September 12, 2016

Delaware News

Cape Gazette
Legislation allows medical marijuana on school grounds
Rylie Maedler was at a loss of words during a Sept. 7 bill signing making it easier for her to receive medical marijuana oils during the school year. A heart-felt, “Thank you,” and a big grin was all Maedler could muster. It was all anyone needed. Rylie uses medical marijuana oils daily. Last year, the Rehoboth Elementary student had to be too checked out of school by one of her parents every day.

Rodel Blog
What’s the relationship between school quality and GDP?
Over the summer, education research wonks Erica A. Hanushek, Jens Ruhose, and Ludger Woessman published findings on the long-term economic impact of school improvement. This study draws a direct connection between school quality and economic growth, adding to a body of evidence demonstrating the benefits of education for individuals and society.

The Milford Beacon
Milford school district officials defend tax increase
An increase in special needs students coupled with rising costs to support them is why Milford School District officials say they needed to raise taxes this year. That choice, however, is alienating some residents who are associating the costs with last year’s referendum. Al Slawter is one of those residents.

The News Journal
Dress code dust up starts off the year
As teachers and students iron out the kinks in the new school year, dress-code conformity has become an issue. Administrators at Mount Pleasant High School asked teachers to check their students’ compliance with district dress code on Friday, during the second week of school. The idea was to have a “coachable” moment with students who weren’t in line with the code, said district spokeswoman Alexis Andrianopoulos.

National News

NPR
This district may close all of its high schools; it’s about much more than money
In northwest Pennsylvania, along the edge of Lake Erie, you’ll find the city of Erie. There, the superintendent of the more than 12,000-student district has forwarded a plan that’s causing a stir — calling for leaders to consider shutting down all of the district’s high schools and sending students to the wealthier, whiter, suburban districts.

The Hechinger Report
9/11 is now a history lesson for most school kids
On the afternoon of Sept. 11, 2001, high school social studies teacher and football coach Robert Lake stood outside with students waiting to get picked up from school. One of them — a good kid, member of the football team — asked Lake a question: “Is the whole world going to change now?” Nearly 15 years later, Lake says he still remembers his response.

The New York Times
In Connecticut, a wealth gap divides neighboring schools
The two Connecticut school districts sit side by side along Long Island Sound. Both spend more than the national average on their students. They prepare their pupils for the same statewide tests. Their teachers, like virtually all the teachers in the state, earn the same high marks on evaluations.

The Virginian-Pilot
Norfolk has been pulling struggling students out of classes before they can take the SOLs
History class had just begun at Lake Taylor High when 10 students were told to get up and leave the room. It was the second semester in early February 2015, and they were ready to take the second part of a World History & Geography course. But these students’ schedules had been changed, so they would now take the first part of the class again.