Daily Headlines for July 12, 2011
AFT Teachers Union To Defend Educators In Cheating Scandals
USA Today, July 11, 2011
The head of the USA’s second-largest teachers union on Monday said local affiliates will defend the rights of teachers caught up in cheating scandals, including the one now unfolding in Atlanta. But she said cheating “under any circumstances is unacceptable.”
Union Chief Faults School Reform From ‘On High’
New York Times, July 12, 2011
Amid one of the most contentious periods in recent memory for teachers’ unions, the president of the American Federation of Teachers, Randi Weingarten, on Monday called for education reform that emanates from teachers and their communities, rather than from “those who blame teachers for everything.”
FROM THE STATES
DELAWARE
Reach Supporters Plead Their Case
Delaware News Journal, DE, July 12, 2011
The supporters of Reach Academy Charter School brought additional evidence Monday to the state Board of Education that they say proves the school is viable and should remain open.
A Model For The Charter
Delaware News Journal, DE, July 12, 2011
When Margie López Waite walks around the gray building flipping on lights in classrooms, it’s clear that her dream is all the more real now. In little more than a month, this vacant building at 326 Ruthar Drive in Ogletown will transform into the dual-language Las Américas Aspira Academy.
FLORIDA
Jacqueline Harris Preparatory Academy At A Critical Crossroads
Pensacola News Journal, FL, July 12, 2011
Tabatha Fields picked Jacqueline Harris Preparatory Academy for her two daughters because she liked the Pensacola charter school’s intimate, inviting environment.
Charter School Jumps From ‘D’ To ‘A’
Miami Herald, FL, July 11, 2011
Somerset Academy South Homestead Elementary “made magic.” That’s how teacher Melissa Alvarez describes the charter school’s leap from a state-issued D grade last year, to an A for 2010-2011. It was the largest grade improvement and highest overall grade of any elementary school in Homestead.
GEORGIA
Four APS Superintendents Removed In Scandal Fallout
Atlanta Journal-Constitution, GA, July 11, 2011
Interim Superintendent Erroll Davis replaced four area superintendents with principals Monday and former school board chairman Khaatim Sherrer El announced his resignation in the continuing fallout from a cheating scandal that has overwhelmed Atlanta Public Schools.
Dallas-Area District Puts Ex-APS Official On Leave In Wake Of Cheating Probe
Atlanta Journal-Constitution, GA, July 12, 2011
DeSoto school trustees placed embattled Superintendent Kathy Augustine on paid leave Monday following a Georgia probe released last week that found widespread cheating in Atlanta schools while she served as second-in-command.
ILLINOIS
Quinn To Sign Aurora Charter School Bill Wednesday
The Beacon-News, IL, July 11, 2011
Governor Pat Quinn is expected be in Aurora Wednesday to sign a bill that would create a new Fox Valley charter school focused on science and math. The proposed STEM (science, technology, engineering and mathematics) school would serve up to 500 third- through eighth-graders from the East Aurora, West Aurora, Indian Prairie and Oswego school districts.
INDIANA
Suit Hasn’t Slowed State’s New Voucher Program
Evening News and Tribune, IN, July 12, 2011
The Indiana Department of Education will have a new voucher program up and running in the coming weeks despite an attempt by the state’s largest teachers’ union to block its implementation.
State Creates Website To Educate Parents About Vouchers
Indianapolis Star, IN, July 12, 2011
The state Department of Education has created a website to help parents figure out how to receive state money to send their children to private school — and whether they qualify.
MASSACHUSETTS
City Refiles To Join Lawsuit Vs. Charter
Gloucester Times, MA, July, 11, 2011
As Judge Robert Cornetta prepares his decision for the end of the month on a 15-parent lawsuit that seeks a preliminary injunction and could shut down the Gloucester Community Arts Charter School, the city of Gloucester has filed a new motion to back the city school parents’ case.
MICHIGAN
Competition Key In Improving Schools
Detroit News, MI, July 12, 2011
The Detroit News reported last week that charter high schools in Detroit aren’t performing much better – and in some cases they are doing worse – than the city’s traditional public schools, when looking at test scores.
MISSOURI
Barat Academy Faces More Troubles
St. Louis Post-Dispatch, MO, July 12, 2011
Barat Academy got locked out of its own school Monday as part of eviction proceedings, leaving uncertainty over whether it will open for classes as scheduled next month.
Eyes Are On Academie Lafayette As Charter Schools Seek To Expand
Kansas City Star, MO, July 11, 2011
Anyone waiting to see a test of the Kansas City school board’s newly expressed friendliness toward charter schools won’t have to wait long.
NEW JERSEY
Marlboro School Administrators Recommend Participation In Teacher-Evaluation Program
Asbury Park Press, NJ, July 11, 2011
Administrators in the K-8 district are recommending the Board of Education apply to participate in the state’s teacher-evaluation pilot program.
OHIO
It’s Official: Schools Lose $780 Million
Columbu
s Dispatch, OH, July 12, 2011
When the dust settled on the new state budget, operating funds for Ohio schools were cut nearly $780 million for the next two years, with 17 central Ohio districts facing reductions that top 10 percent this school year.
OREGON
Coburg Charter School Gearing Up
The Register-Guard, OR, July 12, 2011
Critics say rating system may unfairly penalize high-achieving schools
PENNSYLVANIA
Rating Teachers
Philadelphia Inquirer, PA, July 11, 2011
Pennsylvania lawmakers should take care in considering a bill that would let school districts use students’ test scores to measure teacher performance. The legislation would mandate a statewide change as early as next year. Standardized-test scores would weigh heavily in determining whether teachers keep their jobs, receive tenure, or get merit pay.
TENNESSEE
Teacher Morale Affected By Vocal Minority, Huffman Says
Nashville Public Radio, TN, July 11, 2011
Tennessee’s Education Commissioner says this spring’s legislative battles left teacher morale bruised. Commissioner Kevin Huffman chalks that up to the harsh back-and-forth not among lawmakers but that of outside comments.
WISCONSIN
Educators Skeptical Of Plans For Statewide Reform
Leader-Telegram, WI, July 12, 2011
A school whose eighth-grade students improve from a fourth-grade to a seventh-grade reading level in one year may have reason to pat itself on the back, but under federal No Child Left Behind benchmarks, it still would be a “failing” school.
Kaukauna Teachers Object To Policy Changes
Appleton Post Crescent, WI, July 12, 2011
About five dozen teachers and community members packed a Kaukauna Board of Education meeting Monday night to express their frustration with a recently adopted employee handbook.
VIRTUAL LEARNING
Internet Offers Robust Learning Option
The Tennessean, TN, July 12, 2011
With all the recent conversation about online, or virtual, learning, you would think it is a new concept, but distance learning is nothing new – it has its roots in the old correspondence schools of the 19th century.
Tennessee’s First Virtual Academy Goes Online In August
The Tennessean, TN, July 12, 2011
The Union County school system has established what’s believed to be a first in Tennessee: an online public school for students in kindergarten through eighth-grade.
Public School Ads Target Cyber Schools
Altoona Mirror, PA, July 12, 2011
In the wake of a state budget that eliminates reimbursements to school districts for student enrollment in cyber schools outside of their districts, public school officials are planning a campaign to re-attract the students they’ve lost.
Idaho Looks At 2 Online Courses For Graduation, Down From 8
The Spokesman-Review, July 11, 2011
Idaho’s tech-focused “Students Come First” school reform plan originally envisioned requiring all Idaho students to take eight online classes to graduate from high school, but the state now is looking at requiring just two.