Series 2558: Constituent Correspondence, 2000-2003
36307
From: "ECS e-Connection" <e-connection@ecs.org> To: RM.GOV_PO.GOV_MAIL Created: 5/8/2002 11:12 AM Subject: ECS e-Connection 05/08/02 Message: ********************************************************** * Welcome to the "e-Connection" from the * * EDUCATION COMMISSION OF THE STATES, * * a weekly publication with links * * to key education information. * * * * http://www.ecs.org/ecs/e-connection * * * ********************************************************** ------------------------ WHAT STATES ARE DOING ------------------------ MARYLAND has passed legislation (SB 856) making it one of the first states to attempt to tie its school finance system to the state's education accountability standards. In addition, the new law mandates that every district must establish full-day kindergarten programs for all students and preschool programs for all 4-year-old low-income students by 2007-08. The law is funded in part by a 34-cent increase in the tobacco tax for cigarettes. http://www.ecs.org/html/newsMedia/e-Connection.asp#ws KANSAS Governor Bill Graves has approved legislation (SB 402) that provides a new statewide definition of charter schools. The new definition notes that "charter school" means a separate and distinct school that can be maintained in an existing school facility if it is operated separately from the other school using the shared facility. The bill also increases scrutiny on the process for accrediting charter schools. http://www.ecs.org/html/newsMedia/e-Connection.asp#ws ------------------------ GOOD READS ------------------------ For even the most qualified high school seniors, the likelihood of attending college increases with the level of their parent's education according to a new report by the American Council on Education. The report also finds that only 40% of four-year COLLEGE STUDENTS currently fit the traditional mold of enrolling in college directly after high school while depending on their parents to take care of most, if not all, of their financial needs. http://www.ecs.org/html/newsMedia/e-Connection.asp#gr Public college and university tuition requires an ever- larger share of the annual income of most American families, says a new report released by the National Center for Public Policy and Higher Education. The report, "Losing Ground," finds that PUBLIC HIGHER EDUCATION HAS BECOME LESS AFFORDABLE for all but the wealthiest Americans. The report also identifies five trends that have emerged over the past 20 years, including that, while federal and state financial aid has increased, it has not kept pace with tuition hikes. http://www.ecs.org/html/newsMedia/e-Connection.asp#gr A review of survey research conducted by Public Agenda to supplement the "Losing Ground" report finds that Americans are opposed to approaches that reduce access to college either by raising tuition or admitting fewer students. They are more sympathetic to approaches that emphasize greater contributions from the state or savings by colleges themselves. The report also notes that the public has not thought through the complexities of HIGHER EDUCATION FINANCING. http://www.ecs.org/html/newsMedia/e-Connection.asp#gr The National Assessment of Educational Progress will release the 2001 U.S. History results for the nation in grades 4, 8 and 12 on Thursday, May 9 at 10:00 a.m. EDT. To learn more about this assessment, go to: http://www.ecs.org/html/newsMedia/e-Connection.asp#gr ------------------------ ECS NEWS ------------------------ ECS is CALLING FOR REVIEW OF A STUDY that sharply criticizes the National Board for Professional Teaching Standards (NBPTS). The study, which looked at 16 of Tennessee's 40 teachers with NBPTS certification, says that the achievement gains made by Tennessee students of NBPTS-certified teachers are no greater than those made by students with average teachers. ECS will assemble a panel of unbiased, distinguished educators and researchers to conduct an independent review of the study and issue a public report of its conclusions. http://www.ecs.org/html/newsMedia/e-Connection.asp#en A session at the upcoming NATIONAL FORUM ON EDUCATION POLICY will explore Pennsylvania's experience with improving student achievement through independently operated schools. The Forum takes place July 10-12 in Los Angeles. http://www.ecs.org/html/newsMedia/e-Connection.asp#en ------------------------ NEW ECS PUBLICATIONS ------------------------ For many years, most states have had strategies to support and improve low-performing schools. A new ECS POLICY BRIEF explores how the No Child Left Behind Act provides opportunities to ensure that all schools perform at least at a proficient level. The brief is the fourth in a series of ECS reports examining the impact of the new law on specific aspects of state policy and policymaking. http://www.ecs.org/html/newsMedia/e-Connection.asp#ep ------------------------ NAMES IN THE NEWS ------------------------ Education Secretary Rod Paige announced the appointment of MARY ELIZABETH DAVIDSON COHEN as the regional representative for Region VII. Region VII includes the states of Iowa, Kansas, Missouri and Nebraska. The Department of Education maintains 10 regional offices throughout the country to represent department programs and interests. http://www.ecs.org/html/newsMedia/e-Connection.asp#nn ------------------------ UPCOMING MEETINGS/EVENTS ------------------------ The AFTERSCHOOL ALLIANCE is organizing an "Afterschool for All Challenge" to persuade Congress to appropriate $1.5 billion in fiscal year 2003 for the U.S. Department of Education's 21st Century Community Learning Centers (21st CCLC) program. The focus of the 21st CCLC program is to provide expanded after-school enrichment opportunities for children attending low-performing schools. http://www.ecs.org/html/newsMedia/e-Connection.asp#um ------------------------ OTHER USEFUL WEB SITES ------------------------ The NATIONAL CENTER ON EDUCATIONAL OUTCOMES' online bibliography allows users to search a compilation of research on the effects of testing accommodations on students with disabilities. The bibliography can be searched by disability, test content area, student age or keywords related to the accommodation type. http://www.ecs.org/html/newsMedia/e-Connection.asp#ow ---------------------------------------------------------- If you do not wish to receive this weekly communication, please reply to this e-mail with "unsubscribe" in the subject line. To sign up a friend, send us his or her name, title, organization and e-mail address. - Attachment Filename: C:\archives\governor\mail\Governor Musgrove\_attach\ECS e-Connection 05_08_02\Mime.822
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