Here are news and opinion stories educators, advocates, policy wonks and makers are talking about today:
News & analysis:
This Week’s School Choice News Roundup
To round out the week, here’s a look back on this week’s school choice news from around the country. (Education Week – Charters and Choice)
Home visiting programs are preschool in its earliest form
Caleb Cantres-Maldonado was all of 6 weeks old and just stirring from a nap when his mother propped him up and pointed him in the direction of a picture book. “Look what I have! See the book?” said Milenka St. Clair, a family support worker who visits Caleb’s Manassas home once a week. “It’s a drum! What else do you see?” (Washington Post)
Maryland:
Jason Botel: Time to raise the bar for city schools
As the founder of KIPP Baltimore, which operates two high-performing public charter schools in the city, I am heartened and encouraged by our progress over the past six years under schools CEO Andrés Alonso. As I move to a new role as executive director of MarylandCAN — the Maryland Campaign for Achievement Now — I am hopeful that many of the policies and approaches that have driven this progress will be replicated in other Maryland school systems. (Baltimore Sun)
New York:
Without good schools, New York won’t be ‘Open for Business’
Gov. Andrew Cuomo wants to reinvigorate the business climate in New York. It is a worthy goal and he deserves credit for the initiative to create enthusiasm and incentives for business not only to stay in New York, but to move here. (Syracuse.com)
Education, Vision and the Mayor’s Race
The Democratic candidates for New York mayor, whirling around the boroughs on the debate-and-forum carousel, have been struggling for advantage and the attention of tuned-out voters. But they have had no trouble infuriating the Bloomberg administration, which seems to be getting touchier about criticism as it heads to the exits. (New York Times)