Posts Tagged ‘DDOE’

Daily Education News – 6/17/13

Posted by rodel

Here are several stories in today’s news about Delaware education and from across the nation:

Local News

The News Journal
Markell seeks $31 million more for education in budget
Gov. Jack Markell’s proposed budget includes no new education cuts and some new money, garnering some positive vibes from district officials struggling with tight budgets. Under Markell’s budget, which is expected to be introduced this week, Delaware public schools would receive $31 million in new funding, according to spokeswoman Cathy Rossi. “It is an economic imperative and moral obligation to give every Delaware student the best chance to acquire the most valuable skills for colleges and careers,” Markell said in a statement

Investment in early education may be best crime-prevention tool
An opinion by Harriet Dichter and Drewry Nash Fennell
As the News Journal’s Sunday lead story made clear, crime has a high cost for us all. Delaware’s criminal justice system is working hard at the state and local level to reduce recidivism and increase public safety. In addition to those immediate efforts, though, there is an effective, long-term way to help curb crime: An investment in quality early education for all of Delaware’s young children.

WDDE
Teachers’ union maintains support of charter reform bill
A bill seeking to reform Delaware’s charter schools has a backer in the form of the state’s public school teachers union. The measure would revamp the charter school application process and provide a competitive fund for capital projects.

The Dover Post
New construction may be necessary to relieve CR district overcrowding
Members of a citizen’s committee formed to study the future of the Caesar Rodney School District turned in their report Wednesday night during a special school board meeting held at the W. Reily Brown Elementary School. The Resource Development Committee, made up of parents, teachers, staff members and district residents, told the board that the district’s increasing student population, which is outstripping the number of available classrooms, must be addressed in the near future.

National News

The New York Times
Schooling ourselves in an unequal America
An opinion by Rebecca Strauss
Averages can be misleading. The familiar, one-dimensional story told about American education is that it was once the best system in the world but that now it’s headed down the drain, with piles of money thrown down after it.

Chicago Public School System lays off 850 in move to cut budget
Nearly 850 Chicago Public Schools employees received layoff notices on Friday, hours after officials said they had identified $52 million in administrative and operational cuts to help close an estimated $1 billion deficit in the coming fiscal year.

Budget cuts reach bone for Philadelphia schools
When a second grader came to the Andrew Jackson School too agitated to eat breakfast on Friday, an aide alerted the school counselor, who engaged him in an art project in her office. When he was still overwrought at 11, a secretary called the boy’s family, and soon a monitor at the front door buzzed in an older brother to take him home. Under a draconian budget passed by the Philadelphia School District last month, none of these supporting players — aide, counselor, secretary, security monitor — will remain at the school by September, nor will there be money for books, paper, a nurse or the school’s locally celebrated rock band.

Education Week
Questions arise about need for Algebra 2 for all
Should all students take Algebra 2? Florida seemed to say “no” this spring with the passage of a law striking it from graduation requirements. Texas said much the same in legislation Republican Gov. Rick Perry signed this week that also backs away from Algebra 2 for all. Those steps come as the Common Core State Standards for math set the expectation that all students should meet learning objectives at what’s generally considered the Algebra 2 level.

Daily Education News – 6/12/13

Posted by rodel

Here are several stories in today’s news about Delaware education and from across the nation:

Local News

The Washington Post
The tea party is wrong on the Common Core curriculum
An opinion by Governor Jack Markell
Over the past three years, 45 states have adopted the Common Core State Standards. These objectives were developed to ensure that America’s students acquire the academic skills they need to reach their full potential. Yet the Common Core standards are under serious assault by the tea party movement, which argues that they were developed by the federal government [“A new battle for tea party,” front page, May 31]. This assertion lacks any basis in fact.

The News Journal
Law ignored, critics say
A group tasked with finding improvements to the state’s charter school system may have violated open meetings laws, according to a report from the Attorney General’s Office. That has drawn the ire of open government advocates and legislators who say a handful of power-players are crafting major education policy behind closed doors. But state officials in charge of the working group said the public had time for input and opponents were focusing on meetings held five months ago where no action was taken, rather than the legislative process under way.

Delaware Department of Education
State announces free and reduced price meals policy for 2013-14
The Delaware Department of Education today announced the U.S. Department of Agriculture policy for free and reduced price meals for children unable to pay the full price for meals served under the National School Lunch Program, School Breakfast Program, and After School Snack Program.

Delaware State News
Moving plans coincide with Delmarva Christian, Sussex Academy facilities swap
The property swap is officially complete and now Delmarva Christian High School and Sussex Academy are moving forward — literally — with plans to meet their needs and fulfill missions at existing but new facility venues in Georgetown. Tuesday, as staff and volunteers from both institutions embarked on the monumental move, leaders from both schools formally exchanged facilities in ceremonies at the Dover Public Library. “If there was ever anything that was a win-win situation for Sussex County, the state of Delaware and for education in general, this it is,” said Joe Schell, Sussex Academy’s campaign chairman.

National News

United States Department of Education
Redesigning America’s high schools
President Obama’s High School Redesign initiative will encourage America’s school districts and their partners to use existing federal, state and local resources to transform the high school experience for America’s youth through a whole school redesign effort. This effort will challenge high schools and their partners to rethink teaching and learning and put in place learning models that are rigorous, relevant, and better focused on real-world experiences.

Education Week
Year-end tests bring urgency to Common-Core push
All year long, Ms. McNair-Lee, an English/language arts teacher at Stuart-Hobson Middle School here, has been doing what millions of teachers across the country are doing: trying to help her students master the common standards, which all but four states have adopted. The District of Columbia school system has chosen an aggressive and comprehensive approach to implementing the standards, making major investments in resources and professional development. But like most districts, it faces many challenges as it tries to turn its vision into changed practice in the classroom.

The Denver Post
New Denver Public Schools remedial classes aimed at college success
Denver Public Schools will offer free remedial math and English classes this summer in response to a higher education department’s report, which shows that more than 60% of graduates need college remediation. A student who gets a C or higher would not have to take the course in college under an agreement with Colorado universities. The classes will be offered during the school year in 2013-14.

The Oregonian
Nearly 40% of Oregon high school grads don’t go to college
Oregon adopted a goal of getting 80% of its young people to earn a college credential—40% for a four-year degree and 40% for an associate’s degree or industry certificate. But among the high school class of 2011, just 61% enrolled in a college or community college anywhere in the country by fall 2012. And only one district sends enough graduates on to college to reaching the 80% target any time soon.

Long Awaited Charter School Bill Introduced in the House

Posted by Melissa Hopkins

In the fall of last year, Governor Jack Markell and former Representative Terry Schooley created a Charter Work Group to review the current charter school law and recommend changes. Members included charter schools, the business community, DSEA, PTA, school districts and boards, legislators, Delaware Department of Education, and the State Board of Education. 

There were a number of issues within the existing charter law that the group agreed should be addressed to create an environment for charter schools to thrive. Specifically, the work group focused on the process of how charter schools are authorized, the expectations for charters once authorized, and additional support and funding for charter schools.   

Improving the authorization process offers charter school applicants more opportunities to engage in the vetting process with authorizers. This begins by providing applicants a pre-screen process to ensure quality, followed by in-depth applicant interviews. Perhaps most importantly, more opportunities for public input will be built into the process to truly consider impact on communities and students.

The key to success in almost all situations is to have clear expectations and support to succeed. The bill addresses these concerns for all charter schools. Authorizers and charters will enter into agreements based on the charter performance framework which establishes have set standards for achievement and management to maintain their charter. In addition, all board members serving charter schools will be required to have training, and to establish procedures in the event school closure becomes necessary.   The renewal process will be tied to how each school meets the rigorous standards set in the Charter Performance Framework.

Finally, one of the significant concerns is support for fledgling and established charter schools.  High performing charter schools will be rewarded for the efforts by allowing extended renewal terms.  One of the key concerns for both new and existing charter schools is funding. Financial supports will include a timely allocation of district funds and access to the conduit bond financing process. Most significant would be the creation of the Charter School Performance Fund to help finance charter schools with a proven record of success. Priority would be given to schools with high quality plans or those serving high need students.  

Delaware has been envied nationally for its ability to bring together stakeholders on tough issues and build consensus. House Bill 165 is a clear example of that quality. The Charter School Work Group managed to create a fair piece of legislation to address accountability and quality in our charter schools while solving tough funding inequities. 

This bill will be considered by the House Education Committee June 5, 2013.

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