Posts

Poway Unified School District (PUSD) Performance - is CAASPP the best measure?

Image
CAASPP PUSD 2023 Overview Poway USD CAASP Performance Based on the PUSD CAASPP results provided in the document, here's a summary of the key points: 1. Overall Performance:    - PUSD performed well overall, with "Blue" (highest) ratings in English Language Arts (ELA) and Mathematics. 2. English Language Arts:    - Students scored 59.1 points above standard    - Performance maintained with a slight decline of 2 points    - 13 student groups were evaluated, with most performing well 3. Mathematics:    - Students scored 39.8 points above standard    - Performance increased by 3.6 points    - 13 student groups were evaluated, with most performing well 4. Student Group Performance:    - Asian and Filipino students consistently performed at the highest levels in both ELA and Math    - African American, Homeless, and Students with Disabilities groups showed lower performance and were often in the "Orange"...

Heat Waves, Floods, Wildfires, Snow: California Endures Extremes - What Should We Do

Image
Extreme Weather & Climate Exchange  Summary of California Climate Extremes in 2024 Based on the information provided, here's a summary of the extreme weather and climate events California experienced in 2024: 1. Heat Waves: - Prolonged periods of extreme heat affected much of California, with temperatures frequently reaching triple digits. - Some areas like the Mojave Desert saw highs up to 114°F (45.6°C), the San Joaquin Valley up to 111°F (43.9°C), and Death Valley up to 125°F (51.7°C). - The heat waves lasted for extended periods, with little relief at night in many areas. 2. Wildfires: - California experienced significant wildfire activity, with several large fires burning across the state. - The Park Fire became California's fourth-largest fire on record, burning over 671 square miles. - Dry conditions and gusty winds associated with weather systems increased fire danger throughout the season. 3. Unusual Snow Events: - In a rare occurrence, snow fell in August at high ...

California to Force Taxpayers and Tech Firms to Fund Journalists

Image
key points about the proposed California Journalism Preservation Act (AB 886): You probably won't find much opposition to this bill in the local press such as the San Diego Union Tribune. The bill would require large tech platforms like Facebook and Google to pay news organizations when their links are shared on these platforms. The intention is to support struggling local journalism such as the Los Angeles Times, but there are concerns about unintended consequences.  Critics argue it could incentivize the creation of viral, sensationalist content rather than quality local journalism. There's concern that large national outlets, particularly those known for spreading disinformation like Fox News or Washington Post could benefit more than local news organizations. The bill lacks caps on the size of news organizations that can receive funding, unlike similar federal legislation. The arbitration process in the bill is criticized as one-sided, not allowing platforms to argue the va...