Today’s education roundup includes lots of coverage of the new Nevada education voucher, which Republican lawmakers plan to try and get passed in other states, plus a bit about Democratic Presidential candidates’ meetings with the AFT:
In Nevada, the ultimate in school choice or school as a commodity? Washington Post: The new law, which the state’s Republican-controlled legislature passed with help from the education foundation created by former Florida governor Jeb Bush (R), is a breakthrough for conservatives, who call it the ultimate in school choice. And they are working to spread it nationwide: Lawmakers in Georgia, Iowa and Rhode Island considered similar legislation this year. See also Christian Science Monitor, WSJ, Las Vegas Review.
What Did Democratic Presidential Candidates Tell AFT Union Leaders? PK12: The union’s top leadership sat down earlier this week and chatted with three folks vying for the Democratic nomination: Hillary Clinton, the former Secretary of State; Martin O’Malley, the former Maryland governor, and Bernie Sanders, the Vermont senator who considers himself an independent socialist.
D.C. Schools Improved Under Mayoral Control, But Progress Remains Uneven WAMU: The first formal assessment of D.C.’s public schools since mayoral control was granted in 2007 finds that while small gains have been made, work remains to be done. See also Washington Post.
Ed. Dept.: Poorest Districts Have More Trainee Teachers Teacher Beat: High-poverty districts tend to have more teachers-in-training than other districts, but overall there aren’t that many such teachers, a federal report says.
Teaching Youth To Think ‘Slow’ May Help Reduce Crime FiveThirtyEight: Last year, BAM reached 1,935 boys in 38 schools across the Chicago Public Schools system.
Missouri Drops Smarter Balanced Common-Core Exam State EdWatch: A provision of the state education budget signed by Missouri Gov. Jay Nixon would cut off funding for the Smarter Balanced exam and require a new test for the next school year.
Introducing The First Non-Medical Intern Union In The U.S. NPR: At the American Teachers Federation, the union’s interns are putting their foot down. After about a year of negotiating, they have voted to form their own union.
City’s Denial of Early Childhood Contracts Raises Questions WNYC: The Williamsbridge NAACP Early Childhood Education Center is now among 10 childcare centers that were not awarded contracts to continue serving their neighborhoods in the coming school year. The city’s decision mystifies City Councilman Andy King.
Authorities File Charges Over Loud Cheering at Mississippi High School GraduationNYT: At least three people are facing the prospect of $500 fines and six-month jail terms after they were said to have yelled and clapped during a graduation ceremony in Mississippi.
More news and commentary throughout the day at @alexanderrusso.
