In the news today, NSBA responds to President Obama’s plan to reauthorize the Elementary and Secondary Education Act. Texas will get a new social studies and history curriculum that includes controversial pieces pushed by the far-right members of the board, which will also impact textbooks across the country. And more schools are hiring recess coaches for their playgrounds to curb bullying and behavioral problems. Read more in School Board News Today.
Obama offered praise for states like Illinois, Tennessee and Louisiana (which has the most charter schools of any state) for being leaders in education reform, while chastising Texas which did not participate in the first round of the federal Race to the Top program. Meanwhile, an Ohio school district’s fate rests in the hands of voters, which must decide in a few weeks whether to approve the largest tax hike in the district’s history or risk being taken over by the state. And finally, a new report finds, surprise, surprise, today’s youth are more wired than ever, spending nearly a full work day on tech devices like Smartphones and iPods. Read these stories and more from School Board News Today.
The first round of applications for the federal Race to the Top program are due today, and a majority of states have thrown their hat in the $4.35 billion competition, which Obama plans on asking Congress to expand by an additional $1.35 billion. It’s doubtful it will prod the sizeable number of districts and handful of states who have declined to participate in what they consider federal meddling. Meanwhile, Alaska lawmakers are anticipating a windfall of money, thanks to rising oil prices, bringing with it opportunity to bump up education funding and launch construction projects. Keeping on the theme of money, one Michigan man has turned his layoff last year into a chance to specialize his advertising background on schools, helping districts find money in advertising without compromising their integrity. Read these headlines and more from School Board News Today.
A new report that graded states on their policies related to the Obama administration’s reform plans shows that the U.S. education system is sorely lacking innovation. The report was written by the Center for American Progress, the U.S. Chamber of Commerce and American Enterprise Institute scholar Frederick M. Hess, and says the education system faces a “staggering crisis.” In other news, the Obama administration is preparing to give more stimulus money–with strings attached–and Florida students are using an online game to earn high school credits. Read these stories and more in School Board News Today.
There’s good news today for 6-year-old Zachary Christie, the first grader who was suspended and ordered to go to a school for juvenile delinquents after he brought a camping tool with his lunch. The Christina, Del., school board revised its rules so that school officials will be allowed to exempt kindergarteners and first graders from some of the district’s zero-tolerance rules, and Zachary will be allowed to go back to his elementary school. But a larger problem still looms for the district, school board member John M. Young says in today’s New York Times story: “’We are doing this because we got egg on our face, but it doesn’t address the underlying issues with zero-tolerance rules,’ said Young, who opposed the original decision to send Zachary to the district’s reform program. ‘What if next time the case involves a second grader? That student will run into the same exact problems that Zachary did.’” Read this story and more in today’s edition of School Board News Today.
A new study aimed at improving the graduation rates of college students finds that many drop out before receiving a degree not because they find higher ed so tough, rather not tough enough. Meanwhile another study finds a disturbing trend in school zones: one in six drivers passing through the area are distracted. Finally, after decades of declining student enrollment, D.C. public schools latest figures show hope and promise of stability. Read these headlines and more from today’s edition of School Board News Today.
The Obama administration is revising its H1N1 flu guidelines with less emphasis on closing schools; a new law in Minnesota lets teachers take over schools; Los Angeles sees its dropout rate decline by 17 percent; and after-school programs are being slashed in many places across the country (but not in the Washington, D.C. area.) Find these and more news stories each day in School Board News Today.
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Calif. Democrats want schools to get billions that voters rejected
U.S. students are not doing as badly as perceived, but could improve
Maryland district touts guide to academic prosperity, college readiness
NYC assistant principal dies of swine flu, more schools close
In digital age, interest in traditional yearbooks wanes
Sharpton, Gingrich host rally on 55th anniversary of Brown decision
Legacy enrollments offered in two top L.A.-area school districts
Deepening budget crisis further threatens California schools