Education News: April 16, 2010

Following are some of the top headlines from the world of education for the week ending April 16, 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 The governor explained how paper textbooks have become outdated, with some Texas schools using textbooks printed as far back as 1991.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.

Arne Duncan Pushes School Aid
(Education Week,April 14th) On Wednesday, Secretary of Education Arne Duncan pushed congress to pursue new aid to help preserve jobs in education. The plea is the first push by the Obama Administration to help prevent widespread layoffs in a struggling economy. Duncan hopes that his testimony will lead to an education jobs bill by May.

District Requires Students to Write Outside of English Classe
(New York Times, April 15th) Prospective American math teachers earned a C on an international test, which compared American college students to students in 15 other countries. The grade fell short of the marks posted by Germany, Poland, the Russian Federation, Singapore, Switzerland and Taiwan. The study’s lead author William H. Schmidt, a professor at Michigan State University, criticized America’s teacher preparation for not being “up to the task.” Schmidt emphasized the importance of recruiting stronger candidates to level the international playing field.

St. Louis Closes Six Schools
(Education Week, April 15th) In order to reduce a $58 million deficit, St. Louis Superintendent Kevin Adams announced that the city will close six schools. Along with the closures the city will cut 500 jobs, including 226 teaching positions. The cuts will increase class size, as the teacher to student ratio is expected to rise from 13.5 to 16.2 students per teacher.

Florida Governor Vetoes Education Legislation
(New York Times, April 16th) On Thursday, Florida Governor Charlie Crist vetoed a GOP supported bill that would have linked student performance heavily to teacher pay. The republican governor said that he chose to veto the bill because of widespread opposition from teachers, parents and school boards. The Florida Department of Education was disappointed by the governor’s decision, emphasizing the need to hold teachers accountable.

Enrollment Declines as New York Spends
(USA Today, April 14th) Recent government research shows that students who take part in physical education have improved concentration in academic courses. However, due to increased academic demands, many schools plan to cut back on physical education. Howell Wechsler, director of the Division of Adolescent and School Health, argues that such cuts are a mistake. Cutting physical education in favor of rigorous coursework is “short-sighted,” emphasized Wechsler.

Charters Use Questionable Financial Practices
(San Francisco Gate, April 14th) On Wednesday, Iowa Senator Tom Harkins proposed a $23 billion bailout for struggling schools. The proposal would help schools avoid widespread teacher layoffs during a time of economic turmoil. The Obama administration has been quick to support Harkin, yet whether the proposal will win Senate support has yet to be seen.

New York to Stop Paying Teachers in Reassignment Centers
(Boston Globe, April 15th) New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg announced that the city will no longer pay teachers in reassignment centers. A deal between the mayor and the teachers unions will close centers, which cost tax payers millions of dollars annually. About 500 teachers are currently in reassignment centers.