Potential: Set the Foundation So Charter Schools Have the Chance to Succeed
Pacific Daily News, GU, February 3, 2009
Last week, Gov. Felix Camacho signed into law Bill 248. The new public law will create a council that can approve the establishment of seven public schools in Guam. Four public schools will be able to convert to charter school status.

A Vital Boost for Education
New York Times, NY, February 4, 2009
The stimulus measure being debated in Congress contains a vital $140 billion education package that would more than double the Education Department’s discretionary budget and give the federal government unprecedented leverage over a school-reform effort that has been controlled primarily by the states.

Education Money Ought to Lead to Reforms
Seattle Times, WA, February 3, 2009
But the money ought to have strings attached. The largest infusion of cash in recent history ought to not only stimulate the education industry, but reform it.

Improve Education Tax Benefits
National Review, February 4, 2009
To date, most conservatives have viewed education as a second-tier policy issue, and the results of this neglect are clear. The standard conservative education platform of school choice, block grants to the states, and abolishing the Department of Education has little appeal to middle-class suburban voters, especially independents. Here’s an idea that would: a universal education tax deduction.

Emergency Aid May Not Stop Layoffs of Teachers
Wall Street Journal, February 3, 2009
School officials say it is unclear how the money will be dispersed, because states will have some discretion in doling it out.

Obama Makes Unannounced Visit to Charter School
New York Times, NY, February 3, 2009
Though the visit was not on the president’s schedule, he and First Lady Michelle Obama made their way to the Capital City Public Charter School in northwest Washington just before 2 p.m. to meet with some young constituents.

Voucher Plan Would Help Sponsor, Not Students
Atlanta Journal Constitution, GA, February 4, 2009
Despite his influence in the state Senate, Republican Eric Johnson of Savannah lacks the statewide name recognition to clinch the lieutenant governorship next year. So, rather than resort to billboards or ads to expand his political profile, Johnson is using the controversial issue of vouchers.

Proposal Gives Parents Control
Atlanta Journal Constitution, GA, February 4, 2009
Clearly, our society does not want government picking our doctor, where we live or worship or where our children attend college. But for more than 150 years this nation has tolerated allowing government to tell families where they must send their children to school for a k-12 public education.

Smart Choices
Savannah Morning News, GA, February 4, 2009
A new voucher bill properly places school choice in parents’ hands in Georgia.
GEORGIA’S CHILDREN deserve a shot at the best education they can get, whether in a public or private school setting.

Groups Seek To Run Schools
The Advocate, LA, February 4, 2009
Eight civic, community and education groups have applied to run eight failing public schools in Baton Rouge the state took over last month, officials said Tuesday.

N.C. Education Ranked 30th In Recent Report; State Republicans Call For Change
Mountain Express, NC, February 3, 2009
N.C. Senate Republican Leader Phil Berger and House Republican Leader Paul Stam issued a joint press release today calling for education reform, following the announcement that the state ranked 30th in the nation in the “Report Card on American Education” released today by the American Legislative Exchange Council.

Cleveland Schools CEO Eugene Sanders Claims State Authority to Shape District Staff
Cleveland Plain Dealer, OH, February 4, 2009
Cleveland schools chief Eugene Sanders says a state education-reform package would let him pick each building’s teaching staff as he sees fit, not as union seniority rules dictate.

Time to Revisit Charter Schools
Southtown Star, IL, February 4, 2009
As parents and taxpayers become more and more discontented with what their local public schools are offering, the more outcry there is for charter schools. However, public school officials resist allowing competition in their districts, and rebut it by saying charter schools drain their already-strained budgets.

Teachers Union President Randi Weingarten Would Gut Mayoral Control To Enhance Her Own Authority
New York Daily News, NY, February 4, 2009
The teachers union will take up a proposal today that calls for gutting mayoral control of the schools under the guise of promoting a more collaborative leadership for the nation’s largest public education system.  Consider the source.

Giant Manhattan School to Be Broken Up to Further Smaller-Is-Better Policy
New York Times, NY, February 4, 2009
Louis D. Brandeis High School, an Upper West Side behemoth that takes in some of the city’s most disadvantaged students and has struggled year after year to bump up test scores and graduation rates, will be closed and replaced by three new small schools, the Department of Education announced on Tuesday.

Successful Charter Schools Put Kids On Path To College
Indianapolis Star, IN, February 4, 2009
Students at KIPP LEAD College Prep in Gary spend more time on task than their peers in traditional public schools. A lot more.

Catholic School Report Details Taxpayer Savings
Worcester Telegram, MA, February 4, 2009
According to the annual report of the Diocese of Worcester Catholic Schools, released last week, Worcester taxpayers saved at least $24,877,770 this year because 2,010 students are attending parochial rather than public schools.

Charter School Proposal Resurfaces at Legislature
Rapid City Journal, SD, February 4, 2009
For a second consecutive year, South Dakota legislators will be asked to allow charter schools in the state, and some backers say they will urge Rapid City school board members to support the measure.