January 12, 2005
Education Week, Vol. 24, Issue 18
School Climate & Safety
Uniform Effects?
Despite conventional wisdom touting the benefits of student uniforms, researchers see little evidence of their effectiveness.
School & District Management
NRC Publishes Follow-Up on Student Learning
The National Research Council’s synthesis of the research on learning turned into an international best seller after its release six years ago.
School & District Management
St. Louis District Faces Feuding School Board, Labor Unrest, Red Ink
Six months after a corporate-turnaround company finished work aimed at fixing the St. Louis public schools, the leadership of the district is in turmoil.
Law & Courts
Court: New Mexico May Offset Federal Impact Aid to Its Districts
A school district will appeal a federal appellate-court ruling late last month that affirmed the state of New Mexico’s right to withhold funds to districts based on how much federal impact aid they receive.
Federal
Education Gala Part of Presidential Inaugural Week
The U.S. military is getting top billing at next week’s presidential Inauguration Day festivities, but educators won’t be left out in the cold.
Teaching Profession
Runoff Required for D.C. Union Election
The choice of a new leader for the union representing teachers in the District of Columbia—the first since a financial scandal sent its former president to federal prison last year—won’t be decided until a runoff election is held later this month.
Law & Courts
Kansas Court Orders School Finance Fix
The Kansas Supreme Court has given state lawmakers a challenging assignment for the legislative session that starts this week.
School Choice & Charters
Minn. Adopts Mandate to Improve Charter School Oversight
Following the high-profile flameout last fall of a newly launched charter school, Minnesota education officials have announced policy changes aimed at sharpening the oversight skills of those charged with sponsoring and governing the independently operated public schools.
Federal
Ed. Tech. Plan Is Focused on Broad Themes
The nation’s third National Education Technology Plan, released last week by the Department of Education, lays out broad themes reflecting current thinking on applying technology in schools, but it omits assigning specific responsibility for action, especially to the federal government.
Ed-Tech Policy
Opinion
10 Basic Rules for E-Rate Applications
Many of the schools who would benefit most from the E-rate program are unnecessarily shying away from it, say communications lawyers Mark Palchick and Joan Stewart.
Education
Opinion
Assessing Student Performance in Charter Schools
Evaluating the effectiveness of charter schools is more complicated than the debate over recent studies lets on, believes Paul T. Hill of the National Charter School Research Center.
School & District Management
Opinion
Urban Mythbusters
The nation's urban public schools suffer from an unfairly earned reputation regarding their commitment to education, argues In2Books founder Nina Zolt.
Federal
U.S. Bringing Iraqi Students and Educators to America
Eleven teenagers from Iraq have been living with American families and going to school in the United States this school year as part of the U.S. government’s resumption of education and cultural ties with that country.
School & District Management
Spellings Promises a Bipartisan Approach
Margaret Spellings, President Bush’s nominee to become the next secretary of education, vowed last week to listen carefully to the concerns of those dealing with the No Child Left Behind Act at the state and local levels and to take a “workable and sensible” approach to carrying out the controversial law, the signature education achievement of Mr. Bush’s first term.
Education
School Aid Increases; Finance Ruling Looms
Gov. Mitt Romney approved a $22 billion budget for fiscal 2005 that includes an increase in direct education aid from last year’s spending. The Republican signed what he billed as the “no new tax” budget after vetoing $108 million in legislative proposals.
Education
A State Capitals Roundup
La. Regents Give $1 Million to Help Failing Schools
The Louisiana board of regents has announced a $1 million grant to encourage universities in the state to help failing K-12 public schools.
Education
A Washington Roundup
The West Wing
President Bush last week named Claude A. Allen as his domestic-policy adviser.
Education
A National Roundup
New Mexico District Switches to Reporting ‘Performance Levels’
The Albuquerque, N.M., public schools are phasing out the use of letter grades for K-8 students.
English Learners
Hispanic Children Focus of Panel
Eugene E. Garcia, the vice president for university-school partnerships at Arizona State University’s college of education, has set up a national task force to focus on the educational issues facing young Hispanic children.
Education
State of the States
North Dakota
State of the States: Education highlights from latest governor's address before the legislature.
Education
State of the States
Connecticut
State of the States: Education highlights from latest governor's address before the legislature.
Education
A State Capitals Roundup
Kentucky Will Pilot Online State Assessments
Kentucky will begin a statewide pilot program this spring that will allow more than 7,200 10th and 11th graders to take state assessments online.
Education
A National Roundup
Denver Teenager Dies After Cafeteria Stabbing
A 16-year-old Denver high school student is being held on suspicion of fatally stabbing a fellow student last week in what is believed to be the school district’s first homicide.
Education
A National Roundup
R.I. School District Asks Court for Guidance on Gay Marriage
A school district in Rhode Island has asked a state superior-court judge to decide whether a retired teacher can include her same-sex spouse in her health plan.
Education
A National Roundup
Calif. Public Schools to Post Notices on Adequate Conditions
As of this month, all California public schools are required to post notices informing students and parents of their rights to clean and safe classrooms and adequate educational materials.
Education
A National Roundup
N.Y.C. Mayor Claims Progress on Safety, School Performance
The mayor of New York City announced last week that under his watch, the city’s schools have made progress in reducing violence and improving test scores.
Education
A National Roundup
Phoenix Boot-Camp Operator Found Guilty in Boy’s Death
A Phoenix boot-camp operator has been found guilty of reckless manslaughter after a 14-year-old camper died while in his care at the youth-disciplinary facility.
School Choice & Charters
A National Roundup
Obituary: Pioneer in Calif. Charter School Movement Dies
Susan J. Bragato, a pioneer in California’s charter school movement, died on Jan. 5 of breast cancer. She was 47.