October 7, 2014
Local News
Delaware Department of Education
Federal funds now available for meals served in daycare settings
A press release
Federal funds are available to help child and adult day care providers in Delaware serve nutritious, healthy meals to children and adults in their facilities. The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) regulates the Child and Adult Care Food Program (CACFP). Sponsors in CACFP can receive cash reimbursement for meals served. Participant eligibility is tied to income eligibility guidelines that are adjusted annually by the USDA.
The News Journal
China students not on top
A letter to the editor by State Representative John Kowalko, Newark
Crediting an article from Delaware blogger Kavips, “The Chinese tests only measure those of the best schools in their most cosmopolitan city,” not the entire country. It does not measure performance in any city other than Shanghai. t does not measure the performance in rural China. It is a measurement of the cream off the top, and then comparing it to the 2 percent milk underneath, and calling that milk foul.
National News
The Clarion-Ledger
Questions posed about education funding priorities
Mississippi Lt. Gov. Tate Reeves asked what university and community college systems would do if lawmakers cut $312 million out of their budgets to find money to fully fund the state K-12 school funding formula.
Inside Higher Ed
Confusion on competency
A federal audit has renewed confusion about whether the U.S. Department of Education will support bids by colleges to try an emerging form of competency-based education.
The Salt Lake Tribune
Low test scores may add to Utah debate over teaching math
Utah is preparing to send parents their students’ results from statewide tests aligned to the Common Core for the first time — news many expect will fuel debate over the controversial standards and how Utah teaches math. In some grades, preliminary results showed, 1 in 3 children scored proficient.
CBS Philly
New Jersey announces high school grad exam plan
New Jersey education officials say the state will start using a new test as an option for high school students to graduate starting in 2016, but the PARC test will not be students’ only option.
Hechinger Report
Can focusing on workplace skills increase college completion rates?
The chancellor of the City Colleges of Chicago noticed early on that the system of seven community colleges had a graduation crisis. So she offered an idea to fix the problem — the system needed to focus on teaching skills employers were demanding.
Education Week
Remember K-12 policy past to shape the future
A commentary by Christopher T. Cross, Chairman of Cross & Joftus, an education consulting firm
Looking to history, you can find a context for virtually any K-12 policy discussion going forward. Consider Ronald Reagan’s support of academic standards in the 1980s and George H.W. Bush’s convening of the nation’s governors around education in 1989: What insights can these moments offer on reaching agreement around higher standards? It’s interesting to note that many Reagan acolytes today vigorously condemn nationally determined higher standards.