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Thursday, February 21, 2013

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Failed DC Chancellor Michelle Rhee group donates $250,000 to candidates in LAUSD races




Education Headlines

Thursday, February 21, 2013

Report suggests broadly expanding federal K-12 education spending

In a sweeping vision to broaden educational opportunity, a panel of national education leaders has recommended boosting teacher pay and training, widening access to preschool and adding an unprecedented level of federal involvement in schools.

Ramona district, teachers head to fact finding in contract talks

After nearly 18 months of unsuccessful contract negotiations between the Ramona Unified School District and the teachers union, talks are moving to a state-supervised "fact-finding" phase next week.

Sacramento City board appears split over tonight's vote on closing 10 schools

The proposal to shutter 10 elementary schools in Sacramento City Unified School District tonight appears headed for a split vote after numerous critics questioned the method used to decide which schools should close.

More students in L.A. taking and passing AP exams

More students in the Los Angeles Unified School District took and successfully passed an Advanced Placement exam last year, reflecting a rise in success on the college-level tests in California and nationwide.

Lawsuit filed to end yoga instruction in Encinitas schools

A civil rights lawsuit was filed Wednesday aimed at stopping the teaching of yoga in Encinitas public schools on the grounds that yoga represents religious indoctrination.

More California students taking, passing AP exam

California students ranked in the top 10 nationwide for their passing rate on last year’s Advanced Placement exams.

L.A. Unified set for funding boost under new state formula

After five years of crippling budget cuts, the Los Angeles Unified School District would receive an estimated $820 more per student over the next two years under Gov. Jerry  Brown’s proposed new funding formula.

School funding plan won't be easy sell

While legislators on both sides of the aisle say they agree with the governor's goals, Brown's Local Control Funding Formula faces a political minefield as he tries to steer what could be the biggest impact on public education since 1978's tax-slashing Proposition 13 through the Legislature.

Gov. Jerry Brown releases funding data for K-12 districts

Gov. Jerry Brown's Department of Finance released a long-awaited table today that shows how each K-12 district fares in his new plan to direct more money to schools with low-income students and English learners.

In California, thousands of teachers missing needed credentials

Nearly 1 in 10 teachers or certificated personnel -- more than 32,000 school employees -- did not have the credentials or authorization for their positions from 2007 through 2011, according to data compiled by the state Commission on Teacher Credentialing.

Alvord to vote on teacher furloughs

Teachers and managers would have 1.6 percent of their pay restored in 2013-14 with the furlough days reinstated for nonstudent teacher workdays.

More money for poorest O.C. schools in new plan

Orange County schools that teach poor students and those who don't speak English would get more money under a new formula released Wednesday.

Michelle Rhee group donates $250,000 to candidates in LAUSD races

A group led by former District of Columbia schools chancellor Michelle Rhee donated $250,000 Wednesday to contests for seats on the Los Angeles Board of Education, adding further political fuel to a battle over the direction of reform efforts in the nation's second-largest school system.
Wednesday, February 20, 2013

SLO's Teach Elementary can stay, for now

San Luis Coastal Unified School District’s board of trustees Tuesday night unanimously took the middle road in its decision to keep the controversial school open.

Audit says Monterey schools not ready for autonomy on financial matters

The largest K-12 school district on the Monterey Peninsula does not have the capacity to become semi-autonomous from the Monterey County Office of Education, so it should withdraw its application to try, an auditor is saying.

District adopts plan for possible cuts

Despite increased taxes and growing government revenue, teachers in the Desert Sands Unified School District should prepare for the possibility of layoffs or furloughs next school year. The Desert Sands school board adopted a plan for upcoming negotiations with the district teachers association during its meeting Tuesday night.