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.
Michelle Rhee, the Education Celebrity Who Rocketed From Obscurity to Oprah
Washington Post, DC, January 12, 2013
Rhee has created a political organization, StudentsFirst, that gives her a national platform. In just six years, she has rocketed from obscurity to the kind of fame that turns heads at the airport.
Can the Catholic Schools Be Saved?
New York Times, NY, January 14, 2013
Re “Catholic Education, in Need of Salvation” (Op-Ed, Jan. 7): Patrick J. McCloskey and Joseph Claude Harris are of course right that finances and personnel are two troubling challenges that confront Catholic education today.
No Child Left Behind, Act II
Philadelphia Daily News, PA, January 14, 2013
ELEVEN YEARS have passed since the No Child Left Behind Act of 2001 – popularly known as NCLB – was signed into law. NCLB mandates increased accountability for school performance, gives states and communities freedom in the use of Title I funding, targets federal funds to proven education programs and methods, and provides options to parents when schools do not meet standards.
FROM THE STATES
CALIFORNIA
Grading Teachers: Accountability Needed
San Diego Union Tribune, CA, January 12, 2013
Year after year, San Diego’s students are failing to learn and San Diego’s teachers are not being held accountable.
DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA
Charter Schools And Their Expulsion Policies
Washington Post, DC, January 11, 2013
Regarding the Jan. 6 front-page article “Expulsion rate higher for charter students”: Discipline policies must be reexamined and overhauled. Charter schools don’t expel too many students; public schools expel too few.
FLORIDA
Ease Charter-School Push
Palm Beach Post, FL, January 12, 2013
After making a big deal of lending his ears to a “listening tour” on education Gov. Rick Scott is giving lip service to seeking more money next year for Florida’s public schools. Doing so will be even more important — and more expensive. As The Post’s John Kennedy reported, public school enrollment is up nearly 30,000 and is projected to rise more than 20,000 next year.
GEORGIA
If The Numbers Really Could Be This Good …
Columbus Ledger-Enquirer, GA, January 13, 2013
Good teachers are probably the most valuable public asset in any culture, especially this one. We insist on believing that for the most part, our pool of public school educators consists of dedicated, hard-working professionals.
Race To Top Education Funds Used To Give Teachers Easier Access To Student Data
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution, GA, January 13, 2013
Georgia is using part of its federal Race to the Top education grant to expand a statewide computer system that gives teachers years worth of information about their students at the click of a button.
State Board Considers Fate Of School Board Thursday
Atlanta Journal Constitution, GA, January 13, 2013
The state Board of Education will hold a hearing Thursday on the fate of the fractious DeKalb school board, which was the subject of a devastating critique by the district’s accreditation agency.
HAWAII
Teachers To Rally For Bill Their Union Doesn’t Support
Hawaii News Now, HI, January 13, 2013
Teachers who organized the so-called “work to the rule” protests that spread to schools statewide are planning a rally at the State Capitol this week for legislation that the teachers’ union says it does not support.
IDAHO
A Framework At Last For Collaboration For Education Reform
Idaho Statesman, ID, January 13, 2013
Gov. Butch Otter set the stage for a new-and-improved process for education reform in his State of the State address last week. But there’s something that he didn’t mention: Tom Luna’s name — the person who is supposed to be the guiding light for public education in Idaho.
ILLINOIS
No More Don’ts
Chicago Tribune, IL, January 14, 2013
The blue ribbon commission that’s supposed to help Chicago Public Schools decide how and where to close underused schools produced a long list of “don’ts” last week.
INDIANA
Ball State Reviews Charter Schools, Some Could Close
Northwest Times, IN, January 14, 2013
As Ball State University reviews the charters of 20 schools across the state, including eight local charter schools, some are concerned how many of them might close.
Bill On Teachers’ Union Dues Another Attack
Journal Gazette, IN, January 14, 2013
After the results of the November election, teachers across the state came to me to express their hope that members of the General Assembly would move forward and focus on bringing jobs to our state and improving our economy.
IOWA
Groups Looking At Iowa’s Education System Are Tasked With Change
Muscatine Journal, IA, January 13, 2013
Gov. Terry Branstad will again attempt to push a wide-ranging education reform package through a politically divided Statehouse, this time offering higher pay and different career paths for teachers.
KANSAS
Wasserstrom Award Honors Founder of Alta Vista Charter School
Kansas City Star, KS, January 13, 2013
Surgery kept Gilbert Guerrero from personally receiving the 23rd Evelyn Wasserstrom Award on Sunday afternoon. It did not stop others from praising his work.
LOUISIANA
BESE To Look At Changes For Evaluating Teachers
The Advocate, LA, January 14, 2013
Louisiana’s top school board is about to consider several changes in the state’s new method for evaluating public school teachers, including one that would make it easier for new teachers to land job security.
MAINE
Lepage’s Anti-Public School Bias Is Showing
Press Herald, ME, January 14, 2013
The governor continues to berate work done in Maine’s schools, but claims he’s pro-student.
MICHIGAN
Discussions for Charter School That Would Give High School Diploma and Associates Degree
Fox 47, MI, January 13, 2013
A school that would put others to shame; the Jackson Community College is discussing starting a charter school that would increase the quality of education in the area. Students would graduate with not only a high school diploma, but an associates degree as well.
MISSISSIPPI
Is Florida The Model? Mississippi’s Leaders Take A Cue From The Sunshine State
Northeast Mississippi Daily Journal, MS, January 13, 2013
Today’s stories examine education reform in Florida, which Mississippi political leaders are citing as a model for this state to emulate. Next month’s installment will look at efforts to improve literacy in Mississippi.
NEBRASKA
Teacher Candidates In Nebraska Face New Test
Omaha World-Herald, NE, January 12, 2013
The Omaha North High School graduate will attempt to pass a test of basic skills this month to enter the teacher preparation program at the University of Nebraska at Omaha.
NEW JERSEY
Kids Should Grade Teachers As Part Of Evaluations
Star Ledger, NJ, January 13, 2013
Nobody knows a teacher better than the students in his class. They see him every day. But should their opinions be included as part of his evaluation?
NEW MEXICO
Call for School Reform Gets Louder, Broader
Albuquerque Journal, NM, January 12, 2013
That dismal prognosis comes from someone who might be expected to defend the status quo of our education system — the woman in charge of the state’s largest institution of higher learning, the more than 30,000-student Central New Mexico Community College.
NEW YORK
New Success Academy Charter School Headed By Eva Moskowitz To Open In The Bronx With Little Parent Say
New York Daily News, NY, January 14, 2013
A controversial charter school network aggressively expanding under founder Eva Moskowitz is slated to add a third school in the Bronx this September with little parent feedback.
Gifted, Talented and Separated
New York Times, NY, January 13, 2013
IT is just a metal door with three windows, the kind meant to keep the clamor of an elementary school hallway from piercing a classroom’s quiet. Other than paint the color of bubble gum, it is unremarkable.
Most Local Districts Get OK On Teacher-Evaluation Plan
Times Herald Record, NY, January 14, 2013
Only two mid-Hudson school districts have yet to get state approval of their teacher evaluation system before the deadline Thursday.
NORTH CAROLINA
Charter School Not Needed For Tech Training
Daily Advance, NC, January 13, 2013
Not everyone can or wants to attend a four-year university. In addition, business and industry have changing needs that increasingly are not being met by the graduates of four-year colleges and universities. For those reasons, it’s critical that state policymakers ensure strong educational opportunities are available for students pursuing careers requiring a trade or skill.
OHIO
Students Lost To Charters Cost Canton Schools $7.25 Million A Year
Canton Repository, OH, January 13, 2013
As cuts in state education funds and lower property taxes result in less money for school budgets, Canton City Schools administrators would like to see fewer dollars leaving with students from their schools and ending up in the hands of private charter schools.
Ohio Students Brace For Perfect Storm Of Reform
Cincinnati Enquirer, OH, January 14, 2013
This year marks the beginning of sweeping changes in the way Ohio students learn.
Kasich’s Turn For School Reform
Columbus Dispatch, OH, January 13, 2013
Gov. John Kasich soon will become the fourth-straight Ohio governor to propose sweeping changes for financing public schools and improving student performance.
Teacher Evaluations To Be More Detailed Under New Standards
Cleveland Plain Dealer, OH, January 12, 2013
It’s a dramatic departure for the state from a culture of having virtually all teachers receiving a good rating almost by default and with little commentary. By next school year, each teacher will be rated based on students’ academic growth, usually measured on standardized tests, and on how teachers do in the classroom observations.
OKLAHOMA
School Seeks To Save Cherokee Language
Muskogee Daily Phoenix, OK, January 14, 2013
Cherokee is spoken, heard, written and read in each classroom of this school which goes from pre-kindergarten through eighth-grade. Charts show South American countries, planets, parts of the body and the Pledge of Allegiance in letters from the Cherokee syllabary.
Oklahoma City School District Should Consider Union Head’s Critique
The Oklahoman, OK, January 14, 2013
FOR the past several years, state policymakers have made education a major focus. In Oklahoma City, officials have worked to improve the local district for far longer, including initiatives such as MAPS For Kids.
PENNSYLVANIA
Catasauqua Board Says Medical Academy Doesn’t Deliver, But Charter School Says Give Us Time
Allentown Morning Call, PA, January 12, 2013
Now, Catasauqua Area School District, which granted the charter in February, is worried the school that opened in the fall is more placebo than miracle pill.
TENNESSEE
State, Not School Boards May Soon Approve Charter Schools In Tennessee
The Commercial Appeal, TN, January 14, 2013
Local school boards in Tennessee decide which charter schools will open and close. That could all change this year with an effort taking shape in Nashville to give the power to an independent group, with state jurisdiction.
Vouchers Will Hurt Public Schools
The Tennessean, TN, January 13, 2013
The Tennessee legislature opened a new session this past week amid intense speculation over possible legislative initiatives. Many challenges are facing our legislators in this coming session, but none is more important than continuing to improve our children’s education by supporting our local public schools.
TEXAS
Lawmaker Seeks Charter School Reform
Reporter News, TX, January 14, 2013
The new head of the Texas Senate’s education committee said it’s too difficult for the state to close down poorly performing charter schools, but more charter schools should be allowed to open.
Educators Propose New ‘School Choice’ Plan
Longview News Journal, TX, January 14, 2013
The idea of school choice, wrapped up as it is in debate over a plan for private-school vouchers and a trial over how Texas finances its public schools, has become an emotional one in the months leading up to the 83rd Legislature that convened a week ago.
Waco Charter School To Expand Programs, Enrollment With Federal Award
Waco Tribune, TX, January 14, 2013
Harmony Science Academy-Waco is poised to grow in programs and enrollment because of a federal award and general support from the community.
Wall Street Gang Now Offer Education Choices
Austin American-Statesman, TX, January 13, 2013
About a quarter of the kids in the San Antonio Independent School District attend charter schools. Most are the low-income, minority students we think about when we imagine providing innovative opportunities for kids stuck in failing public schools in bad neighborhoods. For a long time, school reform has targeted only kids from poor families. You know, the lucky ones who get those free lunches.
VIRGINIA
Teach for Virginia
Washington Post, DC, January 13, 2013
MORE THAN 300 of Virginia’s best and brightest college graduates are on today’s front lines of bringing quality education to disadvantaged students, teaching in hard-to-staff schools as part of the innovative Teach for America (TFA) program.
Charter Schools Are Not The Answer
News Leader, VA, January 12, 2013
Gov. Bob McDonnell needs to go back to school. His ever-present partiality for pushing charter schools is in overdrive in his last year in office, and his plans to improve Virginia schools actually stand a very good chance of pushing them even further back.
Educators Struggle To Combat Dropout Rate Disparities
Richmond Times-Dispatch, VA, January 14, 2013
Black students account for a disproportionate percentage of dropouts in the Henrico County school system.
WASHINGTON
Let Charter Schools Start Without Court Fights
Spokesman Review, WA, January 12, 2013
Charter school proponents were turned back by voters in 1996, 2000 and 2004, but they finally reached the summit in November. Initiative 1240 clears the way for up to 40 charter schools to be established in the next five years.
Washington State Teachers Union Should Not Sue Over New Charter-School Law
Seattle Times, WA, January 11, 2013
Contrary to The Seattle Times editorial [“Union should drop suit to block charters,” Opinion, Jan. 9], I support the Washington Education Association and any organization that challenges the constitutionality of the charter-school initiative recently adopted by Washington citizens.
WEST VIRGINIA
Statehouse Beat: Education Reform May Take Shape
Charleston Gazette, WV, January 13, 2013
If there was any doubt about Gov. Earl Ray Tomblin pursuing significant public education reform during the upcoming regular session — which we should hear a good bit about in his inaugural address Monday — House Speaker Rick Thompson’s reference to public education being “on the brink of an overhaul” should have removed all doubt.
WISCONSIN
Performance, Competition Driving Factors In Future Teacher Pay
The Oshkosh Northwestern, WI, January 12, 2013
Emerging performance-based pay scales and competition for skilled teachers could drive educators’ salaries upward, especially for those in highly specialized programs.
ONLINE LEARNING
Backer Of Virtual Charter Schools Defends Independence
Portland Press Herald, ME, January 12, 2013
But the leader of the Charter School Commission says doubts about oversight led to rejections of two applications this week.
Virtual School Principal Logs In
The Recorder, MA, January 14, 2013
From his desk at the Massachusetts Virtual Academy office on Davis Street, Carl Tillona looked out across the large room at four teachers, each of whom wore headphones and spread out at tables with laptops, communicating lesson plans virtually with students and parents.
Parents Choose Cyber Schools Because They Are Filling Needs
Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, PA, January 13, 2013
The Jan. 8 Perspectives piece by Adam Schott (“Time Out on Cyber Charters”) highlights an important issue in public education but is an incomplete and misleading summary of Pennsylvania cyber education.
Families Try Out ‘Virtual’ Public Schools
San Antonio Express, TX, January 11, 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.
@School, @Home: Waterloo Students Go Online To Get An Education At Home
Waterloo Cedar Falls Courier, IA, January 13, 2013
Katlyn Lawless has a dedicated space in her bedroom for school work.
The 17-year-old sits at a desk in a corner, working through online lessons on a computer. The self-paced curriculum allows Lawless to decide when and how long to study — as well as the environment in which she works. “Sometimes I’ll have the TV on, or I’ll play music on my iPad, or I’ll lay on my bed,” she said.
Springfield’s Online Course Offerings Win Back Students
Register-Guard, OR, January 14, 2013
Mason, who is a quick study, gets to set his own pace because he’s studying online, taking advantage of the opportunity for virtual education, thanks to a new program offered by the Springfield School District.