Salem-News.com Schools articles Page 3

Oregon Online Student Assessment Testing Suspended

No later than 5:00 PM on March 13th, ODE will make a determination if TESA can be used for the remainder of the school year.

(SALEM) - The Oregon Department of Education has suspended all state assessment testing on the TESA system.

ODE is actively investigating a paper-and-pencil testing option in order to complete the school year and ensure that schools, districts and the state of Oregon meet their obligations under state and federal law and to support the use of valid and reliable assessment data to improve student achievement.

Report: Combine Oregon Schools for the Deaf and Blind

In October, Superintendent Castillo announced that contracting out instructional programs to a local education agency was not in the best interest of students at the state schools.

(SALEM) - State Schools Superintendent Susan Castillo announced Tuesday that she has received an analysis of the State Schools Study Committee’s recommendation to move programs from the Oregon School for the Blind to the campus of the Oregon School for the Deaf.

The analysis covers physical space, staffing requirements, special events, safety and environment, and cost/benefit analysis.

In December, Castillo asked Department staff for a study on the recommendation to move the OSB programs to the OSD campus.

Study: Distinctive Barriers Block Road to College for Many Mexican-Americans

Research targets why so few actually reach and complete higher education.

(EUGENE) - Mexican-American high-schoolers and their white peers aspire equally to go on to college to chase their dreams, but the minority students see many more hurdles in their paths, say researchers at the University of Oregon.

The new study, published in the February issue of the quarterly Journal of Career Assessment, focused intently on 28 potential barriers to higher education as perceived through the minds of 436 Mexican-American and white students in the Southwest and Midwest.

Oregon Middle School Students Invited to Enter Art Contest

Deadline for submissions is March 30th.

(SALEM) - Oregon middle-school students are invited to enter artwork for a 2008 calendar that will be used to increase problem gambling awareness.

An estimated 75,000 adult Oregonians experience problems related to their gambling, which also impacts children and families.

Chuck Lee Files For School Board; Resigns From Keizer City Council

Lee is a two-term city councilor in Keizer and President of Blanchet Catholic School in Salem.

(KEIZER) - Chuck Lee, Keizer City Councilor and President of Blanchet Catholic School, filed Monday for the Zone 6 Director position for the Salem-Keizer School Board, which will be up for election on May 15th.

Lee also submitted his resignation to the Keizer City Council after six years of service.

If elected, Lee would replace Mike Basinger, who has decided not to run for re-election.

Parents Invited to Salem-Keizer Internet Safety Workshops

The Salem-Keizer School District want to help you protect your children from internet crimes.

(SALEM) - The Salem-Keizer School District is holding a series Internet Safety Workshops this month to help parents protect their children from internet crimes.

Topics will include:

Internet predators - How they prey on children & the tactics they use.
Cyberbullying - what it is and how to address it.
Social Networking Sites – Such as MySpace and Facebook.
Email and Instant Messaging.

Parents Invited to Salem-Keizer Internet Safety Workshop Tonight

The Salem-Keizer School District want to help you protect your children from internet crimes.

(SALEM) - The Salem-Keizer School District is holding a Internet Safety Workshop Monday night to help parents protect their children from internet crimes.

Presenters include representatives from the following organizations: Salem & Keizer Police Departments, Marion County Sheriff’s Office, Salem-Keizer School District and the Oregon Department of Justice Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force.

Admission is free, registration is not required, and childcare will not be provided.

Oregon Department of Education to Review Public Survey Results on New High School Graduation Requirements

ODE says response to changes in state high school diploma requirements was positive.

(SALEM) - The Oregon Department of Education will present the findings of an unprecedented public engagement process at the State Board meeting on Thursday.

The results cover more than 5,000 responses from 300+ school and community meetings across the state on the details of the Board’s proposal to increase Oregon’s high school graduation requirements.

The report also includes comments from more than 1,000 surveys filled out on the ODE website.

Oregon DEQ Fines Salem-Keizer School District For Allowing Unlicensed Contractor To Perform Asbestos Project

The Salem-Keizer School District and three contractors have been fined, most are appealing.

(SALEM) - The Salem-Keizer School District and three mid-valley contractors were fined last month by the Oregon Department of Environmental Quality for a June 2006 asbestos removal project at Grant Elementary School, located at 725 Market St. NE.

The DEQ fined the district $4,500 for allowing an unlicensed contractor to perform an asbestos abatement project during kitchen remodel at the school, and allowing open accumulation of asbestos-containing waste materials.

Two Salem-Keizer Charter Schools Accepting Applications For Enrollment

Charter schools are required by law to be open to all students across the district, which means that students from other areas of Salem-Keizer may also apply and get drawn in the lottery.

(SALEM) - The process to apply for admission to Howard Street Charter School is under way.

Applications are being accepted now through March 2nd.

At Forest Ridge, there is both a traditional school and charter school.

Starting on January 16th, parents may submit applications for their child to be in the lottery for the charter school for next year.

Once a child is in the charter they remain in the charter unless they move or withdraw.