Daily Headlines for January 30, 2013
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
Grade Our Teachers, Help Our Students
CNN, January 30, 2013
Knowing how to identify and measure great teaching is a huge step toward providing better feedback and support for teachers and building a better education system for all our children — but it’s just one step. The challenge now is to use this information to give teachers the tools, resources and support they need to do their best work.
Activists to U.S. Education Department: Stop School Closings Now
Washington Post, DC, January 29, 2013
Activists fighting school closings across the country converged at the U.S. Education Department on Tuesday to demand federal action to stop the shutdowns, which they say disproportionately affect poor and minority students.
Making the Grade
Washington Times, DC, January 29, 2013
More than 200 organizations across the country are staging some 3,600 events to mark School Choice Week. Many grateful parents, however, have reason to celebrate every week.
Offer More Options For Students
Philadelphia Inquirer, PA, January 30, 2013
It is no secret that our education system needs reform, but what direction to take and how to get there present a formidable challenge. Countless studies have shown that our children’s math and science skills are dangerously below average.
FROM THE STATES
ALABAMA
State Positioned To Exit No Child Left Behind Act
Tuscaloosa News, AL, January 30, 2013
It’s a new day for public education in Alabama, Thomas Bice, superintendent of the state Department of Education, said Tuesday in Tuscaloosa.
ARKANSAS
Former Florida Governor Pushes For Charter Schools In Ark.
KUAR, AR, January 29, 2013
As lawmakers consider proposals to expand charter schools in the state, the former Governor of Florida, Jeb Bush, spoke at the state Capitol Tuesday as part of rally by a group that advocates for charter schools.
ARIZONA
Arizona Charter-School Safety A Concern
Arizona Republic, AZ, January 30, 2013
As schools examine their safety plans in the wake of the Newtown shooting, many of the Valley’s charter and private schools are not as prepared to defend against internal and external threats as their traditional public-school counterparts, police and school officials say.
CALIFORNIA
Proposed Charter School Plan From Former Mayor Yunits Does Little For Brockton
Enterprise News, CA, January 29, 2013
Regarding “SABIS charter school will help Brockton fulfill promise” commentary by John T. Yunits on Jan. 20:
School Choice Is Expanding Across U.S.
Orange County Register, CA, January 29, 2013
All of us can choose from among dozens of brands of automobiles. But when it comes to something more precious, parents generally have little choice in their children’s public schools. The educational bureaucracy makes the decision.
Private Money And Public Schools
Sacramento Press, CA, January 29, 2013
Last December 3, the California Fair Political Practices Commission recommended fining Sacramento Mayor Kevin Johnson, a Democrat, $37,500 for improperly reporting donations to his multiple nonprofit groups.
5 Keys Charter School Helps S.F. Inmates
San Francisco Chronicle, CA, January 29, 2013
Latrice Alexander beamed and cheered as her son walked across the Hall of Justice stage to accept his high school diploma Tuesday.
CONNECTICUT
Advocates For Charter Schools As Answer To Achievement Gap
Danbury News Times, CT, January 29, 2013
Connecticut has an opportunity — despite historic fiscal woes — to accelerate the groundbreaking progress made by Connecticut’s charter schools. The 27 letters of interest, one from Danbury, submitted to the state by educators, officials and clergy leaders, all of whom want to create new, public charters schools, offer proof that a growing corps of leaders are lining up to change the status quo and meet the huge parent demand for great public school choices.
FLORIDA
Education Commissioner Praises Hillsborough School Choice
Tampa Bay Tribune, FL, January 30, 2013
New Education Commissioner Tony Bennett, an ardent supporter of school choice, visited a Tampa showcase and panel discussion on Tuesday to laud the local district for what he called its innovative offerings.
Decision Delayed On St. Petersburg Charter School’s Fate
Tampa Bay Times, FL, January 30, 2013
It’s a question of survival for Imagine St. Petersburg, but one whose answer will have to wait another month.
Lawmakers Work To Clamp Down On Charter Schools
WFTV, FL, January 29, 2013
State lawmakers are working to clamp down on charter schools after the principal of a failed Orange County charter school left her job with a half-million dollar payout.
GEORGIA
‘Trigger’ Bill Would Let Parents, Staff Petition To Change Schools To Charters
Atlanta Journal-Constitution, GA, January 29, 2013
Hoping to capitalize on the momentum of November’s positive charter school vote, a leader in the Georgia House introduced legislation Tuesday to give parents the right to petition to turn their low-performing public schools into independent charter schools.
Lindsey: Plan Means Parents Would Get Involved In Charters
Reporter Newspaper, GA, January 30, 2013
State Rep. Edward Lindsey, a Buckhead Republican, says his proposal making it easier to convert an existing school into a charter school is about getting parents involved in education.
Details About Charter High School Under Wraps
Cherokee Ledger News, GA, January 30, 2013
Cherokee Charter Academy officials are jubilant about a five-year renewal of their petition, with permission to begin offering a high school, issued earlier this month by the state Department of Education.
We Bought The Charter Hype
Covington News, GA, January 29, 2013
An article in the AJC last week noted that $2.7 million was spent by proponents of the charter school amendment as compared with $262,822 spent by those who opposed the amendment. Among those who contributed to the proponent campaign were K12 Inc. and Charter Schools USA, both for profit companies that manage charter schools.
ILLINOIS
Charter Advocates Rally As School-Closing Critics Pack Meetings
Chicago Tribune, IL, January 30, 2013
As opponents of school closings in Chicago pack community meetings this week to make their voice heard, charter school advocates took part in a rally Tuesday at Union Station to draw attention to their call for greater school choice.
INDIANA
3rd Charter Set To Appeal To Ball State
The Journal Gazette, IN, January 30, 2013
Timothy L. Johnson Academy has joined two other Fort Wayne charter schools that will appeal Ball State University’s decision not to renew their charters.
LOUISIANA
Group Lauds La. Charter Schools
The Advocate, LA, January 30, 2013
Louisiana won high marks Tuesday from a charter school advocacy group, including the state’s lack of any cap on the number of charter schools and the transparency of its application and review process.
MASSACHUSETTS
Framingham’s McAuliffe Charter Gets State’s OK To Expand
MetroWest Daily News, MA, January 30, 2013
The state Board of Elementary and Secondary Education on Tuesday unanimously granted Christa McAuliffe Charter School’s request to increase its student population nearly 33 percent over the next few years, an expansion that will lead to the hiring of more teachers and a move to a new facility.
Charter’s Landlord Out $1 Million-Plus
Gloucester Times, MA, January 30, 2013
Three weeks after the Gloucester Community Arts Charter School’s early and unexpected closure, the landlord of the former school building in Blackburn Industrial Park estimates he is out more than $1 million in rent as he begins the search for a new tenant.
Group Eyes Charter School With Multi-Age Classes
Cape Cod Times, MA, January 30, 2013
A group of educators and parents are setting a course for a new regional charter school on Cape Cod with multi-age classrooms.
MICHIGAN
Inkster District Could Convert High School Into A Charter School
Detroit Free Press, MI, January 30, 2013
Under a radical plan to deal with a $12-million deficit, Inkster Public Schools would turn its high school over to a charter school management company to run and become a K-8 district.
MISSOURI
Missouri Could Speed Up Its Takeover Of KC School District
Kansas City Star, MO, January 29, 2013
Proposal working its way through the Senate could bring state control before start of the new school year this fall.
NEVADA
Nevada Needs More Education Competition
Las Vegas Review-Journal, NV, January 30, 2013
Gov. Brian Sandoval on Sunday joined more than 20 other governors in signing a proclamation recognizing School Choice Week. Twenty-nine events are scheduled around the state this week to celebrate educational choice. That’s great. What would be even better? If Nevada already had more school choice.
NEW HAMPSHIRE
Educational Opportunity Is Under Attack On Many Fronts
Union Leader, NH, January 30, 2013
Educational opportunity is something we all want for our children. But it is under threat in New Hampshire. While the wealthy can choose among many options to find the best education for their children, two small programs that increase options for poor people in New Hampshire are under attack.
NEW YORK
Mayor Bloomberg Plans To Slash 1,800 Teaching Positions Through Attrition In Proposed New $70.1 Billion Budget
New York Daily News, NY, January 30, 2013
Mayor Bloomberg gave his final budget address as mayor on Tuesday, proposing a $70.1 billion plan that slashes up to 1,800 teaching positions through attrition.
Mulgrew’s End Game
New York Daily News, NY, January 30, 2013
Under surprisingly aggressive questioning at a legislative budget hearing Tuesday, United Federation of Teachers President Michael Mulgrew revealed his true heart’s desire for the nation’s largest school system. He wants a patsy to take over.
Tour Aimed At Promoting Charter Schools Coming Here
Buffalo News, NY, January 30, 2013
A cross-country “whistle-stop” train tour aimed at promoting alternative choices for public education – mainly charter schools – will bring its message to Buffalo during a breakfast reception at 8 a.m. Friday in Statler City, 107 Delaware Ave.
OKLAHOMA
State School Superintendent Asks For $2.6 Billion For Oklahoma Education
The Oklahoman, OK, January 30, 2013
State schools superintendent Janet Barresi asked the joint Budget and Appropriations Committee on Tuesday morning to increase the state education budget by nearly $300 million compared to last year.
PENNSYLVANIA
Truth Revealed About Charters
Philadelphia Inquirer, PA, January 30, 2013
The latest numbers on charter school performance in Pennsylvania give new meaning to the term fuzzy math.
Harrisburg Schools Saddled With Debt And Growing Exodus To Charter Schools, Says Veno
Patriot News, PA, January 29, 2013
Two trends threaten Harrisburg School District’s future financial success, said state-appointed chief recovery officer Gene Veno: increasing payments for past debt and a growing exodus of students to charter schools.
Bethlehem Area School District Premieres Video Series ‘Come Join Us’
Leigh Valley Express-Times, PA, January 29, 2013
The message to parents considering private or charter schools was clear: give Bethlehem Area a chance.
Reading Superintendent Against I-lead Middle-school Proposal
Reading Eagle, PA, January 30, 2013
Dr. Carlinda Purcell believes that, when it comes to education, choice can be a good thing.
New Hope Best Choice For Me
York Daily Record, PA, January 29, 2013
If you had a gifted child, wouldn’t you want them to be taking classes that challenged them? This is how my parents felt when making the decision to send me to New Hope Academy Charter School. School choice is important to me because it provides me with the level of education I need and am capable of doing.
TENNESSEE
Voucher Legislation Includes Caps, Private School Restrictions
Nashville Public Radio, TN, January 29, 2013
A proposed voucher program would be restricted to students poor enough to get free or reduced lunch and attending a school in the bottom five percent in the state. School voucher legislation from the Haslam Administration has been filed for consideration by the General Assembly.
UTAH
Tax Transparency
Salt Lake Tribune, UT, January 30, 2013
Many Utahns are still just a bit in the dark about charter schools. These non-traditional public schools are relatively new, but over the past decade the number of charters has risen consistently until now there are 85 in the Beehive State.
VIRGINIA
Defying Obama, Virginia Democrats Kill Charter School Bill
Watchdog blog, January 29, 2013
Snubbing their national party’s position, Virginia Democrats killed a charter-school bill in the state Senate and threaten to quash similar reform measures.
WASHINGTON
Teachers Should End Boycott Of MAP Assessment Test
Seattle Times, WA, January 29, 2013
Seattle Public Schools teachers boycotting the MAP test should stop. There is value in a local assessment.
WEST VIRGINIA
Bureaucracy Keeping Schools From Thriving
Journal-News, WV, January 30, 2013
It’s all about change. The recent firing of the State Superintendent of Schools is all about change. The State Board of Education decided to fire the Superintendent without following proper legal procedures.
ONLINE LEARNING
Cyber Charter School Applications Denied
Delaware County Times, PA, January 29, 2013
Pennsylvania Secretary of Education Ronald Tomalis denied applications for eight proposed cyber charter schools Monday, including one based in Springfield.
Cybernots – The Schools That Boldly Went Nowhere
Wilkes Barre Times-Leader, PA, January 29, 2013
Call them Cybernots, exploring the new world of Pennsylvania public education.
Virtual Academy Contrite About Poor Math Scores
Nashville Public Radio, TN, January 30, 2013
An online public school enrolling thousands of students across Tennessee once again faced scrutiny from state lawmakers yesterday (Tuesday). The virtual school, based in Union County, uses curriculum developed by a for-profit company called K12 Inc. The school’s standardized test scores have been some of the lowest in the state.
TN Lawmakers Blast Online K12 School
The Tennessean, TN, January 29, 2013
Top officials from Tennessee’s embattled publicly funded online virtual school faced sharp criticism from members of the state House Education Committee Tuesday over its abysmal test results, with lawmakers delivering a clear message: You’re on notice.