A corrosive teaching fad that made children bad at reading has long since been debunked, says Gus Mattammal in his education policy book A is for Average. But California has been slow to replace it with a proven method that would help the state’s most disadvantaged students. The candidate for Superintendent of Public Instruction argues that cynical and ideological forces are to blame.
Read MoreWith this week's South San Jose shooting and murder, SJ's murder rate is up 75% compared to last year at this time, according to the Merc. Heritage Foundation unearths key factors behind crime increases: Refusing to prosecute and punish violent offenders, releasing violent offenders under ill-conceived bail-reform policies, and hamstringing police departments.
Read MoreThere’s a flaw in how California allocates money to education: funding for students who need extra help is meted out to districts far too slowly. So says candidate for State Superintendent of Public Instruction Gus Mattammal. In his book A is for Average, he proposes ramping up this funding earlier. He says it can be done without increasing taxes.
Read MoreStructural flaws in CA financials suggest $ meltdown is not so far away. From Grok.
Read MoreResponding to Mayor Mahan’s statement on San Jose’s budget squeeze, municipal finance expert Mark Moses warns that “tightening belts” only works when “belts still have notches left.” The author of The Municipal Financial Crisis says San Jose risks drifting toward “zombie city” status if it keeps protecting politically attractive programs sustained by financial gimmicks, while neglecting the basics of a functional organization. An Opportunity Now exclusive Q&A response.
Read MoreCalifornia’s schools promise every student a quality education, yet that’s belied by dismal disparities between districts and racial groups. So says Gus Mattammal, author of A is for Average, who argues policies like “Grading for Equity” only mask the failure while cutting advanced programs.
Read MoreEspera un momento. Is SJ's City Manager's Office suggesting that SJ is somehow obliged to pay for the work the County is supposed to be responsible for?
Read MoreIrene Smith of United Housing Alliance and John Fleischman of FlashReport explore if Mahan's housing plan actually considers the broad spectrum of issues that comprise our statewide housing crisis. An Opp Now exclusive.
Read MoreViolent crime is up 50% in SJ year-to-year, yet Mayor Mahan keeps repeating dated findings suggesting that SJ is the "safest big city in America." SVGOP chairman says this shows disregard for the trauma violent crime brings to local citizens and the associated cost of that crime.
Read MoreRealtor Mark Burns and FlashReport editor John Fleischman analyze Mahan for Governor's plan to increase supply. They find that the limited impact of Mahan's reforms in San Jose, as well as his reluctance to break with status quo Democrat party housing assumptions, means his ideas come up short addressing the scope of our housing needs. An Opp Now exclusive.
Read MoreSo much for "safest big city." Two more people were shot to death in Central SJ last Thursday. The murder rate in the city is already up 50% compared to last year at this time. Various outlets report.
Read MoreSan Jose Mayor Matt Mahan has released a multi-point housing plan as part of his campaign for governor. Local taxpayer advocate Tobin Gilman and FlashReport newsletter editor Jon Fleischman wonder if the plan illustrates the limits of California’s self-described “moderate” Democrat wing, or if it offers some interesting new ideas. An Opp Now exclusive.
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