NEWSWIRE IS BACK! Click here for the latest weekly report on education news and commentary you won’t find anywhere else, spiced with a dash of irreverence, from the nation’s leading voice in school reform.
NATIONAL COVERAGE
Good Teachers Linked to Test Success
Wall Street Journal, January 9, 2013
A study found that effective teachers can boost the test scores of students who had struggled under low-performing instructors, marking a new salvo in the national debate over teacher performance.
Denver Schools, Gates Foundation Identify What Makes Effective Teacher
Denver Post, CO, January 8, 2013
After investing three years and millions of dollars and scrutinizing thousands of teachers, the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation has determined that, yes, you can measure effective teaching.
The Education of Michelle Rhee
Frontline PBS, January 8, 2013
FRONTLINE examines the legacy of one of America’s most controversial school reformers.
How Home Schooling Threatens Monopoly Education
USA Today, January 8, 2013
“What about home schooling? You know, it’s not just for scary religious people any more.” That’s a line from Buffy The Vampire Slayer, and it should strike fear into the hearts, not of vampires, but of public-school administrators everywhere.
School Choice Won’t Mean All Choices Are Equal
Huffington Post, January 8, 2013
To many in the pundit and policy class, education reform comes down to one idea — school choice.
No Child Left Behind Is Still A Flawed Policy
The Reporter, VA, January 9, 2013
If the No Child Left Behind law were a public school student, it would be halfway through its sophomore year by now and still getting Ds.
FROM THE STATES
CALIFORNIA
No ‘Badge Of Honor’ For Backing Education Status Quo
San Diego Union Tribune, CA, January 8, 2013
It is not exactly news that California is cool to education reform. School districts routinely ignore a 1971 state law that says student performance must be a factor in teacher evaluations. Especially when crafting budgets, many school boards routinely place the interests of teachers and other adult employees above those of students.
Parent Trigger Group Wins Charter School Approval From Adelanto School Board
San Bernardino Sun, CA, January 8, 2013
After 21 months of battling their local school district over the future of a failing elementary school, Adelanto parents definitively won Tuesday night, when the board voted to approve a charter school taking over the campus of the school.
State Schools Chief Urges Cut In Number Of Tests Next Year
Los Angeles Times, CA, January 9, 2013
Supt. of Public Instruction Tom Torlakson says second-graders would not be tested in math and English, and most high school tests would be dropped. L.A. Unified chief expresses reservations.
DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA
Should We Just Let DC Public Schools Expel Anyone?
Greater Greater Washington, DC, January 8, 2013
Charter schools thus get rid of the problem students and often boost their own average test scores in the process. DCPS schools cannot expel elementary students and must convince judges to expel older students. Charters have no such restrictions.
D.C. Charter School Board Objects To Rhee’s Report Card
Washington Post Blog, DC, January 8, 2013
When Michelle Rhee’s Students First lobbying organization released its first state policy “report cards” this week, one of the fiercest critics to emerge was an important policy player from her old backyard: The D.C. Public Charter School Board
How One STEM School Aims to Lower the Achievement Gap
PBS Newshour, January 8, 2013
The achievement gap between low-income and high-income students has been a persistent problem in American public education system. The problem is exacerbated as technology becomes more integral to 21st century professions, and urban American schools struggle to prepare students for this new job market.
IDAHO
Experts Offer Education Reform Ideas in Boise
Idaho Statesman, ID, January 9, 2013
As Idaho lawmakers and educators regroup after repeal of the state’s education reform package, national experts visited Boise Tuesday to offer suggestions for improving education.
ILLINOIS
Chicago Largest Recipient Of Walton Family Foundation Money For Charter Schools
Chicago Sun Times, IL, January 8, 2013
The Walton Family Foundation, the philanthropic arm of Wal-Mart’s founder, gave more money to Chicago to start new charter schools last year than it did to any other city —¬ $3.8 million.
INDIANA
Put Brakes On Vouchers Until High Court Rules
Star Press, IN, January 9, 2013
For instance, lawmakers this week have filed bills to expand the Indiana School Choice Program, informally known as the voucher system. Bills have been filed to waive a requirement that a student attend a public school for at least one year before seeking a voucher to attend a private school — likely to be affiliated with a church.
IOWA
Education Reform Demands Open-Mindedness
Sioux City Journal, IA, January 9, 2013
Iowans, particularly those charged with delivering public education, can take one of two positions with respect to an “F” grade our state’s education policies were given by StudentsFirst.
KENTUCKY
Charter School Legislation Filed For 2013 Session
Bluegrass Institute, KY, January 9, 2013
January 8th proved to be an auspicious day for Kentucky’s 2013 legislative session. That’s because January 8th was the day Rep. Brad Montell, R-Shelbyville filed a bill that might finally bring school choice and real opportunity for those most in need in the commonwealth – underprivileged kids.
Advocates Support Toned-Down Kentucky Charter School Law
WFPL, KY, January 8, 2013
A charter school bill has been filed in the Kentucky House and supporters hope the less aggressive approach will help get it passed this year.
LOUISIANA
Charter School Changes Outlined
The Advocate, LA, January 9, 2013
A meeting held for parents Monday night at Crocker Arts and Technology School promised a brighter future for the students with a new charter operator but left some parents and education activists saddened by the staff upheaval and wary of an educational landscape where they see change as the only constant.
MAINE
Augusta Panel Rejects 4 of 5 Proposals for New Charter Schools
Portland Press Herald, ME, January 8, 2013
Maine’s Charter School Commission has rejected four of the five charter school applications under consideration for 2013, including both proposals for virtual schools.
Baxter Academy Reports 119 Applications In First Week
Portland Daily Sun, ME, January 8, 2013
Baxter Academy for Technology & Science, Maine’s first charter school for science, technology, engineering and math, began enrolling students on Jan. 1, and in just the first week, received 119 applications, reported the new charter school’s executive director, John Jaques.
MISSISSIPPI
Capitol Abuzz About Charter Schools
Desoto Times Tribune, MS, January 8, 2013
The gavel at the State Capitol will sound in the hallowed halls of the State Capitol on Wednesday, and charter schools will be on the lips and minds of most state lawmakers, according to members of DeSoto County’s delegation.
Racial Divide Seen In Mississippi Debate Over Charter Schools, Reform
MSNBC, January 8, 2013
Mississippi lawmaker Kenneth Wayne Jones, a Democrat, briefly became a political pariah last winter when he voted in favor of a proposal to expand charter schools in his state. He was the only African-American state senator to support the bill, which most members of Mississippi’s legislative Black Caucus disavowed. Jones liked the idea of expanded school options for families, but he also understood his colleagues’ mistrust.
New World Needs Close Attention
Natchez Democrat, MS, January 9, 2013
The seemingly inevitable opening of the Delta Charter School in Ferriday likely won’t change life forever in the Miss-Lou. The school will probably be small for years to come and will draw from only a portion of the population.
NEVADA
Troubled Charter School Board President Resigns; Principal Ordered To Repay Bonuses
Las Vegas Review-Journal, NV, January 8, 2013
Allegations of mismanagement at Quest Academy have led to the resignation of charter school President Christina Fuentes and prompted other board members to order Principal Connie Jordan to repay $15,000 in unmerited bonuses awarded to her by Fuentes.
NEW HAMPSHIRE
State Hopes To Have Charter School Start Up Grant Funds, Lost In 2011, Restored Next Year
Nashua Telegraph, NH, January 9, 2013
Since the state Board of Education voted to place a moratorium on new charter schools in September, school founders around the state have
NEW MEXICO
Gov. Spells Out Education Plans
Albuquerque Journal, NM, January 9, 2013
Gov. Susana Martinez on Tuesday laid out her education plans for the coming legislative session, including linking teacher pay to the state’s new evaluation system and creating an early-warning system to catch signs a student might drop out.
NEW YORK
26 Schools on City’s List
Wall Street Journal, January 9, 2013
New York City will try to shut down or shrink 26 schools this year, including six it unsuccessfully tried to close in the summer, officials said Tuesday.
The UFT Takes Offense
New York Observer, NY, January 8, 2013
Mayor Mike Bloomberg does not always parse his thoughts with the care of a diplomat. Sometimes he lets it rip, and, well, those who are quick to take offense do just that.
Elmira Charter School Group May Reconsider Boys-Only Plan
Elmira Star-Gazette, NY, January 8, 2013
The group seeking to open a charter school in Elmira hopes to decide in just over a week whether to keep it boys only or include girls.
What to Expect From the Utica Academy of Science Charter School
YNN, NY, January 8, 2013
Plans to open a new charter school in Utica are moving forward. Despite some protest, the Utica Academy of Science had its application granted and they plan to open in the fall. Our Andrew Sorensen takes a look at their parent school in Syracuse and tells us what they hope to accomplish with their new school.
Yonkers Schools Submit Teacher-Evaluation Plan, Hope Approval Comes In Time
The Journal News, NY, January 9, 2013
The clock is ticking for the Yonkers school system, which hopes the state will approve its last-minute teacher evaluation plan in time to save $17 million in much-needed aid.
NORTH CAROLINA
State May Consider 11 New Charter Schools in Durham
Herald Sun, NC, January 8, 2013
Public charter schools in Durham could more than double in the next two years.
As of last week, the state Department of Public Instruction had received 161 letters of intent for new charters. Of those, 11 are in Durham, including one virtual school.
OKLAHOMA
Oklahoma City School Board Denies Charter Schools, Declines To Reveal Reasons
The Oklahoman, OK, January 9, 2013
The Oklahoma City School Board on Monday night denied applications from two charter schools but kept the reasons for the denials secret.
OREGON
Medford District Faces Charter Student Payouts After Oversight
Mail Tribune, OR, January 9, 2013
The Medford School District is paying out more than $500,000 after realizing it is obligated to give money to nearby districts whose students attend Medford charter schools.
PENNSYLVANIA
Charter School Of Excellence Reacts to Need for Chart Schools
WSEE, PA, January 8, 2013
On Tuesday, one of the oldest charter schools in the city, the Charter School of Excellence, held their Open House. It gave both parents and students an up-close look at what they have to offer. It also gave us a chance to talk to faculty about the possibility of more charter schools in the area.
Catasauqua Schools Chief: Medical Academy Charter School Isn’t Delivering
The Morning Call, PA, January 8, 2013
The Catasauqua Area School Board said Tuesday night it might move to revoke the Medical Academy Charter School’s charter in 30 days if the school doesn’t prove it’s offering what it promised.
The Reality Of Charter Schools In North Penn
The Reporter, PA, January 8, 2013
Since before I was a candidate for school board in 2011, I have been following the finances and operations of the North Penn School District for the last three years.
RHODE ISLAND
Chafee Nominates 10 for Education Board
GoLocalProv, RI, January 8, 2013
Governor Lincoln D. Chafee today announced ten nominees for the Rhode Island Board of Education. The Governor’s nominee for Board Chair is Eva-Marie Mancuso, Esq., a Managing Partner with law firm Hamel, Waxler, Allen & Collins.
SOUTH CAROLINA
Charter, Magnet, And Private Schools Harm Public Education
Charleston City Paper, SC, January 9, 2013
Imagine you are riding on a train and the conductor comes into your car and informs you and your fellow passengers that something is terribly wrong with the engine and the train is in trouble. It might not crash, but it certainly is not going to reach its destination in good shape.
TENNESSEE
Education Reform Leader Michelle Rhee Lists Goals in TN
The Tennessean, TN, January 9, 2013
National education reform movement leader and part-time Tennessee resident Michelle Rhee is urging state lawmakers to create a statewide charter school authorizer, adopt a parent trigger law and give vouchers to some students.
Charters’ Role Limited
Commercial Appeal, TN, January 9, 2013
Your Jan. 6 article “Battle over charter schools grows heated,” about the charter schools issue in Mississippi, misrepresents the position of The Parents’ Campaign, an organization I serve as executive director.
WASHINGTON
Teachers Union Should Withdraw Suit To Block Charter Schools
Seattle Times, WA, January 8, 2013
The Washington Education Association should accept the November vote that created charter schools in this state.
State Schools Chief Wants To Oversee Charters
Bellingham Herald, WA, January 9, 2013
State schools chief Randy Dorn has sent a letter to legislative leaders asking them to revise the voter-approved charter school law to give his office jurisdiction over the new schools.
ONLINE LEARNING
High Schools, Take The Online Course
USA Today, January 8, 2013
Thankfully, there is one initiative in Alexandria and in a growing number of school systems nationwide that is revolutionizing the way kids learn: online classes. This approach not only helps potential dropouts keep working toward diplomas, but also allows the most motivated students to seek courses not often offered in a traditional school setting.
Virtual Classrooms Coming to County, City Schools
The Charlottesville Newsplex, VA, January 8, 2013
The classroom of the future may come in the form of a computer. Charlottesville City schools already offer eight online courses, and now Albemarle County schools are jumping on the virtual bandwagon, offering its first online course this semester.
‘Virtual’ Public Schools Draw Interest Of Religious Families
Washington Post Blog, DC, January 8, 2013
Worried about exposure to foul language, immodest dress, peer pressure, and other inappropriate behavior, Susan Brown didn’t want her two daughters attending public schools — even though she’s a substitute teacher in a public school in Minnesota.