- It’s no secret that American science education is lagging—and Fordham will shed more light on why next week when we release our new evaluation of state science standards. Meanwhile, the more than 200 separate and often overlapping federal STEM programs that the GAO pointed out this week demonstrate the dangers of turning to Washington to fix things.
- A Virginia state legislator is proposing that any parent have the right to observe his or her child’s classroom, given reasonable notice. Gadfly objects…to having to give reasonable notice. Let’s welcome parental involvement in education, not lock the school doors.
- Chicago’s longer school day has only been implemented in a few schools, but is already stressing the district budget. Meanwhile, the teacher union has submitted demands for its new contract, including rejecting Emanuel’s proposed 2 percent raise for the longer hours. Budgets may get tight in the Windy City, but this is a cause worth finding the cash for..
- President Obama threw a curveball Tuesday night in his State of the Union speech when he called on states to raise the compulsory education age to eighteen. Reducing dropout rates sounds great but the White House has no tools (other than jawbones) by which to make it happen. With ESEA reauthorization stalled and Race to the Top struggling, another sweeping mandate is the last thing the President needs.
- Former teacher union chief and outspoken charter-school critic A.J. Duffy received approval for his charter school last week from the L.A. school board, meaning that he and Fordham will be sharing a board member in Caprice Young. Welcome, Mr. D., to the good fight.
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