Daily News Roundup—February 22, 2010

EEP News

The Education Equality Project is pleased to welcome Gwen Samuel, chairperson for the State of Black CT Alliance to our list of signatories. Gwen’s work educating, organizing, and mobilizing the parents of CT has truly inspired a movement fighting to close one of the largest academic achievement gaps in the country.

National

NYTimes and the Washington Post reports on a proposed change to the No Child Left Behind law, the Obama administration would require states to adopt new academic standards to qualify for federal money from a $14 billion program that concentrates on impoverished students.

The Wall Street Journal weighs in on one of the biggest obstacles in the wake of education reform; a teacher tenure system that forces principals to hire and retain teachers based on seniority instead of performance.

As Black History Month comes to a close, Newsweek puts in context the need for education to serve as the way out for so many African American children living under the federal poverty line.

A new paper released by the National Council on Teacher Quality looks into district policies, some mandated by state law, for making layoff decisions.

Metlife recently released Part 1 of its American Teacher series entitled “Effective Teaching and Leadership” which examines views about responsibility and accountability; what collaboration looks like in schools, and if to what degree it is currently practiced.

For those of you who were unable to attend the USDOE stakeholders briefing regarding the Administration’s FY 2011 Budget Request, a video and transcript of the February 1st, 2010, briefing can be found here.

Reuters reports on Secretary Duncan speaking on the National Governors Association expressing concern that many teachers and educators across the United States are at risk of losing their jobs in the next few months.

EdWeek’s Curriculum Matters blog attempts to dispel the myth that the Common Core Standards Initiative is a federal initiative.

Bob Herbert, op-ed columnist for the NY Times, travels the country reporting on unacceptable conditions in many schools, and part of an overwhelming problem of maintaining and modernizing American infrastructure.

Black America Web reports on Secretary Duncan touring several historically black colleges to speak directly with African-American male students about teaching in the nation’s public schools.

From The States

California

The NY Times reports on the San Francisco Unified School District revamping its student-assignment system, which decides the educational homes for tens of thousands of children.

Camille Esch, director of the California Education Program at the New America Foundation, and Christopher Cabaldon leads the foundation's Blueprint for Community College Student Success Project expresses concern over CA Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger’s higher education proposals because it “does nothing to help the 110 California community colleges, which serve nearly 3 million students – nearly 70% of those in public higher education each year.”

Colorado

Education News Colorado sat down with Eva Moskowitz (EEP Signatory) who runs four campuses of the Harlem Success Academy in New York City to talk about the challenges ahead for the nation’s charter schools, the controversy over co-location or putting charter programs in district buildings and recent studies describing segregation in charter schools.

Illinois

The NY Times Chicago Cooperative reports on the Chicago City Council’s Education Committee hearing scheduled for today that will add a new level of scrutiny to the Chicago Public Schools’ process of closing, consolidating and turning around low-performing schools.

Kansas

The Wichita Eagle reports on migration of paper and pencil assessment tests, over to computerized state assessments which saves time and money.

Oklahoma

This NewsOK editorial suggests that standards set by the state and the federal government around charter school startups should be eased and the process should be more fluid.

Texas

Joel Klein, Chancellor of New York City public schools and co-chair of the Education Equality Project, writes for the Houston Chronicle applauding the critical step that the Houston Independent School District is taking to boost the number of quality teachers in high-poverty schools, ensuring that all its students are taught by top-notch teachers.

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

The Week Ahead: Monday, Feb. 22 - Saturday, Feb. 27

Information/Schedule Subject to Change

(All times local)

Monday, Feb. 22

Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights Russlyn Ali to participate in “The Legacy of Brown in the Obama Era” panel at the 31st Annual National Conference on Law and Higher Education. 1:30-3:00 p.m. at the Caribe Royale Resort hotel in Orlando, Florida.

Tuesday, Feb. 23

Secretary Duncan to speak at the Univision Leadership Event. 8:40-10:00 at the National Press Club, 529 14th Street.

Wednesday, Feb. 24

The U.S. Department of Education to host a Black History Month event for ED employees, “Redefining Tradition: Black History’s Influence on Today’s Artistic Expressions.” 1:00-2:00 p.m., LBJ Building.

Thursday, Feb. 25

Secretary Duncan to testify at the House Budget Committee Hearing. 10:00-1:00 p.m. at the Cannon Building, Room 207.

Friday, Feb. 26

Secretary Duncan to speak at the Harvard Graduate School of Education Askwith Forum. 2:30-4:00 p.m. at the Askwith Lecture Hall, Longfellow Hall, Harvard Graduate School of Education. 13 Appian Way, Cambridge, MA 02138. Limited space for press.

Juan Sepulveda, Director, White House Initiative on Educational Excellence for Hispanic Americans, to give keynote at the San Antonio Nonprofit Annual Conference. Details TBA.

Saturday, Feb. 27

No public events scheduled.

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Categories: Daily News RoundUp Education News