May 15, 2013
Education Week, Vol. 32, Issue 31
Education
Correction
Correction
A story in the May 8, 2013, issue of Education Week about the nation's education policy debates misstated the timing of U.S. Secretary of Education Arne Duncan's appearance at the NewSchools Venture Fund summit. It occurred May 1, a day after his speech to the American Educational Research Association.
Education Funding
News in Brief
School Finance Bill Passes in Colorado
Colorado lawmakers have passed a major education measure this month.
School Choice & Charters
News in Brief
Texas and Mass. Mull Lifting Charter Caps
Efforts are afoot in Massachusetts and Texas to raise caps on the number of charter schools.
Early Childhood
Head Start Centers Feeling 'Sequester' Pain
Federal aid cuts are forcing some of the publicly funded preschool centers to scale back on student slots and reduce staffing.
Assessment
Letter to the Editor
It's Not a Failure When Students Learn Differently
To the Editor:
The Commentary feature "Where Are We Now?" (April 24, 2013), with its compilation of data marking the 30th anniversary of A Nation at Risk, illustrates that the state of educational assessment is pretty much irrelevant drivel, as there seems to be no information indicating how many individual students made significant gains. Averages don't tell us much because not everyone is included—for example, the large number of urban dropouts and those manipulated into not taking the test if they are low scorers.
The Commentary feature "Where Are We Now?" (April 24, 2013), with its compilation of data marking the 30th anniversary of A Nation at Risk, illustrates that the state of educational assessment is pretty much irrelevant drivel, as there seems to be no information indicating how many individual students made significant gains. Averages don't tell us much because not everyone is included—for example, the large number of urban dropouts and those manipulated into not taking the test if they are low scorers.
School & District Management
Letter to the Editor
Article Overstated Efficacy-Study Costs
To the Editor:
I read with great interest your coverage of product-effectiveness research, in "Big-Name Companies Feature Larger-Impact Research Efforts" (April 24, 2013). It is clear that school buyers of educational innovations and funders of those efforts will increasingly demand evidence of efficacy. As with any other product or service, buyers want "proof" before buying.
I read with great interest your coverage of product-effectiveness research, in "Big-Name Companies Feature Larger-Impact Research Efforts" (April 24, 2013). It is clear that school buyers of educational innovations and funders of those efforts will increasingly demand evidence of efficacy. As with any other product or service, buyers want "proof" before buying.
Law & Courts
Letter to the Editor
Indiana High Court Missteps on Vouchers
To the Editor:
Regarding "Indiana Supreme Court Upholds Voucher Law" (News in Brief, April 3, 2013): In upholding the Republican-sponsored school voucher plan, the Indiana Supreme Court sanctioned the state's doing indirectly what Article I, Section 6 of the state constitution says may not be done directly—divert funds from the treasury to benefit "any religious or theological institution."
Regarding "Indiana Supreme Court Upholds Voucher Law" (News in Brief, April 3, 2013): In upholding the Republican-sponsored school voucher plan, the Indiana Supreme Court sanctioned the state's doing indirectly what Article I, Section 6 of the state constitution says may not be done directly—divert funds from the treasury to benefit "any religious or theological institution."
Families & the Community
Letter to the Editor
Parents Should Trade Gaming for Reading Time
To the Editor:
Almost every household in America has a video-game system. Middle school children who can't read are allowed to play unlimited sessions on their game systems. Even our high achievers are losing ground.
Almost every household in America has a video-game system. Middle school children who can't read are allowed to play unlimited sessions on their game systems. Even our high achievers are losing ground.
Federal
Letter to the Editor
Reader Questions 'Progressive' Commentary
To the Editor:
David Bernstein is correct that progressives need to offer a positive school improvement agenda ("It's Time to Mainstream Progressive Education", April 3, 2013). Unfortunately, he fails to recognize that many sound initiatives already exist. At the same time, his Commentary offers some questionable ideas.
David Bernstein is correct that progressives need to offer a positive school improvement agenda ("It's Time to Mainstream Progressive Education", April 3, 2013). Unfortunately, he fails to recognize that many sound initiatives already exist. At the same time, his Commentary offers some questionable ideas.
School & District Management
Top Jobs Opening Up in Nation's School Districts
At least 17 well-known districts are facing superintendent vacancies, and the turnover may bring big changes in some school systems.
School & District Management
Opinion
We Need a New Approach to Principal Selection
Meaningful educational change can only happen through effective and visionary leadership, write Ronald J. Bonnstetter and Bill J. Bonnstetter.
School & District Management
Opinion
An Apology to Secretary Duncan
The booing of Secretary of Education Arne Duncan at a recent education research meeting revealed the increasingly toxic nature of education debates, Jennifer Jennings writes.