January 19, 2005
Education Week, Vol. 24, Issue 19
Curriculum
Judge Orders Removal of Evolution Disclaimers
A federal judge in Georgia has declared that a district’s practice of labeling evolution “a theory, not a fact” on stickers placed on science textbooks amounts to an unconstitutional endorsement of religion.
Assessment
Colo. District Opts Out of NAEP, Despite Aid Forfeiture
A Colorado school district will forfeit more than $500,000 in federal aid rather than let its students take part in a national test.
Education
People in the News
Steve R. Parsons
Steve R. Parsons is the new executive director of the Fairfax, Va.-based National Community Education Association.
Education
Ariz. Senator Targets Graduation Test
A battle is brewing in Arizona over the fate of the state’s high school graduation tests, which next year’s seniors must have passed to earn a diploma.
Education
State of the States
South Dakota
State of the States: Education highlights from latest governor's address before the legislature.
Education
State of the States
New Hampshire
State of the States: Education highlights from latest governor's address before the legislature.
Federal
Spellings' Resume Brings New Twist to Secretary Post
Margaret Spellings appears headed for easy confirmation in the Senate when President Bush begins his second term.
Federal
Federal Dietary Guidelines Encourage Physical Activity
The U.S. departments of Agriculture and Health and Human Services released their joint 2005 dietary guidelines last week, urging Americans to better monitor their food consumption and raise their levels of physical activity to maintain healthier lifestyles and prevent chronic diseases.
Education
Letter to the Editor
‘Supplemental Services’: A Provider Responds
In her Commentary ("Outsourcing the Tutor’s Job," Dec. 8, 2004), Susan Eaton not only misses the point about the federal No Child Left Behind Act’ssupplemental educational services program, she provides an unbalanced perspective regarding the implementation and results of these programs.
Education
Letter to the Editor
Established Science vs. Philosophical Speculation
Christopher Gieschen’s rather confused letter (“Approach to Evolution Depends on ‘Worldview,’ ” Letters, Jan. 5, 2005) suggests something like parity between evolution, which is well-established science, and “intelligent design” creationism, which is almost entirely religious or philosophical speculation/opinion, lacking any scientific support.
Curriculum
Opinion
Preschool’s Effects at 40
The recently released summary of the report “Lifetime Effects: The High/Scope Perry Preschool Study Through Age 40” shows the value of high-quality preschool programs, but includes some troubling points as well, writes Michael Holzman.
College & Workforce Readiness
Opinion
On Dropping AP Courses
The case against Advanced Placement lies in what we know about the learning process, writes Bruce G. Hammond.
Student Well-Being & Movement
Opinion
Winning Hearts and Minds
We need new ways to spread the ‘gospel of achievement’ where it is needed most, says Hugh B. Price.
States
Opinion
A Dialogue With the Governor and the Professor
Politicians need to pay more attention to the academic and management-expert communities if they want to be successful in reforming public education, argues David S. Seeley.
Education
Report Roundup
Parents’ Aid at Home Benefits Preschoolers
Not all types of parent involvement are equal when it comes to helping preschool children learn, a recent study concludes.
Education
A State Capitals Roundup
Calif. College Official Named to Lead SREB
The Southern Regional Education Board has chosen David S. Spence as its next president.
Education
A State Capitals Roundup
N.Y. State Regents Approve New Pre-K-8 Math Standards
The New York board of regents has adopted new mathematics standards for pre-K-8 students, and granted the committee that is working on the standards an extension to continue work on revising the state’s high school math standards.
Education
A State Capitals Roundup
Ohio Teachers Board-Certified
Last year, 211 Ohio teachers joined the ranks of colleagues certified by the National Board for Professional Teaching Standards, placing Ohio fifth among the 50 states in the number of such teachers, the state education department says.
Federal
A Washington Roundup
Kennedy Urges Opposition to GOP
The Bush administration’s failure to fully fund reforms for early grades and to focus on higher education could leave the United States behind in the global economy, Sen. Edward M. Kennedy, D-Mass., said last week.
School & District Management
No-Shows Vex Camden Board
The Camden, N.J., school board has been having a bit of difficulty lately. And it’s not the usual newsmaking sort involving bickering members.