Study Suggests Bullying Atmosphere May Hurt Test Scores

The Los Angeles Times (8/12, Stein) reports that a study recently presented at the American Psychological Association's annual conference found that "a school's bullying climate may be linked with lower overall test scores." The survey of "7,304 ninth-grade students and 2,918 teachers who were randomly chosen from 284 high schools in Virginia" found that schools with greater bullying had "passing rates on standardized tests in such subjects as algebra, Earth science and world history [that] were 3% to 6% lower."Facilities

Editorial: Build California Teacher Database, Even Without Federal Funds

In an Editorial, the Los Angeles Times (8/12) writes that while "California can hardly afford to give up $6 million," the US Department of Education is demanding that amount "back because the state failed to use the funds to build a database on public school teachers, as it had promised." Plans to build the database were vetoed by Gov. Jerry Brown, who "said school districts could build databases on their own employees." The Times argues that "killing a statewide data system is counterproductive. It could have provided a wealth of useful information."

Opinion: E-textbooks Should Be Cautiously Considered

In the "Chapter and Verse" blog in the Christian Science Monitor (8/12), Husna Haq writes that schools "want to do away with dead-tree textbooks and replace them with digital editions." However, in an article in the Dallas Morning News, Nicholas Carr writes, "'In theory, the benefits of electronic textbooks seem clear and compelling.'" But in practice, Carr cautions, "schools may want to pause before jumping on the e-book bandwagon.'" Haq concurs, adding, "I wonder, like Carr, whether schools have done their research before jumping on the bandwagon." She then cites studies that indicate that "concentration and focus is reduced with e-textbooks."

Colorado Adopts Computerized Testing To Eliminate Cheating

In the "Lookout" blog in Yahoo! (8/12) Liz Goodwin writes that while Education Secretary Arne Duncan "says the national focus on test scores doesn't encourage cheating, but rather is the only way to make sure schools are adequately educating kids," Colorado is the latest state where schools "are moving to standardized tests that are administered by computers, rather than pencils and paper, to ensure teachers aren't helping students cheat." The tests will be phased in over the course of the next two years. However, "computer testing wouldn't stop teachers from helping students who have questions during the test, which is also considered cheating." The Denver Post (8/12, Robles) also covers this story.

Charlotte District Invests Construction Surplus In iPads

WBTV-TV Charlotte, NC (8/11, Ohnesorge) reports that after officials in Watauga and Avery Counties in North Carolina found that construction on a new elementary school with "state of the art heating and cooling systems, smart boards in every classroom as well as skylights to add to the lighting" came in under budget, they decided to invest in "a Mac-book and iPad for every teacher and an iPad will be assigned to every student. 161 children are enrolled at the school. The school system's technology team was busy Wednesday setting up each individual tablet and then passing them out classroom by classroom."

California Education Chief Unveils School Reform Plan

The San Jose Mercury News (8/10, Jones) reports, "California Superintendent of Public Instruction Tom Torlakson on Tuesday rolled out a plan for overhauling the state's public school system, ranked among the nation's lowest in academic achievement." The Mercury News describes the thrust of Torlakson's "Blueprint for Great Schools," noting that it focuses on technology, educator evaluation and professional development, and students' general well being. KXJZ-FM Sacramento (CA) (8/10, Adler) also covers this story.

Tennessee Group Releases Rural Education White Paper

The Tennessean (8/10, Sisk) reports a report from SCORE, an education policy group started by former Senate Majority Leader Bill Frist, details "34 ideas that it believes will improve rural education. Among them are have teacher trainees train in rural districts (in the hope of enticing some of them to stay), expand the use of virtual schools and convince philanthropists to put more money into rural districts."

States Express Strong Interest In NCLB Waiver Plan

Coverage of Education Secretary Arne Duncan's announcement that ED will grant waivers to states struggling with No Child Left Behind continued today, focusing largely on the rush to take him up on the offer, and on the wait-and-see tone that other states are voicing. The Washington Times (8/10, Wolfgang) reports that "within hours" of the Monday announcement, "several states announced that they would apply for relief" while others "expressed interest." The piece notes that Tennessee had already applied, adding that the "mad dash to escape high-stakes testing and gain more flexibility represents 'a sense of desperation' among states, said Dan Domenech, executive director of the American Association of School Administrators."

 

Noting that the law is widely unpopular with state education officials, the Christian Science Monitor (8/10, Khadaroo) reports that NCLB's requirement for rising academic standards has led states to balk at the mandate. "State superintendents in Montana, Idaho, and South Dakota have flat-out said they aren't going to raise the bar" in letters to Duncan. Monday's announcement relieves pressure on officials in states that, "rather than openly defying the law," have been hoping for the waivers.

 

Not All States Lining Up To Seek Waivers. The Omaha World-Herald (8/10, Dejka) reports that amid the general enthusiasm about the waiver announcement, "Nebraska and Iowa education leaders want to know the fine print" before seeking waivers, noting that Duncan says details will be announced in September. "Nebraska officials said they're not convinced the state would qualify for the waiver because Nebraska has not adopted 'common core' standards" or "implemented a state accountability system," both of which could be a part of any waiver deal.

New Hampshire District Reexamining Middle School "Leveling."

The Nashua (NH) Telegraph (8/8, Brindley) reports that Nashua, New Hampshire, Superintendent Mark Conrad says he has no intention of ending the "controversial" practice of leveling, or homogenous grouping, in the city's middle schools. However, the issue "is one of the topics on the agenda for a three-day summer workshop starting today. ... The focus of this week's institute is to re-examine the way education is delivered in the city's three middle schools. Approximately 50 teachers and administrators are taking part." The piece notes that studies have indicated that leveling "puts disproportionate numbers of low-income, minority, special education and English Language Learner students into the lowest-level classes." The Telegraph notes parenthetically that the NEA opposes this type of grouping.

Debate Continues Over Effectiveness Of Smaller Class Size

Salon (8/8, Tyre) writes on the ongoing debate about how important class size is to student learning. Right now, 32 states have either voluntary or mandatory class size reduction measures. While teachers unions have endorsed smaller class sizes, others in the field disagree. Recently, Michelle Rhee suggested that "with the right preparation, bigger classes, not smaller ones, would be an effective way to raise test scores and save money". The article goes on to examine two studies from the Early Childhood Longitudinal Study, Kindergarten class of 1998–99. While one study concluded "small class size had no effect on student learning in reading or mathematics", the other "found that kindergarten and first-grade children who attended classes that were seventeen kids and one teacher or less learned about three weeks more than kindergartners and first graders who learned in large groups -- greater than twenty-five students."

Ohio Adopts Common Core, Drops Cursive

The Springfield (OH) News Sun (8/8, Kissell) reports that Ohio, following the guidelines of the Common Core Curriculum, is no longer requiring districts to teach students to write in cursive, with the "more modern keyboarding" taking its place. The piece quotes a state DOE spokesperson "acknowledging the issue has generated a bit of controversy because many adults still view handwriting as an important skill that should be taught." The piece continues to detail the plans of individual districts.

Rising Back-To-School Prices Stymie Cincinnati Parents

The Cincinnati Enquirer (8/8, Amos) reports that parents in the Cincinnati area are complaining about rising back-to-school costs, noting that "Classroom supply costs and school fees in Ohio, Kentucky and four surrounding states have climbed by up to 25 percent over last year, the highest jump on record, according to Huntington Bank's annual 'backpack index.'" The "index" is compiled by analyzing the requirements of school districts and the corresponding prices on retail websites. "In general, parents are paying more for a free public education than ever, says Huntington Bank's panel of experts."

Duncan To "Unilaterally Override" NCLB Proficiency Standards

Education Secretary Arne Duncan's announcement Monday of a plan to offer NCLB waivers to states that have implemented their own accountability metrics generated significant national media coverage today, mainly positively disposed toward ED. The New York Times (8/8, Dillon, Subscription Publication) reports that Duncan "announced that he will unilaterally override" proficiency standards under No Child Left Behind, which mandate that "100 percent of students be proficient in math and reading by 2014." Duncan "told reporters that he was acting because Congress had failed to rewrite the Bush-era law, which he called a 'slow-motion train wreck.'" The Times characterizes the move as "the most sweeping use of executive authority to rewrite federal education law since Washington expanded its involvement in education in the 1960s." Though some conservatives complained of increased Federal involvement in education, "Duncan and White House officials described their plan as offering crucial relief to state and local educators."

The AP (8/8, Blankinship) reports that Congress has not reauthorized the law despite the "begging" of states and localities, adding that Duncan "says he will announce a new waiver system Monday to give schools a break." Duncan will waive NCLB requirements to any state that meets "other school reform requirements." The AP notes that Duncan said that President Obama called for the move, adding that NCLB's yearly standards increases have "caused heartburn in states and most school districts, because more and more schools are labeled as failures as too few of their students meet testing goals." Duncan stated that rather than undermining Congress, ED's flexibility could serve as a catalyst for needed reform. Nevertheless, House Education and the Workforce Chairman John Kline expressed reservations.

 

Contextualizing the Administration's move by noting that states are "rebelling" against NCLB, the Washington Post (8/8, Layton) reports that Duncan will "grant waivers to liberate states from a law that [ED] considers dysfunctional" due to "'universal clamoring' from officials in nearly every state." Duncan and White House domestic policy adviser Melody Barnes promised more details about the plan in September.

 

Politico (8/8, Phillip) notes that President Obama had called on Congress to craft an overhaul to NCLB by September, but "the House and Senate have moved on separate paths at a pace the White House says is not nearly fast enough. Meanwhile, states and local administrators are clamoring to the Department of Education for relief from federal mandates - and the sanctions that threaten to punish schools for not meeting the law's requirements." Meanwhile, Duncan "emphasized that the plan is intended to serve as a 'bridge' or a 'transition' to Congressional action, not a challenge to" it.

Colorado Legislature Reexamining Post-Columbine Discipline Policies

The AP (7/29) reports on a hearing of a Colorado legislative panel in Denver exploring the state's "strict disciplinary policies, many of which were implemented in the wake of the 1999 Columbine High School shootings and other high-profile cases of youth violence." One legislator on the panel "said zero-tolerance policies have led to the 'over-criminalization' of students and that law enforcement sometimes feels shackled because they're left with little discretion on how to deal with problem students," and the AP notes that other states and districts across the country are also considering the value of such draconian policies.

California Legislature Mulls Bills Pressuring Charter Schools To Boost Test Scores

The Fresno Bee (7/27, Gibbons) reports that the California legislature is considering a pair of bills to "put more pressure on charter schools to scrap their alternative curriculums and improve standardized test scores. The proposals also would shift some of the power to shut down failing charters from school districts to the state." The Bee notes that in the past, then-Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger (R) had vetoed bills to tighten regulation of charter schools, but "With Jerry Brown in office, regulation proposals are re-emerging."