K-12

Students' steroid use is targeted
School and political leaders are moving to impose drug tests in gymnasiums and field houses across Missouri and Illinois, fearing that high school athletes might emulate their sports heroes in seeking an extra boost.

On the Lookout for Out-of-District Students
In the 2006-7 school year, the Clifton district, which has 10,500 students, investigated 625 reports of students illegally attending its schools; it caught 62 last year and 59 the year before. Those students cost the district hundreds of thousands of dollars.  Clifton is hardly the only district searching for students sneaking into its schools. While the State Department of Education does not keep statistics, administrators in suburban districts report that hundreds of tips are received and checked every year.

Dropout Solutions That Work

The five solutions identified by Belfield and Levin is interesting. All should be on the top of every presidential candidate's agenda, and indeed many of them are, at least in a general way.  Where we go next depends on how serious we are about solving one of our worst social problems.

Silence draws vocal critics

When high school freshman Dawn Sherman learned that Illinois had a law requiring public schools to provide a moment of silence each day for "reflection and student prayer," she was outraged.

'Dashboards' Provide Data On Schools: Reports Designed to Help Parents Rate Performance
U.S. Education Secretary Margaret Spellings has unveiled a new tool to show the public a snapshot of how schools fare in reading and math achievement, graduation rates and participation in challenging Advanced Placement exams.

Leadership

Assessment to Rate Principal Leadership To Be Field-Tested (Ed Week)
Starting next month, 300 schools nationwide will take part in a field test of a new way to gauge principals’ effectiveness.

Turnover High Among School Superintendents in Rhode Island
Almost two-thirds of Rhode Island's superintendents have held their current jobs less than three years; 80% have been at the top for less than five. The massive turnover comes as districts face serious financial problems and high expectations for student performance. In response, the state education department created a crash course in the critical aspects of the superintendent's job, which also has resulted in a peer network.

Teacher

Guidance Given on Young and Disruptive: New study finds support for pre-K teachers is key in reducing number of expelled prekindergartners. (Ed Week)

Young children—not even old enough for kindergarten—were being expelled from state-financed education programs at higher rates than for older students in K-12 schools.  Now, the same Yale University researcher who drew attention with those findings in 2005 is recommending steps pre-K programs and policymakers can take to reduce the expulsion of preschoolers with chronic and disruptive behavior problems.

Post-Secondary Education

Getting state aid for college gets easier
For the first time, Oregon has so much grant money available for college students that it has mounted a TV, radio and Internet ad campaign to give it all away.

Education Finance

Governor signs bill on funding for schools
Revamped school funding, new taxes and several anti-crime measures were among new laws signed Sunday by Gov. Jon S. Corzine.

From A Formula for Success: All Children, All Communities, by the New Jersey Department of Education:
"The need for a permanent, formulaic remedy for all districts has been the driving force behind the work of the New Jersey Department of Education. Since 2002, the last year in which CEIFA ["Comprehensive Educational Improvement and Financing Act"] was calculated, many districts have experienced significant demographic shifts that have not been accounted for or reflected in the distribution of state aid. Currently, 49% of low income students live outside of Abbott districts. Moreover, any increases in aid have been highly unpredictable, which has hindered all school districts in planning and budgeting for each upcoming school year. The Department recognizes the need to fund districts based on actual community characteristics, and is committed to implementing a new formula that can equitably be applied to all school districts beginning in fiscal year 2009." 
Link to legislature's webpage on new school funding formula: http://www.njleg.state.nj.us/Proposed_school_funding/proposedschoolfunding.asp.

State's school funding ruled OK
Wyoming's system for funding school districts is not perfect, but it is constitutional, the state Supreme Court said in a ruling Tuesday.

Pa. House votes to have panel study how education is funded
The Pennsylvania House of Representatives voted Tuesday to set up a special commission that will look at how the state funds its system of public education.

Education Law Center Launches National Initiative: Molly Hunter to Lead Education Justice
Education Law Center (ELC) today launched a new, expanded national initiative on behalf of public school children – Education Justice – as announced by ELC Executive Director David Sciarra. Education Justice (EdJustice) at ELC will support advocates, policymakers, attorneys and others, in states across the nation, who are working to strengthen and improve public schools, especially those schools serving low-income and minority students.

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