Education News: November 6, 2009

Following are some of the top headlines from the world of education for the week ending November 6, 2009.

Obama Highlights Education Agenda
(New York Times, November 3) As the first year of President Barrack Obama’s term comes to an end, the administration plans to highlight the Race to the Top competition. The competition, announced in July, has states vying for billions of federal funds allocated to the improvement of American schools. Experts say that the administration’s decision to showcase their education agenda comes at a politically apt time. Tuesday’s election, the administration wishes to change the subject about their political disappointments. With positive reviews by some Republicans, the competition seems like a logical place to start.

Federal Funds Expedite Reform
(USA Today, November 4) The Race to the Top campaign has many states changing legislation in order to meet its requirements. While many have praised the immediate success of the campaign, such drastic changes in policy have not gone overlooked. Critics say that it may be inspiring careless changes as states work too hastily to reform. However, the Obama administration remains optimistic viewing state excitement as encouraging.

Ford Foundation Pledges $100 Million
(Los Angeles Times, November 5) In an effort to improve urban schools, The Ford Foundation has pledged $100 million over a seven year period. Headed by reformist Jeannie Oakes, the initiative will focus on seven cities and aims to “transform” urban schools. The president of the foundation, Luis Ubiñas, is referring to the initiative as an effort to inspire new approaches towards school reform.

A Focus on Literacy
(Education Week, November 6) The comprehensive-literacy bill, a new legislation introduced to the Senate on November 5th, is designed to replace three current federal literacy programs. If passed the bill would assign $2.35 billion to the improvement of reading and writing in public schools. Experts, emphasizing the link between literacy and high school success, praise the bill’s focus of teaching literacy beyond the fourth grade.

Report Points to Schools for Low Military Eligibility
(Education Week, November 6) A recent report states that about 75% of Americans age 17-24 are ineligible for military service. One reason for the drastic number is poor high school graduation rates and physical fitness. Secretary of Education Arne Duncan has emphasized the importance of quality education to national security. Duncan has urged the Senate to approve $1 billion annually to improve early education. The goal of the funding would be to help bolster the number of young people eligible for military service.

California Reforms
(Los Angeles Times, November 4) In order to be more competitive for the $4.35 billion in educational funding, the California Senate is advocating change. On Wednesday, the state Senate approved a bill that will allow students in weaker schools to transfer to higher performing districts. The bill also plans to remove a cap that limits the number of charter schools in the state. Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger is praising the bill as a step towards a “historic victory” for education. The governor vows to do what it takes to improve California schools and obtain federal funding.

Florida Sued for Low Performing Students
(New York Times, NNovember 5) A Florida state court suit, accuses state officials of failing to offer quality education in Palm Beach County. The suit filed by the American Civil Liberties Union (A.C.L.U), cites the county’s poor student performance and graduation rate as basis for its accusations. The senior staff lawyer of the A.C.L.U, Chris Hansen, issued a statement stating that the Palm Beach problem is reflective of a pressing national issue.

First Lady Points to the Future
(San Francisco Gate, November 6) On Thursday First Lady Michelle Obama urged the staff of the Department of Energy to look towards the future. Obama emphasized the importance of science and math education in order to pave the way for a new generation of researchers. In accordance with Energy Secretary Steven Chu, the first lady hosted a scrimmage for schools competing in the upcoming Science Bowl, a national middle school contest. The scrimmaged emphasized Obama’s message, that improvements in science and math education are essential to improving the US energy production.