10/27/12: WV Earns A- in Survey Studying Government's Use of TechnologyAccording to the 2012 Digital States Survey, West Virginia and five other states earned top honors in technology practices of state governments, along with Michigan and Utah. West Virginia was highlighted for its statewide telecom network for higher education and state agencies; school district savings on wiring and equipment; efficiency in e-rate mandated filtering of K-12 content; a statewide K-12 data system for scheduling, teacher evaluation, payroll, and other functions; and the quality of its online courses.
10/26/12: State Board of Education Approves Math PlanThe Virginia Board of Education unanimously approved a new annual measurable objectives for math proposed by State Superintendent of Public Instruction Patricia I. Wright. The new standards, part of the state's waiver application from the federal No Child Left Behind regulations, aim to close achievement gaps in math scores between white students and black and Hispanic students, as well as those with learning disabilities.
10/30/12: John White Outlines Plans for Louisiana's Pre-K ProgramsOn Oct. 30, Louisiana Superintendent of Education John White outlined a new accountability system for the state's publicly funded pre-K programs that will be rolled out over the next three years to ensure that tax dollars are used by the programs. ACT 3 would ensure that existing dollars go further in helping prepare students for kindergarten, bringing all programs into one network, creating a system to assess their quality, and providing information to parents.
10/26/12: Effort Lets Districts Be More Like Charter SchoolsA new education initiative in Kentucky to be launched in the 2013-14 school year will let school districts apply for permission to operate more like charter schools. The move would free school districts from certain laws and regulations and give them more flexibility with curriculum, instruction, funding, and school scheduling, but in return, they would have to bolster student performance.
10/31/12: 60 Percent of Indiana Schools Get A or B GradesWith about 60 percent of Indiana public and private schools earning A's or B's for student progress during the 2011-12 academic year under the new grading system, State Superintendent of Public Instruction Tony Bennett says, "This is a very good day for Indiana schools." No schools were marked for takeover this year, but 150 schools did receive failing grades that could signal a future takeover by the state unless grades are improved.
10/31/12: Tough New 'Common Core' Tests Designed to Better Prepare StudentsIllinois education officials say they hope the adoption of the so-called Common Core standards will better prepare students for college and careers.Officials say the new standards are tougher than the old ones, and thus the tests that measure the Common Core's effectiveness also will be more difficult, requiring students to prove how they reached an answer.
10/26/12: Fernandez Orders Steps to Cut CostsGuam Department of Education Superintendent Jon Fernandez has given administrators five recommendations that target "unnecessary costs" for 2013 spending. He said that the current freeze on pay raises will stay in place; there will be no overtime except in emergencies; color copying will be scrapped and employees will work paper-free when possible; the superintendent will scrutinize requests to hire non-teaching positions; and schools must reduce their energy usage
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