Issue link: http://educator.cta.org/i/114027
> CREDITS Editor's Note Top Ten to do list 1 Read why reading's at risk (page 10) 2 Figure school finance (page 16) 3 Battle for smaller class size (page 20) 4 Plan ahead (page 22) 5 How to choose a smartphone (page 26) 6 Congratulate Zamboni Middle School (page 30) 7 Read The Global Fourth Way (page 31) 8 Calculate common core math standards (page 36) 9 Meet a speech pathologist (page 40) Ch-ch-ch-Changes…! One year, this month. That's how long I've been the editor of this magazine. It's exciting to take an outstanding publication and tweak it into something better. "The more things change, the more they stay the same," wrote French novelist Jean-Baptiste Alphonse Karr. That is evident in this magazine. And your input is shaping this change. It's also helping change the organization through the CTA Strategic Planning Process. Read about the planning process and all who are involved in that. Read Across America, now in its 16th year, celebrates reading (page 34). It's FUN and phenomenally successful. Yet reading is at risk for teens, say members, because they don't have the time to read books in depth anymore (page 10). Why? Our article starts with mandated testing and includes views of members in San Leandro, Huntington Beach and Beaumont — plus the California School Library Association. Besides reading, members are advocating for smaller class size (page 20) and school funding (page 16). Teachers advocating for improved learning, now that doesn't change. Tools change. Cellphones, for example. Don't want them going off in your class? Use them. Read how members in Auburn, Fair Oaks and Santee are using smartphones to make kids smarter (page 23). Oh — and do you need a smartphone? Check out our useful tips before making a choice. Your letters indicate you really liked reading about school nurses last month. This month, meet an Anaheim speech pathologist who has an interesting take on language (page 40). By the way, did you know we've had fair dismissal language on the books since the 1920s (page 45)? And that brings me to the Common Core State Standards. You've asked about it, and last month we reviewed language arts; this month it's the math standards (page 36). In the next few months we'll cover assessment and implementation issues around Common Core. In this first year of editing the Educator, there are so many things I've wanted to bring to you. And there are things we'd like you to do with the information you find in this magazine. See my top ten at left. We're still making changes to the look and feel of this, your magazine. What will stay the same? The tradition of providing you useful, interesting and wellwritten information. 10 Add to your CTA timeline: the 1920s (page 45) Cynthia Menzel Editor in Chief 4 California Educator March 2013 EDITOR IN CHIEF STAFF WRITER CTA WEB EDITOR CTA WEB EDITOR EDITORIAL ASSISTANT WEB ASSISTANT Cynthia Menzel Sherry Posnick-Goodwin Karyn Ferrera Donhoff Tiffany Hasker Craig Hamilton Gladdie Cabral CTA ELECTED OFFICERS PRESIDENT VICE PRESIDENT SECRETARY-TREASURER Dean E. Vogel Eric C. Heins Mikki Cichocki-Semo BOARD OF DIRECTORS José Alcalá, Larry Allen, Gayle Bilek, E. Toby Boyd, Donald L. Bridge, Tyrone V. Cabell, Elana Davidson, Don Dawson, Dana Dillon, David Goldberg, Jim Groth, Terri Jackson, Leslie Littman, Marty G. Meeden, George Melendez, Theresa Montaño, Mary Rose Ortega, Michael Stone, Kendall Vaught, KC Walsh, Curtis Washington EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR ASSOCIATE EXEC. DIRECTOR COMMUNICATIONS MANAGER Carolyn Doggett Rebecca Zoglman Jonathan Goldman CONTRIBUTORS Claudia Briggs, Scott Buschman, Len Feldman, Bill Guy, Stephen R. Harris III, Dina Martin, Mike Myslinski, Terry Ng, Michaela O'Neill, Jay Ortiz, Frank Wells EDITORIAL INFORMATION California Educator is published for the information and edification of CTA members. The editorial philosophy is governed by the policies of CTA. Articles and advertising reflect that philosophy. Letters to the editor may be sent to editor@cta.org. Publication of advertising in the California Educator does not indicate CTA approval of the product or of the companies that purchase advertising. For advertising rates and information, contact WebSolutions Media 5666 Spruce Harbor Court, Las Vegas, NV 89122 (702) 838-3434 websol@earthlink.net, websolutionsmedia.com CTA/NEA membership dues for the fiscal year, Sept. 1–Aug. 31, are $827, including a $20 voluntary contribution. Up to $18.45 of CTA annual dues is designated for CTA/ABC political activities to support state and local candidates and/or initiatives and is not deductible for income tax purposes. Subscription to the California Educator is $10 per year, available to persons or institutions not eligible for CTA/NEA membership. California Educator (ISSN 1091-6148) is published monthly except January, July and August by: CALIFORNIA TEACHERS ASSOCIATION 1705 Murchison Dr., Burlingame, CA 94010-4583 (650) 697-1400; FAX (650) 552-5002 editor@cta.org, www.cta.org Postmaster: Send change of address to California Educator, P.O. Box 4178, Burlingame, CA 94011-4178. Periodicals Postage Paid at Burlingame, CA, and additional mailing offices.