[courtesy of California Progress Report]

By Peter Schrag

Brace yourself: California is about to get another "year of education." It will almost inevitably come with high-decibel laments about the dismal performance of California schools, excessive expectations about all the things schools can do and Bulfinch-size volumes of myths about how great they once were.

There'll be lots of modish talk – about categorical programs, testing, standards, proficiency, funding, governance, college preparation, career technical education, merit pay, class size, accountability, English learners – but little attention to what's worked.

David Long, Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger's secretary of education, told an interviewer for California Schools Magazine recently that the year of education "means that we'll start that creative, assertive, thoughtful conversation. ... It's going to take some time, so I always caution people that everything isn't going to be accomplished in 12 months."

That's a relief. The governor's man says it will take more than 12 months to do the job. Since the nation has been fixing schools since the founding of the Boston Latin School in 1635, it shows a rare glimmer of realism. It's especially encouraging in a governor's office that hasn't shown much capacity for, or interest in, serious educational matters.

by Brian Leubitz [courtesy of Calitics - Front Page]

Two more bodies were found in a home in Poway, bringing the current official tally to three, but many more undocumented immigrants are feared dead in the canyons near the border. Over 620 square mileshave burned, or roughly half the size or Rhode Island. About 1500 residences have been destroyed in San Diego County alone. And, amazingly, more people have been evacuated from these fires than from the Katrina disaster. This is truly one of our country's most major disasters.  All that being said, the County of San Diego has already received its first request for a building permit to replace a destroyed home.

However, the actual work of controlling the fire will take some time yet. Over 5,000 firefighters are now fighting the blazes, yet 

by Rosi Efthim [courtesy of Blog for America]

Rally Saturday in front of the Flemington Historic Courthouse on Main Street!!!
Rush Holt is coming Saturday to help organize grassroots campaign support for::

Bruce Cocuzza for Sheriff

Joey Novick, Linda Mastellone & Loretta Borowsky for Flemington Council

& Richard Kuhrt for Raritan Twp. Committee

Bruce Cocuzza Joey Novick (DFA) Linda Mastellone (DFA) Loretta Borowsky Richard Kuhrt