By Devin Boyle, Director of Communications
There’s an extra week of news thrown in here due to the holidays so fill up your coffee cups!
DFER Seen & Heard:
- Bills to refine education authority’s role in Michigan make progress; DFER’s Blackmond weighs in (The Detroit News)
- Dropout Nation gives a nod to Charlie Barone’s tweet saying USDOE’s letter to states on grad rate accountability appears to be fig leaf
- DFER Hot List member Rep. Millie Hamner named chair of CO House Education Committee (EdNews Colorado)
- Fed Policy Director, Charlie Barone, tells the Huff Post’s Joy Resmovits that the Administration is being hedgy about NCLB reauthorization
- Joe Williams talks ed reform and the election on Bloomberg EDU’s Podcast
- DFER’s Lisa Macfarlane tells the Lake Stevens Journal, “Washington voters clearly understand that public charter schools across the country are providing more opportunities for student success”
- EdNews Colorado gives a nod to DFER in their “Endorsements 2012 scorecard”
- Washington Coalition for Public Charter Schools sends press release on passage of WA Charter School Initiative
- DFER WA State Director discusses the benefits of charter schools with NY Times columnist Motoko Rich
DFER Press Releases:
- DFER Urges Lawmakers and School Districts to Act on Latest Data Showing Student Gains in NJ Charter Schools
- DFER NJ Applauds Passage of Teacher Contract in Newark
- DFER Commends Passing of WA Ballot Measure Allowing Public Charter Schools
From DFER’s Blog:
- Joe Williams asks, “True or False?: Doogie Howser Is The Best Argument Against LIFO Ever”
- Lisa Macfarlane writes, “Public Charter Schools Ride Blue Wave in Washington”
- “What Do Elections Really Tell Us?” asks DFER’s Larry Grau
- DFER Colorado State Director Moira Cullen gives a post-election recap
- DFER Team members Omar Lopez and Sean Anderson spend Veterans Day helping Hurricane Sandy victims
In Related News:
- Something’s off here: 97% of Michigan teachers rated effective or highly effective in 2011-12 school year (Ed Week)
- Duncan tells states grad rates must be significant part of accountability systems under NCLB waivers; see Barone’s take in Dropout Nation piece (Ed Week)
- LAUSD Superintendent John Deasy feigned shock at not being a finalist in the RttT District Competition (Huff Post)
- Graduation rate data released by the USDOE highlights large achievement gaps (Ed Week)
- Dept. of Ed announces 61 finalists for $400 Million Race to the Top District Competition
- Teachers find value in LAUSD new evaluation system according to the LA Times
- “A new contract for teachers is shaking up New Jersey’s largest city,” reports The Economist
- The Wall Street Journal reports on the high cost of dropping out of college
- Washington becomes 42nd state to allow charter schools (Seattle Times)
Fun with Infographics & More:
- DFER Postcard – A liberal, a moderate, and a conservative walk into a bar …
- Infographic – The High Cost of Dropping Out
- Infographic – Spotlight on Progress: Path to College Completion
And, as always – Have a great weekend!