November 13, 1996
Education Week, Vol. 16, Issue 11
States
Moderation Seen Education Message in Races for Governor
In an election year lacking overriding education messages, state races last week seemed to carry only the cautionary note that Republicans who boast about being conservative don't wind up giving victory speeches.
Federal
Anti-Preference Measure Sparks Competing Suits
Educators were unclear last week how passage of the broadly worded California Civil Rights Initiative will affect affirmative action, voluntary desegregation efforts, and academic programs targeting minorities and women in the state.
Families & the Community
Colo. Voters Reject Parent-Rights Measure
Many Colorado educators breathed easier last week after voters rejected a fiercely debated ballot measure on parental rights.
Education
Conn. Officials Call for Team Effort To Revamp Hartford's Ailing Schools
Connecticut education officials last week outlined a far-reaching blueprint for resuscitating Hartfords ailing public schools, following a five-month study that laid bare severe problems in virtually all areas of the system.
College & Workforce Readiness
2 Ark. Superintendents Indicted in Student-Transfer Pact
Early in this century, students from rural Claiborne and Union parishes in northern Louisiana began attending school in the nearby border town of Junction City, Ark., instead of traveling as far as 16 miles to the nearest schools in their home state.
IT Infrastructure & Management
FCC Panel Proposes $2.25 Billion in Telecom Discounts
The nation's schools and libraries could receive telecommunications discounts worth up to $2.25 billion a year under a plan proposed by a Federal Communications Commission panel late last week.
School & District Management
By 2-1 Ratio, Boston Retains Appointed Board
Boston voters came down strongly last week in favor of preserving their mayorally appointed school board, handing Mayor Thomas M. Menino and district leaders a resounding victory.
Families & the Community
Hand in Hand With Parent Involvement
Parents, grandparents, business leaders, and community members will go back to school next week as part of a national campaign to encourage Americans to become more involved with education.
School Choice & Charters
'Perfect' Private School Falls on Hard Times
Most schools would have to sell a mountain of brownies before raking in the cash generated by a recent Phoenix Academy fund-raiser, where people bid on imported oriental rugs, a set of silver candlesticks, and two crystal chandeliers.
School Choice & Charters
Magnets' Value in Desegregating Schools Is Found To Be Limited
After rejecting an earlier review that reached essentially the same conclusions, the Department of Education has endorsed a study suggesting that federally subsidized magnet schools have been of limited value as a tool for integrating schools.
School & District Management
Protests Gather Steam Over NCAA Standards On Academic Eligibility
The chorus of protests from student-athletes, parents, politicians, and high school officials over the NCAA's academic-eligibility determinations is growing louder.
School & District Management
Star Potential
This school doesn't have a principal–just students and teachers.
Education
Northern Lights
City Academy in St. Paul, Minn., isn't just another charter school that happens to be run by teachers--it's the grande dame of all charter schools. Opened in September 1992, it was the first charter school in the country.
Education
L.A. Bond Proposal Nixed; Cleveland Levy Boost Approved
Los Angeles voters appeared last week to have narrowly rejected a proposed $2.4 billion bond issue that would have provided money for renovations at hundreds of the massive district's aging school facilities.
Education
News in Brief: A National Roundup
Judge Orders N.Y. District To Rehire Convicted Worker
A New York state judge has ruled that the Nyack school district must rehire and give back pay to a custodian who resigned after admitting he threw a lighted cigar into a trash can and started a fire in a school gymnasium.
Education
Federal File
When it came to persuading Washington state voters to back a ballot initiative on charter schools, President Clinton wanted nothing to do with the issue.
Ad vetoed
When it came to persuading Washington state voters to back a ballot initiative on charter schools, President Clinton wanted nothing to do with the issue.
School & District Management
New Nine-Member Dade Board Reflects Diversity
In the first balloting under a new system for electing school board members in Dade County, Fla., voters last week chose a mix of veterans and newcomers to govern the fast-growing district.
Federal
Wash. Choice Proposals Go Down to Defeat
Organizers of two school choice initiatives in Washington state say that after last week's defeats, they will focus on getting a charter school law passed in the next legislative session.
Education
State Ballot Questions
The following are statewide ballot initiatives and referendums that relate to school funding or other education issues decided by voters last week.
Education
Above & Beyond
The Constellation Community Middle School's charter stipulates that teachers will "individually and collectively" assume 19 administrative responsibilitiesin addition to their normal teaching duties. A selectionof those duties follows.
School & District Management
D.C. Authority Appears Set To Oust Smith and Take Control of District
Washington
The federally appointed board that oversees the finances of the District of Columbia government appeared ready last week to take control of the city's beleaguered school system and replace its superintendent.
Education
State Journal
A mock election in Alabama's public schools has some state officials crying dirty politics, and at least three Republicans are calling for a probe of political bias in the children's polling.
A mockery
A mock election in Alabama's public schools has some state officials crying dirty politics, and at least three Republicans are calling for a probe of political bias in the children's polling.
Assessment
Alleged Tampering Underscores Pitfalls of Testing
Elementary school educators in several districts around the country have been accused recently of tampering with standardized tests.
Law & Courts
High Court Affirms Rejection of Miss. Prayer Law
Washington
The U.S. Supreme Court refused last week to revive a 1994 Mississippi law that authorized "voluntary" student prayers at assemblies, sports events, and other school activities.
Federal
In Mock Votes, Students Give Clinton Solid Victory
As he did among grown-ups, President Clinton scored a solid victory over Republican challenger Bob Dole in several nationwide mock elections that allowed schoolchildren to weigh in on the presidential race.
Education
Children & Families
So far, the '90s have been a difficult decade for many of America's families. And 1994 was particularly rough for children.