Just Not There
A recent study of New York public schools found that 20% of elementary school students missed more than a month of school last year. That's a simply mind-boggling statistic. When compounded with the fact that this high level of absenteeism is concentrated mostly in underserved areas of the city it spells bad news for those kids. The city is placing the blame on school principals and there may even be some truth in that. But the real blame lies closer to home. Read more at http://teachthemoment.blogspot.com/2008/10/just-not-there.html
AZ School Works Announces 2008 Endorsed School Board Candidates
AZ School Works, a non-profit community-based PAC group comprised of educators, community leaders and parents, announces its first list of school board candidate endorsements since its official launch in May 2008. AZ School Works is a web-based "education policy watchdog" that updates voters on legislation impacting education. The PAC also works to elect candidates committed to reforming and strengthening Arizona's public schools.
Jason Williams, Founder and Chairman for AZ School Works, who was also the 2006 Democratic Nominee for State Superintendent of Public Instruction states, "I am excited to announce our officially endorsed governing board candidates for 2008. AZ School Works' endorsement does not come lightly, and only the most committed and proven public school advocates receive our support."
AZ School Works 2008 Endorsed School Board Candidates:
Robin Stamp, Madison Elementary School District
Aaron Jahneke, Washington School District
Sherri Connell and Rochelle Wells, Tempe Elementary School District
Magdalena Barajas, Sunnyside Unified School District
Matt Jewett and Carl Zaragoza, Creighton Elementary School District
Lela Alston and Steve Gallardo, Phoenix Union High School District
Ann Huberman-Arnaud, Glendale Elementary School District
Zita Johnson, Tempe Union High School District
Norma Munoz, Roosevelt Elementary School District
Paige Frenkel, Scottsdale Unified School District
Theresa Martinez, Osborn Elementary School District
Mark Stegeman, Tucson Unified School District
Virgel Cain, Cave Creek Unified School District
Profiles of the candidates, and additional information about AZ School Works, can be found at: www.azschoolworks.org.
Austin school tax rate triggers referendum
Kathleen_Reynolds | | 
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http://www.statesman.com/news/content/news/stories/local/08/26/0826ausschooltax.html
Increase means voters will decide on pay raises.
By Molly Bloom
AMERICAN-STATESMAN STAFF
Tuesday, August 26, 2008
Austin residents will head to the polls in November to vote on raising the school district property tax rate by 3.9 cents.
On Monday night, the school board unanimously approved an operations tax rate of $1.079 per $100 of assessed property value for the 2008-09 budget, automatically prompting the referendum.
The district's current operations tax rate is $1.04 per $100 of assessed value, the highest rate that can be set under state law without voter approval. Including the debt portion of the tax rate, the overall school tax, if approved by voters, would be $1.202. The tax bill would be $2,805 for the average home, valued this year at $233,324 after exemptions. That is $343 more than last year, when the average home value was $211,720.
"We sought to strike a reasonable balance," district Superintendent Pat Forgione said of the budget.
If voters in November reject the increase, the operations tax rate will roll back to $1.04.
That would eliminate proposed salary increases for school employees.
austin, tax, school, teacher pay (all tags)
The Politics Game
Politics. That's what they say the problem is here in Illinois - politics. That's why our all-Democratic government (yes, that's right - House, Senate, Governor, and even Mayor of Chicago) couldn't pass a budget last year, and the Chicago Transit Authority (CTA) was on the brink of unthinkable rate hikes. Politics is why government workers almost didn't receive paychecks, had it not been for an emergency congressional resulting in temporary budget solutions. Oh, politics. What a game.
Unfortunately, this "game" has far-reaching effects throughout the state that border the unconscionable. Education is a primary example. The issue of school funding in Illinois, in particular, has become a personal one for me. Many teachers and parents are unaware, as was I, that Illinois ranks almost last (49th) in the nation in per-pupil funding equity. This is chiefly due to property-tax-based school funding, which results in the most under-resourced students receiving the least amount of resources. I see this play out every day in my kindergarten classroom as I struggle to get my students the resources and services they need, such as school supplies and adequate special education services. For my students and their families and the obstacles they face due to poverty, this is certainly no game.
During my first year of Teach For America (2006-2007), I was fortunate enough to come across a community organizing group called Public Action for Change Today (PACT), an affiliate of the world-renowned Industrial Areas Foundation (IAF). PACT is a cross-race, cross cultural organization focused on giving young adults a chance to act on issues they are passionate about. Seeing the ills of our state government playing out in my classroom was reason enough for me to get involved around the issue of school funding reform, and that is just what I did. In May 2007, I served as a leader and organizer of a student lobby day to Springfield, Illinois. During this trip, 400 students, parents and teachers participated in a student-led rally at the state capitol and proceeded to storm the offices of their state legislators to speak with them about the importance of school funding reform in our state. The day commenced with the Illinois Congressional Assembly recognizing the students as they watched from the balcony of the legislative chambers, all wearing t-shirts stating "I am the reason." As a result of our efforts, PACT was named Chicago Public Schools Community Partner of the Year.
Now it is 2008, and the situation remains the same. Nepotistic allegiances and personal grudges continue to prevent our state legislators from agreeing on things, and the conditions and funding of our schools has not changed. In order to continue to communicate to the folks in Springfield that we aren't going to let this issue rest, PACT has partnered with Chicago Public Schools, Mikva, and A+ Illinois to carry out a large-scale effort in support of school funding reform. Throughout April and May, we are sending down busload after busload of students to speak with their legislators about the issue and build a presence down-state. Through this student-centered action, we will demonstrate our commitment to reform and provide students with a transformative experience that they will never forget.
We are still looking for interested TFA teachers and alumni in the Chicago area to lead students on these trips. Teachers will attend one short training and receive a stipend from CPS for their participation. If you are interested, please contact me at joshua.j.dickson@gmail.com.
Change will not come on its own.