Daily Headlines for May 18, 2011
Could the Internet Spell the End of Snow Days?
Associated Press, May 17, 2011
Could the Internet mean the end of snow days? Some schools think so, and they are experimenting with ways for students to do lessons online during bad weather, potentially allowing classes to go on during even the worst blizzard.
Teachers Want Broader Goals In Revised No Child Law
Press-Enterprise, CA, May 17, 2011
A better-educated workforce is the answer to turning around the Inland area’s economy and lowering the unemployment rate, Cal State San Bernardino President Albert Karnig and Rep. Joe Baca said Tuesday.
FROM THE STATES
CALIFORNIA
Reform from the Inside Out
Stockton Record, CA, May 18, 2011
At one of Stockton Unified School District’s longest-struggling campuses, teachers are behind an effort to turn the school around from the inside out, leading a reform effort among the first of its kind in the area.
DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA
Rigorous Charter Faces Tough Road in D.C.
Washington Post, DC, May 17, 2011
I sometimes think parents of gifted children are too whiny and too focused on their own issues, ignoring the greater needs of public education. But the reaction to BASIS proves they are right about one thing. Public educators, even the most reform-minded, are uncomfortable with any program that seems to move too fast and require too much effort.
FLORIDA
Parents Struggle With Best School Choice For Kids
Fort Wayne News Sentinel, FL, May 17, 2011
Parents today have to ask many questions when deciding whether to send their child to a public school or a charter – but years after the introduction of charter schools, answers aren’t so clear-cut.
GEORGIA
Court Decision Won’t Affect College and Career Academy
Times-Georgian, GA , May 18, 2011
The Carroll County College and Career Academy, the only charter school in Carroll County, will not be affected by Monday’s Georgia Supreme Court Ruling.
Local Families Deal With Court’s Decision
Cherokee Tribune, GA, May 18, 2011
Brent and Katie Orth of Holly Springs have been preparing their 4-year-old twin boys Gage and Cole to start at Cherokee Charter Academy in August.
Cherokee, Gwinnett Scramble To Get Charter School Approvals
Atlanta Journal-Constitution, GA, May 17, 2011
Parents and officials of the Georgia charter schools whose funding has been threatened by a state Supreme Court ruling are seeking help from an unlikely source — the local school districts that once opposed their organization.
Deal Panel Will Look at School Funding in Georgia
Atlanta Journal-Constitution, GA, May 17, 2011
Gov. Nathan Deal announced Tuesday the appointment of a 20-member committee that will look at how public schools are funded in Georgia
LOUISIANA
School Bills Are Chance To Make Improvements
Opelousas Daily World, LA, May 18, 2011
Though the fiscal issues capture the headlines, there is actually an abundance of legislative instruments that have been filed on the education front some good bills that maintain the forward progression of public education reform, and some bad instruments that would turn back the clock and further protect the status quo.
NEW YORK
Charter Link in Albany Fliers
Albany Times-Union, NY, May 17, 2011
A group associated with Albany’s charter schools sent out multiple fliers and likely paid for a push poll to kill the Albany school budget.
A Measurement Tool
Buffalo News, NY, May 17, 2011
Cuomo has crafted a strong plan for gauging teacher effectiveness
PENNSYLVANIA
Don’t Cripple Our Schools
Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, PA, May 18, 2011
Harrisburg needs to display some creativity to avoid damaging Pennsylvania’s educational system
TEXAS
School Vouchers Doubtful For This Session
San Antonio Express, TX, May 17, 2011
House Appropriations Chairman Jim Pitts, R-Waxahachie, signaled Tuesday that he would move to table any school voucher amendment when lawmakers consider a bill Wednesday to find more revenue for the state budget.
VIRGINIA
Second Charter School For Richmond Recommended For Denial
Richmond Times-Dispatch, VA, May 18, 2011
A proposed second charter school in Richmond has been recommended for denial because of concerns that include a curriculum deemed to not meet state standards.
WISCONSIN
Anti-Union Law Puts Milwaukee Teachers Union In Spotlight
Los Angeles Times, CA, May 18, 2011
Many opponents of the powerful Milwaukee Teachers’ Education Assn. are thrilled by a new law that would curb its bargaining rights. But others say it won’t resolve the schools’ deep troubles.
Bill Would Allow Test Scores As Basis To Fire Teachers
Oshkosh Northwestern, WI, May 18, 2011
School boards would be allowed to consider student test scores for disciplining and dismissing teachers under an education bill proposed by a local state senator.
VIRTUAL EDUCATION
Online Schools Make Big Profits from Tax Dollars
NewsChannel5, TN, May 17, 2011
It’s a controversial bill that could change the way Tennessee kids go to school. A multi-million dollar company is pushing a bill in the Tennessee Legislature that would allow for-profit companies to operate full-time, online schools.
Online High School Recruiting in Macon
Macon Telegraph, GA, May 18, 2011
Officials from Provost Academy Georgia held three information sessions in Macon to give people details on what would be Georgia’s newest charter school — a tuition-free, statewide program taught entirely online for grades 9 through 12.