Articles in this issue

• Educators stand up for schools: Rallies point to woes of budget cuts
  Educators continue to gather in Sacramento and throughout California to protest state budget cuts. Organized by administrators, classified personnel, parents, teachers and students, the rallies have drawn much needed attention to California’s irrational and volatile education funding system.
• New leadership to take ACSA reins at May assembly
  The annual election and installation of ACSA officers will take place May 14 at the Delegate Assembly in Sacramento. Two candidates are running unopposed for 2009-10: Alice Petrossian for vice president, and Marc Ecker for vice president for legislative action.
• LAO predicts budget storm will continue
  A Legislative Analyst’s Office report on the 2009-10 State Budget and the impact of federal stimulus funds anticipates that combined 2008-09 and 2009-10 revenues will come up approximately $7.8 billion below 2009-10 budgeted levels.
• CDE looking to support adult education community
  The California Department of Education recognizes the uncertainties the new state budget has placed on adult education and pledged to provide support and technical assistance.
• Obama makes 1st education speech; ACSA leader’s school highlighted
  President Barack Obama delivered his first major speech on education this month, while ACSA leaders were in Wash¬ington, D.C. lobbying federal policymakers on issues relating to California.
• Mandate reimbursement ruling upheld
  The Superior Court has upheld the main provisions of a decision reached last year, when a trial court ruled that any legislation disallowing state reimbursement for certain mandates is unconstitutional.
• ACSA leaders draw on TCSII
  During the first year of Taking Center Stage-Act II, ACSA’s Middle Grades Council has taken center stage in implementing the California Department of Education’s 12 Recommendations for Middle Grades Success.
• Breakthrough schools named; nominations sought
  A California middle school has been named a “Breakthrough School” by the National Association of Secondary School Principals, and other nominees are sought for recognition.