Vying for Seven State Super Slots November 2

EEP & Signatory News
Education Next’s (audio) Paul Peterson and Chester E. Finn, Jr. (EEP signatory) talk this week (October 21) about how online learning can solve its two accountability challenges – how to ensure that the student is submitting his own work, and how to ensure that courses are of high quality.
The Providence Journal reports that Education Commissioner Deborah A. Gist (EEP board member) warns that Rhode Islanders need to brace themselves for hard decisions ahead to improve more of the state’s struggling schools.

National
New York news is making waves across the country.  The Wall Street Journal reports that the NYC Department of Education agreed to back off its plan to release data meant to gauge the effectiveness of 12,000 teachers until a judge has an opportunity to decide whether the data are subject to public-records laws.   Gotham Schools reports that Secretary Arne Duncan supports the Chancellor’s decision to release individual teacher’s effectiveness ratings to the press.  Additional coverage from the New York Times and the Washington Post.
The Department of Education would like to get ideas about what people are thinking about the role of parents and teachers — about where these roles overlap, and where they are unique.

  • What do you think teachers want from parents?
  • What do you think parents want from teachers?
  • Where might their interests converge?
  • What is your vision for an effective partnership between parents and teachers?

Get informed! Voters in seven states will get to pick state superintendents on the Nov. 2 ballot, according to EdWeek’s State EdWatch. The contests feature incumbent Idaho Republican Tom Luna, a former top aide to U.S. Secretary of Education Rod Paige, who is being challenged by Democrat Stan Olson, the former superintendent of the Boise Schools. Down in Georgia, it’s a three-way contest between Democrat Joe Martin, Republican John Barge, and Libertarian Kira Griffiths Willis. In neighboring South Carolina, you’ve got Republican Mick Zais doing battle with Democrat Frank Holleman, who some folks might remember worked for former U.S. Education Secretary Richard Riley, who also served as that state’s governor. And in Wyoming, Cindy Hill, who defeated the incumbent office-holder Jim McBride in the GOP primary, faces state Sen. Mike Massie in the general election.
An opinion piece in U.S. News predicts that education reform will split the Democratic Party, in the same manner that the Tea Party phenomenon may tear apart the Republican Party.

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Getting Smart Staff

The Getting Smart Staff believes in learning out loud and always being an advocate for things that we are excited about. As a result, we write a lot. Do you have a story we should cover? Email [email protected]

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