Written by By TRIP GABRIEL for The New York Times

The staff of Normandy Crossing Elementary School outside Houston eagerly awaited the results of state achievement tests this spring. For the principal and assistant principal, high scores could buoy their careers at a time when success is increasingly measured by such tests. For fifth-grade math and science teachers, the rewards were more tangible: a bonus of $2,850.

But when the results came back, some seemed too good to be true. Indeed, after an investigation by the Galena Park Independent School District, the principal, assistant principal and three teachers resigned May 24 in a scandal over test tampering.

The district said the educators had distributed a detailed study guide after stealing a look at the state science test by “tubing” it — squeezing a test booklet, without breaking its paper seal, to form an open tube so that questions inside could be seen and used in the guide. The district invalidated students’ scores.

Of all the forms of academic cheating, none may be... http://www.nytimes.com/2010/06/11/education/11cheat.html

In perhaps the President Obama's most stealth campaign to date, the federal government has been slowly tightening its grip on the education sector to little fanfare. Rather than working through the democratic legislative process, this Administration has circumvented Congress to enact an ill-conceived education agenda that will weaken accountability, reduce transparency and minimize choice while only adding to the national deficit.

For close to four decades, the... http://blog.heritage.org/2010/06/11/morning-bell-prolonging-educations-r...

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SACRAMENTO – State Superintendent of Public Instruction Jack O’Connell today released the results of a survey of local educational agencies (LEAs) to find out how state budget cuts to public education are affecting them. O’Connell held a news conference in the Natomas Unified School District in Sacramento County where all eight elementary school libraries were shut down to close a budget gap. The survey results are attached.

“The survey results make clear that school administrators are making heartrending decisions to balance their dwindling budgets while trying valiantly to keep students’ best interests in mind,” said O’Connell. “Sixty-five percent of districts that responded to this survey made cuts to building and school grounds maintenance, 58 percent cut funding for instructional materials, and 58 percent reduced funding for district administration. Forty percent of respondents have reduced the number of teachers; reduced or eliminated summer school; increased class sizes; and cut art and music classes, closed libraries, eliminated school nurse positions, and canceled sports programs.

“These deep cuts to our schools were made even though the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act provided critical funds to save education jobs last year. These funds are now running out, and our state budget picture continues to look bleak. In the Governor’s May Revise, he proposes another $1.5 billion in general-purpose funding cuts that will exacerbate the current annihilation of services to students.

“Our public education system is in crisis. These cuts hurt students and hurt California’s future economic viability. I call on the Governor and the Legislature to show the courage and leadership needed to find a budget solution that puts students first and protects our schools from further cuts.”

The California Department of Education launched CONTINUED »

The Band Uniform Account is growing. To speed this up, the Band Booster group announced the launch of two thousand $10 dollar bills in 2010! Contributions will be accepted any time. As various benchmarks are reached toward the $20,000 goal (2000 x $10), contributors names will be drawn for prizes. Watch for locations where donations can be made at several businesses around town. Our goal is to have our band in new uniforms for next year’s Christmas Parade.If every family in Fillmore and Piru contributes $10 in 2010 we can do it!

The ASB class at Fillmore High gave a generous donation so we are able to have breakfast at El Pescador. The buses will arrive at 6am. and breakfast will be served. The students may park their cars at El Pescador parking lot overnight - the police will watch. Parents may pick their student up at any time. We filled 3 buses (165 students), we were given $600 for the Magician, and Element Computers have donated the 'Senior Gift'. So it’s READY-SET-GO for the Class 2010. With all your help, fund raisers and special donations we made it. Thank you so much.
Mrs. Chaney and the Grad Nite Live committees

California State University Channel Islands

Camarillo, CA., June 7, 2010 – CSU Channel Islands (CI) received a $354,978 grant from the National Science Foundation to establish the CI summer Research Experience for Undergraduates (REU).

Each summer the REU program will allow a group of 12 undergraduate students research experience and the program is funded for three years. Students will work with four faculty members as they explore the world of mathematical research in an 8-week residential summer program. They will have the added benefit of cooperating with the faculty and students of the Universidad Autónomo del Estado de Hidalgo in Mexico.

The REU program is targeted for students who might not otherwise have considered mathematics as a career choice and has a special focus on students from under-represented groups, women and minorities and a special emphasis on students who are Spanish speaking or are first generation college students.

Dr. Cynthia Wyels, Associate Professor of Mathematics said that, “Our primary goal for student participants is to conduct original mathematical research leading to publication. We wish to raise students’ level of mathematical maturity and confidence while fostering an enthusiasm for mathematics.” The mission of the National Science Foundation in awarding the grant is to support activities that integrate research and learning and stimulate and prepare students to consider a career in Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM).

Students will have a chance to work closely with faculty mentors on an original research project and to present their research at a conference. They will be housed in Anacapa Village in Camarillo. In developing a learning community, students will develop confidence to succeed in ongoing mathematical studies.

Dr. Sadiq Shah, Associate Vice President for Research and Sponsored Programs, stated, “These are very competitive awards and this grant award is a validation of the creative talent of our faculty at CSU Channel Islands and the faculty commitment to engage students in innovative research experiences.”

For further information on the REU program please contact Dr. Shah at sadiq.shah@csuci.edu.

CSU Channel Islands is accredited by the Accrediting Commission for Senior Colleges and Universities of the Western Association of Schools and Colleges.

CI Mission Statement
Placing students at the center of the educational experience, California State University Channel Islands provides undergraduate and graduate education that facilitates learning within and across disciplines through integrative approaches, emphasizes experiential and service learning, and graduates students with multicultural and international perspectives.

Fillmore Unified School District

FILLMORE UNIFIED SCHOOL DISTRICT
SPECIAL MEETING OF THE BOARD OF EDUCATION
THURSDAY, JUNE 3, 2010
6:00 P.M. – CLOSED SESSION
7:00 P.M. – SPECIAL BOARD MEETING
627 SESPE AVENUE, FILLMORE, CALIFORNIA

AGENDA
The public may review or request a copy of support materials provided to the Board Members where the word materials appears.
6:00 p.m.
I. CALL TO ORDER AND PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE TO THE FLAG
II. ROLL CALL
III. PUBLIC COMMENT ON CLOSED SESSION AND NONAGENDA ITEMS,
PETITIONS
This is the time and place to address the Board. State law prohibits the Board from acting on issues not included on the agenda; however, requests may be made for discussion of specific topics at subsequent meetings.
IV. CLOSED SESSION
The Board of Education will meet CONTINUED »

Fillmore Educators Jennifer Beal, Fillmore Middle School; Ann Wade, Fillmore Middle School, and Pam Leonard, Mt Vista Elementary School were recently hosted as awardees at the California Teachers Association /NEA Channel Islands Service Center Council Awards Banquet.

Jennifer Beal, a long time History and Yearbook Teacher at FMS and also a History Teacher at Moorpark Junior College received the WHO Award. Jennifer was recognized for her outstanding Fillmore Unified Teachers Association (FUTA) Union Representation, Grievance Chair, Bargaining Chair and Elections Chair work. Jennifer is methodical in thinking a problem through using the contract as the basis for decision making.

Jennifer was presented the WHO Award by the FUTA President and Fillmore High School Teacher, Theresa Marvel who noted that Ms. Beal was a President's dream as she is willing to step forward and lend a helping hand. Jennifer, Theresa shared, is a stickler for detail and following through with the task at hand.

Ann Wade who is a FHS Graduate and a Language Arts Teacher at FMS. Ann was recognized for her outstanding FUTA service as the Union Secretary and a member of the Bargaining Team.

Ann was presented the WHO Award by CONTINUED »

THOUSAND OAKS, Calif. – June 1, 2010 - Master teachers from the Folger Shakespeare Library of Washington, D.C., will lead workshops for third- through 12th-grade teachers at California Lutheran University in Thousand Oaks in August.

A session for elementary school teachers will be held from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Thursday, Aug. 5. A workshop for middle and high school teachers is slated from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Friday, Aug. 6.

Hosted by the Kingsmen Shakespeare Company and the CLU School of Education, the interactive Shakespeare Set Free workshops will provide an interdisciplinary text-based and performance-based approach to teaching students of all abilities. Based on the innovative “Shakespeare Set Free” book series, the workshops draw from the student festivals held for the past 25 years at the Folger Shakespeare Library, the repository of the world’s largest collection of the Bard’s works.

The program is based on the tenets that the best way for students to learn Shakespeare is by performing and that all students can study and enjoy his works. Teachers who have participated in the workshops have created festivals and other performance opportunities for students throughout the country.

Each session is limited to 30 teachers.

This is the first time the Folger workshops have been offered at CLU.

The $115 fee covers the workshop, lunch, a ticket to one of the Kingsmen Shakespeare Festival 2010 shows and a tool kit. The kit includes lesson plans, techniques for introducing Shakespeare’s language, activity ideas and a DVD. The Kingsmen Shakespeare Company, the professional theatre company of CLU, is presenting “The Comedy of Errors” and “The Winter’s Tale” in July and August.

To register for the workshops, go to http://www.kingsmenshakespeare.org. For more information, call (805) 493-3014.

Fillmore Unified School District

FILLMORE UNIFIED SCHOOL DISTRICT
REGULAR MEETING OF THE BOARD OF EDUCATION
TUESDAY, JUNE 1, 2010
5:15 P.M. – CLOSED SESSION
6:00 P.M. - REGULAR MEETING
627 SESPE AVENUE, FILLMORE, CALIFORNIA

AGENDA
The public may review or request a copy of support materials provided to the Board Members where the word materials appears.

5:15 p.m.
I. CALL TO ORDER AND PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE TO THE FLAG
II. ROLL CALL
III. PUBLIC COMMENT ON CLOSED SESSION AND NONAGENDA ITEMS, PETITIONS
This is the time and place to address the Board. State law prohibits the Board from acting on issues not included on the agenda; however, requests may be made for discussion of specific topics at subsequent meetings.
IV. CLOSED SESSION
The Board of Education will meet CONTINUED »

Fillmore High School in collaboration with the Fillmore Fire Department offer students the opportunity to intern with the Fillmore Fire Department during the school year to gain some knowledge and understanding of the profession. In order for Fillmore High School students to participate in the program, which is overseen by Isela Larin, College and Career Technician, students must follow certain guidelines. Kelly Bullard, Kyle DeZavala, Tate Suttle, and Anthony Ventura were the cadets for the 2009-2010 school year.