June 12, 2013

Local News

The Washington Post
The tea party is wrong on the Common Core curriculum
An opinion by Governor Jack Markell
Over the past three years, 45 states have adopted the Common Core State Standards. These objectives were developed to ensure that America’s students acquire the academic skills they need to reach their full potential. Yet the Common Core standards are under serious assault by the tea party movement, which argues that they were developed by the federal government [“A new battle for tea party,” front page, May 31]. This assertion lacks any basis in fact.

The News Journal
Law ignored, critics say
A group tasked with finding improvements to the state’s charter school system may have violated open meetings laws, according to a report from the Attorney General’s Office. That has drawn the ire of open government advocates and legislators who say a handful of power-players are crafting major education policy behind closed doors. But state officials in charge of the working group said the public had time for input and opponents were focusing on meetings held five months ago where no action was taken, rather than the legislative process under way.

Delaware Department of Education
State announces free and reduced price meals policy for 2013-14
The Delaware Department of Education today announced the U.S. Department of Agriculture policy for free and reduced price meals for children unable to pay the full price for meals served under the National School Lunch Program, School Breakfast Program, and After School Snack Program.

Delaware State News
Moving plans coincide with Delmarva Christian, Sussex Academy facilities swap
The property swap is officially complete and now Delmarva Christian High School and Sussex Academy are moving forward — literally — with plans to meet their needs and fulfill missions at existing but new facility venues in Georgetown. Tuesday, as staff and volunteers from both institutions embarked on the monumental move, leaders from both schools formally exchanged facilities in ceremonies at the Dover Public Library. “If there was ever anything that was a win-win situation for Sussex County, the state of Delaware and for education in general, this it is,” said Joe Schell, Sussex Academy’s campaign chairman.

National News

United States Department of Education
Redesigning America’s high schools
President Obama’s High School Redesign initiative will encourage America’s school districts and their partners to use existing federal, state and local resources to transform the high school experience for America’s youth through a whole school redesign effort. This effort will challenge high schools and their partners to rethink teaching and learning and put in place learning models that are rigorous, relevant, and better focused on real-world experiences.

Education Week
Year-end tests bring urgency to Common-Core push
All year long, Ms. McNair-Lee, an English/language arts teacher at Stuart-Hobson Middle School here, has been doing what millions of teachers across the country are doing: trying to help her students master the common standards, which all but four states have adopted. The District of Columbia school system has chosen an aggressive and comprehensive approach to implementing the standards, making major investments in resources and professional development. But like most districts, it faces many challenges as it tries to turn its vision into changed practice in the classroom.

The Denver Post
New Denver Public Schools remedial classes aimed at college success
Denver Public Schools will offer free remedial math and English classes this summer in response to a higher education department’s report, which shows that more than 60% of graduates need college remediation. A student who gets a C or higher would not have to take the course in college under an agreement with Colorado universities. The classes will be offered during the school year in 2013-14.

The Oregonian
Nearly 40% of Oregon high school grads don’t go to college
Oregon adopted a goal of getting 80% of its young people to earn a college credential—40% for a four-year degree and 40% for an associate’s degree or industry certificate. But among the high school class of 2011, just 61% enrolled in a college or community college anywhere in the country by fall 2012. And only one district sends enough graduates on to college to reaching the 80% target any time soon.

Related Topics: A+ Denver, Advanced Placement, AP, charter schools, Chief Deputy Attorney General Ian McConnel, Common Core State Standards, DDOE, Delaware Charter School Network, Delaware State Education Association, District of Columbia school system, dual enrollment, evidence-based professional development, Expanded Learning Time, Governor Jack Markell, Higher Education, Meal Benefit Forms, military families, National Student Clearinghouse., postsecondary credit, Representative Earl Jaques, Representative Kim Williams, Representative Ruth Briggs King, Senator Brian Pettyjohn, SNAP, Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, transparency, USDA Rural Development’s Community Facility Program, Washington D.C., wrap-around support services