Daily Headlines: February 3, 2012
Alabama Needs To Take Advantage Of Its Advantage In Being Far Behind On Charter Schools
Birmingham News, AL, February 3, 2012
Two decades after the first charter schools began to pop up around the nation, Alabama lawmakers appear ready to pass a charter school law.
Our View: Charter Schools Proposal Raises Concerns
St. Clair Times, AL, February 2, 2012
Charter schools may be in Alabama’s future, and the state’s teachers’ union is not happy to hear the news. Through its Alabama School Journal publication, the AEA is calling the move a “new assault against public education” in a drive to open the door for privatization. The Journal also claims that lobbyists have been hired by school management companies to help get a bill written and passed in the state.
Teachable Moments
Los Angeles Times, CA, February 3, 2012
Coleen Bondy nails the truth about the witch hunt perpetrated against teachers.
Bullis, LASD Continue To Butt Heads
Mountain Views Voice, CA, February 2, 2012
Marie-Gallagher said the district has once again failed to offer the charter school “reasonably equivalent” facilities as required by law.
Off the Charter Learning
Gilroy Dispatch, CA, February 2, 2012
Tucked away in a modest cluster of portable classrooms on IOOF Avenue near downtown, Gilroy Prep School is quietly blossoming since it opened in fall 2011.
D.C. Charter School Under Scrutiny For Lack of Special-Ed Students
Washington Post, DC, February 2, 2012
A Northwest D.C. public charter school that has not enrolled a special-education student in three years is under scrutiny by District officials.
New Focus on D.C. Public-Charter Collaboration
Washington Post Blog, DC, February 2, 2012
D.C. Public Schools and the Public Charter School Board have traditionally operated in silos, each pursuing its unique mission.
Charter School Districts Could Help in Polk, Give Control to Cities
The Ledger, FL, February 3, 2012
So much for anti-education Gov. Rick Scott’s claims that he is “doing more with less” by steering as many students as possible toward the FCAT-exempt Florida Virtual School, while simultaneously looking for any and all loopholes to undo the voter-mandated class-size initiative so denigrated by his predecessor.
Georgia Schools Chief Powers May Return After Being Taken By Legislature
Florida Times-Union, FL, February 2, 2012
Legislation is moving through the General Assembly that would repeal nearly three-dozen education laws, many enacted during the stormy tenure of ex-Superintendent of Schools Linda Schrenko.
Vote Gives OK To Constitutional Amendment Helping Charter Schools
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution, GA, February 2, 2012
Charter school supporters claimed a first-round victory late Thursday in their fight to override last year’s Georgia Supreme Court ruling, declaring that the state cannot approve and fund charter schools over local school board objections.
Cobb May Have To Reject Funds For Charter School
Marietta Daily Journal, GA, February 3, 2012
Although Cobb Schools Superintendent Dr. Michael Hinojosa signed an application for a $50,000 grant to be used toward creating a STEM charter school, the district might have to reject the money if it can’t find someone else to lead the project, Hinojosa said this week.
Poor Education Policy Choices
The Advocate, LA, February 3, 2012
I am deeply concerned about the poor choices some of our state education policymakers and legislators are offering the people of Louisiana .
Maine’s Schools Are Not Factories
Bangor Daily News, ME, February 2, 2012
For Bowen and LePage to imply repeatedly that public education in Maine is not an art but rather a crude and thoughtless task not only dishonors assembly-line workers but is also insulting to the students who attend public schools, to the families who support public schools and to the staff who work in such schools and are tirelessly devising ways to improve them.
Charter vs. Public Decision Can Make or Break a Child’s Future
Flint Journal, MI, February 3, 2012
Choosing a charter school over a traditional public school can make or break a child’s future. In Genesee County, chose the wrong charter and the student is among the lowest performing schools in the state with students testing below those in their neighborhood, traditional public school. Pick another, and they’re labeled “beating the odds” and outperforming peers in the local school district.
Paragon Charter Academy Plans To Add Two Classrooms for 2012-13 School Year
Jackson Citizen-Patriot, MI, February 2, 2012
It will be the first addition to the building since the charter school at 3750 McCain Road opened in 1998, said Principal Zack Perfitt.
Schools: Consolidation Gets Minor Nod
Clarion Ledger, MS, February 3, 2012
Proposals to consolidate school districts get a lot of political talk, but when it comes to actually doing it, elected officials usually run and hide.
Plan Seeks To Fill Catholic Schools
St. Louis Post-Dispatch, MO, February 3, 2012
Archbishop Robert Carlson announced a plan Thursday that seeks to fill about 1,800 vacant seats in the region’s Catholic schools by channeling more revenue toward scholarships and pushing for state tax credits for tuition-paying parents.
Bills Restricting Charter Schools Advance
Asbury Park Press, NJ, February 3, 2012
Although Gov. Chris Christie wants to expand the use of charter schools as part of his education reform efforts, two bills that would restrict the alternative public schools cleared an Assembly committee Thursday.
Assembly Committee Votes to Put Charters Under Local Control
New Jersey Spotlight, NJ, February 3, 2012
The Christie administration’s slowdown in approving charter schools in the suburbs hasn’t slowed the push by Assembly Democrats to tighten controls on all charters — possibly imperiling a slew of schools awaiting their final OK.
Newark Superintendent to Announce Closing of 7 Failing Schools, New Charter School Rules
Star-Ledger, NJ, February 2, 2012
In an historic reshuffling of the state’s largest school system, Newark Superintendent Cami Anderson Friday will announce a series of districtwide reforms that include closing seven failing schools and increasing charter school accountability.
Teachers May Face New Evaluation System
Las Cruces Sun News, NM, February 3, 2012
Teachers in New Mexico may be evaluated under a new system within a few years, if any of three legislative bills making their way through the Roundhouse this session are signed into law.
Districts Work On Evaluation Plans
Albany Times-Union, NY, February 2, 2012
The Schenectady City School District has reached an agreement on teacher evaluations with its teachers union.
Teacher Removals, Evaluations Could Be Thorns In Mayor’s Education Budget
NY1, NY, February 2, 2012
Schools Chancellor Dennis Walcott is famous for never looking stressed, but this year’s city budget does appear much better for the city’s most expensive department.
School Rivals
News & Observer, NC, February 3, 2012
It’s not necessary to consider the diatribes against “government-run” schools – diatribes popular on the far right – to sense a fair amount of skepticism toward traditional public education among conservatives. The Republicans who took control of the General Assembly after the 2010 elections reflected that skepticism when they made good on a campaign pledge to lift North Carolina’s “cap” on charter schools.
Celebrating North Carolina’s History of Embracing Educational Options
Lexington Dispatch, NC, February 2, 2012
I often sense an adversary tone when listening to discussions about the different educational options available to our children. However, we often fail to recognize that whether a child attends a traditional public school, public charter school, private school or is homeschooled, each learning environment enjoys a symbiotic relationship with the other — where one model is actually interdependent upon the other, especially with our public school system.
2012 Legislature Rally Demands Education Reform
Statesman Journal, OR, February 3, 2012
Students of color and those still learning English continue to drop out in greater numbers than their peers, advocates for those groups said Thursday at the state Capitol.
Rebuilding After the Education Storm
Philadelphia Inquirer, PA, February 3, 2012
Instead, it could prove to be the catalyst we need to start building the educational systems necessary if our children are to survive and thrive. That is, if we are brave enough, and honest enough, to embrace innovative solutions.
Fell Twp. Seeks Access To Former Elementary School
Carbondale News, PA, February 2, 2012
Fell Elementary was the subject of a protracted legal battle between the district and Fell Charter School, which hoped to acquire the property as its permanent location. However, when a judge ruled that the district was still using the building for school purposes, Carbondale Area retained control of the property under its original agreement with the Belmont Water Co. (currently Gentex Corp).
Board of Regents Approves Achievement First Mayoral Academy
Go Local Prov, RI, February 2, 2012
The Board of Regents voted five to four today to approve the application for an Achievement First Mayoral Academy in Providence submitted last September by Rhode Island Mayoral Academies in partnership with Providence Mayor Angel Taveras.
Horry County Charter School To Continue Vision Without Founder
The Sun News, SC, February 2, 2012
The resignation of the Academy of Hope ’s chief executive officer came as a surprise to some, but his exit last week is not expected to affect the school or its mission, according to some who are affiliated with the school.
TSU Wants To Open An On-Campus Elementary Charter School
The Tennessean, TN, February 3, 2012
Tennessee State University wants to launch an elementary school on its campus in order to funnel more minority children into math and science careers with the help of college student mentors.
2 School Board Members Attend Charter School’s PTA Meeting
Richmond Times-Dispatch, VA, February 3, 2012
Parents at Richmond’s first charter school want to talk directly to members of the Richmond School Board and school administration, and they’re tired of others getting in the way of the dialogue.
Consolidate Health-Care System? Bill Splits School-Worker Unions
Seattle Times, WA, February 2, 2012
The proposal, which moved out of a state Senate committee Thursday, has drawn strong opposition from the state teachers union.
GOP Can’t Take Back Voucher Promise
Appleton Post Crescent, WI, February 3, 2012
The state Assembly is playing “Deal or No Deal” with Wisconsin voters.
Last year, Republicans made a deal not to expand school vouchers. This year, they’re saying they don’t have the votes to follow through.
Green Bay Schools Try To Halt Vouchers
Green Bay Press-Gazette, WI, February 3, 2012
A week after a state senator called Green Bay Preble High School a “sewer” while discussing an expansion of the state’s school voucher program, school officials are asking legislators to pass a bill that would keep the program from expanding to Green Bay .
VIRTUAL EDUCATION
Chambersburg Area School District Offers Incentives to Enroll in Franklin Virtual Academy
Chambersburg Public Opinion, PA, February 2, 2012
Chambersburg Area School District unveiled a loyalty program designed to bring cyber school students to the Franklin Virtual Academy or retain students who are considering an education elsewhere.
Cyberschool Bill Is ‘Backdoor’ Raid On School Funds
Livingston Daily, MI, February 3, 2012
This letter is regards to Senate Bill 619, which will lift all restrictions on cyberschools.
Parents: State Superintendent Must Embrace Cyber Charter Schools as Part of New State Digital Learning Initiative
Ionia Sentinel-Standard, MI, February 3, 2012
As state Superintendent of Public Instruction Mike Flanagan this week announced the state’s new partnership with Digital Learning Now, parents today reminded Flanagan, the state Board of Education and members of the House Education Committee that policymakers have the opportunity to fully embrace digital learning by passing Senate bill 619 and expanding digital learning opportunities for thousands of Michigan students currently languishing on waiting lists.
A New Online Option for Students in Iowa
KCAUTV, IA, February 2, 2012
Trading the classroom for the computer. A virtual school is being offered to students here in Iowa , but local schools have some questions about it.