September 2011 - School Reform News

The September issue of School Reform News reports on the progress of bills in Congress aimed at reauthorizing No Child Left Behind. HR 2218, The Empowering Parents through Quality Charter Schools Act, is an NCLB reform measure aimed at encouraging states to develop and expand high-quality charter schools; it passed through the House Education and the Workforce Committee with strong bipartisan support on a 34–5 vote.

Also in this issue:

• California’s State Board of Education approved a new draft of regulations governing the state’s landmark Parent Trigger law; the final set of regulations is expected this month.

• Wisconsin Gov. Scott Walker signed a bill extending Milwaukee’s vouchers to the entire county and a neighboring one, potentially doubling enrollment in the program over three years.

• So many school districts have signed up for Colorado’s pilot teacher evaluation program that the state department of education has had to make room.

• Utah has enacted the first “high-quality” digital learning law, expanding providers and opportunities--but schools are still waiting for explicit guidelines.

• The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services rolled out funds from the 2010 health care law for school health centers, but the cost could turn out to be huge.

• The Foundation for Teaching Economics estimates it has reached 43 million students by offering teachers free seminars on the basics of economic thought.

• Bruno Behrend, director of The Heartland Institute’s Center for School Transformation, reviews Terry Moe’s new book, Special Interest: Teachers Unions and America’s Public Schools.