July 10, 2015
Delaware News
WDDE
Delaware’s No Child Left Behind waiver approved with strings attached
The First State has received another waiver from federal No Child Left Behind requirements. The state Department of Education was notified by federal officials Thursday that Delaware has a waiver through the 2015-2016 school year – and could have it extended through 2017-2018 if it meets certain conditions.
Cape Gazette
Sussex Tech students honored at SkillsUSA Championships
Students from Sussex Tech High School won awards at the SkillsUSA National Leadership and Skills Conference. Industry leaders representing more than 600 businesses, corporations, trade associations and unions recognized the students for demonstrating excellence in 100 hands-on occupational and leadership competitions in such categories as robotics, criminal justice, aviation maintenance and public speaking.
Delaware Department of Education
Delaware receives federal approval for ESEA flexibility renewal
A press release
Acting Assistant Secretary Heather Rieman said ESEA flexibility has helped “Delaware to carry out important reforms to improve student achievement …With this renewal, Delaware will be able to continue implementing its plan to promote innovative, locally tailored strategies to improve educational outcomes for all students, close achievement gaps, increase equity, and improve the quality of instruction.”
Dover Post
ECAP moving to Dover High School
In order to make room for an expanding Spanish Immersion program, the Capital School District is moving its Early Child Assistance Program from South Dover Elementary School to Dover High School.
The move, which Supervisor of Instruction Eugene Montano announced in May, is expected to take place in the fall.
National News
Washington Post
Even as Congress moves to strip his power, Arne Duncan holds his ground
Secretary Arne Duncan’s policies have led to side effects that people across the political spectrum feel have hurt more than they’ve helped. Conservatives say those closest to students — local communities — lost power to decide what’s best for them. Liberals complain about an unhealthy focus on math and reading and about overtesting, leading to an “opt-out” movement that saw hundreds of thousands of students boycott tests this spring.
Chronicle of Higher Education
Students keep switching colleges despite hurdles
Some 3.6 million students entered college for the first time in the fall of 2008. Over the next six years, they transferred 2.4 million times, ricocheting between two- and four-year public and private colleges, often across state lines, according to a new report. Because students often lose credits and take longer to graduate after transferring, advisers may try to discourage them from moving.
Las Vegas Review-Journal
NV study highlights benefits of full-day kindergarten
Full-day kindergarten may be a gateway to higher academic achievement and improved health for Nevada’s youth, according to a recent study from UNLV’s School of Community Health Sciences.
Inside Higher Ed
New push for trustee training in AL, TX
Unhappy with the actions of state institutions’ regents and trustees, Alabama and Texas lawmakers have considered bills mandating that they undergo training in ethics, budgeting and governance.
Miami Herald
FL takes unique approach to bonuses
Florida has set aside more than $44 million to give teachers a pay bump based in part on their own college entrance exams — never mind that most teachers took the test years ago.
Wisconsin State Journal
Controversial WI changes scaled back
Controversial proposals that would have allowed Wisconsin to give teacher licenses to people without high school or bachelor’s degrees are being jettisoned as the state budget heads to the Legislature.