In the News: A Clipping Service – April 18, 2011

In this edition of In the News:

  • New Orleans in the National News
  • New Superintendent for the RSD
  • KIPP Study Causes Controversy
  • Local Education Stories
  • National Education News
  • State News

New Orleans in the National News

Secretary of Education Arne Duncan Says He’s Inspired by New Orleans Schools
The Times-Picayune
– April 8, 2011
During his visit to New Orleans, Secretary Duncan called New Orleans the most improved school district in the country and our progress since Katrina “remarkable” and “stunning.”

New Orleans Schools a Study in Contrasts
Education News Colorado
– April 7, 2011
A journalist in town for the Education Writers conference tours two different schools, Walter L. Cohen and N.O. Charter Science and Math Academy.

Paul Vallas on Detroit’s Reform Efforts, Cathie Black’s Resignation and His Own Plans for the Future
Hechinger Report
– April 14, 2011
As Paul Vallas prepares to step down as Superintendent of the RSD, he speaks with the Hechinger Report and shares his opinions on recent national education headlines.

New Superintendent for the RSD

New York City Schools Official Picked to Head Recovery School District in New Orleans
The Times-Picayune
– April 6, 2011
John White has been picked to replace Paul Vallas as the new Superintendent of the Recovery School District. White, age 35, is currently the deputy chancellor for talent, labor and innovation for New York City schools.

Paul Vallas Leaves New Orleans Schools as a Disaster Recovery Expert
The Times-Picayune
– April 17, 2011
Critics and supporters weigh in on the legacy of Paul Vallas and his four years as RSD Superintendent. Vallas remains a controversial figure, but even his detractors agree that schools are better and Vallas’ boundless energy and ambition forced everyone to up their game.

KIPP Study Controversy

Review: What Makes KIPP Work?: A Study of Student Characteristics, Attrition, and School Finance
Education Gadfly
– April 7, 2011
This review of the Western Michigan University study “What Makes KIPP Work” finds their examination of KIPP schools to be flawed and unfair. Measuring the proportion of students who leave KIPP schools to the proportion who leave given districts fails to account for intra-district student movement.

View the Western Michigan University study.

View Mathematica’s 2011 report on KIPP schools, which counters the “What Makes KIPP Work” study.

Local Education Stories

Some New Orleans Charter Schools Allowed to Save Spots for Neighborhood Students
The Times-Picayun
e – April 8, 2007
BESE has approved a new policy allowing elementary and middle school RSD charters to set aside up to 20 percent of their seats for students in a neighborhood zone.

Jefferson Parish Inches Toward More Charter Schools, Some Parents Protest
The Times-Picayune
– April 5, 2011
The Jefferson Parish School Board is considering hiring the National Charter School Association to help select potential operators for some of its underperforming campuses, and the discussion is prompting parental concerns.

Uncertain Future for Vacant School Properties
New Orleans CityBusines
s – April 13, 2011
BESE voted to return 16 vacant school properties to the Orleans Parish School Board, but the OPSB wants appraisals and market studies on all 16 sites before taking control. OPSB will eventually sell the sites, but in the meantime the properties continue to deteriorate, and the RSD is on the hook for the sites’ upkeep.

National Education News

At-Risk Kids Treated as ‘Gifted’ Perform Better, Study Finds
Education Week
– April 6, 2011
A pilot program in North Carolina called “Bright Idea” has shown that when at-risk students are taught using strategies normally reserved for gifted and talented students, at-risk students perform better academically.

Educate or Incarcerate? NAACP Pushes States to Shift Priorities.
Christian Science Monitor
– April 7, 2011
A new report called “Misplaced Priorities” says states need to make better choices if we want to give more kids diplomas instead of criminal records. Our “tough on crime” system largely warehouses people who need treatment for drug and mental health problems and takes dollars away from education, one of the best ways to prevent crime. Business, law enforcement, and education leaders across the political spectrum have endorsed the report.

View the “Misplaced Priorities” report.

Study: Third Grade Reading Predicts Later High School Graduation
Education Wee
k – April 8, 2011
The Annie E. Casey Foundation just released a report that shows a student who cannot read at grade level by 3rd grade is four times less likely to graduate by age 19 than a child who does read proficiently by that time. Add poverty to the mix, and a student is 13 times less likely to graduate on time than his or her proficient, wealthier peer.

View the Annie E. Casey report.

Give Me a V!
Education Gadfl
y – April 7, 2011
Across the country, voucher programs have seen significant developments in the past few months. The Education Gadfly highlights just a few states where vouchers are in the news.

View a Fordham Institute report on the importance of accountability in voucher programs.

Turning the Classroom Upside Down
Wall Street Journal
– April 9, 2011
At the Khan Academy in Mountain View, CA, learning is flipped. Lectures take place at home with videos over the Internet, and “homework” is done at school where teachers can intervene.

State News

New BESE Map Killed in Dispute
The Advocate
– April 14, 2011
During their recent special legislative session, Louisiana lawmakers were unable to agree on where to draw the boundaries for BESE’s election districts. The issue will now have to be resolved in the regular session. Eight of BESE’s 11 seats will be on the October 22 ballot.

New Public Education Coalition
Research on Reforms
– April 5, 2011
In a recent press release, Research on Reforms announced the formation of the Coalition for Louisiana Public Education. The Coalition’s priorities include: delaying value added assessments along with letter grades for schools and student based budgeting; imposing a moratorium on any new school takeovers by the RSD; more money for schools; and protecting employee retirement systems.