Sacramento Head Start Alumni Association

CFK Weekly - July 19, 2004

Jul 26, 2004

Connect for Kids.org: Better Policies for Kids

July 19, 2004

Please send any comments or suggestions to jan@connectforkids.org.

Table of Contents. Click on heading to jump to that section.

NEW ON CONNECTFORKIDS.ORG
**Kids in the (Press) Pool
**Submit Pre-Chat Questions on Youth Reading
**Kid-Friendly?

A WORD ON THE WEEKLY
**Coming Soon: CFK Weekly Surveys

KIDS?’ WELL-BEING
**America's Children in Brief: Key National Indicators of Well-Being 2004
**Department of Education Offers Posters

ON THE TEACHER?’S DESK
**Teacher Pay Up Slightly
**Survey: Americans Seek Fairness in Public School Funding
**Teachers?’ Union Calls for Changes in No Child Left Behind Act
**Teacher Standards on Hold for Some Schools

KIDS & POLITICS
**Kerry Promises More Education Funding, Bush Camp Responds
**National Organizations Serving Children and Youth to Convene
**Rewrite of Special Education Law Stalls in Congress
**Candidates Send in the Kids
**KidsandPolitics.org

ADVOCATES ALERT
**Program to Support School Gardens in California and Arizona
**House to Consider Section 8

PUBLIC BROADCASTING & KIDS
**PBS Cuts Kids?’ ?“Share a Story?” Initiative
**Rainbow?’s End?

STUDYING COURT-APPOINTED SPECIAL ADVOCATES
**More Services, All Around

FOCUS ON THE STATES
**State-by-State News

SUBSCRIBE/UNSUBSCRIBE
________________________________________________________

NEW ON CONNECTFORKIDS.ORG

**Kids in the (Press) Pool
Six young journalists from Children's PressLine in New York will be
heading to Boston next week to cover the Democratic Convention from July
26 to 29. In late August, they'll turn their attention to the Republicans in New York. Here's a look at what they've done to get ready, and how they feel about the political status of kids. We'll also be partnering with Children's PressLine to provide more convention coverage and a TalkTime! Live chat in September.
http://www.connectforkids.org/resources3139/resources_show.htm?doc_id=232699

**Submit Pre-Chat Questions on Youth Reading
On Wednesday, July 21 at 1:00 PM, Connect for Kids hosts a new online discussion called "Books for Tweens & Teens: What's Cool and Why?" Our guest experts will be the creator of TV's Reading Rainbow, Dr. Twila Liggett, and the youthful author Ned Vizzini (Be More Chill). We want to hear from pre-teens and teens, parents and educators about the topic -- from thoughts on interesting books for this age group to ideas for making reading exciting to specific questions for our guest experts. Send us your questions, comments, or tips on reading to rob@connectforkids.org. And log on Wednesday to join us!
http://www.connectforkids.org




**Kid-Friendly?
Do U.S. adults have more in common with Santa, or Scrooge, in their attitudes towards children? In her new column, Kate Mattos, president of the board of Connect for Kids, wonders.
http://www.connectforkids.org/newsletter-url1570/newsletter-url_show.htm?doc_id=232705

back to top

____________________________________________________

A WORD ON THE WEEKLY

**Coming Soon: CFK Weekly Surveys
This month, while Jan Richter enjoys a well-deserved vacation, Connect for Kids writer/reporter Robert Capriccioso is taking the helm of the Weekly -- we'll be sending shortened versions, but still covering the important topics affecting children, families and communities. In each of the next two weeks, the Weekly will consist of a short survey. The first is designed to give us information about you to help us serve you better. The second gives us feedback about the CFK Weekly. Please take a moment to respond. We appreciate your help!
http://www.connectforkids.org/weekly
____________________________________________________

KIDS?’ WELL-BEING

**America's Children in Brief: Key National Indicators of Well-Being 2004
In a report on the well-being of America's children released last week, the Federal Interagency Forum on Child and Family Statistics finds strong gains in some areas -- a record low teen birth rate, a lower death rate for kids and young teens, and a drop in the likelihood that youth will be victims or perpetrators of violent crimes. Among the less promising findings: a rise in the percentage of children living in poverty, greater incidence of overweight, and small increases in the percentage of low birth weight infants and the percentage of babies who die before their first birthday.
http://www.childstats.gov/ac2004/pressrel.asp

**Department of Education Offers Posters
The U.S. Department of Education has printed 250,000 posters advertising Supplemental Education Services through the No Child Left Behind Act. The posters are meant to let more parents know about free tutoring opportunities that may be available to their children. For more info, email keri.hunter@geofoundation.org.

back to top

________________________________________________________

ON THE TEACHER?’S DESK

**Teacher Pay Up Slightly
The typical teacher's salary went up 3.3 percent in 2002-03, the last year for which figures are available, according to an annual report by the American Federation of Teachers. The pay range varies significantly by state, accounting for differences in cost of living and the way salary packages are set up. California paid the highest average salary, $55,693. South Dakota had the lowest, $32,414. The 1.3-million member union gets its financial data from state education departments.
http://www.aft.org/presscenter/releases/2004/071504.htm

**Survey: Americans Seek Fairness in Public School Funding
According to a recent survey by the Educational Testing Service, a majority of Americans recognize that there are significant differences in the quality of schools in high- and low-income areas, and they worry about an over-reliance on property taxes as a way to fund schools.
http://www.ets.org/news/04070101.html

**Teachers?’ Union Calls for Changes in No Child Left Behind Act
Delegates of the American Federation of Teachers (AFT) recently approved a resolution calling for changes in the substance, implementation and funding of the federal No Child Left Behind Act (NCLB). The resolution, which becomes AFT policy, states that the U.S. Department of Education?’s ?“inept and opportunistic implementation?” of NCLB has ?“undermined the goals it was charged with supporting and has instead provided opponents of public schools a blunt instrument of attack.?”
http://www.aft.org/presscenter/releases/2004/071704_nclb.htm

**Teacher Standards on Hold for Some Schools
In March, it was announced that rural teachers would be allowed an extra year (until 2007) to meet the ?“highly qualified?” threshold standard of NCLB. New teachers would get three years from the date of their hire. But few schools outside the West and Midwest will benefit from the changes, CNN reports. That's because the federal government used criteria favoring small, self-contained districts like those in western states, instead of countywide districts like those in the South.
http://www.cnn.com/2004/EDUCATION/07/16/rural.schools.ap/index.html

back to top

________________________________________________________


KIDS & POLITICS

**Kerry Promises More Education Funding, Bush Camp Responds
John Kerry said last week that his first presidential priority would be financial support for schools, saying educators who move kids to success need big help themselves. Kerry pledged to spend as much on the law as authorized for its programs -- at least an additional $27 billion, he said -- by rolling back part of President Bush's tax cuts. The Bush campaign says Kerry is the one who hasn't kept his word, as the four-term Massachusetts senator voted for the landmark law in 2001 but now criticizes its enforcement, funding and some of its provisions, the AP reports.
http://www.cnn.com/2004/ALLPOLITICS/07/16/kerry.teachers.ap/index.html

**National Organizations Serving Children and Youth to Convene
The Every Child Matters Education Fund is convening a meeting on Wednesday, July 21st from 11:30 AM to 1:30 PM to discuss plans underway for raising the visibility of children?’s needs during the election debates and ways to collaborate to advance kids issues. The meeting will be held in the 8th floor conference room at the National Association of Counties building located on 440 First Street, NW. (This information is not currently online; contact Every Child Matters at (202) 393-0504 or info@everychildmatters.org for more details.)
http://www.everychildmatters.org/

**Rewrite of Special Education Law Stalls in Congress
With each day that passes, the chances that Congress will deliver to President Bush a bill re-authorizing the nation's main special education law -- the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) -- before the year's end appear to be fading, reports Education Week (registration required).
http://www.edweek.org/ew/ewstory.cfm?slug=42IDEA.h23

**Candidates Send in the Kids
How can you tell the presidential campaign is really heating up? They're unleashing the kid power. The Bush twins, 22-year-old Jenna and Barbara, are hitting the campaign trail and going public as never before. Their opponents in the charm offensive? John Edwards' tots, Emma Claire, 6, and Jack, 4. The Detroit Free Press has the story.
http://www.freep.com/news/politics/kids19_20040719.htm

**KidsandPolitics.org
Be sure to visit Connect for Kids' site, KidsandPolitics.org. It's brimming with links to information for getting involved and taking action, both nationally and at the state level.
http://www.kidsandpolitics.org/

back to top

________________________________________________________

ADVOCATES ALERT

**Program to Support School Gardens in California and Arizona
The Western Growers Charitable Foundation has created the Growing with Children School Garden Program to promote hands-on learning about agriculture, the food supply, and nutrition. Funds will support the creation of gardens at schools throughout California and Arizona.
http://www.wga.com/pub/consumer/consumerschoolgarden/index.aspx

**House to Consider Section 8
The House is scheduled to respond to the Bush administration's FY 2005 budget proposal, which officials at the Children?’s Defense Fund say cuts the Section 8 housing assistance voucher program by $1.6 billion -- a move that could leave 150,000 families with 280,000 children homeless. The budget proposal also calls for replacing the Section 8 voucher program with the Flexible Voucher Program, which could give local housing authorities the ability to charge higher rents and determine which families will receive a Section 8 voucher. Currently three-fourths of the vouchers must go to families at or below 30 percent of area median income. For additional information, contact Richelle Friedman at rfriedman@childrensdefense.org.
http://www.childrensdefense.org/pressreleases/040716.asp

back to top

________________________________________________________

PUBLIC BROADCASTING & KIDS

**PBS Cuts ?“Share a Story?” Initiative
Responding to a petition signed by 95 public station leaders who said that stations are receiving a "declining return on [National Program Service] investments," PBS has cut $5.85 million from proposed annual assessments to be paid by member stations -- and pledged to move quickly on reforms to make its decision-making more visible and accountable to stations. Among the cuts is the ?“Share a Story?” promotion, a national campaign that helps kids develop reading and language skills. PBS Interactive will also reduce the number of Web sites it will produce and maintain this year.
http://www.current.org/pbs/pbs0412budget.shtml

**Rainbow?’s End? (Redux)
Connect for Kids interviewed Dr. Twila Liggett, the creator and current executive producer of PBS-TV?’s Reading Rainbow, last year for a story about the program's funding difficulties. While funds were raised to keep the show on the air, new cuts are expected. (Liggett will be a guest expert on Wednesday, July 21 at 1PM for a Connect for Kids online chat called ?“Books for Tweens & Teens: What?’s Cool and Why??”)
http://www.connectforkids.org/resources3139/resources_show.htm?doc_id=178123

back to top

________________________________________________________


STUDYING COURT-APPOINTED SPECIAL ADVOCATES

**Reaching Children with More Services, All Around
Caliber Associates has released the final report on its in-depth study of the effectiveness of court-appointed special advocate (CASA) programs across the country. The study examined the short- and longer-term impacts of CASA volunteers on children and families involved with the child welfare system. A key finding is that families with CASA volunteers receive significantly more services than children or families without CASA volunteers.
http://www.casanet.org/download/casa-surveys/caliber_casa_report_representation.pdf

In her article, "Reaching out to a Child," former Connect for Kids?’ editor Julee Newberger described her experience as a Court Appointed Special Advocate (CASA) -- a community volunteer trained to speak on behalf of a child in court.
http://www.connectforkids.org/resources3139/resources_show.htm?doc_id=20507


back to top

_______________________________________________________

FOCUS ON THE STATES

Alabama
A private school in Birmingham, Ala., offers a last chance to students who have fallen through the cracks in public high schools, reports Education Week. (See, "One Last Chance.")
http://www.edweek.org/ew/ewstory.cfm?slug=42Birmingham.h23

Illinois
Although the state collected a record amount of private child support money last year, Illinois still ranks near the bottom compared to other states in its ability to collect money efficiently, according to the July 15 PJ Star article, "State Collects Record Child Support Money."
http://www.pjstar.com/news/regional/b3jcuh15046.html

Chicago is embarking on a major initiative to convert at least 10 percent of its schools into small schools, most of which will be run by private operators. The controversial move expands the city's role in the vanguard of districts experimenting with alternative school arrangements, reports Education Week. (See, "Chicago to ?‘Start Over?’ With 100
Small Schools.")
http://www.edweek.org/ew/ewstory.cfm?slug=42Chicago.h23

Michigan
The Detroit Free Press reports on a new experiment: paying parents to get their kids reading.
http://www.freep.com/news/education/start12_20040712.htm

Tennessee
Top Memphis law enforcement leaders recently released a report showing that high-quality pre-kindergarten reduces crime.
http://releases.usnewswire.com/GetRelease.asp?id=138-07142004

back to top

Be sure to submit your questions on ?“Books for Tweens & Teens: What?’s Cool and Why??” to me today at rob@connectforkids.org. I?’ll see you at the live chat on Wednesday at http://www.connectforkids.org!