Education Reform
The State Government Leadership Foundation believes that states, not the Federal government, are the best conduits for producing lasting and effective education reform across our country.
The SGLF understands that real education reform must start locally. The SGLF intends to work with state elected leaders, statewide education officials, and business advocates to help advance and implement reforms that improve the quality of education in classrooms state by state.
The SGLF wants to help state and local government prioritize youth through meaningful and farsighted education reform that will increase student achievement and prepare students for success well beyond high school and into college or career paths.
The SGLF believes that education reform within states should be based upon the six broad reform goals below:
Reading 101
- From grades K-3, children learn to read, and from grades 4-12, children read to learn.
- States would be well served to make reading a priority early on.
- Placing a critical focus on reading in the early grades will not only increase the likelihood that a student will graduate from high school, but also increase their life-long earning potential.
- 2011 report by the Annie E. Casey Foundation found that kids who are not proficient readers by the end of grade 3 are four times more likely to drop out of high school.
- Further, reading is an area that can garner tremendous support from parents.
Linking Teacher and School Leadership Effectiveness to Student Achievement
- States must start evaluating teachers and school leaders on the basis of student achievement. Period.
- Right now, teacher evaluation systems focus too heavily on inputs such as credentials and not enough on outputs such as student achievement. By shifting evaluation systems to significantly include measures of student outcomes, in addition to objective observation protocols, student surveys, and other locally decided measures, state leaders can not only create buy-in at the local level, but also engage parents in a meaningful way with transparent data on teachers and school leaders.
Rewarding Excellence, Not Tenure, and Replacing Failure with Success
- The current system deters some of America’s brightest young adults exiting the college system from joining the teaching profession because of low earning potential and the lack of professionalism.
- States should compensate and reward teachers commensurate with student achievement in the classroom, rather than number of years in the classroom.
High Academic Standards for Every Student
- Each state will better serve their students as they raise the expectation for each student across every grade level.
Scrupulous Accountability on Multiple Levels
- States are ultimately accountable for the learning that does or does not take place within their schools.
- States must hold their schools accountable on more than one level. And there are multiple levels to rate schools.
- States should be encouraged to measure both proficiency and growth for all students to meaningfully differentiate support at the school and classroom level.
School Choice for all Students
- From charters, to tax credits, to virtual, conservative state leaders need to frame the conversation around more effective choice options, not simply more choice options.
- As conservative state elected officials develop policy to increase the number of charters, extend the use of tax credits, and expand virtual learning offerings, prioritizing best practices will not only build support for the policies, but also provide students with better learning options.
News & Articles
Expanded voucher system approved by Arizona Senate
The Arizona Senate has reversed course and approved an expansion of a
school voucher program that allows students to use public funds to attend a
private school. SB1363 failed on a 15-14 vote Thursday because it lacked accountability
standards but was brought up for a second vote Thursday night and passed 16-13.
Democratic Sen. Barbara McGuire changed her vote. The House previously approved the bill and it now goes to Gov. Jan
Brewer for her signature. The program established in 2011 was also expanded last year. Only
students with a disability, whose parents are in the military or who attend
very low-performing schools qualify. The new bill adds kindergartners and increases funding for students who
leave charter schools for private schools. The program is being challenged in
court.
Freedom Drives Success in New Orleans Charter School Revolution
Site-based autonomy gives schools more control over personnel, curriculum and budget
…After Katrina the Recovery School District (RSD) operations were
expanded. Created in 2003, the RSD takes over failing or underperforming
schools and can either close the school, directly operate it, or choose to
charter it. Five New Orleans schools were already in the RSD when Katrina hit,
but afterwards there was a total overhaul. 107 schools were handed over to the
RSD and currently there are 112 schools under the RSD control. Before Katrina,
New Orleans public schools were plagued by corruption, financial mismanagement,
FBI probes, and poor academic performance. They were consistently among the
worst schools in the state. For example, in 2005 Orleans Parish ranked 67 out
of 68 Louisiana parishes for student achievement. 70% and 74% of 8th graders
weren’t proficient in Math or English, respectively. Furthermore, 77% of
students were attending failing schools. This year New Orleans RSD schools were
first in student growth, increasing 6 percentage points in the number of
students meeting the state proficiency goal. From 2000 to 2013 New Orleans
schools have closed the student performance gap from 26 percentage points to
just 6 percentage points.
Branstad signs bill to expand tax credits for private school scholarship donations
Businesses as well as individuals will soon be able to take advantage
of a tax credit for contributions to private-school scholarships. More money
will be available for the credits under legislation signed into law Tuesday by
Iowa Gov. Terry Branstad. House File 625 expands the state’s existing school tuition organization
tax credit, raising its annual cap to $12 million, from $8.75 million, and
making it available to estates, trusts and businesses that are organized as
partnerships, limited liability companies, s-corporations. Under current law, only individuals can receive the tax credit. The program provides a tax credit worth 65 percent of the amount a
taxpayers gives to a student tuition organization that is set up to provide
scholarships for students attending private schools. The measure had wide and bipartisan support, passing unanimously in
both the House and Senate last month.
Scott Walker says no changes planned to voucher school legislation
He says he'll 'stay true' to agreement that included cap on statewide expansion
Gov. Scott Walker said Tuesday afternoon that he would "stay
true" to the agreement reached with lawmakers last week regarding the
expansion of voucher schools across the state — specifically the cap on the
number of students who will be allowed to participate in the program. "We worked with people in good faith on this, even some who didn't
want any expansion," Walker told reporters after a Milwaukee speech to
about 90 leaders of voucher schools and prospective voucher schools. "We
were able to get to an agreement ... and I don't see any changes that would tie
into that agreement."
As the Joint Finance Committee's proposal stands, 500 students would participate in the statewide voucher program in its first year, increasing to 1,000 students in the second year. The voucher program allows students from lower- and middle-income families to attend private school using state funds. "We worked to find a reason to believe that lawmakers in both the Senate and Assembly could support this," Walker said. "So as I've done in the past in other agreements, I'm going to stay true to that agreement." Walker also said that, in general, he would not announce any vetoes or non-vetoes because, theoretically, the Senate or Assembly could change any proposal before it reaches his desk. He continued on to say that people should remain confident that the cap aspect of the agreement will remain.
As the Joint Finance Committee's proposal stands, 500 students would participate in the statewide voucher program in its first year, increasing to 1,000 students in the second year. The voucher program allows students from lower- and middle-income families to attend private school using state funds. "We worked to find a reason to believe that lawmakers in both the Senate and Assembly could support this," Walker said. "So as I've done in the past in other agreements, I'm going to stay true to that agreement." Walker also said that, in general, he would not announce any vetoes or non-vetoes because, theoretically, the Senate or Assembly could change any proposal before it reaches his desk. He continued on to say that people should remain confident that the cap aspect of the agreement will remain.
New Jersey making good progress in Race to the Top
New Jersey is making good progress in implementing goals set as part of
its federal Race to the Top plan but has had some challenges, according to a
report on the first year of implementation in 2012 issued Friday. But some state legislators are asking to postpone full implementation
of new teacher-evaluation systems for another year while new curricula and
tests linked to RTTT and national Common Core Standards are developed. The report by the U.S. Department of Education said New Jersey already
had begun some reform plans before getting the federal grant, which gave the
state a head start on the process. The state has received $37.8 million in federal RTTT Phase 3 funds.
SC House OKs private-school tax credits
House lawmakers sent the state budget back to the Senate on Wednesday,
drawing battle lines over public vs. private education in next year’s $22.7
billion spending plan. The House amended the budget to give tax credits to
people who donate to private school scholarships. The scholarships would go to
disabled students or poor students in failing schools.
State representatives limited the total private-school donations to $10 million and capped the tax credit at 60 percent of a donor’s tax liability – meaning the state potentially could lose $6 million in tax collections in next year’s budget, according to state Rep. Eric Bedingfield, R-Greenville, who sponsored the amendment. Critics say that money would be better spent on public education, which, they say, the budget underfunds by $598 million because lawmakers did not follow a 36-year-old funding formula for public education. The tax credit would not take effect until Jan. 1, 2014. It automatically would expire in six months – as all budget provisos do – unless the General Assembly votes to reauthorize the tax break.
Governor signs education reform bill
DES MOINES --- Gov. Terry Branstad signed the state’s sweeping
education reform bill this morning during a short ceremony at North High School
in Des Moines. Branstad was joined by lawmakers, lobbyists, staff from the Iowa
Department of Education – including outgoing Director Jason Glass – and about
25 children on the auditorium stage for the signing. The bill will change the
way thousands of teachers are promoted, paid and evaluated.
The legislation encourages school districts to adopt new career ladders and evaluations for teachers by giving districts that chose to do so roughly $300 more per student to help pay for the costs of implementing the new programs. The bill was the governor’s top priority this legislative session after a reform bill from the previous year didn’t address teacher and administrator career paths. “This is a key turning point in Iowa history,” Branstad said. “Having good schools is no longer good enough.” The bill also carved out a new set of rights and abilities for parents who home school and set state aid for school funding for the next two years.
The legislation encourages school districts to adopt new career ladders and evaluations for teachers by giving districts that chose to do so roughly $300 more per student to help pay for the costs of implementing the new programs. The bill was the governor’s top priority this legislative session after a reform bill from the previous year didn’t address teacher and administrator career paths. “This is a key turning point in Iowa history,” Branstad said. “Having good schools is no longer good enough.” The bill also carved out a new set of rights and abilities for parents who home school and set state aid for school funding for the next two years.
Michelle Rhee: Michigan a national leader with 'innovations' in education reform
LANSING, MI -- StudentsFirst founder Michelle Rhee, whose aggressive
approach to education reform has made her a lightning rod across the country,
believes that Michigan is leading the nation with innovative education
initiatives. "The governor and the legislature are leading the way,"
Rhee said Thursday during a keynote address at the Mackinac Policy Conference,
an annual gathering of Michigan business and government leaders. "Some of
the things the state has done -- in terms of things like the (Education
Achievement Authority) taking over low-performing schools, some of the work
around teacher quality -- are innovations and initiatives that I think are
going to lead the rest of the country for the next few years."
New Poll: Moms Prefer More School Choice
(NAPSI)—A new poll on popular though sometimes controversial schooling
issues shows that moms of school-age children are frustrated with K−12
education's current course. Perhaps as a result, they want the ability to
choose where and how their children are educated outside of public schools. Vouchers, charter schools and other "school choice" policies
each receive majority support from mothers of school-age children in the
"Schooling in America Survey," a project of the pro-reform Friedman
Foundation for Educational Choice, conducted by Braun Research, Inc.
Vouchers were supported by 66 percent of respondents and opposed by 26 percent, while charter schools were favored by 63 percent with 25 percent opposed. "So many moms, who want only the best for their children, are left powerless in today's education system," said Virginia Walden Ford, a mother whose child received a private school scholarship and attended a charter school. "Moms are dissatisfied with the lack of progress in education. That's why they're demanding school choice." By nearly a two-to-one margin, the poll shows that mothers of school-age children believe K−12 education in the United States is on the "wrong track," compared with those saying it is going in the "right direction." And almost eight out of 10 school moms, or 79 percent, give a "fair" or "poor" rating to the federal government's involvement in education.
Vouchers were supported by 66 percent of respondents and opposed by 26 percent, while charter schools were favored by 63 percent with 25 percent opposed. "So many moms, who want only the best for their children, are left powerless in today's education system," said Virginia Walden Ford, a mother whose child received a private school scholarship and attended a charter school. "Moms are dissatisfied with the lack of progress in education. That's why they're demanding school choice." By nearly a two-to-one margin, the poll shows that mothers of school-age children believe K−12 education in the United States is on the "wrong track," compared with those saying it is going in the "right direction." And almost eight out of 10 school moms, or 79 percent, give a "fair" or "poor" rating to the federal government's involvement in education.
Gov. Deal signs order addressing Common Core standards
ATLANTA — Gov. Nathan Deal signed an executive order Wednesday putting
in place restrictions on a set of academic standards adopted by the state that
have faced growing opposition in recent months by tea party and conservative
groups.
Under the order, the state will be prohibited from collecting certain
information on students and their families, including religious and political
affiliation and voting history. The move comes just days before Republicans
gather for their annual state convention in Athens, where the Common Core
academic standards are expected to be a big topic of debate.
Deal, a Republican, acknowledged in his remarks that the personal information is not currently being collected, but said his order was designed to ensure no one's rights are violated. "Georgia has not been collecting that data, and Georgia will not collect that data. To make the above clear and unambiguous, I have signed an executive order and I will ask the Legislature to embrace the content of that executive order in legislation during the next session of the General Assembly," Deal said.
Deal, a Republican, acknowledged in his remarks that the personal information is not currently being collected, but said his order was designed to ensure no one's rights are violated. "Georgia has not been collecting that data, and Georgia will not collect that data. To make the above clear and unambiguous, I have signed an executive order and I will ask the Legislature to embrace the content of that executive order in legislation during the next session of the General Assembly," Deal said.
Bill would loosen cap on Mass. charter schools
BOSTON (AP) — Supporters of legislation to lift the cap on charter schools in the state’s lowest performing school districts will be making their case before lawmakers. The proposal will be heard on Tuesday by the Legislature’s Education Committee. It has the support of the Massachusetts Public Charter School Association, which points to a waiting list of 25,000 students trying to get into one of Boston’s 22 charter schools. The bill would also give the state Department of Education more power to intervene in underperforming school districts and enforce turnaround plans for those schools. The committee on Tuesday will also hear testimony on a bill that would allow school districts to adopt longer school days with more classroom time.
2 bills in N.C. House would bolster charter schools
RALEIGH — Local school boards would have the authority to create charter schools and form more flexible arrangements with district-run schools under a pair of bills in the North Carolina House. The bills, sponsored by a Republican lawmaker and supported by Democrats, are intended to help bridge the divide between public and charter schools, which even critics acknowledge are a fixture of the education landscape that’s here to stay.
The first bill would allow local school boards to approve charters and convert their own schools to a charter format. Under existing law, local boards can grant preliminary approval, but ultimate authority lies with the State Board of Education. The program would start on a trial run of up to 10 districts that would maintain oversight of the charters. The second bill would allow districts to create schools operating under special curricula, budgets and admissions criteria. That’s currently possible only with failing district schools. The so-called satellite schools would be able to experiment with different pay models, and districts could petition the State Board to waive the requirement that at least 50 percent of the school’s staff hold instructional certifications.
The first bill would allow local school boards to approve charters and convert their own schools to a charter format. Under existing law, local boards can grant preliminary approval, but ultimate authority lies with the State Board of Education. The program would start on a trial run of up to 10 districts that would maintain oversight of the charters. The second bill would allow districts to create schools operating under special curricula, budgets and admissions criteria. That’s currently possible only with failing district schools. The so-called satellite schools would be able to experiment with different pay models, and districts could petition the State Board to waive the requirement that at least 50 percent of the school’s staff hold instructional certifications.
Alabama's private schools don't want state involvement (update)
MONTGOMERY — Private and parochial schools want to make sure Alabama's new tax credits and scholarships for private school attendance don't lead to the state government having a role in their operations. J. Robin Mears, executive director Alabama Christian Education Association, said the concept of the new law is sound, but proposed changes raise concern about state involvement. "What we are looking at is what is in it that could eventually hurt us?" he said. Randy Skipper, executive director of the Alabama Independent School Association, said he expects many of his 55 member schools to decline to participate if the tax credits and scholarships come with state government involvement. "The whole point is they are independent schools," he said.
The Legislature passed the Alabama Accountability Act on Feb. 28. It provides tax credits to parents who chose to send their children to a private school or non-failing public school rather than a public school rated as failing. It also gives tax credits to individuals and businesses who donate to organizations that will provide scholarships for children from low-income families who can't afford private school tuition even though their children qualify to move from failing public schools. Bills have been offered in the legislative session to clear up some questions about the new law. One of the architects of the new law, Senate President Pro Tem Del Marsh, R-Anniston, has written a bill to make several changes. One provision that he said he put in to assure quality has raised concerns among private school organizations. It says private schools accepting scholarships would have to administer state achievement tests or nationally recognized tests to measure learning in math and language arts by participating students.
The Legislature passed the Alabama Accountability Act on Feb. 28. It provides tax credits to parents who chose to send their children to a private school or non-failing public school rather than a public school rated as failing. It also gives tax credits to individuals and businesses who donate to organizations that will provide scholarships for children from low-income families who can't afford private school tuition even though their children qualify to move from failing public schools. Bills have been offered in the legislative session to clear up some questions about the new law. One of the architects of the new law, Senate President Pro Tem Del Marsh, R-Anniston, has written a bill to make several changes. One provision that he said he put in to assure quality has raised concerns among private school organizations. It says private schools accepting scholarships would have to administer state achievement tests or nationally recognized tests to measure learning in math and language arts by participating students.
Division lingers in Iowa Legislature on how best to evaluate teachers
Debate on using test scores is holding up reform bill
Proposed changes to Iowa’s teacher evaluation system have halted progress at the Statehouse on a sweeping education bill aimed at improving instruction in Iowa’s 1,434 public schools. Lawmakers from both sides of the aisle have agreed on the broad strokes of the plan’s centerpiece — a new career pathways structure for teachers that will cost $160 million annually once fully implemented. But sharp divisions remain over a provision that calls for student achievement data to be considered in teacher performance reviews.
Many Democrats and teachers union leaders say they fear the legislation could be used to judge educators solely on their students’ standardized test scores. That strategy has proven ineffective in other states and has created tension between teachers and administrators in some districts, they say. But Iowa Department of Education Director Jason Glass insists that’s not the goal of proposals introduced by Gov. Terry Branstad and House Republicans. The bill now under review in a conference committee calls for student growth to be one of multiple measures gauging teacher effectiveness.
Many Democrats and teachers union leaders say they fear the legislation could be used to judge educators solely on their students’ standardized test scores. That strategy has proven ineffective in other states and has created tension between teachers and administrators in some districts, they say. But Iowa Department of Education Director Jason Glass insists that’s not the goal of proposals introduced by Gov. Terry Branstad and House Republicans. The bill now under review in a conference committee calls for student growth to be one of multiple measures gauging teacher effectiveness.
Senate expected to consider education budget on Tuesday
MONTGOMERY, Alabama --- The chairman of the Senate’s education budget committee said today he expects the Senate to debate the Education Trust Fund budget on Tuesday. The budget had been expected to come up this week. One of the key sticking points has been the size of pay raise for educators. The House of Representatives passed the budget with a 2 percent cost of living raise for current teachers and education employees. The Senate Finance and Taxation Education Committee reduced the raise to 1 percent, with a conditional appropriation for a 1 percent pay bonus if the money is available.
Sen. Trip Pittman, R-Montrose, chairman of the committee, had supported the 1 percent raise. “I feel like the 1 percent with the 1 percent bonus would be more conservative with all the unknowns we’re dealing with,” Pittman said. But Pittman said there was strong support in the Senate for the 2 percent raise and said that would give it the best chance to pass the Senate. Education employees last received a cost of living raise in fiscal year 2008. Gov. Robert Bentley had proposed a 2.5 percent raise for education employees. The budget bill, HB166 by Rep. Jay Love, R-Montgomery, would appropriate $5.76 billion from the Education Trust Fund for public schools, colleges and other entities for the fiscal year that begins Oct. 1.
Sen. Trip Pittman, R-Montrose, chairman of the committee, had supported the 1 percent raise. “I feel like the 1 percent with the 1 percent bonus would be more conservative with all the unknowns we’re dealing with,” Pittman said. But Pittman said there was strong support in the Senate for the 2 percent raise and said that would give it the best chance to pass the Senate. Education employees last received a cost of living raise in fiscal year 2008. Gov. Robert Bentley had proposed a 2.5 percent raise for education employees. The budget bill, HB166 by Rep. Jay Love, R-Montgomery, would appropriate $5.76 billion from the Education Trust Fund for public schools, colleges and other entities for the fiscal year that begins Oct. 1.
Brewer signs bill creating new teacher evaluations
Gov. Jan Brewer has signed a bill that makes it easier to fire some low-performing teachers. The bill signed Monday allows experienced teachers to be placed on probationary status if they received the lowest rating on one yearly performance review. That status allows a school board to fire a teacher with little notice. Proponents say the measure will help remove bad teachers. House Bill 2500 easily passed in the Republican-led House, but Senate Republicans and Democrats initially rejected it in a tight 14-15 vote. The Republican-led Senate eventually passed the bill in a 19-11 vote. Critics say an overhaul of evaluations passed last year still isn’t fully implemented and lawmakers shouldn’t pass additional changes.
Charter schools win $91 million for facilities
Written by KATHLEEN McGRORY AND MICHAEL VAN SICKLER for The Miami Herald on April 28, 2013Education Reform
TALLAHASSEE -- Charter schools will receive $91 million for their construction and maintenance needs, state lawmakers agreed late Sunday. The figure represents a $36 million increase over last year’s allocation, but falls just short of the $100 million proposed by Gov. Rick Scott and the Florida House. The deal was struck during a series of budget negotiations that lasted late into the night on Saturday and Sunday. It is almost certain to pass the two chambers and win approval by the governor.
“We’re very pleased that the Legislature worked to get specific capital outlay dollars to charter schools,” said Larry Williams, who represents the Florida Consortium of Public Charter Schools. The money is a one-time allocation, most of which will come out of the Public Education Capital Outlay fund. PECO dollars are generated from the state’s gross receipts tax on cable-television, electricity and land-line telephone bills. Charter school advocates had hoped to secure a recurring source of funding for capital outlay projects this year. On Sunday, they acknowledged that the goal was unlikely to become reality before the end of this year’s legislative session on Friday.
But that doesn’t mean the fight is over for good. “We need to move forward with a permanent mechanism that automatically funds charter schools’ capital outlay needs,” said former state Rep. Ralph Arza, who represents the Florida Charter School Alliance. “The parents of those children deserve a recurring source.” Charter schools enroll more than 200,000 students statewide, and are run by nonprofit governing boards that function independently of local school districts. Some are managed by for-profit companies.
“We’re very pleased that the Legislature worked to get specific capital outlay dollars to charter schools,” said Larry Williams, who represents the Florida Consortium of Public Charter Schools. The money is a one-time allocation, most of which will come out of the Public Education Capital Outlay fund. PECO dollars are generated from the state’s gross receipts tax on cable-television, electricity and land-line telephone bills. Charter school advocates had hoped to secure a recurring source of funding for capital outlay projects this year. On Sunday, they acknowledged that the goal was unlikely to become reality before the end of this year’s legislative session on Friday.
But that doesn’t mean the fight is over for good. “We need to move forward with a permanent mechanism that automatically funds charter schools’ capital outlay needs,” said former state Rep. Ralph Arza, who represents the Florida Charter School Alliance. “The parents of those children deserve a recurring source.” Charter schools enroll more than 200,000 students statewide, and are run by nonprofit governing boards that function independently of local school districts. Some are managed by for-profit companies.
Lawmakers expand school voucher program, pause Common Core
The Indiana General Assembly revised the state’s A to F school ratings and paused its participation in national Common Core school standards late Friday and was poised to expand private school vouchers. House Bill 1427, which addresses Common Core and A to F ratings, passed the Senate 34-15 and the House 53-42. It now heads to Gov. Mike Pence for his signature. A revised version of the voucher bill, House Bill 1003, was heading toward a final vote as lawmakers raced Friday night to try to finish this year’s legislative session.
Vouchers, which allow public school dollars for more than 9,000 low-income children to be used for private school tuition, would be expanded. New provisions would extend the benefit to siblings of those already using vouchers, students in special education or those living within the boundaries of a school rated a D or F by the Indiana Department of Education. Under current law, students have to first attend public school after kindergarten for at least two semesters. Kindergarten would now count toward those two semesters. Rep. Robert Behning, the bill’s author, said that the measure would make an estimated 180,000 more children eligible for vouchers but that the number of new vouchers would be limited. The number of empty seats statewide is estimated to be below 15,000.
Vouchers, which allow public school dollars for more than 9,000 low-income children to be used for private school tuition, would be expanded. New provisions would extend the benefit to siblings of those already using vouchers, students in special education or those living within the boundaries of a school rated a D or F by the Indiana Department of Education. Under current law, students have to first attend public school after kindergarten for at least two semesters. Kindergarten would now count toward those two semesters. Rep. Robert Behning, the bill’s author, said that the measure would make an estimated 180,000 more children eligible for vouchers but that the number of new vouchers would be limited. The number of empty seats statewide is estimated to be below 15,000.
Stanford researchers identify troubling patterns of teacher assignments within schools
A study of a major urban school district reveals how high-achieving students tend to get the most experienced teachers, leaving other students in classes with less experienced teachers.
Even within the same school, lower-achieving students often are taught
by less-experienced teachers, as well as by teachers who received their degrees
from less-competitive colleges, according to a new study by researchers from
the Stanford Graduate School of Education and the World Bank. The study, using
data from one of the nation's largest school districts, also shows that student
class assignments vary within schools by a teacher's gender and race. In a paper published in this month's issue of Sociology of Education,
the researchers present the results of a comprehensive analysis of teacher
assignments in the nation's fourth-largest school district, Miami-Dade County
Public Schools. Their findings identify trends that may contribute to teacher
turnover and achievement gaps nationwide.
Previous research indicates that high-quality teachers can significantly improve education outcomes for students. However, not all students have equal access to the best teachers. "It is well-known that teachers systematically sort across schools, disadvantaging low-income, minority and low-achieving students," said Demetra Kalogrides, a research associate at the Graduate School of Education's Center for Education Policy Analysis and one of the study's three authors. "Our findings are novel because they address the assignment of teachers to classes within schools. We cannot assume that teacher sorting stops at the school doors." The authors note that more research needs to be done to see whether such patterns exist within schools across the country. The assignment of teachers to students is the result of a complex process, involving school leaders, teachers and parents. While principals are constrained by teachers' qualifications – not all high school teachers, for instance, can teach physics – they also may use their authority to reward certain teachers with the more desirable assignments or to appease teachers who are instrumental to school operations.
Previous research indicates that high-quality teachers can significantly improve education outcomes for students. However, not all students have equal access to the best teachers. "It is well-known that teachers systematically sort across schools, disadvantaging low-income, minority and low-achieving students," said Demetra Kalogrides, a research associate at the Graduate School of Education's Center for Education Policy Analysis and one of the study's three authors. "Our findings are novel because they address the assignment of teachers to classes within schools. We cannot assume that teacher sorting stops at the school doors." The authors note that more research needs to be done to see whether such patterns exist within schools across the country. The assignment of teachers to students is the result of a complex process, involving school leaders, teachers and parents. While principals are constrained by teachers' qualifications – not all high school teachers, for instance, can teach physics – they also may use their authority to reward certain teachers with the more desirable assignments or to appease teachers who are instrumental to school operations.
Washington state Senate approves K-12 education funding bill
OLYMPIA, Wash. — The Washington state Senate has passed a measure that would help fund K-12 education by lowering the state's debt limit and eliminating voter-approved cost-of-living raises for schoolteachers. Bill supporters say it would help the state with its obligation to meet a Washington Supreme Court demand that it fully fund K-12 education, and that it would do so without raising taxes. Opponents object to moving hundreds of millions of dollars from the capital budget to go toward funding education, asserting that it sacrifices construction jobs and projects in the effort to pay for schools. The measure passed Tuesday by a 25-23 vote and heads next to the Democratic-controlled House, where a majority favors raising tax revenues to help boost education funding.
Texas Senate approves more than $2B more for schools
AUSTIN — Public education would get more than $2 billion above what's already been included in legislative budget proposals under a deal backed unanimously Tuesday by Texas senators, who also voted to put $4.9 billion into water and transportation. The Texas Senate voted 31-0 for Senate Joint Resolution 1 to take $5.7 billion from the rainy day fund and put $2.9 billion into transportation, $2 billion into water and $800 million into public education. In addition, senators said new figures showing increases in local property tax revenue would free $1.4 billion in state funds that they expect to put back into public schools.
Schools are financed through state aid, local property tax revenue and some federal money. When property values increase, yielding more local tax revenue, the state has to put less money into schools. Senators said they would put the savings realized from the last property valuation increase back into schools. “This is going to allow us to put a substantial amount of new money into public education,” said Senate Finance Committee Chairman Tommy Williams, R-The Woodlands.
SJR 1 by Williams also will require approval by two-thirds of the Texas House to be placed on a statewide ballot for voter consideration. The rainy day fund is projected to have $11.8 billion at the end of this fiscal period if left untapped. The funding would be a boost for public education, which has been a focal point of this legislative session after lawmakers two years ago cut $5.4 billion from what schools otherwise would have expected.
Schools are financed through state aid, local property tax revenue and some federal money. When property values increase, yielding more local tax revenue, the state has to put less money into schools. Senators said they would put the savings realized from the last property valuation increase back into schools. “This is going to allow us to put a substantial amount of new money into public education,” said Senate Finance Committee Chairman Tommy Williams, R-The Woodlands.
SJR 1 by Williams also will require approval by two-thirds of the Texas House to be placed on a statewide ballot for voter consideration. The rainy day fund is projected to have $11.8 billion at the end of this fiscal period if left untapped. The funding would be a boost for public education, which has been a focal point of this legislative session after lawmakers two years ago cut $5.4 billion from what schools otherwise would have expected.
Snyder: Education system in Michigan, US is broken
EAST LANSING — Michigan Gov. Rick Snyder kicked off an education summit today by saying the system for preparing students for the workplace – both at the state level and nationally – is broken. But Snyder made no reference in his opening remarks at the Governor’s Education Summit to a growing controversy over an education reform group headed by a top Snyder official. “The world has changed,” Snyder told business people and educators at the Kellogg Center in East Lansing. “The world is much more demanding in terms of specifying what you need to get a position,” he said. “We’ve built a system that doesn’t work anymore in terms of helping people be successful.” It’s the 18th summit since former Republican Gov. John Engler launched the annual event. The goal this year is to build on an oft-stated Snyder goal of improving links between business and educators to help assure a better match between the skills possessed by graduates and those in demand in the marketplace.
House, Senate agree on merit pay raises for teachers
TALLAHASSEE -- The House and the Senate aligned their position on teacher pay raises Sunday, putting the Florida Legislature on a collision course with Gov. Rick Scott. The two chambers have agreed to spend $480 million on salary increases for educators — the same figure Scott has in his budget. The key difference: the Senate and the House are insisting on performance-based raises, while Scott is championing $2,500 across-the-board increases for every classroom teacher in Florida.
The governor is holding firm on his proposal, one of his top priorities for this year’s legislative session, which ends in early May. House and Senate leaders said they didn’t see Scott’s plan becoming reality. "The Governor has priorities. The Legislature has priorities," said Scott spokeswoman Melissa Sellers late Sunday. "There's still enough time left to determine how successful this session will be for all of us." Said House Education Appropriations Chairman Erik Fresen, R-Miami, earlier in the day: "Regardless of how you look at it, [teacher raises] will have a methodology that ties the increases to merit," said House Education Appropriations Chairman Erik Fresen, R-Miami.
Reaching consensus didn’t come easily for the two chambers. Initially, the House had wanted to spend $676 million and then adjusted the number to $628 million late last week. But on Sunday the lower chamber decided that $480 million would be OK. There had also been some discrepancies over how much flexibility the districts ought to have with the cash. The House wanted to give school systems more freedom than the Senate. But Fresen said the House and Senate were close to reaching consensus on that front, too.
The governor is holding firm on his proposal, one of his top priorities for this year’s legislative session, which ends in early May. House and Senate leaders said they didn’t see Scott’s plan becoming reality. "The Governor has priorities. The Legislature has priorities," said Scott spokeswoman Melissa Sellers late Sunday. "There's still enough time left to determine how successful this session will be for all of us." Said House Education Appropriations Chairman Erik Fresen, R-Miami, earlier in the day: "Regardless of how you look at it, [teacher raises] will have a methodology that ties the increases to merit," said House Education Appropriations Chairman Erik Fresen, R-Miami.
Reaching consensus didn’t come easily for the two chambers. Initially, the House had wanted to spend $676 million and then adjusted the number to $628 million late last week. But on Sunday the lower chamber decided that $480 million would be OK. There had also been some discrepancies over how much flexibility the districts ought to have with the cash. The House wanted to give school systems more freedom than the Senate. But Fresen said the House and Senate were close to reaching consensus on that front, too.
Walker's voucher expansion would redistribute aid
Gov. Scott Walker's private school voucher expansion plan would result in $8 million of state aid being redistributed to public schools that don't have the program. The nonpartisan Legislative Fiscal Bureau released an analysis Monday of Walker's voucher plan, which as proposed would expand the program into nine school districts next year.
The Fiscal Bureau estimates those districts would collectively lose about $8 million in state aid as students opt to enroll in private schools paid for with the vouchers. That $8 million would be redistributed, with 324 other districts seeing an increase in aid. State aid amounts would remain substantially unchanged in 91 other districts. The analysis notes that the impact would be significantly larger once proposed enrollment caps are lifted as Walker wants after two years.
The Fiscal Bureau estimates those districts would collectively lose about $8 million in state aid as students opt to enroll in private schools paid for with the vouchers. That $8 million would be redistributed, with 324 other districts seeing an increase in aid. State aid amounts would remain substantially unchanged in 91 other districts. The analysis notes that the impact would be significantly larger once proposed enrollment caps are lifted as Walker wants after two years.
TN Lawmakers push education bills in final days of session
NASHVILLE, Tenn. (AP) — As the 108th Tennessee General Assembly draws to a close, state lawmakers are hoping to push through education proposals that include creating a state panel to authorize charter schools for five counties and a measure that would clear the way for cities to begin forming municipal school systems. The session, which lawmakers are trying to wrap up this month, began with several proposals aimed at continuing education reform in Tennessee. They included Gov. Bill Haslam’s initiative to create a school voucher program and a so-called parent trigger measure that would allow parents to decide the fate of a struggling school.
Both of those proposals have failed. However, the charter school proposal could be heading to the governor soon for his consideration. The bill is waiting to be scheduled for a vote by the full House, and the Senate Finance Committee is expected to take up a companion bill on Monday. The panel would be able to overrule local school board decisions on charter applications in the lowest-performing school districts. Currently, only five counties would be affected, but they include more than 330,000 students in the state’s four largest cities: Davidson, Hamilton, Knox and Shelby. Hardeman County also would be affected.
Both of those proposals have failed. However, the charter school proposal could be heading to the governor soon for his consideration. The bill is waiting to be scheduled for a vote by the full House, and the Senate Finance Committee is expected to take up a companion bill on Monday. The panel would be able to overrule local school board decisions on charter applications in the lowest-performing school districts. Currently, only five counties would be affected, but they include more than 330,000 students in the state’s four largest cities: Davidson, Hamilton, Knox and Shelby. Hardeman County also would be affected.