April 6, 2015

Delaware News

The News Journal
Wilmington school reform: Waiting is not an option
By Dr. Tony Allen, chairman of Governor’s Wilmington Advisory Committee on Education, the Whitney M. Young Awardee for Advancing Racial Equality and an executive of Bank of America
We have now published another report on Wilmington education. It’s good. The historical framing, the acknowledgment of race, class, and geography as compounding forces, the impact on children, the costs of continued inertia, the recommendations for immediate action, the call for comprehensive planning – it’s all here. This report addresses what is now three generations of a largely failed experiment for children who could least afford it.

Delaware lawmakers want school board meetings recorded
Every Delaware school board will be required to record audio of meetings and post it online if the General Assembly passes a bill being considered in Dover. Lawmakers who support the legislation and open-government advocates say recorded meetings are a way for citizens to better keep tabs on the actions of elected officials and stay updated on issues facing schools.

Christina district to ask for smaller tax increase
The Christina School District will again ask voters to increase property taxes to fund growing costs, but this time is asking for an increase about half the size of a previous request that voters resoundingly rejected. The district also will reduce its spending by $1.8 million.

Delaware kids’ mini-boat lands in Ireland
Fifth-graders at Lake Forest Central Elementary launched a boat three months ago that landed last week in Ireland. The school has used the boat for a number of education activities to teach students about science, technology, engineering and math.

Broken bones, torn tendons teach kids science
The University of Delaware’s College of Education and Human Development and College of Engineering has produced “Orthopedics in Action” kits for high school students.

No more excuses for schools
Letter to the editor by James R. Thomen, Montchanin
There has been lots of talk about schools lately. All seem to acknowledge that some changes need to be made. However, I have seen very little analysis of specific reasons why the current system seems to be failing our children – particularly our minority children. Until there are commonly accepted reasons for our failing school system, there is no hope that any remedy will fit short-comings.

Could a student join the Cape school board?
Could a student join the adults table at Cape Henlopen Board of Education meetings? The school board has recently discussed the possibility.

Delaware tops in teaching kids about money
Delaware is a special place when it comes to economic education. Elementary, middle, and high school students in Delaware have long received one of the best economic educations in the country. They learn about the basics of decision-making, entrepreneurship, monetary and fiscal policy, and such important economic topics as opportunity cost, gross domestic product, and inflation.

WHYY
Can a text message get Delaware students to college?
Delaware’s latest college readiness initiative begins at the nexus of two pretty convincing assumptions:
1.) Teenagers like to text.
2.) Applying to college is difficult.

Delaware Public Media
Office of Early Learning surveys public for guidance on next steps
Delaware’s Office of Early Learning has launched a web-based survey to gather public opinion on education priorities for young children in the state. The office is looking for feedback on initiatives launched with 49.9 million dollars in federal funding from a Race to the Top Early Learning Challenge Grant awarded to the state in 2011.

National News

The New York Times
At Success Academy Charter Schools, polarizing methods and superior results
In a rare look inside the network, including visits to several schools and interviews with dozens of current and former employees, The New York Times chronicled a system driven by the relentless pursuit of better results, one that can be exhilarating for teachers and students who keep up with its demands and agonizing for those who do not.

In Westchester County, teaching artists aid students in Common Core push
“We were hearing that if a program is not tied to a study guide for Common Core requirements, teachers don’t have time to integrate it,” said Seth Soloway, programming manager for Arts in Education. So Mr. Soloway and his colleagues at Purchase adopted a novel approach: They incorporated lessons that reflected Common Core goals.

NJ.com
As Newark school budget calls for layoffs, union fights back
A top union official criticized today a proposal from Newark Public Schools to lay off teachers ahead of next school year based on performance instead of seniority alone. A top union official criticized today a proposal from Newark Public Schools to lay off teachers ahead of next school year based on performance instead of seniority alone.

TechCrunch
Amazon launches a dedicated STEM toy shop
Amazon announced the launch of a new store on its site that’s dedicated to selling STEM toys and games. The shop will feature a variety of items for children of all ages, the retailer says, which are focused on encouraging kids to develop science, technology, engineering and/or math-related skills.

Education Week
Texas lawmakers wrangle a herd of education bills
For those seeking a state legislature weighing a raft of major policy overhauls, it might be hard to beat Texas, where, by the scheduled end of the session on June 1, there could be a private school choice program for the first time, along with a new state-run school district, and revamped teacher evaluations.