June 16, 2015
Delaware News
The News Journal
Wilmington school redistricting gains momentum
It appears likely that legislators will pass a law this session that would start the process of redistricting Wilmington schools. First, lawmakers would create a Wilmington Education Improvement Commission, which would include school leaders, teachers, parents and others involved in city schools. This group would be responsible for creating a smooth transition plan. Second, lawmakers would give the State Board of Education the authority to order a redistricting based on the plan the commission creates.
MarketWatch
Sallie Mae Provides $10,000 Grant to Fund Delaware Adolescent Program’s Pathways to College and Career Program
Sallie Mae, the nation’s saving, planning, and paying for college company, today announced a $10,000 grant to the Delaware Adolescent Program, Inc. (DAPI) to support the nonprofit’s summer 2015 Pathway to College and Career Program. DAPI helps teen parents graduate from high school and motivates them to pursue college educations.
Smyrna-Clayton Sun Times
THE LIST: 3 museums for kids to see weekends this summer
Looking for a fun and educational day trip for your kids this summer? Here are three museums with lots to offer.
Newark Post
Kowalko looks to reform school district funding
A local politician is trying to change the way schools in Delaware are funded after another failed referendum in the Christina School District leaves the district with a $9.5 million budget deficit, millions of dollars in program cuts to make and more than 100 teachers, paraprofessionals and secretaries without jobs.
Delaware State News
Delaware Tech pushes for ‘modest’ property tax hike to fund renovations
Late in the week, Sen. Harris McDowell, D-North Wilmington, filed Senate Bill 137, an act to give DTCC’s Board of Trustees authority to issue bonds to address capital improvements and deferred maintenance, establish the Community College Infrastructure Fund and allow for a capped local property tax structured as county vocational-technical schools are.
National News
Associated Press
Hassan vetoes bill letting students opt out of state tests
New Hampshire Gov. Maggie Hassan vetoed legislation that would have allowed parents to opt their students out of Common Core-aligned tests without consequences for the students or districts. Hassan said the bill could jeopardize federal funding and would send a message that the state doesn’t value high standards.
The New York Times
How to grade a teacher
Opinion by Joe Nocera
There are two fundamental pieces to the Michigan Council for Educator Effectiveness plan. The first piece is teacher observation. The second piece is what the council calls evaluating “student growth.”
Education Week
As Jeb Bush officially declares 2016 run, a quick review of his K-12 record
Blog post by Andrew Ujifusa
Former Florida Gov. Jeb Bush officially declared that he will seek the presidency next year during a speech at the Kendall campus of Miami Dade College in Miami on June 15. He has perhaps the most extensive and complicated track record in education among all the Republican presidential hopefuls.
EdSource
Legislators pass a bigger budget for schools and early ed
The California Legislature on Monday passed a $117.5 billion budget for 2015-16 that includes $700 million more for schools and community colleges than Gov. Jerry Brown has proposed, as well as more funds for state universities, preschool and child care, after-school programs and foster youth
Chalkbeat Indiana
5 ways Glenda Ritz’s run for governor will change education and politics
Just when it looked like Indiana’s fierce education debates could simmer down, state Superintendent Glenda Ritz’s run for governor could turn up the flame.
KPCC
Common Core tests largely over; now comes the wait for scores
Educators expect that the scores will be low because everything about the test is new. But that shouldn’t discourage parents, said Michelle Center, lead Smarter Balanced test administrator with the California Department of Education. The Common Core standards were designed to develop such student skills as problem-solving and critical thinking, competencies needed in college and an increasingly competitive job market.