Report: Teacher-Led Reform Helping in California

By Amy Buffenbarger A new report out today finds a 50 percent better academic growth rate at nearly 500 California schools, and all of it is the result of successful union-led reforms put in place as the result of a lawsuit by the California Teachers Association against Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger. In August 2005, the California [...]

Must Reads – DREAM Act

“Education Secretary Arne Duncan said Monday that Congress can’t afford to wait to pass the DREAM Act.” Current House and Senate leadership are trying to pass the bill in the next few weeks. Source: Politico

Ahead in Ed – December 1

U.S. Secretary of Education Arne Duncan will give the keynote luncheon address at the Foundation for Excellence in Education’s National Summit on Education Reform, where he will discuss the need for bipartisan cooperation to advance education reform.

Graduation Rates Rising But Still Not High Enough

By Mary Ellen Flannery It can work! In states across the country, the seemingly intractable issue of dropouts, dropouts and more dropouts, actually has improved significantly, shows a report released today by the deans of dropout research, Bob Balvanz and John Bridgland. No one silver bullet deserves all the credit: Rather, a careful combination of [...]

Must Reads – Improvement at ‘Dropout Factories’

A new study by Civic Enterprises found “most states have gained momentum in improving graduation rates, but will need to improve at least five times faster to meet a national goal of 90 percent of students graduating on time by 2020.” Source: Education Week

States Slashing Educator Retirement Funds

By Alain Jehlen Age: 62. Total retirement fund: $95,000. Estimated retirement age: Pretty much never. That was the story for Sandy Gay, a teacher in West Virginia, after the state switched from a “defined benefit” retirement plan that would have given her $2,500 a month, and substituted a “defined contribution” plan that didn’t guarantee any [...]

Must Reads – Closer Look at Harlem Village

Controversial New York City schools chancellor nominee Cathie Black, a former media executive, “insists she’s connected to public education via a highly touted charter school – but a close look shows she’s had no contact with students, parents or teachers there.” Source: New York Daily News

Ahead in Ed – December 1

Applications are due for the Jack Kent Cooke Young Artist Award. Each year From the Top selects approximately 25 student musicians for the scholarship opportunity designed to assist talented young musicians who have financial need.

Ahead in Ed – November 30-December3

The 2010 Federal Student Aid (FSA) Conference will be held in Orlando, Florida. The FSA annual conference will include more than 60 information sessions and training opportunities on such topics as tools and technologies for managing the student aid programs to improved practices for supporting aid applicants and recipients.

Must Reads – NEA Leader’s Impact on Education

The News & Observer profiled NEA Executive Director John Wilson, and the difference he has made in public education both in North Carolina and at the national level. Source: News & Observer

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