First Bell 3-20-13

yes Pamela Tatz / March 20, 2013

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

Pennsylvania’s law requiring students to pass the Common Core–aligned Keystone Exams to receive a diploma have a gaping loophole: Students who do not pass can obtain said diplomas via “validated local assessment.” (Morning Call)

Today, teacher unions and Montgomery school officials will testify in favor of a bill that would delay teacher-evaluation reform in Maryland. (Washington Post)

A new MOOC targeted at K–12 district administrators will provide information on broad themes in education leadership, like how technology is changing the way students learn. (Digital Education)

A data-loving teacher discusses what works and doesn’t work for her in standardized testing. (Hechinger Report)

Pennsylvania is set to reconsider how it funds special education. (On Special Education)

A new NEPC brief overviews the research on improving educational opportunities for English-language learners. (Learning the Language)

Even though the racial makeup of American public school students has changed dramatically (nearly half of all kids under age five in 2008 are racial or ethnic minorities), 82 percent of those who obtained bachelor’s degrees in education from 2009–11 were white. (New York Times)

A North

» Continued

First Bell 3-20-13

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