Education News: June 1, 2007

Following are some of the top headlines from the world of education for the week ending June 1, 2007.

U.S. Data Show Rapid Minority Growth in School Rolls
(Source: The New York Times, 6/1/07): A new government report shows that the percentage of students in U.S. schools who are minorities has risen to 42 percent, up from 22 percent 30 years ago. The shift can largely be attributed to a dramatic increase in the number of Hispanic students in U.S. schools.

Spelling Bee Champ Is a Math Whiz, Too
(Source: The Boston Globe, 6/1/07): Evan O’Dorney, who spelled “serrefine” correctly to win the 80th annual Scripps National Spelling Bee, is more excited to talk about the calculus class he’ll soon take at U.C. Berkeley than his recent spelling victory. The 13-year-old is home-schooled in Danville, California.

New York City Expands Test Program In Schools
(Source: The New York Times, 5/31/07): On Thursday, New York City schools Chancellor Joel Klein announced a significant increase in testing for students in the city’s school district. Students in grades 3-8 will be tested five times per year, and students in high school will be tested four times. Teachers will be able to customize the tests based on classroom instruction, and results will be used to gauge student learning and areas for improvement.

Democrats Want a Recount- On All FCATs
(Source: The Miami Herald, 5/31/07): The Florida FCAT test for 3rd graders that determines grade completion, teacher bonuses, and more was revealed to have been graded in a flawed manner last year. House Democrats are now calling for a review of all tests dating back to 2000.

Putting His Wealth to Work to Improve Urban Schools
(Source: The Washington Post, 5/30/07): Philanthropist Eli Broad, the successful founder of several large companies, is now focusing on improving urban schools in cities such as Washington, D. C., by introducing business practices into the education arena.

Failing Is So Old School
(Source: The News & Observer, 5/30/07): Schools in the Durham area of North Carolina are now focusing their efforts on helping overage students pass grades so that they can attend class with their peers. Citing the high drop-out rate among senior high school students, administrators and teachers are focusing their efforts on remediation.

More Schools Are Ditching Final Exams
(Source: The Los Angeles Times, 5/29/07): Schools in California are increasingly turning towards project assessments rather than standardized tests to determine grade completion. Stemming from a backlash against standardized tests, schools are trying other methods of measuring student learning and capabilities.

Teacher Pension Fund Faces $19 Billion Funding Gap
(Source: The San Diego Union-Tribune, 5/26/07): The California state pension fund, despite strong returns the last several years, is still facing a large funding gap that will need to be met by higher contributions to the fund.