Long Beach Superintendent Chris Steinhauser on Thursday praised Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger's call for a special session of the legislature to pass reforms that the governor says are needed to make California eligible for a $4.35 billion competitive federal grant program for education.Those "Race to the Top" funds were approved by the U.S. Congress as part of the stimulus package.
"We desperately need and deserve these funds in Long Beach," Steinhauser said in a statement. "We must not allow archaic state laws to prevent our local schools from receiving their fair share of money."
A possible stumbling block for California to receive the funds is a requirement that states allow the use of student achievement data to evaluate teachers. Schwarzenegger is calling legislators to change California law, which currently bars that practice. Schwarzenegger, who called for the special session Thursday, declared that such a session must be held no later than Oct. 5.
Steinhauser touted the Long Beach school district's use of a student
data system he says supports teachers. For example, the data can help
teachers more easily tailor instruction to student needs, he has said.
The system is not used punitively against teachers, but rather serves
as a teaching tool, according to district officials.
The California law banning the use of student data to evaluate teachers applies only to the state as a whole, LBUSD officials said. Under state rules, individual districts may decide to use data in such a manner, officials added.
The California law banning the use of student data to evaluate teachers applies only to the state as a whole, LBUSD officials said. Under state rules, individual districts may decide to use data in such a manner, officials added.
Kelly Puente joined the Press-Telegram in 2006 as an editorial assistant and eventually worked her way up to general assignement reporter. Over the years, she’s covered everything from crime and breaking news to human interest and the cities of Bellflower and Cerritos. Kelly is a Long Beach resident and graduate of Cal State Long Beach. She’s new to the education beat and is looking for great stories.
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