Elections in Three States Are Low-Profile, But High-Stakes for Education State EdWatch: Kentucky, Louisiana, and Mississippi hold gubernatorial elections, as well as down-ballot contests Nov. 3, and issues range from the Common Core State Standards to K-12 spending.
Colorado School District Immersed In Political Turmoil Amid Recall AP: While school-board spats typically are confined locally, these recall efforts have attracted spending from special-interest groups in a battle over what education reform should look like. It’s no surprise the setting for that question is Jefferson County, a politically diverse swing district where rural, mountain, and urban communities mingle. See also District Dossier.
Mississippi voters to decide how schools should be funded PBS: Initiative 42 is a proposed amendment to Mississippi’s constitution that supporters say would “provide for the establishment, maintenance and support of an adequate and efficient system of free public schools.” If the state doesn’t continue to fund public K-12 schools at these current levels, courts could enforce the amendment to get more money and resources, according to the original filing with Mississippi Secretary of State’s office.
California’s Attorney General Is Investigating The Online Charter School Industry BuzzFeed: The for-profit online charter school industry is the target of an investigation by California Attorney General Kamala Harris, according to a filing by K12 Inc., the country’s largest online charter management company.
Teachers need more time, money and prestige, report says LA Times: Changing the teaching profession by making it more prestigious and giving teachers more planning time are just two proposals that are part of a new report from the Center for American Progress, a liberal think tank in Washington. The report, which was provided to The Times and is being released Tuesday, calls for a comprehensive overhaul of the pipeline for becoming a teacher and staying in the classroom.
Help for Homework Help: Teaching Parents Common Core Math AP: They’re holding special classes or giving out materials designed for adults so they can help children with their math homework. After parents learn the strategies, educators say, they’re more willing to get on board with Common Core math amid criticism from some politicians, from fellow parents, on social media and from celebrities like Louis C.K., who complained Common Core math made his daughters cry.
Rift Emerges Among Gun Owners Over Concealing Weapons in Schools NYT: A dispute in a Michigan district is part of a larger debate over state legislation that is pitting open-carry groups — and gun control activists — against those who favor concealing guns at times.
Longtime Residents Witness Brooklyn Waterfront’s Changing Fortune WNYC: While a revitalized, polished Dumbo is open to anyone — like the adjacent Brooklyn Bridge Park — many Farragut residents said they felt that development and progress have bypassed their community.
Seattle district seeks to sever ties with Alliance for Education Seattle Times: The Seattle School Board will vote this week whether to restructure or dissolve its two-decade relationship with its fundraising arm, the Alliance for Education.
Only 35 L.A. public schools get an A in supporting the arts LA Times: For the first time, L.A. Unified in September completed a detailed accounting of arts programs at its campuses that shows stark disparities in class offerings, the number of teachers and help provided by outside groups.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Alexander Russo
Alexander Russo is founder and editor of The Grade, an award-winning effort to help improve media coverage of education issues. He’s also a Spencer Education Journalism Fellowship winner and a book author. You can reach him at @alexanderrusso.
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