Dodd bill aims to combat fake news
PBS series covers education issues
Assembly Speaker Anthony Rendon , D-Paramount , has announced the launch of the Speaker ’ s Blue Ribbon Commission on Early Childhood Education . The commission ’ s goal is to develop solutions to improve results for California ’ s youngest learners and their families .
“ Our successful future is built on a tiny foundation ,” Rendon said . “ Our youngest children are learning even before they start school and that learning is the basis of their entire educational success . Their success is our success .”
Rendon said he was first spurred to run for public office when the state slashed over $ 1 billion from early learning programs during the Great Recession , including to Plaza de la Raza Child Development Services , the nonprofit he served as executive director of . In the first budget he negotiated as Speaker in 2016 , Rendon and the Legislative Women ’ s Caucus secured $ 530 million in additional funding for early education . Despite these recent investments , the early childhood education system still struggles with inadequate funding .
“ This commission is a bipartisan effort to do the hard work of figuring out how we can support children and families at those early developmental stages ,” Rendon added . “ We want this to be something that will take the discussion away from the budget wrangles where someone has to lose for you to win . It ’ s important that we all win on this one .”
The commission will be tasked with identifying ways to create a more sustainable early learning system and update an outdated funding plan that has been unable to meet the demand for child care access in California . The commission will enable the Assembly to find ways to improve the state ’ s early learning system , and realize those improvements through policy and budget decisions .
The commission will be co-chaired by Assembly members Cristina Garcia ( D-Bell Gardens ) and Kevin McCarty ( D-Sacramento ). Also serving on the commission will be Assembly members Brian Maienschein ( R-San Diego ), Blanca Rubio ( D-Baldwin Park ), Phil Ting ( D-San Francisco ), and Marie Waldron ( R-Escondido ).
AB 165
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The passage of CalECPA changed the landscape for schools . AB 165 seeks to provide a limited exemption of the act for LEAs . Currently , ACSA is in talks with
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Assembly Speaker Rendon launches Blue Ribbon Commission on Early Childhood Education
“ We know long-term change is needed for childcare . Whether it ’ s access or the workforce that provides care and delivery , I am ready for the challenge and hopeful for our results ,” Garcia said . “ Childcare remains an important issue not just for me , the Women ’ s Caucus , or families – but for employers and employees alike – as it affects the future of our workforce . I ’ m ready for the work ahead of us .”
“ As a longtime advocate for early childhood education , I am honored to serve on Speaker Rendon ’ s Blue Ribbon Commission on Early Childhood Education ,” McCarty said . “ As chair of the Assembly Budget Subcommittee on Education Finance , I am excited to work with leaders from across the state who are committed to ensuring that all of California ’ s children are given the necessary resources and opportunities to succeed .”
The commission will also benefit from nine community members who will bring educational expertise , parental perspectives , and the knowledge of community agencies and frontline providers .
Upon the conclusion of a series of hearings throughout the state , the commission will issue a report that will outline policy recommendations for the legislature to consider . The commission will hold its first hearing in the coming month . List of community commissioners : Parvin Ahmadi , superintendent and ACSA member , Castro Valley ; Michael Olenick , president and CEO , Child Care Resource Center ; Nina Buthee , executive director , CA Child Development Administrators Association ; Deborah Kong , director , Early Edge California ; Celia Ayala , senior advisor , L . A . Universal Preschool ; Tonia McMillian , SEIU Local 99 member and child care provider ; Mary Ignatius , statewide organizer , Parent Voices ; Jacquelyn McCroskey , professor of Child Welfare at USC ; and Sonia Campos-Rivera , director of Education Policy and Public Affairs , L . A . Area Chamber of Commerce .
Website of the Speaker ’ s Blue Ribbon Commission on Early Childhood Education : https :// speaker . asmdc . org / blueribbon-commission-early-childhood-education .
Report calls on states to strengthen teacher evaluations
A report from the National Council on Teacher Quality shows that since 2009 , the number of states requiring school districts to utilize evidence of student learning as at least a significant part of teacher evaluations has grown to 30 states .
But , rules or guidance in 28 of these 30 states allow a teacher to obtain a summative rating of effective despite earning a low , or in some states even the lowest , score on the student growth portion of their evaluation . As the NCTQ report notes , this finding is contrary to the reasons many states initially passed laws requiring that teacher evaluations include student growth as a significant or preponderant factor . As a result , most states still label nearly all teachers effective .
The report , “ Running in Place : How New Teacher Evaluations Fail to Live Up to Promises ”, shows how regulations and guidance from state educational agencies allow schools to continue to rate nearly all teachers effective .
Even if teachers receive the lowest possible score on their ability to increase student learning , they can still earn a rating of effective in 16 states . Two more states allow teachers who receive the second lowest score on the student growth component of their evaluation to earn an overall rating of effective or higher . Another 10 states leave scoring up to districts to determine . According to the report , California declined to respond to the NCTQ analysis .
The report calls on states to strengthen their current evaluation policies , and issues the following recommendations :
To create more meaningful teacher evaluation systems , states should consider the following :
1 . Establish policies that preclude teachers from earning a label of effective if they are found ineffective at increasing student learning .
Regardless of how the state chooses to objectively measure teachers ’ ability to raise student achievement , it should not allow teachers to be rated effective without demonstrating their ability to advance student learning and performance . At a minimum , states should ensure that teachers cannot receive a summative rating of effective if they receive the lowest possible score on the student growth portion of their evaluation .
As states develop and prepare to implement their plans under ESSA , states have an opportunity to ensure that a teacher ’ s contribution to student growth has a meaningful impact on his or her summative evaluation .
2 . Track the results of discrete components within evaluation systems , both statewide and districtwide . In districts where student growth measures and observation measures are significantly out of alignment , states should reevaluate their systems and / or offer districts technical assistance .
To ensure that evaluation ratings better reflect teacher performance , states should track the results of each evaluation measure to pinpoint where misalignment between components , such as between student learning and observation measures , exists . Where major components within an evaluation system are significantly misaligned , states should examine their systems and offer districts technical assistance where needed , whether through observation training or examining student growth models or calculations .
The report concludes that objective measures of student learning have value in
Dodd bill aims to combat fake news
State Sen . Bill Dodd , D-Napa , recently introduced Senate Bill 135 to incorporate media literacy education into school curriculums . Dodd ’ s website defines media literacy as the ability to analyze and evaluate information consumed from various media outlets such as websites , social networking sites , television , and radio .
“ The rise of fake and misleading news is deeply concerning . Even more concerning is the lack of education provided to ensure people can distinguish what is fact and what ’ s not ,” Dodd said . “ Through new technology news has never been more readily available . However , the quality of that information varies widely . By giving students the proper tools to analyze the media they consume , we can empower them to make informed decisions .”
As introduced , the bill would require the State Board of Education , in the next revision of instructional materials or curriculum frameworks in social sciences for grades 1-12 to include media literacy as a component . The bill would also require the California Department of Education to make available on its website a list of resources and materials on media literacy and to ensure that media literacy training opportunities are made available for use in professional development programs for teachers .
Another related bill , AB 155 , Gomez , D-Los Angeles , was also introduced , that would require the Instructional Quality Commission to develop , and the state board to adopt , revised curriculum standards and frameworks for English language arts , mathematics , history-social science , and science that incorporate civic online reasoning . That would encompass discerning between real and fake news .
teacher evaluations . “ Evidence shows that teachers who increase their students ’ learning positively influence their students ’ longterm achievements ( e . g ., higher likelihood of attending college , earning higher salaries , etc .), in addition to benefiting their immediate academic outcomes .”
As NCTQ notes , advancing student learning is a primary goal of teachers . They also acknowledge that teacher evaluations “ are not a silver bullet to improving teacher quality .” But they can serve as a foundation to recognizing , developing and retaining effective teachers .
The study can be accessed at https :// goo . gl / yuaUaf .
civil rights groups who had expressed reservations to the new bill .
It is hoped a compromise can be reached which would still protect electronic communications while helping educators to keep schools safe .
ACSA will keep members apprised as developments occur .
Summer school students learn about and eat healthy foods as part of the PBS series Inside California Education . The 13-part series is being produced by KVIE in Sacramento and can be accessed online .
PBS series covers education issues
A new television series produced by PBS station KVIE will examine pressing issues impacting teachers , students , and parents in the world of California ’ s public school system .
Inside California Education will showcase some of the grass-roots solutions created by student advocates inside and outside of the classroom . This 30-minute program explores creative approaches to education , including a Chula Vista school district reviving its art program and to schools that have transformed their summer school program to feel like summer camp . The show explores issues like funding , testing and more with a straight forward approach .
“ There are a lot of good things happening in California education and that story needs to be told ,” said Wes Smith , ACSA executive director . “ I think any opportunity for those stories to be told is a benefit to our students , teachers , families , and communities .”
The first 13-episode season promises a steady , in-depth look at all aspects of education . PBS stations throughout California are airing the series . The show intends to give an insider ’ s perspective on how California parents and children are impacted by the state ’ s complex and evolving education system . Check local listings or visit insidecaled . org to watch online . Inside California Education is a co-production of KVIE Public Television in Sacramento and NationalEdOnline .