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.
StudentsFirst Gets It Right With Its State Policy Report Card
Dropout Nation, January 7, 2013
Certainly education traditionalists are not fond of the State Policy Report Card released today by Michelle Rhee’s StudentsFirst. After all, it dings states such as California for the willingness of its education and political leaders to do the bidding of National Education Association and American Federation of Teachers affiliates — and in the process, keeping in place policies and practices that do little to help children, especially those from poor and minority backgrounds, attain high-quality education.
Educators Rebut Rhee’s Tough Grading
Washington Times, DC, January 7, 2013
One of American education’s leading provocateurs still knows how to set off a firestorm.
Flaw in ‘Teach for America’
New York Times, NY, January 8, 2013
As a former Teach for America corps member and recruiter and an undergraduate business major, I find a lot to like in “After College, Deferring Six Figures on Wall Street for Teacher’s Salary” (DealBook, Jan. 3).
Three Steps For Better American Schools
Baltimore Sun, MD, January 7, 2013
Education policy wasn’t a significant issue in the 2012 presidential election, but it needs to be one in 2013. Americans are increasingly dissatisfied with public education, and no small wonder: studies continue to show that our schools, once the envy of the world, have fallen to the middle of the pack or worse.
FROM THE STATES
ARKANSAS
35 Labeled ‘Achieving’ of 239 School Districts
Northwest Arkansas News, AR, January 8, 2013
Thirty-five of Arkansas’ 239 school districts and six of 16 open-enrollment charter schools are classified as “achieving” school systems under the state’s new accountability system, leaving more than 200 districts and charter systems — some considered very high performing — branded as “needing improvement.”
School Choices Will Be Lawmaker’s Focus
The Courier, AR, January 7, 2013
Still, as a group they are generally “pro-choice” when it comes to giving students more public school alternatives, the idea being that competition will make all schools better and that no student should be forced to stay in a bad school. Many Democrats — though not all, because this is Arkansas — as well as the education establishment are skeptical of that strategy.
CALIFORNIA
Where Failure Is a Virtue
Wall Street Journal, January 8, 2013
One reason American public education is so lousy is because so many in the schools establishment refuse to admit there’s a problem. Take Richard Zeiger, chief deputy superintendent for California, who says a negative critique of the Golden State’s policies is a “badge of honor.”
Rocketship Plan For Tamien Deserves Approval From San Jose City Council, Planning Commission
Mercury News, CA, January 7, 2013
San Jose’s City Council and planning commission both will make key decisions this week on a proposed Rocketship charter school in the Tamien area, and like most charter plans, it’s controversial. The council and the commission need to focus on the big picture — the benefits of the plan weighed against the drawbacks. If they do, they will enthusiastically support it.
California Schools Flunk Education Group’s Ratings
Los Angeles Times, CA, January 8, 2013
State is among 11 to get a failing grade from a group run by Michelle Rhee, known for her work as chancellor of Washington, D.C., schools. No state earned an A.
DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA
Federal Complaint Details Cheating Allegations At D.C. Public School
Washington Post, DC, January 7, 2013
The former principal of an award-winning D.C. public school has accused a group of teachers and administrators of systematically cheating on standardized tests in order to win cash bonuses and an expensive steak dinner, according to recently unsealed federal court documents.
Frontline: D.C. Schools Downplayed Cheating Allegations
USA Today, January 7, 2013
A new documentary raises questions about whether Washington, D.C., school officials downplayed allegations that educators were cheating to improve students’ scores on high-stakes skills tests — even after a principal came forward with her own eyewitness account.
FLORIDA
School Reform Group Rates Florida No. 2 In Nation
Sun Sentinel, FL, January 7, 2013
A new national report card by StudentsFirst, the education advocacy group founded by former D.C. schools chancellor Michelle Rhee, gives Florida a B- for its education policies.
GEORGIA
State Report Slants Teacher Ratings
WFXL FOX 31, GA, January 7, 2013
Results from the Georgia Department of Education’s new school rating system shows that teacher scores have been skewed to the positive.
ILLINOIS
Ball Charter Parents Object To Proposed Middle-School Cutback
State Journal Register, IL, January 7, 2013
Springfield Ball Charter School parents objected Monday to the possibility the Springfield School Board might eliminate Ball Charter’s middle-school program.
Greektek Withdraws Charter School Application, Appeal
The Rockford Record, IL, January 7, 2013
A local organization has withdrawn its application to open a charter school in Rockford.
Chicago Faulted on Learning Disabilities
New York Times, NY, January 8, 2013
In a complaint filed on Monday with the Illinois State Board of Education, a nonprofit advocacy group says that thousands of children are in Rashaan’s position because the Chicago Public Schools have repeatedly failed to evaluate children with disabilities and move them into special education preschool programs.
New Chicago Program Seeks To Span Achievement Gap Through Birth-To-College Education
Desert News, UT, January 7, 2013
Low-income children in the United States need a clear pathway out of poverty, but that isn’t easy to find. Current efforts to increase opportunities for disadvantaged children are divided between philanthropies, churches and various levels of government — a scattershot approach that is difficult for disadvantaged families to navigate, and often is ineffective.
IOWA
Businesses Could Be Key To Improving Schools, Leaders Say
Des Moines Register, IA, January 8, 2013
The success of Gov. Terry Branstad’s school improvement plan could hinge on the amount of time and money Iowa’s business leaders devote to advocating for change, state and national experts said Monday.
LOUISIANA
BESE To Consider Greater School District Policy Flexibility
The Advocate, LA, January 8, 2013
After a one-month delay, Louisiana’s top school board is expected to approve a proposal by state Superintendent of Education John White that would give local school districts more flexibility.
Lycée Parents Ask State Education Chief To Investigate School’s Board
The Lens, LA, January 7, 2013
A group of parents from Lycée Français de la Nouvelle-Orleans charter school have asked the state’s public education chief to investigate its board’s actions regarding recent hiring and firing decisions, including the manner in which it hired its interim chief executive officer.
Louisiana’s Teacher Evaluation System Gets Top Slot On National Education Policy Report Card
Times Picayune, LA, January 7, 2013
Despite low national student achievement rankings, education reform group StudentsFirst has named Louisiana #1 for “putting students first in its education policies,” commending in particular the state’s new teacher evaluation system.
MAINE
Battle Over Maine Charter Schools Smoldering
Bangor Daily News, ME, January 7, 2013
Maine public school administrators lodged a new complaint Monday about the state’s two new charter schools: They won’t feel any impact of $12.6 million in education aid cuts Gov. Paul LePage ordered late last month to close a $35.5 million hole in the current state budget.
MARYLAND
Legislators To Renew Push For ‘Hybrid’ School Board This Session
Baltimore Sun, MD, January 8, 2013
Towson-area legislators will be tackling issues both fresh and familiar during the 2013 General Assembly session, which begins on Wednesday, Jan. 9, in Annapolis.
MASSACHUSETTS
Lowell Planning Board Delays Charter-School Vote
Lowell Sun, MA, January 8, 2013
Despite pleas for a vote from the attorney pushing for site-plan and special-permit approval for the proposal to transform the Bradford Industries warehouse on Middlesex Street into a charter school, the Planning Board voted to delay the decision for another month for a second straight meeting.
MICHIGAN
Transform Education Reform Into Progress
Detroit News, MI, January 8, 2013
Gov. Rick Snyder did not clean his plate during the 2012 year-end legislative flurry. He left a portion of his education reform agenda on the table.
MISSISSIPPI
Lt. Gov. Wants Charter School Choice For All Districts
Clarion Ledger, MS, January 8, 2013
Lt. Gov. Tate Reeves on Monday announced a hard-line stance on charter schools, saying he wants to see them allowed in all districts, not just failing ones.
Business Leaders Call for Charter Schools
Mississippi Public Broadcasting, MS, January 7, 2013
Also topping the 2013 legislative agenda is education reform, and as MPB’s Daniel Cherry reports, charter schools are expected to be the biggest education issue.
NEW JERSEY
NJ Touts Educational Reforms But Earns ‘D’ on One Nationwide Report Card
New Jersey Spotlight, NJ, January 8, 2013
Two years ago, school-reform crusader Michelle Rhee was sitting in the first row during Gov. Chris Christie’s State of the State address, in which he laid out much of his education agenda.
NEW YORK
Mike Speaks The Truth
New York Post, NY, January 8, 2013
Mayor Bloomberg isn’t one for eating his own words, but he’d probably like to have back his weekend comparison of the United Federation of Teachers to the National Rifle Association.
At Two Staten Island Catholic Schools, Parents Hope To Avoid Closure
Stanton Island Advance, NY, January 8, 2013
After receiving the disheartening news Friday that their schools may close in June, parents, teachers and administrators at St. Joseph’s School in Rosebank and Immaculate Conception School in Stapleton began the uphill climb to persuade the New York Archdiocese to keep their schools alive.
OHIO
Charter School Sponsor Rules in Place for Cleveland
Cleveland Plain Dealer, OH, January 7, 2013
The Transformation Alliance, a new panel created through the Cleveland schools legislation passed by state legislators last year, has agreed on broad principles for evaluating charter schools and their sponsors, but is still working out some details.
PENNSYLVANIA
Hite’s Philadelphia Schools Blueprint Praised And Poked
Philadelphia Inquirer, PA, January 8, 2013
People think William R. Hite Jr.’s new blueprint for the Philadelphia School District is “focused” and “diligent.” They say it’s “thorough” and the “serious and good work” of a “thoughtful practitioner.”
TENNESSEE
Voucher Use Still Unsure
The Daily News Journal, TN, January 7, 2013
Rutherford County legislators aren’t exactly enthusiastic about a proposal to give students in public schools vouchers to attend other public or private schools.
WASHINGTON
State Board of Education to Review Draft Rules for State’s First Public Charter Schools
Bothell Reporter, WA, January 7, 2013
The Washington State Board of Education’s meeting in Tumwater, Wash. will include a review and discussion of draft rules pertinent to the state’s first public charter schools. The meeting will take place on January 9-10 at 8 a.m. in office ESD 113.
ONLINE LEARNING
New Bedford Students: Learning In The Virtual World
South Coast Today, MA, January 8, 2013
The virtual world is everywhere. It’s changed how we communicate, shop and pay our bills.
More Volunteers: Gatsas Is On To Something
Union Leader, NH, January 7, 2013
Why would you put a teacher in charge of a roomful of children whose lessons are being delivered by another teacher? That is the question Mayor Ted Gatsas is posing by advocating that virtual learning classrooms in Manchester’s public schools be headed by volunteers, not teachers. He has a great point.
The State Should Impose A Moratorium On New Cyber Charter Schools
Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, PA, January 8, 2013
The Pennsylvania Department of Education has the opportunity to make a meaningful New Year’s resolution when it comes to raising standards for performance and accountability.
Auditor’s Office Posts Report, Then Pulls It
News Tribune, WA, January 8, 2013
The state Auditor’s Office issued a finding Monday against the Steilacoom Historical School District and, in an unusual move, rescinded it hours later while it takes another look at past student enrollment in online programs.