Daily Headlines for April 21, 2011
Why Catholic Schools Matter To Inner-City Children
San Francisco Examiner, CA, April 20, 2011
With funding for DC Opportunity Scholarships restored to the adopted federal budget, thousands of low-income minority children in the nation’s capital will be able to stay in schools that serve them better than failing public schools.
The GOP Sends In A Marine For Education Reform
Washington Post, DC, April 20, 2011
During 25 years in the Marine Corps, including flying helicopters in Vietnam, Rep. John Kline, a Minnesota Republican, developed the skill of maintaining small-unit cohesion. He will need this skill in his new job.
FROM THE STATES
Alabama
Education Leaders Back Tenure Bill
Montgomery Advertiser, AL, April 21, 2011
Area education leaders Wednesday further affirmed their support for a bill that would amend teacher tenure, and they pointed out changes made to the proposed legislation to ease the fears of educators.
California
‘Parent Trigger’ One Step Closer To Reality
Sacramento Bee, CA, April 21, 2011
In passing the Parent Empowerment Act of 2009, California lawmakers showed national leadership in creating new tools to put pressure on chronically low-performing schools.
Public Tax Dollars For Some, But Not All
Mercury News, CA, April 20, 2011
More than 400 students who attend Bullis Charter School are being excluded from this parcel tax, just as they are excluded from the existing $7 million per-year parcel tax passed in 2002. Despite the fact that parents and families at Bullis are district residents and taxpayers, district trustees have refused to allocate funding to benefit all of their constituents.
Florida
Charter School Bill Passes Last Stop In Florida House
Bradenton Herald, FL, April 20, 2011
Top-rated charter schools could more easily add students and expand grade levels under a House proposal that passed its last committee stop today.
Illinois
Fundraising Group Plans To Support 50 New Charter Schools In Chicago
Chicago Tribune, IL, April 20, 2011
The Renaissance Schools Fund, which for the last six years has poured enough startup money into new charter schools to triple their number in the Chicago Public Schools system, has announced a new $60 million venture fund to add 50 more charter schools.
Indiana
Education Reform Clears 2 Hurdles
Indianapolis Star, IN, April 21, 2011
Gov. Mitch Daniels signed into law a bill limiting collective bargaining for teachers Wednesday, while another piece of his education reform agenda — an overhauled process for evaluating Indiana teachers — passed in the House.
Massachusetts
Randolph Makes The Grade
Boston Globe, MA, April 21, 2011
Four years ago, Kevin and Laura Donovan debated whether to send their oldest child to the local high school or to a private one. At that time, Randolph residents with the means were abandoning the public schools in droves, fed up with years of budget cuts and increased reports of violence.
Michigan
Focus on Results
Detroit News, MI, April 21, 2011
Snyder’s education plan should both set high standards and allow schools flexibility to succeed
Snyder Unveiling Education Agenda, Ready To Tackle Teacher Tenure, Merit Pay
Detroit News, MI, April 21, 2011
Gov. Rick Snyder won’t shy away from the “sacred cows” of education in a sweeping and detailed special message on the subject next week that will likely be controversial, according to a person familiar with his plans.
New Jersey
Court Weighs Funding
Wall Street Journal, April 21, 2011
The future of New Jersey school funding is in the hands of the state Supreme Court, after the Christie administration and an advocate for poor children on Wednesday made final arguments on whether the recession justified a billion-dollar cut to local school district subsidies.
Ohio
Gov. John Kasich’s Budget Has Good News For Charter Schools, Voucher Programs
Cleveland Plain Dealer, OH, April 21, 2011
While suburban districts like Solon and Rocky River are wailing over proposed cuts in their state funding, supporters of “school choice” are pleased with Gov. John Kasich’s budget — and hopeful that they’ll get even more of what they want down the road.
Wisconsin
Legislative Committee Considers School Choice Expansion Plan
Superior Telegram, WI, April 20, 2011
School choice advocates told a panel of state lawmakers Tuesday that a plan to expand Milwaukee’s private school voucher system would increase competition and benefit students.
VIRTUAL EDUCATION
Middle Georgia Parents Send Kids to Virtual Schools
WMGT41, GA, April 20, 2011
Virtual learning is a new concept giving parents alternatives to traditional schools, and is a big hit around Middle Georgia, especially for one family.