Daily Headlines for July 3, 2013
NEWSWIRE IS BACK! Click here for the latest weekly report on education news and commentary you won’t find anywhere else, spiced with a dash of irreverence, from the nation’s leading voice in school reform.
NATIONAL COVERAGE
Arne Duncan praises, slaps charter schools
Washington Post Blog, July 3, 2013
Here is the text of Education Secretary Arne Duncan’s speech delivered at the 2013 convention of the National Alliance for Public Charter Schools, being held this week in Washington D.C.
Charter study uses wrong metric for high performing
Opinion
Twin City Daily Planet, July 3, 2013
In the last few days, the Center for Research on Education Outcome at Stanford University (CREDO), published a report detailing education outcomes for students in charter schools across 27 states (including MN), covering 95% of all students in charter education.
Growing and Replicating High-Quality Charter Schools
Commentary
Roll Call, July 1, 2013
As Congress looks to reauthorize the Elementary and Secondary Education Act in the coming weeks, lawmakers should recognize the growing bipartisan consensus that public charter schools play an integral role in the American education system.
A better way to train teachers
Op-Ed
Los Angeles Times, July 3, 2013
If America’s medical schools were failing to offer their students the academic content and practical experience necessary to provide high-quality healthcare, we would be outraged.
STATE COVERAGE
ALABAMA
‘What do you consider a failing school?’: Principal at one middle school says failing label doesn’t reflect school’s challenges, triumphs
The Birmingham News Blog, July 3, 2013
Having students who have been crime victims isn’t Nelson’s only challenge. A Title 1 school, last year 817 of the school’s 922 students had family incomes low enough to qualify for a free or reduced-priced lunch.
Judge denies injunction in Blytheville School Choice lawsuit
Blytheville Courier News, July 2, 2013
A federal judge denied a request from nearly a dozen Blytheville residents to allow their children to transfer out of the Blytheville School District for the 2013-14 school year.
DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA
Nathan Saunders, D.C. teachers union president, defeated in runoff election
Washington Post, July 2, 2013
Washington Teachers’ Union members voted Monday evening to unseat their incumbent president in favor of a candidate who promised to more forcefully challenge school system management.
Gray officials object to major elements of Catania’s education plan
Washington Post, July 2, 2013
Gray administration officials said Tuesday that while they broadly agree with some provisions in D.C. Council member David Catania’s education proposals that aim to improve student achievement across the city, they object to major elements of the legislation.
FLORIDA
Tiger Academy shows improvement in third-grade FCAT scores
Florida Times Union, July 2, 2013
In this year’s results, the YMCA charter school on the city’s Northwest side dramatically increased the percentage of third-grade students who scored proficient in math and reading. The school also substantially decreased the percentage of third-graders below proficiency.
Ending busing to choice schools affects many
Letter
Florida Today, July 3, 2013
I was wondering if the people who made the decision to cut bus service to Brevard schools of choice have given it any thought lately.
No promises from education commissioner on school grades
Miami Herald, July 2, 2013
Florida education commissioner Tony Bennett made few promises Monday after listening to a task force of superintendents push for adjustments that would improve this year’s school grades at the 11th hour.
HAWAII
Hawaii Charter Schools Now Tied to Performance Contracts
Civil Beat Blog, July 2, 2013
Hawaii’s 32 charter schools are now subject to school performance contracts that mark the first such agreements in the state’s history.
LOUISIANA
Department of Education reports continuing enrollment in Course Choice pilot
Times-Picayune, July 2, 2013
Enrollment in Louisiana’s Course Choice mini-voucher program continues to grow, with 1,500 students signed up thus far according to the state Department of Education.
Louisiana high school end-of-course test results rise slightly
Times-Picayune, July 2, 2013
Scores on Louisiana’s end-of-course exams, which determine whether students can graduate from high school, improved slightly in 2012-13 to what could be the high-water mark as the state prepares to roll out new, tougher tests.
MARYLAND
Don’t delay new Md. teacher evaluations
Opinion
Baltimore Sun, July 2, 2013
A recent article in The Baltimore Sun reported that the Maryland State Department of Education is considering another delay in the implementation of new teacher evaluations — or at least the stakes associated with them — until the Common Core has been fully implemented and teachers have adjusted to the new curriculum and assessment. I firmly believe that this is the wrong approach.
MASSACHUSETTS
Fall River schools now accepting applications for Innovation Academy
Herald News, July 2, 2013
Then, the school would continue to enroll 100 new seventh-grade students each year. At full enrollment, the academy would have students from seventh grade up to “13th grade.”
MINNESOTA
Charter school sues Minneapolis district over lease issue
Star Tribune, June 3, 2013
The North Side science charter asked a judge to bar the district from forcing it out of the Cityview building and poaching its teachers.
MISSOURI
St. Charles Co. legislator wants special session to undo or limit school transfer law
St. Louis Post-Dispatch, July 2, 2013
A state legislator from St. Charles County on Tuesday urged Gov. Jay Nixon to call a special session aimed at changing a state law allowing transfers of students from unaccredited school districts to other districts.
Broke KC charter school leaves teachers without final paycheck
The Kansas City Star, July 3, 2013
Teachers at the recently shuttered Derrick Thomas Academy charter school haven’t been paid, and no one seems to know when — or if — they ever will be.
NEW JERSEY
In Case of Big Yale v. Tiny Yale, Victor Kept the Name
New York Times, July 3, 2013
One educational institution is an august university spread across 835 acres, where thousands of students study everything from ancient philosophies to emerging technologies.
NEW YORK
Education advocates give New York state some F’s
Democrat & Chronicle, July 3, 2013
Education advocates handed out failing “grades” to the state Tuesday for some of its attempts at improving student outcomes.
Mayoral Candidates Respond to Klein’s Education Criticism
Wall Street Journal Blog, July 2, 2013
Former city schools chancellor Joel Klein’s speech Tuesday before charter supporters is intended to defend the Bloomberg administration’s practices and smack around dissenting candidates a bit.
NORTH CAROLINA
Green light for bill to allow charter schools to expand without State Board of Ed approval
Progressive Pulse, July 3, 2013
The House bill that was modified at the last minute to allow charter schools to expand without having to gain State Board of Education approval passed the Senate floor yesterday, 34-11.
OHIO
Cleveland Transformation Alliance promoting good schools to parents
Cleveland Plain Dealer, July 2, 2013
Mayor Frank Jackson and other city leaders want Cleveland parents to know they have many choices in deciding where they send their children to school.
OKLAHOMA
Common Core a conservative win for Oklahoma
Opinion
The Oklahoman, July 3, 2013
Outside groups have been spreading disinformation about the Common Core State Standards, standards that offer a powerful description of what students should know and be able to do at every grade level to stay on course toward college or the workforce.
RHODE ISLAND
R.I. education chief Gist asks parents to challenge schools
Providence Journal, July 3, 2013
State Education Commissioner Deborah A. Gist urged parents to look beyond their schools’ rankings and ask principals to spell out what they are doing to improve student performance.
TENNESSEE
Education reform should start by assessing students’ learning skills
Opinion
The Tennessean, July 3, 2013
Tennessee education reform is unlikely to reach its goals of a highly educated, career-ready workforce despite statements from educational and governmental leaders.
TEXAS
Charter school district adds new campuses in Brownsville, Harlingen
Brownsville Herald, July 3, 2013
After two successful years in the Rio Grande Valley, San Antonio-based Jubilee Academic Center is expanding its presence in Brownsville and Harlingen.
WISCONSIN
WEAC remains watchful for voucher accountability plan
Wisconsin Radio Network, July 2, 2013
As the voucher school system is expanding statewide, Republican lawmakers are drafting an accountability bill for those private schools. Meanwhile, the state’s largest teachers union remains watchful for this proposal.
ONLINE LEARNING
Maine tightens virtual charter school laws
Portland Press Herald, July 3, 2013
Among the specific requirements now required is weekly face-to-face time between students and instructors.
Proceed with caution on virtual charter schools
Editorial
Star-Ledger, July 3, 2013
There’s money to be made in online schools, and there may be a legitimate need for them: For a student who is bed-ridden, for instance. A dropout, teenage mother or victim of bullying who’d rather study at home.
Three more online schools coming to Ohio
Columbus Dispatch, July 2, 2013
The Ohio Department of Education has approved three new statewood e-schools that will be opening this fall.
Innovation key for Las Cruces schools
Albuquerque Journal, July 3, 2013
The changing educational model is a reflection of changing society, Rounds said, mentioning the growing number of viewers who record TV shows or watch them online rather than at the allotted broadcast hour. Technology is changing expectations, he said.