EDUCATION & EQUITY NEWS    

NATIONAL

Number of Dropouts Awarded GEDs Falls
The New York Times, July 30, 2001

The number of American school dropouts who received a GED high school diploma dropped by 3.1 percent last year. However, test officials predict a surge in recipients before an update of the 59-year-old testing and diploma program is introduced in January.

White House Plan to Teach Children to Read
The Christian Science Monitor, July 30, 2001

The Bush administration wants to make early childhood reading a national priority, but it wants to promote only programs that are "proven" to be effective. While lauding the new emphasis on accountability, critics worry about a lack of funding, a lack of teachers - and what the definition of "proven" might turn out to be.

A 'Scary' Problem: Reading Beyond 9
The Baltimore Sun, July 29, 2001

Many students who read well enough in the primary grades confront difficulties later. According to Harvard University Professor Catherine E. Snow, there's very little research on the problem, which she traces to poor skills in comprehension - the understanding of text.

Teens Set Back Under Workfare
The Washington Times, May 31, 2001

According to a new study released by Child Trends, the teen-age children of working welfare parents are showing signs of distress, including lower academic achievement and greater behavioral problems.

Administration Promoting Abstinence Family
Planning Efforts Are Being Scaled Back
The Washington Post, July 30, 2001

Since taking office, President Bush and top aides have refused to allow states to expand family planning services for poor women, reimposed a ban on abortion counseling at overseas health clinics, released a report questioning the effectiveness of condoms and proposed eliminating mandatory contraceptive coverage for federal employees.

Opinion: Investment Without Invective
Education Week, July 11, 2001

Former Secretary of Education Richard W. Riley writes: "a policy of high standards and increased accountability without increased investments will almost certainly create a public backlash against the president's reforms and do lasting damage to the standards movement."

Unmasking the Poor
The New York Times, July 30, 2001

According to a new report (pdf) from the Economic Policy Institute in Washington and Barbara Ehrenreich's latest book, Nickel and Dimed, conditions for the working poor in the United States are worse than ever.

Many Poor Children Still Lack Health Insurance, Despite Near-Universal Eligibility (Press Release)
Center for Studying Health System Change (HSC),
July 25, 2001

According to a new study (pdf file) by HSC, a nonpartisan policy research organization, despite near-universal eligibility through the State Children's Health Insurance Program (SCHIP), Medicaid and employer-sponsored coverage, millions of low-income children still lack health insurance.

Poll: Prejudice, Schools Top Hispanic Concerns
Atlanta Journal-Constitution, July 25, 2001

According to a national poll released by the Hispanic Business Roundtable and the Latino Coalition, discrimination and education are the most important issues affecting Hispanics.

The Tip of the Iceberg: SURR Schools
and Academic Failure in New York City
The Manhattan Institute, July 2001

Since 1989, the New York State Education Department has been issuing a list of low-performing public schools that are targeted for corrective action. They supposedly run the risk of being closed if significant improvements are not made. A new study finds that despite the threat of closure, the SURR program has done very little to improve the quality of education for New York City’s at-risk students.

The Act to Leave No Child Behind -
S. 940 and H.R. 1990 (Press Release)
Children's Defense Fund, 2001

Marian Wright Edelman, founder and president of the Children's Defense Fund (CDF), announced details of a new comprehensive bill that would help ensure all children in America get what they need to thrive and grow up safe, healthy, and educated.

NEA Issues Challenge for White House
Early Childhood Conference (Press Release)
National Education Association, July 25, 2001

On the eve of the White House Conference on Early Childhood, the nation's teachers challenged President Bush to fill the gaps in early child care. NEA President Bob Chase praised President Bush's focus on literacy, but warned that his plan will be built on quicksand if it does not adequately address the health, nutrition, brain and social development needs of infants and toddlers.

New CDC Report Shows Teen Birth
Rate Hits Record Low (Press Release)
CDC, July 24, 2001

According to a preliminary report on births from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the U.S. teen birth rate declined to a record low in 2000 -- 22 percent lower than the rate in 1991 when the decline began.

VIRGINIA

SOL Debate Reveals Bitter Division in Virginia
The Washington Post, July 31, 2001

Virginia state school board member Mark C. Christie, a supporter of the Virginia Standards of Learning tests, and Mickey VanDerwerker, a member of the Bedford County (Va.) school board and a co-founder of Parents Across Virginia United to Reform SOLs, debate on the issue of the SOLs.

Domenech Awarded Pay Raise of 5.8% |
The Washington Post, July 28, 2001

The Fairfax County School Board has approved a 5.8 percent raise for Superintendent Daniel A. Domenech, increasing his salary from $205,000 to $217,000 a year.

DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA

District Readies Schools Shake-Up
The Washington Post, July 29, 2001

District school officials are close to completing a five-year blueprint for systemwide improvements that will set ambitious goals for student test-score gains, strengthen efforts to hold staff accountable and seek more training and higher salaries for teachers and principals.

House Votes to Expand D.C. Tuition Break
The Washington Post, July 31, 2001

The House of Representatives voted yesterday to expand a college aid program to allow virtually all high school graduates living in the District to attend public colleges across the country at in-state tuition rates.

Disabled Pupils' Bus Service Still Faulted
The Washington Post, July 28, 2001

The District's summer bus service for disabled students has been marred by tardiness and other problems, according to parents, administrators and student advocates, even though the school system is using more buses and transporting fewer children than during the regular school year.

MARYLAND

Metts Survives Board Attempt to Oust Her
The Washington Post, July 29, 2001

A bid by members of the Prince George's Board of Education to oust School Superintendent Iris T. Metts fell one vote short today, but the board still delivered a rebuke by granting her no bonus or raise. (See also: Metts Calls Lawyer On Review's Release, The Washington Post, July 31, 2001)

Switching Schools -- and Counties
The Washington Post, July 28, 2001

Prince George's County School Superintendent Iris T. Metts said she is angry that Montgomery County officials are actively recruiting top principals and teachers away from Prince George's, luring 11 principals in the past two years with the promise of higher salaries and better resources.

Method Works, But How Well?
The Baltimore Sun, July 30, 2001

Six elementary schools signed on when the Direct Instruction program was first offered in Baltimore in 1996-1997 as a five-year experiment by the nonprofit Baltimore Curriculum Project, run by the Abell Foundation. Five years later, this closely studied experiment has produced mixed results.

City Ready with New Teachers
The Baltimore Sun, July 26, 2001

With fewer vacancies and higher pay attracting more applicants, Baltimore officials say they have enough teachers to start the school year.

Maryland Board Seeks End to Indian Mascots
The Baltimore Sun, July 25, 2001

Though powerless to order it, the state school board voted 10-2 yesterday to do all it can to stop the use of American Indian mascot names in Maryland public schools.

SPECIAL ARTICLES & REPORTS

How to Fix the Coming Principal Shortage
Time.com, July 30, 2001

Hardships in America:
The Real Story of Working Families(pdf file)
Economic Policy Institute, 2001

Targeting Communities with High
Rates of Uninsured Children (pdf file)
Center for Studying Health System Change (HSC)
July 25, 2001

The Tip of the Iceberg: SURR Schools
and Academic Failure in New York City
The Manhattan Institute, July 2001

Welfare Reform's Impact on Adolescents:
Early Warning Signs (pdf file)
Child Trends Research Brief, July 2001

WEBSITES & LINKS

Association for Direct Instruction
(www.adihome.org)

A non-profit organization dedicated primarily to providing support for teachers and other educators who use Direct Instruction programs.

Center for Children and Technology (CCT)
(www2.edc.org/CCT/cctweb)

A center founded by New York City's Bank Street College of Education in 1980 to address the issue of technology in learning.

Child Trends
(www.childtrends.org)

A nonprofit, nonpartisan research organization that studies children, youth, and families through research, data collection, and data analysis.

The Mid-Atlantic Regional Teachers Project
(www.c-b-e.org/martp/intro.htm)

A regional collaboration to address data-driven policy impacting teacher quality and the region's teacher supply and demand.

New Leaders for New Schools
(www.nlns.org)

A national non-profit organization "devoted to improving education for all children by attracting and preparing the next generation of outstanding leaders for urban public schools."

Project 2061
(www.project2061.org)

The long-term initiative of the American Association for the Advancement of Science working to reform K-12 science, mathematics, and technology education nationwide.

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