June 10, 2009
Education Week, Vol. 28, Issue 33
School & District Management
Letter to the Editor
Additional Ideas on Ways to Make Peace in Teaching
To the Editor:
Barnett Berry’s Commentary "Ending the Battles Over Teaching" (May 20, 2009) was thought-provoking on two accounts. Twenty years ago, I had just joined the Holmes Group, a coalition of education school deans, as a “teacher adviser” to the president, leaving the classroom after 13 years. As a founding member of the National Board for Professional Teaching Standards, I argued then for a broader, richer, and more imaginative conception of how the organization defined the category of professional teacher members. It was a hard sell then, and I am disheartened that the hybrid role Mr. Berry describes is still not commonplace for many experienced teachers.
Barnett Berry’s Commentary "Ending the Battles Over Teaching" (May 20, 2009) was thought-provoking on two accounts. Twenty years ago, I had just joined the Holmes Group, a coalition of education school deans, as a “teacher adviser” to the president, leaving the classroom after 13 years. As a founding member of the National Board for Professional Teaching Standards, I argued then for a broader, richer, and more imaginative conception of how the organization defined the category of professional teacher members. It was a hard sell then, and I am disheartened that the hybrid role Mr. Berry describes is still not commonplace for many experienced teachers.
Education Funding
K-12 Funding Up in Alaska Budget
Gov. Palin and Alaska lawmakers have approved the creation of a $2 million pilot preschool program and an overall boost in the state budget for schools.
Teaching Profession
Unions Set Sights on High-Profile Charter-Network Schools
Teachers have formed collective bargaining units in schools run by some of the best-known charter school management organizations.
Education Funding
Session Over, Not Feuding, as S.C. Debates Funding
The fallout from the 2009 legislative session continues in state court, as Gov. Sanford and lawmakers battle over whether South Carolina will accept $700 million in federal stimulus money.
Ed-Tech Policy
Report Roundup
Social Skills of Online Students
A study suggests virtual education classes may help, not hinder, the development of students' social skills.
School & District Management
Report Roundup
Hispanic Students' Achievement in Massachusetts
A study finds Hispanic 10th graders born in South America are performing better in math and English than those born in Central America or the U.S.
School & District Management
Report Roundup
California Preschools
California can make low-cost improvements to its early-education system now and lay the foundation for future improvements, even in this economy, a report says.
School & District Management
Report Roundup
Child Well-Being
A private, annual study says the economic recession had a negative impact on the well-being of children last year.
School & District Management
Report Roundup
Education Statistics
While the number of students head for college right after high school keeps growing, a recent study says six years later, only 58 percent have a degree.
Federal
Letter to the Editor
In National-Test Proposal, Why No Mention of NAEP?
To the Editor:
In his Commentary "How to Fix No Child Left Behind" (May 13, 2009), Gary W. Phillips argues for a voluntary national test that would allow parents, educators, and policymakers to gauge how the achievement results of one school compare with those of another. Given Mr. Phillips’ previous position as the acting commissioner of the National Center for Education Statistics, I was intrigued by the absence of any reference in his essay to the National Assessment of Educational Progress.
In his Commentary "How to Fix No Child Left Behind" (May 13, 2009), Gary W. Phillips argues for a voluntary national test that would allow parents, educators, and policymakers to gauge how the achievement results of one school compare with those of another. Given Mr. Phillips’ previous position as the acting commissioner of the National Center for Education Statistics, I was intrigued by the absence of any reference in his essay to the National Assessment of Educational Progress.
Curriculum
Letter to the Editor
Quality of Life, Not Jobs, Should Be Education's Goal
To the Editor:
David Burns’ remarks in his recent Commentary "Creativity: The Path to Economic Recovery" (May 13, 2009) are conspicuously correct, timely, and deserving of attention by every prospective reformer of education. Taking his thoughts a step further, the skills our nation desperately needs in its young people include discipline, flexibility, and the ability to work cooperatively with others, in addition to creativity. As it happens, there’s nothing taught in schools that develops those skills more effectively than the arts.
David Burns’ remarks in his recent Commentary "Creativity: The Path to Economic Recovery" (May 13, 2009) are conspicuously correct, timely, and deserving of attention by every prospective reformer of education. Taking his thoughts a step further, the skills our nation desperately needs in its young people include discipline, flexibility, and the ability to work cooperatively with others, in addition to creativity. As it happens, there’s nothing taught in schools that develops those skills more effectively than the arts.
School & District Management
News in Brief
Schism on Dropout Problem Seen
Teachers and principals are far more likely to blame parents and students than themselves or their schools for the high school dropout problem, according to a new study.
School & District Management
Letter to the Editor
N.Y.C. Mayoral Control: Time for a Tune-Up?
To the Editor:
With New York City’s mayoral-control law up for reauthorization this year, we have a unique opportunity to improve education leadership in the nation’s largest school system ("Bloomberg’s Way," In Perspective, May 20, 2009). No one wants to derail the progress that Mayor Michael R. Bloomberg and Schools Chancellor Joel I. Klein have made under the current system of mayoral control, but improving upon it does not mean a return to a failed governance model.
With New York City’s mayoral-control law up for reauthorization this year, we have a unique opportunity to improve education leadership in the nation’s largest school system ("Bloomberg’s Way," In Perspective, May 20, 2009). No one wants to derail the progress that Mayor Michael R. Bloomberg and Schools Chancellor Joel I. Klein have made under the current system of mayoral control, but improving upon it does not mean a return to a failed governance model.
Curriculum
Nations Performing at Top Committed to Broad Curriculum
A new report contends the key to math and science success is a broad curriculum where arts and humanities aren’t sacrificed.
School & District Management
News in Brief
Utah Superintendent Named
The Utah state board of education has promoted Deputy Superintendent Larry Shumway as the superintendent of the public schools.
Special Education
Report Roundup
Study on Restraints and Seclusion Stirs Alarm
A recent federal report outlined cases of abusive practices used on students with disabilities, prompting a response from U.S. Secretary of Education Arne Duncan.
Federal
Challenging Programs Cater to the Profoundly Gifted
Students can work alongside similarly gifted peers and nurture their talents in ways generally unavailable in American schools.
School & District Management
News in Brief
Arkansas Chief Steps Down
T. Kenneth James, the commissioner of the Arkansas Department of Education, has announced his resignation.
School & District Management
News in Brief
Florida Official to Direct Staff Of Governing Board for NAEP
Cornelia Smith Orr, a top education official in Florida, has been named the executive director of the board that sets policy for the National Assessment of Educational Progress.
School & District Management
News in Brief
3 Foundations Back New Approach to Research
The groups outlined plans for a $2.5 million investment in an unusual new research program aimed at community college remedial math.
Special Education
Correction
Correction
A story about special education funding and the stimulus law in the May 20, 2009, issue of Education Week contained inaccurate information about April guidance from the U.S. Department of Education. States are required to make determinations annually about the special education performance of each of their districts. If a state finds that a district is not meeting targets in the state’s performance plan, the state must prohibit that district from reducing its “maintenance of effort” in spending.
School & District Management
News in Brief
Advocate for Gay Students Named to Federal School Safety Office
Kevin Jennings, a former history teacher and a national advocate for gay and lesbian students, has been named the assistant deputy secretary for the U.S. Department of Education’s office of safe and drug-free schools.
School & District Management
Texas Board's Chairman Ousted, and Outspoken
Don McLeroy’s days as chairman of the Texas state board of education appear to be over.
Federal
News in Brief
S.C. Governor Ordered to Seek Stimulus Funds
The South Carolina Supreme Court ordered Gov. Mark Sanford, a Republican, to request $700 million in federal stimulus money aimed primarily at struggling schools.
Federal
Under Federal Pressure, District Addresses ELLs
Federal officials have released the Salt Lake City district from scrutiny, citing ELLs' “meaningful access” to educational programs.
Law & Courts
Though N.J. Funding Formula Upheld, Abbott Intact
A landmark lawsuit still hovers over school spending in the state, though a new funding formula has the state Supreme Court’s blessing.
Federal
Dual Aims in Stimulus Stir Tension
States find themselves torn between using the federal money to plug budget holes and to push school reform.
Assessment
Opinion
Performance-Based Funding
"The basic problem with most school finance systems, both those in existence and those proposed, is that funding is separated from education policy,” write Eric A. Hanushek and Alfred A. Lindseth.