Many of the basic U.S. Census statistics remain frankly discouraging. The poverty rate in Detroit shot up between the 2010 census and the 2015 update, to about 40% in 2015 from less than 35% five years earlier. (It was 26% back in 2000.) That probably reflects more families of means moving out of the city, leaving … Continue reading Detroit’s death march will continue without the creation of great schools and safe neighborhoods
Parent focus groups reveal disconnect between real and perceived student performance
The vast majority of parents believe their children are performing at or above grade level in both reading and math. According to nationally representative data from nonprofit parent advocacy organization Learning Heroes, across race, class, income and education levels, 90% of parents think their children are proficient in these two subjects. Educators know the reality … Continue reading Parent focus groups reveal disconnect between real and perceived student performance
This Mom Went to Jail Making Sure Her Son Received a High-Quality Education and She Would Do It All Over Again
"It’s been five years since Tanya McDowell made national headlines after she was charged with larceny for “stealing an education” for her son. Even with some time to think, McDowell believes enrolling her son at a Norwalk Public School was the right call." It's a shame that a mother is charged with a crime for … Continue reading This Mom Went to Jail Making Sure Her Son Received a High-Quality Education and She Would Do It All Over Again
Rep. Will Guzzardi, D-Chicago, seeks to stop charter school expansion in Illinois
State Representative Will Guzzardi has introduced legislation that would all but stop charter school expansion in Illinois. Guzzardi’s bill would block the opening of any new charter campuses… At US Parents, we wonder if Rep. Guzzardi believes that Chicago's public schools are now performing so well for all kids, especially those most at-risk, that additional … Continue reading Rep. Will Guzzardi, D-Chicago, seeks to stop charter school expansion in Illinois
Secretary DeVos, please ignore advice from timid conservatives ensconced in Ivory Tower think tanks
"U.S. Secretary of Education Betsy DeVos came to Washington to push the USA’s public education system to support not just public schools but private and religious schools as well." "While school choice advocates steadfastly support the federal government underwriting small private-school voucher efforts in places like Washington, D.C., and in Bureau of Indian Affairs schools, … Continue reading Secretary DeVos, please ignore advice from timid conservatives ensconced in Ivory Tower think tanks
Michigan has the schools it deserves, says Nolan Finley
By Nolan Finley “There is no culture of education in Michigan. It’s not a priority here.” Best practices for bettering school performance abound. All we need to do is adopt them, Finley writes. The most startling finding: Just 28 percent of parents believed a college education was essential to the success of their children. Michigan … Continue reading Michigan has the schools it deserves, says Nolan Finley
Failing Massachusetts schools seek autonomy in turnaround bid
More districts are embracing a quasi-charter model to avoid state takeover. These so-called "charter-like"schools are bound to struggle and fail to improve without significant freedom to self-manage. Source: Failing Massachusetts schools seek autonomy in turnaround bid | Education Dive
Teachers’ Union hit Texas Senate’s school voucher bill as ‘sinful’ privatization | Dallas News
Texas teachers' union has no shame in rallying its supporters to defend their failed monopoly in which poor and minority children suffer the most. Who's the real sinner here? Those who hold the defenseless captive, or those who seek to break the chains? Source: Teachers, pastors hit Texas Senate’s school voucher bill as ‘sinful’ privatization … Continue reading Teachers’ Union hit Texas Senate’s school voucher bill as ‘sinful’ privatization | Dallas News
Nevada’s failing schools: When is enough, enough?
Entrenched school districts continue to fail year after year in Nevada. It may be a case of haves and have nots. It may also be a political power struggle. For whatever reason, only 13 of 47 underperforming Nevada schools — which were under consideration to be converted to charter schools for 2017-18 — took advantage … Continue reading Nevada’s failing schools: When is enough, enough?
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