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Here are news and opinion stories educators, advocates, policy wonks and makers are talking about today:
News and Analysis
A longtime ally of Louisiana Gov. Bobby Jindal is accusing the governor of violating the civil rights of poor children with his abrupt decision last week to renounce the Common Core academic standards. (Politico Pro)
A coalition of mayors and brain scientists are trying to get the U.S. government to make early childhood education both a priority and a right in America. This is just one of the many initiatives rolled out at the 82nd Annual U.S. Conference of Mayors meeting this week in Dallas. (WNYC)
Standard & Poor’s has issued a new report that extends its “negative” outlook for the charter school sector. Of 214 public charter school ratings done by the agency, 41, or 19 percent, are negative while only 4 — or 2 percent — are positive. Furthermore, it says, funding has not generally “returned to pre-recessionary levels, and some schools are struggling to operate in this “new normal.’” (Washington Post)
HKS Professor Christopher Avery’s research has shown that a large number of low-income students aren’t even applying for selective schools, despite being well qualified. He discusses his findings as well as another report detailing the efforts of a non-profit in Minnesota dedicated to preparing a broad base of low income students for 4-year institutions. (Harvard Kennedy School PolicyCast)
New Jersey
Last-minute votes could delay Common Core-related tests, reconfigure impact on teacher evaluations. (NJ Spotlight)
North Carolina
Republican lawmakers pushed forward Tuesday to repeal the Common Core education standards despite differences between the House and Senate about how to replace them. (News & Observer)