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Reforming American Public Education in 2013: The States to Watch
Dropout Nation, December 27, 2012
There will be plenty of talk in Washington in the coming year about the unlikely possibility of reauthorizing the No Child Left Behind Act, as well as about the consequences of sequestration-related reductions in spending increases based on assumed — and not actual — rates of inflation (also poorly characterized breathlessly as “budget cuts”).
FROM THE STATES
ALABAMA
Alabama Lawmaker Plans Bill To Put Guns In Schools
Montgomery Advertiser, AL, December 27, 2012
A state lawmaker plans to introduce legislation that would allow schools to arm certain employees.
CALIFORNIA
Face of Los Banos School District Changing
Los Banos Enterprise, CA, December 27, 2012
Los Banos became home to Merced County’s first independent Waldorf inspired public school in 2012 and parents can expect another traditional public school to open next year as educational opportunities expand in the city.
COLORADO
Denver Schools Seek Restorative Solution To Age-Old Truancy Problem
Denver Post, CO, December 28, 2012
In typical truancy hearings, there isn’t much time for the “why” of school-skipping. But, typically, the hearings take place in a court, not in a school library. Both the off-site location and the off-the-record counseling sessions are part of a new program, launched this fall by Denver Juvenile Court and DPS to combat the old, often-intractable problem of truancy.
DELAWARE
3 Charter Schools Won’t Open In 2013
News Journal, DE, December 27, 2012
Three new charter schools have opted not to begin classes next year, citing challenges related to finances, finding a suitable location and a school leader.
IDAHO
Otter Sets Ed Reforms Target Date as 2014
Idaho Statesman, ID, December 27, 2012
Idaho StateGov. Butch Otter asked the state Board of Education to shepherd a statewide discussion about improving schools after voters rejected the Students Come First laws touted by the governor.
ILLINOIS
Chicago Charter School Prepares Students For Legal Studies
State Journal Register, IL, December 27, 2012
The school principal has a law degree. There are field trips to law firms. And a biology class is inspired by the science of crime scene investigations.
INDIANA
Charters Given Warning On Performance
Fort Wayne Journal Gazette, IN, December 28, 2012
Two recent developments could spell bad news for the future of three local charter schools.
MASSACHUSETTS
City Should Move Cautiously On Added School Funds
Gloucester Daily Times, MA, December 28, 2012
It’s understandable that the Gloucester Public School District will need some additional dollars to cover costs from an influx of students from the sadly doomed Gloucester Community Arts Charter School.
MISSISSIPPI
State Superintendent Not Ready To Give Up On Public Schools
Sun Herald, MS, December 27, 2012
Let’s compare this ancient story to the pledge Lt. Gov. Tate Reeves, Gov. Phil Bryant and leaders in the Legislature have taken, insisting that charter schools legislation will pass in Mississippi in 2013.
MISSOURI
Francis Howell Denies Teacher Unpaid Leave To Serve In Legislature
St. Louis Post-Dispatch, MO, December 28, 2012
Bryan Spencer, who has taught in the Francis Howell School District for 22 years, embarks on a new career next month as a state legislator.
NEW HAMPSHIRE
School Choice A Tricky Equation
The Hooksett Banner, NH, December 27, 2012
With Hooksett looking for a new high school arrangement after declaring the city in breach of its high school contract, one of the most discussed and debated proposals is the so-called choice or multi-school option.
NEW YORK
UFT Won’t Sign New Teacher Evaluation Agreement Without Wage Increase Guarantee, City Officials Claim
New York Post, NY, December 27, 2012
The teachers’ union has refused to sign a long-awaited agreement with the city on a new teacher evaluation system unless it gets a guarantee of wage increases in the next contract, Department of Education officials charged today.
PENNSYLVANIA
No Double Standard For Schools
Philadelphia Inquirer, PA, December 28, 2012
Auditor General Jack Wagner claims that Pennsylvania’s charter schools, which educate more than 105,000 students across the commonwealth, are overfunded. Is he right?
ASD Gets Input On Charter School Plans From Proponents
Tribune-Review, PA, December 28, 2012
Armstrong School District had plenty of questions about Everlasting Elderton Charter School but few were met with direct answers during a hearing Thursday night at Lenape Elementary School.
Elderton Charter School Grilled by ASD Admin
Kittanning Paper, PA, December 28, 2012
If Everlasting Elderton Charter School is approved by the Armstrong School District in less than two months, founding board members may have a lot more work to do.
SOUTH CAROLINA
Teaching Every Child, Every Day
The State, SC, December 28, 2012
Despite stacks of research that show poverty’s negative impact on student achievement, many school districts in South Carolina are proving that success is possible amid challenging circumstances.
TEXAS
What Education Doesn’t Need Is More Tax Dollars
Seguin Gazette, TX, December 28, 2012
With the current state budget short fall, liberal state legislators are asking for money to keep education funding at the highest levels or increase it.
ONLINE LEARNING
Online Classes Skyrocket In Popularity For Montana Students
KBZK Bozeman News, MT, December 27, 2012
More high school students are taking online courses, so the Montana Office of Public Instruction is asking for more funding to help meet the growing demand for internet instruction.