April 5, 2006
Education Week, Vol. 25, Issue 30
Federal
Federal File
Starting Point
Although Channell B. Wilkins may be walking into the lion’s den as the new leader of the federal Head Start preschool program, he seems cool as a cucumber.
Education
State of the States
Gov. Blanco Seeks Teacher-Pay Hike
Gov. Kathleen Babineaux Blanco made teacher pay a top education priority in her State of the State Address last week, asking Louisiana lawmakers to hand teachers raises of about $1,500.
Education
A State Capitals Roundup
Rob Reiner Resigns From Children’s Panel
Hollywood actor and director Rob Reiner stepped down last week as the chairman of the California Children and Families Commission.
Federal
Labor Disputes Heating Up in Urban Districts, After Respite
After a lengthy period of relative harmony, teachers in several big-city districts are raising the stakes in collective bargaining battles.
School Climate & Safety
Reactions to School Climate Vary by Students’ Races
A survey designed to gauge school climate has found that older students and those from some minority groups are more likely than their younger, white counterparts to have negative experiences in school.
Education
A State Capitals Roundup
Georgia Lawmakers Pass Bible-Course Legislation
Georgia school districts could offer high school courses on the Bible, under a bill passed by both chambers of the legislature.
Education
A State Capitals Roundup
Groups Launch Venture to Study Calif. School Policy
Policymakers, researchers, and philanthropists in California last week announced plans for a $2.6 million research venture to examine the state’s school finance and governance systems and recommend ways leaders can leverage their resources to improve student achievement.
Curriculum
‘Sesame’ Videos Sparking Debate
America’s youngest children don’t need to count or know their ABCs to enjoy watching Elmo, Big Bird, or other residents of “Sesame Street.”
Education
A State Capitals Roundup
Ariz. Tax-Credit Bill to Become Law
Arizona Gov. Janet Napolitano will allow a tuition-tax-credit bill to become law without her signature, reversing course from earlier vetoes of similar measures.
Equity & Diversity
History Lessons
Mississippi students in kindergarten through 12th grade soon will have the opportunity to learn about the rocky and often violent struggles for civil rights in and beyond their state as part of their history lessons.
Education
People in the News
Elizabeth M. Meitner
Elizabeth M. Meitner has been appointed the vice president of governmental affairs and policy for Voices for America’s Children, a Washington-based organization that lobbies for children’s interests.
Education
People in the News
Ann Pennock Dixon
Ann Pennock Dixon has been named the interim superintendent of the 9,000-student Galveston, Texas, school district.
Education
People in the News
Jason S. Freeman
Jason S. Freeman has been appointed the director of the Coalition for Science After School, an initiative run by the After-School Corp., a New York-City based nonprofit organization that works to improve after-school programs.
Education
A National Roundup
Archdiocese of New York Seeks Closings of 14 Parish Schools
The Roman Catholic Archdiocese of New York has announced it is recommending that 14 of its parish schools close at the end of the school year.
Education
A National Roundup
Three Mass. Teachers Win Fight for Jobs After Failing Tests
Three teachers in Lowell, Mass., who were fired for failing a test of their English proficiency were reinstated to their jobs last week by an arbitrator.
Assessment
Cheating Charges Roil N.J. District
At least two investigations are under way in the Camden, N.J., school district, where questions about irregularities on state tests and allegations of a cheating scheme have sparked anger.
Federal
Study: NCLB Leads to Cuts for Some Subjects
The federal No Child Left Behind Act is prompting many schools to cut back on subjects such as social studies, music, and art to make more time for reading and mathematics, the main subjects tested by the federal law, a study released last week says.
States
Legislators Debate Bills on the Teaching of Evolution
Despite a recent string of legal and political setbacks, critics of the theory of evolution have taken up their fight once again in statehouses across the country.
Federal
State Steps in Under NCLB in Baltimore
Maryland became the first state to use its authority under the No Child Left Behind Act to seize control of failing schools when the state board of education voted this week to take over 11 middle and high schools in Baltimore.