Daily Headlines for September 20, 2013
Click here for Newswire, the latest weekly report on education news and commentary you won’t find anywhere else – spiced with a dash of irreverence – from the nation’s leading voice in school reform.
NATIONAL COVERAGE
Lobbying Congress with kids, Advocates push childhood education
Time, US, September 19, 2013
Members of Congress defend early childhood education.
Next Steps Weighed on Federal ‘Double Testing’ Relief
Education Week, US, September 19, 2013
The Department of Education gives states option to administer either current standardized tests or field tests emphasizing Common Core for next school year.
Opinion: The Elephant in the (Class)room
USA Today, US, September 19, 2013
Column recommends combating classroom boredom by investing in technology, early childhood education to close global achievement gap.
STATE COVERAGE
DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA
California takes a left turn on state exams
Washington Post, DC, September 19, 2013
California suspends state exams this year, against advice of US Education Secretary.
GEORGIA
North Atlanta principal will stay and attempt to change a “You can’t” culture in APS
Atlanta Journal Constitution, GA, September 19, 2013
Principal rescinds resignation after having accountability concerns addressed.
Two charter schools approved for Bibb
WMAZ, GA, September 19, 2013
County school board votes in favor of two new charter schools.
ILLINOIS
Schools CEO Barbara Bennett tells charter parents closings not their fault
Chicago Sun Times, IL, September 19, 2013
Chicago Public Schools CEO tells parents charter schools not to blame for string of school closings.
KANSAS
Church to host forum on school choice at former Mueller School
Wichita Eagle, KS, September 19, 2013
Church interested in converting starting a charter school holds town hall meeting.
LOUISIANA
Charter schools still a possibility in Lafayette Parish
KATC Online, LA, September 19, 2013
Charter schools can still gain approval from state despite rejection from local board.
Former State Sen. Ann Duplessis to head pro-voucher group
Times-Picayune, LA, September 19, 2013
Ann Duplessis named president of the Louisiana Federation for Children.
State superintendent would limit school letter grade drop under new tests
Times-Picayune, LA, September 19, 2013
State superintendent says school letter grades will only drop one letter at most due to testing considerations.
MARYLAND
Linwood school dedication seen as new era of learning, cooperation
Baltimore Sun, MD, September 20, 2013
$7 million new school and facility opens for special needs students.
MICHIGAN
Pontiac High may close or move to EAA under consent agreement
Detroit News, MI, September 19, 2013
School district must make plan to transfer to state control, close building or enact reforms.
MISSISSIPPI
Community leaders show support for charter high school helping struggling students earn diplomas
MLive.com, MI, September 19, 2013
Charter school holds open house, explains mission of helping students in need of second chance.
Miss. Charter school board to seek funds
Clarion Ledger, MS, September 19, 2013
Charter school seeks money for start funds and leadership positions.
MISSOURI
Lawmakers divided on DESE request for emergency funds
Missouri Times, MO, September 19, 2013
Unaccredited school district requests emergency funds to handle student transfer costs.
St. Louis school boards break ice and meet
St. Louis Post-Dispatch, September 18, 2013
School Board leaders meet to discuss district rating systems.
NEW JERSEY
Grudging Acceptance of Christie Policies Sets Tone As School Chiefs Gather
NJ Spotlight, NJ, September 20, 2013
Superintendents and school officials grapple with recent state reforms in meeting with Commissioner.
NEW YORK
Delaware Seeks to Steer the Poor Towards Top Colleges
New York Times, NY, September 18, 2013
Delaware to provide vouchers to low-income achieving students for applications to top colleges.
NORTH CAROLINA
School Board candidates argue over Wake issues
News & Observer, NC, September 20, 2013
School board candidates debate over school renovations and construction projects.
OHIO
Campbell Ridge parent ready to lead
Cincinnati Inquirer, OH, September 19, 2013
Parent to attend institute to learn how to become better advocate for education and improve schools with other parents.
School choice on Catholic agenda in Kentucky
Cincinnati Inquirer, OH, September 19, 2013
Catholic district superintendent hopes for school choice legislation in Kentucky.
State report card shows: charter schools are growing but are still a small part of state’s education landscape
Cleveland Plain Dealer, OH, September 19, 2013
More students attending charter schools statewide, still small part of state education system, except in Cleveland.
PENNSYLVANIA
Boy sought help from the top in changing schools
Philadelphia Inquirer, PA, September 20, 2013
Boy sends letter to President Obama expressing desire to attend new school, ends up in charter not too soon afterwards.
New school friendly tax abatement system in works
Philadelphia Inquirer, PA, September 20, 2013
Property tax bill gives larger share of tax dollars to schools over time.
RHODE ISLAND
Opinion: Break the Chains on Charter Schools in Mass.
Providence Journal, RI, September 20, 2013
Column urges Massachusetts legislature to expand charter school sector.
TENNESSEE
Common Core hearing offers overview that keeps emotions down
Tennessean, TN, September 20, 2013
State Senate hearing holds recitation of Common Core standards in possible attempt to keep emotions down.
Criticism of MLK Magnet plan doesn’t let up in second parents meeting
Tennessean, TN, September 20, 2013
Opposition grows to eliminating 7th and 8th grades at local magnet school.
State closes Houston charter school over hiring failures
Houston Chronicle, TN, September 19, 2013
School closes after employees not properly vetted, students transfer to other schools.
VIRGINIA
Fairfax schools hiring rate is lower than many Ivy League schools’ admissions rates
Washington Post, DC, September 19, 2013
Hiring rate for teachers in Fairfax County, VA currently at 6.8%.
ONLINE LEARNING
Hillsboro Online Academy expands to include grades 4-6, increases enrollment
Oregonian, OR, September 19, 2013
Virtual public schools expands enrollment and grade levels.
Northern York expects $30,000 savings for online learning program this year
PennLive.com, PA, September 19, 2013
School district to use own teacher personnel and laptops to participate in online learning program, saving on costs.