Education News: July 24, 2010

Following are some of the top headlines from the world of education for the
week ending on July 30th, 2010.

Higher Standards, Lower Scores in New York Schools
(New York Times, July 28) After a commitment by state officials to harder tests, New York City scores showed a sharp drop-off in achievement. Above 50% of students in all public schools failed their English tests while only 54% passed their math exams. Education officials claimed that the drop was due to previous tests that were not rigorous enough and thus inflated older scores. Mayor Bloomberg reiterated the fact that lower scores were expected as officials raise standards.

D.C. Schools Lay Off 200 Teachers
(USA Today, July 26) As a result of a new teacher evaluation system, the D.C. school system fired the teachers for their students’ insufficient test results.  The Washington Teachers’ Union and the American Federation of Teachers criticized the testing and firings, claiming that the results were subjective and an unbalanced method of evaluating a teacher’s performance in the classroom. Last October, Chancellor Michelle Rhee approved the termination of 400 school employees due to a budget crisis.

Gubernatorial Candidate Promises Education Reform in CA
(LA Times, July 29) Democratic candidate Jerry Brown announced a major part of his campaign platform: a complete restructuring of the California public school system. Changes in how funding is to be generated and used, quicker testing results for teachers, and a dedication to higher education for every student in the state are just a few elements of the proposal. The plan did not touch on the controversial issue of senior teachers’ immunity in statewide layoffs. However, the California Teachers Association recently contributed $750,000 dollars to back Brown’s campaign for governor.

Without Documentation, Many Students Shy From Schooling in New York State
(New York Times, July 24) The NYCLU has released a list of 139 districts throughout the state that have deterred undocumented students through a series of discriminatory enrollment requirements. Some schools ask for social security numbers and alien resident cards in order to enroll. The State Education Department believes that the requirements are at the discretion of the districts and as such, has done little to change such policies. However, a number of superintendents claim that they await instructions from the Education Department before they change their own rules about undocumented students. Over thirty years ago, the US Supreme Court ruled it unconstitutional to deny the right to education to any child with immigration issues.

Rights Groups Concerned with Reform’s Effect on Low-Income Families
(Education Week, July 26) Several civil rights groups are calling on Secretary Arne Duncan to revise his education policy in order to better suit families with less money. The groups cited a focus on charter schools and competitive funding that, they claim, would deny proper education to poorer children. The Education Department responded by underlining their partnership with the civil right community and their commitment to closing the achievement gap. The groups believe the funding competition that is the Race to the Top program is an unfair assessment for those most in need. Secretary Duncan has agreed, however, to promote the groups request to allow parents to take part in the education reform process by making their involvement in districts a condition of receiving funding.

Stopping Cyberbullies in Chicago
(Chicago Sun Times, July 29) Chicago public schools have created new rules that disallow any taunting, inside and outside of the classroom, in the digital media realm. The move comes as a reaction to an increasing trend of internet and cell-phone borne attacks that have proven just as detrimental as face to face encounters.  The code of conduct now likens cyber bullying to offenses such as burglary, gang activity, and assault.  Some teachers are concerned about the drastic measures, citing the difficulty of monitoring a student’s digital activity and the highly punitive nature of the rules. Some suggest that changing behavior, not creating new punishments, would be the best way to handle the issue.

In Idaho, Redemption for Teachers
(Education Week, July 26) Idaho has decided to allow former teachers once convicted of a crime to get back into the classroom. In order to teach again, those convicted will have to attain a new certificate of teaching through the State Department of Education’s Professional Standard Commission. Certain crimes, such as violence against children, would disallow a convict from re-entering the profession.