Afternoon Announcements: MRIs Can Predict Student Receptiveness to Math Tutoring, Study Finds

Indiana’s NCLB waiver eligibility is under question now that is has announced a ‘pause’ on implementing the Common Core State Standards. The state filed for its waiver saying it had adopted the Standards and joined a consortium developing aligned assessments. Politics K-12

The newest group of critics attacking the Common Core Standards are conservatives railing against the costs and impediment to local education decision-making. Some union leaders have come out against the Standards as well because of their perceived implications on teacher evaluations. Wall Street Journal

An interesting study at Stanford University School of Medicine finds that the size of certain areas of children’s brains predict how they’ll respond to math tutoring. The study found that the children’s IQ and math scores did not predict tutoring outcomes but brain scans from MRIs that measured the size of different areas of the brain, could. Pasadena Star News

The recent National Association of Federal Education Program Administrators Conference included a discussion on how to improve learning and student outcomes for English language learners. While the number of ELLs continues to grow, their progress stagnates in part because of a lack of access to the same courses and teachers as their English-speaking peers. Education Daily Read Entire Post

Afternoon Announcements: NYC Students Will Have Longer School Days

Debate still rages around the adoption and implementation of the Common Core State Standards in multiple states. Critics claim the cost to implement is too high, while others are skeptical of the exams that will accompany the Standards. Washington Post

Speaking of states with the loudest Common Core debates, the Indiana state legislature voted to “halt” implementation of the Standards this weekend. The Governor is positioned to view the measure this week, which calls for more analysis of costs, among other things. Washington Times

Students in Utah will no longer take fill-in-the-bubble tests as of next year. The state has adopted a new computer testing system called SAGE (Student Assessment of Growth and Excellence) that caters to the students’ strengths and weaknesses. The Salt Lake Tribune

Students in 20 middle schools throughout New York City will experience school days that are 2.5 hours longer than usual next fall. The city is experimenting with how more time in class will improve student achievement and outcomes. The extra time will be devoted to reading tutoring and “other educational activities.” Education Week Read Entire Post

Bob Wise Touts Equitable, Quality Education as Means to Improve Economy

In his monthly Huffington Post column, Alliance for Excellent Education president and former West Virginia governor Bob Wise discusses the moral - and economic - imperative of a quality, equitable education. Citing a recent Alliance report, Inseparable Imperatives: Equity in Education and the Future of the American Economy, he points out the current achievement and opportunity gaps between white and affluent students and students of color, Native American students, and low-income students. Over the next decade, he says, minority students will become the majority in a number of school districts and states. If they are not receiving the best education available while they prepare to enter college and a career, it will have negative consequences for the U.S. economy. On the flip side, by addressing these outstanding gaps in high school graduation rates between white students and students of color, the nation could see ecnomic growth, while also improving the lives of millions of young Americans. Read Entire Post

Afternoon Announcements: Must Close the Opportunity Gap to Close the Achievement Gap

Some state legislators in Texas are pushing a bill that would allow low-income students across the state access to free breakfast at public schools. Senate Bill 376 would require schools where 80 percent or more of the student body qualifies for free or reduced-price meals to offer breakfast to their students at no cost. New York Times

In a new book, education scholars argue that closing the achievement gap depends on closing the opportunity gap first – ensuring that students have access to quality early childhood education, day care, good teachers, and rich curricula. Politics K-12

11-year-old Sylvia Todd is a science star in the making. She hosts her own YouTube show, “Sylvia’s Super-Awesome Maker Show,” and attends speaking engagements and visits maker fairs. She won a silver medal at an international robotics competition and participated in Monday’s White House Science Fair. New York Times

The Minnesota Senate approved  an education funding bill that calls for all-day kindergarten and switches to a new testing system focused on college and career goals. Opponents say getting rid of graduation test requirements will lessen the importance of a high school diploma. Star Tribune Read Entire Post

Breaking the Cycle of Test-Taking Woe

It may have been April Fool’s Day, but it felt like Groundhog Day. Stories about the indictment of former Atlanta superintendent Beverly Hall along with dozens of teachers and principals on charges of cheating on high stakes assessments are just the latest installment of tales of woe. The District of Columbia Public Schools are still sorting out some accusations and investigations. The tales of falsified graduation rates in Houston are still fresh in the minds of many. We read the stories and think, oh, not this again. Read Entire Post

Afternoon Announcements: Common Core Standards Battle Continues

The battle over the Common Core Standards continues, with Republicans in multiple states working to reverse adoption. "The irony is folks at the federal level would send a message that they don't like state-led initiatives, which is what Common Core was," said Bob Wise, president of the Alliance for Excellent Education and former governor of West Virginia. Education Daily

Mark Wahlberg dropped out of high school in the 9th grade and now, at 41, is pursuing his high school diploma through an online program. He talked with students in Alexandria about staying in school. Washington Post

A Nation at Risk celebrates its 30th anniversary this week. The Commission for the report looked at where education is now, and recommended “five new basics” for students to graduate from high school: four courses in English, three in math, three in science, three in social studies, and one-half credit in computer science. Education Week

A new bipartisan bill would make it easier for undocumented children who come into the United States and graduate from high school to receive citizenship. The “DREAMers” could receive citizenship more quickly with a background check, a high school diploma, and completion of two years of post-secondary education. Politics K-12 Read Entire Post

Everyone's Getting Straight A's: Obama's Budget Proposal

The Alliance's newsletter, Straight A's: Public Education Policy and Progress, is available online. You can read excerpts from the newest volume below, and you can read the full articles here. If you would like to receive the bi-weekly newsletter in your inbox, email jamos@all4ed.org.

Released April 10, President Obama’s education budget for Fiscal Year (FY) 2014 proposes new grant competitions focused on high school redesign and college completion and includes a $75 billion plan to provide access to high-quality preschool programs. Overall, the budget would provide $48.39 billion in discretionary funding—excluding Pell Grants—for the U.S. Department of Education, an increase of $2.8 billion over last year. Obama Releases FY 2014 Budget Proposal

Appearing before the Senate Appropriations Subcommittee on Labor, Health and Human Services (HHS), Education, and Related Agencies on April 17, U.S. Secretary of Education Arne Duncan heard support for the president’s preschool proposal from committee members of both parties, but he also faced pointed questions regarding President Obama’s decision to target new spending on competitive programs rather than formula programs, such as Title I and special education. Duncan Talks Education Budget

  Located about forty-five miles north of Philadelphia, PA, Quakertown Community School District (QCSD) has seen tremendous improvement in student achievement and engagement from implementation of a blended learning approach that combines online learning with traditional classroom instruction, finds a new interactive video profile conducted by the Alliance for Excellent Education and Public Impact. “Quakertown Community School District: A Systematic Approach to Blended Learning That Focuses on District Leadership, Staffing, and Cost-effectiveness,” is the first in a series of interactive video profiles highlighting innovative school districts that utilize digital learning to improve teaching and learn. Quakertown Community School District Blazes a Trail for Blended Learning

 On April 17, West Virginia Gov. Earl Ray Tomblin (D) joined with Bob Wise, president of the Alliance for Excellent Education and former governor of West Virginia, to announce that West Virginia would be the first state to implement “Project 24” as part of a statewide education initiative. West Virginia Adopts Project 24

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Afternoon Announcements: Two-Year Blended Learning Certificate Program Offered in New York

At the White House science fair earlier this week, President Obama reiterated that science education must be a “priority.” He promoted science, technology, engineering, and mathematics education (STEM) at the event. USA Today

The University of Florida will offer online bachelor’s degree programs starting next year. It’s the first time a university has embraced full-time online education in the state. “This bill transforms education in Florida,” said House Speaker Will Weatherford. Reuters

West Virginia Governor Earl Ray Tomblin announced a partnership with the Alliance for Excellent Education to begin a statewide review of classroom technology and digital learning capabilities last week.  One editorial writer calls it a “great opportunity.” The Register-Herald

The New York City Department of Education announced a new two-year program in which teachers can receive a certificate in blended learning. “We are looking for teachers who believe that in order to adequately prepare students for today’s colleges and careers, we need to rethink the factory-model of education and leverage 21st century tools and strategies,” the press release says. Hechinger Report Read Entire Post

Afternoon Announcements: Chicago Students Boycott State Exam

A number of Chicago high school students plan to boycott a state exam, saying that it’s unfair that their results will be used to judge the quality of their school. Two student-led groups have organized the protest – Voices of Youth in Chicago Education and Chicago Students Organizing to Save Our Schools. WBEZ

House Republicans are asking questions about No Child Left Behind Waiver implementation. They’ve sent their questions to U.S. Secretary of Education Arne Duncan, along with state chiefs who were approved for the flexibility from provisions in the law. Politics K-12

New research from the Pew Research Center shows that American students aren’t doing as poorly on international science tests as the public thinks. Many Americans surveyed incorrectly assumed that U.S. 15-year-olds scored near the bottom on international science tests. Huffington Post

An interesting feature looks into how standardized testing can help low-income students. It looks into the Atlanta teaching scandal, refuting the misplaced idea that teachers need to cheat in order for low-income students to “pass” exams. The Atlantic Read Entire Post

Quakertown Community School District Blazes a Trail for Blended Learning Programs

Quakertown Community School District (QCSD) in Bucks County, Pennsylvania has seen an increase in student achievement, test scores, advanced placement course enrollment, and engagement among students since implementing a blended learning program in 2008. The program combines online learning with traditional classroom instruction, and fosters a flexible environment in which students learning needs are met on an individual level. The Alliance for Excellent Education, along with Public Impact, talked with students, school and district leaders, and analyzed achievement results and compiled their findings in an innovative, interactive video profile. The report, "Quakertown Community School District: A Systematic Approach to Blended Learning That Focuses on District Leadership, Staffing, and Cost-effectiveness,” is the first in a series of interactive video profiles highlighting school districts that utilize digital learning to improve teaching and learning.

"Quakertown is a role model and leader among school districts for its innovative use of digital learning to improve student engagement and achievement. They have blazed a trail for other school districts to transform learning with the smart use of technology,” said Bob Wise, president of the Alliance for Excellent Education and former governor of West Virginia. Read Entire Post