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Here are news and opinion stories educators, advocates, policy wonks and makers are talking about today:
News & analysis:
Common Core supporters say defections are no big deal
As lawmakers in Florida and Michigan debate whether to pull out from the new Common Core academic standards, states that have been writing the standards and related exams downplayed the defections as no big deal. (Washington Post)
Louisiana reinvents high school with private sector help
Louisiana Gov. Bobby Jindal’s latest plans to reinvent public education with the aid of the business community will accelerate this fall with the launch of a novel program that lets high school students take classes from the private sector on the public dime. (Politico)
Fla. Chief Changed Grade of Ind. School Run by GOP Donor, AP Finds
Former Indiana and current Florida schools chief Tony Bennett built his national star by promising to hold “failing” schools accountable. But when it appeared an Indianapolis charter school run by a prominent Republican donor might receive a poor grade, Bennett’s education team frantically overhauled his signature “A-F” school grading system to improve the school’s marks. (Education Week)
Minnesota:
Minnesota Board of Teaching should respect principals’ request re which teachers to hire
Will the Minnesota Board of Teaching respect the request of a principal whose school has been praised by several sources as one of the metro areas leading “beat the odds schools?” We’ll find out this Friday, August 2. (Twin Cities Daily Planet)
View Point:
Senators Rand Paul, Mike Lee, Tim Scott, Mitch McConnell and Lamar Alexander: School Choice: Part of the Solution to Our Broken Education System
One of the most important things we do as a society is educate our kids. Opportunity in education is the gateway to opportunity everywhere else — in our economy, in our society and in our democracy. (Huffington Post)