Today, PICO California, together with California ACORN, Californians for Justice and Public Advocates, released the first statewide survey capturing parent and student voices from low- and middle-income neighborhoods, articulating their priorities for public education reform. The new study, based on the responses of 5,600 adults and young people across California from San Diego to rural Colusa County, makes it clear that parents and students expect their elected officials to begin now to enact the funding and policy changes that will enable all students to obtain the quality education they need and deserve. For more information or to request regional data, please contact Roberta Furger, 510/703-6357 or email Roberta Furger by clicking here.
Click here to read the full report: Now That We Have the Facts
Click here to download the press release
Great news! Nearly 200 schools in California received funding to support teacher home visits through the Nell Soto Parent-Teacher Involvement program, including schools in many of the communities in which PICO affiliates are working. PICO leaders and staff worked with their schools and districts to complete and file an application.
Click here to see the full list of grantees posted on the CDE web site
Second Round Opens:
For all those who were unable to complete the application in time for the first deadline, a second round of funding is now available. The new (and simplified) application was posted today on the CDE Web site:
Click here to download the application
The deadline for this second round of funding is June 4, 2007. Schools will receive the funds for use in the 2007-08 school year.
Schools with an API ranking of 1-5, based on the 2006 Base Scores, are eligible to apply for the grant awards, which range from $15,000-$35,000, depending on the number of students. It is very likely that schools that apply will receive funding, so encourage schools in your district to apply.
PICO California, in partnership with the Parent-Teacher Home Visit Project, will be doing outreach around the grant funding.
The San Bernardino city council found $114,000 for a Police Activities League and other after-school programs when they were confronted by a throng of over 150 people attending their February 20 meeting. Organized by the Youth Organizing Project of Inland Congregations United for Change (ICUC), more than 50 teenagers, parents, and clergy testified about widespread community fears over violence and racial tensions. The chambers were packed to capacity and dozens of ICUC leaders had to watch the event on television feeds in the lobby. It was the largest attendance at a city council meeting in over a decade.
Media Coverage:
Students Weigh In on Crime
Council Bends to Crowd
Council Tags Tax Money for Police
Dim Reality Bright Hope
Can’t Agree on Measure Z
