January 28, 2013
Local News
WHYY
Markell budget proposal preserves some ’09 Delaware tax increases
Delaware Governor Jack Markell revealed his $3.7 billion budget for Fiscal Year 2014. The spending plan represents a 3.49 percent increase over the 2013 budget, which translates to $154 million. Markell was quick to point out that a minuscule amount of that increase, $6.9 million or 0.19 percent are new programs. Those new expenditures include expanded mental health services in middle schools for $3.3 million and six new State Police Troopers.
The News Journal
Robotics competition trains future scientists
The Delaware nonprofit, First State Robotics, for K-12 brainiacs promotes a love of science and technology and prepares kids to find solutions in a world of challenges through programs and competitions. The latest: an annual robotics contest with a prerequisite use of Lego pieces.
National News
Education Week
State finance lawsuits roil K-12 funding landscape
As state budgets slowly recover from several years of economic contraction and stagnation, significant court battles continue to play a related yet distinct role in K-12 policy, even in states where the highest courts have already delivered rulings on the subject.
Urban districts report far-reaching changes for Common Core
Most urban districts plan to have fully implemented the Common Core State Standards by the 2014-15 school year, according to a report from the Council of the Great City Schools, and more than half of districts have already begun. Districts have adjusted professional development, assessments, curriculum, evaluation, and communications plans to account for the Common Core.
The New York Times
Public universities to offer free online classes for credit
In an unusual arrangement with a commercial company, dozens of public universities plan to offer an introductory online course free and for credit to anyone worldwide, in the hope that those who pass will pay tuition to complete a degree program.
The year of the MOOC
In late September, as workers applied joint compound to new office walls, hoodie-clad colleagues who had just met were working together on deadline. Film editors, code-writing interns and “edX fellows” — grad students and postdocs versed in online education — were translating videotaped lectures into MOOCs, or massive open online courses. As if anyone needed reminding, a row of aqua Post-its gave the dates the courses would “go live.”
Las Cruces Sun-News
NM Gov. Susan Martinez announces $2M teacher initiative plan
New Mexico Governor Susana Martinez announced a $2 million initiative to hire math and sciences teachers in low income and rural schools. The plan will include a loan forgiveness program and pay incentives for teachers. The governor also proposes up to a $5,000 pay bonus for the best 125 highly effective math and science teachers who move to underserved schools.
Related Topics: Common Core, Education Technology, Governor Markell, Higher Education, Online Learning, STEM, Teacher Compensation