- Welcome to the cool-kid club, Louisiana. Last week, the Pelican State joined Florida, Indiana, Arizona, and NYC to become just one of a handful that doles out A-F letter grades to schools. Forty-four percent of schools in LA received D or F grades. But, to paraphrase a wise man, “well, now they know, and knowing is half the battle.”
- Governor Tom Corbett, come on down. You’re the next contestant on Education Reform Idol. Last week, the Pennsylvania governor announced a commendable education-reform agenda—one that would expand vouchers, create a statewide charter authorizer, revamp teacher evaluations, and axe the educator requirement for district leaders (freeing up districts to hire nontraditional leaders).
- Harkin, Klein, and Alexander may seem in control of ESEA reauthorization negotiations at present. But remember the names Romney, Perry, and Bachmann too—all of whom have called for the federal government to get out of education. And remember that November 2012 is fast approaching.
- Checker Finn: Public (education) enemy number one.
- Turns out, we’re not the only ones expressing concerns over the efficacy—and sustainability—of Houston’s new Apollo 20 program. Roland Fryer, its architect, released his year-one evaluation last Thursday. “As remarkable as the math scores were, the reading scores are almost as underwhelming,” explains Fryer. And that’s before you look at the price tag.
- After yesterday’s “heads-up” deadline (you know, the date by when states needed to tell the Department of Ed if they want to apply for a waiver), thirty-seven states, D.C., and Puerto Rico have given Ed the nod. Among those not intending to seek a waiver are some interesting names: California, New York, Louisiana, and Pennsylvania being a few.
