Vol. 5, No. 40
September 9, 2003

• GREAT HEADLINES: "Girls get extra school help while boys get Ritalin." (USA Today, 8/29/03). This story underscores the challenges schools face about the growing rift between programs that actually help girls but ignore the fundamental differences in boys. "Too often the first reaction to an attention problem is 'Let's medicate,'" Rockville, MD child psychologist Neil Hoffman told USA Today. More information on issues concerning the difference in learning styles between boys and girls may be found at the National Association of Single Sex Public Education, a relatively new influential group that promotes single sex schools as one way to address these problems. Log on to http://www.singlesexschools.org/ for more.

SCHOOL CHOICE:

• DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA: The body of support for school choice has grown as the bill that will bring expanded school choices to District parents begins moving through Congress. Democrats, such as Tennessee Rep. Harold Ford, broke ranks to vote for the amendment on the DC Appropriations bill that would allow $13 million to be spent on scholarships. In last week's appropriations hearing, Senator Robert Byrd joined Senator Dianne Feinstein in voting for the legislation.

        With Mayor Anthony Williams out in front pounding the pavement on the issue support is growing also among DC parents and residents. He authored an op-ed in the Washington Post along with Councilmember Kevin Chavous and School Board president Peggy Cooper-Caftriz proclaiming, "Washington's Children Need More Choices." More action is coming later this week and next. Watch this space for more.

• SURVEYS: Results released last week from a poll by Annenberg Public Policy Center highlight the political attitudes of Hispanic voters. Despite the fact that most Hispanics philosophically feel more aligned with the Democratic party on economic issues, contrary to traditional Democrats, they support school vouchers in large numbers by an average of 58 percent compared to only 43 percent by the general population. In some cases, Hispanic support was as high as 71 percent. See the details at: http://www.appcpenn.org/

CHARTERS:

• CYBER: Virtual schooling is a reality for hundreds of students at California's Virtual Academy. California Virtual is the state's first cyber elementary school and uses the K12 curriculum. K12 was founded by former Education Secretary William Bennett and has opened cyber charter schools in 11 states. The virtual option seems to suit many students as seen in test results for fifth-grade cyber students: 46 percent ranked proficient or above in language and 42 percent or above in math, compared to a state average of 35 percent for both. Cyber charters have been around for almost ten years but have grown more popular in the last few years. Currently more than 21,000 students attend cyber charters in 16 states. Find out more in Beyond Brick and Mortar: Cyber Charters Revolutionizing Education.

• FROM CER: Research is often used to dismiss the progress charter schools make. But now there is even more evidence, available in one place, that points to a growing body of evidence that charter schools are serving children well. CER has just produced What the Research Reveals about Charter Schools, an updated look at 98 studies done on charter schools. This is available at CER for $14.95 by contacting the Center at (202) 822-9000 or cer@edreform.com.

CER CAREER OPPORTUNITIES – CER is searching for highly qualified candidates for new and existing posts including policy and planning director, policy analyst, state liaison and Maryland Parent Liaison. If you are searching for a great position and would like or desire to make a solid contribution to the national education reform movement, send your resume and cover letter to hr@edreform.com. Please note: job position must be identified in Subject line. Link here for more information on each position.

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