Federal Update - January 2, 2009
Brought
to you by your voice at the national level,
the Association of American
Educators.
Obama Selects Arne Duncan of Chicago as Secretary of Education
Economic Recovery Plan Likely to Include Billions for School Repairs
"Chicago School Reform Could Be a U.S. Model"
Education Funding Faces Deep Cuts in Several States
New Orleans Will Get More Charter Schools
Obama Selects Arne Duncan of Chicago as Secretary of Education
From the New York Times:
"Arne Duncan, the Chicago schools superintendent known for taking tough steps to improve schools while maintaining respectful relations with teachers and their unions, is President-elect Barack Obama's choice as secretary of education.
"Mr. Duncan has been working for several years to expand the early childhood opportunities in the Chicago Public Schools, increasing enrollment opportunities for 3- and 4-year-olds by 1,000 places or more each year."
From the Wall Street Journal Opinion section:
"Washington, D.C., schools Chancellor (and über reformer) Michelle Rhee endorsed the pick, as did President Bush's Education Secretary, Margaret Spellings. But Mr. Duncan also has fans among traditional Democrats, whose main interest is keeping the teachers unions happy. House Speaker Nancy Pelosi applauded the choice, and Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid promised that he would enjoy a speedy confirmation.
"He's known for a flexibility that allows him to float between the traditional Democratic strongholds and the new wave of reformers in the party. With proper implementation, Mr. Obama could accomplish on education reform what President Bill Clinton did for welfare reform -- taking a previously Republican issue and transforming it from within the left."
Economic Recovery Plan Likely to Include Billions for Education
USA Today discusses President-elect Obama's plan for improving facilities for K-12 schools across the country:
"More kids than ever are crammed into aging, run-down schools that need an estimated $255 billion in repairs, renovations or construction. While the president-elect is likely to ask Congress for only a fraction of that, education experts say it still could make a big difference.
"Obama aides working on the stimulus package say they want projects that can start immediately, putting people back to work. A study by the Economic Policy Institute estimates that spending $20 billion on deferred maintenance in school districts across the country would create nearly 250,000 skilled maintenance jobs."
For more information:
http://www.usatoday.com/news/education/2008-12-31-obama-schools_N.htm
"Chicago School Reform Could Be a U.S. Model"
"Chicago has become a laboratory for reform in Duncan's seven-year tenure. Officials here court new charter schools, teacher training is being reinvented, and some low-performing schools have been shuttered and reopened with new staff. Officials are also offering some students cash for good grades and seeking proposals for boarding schools."
For more information:
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/story/2008/12/30/ST2008123000085.html
Education Funding Faces Deep Cuts in Several States
"Funding for public schools continues to come under the ax in states hit hard by the financial crisis, forcing lawmakers and education officials to look for alternative sources of revenue to make up for some of the funds lost.
"Idaho's state board of education, already stretched thin after financial miscues last year left the agency facing a potential deficit of about $1.4 million, has covered its previous 4 percent, $205,000 budget trim by leaving vacant positions unfilled, delegating more job responsibilities and returning thousands in unused scholarship money.
"In Florida, where Gov. Charlie Crist has directed state agencies to offer proposals for a theoretical 10 percent cut, state schools Superintendent Eric Smith testified before a House panel saying the deep cuts, around $865 million, would put some districts into a 'financial emergency' or at least uncertainty."
For more information:
http://www.edweek.org/ew/articles/2008/12/17/16ap_states.html
New Orleans Will Get More Charter Schools
"Recovery School District Superintendent Paul Vallas hopes to target at least a few low-performing schools each year for conversion to charter schools, run by private operators. Each charter proposal would need approval from the state Board of Elementary and Secondary Education.
"A system of charter schools and state-run schools that are granted some degree of independence will give parents more choices and should attract top-quality charter proposals from outside entities, Vallas said. In addition, foundation and federal grants will follow the trickle of charter-school approvals, he said."
For more information:
http://www.nola.com/news/index.ssf/2008/12/more_schools_to_join_new_orlea.html