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Here are news and opinion stories educators, advocates, policy wonks and makers are talking about today:
News and Analysis
I write about American public education for a living. As someone who cares profoundly about inequality and the state of social mobility in the United States, I’ve come to truly love my work. But it’s time for me to confess: I am a “teacher hater.” I’m also bent on “undermining public education” in service of my “corporate overlords.” Or, at least, that’s what my inbox tells me every time I write something about charter schools, Teach For America, or education politics in general. (Talking Points Memo)
States and districts would be encouraged to help grow high-quality charter schools—and ensure that they enroll and retain English-language learners and students in special education—under a bipartisan bill approved overwhelmingly by the House Education and the Workforce Committee last week. (Education Week)
Maryland
A new report shows that Montgomery County Public Schools has lost ground in recent years in narrowing the achievement gap between its high-poverty and low-poverty high schools. The depiction of a system geographically divided between highly ranked schools serving affluent, mainly white and Asian students and those where poor and mainly minority students struggle should serve as a wake-up call for renewed action. (Washington Post)
New York
A judge on Tuesday tossed out a lawsuit brought by the United Federation of Teachers to block the opening of 13 charter schools in September that are sharing space with existing public schools, including seven charters run by former city councilwoman Eva Moskowitz. Meanwhile, the city’s Law Department defended 36 other co-located schools challenged by Public Advocate Letitia James. (NY Daily News)
North Carolina
A month before the legislative session reconvenes, the likelihood that all North Carolina teachers will see a pay raise this year appears to be fading. (News and Observer)
Teacher resignations have increased by an “alarming” 41 percent this school year, Wake County school leaders said Thursday, in a development they said makes it harder to keep high-quality educators in the classrooms working with students.
Pennsylvania
A panelist who spoke out in favor of a portfolio school model that “dumps the low performers” has set off controversy about Philadelphia public schools. (The Philadelphia Tribune)