The Legislative Analyst’s Office has just released its latest report on low-performing school reform.

Click here to read the report.

Here’s the LAO’s explanation of the report: California currently operates two systems designed to turn around low–performing schools—one for state purposes and one for federal purposes. The two systems are uncoordinated and often duplicative, in addition to being poorly structured. We recommend replacing the two systems with an integrated system that serves both state and federal purposes. Under the new system, the state would support district reform efforts. Districts would receive different levels of support depending on the severity of their underlying performance problem and be given short–term funding linked to specific short–term district reform activities. By virtue of being integrated and district–centered, the new system would cost substantially less than the existing system and could be supported entirely with federal funding.

Rep. George Miller doesn’t always have the nicest of things to say about President George W. Bush nor does the president often compliment the House Democratic leadership team’s agenda.

But today during a wide ranging press conference at the White House, the president graciously gave the Martinez congressman credit for authoring a bill that will provide uninterrupted access to student loans.

Bush referred to Miller by name and voiced support for H.R. 5715, the “Ensuring Continued Access to Student Loans Act of 2008.” It passed in the House on April 17 by a vote 383-27 and it’s expected to pass within a few days in the Senate. Bush has said he will sign it.

The unsettled credit market has made it more difficult for lenders in the federally guaranteed student loan program to obtain capital and some are scaling back. The new federal law makes it easier for students to borrow and allows federal officials to advance federal funds to lenders if needed.

Click here for details about the bill.

Senate President Pro Tem Don Perata, D-Alameda, will host a press conference Monday morning at a Concord middle school. At his side will be school teachers who got pink slips in the mail as part of Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger’s proposed budget cuts to education and other state programs. (Photo is of Perata at a recent presser in Marin County on the same issue.)

It’s part of Perata’s budget roadshow where he is calling for tax hikes rather than what he views as Draconian budget cuts to California’s schools, which already rank near the bottom of the nation in per pupil spending.

The governor and the state Legislature face a $16 billion budget deficit next year but the two parties remain sharply divided over whether to solve the problem solely with cuts, raise taxes or a combination of both. Republicans oppose tax hikes and although Democrats hold a majority in the Senate and Assembly, they lack the numbers to secure the required two-thirds vote to pass a budget or raise revenues.

Here’s what Perata’s office sent out a few minutes ago:

Senate Democrats Join Local School Employees Who Have Received Layoff Notices to Discuss School Funding and the State Budget

(CONCORD) - Senate Democrats will join local teachers, school employees and education officials on Monday at a press conference to discuss the effects of Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger’s budget cuts on schools.

Last week, pink slips went out to an estimated 14,000 teachers statewide.

Schwarzenegger proposed in January slashing $4.8 billion from education funding this year. That could mean laying one-third of the state’s teachers, reducing the school year by four weeks or increasing class sizes by 35 percent.

In recent years, California has consistently been ranked among the country’s 10 worst states in providing education funding. Budget cuts could drop the state to last in the nation.

Senate Democrats are committed to putting California’s classrooms first. Schools must succeed if California wants a competent workforce and a strong economy.

Classroom results are the product of a whole network of dedicated employees, from school bus drivers and custodians to school counselors and teachers. Senate Democrats have pledged to do everything possible to protect education funding and improve classroom results.

WHO:
Senate President pro Tem Don Perata (D-Oakland)

Senator Ellen Corbett (D-San Leandro)

Senator Joe Simitian (D-Palo Alto)

Senator Tom Torlakson (D-Antioch)

Local school employees who have received pink slips

WHEN:
9:30 a.m., Monday, March 17, 2008

WHERE:
Glenbrook Middle School

2351 Olivera Road

Concord, CA 94520

In legislation modeled after California’s popular transportation half-cent sales tax programs, state Sen. Tom Torlakson, D-Antioch, has introduced a bill that would let school districts into the action.

SB 1430 would permit two or more contiguous local school districts (K-12) within a county to form an education finance district and ask voters to tax themselves for a specific set of projects and programs. Potential taxes include sales, telephone or other utilities, parcel taxes or vehicle license fees.

The idea is similar to the half-cent transportation sales tax that voters have repeatedly embraced in Contra Costa and Alameda counties and elsewhere. The major difference is that transportation plans require two-thirds voter approval; this one calls for a simple majority.

Today, individual school districts can ask voters for parcel tax money but it requires two-thirds voter approval and bonds require 55 percent. (Statement corrected at 9:02 p.m. on 2/28/08.)

While voters generally dislike tax increases, they have been persuaded over the years to pass local measures earmarked for local projects and programs. Nearly half of California’s public investment in transportation now comes from local sales taxes and tolls.

“School districts could join together in a program that provides local accountability,” Torlakson said in an interview in his Sacramento office on Wednesday.

On the other hand, transportation interests may resist opening the door to education — always a high priority with voters — in what has been a relatively successful if hard-fought source of cash for road expansions, pothole money and public transit service.

What are the chances this bill will ever be signed into law?

It’s hard to say. The Legislature will be preoccupied for months as it copes with a gaping budget deficit.

But Torlakson chairs the powerful Senate Appropriations Committee and after eight years in the Senate and four in the Assembly, he has many friends. Known for his persistence, he could also keep trying if he is successful in his planned 2010 election for state superintendent of schools.

Assemblywoman Mary Hayashi, D-Castro Valley, invites parents and high school students to attend a “Cash for College” workshop where prospective college students can learn how to apply for a Cal Grant. Such grants help pay for college and do not have to be repaid.

The workshop schedule is:

January 10 • Tennyson High School • 6:30-8:30pm • 27035 Whitman St., Hayward

January 15 • Mt. Eden High School • 7:00-8:30pm • 2300 Panama St., Hayward

January 23 • Castro Valley High School • 6:30-8:30pm • 19400 Santa Maria Ave., Castro Valley

January 24 • San Leandro High School • 7:00-8:30pm • 2200 Bancroft Ave., San Leandro

January 29 • Hayward High School • 7:00-8:30pm • 1633 East Ave., Hayward

February 2 • Latino Education Summit @ CSUEB • 10am-1:30pm • 25800 Carlos Bee Blvd., Hayward

February 5 • Dublin High School • 6:30-8:00pm • 8151 Village Pkwy., Dublin

February 7 • Village High School • 7:00-8:30pm • 4645 Bernal Ave., Pleasanton

February 23 • Chabot College, Cafeteria - Bldg. 2300 • 9:00am-12:30pm • 25555 Hesperian Blvd., Hayward. (For more information and to pre-register, visit www.chabotcollege.edu/FinAid/festivalworkshop.asp)

February 28 • Chabot College, Building 300 • 6:00-8:00pm • 25555 Hesperian Blvd., Hayward

Here’s what you need to bring to the workshop:

1. Bring student and parent social security numbers (and alien registration numbers if you are not a U.S. citizen). If you don’t have either, come anyway to find out about scholarships.

2. Bring your family’s most recent federal tax forms like 1040, W-2, bank statements, etc. You will not have to reveal this information to anyone, but you will need it to complete the forms. If your family’s 2007 federal tax returns are not ready yet, bring 2006 tax returns for estimating. (To locate a free tax preparation center in your neighborhood call 1-800-358-8832 or visit: www.earnitkeepitsaveit.org EarnIt!KeepIt!SaveIt! is a program of the United Way of the Bay Area. )

3. Submit a Cal Grant GPA verification form (or the release form) to your counselor before March 2. Get the form from your counselor, or print one from the California Student Aid Commission website: www.csac.ca.gov

For more information, call call 510-238-9450 or visit the East Bay California Cash for College Coalition at www.eastbayconsortium.org.

Photo of Mary Hayashi provided by her Assembly office.