Daily Headlines for August 30, 2011
Union Ties To Anti-Rhee Site Roil Schools Fight
USA Today, August 29, 2011
The USA’s school-reform conversation just got a bit nastier. A student-advocacy group run by former Washington, D.C., schools chancellor Michelle Rhee said today that an anonymous website that for months has published sharp and sometimes personal criticisms of Rhee was created last February on a computer registered to the American Federation of Teachers, the nation’s second-largest teachers union.
The Answer: Zero In On Reading
Boston Globe, MA, August 30, 2011
The dichotomy is striking, and it highlights the trouble with our current efforts to equalize schools. We do need standards to guarantee success. But standardized tests are a cudgel that creates a whole new set of problems.
FROM THE STATES
CALIFORNIA
LAUSD Vote on Changes to Public School Choice Expected
Daily Breeze, CA, August 29, 2011
Los Angeles Unified officials are expected to vote Tuesday on a plan that could dramatically change the rules of the district’s landmark Public School Choice reform program.
New Charter School Opens in Berkeley
The Daily Californian, CA, August 29, 2011
After much anticipation, Berkeley Unified School District’s first and only charter school opened Tuesday, welcoming sixth and ninth grade students to its West Berkeley campus.
CUSD Works Well With Charter Schools
Chico Enterprise-Record, CA, August 30, 2011
As Chico Unified School District’s director of alternative education, it’s time to clear the air on CUSD and its relationships with charter schools.
COLORADO
Field of Nine Jockeying for Position in Denver Public School Board Race
Denver Post, CO, August 30, 2011
This year’s election for three open seats on the Denver Public Schools board will likely be a nail-biter for movers and shakers who are ready to throw in cash and candidate support with hopes of shaping education policy in the city.
Judge Denies Douglas County Schools Request For Stay On Voucher Injunction
Denver Post, CO, August 30, 2011
Denver District Court Judge Michael Martinez on Monday denied a stay requested by the Douglas County School District for its voucher program.
GEORGIA
A Divided Dekalb School Board Selects Atkinson
Atlanta Journal-Constitution, GA, August 29, 2011
A divided DeKalb County school board ended its two year hunt for a new school boss Monday and hired Cheryl L. H. Atkinson to become the next person to take over Georgia ‘s third largest school district.
ILLINOIS
Brizard Sailing Into Rough Waters At Helm Of CPS Reform
Chicago Tribune, IL, August 30, 2011
The escalating battle with the Chicago Teachers Union is just one of the many challenges Brizard has encountered in his first 100 days with the Chicago school system. (He’s scheduled to register his car in Illinois next week, his staff said).
INDIANA
Takeover Advances
Indianapolis Star, IN, August 30, 2011
The first state takeover of local schools in Indiana moved forward Monday, but not without some cautions by the State Board of Education.
NEVADA
Teacher Contract Negotiations
Las Vegas Review-Journal, NV, August 30, 2011
The excitement and optimism of the first day of school Monday was a welcome distraction from the Clark County School District’s labor problems.
Teachers Union Gives Nevada Legislature F Grade
Las Vegas Review-Journal, NV, August 29, 2011
Nevada legislators failed K-12 schools this session with deep budget cuts and changes to teacher evaluation and collective bargaining rules, according to a report card the state teachers union released Monday that flunks every elected Republican and serves near-failing grades to some high-ranking Democrats.
NEW HAMPSHIRE
Teachers’ Unions Are A Monopoly
Exeter News, NH, August 30, 2011
Teachers’ unions are virtual monopolies which are driving up the cost of educating our children and, in many cases, compromising educational results. When discussing problems with our educational system, many of us are careful to direct our critical comments toward teachers’ unions rather than teachers. It is as if we feel the teachers are union victims along with taxpayers, students and their parents.
NEW JERSEY
N.J. Approves of Christie’s Education Proposals – To A Point
NJ Newsroom, NJ, August 29, 2011
Most New Jerseyans support education reforms proposed by Gov. Chris Christie, such as tenure reform and voucher programs, according to a Monmouth University/NJ Press Media Poll released on Monday.
NEW YORK
Ruling That Gives Unions A Veto Over State Teacher Evaluations Of Their Members Must Be Overturned
New York Daily News, NY, August 30, 2011
A judge has put the teachers union in command of the drive for school reform in New York. Good luck with that.
OHIO
7,000 Teachers Could Face Tests On Their Smarts
Columbus Dispatch, OH, August 30, 2011
If Ohio’s new teacher-retesting program were in place now, nearly 900 teachers in 41 struggling Columbus schools would have to take tests to prove they know their subjects.
PENNSYLVANIA
Catholic Teachers And The Philadelphia Archdiocese Are Far Apart On Contract Talks
Philadelphia Inquirer, PA, August 30, 2011
After five months of talks, the Office of Catholic Education and the union representing lay teachers at 17 Catholic high schools remain far apart on terms of a new contract, with the existing agreement expiring Wednesday.
City Schools Struggle With Disparity
Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, PA, August 30, 2011
Members of the
city’s board of education met in a workshop Monday evening to address the school district’s progress — or lack of progress — with the continuing struggles of African-American students.
Avon Grove Extends Charter
Journal Register, PA, August 29, 2011
“We are very proud of the relationship that has existed over the past 10 years with the Avon Grove School Board,” Brady said. “This is a model of how things should work for the benefit of the students.
TENNESSEE
Teachers Question Evaluation Plan
The Tennessean, TN, August 29, 2011
Tennessee teachers are back in school and gearing up for a productive year with their students. This is always an exciting time for educators and children, a time to make a fresh start.
Feds Test Teacher Bonuses
The Tennessean, TN, August 30, 2011
This year, 1,500 Metro teachers and principals in 22 low-income, low-performing schools could win a share of $1.75 million in performance-based bonuses. The Metro Nashville school district is participating in a federally funded pilot study to see if educator incentive pay will increase students’ test scores and teachers’ desire to stay in their jobs.
VIRGINIA
Patrick Henry Charter School Pressed On Bus Service
Richmond Times-Dispatch, VA, August 29, 2011
The Richmond School Board wants a commitment by Patrick Henry School of Science and Arts to offer reliable transportation for needy students, even though it’s not required in the agreement that created the charter school.
WISCONSIN
Milwaukee Scholars Charter School Begins First School Year
Fox6now, WI, August 29, 2011
Milwaukee Scholars Charter School opened its doors to excited uniformed students. By recess time the students were feeling more relaxed what when they walk through the school doors for the first time.
VIRTUAL EDUCATION
Virtual Schooling, Real Results
Detroit News, MI, August 30, 2011
Every principal looks forward to the first day of school when students return with fresh minds eager to learn and ready to work.