Morning Announcements: March 19, 2012
Happy Monday! We already know that’s oxymoronic but let’s pretend nonetheless. Ok? Here are your top stories in the education world today.
Morning Announcements: February 9th, 2012
Don't fret, a weekend is near. You're almost there so reward yourself with a healthy dose of education news.
Last year states were allowed the opportunity to apply to be exempt from some provision of the No Child Left Behind act. Now the Associated Press reports that the Obama administration has announced through this report which states have received approval. Colorado, Florida, Georgia, Indiana, Kentucky, Massachusetts, Minnesota, New Jersey, Oklahoma and Tennessee are the first states to reach exemption status. The Wall Street Journal also documents that while the law has received harsh criticism from both political parties, it has also been the catalyst for school changes nationwide.
As we reported yesterday, Detroit is making increased efforts to get parents involved in the academic development of their children. An important element in the initiative is addressing truancy. Detroit Public Schools are at risk of losing funding in part because of chronic truancy of students. As NPR reports the city has launched an assault and if the parent is willfully not sending their child(ren) to school they face legal reprimand.
Read Entire PostAfternoon Announcements: February 8, 2012
Happy Wednesday, here are the latest headlines in education news. Enjoy.
During a science fair held at the White House yesterday, President Obama declared that the nation was in need of more “tinkerers and dreamers.” According the New York Times, the President announced new federal and private-sector education initiatives to encourage student engagement and development in STEM curriculum.
Principals and assistant principals in Tennessee have traveled to thousands of classrooms in the state an to spend at least an hour annually observing and rating every teacher, guidance counselor, social worker and librarian. But as the Hechinger Report notes, the new methods of teacher evaluation have come across a bump in what will be a long road ahead.
Read Entire PostAfternoon Announcements: December 6, 2011
The weather outside may be frightful, but the delightful staff here at The Alliance for Excellent Education hopes to keep you warm and informed with the latest in education news.
A long-lasting initiative of educational reform has been to reduce classroom size but CNN addresses the importance and relevance of the debate as classroom sizes continue to swell. According to the New York Times, New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg joins the discussion by suggesting the focus on classroom size is unnecessary and silly compared to the numerous other obstacles education reform faces. Read Entire PostAfternoon Announcements: September 21, 2011
Here are today's announcements! Detroit Public Schools expects to shed nearly 40 percent of its teachers in the next four years to help close a $327 million deficit, yet projects a loss of just 6,000 students under a state-approved fiscal blueprint, according to the Detroit News. The district would cut more than 1,500 teachers by fall 2015.
Education Week reports that a group of 20 states will lead the development of a new set of common standards in science, according to an announcement today from Achieve, a Washington-based nonprofit managing the effort. Participating states span the country, from California and Arizona to Michigan and Maryland. They will help craft what have been dubbed the Next Generation Science Standards based on a framework developed by a panel of the National Research Council earlier this summer.
According to US News & World Report, a large number of America's highest-performing middle school students regress during high school, according to a new study released Tuesday by the Thomas B. Fordham Institute, an educational research firm.
Read Entire PostMorning Announcements: September 9, 2011
In his address before Congress yesterday evening, President Barack Obama laid out a jobs plan that included plans for $30 billion in new money to stave off teacher layoffs, along with another $30 billion to revamp decaying school facilities and community colleges. The proposals are a part of the Americans Jobs Act – a $447 billion legislative package expected to be introduced into Congress next week – that Obama told lawmakers to pass “right away.” According to Education Week, K-12 schools could get up to $25 billion for renovations, which administration officials estimate could pay for makeovers of at least 35,000 public schools. That construction money could be used for emergency repairs and renovations, energy efficiency updates, and asbestos removal. Schools also could use the money to build new science and computer labs, and to update technology. These proposals have greatly pleased America’s two largest teachers unions, according to the Huffington Post. Read Entire Post
Afternoon Announcements: September 1, 2011
State education commissioners in the Chiefs for Change group are urging U.S. Secretary of Education Arne Duncan to hold those who win Race to the Top grant money accountable for the plans they submitted. The group wrote a letter to Duncan on Aug. 25 saying they understand implementation may require adjustments; however, Race to the Top competition winners need to stick to their plans for improving academic achievement. Education Week reports the letter comes after some states who won the competition scaled back on certain project proposals or delayed projects.The former Kansas City public schools chief that abruptly resigned this week is heading to Detroit, where he may earn up to $1.6 million to become the new chancellor of a statewide school district for low-performing schools. The Detroit News reports John Covington signed the contract last Friday with the Michigan Achievement System that provides an $800 monthly car allowance, $10,000 in professional development funds, and runs until June 30, 2015. The Kansas City Star reports the Kansas City School District appointed Steve Green as the interim superintendent to replace Covington.
Read Entire PostMorning Announcements: August 31, 2011
Chicago Public Schools officials announced they have agreed with teachers union to implement Common Core State Standards into the city's curriculum beginning in the 2012-2013 school year. The more rigorous standards have been adopted by forty-five states, including Illinois, but have not yet been enacted in Chicago, according to the Chicago Tribune. The state standards curriculum is a national initiative to improve student performance in core subject areas such s math and reading by favoring comprehension and analysis over rote memorization.President Barack Obama spoke about education issues in an interview on the nationally syndicated radio program the Tom Joyner Morning Show. Education Week reports some people in the education sector are hopeful Obama will include money to help avoid teacher layoffs and to revamp old schools in his job-creation package set to be unveiled in coming weeks.
Read Entire PostMorning Announcements: February 22, 2011
The House votes to cut education programs ranging from STEM to Literacy, Education Week reports.
President Obama recently made a trip to the West Coast to push his education and high-tech agenda, according to the Los Angeles Times.
The Denver Post reports that nearly every state is cutting its budget and many experts agree that governors are also using budget issues to push policy changes.
State education officials have ordered the emergency financial manager for Detroit Public Schools to immediately implement a plan that balances the district's books by closing half its schools, according to the Associated Press.
Read Entire PostMorning Announcements: November 17, 2010
Groups such as the American Association of School Administrators and the National School Boards Association are eyeing regulatory relief under No Child Left Behind, Education Week reports.
The Grand Rapids editorial Board calls for teacher unions to work with the Michigan Legislature to reform teacher tenure laws.
The Detroit News editorial board argues that Detroit Public Schools Emergency Financial Manager Robert Bobb’s plan have the state make $400 million in tobacco settlement payments available to Detroit and the other troubled school districts is not the answer.
In New Hampshire, a special legislative committee voted on Monday to divide between schools and the state $41 million in emergency federal funding intended to protect teachers' jobs, according to the Associated Press.
Read Entire Post