May 23, 2007
Education Week, Vol. 26, Issue 38
Reading & Literacy
A National Roundup
Reading Association to Consider Conflict-of-Interest Proposal
An International Reading Association committee will consider a proposal made at the group’s annual convention in Toronto last week that would require IRA board members to report their financial ties to publishers, federal agencies, and other organizations.
Education
Events
17-20—Assessment: National Conference on Large-Scale Assessment, sponsored by the Council of Chief State School Officers, for state education department leaders, policymakers, researchers, administrators, and educators, in Nashville, Tenn. Contact: Madeline Morrison, (202) 336-7039; e-mail: madelinem@ccsso.org; Web site: www.ccsso.org/conferences.
Education Funding
Grants
Grants
The U.S. Department of Education awarded 35 new grants of up to $400,000 each to school districts under the Elementary and Secondary School Counseling Program. These grants will establish and expand counseling programs in target schools. The 2007 grantees are listed below.
Special Education
California Students With Disabilities Face Exit Exam
In moving to require a high school exit exam for students with disabilities, California’s board of education decided against the creation of an alternate assessment.
Federal
Federal Laws’ Impact on Teacher Quality, Preparation Weighed
A lack of federal investment keeps colleges of teacher preparation from pursuing systemic and comprehensive change, educators told a congressional panel last week.
Federal
Former ‘Reading First’ Adviser to Leave Federal Post
Edward J. Kame’enui will leave his current position at the Department of Education next month, the agency announced last week.
School Choice & Charters
Lawsuit Over Hawaii Schools’ Admissions Policy Is Settled
The agreement heads off a possible review by the U.S. Supreme Court over whether the policy violates federal civil rights laws.
College & Workforce Readiness
Maine Seeks to Spur College Applications
Maine might become the first state to require students to make postsecondary plans before they can receive a high school diploma.
School & District Management
Mayor’s Candidates Win Board Seats in L.A.
Antonio Villaraigosa set his sights on electing members who would support his plan to win partial authority over the district.
Federal
New Coalition to Lobby for Changes in NCLB’s Provisions on Tutoring
It backs a bill that would require districts to document how they informed parents about the availability of the tutoring.
School Climate & Safety
A Washington Roundup
More Federal Help Sought on Emergency Preparedness
School administrators need more help from the federal government in planning for and responding to emergencies, Rep. Bennie Thompson, D-Miss., the chairman of the House Homeland Security Committee, said at a hearing last week on school safety.
Education Funding
A Washington Roundup
Education Would See Gains Under 2008 Budget Blueprint
The House and the Senate last week approved a $2.9 trillion budget blueprint for fiscal year 2008, which allows lawmakers to provide up to $93.8 billion for education, training, employment, and social-services programs, about a 6.5 percent increase over fiscal 2007. The Senate approved the measure May 16 on a 52-40 vote. The House approved it the same day on a 214-209 vote.
School Choice & Charters
A National Roundup
Charter Operators Sue L.A. District Over Refusal of Classroom Space
Two Los Angeles charter school operators last week sued the Los Angeles Unified School District, alleging that the school system has refused to provide them with adequate classroom space, as required by state law.
Federal
Federal File
GOP Field Dips Into NCLB Issues
Candidates for and against school law bring it up in S.C. debate.
Education Funding
A National Roundup
Four Local Groups to Organize Campaign For Better Schools
A new coalition of grassroots organizing groups announced last week that it will launch projects in four localities, with support from a variety of philanthropies, to involve community residents in pushing for better schools.
Assessment
Test Gains Reigniting Old Debate
Educators are divided over the No Child Left Behind Act's role in recent history and civics test scores.
Education
Letter to the Editor
To Online-Chat Guests: ‘Get Real’ With Answers
After finishing reading the transcript of your May 3, 2007, online chat "Careers in Teaching," I’m not sure why I bothered.
Education
Letter to the Editor
Pursuit of Excellence Is No Longer a Priority
“Why can’t we replicate excellence?” asked former President Bill Clinton at the recent National School Boards Association’s annual convention in San Francisco. “If I were dictator, I would get with you and make some changes in that Leave No Child Behind Act.”
Education
Letter to the Editor
School Bus Security Is Being Addressed
After reading Kenneth S. Trump's letter to the editor criticizing the government for allegedly failing to address the issue of school bus security, I feel it’s necessary to respond and provide your readership with additional information.
Education
Letter to the Editor
Defending DIBELS Author Against Conflicts Charge
A study by one of my doctoral students indicates that DIBELS is an excellent test for predicting reading achievement.
Education
Vermont Imposes Tighter Reins on Local School Budget Hikes
School districts aiming to significantly increase their spending will be required to take two votes—one to reconfirm their previous year’s budget and another to approve the new budget—under a measure approved as a compromise in the last hours before the Vermont legislature ended its session on May 12.
Education
Expanded Full-Day Kindergarten Moves Ahead Slowly in Indiana
Gov. Mitch Daniels failed to win the $250 million more in funding for full-day kindergarten that he had sought in the recently completed legislative session. But lawmakers did boost two-year funding for state kindergarten grants to $92 million, a $75 million increase, in approving a budget for fiscal years 2008 and 2009.
School Choice & Charters
In Buffalo, Opening Doors for the Overlooked
The Buffalo Prep program seeks out talented minority students from disadvantaged backgrounds, places them in academic-enrichment classes, and then finds them spots at selective public and private high schools.
Education
Hawaii Governor Gets Mixed Legislative Win
Gov. Linda Lingle kicked off this year’s legislative session with a broad plan to encourage more innovation in Hawaii’s education system, its economy, and its state government. But legislators didn’t fully buy in to her plan.
Law & Courts
A State Capitals Roundup
Law May Affect Union Case Before U.S. Supreme Court
A U.S. Supreme Court case pitting Washington state and some teachers against the Washington Education Association may be affected by a change to the state’s election law.
Assessment
A State Capitals Roundup
Texas House Seeking New High School Test
The Texas House of Representatives approved a bill last week that would phase out the state’s standardized exam, the Texas Assessment of Knowledge and Skills, known as TAKS, at the high school level. The measure is similar to a proposal approved April 19 by the state Senate.
Student Well-Being & Movement
The Tooth Fairy—Or Big Brother?
Iowa schools will require dental screenings, despite concerns about follow-up.
School & District Management
New Spirit of Civility, Cooperation Evident With Kansas School Board
The Kansas state board of education appears to be moving in a more civil—if not entirely bipartisan—direction under its new, moderate majority.
School & District Management
Opinion
Making Policy Work: The Lesson From Medicine
There is strong reason to believe education would benefit greatly from a more evidence-based approach, such as that used in medicine.