In the decades following the Second World War, the Unites States was among world leaders in the percentage of adults with a higher education degree. The GI bill underwrote the brain power that spurred America’s innovation.

But particularly in the last decade, other nations have caught up and surpassed us. America now ranks 12^th with those between the ages of 25 and 34 with a two- or four-year degree, behind Canada, Korea Russia, Japan, Australia, Israel and others. And that’s not even mentioning the decline in Americans pursuing degrees in science, math and engineering.

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By John Fensterwald on July 29th, 2010

Some stories we have been following:

Stimulus money for technology goes unused

By John Fensterwald on July 28th, 2010

Switching from a big-tent strategy, with a lot of districts committing to little, to a pup-tent strategy, with a few districts pledging to do a lot, has paid off so far for California in Race to the Top.

The state learned on Tuesday that, having improved its score by at least 20 percent, it will   join 17 other states and the District of Columbia as finalists in the competition for $3.4 billion in the federal education money. Thirty-five states had applied in the second round.

Education Secretary Arne Duncan wouldn’t rank the states or give their scores, other than to say that 400 points out of a possible 500 was the cutoff for finalists. California’s gain of at least 63 points, from 337, was nearly triple the average  state increase of 23 points  from the first to the second round.

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By John Fensterwald on July 28th, 2010

Seven leading civil rights organizations criticized key elements of the Obama administration’s education agenda this week, including three of the administration’s four options for turning around failing schools, its enthusiasm for charter schools, the use of competitive grants like Race to the Top and teacher evaluations based on test scores. But choosing to muffle complaints instead of promoting them, key figures in the coalition canceled a press conference and instead personally met with Secretary of Education Arne Duncan on Monday.

Both Ducan and President Obama are scheduled to speak this week at the national convention of the Urban League, one of the signers of the 17-page document. Other signers include the NAACP Legal Defense and Educational Fund, the Rainbow PUSH Coalition and the Lawyers’ Committee for Civil Rights Under Law.

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By John Fensterwald on July 27th, 2010

The decision by Beverly Hills Unified School District to kick out many non-resident students, starting this fall, portends trouble for the state’s new open-enrollment law, allowing students in the state’s worst performing schools to transfer to better schools in other districts. Many of the state’s wealthiest districts may end up deciding to steer clear of the program.

The Beverly Hills board voted earlier this year to end its policy of enrolling elementary and eighth grade students from other districts under special circumstances. Current high school students can continue to attend district schools.

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By John Fensterwald on July 26th, 2010

Recognizing that today’s high schools are failing to engage many students – or prepare them adequately for college or a career – the Legislature commissioned a study to lay out a long-term plan to expand the most promising development in secondary education. That is the establishment of small career academies within a high school that combine rigorous coursework with internships and real-world experience in various industries and career themes, whether health professions, green technology, building trades, engineering or computer technology.

In a 10-minutes VIDEO INTERVIEW (look left on this page), Gary Hoachlander, the president of ConnectEd: the California Center for College and Careers and a leading advocate of integrating college and career education, explains the study and its new vision for California high schools. Check it out.

By John Fensterwald on July 26th, 2010

Caught in lies he told the news media last week about questionable credit card expenses and about salary cuts over the past year that he claimed he took – but didn’t, Scott Plotkin resigned Friday as executive director of the California School Boards Association. In a brief statement on CSBA’s web site, Plotkin wrote, “I am sorry if my actions have damaged the reputation of CSBA and the vital work being conducted by the Association.  It was certainly not my intent.”

There is no “if” about it. Plotkin, who effectively led the organization for nine years, has scorched it on his way out. And the CSBA officers and board members must go beyond their tight-lipped responses to questions about pay and expenses if it’s to rebuild credibility with the public and the nearly 1,000 school districts whose CSBA dues are funded through tax dollars.

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By John Fensterwald on July 26th, 2010

Setting their sights on as-yet undefined statewide initiative in 2012, a parent group in Silicon Valley is organizing to increase education funding. As Educacy, the name of their non-profit group indicates, the focus will be advocacy on behalf of parents.

“Parents have been the missing link” in school reform and in discussions about the need for more money for schools, said Kay Louie of Redwood City, one of three lead figures behind the organization.

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By John Fensterwald on July 23rd, 2010