The school year needs to be longer. Many of America's toughest competitors have their students in school for more days a year than us. Los Angeles area Catholic schools are extending their school year.

Meanwhile Ventura County schools have furlough days shortening the school year even more.

We are moving in the wrong direction. President Barack Obama supports extending the school year and so do I.

I know that our local Republican legislators haven't shown any interest in any compromises that put the tax extensions on the ballot but they have an opportunity to reform education.

They have the ability to offer educational reforms including reforms to seniority and extending the school year.

I would support a compromise that extends the current levels of taxes in exchange for a longer school year and reforms to seniority.

As a teacher I am asking to do more work without a pay raise.

If you feel the same way please post a comment or contact your legislators.

It should be unacceptable if Republicans are not able to compromise to pass any reforms in these times. Spending cuts alone are not reforms. Tony Strickland, Cameron Smyth, and Jeff Gorell use this opportunity to pass lasting reforms!

REMINDER: This film discussion group is only open to people that sent me a message requesting to join. If you want in send me a message. I removed some comments that weren't answering the questions I posted, not because I agreed or disagreed with them. If you want to join send me a message. I'm waiting on posts from a few other members then I'll post the next questions.

In reaction to the film Waiting for Superman I chose to create a film discussion group on my blog.

I started by posting an open invite to participants. I was pleased to read the responses from elected officials, community leaders, business leaders, and educators. Many of the participants are also parents too.

The format is fairly simple. After giving the participants a month to watch the film I am going to post a few questions a day over the next week. My goal isn't to start a debate but instead to understand each other and inspire action. I'm not sure exactly where this will take us but I am interested to get started.

Many of the panelists might choose a screen name or to use only their first names because of their jobs. That includes an elected official, teachers, and others. They will reveal as much personal information as they choose.

The list of participants for this particular group is full but I will post a call for more people when we are done and move on to the next film.

With that here are my first two questions:

1. Please introduce yourself. What made you interested enough in this topic to join our discussion group? Give as many details as you feel comfortable doing so but what is your experience in education.

2. The creator of the film, David Guggenheim, also created the documentary An Inconvenient Truth. Do you think that added credibility to his work? Do you think that helped him to broaden his audience?

3. Please share a favorite middle school teacher.

Click on continue reading to answer the questions. You don't need to register or use your real name to comment, but as a reminder this group is limited to the people that responded to my earlier call for participants.

Next Question:

#4. After seeing the film are you more likely to support charter schools in your school district?

UPDATE: We have a few people that have committed to the discussion group including an elected official and a business leader. Send me an email if you are interested in joining us. Basically you will have a few weeks to watch a film at home and then we will discuss it online.

The education documentary Waiting for Superman is out on Netflix and now I understand why it has created such a strong reaction. I teach in a public school and I am a member of my union. I know that our current system isn't sufficient and the changes that need to be made should be done quickly. I don't always support my union but I do support public education. It is a powerful force for good and too important to give up on.

I want to discuss the ideas it presents by creating an online film discussion group here on my blog.

We will start with this film and then move to other education films. After a few months I'll switch topics and invite new people to join. If you would like to join the few people in this online discussion group send me an email.

Here are the basic parameters:

1. You will have a month to watch each film.
2. You don't need to post under your real name but you do have to post your interest in the subject ( Example: teacher, parent, elected official. )
3. The discussion will be moderated by me. People outside the discussion group can comment when we are done but not during our discussion.
4. I will post a question after we have all watched the film. Then you will have a few days to answer it. I will also be sharing my opinion.
5. After we have discussed the main points the group will vote on the next documentary to watch.

I would like a wide variety of opinions from across our community. Send me an email if you are interested. I expect to have union leaders, teachers, activists, and regular blog readers involved.

( Video from the first ever White House Science Fair)

I am proud to be a teacher in Simi Valley. I have been given the opportunity to work with many innovative educators and inspiring young people.

I support education reforms at the state and federal level. This includes portions of NCLB and RTTT. Both of these education reforms have flaws but their benefits shouldn't be ignored.

I support changes to our local school system including using webgrades and fixing the calendar.

The rate of change often frustrates me but when educators unite to make progress I want to show my appreciation. Making Garden Grove Elementary into a Math and Science Academy is a great idea.

President Barack Obama has challenged educators to help our nation win the future. New investments and added enthusiasm for science education will be needed if our nation wants to stay competitive.

That's why I support local newspapers answering the President's call to celebrate the winners of local science fairs. I would like to read about these students on the front page of our local newspapers. If you support this idea post a comment. I will then forward this link to editors of a few different papers.

I am excited that Garden Grove will be helping students build a foundation for increased success in the sciences.

This article was in The Acorn:

Simi Valley Unified School District will open the new Garden Grove Elementary School Impact Academy of Math and Science in fall 2011. Families not residing in the Garden Grove Elementary School attendance area will need to apply during the School of Choice window of Feb. 1 to 28.

Families interested in enrolling a student in this program are invited to an informational meeting and Astronomy Family Night at 6 p.m. Wed., Feb. 16 in the multipurpose room at the academy, 2250 Tracy Ave., Simi Valley.

At this event, parents and students can learn more about the night skies with activities by the Simi Valley/Moorpark Astronomy Club, solar system exploration and moon and constellation hands-on activities.
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The academy staff is updating classroom resources to become a 21st century campus to include DVD players, LCD projectors and document cameras in each classroom. An Exploration Center will include science lab stations, state of the-art technology and an outdoor learning area.

Students attending the academy will develop critical thinking skills through focused instruction in math and science beyond the core curriculum.

The entire campus will be immersed in unified science theme instruction throughout the school day. The program will integrate PTA assemblies, field trips, classroom instruction, student activities and family involvement around math and science concepts.

I don't write much about education but that is going to change in the new year. I am a teacher in Simi Valley at Royal High School. Many schools, including Royal High School, are starting to use webgrades to communicate better with families. I am interested in supporting more schools implementing webgrades across Ventura County.

That's where my readers come in.

Can you please post your experience with online grades in your school system? You don't need to register or use your real name to post. Please include the school district, grade level, the name of the program the school uses, and your personal experience with online grades.

Thanks!

The preview for the education documentary Waiting for Superman has intrigued me and I have pledged to see the movie. I suggest you watch the preview and pledge to see the movie. The film was created by the same person behind An Inconvenient Truth and features DC Chancellor of Public Schools Michelle Rhee. I have a strong feeling it will challenge dogmas from those on different sides of education issues.

Here is what I wrote before about Michelle Rhee:

Washington DC Chancellor of Public Schools is among the most controversial educators in America. She is a staunch defender of public education but she has constantly challenged teachers and others to reform. I created a Facebook Fanpage to show support for her goals. Please read a few articles on her and consider becoming a fan. Wikipedia in often a decent starting point in your research. Also check out the WashingtonPost.com page dedicated to news involving her.

She took over as Chancellor of the urban school system rated simultaneously as among the worst academically and among the highest per student expenditures in the nation. Since taking over she has pushed to put into place high performing principals and to reform teacher tenure. Like many, she favors some changes to No Child Left Behind but she is a stalwart supporter of the law overall. She has also upset many with brash decisions and not always working well with other stake holders. All of this has upset many people, sometimes for good reasons.

She has the support of President Barack Obama and DC Mayor Adrian Fenty. Many Republicans have supported her along the way too. If you go through the fans on the Facebook page I created you will see an amazing diversity of people from across the nation. A fellow administrator of the site worked for McCain in 2000 while I was proud to support Barack Obama.

When you talk to someone running for an office that deals with education ask them if overall a law, like NCLB, has been a net benefit or negative to education.

I believe that people like Michelle Rhee are needed so much I am supporting the re-election of Anthony Fenty for another term as mayor. Change doesn't always come quick but Michelle Rhee deserves our support.

Washington DC Chancellor of Public Schools Michelle Rhee is among the most controversial educators in America. She is a staunch defender of public education but she has constantly challenged teachers and others to reform. I created a Facebook Fanpage to show support for her goals. Please read a few articles on her and consider becoming a fan. Wikipedia in often a decent starting point in your research. Also check out the WashingtonPost.com page dedicated to news involving her.

She took over as Chancellor of the urban school system rated simultaneously as among the worst academically and among the highest per student expenditures in the nation. Since taking over she has pushed to put into place high performing principals and to reform teacher tenure. Like many, she favors some changes to No Child Left Behind but she is a stalwart supporter of the law overall. She has also upset many with brash decisions and not always working well with other stake holders. All of this has upset many people, sometimes for good reasons.

She has the support of President Barack Obama and DC Mayor Adrian Fenty. Many Republicans have supported her along the way too. If you go through the fans on the Facebook page I created you will see an amazing diversity of people from across the nation. A fellow administrator of the site worked for McCain in 2000 while I was proud to support Barack Obama.

When you talk to someone running for an office that deals with education ask them if overall a law, like NCLB, has been a net benefit or negative to education.

I believe that people like Michelle Rhee are needed so much I am supporting the re-election of Anthony Fenty for another term as mayor. Change doesn't always come quick but Michelle Rhee deserves our support.