October 16, 2013
Education Week, Vol. 33, Issue 08
Education
News in Brief
Transitions
Jim Rier, a 10-year veteran of the state education department in Maine, last week was appointed the agency's acting commissioner. He has been overseeing day-to-day operations at the department since the resignation last month of Commissioner Stephen Bowen, who took a job with the Council of Chief State School Officers. Mr. Rier started with the department as its director of finance and operations and was named deputy commissioner in 2011.
Families & the Community
Charter-Campaign Aftershocks Continue
Schools leaders in Adelanto, Calif., look for ways to revive low-performing schools after a bruising charter fight under the state's parent-trigger law.
Families & the Community
'Parent Trigger' School Faces Challenge to Deliver
A charter school created under California's law enabling parents to initiate an overhaul must show progress in a still-wary community.
Student Well-Being
Hospital Partnership Provides Trainers for School Sports
A three-year contract between Bartholomew Consolidated School Corp., and Columbus Regional Health will dispatch four athletic trainers to schools in the 11,300-student Columbus, Ind., district.
Student Well-Being
Ind. Districts, AG File Suit Over Federal Health-Care Law
Indiana's attorney general and 15 of its school districts are suing the federal government over the 2010 health-care law.
Early Childhood
Massachusetts Enterprise Targets Inadequate Preschool Facilities
The venture seeks to help centers serving low-income and rural communities that are often in makeshift spaces not built with the needs of young children in mind.
Classroom Technology
Tale of Two Startups in the K-12 Marketplace
Education Week is following two ed-tech companies this school year as part of a special series about the successes and failures of startups in the K-12 market.
IT Infrastructure & Management
Pa. Texting Scandal Highlights Complexities for IT Leaders
The discovery of racist text messages involving a Pennsylvania superintendent has cast new light on the complex challenges faced by school IT directors as digital devices proliferate.
States
Texas Governor's Race Flags Education on 2014 Horizon
Texas Democrat Wendy Davis highlighted education in announcing for governor. The issue could play big next year as dozens of states face gubernatorial elections.
Student Well-Being
Teachers Use Social-Emotional Programs to Manage Classes
Teachers using social-emotional learning to manage student behavior say they are encouraging more than just compliance—they're working to build more responsible and empathetic people.
Education Funding
Sequester May Linger, Some Fear
Across-the-board cuts to education and other federal programs may continue for unabated, advocates fear, a consequence of Washington's twin budget crises.
International
Report Roundup
Workplace Skills of U.S. Adults Found to Lag in Global Study
A new international study shows that in key work-related skills, U.S. adults don't stack up well against those in other countries.
Assessment
Report Roundup
Research Report: Charter Schools
A report on New York City schools draws a link between improvements in student achievement and the district's growing charter school sector.
Education Funding
Philanthropists Devote $10 Million to Keep Head Start Centers Open
Houston-based philanthropists John and Laura Arnold have extended $10 million in emergency funding support to the National Head Start Association.
College & Workforce Readiness
Report Roundup
College-Going
A college degree still provides a significant earnings bump to individuals, but the value has declined slightly in comparison to those who only have a high school diploma, a new study shows.
Teaching Profession
Report Roundup
Research Report: Teaching
The status of teachers varies widely across countries, according to a new survey, with educators in China having the highest social standing of the 21 countries measured.
School & District Management
Report Roundup
Urban Education
While high school graduation rates in the nation's largest school district have grown steadily, there are still barriers to success for many New York City students, according to a paper released last week.
Teaching Profession
Report Roundup
Writing Instruction
The Common Core State Standards, by themselves, won't be enough to guide teachers to best practices in writing instruction, according to a new analysis.
Education
With Workplace Skills Program Shut, Students With Disabilities Sidelined
A handful of public and private school students in the Washington area were hit by the federal government shutdown.
Standards
News in Brief
Business Group Calls for Panel to Vet Instructional Materials
An organization of top business leaders is calling for the establishment of a panel of judges that would decide which instructional materials are aligned to the Common Core State Standards.
Social Studies
Opinion
Helping Teachers Navigate the Path of Accountability
With social studies curriculum now in the bull's-eye of accountability, district leadership can provide critical guidance for boosting student achievement, writes Andre Benito Mountain.
School & District Management
Opinion
Teachers as Political Actors
Teacher-educators should help their students to productively navigate the political terrain that is part of education, Kevin Meuwissen says.
Teaching Profession
Opinion
Teachers, Don't Forget Joy
As another school year moves into high gear, Judy Wallis reminds teachers not to lose sight of the pleasure they derive from their profession.
Education
Correction
Correction
An article in the Oct. 9, 2013, issue of Education Week gave an incorrect affiliation for researchers testing a new method to teach reason and argumentation in school science laboratories in Florida. The work is being conducted by Florida State University.
Standards
News in Brief
Teachers Upbeat on Core
Nearly all teachers now know about the Common Core State Standards, and a majority of teachers in adoption states say they are enthusiastic about their implementation, finds a preview of a survey.
Education Funding
News in Brief
Alabama District Hires Crisis-Management Team
The Birmingham, Ala., school district is going to pay a crisis-management company $35,000 to help navigate the school accreditation process.
School & District Management
News in Brief
Power Struggle Continues Between Ind. Chief, Board
Indiana schools Superintendent Glenda Ritz, a Democrat, said last week she is wary of what she sees as a broad effort by Republicans to strip her power.
School Climate & Safety
News in Brief
School Reminds Parents of 'Tag' Prohibition
An elementary school in Nashua, N.H., has reminded parents and students that playing "tag" violates the school's longtime "no contact" rule for recess games.
School Climate & Safety
News in Brief
No-Handshake Directive Spurs Backlash in Ky.
The Kentucky High School Athletic Association's directive telling high schools not to conduct postgame handshakes in all sports has led to a backlash.