EDUCATION & EQUITY NEWS    

NATIONAL

"Budget Agreement Gives Ed.
Department Largest-Ever Increase"
Education Week, December 18, 2000

On December 15th, Congress approved a fiscal 2001 spending package, now awaiting President Clinton's expected signature, that gives the U.S. Department of Education an additional $6.5 billion for discretionary programs, for a total of $42.1 billion.

"Appeals Court Rejects Cleveland Voucher Program"
Education Week, December 13, 2000

A federal appeals court ruled on Dec. 11 that the Cleveland program which allows low-income students to attend private and religious schools with publicly funded vouchers violates the U.S. Constitution's prohibition against a government establishment of religion.

Visit Education Week's issue page on school vouchers for more information on the subject.


"Exit-Exam Retreats Reflect
Fears That Students Lack Skills"
The Los Angeles Times, December 17, 2000

Fearing that too many students will flunk, California and many other states are curbing plans to require high school seniors to pass single high-stakes exams before they can earn diplomas.

"Grad Rate Increases in Nation"
The Detroit News, December 19, 2000

According to a March population survey conducted by the census bureau, more Americans than ever are graduating from high school and college, and the longtime gap in high school graduation rates between whites and blacks is continuing to narrow.

"Rating the E-rate"
Education Week, September 20, 2000

The E-rate Program, a multibillion-dollar effort to help schools take advantage of the Internet, has provided great benefits as well as frustrations.

"Who Should Teach?"
Education Week, Quality Counts 2000

This 50-state report card on public education focuses on how to recruit, screen and retain teachers.

MARYLAND

MSPAP Gauges Student Performance Far
Better Than Nationally Normed Tests
The Washington Post, December 14, 2000

This article praises the high standards of the Maryland School Performance Assessment Program (MSPAP).

VIRGINIA

"Support System for Schools, Students"
The Washington Post, December 15, 2000

Three elementary schools in Fairfax County will be the first in Northern Virginia to join Communities in Schools, a nationwide effort that makes community resources available to schools to help students learn, stay in class and ready themselves for life after graduation.

PENNSYLVANIA

"Report on Philadelphia Schools
Shows Progress Has Slowed"
The Philadephia Inquirer, December 16, 2000

According to a performance index based on attendance, test scores and other measures, Philadelphia schools improved only 2.4 points over the past two years, compared to nearly eight points in the previous two-year cycle.

"In Chester, School Bids Are Offered"
The Philadelphia Inquirer, December 19, 2000

Eight private organizations that have expressed interest in managing one or more of the Chester Upland School District's 10 schools as part of the district recovery plan.

RESOURCES

"All School Finance Equalizations Are Not Created Equal"
Caroline Huxby, Harvard University (Adobe PDF file)

The author, an economist, explains that school finance equalization (SFE) schemes can sometimes have unintended consequences. Namely, they can shrink the "pie" of the total spending as they divide it more evenly. Consequently, per-pupil spending can actually decrease in districts that were intended beneficiaries of the reform.

"Computer Equity @ School"
Equity Coalition for Race, Gender and National Origin (Adobe PDF file)

This newsletter contains a series of articles on technology and equity issues. For other articles and resources on the topic, please visit MAEC's Equity in Technology page

Black Alliance for Educational Options (BAEO)

BAEO is a new national organization, formed in August 2000, whose mission is to actively support parental choice to empower families and increase educational options for Black children.

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