The debate that has swirled around the overhaul of New Orleans public schools during the tenth anniversary of Hurricane Katrina "is, in most ways, the national debate" over school choice and education reform.
That's a key point made by Tulane University researcher Doug Harris in this short presentation he gave at a recent event at the Albert Shanker Institute. The issues, from a focus on quantifiable student outcomes to the proliferation of charter schools and vouchers, resonate all over the country. And the central philosophical divide is the same. This is one reason the sweeping transformation of a midsize urban school district has gotten so much attention from outsiders.
The dynamics of the debate are also similar. Supporters of the reforms point to improved student achievement. Opponents question the results — and the methods by which they were achieved. Both sides avoid inconvenient truths.
With that in mind, the 10 slides from Harris' Shanker presentation provide a handy guide to which arguments over New Orleans education reforms actually stand up to scrutiny. (more…)
Florida reform duel. At Jay P. Greene’s Blog, researcher Matthew Ladner responds to a recent critique of Florida’s reforms from Matt Di Carlo at the Shanker Institute. If you want a serious discussion of what’s working or not in Florida, including the impact or not of school choice, these guys are among the ones to read. Ladner’s conclusion: “The problem for Florida reform skeptics, in short, is that there simply isn’t any other plausible explanation for Florida’s gains outside of the reforms. … With large aggregate gains and plenty of positive research, the reasonable course is not to avoid doing any of the Florida reforms, but rather to do all of them.”
School security. Superintendents discuss the issue with the Senate Education Committee, reports the Tampa Bay Times. More from SchoolZone. Committee chair John Legg says he’s not hot on the idea of arming teachers, reporters News Service of Florida. Pinellas Sheriff Bob Gaultier says he's not hot on the idea of armed officers in every elementary school, reports the Tampa Bay Times. Broward school board members worry about the cost of extra school resource officers, reports the South Florida Sun Sentinel. Cape Coral charter schools hire one, reports the Cape Coral Daily Breeze. The Hillsborough school board shoots down Superintendent MaryEllen Elia’s plan for armed guards in every elementary school, with some calling it overboard and too expensive, reports the Tampa Tribune. More from the Tampa Bay Times.
Charter school growth. Florida adds 67 charter schools this year, helping the national number top 6,000, according to new numbers from the National Alliance for Public Charter Schools, reports SchoolZone. More from StateImpact Florida.
Better Burger vs. Bigger Burger. School boards have too big a conflict in interest in approving charter schools. EdFly Blog.
Sushi. Culinary students at Coral Gables High learn how to make it. Miami Herald.
Teacher evaluations. The Pinellas school board tweaks its state-mandated system, but still doesn’t like it. Tampa Bay Times.
Teacher pay. More on the merit pay court challenge. Tallahassee Democrat.
Teacher input. Get more of it. Tampa Bay Times.
Teacher turnover. Too much of it. Fort Myers News Press. (more…)
