President's Letter             [ top ]

Representing you as the State President this past year has been a truly a wonderful experience. My duties took me as far north as Crescent City and as far south as the Inland Empire. In all I visited fifteen schools and attended five District meetings. As CCEA members we belong to the largest program serving at-risk students in the state. With almost 600 continuation high schools in California, I was not able to visit each one of you but invite me to come and visit your program and I will do my best to get there. Our membership also identifies us a being part of the largest program in the United States working with at-risk students. In fact California Continuation Education is the largest program of its kind in the world helping kids to find their way to a better life.

I truly want to thank all of you in Continuation Education for being a part of what we all do each day especially at a time when California is faced with its worst financial crisis since the Great Depression. You all can take heart, however, in that your organization continued its forward progress by presenting an outstanding State Conference in Costa Mesa in May, a Teacher Institute in Pomona, and many worthwhile inservice activities at local and District conferences. CCEA was also well represented at other educational meetings and conferences around the State and played an exceptional role in educating politicians and members of the California Department of Education in Sacramento in regards to the purpose, goals, and needs of Continuation Education.

CCEA is now ready to publish, with the cooperation of the CDE, a new Continuation Handbook. This book will offer a fresh look at why Continuation Education is needed, the laws covering the program and tips on developing effective schools. Look for this publication to be out early next year.

Your State organization has also developed a new statewide data reporting form that will provide data to showcase the great things that we as a group are doing to keep our students on the road to graduation and to becoming productive citizens. We need to continually tell the world about the great numbers of students we are saving from dropping out of life each year, the numbers we are able to graduate, the ones who go to college, who get good jobs, or stay out of trouble, and, yes, even those that are going to pass the CAHSEE and other state mandated tests.

At our recent State Conference, I shared with those in attendance my dreams as a new teacher for developing successful students. I thought powerful teaching could change the world and that as a result my students would go forth and accomplish great things. What all of us in Continuation Education have learned is we change the world only one student at a time. When we make that connection with that one special child, by making a difference in his or her life, we literally change their world forever. Regular high schools don’t have time to deal with the baggage that our students bring with them each day. We know we must deal with the whole person before meaningful learning can begin. As we now begin the 2002-03 school year, I offer my best wishes to all of you for a successful start and a productive program year. Remember to be slow to anger, quick to praise and to always be willing to give a 23^rd last chance.

If I can be of any assistance to you or your school during this year, don’t hesitate to phone or an e-mail me. Look to our website for guidance @cceanet.org. CCEA is our organization and we need to hear your voices in Sacramento and where ever Continuation Education is misunderstood. The best way to be heard is joining CCEA as a Professional Member and working with your District to inform and educate the public. At least become a member of a school unit and join as a School Member.

Working together we can make a difference and change some worlds.

Legislative Update                        [ top ]
Peter Birdsall & Theresa Inslee

2002-03 State Budget Stalemate Lingers On

As of publication time, the state continues to operate in the 2002-03 fiscal year without a State Budget. It is important to note that the Legislature is rapidly approaching the adjournment of session for the remainder of the year on August 31st. It is not a question of if, but when, a State Budget is going to be adopted by both houses and signed by the Governor.

The Senate resumed legislative business on Monday August 5th after a month long summer recess. The Assembly remained "on call" for the month of July while Democrats and Governor Davis attempted to negotiate a deal with Assembly Republicans to pass the budget.

The Assembly must muster fifty-four votes in favor of a budget to meet the mandatory two-thirds voting threshold. This will require at least four Republican votes even if all fifty Democrats vote for the budget. At the heart of the matter is the issue of proposed tax increases, or as an alternative, additional budget cuts.

One key budget action has, however, already been approved in controversial fashion. As part of the 2002-03 State Budget, the Governor proposed and the Conference Committee and full Senate approved delaying $1.7 billion of K-12 education spending from the current to the budget year. The sticking point for the Assembly in approving this proposal was the Republicans, who stalled the measure with a last minute, $400 million request for school district equalization.

The problem faced by Democrats was that reducing funding for K-12 education in the 2001-02 fiscal year would have required an urgency bill, which needs a two-thirds vote, which includes at least four Republican votes. Instead, Democrats accomplished the same purpose by a majority vote with a shell game that temporarily appropriated the funds to the California State University system.

Current law allows transfers among education programs to be approved by a majority vote. Relying on this statute, the Democrats in both houses voted to shift funds from K-12 education to the California State University (CSU) system. This transfer occurred on June 30th; the constitutional deadline for this type of action to occur. Since appropriations to the CSU system do not count towards Proposition 98, this had the effect of reducing Proposition 98 funding in 2001-02.

As of midnight on June 30th, these dollars became unspent (since CSU had no plans or time to spend them), giving the Legislature the ability to appropriate the dollars back into K-12 education (Proposition 98) for 2002-03. The shift of funds to CSU was accomplished in AB 3008, which was signed into law on June 30th. The shift back to K-12 education is in AB 3011, which was signed into law on July 1st.

By using rules that require only majority vote bills, the Democrats approved the shift of Proposition 98 funds without Republican support.

In another move - one which clearly was designed for Democrats to negotiate with Republicans in the Assembly - the Senate passed AB 3003, to defer $475 million in K-12 education funding from 2002-03 to 2003-04. AB 3003 also includes provisions for $400 million in equalization funding for schools, a bottom-line demand of Assembly Republicans. With the passage of AB 3003 by the Senate, the Democrats hoped to take away one of the Assembly Republicans’ key arguments for opposing the Budget. Republicans in both houses have called for full K-12 equalization funding as one of their prices for approving a State Budget. AB 3003 is currently on the Assembly floor, but is not likely to move except as part of an overall budget compromise. With the looming State Budget, one thing is for certain. It continues to be one long, hot summer.

If you liked the 2002 State Conference, "Fiesta at the Beach," you will love the 2003 State Conference, "Learning by the Bay." Next year’s conference will be held May 2, 3, 4, 2003 in San Francisco. We will once again return to the Airport Hyatt Regency. In an effort to continue to make our conferences better and to appeal to even more individuals, we have taken your suggestions and are working to implement as many as possible.

The conference will begin with an all day Friday WASC Training presented by Dr. Marilyn George, the Associate Executive Director of the Accrediting Commission. Her focus will be specifically on what continuation schools need to do in order to become accredited. This year’s session was well received and the participants found it time well spent. We look forward to having Marilyn join us again in 2003.

Also on Friday, plans are underway to offer a visitation to Middle College High School in San Mateo. Located just a few short miles from our conference site, sixty at risk high school students from the San Mateo Union School District take advantage of an increasingly popular alternative approach to education. These students attend high school at the College of San Mateo. They have one foot in college and one foot in high school. The concept is not new, having been started in 1974 in New York to address the dropout rate in urban communities.

In addition to our CDR (Council of District Representatives) meeting, there are plans to offer a half-day session of interest in the afternoon. More information will follow when plans are finalized.

Saturday we will provide a wide variety of workshops that will appeal to everyone who attends our conference. Already we have received requests to present on the following topics: Rising Above the Tide of Mediocrity (Teaching mathematics using the State Framework); Making the Multiple Intelligences a Reality in Your Classroom; Developing Your Own Resources for the California High School Exit Exam; The School, Community, Politics and You; Wacky Boxes, Cool Masks! (Performing Art Teachers, take note!); How to Help the ELL Students Meet the Standards; Developmental Assets: What They Are, and How They Impact Kids; Workability I and Continuation High Schools; Homophobia 101: Homophobia 201; Legislative Update; and How to Become a Model Continuation High School. In addition, there are several people who have contacted us about presenting but we do not have titles. If you have an idea and would like to be a presenter at our conference, please fill in the enclosed Call for Presenters Form and mail it to Janet Knoeppel ASAP. Please Note: The deadline for presenter applications is December 15, 2002. There will be no exceptions to this deadline due to funding and publication issues. Your assistance in meeting this deadline will be greatly appreciated.

In addition to the usual workshops, it is planned to have a Round-Table Discussion session that will be divided by curricular disciplines. A facilitator will be provided who will give everyone an opportunity to both share and get ideas from one another.

A few new things will be offered next year.

• Retired members will only pay for meals!
• Registration that is not postmarked by April 10^th and received by April 17^th will incur a late fee of $25.00!
• Professional Members will receive special a raffle ticket for some great prizes!
• Each Presenter will be asked to furnish an assistant to help with evaluations, introductions and handouts!
• We are looking at the possibility of a workshop session Sunday morning prior to the brunch.

If you have other suggestions, please get them to Janet Knoeppel ASAP. Her Email is: JanetWK@aol.com. Or, if you’d like to assist in the conference planning, also let Janet know.

Of course there will be our usual recognition of Classified and Administrators of the Year on Friday evening, along with a band for dancing. The highlight of our Saturday luncheon will be the recognition of our Teachers of the Year and the Sunday brunch will acknowledge both our Exemplary Programs and Model Schools. There will be plenty of time for networking as well as visiting our Vendors throughout this conference weekend.

Registration forms are included in this newsletter and will be on the website as of September 1^st. Do not delay in sending in your registration. This conference will qualify for a variety of categorical funding, including, but not limited to: "No Child Left Behind." 10^th Grade Counseling, Title I, GATE, SIP, Digital High School, Literacy/Reading Improvement and others. So mark your calendar today and get your paperwork started. Also, don’t forget to call the hotel to make your room reservations. Be sure to tell them you are with the CCEA Conference so you will get our conference rate. The hotel phone number is (650) 347-1234. See you at the Conference in May!

1. when loved ones come home, always run to greet them
2. never pass up the opportunity to go for a joyride
3. allow the experience of fresh air and the wind in your face to be pure ecstasy
4. when it’s in your best interest – practice obedience
5. let others know when they have invaded your territory
6. take naps and stretch before rising
7. run, romp and play daily
8. thrive on attention and let people touch you
9. avoid biting, when a simple growl will do
10. on warm days, stop to lie on your back on the grass
11. on hot days, drink lots of water and lay under a shady tree
12. when your are happy, dance and wag your entire body
13. no matter how often you are scolded, don’t buy into the
14. guilt thing and pout…run right back and make friends
15. delight in the simple joy of a long walk
16. eat with gusto and enthusiasm. Stop when you have had enough
17. be loyal
18. never pretend to be something you are not
19. if what you want lies buried, dig until you find it
20. when someone is having a bad day, be silent, sit close by and nuzzle them gently

Exemplary Programs for 2002      [ top ]

Humboldt Bay High School, Eureka, " Glen Paul Exchange Program, Teen to Teen Mentoring"

Robertson High School, Fremont, "Reality Graphix"

Somerset High School, Bellflower, "Schoolwide Thematic Program"

Garfield High School, San Diego, "City Middle College"

LA Unified School District, Los Angles, "The Storytelling Program"

Val Verde High School, Perris, "Workability I"

The goal of the Exemplary Program is to provide an opportunity for all Continuation or alternative schools to reap the benefit of numerous Special programs that have been developed by our members. They are programs that can easily be replicated and be used in our own schools.

I know that we have more than seven Exemplary Programs in the state, so lets turn in our programs.

Applications will be available on line at www.cceanet.org soon! Call Jeanne Yttreness at 707-463-5220 or email at jy@saber.net for more information.

District I
WC Carle High School, Lower Lake CA

District II
North Campus, San Pablo
San Andreas, Larkspur

District IV
Broadway High School, San Jose

District VI
Indian Hills, Calabasas

District VII
Coronado High, West Covina
Somerset High, Bellflower
Tracy (Wilbur) High, Cerritos

District VIII
Alvord High, Riverside
Orangewood High, Redlands

District IX
Palomar High, Chula Vista
Valley High, Escondido

District X
Jack London High, Valley Glen

District XII
Salisbury High, Red Bluff

Dennis Fisher will be sending out information from the CDE during the Fall Semester. Be watching for his letter and application.

From District I, Alan Siegel has been a mentor teacher due to his innovative instructional methods. In addition to his U.S. History, civics, and economics classes, Mr. Siegel also oversees the school newspaper, Issues Magazine, daily TV bulletin, recycling program, advises the video club and takes students kayaking. As the hub of the entrepreneurial path, he is the CEO of the school business, Pegasus Promotional Products, and is in charge of training and assigning students to the school video business, Pegasus Productions.

From District II, Patti Petersen adds to her full range of duties in the Language Arts department at Calvine High by being the Health and Family Life teacher, a Teen Outreach sponsor, a coordinator of the Teen Pregnancy Prevention Program, Safe and Drug Free Schools Program, and Tobacco Use Prevention Program. She serves on two district committees, the Health Steering Committee and the Family Life Education Committee. She is resource advisor for the Healthy Start and Teen Kick Ash. She is also a major organizing force for almost all the activities including the Multicultural Food Fair and the Prom.

From District IV, Jim Ingram from San Andreas High always wants "what’s best for kids" knowing the majority of their students have often had an unbelievably difficult start in life. He is involved in all phases of student learning ranging from academic courses to extracurricular activities and has developed a scholarship program that allows continuation students an equal playing field to compete and receive scholarships to post high school learning. He helps senior class activities ranging from Grad Nite at Disneyland to senior Parents Dinners. Mr. Ingram has been instrumental in tracking student progress to ensure that requirements are met for graduation. His contribution to continuation education is exemplary and since he has retired this year, he will be much missed by staff and students alike.

From District V, Mary Hall of Pershing High School has brought a "Renaissance Spirit" to the school that has inspired those around her. She inspires low or unmotivated students to make connections between written words and the real world. Writers such as Steinbeck, Shakespeare, and Martin Luther King, Jr. have now become a part of their lives. Mrs. Hall incorporates the latest "cutting edge" technology in her curriculum. Technology is used on a daily basis with students working on web quests, researching information and writing short stories on classroom computers. Through well-guided practices, her students have become proficient in the use of digital cameras, video cameras, LCD projectors, and scanners.

From District VII, Harlan Tarbell works in special education specifically but teaches all the students at the school. He has recreated the special education program and has erased the line between special education and regular education so that all students are able to grow and learn in his nurturing environment. Students feel valued and respected when working with his expectations and honorable code of conduct. They have responded with improved attendance, successful academic work, and increased graduation rate. Mr. Tarbell upgrades his computer skills to teach multi-media and video design. He is an elected member of the Site Governance Council. Community and district personnel request his class for particularly troubled students.

From District VIII, Dr. Robert Kirk completely rewrote, reorganized, and updated the science curriculum, integrating technology into the program and aligning all science courses with the new state standards. He created graphic organizers for each unit to teach the "big ideas", and initiated Mojave High School’s first Science Fair and new science club. He organized the successful Mojave Classic 5/10K Run for the entire community. He has written several local and state funded grants, and is committed to keeping current in science and technology. He worked with several students to create a video and an identification key for plants of the Mojave Desert. Mr. Kirk is currently implementing a portable wireless lab and accompanying CD that will allow all teachers to do Internet research. Also, he has volunteered to chair Mojave’s WASC Focus on Learning self study.

From District XI, Sandra Christenson brings energy and commitment. Among the grants she has written is a Disney grant and she has applied for two separate LAEP’s School Community and Teachers Excellence Awards. She brought in the Playwright’s Project and has created a garden from a Bank of America grant. She enrolled in a language immersion class in Mexico for two months to better teach her ELL students. She created a physical fitness class using yoga and Tae-Bo and she works with administrators and teachers on a reading intervention program aimed at raising basic skill levels and improving Stanford 9 scores. She earned a certificate in online teaching and offers online classes for all the students enrolled in Options programs in her district. In 2000, Sandra achieved National Board Certification in the field of Adolescent English Language Arts.

From District XII, Jack Pratt of Salisbury High School sets up his classes so students are active participants. Whether it’s one of his hands-on science classes, a Shakespeare discussion group, a ceramics lab, or a watercolor art class, Jack introduces the topic, models the technique then steps back and acts as a resource or referee while the students work though the learning process. He is a strong proponent of civic participation and service learning, and advocates for and organizes programs which give students an opportunity to learn about their civic institutions as well as their rights and responsibilities as citizens.

Despite his reputation for having high expectations and strict standards, his classes are much sought after by students who know by personal experience or by word of mouth, that if Mr. Pratt is teaching it, "it will be cool."

Meet our CCEA Teacher of the Year    [ top ]

Lee McLaughlin from District X has been in continuation education since 1987. She has taught health, careers, math, science, psychology, senior review, and leadership. She designed a new careers curriculum and a computerized career guidance lab. She organized many school-wide projects involving the entire staff. She developed an active leadership class that has served as a model for many other schools. Ms. McLaughlin provides substance abuse prevention training, is a diversity trainer, and has been active in C.A.D.A. (California Association of Directors of Activities).

Ms. McLaughlin served as a mentor teacher, and is currently a BTSA consulting teacher. She has presented at many district and state conferences. She actively promotes staff articulation. She coordinates lessons, guest speakers, field trips, and a yearly school-wide theme "No Goal, No Glory".

She served on WASC leadership teams and the school’s Model Continuation High School recognition. Ms. McLaughlin holds two counseling degrees.

She fills in when the regular counselor is on extended leave. She frequently serves as unofficial crisis counselor. She teaches night school and is the counselor for Adult Education.

Ms. McLaughlin is known for her optimism, energy, creativity, sense of humor, caring spirit, and focus on students.

Students, staff, parents, and peers throughout the district and the community respect her. Year after year she is one of the most sought after teachers by alumni who return to say thanks. She models in every way the belief that every student matters and no student should be left behind.

Call For Articles             [ top ]

The Newsletter always needs interesting new  material, so if you have something you would like to say to your colleagues in the Continuation Education Field -  write it!  We reserve the right to edit all material for form, fit and function. Chances are that your article will be printed “as is”. Then you can tell your friends that you have been “Published”.

Pictures of a relevant nature and graphics of all kinds are likewise encouraged. As mentioned elsewhere, we would like to receive articles in Word format, since that allows easy insertion into the desk top publishing program that we use to create the newsletter. Articles can be emailed, or if that is not a comfortable method for any of you  writers, mail a diskette to Nancy Christopher, Secretary. The address is: Willow Park High School, 21905 Nisqually Road, Apple Valley, CA 92308.  Phone: (760) 240-4252 (Work). Email: nchristopher@eee.org

Become a Member of CCEA            [ top ]

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