Daily Headlines for March 26, 2013
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NATIONAL COVERAGE
Rand Paul Pushes Federal School Vouchers
Washington Post Blog, DC, March 25, 2013
Sen. Rand Paul, a rising star in the Republican Party, is pushing for a federal voucher program that sounds similar to one advanced by Mitt Romney when he was running for president.
FROM THE STATES
ARKANSAS
Chartering A Difficult School Reform Course
Log Cabin Democrat, AR, March 25, 2013
We all know the value of experimentation. You try something, it fails. You keep trying, and eventually you get a light bulb or a man on the moon. In the meantime, however, you’ve had a lot of flops and maybe some disasters.
CALIFORNIA
Charter School Seeks Vacaville Unified Oversight
Daily Breeze, CA, March 26, 2013
Vacaville Unified trustees appear willing to approve a petition from a Rio Linda-based nonprofit operator of charter schools that wants to give the district oversight of its Vacaville school, Heritage Peak.
California Voters Split On Jerry Brown School Plans
Los Angeles Times, CA, March 25, 2013
Fifty percent agree with the governor’s proposal to give more funds to school districts that serve low-income children. A separate Brown plan to give local districts more funding control is favored by 59%.
FLORIDA
Stop The Giveaway To Charter Schools
Tampa Bay Times, FL, March 25, 2013
Once again legislators are looking for ways to undermine Florida’s public school system by giving more taxpayer dollars and freebies to charter schools, including those run by for-profit management companies.
As One District Charter School Closes, Another Opens
Bradenton Times, FL, March 26, 2013
At Monday’s School Board meeting, the fate of one troubled charter school was sealed while a prospective all-boys academy was granted a charter school contract. Bradenton Charter School, more than 10 years into its contract, was given a troubling assessment by the district in 2007 and another of the same in 2012, failing in each review to show that its program is providing adequate educational practices to its pupils. Board members voted to not renew the school’s charter contract.
Closed’ Schools Drawing Interest
Florida Today, FL, March 26, 2013
A major operator of charter schools has expressed interest in either buying or leasing one or more of the three Brevard schools that will close at the end of this school year.
ILLINOIS
The Power Of A Teacher
Chicago Tribune, IL, March 26, 2013
Let us take a moment to praise Chicago public school teachers. Many are so dedicated to their students that they put in grueling hours and dig into their own pockets for supplies. They deal with some of the most disadvantaged kids in the most dangerous neighborhoods of this city. They inspire students.
INDIANA
Grading Vouchers
Journal Gazette, IN, March 26, 2013
If nothing else, give State Rep. Bob Behning credit for being honest. It doesn’t matter whether students who receive private school vouchers get a better education, he told the Senate Education Committee last week. Nor does it matter whether parents can afford the private school education without a tax subsidy.
KANSAS
Kansas House Defeats School Choice Measure
Winfield Daily Courier, KS, March 26, 2013
The Kansas House defeated legislation on Monday that would create a school choice scholarship program funded by corporate donations.
LOUISIANA
Louisiana Voters Should Choose Education Superintendent, Bill Author Says
Times-Picayune, LA, March 25, 2013
Voters should have the power to choose the state’s chief educator, according to state Sen. Bob Kostelka.
MAINE
Governor Proposes Legal Defense Fund For Charter School Board
Morning Sentinel, ME, March 25, 2013
Gov. Paul LePage plans to shift $1 million from public education funding to pay for legal defense for the board that authorizes charter schools. The plan is meeting resistance from public school advocates and the state’s top lawyer.
AG’s Office Declines Comment On Mayor’s Push For Probe Into Baxter Academy
Portland Daily Sun, ME, March 25, 2013
The Maine Attorney General’s office isn’t commenting on a request by Portland Mayor Michael Brennan for the AG’s office to probe Baxter Academy for Technology and Science of Portland.
MARYLAND
Prince George’s School Takeover Legislation Introduced In Md. Senate
Washington Post, DC, March 25, 2013
Maryland lawmakers introduced a bill Monday that would give Prince George’s County Executive Rushern L. Baker III direct control over the county’s schools superintendent and operations.
To Improve Prince George’s Schools, Focus On The Classroom, Not The Boardroom
Washington Post, DC, March 25, 2013
Whatever the governance structure for Prince George’s County Public Schools, here is the question that it must answer: Will it really make a difference in academic achievement and the public perception of county schools?
MASSACHUSETTS
Guest View: It’s Time To Lift The Cap On Quality
South Coast Today, MA, March 26, 2013
A recent Stanford University study found that Massachusetts charter public school students gain the equivalent of 1½ more months of learning per year in reading and 2½ more months in math compared to similar students in their host districts.
MISSISSIPPI
Dems Renew Call For Increased Education Funding
Clarion Ledger, MS, March 25, 2013
Mississippi Democrats on Monday renewed their calls for more education funding in the state budget.
MISSOURI
Elected St. Louis School Board Remains In Limbo
St. Louis Post-Dispatch, MO, March 26, 2013
Andrew Wimmer, a candidate for the city’s elected School Board, cut to the chase. “A lot of people have asked the question, why run for the School Board when the Special Administrative Board is in control of the district?” he said at the Ward 8 meeting last week in the city’s Shaw neighborhood.
NEW JERSEY
For Camden Schools, It’s About Breaking The Cycle
Cherry Hill Courier Post, NJ, March 26, 2013
If anyone thinks the state taking control of Camden’s schools is a magic pill that will cure all of the district’s ills, they’re delusional.
Camden School Board Member Quits After Takeover
Philadelphia Inquirer, PA, March 26, 2013
Following Gov. Christie’s announcement Monday of the state’s takeover of the Camden School District, one of the youngest and most increasingly vocal members of the school board turned in her letter of resignation.
NEW YORK
Deal May Ease Evaluation Plan
Wall Street Journal, March 26, 2013
New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo and legislative leaders said Monday they reached an agreement on a change to state law that will ensure new teacher-evaluation systems are in place even after pacts between local school districts and unions expire.
Study Of Teacher Evals Good Idea
Journal News, NY, March 26, 2013
New York’s education commissioner had just the right response when asked about an ad hoc effort by school superintendents to get a deeper, independent look at new teacher evaluations based on student test scores. John King said he welcomed the inquiry and suggested the findings could add to the nationwide debate about assessments. “It will be interesting to see different perspectives,” King said.
OHIO
Coleman Issues Ultimatum To School Board
Columbus Dispatch, OH, March 26, 2013
Columbus Mayor Michael B. Coleman will not support any permanent successor to Superintendent Gene Harris whom the city school board hires by this summer, he said yesterday.
PENNSYLVANIA
Candidates Named To Take Over 3 Philly Schools
Philadelphia Inquirer, PA, March 26, 2013
The Philadelphia School District just announced three companies won the right to be considered to run three public schools being given to charters. They’re all familiar names – Mastery Charter Schools, Universal Companies and Scholar Academies.
Charter Idea For York Opposed
York Daily Record, PA, March 25, 2013
I am a lifelong resident of York city and former teacher in York City School District. I oppose the all-charter proposal now being considered by the committee for financial recovery for York City Schools
TEXAS
Where School Choice Doesn’t Mean Vouchers
Fort Worth Star Telegram, TX, March 25, 2013
Expanded choice for families is also music to the Fort Worth school district’s ears. We are leading the charge when it comes to providing more choices for our families.
VIRGINIA
Richmond Program Aims To Improve School Attendance
Richmond Times-Dispatch, VA, March 26, 2013
The three middle school students picked a bad day to skip school. Instead of going into the Capital City Program, the Gilpin Court-based school for city students with academic and behavioral issues, they ducked down the side and made their way for the corner of Charity and St. Paul streets.
WEST VIRGINIA
Tomblin’s Education Package Matters
Charleston Daily Mail, WV, March 26, 2013
The West Virginia Legislature’s passage Friday of Gov. Earl Ray Tomblin’s comprehensive education reform bill is significant for several reasons.
WISCONSIN
Scott Walker’s Charter School Provisions Fly Low In Budget Hoopla
Journal Sentinel, WI, March 25, 2013
Gov. Scott Walker’s budget aims to make it easier for more schools to have that kind of flexibility and contains provisions that haven’t received a lot of attention but are controversial, including:
ONLINE LEARNING
Apollo-Ridge School Board Approves Resolution Calling On Lawmakers To Reform State’s Cyber Charter School Funding
Pittsburgh Tribune-Review, PA, March 26, 2013
Payments to cyber charter schools are making a “big hit” on the Apollo-Ridge School District’s budget, Superintendent Matt Curci says.
Scranton Schools Looking At Hybrid Learning Options
Scranton Times-Tribune, PA, March 26, 2013
Hybrid learning could be coming to the Scranton School District. During their work session Monday night, school directors heard from representatives of Penn Foster, the Scranton-based online learning provider.