April 22, 2015

Education Week, Vol. 34, Issue 28
Equity & Diversity Charter Operators Pull Back From Memphis Turnaround Effort
Three national charter networks have recently scaled back plans to take over failing schools in the district, underscoring the challenges for turnaround efforts.
Arianna Prothero, April 21, 2015
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6 min read
Principal Kathleen L. Decker talks with art teacher Michael Cababe at Walter Bracken STEAM Academy, an elementary school in Las VEgas. Under a pilot program for successful school leaders, Ms. Decker is also serving as principal at Walter V. Long Elementary School.
Principal Kathleen L. Decker talks with art teacher Michael Cababe at Walter Bracken STEAM Academy, an elementary school in Las VEgas. Under a pilot program for successful school leaders, Ms. Decker is also serving as principal at Walter V. Long Elementary School.
Josh Hawkins for Education Week
School & District Management Top Principals Expand Reach to Multiple Schools
The Clark County, Nev., and Denver districts are testing a new approach to school leadership, giving successful administrators more than one school to manage.
Denisa R. Superville, April 21, 2015
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7 min read
BRIC ARCHIVE
iStockphoto
Classroom Technology Opinion My Favorite Teachers Use Social Media: A Student Perspective
High school freshman Katie Benmar writes that teachers who enhance learning with technology hold students' attention.
Katie Benmar, April 21, 2015
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5 min read
Early Childhood Key to Vocabulary Gap Is Quality of Conversation, Not Dearth of Words
A seminal study on the early word gap between the children of high school dropouts and those of college graduates has led to more nuanced findings about language development.
Sarah D. Sparks, April 21, 2015
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7 min read
Two same-sex couples from Kentucky are among those challenging state marriage laws before the U.S. Supreme Court. Paul Campion, left rear, and Randy Johnson, with children, from left, Tevin Johnson-Campion, DeSean Johnson-Campion, Mackenzie Johnson-Campion, and Tyler Johnson-Campion.
Two same-sex couples from Kentucky are among those challenging state marriage laws before the U.S. Supreme Court. Paul Campion, left rear, and Randy Johnson, with children, from left, Tevin Johnson-Campion, DeSean Johnson-Campion, Mackenzie Johnson-Campion, and Tyler Johnson-Campion.
Law & Courts Parent, School Issues at Stake in Same-Sex Marriage Fight
Gay couples are making their case to the U.S. Supreme Court over states' refusal to license or recognize such unions, a conflict with an array of implications for schools.
Mark Walsh, April 21, 2015
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7 min read
Fourth graders take part in a lesson on figurative language in one of Rocketship Education’s “flexible classrooms.” In a new book, Greg Toppo profiles a Rocketship elementary student’s experience using a math software program.
Fourth graders take part in a lesson on figurative language in one of Rocketship Education’s “flexible classrooms.” In a new book, Greg Toppo profiles a Rocketship elementary student’s experience using a math software program.
Ramin Rahimian for Education Week-File
Classroom Technology Q&A Q&A: Reporter Delves Into World of 'Digital Play'
Veteran USA Today reporter Greg Toppo discusses his new book examining the hopes and reality of how schools and students are trying to use digital games for learning.
Benjamin Herold, April 21, 2015
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6 min read
Federal Opinion Why Are We Teaching Democracy Like a Game Show?
Memorizing the answers to a naturalization test will not help students learn about civics, writes Joseph Kahne.
Joseph Kahne, April 21, 2015
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3 min read
College & Workforce Readiness Opinion A High School Diploma Doesn't Guarantee College Success
Educators should dissuade students from entering colleges with low graduation rates, write Joseph Sanacore and Anthony T. Palumbo.
Joseph Sanacore & Anthony T. Palumbo, April 21, 2015
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5 min read
BRIC ARCHIVE
Nip Rogers for Education Week
School Choice & Charters Opinion School Choice Works, Privatization Won't
School vouchers divert millions from public education and do not produce results for students, writes Delaware Gov. Jack Markell.
Jack Markell, April 21, 2015
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3 min read
College & Workforce Readiness Letter to the Editor Career Preparation Is Not Career Awareness
To the Editor:
There is a distinct difference between career preparation and career awareness. The former prepares students for careers. The latter teaches about careers.
April 21, 2015
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1 min read
Tony Smith
Tony Smith
School & District Management News in Brief Transitions
Tony Smith, a former superintendent of the Oakland, Calif., district, has been selected as the next state schools chief in Illinois.
April 21, 2015
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1 min read
Education Best of the Blogs Blogs
| NEWS | Rules for Engagement
April 21, 2015
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5 min read
College & Workforce Readiness More Universities Take Up SBAC 'College-Ready' Cutoffs
Nearly 200 colleges and universities agreed to use Smarter Balanced assessment results in deciding which students take remedial courses.
Catherine Gewertz, April 21, 2015
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4 min read
States State of the States State of the States Coverage: Louisiana
Here is a summary of a recent annual address.
Denisa R. Superville, April 21, 2015
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1 min read
Mississippi state Sen. Chris McDaniel argues against supporting a bill that would establish a group to study whether the state should modify or walk away from the Common Core State Standards, saying the commission would have "no teeth."
Mississippi state Sen. Chris McDaniel argues against supporting a bill that would establish a group to study whether the state should modify or walk away from the Common Core State Standards, saying the commission would have "no teeth."
Rogelio V. Solis/AP
Standards Traction Limited in Rolling Back Common Core
Foes of the Common Core State Standards hoped this would be their year in state legislatures, but so far they have little to boast about.
Andrew Ujifusa, April 21, 2015
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8 min read
Education News in Brief Nebraska Bill Would Lower Minimum Wage for Students
Some Nebraska teenagers could receive a lower minimum wage next year under a proposed measure that would create a new class defined as "young student workers"—high schoolers younger than 18 who would continue to earn $8 an hour in 2016 when the standard minimum increases to $9.
The Associated Press, April 21, 2015
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1 min read
BRIC ARCHIVE
Education Funding Report Roundup GAO: More Help Needed for RTT Winners
A GAO study suggests the U.S. Department of Education should give states more support in implementing any future competitive-grant programs.
Alyson Klein, April 21, 2015
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1 min read
Equity & Diversity Report Roundup Research Report: English-Language Learners
A significant percentage of Mexican-American children who matched their white counterparts in cognitive growth at 9 months old had fallen behind by the time they reached age 2, according to a study.
Christina A. Samuels, April 21, 2015
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1 min read
College & Workforce Readiness Report Roundup College Completion
College-educated workers in America now make 80 percent more on average than workers without a college degree, a study shows.
April 21, 2015
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1 min read
Families & the Community Report Roundup Early-Childhood Education
While parent-child reading sessions are at the core of innumerable city and state literacy programs, a report finds common approaches show mixed results.
Sarah D. Sparks, April 21, 2015
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1 min read
Classroom Technology Report Roundup Blended Learning
Using online editing sessions does not affect student scores on standardized writing and reading exams, according to a forthcoming study.
Benjamin Herold, April 21, 2015
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1 min read
Reading & Literacy Report Roundup Reading Instruction
Contrary to popular belief, primary reading texts have not been "dumbed down" in recent years, a new analysis finds.
Sarah D. Sparks, April 21, 2015
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1 min read
School & District Management News in Brief High Testing Opt-Out Rates Could Cost N.Y. Federal Funds
Federal officials are hinting that public schools in New York state with high opt-out rates during last week's standardized tests could face financial penalties.
McClatchy-Tribune & Andrew Ujifusa, April 21, 2015
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1 min read
Law & Courts News in Brief Bennett Could Play Role in Ind. Charter Venture
Former Indiana schools chief Tony Bennett is contributing to a former top aide's efforts to start an Indianapolis charter school.
The Associated Press, April 21, 2015
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1 min read
School & District Management News in Brief Federal Authorities Probing Chicago Over Contract
The FBI is reportedly investigating a $20.5 million no-bid contract that the Chicago school district awarded to a company that trains principals and once employed the district's CEO, Barbara Byrd-Bennett, local news media say.
Denisa R. Superville, April 21, 2015
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1 min read
Equity & Diversity News in Brief All-Girls STEM School Approved by L.A. Board
The Los Angeles school board last week approved the creation of an all-girls school focused on science, technology, engineering, and math in an attempt to narrow the gap between boys and girls in those subjects.
The Associated Press, April 21, 2015
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1 min read
Assessment News in Brief PARCC Consortium Working to Shorten Test Time
Officials with PARCC say they are working on ways to shorten their exams.
Catherine Gewertz, April 21, 2015
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1 min read
Classroom Technology News in Brief L.A. Demands Refund for iPad-Based Curricula
The Los Angeles Unified School District announced last week that it will stop buying Apple iPads that come loaded with Pearson digital courses.
Michele Molnar, April 21, 2015
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1 min read
Education Funding News in Brief Ohio Scuttles Mandate on Art, Music, P.E. Teachers
Ohio's board of education last week approved a policy change that opponents say could gut elementary school music, art, nursing, and counseling offerings statewide.
The Associated Press, April 21, 2015
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1 min read
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