Daily Headlines for November 1, 2011
‘Voucher’ A Red-Flag Word For School-Choice Advocates
Washington Times, DC, October 31, 2011
For both supporters and opponents of school vouchers, the very mention of the term stirs emotions and generates heated debate in the public education arena.
Experts: Half of Foster Kids Quit High School
Associated Press, October 31, 2011
When Carey Sommer entered foster care in California, he left his mom, his high school and his friends. Bounced from home to home, he changed high schools nine times until the disheartened teen finally dropped out.
Out from under NCLB
Bennington Banner, VT, October 31, 2011
Early in 2002 a Republican Congress, responding to the urging of their “compassionate conservative” president, adopted what has rightly been described as “the most intrusive federal education law in American history.”
STATE COVERAGE
After Praise, School Chief More Noted For Missteps
Boston Globe, MA, November 1, 2011
She has been unable to wrap up teacher contract negotiations and has struggled to get school buses to run on time. Last week, she abandoned a proposal to move Boston Latin Academy to the recently closed Hyde Park High School after a barrage of protests from students, parents, and teachers.
Allegations of Exam-Tampering Soar
New York Times, NY, November 1, 2011
While it is unclear how many of the allegations were ultimately proven, the steep rise in complaints itself is notable at a time when cheating scandals have engulfed other districts and state officials are acknowledging a failure to adequately detect and prevent cheating.
Plans for a New Charter School in Cobble Hill Are Getting Mixed Reviews From Neighborhood Parents
New York Daily News, NY, October 31, 2011
Success Charter Network CEO Eva Moskowitz’s plan to bring a new charter school to Brownstone Brooklyn is getting mixed reviews.
Lights to Stay on at Statewide Afterschool Fund
New Jersey Spotlight, NJ, November 1, 2011
New Jersey After 3 won a financial reprieve on the day the statewide afterschool program was to shutter its doors, its rescue a combination of good timing, last-minute talks, and a little reform-minded politics.
Schools Must Be Consolidated
Philadelphia Inquirer, PA, November 1, 2011
In an effort to realign its schools to reflect changes in student population and needs, the Philadelphia School District is expected to release its final facilities master plan on Wednesday. Ensuring that the district has the right number of facilities for the students it’s educating will be a complex undertaking. That’s because Philadelphia has seen a dramatic shift in the educational landscape in recent years.
Schools to Pilot New Evaluation System
Pittsburgh Post-Tribune, PA, November 1, 2011
Cornell High School chemistry teacher Tavis Bogue says the state’s current teacher evaluation system is “antiquated.”
Proposed School Upsets Upland Residents
Delaware County Times, PA, November 1, 2011
About 50 concerned residents attended a special informational meeting last week to get answers regarding a proposed charter grade-school on the corner of 11th and Main Streets. Unfortunately, few were satisfied with the sparse information that was provided.
Telling Schools How To Spend
Baltimore Sun, MD, October 31, 2011
Our view: Kevin Kamenetz wants schools to offer the same health care benefit as the county, but is that best choice for schools — or for the county executive
More Students In Region Eligible To Flee Failing Schools
The Virginia-Pilot, VA, November 1, 2011
MeAsia Worrell would have pulled her three children from Tidewater Park Elementary and enrolled them elsewhere this fall if school leaders had sent earlier notice that she had the right under federal law.
TN Treasurer Rules in Favor of HOPE Academy
WBIR-TV, TN, October 31, 2011
New life has been breathed into a plan to create a charter school in Blount County. HOPE Academy would be the county’s first charter school, and the state’s first in a rural setting. Their application has twice been denied by county’s board of education.
State May Streamline Teacher Evaluation Process
Commercial Appeal, TN, November 1, 2011
Months after a new teacher evaluation system went into effect, the Tennessee commissioner of education is proposing that two of four required classroom observations be done in succession and discussed with the teacher in one session instead of two.
District: Charters Could Pose Problems for Lewis School
The Northwest Florida Daily News, FL, October 31, 2011
Two years ago, the Okaloosa County school district decided Valparaiso didn’t have enough students to sustain two schools. Today officials are worried that a new effort to open two charter schools in the city eventually could cause the closure of Lewis School .
Exclusive: Merit Pay Era Arrives for Teachers
News Press, FL, October 31, 2011
The Lee and Collier county school districts are phasing in new teacher evaluation systems. A new state law requires districts to link reviews and pay to student performance by 2014.
Judge in Charter-School Case Questions Whether Court Has Jurisdiction
Columbus Dispatch, OH, November 1, 2011
A Franklin County judge who ordered a for-profit management company to turn over records showing how it spent millions in tax dollars to operate public charter schools is now questioning whether he should even be involved in the lawsuit.
Charter School Firm Considers 3rd Building in Toledo Area
Toledo Blade, OH, November 1, 2011
A national charter school heavyweight company is considering opening its third Toledo building.
Imagine Schools, a for-profit company that manages 75 charter schools in 12 states, is in site negotiations for the proposed school, which would have an environmentally focused curriculum, regional director Marlene Mills said.
Imagine the Profits
The Journal Gazette, IN, October 31, 2011
Elisa Crouch of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch has an interesting series on the city’s Imagine Inc.-operated charter schools, examining academic performance and the questionable real estate arrangements that have taxpayers spending ever-increasing amounts on rent to a for-profit real estate investment trust.
All Parents Deserve School Choice
Holland Sentinel, MI, November 1, 2011
In its Oct. 22 editorial, “Don’t rush to raise cap on charter schools,” The Sentinel rightly points out that Holland is home to three of the highest-performing charter schools in the state.
Poll: Michiganders Support Expanding Education Options
Detroit Free Press, MI, October 31, 2011
Michigan residents overwhelmingly support giving parents whose children attend failing schools the option to send their kids to better schools, according to results of a survey released today.
CPS Releases School-Closing Guidelines
Chicago Tribune, IL, November 1, 2011
School closings this year will focus on academically failing schools, not on buildings that are underused, according to guidelines released Monday.
Brizard Weighs in on Charter School Issue
ABC7Chicago, IL, October 31, 2011
Chicago Public School’s CEO Jean Claude Brizard said longer school days at CPS charter schools is just a natural evolution.
How Could All Area High Schools Be Failing?
Chicago Sun Times, IL, October 31, 2011
So how is it that Geneva High School is now “failing” its students?“We have a higher average ACT score, 24.2, than the state average, and yet we’re labeled a failing school,” said Principal Tom Rogers. “It seems a little strange.
Charter School Deserves City’s Approval
Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, WI, October 31, 2011
On Tuesday, the Milwaukee Common Council will consider the Charter School Review Committee’s recommendation that the City of Milwaukee contract with Rocketship Education to open a network of independent charter schools.
Additional KIPP Schools Would Benefit Oklahoma City
The Oklahoman, OK, October 31, 2011
IN 10 years, the KIPP Reach College Preparatory school has been a tremendous success, taking low-income middle school students from northeast Oklahoma City and turning them into the state’s highest-performing eighth-graders in math and reading.
Austin Would Benefit From Charter Schools
Austin American Statesman, TX, October 31, 2011
Contrary to the American-Statesman editorial board’s Oct. 26 editorial, we believe the Austin Independent School District’s plan to collaborate with public charter schools in our community is right, bold and promising for Austin (“Proposals for schools need thoughtful study”).
Teacher Merit Pay Plans May Be Revised
Magic Valley Times-News, ID, November 1, 2011
The Twin Falls School District’s plan to award its teachers merit bonuses was ready to go a couple of months ago — or so the district thought.
Turns out one piece was missing.
Prescott School Expands Its Curriculum, Adds New Learning Tools
Daily Courier, AZ, October 31, 2011
La Tierra Community School will be buying technology to be used in the classroom, adding to its curriculum, purchasing playground equipment, and providing teachers with more opportunities for professional development after receiving a grant of $230,000 each year for the next three years from the Arizona State Board of Education’s Arizona Charter School Incentive Program.
LAUSD Faces Suit Linking Teacher Ratings To Student Performance
Los Angeles Times, CA, November 1, 2011
The suit would demand that LAUSD comply with a 1971 California law requiring that student performance be part of the evaluations of teachers and principals.
Parent Triggers, The Fairfax School Board And Parents’ Say In Schools
Washington Post Blog, DC, November 1, 2011
Fairfax County is very trendy when it comes to parenting ideas. The contentious school board race, where voters will choose a new slate of members Nov. 8, is part of a hot national debate about parental involvement. Or, more specifically, about how much parents should be involved in school decisions.
Ballard, Kennedy Weigh In On Educational Priorities
WRTV Indianapolis, IN, October 31, 2011
From funding questions to public versus charter schools, Mayor Greg Ballard and challenger Melina Kennedy are debating key issues of education in Indianapolis.
Big Bucks Behind Charter School Advocacy
Tucson Citizen Blog, AZ, October 31, 2011
Progressive-minded supporters of the charter school movement, this should make you wary. Not wary of charters per se. Wary of the people pushing them and what that means about the direction charters are heading.
VIRTUAL LEARNING
Shifting Views: 21st Century Schools
Fosters Daily Democrat, NH, November 1, 2011
Dover High School and Middle School currently have over 55 students taking classes online through the Virtual Learning Academy Charter School (VLACS). VLACS, NH ‘s statewide public virtual school, started up with 150 students taking courses in 2008.
New $7.5 Million Federal Grant Goes To KU For Virtual Education Research
Kansas City Star, KS, October 31, 2011
“We want to determine what’s happening in online instruction in K-12 schools and whether students’ needs are being met,” Diana Greer, assistant research professor and co-principal investigator for the project, said.
Online Public Schools Produce Profits But Some Are Failing Students
KING5, WA, October 31, 2011
It’s hard times for school districts across the state. But online is the one place where public schools are flourishing.