Education Reform Briefs

From the Education Intelligence Agency, 5/4/98

Substitute Teachers Collect Summer Unemployment

Circuit Judge Riki May Amano ruled that substitute public school teachers in Hawaii are entitled to collect unemployment benefits during summer vacation. The state Department of Education sued to end the 20-year practice when it took over the task of paying unemployment compensation to teachers last year from the Labor Department. The Labor Department had paid the compensation because substitutes aren't given "reasonable assurance" that they will be employed once classes resume.

From the National Association of State Boards of Education, 5/4/98

Senate Examines Teacher Preparation Programs

The Senate education committee explored the status of America's teacher education system amid a proposal to impose sanctions on substandard programs. Under a proposal being floated, education schools would have to ensure that 75% of their graduates pass state licensing exams or become accredited by the National Council for the Accreditation of Teacher Education (NCATE). Schools unable to meet either standard would be prevented from admitting students receiving federal student loans into their teacher education programs. Not surprisingly, higher education groups oppose the idea and worry that such a plan would cede virtual monopoly control to NCATE on teacher education and lead to national teacher standards.

From the National Education Association, 5/6/98

NEA Urges Full Funding for E-Rate

Bob Chase, president of the National Education Association predicted an "explosion of learning" among teachers and students if the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) and Congress stand up to the telecommunications companies and stand by their commitment to full funding for the E-Rate program.

The Telecommunications Act of 1996 created the E-Rate (education rate) program, which will provide $2.25 billion in annual discounts for Internet access, distance-learning, and other educational technology for schools and libraries. Those discounts will range from 20 to 90 percent.

From the American Federation of Teachers, 5/11/98

Education Department Announces New Searchable Website

The Department of Education has announced the Federal Resources for Educational Excellence (FREE), a searchable collection of web pointers and references to every federal government resource known that deals in some fashion with education. Federal Resources for Educational Excellence makes hundreds of Internet-based education resources supported by agencies across the U.S. federal government easier to find. It also includes a large amount of interesting material for every grade level and curriculum area.

The FREE web site is http://www.ed.gov/free.

From CEO America, 5/11/98

Private Voucher Programs on the Increase

In 1998, CEO America has already equaled the number of private voucher programs introduced in a year -- seven. The foundation anticipates at least three other programs will open before school starts. The two newest private voucher programs are Memphis Opportunity Scholarship Trust (MOST), which plans to award 150 scholarships for the 1998-99 school year, and School CHOICE Scholarships, Inc. in Louisville, which expects to award 300 school choice scholarships.

From the American Federation of Teachers, 5/7/98

AFT's Edison Study Shows Mixed Results

A new report by the American Federation of Teachers finds uneven quality and mixed results in raising student achievement in schools run by the Edison Project, a private, for-profit company now managing 25 public schools across the United States.

The AFT Research Department conducted this study because there have been few independent analyses thus far of student achievement data from Edison schools, and available information hasn't been pulled together to give a comprehensive view of Edison's results.

From the House Committee on Education and the Workforce, 5/6/98

Higher Education Amendments Approved in House

The U.S. House of Representatives passed the Higher Education Amendments of 1998 (H.R. 6) by a vote of 414 to 4. Highlights of the legislation include:

• A new, low interest rate for student loans
• Increased assistance to disadvantaged students
• Modernization of the student financial aid delivery system
• College cost cutting measures
• Campus crime reports
• A new, quality teacher initiative
• Student loan forgiveness to teachers working in high poverty areas
• Elimination of student aid eligibility for convicted drug felons
• Support for free speech

From the U.S. Department of Education, 5/8/98

6,000+ Students Expelled for Firearms Violations

In school year 1996-97, the U.S. Department of Education estimates that, under zero tolerance policies, 6,093 students were expelled from public schools for bringing a firearm to school, according to the Report of State Implementation of the Gun-Free Schools Act -- School Year 1996-97: Final Report 1998, released today.

The overwhelming majority of expulsions under the law -- 58 percent -- were for handguns brought to school. Seven percent were for rifles or shotguns, and 35 percent were for some other type of firearm; including bombs, grenades, or starter pistols. Forty-seven states and territories reported this data by state.

From the U.S. Department of Education, 5/8/98

Education Department Touts Smaller Classes

Reducing Class Size: What Do We Know?, released today by the U.S. Department of Education, provides three overall conclusions:

• Research shows that smaller classes promote student achievement in the early grades.
• If class size is reduced from substantially more than 20 students per class to below 20 students, the related increase in student achievement moves the average student from the 50th percentile up to above the 60th percentile.
• Students, teachers, and parents report positive effects from the impact of class size reductions on the quality of classroom activity.

From the American Association of School Administrators, 5/8/98

AASA President-Elect Testifies on Parental Freedom of Information Act

Appearing before the U.S. House Subcommittee on Children, Youth and Families, AASA President-Elect Dan Domenech explained why it is not necessary to impose new "right to examine" laws at the federal level, because most jurisdictions are guided by state and local laws that do the same thing, but are not as intrusive as the proposed federal statute would be.

The legislation, H.R. 3189, is known as the "Parental Freedom of Information Act," and would, among other things, threaten removal of all a district's federal funds if you have a policy that "prevents the parent of an elementary school or secondary school student...the right to inspect and review any instructional material used with respect to the educational curriculum of, or testing material administered to, the student."