Daily Headlines for January 7, 2011
Lessons Learned
The Economist, January 6, 2011
BUDGET, curriculum, class size-none has a greater effect on a student than his or her teacher. Given this, politicians might be expected to do all in their power to ensure that America’s teachers are good ones. For decades, they have done the opposite.
Officials Support Regulations For Charter Schools
Fair Lawn Community News, NJ, January 6, 2011
The Board of Education is asking the state to establish more regulations regarding charter schools.
FROM THE STATES
California
Point Loma Charter School Battle
KUSI News, CA, January 6, 2011
Parents and school-reformers in Point Loma are so upset with the Board of Education, there’s now talk of turning all of their schools into charter schools and perhaps even dropping-out of the school district.
Colorado
Get Smart Trains Business Managers For Charter Schools
Denver Business Journal, CO, January 7, 2011
The continuing growth in the number of charter schools has sparked a need for a new kind of leader – one versed in both education and business. Thus Get Smart Schools began a new business manager training program last August.
District of Columbia
Can Mayor Gray Make the Grade on D.C. School Reform?
Washington Post, DC, January 7, 2011
Listening to Gray during his campaign, I wasn’t confident that he’d be able to lead – and sustain – the District’s progress. So far, though, the sky hasn’t fallen on District public schools. And Gray’s initial appointments offer reason to be optimistic.
Florida
Pupils Come First, Scott Says
Miami Herald, FL, January 7, 2011
Just two days after being sworn in as Florida’s governor, Rick Scott visited an Opa-locka charter school to speak about his plans to reform education in the state.
Indiana
Some Democrats Ready To Embrace Education Reform
Indianapolis Star, IN, January 7, 2011
The group plans to weigh in heavily during the upcoming education policy debates, and some members recently met with Republican Gov. Mitch Daniels to make clear their interest in finding common ground. Their voices will add much-needed balance to the debate.
Kentucky
Kentucky Senate Panel Approves Bill Allowing Charter Schools, School Choice
Lexington Herald Leader, KY, January 6, 2011
A bill allowing charter schools in Kentucky, and letting parents under certain conditions to enroll their children in public schools closest to their homes, is headed for a likely Senate vote Friday.
Michigan
Proposed MTA Cuts Would Be ‘Catastrophic’ For Charter School Parents
The Flint Journal, MI, January 6, 2011
Thousands of parents of charter and private school students will have to find other ways to get their kids to school if proposed cuts to Mass Transportation Authority bus routes happen as planned this month.
Bobb’s Plan for 2 Districts May Spur Real DPS Dialogue
Detroit News, MI, January 7, 2011
Either could explain why Bobb will offer the state Legislature a plan next week to split the Detroit Public Schools into two districts, financially speaking.
Minnesota
Legislative Battles Over Alternative Teacher Certification Are Likely Again This Session
MinnPost, MN, January 6, 2011
Minnesota’s education unions and legislators are likely headed for more battles this session. House lawmakers are trying to pass alternative teacher certification in Minnesota again after contention over the issue killed the entire omnibus K-12 education policy bill last session.
New Jersey
Jersey City Mayor and Councilman Want Christie to Change School Funding Formula To Send Charter Schools More Money
Jersey Journal, NJ, January 7, 2011
Jersey City Mayor Jerramiah T. Healy and Downtown Councilman Steven Fulop are calling on Gov. Chris Christie to amend his school funding formula to give charter schools a bigger slice of the funding pie.
North Carolina
Parents Want Good Options
Greensboro News & Record, NC, January 7, 2011
Guilford County has 18 opt-out schools. Although only 12 percent of eligible students are exercising their options this year, that adds up to a lot who have to be accommodated at other schools and also excess capacity at the schools that lost them.
Washington
Gov. Gregoire Broadens Her Sphere of Control
Seattle Times, WA, January 7, 2011
Gov. Chris Gregoire’s proposed streamlining of Washington’s educational bureaucracy rightly echoes frustration with a system of silos and warring departments, but the move appears less about government efficiency and more about shifting control.
VIRTUAL EDUCATION
Notable Online Learning Developments in 2010 Not All Positive Ones
Forbes Blog, January 6, 2010
As those who have followed the growth of online learning in the United States know, one of the best reports about the online learning field is released annually at iNACOL’s Virtual School Symposium.
Education Changing With The Times
Green Bay Press Gazette, WI, January 7, 2011
The school district this fall will open the John Dewey Academy of Learning charter school, a project-based learning environment that initially will serve 60 to 70 students in grades eight through 11.
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