March 1, 2000
Education Week, Vol. 19, Issue 25
Education
Senate Republicans Try Again On Tax-Free Savings for Education
Senate Republicans last week brought to the floor a proposal—twice vetoed in past years by President Clinton—that would allow families to contribute up to $2,000 annually to tax-free savings accounts they could draw on to pay for public or private school costs.
Education
News in Brief: A Washington Roundup
- Commission to Investigate Suspension Rates
- Clinton Announces Grants To Help At-Risk Youths
Standards
Highlights From Secretary Riley's State of the State of Education Speech
Secretary of Education Richard W. Riley outlined a wide range of proposals last week in his seventh and final State of American Education speech. Among the highlights:
Recruitment & Retention
Georgia Legislators Pass Accountability Plan
Georgia has passed legislation based on the sweeping education proposals Gov. Roy E. Barnes outlined earlier this year, setting itself up to join such states as North Carolina and Texas in placing accountability at the center of its school improvement efforts.
Teaching Profession
State Journal
Raising his standing
When asked in late January how he would handle his state's teachers' unions, Oklahoma Gov. Frank Keating had a ready response: "Homicide."
Education
Gifted Education
Teaching Strategies: Just because a student shows signs of giftedness does not mean he or she should be labeled as such.
Education
Achieve Says Many States Are On Track Toward Summit Goals
Five weeks before an April 1 deadline set at the National Education Summit last fall, more than half the states have indicated they will file plans that describe specific, measurable steps they will take to meet the priorities outlined there by governors, educators, and business leaders.
Teacher Preparation
More Students Take Math, Science, While Many Teachers Unprepared
More American students are taking higher-level courses in mathematics and science than in 1990, but too many of those students are being taught by teachers who did not major in the subjects, according to a report by the Council of Chief State School Officers.
Education
News in Brief: A National Roundup
- L.A. School Leaders May Cut 1,000 Administrative Jobs
- School Lunch Items Recalled
- D.C. Board 'Hybrid' Faces Vote
- Teacher-Chaperone Disciplined
- Contract Signed in Des Moines
- District To Open on Holy Days
- Historic Boston School Reopens
- Daley Unveils Child-Care Plan
- Cameras Aboard Phila. Buses
School & District Management
The State of Superintendents
Here are some of the findings from "The 2000 Study of the American School Superintendency," a survey of 2,536 superintendents conducted for the American Association of School Administrators:
Education
People in the News
Kate Dickson has been tapped to serve as the new deputy superintendent for the Oregon Department of Education. She will supervise the offices responsible for school finance and a database initiative, business services, technology, legislative policy, and budget issues.
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States
News in Brief: A State Capitals Roundup
- Florida Plan To Omit Race, Gender as Factors in College Admissions Wins Final Approval
- California's Education Secretary Stepping Down
- Wisconsin Changes Rules on Teacher Licensing
- Hawaii Works Toward Complying With Spec. Ed. Ruling
Education
Illinois Boards in Power Struggle Over Teacher Recertification
A state judge has temporarily halted the implementation of changes in the way Illinois renews teacher licenses, following a lawsuit contesting the process used to approve the policies.
Student Well-Being
More Preschoolers Taking Psychotropic Drugs
Doctors are prescribing anti-depressants, stimulants, and other psychotropic drugs to preschoolers at increasing rates, according to a study published last week. But it is unknown what long-term effects those drugs may have on children , experts say.
Assessment
Dallas Reading Initiative Produces Limited Results
An intensive professional-development program for K-3 teachers in the Dallas schools has significantly changed teaching practices in some classrooms, but has not directly affected students' test scores, a report concludes.
Education
Educator's Vision Lives On In Network of 'Basic Schools'
The small, one-story house in a working-class neighborhood here seems an unlikely spot to find the ideas of one of the 20th century's most highly respected educators being put into practice.
Education
Annenberg Task Force Will Take A Fresh Look at Districts
A national task force is tackling the question of how to redesign districts so that large numbers of high-performing schools can flourish.
Education
Under Simmons, the Annenberg Institute Seeks a New Direction
The Annenberg Institute for School Reform began in 1993 with $50 million and a mission: to serve as a "neutral gathering place" for all the groups working to redesign America's schools.
Teaching Profession
Colo. Teacher Policies All Over the Map, Study Finds
The most comprehensive study about teacher policy ever conducted in Colorado has found wide variation across the state in how educators are recruited, hired, paid, developed, and evaluated.
Law & Courts
Court To Examine Athletic Groups' Authority
The U.S. Supreme Court agreed last week to decide whether a state high school athletic association that has been delegated authority to regulate interscholastic sports is an arm of the state for purposes of the protections of the U.S. Constitution.
Education
Federal File
Waste not
The Department of Education is again coming under fire from congressional Republicans who say it may be hampered by waste and abuse.
College & Workforce Readiness
Test Case
A California lawsuit is challenging widespread inequities in the availability of Advanced Placement courses.
Education
Senators Eyeing Extensive Changes To K-12 Schools Bill
Republicans and Democrats alike on the Senate education committee are expected to seek substantial changes to the reauthorization bill for key K-12 programs their chairman has crafted when they take it up this week.
Republicans and Democrats alike on the Senate education committee are expected to seek substantial changes to the reauthorization bill for key K-12 programs their chairman has crafted when they take it up this week.
Law & Courts
Court Lets Stand Ruling On States' Liability Under Title IX
The U.S. Supreme Court declined an opportunity last week to take up the issue of whether Congress has the power to require states to waive their immunity from private lawsuits as a condition for receiving federal funds.
School Climate & Safety
California Voters Weigh Making Facilities Bonds Easier To Pass
On March 7, California voters will vote on Proposition 26—which would lower the percent of votes required to pass school bonds to a simple majority from a two-thirds majority.
On March 7, California voters will vote on Proposition 26—which would lower the percent of votes required to pass school bonds to a simple majority from a two-thirds majority.
Standards
Riley Urges 'Review' Of Standards
Secretary of Education Richard W. Riley calls for a "midcourse review" of the standards movement.