In This Edition:
BUSINESS COALITION FOR STUDENT ACHIEVEMENT
NO CHILD LEFT BEHIND UPDATE, FEBRUARY 26, 2008
A special feature in TIME (February 25, 2008) examines the issues of education reform in the U.S., including the candidates’ stances on education and training high-quality teachers.
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U.S. Education Secretary Margaret Spellings continues to tour the states, highlighting the education achievements of each. You can track her travels by clicking here.
- Texas: Secretary Spellings discusses action plan for higher education
At the Greater Houston Partnership 2008 State of Education Luncheon, Secretary Spellings discussed her action plan for higher education, which aims to make higher education more accessible, affordable and accountable. She also highlighted the important role the business community plays in preparing students for the global workforce. Read the full remarks >> - Mississippi: Secretary Spellings announces $1.6M School Improvement Grant for state
U.S. Secretary of Education Margaret Spellings attended the Mississippi State Board of Education meeting and participated in an education policy roundtable discussion with Gov. Haley Barbour and Mississippi Superintendent of Education Hank Bounds in Jackson, Miss. Spellings discussed progress toward No Child
Left Behind goals in Mississippi and across the country. Read more in Education Week >> - Rhode Island: Closing the education gap
Secretary Spellings highlighted progress toward No Child Left Behind goals in Rhode Island and across the nation at a visit to Alan Shawn Feinstein Elementary School today with R.I. Gov. Donald L. Carcieri. Spellings also participated in an education policy roundtable discussion with Gov. Carcieri, R.I. Commissioner of Education Peter McWalters, and Superintendent of Providence School District Donnie W. Evans. Read more >> - Kansas: Making progress in reading and math
At an education roundtable in Topeka, Secretary Spellings commended the State's progress in student achievement in grades 3-8 reading and math under No Child Left Behind, especially noting large gains among students with disabilities and low-income students. Read more >> - Missouri: Strong accountability
Secretary Spellings met with Missouri Commissioner of Education Dr. D. Kent King and the State Board of Education in Jefferson City, Mo., to discuss how the Federal government can support and facilitate further academic gains made by Missouri students under No Child Left Behind. Secretary Spellings applauded Missouri's efforts to increase accountability and discussed opportunities for improvement and innovation under No Child Left Behind. Read more and watch event footage in Missourinet >>
Higher Education Gap May Slow Economic Mobility
Economic mobility, the chance that children of the poor or middle class will climb up the income ladder, has not changed significantly over the last three decades, says a recent study by the Brookings Institution.
Read more in the New York Times >>
Grading Neighborhood Schools
The Wall Street Journal examines several online education resources for parents, students and teachers looking for school-specific information and comparisons including demographics, test results, teacher-to-student ratios, and percentages of students eating free and reduced-price lunches.
Read more in the Wall Street Journal >>
How to fix 27 D.C. schools
D.C. school system officials have proposed dramatic changes to take place this fall for 27 schools that have missed reading and math targets for at least five consecutive years.
Read more in the Washington Post >>
Chicago looks to 'turnarounds' to lift failing schools
Harvard Elementary School is one of several public schools in Chicago to get a “top-to-bottom housecleaning in recent years – including replacing the principal and most teachers – in a bid to lift student achievement out of the nation's academic basement.”
Read more in the Christian Science Monitor >>
Push for rigorous school standards
An editorial urges the state legislature of Iowa to uphold rigorous standards measuring student performance and content standards.
Read more in the Des Moines Register >>
Teacher quality and the achievement gap
Achievement gaps facing poor and minority students in Austin and Round Rock, can be attributed in large part to gaps in teacher quality and experience, according to the Education Trust’s recently released statewide report.
Read more in the Austin-American Statesman >>