August 3, 2016
Education Week, Vol. 35, Issue 37
Education
Opinion
Remembering a Longtime Contributor: Illustrator Bob Dahm
This publishing year, Education Week Commentary lost one of its most prolific freelance back-page illustrators, Bob Dahm.
Equity & Diversity
Mindset a Key Factor In Student Success
Having a growth mindset may help buffer students from low-income families from the effects of poverty on academic achievement, researchers found in a first-of-its kind, large-scale study of 168,000 10th grade students in Chile.
Every Student Succeeds Act
States Working to Engage Public as They Craft ESSA Plans
Principals on ESSA: Some states are asking school leaders to weigh in on the new law.
Special Education
Identifying Minorities in Spec. Ed.: Defining 'Too Many'
More than 300 educators, researchers, and advocates respond to a proposed federal rule on how to define whether minorities are disproportionately identified for special education services.
Every Student Succeeds Act
Principals Clamor for Inclusion in States' ESSA Planning
The new federal K-12 law contains strong requirements for input from principals and others as states create new education plans, but some worry state commitment may be far from uniform.
Every Student Succeeds Act
Advocate Moves Needle on Website Accessibility
A Michigan woman is responsible for filing some 500 federal complaints against school districts and others with websites she says disregard the needs of users who are blind or visually impaired.
School & District Management
New Plan Would Keep Nevada’s Sprawling Clark Co. District Intact
A year after state lawmakers moved to break up the nation’s fifth-largest school district, a new plan instead would reorganize and decentralize it.
Student Well-Being
Opinion
Health Education: The Missing Link in Violence Prevention
Proven in-school programs can reduce violence, write Roseanna Ander and Julia Quinn of the University of Chicago Crime Lab and Education Lab.
Federal
Where the Vice-Presidential Nominees Stand on Education Issues
Democrat Tim Kaine, a U.S. Sen. From Virginia, and Republican Gov. Mike Pence of Indiana bring varied perspectives on education as they vie for the vice presidency.
Law & Courts
News in Brief
Appeals Court Backs Officer For Arresting Disruptive Student
Embattled in controversy over high lead levels found in water sources at two schools, Portland, Ore., schools Superintendent Carole Smith has resigned.
Classroom Technology
News in Brief
Nonprofit Hiring Parents to Push Kid-Friendly Policies
Common Sense Media, a national group that guides families on entertainment and technology, has started the Common Sense Kids Action effort to mobilize parents to push for public policies that help children, including those related to education.
Education
Letter to the Editor
On K-12 Issues, One Candidate Is 'Obvious' Choice
To the Editor: From Education Week's July 20 summary of where the Democratic and the Republican presidential candidates stand on education issues, it should be obvious that Hillary Clinton stands head and shoulders over Donald Trump in her support for the public schools that serve 90 percent of the United S...
Education
Letter to the Editor
Reader Challenges Authors' Stance on School Funding
To the Editor: In the Commentary "Neglecting the Broken Foundation of K-12 Funding" (May 18, 2016), law professors Charles J. Ogletree Jr. and Kimberly Jenkins Robinson make the argument that the funding of public education is broken and beyond repair.
Education
Letter to the Editor
Separatism Creates Binary View of Schools
To the Editor: I write in response to the article "The Evolution of the 'Chartered School' " (June 8, 2016).
School Climate & Safety
News in Brief
Water Crisis Spurs District Chief in Oregon to Resign Immediately
Embattled in controversy over high lead levels found in water sources at two schools, Portland, Ore., schools Superintendent Carole Smith has resigned.
School Climate & Safety
News in Brief
Calif. Adopts Framework With LGBTQ History
California students will begin learning about gay historical figures and about key moments in history involving LGBTQ people and rights with the state board of education's approval of a new social-science and history framework.
Education Funding
News in Brief
Ohio Asks Judge to Force Attendance-Data Release
Ohio officials want the state’s largest online school forced to turn over attendance data used in determining school funding.
School Climate & Safety
News in Brief
N.J. Schools Given a Year to Test for Lead in Water
The New Jersey board of education will require all districts that haven't yet tested their water for lead to do so within the year and to make those results public.
Law & Courts
News in Brief
District Asks U.S. Chief Justice to Block Restroom Rulings
A Virginia school district has asked U.S. Chief Justice John G. Roberts Jr. to block lower-court rulings requiring the district to permit a transgender student to use the restroom of his gender identity.
Education Funding
News in Brief
Voucher-Program Costs Disputed in Indiana
A new report has found Indiana's school voucher program ran up a $53.2 million deficit, but backers of the program say it actually represents a net savings to taxpayers.
School & District Management
News in Brief
N.Y.C. to Halt Suspensions Of Pupils in Grades K-2
The New York City school district will end suspensions for students in K-2 and employ alternative, "age-appropriate" discipline methods, the city has announced.
Education Funding
News in Brief
Washington Schools Chief Sues Districts, State Over Salaries
Fed up with legislators' inability to revise the state's school funding formula, Washington state schools superintendent Randy Dorn has filed lawsuits against the state and seven districts, including Seattle, Tacoma, and several large suburban ones.
School & District Management
News in Brief
Michigan to Pay Legal Fees in Detroit Sickout Lawsuit
The state of Michigan will foot the six-figure legal bill for the Detroit schools to sue two employees that the district claims instigated widespread teacher sickouts this past winter and spring.
International
News in Brief
U.S. Wins Math Olympiad for Second Straight Year
After a 21-year drought, the United States has now won the prestigious high school math competition known as the International Math Olympiad for two years running.
School Climate & Safety
News in Brief
Federal Guidelines Issued to Prevent ADHD Bias
The U.S. Department of Education has issued guidelines aimed at preventing schools from discriminating against the growing numbers of students with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder.
Education
News in Brief
Transitions
Richard Carranza, the superintendent of the San Francisco school system, has been tapped to lead the Houston district.
School Climate & Safety
Report Roundup
States Address Dating Violence
Legislatures in 21 states sought this year to expand topics in sex education classes, in many cases to address teen dating violence or child sexual abuse, according to a new legislative analysis.
College & Workforce Readiness
Report Roundup
College Access
About 1 in 5 students who graduate well-prepared for college don't enroll, according to a new ACT report.