EDUCATION & EQUITY NEWS    

NATIONAL

States Give Community Colleges a
Role in Educating Teachers
Chronicle of Higher Education, March 8, 2002

Faced with a projected shortage of teachers over the next decade, at least 20 states are turning to community colleges to help identify and train prospective elementary- and secondary-school educators.

Private Educators Muted on Vouchers
Los Angeles Times, March 1, 2002

At the more selective--and more expensive--private schools, educators say they favor "school choice" but stop short of pushing for vouchers. The independent schools don't want the government regulation that might come with the money and, more practically, they can't withstand a flood of students who can afford only a few thousand dollars of the $15,000 tuition.

The Deflation of Grade Inflation
The Washington Post, March 5, 2002

Most experts agree that colleges have let grading standards slip, but many teachers and parents believe that it's tougher to get a good grade in high school these days -- and a new study seems to back them up.

Bush Terms Teacher Testing Substandard
The Washington Times, March 5, 2002

President Bush yesterday derided testing standards for new teachers, which he said are "so low that all you have to do is answer half the questions and you're in."

Appointed School Boards Work, or Not
The Washington Post, March 4, 2002

From Detroit to Chicago to Washington, states and cities have stepped in to overhaul troubled school districts, and in many cases, school boards have been the first to go.

'Racial Balancing' Policy Reviewed
The Washington Times, March 4, 2002

A state appeals court is reviewing a public school district policy in California that restricts white students from transferring from schools with high numbers of minorities. Some parents argue the policy is discriminatory and violates their right to choose their children's school.

In Draft Regulations, Education Department
Hints that States May Use Mix of Tests
San Francisco Chronicle, February 27, 2002

The Bush administration is signaling that it may give states a break on the reading and math tests they are supposed to begin giving to all students in grades three through eight. Draft regulations released by the Education Department suggest that the administration is open to allowing different kinds of tests, as long as they meet high standards.

DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA

Williams Sets Next Goal: 20% Raises For Teachers
The Washington Post, March 5, 2002

Mayor Anthony A. Williams (D) plans to announce a goal of raising teacher salaries by 20 percent over three years.

PENNSYLVANIA

27 Applicants Seek to Run Philadelphia Schools
The Philadelphia Inquirer, March 5, 2002

A host of educational-management firms, a group of teachers, several local community agencies, and Temple University are among 27 applicants vying to manage public schools in Philadelphia. (See also: School Panel Lists Names of Firms Seeking Contracts, Philadelphia Daily News, March 5, 2002.)

After-School Programs Dodge
Austerity, May Get $22 million
The Philadelphia Inquirer, March 5, 2002

Though most city departments are being asked to keep spending low, the Department of Human Services will be getting an additional $22 million to increase after-school programs and services for families.

Education Budget Faces Battle
The Philadelphia Inquirer, March 5, 2002

State lawmakers have told Education Secretary Charles Zogby that they would have a hard time supporting a budget promising an additional $75 million for Philadelphia's troubled schools if other districts received much smaller subsidy increases. (See also: $75M School Aid Draws Fire, Philadelphia Daily News, March 5, 2002.)

Cyber Charter Warned By District
The Philadelphia Inquirer, March 1, 2002

A Bucks County school district says it will pull the plug on the state's largest cyber-school if it is not in compliance with its charter and state law in three weeks.

Council's Takeover Voting Bill to Be Law
The Philadelphia Inquirer, March 1, 2002

Mayor Street has announced he would neither sign nor veto a City Council measure that would give parents a right to vote on whether their schools should be run by private companies, as Gov. Schweiker envisions. (See also: Council Joins Fight Against Takeover, The Philadelphia Inquirer, February 28, 2002.)

Rendell Urges Education Clause in Constitution
The Philadelphia Inquirer, March 1, 2002

Democratic gubernatorial candidate Edward G. Rendell has called for an amendment to the state constitution requiring that "a quality education system be provided for all Pennsylvania children."

Lots of Weapons, Few Expulsions
Philadelphia Daily News, February 28, 2002

Since Sept. 6, fewer than 10 percent of the 387 incidents involving weapons offenses in Philadelphia public schools have resulted in expulsion as required by the law, known as Act 26.

MARYLAND

City Offers Lesson on Improvements
The Baltimore Sun, March 5, 2002

For the first time in at least a decade, Baltimore first-graders exceeded the national averages on standardized reading and math exams - providing hope to a city desperately in need of better schools.

Districts Will Get Choice on MSPAP
The Baltimore Sun, March 5, 2002

To subdue mounting criticism of Maryland's annual exams, local school districts will be allowed to opt out of this spring's eighth-grade tests. (See also: Embattled Md. Exam Modified This Year, The Washington Post, March 5, 2002.)

Board to File Appeal on Metts Reinstatement
The Washington Times, March 3, 2002

The Prince George's County school board will file an appeal against the reinstatement of Superintendent Iris T. Metts, the board's new attorney said.

PG Schools' Aid Tied to Budget-Cut Battle
The Washington Times, March 4, 2002

Maryland Gov. Parris N. Glendening has told senators representing Prince George's County that he is willing to help them get more funding for their failing schools but needs their help to save his projects from budget cuts.

Many Schools Keep Indian Logos
The Washington Times, March 4, 2002

Almost half the Maryland schools that use Indian-inspired logos or team names have refused to abandon them despite the state school board urging of local school boards to re-examine their policies in July, according to a Maryland Department of Education report.

Private Funds for City High Schools
The Baltimore Sun, February 28, 2002

A group of 10 foundations led by Bill Gates' charitable organization is making an unusual $20 million investment in public education in Baltimore intended to fix the nine worst high schools and create at least six new ones.

Lack of Funds Hinders Work on Achievement
The Baltimore Sun, March 1, 2002

Howard County's Office of Academic Support has earned high praise for its efforts in closing the "achievement gap" between groups of district students aiming to reach state standards of success. However, it will not be receiving additional funding in the upcoming year to expand those efforts.

Metts Reinstated By Long-Standing, Little-Known Law
The Washington Post, February 28, 2002

The recent legal skirmish over control of the Prince George's County school system eventually came down to an almost forgotten state law that describes only the state superintendent's role in firing heads of local public school systems.

Md. Wants ESOL Students to Take Statewide Tests
The Washington Post, February 28, 2002

Maryland officials are trying to get more students who speak little English to take high-stakes state tests, a two-year process designed to push their teachers to increase their focus on academics.

Summer School To Focus On Needy
The Washington Post, February 28, 2002

Superintendent Jerry D. Weast is overhauling Montgomery County's summer school program to target the growing number of students who live in poverty and consistently score far lower on standardized test than do poor children elsewhere in the state.

VIRGINIA

Gays in School: Generally Uncomfortable
Environment, Area Students Say
Richmond Times-Dispatch, March 5, 2002

Most gay students at Richmond area schools tell the same tales of harassment, teasing and a generally uncomfortable environment.

Board Delays Decision On School Boundaries
The Washington Post, March 3, 2002

Faced with a choice between two problematic boundary proposals for two new middle schools opening in the fall, the Prince William County School Board agreed to delay its decision.

SPECIAL ARTICLES & REPORTS

"Boston Public": The N-Word
Fox TV, February 25, 2002

Bureaucracy and School Leadership
Hoover Institution, March 4, 2002

Right Task, Wrong Tool
American School Board Journal, February 2002

(The author argues that standardized tests are not the best way to evaluate schools or students.)

School Vouchers: A Supreme Opportunity
The Economist, March 5, 2002

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

For newsletters from previous weeks, visit the Mid-Atlantic Equity Consortium's News Archives page.

To subscribe to listservs on education and equity issues, please visit our Equity Listservs and E-mail Lists page.