Daily Headlines for March 31, 2011
Congress Goes to Bat for DC Students Most in Need
PR Newswire, March 30, 2011
In a true show of support for families and students in the District of Columbia , the US House of Representatives today voted to restore and expand the DC Opportunity Scholarship Program (DCOSP). The program provides scholarships for some of DC’s poorest families, allowing them to choose the school that best fits their children’s needs. The program was created in 2003, but was discontinued by the Obama Administration, even after years of demonstrated success by multiple measures.
Study Says Charter Network Has Financial Advantages Over Public Schools
New York Times, NY, March 31, 2011
Most charter schools receive less government money for each student, on average, than traditional public schools.
Education Reform Success That Obama Ignores
Washington Times, DC, March 30, 2011
As a mother of three who has spent more than a decade working alongside thousands of parents to improve education for children in the District of Columbia, I can’t help but cringe when the president tells moms and dads they need to fight for better schools and be more responsible.
Cheating on the Hard Work of School Reform
TIME blog, March 31, 2011
Cheating in school became education topic number one this week, except this time it wasn’t students cheating on tests – it was adults cheating for them. As part of a series, USA Today published an article strongly suggesting that teachers or administrators goosed student test score gains at an elementary and middle school in Washington, D.C.
FROM THE STATES
District of Columbia
House Approves D.C. School-Choice Bill, But Future Remains Cloudy
Washington Post, DC, March 30, 2011
The House approved a bill Wednesday to revive the D.C. Opportunity Scholarship Program, even as the controversial school-choice measure faces an uncertain future.
Florida
Charter School Expansion Bill Passes First Test in Florida
St. Petersburg Times, FL, March 31, 2011
A bill to expand Florida’s charter school system sailed past its first hurdle Wednesday, gaining unanimous approval by a Senate committee.
Georgia
State Supreme Court Delays Decision On Charter Case
Atlanta Journal-Constitution, GA, March 30, 2011
In a rare move, the Georgia Supreme Court decided Wednesday to delay handing down an opinion over who has the power to fund and open public charter schools.
Indiana
Indiana House OKs Using Tax Money to Pay for Private Schools
Evansville Courier & Press, IN, March 30, 2011
Indiana students who transfer from public schools to private schools would be able to use tax money to help pay their tuition under a vouchers program the state House of Representatives endorsed Wednesday night.
Maryland
Grasmick to Retire As Md. Schools Superintendent
Washington Post, DC, March 30, 2011
Maryland Superintendent of Schools Nancy S. Grasmick announced Wednesday that she will retire at the end of June, ending two decades at the helm of a state school system that has won national recognition as an educational powerhouse.
Michigan
Detroit Considers 45 Charter Schools
Wall Street Journal, March 31, 2011
The state-appointed manager of Detroit Public Schools identified 45 schools in the struggling district that could be turned over to private charter operators in a bid to improve student performance.
Ohio
Kasich, D.C. School Reformer Make Their Case
Columbus Dispatch, OH, March 31, 2011
The same night that Senate Bill 5 reached his desk, Gov. John Kasich joined a woman famous for taking on teachers unions to show a film that blames America ‘s public-school struggles on bad teachers.
Oklahoma
Former Florida Governor Talks About Education Reform
The Oklahoman, OK, March 31, 2011
Gov. Jeb Bush was touted as an expert on the forefront of school reform Wednesday, and he in turn complimented Oklahoma’s efforts to implement a reforms.
Tennessee
Charter School Bill Advances in TN Senate
The Tennessean, TN, March 31, 2011
Legislation that seeks to create more charter schools in Tennessee would hurt public schools, critics said as the proposal advanced in the Senate on Wednesday.
Wisconsin
State Proposals Could Lead To More Charter Schools
The Northwestern, WI, March 31, 2011
State proposals opening the door to new charter schools could put Oshkosh in a unique position for more expansion than most communities.
VIRTUAL EDUCATION
Cyber School Success Spreads
The Intelligencer, PA, March 31, 2011
Quakertown school district has been hosting presentations and consulting with administrators throughout Bucks and Montgomery counties. By all accounts, Quakertown School District’s cyber school is a success.