San Jose Unified may restore furlough days, cut adult education

12-09-2010

By Sharon Noguchi/San Jose Mercury News

Faced with choices ranging from tough to terrible, San Jose Unified School District officials are considering making drastic changes in 2011-12, including slashing adult education. To the hundreds of adults struggling to get by while trying to reach the starting line for job training, proposed cuts to their basic skills and English classes feel like the last dream-crusher. "This will destroy families," said Darsha Riley, 34, a mother of four who's working to become a medical assistant. Irene Gonzalez, 34, who's endured ups and many downs since her husband died 2½ years ago, is barely getting by while she learns to become an administrative assistant. "We're practically homeless," she said about herself and her four children. "We really need this program." District officials, trying to ensure that all students at least meet state academic standards, are considering creating a middle school academy, reinstituting summer school for failing students and adding back five days of instruction taken away through furloughs this year. All that, however, would require cutting adult education by two-thirds, or $3.5 million. (more…)

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San Jose Unified may restore furlough days, cut adult education

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