There's plenty of evidence that state and municipal budgets are strapped these days, due to shrinking tax revenues from a faltering economy, declining property values, etc. It's also clear that a number of school systems are feeling the pinch.
Chi-town, home of deep dish pizza, The Band, and an education reform powerhouse? That's John Simmon's take.
Dreading the pinch of a tight economy on your state's budget? You're not alone. According to the Center on Budget & Policy Priorities, nearly every state experienced flat or declining revenues in the first half of 2008 compared to last year, and 39 states have developed "budget shortfalls"--gaps between expected revenue and planned expenditures.
There's been a lot of debate recently about the degree to which the feds can coerce states or school districts to do things they don't want to do (see here,
Former Ed Truster Kevin Carey loves Education Trust's trusty new report on graduation rates (timed to coincide w
Governor Strickland's office recently shared his "Roadmap for Academic Reforms," which appears to be the forerunner or prelude to the governor's long-awaited plan for renewing and strengthening K-12 education in Ohio. The present document, regrettably, is not only devoid of specifics but also brimming with catchy buzz phrases and trendy eduspeak nostrums.
Last week, Mike explained (in the Washington Times), that NCLB needs to be "flipped" on its head. What does he mean?
Fordham's Mike Petrilli is participating in an online discussion where panelists--even as I type this--are attempting to answer the question "Do we need a new deal for teachers?" ??Moderator Steve Farkas, of the Farkas Duffett Research Group, kicked things off by
I'm not sure whether his analysis about the McCain campaign is spot-on, but how are we supposed to feel about Rich Lowry's depiction of us Gadflies?
Before the 2004 presidential election, it was obvious what the liberal advocacy group Education Trust thought about President George W. Bush.
I don't much cotton to this bloggish practice of holding internal conversations in public view, but this time I think Mike is over the top--and he didn't ask my advice before "publishing". He's right about NCLB's built-in flaws and the need to rethink the law??so as to set them right. A fair amount of that is statutory repair work; some, however,??is regulatory.
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We've just returned from the School Finance Redesign Project Panel (and were caught in the rain, no less!) Here are some final thoughts: Great ideas... not so practical. I'll give you two examples.
Mike Antonucci wants everyone to know that AFT President Randi Weingarten only makes $350,000 a year.
As a Maryland resident I have to decide how to vote on the state's Question 2 next week, whic
Today's Friday, which means there's a pretty good chance your child is being taught by a substitute teacher.
I really enjoy Andy Rotherham as a colleague and friend (you know, the way Joe Biden loves Joh
Don Soifer of the Lexington Institute provides some interesting background on the portfolio issue, and why this wonky topic matters.
That's one heck of a tough question that the next president - whether McCain or Obama - will eventually have to answer. Fordham's Mike Petrilli is trying to help out with a few suggestions.
Not everyone votes their pocketbook, but if they did, these education leaders would be pulling the lever for John McCain. That's because each one makes $250,000 or more per year: Joel Klein, New York City Chancellor???????????????????????????????? $250,000 (as of 2005) John Wilson, NEA Executive Director?????????????????????????????? $258,000 (as of 2005)
If you think that parsing Obama's portfolio policy is difficult, what to make of the conflicting signals over Teach For America?
It's no secret that Gadfly and his friends harbor some doubts about the programs now popping up in various cities that pay students for improved attendance, behavior, and grades. But now that these initiatives are in motion, we might as well learn something from them.
