While reviewing the law cases assigned as a part of Class 6, one group ran across the following quote (from the Serrano decision), which clearly states why we need to improve our schools and offer our children the very best we can:
"A child of the poor assigned to an inferior state school takes on the complexion of a prisoner, complete with a minimum sentence of 12 years". (Coons, Clune & Sugarman, spra, 57 Cal. Law Review, p. 388.
Wednesday, October 7, 2009
Monday, October 5, 2009
Sexual Misconduct
Nearly half of the 289 teacher license revocations and suspensions in North Carolina over the past decade were for sexual misconduct, the Wilmington Star-News reported Saturday. A database made public by the North Carolina Board of Education details teachers in the state whose licenses to teach were surrendered, suspended, denied or revoked in the past decade and the reason. But the problem may be worse than as indicated by the database, which only includes people who were caught. Currently, the state does not require background checks for teacher's license applicants. The state board of licensure relies on self-reporting - just two questions that trust the applicant to be honest about past suspensions and convictions. It's only when a would-be teacher applies to work in a local school district that a background check requirement kicks in.
But experts say those checks don't always catch teachers who resigned from their last school under a cloud. They note that past employers are often wary of passing on negative information for fear of a defamation lawsuit. Experts also say the myriad behaviors that lead up to molestation aren't currently covered by rules requiring schools to report sexual misconduct by teachers. Those behaviors, such as frequent or inappropriate text messaging, are difficult to police but are important to report. Repeat offenders usually have a host of subtle techniques that build over a long period of time. Reporting those behaviors is a way to cut off improper relationships before they become damaging. Another problem, according to experts, is that administrators do not disclose inconclusive investigations out of fear of risking a lawsuit by passing on a false accusation.
A state task force of veteran educators and legal experts has been meeting for more than a year to examine problems with the current licensure system and reporting practices. Their report is not complete, but its recommendations so far include fingerprinting of teachers when they apply for a state license and upping the number of ethics questions on the application from two to 20. It would also increase the standards on reportable offenses to inappropriate interaction of a sexual or romantic nature, instead of just sexual. By requiring that schools report the behaviors that often lead to sexual contact, hopes to discourage teachers from taking any chances. June Atkinson, the state schools superintendent, said Wednesday that she had not yet seen the task force's report, but she supports improving the licensing process while keeping it fair to educators. The final report will be presented to Atkinson later this month.(Chelsea Kellner, WILMINGTON STAR-NEWS, 10/03/09).
But experts say those checks don't always catch teachers who resigned from their last school under a cloud. They note that past employers are often wary of passing on negative information for fear of a defamation lawsuit. Experts also say the myriad behaviors that lead up to molestation aren't currently covered by rules requiring schools to report sexual misconduct by teachers. Those behaviors, such as frequent or inappropriate text messaging, are difficult to police but are important to report. Repeat offenders usually have a host of subtle techniques that build over a long period of time. Reporting those behaviors is a way to cut off improper relationships before they become damaging. Another problem, according to experts, is that administrators do not disclose inconclusive investigations out of fear of risking a lawsuit by passing on a false accusation.
A state task force of veteran educators and legal experts has been meeting for more than a year to examine problems with the current licensure system and reporting practices. Their report is not complete, but its recommendations so far include fingerprinting of teachers when they apply for a state license and upping the number of ethics questions on the application from two to 20. It would also increase the standards on reportable offenses to inappropriate interaction of a sexual or romantic nature, instead of just sexual. By requiring that schools report the behaviors that often lead to sexual contact, hopes to discourage teachers from taking any chances. June Atkinson, the state schools superintendent, said Wednesday that she had not yet seen the task force's report, but she supports improving the licensing process while keeping it fair to educators. The final report will be presented to Atkinson later this month.(Chelsea Kellner, WILMINGTON STAR-NEWS, 10/03/09).
Wednesday, September 23, 2009
Charter Schools Suit
The N.C. Institute for Constitutional Law has sued the state and seven counties on
behalf of several charter schools, parents and students, saying the schools are
entitled to capital funding. The charter schools receive public funding for operating
expenses and per-pupil allotments just like traditional schools, but have been frozen
out of construction and maintenance money. That leaves the schools with less
"money for teachers and other supplies," said Jason Kay, an attorney for the
institute, a Raleigh-based advocacy group. Cleveland, Edgecombe, Halifax,
Mecklenburg, Nash, Union and Rutherford counties are named as defendants in the
lawsuit.
Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools Superintendent Peter Gorman and a county attorney
have said state law does not give counties or public school boards power to give
charter schools capital funds. A 1998 advisory opinion from the state Attorney
General's office concurs. The N.C. Institute for Constitutional Law sent a letter to
Mecklenburg commissioners in August, questioning the dearth of capital funding for
charter schools. In the suit filed in Mecklenburg Superior Court, the group argues
the state constitution mandates "sound basic education" and similar funding. "This
seeks to make sure public charter schools have a seat at the table," Kay said. "They
have never had a seat before."(Fred Clasen-Kelly, THE CHARLOTTE OBSERVER,
9/22/09).
behalf of several charter schools, parents and students, saying the schools are
entitled to capital funding. The charter schools receive public funding for operating
expenses and per-pupil allotments just like traditional schools, but have been frozen
out of construction and maintenance money. That leaves the schools with less
"money for teachers and other supplies," said Jason Kay, an attorney for the
institute, a Raleigh-based advocacy group. Cleveland, Edgecombe, Halifax,
Mecklenburg, Nash, Union and Rutherford counties are named as defendants in the
lawsuit.
Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools Superintendent Peter Gorman and a county attorney
have said state law does not give counties or public school boards power to give
charter schools capital funds. A 1998 advisory opinion from the state Attorney
General's office concurs. The N.C. Institute for Constitutional Law sent a letter to
Mecklenburg commissioners in August, questioning the dearth of capital funding for
charter schools. In the suit filed in Mecklenburg Superior Court, the group argues
the state constitution mandates "sound basic education" and similar funding. "This
seeks to make sure public charter schools have a seat at the table," Kay said. "They
have never had a seat before."(Fred Clasen-Kelly, THE CHARLOTTE OBSERVER,
9/22/09).
Final Spending Numbers
State government spent $724 million less in the 2008-09 fiscal year than in the
previous fiscal year and $1.7 billion less than budgeted, according to figures from
the Office of the State Controller. An unaudited monthly report for the final month of the fiscal year, recently posted by the agency, shows total state spending of $19.65 billion for the year, compared to a budget of $21.35 billion. The report reflects a state struggling with declining tax revenues as a result of the recession and provides more details about how Gov. Beverly Perdue plugged a $3.2 billion shortfall. It shows personal income tax collections taking a huge hit during the year, declining $1.4 billion year-over-year and coming in nearly $2 billion less than forecast. Corporate tax collections were down $276 million from the previous year, while sales tax collections declined by $304 million. The Perdue administration made up nearly half the budget gap with $680 million in federal stimulus money and $802 million gained by raiding state reserves and trusts, including the state's Rainy Day reserves.
The figures reveal that many state agencies faced real year-over-year spending reductions, cuts that went beyond continuation increases. University spending fell $140 million, while community college spending declined $56 million. Public school spending increased by $165 million. Overall, tax collection came in 15.4 percent less than projected and spending was 8 percent less than budgeted. The report also show the state's Rainy Day reserves standing at $150 million to close the fiscal year.(THE INSIDER, 9/23/09).
previous fiscal year and $1.7 billion less than budgeted, according to figures from
the Office of the State Controller. An unaudited monthly report for the final month of the fiscal year, recently posted by the agency, shows total state spending of $19.65 billion for the year, compared to a budget of $21.35 billion. The report reflects a state struggling with declining tax revenues as a result of the recession and provides more details about how Gov. Beverly Perdue plugged a $3.2 billion shortfall. It shows personal income tax collections taking a huge hit during the year, declining $1.4 billion year-over-year and coming in nearly $2 billion less than forecast. Corporate tax collections were down $276 million from the previous year, while sales tax collections declined by $304 million. The Perdue administration made up nearly half the budget gap with $680 million in federal stimulus money and $802 million gained by raiding state reserves and trusts, including the state's Rainy Day reserves.
The figures reveal that many state agencies faced real year-over-year spending reductions, cuts that went beyond continuation increases. University spending fell $140 million, while community college spending declined $56 million. Public school spending increased by $165 million. Overall, tax collection came in 15.4 percent less than projected and spending was 8 percent less than budgeted. The report also show the state's Rainy Day reserves standing at $150 million to close the fiscal year.(THE INSIDER, 9/23/09).
Friday, September 18, 2009
Wake Schools Use ARRA Funds
Federal stimulus funds are being used to create 558 jobs in the Wake County Public School System. David Neter told the Board that the school system has worked to provide job opportunities with the federal funds provided through the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009. Donna Hargens said there are four principles guiding the school system’s use of the two years of federal stimulus funds: *Spend funds quickly to save and create jobs *Improve student achievement through school improvement and reform *Ensure transparency, reporting and accountability and *Invest one-time ARRA funds thoughtfully to minimize the “funding cliff”
Funds are to be used for short-term investment that have the potential for long-term benefits rather than expenditures the school system may not be able to sustain once the recovery funds are expended. Hargens says all 558 jobs are in schools and include 460 certified jobs and 98 non certified jobs. In the certified jobs are 180 teachers and 280 instructional staff. The non-certified jobs include 98 teacher assistants. Hargens said these job openings benefited teachers who were displaced by budget cuts. The school system sought to fill these positions with displaced teachers.
Funds are to be used for short-term investment that have the potential for long-term benefits rather than expenditures the school system may not be able to sustain once the recovery funds are expended. Hargens says all 558 jobs are in schools and include 460 certified jobs and 98 non certified jobs. In the certified jobs are 180 teachers and 280 instructional staff. The non-certified jobs include 98 teacher assistants. Hargens said these job openings benefited teachers who were displaced by budget cuts. The school system sought to fill these positions with displaced teachers.
Sunday, September 13, 2009
Safe Keeping?
Local school officials call the recent theft of more than $25,000 in donations to a high school sports team from a private office in Scotts Valley, CA an aberration, but some acknowledge the system of ensuring cash from fundraisers gets to its intended recipient isn't foolproof. While schools must follow strict accounting procedures once they receive donations, fundraisers held on weekends or vacations can mean delays in banking proceeds. Travis Rebbert, Harbor High School's new head football coach, thought money raised by his team during the summer vacation would be safe in the office where he works until school reopened. But the cash and checks turned up missing from a locked drawer in his locked office last week.
A police investigation is ongoing, but Rebbert, after a brief suspension by Santa Cruz City Schools officials, returned to coaching Tuesday after being cleared of wrongdoing. Harriet Lacey, director of finance for Santa Cruz City Schools, said her district requires a school representative to be available to receive cash at the conclusion of school-sponsored fundraisers. Money also must be counted by two people and stored at the school. Donations must be moved to accounts at the district office within a week. In Rebbert's case, that didn't happen because he said the school wasn't open. District officials have said Rebbert could have brought the donations directly to the district office, but they acknowledged, as a new coach, he wasn't fully trained.
A police investigation is ongoing, but Rebbert, after a brief suspension by Santa Cruz City Schools officials, returned to coaching Tuesday after being cleared of wrongdoing. Harriet Lacey, director of finance for Santa Cruz City Schools, said her district requires a school representative to be available to receive cash at the conclusion of school-sponsored fundraisers. Money also must be counted by two people and stored at the school. Donations must be moved to accounts at the district office within a week. In Rebbert's case, that didn't happen because he said the school wasn't open. District officials have said Rebbert could have brought the donations directly to the district office, but they acknowledged, as a new coach, he wasn't fully trained.
Thursday, September 3, 2009
Longer School Days?
State Board of Education members spent considerable time Tuesday discussing longer school years. Board members noted that other countries, like China and India, have school years longer than 180 days. "We better pay attention to what's going on in other parts of the world," said board member John A. Tate III. But board chairman Bill Harrison acknowledged that having students spend more time at school is not something that's going to happen soon, considering the state's financial straits. In fact, Wilkes County schools got permission from legislators to cut this school year to 162 days and make each day 45 minutes longer so it could save money.
While most in the room endorsed more time at school, state superintendent June Atkinson said some students may be better off spending less time there. "Some kids don't need to come to school everyday," she said. Atkinson wants the state to move toward "personalized education plans," which she said would involve, for example, chances for high school students to take classes, work at internships, and work on projects with mentors. "We've squeezed all the drops of educational juice out of the traditional schedule in public schools," she said. (THE NEWS & OBSERVER, 9/02/09).
While most in the room endorsed more time at school, state superintendent June Atkinson said some students may be better off spending less time there. "Some kids don't need to come to school everyday," she said. Atkinson wants the state to move toward "personalized education plans," which she said would involve, for example, chances for high school students to take classes, work at internships, and work on projects with mentors. "We've squeezed all the drops of educational juice out of the traditional schedule in public schools," she said. (THE NEWS & OBSERVER, 9/02/09).
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