July 18, 2018
Education Week, Vol. 37, Issue 37
Data
Classroom Digital Assistants: Teachers' Aides or Privacy Threats?
New smart speakers like Amazon's Alexa can help support classroom teachers, but they also spark "Big Brother"-style worries.
Reading & Literacy
Right-to-Read Advocates Undeterred by Court Setback
A push to get a federal court to recognize a constitutional right to education continues, despite last month's dismissal of a Detroit right-to-read case.
School & District Management
Volunteerism Declined Among Young People
High school and college students are less likely to volunteer or give to charity today than they were 15 years ago, an analysis of U.S. Census data finds.
Federal
Trump Rescinds Obama-Era Guidance on Diversity at Schools
The guidance emphasized permissible ways for schools and colleges to take race into account to promote student diversity, a subject the U.S. Supreme Court has had much to say about.
Federal
With Successful Strikes Behind Them, Teachers Are Now Running for Office
Education Week is tracking a new wave of activism in which teachers are filing to run for their state legislatures—and the numbers are impressive.
Law & Courts
Pick for U.S. Supreme Court Has Light Record of Education Rulings
A federal appeals court judge in Washington whose mother taught in the District of Columbia, Kavanaugh has a relatively light record of rulings on education. If confirmed, he would succeed Justice Anthony M. Kennedy.
Education Funding
Midsummer Momentum in Congress on K-12 Issues
Legislation advances on career and technical education and on spending for the U.S. Department of Education, along with confirmation of key personnel.
Reading & Literacy
Letter to the Editor
Literacy Is a Civil Right
To the Editor:
I read with interest the article in Education Week where the court ruled in Gary B. v. Snyder that the U.S. Constitution does not guarantee literacy (Curriculum Matters blog, edweek.org, July 2, 2018). I am the founder of Right to Read-Maryland, a coalition of educators and organizations who have the common goal of improving teacher preparation as it specifically relates to reading skills acquisition for all. We believe that literacy is a civil right.
I read with interest the article in Education Week where the court ruled in Gary B. v. Snyder that the U.S. Constitution does not guarantee literacy (Curriculum Matters blog, edweek.org, July 2, 2018). I am the founder of Right to Read-Maryland, a coalition of educators and organizations who have the common goal of improving teacher preparation as it specifically relates to reading skills acquisition for all. We believe that literacy is a civil right.
Assessment
Letter to the Editor
Don't Track Algebra
To the Editor:
As the president of the National Council of Teachers of Mathematics, I applaud the de-tracking efforts of San Francisco Unified School District in middle school math, which creates pathways for all students to have access to continued studies in the subject ("In San Francisco, A Bold Effort to De-Track Algebra," June 13, 2018). The article indicates that students who are traditionally underserved in math are showing improvement in achievement and increased enrollment in advanced studies in the subject without negative impacts on other students.
As the president of the National Council of Teachers of Mathematics, I applaud the de-tracking efforts of San Francisco Unified School District in middle school math, which creates pathways for all students to have access to continued studies in the subject ("In San Francisco, A Bold Effort to De-Track Algebra," June 13, 2018). The article indicates that students who are traditionally underserved in math are showing improvement in achievement and increased enrollment in advanced studies in the subject without negative impacts on other students.
Education
Letter to the Editor
Where Are the School Librarians?
To the Editor:
Although there may have seemed to be a drop in the number of library media specialists (sometimes also referred to as school librarians), they have not been merely fired ("Number of Librarians Plummets in Schools, Data Find," May 30, 2018). Some have had their duties changed unofficially.
Although there may have seemed to be a drop in the number of library media specialists (sometimes also referred to as school librarians), they have not been merely fired ("Number of Librarians Plummets in Schools, Data Find," May 30, 2018). Some have had their duties changed unofficially.
School & District Management
Letter to the Editor
John Hattie Is Still 'Wrong'
To the Editor:
Peter DeWitt recently responded to a blog post I wrote in which I criticized the work of John Hattie ("John Hattie Isn't Wrong. You Are Misusing His Research," Peter DeWitt's Finding Common Ground blog, edweek.org, June 26, 2018). DeWitt claimed that I am "misreading [Hattie's] research." DeWitt linked to my post, and readers can easily resolve this question for themselves.
Peter DeWitt recently responded to a blog post I wrote in which I criticized the work of John Hattie ("John Hattie Isn't Wrong. You Are Misusing His Research," Peter DeWitt's Finding Common Ground blog, edweek.org, June 26, 2018). DeWitt claimed that I am "misreading [Hattie's] research." DeWitt linked to my post, and readers can easily resolve this question for themselves.
School Climate & Safety
Letter to the Editor
Students Are Not 'Mini-Adults'
In a recent Commentary, the authors outlined how serious the plight of our young people is today, highlighted by the stunning increase in their suicide rates.
School & District Management
News in Brief
School Closures Drawing Nearer for Puerto Rico
Hurricane Maria severely disrupted Puerto Rico's public schools when it hit last September. Now, the island's education system is poised to undergo a controversial transition.
Teaching Profession
Report Roundup
Teacher Evaluation
Most educators report they have improved their teaching practice as a result of their evaluation system, according to a national survey by the RAND Corp., a research group.
Assessment
Report Roundup
Education Attainment
A massive new research analysis finds that formal education, in general, remains "the most consistent, robust, and durable method yet to be identified for raising intelligence."
Early Childhood
Report Roundup
Kindergarten
While more early-childhood education advocates call for universal pre-K, less than a third of all states even require full-day kindergarten, finds a study by the Education Commission of the States, a nonprofit and nonpartisan group of researchers who track policies related to education.
Assessment
Report Roundup
Private Schools
As the debate on school-choice continues, a study published by the American Educational Research Association finds that although children with a history of private school enrollment perform better overall, when sociodemographic characteristics are weighed, there are no advantages of a private school
Standards
Report Roundup
Civics Education
Most states with civics requirements focus on current events, but not real community engagement, says a report by the Brookings Institution, a Washington think tank. The report draws on prior analyses of state standards and frameworks.
Equity & Diversity
News in Brief
Federal Judge Orders Parties to Lawsuit to Read NFL Player's Book on Racial Bias
A federal judge in Alabama has taken the unusual step of ordering everyone in a school desegregation case to read a book written by an NFL tight end.
Teaching Profession
News in Brief
New York Court Voids Rules Allowing Charter Schools to Certify Teachers
A New York state court has thrown out rules that would have let some charter schools certify their own teachers. Only the state education commissioner and the board of regents can set teacher-qualification standards, the court said.
School Climate & Safety
News in Brief
Student-Diversion Program Not to Blame for Massacre in Florida, Commission Finds
A controversial school discipline program adopted by the Broward County, Fla., district to reduce student arrests cannot be blamed for the shooting by a former student there, a state commission said last week.
School Climate & Safety
News in Brief
State Education Chiefs Team Up to Curtail Violence in Schools
A group of 12 state education leaders will collaborate to identify "promising practices to stem the far too frequent incidences of school violence."
School Climate & Safety
News in Brief
World Health Organization Classifies 'Gaming Disorder' as an Addiction
For the first time, the World Health Organization has officially designated "gaming disorder" among its list of mental-health addictive behaviors.
Education Funding
News in Brief
Kansas High Court Again Finds State School Funding Inadequate
The Kansas Supreme Court has again ruled that the money the state legislature provides its schools is constitutionally inadequate.
Education
News in Brief
Transitions
Tommy Chang, the superintendent of the Boston school district, has resigned.
Education
Correction
Correction
A Commentary in the June 20, 2018, issue of Education Week, "Could Altruism Curb Teen Suicide?" misstated the location of Santa Fe High School. The school is located in Texas.
School Choice & Charters
Opinion
How School Choice Is About to Fundamentally Change
Where children live still largely determines their education options. But a dramatic shift is already under way, write Mark A. Elgart and Belle S. Wheelan.
College & Workforce Readiness
Trump Team May Change Rules on Jobs for Students With Disabilities
In its quest to cut red tape, the administration has its eyes set on regulations meant to steer youths and adults with disabilities to jobs where they work alongside those without disabilities.