Chiefline 4.30.13

Education Newsbriefs

'Why Common Core Makes Common Sense'

Jeff Roper, an English teacher at Declo High School in Declo, Idaho, discredits claims by critics that the Common Core State Standards initiative amounts to a federal takeover of local schools, stressing that the standards were created by state education departments, national business leaders, and an assortment of education experts, including teachers and national education reform leaders. more

CCSSO Statement on AFT President Randi Weingarten Speech

In response to a speech given today by AFT President Randi Weingarten, CCSSO Executive Director Chris Minnich offered the following statement. more

New Mexico Implementing New System to Identify Students at Risk of Dropping Out of School

The New Mexico Public Education Department will implement an early warning system to help schools identify students at risk of dropping out. more

Ringstaff: Common Core Has 'Awesome' Prospects

Officials in Tennessee have formed a 22-member State Leadership Council to help the state transition to the Common Core Standards, which are meant to ensure that high school students in participating states -- so far, 45 states and the District of Columbia are on board -- are learning the same information and are equally prepared for graduation. more

Alaska Joins Student Assessment Consortium

Alaska has joined the Smarter Balanced Assessment Consortium, says the State Department of Education and Early Development. more

Minnesota Adopts New Social Studies Standards

Minnesota Education Commissioner Brenda Cassellius and Gov. Mark Dayton have approved the new social studies standards developed and unanimously approved by a committee of 46 K-12 and post-secondary educators, business and government representatives, and parents. more

Louisiana Education Head: Teachers Will Get More Autonomy

During the recent Teacher Leaders Kickoff Event, Louisiana Department of Education Superintendent John White said the state will provide teachers with more resources and greater flexibility to make individual changes to meet student needs. more

Kentucky Partners With National Group to Engage Teachers

The Kentucky Department of Education is among the state agencies and organizations to partner with the national nonprofit Hope Street Group to engage teachers in the implementation of the state's Professional Growth and Effectiveness System. more

6 Georgia Schools to Begin Dual-Language Programs

Six elementary schools in Georgia have been awarded $15,000 in start-up grants to support dual-language immersion programs next year, and State Superintendent of Schools John Barge says the state has set a goal of having 20 dual-immersion language programs by 2020. more