January 11, 2012

Education Week, Vol. 31, Issue 15
Mary Bell
Mary Bell
Education Perspectives on the No Child Left Behind Act
In recognition of the 10th anniversary of the No Child Left Behind Act, Education Week Commentary asked leaders in the K-12 community to consider the law’s impact.
January 11, 2012
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17 min read
Teacher Preparation Boston Teacher 'Residents' Seen Outpacing Peers Later in Career
But in the short run, teachers in the Boston program were less effective at raising student math scores, a study concludes.
Stephen Sawchuk, January 11, 2012
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6 min read
Colleen A. Palmer , the Superintendent of Schools in Weston, Conn., Colleen A. Palmer, was involved with a report published in November 2011, dealing with school reform in Connecticut. The Connecticut Association of School Superintendents has presented an agenda to the state that would fundamentally restructure how education is carried out in the state. From consolidating some small districts to doing way with school year and “seat time” requirements, the superintendents—all 166 signed on to this document—say this is the way to create a learner-centered education system.
Colleen A. Palmer , the Superintendent of Schools in Weston, Conn., Colleen A. Palmer, was involved with a report published in November 2011, dealing with school reform in Connecticut. The Connecticut Association of School Superintendents has presented an agenda to the state that would fundamentally restructure how education is carried out in the state. From consolidating some small districts to doing way with school year and “seat time” requirements, the superintendents—all 166 signed on to this document—say this is the way to create a learner-centered education system.
Christopher Capozziello for Education Week
School & District Management Conn. Superintendents Push New Vision for Schooling
The superintendents don't want schooling to be limited by classroom walls, a traditional school calendar, or standard grade progressions.
Christina A. Samuels, January 11, 2012
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6 min read
Accountability News in Brief New Tenn. Teacher Ratings Vary Widely by District
Under the state's new teacher-evaluation system, observations by principals make up half of teachers' scores, but a first glimpse at those observation scores shows they are all over the map, according to The Tennessean.
The Associated Press, January 10, 2012
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1 min read
School & District Management News in Brief Fraud and Misconduct Cost Chicago Schools, Report Finds
In the year leading up to the overhaul of the Chicago public schools' leadership, the district was beset by troubling instances of fraud and employee misconduct, including $1.13 million in improper benefits paid to retired teachers, systemic abuse of the federal free lunch program at a West Side high school, and a scheme by a central-office employee to use school funds to buy items he later exchanged for cash, according to the Chicago district's inspector general.
McClatchy-Tribune, January 10, 2012
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1 min read
School Choice & Charters News in Brief Gov. Signs Bill to Increase Michigan Charter Schools
Public universities in Michigan will be able to authorize an unlimited number of charter schools by 2015 under legislation signed by Gov. Rick Snyder.
The Associated Press, January 10, 2012
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1 min read
Education Funding News in Brief Idaho Ends Stipend Program for National-Board Certification
Idaho is ending a stipend for teachers earning national board certification, and some fear the loss of that incentive will result in fewer educators completing the rigorous program, which can take up to three years to finish.
The Associated Press, January 10, 2012
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1 min read
School & District Management News in Brief Tucson's Ethnic Studies Deemed to Violate Law
A long-running dispute over the fate of a Mexican-American studies program in Tucson, Ariz., came to a head last month when an administrative law judge agreed with the state schools chief that the program violates state law.
Lesli A. Maxwell, January 10, 2012
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1 min read
School & District Management News in Brief Judge Denies Request to Halt K.C. Transfers
A Jackson County, Mo., judge has denied a request from six suburban Kansas City school districts to temporarily halt the transfer of students from the 17,400-student Kansas City district, which lost its accreditation this month.
The Associated Press, January 10, 2012
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1 min read
School & District Management News in Brief Obama Initiative Pushes Jobs for Youths
A new federal initiative aims to provide paying jobs to up to 100,000 low-income young people this summer, a combined effort of the government and private companies, President Barack Obama said last week.
Nirvi Shah, January 10, 2012
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1 min read
School & District Management News in Brief Phila. Mayor Targets Struggling Schools
Philadelphia and its 146,100-student school district will move aggressively on a pledge to eliminate 50,000 seats in the lowest-performing city schools, Mayor Michael Nutter promised last week.
McClatchy-Tribune, January 10, 2012
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1 min read
School & District Management News in Brief Paul Vallas to Lead Bridgeport, Conn., District
Paul G. Vallas, who has led school districts in Chicago, Philadelphia, and, most recently, New Orleans, took over the leadership of the troubled Bridgeport, Conn., district last week.
Christina A. Samuels, January 10, 2012
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1 min read
School & District Management News in Brief States to Take Aim at 3rd Grade Retention
Elected officials in a couple of states are expected to take on one of the trickiest issues affecting elementary schools: how high to set the bar for allowing students to move from grades 3 to 4.
Sean Cavanagh, January 10, 2012
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1 min read
Curriculum News in Brief 'Abstinence-Plus' Growing in Texas
A shift is occurring in Texas as more school districts move from abstinence-only sex education programs to a comprehensive approach that teaches about condoms and other contraceptives, according to an advocacy group's study of state data.
McClatchy-Tribune, January 10, 2012
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1 min read
Education Funding Report Roundup Child Poverty
The Great Recession and its aftermath have taken a toll on the nation's children, with poverty rates among young people having increased.
Sean Cavanagh, January 10, 2012
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1 min read
College & Workforce Readiness Report Roundup Transitions to Adulthood
Young adults are extending their education and putting off some major adult milestones, such as entering the workforce and marrying.
Sarah D. Sparks, January 10, 2012
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1 min read
College & Workforce Readiness Report Roundup English-Learners
The longer students are classified as English-language learners, the greater the likelihood that they will drop out of school.
Lesli A. Maxwell, January 10, 2012
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1 min read
Education Funding Report Roundup Principals
California principals are facing shrinking budgets and mounting responsibilities to lead teachers and keep schools running.
McClatchy-Tribune, January 10, 2012
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1 min read
School & District Management Report Roundup More Teens Turn to Pot; Fewer Smoke Cigarettes
American teenagers are more likely to light up a joint than smoke a cigarette and one in nine high school seniors has tried synthetic marijuana.
Nirvi Shah, January 10, 2012
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1 min read
School Choice & Charters Report Roundup Research Report: Charter Schools
Schools managed directly by the district have not demonstrated the same level of improvement as the charter-run schools in New Orleans.
Christina A. Samuels, January 10, 2012
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1 min read
Special Education Report Roundup Research Report: Special Education
College-entrance exams such as the ACT and SAT aren't always reformatted for students with disabilities the way they should be.
Nirvi Shah, January 10, 2012
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1 min read
Jared Dennis, 18, of Lexington, S.C., graduated from the South Carolina Connections Academy virtual school in June of 2011, but was told by an Air Force recruiter that he would need to complete one year of college-level classes before he could enlist. A recently passed federal bill outlawed such requirements.
Jared Dennis, 18, of Lexington, S.C., graduated from the South Carolina Connections Academy virtual school in June of 2011, but was told by an Air Force recruiter that he would need to complete one year of college-level classes before he could enlist. A recently passed federal bill outlawed such requirements.
Mary Ann Chastain/AP-File
School & District Management Defense Budget Bill Lifts Limits on Cyber-Graduate Enlistments
Graduates of virtual high schools are now equal to graduates of brick-and-mortar schools in the eyes of military recruiters.
McClatchy-Tribune, January 10, 2012
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2 min read
School & District Management AYP Glass Half Full for States
Nearly 50 percent of schools failed to make adequate yearly progress in 2010-11, a report funds, besting the Education Department's 82 percent prediction.
Michele McNeil, January 10, 2012
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4 min read
Assessment Four Educators Resign in Ga. Cheating Probe
Dougherty County is the second Georgia district that state investigators have accused of rampant cheating on state tests.
Christina A. Samuels, January 10, 2012
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3 min read
School & District Management Online Algebra I Class Can Boost Rural Students' Access, Skills
A new study notes the benefits of providing the class to 8th graders who would not otherwise have access to formal algebra curriculum.
Sarah D. Sparks, January 10, 2012
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3 min read
New York Gov. Andrew M. Cuomo, center, talks with Comptroller Thomas DiNapoli, right, and Senate Majority Leader Dean Skelos after delivering his State of the State speech to lawmakers.
New York Gov. Andrew M. Cuomo, center, talks with Comptroller Thomas DiNapoli, right, and Senate Majority Leader Dean Skelos after delivering his State of the State speech to lawmakers.
Mike Groll/AP
Education State of the States State of the States: New York
Education Week's coverage of the governor's address in New York.
Sean Cavanagh, January 10, 2012
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1 min read
Education Capital Recap
The following offers highlights of the recent legislative sessions. Precollegiate enrollment figures are based on fall 2010 data reported by state officials for public elementary and secondary schools. The figures for precollegiate education spending do not include federal flow-through funds, unless noted.
January 10, 2012
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2 min read
Education Best of the Blogs Blogs of the Week
| NEWS | SCHOOLED IN SPORTS
January 10, 2012
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4 min read
Education Obituary Key Lawyer in Brown v. Board Dies at Age 94
The civil rights lawyer, who was a retired federal district judge in Manhattan, argued before the U.S. Supreme Court in the Brown v. Board of Education case.
Mark Walsh, January 10, 2012
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1 min read
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