In This Issue:
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The Valentines Day Massacre v.2.0 narrowly avoided: SCHOOL FUNDING AND THE PRICE OF FLEXIBILITY |
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“Unprofessional
Conduct”: LAUSD’S FAILURE TO NOTIFY SACAMENTO OF MIRAMONTE TEACHER’S
DISMISSAL COULD RESULT IN SUPT. DEASY’S LOSS OF CREDENTIAL |
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LAWMAKERS ADVISED TO GIVE SCHOOLS OPTIONS TO MAKE CUTS IN THE FALL |
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SENATORS: DON’T JAM US ON WEIGHTED FORMULA: Committee likes concept, wants more time |
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HIGHLIGHTS, LOWLIGHTS & THE NEWS THAT DOESN'T FIT: The Rest (but
not neccessariily the best) of the Stories from Other Sources |
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EVENTS: Coming up next week... |
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What can YOU do? |
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Featured Links:
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Mark Naison, in his essay “The Real Culprits in
America’s Decline Are Shifting Responsibility to Schools and Teachers” [http://bit.ly/zS9M3N]
asks: “Are 28 percent of the homes in the United States under water
because of union teachers? Can they also be blamed for the 44 percent
Black unemployment rate in the city of Milwaukee?
“America’s public schools were never perfect. But they helped hold the
country together through wrenching economic crises that left many
communities deeply wounded and many Americans wondering if there was a
real future left for them. And it was never easy. Some of what went on
in our most economically depressed schools involved real courage and
heroism. All of it required patience and hard work.
“And one of the things these schools did is show that you could
effectively run institutions without huge salaries and bonuses for
executives and without a huge gap between the employees and their
managers. In most public schools, the principal’s salary was never more
than a third higher than the highest paid teacher, rather than the 400
to 1 CEO to worker ratio that now exists in American industry.”
__________________________
4LAKids RECOMMENDS AN ARTICLE ON INGLEWOOD UNIFIED’S PENDING INSOLVENCY
from the LA Times: “In Inglewood, A Sparkling New Campus and Looming
Bankruptcy” [http://lat.ms/ytnFmG]
but discount IUSD’s hanging their hopes on a shiny new school saving
their day. Parents look beyond the new school shine+sizzle to the
instructional program. Rightly or wrongly parents are buying what
charter schools are selling – and unfortunately they are buying it with
the public’s money – money IUSD had already counted on and spent it
their budget.
Likewise I caution against dependence on the passage of AB 1172 – which
would allow school districts to disapprove a charter application if it
puts undue burden on school district budgets. The state’s primary
interest is in educating children – not in preserving school districts.
IF charter schools actually did a better job of educating students (and
generally they don’t) they should be allowed to bloom at the expense of
underperforming districts. Boards of education cannot be the decider any
more than the California Charter Schools Association.
Perhaps the most telling clue to how bad things are is that the
Inglewood teachers union is welcoming state receivership – even though
that would temporarily invalidate huge parts of the union contract.
But buried in the article is the glimmer of hope for Inglewood and every
one of California’s 1050 cash-strapped school districts: “California
has cut funding to schools by 20% over the last three years and, in the
case of Inglewood, deferred payment of more than $17 million this year
alone. That shortfall caused most of Inglewood's looming deficit,
(School board President Young) said.”
IN ADDITION TO the 20% in cuts, California owes Inglewood $17 million in
Deferred Payments. That’s an IOU – a promissory note - a debt the
state is obligated to pay at an unspecified point in the future. J.
Wellington Wimpy: "I'll gladly pay you Tuesday for a hamburger today"
That’s not a loan school districts wanted to make – it was forced upon
them. In law this is called a contract of adhesion, where one party has
no ability to negotiate because of their unequal bargaining position.
Under receivership the state loans a school district the money it needs
to operate “in order to pay schools’ utility bills and meet payrolls” –
and runs the school district until it gets paid back with interest. OF
COURSE IF THE STATE PAID INGLEWOOD AND LAUSD AND EVERY SCHOOL DISTRICT
THE MONEY IT OWES THE DISTRICTS WOULDN’T BE IN THIS MESS!
And I seriously doubt if there’s a judge with a robe and gavel and a
bench to sit on who would uphold the State of California charging
interest on a loan to a district the state forced by not paying back
previous money it “borrowed”. You know those urban legends about the
burglars who sue victims after falling through the skylights during
burglaries? This is like that – only more so.
The above scheme should make Mr. Ponzi blush. And while I feel sorry for
the unfortunate school districts and the teachers and staffs who
have-been-and-will-be RIFed – it’s the children who are being defrauded.
__________________________
SATURDAY’S LA TIMES Business Section had a prophetic article with the
headline “L.A. On Brink of Gas At $4 a Gallon”; by Saturday afternoon
the cheapest Arco station in my neighborhood – with gas at $3.99 – had a
line at the pumps. I’m inviting the Business Section to headline an
article: “LAUSD Solves Budget Crisis as Test Scores Soar.”
__________________________
THERE IS A GREAT TENDENCY TO OVERSIMPLIFY SITUATIONS and cut to the
chase – including in these pages where one tries to state the
unvarnished truth in 800 words or less. Last week the LAUSD Board –
while mired in a sulfurous swamp of scandal - seemed poised to pass a
budget/eliminate programs/RIF staff and ask for a parcel tax in a
straight up-or-down-vote – based on not enough information poorly shared
or even thought out.
In the opposite of Malcolm Gladwell’s definition, they blinked – took a three week step back – and agreed to think more deeply.
In the end all of us need the real numbers, the real assumptions and the
real cuts proposed; the consequences – intended or no – identified and
debated - line item by line item, dollar-for-dollar, program-by-program,
and school-by-school – down to the classroom. The way this board
usually does things: “Without opposition… so ordered” cannot be allowed.
Eleven words identify true wisdom more than any other: “I do not have
enough information to make an informed decision”. These words do not
admit failure, they predetermine success.
We – We the People – cannot afford to eliminate elementary arts
education or adult Ed or early childhood Ed or afterschool programs. Our
children need librarians and counselors and buses to transport some
kids to and from school.
The Board of Education can no more approve a budget based on a
spreadsheet, a pie chart or PowerPoint than voters can select
representatives based on campaign mailers and Pepsodent smiles. Oh sure
we try …and look at where it gets us.
The current Republican front runner o’ th’ week repudiated public
education last week. As free universal public education is America’s
greatest contribution of democracy he doesn’t get any points here –
accept possibly in recognition of the one on his little head.
Here is a parting thought: Public Education and Social Justice are not
programs to cut and adjust or amend and reform to conform to the times –
whether golden-and-flush or challenging-and-hard.. They are universal
constants. Whether he was prophet or savior or messiah or a rabbi from
Galilee, the words still stand: “And ye shall know the truth, and the
truth shall make you free.”
¡Onward/Adelante! - smf
The Valentines Day Massacre v.2.0 narrowly avoided:
SCHOOL FUNDING AND THE PRICE OF FLEXIBILITY
Themes in the News for the week of Feb. 13-17, 2012 by UCLA IDEA | http://bit.ly/zB4UBu
2-17-2012 :: Responding to widespread protests, the Los Angeles
Unified School District will not cut, or at least will postpone cuts, of
over $550 million from the 2012-13 school year budget, as had been
planned. Hundreds packed the LAUSD boardroom and more protested outside,
prompting street closures. They came to plead for adult education,
early education, after-school programs, arts in elementary school and
other categorical programs—all of which were earmarked for elimination
(Huffington Post, LA Weekly, Los Angeles Daily News, Los Angeles Times).
The board postponed the vote until March, giving time for
Superintendent John Deasy to negotiate concessions with labor unions,
and for the public to pressure legislators for more funding.
According to EdSource, a reliable source of information on complex
education issues, “categorical funds represent a sizable part of the
budget for most school districts and can have a major effect on local
expenditure decisions. However, in response to the recent state budget
crisis, California lawmakers are allowing districts more flexibility in
how they spend those funds.”
Indeed, districts are taking advantage of loosened guarantees—sometimes
drastically reducing or eliminating programs—often, in order to pay
schools’ utility bills and meet payrolls. It’s a wrenching task. “We
can’t live with eliminations,” said Los Angeles board Member Steve
Zimmer, but “there will be cuts” (San Jose Mercury News).
By stepping back from its decision on cuts, the board’s action is
reminiscent of Gov. Jerry Brown’s attempt to eliminate school bus funds
earlier this year. After much political pressure and campaigning from
rural and poor districts, Brown reversed course and will keep the busses
rolling through next year (Sacramento Bee, Thoughts on Public
Education).
Some additional flexibility might allow local districts to decide how
best to use their limited resources. However, categorical funds,
historically, have been instituted for sound reasons: “to remedy
inequities among students; to ensure that all students are served,
especially the hardest to educate; and to support current priorities,
particularly when there are extra funds” (EdSource).
Meanwhile, the Senate is considering Brown’s new school funding plan
which would create a weighted formula, giving school districts a base
amount per student and up to $3,000 more for those with the greatest
need, such as English language learners and low-income students. This
plan would also phase out the majority of categorical programs (EdSource
Extra, Thoughts on Public Education). Such a new, more rational system
of school funding, based on weighted formulas, stands a chance of
allowing greater local flexibility while preserving important
protections and guarantees now protected by categorical funding.
But we can’t forget that the reasons behind categorical funding remain.
Without “strings-attached” money, many local districts could decide, as
they have done in the past, not to provide crucial services. Can
California lawmakers fashion a school finance system that provides both
flexibility and essential guarantees? In principle, Brown’s “weighted
formula” is a good start. However, flexibility without wisdom, fairness,
guarantees, and money leads only to more dreadful choices of how to
reorganize hardships among the most vulnerable, at-risk students.
“Unprofessional Conduct”: LAUSD’S FAILURE TO NOTIFY
SACAMENTO OF MIRAMONTE TEACHER’S DISMISSAL COULD RESULT IN SUPT. DEASY’S
LOSS OF CREDENTIAL
► SUPT. DEASY TOLD BY STATE AGENCY LAUSD FAILURE TO
INFORM ON MIRAMONTE TEACHER POSED POTENTIAL RISK TO STUDENT SAFETY
By Tami Abdollah | KPCC pass/fail http://bit.ly/wcNmjY
Feb. 16, 2012 :: The California Commission on Teacher Credentialing
wrote Superintendent John Deasy a letter dated Wednesday informing him
that the district was posing a "potential risk to student safety" by not
filing timely reports required by state regulation when a teacher's
employment status changes.
In the case of former Miramonte Elementary School teacher Mark Berndt,
accused of spoon-feeding his semen to children, the district did not
file paperwork with the commission until nearly a year after it moved to
dismiss Berndt.
Nanette Rufo, the commission's director and general counsel, cites the
California code of regulations in the letter, which warns Deasy that
"failure to make a report required under this section constitutes
unprofessional conduct. The Committee may investigate any superintendent
who holds a credential who fails to file reports required by this
section. (Emphasis added)."
Deasy, who holds a "clear administrative services credential," could not
be reached for comment Thursday. District spokesman Thomas Waldman said
he is in Sacramento all day testifying on the budget. Waldman could not
confirm receipt of the letter.
According to the regulation, the superintendent must report the change
in employment status no later than 30 days after the status changes when
it is a result of alleged misconduct or an allegation of misconduct is
pending.
From the letter, which is subject-lined "Re: Superintendent's Mandatory Reporting Requirement":
"In one recent case we have no record of a report related to the
teacher after the final settlement was reached and were only notified
that the teacher was charged with multiple counts of lewd acts upon
children more than six months after final settlement was reached by your
District with the credential holder. Although the Commission is aware
that errors can occur, please be aware of the potential for harm to
students by not meeting your mandatory requirement to report information
to the Commission when credential holders separate while charges of
misconduct are pending."
► MIRAMONTE ABUSE SCANDAL: LAUSD FAILED TO NOTIFY CALIFORNIA CREDENTIALING COMMISSION OF ACCUSED TEACHER'S SUSPENSION
By Tami Abdollah | KPCC Pass/Fail |http://bit.ly/wcNmjY
Feb. 16, 2012 :: The Los Angeles Unified School District violated
state law by waiting nearly a year to inform the agency that oversees
teacher credentials that it had moved to dismiss former Miramonte
Elementary School teacher Mark Berndt accused of spoon-feeding his semen
to children.
The state's Commission on Teacher Credentialing suspended Berndt's
credential on Jan. 31, the same day he was arrested and charged with 23
counts of lewd conduct on children. But according to the state code of
regulations and the education code, the LAUSD should have informed the
credentialing commission of Berndt's February 2011 suspension without
pay by mid-March of 2011.
The district paid Berndt a $40,000 settlement in June to ensure, it
says, that he would no longer work for LAUSD and resign. But with his
credential intact, Berndt could have legally obtained employment as a
teacher at another district up until January 31.
"We did not, during the course of the investigation inform the CTC about
Berndt," said district spokesman Thomas Waldman. "We contacted the
Sheriff's Department over the course of the year on 15 occasions to
check on the status of the investigation and our ability to move
forward. We were told they were conducting an investigation, that we
were to refrain from taking any actions that could jeopardize the
completion of the investigation, so that was interpreted on our end as
not informing the commission regarding Mr. Berndt's status."
Steve Whitmore, a spokesman for the Los Angeles County Sheriff's
Department, said that once L.A. Unified removed Berndt from the
classroom "our interest in his status as a teacher stopped."
According to the state code of regulations and the education code, when
certain actions have been taken against a teacher, such as a dismissal
or suspension without pay for more than 10 days, the superintendent is
required to inform the state's Commission on Teacher Credentialing of
the change in employment status no more than 30 days after the action.
When the commission is notified it then has the ability to investigate
and recommend a particular case go forward to its Committee of
Credentials for review. During this process the committee can decide to
take action against the teacher in various ways, including a private
admonition, as well as suspending or revoking his credential, said
Marilyn Errett, an administrator for the Office of Governmental
Relations for the Commission on Teacher Credentialing. If a teacher is
convicted of a crime, the credential is automatically revoked, Errett
said.
"Even if a case is not necessarily a criminal case, or even if a court
has not convicted someone of [something] criminal, we're still looking
at unprofessional conduct," Errett said. "...It might not rise to the
criminal conviction arena but it might be unprofessional."
The state code of regulations states that the "failure to make a report
required under this section constitutes unprofessional conduct. The
Committee may investigate any superintendent who holds a credential who
fails to file reports required by this section."
Superintendent John Deasy, who holds a "clear administrative services credential," could not be reached for comment Wednesday.
In Berndt's case, the LAUSD moved to dismiss him on Feb. 15, 2011, and
stopped paying him the next day. The commission should have been
informed of this action by mid-March; however, the district sent no
paperwork until Jan. 31, 2012, when it e-mailed the charging documents
to the commission, said Errett.
Once the commission became aware of the charges against Berndt, it
automatically suspended his credential as required by law, Errett said.
During the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department's year-long
investigation, Berndt, who appealed the dismissal Feb. 17, 2011,
received a $40,000 settlement from the district, which included back pay
for lost wages, reimbursement for health insurance payments, and
$16,000 in legal fees, according to the documents. As part of the
agreement, Berndt was reinstated, then allowed to resign on June 30 and
thereby keep his lifetime health benefits.
District officials have said their goal was to avoid a lengthy appeals
process that could take years and ensure Berndt was out of the
classroom.
LAUSD board president Monica Garcia said the district has launched its
own investigation into how the Berndt case was handled, and that it will
be thoroughly reviewed by an independent commission led by retired
California Supreme Court Chief Justice Carlos Moreno.
"I will be very interested in learning what the commission tells
us...about our handling of all the information and [how it can] help us
understand what needs to be changed," Garcia said.
Board member Steve Zimmer said that the district's failure to follow
procedure was wrong, but that he didn't believe children were in
imminent danger.
"Obviously if we didn't follow procedures, we should follow procedures and that's wrong, and that makes me upset," Zimmer said.
Clarification: An earlier version of this post stated that Berndt had
been dismissed. While the school board approved his dismissal Feb. 15,
2011, Berndt's appeal and later settlement agreement with the district
allowed him to be retroactively reinstated to his post. He resigned June
30.
► SUPT. DEASY ACKNOWLEDGES LAUSD VIOLATED LAW BY FAILING TO NOTIFY STATE ABOUT ACCUSED MIRAMONTE TEACHER
By Tami Abdollah | KPCC | http://bit.ly/zSuKrH
Feb. 17, 2012 | Superintendent John Deasy acknowledged today that LAUSD
violated state law when it failed to notify a state agency responsible
for teacher credentialing of the suspension of Miramonte Elementary
School teacher Mark Berndt, who is accused of spoon-feeding his semen to
children. Deasy said the district has launched an internal
investigation to determine why this happened.
The story was first reported Thursday by KPCC, which provided the
district with a letter addressed to Deasy from the California Commission
on Teacher Credentialing dated Wednesday that stated that the
district's failure to provide a timely report on teachers posed a
"potential risk to student safety."
The state's Commission on Teacher Credentialing suspended Berndt's
credential on Jan. 31, the same day he was arrested and charged with 23
counts of lewd conduct on children. But according to the state code of
regulations and the education code, the superintendent is required to
inform the credentialing commission of Berndt's February 2011 suspension
without pay by mid-March of 2011.
"LAUSD acknowledges that in the case of Mark Berndt, the California
Commission on Teacher Credentialing was not notified within the required
timeline of Berndt’s change in employment status," Deasy said in a
statement issued today. He said the failure to notify in this case "is
contrary to standard district practice."
(●●smf: “Contrary to District practice” is one way of putting it.. The
CTC says “failure to make a report required under this section
constitutes unprofessional conduct” …and assigns responsibility for
mandatory reporting directly to the superintendent. )
Deasy said the district has launched an internal investigation to determine the reasons for the untimely notification.
District spokesman Thomas Waldman said part of the investigation may
entail combing through LAUSD records to determine "if there are any
other cases for which either the district failed to inform in a timely
manner or didn't file a report at all" to the commission. Waldman said
he is not sure how far the district would go back.
According to the state code of regulations and the education code, when
certain actions have been taken against a teacher, such as a dismissal
or suspension without pay for more than 10 days, the superintendent is
required to inform the commission of the change in employment status no
more than 30 days after the action.
Here's Deasy's statement from today:
Yesterday, I was made aware through the media of the existence of a
letter dated February 15, 2012 and addressed to me by the California
Commission on Teacher Credentialing stating that it had concerns about
possible late reporting “of dismissal of credentialed employees while
allegations of misconduct are pending.” LAUSD acknowledges that in the
case of Mark Berndt, the California Commission on Teacher Credentialing
was not notified within the required timeline of Berndt’s change in
employment status. State law requires that school districts report
changes in a teacher’s employment status as a result of allegations of
misconduct within 30 days of the change in employment status. The
failure to timely notify the CTC in this case, is contrary to standard
district practice. I have immediately launched an internal
investigation to determine the reasons for the untimely notice in this
case. After LAUSD was informed by the Sheriff’s Department of Berndt’s
arrest on January
30, 2012, LAUSD notified CTC on January 31,
2012.
LAWMAKERS ADVISED TO GIVE SCHOOLS OPTIONS TO MAKE CUTS IN THE FALL
By Timm Herdt, Ventura County Star | http://bit.ly/zy3BU8
February 16, 2012 at 5:42 p.m —SACRAMENTO :: California lawmakers on
Thursday began to tackle the perplexing problem of how to handle school
funding in a year in which no one will know how much money will be
available until after the next school year has begun.
At the same time, they opened consideration of a proposal by Gov. Jerry
Brown to dramatically and permanently change how state funds are
allocated to local districts.
In his budget proposal, Brown has proposed that $4.8 billion of the
$52.5 billion he seeks in Proposition 98 funding be conditional on
voters' approval of a tax measure in November.
Lawmakers likely will alter the mix of cuts to be triggered if the
measure fails, but agree such triggers must be included in whatever
budget they adopt this summer — and that many of the cuts inevitably
will be in education, the state's biggest single expense.
Rachel Ehlers of the nonpartisan Legislative Analyst's Office told
members of the Senate Budget Committee that lawmakers should consider
giving schools more flexibility as they fashion their budgets for the
2012-13 school year.
Under existing law, school districts must notify employees this spring
if there is a possibility they could be laid off next year, and the
layoffs must be issued by summer.
"Think about a post-election layoff window," Ehlers said, suggesting a
one-time change in law to let districts reduce their workforce next fall
if the tax measure fails. "To the degree that you can offer certainty
that districts will have certain levers they can pull, you can help
avoid layoffs this spring."
Thursday's budget hearing was the first of dozens that lawmakers will
conduct between now and mid-June, their constitutional deadline to
approve a budget for the fiscal year that begins July 1. Ehlers also
suggested, as has the Brown administration, that schools be given the
option of shortening the school year if the tax initiative fails.
Generally, such action can only be taken if it is agreed upon by school
employees through collective bargaining.
Ehlers praised Brown's proposal to eliminate nearly all state
categorical funding to schools — earmarked money that must be spent on
certain programs such as transportation or class-size reduction — and
rolling all those funds into a formula that would allocate money based
on districts' enrollment.
The formula would award more funding per pupil to districts with large
numbers of low-income students and students with limited English
proficiency.
Under a proposal revised by the administration this week, the formula
would be phased in over six years. All districts would be held harmless
for the first year.
Beyond that, acknowledged Nick Schweizer of the Department of Finance, there would be winners and losers under the formula.
"Some districts do better than others, based on the population of students they're serving," he said.
Districts that will experience a significant drop, he said, are those
that now have "extremely high revenue limits, and they've got six years
to adapt their cost structure."
Senate President Pro Tem Darrell Steinberg, D-Sacramento, said Brown's proposal has merit.
"I am favorably inclined to the idea of a weighted student formula," he
said. "The phase-in would allow this to be done without a lot of winners
and losers."
Steinberg said, however, he will insist that a shift to the formula
occur in conjunction with a change in the school accountability system
that would place less weight on standardized test scores and more weight
on other factors.
"We ought to measure high schools not just on test scores, but on how
well they are preparing students for college and careers," he said. "The
two issues need to be matched."
SENATORS: DON’T JAM US ON WEIGHTED FORMULA: Committee likes concept, wants more time
By John Fensterwald - Educated Guess | http://bit.ly/zIh3s8
Feb 17, 2012 :: Senators on the Budget and Fiscal Review Committee
generally praised the rationale and framework of Gov. Brown’s proposal
to overhaul school funding in a four-hour hearing Thursday but
questioned the details, timing, and the disparate financial impacts on
school districts. One message came across clearly: They won’t be rushed
into adopting Brown’s weighted student formula.
“These are worthwhile approaches, but I am troubled we are moving
quickly without knowing the full impact,” said Sen. Alan Lowenthal,
D-Long Beach. He and others called for turning the governor’s budget
item into a full-blown policy bill – code for a two-year process. Brown
wants the changes adopted now, so they can begin to be incorporated in
next year’s budget.
Brown proposes a six-year transition, in which districts would receive a
base amount per student, with substantial extra dollars for every
English learning and low-income student. He would abolish nearly all
categorical programs – funded programs for designated purposes, like
class-size reduction and career technical education – and let districts
spend all of the dollars however they see fit. (Go here to see how the
formula would work.)
Districts with few disadvantaged students would receive little
supplemental money, but the Brown administration is projecting that the
base would rise over six years from $4,920 to about $7,000 as additional
revenue from a revived economy flows into Proposition 98. Districts
with large numbers of targeted kids could get $3,000 to $5,000 per
student in addition to the base.
Extra funding for disadvantaged students is “the right, just, and
morally responsible approach for the youth of California,” testified Los
Angeles Unified Superintendent John Deasy, for it recognizes that
program costs for English learners and low-income students are higher.
And adding even more money to districts with concentrations of poverty
is necessary, Deasy said, “to break the cycle of poverty.”’
PLAN NEEDS MORE WORK
But Deasy also had plenty of suggestions for changing the weighted
student funding formula. His and others’ criticisms included the
following areas:
WHAT DOES “HOLD HARMLESS” MEAN? Brown wants to start slowly,
redistributing 5 percent of the weighted formula to poor districts next
year. He’d guarantee that no district would get less money than they get
now – but only for next year. Beyond that, when the formula really
kicks in (15 percent in 2013-14, 40 percent in 2014-15), he’d count on
new Prop 98 money to make the “loser” districts whole.
But, said Sen. Joe Simitian, D-Palo Alto, “we are struggling to get
revenue projections over the next six months, not to mention the next
six years. Six years ago (budget estimates) were projecting growth of
$1,000 per pupil. We are rather wide of that mark …” he said with
understatement.
Brown is starting with a low base of $4,920, with no assurance that all
districts would restore money lost since 2008 by the time the formula is
fully phased in. But Nick Schweizer, budget manager for education with
the Department of Finance, said that Prop 98 revenues should be enough
to cover nearly all districts’ yearly COLAs. If revenues fell short, the
administration would adjust the formula.
FORMULA ADJUSTMENTS: Elementary, unified, and high school districts
currently receive different funding allocations per grade out of
recognition that older students, who need to take labs, are more
expensive to educate. Brown’s weighted formula doesn’t differentiate by
grade, although Schweizer said the administration would consider a
change.
Schweizer was less open to the idea of a regional cost adjustment, which
Simitian and Committee Chairman Mark Leno, D-San Francisco, pushed. A
2008 version of a weighted student formula, co-authored by current
President of the State Board of Education Michael Kirst, did include a
regional cost of living factor. Since 85 percent of a district’s budget
goes to personnel, regional costs of living are a huge factor for
districts in high-cost areas, Simitian said. Heather Rose, an associate
professor at the University of California-Davis, and co-author of a 2008
study on California funding formulas, reinforced that, telling the
Budget Committee that overall wages in Santa Clara County were 54
percent higher than in the North Coast and 32 percent higher for
teachers, reflecting a need to compete in the local marketplace.
Schweizer said that low-cost rural regions have complicating factors,
too, like high busing expenses; determining which factors affect regions
is complicated. That prompted Leno to remark, “Just because you don’t
know, you should not ignore, throw up your hands and say you cannot deal
with the complexity.”
Busing students to school is currently a $500 million categorical
program. Brown would preserve it one more year, then throw it into the
mix, along with other categoricals. Districts without large numbers of
poor students would lose most of the funding. Both Deasy, an urban
superintendent, and Sen. Noreen Evans, who represents rural Northern
California, oppose that idea. Busing is “fundamental to students’ civil
rights and access to school,” Deasy said.
ACCOUNTABILITY QUESTION: Brown would impose no requirements on how
districts spent the extra dollars for disadvantaged students. He is
proposing to hold districts accountable for results, and has charged the
State Board of Education to come up with new measures, beyond state
standardized test scores, within the next year. Schweizer said that
districts that raise achievement and meet targets would get 2.5 percent
funding rewards, starting in 2013-14.
But some senators and the Legislative Analyst’s Office were
uncomfortable with adopting a formula without new accountability
measures in place. “I’m not comfortable with the existing accountability
system to know how we are doing. This makes me very nervous,” said Sen.
Lois Wolk, a Democrat from Davis.
Rachel Ehlers, who analyzes education for the nonpartisan Legislative
Analyst, testified that district progress is particularly difficult to
measure with English learners, because higher performing English
learners are reclassified, only to be replaced with new
non-English-speaking immigrants. Tracking individuals with the use of
CALPADS, the new statewide database, will help eventually. Meanwhile,
“we have a ways to go on oversight before turning (total flexibility)
over to districts.”
HYBRID MODEL: Concerned that simply giving districts more dollars for
disadvantaged children won’t ensure that they’ll be spent on them, the
LAO recommends that the Legislature consider block grants, which allow
discretion over money for broad purposes with audits and public hearings
to ensure the intent is followed. Assemblymember Julia Brownley, who
chairs the Assembly Education Committee, takes this approach, using
different weights, in AB 18, a weighted formula bill she’s been working
on for a year. Besides a basic all-purpose amount, the bill would have a
block grant for teacher training and development and an equity fund,
directing dollars to English learners and low-income children. Brownley
would consider setting aside money for adult and career technical
education.
At the hearing, a dozen Oakland high school students called for
accountability for money that should be spent on them. Their escort,
Katie Valenzuela, with Public Advocates, said enforcement should be in
place before a weighted formula is enacted. “Needs-based funding does
not make sense unless it meets students’ needs,” she said.
GAMING THE SYSTEM: Giving premiums for English language learners creates
incentives to overclassify children, who already comprise a quarter of
the state’s students, and then not strive to move them along quickly to
fluency. “Will you be an English language learner forever?” asked Sen.
Jean Fuller, a Republican from Bakersfield and former school
superintendent. “The weakness of the model is that there is no real
defined exit and incentive for exit.”
In a comment in yesterday’s post, Rob Manwaring, who was a consultant
for Gov. Schwarzenegger’s Committee on Education Excellence, noted that
the Committee “proposed phasing out the funding for English learners
after four years of funding with a full phase-out after six years as an
EL student. This type of approach would counter any incentive to not
redesignate EL students.” Since three-quarters of English language
learners (the latest figure, according to Schweizer) are also
low-income, they’d be covered by the formula anyway.
HIGHLIGHTS, LOWLIGHTS & THE NEWS THAT DOESN'T
FIT: The Rest (but not neccessariily the best) of the Stories from Other
Sources
L.A.’s TRUANCY TROUBLE – A FRESH LOOK: Hefty tickets
for students who are late or ditch school are counterproduc... http://bit.ly/xJ34Lx
Letter to the Editor: TEACH IT TOO: from LA Times | 19 Feb 2012 |lat.ms/yvf7rb Re "LAUSD puts off budget... http://bit.ly/yuVuIA
An Op-Ed Appeal from a Redistricting Commissioner: LAUSD REDISTRICTING COMMISSION NEEDS TO HEAR FROM YOU!: By Li... http://bit.ly/wYl0w7
SAVE ADULT ED: Funding for K-12 must come first but adult education classes provide benefits that can't be ignor... http://bit.ly/zpkdm8
GENEROUS BEQUEST OF NEARLY $392,000 LIFTS SPIRITS AT PACOIMA MIDDLE SCHOOL: By Melissa Pamer, Daily News, Los An... http://bit.ly/yDreiT
LAUSD SUPT. JOHN DEASY ADDRESSES MIRAMONTE SEX ABUSE ALLEGATIONS + LA TIMES CORRECTS INCORRECT REPORTING: Rick R... http://bit.ly/yvmkNE
Deasy: MIRAMONTE PROBE COMPLETE; ALL STAFF EXCEPT THE TWO ACCUSED CAN RETURN.: smf: So many investigations, so l... http://bit.ly/yAUMbD
WHAT’S NEW AT THE PTA, DAD? -Men Shift the Dynamics of a Changing Organization: By KYLE SPENCER/The New York Tim... http://bit.ly/wpMaoa
SANTORUM + PUBLIC EDUCATION: The backstory: smf: (in)apropos of the previous RICK SANTORUM SUGGESTS OPPOSITION T... http://bit.ly/x9bcXO
“Unprofessional Conduct”: LAUSD’S FAILURE TO NOTIFY SACAMENTO OF MIRAMONTE TEACHER’S DISMISSAL COULD RESULT IN S... http://bit.ly/zq3Jr6
16 Feb Scott Folsom Scott Folsom @4LAKids
LAUSD (was) SET TO CUT BEYOND THE BELL AFTER-SCHOOL PROGRAMS: By Barbara Jones, Staff Writer LA Daily News | htt... http://bit.ly/AmYkF0
What Oversight?: D.A., L.A. COMMUNITY COLLEGE DISTRICT PROBE ALLEGED IMPROPRIETIES AT TRADE-TECH COLLEGE FOUNDAT... http://bit.ly/yTi5ka
LOS ANGELES SCHOOL DISTRICT CONTINUES TO LANGUISH UNDER UNENDING BUDGET CRISIS: Gabriel Lerner : Senior News Edi... http://bit.ly/wgyAHa
@4LAKidsTWEET: student at CA Senate Budget&Fiscal Review Commiittee:
"I go to an arts high school that doesn't have any arts." |
calchannel.com/channel/live/
RICK SANTORUM SUGGESTS OPPOSITION TO PUBLIC EDUCATION: Some scary thinking + a scary picture!: By Brian Montopol... http://bit.ly/zMrxTd
@4LAKidsTWEET: re: Budget&Fiscal Review Commiittee: Corona supe:
"Not one student will be helped by weighted formula unless there's more
money."
LAUSD OFFERS MAPS OF NEW BOARD MEMBER’S DISTRICTS: By Barbara Jones, Staff Writer, Daily News | http://bit.ly... http://bit.ly/x0Gqsg
Full coverage: LAUSD’s VALENTINES DAY MASSACRE AVERTED …or postponed?: from google news LAUSD Budget Cuts: Matt... http://bit.ly/wzogLS
LAUSD reform -- MIRAMONTE SCANDAL IS OPPORTUNITY TO CHANGE THE SYSTEM FOR THE BETTER: Long Beach Press Telegram ... http://bit.ly/zDP2Xu
STUDENT’S BUSES SECURED ONLY FOR REST OF SEMESTER: By Tim Smirnov and Rosie Somoundjian, The Pearl Post / Daniel... http://bit.ly/zxh5q8
MERIT PAY: ‘It doesn’t work’ + NYC wastes $5.7 Million in Principal Bonuses – including to some at most selectiv... http://bit.ly/zTRX3s
New Mexico is the 11th state to receive flexibility from NCLB #edflex go.usa.gov/QsH
Retweeted by Scott Folsom@4LAKids
NCLB IN THE REAR VIEW MIRROR: WAIVING GOODBYE!: A Cheat Sheet –or- What the judges liked+What they didn’t: NCLB ... http://bit.ly/zVo990
Video: COUNCILMAN GARCETTI SPEAKS TO THE BOARD OF ED ON THE CRITICAL IMPORTANCE OF ADULT EDUCATION: Feb 14, 2012 http://bit.ly/y0OH32
LAUSD BOARD POSTPONES VOTE ON $557 MILLION CUT TO ADULT ED, PRESCHOOL, ART AS HUNDREDS PROTEST + addl. coverage:... http://bit.ly/yifQux
@4LAKidsTweet from Feb 14th LAUSD Bd Mtg: Zimmer ammendment passes. Clock is tickintg until….
@4LAKidsTweet from Feb 14th LAUSD Bd Mtg: Marguerite Lamotte: "The arts save lives."
@4LAKidsTweet from Feb 14th LAUSD Bd Mtg: Debby Allen: cutting arts drops atomic bomb on public ed.
@4LAKidsTweet from Feb 14th LAUSD Bd Mtg: Zimmer offers ammendment to stay the cuts & RIFs until March 15
FWD: @UTLAnow: The street in front of lausd hq has just been closed. Marchers have jammed the streets. twitpic.com/8jzwjk
View photo
FWD: @UTLAnow: Inside the board, multiple speakers making crystal clear arguments to save the vital programs at their schools.
@4LAKidsTweet from Feb 14th LAUSD Bd Mtg: Rita Walters offers a stirring defense of adult ed
@4LAKidsTweet from Feb 14th LAUSD Bd Mtg: Dr V and Zimmer will offer budget solution @ LAUSD board mtg
@4LAKidsTweet from Feb 14th LAUSD Bd Mtg: Rumor has it today's LAUSD
budget crisis gets resolved deus ex machina through intervention by Gov
Brown. Stay tuned.
Reports: FREMONT HIGH SCHOOL TEACHER AIDE ARRESTED FOR LEWD ACTS WITH A
CHILD: Feb 14 | 6:49 a.m. | By KPCC & wi... tinyurl.com/6n7ga9l
Tom Torlakson to Superintendents and School Board Asso: PLEASE DON’T ELIMINATE ADULT ED: http://bit.ly/wc7qMv
SHERIFF BACA, A YEAR AFTER THE FACT: “Dear Miramonte School Student Parents and.or Guardians:” + How fear of dep... http://bit.ly/xoKOKB
MICELLE RHEE + MAYOR TONY ON “LISTENING TOUR” OF LOS ANGELES: …get an earful of ®eform at a location to be named... http://bit.ly/AaJker
The Valentines Day Massacre: SOUTH GATE ADULT COMMUNITY SCHOOL WORRIES ABOUT FUNDING | PREOCUPACIONES EMERGEN S... http://bit.ly/zATAOT
[More about] The Valentines Day Massacre: THE OPTIONS PROGRAM and EARLY CHILDHOOD ED: Associated Administrators ... http://bit.ly/whBUHw
In California: PRIVATE EFFORTS TO KEEP EXERCISE IN PUBLIC SCHOOL CURRICULUM: By KATHARINE MIESZKOWSKI | NY Times... http://bit.ly/wmvY7x
ABUSE CASES: By Barbara Jones, Staff Writ... http://bit.ly/yGZUIy
EVENTS: Coming up next week...
LAUSD REDISTRICTING COMMISSION COMMUNITY MEETINGS
• BOARD DISTRICTS 2, 5 & 7
MONDAY FEB 20TH, 1PM
PRESIDENT’S DAY HOLIDAY
HOLLENBECK MIDDLE SCHOOL AUDITORIUM
2510 EAST 6TH ST.
map: http://g.co/maps/r62ar
• BOARD DISTRICTS 1 & 4
TUESDAY FEB 21TH, 6PM
HAMILTON HIGH SCHOOL AUDITORIUM
2955 SOUTH ROBERTSON BLVD
90034
• BOARD DISTRICTS 3 & 6
TUESDAY FEB 21TH, 6PM
SEPULVEDA MIDDLE SCHOOL AUDITORIUM
15330 PLUMMER ST.
91343
• • SPECIAL MEETING:
PRESENTATION AND ADOPTION OF FINAL MAP
THURSDAY FEB 23, 6PM
BEAUDRY BOARD ROOM
333 S. BEAUDRY
90017
Childcare and Refreshments will be provided
*Dates and times subject to change. ________________________________________
• SCHOOL CONSTRUCTION BOND OVERSIGHT COMMITTEE:
http://www.laschools.org/bond/
Phone: 213-241-5183
____________________________________________________
• LAUSD FACILITIES COMMUNITY OUTREACH CALENDAR:
http://www.laschools.org/happenings/
Phone: 213-241.8700
What can YOU do?
• E-mail, call or write your school board member:
Tamar.Galatzan@lausd.net • 213-241-6386
Monica.Garcia@lausd.net • 213-241-6180
Bennett.Kayser@lausd.net • 213-241-5555
Marguerite.LaMotte@lausd.net • 213-241-6382
Nury.Martinez@lausd.net • 213-241-6388
Richard.Vladovic@lausd.net • 213-241-6385
Steve.Zimmer@lausd.net • 213-241-6387
...or your city councilperson, mayor, the governor, member of congress,
senator - or the president. Tell them what you really think! • Find
your state legislator based on your home address. Just go to: http://bit.ly/dqFdq2 • There are 26 mayors and five county supervisors representing jurisdictions within LAUSD, the mayor of LA can be reached at mayor@lacity.org • 213.978.0600
• Call or e-mail Governor Brown: 213-897-0322 e-mail: http://www.govmail.ca.gov/
• Open the dialogue. Write a letter to the editor. Circulate these
thoughts. Talk to the principal and teachers at your local school.
• Speak with your friends, neighbors and coworkers. Stay on top of education issues. Don't take my word for it!
• Get involved at your neighborhood school. Join your PTA. Serve on a School Site Council. Be there for a child.
• If you are eligible to become a citizen, BECOME ONE.
• If you a a citizen, REGISTER TO VOTE.
• If you are registered, VOTE LIKE THE FUTURE DEPENDS ON IT. THEY DO!.
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