August 2, 1995
Education Week, Vol. 14, Issue 41
Education
Wisconsin Gov. Signs School-Reform Measures
Gov. Tommy G. Thompson of Wisconsin signed a host of education reforms into law last week, but vetoed an attempt to lower the state's compulsory school-attendance age to 16.
Education
Educators Prod Lawmakers To Loosen Hold on Cash Reserves
States with surplus cash are stashing it in "rainy day" accounts or moving it to next year's ledgers, raising complaints from some education leaders that the money should go to schools.
Education
More U.S. Children Are At Risk of Hunger, Study Finds
Nearly one-third of U.S. children under age 12 live in families that lack food at some point during the year or are at risk of serious food shortages during that time, according to a study by a nutrition watchdog group.
Education
N.D. Districts Put on Hard Sell for Superintendents
They might offer a car or a house as part of the deal, but North Dakota school boards are still having trouble attracting superintendents to their small-town districts.
Education
Republican Aides Craft I.D.E.A. Reauthorization Proposal
A reauthorization plan drafted by Republican aides to the House education committee for the primary federal special-education law emphasizes provisions designed to reduce disputes between school officials and parents of children with disabilities.
Education
Youths' Use of Tobacco, Alcohol, Drugs Prompts Policy Debates
Washington
The Clinton Administration, members of Congress, and two government-funded studies have focused scrutiny in recent weeks on corporate America's influence on children's use of tobacco, alcohol, and illegal drugs.
The Clinton Administration, members of Congress, and two government-funded studies have focused scrutiny in recent weeks on corporate America's influence on children's use of tobacco, alcohol, and illegal drugs.
Education
Beyond City Limits
The word on everyone's lips here is fear.
That's not the usual sentiment in this river city of 155,000 souls. Farsighted civic leaders have cleaned up downtown, rebuilt substandard housing, and dedicated the $45 million freshwater Tennessee Aquarium on the banks of the snaking Tennessee River. Chattanooga, once a dirty, declining industrial town, has been reborn over the past 20 years.
That's not the usual sentiment in this river city of 155,000 souls. Farsighted civic leaders have cleaned up downtown, rebuilt substandard housing, and dedicated the $45 million freshwater Tennessee Aquarium on the banks of the snaking Tennessee River. Chattanooga, once a dirty, declining industrial town, has been reborn over the past 20 years.
Education
Politics Bottles Up Special Payments in Okla.
Some growing Oklahoma school districts have not hired new teachers they need or have made budget cuts because the Governor and the state legislature could not agree on doling out special payments for the districts.
Education
State Journal: Farewell to the chiefs; Opposite directions
Linda Schrenko, the Georgia schools chief, is canceling her state's membership in the national lobbying and support organization for state superintendents.
Education
Mass. Court Upholds Condom-Distribution Program
A Massachusetts school district's condom-distribution program does not violate parents' religious rights or their right to control their children's upbringing, the state's highest court has ruled.
Education
Accord Would Free Mo. From Paying K.C.'s Desegregation Costs After 1999
The state of Missouri has entered a tentative agreement that would free it from having to pay for Kansas City's elaborate school-desegregation program after 1999.
Education
Administration Review Cites Benefits of Affirmative Action
Washington
It was vetoed and then nearly filibustered to death. But President Clinton last week signed a compromise bill that cuts $16.3 billion from the current federal budget, including $574 million from education programs.
It was vetoed and then nearly filibustered to death. But President Clinton last week signed a compromise bill that cuts $16.3 billion from the current federal budget, including $574 million from education programs.
Education
Philanthropy
At a time when some say the steam has gone out of the push for
national K-12 standards, a Philadelphia foundation has announced plans
to inject $14 million into several projects that emphasize the
development of voluntary national standards.
School Climate & Safety
A Matter of Strategy: Keeping the Public Informed on Violence
The image of today's public schools as violence-ridden creates a big challenge for public-relations professionals, top communications specialists from two urban districts say.
Education
Texas Law To Ease School Access to Telecommunications Services
Schools in Texas will be able to gain access to the global Internet computer network and other telecommunications services at preferential rates under a new law that takes effect next month. September.
Education
Corrections
An article in the July 12 issue of Education Week about the search to replace Schools Chancellor Ramon C. Cortines of New York City incorrectly implied that the previous chancellor, Joseph A. Fernandez, left office before his contract expired in June of 1993. Mr. Fernandez served out his contract, which the city school board had voted not to renew.
Education
Thompson Aims To Rebuild Bipartisan Coalition, Spur Bold Action
As Gov. Tommy G. Thompson of Wisconsin takes the reins of both the Education Commission of the States and the National Governors' Association this summer, he finds himself reminding policymakers of the groups' credentials.
Education
Awards
Winners have been named for the 1995 national Community Solutions for Education awards, sponsored by the Coalition on Educational Initiatives. The awards program designed by the coalition, a board of several organizations, identifies and recognizes outstanding grassroots programs that improve learning opportunities for young people through comprehensive community involvement. The winners were chosen from 250 entries nationwide. They are:
Education
President Offers Guidance on Religion in Schools
Washington
President Clinton's recent memorandum on religious expression in public schools gives educators some needed guidance but is silent on several contentious issues, such as student-led graduation prayers.
President Clinton's recent memorandum on religious expression in public schools gives educators some needed guidance but is silent on several contentious issues, such as student-led graduation prayers.
Education
N.J. Reports Outline Options in Desegregation Battle
The New Jersey Department of Education last week released two long-awaited and potentially controversial studies outlining various solutions to a desegregation battle involving several Bergen County school districts.
Education
Chiefs' Center Documents State of Play On Math, Science Standards
A majority of states are drafting or have recently finished work on
K-12 curriculum frameworks in mathematics and science, a report by the
Council of Chief State School Officers says.
Education
Push Ahead With Standards, Alternative Assessments, Panel Urges
A group of eminent scholars is urging educators to just do it: Get on with trying out rigorous standards and alternative approaches to assessment in the nation's classrooms.
Education
Mich. Board Makes Curriculum Standards Voluntary for Districts
In a rebuff to state lawmakers, the Michigan board of education has voted to make new state curriculum standards voluntary for school districts rather than set mandatory standards as the legislature had envisioned.
Education
A Hateful Prank
An ugly incident of racial hatred, in which five high school seniors used their personal yearbook statements to spell out the coded message "kill all niggers" focused the nation's attention in June on Greenwich, Conn. But anyone who thinks the incident says something unique about Greenwich is missing the point entirely.
Education
A Lesson in Caring
Just after dark on a sultry night in North St. Louis, a man's voice pierces the still of the evening with a slow, rolling chant.
Education
State-Appointed Newark Chief Vows To Improve Condition of Buildings
With dramatic flair, the new state-appointed schools superintendent of Newark, N.J., toured three rundown schools during her first day on the job last month.
Education
Common Causes
The best mentors let relationships grow at their own pace rather than impose rigid expectations and expect quick results, a new study suggests.