Daily News Roundup—March 16, 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’s 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

U.S. Secretary of Education Arne Duncan will testify on the Obama administration's blueprint for reauthorizing the Elementary and Secondary Education Act (ESEA) on Wednesday, March 17, before the Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions, and the House Education and Labor Committee.

The NY Times predicts complicated hurdles both politically and in terms of implementation awaiting the Administration’s ambitious ESEA reauthorization agenda.

The Washington Post digs deeper on the ESEA blueprint, looking specifically at how the Administration’s school intervention plans diverge significantly from the current NCLB law. “[ESEA] divides nearly 100,000 schools into three categories: those rewarded for high performance; those challenged to overcome major academic struggles; and the huge number in the middle that are pushed to improve but given freedom to innovate. The latter group could amount to 75 percent of schools.”

Nightly News looks into the ESEA Blueprint and speaks with NYC Public School Chancellor and EEP Co-Chair Joel Klein about this proposed legislation. In addition, Morning Joe spoke with Secretary Duncan and asked about the Administration’s intentions behind this reauthorization process.

The Center for American Progress (CAP) has put out their official analysis of the ESEA blueprint, citing several aspects that reflect policy recommendations made by CAP in recent years and overall finding the blueprint “promising.”

This NY Times editorial writes on the Administration’s work to revitalize the USDOE’s Office of Civil Rights and the up-hill battle ahead: “Sticking with the civil rights plan will be difficult once districts begin whining to legislators in Washington. The secretary will need cover from the White House to succeed.”

This week, the National Journal Education Experts Blog addresses Early College High Schools – are they a good idea? What are the pros and cons? Five responses thus far, including one from Tom Vander Ark.

Facing mounting pressure from the US Department of Education for tangible improvement in student achievement, EdWeek reports on local and state education leaders moving forcefully and quickly to make big changes to districts and schools that have long struggled with low test scores and graduation rates (particularly analysis of Kansas City, Cleveland, and Detroit).

EdWeek reports on the National Broadband plan released by the Federal Communications Commission today that outlines a number of recommendations that could enhance the technological capabilities of K-12 schools.

EdWeek’s Teacher Beat blog reports on a just-released paper by a number of notable teacher quality experts that proposes the creation of a new federal program, America’s Teacher Corps, which will recognize the best teachers, reduce interstate barriers to teaching certification, increase equity in teacher distribution, and make the profession more attractive to newcomers.

From The States

California

The LA Times reports on a task force of 50 parents, teachers, and administrators, which recommends paying high-performing teachers more, using student test scores in teacher evaluations, and overhauling the tenure system in LAUSD.

Georgia

The Atlanta Journal Constitution reports on GA Gov. Sonny Perdue and state schools Superintendent Kathy Cox preparing to make their pitch to the Obama Administration for Race to the Top (RTTT) funds.

Illinois

Chicago Public Radio reports on schools across the Chicago area and IL state grappling with the prospect of major budget cuts, forcing many schools, including some charters, to close altogether.

Iowa

The Des Moines Register reports on Secretary Duncan and Senate HELP Committee Chair Tom Harkin fielding questions and comments from Iowa educators and parents demanding a more well-rounded curriculum and more money for innovation.

Maryland

This Baltimore Sun op-ed piece applauds President Obama’s ESEA reauthorization plan stating that the focus remains on accountability, but also provides schools with more flexibility.

Michigan

The Detroit News reports on Secretary Duncan’s call for broad changes to accountability in troubled schools, which could mean a lot for Detroit Public Schools.

The Detroit News reports on Emergency Financial Manager Robert Bobb revealing his vision for a leaner Detroit Public School system yesterday, by closing 45 schools this year.

New Mexico

Recently, NM Gov. Bill Richardson signed the nation’s first Hispanic Education Act, which is aimed at improving the educational achievement of NM’s Hispanic students and closing the achievement gap.

Rhode Island

This Brown Daily Herald editorial comments on several proposed education bills related to public charter schools, including proposals to increase the cap on the number of charters from 20 to 35 and allow Education Commissioner Deborah Gist (EEP Signatory) to dissolve those schools that cannot not show measurable progress for three years in a row.

Virginia

The Washington Post reports on a new VA charter school legislation bill that passed both VA chambers that will give the state Board of Education a role in advising and supporting those seeking to start charter schools.

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