Daily News Roundup—June 21, 2010

EEP NEWS

Patrick McGuinn, a professor at Drew University, writes in an EdWeek blog, about the two competing narratives of school reform within the Democratic Party today: one based on resource equity (and another focused on accountability (for school results). McGuinn goes on to say that these different narratives are largely captured in the platforms of the Broader, Bolder Approach to Education and the Education Equality Project, respectively.

Fordham Institute’s Checker Finn (an EEP signatory) highlights the work of a number of leaders within teachers’ unions who are true reformers, working hard to do the right thing for kids. 

National

• On June 17, the U.S. Department of Education launched a new website, Data.ed.gov, which will increase access to education data. The site will ultimately serve as a one-stop shop where practitioners, researchers, and the public can access information about Department grant programs and more.
• The Wallace Foundation kicked off a new expanded learning time program aimed at providing disadvantaged urban students with more time for high-quality learning – both through improved summer learning opportunities, and through extending the school day and school year. The Foundation launched the initiative with $9M in grants.
• EdWeek reports that at least three large urban school districts—New York City, Chicago, and Boston—have recently rolled out or will soon roll out programs for online credit recovery. That means that students who have failed courses in high school can earn necessary credits via online coursework. District policies vary in whether the students take the classes at an actual school or can do the coursework at home or in another setting.
• EdWeek reports that newly released e-mails show how U.S. Supreme Court nominee Elena Kagan dealt with K-12 testing, race in education, and social promotion during her days in the Clinton White House serving as director of the White House Domestic Policy Council.
• Diverse Issues In Higher Education covers a new Century Foundation book – Rewarding Strivers: Helping Low Income Students Succeed in College – demonstrating that despite gains in college access by minorities, the top tiers of higher education are becoming more affluent and more white as the lower tier and two-year colleges increasingly accommodate more low-income minority students.
• The New York Times reports that in an effort to educate the severely disabled, many school districts try to balance instruction in functional skills and academics with providing custodial care. There are 132,000 severely disabled students in the United States, out of more than 6.5 million now receiving some kind of special education service at an estimated cost of $74 billion a year.
• This week’s National Journal question addresses new regulations proposed by the Education Department last week with the intention of cracking down on for-profit higher education institutions.  Are the proposed rules in the best interests of students? Should the Education Department stick with an income-to-debt-service ratio for the gainful employment provision?  EEP co-chair, Dr. Michael Lomax, CEO and President of UNCF – United Negro College Fund weighed in earlier today. 
• The American Spectator reports that boys are struggling mightily in reading, no matter the race or income level of their parents. For example, 36% of all male 4^th graders tested Below Basic in reading, trailing their female peers by six percentage points.
• Dropout Nation presents a podcast of Vicki Phillips, who leads the Gates Foundation’s K-12 education program, in which Phillips offers her thoughts on why traditional teachers compensation does little for improving the quality of education for children — especially those in the poorest communities.

From the States

California

Politics Verbatim reports that Meg Whitman (EBay founder), a contender for California’s next governor, claims that she will eliminate California’s cap on charter schools. According to Whitman, there is no need to have an “artificial barrier in place to limit the options for our students and parents.”

Houston

The Houston Chronicle reports that recruiters in the Houston Independent School District are scrambling this summer to hire top-notch teachers and principals after cleaning house at several campuses targeted for improvement.

Indiana

The Courier-Journal reports that Gov. Mitch Daniels has called for a law to force public school districts to transfer unused school buildings to charter school startups looking for space.

Massachusetts

The Associated Press reports that a $20 million gift to Boston College from Peter and Carolyn Lynch, will be used to establish a program to train and mentor principals in the city's public, charter, and Catholic schools.

The Diverse Issue of Higher Education reports on a citywide initiative launched by Mayor Thomas Menino to challenge educators and community members to improve college completion rates for Boston Public Schools (BPS) graduates.

The Boston Globe reports that Boston school officials announced yesterday that they had reached a tentative agreement with the teachers’ union on a plan to overhaul the city’s 12 underperforming schools, in a new state negotiating process that attempted to resolve a divisive battle over compensating teachers for working extra hours.

Michigan

U.S. News & World Report reports that Detroit's school board is refusing to reinstate its former president after he was accused of misconduct.

New Jersey

The Record reports that although several states were allowed to “pass go” on their Race to the Top applications in the first phase, New Jersey is making a second run for $400 million in federal funds after it got the red light in March from the federal government when it was determined the application lacked clarity and coherence.

New York

The Wall Street Journal reports that four of the 27 new charter schools opening in New York City this fall have ties with religious organizations, although leaders clarified that curriculum and instruction will be secular.

The Wall Street Journal reports that heading into the final lap of budget negotiations, Gov. David Paterson is considering a deal with lawmakers that would roll back a significant portion of his proposed cuts in aid to schools.

The New York Times highlights a section of its website that provides a complete summary of demographics and student performance over the past decade for every school in New York. This site will be updated regularly as new data becomes available.

The Daily News reports that some of the city's worst-performing middle schools made stunning turnarounds due to a program focused on middle school success (as evidenced by an Annenberg Institute study), but budget cuts may mean their success can't be copied elsewhere.

Ohio

The Beacon Journal Columbus reports that for the past decade, a growing number of school chiefs in Ohio have cut deals to retire, collect a lucrative public pension, and return to work, often in the same job.

Pennsylvania

The Philadelphia Public School Notebook Blog highlights a big, new player in the city’s education world:  the Philadelphia School Project. The Project plans to raise $100 million in philanthropic funds with the goal of supporting high-quality schools whether they be district-run, charter, or parochial.

USA Today reports on Philadelphia’s, Microsoft-designed School of the Future.

The Philadelphia Inquirer reports that a shake-up of Philadelphia Schools Superintendent Arlene Ackerman's (EEP signatory) central administration continued Friday with the naming of a new crop of central office staff members, and with officials signaling that more changes were on the way.

Tennessee  

The Commercial Appeal reports that the Memphis city school board is expected to approve a $1.95 million contract for online tutorials for students struggling in math and writing at their meeting today.

Washington, D.C.

FREE SCREENING OF THE LOTTERY! The D.C .Premiere of The Lottery will take place on Saturday June 26th between 5:30pm - 7:30pm at the Avalon Theater (5612 Connecticut Avenue NW). This screening is sponsored by the National Alliance for Public Charter Schools, FOCUS (Friends of Choice in Urban Schools,) CityBridge Foundation, and DC School Reform Now.  The film will be followed by a panel that will include the film-maker and EEP signatory, Madeleine Sackler.  Please RSVP here. 

The Lottery follows four Harlem families who have entered their children in a lottery for a spot at a charter school. The Lottery digs into the ferocious debate surrounding the education reform movement. Interviews with politicians and educators explain not only the crisis in public education, but also why it is fixable. Visit www.thelotteryfilm.com for a trailer and more information on screenings across the country, many of which are also free. 

Washington State

The Associated Press reports that Washington school districts are struggling with a new federal requirement to gather more specific information on the ethnicity of their students, a policy that encourages officials to guess when parents don't supply race information.

Public Schedule of U.S. Secretary of Education Arne Duncan -- Monday-Sunday, June 14-20

Information/Schedule Subject to Change

MONDAY, JUNE 21

11:20 a.m.

The Secretary will meet with U.S. Presidential Scholars. U.S. Chamber of Commerce, Hall of Flags, 16115 H Street, N.W., Washington, D.C.

TUESDAY, JUNE 22

12:05 p.m.

The Secretary and Dr. Jill Biden will visit Fort Belvoir Elementary School where they will read to second grade students and participate in a roundtable discussion on educational needs of children of military members. Fort Belvoir Elementary School, 5970 Meeres Road, Fort Belvoir, Va.

7 p.m.

The Secretary will attend the Washington Nationals game against the KC Royals with Department of Education staff.  Nationals Park, 1500 S. Capitol Street, S.E., Washington, D.C.

WEDNESDAY, JUNE 23

8:45 a.m.

The Secretary will give remarks at the League National Awards and Recognition Banquet.  Ronald Reagan Building, 1300 Pennsylvania Ave., N.W., Washington, D.C. 

3:15 p.m.

The Secretary will participate in the All-American Service Team event with the Vice President.  Eisenhower Executive Office Building. South Court Auditorium, Washington, D.C.

THURSDAY, JUNE 24

No Public Events.

FRIDAY, JUNE 25

12:15 p.m.

The Secretary will visit Tamalpais High School where he will hold an education discussion with Congresswoman Lynn Woolsey (D-CA), regional Superintendents, principals, teachers and students. 700 Miller Avenue, Mill Valley, Calif.

6 p.m.

The Secretary will deliver the commencement address at Foothill Community College, 12345 El Monte Road, Los Altos Hills, Calif. 

SATURDAY, JUNE 26

9 a.m.

The Secretary will deliver the commencement address at De Anza Community College, 21250 Stevens Creek Blvd., Cupertino, Calif.

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