November 22, 2000
Education Week, Vol. 20, Issue 12
Equity & Diversity
Balancing Act
When the Georgetown County, S.C., school district was forced to close an all-black school, the community learned some valuable lessons. But true integration remains an elusive goal.
Education
Federal File
Worldwide Significance: While many Americans last week were focused on the great uncertainty surrounding the presidential election, Secretary of Education Richard W. Riley sought to highlight another reason the week was significant.
Education
News in Brief: A Washington Roundup
- Election Battle Delays Decision on Federal Education Spending
- Court Won't Hear Case on Property Taxes
Education
Ed. Dept. Warns States To Comply With Title I Rules
Many states need to revamp their policies for including limited-English-proficient students in state tests and accountability systems if they want to continue receiving all of their federal Title I aid, according to the Department of Education.
States
Nevada Suit Challenges Proposed Business Tax for Schools
A coalition of Nevada businesses is asking a state judge to block a proposed 4 percent tax on companies' profits that would raise an estimated $250 million a year to benefit public schools. The plan is an unconstitutional "back door" income tax, the group argues.
School & District Management
Troubled Pa. Districts Eye Dramatic Changes
Eleven low-performing school districts in Pennsylvania are poised to send their systems in 11 different, and potentially radical, new directions.
Federal
State Journal
No More Sweets
Some Ohio school districts could lose federal funding if they continue to disregard regulations that prohibit schools from selling sugary soft drinks and candy during breakfast and lunch times.
Teaching Profession
Pay-Scheme Tempest Blows Over Britain
Like many other educators in England, Rita Murphy has mixed feelings on the topic of teacher pay.
Professional Development
Principals Need Training in Guiding Learning, Report Says
Principals need training that focuses on instructional issues, rather than management, if they are to direct successful schools, a report to be released this week argues.
Families & the Community
Children & Families
School Choice: Parents who can choose where to send their children to school become more involved in their children's education, says a paper by the Cato Institute, a Washington-based libertarian think tank.
Early Childhood
Standards Ignore Youngest Pupils' Needs, Researchers Say
Some education researchers say state academic standards too often ignore the needs of preschool- and elementary-age children because the standards are crafted by middle and high school educators.
Special Education
Spec. Ed. Testing Waivers In Texas Questioned
Schools in Texas that moved up the most in their state accountability ratings last year also tended to excuse a higher percentage of special education students from taking the high-stakes state test than other schools, according to a study from the University of Texas at Austin.
IT Infrastructure & Management
Schools Must Reveal Internet Logs, Judge Says
In a novel legal case that has raised privacy concerns about online education, a New Hampshire judge has ruled that a parent may inspect logs of Internet sites visited by students and school employees.
School Climate & Safety
National Trust Urges Saving Historic Schools
Historic neighborhood schools should be renovated and savored, not closed or replaced by edge-of-town schools that have little character, members of the National Trust for Historic Preservation said last week.
States
Calif. Settles Battle Over LEP Testing
The San Francisco school district agreed last week to settle a lawsuit against the state of California by backing down from its refusal to give a state-mandated test in English to students who aren't proficient in the language.
Education
People in the News
Robert E. Slavin and Hugh B. Price have won distinguished-service awards from the Council of Chief State School Officers.
|
States
Mass. Teachers Blast State Tests in New TV Ads
Massachusetts' largest teachers' union, in a highly unusual move, has launched a biting, $600,000 advertising campaign that attacks the state's high-stakes accountability tests. Includes: "Assessing the Assessment."
Education
Philanthropy
Downsizing: The Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation has awarded nearly $37 million in grants in California that are aimed at creating smaller, more personal learning environments.
Education
Events
28-30--Technology: Annual Christa McAuliffe Technology Conference, sponsored by the New Hampshire School Administrator Association, for K-12 educators, administrative personnel, school board members, education lawyers, and interested citizens and parents, at the Sheraton Nashua in Nashua, N.H. Contact: NHSAA, 12 Cross St., Penacook, NH 03303; phone: (603) 753-4479 ; fax: (603)753-4611 ; e-mail: nhsaa@cnhec.concord.k12.nh.us ; Web site: www.nhsaa.org .
Federal
With Election in Doubt, Transition Must Wait
The presidency wasn't the only federal position still up in the air last week because of the ballot-counting dispute in Florida. About 150 appointments in the Department of Education were on hold as well. Includes the table, "Awaiting Confirmation."
The presidency wasn't the only federal position still up in the air last week because of the ballot-counting dispute in Florida. About 150 appointments in the Department of Education were on hold as well. Includes the table, "Awaiting Confirmation."
Education
News in Brief: A State Capitals Roundup
- Texas Board Warns Schools
Not To Push Drugs for ADHD - Wash. Rejecting Charter Measure
- California Postpones Test Dates
- Texas Teachers Want Health Plan
Education
Foreign Exchange
A recent vote by the French National Assembly has opened the door for school nurses in France to distribute a "morning after" pill to junior and high school girls.
Student Well-Being & Movement
Federal Breakfast Program Feeds Record Numbers
More schools than ever participated in the federal school breakfast program last year, but some 2 million children at risk for hunger are not being reached, a report says.
Education
News in Brief: A National Roundup
- Safety Panel Issues Warnings on Bus Doors
- Buffalo, N.Y., Teachers Fined
- Licensing Program Expands
- D.C. Mayor Picks Board Members
- N.C. Town Chips In for Schools
- Boston Pupils Await Books
- Schools Ban 'Energy' Drinks
- Teacher's Car Is Set Afire
Social Studies
Election Called 'A Great Civics Lesson'
While the election dispute has stirred tempers and evoked concern in some quarters, civics and social studies teachers say it has been the instructional equivalent of Regis Philbin handing them $1 million. Includes: "Wis. District Learning Its Own Lesson About Recounts."
While the election dispute has stirred tempers and evoked concern in some quarters, civics and social studies teachers say it has been the instructional equivalent of Regis Philbin handing them $1 million. Includes: "Wis. District Learning Its Own Lesson About Recounts."
Federal
Wis. District Learning Its Own Lesson About Recounts
While the Democratic and Republican candidates for president wrangled over vote- counting procedures in Florida last week, public school leaders in faraway La Farge, Wis., were experiencing firsthand the havoc wreaked by premature calls, missing ballots, and hand recounts.