Public School Proud - Wittmann Elementary Teachers __________________________
Week in Review – February 23, 2018
ABC FEDERATION OF TEACHERS THIS WEEK…
In case you’ve missed previous Weeks in Review, you can find all of them here: ABCTeachernews To find previous editions, just click on “Blog Archive” which is the menu on the right and click on the specific week.
(ABC Federation of Teachers)
In Unity
ABC Federation of Teachers
Negotiations Update
Ruben Mancillas, Chief Negotiator
The ABCFT negotiating team has positive news to report! We have negotiated a two year calendar that was approved at the February 20 board meeting. The first day for teachers during the 2018-2019 school year is Thursday, August 23, 2018 and the last day for teachers is Thursday, June 13, 2019. For the 2019-2020 school year the first day for teachers is Thursday, August 22, 2019 and the last day for teachers is Thursday, June 11, 2020. Click the link below for the detailed calendars.
We are aware that some neighboring districts have elected to move to earlier starting dates, significantly so in some cases, but ABCUSD has chosen to stay with the last full week in August being the start of school for students as a consistent standard for all parties to be able to plan around.
In addition, the negotiating team was able to build paid professional development days for all ABCFT members into the next two calendars. Wednesday, August 22, 2018 and Wednesday, August 21, 2019 will allow teachers and nurses to be compensated for six hours of professional development using a model similar to that which was offered in June of 2017.
The negotiating team is still finalizing the compensation package for 2017-2018 as well as the master contract language for the next three years. Negotiations have stretched later in the year than usual but our intent, as always, is to bargain for the best possible deal rather than merely a quick one. To achieve this goal we have been talking with the district about a compensation package that would cover the next two years and that would feature a mix of on schedule money added to the salary schedule, one time or off schedule money in a separate check, as well as increases to to both stipends and hourly rates of pay. Any one and off schedule increases negotiated for the 2017-2018 school year would be retroactive to July 1, 2017.
We meet with the district for another negotiating session next Wednesday, February 28. The timeline for any potential tentative agreement would then be as follows: The ABCFT executive board would need to approve the tentative agreement so that it could be brought to the monthly rep council meeting. If the site representatives approves of the tentative agreement we would schedule a general meeting soon thereafter to address any questions regarding the deal. An electronic vote by the full membership would follow and, if ratified, would then be submitted to the school board for approval. The actual dates that specific increases would be seen in monthly paychecks or off schedule checks would be available would be determined after this final board approval.
The negotiating team is hopeful that this round of bargaining is coming to a positive conclusion and that we can share the good news regarding the specifics of any such deal with the membership very soon. Thanks again to the many members who have written in with their specific questions and concerns as well as those groups that have met with the negotiating team to discuss their needs. All of your input, every survey response, every email, every impassioned anecdote, helped us at the table. The team was able to be better informed and more effectively advocate for all members thanks to your efforts.
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ABC SCHOOL BOARD REPORT FOR FEBRUARY 20th
This week at School Board meeting, the audience was filled with teachers and students wearing black to take a moment and recognize the students and teachers that have lost their lives to school violence. ABCFT leadership and teachers shared their stories about the need for increased mental health services for both students and teachers here at ABCUSD. Below is the video and the minutes to find the segment in the video:
Online video here ------>>>>ABC SCHOOL BOARD VIDEO
12:00 - Fedde International Academy Award (National School To Watch)
1:12:30 - MUST SEE - Dr. Sieu’s Superintendent Report - Focus on Florida, safety in our schools and mental health.
1:19 - ABCFT Board Report - ABCFT President Ray Gaer - Focus on Florida and the importance of mental health services for students and teachers.
1:43 - Public Comments - Focus on Florida and the importance safety and mental health services.
ELPAC - Assessment Update (new CELDT)
Gaby Ibarra, Vice President, Elementary
The ELPAC is California’s new assessment used to determine the English proficiency of students whose primary language is one other than English. The ELPAC is replacing the California English Language Development Test (CELDT) and is aligned with the 2012 California English Language Development Standards. See the link below for more details about the assessment as well as new ELPAC Practice Tests.
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CURRICULUM LINK OF THE WEEK
Repeat in case you didn’t see it two weeks ago
How many of you are using Flipgrid in your classroom? Flipgrid is a website that allows teachers to create "grids" of short discussion-style questions that students respond to through recorded videos. Each grid is effectively a message board where teachers can pose a question and their students can post 90-second video responses that appear in a tiled "grid" display.
If you are using it in your classroom or you are thinking of using Flipgrid, let us all know. We invite you to make your own Flipgrid response to my video so you can share with others. Go here to post your own video ------> ca67ae
Sharing resources and ideas are what keeps our classrooms innovative, interesting, and organized. Each week, ABCFT will highlight an education resource that we heard was great for teachers. If you have a website, book, or training that you found helpful in your classroom let us know at abcft@abcusd.us so we can share it with everyone. If you send an idea or link and we use it in the Review, we will send you a Starbucks gift card for the helpful hint.
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Over this past week I attended/worked with unit members in representations, contract resolutions, email/text/phone call questions, site concerns, and mediations. Here are a couple of highlights from my week:
This Tuesday, I attended negotiations and am pleased with the progress we have made at the negotiations table. On Tuesday evening about a dozen teachers showed up at the ABC School Board meeting to make their presence felt and heard concerning mental health and safety at our schools. A special thank you to Viki Yamashita, Ruben Mancillas, and Tanya Golden for their powerful and thoughtful public comments. On Wednesday, I was in a full day of interviews for a new payroll supervisor which is an important position in our district because this is the person who makes sure our paychecks are on time and accurate. On Thursday, Tanya Golden and myself met with the Department Chairs for Special Education from all of the high schools in the district. A special thanks for Will from Artesia, Dave from Cerritos, Ruben from Tracy, Viki and Amy from Gahr for taking the time out of their busy schedule to come and share systems and, best practices with ABCFT and SELPA Coordinator, Dr. Gee and Special Ed Director, Roshelle Chavez. On Friday, I met with Valencia Mayfield from Academic Services to discuss future professional learning and ABCFT/ABCUSD Collaborations.
Thank you for all you do with our students and how you all support each other.
As always, have a great day weekend and we will see you back here next week.
In Unity!
Ray Gaer
ABCFT President
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CALIFORNIA FEDERATION OF TEACHERS
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In case you’ve missed previous Weeks in Review, you can find all of them here: ABCTeachernews To find previous editions, just click on “Blog Archive” which is the menu on the right and click on the specific week.
(ABC Federation of Teachers)
In Unity
ABC Federation of Teachers
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On February 24, join thousands of working people and our allies standing up for our freedoms and demanding an end to a system that’s rigged against us. We will rise up and fight.
Fight for the freedom to come together in strong unions.
Fight for equitable pay.
Fight for affordable health care.
Fight for quality schools.
Fight for vibrant communities.
Fight for a secure future for all of us.
When we join forces and stick together, we are unstoppable.
Search for an event near you and join us.
Don't see an event near you or can't attend an event?
#UnrigtheSystem
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AMERICAN FEDERATION OF TEACHERS
AFT Executive Council Condemns Gun Violence
WASHINGTON—At a meeting of its executive council today, the American Federation of Teachers passed a wide-ranging resolution condemning gun violence and calls to arm teachers, while urging action to protect children and educators from gun violence. AFT President Randi Weingarten said:
“It’s time for politicians to value children over the gun lobby. AFT members will not rest until we prevent military-style weapons from getting into the hands of people who want to massacre children and educators. And if our current elected officials won’t change the laws to protect our kids and create safe schools, we’ll change who gets elected in November.
“I am in awe of the students who are leading right now—and their educators. These are kids who sheltered in closets, who lost their friends, who wrote texts to their families thinking they had one last opportunity to say they loved them, who took a bullet for each other, or who witnessed a killing field. The students, supported by their teachers, are speaking out the loudest, organizing on social media and in their schools, and they are determined to turn this moment into a movement.
“I am sickened by those doing the bidding of the gun lobby, and those like President Trump and Betsy DeVos who want an arms race and to turn schools into militarized fortresses by arming teachers. Anyone who wants guns in schools has no understanding of what goes on inside them—or worse, doesn’t care. And how dare anyone, especially the president’s son, endorse the sick online attacks on the students of Stoneman Douglas? These are kids who experienced huge trauma and are fighting for their lives, and the lives of others.
“Today, our union rededicated ourselves to doing everything we can to protect kids and educators and prevent gun violence in our schools. We support every action being organized. We will be with you in the streets, in our statehouses, in Washington and at the ballot box. We are joining with teachers, students, parents and communities for a national day of action on April 20, the anniversary of the Columbine shooting, to stop gun violence in our schools. We are coming together with those who learn in, teach in, send their kids to and care about public schools, to take a stand.”
The AFT executive council comprises President Weingarten, Secretary Treasurer Lorretta Johnson, Executive Vice President Mary Cathryn Ricker and 43 AFT vice presidents from across the country.
AFT President Randi Weingarten Responds to President Trump’s
Infrastructure Proposal
WASHINGTON— Statement by AFT President Randi Weingarten in response to President Trump’s infrastructure proposal:
“Infrastructure investment has always been a win-win for communities—fixing and building new roads, bridges and tunnels; modernizing schools and our energy system; and spreading 21st-century technologies across the nation, which all help create and sustain living-wage jobs and small business. It’s never been intended to enrich Wall Street and profiteers—until now. Since President Trump and Republicans decided to spend trillions in tax breaks for the rich instead of investing in our infrastructure and creating jobs, they are left with a tin-cup strategy.
“Trump’s infrastructure proposal fails to put forth the federal investment to meet our most urgent infrastructure needs. It puts the burden on states and localities, which, after being double taxed through the elimination of the State and Local Tax deduction, would have to institute another tax—a triple tax—to pay for projects. The plan also lacks necessary labor standards to ensure workers are safe and get a decent wage, and it provides a huge windfall for Wall Street and corporations and imposes more tolls and expenses on America’s families. And the fact that it doesn’t include a cent for public schools speaks volumes about this administration’s lack of commitment to public education.
“As a union in the business of public-private partnerships, we understand their value. But private investment can’t take the place of necessary federal funding. Public-private partnerships shouldn’t be a vehicle for the privatization of public goods and services, and they shouldn’t be used to ensure Wall Street and hedge funds can make a quick buck off the backs of taxpayers.”
AFT President Weingarten: Trump-DeVos Budget Poses Lethal Threat
to Public Education
WASHINGTON— Statement of AFT President Randi Weingarten in response to President Donald Trump and Education Secretary Betsy DeVos’ education budget:
“President Trump and Secretary DeVos’ budget poses a lethal threat to public education.
“Trump and DeVos gave trillions in tax breaks to the wealthy and corporations, and, in this budget, they are taking billions from kids and public schools—particularly from those kids and schools in communities whose majorities are nonwhite or poor. Far from the softer image DeVos is trying to promote, this is a budget from an administration that is trying to set up public schools to fail.
“By putting forth a budget that includes the same cruel cuts as last year, Trump, DeVos and Vice President Pence show that they have failed to learn anything. This budget:
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Eliminates funding for community schools, lower class sizes, and after-school and summer programs;
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Strips professional development and training resources for teachers and paraprofessionals;
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Makes a mockery of Trump’s rhetoric calling for more career and technical education programs;
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Eviscerates programs that make college more affordable, including the Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program that enables and encourages thousands to enter into teaching and public service jobs; and
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Promotes failed voucher and for-profit strategies that aim to turn public education into an unregulated market.
“Just like DeVos locked us out last week, and with us, the 80,000 people who sent her comments we tried to deliver, Trump and DeVos don’t want to listen to what parents, teachers and communities want for their kids and schools.”
AFT’s Weingarten Visits West Virginia Educators During Statewide Walkout
CHARLESTON, W.Va.—On Thursday morning, AFT President Randi Weingarten visited with teachers and school service personnel in West Virginia public schools, who are currently on a two-day walkout demanding fixes to the broken health insurance system, increased wages and better learning conditions for their students.
“I’m reporting for duty on the picket line,” said Weingarten to Riverside High School teachers and school service personnel. “West Virginia’s teachers and school service personnel are fighting for basic dignity for themselves and their students. They want to be in their classrooms, not at the Capitol, but they are frustrated and disillusioned with a state government that has allowed their pay to decline and their teaching conditions, and their students’ learning conditions, to deteriorate. The last straw was the huge increase in health insurance premiums imposed by the state in November 2017.
“These educators don’t want the state’s governor and Legislature to give them hollow promises or Band-Aid solutions; they want clear and binding commitments so teachers don’t need second jobs to feed their own families. If the money is there for tax cuts for the wealthy and corporations, then funding should be there for West Virginia’s future.
“For years, health insurance benefits for teachers, public service personnel and state employees have been eroded, while their premiums have increased and their take-home pay has gone down. West Virginia is now 48 out of 50 states in average teacher salaries, with every neighboring state paying far more to attract and retain teachers. No wonder there are huge shortages here.”
Weingarten continued, “I know the best of West Virginian political leadership, and now we have seen the worst. The Legislature and governor welcomed us to do the work of revitalization in McDowell County, but now, several years later, the Legislature has forced educators to do more with less in the classroom, while also having to take on second or third jobs to make ends meet for their families. This isn’t a choice they should have to make, and now is the time for leaders in Charleston to get their act together.”
During Weingarten’s visit, she met with various educators and had an opportunity to hear their stories—stories like Rebecca Diamond’s, an educator who has had to pick up a second job at Hardee’s to get by.
With no movement from Charleston lawmakers, teachers and school service personnel in West Virginia’s public schools will continue into day two of their statewide walkout this Friday.
Follow AFT President Randi Weingarten: http://twitter.com/rweingarten
----- NATIONAL NEWS -----
Trump promotes arming teachers but discounts active shooter drills
President Donald Trump has rebuked an idea suggested by Florida Education Commissioner Pam Stewart for more active shooter drills in schools. "Active shooter drills is a very negative thing," Trump said during a meeting of officials that also included Florida Attorney General Pam Bondi. "I don't like it. I'd much rather have a hardened school," Trump said. "I think it's crazy. I think it's very hard on children." Trump also restated his support for the National Rifle Association’s suggestion to arm teachers, saying they could get “a little bit of a bonus, so practically for free, you have now made the school into a hardened target,” adding, "you can't hire enough security guards, but you could have concealed on the teachers." Meanwhile, the armed officer stationed at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High</ span> has resigned after video footage showed he did not enter the school during the shooting. “Scot Peterson was absolutely on campus through this entire event. He was armed. He was in uniform,” Broward County Sheriff, Scott Israel, said. When asked what Peterson should have done, Israel said the deputy should have “went in, addressed the killer, killed the killer.”
President Trump’s meeting with Marjory Stoneman Douglas survivors
The Washington Post carries a full transcript of President Donald Trump’s White House meeting with survivors of last week’s shooting at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Florida.
Seventeen dead after Florida school shooting
A heavily-armed 19-year-old who had been expelled from Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in South Florida opened fire shortly before the school’s classes were let out on Wednesday, killing 17 people, while terrified students barricaded themselves inside classrooms. Police identified the suspect as Nikolas Cruz, who was captured after a manhunt forced a nearby school into a lockdown. Florida Governor Rick Scott said the shooting was "pure evil", but refused to be drawn into a discussion about gun control, while President Donald Trump tweeted his condolences. “No child, teacher or anyone else should ever feel unsafe in an American school,” he said. Los Angeles USDofficials sought to reassure parents and students; Board of Education President Monica Garcia and Interim Superintendent Vivian Ekchian issued a joint statement pledging that safety remains the district’s top priority. They added: "Having recently been through a shooting incident in L.A. Unified, we understand the anxiety of uncertainty and the horror of the violence affecting our children, families and school communities.”
AFT Executive Council Condemns Gun Violence
|
WASHINGTON—At a meeting of its executive council today, the American Federation of Teachers passed a wide-ranging resolution condemning gun violence and calls to arm teachers, while urging action to protect children and educators from gun violence. AFT President Randi Weingarten said:
“It’s time for politicians to value children over the gun lobby. AFT members will not rest until we prevent military-style weapons from getting into the hands of people who want to massacre children and educators. And if our current elected officials won’t change the laws to protect our kids and create safe schools, we’ll change who gets elected in November.
“I am in awe of the students who are leading right now—and their educators. These are kids who sheltered in closets, who lost their friends, who wrote texts to their families thinking they had one last opportunity to say they loved them, who took a bullet for each other, or who witnessed a killing field. The students, supported by their teachers, are speaking out the loudest, organizing on social media and in their schools, and they are determined to turn this moment into a movement.
“I am sickened by those doing the bidding of the gun lobby, and those like President Trump and Betsy DeVos who want an arms race and to turn schools into militarized fortresses by arming teachers. Anyone who wants guns in schools has no understanding of what goes on inside them—or worse, doesn’t care. And how dare anyone, especially the president’s son, endorse the sick online attacks on the students of Stoneman Douglas? These are kids who experienced huge trauma and are fighting for their lives, and the lives of others.
“Today, our union rededicated ourselves to doing everything we can to protect kids and educators and prevent gun violence in our schools. We support every action being organized. We will be with you in the streets, in our statehouses, in Washington and at the ballot box. We are joining with teachers, students, parents and communities for a national day of action on April 20, the anniversary of the Columbine shooting, to stop gun violence in our schools. We are coming together with those who learn in, teach in, send their kids to and care about public schools, to take a stand.”
The AFT executive council comprises President Weingarten, Secretary Treasurer Lorretta Johnson, Executive Vice President Mary Cathryn Ricker and 43 AFT vice presidents from across the country.
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AFT President Randi Weingarten Responds to President Trump’s
Infrastructure Proposal
|
WASHINGTON— Statement by AFT President Randi Weingarten in response to President Trump’s infrastructure proposal:
“Infrastructure investment has always been a win-win for communities—fixing and building new roads, bridges and tunnels; modernizing schools and our energy system; and spreading 21st-century technologies across the nation, which all help create and sustain living-wage jobs and small business. It’s never been intended to enrich Wall Street and profiteers—until now. Since President Trump and Republicans decided to spend trillions in tax breaks for the rich instead of investing in our infrastructure and creating jobs, they are left with a tin-cup strategy.
“Trump’s infrastructure proposal fails to put forth the federal investment to meet our most urgent infrastructure needs. It puts the burden on states and localities, which, after being double taxed through the elimination of the State and Local Tax deduction, would have to institute another tax—a triple tax—to pay for projects. The plan also lacks necessary labor standards to ensure workers are safe and get a decent wage, and it provides a huge windfall for Wall Street and corporations and imposes more tolls and expenses on America’s families. And the fact that it doesn’t include a cent for public schools speaks volumes about this administration’s lack of commitment to public education.
“As a union in the business of public-private partnerships, we understand their value. But private investment can’t take the place of necessary federal funding. Public-private partnerships shouldn’t be a vehicle for the privatization of public goods and services, and they shouldn’t be used to ensure Wall Street and hedge funds can make a quick buck off the backs of taxpayers.”
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AFT President Weingarten: Trump-DeVos Budget Poses Lethal Threat
to Public Education
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WASHINGTON— Statement of AFT President Randi Weingarten in response to President Donald Trump and Education Secretary Betsy DeVos’ education budget:
“President Trump and Secretary DeVos’ budget poses a lethal threat to public education.
“Trump and DeVos gave trillions in tax breaks to the wealthy and corporations, and, in this budget, they are taking billions from kids and public schools—particularly from those kids and schools in communities whose majorities are nonwhite or poor. Far from the softer image DeVos is trying to promote, this is a budget from an administration that is trying to set up public schools to fail.
“By putting forth a budget that includes the same cruel cuts as last year, Trump, DeVos and Vice President Pence show that they have failed to learn anything. This budget:
“Just like DeVos locked us out last week, and with us, the 80,000 people who sent her comments we tried to deliver, Trump and DeVos don’t want to listen to what parents, teachers and communities want for their kids and schools.”
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AFT’s Weingarten Visits West Virginia Educators During Statewide Walkout
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CHARLESTON, W.Va.—On Thursday morning, AFT President Randi Weingarten visited with teachers and school service personnel in West Virginia public schools, who are currently on a two-day walkout demanding fixes to the broken health insurance system, increased wages and better learning conditions for their students.
“I’m reporting for duty on the picket line,” said Weingarten to Riverside High School teachers and school service personnel. “West Virginia’s teachers and school service personnel are fighting for basic dignity for themselves and their students. They want to be in their classrooms, not at the Capitol, but they are frustrated and disillusioned with a state government that has allowed their pay to decline and their teaching conditions, and their students’ learning conditions, to deteriorate. The last straw was the huge increase in health insurance premiums imposed by the state in November 2017.
“These educators don’t want the state’s governor and Legislature to give them hollow promises or Band-Aid solutions; they want clear and binding commitments so teachers don’t need second jobs to feed their own families. If the money is there for tax cuts for the wealthy and corporations, then funding should be there for West Virginia’s future.
“For years, health insurance benefits for teachers, public service personnel and state employees have been eroded, while their premiums have increased and their take-home pay has gone down. West Virginia is now 48 out of 50 states in average teacher salaries, with every neighboring state paying far more to attract and retain teachers. No wonder there are huge shortages here.”
Weingarten continued, “I know the best of West Virginian political leadership, and now we have seen the worst. The Legislature and governor welcomed us to do the work of revitalization in McDowell County, but now, several years later, the Legislature has forced educators to do more with less in the classroom, while also having to take on second or third jobs to make ends meet for their families. This isn’t a choice they should have to make, and now is the time for leaders in Charleston to get their act together.”
During Weingarten’s visit, she met with various educators and had an opportunity to hear their stories—stories like Rebecca Diamond’s, an educator who has had to pick up a second job at Hardee’s to get by.
With no movement from Charleston lawmakers, teachers and school service personnel in West Virginia’s public schools will continue into day two of their statewide walkout this Friday.
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Uneasiness in U.S. schools after Florida shooting
Uneasiness at high schools across the country has risen since the shootings at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Florida, with many administrators, police and school resources officers on high alert for copycats. At least 10 schools across the U.S. received threats of violence following the shootings – with one resulting in the arrest of a 13-year-old at Nichols Junior High School in Arlington, Texas, who allegedly threatened to shoot up his school with an AK-47 assault rifle. “There are certain things that occur in our culture that can provoke the desire to engage in similar behavior,” said Mary Ellen O’Toole, a former FBI profiler. “We know the crime of mass shootings, especially like this one, can provoke someone who’s already considering it.” Mental health professionals on Los Angeles USD campuses are also working behind the scenes. They work around the clock with police to help high-risk students get the help they need. Meanwhile, Fresno Police chief Jerry Dyer has said his department's shot spotter technology can help prevent a mass school shooting, with the technology cutting officer response times in half. Shot spotter technology locates gun fire and immediately notifies police through the Real Time Crime Center, and Dyer said 55 Fresno USD schools are equipped it but he wants it to be expanded.
GOP governors reluctant to sign off state education plans
The New York Times reports that a number of state governors across the U.S. have yet to sign off on education plans to implement the federal Every Student Succeeds Act, a bipartisan law passed under President Barack Obama that returns the reins of education reform to states. Education Secretary Betsy DeVos has approved 35 plans; however, nine have been disputed or are pending approval, including plans from Maryland, Missouri and Louisiana. Of the nine, seven are opposed by Republican governors, for reasons ranging from them being too modest in their targets, to overly bureaucratic.
Education Secretary splits salary between four non-profits
Education Secretary Betsy DeVos is to split her $199,700 salary equally among four non-profit groups: Kids Hope USA, which helps at-risk children through mentoring programs designed by churches; Dreams Soar, which aims to help girls pursue degrees and careers in STEM and aviation; Vision to Learn, a group that provides glasses to children at no cost; and Special Olympics, which helps children and adults with disabilities to participate in sporting activities. Politiconotes that President Donald Trump’s recent budget request for fiscal 2019 would take away around $12.5m in federal money for Special Olympics; in a statement, the group said it “appreciates the opportunity to continue [to] work with and educate Secretary DeVos and members of Congress to create more unified and inclusive schools in our country.”
Education Department’s budget to be cut to support school choice
Under the budget proposal released by President Trump and Education Secretary Betsy DeVos earlier this week, the Education Department’s budget would be cut by $3.6bn, and more than $1bn would be spent on private school vouchers and other school choice plans. “So many of America’s poorest children — especially African American and Hispanic children — attend failing public schools that afford them little hope of fulfilling their great potential,” Trump said. “That is why families should be free to choose the public, private, charter, magnet, religious or home school option that is right for them. The budget empowers parents, especially of our disadvantaged youth, to choose the very best school for their children.” Meanwhile, Ms. DeVos said: “I look forward to working with Congress to pass a budg et that puts students first and returns power in education to where it belongs: with states, districts and families.”
Education Department no longer investigating transgender bathroom complaints
The Education Department will no longer investigate civil rights complaints from transgender students barred from school bathrooms matching their gender identity. “Title IX prohibits discrimination on the basis of sex, not gender identity. Where students, including transgender students, are penalized or harassed for failing to conform to sex-based stereotypes, that is sex discrimination prohibited by Title IX. In the case of bathrooms, however, longstanding regulations provide that separating facilities on the basis of sex is not a form of discrimination prohibited by Title IX,” Education Department spokeswoman Elizabeth Hill told the Washington Post. HRC Legal Director Sarah Warbelow said: “The department’s failure to act conflicts with the law in multiple jurisdictions, including federal circuits, and further embol dens those who seek to discriminate against transgender students.”
DeVos says schools have ‘option’ to arm teachers
Asked in an interview if arming teachers could help prevent school shootings, education secretary Betsy DeVos said U.S states "clearly have the opportunity and the option" to allow teachers who've had weapons training to carry guns on campus. "This is an important issue for all states to grapple with and to tackle," Mrs DeVos said. "I think this needs to be part of the broader, more robust conversation about how can we avoid these things in the future, and how can we ensure that when my child, your child, goes to school in the morning, they're going to go to a safe and nurturing environment.” Meanwhile, Mrs DeVos and Democratic members of Congress are calling on congressional leaders to hold hearings on school shootings following the massacre at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Florida. “Congress needs to be holding hearings on these issues and we’ve seen lots of discussion on this every time we’ve had an incident,” the Education Secretary said. “We need to have a conversation at the level where lawmakers can actually impact the future.”
Florida school shooting suspect silent in court, students demand gun control
Nikolas Cruz, accused of killing 17 students and teachers at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School, kept his head down and stayed silent during a hearing in front of Broward Circuit Judge Elizabeth Scherer on Monday. Lead defense attorney, Melissa McNeill, has said that she will seek a plea deal in the case where Cruz would plead guilty to 17 counts of first-degree murder if prosecutors do not seek the death penalty. Cruz’s appearance came as Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School students launched an all-out campaign against assault weapons with an announcement that they’re organizing a national march next month for gun control. “We’re working our assess off, honestly. We’re utilizing tools that previous generations didn’t have. We’re utilizing social media,” said David Hogg, a senior.” “We’re using as many media outlets as we possibly can.” Meanwhile, seventeen high school students staged a “lie-in” at the White House on Monday to protest at the government’s lack of action on gun control. Other demonstrators stood holding American flags and signs asking, “Am I next?” while one sign inquired, “Is Congress or the NRA making our laws?” The Florida school is set to reopen in phases starting on Friday,Broward County Public Schools said in a statement. When school opens on Friday, the entire day will be dedicated to attending to staff members’ needs and the district said it hopes for classes to resume on Tuesday.
----- STATE NEWS -----
California schools suffer severe teacher shortage
California schools are facing a severe teacher shortage, and many of the current teachers are unprepared in their classes, according to research from the Learning Policy Institute. The study looked at 25 urban, rural and suburban school districts through the state, finding that 80% had a shortage of qualified teachers last school year. It also found that 82% of those teachers hired were unprepared in their lessons. The shortages have become especially acute since the 2014-15 school year in areas such as math, science and special education, as well as in bilingual and career technical education.
Lawmakers propose minimum age for tackle football
Two California lawmakers have introduced a bill to prevent children playing tackle football until high school, arguing that delaying the start of high-contact elements of football would protect young people from long-term brain damage and that, until then, the skills needed to succeed can be picked up from non-contact flag football. The bill, put forward by Assembly members Kevin McCarty (D-Sacramento) and Lorena Gonzalez Fletcher (D-San Diego), follows similar legislation under consideration in Illinois and New York. In a statement, Ms Gonzalez Fletcher said: “The science is clear: head injuries sustained at a young age can harm kids for the rest of their lives,” putting them at significantly greater risk for neurological impairments and Chronic Traumatic Encephalopathy.
CDE wants to use cannabis tax for prevention programs
The California Department of Education (CDE) is planning to offer resources towards preventing those under 21-years-old from using marijuana now that its recreational use is legal. Proposition 64 not only legalizes the recreational use of cannabis for adults over 21 but also creates a tax on it and the CDE wants to use some of that tax money toward programs that will promote health, education and drug prevention. “This is an excellent time to remind parents, students, educators, administrators, and the public about the detrimental effects of marijuana, especially to the developing brains of children,” State Superintendent of Public Instruction Tom Torlakson said.
----- DISTRICTS -----
Pasadena board votes for big budget cuts
The Pasadena Unified school board has voted 5-1 in favor of significant budget cuts, which will include the elimination of the equivalent of 139 full-time positions – including 87 teachers, four security officers, and two assistant principals. The district is required by the Los Angeles County Office of Education to submit a plan to cut $15m-$16m from its budget by the end of the month. Superintendent Brian McDonald said the district will “continue to look for all the fat that we can trim,” adding: “I believe that it’s possible to find other cuts that could replace some of the things on this list. I just want to make sure that we inspire confidence in the county that we are taking this seriously…The work is not over.”
LA school board approves three-year benefits package
The Los Angeles Board of Education has approved a three-year benefits package that will see the total annual amount Los Angeles USD pays out of its general fund for healthcare benefits frozen for 2018-2020. Under the agreement, the district will hold to the approximately $1.1bn it currently pays for the benefits. Any additional costs will be covered by a healthcare reserve that has grown to around £300m.
Berkeley school board cuts safety officer positions
As part of its efforts to reach $1.8m in budget cuts, the Berkeley USD board is to cut two safety officer positions at Berkeley High School. According to BHS principal Erin Schweng, the school currently has 15 safety officers for 3,100 students. According to Schweng, safety officers are the people that notice if something is going to happen between students and can intervene, if necessary. She said the safety officers do a lot of “proactive” in addition to “reactive” work at the school, adding the safety officers not only patrol the campus, but also get to know the students and are the first people that students go to with a problem.
----- LEGAL -----
Judge rules against Berkeley in email case
California’s Public Employment Relations Board has ruled that Berkeley USDviolated the Educational Employment Relations Act when it disciplined an employee for distributing an email that was critical of the district. Valerie Traban, a retired teacher who returned to the district as a substitute, had her status designated inactive after sustaining a workplace injury; she then sent an email to approximately 400 Berkeley High School employees criticizing the district’s employment practices as well as the employees’ representatives for not addressing concerns such as alleged discrimination and hostile employment practices. The act saw Ms Trahan sent a Notice of Unsatisfactory Conduct. Judge Alicia Clement and PERB ruled that BUSD had unlawfully disciplined her for an act of protected speech.
----- EARLY EDUCATION -----
Conversations key to language development
Parents can have "magical" influence over children's language and brain development by just engaging them in conversation. Scientists at MIT found parent-child conversations create differences in tests of vocabulary, language development and reading comprehension. Specifically, they found the amount of words children were exposed to was not the main factor, but the amount of conversations. Rachel Romeo, a graduate student at Harvard and MIT and the lead author of the paper, which appears in the Feb. 14 online edition of Psychological Science, said: “The important thing is not just to talk to your child, but to talk with your child. It’s not just about dumping language into your child’s brain, but to actually carry on a conversation with them.”
----- TECHNOLOGY -----
Parents find California School Dashboard useful, study finds
According to a poll conducted by the USC Rossier School of Education and Policy Analysis for California Education, nearly 4 in 10 parents say they’re familiar with or know a lot about the California School Dashboard, which grades schools and school districts using multicolored metrics, and those who have visited the website generally like what they’ve seen and found it useful. Of all parents familiar with the dashboard, 72% were positive and only 9% were negative, with the rest saying they didn’t have a view. “The perception in education policy circles is that the California dashboard is hopelessly opaque. That’s far from the perception we got from our poll,” Morgan Polikoff, one of the researchers on the poll, said.
----- SOCIAL & COMMUNITY -----
DACA has increased graduation rates and cut teen births, report says
According to a study by the National Bureau of Economic Research, the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) program has transformed the lives of young people who came to the United States illegally as children in a number of ways, including boosting high school graduation rates and college enrollment, while cutting teen births by a 45%. The report says canceling DACA almost certainly won’t reduce the overall size of the unauthorized population living in the United States, but it will reduce the educational attainment and economic productivity of the undocumented population.
----- HIGHER EDUCATION -----
CSU: almost half of students experience food insecurity
A recently-published California State University study into the basic needs of students found that 41.6% of the 24,000 respondents struggle to afford food regularly, due to the high costs of living, tuition, class supplies and other necessary expenses. The study also found that roughly almost 11% of the survey respondents had been homeless or experienced "unstable housing" at some point in the last 12 months. Subsequent focus groups found that poor diet and financial insecurities had a deleterious effect on students’ ability to focus, impacting on their GPAs.
Infrastructure plan could hit higher education
The Trump administration's $1.5tn infrastructure plan includes several higher education policy changes that could have significant consequences. Among the proposals is expanding the uses of the Pell grant program to cover the costs of short-term certifications and apprenticeship programs in an effort to give recipients greater flexibility in where they spend the money, overhauling the federal career and technical program so that most of the funding flows to high schools to increase the number of students taking advantage of apprenticeships and dual-enrollment programs that allow student earn career certificates alongside their high school diploma, and also amending the federal work study program so that low-income students can earn money to pay education expenses. "The budget would eliminate subsidized loans. Some 5.7m students had subs idized loans in the 2016-2017 academic year," notes student loan expert Mark Kantrowitz.
Concerns raised over Gov. Brown’s cyber-learning plans
Jonathan Lightman, executive director of the Faculty Association of California Community Colleges, has raised concerns over Gov. Jerry Brown’s plans to launch the state’s first fully online public community college, to help 2.5m young adults without college credentials gain skills for better jobs. In his recent budget, Gov. Brown earmarked $120m for an online public community college; designed in collaboration with employers and labor unions, the new college’s curriculum would feature short courses leading to certificates or badges that carry value in high-demand industries like health care, child care, information technology and manufacturing. However, Mr Lightman says that the plan takes a group of students least prepared to succeed online and shunts them off into a virtual ghetto, while their transfer-bound peers enjoy the benefits of face-to-face interaction with instructors. “You can call this whatever you want, but it’s not a community college,” Mr Lightman added.
----- OTHER -----
Gates Foundation: more needs to be done to improve U.S. education
The Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation says it spends almost $500m every year on education initiatives in the U.S.; however, Bill Gates says that although the money has accomplished “a lot”, it is still not as much as the Foundation would like. In their annual letter on the Foundation’s work, the philanthropists wrote "Unfortunately, although there’s been some progress over the past decade, America’s public schools are still falling short on important metrics, especially college completion. And the statistics are even worse for disadvantaged students." In the past, the Foundation has concentrated on designing teacher evaluation systems based on student test scores, and on creating what became known as the Common Core. In the coming years, they say, they will focus on helping teachers create and implement their own strategies for educating students, specific to individual communities and schools.
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