Daily Headlines for August 8, 2012
Don’t Let The Best Teachers Get Away
USA Today , August 7, 2012
School districts across the USA are laying off teachers this summer — a pattern that has become an annual rite in some places where budgets are shrinking and enrollments are dropping.
National Education Association: Put Students First
USA Today, August 7, 2012
With the release of its new report, The New Teacher Project has helped focus attention on one of our nation’s most valuable assets: the dedicated professionals who educate our children.
School Reform Gets Cool
New York Post, NY, August 8, 2012
Maggie Gyllenhaal, the ultimate hipster actress, stars in “Won’t Back Down,” an education-reform drama that hits theaters next month. When did school choice became cool?
A Challenge For Reform
The Advocate, LA, August 7, 2012
The New York Times recently reported that enrollment in nearly half of the nation’s larger public school districts has dropped steadily over the past five years, a trend due at least partly to the availability of charter schools that offer parents alternatives to traditional public schools.
Common Core Now A Federal Education Threat
Fort Wayne News Sentinel, IN, August 8, 2012
For real freedom, we need to return as much local control as we can.
FROM THE STATES
ARIZONA
‘Failing’ Schools, Law Increase Students Eligible For Ariz. Voucher Program
Ahwatukee Foothills News, AZ, August 7, 2012
Changes to Arizona’s pseudo-voucher program will mean one in five public school students will qualify when applications open next spring.
CALIFORNIA
Distinct Choice for ‘Parent Trigger’ Families in Adelanto
EdSource Today, CA, August 8, 2012
Two nearby charter school operators have expressed interest in running a besieged elementary school in the Mojave Desert town of Adelanto, ending worries of organizers of the state’s first successful “parent trigger” that their invitation for applicants to take over their school might go unanswered.
FLORIDA
Lee to Close Richard Milburn Academy
News-Press, FL, August 7, 2012
One school will remain open, while another closes.
That’s the decision the Lee County School Board unanimously made Tuesday about Lee Alternative Charter High School in Lehigh, which will stay open, and Richard Milburn Academy in Fort Myers , which will close.
GEORGIA
Barge’s Endorsement of Chip Rogers Raises Questions
Marietta Daily Journal, GA, August 7, 2012
Rogers talks about education “being in his blood” and then proceeds to bleed public schools by promoting a variety of schemes, including school vouchers, virtual schools and pushing the state to take control of the process for creating charter schools (and the campaign contributions of for-profit charter school management companies that comes with that) away from local school systems.
ILLINOIS
Let’s Celebrate Putting Kids First
Chicago Sun Times, IL, August 7, 2012
While there is still much work to be done, the recent agreement between Chicago Public Schools and the Chicago Teachers Union is cause for celebration. It guarantees that our students will have a full school day on Day One of this year. They will get more time in the classroom with their teachers, which is a gateway to boosting student achievement.
Illinois, CPS Top National List For Suspension Disparity
Chicago Tribune, IL, August 8, 2012
One of every 4 African-American public school students in Illinois was suspended at least once for disciplinary reasons during the 2009-10 school year, the highest rate among 47 states examined in a national study released Tuesday.
INDIANA
All-Boys Charter Secures Location Inside Former Lutheran School
News-Sentinel , IN, August 8, 2012
Days before Smith Academy for Excellence (S.A.F.E.) will start classes, the all-boys charter school has secured a location inside the former school at St. John’s Lutheran Church at 729 W. Washington Blvd.
IOWA
Battle Lines Forming On Education Reform
Waterloo Cedar Falls Courier, IA, August 7, 2012
The Monday after the 84th General Assembly adjourned, Gov. Terry Branstad stood behind his speaker’s podium and assessed the success of his 2012 education reform package.
LOUSIANA
Delhi Charter To Conduct Review of Pregnancy Policy
Monroe News Star, LA, August 8, 2012
Delhi Charter School on Tuesday asked its attorneys to review the school’s policy against pregnant girls attending class on campus after the American Civil Liberties Union threatened legal action against the school.
Board Denies Neville Charter
Monroe News Star, LA, August 8, 2012
The Neville High School Charter board has two options to proceed with its application — continue seeking approval from the Monroe City School Board or go to the Board of Elementary and Secondary Education for approval.
Minister Criticizes Jindal On Voucher Plan
Alexandria Town Talk, LA, August 7, 2012
A Monroe Baptist minister lashed out Tuesday in a letter to Gov. Bobby Jindal criticizing him for pushing through a new statewide voucher plan that funnels state dollars to private and parochial schools that teach religion as science.
MAINE
LePage Should Learn Lesson From Teachers, Make Assertions Based On Data
Bangor Daily News, ME, August 7, 2012
Gov. Paul LePage drew attention with his July 25 assertion that, at universities in other parts of the country, “if you come from Maine you’re looked down upon.” LePage apparently made the claim based on his “life experience,” according to a spokeswoman.
MISSISSIPPI
Ed Reform Top Priority
Clarion Ledger, MS, August 7, 2012
Education reforms in Florida read like a wish list for Mississippi : charter schools, merit pay for teachers, better reading instruction and a state-sponsored preschool system.
NEVADA
State Teachers Union Refiles Business Tax Petition
Las Vegas Review-Journal , NV, August 7, 2012
The day after a judge found its petition defective, the Nevada State Education Association filed a new petition Tuesday seeking to impose a 2 percent margins tax on businesses to raise $800 million a year for public education.
NEW HAMPSHIRE
Back to School Already? First Day at State’s First Magnet School
New Hampshire Public Radio, NH, August 7, 2012
Rochester’s Maple Street Elementary School is reopening this year as the state’s first Magnet School: an experiment in school reform that involves a longer school year and a specialized curriculum.
Focus Turns To Details Of Charter School
Union Leader, NH, August 7, 2012
It will be a busy year in preparation for the opening of a new charter high school at the Gilbert H. Hood School in September 2013. Last month, the state’s Department of Education approved the Derry School District ‘s plan to establish an alternative charter high school.
NEW YORK
Fraud in Special Education
New York Times, NY, August 8, 2012
Over the last several weeks, Comptroller Thomas DiNapoli of New York has issued audits detailing millions of dollars in fraud by private companies that provide special education services to preschool children with learning, developmental or other disabilities.
Legal Action Could Be Taken Against Troy School District Following Several Issues
Troy Record, NY, August 8, 2012
If the Troy City School District does not comply by Wednesday with several issues brought up by local charter school attorneys, including failing to pay the first invoice of the 2012-2013 school year and allegedly singling out charter school families, the charter schools will commence legal action, according to documents given to the district last week.
Christie Delivers
New York Post, NY, August 8, 2012
New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie was understandably proud Monday as he signed a landmark teacher-tenure bill into law.
NORTH CAROLINA
Forced To Improve The Schools
News & Observer, NC, August 8, 2012
A big shout-out to Superintendent of Public Instruction June Atkinson and the state’s principals, teachers and support staff for the simply sterling ABC test results for the 2011-12 academic year. The eternally grumpy among us will focus on some negatives in the report, but come on, North Carolina educates 1.5 million kids.
OHIO
Necessary Resignation
Columbus Dispatch, OH, August 8, 2012
Ohio’s Education Department faces Herculean challenges: Fix school funding, repair a district-accountability system mired in scandal and ensure that third-graders can read, to name a few. It’s hard to see how it could have made the necessary progress and repaired public trust under a leader whose own credibility is severely damaged.
OKLAHOMA
Enrollment Holds Steady at Oklahoma City Public Schools
The Oklahoman, OK, August 8, 2012
Student enrollment at the state’s largest school district this year is so far on track to meet district expectations.
PENNSYLVANIA
Study Shouldn’t Collect Dust
Philadelphia Inquirer, PA, August 8, 2012
There were few surprises in a consultant’s analysis of the Philadelphia School District , but the report made it even clearer that the system needs to undergo radical changes.
Young Philadelphia Family’s Choice Reflects Faith In Its Public School
Philadelphia Inquirer, PA, August 8, 2012
The Southwest Center City school has a lot going for it: robust community partnerships, strong test scores, a stable faculty, students who largely go on to the city’s special admissions high schools.
Scholarship Idea Needs Time To Work
Republican Herald, PA, August 8, 2012
A new state tax exemption to fund scholarships that will enable children to leave poorly performing schools to attend other public or private schools has substantial merit. What it needs is more time to work.
TENNESSEE
Nashville Private Schools Expand Tech Offerings To Students
The Tennessean, TN, August 8, 2012
Nashville private schools are increasing technology offerings this school year and putting laptops or iPads in the hands of students and teachers.
TEXAS
State Senator Vows 2013 Push for Private-School Vouchers
Burnt Orange Report, TX, August 7, 2012
State Sen. Dan Patrick, the Houston Republican who anchors the rightmost wing of his party’s caucus in the Senate, has vowed to make private-school voucher legislation a focal point of his efforts in the 2013 session of the state legislature. According to the Houston Chronicle, Patrick said, “To me, school choice is the photo ID bill of this session…. Our base has wanted us to pass photo voter ID for years, and we did it. They’ve been wanting us to pass school choice for years. This is the year to do it, in my view.”
UTAH
Utah Charter School Will Blend Pacific Island Culture, Education
Salt Lake Tribune, UT, August 8, 2012
The grassy farmland off Redwood Road in Salt Lake City was once a gang hang-out. A vacant barn on a lot near 1000 North drew troublemakers. Drug activity wasn’t unusual outside apartment complexes in the area, a reality neighbors in the surrounding blocks lined with quiet single family homes hoped would change.
ONLINE SCHOOLS
Virtual Charter Schools Go Back To Drawing Board
Morning Sentinel, ME, August 8, 2012
The two groups seeking to start virtual charter schools have withdrawn their applications but plan to reapply for the next school year.
Cyber Charter Schools Not Good For Pennsylvania
York Daily Record, PA, August 7, 2012
Charter schools are needed in failing school districts. Maybe even in non-failing districts. Hopefully they will be effective, well run and nonprofits. They give choices. They can focus on the interests of certain students — art, sciences, music, even community participation. They have a real advantage in that the parents sending their children to these schools have a strong inclination to participate in their children’s education.
Cyber Students Are Returning To City Schools, Board Learns
Tribune Democrat, PA, August 7, 2012
Greater Johnstown school officials on Tuesday informed the school board that 14 students who had been attending cyber school elsewhere have returned and will be attending the district’s cyber school.
With District Changes Looming, Colorado’s Largest Online School Considers Split
KUNC, CO, August 7, 2012
Big changes are in the works for the state’s largest full-time online k-12 school, Colorado Virtual Academy . The school and its management company, K12 Inc., are considering separating into a K-8 school and a high school, according to K12 Inc. Regional Vice President Mary Gifford.
Emmett School District New Homeschool Program
Messenger Index, ID, August 8, 2012
The 2012-2013 school year is just around the corner. Students and teachers, staff and parents will be recharged after summer break and school will be in session. Emmett Middle School Principal Bob Hyde is looking forward to another great year, but he is also excited about a new avenue of learning that will be offered – a virtual school program he will oversee – The Emmett Academy.