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Here are news and opinion stories educators, advocates, policy wonks and makers are talking about today:
News & analysis:
Broad Foundation Names Three Finalists for Charter Schools Prize
The Eli and Edythe Broad Foundation today named three of the nation’s best-known charter-management organizations as finalists for its national award for top-performing charter schools. (Education Week – District Dossier)
Judge declines to block D.C. school closures
Schools Chancellor Kaya Henderson can move forward with plans to close 15 D.C. schools, a federal judge ruled Wednesday, rejecting activists’ claims that the closures violate the civil rights of city children. (Washington Post)
Pre-K Assessments Fall Short on Teacher Performance, Study Says
Twenty states now use student performance in the early grades to assess teachers, yet current evaluation systems don’t provide an accurate picture of what’s happening in the classroom, asserts a study released today by the Washington-based New America Foundation, a nonprofit that aims to promote equity, access and excellence in education. (Education Week – Early Years)
The moderate extremism of relinquishment
Relinquishment is based on three principles: (1) educators should operate schools, (2) families should choose amongst these schools, and (3) government should hold schools accountable for performance and equity. Outside of these three principles, I hold few ironclad beliefs on education. Yet in conversation, I find that others attribute principles to Relinquishment that I don’t hold. This probably stems from a lack of clear communication on my part, so let me provide additional clarity. (Flypaper)
Chicago Teachers Union Lawsuit: Teachers File Suit Over Pending School Closings
With the Chicago Board of Education set to vote in a week on closing 54 of the city’s public schools and co-locating 11 others, the Chicago Teachers Union filed two federal lawsuits Wednesday aimed at bringing the pending closures to a halt. (Huffington Post)
New York:
On Education, Thompson Tries to Set Himself Apart
He would keep mayoral control of the New York City school system, but relinquish control of the board that approves educational policy. He would cease closing schools as aggressively as the Bloomberg administration has been, yet “take action” against faltering schools. (New York Times)