Education News: July 18, 2010

Following are some of the top headlines from the world of education for the week ending on July 23, 2010.

Race to the Top Gaining Speed
(Education Week, July 20) A U.S. House of Representatives Appropriations panel has proposed an extension of Race to the Top for another year. The panel agreed upon a possible $800 million in federal funds for the coming 2011 fiscal year. As a result, more states may adopt the program as a standard for education policy. The extension is not complete, however, and must seek further approval in order to appear in the final federal spending bill.

Obama Backed Standards Taking Hold in 27 States
(New York Times, July 21) Contrary to a precedent of local curriculum control, recommendations for education standards released by state governors and school chiefs are taking hold in various states. Some believe the change is part of a widespread effort to compete in president Obama’s Race to the Top program. The national standards are thought to insure access to equal education for all students and to help financially strained districts construct sufficient curricula. Some states, however, believe that the standards are less academically challenging than those already in place.

Governor Christie Cuts Costs by Cutting Salaries
(PhiladelphiaInquirer, July 19) Governor Chris Christie of New Jersey proposed a plan to cut back on the salaries of superintendents in order to free up funds for the school system. The base salary for superintendents would be determined by the number of students in his/her district. Bonuses would be awarded in accordance with students’ performance. Some fear that such salary control would deter more competent administrators from working in the district, resulting in an overall decline in education around the area.

Principal Fired to Accrue Stimulus Money
(New York Times, July 19) Joyce Irvine, a highly regarded educator, was removed from her position as principal from Wheeler Elementary School in Burlington, VT. The surprising decision was not based on Ms. Irvine’s performance—which by most accounts was considered to be stellar—but rather with aim of receiving 3 million federal stimulus dollars. Because Wheeler Elementary scored below average on state tests, the money from the government would only come if the school replaced the principal and reformed the curriculum. Some believe the tests to be unbalanced for the children, many of whom are recent immigrants from African countries and that with time, scores would improve. Ms. Irvine, however, understood what she had to do, and gracefully accepted her termination. She now holds an administrative position in the district.

K-12 Classes Shifting Focus to College Life
(USA Today, July 20) On July 16th, Education Secretary Arne Duncan spoke to educators and policy makers in Minneapolis about bridging the gap between primary and secondary education. The discussion touched upon the concept of a core curriculum standard throughout a child’s education that would prepare him/her for the academic rigor of college. Certain college acceptance policies could, in turn, reflect the standardized education of applicants. However, endless state and federal legislative processes and resistant parents could make such regulation difficult to enact.

Keeping a Close Watch in the Digital Classroom
(Education Week, July 17) Apple’s Remote Desktop (ARD) software enables teachers to directly view the desktops of the computers their students use in class. The program helps teachers monitor what their students might be doing behind the screens, but more importantly allows them to help their students by directing their research and discovery in the often complex cyber realm. Technology directors are cautious to note that the system is not meant to over-monitor and invade the student’s privacy, but to rather facilitate the most effective form of online, computer-based learning.

A Battle Over The Pledge of Allegiance
(Boston Globe, July 21) After a long fight, begun by one particularly patriotic student, an Arlington, MA school decided to shift policy and recite the pledge of allegiance every morning before class. The decision comes after decades without the pledge and states that students are allowed, but not required, to participate in the daily recital. Dissenters worried that though participation is voluntary, some students would feel pressured to partake. The US Supreme Court decided in 1977 that requiring students to recite the pledge was a direct violation of their First Amendment rights.