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In the News the Week of April 2, 2008
US students show mixed results in writing assessment * National campaign of dropout prevention announced * Report concludes that improvement in student achievement is linked to the rising effectiveness of teachers
More students master the ‘basics’ on national writing assessment, but achievement gaps remain
US students show mixed results in writing assessment: Proportion of proficient students remains stagnant and lower-performing students show modest improvement
National campaign of dropout prevention summits will feature meetings in all 50 states and in 50 key cities over the next two years
Report concludes that improvement in student achievement is linked to the rising effectiveness of teachers who had been at the school when their students’ performance was dismal
School Funding Litigation/Policy
CA Republicans unveil a package of education bills they say will free up existing funds for schools
FL legislative committee considers receiving less money from corporations - diverting dollars away from public schools and toward school vouchers for private secular and religious schools for low-income families
LA lawmakers want to reshuffle the state budget and spend $60 million per year to repair and replace public school buildings statewide
NV judge endorses revised petition from teachers' union to raise state gambling taxes to provide about $250 million a year for public education
State Roundup
CA schools remain near the bottom of the latest national assessment of writing; educators say it’s largely because of the large number of English language learners
KY Board of Education discusses ways to assist schools that have failed to meet goals for several years in a row under the state's standardized testing system
In the News on April 3, 2008
Report says 8th and 12th graders show improved writing skills, but achievement gaps persist
Charter schools, traditional teacher-credentialing requirements, and Teach For America can make a positive differences in high school achievement levels, according to studies
School Funding Litigation/Policy
AZ spends less on education than almost any other state, says Census Bureau report
Mayor threatens to increase property-taxes unless state leaders triple the amount of new money IL governor wants to set aside for Chicago's public schools
NE governor approves changes to school-funding formula
NE schools dismiss school funding lawsuit after state approves new bill, but some rural senators and officials are still not content
State Roundup
IN State Board of Education intensive efforts to overhaul 39 schools at the bottom of the state's accountability system
Sweeping changes in LA public high schools will be hampered by a shortage of math and other teachers, say officials
MO House defeats legislation that would require school districts to use state criteria when deciding to accept or reject transfer students from unaccredited school districts
MO House committee scraps proposal to boost minimum teacher salary in favor of bonuses for teachers based on student performance, longevity and a willingness to work in poor districts
In the News on April 2, 2008
Federal/NCLB
AZ House approves a bill to opt out of NCLB, but only if the state itself makes up for school funding that would be lost
HI students will start taking state assessments to determine if their schools are making significant progress under the NCLB
Other News
The Bush administration will require states to use a uniform formula and publish data on graduation rates of students of various racial, ethnic, and socioeconomic categories
Research says students in urban public school districts are less likely to graduate from high school than students in suburban districts
School Funding Litigation/Policy
AZ plaintiff attorney in English-language learner case, asks judge to consider imposing personal fines on the governor if the state doesn't meet the deadline to fund the program
Schools fear IN’s new property-tax-restructuring plan could cost them millions, threaten programs, and widen the gap between poor and rich districts
KY K-12 educators are “very disappointed” with budget cuts, but higher education disenchantment was muted
MT governor says spending on public education should be sold as an "investment" in the future - and that more investment is needed
NE school funding formula is scheduled for revamping, and five-year legal battle over state aid might be settled
Regardless of the fate of a proposed school funding amendment, lawmakers must pass a bill that establishes the cost of an adequate education, says NH House speaker
Donor town problem comes up again in discussions of NH education funding plan
OH remains generous in paying for K-12 education, but schools continue to increase their dependence on taxpayers, says report
WI appears to be well on its way to becoming a middle-of-the-pack state when it comes to the amount of money put into K-12 education
State Roundup
LA House and Senate education committees will review over 100 pieces of legislation dealing with education at all levels
OK once again ranks near the bottom in education report
Published Tuesday, Apr. 8, 2008