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Here are news and opinion stories educators, advocates, policy wonks and makers are talking about today:
News and Analysis
The governors of Oklahoma and South Carolina signed bills within the past week repealing the Common Core state standards, guidelines for children’s achievement in reading and math between kindergarten and high school graduation. Both states had been among the 46 and the District of Columbia that had adopted the standards, written by a group of educators and other experts convened by the National Governors Association and the Council of Chief State School Officers. But as resistance grew in their states, lawmakers moved to replace them with standards developed within the states. Gov. Nikki R. Haley of South Carolina signed that state’s bill last week, and Gov. Mary Fallin of Oklahoma signed a bill on Thursday that would require educators in the state to set new standards to replace the Common Core. (New York Times)
This month, more than three million high school students will receive their diplomas. At more than 80 percent, America’s graduation rate is at a record high. More kids are going to college, too. But one-third of the nation’s African-American and Latino young men will not graduate. (New York Times)
It is a partnership that makes perfect sense, higher education leaders joining with their K-12 counterparts and others to work to create a national set of standards that would ensure that young people leave school armed with the knowledge they need to be successful in college, work and life. It is an effort that everyone has a stake in — and while the progress made to date has been conspicuous, so too are the risks unless we remain vigilant and energetic. (Huffington Post)
The pair of education advocates had a big idea, a new approach to transform every public-school classroom in America. By early 2008, many of the nation’s top politicians and education leaders had lined up in support. (Washington Post)
New Jersey
He has shown up to call for better schools and safer streets, to sign laws and promote projects favored by a political ally – and even to milk media attention with Shaq. (Philly.com)