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Here are news and opinion stories educators, advocates, policy wonks and makers are talking about today:
News & analysis:
Business Organizations Focus on Common Core This Week
The common-core standards have been kicked around a bit at the state level recently, but they would appear to be in line for a boost inside the Beltway this week as a pair of leading business organizations that support those academic benchmarks convene, with education high on the agenda. (Education Week – Curriculum Matters)
Louisiana Vouchers, Desegregation Case Prove Volatile Mix
There’s a clash of eras going on in Louisiana, where the last remnants of a long-standing desegregation case threaten to thwart state officials who say they have a more modern approach to school reform—one that embraces private school vouchers. (Education Week)
Brown not backing away from decision to suspend state standardized tests
In remarks Monday, Gov. Jerry Brown defended the state’s decision to suspend state standardized tests this year and instead offer students a practice test in the Common Core standards that’s now being developed. And he gave no sign of steering away from a collision with the federal government over this issue. (Ed Source)
Minnesota:
MinnCAN: Announcing our ‘Road to Success’ tour!
Like the 800,000-plus kids in public schools across Minnesota, Daniel Sellers and I are headed back to school—big yellow bus and all. Tomorrow we’ll embark on our first statewide listening tour, “Road to Success.” Along the way, your education advocacy nonprofit will visit 12 communities to connect with Minnesotans, see great teachers and principals at work in some of our most successful schools, and learn from people like you what needs to change at the capitol if we’re serious about improving public education for every child. (MinnCAN)
New York:
NYCAN: Early college high schools spread across the state
Back in April, we celebrated when the state budget committed funding to expand early college high schools throughout the state. The budget included grants to support all ECHSs through competitive grants, but also specific funding to replicate the success of P-TECH, an early college program in Brooklyn that goes above-and-beyond in preparing its students for the world after 12th grade. (NYCAN)
For Bloomberg, a Day to Celebrate Successful Schools
Mayor Michael R. Bloomberg; the schools chancellor, Dennis M. Walcott; and senior education officials took a victory lap of sorts on Monday, visiting 22 New York City public schools that ranked among the state’s top 25 in reading and math exams given last spring. (New York Times)
Pennsylvania:
What does it really take for kids to be ready for school?
In the drugstore, when I got lost looking for shampoo and ended up on the “Back to School” aisle, I saw a mother with three young children picking out school supplies. The girl wanted everything pink. The boy wanted anything “Spider-Man.” The baby wanted something to chew on. And the mother wanted a break. (Pittsburgh Post-Gazette)