Daily Headlines for May 3, 2011
The Evidence Is In: School Vouchers Work
Wall Street Journal, May 3, 2011
A study published last year found that D.C. voucher recipients had graduation rates of 91%. That’s significantly higher than the public school average of 56%.
Lawmakers Must Shield School Choice Reforms From Lawsuits
Forbes, May 3, 2011
As events in Washington, D.C., dominated headlines this spring, potentially historic education reforms in many state legislatures have gone largely unnoticed. Bills supporting parental choice through vouchers or tax credits have received unprecedented support in more than 20 state legislatures.
Spellings: Politics, Lack Of Knowledge Hurt School Reform
The Washington Times, DC, May 2, 2011
Ten years ago, former President George W. Bush’s signature education initiative, the No Child Left Behind Act, garnered strong bipartisan support and passed the Senate on an 87-10 vote.
FROM THE STATES
COLORADO
Charters’ Challenge
Pueblo Chieftain, CO, May 3, 2011
TWO SCHOOLS in Pueblo West plan to give their students new opportunities for learning starting with the fall term. Both are District 70 public schools.
FLORIDA
Editorial: Education Reform?
Ocala, FL, May 3, 2011
Legislative observers are declaring 2011 one of the most significant years ever in setting Florida’s long-term educational direction. Sen. Dan Gaetz, R-Niceville, a former school superintendent and one of the Legislature’s most respected voices on education matters, went so far as to call this year’s educational policy moves “a sea change” for our state.
Florida House Tackles Education Issues as Final Week Begins
Sunshine State News, FL, May 3, 2011
As they approach Friday’s end-of-session, Florida House members tackled education issues Monday as part of their agenda, expanding school choice options and passing a measure reforming the Miami-Dade School Board.
GEORGIA
Cherokee Charter School Sets Lottery Date
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution, GA, May 1, 2011
The new Cherokee Charter Academy will hold a lottery in mid-May to determine which of the 2,400 applicants will fill the school’s 710 available slots.
INDIANA
Education Reforms Will Affect Futures Of Schools, Students And Teachers
Indianapolis Star, IN, May 3, 2011
When the dust settled at the end of the 2011 legislative session Friday, what emerged was a menu of education reforms that could take Indiana into new frontiers.
MASSACHUSETTS
New Lawrence Schools Receive Charters
Eagle Tribune, MA, May 3, 2011
Two new charter schools set to open in Lawrence have received their official school charters.
MAINE
Maine Lawmakers Consider California-Style “Parent Trigger” Law
MPBN, ME, May 1, 2011
Gov. Paul LePage’s administration believes more school choice is essential, if Maine is to boost the workforce and college readiness of its young people. In Augusta this afternoon, lawmakers and others debated school choice bills, including a Maine version of California’s contentious parent trigger law.
NORTH CAROLINA
Sen. Kay Hagan Announces Plans To Turn Around Schools
Herald-Sun, NC, May 3, 2011
Sen. Kay Hagan, at a Durham high school with U.S. Education Secretary Arne Duncan and Rep. David Price, on Monday announced her plans to introduce legislation aimed at turning around low-performing schools.
OKLAHOMA
4 School Districts Served With Lawsuit Over Henry Scholarships
Tulsa World, OK, May 3, 2011
Four Tulsa-area school districts were served Monday with a lawsuit filed a week ago by parents claiming that their children with special needs were denied private-school scholarships under a new law.
PENNSYLVANIA
In Philly, An Incubator For Students’ Start-Up Ideas
Philadelphia Inquirer, PA, May 3, 2011
On a recent afternoon, two young entrepreneurs were brainstorming names for the online dress shop they were starting, playing as usual off each other’s strengths.
New Plan Drawn Up To Attract More To Single-Gender Schools
Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, PA, May 3, 2011
For months, Pittsburgh Public Schools has been trying to persuade students in grades 6-12 this fall to choose new single-gender academies at Pittsburgh Westinghouse in Homewood.
VIRGINIA
School Choice Again Offered to D.J. Montague Parents
Williamsburg Yorktown Daily, VA, May 3, 2011
Parents of students at D.J. Montague Elementary School will again have a chance to choose whether to stay or leave the school next year.
VIRTUAL EDUCATION
Florida House Passes Virtual Learning Expansion
Miami Herald, FL, May 2, 3011
The Florida House has passed legislation to expand virtual learning in the state. The chamber voted 98-19 for the bill (HB 7197) on Monday. It goes to the Senate where an identical measure (SB 1620) is awaiting floor action.