Morning Announcements April 16, 2012

Hello! The majority of the country is enjoy usually warm temperatures so while you’re “working” on the beach or enjoying a “sick-day” at the amusement park, take a quick and productive break to catch up on education news.

The struggle for teachers throughout the country continues as many cities are on the offense when it comes to reform, targeting key issues important to teachers. In Cleveland, Mayor Frank Jackson is determined to improve failing schools, and according to the Associated Press he’s willing to take on teacher unions to do so. The mayor's proposals, the subject of lengthy negotiations that led to a compromise agreement last week, would limit the right of teachers to block reassignments based on seniority, a cherished prerogative of the longest-serving teachers.

The debate over teacher evaluations is heating up in New York again as National Public Radio reports that the Obama administration is making some federal funds contingent on schools using student test scores and classroom observations to evaluate teachers. New York City recently sparked a controversy when it rated thousands of teachers with test scores alone — and then released those ratings to the public.

Hawaii is already struggling to meet the qualifications of the Race to the Top grants from the Department of Education. Education Week is reporting that with the fate of Hawaii's $75 million Race to the Top grant hanging in the balance, news that a teacher evaluations bill dying in the Hawaii House of Representatives is not good news for the Aloha State.

Gotham Schools brings good news that more children than ever passed the New York City’s admissions test for gifted and talented programs this year, according to data released today by the city’s Department of Education. But the number of children qualifying in the city’s poorest districts has actually fallen in recent years.