Socio-Political Listserv
If you are interested in receiving email updates, join the socio-political list-serve by emailing the CATESOL general manager at catesoldon@gmail.com.
Department of Finance Announces Trigger Being Pulled - Jeff Frost (December 14, 2011)
The Department of Finance announced today that its revenue forecast was calling for the 2011-12 budget trigger to be pulled but that the effect of this reduction would hit K-12 schools far less than had previously been thought. The total shortfall is $2.204 billion. The trigger will result in Tier I cuts to higher education and social service programs.
Read the full report.
CTC Update - Jeff Frost (December 10, 2011)
This afternoon the CTC unanimously approved the staff recommendation in Item # 5B (see link below) to adopt a revised ELD authorization structure that includes an English as a World credential.
Additionally, there was a lengthy discussion of item #5C(for information only with action planned for the next meeting) to allow a holder of a World Language Credential to also teach single subject English. This agenda item provides the draft Subject Matter Requirements (SMRs) for the new CSET: World Language: English Language Development examination and also the draft World Language: English Language Development Subject Matter Program Standards for initial review by the Commission. Approval of this item will eventually allow a holder of an ELD World Language credential to also teach high school English - which would clearly make them more marketable teachers and would also service to better unify IHEs in how they view and incorporate ELD.
I testified in support of these items on behalf of CATESOL. Magaly Lavadenz was also present and testified on support of these items on behalf of Californians Together Coalition. This brings CATESOL a big step closer to its original goal years ago of developing a robust ELD credential at the secondary level. I think we are one step away for the final hurdle that will lead to a fully integrated credential.
We should thank Dr. Phyllis Jacobsen from the CTC who worked with us from day one to make this action a reality.
http://www.ctc.ca.gov/commission/agendas/2011-12/2011-12-5B.pdf
Governor Brown Files Ballot Initiative To Raise $7 billion for Schools (December 8, 2011) - Jeff Frost
Governor Brown made it official this week; releasing the text of his Ballot initiative proposal intended to generate an additional $7 billion beginning in 2012-13. The Governor's proposed initiative meets two of the statutory obligations that he and the Legislature established in the 2011-12 Budget Act. Specifically, "The Schools and Local Public Safety Protection Act of 2012" will ask voters to approve:
1. The shift of local public safety programs (mainly inmate housing) from state to local control and a corresponding shift of $5 billion in sales tax revenues from the state General Fund to local government.
2. Increases to personal income and sales tax rates effective January 1, 2013 that will generate approximately $7 billion annually in new revenue for K-12 school districts, county offices of education, charter schools and community colleges.
The Governor's proposed ballot initiative provides that these new tax revenues would be earmarked specifically for schools with 89% of the new revenue being targeted to school districts, county offices and charters and 11% of the revenues allocated to community colleges. The Governor's proposal also prohibits the use of these temporary taxes for "salaries or benefits of administrators or any other administrative costs".
Consistent with recent media reports, the Governor's proposal would impose:
1. A half-cent sales tax increase starting in 2013 that the Sacramento Bee estimates would amount to a $123 annual increase for the median California joint tax filer earning $65,025. The proposed sales tax increases would be in effect for four years.
2. An income tax hike on high-income earners retroactive to January 1, 2012. More specifically, the personal income tax hike would call for a 1 percent increase (9.3 to 10.3%) at $250,000 for individuals and $500,000 for joint filers. A separate and additional increase would charge 1.5 percent more (9.3 to 10.8%) on income between $300,000 and $500,000, followed by a 2 percent increase (9.3 to 11.3%) on income above $500,000 for individuals (with amounts doubled for joint filers). These income tax increases would be in place for five years.
In his "Open Letter to the People of California", explaining his intent in proposing these temporary taxes, the Governor continues to acknowledge the importance of education as a core public service by targeting these funds for public schools ONLY. As you are well aware, the Governor's proposal is also an acknowledgment that public education has been asked to assume a disproportionate share of budget cuts over the past three years.
The four-year plan would raise approximately $6.8 billion by increasing the sales tax by 0.5% and raise marginal tax rates on individuals making over $250,000, increasing by up to 2%. All of the funds would be dedicated to K-12 schools and community colleges. The measure would also provide a constitutional guarantee of funding for the $4 billion "realigned" to counties in last year's budget act, as well as protections against additional unfunded burdens placed on counties.
The additional funding for schools would count toward the Proposition 98 guarantee for K-14, and is roughly the Legislative Analyst's Office-projected amount required in 2013-14 ($53.78 billion) above the post-trigger funding level this year ($47.2 billion).
The increased revenues and treatment of them as strictly Prop. 98 will "free up" money between 2013-14 and 2016-17, which would otherwise be required to be added to K-12 and community college funding. Instead of dividing new state general fund revenues roughly 50/50 between Prop. 98 and non-98 programs, a much larger share would be available to restore non-98 programs.
A big question that the plan raises is the "step-down" in 2017-18, after the taxes expire. Because the funds are part of the Prop. 98 guarantee, the state will be obligated to keep the payments coming, even when the tax revenues sunset. While the Legislative Analyst's Office doesn't provide a forecast for 2017-18, the average general fund increase is around $5 billion in each of the next five years. Thus, even if all new money was dedicated to Prop. 98 in 2017-18, there would need to be a $2 billion cut to other programs to "replace" the temporary K-14 revenue, a suspension of the Prop. 98 degree and a $2 billion cut to schools, or there would be a campaign to renew the temporary taxes. We could see a ballot measure every four years in the presidential general to "avoid a $7 billion cut to our schools."
Attached you will find the complete text of the Governor's "Schools and Local Public Safety Protection Act of 2012" along with his two-page letter.
As I reported last week, the Governor’s proposal is just one of several initiative efforts that could be on the November 2012 statewide ballot. Each of the other proposals are backed by individuals or groups that have the financial resources to qualify a measure and fund a campaign. Should multiple – and competing – tax measures make it to the November ballot, it will make an uphill battle that much harder given the confusion that would be a part of the campaign efforts. For this reason, it is incumbent upon the Governor to take swift action to until these disparate groups and try to arrive at an agreement that would unit all these parties around one measure that would raise tax revenue for schools and other public services.
As we get more information we will keep you informed.
Jeff
SB140 - Supplemental Instruction Materials (December 7, 2011) - Jeff Frost
This year the Governor signed SB 140 (Lowenthal) that creates a more robust supplemental instruction approval process for materials that will be needed to provide the content imbedded in the Common Core standards as the actual Common Core materials are adopted in the next few years. The CDE is now looking for reviewers for these supplemental materials which will include materials for EL students. CATESOL members may wish to participate in this process. The information is on the link below and the deadline is January 12, 2012.
http://www.cde.ca.gov/ci/cr/cf/suptsupmatreview.aspEducation Remains Key to Possible New Tax Options - Jeff Frost
In the ongoing effort to try to secure additional funding for public education a number of groups have now finalized initiatives to they hope will make it to the November 2012 statewide ballot. Among these are the 2012 Kids Education Plan which includes an array of organizations including ACSA and Children Now. In a recent poll (outlined in the attachment) the voters indicated that they would be willing to support additional taxes as long as the revenue went to California public schools and that there were educational reforms included that gave spending control to school boards and greater local latitude for hiring and dismissal of teachers. With these "reforms" included the poll indicated a 63 percent approval rating for the measure. As Ted Lempert, the President of Children Now is quoted as saying, "the reform piece is needed to bring folks together."
However, this effort is far from being alone. Several others are moving toward the November ballot and there is concern that if the various interests do not come together that it will make it harder to pass any new tax effort. Some of the others include:
The Advancement Project, run by Molly Munger, the wealthy daughter of Berkshire-Hathaway co-founder Charles Munger, is moving an alternative educational tax measure forward that is said to raise $10 billion for public education. The revenue would come from an additional 1 percent tax on the state’s wealthiest citizens – those making well over $1 million per year. Much like Mello-Roos fees, we always seem willing to tax the other guy as long as it does not hit us.
The "Think Long" effort, organized and funded by wealthy financier Nicolas Berggruen, would raise $10 billion a year in new revenue with a combination of overall tax reforms and an expansion of the sales tax to services. The funds would go to K-12 and higher education but the measure would also eliminate much of the Proposition 98 maintenance factor repayment requirement faced by the state. CTA and other groups have already come out in opposition to both the Munger funds bypassing the Prop 98 requirements) and Berggren (the changes to prop 98) proposals.
Hedge fund manager Tom Steyer has put forward an initiative that would raise $1.1 billion in new revenue from out-of-state companies. Under this proposal businesses would be required to pay taxes solely on the proportion of sales they have in California. The revenues would be sued to retrofit schools and other buildings to save energy.
Then there is Governor Brown. His associates are working on an array of options for a November ballot measure based on the polling and focus group work that has been done. The mood of the voter remains uncertain but it is heartening to see that recent polls have shown that they seem reasonably supportive of taxing themselves as long as the funds go to schools and that number increases based on the reforms that may accompany the tax. I believe there is little question that a November tax package will be a part of the Governor's January budget plan. What happens then is anyone’s guess.
As progress is made we will keep you informed.
AB 815 Update and Resources
Governor Brown signed AB 815 (Brownley) creating a state Seal of Biliteracy. Californians Together has released a DVD that demonstrates how the Seal empowers students.
Governor's Final Bill Actions - October 17, 2011
Please read Jeff Frost's report on the key bills supported by CATESOL.
AB189 Update - September 7, 2011
Today, the California State Assembly approved the passage of Assembly Bill (AB) 189 by Assemblymember Mike Eng (D – Monterey Park), which will empower parents and community members to advocate for the protection of education programs as local boards consider making deeper cuts or closing entire programs, and permit school districts to gain revenue to help fund programs like Adult Education.
The complete press release is available here.
CTC Survey for New ELD Exam - Deadline October 3, 2011
September 2011
Dear Bilingual Coordinator:
The Commission on Teacher Credentialing (Commission), in conjunction with California educators and the Evaluation Systems group of Pearson (Evaluation Systems), is developing a new CSET: World Languages subject matter examination for credential candidates (World Language: ELD) and would appreciate your assistance in assuring that this examination meets the needs of California schools for qualified teachers of English Language Development.
Examination questions for the CSET: World Language: ELD will be based on the WL: ELD Subject Matter Requirements. These requirements describe the content eligible to be included on the examination and have been developed by California educators in alignment with the current state frameworks and standards for English Language Arts and English Language Development for purposes of preliminary teacher certification.
We want to make certain that we have accurately and comprehensively identified the job-related content that should form the basis for the CSET: World Language: ELD examination. We would appreciate your help in the Content Validation Survey now being conducted. The results of the Content Validation Survey will be reviewed by the Commission's Bias Review Committee, the Commission's English Learner Authorizations Advisory Panel, and the Commission.
To be eligible to participate in the Content Validation Survey, a teacher educator must be a current faculty member or provider of a Commission-approved program of preparation for candidates for a Single Subject Teaching Credential. They must be employed at least half-time in this capacity. In the last two full academic years, not counting the current school year, teacher educators must have taught one or more required or elective courses that addressed ELD or SDAIE instructional components for candidates for a Single Subject Teaching Credential.
To complete the survey, click on the secure link below (or copy and paste the link into your computer’s browser) and enter the access code provided when prompted.
https://survey.pearson.vovici.net/wsb.dll/s/10g21a
Access code: CS20187
If the link above does not open the survey, please copy and paste the link into the address bar of your browser.
All surveys must be completed no later than October 3, 2011.
Each participant's response to this survey is very important both to the development of the CSET program and of the teaching profession in California. All responses to the survey will be confidential. No attempt will be made to identify individuals in the analysis of the survey results.
Thank you for your assistance with this very important activity.
Sincerely,
Elizabeth Graybill
Interim Executive Director
Budget Update - Jeff Frost (June 30, 2011)
Jeff Frost provides CATESOL with an overview of the approved state budget for 2011-2012.
Budget Update - Jeff Frost (May 2011)
Jeff Frost provides CATESOL with an overview of the Governor's May Revise Budget.
AB 815 Support Letter - Jeff Frost (April 2011)
On behalf of CATESOL, Jeff Frost has submitted a letter in support of AB 815 (Brownley). AB 815 would establish the Seal of Biliteracy which would recognize high school graduates who have attained a high level of proficiency in one or more languages in addition to English. This recognition would be in the form of a state insignia that can be affixed to either the high school diploma or the transcript of high school graduates. This action could take place with no cost and would result in significant value to students, businesses and the Sate’s economy in the future.
AB 532 Support Letter - Jeff Frost (April 2011)
On behalf of CATESOL, Jeff Frost has submitted a letter in support of AB 532 (Perez). AB 532 amends the Public Schools Accountability Act by requiring pupil assessments to be valid, reliable, and comparable for pupils who are limited-English-proficient and for pupils with developmental disabilities. The bill also requires the results of the primary language assessment to be used in any measure or results reported for the state's assessment system or in any successor system.
Advocacy Update from Jeff Frost (March 5, 2011)
AB 124 (Fuentes), the CATESOL co-sponsored bill to strengthen the ELD standards, will be heard in the Assembly Educaiton Committee on Wednesday March 16. Jeff Frost sent in a letter of support. He reminds CATESOL members that they can send support letters of their own to the committee and the author.
CCESA Update - Jeff Frost (February 2011)
Finally, Jeff prepared a federal update (PDF) for CCSESA.
Letter in Support of Assembly Bill 124 (January 28, 2011)
CATESOL has issued a letter in support of AB 124 (Fuentes), which will create an advisory panel that will develop ELD standards.
Older Postings - For Reference
Reference Documents
Below are documents referenced in recent CATESOL Advocacy emails.
California High School Exit Exam (CAHSEE)
Economic Impact Aid (EIA)
CATESOL and other organizations work together to oppose appointment of Rae Belisle to CA State Board of Education: Letters
ESOL Credential
AB540 Scholarships
Federal Stimulus Information
Equity for Part-Time and Adjunct Faculty (August 28, 2010)
As some of you may know, TESOL has been a member for several years of the Coalition on the Academic Workforce, an advocacy group focused on the issue of equity for part-time and adjunct faculty. The Coalition released an issue brief on this topic earlier this year that TESOL co-signed. The brief, and more information about the Coalition, is available on their web site at http://www.academicworkforce.org/.
TESOL also has several position statements relating to part-time and adjunct faculty. TESOL’s position statements are available online at http://www.tesol.org/PositionStatements.
Regards,
John Segota
Director of Advocacy and Professional Relations
Teachers of English to Speakers of Other Languages, Inc.
A skill, not a weakness (July 11, 2010 - Los Angeles Times)
Knowing more than one language is an asset in the global economy. Schools should be helping all students, English learners as well as English-only speakers, expand beyond one tongue.
By Laurie Olsen
Learning more than one language is a 21st century skill. It provides students with economic opportunities across the globe and at home. Many students enter our schools fluent in a language other than English. They speak Spanish, Chinese, Japanese, Farsi, Arabic, Khmer and dozens of other languages important in international trade. They come with a resource.
The complete article can be viewed at: http://www.latimes.com/news/opinion/commentary/la-oe-olsen-english-20100711,0,698032.story
CATESOL Supports AB 1741 (June 2010)
The CATESOL Board of Directors has voted to support AB 1741. A copy of the letter of support is available in PDF format. AB 1741 requires a petition to establish a charter school that will serve at least 15% English learners (ELs) to include specified information related to the instructional program for these pupils and makes findings and declarations relative to interventions for schools identified as persistently lowest-achieving schools for purposes of implementing the federal Race to the Top (RTTT) program and absence of data about the success of ELs in charter schools.
Common Core Standards Update from Jeff Frost (June 2010)
Here is some additional information on the common core standards. On June 10, in Sacramento, PACE (Policy Analysis for California Education) held a forum to explore these issues and open discussion with members of the state’s Academic Standards Content Commission, the commission charged with making a recommendation on whether or not to adopt the standards.
Podcasts and accompanying slides for this meeting are now available online.
Press Release: California State Board of Education Votes to Support ACLU Lawsuit Against LAUSD Teacher Layoff Practices (May 2010)
California State Board of Education President Ted Mitchell and Board Member Benjamin Austin issued the following statements regarding the Board's unanimous vote this week to stand up for student civil rights by supporting the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU)/Public Council lawsuit against the Los Angeles Unified School District’s (LAUSD) teacher layoff practices that are disproportionately hurting low-income and minority schools:
"The State Board of Education voted unanimously to support this landmark ACLU lawsuit because it is what's right for the students of California," said Board President Mitchell. "We must take action to ensure that all students have equal access to quality education."
"By supporting the ACLU lawsuit, the State Board of Education unanimously sided with the parents and children of Los Angeles and California against the defenders of the status quo," said Board Member Austin. "This decision sends a powerful signal to every single parent in California that we stand with you in your struggle to make our public education system about children, not grown-ups."
Comment from Jeff Frost: The thing that this press release does not say is that the Governor has also entered this suit on behalf of the plaintiffs and the ACLU. The formal action of the SBE was to support the suit and to agree to use the Governor's lawyers. Additionally, Senator Steinberg has weighed in and has plans to seek a legislative remedy to the suit by making changes (as yet to be determined) in the Education Code that will ensure that the rights of all students to a full and complete education are upheld. The ACLU suit is focused on the issue of seniority in that the least senior teachers in the lowest performing schools in LAUSD have taken the largest number of layoffs due to reduction in force (RIF) needs. The question is how or whether specific changes to California's seniority laws in the areas of hiring, reassignment, teacher preparation and professional development can address the concerns of the ACLU. Senator Steinberg held the first of several meetings last Friday to discuss these issues. There will be more to this story as the year progresses.
Effects of the California High School Exit Exam on Student Persistence, Achievement, and Graduation (September 11, 2009)
A new PACE policy brief (PDF) summarizes the findings from a study investigating the impact of the California High School Exit Exam (CAHSEE) on California’s lowest performing students. Utilizing longitudinal data from four large urban school districts, Sean Reardon from Stanford and Michal Kurlaender from UC-Davis compare students scheduled to graduate just before (2005) and after (2006-07) the exit exam became a requirement for graduation from California high schools. They find that the CAHSEE requirement had no positive effects on students’ academic skills, and a large negative impact on graduation rates that fell disproportionally on minority students and on female students. The authors conclude that policymakers should reevaluate the utility of the high school exit exam in California’s accountability system.
From Jeff Frost re: Education Trust - West and STAR Scores
Here is the entire packet of data from CDE related to the recent STAR test scores (DOC). This is helpful in light of the press release sent out from Education Trust - West. I share legitimate concerns about a lack of progress in the scores of minority and poor students, but I am disappointed that the Education Trust - West leaders do not acknowledge the incredible loss of Prop 98 revenue over the last several years, culminating in the multi-billion dollar cuts from 2008-09 and 2009-10, and the resulting educational upheaval that has resulted.
TESOL ALERT Dream Act
Support the DREAM Act by asking your members of Congress to co-sponsor the DREAM Act!
Click here to take action now
TRPI October 2009 Policy Brief (October 29, 2009)
The Tomas Rivera Policy Institute has released a new policy brief, "Are English Language Learning Students Remaining in English Learning Classes Too Long?" You can access the brief at the TRPI website.
The study by Tomas Rivera Policy Institute at the University of Southern California showed 29 percent of English learners in the Los Angeles Unified School District were still in these classes in the eighth grade. More than half of these students were born in the United States and were in classes for English learners for more than eight years. The study has recently been covered by EdWeek.
President's Response (2006)
Read CATESOL President Cadiero-Kaplan's Response to "Proposal Revives Bilingual Education Debate," an article from the August 11, 2006, LA Times by Carla Rivera