June 6, 2014
Local News
WDDE
Bill seeks to include schools districts in new charter school approval process
The state would have to include local school districts in the charter school approval process if lawmakers approve newly proposed legislation. A bill from Rep. John Kowalko (D-Newark South) seeks to require new charter applicants to initially file their plans with the local school district for assessment.
The News Journal
Be wary of giving school districts more taxing powers
An op-ed by Joseph Miro, Delaware Representative
I understand the argument that local referendums are not always successful for the school districts because of the often low voter participation. But, even if it’s not ideal, the referendum process still provides the public with the opportunity to voice their opinion when it comes to how their tax base will be directly impacted.
Don’t give school boards tax power
A letter to the editor by James P. Ursomarso, Chairman and CEO, Caesar Rodney Institute
If only money were the issue, improving Delaware’s schools would be easier. Unfortunately, improving Delaware public schools will require real reform, not gimmicky programs with cute names, a new curriculum or even more spending.
Laurel Star
Educational choice for parents
A bill to offer Delawares parents an opportunity to provide a quality education for their children, regardless of the parents income status, has been introduced and assigned to the House Education Committee. The bill, known as HB 353, The Parent Empowerment Education Savings Account Act (PEESAA), provides children in all income levels equal access to education opportunities.
Coastal Point
District to send emails instead of fliers to be more efficient
Children are less likely these days to lose important paperwork in their backpacks, since the Indian River School District is offering a new paperless information system. “It’s a good system, and we really think it’s going to get us a wider reach,” IRSD Public Information Officer Dave Maull. “It really does save a lot of money,” he added.
National News
State Impact
Feds require new standardized test to keep NCLB waiver
Indiana will have to impose a new statewide standardized test on K-12 students next year if it wants to maintain control over $200 million a year in federal education funding.
Citizen Times
Senate backs Common Core replacement
Legislation that would replace the Common Core education standards is a step closer to Gov. Pat McCrory’s desk after a vote in the state Senate. Senators backed their version of a law that would replace the standards.
Education Week
Okla. Gov. Fallin signs bill to replace Common Core with new standards
Five months after coming to the defense of the Common Core State Standards, Oklahoma Gov. Mary Fallin has signed a bill to replace them. “We are capable of developing our own Oklahoma academic standards that will be better than common core,” Fallin, a Republican, said in a statement announcing her signature of the bill, which would require the state to replace the common core with new content standards.
Facebook founder Zuckerberg, wife donate $120M to Calif. schools
Facebook CEO Mark Zuckerberg and his wife, Priscilla Chan, are donating $120 million to the San Francisco Bay Area’s public school system. The couple’s gift will be spread over the next five years and is the biggest allocation to date of the $1.1 billion in Facebook stock the couple pledged last year to the nonprofit Silicon Valley Community Foundation.
Inside Higher Education
Disunited front
College leaders are not united in their views about the appropriate role for the federal government in holding institutions accountable.
Penn Live
Education reform bill eliminates seniority-based layoffs and allows furloughs for economic reasons
The Pennsylvania House Education Committee voted to advance legislation that would add economic reasons to the list of permitted situations when teachers and others could be furloughed.