Wednesday, May 22, 2013
Is the Media telling the full story on education reform?
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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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- DC Gets Dollars To Blend
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May 17, 4:22 AM, Washington Post:
Microsoft set to give nation's capitol hefty sum to experiment with blended learning. Already existing program to train teachers will expand. Teachers will come from traditional and charter schools.
- Voucher Expansion Signed
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May 10, 6:49 AM, Fort Wayne Journal Gazette:
IN Gov signs bill that widens eligibility for vouchers. Kids with special needs, siblings of students already in program now eligible. Kids in an F-rated school and those already in a school, but whose family income increases, are >
- LA Vouchers Unconstitutional
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May 7, 12:59 PM, The Times-Picayune:
Louisiana supreme court ruled today that Jindal's voucher program is unconstitutional, to delight of school boards assoc and teachers union. Court ruled 6-1 claiming money taken out of per-pupil funding and diverted to choice program is >
- Common Core Ready?
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May 22, 5:52 AM, Washington Post:
AFT head in recent speech clearly stated her support of Common Core, but called for moratorium on tests with consequences until training and curriculum in place. Reform group counters union stalemating and urges states to move forward.
- 3 New States On Waiver List
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May 21, 5:31 PM, WFLD-TV - Online/ Associated Press:
AK, HI, WV join ranks of states granted waivers from No Child Left Behind. Waivers a result of Congress' inability to reauthorize NCLB. No word on whether states are sticking to promised reforms laid out in waiver proposals.
- Testy On Common Core
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May 21, 7:39 AM, Washington Post:
Chiefs for Change challenges AFT head's call for moratorium on concequences of new tests for Common Core, saying states should charge ahead. Notes AFT supports Common Core, but concerned about "poor" implementation.
- Blended Learning Potential In DC
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May 20, 4:40 AM, Washington Examiner:
Controversy of blended learning explored as approval for Nexus Academy charter to be voted on tonight. No "on the ground" look at how blended learning schools are meeting students' needs in cities mentioned.
- Earning The Title Of “Teacher”
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May 15, 5:15 PM, KING-TV - Online:
New teachers are being laid off due to budget cuts in Washington State. Biggest question is whether or not this policy keeps our best teachers in the classroom.
- Voucher Money Not So Easy
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May 13, 10:33 AM, Shreveport Times:
Louisiana Supreme Court doesn't rule vouchers themselves unconstitutional, only the funding mechanism. Points out finding funding elsewhere might be messier than some think. Ruling actually raises deeper questions & concerns about school >
- Obama Stumps For STEM
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May 10, 7:01 AM, Christian Science Monitor:
Pres praises TX HS that is part of nationwide New Tech Network. Goal is to prepare kids for college and career in sciences, math, tech and engineering. First NTN school has 43% entering STEM careers.
- Virtual Study
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May 9, 5:49 AM, Sacramento News & Review:
Report says virtuals need more oversight because they do poorly when compared to brick-and-mortar. Too many unknowns to assess report, including if virtuals studied are last-resort choice for kids, nor no note that Center could be in >
- MN Dems Increase Budget
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May 20, 3:31 PM, Grand Forks Herald - Online:
MN Dems vote to increase public school funding for next 2 years, allowing for full day kindergarten among other provisions. Fails to spell out how these feats will "provide children with a high-quality education" and "close achievement >
- DC Gets Dollars To Blend
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May 17, 4:22 AM, Washington Post:
Microsoft set to give nation's capitol hefty sum to experiment with blended learning. Already existing program to train teachers will expand. Teachers will come from traditional and charter schools.
- Voucher Expansion Signed
-
May 10, 6:49 AM, Fort Wayne Journal Gazette:
IN Gov signs bill that widens eligibility for vouchers. Kids with special needs, siblings of students already in program now eligible. Kids in an F-rated school and those already in a school, but whose family income increases, are >
- Virtual Opening In Fall
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May 22, 7:24 PM, Lansing State Journal -- Online, The:
Portland Virtual School will open its cyber doors for the 2013-2014 school year. Students with varying needs -- from health issues to desire to homeschool -- will benefit. Courses will have teacher and mentor, who will help kids stay >
- End Of Online Lessons
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May 22, 7:06 PM, San Antonio Express-News - Online:
Online curriculum used in some TX schools withdrawn after some protests that it was "anti-American." Some school officials bemoan loss, especially those from small, rural areas who need a curriculum provider.
- Collective Bargaining Rejected in LA
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May 22, 3:40 PM, Advocate - Online, The:
School board rejects collective bargaining agreement. Superintendent refused to support contract when there was no effort to change it. Contract dissenters' perspective unexplained despite being rebuffed by claims of low teacher morale >
- Protests Over Cuts
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May 22, 3:31 PM, Bradenton Herald - Online:
School officials in a FL county have cut 182 teachers and 100 support staff due to small class sizes. Protestors say that the move is about budget cuts and the school board should find other ways to cut costs.
- Panel to Revise Eval Process
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May 22, 3:22 PM, Florida Times-Union - Online:
A FL panel has agreed that there are limitations to principal observations and test scores when evaluating teachers. The panelists considered adding parent and student feedback to the process.
- Strong Showing For Charters
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May 22, 3:17 PMBoston Globe:
Boston charter schools outperform other public schools on three tests - MCAS, SAT and AP exams. These findings will be leveraged as push to lift cap goes on. Like to see if even larger achievement gap when comparing apples to apples; >
- No Accountability for Philly Teachers
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May 22, 2:57 PM, philly.com:
Report lists multiple criticisms of Philly teacher accountability, chief among them complex hiring process and role of seniority. Evaluations based too much on protocol compliance, not enough on instruction. Union head questons why >
- School Board Election Errors
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May 22, 9:31 AM, Memphis Commercial Appeal:
Candidate loses Shelby Co (TN) school board race by 106 votes, asks court for do over. Defendant claims 800 out-of-district votes counted in error. Election officials say mistake did not impact will of public.
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- Strong Showing For Charters
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May 22, 3:17 PMBoston Globe:
Boston charter schools outperform other public schools on three tests - MCAS, SAT and AP exams. These findings will be leveraged as push to lift cap goes on. Like to see if even larger achievement gap when comparing apples to apples; >
- No Accountability for Philly Teachers
-
May 22, 2:57 PM, philly.com:
Report lists multiple criticisms of Philly teacher accountability, chief among them complex hiring process and role of seniority. Evaluations based too much on protocol compliance, not enough on instruction. Union head questons why >
- Teacher Study
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May 22, 5:43 AM, Philadelphia Inquirer:
National nonprofit's study concludes htat Philly spends too much on teacher health care, pay must be revamped to account for performance and tenure is meaningless. Union questions timing of study -- contract negotiations underway.
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- Judging Teacher Effectiveness
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May 22, 5:40 AM, Daily Press & Argus:
Factors out of teacher control (family stability, diet) weigh heavily on student success, so much so that its unfair to judge teachers, say some in MI against bill that pushes evaluations based on performance. Hogwash, say supporters, >
- Impact Of Virtual Moratorium
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May 22, 5:22 AM, Kane County Chronicle:
IL Senate passed moratorium on new virtual charters until next year. What's unclear is status of IL Virtual Charter, which is before charter commission, if Gov signs bill.
- Virtual Taken Over
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May 22, 5:11 AM, Columbus Dispatch:
OH district takes over virtual charter that has been on probation for almost a year. Charter leaders saved school by getting financial house in order. Still has long way to go to achieve success.
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- End Of Online Lessons
-
May 22, 7:06 PM, San Antonio Express-News - Online:
Online curriculum used in some TX schools withdrawn after some protests that it was "anti-American." Some school officials bemoan loss, especially those from small, rural areas who need a curriculum provider.
- Collective Bargaining Rejected in LA
-
May 22, 3:40 PM, Advocate - Online, The:
School board rejects collective bargaining agreement. Superintendent refused to support contract when there was no effort to change it. Contract dissenters' perspective unexplained despite being rebuffed by claims of low teacher morale >
- Protests Over Cuts
-
May 22, 3:31 PM, Bradenton Herald - Online:
School officials in a FL county have cut 182 teachers and 100 support staff due to small class sizes. Protestors say that the move is about budget cuts and the school board should find other ways to cut costs.
-
- Virtual Opening In Fall
-
May 22, 7:24 PM, Lansing State Journal -- Online, The:
Portland Virtual School will open its cyber doors for the 2013-2014 school year. Students with varying needs -- from health issues to desire to homeschool -- will benefit. Courses will have teacher and mentor, who will help kids stay >
- Faith In Innovation
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May 22, 5:07 AM, Seattle Times:
Catholic schools in WA capitol prepare to meet challenge of new charters by re-inventing themselves. Examples include blended learning and language-immersion. Archdiocese says they need to distinguish themselves from charters.
- City Takes Over Charter Budget
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May 21, 2:16 PM, Albuquerque Journal - Online:
Albuquerque Public Schools takes over charter school budget to realign with state finance rules. Claims academic programs will remain independent, but unclear how further cuts will affect students. School founder supports takeover, >
- Tale Of Two Districts
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May 10, 5:03 AM, Peninsula Daily News:
One WA district says no to charters, while another wants to think on it. Super of district that voted no says he doubts smaller districts like his will see many charters because there aren't enough students. Choice doesn't have a bottom >
- Ed Issues Down to Dollars and Sense
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May 6, 10:49 AM, Olympian, The:
WA legislators have been going back and forth on several key education bills. Both parties want to increase education spending, where they'll differ is taxes. Senate Repubs will use budget negotiations as a bargaining chip for their >
- School Choice for All
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May 3, 3:34 PM, Wisconsin Radio Network - Online:
DOJ is cracking down on private schools in WI on behalf of disabled students to make sure no discrimination is occuring. What schools are in question, how many? Lack of facts in the article is concerning when dealing with serious issue.
- Virtual Opening In Fall
-
May 22, 7:24 PM, Lansing State Journal -- Online, The:
Portland Virtual School will open its cyber doors for the 2013-2014 school year. Students with varying needs -- from health issues to desire to homeschool -- will benefit. Courses will have teacher and mentor, who will help kids stay >
- Strong Showing For Charters
-
May 22, 3:17 PMBoston Globe:
Boston charter schools outperform other public schools on three tests - MCAS, SAT and AP exams. These findings will be leveraged as push to lift cap goes on. Like to see if even larger achievement gap when comparing apples to apples; >
- School Board Election Errors
-
May 22, 9:31 AM, Memphis Commercial Appeal:
Candidate loses Shelby Co (TN) school board race by 106 votes, asks court for do over. Defendant claims 800 out-of-district votes counted in error. Election officials say mistake did not impact will of public.
- New Staff Drives Budget Increase
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May 22, 9:04 AM, The Daily News Journal:
County budget panel in TN approves tax increase to provide $19 million in new spending for schools. District plans to add 131 new staff due to increase in enrollment and new high school. School leader says budget has no "fluff". >
- Suburbs Lock In School Referendums
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May 22, 8:29 AM, Memphis Daily News:
Three suburban districts in Memphis take final steps to get voter approval to create own schools. Sales taxes already in place to finance separate districts. Process to opt out of merger been plagued with law suits, failed talks, and >
- Unclear Charges Against Charter
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May 22, 7:14 AM, Maryland Gazette:
MoCo (MD) charter still in process of establishing itself year after contract awarded. Tougher scrutiny occurred in app process than now. Charge that no certified principal is in charge unclear, since person could be moving through >
- Teacher Study
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May 22, 5:43 AM, Philadelphia Inquirer:
National nonprofit's study concludes htat Philly spends too much on teacher health care, pay must be revamped to account for performance and tenure is meaningless. Union questions timing of study -- contract negotiations underway.
- MoCo’s Intervention And Innovation
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May 22, 5:37 AM, Maryland Gazette:
Montgomery County (MD) Super named 20 intervention schools to work with specialist to improve learning, with 10 of those named "innovation" schools and getting more attention. How free schools will be to change unclear here.