Education News: September 12, 2008

Following are some of the top headlines from the world of education for the week ending September 12, 2008.

Unclear Voter Guidelines in Virginia Impacts College Voters
(Source: New York Times, September 7th, 2008)  With many college students registering to vote in the battle-ground state of Virginia, conflict has arisen due to vague registration guidelines.  In answer to campaign supporters signing up thousands of college students, the local election registrar issued two releases which incorrectly declared the consequences of signing up to vote.  Similar problems have arisen across the country.

Chancellor Desires Ability to Fire Teachers At Will In New Union Contract
(Source: Washington Post, September 8th, 2008)  Using what she calls “Plan B”, Schools Chancellor Michelle A. Rhee intends to shape-up D.C.’s education system with the power to fire at will the teachers that she feels are not getting the job done.  Along with this idea, the new contract with the union may also link teacher licensing to performance as opposed to academic credentials.. 

Demand to Become a Teacher Higher than Expected
(Source: Christian Science Monitor, September 10th, 2008)  With the baby boomer generation getting ready for retirement, schools across the nation are going to have to find ways to not only replace those teachers, but to keep up with turnover and enrollment growth as well.  While a recent survey found 42% of its college educated subjects aged 24-60 would consider teaching as a career, some changes in the system still need to be made.

Obama’s Education Reform Plans Contain Typically Republican Proposals
(Source: USA Today, September 10th, 2008)  In discussing his plans for the reforming the education system, presidential nominee Barack Obama shared his goals to double funding for charter schools, develop a pay for performance system for teachers and get rid of those who aren’t up to the job.

Denver Teachers Vote to Support Innovative Pay Plan
(Source: Denver Post, September 11th, 2008)  Teachers in Denver overwhelmingly supported changes to their alternative pay plan known as ProComp.  Already an innovative system which rewards teachers in hard to staff positions or hard-to-serve schools, ProComp now also will reward teachers whose students or schools show remarkable improvement.

SAT Tutoring Companies Collaborate with Video Game Companies
(Source: USA Today, September 11th, 2008)  Two of the nation’s largest SAT Prep Companies have decided to team up with video game companies and develop games for various systems in order to help kids study.

Teacher Allowed to Sue Over Being Forced to Take Down Banners
(Source: LA Times, September 11th, 2008)  Brad Johnson, a teacher in San Diego County has won the first round of court battles in his attempt to sue after being forced by his principal to take down several banners in the back of his room with such phrases as “God Bless America” and “One Nation Under God.”  The district motioned to have his suit thrown out, but the district court judge rejected the motion, calling the attempt to take down the posters “brash”.

Brooklyn’s School Grading System Called into Question
(Source: New York Times, September 11th, 2008)  Questions over Mayor Bloomberg’s strict school grading policy have arisen with P.S. 8, a very well respected Brooklyn Heights elementary school, set to receive an F.  Despite praise from students, parents of students and even the Mayor himself regarding the school’s recent improvement, the school fails to meet the criteria sought by the grading system.