Tuesday, March 30, 2010

Education Week American Education News Site of Record

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Local Buy-In Helps Two States Win Race to Top

District and teachers’ union support, and strong data systems, were keys to victory for Delaware and Tennessee in the contest’s first round.

• State EdWatch: How Key Were Race to Top's Live Performances?

• Complete coverage: Schools and the Stimulus

(March 29, 2010) | Comments (2)

Study: High School Choices Elude Phila. Students

A new report shows that many middle school students do not end up attending their top-choice high schools. (March 30, 2010)

Stimulus Aid Yanks States' Spending Leash

Badly needed federal cash requires states to maintain education funding at levels that may be tough to meet. (March 29, 2010) | Comments (1)

Making Higher Education More Affordable | The White House

The White House Blog

Making Higher Education More Affordable

Posted by Kalpen Modi on March 30, 2010 at 12:00 PM EDT

The President believes that for America to compete in the 21st century, we’ll need a highly educated workforce that is second to none. But one of the things holding us back from this achievement is soaring tuition costs at colleges and universities around the country. Too many students and families struggle to make ends meet just to fulfill the dream of a college education. And when students are unable to afford access to higher education or graduate with a degree, our economy suffers.

That’s why President Obama signed today a historic piece of legislation that delivers real reforms and critical investments to our higher education system. By strengthening the Pell Grant program, investing in community colleges, extending support for Historically Black Colleges and other Minority Serving Institutions, and helping student borrowers manage their student loan debt, we will make college more affordable and enable more Americans to earn a college degree.

Lifelong educators like Dr. Jill Biden, wife of Vice President Joe Biden, know how important these reforms will be to our higher education system.

This legislation means $40 billion more dollars in the Pell Grant program to ensure that eligible students receive an award, and that awards increase to keep pace with rising tuition. And a $2 billion investment over four years for community colleges to develop, improve, and provide education and career training programs. Students will be able to choose to limit their student loan payments to 10% of their income, with any remaining balance forgiven after 20 years. And public service workers can have their loans forgiven after 10 years.

Because special interests have been benefiting from taxpayer subsidies for too long, we’re cutting out the middlemen by ending government subsidies currently given to banks and other financial institutions that make guaranteed federal student loans. According to the non-partisan Congressional Budget Office, ending these wasteful subsidies will free up nearly $68 billion for college affordability and deficit reduction over the next 11 years. So these investments are not only paid for, but they’ll reduce the deficit in the long run.

Because of the legislation enacted today, we’re finally undertaking meaningful reform to our education system and making college more affordable and accessible.

For more information on these federal student aid programs, please go to www.studentaid.ed.gov, or call 1-800-4FED-AID.”

Kalpen Modi is an Associate Director for the Office of Public Engagement

voiceofsandiego.org | Bright and Early: The Education Newsblitz

voiceofsandiego.org | News. Investigation. Analysis. Conversation. Intelligence.

Bright and Early: The Education Newsblitz

So much news, so little time. Thank goodness there's the newsblitz:

The top financial chief for San Diego Unified was put on paid leave last week, but the school district isn't saying why. We blog that school board President Richard Barrera says it has nothing to do with his financial analysis.

The Union-Tribune reports on the finance chief being pulled and quotes school board member John de Beck, who said the leader was under a lot of stress.

KPBS reports on de Beck's proposal to eliminate school staff training days to helplengthen the school year. The U-T editorial board urges the school board to do it.

KPBS also looks at San Diego Unified's proposed change to its controversial policy on student pregnancy. And Joanne Faryon explores how Prop. 13 impacted schools.

The Carlsbad schools superintendent got a regional award, the North County Times writes.

Also in the U-T: La Jolla High students are helping take a census of marine life.

The Los Angeles Times reports that California had a middling finish in Race to the Top, a competition between states for more stimulus money for schools. Delaware and Tennessee were the only winners in this round; California was hobbled by

Harlem Miracles, Confirmed � The Quick and the Ed

Harlem Miracles, Confirmed

The What Works Clearinghouse (WWC) at the US Department of Education regularly reviews academic studies to determine whether the research meets its evidence standards. It has just released its review of Will Dobbie and Roland Fryer’s analysis of the Harlem Children’s Zone Promise Academy charter middle school. After confirming the study met WWC standards, it concludes:

Students offered enrollment in the school had higher math test scores in sixth, seventh, and eighth grades than the students not offered enrollment. By the time they were tested in eighth grade, the effect size for the math test was 0.55. The WWC interprets this as equivalent to moving a student from the 50th to the 71st percentile.
The study authors found no statistically significant differences in ELA

Oregon educators look to create single hub for cyber classes | OregonLive.com

Oregon educators look to create single hub for cyber classes

By Wendy Owen, The Oregonian

March 28, 2010, 9:55PM

Students across Oregon may be able to take online classes as soon as this fall if the state's Education Service Districts can pull together a plan for a statewide cyber-school hub.

"The students would remain in their school district," said James Sager Sr., assistant superintendent of the Northwest Regional ESD. "This is collaborative and cooperative for kids across the state."

Superintendents from nearly all of Oregon's 20 ESDs converged in Salem on March 11 to consider strategies for offering a broad range of online classes. If the plan works, it will be a giant step into 21st century learning for most of Oregon's 197 school districts.

The virtual courses could allow students in the far corners of the state to take the same Advanced Placement courses as students in Beaverton or Lake Oswego. Among the group's priorities are classes enabling students to make up credits to graduate, and classes that offer both high school and college credit, Sager said.

The group will continue to meet and work out details. Sager said students may be able to take one online class or possibly a full load if their parents, teachers and counselors think it's the best option. Nationally, students in states that offer online courses take an average of two a year. Students would access the statewide system of courses through their local ESD.

Oregon's ESDs offer school districts services such as special education, technology, early education and teacher training. They receive state funds and can provide services on a broader scale for less money than schools

Notes from the news, Mar. 30 | Philadelphia Public School Notebook

Notes from the news, Mar. 30

by Erika Owens

PA not first round RttT winner The Notebook blog
PA can try again in round two. Delaware and Tennessee are only states to win grants in round one.
See also: Pa. loses out in ‘Race to Top’ federal funding Philly.com
Renaissance Schools announcement postponed to Tuesday The Notebook blog
The announcement will be made at 2 p.m. today. Check the blog then for details.
Asians find Phila. schools an unexpected experience The Inquirer
Students described their shock at the violence they faced at South Philly.
Phila. charter school doubles as after-school-hours club The Inquirer
The cochair of the State Senate Education Committee called for the District to immediately close down Harambee Charter School.
See also: Meeting concerning club in a Phila. school 6 ABC
Feds are checking books from Math, Civics charter school Daily News
The school received a federal subpeona for five years of financial records.
Teaching girls better year-round The Inquirer (opinion)
Writer is optimistic that national standards will help bridge gaps in achievement for women and girls in math and science.
Youth violence is an educational problem The Inquirer (opinion)
The writer connected flash mobs with the violence at South Philly, and said that to deal with these issues kids need and want discipline.
See also: Sestak hosts forum on youth violence in Phila. The Inquirer
Two new programs to help cut Philadelphia truancy The Inquirer
Programs will have the District, city courts, and DHS working together.
Civic Opportunity Fair in Phila. Helps Teens Get Involved KYW
Plan to Make Up School Snow Days Upsets Elections Officials KYW
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