Bright and Early

I’m still looking for stories about summer vacation — shake the sand out of your toes and send me an e-mail! Or at least look up from that trashy beach novel to read your daily newsblitz:

We blog that there is actually some good news on how public employees are spending public money: Superintendent Terry Grier has cut back on his expenses this spring.

KPBS reports that a federal grant will help ease the transition and stresses for military kids. School has started in Escondido, the North County Times writes. And the NCT also notes that several school districts are seeking federal funds to help pay the interest on their facilities bonds.

(Also, who knew that County Office of Education board member John Witt, 78, is a former trapeze artist? I should have been notified of this a long time ago. Thanks to the UT for the priceless detail.)

Elsewhere in California, the news is all about merit pay. The new Sacramento schools chief introduces himself and says he’s into merit pay if multiple measures of teacher performance are used, not just test scores. The San Francisco Chronicle argues that California should scrap a law that bars it from evaluating teachers based on test scores in order to get stimulus money. And the Oakland Tribune schools blog throws the merit pay debate open to readers.

The New York Times writes that a new study found that students with disabilities are disproportionately likely to be paddled or spanked in school. The Wall Street Journal takes a nationwide look at how the economic downturn has impacted teachers, including San Diegan Audrey Day, who quit to go to law school. And Education Week writes that a program in five states — not California — has upped participation in Advanced Placement classes.

— EMILY ALPERT