April 28, 2010
Education Week, Vol. 29, Issue 30
Families & the Community
Kentucky Parents Win Records Access
Parents have an "absolute right" to inspect all educational records relating to their children, including e-mails exchanged between teachers and administrators.
Early Childhood
Needs of 'Whole Child' May Factor in ESEA Renewal
Lawmakers and the Obama administration weigh the need to include a range of important support services amid fiscal pressures.
Education Funding
States Expect Revenue Rise, Though Recovery Pace Slow
It could be years before most state budgets return to prerecession health, fiscal experts warn.
Federal
Opinion
It's Time to Reform Federal Education Policy
Al Ramirez, a former chief state school officer, argues that the scales have been tipped too much toward centralized decisionmaking, robbing American education of its historical strengths.
States
Virtual Ed. Enrollment Caps Face Greater Scrutiny
Wisconsin and Oregon, which imposed limitations, are now taking a closer look at the restrictions to see if changes are needed.
Federal
E-Learning Hits Barriers to Expansion
A national e-learning framework would require lifting of state policy restrictions now in place.
Ed-Tech Policy
E-Learning 2010: About This Report
Though progress has been made in the e-learning arena, some experts say administrative, funding, and policy barriers are slowing the growth of this form of education.
Classroom Technology
Schools Factor E-Courses Into the Daily Learning Mix
Educators say ‘hybrid’ approach is taking off because it offers academic classes not otherwise available to many students.
Teaching
E-Learning Delivery Debated
Experts weigh "anytime, anywhere" learning approach versus fixed time frames for classes.
Standards & Accountability
Accreditation Is Seen as High Priority
But experts say evaluating virtual programs requires an understanding of the unique characteristics of online schools.
College & Workforce Readiness
District Innovates to Address Dropout Problem
A cyber high school is having success re-engaging dropouts and at-risk students, earning the school system state funds tied to enrollment.
Classroom Technology
Sustaining Funding Seen as Challenge for Online Ed.
Experts in virtual education say new funding approaches should have the money follow the student.
Curriculum
E-Curriculum Builders Seek a Personalized Approach
Creating the flexibility to address students' varying academic abilities is seen as a key feature of high-quality online curricula.
States
E-Learning in All Shapes and Sizes
Distinguishing between the wide variety of virtual schools and online-learning programs available involves understanding the type of operational control.
States
Tensions Flare in Race to Top's Second Round
States and teachers' unions clash over policy changes aimed at securing some of the $3.4 billion in stimulus grants still left.
Federal
Pre-K Rules for ELLs Would Break Ground Nationally
Proposed regulations in Illinois would require that districts offer English-learners in preschool the same support as in K-12.
School & District Management
All-Boys Charter Sending Whole Class to College
Chicago's Urban Prep is piquing the interest of educators eager for ways to improve outcomes for black males from tough neighborhoods.
School & District Management
Twin Study Bolsters Arguments for Good Teachers
Florida researchers compared the reading achievement of identical and fraternal twins taught by different elementary teachers.
Curriculum
Texas' Clout Over Textbooks Could Shift With Market
Regardless of the degree of influence Texas wields on texts nationally, recent state laws on digital materials could force change.
Teaching Profession
Teachers' Union, Governor Square Off in N.J.
Hostility between Gov. Chris Christie and the union claims its first casualty with the defeat of hundreds of local school budgets.