State School Boards
Standards & Accountability
Merryl Tisch to Leave N.Y. Regents After Busy, Polarizing Tenure
Tisch oversaw big changes to Empire State K-12 policy during her six-year tenure as the leader of the Regents, and unleashed a torrent of political controversy in the process.
States
Kentucky Picks Achieve's Stephen Pruitt to Take Over as State Chief
At Achieve, Pruitt oversaw the development of the Next Generation Science Standards, which have been adopted by 15 states and the District of Columbia.
Standards & Accountability
Preliminary Illinois PARCC Scores: Fewer than 4 in 10 Students Reach Proficiency
Proficiency rates hovered at about one-third for English/language arts, and were a bit lower in math, ranging from 17 percent proficiency on the high school math exam to 36 percent in 3rd grade math.
States
Despite High Opt-Out Rates, Education Department Won't Punish N.Y., Report Says
Federal law requires each school to test at least 95 percent of its students or else the district or state could face sanctions, some as severe as losing Title I money for low-income students.
States
Not Putting on the Ritz: Indiana Schools Chief Drops Out of Governor's Race
Ritz announced she was pulling out of the race in order to focus on a bid for a second term as state superintendent. Indiana's gubernatorial election is next year.
Standards & Accountability
Students Need Not Meet Common-Core Test's Cut Score to Graduate in Wash. St.
To be considered ready for credit-bearing college work, students should score at levels 3 or 4, but the state school board set a different minimum score to earn a diploma.
States
Ariz. Chief Douglas Continues Fight With State Board Over Department Control
In her appeal of a court ruling, state Superintendent Diane Douglas accused state board staff of running a "shadow administration" within Arizona's education apparatus.
Standards & Accountability
Ark. Common-Core Review Recommends a Smartphone App ... And Another Review
The latest state to complete a review of the standards is Arkansas. But its review has led to a somewhat unusual, if not unique, recommendation.
Standards & Accountability
Former N.Y. K-12 Official Ken Wagner Picked to Be Rhode Island Chief
As a deputy commissioner in New York state, Wagner played a key role in overseeing how the state shifted to the Common Core State Standards and aligned assessments.
States
N.Y. Has 'No Current Plans' to Give PARCC; Ark. Ditches the Consortium Test
The Arkansas state board voted to use the ACT Aspire test instead, concluding a public spat over which common-core exam the state would use next year.
Standards & Accountability
PARCC Showdown in Arkansas as Governor Tries to Kill Test
Earlier this month, the Arkansas board of education voted 7-1 to continue using the PARCC exam, but Gov. Asa Hutchinson is refusing to go along.
Law & Courts
La. Court Rules Against Gov. Bobby Jindal's Bid to Stop Common-Core Testing
A Louisiana court has ruled against Louisiana Gov. Bobby Jindal in his attempt to block state testing aligned with the Common Core State Standards.
Standards & Accountability
Arkansas Board Rejects Switch From PARCC to ACT, Defying Gov. Hutchinson
The Arkansas Times reported that the board's 7-1 vote not to switch to the ACT Aspire test for 2015-16 school year was a "surprising rebuke" of Gov. Asa Hutchinson.
School & District Management
Education Policy Issues Caught in Arizona Crossfire
Disagreements between the state's education chief and other officials could complicate work on academic standards, school finance, and other topics.
