Recently in Politics of Education Category

This one is at the University of Maryland, where some students screened a portion of a pornographic film in the student union, despite threats from a state legislator that he would seek to withhold construction funds until the school develops an "acceptable" policy on pornography on campus, according to this Washington Post story. The university says that it could not block the screening but insisted on an academic component. Professors discussed the issue of pornography and free-speech at the screening. Here's an excerpt from the Post article: (I'd be curious to hear your opinion on the incident.)

About half an hour of the 2 1/2 -hour film was shown. The point was the principle, not the porn, several student leaders said. Besides, the NCAA championship game was starting about 9. "That was crazy. I don't know what they were thinking, to put that in a public viewing, especially on a college campus," said Idara Inokon, 19. "It's just not appropriate." But Dmytro Berkout, a 19-year-old student from Ukraine, said the controversy was a lot of fuss -- by both sides -- over nothing. State Sen. Andrew P. Harris (R-Baltimore County) last week threatened to block the university's $424 million share of state operating funds over plans to show the film at a theater in the student union.

According to the Associated Press, Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger is asking the federal government for nearly $5 billion in stimulus money for schools in an application he signed Thursday. School districts are anxiously awaiting how much the stimulus funds will wind up in their hands to help them shore up their budgets.

According to this Associated Press report, U.S. Secretary of Education Arne Duncan is calling for a longer school week and year, saying that children need extra time is needed to be competitive with foreign students. Of course, both alonger school week and year would require a substantial increase in education spending at a time when states are cutting their education budgets. There could be two perspectives on the issue of a longer school year and week. If you are a parent reading this, how do you feel about your kid being in school longer (and not having as much time off during the summer)? If you are a teacher or school employee, what are your feelings on his idea? An excerpt from the AP story.

According to this OC Register article, several districts in Orange County are considering across-the-board salary cuts for employees, including teachers. An example: The Orange County Unified School District wants to reduce all employees' pay by 3.75 percent to close a budget deficit. The proposals are creating controversy. An excerpt:

Advocates of the strategy say salary rollbacks are essential to preserving smaller class sizes, as well as a slew of instructional programs and extracurricular activities and the quality and integrity of the school experience.....

But union leaders have historically fought wage cuts, arguing teachers already are underpaid and overworked - and that drops in their salaries will make it even harder to recruit the brightest and best.

As the economy has deteriorated, many private (noneducation) companies have cut employee salaries. Is it fair or wise for school districts to follow suit with teachers? I'd like to hear your opinion.

In a rather candid statement, Los Angeles Unified School District Ramon Cortines says that he might step down if the school board doesn't go along with his proposal to lay off about 8,540employees, including more than 3,500 teachers, City News Service reports. The LAUSD school board postponed action on the proposal at its meeting on Tuesday, saying they wanted to learn more about the impact of the federal stimulus package. Cortines called rumors that the district will receive $1 billion in stimulus fund an "insidious lie." According to CNS, Cortines told NBC4: "I'm very patient," adding that he respects the Board of Education. "But if I am not doing my job and they have lost confidence in me, it is time that I go."  This photo is from the Daily Breeze, our sister paper.

According to a report from the Associated Press, U.S. Education Secretary Arne Duncan believes that big-city mayors should assume control of public schools. Some experts argue that mayoral control benefits school districts.

Duncan hails from the Chicago school district, which Chicago Mayor Richard Daley took over some years ago. Recall that Los Angeles Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa made a failed attempt to control LA Unified. There has been absolutely no discussion among Long Beach officials that I am aware of concerning any proposal for the mayor to take over the LBUSD.  Do you think we should leave the control of districts to school boards or give ultimate authority to the mayors instead? Do you think so in the case of Los Angeles or Long Beach or both?