This Week In Education
Written by former Senate education staffer and journalist Alexander Russo, This Week in Education was an opinion blog that covered education news, policymakers, and trends with a distinctly political edge. (For archives prior to January 2007, please click here. For posts after November 2007, please click here.) This blog is no longer being updated.
Education
Opinion
Remembering John Kerry
Eduwonk thinks that Obama did himself good with the merit pay mention, or at least does no harm. But at the same time he reminds us that John Kerry didn't win any friends with his merit pay ideas in the 2004 elections. Here's a rundown of what Kerry did and didn't propose on education, from EdWeek. Interesting stuff to remember.
Federal
Opinion
Obama Hands NEA Endorsement To Clinton
Many have noted Barack Obama's brave foray into the wilds of merit pay in yesterday's speech (so much for the notion that it's widely accepted), but what about his apparent slam at teachers (and others) for their poor attitudes about low-income and minority kids?
Education
Opinion
Big Stories Of The Day (July 6)
Charismatic pol gets ovation, but GOPer Huckabee a hit, too Philadelphia Daily News
School Climate & Safety
Opinion
Short Vay-K For St. Louis Area Students
Summer vay-k* is getting shorter and shorter for some St. Louis area students, according to this story (For St. Louis, School Begins in the Middle of August): "This week, fireworks and hotdogs. Next week, shopping for school supplies....Classes start as soon as Aug. 13 in some local schools...Students are predictably aghast." Via DA Daily.
Federal
Opinion
Bad Republican Advice On NCLB Strategy
Over at National Review Online, Carrie Lukas has the questionable notion that Fred Thompson could run -- and win -- by running against NCLB (Fred To School). First off, I can't realistically imagine anyone winning anything on an education issue right now, no matter how good. Second, running against NCLB might help marginally in the primary -- might -- but would hurt just as much if not more in the general. That's one reason why Obama and others are holding their fire, and something that Sen. Clinton will have to deal with if she wins the nomination. Via the Fred Fan Blog
Federal
Opinion
No Clear Way To Pay For Initiatives, Says FactCheck
So last week's nearly-forgotten Democratic debate finally included some education talk (minimum wage for teachers, healthy breakfast for all kids, college access). But was any of it really do-able? Probably not says one group that watches out for over-promising politicians, ccording to FactCheck.org. "Candidates said little about how they planned to deliver on those promises, how much their plans would cost or who would pay." Of course, no one paying attention really thinks any of these things are going to happen. The key here is to promise as much as you can get away with during the primary and hope that some of the suckers voters and media fall for it. Repeat again as necessary in the general. Meanwhile, EdIn'08 clamors for more education talk -- and specificity -- than Dem candidates have provided thus far.
Education
Opinion
Does "The Pulse" Need CPR?
Someone told me that you're not supposed to do mouth-to-mouth anymore, just clear the airway and focus on the heart compressions. Whatever it is, District Administration magazine's group blog "The Pulse" may need it. The posts are increasingly infrequent, it seems, and many of those included are too busy blogging and writing in other places to contribute much. (Sorta like me with Edustat and the Huffington Post.) There's got to be a better way to get diverse perspectives and create some sort of conversation going, but I don't know what it is.
Education
Opinion
Happy Fourth
Things to do today include: read or listen to someone else read the Declaration of Independence, play some soccer (sorry, baseball), eat a lot of grilled meat (or vegetables), look around and see what a fascinating, troubled place and time this is. Think about what, if anything, to do about making things better.
Education
Opinion
Racism Watch, Part 2
Folks in Chicago are ripping me a new one for stereotyping Spanish speakers and spreading degrading notions with that post about "Ask A Mexican!" and a follow-up one I did just to fan the flames of immigration reform frustration. Check it out here and here.
Federal
Opinion
Growth Models Across America -- And More Pilots To Come
Like I said last week, who needs a reauthorization when you can just change the law as much as you want without anyone really protesting? Not that there's anything wrong with that. Case in point, today the EdSec announced more growth model approvals. The latest three include Alaska, Arizona, and (last week) Florida. See below for the press release.
Education
Opinion
Summer School For The Princeton Review
And they say that everything's been breezy for test prep companies. Well, maybe so, but tthings have been pretty rough for The Princeton Review of late, according to Robert Baird Associates' monthly Class Notes: "A 13% increase of shares of Renaissance Learning and modest increases in shares of Scientific Learning (+5%), Plato Learning (+3%) and School Specialty (+2%) were offset by a 27% decline in shares of Princeton Review following the announcement that the company dismissed its auditors and made changes to the board of directors including the resignation of the chairman." According to Class Notes,TPR has announced the election of a new independent director, Clyde E. Williams, Jr., and the resignation of current Chairman of the Board of Directors, Howard Tullman. Princeton's CEO, John Katzman, will reassume the responsibilities of Board Chairman. No word about the auditor thing.
Education Funding
Opinion
Job Of The Week: The Andy Sector Wants You!
New America snagged Sara away to do early education, leaving Andy et al in the lurch. Here, Kevin Carey makes the pitch for a bright shiny face to fill in the void.
Teaching Profession
Opinion
Spying On The NEA Convention
The EIA takes one for the team and covers the NEA convention in Philly this week -- now featuring video highlights: