Education Program
This Week in Education
August 7- August 13, 2008
Highlighted Bills of the Week
(Powered by State Net)
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California- (SB 1378)-Enacted |
Authorizes a school district that receives a professional development block grant to offer to each of its teachers staff development in the prevention of youth suicide. |
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Rhode Island -(HB 7569)- Enacted |
Allows training programs in school districts or public schools to teach pupils to resolve conflict without violence, training school staff to promote conflict resolution, use mediation techniques and early detection to reduce incidents of violence and lastly to empower students upon graduation to be positive, productive members of society. This act would take effect upon passage. |
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This Week in Education
August 7 - August 13, 2008
K-12
Santa Maria educators and students react to cyberbullying legislation
In a bill aimed at stopping "cyberbullying," California State Assemblyman Ted Lieu from Torrance proposed legislation that would suspend or expel students if they are caught bullying through text messages or the Internet.
Report states that neediest students are suspended most often
Large urban and poorer districts suspended students at rates higher than their wealthier counterparts, with Bridgeport suspending the largest percentage of its enrollment, 22 percent, or 4,613 students in 2006-07. New Haven suspended about 3,340 students, 17 percent of its enrollment.
New York State Senate Gets Bill Banning Bullying Acts in the Schools
Legislation aimed at banning bullying in public schools, including harassment based on sexual orientation, has been quietly introduced in the State Senate. The legislation, which includes language protecting transgender students and teachers, has been a priority of advocates for gay and lesbian rights but was ignored for nearly a decade in the Senate.
Study looks at what works best for alternative schools
Flexible school hours, self-paced lessons, student internships and high expectations are hallmarks of the state’s best alternative schools. So are staff training, time for teachers to collaborate, and strong leadership, according to a soon-to-be-released report on alternative schools. The state Superintendent of Public Instruction commissioned The BERC (Baker-Evaluation-Research Consulting) Group to conduct the study.
Last-minute deal saves Buffalo schools reconstruction project
A last-minute compromise enabled Gov. David A. Paterson to sign legislation Wednesday permitting a new, $300 million school construction program in Buffalo that had been jeopardized by the state’s worsening fiscal problems.
K-12 Governance
State-Chief Turnovers Squeezing Talent Pool (Edweek.org)
A high turnover among top state school officers is posing a challenge for recruiters seeking people with the right mix of educational acumen and political savvy to fill the vacant or soon-to-be-vacant spots. This year, nine state schools chiefs have left their posts or have announced their intent to step down, whether because of retirement, political pressures or simply a desire to move on.
Leadership
School leaders are getting hard to find in Minnesota
Five years ago, Keith Klein retired after 25 years as superintendent of the Pelican Rapids School District. Since then, Klein has served as interim superintendent in the Barnesville School District; interim superintendent in the St. Clair School District; and now, interim superintendent for United South Central. In addition, Klein and a handful of fellow retired administrators run a consulting firm that advises school districts in their superintendent searches.
Dade schools superintendent hangs on by one vote
Miami-Dade Superintendent Rudy Crew kept his job by the narrowest of votes Monday night, surviving an ouster attempt he called a ``high-tech lynching.'' Crew may not be out of hot water just yet.
Principal's making student house calls – 600 of them
Hunter is dropping off back-to-school information that includes details about class schedules, an open house, sports and the students needing uniforms for the first time. Delivering the three pages of information eases parents' anxieties about what to expect for the start of school Sept. 2. But Hunter's main goal is to connect with parents to get them more involved with their children's education
School Choice
Parents may home-school children without teaching credential, California court says
Gov. Schwarzenegger praises the reversal by the 2nd District Court of Appeal as a victory for students and parental rights.
Ban on new charter schools lifted
Once put on hold, the charter school movement is back in Nevada as the state Board of Education on Saturday lifted a moratorium, approved new regulations and allowed two online charter schools to expand to kindergarten through third grade.
Charter schools eye windfall
State funding to build new charter schools would increase sixfold in four years - to more than $100million - under a clause tucked into a larger bill that has won strong support from traditional charter-school opponents.
Schools chief told to fund vouchers
Republican lawmakers voted Tuesday to make an end run around the budget by shifting around some money to fund public and private school vouchers for some students.
School Finance
Governor signs budget increasing school funding
Jennifer M. Granholm Wednesday signed legislation to provide funding for Michigan's K-12 schools.
STEM
'E-mentors' to assist new teachers
First-year teachers in South Dakota will have an electronic mentor this fall, the state Education Department says. The Teacher-to-Teacher Support network is open to 110 first-year teachers and 55 mentors. The rookies will be paired with veterans who are expected to offer support and advice on topics from discipline to parent-teacher conferences. Mentoring will be done through e-mail, phone calls and a video conferencing system.
Teachers Go to School on Online Instruction
The teachers, most of whom were experienced in conventional classrooms but newbies to online instruction, spent hours wrapping their brains around the different style of teaching they would have to adopt in just a few short weeks.
NC online students can graduate early, or catch up
Kylee Patterson graduated from high school with a full year of college already completed - a move that saved her $15,000 on tuition and books. While attending Scotland High School of Math, Science and Technology in Laurinburg, the 17-year-old began her day at Richmond Community College in Hamlet and earned other credits in an online course. Now she's got college friends and college credits, and a head start toward becoming a pharmacist.
TEACHERS
Law closes teacher license loopholes
The state Assembly approved two bills Tuesday designed to close loopholes in California's teacher licensing laws that had allowed some teachers accused or even convicted of serious crimes to remain in the classroom.
Governor wants legal protections for teachers
Teachers who use good faith efforts to maintain discipline and order in their classrooms shouldn't have to worry about being sued for doing so, Republican Gov. Mitch Daniels said.
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