First Bell 3-19-13

yes Pamela Tatz / March 19, 2013

A first look at today's most important education news:

In 11 percent of NYC public schools, principals did not give any teachers failing grades in the last eight years. (Wall Street Journal)

According to a new report, there has been a surge in the use of student tracking and ability grouping at the elementary-school level. (USA Today and Huffington Post)

A New York state audit has found that one of NYC’s biggest providers of special-ed services to preschools has illegally diverted millions of dollars into a religious school, summer camps, and a grocery store. (New York Times and Wall Street Journal)

The Charters & Choice blog overviews school-choice legislation currently in play in Idaho, Kansas, New Hampshire, and Alabama.

A national database called inBloom, which contains students’ personal information, has parents and privacy advocates in an uproar. The Hechinger Report takes a closer look.

St. Mary’s County public elementary schools in Maryland have banned hugs, birthday invitations, and homemade food. (Huffington Post)

» Continued

First Bell 3-19-13

First Bell 3-18-13

yes Pamela Tatz / March 18, 2013

A first look at today's most important education news:

A study finds that high-ability, low-income students are unlikely to even apply to the best colleges—and those who attend less selective colleges are less likely to graduate. (New York Times) (See here for Gadfly’s take.)

Wall Street thinks Philadelphia’s twenty-three school closures is a good financial move. (PhillyDeals)

In states where school attendance is not compulsory until age six or seven, chronic absenteeism among four-year-olds is rampant. (Wall Street Journal)

Curriculum Matters reports that Nebraska may be exploring adoption of the Common Core.

The United Federation of Teachers is pushing to restrict the mayor’s influence on education in New York City. (Teacher Beat)

An English teacher reflects on the futility of teaching his students how to “not get shot.” (USA Today)

» Continued

First Bell 3-18-13

First Bell 3-15-13

yes Pamela Tatz / March 15, 2013

A first look at today's most important education news:

According to new NCES data, the number of high school kids taking classes for college credit has gone up 67 percent since the 2002–03. (Hechinger Report)

L.A. school superintendent John Deasy makes the case for depoliticizing education research. (Inside School Research)

A group of experts argue that because so many teens experience sleep deprivation—which can have negative effects on cognitive development—school start times should be pushed back. (Education Week)

The New Orleans Parish School Board wants to attract high-performing charters to return to local control. (Times-Picayune)

A school-closure lawsuit may be headed D.C.’s way by the end of the month. (Washington Post)

The Digital blog reviews the current literature on blended learning, after a large Gates grant was made to a new blended-learning-focused nonprofit.

Today, the U.S. House of Representatives will look into reauthorizing the Workforce Investment Act, which could have implications for job-training programs. (Politics K–12)

» Continued

First Bell 3-15-13

First Bell 3-14-13

yes Pamela Tatz / March 14, 2013

A first look at today's most important education news:

Suburban New Jersey community is divided over the idea of armed guards in their schools. (Wall Street Journal)

Key Republican congressional leaders start talking up school choice. (Politics K–12)

PARCC and Smarter Balanced, the two consortia tasked with building Common Core–aligned assessments, are reorganizing to ensure their long-term survival. (Curriculum Matters)

The Hechinger Report outlines how NYC teachers’ union dues are actually spent.

Advocates in New York are outraged about a new national database compiles students’ personal information for educational contractors. (Wall Street Journal and New York Daily News)

» Continued

First Bell 3-14-13