Education

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Written by: Editor

Published: 08 February 2008

WASHINGTON – On Thursday, Congressman Mike Thompson (D-CA) voted for legislation to address the skyrocketing cost of a college education and remove other obstacles that make it harder for qualified students to go to college.

By an overwhelming bipartisan vote of 354 to 58, the House approved the College Opportunity and Affordability Act (HR 4137), which would reform the nation’s higher education programs to better work in the interests of students and families.

This is the second piece of major legislation in the 110th Congress that makes college more affordable and accessible.

Last year, Congress enacted into law a $20 billion increase in college financial aid over the next five years, the largest increase in student aid since the G.I. Bill of 1944.

“A college education is necessary for a growing number of jobs in the 21st century economy. Yet affording college is nearly impossible for too many low- and even middle-income families,” said Congressman Thompson. “We must encourage colleges to keep prices reasonable so all Americans have a shot at higher education. And we also need to make more financial aid available for those who need it.”

An October 2007 report from the College Board showed that, over the previous five years, tuition and fees had increased across the board, at public and private colleges and at two-year and four-year colleges. In California, tuition and fees at a public four-year university grew by 9 percent between the 2006-07 and 2007-08 academic years.

This bill would address these rising prices by encouraging colleges to rein in price increases, ensuring that states maintain their commitments to higher education funding and providing students and families with consumer-friendly information on college pricing and the factors driving tuition increases.

The legislation also strengthens provisions previously approved by the House to avoid conflicts of interest in the student loan programs. The bill’s new provisions include requiring better consumer disclosures and protections on private student loans. Together these protections form a Bill of Rights for college consumers.

“Any student or parent who has filled out financial aid forms knows how complicated it can be to get loans or assistance for college,” added Thompson. “In addition to keeping college affordable, we also need to make paying for college much less confusing.”

In addition, the College Opportunity and Affordability Act would:

• Streamline the federal student financial aid application process;

• Make textbook costs more manageable for students by, among other things, helping them plan for textbook expenses in advance of each semester;

• Allow students to receive year-round Pell Grant scholarships;

• Strengthen college readiness and support programs for minority and low-income students;

• Increase college aid and support programs for veterans and military families;

• Improve safety on college campuses and help schools recover and rebuild after a disaster;

• Ensure equal college opportunities and fair learning environments for students with disabilities; and

• Strengthen our nation’s workforce and economic competitiveness by boosting science, technology, and foreign language educational opportunities.

HR 4137 is a comprehensive reauthorization of the Higher Education Act, the primary federal law aimed at expanding college access for low- and middle-income students. The bill is supported by a broad coalition of students, colleges and universities, consumer rights advocacy groups, minority organizations, and more.

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Written by: Editor

Published: 03 February 2008

LOWER LAKE – The Konocti Unified School District Board of Trustees will hold a regular meeting this Wednesday, Feb. 6.

The meeting starts at 6:15 p.m. at the Carol McClung Conference Center, 9430 Lake St., Lower Lake.

Board members include President Herb Gura; Clerk Anita Gordon; members Mary Silva, Carolynn Jarrett and Hank Montgomery; and student member Emmalena Illia.

Agenda items include:

• Review of the district Annual Measurable Achievement Objectives (AMAO) for 2006-07.

• A first reading of proposed revisions to Board Policy 6146.1 High School Graduation Requirements and consider granting a "Certificate of Completion" for students who have met all graduation requirements with the exception of passing the California High School Exit Exam.

• Consideration in concept of aligning winter and spring break, countywide, for the 2008-09, 2009-10, and 2010-11 school years, recommended by the county's district superintendents.

• Board approval of personnel changes, including new offers, assignment changes and resignations or retirements.

• Discussion about offering the "Golden Handshake" and two-year service credit options.

• Consideration of approval of the request from Linda Tyner to remain a KUSD employee while working under a " Visiting Educator" agreement with the LCOE effective February 1, 2008, through the 2008/2009 school year.

• Amended 2006-07 KPA salary schedule agreement.

• Revising staffing plan for teachers at middle school and high school to either 30 to 1 or 33 to 1 teacher to student ratios.

• The board will consider adopting Resolution 08-07-08 for a certificated reduction in force.

• Change orders submitted in the amount of $139,511 from Quattrocchi Kwok Architects for REM Construction at Lower Lake High School. 

• MacTec proposal submitted for the Groundwater Monitoring at Burns Valley Elementary School in the amount of $28,000.

• Resolution 09-07-08, authorizing the superintendent to sign an agreement with the State Office of Administrative Hearings.

The board will hold a special meeting at 5:15 p.m. Feb. 20 to discuss admitting a student expelled from another district. At 6:15 p.m. that same day, the board will hold a budget and staffing revisions workshop.

The board's next regular meeting will take place on March 5, during which it will hold a public hearing regarding the use of redevelopment funds for a variety of facility-related projects and curriculum adoption for grades nine through 12.

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Written by: Atlee Erickson

Published: 02 February 2008

It is the beginning of our second semester, so we are already halfway through the year!

We are receiving new students now; two of them are returning students. Their names are Katie Flannery, Brandon Ford, Thurman Hardy, Tierra Holloman, Courtney Lawson, Vanessa Loufas, Donnie McCosker and Monica McGaffy. We would like to welcome all of these students here, and

hope they enjoy their time here.

The weather lately has been rather disruptive, with snow and ice making it harder for people to travel the streets. The snow has definitely made for some disrupted school days here at Carlé.

Groundhog Day was Feb. 2, but with the changing weather, global warming and other such factors, who knows how accurate the groundhog is anymore?

We have set a date for our Cabaret event, and it is March 8! Tickets must be bought in advance and will cost $20 each. The Cabaret will have great food and entertainment provided by the students of Carlé. The event is still in the early stages of development, but we are working hard and can't wait to see the results!

Congratulations to our student of the week, Ayla Hummingbird! She has been selected as student of the week because of the fact that she worked hard enough to get the highest amount of credits for any grading period so far, and on one of the hardest grading periods of the year! Everyone is very proud of her.

Carlé is now in cooperation with a safe house organization that provides safe shelter to homeless teenagers. Kids that attend middle school or high school can stay up to 45 days in this shelter. This place is to make sure those students with no place to go have a safe place to sleep. On May 17 there will be a charity golf tournament to fund these safe houses.

That is all for the Chronicle! Have a great week!

Atlee Erickson is a junior at Carle High School.

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