Monday, June 17
College Credit Requirements
Credit Creep
One reason many students spend extra time trying to earn associate degrees is because community colleges often require more than 60 credits to meet academic program requirements, according to a survey by Complete College America and HCM Strategists. None of the 104 associate degree tracks surveyed had a median requirement of 60 credits or lower. About 13 programs required 64 credits, and many topped 70 or more. (Inside Higher Ed, 06/17/13)
Common Core
Funding for Common Core Implementation Ends with Gov. Snyder's Signature
Michigan joined Indiana as the only other state to halt implementing the Common Core standards after Gov. Rick Snyder signed the state's budget. The House Speaker said lawmakers will revisit the standards in the fall. Both houses of the legislature voted to prohibit any spending on implementing the standards or the related assessments without prior legislative authorization. (Mlive.com, 06/14/13)
Common Science Standards
Common Science Standards Deserve 'C' Grade, Think Tank Says
The existing science standards in 12 states and the District of Columbia are "clearly superior" to the Next Generation Science Standards developed by a coalition of states and national organizations, a Thomas B. Fordham Institute report concludes. Fordham says the common standards omit important science content knowledge, but some supporters questioned the report's conclusions. (Education Week, premium article access compliments of edweek.org, 06/13/13)
Teacher Evaluations
Maryland Approves Teacher, Principal Evaluation Plans
The Maryland education department has approved 21 out of 22 teacher and principal evaluation plans that are required to take effect for the 2013-14 school year. The state asked districts to ensure that the Maryland School Assessment comprised 20% of the measure for evaluating teachers. Districts had to have new teacher evaluation systems in place to comply with the states' Race to the Top grant. (Washington Post, 07/14/13)
Teacher Layoffs
CPS to Lay Off Hundreds of Teachers from Closing Schools
Chicago Public Schools said that 663 employees at schools the district is closing, including teachers, teaching assistants, and bus aides, don't qualify to follow students to their new schools and will be laid off. The total includes 420 teachers, more than a third of them with tenure but rated either unsatisfactory or satisfactory. The district also announced layoffs at five underperforming schools slated for overhauls. (Chicago Tribune, 06/15/13)
Friday, June 14
College Degrees
Higher Ed Officials Announce Effort to Boost Associate Degrees
State higher education officials announced an initiative aimed at increasing the number of Arkansans with associate degrees. Under Credit When It's Due, if a college student transfers from a two-year to a four-year school without having obtained an associate degree, and later earns the required college credits in relevant courses, the two-year school would be encouraged to award the student an associate degree. (Arkansas News Bureau, 06/12/13)
Common Core/Math Courses
Diploma Requirements 'Out of Sync' with Common Core, Report Says
Most states that adopted the Common Core math standards lack high school graduation requirements that ensure all students will get the coursework they need to meet the new expectations, according to a new report. Only 11 Common Core states fully meet the definition of math alignment set out in the report. Another 13 states are partially aligned. Hear Chris Minnich, CCSSO, and Richard Laine, NGA, discuss the Common Core at the ECS National Forum. (Education Week, premium article access compliments of edweek.org, 06/12/13)
School Leadership
Chicago Upgrades Its Principal Pipeline
Chicago education officials are moving ahead with plans to groom a large crop of high-performing principals. The goal is to install some 300 leaders in schools by the start of the 2014-15 academic year who meet more-rigorous eligibility criteria, demonstrate the skills that are essential to turning around underperforming schools, and are willing to participate in an results-focused evaluation system. (Education Week, premium article access compliments of edweek.org, 06/11/13)
School Vouchers
Expanded Voucher System Approved by Arizona Senate
The Arizona Senate approved an expansion of a school voucher program that will allow kindergartners to participate and increase funding for students who leave charters for private schools. Senate Bill 1363 now goes to Gov. Jan Brewer. Before the expansion, only students with a disability, whose parents are in the military, or who attend very low-performing schools qualified. Check out ECS' summary of voucher policies. (Arizona Capitol Times, 06/13/13)
Teacher Preparation
Teachers' Teachers Face Test as Scrutiny of Education Rises
Following the lead of Tennessee and Louisiana, policymakers in several states are evaluating teacher preparation programs—and even issuing report cards for them—based on the test scores of their graduates' students. So far, eight states have policies requiring them to do a similar analysis, most of them adopted in the last few years, according to the National Council on Teacher Quality. (Hechinger Report, 06/09/13)
Thursday, June 13
College Attainment
Mind the Gap
The percentage of adults who will hold a college degree in 2025 is projected to hit 48%, far short of Lumina Foundation's 60% goal for degree- and certificate-holders. To achieve that "big goal," the foundation's new report calls for 10 incremental targets to hit by 2016. The targets focus to some extent on black and Hispanic students, as well as working adults. Hear Jamie Merisotis, Lumina president, talk about postsecondary education trends at the ECS National Forum. (Inside Higher Ed, 06/13/13)
Low-performing Schools
State District to Run Struggling Schools in Va.
Plans are underway to open Virginia's new state-run district aimed at taking over and turning around academic performance in low-performing schools. Virginia's model comes 10 years after Louisiana established the Recovery School District, which took over and attempted to turn around academically struggling schools. Similar districts in Tennessee and Michigan are finishing their first year of operating schools. (Education Week, premium article access compliments of edweek.org, 06/11/13)
Math Courses/Common Core
Questions Arise about Need for Algebra 2 for All
Should all students take Algebra 2? Florida and Texas seemed to say "no" with the passage of legislation that backs away from Algebra 2 for all. But other states have moved in the opposite direction. Those steps come as the Common Core standards set the expectation that all students should meet learning objectives at what's generally considered the Algebra 2 level. (Education Week, premium article access compliments of edweek.org, 06/11/13)
Online Courses/Dual Enrollment
'MOOC' Plan Could Address Dual-Enrollment
Ten large public universities and postsecondary systems recently decided to partner with Coursera, a for-profit company that provides massive open online courses, or "MOOCs." The move is likely to have a trickle-down effect on K-12 education in areas that could include professional development for educators and increased options for students who want to earn college credits while still in high school. (Education Week, premium article access compliments of edweek.org, 06/11/13)
Pre-K Teaching Quality
States View Teacher Quality as Pre-K Rating Factor
Teaching quality is a key piece of Georgia's early childhood effort, which has gained momentum because of an infusion of $6.5 million for teacher incentives and a statewide rating system. While states vary in the way they assess programs through the Quality Rating and Improvement System, most offer some financial incentive for good quality, including teachers' educational advancement. (Education Week, premium article access compliments of edweek.org, 06/11/13)
Science Standards
Kansas Approves New Science Standards
The Kansas school board approved new multistate science standards for schools that treat evolution and climate change as key concepts to be taught from kindergarten through the 12th grade. Though the new standards drew some criticism over their treatment of evolution, it wasn't nearly as vocal or public as in the past. The standards were developed by Kansas, 25 other states, and the National Research Council. (Kansas City Star, 06/11/13)
Wednesday, July 12
Charter Schools
Most Charters Don't Have Sufficient Room to Grow, Study Says
More than half of charter schools are located in facilities that will be too small to allow for their current rate of growth in five years, according to results from a survey by the National Alliance for Public Charter Schools. In response, the alliance and the Colorado League of Charter Schools have launched the Charter School Facilities Initiative. Learn more about charters at an ECS National Forum workshop. (Education Week, premium article access compliments of edweek.org, 06/10/13)
Common Core
States Seek Flexibility During Common-Test Transition
With the debut of Common Core assessments less than two years away, states, and districts are worried about the accountability systems that hinge on those tests. A growing chorus of policy groups is urging more flexibility in how states evaluate teachers, label schools, and enforce other high-stakes consequences during what's likely to be a messy transition. Hear Chris Minnich, CCSSO, and Richard Laine, NGA, discuss the Common Core at the ECS National Forum. (Education Week, premium article access compliments of edweek.org, 06/11/13)
District Takeovers/Teacher Evaluations
Kansas City Public Schools Face Possible State Intervention, Education Reformers Eye Ballot Initiative
Legislation passed last year, S.B. 125, removed the two-year waiting period for the Missouri education department to intervene in an unaccredited district and was aimed at Kansas City. Results from recent student test scores will determine whether the state will take control of the Kansas City district. Meanwhile, some education reformers are supporting a ballot initiative to adopt new teacher evaluation systems. (Missouri Times, 06/07/13)
Teacher Compensation
Valuing Physics Over P.E., Colorado Schools Test Novel Pay Scale
The Douglas County district in Colorado is launching an experiment that sets a different pay scale for each category of educator. Most elementary, art, and physical education teachers' salaries would top out at $61,000. Middle-and high-school English teachers can earn up to $72,000. High school science and math teachers draw upper salaries of $82,000. Special education therapists, who max out at $94,000. (Huffington Post, 06/10/13)
Teacher Evaluations
Race Is on to Ready Teacher Evaluations in New York City
Administrators and teachers in New York City have just three months to adapt before the expectations of a new teacher-evaluation system kick in. While a small fraction of the teaching force has had training through pilot programs, the final system demands execution on a far larger scale. When it rolls out, it will probably be the country's largest revamped evaluation system, used for 75,000 teachers.
(Education Week, premium article access compliments of edweek.org, 06/11/13)
Tuesday, June 11
College Enrollment/Attainment
Nearly 40% of Oregon High School Grads Don't Go to College
Oregon adopted a goal of getting 80% of its young people to earn a college credential—40% for a four-year degree and 40% for an associate's degree or industry certificate. But among the high school class of 2011, just 61% enrolled in a college or community college anywhere in the country by fall 2012. And only one district sends enough graduates on to college to reaching the 80% target any time soon. Hear about college completion strategies at the ECS National Forum. (Oregonian, 06/08/13)
College Remediation
New Denver Public Schools Remedial Classes Aimed at College Success
Denver Public Schools will offer free remedial math and English classes this summer in response to a higher education department's report, which shows that more than 60% of graduates need college remediation. A student who gets a C or higher would not have to take the course in college under an agreement with Colorado universities. The classes will be offered during the school year in 2013-14. Learn about ECS' college readiness Blueprint at the National Forum. (Denver Post, 06/10/13)
District Layoffs/Budgets
More than 3,700 School Employees Are Being Laid Off
Philadelphia Superintendent William R. Hite Jr., announced that the district started mailing layoff notices to 3,783 employees, informing them they will lose their jobs July 1 because of the district's financial crisis. The list includes 676 teachers, 283 counselors, 127 assistant principals, and 1,202 noontime aides. Officials said more jobs would be lost. (Philadelphia Inquirer, 06/07/13)
ESEA Reauthorization
Rival Proposals Show No Clear Path to ESEA Rewrite
Lawmakers in Congress introduced three separate pieces of legislation to rewrite the stalled Elementary and Secondary Education Act—but none of the measures has bipartisan backing. All three bills—like the administration's waivers under No Child Left Behind—would move away from adequate yearly progress. But the similarities largely end there. Check out a side-by-side comparison of the bills. (Education Week, premium article access compliments of edweek.org, 06/10/13)
Science Standards
New Kentucky Academic Standards for Science Advance Despite Critics
The Kentucky Board of Education approved new academic standards for science education, including updates on evolution and climate change. Officials worked with 25 other states to develop the new standards. The action comes several weeks after Rhode Island became the first state to adopt the next generation science standards. (Louisville Courier-Journal, 06/06/13)
Monday, June 10
Dropout Recovery
A 'Neglected' Population Gets Another Chance at a Diploma
Educators and researchers who work with at-risk students say there is no way to really achieve the Graduation Nation goal of a 90% graduation rate by 2020 without taking time to find, bring back, and keep the students who already have fallen through the cracks, at a rate of roughly 1 million every year. Texas, for example, has created a statewide focus on recovering the students who already had left school. (Education Week, premium article access compliments of edweek.org, 06/06/13)
Graduation Requirements
Michigan House Approves Changes to High School Merit Curriculum Graduation Requirements
The Michigan House approved two bills that expand the subjects which satisfy high school graduation requirements. House Bills 4465 and 4466 allow for career and technical education courses to count toward the Algebra II requirement, expand the foreign language requirement to include credits earned as early as kindergarten, and make other changes to science and physical education requirements.
(Mlive.com, 06/06/13)
High School Redesign
Arne Duncan Unveils High School Grant Program Details
Secretary of Education Arne Duncan offered more details on the administration's proposed $300 million high school redesign initiative, which will have a career-related and STEM focus. The program would dole out competitive grants to districts in partnership with postsecondary institutions and other organizations to help high schools emphasize the skills that prepare students for higher education and the workforce. (Education Week, premium article access compliments of edweek.org, 06/07/13)
Preschool Funding
Education Department Puts Numbers to 'Preschool For All' Proposal
The Education Department released fact sheets for every state letting them know how much they stand to gain if the Obama administration's proposal to expand preschool opportunities is adopted. The funding level is based on the state's population of 4-year-olds in low-income families and assumes that states will expand to 20% of their eligible 4-year-olds in the first year. Hear secretaries Arne Duncan and Kathleen Sebelius discuss the proposed early-learning initiative at the ECS National Forum. (Education Week, premium article access compliments of edweek.org, 06/07/13)
Value of College Education
The Premium from a College Degree
In recent years, the burden of student-loan debt has raised questions about whether college is really worth the investment. New research from the Hamilton Project, says that on average, the answer is still yes. The analysis even argues that it's better to pay something for a little postsecondary education than it is to pay nothing for none despite the rise in college costs. (New York Times, 06/07/13)
Friday, June 7
Early Learning Coordination
Wyoming Legislators Seek to Coordinate Early Childhood Education
Wyoming legislators agreed to consider new funding sources for early childhood education programs and to study how to improve their coordination across the state. Members of the education and the health and social services committees discussed early learning efforts with officials from four state departments and various professionals. Only 52% of kindergartners in 2009 were prepared to begin school. (Casper Tribune, 06/06/13)
ESEA Reauthorization
Senate Republicans: No Child Left Behind Should Give Governors More Say
Republicans on Congress' education committees unveiled rewrites to No Child Left Behind that would give governors final responsibility for holding schools accountable and largely limit the Education Department to promoting the importance of learning. States would determine if their schools are succeeding and could ignore previous federal requirements to show they are getting better every year. (Huffington Post, 06/06/13)
Financial Aid
U.S. Senate Rejects Dueling Bills on Student-Loan Interest Rates
Two bills designed to hold down student-loan interest rates both failed on votes in the U.S. Senate, splitting Republicans and Democrats again as the deadline nears to keep key rates from doubling. The votes put Congress in a tight deadlock in the student-loan debate. Interest rates on subsidized Stafford loans will double, to 6.8%, if Congress does not pass legislation to forestall the change by July 1. (Chronicle of Higher Education, 06/06/13)
Higher Ed Governance/Accountability
After Missteps, Lawmakers Move for More Oversight of State's Universities
Connecticut legislators have asked the governor to sign H.B. 6491 and S.B. 868, which would increase their oversight over public colleges and universities. College officials would be required to come before lawmaker’ to answer questions about their budgets and report student-to-administrator ratios, how their systems compare to similar college systems, and how much they are paying their administrators. (Connecticut Mirror, 06/05/13)
Student Data/Teacher Prof. Devel.
Teachers' Data Use Becoming PD Emphasis
While schools and districts now have a wealth of longitudinal student data at their fingertips, teachers are just at the beginning of learning how to use that information effectively, says a New America Foundation report. Despite various challenges, professional development programs in Oregon and Delaware provide valuable models for making data useful to teachers. Learn about Delaware’s data coaches program at the ECS National Forum. (Education Week, premium article access compliments of edweek.org, 06/06/13)
Thursday, June 6
College Readiness/Success
Academics Not Only Factor in College Success, ACT Report Says
A new report from ACT, Inc., underscores that while academic readiness is important it is not the sole factor at play in college success. About 19% of high school graduates in 2011 who took the ACT and were considered college-ready in at least three of the four subject areas never enrolled or didn't return for a second year. The report offers recommendations to improve college-retention rates. Learn about ECS' college readiness Blueprint at the National Forum. (Education Week, premium article access compliments of edweek.org, 06/04/13)
Common Core
Common Core Funding Blocked in New Michigan Budget after Senate Vote
Michigan is poised to became the second state to "pause" implementation of the Common Core standards after the Senate approved a budget barring funding for the guidelines. The omnibus budget measure, which now heads to Gov. Rick Snyder, includes a provision that prevents the education department from spending any money on implementation of the standards. Indiana has passed similar legislation. (Mlive.com, 06/04/13)
Federal Ed Agenda
Jumble of Education Topics Facing Congress
From pre-kindergarten to No Child Left Behind, from broadband-wired schools to college loans, students in every age group are suddenly finding the spotlight on Capitol Hill. After months of relative neglect, education issues are getting the attention of lawmakers—as well as President Barack Obama—just as the school year is ending and, for many college students, the cost of education is about to go up. (Boston Globe, 06/06/13)
Graduation Rates
Nation's Graduation Rate Nears a Milestone
At the beginning of the last decade, only about two-thirds of U.S. students were finishing high school with a regular diploma. An analysis from the Editorial Projects in Education Research Center finds that the graduation rate stands just shy of 75% for the class of 2010. But there is a flip side to these gains: Far too many young people are still failing to complete a meaningful high school education. (Education Week, premium article access compliments of edweek.org, 06/06/13)
Teacher Retirement Plans
Pension-System Woes Put Legislators on Hot Seat
States continue to grapple with major changes to their teacher-retirement systems, with significant legislation either recently passed or already signed in states such as Minnesota and Texas, and with Illinois lawmakers at odds on the issue as their session drew to a close. Policymakers are trying a variety of approaches that include requiring new employees to enter defined-contribution retirement plans. (Education Week, premium article access compliments of edweek.org, 06/04/13)
Virtual Charter Schools
N.J.'s Education Commissioner Scuttles State's Proposed 'Virtual' Charter Schools
New Jersey's education commissioner has scratched plans to let the state's first two virtual charter schools open in the fall, citing questions about their legal foundation and "serious concerns" about the state's ability to oversee them. Education Commissioner Chris Cerf granted conditional approval to the two virtual charters two years ago but has denied them final permission to open. (North New Jersey.com, 06/04/13)
Wednesday, June 5
Ed Reform Implementation
Some Education Reforms to Be Phased-in
The Connecticut House give final passage to S.B. 1097, which allows districts to move a little slower in implementing two elements of the 2012 education reforms pushed by Gov. Dannel P. Malloy. The bill gives districts the flexibility to roll out the new teacher evaluation process over two years instead of one and delays programs to address the high rate of elementary students struggling to read. (Connecticut Mirror, 06/04/13)
ESEA Reauthorization
No Child Left Behind Reauthorization Revived by Harkin Bill
Iowa Sen. Tom Harkin, the chairman of the Senate education committee, released a new bill to update No Child Left Behind that contains a softer version of annual performance goals, with a focus on continuous improvement and college and career academic content. It also would require states to implement teacher and principal evaluations that rely in part on student achievement, as defined by states. (Huffington Post, 06/04/13)
Higher Ed Funding
The New 'New Normal'
With many states' economies rebounding, lawmakers are increasing funding for higher education and holding down tuition prices. While it might be too soon to tell if a new model is emerging, officials say the freezes are the result of a political backlash against tuition hikes and an increasing emphasis to hold down the price of college, a goal that can often come at the expense of other institutional goals. (Inside Higher Ed, 06/04/13)
Pre-K Funding
Some States Shoring Up Spending on Pre-K
While Congress studies President Obama’s proposal for a $75 billion investment in high-quality pre-kindergarten programs, governors and state lawmakers are forging ahead with their own ideas. A report by the National Institute for Early Education Research (NIEER) painted a gloomy picture of state pre-kindergarten funding in 2011-12. This school year, state spending on pre-K appears to be growing, according to an analysis by ECS. Hear Mike Griffith talk about pre-K funding at the ECS National Forum. (Stateline.org, 06/05/13)
Virtual Charter Schools
Maine Senate Supports Moratorium on Virtual Public Charter Schools
The Maine Senate approved a bill that would place a moratorium on the creation of virtual charter schools until enactment of laws and guidelines that govern them. The bill, LD 995, calls on the Maine Charter School Commission to study the issue and bring recommendations back to the full legislature. In 2011, Maine passed the state's first-ever charter school law. (Bangor Daily News, 06/04/13)
Tuesday, June 4
College Remediation
Florida Colleges to Drop Remedial Classes for Thousands
Florida Gov. Rick Scott recently signed S.B 1720 to overhaul college remediation and allow a large segment of students to immediately enroll in college-level courses, regardless of their academic abilities. The goal is to allow more students to start earning college credits while also offering them support services. Some researchers praise the legislation, but college administrators fear that students are being set up to fail. Check out ECS' new brief on remedial reform models. (Orlando Sentinel, 06/03/13)
Early Learning
Business Leaders Back Pre-K Programs in Letter to Obama, Congress
Four-year-olds are key to the future economy, and if they're not educated problems will arise, say the 300 business leaders from 44 states who signed an open letter to President Barack Obama and Congress as members of America's Promise Alliance. The letter cited the economic benefits of early-childhood education, workforce preparedness, and standing in the global marketplace. Hear secretaries Arne Duncan and Kathleen Sebelius discuss the proposed early-learning initiative at the ECS National Forum. (Education Week, premium article access compliments of edweek.org, 05/31/13)
Education Reforms
Sweeping Education Reforms Become Law
Iowa Gov. Terry Branstad called the education reform bill he signed into law "a turning point in Iowa history," but it lacks many of the provisions included in the administration's initial pitch for improved schools. The final bill, for example, failed to link student performance to teacher evaluations or require high school students to pass end-of-course exams in core subjects. (Des Moines Register, 06/04/13)
State Takeovers
N.J. Moves to Take Over Another District
Nearly 25 years after New Jersey first took control of a troubled district, a proposed state takeover of the Camden schools sheds a critical spotlight on that state's long record of trying to right struggling districts through such intervention. Though the situation is different in each district, it is widely agreed that the academic performance in the state-run districts has not improved notably after years of state control. Check out ECS' policy database on takeovers. (Education Week, premium article access compliments of edweek.org, 05/31/13)
Teacher Evaluations
As State Watches, LA Unified Tests New Ways to Grade Teachers
The second-largest district in the nation at more than 640,000 students, Los Angeles Unified has become a testing ground to increase accountability for teachers, a movement that has gained speed across the nation. The outcome in Los Angeles will have repercussions throughout the state as pressure mounts to improve the state's lagging achievement and qualify for federal funding. (Hechinger Report, 06/03/13)
Monday, June 3
Admissions/Affirmative Action
Income-Based Diversity Lags at Some Universities
Opponents of race-based affirmative action in admissions urge colleges to use a different tool to encourage diversity: giving a leg up to poor students. But many educators see real limits to how eager colleges are to enroll more poor students, no matter how qualified—and the reason is money. One college official said that it is expensive to identify, recruit, enroll, and provide financial aid to these students. (New York Times, 05/30/13)
Common Core
State Chiefs: Common Core Requires Flexibility, Not a Pause
The Council of Chief State School Officers is rejecting calls for a moratorium on any high stakes tied to the Common Core State Standards, and is instead suggesting that states have almost all of the power they need to smooth the way for what could be a rocky transition. Specifically, states need some wiggle room in accountability, teacher evaluations, and assessments, according to a document CCSSO has drafted. Hear Chris Minnich, CCSSO, and Richard Laine, NGA, discuss the Common Core at the ECS National Forum. (Education Week, premium article access compliments of edweek.org, 05/28/13)
Online Courses
Bill Allows Students to Take More Online Courses
A South Carolina Senate committee advanced S.B 3752, which would remove the limits of three online credit hours per year and 12 toward a high school diploma for 7th-12th graders. The program was designed to help students who have fallen behind to graduate and increase access for students in rural schools. But the current law's three-credit limit may prevent students from recovering the credits they need to catch up. (Groupstate.com, 05/29/13)
School Safety
School Safety Bill Passes Senate Panel as Gov. Bobby Jindal Signs Another into Law
Louisiana Gov. Bobby Jindal signed H.B. 718, which will require schools to coordinate with local law enforcement, fire, and public safety officials in preparing school safety and crisis management plans. The law would also require schools to undertake live-shooter scenario drills and train employees on how to deal with such a scenario. Another proposed bill would urge schools to place an armed guard on campus. (New Orleans Times-Picayune, 05/30/13)
Teacher Evaluations
New York to Evaluate Teachers with New System
The New York State education commissioner broke a long and acrimonious impasse by imposing a new evaluation system that would rate New York City teachers in part on their students' test scores and streamline the disciplinary process. The plan would make New York City the only district that would leave a significant part of the implementation of the evaluations up to individual schools. (New York Times, 06/01/13)
Thursday, May 30
College Degrees/Job Prospects
Georgetown Study Says Not All College Degrees Are Created Equal
Recent college graduates may face tough times landing jobs at first, but things tend to get easier as graduates acquire more experience and education, according to a new report by the Georgetown Center on Education and the Workforce. The report stresses that although college is valuable, students should also know how much it pays based on their chosen field of study. (Diverse Issues in Higher Education, 05/28/13)
English-language Learners
In Effort to Turn Around Schools, Nevada Eyes ELL Achievement
While there's ongoing debate about the most effective ways to teach English-language learners, the main focus of the debate in Nevada over the high ELL failure rate comes down to money. Gov. Brian Sandoval proposed applying $50 million to these students over the next two years. Nevada is one of eight states that don't provide extra state money for English learners. A legislative leader is pushing for $140 million for ELL programs. (Education Week, premium article access compliments of edweek.org, 05/28/13)
Online Courses
State Systems Go MOOC
Universities from New Mexico to New York will join Coursera in an expansion of the startup's efforts to provide education through massive open online courses, MOOCs. Together, state systems and flagship universities in nine states will help the company test new business models and teaching methods and potentially put Coursera in competition with some of the education tech industry's most established players. (Inside Higher Ed, 05/31/13)
Early Learning/K-12 Alignment
Calif. Two-Year Kindergarten Program Bridges Preschool, K-12
California's new two-year kindergarten program was designed to better align students' developmental readiness with state curriculum. But the effort has had an unintended effect: It's bridging the divide between the early-childhood community and the K-12 system, a scenario other states are interested in replicating. Learn more about preschool/K-12 alignment at the ECS National Forum. (Education Week, premium article access compliments of edweek.org, 05/27/13)
School Vouchers
Nearly $5 Million to Be Returned to Indiana Public Schools from Voucher Program
Indiana's voucher program could return just under $5 million to the state's schools this year—nearly $800,000 more than last year. Because vouchers only cover up to 90% of the cost of a student's private school education, the state gets back at least 10% of the per-pupil education funds set aside for those students that use vouchers. That remaining money is pumped back into the statewide school funding formula. (Evansville Courier & Press, 05/29/13)
Teacher Evaluation
State Rolls Out Teacher Evaluation System
West Virginia lawmakers have singled out a teacher evaluation pilot project for statewide adoption. When the new system is put into place this fall, it will mean that all teachers will be evaluated annually. The system provides for a number of observations and conferences between teachers and principals; it also uses data and test scores to gauge student achievement and, by proxy, teachers' effectiveness. (Charleston Daily Mail, 05/29/13)
Wednesday, May 29
Charters/High School Reforms
Major Education Bills Headed to TX Governor's Desk
Two major education bills are headed to Texas Gov. Rick Perry's desk. Senate Bill 2 allows the cap on charter schools to increase by about 15 a year to 305 by 2019. Senate Bill 5 revises high school graduation requirements and allows students to select one of five diploma "endorsements" in areas including science and technology, and the humanities. The bill also reduces the number of tests required for graduation. (Texas Tribune, 05/26/13)
Common Core
Some States Push Back Against New School Standards
The Common Core standards continue to receive pushback from some policymakers. Lawmakers and governors are reviewing the standards in at least nine states. Meanwhile, some U.S. senators have signed a letter asking the Senate Appropriations Committee to stop the Education Department from linking adoption of the standards to eligibility for other federal dollars. And the Republican National Committee passed a resolution calling the standards an "inappropriate overreach." (Boston Globe, 05/28/13)
Early Literacy
24 Virginia Schools Apply for Third-grade Testing Waivers
Two dozen Virginia elementary schools have applied for waivers from the state board to free them from mandatory testing requirements in science and social studies for 3rd-graders so they have more time to develop reading skills. The new flexibility was proposed by Gov. Robert F. McDonnell and the legislature approved H.B. 2144 this past session. (Washington Post, 05/28/13)
Online Charter Schools
State Bans New Online Charter Schools for 1 Year
Illinois has put a one-year moratorium on new online charter schools outside Chicago at the urging of a handful of suburban districts that are concerned about the schools' quality. Gov. Pat Quinn signed H.B. 494, which also directs a state commission to study issues such as student performance and costs associated with virtual charter schools. Come hear experts talk about charter school accountability at the ECS National Forum. (Chicago Tribune, 05/27/13)
Teacher Evaluations
States Tighten Disclosure of Teacher Evaluations
In the wake of several news media projects disclosing how teachers fared under student achievement measures, Education Week produced a story and chart last year outlining each state's laws regarding access to teacher evaluation ratings. At least five states—Utah, Tennessee, New York, Massachusetts, and New Jersey—subsequently altered their education codes or open-records laws in 2012. (Education Week, premium article access compliments of edweek.org, 05/23/13)
Tuesday, May 28
High School Exams
Exit Exams May Be on Their Way Out
A South Carolina lawmaker has introduced H.B. 3919, which would scrap his state's high school exit exam requirement. Some of the 25 states that now require students to pass an exit exam to graduate are looking to replace them with tests that yield better information about students' aptitude for college or jobs, but without requiring a specific grade to earn a diploma. (USA Today, 05/22/13)
Higher Ed Inequities
Race and Inequity
Two new research papers, released alongside a report from the Century Foundation, attempt to focus attention on racial and economic stratification at community colleges. The first paper found that only one-quarter of community colleges can be considered racially integrated. The second paper found that two-year colleges serving larger portions of minorities generally scored worse on measures of student success. (Inside Higher Ed, 05/28/13)
Instructional Time
Minnesota Requires Fewer Classroom Hours than Other States. Does it Matter?
Minnesota trails many states in the amount of instructional time students receive, according to a new report by ECS and the National Center on Time & Learning. Despite states' varying definitions of a school day, a growing number of parents and educators acknowledge the benefit of more instructional time. But it's hard to show a direct link between more class time and improved achievement. (St. Paul Pioneer-Press, 05/25/13)
School Finance Litigation
Court Reverses Lobato, Finds State School Funding Constitutional
The Colorado Supreme Court has found the state's system of funding public schools to be constitutional, handing a bitter defeat to plaintiffs in the so-called Lobato case and raising billion-dollar questions about the direction of school finance. The court found that the current finance system is, in fact, "rationally related" to the thorough and uniform standard. The decision reverses a trial court ruling. (Denver Post, 05/28/13)
School Readiness
Ed. Dept. Launches Competition for Kindergarten Entry Assessments
States will have a chance to vie for $9.2 million in funds intended to help them create kindergarten entry assessments, which evaluate young children on several domains related to school readiness. The description of the funding opportunity says that the Department of Education expects to make two grants. Groups of three or more states working together will be given an edge in the competition. (Education Week, premium article access compliments of edweek.org, 05/23/13)
Friday, May 24
Common Science Standards
Science Standards Win OK in First State with Rhode Island Vote
Rhode Island became the first state to adopt the Next Generation Science Standards after its state board of education voted to approve them. It is one of the 26 lead state partners that helped to develop the standards. At least two other states, Kentucky and Maine, have signaled that they likely would vote on adoption, and many more may follow suit, including California and Kansas. (Education Week, premium article access compliments of edweek.org, 05/23/13)
Community College Courses
Oregon House Approves Bill to Allow Community Colleges to Compete with Career Colleges
The Oregon legislature sent Gov. John Kitzhaber H.B. 3341, which would repeal a prohibition on public community colleges creating programs that compete with offerings of for-profit career colleges. Under current law, a community college is banned from developing a new program if a career college finds that it would have an "adverse impact" on a program they offer or intend to offer. (Oregonian, 05/23/13)
Education Overhaul/Teaching Quality
Iowa House Passes Education Reform
The Iowa legislature has passed an education reform package aimed at improving student achievement and making the teaching profession more appealing and rewarding. The package creates professional development opportunities for educators, a minimum salary, and incentives for high-achieving students to enter the profession. It also calls for a student testing regime and a study of educator evaluations. (Des Moines Register, 05/22/13)
Physical Education
Report: Nation's Kids Need To Get More Physical
The Institute of Medicine is recommending that schools provide opportunities for at least 60 minutes of physical activity each day for students and that physical education become a core subject. The report says only about half of the nation's youngsters are getting at least an hour of adequate physical activity every day. Many schools have cut physical education and recess in recent years. (Huffington Post, 05/23/13)
Workforce Development/College Completion
Skills-gap Bill Wins Unanimous Support from Maine House
The Maine House passed a bill aimed at the state's skills gap. The omnibus bill would establish a uniform credit-transfer system between the university and community college systems, reduce waiting lists for popular community-college programs, provide financial assistance to adults who went to college but didn't earn a degree, and implement a worker-training system between businesses and community colleges. (Kennebec Journal, 05/20/13)
Thursday, May 23
Dual Enrollment
The Dual-enrollment Shuffle: School Districts Now Must Pay for Popular Program
Gov. Rick Scott signed H.B. 5101, which requires Florida districts to start paying for the classes that teenagers take at local colleges through their high schools' dual-enrollment programs. It's a change that some education leaders predict will result in fewer students participating in the program, which allows them to complete college credits while working on their high school diplomas. See page 52 of the bill. (Orlando Sentinel, 05/20/13)
Governor Races
K-12 Impacts Likely in N.J., Va. Governor Races
In a relatively quiet election year at the state level, the high-profile governor running for re-election in New Jersey will attempt to defend and build on the big changes he initiated in the areas of teacher tenure and state control of struggling districts. And in Virginia, where the incumbent is term-limited, the governor's contest could determine the future of major K-12 policy changes enacted this year. (Education Week, premium article access compliments of edweek.org, 05/22/13)
Higher Ed Inequity
Equity Gap Widens
Economic and racial stratification is increasing in higher education, with growing concentrations of needy students at community colleges. Meanwhile, government funding skews toward universities with more advantaged students, due in part to research support and tax breaks, according to a Century Foundation report. The paper includes policy recommendations to address the growing inequities. (Inside Higher Ed, 05/23/13)
Preschool Programs
Maine Groups Support Universal Pre-K
A proposed bill would make Maine one of a handful of states offering universal pre-kindergarten. The legislation would create a legal framework to establish voluntary pre-kindergarten in all districts by 2017. The measure would set up a committee to work with the education department to implement the program. It also would lower the compulsory age from 7 to 5, beginning in July 2016. (Portland Press-Herald, 05/17/13)
School Safety
R.I. Senate Passes School Safety Bills, Including Measures to Keep Safety Plans, Discussions Secret
The Rhode Island Senate has passed a package of school safety bills, including one that would keep all meetings and documents about school safety plans secret. One bill would require all schools to conduct school safety assessments and establish training and protocols for "responding to acts violence" including bomb threats, hostage-takings, intrusions, and kidnappings. (Providence Journal, 05/21/13)
Wednesday, May 22
AP/Dual Enrollment
AP Courses vs. Dual Credit: What's Best for High School Students?
Dual credit and Advanced Placement (AP) offer competing schools of thought on helping high school students earn college credits. Experts say both approaches can work, when done the right way, but they also have pitfalls. In Missouri, a push is building behind AP after years of popularity for dual enrollment. For the first time, the percentage of students passing an AP exam will factor into a district's report card. Check out ECS' high school issue site. (St. Louis Post-Dispatch, 05/19/13)
Common Core
Chiefs Group: No Moratorium on Common-Core Stakes
A group of state education chiefs sent a letter to Education Secretary Arne Duncan, urging him to resist a call for a moratorium on high-stakes uses of tests on the Common Core standards. The Chiefs for Change says that accountability measures tied to the standards should be preserved, not delayed. Some education leaders have called for a slow down on the assessments. (Education Week, premium article access compliments of edweek.org, 05/20/13)
Differential Tuition
Capacity Fix that Rankles
For the third time in recent years, a California lawmaker introduced a bill, A.B. 955, to allow over-enrolled community colleges to charge more for certain courses. This time the Assembly passed the bill. However, the system's chancellor and many faculty members and students are opposed to what they see as a challenge to the open-access mission of the 112 two-year colleges. (Inside Higher Ed, 05/22/13)
School Funding
Colorado Gov. Signs School Finance Reform Bill
Colorado Gov. John Hickenlooper signed a proposed overhaul of the state's school funding system, but it's unclear which billion-dollar proposal voters will face to fund the ambitious plan. Senate Bill 213 would increase funding for kindergarten and preschool, at-risk students and English language learners, special education, and for districts to implement reform mandates. (EdNews Colorado, 05/21/13)
School Safety
States Pressing Schools to Add 'Intruder' Drills
In response to the shootings by an intruder at Sandy Hook Elementary School, several states have enacted or are considering laws that require more and new types of school safety drills, more reporting to state agencies about safety planning, and new audits of school security. An Education Week analysis showed proposed mandates for emergency-preparedness drills and planning are getting traction. (Education Week, premium article access compliments of edweek.org, 05/22/13)
Tuesday, May 21
College Authorization
Confusion on State Authorization
The Education Department announced that it would push back by a year the deadline for complying with a rule requiring states to authorize colleges within their borders. A court overturned a provision of the rule that would have required distance education programs to get permission to operate from every state in which they enroll students. But the other college authorization sections remain in the rule. (Inside Higher Ed, 05/20/13)
Kindergarten/Preschool Funding
All-day Kindergarten Approved in Education Bill
Most Minnesota parents will have access to free, all-day kindergarten beginning in 2014 under a $15.7 billion education funding approved by the legislature. All-day kindergarten will be optional, but sponsors expect most districts to provide it. The bill includes $485 million in new money and a $40 million boost in scholarships for lower-income families to send their children to high-quality preschools. (Minneapolis Star Tribune, 05/19/13)
Lead Teachers
Recognizing 'Master Teachers'
New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo, along with SUNY Chancellor Nancy Zimpher, announced a four-year, $60,000 stipend to high-performing science and math teachers willing to serve as mentors and coaches. Once chosen, these master teachers will work to help other secondary level science and math teachers become more effective. (Albany Times-Union, 05/20/13)
Online Tests/Common Core
All Virginia Students to Use Computers for Standardized Tests
All Virginia students will have to log on to a computer to take this year's Standards of Learning tests, making Virginia one of the only states to wholly abandon the nearly ubiquitous paper-and-pencil bubble sheets. The move means that Virginia, one of the few states that did not adopt the Common Core standards, has become a model for the dozens of states that did. (Washington Post, 05/20/13)
Testing/Cheating
40 States Probed Alleged Cheating on Tests, Federal Report Finds
A new report from the Government Accountability Office has found that most states have looked into allegations of cheating by school officials on state tests in the past two years. The study found that 33 states confirmed at least one such case of cheating, and 32 reported invalidating test scores as a result of cheating. (Education Week, premium article access compliments of edweek.org, 05/17/13)
Monday, May 20
College Readiness/Success
Motivation Matters
A new assessment from the Education Testing Service (ETS) seeks to measure non-academic variables and social behaviors, like whether students show up for class, that could be factors in college readiness and success. ETS' SuccessNavigator could help colleges identify students in remedial tracks who can pass credit-bearing, college-level courses, said officials. (Inside Higher Ed, 05/20/13)
Financial Aid
So Much for Consensus
The U.S. House Committee on Education approved H.R. 1911, which would create a variable interest rate for student loans. The interest rate on student loans will double to 6.8% July 1 if Congress doesn't act to create long-term plan. The committee also approved H.R. 1949 to study higher education data and transparency. (Inside Higher Ed, 05/17/13)
Kindergarten to College
Will San Francisco's Kindergartener Bank Accounts Catch On?
San Francisco has launched the nation's first college savings accounts for kindergarteners. At the outset, each child receives $50 from the city, deposited into a trust fund under the city's name. For low-income children, the initial deposit is $100. Families can add money into the account and can only withdraw funds for educational purposes once the child is enrolled in postsecondary education. (Governing, 05/15/13)
School Safety
Gov. Haslam Signs Bill Allowing Armed Personnel in Schools
Tennessee Gov. Bill Haslam has signed S.B. 6, which allows districts to let people with police training be armed in schools. The measure allows schools to hire retired law enforcement officers after they meet certain requirements. The legislation makes information about which teachers are armed or which schools allow the guns confidential to anyone but law enforcement. (Tennessean, 05/17/13)
Science Standards
Common Science Standards Face Capacity Issues
States now must decide whether to adopt the Next Generation Science Standards developed by a coalition of 26 states and national organizations. The capacity challenges for states and districts are immense as they contemplate taking on the standards, which call for bringing greater depth to science understanding and asking students to apply that knowledge. (Education Week, premium article access compliments of edweek.org, 05/15/13)
Friday, May 17
College Transfers
University of Wyoming to Automatically Accept In-state Community College Graduates
Students who earn associate degrees from Wyoming community colleges will be automatically accepted by the University of Wyoming beginning this fall. The admissions policy is designed to encourage community college students to finish their associate degrees before transferring. The policy also is in response to higher GPAs when community college students transfer with an associate degree. (Casper Star-Tribune, 05/15/13)
Competency-based Grad Requirements
Colorado Board of Education Approves New Graduation Requirements
The Colorado board of education adopted a new set of graduation standards to be phased in over the next seven years. The requirements are based on competency in four core subjects instead of "seat time." They offer a menu of options for students to meet the minimum standards, ranging from standardized test results to scores on Advanced Placement tests to a variety of yet-to-be-determined measures. (Denver Post, 05/15/13)
Early Learning Assessments
Pre-K Assessments Fall Short on Teacher Performance, Study Says
Twenty states use student performance in the early grades to assess teachers, yet current evaluation systems don't provide an accurate picture of what's happening in the classroom, asserts a New America Foundation study. Researchers studied three types of assessments and found that none of them gauge what the youngest students know, nor can their results be applied to teacher performance. (Education Week, premium article access compliments of edweek.org, 05/15/13)
Performance Funding
Panels Endorse Revised Nevada Higher Education Funding Formula
Members of a joint legislative panel formally adopted a new funding formula for Nevada’s universities and community colleges. Under the new formula previously adopted by the Board Regents, funding would be based on how many class credits students complete. Additionally, upper-level courses would be given more weight in the funding balance because they cost more to offer. (Reno Journal-Gazette, 05/15/13)
Teacher Preparation
Toughened Teacher Preparation Standards in Delaware Win Final Approval
Delaware lawmakers approved S.B. 51, which strengthens teacher preparation standards, a proposal that part of Gov. Jack Markell’s legislative agenda. The measure sets a minimum grade-point average for students who wish to study education, though it provides several ways to get around that requirement. A rigorous test will screen those who are certified to teach in public schools. (Wilmington News Journal, 05/16/13)
Thursday, May 16
Achievement Gaps
Gap Widens among High-Achieving Students
To close the achievement gap, an Education Trust report calls for more efforts to help low-income and students of color succeed at the highest academic levels. While fewer of these students are scoring "below basic" in reading and math national assessments, the report shows that they aren't making similar progress at "advanced" levels, and the problem is even more pronounced in high school. (Education Week, premium article access compliments of edweek.org, 05/15/13)
College Enrollment
Reaching Students Early
College-going rates could go up significantly if students in high school received counseling as freshmen, and not just when they are juniors and seniors, a study from the National Association for College Admission Counseling says. The report makes several recommendations, including that counselors spend more time addressing college applications and preparedness with 9th graders and their parents.
(Inside Higher Ed 05/16/13)
Common Core
Deal Signs Order Addressing Common Core Standards
Georgia Gov. Nathan Deal signed an executive order putting in place restrictions on the Common Core State Standards. Under the order, the state will be prohibited from collecting certain information on students and their families. The order also requires any proposed changes to state educational standards shall be posted for public review and comment for at least 60 days. (Atlanta Journal-Constitution, 05/15/13)
Early Literacy/Retention
House Revises Reading Plan for Ohio Schools
In response to concerns over Ohio's new early reading guarantee, the House approved S.B. 21 to expand the pool of teachers who can provide reading instruction and tutoring for students. The bill also says that districts or charters that score a D or F on the K-3 literacy-progress test for two consecutive years and have fewer than 60% of 3rd-graders proficient on the English test must submit reading-improvement plans. See ECS' summary of reading policies. (Columbus Dispatch, 05/16/13)
Higher Ed Accountability
Texas Launches Online Tool to Compare State's Higher Education Institutions
The Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board launched Compare College TX, an online interactive tool designed to make the most relevant data about public higher education. The online comparison tool allows users to access and interact with information for every public university and community college, including tuition and fees, graduation rates, and salaries for graduates by major. (Houston Chronicle, 05/15/13)
Wednesday, May 15
Common Core
Common Core Supporters Firing Back
Supporters of the Common Core are moving to confront increasingly high-profile opposition to the standards at the state and national levels by rallying the private sector and initiating coordinated public relations campaigns as schools continue implementation. State education officials, the business community, and advocacy groups are ramping up efforts to buttress support for the standards and to counter what they say is misinformation. (Education Week, premium article access compliments of edweek.org, 05/14/13)
Low-performing Districts
Mo. House OKs Quicker Intervention in Districts
The Missouri House approved S.B. 125, which could allow state education officials to intervene more quickly in struggling districts while expanding the menu of actions to possibly take. The state board could prescribe conditions under which the existing school board can continue to oversee the district, establish a special administrative board, merge the district with neighboring ones, split the district into several new ones, or design an alternative structure. (St. Louis Post-Dispatch, 05/14/13)
Online Courses
Florida Poised to Expand Online Providers
The Florida legislature approved H.B. 7029, which would allow virtual providers without prior experience to be conditionally approved by the education department. Normally, online providers need to have shown "prior, successful experience offering online courses" to operate in the state. The bill also would expand eligibility to offer massively open online courses, or MOOCs, in K-12 schools. (Education Week, premium article access compliments of edweek.org, 05/13/13)
Workforce Development
Federal Spending that Works
The Department of Labor's $2 billion in workforce development funding for the sector was designed to encourage two-year colleges to make lasting, ambitious changes. The 15 community colleges in Massachusetts, for example, have created new or redesigned credentials, which are aimed at unemployed or underemployed adults. The colleges also have sharpened their focus on career services. (Inside Higher Ed, 05/14/13)
Tuesday, May 14
College Preparation
GEAR UP Counters Critics, Welcomes Evaluation
After a Brookings Institution policy brief called into question the effectiveness of federal college-prep programs, the GEAR UP community defended its work and called for resources to conduct more rigorous evaluations. The National Council for Community and Education Partnerships issued a written response to the brief that was published last week. (Education Week, premium article access compliments of edweek.org, 05/13/13)
District Leadership
Top Jobs Opening Up in Nation's School Districts
Schools chiefs or interim superintendents will be leaving this year or next in at least 17 well-known districts, including Baltimore; Boston; Clark County, Nev.; and Indianapolis. While school officials in some places have indicated they intend to continue on paths laid out by their departing leaders, the turnover elsewhere may signal major changes—and go hand in hand with a shift in district priorities or governance restructuring. (Education Week, premium article access compliments of edweek.org, 05/13/13)
ELL Students/Kindergarten
Sandoval Targets English Language Learners with Proposal to Increase Program Funding
Nevada Gov. Brian Sandoval announced a proposal to allocate a $60.5 million projected increase in tax revenue to education priorities. About $21 million would provide additional support for English Language Learners. Another $39.5 million would lower class sizes in 199 all-day kindergartens. Sandoval already proposed expanding all-day kindergarten from 124 programs to 199 by 2015. Check out ECS' kindergarten report. (Las Vegas Review-Journal, 05/13/13)
Higher Ed Accountability
Idea Whose Time Has Come?
Congressional lawmakers have introduced a bill that would require public colleges to provide information about students' salaries by major and program, graduation and remediation rates, success rates for students who receive a Pell Grant or veterans' benefits, and other benchmarks. The legislation also calls for a federal "unit record" database that could track students through college and into the workforce. (Inside Higher Ed, 05/13/13)
Student Data
Alerts Raised Over Mass. Plan to Manage Student Data
An experiment by Massachusetts education officials to better manage student records and software teaching tools has privacy advocates concerned it could expose information of schoolchildren to hackers and identity thieves. Massachusetts is among a handful of states participating in a project with inBloom, which is designed to standardize the ways that schools keep information on students and performance. (Boston Globe, 05/14/13)
Monday, May 13
Education Reforms
Financial Issues Dominate Colorado Legislature's Education Agenda
Colorado lawmakers enacted groundbreaking education measures this session. The Colorado ASSET bill will allow students who arrived in the country illegally to pay the much less expensive in-state tuition rate. The Future School Finance Act would overhaul pre-K-12 funding, but voters must approve $1 billion dollars in revenue for the formula to take effect. Lawmakers also passed bills on sex education, school breakfasts, and teacher evaluation oversight. (Denver Post, 05/10/13)
Financial Aid
Lawmakers Propose Long-Term Solutions for Student-Loan Interest Rates
As the July 1 deadline approaches, there's a growing desire—both in Washington and among college-access groups—to come up with a longer-term plan that takes student loan rates out of the realm of yearly political wrangling in Washington. Several proposals have been introduced that tie loans to the interest rate the government pays in the market through the 10-year treasury note. (Chronicle of Higher Education, 05/10/13)
Native Students
States Sharing Native Students' Results with Tribes in Effort to Boost Achievement
A recent change in the federal law governing access to student test scores is providing more information to tribal nations. Native-student advocates say this information sharing will be a boost to efforts to improve the educational opportunities for their children. Oklahoma and Utah are two states that plan to use the newly available data. (Education Week, premium article access compliments of edweek.org, 05/09/13)
Preschool Teachers
TFA Finds Climate Ripe to Train More Pre-K Teachers
Seven years after Teach for America (TFA) expanded its training program to include preschool teachers, the organization has produced 800 instructors in 22 high-poverty sites around the country. The organization's leaders see the current climate as ripe for further expansion. With President Barack Obama's interest in early childhood education, TFA aims to be an increasing part of the mix. (Education Week, premium article access compliments of edweek.org, 05/09/13)
School Choice/Remedial Ed
LePage Bill Lifts Cap on Charter Schools, Lets Public Money Go to Religious Schools
Maine Gov. Paul LePage unveiled a proposal that would lift the cap on the number of charter schools, make it easier for low-income students to transfer to other schools, and allow public money to flow to religious schools. A second proposal would push the cost of remedial courses needed by higher education students to their home districts. (Bangor Daily News, 05/09/13)
Friday, May 10
College Enrollment
Latino High School Grads Enrolling in College at Record Rates, Outpacing Whites
In the class of 2012, a record 69% of Hispanic high school graduates went on to pursue higher education, compared with 67% of white graduates, according to a Pew Research Center report. In 2000, just 49% of Hispanic graduates enrolled in college the following fall. Overall, 66% of high school graduates in the class of 2012 enrolled in college, including about 63% of black students and 84% of Asians. (Education Week, premium article access compliments of edweek.org, 05/09/13)
Early Learning Accountability
Jindal Pre-K Education Overhaul Approved by Louisiana House Panel
The Louisiana House Education Committee passed legislation backed by Gov. Bobby Jindal to enforce new accountability standards for early childhood education programs. Senate Bill 130 would create the network authorized by Act 3, a law passed last year to consolidate all pre-kindergarten and day-care programs into one network and give them letter grades. (New Orleans Times-Picayune, 05/08/13)
School Vouchers
School Vouchers Expand as Indiana Gov. Mike Pence Signs Measure
Indiana Gov. Mike Pence signed into law House Enrolled Act 1003, which builds on what was already the nation's most open school voucher program. The bill lifts some of the restrictions that were in the original legislation passed two years ago. Pence said the bill will allow more students to join the more than 9,300 already receiving vouchers, called choice scholarships. (Indianapolis Star, 05/10/13)
Teacher Preparation
Diversity at Issue as States Weigh Teacher Entry
As more states eye policies to select academically stronger individuals for their teaching programs, concerns are surfacing about their potential consequences—particularly whether they will result in a K-12 workforce with fewer black and Latino teachers. On nearly all the measures states are considering, from GPAs to licensure-test scores, minority candidates tend to have weaker scores than their white counterparts. (Education Week, premium article access compliments of edweek.org, 05/08/13)
Tuition/Foster Youth
Free Tuition for Arizona Foster Kids Advances
Arizona's foster children came one step closer to qualifying for free tuition at the state's three universities under a bill that requires one more vote to reach Gov. Jan Brewer's desk. Senate Bill 1208 establishes a five-year pilot program intended to more than double the number of Arizona foster youths who attend and graduate from college each year. (Arizona Republic, 05/08/13)
Thursday, May 9
Affirmative Action
In California, Push for College Diversity Starts Earlier
If the Supreme Court justices decide to curtail or abolish the use of race and ethnicity in college admissions nationwide, then the experience in California and other states that have outlawed affirmative action could point to new ways for public universities to try to compose a diverse student body. Those states have tried new approaches to giving applicants a leg up for overcoming disadvantages. (New York Times, 05/07/13)
Charter Schools
NC Senate Passes Bill Creating Separate State Board for Charter Schools
The North Carolina Senate passed S.B 337, which creates a separate regulatory board for charter schools that would be responsible for handing out new charters and shutting down inadequate schools. The bill abolishes a state board of education committee that recommends actions on charter applications and otherwise reduces the state board's authority with respect to charter schools. (Raleigh News and Observer, 05/07/13)
Low-performing Schools
Gov. Inslee Signs Law to Turn Around Struggling Schools
Washington Gov. Jay Inslee signed S.B. 5329, which directs the state superintendent's office to develop a process to identify persistently lowest-achieving schools, as well as create guidelines for how to turn around struggling schools. For schools that don't improve substantially after three years, the department could impose its own improvement plan and potentially close poor-performing schools. (The Olympian, 05/08/13)
Teacher Certification
Licensing-Test Gaps Exist in Every State, Federal Data Show
Every state sets the cutoff score on its teacher-licensing tests below the mean of test-takers, according to a report by the Department of Education. The report shows the gaps range from 10.1 points in Arizona to 22.5 points in Nebraska. For the nation, the average certification-test cutoff score is set nearly 15 points below the mean score of candidates. (Education Week, premium article access compliments of edweek.org, 05/07/13)
Teacher Evaluations
Gov. Deal Signs Teacher Evaluations Bill
Gov. Nathan Deal has signed H.B. 244, which standardizes annual evaluations for Georgia teachers and principals based, in part, on student performance. The evaluation system is based on a pilot program launched with Race to the Top funds. Teacher evaluations will be based 50% on student growth and achievement and 50% on other factors, including classroom observations and student surveys. (Athens Banner-Herald, 05/07/13)
Wednesday, May 8
Assessments
ACT to Start Giving Tests Digitally
Starting as early as spring 2015, the ACT college admissions exam will go digital, reflecting students' tech savvy and the demand for quicker results. The tests still will have multiple-choice options, but they also will expand to include interactive portions, such as a simulated science lab for students to conduct experiments or space for students to explain concepts in their own words. (Huffington Post, 05/06/13)
College Preparation
Tough Words for TRIO
A Brookings Institution report says that the federal government's college preparation programs—including TRIO Programs and GEAR UP—for low-income students should be overhauled. The report calls for the funding to be consolidated, creating $1 billion in federal grants. Colleges, districts, and for-profit and nonprofit agencies could apply for the grants, which would be awarded for evidence-based interventions. (Inside Higher Ed, 05/08/13)
College Readiness
Early-College-Readiness Assessments for High School Students Growing
Concern over high school graduates being unprepared for college has educators and policymakers looking for ways to identify learning gaps earlier. A review by the Community College Research Center finds some form of early-college-readiness assessments are offered in 38 states, and 29 states have interventions to help reduce the need for remedial coursework for incoming college freshman. (Education Week, premium article access compliments of edweek.org, 05/07/13)
Education Policymaking
Rifts Deepen Over Direction of Ed. Policy in U.S.
In statehouses and cities, battles are raging over the direction of education policy—from the Common Core standards to how test results will be used to evaluate teachers. Not since the battles over desegregation has the debate about education been so intense and polarized, observers say, for rarely has an institution that historically is slow to change been forced to deal with so much change at once. (Education Week, premium article access compliments of edweek.org, 05/07/13)
School Vouchers
Louisiana Supreme Court Rules Voucher Funding Violates the State Constitution
The Louisiana Supreme Court ruled that the current method of funding the state's school voucher program is unconstitutional. Act 2, part of Gov. Bobby Jindal's 2012 package of education reforms, diverts money from each student's per-pupil allocation to cover the cost of private or parochial school tuition. The act authorizes both the Louisiana Scholarship Program and the new Course Choice program. (New Orleans Times-Picayune, 05/07/13)
Tuesday, May 7
Common Core
Many Teachers Say They Need Training in Common Core Standards, Poll Says
Most teachers feel unprepared to teach the Common Core standards that are rolling out in 45 states and the District of Columbia, according to a survey by the American Federation of Teachers. While a clear majority—75%—of teachers surveyed said they support the Common Core, less than one-third said their districts have given them the training and resources to teach to the new standards. (Washington Post, 05/05/13)
Community Colleges
Low Bar, High Failure
Community colleges set a low bar for students during their first year of enrollment, with lax academic standards in literacy and math, according to a National Center on Education and the Economy study. And many students fail to meet even those minimal expectations. But there are no simple fixes because community colleges likely are reacting to the inadequate preparation of incoming students. (Inside Higher Ed, 05/07/13)
Education Reforms
Lawmakers Boost Education Spending, Expand Online Learning
Florida teachers won raises. Districts got a boost in per-pupil funding. Charter schools nearly doubled their construction and maintenance dollars. When it came to the state budget, education was one of the session's biggest winners. Lawmakers also tweaked the state's high-school graduation requirements and put new emphasis on career and technical training. And online learning was expanded for K-12 and higher education. (Miami Herald, 05/05/13)
High School Exams/Grad Requirements
Texas Senate Votes to Roll Back High-stakes Testing in High School
The Texas Senate has approved its version of H.B. 5, which would sharply roll back high-stakes testing of high school students. Students would have to pass only five end-of-course tests to graduate—instead of the current 15. The Senate bill also would replace current graduation requirements with a new system under which students would select one of multiple paths to graduation, called "endorsements." (Dallas Morning News, 05/06/13)
Student Bullying
Absolutely Everything Researchers Know about Bullying
The American Educational Research Association released a thorough new analysis on the state of bullying research in the United States. The report includes several action items for improvement, aimed at both scholars and schools. Each part addresses a specific aspect of bullying, with 11 parts in total, including the fact that researchers do not agree on the definition of bullying. (Education Week, premium article access compliments of edweek.org, 05/06/13)
School Safety
Pence Set to Sign School Safety Bill; Officers to Be More than Protection
Indiana Gov. Mike Pence is expected to sign S.B. 1, which will make money available to schools to hire resource officers—specially trained staff whose jobs are about far more than keeping students safe from outside threats. The officers serve as guidance counselors, educators, and confidantes as well. The bill encourages schools to hire resources officers by offering grants of up to $50,000. (Evansville Courier & Press, 05/06/13)
Monday, May 6
Assessments
House Bill Exempts High-performers from Some STAAR Tests
The Texas House continued to chip away at state-mandated testing by approving H.B. 866, which would allow elementary and middle school students to skip some standardized exams if they earn top test scores in earlier grades. A 4th-grader, for example, would not be required to take the STAAR exam in reading and math if he or she earns high test scores on the 3rd-grade tests. (Austin American-Statesman, 05/02/13)
Common Core and Higher Ed
The Common Core on Campus
As K-12 schools in 45 states and the District of Columbia work to implement the Common Core, the new standards remain largely unknown among college and university faculty members and all but a few top administrators. If the Common Core is implemented as intended, its effects could transform dual enrollment, placement tests, and remediation, and force a more uniform definition of "college ready." (Inside Higher Ed, 05/03/13)
Diploma Options
State Board of Education Sets Standards for College and Career Diplomas
North Carolina high school graduates will have seals on their diplomas in a few years showing whether they are ready for work or college under new criteria the state board adopted. The board set out three paths for students earning seals on their diplomas: career, community college, and four-year university. (Raleigh News and Observer, 05/02/13)
NCLB Waivers
Rewards for Schools Key Facet of NCLB Waivers
The 34 states and the District of Columbia that received No Child Left Behind waivers have promised cash bonuses and other rewards to high-performing schools and those that show significant progress. States came up with criteria for defining reward schools, one of three categories based on school performance, along with ideas for giving those schools something extra for their efforts. (Education Week, premium article access compliments of edweek.org, 05/06/13)
Teacher Preparation
Grading the Teachers' Teachers
Following Louisiana's lead, policymakers in a growing number of states are evaluating teacher preparation programs based on the test scores of their graduates' students. So far, eight states have policies requiring them to do a similar analysis, according to the National Council on Teacher Quality. Louisiana's experience speaks to the promise and peril of the new approach. (Hechinger Report, 05/02/13)
Friday, May 3
Accountability
Three-quarters of Maine Schools at, Below Average Under Controversial New State Grading System
Three-quarters of Maine's schools received a grade of C or lower under a new ranking system unveiled by the state education department and promoted by Gov. Paul LePage. Only 10 high schools received an A grade. Maine is the 14th state, along with New York City, to implement a school grading system. (Bangor Daily News, 05/01/13)
College Credits
Conventional College Route Shifts to 'Education Buffet'
Increasingly, a new type of college student is emerging: one who doesn't start and finish at a single brick-and-mortar campus, but picks and chooses credits toward a degree or job from a veritable buffet of education options. These include dual-enrollment courses, advanced-placement programs, military or corporate training, career and life experience, and classes taught online. (Hechinger Report, 05/01/13)
Common Core/Online Tests
States' Online Testing Problems Raise Common Core Concerns
Widespread technical failures and interruptions of recent online testing in three states have shaken the confidence of educators and policymakers in high-tech assessment methods. The glitches also raise serious concerns about schools' technological readiness for the online tests related to the Common Core standards that begin in 2014-15. (Education Week, premium article access compliments of edweek.org, 05/03/13)
Early Learning Support
Local Business Say They're Working to Boost Early-Childhood Education
Half of the local chambers of commerce polled in a new 49-state survey by America's Promise Alliance say they've taken steps aimed at boosting expansion and improvement of early-childhood education. The chambers have, for example, lobbied for early-childhood education in statehouses, provided legislative testimony, made speeches, and undertaken specific educational projects. (Education Week, premium article access compliments of edweek.org, 05/01/13)
Online Courses
MOOC Skeptics at the Top
It would be easy to think that the leaders of American higher education are all in when it comes to massive open online courses, or MOOCs, given all the attention and activity. According to a new Gallup poll, however, most college presidents don't seem sure that MOOCs are going to transform student learning, or reduce costs to students—claims made by enthusiasts and several politicians and pundits. (Inside Higher Ed, 05/02/13)
Thursday, May 2
Competency-based Learning
Report: Federal Rules Impede Competency-Based Learning
A few states like New Hampshire, Maine, and Oregon are moving towards implementing competency-based learning models throughout the entire state. And 40 states have at least one district experimenting with the model. But despite this growth, its proponents say federal policies for accountability and assessment are holding the movement back, according a report by KnowledgeWorks. (KQED, 04/29/13)
Online Courses/Teacher Prep
Online Provider Offers Courses in Education, Teacher Training
A leading online course provider announced that it will offer free professional training and development courses to prepare teachers worldwide for web-based classes. Coursera created a "teacher professional development" category, offering K-12 teachers and parents the courses in subjects such as content development, the Common Core curriculum, and blended learning strategies. (Los Angeles Times, 04/30/13)
Preschool Programs
Hawaii Legislature Approves Gov. Neil Abercrombie's School Readiness Program
The Hawaii legislature has passed S.B. 1093, which sets aside $1.16 million in administrative costs and $6 million in subsidies to help 4-year-olds prepare for school. The bill expands the state's existing Preschool Open Doors program in the Department of Human Services. The legislature also passed S.B. 1084, which proposes a constitutional amendment to allow the state to fund a full-fledged preschool program. (The Republic, 05/01/13)
School Vouchers
Nearly 8,000 Students Receive Voucher Seats for 2013-14
The number of students attending private and parochial school at taxpayer expense is going up by at least 3,000 in 2013-14, the second year of the Louisiana Scholarship Program. Gov. Bobby Jindal announced that nearly 8,000 students had been matched with vouchers in the first round of applications. The state received almost 12,000 applications, counting the 4,700 students currently enrolled. (New Orleans Times-Picayune, 05/01/13)
Teacher Advisers
McDonnell to Create 'Teacher Cabinet' to Advise on Va. School Policies
Virginia Gov. Robert F. McDonnell announced that he will create a Teacher Cabinet of advisers to influence high-level decisions that affect schools. The teachers who will comprise most of the cabinet will develop recommendations for new ways to engage parents and close achievement gaps, and they will work on methods for improving the collaboration between schools, colleges, and workplaces. (Washington Post, 05/01/13)
Wednesday, May 1
Common Core
Teachers' Union President: Halt All High Stakes Linked to Common Core
AFT President Randi Weingarten is calling for a moratorium on all stakes associated with the Common Core State Standards, saying that teachers have not had enough time or support to understand them deeply and shift their instruction accordingly. In a speech, Weingarten said that it's unfair to judge students, teachers, and schools on test scores that reflect material that hasn't been adequately taught yet. (Education Week, premium article access compliments of edweek.org, 04/30/13)
Low-performing Schools
Senate Kills Parent Trigger Bill in Dramatic 20-20 Vote
Florida's parent trigger bill died a dramatic legislative death the same way it did last year: in a surprise tie vote in the Senate during the final week of session. The bill would have let parents demand major changes at failing schools, including having the them transformed into charters. Most observers expected the S.B. 862 to win approval in the Senate since an amendment allowed school boards to override parent demands. (Miami Herald, 04/30/13)
Pre-K Funding
State May Halt Slide in Preschool as Report Faults Funding Decline
Like much of the nation, Ohio has slashed enrollment and funding in preschool for children in low-income families, according to a new report. But a $70 million Race to the Top grant is paying for new standards, a rating system, and child assessments. And, Gov. John Kasich's proposed two-year budget includes an $18.5 million increase in aid for preschool in 2013-14 and an additional $2 million the following year. (Columbus Dispatch, 04/30/13)
School Choice
Arizona Moving Ahead with Expanded School-voucher Plan
Thousands of Arizona students in poorly performing schools could soon get what amounts to a voucher to go elsewhere—or even get educated at home. Lawmakers gave approved a limited program in 2011 designed to help students with disabilities. Last year, legislators expanded the program to entitle students in a school rated D or F, or nearly 10% of the more than 2,000 traditional public and charter schools in the state. Check out ECS' voucher/tax credit report. (Arizona Star, 04/29/13)
Undocumented Students
Lower Tuition for Immigrants Becomes Law in Colo.
Immigrant students who meet certain criteria will pay in-state tuition at Colorado colleges under S.B. 33, which was signed by Gov. John Hickenlooper. Colorado becomes the 14th state to allow immigrants who graduate from state high schools to attend colleges at the tuition rate other in-state students pay, rather than a higher rate paid by out-of-state students. (Denver Post, 04/29/13)
Tuesday, April 30
Accountability
Maine Public Schools to Be Assigned Letter Grades
Instead of handing out report cards Maine school officials will get grades themselves, as the education department announces A-through-F grades for the state's 600 public schools. In general, the grades are based on standardized test scores in math and English, students' growth and progress, and the performance and growth of the bottom 25% of students. (Portland Press Herald, 04/29/13)
College Attainment
66 by 2020: Utah Has 7 Years to Reach College Degree Goal and Top the Nation
Seven years from now, Utah will lead the nation in degree attainment. That's the goal put forward by Gov. Gary Herbert, higher education officials, members of the business community, and the legislature. The "66 by 2020" goal calls for two-thirds of all Utah adults to hold a credential by 2020. Roughly 43% of Utah's adult population currently holds a postsecondary degree or certificate. (Deseret News, 04/28/13)
Common Core/Vouchers
Lawmakers Expand School Voucher Program, Pause Common Core
The Indiana legislature enacted H.B. 1427, which revises the state's A to F school ratings and pauses its participation in the Common Core by temporarily halting implementation of the standards. House Bill 1003 awaits a final vote and would extend eligibility for vouchers to siblings of those already in the program, students in special education, or those living within the boundaries of a school rated a D or F. (Indianapolis Star, 04/27/13)
Competency-based Ed
Traditional Ways Upended in College of Competence
College for America, created by Southern New Hampshire University, demolishes one of the most fundamental building blocks of college: course credit. Instead, the college asks students to master—at any pace—120 competencies. The U.S. Education Department approved College for America for federal financial aid funding, the first time the government has signed off on a non-credit based degree program. (Boston Globe, 04/29/13)
Teacher Evaluations
Brewer Signs Bill Creating New Teacher Evaluations
Arizona Gov. Jan Brewer has signed a bill that makes it easier to fire some low-performing teachers. House Bill 2500 allows experienced teachers to be placed on probationary status if they received the lowest rating on one yearly performance review. That status allows a school board to fire a teacher with little notice. (Arizona Daily Sun, 04/29/13)
Monday, April 29
Early Literacy/Retention
New 3rd-grade Reading Requirement Goes into Effect this Fall
Next year, Arizona 3rd-graders must pass a state reading test or risk being held back. But some research indicates that retaining students may not improve a student's reading ability, can create social stigmas, and lead students to drop out of high school anyway. According to an ECS report, 32 states and Washington, D.C., have laws that identify and retain students if they are unable to read by 3rd grade. (Arizona Republic, 04/26/13)
Financial Aid
Mo. May Tighten State Scholarship Guidelines
The Missouri Senate is considering a bill to toughen attendance requirements for students receiving state-sponsored college scholarships in an effort to encourage them to graduate on time. Under S.B. 378, students would have to be continuously enrolled for a certain number of credit hours per semester in order to continue receiving state aid. (St. Louis CBS Local, 04/27/13)
High School Exams
Minnesota Senate Passes Education Bill that Ends High-stakes Tests
The Minnesota Senate approved its version of the $15.7 billion education funding bill that switches to a new testing system that is focused on career and college goals and on early intervention. Opponents said the loss of a strict graduation test requirement means the state is cheapening the high school diploma. (Minneapolis Star Tribune, 04/25/13)
Online Courses
Only Sometimes for Online
The wholesale replacement of community college curriculums with online courses might not be the best idea, according to new research from the Community College Research Center. That's because community college students prefer face-to-face courses over their online equivalents in certain subjects, particularly courses they consider difficult, interesting, or important. (Inside Higher Ed, 04/26/13)
Preschool Funding
Report Catalogs a Decade of Declining Spending for State Preschool
Spending on state-funded preschool dropped by more than half a billion dollars in 2011-12 compared to the year before, creating a hole that some states are only now attempting to fill, according to the State of Preschool 2012. State funding per child for pre-K declined in 27 of 40 states with programs. In 13 states, per-child spending fell by 10% or more from the previous year. (Education Week, premium article access compliments of edweek.org, 04/29/13)
School Meals
Bill Would Ensure Free Breakfast for Texas' Poorest Students
Offering free breakfasts to all students in low-income areas, not just to those who qualify under federal guidelines, is a program that some Texas legislators are trying to expand to schools in poor neighborhoods. The Senate passed S.B. 376, which would require schools to offer free breakfast to all students at schools where 80% of the student body qualifies for free or reduced-price meals. (Texas Tribune, 04/26/13)
Friday, April 26
Charter Schools
Charter School Research Largely Positive, Says New Summary
A new research summary from the National Alliance for Public Charter Schools found that the research on charter school performance over the past four years has been largely positive. The report examined 14 different studies from 2010-13 and found that all but one showed charter students outperforming their regular public school peers. (Education Week, premium article access compliments of edweek.org, 04/24/13)
Common Core
Michigan House Approves Budget Stripping Common Core Funds
The Michigan House has approved a budget that would prohibit any general funds from being spent to implement the Common Core State Standards or the Smarter Balanced assessments. See page 184 of H.B. 4328. The push against the Common Core this year began with H.B. 4276, which would prohibit the Common Core from being implemented in the state. (Education Week, premium article access compliments of edweek.org, 04/24/13)
Financial Aid
Deal Signs HOPE Bill
Georgia Gov. Nathan Deal signed H.B. 372, which reinstates the 2.0 grade-point average requirement for students in the Technical College System of Georgia to be eligible for the HOPE Grant scholarships. The new rule responds to criticism and concerns that thousands of students lost the award—and dropped out or decided not to enroll—because they were unable to meet the higher 3.0 GPA rule. (Atlanta Journal-Constitution, 04/24/13)
Grad Requirements
Ambitious University of California Requirements Could Backfire
More California districts are requiring teens to take a course load that exceeds the state's minimum requirements—the same courses required for admission to the University of California—to graduate from high school. A new report says these ambitious requirements could backfire by making graduation too difficult for some students, and cause them to drop out or fail to earn diplomas after four years. (San Jose Mercury News, 04/25/13)
Pre-k Funding
SFPS to Double Pre-K Program with Boost in State Funding
New Mexico Gov. Susana Martinez announced that she is expanding the state's pre-kindergarten programs. All applicants will receive funding for pre-K programs in the 2013-14 school year. A dozen new programs will be able to start up statewide, and 1,380 more students will be served. The program began in 2005 and serves four-year-old students on a voluntary basis. (Santa Fe New Mexican, 04/26/13)
School Safety
School Safety Legislation Since Newtown
After the devastating school shootings in Newtown, Conn., in December, state lawmakers around the country vowed to act. The mission: Devise ways to prevent a similar tragedy. An Education Week analysis of nearly 400 bills found that state lawmakers have proposed a host of solutions, including arming teachers, adding police officers, and improving school buildings. (Education Week, premium article access compliments of edweek.org, 04/24/13)
Thursday, April 25
Accountability
State Ed Boss Unveils New Accountability System
Texas Education Commissioner Michael Williams unveiled plans for a new accountability system that still rates schools largely on student performance on standardized exams. The rating system will use four measures: student achievement, student progress, closing performance gap, and postsecondary readiness. All will use the State of Texas Assessment of Academic Readiness, or STAAR, test. (San Antonio Express-News, 04/23/13)
At-risk Students
Sandoval Touts High School Student Jobs Program
Nevada Gov. Brian Sandoval and Delaware Gov. Jack Markell said that a new program to help at-risk high school students already has shown signs of success in Nevada. Sandoval launched the Jobs for America's Graduates (JAG) program in six high schools and is seeking legislative approval to expand it to 50 schools. Nationally, about half of JAG students go on to college and the rest to the working world. (Las Vegas Review Journal, 04/24/13)
Civics Education
Exemplary Civics Programs Highlighted
In the recent buzz about civics education comes a new brief by ECS outlining six best practices in that discipline and featuring several programs that focus on those approaches. The paper points out academic skills to focus on that create a good basis for civic engagement, such as public speaking and the ability to mount a strong argument on both sides of an issue. (Education Week, premium article access compliments of edweek.org, 04/25/13)
Kindergarten/Early Learning
House OKs $15B Education Bill with Free All-day Kindergarten
The Minnesota House decided to pay for free all-day kindergarten statewide, to make early-childhood education programs more affordable, and to pump more money into K-12 classrooms. The House passed the K-12 education-funding bill with hopes of wiping out the achievement gap and attaining 100% high school graduation by the time today's preschoolers graduate from high school in 2027. Check out ECS' reports on kindergarten inequalities and policy characteristics. (Minneapolis Star Tribune, 04/23/13)
Online Learning
Florida to Open First Online-Only Public University in U.S.
Public university students in Florida will be able to start working toward college degrees without actually going to college, under S.B. 1076, which was signed by Gov. Rick Scott. The state-run University of Florida plans to start a series of online bachelor's degree programs next year. California and Texas also are developing totally online university programs. See pg. 119 of S.B. 1076. (Huffington Post, 04/22/13)
Wednesday, April 24
College Completion
2 Groups Describe Efforts to Push More Community-College Students Toward Degree Completion
Students who enter community colleges with vague goals and shaky academic backgrounds often end up in remedial courses or on "a meandering path through an overwhelming number of course options," according to Completion by Design and Jobs for the Future. At a meeting, the groups described their efforts, working with state policymakers and higher-education associations, to create structured pathways to graduation. (Chronicle of Higher Education, 04/22/13)
Higher Ed Accountability
Brown Wants to Tie Some Funding of Universities to New Proposals
Gov. Jerry Brown wants to tie some state funding for California's public universities to several new requirements, including 10% increases in the number of transfer students from community colleges and the percentage of four-year graduation rates. The plan includes raising the overall number of graduates and a stipulation that more students coming from community colleges finish their studies within two years. (Los Angeles Times, 04/22/13)
Nation at Risk
A Nation at Risk: Where Are We Now?
This week marks the 30th anniversary of the release of A Nation at Risk, the landmark report declared that "the educational foundations of our society are presently being eroded by a rising tide of mediocrity that threatens our very future as a nation and a people." Here is a look at comparative data on American education over the decades since the report, highlighting academic, demographic, and other trends. Check out comments on Nation at Risk. (Education Week, premium article access compliments of edweek.org, 04/23/13)
Online Learning
How to Improve Public Online Education: Report Offers a Model
Public colleges and universities have been slower than their for-profit counterparts to embrace the potential of online learning to offer degrees. A new report suggests policies that states and public higher education systems could adopt to do some catching up. The report analyzes where public online-education efforts stand now and finds that access to high-quality, low-cost online courses varies widely from state to state. (Chronicle of Higher Education, 04/22/13)
Preschool Programs
San Antonio Sets Sights on Preschool Leadership
Last year, San Antonio Mayor Julián Castro persuaded his constituents to spend $248 million to pay for an ambitious preschool program for poor 4-year-olds. The city is partnering with seven districts to launch the Pre-K 4 SA program to deliver high-quality academics to 22,400 children over eight years in addition to intensive professional development for staff members and extensive parental supports. (Education Week, premium article access compliments of edweek.org, 04/23/13)
Tuesday, April 23
Common Core
Alaska Joins Student Assessment Consortium
The Alaska Department of Education and Early Development announced that the state is joining a consortium developing tests aligned with the Common Core State Standards. The Smarter Balanced Assessment Consortium, which includes about half of all states as well as the United States Virgin Islands, aims to bring language arts and math curricula more in line with the new standards. (Juneau Empire, 04/21/13)
Competency-based Ed
Credit without Teaching
Earlier this year Capella University and the new College for America began enrolling hundreds of students in academic programs without courses, teaching professors, grades, deadlines, or credit hour requirements, but with a path to genuine college credit. The two institutions are among a growing number that are giving competency-based education a try. Other examples include Western Governors University. (Inside Higher Ed, 04/22/13)
Ed Policymaking
Ed. Companies Exert Public Policy Influence
Some education observers are alarmed at what they see as increasingly aggressive moves by companies to make money from the K-12 system; others say the expanding role of for-profit ventures is just a natural evolution of the interplay between the private and public sectors in efforts to improve schools. Several examples suggest the influence education companies are trying to exert on policymaking and legislation. (Education Week, premium article access compliments of edweek.org, 04/22/13)
Online Courses
Amended but Not Commended
A closely watched California bill to allow online courses from unaccredited providers to count for credit at public colleges has been amended in an effort to calm faculty concerns. Senate Bill 520 would require the state's 145 public colleges and universities to grant credit for low-cost online courses offered by outside groups, including classes offered by for-profit companies. (Inside Higher Ed, 04/22/13)
Teacher Evaluations
Teacher Groups Fail Bills Tied to New Evaluations
While many states in recent years have started to change the way they evaluate teachers, Texas has largely avoided that controversy. But that is changing as lawmakers prepare to debate S.B. 1403 and H.B. 2977, both of which would dramatically restructure the 15-year-old framework used by most school districts for teacher evaluations. (San Antonia Express-News, 04/22/13)
Monday, April 22
Dual Enrollment
Dual Enrollment Gives Struggling Students a College Try
California students who took courses in community college while still in high school were more likely than their classmates to graduate, attend and stay in a four-year college, and earn more credits even among students who are historically underrepresented in higher education, a Community College Research Center report found. According to an ECS presentation, 46 states have dual-enrollment policies and more are considering such programs. (Kitsap Sun, 04/19/13)
High School Reforms
High School Redesign Gets Presidential Lift
Reforming high schools continues to receive a lot of attention—including from President Obama—but some in the education community worry whether the expectations for change come with enough resources and flexibility to allow schools to tailor the redesigns to their communities. Others think the emphasis on the STEM subjects is too narrow and bigger policy shifts toward competency-based learning need to occur before real change can happen. (Education Week, premium article access compliments of edweek.org, 04/17/13)
Online Certificates
Online Certificate Programs at Colleges and Universities Gain Popularity
As employers demand more skills, many people are turning to online certificate programs to acquire a specific expertise that can lead them to a job, a promotion, or to ensure that they hang on to their current position. Institutions offering online certificates typically require a student to take four to six online courses and pass a proctored exam. Certificate programs do not usually have prerequisites, but enrollees typically have a bachelor's degree. (New York Times, 04/18/13)
Performance Funding
New University Funding Model Based on Outcomes
Mississippi's eight public universities soon will receive state funds based on a performance model that looks at completed courses and graduation rates, among other factors. The Board of Trustees approved the new guidelines to distribute funds equitably and reward universities for operating efficiently and achieving a number of outcomes. (Jackson Clarion Ledger, 04/18/13)
Teaching Quality
Otter Signs as Law Limits on Teachers
Five months after Idaho voters resoundingly rejected laws limiting schoolteacher contract rights, lawmakers resurrected many of them. Gov. Butch Otter signed five bills into law to revive parts of Proposition 1, including limiting negotiated teacher contract terms to just one year and allowing school districts to cut teacher pay without declaring financial emergencies. (Spokane Spokesman-Review, 04/20/13)
Friday, April 19
College Readiness
ACT Survey Finds Gap on College Readiness
New survey results from ACT, Inc., show that 89% of high school teachers surveyed said students who finished their classes were well or very well prepared for college work. But only 26% of college instructors say incoming students are well or very well prepared for first-year courses. The results echoed previous findings in 2009, even though there has been intensive focus on college readiness. (Washington Post, 04/17/13)
Common Core/ELL
PARCC Releases Draft Policy on ELL Accommodations
The Partnership for Assessment of Readiness for College and Careers, or PARCC, which is designing assessments aligned to the Common Core standards, released its recommendations for the types of supports that can be used to help English-learners demonstrate their content knowledge and skills. The draft policy lists three conditions that an accommodation must meet. (Education Week, premium article access compliments of edweek.org, 04/18/13)
Higher Ed Governance
Legislators Vote to Rescind Governor's Power to Appoint College President
The Connecticut Senate approved a bill that rescinds the governor's authority to appoint the president of the state's largest public college system. Senate File 237, instead, will place the responsibility of selecting a president and setting all the employment terms for the leader solely with the Board of Regents. The bill follows a series of missteps made by the college leaders. (Connecticut Mirror, 04/18/13)
Teacher Evaluations/Dismissal
Arizona Districts Could Dismiss Poor Teachers Easier Under Plan Going to Brewer
The Arizona Senate approved H.B. 2500 that permits districts to put not only some new teachers on probation but also permits a district to give that same status to veteran teachers whose evaluations show they are not properly doing the job. That would trigger performance improvement plans and regular evaluation. If a teacher's performance does not improve, then he or she eventually could be dismissed. (East Valley Tribune, 04/17/13)
Teacher Preparation
State Board Approves New Principles to Strengthen Teacher Training
A new set of principles approved by the Connecticut board of education aims to improve the caliber of future teachers by toughening training programs for educators. The strategy also seeks to improve communication and cooperation between districts and higher education programs. (Hartford Courant, 04/16/13)
Tuition/Higher Ed Accountability
Senate OKs Higher Ed Bill to Hold Down Tuition Rates
The Minnesota Senate passed its higher education budget, a $2.8 billion package that bars Minnesota State Colleges and Universities from increasing tuition by more than 3%. The budget also holds back about $30 million in 2015 until they meet three of five performance metrics like boosting graduation rates and cutting administrative costs. (Minneapolis Star Tribune, 04/18/13)
Thursday, April 18
Charter Schools
Charter Schools' Funding Lags, Study Finds
Charter school students receive about $4,000 less in per-pupil funding than their regular public school peers according to an analysis of five regions across the U.S., a new report has found. The report compared per-pupil funding rates between charter and regular public schools in Denver, Los Angeles, Milwaukee, Newark, and the District of Columbia from 2007-11. (Education Week, premium article access compliments of edweek.org, 04/17/13)
College Remediation
40% of Colorado High School Grads Need Remediation before College
Nearly 40% of Colorado's high school class of 2011 needed remedial courses in at least one subject before beginning college-level work, according to a an annual report. While the percentage was on par with most of the country, Lt. Gov. Joe Garcia said that Colorado is pursuing initiatives to reduce the rate, including enrolling underprepared students in college-level courses with extra support and intervening in high school. (Denver Post, 04/16/13)
Competency-based Ed
Big Disruption, Big Questions
Several colleges are taking the competency-based approach to its potential end game, by offering "direct assessment" academic programs that are untethered from both course material and the credit hour. At the same time, a small but growing group of accreditors, foundations, and higher education associations have begun discussing what academic rigor might look like in this emerging model. (Inside Higher Ed, 04/17/13)
Early Learning
Early Years Coalition Forming to Support Obama Budget
Now that President Barack Obama has used his budget to outline his plans for an expansion of early-childhood education, Washington supporters are mobilizing to find a means to throw their weight behind that plan and make it a reality. The Strong Start for Children Campaign will bring at least 13 organizations interested in funding Obama's early-childhood education initiative together. (Education Week, premium article access compliments of edweek.org, 04/12/13)
Workforce Training
Tired of Waiting, Employers Provide Just-in-time Education
Rather than waiting for students with the right skills to be produced by universities, a dozen Fortune 500 companies now offer their own in-house training classes that are eligible for college credit in specific areas they need their workers to know now. Several colleges recognize the training for academic credit through the American Council on Education's College Credit Recommendation Service. (Hechinger Report, 04/15/13)
Wednesday, April 17
Common Core
Before Tougher State Tests, Officials Prepare Parents
New York City's education department launched an ad blitz to get the message out that students are being held to the new higher Common Core standards, the day before students start taking tougher state tests. State Education Commissioner John King Jr. said he wouldn't be surprised if the number of students deemed proficient in math or English dropped by 35 percentage points. (Wall Street Journal, 04/15/13)
Compulsory Attendance
Beshear Supports Grants for Raising Dropout Age
Kentucky Gov. Steve Beshear defended a plan to delve out $570,000 to help as many as 57 districts with the costs of raising the minimum age for quitting school to 18. The legislature passed a law specifying that after 55% of districts increase the dropout age to 18, then all remaining districts must follow suit within four years. Check out ECS' updated summaries on attendance age limits and compulsory age policies. (Bowling Green Daily News, 04/15/13)
Early Learning
Birth to Five Policy Alliance Changes Name to Reflect Expanded Focus
The Birth to Five Policy Alliance, an 8-year-old organization that has brought together major education philanthropies with the goal of supporting early-childhood policies, has rebranded itself as the Alliance for Early Success. With the new name comes a renewed focus on children from birth to age 8, said the organization's executive director. (Education Week, premium article access compliments of edweek.org, 04/15/13)
Financial Aid
Trying Again on 'Gainful'
The Education Department announced that it would seek to rewrite regulations on for-profit colleges, tighten underwriting standards for some student loans, and introduce new rules on using preloaded debit cards for financial aid. The Federal Register notice also indicated that the Obama administration intends to bring its regulatory authority to bear on broader issues of college access, affordability and completion. (Inside Higher Ed, 04/16/13)
Teacher Evaluations
Florida Unions Sue Over Test-Score-Based Evaluations
The National Education Association, on behalf of three affiliates of its Florida chapter, sued the state education department contending that the formula used to assess some teachers based on student test scores under S.B. 736 violates their constitutional rights. Many states are facing challenges to similar laws and issues surrounding educators who teach in "nontested" subjects. (Education Week, premium article access compliments of edweek.org, 04/16/13)
Tuesday, April 16
Community College Reforms
Lifetime Limit on Community College Units Rejected by California Legislature
Gov. Jerry Brown's plan to make California's community college system more efficient and increase access for students hit a road block as lawmakers rejected his proposal to set a lifetime limit on the number of units students can take at reduced in-state rates. The governor's proposal includes efforts to increase graduation and transfer rates by discouraging students from lingering or taking courses without an academic plan. (Sacramento Bee, 04/15/13)
GED Tests
Some States Dropping GED as Test Price Spikes
Several dozen states are looking for an alternative to the GED high school equivalency test because of concerns that a new version coming out next year is more costly and will no longer be offered in a pencil and paper format. Developers say the new version is needed because nearly all states are adopting the tougher Common Core standards to ensure students are prepared for college and careers. (Associated Press, 04/14/13)
Higher Ed Governance
Oregon Higher Education Stands to Get Powerful New Overseer
Say goodbye to a powerful Oregon State Board of Higher Education and hello to a much-more-powerful Higher Education Coordinating Commission, or HECC. House Bill 3120, which is still being written, would remove power from at least four governmental bodies, including the legislature, to put a single entity in charge of funding and coordinating public higher education. (Oregonian, 04/14/13)
School Safety
Indiana House Passes School Resource Officer Bill—without Gun Mandate
Indiana schools could get grants to hire officers to serve as protection and resources for students under legislation passed by the House. Senate Bill 1 provides $50,000 for larger schools to hire resource officers while smaller schools could receive $35,000 for the positions. However, the bill no longer requires that all schools have someone carrying a weapon on site every day. (Evansville Courier-Press,04/15/13)
STEM Programs
As STEM Education Programs Take Hold, Colorado Seeks Common Vision
Colorado stakeholders from education and business are seeking to apply greater coordination to dozens of disparate STEM programs. At this point, the definition of a STEM program in K-12 education can mean almost anything, from programs that emphasize math and science, to schools that offer an engineering course, to districts that want to integrate STEM throughout the curriculum. (Denver Post, 04/15/13)
Monday, April 15
Charter Schools
Charter Schools Bill Advances
Texas could have 100 more charter schools and state officials could more easily close them if they perform poorly under S.B. 2 that was adopted by the Senate. The bill slowly raises the number of charters from 209 to 305 possible schools by 2019. At the same time, the legislation sets strict grounds for closing schools that fail to meet state accountability standards. (San Antonio Express-News, 04/11/13)
Common Core
State Board Adopts Standardized Tests Aligned with Common Core
The state board approved a resolution making Alabama the first state to adopt a new testing system aligned with the Common Core State Standards. ACT Aspire will become the annual reading and math assessment for grades three through eight. ACT Inc., reports the system is "fully aligned" with the common core standards that some lawmakers attempted to repeal earlier this year. (AL.com, 04/11/13)
Grad Requirements/Online Learning
Lawmakers Approve Major Changes in Graduation Requirements, Online University
Florida lawmakers approved S.B. 1076, which would create distinct high school diplomas for college-bound students seeking an academic challenge and students headed into the workforce. The sweeping bill also would designate a "preeminent research university" based on student performance, research spending, and national rankings, among other factors. Those universities would receive additional money to create an online learning institute. (Miami Herald, 04/12/13)
Legislative Education Issues
K-12 Issues in Mix as State Legislatures Wrap Up
State lawmakers continue to grapple with high-profile K-12 issues as legislative sessions approach or cross the finish line nationwide. School choice, school safety, and education funding are prominent among them. And despite setbacks in two Southern states for efforts to force withdrawal from the Common Core State Standards, bills that would do so are alive in three states in the Midwest. (Education Week, premium article access compliments of edweek.org, 04/10/13)
Performance Funding
Gov. Signs Bill Creating School Performance Plan
Arizona Gov. Jan Brewer signed S.B. 1293, which sets up a pilot project that provides simulated base funding of $6,500 per student in grades one through eight and $7,500 for high school students for a handful of districts and charter schools. Half the money would be tied to students' performance, and an additional $250 awarded for each student that gets a B or better on math and science classes. (Arizona Daily Star, 04/11/13)
Friday, April 12
Common Core
State Website Measures Whether Florida Schools Are Ready for New Standards and Testing
At an upcoming meeting, the Florida state board will discuss the technology needed to implement the new online Common Core assessments. The main concern is whether the proper equipment will be in place for testing in all districts. The state education department has come up with a readiness gauge to measure each district's progress toward meeting Common Core and digital learning deadlines. (Florida StateImpact, 04/10/13)
Distance Learning
Former Education Secretary Seeks to Simplify States' Distance-Education Rules
A group of higher-education leaders, accreditors, and regulators led by former Education Secretary Richard Riley is seeking to streamline distance-education and state-authorization regulations to make it easier and more affordable for colleges to enroll students across the country. The group's report proposes a plan for interstate reciprocity, based on the voluntary participation of states and colleges. (Chronicle of Higher Education, 04/11/13)
Online Courses
Taking on Accreditors and Faculty
A Florida bill, S.B. 940, would allow state officials to accredit individual courses on their own—including massive open online courses (MOOCs) offered by unaccredited for-profit providers. The Florida plan is similar to a California bill. Both would force public colleges and universities under some circumstances to award credit for work done by students in online programs unaffiliated with their colleges. (Inside Higher Ed, 04/11/13)
Preschool Access
Federal Support Could Close 'Preschool Access Gap,' Center Says
The Center for American Progress released a new analysis that says President Obama's preschool budget proposal bolsters the need for federal support. Researchers at the center say that though states have acted on their own to expand preschool programs, they are still not reaching many children, creating a "preschool access gap." (Education Week, premium article access compliments of edweek.org, 04/10/13)
Report Cards
State Officials Release Comparative 'Performance Reports' for Every NJ Public School
New Jersey education officials released "performance reports" on every school, saying new categories for student growth, absenteeism, success in advanced courses, college readiness based on SAT scores, and other measures will give parents more information than the report cards of the past—and create more pressure for schools to improve. (NorthJersey.com, 04/11/13)
School Safety/Discipline
With Police in Schools, More Children in Court
As districts across the country consider placing more police officers in schools, youth advocates and judges are raising alarm about what they have seen in the schools where officers are already stationed: a surge in criminal charges against children for misbehavior that many believe is better handled in the principal's office. (New York Times, 04/12/13)
Thursday, April 11
Education Reforms
Analysis: Education Focus Shifts to Implementation
If 2013 was the education session for Mississippi's legislature, it will be followed by the implementation season. State leaders will have to create structures to authorize charter schools and fund prekindergarten programs. Literacy coaches will have to be hired to implement a new focus on K-3 reading, along with training for thousands of teachers. And more money will be required to bring the plans to fruition. (Biloxi Sun-Herald, 04/09/13)
Federal Ed Budget
Obama Budget Would Invest in Pre-K, High School Overhaul
President Barack Obama's budget proposes new money for a big expansion of prekindergarten programs, a new competitive-grant program for high school improvement, a new Race to the Top competition focused on higher education—and level funding for the two formula grants districts depend on most: Title I grants for disadvantaged students and special education. (Education Week, premium article access compliments of edweek.org, 04/10/13)
Graduation Options/College Remediation
Senate Adopts Key Changes to High-school-graduation Rules
The Florida Senate passed S.B. 1076, which alters graduation requirements to make a diploma easier for some students to earn and encourage more teenagers to gain job skills while in school. More demanding courses—and more tests—would be needed for those who want a "scholar" diploma. The Senate also passed S.B. 1720, which requires community colleges to merge remedial education with a credit-earning course. (Orlando Sentinel, 04/10/13)
Graduation Requirements/Tests
Texas Considers Backtracking on Testing
In the state that spawned test-based accountability in schools and spearheaded one of the nation's toughest high school curriculums, Texas lawmakers are now considering a reversal that would cut back graduation requirements and standardized testing. Texas requires more than double the number of end-of-course exams used in the states that mandate that students pass such exams, according to an ECS report. (New York Times, 04/10/13)
Workforce Skills
'More Than a Major'
Business executives care more about their new hires' thinking, communication, and problem-solving skills than they do about their undergraduate majors, according to a survey by the Association of American Colleges and Universities. The report shows business executives' response to a number of statements, and the results suggest that these employers are not just looking for STEM majors—or for any one kind of major. (Inside Higher Ed, 04/10/13)
Wednesday, April 10
Charter Schools
Maine Education Chief Wants to Make All Districts Responsible for Charter School Funding
Maine Education Commissioner Stephen Bowen presented a concept to lawmakers that would drastically change how charter schools are funded, spreading the financial responsibility to every district. Currently, charter schools receive tax dollars from their students' sending districts, which are required to contribute a per-student amount to the charter based on the state's funding formula. (Bangor Daily News, 04/10/13)
Early College
Early College Hopefuls
The early college high school model is being lauded as a way to provide low-income students with a road map to and through college. Early college high schools seek to rectify week graduation rates—especially for low-income students—by merging high school and some college. Students can earn both a high school diploma and an associate degree, and some are set on the path to a four-year degree. Check out ECS' database on early college. (New York Times, 04/09/13)
Financial Aid
Calls Mount for Changing How Interest Rates Are Set on Federal Student Loans
President Obama's 2014 budget is expected to propose moving to market-based interest rates on federal student loans. Under current law, student-loan interest rates are set by Congress. On July 1 the rate on Stafford loans will double from 3.4% to 6.8%. Some interest groups and members of Congress are calling for changes in how the rates on all types of federal student loans are set. (Chronicle of Higher Education, 04/09/13)
Higher Ed Accountability
Community Colleges to Offer Web Data on Their Performance
California community colleges launched a new tool that provides a snapshot of performance at all 112 campuses, designed to help students pick the right school and push the institutions to improve. The Student Success Scorecard makes key measures as completion rates, retention of students, and job-training success accessible to the public and policymakers in an easy-to-use format. (Los Angeles Times, 04/09/13)
Science Standards
Common Science Standards Make Formal Debut
The final set of standards aimed at reshaping the focus and delivery of science instruction in schools has been unveiled, setting the stage for states—many of which helped craft the standards—to take the next step and consider adopting them as their own. The Next Generation Science Standards are designed to provide a greater emphasis on depth over breadth in studying the subject. (Education Week, premium article access compliments of edweek.org, 04/09/13)
Tuesday, April 9
College Affordability
Designing $10,000 Degrees Tests Colleges
Since Texas Gov. Rick Perry challenged institutions to create $10,000 degrees, 13 such programs have been established across the state. But cost creep has marked some of the programs. To attain the degrees at their lowest advertised cost, students must clear significant hurdles—accruing college credits while in high school, maintaining good grades, taking heavy course loads, or receiving federal aid. (San Antonio Express-News, 04/07/13)
Early Literacy/Retention
Grade Retention Compromise on Track
Kansas Gov. Sam Brownback's plan to hold back struggling readers may yet reach his desk this year. The Senate approved a heavily amended version of H.B. 2140 that would hold back struggling readers in 1st grade rather than 3rd, but only in districts that have a high percentage of students struggling on reading assessments. The bill also would form a task force to study strategies for improving reading. (Topeka Capital-Journal, 04/07/13)
Financial Aid
'Rethinking Pell Grants': Group Suggests Separate Pathways for Younger Students and Adult Learners
A group of experts is proposing a new approach for the federal Pell program: creating separate pathways to promote social mobility for younger students and job training for adult learners. Today, 60% of Pell Grant recipients are older, independent students who often have different goals and needs than younger students. (Chronicle of Higher Education, 04/09/13)
Online Learning
Virtual Learning Bills Gain Momentum in Legislature
Bills moving through the Florida House and Senate are seeking to expand virtual education, both in the public school system and in higher education. House Bill 7029 would enable out-of-state online education providers to qualify for public dollars. House Bill 843 would require Florida's top public university to set up a virtual branch. (Tampa Bay Times, 04/08/13)
Student Discipline
New Analysis Bolsters Case Against Suspension, Researchers Say
A new analysis of suspension data that show staggering rates of the punishment's use at some schools are even more reason to rethink that common method of disciplining students, researchers said. The report found that 36% of all black male students with disabilities were suspended in 2009-10. Researchers also identified "hotspot" districts where any one group of students was suspended at a rate of 25% or more. (Education Week, premium article access compliments of edweek.org, 04/09/13)
Monday, April 8
Accountability
Georgia About to Roll Out New Grading System for Schools and Districts
Georgia will roll out new school report cards that will base grades on graduation rate, test performance, student attendance, academic growth, and success in closing performance gaps. Schools and districts can earn extra points by offering special programs, including for STEM, or by improving the performance of poor students, students with limited English skills, and students with disabilities. (Atlanta Journal-Constitution, 04/04/13)
Differentiated Tuition
One Price in California
The new chancellor of California's community colleges has indicated that he is opposed to attempts at charging "differential tuition" for certain programs or courses. Brice Harris said that such efforts, even if proposed for seemingly good reasons, go against California law and the deep commitment to affordable, open access at its community colleges. (Inside Higher Ed, 04/05/13)
School Tax Credits
Montana House Backs Private School Tax Credits
The Montana House has given initial approval a measure that would provide $2.5 million in private school scholarships and public school grants. Senate Bill 81 would give tax credits to people who donate to organizations that provide scholarships to private schools and grants for new programs at public schools. (Great Falls Tribune, 04/06/13)
School Vouchers
A Voucher Showdown During House Budget Debate
The Texas House sent a clear signal about their position on school vouchers with their approval of a budget bill amendment that would ban the use of public dollars for private schools. The Senate education chairman has proposed S.B. 23 that would allow businesses to receive up to a 15% state tax credit to pay for economically disadvantaged and at-risk students to attend private schools, including religious institutions. (Texas Tribune, 04/04/13)
Teacher Licensure
State Still Waiting for Teacher Candidates Two Years into Alternative System
More than two years after Minnesota lawmakers created easier ways for people to become teachers that doesn't involve years of college, the state is still waiting to license a single teacher under the effort. The problem: no organizations have applied for approval to start training under the so-called alternative teacher licensure effort. (Minnesota Public Radio, 04/05/13)
Friday, April 5
Charter Schools
Mississippi Senate Gives Final OK to Charter Schools, Headed for Governor's Signature
After two years of struggle, a bill to make it easier to create charter schools in Mississippi is on its way to Gov. Phil Bryant. Under H.B. 369, school boards in districts graded A, B, and C would get vetoes over charter schools in their boundaries. Students couldn't cross district lines to attend a charter school in another district. (Gulflive.com, 04/03/13)
Kindergarten Policies
Report: State Kindergarten Policies Show Inequities
In 11 states and the District of Columbia, full-day kindergarten is a requirement, but in five states, the decision to offer kindergarten is left up to districts, according to a new ECS report. A "full day" of kindergarten can range from four to seven hours. And in 35 states, kindergarten attendance is not mandated even if it is available. The variation in policies means that some children are not receiving strong early-learning opportunities. (Education Week, premium article access compliments of edweek.org, 04/03/13)
Preschool Programs
Some Head Start Providers to Lose Their Federal Aid
Twenty-five out of 125 low-performing Head Start providers that went through a recompetition process to maintain federal funding have lost their entire service area, the Office of Head Start announced. Fourteen additional grantees will see their money split between new and existing providers. Eighty providers will continue to receive their existing funds. (Education Week, premium article access compliments of edweek.org, 04/03/13)
School Report Cards
New School Report Cards Coming from State Ed Dept
New Jersey’s annual report cards will now include new indicators of student performance. The report cards will compare high schools based on students' PSAT scores and Advanced Placement course participation. They'll also show which middle schools have the worst rates of chronic absenteeism and the highest numbers of students enrolled in Algebra I courses. (Newark Star-Ledger, 04/03/13)
Teacher Evaluations
Bill Gates: A Fairer Way to Evaluate Teachers (Commentary)
As states and districts implement new teacher development and evaluation systems, there is a risk they’ll use hastily contrived, unproven measures, warns Bill Gates. One example is the rush to develop new assessments in grades and subjects not currently covered by state tests. Of particular concern is the possibility that test results alone will be used to determine a large part of how much teachers get paid. (Washington Post, 04/03/13)
Tuition Waivers
Bill Could Waive College Tuition for Academically Strong Students Living in Poverty
A proposed bill in Maine would cover college tuition for high-achieving high schoolers living in poverty. Under LD 962, students living in Maine households making less than $30,000 annually could go to college in the state without paying tuition if they graduate in the top 25% of their senior classes academically. (Bangor Daily News, 04/05/13)
Thursday, April 4
College Readiness/Completion
Maryland Explores Mandating High Schoolers Take Four Years of Math
A proposed Maryland bill would require high school students to take four years of math and assess high schoolers to find those in need of extensive remedial classes in college. Under S.B. 740, students would have to complete a degree plan after 45 credits, and universities would reach out to "near completers," students who are close to meeting graduation credit requirements when they drop out.
(University of Maryland Diamondback, 04/03/13)
Low-performing Schools
Crucible of Change in Memphis as State Takes on Failing Schools
Tennessee is removing schools with the lowest test scores and graduation rates from the oversight of school boards and pooling them in a special state-run district. Memphis is ground zero with 80% of the bottom-ranked schools. Most of the schools will be run by charter operators. All will emphasize frequent testing and data analysis. Many are instituting teacher performance pay, but will not offer tenure. (New York Times, 04/02/13)
Online Courses
Stanford to Join Harvard, MIT in Online Education
Stanford University announced that it is joining forces with Harvard and MIT on developing a computer system that allows colleges to offer free massive open online courses, or MOOCS. Stanford still plans to offer some of its courses through Coursera, a commercial Internet course provider founded by two Stanford professors. (Boston Globe, 04/03/13)
Pre-K Programs
Miss. Lawmakers OK Partially State-funded Pre-K
Mississippi would directly fund a limited preschool program for the first time under a bill on its way to Gov. Phil Bryant. Senate Bill 2395 would create a preschool program that could serve 1,325 4-year-olds in its first year, using a $3 million appropriation. Groups of preschool providers would have to apply for grants and would use private donations, federal money, or other funds to match the state money. (Hattiesburg American, 04/02/13)
Vouchers
Gov. Bill Haslam Drops Voucher Plan
Tennessee Gov. Bill Haslam withdrew his proposal for school vouchers after he and the bill's sponsor in the state Senate failed to get guarantees from fellow Republicans that they would not try to expand the measure. Proposed amendments to S.B. 196 would have doubled the number of vouchers that Haslam wanted and raised a family's income level for eligibility. (Tennessean, 04/03/13)
Wednesday, April 3
Accountability
Williams: Texas Will Get A-F School Rating System
Education Commissioner Michael Williams told the Senate education committee he plans to simply order Texas to begin rating schools based on A-F letter grades starting next year—without waiting for bills proposing to do the same thing to work their way through the legislature. The current system features four classifications ranging from Exemplary to Academically Unacceptable. (Austin American-Statesman, 04/02/13)
Common Core Assessments
Test Groups Weigh Unified Accommodations Policies
With a rollout of the new Common Core assessments expected in 2014-15, test developers are aiming to streamline the types of testing supports offered by states to special education students and English-language learners. They also want to make sure the tests are designed to be as broadly accessible as possible to all students, regardless of their profiles. (Education Week, premium article access compliments of edweek.org, 04/03/13)
ELL/Kindergarten Funding
Gov. Sandoval Announces More Funds for K-12 Education
Nevada Gov. Brian Sandoval announced that he wants to spend $25 million more than he previously proposed on K-12 education in the next biennium to help English language learners and expand all-day kindergarten. It will bring the total new commitment to the two priorities in Sandoval's recommended budget to nearly $60 million. See ECS' new reports on full-day kindergarten and kindergarten policies. (Las Vegas Review-Journal, 04/01/13)
Teacher Evaluations
What Will New Evaluation Systems Cost?
The cost of new teacher-evaluation systems is likely to vary based on how states and districts choose to establish student-growth measures for all teachers, according to a new analysis. The report compares three different ways of creating these growth measures, something nearly all states are facing because "value added" measures only cover a fraction of the teaching population. (Education Week, premium article access compliments of edweek.org, 04/01/13)
Undocumented Students
Gov. John Kitzhaber Signs Tuition Equity Bill
Oregon Gov. John Kitzhaber signed into law H.B. 2787 that grants in-state tuition to undocumented immigrants who have attended school in the country for at least five years, studied at a state high school for at least three years and graduated, and show intention to become a U.S. citizen or lawful permanent resident. Oregon joins at least a dozen states in allowing undocumented students to pay in-state tuition rates. (Oregonian, 04/02/13)
Tuesday, April 2
Assessments/Accountability
Lawmakers Examine High-Stakes Testing in Lower Grades
When it comes to high-stakes testing, Texas lawmakers have so far focused most of their attention on high school students. But as more than 3 million students begin to take standardized exams this week, some legislators are examining the plight of younger test-takers. A couple of proposed bills address the time students spend on tests and the number of exams that they take. (Texas Tribune, 04/02/13)
Charter Schools
Fordham Institute Recommends New Charter Governance Laws
A new brief by the Thomas B. Fordham Institute outlines suggestions for changes in how charter schools are governed. The report pinpoints three areas: the ability of high-performing charter schools to grow and replicate; oversight of charters; and oversight of virtual charter schools that serve students across a state. (Education Week, premium article access compliments of edweek.org, 03/28/13)
Performance Funding
Indiana Links College Performance, Aid
Indiana has developed an evolving performance-based funding formula in an effort to increase the number of college graduates. The formula rewards schools for growth in number of overall degrees, on-time graduation rates, retention, and number of degrees in STEM and for students receiving Pell grants. Lawmakers want to raise the performance-based calculation from 5% to 7% of each school's state funding. (Indianapolis Star, 03/31/13)
School Turnarounds
Kentucky Sees Success Taking Over Failing Schools in Other Districts, but Can It Work for JCPS?
During the past three years, the state education department has led the turnaround efforts at eight of the 41 Kentucky schools forced to undergo overhauls for consistently poor academic performance. Many of these schools have made significant gains in student achievement. Now, several low-performing schools in Jefferson County Public Schools could face similar state interventions. (Louisville Courier-Journal, 03/31/13)
Teacher Evaluations
Curious Grade for Teachers: Nearly All Pass
More than half the states now require new teacher evaluation systems that are intended to provide meaningful feedback and, critically, to weed out weak performers. But early results show that in many states nearly 100% of teachers are receiving effective or better ratings. Advocates of education reform concede that such numbers are worrisome and offer explanations for why change is not occurring more rapidly. (New York Times, 03/30/13)
Monday, April 1
College Enrollment/Outreach
Attracting the Missing Students
In December, a study revealed that most low-income, high-achieving high school students aren't applying to a single competitive college. Now a follow-up project has found that relatively inexpensive methods exist that could get many more of these talented, low-income student to apply to, enroll at, and succeed at the most competitive colleges. (Inside Higher Ed, 04/01/13)
Pre-K Accountability
Jindal Proposes Letter Grades, New Accountability Standards for Public Pre-K Programs
The Jindal administration will spearhead legislation to enforce new accountability standards for Louisiana's early childhood education programs, the governor's office announced. Three bills would require public pre-K programs to conform to quality and readiness standards to receive state funding. (New Orleans Times-Picayune, 03/28/13)
Pre-K Program Evaluations
What's Needed for Preschool to Pay Off? Two Studies Offer Insights
Two new studies of preschool programs in New Jersey and Boston have shown significant gains for students. The studies identified factors that contribute to success, including: teacher's educational backgrounds, pay, and support are higher than typical; programs are full-day and open to all students of a certain age group, regardless of family income; curricula offerings are linked to system-wide educational standards; and districts monitor teacher and student improvement. (Christian Science Monitor, 03/28/13)
Teaching Quality
States Look to Raise Standards for New Teachers
Several states are shifting the conversation from the performance of teachers in the classroom to an emphasis on improving the quality of future teachers and keeping the good ones in the profession. Governors in Delaware, Iowa, Mississippi, and New York are pushing proposals to address these issues. Meanwhile, several education groups are focusing on ways to improve the teacher-production pipeline. (Stateline.org, 03/29/13)
Virtual Education
Southern States See Changes in Virtual Education
Online learning has undergone a series of significant changes in recent years as it has entered the mainstream of K-12 education, concludes a new report. The Southern Regional Education Board's latest report about online learning examines the evolution of the region's state-run virtual schools over the past seven years as well as examining how e-learning has grown at the district level. (Education Week, premium article access compliments of edweek.org, 03/28/13)
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