Resources Feed http://bethechangeforkids.org Thu, 09 Sep 2010 04:05:44 +0100 FeedCreator 1.7.3 http://bethechangeforkids.org/images/M_images/web masthead white bkgrnd11.png http://bethechangeforkids.org Resources Feed http://bethechangeforkids.org/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=140&Itemid=27 Thanks to Capital Region BOCES Supt. Charles Dedrick for sharing this report that he sent to Education Commissioner Steiner with us so we can share it with you here. What do you think?On March 30, the Capital Region BOCES hosted a “Commissioner’s Forum on Cost Savings,” to discuss ways that school districts in our region could optimize existing resources and reduce the cost of doing business. All ideas were welcomed, including those that would requirout e legislative and/or statutory action to implement.   Download read the full report below. Wed, 07 Apr 2010 13:20:38 +0100 http://bethechangeforkids.org/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=126&Itemid=27 Monroe County school districts have for many years cooperated with one another to achieve maximum benefits for students at minimal costs. The Monroe County School Boards Association (MCSBA) provides regular meetings of school district leaders for sharing information and exploring ways to cooperate. These efforts to collaborate have been documented in MCSBA reports in 1994, 1995, 1996, 1997, 1999, 2001, and 2003. The purpose of this report has always been to inform the community about these efforts to improve programs while containing costs. Cost efficiency, therefore, is defined as: Programs and services of the same value at less cost, and/or Programs and services of added value at the same cost. Download read the full report below. Mon, 15 Mar 2010 13:36:29 +0100 http://bethechangeforkids.org/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=118&Itemid=27 I. Welcome, Introductions, Housekeeping (10 minutes) II. General Session: Viewing of Be The Change for Kids video (index.php?option=com_content view=article id=49 Itemid=58)(10 minutes) III. General Session: Framing the Discussion around Common Spending Categories, for example… (20 minutes) a. consolidation of districts and functions b. technology c.... Thu, 18 Feb 2010 05:00:00 +0100 http://bethechangeforkids.org/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=109&Itemid=27 You can find papers and summaries of the presentations at the Campaign for Educational Equity Symposium 2010. (http://www.tc.edu/centers/EquitySymposium/symposium10/resource.asp) This is the conference referred to in Monday's NY Times article "With Federal Stimulus Money Gone, Many Schools Face Budget Gaps". Filling Budget Holes: Evaluating the Impact of ARRA Fiscal Stabilization Funds on State Funding Formulas This paper analyzes the distribution of $39 billion in federal stimulus funds for education known as the “state fiscal stabilization funds” in 11 states, and the impact of SFSF funds on the states’ K-12 school funding formulas. The SFSF funds are part of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009, which has the following objectives: To give money to states to maintain and restore state aid through designated “primary” funding formulas to FY2008 or FY2009 levels, whichever is greater; Implement any previously planned increases, or equity or adequacy adjustments, in those funding formulas; Maintain overall state support for K-12 education above 2006 levels. Download read the full report by Bruce Baker and Danielle Farrie (co-author)For the full story - Teachers College Tue, 09 Feb 2010 19:51:29 +0100 http://bethechangeforkids.org/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=105&Itemid=27 This year’s Bracey Report identifies and discusses the research support for what the author considers to be three of the most important assumptions about how to reform public education: 1. High-quality schools can eliminate the achievement gap between whites and minorities.2. Mayoral control of public schools is an improvement over the more common elected board governance systems.3. Higher standards will improve the performance of public schools.   Download read the full report below. Thu, 04 Feb 2010 19:25:07 +0100 http://bethechangeforkids.org/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=104&Itemid=27 From a dozen years of conversations with youth in challenging urban and rural settings, Milbrey W. McLaughlin and colleagues have learned what motivates youth to participate in the community-based organizations that serve them. From her study, we have a better understanding of what effective youth-based organizations look like, and what youth gain by participating. In addition, we know more about what communities can do to cultivate and sustain more effective programs for youth.   Communities and their youth seem to be growing apart just at a time when they need to be pulling together. Troubling signs are everywhere that youth of all descriptions—not just so-called disadvantaged youth—find insufficient supports in their communities to be able to move confidently and safely toward adulthood. Many schools lock up tightly at3 p.m., sending children and youth into empty houses, barren neighborhoods, street corners, or malls. Thu, 04 Feb 2010 19:08:56 +0100 http://bethechangeforkids.org/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=45&Itemid=27 New York State is broke. After decades of growing reliance on taxes generated by Wall Street, the revenue side of the state budget has collapsed to a level from which it will only slowly recover. Yet state spending has continued to rise, fed by old reserve funds, new gimmicks, tax and fee increases, and temporary federal aid. Like a runaway train, New York’s budget is in danger of running completely off the rails. It needs to be brought under control—before it’s too late.   New York’s fiscal crisis is not confined to state government. Counties, municipalities and school districts all have been affected by the economic downturn and its aftermath. All levels of government will feel the impact of actions needed to close unprecedented state budget gaps over the next several years. New York State faces a comprehensive, multi-year challenge demanding comprehensive long-term solutions—including: structural reforms and mandate relief to help every level of government cope with the recession and its aftermath, and state budget-making reforms to promote better long-term financial planning and instill more transparency and accountability into the process of spending taxpayers’ money.   Download read the full report below. Wed, 27 Jan 2010 05:00:00 +0100 http://bethechangeforkids.org/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=88&Itemid=27 Should the United States embrace national academic standards for its schools? The present alternative isn’t working very well in most states and the Thomas B. Fordham Institute has concluded that solid national standards (and tests) would be a better option for 21st Century America. Today, 47 states are participating in the “Common Core” State Standards Initiative in reading/writing and math, and Education Secretary Arne Duncan has pledged hundreds of millions of dollars in stimulus funds to help develop common tests. Yet innumerable questions and pitfalls remain. The newest Fordham study looks beyond our borders for examples and guidance. How have other countries navigated these tempestuous waters? What do their systems look like? How did they get there? Michigan State University Distinguished Professor William Schmidt and his team examined national standards and testing in Brazil, Canada, China, France, Germany, India, the Netherlands, Russia, Singapore and South Korea. Here are a few of the lessons they gleaned: Thu, 21 Jan 2010 15:00:37 +0100 http://bethechangeforkids.org/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=52&Itemid=27 What are the implications of "tracking," or grouping students into separate classes based on their achievement?   Many schools have moved away from this practice and reduced the number of subject-area courses offered in a given grade. In this new Thomas B. Fordham Institute report, Brookings scholar Tom Loveless examines tracking and detracking in Massachusetts middle schools, with particular focus on changes that have occurred over time and their implications for high-achieving students.   Download read the full report below. Thu, 31 Dec 2009 00:00:00 +0100 http://bethechangeforkids.org/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=6&Itemid=27 The current recession is having a growing negative impact on New Yorkers and on the State and local governments that provide essential services to them. Many economists predict that this recession will cause budget shortfalls that are more severe and persistent than those experienced in other economic downturns. Although temporary relief has been provided through the infusion of federal stimulus funds, economically sensitive taxes continue to decline, and spending pressures persist. While many local governments are focused on taking measures to achieve budget balance for the next fiscal year, the need for long-term fiscal planning has never been greater: it is unlikely the State’s economy will recover rapidly; federal stimulus funds run out in 2011; and significant cost drivers are on the horizon, including pensions, retiree health benefits, and infrastructure needs.   Download read the full report below. Mon, 30 Nov 2009 00:00:00 +0100