August 8, 2014

Local News

WDDE
Teachers’ union president weighs in on effort to boost pay for educators
As a state committee begins trying to morph the pay structure for educators, the head of Delaware’s teachers’ union says there are issues that must be addressed to gain her support. Frederika Jenner, president of the Delaware State Education Association sits on committee. She says those opportunities should also be extended to those working outside classrooms — like guidance counselors and librarians.

National News

Education Week
Amid bumps, new school funding system rolls out in California
Despite frustrations, school leaders and advocates have praised the state’s new school funding structure, designed to give schools with the most needy students more money and autonomy over spending.

Education Department to ease college loan rules
The Department of Education said Thursday it will try to make it easier for students and parents with troubled credit histories to get college loans. New rules would ease restrictions on college students seeking loans from the government’s direct loan program.

After uproar, New York releases standardized test questions
The state education department consistently released test questions until 2010, when it stopped out of concern doing so allowed teachers to “teach to the test.” After that it began releasing just 25 percent of test questions, and saving some that were not released for reuse.

Gov. Corbett advances $265 million to help Philadelphia district
Pennsylvania Gov. Tom Corbett has committed to advancing $265 million to help the financially strapped Philadelphia school district open schools on time. Corbett’s announcement on Wednesday comes as the legislature declined to return to Harrisburg, the state capital, to vote on legislation allowing the city to levy a $2-a-pack cigarette tax that would have provided the schools with about $80 million in a full year and stave off the possibility of massive layoffs this year.

The Times-Picayune
Louisiana education department publishes high school student guide
Louisiana’s education department has published a guide for high school student planning, to highlight state policies and programs for counselors, teachers and parents.

The State
Test scores fall in all grades, in most subjects
South Carolina’s elementary and middle school students posted worse overall scores on state-standardized tests last spring across all grades compared to 2013.