NCLB: Act II
NCLB: Act II covered federal developments affecting education. This blog is no longer being updated, but you can continue to explore these issues on edweek.org by visiting our related topic pages: federal.
Education
Despite Praise, Massachusetts' Standards Don't Measure Up
The secretary of education and others have praised Massachusetts for the rigor of its academic standards. But the state's standards aren't challenging enough to prepare high school students for college, according to a new study. Thirty-seven percent of college freshmen took a remedial course in the fall of 2005. See the Boston Globe story on the study.
Education
Index Fun: Will It Be Part of the Future?
One intriguing idea in the Forum for Education and Democracy's report is the proposal for a "continuous progress index."
Education
Time May Be Right for Big Changes in Federal Policy
In my story about one of the many reports pegged to the 25th anniversary of A Nation at Risk, I quote two experts suggesting that that federal policy is not about to undergo dramatic changes in the next few years.
Education
Who's to Blame for Lack of NCLB Action?
The leaders of the House Education and Labor Committee agree that their attempt to reauthorize NCLB is at a standstill. But they disagree about who is to blame for that.
Education
Your One-Stop Post on New NCLB Rules
If you want to spend your day reading 26,000 words of federal rules, this link's for you. You won't find the word "bulldozer" in it. That kind of rhetoric is saved for speeches.
Education
Spellings Issuing Rules on Graduation Rates, Other NCLB Issues
As promised earlier this month, Secretary of Education Margaret Spellings is set to propose rules today requiring a uniform high school graduation rate. But her proposal goes far beyond graduation rates, according to information provided to me. It would require states and school districts to take steps to ensure that students have access to choice and supplementary educational services and give them several new reporting and monitoring responsibilities.
Education
House Members Pick Wrong Day to Work Outside
On Earth Day tomorrow, members of the House's K-12 subcommittee will be working at the Patuxent Wildlife Research Refuge in Laurel, Md. They'll be at a hearing on the No Child Left Inside Act, which would authorize $100 million a year for states to develop curriculum to address environmental issues. For background, see this post from July.
Education
Richards Simmons Isn't Fighting Alone in Battle for P.E.
Richard Simmons is at it again. The fitness icon has been a frequent diversion from my dispatches on fascinating (but not necessarily popular) topics such as growth models and graduation rates.
Education
Douglass High School: By the Numbers
In June, you'll be able to see what life is like at Baltimore's Frederick Douglass High in an HBO documentary. After 30 minutes of searching the Web, here's the school's story in numbers:
Education
Clinton, Obama Ramp up Opposition to NCLB
Last month, I channeled Andy Warhol and predicted that in the future, everyone would be blogging. The folks at the Thomas B. Fordham Foundation are making me look prophetic. This week, they launched "Flypaper."
Education
Is NCLB Doomed?
In the April issue of Governing, Donald F. Kettl, right, says that "[President] Bush's original version of NCLB seems doomed."
Education
Title I Could Have Small Role in 'Saving' Catholic Schools
When Pope Benedict XVI arrives in Washington, his presence will put the spotlight on the plight of Catholic schools. The Thomas B. Fordham Institute put out "Who Will Save America's Urban Catholic Schools?" It also notes that Catholic schools are more popular than the pope himself.
Education
IG: Ed. Dept. Has Been Too Lenient on Graduation Rates
With minor fanfare last week, Secretary of Education Margaret Spellings announced that she would require states to use a uniform method of calculating graduation rates.
Education
Opt-Out Bill Stalls in Arizona Senate
The Arizona Senate has put up a roadblock to the proposal to opt out of NCLB. Last week, the Senate K-12 education committee essentially tabled an opt-out of NCLB bill in a tie vote. The bill's House sponsor hopes the committee will pass the proposal when absent committee members attend the next committee meeting, according to this brief in the current issue of Education Week.