May 23, 2001
Education Week, Vol. 20, Issue 37
Student Well-Being
Health Update
- Suicide-Prevention Plan
Envisions Larger Role for Schools - Recognizing Signs of Autism
- Head Lice Policies
School & District Management
Public Warming to Vouchers, Book Argues
Just as vouchers have suffered big defeats in state ballot initiatives and been shelved at the federal level, one Stanford University researcher argues that Americans strongly favor the concept. Includes an accompanying column, "In Short," on a new analysis arguing that recent voucher studies overstate achievement gains.
Just as vouchers have suffered big defeats in state ballot initiatives and been shelved at the federal level, one Stanford University researcher argues that Americans strongly favor the concept. Includes an accompanying column, "In Short," on a new analysis arguing that recent voucher studies overstate achievement gains.
College & Workforce Readiness
Report: HOPE Offers Little Help To Poor Students
A federal program that was established to provide tax relief for college students and their families "squanders" tax dollars and fails to make college more affordable for low-income students, according to a report released last week.
School & District Management
State Ed. Departments Should Lead Reforms, Report Says
State education departments, rather than governors or legislatures, should lead the effort to improve their states' public school systems, a report released last week argues.
Education
Correction
An article in the May 16, 2001, issue of Education Week ("Protests Over State Testing Widespread") on protests over state testing incorrectly identified the group organizing a rally in Massachusetts. The May 15 rally was sponsored by the Student Coalition for Alternatives to MCAS and the Coalition for Authentic Reform of Education.
Professional Development
Growth of Academies Highlights New Thinking About Leadership
Although leadership academies emerged from federal programs and administrator groups decades ago, the new academies are a response to today's increased demands on principals. As such, they reflect a whole new way of thinking about school leadership, their creators say.
Although leadership academies emerged from federal programs and administrator groups decades ago, the new academies are a response to today's increased demands on principals. As such, they reflect a whole new way of thinking about school leadership, their creators say.
Curriculum
'Real World' Science Accented in Class
Teachers who participated in a science research program in Antarctica say they returned with a host of classroom activities that help bring the region and science to life. But the best part is watching students solve a scientific riddle on their own. The last of a three-part series. Includes:
Teachers who participated in a science research program in Antarctica say they returned with a host of classroom activities that help bring the region and science to life. But the best part is watching students solve a scientific riddle on their own. The last of a three-part series. Includes:
Teacher Preparation
The Route to TEAC Approval
1. Teacher-preparation program(s) apply for eligibility. Programs must provide evidence of state approval and regional accreditation. They must also show that graduates meet licensure and other requirements for teaching in public and private pre-K-12 schools. In addition, participants must demonstrate a commitment to the evaluation process. If a program is accepted, additional paperwork and fees are submitted.
Professional Development
Lure of Polar Regions Is Strong For Antarctic Veterans
Ask teachers who have gone to Antarctica if they'd go back.
Ask teachers who have gone to Antarctica if they'd go back.
Curriculum
About This Series
This is the final installment of a three-part series about teachers in Antarctica.
Federal
Republicans Reject Programs On Facilities, Class Size
The federal school-facilities and class-size-reduction programs, two Clinton- era creations axed in President Bush's education plan, narrowly failed revival attempts last week, as revision of the flagship federal law for precollegiate education inched through Congress.
The federal school-facilities and class-size-reduction programs, two Clinton- era creations axed in President Bush's education plan, narrowly failed revival attempts last week, as revision of the flagship federal law for precollegiate education inched through Congress.
Education
Honors & Awards
CHASE SCHOOL CHANGE AWARDS
Fordham University's graduate school of education and Chase Manhattan Foundation announced six winners of the Chase School Change awards. The awards recognize institutions that have improved students' academic accomplishments through system-wide change. The winners receive national recognition and a $2,500 grant. The winners are:
Education
Federal File
The Word on Tests
Secretary of Education Rod Paige is absolutely, positively unflappable in his support for annual tests, a centerpiece of President Bush's education plan. And he has strong words for those who disagree.
Federal
House Allocates Money For Rejoining UNESCO
A spending bill passed by the House this month provides funding for U.S. membership in UNESCO, the often-controversial United Nations education group that this country withdrew from 17 years ago.
School & District Management
Hawaii Chief Resigns From Board Of Federally Funded Lab
Hawaii schools Superintendent Paul G. LeMahieu has complied with a request from the state school board to resign from his position at a nonprofit company that provides educational services to his state.
States
News in Brief: A State Capitals Roundup
- Texas Moves To Require Schools
To Push Back First Day of Classes - Teachers Union Sues Ohio Over Charters
School Climate & Safety
Md. Governor Vetoes Bill Requiring Schools To Teach Gun Safety
Gov. Parris N. Glendening of Maryland last week vetoed a bill that would have made Maryland the first state to require gun-safety education for elementary and secondary students.
States
Mich. Students Win More Time To Study Special Ed. Plan
When confronted this March with a 146-page, jargon-packed document describing how Michigan plans to overhaul its special education services, many educators, parents, and advocates for students with disabilities felt overwhelmed. So, too, did some of the students.
Education
State Journal
Homeward Bound
The presidents of the teachers' union and the school board in Pennsylvania Gov. Tom Ridge's hometown won't be rolling out the red carpet when he speaks there at a charter school's graduation ceremonies. In fact, they'd rather roll the carpet up, put it away, and rescind the invitation.
English-Language Learners
Ariz. Faces Sanctions in LEP-Student Funding Lawsuit
The Arizona legislature adjourned last week without acting on a federal judge's directive to increase funding for students with limited English proficiency, raising the specter that the state could forfeit all federal funding—for everything from highway construction to schools—under a worst-case scenario.
School Choice & Charters
Fight Erupts Over Way Wis. Pays for Vouchers
The Milwaukee voucher program has drawn fire for many reasons since its inception, and now debate has erupted over charges that the system used to pay for it is unfair.
Assessment
Study Questions Reliability Of Single-Year Test-Score Gains
More than half the states reward or punish schools based largely on test scores. But a new analysis suggests the methods used to identify good and bad schools are far less reliable than state policymakers may think.
School & District Management
In Short
Recent studies purport to show that voucher programs result in better achievement by black students at private schools, and that vouchers motivate public schools to improve. Those results are overstated, a new analysis argues.
Education
Census Shows the Changing Face Of U.S. Households
Fewer than a fourth of U.S. households are made up of married couples with children under 18—a slight decline from 1990, when just over 25 percent of households were composed of married couples with children, according to figures released last week by the U.S. Census Bureau.
School & District Management
Urban Education
Polling Parents: Hoping to learn what's on the minds of New York City parents, Schools Chancellor Harold O. Levy sent surveys to the homes of 125,000 school children this month.
Education
News in Brief: A National Roundup
- Fla. Teen Convicted of Teacher's Murder
- Columbine Report Faults Schools
- Time With Mothers and Fathers (Chart)
- ACLU Sues Over T-Shirt Ban in Ga.
- Official Pleads Guilty to Stealing
- Girl Wins Abuse Damages
- Boy Kills Self at School
- UC Drops Ban on Preferences
Law & Courts
Court Distinguishes Between Threats, Free Speech
A creative-writing essay that depicted an angry student beheading his teacher with a machete was not a true threat of violence, but instead a form of speech protected by the First Amendment, the Wisconsin Supreme Court ruled last week.