Tri-County Sentry
Friday
JUNE 13, 2014
Page 5A
News On Education Word-Finds
Find and circle the words in the puzzle. The words read forward, backwards, up, down and diagonally. Angel Barren Blessed Born Cousin Departed Forth Give Hail House Jacob Mary Nazareth Shall Son Throne
Answers on page 12A
To solve a Sudoku puzzle, place a number into each box so that each row across, each column down, and each small 3 x 3 square with the larger diagram (there are 9 of these) will contain every number from 1 through 9. In other words, no number will appear more than once in any row, column, or smaller 3 x 3 square. Working with the number already given as a guide complete each diagram with the missing numbers that will lead to the correct solution. Answers on page 12A
Sudoku
LOS ANGELES — Teachers unions suffered a major legal setback Tuesday after a Los Angeles Superior Court judge ruled that state laws governing teacher tenure are unconstitutional. As part of the ruling in the landmark education equality lawsuit Vergara v. California, Judge Rolf M. Treu issued an injunction blocking tenure laws but also placed a stay on the ruling pending an appeal. The lawsuit was filed in May 2012 by nine families represented by the group Students Matter, which sought to overturn regulations that allow teachers to earn tenure after 18 months and the rules that govern which teachers are laid off. High-profile officials including former mayor Antonio Villaraigosa and LAUSD Superintendent John Deasy were among those to speak out against teacher seniority rules.
In a statement, Deasy said: “This is a truly historic day for our education system. Today’s decision is a call to action to begin implementing, without delay, the solutions that help address the problems highlighted by the Vergara trial. Every day that these laws remain in effect is an opportunity denied. It’s unacceptable, and a violation of our education system’s sacred pact with the public.” Plaintiff’s attorney Theodore Boutrous also hailed the decision.
By Jennifer Chaussee SACRAMENTO, Calif. - A bill to offer free preschool to 4-year-olds from low-income California families advanced in the state legislature on Thursday, a scaled-down version of a broader proposal that would have provided for universal public pre-kindergarten. State Democrats scaled back a $2.5 billion proposal for universal pre-kindergarten that had faced opposition from Governor Jerry Brown, a Democrat who has charted a moderate fiscal course despite pressure from some within his party to use a projected budget surplus to raise spending on social services. "Not one K-12 reform can address the reality that the achievement gap is formed before children arrive in kindergarten. At age 5, low-income children are more than two years behind in language development," said Darrell Steinberg, the state Sen-
Education Secretary Arne Duncan, left, reads to preschool children at the Cross Cultural Family Center in San Francisco. (Photo Credit: Ben Margot) ate's top Democrat. free preschool to children "Children with low whose families make less reading skills are 60 per- than twice the federal povcent more likely to drop erty level, using funds that out of school," said Stein- had been earmarked for berg, who is leaving office children of all incomes at the end of the year and who turn 5 too late in the had made the preschool year to start kindergarten. plan his top legislative efThe plan, which heads fort this year. to the lower house on a 26Steinberg's revised 10 vote, would cost about proposal, called the "Fair $1.3 billion. Start" bill, would give
To focus on building successful practices aimed at improving college fit and college readiness for underrepresented, underprepared and low-income students across the country, the U.S. Department of Education announced today the availability of $75 million for two new Gaining Early Awareness and Readiness for Undergraduate Programs (GEAR UP) competitions. At the Obama Administration’s College Opportunity Summit earlier this year, the Department made several commitments to support low-income students and help more of them pursue a path to college success. The GEAR UP program helps to ensure that all students achieve the necessary milestones that provide a pathway to a strong future. Today, the Department is acting on its pledge to focus
this year’s GEAR UP college preparation program on improving both college fit and readiness, so all students graduate from high school prepared for college without needing remedial courses and enroll in an institution that will help them maximize their success. "College prep programs like GEAR UP can make all the difference
“This is a monumental day for California’s public education system,” said Boutrous. “By striking down these irrational laws, the court has recognized that all students deserve a quality education. Today’s ruling is a victory not only for our nine plaintiffs; it is a victory for students, parents, and teachers across California.” KNX 1070′s Pete Demetriou reports union members and their supporters voiced disappointment with the ruling.
Scaled-Back Preschool Bill Advances in California Legislature
Crossword Companion
Across 1. Mark of Beakman’s World 6. Murphy Brown’s news show 9. Jackie’s Honeymooners costar 12. Invasion actress ______ Gade 13. _____ Family Honor 14. Old French coin 15. Justine Bateman’s Family Ties role (2 words) 18. 7th Heaven’s oldest son 19. What’s My ______? 20. Amy of Melrose Place 23. Citizen _____ 25. SNL comic Gasteyer 26. Girlfriends actor Malik 27. Kristy McNichol’s Empty Nest role (2 words) 34. Patsy’s pal on Ab Fab 35. Vincent Price series 36. Patrick Duffy series 39. Grace Under Fire actor Casey 42. President’s ______ Office 43. Mary Hartman’s state 44. Something So Right girl (2 words) 50. Charo’s cheer 51. “Sit, _____, sit” 52. Dick Clark on American Bandstand 53. Family Feud host Combs 54. CSI network 55. Bob of Full House Down 1. Dodge pickup model 2. Rosemary’s Baby author Levin 3. Shop _____ You Drop 4. Hopkins of Bosom Buddies 5. Diagnosis Murder sleuth
Judge Rules California Teacher Tenure Laws Unconstitutional
U.S. Department of Education Announces $75 Million GEAR UP Competition
6. Racing’s A.J. 7. Hearty laugh or hearty putdown 8. Eur. country 9. MacKenzie of The Facts of Life 10. Arledge of TV 11. Looney _____ 16. 66, for one (abbr.) 17. Show about Sydney Bristow 20. Grandpa Munster’s hangout 21. Three ____ Match (2 words) 22. Price Is Right Showcase prize 23. Robin Hood wielded one 24. Vigoda of Witness to the Mob 26. Happy cry 28. ER actress Maria 29. Fran Carlon’s Hamptons role 30. Streets (abbr.)
31. Hope & Faith actor McGinley 32. Like (suffix) 33. “Fresh Air” network (abbr.) 36. Altruistic one 37. True Blue’s Off. Frankie 38. Actress Chabert of Party of Five 39. ____ Na Na 40. Spanish melodies 41. Owner of the Double-R Diner on Twin Peaks 43. Just the Ten ____ (2 words) 45. “Enterprise” captain Jean-____ Picard 46. Wane 47. Ticker test readout (abbr.) 48. Soap actor Roscoe _____ Browne 49. Allow Answers on page 12A
in whether many young people from disadvantaged families can pursue a higher education," U.S. Secretary of Education Arne Duncan said. "These grants will help provide the mentoring, resources and financial aid that will offer thousands of students the additional support they need to achieve success in postsecondary education."