Education News: June 22, 2007

Following are some of the top headlines from the world of education for the week ending June 22, 2007.

Teacher Turnover Costly Nationwide, Study Says
(Source: The Cleveland Plain Dealer, 6/21/07): According to a new study by the National Commission on Teaching and America’s Future, the national cost of teacher turnover could be more than $7.3 billion each year. The estimate included costs such as training, recruitment, advertising and bonuses.

Thousands of Failing Schools Face Major Overhaul
(Source: CNN.com, 6/20/07): Currently, 2300 schools around the country are undergoing restructuring or are one year away from being restructured due to failing to meet the benchmarks set by No Child Left Behind for six years in a row. Options for restructuring include hiring a new principal, replacing teachers, and bringing in a restructuring specialist.

Aid to Impaired Lacking, Feds Say
(Source: The Detroit News, 6/21/07): A new report from the Education Department indicates that only 9 states are successfully complying with the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act. A common shortcoming for the states that were not in compliance was failure to help 16-year-old special ed. students develop plans for life after high school.

Texas Education Chief Resigns
(Source: The Houston Chronicle, 6/20/07): Shirley Neeley, who as Texas Education Commissioner is the top schools official in the state, is resigning at the request of Governor Rick Perry. The governor’s staff did not provide Ms. Neeley a reason for the request.

Centers Bringing Health Care to Students
(Source: The Seattle Times, 6/20/07): The number of school-based health centers is on the rise nationwide. In 1990, there were just 200; now there are around 1700. The centers often treat adolescents for problems such as obesity and depression for which they may not otherwise get help.

Fairfax School Bans All Touching
(Source: The Richmond Times-Dispatch, 6/19/07): Kilmer Middle School in Fairfax County has banned all touching between students, including hand-holding, hugs, and high-fives. Administrators at the over-crowded school say the rule is intended to create a safe and comfortable environment for all, but some parents are lobbying for a change.

Schools Fail to Meet Law on Dyslexia
(Source: The Houston Chronicle, 6/18/07): Despite a Texas law requiring school districts to identify and tutor dyslexic students, statistics show that the state’s schools are in large part failing at this. The problem is especially severe in Houston where only 256 of 200,000 dyslexic students are currently in dyslexia programs.

Boston Schools Tap Memphis Official
(Source: The Boston Globe, 6/17/07): Carol R. Johnson, who is credited with reviving the schools of Memphis, has been chosen as the new superintendent for Boston’s public schools. The search committee had originally selected Manuel Rivera of Rochester, New York, but was forced to make another selection after Rivera opted to join New York governor Eliot Spitzer’s administration as top education advisor.