Daily News Roundup—March 9, 2010

National

The Associated Press, Montgomery Advertiser and the Wall Street Journal reports on Education Secretary Arne Duncan emphasizing the effort of the federal government to become more vigilant, making sure students have equal access and opportunity in all areas of education. Secretary Duncan first visited Robert E. Lee High School to talk with parents, students, and faculty before making a major speech in Selma, commemorating the 45th anniversary of “Bloody Sunday” – the day when several hundred civil rights protesters were beaten by state troopers during a voting rights march.

NPR’s Claudio Sanchez spoke with Russlynn Ali, Assistant Secretary for the Office for Civil Rights, about the some of the tragic negligence taking place across the country aimed at black children, and non-English speaking students.

Education Next’s Paul Peterson and Chester E. Finn, Jr. talk about whether the federal share of education spending is likely to remain at 15 percent and whether the $1 billion bonus for reauthorizing ESEA this year is likely to be awarded. Click here to get the podcast.

This week the National Journal addresses accountability and how will the Education Department ensure that cash-strapped states will use the money for education purposes and not to backfill their budgets. Eleven responses thus far, including one from Secretary of Education Arne Duncan, and a few from signatories such as Greg Richmond, and Chad Wick.

The U.S. Department of Education yesterday unveiled the final rules for its $650 million Investing in Innovation, or i3, grant program, standing fast in the face of criticism that its proposed guidelines demanded too much from applicants in the way of private-sector match and evidence to back up their proposals. Tom Vander Ark, Revolution Learning and VA/R Partners founder (and EEP Advisor) comments on some of the significant changes incorporated into the application.

Curious what the Department of Education letter to the Race to the Top finalists actually said?

As a reminder -- The President is running a Race to the Top High School Commencement Challenge through which high schools can compete to have the President speak at their commencement. The deadline is soon – next Monday, March 15 – you can learn more here: www.whitehouse.gov/commencement.

From The States

Florida

The Palm Beach Post reports on the G-Star School of the Arts, a local charter school looking to the future and building a multimillion-dollar movie studio.

Georgia

The Atlanta Journal Constitution’s Get Schooled blog highlights Alisha Thomas Morgan, GA State Representative (and EEP Signatory) forging an alliance with her GOP colleagues on charter schools and merit pay.

Illinois

Building on a story featured yesterday, this Chicago Tribune editorial emphasizes the remarkable achievement of every one of the 107 students in Urban Prep’s first senior class being accepted into a four-year college.

Maryland

The Washington Post reports on MD leading the nation and VA ranking third on the Advanced Placement test performance for the high school class of 2009.

Mississippi

The Commercial Appeal reports on MS state senators approving legislation that would authorize charter schools in an effort to improve the state’s public education system.

New Jersey

Rex Shaw, executive director of the Teaneck Community Charter School, discusses the growing charter school support and the powerful movement of change across the nation.

New York

The NY Post highlights the militaristic approach of student achievement with the goal of getting “100 percent of our kids to college.”

North Carolina

The Pilot reports on mobilized parents fighting to save the Academy of Moore County charter school after it was denied a request to renew its charter for an additional three years.

Washington DC

Newsweek reports on Michelle Rhee, DC Schools Chancellor (and EEP Signatory) and Randi Weingarten, AFT President squaring off on the common practice of giving public-school teachers lifetime tenure under rules that make firing a teacher very difficult, expensive, and time-consuming.

Wisconsin

The Milwaukee-Wisconsin Journal Sentinel reports on a Milwaukee School Board committee expecting to act on a recommendation not to renew the contract for Alliance charter school, a school that serves children who are bullied and ostracized.

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

The Week Ahead: Tuesday, March 9 - Sunday, March 14

Information/Schedule Subject to Change

Tuesday, March 9

7-9 p.m. EST

Keynote address to the Everybody Wins! 15th Annual Gala. EW!DC is a non-profit organization devoted to promoting children's literacy through mentoring programs in Title I public elementary schools throughout the Washington Metropolitan Area.

Capital Hilton Hotel, 1001 16th St. N.W., Washington, D.C.

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