Daily Headlines for August 16, 2012
The Moral Importance of Common Core Standards
Dropout Nation, August 15, 2012
As your editor, one of my jobs is to blow off the rhetorical fog and reveal what is actually on solid ground. And there is no current issue in the battle over reforming American public education so much in need of fog-clearing than the debate over enacting and implementing Common Core standards in reading, math, and science.
BURG: Paul Ryan Is All About Choice
Washington Times, DC, August 15, 2012
With Rep. Paul Ryan joining Mitt Romney on the Republican presidential ticket, the issue of school choice may gain some much-needed traction. From both a faith and a political perspective, parental choice in education is a key issue for both men.
Coalition Aims to Link School Group and Romney
New York Times, NY, August 16, 2012
Hoping that New Yorkers will think of “Romney” as a dirty word, a coalition of labor unions and liberal advocacy groups is beginning a campaign on Thursday to tie the presumptive Republican presidential nominee to defenders of Mayor Michael R. Bloomberg’s education policies.
Teach for America Alumni at the Head of the Class
Reuters, August 16, 2012
From the start, Teach for America founder Wendy Kopp predicted that joining TFA would be life-changing for her recruits. They might not stay in the classroom after their two-year commitment, but she was certain many would devote their lives to education. She was right.
FROM THE STATES
ALASKA
Wait Lists Are Long For Popular Anchorage Alternative Schools
Anchorage Daily News, AK, August 15, 2012
At some schools in the Anchorage School District, demand for enrollment spots outstrips supply — by a lot.
CALIFORNIA
LAUSD, Teachers Union Spar Over Voluntary Evaluation System
Los Angeles Times, CA, August 15, 2012
The district hopes to train all administrators and at least one teacher at each school in the program that includes student test scores. Union chief urges instructors not to take part.
Teacher Evaluation Changes Threatened By California Bill
Los Angeles Times, CA, August 16, 2012
The legislation would require districts to negotiate the evaluation process, including the use of test scores, with unions.
DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA
Charter School Known for Rigor Comes to D.C.
Washington Post, DC, August 15, 2012
Most school leaders say they strive to reach high standards. A public charter school has arrived in the District with a distinctive brand of academic rigor.
FLORIDA
Charters, Vouchers Aren’t Solutions
Florida Times-Union, FL, August 16, 2012
A vast majority of the education priorities of the state over the last several years do not address policies aimed at improving traditional public schools.
DeLand Charter School’s Appeal Goes Before Judge
Daytona Beach News-Journal, FL, August 16, 2012
Renee Scalisi isn’t terribly worried about the second F that Boston Avenue Charter School got on its state report card this summer or a hearing that begins today on a move to close the DeLand school.
GEORGIA
Tax Credit Scholarships Reignite Voucher Debate
GPB, GA, August 15, 2012
In Georgia, among those returning when school resumes this month are several thousand students who attend private religious academies on scholarships paid for by taxpayers. Georgia is one of several states that allow businesses and individuals to receive tax credits for contributions to scholarship programs for kids, kindergarten through 12th grade.
Officials Respond To Barge’s Charter School Comments
Cherokee Tribune, GA, August 15, 2012
After State School Superintendent Dr. John Barge announced his opposition to the proposed constitutional amendment on charter schools, several Cherokee County Board of Education members and the county schools superintendent are showing their support for Barge’s stance.
State School Chief’s Stance Could Impact Charter School Amendment
Public Broadcasting Atlanta, GA, August 15, 2012
Earlier this week, State School Superintendent John Barge came out against a proposed constitutional amendment for charter schools. If approved, the amendment would allow for the creation of a state body to approve charter schools over the objection of local school districts. WABE spoke with supporters, opponents and political analysts to see whether Barge’s announcement will impact the November ballot question.
The Distinction Barge Makes Is Not A Trivial One
Columbus Ledger-Enquirer, GA, August 15, 2012
Georgia’s superintendent of education is no doubt getting a boost of support from public school educators, administrators and school boards today. Whether he can hang on to enough support from fellow Republicans in Georgia government to keep his job is another matter.
IDAHO
State Offers Charter School Workshop
Magic Valley Times-News, ID, August 16, 2012
The Idaho State Department of Education is hosting a workshop about what it takes to start a public charter school.
INDIANA
FWCS A Choice District Offering Options For Families
Fort Wayne News-Sentinel, IN, August 16, 2012
Fort Wayne Community Schools could see nearly 32,000 students walk through the doors of its schools Monday, the first day back for the district.
KANSAS
Wichita Business, Educators Could Learn From OKC Academy
Wichita Eagle, KS, August 16, 2012
I recently visited one of the most outstanding high schools in our area and it left a profound impression on me.
LOUISIANA
Two Groups Interested In Forming New Schools
The Advertiser, LA, August 16, 2012
Two organizations have applied to the Louisiana Department of Education to establish charter schools in Lafayette Parish.
MICHIGAN
Retired Teachers Will Get Less As Legislature Overhauls Pensions, Health Care
Detroit Free Press, MI, August 16, 2012
State lawmakers passed a bill Wednesday that will mean higher costs or reduced pensions for most of the nearly 450,000 employees and retirees of Michigan ‘s public schools.
MISSOURI
State Needs To Grant Provisional Accreditation To St. Louis Schools
St. Louis Post-Dispatch, MO, August 16, 2012
To understand the mixed bag of test score results received by the St. Louis Public Schools this week, it helps to think of the school district as a high school athlete who needs a good report card to stay academically eligible.
NEVADA
New Teachers, Standards, Among Changes As School Year Starts
Reno Gazette Journal, NV, August 16, 2012
With Common Core and evaluation standards becoming effective at some levels this year and new staff, there will be some changes at the Yerington and Smith Valley schools this school year, which begins Monday.
NEW JERSEY
Freedom Charter Awaits Fate; 2 Other Schools Set To Open
Courier Post, NJ, August 16, 2012
Heading toward a new school year, two start-up charter schools are preparing to open. Meanwhile, two established charters, Freedom Academy and D.U.E. Season, are waiting to learn their fates.
NEW MEXICO
APS To Oppose New Charter Schools
Albuquerque Journal, NM, August 16, 2012
The Albuquerque Public Schools board voted Tuesday night to oppose the creation of any new charter schools in the Albuquerque area.
NEW YORK
Show and Tell for Teachers, Inspired by Reality TV
New York Times, NY, August 16, 2012
Great teaching, it is sometimes said, is one of those things where you know it when you see it. Now, teachers in Washington will be able to see a lot more of it.
New Charter School Eyed
Times Ledger, NY, August 16, 2012
Southeast Queens already has three charter schools and, for the time being, that may be all it can comfortably handle.
Reverse Course For Charters
Albany Times Union, NY, August 16, 2012
After a decade of explosive growth, Albany’s charter school movement is in a period of contraction.
East Aurora to Add Administrator for Teacher Evaluations
East Aurora Advertiser, NY, August 16, 2012
The East Aurora School District is looking to add to its administrative staff in order to accommodate new state standards for evaluating teachers.
OHIO
New School Options Coming to CPS
Cincinnati Enquirer, OH, August 15, 2012
As part of its ongoing effort to offer more education options to kids, Cincinnati Public Schools in 2013-14 will open the region’s second New Tech Network high school – a school that gives kids laptops, real-world projects and teaches them how to problem-solve in groups, like they would in the business world.
Families Are Taking Advantage Of The Cleveland School District’s Better Schools, But Many Spaces Still Remain For This Year
Cleveland Plain Dealer, OH, August 15, 2012
Students are filling the available seats at some of the Cleveland school district’s highly rated or specialty schools.
OKLAHOMA
KIPP Preparatory’s New Principal Ready To Make Good School Even Better
Tulsa World, OK, August 16, 2012
That belief is what’s driving KIPP Tulsa College Preparatory’s new principal, Andrew McRae, who was recruited away from a successful charter school network in Houston .
PENNSYLVANIA
Charter School Plans Expansion
Citizens Voice, PA, August 16, 2012
The only charter school in Luzerne County is expanding. The Bear Creek Community Charter School announced the purchase of 97 acres of land Tuesday and intends to build on the plot, expanding the school, school CEO Jim Smith said.
Few Sign Up To Take Tax Credit Program Students
York Dispatch, PA, August 16, 2012
Only three York County schools signed up to accept students in a new tax credit program to get students at low-achieving schools into private schools or nearby school districts.
State Declares Chester Upland Financially Distressed
Philadelphia Inquirer, PA, August 15, 2012
The Chester Upland School District has been declared financially distressed by state Education Secretary Ron Tomalis, a step leading to increased state oversight, possible sweeping changes to operations, and the loss of power by the elected school board.
Northwestern Lehigh Rejects Charter School
Morning Call, PA, August 15, 2012
The Northwestern Lehigh School Board on Wednesday rejected the Circle of Seasons Charter School’s application to open in Fogelsville, a second refusal for the school to open its doors in the Lehigh Valley .
TENNESSEE
Metro’s Resistance To Great Hearts Baffling
The Tennessean, TN, August 15, 2012
It is clearly the view of some Metro Nashville school board members, and their supporters in the community, that a process is valid only when it reaches a decision they agree with, and those who disagree with that view do so with bad intentions.
Dean Family Relative Influences Mayor’s Charter School Comments
The Tennessean, TN, August 16, 2012
Before Mayor Karl Dean made public comments scolding the school board in May over charter schools, a family relative who has ardently supported the controversial Great Hearts Academies application revised the mayor’s prepared remarks.
Nashville Schools’ Funding Threatened If Charter Not Approved
The Tennessean, TN, August 16, 2012
The state threatened to withhold funding from Nashville schools Wednesday if officials don’t bow to state demands and approve a controversial charter school on the city’s west side.
TEXAS
Texas School Facilities Funding Leaves Some Kids Behind
Houston Chronicle, TX, August 15, 2012
However, at the same time, because of how charter schools are funded, more than 36,000 Houston public school students are excluded from this discussion.
ONLINE SCHOOLS
New Superintendent In Freedom Area Hopes To Offer More Online Courses
Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, PA, August 16, 2012
The Freedom Area School District will start the new school year with a new superintendent, Jeffrey A. Fuller. He comes to the Beaver County district from the Seneca Valley School District , where he was assistant superintendent for elementary education.