Upcoming Events:
- Join DFER on October 22 for a briefing on innovative approaches to teacher preparation. Presenters include the Urban Teacher Center, TNTP, Relay Graduate School of Education and MATCH Education.
DFER Seen & Heard:
- Former state senator Gloria Romero, formerly the state director of DFER-CA, discussed her departure and her plans to launch the Foundation for Parent Empowerment with POLITICO’s Stephanie Simon (the story is available only to POLITICO Pro subscribers). The news was also featured in the LA School Report.
- Joe Williams comments to Choice Media on Louisiana Superintendent John White’s warning to ed reformers and the gap in special education enrollment rates between traditional public and charter public schools.
Advocacy, Policy Briefs & Such:
- Statement | Sen. Romero leaves DFER; plans launch of new foundation to empower parents.
- Statement | Joint statement from six education, teacher and youth organizations on the federal government shutdown.
- Statement | MI House approves resolution enabling continued funding of Common Core.
- Statement | DFER-WA releases statement on applications for charter schools in WA.
DFER Blog:
- DFER-CO’s Jennifer Walmer applauds Gov. Hickenlooper’s “bold step to support reform.”
- Jarett Fields of DFER-WI asks, “How well (or poorly) are Milwaukee charter schools doing?”
- DFER-IL’s Rebeca Nieves Huffman: “Student growth tied to teacher evaluations in Chicago.”
- “As a nation, we must work tirelessly to elect leaders who remain true to the pursuit of equality and justice for all – so that all students, regardless of legal status, can pursue their dreams,” writes DFER-AZ’s Christina Martinez.
- DFER’s Domenic Giandomenico addresses accountability in higher education with “When being consistent is actually pretty inconsistent.”
- DFER-MI’s Harrison Blackmond: “Michigan Democrats strongly support Common Core and Smarter Balanced Assessment.”
- Check out CEE’s new blog!
In Related News:
- Denver Mayor Michael Hancock endorsed Amendment 66 on Tuesday, saying, “I want to give all Colorado kids the best chance to compete and succeed in a global economy.” (Denver Post)
- ERN’s Elizabeth Ling: “The level of support for Common Core from the business community has been extraordinary.” (Star Global Tribune)
- The Washington Post’s Emma Brown reports, “Charter school officials diverted millions, lawsuit alleges.”
- A new CRPE study shows NYC charters are not turning away students with disabilities, POLITICO’s Morning Education reports.
- Education Week and POLITICO’s Morning Education report on how the government shutdown will affect education.
- The New York Times’ Al Baker reports, “New York sues teachers’ union over deal on disciplinary hearings.”
- The Michigan House approved a resolution allowing the state to move forward with implementing the Common Core State Standards, the Detroit Free Press’ Lori Higgins reports.
- The College Board released a new round of SAT scores.
- The New York Times’ David Leonhardt interviews Education Secretary Arne Duncan and former Indiana governor and current Purdue University president Mitch Daniels on the future of education reform.
- The Arizona Capitol Times’ Ben Giles: Attorney general to take no action against new senator Carlyle Begay.
- “Milwaukee charters outperform district, fall short of expectations,” reports Ed Week’s Katie Ash.
- State Rep. Marty Walsh and City Councilor John Connolly won the Boston preliminary mayoral election, and will face off in November. (Boston Globe)
- “Houston schools win Broad Urban Education Prize,” reports Education Week’s Alyssa Morones.
- Boston teacher Andrew Vega writes in the Los Angeles Times, “Don’t fear Common Core.”
Fun With Infographics & More:
- Happy Friday! Who else needs coffee to make it to the weekend?
- Infographic | Teachers and administrators agree that CPS evaluations work for kids.
- Infographic | Follow these DFERs!