History of IDEA
Jeannie Oakes, Founder and Former Director
Youth Voice in School Finance
NEW REPORT: Los Angeles' road to A-G for all
Without Dollars and Sense Powerpoint
Past Educational Opportunity Reports
The Latest from IDEA
A newsfeed on the most current research, news, and events at IDEA.
Nov. 8: Huffington Post highlights IDEA's piece on voter contradictions
Following last week's election, IDEA wrote about the contradictions between what the people of California wanted and expected from the state for its public schools and what they voted for at the polls.
A Public Policy Institute of California survey found that an overwhelming majority of the state did not think the schools were adequately funded and that education reform needed to be a top priority for the next governor.
In an effort to pass budgets on time, Prop. 25 passed, switching the requirement from two-thirds requirement to a simple majority. The electorate also defeated Prop. 24, which would have repealed $1.3 million in corporate tax breaks, but passed Prop. 26, calling for a two-thirds majority to levy fees.
As Gov.-elect Jerry Brown said on election night: "The taxpayers gave and they took away."
Read the full piece as it appears on the Huffington Post and what types of reform efforts will be needed with limited funds.
INFORMATION MTGS: Principal Leadership Institute Prepares Tomorrow's Leaders
UCLA's Principal Leadership Institute program is holding information sessions in the next two months for educators interested in becoming social justice leaders in Los Angeles schools.
The Principal Leadership Institute (PLI) recruits, trains and supports a diverse group of individuals committed to the principles of academic excellence, equity and integrity as a way to maximize achievement and opportunity for students in urban schools.
The rigorous 15-month program is aligned to the California Professional Standards for Educational Leaders. It offers a master's degree in education and a Tier-1 administrative credential. The next cohort will begin summer 2011.
The program is designed to attract outstanding educators who have administrative interests and recognized potential. We encourage applicants with:
- Five or more years experience as a classroom teacher, minimum three years
- Experience working for educational justice with other teachers
- Experience working for change alongside parents and community groups
- A commitment to Los Angeles youth and communities
Upcoming Information Sessions and Workshops
WHEN: Wednesday, Nov. 3 at 6 p.m.
Saturday, Nov. 20 at 9 a.m.
Wednesday, Dec. 8 at 6 p.m.
Statement of Purpose workshops also held on Saturday, Nov. 13 and Dec. 11 at 9 a.m.
WHERE: All sessions will be at UCLA's Moore Hall.
RSVP: Contact 310-267-4905
INFORMATION: centerx.gseis.ucla.edu/principal-leadership or contact John Rogers, PLI Faculty Director.
Oct. 5: Why state schools chief is important
A recent Associated Press article looking at the two candidates for the state's Superintendent of Public Instruction discussed what the new schools chief will face.
Next month, California voters will chose a replacement for Jack O'Connell. The choices are between Tom Torlakson, a high school teacher and coach-turned-politician, and Larry Aceves, a former superintendent.
Whoever is chosen, the new superintendent will have the unenviable job of leading the state's Department of Education amid deep budget cuts. These have come in various incarnations--as campus closures, increased class sizes, more crowded classrooms, lack of programs and laid off teachers.
The budget crisis has not helped the state.
California, which once had one of the country's best public school systems, now ranks at or near the bottom on numerous measures of academic achievement and school funding, according to a recent report by the Institute for Democracy, Education and Access at the University of California, Los Angeles.
-From AP story
Sept. 27: Edutopia spotlights Linked Learning research
Linked Learning, an area of research at UCLA IDEA, was highlighted for is ability to create engaged students and civic participants.
In Edutopia.org's "Schools That Work" section, blueprints and ideas of successful schools are shared. Marisa Saunders, senior research associate heading IDEA's research on Linked Learning looking at 10 case studies across the state, wrote about the current research supporting the integration of career and college-preparatory education.
"Preliminary findings are consistent with the optimistic evaluations of career academies," said Saunders in Linking Learning to Life: A High School Transformation Effort,co-written with graduate-student researcher Erica Hamilton.
"A current study of 10 Linked Learning programs in California, for example, has so far found that students in these programs have dramatically lower dropout rates and slightly higher graduation rates, than the state as a whole, and are more likely to graduate with the courses required for admission to California's public universities."
To read the full article, visit the "Research Roundup" on the Career and Technical Education section.
Sept. 28: Court ruling first step; policy needed to ensure quality teachers
UCLA IDEA Director John Rogers comments on next steps to ensure high-quality teachers at low-income schools
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