2013 - Page 19 of 65 - The Center for Education Reform

Daily Headlines for September 11, 2013

September 11, 2013 By The Center for Education Reform

Click here for Newswire, 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

Charter School Gravy Train Runs Express To Fat City
Forbes, September 10, 2013
Charter schools are booming. “There are now more than 6,000 in the United States, up from 2,500 a decade ago, educating a record 2.3 million children,” according to Reuters.

Loud Voice Fighting Tide of New Trend in Education
New York Times, NY, September 11, 2013
Diane Ravitch made her name in the 1970s as a historian chronicling the role of public schools in American social mobility.

State Senate approves bill to overhaul standardized tests
Los Angeles Times, CA, September 11, 2013
The Obama administration has threatened to withhold education funds from the state unless students, parents and school officials have access to this year’s scores.

Teach for America is a deeply divisive program. It also works.
Washington Post Blog, DC, September 10, 2013
Teach for America, the nonprofit organization that places high-achieving college graduates in school districts in underserved areas of the country, hasn’t lacked for evaluations over the years.

STATE COVERAGE

ARIZONA

Magnets attract top students
Arizona Daily Sun, AZ, September 10, 2013
Flagstaff Unified School District’s magnet programs stacked up well against local charter schools during the AIMS test.

CALIFORNIA

Jerry Brown pushes school testing delay despite federal threats
Sacramento Bee, CA, September 11, 2013
State officials are pushing forward with a plan to suspend mandatory school testing for a year despite U.S. Department of Education threats to withhold federal funds.

L.A. school board approves new parent trigger rules
Los Angeles Times, CA, September 10, 2013
Pioneering guidelines to help Los Angeles Unified school staff and parents navigate the complex and controversial process to overhaul failing schools under the state parent trigger law were approved Tuesday by the school board.

Manteca Unified plans PR blitz to counter exodus to charter schools
Manteca Bulletin, CA, September 11, 2013
Coming soon to a movie theater near you – advertising touting the good things about the Manteca Unified School District.

DELAWARE

James L. Wilson: Give all schools the flexibility to perform
News Journal, September 11, 2013
One of the most significant pieces of educational legislation introduced this year was House Bill 90, which was passed overwhelmingly by both the House and Senate.

DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA

District officials turn to home visits to boost schools
Washington Post, DC, September 7, 2013
After years of focusing their attention on the quality of teaching inside city classrooms, District public schools officials are turning to a new front in their efforts to improve the schools: family living rooms.

Jesús Aguirre to be D.C.’s new state superintendent for education
Washington Post, DC, September 10, 2013
Jesús Aguirre, director of the District’s parks department, will become the city’s new state superintendent of education, Mayor Vincent C. Gray announced Tuesday.

FLORIDA

Now the hard part begins, after more than 200 dropouts return to school
Orlando Sentinel, FL, September 10, 2013
One former student failed to make up half an English credit. Another dropped out because she became a mother and didn’t have child care. And a third didn’t return to school this fall because he was working to help his mother pay the bills.

West Palm Beach charter school could help — and hurt.
Editorial, Palm Beach Post, FL, September 10, 2013
West Palm Beach wants to start a city charter school for the best of reasons — to boost reading and math results for up to 600 elementary-age children. Even if it works, or perhaps especially if it works, such a charter school could have unintended consequences that won’t all be wonderful.

MINNESOTA

Minneapolis school board votes to sign on to Q Comp
Star Tribune, MN, September 10, 2013
It’s been a long, bumpy ride, but the state’s third-largest school district is finally on the verge of joining the Minnesota alternative teacher pay program known as Q Comp.

MISSISSIPPI

Charting a New Path
Delta Business Journal, MS, September 10, 2013
By working with the National Alliance for Public Charter Schools (NAPCS), Mississippi’s charter school advocates received insider information on how to make the state’s charter school law strong, thus ensuring only high performing charter schools will open in Mississippi.

State could take over three more school districts
Clarion Ledger, MS, September 11, 2013
The Mississippi Department of Education’s Commission on School Accreditation voted Tuesday to send resolutions to the state Board of Education recommending a state of emergency be declared in Claiborne County School District, Yazoo City School District and Leflore County School District.

MISSOURI

Challenges in St. Louis schools have some teachers quitting
St. Louis Post-Dispatch, MO, September 11, 2013
Laura Sahaida knew teaching kindergarten at a low-performing elementary school in the city would be a tough job — but not like this. Just six days after she started at Ashland Elementary this school year, she decided to resign.

NEW JERSEY

N.J. teacher evaluation rules up for vote; hundreds weighed in
Star-Ledger, NJ, September 10, 2013
More than 600 people — from elementary school teachers, to New Jersey Education Association officials, to concerned citizens — have weighed in on new proposed rules for teacher evaluations and tenure.

NORTH CAROLINA

NC could get 170 new charter schools in 2015
News & Observer, NC, September 10, 2013
As many as 170 new charter schools could open in North Carolina in 2015, including 39 in the Triangle and 43 in Mecklenburg County.

OHIO

Keeping the lines open
Editorial, Columbus Dispatch, OH, September 11, 2013
Walking into the meeting of a local tea party group to explain the benefits of the Common Core couldn’t have been comfortable for Worthington City Schools Superintendent Thomas Tucker.

PENNSYLVANIA

Erie nonprofit considers opening charter school Erie Times-News, PA, September 11, 2013
The Boys & Girls Club of Erie is considering opening a charter high school.

Philadelphia Schools Reopen Amid Financial, Academic Distress
Wall Street Journal, September 11, 2013
As Philadelphia students returned to school this week facing larger class sizes and slimmed-down arts programs, a fight raged over how to keep the district from sinking further into financial and academic distress.

York City superintendent optimistic as 134 students return to district
York Dispatch, PA, September 10, 2013
York City School District officials are celebrating the first bit of evidence that shows their effort to woo the parents of former charter-school students is working.

TENNESSEE

Achievement School District Getting Bigger, Maybe Better
Memphis Flyer, TN, September 10, 2013
The Achievement School District for low-performing schools in Shelby County will have eight or nine new members next year, including one high school that was targeted for closing.

VIRGINIA

Campbell County School Board to take stand on state’s new school takeover initiative
News & Advance, VA, September 10, 2013
The Campbell County School Board plans to take action next month on a resolution in support of a lawsuit against a new state institution that would take over schools that fail to meet state standards.

WASHINGTON

Charter school weighed for Battle Ground
The Columbian, WA, September 10, 2013
Karl Johnson, a teacher at Summit View Middle School in Battle Ground, says he’s committed to finding a better way to reach students who don’t thrive in a regular classroom.

WISCONSIN

Common Core raises the bar for schools
Editorial, Wisconsin State Journal, WI, September 11, 2013
As Wisconsin students settle back into classrooms, they might notice something is a little different this fall. K-12 teachers push them a little harder, and the homework is a little more challenging.

Voucher school accountability bill on right track
Opinion, Steven Point Journal, WI, September 11, 2013
As he promised during the state budget process, Sen. Luther Olsen, R-Ripon, has come up with a plan to provide for better accountability for voucher schools.

WYOMING

Wyoming version of No Child Left Behind on track
Star Tribune, WY, September 10, 2013
A new education accountability system in the works at the Wyoming Department of Education would hold schools accountable to a state-developed set of performance standards starting in the spring of 2015.

ONLINE LEARNING

After two weeks open, cyber academy “nothing but good news”
Danville News, PA, September 10, 2013
Since opening at the start of this school year, Danville’s e-Learning Cyber Academy has enrolled 18 students.

Erie’s Barker: Indictment of online-schools boss ‘completely surprised’ him
Erie Times-News, PA, September 11, 2013
Over the past several weeks, former Erie schools Superintendent Jim Barker has seen his former boss indicted and his 17-year tenure at the Erie School District questioned once more.

Online classes a hit for students
Statesman Journal, OR, September 11, 2013
Last year Natalie Bensing, a high school junior, lived in the southern Oregon coastal town of Brookings.

Filed Under: Daily Headlines

Back To School – For Me, That Is

September 11, 2013 By Ted Allen

I’ve gone back to school. For the first time in 25 years, I am in a classroom with people and a teacher/leader, getting used to the newness of the people, the lessons and the purpose of it all and anticipating papers, projects and much homework to achieve the doctorate I have set out to pursue these many years after my formative education last began.

It’s ironic. Every year at this back-to-school time since I started the Center for Education Reform (CER) in 1993, I have helped the team consider how best to serve the parents and adults guiding students and young children. That time, like so many things in education, now fluctuates. From southern early August beginnings to year round schools, all while the tried and true northeast still gathers post-Labor Day.

Despite the routine and the preparation, the anticipation of new backpacks (for some), new teachers, and new schools, there is also anxiety in the day-to-day environment we call school.

For kids it’s about fitting in, understanding, and often, being shoved into a one size fits all world of conformity and rules. For adults managing those rules, it’s about structure and discipline and accountability. Great schools manage it all well – they have rules and they have time for exploration and growth for teachers and kids. Ailing schools – found in both high- or low-income areas – always seem more likely to do what they’ve always done year after year without much reflection. Or, perhaps their people reflect on what they are doing or not, but their discovery isn’t treated with much importance or the ability to change is beyond them.

Whatever the cause – and we’ve written much about it – this nation is still not making the progress necessary to ensure all kids are truly given the opportunity to thrive and learn the most-est. That pesky status quo keeps too many protecting the ways of the past and avoiding the lessons of the future.

So rather than continue to talk the talk, I decided to walk the walk. What lessons could I learn that I haven’t in all these years in education reform, in leadership and in the communication and fight for the ideas I most want this nation to embrace? How do I take a 20 plus-year career in building alliances and networks and bridges and do more, but perhaps in unique, and new ways, to influence and support a still deficient but mission-critical enterprise like American education?

Clearly, I had to go back to school.

A bizarre convergence of meetings and new alliances introduced me to the CLO doctoral program at the University of Pennsylvania in which I’m now enrolled – a program of executive leadership and learning devoted to making organizational leaders the most effective creatures on the planet in whatever industry they inhabit (my description, not theirs!) After just a day of this new schooling and a “flipped classroom” which depends on distance, digital and virtual learning, I knew I’d once again be tracking the trends that seem to mirror those that embody modern education reform.

I have shared with many I know before that the purpose and causes of education reform always seemed to track with my own personal experiences. My oldest son’s education was influenced by the reading wars (we won – they lost). My second’s was all about fuzzy math. My third addressed the big and new issue of the day – will we let boys be boys? My last, a girl, was a textbook case in how grit and resilience can help overcome difficulty and drive hard work, success, and compassion.

And now? I’m tracking the debate in higher education, in blended learning and in what it means to truly change a culture for the better; all themes that are transforming our deepest held beliefs about education in our nation. In the process, I’m hoping to learn how I might assist the next generation of leadership in reform, those I will soon leave in charge of the organization I founded 20 years ago and those I’ve yet to encounter.

I apologize to my new teachers and classmates who I may offend on the way and pray that my new back-to-school-me can survive and grow in ways I might never have imagined.

Now if you’ll excuse me while I go fiddle on my new and application clad IPAD as I get ready for another day of school!

Filed Under: Commentary, Edspresso

Newswire: September 10, 2013

September 10, 2013 By

Vol. 15, No. 34

VINDICATION. One misleading report. That’s all it takes to tarnish a proud legacy of meaningful education reform, especially if the opposing side has an agenda. Former education chief and reform stalwart Tony Bennett quickly became the subject of controversy when a July news report indicated wrongdoing in the statewide grading system while Bennett was Superintendent. Unfortunately, there has been much less fanfare surrounding an official report vindicating Bennett and his sterling record during his tenure in Indiana. The report found Bennett acted appropriately in his oversight of school grading, when he sought to change grades of four charter schools. But the damage was done, and Bennett has since resigned from his post as Florida Education Commissioner because unlike others, he is devoted to a cause bigger than him. The still-young education reform movement needs strong proponents in leadership positions to help those who already strive to provide the best possible educational opportunities for students and families. But thanks to a rush to judgment and a BLOB surrogate with an axe to grind, we’re one short already.

“This independent bipartisan report is a vindication of Dr. Tony Bennett and his leadership of the Indiana Department of Education,” Cam Savage a former colleague of Bennett at the Department told Newswire. “And In the last four years, Dr Bennett’s policies have led to remarkable successes. Graduation rates, state assessments, AP participation and achievement are all at all-time highs. Parents have more educational options for their children than ever before through public charter schools and the Choice Scholarship Program. We’ve ended social promotion for students who can’t read by the end of the third grade. None of these accomplishments would have been possible without Tony’s leadership, so it is particularly satisfying that the false and malicious attacks against him have been so thoroughly repudiated.”

THE QUEST CONTINUES. New Jersey charter applicant Tracey Williams is back making headlines this week as her case is now before the New Jersey Supreme Court. In a tireless attempt to launch Quest Academy and provide a promising schooling alternative to 250 students, Williams’ charter application has been unfairly denied six times by the state, the only charter authorizer in New Jersey. Each reason for denial more ambiguous than the last due to a notably flawed application process. In search of credible grounds as to why the thoroughly completed and well-scored Quest application continues to denied, the state Supreme Court heard oral arguments in the case yesterday but it’s unclear whether any decision will help make Quest Academy a reality. Williams at this point is in search of answers and told Newswire this morning that her efforts, “May only be a victory for others… future schools, future applicants,” but she will press on!

MUSIC CITY MISSTEP. Seventy-one percent of Tennesseans support the creation of charter schools yet lawmakers in Nashville have been calling for a moratorium on these new public schools. This comes at a time when demand is at an all-time high that there’s only space for one in 20 students to attend a charter in Music City. This isn’t the first time the Nashville School Board has tried to halt charter growth. Just last year they denied a solid proposal from the successful Great Hearts Network. Its time state lawmakers really consider creating multiple and independent charter school authorizers to meet the needs of students in the Volunteer State.

REACH FOR TAX CREDITS. Calling all businesses and organizations interested in obtaining tax credits and creating more and better educational opportunities for Pennsylvania families. The Opportunity Scholarship Program takes business contributions and turns them into scholarships for income-eligible students in low-achieving schools to attend private or public schools outside their district. Tax credits are equivalent to 75 percent of the contribution, which can increase if a contribution is made in two consecutive years. Businesses can still apply, and the Keystone State provides a comprehensive how-to on its website. This program provides a win-win for businesses seeking to make a positive difference and students in need of educational options.

EDREFORM’S RATPACK. What do DFER’s Joe Williams, B4Ks Derrell Bradford, BAEO’s Ken Campbell, Uncommon’s Paul Powell and Choice Media’s Bob Bowdon have in common besides their dedication and passion for real reform? They all make up The Reformers – the only musical ensemble of successful education reform leaders by day and outstanding musical talents by night – who will hit the stage together once again on October 9, 2013 at CER’s 20th Anniversary Celebration. You don’t want to miss this “shin-dig” or the performances by edreform’s coolest “cats.” Register today at www.edreform.com/20th.

DON’T MISS OUT. Reserve your ad in CER’s 20th Anniversary gala program by Thurs. SEPT 12TH. Email events@edreform.com to reserve your space today! See www.edreform.com/20th for more information on tickets and table sponsor opportunities.

Filed Under: Newswire Weekly

Daily Headlines for September 10, 2013

September 10, 2013 By The Center for Education Reform

NATIONAL COVERAGE

How big can Teach For America get?
Washington Post Blog, DC, September 10, 2013
Even in school districts where teachers have been laid off because of budget cuts, Teach For America manages to keep expanding.

Last Chance on School Reform?
US News & World Report Blog, September 9, 2013
The start of the school year also marks the end of the congressional recess. And this fall, Congress’s education “to do” list includes updating the federal statute governing America’s public schools.

STATE COVERAGE

CALIFORNIA

Lennox academy makes hasty attempt to secede from district as charter
Daily Breeze, CA, September 10, 2013
The Lennox Math, Science and Technology Academy is a perennial presence on the U.S. News and World Report’s annual list of best American high schools and, by many accounts, the crown jewel of the Lennox School District.

DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA

GED will soon have online guide for high school dropouts
Washington Post, DC, September 9, 2012
Dropouts who want to take the GED high school equivalency test will soon have an online guide to walk them through their preparation, registration, and college and career planning.

FLORIDA

At charter school, enrollment drop follows campus drama
Herald Tribune, FL, September 9, 2013
After a School Board meeting packed with supporters carrying signs, contentious court hearings and the uncertainty of who would lead Imagine School at North Port, Chrissy Bynum decided she had had enough.

Rowlett becomes Manatee’s first conversion charter
Bradenton Herald, FL, September 10, 2013
The room burst into applause, with some scattered squeals, when the Manatee County School Board swiftly and unanimously approved Rowlett Elementary’s bid to become the county’s first conversion charter school Monday night.

IDAHO

Idaho schools chief Luna admits to missteps in education reform plan
Idaho Statesman, ID, September 10, 2013
Nearly a year after voters trounced Tom Luna’s Students Come First proposals in a referendum, the state schools superintendent acknowledged he did not do enough to make the plan transparent or to involve Idahoans.

IOWA

Homeschool advocates score major victory in Iowa
Quad City Times, IA, September 10, 2013
Branstad’s education reform bill had just been through its initial run in the Legislature, and lawmakers were trying to attach amendments for everything from raising starting teacher pay to $45,000 a year to giving local school boards more authority over their operations.

KENTUCKY

KY Legislators Hold Charter School Public Hearing
WKMS, KY, September 9, 2013
A Kentucky legislative education committee will hold a public hearing on charter schools this week. The request came from the Kentucky Charter Schools Association, which was created by its chairman, Hal Heiner, this year.

LOUISIANA

Teacher reviews spark new argument
The Advocate, September 9, 2013
The first snapshot of how public school teachers fared under Louisiana’s new job reviews has reignited arguments over the value of the revamped evaluations.

MAINE

Core rift confronts Gov. LePage
Morning Sentinel, ME, September 10, 2013
Two key Republican constituencies – the tea party and business – are on opposite sides.

MICHIGAN

Port Huron teachers sue over evaluations
Port Huron Times Herald, September 9, 2013
The Port Huron Education Association is suing the district over its teacher evaluations.

a href=”http://www.detroitnews.com/article/20130910/OPINION01/309100004/1008/OPINION01/State-takeover-hurt-DPS”target=”_blank”>State takeover hurt DPS
Letter, Detroit News, MI, September 10, 2013
Now that the Detroit mayoral primary is over and the inadequately-funded candidates — including me — were soundly defeated by the two lavishly-financed and media-anointed frontrunners, I will offer fresh ideas for the sorely-needed revitalization of Detroit and its traditional public schools.

MISSOURI

With a summer of drama over, Gordon Parks charter school works to secure its future
Kansas City Star, September 9, 2013
As the school started its third full week of the fall term Monday, the state of Missouri announced that it will not appeal a recent court decision, ending any speculation that it might try again to compel the struggling charter school to shut down.

NEW JERSEY

Justice tough on both sides in appeal of Montclair charter bid
New Jersey Spotlight, NJ
September 10, 2013
Some on NJ’s highest court cite state’s decision-making flexibility but others wonder why education officials didn’t back up verdict.

NEW MEXICO

Voters split on teacher evaluation system
Albuquerque Journal, September 10, 2013
Slightly more Albuquerque voters oppose basing half of teacher evaluations on students’ academic performance than support it, according to a new Journal Poll.

NEW YORK

Bloomberg Heads Back to School, for Final Time
Wall Street Journal Blog, DC, September 9, 2013
Monday was the start of school for most of New York City’s more than 1 million schoolchildren, the last in the waning days of the three-term Bloomberg administration. Schools Chancellor Dennis Walcott made his traditional five-borough tour, where he stopped at one school per borough.

City teachers learn how to appeal evaluation
WHAM13, NY, September 9, 2013
The union that represents Rochester teachers put together sessions at which teachers could learn how to appeal the grade associated with new evaluations.

Merit must matter
Editorial, New York Daily News, NY, September 9, 2013
The failure of the public schools to raise the educational levels of black and Hispanic students is shamefully obvious in the small numbers of students from both backgrounds who win places in New York City’s nine specialized high schools.

OHIO

4 charters springs up in Toledo
Toledo Blade, OH, September 10, 2013
This year’s crop of charter schools in Toledo has strong religious connections.

Strongsville schools believe charter-school deduction in state aid is unfair; North Royalton and Brecksville-Broadview Heights don’t feel the pain
Cleveland Plain Dealer, OH, September 10, 2013
State funding to the Strongsville City Schools will decrease by .49 percent this year due to a rising number of students attending charter schools.

OKLAHOMA

Tulsa charter school’s board votes to rescind controversial hairstyle rule
Tulsa World, OK, September 10, 2013
The independent governing board for the Deborah Brown Community School voted 4-0 Monday night to rescind a controversial policy banning dreadlocks, afros and other “faddish styles” of hair.

PENNSYLVANIA

Philly schools open with fewer counselors and many concerns
Philadelphia Daily News, PA, September 10, 2013
PHILADELPHIA schools opened yesterday amid the district’s well-documented fiscal woes and drastically reduced staffing levels.

SOUTH CAROLINA

Anthony, candidate for schools’ chief, would fight vouchers
Spartanburg Herald-Journal, SC, September 9, 2013
Mike Anthony became so popular in Union after successfully coaching three teams to state championships that he says he only invested $800 for a few campaign signs to win his first run for state office.

Charter school’s use of former Schroder Middle building in Hollywood stirs debate, anger among some
Post & Courier, SC, September 9, 2013
The politics and controversy that often come with the charter school territory were distractions. Lowcountry Leadership Charter School organizers took deliberate steps to avoid.

TENNESSEE

Charter, traditional schools both play key role
Opinion, The Tennessean, TN, September 10, 2013
The organization I lead, the United Negro College Fund, the nation’s largest minority education organization, and Metro Nashville Public Schools share a critical mission: We are dedicated to making sure our children get the education they need to compete in the 21st-century economy.

Option: Pay for Charters by Closing Low-Performing Schools at MNPS?
Nashville Scene, TN, September 10, 2013
When Metro Schools board members begin considering “high leverage” parts of the budget to cut so they can afford charter schools, closing underperforming schools will be one of their options, board member Will Pinkston tells the Scene in advance of today’s Budget and Finance Committee meeting.

TN attorney general says charter schools law constitutional
The Tennessean, TN, September 10, 2013
In what’s now a case of dueling legal opinions, Tennessee Attorney General Robert Cooper says the state law that allows charter schools to operate here doesn’t impose financial burdens on local school districts in violation of the state constitution.

TEXAS

State closes Dallas charter school, pending staff background checks
Dallas Morning News, TX, September 10, 2013
A Dallas charter school was ordered closed Monday because of violations that threaten the health and safety of students, state officials said.

VIRGINIA

Teachers’ lobby begins pro-McAuliffe ad push
The Virginian-Pilot, VA, September 10, 2013
More third-party money is flowing into the race for governor courtesy of a new ad push the national teachers’ lobby hopes will earn Democrat Terry McAuliffe some extra credit with voters who have school age children in Virginia.

WASHINGTON

Education board to address charter schools at Yakima session
Yakima Herald-Republic, WA, September 10, 2013
Spokane public schools may become the first district in the state granted authorization to set up charter schools if the state Board of Education approves its proposal Wednesday.

State wants more details on Seattle’s special-ed plan
Seattle Times, WA, September 9, 2013
The state is asking for more details before approving Seattle Public Schools’ plan for fixing its special-education program. Federal money could be delayed if Seattle doesn’t respond swiftly.

WISCONSIN

Choice is positive in teacher evaluations
Opinion, The Northwestern, September 10, 2013
A new state law says school districts must evaluate the effectiveness of teachers and other educators, beginning in the 2014-15 school year. Most districts, however, will conduct pilot runs this year using one of two evaluation models.

Walker’s voucher program undermines education
Op-Ed, Badger Herald, WI, September 10, 2013
The recently signed 2013-2015 budget, which expands Wisconsin’s school voucher program in an attempt to further privatize public education, will not improve the state’s school system. Instead of embracing policies that slowly privatize and weaken education, Walker and the Legislature need to enact policies that preserve and improve our public educational system, like Oregon’s recently enacted plan for a graduate tax.

ONLINE LEARNING

$2 million grant competition promotes blended-learning schools in D.C.
Washington Post, DC, September 9, 2013
A group of local and national organizations on Monday announced a $2 million grant competition meant to spur the creation of District schools that combine online and face-to-face instruction.

Pender County piloting virtual school program
Star News, NC, September 9, 2013
Starting next semester, high schoolers in Pender County will get the best of both worlds: virtual classes with a teacher they can meet in person.

Seneca Valley cyber and performing arts school ads increase site traffic
Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, PA, September 10, 2013
Efforts to market the Seneca Valley Academy of Choice, the school district’s cyber and performing arts school, through television advertisements are paying off.

Sylvania immersing in laptop-based learning
Toledo Blade, OH, September 9, 2013
Using pen and paper in Sylvania school rooms may soon be a thing of the past as the administration begins a laptop based Digital Learning Initiative.

Filed Under: Daily Headlines

Are Expulsions Really Driving Charter Success?

September 9, 2013 By The Center for Education Reform

According to some public education advocates, charter school administrators target troublesome, learning-disabled, or otherwise low-performing students and suspend or expel them disproportionately in order to improve their school’s aggregate test scores. These fretful advocates mean well, but a new analysis from CER’s research team shows that they are ultimately misguided. When it occurs, this effect is often unintentional and simply the result of low performance and other factors being correlated, but some critics take a more cynical stance and see active manipulation. If manipulation of disciplinary systems were found to be a major reason for increased charter school performance, this would conveniently undermine the legitimacy of the operational freedom that charter schools enjoy on matters such as discipline.

A recent Washington Post article examined charter school expulsions in the District of Columbia. DC Public Schools adopted a uniform discipline policy in 2009 that permits expulsion only for severe violations, such as bringing a gun or drugs to school or assaulting students or staff, but charter schools may set their own policies. Of the approximately 76,700 students enrolled in DC Public Schools in 2011, about 29,300 attended charter schools. Despite only enrolling 38% of DC students, charter schools expelled 676 students between 2009-2011, compared to 24 expulsions in public schools. This gross discrepancy seems damning at first glance, but it is possible that DC charter schools both discipline more students and earn higher test scores independent of this fact. The Post article uses a blunt cross-sectional comparison that does not allow us to test this hypothesis. However, we can use student achievement data to see whether the test score advantage that DC charter schools have over traditional public schools (TPS) is larger than the possible gain that could come from disciplining only poor-performing students.

CER Research Associate Kai Filipczak performed a sensitivity analysis of charter school proficiency rates in DC using test score data from 2009 – 2011. Instead of comparing raw numbers of disciplined students (which ultimately says nothing about student learning), this technique uses disciplinary data to artificially lower the number of proficient students at a charter school. The analysis estimates charter school performance very conservatively, and allows us to make a meaningful comparison between TPS and charters in what is effectively the “worst case scenario” for charter schools. (For more details, see the full write-up in the Georgetown Public Policy Review.) Charter schools retained their advantage over public schools in every year and subject where charter school performance was initially greater than TPS performance. Even after artificially lowering the proficiency rate to account for disciplined students, DC charter schools are still 2.47 percentile points more proficient in math and 2.65 points more proficient in reading on average. Furthermore, the actual change in proficiency rates as a result of making stringent disciplinary assumptions was small in absolute terms: at most, the charter school proficiency rate changed by about 2.4 percentile points. While some individual schools expelled many students (for example, one school expelled 68 students in a single year), 37% of charter schools went an entire school year without expelling any students.

Charter schools discipline their students in different ways, and so it is grossly unfair to assume that most charter schools have pronounced issues with discipline. It is more reasonable to conclude that a handful of charter schools have questionable practices that deserve further scrutiny, but that the performance of DC’s charter schools as a whole cannot be simply due to disciplinary policies. Selection bias is still a pertinent issue for comparing the effectiveness of TPS and charter schools, but there is little evidence that DC’s charter schools expel students or put them on long-term suspension in order to improve proficiency.

Chicago Public Schools recently revised its discipline code to lessen the use of “punitive” disciplinary policies like automatic suspension and expulsion. Schools operated by the Noble Street Charter Network have been heavily criticized by Chicago activists for high rates of expulsions, as well as for unusual discipline practices, such as fining students for infractions. Charter schools in other districts may indeed be expelling a disproportionately large number of students, but these results should encourage critics of charter schools to be open to the possibility that these schools may also have high performance independent of this fact. Further research is necessary to examine discipline and proficiency in other districts and policy environments, and Chicago Public Schools would be an excellent subject.

In the meantime, it is reckless and unfair to insist that charter schools typically increase achievement through manipulation of discipline policies. The aim of education is to impart knowledge and a variety of skills, and honest reformers should not be wedded to geographically-assigned public schools and their traditions as a means of delivering this content. Is it really so hard to believe that alternatives to traditional public education can achieve stellar results without gaming the system?

Filed Under: Commentary

Education report lauds Delaware Gov. Jack Markell as ‘pro-reform’: Governor’s office disputes charters assessment

September 9, 2013 By

by Matthew Albright
The News Journal
September 8, 2013

While many consider Jack Markell an “education reform” governor, a recent national report gives Delaware a squarely average ranking on reform efforts – and Markell’s office is backing away from embracing the label.

Some of Markell’s policies fit the “reformer mold,” like supporting more resources for charter schools and an emphasis on tying teacher accountability to student test scores.

And Markell prides himself as helping Delaware become the first state, along with Tennessee, to win money from the federal Race to the Top program, which gave the state $19 million to spend on, among other things, new teacher evaluations and implementing the Common Core State Standards.

But according to a report from the Center for Education Reform, “the first state is in the middle of the pack when it comes to parent power. There’s hope though that we’ll see some movement with a more reform-minded executive in the Governor’s mansion.”

Markell, who took office in 2009, does not appear to be chomping at the bit to make all the changes reformers like the report’s authors would like to see.

“The Governor isn’t interested in labels or rankings,” spokesman Cathy Rossi said in an email. “He is focused on strengthening Delaware schools and recognizes that different schools are best for different students.”

Delaware ranked 23rd on the Center’s Parent Power Index, which the group said is designed to measure how much “access to quality educational options” parents have.

The Center is an influential nonprofit in the national education reform movement. It is a strong supporter of charter schools and other parent choice options, like private schoolvouchers.

The group received more than $800,000 in donations last year from the Walton Family Foundation, a group named for the founder of Wal-Mart that supports charter and school choice options, according to the Walton Foundation’s website.

The Center and the movement it supports is controversial among some educators and activists who argue its policies don’t reform but instead put unfair pressure on teachers and sap money, talent and other resources from traditional public schools.

Delaware is lauded for giving parents school choice between public schools and the Cemter says the state has an “average” charter school law. It also says the state gives parents good information in making decisions, though it argues there are too few options.

This puts Delaware way behind “reform” paragons like Indiana, Florida and Ohio, which took the top spots.

The report offers Delaware a to-do list if it wants to follow those states’ lead:

• Create a voucher system that gives public money to parents who want to send their kids to private schools.

• Create an independent charter school authorizer outside of the Department of Education.

• Make it easier for more charter schools to open in the state.

• Allow state capital money to pay for charter school constructionand renovations.

• Place more emphasis on students’ test scores in decisions on teacher pay and layoffs.

The report specifically labels Markell a “pro-reform” governor. Kara Kerwin, a CER spokeswoman, said that hasn’t always been the case.

“In previous analyses, the governor didn’t really come out strong on school choice,” Kerwin said. “But recently, we’re starting to see him emerge as pro-reform. His administration obviously wants to address some of the deficiencies in the charter school law and teacher quality laws, and we’re hopeful that trend will continue.”

Markell’s office said the governor isn’t tied to the same agenda as CER, though he may happen to support a few of the same policies.

Rossi said, for example, that Markell would not support a private school voucher system.

“He does not believe it’s responsible to divert resources away from the public school system to support private schools, through vouchers or other means,” she said.

Rossi said Markell is instead focused on higher standards in classrooms, better teacher preparation and more quality early learning.

Rossi said Markell’s office “doubt[ed] the validity” of CER’s rankings, pointing out that several low-ranked states outperformed higher-ranked states on standardized tests. She also said the report did not appear to account for changes Markell helped push through during the most recent legislative session, especially those that overhauled Delaware’s charter school law.

While Markell’s administration may not count itself among the ranks of school reform advocates, some critics say it is all but marching in lockstep with them.

“Absolutely he is part of it,” said state Rep. John Kowalko, a frequent critic of Markell’s education policies. “I can see why the governor would want to avoid that label, but he and his Department of Education have certainly shown they are willing to employ those concepts.”

Kowalko pointed to programs the administration has pushed or supported that he said are “right out of the purportedly reform playbook,” like tying teacher evaluations to test scores and giving more resources and flexibility to charters.

Kowalko especially points to HB 165, a Markell-backed bill he strongly opposed that passed in the most recent legislative session. In addition to revamping the rules for how charters are created and approved, that bill created a Charter School Performance Fund that could dole out up to $5 million a year to charters that are rated high-performing or serve low-income students.

“The governor can say he doesn’t support vouchers. But if you’re taking public money and allowing it to be resourced into charter schools, to me that’s as close to vouchers and privatization as you can get,” Kowalko said.

Supporters of HB 165 maintained that charter schools are public schools and said traditional schools weren’t harmed by the bill.

Paul Herdman is CEO of the Rodel Foundation of Delaware, a nonprofit that works closely with state officials. He said he thought Markell was right not to focus on things like private school vouchers.

“Those are very different issues,” Herdman said. “From our perspective, we think we need to work within the public school system to make it work. The author of this report has a particular point of view, and there are some things in there that are helpful. But we believe [Markell] is doing the right things.”

Herdman pointed to the state’s push to implement the Common Core State Standards and investments in pre-K and early learning programs as evidence of smart policies Markell has spearheaded.

Kendall Massett, director of the Delaware Charter Schools Network, said her group is pleased with the state’s efforts so far.

“Progress was made toward more equitable funding for charter schools in the recent update of our charter school law,” she said in a statement. “However, we still have a way to go for true equity.”

The charter school law allowed charters access to minor capital funding, but charters still can’t get access to state money for major renovations or building projects.

Rather than creating an independent authorizer, Massett said she’d like to see more individual school districts approving charters. Currently, all but a handful are approved by the state.

Filed Under: CER in the News

Louisiana ranked 4th among states for school choice efforts

September 9, 2013 By

by Town Talk staff
thetowntalk.com
September 8, 2013

Louisiana ranks fourth nationwide in a survey of efforts to give parents and guardians the power to choose the best education for their children, according to the latest rankings from the Center for Education Reform.

The center’s Parent Power Rankings reflect education opportunities with traditional public schools, charter schools, homeschooling, virtual schools and voucher schools.

Indiana was ranked highest in the survey, with a score of 87 percent. It was followed by Florida (2nd, 84 percent), Ohio (3rd, 82 percent), Louisiana (4th, 81 percent) and Arizona (5th, 80 percent).

“Like a phoenix up from the ashes, the Bayou State has adopted parent empowerment measures of national significance in the last seven years that have helped reverse decades of decline,” the center said of the results for Louisiana. “Thousands of children once stuck in failing schools now have access to the private schools of their choice, and a robust charter law serves students in need. In addition, more digital learning opportunities are available across the state, a dramatic change in teacher tenure and accountability for all schools has been enacted, and parents have ready access to information, driving a high Parent Power Index where once no measurable parent power existed.”

Other comments about Louisiana:

-On charter schools: “Louisiana has an above-average charter school law that has improved slowly since a robust charter movement began in New Orleans after Hurricane Katrina. Outside of the Recovery District, however, traditional school districts neither encourage nor promote the creation of charter schools. Having an independent authorizer would help encourage charter growth.”

-On online learning: Louisiana’s Virtual School dates back to 2000, but in the 2013 – 2014 school year the program transitioned to the Course Choice system. While still limited, the Course Choice program allows up to 3,500 students to participate in some form of digital learning. The program allows for multiple providers but with enrollment capped, access to digital learning is not as widespread as it should be.”

-On teacher quality: “Objective evidence of student learning and subjective teacher evaluations are weighted equally, and make up 50 percent of their annual evaluations. Louisiana teachers receive feedback about their evaluations and their professional development is aligned with evaluation findings. Tenure can be lost after one ineffective rating and is only received if a teacher has five of six highly effective ratings. Teachers who receive unsatisfactory evaluations are required to go on improvement plans and are eligible for dismissal if they do not improve. Louisiana has one of the most comprehensive performance pay policies in the country, requiring all human resources decisions to be based on a combination of performance, demand and experience.”

-On transparency: “Very parent-friendly data is provided by the state Department of Education. Parents can access a letter grade for their school along with a comprehensive report card. Parents can customize and download reports for every school in the state or compare just a few. Links to both charter school information and applications for the state’s voucher program are provided on the homepage. For the 68 local school boards, elections are held every four years in October.”

Filed Under: CER in the News

Daily Headlines for September 9, 2013

September 9, 2013 By The Center for Education Reform

NATIONAL COVERAGE

Education report lauds Delaware Gov. Jack Markell as ‘pro=reform’
Delaware News Journal, September 8, 2013
While many consider Jack Markell an “education reform” governor, a recent national report gives Delaware a squarely average ranking on reform efforts – and Markell’s office is backing away from embracing the label.

I’m Homeschooled-Hold the Pity, Please
Opinion, Wall Street Journal, September 9, 2013
‘You’re home-schooled? That’s bad, right?” Another teenager started off a conversation with me that way recently. We’re both actresses, and we were waiting for a theater rehearsal to begin.

Louisiana ranked 44th among states for school choice efforts
Alexandria Town Talk, September 8, 2013
Louisiana ranks fourth nationwide in a survey of efforts to give parents and guardians the power to choose the best education for their children, according to the latest rankings from the Center for Education Reform.

More parents opting kids out of standardized tests
Associated Press, September 8, 2013
While his eighth-grade classmates took state standardized tests this spring, Tucker Richardson woke up late and played basketball in his Delaware Township driveway.

The Rising Costs of a ‘Free’ Public Education
Wall Street Journal, September 8, 2013
The kids are back in school. And you’ve probably shelled out for pencil cases, notebooks, a new backpack—and AP French.

STATE COVERAGE

CALIFORNIA

Charter funding law pays millions to tiny NOrther San Joaquin Valley school
Merced Sun-Star, September 9, 2013
The priciest school in California sits far from swank ZIP codes in Malibu or Marin County. It lies a stone’s throw from the orchards and fields of the Northern San Joaquin Valley. It’s a tiny district that saw opportunity in a charter school funding law and seized the day. But that funding heyday may have passed.

Deasy pulls support for speedup of standardized testing overhaul
Los Angeles Times, September 9, 2013
L.A. Unified Supt. John Deasy changes his mind about a plan to accelerate the changeover in standardized testing over financial issues.

LAUSD revives effort to reopen four blighted West Valley schools
Los Angeles Daily News, September 8, 2013
Under pressure to provide classroom space to popular charter schools, Los Angeles Unified plans to seek proposals to redevelop and lease four long-closed campuses in the Woodland Hills area that could cost up to $80 million to restore.

‘Trial run’ for Common Core
Editorial, Los Angeles Times, September 8, 2013
A complicated bill in the Legislature on standardized testing has some ideas that are bold and forward-looking and some that aren’t.

Veto another push to obstruct charter schools
Editorial, Press-Enterprise, September 6, 2013
California should not complicate the formation of charter schools just to please a special interest. The governor should veto a bill that would require proposed charter schools to gain approval from school support staff before the schools can launch. The bill is not about improving education, but boosting union power.

DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA

How one great teacher was wronged by flawed evaluation system
Washington Post Blog, September 8, 2013
In this new post, Burris tells the story of a New York state teacher who was just unfairly smacked by the state’s flawed new teacher and principal evaluation system, known as APPR, which in part uses student standardized test scores to evaluate educators. The method isn’t reliable or valid, as Burris shows here.

FLORIDA

Pinellas plan to pay starting teacher $40,000 might start bidding war
Tampa Bay Times, September 7, 2013
The Pinellas County school system reached an agreement with the teachers union this week to increase starting teacher pay to $40,000 a year, vaulting the district to the top of the Tampa Bay region and outpacing the national average.

Stakes are high as dozens of new charter schools seek approval
Orlando Sentinel, September 8, 2013
With millions of dollars of taxpayer money at stake, Central Florida school boards will be considering the fates of three dozen charter-school applications during the next few weeks.

GEORGIA

Hotel teaches Georgia educators about hospitality
Associated Press, September 8, 2013
The Ritz-Carlton Hotel Co. uses the “wall of applause” to show appreciation – a central message during a recent training session with Georgia education officials working on a broad initiative to create family-friendly schools.

INDIANA

Abandonment of public schools isn’t working
Commentary, NW Times, September 8, 2013
Recent revelations concerning former Indiana Superintendent of Public Instruction Tony Bennett instructing his associates to raise the letter grade for Christel House Charter School (as well as several other charter schools) reveals a desperate act to prove success for an inherently flawed concept of school reform.

Don’t scrap school ratings, fix them
Editorial, Evansville Courier & Press, September 7, 2013
If it hasn’t already been decided unofficially among Indiana government and education officials, it is probably time for Indiana to completely drop its A-F system for grading individual Indiana schools and start over completely. It just depends on which new version, if any, state leadership decides on.

IOWA

New laws relax oversight of Iowa’s homeschoolers
Quad City Times, September 8, 2013
For homeschool advocates, rollbacks on homeschool regulation in Gov. Terry Branstad’s 2013 education reform bill were a resounding victory that made Iowa a model for the nation.

LOUISIANA

Recovery School District flags nine charters in first months of new oversight plan
Times-Picayune, September 7, 2013
The Recovery School District reprimanded nine New Orleans charter schools in the first four months of a accountability system that aims to tighten oversight of 59 largely independent campuses, according to public records.

RSD eyes charters for BR schools
The Advocate, September 8, 2013
Several national groups were recently approved to move into north Baton Rouge and start charter schools over the next few years, but the Louisiana Department of Education has yet to make a critical decision, picking which ones will land space in the seven schools the state operates there.

Why do Democrats want to block Louisiana’s school improvements?
Opinion, Alexandria Town Talk, September 8, 2013
Before Attorney General Eric Holder and the Justice Department move forward with a lawsuit to block vouchers for thousands of low-income students trapped in failing Louisiana public schools, he ought to speak to parents whose children benefit from the statewide voucher measured called the Louisiana Scholarship Program.

MISSISSIPPI

Miss. to consider takeovers of 3 school districts
Clarion Ledger, September 8, 2013
State officials will consider taking control of the Claiborne County, LeFlore County and Yazoo City school districts on Tuesday.

MISSOURI

St. Louis mayor pushes charter schools
Daily Journal, September 8, 2013
St. Louis Mayor Francis Slay is seeing pockets of success at both the charter schools he aggressively promotes and city schools that sometimes compete with the rival charters for students and resources.

NEW JERSEY

Controversial charter proposal heads to state’s highest court today
New Jersey Spotlight
September 9, 2013
Organizers of plan for school in Montclair, rejected six times, claim rules are stacked against them.

NEW YORK

Experts in education field offer advice for the city’s next mayor
New York Daily News, September 9, 2013
After a dozen years of school reform under Mayor Bloomberg, the future direction of city public schools hangs in the balance.

Wanted: An education reformer
Opinion, New York Daily News, September 9, 2013
The Democrats running for mayor have been virtually silent on how they will create more quality school options for parents

NORTH CAROLINA

Wake sees more charter schools opening
News & Observer, September 8, 2013
Lunch is in the classroom instead of a cafeteria, and students rely on public transportation rather than school buses to get to Longleaf School of the Arts in downtown Raleigh. But you won’t hear students complain.

OHIO

Columbus’ mayor says city’s schools needed vital intervention
Columbus Dispatch, September 8, 2013
Coleman says fixing city’s schools is the most important task he’s faced in his long tenure in office.

Failing charter schools often close, reopen with little change
Akron Beacon Journal, September 7, 2013
When Romig Road Community School in West Akron received its state report card a little more than a year ago, the news wasn’t good: Under Ohio law, it had crossed the line of no return.

School districts not always willing to meet tea party supporters
Columbus Dispatch, September 9, 2013
When a local tea party group invited the Worthington school district to discuss new national education standards, which the district backs but the conservative group doesn’t, the superintendent knew the meeting could be volatile.

PENNSYLVANIA

For-profit charters not proper schools
Letter, Philadelphia Inquirer, September 9, 2013
HOW INTERESTING to read about operators of charter schools that claim that their finances are “trade secrets” and that they are “not a school.”And there is the real problem with for-profit and many charter schools – they are not schools at all. Rather they are money-making operations that happen to have figured out how to fuel their business with our children’s futures and taxpayer money.

Schools open amid angst
Editorial, Philadelphia Inquirer, September 8, 2013
Fear and loathing shouldn’t describe parents’ feelings as the first day of school approaches. But in urban districts facing fiscal and staffing issues, they can’t help it.

Schools set to open with bigger classes, smaller staff
Philadelphia Inquirer, September 9, 2013
After a summer of angst and uncertainty, the Philadelphia School District is opening 212 schools Monday. It promises to be a first day like no other.

VIRGINIA

Charter school charts new territory in Hampton Roads
The Virginian-Pilot, September 7, 2013
Four girls clutching their first high school schedules plunked down at a library table Tuesday morning, the first day of school.

WASHINGTON

Seattle Schools contract helps build quality teaching corps
Editorial, Seattle Times, September 7, 2013
Seattle Schools fought successfully to keep a highly respected teacher-principal evaluation system that includes student test scores.

WISCONSIN

Sen. Jennifer Shilling: Reforms needed to hold voucher schools accountable
Opinion, September 8, 2013
Across Wisconsin, over 870,000 students recently began a new school year. Like most of these children, my two young boys are excited to get back into their classrooms, discover new inspirations, and learn new skills.

Voucher accountability bill on right track
Editorial, Appleton Post-Crescent, September 8, 2013
As he promised during the state budget process, Sen. Luther Olsen, R-Ripon, has come up with a plan to provide for better accountability for voucher schools.

ONLINE LEARNING

Cyber schools are the best option for many
Letter, Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, September 7, 2013
As a 2009 graduate of Commonwealth Connections Academy — a cyber school in Pennsylvania — I have been very worried about some recent developments that seem to treat students who choose cyber education as second-class citizens (“Virtual Indictment: How Pa. Regulates Charter Schools Is on Trial, Too,” Aug. 27).

Eagle County online learning program expanding
Eagle Valley Enterprise, September 8, 2013
When Tellez received her diploma, she became the first World Academy graduate, the local school district’s online school. She earned a scholarship and is headed toward a brighter future.

Logging On to Learn: Virtual school participation up, academic achievement not
Magic Valley Times-News, September 8, 2013
Nationwide, the online student population quintupled from 50,000 to 250,000 between 2001 and 2011, says a 2012 study by the Center for Public Education.

New Mexico Virtual Academy adds 12th grade
The Daily Times, September 8, 2013
The New Mexico Virtual Academy has kicked off its second year with the addition of another grade.

Online class means more responsibility for student
Editorial, Daily News Journal, September 8, 2013
Continuing problems with state test scores for the Tennessee Virtual Academy, an online school operated by a private company, and recent launching of the Western Governor University in Tennessee require some attention to the appropriate role of online classes in education at all levels.

South Eastern looks to tout its in-house cyber school
York Dispatch, September 7, 2013
The South Eastern school board wants to explore better ways to promote its in-house cyber education program.

Filed Under: Daily Headlines

Education Leaders to Showcase Talents At National Education Celebration

September 9, 2013 By

Bob Bowdon, Derrell Bradford, Kenneth Campbell, Paul Powell, & Joe Williams to perform at The Center for Education Reform’s 20^th Anniversary Gala

CER Press Release
Washington, DC
September 9, 2013

The Center for Education Reform (CER) knows how to analyze and influence issues, and the group also knows how to throw a party. So it’s only natural that when CER, the organization dedicated to lasting, substantive and structural change turns 20 this fall, it will provide both substance and style at an anniversary conference and gala on Wednesday, October 9 in Washington, DC.

And to keep the celebration going well into the night, for the second consecutive gala CER will feature a home-grown musical group, “The Reformers.” Made up of successful education reform leaders by day and outstanding musical talents by night, “The Reformers” (a big hit at the CER’s 2011 gala debut) will place an exclamation mark on the event.

“CER at 20” will consist of a daytime conference featuring 25+ of the nation’s leading education reform pioneers and an evening gala where the group will honor–with EdReformies Awards – five individuals and one family foundation who have been the “classics” of the movement.

The members of The Reformers include:

• Bob Bowdon, Director, “The Cartel” and Founder, Choice Media;
• Derrell Bradford, Executive Director, Better Education for Kids, Inc. (B4K);
• Kenneth Campbell, President, Black Alliance for Educational Options (BAEO);
• Paul Powell, founder of True North Troy Prep, Uncommon Schools; and
• Joe Williams, Executive Director, Democrats for Education Reform (DFER).

With a special guest appearance featuring Michael Horn, co-founder of the Clayton Christensen Institute for Disruptive Innovation.

The announcement of the return of the musical group “The Reformers” was made by Jeanne Allen, founder and president, CER, who is stepping aside from her current role on October 31 but who will forever be stepping up in the education reform movement. Allen will remain a CER Board member and serve as a senior fellow of the organization when Kara Kerwin, currently vice president, external affairs, CER, becomes president, CER, on November 1.

“Twenty years ago, when I set out to create the Center for Education Reform, my goal was to imbue it with a dedication to advocacy, but also with a spirit of camaraderie,” said Allen. “When ‘The Reformers’ took form leading into our 2011 gala it was a completely organic process that came about because the members of our movement love to work hard and to play hard. Obviously, they still do because ‘The Reformers’ are back for our Ratpack-themed gala, and I’m thrilled!”

Current sponsors of CER at 20 include Charter Schools USA, K12, Inc., Connections Education, GSV Advisors, Educational Ventures, Inc., Friendship Public Charter Schools, National Heritage Academies, Imagine Schools, The Klinsky Family Charitable Fund, National Charter School Institute, and the Michael R. and Ellen C. Sandler Family Foundation, Information on sponsoring or attending the CER 20th Anniversary Conference and Gala is available at events@reform.com. Registration is available online at www.edreform.com/20th-anniversary/tickets/

Filed Under: Press Releases

Daily Headlines for September 6, 2013

September 6, 2013 By The Center for Education Reform

NATIONAL COVERAGE

How to Stop the Drop in American Education
Opinion, Wall Street Journal, September 6, 2013
With headlines announcing unemployment rates above 8% in some parts of the country, many people I talk to are surprised to learn that jobs by the hundreds of thousands remain vacant.

Parents who home-school question Common Core’s reach
FOX News, September 5, 2013
It is up to each state whether home-schooled children must take standardized tests in grades three through eight, and once in high school. But all college-bound home-schooled students take the SAT, which is now being aligned with the new standards.

States seek delay in Justice Department school vouchers desegregation suit
Times-Picayune, September 5, 2013
Lawyers for the state of Louisiana have asked a judge to delay the filing deadline at least until Nov. 15 in the U.S. Department of Justice’s education civil rights lawsuit.

STATE COVERAGE

CALIFORNIA

Bill would overhaul testing in California schools
Daily Breeze, September 5, 2013
Signaling their intention to “go all in” with a national curriculum, California’s education leaders outlined plans Thursday to immediately suspend most standardized assessments and replace them with a trial run of online tests tied to the more rigorous academic standards.

CONNECTICUT

When charter and districts collaborate, parents and kids win
Opinion, The Connecticut Mirror, September 5, 2013
Hartford is a national example of the success that is possible when school districts and public charter schools collaborate — and parents and students benefit most.

FLORIDA

Orange effort: Persuade dropouts to drop in again
Orlando Sentinel, September 5, 2013
Teams of educators will fan out across Orange County on Saturday to visit former students who have dropped out of school. The goal: to persuade them to drop in again.

PB traditional public schools show decline in enrollment while charters climb
Sun Sentinel, September 5, 2013
There may be more students attending Palm Beach County’s public schools this year but more of them are turning to charter schools instead.

Pinellas investigating complaints about new charter school
Tampa Bay Times, September 5, 2013
Pinellas County school officials are investigating parents’ claims that a new St. Petersburg charter school is kicking out students with behavior issues.

GEORGIA

City school system faces public confusion over charter status
Times-Georgian, September 5, 2013
As the Carrollton City School System moves closer to becoming a charter school system, it faces a lot of public questioning on why it’s seeking charter status now when the Board of Education spoke out last November against the charter school amendment vote.

Dougherty School Board, charter school proponents draw line in sand
Albany Herald, September 5, 2013
With days remaining before a Monday meeting with the State Charter School Commission (SCSC), the Dougherty County School System and officials of the River School For Children STEM Academy (RSCSA) are not budging from their respective positions in regard to the proposed charter school.

Marietta schools eye merit pay plan
Marietta Journal, September 6, 2013
Teachers in Marietta City Schools could be earning their paychecks based on student achievement and performance, not the years of experience or the number of degrees they have.

IDAHO

Market public schools
Editorial, Idaho Mountain Express and Guide, September 6, 2013
Everyone knows about schools. Nationally, everyone knows that public schools in big cities are bad, marked only by low test scores, dilapidated buildings and armed guards. Everyone knows that private schools, charter schools, even home schools, are better, that test scores are higher, resources are more plentiful, and campuses are safer.

ILLINOIS

State’s new exams will put grade school students to the test
Chicago Tribune, September 6, 2013
More rigorous reading and math standards pose a challenge throughout Illinois

LOUISIANA

School board considering new school for Youngsville
The Advertiser, September 5, 2013
The Lafayette Parish School Board is floating the idea of building a new school in Youngsville to address overcrowding there.

School counselors’ evaluations more subjective that teachers’, Superintendent John White saya
Times-Picayune, September 5, 2013
Although Louisiana’s new tool for evaluating public school teachers is useful and discerning, Education Superintendent John White said Thursday it is less precise in grading school counselors. There, he said, it needs work.

MASSACHUSETTS

Family Income not a factor as students eat free
Associated Press, September 6, 2013
Some students toted lunchboxes to the first day of school in Boston this week, but district administrators are expecting that could become a more unusual sight as parents learn about a federal program that is now providing all public school students in the city with free breakfast and lunch.

State flunks charter school test
Op-Ed, Boston Herald, September 6, 2013
But something is upside down when our legislators won’t find the time to debate and pass a law that would ensure that families in 29 troubled urban school districts can send their kids to good schools.

MISSOURI

Nurturing success in a city of academic struggle
St. Louis-Dispatch, September 6, 2013
Mayor Francis Slay cut the ribbon on another charter school last week, expressing his confidence that the school will succeed in a city in which three out of four public schools aren’t making the grade.

NEW HAMPSHIRE

Scrap N.H.’s school vouchers
Opinion, New Hampshire Business Review, September 5, 2013
How is it that New Hampshire’s voucher tax credit program can find only 15 public school students who want vouchers, and is giving them $164,000 – $11,000 apiece – to leave their public schools and go to private schools.

NEW JERSEY

NJ teacher raises keep shrinking
The Record, September 6, 2013
As New Jersey teachers head back to class this month, they face pay raises that have gotten smaller on average for the sixth year in a row.

NEW YORK

DOE plans 11th-hour school co-locations
Queens Chronicle, September 5, 2013
With only a few months left in Mayor Bloomberg’s term, the city Department of Education is seeking to approve at least three more co-locations and extend one in borough schools at the end of October.

New York City’s Public Education Challenges
Debate, September 6, 2013
The next mayor of New York City faces some tough challenges particularly when it comes to setting public education priorities. Should he or she abandon Mayor Michael Bloomberg’s fixation on testing and data-driven accountability, or expand school choice and close failing classrooms to give more options to families, especially English-language learners and those in low-income communities?

Shaping classrooms, not the students within
Letters, New York Post, September 6, 2013
If Moskowitz is sincere that her charter schools are about students first, rather than cash and profits, why does she take a salary approaching that of the president of the United States?

NORTH CAROLINA

NC approves 26 new charter schools
News & Observer, September 5, 2013
The State Board of Education gave preliminary approval Thursday for 26 new charter schools to open in 2014.

Old school new again in East Durham
The Durham News, September 5, 2013
The Maureen Joy Charter School opened its new building on Driver Street just two weeks ago, but people who live around it say it already means a lot to them.

OHIO

Fate of Ohio’s charter school rules still uncertain
Zanesville Times Recorder, September 5, 2013
Charter school critics and supporters alike agree the tough new Ohio report cards are a step in the right direction to raise the bar on charter school quality in the state.

State aid could fall for nearly 200 school districts under new budget, once money for charter schools is deducted
Cleveland Plain Dealer, September 5, 2013
More than a quarter of Ohio school districts will likely receive less money from the state this school year than they did last school year, according to calculations by The Plain Dealer and new estimates from the legislature’s research arm.

TENNESSEE

Budget limits number of charters
Opinion, The Tennessean, September 6, 2013
What happens next is unclear, but the debate isn’t about the merits of charter schools. It’s about funding adequacy and equity for all schools.

Metro Nashville paid a foreign company to study our schools. So why did its reports get an icy reception?
Nashville Scene, September 5, 2013
During the day, Metro Schools’ headquarters on Bransford Avenue bustles with traffic as hundreds of district employees file into work, from bean counters to executive principals, secretaries to chief officers in three-piece suits.

WISCONSIN

Milwaukee stonewalling sales of unused schools to choice schools, law firm says
Wisconsin Reporter, September 5, 2013
A complete failure. That’s how the Wisconsin Institute for Law & Liberty rates city of Milwaukee’s policy of giving Milwaukee Public Schools the authority to sell or lease the district’s unused school buildings.

School accountability bill has little support
Sheboygan Press, September 5, 2013
A plan to kick poor-performing schools out of the state’s taxpayer-subsidized voucher program is generating little support in the Legislature so far, but its Republican co-sponsor who introduced the bill Thursday said he was confident it would pass later this year.

ONLINE LEARNING

Big gift lets Adams 12 replace textbooks with interactive Techbooks
Denver Post, September 6, 2013
Sixth-graders in Lisa Meier’s science and engineering class on Thursday used laptop computers to look up words in an interactive glossary — an easy way to start exploring their new digital textbooks.

Seven groups want to open Maine charter schools
Portland Press Herald, September 6, 2013
They submit letters of intent – five for schools with a special focus, and two providing ‘virtual’ learning.

Filed Under: Daily Headlines

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