Daily Headlines: May 9, 2012
School-Standards Pushback
Wall Street Journal, May 8, 2012
The Common Core national math and reading standards, adopted by 46 states and the District of Columbia two years ago, are coming under attack from some quarters as a federal intrusion into state education matters.
Come Together on Education
The Hill, DC, May 8, 2012
Ten years ago, then-President George W. Bush hosted Ted Kennedy, John Boehner, Judd Gregg and George Miller on Air Force One, traveling first to Boehner’s Ohio district for the signing of the No Child Left Behind Act (NCLB) and then to New Hampshire and Massachusetts to share the accomplishment.
FROM THE STATES
Two Charter High Schools Proposed to San Francisco
San Francisco Examiner, CA, May 9, 2012
A well-regarded nationwide chain of charter schools is seeking to open a high school in San Francisco in 2013.
All L.A. Unified Students Must Pass College-Prep Courses
Los Angeles Times, CA, May 9, 2012
The Los Angeles Board of Education votes to require grades of D or better in college-prep classes starting with incoming ninth-graders in the fall, raising requirements to a C for the Class of 2017.
L.A. Unified’s Annual Dance of Death
Los Angeles Times, CA, May 9, 2012
The district has notified 11,500 employees of the possibility that they will be laid off due to budget cuts, although nowhere near that many will actually be fired. There has to be a saner way.
School Board Positive On Graduation Criteria
Palo Alto Express, CA, May 8, 2012
With high hopes of making inroads against the achievement gap, Palo Alto school board members Tuesday declared their support for boosting high school graduation requirements to align with entrance criteria for California’s public, four-year universities.
Bullets, Marijuana and Other Barriers to School Reform in East Oakland
Oakland Tribune, CA, May 8, 2012
East Oakland’s Fremont High School campus is undergoing a transformation this year — the second major reform effort in a decade. Its three small schools, created in 2003 with millions of dollars from the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, are combining back into one: a “full-service community school” that promises to focus on students’ overall health and well-being.
Escaping Failure
City Journal, May 8, 2012
California’s Open Enrollment Act threatens the status quo—and that’s why it’s under assault.
Education Reform Retrenchment, Part 1
Washington Examiner, DC, May 8, 2012
District education reform is dying. That’s the conclusion increasingly being reached by many residents. They may not be far off the mark — although D.C. Mayor Vincent C. Gray and Schools Chancellor Kaya Henderson recently released a five-year strategic plan, dubbing it “A Capital Commitment.”
Charter School Collision
The Ledger, FL, May 9, 2012
In light of recent statements from the Harrison Parents Committee and their legal advisors, such an appeasement strategy seems highly unlikely if not completely unrealistic and is on a head-on collision course should the LHS faculty and parents vote to go charter.
Charter Schools In The Spotlight During National Charter School Week
WFSU, FL, May 8, 2012
This week is National Charter School Week and Florida , which has the 2nd largest charter school enrollment in the nation is playing up its role in the movement. Lynn Hatter reports in the decade since the state passed its charter school law, it’s seen lots of growth in that area of education.
State Education Officials Tour Area, Tout Charter Schools
Palm Beach Post, FL, May 8, 2012
On Tuesday, Kooi and State Board of Education member Barbara Feingold toured two Palm Beach County charter schools as part of National Charter Schools Week.
IF School Board Defers Patriotism-Themed Charter To State
Local News 8, ID, May 8, 2012
The Idaho Falls School District 91 School Board is deferring the petition for a patriotism-themed charter school to the State Public Charter School Commission.
Charter School’s Choice Site Falls Through
The Journal Gazette, IN, May 9, 2012
The Fort Wayne Urban League won’t be able to locate its proposed charter school in its ideal location this fall because of delays in obtaining financing.
Education Bill Includes Literacy Rules, But Doesn’t Pay For Them
Des Moines Register, IA, May 9, 2012
Calling it a small first step in a years-long effort, the Iowa Legislature on Tuesday passed a slate of reforms to the state’s K-12 education system with implications for teachers, administrators and students at all grade levels.
Middle School Faces More Changes
The Advocate, LA, May 9, 2012
The middle school is in the process of turning from a charter school into a school run by the district, then within a year or two it will be turned into a charter school once again.
Elmwood Charter School Drawing Interest
Times Picayune, LA, May 8, 2012
More than 300 students have applied for admission to the Jefferson Parish public school system’s first non-alternative charter school. The International School of Louisiana, which already operates two campuses in New Orleans , will open its third in August at the Jefferson system’s east bank office building in Elmwood.
Reject New School District
The Advocate, LA, May 8, 2012
State lawmakers are considering legislation that, if approved and signed into law by the governor, could pave the way for the creation of a separate public school district in southeast Baton Rouge . We oppose the creation of such a district, and we urge lawmakers to reject the legislation.
Crossway Community Prepares to Open as Montgomery’s First Charter School
Maryland Gazette, MD, May 9, 2012
On the first day of the 2012-2013 school year in August, 70 children in Kensington will experience a different type of learning. Community Montessori Charter School , the first charter school approved in the county, is preparing to open in August.
Chart Next Course
Boston Herald, MA, May 9, 2012
The Patrick administration is trying to more quickly accommodate families who want their kids to attend charter schools in some Massachusetts cities, while taking care to comply with a 2010 law that calls for phasing in an increase in charter school seats on a year-by-year basis.
Charter School Advocate Says He’s Ready to Open One in Riverview Gardens
St. Louis Post-Dispatch, MO, May 9, 2012
A charter school organizer stood outside the headquarters of Riverview Gardens School District Tuesday and said he’s “ready to roll” with the first charter school in St. Louis County if the Legislature allows charters to open statewide.
Last-Hired Teachers Can Be First Fired, Despite Intent of 2011 Legislature
Las Vegas Sun, NV, May 9, 2012
Fine print in the reform legislation left layoff policies up to collective bargaining, so teachers union gets final word.
Education Chief Eyes Fund Shift
Las Vegas Review-Journal, NV, May 9, 2012
The new state schools superintendent said Tuesday he is seeking federal permission to allow the Clark County School District to use millions of dollars in existing No Child Left Behind funds to reduce the number of teacher layoffs this fall
State Education Chief Orders Perth Amboy Superintendent Be Reinstated Immediately
Star Ledger, NJ, May 8, 2012
Embattled Perth Amboy schools Superintendent Janine Caffrey will be back on the job today after acting state Education Commissioner Christopher Cerf overturned a vote by the local school board last month to remove her.
Stance Against The ‘Establishment’ Looks Like A Stand For Big Business
Jersey Journal, NJ, May 9, 2012
Christie claimed he’s standing up to the bully of the “entrenched educational establishment,” referring to his ongoing battle with the state’s teachers union.
Schools Deal Sets Overhaul
Wall Street Journal, May 8, 2012
In a sweeping education deal with lawmakers and teacher unions here, Gov. Dannel Malloy gave ground on some of his farthest-reaching proposals but contended the compromise was still a historic overhaul of public-school policy in a state that has proved resistant to change.
Proposal Needs To Separate Tenure, Reading Help
The Daily Advance, NC, May 9, 2012
A public school reform plan from state Senate leader Phil Berger isn’t getting much praise from Democrats. That’s understandable, and it’s too bad. It’s understandable because a key provision of the plan would eliminate teacher tenure in favor of employing teachers on a one-year contract basis.
Kasich Upset Education Plan Altered
Columbus Dispatch, OH, May 9, 2012
Again at odds with fellow Republicans, Gov. John Kasich blasted Senate leaders yesterday for altering his third-grade reading guarantee, arguing the changes “weaken efforts to improve education for Ohio’s children.”
Toledo Autism Model School Students Making Progress
WNWO, OH, May 8, 2012
The Toledo Autism Model School is a public charter school for young people with autism that opened its doors in 1998. There were 32 students that first year. There are 96 students enrolled in this current school year.
When Public School Isn’t An Option
Philadelphia Inquirer, PA, May 9, 2012
My daughter is a perfect example of someone who could thrive in a different environment where she is not concerned for her safety. But I can’t afford to send her to a private school.
Council, SRC Grapple With ‘Tsunami’
Philadelphia Inquirer, PA, May 8, 2012
Appearing before a skeptical City Council on Tuesday, Philadelphia School District officials underscored the system’s dire financial position and stressed the need for $94 million in new city money.
Philly School District Goes to Supreme Court in Charter Case
Philadelphia Inquirer, PA, May 8, 2012
The Philadelphia School District has asked the state Supreme Court to consider overturning a recent Commonwealth Court ruling about charter schools that could have dire consequences for Philadelphia and other cash-strapped districts.
Dover Schools Move Forward With Career Training
York Daily Record, PA, May 8, 2012
The added curriculum would eventually serve as a charter program within the school, and will encompass agriculture and technology programs that will enable students to earn credits and certifications in their chosen areas of study. As described, the program will also allow students to earn college credits that are transferable to many secondary education institutions.
Great Hearts Charter School Faces Resistance In Nashville
The Tennessean, TN, May 9, 2012
Officials with Arizona-based Great Hearts Academies charter school chain say they never have had resistance trying to start schools around Phoenix like they’re having in Nashville.
VIRTUAL EDUCATION
Virtual Charter Moves Forward After Judge Rules Against State Board of Education
The Progressive Pulse, NC, May 8, 2012
A controversial bid to open up a statewide virtual charter school got a go-ahead this afternoon from an administrative law judge, and could open by this fall unless the N.C. State Board of Education appeals the judge’s order.
Virtual School Another Option For Students
KPLC-TV, LA, May 8, 2012
The Louisiana Connections Academy is a virtual school that will provide an online learning opportunity for students. It is the state’s only Board of Elementary and Secondary Education accredited online public school.
Online School Offering Information Session
Dayton Courier, NV, May 8, 2012
Nevada Connections Academy (NCA), a nationally-accredited online school, will hold an information session on Thursday, May 17, at 4:30 p.m. at the Dayton Valley Branch Library for families who are currently enrolled or who would like more information about the school.