition, over 300 avid readers from Gretchen Higgins Elementary faced off in the Battle of the Books Monday.

Instead of using balls and bats in this competition, the third to sixth graders used their reading, memory and comprehension skills to field questions on a number of pre-selected books. Close to 100 third graders, divided into 24 teams of four, faced off in a grade-level battle that morning. Meanwhile, 170 fourth to sixth graders, divided into 43 teams, split into two groups for the first round of battles, with the top 10 teams facing off in a site battle that afternoon.

via Over 300 children battle with books at Gretchen Higgins

CA Dept of Education: Spanish Version Common Core Standards Available

SACRAMENTO—As California moves toward full implementation of the Common Core State Standards, a separate effort underway to translate the English-language arts standards into Spanish has now been completed, State Superintendent of Public Instruction Tom Torlakson announced today.

Common Core en EspañolExternal link opens in new window or tab. is a joint effort between the San Diego County Office of Education, Council of Chief State School Officers, and California Department of Education.

via Spanish Version Common Core Standards Available.

CA Dept of Education: New Recommended Literature List

SACRAMENTO—To help students meet the new Common Core State Standards and prepare for a career, college, and the challenges of a changing world, State Superintendent of Public Instruction Tom Torlakson today unveiled the new Recommended Literature: Pre-Kindergarten Through Grade Twelve list.

via New Recommended Literature List.

SCOE’s Facebook Wall: SCOE’s second English Language Professional Development workshop (photos)

On March 7, SCOE’s second English Language Professional Development workshop focused on Common Core and English Language Development (ELD) and its implications for English Learner (EL) students. Title III Professional Development Goals, EL Support Strategies, EL Monitoring, and Coaching for ELD were an intricate part of this workshop. Dr. Adria Klein is professor emeritus now at California State University, San Bernardino, and visiting professor at Saint Mary’s College in Moraga. She has worked extensively with groups instrumental in creating the new common core standards for EL Students.

via On March 7, SCOE’s second English Language Professional Development workshop foc….

The Reporter: ‘Read Across America’ celebrated at Vacaville’s Markham Elementary

By Richard Bammer/ RBammer@TheReporter.com

Students at Vacaville’s Markham Elementary School on Friday enjoyed a highly personal version of Read Across America, an initiative on reading created by the National Education Association, with an author’s reading of her book.

For the annual nationwide event, held on the school day closest to March 2, the birthday of children’s author Theodor Seuss “Dr. Seuss” Geisel, some 300 fourth- through sixth-graders gathered in the school’s multipurpose room to see and hear Heidi Joulios read from “Color My Coral” as she projected the book’s wildly colorful and cheery illustrations onto a viewing screen.

via ‘Read Across America’ celebrated at Vacaville’s Markham Elementary.

The Reporter: Vacaville spelling bee has familiar champion

By Richard Bammer/ RBammer@TheReporter.com

With an eighth-grade education, famed New York Yankees catcher Yogi Berra was probably not an ace speller, but one of his best-known nonsensical quotes, “It’s déjà vu all over again,” applied to the elementary school division of the annual Grace B. Powell Citywide Spelling Bee in Vacaville.

For the second time in as many years, Alex Topp on Wednesday walked off with $150 in first-place money, a plaque and bragging rights as the top speller among Vacaville elementary students.

via Digital Extras.

SCOE’s Facebook Wall: The Northern CA Literacy Consortium – Teaching with the Common Core State Standards for English Language Arts

The Northern CA Literacy Consortium Meeting on January 23 will feature Timothy Shanahan, Ph.D., speaking about Teaching with the Common Core State Standards for English Language Arts.

Shanahan is Director of the Center for Literacy at the
University of Illinois at Chicago and chair of the Department of Curriculum and Instruction. He was on the development team for the English Language Arts Common Core State Standards and is an author of California Treasures. Register by January 10.

http://www.solanocoe.net/apps/events/2013/1/23/1223275/?id=0

via The Northern CA Literacy Consortium Meeting on January 23 will feature Timothy S….

SCOE’s Facebook Wall: The Northern CA Literacy Consortium Meeting on January 23 will feature Timothy Shanahan, Ph.D.

Solano County Office of Education’s Facebook Wall

The Northern CA Literacy Consortium Meeting on January 23 will feature Timothy Shanahan, Ph.D., speaking about Teaching with the Common Core State Standards for English Language Arts.

Shanahan is Director of the Center for Literacy at the University of Illinois at Chicago and chair of the Department of Curriculum and Instruction. He was on the development team for the English Language Arts Common Core State Standards and is an author of California Treasures. Register by January 10.

http://www.solanocoe.net/apps/events/2013/1/23/1223275/?id=0

via The Northern CA Literacy Consortium Meeting on January 23 will feature Timothy S….

Daily Republic Column: Mayrene Bates – Books, reading important in Solano County

My second outing after my surgery was to attend the 12th annual Solano County Library Foundation Authors Luncheon. My doctor wanted to know how far I needed to travel. “It’s practically in my backyard,” I told him. Whether he gave me permission or not, I was bound and determined not to miss this wonderful annual event.

I’d be remiss if I didn’t commend executive director Dilenna Harris, her board of directors and a cast of volunteers that keep finding such good writers year after year. We hear so much about our society being a nation of nonreaders, but thank goodness, the library foundation doesn’t adhere to that premise. And the good citizens of Solano County continue to attend, purchase and read books. In addition, the foundation also continues to invest in great programs that promote literacy for children and families throughout Solano County.

via Books, reading important in Solano County.

The Educated Guess: Heavy load awaits new Common Core committee

The  State Board of Education tomorrow is expected to appoint the 20 educators who will do the heavy lifting over the next 18 months of fleshing out the Common Core English language arts standards. Their document, the curriculum framework, will guide teachers’ instruction by offering examples of best practices, links to useful materials, and suggestions on how to teach critical thinking and good writing. It will also provide tips and techniques for teaching English learners, based on the new English Learner Development Standards, which the State Board also is expected to adopt tomorrow.

More than 100 educators applied for positions on the Curriculum Framework and Evaluation Criteria Committee (item 5 on the agenda), which will complete its work in May 2014.

via Heavy load awaits new Common Core committee – by John Fensterwald.