June 8, 2011
Education Week, Vol. 30, Issue 33
Education
Letter to the Editor
Poor Children Deserve Better Civics Education
To the Editor:
Alfie Kohn eloquently states how schools are miserably failing children in “Poor Teaching for Poor Children ... In the Name of School Reform” (April 27, 2011). The “pedagogy of poverty” to which Mr. Kohn refers leads not only to an achievement gap between wealthy and low-income students, but also to a civic achievement gap. Improving the educational system for the powerless requires teachers and schools to invite young people to take action in their communities and political systems. This active civics process is, however, distinctly absent in urban schools. The drill-and-kill approach to teaching low-income children and children of color in order to get them to achieve on standardized tests comes from the same philosophy that says “these kids” can’t engage in the active, experiential, and authentic learning experiences necessary to be active citizens and civic leaders.
Alfie Kohn eloquently states how schools are miserably failing children in “Poor Teaching for Poor Children ... In the Name of School Reform” (April 27, 2011). The “pedagogy of poverty” to which Mr. Kohn refers leads not only to an achievement gap between wealthy and low-income students, but also to a civic achievement gap. Improving the educational system for the powerless requires teachers and schools to invite young people to take action in their communities and political systems. This active civics process is, however, distinctly absent in urban schools. The drill-and-kill approach to teaching low-income children and children of color in order to get them to achieve on standardized tests comes from the same philosophy that says “these kids” can’t engage in the active, experiential, and authentic learning experiences necessary to be active citizens and civic leaders.
Education
Letter to the Editor
States Lead Way on SIG Initiatives
To the Editor:
We agree with the article “School Improvement Grant Efforts Face Hurdles” (April 27, 2011) and the conclusion that schools, districts, and states across the country are struggling to meet the needs of the revamped federal School Improvement Grant program. While no state has figured out how to “solve” the problems that face persistently low-performing schools, a few states are embracing the challenge head-on, significantly changing how this subset of schools is supported, shifting the state role from compliance to support, and implementing promising practices that will increase the likelihood of success.
We agree with the article “School Improvement Grant Efforts Face Hurdles” (April 27, 2011) and the conclusion that schools, districts, and states across the country are struggling to meet the needs of the revamped federal School Improvement Grant program. While no state has figured out how to “solve” the problems that face persistently low-performing schools, a few states are embracing the challenge head-on, significantly changing how this subset of schools is supported, shifting the state role from compliance to support, and implementing promising practices that will increase the likelihood of success.
Reading & Literacy
Programs Panel Approves Bill Killing 'Duplicative' Education Programs
The House education panel's bid to get rid of 'duplicative' programs is part of a GOP push for piecemeal ESEA renewal.
Law & Courts
Opinion
Principals: An Antidote to Educational Malpractice
Principals are key to teaching their staffs about the law, Matthew Militello, David Schimmel, and Suzanne Eckes write.
School & District Management
Opinion
The Potential of Interdistrict School Choice
Among the most talked-about NCLB provisions is the right to attend a better-performing public school, but Richard D. Kahlenberg argues that the current option needs to be re-thought.
School Climate & Safety
Restraint, Seclusion Data to Be Shared
The U.S. Department of Education is for the first time sharing information on using student restraint and seclusion methods.
Teacher Preparation
Opinion
The Need to Support Students From Military Families
We must reach out to military children in the classroom, not heap academic stress on them, writes Ron Avi Astor.
Law & Courts
Supreme Court Sidesteps Test of In-School Questionings
However, the ruling vacates the 9th Circuit requirement on warrants, permissions.
School & District Management
Turnaround School Passes One-Year Milestone
A Kentucky high school takes stock after the first phase of its efforts under a federal School Improvement Grant.
Early Childhood
Study Finds Sudden Insights Key to Learning Words
When it comes to understanding what words mean, researchers say the "ah ha" moment trumps flash-card drills.
College & Workforce Readiness
Students at Turnaround School Reflect on Changes
Seniors at a Kentucky high school that received a federal School Improvement Grant say they’ve sensed greater energy and teacher involvement.
Education Funding
School Funding Poses Hurdle for Texas Lawmakers
After passing a budget, legislators are called back into special session over the state’s school funding funding.
Special Education
Common-Core Tests to Have Built-in Accommodations
Designers of common-standards tests are already planning ways to make the tests accessible for students with special needs.
Education Funding
Rules Set for Fresh Round of 'i3' Grants
The new, $150 million competition for federal innovation money will encourage rural applicants.
School & District Management
Districts Scrutinizing Teaching Applicants' Potential
Denver, the District of Columbia, Pittsburgh, and Tulsa, Okla., are among those taking steps to practice "strategic hiring."
Ed-Tech Policy
'One Size Fits One' at Hawaii Tech Academy
The hybrid charter school, which offers a blend of face-to-face and online instruction, has quadrupled its enrollment in two years.
Federal
Foreign-Language Programs Stung by Budget Cuts
Federal funds to support K-12 and college foreign-language instruction took a hit in the fiscal 2011 budget deal.
Education Funding
Some States Wary of New Race to Top Cash
Runner-up states could compete for a new $200 million pot, while $500 million will flow to a new, early education grant contest.
Law & Courts
N.J. Funding Decision Leaves Few Satisfied
The New Jersey Supreme Court order requiring $500 million more in school funding gives only the poorest urban districts what they were seeking.
Federal
U.S. Reforms Out of Sync With High-Performing Nations, Report Finds
A new study urges the United States to shift its school-reform course to achieve the results of high-performing countries.
Federal
Panel Finds Few Learning Gains From Testing Movement
A 10-year study by a blue-ribbon panel of scientists concludes that high-stakes testing and other accountability measures have largely failed to translate to real improvements in student achievement.
School & District Management
Six in 10 Texas Seniors Have Been Suspended or Worse, Study Finds
More Texas students have been suspended or expelled than have not, according to a forthcoming study of state trends on school discipline.
School & District Management
Opinion
Leading With Love at Booker T. Washington
The principal of the Memphis, Tenn., high school where President Obama recently delivered the commencement address says love is an essential component of education.
School Choice & Charters
Report Charts Enrollment Drop in Private Schools
The U.S. Department of Education's annual "Condition of Education" report finds fewer students enrolling in private schools and increasing numbers of students in public charter schools and for-profit colleges.
Families & the Community
Chicago Issues Guide to Bring Back Recess
Most Chicago schools have been without recess since the 1970s. With the release of a Chicago Public Schools guide to implementing recess, that might change.
Law & Courts
Denver Schools Struggle With 'Mutual Consent'
Denver Public Schools and its teachers union could need help from the courts to settle a dispute over how long veteran teachers who have lost their jobs must continue to be paid.