Bright and Early: The Education Newsblitz

Education protests are sweeping the state today — check back later to read why our guest blogger says he’s marching. Now for your newsblitz:

• Our readers had tons of questions for Phil Stover, the guy who helped put together the San Diego Unified budget. Check out some of his answers from yesterday — and there are more to come!
• We blog that the school district is tardy again when it comes to report cards on schools, sparking a formal complaint from a parent leader.
• The Union-Tribune reports that the black community is stepping up to support UCSD students.
• Also in the U-T: The editorial board opines that Grossmont Union High School District should stop hassling Helix High School, an independent charter, over its past scandals.
• Two UCSD professors write in SDNN that the real solution to the racial tensions at UCSD is for the university to dive into making sure more African-American students get a good K-12 education so they can qualify for admission.
• Massive protests are planned across California today to decry education cuts, the Los Angeles Times reports. The Sacramento Bee says that the Capitol is bracing for lots of students — and they’ve got a live blog of the protests. And in the San Francisco Chronicle, Schwarzenegger says he backs peaceful protests.
• The San Jose Mercury News notes that one thing they’re protesting — fee increases at public colleges — actually help poorer students by providing more money for financial aid.
• Capitol Weekly explains how education funding relates to a state law, Proposition 98.
• Also in the Los Angeles Times: Three elementary school teachers were suspended for allegedly urging kids to celebrate O.J. Simpson, RuPaul and Dennis Rodman for Black History Month.
• Education Week writes that after teachers won control of dozens of Los Angeles Unified campuses, they are now under pressure to deliver results.
• NPR reports that a survey finds teachers feel ignored in debates over education reform.
• The House approved a new bill to prevent schools from physically restraining students after an investigation discovered kids being abused or killed, the Washington Post writes.
• It looks like President Obama is starting with a blank slate on No Child Left Behind, the New York Times reports.
• The Associated Press reports on an Idaho plan to pay kids to graduate early.
• And this New York Times Magazine wowser delves into the quest to improve teaching. Worth sitting down and chewing on.

— EMILY ALPERT