May 27, 2015
Delaware News
The News Journal
Much is at stake in the Christina referendum
Opinion by Representative Paul Baumbach, 23rd District in the Delaware House of Representatives and Representative John Viola, House Majority Whip and 26th District in the House of Representatives
The simple fact is, you cannot continuously cut your way out of every situation. Christina is not a top-heavy district – administrator pay is the lowest in the county and the district has the fewest number of administrators per teacher in the county. Without an increase in operating revenues, programs and teachers will bear the brunt of these cuts.
Delaware First Media
Further budget decisions will wait until next month
The Joint Finance Committee recessed Tuesday after axing $18.3 million during a four-day stretch of meetings. One of the biggest single cuts came at the expense of Gov. Jack Markell’s (D) proposal to cement aspects of the Race to the Top initiative into the budget – including highly paid administrators.
National News
Associated Press
States move to reduce time spent on Common Core-based exam
Students in 11 states and the District of Columbia will spend less time in 2016 taking tests based on the Common Core standards, a decision made in response to widespread opposition to testing requirements. The decision to reduce testing time by about 90 minutes was made by the states and the Partnership for Assessment of Readiness for Colleges and Career (PARCC).
The Bangor Daily News
Department of Education warns students who opt out of testing may not graduate
As debate over standardized testing ramped up in the Legislature, the Maine Department of Education again cautioned parents and school administrators this week about the possible fallout from opting out of statewide assessments. Among the potential repercussions — a school could withhold a student’s diploma.
Star Tribune
Minnesota pilot project offers free ride to technical college
Starting next year, Minnesota will offer a free ride to an estimated 1,600 students in high-demand technical college programs. The two-year pilot program, with a price tag of $8.5 million, will assign mentors to work with participating students, to encourage them to stay in school and earn their degrees.
Inside Higher Ed
Risk sharing, Yes. But how?
Congressional lawmakers across the political spectrum want to hold colleges more accountable for student outcomes. Nearly all the Senate education committee members are backing the concept of risk sharing, the idea that individual colleges need to have a greater financial stake in what happens to the federal loans that students use to attend their institutions.
Education Week
Does Google help students learn (or just think they do?)
Blog post by Sarah D. Sparks
Studies have shown people tend to outsource their memory of information when they have access to it online. “People are more inclined to remember where the information is stored than the information itself,” Fisher said.
Decatur Daily
State BOE confirms charter school commission; Collins halts bill to remove board from process
The state Board of Education, including member Gov. Robert Bentley, confirmed 10 members to the new Alabama Public Charter School Commission today. Meanwhile, Rep. Terri Collins, R-Decatur, moved on the House floor today to kill her bill that would have removed the state board from that confirmation process.