The Golden State has $3.1 billion in economic stimulus funds to spend on education. Now comes the tough part: how to make sure that the money helps students.
Every policy that California has needs to be thoroughly examined, state Supt. of Public Instruction Jack O'Connell said.
"If we are going to do right by our kids and take advantage of this wave of change, then everything must be on the table," O'Connell said, "and we need to bring both teachers and management to that table to come up with creative solutions that benefit all students."
One reform that the state is examining includes differential pay for teachers, which would give them more money if they take on more challenging assignments, reports the Los Angeles Times. Another reform would strengthen the state's standards so that they are closer to the national standard and to other states with rigorous standards.
To increase measuring accuracy of school, student and teacher achievement data, one reform would improve the state's data system, which would cost $60 million and be partly covered by competitive grants in the stimulus package.
For the complete story, visit the Los Angeles Times.
