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Monday, November 19, 2012

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Education Headlines

Monday, November 19, 2012

Hope Charter School petition denied

During its regular meeting on Tuesday, the Yreka Union School District (YUSD) Board of Trustees voted unanimously to deny a petition for the establishment of Hope Charter School in Yreka.

Stockton USD plans to get jump on upcoming English, math standards

The state-mandated implementation of virtually national academic standards will begin in less than two years, and Stockton Unified took a step this week toward preparing for that moment.

Race to the Top funding could bring $30 million to North County schools

Three local school districts and a charter school have come together to apply for $30 million in federal grant money that’s part of the Race to the Top initiative many teachers unions have opposed.

Schools chief took $2,500 in parking lot

By his own account in a sworn deposition, San Ysidro schools Superintendent Manuel Paul took the money, about $2,500, from a local builder who was on the hunt for a seven- or eight-figure construction contract.

Ex-Sunnyvale PTA treasurer to be sentenced Monday for embezzlement

When former PTA treasurer Dawn Saugen is sentenced Monday for embezzling $30,000, it will close a painful chapter at Vargas Elementary in Sunnyvale. But the wounds from the deception will be slower to heal, and the trust harder to rebuild.

Sacramento principal built a teaching team to turn around school

Before Nancy Purcell and her team took over, many teachers didn't expect their students to learn, said Sean Chambers, the school's dean of students. It took three years, but the principal says she has the right team in place. Students' scores offer proof. In 2010 the school's Academic Performance Index score was 647. This year it is 747.

In L.A., inexperienced teachers more likely to be assigned to students behind in math, study says

The effectiveness of the Los Angeles Unified School District's teachers also varies "substantially,'' says the study, which looked at students' standardized math test scores.

Schools eat up challenge of new federal nutrition standards

At the recent California School Nutrition Assn.'s annual conference, 11 teams competed to concoct healthier fare that even children would like.

Freedburg: Beyond Proposition 30 - California’s education future

The passage of Proposition 30 represents a major victory for schools – and for Gov. Jerry Brown. Barring a further erosion of state revenues, Prop. 30 should bring stability to school districts after five years of budget devastation. Yet Prop. 30, while representing the first major affirmation of the public’s support for schools in years, still leaves on the table a range of major education challenges.

Frey: Report says transform teaching by providing career opportunities

With about one-third of all new teachers in the United States leaving the profession within five years, California can stem this loss and improve teacher quality by extending time to train new teachers and providing more opportunities for career growth, a report released last week by Accomplished California Teachers (ACT) concluded.
Friday, November 16, 2012

Lincoln Unified adds two school days

Lincoln Unified has added two days to this year's instructional calendar, a move made possible by last week's victory of Gov. Jerry Brown's Proposition 30 education tax initiative.

Perris trustees renew superintendent's contract

Perris Union High School's Board of Trustees on Wednesday approved renewing Superintendent Jonathan Greenberg's contract through Oct. 31, 2016.

School bond propositions still short of passing

A bond proposition in the San Dieguito Union High School District is still too close to call more than one week after the election.