May 12, 2010
Education Week, Vol. 29, Issue 31
Curriculum
Report Roundup
High School Journalism
Only half of the public high schools in New York City have student newspapers or journalism programs, while three-quarters of the public high schools nationwide do, according to a new study.
School & District Management
Report Roundup
Too Many Forms?
A new study of Louisiana schools suggests that the paperwork load may be greater in low-performing schools.
Teaching Profession
News in Brief
Obama Lauds High School Educator Named 2010 National Teacher of the Year
A high school English teacher from Iowa who sees herself as the "lead learner" in her classroom has been named the 2010 National Teacher of the Year.
Law & Courts
News in Brief
Conn. ACLU Sues to Stop Graduations at Church
The American Civil Liberties Union has filed a federal lawsuit seeking to stop two Connecticut high schools from holding their graduation ceremonies at a megachurch.
Law & Courts
News in Brief
Iowa Teachers Regain Right to Early Look at Accusers
Iowa teachers will be able to find out the names of people who accuse them of wrongdoing before an investigation is complete under a new law that critics say will scare off whistle-blowers.
Education
News in Brief
Study: Oregon Posts Lowest Rate of Childhood Obesity
Oregon has the nation's lowest rate of obese children, according to a new government study, which found big gaps between regions and ballooning obesity rates in many states from 2003 to 2007.
School & District Management
News in Brief
Mich. School Wins Contest to Have Obama as Speaker
Kalamazoo Central High School in western Michigan has won a national contest to have President Barack Obama as its commencement speaker this spring, the White House announced last week.
School & District Management
News in Brief
Foundations Help Charter Network Secure Bonds
The Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation and the Charles and Helen Schwab Foundation are helping a California charter school network secure $93 million in tax-exempt bonds to aid in its expansion.
Ed-Tech Policy
News in Brief
District-Funded Report Finds no Evidence of Laptop Spying
There's no evidence a Pennsylvania school district used school-issued laptop computers to spy on students, despite its questionable policies and its lack of regard for students' privacy, a report issued last week by lawyers hired by the district says.
School & District Management
News in Brief
Indianapolis Schools Chief Suspends 40-Plus Students
Students at Arlington High School in Indianapolis might want to shape up the next time the superintendent pays a visit.
School & District Management
News in Brief
Eugenie Scott Awarded Medal
Eugenie C. Scott, the executive director of the National Center for Science Education, has been awarded the Public Welfare Medal from the National Academy of Sciences.
School & District Management
Phys. Ed. Legislation Generates Mixed Reactions
Critics argue the measure moving through Congress would burden schools with additional mandates.
School & District Management
Opinion
Making Teacher Quality Reform's Latest Red Herring
No one would fix the health-care system by replacing doctors and nurses with better ones, writes Peter Berger, so why should that work in education?
Law & Courts
High Court Pick Has Sparse K-12 Policy Record
U.S. Solicitor General Elena Kagan had education as part of her portfolio during a White House domestic-council stint under President Clinton.
School & District Management
Colo. District Boots Traditional Salary Schedule
Teachers in Harrison School District Two will be paid based on observations of classroom practice and student-achievement results.
School & District Management
Opinion
Is Summer School the Key to Reform?
By rethinking a maligned institution, educators could end "summer slide," enrich learning, and close achievement gaps, Ron Fairchild and Jeff Smink write.
School & District Management
Socioeconomics Replacing Race in School Assignments
Advocates hope to clear the path—blocked by the Supreme Court—to racial diversity in schools, through the use of poverty measures.
School & District Management
Closure of Stanford-Run Charter Sparks Debate
Views vary on a California district’s decision to shut one school run by Stanford University but grant a two-year reprieve to the other.
Teaching
Opinion
Embracing Wikipedia
Though the online encyclopedia has its shortcomings, writes Matthew Shapiro, it’s an excellent place for students to begin the research process and has real pedagogical value for teachers.
Federal
Push to Spur Innovation Raises Hopes—and Eyebrows
A new effort by 12 major education philanthropies aims to dovetail with the Education Department’s ‘i3’ agenda, raising complex issues.
Reading & Literacy
Reading Programs Yield Few Gains in Comprehension
A federal study of supplemental reading-comprehension programs has found positive effects for only one of the three programs examined.
IT Infrastructure & Management
Opinion
Data Rich But Information Poor
Leveraging schools' investment in data systems will require a parallel investment in strengthening the capacity to use data to improve teaching, William J. Slotnik and Martin Orland write.
School Climate & Safety
Anti-Bullying Efforts Gain Fresh Momentum
Recent high-profile incidents prompt school- and district-level leaders to focus anew on prevention, intervention, and response.
Equity & Diversity
Advice Given on Single-Sex Schools for Boys of Color
A qualitative study of single-sex schools for Latino and African-American males provides guidance on interventions for success.
Science
Opinion
Making Science Labs a Priority
Many students are choosing not to participate in science after high school because of subpar facilities and instruction, writes Francis Eberle, who outlines the goals of this month’s National Lab Day.
School & District Management
Race to Top Hopefuls Seek to Crack 'Buy-In' Puzzle
Applicants look for district and union support without diluting proposals and hurting their shot at the $3.4 billion still left.
Teaching Profession
Opinion
The End of Making Excuses
It's easier to demonize teachers than to understand what they contend with daily in the classroom—or to muster the political will to change it, writes D.C. Lambert.
School & District Management
Coaching of Teachers Found to Boost Student Reading
A study of the Literacy Collaborative approach to instruction finds that putting reading coaches in schools can yield strong gains.
Teaching Profession
275,000 School Jobs on Chopping Block, Survey Says
Local superintendents warn of deep personnel cuts in the 2010-2011 school year.