August 5, 2015
Delaware News
6ABC Action News
Redistricting of Wilmington’s public schools gets green light
The redistricting of Wilmington’s public schools can move forward, after Delaware’s governor signed a new measure into law. Jack Markell’s signature grants the state board of education the authority to change district boundaries. Students in Christina and Colonial schools would move to the Red Clay District if the General Assembly approves it. Governor Markell also signed a second bill, creating the Wilmington Education Improvement Commission. It’s a group of leaders assigned to oversee the district transition.
The News Journal
Wilmington school redistricting gets underway
The redistricting of Wilmington’s schools is officially underway after Gov. Jack Markell signed two bills into law Tuesday morning. Several leaders acknowledged that signing the bills is only the first step.
Newsworks
Gov. Jack Markell signs legislation to redistrict Delaware schools
The State of Delaware and educational leaders hope new redistricting laws can provide more education opportunities for students in Wilmington. Two bills were signed by Gov. Jack Markell Tuesday.
Delaware Public Media
Changes to Wilmington school district lines imminent
Gov. Jack Markell joined state lawmakers and community leaders in Hockessin Tuesday to kick-start the realignment of school district lines in Delaware’s largest city.
WDEL
Wilmington school redistricting begins, Red Clay to absorb city students in Christina, Colonial
Plans to redistrict schools in Wilmington advanced on Tuesday as Governor Jack Markell signed legislation that will result in the reduction of school districts in the city.
Office of the Governor
Wilmington school redistricting moves forward under new laws
Press release
Emphasizing the opportunity to solve a decades-long problem that has limited educational opportunities for children in the City of Wilmington, Governor Markell today signed two bills that pave the way for redrawing school district boundaries to reduce the number of districts in the City and help families better participate in their children’s schools.
National News
Chalkbeat Tennessee
State officials walk fine line of praising test scores and bracing for drops next year
In simultaneously congratulating schools and cautioning them, Education Commissioner Candice McQueen is navigating a fine line that education chiefs have walked before in New York, Maryland, Kentucky and other states that have transitioned to tougher tests aligned to the new standards.
Chalkbeat Indiana
State board ready to roll out new state charter school grant program
The Indiana State Board of Education is expected to consider details of a new state-funded charter school grant program on Wednesday that would give more than $10 million to schools enrolling a total of almost 22,000 students across the state this year.
Education Week
Pearson agrees to compensate Minnesota for testing breakdowns
Blog post by Sean Cavanagh
In a familiar coda to statewide testing breakdowns, Pearson has agreed to reimburse the state of Minnesota for costs associated with disruptions on assessments given earlier this year. The state’s department of education says Pearson, a huge provider of education products and services, will pay the agency $1 million in fees and provide up to nearly $4.7 million in educational support.
The Hechinger Report
Federal report finds scant scientific evidence for effectiveness of Head Start programs
Politicians and policy makers have been arguing about whether Head Start works ever since the federally-funded early childhood education program for low-income families began, in the 1960s. And yet, 50 years later, after more than 30 million children have been through the program, a new research report from a unit of the U.S. Department of Education concludes that we still don’t have much rigorous research evidence to show that Head Start is effective in preparing children for elementary school.
California’s EdSource
Teachers summit draws thousands to sites across California
About 15,000 California teachers and principals gave up one of their summer vacation days to talk among themselves Friday about a subject that, depending on how the school day is going, can excite, inspire, frustrate or irritate: the Common Core.