The news that didn't fit from Dec 30th!

►SCHOOLS MUST TAKE QEIA/SB1133 FUNDS: MONEY FROM STATE CANNOT BE REJECTED CIVIL RIGHTS GROUP SAYS

The Hayward Daily Review reports Superintendent Dale Vigil of the Hayward Unified School District said he has considered rejecting state aid under the Quality Education Investment Act which would go toward class size reduction and intervention programs at two schools because hidden costs to run the program would encroach upon the district's general fund..

Attorneys from a San Francisco-based civil rights firm Public Advocates sent a letter to the district claiming they would be violating state and federal laws if they refused the funds even if accepting the money would cost the district money (more)

►CALLS GROW FOR A BROADER YARDSTICK FOR SCHOOLS

The Washington Post reports the debate over the formula for rating the nation's public schools has stalled efforts in Congress to revise the No Child Left Behind law. At issue: What's the best way to measure whether schools are doing their job?

Unlike questions on the state math and reading tests taken by millions of children, this one has no clear answer. Reaching consensus in the coming election year is expected to be difficult. Without congressional action, the 2002 law will stay as it is.

►MARSHALL HIGH TEACHER WINS $25,000 FOR CLASSROOM

The Los Feliz Ledger reports that Dorothy Lee, a 12^th grade art teacher at John Marshall High School has won a $25,000 grand prize in a national Classroom Makeover Contest.

"Driver………..Moooovvve that bus!"

► ...and a SOMEDAY/SUNDAY FUNNY! Best of Urban Scrawl by Doug Davis

The following, published originally on May 21, 2007, was included in a "best of" retrospective in the Dec. 31, 2007 Downtown News:

Original political cartoons from Downtown News by Doug Davis