October 4, 2012
Local News
The News Journal
Impressed by Markell’s attention to education
A letter to the editor by Rumi Khan, Newark Charter School student
Recently I was at the Hindu Temple in Hockessin to attend a meeting with Governor Jack Markell. I was really impressed by his focus on education. He spoke about how he had raised the standards of the state testing and spoke about how the advanced DCAS state testing replaced the tedious DSTP state testing. He continued to talk about how important education was to creating jobs. During the Q & A, Gov. Markell spoke about the STEM (science, math engineering, technology) program and how he was encouraging it in schools.
Delaware State News
Children in Nature program aims to get kids outdoors
The Children in Nature taskforce was established in January 2010. It is made up of more than 140 partners across the state, including Department of Education Secretary Mark Murphy, Secretary O’Mara, representatives of Nemours and members of area environmental groups. On Monday, under the leadership of Gov. Jack Markell, the Children in Nature taskforce released a 68-page report.
Delaware Department of Education
19 outstanding teachers honored, 1 to be named State Teacher of the Year for 2013
Nineteen Delaware teachers have been nominated for the honor of being named Delaware’s Teacher of the Year for 2013. Selected from among the 9,000 public school teachers in the state, each nominee represents one of the state’s 19 school districts. The candidates were nominated by their districts during the 2012 calendar year because of their superior ability to inspire students with a love of learning, exemplary demonstration of professional traits and strong sense of dedication and devotion to teaching.
National News
Baton Rouge Advocate
State to overhaul pre-k
State education leaders will announce plans to revamp Louisiana’s pre-kindergarten programs on October 17. However, just what the plan will look like is sparking concerns, including whether classroom standards will apply to public and private classrooms. Legislation enacted this past session is supposed to overhaul a system of programs with varying standards, costs and successes in preparing young children for kindergarten.
Associated Press
Chicago teachers vote to approve 3-year contract
Members of the Chicago Teachers Union overwhelmingly have approved a new three-year contract that includes pay increases and a new evaluation system, union officials announced late Wednesday. Union spokeswoman Stephanie Gadlin said the contract was ratified by 79 percent of the union’s membership. Mayor Rahm Emanuel has called the settlement “an honest compromise” that “means a new day and a new direction for the Chicago public schools.”
Education Week
Romney: “I’m not going to cut education funding”
Republican presidential nominee Mitt Romney, in his most detailed comments about education spending yet, pledged during Wednesday night’s debate with President Barack Obama in Denver that he would not cut federal education funding if elected—even as he made the case that he’s the best choice to rein in a mounting deficit. Obama said that the Romney-Ryan ticket would lead to a “gutting” of education.
Related Topics: DCAS, STEM, Teacher Effectiveness