September 24, 2008
Education Week, Vol. 28, Issue 05
Student Achievement
Opinion
Give Latin (and Potential Dropouts) a Chance
"Perhaps we can eliminate the most persistent of our achievement gaps by introducing Latin into failing schools with high concentrations of poor and minority students," says Baynard Woods.
Federal
Low Performers Found Unready to Take Algebra
As state and school leaders across the country push for more students to take algebra in 8th grade, a new study argues that struggling students are being enrolled in that course despite being woefully unprepared.
School & District Management
KIPP Study Finds High Student Attrition Amid Big Learning Gains
The final report from a three-year study of San Francisco-area KIPP charter schools probes key issues that have sparked debate, including student achievement and attrition.
Federal
Obama Slips Merit Pay Into Larger Plan on Schools
Sen. Barack Obama wants to start a new program supporting an innovative-schools fund—but the campaign’s summary of the proposal omits the requirement linking teacher pay with students’ academic growth.
Federal
Opinion
Before the 'Either-Or' Era
Former U.S. Secretary of Education Richard W. Riley and Terry K. Peterson share their reflections, as seen through A Nation at Risk.
Curriculum
Letter to the Editor
Critic of AP Courses Places 'Observations' Above Facts
To the Editor:
Paul Von Blum’s Commentary criticizing Advanced Placement courses completely misses the mark ("Are Advanced Placement Courses Diminishing Liberal Arts Education?," Sept. 3, 2008). Due in large part to the continued and excessive emphasis on accountability in today’s schools, analysis, interpretation, critical thinking, and creativity have almost completely been eliminated from most curricula except AP courses.
Paul Von Blum’s Commentary criticizing Advanced Placement courses completely misses the mark ("Are Advanced Placement Courses Diminishing Liberal Arts Education?," Sept. 3, 2008). Due in large part to the continued and excessive emphasis on accountability in today’s schools, analysis, interpretation, critical thinking, and creativity have almost completely been eliminated from most curricula except AP courses.
Education
Letter to the Editor
Would 'Neovouchers' Survive if Voters Had Their Say?
To the Editor:
Kevin G. Welner’s Commentary on “neovouchers” (or tuition tax credits) for nonpublic schools was right on target ("Under the Voucher Radar," Sept. 3, 2008). To it could be added that not only have millions of voters in 26 statewide referendums rejected vouchers or their variants by an average of 2-to-1, but that five of these states specifically have rejected tuition tax credits: Nebraska, in 1970 (57 percent against the credits to 43 percent for); the District of Columbia, 1981 (89 percent to 11 percent); Utah, 1988 (70 percent to 30 percent); Oregon, 1990 (67 percent to 33 percent); and Colorado, 1998 (60 percent to 40 percent).
Kevin G. Welner’s Commentary on “neovouchers” (or tuition tax credits) for nonpublic schools was right on target ("Under the Voucher Radar," Sept. 3, 2008). To it could be added that not only have millions of voters in 26 statewide referendums rejected vouchers or their variants by an average of 2-to-1, but that five of these states specifically have rejected tuition tax credits: Nebraska, in 1970 (57 percent against the credits to 43 percent for); the District of Columbia, 1981 (89 percent to 11 percent); Utah, 1988 (70 percent to 30 percent); Oregon, 1990 (67 percent to 33 percent); and Colorado, 1998 (60 percent to 40 percent).
Special Education
Letter to the Editor
A Better 'Response': Hire and Support Good Teachers
To the Editor:
In response to “Spec. Ed. Is Funding Early Help” (Sept. 10, 2008), which describes efforts to reach struggling students before they need special educations services:
In response to “Spec. Ed. Is Funding Early Help” (Sept. 10, 2008), which describes efforts to reach struggling students before they need special educations services:
Education Funding
California's Budget Battle Now Down to Endgame
The prolonged battle over California’s fiscal 2009 budget was nearing a close this week, as Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger and state lawmakers appeared poised to complete an agreement that would avoid a threatened gubernatorial veto.
Special Education
Changes to Disabilities Act Seen as Offering Students Protections
A bill headed to the White House clarifies the federal Americans With Disabilities Act in ways expected to help K-12 students.
Federal
Panel Proposes Major Overhaul of College-Aid System
Experts convened by the College Board issued a sweeping set of recommendations to totally revamp how the roughly $86 billion in annual financial aid is delivered to U.S. college students.
School & District Management
Opinion
A Call to No Action
One superintendent's plan for teachers to think about the problems facing his district made Jeff King wonder why that superintendent didn't ask teachers to both think and act.
Education Funding
Wary Eyes Monitoring Wall Street
School business officials are keeping a close watch on the markets—and on district investment portfolios and teacher-retirement funds—amid escalating upheaval on Wall Street.
Federal
States Cite Capacity Gap in Aid for Schools on NCLB
Amid shrinking budgets and staff limitations, education departments say they can’t meet the technical requirements for helping struggling schools under the federal law, a study finds.
Federal
Groups Seek to Keep a Spotlight on Issues of Testing, Standards
Some of the most ardent supporters of testing and standards discuss what next steps policymakers should consider in reauthorizing the federal law.
Federal
Schools Still Shut for Thousands in Storm’s Wake
Some Texas districts expect to be closed all week as officials seek to assess damage in the aftermath of Hurricane Ike.
Federal
Opinion
Where We Stand
To ignore the pressing needs of our children, and of the men and women who choose to spend their lives in service of their learning, is a mistake that the next president cannot afford to make, says Ronald Thorpe.
