November 14, 2012

Education Week, Vol. 32, Issue 12
School & District Management News in Brief Chicago CEO Requests Delay on Closure List
Ten protesters in Chicago were arrested this month after they and close to 200 others gathered outside Mayor Rahm Emanuel's office to protest school closings.
Jaclyn Zubrzycki, November 13, 2012
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1 min read
School & District Management News in Brief $155M Award Voided for Fired Charter Head
A judge overturned a $155 million award given to a principal of a Florida charter school over her 2006 firing.
Andrew Ujifusa, November 13, 2012
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1 min read
Teaching News in Brief Cleveland Levy Allows Restored School Time
Students in Cleveland public schools will have 50 minutes added back to their day, starting in January, after voters approved a property-tax increase.
The Associated Press, November 13, 2012
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1 min read
Equity & Diversity Report Roundup Health
Higher neighborhood educational attainment and socioeconomic status correlate with better self-rated health among Asian-Americans who live in Asian neighborhoods.
Nirvi Shah, November 13, 2012
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1 min read
Teaching Profession Report Roundup Research Report: Teachers
New data shows beginning K-12 teachers are more likely to be working multiple jobs.
Sarah D. Sparks, November 13, 2012
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1 min read
College & Workforce Readiness News in Brief Two-Year Colleges a Path to Bachelor's
Research shows starting at a community college can be a promising path for students who want to earn a four-year degree.
Caralee J. Adams, November 13, 2012
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1 min read
College & Workforce Readiness News in Brief Testing Group Defines 'College Readiness'
The Partnership for Assessment of Readiness for College and Careers has approved a set of descriptors for the tests it's designing for the Common Core State Standards.
Catherine Gewertz, November 13, 2012
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1 min read
Education Funding News in Brief Child Obesity in Maine Judged Costly Problem
Childhood obesity-related medical costs are expected to cost Maine roughly $1.2 billion over the 20 years.
Bryan Toporek, November 13, 2012
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1 min read
Education Funding News in Brief Troubled Phila. District Borrows for Expenses
Philadelphia's financially struggling public school system is borrowing money to help pay for expenses through the end of the school year.
The Associated Press, November 13, 2012
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1 min read
Science News in Brief AP Science Revisions to Undergo Study
A four-year, $2.6 million research grant will look at implementation and student outcomes of the recently revamped Advanced Placement science offerings.
Erik W. Robelen, November 13, 2012
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1 min read
Assessment Letter to the Editor 'Value Added' Evaluations Raise Complex Issues
To the Editor:
Regarding the article "Caution Urged on 'Value Added' Reviews" (Oct. 31, 2012): The notion of measuring human beings—their teaching performance, their compassion, their aptitude, or their ability—using test scores derived from computerized or paper-and-pencil tests given to children with different lives, backgrounds, language dominance, economic, or emotional circumstances (who are also human beings) is ludicrous.
November 13, 2012
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1 min read
School Climate & Safety Letter to the Editor Schools Need to Teach Respect for All Creatures
To the Editor:
Given that schools are rightfully cracking down on bullying, they should be at the forefront of encouraging students to be respectful to each other and all those around them—and that means everyone ("Inside the Mind of a Bully," Oct. 16, 2012).
November 13, 2012
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1 min read
Curriculum Letter to the Editor Schools Should Develop Students' Civic Identities
To the Editor:
While it is unclear how many times a teenager can be forced to recite the checks and balances between the three branches of government before becoming comatose, it is crystal clear that such "lessons" still constitute the bulk of civics education in American classrooms.
November 13, 2012
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1 min read
Early Childhood Letter to the Editor Improving Early Learning Needn't Be Expensive
To the Editor:
Barbara O'Brien's Commentary "Getting Serious About Early Learning" (Oct. 10, 2012) raised many important points. There is much we in education can do to benefit young children and their families that does not cost huge amounts of money.
November 13, 2012
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1 min read
Education Funding Letter to the Editor Who Profits From Education Reform?
To the Editor:
I agree with Cheryl Scott Williams' assessment regarding school reform ("School Reform, But From Whose Perspective?" Oct. 17, 2012). I am in my 26th year in public education. As a teacher and now a principal, I have come to the conclusion that most education reform has been well-intentioned until very recently.
November 13, 2012
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1 min read
George Lucas created an education foundation in 1991 to highlight best practices.
George Lucas created an education foundation in 1991 to highlight best practices.
Matt Sayles/AP-File
Education Funding George Lucas' Promise to Invest in Education Prompts Speculation
The "Star Wars" creator has pledged to donate the majority of proceeds from the $4.05 billion sale of his film company to education initiatives.
Katie Ash, November 13, 2012
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5 min read
Prekindergartners at Calvin Rodwell Elementary School in Baltimore, above, listen to their teacher, Erika Parker, as she reads A Day at the Pumpkin Patch, a nonfiction book about visiting a farm. The book is part of a unit that aims to blend the reading of stories and nonfiction with learning outside the classroom. The day after the children read the book, they visited Summers Farm in Frederick, Md.
Prekindergartners at Calvin Rodwell Elementary School in Baltimore, above, listen to their teacher, Erika Parker, as she reads <i>A Day at the Pumpkin Patch</i>, a nonfiction book about visiting a farm. The book is part of a unit that aims to blend the reading of stories and nonfiction with learning outside the classroom. The day after the children read the book, they visited Summers Farm in Frederick, Md.
Greg Kahn for Education Week
Reading & Literacy Scale Tips Toward Nonfiction Under Common Core
To satisfy college and workplace demands, the standards' framers are telling schools to shift more attention to informational text.
Catherine Gewertz, November 13, 2012
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9 min read
Diana Leddy works with kindergartners and 1st graders at the Blue School to complete writing, reading, and drawing exercises using scenes from the Dr. Seuss book The Lorax. Built in 1858, the one-room schoolhouse in Landaff, N.H., is using the book as a way to fuse lessons in writing and reading.
Diana Leddy works with kindergartners and 1st graders at the Blue School to complete writing, reading, and drawing exercises using scenes from the Dr. Seuss book <i>The Lorax</i>. Built in 1858, the one-room schoolhouse in Landaff, N.H., is using the book as a way to fuse lessons in writing and reading.
John Tully for Education Week
Reading & Literacy Writing Undergoes Renaissance in Curricula
The subject's ascent stems from its emphasis in the common core, feedback from colleges and the workplace, and emerging research.
Catherine Gewertz, November 13, 2012
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11 min read
Reading & Literacy New Literacy Research Infuses Common Core
In the 15 years since the National Reading Panel convened, researchers have learned a few things about teaching reading.
Sarah D. Sparks, November 13, 2012
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12 min read
Andrew Archuleta, a 4th grader at Emerson Elementary School in Albuquerque, N.M., raises his hand to ask a question about a writing assignment. Teachers at his school are piloting ways to help English learners master new reading and writing standards.
Andrew Archuleta, a 4th grader at Emerson Elementary School in Albuquerque, N.M., raises his hand to ask a question about a writing assignment. Teachers at his school are piloting ways to help English learners master new reading and writing standards.
Kitty Clark for Education Week
Federal N.M. School Builds Bridge to Standards for ELLs
An Albuquerque school focuses on making literacy standards accessible to all—including English-learners.
Lesli A. Maxwell, November 13, 2012
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10 min read
Differences can be seen in the 5th grade reading series that publishers produced in response to the common core.
Differences can be seen in the 5th grade reading series that publishers produced in response to the common core.
Nicole Frugé/Education Week
Curriculum Retooled Textbooks Aim to Capture Common Core
Basal readers rely more on analysis and documentation and less on students’ personal experiences.
Stephen Sawchuk, November 13, 2012
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12 min read
Standards & Accountability Common Standards Drive New Approaches to Reading
Schools nationwide are revamping reading instruction, involving more disciplines and tilting toward nonfiction, among other changes.
Catherine Gewertz, November 13, 2012
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6 min read
Sara Poeppelman, a science teacher at Lewis County High School in Vanceburg, Ky., incorporates reading and writing activities into her lessons.
Sara Poeppelman, a science teacher at Lewis County High School in Vanceburg, Ky., incorporates reading and writing activities into her lessons.
Bruce Crippen for Education Week
Reading & Literacy Literacy Instruction Expected to Cross Disciplines
The common standards require science, history/social studies, and other teachers to help their students' literacy development.
Erik W. Robelen, November 13, 2012
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10 min read
Reading & Literacy States Target 3rd Grade Reading
Many states now require the identification of struggling readers and, in some places, retaining them until their skills are up to par.
Erik W. Robelen, November 13, 2012
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4 min read
Supporters wait for President Barack Obama at his home in Chicago the day after his re-election. He may continue to exert executive authority to advance his K-12 goals.
Supporters wait for President Barack Obama at his home in Chicago the day after his re-election. He may continue to exert executive authority to advance his K-12 goals.
Doug Mills/New York Times
School & District Management Partisan Rifts Cloud Federal Ed.-Policy Prospects
With President Obama re-elected and the parties sharing congressional control, state policymakers hunger for clarity on education issues.
Alyson Klein, November 12, 2012
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6 min read
Gov. Jerry Brown displays a "Yes" on a Proposition 30 card featuring a photo of his dog Sutter, while discussing the passage of that tax initiative during a Capitol news conference in Sacramento, Calif., the day after the elections. Mr. Brown used his dog as a campaign prop in stumping for the measure, which will place temporary increases on the state sales tax and on the wealthy, with the proceeds earmarked for education.
Gov. Jerry Brown displays a "Yes" on a Proposition 30 card featuring a photo of his dog Sutter, while discussing the passage of that tax initiative during a Capitol news conference in Sacramento, Calif., the day after the elections. Mr. Brown used his dog as a campaign prop in stumping for the measure, which will place temporary increases on the state sales tax and on the wealthy, with the proceeds earmarked for education.
Rich Pedroncelli/AP
School & District Management Labor, Charter Forces Notch State-Level Election Wins
Teachers' unions and charter school champions in various states had plenty to cheer in the wake of the Nov. 6 balloting.
Andrew Ujifusa, November 12, 2012
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8 min read
BRIC ARCHIVE
iStockphoto.com/Sigal Suhler Moran
School Climate & Safety Opinion Teaching Climate Change in Sandy's Wake
Hurricane Sandy's devastation is a reminder that schools should teach about climate change, Laurence Peters writes.
Laurence Peters, November 12, 2012
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5 min read
Venting tubes to remove water and supply fresh air snake down the hallway of West Beach Elementary in Long Beach, N.Y. The school was swamped by storm surges when Hurricane Sandy swept through the coastal community.
Venting tubes to remove water and supply fresh air snake down the hallway of West Beach Elementary in Long Beach, N.Y. The school was swamped by storm surges when Hurricane Sandy swept through the coastal community.
Emile Wamsteker for Education Week
School & District Management Storm-Ravaged Districts Face Tough Recovery
In the wake of Hurricane Sandy, a dizzying array of questions and challenges confront school leaders.
Lesli A. Maxwell, November 9, 2012
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6 min read
President Barack Obama walks on stage with first lady Michelle Obama and daughters Malia and Sasha at his election night victory party early Wednesday in Chicago.
President Barack Obama walks on stage with first lady Michelle Obama and daughters Malia and Sasha at his election night victory party early Wednesday in Chicago.
Carolyn Kaster/AP
Federal Obama Wins Second Term as President
Immediate fiscal challenges and a long to-do list on education policy face President Barack Obama in the next four years.
Alyson Klein, November 7, 2012
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5 min read
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