Daily Headlines for December 14, 2012
Supporters, Critics Debate Merits Of Proposed Argosy Charter School
Fall River Herald News, MA, December 13, 2012
Advocates of the proposed Argosy Collegiate Charter School told members of the Massachusetts Board of Elementary and Secondary Education that the city’s school district is not preparing students for success after graduation, which is creating the need for educational alternatives.
Weighing Options for Expanding School Choice
New York Times, NY, December 14, 2012
In debates over school choice, like the one brewing as the 83rd legislative session draws closer, traditional public school districts are often cast as stubborn defenders of the status quo.
Looking at Charter Schools
WNYC, NY, December 13, 2012
Beth Fertig, WNYC’s education reporter and contributor to SchoolBook, talks about her series on the issues surrounding charter schools, including attrition rates and locations.
‘School-To-Prison Pipeline’ Hearing Puts Spotlight On Student Discipline
Washington Post, DC, December 13, 2012
It was a defining moment for the issue, which advocates call the school-to-prison-pipeline. It refers to get-tough disciplinary practices that steer students out of schools — through suspension, expulsion or police involvement — and into the criminal justice system.
Right-To-Work: Does It Improve Teacher Quality?
Forbes, December 13, 2012
Based on results from the 2011 NAEP (the “nation’s report card”), 7% of Detroit public-school 8th-graders are proficient in reading. Even more staggering, 4% of Detroit public-school 8th graders are proficient in math.
U.S. Standard For Certifying Teachers Worth Pursuing
Everett Daily Herald, WA, December 14, 2012
You can just hear the sighs in public schools across the land. Ugh … another test … just what we needed.
FROM THE STATES
ARKANSAS
Study: Charter School Students Are Vaccinated Less
KTAR, AR, December 13, 2012
Arizona charter school kindergartners are being vaccinated at lower rates than those in public schools, a University of Arizona study said.
CALIFORNIA
Division Among Parent Trigger Group
Victorville Daily Press, CA, December 13, 2012
Two of the original five filers of the “Parent Trigger” lawsuit against Adelanto School District were voted out of the Desert Trails Parent Union’s steering committee, according to the group’s lead organizer, Joe Morales.
A Good Step Forward
Livermore Independent, CA, December 14, 2012
The Livermore School District and Livermore Valley Charter School efforts to reconcile their differences represents a good sign for education in Livermore.
Fears Arise Over More Possible Horizon Charter School Locations Shutting Down
CBS13, CA, December 13, 2012
A chain of charter schools is in turmoil, and now parents fear their kids may be left with no place to learn.
COLORADO
Re-1 Board: Timing Is Off For TRES Charter
Post Independent, CO, December 14, 2012
The Roaring Fork District Re-1 school board voted 4-1 Wednesday to deny a charter application for the Two Rivers Expeditionary School (TRES), saying more work needs to be done to refine the proposal.
Quality Teaching Vs. Tenure Rights
Denver Post, CO, December 14, 2012
For years, tenured teachers who lost their positions within Denver Public Schools and could not find another were forcibly assigned to what inevitably were the poorest schools and most challenging situations.
FLORIDA
Holding Voucher Schools To Account Is Overdue
Tampa Bay Tribune, FL, December 14, 2012
Gov. Rick Scott campaigned two years ago as an outsider who would bring a fresh perspective to Tallahassee. He did that this week when it came to private school vouchers, acknowledging the need for Florida to shed its hypocrisy on education accountability.
IDAHO
Prop 1, 2, 3 Opponents Worry Idaho Legislature Will Revive Repealed Education Laws
Boise State Public Radio, ID, December 14, 2012
The leaders of the campaign that defeated Idaho’s Propositions 1, 2 and 3 in last month’s election are concerned that the laws could come back. They’re speaking out against efforts to resurrect the education overhaul rejected by voters.
Some High-ranking Idaho Schools Don’t Get Merit Pay
Magic Valley Times-News, ID, December 14, 2012
Some south-central Idaho schools received high marks under the state’s new five-star ranking system, but didn’t qualify for merit pay. Melissa McGrath, spokeswoman for the Idaho State Department of Education, said there are some cases statewide, but it’s not a widespread occurrence.
ILLINOIS
CPS Pushes Ahead With Plans For More Charter Schools
Chicago Tribune, IL, December 14, 2012
Chicago Public Schools officials moved ahead Thursday with plans to open more charter schools next year, a sore point for critics who are fighting the Emanuel administration’s plans to close scores of neighborhood schools in 2013.
Lack Of Detail On School Closings Frustrates Some Parents
Chicago Tribune, IL, December 14, 2012
When Mayor Rahm Emanuel won a delay last month in announcing planned school closings, he promised to use the time to let concerned Chicagoans attend hearings and be involved in the conversation about any changes to the district.
INDIANA
Deputy Mayor of Education Speaks on Charter School Expansion
WIBC, IN, December 14, 2012
Jason Kloth says the Ballard administration strongly believes every child and every family should have access to high quality education options. He says the administration is committed to providing that not only through the mayor’s office but also through private and traditional public schools.
IOWA
Sioux City Officials Closely Following Charter School Talks
Sioux City Journal, IA, December 14, 2012
Sioux City school district officials are asking lawmakers for the same ability to develop new education programs as charter schools.
KENTUCKY
Breathitt Schools Cheating Our Children
Lexington Herald-Leader, KY, December 14, 2012
Corruption. Cronyism. Mismanagement. Strong words, but mild for the abuse of trust perpetrated on the young people of Breathitt County by the adults who were responsible for educating them.
LOUISIANA
School Board Pays Into Voucher Suit Kitty
The Advocate, LA, December 14, 2012
The Livingston Parish School Board on Thursday approved a payment into a legal defense fund for costs associated with the state court challenge to the constitutionality of the funding mechanism supporting the state’s voucher program.
MAINE
Standards Take Shape For Grading Maine Teachers
Press Herald, ME, December 14, 2012
Maine is taking its first concrete steps to establishing statewide standards for evaluating teachers’ performance, something that has historically been left to local districts.
MASSACHUSETTS
Reville A Hard Act To Follow In School Post
Boston Globe, MA, December 14, 2012
STATE EDUCATION secretary Paul Reville, who is stepping down from his cabinet post in the Patrick administration, deftly managed to enlist the state’s largest teachers’ union in pursuit of aggressive education reform, with special attention on upgrading urban schools.
MICHIGAN
DPS Board, Roberts Ordered Back To Court
Detroit News, MI, December 14, 2012
The Detroit school board and Emergency Financial Manager Roy Roberts have been ordered to return to court next week with a list of issues to be settled in the battle for control of day-to-day academics and finances at Detroit Public Schools.
Lansing OKs EM, Detroit Lighting Bills
Detroit News, MI, December 14, 2012
The Republican-controlled Legislature sent to the governor Thursday two contentious bills aimed at fixing some of Detroit’s most vexing problems.
MINNESOTA
Teacher Evaluation System To Be Tested In Some Minnesota Schools
Minnesota Public Radio, MN, December 13, 2012
A new proposed teacher evaluation system is headed to a testing phase in some Minnesota schools.
MISSISSIPPI
Reform Nonsense: More Style Than Substance
Clarion Ledger, MS, December 13, 2012
In a few weeks, our elected statewide political representatives will be engaged in protracted debates and lively discussions about reforming education in Mississippi.
MONTANA
Conrad Senator Outlines Sweeping Education Reform, Funding Bill He’ll Present In 2013
Billings Gazette, MT, December 14, 2012
A Republican state senator on Thursday outlined a sweeping proposal to reform Montana’s public schools and their funding, including an overhaul of academic standards and a $50 million a year cut in local school property taxes.
NEW JERSEY
Grant to N.J. Ed Dept. Contingent on Gov. Christie’s Tenure
Washington Post Blog, DC, December 14, 2012
The private Broad Foundation gave a grant of up to to $430,000 to the New Jersey Department of Education that includes this contingency: It can be withdrawn if Chris Christie (R) is no longer governor of the state.
NEW MEXICO
Why Education Reform Must Continue Forward
Albuquerque Journal, NM, December 14, 2012
Less than half of fourth-graders nationwide know what the words “flourish” and “prestigious” mean, according to the latest results from the country’s only national standardized test.
NEW YORK
City Plans To Move New Charter School Run By Eva Moskowitz Into Crown Heights Building That Officials Said Has No Room
New York Daily News, NY, December 13, 2012
A Crown Heights public school could be forced to make room for a charter school two years after city officials said there wasn’t enough room in the building.
OKLAHOMA
Teachers Union Leader: Poor Leadership Crippling OKC School District
The Oklahoman, OK, December 14, 2012
Working for or with Oklahoma City Public Schools can be an unbelievable experience. Unbelievable as in “beyond belief.” Substantial problems face our district and the least-discussed problem is poor leadership — leadership that is beyond belief.
PENNSYLVANIA
Philadelphia Superintendent Identifies Schools He Intends To Close
Philadelphia Inquirer, PA, December 14, 2012
Proposing the largest contraction in the history of the Philadelphia School District, Superintendent William R. Hite Jr. said that come June, he wants to shut one out of six city schools and relocate, close programs, or reshuffle grades at many more.
Group Presents School For Immigrant Students
Erie Times News, PA, December 14, 2012
Horton and a group of supporters presented plans to the Erie School Board on Thursday night for the Erie New Americans Friendship Academy Charter School. The proposed school would focus on providing language skills and comprehension for English as a second language students.
Judge Approves State Receivership For Chester-Upland Schools
Philadelphia Inquirer, PA, December 14, 2012
The troubled Chester Upland School District now is in the hands of a state-appointed receiver.
Pennsylvania Charter Appeals Board Fails
York Dispatch, PA, December 14, 2012
The merits of York City-based New Hope Charter School have yet to be debated. But the grade is in on Pennsylvania’s charter school law: It flunks.
TENNESSEE
Choice Breeds Success
Commercial Appeal, TN, December 14, 2012
Municipal school systems are only attractive in comparison to Memphis city schools of the past. The children of parents who live in the municipalities deserve better. They deserve school choice options that Republicans have used to transform education in the city, but with expanded and enhanced parental choice including stricter requirements for local control.
UTAH
State Board Demands Better Enrollment Accountability From Charter Schools
The Salt Lake Tribune, UT, December 14, 2012
City Academy was one of the state’s first public charter schools to start operating in 2000. But more than a decade later, the Salt Lake City school, which serves students in grades seven through 12, has yet to meet its projected enrollment.
VIRGINIA
McDonnell Proposes 2 Percent Raise For Teachers
Richmond Times-Dispatch, VA, December 14, 2012
Virginia’s public school teachers would see a 2 percent pay raise under Gov. Bob McDonnell’s proposed budget amendments, but any boost is contingent on lawmakers approving several changes, including extending probation periods for new teachers.
Teachers’ Raises Tied To Policy For Culling Those Who Under Perform
Roanoke Times, VA, December 14, 2012
Gov. Bob McDonnell will ask state lawmakers to fund a 2percent salary increase for public school teachers next year, but the raises would be paid only if the General Assembly also passes legislation that sets terms for terminating under-performing teachers.
WEST VIRGINIA
Long On Pensions, Short On Teacher Pay
Charleston Daily Mail, WV, December 14, 2012
In 1994, West Virginia’s Teachers Retirement System had enough assets to cover only about 11 percent of its long-term obligations. It had an unfunded liability of $3.3 billion.
ONLINE LEARNING
Hit The Delete Button On Cyber Charter Funding
Philadelphia Inquirer, PA, December 14, 2012
If Auditor General Jack Wagner’s plea for reform in how Pennsylvania allows cyber charter schools to operate sounds familiar, it should.
Virtual School Students To See History Come Alive At Albany’s Historic Carousel And Museum
Albany Tribune, OR, December 13, 2012
Students from Oregon Connections Academy and their families will see history come alive when they attend a special field trip to the Historic Carousel and Museum in Albany on Thursday, Dec. 20. The event starts at 10 a.m. at the Carousel and Museum located at 503 1st Avenue West in Albany.