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About K12HSN  Thinkfinity Trainer Face-to-Face Training Friday, March 12th, 2010Orange, Fresno, Ventura and surrounding counties: Become a Verizon Thinkfinity Trainer! In April, K12HSN is offering face-to-face trainings to train educators and technology integration specialists who are interested in becoming Thinkfinity Trainers.  U.S. moves closer to common standards Friday, March 12th, 2010eSchool News: Math and English instruction in the U.S. moved a step closer to uniform-and more rigorous-standards March 10 as a revised draft of new national guidelines was released. But the move toward common standards still faces several hurdles. Broadband for Education Talked Up Friday, March 12th, 2010Education Week: FCC experts discuss the ideas and recommendations that are likely to be in the National Broadband plan when it is released next week. Thinkfinity Trainer Training at Fresno COE Apr. 19 Friday, March 12th, 2010K12HSN is offering a face-to-face training at Fresno COE on April 19 to train educators and technology integration specialists who are interested in becoming Verizon Thinkfinity Trainers. Thinkfinity Trainer Training at OCDE April 7 Friday, March 12th, 2010K12HSN is offering a face-to-face training at the Orange County Department of Education on April 7. Do not miss this great opportunity to become a Verizon Thinkfinity Trainer! Thinkfinity Training at Ventura COE April 24 Friday, March 12th, 2010K12HSN is offering a face-to-face training at the Ventura County Office of Education on Saturday, April 24. Do not miss this great opportunity to become a Verizon Thinkfinity Trainer! Roar into National Wildlife Week with Thinkfinity! Thursday, March 11th, 2010Verizon Thinkfinity: Visit a zoo without leaving the classroom. This & many more resources for National Wildlife Week at Thinkfinity. Free Online Course to Become a Thinkfinity Trainer Thursday, March 11th, 2010Verizon Thinkfinity is offering an online facilitated course, delivered via Blackboard. This session is intended for educators, technology integration specialists, etc. who are interested in training others to locate and integrate Thinkfinity resources. Making the Case for Social Media in Education Thursday, March 11th, 2010Edutopia: Author and school-technology facilitator Steve Johnson believes that schools should no longer be blocking social media because of fears of possible misuse. A high-tech route to smarter kids? Thursday, March 11th, 2010The Bulletin: It's pricey and of unknown value in boosting achievement, but local districts say this: It gets kids interested and involved. Register for Leadership 3.0 today! Thursday, March 11th, 2010The Leadership 3.0 Symposium is a collaborative effort of the ACSA, CUE, and TICAL. It is truly Educational Leadership for the 21st century. This year's theme is 'Think Globabally, Lead Locally'. April 15-17 -- Santa Clara Marriott, Santa Clara, CA Video connects students from Sacramento, Japan Thursday, March 11th, 2010Sacramento Bee: Three schools in Twin Rivers Unified School District will participate in a video conference today with three schools in Matsuyama, Japan.  Network Connection Survey Wednesday, March 10th, 2010K12HSN/CDE: Addressing gaps in California's broadband infrastructure requires that we provide accurate and up-to-date information on behalf of CA’s school districts. Your cooperation is needed to ensure that connectivity data is reported accurately. Rural schools need more federal attention Wednesday, March 10th, 2010eSchool News: According to a new report, one out of every four rural students fails to graduate from high school. From changing Title I formulas to providing cutting-edge technology, it's time to provide more support to rural schools, the report says. Draft Common Standards Elicit Kudos and Criticism Wednesday, March 10th, 2010Education Week: The draft released today tries to describe the grade-by-grade skills and knowledge students need in English and math to thrive after high school. March URBAN EDUCATOR Wednesday, March 10th, 2010Council of the Great City Schools: The March Edition of the Urban Educator is now available online. Microsoft Giving Free Technology Training in CA Wednesday, March 10th, 2010Government Technology: California has become the latest state to take advantage of free technology training from Microsoft with Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger's announcement Wednesday, March 10, that the state will participate in the company's Elevate America Is better learning a click away? Tuesday, March 9th, 2010eCampus News: Clickers first appeared in college classrooms over a decade ago and have since spread to just about every college and university, thanks to cheaper and better technology. A divide has emerged over how sophisticated they should be. Cracks in innovation fund might present problems Tuesday, March 9th, 2010eSchool News: Just days before the U.S. Department of Education released applications for the $650 million Investing in Innovation (i3) Fund on March 8, ed tech researchers and developers expressed some concerns about the i3 program's procedures. Diane Ravitch: We've lost sight of schools' goals Tuesday, March 9th, 2010USA Today: In an ideological switch, prominent education scholar Diane Ravitch says NCLB, the nation's foremost education law and one she once supported, has caused schools to lose sight of their goal. Nation's ed-tech chief reacts to budget concerns Monday, March 8th, 2010eSchool News: Karen Cator, director of education technology for the US Department of Education, has heard the concerns from ed-tech groups about the lack of a dedicated funding stream for education technology in the 2011 budget. Feds release new national ed-tech plan Monday, March 8th, 2010eSchool News: The new National Education Technology Plan, released March 5, sets an ambitious agenda for using technology to transform teaching and learning, ed-tech advocates say--and a call to action that is long overdue. Publishers: Create engaging digital content Monday, March 8th, 2010eSchool News: The federal government's investment in education technology is an opportunity for the publishing industry, which must respond by creating more engaging content that is relevant for today's tech-savvy students, said Education Secretary.  Persistently Low-Achieving Schools Monday, March 8th, 2010CDE: State Schools Chief O'Connell, Education Secretary Reiss, and State Board of Education President Mitchell Release Preliminary List of Schools Identified as 5 Percent of Persistently Lowest Achieving and Call for Action. Attend CUE 2010 from ANYWHERE! Monday, March 8th, 2010CUE: Do not miss the archives of several CUE sessions: Digital Textbook Summit, Rigorous Learning through Digital Storytelling, Digital Storytelling across the Curriculum, Videoconferencing in the Classroom, Rock your Socks with Google Docs, and more!! District Administration - March 2010 Monday, March 8th, 2010The digital edition of District Administration - March 2010 is available now. Twitter, YouTube Become Classroom Tools Monday, March 8th, 2010Education Week: Some Kentucky school districts are embracing Internet tools like Twitter and YouTube in class. The decision to block those Web sites has been recently re-evaluated, and some districts are now allowed to explore them with students. MAGPI announces new programs Monday, March 8th, 2010MAGPI: MAGPI is pleased to announce two exciting programs: 'Teaching History via Authentic Research - Children of the Lodz Ghetto: A Memorial Research Project' and 'The Road to Activism: Afghanistan Program for Students.' Federal officials address ed-tech concerns Friday, March 5th, 2010eSchool News: Before an audience of chief technology officers from across the country, Karen Cator, director of education technology for the U.S. Department of Education, and Federal CTO Aneesh Chopra discussed the nation's ed-tech efforts. Race to the Top finalists announced Friday, March 5th, 2010eSchool News: The U.S. Department of Education has named 16 finalists in the first round of its Race to the Top competition, which will deliver $4.35 billion in school reform grants. Schwarzenegger seeks bolder action Friday, March 5th, 2010The Sacramento Bee: Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger said Thursday that California must be 'more aggressive and bolder' in changing its education system after losing out in a highly competitive national contest for federal money. Visit us at the CUE Confernce! Thursday, March 4th, 2010K12HSN: Visit BOOTH 620 and make sure you participate in our sessions to learn more about Calaxy, Brokers of Expertise and Verizon Thinkfinity. Race to the Top Finalists Named Thursday, March 4th, 2010CDE: State Superintendent of Public Instruction Jack O'Connell today commented on the U.S. Department of Education announcement that California was not selected as a finalist in Phase 1 of Race to the Top (RTTT) competition. February 2010 Highlights Thursday, March 4th, 2010CDE: February 2010 Highlights-- A Message from State Superintendent of Public Instruction Jack O’Connell. National ed-tech plan coming next week Wednesday, March 3rd, 2010eSchool News: The latest national blueprint for how schools can leverage technology's power to transform teaching and learning is coming next week, said Karen Cator, director of the Office of Education Technology for the U.S. Department of Education (ED). The Future of E-Learning Is More Growth Wednesday, March 3rd, 2010THE Journal: By virtually every measure, electronic learning is experiencing unprecedented growth and will continue to do so for the foreseeable future. Teachers share their views on how to improve educa Wednesday, March 3rd, 2010eSchool News: In one of the largest national surveys of public school teachers, thousands of educators agreed that today's students aren't college-ready when they graduate from high school.  Teachers Feel Ignored In Education Debate Wednesday, March 3rd, 2010NPR: The survey 'Primary Sources: America's Teachers on America's Schools' asked some 40,000 U.S. public school teachers for their opinions on testing, merit pay, etc. The results show many teachers feel ignored in the debate over how to improve schools. Important E-rate Information Tuesday, March 2nd, 2010K12HSN/CDE: When you receive your Form 471 Receipt Acknowledgment Letter (RAL) from USAC (see attachment) you have 20 days to respond from the date of the letter, and to make corrections to any errors that may result in reduction or denial of funding. CENIC Today Tuesday, March 2nd, 2010CENIC: CENIC's Monthly Newsletter February 2010 is now available. In this newsletter, you'll find information about what's on the horizon for CENIC's Associates, CalREN, etc... CalREN Update: Network Projects and Activities Tuesday, March 2nd, 2010CENIC: California's K-12 System also received new Gigabit connections this month, as the Merced County Office of Education received a circuit to the Merced backbone node and the Ventura COE received a second Gigabit connection to the CalREN backbone. Texas ed-tech conference charts new waters in educ Monday, March 1st, 2010eSchool News: How to offer a successful online-learning experience, and how to integrate technology in meaningful ways, were 2 of the many education technology themes explored at the Texas Computer Education Association Conference. E-Rate in Line for a 21st-Century Makeover Monday, March 1st, 2010School Library Journal: The E-Rate program, which provides discounted telecom services to schools-may be getting a 21st-century lift. the updated law, E-Rate 2.0, would now grant discounts on services and technologies for e-books. Elk Grove Unified to open a virtual school Saturday, February 27th, 2010The Sacramento Bee: This August a few hundred students in the Elk Grove Unified School District will have their school year delivered to their doorstep in a giant UPS box. The K-12 students will be part of the district's first-ever virtual school. Study: Too few schools are teaching cyber safety Friday, February 26th, 2010eSchool News: Students aren’t getting enough instruction in school on how to use technology and the internet in a safe and responsible manner, a new poll suggests... Technology booming in North Dakota schools Friday, February 26th, 2010Bismarck Tribune: From chalkboards to iPods, technology use in schools has come a long way -and state and local officials say technology such as iPods and electronic book reading devices help to enhance students' learning. VISIT US AT CUE NEXT WEEK! Friday, February 26th, 2010K12HSN: CUE 2010 is around the corner. Make sure you stop by our booth! We will have three presentations this year: Calaxy, Brokers of expertise and Verizon Thinkfinity. Sharing expertise, and recognition for it, are key Friday, February 26th, 2010The Center for Teaching Quality has released a report on the results of a Teacher Network survey aiming to better understand the role of collaboration in supporting and retaining effective teachers in high-needs urban schools. Upcoming Conferences Friday, February 26th, 2010K12HSN: We will be present at several conferences in the coming months. Make sure you stop by our booth or attend our sessions to learn more about Calaxy, Verizon Thinkfinity and our training opportunities. Model Middle Grades Schools Named Friday, February 26th, 2010CDE: State Schools Chief O'Connell Honors Schools Designated as Schools To Watch-Taking Center Stage Model Schools. Teachers do not discuss STEM careers with students Thursday, February 25th, 2010eSchool News: A majority of students say their science and math teachers aren't discussing science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) career options-which doesn't bode well for leaders counting on STEM education to keep the nation at the forefront Schools can track laptops less intrusively Thursday, February 25th, 2010eSchool News: School officials in Pennsylvania who admit remotely activating webcams to locate missing laptops could have used far less intrusive methods of finding the machines, such as GPS tracking or call home systems, technology & privacy experts say. How to grow campus technology amid shrinking resou Thursday, February 25th, 2010eSchool News: Being an IT official at a California university today requires a close look at any measures that can save the campus cash. But Hilary Baker, vice president for IT at CSU Northridge, has found ways to maintain and improve technology services. Gaining Ground in the Middle Grades Thursday, February 25th, 2010Ed Source: Why some schools do better? Middle-grade schools in California that are outperforming their peers are doing so with a 'full-court organizational press on improved student outcomes,' according to a new report from Ed Source. Middle Grades Success Study Thursday, February 25th, 2010CDE: State Schools Chief Jack O'Connell Comments on New Study of What Leads to Middle School Success. Schools fall victim to P2P security breaches Wednesday, February 24th, 2010eSchool News: Peer-to-peer file sharing in schools and colleges has come under scrutiny again after a Federal Trade Commission probe turned up massive security breaches that made student grades, Social Security numbers, and medical records accessible New Windows software turns one PC into many Wednesday, February 24th, 2010Microsoft: Microsoft Announces Global Launch of Windows MultiPoint Server 2010. This new shared resource computing solution increases access to affordable technology in education. CaliforniaStreaming Digital Photography Contest Wednesday, February 24th, 2010The deadline to participate in CaliforniaStreaming's Digital Photography Contest 2010 is Sunday, March 14, 2010. The contest theme for this year is: ENERGY! Bonnie Reiss Secretary of Education Tuesday, February 23rd, 2010Office of the Governor: Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger today announced the appointment of Bonnie Reiss as Secretary of Education. 2010 Virtual Symposium Tuesday, February 23rd, 2010FREE 2010 Virtual Symposium: Education for Everyone: Expanding Access Through Technology. The symposium will open on March 1st. District uses technology team to support, train te Tuesday, February 23rd, 2010Valley Sun: A California district is helping educators narrow the technology gap among educators through its Tech Leaders Integrating Technology in Education team. The team is comprised of five teachers who act as mentors to train fellow educators. Obama urges states to raise academic standards Monday, February 22nd, 2010eSchool News: Saying America’s “primacy in the world” is at stake, President Barack Obama on Feb. 22 prodded states to raise their academic standards by using the best leverage he has: money. Education goals in Broadband Plan revealed Monday, February 22nd, 2010eSchool News: Upgrading the federal e-Rate program, removing the barriers to online learning, and unlocking the power of data are three key recommendations to help education prosper under the National Broadband Plan that will be released next month. Online math videos offer students free help Monday, February 22nd, 2010PBS/Newshour: Former hedge fund analyst Salman Khan now devotes his time to providing free online help for students who are struggling with math. In this interview, Khan talks about his nonprofit enterprise, which now has 1,200 short instructional videos Educator Teamwork Seen as Key to School Gains Saturday, February 20th, 2010Teacher Magazine: Most principals and teachers say they believe creating school environments that allow educators to work together more would have a 'major impact' on improving the chances for student success, according to a new national survey by MetLife Education reform, one classroom at a time Friday, February 19th, 2010The Washington Post: Sitting on the desk of the secretary of education are dozens of ideas bold enough to finally start solving our country's education crisis, says Melinda Gates in an editorial opinion piece for the Washington Post. Free Virtual Innovations in Education Summit Friday, February 19th, 2010ISTE: ISTE and HP invite educators around the world to participate remotely in the 2010 HP Innovations in Education Worldwide Summit, February 22-24. Participate in live webcasts of presentations and panels on Feb 23 and 24. The Online Learning Imperative Friday, February 19th, 2010Alliance for Excellent Education: The Online Learning Imperative: A Solution to Three Looming Crises in Education, by Governor Bob Wise. House to Start Hearings Next Week on ESEA Rewrite Thursday, February 18th, 2010Education Week: The reauthorization of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act is getting kicked into high gear with the announcement today that the House will start holding hearings next Wednesday, with the first meeting focused on charter schools. Broadband access gap remains large Wednesday, February 17th, 2010eSchool News: Roughly 40 percent of Americans do not have high-speed internet access at home, according to new Commerce Department figures that reinforce what educators believe causes some students to fall behind. Duncan pushes back against private lenders Wednesday, February 17th, 2010eSchool News: Responding to private lenders' lobbying efforts against White House plans for direct federal loans, Education Secretary Arne Duncan said Feb. 17 that he trusts the U.S. Senate will pass the Student Aid and Fiscal Responsibility Act (SAFRA). ISTE 2010 Opening Keynote, Full Program Announced Wednesday, February 17th, 2010ISTE: Author and former World Bank Vice President, Jean-Francois Rischard will deliver the opening keynote Sunday evening, June 27, at ISTE 2010 in Denver. 1-to-1 computing as effective as their teachers Tuesday, February 16th, 2010eSchool News: A compilation of four new studies of one-to-one computing projects in K-12 schools identifies several factors that are key to the projects' success, including adequate planning, stakeholder buy-in, and strong school or district leadership. Tech-savvy superintendents honored in Phoenix Tuesday, February 16th, 2010eSchool News: eSchool News honored 10 superintendents who are among the nation’s most successful in leading their schools into the 21st century. Ed Tech at the Crossroads Tuesday, February 16th, 2010THE Journal: Ed tech policy and advocacy groups have a lot to deal with these days. There's the new proposal to expand the federal E-Rate program. There are the National Broadband Plan and the new National Educational Technology Plan. And there is EETT. Digital Nation: 21st Century America's Progress Tuesday, February 16th, 2010NTIA released a new report taking a first look at data collected through the Internet Usage Survey of more than 50,000 households, commissioned by NTIA and conducted by the U.S. Census Bureau in October 2009. Can social media cure low student engagement? Monday, February 15th, 2010eSchool News: Keeping college students and their professors connected through social media outlets could be key in boosting graduation rates, education technology experts said during a panel discussion at Social Media Week in New York. As online classes boom, questions of rigor arise Monday, February 15th, 2010Minneapolis Star-Tribune: A fast-growing number of K-12 students in Minnesota and across the nation are migrating from the classroom to online learning. But while some schools tout impressive test scores, many fall short of statewide performance levels. Engineering our Future Monday, February 15th, 2010Verizon Thinkfinity: February 14-20, 2010, marks the 20th anniversary of National Engineers Week. Engineers use their imagination and skill to design things we use every day. Duncan: guiding principles for rewriting NCLB Sunday, February 14th, 2010eSchool News: Calling No Child Left Behind a 'blunt instrument' that placed more emphasis on defining failure than encouraging success, Arne Duncan on Feb. 12 outlined the Obama administration’s vision for rewriting the nation's education law. Students Sound Off on School Tech Use Saturday, February 13th, 2010Education Week: Discussions of technology in education typically center on what policymakers, academic experts, and educators would like to see happen in the classroom. Rarely heard are the voices of the students... Lawmakers seek to overhaul e-Rate Friday, February 12th, 2010eSchool News: A new House bill seeks to overhaul the e-Rate, which provides telecommunications discounts to eligible schools and libraries, to make it a more useful tool in the federal government's National Broadband Plan. Free Thinkfinity Trainer Training at LACOE Friday, February 12th, 2010K12HSN: Do not miss this great opportunity to become a Thinkfinity Trainer! Come join us for a free Thinkfinity Train-the-Trainer session at the Los Angeles County Office of Education on Friday, February 19, 2010 from 8:30 am to 3:30 pm. Thinkfinity Newsletter - February 2010 Friday, February 12th, 2010Verizon Thinkfinity: The Verizon Foundation and its Content Partners are publishing a Featured Resources newsletter. In this newsletter, you will find a selection of new Thinkfinity resources, tried-and-true favorites and other special features... California IT Consolidation's Estimated Savings Thursday, February 11th, 2010Government Technology Magazine: The executive order signed by Gov. Schwarzenegger on Feb. 9, sets a target date of June 2013 for individual agencies to shutter their server rooms, and mandates that energy consumption is slashed 30 percent by 2012. Title I Academic Achievement Awards for 2010 Thursday, February 11th, 2010CDE: State Schools Chief Jack O'Connell Announces 2010 Title I Academic Achievement Award Schools. Math comes to YouTube at a Pennsylvania School Thursday, February 11th, 2010The Patriot-News: A 1st year math teacher at a Pennsylvania middle school is reinforcing math concepts by creating and posting math videos on YouTube. Access to the site is blocked on school computers, so students watch his problem-solving videos at hom Google to build ultra-fast web networks Wednesday, February 10th, 2010eSchool News: Google Inc. plans to build a handful of experimental, ultra-fast internet networks around the country to ensure that tomorrow's systems can keep up with online video and other advanced applications that the company will want to deliver. House Bill Opens E-Rate to Community Colleges Wednesday, February 10th, 2010Campus Technology: A bill introduced in the US House of Representatives, known as the E-Rate 2.0 Act of 2010, would amend the school technology program by adding a 5-year, $750 million broadband pilot program for community colleges and head start programs Advanced Placement Exam Report Wednesday, February 10th, 2010CDE: Schools Chief Jack O'Connell Issues Statement on College Board's Sixth Annual AP® Exam Report to the Nation. Viewpoint: Failure is not an option in our schools Tuesday, February 9th, 2010eSchool News: On Jan. 28, a group of inspiring educators from four diverse school districts came together to share their experiences on how they have turned their underperforming schools around, and the tools they used to succeed. Teachers get a taste of real-world science Tuesday, February 9th, 2010eSchool News: Giving teachers hands-on science experience not only helps improve student achievement, but also reduces teacher attrition, according to results from a Columbia University study. Carnegie Mellon to offer internet safety resources Tuesday, February 9th, 2010eSchool News: Carnegie Mellon University will use a $20,000 grant from the Verizon Foundation to create and distribute web safety advice to faculty, teachers, and students in K-12 schools and on college campuses. Teachers Get National Certification Tuesday, February 9th, 2010CDE: State Superintendent of Public Instruction Jack O'Connell today announced 349 California teachers became National Board Certified Teachers (NBCT®s) in November 2009. Executive Order to Further Improve CA’s IT syste Tuesday, February 9th, 2010Office of the Governor: Gov. Schwarzenegger Signs Executive Order to Further Improve California’s Information Technology Systems. FY2010 Filing Window Close Extended to February 19 Tuesday, February 9th, 2010K12HSN/CDE: Due to adverse weather conditions in many areas of the country, USAC - in consultation with the FCC - has extended the close of the filing window to Friday, February 19, 2010. Four things every student should learn Monday, February 8th, 2010eSchool News: Education technology consultant Alan November reveals key lessons that today's students must know in order to thrive in the Information Age - but not every middle or high school is teaching these lessons. Multiple Stimulus Aid Streams Flow to Ed Tech Saturday, February 6th, 2010Education Week: States and school districts are tapping into several pots of federal economic-stimulus money to rev up their educational technology. A touch of tech enhances math class Saturday, February 6th, 2010Yakima Herald-Republic: Educators at a Washington state elementary school are using blogs to help enhance math lessons and prepare students to provide written explanations of their math work, as required on state tests. Rulings on MySpace suspensions leave more question Friday, February 5th, 2010eSchool News: School leaders hoping to get clarification on the limits of discipline in the Internet Era might have to wait for Supreme Court action. Wash. Standardized Testing Is Going Digital Friday, February 5th, 2010Education Week: Statewide about 25 percent of schools will participate in the pilot program. The rest of the students will take the paper-and-pencil test. BIP Round Two Application Guide Friday, February 5th, 2010The Department of Agriculture's Rural Utilities Service has released an application guide for its second and last round of broadband stimulus funding. 2010 Innovations in Networking Award Winners Friday, February 5th, 2010CENIC: Four groundbreaking projects that focus on the innovative use and expansion of high-performance networking were honored by CENIC as recipients of the 2010 Innovations in Networking Awards. Free Instructional Videos from Verizon Thinkfinity Friday, February 5th, 2010Verizon Thinkfinity: Want to learn more about Verizon Thinkfinity but only have 5 minutes to spare? NO PROBLEM! The Verizon Thinkfinity Professional Development team has developed a handful of short training videos! No login or registration is required. Debate Heats Up Over Replacing AYP Metric in ESEA Friday, February 5th, 2010Education Week: The Obama administration calls for a shift toward measuring college and career readiness as it prepares proposals for revamping the law. Teens' social media use on the rise Thursday, February 4th, 2010eSchool News: The use of social-networking web sites among young Americans continues to climb—but fewer teens and young adults are blogging now than four years ago, and the number of those who use Twitter is still very low... Closing the Achievement Gap Workbook Thursday, February 4th, 2010CDE: State Schools Chief Jack O'Connell Announces New Tool to Help Close the Achievement Gap by Improving School Culture and Climate. CENIC Annual Conference Program Online Thursday, February 4th, 2010CENIC: The Full Speed Ahead Conference Program is now available online. Race to the Top Applications Thursday, February 4th, 2010U.S. Department of Education: See the narrative portion of applications submitted by 40 states and DC for Phase 1 of Race to the Top. Digital Workshops: Online Resources for Educators Thursday, February 4th, 2010Verizon Thinkfinity: Learn how to be a better parent, teacher or caregiver to the "digital natives" in your life and gain the knowledge and skills for understanding, analyzing and participating in our technology-infused world. School Administrators: Leading with Thinkfinity Thursday, February 4th, 2010Verizon Thinkfinity: The February-March schedule for the free Verizon Thinkfinity Webinar, School Administrators: Leading with Thinkfinity, has been posted. Black History Month Resources Thursday, February 4th, 2010Verizon Thinkfinity: Just in time for Black History Month, Verizon Thinkfinity (www.thinkfinity.org) has added a new feature highlighting free lesson plans, teacher resources and student activities to bring the stories of African-American history to life. How school leaders can keep education in the news Wednesday, February 3rd, 2010eSchool News: A recent study from the Brookings Institution says education isn't getting its fair share of national news coverage--and isn't getting the right stories reported when it does. Report reveals spike in online course enrollment Wednesday, February 3rd, 2010eSchool News: The 2009 Sloan-C report on online education confirmed what campus officials have seen during the country's economic downturn: Americans are flocking to web-based classes. Education Groups Extremely Concerned over EETT Cut Wednesday, February 3rd, 2010THE Journal: If adopted by Congress without alteration, President Obama's proposed fiscal year 2011 budget would pump an additional $3.5 billion into education. But it would also cut the sole source of dedicated federal funding for education technology. FY11 budget plan folds ed tech into new program Tuesday, February 2nd, 2010eSchool News: President Barack Obama’s proposed budget for fiscal year 2011 calls for sweeping changes to programs within the U.S. Department of Education, including a restructuring of federal education technology grants... CENIC Today Tuesday, February 2nd, 2010CENIC: CENIC's Monthly Newsletter January 2010 is now available. In this newsletter, you'll find information about what's on the horizon for CENIC's Associates, CalREN, etc... CalREN Update: Network Projects and Activities Tuesday, February 2nd, 2010CENIC: The Ventura County Office of Education now enjoys a second Gigabit connection to the CalREN backbone, providing the Office with diversity. New ed-tech tools and techniques mark FETC 2010 Tuesday, February 2nd, 2010eSchool News: Free online tools that can save teachers time, new innovations that could make online learning more accessible, and insight into how educators can let students take responsibility for their own learning safely were among FETC's highlights Digital Innovation Outpaces E-Rate Policies Tuesday, February 2nd, 2010Education Week: The federal program is seen as not keeping up with technological advancements that could help schools. Model Continuation High Schools for 2010 Tuesday, February 2nd, 2010CDE: State Superintendent of Public Instruction Jack O'Connell today named 12 California schools as 2010 Model Continuation High Schools for their programs designed to help struggling students stay in school. Secretary Glen Thomas announced his retirement Tuesday, February 2nd, 2010Office of the Governor: Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger thanks Secretary of Education Dr. Glen Thomas for his dedicated service to California after the Secretary announced his retirement. 2010/2011 Applications: The Final Days Monday, February 1st, 2010K12HSN/CDE: Warning: The deadline for filing Form 471 applications for FY 2010/2011, is Thursday, February 11, 2010 at 11:59 p.m. EST (remember that is 8:59 PST). K12 gold from the National Science Digital Library Monday, February 1st, 2010School Library Journal: The National Science Digital Library is a digital database that provides standards-based instructional resources, K-12 lesson plans, digital downloads, streaming video, and 2.0 collaborative tools for math and science and it's free Web 2.0 in Hardcover: A recommended reading list Monday, February 1st, 2010School Library Journal: Here are some titles that significantly inform the conversation about Web 2.0 in education, along with their accompanying blog or Web site, where readers can continue the conversation. Budget Signals Bold Changes for ESEA Monday, February 1st, 2010U.S. Department of Ed: The President's 2011 education budget signals a bold new direction for federal K-12 education policy with more competitive funding, more flexibility and a focus on the reforms likely to have the greatest impact on student success. Students to Help Teachers Better Use Tech Monday, February 1st, 2010School Library Journal: The U.S. Department of Education (DOE) believes that when it comes to technology training, we should look no further than a terrific resource already in the classroom—students. Future of eReading might not be iPad, but Blio Sunday, January 31st, 2010eSchool News: Despite all the buzz about Apple's iPad tablet and how it could be useful for reading electronic textbooks, a new software program on the way might hold even more promise for education... 2010 Tech-Savvy Superintendent Awards Friday, January 29th, 2010eSchool News: A technology incentive program that is reducing the dropout rate and closing the digital divide; an online-learning program that has solved the challenge of declining student enrollment: are some of the many accomplishments of the winners... A new era in school district leadership Friday, January 29th, 2010eSchool News Commentary: Skillful leaders are able to articulate their vision clearly and inspire their communities to action--and the winners of our annual Tech-Savvy Superintendent Awards epitomize this idea.... Tools Expand Options for Personalized Learning Friday, January 29th, 2010Education Week: Digital tools for defining and targeting students' strengths and weaknesses could help build a kind of individualized education plan for every student. Digital Textbook Initiative Phase 2 Friday, January 29th, 2010CLRN: Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger, Superintendent Jack O'Connell, State Board of Education President Ted Mitchell, and Secretary of Education Glen Thomas have announced phase two of the Digital Textbook Initiative. New! Digital Textbook Summit to be held at CUE Friday, January 29th, 2010CUE: On the Saturday morning of the CUE Conference, CUE is proud to hosting a Digital Textbook Summit from 7:30-9am. Join Susan Patrick, CEO and President of iNACOL and panel of expert guests for a discussion on the future of online learning in California Frontline's Digital Nation Airs on PBS February 2 Friday, January 29th, 2010ISTE: Don't miss the 90-minute documentary, Digital Nation, produced by Frontline and airing on PBS TV channels Tuesday evening, February 2. Frontline crews collected interviews and footage at NECC 2009 in Washington, DC. Megaconference Jr: Registration Deadline Extended Friday, January 29th, 2010Megaconference Jr. 2010 will be held on Thursday, February 25, 2010 from 7:00 AM- 7:00 PM EST (UTC-5). Register now - New Final Deadline for Interactives is Feb. 1, 2010. February Give and Get Campaign Friday, January 29th, 2010K12HSN: We are gearing up to launch our 'February Give and Get' Campaign exclusively for Verizon Thinkfinity Trainers in California. Wireless mic frequency change could affect schools Friday, January 29th, 2010eSchool News: Schools and colleges that use wireless microphones operating on the 700 megahertz (MHz) frequency band have until June 12 to change the radio frequency or buy new equipment, according to a Jan. 15 ruling by the FCC. Obama calls for more school funding Thursday, January 28th, 2010eSchool News: Education is one of the few areas of the federal budget that would not see a spending freeze, if President Barack Obama gets his way this year. Educators intrigued by Apple's iPad Thursday, January 28th, 2010eSchool News: Apple's new tablet computer, the iPad, could push other companies to bring more color-capable eReaders to the market in a move that could make digital books more commonplace on school campuses, educators said after the long-awaited release. Schools need models for linking data, practice Thursday, January 28th, 2010eSchool News: States and school systems are making significant progress in building educational data systems and are starting to use these systems to improve student achievement, according to a new report. Research and Education Filing to FCC Thursday, January 28th, 2010Internet2 together with 27 national, state and regional R&E network organizations, filed comments to the FCC on January 27, 2010 to help inform the development of its National Broadband Plan. NTIA Chief Urges BTOP Rejects to Reapply Thursday, January 28th, 2010BroadbandBreakfast.com: National Telecommunications and Information Administration head Larry Strickling was in Denver Friday talking up the NTIA's second round of broadband stimulus funding. New program combines technology, community service Wednesday, January 27th, 2010eSchool News: Students at six schools from across the country are taking part in a pilot program that uses 'service learning' as a way to revitalize their schools and communities while gaining valuable 21st-century skills. Online education continues its meteoric growth Wednesday, January 27th, 2010U.S. News & World Report: Online college education is expanding rapidly. More than 4.6 million college students were taking at least 1 online course at the start of the 2008-09 school year. That's more than 1 in 4 college students (17% increase from 2007) Can Apple's tablet spark a textbook revolution? Tuesday, January 26th, 2010eSchool News: Can the release of Apple's eReader tablet do for textbooks what the iPod did for music: combine an online store for purchasing books with sleek hardware that holds every text a student needs? Interest in hybrid courses on the rise Tuesday, January 26th, 2010eSchool News: A growing number of schools now offer what's known as 'hybrid' courses, which mix an online experience with traditional classroom learning. Tapscott: Digital natives need tech-rich education Tuesday, January 26th, 2010eSchool News: Educators should change the way they view technology's role in everyday life in order to understand students' educational needs, said Don Tapscott, chairman of nGenera Insight, during a Jan. 19 Consortium for School Networking webinar. Podcasts enhance math learning at Georgia school Tuesday, January 26th, 2010Chattanooga Times Free Press: Teachers at Georgia's LaFayette High School are enhancing math lessons with technology and helping students take ownership of their learning by asking them to prepare and record podcast lessons to be posted to a Web site. USDA awarding $310 million for broadband projects Monday, January 25th, 2010The Associated Press: The Agriculture Department is handing out nearly $310 million in stimulus money to bring high-speed Internet connections to 14 rural communities around the country. California's Race To Top Reforms Divide Educators Monday, January 25th, 2010KPBS: A who's who in California public education filtered into an auditorium at the state capitol on Friday morning to hear the annual State of Education address given by State Schools Superintendent Jack O'Connell. Race To The Top takes center stage. Free videos explore the science behind the Olympic Sunday, January 24th, 2010eSchool News: Teachers looking for ways to incorporate the Olympic Winter Games into their instruction have a new resource they can use: NBC Learn has teamed up with the NSF to produce a video series focusing on the science behind the games. What Bill Gates is learning online Sunday, January 24th, 2010eSchool News: It's no surprise, really, but it turns out Microsoft founder and chairman Bill Gates is a strong supporter of the open-courseware movement that has swept through higher education in the last few years. After 10 Years, Federal Money for Technology in Ed Sunday, January 24th, 2010The New York Times: A bold recommendation in 2001 to set up a federal multibillion dollar trust that would act as a venture capital fund to research learning technology is finally being implemented. Technology gives kids constant media access Friday, January 22nd, 2010eSchool News: Educators face a growing challenge in trying to compete for their students' attention with near-constant access to entertainment media outside of school, a new study suggests. U.S. government posting wealth of data online Friday, January 22nd, 2010Associated Press: In a move that could benefit researchers and consumers alike, the Obama administration is posting to the internet a wealth of government data from all Cabinet-level departments on topics ranging from child car seats to Medicare services. Experts Urge Districts to Do More With Less Friday, January 22nd, 2010Education Week: Warning that school systems are facing permanent budget constraints, the authors of 10 papers present ideas for targeting spending to achieve results. State of Education 2010 Friday, January 22nd, 2010CDE: State Schools Chief Jack O'Connell Details Accomplishments, Challenges, and Opportunities to Improve Public Schools in State of Education Address. District Administration - February 2010 Friday, January 22nd, 2010The digital edition of District Administration - February 2010 is available now. Tweeting Your Own Horn Friday, January 22nd, 2010District Administration: Districts are using social networking Web sites like Twitter and Facebook to tout their accomplishments and communicate with the public. Tech Disruptions Friday, January 22nd, 2010District Administration: Why is mobile technology different from other technology? Among many other reasons, students will be using their own devices. The Best of CES: Ereaders and More Friday, January 22nd, 2010School Library Journal: An educator's take on ereaders and more from the Consumer Electronics Show 2009 in Review Friday, January 22nd, 2010U.S. Department of Education: Read this review of the Obama Administration's education efforts in 2009. Thinkfinity Newsletter - January 2010 Friday, January 22nd, 2010Verizon Thinkfinity: The Verizon Foundation and its Content Partners are publishing a Featured Resources newsletter. In this newsletter, you will find a selection of new Thinkfinity resources, tried-and-true favorites and other special features... Grant-giving continues despite economic slump Thursday, January 21st, 2010eSchool News: Some grant-giving entities have had to make adjustments in their award programs owing to the economic downturn, affecting both educators and students... Microsoft calls for cloud-computing regulations Thursday, January 21st, 2010eSchool News: A Microsoft official argued Jan. 13 that the U.S. Congress should create rules and regulations for cloud computing, a burgeoning technology that has gained traction among schools and colleges. California Students Face Harder Times Thursday, January 21st, 2010Los Angeles Times: Statewide poll reveals an increase in cutbacks and layoffs at schools, and unemployment and homelessness among families. More Learning for Tight Budgets - CUE2010 Bundles Wednesday, January 20th, 2010CUE: To help ease tightened budgets this year, CUE has created three cost-saving bundles around popular topics at the CUE 2010 Conference. Race to the Top: 41 Applications Wednesday, January 20th, 2010U.S. Department of Education: 40 states and the District of Columbia submitted applications to compete in Phase 1 of Race to the Top. President Obama announced plans to expand the program. Applying for Aid to Go to College? Wednesday, January 20th, 2010U.S. Department of Education: Watch this video for tips on filling out FAFSA - the Free Application for Federal Student Aid Student Media Use Rises, Study Finds Wednesday, January 20th, 2010Education Week: Kaiser study shows student use of media such as mobile devices and the Internet has increased more than an hour a day over the past five years. Enhancing Instruction with Web 2.0 Wednesday, January 20th, 2010THE Journal: 'It's about taking what's already out there, what's free and available right now, and fitting it to match your needs.' Report details coming trends in campus technology Wednesday, January 20th, 2010eSchool News: Open scholarly content will become more commonplace in higher education in the next year as online universities and textbook companies organize and harness the internet's mass of educational material, according to the 2010 Horizon Report. More Ariz. classes approved for online instruction Wednesday, January 20th, 2010The Arizona Republic: A new state law that lets all 227 Arizona school districts and 500 charter schools offer K-12 courses online has the potential to revolutionize instruction. Has Google developed the next wave of online ed? Tuesday, January 19th, 2010eSchool News: Combining text, audio, and video chat with features like drag-and-drop documents and interactive polls, Google Wave is a free web program that could add unprecedented depth to student interaction, many educators say. Obama to Seek $1.35 Billion Race to Top Expansion Tuesday, January 19th, 2010Education Week: The budget proposal would open the high-profile grant competition to districts--and extend it beyond the economic-stimulus program. District Stances on Race to Top Plans Vary Tuesday, January 19th, 2010Education Week: In the final sprint to polish Race to the Top applications, hundreds of school districts shunned a shot at a share of $4 billion in grants by refusing to sign on to their states' plans for the federal competition. Final Round of Broadband Stimulus Funding Tuesday, January 19th, 2010NTIA: The Commerce Department's NTIA and USDA's Rural Utilities Service (RUS) announced availability of $4.8 billion in American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) grants and loans to expand broadband access and adoption in America. Schools weigh in on national broadband plan Monday, January 18th, 2010eSchool News: To help provide broadband access to more citizens, the Federal Communications Commission should expand the eligible uses of e-Rate discounts to include after-school programs and community centers, many school leaders and education groups say Virtual schools are a critical piece of education Monday, January 18th, 2010eSchool News: Opinion-- Educational technology expert credits Florida lawmakers for seizing on the promise of virtual academies. W.Va. to Launch Online Textbook Pilot in Fall Monday, January 18th, 2010Education Week: Starting next semester, some West Virginia students will have one less book to carry. But that doesn't mean the workload will be any lighter. Recruiting/Supporting 21st-Century Ed Tech Leaders Monday, January 18th, 2010AASA's School Administrator: As the role of technology in education has progressed from a supplemental component to an essential element of the educational environment, so too have the responsibilities of district technology leaders become more critical. Innovative Teaching Practices Research Saturday, January 16th, 2010Washington Post: Microsoft invests millions in Innovative Teaching Practices Research. Microsoft announced that its Partners in Learning program is sponsoring the Innovative Teaching and Learning (ITL) Research project, which is led by SRI International. Putting New Standards Into Practice a Tough Job Saturday, January 16th, 2010Education Week: Educators nationwide would have to exchange long-held practices for newer ones if all 50 states were to adopt a set of common content standards. Building A Better CTO Saturday, January 16th, 2010THE Journal: CoSN creates a new framework of skills that draws a greater range of responsibility for the 21st century technology leader. Superintendents need resources, flexibility Friday, January 15th, 2010eSchool News: Finalists in the American Association of School Administrators (AASA) National Superintendent of the Year competition met to discuss ways that districts and the federal government can transform education... RTTT Application Signed Friday, January 15th, 2010CDE: State Superintendent of Public Instruction Jack O'Connell, Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger, and State Board of Education President Ted Mitchell today signed California's official application to enter the Race to the Top (RTTT) competition. ISTE Announces Top Ten in 2010 Ed Tech Priorities Friday, January 15th, 2010ISTE: Today ISTE launched a campaign to raise awareness about key Ed Tech priorities for 2010. These 'Top Ten in '10' provide a framework for policy-makers and educators as legislative and funding decisions are made. Schools must embrace mobile technology Thursday, January 14th, 2010BBC News reports that need for schools to prepare for 21st century learning was top of the agenda at this year's BETT conference. They must embrace mobile technologies, games, podcasts and social networking... Microsoft's Free SEO Tool Released Thursday, January 14th, 2010THE Journal: Microsoft has released a free search engine optimization (SEO) tool for Web sites. The software, called "SEO Toolkit," works with Web sites supported by Microsoft's Internet Information Services Web servers on Windows-based machines. Discovery Ed To Stream Natural History Series Thursday, January 14th, 2010THE Journal: Discovery Education has announced it will stream each episode of Discovery Channel's new natural history series Life beginning the day after it premieres on the cable TV network. Quality Counts 2010 Thursday, January 14th, 2010Education Week: Quality Counts 2010: The New Surge Toward Common Standards. The 14th edition of Education Week’s annual report card on American public education focuses on the latest iteration of the national debate over common academic standards. 2009 Online Learning Symposium Archives Thursday, January 14th, 2010CTAP Region 7 hosted an Online Learning Symposium last year. Most of the presenters were recorded. For those who couldn't attend the 2009 Online Learning Symposium, these archived sessions are available online. Distinguished School Nominees Thursday, January 14th, 2010CDE: State Superintendent of Public Instruction Jack O'Connell today announced the nomination of two California public schools for the 2009-10 National No Child Left Behind (NCLB) Title I Distinguished Schools Recognition Award. New projectors make any wall an IWB Wednesday, January 13th, 2010eSchool News: In a move that could shake up the interactive whiteboard (IWB) market, two projector manufacturers have just released new products that can turn virtually any surface into an IWB.... Barnes & Noble unveils textbook rental service Wednesday, January 13th, 2010eSchool News: Bookseller Barnes & Noble Inc. is launching a textbook rental program for college students, making it the newest entrant in a growing field. The announcement will raise college students' awareness of the burgeoning market. Google Docs upgrades storage to all file types Wednesday, January 13th, 2010eSchool News: Users of Google Apps for Education now will be able to store photos, videos, and other media files on Google Docs, after Google announced an upgrade to its service.... HP, Microsoft in $250 million cloud computing pact Wednesday, January 13th, 2010Information Week: Tech heavyweights Hewlett-Packard and Microsoft on Jan. 13 announced an ambitious partnership under which they will jointly invest $250 million over three years to develop and market systems geared toward cloud computing. Chinese Spy Agency behind Google cyber attack Wednesday, January 13th, 2010Information Week: Google said on Tuesday that it and at least 20 other companies in the Internet, finance, technology, media and chemical sectors had been targeted in a sophisticated cyber attack in December. CDW-G and Discovery Ed Contest Wednesday, January 13th, 2010THE Journal: Three K-12 schools will win a 21st century classroom outfit that includes 20 tablet or notebook computers, three wireless access points, a notebook cart, interactive whiteboard, student response system, projector, printer, and more. California TOY Among National Finalists Wednesday, January 13th, 2010CDE: Schools Chief Jack O'Connell Congratulates California Teacher of the Year Selected as a National Finalist. Race to the Top Participants Wednesday, January 13th, 2010CDE: State Superintendent of Public Instruction Jack O'Connell today announced 804 local educational agencies (LEAs) have submitted a signed Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) in order to partner with the state of California in the federal Race to the Top Three Model Schools Named Wednesday, January 13th, 2010CDE: State Superintendent of Public Instruction Jack O'Connell today announced the designation of three high-performing schools as California's 2010 Schools To Watch™—Taking Center Stage (STW™—TCS) model schools. Walnut school adds iPod touch to three Rs Tuesday, January 12th, 2010San Gabriel Valley Tribune: In September, a class was chosen for a pilot program to gauge if students' English comprehension and fluency improved with daily use of the iPod Touch. Oswalt Academy is already using technology in the classroom AFT: Education must change to move forward Tuesday, January 12th, 2010eSchool News: Moving public education to a model that will better prepare students for today's knowledge economy, and one that will strengthen teacher development and evaluation, is critical to the nation's ability to compete on a global scale... Better Than Ever: The New ReadWriteThink.org Monday, January 11th, 2010The Internet's leading resource for literacy professionals has a whole new look-and much more. With a fresh look and many exciting new features, the redesigned site offers a wider audience more opportunities to find just the literacy resources they need. Federal report details public K-12 tech use Monday, January 11th, 2010eSchool News: While most American schools employ an education-technology leader either full or part time, 17 percent of districts surveyed in fall 2008 reported having no one in place to oversee the use of technology in schools... California Issues Policy on Open Source Software Monday, January 11th, 2010The OCIO has issued its first Information Technology Policy Letter of the year, formally establishing the use of Open Source Software (OSS) in California government as an acceptable practice. State Fiscal Stabilization Fund Application Monday, January 11th, 2010CDE: State Schools Chief Jack O'Connell Announces Submission of Application for $213 Million in Federal State Fiscal Stabilization Funds Lodi Unified plans launch of online coursework Monday, January 11th, 2010Recordnet.com: Struggling Lodi Unified high school students will be ushered into the age of education technology in February, as the district officially launches online coursework in lieu of its now-defunct summer school program. California blesses open source as 'acceptable' Monday, January 11th, 2010CNET: Among the budget cuts California Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger has proposed to health care, prison, environment, and other parts of the state budget, there's one area that has a good chance of actually getting a budget increase: open source in IT. The children of cyberspace Old fogies by their 20s Saturday, January 9th, 2010The New York Times: Researchers theorize that the ever-accelerating pace of technological change might be creating a series of mini-generation gaps. 2010 State of the State Address Response Saturday, January 9th, 2010CDE: State Superintendent of Public Instruction Jack O'Connell today responded to Governor Schwarzenegger's 2010 State of the State address. Passage of Race to the Top Bills Saturday, January 9th, 2010CDE: State Superintendent of Public Instruction Jack O'Connell today issued the following statement following passage of SBx5 1, authored by Senate President pro Tempore Darrell Steinberg, and SBx5 4, authored by Senator Gloria Romero. Summary of governor's 2010-11 budget proposal Saturday, January 9th, 2010Office of the Governor: Gov. Schwarzenegger today submitted his proposed budget for 2010-11, which closes a $19.9 billion gap over the next 18 months between revenues and projected state expenditures. The Governor also declared a fiscal emergency. Left to their own devices Saturday, January 9th, 2010THE Journal: With cost concerns squeezing districts out of 1-to-1 computing programs, a once unthinkable solution is now in play: allowing students to bring their own laptops, PDAs, and—heaven help us—cell phones. Whiteboards' Impact on Teaching Seen as Uneven Friday, January 8th, 2010Education Week: While experts see whiteboards as powerful tools for improving instruction, teachers vary widely in their ability to use them effectively. FTC to examine cloud-computing privacy concerns Friday, January 8th, 2010Computerworld: In a development likely to be closely watched by Google Inc., Microsoft, and other vendors, as well as users of these companies' cloud-computing services, the FTC is examining potential threats to consumer privacy and data security. Schools go online to collect fees Friday, January 8th, 2010The Reporter: Thanks to technology, parents in California's Vacaville Unified School District have been able to use the internet to monitor their children's progress and grades. Now, that same technology is being used to alert parents of outstanding fees. New York fifth-graders using smart phones Friday, January 8th, 2010The Saratogian: Fifth-graders in a New York state school are part of a pilot program to use smart phones -- which are linked to the Internet but cannot be used to make calls or send text messages -- as mini-computers to find and share information. Study questions learning-style research Friday, January 8th, 2010eSchool News: As educators struggle to define effective 21st century instruction, one practice that many have viewed as fundamental to teaching and learning has come under new fire: catering to different learning styles. Thinkfinity Training January 23 - Contra Costa COE Friday, January 8th, 2010K12HSN: Become a Verizon Thinkfinity Trainer! K12HSN is offering a face-to-face training at the Contra Costa COE on Saturday January 23, 2010 to train educators, technology leads, etc. who are interested in becoming Verizon Thinkfinity Field Trainers. Important E-rate Information Friday, January 8th, 2010K12HSN: Warning! Using a non State Form 470 and Form 470 posting deadline National STEM initiative increases reach Thursday, January 7th, 2010eSchool News: President Barack Obama on Jan. 6 announced an expansion of the Educate to Innovate program he launched last November, including the creation of several new partnerships to help attract, develop, reward, and retain outstanding STEM teachers. New electronic devices could interest schools Thursday, January 7th, 2010eSchool News: New netbooks, tablet computers, and eBook reader devices, as well as fresh developments in television are among the technologies being unveiled this week at the International Consumer Electronics Show (CES) in Las Vegas. District Administration - January 2010 Thursday, January 7th, 2010The digital edition of District Administration -January 2010 is available now. Schwarzenegger to unveil final spending plan Thursday, January 7th, 2010Capitol Weekly: Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger intends to call the Legislature into emergency session to confront a nearly $6.6 billion budget gap in the current fiscal year. The governor will unveil his new budget for the 2010-11 fiscal year on Friday. Netbooks All Around Thursday, January 7th, 2010THE Journal: Mobile devices are increasingly playing a role in students' lives as more and more schools look to transform education through technology and help bridge the digital divide by supplying core learning tools to students. Educators see teaching tool in new Google program Thursday, January 7th, 2010La Crosse Tribune (Wisconsin): Some local college officials are jumping on board Google Wave to see what the new technology might mean for education. State program's aim: success for students Thursday, January 7th, 2010San Diego Union-Tribune: The California Partnership for Achieving Student Success is a statewide program that uses students' academic records to help educators align instruction for students. CalPASS has collected data from 25 million students since 1998. Teachers' digital media use on the rise Wednesday, January 6th, 2010eSchool News: Teachers are making significant progress in adopting digital media and using the internet for instruction, according to findings from a new survey released Jan. 5 by PBS. Feds roll out simpler FAFSA form Wednesday, January 6th, 2010eSchool News: The new online version of the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) will allow college applicants to skip series of questions that don't apply to them and includes help text and easily accessible instructions. Schwarzenegger seeks shift from prisons to schools Wednesday, January 6th, 2010New York Times: With his state strapped for cash and his legacy looming, Gov. Schwarzenegger on Jan. 6 proposed to greatly reduce the amount of money California spends on its prisons and to funnel that sum to the state's higher-education system instead NASA Launches Student Site Wednesday, January 6th, 2010THE Journal: The National Aeronautics Space Administration (NASA) has launched a Web site aimed specifically at teenagers that gives them access to current NASA spacecraft data, potentially taking school science projects to a new level. Schwarzenegger Vows No K-12 Budget Cuts Wednesday, January 6th, 2010Education Week: After carving deeply into California’s K-12 budget over the past two years, Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger vowed Wednesday to spare schools from further cuts in the budget he will propose for fiscal 2011. CA Assembly OKs overhaul of low-performing schools Wednesday, January 6th, 2010Sacramento Bee: California's lowest-performing schools would be targeted for a sweeping overhaul and the state could vie for a slice of $4.35 billion in federal Race to the Top funds under legislation narrowly approved Tuesday by the Assembly. OCDE Meet the Author Series Wednesday, January 6th, 2010The Orange County Department of Education is presenting open discussions with some of the most important authors of fiction for children and young adults. Students can interact with authors and learn more about selected writings. Office 2010 beta draws 2 million downloads Wednesday, January 6th, 2010InformationWeek: Microsoft is looking forward to strong sales of Office 2010 when the productivity suite ships later this year, based on what the company called record interest in the beta version of the product. Five ed-tech stories to watch for 2010 Tuesday, January 5th, 2010eSchool News: Here's a look at five stories that could have a huge effect on education technology in the new year. Google to take wraps off new mobile phone Tuesday, January 5th, 2010eSchool News: Educators and their students soon could have another communications and mobile computing option that isn't tied to a specific cellular provider, giving schools more flexibility in deploying a smart-phone solution on campus. Race to the Top Participants Tuesday, January 5th, 2010CDE: State Schools Chief O'Connell and Secretary of Education Thomas Announce Hundreds of Local Educational Agencies Intend to Participate in Race to the Top. Digital Textbook Initiative & Williams Settlement Tuesday, January 5th, 2010CLRN: One of the frequent questions CLRN received after completing phase one the Free Digital Textbook Initiative was how the Williams Settlement applied when districts choose to purchase or utilize open source digital textbooks. Open courseware gains momentum Monday, January 4th, 2010eSchool News: For years, tech-savvy educators and product developers have pushed for more open educational resources in classrooms as a way not only to engage students through technology, but also to save money in a time of tighter budgets. The top 10 ed-tech stories of 2009 Monday, January 4th, 2010eSchool News counts down the ten most significant developments in education technology during the past year. Teachers Not Adequately Prepared for Reform Monday, January 4th, 2010THE Journal: A report ('The Status of the Teaching Profession') offers current data on the supply, qualifications, and distribution of California's educators. The 2009 report includes the results of a survey of high school principals throughout the state. Discovery To Host Free Event on Using Technology Monday, January 4th, 2010THE Journal: Discovery Education has announced the DENSCIcon 2010, a free, virtual professional development event demonstrating the many ways educators can integrate digital content and educational technologies into science education. Will be held Jan 9. Vice President Announces an Initial $183 Million Monday, January 4th, 2010The White House: Vice President Biden kicked off $7.2 billion in Recovery Act broadband grant and loan programs to bring high-speed Internet to communities that currently have little or no access to the technology. Arizona expands K-12 online course offerings Saturday, January 2nd, 2010The Arizona Republic: This year, Arizona has joined a national effort to get more students to take their courses online, reports the Arizona Republic. How-To Animation Series on ISTE Connects Thursday, December 31st, 2009ISTE: Don't miss the three-part series on animation unfolding this week on the ISTE Connects blog. Written by ISTE member and library media specialist, the series offers tips, techniques, and tools for creating and publishing short animated videos. Schools face tough economic road ahead Tuesday, December 22nd, 2009eSchool News: While some economists point to signs that the nation's economy is improving, others say the U.S. faces a much slower climb out of the recession--a scenario that will have a huge effect on public education in the coming years. States Struggle to Stitch Together Pre-K-20 Data Monday, December 21st, 2009Education Week: More states are taking strides to connect K-12 data systems with postsecondary institutions, but challenges remain. Universities play role in broadband expansion Friday, December 18th, 2009eSchool News: Colleges and universities will help bring broadband internet to underserved schools, businesses, and neighborhoods after Vice President Joe Biden announced the first round of federal stimulus funds to expand high-speed web access on Dec. 17. New Resources for Financial Literacy Skills Friday, December 18th, 2009PBS Teachers Offers New Collection of Resources For Teaching Critical Economic and Financial Literacy Skills. PBS Teachers launches this new collection to help students understand complex economic concepts. Thinkfinity Newsletter - December 2009 Friday, December 18th, 2009Verizon Thinkfinity: The Verizon Foundation and its Content Partners are publishing a Featured Resources newsletter. In this newsletter, you will find a selection of new Thinkfinity resources, tried-and-true favorites and other special features Thinkfinity Partner Web Site Redesigns Coming Soon Friday, December 18th, 2009Verizon Thinkfinity: ReadWriteThink, EDSITEment and Xpeditions will unveil their new, redesigned Web sites in the new year! New On-Demand Webinars for Educators Friday, December 18th, 2009Verizon Thinkfinity: The Professional Development team has just launched pre-recorded versions of its free Webinars that can be viewed any time. K12HSN -- Holiday Update Friday, December 18th, 2009K12HSN News will return the week of January 4th, 2010. The K12HSN Offices will be closed between December 28, 2009 and January 4, 2010. Happy Holidays! Facebook faces flak over privacy changes Friday, December 18th, 2009eSchool News: A Washington, D.C.-based privacy advocacy group and nine other organizations have filed a complaint against Facebook over the online social network's latest privacy changes. CENIC 2008-09 Annual Report Available for Download Friday, December 18th, 2009CENIC 2008-09 Annual Report is now available for download. TCSII Update - December 2009 Thursday, December 17th, 2009TCSII: Celebrating Middle Grades - A special display at the California Department of Education celebrates the achievements of three new Schools To Watch™--Taking Center Stage (STW-TCS) schools. Feds release cyber safety booklet Thursday, December 17th, 2009eSchool News: A new booklet released by the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) and other government agencies helps parents and teachers steer kids safely through the online and mobile-phone worlds. Duncan: Schools 'need to be more creative' Thursday, December 17th, 2009eSchool News: Education leaders in the US must work to close the digital divide and ensure that all students have access to top-notch technology, while at the same time using technology not just for technology's sake, but as a game-changing learning tool. New Jobs Bill Offers $23 Billion for Education Thursday, December 17th, 2009Education Week: Money in the version passed by the House could be used to stem layoffs; a Senate version has yet to be unveiled. Teacher 2.0 Fun Time for Holidays Wednesday, December 16th, 2009CSLA: The California School Library Association invites you to explore an online tutorial that appeals to teachers who like to be one step ahead of their peers and their students! The course is free, fun, and a fantastic way to learn 21st century tools. Districts Weigh Costs of Replacing Computers Wednesday, December 16th, 2009Education Week: At Westside Community Schools in Omaha, Neb., the Director of Information Technology keeps the computers humming by staying on a strict cycle of replacement and recycling. Social Networking in Education - A Whitepaper Wednesday, December 16th, 2009Steve Hargadon: Educational Networking: The important role web 2.0 will play in education Video game teaches students fiscal skills Tuesday, December 15th, 2009eSchool News: A new video game designed to help New York students learn to manage their money tries to make the dullness of balancing a checkbook look more like the thrill of driving for a touchdown. FTC: Virtual worlds pose real risks to minors Tuesday, December 15th, 2009eSchool News: Minors are able to access explicit content in virtual worlds without much difficulty, and the operators of those virtual worlds should take steps to keep that content away from children and teenagers, according to a new report from the FTC. Australian gov to introduce national web filter Tuesday, December 15th, 2009Associated Press: Australia plans to introduce an internet filtering system to block obscene and crime-linked web sites, despite concerns it will curtail freedoms and won't completely work. Major Study Gives Edge to Scripted Reform Models Tuesday, December 15th, 2009Education Week: An examination of three off-the-shelf designs for improving schools finds learning gains for the two with more-prescriptive approaches. Geographic software helps teach critical skills Monday, December 14th, 2009eSchool News: All schools in Arkansas will have access to geographic information system (GIS) technology. The Arkansas Dept of Ed hopes will continue to give students 21st-century skills and community service opportunities. UC energy savings could top $30M Monday, December 14th, 2009eSchool News: The 10 University of California campuses expect to save $36 million in annual utility costs after a series of green initiatives that include replacing 500 energy-intensive servers with 270 servers that require about half the electricity. November/December URBAN EDUCATOR Monday, December 14th, 2009Council of the Great City Schools: The November/December, Special Fall Conference Edition of the Urban Educator is now posted online. New programs help English-language learners Saturday, December 12th, 2009eSchool News: With the growing immigrant population in the United States, the need for ways to help educate English-language learners (ELL) continues to increase. HMH Launches California Teachers' Network Facebook Saturday, December 12th, 2009Houghton Mifflin Harcourt has announced the launch of an online community designed specifically for California teachers on the popular social networking website Facebook: the California Teachers' Network. R2D2: A model for using technology in education Friday, December 11th, 2009eSchool News: Ed-tech writer and professor Curtis Bonk explains the Read, Reflect, Display, and Do (R2D2) model, a framework for using technology to teach and learn. New Annual Report Features Six New Courses Friday, December 11th, 2009UC College Prep: UC College Prep's new interactive 2008-2009 annual report has been launched. The report not only shows significant growth in the usage of the UC initiative's online courses and content, it also contains links to new courses. Read Around the Planet 2010 Friday, December 11th, 2009TWICE invites you to participate in a celebration of reading using videoconference technology! Classes can participate in English, or a variety of other languages, or special education. Classes share skits, raps, original poetry/writing, songs, game 'I Am What I Learn' Winners Friday, December 11th, 2009U.S. Department of Education: Three students win the 'I Am What I Learn' video contest and will receive a $1,000 prize. Colorado: New standards stress critical thinking Friday, December 11th, 2009The Denver Post: New standards for subject matter as varied as reading and theater were unanimously adopted by the state school board Thursday. Colorado's new educational standards stress strategic thinking. Education bill has its critics Friday, December 11th, 2009San Diego Union Tribune: California legislators have approved a set of education reforms, but some critics say the changes do not go far enough to improve education for minority and low-income students. Calif. After-School Program Receives STEM Grant Thursday, December 10th, 2009THE Journal: A non-profit after-school program serving more than 50,000 students in communities throughout Southern California, has received a $250,000 grant from energy provider Southern California Edison to support the program's STEM education efforts. 5 K-12 Technology Trends for 2010 Thursday, December 10th, 2009THE Journal spoke with a handful of technology experts and came up with a short list of top tech trends you'll want to watch in the new year. A look at the top technology tools and trends to keep an eye on in the coming year. Report names top threats to campus networks Thursday, December 10th, 2009eSchool News: 8 out of 10 colleges included in a recent study were deemed vulnerable to cyber attacks that could cost IT departments thousands of dollars, highlighting the security downfalls of decentralized campus networks with little interconnectedness. Warning signs of violence at school Thursday, December 10th, 2009The Washington Post: The Justice Department just issued a new guide for school communities with strategies to help prevent and respond to school violence. Blue Ribbon Nominees for 2010 Thursday, December 10th, 2009State Schools Chief Jack O'Connell Nominates 35 California Public Schools for National Honor. New digital reader could rival Kindle Wednesday, December 9th, 2009eSchool News: Five of the nation's largest publishers of newspapers and magazines plan to challenge Amazon.com Inc.'s Kindle electronic-book reader with their own digital format that would display in color and work on a variety of devices. Can gaming change education? Wednesday, December 9th, 2009eSchool News: As video games continue to permeate our culture, schools and students are increasingly interested in using video games for learning. This interest has prompted universities and neurologists to explore what makes a successful educational game Iowa schools get $60 million for technology Wednesday, December 9th, 2009Des Moines Register: Iowa schools are getting $60 million from software giant Microsoft's payment to settle an antitrust lawsuit in the state.  Making Open Content Texts More Accessible Wednesday, December 9th, 2009THE Journal: With the help of a $100,000 supplemental grant from the United States Department of Education Office of Special Education (OSEP), Bookshare will begin to make open content textbooks accessible to readers with print disabilities. Nebraska Wind Farms Generate Tech Funds for school Wednesday, December 9th, 2009THE Journal: When the Nebraska Public Power District started looking into wind farms as potential sources of electricity seven years ago, Bob Marks had no idea what impact the initiative would have on his school district. Ten keys to success with your e-Rate Form 470 Tuesday, December 8th, 2009eSchool News: Now that the filing window for schools to request 2010 e-Rate discounts on their telecommunications services has opened, here is some timely advice on applying for your share of the $2.25 billion in funding available. Survey suggests campus technology is underused Tuesday, December 8th, 2009eSchool News: Fewer than half of college students responding to a national survey said their professors are using instructional technology, and educators worry that the technology gap between faculty and students might hinder campus learning. Calif. higher ed leaders call for more state funds Tuesday, December 8th, 2009Associated Press: California's promise of an affordable higher education for its residents is being jeopardized by state budget cuts, the leaders of the state's college and university systems warned. Some Urban Districts Show Progress in Math NAEP Tuesday, December 8th, 2009Education Week: The District of Columbia and San Diego make gains, while Detroit and other districts lag behind. PBS TeacherLine used for Teacher Continuing Ed Tuesday, December 8th, 2009THE Journal: Three universities have joined 25 other institutions in granting teachers graduate credit for completing PBS TeacherLine courses. Software helps students with autism Monday, December 7th, 2009eSchool News: Using software that includes both on- and off-computer activities led to significant gains in the communication and social skills of students with autism, a Los Angeles Unified School District (LAUSD) study found. Pearson pilots computer-based teaching exam Monday, December 7th, 2009eSchool News: As would-be educators and the schools looking to hire them continue to explore alternative routes to teacher certification, Pearson has announced a new pilot program that intends to provide a completely computer-based certification system. Social networking experiment nets $40,000 for team Monday, December 7th, 2009MSNBC: A team led by the Massachusetts Institute of Technology spread the wealth far and wide to locate 10 red balloons in undisclosed locations across the country on Dec. 5 and win a $40,000 cash prize from the Pentagon's think tank. Facebook forms online safety board Monday, December 7th, 2009Reuters: Social networking site Facebook said it has formed an advisory board consisting of five internet safety organizations to consult on issues related to online safety. CDE Applies for Federal Data Grant Monday, December 7th, 2009CDE: Schools Chief Jack O'Connell Announces Submission of California's Application for Federal Education Data Grant. Teachers begin using cell phones for class lessons Sunday, December 6th, 2009ABC 7 News: A growing number around the country that are abandoning traditional policies of cell phone prohibition and incorporating them into class lessons. Spanish vocabulary becomes a digital scavenger hunt. Notes are copied with a cell phone camera. 2010 e-Rate filing window opens Friday, December 4th, 2009eSchool News: The 2010 filing window for the federal e-Rate program opened Dec. 3, and interconnected voice over IP (VoIP) and text messaging used for educational purposes are two services now included in the FCC's revised Eligible Services List (ESL) $3.5 billion available to help failing schools Friday, December 4th, 2009eSchool News: The Obama administration will spend at least $3.5 billion to push local officials around the country to close failing schools and reopen them with new teachers and principals, and applications for the money are now available to state. Ed-tech grants target remedial college courses Friday, December 4th, 2009eSchool News: Social networking soon could be used to help form a virtual community of campus educators charged with creating a national certification for teachers of remedial college courses. $12.9M in Gates Foundation funding will support the effort. Google launches dictionary and translated web sear Friday, December 4th, 2009PC World: Internet search leader Google has released two more helpful tools to help users get a richer search experience, PC World reports: a dictionary project that goes beyond simple definitions of words, and a new translated web-search feature. Tennessee receives Verizon Foundation grant Friday, December 4th, 2009Clarksville Online: The Tennessee Dept of Education has been awarded a $30,000 grant from the Verizon Foundation to provide training to teachers statewide on using the thousands of free, standards-based education resources available through Thinkfinity. Eyeing stimulus for education, states adopt reform Friday, December 4th, 2009Christian Science Monitor: The federal stimulus money for education is prompting states, much more than before, to embrace reforms promoted by the U.S. Department of Education Children who use technology are 'better writers' Friday, December 4th, 2009BBC: Children who blog, text or use social networking websites are more confident about their writing skills, according to the National Literacy Trust. Future cyber sleuths get an early start Thursday, December 3rd, 2009The Philadelphia Inquirer: Thirty-seven students at the Delaware County Technical School in Aston, Pa., are enrolled in a new network systems program that offers a concentration in the exploding field of computer forensics. Verizon Thinkfinity - New Administrator Webinar Thursday, December 3rd, 2009Verizon Thinkfinity: The first session of a new webinar -- School Administrators: Leading with Verizon Thinkfinity -- is scheduled for Thursday, December 10 at 9:00 am Pacific (registration closes 2 days prior to session) Keeping on Task in a Digital Environment Thursday, December 3rd, 2009THE Journal: It doesn't take much to disrupt an entire high school classroom and get a student off task, particularly when that student is using a desktop or laptop computer to finish a lesson. Schools are using technology to control classroom management New Online Course to Become a Thinkfinity Trainer Thursday, December 3rd, 2009Verizon Thinkfinity will be offering an online facilitated course to the educators and technology integration specialists who are interested in becoming Verizon Thinkfinity Field Trainers. Registration closes on January 4th, 2010. Face-to-face Training:Become a Thinkfinity Trainer Thursday, December 3rd, 2009K12HSN is offering a series of face-to-face trainings to train educators, technology integration specialists, etc. who are interested in become Verizon Thinkfinity Field Trainers. ED's new tech chief previews national plan Wednesday, December 2nd, 2009eSchool News: As America's brand-new director of education technology, career educator Karen Cator underscores the determination of President Obama and U.S. Education Secretary Arne Duncan to develop a transformative agenda for schools and colleges. New CTO guidelines issued for schools Wednesday, December 2nd, 2009eSchool News: School districts have a new resource to help them define effective leadership in education technology: CoSN has released an updated version of its Framework of Essential Skills for K-12 chief technology officers. Lure of Race to Top Splits California Lawmakers Wednesday, December 2nd, 2009Education Week: Some push policy changes to help secure up to $700 million in federal economic-stimulus cash, while others warn against hasty action. CENIC Today Wednesday, December 2nd, 2009CENIC's Monthly Newsletter November 2009 is now available. In this newsletter, you'll find information about what's on the horizon for CENIC's Associates, CalREN, etc... Riverside Unified in vanguard of digital texts Wednesday, December 2nd, 2009Educated Guess: One district, Riverside Unified, has risen to the challenge, and its director of K-12 instructional technology says Riverside wants to be in the vanguard of an online movement that inevitably will radically change the way textbooks. E-rate Updates Wednesday, December 2nd, 2009K12HSN/CDE: Last chance to attend E-rate training for Fall 2009 and USAC announces Commitment Levels Discovery Launches 'Be the Future' Initiative Wednesday, December 2nd, 2009THE Journal: Science education promises to be critical to American competitiveness on the world stage in the 21st century, and President Obama recently delivered a call to action to promote science literacy and to encourage student interest in science. Setting the Stage for Distance Learning Wednesday, December 2nd, 2009THE Journal: Jean Smith is used to standing up in front of a live classroom of high school students, but these days she's testing her acting skills by also delivering those lessons to students located in other school systems. Text-a-Tip programs help promote school safety Tuesday, December 1st, 2009eSchool News: Police across the country are getting help from text-a-tip programs that allow people to send anonymous text messages from their cell phones -- and in many cases, the programs have been used to enhance school and campus safety. Free online tools simplify research Tuesday, December 1st, 2009eSchool News: Programs are designed to capture web pages and create citations automatically, saving valuable time for students and faculty. Broadband teaching gets boost in Idaho schools Tuesday, December 1st, 2009The Idaho Statesman: Student-teacher interactions via video conferencing over a dedicated broadband network soon could become commonplace in Idaho, thanks to the new Idaho Education Network. PTA Launches Campaign Backing Common Standards Tuesday, December 1st, 2009Education Week: A national organization, with philanthropic backing, is launching a campaign to build support for common academic standards among a potentially influential constituency: parents. Avg. school district IT director makes $87,898 Monday, November 30th, 2009eSchool News: Average salary for district-level technology directors rose 2.1 percent last year, but trails average instructional director's salary by nearly $15,000 Survey shows untapped potential for campus IT Monday, November 30th, 2009eSchool News: Students' use of mobile devices to go online is on the rise, and this trend has policy implications for colleges and universities. Teachers using cell phones for class lessons Monday, November 30th, 2009Associated Press: A growing number of schools around the country are abandoning traditional policies of cell-phone prohibition and incorporating the devices into class lessons. Taiwan plans to roll out e-Readers in schools Monday, November 30th, 2009PC World: Taiwan's Ministry of Education plans to offer e-readers to school kids on the island next year as part of its efforts to digitize schools and promote reading. Visit our booth at the CLMS K-12 Technology Conf Wednesday, November 25th, 2009Join the California K-12 High Speed Network at the CLMS/CLHS K-12 Technology Conference in San Diego, December 4-5. Make sure you stop by our booth! (booth 25). There will also be a Verizon Thinkfinity session Friday -- 10:30 to 11:30 am (Royal Palm 3) Connecting California's Children Report 2009 Wednesday, November 25th, 2009The California K-12 High Speed Network is proud to release the 2009 edition of its Connecting California's Children Report. Obama launches new STEM initiatives Tuesday, November 24th, 2009eSchool News: President Barack Obama on Nov. 23 announced the launch of several nationwide programs to help motivate and inspire students to excel in science and math, including a grassroots effort called 'National Lab Day' and a White House science fair. Revised Google Book deal disappoints many Tuesday, November 24th, 2009eSchool News: College and university library officials are largely disappointed with Google's decision to exclude non-English books from its digital library in a concession to critics of a proposed legal settlement. Education Efforts Garner Tech Awards Tuesday, November 24th, 2009Education Week: Three education laureates stood beside former Vice President Al Gore and 11 other awardees last week at The Tech Awards. Two of the awards were given for free online learning projects. Web-savvy parents have art for raising money Tuesday, November 24th, 2009The New York Daily News: Parents of students at a public school last summer launched an online viral marketing campaign that brought in $40,000 in just a month and rescued the school's arts programs from the chopping block. Tech Is all the Talk at NCTE Tuesday, November 24th, 2009School Library Journal: Educators from around the globe shared methods for tying media and technology into literacy lessons at the 99th annual National Council of Teachers of English (NCTE) Annual Convention held in Philadelphia, PA, November 19-22. Competition seeks ways to transform learning Monday, November 23rd, 2009eSchool News: The John D. and Catherine T. MacArthur Foundation has announced a $2 million open competition for ideas to transform learning using digital media. More states have education data systems Monday, November 23rd, 2009eSchool News: According to a new report, every state is on track to have a longitudinal data system that follows the progress of individual students from preschool through college by 2011, thanks in part to funding from the ARRA. But more work remains. School libraries key in teaching information skill Friday, November 20th, 2009eSchool News: Annual AASL conference explores the changing role of school libraries in the 21st century. The conference focused on how school library media specialists can help students develop valuable multimedia skills. Gates Foundation funds teacher quality models Friday, November 20th, 2009eSchool News: Three school districts (in Florida, Tennessee, and Kansas) and a coalition of charter schools (in California) have agreed to be test kitchens for some radical ideas for improving teacher quality. Google adds automatic captions to YouTube Friday, November 20th, 2009The Associated Press: Google, in a significant development for deaf internet users, said it is adding automatic caption capability to videos on YouTube. iNACOL Online Innovator Award Winners Announced Friday, November 20th, 2009THE Journal: iNACOL has announced the winners of its 1st annual Online Innovator Awards: best and most innovative learning practice; important new research furthering the advancement of K-12 e-learning; and most innovative individual achievement. NCLB Had Mixed Impact on Achievement, Study Finds Friday, November 20th, 2009THE Journal: No Child Left Behind's accountability measures had no impact on children's reading achievement but did lead to some gains in math achievement by some measures, according to a new study. Race to the Top Funding Friday, November 20th, 2009CDE: State Schools Chief Jack O'Connell Urges Progress on Race to the Top Legislation. Finalists chosen in national student video contest Thursday, November 19th, 2009eSchool News: In the second stage of the 'I Am What I Learn' video contest from the federal Education Department (ED), 10 student videos have been chosen as national finalists--and ED is asking the public to help it pick the winners. FCC discusses barriers to national broadband plan Thursday, November 19th, 2009CNET: The Federal Communications Commission met Nov. 18 to discuss obstacles to enacting a national broadband policy that will provide high-speed internet access to every American. K-12's Stab at the Killer iPhone App Thursday, November 19th, 2009THE Journal: Schools tap application developers for mobile solutions. While still in their infancy, the apps promise to deliver students and school data on the go. SBE Meeting Live Webcast Wednesday, November 18th, 2009K12HSN: The live video stream from the State Board of Education (SBE) meeting originating from the California Department of Education is available online. CoSN seeks more ICT lessons from abroad Wednesday, November 18th, 2009eSchool News: A delegation of U.S. education technology leaders from CoSN visited Scotland and the Netherlands to learn more about the world's first national intranet for education, international approaches to online safety, and more. Online college admissions services growing Wednesday, November 18th, 2009eSchool news: Private counseling for high school seniors proves too pricey for most families, while low-cost admissions help can be found on the web HTML5: The Web Beyond Web 2.0 Wednesday, November 18th, 2009THE Journal: The implications for HTML5 technologies on learning are profound. As technologies become more intelligent, teaching and learning can focus more clearly on the processes of thinking. Games: New Tools for Teaching Financial Literacy Wednesday, November 18th, 2009Education Week: Although a majority of states do not require financial-literacy classes in K-12 schools, the nation's recent economic struggles have spurred growing interest in the subject. Many educators are turning to digital-game-based approaches. Stakeholders advise on national ed-tech plan Tuesday, November 17th, 2009eSchool News: ED is accepting public feedback as it develops the new plan. Train every pre-service teacher to teach online; invest in the development of open courseware; are some of the many recommendations ED has received so far. The argument for free classes via iTunes Tuesday, November 17th, 2009The New York Times: More than 600 schools post lectures to iTunes U, Apple's free catalog of lectures from colleges and universities around the world, which recently got some added visibility when Apple rolled out iTunes 9 this fall. Texas moving toward online materials Tuesday, November 17th, 2009Fort Worth Star-Telegram: Textbooks could be going away within a few years in Texas classrooms. State legislation passed in the spring could put up-to-the-minute instructional content at students' fingertips, eliminating the mass-market hardback textbook. Thinkfinity Named Best Free Educational Website Tuesday, November 17th, 2009Verizon Thinkfinity: Verizon Thinkfinity has received Library Media Connection Magazine's Editor's Choice award for the best free educational Website. States boost access to online education Monday, November 16th, 2009eSchool News: In an annual survey titled Online Learning Policy and Practice Survey: A Survey of the States, education officials from 44 states provided insight into the status of online learning in their states. NSBA's T+L 2009 explores school innovation Monday, November 16th, 2009eSchool News: Innovation was the watchword at the National School Boards Association's 2009 Technology + Learning (T+L) conference last month in Denver. Mobile Devices in the Classroom Monday, November 16th, 2009District Administration: Phones, netbooks and iPods are finding a place in the curriculum and expanding student access to technology. Minding Your E-Mail Monday, November 16th, 2009District Administration: Since the Supreme Court approved a 2006 amendment to the Federal Rules of Civil Procedure requiring public entities such as school districts to produce electronically stored public records during the discovery process in lawsuits. NEA study finds digital divide narrowing in school Monday, November 16th, 2009NEA: The National Education Association (NEA) and Harris Interactive have released the results of an Omnibus poll showing parents have embraced the benefits of Internet at school and even use the technology to communicate with their children's teachers. Selling lessons online raises cash and questions Sunday, November 15th, 2009The New York Times: Thousands of teachers are cashing in on a commodity they used to give away, selling their lesson plans online for extra money -- a practice that has some officials questioning who owns material developed for public school classrooms. Oregon Approves Discovery Education Saturday, November 14th, 2009Discovery Education: The Oregon State Board of Education has approved 'Discovery Education Science' for statewide adoption in Elementary and Middle schools. This is the latest evidence of national shift from traditional textbooks to digital curriculum. How to fix the STEM education 'crisis' Friday, November 13th, 2009eSchool News: According to experts, the state of math and science instruction in the United States is in crisis--and only a major overhaul of the education system will get the nation back on track. Rules Set for $4 Billion Race to Top Contest Friday, November 13th, 2009Education Week: States will need to make a persuasive case for their education reform agenda, demonstrate significant buy-in from local school districts, and develop plans to evaluate teachers and principals based on student performance. CoSN Provides Input on National Ed Tech Plan Friday, November 13th, 2009CoSN: The Consortium for School Networking (CoSN) this week submitted comments in response to a request from the U.S. Department of Education for input on the National Educational Technology Plan. New MyCTAP Flyer! Friday, November 13th, 2009CTAP: CTAP is distributing the new MyCTAP flyer to spread the word and disseminate information about the New CTAP Web Portal. Come and visit our booth at CETPA! Friday, November 13th, 2009Join the California K-12 High Speed Network at the CETPA Annual Conference next week in San Diego. Make sure you stop by our booth! (Grand Foyer) U.S. Solicits Input for New Ed-Tech Plan Thursday, November 12th, 2009Education Week: Some people in the field are concerned about the lack of high-quality recommendations for guiding the plan's development. Cloud computing envelops EDUCAUSE talk Thursday, November 12th, 2009eSchool News: The 2009 EDUCAUSE higher-education technology conference saw campus IT administrators present ways to preserve technology budgets during an economic downturn that has devastated many institutions' operating budgets and endowments. PC trends in education: Thin is in Thursday, November 12th, 2009eSchool News: Here's a look at what this year's computer trends mean for the personal computing--and especially for education. HP-3Com deal marks a shot at Cisco Thursday, November 12th, 2009eSchool News: Hewlett-Packard Co.'s $2.7 billion takeover of 3Com Corp. is a shot at networking leader Cisco Systems Inc., analysts say--and a sign of how old relationships are being frayed by a flurry of maneuvers by technology heavyweights. $5 billion Race to the Top begins Thursday, November 12th, 2009eSchool News: The Obama administration on Nov. 12 is opening its competition for states to receive $5 billion in Race to the Top education funding, but states have been jockeying for the new stimulus money even before the contest begins. California could get up to $700 million in ed fund Thursday, November 12th, 2009Los Angeles Times: California could be eligible for up to $700 million in federal education stimulus funds under guidelines scheduled to be released today by the U.S. Department of Education. Ed-tech showcase inspires lawmakers Wednesday, November 11th, 2009eSchool News: U.S. senators, students, and education-technology experts gathered on Capitol Hill last week for an event that highlighted the benefits of technology in K-12 and higher education. More stimulus money coming - with strings attached Tuesday, November 10th, 2009eSchool News: Another $11.5 billion in State Fiscal Stabilization Funds available, but states will have to demonstrate progress toward Obama's school-reform goals to qualify Schwarzenegger: This year's budget gap may hit $7 Tuesday, November 10th, 2009Sacramento Bee: Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger estimated Monday that California's budget will fall out of balance by $5 billion to $7 billion this fiscal year, on top of a $7.4 billion gap already projected for 2010-11. FCC proposes web-safety education rules Monday, November 9th, 2009eSchool News: Schools and libraries receiving federal E-Rate funding would have to submit proof that they have implemented internet safety education programs along with their E-Rate applications, according to a new Notice of Proposed Rulemaking. New 21st-century skills guide available Monday, November 9th, 2009eSchool News: The Partnership for 21st Century Skills has released a new guide intended to help schools and districts evaluate the integration of 21st-century skills into their policies and practices. Treating kids on the web in a new way Monday, November 9th, 2009San Jose Mercury News: The third annual conference of the Family Online Safety Institute brought together about 400 Internet safety advocates around the theme of Building a Culture of Responsibility: From Online Safety to Digital Citizenship. States Lag in Educational Innovation, Report Says Monday, November 9th, 2009Education Week: A new report card finds little to celebrate in areas such as technology, high school quality, and removing ineffective teachers. Web Connects K-12 Students With Scientists Monday, November 9th, 2009Education Week: Universities and science organizations have launched initiatives to make advanced scientific work seem less intimidating and more appealing. Free State Implementation Guides Monday, November 9th, 2009P21: The 21st Century Skills Implementation Guides are designed to help state leaders and policymakers understand the basic steps involved in implementing statewide 21st century education initiatives. Students discovering online collaboration Sunday, November 8th, 2009Star-Ledger: New Jersey teachers and students are slowly but increasingly using Web 2.0 tools to share creative, collaborative content. Race to the Top Measure Friday, November 6th, 2009CDE: State Schools Chief Jack O'Connell Comments on Senate Approval of Measure to Advance Application for Race to the Top. More report cards go online Friday, November 6th, 2009USA Today: When report cards went out in a Tennessee school last month, students did not have a printed version for their parents to sign. The district went paperless with its report cards making grades available to parents with secure accounts online. Protecting kids or free speech Friday, November 6th, 2009eSchool News: Controlling what children see on TV, online, and in other electronic media requires a delicate balancing act between the First Amendment rights of content providers and the desire to protect kids from inappropriate material, said panelists. FCC solicits E-rate comments Friday, November 6th, 2009eSchool News: As part of its efforts to develop a National Broadband Plan, the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) is seeking comments about how the E-rate program can be improved to meet the broadband needs of schools and libraries. Experts: Copyright law hinders scholarship Friday, November 6th, 2009eSchool News: At least two presenters at the annual EDUCAUSE spoke out about the unfair application of strict copyright protections to scholarly journals -- a practice, they said, that hinders academic endeavors. California Teachers of the Year for 2010 Friday, November 6th, 2009CDE: State Schools Chief Jack O'Connell Names Five Remarkable Educators as 2010 California Teachers of the Year. PBS, NASA Partner to provide climate change lesson Friday, November 6th, 2009School Library Journal: PBS TeacherLine has partnered with NASA to create a series of professional development courses and teaching resources on climate change. ED Recovery Act Report Friday, November 6th, 2009U.S. Department of Education: Over $67 billion in ED Recovery Act formula grants have been awarded, and some 400,000 jobs have been saved or created through these ED grants. CUE to Host Fall Conference in Napa Valley in 2010 Friday, November 6th, 2009Computer-Using Educators (CUE), Inc. is proud to announce the return of its Fall Conference, to be held Nov. 5-6, 2010 in the Napa Valley. Free software could help IT departments Thursday, November 5th, 2009eSchool News: School and college IT departments have until the end of the calendar year to take advantage of an offer from automated systems management software provider, which provides its IT inventory software to educational institutions free of charge College officials get ed-tech advice Thursday, November 5th, 2009eSchool News: The annual EDUCAUSE conference opened with advice from best-selling author Jim Collins on how to take higher-education technology departments from good to great. How Can American Education Compete Globally? Thursday, November 5th, 2009THE Journal: The concern that we may be losing our competitive standing on the world stage, in terms of leadership in innovation, in technology, and in overall math and science proficiency has sparked the debate over education reform. CA Races to the Top - CUE at the starting line.... Thursday, November 5th, 2009CUE: Any District or County LEA may participate if they complete a MOU with the state, as long as it is signed by their Superintendent, School Board President and Teacher's Union President. CUE offers its service to districts interested in participating. CENIC Today Thursday, November 5th, 2009CENIC's Monthly Newsletter October 2009 is now available. In this newsletter, you'll find information about what's on the horizon for CENIC's Associates, CalREN, etc... SSPI O'Connell Congratulates Fresno Principal Thursday, November 5th, 2009CDE: SSPI Jack O'Connell congratulated Wesley Sever, Ph.D., principal of John S. Wash Elementary School in Fresno, for his selection by the U.S. Department of Education to receive the 2009 Terrel H. Bell Award for Outstanding School Leadership. TCSII Update - November 2009 Thursday, November 5th, 2009TCSII: Visit Taking Center Stage-Act II (TCSII), the Web portal for California middle grades educators, to access three new professional learning activities featuring Dr. Kate Kinsella, news items, information and resources, events, and more. Whole Child E-Book Free Download Thursday, November 5th, 2009ASCD: Through November 17, ASCD's newest e-book, 'Supporting the Whole Child: Reflections on Best Practices in Learning, Teaching, and Leadership', is free to download. Is cloud computing inevitable? Thursday, November 5th, 2009Computer World: Is cloud computing inevitable? Maybe but IT still has a lot of questions to ask before floating away on its promises, according to the director of cyber infrastructure and network and operations at University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee. California Senate OKs School Changes to Seek Funds Thursday, November 5th, 2009Sacramento Bee: Senate Bill X5 1 would make the state more likely to get a piece of the $4.35 billion in Race to the Top federal stimulus funds offered to the nation's schools. California may be gaining ground in its race to the top. SETDA forum illuminates key ed-tech trends Wednesday, November 4th, 2009eSchool News: From interactive whiteboards to digital textbooks and high school reform, SETDA's annual Education Forum gave educators sound advice for using technology to advance learning. ED announces new tech chief Wednesday, November 4th, 2009eSchool News: Karen Cator, former director of education leadership and advocacy for Apple Inc. and a long-time education technology leader, will serve as the new director of the Office of Educational Technology for the U.S. Department of Education (ED). Danish pupils use web in exams Wednesday, November 4th, 2009BBC News: In Denmark, the government has taken the bold step of giving pupils full access to the internet during their final school-year exams. Policies Target Teacher-Student Cyber Talk Wednesday, November 4th, 2009Education Week: Teachers in Louisiana may soon think twice before sending a text message or e-mail to a student from a personal electronic device. FCC Seeks Comment on Broadband and E-rate Reform Wednesday, November 4th, 2009FCC: The Federal Communications Commission is seeking comment on various issues related to broadband access in education and on modifications to the schools and libraries universal service support mechanism (the E-rate program) Teachers, principals start book clubs at schools Wednesday, November 4th, 2009Chattanooga Times Free Press: Some Tennessee teachers and principals have started a book club where they read and discuss professional-development books intended to make them better educators. Disadvantaged students gain from laptop program Wednesday, November 4th, 2009Belleville News: Student at an Illinois middle school are using MacBook laptop computers through the Apple 1:1 Initiative, a pilot program that educators say is expected to improve student learning, especially among disadvantaged students. Reinvigorating Videoconferencing Wednesday, November 4th, 2009THE Journal: When a high school with a dormant videoconferencing room hires a 20-year videoconferencing veteran, that school can expect big changes in the AV department. This new employee quickly zeroed in on how to leverage the vc equipment. Study: Technology not causing social isolation Wednesday, November 4th, 2009AFP: Contrary to popular belief, technology is not leading to social isolation, AFP reports -- and Americans who use the internet and mobile phones have larger and more diverse social networks, according to a new PEW study. Educators focus on dropout prevention Tuesday, November 3rd, 2009eSchool News: As education leaders align their programs with the goals set forth by Education Secretary Arne Duncan under the Obama administration, a major point of emphasis is turning around underperforming schools and stemming the nation's dropout rate. Blackboard works on Google integration Tuesday, November 3rd, 2009eSchool News: Blackboard Inc. and Northwestern University have teamed up on a project to make the education version of Google Apps available to students using the Blackboard Learn platform with a single sign-on. Budget cuts threaten Missouri virtual school Tuesday, November 3rd, 2009eSchool News: Budget cuts could force Missouri's statewide virtual school to close midway through the academic year, leaving students with half-earned credits scrambling to complete their education. Online school could close unless funding is restored. New iTunes web site offered for Neb. teachers Tuesday, November 3rd, 2009Associated Press: The Nebraska Department of Education and Apple Inc. have partnered to offer teachers a new online educational tool. November Digital Edition of Educational Leadership Tuesday, November 3rd, 2009The issue includes an article on the purposes of the big tests (NAEP, PISA and TIMMS) and whether they're being misused. Other articles address performance pay, value-added tests and grading. 2 in 5 teachers disheartened with profession Monday, November 2nd, 2009eSchool News: A recent report that suggests 40 percent of U.S. teachers are disheartened with their profession indicates how difficult these challenges will be. California districts are using digital textbooks Monday, November 2nd, 2009The Press-Enterprise: A Riverside school district is among the 1st in the state to begin using digital textbooks in some of its classes, as Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger and others encourage the technology as a way to improve student learning and save money. The Gender Factor in Online Learning Sunday, November 1st, 2009Education Week: With single-sex classrooms gaining in popularity as a way to tap into teaching methods that may appeal to one gender or the other, the world of online schooling is looking at the idea of targeting virtual classes at just boys or just girls |