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.
Lesli A. Maxwell, September 25, 2012
6 min read
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.
Michele McNeil, September 25, 2012
5 min read
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.
Andrew Ujifusa, September 25, 2012
6 min read
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.
Erik W. Robelen, September 25, 2012
8 min read
Teaching Studies Find Payoff in 'Personalizing' Algebra
An ongoing series of studies shows students do better when word problems are tailored to their interests.
Sarah D. Sparks, September 25, 2012
5 min read
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.
Alyson Klein, September 25, 2012
5 min read
Christopher Whittle recently opened Avenues: The World School, the first in a network of elite, for-profit private schools he plans to build around the world.
Christopher Whittle recently opened Avenues: The World School, the first in a network of elite, for-profit private schools he plans to build around the world.
Frank Franklin II/AP-File
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.
Amanda M. Fairbanks, September 25, 2012
11 min read
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.
Alyson Klein, September 25, 2012
1 min read
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.
September 25, 2012
1 min read
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.
Mike Bock, September 25, 2012
6 min read
Pamphlets are distributed by the PTA at a meeting held last week at Lake Forest High School in Felton, Del., to explain the Common Core State Standards to parents.
Pamphlets are distributed by the PTA at a meeting held last week at Lake Forest High School in Felton, Del., to explain the Common Core State Standards to parents.
Emily Varisco/Education Week
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.
Sean Cavanagh, September 25, 2012
7 min read
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.
Sean Cavanagh, September 25, 2012
1 min read
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.
The Associated Press, September 25, 2012
1 min read
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.
Catherine Gewertz, September 25, 2012
1 min read
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.
Julie Rasicot, September 25, 2012
1 min read
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.
The Associated Press, September 25, 2012
1 min read
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.
Salome Thomas-EL, September 25, 2012
5 min read
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.
Bryan Toporek, September 25, 2012
1 min read
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.
Lesli A. Maxwell, September 25, 2012
1 min read
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.
Andrew P. Kelly & Patrick McGuinn, September 25, 2012
6 min read
Accountability News in Brief Del. Officials Unveil Charter Standards
Delaware education officials unveiled a new accountability system set to take effect next school year.
The Associated Press, September 25, 2012
1 min read
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.
Mark Walsh, September 25, 2012
1 min read
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.
Nirvi Shah, September 25, 2012
1 min read
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.
The Associated Press, September 25, 2012
1 min read
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.
Nirvi Shah, September 25, 2012
1 min read
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.
Caralee J. Adams, September 25, 2012
1 min read
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.
Catherine Gewertz, September 25, 2012
1 min read
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.
Nirvi Shah, September 25, 2012
1 min read
School & District Management Report Roundup Student Testing
Sixteen states plan to replace their high school exit exams with the common-core assessments.
Caralee J. Adams & Catherine Gewertz, September 25, 2012
1 min read