Education Reform Briefs

From the Education Intelligence Agency, 12/27/99

Vice President Gore Supports Vouchers?

Vice President Al Gore discovered that you could introduce a plan that calls for spending $50 billion in federal funding for private schools and still be opposed to vouchers. The Gore program would allow the spending of public money on private preschools.

From the Education Intelligence Agency, 1/3/00

Teacher Unions Find New Way to Call for More Money

The newest craze in the world of teachers' unions is raising various measures of education spending to the national average. In California, the union has composed a ballot initiative to raise per-pupil spending to the national average in five years. Gov. Gray Davis said he would not support it if it led to a tax increase. Nebraska Gov. Mike Johanns had the same reaction to a Nebraska State Education Association plan in the unicameral legislature to raise teacher salaries to the national average in three years.

From the Center for Equal Opportunity, 12/15/99

New Study Confirms Discrimination at University of Virginia

A new study by the Center for Equal Opportunity confirms the conclusions reached in another report published by CEO earlier this year: There is overwhelming statistical evidence that the University of Virginia is discriminating against whites and Asians in favor of blacks and, to a lesser extent, Hispanics in its undergraduate admissions.

In 1999, the relative odds of admissions for equally qualified white and black applicants was 111 to 1. A smaller gap also exists between Hispanic admittees and white and Asian admittees.

From the National Association of State Boards of Education, 1/3/00

Cleveland Vouchers Ruled Unconstitutional

In late December, the federal judge reviewing the state's voucher program for Cleveland students ruled that the program is unconstitutional because it has the primary effect of advancing religion. However, students already in the program will be allowed to continue for the moment. A statement from state superintendent Susan Zelman notes that the Ohio Department of Education's "first priority remains to work in the best interest of the 3,543 students currently enrolled in this pilot program. The state will continue to issue these scholarships, uninterrupted, until a higher court makes a final decision."

From the Family Research Council/Ed Facts, 1/7/00

Education Savings Accounts Back on Congressional Agenda

Leaders of the U.S. House of Representatives yesterday (Jan. 6) announced that they would consider legislation to permit education savings accounts (ESA) early upon their return to Washington in February. Speaker Dennis Hastert (R-Ill.) outlined legislative priorities for the new session of Congress. The education savings vote is scheduled to follow consideration in the House of a tax cut provision that would reduce a tax penalty incurred by some married couples.

The education savings account legislation would allow an individual to contribute up to $2000 annually to any student's education account, which would earn tax-free interest. Withdrawals from the account for the purpose of kindergarten through college public, private or home education would not be taxed. The education savings account provision was included in last year's tax cut bill passed by Congress but vetoed by President Clinton. In the previous Congress, President Clinton also vetoed an education savings account bill.

From the U.S. Department of Education, 1/10/00

STaR Chart to Aid Teachers in Preparing for Digital Age

U.S. Secretary of Education Richard W. Riley joined members of the CEO Forum on Education and Technology today to release the Teacher Preparation School Technology and Readiness (STaR) Chart, designed to help teacher preparation programs chart a new course for the digital age.

The STaR chart provides educators with the information needed to be proficient and prepared in the use of technology for the classroom. It is intended to help educational institutions evaluate their technological readiness and help them plan for meeting technology goals. It also demonstrates the wide range of issues that contribute to a program's technology preparedness. Schools, colleges and departments of education can use the chart to identify their current technology profile and set goals for the future. They also can use it to determine funding priorities and help determine where funds are needed to fill training gaps.

From the National Association of State Boards of Education, 1/10/00

Quality of Teaching Force High Priority for NASBE

The top five states improving teacher quality in the US are Connecticut, Kentucky, North Carolina, Oklahoma and South Carolina according to Education Week's Quality Counts 2000, released on January 12. The quality of the teaching force continues to be one of the top issues of concern to state boards of education and one of NASBE's 2000 Study Groups is Coordination and Accountability in Teacher Education.

From the American Federation of Teachers, 1/10/00

Clinton Pushes School Repairs for 2000 Agenda

School modernization and repairs will be the centerpiece of the Clinton administration's legislative agenda for the remaining congressional session in 2000. Flanked by House and Senate Democratic leaders, President Clinton on Jan. 5 vowed to press Congress for nearly $25 billion in bonds over the next two years to help build and modernize up to 6,000 schools. In addition, more than 8,000 urgent renovation projects in needy school districts would receive interest-free loans and grants.