First Bell 2-28-13

yes Pamela Tatz / February 28, 2013

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

With a possible sequestration just a day away, the rhetoric mounts: Secretary Dunan warns of millions of dollars in cuts to Title I and special education. (National Public Radio, Politics K–12, and On Special Education)

After facing criticism that they have been more lenient with charters, the Chicago Public Schools board plans to get tough on underperforming charters. (Chicago Tribune)

While visiting New York, U.S. Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsak announced his support for providing kids with breakfast in the classroom rather than in the cafeteria—a policy Mayor Bloomberg has opposed. (Wall Street Journal)

A disability and a literacy group have teamed up with a common goal: All children, including those with learning disabilities like dyslexia, should be reading on grade level by third grade. (On Special Education)

A survey of teachers finds, among other things, that teachers spend an average of thirty-five more minutes per day on reading than on math in grades K–3. (Curriculum Matters)

Education Week profiles the push to get states on the same page with regards to identifying English language learners.

A study finds that a performance-bonus system that employed student academic-growth goals helped to improve

» Continued

First Bell 2-28-13

First Bell 2-27-13

yes Pamela Tatz / February 27, 2013

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

Mathematica Policy Research finds that KIPP charter schools produce major achievement gains. (Charters & Choice and Huffington Post)

A New York charter school run by the UFT, despite mixed student-achievement results and money problems, was granted a two-year reprieve by its authorizer—meaning it must make progress or be shuttered in 2015. (SchoolBook and Wall Street Journal)

Studies find that graduates of community colleges are out-earning bachelor’s degree holders. (Hechinger Report)

Curious about how sequestration could affect education? Politics K–12 breaks it down.

Though studies show that males outperform females in single-event math contests, a new study on multi-round math events finds that girls perform equal to or better than boys in the later rounds. (Huffington Post)

A new report finds that just half of first-time college students graduate within six years. (New York Times)

Immediately after Mexico’s president signed a historic education-reform package, police arrested Elba Esther Gordillo—the woman who led the powerful teacher union for two decades and is often referred to as the “Kingmaker” for her hold on Mexican politics—for embezzlement. (Wall Street Journal)

The teacher of a Common Core–aligned English class raves about the

» Continued

First Bell 2-27-13

First Bell 2-26-13

yes Pamela Tatz / February 26, 2013

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

English and U.S. History remain the most popular Advanced Placement courses—a point of concern among policymakers who aim to get students interested in STEM subjects. (Curriculum Matters)

A new report finds that high school dropouts cost the nation $1.8 billion in lost tax revenue each year. (Associated Press)

On Monday, President Enrique Pena Nieto of Mexico signed his country’s biggest education-reform bill in seven decades; the goal is to change a system in which “teaching positions could be sold or inherited,” thereby weakening the powerful teacher union. (Huffington Post)

Some argue that failing public schools ought to be rebranded as charter schools—if only for the positive publicity. (Education Week)

The achievement levels of L.A. County’s African American public school students is significantly lower than their counterparts of other ethnicities as early as second grade; the gap only widens with age. (Los Angeles Times)

» Continued

First Bell 2-26-13

First Bell 2-25-13

yes Pamela Tatz / February 25, 2013

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

“Sequestration,” the across-the-board cut in federal funds that will go into effect Friday unless lawmakers can negotiate their way out of it, will cut education funding by $29 million and threaten 400 teacher and aide positions. (Politics K–12 and Washington Post)

While parents appreciate the thriving school-choice marketplace in D.C., many are overwhelmed. (Washington Post)

A CREDO study finds that students in New York City’s charter schools gain five months’ more learning in math than their peers in traditional public schools. (Charters & Choice and New York Times)

Politics K–12 considers whether or not district NCLB waivers are a good idea.

Governor Scott Walker’s recent proposal to dedicate $21 million to special-education vouchers has attracted both controversy and support. (On Special Education)

The New York Times reports the lengths to which NYC’s parents will go to sign their kids up for schools and extracurricular activities.

» Continued

First Bell 2-25-13