Download or print your PDF copy of Candidate Education Meter
Unions Refusing Race to the Top
October 31, 2012 By
Local teacher unions are refusing to sign on with district Race to the Top plans. The reason? Teacher evaluations. Failure to get unions to sign on to reform plans means the Los Angeles Unified School District in California and the Clark County School District in Nevada both will be ineligible to win $40 million in federal funding.
The irony here is that unions are typically the ones pushing for more money and funding, but if they can’t have a say in where it goes, or if it puts their members in jeopardy of losing their job, then all of a sudden they aren’t screaming for more funding for education.
Whether or not these districts’ plans were truly reform-minded or not is another issue, and union refusal to sign on doesn’t necessarily indicate these plans were heavy on reform since in both districts unions were already experiencing disagreements pre-Race to the Top proposals.
The bigger point, however, is what we can learn from the first Race to the Top competitions. It isn’t federal grants that will bring about reform, but on-the-ground work from parents, advocates, and legislative leaders that can bring about real change.
School Reform on the Ballot
October 31, 2012 By
Review & Outlook
Wall Street Journal
October 30, 2012
The education reform movement has been gaining speed across the country, and a pair of important ballot initiatives next week in Washington and Idaho will either extend or retard that progress.
Evergreen State voters will decide on Initiative 1240, which would allow up to 40 charter schools over a five-year period. A mere 40 charters sounds very modest in a state with 2,345 public schools. But Washington is one of only nine states that has no charter schools, and three times—in 1996, 2000 and 2004—the Washington Education Association and its union allies have used their dues money and scare tactics to defeat charter initiatives.
The losers have been Washington students, about one in four of whom fails to graduate from high school in four years. That puts the state 37th in the nation for high school completion. Fewer than half of fourth and eighth graders were proficient on national reading and math tests in 2011.
These sorry results have inspired some of Washington’s biggest business names to back the charter initiative. Microsoft MSFT +1.91% founder Bill Gates has chipped in more than $1 million to the “yes” campaign. Other contributors include Microsoft co-founder Paul Allen, the parents of Amazon founder Jeff Bezos, and Seattle venture capitalist Nick Hanauer, among others. Even the liberal Seattle Times is on board. A recent poll by KCTS 9 Washington showed I-1240 ahead 47% to 39%.
A different test is shaping up in Idaho, where Governor Butch Otter and state schools chief Tom Luna last year pushed through the legislature some of the most far-reaching reforms in the country. They phase out teacher tenure, limit collective-bargaining rights, and institute a merit-pay plan that gives bonuses to better-performing teachers.
Three initiatives are now on the ballot that require voters to approve different pieces of the reform if they are to remain in effect. Proving how important these Idaho reforms are, the National Education Association has poured more than $1 million into driving the “no” vote, and polls show all three initiatives could go either way.
It’s notable that reform opponents in both states are making a conservative pitch to voters. They claim that charters and merit pay waste taxpayer money and that state-level reforms are a power grab that strips parents of local control. The truth is that the unions control these school districts, denying parents much of any say.
As for taxpayer dollars, the reforms introduce competition designed to get more results for the money. Charters don’t always succeed, but they almost always cost less than regular public schools because they aren’t bound by union contracts.
These tactics reveal that the traditional union attack lines about charters “siphoning” money from public schools, or that reformers hate teachers, aren’t working. Here’s hoping voters in both Washington and Idaho see through the latest union ruse and keep the reform momentum going.
Daily Headlines for October 31, 2012
October 31, 2012 By
FROM THE STATES
ALABAMA
Parents Get More Insight Of State’s Takeover
Alabama’s 13, AL, October 30, 2012
Birmingham City School parents said they want to make sure everything is transparent when it comes to the state’s takeover of the district.
DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA
D.C. State Board Of Education Candidates Face Challenge: What Does The Board Do?
Washington Post, DC, October 30, 2012
Candidates for the District’s State Board of Education face a key challenge this election season: Five years after the board was created, many voters still aren’t sure exactly what it is or what it does.
Charter Schools Still Treated Like Second-Class
Washington Examiner, DC, October 30, 2012
Of all the statistics cited by Examiner reporter Lisa Gartner to document the increase in student enrollment in the Washington region’s public schools for the 2012-2013 school year, one stands out. While 1.4 percent more students enrolled in DC Public Schools, 11 percent more students signed up for the city’s public charter schools — the largest enrollment surge of any system in the metropolitan area.
FLORIDA
Board Of Education To Decide Fate Of Charter School
Gainesville Sun, FL, October 30, 2012
The fate of an Alachua County charter school that has received F’s in its two years of existence lies in the hands of the State Board of Education as it meets Tuesday.
Charter School Given Ultimatum By School District
WFTV Orlando, FL, October 30, 2012
An Orange County charter school that received taxpayer dollars is faced with a tough decision. Pinecrest High School was given an ultimatum by the Orange County School District: voluntarily close or be closed.
Pasco Charter School For Students With Autism Heading Toward Approval
Tampa Bay Times, FL, October 31, 2012
The Pasco County School Board is preparing to approve its second new charter school application in as many meetings.
Religious Schools Shouldn’t Get Public Money
Hernando Today, FL, October 31, 2012
Several ill-advised proposals to amend the state constitution are on the ballot next week, and one of them would do away with Florida’s so-called Blaine Amendment that forbids state money from being used for “sectarian” purposes.
GEORGIA
State Superintendent John Barge Says Georgia Schools Improving
Augusta Chronicle, GA, October 30, 2012
While there is always need for improvement, Georgia is making more progress toward raising academic performance and closing achievement gaps between students than it might seem, state Superintendent John Barge told Richmond County educators Tuesday.
Two File Complaint Against Charter Group
Marietta Daily Journal, GA, October 31, 2012
Two Cherokee County residents have filed Open Meetings Act complaints against Georgia Charter Educational Foundation, the governing board of Cherokee Charter Academy .
New CCA Petition Includes High School
Cherokee Ledger, News, GA, October 31, 2012
Officials at Cherokee Charter Academy (CCA) currently are preparing a five-year petition renewal that includes a new high school, Georgia Charter Educational Foundation (GCEF) Chairwoman Lyn Carden confirmed Oct. 25. That petition must be submitted to the Georgia Department of Education, and Carden estimated a decision on the proposal is expected in February 2013.
Barge, Deal At Odds Over Key Race to the Top Appointment
Atlanta Journal-Constitution, GA, October 30, 2012
Gov. Nathan Deal and state School Superintendent John Barge aren’t just butting heads over the charter schools constitutional amendment.
IDAHO
Luna Stumps For Education Reform
Bonner County Daily Bee, ID, October 31, 2012
Community Hall filled up fast Tuesday night to check out Idaho Superintendent Tom Luna’s presentation on Idaho education reform laws up for voter approval.
ILLINOIS
School Achievement Scores Little Changed From Last Year
Chicago Tribune, IL, October 31, 2012
Scores on state achievement tests barely budged in 2012, with results still troubling for Illinois high school students.
School Report Cards Show Stubborn Achievement Gaps
WBEZ, IL, October 31, 2012
State education officials are releasing the annual report cards for all of Illinois’ public schools today. Slightly more students are meeting state academic standards—increasing from 82 percent to 82.1 percent.
Ousted Chicago Schools CEO To Collect $250,000, Glowing Recommendation
Chicago Tribune, IL, October 31, 2012
When former Chicago Public Schools CEO Jean-Claude Brizard officially leaves the school system Jan. 1, he’ll take more with him than one year of his $250,000 salary.
How Teachers Get ‘Graded’
Southtown Star, IL, October 30, 2012
Each year, much attention is paid to student test scores and school report cards. But what about how teachers are “graded”? What makes one teacher excellent and another unsatisfactory? Who decides, and how does the outcome affect a teacher’s employment?
INDIANA
Election Will Be A Referendum On Education Reforms
Fort Wayne News-Sentinel , IN, October 31, 2012
Will voters want to press on or back off from all the changes?
The contest over who should be the Indiana superintendent of public instruction is usually one of those ballot entries voters barely pay attention to.
KENTUCKY
Continue To Support Tougher Learning Standards
Louisville Courier-Journal , KY, October 31, 2012
Kentuckians will soon be seeing the first results from the state tests on our new, more challenging academic standards. Educators across the commonwealth are in their second school year of helping students master the standards as they focus on preparing every student to succeed in college, career training or the workplace.
LOUISIANA
John White Outlines Plans For Louisiana’s Pre-K Programs
Times-Picayune, LA, October 30, 2012
State Superintendent John White laid out plans Tuesday for bringing all of Louisiana’s publicly funded pre-kindergarten programs under a new accountability system over the next three years, hoping to ensure that tax dollars go to programs that give students a leg up once they enter primary school.
MASSACHUSETTS
New Bedford Welcomes Model School
South Coast Today, MA, October 31, 2012
City on a Hill Charter School in Roxbury seems to have found a system that, though it may not be perfect, is working. I am glad to see New Bedford taking advantage of this opportunity by allowing this school into the district.
MICHIGAN
New Innocademy Charter School In Zeeland Puts Focus On Small Class Sizes
Holland Sentinel, MI, October 31, 2012
Tucked away behind McDonald’s and just off Chicago Drive near the 196 ramp, stands Innocademy, a new high school option in Zeeland.
NEVADA
Teachers Union Refuses To Support School District’s Race To The Top Bid
Las Vegas Sun, NV, October 30, 2012
The Clark County School District’s bid for $40 million in federal funding may fall apart after the local teachers union declined to support its grant application.
NORTH CAROLINA
More Parents, Mentors And Teachers Needed In Fight To Raise Test Scores
Winston-Salem Journal, NC, October 31, 2012
The ACT test scores of juniors in the Winston-Salem/Forsyth County school system made one thing clear: Much more work needs to be done to raise the academic performance at schools with high levels of student poverty.
OHIO
Academy Earns ‘Effective’ Rating
Youngstown Vindicator, OH, October 31, 2012
Horizon Science Academy celebrated its effective rating on the latest state report card.
Top Mark For Local Charter School A Rarity
Cincinnati Enquirer, OH, October 30, 2012
Hamilton County Math & Science Academy, a K-8 charter school in Colerain Township , is among only four charter schools to receive the state’s top rating of Excellent with Distinction on the 2011-12 Ohio Report Card.
OKLAHOMA
Audit Reflects Poorly On Oklahoma State Superintendent
The Oklahoman, OK, October 31, 2012
Janet Barresi’s sometimes-bumpy ride as Oklahoma’s superintendent of public instruction hit another pothole Monday with the release of an investigative report by Auditor and Inspector Gary Jones.
PENNSYLVANIA
Turning Education Around
News & Observer, NC, October 30, 2012
For once, a general election in North Carolina really will be about education, and not just because of candidates’ rhetoric or policy proposals. This election will affect education because the State Board of Education may well be in line for a major philosophical overhaul.
Practical Hurdles at Play in Pa. Charter-Law Stumble
Education Week, October 31, 2012
A recent effort by Pennsylvania officials to re-examine the state’s charter school laws highlights the challenges states may face as they try to change the policy and political environment for charters.
SOUTH DAKOTA
Law Creates More Bureaucracy
Rapid City Journal, SD, October 30, 2012
Gov. Dennis Daugaard’s signature piece of legislation during the 2012 Legislature was his education reform law, HB 1234. A year after cutting education spending by $77 million in his first year in office, he proposed returning some of that funding in a merit pay plan that would reward the best teachers in the state with a performance-based bonus.
TENNESSEE
School Board To Meet On Merger Recommendations Next Month
Memphis Daily News, TN, October 31, 2012
Countywide school board members will begin what several described as the “dirty work” of the schools merger to come at a special meeting Nov. 15.
TEXAS
Critics: Teachers Deserve Louder Voice As Schools Seek Federal Funds
The Monitor, TX, October 30, 2012
School districts this week will wrap up their submissions for federal Race to the Top funds, which could potentially provide millions to implement improvements in teacher development and student evaluations.
UTAH
A Better Way To Grade Teachers: Grading On How Teachers Promote Student Learning Rather Than Test Scores
Desert News, UT, October 30, 2012
Nikhil Goyal says the learning stopped in third grade when his class began to prepare for state-mandated math and English tests.
WASHINGTON
What Charter Schools Mean for Yakima
KIMATV, WA, October 30, 2012
We’re still covering Campaign 2012 as Election Day moves closer. Some think this could be the year charter schools get the OK in Washington . Voters rejected them in the past despite 41other states having them. We wanted to know how Yakima would be affected if charter schools were allowed.
Digging Deeper into the Possibility of Charter Schools in the Tri-Cities
KEPR 19, WA, October 30, 2012
Many suspect this is the year charter schools will be approved for Washington . Voters have rejected them in the past, despite 41other states using the system. KEPR wanted to know how the Tri-Cities would be affected if charter schools were allowed in.
Why Parents Will Love Charter Schools
Snohomish Times, WA, October 30, 2012
Many parents hope voters will pass Initiative 1240, the ballot measure to allow charter schools in Washington. This is especially true of parents whose children are trapped in failing inner-city schools. Earlier this year Representative Eric Pettigrew, speaking for many low-income families in his South Seattle district, put it this way.
Another Week, Another Million For Charter School Initiative
Seattle Times Blog, WA, October 30, 2012
As the election nears, the campaign to bring charter schools to Washington state reported another $1.5 million in donations from Paul Allen, founder of Vulcan, Inc. and co-founder of Microsoft. Allen has been a major supporter of past charter-school campaigns, too, along with his fellow Microsoft co-founder Bill Gates.
WEST VIRGINIA
Kids Succeed When Teachers Succeed
Charleston Gazette, WV, October 30, 2012
Patrick Lane is correct in stating the children of West Virginia are behind and that we must properly educate them (“Educate students to succeed,” in the Oct. 25 Gazette). Also, children should be the focus of our schools so they will “be part of a well-educated work force tomorrow.”
WISCONSIN
Teachers Unions Talk Merger After Membership Drops 30 Percent
Wisconsin State Journal, WI, October 31, 2012
The state’s two largest teachers unions are contemplating a merger after losing about 30 percent of their members in the wake of new collective bargaining rules and cuts in education funding.
ONLINE SCHOOLS
To Empower Students, Let’s Bring Interactive Learning Tools Into The Classroom
Venture Beat, October 30, 2012
The past five years have seen a tremendous boom in education technology (“ed-tech”) startups that are pushing the boundaries of online and hybrid content delivery and learning experiences.
Practical Hurdles at Play in Pa. Charter-Law Stumble
October 31, 2012 By
by Andrew Ujifusa
Education Week
October 31, 2012
A recent effort by Pennsylvania officials to re-examine the state’s charter school laws highlights the challenges states may face as they try to change the policy and political environment for charters.
Only seven states (Arizona, Colorado, Idaho, Indiana, Maine, South Carolina, and Utah) and the District of Columbia have statewide charter authorizers, according to the Washington-based Center for Education Reform, which supports charters. Those authorizers have varying degrees of autonomy, a fact that is a sore spot for charter advocates.
Daily Headlines for October 30, 2012
October 30, 2012 By
School Reform on the Ballot
Wall Street Journal, October 30, 2012
The education reform movement has been gaining speed across the country, and a pair of important ballot initiatives next week in Washington and Idaho will either extend or retard that progress.
FROM THE STATES
CALIFORNIA
S.F., Oakland Drop Bid For U.S. School Funds
San Francisco Chronicle, CA, October 29, 2012
Stuck in a standoff with teachers unions, the San Francisco and Oakland school districts have abandoned efforts to bring in up to $15 million each to develop high-quality math classes for upper-elementary and middle school students.
Natomas Charter School One Of Six Opening This Year In Sacramento Area
Modesto Bee, CA, October 30, 2012
Leroy Greene Academy in Natomas was among 109 charter schools that opened in California this school year, pushing the number to more than 1,000 charters, according to the California Charter Schools Association.
New Charter School Proposed In Yreka
Ridgecrest Daily Independent, CA
October 29, 2012
The Yreka Union School District Board of Trustees will hold a public hearing tomorrow at 5 p.m. in the Jackson Street School library to consider a petition for the establishment of a new charter school in Yreka.
San Bernardino County School Districts Experiment With ‘Span’ Schools
San Bernardino Sun, CA, October 29, 2012
Middle school is tough. In addition to all of the hormone- driven physical and emotional changes students deal with, they also transition from elementary school, where they spend almost all day with one or two teachers to a new schedule where they’re responsible for moving from class to class and teacher to teacher.
State Budget Woes Halt Santa Rosa Charter School Expansion
Press Democrat, CA, October 29, 2012
Plans to expand and remodel the campus of Santa Rosa Charter School for the Arts have hit a funding snag that is likely to delay the project at least a year.
L.A. Schools Fail To Gain Union Backing For Grant Application
Los Angeles Times, CA, October 30, 2012
The L.A. teachers union declined to sign LAUSD’s bid for a $40-million grant, a condition for the competition imposed by the federal education department.
Why Is Teachers Union Leaving Money On The Table?
Sacramento Bee, CA, October 30, 2012
At a time when California has cut funding dramatically for K-12 education – and may have to cut more after next week’s election – it makes no sense for school districts to leave millions in federal education dollars on the table.
COLORADO
Greeley’s Charters: Who Are They? What Are They? Why Are They?
Greeley Tribune, CO, October 29, 2012
When former U.S. Rep. Bob Schaffer, R-Colo., gave the interim superintendent of Poudre R-1 her first tour of Liberty Common High School, it was one of the most enjoyable moments of his career.
FLORIDA
Florida’s Shameful Situation On Charter Schools
Bradenton Herald, FL, October 30, 2012
Plaudits are raining down on Gov. Rick Scott over his new education agenda, unveiled just last week. One of his top priorities is the expansion of charter schools in the name of parental choice.
GEORGIA
Georgia Get’s A’s For Monitoring Charter Schools
WSB Radio, GA, October 30, 2012
A newly released audit from the U.S. Department of Education finds Georgia is doing a good job monitoring the money its start-up charter schools are getting from the federal government.
Lawmaker, County Super Square Off On Charter Amendment
Marietta Journal, GA, October 30, 2012
A little more than 40 people, including some Cobb County school board members, attended a charter school amendment forum last night to hear both sides of the argument on the Nov. 6 ballot issue.
Unlikely Allies Rally To Oppose Charter School Amendment
CBS Atlanta , GA, October 29, 2012
An unlikely coalition of critics has joined forces to urge voters to say no to the controversial charter-school amendment.
Ten Reasons To Vote ‘No’ On The Charter School Amendment
Macon Telegraph, GA, October 30, 2012
The charter school amendment will be decided on Nov. 6. If it doesn’t pass, it will be the greatest upset since David conked Goliath with a rock. Give me the money that has been made available to the pro-charter amendment forces (over $2 million, almost all of it out-of-state) and let me quash the opposition’s right of free speech and I could get the little dweeb that runs Iran elected Pope.
ILLINOIS
82 Chicago Principals Get Up To $20,000 In Merit Bonuses
Chicago Sun Times, IL, October 29, 2012
Merit pay bonuses ranging from $5,000 to $20,000 apiece were awarded Monday to 82 Chicago Public School principals whose schools demonstrated “exceptional growth” in four key measurements of student success.
School Report Cards To Change
Chicago Tribune, IL, October 30, 2012
In an advanced algebra class for seventh- and eighth-graders, teacher Breann Cooper reviews a dizzying array of linear equations while students jot down a jumble of x and y formulas.
Why Some CPS Schools Must Close
Chicago Tribune, IL, October 30, 2012
By Dec. 1, Chicago Public Schools officials must deliver to state lawmakers a list of schools slated to close at the end of this school year. The district will release its criteria for making those decisions this week.
Charter Schools
Chicago Tribune, IL, October 29, 2012
Having just read the Tribune article, “Cleveland ‘s charter school growth a cautionary tale for Chicago ” (News, Oct. 24), I am reminded once again of the false narrative of “charters as saviors.” It is instructive to consider two common claims of charter schools as Chicago Public Schools embarks on a plan to close many more public schools and open more charters.
INDIANA
Outsiders’ Charter Presentation Falls Flat
Evansville Courier & Press, IN, October 29, 2012
“Grassroots” charters differ from charters run by management organizations in that they are startup or conversion schools that the community has “built” for specific needs and purposes. They are generally sponsored and run by local educators, and they are public schools that cannot charge tuition.
Ind. Superintendent Race A Showdown Over Ed Policy
Post-Tribune, IN, October 30, 2012
A traditionally sleepy race for Indiana’s top elected school position has turned into a referendum on education policies that are endorsed by conservatives across the country.
LOUISIANA
Report: La. Teacher Unions Weak At Influencing Policy
The Advocate, LA, October 30, 2012
Louisiana’s two teacher unions are among the weakest in the nation, according to a report issued Monday.
MICHIGAN
YMCA Charter School Stresses Leadership And Innovation
Detroit News, MI, October 30, 2012
Jataya is among the first students at a new K-5 charter school, Detroit Innovation Academy , opened last month by the YMCA of Metropolitan Detroit through its Y Education Services charter management organization.
EMU Board Of Regents To Decide Whether To Authorize 3 New Charter Schools
Ypsilanti Reporter, MI, October 30, 2012
The Charter Schools Office at Eastern Michigan University is seeking the approval of three new charter schools that would be established in southeast Michigan if approved, according to a university official.
NEW JERSEY
NJ Spotlight Roundtable: NJ Schools Aren’t Making the Grade
New Jersey Spotlight, NJ, October 30, 2012
The problem facing Jersey’s high schools was easier to agree upon. Agreeing on a solution was more elusive.
NEW YORK
At an Overcrowded School in Park Slope, No One Wants to Leave
New York Times, NY, October 30, 2012
They are beneficiaries of a longstanding regulation in New York City that says that once children are registered at a public school, they can remain until they graduate, regardless of where in the city they live after registration day.
Federal Grants To Help Uptown Charter Schools Expand
The Uptowner, NY, October 29, 2012
The Democracy Prep charter schools in Harlem will more than double their current enrollment of 2,000 students over the next five years, thanks to a $9.1 million grant from the U.S. Department of Education announced last month.
City School District Has Plan To Reform Schools
Democrat and Chronicle, NY, October 29, 2012
In its latest effort to turn around one of the lowest-performing school systems in the state, the City School District is laying out a new plan that focuses on leadership, data and early childhood programs.
NORTH CAROLINA
New Charter School Set To Open In Wilmore Neighborhood Of Charlotte
News 14 Carolina, NC, October 29, 2012
A new charter school is set to open next summer in the up and coming Wilmore neighborhood in Charlotte.
OHIO
VALLEY SCHOOLS Treasurers: Charters, Vouchers Cost Us Lots
Youngstown Vindicator, OH, October 30, 2012
A large amount of taxpayer money meant for public education is being siphoned off by charter schools and vouchers, local school treasurers say.
Reynoldsburg Schools Attracting Rave Reviews
Columbus Dispatch, OH, October 30, 2012
“There’s a great narrative in Reynoldsburg,” said Deb Delisle, U.S. assistant secretary of education, who visited the district last week to learn how it personalizes students’ learning.
No Local Charter School Is Top Rated
Dayton Daily News, OH, October 29, 2012
Eleven Miami Valley charter schools improved their ratings on the 2011-12 state report cards, while 10 slipped and 16 others stayed the same, according to the preliminary data released by the Ohio Department of Education.
OKLAHOMA
Barresi Predicts ‘C’ Rating for Oklahoma Department of Education
Tulsa World, OK, October 30, 2012
Oklahoma’s state superintendent is estimating that the state Department of Education will receive a grade of C when grades are tallied for how well the administration is doing, she told Bartlesville High School students Monday.
OREGON
School’s New Home Is Just Divine
Register-Guard, OR, October 30, 2012
On the outside, it may have looked like a simple business transaction: Eugene Christian School purchases the former IP Koke Industrial Printing Co. at 2895 Chad Drive .
SOUTH DAKOTA
Teachers Pour Cash Into Two Measures
Argus Leader, SD, October 30, 2012
The largest teachers’ union in the country is plowing money into two South Dakota ballot issues that voters will decide next week, teaming up with the state’s three hospital systems on one of them.
UTAH
Park City Private School For Winter Athletes Looking To Become Public
Salt Lake Tribune, UT, October 30, 2012
For nearly two decades, skiers, snowboarders and lugers have sought out the private Winter Sports School, tucked in the mountains of Park City , for a chance to polish their athletic skills and chase dreams of Olympic glory while attending high school.
WASHINGTON
Apprentice Program To Train New Seattle Teachers
Seattle Times, WA, October 29, 2012
Some teachers in Seattle will soon be trained like medical residents, with substantial on-the-job training under the supervision of a trained mentor. Four organizations, including the Seattle teachers union, are together designing the new program, which will start next summer.
School Ads Group Can’t Hide
Spokesman Review, WA, October 30, 2012
A secretive group that underwrote more than $200,000 in TV campaign commercials in favor of three Idaho school reform ballot measures must disclose its donors by Wednesday, a 4th District judge ruled Monday afternoon.
Closer Look At Charter School Initiative 1240
KNDO, WA, October 29, 2012
If passed.. Initiative 1240 would authorize up to 40 publicly funded charter schools to open across Washington over a five year period.
WISCONSIN
Open Enrollment Benefits Some And Hurts Others
Janesville Gazette, WI, October 29, 2012
Area school districts winning the battle of school choice generally have continued to gain students while districts losing students continue to lose more, according to data from districts in Rock and Walworth counties.
ONLINE SCHOOLS
School District’s Online Offerings Now Open To Elementary Students
Ocala Star Banner, FL, October 29, 2012
The Marion County School District opened its first online elementary school last week, the first phase in its quest to create its own K-12 virtual school network.
Most of NEA’s Largest Affiliates Are Awash in Red Ink
October 29, 2012 By
Education Intelligence Agency’s Communiqué for the Week of October 29, 2012 is so great that we couldn’t help but bring it to you in its entirety:
An Education Intelligence Agency analysis of 2010-11 Internal Revenue Service filings reveals as many as eight of the National Education Association’s 11 largest state affiliates do not have the financial assets to match their liabilities and total almost $400 million in combined debt.
The lion’s share of the union’s debt comes from employee pension and post-retirement health care liabilities. The costs of these benefits have troubled NEA affiliates for many years, causing budgets crises in places like Michigan, Illinois, Pennsylvania and Ohio. Even staff at NEA headquarters made concessions to help ease the strain of post-retirement benefits on the national union’s budget. The latest data show that many affiliates continue to struggle despite receiving substantial relief in pension liabilities.
EIA has constructed a table that lists each of NEA’s state affiliates, its budget deficit or surplus for 2010-11 and its net assets, positive or negative, as of the end of the 2010-11 school year. For purposes of comparison, the table also lists the number of days each affiliate could operate solely on reserves based on its 2010-11 expenditures and net assets.
These latter numbers are important because while certain state affiliates may have run budget deficits in 2010-11, they may still have more than enough reserves to cover one or more years of shortfalls. Others, however, continue to add to their mounting debt and will require some outside force to balance the books.
The New York State United Teachers ran a $29.9 million deficit in 2010-11, and is a total of $201.1 million short of assets to pay all liabilities. NYSUT is on the hook for $286 million in post-retirement benefits.
The California Teachers Association is much healthier, with a small $1.4 million surplus in 2010-11 and net assets of more than $115.6 million, good enough for 230 days of operation.
The New Jersey Education Association managed a $1 million surplus after gaining more than $29.3 million in pension relief. Still, NJEA has more than $38.7 million in red ink.
The Pennsylvania State Education Association greatly improved its budget picture, but has only $6 million in net assets, enough for only 37 days of operation.
The Florida Education Association is similarly situated, with a small surplus and only 53 days of operational reserves.
The Illinois Education Association is still climbing out of a deep hole, finally breaking into the black after $4.9 million in pension relief, but its net assets will allow for only two days of operation.
The Michigan Education Association is a financial basket case, carrying an $11 million deficit in 2010-11, and falling $113 million short in assets. Believe it or not, the picture could have been much worse, as MEA managed to generate $31.1 million in pension relief.
The Ohio Education Association is not much better off. Despite $27.4 million in decreased pension liabilities, OEA still had a $9.1 million deficit and is $14.4 million short in net assets.
The Massachusetts Teachers Association cut pension liabilities by $10.1 million, but is still $2.8 million short of its obligations.
The 2010-11 picture for the Wisconsin Education Association Council was still relatively good, despite a $2.6 million budget deficit. The union had 168 days of operational reserve. However, these figures were mostly compiled before the effects of Act 10 on WEAC’s existence. We can expect next year’s numbers to look very different.
I make note of the 11th largest affiliate simply because its internal money problems have very much occurred under the radar. The Washington Education Association was able to reduce its unfunded pension liabilities by $3.2 million and run a surplus, but it is still almost $18.6 million short of covering its liabilities.
At least six other NEA state affiliates were able to reduce their pension obligations. Some were able to rescue their bottom lines, others were not. You can see from the table that the efforts of Connecticut and Minnesota left them both with a very large surplus, but affiliates in Iowa, Texas, Virginia and West Virginia were only able to slightly lighten their red ink.
I need to add that the South Carolina Education Association has not filed, or has not yet had posted, its disclosure report for 2010-11. SCEA was placed under NEA trusteeship in April 2010 and its report would cover the first year of national oversight of its finances.
It is ironic that the internal situation of these affiliates are very much, in microcosm, like that faced by state governments. There are a number of ways out of the red ink: increased dues, increased membership, and better return on investments on the revenue side, and reduced staff, reduced benefits, and negotiated relief with employee unions on the expenditure side. And, like some state governments, unions could just ignore the problem and hope it goes away. Although NEA would rather we didn’t, we should pay close attention to the measures it uses to deal with its own runaway labor costs.
Event Review: Education Reform in the Next White House
October 29, 2012 By
Unfortunately, jobs and the economy have overpowered the presidential campaign and debates, leaving little room for President Obama and Governor Romney to discuss education. Because of the lack of information, it’s vital that when an opportunity rises, both sides discuss the specifics of each of their policies to reform our country’s broken education system to make it work for all students.
The opportunity for this vital education debate was created at an event, Education Reform in the Next White House, hosted by the American Enterprise Institute (AEI), where representatives from the Obama and Romney campaigns discussed the differences in the candidates’ vision for education and the future of education reform in the next administration. Jon Schnur represented the Obama campaign and Martin West represented the Romney campaign.
While both representatives agreed that there is greater potential for bipartisan collaboration in education than most other areas of policy, there remain substantial differences between the two candidates’ vision for the federal government’s role in education, as evidenced below.
On education funding and school choice:
• Obama Campaign: Education is a public institution and not an industry. Portability of funds is an overreach, but he supports school choice via the growth of charter schools. President Obama’s administration will look at all programs and eliminate funding based on their performance and evidence of their success.
• Romney Campaign: Money would always follow the student, so formula funding would transform into portable funds to empower students, not bloated school districts. Martin West noted that Obama claims to eliminate programs based on effectiveness, but has openly tried to eliminate the DC Opportunity Scholarship program, which has evidence of success.
On No Child Left Behind:
• Both agreed that what was successful in NCLB was that it shined a light on the achievement gap and made education a national priority.
• Obama Campaign: The accountability measures were flawed and actually led to states lowering standards.
• Romney Campaign: The quality of information was too crude and accountability measures failed to recognize student growth. Romney would introduce a school grading system across the U.S., much like Florida’s A-F system.
On Race to the Top:
• Obama Campaign: Race to the Top was leverage to drive change and prevented states from making enormous, immediate cuts in education funding.
• Romney Campaign: While Romney praised the President on his support of charter schools, the emphasis on student-teacher linked data, teacher evaluations, and merit pay, Race to the Top was too small of an agenda and prevented the state/local areas from delaying budget issues.
On reauthorizing ESEA:
• Obama Campaign: Efforts to reauthorize ESEA were blocked in Congress, but in the next four years, President Obama will champion reauthorization. Waivers were offered as a relief from NCLB.
• Romney Campaign: Governor Romney’s priority will be reauthorization and to review the NCLB waivers, which were an unprecedented act of authority.
On Common Core:
• Obama Campaign: Common Core is a historical, bi-partisan effort and governors should be lauded for their work. These are state-driven standards, and although states are not required to adopt them, state standards should reflect college and career-readiness.
• Romney Campaign: Standards are the foundation of progress, which was championed in Massachusetts when Governor Romney was in office. However, the Common Core standards are too politicized and federally-driven.
On the Chicago Teachers Strike:
• Obama Campaign: The President did not want to intervene in local issues, but both sides of the strike were supporting student interests.
• Romney Campaign: President Obama and Secretary Duncan should have stood up against the union to stand up for efforts they themselves are championing. Unions protect employees and the interests of teachers and students are not always aligned.
On Parent Trigger laws:
• Neither of the two representatives are paid employees by the campaign, so they are not privy to conversations regarding parent trigger laws. However, the Romney Campaign stressed that Governor Romney is supportive of anything that empowers parents.
Audit of Charter Funding Audit Needed?
October 29, 2012 By
I was recently asked by a famous Ed Blogger, Alexander Russo, what I thought of the “audit” by the Government Accountability Office (GAO), over how charter school funds are monitored.
The experience of reviewing this report was a reminder of the disconnect between a new way of doing public schooling and the old fashioned way. Here was my response:
Once again we have a federal agency with a 20th century mentality on schooling attempting to audit an industry it neither understands nor can fully appreciate. The purpose of the federal charter grant program was to spawn the creation of new schools and sustain existing ones through state and local entities to which these schools are accountable for results – outcomes — not process and paperwork. The fact that a reviewer felt uncomfortable or untrained or that the federal lens didn’t see allegiance to the kind of old, worn out paperwork requirements that still plague traditional districts should underscore the problem with compelling reviews like this that chase process over achievement. (By the way, those districts do compliance with financial and operational requirements really well but it has no bearing on real educational accountability!)
Arizona lacked a monitoring checklist to make comparisons between schools? How would a check list result in their being able to compare schools? The federal auditors should have FIRST been in touch with the authorizers who are monitoring accountability and second, or failing that, they could have been simply asking for the kinds of data and financial records that every non-profit should produce– namely, identifying the flow of money through budgets, audits, 990s, P&Ls etc…
Oh, but that might require to actually know something about finance and budgeting.
It might be a cool exercise to see what this supposed checklist that is at the heart of the OIG report actually required federal auditors to do. We may find that its WestEd that needs the audit, not the charters. (Did anyone mention that WestEd has never been a fan of charters, nor objective in their comments?)
“Won’t Back Down” Theme Isn’t New
October 30, 2012
So there’s another movie out there that pits a great teacher against the system, only this one is set in rural South Carolina and it’s based in the 1960s, not today. At the end, after imparting wisdom and knowledge, Mr. Conroy gains the support of parents but the scorn of the administration, which doesn’t understand people out of step with the status quo, despite his success. In the end, the teacher tells the island’s parents — who learned to appreciate him and value education — that they are now in charge of their children’s education. “Never Back Down,” he says. “Never Back Down.” See, the theme is indeed universal. Thank you, Hallmark Hall of Fame, for creating “The Water is Wide” and check it out when you have a chance.