September 21, 2012
Local News
DFM News
State sets new framework for monitoring state charter schools
State education leaders and Governor Jack Markell today unveiled a new set of standards to monitor the performance of charter schools authorized by the State Board of Education. The “performance framework,” as the standards are known, “provides a consistent, holistic way of evaluating performance and setting expectations,” both for the schools and for the authorizer, the State Board of Education, said Teri Quinn Gray, the state board president.
State Board of Education puts Pencader Charter under review again
The state Board of Education unanimously voted to place Pencader Business and Finance Charter School under formal review once again Thursday afternoon. Citing declining enrollment and concerns over special needs students, a charter school accountability committee will investigate the institution’s finances and determine its viability. Secretary Murphy hopes to wrap up the formal review by January next year.
National News
Education Week
Longer hours, less experience for charter teachers, analysis finds
Charter school teachers tend to have fewer years of experience and work longer hours than their counterparts in public, non-charter schools, a new analysis suggests. These findings are consistent with past research and are included in a new book, Exploring the School Choice Universe: Evidence and Recommendations.
Report shows high school exit exams in transition
States are increasingly aligning their high school tests with career- and college-readiness standards, and many will replace their exams with ones developed for the Common Core State Standards, according to a new report. In addition, end-of-course exams are becoming increasingly popular as some states move away from the comprehensive exit exam.
The Atlantic
The schoolmaster
Dana Goldstein profiles David Coleman, the lead architect of the Common Core standards and now head of College Board.
The Tennessean
Partisan battle intensifies feud over charter school
A decision by the state to withhold almost $3.4 million from Metro Nashville Public Schools for defying an order to approve a charter school escalated an already simmering partisan battle over whose political philosophy will shape public schools. State officials said they chose to withhold administrative money — not classroom funds — in hopes of having the least possible effect on students.
Related Topics: Common Core, DDOE, Governor Markell, State Board of Education, Teacher Effectiveness