Daily News Roundup—February 26, 2010

National

The Chronicle of Higher Education reports on Secretary of Education Arne Duncan testifying on Capitol Hill, beginning his public defense of the Obama Administration’s education budget. One sharply debated topic was the Obama Administration’s proposal to eliminate a grant for the Teach for America program and hold the line on new funding for many other education programs.

Rep. Jared Polis (D-CO, and EEP Signatory), writes for the Hill’s Congress Blog discussing the All Students Achieving through Reform (ALL-STAR) Act, which will enable and encourage successful public charter school models that get the job done to expand, replicate, and serve more at-risk students.

Quick and the Ed cites new analysis for the National Bureau of Economic Research that debunks the myth that Knowledge is Power Program (KIPP) schools skim the most talented or motivated public school students.

From The States

California

The LA Times reports on many charter school advocates protesting outside LAUSD offices before the board decided who would run newly built neighborhood schools.

The San Francisco Gate reports on the recent town hall meeting at San Francisco’s Marina Middle School, as parents demanded explanations for the severe cuts to staff and programs at their children’ schools.

Illinois

The Chicago Tribune reports on Chicago Schools CEO Ron Hubermann declaring that in the face of a deficit of up to $1 billion, cost will have to be reduced through a combination of pension reform, union concessions, and job cuts.

Maryland

The Baltimore Sun reports on the complex issue facing local officials of whether charter schools should lose their right to operate when they produce poor academic results.

Michigan

Speaking before a crowd in the Community Arts Auditorium at Wayne State University, Emergency Financial Manager of Detroit Public Schools Robert Bobb, stressed the need for a sustainable program to prepare students for the future and stop the hemorrhaging of school funds.

Nevada

The Las Vegas Review-Journal reports on NV being precluded from applying for RTTT because of a state law that does not allow student achievement data to be used in evaluating teacher performance.

Rhode Island

Mark Patinkin, from the Providence Journal, explains how the RI teacher union's stance on fighting a school turnaround will ultimately hurt the teachers in the long run.

Tennessee

Inside Higher Ed reports on the TN General Assembly considering a bill that would make certain state government officials eligible to become the head of any public institution or statewide system.

Washington State

The Seattle Times reports on WA State Gov. Chris Gregoire predicting that the education reform bill moving through the Legislature has everything necessary to prepare the state to apply for RTTT.

West Virginia

The Associated Press reports that a lack of charter schools may hold back WV’s effort to win $80 million in federal money.

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

The Week Ahead: Friday, Feb. 26 - Saturday, Feb. 27

Information/Schedule Subject to Change

(All times local)

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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