Roadblocks in OR for cyber charters, TX dropout rates can be solved by school choice, Los Angeles Superintendent demands reform …

Newport News-Times, OR: Online high school proposal faces major opposition at state level - State school officials will focus on Insight’s request to waive the state statute that requires 50 percent or more of the students attending any public charter school that offers any online courses as part of its curriculum to reside in the sponsoring district. Charter school law authorizes the state board to waive this provision (and certain others) if it meets certain criteria. This is the first time the state board has received a request to waive ORS 338.125(2)(b).

WHPCBS.com, PA: Cyber Charter School Debate - Numerous educators and parents from as far as Philadelphia came in support of the virtual school program. “I’m gonna talk about our experiences as far as education and the fact that this is an innovative approach, and we love being students enrolled at PA virtual school,” says Sophia Lewis, cyber school parent.

East Texas Review: Dropout rates show one size doesn’t fit all  - From the very beginning, school choice has been a civil rights issue, according to Texas Railroad Commissioner Michael Williams, a former assistant secretary for Civil Rights at the U.S. Department of Education. Our failure to recognize choice as a civil rights issue comes at tremendous cost. The NCPA study finds that a modest school choice program would reduce public school dropout rates. Every hour of every day, 93 Texas students drop out of public schools. The majority are inner city minority males. Choice is powerful. It provides the flexibility to serve various needs.

Los Angeles Times: LAUSD chief convenes reform summit - Seeking to overhaul chronically failing campuses, Los Angeles schools Supt. David L. Brewer quietly convened out of the public spotlight with union leaders representing teachers, administrators and non-teaching employees, neighborhood activists, leaders of the charter school movement, college deans and business leaders to help him devise an education reform plan.