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Here are news and opinion stories educators, advocates, policy wonks and makers are talking about today:
News and Analysis:
D.C. charter schools expel students at far higher rates than traditional public schools
The District’s public charter schools have expelled students at a far higher rate than the city’s traditional public schools in recent years, according to school data, highlighting a key difference between two sectors that compete for the District’s students and taxpayer dollars. (Washington Post)
California Gets Official NCLB Waiver Rejection Letter
U.S. Secretary of Education Arne Duncan has put in writing why he’s rejecting California’s request for a waiver under the No Child Left Behind Act. It’s quite simple, really: You didn’t follow all of our rules. (Education Week – Politics K-12)
Minnesota:
Parents United: Testing, teachers, parent involvement and funding top education agenda for Minnesota legislature
Testing, teacher evaluation and tenure, and school funding were among the top issues discussed at the Parents United for Public Schools annual legislative kick-off on January 5. About 75 parents, teachers, school board members, and people from other advocacy groups contributed to lively discussion after Parents United director Mary Cecconi’s PowerPoint presentation. (Twin Cities Daily Planet)
Achievement gaps, early education, and Minnesota’s changing demographics
Education achievement gaps across races and economic strata are a problem throughout the country and, despite a high overall education ranking, Minnesota is no exception. (Twin Cities Daily Planet)
New Jersey:
Most eligible Newark teachers decline new bonus program
As Newark’s landmark teachers contract begins to be implemented, only about 20 percent of district teachers who can opt to earn bonuses for exemplary evaluations and service in hard-to-fill slots have actually decided to do so. (Hechinger Report)
New York:
Teachers Irate as Bloomberg Likens Union to the N.R.A.
Of all the polarizing things Mayor Michael R. Bloomberg has said and done over the years, from banning large sugary drinks to supporting congestion pricing, few have generated the sort of viral backlash that has unexpectedly mounted after his weekly radio show on Friday. (New York Times)