Education News: February 10, 2006

Following are some of the top headlines from the world of education for the week ending February 10, 2006.

On-time high school education declines in 2005
(Source: New York Times, 02/10/06) New York City’s on-time graduation rate declined from 54.2% to 53.2%, a shift that Robert Tobias, director of the Center for Research on Teaching and Learning at New York University's Steinhardt School of Education, is not calling substantial but questionable. The mayor’s office associates the decreased graduation rate with the falling dropout rate; claiming that students who would have normally dropped out are opting for a fifth year in high school.

Sweeping lay-off plan imperils teachers
(Source: Columbus Dispatch , 02/09/06) In order to cope with a smaller budget resulting from increasing numbers of charter schools, high gas prices, and changes in state aid, Ohio’s South-Western school district is hoping to buy out 10% of its teaching staff. The district’s focus is to eliminate 100 higher-paid teaching and administration positions and 100 classified positions such as custodians, cooks, and secretaries.

Bill offers school money to ban junk food
(Source: The Arizona Republic , 02/09/06) A bill, supported by the Arizona state school chief and school board dieticians, being debated in Arizona would give volunteering high schools $50,000 to spend on extracurricular and classroom activities in exchange for only serving healthy and nutritious items in their vending machines. This bill is on the heels of a similar bill passed last year banning junk food from elementary and middle schools. Opponents, such as the Arizona Beverage Association, call the bill unnecessary because the vending machines are currently required to carry half healthy or low calorie beverages.

Making varsity with a ball that has holes in it
(Source: New York Times, 02/08/06) High schools nationwide have begun to add bowling to their sports rosters. Bowling is appealing to schools because it is inexpensive, requiring only a nearby bowling alley and a coach. It also attracts students who normally avoid athletics.

School’s top score no accident
(Source: Chicago Sun Times , 02/08/06) Chicago’s Morgan Park High can proudly boast of having the highest number of African American students to pass the English language/composition and the European history AP exam than any other high school nationwide.  The principal calls the feat awesome and bittersweet because 32 students scored a 3 or higher on the English exam and 26 students on the European history exam.  Morgan Park attributes its students’ success to early preparation and by making AP classes a normal part of the school’s culture.

Can kids go from Pre-K to full day
(Source: Salt Lake Tribune, 02/07/06) A new $7 million bill passed in Utah allows public and charter schools with a high number of disadvantaged students, as determined by qualifying for free and reduced lunch, to begin all-day Kindergarten.  Opponents fear that the bill will allow parents to use state funds for the equivalent of a daycare and worry that students will be separated too soon from their parents.  The counter-argument is that low-income students are entering school at lower levels; thus an all-day kindergarten will help to alleviate these gaps.

Where one plus many equals success
(Source: The Baltimore Sun , 02/06/06) Two Andover School Committee members hope to create a funded position with the school board whose sole task is to find and secure funding opportunities for system-wide initiatives concerning alternative education.  Currently, extra funding is the responsibility of the assistant superintendent and school principals.  Based on the results of two similar foundations, proponents hope that a new position could bring in millions of extra dollars.    

Finding extra cash for school
(Source: Boston Globe, 02/05/06) Two Andover School Committee members hope to create a funded position with the school board whose sole task is to find and secure funding opportunities for system-wide initiatives concerning alternative education.  Currently, extra funding is the responsibility of the assistant superintendent and school principals.  Based on the results of two similar foundations, proponents hope that a new position could bring in millions of extra dollars.  

Record funding boost likely for schools
(Source: Washington Post , 02/05/06) A proposed $500 million baseball stadium in Washington, D.C., galvanized parents and activists to create a strong lobbying force for increased school funding.  The activists’ saving grace was the Fenty bill, which proposed a feasible way for the city to spend $200 million a year on school modernization.  On the 14th of February, City Council is predicted to preliminarily approve the bill.