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.
October 15, 2013
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1 min read
West Creek Elementary School is just a few miles from the California school converted to a charter at the insistence of parents. That school's former principal now runs West Creek.
West Creek Elementary School is just a few miles from the California school converted to a charter at the insistence of parents. That school's former principal now runs West Creek.
Eric Grigorian for Education Week
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.
Karla Scoon Reid, October 15, 2013
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4 min read
Parent Cynthia Ramirez, center, the lead organizer of the Desert Trails Parent Union, at a union meeting with other parents in Adelanto, Calif. Members of the group say they want to remain vigilant and involved after initiating the creation of Desert Trails Preparatory Academy, a charter school.
Parent Cynthia Ramirez, center, the lead organizer of the Desert Trails Parent Union, at a union meeting with other parents in Adelanto, Calif. Members of the group say they want to remain vigilant and involved after initiating the creation of Desert Trails Preparatory Academy, a charter school.
Eric Grigorian for Education Week
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.
Karla Scoon Reid, October 15, 2013
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10 min read
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.
Paul Minnis, The (Ind.) Republic, October 15, 2013
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3 min read
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.
Sean Cavanagh, October 15, 2013
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3 min read
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.
Christina A. Samuels, October 15, 2013
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5 min read
Edthena co-founders Adam Geller, left, and David Weldon, relaxing in the offices of their San Francisco startup. They are building a business based on the idea that video observations can improve teaching.
Edthena co-founders Adam Geller, left, and David Weldon, relaxing in the offices of their San Francisco startup. They are building a business based on the idea that video observations can improve teaching.
Ramin Rahimian for Education Week
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.
Michelle R. Davis, October 15, 2013
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11 min read
Abdallah Hawa, left, technology director for the Coatesville, Pa., district, greets parents and teachers during a school board meeting last month. The board allowed two top administrators to resign despite calls to terminate them following allegations that they exchanged racist text messages on district-owned cellphones.
Abdallah Hawa, left, technology director for the Coatesville, Pa., district, greets parents and teachers during a school board meeting last month. The board allowed two top administrators to resign despite calls to terminate them following allegations that they exchanged racist text messages on district-owned cellphones.
Steven M. Falk/The Philadelphia Inquirer
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.
Benjamin Herold, October 15, 2013
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6 min read
Texas state Sen. Wendy Davis, a Democrat, has vowed in her gubernatorial campaign to protect state funding for schools and to fight voucher proposals.
Texas state Sen. Wendy Davis, a Democrat, has vowed in her gubernatorial campaign to protect state funding for schools and to fight voucher proposals.
LM Otero/AP
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.
Andrew Ujifusa, October 15, 2013
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4 min read
First graders react to the question, “What face do you make when your mother compliments you?” during a class session called “Feeling Faces” at Public School 24 in New York City.
First graders react to the question, “What face do you make when your mother compliments you?” during a class session called “Feeling Faces” at Public School 24 in New York City.
Emile Wamsteker for Education Week
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.
Liana Loewus, October 15, 2013
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5 min read
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.
Alyson Klein, October 15, 2013
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6 min read
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.
Catherine Gewertz, October 15, 2013
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1 min read
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.
Jaclyn Zubrzycki, October 15, 2013
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1 min read
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.
Christina A. Samuels, October 15, 2013
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1 min read
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.
October 15, 2013
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1 min read
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.
Liana Loewus, October 15, 2013
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1 min read
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.
Jaclyn Zubrzycki, October 15, 2013
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1 min read
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.
Sarah D. Sparks, October 15, 2013
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1 min read
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.
October 15, 2013
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3 min read
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.
Catherine Gewertz, October 15, 2013
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1 min read
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.
Andre Benito Mountain, October 15, 2013
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4 min read
BRIC ARCHIVE
iStockphoto/kycstudio
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.
Kevin Meuwissen, October 15, 2013
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6 min read
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.
Judy Wallis, October 15, 2013
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4 min read
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.
October 15, 2013
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1 min read
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.
Anthony Rebora, October 15, 2013
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1 min read
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.
The Associated Press, October 15, 2013
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1 min read
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.
The Associated Press, October 15, 2013
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1 min read
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.
The Associated Press, October 15, 2013
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1 min read
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.
The Associated Press, October 15, 2013
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1 min read
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