December 12, 2012

Education Week, Vol. 32, Issue 14
Denby High School Principal K.C. Wilbourn reacts to news of a student’s death last week. According to local press reports, the teenager was among four people—two men, a woman, and the teenage boy—who were found shot to death in a Detroit home earlier in the week. The home later burned in a suspicious fire. Turning around low-performing schools in such stressful environments is a challenge, and Ms. Wilbourn says she appreciates the support she’s gotten so far from the state’s Education Achievement Authority.
Denby High School Principal K.C. Wilbourn reacts to news of a student’s death last week. According to local press reports, the teenager was among four people—two men, a woman, and the teenage boy—who were found shot to death in a Detroit home earlier in the week. The home later burned in a suspicious fire. Turning around low-performing schools in such stressful environments is a challenge, and Ms. Wilbourn says she appreciates the support she’s gotten so far from the state’s Education Achievement Authority.
Brian Widdis for Education Week
States Disputes Dog Michigan Achievement Authority
The Education Achievement Authority is at the center of a raging battle—just months into its turnaround efforts in Detroit.
Jaclyn Zubrzycki, December 20, 2012
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5 min read
State Sen. Trip Pittman, left, and Rep. Jay Love address students, school officials, and the news media about Alabama's education budget. The state has a surplus in its Education Trust Fund for the first time in four years.
State Sen. Trip Pittman, left, and Rep. Jay Love address students, school officials, and the news media about Alabama's education budget. The state has a surplus in its Education Trust Fund for the first time in four years.
Dave Martin/AP
Education Funding K-12 May Not Benefit From Brighter Fiscal Outlook
States' willingness to spend on education is likely to be hampered by worries about the fragility of their financial situation.
Andrew Ujifusa, December 11, 2012
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6 min read
School Choice & Charters Pioneering Louisiana Voucher Model Faces Uncertain Future
The system for paying for Louisiana's far-reaching voucher program may have to be retooled, after a state judge ruled that its method of paying for private school scholarships violated the state's constitution.
Sean Cavanagh, December 11, 2012
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7 min read
Russlyn Ali
Russlyn Ali
School & District Management News in Brief Top Officials Depart U.S. Education Department
Russlynn Ali, the hard-charging head of the U.S. Department of Education's office for civil rights, is stepping down from the post. Her last day was Nov. 30.
Lesli A. Maxwell, December 11, 2012
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1 min read
Federal Ed. Department Focus on English-Learners Seen Waning
English-language-learner educators say the uncertain role of their clearinghouse is symptomatic of diminishing federal attention.
Lesli A. Maxwell, December 11, 2012
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10 min read
BRIC ARCHIVE
iStockphoto.com/Kutaytamir
Reading & Literacy Opinion Confusing Achievement With Aptitude
Year-end tests are not a predictor of future performance and shouldn't be perceived as such, writes Dave Powell.
Dave Powell, December 11, 2012
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5 min read
Reading & Literacy Opinion Sanitizing Children's Literature
A new version of a Christmas classic has Anita Voelker questioning the desire to make children's books perfectly safe.
Anita N. Voelker, December 11, 2012
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3 min read
School Climate & Safety Opinion Expanded Learning Time as an Avenue to Change
Lengthening the school day and year can inspire broad, new thinking about K-12 learning, Barnett Berry and Frederick Hess write.
Rick Hess, December 11, 2012
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6 min read
Michelle Grohe, the director of school and teacher programs at the Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum, leads students from the Edward M. Kennedy Academy in discussions about the works of art. In partnership with four Boston schools, the museum uses its extensive collection to help teach some of the common standards in English/language arts.
Michelle Grohe, the director of school and teacher programs at the Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum, leads students from the Edward M. Kennedy Academy in discussions about the works of art. In partnership with four Boston schools, the museum uses its extensive collection to help teach some of the common standards in English/language arts.
Dominick Reuter for Education Week
Curriculum Arts Education Seen as Common-Core Partner
Advocates are making the case that the arts can help students meet the demands of the common core in English/language arts and mathematics.
December 11, 2012
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10 min read
Teaching School Absences Translate to Lower Test Scores, Study Says
Teachers also report assigning more homework to students, according to a new NAEP time-use study.
Sarah D. Sparks, December 11, 2012
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4 min read
Special Education News in Brief U.N. Disability Pact Fails in U.S. Senate
The U.S. Senate failed to ratify the United Nations' Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities.
Nirvi Shah, December 11, 2012
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1 min read
School & District Management Report Roundup Study Pinpoints Educator-Employer Disconnects
Despite efforts to improve college and career readiness, a new study finds the skills students learn in class are never really aligned with the ones they need after graduation.
Sarah D. Sparks, December 11, 2012
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1 min read
Professional Development News in Brief Grants Aim to Foster District-Charter Links
Seven school districts will receive a total of $25 million in grant money from the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation.
Jaclyn Zubrzycki, December 11, 2012
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1 min read
School & District Management States Pledge to Expand Time in School
In an attempt to close the achievement gap, at least 300 hours a year will be added to school calendars in five states.
Nora Fleming, December 11, 2012
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5 min read
Equity & Diversity Report Roundup Achievement Gaps
The NAACP released a report, an education reform agenda, to be used by educators and activists in their local communities.
Lesli A. Maxwell, December 11, 2012
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1 min read
Education Funding News in Brief Google Gives Grant for AP STEM Access
More than 800 public high schools will be invited to start up Advanced Placement STEM courses with support from Google.
December 11, 2012
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1 min read
Equity & Diversity News in Brief Affirmative-Action Ban in Question in Mich.
The ruling that ended Michigan's ban on affirmative action in college admissions was put on hold until the U.S. Supreme Court decides to hear an appeal by the state's attorney general.
The Associated Press, December 11, 2012
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1 min read
Teacher Preparation Teachers' Union Pushes Higher Bar for Educators
The American Federation of Teachers wants stricter training-program entry criteria and a "universal assessment" for teacher-candidates.
Stephen Sawchuk, December 11, 2012
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4 min read
Early Childhood Head Start Grants Still Undecided
The fate of tens of millions of dollars in Head Start grants that are up for grabs won't be known until spring.
Lesli A. Maxwell, December 11, 2012
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1 min read
Standards News in Brief Common-Core Guide Updates Tech. Needs
An updated guide to technology requirements and recommendations for common-core implementation has been released by the Smarter Balanced Assessment Consortium.
Katie Ash, December 11, 2012
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1 min read
Brenda Casselius questioned the "craziness" of the unaligned education systems.
Brenda Casselius questioned the "craziness" of the unaligned education systems.
Jim Mone/AP-File
College & Workforce Readiness K-12, Higher Education Unite to Align Learning
Connecting with students early so they know what they need for college or careers is a key tenet of Minnesota's comprehensive proposal.
Caralee J. Adams, December 11, 2012
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9 min read
Ed-Tech Policy News in Brief Ed. Dept. to Evaluate Assistance Centers
The Institute of Education Sciences is putting out a call for researchers to evaluate the effectiveness of the comprehensive technical-assistance center.
Sarah D. Sparks, December 11, 2012
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1 min read
Education Best of the Blogs Blogs of the Week
| NEWS | College Bound
December 11, 2012
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3 min read
IT Infrastructure & Management N.C. Law Protects Educators From Online Harassment
The new measure makes it a misdemeanor for students who commit various online offenses against school employees.
Ann Doss Helms, The Charlotte Observer (MCT) , December 11, 2012
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6 min read
Assessment New Student-Poverty Measures Proposed for National Tests
The proposed new NAEP indicators go beyond income for a clearer picture of students' socioeconomic status.
Sarah D. Sparks, December 11, 2012
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5 min read
Education Funding News in Brief Five States Awarded Early-Learning Grants
Five states will split $133 million in early-childhood education grants in the second round of the Race to the Top Early Learning Challenge competition.
Lesli A. Maxwell, December 11, 2012
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1 min read
Denby High School Principal K.C. Wilbourn reacts to news of a student’s death last week. According to local press reports, the teenager was among four people—two men, a woman, and the teenage boy—who were found shot to death in a Detroit home earlier in the week. The home later burned in a suspicious fire. Turning around low-performing schools in such stressful environments is a challenge, and Ms. Wilbourn says she appreciates the support she’s gotten so far from the state’s Education Achievement Authority.
Denby High School Principal K.C. Wilbourn reacts to news of a student’s death last week. According to local press reports, the teenager was among four people—two men, a woman, and the teenage boy—who were found shot to death in a Detroit home earlier in the week. The home later burned in a suspicious fire. Turning around low-performing schools in such stressful environments is a challenge, and Ms. Wilbourn says she appreciates the support she’s gotten so far from the state’s Education Achievement Authority.
Brian Widdis for Education Week
States Mich. Achievement Authority a Lightning Rod for Controversy
The Education Achievement Authority is at the center of a raging battle—just months into its turnaround efforts in Detroit.
Jaclyn Zubrzycki, December 11, 2012
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5 min read
Equity & Diversity News in Brief Court Rules for Student in Harassment Case
A federal appeals court has upheld a $1 million jury award against a small New York state school district found to be deliberately indifferent to persistent racial harassment of a high school student by his peers.
Mark Walsh, December 11, 2012
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1 min read
Curriculum Sale of McGraw-Hill Education Highlights K-12 Publishing Trends
The transaction was the latest development in a period of significant change in the educational publishing world as companies move from print textbooks to digital products and services.
Jason Tomassini, December 11, 2012
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6 min read
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