Education News: May 21, 2010

Following are some of the top headlines from the world of education for the week ending May 21, 2010.

Teachers Face Struggling Job Market
(New York Times, May 20th) About one month ago Pelham Memorial High School in Westchester, New York, announced seven new job openings. Since then the school has received over 3,000 applications. But such staggering numbers are not coincidental, as schools receive an overwhelming amount of applications nationwide. Due to a struggling economy, state education budgets have begun to suffer. The result has been one of the weakest education job markets since the Great Depression. But as the number of teaching positions shrinks, schools find themselves in a position to have their pick of litter.

Texas to Vote on New Curriculum
(USA Today, May 21st 2010) On Friday, the Texas Board of Education will vote on a number of controversial curriculum changes that could impact social studies text books nationwide. Proposed changes include switching the name of the “slave trade” to the "Atlantic triangular trade." Because of the state’s large population, publishing companies often cater textbook content to Texas’s curriculum. With such a large influence on curricula, critics have expressed concerns about the changes’ possible repercussions.

California Officials Face Lawsuit
(San Francisco Gate, May 21st) In an attempt to overhaul California’s education funding system, more than sixty students and nine school districts joined forces to file a lawsuit against state officials. The lawsuit accuses the state of neglecting their constitutional responsibilities to provide adequate public school support. If successful the lawsuit would force officials to improve state funding for physical education, special education, books and various other school resources.

Central Falls High School to Rehire Entire Staff
(New York Times, May 18th) In February the Central Falls school district, Rhode Island, fired the entire staff of its lone high school. As one of the states lowest performing schools, the district received both praise and criticism for its bold actions. Now after months of tension, the Central Falls Teachers’ Union and the school’s superintendent, Frances Gallo, have agreed to rehire the school’s entire staff. The rehiring is part of a long term plan that calls for increased teacher evaluation and a longer school day. Education Secretary Arne Duncan praised the plan as a strong step towards improving the struggling school.

Colorado Governor Signs Controversial Bill
(Denver Post, May 21st) When Colorado Governor Bill Ritter signed a controversial teacher effectiveness bill on Thursday, a long debate between teachers’ unions and lawmakers was brought to a close. The new law will link teacher and principal evaluation to student performance, a method that the unions had starkly opposed. The bill will also change the way that teachers are granted tenure, a modification that lawmakers hope will help retain quality educators.

D.C. Reading Scores on the Rise
(Washington Post, May 20th) A recent federal study shows significant reading gains in D.C. Public Schools since 2007. Of the eleven major cities that the study followed, D.C was the only one to show significant progress. The progress echoes similar gains that the city has made in math.

Foundation Urges Focus on 4th Grade Literacy
(USA Today, May 18th) A new report by the Annie E. Casey Foundation shows evidence that high school drop out rates decrease for students who have achieved proficient reading scores by the fourth grade. With only 25% of fourth graders reading at a proficient level in 2009, the children advocacy group urges education officials to improve childhood literacy. The foundation’s vice president emphasized that drop outs “don’t just happen,” but are the result of lingering tendencies that start at a young age.