August 21, 2013
Education Week, Vol. 33, Issue 01
Ed-Tech Policy
Calculator Use With Common-Core Exams
Although calculators have not figured prominently in discussions of the common-core math standards, it's likely the complementary tests will result in far greater uniformity in their use on state exams across states.
Federal
Districts' Leeway Shatters Mold
An unprecedented group waiver for eight districts redefines the federal role in school accountability—and has some saying it goes too far.
Standards
College Board Enters Common-Test Market
The nonprofit best known for the SAT is positioning itself to seek pieces of the common-core-assessment business.
College & Workforce Readiness
Community Service Requirements Seen to Reduce Volunteering
A study found that requiring students to participate in community service to graduate led to significant boosts in 8th grade volunteering, but actually decreased volunteering among older students.
Standards
Calculator Use on Exams to Shift With Common Core
Policies emerging from the two state consortia developing common-core assessments would set limits on the devices' use, and likely influence classroom practice.
Special Education
Advocates Split on Workforce Investment Act Rewrite
At issue: new language intended to assure that those with disabilities are not steered into low-wage jobs.
Assessment
Assessment Governing Board Crafts Definition of 'Prepared for College'
The National Assessment Governing Board has adopted language that will define the new "college prepared" scores in reading and mathematics on the National Assessment of Educational Progress.
Teaching Profession
Letter to the Editor
Teachers Must Embrace, Not Fear, Technology
To the Editor:
When I started teaching more than 30 years ago, the use of computers in education was still a new concept, and learning differences were just beginning to be documented. Our teaching style was to introduce material and then expect the students to memorize it. If a student was struggling, you encouraged him or her to work harder.
When I started teaching more than 30 years ago, the use of computers in education was still a new concept, and learning differences were just beginning to be documented. Our teaching style was to introduce material and then expect the students to memorize it. If a student was struggling, you encouraged him or her to work harder.
Curriculum
Letter to the Editor
Science Standards Offer Start on Promising Road
Mr. Litow is a former deputy chancellor of the New York City public schools.
School Climate & Safety
Letter to the Editor
School Closures Expose Flaws in Choice Plans
To the Editor:
Earlier this year, I attended a hearing at City Hall in Philadelphia. William R. Hite Jr., the superintendent of the city's public school district, was under fire for a proposal that would shut down 30-odd schools. The plan would consolidate students into fewer buildings, targeting schools experiencing under-enrollment. Philadelphia was then the latest of several urban districts undergoing or considering extensive school closures. ("Fiscal Clouds Swirl Around Philadelphia Schools," Aug. 21, 2013)
Earlier this year, I attended a hearing at City Hall in Philadelphia. William R. Hite Jr., the superintendent of the city's public school district, was under fire for a proposal that would shut down 30-odd schools. The plan would consolidate students into fewer buildings, targeting schools experiencing under-enrollment. Philadelphia was then the latest of several urban districts undergoing or considering extensive school closures. ("Fiscal Clouds Swirl Around Philadelphia Schools," Aug. 21, 2013)
Curriculum
Letter to the Editor
Coverage of Gettysburg Anniversary Lacking
To the Editor:
While the 150th anniversary of the Battle of Gettysburg was commemorated with fanfare within historical circles and in Gettysburg, Pa., itself, the education world has shown stunningly little interest.
While the 150th anniversary of the Battle of Gettysburg was commemorated with fanfare within historical circles and in Gettysburg, Pa., itself, the education world has shown stunningly little interest.
Special Education
Siblings' Disabilities Linked to Academic Troubles for Brothers, Sisters
Siblings of students with disabilities are 60 percent more likely to drop out of school than students without such brothers or sisters, a new study says.
Assessment
News in Brief
Calif. Students Share Photos of State Test Answers
Students at nearly 250 schools in California posted photos on social-media websites while they took state standardized tests, state education officials said.
Teaching Profession
Kansas, Oregon, Washington Waivers at 'High Risk'
The U.S. Department of Education threatens to revoke No Child Left Behind Act waivers for three states over teacher evaluation issues.
School & District Management
News in Brief
Ind., Teachers' Unions Settle Insurance Suit
The Indiana State Teachers Association and its parent organization have agreed to a proposed settlement to resolve Indiana regulators' lawsuit targeting the state union's now-defunct health-insurance program.
Education
News in Brief
Co-Op to Issue Curricula Request
A new, far-reaching solicitation for K-12 and higher education curricula is expected to be released next month by the National Joint Powers Alliance.
School & District Management
Report Roundup
Child Obesity
After decades of increases, the obesity rate among young, low-income children showed a decline in 19 states, according to information from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
School & District Management
Report Roundup
Native American Students Trail Other Groups in NAEP Growth
While every other traditional category of historically disadvantaged students has made gains on measures of academic achievement over the past decade, performance for American Indian and indigenous Alaskan students has stalled or lost ground, according to a new policy brief from the Education Trust.
School & District Management
News in Brief
Grade 'Manipulation' in Ind. Called Likely
Improper 'manipulation' of school grades on Indiana's A-F accountability system likely took place under former state schools chief Tony Bennett, according to his successor.
School Climate & Safety
News in Brief
Ill. Schools Mull Impact of Sex Ed. Changes
Schools that teach sex education will be required to provide information about birth control and sexually transmitted diseases under a bill that Gov. Pat Quinn said he'll sign.
Education Funding
News in Brief
Sequestration Prompts Districts to Cut Budgets
Funding cuts may not be as bad as U.S. Secretary of Education Arne Duncan predicted, but sequestration is still hitting classrooms as districts begin the 2013-14 school year.
Teacher Preparation
Report Roundup
Teacher Preparation
Teacher-preparation programs that supply a majority of teachers to New York City schools generally seem to be producing effective graduates who stay in their classrooms at higher rates than the national average, according to a report issued by the city school district.
Families & the Community
News in Brief
Class Action Rejected in Chicago Closings
The majority of the nearly 50 Chicago elementary schools slated for closure will likely proceed after a federal judge denied class-action status to two main civil lawsuits at the center of the dispute.
School & District Management
Report Roundup
Research Report: Social-Emotional Learning
More than just being reliable playmates, siblings may have the power to encourage healthy childhood development and improved academic achievement in one another, according to a study published this month.
School Climate & Safety
News in Brief
Court: School Staff Can Administer Insulin
School personnel may administer insulin to students with diabetes under the proper circumstances, California's highest court as ruled.
School & District Management
Opinion
Community Schools: A Worthwhile Investment
New research shows the dollar value of investing in community schools, Cheryl Hayes and Richard Buery Jr. write.
Student Well-Being
Opinion
Helping Teachers Get Healthier
It's time for school districts to adopt policies that promote the well-being of teachers and other employees, Anastasia Snelling and Maura Stevenson write.
Federal
News in Brief
Minn. Teachers Seek Test Clause in Contract
Teachers in St. Paul, Minn., are pushing back against the crush of student testing by seeking a contract clause curtailing federally required assessments.