April 13, 2011
Detroit—During a contentious meeting interrupted by chants and catcalls Tuesday, students, parents and teachers lambasted a plan to close 14 Detroit schools and convert 45 others to charter schools. The irate crowd of 300 also objected to the meeting itself, including a one-minute limit on speakers and the announcement that school officials planned only to […]
April 13, 2011
Gov. Bill Haslam signed into a law a bill that tightens the rules for teachers to earn tenure in a brief ceremony Tuesday afternoon. Haslam said the bill, which lengthens the required waiting period for teachers to get tenure to five years and sets up a procedure for poorly performing teachers to lose their tenure, […]
April 13, 2011
Dee Alpert, a lawyer who spent her professional life as a special education advocate, di ed of a brain aneurysm this weekend at the age of 65, reports the Wall Street Journal. Alpert had dedicated her career to helping special education students in the New York City public school system. She was considered something of […]
April 13, 2011
Mark this as a win for Texas public schools and teachers, who have been notably absent from the win column lately. In the not-so-real world of politics, score it as half a win for Republican Gov. Rick Perry and half a win for Democratic U.S. Rep. Lloyd Doggett of Austin. There’s plenty to be happy […]
April 13, 2011
The General Assembly approved an $18.3 billion budget for the upcoming fiscal year Tuesday that cuts college funding and borrows from Medicaid to prop up the teacher, employee and retiree health care system. The measure also borrows $675 million for construction of schools, college buildings and other facilities. Negotiators signed off on the deal Tuesday […]
April 12, 2011
Alabama is one of a few states given rare permission by the federal government to cut spending on special education this year. According to the Birmingham News, state officials have asked to spend $9.2 million less on education programs for the disabled as Alabama copes with budget cuts. Federal officials approved the decrease in special […]
April 12, 2011
PHOENIX — Gov. Jan Brewer’s plan to help balance the state’s budget by providing government-paid health care to fewer lower-income Arizonans is headed to court. A lawyer for one of several liberal-oriented public interest law firms preparing to challenge Brewer’s plan said their lawsuit will be filed soon, probably with the Arizona Supreme Court. The […]
April 12, 2011
The UNO charter network, which runs four schools in New Orleans, plans to transfer its employees off of the state’s payroll, a step that will clear the way for a new system of incentive pay for teachers. Most of the city’s schools are now charters, which draw public funding but make their own policies on […]
April 12, 2011
JEFFERSON CITY • While disputes over spending federal money have captured headlines, the Missouri Legislature has so far faced little difficulty in drafting the state’s spending plan. But that could change this week when a Senate panel decides on its changes to the budget, clearing way for debate by the full chamber. On the table […]
April 12, 2011
Speaking in front of a crowded Loyola University performance hall last Friday, Secretary Duncan made i t clear that the United States needs to recruit the best and brightest young people to become the next generation of outstanding teachers. The Secretary made three stops in New Orleans on Friday, and the purpose of the visit […]