Charter Schools: The Debate Continues
CNN Blog, December 22, 2011
With recent statistics indicating that more students than ever are enrolled in charter schools, there’s no end in sight to the ongoing debate over which is more effective in educating our kids: Traditional public or charter schools. A newly released report offers potential talking points for both sides.
After Missing Out Last Year, 7 States to Share Almost $200 Million in Education Grants
New York Times, NY, December 23, 2011
Seven states that narrowly lost out in last year’s Race to the Top school improvement competition will share nearly $200 million in the latest round of winners announced Thursday by federal education officials.
Schools Look to Donors
Wall Street Journal, December 23, 2011
Wealthy donors have created a fund to pay the salary of a new Bridgeport school superintendent, ushering in hopes of a new era of private money for reform efforts in Connecticut’s most troubled school system.
STATE COVERAGE
CALIFORNIA
Charter Schools Group Urges Closure of Four Sacramento-Area Campuses
Sacramento Bee, CA, December 23, 2011
A list of 10 schools the California Charter Schools Association would like to see closed – including four in the Sacramento area – has caused an uproar within the charter school movement.
DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA
In D.C. Charter Schools, A Wide Variety Of Challenges
Washington Post, DC, December 22, 2011
At D.C. Prep Edgewood Middle School, one of the city’s top-ranked charter schools, showing up without a belt as part of your uniform gets you a half-hour detention at the end of the day. So does getting to your seat a minute late, at 8:01 a.m.
Two Charter Schools Recommended For Closure
Washington Post Blog, DC , December 22, 2011
Two long-time public charter schools are candidates for closure because of poor academic records and management issues, the D.C. Public Charter School Board said Monday night.
In Support Of Community Schools For D.C.
Washington Times, DC, December 22, 2011
The article implies that hiring D.C. residents would be a better use of the money, and it stresses that schools should focus only on academics, not on the other factors that hinder our children’s success. Unfortunately, several details in the piece’s underlying argument completely ignore all research to the contrary.
FLORIDA
Bill Would Require Transparency In Charter School Management
The Miami Herald, FL, December 22, 2011
The measure, submitted by state Sen. Larcenia Bullard, D-Miami, would require the schools to be transparent about who manages them and how much they are paid.
I ‘Champion’ High-Quality Schools For All Students
The Miami Herald, FL, December 22, 2011
While I have never sponsored legislation on behalf of charter schools, I am an unapologetic supporter and champion of not only high-performing charter schools, but all high-performing public schools throughout Florida.
GEORGIA
Legislative Plea, Amendment For Fulton Science Academy Rejected
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution, GA, December 23, 2011
A nationally acclaimed charter school whose contract was cancelled by the Fulton school board is running out of options to keep their doors open past June 30.
IDAHO
Idaho Ends Certification Stipend For Teachers
Idaho Statesman, ID, December 22, 2011
Idaho is ending a stipend for teachers earning National Board certification and some fear the loss of that incentive will result in fewer educators completing the rigorous program, which can take up to three years to finish.
ILLINOIS
Teachers Accused Of Cheating Still Working In Schools
Chicago Tribune, IL, December 23, 2011
Educators often jump to other districts as cases languish in Springfield
Teaching Poor Children
Chicago Tribune, IL, December 22, 2011
New Chicago Public Schools CEO Jean-Claude Brizard is already fond of saying that more than 123,000 Chicago school children are in “underperforming schools” and that he “will not allow this failure to continue.”
INDIANA
New IPS Starts With Shifting Funds, Granting Autonomy
Indianapolis Star, IN, December 22, 2011
This week, The Mind Trust released a plan to transform Indianapolis Public Schools into a national model of success. The plan has already generated community conversation, and we look forward to more in depth conversations in the months ahead.
Six New Charter Schools Approved in Indiana
WIBC, IN, December 23, 2011
The Indiana Charter School Board approved six charter applications out of the nine they considered during the Fall Term. Four of those schools will be in Indianapolis , with others planned for Anderson and Fort Wayne .
Some Worry School Vouchers Could Cause Reverse Migration
Post Tribune, IN, December 22, 2011
Private schools that saw enrollment swell this year because of Indiana’s sweeping school voucher program fear they could see some of those gains erased next year as parents paying their own way instead enroll their children in public school so they can qualify for a voucher the following year.
MASSACHUSETTS
Is Menino The Education Mayor Or Not?
Boston Globe, MA, December 23, 2011
IF MAYOR Menino passes over an educator like Meg Campbell for an open seat on the Boston School Committee, he should turn in his credentials as the education mayor.
MICHIGAN
Charter School Undergoes Major Management Changes In Hopes To Stay Open
WPBN, MI, December 22, 2011
Major changes scheduled for a charter school in Antrim County tonight, and those changes are bringing mixed reactions from parents and students.
MISSOURI
How Many Generations of St. Louis Children Will We Fail?
St. Louis Post Dispatch, MO, December 23, 2011
That might be possible now that Missouri Baptist University has pulled its sponsorship from two city charter elementary schools run by the Virginia-based for-profit entity Imagine Schools Inc.
Suburbs Brace For Kansas City Students
NPR, December 22, 2011
Kansas City, Mo., schools are losing their accreditation on Jan. 1. Missouri law allows students from unaccredited districts to enroll for free in nearby school systems, so the suburban districts outside Kansas City are bracing for an influx of students.
NEW YORK
Eva Moskowitz vs. Cobble Hill
Amsterdam News, NY, December 23, 2011
It looks like controversial charter school operator Eva Moskowitz is moving into one of the more posh New York City neighborhoods, with the aid of the New York City Board of Education.
NORTH CAROLINA
Chapel Hill-Carrboro Schools Could Lose $4.6 Million
News Observer, NC, December 23, 2011
A proposed charter school could cost the Chapel Hill-Carrboro City Schools $4.6 million in 2012-13, its first year of operation, according to the district’s assistant superintendent for support services.
OKLAHOMA
State Fares Poorly — Again — in Race to the Top Effort
The Oklahoman, OK, December 23, 2011
As in Oklahoma’s past failures, the state’s education system still will benefit through the application process, which caused educators to examine areas that needed improvement. Round two last year produced an improved evaluation system for educators, which in the long run should lead to more effective schools.
WISCONSIN
The Agony of Madison Prep
Isthmus Daily Page, WI, December 22, 2011
The whole agonizing conflict over Madison Preparatory Academy did not end on Monday night, when the school board voted 5-2 against allowing the African American charter school to open next fall. Now comes the lawsuit.
VIRTUAL EDUCATION
Bill Levels Field For Cyberschool Graduates Who Want To Join Armed Forces
Patriot News, PA, December 23, 2011
Cyberschools appear to have won a long-running battle with the Department of Defense.
Minnesota Education Commissioner Weighs Bluesky Charter School’s Fate
Pioneer Press, MN, December 22, 2011
Two drastically different pictures of BlueSky charter school’s operations were presented to Minnesota Education Commissioner Brenda Cassellius on Thursday as she heard the details about her department’s effort to close the online school.
New District Virtual School A Success, Says Administrator
Montrose Daily Press, CO, December 23, 2011
What started as a way to capture potential students who were using outside online education programs has evolved into so much more, according to Montrose County School District officials.
Enrollment Cap Change Leads To Rapid Growth For Oregon’s Virtual Schools
OPS News, OR, December 22, 2011
Online public schools in Oregon are ending a year that saw a steep increase in enrollment.
** The next edition of the Daily Media Clips will be on Tues. December 27. Happy Holidays.