Daily Headlines: November 17, 2011
County Board Approves Three Rocketship Charter Schools
Mercury News, CA, November 16, 2011
Rocketship Education, whose innovative charter schools have scored remarkable success in teaching poor and Latino children, won approval Wednesday to open three more K-5 schools in San Jose next year.
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“>Don’t Mess With Success At Sacramento City High Schools
Sacramento Bee, CA, November 17, 2011
Rather than disrupt successful schools, board members and the community should reject the West Campus/Sac High ideas for a swap or co-location. Better to explore the constructive Borg and Cuneo ideas.
Next Charter Steps Could Create Model
Reporter Herald, CO, November 17, 2011
The next steps for Berthoud’s proposed charter school could set the tone for future charter proposals but, more important, they are key for the community of Berthoud.
Pryor Comes Home, Promises Charter Boost
New Haven Independent, CT, November 16, 2011
In a visit to the hometown charter school he founded 13 years ago, Stefan Pryor applauded the school’s expansion—and vowed to support more Amistad Academies in his new post as the state’s education chief.
1117/OPINION01/111170375″>Incentives Have Consequences
Eastern Shore News, DE, November 17, 2011
Delaware has painted itself into a corner. When accepting $119 million in federal Race to the Top grant funds, it agreed to make major changes in the way it evaluates the performance of its public school teachers.
/nov/17/panewso1-board-urged-to-reject-5-proposed-charter–ar-325205/”>Board Urged to Reject 5 Proposed Charter Schools
The Tampa Tribune, FL, November 17, 2011
Pasco County school district staffers are recommending the school board reject applications from five proposed charter schools, including one with connections to two state lawmakers.
1117/LOCAL/111170348/School-districts-fear-more-state-takeovers?odyssey=tab|topnews|text|IndyStar.com
“>Districts Fear More Takeovers
Indianapolis Star, IN, November 17, 2011
Earlier this year, Indiana education officials took the unprecedented step of taking over five public schools. That might be just the beginning.
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“>Imagine Seeks Charter Renewal
The Journal Gazette, IN, November 17, 2011
Ball State University has pushed back the deadline for Imagine MASTer Academy and other charter schools it oversees to complete their charter renewal application.
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“>Teacher Pay Plan in Iowa Education Blueprint Is Now on Hold
Des Moines Register, IA, November 17, 2011
A proposal to change how Iowa’s teachers are paid has been put on hold for at least a year, and a task force is expected to convene in January to study the issue.
Bill Pre-filed to Allow Charter Schools in Kentucky
SurfKY News, KY, November 16, 2011
Rep. Brad Montell, R-Shelbyville (58th District), announced today he is pre-filing legislation that if passed would establish a charter schools initiative in Kentucky.
‘Takeover’ Call Divides Committee
Eagle Tribune, MA, November 17, 2011
School Committee members have mixed views on Mayor William Lantigua’s public call for the state to takeover the Lawrence Public Schools.
Christie Seeks Added Power on School Aid
Wall Street Journal, November 17, 2011
The Christie administration wants to withhold state and federal aid to low-performing schools that refuse to undergo significant reshaping via measures such as removing principals and teachers, lengthening the school day and revamping the curriculum.
OPRA Request Reveals Charter Advocates’ Role in Application Process
New Jersey Spotlight, NJ, November 17, 2011
Over the past year, the Christie administration employed an array of national and state charter school experts, educators, officials, and other advocates to help review applications for new charters, according to documents released under a public records request.
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“>School’s Students Don’t Match City’s Population
Democrat and Chronicle, NY, November 17, 2011
In a city where public schools predominantly serve poor minority children, one school appears to have become an enclave for white, middle-class students.
More Charter Schools Are Coming to Charlotte
WBTV, NC, November 16, 2011
Since North Carolina General Assembly lifted the cap on having just 100 charter schools in the state earlier this year, several have applied to get that status. 27 schools have sent in their applications. Six are in the Charlotte area.
Funding Vouchers While Cutting Public School Aid Won’t Work
Tribune-Democrat, PA, November 17, 2011
Does independent, reliable research show how tax-funded private school vouchers will improve student achievement, or make public schools better? No such research exists, because it doesn’t work.
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“>SRC’s New Chairman Shakes Up Business As Usual
Philadelphia Inquirer, PA, November 16, 2011
At a packed Wednesday session, Ramos said he was creating committees to deal with SRC business more efficiently and transparently. He said he wanted to move some meeting times later, so people who work during the day could attend.
1117/NEWS04/311160125/Tennessee-considers-changes-teacher-evaluations?odyssey=mod|newswell|text|News|p”>Tennessee Considers Changes to Teacher Evaluations
The Tennessean, TN, November 17, 2011
Changes could come to Tennessee’s new teacher evaluation system over the summer, Commissioner of Education Kevin Huffman told the state legislature’s Joint Operations Committee on Wednesday.
/11/16/3532072/nonprofit-plans-to-open-four-charter.html”> Nonprofit Plans to Open Four Charter Schools in Fort Worth
Star Telegram, TX, November 16, 2011
A charter school system that boasts that 100 percent of its high school graduates are accepted into college announced Wednesday that it plans to open four schools in Fort Worth.
Will Madison School Board Go for Non-Union Madison Prep?
Capital Times Blog, WI, November 17, 2011
Backers of the Madison Preparatory Academy are now recommending establishing the proposed single-sex public charter school as what’s known as a “non-instrumentality” of the district.
VIRTUAL EDUCATION
New Milford School Leaders Debate Online Learning
News Times, CT, November 16, 2011
In this high-tech 21st century world, online learning is becoming more prevalent, and school leaders agree it is time to consider how best to incorporate such technology and courses into the curriculum.
/nov/16/no-headline—ev_dodson/”>Former EVSC Official: Innovative Ways Needed To Deliver Education
Evansville Courier Press, IN, November 16, 2011
Former Evansville Vanderburgh School Corp. official Candice Dodson — now with the Indiana Department of Education as director of e-learning — says schools must continue to find innovative ways to deliver education.
New Request Made for Audit of Online Schools
Pueblo Chieftain, CO, November 17, 2011
One week after state lawmakers declined to pursue an audit of online schools, a nonpartisan budget analyst recommended a review of them by the Joint Budget Committee.