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
The Truth about Charters
Wall Street Journal Video, February 4, 2013
Assistant features editor David Feith on a New York Times editorial that disputes charter schools’ effectiveness.
A Brief Overview of Teacher Evaluation Controversies
PBS Newshour, February 4, 2013
Why is it so hard to determine what makes a good teacher? The answer is both complicated and polarizing. In recent education reform history, judging teacher evaluations has become as much an issue as how to evaluate student achievement.
FROM THE STATES
CALIFORNIA
Foot-Dragging On School Reform
Orange County Register, CA, February 4, 2013
Embedded in his State of the State address last week were backhanded swipes at fellow Democrats President Obama and Secretary of Education Arne Duncan. The governor lashed out at “distant authorities cracking the whip” on education, and he berated reforms “designed from afar.” It’s a battle he will not – and should not – win.
Parent Trigger Shifts Balance
Orange County Register, CA, February 5, 2013
The nation’s third invoking of a Parent Trigger, in Los Angeles, disproves the charges of many critics of the 2010 California law. Based on the first two attempts of parents to require their children’s failing schools be converted to charter schools, critics declared the Parent Trigger a mistake.
GEORGIA
Walking Away From Public Schools Is Not A Solution
The Telegraph, GA, February 5, 2013
As many of you recall, I opposed the recent charter school amendment, not because I oppose charter schools — I don’t — but because I thought the wording of the amendment was duplicitous. I thought it grossly unfair that Gov. Nathan Deal could wax eloquently on the need for passage of the amendment but School Superintendent John Barge was not allowed to talk about opposing it. It was like Goliath beating up David.
IDAHO
Albertson Foundation Offers $5 Million For New Idaho School Model
Idaho Statesman, ID, February 5, 2013
A hefty reward: The J.A. and Kathryn Albertson Foundation will pay a school district or charter school operator to “create a new form of school somewhere in Idaho.”
ILLLINOIS
UNO Gearing Up Its Own Political Machine Involving Charter Schools
Chicago Sun Times, IL, February 4, 2013
My first encounter with the political machinery of the United Neighborhood Organization Charter Schools network came last spring when I was poking around in an Illinois House race on the Southwest Side.
IOWA
Iowa Educators Warn Lack Of Money Will Kill School Reform
Muscatine Journal, IA, February 5, 2013
Representatives of K-12 education groups told lawmakers Monday that they are generally supportive of proposed reforms with some modifications and local flexibility, but they warned that needed resources must closely follow policy changes in a timely manner or the effort will stall similar to what happened in 2001.
LOUISIANA
East Baton Rouge Schools Plan Includes Proposal For Alternative Schools
Times Picayune, LA, February 4, 2013
East Baton Rouge students who are behind academically and are repeating grades could be placed in an alternative school, as part of a drastic reorganization proposed for parts of the East Baton Rouge Parish School System.
MARYLAND
Evaluating Teachers An Evolving Process
Frederick News Post, MD, February 5, 2013
Frederick County was among nine school districts in which teacher-evaluation proposals have been found lacking by the Maryland State Board of Education.
MONTANA
Panel Hears Push For Charter Schools
Great Falls Tribune, MT, February 4, 2013
A mother from Laurel did something unexpected when testifying at a hearing — she held her cellphone to the lectern’s microphone and played a message from her school district.
NEW HAMPSHIRE
Proposal Boosts NH Aid To Charter Schools
CT Post, CT, February 5, 2013
New Hampshire lawmakers are considering legislation to increase state aid to charter schools.
NEW YORK
Technology Charter School Gets $50,000 Grant For Lab
Buffalo News, NY, February 5, 2013
A $50,000 grant to the Charter School for Applied Technologies will be used to buy equipment for its advanced manufacturing experience lab, which provides high school students hands-on experience to pursue manufacturing careers in the region, officials said.
Explaining, or Maybe Not, Failure in Talks With Teachers
New York Times, NY, January 5, 2013
Our mayor being true to himself, Michael R. Bloomberg journeyed to Albany last week to lecture state legislators on his decision to blow up negotiations with our teachers union and so lose $240 million for New York City schools.
Group Looks To Build Autism Charter School in Rochester
KAALTV, NY, February 4, 2013
It started with a group of parents and now the Rochester Beacon Academy is one step closer to building a Charter School geared toward helping students with Autism. They held a public meeting Monday.
NORTH CAROLINA
4 Groups Hope To Open Charter Schools In Southeastern N.C. For 2014-15
Star News, NC, February 4, 2013
Four groups in Southeastern North Carolina say they want to open charter schools in the 2014-15 school year – a move that, if approved, would more than double the number of charter schools in the area.
New Charter Schools Could Shift Students, Funds From Traditional Public Schools
Star News, NC, February 4, 2013
A possible influx of charter schools in Southeastern North Carolina signals not only a potential shift of students away from traditional public schools, but also the movement of dollars.
Questions About Schools Need To Be Answered Before Making Big Changes
Winston Salam Journal, NC, February 5, 2013
“Let’s not throw the baby out with the bathwater.” That old saying doesn’t get much use in the Legislative Building nowadays, but a recent statement from House Speaker Thom Tillis suggests that the sentiment behind it might be returning.
OKLAHOMA
School District Needs To Be Part Of Oklahoma City’s Great Ride
The Oklahoman, OK, February 5, 2013
TIME and time again we are reminded that Oklahoma City is at an unparalleled place in its history. Everywhere we look, we see signs of progress and pride. Mayor Mick Cornett and the Greater Oklahoma City Chamber have done a fantastic job of telling our city’s story near and far.
OREGON
Parents Urge Charter School Renewals
Mail Tribune, OR, February 5, 2013
The parents of children at Medford’s two charter schools sounded off to the Medford School Board Monday in public hearings concerning each of the school’s upcoming charter renewals.
PENNSYLVANIA
Failing Allentown, Bethlehem Schools Placed On Voucher List
Allentown Morning Call, PA, February 4, 2013
Students will be eligible for scholarships to attend better performing private, public schools.
RHODE ISLAND
Chariho Contests Charter School Expense
Westerly Sun, RI, February 4, 2013
The Chariho School Committee and Superintendent Barry Ricci believe the district has an opportunity to save $1.5 million annually. The idea sits before both houses of the Rhode Island General Assembly and has the approval of both the School Committee and the Richmond Town Council.
SOUTH CAROLINA
South Carolina Earns A High Grade For Advancing Charter Schools
Charleston Post Courier, SC, February 5, 2013
For far too long, South Carolina’s students’ scores on standardized tests have been among the country’s lowest.
SOUTH DAKOTA
Scholarships For ‘Critical Need’ Teachers Considered
KELO-TV, SD, February 4, 2013
Senator Tim Rave is behind this plan. He says Senate Bill 233 resurrects the good part of Referred Law 16 voters rejected. It would offer scholarships to South Dakota college students who promise to teach in areas of need.
TENNESSEE
10 Charter School Groups Line Up To Apply With Metro Nashville
The Tennessean, TN, February 5, 2013
Williamson County education leaders will review their first charter school application, a development triggered by a Tennessee law change that allows charters even in wealthy districts.
Require Teacher Evaluation Feedback
Leaf Chronicle, TN, February 5, 2013
Tennessee’s new teacher evaluation system has hit more than a few bumps in the road since it was put into place two years ago. That, by itself, is not too disturbing. New systems often take time to iron out unexpected results and problems.
TEXAS
Judge: Texas School Finance System Unconstitutional
American-Statesman, TX, February 4, 2013
Texas’ system of funding public schools is unconstitutional, state District Judge John Dietz ruled Monday.
Charter Schools “Disappointed” With School Finance Ruling
KUT News, TX, February 4, 2013
State district Judge John Dietz’s ruling that the Texas school finance system is unconstitutional is being celebrated by many school district administrators, but one group involved the lawsuit is probably not popping champagne bottles tonight: charter school advocates.
Should Texas Add More Charter Schools?
Beaumont Enterprise, TX, February 4, 2013
Charter schools have been a welcome innovation for public education in Texas. They offer a creative blend of public financing and parental choice for students who might not fit in well at traditional public schools.
Brooks science academy seeking to build extension campus in Von Ormy
San Antonio Business Journal, TX, February 4, 2013
Brooks Academy of Science and Engineering is asking the Texas Education Agency to approve a proposal to open a Science and Engineering Charter School campus in Von Ormy, Texas, just south of San Antonio.
VIRGINIA
Virginia Governor’s K-12 Bills, Including Stricter Teacher Accountability, Advance
Washington Post, DC, February 4, 2013
Key parts of Virginia Gov. Robert F. McDonnell’s education initiatives received approval in the Virginia General Assembly on Monday, including a measure that would overhaul teacher accountability and another that would simplify the rating of public schools by using letter grades.
WISCONSIN
School Vouchers: Time To Learn More
Beloit Daily News, WI, February 4, 2013
IT LOOKS AS IF Wisconsin may be in for another politically-charged debate over education, this one on the topic of expanding school choice voucher programs.
Add Accountability To Voucher School Plans
Wisconsin State Journal, WI, February 5, 2013
Guest columnist Patrick Elliott’s piece, “Vouchers hurt public schools,” makes the case that some private schools teach religion, curriculums different from state standards and do not perform well on standardized tests. He does not, however, support the column’s headline.
ONLINE LEARNING
Virtual Schools Under Microscope of Tennessee Lawmakers
Nashville Public Radio, TN, February 5, 2013
Virtual education appears to be the future, even for the youngest students. School districts are offering classes online. Cyber schools – many of them run by the same for-profit company – are popping up all over the country. But student test scores have fallen short.
Quakertown Superintendent Honored For Digital Learning
The Intelligencer, PA, February 5, 2013
Nationally, the Upper Bucks County district is leading the way when it comes to implementing technology for 21st century learners, according to eSchool News.
Pa. Rejects Proposed Cybercharter School In Lancaster
Lancaster News Journal, PA, February 4, 2013
The state has rejected a proposed cybercharter school that would have operated a satellite hub in Lancaster city beginning in the fall.
City’s Online School Expects To Grow
Springfield News Sun, OH, February 4, 2013
In its first year, Springfield’s online school has about 50 full- and part-time students with hopes to double or triple that number.