Articles in this issue

• Middle grades council visit
  The ACSA Middle Grades Education Council heard an update from the California Department of Education’s Deb Sigman (pictured above with council president Creig Nicks), who discussed the Algebra 1 mandate, Distinguished Schools and categorical flexibility, among other hot issues.
• School Funding in Crisis: A Call to Action
  School leaders are urged to contact lawmakers immediately to oppose further cuts to education funding and to support the governor’s flexibility proposals to ensure school districts can decide what’s best for local students.
• Layoff advisory outlines best practices
  ACSA and the School Employers Association of California have issued a newly revised and updated layoff advisory to ensure the most current and valuable information is available to education leaders.
• Board creates achievement gap committee
  The State Board of Education voted to create an African American Advisory Committee to help better understand issues concerning the achievement gap that exists between African American students and their counterparts.
• LAO terms governor’s proposal a ‘good faith effort’
  The Legislative Analyst’s Office has released its analysis of Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger’s proposed budget for 2009-10, stating the Legislature needs to act immediately to address the worsening budget situation.
• Funding cessation puts school construction money in doubt
  California State Treasurer Bill Lockyer has issued a warning that since the Legislature has been unable to address the deficit in the current year budget, the state’s Pooled Money Investment Account will stop funding infrastructure projects, including school facilities projects.
• LAO says programs failing students in need
  The Legislative Analyst’s Office report on the educational status of economically disadvantaged students notes that ED students are still struggling to meet state and federal academic standards and programs designed to help them are failing.
• English learners focus of ’09 Quality Counts report
  Education Week's annual Quality Counts report focuses on English language learner issues, but the most significant statistic is that California dropped further in the rankings of per-pupil funding to 47th in the nation
• Educational leadership for the 21st century at Lead 3.0
  Leadership. Technology. Innovation. All are elements of educational leadership for the 21st century, the theme of this year’s Leadership 3.0 Symposium set for April 2-4 at the Doubletree Hotel, Mission Valley in San Diego.
• Principals sought for NDP award
  It’s time to submit nominations for the 2009 National Distinguished Principal for California, a recognition for elementary and middle school principals co-sponsored by the Elementary Council of ACSA and its national affiliate, the National Association of Elementary School Principals.
• Middle-grade programs honored as models
  Three high-performing California schools have been named 2009 Schools to Watch – Taking Center Stage model schools: Clark Intermediate School in Clovis USD, Dartmouth Middle School in Union SD, and Tincher Preparatory School in Long Beach USD.
• ACSA tech leaders bring new grant to members
  ACSA’s Technology Leadership Group has been working with HP to bring a new grant opportunity to schools in California to help launch innovative pilot initiatives for success in math and science.
• Administrator credential test prep available
  ACSA’s Aspiring California Educators trainings will help prospective administrators obtain a California Preliminary Administrative Services Credential via the School Leaders Licensure Assessment administered in January, June and September.