The ADP has sought to strengthen alignment between standards and expectations in K-12 schools and post-secondary education and training. In the first year the ADP has worked toward agreement on a common standard of readiness for non-remedial college coursework across the three segments of California’s higher education system, with a particular focus on the augmented CST that students take as part of CSU’s Early Assessment Program (EAP). Members of the ADP team will discuss progress to date and next steps in the effort to ensure that more California students are prepared for success in college and careers.

Increasing the percentage of highly qualified teachers in public schools is a priority for California. In this seminar, Bartlett highlights the role overseas trained teachers have played in addressing this goal. She presents data on the number and distribution of overseas trained K-12 teachers in California public schools, highlighting their concentration in high poverty districts and schools. She also examines the implications of different definitions of teacher qualification, and traces connections between education and immigration policy.

Listen to the audio of this seminar:

Download audio file (Nov_6_2009_Seminar.mp3)

Download this audio file to your computer (zip)

Materials from this meeting are available here.

Increasing the percentage of highly qualified teachers in public schools is a priority for California. In this seminar, Bartlett highlights the role overseas trained teachers have played in addressing this goal. She presents data on the number and distribution of overseas trained K-12 teachers in California public schools, highlighting their concentration in high poverty districts and schools. She also examines the implications of different definitions of teacher qualification, and traces connections between education and immigration policy.

Our recent seminar The Future of Early Education Systems in California (PreK-3rd) featuring Brad Strong, Director of Education, Children Now, Lisa Guernsey, Director, Early Education Initiative, New America Foundation and Loretta Burns, Director, Santa Clara County Partnership for School Readiness, took place last week but no audio is available.

California’s education system continues to struggle to close persistent achievement gaps that often exist at school entry, and the state’s dire fiscal situation certainly doesn’t help. But real progress is possible, even now, as new strategies to build seamless early learning systems are being developed and supported through federal efforts. Presenters discussed the critical components of PreK-3rd systems, provided specific examples of how these systems are working locally to improve school readiness in California, and offered up new opportunities for statewide leadership that are outlined in a New America Foundation report on California’s early education system.

Please see the following links for more information:
Children Now, Kindergarten Readiness Data: Improving Children’s Success in School
Santa Clara County Partnership for School Readiness, School Readiness Assessment – 2008
New America Foundation, On the Cusp in California: How PreK-3rd Strategies Could Improve Education in the Golden State

California’s education system continues to struggle to close persistent achievement gaps that often exist at school entry, and the state’s dire fiscal situation certainly doesn’t help. But real progress is possible, even now, as new strategies to build seamless early learning systems are being developed and supported through federal efforts. Presenters will discuss the critical components of PreK-3rd systems, provide specific examples of how these systems are working locally to improve school readiness in California, and offer up new opportunities for statewide leadership that are outlined in a New America Foundation report on California’s early education system.

As the Governor’s Committee on Educational Excellence and others have made clear, California will ultimately have to spend more—not less—on our education system if we hope to achieve the ambitious goals we have set for our students, and ensure the future prosperity of our state. For now, though, California will have to use the resources we have more efficiently and effectively to sustain recent improvements in the performance of our schools.

The need for new thinking and policy innovation is therefore greater than ever. PACE’s Sacramento seminar series brings California’s leading researchers together with policy makers for an informed discussion of the many issues facing California’s education system, and for thoughtful analysis of the difficult policy choices facing our state.

Our 2009-2010 Seminar Series begins this month, for a complete list please see our Upcoming Seminars page!