All eyes are on Congress, where a reauthorization of ESEA (currently known as No Child Left Behind) may be on the move, and on grading and reporting out of new Common Core test results:
Refresher: What’s in the House ESEA Bill? PK12: The measure was not on the Majority Leader’s weekly schedule for action, but sources said it could be called to the floor as early as Wednesday.
Common Core tests largely over; now comes the wait for scores KPCC LA: California Department of Education spokeswoman Pam Slater said it’s up to each of the state’s 1,028 school districts to decide how to use the test scores. The state has put on hold any school penalties or rewards for standardized tests scores while students get used to taking the assessments.
More States Are Creating Turnaround School Districts District Dossier: Louisiana’s Recovery School District is proving to be a model for many state governors who are intent on turning around struggling schools.
When Guarding Student Data Endangers Valuable Research NYT: Some proposed privacy laws for students could unintentionally choke off the data’s original purpose: assessing and improving education.
Union-backed group calls for pause in federal money for charter schools Washington Post: A labor-backed group is objecting to a U.S. Education Department proposal to expand federal funding for public charter schools, after the agency’s inspector general issued a scathing report that found deficiencies in how the department handled federal grants to charter schools between 2008 and 2011.
STATE & LOCAL NEWS
With clock ticking, mayoral control debate recedes for now ChalkbeatNY: With just days left in the legislative session, renewing mayoral control and lifting the state’s cap on charter schools seem like distant priorities in negotiations among state lawmakers.
Moskowitz finds a new way to undermine de Blasio Capital New York: American Federation of Teachers president Randi Weingarten accused Moskowitz of being a hypocrite. “[Moskowitz] totally wanted mayoral control when Mike Bloomberg was here but now that she doesn’t like a decision the P.E.P. made, she’s against ..
Colorado Schools To Track Student Marijuana Offenses AP via HuffPost: Colorado schools will begin compiling data on students who get busted for using or distributing marijuana, an effort aimed at gauging the effects of the drug’s legalization in the state.
A Visit From Kendrick Lamar — Best Day Of School Ever? NPR: A New Jersey high school teacher used the rapper’s latest album to teach a unit on Toni Morrison’s novel, The Bluest Eye. Lamar found out about it, and decided to stop in for a visit.
Hot Jazz, Cool Teacher: How One New Orleans Man Fosters Greatness NPR: For struggling students, music can often be what keeps them going. The same is true for this New Orleans band director.
Parent trigger dispute over Anaheim school heads to trial EdSource: An Orange County Superior Court judge will hear arguments Monday in a trial that will likely determine whether a group of Anaheim parents can force the city school district to hand over the management of their children’s elementary school to a charter operator.
D.C. Council considers steps to restrict public access to teacher evaluations Washington Post: The Washington Teachers Union and open-government advocates are urging the D.C. Council to slow down a vote that would curb access to information related to teacher evaluations, one of the most controversial aspects of education reform efforts in the District.
Another Year, Another Round of Calls for Newark Superintendent’s Removal Education Week: The AFT’s letter, signed by President Randi Weingarten, piled on to the harsh criticism of Anderson, characterizing her record as one of “failure, arrogance and lack of accountability.”
