Education News: June 9, 2006

Following are some of the top headlines from the world of education for the week ending June 9, 2006.

NCAA releases first list of questionable schools
(Source: The Indianapolis Star, 06/08/06) In an effort to rid collegiate sports of diploma mill high schools, the NCAA approved a clearinghouse that examined the legitimacy of non-traditional high schools, such as those whose student bodies are all basketball players or who produce inaccuracies in student transcripts. The 15 schools on the first list were invalidated because they failed to answer the questionnaire fully; the next list will be produced after a more serious investigation. The invalidation is not retroactive, so no current college students will be affected.

New Jersey institutes statewide steroid testing for high school athletes
(Source: USA Today, 06/08/06) The New Jersey State Interscholastic Athletic Association unanimously made New Jersey the first state to pass a measure that will test all high school students for steroids. The state plans to randomly test their student athletes; those who test positively will be suspended from school-sponsored athletics for one year. The NJSIAA approved the measure after the NCAA reported that six percent of student athletes use steroids. Other states have considered the idea, but have been restricted by the high cost of testing.

Don’t lie, don’t cheat, be on time
(Source: The St. Paul Star Tribune, 06/06/06) Minnesota state legislatures agreed to spend 1.5 million dollars on character education. The funds will be doled out to schools that wish to start programs. Critics are questioning rather this is a legitimate use of state funds since character education is usually the domain of parents. Some teachers say that they currently teach character education through classroom rules and on a case-by-case basis as problems arise and that it would be overkill. Proponents defend the programs by citing that character education will have a positive effect on the school atmosphere.

Justices to hear cases of race-conscious school placements
(Source: The Washington Post, 06/06/06) The Supreme Court has decided to hear two cases about race-based admissions, which will decide if the need for diversity is a legally justifiable argument for K-12 public schools. Previously the court declined to hear the cases, but the recent change in composition and two contrasting lower court rulings have prompted the cases’ acceptance onto the high court’s slate. One case is concerning a Louisville, KY, white parent group who claims that a quota system, which was deemed unconstitutional in the college admission process, is denying their students a place in the school of their choice. The other Seattle-based case is also by a coalition of white parents stating that the school board’s attempt to keep the city’s schools 60% minority and 40% white, so as to match the city’s population, unjustly denies their children a seat in the school of their choice. Supporters of the school systems fear that the court’s surprise decision to hear the case may overturn the previous lower court’s decision, which approved the diversity argument. Arguments began in December with an expected verdict in July 2007.

Mandate aside, private tutors aren’t always an option
(Source: The Washington Post, 06/06/06) Under No Child Left Behind, low-income schools that fail to make significant progress are required to provide free outside tutoring. Poor remote rural schools, however, are having trouble finding tutors willing to travel for few students and little financial gain. Some schools have decided to use organizations without a proven track record or groups that hire teachers in the area to tutor after school. The federal government does not see the complaint as justifiable because schools have the option of using online tutoring.

Special education tuition a growing drain on DC
(Source: The Washington Post, 06/05/06) Federal law determines that special education children must receive a free education. If public schools cannot provide this, then students have the option of attending a private school paid for by the state’s dollar. In Washington, DC, 1 in 5 special education students attends a private school, which is placing a strain on public education for all students. Schools have routinely cut spending on supplies and teacher training to pay for special education students’ private school tuition. Observers say the district ineffectively spends money on private school instead of providing adequate facilities and teachers to special education students. Some say that some students are inappropriately classified as disabled as well.