September 26, 2012
Education Week, Vol. 32, Issue 05
Early Childhood
New Fla. Pre-K Test Draws Concerns From Educators
Early-childhood educators say the test focuses too much on academics and too little on social and emotional skills.
Federal
Rural States in Hunt for NCLB Waivers
Seven mostly rural states offer their own spin on school accountability as they join 37 others in seeking a waiver from the U.S. Department of Education.
States
State Ballot Measures Include Hot K-12 Issues
Voters in various states will decide on teacher evaluations, funding, and charter school access, among other issues.
Curriculum
Educators Craft Own Math E-Books for Common Core
Dissatisfied with what was available, Utah educators are producing high school math e-textbooks they aim to align with the standards.
Teaching
Studies Find Payoff in 'Personalizing' Algebra
An ongoing series of studies shows students do better when word problems are tailored to their interests.
Education Funding
Rift Emerges in GOP on Common Core
Some question what's been dubbed "Obama Core," but others are more sympathetic to the standards push.
School Choice & Charters
Chris Whittle Seeks Global Reach in Private School Venture
A flagship Manhattan location is one of about 20 private schools worldwide that the Edison Schools co-founder plans to roll out over the next 15 years.
Teacher Preparation
Budget Bill Touches on 'Highly Qualified' Issue
School districts have some funding information to go on for the next six months, thanks to a bill that passed the U.S. House of Representatives and is expected to gain approval in the Senate.
Education
Correction
Corrections
• An item in the Report Roundup section in the Sept. 12, 2012, issue of Education Week about a study that found cutting special education spending could improve student achievement should have said that the median district employs 7.6 special education teachers per 1,000 students enrolled.
IT Infrastructure & Management
Schools Tap Into Online Fundraising to Expand Budgets
Nonprofit and for-profit online fundraising companies work with schools to help them raise money for programs and services.
Families & the Community
Standards Backers Seek Out Support of Parents
A number of national school organizations are trying to introduce parents to the common-core standards through written materials, videos, public service announcements, and in-person presentations.
Education Funding
News in Brief
Nashville Loses Funds Over Charter Denial
A $3.4 million penalty was imposed on the Nashville school system for denying a charter school's application.
Education Funding
News in Brief
N.Y. Districts Lagging on Teacher Plans
Many New York school districts have been slow to submit required teacher-evaluation plans despite a looming deadline that could eliminate some state aid.
Standards
News in Brief
Report: Common Core Has 'Literature Gap'
Authors of a new white paper argue that the common standards contain a "literature deficit" that could harm students' college preparation.
Reading & Literacy
News in Brief
STEM, Arts Highlight Literacy Campaign
A new early-literacy campaign looks to inspire the next generation of innovators by combining the arts with science, technology, engineering and math learning.
School Climate & Safety
News in Brief
Iowa Schools to Track Bullying Cases Online
Iowa public schools have a new, online tool to help report and track bullying incidents in more detail.
Equity & Diversity
Opinion
Chess: The Best Move for Students
Cognitive development and academic independence are but two of the benefits gained by students who learn how to play chess, writes Salome Thomas-EL.
Education Funding
News in Brief
Report: Obesity Rate To Climb by 2030
Thirteen states could have adult-obesity rates higher than 60 percent by 2030 if the U.S. doesn't start taking preventative measures.
Education Funding
News in Brief
Second RTT Round For Pre-K Kicks Off
The U.S. Department of Education has released the detailed application for states eligible for round two of the Race to the Top Early Learning Challenge.
School & District Management
Opinion
Not Your Parents' PTA
New organizations are working to harness the power of parents to change school policy, Andrew Kelly and Patrick McGuinn write.
Accountability
News in Brief
Del. Officials Unveil Charter Standards
Delaware education officials unveiled a new accountability system set to take effect next school year.
Law & Courts
News in Brief
Judge Invalidates Most of Wis. Anti-Union Law
A Wisconsin judge struck down key provisions of the 2011 law that curtailed the collective bargaining rights of teachers.
Special Education
News in Brief
After Three Decades, Spec. Ed. Suit Settled
A nearly 30-year-old lawsuit over special education services in Baltimore has finally been settled.
Law & Courts
News in Brief
Ky. High Court Upholds School Assignments
The Kentucky State Supreme Court ruled that students do not have a legal right to attend any school they choose.
School & District Management
Report Roundup
School Meals
Children should limit their consumption of tuna to reduce their exposure to mercury, which is linked to cognitive, memory, and other impairments.
School & District Management
Report Roundup
Disconnected Youths
A report reveals 5.8 million American between the ages of 16 and 24 are neither working nor in school.
College & Workforce Readiness
Report Roundup
Middle Jobs
A new study urges federal spending on career-technical education that opens pathways to postsecondary education and jobs.
Early Childhood
Report Roundup
Research Report: Social-Emotional Learning
Twenty-three social- and emotional-learning programs for pre-K and elementary students were rated on whether they provided opportunities for students to practice social and emotional skills.
School & District Management
Report Roundup
Student Testing
Sixteen states plan to replace their high school exit exams with the common-core assessments.