NEWS, CONFERENCES AND REPORTS on Education & Equity

NATIONAL

"Americans Just above Average in Math and Science"
The Washington Post, December 6, 2000

Although U.S. students' ratings rose on the most recent international comparisons of math and science test results, their average scores are about the same as their predecessors four years ago. During that initial round of international comparisons, U.S. eighth graders scored below average in math and just above average in science. The rise in their comparative ratings is attributed to more than a dozen Western European countries declining to participate this time along with a similar number of Russian states and other developing nations participating for the first time.

"Teaching Beyond the Middle"
The Washington Post, December 5, 2000

Millions of teachers find themselves "teaching to the middle" because time and curriculum demands do not allow them to accommodate the diverse needs and learning paces of the whole class. Research indicates that this tendency disadvantages those students who are at the top or bottom of the class who post fewer gains than "average students" when teaching is geared toward the middle.

"Why Aren't More Hispanics Going to College?"
The Washington Post, December 3, 2000

Latino youth are less likely to earn undergraduate degrees than their African American or white peers. The author argues that this phenomenon reflects a cultural emphasis on communal vs. individual advancement, reflected in trends such as young Latino adults forgoing education in favor of work in order to contribute to family household income.

"Number of Poor Children Has
Dropped, Census Data Show"
Education Week, December 6, 2000

The number of children living in poverty has declined across the nation as a whole, but some states have seen significant increases, according to U.S. Census Bureau data released last week that will be used in calculating federal aid under Title I.

"More Disabled Students Graduating,
Education Department Report Says"
Education Week, December 6, 2000

More of the nation's special education students are graduating from high school with regular diplomas than ever before, according to the Department of Education's annual report to Congress on the progress of students with disabilities. At the same time, the number of those students dropping out of school is slowly falling.

MARYLAND

"Maryland Exam Scores Hit a New High"
The Washington Post, November 30, 2000

Nineteen of the state's 24 school systems posted overall improvement on the Maryland School Performance Assessment Program, or MSPAP. Despite these gains, the state is far short of its goal of having 70 percent of students receive at least satisfactory score by this year and significant racial and gender gaps remain in scores.

DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA

"D.C. Schools Taken to Task on Repairs"
The Washington Post, December 5, 2000

Most of D.C.'s 148 schools remain in disrepair despite promises of improvements from school officials. Commonly cited problems include bad plumbing, flooding, and unsafe playgrounds. Parent activists have teamed up with the Washington Interfaith Network-a coalition including religious congregations- to document needed repairs, draft service agreements and negotiate completion dates with school officials.

"In the Race for Scores, One School is on Track"
The Washington Post, December 5, 2000

Several metro area schools that have experienced success using extended school hours to improve student achievement.

PENNSYLVANIA

"House Panel Accuses District Of
Cover-Ups And Lax Discipline"
Philadelphia Daily News, December 4, 2000

An investigative report by the Pennsylvania House of Representatives concludes that the school district's neglectful discipline practices help increase school violence by lowering the acceptable-behavior standard.

RESOURCES

The Condition of Education, 2000
National Center for Education Statistics (NCES)

The Condition of Education is an indicator report, summarizing the status of education, monitoring important developments, and showing trends in major aspects of education such as, kindergarten educational achievement, student effort and educational progress, the quality of elementary and secondary educational environments and societal support for learning.

"Solving the Dilemmas of Teacher Supply, Demand, and Standards: How We Can Ensure a Competent, Caring, and Qualified Teacher for Every Child"
by Linda Darling-Hammond, National Commission on Teaching and America's Future, 2000

This article reviews effective strategies for states and school districts to consider in addressing problems of teacher supply, demand, and quality.

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The Mid-Atlantic Equity Center is one of ten Equity Assistance Centers funded by the U.S. Department of Education under Title IV of the Civil Rights Act of 1964. It provides technical assistance and training services free of charge to school districts in Delaware, the District of Columbia, Maryland, Pennsylvania, Virginia and West Virginia.

	EDUCATION & EQUITY NEWS
	Week of December 4, 2000