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Here are news and opinion stories educators, advocates, policy wonks and makers are talking about today:
News & analysis:
Senate Committee Passes Democratic NCLB Renewal Bill
On a completely predictable party-line vote, the Senate Education Committee approved a bill to reauthorize the long-stalled renewal of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act. (Education Week – Politics K-12)
Senate committee approves bill updating federal education law
On a party line vote, a Senate committee approved a bill Wednesday to update the country’s main federal education law by erasing some of its most punitive aspects. The Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor and Pensions voted 12 to 10 on the bill filed by chairman Tom Harkin (D-Iowa), with Democrats defeating nearly every amendment Republicans offered. (Washington Post)
Final Evaluation of the Next Generation Science Standards
In the final evaluation of the Next Generation Science Standards (NGSS), the Thomas B. Fordham Institute grants the standards a C grade. The NGSS grade is superior to grades we granted to the science standards of sixteen states and the PISA framework in the State of State Science Standards 2012 but inferior to those of twelve states and the District of Columbia, as well as the NAEP and TIMSS frameworks. (Thomas B. Fordham Institute)
Education Secretary Arne Duncan works to sell Obama administration’s preschool initiative
Arne Duncan woke at 5:30 a.m. in his Arlington County home, was driven to the airport and folded his 6-foot-5 frame into an aisle seat in coach. The education secretary buckled his seat belt and tilted his head back for a short flight to Atlanta, another stop in his uphill effort to sell the Obama administration’s next big idea: pre-kindergarten for every 4-year-old in the country. (Washington Post)
States Seek Flexibility During Common-Test Transition
With the debut of common assessments less than two years away, states and districts are worried about the accountability systems that hinge on those tests. A growing chorus of policy groups is urging more flexibility in how states evaluate teachers, label schools, and enforce other high-stakes consequences during what’s likely to be a messy transition. (Education Week)
Minnesota:
Education view: Testing reform, teacher evaluations are needed for quality education
Congress is debating what’s next for the Elementary and Secondary Education Act and No Child Left Behind. Minnesota was privileged to receive a waiver from No Child Left Behind, granting us flexibilities toward every child having access to a great public school. Our schools need flexibility to do what they do best: teach kids. But we also need to hold the system accountable. (Duluth News Tribune)