Education
Commentary
Cash-for-Clunkers: Education Edition
Reported per-pupil funding figures peg the average D.C.-regional area public school amount at more than $14,000. D.C. public schools actually get much more, exceeding $27,000 per pupil, yet they rank lowest nationally in reading performance (see the “at or above basic” columns for 4th grade reading, 8th grade reading). In ...
Commentary
What Do School Tests Measure?
The New York Times, August 4, 2009 According to a New York Times analysis, New York City students have steadily improved their performance on statewide tests since Mayor Michael Bloomberg took control of the public schools seven years ago. While statewide passing rates on the tests have risen in every ...
Commentary
Making the most of education dollars
California’s fiscal outlook continues to worsen. Concern is now mounting over the impact the state’s budget deficit will have on education funding. The California Teachers Association along with State Superintendent of Public Instruction Jack O’Connell claims California’s per-pupil funding now ranks 47th nationally. In reality, most experts agree California is ...
Commentary
Confidential medical care isn’t necessary – Lawsuit threats muddle issue
On June 22, the Modesto City Schools board passed a preliminary motion, by a 4-3 vote, to allow students to leave class for confidential medical services without notifying parents. Parents and policy-makers alike have good reason to examine this proposal. School boards statewide have been reviewing their excused absence policies ...
Commentary
A Closer Look at the Stanford University Study
Charter School Newsletter, August 1, 2009 Stanford University has released a nationwide charter school analysis comparing charter and traditional public school student performance. The study matches charter students to public school “twins” by all measures possible. Comparisons of 15 states and the District of Columbia over a course of three ...
Commentary
King City takeover shows gap between spending and achievement
State Superintendent of Public Instruction Jack O’Connell held a news conference on Thursday to announce the appointment of Dr. John Bernard as the state administrator for the King City Joint Union High School District in Monterey County. The state takeover of the district was required by law after the district ...
Commentary
Competition, Not Control, Will Improve Schools
Freedom Politics, July 30, 2009 U.S. Rep. John P. Kline, Minnesota Republican recently gained the ranking minority slot on the House Education and Labor Committee, a signal that Republicans are re-thinking their support for federal education activism in favor of local control, their old-time religion. The GOP should remember that ...
Commentary
Slimming Down the Waste-Watchers Way: A Radical New Diet Plan for California
Today, California formalizes the budget deal struck Monday night between the governor and California lawmakers to close the state’s $26.3 billion budget deficit without raising taxes. The Governator has also launched a new Waste Watchers website, where he urges visitors to “report wasteful practices in state government.” As yet, there ...
Commentary
One Last Hope for D.C. Voucher Program
In early May, President Obama presented a revised 2010 budget that included $12.2 million for the DC Opportunity Scholarship Program. The proposal represented a “compromise” solution to DC’s embattled voucher program, but is hardly a gain for low-income students and their parents. The DC voucher plan currently awards up to ...
Commentary
School Choice Would Satisfy Hunger for Change
Since 2000 education funding has increase 49 percent, and student performance has yet to see improvements. However, Secretary Duncan stated, “America urgently needs to elevate the quality of K-12 schooling and boost college graduation rates, not simply to propel the economic recovery but also because students need stronger skills to ...
Cash-for-Clunkers: Education Edition
Reported per-pupil funding figures peg the average D.C.-regional area public school amount at more than $14,000. D.C. public schools actually get much more, exceeding $27,000 per pupil, yet they rank lowest nationally in reading performance (see the “at or above basic” columns for 4th grade reading, 8th grade reading). In ...
What Do School Tests Measure?
The New York Times, August 4, 2009 According to a New York Times analysis, New York City students have steadily improved their performance on statewide tests since Mayor Michael Bloomberg took control of the public schools seven years ago. While statewide passing rates on the tests have risen in every ...
Making the most of education dollars
California’s fiscal outlook continues to worsen. Concern is now mounting over the impact the state’s budget deficit will have on education funding. The California Teachers Association along with State Superintendent of Public Instruction Jack O’Connell claims California’s per-pupil funding now ranks 47th nationally. In reality, most experts agree California is ...
Confidential medical care isn’t necessary – Lawsuit threats muddle issue
On June 22, the Modesto City Schools board passed a preliminary motion, by a 4-3 vote, to allow students to leave class for confidential medical services without notifying parents. Parents and policy-makers alike have good reason to examine this proposal. School boards statewide have been reviewing their excused absence policies ...
A Closer Look at the Stanford University Study
Charter School Newsletter, August 1, 2009 Stanford University has released a nationwide charter school analysis comparing charter and traditional public school student performance. The study matches charter students to public school “twins” by all measures possible. Comparisons of 15 states and the District of Columbia over a course of three ...
King City takeover shows gap between spending and achievement
State Superintendent of Public Instruction Jack O’Connell held a news conference on Thursday to announce the appointment of Dr. John Bernard as the state administrator for the King City Joint Union High School District in Monterey County. The state takeover of the district was required by law after the district ...
Competition, Not Control, Will Improve Schools
Freedom Politics, July 30, 2009 U.S. Rep. John P. Kline, Minnesota Republican recently gained the ranking minority slot on the House Education and Labor Committee, a signal that Republicans are re-thinking their support for federal education activism in favor of local control, their old-time religion. The GOP should remember that ...
Slimming Down the Waste-Watchers Way: A Radical New Diet Plan for California
Today, California formalizes the budget deal struck Monday night between the governor and California lawmakers to close the state’s $26.3 billion budget deficit without raising taxes. The Governator has also launched a new Waste Watchers website, where he urges visitors to “report wasteful practices in state government.” As yet, there ...
One Last Hope for D.C. Voucher Program
In early May, President Obama presented a revised 2010 budget that included $12.2 million for the DC Opportunity Scholarship Program. The proposal represented a “compromise” solution to DC’s embattled voucher program, but is hardly a gain for low-income students and their parents. The DC voucher plan currently awards up to ...
School Choice Would Satisfy Hunger for Change
Since 2000 education funding has increase 49 percent, and student performance has yet to see improvements. However, Secretary Duncan stated, “America urgently needs to elevate the quality of K-12 schooling and boost college graduation rates, not simply to propel the economic recovery but also because students need stronger skills to ...
