What's in the News?
Method to Grade Teachers Provokes Battles
A growing number of school districts have adopted a system called value-added modeling to answer that question, provoking battles from Washington to Los Angeles — with some saying it is an effective method for increasing teacher accountability, and others arguing that it can give an inaccurate picture of teachers’ work. Read more here...
New York Times
Immediate help needed to secure the 2/3 majority in CA Senate
Hi, Sorry for the resend but I made a huge mistake. John Laird is running against Sam Blakeslee not Anne Caballero.
John Laird very much supports Anne Caballero.
SVAN,
We have our work cut out for us to secure our fillibuster proof majoritys here in CA and in Washington. Please read the note below and join in the campaign for John Laird. This is a critical seat not only to protect the 2/3 vote but to prevent Sam Blakeslee, who is a big supporter of off shore oil drilling from getting his foot in the senate.
Please help as much as you can.
Remember, NO REGRETS
Pam
Hello all,
I am hoping you can forward the message below to your membership.
John Laird is running a difficult race for State Senate. On August 17th, Californians in the 15th Senate District will be making an important decision that can affect the California for years to come.
If John is elected we are just one seat away from the 2/3 majority and when Anna Caballero wins in November we will have the 2/3 majority. John is up against Big Oil money and we need to continue the grassroots effort to win this election in August. Santa Clara County is the battleground for the campaign.
We need to help John in the next few weeks to make sure that he pulls ahead in Santa Clara to make sure he is victorious on August 17th.
There are several ways that you can help.
1. Phone Banking Monday -Thursday 530 pm to 830 pm (Food Provided)
South Bay Labor Council
2102 Almaden Road, San Jose
2. Walking Saturday and Sunday 1000 to 300 pm
South Bay Labor Council
2102 Almaden Road, San Jose
3. Sign up to Virtually Phone Banking - http://tinyurl.com/lairdDFA
4. Contribute! We are up against Big Oil Money.
http://www.actblue.com/page/scchq
5. Attend one of our 4 events this weekend.
1. Get out the Vote for Mail Ballots - Saturday 10 am to 3 pm - Walking Precincts (1:30 BBQ with John Laird)
2. Garden Party for John Laird in San Mateo - 11 am http://tinyurl.com/SMGardenParty
3. Meet and Greet Fundraiser in Los Gatos - 2 pm http://tinyurl.com/LGMeet-Greet
4. South County for Laird in Morgan Hill - 5:30 pm http://tinyurl.com/SCFundraiser
Please feel free to contact me if you have any questions about any of these events and thank you for all your dedication and help to John Laird's campaign and to the democratic party.
Best,
Noelani Sallings
A renewed call to action
Obama's First Year: It Ain't No Crystal Staircase
Obama will increasingly have to choose - whether to hold to his vision and raise the stakes, or compromise his vision to cut the deal. And those of us whom he has inspired also have to choose. Whether to sit back and hope he does the right thing against the odds, growing cynical when he fails our expectations, or to stand up, mobilize, challenge the Congress and the President to get on with the change we need. The first year is but the opening scene. We should still have the audacity to hope, and the commitment to act. Read the article here.
Request for tech help - Drupal
We have a critical need for people with experience in building and maintaining web sites. Our site is built using PHP and the Drupal content management system. We're looking for people who are familiar with these systems, as well as those who are willing to learn. Please contact Dan Carnese (dcarnese@svanetwork.org) for more information or to volunteer. Thanks!
"Silicon Valley For Obama" changed to "Silicon Valley Action Network"
We've changed the name of our site to reflect the name of our new organization. So "Silicon Valley For Obama" is now "Silicon Valley Action Network". more >>>
Understanding the financial crisis
Need help understanding the financial crisis? Lisa Altieri has researched and written an excellent explanation of the crisis, available for download below.
The document offers a detailed explanation of the behaviors and circumstances that led to our current economic situation, with a goal of making an understanding of the crisis accessible to as many people as possible. As new information about the crisis is continually emerging, any feedback or input is welcome.
Click here to get the file.
Welcome!
We are on the move! Please join us as we follow President Obama's lead and collectively examine issues, clarify options, advocate positions and engage in our community.
There is much to see and learn on this web site, and many opportunities for you to become a part of the interchange and outreach!
