What Every Parent Should Know About Formspring: The New Cyberscourge for Teens � Rachel Simmons

Rachel Simmons "What Every Parent Should Know About Formspring: The New Cyberscourge for Teens" http://bit.ly/9pRveV

iKeepSafe - ASCA

iKeepSafe - ASCA: "The American School Counselor Association (ASCA) partners with iKeepSafe to provide Project PRO resources to help students nationwide understand the importance of security and online reputation."

Study: Kids' Bad Behavior May Predict Adult Pain : NPR

Study: Kids' Bad Behavior May Predict Adult Pain : NPR: "Bad behavior in childhood is associated with chronic pain in adult life, according to the findings of a study following people from birth in 1958 to the present day. In the study, children with severe behavior disturbances had approximately double the risk of chronic widespread pain by the time they reached the age of 45 than children who did not have behavior problems."

A magical way to move kids

Contact: Danielle Cass
danielle.x.cass@kp.org
510-267-5354
Kaiser Permanente

Extreme obesity affecting more children at younger ages

Electronic health records used to study 711,000 children

March 18, 2010 (Pasadena, Calif.) – Extreme obesity is affecting more children at younger ages, with 12 percent of black teenage girls, 11.2 percent of Hispanic teenage boys, 7.3 percent of boys and 5.5 percent of girls now classified as extremely obese, according to a Kaiser Permanente study of 710,949 children and teens that appears online in the Journal of Pediatrics.

This is the first study to provide a snapshot of the prevalence of extreme obesity in a contemporary cohort of children ages 2 – 19 years from a large racially and ethnically diverse population using the recent 2009 U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention extreme obesity definition. Previous research was based on recent National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) data and included information on obesity but not extreme obesity.

"Children who are extremely obese may continue to be extremely obese as adults, and all the health problems associated with obesity are in these children's futures. Without major lifestyle changes, these kids face a 10 to 20 years shorter life span and will develop health problems in their twenties that we typically see in 40 - 60 year olds," said study lead author Corinna Koebnick, PhD, a research scientist at the Kaiser Permanente Southern California's Department of Research and Evaluation in Pasadena, Calif. "For example, children who are extremely obese are at higher risk for heart disease, type 2 diabetes, fatty liver disease and joint problems, just to name a few."

Researchers used measured height and weight in electronic health records to conduct a cross-sectional study of 710,949 children ages 2 – 19 years in the Kaiser Permanente Southern California integrated health plan in 2007 and 2008. Children in the study had an average of 2.6 medical visits per year where height and weight were measured.

The study found that 7.3 percent of boys and 5.5 percent of girls were extremely obese, translating into more than 45,000 extremely obese children in this cohort. The percentage of extreme obesity peaked at 10 years in boys and at 12 years in girls. The heaviest children were black teenage girls and Hispanic boys. The percentage of extreme obesity was lowest in Asian-Pacific Islanders and non-Hispanic white children.

According to the recent CDC recommendations, extreme obesity is defined as more than 1.2 times the 95th percentile, or a body mass index (BMI) of more than 35 kilograms/meter squared. Obesity is defined as more than the 95th percentile or a BMI of more than 30 kg/m2. Overweight is defined as more than the 85th percentile or a BMI of more than 25 kg/m2. The BMI is a reliable indicator of body fatness and calculated based on height and weight. For children, BMI percentiles are the most commonly used indicator to assess the size and growth patterns of individual children. The percentile indicates the relative position of the child's BMI number among children of the same sex and age.

"Our focus and concern is all about health and not about appearance. Children who are morbidly obese can do anything they want -- they can be judges, lawyers, doctors -- but the one thing they cannot be is healthy," said study co-author Amy Porter, MD, a Kaiser Permanente Baldwin Park pediatrician who leads the Pediatric Weight Management Initiative for Kaiser Permanente's Southern California Region.

"The most important advice to parents of extremely obese children is that this has to be addressed as a family issue. There is rarely one extremely obese kid in a house where everyone else is extremely healthy. It's important that everyone in the family is invested in achieving a healthier lifestyle," Porter said.

"This publication is only the beginning. Now we are trying to quantify the health risks and long-term effects associated with extreme obesity, determine which groups are affected most, and develop strategies for population care management to reduce these health risks. Children's health is important and we have a long way to go," Koebnick said.

###

This study is part of Kaiser Permanente's ongoing work to identify, prevent and treat childhood obesity through research, education and community programs. Kaiser Permanente announced Feb. 9 that it was a founding partner of the Partnership for a Healthier America (www.ahealthieramerica.org), a nonprofit, nonpartisan foundation created to catalyze and increase support around First Lady Michelle Obama's campaign to curb childhood obesity in a generation.

For more information on resources for families, community clinics and the Incredible Adventures of the Amazing Food Detective video game that helps children make healthy food choices and get more physically active, go to: www.kp.org/communitybenefit.

To calculate your child's body mass index percentile: go to http://apps.nccd.cdc.gov/dnpabmi/Calculator.aspx

Other study authors included: Ning Smith, MS, Karen J. Coleman, PhD, Darios Getahun, MD, Kristi Reynolds, PhD, Virginia P. Quinn, PhD, and Steven J. Jacobsen, PhD, from the Kaiser Permanente Department of Research and Evaluation; Amy H. Porter, MD, from Kaiser Permanente Baldwin Park Medical Center, and Jack K. Der-Sarkissian, MD, from Kaiser Permanente Medical Center, Los Angeles.

About the Kaiser Permanente Department of Research and Evaluation

The Department of Research and Evaluation conducts high quality, innovative research into disease etiology, prevention, treatment and care delivery. Investigators conduct epidemiology, health sciences, and behavioral research as well as clinical trials. Areas of interest include diabetes and obesity, cancer, HIV/AIDS, cardiovascular disease, aging and cognition, pregnancy outcomes, women's and children's health, quality and safety, and pharmacoepidemiology. Located in Pasadena, Calif., the department focuses on translating research to practice quickly to benefit the health and lives of Kaiser Permanente Southern California members and the general population. Visit www.kp.org/research.

About Kaiser Permanente

Kaiser Permanente is committed to helping shape the future of health care. We are recognized as one of America's leading health care providers and not-for-profit health plans. Founded in 1945, our mission is to provide high-quality, affordable health care services to improve the health of our members and the communities we serve. We currently serve 8.6 million members in nine states and the District of Columbia. Care for members and patients is focused on their total health and guided by their personal physicians, specialists and team of caregivers. Our expert and caring medical teams are empowered and supported by industry-leading technology advances and tools for health promotion, disease prevention, state-of-the art care delivery and world-class chronic disease management. Kaiser Permanente is dedicated to care innovations, clinical research, health education and the support of community health. For more information, go to:www.kp.org/newscenter.

For more information:
Laura Dunn, laura.c.dunn@kp.org, 510 267 2818
Danielle Cass, danielle.x.cass@kp.org, 510 267 5354

Contact: Danielle Cass
danielle.x.cass@kp.org
510-267-5354
Kaiser Permanente

Extreme obesity affecting more children at younger ages

Electronic health records used to study 711,000 children

March 18, 2010 (Pasadena, Calif.) – Extreme obesity is affecting more children at younger ages, with 12 percent of black teenage girls, 11.2 percent of Hispanic teenage boys, 7.3 percent of boys and 5.5 percent of girls now classified as extremely obese, according to a Kaiser Permanente study of 710,949 children and teens that appears online in the Journal of Pediatrics.

This is the first study to provide a snapshot of the prevalence of extreme obesity in a contemporary cohort of children ages 2 – 19 years from a large racially and ethnically diverse population using the recent 2009 U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention extreme obesity definition. Previous research was based on recent National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) data and included information on obesity but not extreme obesity.

"Children who are extremely obese may continue to be extremely obese as adults, and all the health problems associated with obesity are in these children's futures. Without major lifestyle changes, these kids face a 10 to 20 years shorter life span and will develop health problems in their twenties that we typically see in 40 - 60 year olds," said study lead author Corinna Koebnick, PhD, a research scientist at the Kaiser Permanente Southern California's Department of Research and Evaluation in Pasadena, Calif. "For example, children who are extremely obese are at higher risk for heart disease, type 2 diabetes, fatty liver disease and joint problems, just to name a few."

Researchers used measured height and weight in electronic health records to conduct a cross-sectional study of 710,949 children ages 2 – 19 years in the Kaiser Permanente Southern California integrated health plan in 2007 and 2008. Children in the study had an average of 2.6 medical visits per year where height and weight were measured.

The study found that 7.3 percent of boys and 5.5 percent of girls were extremely obese, translating into more than 45,000 extremely obese children in this cohort. The percentage of extreme obesity peaked at 10 years in boys and at 12 years in girls. The heaviest children were black teenage girls and Hispanic boys. The percentage of extreme obesity was lowest in Asian-Pacific Islanders and non-Hispanic white children.

According to the recent CDC recommendations, extreme obesity is defined as more than 1.2 times the 95th percentile, or a body mass index (BMI) of more than 35 kilograms/meter squared. Obesity is defined as more than the 95th percentile or a BMI of more than 30 kg/m2. Overweight is defined as more than the 85th percentile or a BMI of more than 25 kg/m2. The BMI is a reliable indicator of body fatness and calculated based on height and weight. For children, BMI percentiles are the most commonly used indicator to assess the size and growth patterns of individual children. The percentile indicates the relative position of the child's BMI number among children of the same sex and age.

"Our focus and concern is all about health and not about appearance. Children who are morbidly obese can do anything they want -- they can be judges, lawyers, doctors -- but the one thing they cannot be is healthy," said study co-author Amy Porter, MD, a Kaiser Permanente Baldwin Park pediatrician who leads the Pediatric Weight Management Initiative for Kaiser Permanente's Southern California Region.

"The most important advice to parents of extremely obese children is that this has to be addressed as a family issue. There is rarely one extremely obese kid in a house where everyone else is extremely healthy. It's important that everyone in the family is invested in achieving a healthier lifestyle," Porter said.

"This publication is only the beginning. Now we are trying to quantify the health risks and long-term effects associated with extreme obesity, determine which groups are affected most, and develop strategies for population care management to reduce these health risks. Children's health is important and we have a long way to go," Koebnick said.

###

This study is part of Kaiser Permanente's ongoing work to identify, prevent and treat childhood obesity through research, education and community programs. Kaiser Permanente announced Feb. 9 that it was a founding partner of the Partnership for a Healthier America (www.ahealthieramerica.org), a nonprofit, nonpartisan foundation created to catalyze and increase support around First Lady Michelle Obama's campaign to curb childhood obesity in a generation.

For more information on resources for families, community clinics and the Incredible Adventures of the Amazing Food Detective video game that helps children make healthy food choices and get more physically active, go to: www.kp.org/communitybenefit.

To calculate your child's body mass index percentile: go to http://apps.nccd.cdc.gov/dnpabmi/Calculator.aspx

Other study authors included: Ning Smith, MS, Karen J. Coleman, PhD, Darios Getahun, MD, Kristi Reynolds, PhD, Virginia P. Quinn, PhD, and Steven J. Jacobsen, PhD, from the Kaiser Permanente Department of Research and Evaluation; Amy H. Porter, MD, from Kaiser Permanente Baldwin Park Medical Center, and Jack K. Der-Sarkissian, MD, from Kaiser Permanente Medical Center, Los Angeles.

About the Kaiser Permanente Department of Research and Evaluation

The Department of Research and Evaluation conducts high quality, innovative research into disease etiology, prevention, treatment and care delivery. Investigators conduct epidemiology, health sciences, and behavioral research as well as clinical trials. Areas of interest include diabetes and obesity, cancer, HIV/AIDS, cardiovascular disease, aging and cognition, pregnancy outcomes, women's and children's health, quality and safety, and pharmacoepidemiology. Located in Pasadena, Calif., the department focuses on translating research to practice quickly to benefit the health and lives of Kaiser Permanente Southern California members and the general population. Visit www.kp.org/research.

About Kaiser Permanente

Kaiser Permanente is committed to helping shape the future of health care. We are recognized as one of America's leading health care providers and not-for-profit health plans. Founded in 1945, our mission is to provide high-quality, affordable health care services to improve the health of our members and the communities we serve. We currently serve 8.6 million members in nine states and the District of Columbia. Care for members and patients is focused on their total health and guided by their personal physicians, specialists and team of caregivers. Our expert and caring medical teams are empowered and supported by industry-leading technology advances and tools for health promotion, disease prevention, state-of-the art care delivery and world-class chronic disease management. Kaiser Permanente is dedicated to care innovations, clinical research, health education and the support of community health. For more information, go to:www.kp.org/newscenter.

For more information:
Laura Dunn, laura.c.dunn@kp.org, 510 267 2818
Danielle Cass, danielle.x.cass@kp.org, 510 267 5354

Contact: Sarah Hutcheon
shutcheon@srcd.org
202-289-7905
Society for Research in Child Development

Gaining autonomy through decision-making

Decision making within families is an important way for young people to gain independence and responsibility, and adolescence is a time of increasing autonomy. A new longitudinal study concludes that teens have more say in certain areas than in others and that some teens have more autonomy than others.

The findings come from researchers at The Pennsylvania State University and are published in the March/April 2010 issue of the journal Child Development.

Over a span of nine years, the researchers annually canvassed parents in about 200 White, European-American families about their teens' decisions. Mothers and fathers reported on who made decisions in eight areas of their children's lives, including chores, appearance, curfew/bedtime, health, schoolwork, social life, activities, and money.

The study found that young people's input into decisions increased gradually from ages 9 to 14, and then surged from ages 15 to 20. Also, young people had more input into decisions about appearance, activities, schoolwork, and social life than about chores, health, and curfew. And in late adolescence (ages 18 to 20), decisions about money and health were still being made jointly by parents and adolescents, suggesting that autonomy developed more gradually for these types of decisions.

The study also found that certain children had more decision-making autonomy than others. Those with more decision-making autonomy included girls, young people whom their parents said were easy to supervise, and children with better-educated parents.

Interestingly, there wasn't a single, universal pattern in the development of decision making. Instead, decision-making autonomy, a reflection of the development of youths' independence and responsibility, depended on what kinds of decisions youngsters faced, and on their personal and family circumstances.

###

The study was funded, in part, by the Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development.

Pursuit of status and affection drives bullies' behavior

Contact: Sarah Hutcheon
shutcheon@srcd.org
202-289-7905
Society for Research in Child Development 

Pursuit of status and affection drives bullies' behavior

 

Bullying is common in classrooms around the world: About 15 percent of children are victimized, leading to depression, anxiety, loneliness, and other negative outcomes. What's driving bullies to behave the way they do? According to a new large-scale Dutch study, most bullies are motivated by the pursuit of status and affection.

The longitudinal study was conducted by researchers at the University of Groningen in the Netherlands. It appears in the March/April 2010 issue of the journal Child Development.

 

In their work, the researchers questioned almost 500 elementary-school children ages 9 to 12. Based on their findings, they conclude that bullies generally choose to gain status by dominating their victims. But at the same time, they try to reduce the chances that they'll end up on the outs with other classmates by choosing as victims children who are weak and not well-liked by others. In short, even bullies care a lot about others' affection and don't want to lose it.

 

Gender also plays a role. For example, the study finds that at this age, bullies only care about not losing affection from classmates of their own gender. So when boys bully boys, it doesn't matter whether girls approve or disapprove. The same holds for girls. Moreover, boys will bully only those girls that aren't well liked by other boys, regardless of what girls think about it, and girls will do the same in their bullying of boys.

 

"To understand the complex nature of acceptance and rejection, it's necessary to distinguish the gender of the bully, the gender of the target, and the gender of the classmates who accept and reject bullies and victims," according to René Veenstra, professor of sociology at the University of Groningen, who led the study.

 

###

 

ASCAway: 2010 School Counselor of the Year

Barbara Micucci, 2010 School Counselor of the Year, talks about what brought her to the school counseling profession and what she’s learned along the way.

http://ascaway.podbean.com/2010/03/23/ascaway-2010-school-counselor-of-the-year/

TeachersFirst: Earth Day - Editors' Choices

TeachersFirst: Earth Day - Editors' Choices: "Earth Day presents a special opportunity to connect classroom curriculum with real-world experience, not only in science but also for lessons in math, language arts, social studies, art, and more. With so many outstanding resources available on the web related to environmental concerns, TeachersFirst's editorial team has hand-selected this group of 'Editors' Choices' for their potential to engage and involve your students in both the understanding of scientific concepts surrounding Earth Day and in environmental activism for any time of the year.

TeachersFirst has many more reviewed Earth Day resources if you wish to browse a longer listing. You can also narrow your search to a specific topic for earth day or a certain grade range using our keyword search tool. Be sure to read the tips to optimize your search of our reviewed collection.

Whether you seek ideas for a community service project for Earth Day or ways to use innovative technologies to bring the environment into your classroom, our editors have found 'the best of the best' to meet your needs."

Get Ready .. FSCA Convention Program Proposals

Get Ready ...

On April 1, 2010, FSCA will be launching its call for program proposals for the 2010 Annual Convention at the beautiful Hyatt Regency Pier Sixty-Six in Ft. Lauderdale, Florida this November 4-6, 2010. The Florida School Counselor Association will be soliciting proposals for presentations promoting evidence-based programs in the domains of academic, career, and personal/social development or highlighting the latest techniques and practices in school counseling. Presentations showcase proven programs, current research, or skills of value to counselors pre-K to postsecondary as well as district personnel, graduate students and counselor educators. It's not too early to start thinking about your contribution to the program and put together your teams and your topics.

FSCA 2010 Academy Info

2010 FSCA Summer Academy June 25th-27th, 2010 School Counselors: Preparing for a New Decade" is the theme of this years Summer Academy. Part of FSCA's focus and mission is to provide relevant and quality professional development to school counselors. The Academy promises to do just that. Take your Guidance Program into the new decade with topics such as Data, RtI, Accountability, MAIs, ePep, and much more. The Renaissance Resort at World Golf Village 500 South Legacy Trail St. Augustine, Florida 32092 http://www.worldgolfrenaissance.com/ Information and Registration Click here for pricing information. Click here to register now using our 123signup system. Its as easy as 123! Speakers Speakers Include (although are not limited to): Madelyn Isaacs Past president of Florida School Counselor Association (FSCA) Professor, Florida Gulf Coast University Russell Sabella Past president of America School Counselor Association (ASCA) Professor, Florida Gulf Coast University Joni Shook District Level Counselor, Guidance Services, Duval County Public Schools Carolyn Stone Past president of America School Counselor Association (ASCA) Professor, University of North Florida Nan Worsowicz Supervisor, Guidance Services Duval County Public Schools Agenda Agenda will be published both online, via email to all registrants, and included in your Academy bag. Content Sessions include the following: Promoting Your School Counseling Program: Tooting Your Own Horn Orchestrating Your Public Relations Program As school counselors we work hard to help our students be successfully prepared in their academics, for their future careers, and in their personal lives. Few of us know how to promote what we do and “toot our own horns”. Come away from this session with samples and templates for creating your own public relations material. School Counseling Programs: Maintaining Sustainability A panel will discuss and share information on how to provide a comprehensive and effective school counseling program that is essential and an integral part of student achievement. You will walk away with applicable information that you can began to use immediately. School Counselors and RtI School counselors ask the following questions: What is RtI? What are tier interventions? Is RtI for all students? Are we mandated to do RtI? Do we have to use data? What is the role of the school counselor in RtI? How does the school counseling program fit in RtI? Come find the answers to these questions and more. MAIs, ePEP and DE School counselors come hear the latest updates to major area of interest, electronic personal education planner and dual-enrollment. Leave with information and materials you can use in your counseling program NOTE: 10% discount on conference registration will be deducted for groups of six or more who register together. To obtain the discount, email one of the Academy Coordinators under "Contact." Information and Registration Click here for pricing information. Click here to register now using our 123signup system. Its as easy as 123!

Unsung Heroes K-12 Education Award Share

Unsung Heroes K-12 Education Award
Deadline: April 30, 2010

Source: ING Direct

http://www.ing-usa.com/us/aboutING/CorporateCitizenship/Education/INGUnsungHeroes/index.htm

Sponsored by ING Direct, the ING Unsung Heroes K-12 Education Awards will select 100 teachers (based on their creative, innovative classroom projects and unique educational programs) to receive $2,000. Of the 100 finalists, three will be selected for additional financial awards, ranging from $5,000 to $25,000.

Grant Wrangler K-12 School Grants

Grant Wrangler K-12 School Grants: "Grow Strong Girls through Leadership Grant"

March 22-26 Is National Youth Violence Prevention Week

Subject: March 22-26 Is National Youth Violence Prevention Week

 

March 22-26 Is National Youth Violence Prevention Week March 22-26, 2010, is National Youth Violence Prevention Week. Youth violence refers to harmful behaviors that can start early and continue into young adulthood. The young person may be a victim, an offender, or a witness to the violence. While violence impacts people of all ages, violence disproportionately affects youth and is the second leading cause of death for young people between the ages of 10 and 24. Because of the multiple factors that contribute to the development of violence, a comprehensive preventative approach is needed. Youth violence prevention also requires collaboration among justice, public safety, education, public health, and human service agencies, with the support of community leaders, businesses, and faith-based organizations. Resources: To access information and resources related to youth violence, visit the National Criminal Justice Reference Service's Youth Violence portal page at www.ncjrs.gov/yviolence/. For additional information, visit www.safeyouth.org/scripts/index.asp. The Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention is a component of the Office of Justice Programs in the U.S. Department of Justice. Subscribe or unsubscribe to JUVJUST and OJJDP News @ a Glance. Browse past issues of JUVJUST.

 

SCHOOL COUNSELORS AND RtI Workshop

School Counselors and Response to Intervention (RtI) FSCA members have provided feedback which indicates a strong interest in the area of Data and Response to Intervention. School Counselors from the Northern Region have also reported that they want PD closer to home.  So .... we have two opportunities coming up: Description: SCHOOL COUNSELORS AND RtI: Increasing your accountability helps school counselors build on their knowledge of the Florida Frameworks and ASCA National Model to incorporate evolving roles with Response to Intervention (RtI). Specifically this workshop will introduce concepts common to the ASCA National model, RtI, and action research and provide ways of thinking about data. Simple data collection and presentation methods will be discussed with examples from both RtI and school counseling program evaluation. Training will be provided by Dr. Sejal Parikh, Assistant Professor, School Counseling, University of North Florida. Cost: FREE for FSCA Members, $30 for non members. Note: If you are not a FSCA member, you can add a membership with one click while registering and then be presented with the membership fee of free. Wed May 5, 2010  8:30a - 3:30p Thu May 6, 2010 8:00a - 3:30p Gooden-Russell Center 2813 South Meridian Street Tallahassee, FL J.E. Hall Center 30 E. Texar Drive Pensacola, FL Click HERE to Register Click HERE to Register

Digital Wish

Digital Wish is a great non-profit that empowers you to make a personal investment in education where you live and work through online contributions. You can hand-pick local classrooms to support, or browse classrooms by personal interest and read about the classroom needs and how you can help. Donors can elect to buy items from the teacher's wish list, or donate money directly to a classroom so that wish list items can be purchased.

What is unique about Digital Wish is that they automatically match every donation with an additional 2%-10% in funding! That means 102%-110% of your donations go directly towards funding technology for the classroom of your choice, and there are never any fees to give! Plus all donations are fully tax-deductible.

Double Your Impact!

Right now Digital Wish is offering 2-for-1 Flip Ultra 120-minute Camcorder exclusively for educators, the ideal tool for integrating video in the classroom. If you donate a Flip camcorder through Digital Wish, the school will receive two! Visit the link below to donate to your favorite classrooms.

http://www.digitalwish.com/dw/digitalwish/product?id=4310

Each donation or product purchase, no matter the size, will put a classroom one step closer to providing the technology that students need to learn and grow.

SAGE Journals Online -- Free Online Access to SAGE Education Journals - access ends 31 March, 2010

SAGE Journals Online -- Free Online Access to SAGE Education Journals - access ends 31 March, 2010: "FREE Online Access to SAGE Education Journals throughout March: (March 1-31, 2010)"

Digital Wish - Flip Ultra™ 120-minute Camcorder 2-for-1!

Digital Wish - Flip Ultra™ 120-minute Camcorder 2-for-1!

Flip Cameras In Schools - While inexpensive, Flip Cams can still run $150 or so each. There's a program online where schools can "Buy One Get One Free." Here's the website: http://www.digitalwish.com/dw/digitalwish/product?id=4310 (Also--this is through a grant with the Flip company--and the ones they are offering are the REALLY nice ones with TWO hours of video!)

EDUCATION POLICY & PROGRAM DEVELOPMENT UPDATE

EDUCATION POLICY & PROGRAM DEVELOPMENT UPDATE
Friday, March 19, 2010

 

In this issue:

 

1. Florida Legislative Session Action
2. White House Releases Blueprint For The New ESEA
3. Considering The Implications Of Citizens V. Fec On The Non-Profit World

4. Running The Numbers

* * * * *

FLORIDA LEGISLATIVE SESSION ACTION

SENATE 0004 (by Nancy Detert, R-Venice and 10 others) This bill is consistent, in part, with proposals from the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, the Foundation for Florida's Future, and Achieve, Inc. It is also consistent with the state's Race to the Top grant proposal. This bill would eliminate FCAT administration for mathematics (Grades 9 and 10) and science (Grade 11) in favor of end-of-course examinations. It would require students to pass Geometry, Biology I, Algebra II, Chemistry or physics, and an "equally rigorous science course" in order to graduate from high school. It would also require passing certain end-of-course examinations in order to receive credit in most of those courses, and would allow students to earn credit in those courses by examination only. It would also require high school students to take at least one virtual course in order to graduate. The bill would eliminate Florida's current system of having high school students declare majors. The bill was approved by the Education Committee on March 10 by a 6-2 vote. The bill was approved on March 16 by the Senate Policy & Steering Committee on Ways and Means with 17-7 vote.

SENATE 0006 (by John Thrasher, R-Jacksonville and 8 others) This bill is consistent, in part, with proposals from the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, the Foundation for Florida's Future, and Achieve, Inc. It is also consistent with the state's Race to the Top grant proposal. It would require that more than 50 percent of the salary of instructional personnel and school-based administrators (including those in charter schools) would be based on student learning gains and would require differentiated pay for difficult assignments. It would forbid school districts from considering an employee's experience or education when determining compensation. It would abolish professional services contracts for teachers hired after July 1, 2010 and limit those teachers to holding only probationary or annual contracts. It would also require that non-instructional personnel would be compensated under a performance pay plan. It would require all high schools (including all charter high schools) to implement end-of-course examinations in all subjects not tested with FCAT, IB, AP, or similar examinations. The bill would shorten the time available to obtain professional certification and would abolish certification on the basis of a National Board for Professional Teaching Standards credential. The bill requires local school boards to impose a punitive ad valorem tax if the school district fails to comply with these new requirements. The bill was approved by the Education Committee on March 10 by a 6-2 vote. The bill will be considered today and tomorrow by the Senate & Steering Committee on Ways and Means.

HOUSE 0413 (by John Wood, R-Winter Haven ) would make historical reductions in pensions provided under the Florida Retirement System. For new hires, the bill would eliminate the option of choosing the defined benefit plan currently used by 88% of all FRS members and limit their retirement benefit only to the defined contribution plan. The bill will be considered by the House Governmental Affairs Policy Committee next week.

House 1173 (by Erik Fresen, R-Miami) authorizes virtual charter schools. It provides that home-schooled students may enroll in courses offered by the Florida Virtual School or a franchisee, and provides that home-schooled students may enroll in courses offered in the school district in which the student resides. The bill requires that high school students take at least one virtual course. The bill had its first reading by the House on 1st Reading on March 02, 2010. No action this week.

HOUSE 1319 (by Tom Grady, R-Naples) would make historic reductions in pensions provided under the Florida Retirement System. New employees or employees entering DROP would be required to contribute 1% of their salary to FRS. For all current employees, pension benefits would be calculated on a total career average instead of the current five-highest-year average, reducing most pensions amounts by 40% to 50%. For all current employees, the retirement age would increase from the current 30 years to 33 years, or from age 62 to 65. For all current employees, the annual accrual rate would be reduced from the current 16% per year to 1.44% per year. Several other provisions have the similar effect of significantly reducing pension benefit for current employees. The bill will be considered by the House Governmental Affairs Policy Committee next week.

SENATE 1344 (by Evelyn Lynn, R-Daytona Beach) would increase eligibility requirements for the Florida Bright Futures scholarship program and reduce the award amount by about 10%. On March 19, the bill was approved by the Senate Higher Education Appropriates Committee by a 4-1 vote.

SENATE 1368 (by Stephen Wise, R-Jacksonville) This bill addresses numerous issues. Notably, this bill would have the constitutional class size calculations be based on February reporting rather than October, and increase the fiscal penalty for non-compliance to include the base student allocation in addition to the class size allocation for all students over the constitutional limits. The bill specifies that the class size limits do apply to charter schools but do not apply to virtual classrooms. It lowers the administrative fees school districts may charge to charter schools. This bill would equire that all high school materials be primarily adopted and delivered in electronic format. The bill increases VPK class size from 10 to 12. This bill would have school districts contract with community colleges to provide high school students access to Florida college courses to be delivered virtually. It removes the requirement for a state board rule establishing the minimum length of a school year. The bill lowers bonuses paid for IB, AICE, and AP examinations. It requires, in effect, that school board member salaries be the same level as the salaries of legislators. It freezes the salaries of elected superintendents and encourages that the salaries of appointed superintendents also be frozen. On March 19, it passed the Senate Education PK-12 Committee by a 4-1 vote.

HOUSE 1543 (by Juan Zapata, R-Miami) would make historic reductions in pensions provided under the Florida Retirement System. The bill would collaps the current five plans to two and would limit pensions benefits to no more than 70% of the highest single year's salary. The bill will be considered by the House Governmental Affairs Policy Committee next week.

SENATE 1902 (by Michael Bennett, R-Bradenton) would make historical reductions in pensions provided under the Florida Retirement System. For retirements beginning ater July 1, 2010, The bill would limit pensions benefits to no more than 70% of the final average compensation. The bill will be considered by the House Community Affairs Committee next week.

SENATE 2126 (by Joe Negron, R-Palm City and 18 others) would expand Florida's private school voucher program, currently funded by corporate tax credits. The bill would increase the per-student amount paid to private schools from the current $3,950 to an estimated $5,500, or a total cost of about $140 million. The The bill was approved by the Senate Finance and Tax Committe by 4-1 vote and now goes to the Senate Policy & Steering Committee on Ways and Means for action on March 20th.

SENATE 2262 (by John Thrasher, R-Jacksonville) authorizes charter schools to operate as franchises of the Florida Virtual School. It provides that home-schooled students may enroll in courses offered by the Florida Virtual School or a franchisee, and provides that home-schooled students may enroll in courses offered in the school district in which the student resides. The bill requires that high school students take at least one virtual course. No action this week.

HOUSE 5101 (by Anitere Flores, R-Miami and 13 others) addresses multiple topics. It requires school districts to make contingency plans for class size compliance pending the outcome of the proposed November 2010 constitutional amendment. This bill would have the constitutional class size calculations be based on February reporting rather than October, and increase the fiscal penalty for non-compliance to include the base student allocation in addition to the class size allocation for all students over the constitutional limits. It requires detailed reported on the education of gifted students. This bill would equire that all high school materials be primarily adopted and delivered in electronic format and promotes adoption of electronic learning management systems. The bill will be considered by the Full Appropriations Council on Education & Economic Development today.

* * * * *

WHITE HOUSE RELEASES BLUEPRINT FOR THE NEW ESEA

The President's "blueprint" for the reauthorization of ESEA was released this week. As expected, the President intends to reframe the existing No Child Left Behind paradigm rather than scrap it altogether. This blueprint provides a vision for the reauthorization in mostly general terms, and gingerly avoids being too specific. The document explictly uses the priorities and language of Race to the Top and the Common Core Standards Initiative. As expected, there is a strong focus on identifying and rewarding "effective" teachers and on encouraging the proliferation of public charter schools. No surprises here, but it is the next step in the reauthorization and may be worth a look.

U.S. Department of Education (Web page)

* * * * *

CONSIDERING THE IMPLICATIONS OF CITIZENS V. FEC ON THE NON-PROFIT WORLD

The recent controversial ruling by the U.S. Supreme Court in Citizens United v. Federal Elections Commission (PDF) held that "the Government may not suppress political speech based on the speaker’s corporate identity." This historic ruling overturned numerous regulations on corporate participation in elections and affirmed that corporations have the same free speech rights as individuals. The implications for a special class of corporations—the not-for-profit kind—remain to be determined. Non-profit corporations are pervasive, well-known, and have long been influential in American life: consider the work of the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, the Girls Scouts, the YMCA, the Red Cross, the Salvation Army, the Education Testing Service (ETS), the local boards that run charter schools, and even local school district education foundations. Many benefits acrue to these organizations precisely because of their non-profit status, but will this change now that they are free to speak out and spend freely in political affairs? A new era in philanthropy and politics seems about to begin, and National Journal gives us a glimpse of what's to come.

National Journal (Web page)

* * * * *

RUNNING THE NUMBERS

(1) Total assets held in trust for retirees of the Florida Retirement System: $96,503,161,626

(1) Total members currently enrolled in the Florida Retirement System: 668,416

(2) Percentage of FRS members who are employed by school districts: 49.22%

Sources

(1,2) Florida Retirement System Annual Report 2008-09 (PDF)

(3) OPPAGA Report Report No. 09-24 (PDF)

 

FTCE Competencies and Skills

FTCE Competencies and Skills: "Draft Competencies and Skills: Fifteenth Edition
General Information

In Spring 2010, the State Board of Education will review the following draft competencies and skills for 2 subject areas. If approved, the draft competencies and skills will be implemented on examinations administered beginning Summer 2010 and printed in the Competencies and Skills Required for Teacher Certification in Florida, Fifteenth Edition.

Guidance and Counseling PK–12 (PDF, 19KB)
http://www.fldoe.org/asp/ftce/pdf/GuidCouns.pdf

School Psychologist PK–12 (PDF, 31KB)"

http://www.fldoe.org/asp/ftce/pdf/SchoolPsych.pdf

Cover the Uninsured Week Celebrated

Cover the Uninsured Week Celebrated
In recognition of Cover the Uninsured Week March 14 – 20, 2010, the Florida Agency for Health Care Administration urges all uninsured Floridians to consider their health care insurance options. The following programs are available:

• Florida KidCare – The state’s low or no-cost health insurance program for children under the age of 19. The program provides health care benefits for uninsured Florida families regardless of their income and includes regular doctor visits, immunizations, dental checkups and prescriptions. For more information about Florida KidCare, visit www.FloridaKidCare.org.
• Cover Florida – Health care coverage for Floridians between the ages of 19 to 64 who have been without insurance for at least six months or are recently unemployed. Two plans are offered – one with catastrophic and hospital coverage and one without – and includes preventive services, screenings, office visits, office surgery, urgent care, emergency care, prescription drugs, diabetic supplies and durable medical equipment. Plans are available for individuals or employers and monthly premiums vary depending on the plan selected. For more information about Cover Florida, visit www.CoverFloridaHealthCare.com.

Uninsured Floridians can also visit www.FloridaHealthFinder.gov to find resources available to cover the cost of medical care, prescription drugs, health insurance and more under Medical Help Resources.

 

"Jobs for Florida" Legislation Moves to Senate Floor

 

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

March 18, 2010

 

CONTACT:

Chris Clark 850-487-5009

 

 

"Jobs for Florida" Legislation Moves to Senate Floor

 Revitalizes businesses, encourages job creation, and strengthens Florida's economy

 

Tallahassee – The Senate Ways and Means Committee today passed "Jobs for Florida", a 14-point economic development package to strengthen Florida's economy and encourage job growth.  Senate Bill 1752 is sponsored by Senator Don Gaetz (R-Niceville), Senator Jeremy Ring (D-Margate) and members of the Senate Select Committee on Florida's Economy. 

 

"With over one million Floridians experiencing the pain of unemployment, we must remove unnecessary disincentives and regulatory burdens that impede job growth," said Senate President Jeff Atwater (R-North Palm Beach).  "This legislation sends a strong signal to employers that are here and those considering relocation that Florida is open for business and ready to compete."

 

"Jobs for Florida" is the product of hearings held in Tallahassee and around the state to listen to Floridians engaged in job creation as well as ideas gathered at a jobs summit hosted by Senate President-designate Mike Haridopolos and Speaker-designate Dean Cannon.  The Select Committee also conducted a "gap analysis" of effective job development policies in other states compared to Florida.

 

"Government only creates government jobs," said Gaetz, who chairs the Select Committee. "This package of solutions promotes private sector job creation and makes our state more competitive to keep and attract businesses that generate economic activity."

 

With record unemployment rates, strengthening Florida's economy, revitalizing businesses, and creating an environment of success is a priority for the Florida Senate.  SB 1752 is structured to remove barriers to economic growth, provide targeted incentives to Florida businesses, and provide Florida a pathway for long-term success in the global market economy.

 

"Florida's long-term success is dependent upon growing existing industry, attracting outside businesses and encouraging entrepreneurship to thrive,"  said Senator Ring, the Select Committee's vice chair.  "This bill is an important first step to building the strong knowledge-based and diverse economy our state needs to bring high-wage jobs to Florida."

 

SB 1752 creates greater transparency, encourages job creation and capital investments, removes unnecessary regulatory barriers, and diversifies Florida's economy by:

 

• Removing tax disincentives that drive boat and aircraft purchases and maintenance out of the state
• Creating a tax credit for small and large businesses that hire unemployed Floridians
• Accelerating tax credits for capital-intensive industries in return for adding new, high-paying jobs
• Improving competitiveness of Florida ports by granting tax credits in return for job creation
• Commercializing research done in Florida universities and by Florida companies through a combination of state and federal grants
• Doubling the state's film incentive to include digital media companies producing long-term jobs in Florida
• Supporting the space industry with financing for new and expanded space-related businesses, re-training workers now engaged in the Shuttle program and funding flexibility for Space Florida
• Disposing of state-owned, non-conservation lands with proceeds used for job creation and economic development
• Incenting Florida-based manufacturers to invest in machinery and equipment over the next two years
• Re-authorizing the Qualified Target Industry Incentive to link tax refunds with the number of jobs created, wages paid and location of businesses
• Establishing the State University Research Commercialization Grant Program, a source of seed capital to take to market products developed by publically sponsored research
• Requiring greater transparency and "return on investment" results in the use of economic development funds
• Making Florida more competitive by reducing the amount of time consumed by government in processing permits
• Delegating authority to local governments to avoid duplicative and triplicative regulatory reviews at the state level
• Helping first-time home buyers by extending the Florida Homebuyer Opportunity Program

 

The Senate Select Committee on Florida's Economy was created by President Atwater to propose legislation that will create incentives and eliminate impediments to economic recovery and growth.  It also works to identify and develop policies that will cause government to function more simply, more transparently, less expensively and more effectively.

 

 

###

For more information about this or any other issue, please contact Senator Don Gaetz, by e-mail at gaetz.don.web@flsenate.gov, by letter, 4300 Legendary Drive, Suite 230, Destin, FL 32541or call 1-866-450-4DON toll free from anywhere in Florida.

To subscribe/ unsubscribe, please visit www.senatordongaetzreports.com

GRANTS: Center for Safe Routes to Schoo

The Center for Health and Health Care in Schools: "National Center for Safe Routes to School -Safe Routes to School Mini-grants
Safe Routes to School seeks to enable and encourage children to safely walk and bicycle to school through student creativity and leadership skills. Activities funded by the mini-grants should be part of a larger walking and/or bicycling to school effort.

Thirty-five grants of $1,000 will be awarded. Eligible applicants include: faculty, staff, or parent volunteers at elementary or middle schools; adult-supervised elementary or middle school groups or clubs; adult-supervised high school groups/clubs that wish to partner with a nearby elementary or middle school; local governments; tribal governments; and community-based or private nonprofit organizations engaged in improving safety for and increasing the number of children who safely walk or ride a bicycle to school.

Deadline: April 7, 2010

Please contact National Center for Safe Routes to School for more information and to apply for this funding: http://www.saferoutesinfo.org/news_room/minigrants/index.cfm"