Education News: December 21, 2009

Following are some of the top headlines from the world of education for the week ending December 21, 2009.

$23 Billion for Struggling School Districts
(Education Week, December 17) The House of Representatives has approved a new job bill that will offer $23 billion dollars to struggling school districts. The bill’s purpose will be to help avoid layoffs and cover the costs of teacher benefit packages. The money will be added to the $100 billion allocated to education under the American Recovery and Reinvestment act.

New York Governor Withholds Funds from Schools
(New York Times, December 16) On Wednesday a lawsuit was filed against New York Governor David A. Paterson. The suit, filed by teachers unions’ and local officials, argues that the governor’s decision to withhold the payment of school district funds violates the state’s constitution. The money was withheld in response to failed negotiations with State Legislature regarding New York’s $3.2 billion budget deficit.

Chicago to use Socio Economics to Diversify Schools
(New York Times, December 19) The Chicago public school system has developed a plan to diversify city classrooms based on socio economic criteria. The plan comes in response to a court ruling that nullified an old decree (passed in 1980) which allowed schools to use race as a factor in admissions. Critics of the plan are concerned that it will undermine the progress of Chicago schools’ racial diversity.

Research Sheds Light on Child Development
(New York Times, December 20th) In the past preschoolers have not been expected to grasp complex mathematics. However, recent research has revealed that preschool aged children are capable of more advanced math skills then previously believed. Cognitive neuroscience, a branch of research that studies when children learn fundamental skills best, is drastically changing educators’ understandings of childhood development.

Classroom Management Struggles
(Los Angeles Times, December 14) In recent months United States Education Secretary Arne Duncan has berated teachers colleges for not adequately developing students’ classroom management skills. The criticism was nothing new. Education experts have emphasized the importance of well managed classrooms for years. However, what is often neglected is how hard proper classroom management can be. With so many classroom management models to choose from, many teachers are struggling to find methods that suit them best.

Los Angeles Superintendent Weeds Out Weak Teachers
(Los Angeles Times, December 18) In an effort to improve struggling schools, Los Angeles Superintendent Ramon Cortines ordered school administrators to remove all ineffective teachers before they obtain tenure. The order comes in response to the superintendent’s acknowledgement of the city’s poor teacher evaluation methods.

Elementary Student Suspended Because of Long Hair
(USA Today, December 17) Pre-kindergartner Taylor Pugh has been suspended from Floyd Elementary School in Balch Springs Texas because of the length of his hair. The school’s principal has threatened to withdraw the boy from school if his hair was not cut to meet the standards of the district’s dress code. The current dress code states that male student’s may not have hair that covers the eyes or extends below the ear lobes. The conflict has launched a battle between the school district and the boy’s parents.