December 20, 2013
Local News
Cape Gazette
Beebe breaks ground to expand nursing school
Beebe Healthcare Services is expanding the Margaret H. Rollins School of Nursing, building a $10 million facility where as many as 60 students will train to become much-needed registered nurses. The school offers the only three-year nursing diploma in Delaware and it is the only program in the state located at a hospital.
WDEL
Markell touts early childhood education progress
Gov. Jack Markell says Delaware is making progress in improving early childhood education, particularly for low-income children.
The News Journal
Delaware’s teacher assessment system is not working
An op-ed by Frederika Jenner, President of the Delaware State Education Association, and Scott Reihm, Executive Director of Delaware Association of School Administrators
Children’s development is unique. Any parent can tell you that. So when it comes to educating our state’s children, tests alone cannot measure student success. Educators and parents alike know that not all children demonstrate progress in the same way or at the same time. In school, we use more than quizzes and tests to judge student progress. The Delaware Association of School Administrators and the Delaware State Education Association support an educator evaluation system that includes the concepts of professional growth, continuous improvement, and quality assurance.
WDDE
Gov. Markell discusses impact of federal funds on early childhood education
Governor Jack Markell shared Delaware’s experience with improving early childhood education with a number of other governors Thursday. The governors joined U.S. Education Secretary Arne Duncan and Health Secretary Kathleen Sebelius to discuss ways to spend federal grant money awarded to their states.
National News
The New York Times
Christie agrees to in-state tuition for undocumented immigrants
The New Jersey Legislature approved legislation on Thursday that would allow students without legal immigration status to pay in-state college tuition. Gov. Chris Christie planned to sign it on Friday, a spokesman said.
The Washington Post
D.C. adopts new K-12 science standards
The D.C. State Board of Education voted Wednesday to adopt new K-12 science standards meant to strengthen science education by prioritizing critical thinking and problem solving over memorization of facts. The District joins eight states (including Maryland) that have already adopted the Next Generation Science Standards, developed over the course of two years by 26 state leaders based on recommendations by a panel of National Research Council scientists.
Education Week
Do states need a ‘shift in thinking’ to provide better help to struggling schools?
State chiefs and education departments need more willpower, a better talent pipeline, and a bigger focus on organizational flexibility, rather than formal overhauls, in order to better serve schools in need, according to a Center on Reinventing Public Education report. The report analyzed 10 states’ school improvement infrastructures and investments