Opinion Journal: School Choice on the Ballot
Wall Street Journal, October 26, 2012
Nina Rees, president of the National Alliance for Public Charter Schools, on ballot initiatives in Georgia and Washington that would expand school choice.
At Charter Schools, High Enrollment, Low Oversight Bring Mixed Results
Desert News, UT, October 25, 2012
Across the country, communities continue to put energy and dollars into charter schools, despite the lack of both oversight and convincing results.
FROM THE STATES
Amid Misconduct Probe, O.C. Charter School Exonerates Itself
Orange County Register, CA, October 25, 2012
A K-8 charter school accused of misconduct during state standardized testing has absolved itself of all wrongdoing following an internal investigation, even as the Capistrano Unified School District continues to probe reports of testing violations.
One Small Victory for Anti-School Choice, One Giant Opportunity for Einstein Academy
SCVTV, CA, October 25, 2012
The California Teachers Association wields its power silently but effectively in our K-6 elementary school system here in the Santa Clarita Valley.
Charter Carbondale School Seeks To Loosen Sibling Policy
Glenwood Springs Post Independent, CO, October 26, 2012
The lone charter school operating as part of the Roaring Fork School District Re-1 wants to change its enrollment policy to allow siblings of current students automatic enrollment into the school.
Hartford Seeks $30M In Federal ‘Race To The Top’ Money
The Hartford Courant, CT, October 26, 2012
A tablet computer for every city high school student? That’s the plan if Hartford wins a federal Race to the Top grant worth up to $30 million over four years, a potential boon that could mean personal technology for thousands of students and their teachers.
D.C. To Give Charter Schools Hand With Facility Costs
Washington Post, DC, October 25, 2012
The District will apply part of its $140 million budget surplus to charter-school facilities costs that are currently paid for with federal funds, Mayor Vincent C. Gray (D) announced Thursday.
D.C. Officials Expect Enrollment Numbers To Hold Up Well Under Audit
Washington Post Blog, DC, October 25, 2012
Charter school enrollment in the District continues to grow quickly while DCPS enrollment appears to be either holding steady or headed for a slight drop, according to raw data released today by the Office for the State Superintendent of Education.
Scott’s Education Agenda Offers More Flexibility
Tallahassee Democrat, FL, October 26, 2012
Gov. Rick Scott released an education agenda on Thursday that would offer Florida ’s school districts more flexibility and, if money can be found in the state budget, more funding.
Don’t Set Low Expectations For Minorities In Florida’s New Education Goals
Miami Herald, FL, October 25, 2012
The Florida Board of Education has approved a six-year plan to address students achievements based on race, disability, and English proficiency.
Charter School Spent More On Principal Than Teachers, Students
Orlando Sentinel, FL, October 25, 2012
An Orange County charter school that gave its principal a $519,000 departure payout was an academic failure that struggled to provide its students with basic materials and qualified teachers, an evaluation by the school district shows.
Amid Renewal, Charter School Mulls Addition
Cherokee Tribune, GA, October 26, 2012
With Cherokee Charter Academy’s charter renewal quickly approaching, the academy is eyeing the possibility of adding a high school.
Panelists Debate Charter School Amendment
Augusta Chronicle, GA, October 26, 2012
When debating the merit of House Resolution 1162, a constitutional amendment on the Nov. 6 ballot affecting charter schools, panelists at the Richmond County Council of PTAs forum agreed on one idea Thursday.
Gwinnett Judge Tosses Suit On Schools’ Campaigning
Athens Banner Herald, GA, October 26, 2012
A judge dismissed a lawsuit accusing Gwinnett County school officials and the Georgia School Boards Association of illegally campaigning against a proposed constitutional amendment to affirm the state’s power to create independent charter schools.
IDAHO
Ills Of Citizens United Visible In Idaho Election
Spokesman Review, WA, October 26, 2012
Idaho voters are being asked to reject or support the education reforms passed by the last Legislature. These include expanding online courses, providing laptops to students, replacing teacher tenure with two-year contracts, and other changes. In this case, the big money is lined up against the reforms, and it comes from predictable sources: teachers unions.
Education Laws Provide Needed Reforms
Idaho Mountain Express and Guide, ID, October 26, 2012
We will be failing our students if Idaho doesn’t demand a better education and preparation so our kids can compete on the world’s stage. The “Luna laws” have given local school boards more control over budgets and hiring. There have been many commercials falsely portraying Idaho’s Students Come First laws. These laws were passed with bipartisan support.
Majority of Local Charters Get 4-Star Rating From State
Idaho Press, ID, October 26, 2012
Last month, the state Department of Education released Adequate Yearly Progress and Five Star Rating System results for Idaho schools, and Canyon County’s charter schools fared well in general.
INDIANA
Hope And Worry In The Classroom
Bloomington Herald Times, IN, October 25, 2012
For better or worse, depending which side of the argument you’re on, state-mandated teacher evaluations that affect pay and employment are in place for the first time this school year.
LOUISIANA
White on Neville: Students Trump District Concerns
Monroe News Star, LA, October 26, 2012
State Superintendent John White said Wednesday that providing good opportunities for the state’s students takes precedent over how chartering schools outside of local school systems might impact district performance scores.
Possible ‘Loopholes’ In Voucher Rules Stir Debate
The Advertiser, LA, October 26, 2012
Proposed regulations for approving nonpublic schools’ participation in a state-funded voucher program are too loose because they allow the superintendent of education to waive any requirements that a school can’t meet, proponents of stronger standards argued at an afternoon hearing on the rules.
BESE: No Voucher Changes Expected
The Advocate, LA, October 26, 2012
Renewing arguments that have raged for months, voucher critics and backers clashed Thursday on whether state oversight of private and parochial schools that accept voucher students is adequate.
MICHIGAN
EFMs Tapped for Allen Park, Highland Park School District
Detroit News, MI, October 26, 2012
A state board on Thursday appointed Joyce Parker to serve as Allen Park’s new emergency financial manager.
MINNESOTA
Prairie Seeds’ Biggest Challenge Isn’t On Field
Star Tribune, MN, October 25, 2012
The charter school has filed for an injunction that it hopes will let the team participate in today’s soccer state tournament.
NEW HAMPSHIRE
Common Core Won’t Improve Education
Nashua Telegraph, NH, October 25, 2012
When President Obama touts “education reform” as one of his accomplishments, most people do not realize that he is referring to the new Common Core State Standards being implemented nationwide, including in New Hampshire.
OHIO
Give Charter Schools A Chance
The Hill Blog, October 25, 2012
Ohio passed legislation authorizing a limited number of charter (community) schools in 1997, and has since amended the laws numerous times to expand the total number of charter schools in the state.
FBI Joins Probe of Schools’ Records
Columbus Dispatch, OH, October 26, 2012
The FBI has launched its own investigation into the data-scrubbing probe that began with Columbus City Schools and has spread statewide.
OKLAHOMA
Results of Oklahoma’s A-F Grading System for Schools Should Be Embraced
The Oklahoman, OK, October 26, 2012
AFTER several weeks’ delay, A-F grades have been released for all Oklahoma public schools. The results indicate the pre-emptive criticisms of some superintendents were overblown and unfounded.
PENNSYLVANIA
State House Candidates Weigh-In On Education
The Morning Call, PA, October 25, 2012
Gov. Tom Corbett has made education reform — mostly in the form of expanding charter schools and school choice — the cornerstone of his first-term agenda. But the Republican has seen his efforts to pass taxpayer-funded vouchers stymied, as were the efforts of his GOP predecessor, former Gov. Tom Ridge.
TEXAS
School Choice Vouchers Expected To Dominate 83rd Legislative Session
Midland Reporter Telegram, TX, October 25, 2012
Though water shortages, traffic congestion and budget shortages will be hot topics during the 83rd legislative session, the majority of discussions likely will to revolve around education, said Senate Education Committee Chairman Dan Patrick, R-Houston.
UTAH
18 Candidates Vie To Lead Utah Education
The Salt Lake Tribune, UT, October 25, 2012
It just might be the most important race this election year that you’ve never heard of.
WASHINGTON
TV Ad Accuses O’Ban of ‘Extreme Agenda’ on Education
Bellingham Herald, WA, October 26, 2012
A recent television advertisement on Steve O’Ban, Republican candidate for a House seat in the 28th Legislative District, paints him as having an “extreme agenda” for public schools.
WISCONSIN
SCHOOL: Pay Your Own Way
Coeur d’Alene Press, WI, October 26, 2012
It never ceases to amaze me why the same people who through my tax dollars want me to pay for their educational choice, via PYP and IB, but do not want to pay for teaching Creation Science, my educational choice for my kids. They say those of us who want our kids taught Creation Science can send them to a private religious school.