July 28, 2004
Education Week, Vol. 23, Issue 43
Student Well-Being
Spending on Anti-Smoking Education Slips
Decreases in state spending on anti-smoking programs may be contributing to a leveling-off of a decline in teenage smoking in the United States, according to a federal analysis. Includes the chart "Smoking-Prevention Spending."
School & District Management
Teacher-Quality Rules Uneven For Rural States
Many rural school districts will not have extra time to meet teacher-quality rules under the No Child Left Behind Act, despite the flexibility announced by federal officials earlier this year. The situation baffles some state officials, who say the federal government is using a flawed definition for what "rural" really means. Includes a table, "Extensions Affect Regions Differently."
Federal
Former ESL Students Tapped as Class Aides
Former English-as-a-second-language students in the Prince William County, Va., schools are being hired to work as class aides in a six-week summer school program for high school students who have been in the United States for three years or less.
Equity & Diversity
National Center Aims to Train Civil Rights Activists
Training and educating the next generation of civil rights advocates is the goal of the newly formed National Equity Center.
Education
Law Update
- Court Rejects Claim of IDEA Bias Against Private School Student
- Spreading the News
- Bible Classes Dismissed
School & District Management
United Negro College Fund Seeks Research Consensus
The United Negro College Fund’s research institute is drawing together leading thinkers, advocates, and policymakers to map out a consensus on the critical issues that affect African-Americans’ educational success.
States
Improving High Schools Is No. 1 Priority for NGA’s New Chairman
The National Governors Association will spend the next year focused on ideas for improving high schools, with a particular attention on the senior year.
Education
News in Brief: A State Capitals Roundup
- Wis. Bars Two Schools From Voucher Program
- New State Chiefs Named for Minnesota, Alabama
- Texas State School Board Backs Four Years of Science
- Snapshots
Education
Campaign Notebook
- School Administrator Has Miles to Go Before Reaching U.S. Senate
- Graduation Speech
Special Education
Special Ed. Teachers Behind On Compliance With Law, GAO Says
Some special education teachers are faltering in working toward the qualifications they need under the No Child Left Behind Act, in part because of a lack of coordination at the federal level, according to a report from Congress’ investigative arm. Includes a chart, "Subject-Matter Preparation."
Education
Correction
An item in the Teaching & Learning column in the July 14, 2004, issue of Education Week on a symposium sponsored by the Siemens Foundation ("The Science of Music") misidentified Mark Jude Tramo. He is the director of the Institute for Music and Brain Science at Harvard University.
Teaching Profession
Union Delegates Give New Leader Go-Ahead to Attack Federal Law
As the new president of the 1.3 million-member American Federation of Teachers, Edward J. McElroy promises to advance the "same important causes" championed by his two immediate predecessors. Includes exclusive audio, "Voices from the AFT convention."
Equity & Diversity
Immigrants’ Children Inhabit the Top Ranks Of Math, Science Meets
Research conducted by the National Foundation for American Policy shows that 60 percent of the nation’s top science students and 65 percent of the top mathematics students are children of recent immigrants. Includes the chart, "High Achievers."
Education
Extensions Affect Regions Differently
Federal data show that many school districts in the Midwest, West, and Great Plains will be given extra years to meet teacher-quality requirements under the No Child Left Behind Act. Most rural districts in those states meet the definition of “rural” cited in the regulations. In contrast, most rural and small-town districts in the Southeast will not receive the extension. Here’s a sampling of how different states are affected by the regulations.
Education
Democrats Stress Issue Of Teacher Quality
Democrats gathering for their national convention are expected to approve a party platform that seeks to raise spending on schools and colleges, create rigorous tests for new teachers, offer rewards for teachers who excel, and improve high school graduation rates.
Democrats gathering for their national convention are expected to approve a party platform that seeks to raise spending on schools and colleges, create rigorous tests for new teachers, offer rewards for teachers who excel, and improve high school graduation rates.
Education
State Journal
A bizarre comment to a young student by California Secretary of Education Richard J. Riordan has led to a flurry of scrutiny over his job performance—and plenty of theories about his lack of discretion.
Education Funding
Lawmakers Greet Rosy Budget Picture With Caution
Fewer budget shortfalls and larger-than-expected revenues are brightening the outlook for most state budgets this year, and that will mean more money for education in most states, a report by the National Conference of State Legislatures says.
Federal
ECS Gives Mixed Marks on ‘No Child’ Efforts
Few states are on track to meet the teacher-quality requirements of the No Child Left Behind Act, but many states are moving quickly to improve student achievement, according to a report by the Education Commission of the States.
Federal
Ariz. Educators to Get Mandatory Training in English Immersion
Educators say Arizona’s new plan to train all teachers and administrators in how to teach English-language learners is a good idea, but they say its success will depend on how the initiative is carried out.
Education
Report Roundup
- Report Credits Abstinence and Contraception Alike
- Education Investment
- Television's Influence
- After-School Programs
- Value-Added Testing
- Federal Spending
Reading & Literacy
Federal Agency Casts Net For Reading Panelists
A federal literacy agency is soliciting nominees for a new commission to continue and expand on the work of the influential National Reading Panel.
Education
People in the News
James Crawford has been named the executive director of the National Association for Bilingual Education.
Federal
Indian Schools Struggling With Federal Mandates
When the No Child Left Behind Act was signed into law more than two years ago, it provided Bureau of Indian Affairs schools with a strong degree of leeway in coping with some of the federal statute’s toughest provisions and penalties.
