August 2, 2010
It’s another sign of private money shaking up public education in the District: A $5.5 million gift will dramatically help expand a network of high-performing charter schools in the city, with a goal of more than doubling the number of students enrolled by 2015. The grant by Venture Philanthropy Partners, a nonprofit organization using the […]
August 2, 2010
Recent front-page headlines in The New York Times ("Severely Disabled Students Pose Challenge to Public Schools," June 20), and in The Times of Trenton ("In Jersey, special education costs rise," July 8) address the financing of public school special-education programs. Special-education services cannot be provided on the cheap. Students with disabilities have special needs that […]
August 2, 2010
The Avondale School District in Oakland County is the only metro Detroit district asking voters to pass a bond issue during Tuesday’s primary election, extending the existing bond, but not raising taxes. But s everal other districts are asking voters to renew or extend millages, including Fitzgerald, South Lake and Lakeview school districts in Macomb […]
July 30, 2010
The 28 Louisiana school systems that chose to participate in the state’s application for federal "Race to the Top" funding could learn by early September whether they will receive a piece of $3.4 billion. Louisiana was named a finalist this week for funding with 18 states and the District of Columbia. The state is seeking […]
July 30, 2010
The Maricopa Unified School District’s goal to turnaround its failing schools received a well-timed boost thanks to a $3.2 million grant from the Ak-Chin Indian Community. Superintendent Jeff Kleck said the grant will last for two years – the first being the 2010-11 school year – and is aimed to aid the turnaround efforts for […]
July 30, 2010
President Barack Obama talked about his education plan in a speech before his toughest critics — and they applauded. The National Urban League, a fierce opponent of the president’s education reform agenda, embraced Obama as he delivered a major education reform speech Thursday at its centennial convention in Washington. It was a dramatic reversal: Just […]
July 30, 2010
A new report on Milwaukee Public Schools’ efforts to reform its special education programs and services for all students gives the district the equivalent of a failing grade. The report, by an independent expert, says the district met only 44% of the 38 action steps it was ordered to complete as part of the first […]
July 30, 2010
Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-Nev.) will force Republicans to vote next week on a $26.1 billion package of education funding and Medicaid assistance to states. It will be a tough vote for centrist Republicans because the provisions are popular with Democratic and Republican governors and would not add to the deficit. The entire cost […]
July 30, 2010
School ratings to be announced Friday by the Texas Education Agency were formulated using a measure that allows students to get credit for improvement even if they didn’t pass. Texas Education Commissioner Robert Scott, warning that student progress is being overshadowed by criticism of the Texas Projection Measure, has said he may suspend the practice […]
July 29, 2010
Four Salem County school districts are eligible for a portion of $270 million in facilities grants funding announced Wednesday by the state Department of Education, but there’s one requirement. Districts will only receive the money if they can come up with a local share – either through their regular budget or through a referendum – […]