January 14, 2004
Education Week, Vol. 23, Issue 18
Reading & Literacy
Reading First Assistance Center Announced
School districts receiving federal Reading First grants will have access to technical assistance for improving their literacy programs, under a $37 million initiative announced by the Department of Education last week.
Federal
Bush Marks School Law's 2nd Anniversary
President Bush celebrated the second anniversary of one of his signature domestic achievements last week, as he trumpeted two schools he believes have begun to live up to the promise of the No Child Left Behind Act.
Education
School Aid Legal Battles Flare in La., Mo.
Louisiana and Missouri are the targets of lawsuits by groups of school districts that want those states to overhaul their school funding formulas.
Teaching Profession
Denver Performance-Pay Plan Yields Student Progress
A compensation system designed to provide Denver teachers with monetary bonuses for their extra efforts to improve student performance has produced considerable achievement in many classrooms, the final report on the nationally watched pilot project says.
Assessment
Criticism Over New Head Start Testing Program Mounts
As the federal government's Head Start Bureau proceeds with a new testing program for 4- and 5-year-olds, criticism of the test—called the National Reporting System—continues to mount among experts in early-childhood education.
Ed-Tech Policy
'Blogs' Help Educators Share Ideas, Air Frustrations
When another teacher walked into Jeanne Edna Thelwell's classroom and abruptly told her that she needed to see the principal, Ms. Thelwell knew something was wrong. When the first-year New York City teacher got to the office, she was told to sit and wait for her union representative to arrive.
Education
New Sources for Clearinghouse Materials
Although the ERIC clearinghouses are now closed, most have moved their electronic archives to the following new homes on the Web:
School & District Management
Velvet Glove, Steel Hand
Bonnie Copeland seems mild-mannered, but she's determined to shake up the troubled Baltimore city schools.
School & District Management
ERIC Clearinghouses Close; New System in Works
With little fanfare, the 16 federally financed clearinghouses that have been the nerve centers for the nation's largest and oldest electronic education library closed last month. Includes "New Sources for Clearinghouse Materials."
Teaching Profession
As Some Union Affiliates Back Candidates, NEA Sits Tight
At low-key candidate speeches and raucous campaign rallies, teachers and union members have shown a determination to play a major role early in this year's presidential election.
Reading & Literacy
N.Y.C. Shifts Reading Plan In 49 Needy Schools
New York City school officials have changed their game plan for boosting reading achievement in the district's lowest-performing schools in order to improve their chances of qualifying for $34 million in federal grants.
Education
News in Brief: A National Roundup
- CDC Reports 93 Deaths of Children From Flu
- New York City Schools' Overhaul Clears U.S. Justice Department
- Boston Public Schools Stand By Residency Rule
- Principal of S.C. High School Resigns After Outcry Over Raid
- Calif. District Settles Lawsuit Alleging Harassment of Students
- Pediatricians' Group Urges End to Sale of Soft Drinks in Schools
- Columbus-Area District Reopens After Buses Hit by Gunfire
- Death: Mary "Lois" Tinson
Federal
Rigor Disputed In Standards For Teachers
States have fashioned wildly different ways of judging whether teachers already in the classroom meet the federal standard of "highly qualified," raising the possibility that teachers in some states will not face the high hurdle that Congress intended.
Early Childhood
Little Ones' Homework Burden Rises
With academic expectations for young pupils rising across the country, homework is becoming a more routine part of the kindergarten experience.
School Choice & Charters
Supporters Debate Fla. Voucher Rules
Florida may be where school voucher proponents found their Wheel of Fortune, but an escalating debate there over regulating private schools that accept the tuition aid is beginning to look more like Family Feud.
Education
Survey Results
A study commissioned by the U.S. Department of Education provides a detailed look at the nation's students who are learning English as a new language.
Education
Federal File
Paper Work
Each year, the paper tide sweeps over the nation's capital, pushed along by new laws and new political agendas.
Equity & Diversity
Campaign Notebook
- If Elected, Edwards Would Send Children to D.C. Public Schools
- Immigrant Dreams
Education Funding
School Aid Remains Rendell's Big Challenge
Pennsylvania Gov. Edward G. Rendell spent his first year in office in an uphill battle for the education agenda that defined his candidacy. And if it's true that politics is the art of half a loaf, it's possible he's still feeling pretty hungry.
Education
State Journal
Standing on Record
As he fights for his political life, Connecticut Gov. John G. Rowland has been touting his record on education policy in making his case to the public that he should remain in office.
Education Funding
State of the States 2004: California, Colorado, New York, Vermont
In his first State of the State Address, Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger of California told school officials last week that, in light of the state’s severe, ongoing fiscal crisis, they will have to spend their money more wisely. In return, he said, he wants to help them by easing restrictions on how they spend those funds.
Education
News in Brief: A State Capitals Roundup
- Colorado Judge Upholds Injunction on Vouchers
- Public Awareness Urged on Irradiated Beef in Schools
- Political-Speech Guidelines Have No Force, Court Says
- Proposed Calif. Measure Seeks Class Use of Bible
- Ariz. Schools Chief Gives 'State of Education' Speech
Education
Pennsylvania District Says Ratings Unfair In Suit Against State
A Pennsylvania school district is suing the state for failing to provide the money and the tools it needs to ensure its schools will make academic progress under federal law.
Ed-Tech Policy
FCC Issues New E-Rate Rules To Help Simplify the Program
In an effort to curb E-rate waste, fraud, and abuse—as well as simplify the $2.25 billion federal program for applicants—the Federal Communications Commission has announced a series of new program rules.
Education
Report Roundup
- Cleveland Voucher Pupils Analyzed in Final Report
- Money for Technology
- International Obesity
- Vocational Experience
- Online Learning
Education
Vocational Education
Career Advice
Tougher academic standards and stronger partnerships with colleges and businesses will be central goals for the Bush administration in the upcoming reauthorization of the federal vocational education law, a senior U.S. Department of Education official told school leaders recently.
Classroom Technology
Researchers Sort Out Data-Analysis Software
Schools districts can choose from a dizzying array of software products to analyze student-achievement data. Now, three researchers have published a paper to help them make an educated choice.