Education News: April 9, 2010

Following are some of the top headlines from the world of education for the week ending April 9, 2010.

States Weary of Race to the Top’s Second Round
(New York Times, April 5th) When the Obama administration first introduced the Race to the Top grants, states were quick to adopt new legislation to increase their eligibility. Now that the first round winners, Delaware and Tennessee, have been announced, many state officials have begun to question the criteria on which the competition was based. With the contest’s second round deadline looming, such skepticism has many state officials “on the fence” as to whether or not they will reapply.

District Requires Students to Write Outside of English Classe
(Boston Globe, April 8th) In an effort to improve literacy the Wobourn School District, Massachusetts, has implemented a new system of comprehensive note taking that requires students to write and read outside of English and Literature courses. Gary Reese, the district’s assistant superintendent, applauded the program for erasing the perception that only “English teachers teach literacy.” The program was started in response to a startling study which found that nearly two thirds of the region’s eighth and twelfth-grade students were reading below grade level.

Is Language Immersion the Best Approach?
(Education Week, April 9th) For years education experts insisted that language immersion was the most effective method for English-language learners to improve. However a recent study has found that Spanish speaking students in English immersion programs learn just as well in classes that use a bilingual approach. The study is being touted as an essential step towards understand and improving how ELL students learn.

D.C. to Vote on New Contract
(New York Times, April 8th) On Wednesday, Washington Schools Chancellor Michelle Rhee and the D.C. teachers’ unions reached an agreement on a tentative contract that would increase teacher salaries, allow for a voluntary merit based pay and make it easier to overhaul ineffective teachers. The deal is set to be voted on by union members and the City Council in the near future.

Enrollment Declines as New York Spends
(Education Week, April 7th) On Wednesday Texas Governor Rick Perry proposed to replace paper textbooks with new computer programs. The governor explained how paper textbooks have become outdated, with some Texas schools using textbooks printed as far back as 1991. The governor hopes that by using computer programs schools would be able to update new resources instantly. This would ensure that students receive the most recent information. The governor believes that the switch can be made quickly and cost effectively.

Charters Use Questionable Financial Practices
(USA Today, April 8th) A recent report has exposed Philadelphia charter schools for using risky financial practices and abusing public funds. The report points to several examples of questionable staffing agreements, nepotism and poor record keeping. Supporters of charter schools are concerned that such practices could create a negative stigma surrounding the credibility of charter schools.