June 3, 2015
Education Week, Vol. 34, Issue 32
Assessment
News in Brief
Math Groups Criticize EdReports Book Reviews
The Consumer Reports-style reviews of common-core instructional materials posted by EdReports.org are incomplete, contain errors, and misrepresent what’s important in the common standards, two national groups of math educators contend.
Law & Courts
News in Brief
U.S. Supreme Court to Weigh Drawing of Electoral Lines
In a case that could hold implications for elected school boards, the U.S. Supreme Court last week took up the "one person, one vote" principle in drawing electoral lines.
School & District Management
Summer Jobs for Youths: Data Overview
See how summer employment trends for youth ages 16 to 24 have changed over time and vary among the nation's largest cities.
School & District Management
How Can Students Better Apply Math Learning? New Studies Hold Answers
Even within the STEM disciplines, students struggle to apply math concepts in other subjects, according to researchers.
Families & the Community
Parent Engagement on Rise as Priority for Schools, Districts
As districts adopt formal efforts to integrate parents into the fabric of their schools, advocates welcome a shift away from seeing parent-engagement efforts as just an add-on.
School & District Management
Letter to the Editor
Kudos to Delaware Governor for School Choice Commentary
To the Editor:
The Commentary by Gov. Jack Markell of Delaware on school choice and privatization was spot on and courageous. His summary of the reasons why vouchers are a bad idea reflects the best thinking of decades of educators and the wisdom of the millions of voters who handily rejected vouchers or their variants in 28 state referendums from coast to coast between 1966 and 2014.
The Commentary by Gov. Jack Markell of Delaware on school choice and privatization was spot on and courageous. His summary of the reasons why vouchers are a bad idea reflects the best thinking of decades of educators and the wisdom of the millions of voters who handily rejected vouchers or their variants in 28 state referendums from coast to coast between 1966 and 2014.
Assessment
Opinion
States Should Ditch 'Cut Scores' on New Tests
Raising standards should be about helping students achieve them over time, not condemning students to failure, argues Randi Weingarten.
School Climate & Safety
Letter to the Editor
Rioting and Unrest Affect the Youngest Children, Too
To the Editor:
A recent blog post about Baltimore schools' role in helping students there cope after the city's recent traumatic events powerfully illustrates young people's need for a safe outlet to express their feelings and understanding parents and teachers to guide them. But when considering the effect that traumatic events have on children, it's important not to forget our youngest and, in many ways, most vulnerable kids: those under age 3, who often don't have a voice and a structure like school to support them.
A recent blog post about Baltimore schools' role in helping students there cope after the city's recent traumatic events powerfully illustrates young people's need for a safe outlet to express their feelings and understanding parents and teachers to guide them. But when considering the effect that traumatic events have on children, it's important not to forget our youngest and, in many ways, most vulnerable kids: those under age 3, who often don't have a voice and a structure like school to support them.
School & District Management
Stakes High for Bureau of Indian Education's Overhaul
Congress and the Obama administration are pressuring the agency to right its flailing operations after years of turnover, lack of expertise, and financial problems at the BIE.
School Climate & Safety
Most Colleges Weigh Student Discipline Records in Admissions
In a new survey, 89 percent of college admissions officials said students' discipline histories are factored into their admissions process.
School & District Management
Charter Sector Challenged by Quality of School Boards
Efforts to professionalize charter school boards and raise the caliber of people who serve on them are catching on.
Curriculum
With 'Local Control' Funds, Calif. District Buys Field Trips
New funding rules that put school spending decisions in the hands of local communities have spurred a renewed interest in field trips for students in Vallejo, Calif.
Standards
PARCC Shortens Its Common-Core Test
Revisions approved Wednesday by the assessment consortium cut 90 minutes off next year's test and shift it to later in the school year.