Teacher preparation bill aligns CA with other states ’ requirements
2 EDCAL August 7 , 2017
ACSA principals enjoy national conference
ACSA was well represented at the first National Principals Conference , hosted jointly by the National Association of Secondary School Principals and the National Association of Elementary School Principals in Philadelphia .
The delegation included Ron Tanimura , Region 16 , president of the Elementary Education Council ; Scott Borba , Region 7 , past president of the Elementary Education Council , who was just named California ’ s 2017 National Distinguished Principal ; Derrick Lawson , Region 19 , NASSP ’ s California coordinator ; Cynthia Rapaido , Region 5 , president of the Secondary Education Council ; Michael Tsuboi , Region 11 , president-elect of the Middle Grades Education Council ; Andrew Ishibashi , past Region 5 representative to the ACSA Board of Directors ; and Educational Services Executive Mary Gomes , liaison to the ACSA principals councils .
Also joining the ACSA principal leaders were two administrators recognized by NASSP at the conference : Crechéna Wise , Region 14 , Middle Grades Principal of the Year , and Carrie Schwartz , Region 16 , Secondary Co-Administrator of the Year .
The July 9-11 National Principals Conference represents the first time
NAESP and NASSP combined their annual conferences . The organizations plan to pool resources for the larger event every three years , holding individual conferences in connecting years .
“ The 2017 National Principals Conference was a huge success ,” said 2016-17 NAESP President Steven Geis . “ Participants reported enjoying the many wonderful professional development opportunities offered to PreK-12 school leaders , as well as time to reflect and learn from their colleagues in various settings .”
Each ACSA participant experienced significant “ aha moments ” that resonated strongly . Schwartz and Tanimura noted that many schools throughout the nation have similar issues regarding school culture and the strong focus nationally on socialemotional learning , and the knowledge that “ love and respect have no color .”
“ A theme that wove across all of our encounters was the tremendous need for professional development for administrators in order to meet the demands of 21st century education , with the rapid pace of technological change and individualization and the importance of advocating for Title 1 , Title 2 and Title 4 , as well as our state LCAP ,” Lawson said .
The ACSA delegation to the first-ever National Principals Conference included , left to right , Cynthia Rapaido , Derrick Lawson , Mike Tsuboi , Carrie Schwartz , Scott Borba , Ron Tanimura , Crechéna Wise and Andy Ishibashi .
There were a large number of break-out sessions with practicing site administrators sharing best practices and models of innovation . ACSA members said they came back inspired with changes and actions to implement for the upcoming school year .
Considering what the delegation experienced , they reflected that if they could ensure all site administrators could know or understand one thing , it would be how important lobbying efforts are and that it is possible for everyone to advocate for the preservation of federal funding .
Portability in Title 1 will hurt the schools that need these funds the most . Elimination of Title 2 would mean districts of all sizes will lack the support needed to provide professional development for teachers and administrators . Reduction of Title 4 funding for learning supports puts a larger strain on LEAs to focus on a “ well-rounded ” education .
Rapaido summed it up well , encouraging others to invite congresspersons and senators to visit their school sites . “ My role as principal can impact the community and school , and by having them come to the site , I can share my role ,” she said .
Meléndez appointed state administrator for Inglewood USD
Thelma Meléndez de Santa Ana has been named State Administrator for the Inglewood Unified School District .
“ Thelma Meléndez has a strong combination of leadership skills and experience managing school districts ,” said Superintendent of Public Instruction Tom Torlakson . “ She will continue the district ’ s positive momentum .”
Meléndez most recently served as chief executive officer of the Office of Educational Services in Los Angeles USD . She was also superintendent at the Pomona and Santa Ana unified school districts , and served as assistant secretary for elementary and secondary education in the U . S . Department of Education .
Meléndez has also served in leadership roles within ACSA during her career , including serving on the state Board of Directors . Meléndez was named the California Superintendent of the Year in 2009 . She will begin her appointment in Inglewood this month .
“ The Inglewood school community has the ingredients for greatness , and it will be an honor to lead the district into the next phase of progress for all students ,” Meléndez said . “ Partnering with parents , teachers , the school board , and the community , we will strive for excellence in every classroom , for every child , every day . I am eager and ready to roll up my sleeves to get to work .”
Meléndez began her career as a teacher in Montebello USD . More recently , she was appointed chief advisor on Education and Workforce Development by Los Angeles Mayor Eric Garcetti .
She holds a Ph . D . from the University of Southern California ’ s Rossier School of Education , and a B . A . from the University of California , Los Angeles . Meléndez is also a member of the California State University Board of Trustees .
The state took over Inglewood Unified in 2012 , when , at the district ’ s request , Gov . Brown approved legislation that provided up to $ 55 million in emergency loans to help the district meet its financial obligations . The loan must be repaid within 20 years .
The legislation also required the superintendent of public instruction to assume all the legal rights , duties and powers of the governing board of the district and appoint a state trustee to serve as administrator . By law , the school district ’ s elected governing board serves only in an advisory capacity until a number of conditions are met .
The SPI ’ s authority continues until the district has adequate fiscal systems and controls in place , and the SPI has determined that the district complies with an approved fiscal plan . The recovery plan also includes steps to improve the district ’ s community relations and governance , pupil achievement , and management of finances , personnel and facilities .
Inglewood Unified School District is the ninth school district in California to request an emergency loan since 1990 . Since then , seven districts have returned to full local control .
Teacher preparation bill aligns CA with other states ’ requirements
ACSA is pleased that Assembly Bill 170 , O ’ Donnell , has been passed by the Legislature and signed into law by Gov . Brown .
The bill intends to help ease the current teacher shortage by allowing a candidate with a bachelor ’ s degree in professional education to be awarded a multiple subject preliminary teaching credential by the Commission on Teacher Credentialing .
Prior to the passage of AB 170 , a candidate with such a bachelor ’ s degree would still have to complete a one- to two-year teacher preparation program , and then pass a subject matter competency exam . This process made teaching in California a longer and more costly proposition compared against every other state .
“ Teachers are still required to pass a subject matter competency exam to earn a credential ,” said ACSA Legislative Advocate Laura Preston . “ In addition , the CTC must still approve the subject matter standards and undergraduate preparation programs .
“ But ACSA believes allowing teachers to major in education will better prepare them for the classroom after they graduate .”
AB 170 becomes law on Jan . 1 , 2018 .
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