March 18, 2009
Education Week, Vol. 28, Issue 25
Ed-Tech Policy
Report Roundup
Results Found for Computer-Math Program
Computer-aided instruction can potentially improve student learning in prealgebra and algebra, partly because the technology gives teachers the ability to tailor instruction to children’s individual needs, a new study says.
Education Funding
Report Roundup
Arts Education
Most elementary teachers report that instructional time for arts education stayed about the same between the school years of 2004-05 and 2006-07, according to a report released last month by the U.S. Government Accountability Office. Still, teachers at schools with higher percentages of minorities and those that have been identified as needing improvement under the federal No Child Left Behind Act were more likely to report a decrease in time spent on arts education in their schools.
Federal
Report Roundup
Graduation Rate
The national high school graduation rate remained flat at 74 percent between 2002 and 2006, while a dozen states made substantial gains, according to a report by researchers at Johns Hopkins University.
Federal
Report Roundup
Research Report: Charter Schools
Since the first charter school opened its doors in 1992, 657 of the schools—or nearly 13 percent—have closed, with financial problems or mismanagement the leading reasons cited, according to a study by a pro-charter group.
Education
Letter to the Editor
Seeing Education's Future in an Alaska District
To the Editor:
In his Commentary "Waiting for the Transformation" (Feb. 25, 2009), Arthur E. Levine is overly pessimistic about the time it will take for our nation’s education system to adopt "an emphasis on outcomes, learning, and education in and out of school." He writes, "The nation is not yet ready to move in this direction."
In his Commentary "Waiting for the Transformation" (Feb. 25, 2009), Arthur E. Levine is overly pessimistic about the time it will take for our nation’s education system to adopt "an emphasis on outcomes, learning, and education in and out of school." He writes, "The nation is not yet ready to move in this direction."
School & District Management
Letter to the Editor
In Reform, Look to Finland, Not 21st-Century Skills
To the Editor:
Your article “Backers of ‘21st-Century Skills’ Take Flak” (March 4, 2009) cites Tony Wagner, a co-director of the Change Leadership Institute at the Harvard Graduate School of Education, as saying that any attempt to improve the public schools must be accompanied by major changes in teacher education. He points to Finland’s reform of its education profession as an example of what to do. Mr. Wagner is right on, and we should pay heed to the academic requirements prospective Finnish teachers must meet.
Your article “Backers of ‘21st-Century Skills’ Take Flak” (March 4, 2009) cites Tony Wagner, a co-director of the Change Leadership Institute at the Harvard Graduate School of Education, as saying that any attempt to improve the public schools must be accompanied by major changes in teacher education. He points to Finland’s reform of its education profession as an example of what to do. Mr. Wagner is right on, and we should pay heed to the academic requirements prospective Finnish teachers must meet.
Curriculum
Letter to the Editor
Math Evaluation, Article Raise Several Questions
To the Editor:
In response to “Study Gives Edge to 2 Math Programs” (March 4, 2009), which reports on the findings of a federal comparison of four popular math curricula:
In response to “Study Gives Edge to 2 Math Programs” (March 4, 2009), which reports on the findings of a federal comparison of four popular math curricula:
School & District Management
News in Brief
AmeriCorps Expansion Wins Votes
Embracing President Barack Obama's call for national service, lawmakers last week moved ahead with a plan to expand the AmeriCorps program and boost volunteer opportunities for students and older Americans.
Education
Letter to the Editor
'Response to Intervention': Clarifying the Federal View
To the Editor:
Your article "'What Works' Guide Gives RTI Thumbs Up on Reading" (March 4, 2009) erroneously reports that the What Works Clearinghouse of the Institute of Education Sciences has provided a "stamp of approval' for response-to-intervention, or RTI, programs. Recent legislative changes in the 2004 reauthorization of the federal Individuals with Disabilities Education Act have led to increased interest in the RTI framework, and the practice guide discussed in the article provides research-based recommendations on implementing the method. The What Works Clearinghouse, however, does not endorse or approve programs, policies, or practices.
Your article "'What Works' Guide Gives RTI Thumbs Up on Reading" (March 4, 2009) erroneously reports that the What Works Clearinghouse of the Institute of Education Sciences has provided a "stamp of approval' for response-to-intervention, or RTI, programs. Recent legislative changes in the 2004 reauthorization of the federal Individuals with Disabilities Education Act have led to increased interest in the RTI framework, and the practice guide discussed in the article provides research-based recommendations on implementing the method. The What Works Clearinghouse, however, does not endorse or approve programs, policies, or practices.
School & District Management
News in Brief
L.A. District Issues Layoff Notices to More Than 8,800 Employees
More than 8,800 teachers and other employees of the Los Angeles Unified School District will receive notices of impending layoffs for the next school year, the school board decided last week.
School & District Management
News in Brief
Ga. Voucher Bill Dies
A bill that would have made Georgia the first state in the nation with a universal school voucher program has died after education lobbyists mounted a campaign against the measure.
Federal
Education Philanthropy Catching a Chill As Economy Cools Charitable Giving
Foundations and large private donors say cutbacks in their K-12 giving are likely, and some schools already feel the impact.
Special Education
News in Brief
Baltimore Spec. Ed. Judged Improving
The Baltimore school district has made steps toward improving special education services, according to a special master who has been overseeing a 25-year-old court case.
School & District Management
News in Brief
Arizona Court Backs Tax Break For Businesses on Tuition Grants
The Arizona Court of Appeals handed school choice supporters a victory last week, upholding the constitutionality of a state tax break for businesses that make donations to help pay for tuition grants for students attending private schools.
School & District Management
News in Brief
NAEP’s Board Mulls Five-State Report
Members of the independent board that sets policy for the National Assessment of Educational Progress are studying the feasibility of publishing a report on the five states with the largest student populations, separate from the reports on other NAEP scores.
Ed-Tech Policy
Report Roundup
Reading Research
A computer-based program intended to sharpen children's auditory skills in order to help them read better did not appear to help students in eight schools studied as part of a randomized field trial.
School & District Management
News in Brief
Gay-Straight Student Club Must Be Allowed, Fla. Judge Says
A federal judge in Jacksonville, Fla., has ruled that a student club promoting tolerance for gays must be allowed to meet at Yulee High School in north Florida.
Federal
Report Roundup
Homeless Children
One of every 50 American children experiences homelessness, according to a report that says most states have inadequate plans to address the worsening and often-overlooked problem.
School & District Management
Report Roundup
Dropout Recovery
Early findings from an ongoing evaluation of a residential, military-style program aimed at "reclaiming the lives" of teenage dropouts suggest that the program is having positive impacts.
Federal
Experts Debate Cost Savings Of Virtual Ed.
The discussion centers around whether e-learning is really more cost effective than traditional brick-and-mortar schooling.
Education
Correction
Corrections
A story in the March 11, 2009, issue of Education Week incorrectly identified the author of a report on out-of-school factors that are critical to students’ learning. The author is David C. Berliner.
School & District Management
NEA, More States Sign On to 'Tough Choices’ Changes
Leading businesses also lend support to report’s calls for change.
Special Education
Spec. Ed. Stimulus Money Raising Cautions
District administrators face restrictions, search for one-time expenses.
Federal
Rigor, Rewards, Quality: Obama's Education Aims
The president’s most recent speech echoed themes he sounded on the campaign trail and in recent budget and policy moves.
Equity & Diversity
Scholars Mull the ‘Paradox’ of Immigrants
The academic success of children of immigrants to the United States tends to decline from the first to the third generations.
Federal
Title I Turnaround Programs Due for Big Cash Boost
A massive infusion of money will go to help schools where students are struggling to meet NCLB’s proficiency goals.
School & District Management
Opinion
Does Money Matter Most?
W. Norton Grubb writes, "This period provides an opportunity to rethink the relationship of money to effective school resources, and to develop new approaches."
Reading & Literacy
Winners vs. Losers In 2009's Budget
In the end, Reading First went with barely a whimper, as the controversial reading program was zeroed out in the $410 billion fiscal 2009 federal spending measure signed by President Barack Obama last week.
Federal
Opinion
What Bernie Madoff Can Teach Us About Accountability in Education
“For reform-oriented accountability to work, test scores need to be highly sensitive to what educators do,” writes Walter M. Stroup.