Education News: April 7, 2006

Following are some of the top headlines from the world of education for the week ending April 7, 2006.

High school link with China sought in Binghamton
(Source: Greater Binghamton Press and Sun Bulletin , 04/06/06) A Binghamton high school is hoping to partner with an academically comparable high school in China. The partnership would consist of teacher and student exchange, teaching Mandarin, and developing an understanding of Chinese culture. The school is excited by the idea from an academic and political point of view. Academically, China is a fascinating study and, politically, China is expected to be a play a large role in the global marketplace.

Flag ban at Oceanside Unified Lifted
(Source: The San Diego Union Tribune , 04/06/06) Due to immigration protests across the nation, Oceanside Unified prohibited any nationalist display to dispel tensions on their campus. The ban on carrying an American flag created a National uproar over students’ First Amendment rights. The school board plans to lift the ban now that tensions have dispelled, but defends its actions to momentarily end students’ First Amendment rights to create a safe school atmosphere.

School board to vote on denying exit exam law
(Source: The San Francisco Chronicle , 04/05/06) The Contra Costa school district in California is voting on a resolution that will allow the district to graduate students who did not pass the exit exam but meets all other graduation requirements and an alternative assessment. The school district states that a test is not the only indicator of a successful adult in the workforce, and is unfair to students whose first language is not English. The California Department of Education, however, states that not enforcing the test is breaking the law.

Who’s really fit to teach: “No-Child” report questions teacher skills
(Source: The Hartford Courant , 04/05/06) The Connecticut state board of education is questioning the federal government’s definition of what makes a highly qualified teacher. Under No Child Left Behind, veteran teachers in Connecticut, some of whom have won awards of excellence, may not be deemed highly qualified because they did not take a test or have a college degree in their subject area. Veteran teachers are insulted at the accusations that highly qualified can only be proven by two factors, but if Connecticut does not fall in line with federal standards, by testing teachers or forcing courses, they could lose millions in funding.

N.J. moves to protect the arts from school budget cutbacks
(Source: The Philadelphia Inquirer , 04/04/06) Recognizing the importance of arts education to the development of language arts and mathematics skills, New Jersey is planning to survey the cost of each of its district’s art program. Their goal is to ensure the programs’ endurance in the face of budget cuts. The survey will allow New Jersey to seek out grants to continue the programs where state funds end.