Daily Headlines for October 24, 2012
Filling Gap In Number Of Quality Teachers Is Something Candidates Should Be Talking About
The Oklahoman, OK, October 24, 2012
EDUCATION was the one important topic that was almost entirely absent from last week’s second presidential debate, which focused on a wide variety of domestic issues.
President Barack Obama Strives To End The Failure Of No Child Left Behind
Desert Sun, CA, October 23, 2012
President Obama’s commitment to this institution reflects the critical role public education plays in ensuring a strong and vibrant America.
WHY IT MATTERS: Education
Associated Press, October 23, 2012
States and local governments have the primary responsibility for education in the United States . But the federal government gets a big say, too, by awarding billions in aid, often with strings attached.
FROM THE STATES
CALIFORNIA
In Search Of Quality Teachers, Charter Network Trains Its Own
The Bay Citizen, CA, October 24, 2012
Amy Youngman’s seventh- and eighth-grade humanities students had left for the day. Other than some shouts from the after-school program in the courtyard, all was quiet in her second-floor classroom here.
School Choice And Educational Services Available
Press Enterprise, CA, October 23, 2012
San Bernardino City Unified School District students who attend Program Improvement (PI) schools may be eligible for special services or school transfers.
Education Prize Eludes Corona-Norco District
Los Angeles Times, CA, October 24, 2012
The Corona-Norco Unified School District is a finalist for the Broad Prize for Urban Education, garnering $150,000, but the award goes to Miami-Dade schools.
CONNECTICUT
Bridgeport Charter Revision Backers Aren’t Being Honest
CT Post, CT, October 24, 2012
In fact, if the referendum passes, parents will have less chance for involvement. They won’t be able to hold the board accountable by voting them out.
FLORIDA
Spectacular Academics
Miami Herald, FL, October 23, 2012
The fifth time was the charm for Miami-Dade Public Schools, which won the prestigious Broad Prize on Tuesday, for minority students making spectacular gains in academics.
When Mom And Dad Help, Schools And Students Excel
News-Press, FL, October 24, 2012
On any given day, you can find about 20 parents regularly volunteering their time at Bonita Springs Charter School.
School Board Oks Improvement Plans For 2 Charter Schools
Daytona Beach News-Journal, FL, October 23, 2012
Improvement plans for F-rated charter schools in DeLand and Oak Hill were approved by the Volusia County School Board Tuesday amid warnings district officials will be watching carefully to see how they’re put into action.
Why Miami-Dade Schools Won Prestigious Broad Prize For Urban Districts
Christian Science Monitor, MA, October 23, 2012
Miami-Dade County Public Schools has been steadily chipping away at the achievement gap. After being a finalist four other times, the district won the Broad Prize for Urban Education on Tuesday.
GEORGIA
Setzler: We Must Have Healthy Competition With Charter Schools
Marietta Daily Journal, GA, October 24, 2012
One side at a Tuesday evening forum said passing the charter schools constitutional amendment on Nov. 6 to create a new state agency for charter schools would give parents more choice in their children’s education, while others called it a money grab for out-of-state interests.
A ‘Yes’ Will Offer An Appeal Process
Cherokee Ledger, GA, October 24, 2012
For those who have been following the debate regarding Amendment No. 1 — the charter amendment — and wondering why everyone is so upset, I wanted to give you some final thoughts. For those of us in the thick of it, it’s a passionate subject that goes to the basic instinct of parents, what’s best for our kids and who is best to decide that?
Amendment 1 a Modern Trojan Horse
Macon Telegraph, GA, October 24, 2012
Let me begin with a disclaimer. I am an educator in a public school; have been for 25 years. The boorish behavior of our governor and his attorney general aside, I certainly don’t feel my profession disqualifies me from holding or sharing an opinion on the charter school amendment.
ILLINOIS
Cleveland’s Charter School Growth A Cautionary Tale For Chicago
Chicago Tribune, IL, October 24, 2012
Ohio gives poor marks to nearly a third of city’s charters that serve disadvantaged students
District 150 Launches New Evaluation System For Teachers
Peoria Journal Star, IL, October 23, 2012
All Peoria School District 150 teachers are being rated with a new evaluation tool this year that both administrators and teachers’ union representatives say will improve teaching and put the district in the forefront of new state-mandated reforms.
INDIANA
In State School Chiefs Election, Pace Of Educational Reforms Just One Issue
Journal and Courier, IN, October 23, 2012
If one issue in Indiana has become a hotbed of political debate, it’s education.
Charter School Lawsuit Sent Back To State Court
Munster Times, IN, October 23, 2012
LEAD College Prep wants to force the Gary school district to comply with state law and lease the unused former Ernie Pyle Elementary School to the charter for $1. The Gary district wants the charter school to follow through on an offer its former management company made to buy another school building for $300,000.
LOUISIANA
D.C. Trip May Boomerang
The Daily Adviser, LA, October 24, 2012
The boomerang hasn’t made its way back to the delegation of Monroe City School Board members and officials who made a questioned and questionable trip to Washington, D.C. , to the U.S. Justice Department to talk about the Neville High School charter proposal.
Voucher Law Questioned In Desegregation Case
Alexandria Town Talk, LA, October 23, 2012
Louisiana’s education chief has been summoned to federal court in a case involving the state’s new school voucher law and a 47-year-old desegregation case.
Once-Failing Orleans Parish Schools Eligible To Return To Local Control
WWL-TV, LA, October 23, 2012
A number of once-failing Orleans Parish schools that the state took over after Hurricane Katrina are now eligible to return to local control.
MARYLAND
Dream Act Event At City School Being Scrutinized
The Baltimore Sun, MD, October 23, 2012
The Baltimore school system is looking into whether an event held at a public charter school to promote passage of a question on the Nov. 6 ballot was an improper use of facilities to promote a political cause.
MINNESOTA
All-Day Kindergarten Back On The Ballot In St. Paul
Star Tribune, MN, October 23, 2012
St. Paul is on a quest to improve education by training more resources on the youngest students, and its all-day kindergarten offerings — a crucial part of that effort — could hinge on a school levy up for renewal by voters on Nov. 6.
MISSISSIPPI
Parent Trigger Law
WJTV, MS, October 23, 2012
If your child attends a failing school, there may be something you can do about it. This is the first year parents have the opportunity to take control of their child’s education.
MISSOURI
Southeast Approves Charter School Through 2018
Southeast Missourian, MO, October 24, 2012
Southeast Missouri State University says a charter schools it oversees can continue operating through 2018.
NEW JERSEY
Newark Teachers Blast Historic Salary Contract Signed By Union Leaders
Star-Ledger, NJ, October 23, 2012
Leaders of the Newark Teachers Union faced a barrage of criticism from rank and file members tonight over the historic three-year contract signed Friday that, for the first time, will offer annual bonuses of up to $12,500 to top teachers.
OHIO
Charters Not Making The Grade
Ironton Tribune, OH, October 23, 2012
Ohio’s public school systems have been at odds with the state’s charter schools for the near decade and a half since they were created. But data from the recent state report cards show that public school administrators — and taxpayers — should have legitimate concerns.
PENNSYLVANIA
School Board, Residents, Teachers Frustrated At Lack Of State Response
Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, PA, October 24, 2012
It’s been four weeks since the state board of control overseeing the Duquesne City School District notified the state Department of Education that it would not oppose its decision to place the district in preliminary financial recovery status.
Policy Change Aids Bear Creek School
Times Leader, PA, October 24, 2012
It was easier for Bear Creek Community Charter School to meet state goals in math and reading tests this year – not because of anything the school did, but because the state changed the way it judges charter school success.
SOUTH CAROLINA
Hayes: Zais’ SC Teacher Pay Plan Unfair, Counterproductive
The State, SC, October 24, 2012
S.C. Education Superintendent Mick Zais has a plan to radically change how teachers are evaluated, credentialed and, ultimately, paid. Student test scores will be used to give teachers a letter grade: A, B, C, D or F.
Closing Choices Would Be A Bad Choice
Morning News, SC, October 24, 2012
The idea behind Choices Charter School in Florence has undeniable appeal. A retired Florence police captain starts a school, based on military-style discipline and accountability, offering a tough-love second (or third, or fourth) chance to kids who just can’t seem to make it “regular” school.
Future of Choices Charter School Uncertain After Agreements Lapse
WBTW, SC, October 23, 2012
The future of Choices Charter School is somewhat up in the air after a lapse in charter agreements between the school and school districts in Florence and Darlington Counties.
SOUTH DAKOTA
Teacher Bonus Pay Is A Dubious Plan
Yankton Daily Press, SD, October 24, 2012
South Dakota’s educational system may soon be redefined and based on a questionable theory. That theory — that awarding bonuses to teachers whose students perform best in the classroom — sounds straightforward and productive enough. But like many theories, it doesn’t always function ideally in the real world.
TENNESSEE
Nashville School Board Appears Split On Filing Suit Over Charter Penalty
The Tennessean, TN, October 24, 2012
Metro Nashville school board member Amy Frogge is ready to sue the state to force the return of $3.4 million the district didn’t receive last month, and she said parent groups stand ready to take up the legal fight if the board decides against it.
TEXAS
Schools Have Strong Funding Case
Dallas Morning News, TX, October 23, 2012
The state’s latest school finance lawsuit is only into its first week of hearings, but this much already is clear: Poor and wealthy districts aren’t fighting each other. They are united in protesting that lawmakers aren’t adequately funding Texas schools. It is not often that you see rich and poor districts partnering in a school finance case.
UTAH
Charter School Application On Hold
Park Record, UT, October 24, 2012
While the Winter Sports School in Park City (WSS) application to become a charter school may be on hold, it’s anything but dead. In a recent Park City Board of Education meeting, board members voted to table the talks to incorporate the private school into the district.
VIRGINIA
State On-Time Graduation Rate On The Rise
Richmond Times-Dispatch, VA, October 24, 2012
The number of students dropping out of high school fell last year and is down 25 percent over the past five years, according to data released Tuesday by the Virginia Department of Education.
WASHINGTON
Evergreen Offers Model For Better Teachers – Without Depending On Test Scores
Bellingham Herald, WA, October 24, 2012
Sharon Nichols and David Berliner know something you don’t know about education – but they wish you did. And I wish all the smart people who supposedly care about education would listen to them.
Port Angeles School Board Opposes Charter-School Initiative
Peninsula Daily News, WA, October 24, 2012
The Port Angeles School Board has formally voted to oppose a state initiative that would allow charter schools in Washington, and it encourages voters to vote against I-1240.
What Happens To Local Schools If I-1240 Passes?
KXLY, WA, October 24, 2012
The way your child looks at school may soon change. If Initiative 1240 passes, up to 40 charter schools could open in Washington.
Former Foe Now Embraces Charter Schools, Campaigns For I-1240
Seattle Times, WA, October 23, 2012
Longtime public-school supporter Lisa Macfarlane once opposed opening charter schools in this state. Now she’s leading the campaign for Initiative 1240, which would allow up to 40 charters here.
Reject Initiative 1240 And Sending Public Money To Charter Schools
Seattle Times, WA, October 23, 2012
Initiative 1240 to create public charter schools is a distraction that masquerades as a solution to fund basic education, writes guest columnist Mari Taylor.
NEA Donates $250,000 To Anti-Charter-School Campaign
Seattle Times Blog, WA, October 23, 2012
The National Education Association, which supports charter schools in some states, has contributed $250,000 to the campaign to defeat a charter school initiative here, the campaign’s largest contribution to date.
Initiative 1240 Would Offer Tool That Could Help Fix State Schools
Yakima Herald-Republic, WA, October 23, 2012
Charter schools have proven a tough sell in Washington, having failed three times in ballot issues extending back to the 1996. The latest incarnation, Initiative 1240, would bring neither the sweeping changes that school reformers seek nor the dire disruption that opponents say they fear.
ONLINE TOOLS
York-Based Urban Cyber Charter School Plans Satellite Hub In Lancaster
The Evening Sun, PA, October 24, 2012
Lancaster newspapers reports a York company is seeking state approval to start a cybercharter school that would include a satellite hub in Lancaster city.
Easton Passes ‘Pay To Play’ Fee For Charter, Cyber Schools
The Morning Call, PA, October 23, 2012
Charter and cyber schools will have to start paying a fee for former Easton Area School District students who want to play sports for their home team.
Virtual Academy Is Up And Running, And Enrolling Students
Osakis Review, MN, October 24, 2012
Lakes Area Virtual Academy (LAVA) is up and running and enrolling its first students, according to Phil Grant, director of the Lakes Area Charter School (LACS) in Osakis.
Virtual Schools Meet The Needs Of Students, Families
The Gazette, IA, October 24, 2012
The movie “Won’t back down” makes for compelling Hollywood drama, and is touching off an important discussion about the future of public education. As this important conversation continues, we should keep in mind that this show glosses over educational options and solutions that aren’t nearly as extreme as taking over a school.