Saturday, May 19, 2012
Is the Media telling the full story on education reform?
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| General Teacher Issues | 44% |
16,310 At Bats
Featuredin the Bullpen
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Is Retention The Answer?
May 18, 6:43 AM:
OH lawmakers fear too many 3rd graders will be held back under legislation being debated. Well described, but no questioning how retention will work if kid goes back to same teacher who didn't teach him how to read in first place.
- SC Charter Law Upgrade
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May 18, 5:43 AM:
Editorial explains why new charter law will make charter schools better, consequently making choices better. Solid arguments, but could apply district withholding $$ rationale to why university authorizers better than district ones.
- Merit Pay Money No More?
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Photo by purpleslog -
May 18, 6:23 AM:
Some NC lawmakers want to plug hole left by lost federal aid with state $$ set aside for merit pay plan. Probe if same "throwing money at schools" mentality will truly fortify them and make them better...
- Big Apple’s Teacher Rot
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Photo by http2007 -
May 18, 5:04 AM:
NYC Mayor tries again to weed out incompetent teachers using rules already on books. Thorough explanation. Begs question of union: How can you defend some teachers' behavior?
- NYC Teacher Buyout
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May 18, 5:19 AM:
City wants to pay idle teachers to leave "absent teacher reserve." Connects to evals and union pushback. Highlight fiscal impact on overall budget to make readers ponder if more money for schools argument truly helps sytem.
About
About the Media Bullpen
America’s future, its short and long term viability, is wholly dependent on how we educate our children.
The Media Bullpen is a dynamic, virtual newsroom that covers the news and the news of education. It’s a sophisticated and unique technological environment that allows everyone to get in the game on the greatest discussions of our day. To understand those discussions, we need great information and reporting on all the issues relating to education—all the time.
Each day nearly 500 stories—and sometimes many more—are produced in the media about education, but they often lack the context for the public to get engaged.
The Bullpen reporters—the umpires—react and respond in real time to the press as it rolls out its coverage in print, online or broadcast, at the local, state or national levels. They score the coverage using the metaphors of that favorite American pastime, baseball. Articles are given strike outs, pop flies, singles, doubles, triples, and home runs, reflecting a particular story’s objectivity, proper context, its exploration of data, and search for accuracy.
In so doing, the Media Bullpen provides a critical eye to help the public better understand the complexity of the issues being reported.
More than anything else, the Bullpen allows readers to be their own umpires. A full suite of social media applications allows readers to get engaged by sharing the Bullpen’s content with friends, family, other media outlets, activists, and school leaders. Readers can help to make education great only by demanding greater education reporting.
The Media Bullpen is an entirely separate, editorially independent division of the Center for Education Reform, and the strategic evolution of its pioneering and well-known media relations and news monitoring work.
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- Moms Strongly Support Vouchers
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May 10, 5:24 AM:
Poll shows parents want choices. Argues gov't uses vouchers for other programs, so why not schools. Makes sense, but could be stronger with voucher achievement data and looking into validity of poll questions.
- Complaints Over Common Core
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May 9, 4:59 AM:
Common Core, poised to roll out in most states, crashes into conservative criticism over invasive role of fed gov. Explains govs, not fed gov, devised Core. Rich details add to debate over these standards.
- National Licensing Procedure Scrutinized
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May 7, 5:00 AM:
Highly negative on video evaluation partnership with Pearson. Fails to consider how taping process can be tool for improving teaching, and, more importantly, why new ways of prepping teachers are necessary.
- Brown Anniversary
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May 17, 5:26 AM:
Columnist laments still largely segregated schools 58 years after SCOTUS ruling. Notes charter numbers, but quotes faulty research on student performance and doesn't raise deeper issue of neighborhood segregation. Still worthy read.
- KIPP’s College Connection
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May 16, 6:43 AM:
U of Penn becomes first Ivy to partner with KIPP charters, with the goal of seeing more students enter college. Rich background on KIPP, as well as update on the charter-college program.
- From Common Core To College Board
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May 16, 5:11 AM:
David Coleman, Common Core guru, is moving to head up College Board. Peppered with insights into testing and standards. Most intriguing is Coleman's stance on AP and role of Board. Definite read.
- Trouble Over Testing
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Photo by therogerbacon -
May 16, 5:00 AM:
Nationwide rebellion swells against too much emphasis on testing. Only passing note on possibility to both teach creatively and to test. Look at Harlem Village Academies for more on how that's done.
- Waiver Homework
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May 15, 7:26 AM:
Editorial says WI officials simply need to go back and make NCLB waiver more detailed. Could compare to other states' waivers. Bigger, unmentioned problem is promising implementation doesn't always mean implementation will happen (RttT >
- Beef Up Wisconsin Waiver
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May 15, 7:24 AM:
Badger State NCLB waiver proposal short on detail, say DOE officials. Told purpose of waiver, but left in dark on what stronger accountability measures look like. Compare to states that've already won waivers.
- Voucher Commitment
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Photo by Talk Radio News Service -
May 15, 6:52 AM:
Editorial says Obama should stick up for DC Opportunity Scholarships (again in danger) if he's "unequivocally dedicated" to quality education for all students. Bolster argument with stats that show program's success.
- Students Develop Subject Matter Studies
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May 14, 4:58 PM:
Pompton Lakes (NJ) school among several in three states helping set up climate change curriculum to meet Common Core Standards. Describes research and why needed. Doesn't mention whether issue is controversial in science ed circles.
- Tale Of Two Districts’ Growth
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May 18, 12:14 PM:
Comparison of how Northwest AR schools handling rapid growth and technology. Seems to say Bentonville lags Fayetteville because waiting for residents to approve tax increase. Doesn't clearly tell story behind timing or address community >
- Charter Freedom In Fulton
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May 18, 6:38 AM:
GA district embarks on new path -- state's largest charter district. Students already exceed state average on testing, but new freedoms expected to improve scores. Must have forgotten, though, charter struggles in state.
- Union Spying On NYC Charter
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May 18, 5:46 AM:
Union reporter enters Harlem Sucess Academy to snap pictures for union newspaper article. No deeper digging on what story was about. Only told union has filed co-location suit against charters.
- Good Time For Evals
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May 18, 1:53 PM:
Super doesn't grant contract renewal to 2 popular teachers and everyone wants to know why. Say they are effective, but where's the data? Dig deep into why these teachers, and not others.
- School Renewal Up For Vote
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May 18, 1:32 PM:
Baldwin Park (CA) Unified board to make decision next month whether to re-up charter serving at-risk students. Notes member concern about 2006 audit and outlines dispute about overpayment. Successes covered, too.
- FL Standards Lowered?
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May 18, 1:13 PM:
State Ed Board drops passing proficiency for FCAT writing exam because large numbers of students were set to fail it. Covers debate, plus parent and teacher criticism that prep time too short. Doesn't address impact on those who passed. >
- FL Scoring Issues
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May 18, 12:57 PM:
Teachers union wants Pasco County board to call for state to place less emphasis on FCAT because of grading problems. Doesn't define supposed flaws in system and doesn't address how changing scores impact students who met tougher writing >
- Program Concerns Raised
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May 18, 12:39 PM:
Parents tell Reedley (CA) board gifted and talented ed effort needs revamp. Describes criteria for participation and outlines where lacking school support/guidance. Doesn't say what leaders might do to make changes/improvements.
- Super Agreement
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May 18, 11:37 AM:
Joseph City (AZ) district leader set for 3 more years. Describes terms and delay in start of budget process because of state plan signed later. No mention of whether finances are why base salary unchanged.
- Exam Controversy
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May 18, 11:22 AM:
Thousands of OK high school seniors may not graduate if state's testing requirement isn't changed. Bill being considered allowing exemption. Explains how would work, but doesn't mention potential impact on diploma value, especially for >
- TX District New Grading System
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May 18, 10:45 AM:
Some Cy-Fair high schools switch from traditional to standards-based grades. Explains differences between two and how impact (or not) students' marks. Doesn't say exactly what prompted change or why it's not being used in all classrooms. >
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- Good Time For Evals
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May 18, 1:53 PM:
Super doesn't grant contract renewal to 2 popular teachers and everyone wants to know why. Say they are effective, but where's the data? Dig deep into why these teachers, and not others.
- Union Spying On NYC Charter
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May 18, 5:46 AM:
Union reporter enters Harlem Sucess Academy to snap pictures for union newspaper article. No deeper digging on what story was about. Only told union has filed co-location suit against charters.
- School Fights To Stay Open
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May 18, 5:40 AM:
Mount Vernon (NY) charter at mercy of state Ed Dept, where officials deciding fate. Attention on financing. Doesn't counter false charge school is drain, or explain how dollars follow students and district shouldn't be getting money for >
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- Is Retention The Answer?
-
May 18, 6:43 AM:
OH lawmakers fear too many 3rd graders will be held back under legislation being debated. Well described, but no questioning how retention will work if kid goes back to same teacher who didn't teach him how to read in first place. >
- Stuck In Gary
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May 18, 6:06 AM:
Board in IN district says no to new charters because district has enough. Reason for decision -- drains $$s from district -- unchallenged. System failing, need paradigm shift.
- When Enough Isn’t Enough
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May 18, 5:57 AM:
Gary (IN) lawmaker doesn't want more charters in city, saying there are plenty there now. Lists choices available and newly proposed. Yet another case where argument that schools are financial drain not countered. Very one-sided.
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- FL Standards Lowered?
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May 18, 1:13 PM:
State Ed Board drops passing proficiency for FCAT writing exam because large numbers of students were set to fail it. Covers debate, plus parent and teacher criticism that prep time too short. Doesn't address impact on those who passed. >
- FL Scoring Issues
-
May 18, 12:57 PM:
Teachers union wants Pasco County board to call for state to place less emphasis on FCAT because of grading problems. Doesn't define supposed flaws in system and doesn't address how changing scores impact students who met tougher writing >
- Tale Of Two Districts’ Growth
-
May 18, 12:14 PM:
Comparison of how Northwest AR schools handling rapid growth and technology. Seems to say Bentonville lags Fayetteville because waiting for residents to approve tax increase. Doesn't clearly tell story behind timing or address community >
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- School Renewal Up For Vote
-
May 18, 1:32 PM:
Baldwin Park (CA) Unified board to make decision next month whether to re-up charter serving at-risk students. Notes member concern about 2006 audit and outlines dispute about overpayment. Successes covered, too.
- Program Concerns Raised
-
May 18, 12:39 PM:
Parents tell Reedley (CA) board gifted and talented ed effort needs revamp. Describes criteria for participation and outlines where lacking school support/guidance. Doesn't say what leaders might do to make changes/improvements.
- Super Agreement
-
May 18, 11:37 AM:
Joseph City (AZ) district leader set for 3 more years. Describes terms and delay in start of budget process because of state plan signed later. No mention of whether finances are why base salary unchanged.
- Tale Of Two Districts’ Growth
-
May 18, 12:14 PM:
Comparison of how Northwest AR schools handling rapid growth and technology. Seems to say Bentonville lags Fayetteville because waiting for residents to approve tax increase. Doesn't clearly tell story behind timing or address community >
- Charter Freedom In Fulton
-
May 18, 6:38 AM:
GA district embarks on new path -- state's largest charter district. Students already exceed state average on testing, but new freedoms expected to improve scores. Must have forgotten, though, charter struggles in state.
- Union Spying On NYC Charter
-
May 18, 5:46 AM:
Union reporter enters Harlem Sucess Academy to snap pictures for union newspaper article. No deeper digging on what story was about. Only told union has filed co-location suit against charters.
- Good Time For Evals
-
May 18, 1:53 PM:
Super doesn't grant contract renewal to 2 popular teachers and everyone wants to know why. Say they are effective, but where's the data? Dig deep into why these teachers, and not others.
- School Renewal Up For Vote
-
May 18, 1:32 PM:
Baldwin Park (CA) Unified board to make decision next month whether to re-up charter serving at-risk students. Notes member concern about 2006 audit and outlines dispute about overpayment. Successes covered, too.
- FL Scoring Issues
-
May 18, 12:57 PM:
Teachers union wants Pasco County board to call for state to place less emphasis on FCAT because of grading problems. Doesn't define supposed flaws in system and doesn't address how changing scores impact students who met tougher writing >
- Program Concerns Raised
-
May 18, 12:39 PM:
Parents tell Reedley (CA) board gifted and talented ed effort needs revamp. Describes criteria for participation and outlines where lacking school support/guidance. Doesn't say what leaders might do to make changes/improvements.
- Super Agreement
-
May 18, 11:37 AM:
Joseph City (AZ) district leader set for 3 more years. Describes terms and delay in start of budget process because of state plan signed later. No mention of whether finances are why base salary unchanged.
- TX District New Grading System
-
May 18, 10:45 AM:
Some Cy-Fair high schools switch from traditional to standards-based grades. Explains differences between two and how impact (or not) students' marks. Doesn't say exactly what prompted change or why it's not being used in all classrooms. >
- Papers Analyze Test Scores
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May 18, 6:49 AM:
Analysis of Denver, CO, student scores shows decline once they left K-5 school where adults accused of cheating. Nice job on stats, reporting that drop from 5th to 6th grade not typical. Any word on impact on those kids?
- Charter Expands Reach
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May 18, 6:08 AM:
Charter amendment passes over district's protest; gives state's oldest charter ability to work with broader range of at-risk kids. Demand district explain its success rate with these kids and why it put up battle.