Daily News Roundup—February 24, 2010

National

Today, the House Education and Labor Committee will hold a hearing to examine proposals that would expand access to quality charter schools. The hearing will discuss the “All Students Achieving through Reform Act,” H.R. 4330, legislation that would create a new competitive grant program to expand and replicate successful charter schools to serve additional students, with a priority for low-income students, students in schools with low graduation rates and students in schools in need of improvement.

This week, the National Journal Education blog asks the question ‘What Can Be Done for Middle Schools?’ With so much emphasis placed on reforming chronically failing high schools, or ‘dropout factories,’ the fear is that middle school may be overlooked. Twelve responses thus far, and counting.

Yesterday, the U.S. Senate passed its version of what has come to be known as the “Jobs Bill,” called the Hiring Incentives to Restore Employment Act. The New America Foundation attempts to understand what this means for education.

Keep this on your radar -- March 3rd at 10 a.m. ET, Scholastic and the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation will be releasing the results of "Primary Sources: America's Teachers on America's Schools," what is believed to be the largest-ever survey of America's public school teachers.

According to a study released by the Pew Research Center, the 18-to-29-year-old millennial generation will probably be the most educated in American history, but unfortunately, this generation will have the highest share of people who are unemployed.

The Herald Tribune reports that Univision has started a multiyear campaign to boost academic achievement among Latinos in the United States.

From The States

California

The LA Times and Wall Street Journal reports on the Los Angeles Board of Education vote to hand over some of its public schools to charter school operators and teachers groups. The majority of the schools were awarded to teachers’ groups.

EdWeek’s State Ed Watch Blog reports on California Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger’s announcement that he is tapping his Jacqueline-of-all-trades adviser, Bonnie Reiss, to be his new education secretary.

Cleveland

Cleveland.com reports on a revolutionary proposal introduced by Cleveland schools chief Eugene Sanders that could bring substantial changes to the Cleveland school district.

Iowa

The Daily Iowan reports on a proposed bill that could create charter schools in the state.

Kansas

USA Today reports on a Kansas City proposal, introduced by the school chief, requesting the school board close as many as 31 of the city’s 61 schools and lay off ¼ of its employees.

New York

The NY Times reports on the long, complicated process of removing inadequate teachers from NY classrooms.

Pennsylvania

The Associated Press reports on the willingness of major urban districts including Philadelphia to overhaul chronically failing schools, and extend the school day, school week, and school year.

Virginia

The Virginian News & Advance reports on VA Gov. Bob McDonnell’s administration and education officials fashioning a compromise on charter school legislation.

West Virginia

The Charleston Daily Mail reports on a few brave West VA legislators fighting to come up with a revised bill to allow charter schools in the state.

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

The Week Ahead: Tuesday, Feb. 23 - Saturday, Feb. 27

Information/Schedule Subject to Change

(All times local)

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