The Notebook's latest news posts.
Obama budget would invest in pre-K, high school overhaul
Submitted by thenotebook on Thu, 04/11/2013 - 10:43 Posted in Latest news | Permalink
This is a reprint of an article that originally appeared at Education Week.
by Alyson Klein
President Obama's budget unveiled today proposes new money for a big expansion of prekindergarten programs, a new competitive-grant program for high school improvement, a new Race to the Top competition focused on higher education—and level funding for the two formula grants that school districts depend on most: Title I grants for disadvantaged students and special education.
Overall, the U.S. Department of Education would see a significant funding boost to $71.2 billion for fiscal year 2014 that starts on Oct. 1 in a $3.8 trillion overall federal budget. That's a 4.6 increase over fiscal year 2012, the most recent year before a series of automatic cuts—known as sequestration—took effect.
12 Philly schools under 'quarantine' during PSSA exams
Submitted by thenotebook on Wed, 04/10/2013 - 19:01 Posted in Latest news | Permalink
by Benjamin Herold for NewsWorks, a Notebook news partner
Forty-two Philadelphia District schools are under heightened security during the administration of this year's state standardized tests, including a dozen schools that are under "quarantine" conditions.
The intensive monitoring comes in the midst of ongoing investigations into the possibility of widespread adult cheating on the exams at 53 District schools in 2009, 2010, and 2011. After similar security measures were put in place during the administration of last year's exams, test scores plummeted at 160 schools across the District, in some cases by 30 percentage points or more.
Coalition wants teacher reforms, but opposes any pay cuts
Submitted by Dale Mezzacappa on Wed, 04/10/2013 - 19:20 Posted in Latest news | Permalink
A coalition of advocacy groups wants groundbreaking changes in the Philadelphia teachers' contract -- including the effective end of seniority privileges -- but is also urging the School Reform Commission to take off the table its plan for deep salary and benefit concessions.
Saying that such cuts would be demoralizing, the groups want the SRC to ask the city and the state to cough up even more than $180 million in additional funds.
Seven principals receive Lindback award
Submitted by thenotebook on Wed, 04/10/2013 - 09:37 Posted in Latest news | Permalink
by Dale Mezzacappa and Charlotte Pope
The seven principals honored Tuesday night with the Christian R. and Mary F. Lindback Foundation's Distinguished Principal Award had strikingly similar explanations for their success -- and it had nothing to do with achieving high test scores, implementing the Common Core standards, or no-nonsense discipline.
In accepting their honors, most of them talked about love. Some described themselves as missionaries.
“Every day I pray and ask God to send angels to surround the building,” said Kensington CAPA principal Debora Carrera. “We are saving lives. … [Students] need to know there are adults in their lives who love them and accept them for who they are.”
Philly mom talks about ‘opting out’ of state standardized tests
Submitted by thenotebook on Tue, 04/09/2013 - 20:50 Posted in Latest news | Permalink
by Benjamin Herold for NewsWorks, a Notebook news partner
Last month, Jo-Ann Rogan started noticing a big change in her 9-year-old son, Ryan.
"As the PSSAs came closer, he was becoming extremely anxious and stressed," Rogan said. "They were sending home practice packets, and it was just getting worse and worse."
So Rogan joined the small but increasingly visible group of Pennsylvania parents who have decided to opt their children out of taking high-stakes state standardized tests.
"I didn't think the test was worth my child's mental health," she said.
Charter-school operators take their pitches directly to Pastorius Elementary
Submitted by thenotebook on Tue, 04/09/2013 - 15:07 Posted in Latest news | Permalink
by Aaron Moselle for NewsWorks
In a week, Pastorius Elementary's School Advisory Council will make an important recommendation: which charter school operator it would prefer to turn around the struggling East Germantown school next year.
In advance of that decision, the three organizations selected by the School District of Philadelphia as Renaissance School finalists — Universal Companies, Scholar Academies and Mastery Charter Schools — each made pitches at the East Chelten Avenue school Monday night as they vie to be chosen.
Advocate urges no 'blank check' for Philly charters seeking to expand
Submitted by thenotebook on Tue, 04/09/2013 - 15:08 Posted in Latest news | Permalink
[Updated, 4:05 p.m.]
by Benjamin Herold for NewsWorks, a Notebook news partner
The Philadelphia School District's two main priorities -- balancing its books and expanding the number of "high-quality seats" in city schools -- are poised for a head-on collision, perhaps as soon as next week.
Twenty Philadelphia charter schools, including some of the most sought-after schools in the city, are seeking to expand.
If granted, their requests to add students would almost certainly put the cash-strapped District many millions of dollars deeper into the red.
Group urges voters to call on Harrisburg to fix education funding
Submitted by thenotebook on Tue, 04/09/2013 - 13:35 Posted in Latest news | Permalink
by Charlotte Pope
Education stakeholders across Pennsylvania are being asked to speak up to influence negotiations for the state’s budget.
Education Voters of Pennsylvania, an advocacy group focused on public education policy, has issued a call to action, scheduled for April 10. Callers are encouraged to contact their state senators, representatives, and Gov. Corbett and ask them to reinstate $270 million in K-12 education funding in this year’s budget and adopt a formula to provide sustainable and predictable funding for school districts.
At closure hearing, SRC chair seeks clarity in District's puzzling answers
Submitted by thenotebook on Tue, 04/09/2013 - 10:34 Posted in Latest news | Permalink
by Bill Hangley Jr.
Parents, teachers, and supporters turned out Monday night in a last-ditch effort to save Dimner Beeber Middle and M.H. Stanton Elementary, saying both schools had long been poorly supported by the District.
“The choice to give no help to Beeber has gone on for a long time,” said Katherine Stokes, parent of a Beeber student. “This is a financial problem you’re trying to solve at the expense of the students.”
State Sen. Shirley Kitchen showed up to make a pitch for Stanton, located near Temple University in her district. “Why is it that the poorest children are taking the hardest hit?” she asked. “I don’t want to see any of the schools in my district close.”
Watch: School-closure hearings for Beeber and Stanton
Submitted by thenotebook on Mon, 04/08/2013 - 12:29 Posted in Latest news | Permalink
Public hearings on the proposed closure of Beeber Middle School and M.H. Stanton Elementary -- the two schools added to the District's revised closure list in February -- will be held tonight at the District's headquarters.
Notes from the news
SIGN UP FOR OUR NEWSLETTER
Focus on Getting to Graduation
Philly Ed Feed
Urban School NewsStories from other cities
Login / Register
