March 21, 2007
Education Week, Vol. 26, Issue 28
Education
Events
16—Administrators: How to Organize the Elementary School, sponsored by Hofstra University, for administrators, at the Sondra and David S. Mack Student Center, North Campus, Hempstead, N.Y. Contact: Barbara Calvo, Hofstra University, Hagedorn Hall, Hempstead, NY 11549; (516) 463-5750; e-mail: barbara.calvo@hofstra.edu; Web site: www.hofstra.edu.
April 2007
16—Administrators: How to Organize the Elementary School, sponsored by Hofstra University, for administrators, at the Sondra and David S. Mack Student Center, North Campus, Hempstead, N.Y. Contact: Barbara Calvo, Hofstra University, Hagedorn Hall, Hempstead, NY 11549; (516) 463-5750; e-mail: barbara.calvo@hofstra.edu; Web site: www.hofstra.edu.
School & District Management
Ruling on Workplace Speech Affects Superintendent’s Case
A recent federal appeals court decision shows the impact of a U.S. Supreme Court decision from last year on First Amendment protections for government employees.
Law & Courts
Court Says ‘Gifties’ Misapplied Talents
Students contended that their principal violated their free-speech rights by disciplining them for wearing T-shirts they had designed.
School & District Management
Texas Principals Get Training in ‘Quality’
The American Productivity & Quality Center has begun teaching school districts how businesses learn from one another to boost their performance.
Education
A National Roundup
Educator Lauded for 'Courage'
Doris Voitier, the superintendent of the St. Bernard Parish, La., public schools, was recognized for her leadership in the wake of Hurricane Katrina.
Assessment
Contract Fight Halts Oregon’s Online Testing
The state last week sued Vantage Learning after the vendor shut down access to assessments on the Web.
States
Ohio Governor Proposes Ending ‘EdChoice’ Vouchers
Eliminating the program would cut out "wastefulness and giveaways," according to Gov. Ted Strickland.
Early Childhood
Report Finds Improvement in Pre-K Area
Programs in 16 states made policy changes that allowed them to reach more early-education benchmarks.
Federal
Administration Wants Districts Free to Transfer Teachers
Officials would be able to override collective bargaining contracts while staffing their most troubled schools.
Federal
House Education Panel OKs Reauthorization of Head Start
The bill aims to expand eligibility for the program, bolster accountability for grantees, and boost teacher qualifications.
Education
Opinion
New in Print
Brain research, diversity, and issues of church and state are some of the topics covered in this month's book reviews.
Federal
Contractor Leaves Iraq With Some School Projects Undone
The war prevented a Washington-based firm from completing some tasks, according to a recent audit.
Education
Letter to the Editor
‘Truthiness in Education’
Watchdogs are a welcome and necessary part of any community and everyone deserves to be watched, scholars and think tanks included.
Reading & Literacy
Letter to the Editor
In Reading, a Scandal Without Consequences
It seems that in Washington there are scandals, and then there are scandals.
Education
Letter to the Editor
National Standards Need Greater School Uniformity
It is more than a little ironic that Paul Vallas is advocating national standards.
Teaching
Student Council Project Aims to Encourage Civic Activism
A National Association of Student Councils project aims to train educators and students to improve their schools.
Social Studies
World History and Geography Gain Traction In Class
An increasing number of U.S. high school students are taking courses designed to expand their international knowledge.
School Climate & Safety
Phila. Cracks Down on Assaults by Students
A recent wave of violence against teachers has prompted new policies on student offenders.
Equity & Diversity
A Culture Put to the Test
A rigorous Navajo-immersion program draws on both tradition and modern accountability tools to improve student achievement.
Federal
Views of AFT, NEA on Reauthorization Getting Closer
The two national teachers’ unions want a radical overhaul of the federal law’s accountability measures.
Teaching Profession
Teachers in One-Quarter of W.Va. Districts Walk Out
Nearly 5,000 teachers did not report to work to protest a lower-than-expected raise.
Education
Letter to the Editor
Union Letter Produces a ‘Hanging Curveball’
While forcing myself through Paul J. Phillips’ Feb. 28, 2007, letter to the editor, I nearly fell out of my chair when I got to this unwitting invitation for ridicule.
Mathematics
Letter to the Editor
And an Essayist Misreads Alfred North Whitehead
In his spirited attack on what he characterizes as anti-reform forces in math education, T.C. O’Brien speculates that British mathematician Alfred North Whitehead must have foreseen Parrot Math.
Mathematics
Letter to the Editor
Math’s ‘Anti-Reformers’ Misread Asian Competitors
It’s ironic that many of the Asian countries anti-reformers hold up as pinnacles of mathematics education are actually shifting away from drills and direct instruction and toward a more inquiry-based approach that promotes creativity and the use of technology.
School & District Management
Superintendent Hired in Detroit
The next leader of the troubled Detroit public schools hails from a district only one-twentieth the size of the Motor City’s, but she insists she can get the job done.
School Choice & Charters
A Washington Roundup
GOP Bill Offers Vouchers
Rep. Howard P. “Buck” McKeon, R-Calif., introduced a bill that would provide private school vouchers for students in persistently low-performing schools under the No Child Left Behind Act.
Assessment
A Washington Roundup
Eight States Advance for Growth-Model Pilot
Under the pilot project, states receive approval to define AYP based on methods that track students’ academic growth over time.
Recruitment & Retention
A Washington Roundup
House Panel OKs New Hurricane Aid
A supplemental fiscal 2007 spending bill to finance the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan includes $30 million for public schools still struggling to recover from Hurricanes Katrina and Rita.