Do Charters ‘Cream’ the Best?
Wall Street Journal, September 24, 2009
Creaming” is the word critics of charter schools think ends the debate over education choice. The charge has long been that charters get better results by cherry-picking the best students from standard public schools. Caroline Hoxby, a Stanford economist, found a way to reliably examine this alleged bias, and the results are breakthrough news for charter advocates.

Obama Education Chief Duncan To Push Schools Reform
USA Today, September 23, 2009
U.S. Education Secretary Arne Duncan plans to challenge educators, civil rights groups and others to put aside “tired arguments” about education reform to help him craft a sweeping reauthorization of federal education legislation by early 2010.

Online High Schools Test Students’ Social Skills
Wall Street Journal, September 24, 2009
As online high schools spread, educators are ramping up efforts to counter the social isolation that some students experience. At the same time, sociologists and child psychologists are examining how online schooling might hinder, or help, the development of social skills.

Open Classroom Doors to Better Teachers
Washington Post, DC, September 24, 2009
I share your concern about the irrational rules that govern teacher accreditation ["Certification of Teachers as Painful Farce," Sept. 7]. I have a bachelor’s and a master’s degree in computer science and have taught professional development courses to help prep Advanced…

FROM THE STATES

Arizona

Arizona Expands K-12 Online Learning
Arizona Republic, AZ, September 24, 2009
More Arizona students will soon be able to attend their high-school algebra class while in their bedroom, or their chemistry class while at the kitchen counter.

Colorado

‘07 School Closings Boost Student Achievement, DPS Analysis Finds
Denver Post, CO, September 24, 2009
Students from schools in Denver that were closed two years ago in a reform effort are performing better academically in their new schools, according to a district analysis.

Michigan

Lansing Will Draw Students Out Of Class
The Grand Rapids Press, MI, September 23, 2009
About 2,500 students, including some from West Michigan, will get out of school Thursday to participate in a first-of-its-kind rally at the state Capitol promoting legislative changes.

Ohio

NWOCSC Questions TPS Letter
FOX Toledo, OH, September 23, 2009
Toledo charter school parents believe Toledo Public Schools is trying to increase their dwindling enrollment numbers by sending them a threatening letter.

New Jersey

State Gives Go-Ahead to 8 New Charter Schools
Star Ledger, NJ, September 24, 2009
The state has approved eight applications for new charter schools — including one that teaches Hebrew and another that immerses students in Spanish — which are expected to open in September 2010, officials said yesterday.

New York

Stubborn Charter School Critics Can’t Handle The Truth
New York Daily News, NY, September 23, 2009
Facts are stubborn things,” John Adams advised. With the release of a study showing New York’s charter schools are a big success - a study chock-full of stubborn facts - critics of charter schools in New York ought to be learning a lesson.

Nevada

Andre Agassi Takes A Swing For Education
MSNBC, September 23, 2009
Founded in 1994, the foundation strives to improve education in Nevada, especially for underprivileged youth. An important cornerstone of the foundation is the Andre Agassi College Preparation Academy, founded in 2001 to help students prepare for higher education and careers through character enhancement…

South Carolina

School Choice for Charleston
Charleston Post Courier, SC, September 24, 2009
The Charleston County School District, 100 miles long with urban, suburban and rural schools, is hugely diverse. No single kind of school will meet the varying needs of students. Superintendent Nancy McGinley wants to provide more choices close to home for all students, and that is a good idea.