November 4, 2009
Education Week, Vol. 29, Issue 10
International
Data on U.S. College Degrees Called Misleading
Statistics used to make the case that the United States no longer leads the world in higher education are “a mess,” a scholar argues.
Curriculum
Report Roundup
Student Debates
African-American students who took part in debate leagues had higher grade point averages, were more likely to graduate from high school, and were more college-ready in English and reading, a study as found.
Curriculum
Report Roundup
Indian Education
At least five Northwest states have academic curricula and standards that address Native American culture and history, according to a study.
English-Language Learners
Report Roundup
Long-Term ELLS
Among students in Los Angeles classified as English-language learners, 29 percent are not reclassified as fluent in English by the 8th grade, according to a study.
School & District Management
Report Roundup
The 'STEM' Pipeline
The flow of qualified mathematics and science students through the American education pipeline is strong—except among high-achievers, a report finds.
Federal
News in Brief
Record College-Going Rate
More young Americans than ever are in college, especially two-year institutions, according to a report.
School & District Management
News in Brief
Report Finds No Lasting Effect for Tennessee Pre-K Program
A report shows the effectiveness of Tennessee's prekindergarten program diminishes after the 2nd grade, but supporters say it still provides a valuable foundation.
Law & Courts
Report Roundup
Data Systems Lack Privacy Safeguards
As states go about building longitudinal-data systems, some have not taken adequate actions to safeguard sensitive information in student records, a new study concludes.
Education
News in Brief
Md. District Backs Increase in Age for Mandatory School Attendance
The Montgomery County, Md., school board is pressing to increase Maryland's age for mandatory school attendance from 16 to 18 to improve graduation rates.
Special Education
Report Roundup
Prekindergarten Gains
Enrolling in prekindergarten programs can sharply reduce the special education enrollment rate among at-risk students, a new report finds.
Special Education
News in Brief
Parents of Pupils With Disabilities Sue Tenn. District Over Restraints
The parents of five students with disabilities have filed lawsuits against the Sumner County, Tenn., board of education and a special education teacher charged with child abuse.
School & District Management
News in Brief
Kentucky Education Secretary Announces Her Resignation
Kentucky Secretary of Education Helen Mountjoy has announced her resignation, citing a long commute and a desire to spend more time with her family.
School & District Management
News in Brief
Scholar Susan Fuhrman to Lead National Academy of Education
Susan Fuhrman, an expert on education policy research and international studies, took over as president of the National Academy of Education.
Families & the Community
Obituary
Educator, Author Dorothy Rich Dies
Dorothy Rich, who helped champion the idea that parental involvement can make a significant difference in a child's education, died of cancer. She was 77.
Law & Courts
News in Brief
Chicago Schools, Police Department Pledge to Work Against Violence
Officials from the Chicago public schools and the city's police department plan to work closely with the juvenile-justice system to prevent youth violence.
School & District Management
News in Brief
Remote Arizona District Emerges From Four Years of State Control
For the first time in nearly four years, an Arizona school district dominated by a polygamist sect is no longer under state control.
School & District Management
News in Brief
Delaware Lawmaker Advocating Change to Zero-Tolerance Rules
The head of a Delaware state task force on school discipline says zero-tolerance policies leave no room for rational thinking.
School & District Management
News in Brief
Emergency Manager to Stay On in Detroit
The emergency financial manager for the Detroit public schools announced last week he plans to stay on for a second year to continue work on a "complete makeover" of the troubled district.
School Climate & Safety
News in Brief
Attack Following Homecoming Shakes California High School
A total of six people, including three teenagers, have been taken into custody in connection with the gang rape and beating of a 15-year-old girl.
Equity & Diversity
Study Urges Regional Focus on Rural Schools
Rural schools are more diverse and need more help from programs for disadvantaged students than they typically receive, a new report says.
School & District Management
Letter to the Editor
Report on School Boards Elicits Opposing Views
To the Editor:
Re: the 2009 edition of your annual “Leading for Learning” special report, and the article “An Overlooked Institution Struggles to Remain Relevant,” in particular (Oct. 14, 2009):
Re: the 2009 edition of your annual “Leading for Learning” special report, and the article “An Overlooked Institution Struggles to Remain Relevant,” in particular (Oct. 14, 2009):
School Climate & Safety
Letter to the Editor
To Make Schools Safer, Action, Not Talk, Needed
To the Editor:
U.S. Secretary of Education Arne Duncan and Attorney General Eric H. Holder recently called for a “national conversation” on school and youth violence in response to the high-profile beating death of a Chicago high school student (“Outcry Against Violence,” Oct. 14, 2009).
U.S. Secretary of Education Arne Duncan and Attorney General Eric H. Holder recently called for a “national conversation” on school and youth violence in response to the high-profile beating death of a Chicago high school student (“Outcry Against Violence,” Oct. 14, 2009).
Teaching Profession
Letter to the Editor
'Model' Teacher Contract: Is Praise Overblown?
To the Editor:
I was delighted to read in “Teacher Contract Called Potential Model for Nation” (Oct. 28, 2009) that New Haven, Conn., has developed a teacher contract that addresses key issues going well beyond the usual negotiations on salary, benefits, and work rules. Yet, I was disappointed that the emphasis seems to be on evaluation and linking pay to performance, rather than on taking proactive steps to improve teaching and learning.
I was delighted to read in “Teacher Contract Called Potential Model for Nation” (Oct. 28, 2009) that New Haven, Conn., has developed a teacher contract that addresses key issues going well beyond the usual negotiations on salary, benefits, and work rules. Yet, I was disappointed that the emphasis seems to be on evaluation and linking pay to performance, rather than on taking proactive steps to improve teaching and learning.
School & District Management
Letter to the Editor
Mayors and Test Scores
To the Editor:
It goes without saying: The long-term goal of school reform is the improvement of student performance. The best, if imperfect, way to measure academic performance is through standardized tests. Drawing a direct connection between particular interventions and educational outcomes, however, is a hazardous endeavor. That is especially true with governance arrangements.
It goes without saying: The long-term goal of school reform is the improvement of student performance. The best, if imperfect, way to measure academic performance is through standardized tests. Drawing a direct connection between particular interventions and educational outcomes, however, is a hazardous endeavor. That is especially true with governance arrangements.
Federal
Letter to the Editor
Questioning the Wisdom of New, Common Tests
To the Editor:
I have been in education for over 40 years, serving as a teacher, principal, and assistant superintendent, and I make it a practice to stay current on the research both here in the United States and internationally. I am thus frustrated and saddened to see the U.S. Department of Education planning to spend $350 million on yet another set of tests, this time to be used with national academic standards (“Common Test Push Gears Up,” Oct. 28, 2009).
I have been in education for over 40 years, serving as a teacher, principal, and assistant superintendent, and I make it a practice to stay current on the research both here in the United States and internationally. I am thus frustrated and saddened to see the U.S. Department of Education planning to spend $350 million on yet another set of tests, this time to be used with national academic standards (“Common Test Push Gears Up,” Oct. 28, 2009).
Federal
Opinion
Marking School Time
We shouldn't compel every child to stay in school for longer days or longer years just because some may need to, writes Peter Berger.
Professional Development
Opinion
When Teachers Are the Experts
Professional development by lecture is doomed, writes Ross Hunefeld, and should be replaced by teacher-led learning communities.
IT Infrastructure & Management
Policies Target Teacher-Student Cyber Talk
Addressing an issue facing schools nationwide, Louisiana is requiring educators to document certain types of electronic contact with students.