Daily News Roundup—March 11, 2010

EEP News

EEP is helping to get the word out about a faith-based education event in New York City, sponsored by First Corinthian Baptist Church – “Write the Vision: Make It Clear” (March 27th, Teachers College, Columbia University). The event will feature a number of prominent leaders and EEP signatories including -- Peter Groff, President Obama’s appointed Director of the Center for Faith and Neighborhood Partnership for the US Department of Education, Harold Ford, and Tom Vander Ark.

Visit http://www.tc.edu/calendar/rsvp/writethevision.htm to register for this event. Please note space is limited, and lunch will be provided to those who RSVP.

National

Yesterday, a draft of the new national standards for Math and English were released. The effort, led by the National Governors Association and the Council of Chief State School Officers, is expected to lead to higher, uniform standards and expectations for all students across the country.

The LA Times and NY Times reported on the announcement.

EdWeek's Teacher Beat Blog reports on The Center on American Progress releasing three papers yesterday on different aspects of teacher effectiveness; 1) Treating Different Teachers Differently, which examines how states should consider differences in teacher performance as they work to improve both teacher effectiveness and equity, 2) Removing Chronically Ineffective Teachers, which examines the barriers and opportunities for removing ineffective teachers, and 3) Supporting Effective Teaching Through Teacher Evaluation, which examines the teacher evaluation systems in five charter schools. EdWeek’s Teacher Beat blog is doing a close read on each report.

Check out this in-depth study, conducted by the Partnership for Learning, of the Race to the Top applications submitted by the 16 finalists.

At the Edmund Pettus Bridge in Selma, Alabama, on the 45th anniversary of “Bloody Sunday,” Secretary Arne Duncan spoke before a group of students, community leaders, and elected officials about impediments to equal educational opportunity and the administration’s intentions to work with schools and postsecondary institutions to address them. See pictures of the event and full text of Duncan’s speech here.

Forbes reports on the Obama Administration’s attempts to replicate Geoffrey Canada’s (EEP signatory) Harlem Children’s Zone model – not that easy!

EdWeek reports that representatives from the “Sweet 16” of Race to the Top finalists will travel to Washington next week to make final, in-person pitches to the US Department of Education.

The NY Times reports on the mounting pressure facing House Democrats and President Obama as they work to keep their ambitious overhaul of student loan programs from becoming a casualty of the health care battle.

Nicholas Kristof, op-ed columnist for the NY Times, applauds Teach for America and posits we cross it with the Peace Corps to come up with Teach for the World.

From The States

Florida

Florida’s WCTV reports on a group of college students from every major university in FL meeting with lawmakers to make suggestions that will hopefully change FL’s education system for the better.

The Orlando Sentinel reports on a key FL state Senate committee voting to pass a sweeping and comprehensive plan to overhaul how teachers are evaluated and compensated.

Georgia

The Atlanta Journal Constitution reports on GA parents fed up with some GA school districts and deciding to partner with for-profit education management organizations (EMOs) to open new charter schools.

Kansas

Faced with dwindling enrollment, budget cuts, and an enormous deficit, the NY Times reports on a startling reality – Kansas City will close almost half of the city’s public schools.

Maryland

Is this the right time for private schools? A group of MD state senators believe this to be an “excellent” time to reintroduce legislation that would create a tax credit for businesses and nonprofit groups that make contributions to certain private and public school initiatives.

Michigan

Today, a coalition of education leaders and foundations will unveil a sweeping academic reform agenda that targets failing schools in Detroit, according to the Detroit News.

New Jersey

NorthJersey.com reports on a coalition of education groups urging Secretary Duncan to force NJ Gov. Chris Christie to restore $475 million in school aid funding that was cut last month.

If New Jersey’s new education commissioner has his way, NJ could see an influx of new charter schools relatively soon says NorthJersey.com.

Pennsylvania

The Philadelphia Inquirer highlights the changes being made at West Philadelphia High School, and the possibility of radically restructuring the school to become a “Promise Academy.”

Wisconsin

The Wisconsin State Journal reports that Education Secretary Arne Duncan will be the featured speaker at one of UW-Madison’s five commencement ceremonies this spring.

The Daily Cardinal reports on WI Gov. Jim Doyle, not backing down on education reform initiatives, preparing to introduce a new K-12 education bill.

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

The Week Ahead: Thursday, March 11 - Sunday, March 14

Information/Schedule Subject to Change

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