November 19, 2013
Local News
Delaware Department of Education
Delaware praised for providing parents, educators better access to data
Delaware was one of only two states to achieve a perfect score in the Data Quality Campaign’s analysis looking at state education data systems. A report released today shows “states have made tremendous progress shifting their vision – and the use – of their education data systems from data collection for compliance to data collection for effective use in the state house, in the district office, in the classroom, and at the kitchen table.”
National News
Education Week
States making progress on data systems, advocacy group reports
The report, “Right Questions, Right Data, Right Answers: Data for Action 2013,” is the Data Quality Campaign’s ninth. Since 2005, the Washington-based group has been tracking states’ progress against 10 “action steps” it deems essential to having high-functioning data systems. All of the data are self-reported by each state’s governor’s office. This year, every state but California participated. Arkansas and Delaware are the first states to complete all 10 recommended actions, which include building state data repositories and implementing policies to help educators better use data in the classroom.
Stateline
States insist on 3rd grade reading proficiency
About 30 states have adopted measures to help students learn how to read by 3rd grade, according the Campaign for Grade-Level Reading. The strategies vary widely, including working with parents of young children and improving access to pre-kindergarten. Fifteen states and the District of Columbia have retention policies on 3rd grade reading, according to Emily Workman, ECS policy analyst.
Kansas City Star
Brownback announces Kansas reading initiative
Kansas Gov. Sam Brownback proposed a new reading initiative aimed at boosting proficiency among school children. A number of high-poverty districts would be targeted through after-school reading programs. The plan would use $9 million in each of the next two years from federal assistance funds for low-income families. Those funds would be supplemented with private dollars.
Providence Journal
R.I. Board of education adopts new standards for teacher preparation
The Rhode Island state board adopted new standards for teacher preparation programs that require that each cohort or class of candidates score in the top 50% of college entrance exams in 2016-17. The cohort must score in the top third on these assessments by 2020. Each class also must have a GPA of 3.0, but individual undergraduate students must have at least a 2.75 GPA and graduate students a 3.0.
Tallahassee Democrat
Common Core: What test will replace FCAT, and who will develop it?
As Florida looks to quell the controversy over its new education standards, state education officials are working on a decision that will affect how those standards apply to nearly 2 million students. The tests set to come online next school year have become a flash point for critics of the Common Core State Standards — as well as legislative leaders who say the state is unlikely to abandon them. They were singled out by Gov. Rick Scott as he issued an executive order that brought the standards under a new round of scrutiny.