October, 11, 2012

Local News

The News Journal
State celebrates schools’ strides
The winners of a statewide award for boosting scores on academic achievement assessments were announced in three events held in each of the state’s counties. South Dover Elementary Principal Michelle Duke said that she was pleased that the school’s work in boosting scores of at-risk children was recognized. The school decided on a “no excuses” policy – no matter the circumstances of the child the teachers were pushing for success, Duke said.

Time to consider new school board statute
When the Christina School Board lost a member several months ago, it made sense to find a replacement quickly by conducting its own election. Fortunately, Superior Court Judge Fred S. Silverman saw the illogic of the board’s refusal to pick a winner from its recent deadlocked 3-3 tie vote. Evan’s popularity among his district voters should have to be weighed with the fact that half of the new board found value in his return. In light of this, the Legislature should revisit its 1981 statute.

DFM News
Schools earn recognition, money for academic achievement
Lt. Governor Matt Denn announced the winners of the state’s Reward, Recognition, Distinguished Title I schools and Schools of Continued Excellence awards. South Dover Principal Michelle Duke says the award means a great deal to her school community. “We have a low SES population, a high minority population and it always seems that there are roadblocks in the way. So we just adopted that ‘so what’ ’philosophy – so what can we do about it. And our teachers and our students worked so hard together, as did our parents,” said Duke. “Our kids set goals for themselves and they were so thrilled when they met or exceeded their goals.”

National News

Education Week
Civic education found lacking in most states  
Only eight states have standardized tests specifically in civics and U.S. government at the high school level, and two require students to pass them to graduate, according to a report from the Center for Information and Research on Civic Learning and Engagement (CIRCLE). Only 21 states require students to take a social studies test, and only nine require the test be passed to graduate.

Charleston Daily Mail
Officials urge more certifications for W.Va. pre-K teachers  
Only about half of assistants in West Virginia’s pre-kindergarten programs have certification beyond a high school diploma or the equivalent. And about 57% of the state’s pre-K classrooms use assistants provided by the federal Head Start program. By 2013, however, Head Start will require all of its assistant teachers either to have at least an associate degree or be working toward one.

Des Moines Register
Governor’s STEM initiative will bring 800 new science, math programs to Iowa communities  
More than 800 schools and community groups from across Iowa will offer new programs aimed at boosting access to and interest in STEM education, Lt. Gov. Kim Reynolds announced. The programs are one of the efforts undertaken by the Governor’s STEM Advisory Council, a public-private partnership for expanding education in those areas and improving Iowa’s workforce.

Hunterdon Democrat
14 N.J. school districts band together to save big money on state-mandated training  
State-mandated, standardized teacher evaluations start next year in New Jersey. In one county, 14 districts formed a consortium that may have saved the group hundreds of thousands of dollars in start-up costs alone. Districts can choose from one of five research-based evaluation models or develop their own that can be validated through research and data.

Related Topics: Grants, high-need, STEM, Teacher Evaluation