State News

Ayers Controversy First Smoldered, Now Flares Bright

Months after conservative commentators began hammering Sen. Barack Obama over his connections to William C. Ayers, Sen. John McCain is clearly making the controversy a part of his campaign strategy. October 10, 2008

Financial Crisis Now Striking Home for School Districts

The crisis besetting U.S. and world financial markets is hitting school districts hard, as they struggle to float the bonds needed for capital projects, borrow money to ensure cash flow, and get access to investment funds locked up in troubled institutions. October 10, 2008

D.C. Set to Impose Teacher-Dismissal Plan

Under Michelle A. Rhee’s outline, principals would implement a little-known procedure allowing them to place ineffective teachers on a 90-day improvement plan. Those who did not improve would face dismissal. October 10, 2008

Mobile Leaders Acting as Principal For Day

October 9, 2008, AP

Backers Say Chicago Project Not 'Radical'

Founders of the project chaired by Barack Obama say it has been distorted in the presidential campaign. Updated: October 10, 2008

News Briefs

Aid Project Targets Gulf Coast Schools

As Roman Catholic schools and parishes across the Gulf Coast region struggle to recover from Hurricanes Ike and Gustav, the National Catholic Educational Association has launched a fundraising campaign to help out. October 7, 2008

Board Bus, Plug In, Earn Some Credits

Students in a rural Arkansas district have found a way to put their long bus rides to good use: work on math and science enrichment. October 7, 2008

Superintendent of Md. District to Depart For Leading Position at Gates Foundation

John E. Deasy, the superintendent of the 128,000-student Prince George’s County, Md., school district, is leaving to become the deputy director of the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation’s education division early next year. October 7, 2008

Clark County, Nev., District Revising Math Tests After Widespread Failure

The Clark County, Nev., school district is revising mathematics tests used to gauge middle and high school students after they overwhelmingly failed the tests last year. October 7, 2008

Calif. Governor Signs Measures Addressing Teacher Sex Crimes

Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger has signed two bills making it tougher for teachers who commit sex crimes to remain in California’s public schools. October 7, 2008

Mass. Appeals Court Upholds Reinstatement of Lowell Teachers

A state appeals court in Massachusetts has upheld the reinstatement with full back pay of three teachers who were fired by the Lowell school district for “failure to demonstrate fluency in English.” October 7, 2008

More News Briefs

Other Big Cities Pursued Goals, Strategies Similar to Chicago Project’s Plan

The Annenberg Challenge sought to address time, size, and isolation in schools. Updated: October 10, 2008

Justices Hear School District Sex-Harassment Case

The U.S. Supreme Court hears arguments over alleged harassment in a Tennessee school district’s central office, and lets stands a lower-court ruling on schoolchildren’s exposure to books promoting tolerance for gay marriage. October 9, 2008

O'Malley: Furloughs Possible if Economy Worsens

October 9, 2008, AP

Ore. High Court Hears School Funding Lawsuit

October 9, 2008, AP

A Gay-Friendly High School Proposed for Chicago

October 9, 2008, AP

Schwarzenegger Warns of More Cuts to State Budget

October 8, 2008, AP

Study: Ark. Body Tests Don't Add Overweight Taunts

October 7, 2008, AP

Minnesota Governor Targets Teacher Quality

October 7, 2008