Afternoon announcements: Michelle Rhee talks education reform with Jon Stewart on the Daily Show

Michelle Rhee appeared on the Daily Show with Jon Stewart last night. He challenged her about her reform ideas and stood strong on the side of teachers. Washington Post

A group of Seattle teachers continues to boycott a standardized, computerized exam. Other nearby teachers argue that the boycott is counterproductive and narrowly focused. Education Week

Since Japan got rid of Saturday school, they’ve seen a wider and growing gap in educational achievement, a new study finds. Students from well-educated families and higher socioeconomic status have fared better. Vox

Education Secretary Arne Duncan joined forced with mayors and college groups in a news conference on Capitol Hill this week to promote gun control measures. Politics K-12

While teacher evaluations, tenure, and pay have all been in the national spotlight recently, is it possible evaluating principals has been overlooked? A new study shows that there is little data on how principals are prepared, licensed, supported, and evaluated. Education Week Read Entire Post

Afternoon Announcements: June 5, 2012

Good afternoon and welcome to your Tuesday edition of Afternoon Announcements here at High School Soup. Let’s get right into it today!

A success story from the New Haven Independent leads us off today. College Summit, a private group hired by the New Haven school district, has had some success implementing a culture where attending college is expected. The use of peer leaders and college readiness boot camps were some of the techniques employed in this district.

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Morning Announcements: April 24, 2012

From USA Today, There is increasing support to bring arts education back to public schools around the country, Particularly, politicians, business leaders, educators, artists and parents are making a big push to restore the arts to California public schools. And the Associated Press reports that celebrities such as Sarah Jessica Parker, Kerry Washington and Forest Whitaker are adopting some of the nation's worst-performing schools and pledging to help the Obama administration turn them around by integrating arts education.

From Education Week, a bipartisan group of senators wants to make sure the Obama administration doesn't leave rural schools out in the cold when it crafts the next generation of the Race to the Top competition, which is aimed at districts and could be funded at as much as $417 million.

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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.

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Afternoon Announcements: April 9, 2012

Mondays are a little busy (and sluggish). Since we're bringing you the news a little later in the day today, that gave us ample opportunity to provide you with a little more. Enjoy!

Education Week poses an intriguing question regarding the potential effect of proposed budget cuts on your community’s K-12 program. If Congress forges ahead with big, giant across the board cuts set to hit (almost) every education program next January, the publication analyzes exactly what that would mean for you.

A way of gaging the expected impact of budget cuts in education programs in the look at schools in the state of Texas. The New York Times does just that and uncovers that budget cuts have increased class sizes, reduced services and supplies and thinned the ranks of teachers.

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Morning Announcements April 5, 2012

Don’t worry you’re almost there. Enjoy today because it will soon be over. In the meantime , here are the latest education headlines.

This election cycle, voters want to hear more about education, which is according to College Board, who released a new survey. As Education Week report, the survey conducted by the organization that brings you the ACT an SAT indicates that, specifically in critical swing-states, education reform is a top-tier issue.

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Morning Announcements April 4, 2012

Happy Wednesday. It’s the middle of the week and hopefully today is going smoothly for you. Just because, go out and treat yourself to something nice. You’ve earned it. Here is our special treat to you: your daily morning announcements. Enjoy!

Parents in Chicago are urging for a longer school day for their children, but just how long the school day should be is up for debate. The Chicago Tribune reports that those who are pushing for a 6 1/2 hour school day have met with Chicago Public Schools chief Jean-Claude Brizard in recent days to explain their opposition to Mayor Rahm Emanuel's proposed 7 1/2 hour-school day.

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Afternoon Announcements: March 23, 2012

Happy Friday. We’re sure you’re anxious to get a head start on your weekend celebrations but before you head out the door make sure you’re caught up on all the education news.

According to the Associated Press, the leader of the American Federation of Teachers called on Rhode Island Governor Lincoln Chafee and state lawmakers to boost funding for education in in the state, saying that teachers and schools already have sacrificed all they can.

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Morning Announcements: March 22, 2012

Here are your latest headlines in education news.

It is no surprise that when teachers leave schools, overall morale appears to suffer enough that student achievement declines. TeacherBeat sheds light on a new study recently presented at a conference held by the Center for Longitudinal Data in Education Research. The study concludes teacher turnover has adverse affects for both those taught by the departed teachers and by students whose teachers stayed put.

According to the National Center for Learning Disabilities, students with learning disabilities are twice as likely as their peers to drop out of high school. PBS visited an elementary school that practices early intervention for these students, engaging them with technology and art to improve their chances of earning a diploma.

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Morning Announcements: March 21, 2012

It’s the middle of the week. You’re almost there. Keep yourself motivated with the latest in education news.

Republican Congressman John Kline of Minnesota, who serves as the chairman of the House Education and the Workforce Committee, wants to see Congress put more money into state grants for special education. Education Week reports that the sent a letter to the leading lawmakers on the House panel that oversees K-12 spending

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