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
Cantor turns up heat in debate for school choice
Column, Washington Times, DC, September 23, 2013
If you want to know where school choice stands today, the No. 2 leader in the U.S. House of Representations gave a pretty clear indication Monday by opening a new battlefront and throwing an obvious lifeline to Republicans, moderates and conservatives.
House Majority Leader slams federal school policy in Philly visit
Philadelphia Daily News, PA, September 24, 2013
U.S. REP. Eric Cantor, the House majority leader, popped in on a 10th-grade geography lesson at Freire Charter School in Center City yesterday before delivering a speech that jumped all over the political map.
Justice Department vs. Louisiana Voucher Kids
Opinion, Wall Street Journal, September 24, 2013
School-choice programs have faced no shortage of legal challenges en route to their adoption in 18 states and the District of Columbia. But none of the challenges is so perverse or perplexing as the Justice Department’s motion last month to wield desegregation decrees to halt Louisiana’s voucher program.
STATE COVERAGE
COLORADO
Poll shows more opposition to Colorado school finance tax measure
Denver Post, CO, September 23, 2013
Colorado voters so far remain relatively uninformed about Amendment 66, the measure that would raise $950 million in taxes for schools, but would likely vote it down if the election were held today, according to a Republican-leaning pollster.
FLORIDA
Gov. Rick Scott: Reverse course on Common Core tests
Miami Herald, FL, September 23, 2013
TALLAHASSEE After a summer of polarizing public debate, Gov. Rick Scott on Monday ordered the state education department to withdraw from a national consortium creating tests around the new Common Core State Standards.
Plan aims to bridge achievement gap for Pinellas’ black students
Tampa Tribune, FL, September 23, 2013
The achievement gap between black and white students in Pinellas County schools has long been a thorn in administrators sides, but first year Superintendent Michael Grego is hoping a new initiative will end the discussion once and for all.
GEORGIA
City schools host charter petition forum
Times-Georgian, GA, September 24, 2013
Amid public confusion on the meaning and intent of its charter system petition, Carrollton City Schools hosted a community forum Monday night aimed at answering some of those questions and gathering input for its overall strategic plan.
Georgia Supreme Court upholds charter school pension case ruling
Marietta Daily Journal, GA, September 24, 2013
Georgia’s highest court has upheld a Fulton County court ruling that bars Atlanta Public Schools from using tax dollars to pay for its pension obligations before distributing a share of the money to local charter schools.
LOUISIANA
Solutions to overcrowded classrooms
KLFY, LA, September 23, 2013
With the southern part of Lafayette Parish expected to double in population over the next 10 years, Broussard Mayor Charles Langlinais is hoping to find an answer to the overcrowded schools.
Jindal has concerns about ‘Common Core’ standards for schools
The Advocate, LA, September 24, 2013
Wading into a national debate, Gov. Bobby Jindal said Monday that he is concerned Louisiana public school classrooms would be saddled with a “federalized curriculum” sparked by a series of tougher standards called Common Core.
MARYLAND
Baltimore school system sued over homeless students
Baltimore Sun, MD, September 24, 2013
Homeless families in Baltimore have filed a federal lawsuit against the city school system, contending that their children have been denied transportation to school and been stigmatized because they couldn’t afford field trips and uniforms.
MASSACHUSETTS
Maybe it’s time for a state takeover of schools
Letter, Seacoast Today, MA, September 24, 2013
Recent data released by the Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education show that 60 percent of New Bedford’s public schools are categorized at the worst levels of performance and least improvement, 3 and 4.
MICHIGAN
House Dems unveil school reform plan, faces GOP opposition
Detroit Free Press, MI, September 23, 2013
Democrats in the Michigan House proposed several reforms Monday to improve the state’s K-12 schools, but without support from the Republican majority their ideas aren’t likely to go anywhere.
Students making gains under first-of-a-kind charter; school leaders set bigger goals
Michigan Public Radio, MI, September 24, 2013
On average, students under the state’s first fully privatized public school district are learning at a faster rate than under the old system. That’s according to data released Monday night by the charter company running the Muskegon Heights district.
NEW JERSEY
Newark school district, teachers union take stock after pact’s first year
New Jersey Spotlight, NJ, September 24, 2013
Bonuses awarded to those who did stellar work but questions remain about how to deal with those rated as less effective
NEW YORK
Parents to rally against de Blasio’s charter school attacks
New York Post, NY, September 24, 2013
Charter-school parents and students are planning a massive rally next month targeted at Democratic mayoral candidate Bill de Blasio, The Post has learned.
State raises bar for future educators
Albany Times Union, NY, September 24, 2013
The state will tighten the admissions process for its teacher education programs at the State University of New York.
With the threat of an unsupportive mayor on the horizon, charter schools shamelessly send students to protest de Blasio’s plan
New York Daily News, NY, September 23, 2013
Democrat Bill de Blasio could potentially win the mayoral race, which could spell the end of rent-free space for charter schools located within public school buildings. Twenty-two schools are canceling classes on the morning of Oct. 8 so kids can attend a Brooklyn Bridge rally against the plan.
NORTH CAROLINA
DPS, PEFNC talk charters, school choice
Herald Sun, NC, September 23, 2 013
Two forums last week focused on the challenges charter schools and public schools have and what advocates for each type of school believe their option has to offer.
OHIO
Cleveland’s Investment Schools: Family and student needs will be focus of a lead social service agency at each school
Cleveland Plain Dealer, OH, September 23, 2013
he Cleveland school district wants to add social support services to all 13 of its “Investment Schools” this year, not just the academic and atmosphere changes that last year’s school levy is already paying for.
SOUTH CAROLINA
Charter schools need to do more homework
Opinion, Hilton Head Island Packet, SC, September 23, 2013
If Beaufort County charter schools are any indication, the state needs to do a better job of preparing leaders for the first year of school. The dividing line seems to be the day the school doors open.
TENNESSEE
Nashville schools’ First Choice Festival helps parents navigate many options
The Tennessean, TN, September 24, 2013
As their deep-seated rift with charter schools rages on, Metro Nashville Public Schools sought to set aside differences Monday and showcase the very schools they claim are handcuffing the district financially.
TEXAS
Minority families and leaders are critical to school reforms
Column, Dallas Morning News, TX, September 23, 2013
Until the mid-1980s, the national conversation about education largely revolved around what goes into schools: money, teachers, facilities and principals being among the “inputs” that drew our attention. But the school reform movement took off three decades ago to broaden the conversation.
VIRGINIA
Officials split on state takeover of schools denied accreditation
News & Advance, VA, September 24, 2013
Opinions vary among state and local officials and candidates when it comes to a new law giving the state the power to take over schools that don’t live up to state standards.
WASHINGTON
Panel invites charter school applications
Spokesman Review, WA, September 24, 2013
Washington state’s new Charter School Commission opened the statewide application process for charter schools on Monday.
WEST VIRGINIA
W.Va. teacher union makes push for higher salaries
Charleston Daily Mail, WV, September 23, 2013
Nearly 60 percent of the public and 97 percent of education employees believe that education employees should have a salary increase.
ONLINE LEARNING
Home-grown virtual schools
Beacon News, IL, September 23, 2013
Five school districts in and around the Fox Valley are partnering to bring online education to students who want it.
State rejects draft contract with K12; to be resent next month
The Recorder, MA, September 23, 2013
The state has rejected a draft contract between the Greenfield Commonwealth Virtual School and curriculum provider K12 and asked the school to send in a new version by the middle of October.