This Week In Education Campaign 2010: Unemployed Teachers & The Democrats

This Week In Education

Campaign 2010: Unemployed Teachers & The Democrats

by Alexander Russo

Politico's list of stories that could affect the November elections doesn't specifically mention unemployed teachers, but near-double digit unemployment figures are on the list and let's be honest it wouldn't be a good thing for Obama et al if there were lots of teachers unemployed next fall, especially considering their inability / unwillingness to point the finger back at the previous administration for much of the mess we're in. I continue to hold that such a thing as massive teacher layoffs is not particularly likely, and certainly won't be out of proportion to unemployment in other sectors. The question is whether teachers can accept even relatively small layoff numbers without freaking out all over the Democrats in November. Over the years some of them seem to have gotten the notion that they are somehow protected from things like enrollment fluctuations and

AM News: Hoping Against Hope (For RTTT Money)

by Alexander Russo

Thirty-Five States, D.C. Vie for Education Funding WSJ Stephanie Banchero: Federal officials expect to name finalists on or around July 26, with winners to be announced by the end of September. They said 10-15 states could win grants...California applies again for federal school-reform grant LA Times: California joined 34 other states Tuesday in competing a second time for federal Race to the Top school-reform grants, but union opposition could doom the effort... Experts: Texas textbooks are unlikely to spread AP: Technology has made it easier and more affordable for publishers to tailor textbooks to different standards. That's especially true in the 20 other states like Texas where education boards approve textbooks for statewide use... Can 120 new teachers lift six failing Louisville schools? When the new year begins this fall at Valley Traditional High School, there will be five new English teachers, three new math teachers and two new science teachers, as well as new special education, choral and art instructors. Via EWA...More below.
Gender Gap for the Gifted in City Schools NYT: New York City educators debate why there is a gender disparity in gifted programs. Around the city, the current crop of gifted kindergartners, for example, is 56 percent girls, and in the 2008-9 year, 55 percent were girls. Via EWA... States requiring PE, but amount varies AP Mary Clare Jalonick: More states are requiring physical education for elementary, middle and high school students, though few require kids to exercise for a specific amount of time... Who Needs Google? Students Still Use Phone Hotline NPR: Forty years ago, University of Kansas officials set up a phone-based information hotline to quell rumors after the student union was firebombed and two teens were shot and killed... High School Homebuilders Get More Than Education NPR: Students at Forest Grove High School near Portland, Ore., build a house each year, and then the school sells it to raise money. For many of the young builders, it's much more than a class...