Daily Headlines for April 19, 2012
Charter Schools Gain Traction in Southern States
The Epoch Times, April 19, 2012
As part of a growing education reform movement, Southern states have recently seen a surge in legislative proposals and ballot initiatives aimed at clearing the path for charter schools.
FROM THE STATES
Charter School Bill Undergoes Rewrite
Montgomery Advertiser, AL, April 19, 2012
A state Senate committee Wednesday approved a number of changes to its charter school bill, including a requirement that the people operating the schools be U.S. citizens and Alabama residents.
Alabama Deserves Options
Anniston Star, AL, April 19, 2012
If you do what you’ve always done, you will get what you’ve always received. Alabama’s students know far too well how true that statement is. For decades, we have watched our state’s education system perform at mediocre and — too often — less-than-mediocre standards.
Santa Clara County board of Education Mixed on Appointing Bullis Charter Representative
Marin Independent Journal, CA, April 19, 2012
The Santa Clara County Board of Education appeared mixed Wednesday night over the idea of appointing a representative to serve on the board of directors of Bullis Charter School in Los Altos .
Santa Rosa School Board Sued Over Doyle Park Closure
Press Democrat, CA, April 19, 2012
A lawsuit filed Wednesday claims last month’s Santa Rosa school board decision to close Doyle Park Elementary School and replace it with a French-American charter school was illegal and discriminates against the school’s predominantly Latino students.
To Fire a Teacher
Los Angeles Times, CA, April 18, 2012
Three bills in the California Legislature address the problem, but they fail to make the process fair and timely for both sides.
Malloy Should Stand Ground On School Reforms
Harford Courant, CT, April 18, 2012
With three weeks to go in the legislative session, lawmakers and Gov.Dannel P. Malloystill remain apart on a plan for Connecticut’s public schools that would actually accomplish something.
ABCs of Economic Renewal
Wall Street Journal, April 18, 2012
Paul Vallas made his mark in education-reform circles as school superintendent in the big cities of Chicago , Philadelphia and New Orleans , post-Katrina. Now the superstar superintendent is trying to turn around the schools in much smaller Bridgeport , Conn. —in 150 days or so.
D.C. Chancellor Announces New 5-Year Education Plan, Warns of Closures
Washington Post, DC, April 18, 2012
D.C. Schools Chancellor Kaya Henderson introduced a new five-year plan Wednesday that calls for higher-achieving public schools with longer days and better graduation rates, but she warned that paying for improvements will require closing some campuses.
‘Ambitious’ Goals in D.C. Schools’ Five-year Plan Put Focus on Teaching
Washington Times, DC, April 18, 2012
D.C. Mayor Vincent C. Gray and public schools Chancellor Kaya Henderson outlined an ambitious five-year plan Wednesday to improve student performance, increase graduation rates and fund pilot programs that could lengthen the school day or academic year at specified schools in the District.
Students Are Shortchanged, Pre-K to 12
Florida Times Union, FL, April 19, 2012
Amid a flurry of TV ads and a media event in St. Johns County, Gov. Rick Scott signed the state’s budget Tuesday. He’s promoting his commitment to public schools.
Is That A Public School Teacher In Gov. Rick Scott’s New TV Ad?
Tampa Bay Times, FL, April 19, 2012
The setting: a high school classroom. Scott, in his trademark blue button-down, is joined by a woman who says she teaches American government. The unidentified woman goes on to praise the hospital executive-turned-state leader.
Scott’s Veto Wipes Out Funding for Panhandle Small-School Program
Tallahassee Democrat, FL, April 19, 2012
Superintendents of the 14 small school districts in the Panhandle are still reeling from Gov. Rick Scott’s surprise veto of funding for an educational consortium that has helped the smaller districts keep pace with larger and better-funded school districts for nearly 20 years.
Morgan Charter Amendment Won’t Line Our Pockets
The Marietta Daily Journal, GA, April 19, 2012
State Rep. Alisha Thomas Morgan (D-Austell) denied Wednesday that her family will benefit if a state charter schools constitutional amendment passes in November, even though her husband is a lobbyist for a group that promotes school choice.
Rally Against Charter Schools Scheduled Saturday
Augusta Chronicle, GA, April 18, 2012
In November, voters will decide whether the Richmond County Board of Education should have the authority to approve or deny attempts by organizations to open charter schools in the district.
Our Fight For Better Schools
Chicago Tribune, IL, April 19, 2012
As the Chicago Teachers Union and the Chicago Board of Education navigate a very difficult series of negotiations for the next teachers contract, it is important to remember that those who dedicate their lives to children and the profession of teaching are a national treasure to be cherished, not vilified.
District 26 Charter School Backers Won’t Appeal Denial
Chicago Daily Herald, IL, April 18, 2012
The nonprofit organization behind a failed bid to start a charter school in Cary Elementary District 26 say they will not appeal the school board’s denial to the state but will submit a fresh application at the local level.
Public Schools To Get Voucher-Created Savings
Northwest Times, IN, April 18, 2012
Indiana public schools will divvy up $4.2 million in May, thanks in part to the state’s private school voucher program.
Gov. Bobby Jindal Signs Into Law Measure to Revamp Education in Louisiana
Times Picayune, LA, April 19, 2012
Louisiana teachers will face tougher standards for keeping tenure, more charter schools will sprout around the state, and some low-income students will get private school tuition vouchers from state taxpayers under a sweeping package Gov. Bobby Jindal signed into law Wednesday with considerable fanfare.
Area Superintendents Question Effectiveness
Monroe News Star, LA, April 18, 2012
The Wednesday signing of education reform bills by Gov. Bobby Jindal has area superintendents reflecting on the potential impact to public education.
Screening of Charter School Operators Will Be Opened Up, State Agency Promises
Times Picayune, LA, April 18, 2012
The state Department of Education, facing complaints that its process for vetting new charter schools often excludes community-based groups in New Orleans and elsewhere, has agreed to adopt changes proposed by a task force that included some of the department’s most vocal critics. The state board of education signed off on the recommendations Wednesday.
Frederick Charter School A Worthy Enterprise
Maryland Gazette, MD, April 19, 2012
The opening of the Frederick Classical Charter School remains a good idea — if one whose time hasn’t quite yet come.
Evaluation Effort Slow Getting Out of The Gate For Two Worcester Schools
Worcester Telegram & Gazette, MA, April 19, 2012
Two local schools must implement a new teacher evaluation system this academic year, but they’re off to a late start.
Some in GOP Would Erase Charters’ Edge
Detroit News, MI, April 19, 2012
Charter schools have become the most cost-effective provider of quality education in Michigan , mostly because they aren’t weighted down by union work rules and unsustainable benefit packages for teachers.
Stop Blaming Teachers
Minneapolis Star Tribune, MN, April 18, 2012
As someone who attended the Minneapolis public schools for 13 years, who teaches for them now, and who is a proud parent of two MPS students, it truly saddens me that Lynnell Mickelsen’s latest article (“Another teachers contract, another vote for the status quo,” April 17) brings more negative attention not only to the profession of teaching but to the schools.
Charter Schools Bill Sponsor Hopes Imagine Closures Spark Action
The Missourinet, MO, April 19, 2012
The House sponsor of charter school legislation says the state Board of Education’s decision to close six St. Louis-area charter schools further highlights the need to pass her bill or one like it.
Hundreds of Imagine Charter School Teachers Face Unemployment
KSDK, MO, April 18, 2012
Hundreds of local teachers, faculty and staff are facing the possibility of unemployment. Tuesday’s decision by Missouri’s Department of Elementary and Secondary Education to close all six Imagine Charter Schools in St. Louis has employees there fearing their future.
Trust the Trustee
New York Post, NY, April 19, 2012
In its April 16 editorial, “Charter Challenge,” The Post takes a preemptive and unfounded strike at my appointment of Dr. Kenneth P. O’Brien as chair of the SUNY Board of Trustees’ Education, College Readiness and Success Committee, which oversees SUNY-authorized charter schools.
In Gentrified Brooklyn, Hopes for More School Alternatives
New York Times Schoolbook, April 18, 2012
Seated in the living room of a stylish Bedford-Stuyvesant brownstone, three teachers from a popular Brooklyn charter school last month made their pitch for a new school to a room full of young or soon-to-be parents.
Teacher Evaluation Agreement Threatens New Partnership
WKBW-TV, NY, April 18, 2012
Johns Hopkins University was selected to take over as administrator of East and Lafayette High schools . But now, the Hopkins Group says if there is no agreement with the teachers union, the school district and the state by May 1st they are backing out of the deal.
Charter Options Should Not Short-Change Traditional Schools
Winston Salem Journal, NC, April 19, 2012
With the charter-school cap gone, North Carolina will soon see a rapid rise in publicly funded, but individually controlled, schools.
New Schools Could Give Education A Lift
The Fayetteville Observer, NC, April 19, 2012
The General Assembly’s charter-school reform may make an important difference here in the Cape Fear region. From what we’ve seen of proposals for new charter schools, they could be a force for improved education.
Allegations Raised Over N. Phila. Charter School Run by Followers of Turkish Imam
Philadelphia Inquirer, PA, April 19, 2012
Truebright Science Academy Charter School in North Philadelphia is one of more than 130 charter schools nationwide run by followers of the Turkish imam M. Fetullah Gulen, and federal officials have put it under a microscope.
Budget Troubles Make Philadelphia Schools Turn to Charters for ‘Turnarounds’
WHYY, PA, April 19, 2012
The School Reform Commission will hand over four Philadelphia schools to charter operators Thursday. It’s part of the district’s Renaissance program for turning around failing schools. New research says that charters aren’t the only way to improve schools, but district officials say that, for now, it’s the only approach they can afford.
Vouchers at Issue in Race: Roebuck’s Opponent is Backed by Black Clergy
Philadelphia Inquirer, PA, April 19, 2012
THE BATTLE in Harrisburg over school vouchers has placed state Rep. James Roebuck Jr. in political peril to a newcomer with well-heeled campaign contributors.
State Awards Millions to Failing Schools
GoLocalProv, RI, April 19, 2012
Seven of the state’s lowest-achieving schools are receiving $5.4 million in federal School Improvement Grant (SIG) funding over the next three years to help implement state Commissioner of Elementary and Secondary Education Deborah Gist’s school reform plan, the state Department of Education announced this afternoon.
SC Public School Choice Bill Advances in Senate
Morning News, SC, April 18, 2012
A bill requiring school districts to offer educational choices and allow students to cross attendance lines is heading to the Senate floor.
Lowcountry Republicans to File School-Funding Bills
Charleston Post Courier, SC, April 19, 2012
A pair of Lowcountry lawmakers are among a group of elected officials who say they will introduce bills this week aimed at restarting the debate on fixing public school funding.
Governing Body Says STEM School Will Be Open To All
Kingsport Times News, TN, April 18, 2012
The STEM platform school governing body plowed forward Wednesday afternoon, making new decisions and reaffirming old ones
Milwaukee Teachers Are Why Reform Needed
The Oshkosh Northwestern, WI, April 19, 2012
Milwaukee Public Schools spent $11.9 million dollars paying substitute teachers because 5,200 WEAC union teachers took 92,691 days off over the last year. The abuses by the teachers and their union WEAC, continue to multiply because Milwaukee and its’ union bosses demanded that the union contract with WEA Trust be continued in spite of Governor Walker’s valiant attempt to reign in these greedy teachers with reforms that are saving most of Wisconsin’s communities millions of dollars.
VIRTUAL EDUCATION
District Might Start Online Charter School
Reading Eagle, PA, April 19, 2012
The Conrad Weiser School Board on Wednesday night heard an administration proposal for an in-house cyberschool called Scout Virtual Academy.
Virtual’ High School Part of CHS Curriculum
Current-Argus, NM, April 18, 2012
A statewide online high school is in the works for students interested in getting out of the traditional classroom. A project of the Farmington Municipal Schools, the N.M. Virtual Academy is set to begin offering classes next year.