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Here are news and opinion stories educators, advocates, policy wonks and makers are talking about today:
News and Analysis
National
Senators Hammer at DeVos on Planned Budget Cuts, Proposed Vouchers
Senators had a clear message for U.S. Secretary of Education Betsy DeVos in a budget hearing here Wednesday: Don’t get too attached to your budget proposal.
Republican and Democratic senators on the Senate education appropriations subcommittee expressed skepticism about cuts and eliminated programs in the budget proposal for the U.S. Department of Education. And Democrats sparred with DeVos over how the spending blueprint for fiscal 2018 handles Title I spending on disadvantaged students, and how a voucher proposal would handle issues of discrimination. (Education Week)
DeVos says school spending and student outcomes aren’t related, but recent research suggests otherwise
More money is not the answer for schools, suggested U.S. Education Secretary Betsy DeVos in Senate testimony Tuesday — but a wave of new studies show that additional money for schools can make a big difference for students. In an exchange with Louisiana Senator John Kennedy, DeVos reiterated her view on the topic. Kennedy began by saying, “Do you find it at all strange that in America now, we seem to judge success in education by how much money we’re spending as opposed to whether our kids are learning?” (Chalkbeat)
Education Philanthropist Helps Students Excel
When money manager George Weiss made a promise 30 years ago to 112 poor sixth-graders in Philadelphia that he would pay their college tuition, he launched an unusually hands-on philanthropic mission. He took the teenagers to football games. When he learned that some were dealing drugs, he went to their homes to “get in their faces.” Although he never dreamed it would be necessary, he gave six of them eulogies. (The Wall Street Journal)
The Downside to Career and Technical Education
Quick: What’s one education topic that Betsy DeVos, Randi Weingarten, Donald Trump, and Al Franken all support? It’s actually career and technical education—something they’ve all said America’s schools need in order to better prepare graduates for the economy. President Trump even praised Germany’s approach to vocational education recently. (The Atlantic)
State
Delaware
Lawmakers vote to abolish State Board of Education
DOVER — The executive director of the Delaware Board of Education says she was caught off-guard by lawmakers voting to get rid of the group. The board was one of several casualties of May 30’s meeting of the Joint Finance Committee.While that action could still be undone it appears for now the long-standing group is going away. (Delaware State News)
Georgia
Georgia Group Publishes Statewide Legislative Scorecard on School Choice
At Georgia Center for Opportunity, we want the best educated kids in the world because we know a good education is crucial for a child to have the best chance for a successful, fulfilling future. (Georgia Center for Opportunity)
Maryland
Baltimore Teachers Union files second grievance over layoffs
The Baltimore Teachers Union has filed a second grievance against the city school district over the layoff of teachers and aides last week, saying administrators failed to provide required notice that would allow union leaders to try and save the jobs. (The Baltimore Sun)
New York
Long-Awaited Plan for Integrating Schools Proves Mostly Small-Bore
For months, New York City had promised to deliver what Mayor Bill de Blasio called a “bigger vision” for integrating the city’s racially divided public schools. Activists pressed their ideas. Students rallied on the steps of City Hall to demand a voice. But when the plan landed on Tuesday, it was with a whimper. The mayor did not appear in public to talk about it. Neither did the schools chancellor. Instead, the city’s Education Department emailed out a news release, which did not even use the word “segregation.” (The New York Times)
South Carolina
Seeking change in CCSD, Charleston parents take crash course on ins and outs of education
CHARLESTON COUNTY, S.C. (WCIV) — Some Charleston County parents are done waiting for the school district’s perceived problems to resolve themselves. Tuesday night, 12 women became the first-ever graduating class of the education advocacy group Charleston Rise. The group went through an intense 20-week course, learning the ins and outs of the education system and how they can effectively advocate change on the local level. (ABC News 4)