NATIONAL

Mass Firings at R.I. School May Signal A Trend
USA Today, February 24, 2010
But Tuesday’s move by Central Falls, R.I., Superintendent Frances Gallo to remove all 74 teachers, administrators and counselors at the district’s only high school may be the first tangible result of an aggressive push by the Obama administration to get tough on school accountability - and may signal a more fraught relationship between teachers unions and Democratic leaders.

FROM THE STATES

Massachusetts

In Failing to Review Teachers, Schools Shortchange Children
Boston Globe, MA, February 25, 2010
BY TREATING required teacher evaluations as an afterthought, Boston schools are neglecting a powerful tool to improve instruction in the city’s classrooms.

Missouri

Teacher Pay Heats Up In State Senate
St. Joseph News-Press, MO, February 24, 2010
Matt Bartle has his way, Missouri teachers would be paid based on outcomes and merit. The Republican state senator from Lee’s Summit recently told the Senate Education Committee that tenure keeps bad teachers in the classrooms.

Nevada

Special Session: Nevada to Enter Race to the Top
Nevada Appeal, NV, February 25, 2010
The Nevada Senate and Assembly both approved bills Wednesday eliminating a law that bars Nevada from applying for up to $175 million in federal education funds.

New York

Let Charter Schools Flourish: Stop Pitting Parents Against Each Other, Says Schools Chancellor
New York Daily News, NY, February 24, 2010
As schools chancellor for almost eight years, I have found that while parents have many different views about education, they all want a great school for their children.

Oklahoma

Charter School Bill Passes Oklahoma House Committee
Tulsa World, OK, February 24, 2010
A charter school bill deemed vital to the state’s effort to win federal Race to the Top dollars passed the House Common Education committee Wednesday morning.

Pennsylvania

SRC Modifies Its Charter-School Policy
Philadelphia Inquirer, PA, February 25, 2010
The Philadelphia School Reform Commission approved a policy yesterday that will give successful charter schools more opportunities to expand.

Rhode Island

A Jumble of Strong Feelings After Vote on a Troubled School
New York Times, NY, February 25, 2010
This former mill town of about 19,000, where unemployment is 13.8 percent, is now embroiled in a battle over school reform similar to those that have taken place in troubled districts in Chicago, New York and Philadelphia, where officials have tried to fix failing schools by starting over with new staff members.

Crowd at General Assembly Hearing Supports Increase in Charter Schools
Providence Journal, RI, February 25, 2010
A crowd of students, parents and educators filled a State House hearing room Wednesday and spilled out into the hallway to praise charter schools and support legislation that would remove a cap on their number in Rhode Island.

Utah

Utah Considers Removing Charter School Cap
The Salt Lake Tribune, UT, February 24, 2010
Utah has joined a number of states that have worked in recent months to drop enrollment caps on charter schools to try to win federal Race to the Top money.

Virginia

Governor’s Charter School Plan Faces Major Test
The Virginian-Pilot, VA, February 25, 2010
Gov. Bob McDonnell unveiled his plans to encourage more charter schools in Virginia with much fanfare and bipartisan acclaim two weeks ago.

McDonnell’s Charter School Plan Faces Resistance from Local Officials
Washington Post, DC, February 25, 2010
Virginia Gov. Robert F. McDonnell often talks about his long-standing belief that government closest to the people governs best, a philosophy rooted in his conservative principles.

Wisconsin

Begin Process of Lifting Enrollment Cap on Virtual Schools
Sheboygan Press, WI, February 25, 2010
Open enrollment in Wisconsin education has just ended, so we don’t know just how many parents have applied to enroll their children in virtual schools.