State School Boards
States
Arkansas Poised to Drop PARCC's Common-Core Test in Favor of ACT
Arkansas was one of 10 states, along with the District of Columbia, to use the PARCC test in the 2014-15 school year.
States
Missouri Drops Smarter Balanced Common-Core Exam
A provision of the state education budget signed by Missouri Gov. Jay Nixon would cut off funding for the Smarter Balanced exam and require a new test for the next school year.
Federal
Former Tampa Schools Boss MaryEllen Elia Named N.Y. K-12 Chief
The former superintendent of Florida's Hillsborough County schools is poised to become New York state's next K-12 commissioner, according to reports.
States
One Step Closer to a New Accountability System for California Schools?
California is hammering out a new state accountability system to complement its school funding system and local accountability models. What might Golden State accountability look like in the future?
States
Colorado Lawmakers Mull Test Reduction and Test-Writing Power for Districts
Such legislation could serve to satisfy testing skeptics or outright opponents from different political camps, without going so far as to defy federal law regarding testing.
States
Golden Rule? N.C. Senate Approves ALEC Model Bill on Gold-Standard Instruction
The bill, modeled on language proposed by the American Legislative Exchange Council, also requires students to be taught about limited government power.
Standards & Accountability
Colorado K-12 Chief Announces Retirement Amid State Board Shift
State board elections in 2014 led to new members and new tension between Commissioner Robert Hammond and board members, including over the common core and aligned tests.
States
Mississippi Veto Shows States' Diverse Political Responses to Common Core
In vetoing a review, Gov. Phil Bryant said he could not let it "become law under the guise that it would lead to the demise of common core."
States
Former Oakland Superintendent Tony Smith Picked as New Illinois Chief
Tony Smith previously worked as Oakland superintendent from 2009 to 2013, and then went to work for a Chicago-area nonprofit working on early childhood issues.
States
Last Days for Illinois K-12 Chief Koch? Governor Seeks 'Transformational' Leader
Gov. Bruce Rauner said that while he likes Christopher Koch, the state needs a new K-12 leader, and the state school board could be ready to pick one.
States
Judge Tosses Out Anti-Common-Core Lawsuit from Gov. Jindal, Legislators
On March 30, District Court Judge Tim Kelley dismissed a lawsuit that alleged the state school board violated Louisiana law in adopting the common core.
States
Following Swift Change to State Law, Ark. Picks Former Senator as New Chief
Johnny Key, who did not meet earlier prerequisites for the commissioner's job, served in the state legislature from 2003 to 2013 and at one time led the state Senate education committee
States
Mich. Picks Local Superintendent With Lobbying Background as Next State Chief
Brian Whiston, the head of Dearborn public schools, will replace Mike Flanagan, the longest-serving state superintendent in the nation.
States
La. Gov. Bobby Jindal's Latest Common-Core Repeal Plan Mirrors Okla. Template
Louisiana Gov. Bobby Jindal announced legislation to upend the Common Core State Standards and aligned tests in that state, and give lawmakers ultimate power over replacement standards.
