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Here are news and opinion stories educators, advocates, policy wonks and makers are talking about today:
News and Analysis
No one can accuse Jeb Bush of abandoning substance in a presidential campaign that is increasingly dominated by candidates like Donald Trump and Sen. Ted Cruz (R-Tex.), who harbor only passing concerns with policy. “Hey, I’m a substantial guy,” Bush jokes in a phone interview. “I think ideas have consequences.” Bush is now rolling out an education plan, reflecting his passion and interest in the subject and one of his strong suits as governor of Florida. (The Washington Post)
New acting U.S. Secretary of Education John King used his first major speech, on Martin Luther King Jr. Day, to call for continued attention to educational equity, even as states and school districts prepare for new flexibility on K-12 accountability. (Education Week)
Judging by the number of learning apps available to classrooms around the country, the education technology market aimed at elementary through high schools is booming. (The New York Times)
America’s traditional teacher preparation programs are under siege; enrollment is dwindling, as prospective teachers turn to increasingly popular alternative programs. There are calls for regulators to step in to shut down the worst institutions and help many others improve. But where should experts look to for best practices? (The Hechinger Report)
Microsoft announced today that it is acquiring MinecraftEdu, a version of the popular video game created specifically for teachers and classrooms. MinecraftEdu, which is used by “over 5,500 teachers in 40+ countries,” is a product from Teacher Gaming LLC. It is “officially supported” by Mojang, but not an official Mojang product. Microsoft bought Mojang last fall for $2.5 billion. Now it plans to acquire MinecraftEdu and replace it with Minecraft: Education Edition. (Forbes)
New York
In New York City’s stratified high-school system, some schools abound with academic superstars, while others are crowded with students who struggle with basic math and reading. One group of schools was designed to be different. (The Atlantic)