August 25, 2015

Delaware News

Delaware Business Times
Citing gains, Vision Coalition of Delaware rolls out a second 10-year plan
Next month, the coalition will roll out a second 10-year plan that will focus on the skills and attributes the coalition believes every educated Delawarean should have by 2025. “It’s a multi-year journey with lots of phases,” said Vision Coalition Chairman Ernie Dianastasis. “It’s a lifelong commitment by those involved to keep improving and making education stronger.”

The News Journal
Wilmington school redistricting group hears tax worries
Some Red Clay Consolidated School District residents are worried plans to redistrict Wilmington schools will end up leading to a tax increase. That’s the message members of the Wilmington Education Improvement Commission got in a town hall Monday night that drew more than 50 people.

WDEL
Residents curious about Red Clay redistricting plan at public forum
Members of the Wilmington Education Improvement Commission (WEIC) fielded concerns from Red Clay parents and the local community at Thomas McKean High School Monday night. Among the concerns raised were fair opportunities for all students affected by a Red Clay redistricting. Residents also wanted fair time for a thought-out plan and how to fund a redistricting.

Audio: Residents Curious About Red Clay Redistricting Plan at Public Forum
The Wilmington Education Improvement Commission held their first public forum Monday night to hear feedback on their plan for redistricting the Red Clay Consolidated School District.

Delaware Department of Education
State awards more than $168,000 in merit scholarships
Press release
The Delaware Department of Education has announced the recipients of four state merit scholarship programs for the 2015-16 academic year. Merit scholarships are competitive and awarded based on a student’s academic performance, participation in school activities and service to the community.

Delaware FFA members receive state, national recognition
Press release
Students from across Delaware are being honored for their agricultural knowledge and skills. Formerly called the Future Farmers of America, today’s FFA organization is a youth leadership association focused on all facets of agriculture, including science and technology. The following members and chapters have won accolades.

National News

The Washington Post
U.S. schools are too focused on standardized tests, poll says
Americans overwhelmingly think there is too much emphasis on standardized testing in public schools and that test scores are not the best way to judge schools, teachers or students, according to a national poll. The results released Sunday come from the 47th annual PDK/Gallup poll of attitudes toward public schools, the longest-running survey of Americans’ views on public education.

NPR
Two polls span two poles on testing
A poll released August 17 by EdNext and a poll released August 24 by Gallup/PDK suggest public opinion on the issues of annual federal testing and opt-outs isn’t clearly staked out.

The Chronicle of Higher Education
How to help the students with no homes?
Homeless college students remain a largely invisible population — often indistinguishable from their peers and overlooked in policy debates. They get less attention than former foster youth and are often excluded from programs and policies benefiting such students. Many hide their homelessness from professors and peers out of shame or fear of being pitied.

Los Angeles Times
It’s true: Kindergarten is optional in California
Some kids who skip kindergarten have to play catch-up when they enter first grade: to learn how to hold a pencil, count to 100 and begin tackling spelling. Educators and state lawmakers who want to close this achievement gap say it’s time to do away with optional kindergarten for California children. They are backing legislation to make it mandatory.

Education Week
For ending racial bias, diversity training alone isn’t effective
Blog by Samina Hadi-Tabassum, associate professor of education at Dominican University
We have enough research to support the finding that both teachers and police officers come into their work settings with implicit biases that can have a deleterious effect on students’ academic achievement, as well as a community’s well-being.