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Coalition Calls on Gov. Brown to Veto Testing Bill, AB 484
A coalition representing “tens of thousands” of parents, teachers and education reform organizations is petitioning Governor Jerry Brown to veto a bill letting California schools off the hook for testing students while the state transitions to a new curriculum and testing model. Gov. Brown has expressed his support for AB 484 and has has until...
By Vanessa Romo | September 19, 2013
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To Recruit More Black Male Teachers, Retain Those You Have
New research sponsored by the National Academy of Education seeks a deeper understanding of why there are so few black male teachers in U.S. public schools. The backdrop for the work by Travis Bristol of Teachers College, Columbia University and Ron Ferguson of the Harvard Achievement Gap Initiative is the startling fact that black males, who are six percent of the...
By Chase Niesner | September 18, 2013
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Torlakson Rebuts Duncan, Defends State Testing Bill
State Superintendent of Public Instruction Tom Torlakson today shot back at U.S. Secretary of Education Arne Duncan, who expressed opposition to a bill in the California legislature that would eliminate statewide testing for a year while districts shift to new protocols aligned with Common Core. “This legislation will continue to be guided by what’s right...
By LA School Report | September 10, 2013
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Duncan Kicks off Back-to-School Bus Tour through Southwest
The brightly colored tour bus adorned with furry creatures rolling across the southwest is not a mirage — it’s Secretary of Education Arne Duncan in his wheels of the week. Duncan kicked off the department’s “Strong Start, Bright Future,” back-to-school tour today in New Mexico, where he is touring classrooms and holding town hall meetings on everything from improving low-performing...
By Chase Niesner | September 9, 2013
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Duncan Signals Support for LAUSD Waiver Proposal
U.S. Education Secretary Arne Duncan seems to be trying to turn over a new leaf with California Gov. Jerry Brown after years of tense disagreements, notes EdSource Today after Duncan praised Brown’s new funding formula at an event Friday night in San Francisco. Even more immediately important for LAUSD, Duncan sounded sympathetic to the newly resubmitted...
By Brianna Sacks | June 25, 2013
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NewsFlash: “Double-Testing” Might Be Avoided Next Year
Education Secretary Arne Duncan earlier this week announced that the federal US Department of Education would allow California and other states some additional time and flexibility during the implementation of the rigorous new Common Core standards and assessments, according to today’s EdSource. If California takes advantage of the offered flexibility, teachers and schools will get relief from...
By Brianna Sacks | June 21, 2013
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Morning Read: Lawmakers Stall on Teacher Evaluation Bill
Bill to Alter Evaluations of California Teachers Fails Again in Senate Legislation that would alter how California schools judge teachers flunked another test on Tuesday, failing to advance for the second time in a week. Sac Bee See also: LA School Report Duncan Says It’s Still Possible for State to Get NCLB Waiver California remains...
By LA School Report | May 2, 2013
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Morning Read: Board Likely to Back Classroom Breakfast
L.A. Unified Board Will Back Classroom Breakfast Program A majority of L.A. Unified School Board members said they will vote to continue a classroom breakfast program that feeds nearly 200,000 children but was in danger of being axed after sharp criticism by the teachers union. LA Times See also: LA School Report, KPCC The Messy...
By LA School Report | April 30, 2013
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Morning Read: School Board Group Aims to Limit Ed Secretary
National School Board Group Seeks Curbs on U.S. Ed Secretary The National School Boards Association and its 90,000 members are sponsoring legislation aimed at curbing the authority of the U.S. Secretary of Education – an outgrowth likely stemming from the group’s chilly relationship with the Obama administration during the president’s first term. SI&A Cabinet Report...
By Samantha Oltman | March 28, 2013
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Morning Read: Michelle Rhee Brings Ed Reform to California
Taking a Crack at California’s Education System Michelle Rhee came to prominence as the tough-minded chancellor of Washington, D.C., schools. Now she’s in Sacramento, taking on this state’s system — and its teachers unions. LA Times See also: L.A. Now Live Chat on Rhee and California’s Public Schools U.S. Ed Department Agrees to Review 9...
By Samantha Oltman | March 27, 2013