November 5, 2012
Local News
The News Journal
Georgetown schools prepare to swap facilities
Board leaders from Delmarva Christian High School and Sussex Academy of Arts and Sciences have formed a mutual agreement stating that Sussex Preparatory Academy Foundation will purchase the DCHS facility. Delmarva Christian Schools will then purchase the Sussex Academy facility. With the purchase of the DCHS building, SAAS will be able to keep their middle and high schools together.
Widener, high schools partner to offer college credit
Sussex County students will be able to enroll in classes next year that award them college credits before they graduate, the result of an expanded partnership with Widener University, the Sussex Technical School District announced on Friday. Juniors and seniors at Sussex Technical High School likely will be able to take the classes at no extra charge, said Michael Owens, director of extended learning for the district. The school system announced partnerships with fellow Sussex school Delmar and Kent County’s Polytech and said it was willing to include more districts in the partnership.
Town Square Delaware
iEducate Delaware: Tracey Roberts
A profile on iEducate Delaware honoree Tracey Roberts
National News
New York Times
Technology changing how students learn, teachers say
There is a widespread belief among teachers that students’ constant use of digital technology is hampering their attention spans and ability to persevere in the face of challenging tasks, according to two surveys of teachers being released on Thursday. The researchers who performed the studies, as well as scholars who study technology’s impact on behavior and the brain, say the studies are significant because of the vantage points of teachers, who spend hours a day observing students.
Education Week
Scores drop on KY’s Common Core-aligned tests
Results from new state tests in Kentucky—the first in the nation explicitly tied to the Common Core State Standards—show that the share of students scoring “proficient” or better in reading and math dropped by roughly a third or more in both elementary and middle school. The results are being closely watched for what they may reveal about how the standards may affect student achievement.
Huffington Post
George Lucas will donate Disney $4 billion to education
George Lucas will donate the $4.05 billion he will receive from the sale of Lucasfilm Ltd. to Disney to a foundation focused on education, according to the Hollywood Reporter. The director has yet to disclose which charity will be the beneficiary of the huge chunk of money. But Lucas currently serves as the chairman of Edutopia, a foundation that empowers innovative coursework in schools. He previous stated, “I am dedicating the majority of my wealth to improving education.”
The Journal
5 states pursue second round of Race to the Top Early Learning Challenge
According to the Department of Education, all five eligible states have stepped forward to participate in the second round of applications for the Race to the Top Early Learning Challenge, which provides funding for reforms in state early learning programs. Those states include Colorado, Illinois, New Mexico, Oregon, and Wisconsin.
Las Vegas Sun
Teachers share concerns about new evaluation system
A Nevada state council is drafting standards for teacher evaluation that follows 2011 legislation that mandated a uniform system. The new system would take into account student achievement data—test scores and growth measures—for at least half of a teacher’s evaluation. The system must be adopted by the state education board this June, and be implemented in all districts by the 2014-15 school year.
Related Topics: Common Core, Education Philanthropy, Education Technology, next generation learning, Teacher Evaluation