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Here are news and opinion stories educators, advocates, policy wonks and makers are talking about today:
News and Analysis:
Graduation Rates for Individual High Schools Unveiled
The U.S. Department of Education today posted online data on the graduation-rate performance of individual schools. The new data follow state-level graduation rates for 2010-11 that the department released in December. (Education Week – College Bound)
CPS panel: Up to 80 schools could close
Mayor Rahm Emanuel’s administration could safely close or overhaul as many as 80 schools this year, according to the final report of a commission that just two months ago voiced misgivings about the district’s ability to close a large number of schools without major upheaval. (Chicago Tribune)
News Corp. Education Tablet: For The Love Of Learning?
The educational division of the media conglomerate News Corp, called Amplify, unveiled a new digital tablet this week at the SXSW tech conference in Austin, Texas, intended to serve millions of schoolchildren and their teachers across the country. (National Public Radio)
New Jersey:
Cerf Goes Public About Student Test Scores and Teacher Evaluations
The Christie administration yesterday continued to fill in the details of next year’s new teacher evaluation system, including how — and how much — test scores will be used to determine final ratings. (NJ Spotlight)
Pennsylvania:
Philadelphia Officials Vote to Close 23 Schools
Officials on Thursday night approved closing 23 public schools, about 10 percent of the city’s total, largely backing a plan by the school district to erase a huge budget deficit and reduce the number of underused schools. (New York Times)
View Point:
Making Teacher Evaluation a Launch Pad for Growth
It was one of the best lines of the last 2012 presidential debate, even if it wasn’t delivered by Barack Obama or Mitt Romney. After much back and forth on education policy and the importance of teachers, moderator Bob Schieffer summed it up: “I think we all love teachers.” (Education Week)