Just How Potent Are Teacher Unions?
National Review, November 30, 2012
Hostess Brands is set to liquidate its 82-year-old company because it was unable to meet the salary demands of its unionized employees. Roughly 18,500 workers will lose their jobs because 5,500 members of various bakers’ unions can’t appreciate that a tightening economy, stiffening competition, and an increasingly health-conscious America mean fewer Twinkies for all.
Feds: Leave States Free To Reform Their Schools
Fairmont Sentinel, NM, November 30, 2012
With the national debt and its many related issues moving to the top of both President Barack Obama’s and Congress’ agendas, matters such as education reform probably will receive little attention next year, some analysts have said. Good.
FROM THE STATES
CALIFORNIA
California Targets School Borrowing
Wall Street Journal, November 30, 2012
California Treasurer Bill Lockyer Thursday called for overhauls in school districts’ sales of so-called capital-appreciation bonds, saying too many schools are locking themselves into what he described as “terrible deals” with onerous terms such as debt payments of more than 10 times the principal.
Not So Fast On Charter Schools
Los Angeles Times, CA, November 29, 2012
It is beyond me why The Times believes charter schools have been any kind of “spark” to education reform in Los Angeles.
LAUSD Slow To Report On Teacher Misconduct
Los Angeles Times, CA, November 29, 2012
An audit finds that the school district failed to promptly inform a California panel about allegations, including sexual ones.
COLORADO
Board OKs Charter School On North Campus Despite Protests
Denver Post, CO, November 30, 2012
About 30 North High School students, parents and community supporters formed a conga line of sorts outside the Denver Public Schools headquarters Thursday afternoon as they chanted, “Hey, hey, ho, ho, co-location’s got to go.”
GALS School Breaks Gender Barriers
Ed News Colorado, CO, November 29, 2012
GALS, which stands for Girls Athletic Leadership School, is making waves as the first girls-only charter school in Colorado.
‘Buy-in’ Key to EL School Conversion, Says Sirko
Glenwood Springs Post Independent, CO, November 30, 2012
The possible conversion of an existing Glenwood Springs school into an official Expeditionary Learning School is a “separate but interconnected conversation” to the ongoing charter school talks, said interim Roaring Fork School District Re-1 Superintendent Diana Sirko.
DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA
D.C. Last In Nation In Rate Of High School Graduation
Washington Times, DC, November 29, 2012
The nation’s capital had the worst four-year high school graduation rate in the country in 2010-2011, a finding that suggests the city has more work to do to reform its historically troubled school system.
FLORIDA
Charter Schools Revenue There But Not Shared Fairly
Press News, FL, November 30, 2012
Re: Your editorial “Don’t raise taxes for charters,” Nov. 16. The City of Cape Coral Charter School Authority, also known as the “Oasis” schools, has been actively pursuing proper funding for several years. We thank you for the recognition of our system as “providing quality education” to our 3,000 students in Cape Coral.
HAWAII
A School of Choice
Maui Weekly, HI, November 29, 2012
First of a two-part series about Kihei Charter School explores its 12-year history, growth and success. What Maui public high school ranks near the top of all Hawai’i schools in reading and math scores?
INDIANA
Charter Schools Represent Another Valid Option For Parents To Consider
News Sentinel, IN, November 30, 2012
Research suggests that neighborhood schools are valued highly by urban residents and represent an important part of neighborhood identity.
As Hoosier Students Look For Options, Many Charters Aren’t Making The Grade
93.1 WIBC Indianapolis, IN, November 30, 2012
More Hoosier students are attending charter schools, but just like the choice between charters and traditional public schools is critical, the choice between who operates that charter is also extremely important.
Private Schools See Growth With Vouchers
The Herald Bulletin, IN, November 29, 2012
To Anderson’s private schools, it doesn’t matter if a student is on a voucher or not, the mission is to serve all with a quality education, officials said.
LOUISIANA
Charter School Closer To Approval
The Daily News, LA, November 30, 2012
The Louisiana Department of Education announced Wednesday that it will recommend the approval of 11 new charter schools in Louisiana, including one in Bogalusa , for the 2013-14 school year. The Board of Elementary and Secondary Education will consider each of the proposal applications during a meeting next Wednesday.
State Begins Voucher Trial
The St. Tammany News, LA, November 30, 2012
A lawsuit filed by 43 school boards from across Louisiana and two statewide teachers’ unions challenging the constitutionality of the state’s new education reforms, including the voucher system, began Wednesday in Baton Rouge in 19th Judicial District, Division F Judge Tim Kelly’s court.
MARYLAND
Residents Start Petition Against Plans For College Park Charter School
Washington Post, DC, November 29, 2012
Richard Williamson, 41, of College Park can see the historic building that could become a new 700-student public charter school from his dining room window — a view he describes as fearful given the potential traffic congestion, tax hikes and crime increases he said may come to the area if the school plan moves forward.
MASSACHUSETTS
Boston School-Choice Recommendations Delayed
Boston Globe, MA, November 30, 2012
An advisory committee racing to meet a deadline on recommending changes to the way ¬Boston assigns students to schools will have until at least January to cast a vote, the mayor’s office ¬announced Thursday.
Parents Support Charter Petition
Gloucester Daily Times, MA, November 29, 2012
As the clock ticks toward the mid-December day when the state’s education board will decide the next step for Gloucester ’s charter school — with charter revocation being a possibility — a petition to keep the school open is being circulated, capturing more than 400 signatures in less than two days.
MICHIGAN
‘Any Time, Any Place, Any Pace’: The New Paradigm
Detroit News, MI, November 30, 2012
Like any parent or grandparent, Rose wants the best for these children — the best environment, the best education, the best future. That includes the opportunity to select the right school
Schools Evaluate Teachers
Daily Press & Argus, MI, November 30, 2012
New statewide evaluations for Michigan teachers were released this week; however, results of the evaluations could leave parents more confused than enlightened.
Michigan Schools: 97% Of Teachers Effective Or Better
Detroit News, MI, November 30, 2012
More than 97 percent of the state’s 96,000 teachers were rated effective or higher in 2011-12, including teachers working at some of the state’s lowest performing schools.
Bills To Refine State Education Authority’s Role Make Progress
Detroit News, MI, November 29, 2012
Bills clarifying the role of the state’s Education Achievement Authority are hung up on how schools would end state oversight.
Bills Would Force Districts To Sell Vacant Buildings
Daily Press & Argus, MI, November 30, 2012
An effort to boost the state’s lowest-performing school districts would also require high-performing districts in Livingston County to repair their vacant buildings and sell them to competing charter schools, according to Howell Public Schools Superintendent Ron Wilson.
MISSISSIPPI
Member Booted Over Charter Schools Bill
WJTV, MS, November 29, 2012
This year a charter school bill died in the house education committee by just one vote.
Now Republican Speaker Philip Gunn has replaced a democratic member who opposes charter schools with one who supports the idea.
NEW JERSEY
More Homework Needed On Study
Asbury Park Press, NJ, November 30, 2012
State Education Commissioner Christopher Cerf this week was quick to seize on a new study indicating that charter schools outperformed traditional public schools, particularly in urban districts, as evidence that such schools are providing “much needed options for New Jersey students.”
NEW YORK
Gov, Take The Lead On School Reform
New York Daily News, NY, November 30, 2012
With Gov. Cuomo’s New NY Education Reform Commission soon expected to release its preliminary recommendations, our public schools are at a hinge moment.
For NYC’s Students, Move On Evaluations
New York Post, NY, November 30, 2012
In February, Gov. Cuomo stood with state Education Commissioner John B. King Jr. and the heads of city and state teachers unions to announce agreement on a new evaluation system for teachers and principals. The new law was a groundbreaking accord that laid the foundation for a fair, responsible process to provide educators with constructive evaluations that can strengthen teaching and learning.
Elmira Group Plans Charter School For Boys
Elmira Star Gazette, NY, November 29, 2012
More than 40 people, armed with curiosity and questions, heard a local group’s plan Thursday night to open a charter school in Elmira in September 2014.
OHIO
Charter School Gets 30-Day Reprieve
Columbus Dispatch, OH, November 30, 2012
A struggling Columbus charter school got a one-month reprieve to stay open, but it still might be forced to close just before students return from winter break.
School Standards Pass House
Columbus Dispatch, OH, November 30, 2012
Ohio schools soon might face a new A-to-F report-card system and a harder time earning high marks after the Republican-led House approved sweeping changes yesterday to the state’s school-accountability system.
OREGON
Reading The Fine Print
Mail Tribune, OR, November 29, 2012
Some parents of students at Madrone Trail Public Charter School are critical of the school’s board of directors, and they’ve asked the Medford School Board to intervene. Doug Breidenthal, Madrone Trail board chairman and a Jackson County commissioner-elect, says the parents are in the minority and are dredging up old issues.
PENNSYLVANIA
No ‘Cooking The Books’ For Charter Schools
Towanda Daily Review, PA , November 30, 2012
Much as the state Department of Education caught several Pennsylvania school districts cheating on student achievement tests, the U.S. Department of Education has caught the state education agency fudging on behalf of charter schools.
Erie Boarding Charter Application Cuts High School Grades
Erie Times-News, PA, November 30, 2012
Organizers of the proposed Eagle’s Nest College Preparatory Charter School have changed the scope of their plan heading into their upcoming charter approval hearing.
TENNESSEE
Streamlined Process For Metro Schools Of Choice Makes Things Easier
The Tennessean, TN, November 30, 23012
A new system for applying to Metro Nashville schools of choice has smoothed out the application process this year, although the number of requests for transfer is expected to be about the same.
District And Charter Schools Have Lessons To Offer
The Tennessean, TN, November 30, 2012
Metro Nashville Public Schools is one of the most diverse school districts in the Southeast, if not the entire U.S. It is a district that serves not only diverse ethnicities, but also a myriad of cultures and languages from around the globe and every income level in the socio-economic spectrum.
The Choice: A School Fight Over Middle Class Families
Nashville Public Radio, TN, November 30, 2012
Students in Nashville have until the end of Friday to apply for a seat in the ever-growing list of “option schools.” Like other large districts nationwide, Metro has been expanding choice to make the system more attractive to families. But even with a menu of charters, magnets and language immersion programs, Metro still has convincing left to do.
Suburban Mayors Say Charter Schools Are ‘Fallback Position’
Memphis Business Journal, TN, November 29, 2012
While efforts to form municipal school districts have been dealt a critical blow by a U.S. District Court ruling, the mayors of Memphis suburban cities are regrouping for their next move, which includes preparing arguments for a Dec. 27 deadline.
TN School Voucher Report Leaves Key Areas Open To Debate
The Tennessean, TN, November 30, 2012
A much-anticipated report Gov. Bill Haslam requested on a potential school voucher program for Tennessee has left key areas open to debate, including recognizing a “range of opinions” on the scholarship’s funding mechanism.
Cheating Ring Undermines All Teachers’ Integrity
The Tennessean, TN, November 30, 2012
Teachers and administrators should be outraged. We certainly are. Federal prosecutors in Memphis this week indicted 14 people, mostly educators, on allegations that they cheated on teacher-certification tests in Tennessee, Mississippi and Arkansas.
TEXAS
State Officials Question Academics, Student Safety At Prime Prep
WFAA, TX, November 29, 2012
When NFL Hall of Famer Deion Sanders’ non-profit organization applied to open a charter school in North Texas , he promised overall excellence.
WASHINGTON
Let’s Undo Costly Bureaucracy
Daily Herald, WA, November 30, 2012
The guest commentary, “Weak Charter vote dilutes real mandate” in the Saturday Herald is critical of the voters who supported I-1240 for charter schools. Where will the money for them come from, the writers ask?
Who Will Charter Schools Serve?
Kent Reporter, WA, November 29, 2012
Among other things charter schools in this election were touted as being good for students who are not doing well in regular public schools. We know that highly diverse/high poverty schools generally have proportionately higher numbers of students not making the grade, with black and brown students most often performing the worst.
ONLINE LEARNING
Online Charter Schools Spent Millions Of Taxpayer Dollars On Advertising To Recruit New Students
Huffington Post, November 29, 2012
An analysis by USA Today has revealed that 10 of the largest online charter schools spent an estimated $94.4 million in taxpayer dollars on advertising over the past five years. The largest, Virginia-based K12 Inc., spent approximately $21.5 million in just the first eight months of 2012.
Torrington School Board Discusses Online Learning For THS Students
Register Citizen, CT, November 29, 2012
Last year, the Torrington School District implemented an online learning program called “Odysseyware” for students who are at risk of dropping out or who are behind in credits and classes.
Study Looks Into Online Schooling Effectiveness
KREX, CO, November 29, 2012
A recent study done by the Colorado Department of Education shows that, statewide, students in online schools aren’t performing as well as those in traditional schools
LCPS Offers Full-Time Virtual Learning
Las Cruces Sun-News, NM, November 29, 2012
Five high school students with very different educational needs and backgrounds are blazing a new trail for Las Cruces Public Schools.
Online Learning Fills Gaps In Rural Education
Kamloops News, CA, November 30, 2012
People living here can’t remember the last time one of their brightest kids went on to medical school.