SURVEY SAYS
It’s been nearly six months since the Vergara decision declared California’s state tenure and seniority laws unconstitutional. A recent Education Next survey asked how teachers rate their colleagues and, perhaps indirectly, how they feel about the consequential decision. Teachers gave high marks for 69 percent of their colleagues and gave low or failing marks to 12 percent. And as it turns out, only 41 percent of teachers favor tenure and also believe it should not be tied to student performance.
ADMISSION ISN'T ENOUGH
The National Student Clearinghouse reports that the proportion of students graduating from college has declined since 2008, when the economic recession hit its low point. Of students who enrolled in either two-year or four-year degree paths, only 55 percent graduated within six years. Clearinghouse directors suggest universities focus on helping already-enrolled students reach the finish line instead of attracting prospective applicants.
HOW A BILL BECOMES A LAW
After months of stagnation in the Senate, the Child Care Development Block Grant was passed Monday evening, updating safety standards for child care settings and providing financial assistance to low-income families in which a parent is working or undergoing job training. States will now be required to conduct comprehensive background checks on child care providers and provide information about available programs to parents.
EDUCATION SNAPSHOT: INDIANA
The Indiana state superintendent of public instruction might soon be an appointed position, if the Indiana Chamber of Commerce gets its way. The group has advocated making the elected position an appointment largely due to the fact that the office’s current holder, Democrat Glenda Ritz, has publicly battled with Republican Governor Mike Pence and the appointed state board of education. State Senate President Pro Tempore David Long said of the situation, “We wouldn't be having this dysfunction right now if it was an appointed position."
