February 23, 2015
Delaware News
The News Journal
Tug-of-war over school control
Editorial by John Sweeney, The News Journal’s engagement editor
Is our education system descending into chaos? Think about the events of the last week.
Red Clay to hold referendum Tuesday
The Red Clay School District is asking voters in their districts Tuesday to approve property tax increases they say will cover growing costs, and pay for upgrades like giving every student the chance to use technology in the classroom.
Christina to hold referendum Tuesday
The Christina School District is asking voters Tuesday to approve property tax increases that they say will cover growing costs and boost after-school programs, technology and other student programs.
University of Delaware and the importance of diversity
By Patrick T. Harker, President of the University of Delaware
Education must be based on the open and free exchange of ideas, and for that exchange to be truly illuminating, these ideas should come from a mix of perspectives and opinions, from individuals of different backgrounds and cultures.
Letters to the Editor: Opt your student out of test
By State Rep. Sean Matthews, 10th House District
Almost everything that is wrong with public education stems from the misuse and overuse of standardized tests.
WDDE
Christina and Red Clay put referendums before district residents
When residents of the Christina and Red Clay school districts vote Tuesday on proposals to increase their property taxes, school officials and referendum supporters fear that the outcome may be determined by circumstances that they cannot control.
Caesar Rodney on track become first DE high school to send experiment into space
Usually, homework goes towards a grade. For students at Caesar Rodney High School, homework is going into space. Florin Faud, a freshman at Caesar Rodney, and her classmates have designed a science experiment that they hope will be headed for the International Space Station.
Delaware Department of Education
Workshops will help families in applying for college financial aid
A press release
The Delaware Department of Education is partnering with community organizations across the state to offer families support in applying for college financial aid through a series of workshops.
National News
The Washington Post
Teacher prep programs need to be accountable, too
Opinion by Robert C. Pianta, Dean of the Curry School of Education at the University of Virginia
I am embarrassed that professionals responsible for the preparation of teachers seem to oppose so adamantly efforts to evaluate the competence of the workforce they produce.
Poll: Widespread misperceptions about the Common Core standards
According to a new report, misperceptions were widespread, including among both supporters and opponents of the program and peaking among those who say they are paying the most attention to the standards.
How the hardest-working principals avoid burning themselves out
By Jay Mathews, Columnist
When such KIPP results nationwide began to draw attention, critics predicted the network’s principals and teachers would burn out from pressure and fatigue. KIPP leaders had the same concern. Four years ago, a working group led by KIPP network co-founder Dave Levin, in partnership with organizational psychologist David Maxfield, began to overhaul how KIPP principals operated.
The Philadelphia Inquirer
Next up on charters: Appeals
After the Philadelphia School Reform Commission approved five of 39 charter applications, rejected applicants are expected to appeal.
Education Week
Elite PD program seeks to build top teachers’ expertise
National Academy of Advanced Teacher Education offers intensive professional development courses for top-performing teacher.
Calif. districts seek $1 billion to fund test mandate
A push by four California school districts to increase state funding for standardized assessments could complicate the state’s rollout of the common core and aligned tests, as well as provide an early challenge for a revamped school finance system that is not yet two years old.
The Lost Angeles Times
L.A. Unified says it can’t afford ‘computer for all’ plan
Los Angeles Unified schools Supt. Ramon C. Cortines said Friday that the district cannot afford to provide a computer to every student, signaling a major reversal of his predecessor’s ill-fated $1.3-billion effort to distribute iPads to all students, teachers and school administrators.