The LA Daily News suggests there’s little that can be done to stop the Villaraigosa juggernaut:

DESPITE the Los Angeles school board’s efforts to fight, dodge or ignore major reforms, there’s every indication that change is coming and there’s nothing the intransigent board can do to stop it.

The question of major change in the Los Angeles Unified School District is no longer one of "if," but "when" and "how." 

The editorial staff goes on to point out just a few of the many of the other forces in play: LAUSD’s new supe, an insurgent Green Dot looking to grow, new legislation to break up the district.  Along those lines, consider the D.C. takeover, which is just beginning: like LAUSD, there are lots of different players jockeying for a seat at the table.  If anything, the D.C. scenario is even more complicated due to congressional control of the city,

It seems like mayoral takeovers can be a real crapshoot.  As illustrated in New York, the end result can be beneficial for students.  But the problem is the process required to get to that point, which by definition is political to the extreme–and that’s saying a lot, given how politically charged public education already is (witness Villaraigosa, who is pulling out all the stops, including trying to engineer a takeover of the school board).  Even if the mayor succeeds, if the process doesn’t get beyond the politics, the net result may be a big negative. 

One other interesting aspect to all this is how public school choice is increasingly a component of such takeovers.  Mike Bloomberg and Eliot Spitzer want the charter cap raised, and in L.A., it seems Villaraigosa is about to turn to charters as leverage for change in LAUSD (particularly interesting, given his strong union ties).  No such thread has emerged yet in D.C., but the process there is still young, and given the popularity of charters there, I imagine it will come along soon enough. 

But these are America’s biggest urban areas.  Will we see more such takeover attempts in smaller cities?  Obviously it’s a bit of a stretch to make a blanket statement, since every city’s political atmosphere and dynamics are unique, but something tells me mayors from smaller cities will be much more reluctant to attempt it: I think that districts in smaller cities have more clout relative to their mayors than is the situation in bigger locales, meaning only big-city mayors can amass the star power and political capital to contend.  I think it’s generally agreed that Villaraigosa has put an awful lot of his own momentum into the LAUSD venture, and it remains to be seen if it was spent successfully. 

Topeka Capital-Journal: Charter school hearing divisive

In a meeting that spiraled quickly into snide remarks, Topeka Unified School District 501’s school board on Monday night again rejected two charter school applications.

"Madame chairwoman, I would vote that we adjourn," said board member Tim Clothier at the close of the three-hour meeting.

"You are adjourned," fired back charter applicant Betty Horton.

Then, as the audience that numbered as many as 50 packed up, Horton hollered a warning to her opponent in the April 3 school board election, "Dr. Pezzino, I’m running for your position."

AP: LA superintendent meets with lawmakers, lobbies for more funds

District Superintendent David L. Brewer met with lawmakers Monday, seeking a change in the way the state distributes money for school construction projects.

The Los Angeles Unified School District is in the middle of a $20 billion construction project expected to add 145 new schools. However, district officials say the project may be in peril since some predictions show a $1.6 billion shortfall by 2009.

Brewer, who spent Monday in Sacramento, said changes need to be made to the current state formula that links construction funds with student enrollment projections. District officials estimate Los Angeles, the nation’s second largest school system, will lose students over the next few years due to a variety of reasons, including high housing costs and migration to inland areas.

"(The formula) unnecessarily penalizes urban school districts like L.A., so we just need to get this straightened out," Brewer said in a telephone interview.

NYT: Spitzer’s Education Agenda Promises Aid Increase

Gov. Eliot Spitzer declared on Monday that he would propose a major increase in state aid for New York’s public schools in his first budget and would seek vastly expanded oversight of local school districts, including wide powers to remove school boards or force the dismissal of superintendents for repeated failures.

Laying out an expansive agenda in a speech at the State Education Department, Mr. Spitzer said he was proposing “the largest infusion of resources in our state’s history” but left a specific number for Wednesday, when he is to unveil his budget. Officials who have been briefed on the governor’s plans said he would propose $1.4 billion in added education spending statewide for the coming fiscal year, increasing to $7 billion in added annual spending after four years.

The largest share of that $7 billion — about $3.1 billion — would go to New York City. Combined with $2.2 billion in added city education spending over the next four years proposed by Mayor Michael R. Bloomberg, city schools ultimately stand to gain $5.3 billion a year — a huge windfall even for a school district that already spends more than $15 billion a year.

“There will be no more excuses for failure,” Mr. Spitzer declared in his address. “The debate will no longer be about money, but about performance. The goal will no longer be adequacy, but excellence. And the timetable will no longer be tomorrow, but today.”

Washington Post: Board of Ed Presents Alternative to Takeover

The D.C. Board of Education countered Mayor Adrian M. Fenty’s school takeover plan yesterday with a proposal outlining specific academic targets to improve the city’s low-performing school system within two years.

Led by board President Robert C. Bobb, the school board unanimously passed the "Emergency Student Achievement Act of 2007." The legislation, which requires council approval, would be in effect for the next 18 months. It would allow the school board to retain power over its budget and the construction and renovation of school buildings and give a new State Department of Education the ability to open charter schools.

In contrast to the mayor’s plan, which does not deal directly with academics, Bobb promised to increase services for special education students in D.C. classrooms and to increase the number of students who test at the proficient or advanced level by 10 percent. Additionally, Bobb said the board’s proposal would not require a change to city’s Home Rule Charter, which Fenty is seeking by going to Congress.

"This is not a bill on restructuring," Bobb said. "This is a bill that is focused on improving student outcomes."

Religious, civic groups want education act revised - As Congress considers reauthorizing the No Child Left Behind education act, civic and religious groups believe changes are needed to ensure that no child, indeed, is left behind in the U.S. public school system.

Secretary Spellings Promotes Education Priorities at National School Boards Association’s Annual Federal Relations Network Legislative Conference - Press release: U.S. Secretary of Education Margaret Spellings continued her national dialogue with top education officials to promote the successes of No Child Left Behind and Building on Results: A Blueprint for Strengthening the No Child Left Behind Act.

No Child act creates problems - Editorial: No Child Left Behind expires this year and must be reauthorized. With Democrats in control of Congress, changes to NCLB may lie ahead. Making the program more realistic and practical would be a help.

Spitzer Seeks School Reforms, More Charter Schools - New York schools would have to improve student performance and defend the use of tax dollars in exchange for historic amounts of new aid, while failing schools could be closed, under proposals by Gov. Eliot Spitzer.

Salute to Catholic Schools Celebrated Jan. 28-Feb. 3, 2007 - Press release: The nation’s nearly 8,000 Catholic school students are celebrating Catholic Schools Week, Jan. 28 through Feb. 3. This year’s theme is "Catholic Schools: the Good News in Education."

Spitzer calls for fair school funding, accountability - Gov. Eliot Spitzer Monday called for more charter schools and pre-kindergarten classes and generous education funding awarded on a fair formula, but the money will have strings attached and poorly performing schools will be closed.

Experts Urge Governor, Lawmakers to Increase Charter Public School Funding - Press release: The Illinois Network of Charter Schools (INCS) today urged Governor Blagojevich and lawmakers to support the Illinois State Board of Education’s recommendation to add $4.4 million to Illinois’ education budget to expand charter public schools in Illinois.

Judge tosses lawsuit over school finances - Education union lobbyists worried Monday that a judge’s decision to throw out their school-finance lawsuit strips disadvantaged children of their right to fight in court for a better education.

Governor Spitzer Announces Education Reform Agenda - The governor’s calls for change lead up to the release of his first budget - which will include what he calls the biggest funding increase for education in a decade.

Public-schools group jeers privatization - Some National School Boards Association (NSBA) members yesterday booed Education Secretary Margaret Spellings when she mentioned the administration’s proposal to help students in chronically failing public schools attend private ones instead.

Education bill slammed by local officials - Mansfield, Massachusetts School Superintendent John Moretti has some simple advice for Congress as it begins work on reauthorizing the No Child Left Behind education bill: Scrap the law and start over again.

Drop-Out Rate a Crisis for Texas - Press release: According to education experts a least half of all high school students in the state’s urban school districts are dropping out of school and the rate is highest among blacks, Hispanics, and low-income students. In statistics released by the Intercultural Development Research Center statewide, each graduating class has at least 120,000 fewer students than started high school.

Editorial: K-12 committees address learning gap - Minnesota ranks highly among the states on most education indicators, but gets low marks for its achievement gap. With the fifth-widest disparity in the nation between white students and those of color, helping thousands of kids catch up must be a top priority.

Michigan lawmakers take on No Child Left Behind overhaul - Congress plans on renewing NCLB before it expires this year. Democratic leaders have vowed to make it a top legislative priority, hoping to make it more user-friendly for local school districts.

Leave no child behind - Editorial: Federal lawmakers should approve the No Child Left Behind reauthorization.

Left Behind - Editorial: Virginia’s high-profile challenge over students with limited English proficiency, coming as congressional debate over reauthorizing the No Child Left Behind Act begins, at least may focus attention on an issue that has been overlooked for too long.

Charter school hearing divisive - In a meeting that spiraled quickly into snide remarks, Topeka Unified School District 501’s school board on Monday night again rejected two charter school applications.

Math + low FCAT = summer school - Starting next school year, a new Florida law will require high school students to pass four years of math to graduate.

Senator wants students fully ready for higher ed - A North Dakota state senator wants to make high school graduation and college admission requirements the same, saying too many students aren’t prepared for college classes.

Change agent - Editorial: Despite the Los Angeles school board’s efforts to fight, dodge or ignore major reforms, there’s every indication that change is coming and there’s nothing the intransigent board can do to stop it.

LA superintendent meets with lawmakers, lobbies for more funds - LAUSD Superintendent David L. Brewer met with lawmakers Monday, seeking a change in the way the state distributes money for school construction projects.

Evans presents plan to improve schools in city - Mayoral candidate Dwight Evans presented an education strategy yesterday that would put laptop computers in every Philadelphia classroom. But then he reiterated his support for a school governance structure that gives the mayor no power to turn such ideas into reality.

Appalling dropout rates make school choice case - Opinion: By introducing competition, school choice can and will increase high school graduation rates across Texas.

Michigan must close gap in its students’ education - Editorial: Parents, students, political, business, labor and civic leaders all must play an active part in transforming Michigan’s educational achievement rates. Waiting to do that only puts us farther behind and at risk of a long, painful decline.

No deal left behind for two old lions - Opinion: There’s a limit to how much any president, especially an unpopular one, can achieve in a seventh year. Mr. Bush and Mr. Kennedy could surprise people, if they follow their natural instincts to get things done.

Mixed reaction to Bush plan for No Child Left Behind act - Some of the kindest words President Bush received after his State of the Union speech last week resulted from his commitment to expand No Child Left Behind.

Gifted student feels Left Behind - As No Child Left Behind policy is reviewed this year, there is one group of students some think may have been left behind — those who are high achievers.

Spitzer Vows School Funds, With Conditions - New York school systems that want to receive extra state funds ordered by the courts in the Campaign for Fiscal Equity case will have to sign a contract promising to do things such as reduce class size or lengthen the school year, Governor Spitzer says.

Spitzer’s Education Agenda Promises Aid Increase - Gov. Eliot Spitzer declared on Monday that he would propose a major increase in state aid for New York’s public schools in his first budget and would seek vastly expanded oversight of local school districts, including wide powers to remove school boards or force the dismissal of superintendents for repeated failures.

Board of Ed Presents Alternative to Takeover - The D.C. Board of Education countered Mayor Adrian M. Fenty’s school takeover plan yesterday with a proposal outlining specific academic targets to improve the city’s low-performing school system within two years.

UPDATE:

Who wins, who loses in school choice legislation? - (registration required) Both sides of the school-choice issue are gearing up for what many say is an inevitable battle in the Missouri General Assembly. 

Reaction from area school leaders - (registration required) None of the Eastern Jackson County public school superintendents support the tax credits, but leaders of two prominent private schools in the area are enthusiastic about their potential. 

Lawmaker wants Missouri schools to start later - Sen. Jack Goodman, R-Mount Vernon, is proposing legislation that would prohibit schools from starting 10 days before Labor Day, the U.S. holiday for workers that falls on the first Monday of September. 

Bush Offers ‘Blueprint’ for NCLB - (Edweek.org subscription required) With the release last week of the Bush administration’s blueprint for changes to its signature education program, it’s clear that Republicans and Democrats agree that the priority should be improving the nation’s lowest-achieving schools. How to do that, though, will be the subject of partisan debate.  

Unions push for pension choice - Teacher and school service personnel unions will ask the state Legislature to let workers choose between two retirement systems, now that a merger of the plans has been deemed unconstitutional.  

Raising Enrollment Focus Of Catholic Schools Week - The Archdiocese of Philadelphia introduces an enrollment campaign and expresses support for school choice. 

Grand day for students with special needs - Opinion: It’s a rare treat to be present when the Earth moves, when change comes to an institution that has clung to yesterday despite the collapse and transformation of the world it served. 

Senate Discusses School Vouchers for Disabled Students - The Bibb County Board of Education is preparing to send a letter to Atlanta denouncing a proposed bill.  

Senate set to consider voucher plan for disabled students - Objections to private school vouchers will bump up against an effort to increase choices for students with learning disabilities when the state Senate considers a bill sponsored by its top member. 

Freshmen may face changes - Rockford schools are changing how they do freshman year. Judging by failure, truancy, graduation and disciplinary referral rates, they have to change, Auburn High School Principal Richard Jancek said. 

Teachers back more school for young kids - Four west-metro kindergarten teachers agree that access to all-day classes would help many kids, but they cautioned that it’s not the answer for every student. 

Spellings Defends No Child Law - Education Secretary Margaret Spellings downplayed critics of the federal No Child Left Behind law Tuesday as she continued to push for the renewal of the 5-year-old education reform package. 

Spitzer Outlines "Tough Love" Approach To Education Reform - Governor Spitzer is calling it "contracts for excellence," and its meaning is simple for the local education officials who sign it.  

AFT No Longer a Major Player in Reform Arena - (Edweek.org subscription required) Focus of union changed with loss of leaders and shift in nation’s political climate. 

Education plan caught in nitty-gritty - Gov. Chris Gregoire pitched her broad preschool-to-university education reform proposal to two Senate education committees Monday.  

Evans: Battle violence with education - Cops alone will not solve Philadelphia’s violence problem, mayoral candidate Dwight Evans said yesterday. 

Evans presents plan to improve schools in city - Mayoral candidate Dwight Evans presented an education strategy yesterday that would put laptop computers in every Philadelphia classroom.  

Financial crunch takes its toll; lauded program loses ground - Citing a lack of money, increasing numbers of Wisconsin schools are pulling out of a state program credited with boosting the scores of vulnerable poor and minority students.

UW-Madison professor has a vision for school funding  - But will anyone listen? It would mean blowing up the $10 billion system of paying for Wisconsin’s public schools.

For schools, an increased sense of urgency - Cody Schara, a sophomore at Baraboo High School north of Madison, wishes he’d been born a few years earlier, before his school axed classes and packed 30 students into some classrooms to save money.

Teachers seek reform during rally in Austin - More than 300 educators, including 12 from El Paso area schools, converged on the Capitol on Monday to let lawmakers know there is still much work to do to improve Texas public schools. 

Corporate donations to offset parochial/private school tuitions - A new program, the Rhode Island Corporate Scholarship Tax Credit, will soon provide relief for economically disadvantaged families faced with paying parochial and private school tuitions.  

Spellings Hits Road, Stresses Charter Plan - (Edweek.org subscription required) The administration said it would support local decisions to reopen schools identified as needing improvement under the No Child Left Behind law as charters, even if state law limits the number of those independent public schools.  

The Australian Education Union (AEU) – the peak national union for public education – likes a good crisis as much as the next vested interest, especially if the remedy is money. According to the AEU, Australia is facing a dire shortage of teachers in the next three years.

More “Teacher Shortages in Australia (Jennifer Buckingham)”

Ohio teacher Carol Katter, a devout Catholic, had always refused to join the Ohio Education Association due to the NEA’s support for abortion on demand.  She tried to exercise her right under state law to withhold her agency fee dues, claiming religious objection; in those circumstances, the union would supposedly donate the dues of such individuals to charity.  But she found out the hard way that the actual application of the policy wasn’t all that inclusive:

[Katter] later learned that members of only two religions receive the charity exception. "If you’re a Seventh-Day Adventist or a Mennonite, you’re pretty well covered" because unions "don’t hassle them at all" due to those denominations’ history of objection to union membership, she said.

While discussing the situation with an OEA official, Katter "pretty much pleaded with the lady," saying: "I can’t do this. It’s against my belief and my conscience. Isn’t there anything I can do to just give the money to charity?"

The teacher’s request was turned down "basically because I could not come up with proof that my individual church — not the Catholic faith, but my individual church — had a record of anyone having successfully fought a union," she said. "In my little parish church, no one’s ever done this, and that’s what threw it out."

Katter said the union attorney told her she had two choices - pay her dues or "change religions." [emphasis added]

The resulting lawsuit should be interesting after SCOTUS issues its opinion on the Washington paycheck protection case.