August 13, 2008
Education Week, Vol. 27, Issue 45
Education
Correction
Corrections
Because of a production error, the last line of the July 30, 2008, Commentary “Raising Graduation Rates in an Era of High Standards,” by Cheryl Almeida and Adria Steinberg, was cut.
Federal
Federal File
McCain Supports ‘Equality Project’
Sen. John McCain has come a long way on education since just a few months ago, when the topic didn’t even appear on his campaign Web site.
Federal
Migrant Ed. Rules Require Tighter Verification
Some advocates for migrants say the rules, which for the first time require states to reinterview a sample of migrant families each year, may discourage participation.
Federal
Texas Likely to Appeal Court Ruling on English-Language-Learner Programs
Texas officials say that they are likely to appeal a federal court order telling the state it must, by the 2009-10 school year, revamp programs for English-language learners.
Education Funding
N.C. Budgets Slight Increase in Spending for K-12 Schools
The following offers highlights of the recent legislative sessions. Precollegiate enrollment figures are based on fall 2007 data reported by state officials for public elementary and secondary schools. The figures for precollegiate education spending do not include federal flow-through funds, unless noted.
Law & Courts
Congress Approves New HEA
A higher education bill awaiting President Bush’s signature moves to increase accountability for programs that prepare teachers.
Special Education
Teacher Training Focus of Grants
The U.S. Department of Education has given grants to 20 universities to revamp their special education teacher-preparation programs, a step the department says is key to increasing the numbers of highly qualified teachers.
Teaching
Poll of U.S. Teens Finds Heavier Homework Load, More Stress Over Grades
High school students report spending more time on homework and feeling greater stress about grades, according to a new national survey.
Teacher Preparation
From Teach For America to Obama’s Camp
Two TFA alums are taking the teacher corps' message to another realm as volunteer advisers to Sen. Barack Obama’s presidential campaign.
Federal
Advisers Take Public Roles in Campaigns
Advisers, who may be paid or volunteers, help send signals on the policy directions their candidates would pursue if elected to the White House.
Education
Report Roundup
District Operations
The Council of the Great City Schools has released detailed data on the business performance of the nation’s largest school districts.
Education
Report Roundup
Assessing Preschoolers
Government agencies, school systems, and other organizations operating preschool programs should be clear about why they assess preschool students and how the results are used, study says.
School Climate & Safety
Report Roundup
Violence at Home
Children from families affected by domestic violence decrease the academic achievement and increase the misbehavior of the other kids in their classes, report finds.
Education
Report Roundup
Career and Technical Education
New York City should strengthen and better align its K-12 career and technical education to the needs of employers, report says.
English-Language Learners
Report Roundup
Testing Accommodations for English-Learners
States aren’t providing clear guidance to educators on when, what, and for whom to use test accommodations, study says.
Education
News in Brief
NCTM Executive Director to Resign
Jim Rubillo has announced he will resign as executive director of the 100,000-member National Council of Teachers of Mathematics.
Education
News in Brief
Va. Governor to Chair SREB
Tim Kaine, a Democrat, has been elected chairman of the Southern Regional Education Board.
Education
News in Brief
California Schools Superintendent Says He Won’t Cut Workers’ Pay
California schools superintendent says he has no plans to cut the pay of education department staff members despite governor's executive order.
Education
News in Brief
Ed. Dept. to Allow Earlier Tutoring
Four more states have won permission to let school districts offer free tutoring to students a year earlier than the federal No Child Left Behind law requires.
Education
Book Review
New in Print
Writing in the spirit that “it takes a village to educate a child,” Price, a former president and chief executive officer of the National Urban League who is now a senior fellow at the Brookings Institution, urges educators to look beyond schoolhouse walls for solutions to achievement gaps and high dropout rates. Parent involvement is key, he says, but schools should also ally themselves with community organizations to promote a broader culture focused on academic success. Through examples of such partnerships, he illustrates ways that co-sponsored celebrations and incentives have been used to motivate students, particularly those from disadvantaged groups. He also addresses their practicalities, such as planning, funding, and manpower, and offers guidance on getting the media to cover these events. Though the models he cites are largely from cities, Price believes they can be replicated elsewhere. Educators seeking a blueprint may find the book a valuable resource.
Urban Education
Writing in the spirit that “it takes a village to educate a child,” Price, a former president and chief executive officer of the National Urban League who is now a senior fellow at the Brookings Institution, urges educators to look beyond schoolhouse walls for solutions to achievement gaps and high dropout rates. Parent involvement is key, he says, but schools should also ally themselves with community organizations to promote a broader culture focused on academic success. Through examples of such partnerships, he illustrates ways that co-sponsored celebrations and incentives have been used to motivate students, particularly those from disadvantaged groups. He also addresses their practicalities, such as planning, funding, and manpower, and offers guidance on getting the media to cover these events. Though the models he cites are largely from cities, Price believes they can be replicated elsewhere. Educators seeking a blueprint may find the book a valuable resource.
College & Workforce Readiness
Exit Scramble
A decade-long push by states to make high school students pass an exit exam before getting their diplomas has stalled as politically sensitive student-failure rates contribute to a growing public backlash against high-stakes testing.
School & District Management
Opinion
‘Copers’ and ‘Transformers’
All principals are motivated and they care deeply about the schools and students in their charge. But different attitudes and goals separate those who are trying to transform a school and those who are trying to cope with daily struggles, says Jean Johnson.
Education
Letter to the Editor
Other Professionals’ Incentives May Not Work for Teachers
To the Editor:
Whatever happens in Denver will not stay in Denver (“Model Plan of Merit Pay in Ferment,” July 30, 2008). That’s because ProComp to date stands as the only comprehensive reform in the country of the way teachers are compensated. As a result, all eyes are focused on the Mile-High City.
Whatever happens in Denver will not stay in Denver (“Model Plan of Merit Pay in Ferment,” July 30, 2008). That’s because ProComp to date stands as the only comprehensive reform in the country of the way teachers are compensated. As a result, all eyes are focused on the Mile-High City.
Education
Letter to the Editor
Global Education Myths
To the Editor:
My recent Commentary “Quick Fixes, Test Scores, and the Global Economy” (June 11, 2008) elicited two letters to the editor, both in the July 16, 2008, issue, to which I would like to respond.
My recent Commentary “Quick Fixes, Test Scores, and the Global Economy” (June 11, 2008) elicited two letters to the editor, both in the July 16, 2008, issue, to which I would like to respond.
Education
Letter to the Editor
‘Era of High Standards’ Is Not Incidental to Graduation Rates
To the Editor:
There’s something askew about the headline on a recent Commentary you published: “Raising Graduation Rates in an Era of High Standards” (July 30, 2008). “High standards,” of course, has mostly come to signify (1) high scores on standardized tests that (2) all students will never be able to attain (because if all students managed to do so, the politicians and corporate groups driving this movement would regard this as evidence that the standards were too low and had to be ratcheted up even further).
There’s something askew about the headline on a recent Commentary you published: “Raising Graduation Rates in an Era of High Standards” (July 30, 2008). “High standards,” of course, has mostly come to signify (1) high scores on standardized tests that (2) all students will never be able to attain (because if all students managed to do so, the politicians and corporate groups driving this movement would regard this as evidence that the standards were too low and had to be ratcheted up even further).
Student Well-Being
Opinion
The Case for Entrepreneurship Education
Entrepreneurship education should be universally available, to provide all students with opportunities to explore and fulfill their potential, write Stephanie Bell-Rose and Thomas W. Payzant.
School Climate & Safety
Opinion
The ‘Stained-Glass Window’ Theory
Former principal David Hill explains how he thinks a school can move from repairing the symbols of ‘brokenness’ to building an expectation of excellence.
Federal
Teamwork Key for Pilot Plans on Teacher Pay
A variety of federally financed grants based on performance pay are providing insights into how districts and teachers can improve teaching and learning, but officials and researchers say their effectiveness is uncertain.
Mathematics
Educators Peer Over Students’ Shoulders at Mich. Math Lab
An unconventional lab brings together teachers, aspiring ones, and researchers to observe and discuss the challenges elementary educators face in trying to help students struggling in math.