Education News: March 17, 2006

Following are some of the top headlines from the world of education for the week ending March 17, 2006.

House panel moves to re-establish school vouchers
(Source: The Saint Petersburg Times, 03/16/06) Republicans are hoping to change the part of Florida’s constitution that the state’s Supreme Court used two months ago to declare school vouchers illegal, through creating a new bill. The bill will eliminate the use of expressio unius, which means that the expression of one thing excludes the other. This provision was used in the voucher case because of the state constitution’s assertion that the state would provide a free education. Vouchers were struck down because it would imbibe the funds for a free education. Democrats are calling the bill deceitful because its end goal, to advance the plight of vouchers, is not mentioned.

Gimme an A! High-spirited rallies for high stakes test
(Source: The Washington Post, 03/16/06) Maryland’s Prince George County has been gearing up for its high-stakes test that measures the schools’ yearly progress under No Child Left Behind. Elementary schools across the county bussed in high school cheerleaders, rappers, drummers, and a-cappella groups for a pep rally to boost the elementary students’ confidence.

Charter school funding bill delayed
(Source: The Boston Herald , 03/15/06) Boston delayed voting on two controversial bills concerning charter school funding. The first bill would cap public dollars given to charter schools at $5,000 per resident enrolled, exactly half of the current spending. The second bill would create a ten-member working group to create recommendations of how to change charter school funding so that communities pay the entire fee. The bills were postponed so that a better compromise could be reached.

City schools could sue for pension aid
(Source: The Chicago Tribune, 03/15/06) Chicago is threatening to sue the state of Illinois for pension money that it owes the school district based on a 1995 law. The state usually pays for 20-30 percent of Chicago’s pension cost. This year the state has fallen short, causing Chicago to worry that it will not be able to cover pensions and other rising costs in the upcoming years. School board representatives say the threat of a lawsuit is a lobbying technique that will hopefully increase state funding.

Parent challenge moment of silence in schools
(Source: The Houston Chronicle, 03/14/06) A Texas couple is challenging a 2003 law that leaves a moment of silence at the beginning of each day after the pledge of allegiance. Taking precedent from a 1985 law banning a moment of silence in Arizona, the couple claims that there is no educational or secular reason for a moment of silence. They see the moment as a guise to allow prayer in school. The governor’s representative says that the moment of silence can be used however the child wishes, for prayer or reflection.

Alternative schools is their cup of tea
(Source: The Indianapolis Star, 03/14/06) Two school districts in Indiana operate an alternative school, Opportunity House, for students with attendance or discipline problems. The school is run inside of a one-story house creating a relaxing atmosphere. The students work at their own pace with two three-hour classroom sessions. Students attend Opportunity House for one semester before returning to their regular school. Their reemergence into regular school have not caused more problems because students were able to work through their issues at the alternative school.

Touch ‘n’ teach
(Source: St. Paul’s Pioneer Press, 03/11/06) Minnesota school districts are beginning to install electronic white boards into its classrooms that allow teachers to replace a mouse with their hands. Teachers say the increased technology allows for more visual stimulation for younger grade levels and it cuts lesson plan time for older level classes. Most of the white boards were paid for through community donations.