Daily News Roundup—March 10, 2010

National

EdWeek’s Politics K-12 Blog comments on the House Education and Labor Committee kicking off its hearings last week on the reauthorization of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act, and yesterday, it was the Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Committee’s turn. Watch the full Senate Committee Hearing “The Importance of a World-Class K-12 Education” here and click here to read Chairman Tom Harkin’s (D-IA) remarks.

The NY Times and Washington Post reports on the nation’s governors and chiefs expecting to propose national standards today for what students should learn in English and math, and from kindergarten to high school. As EdWeek suggest, the first public draft of grade-by-grade common standards is being greeted by a mix of praise and skepticism.

EdWeek reports on a new study authored by Charles E. Basch, a professor of health and education at Teachers College, Columbia University that urges federal and elected officials to better coordinate efforts to address the health disparities that impede learning for students from disadvantaged groups.

Yesterday, a senior education official at the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development told lawmakers yesterday that many other countries are surpassing the United States in educational attainment.

Thomas Carroll, President of the Foundation for Education Reform & Accountability, critiques Diane Ravitch’s new book “The Death and Life of the Great American School System” suggesting that while her experiences provides her with a unique perspective, her views on many issues (e.g., accountability, school choice, and testing) are largely in line with the American Federation of Teachers.

If you haven’t read it already, The Education Guess highlights the open letter spearheaded by EEP and a coalition of 17 other civil rights and education groups, expressing fundamental support for the administration’s approach to ESEA reauthorization, school interventions, competition-based funding and school accountability.

From The States

California

For its first major investigation under a reinvigorated Office for Civil Rights, the LA Times reports on the federal government investigating the Los Angeles Unified School District in an effort to determine if the school district provides adequate services to students learning English.

California has just released a list of 187 chronically low-performing schools, in accordance with the Obama Administration’s push to reform failing schools.

Minnesota

In the wake of a new federal mandate, 34 MN schools are allowed to apply for a federal grant, and in return, select one of four turnaround options for improving performance. (Star Tribune)

The Star Tribune reports on the city of Minneapolis opening MN’s first “self-governed” school and also sponsoring a new charter school.

New York

For the fifth year in a row, NYC students’ on-time graduation rates have increased, rising to 59% in 2009, compared to 56% in 2008. Despite this modest increase, the achievement gap between black and Latino students and their white peers remained vast, at 20 – 22 percentage points, respectively. The NY Times and NY Daily News reported on the graduation rates.

Faced with mounting pressure from charter schools, some NYC public schools are hitting the road and pitching their school to parents and community groups.

It is time to think outside the box -- The NY Daily News reports on 7th graders in a Brooklyn school getting great marks for writing songs about geology.

Pennsylvania

The Post-Gazette reports on Pittsburgh Public Schools and the Pittsburgh Federation of Teachers beginning the process of implementing a new performance pay plan that is part of the $40 million grant provided by the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation.

Rhode Island

USA Today visits Central Falls, RI and attempts to answer the question: Is the wholesale firing of teachers and administrators at an underperforming RI high school just the kind of get-tough intervention students need? Adding more fuel to the fire, CNN reports on several graduates of Central Fall’s High School returning to the campus to support the school’s fired teachers.

Virginia

The Washington Post reports on the VA Senate passing Gov. Robert F. McDonnell’s proposal designed to expand the number of charter schools in the state.

West Virginia

This Charleston Daily Mail editorial comments on the constant battle in WV between those who are pro-charter and believe in a radical education system transformation and those who have a vested economic interest in the controls provided by current state law.

Washington DC

From NBA star, to Mayor of Sacramento, and now the keeper of Michelle Rhee’s heart – the Washington Post reports on potentially the most influential ed reform couple ever – Mayor Kevin Johnson and DC Chancellor Michelle Rhee (both EEP Signatories – and we love it).

Wisconsin

The Badger Herald reports on WI Gov. Jim Doyle’s decision not to pursue proposed changes to laws regarding school funding, including removing the caps on property taxes to raise school revenues.

Public Schedule of U.S. Secretary of Education Arne Duncan

The Week Ahead: Wednesday, March 10 - Sunday, March 14

Information/Schedule Subject to Change

Wednesday, March 10

7:30-8 p.m. EST

Address to the World Affairs Council's 30th Anniversary Global Education Dinner.

Ritz-Carlton Hotel, 1150 22nd St. N.W., Washington, D.C.

Thursday, March 11

8-9:15 a.m. EST

Address to the Aspen Institute Congressional Program's Breakfast, regarding reauthorization of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act.

Room S-115, U.S. Capitol, Washington, D.C.

Friday, March 12

No public events scheduled.

Saturday, March 13

No public events scheduled.

Sunday, March 14

No public events scheduled.

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Categories: Daily News RoundUp