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--- Wednesday --- May 1, 1996 --- Vol. 6 --- No. 41 ---
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THE NATIONAL UPDATE ON AMERICA'S EDUCATION REFORM EFFORTS
A service of the National Education Goals Panel
__________ __________
"COOLING A HOT SITUATION" | SPOTLIGHT |
... is the name of a series | |
of youth violence-prevention | ENHANCE THE BASICS |
videos provided free to | |
teachers, health educators and | ... is the goal of |
youth group leaders by The | Princeton, Ill.'s education |
Metropolitan Life Foundation. | foundation. In 1992, |
One video is for ages 7-10 and | school board members from |
another for ages 11-14. A | this small, agricultural |
third video for adult audiences | community created a |
highlights successful programs | foundation to supplement |
in Kansas City, Mo. The videos | the district's school |
are supplemented by Leader's | budget. Participation in a |
Guides to "help stimulate | German-language immersion |
discussions." | camp and state-of-the-art |
Order forms for the | science equipment were paid |
videotapes that comprise the | for by foundation grants. |
"Cooling a Hot Situation" | |
series are available by writing | The Princeton |
to: Health and Safety | Foundation's base funding |
Education; Area 2-C; | came from a bequest of |
Metropolitan Life Insurance | stock that was turned into |
Company; One Madison Ave; New | a permanent endowment.(#5) |
York, N.Y. 10010. | |
| In their wildest dreams, |
AND MORE FOR POLICYMAKERS | Cleveland school officials |
The Education Commission of | envision such a financial |
the States offers "Youth | helping hand. They |
Violence: A Policymakers' | recently announced the |
Guide," which reviews what | layoffs of 451 teachers, |
states, districts and the | which left teachers fearing |
federal government are doing to | that funding the basics |
reduce school violence. | doesn't include teachers. |
Contact the ECS Distribution | (#3) |
Center at 303/299-3692. |_____________________________|
============== QUOTE OF THE DAY ==============
"It's a novel but obvious approach to involve teachers in
education reform." -- U.S. Ed Sec Richard Riley,
on the Goals 2000 Teacher Forum. (#6)
_______________________________________________________________
| A service of the National Education Goals Panel |
| Published by the Education Policy Network |
| 1255 22nd Street NW; Wash, D.C.; 20037; 202/632-0952 |
| The DRC hereby authorizes further reproduction and |
| distribution with proper acknowledgement. |
| Publisher: Barbara A. Pape |
Staff Writer: Elizabeth Gage |
|_______________________________________________________________|
============== TABLE OF CONTENTS ==============
GOAL ONE: SCHOOL READINESS
SESAME STREET: Let's read! (#1)
STATESIDE
HOLDING STRONG: Gov Allen's stand against Goals 2000. (#2)
CITY HALL
CLEVELAND TEACHER LAY-OFFS EXPECTED: But not magnitude. (#3)
CHARTING A NEW COURSE
CLOSE, BUT NO CIGAR: Minnesota's charter school law. (#4)
PROMISING PRACTICES
EDUCATION FOUNDATIONS: Private funds for public schools. (#5)
U.S. DoED: Cited for innovations in government. (#6)
===== GOAL ONE: SCHOOL READINESS =====
*1 SESAME STREET: LET'S READ!
Sesame Street Preschool Educational Program last week
launched its annual literacy campaign known as "Let's Read,
Write, and Play Together!" during the national Week of the Young
Child April 21-27 (CHILDREN'S TELEVISION WORKSHOP press release,
4/18). PEP provides materials and trains child care
professionals to combine Sesame Street viewing with children's
book reading and developmentally appropriate activities.
The campaign focuses on the important contributions that
parents, child care providers and other adults make in the lives
of preschool children, writes the release. The 1996 theme --
"Let's Read, Write, and Play Together! -- encourages adults to
help children learn through playful, educational activities.
This year's scheduled events occurred at a variety of
locations throughout the country, including a mall in Texas, and
a public housing project in Md. Celebrity readers and performers
hosted and participated in activities in Denver. Parenting
classes focused on reading-aloud techniques were held in Vestal,
N.Y.
The literacy campaign hosted a special forum on April 22,
which focused on the first steps toward reading and writing. The
forum entitled, "Children's First Teachers: Parents and
Caregivers" will be presented by Sesame Street PEP and The City
University of New York. Presentations were made by educators,
literacy experts and professionals in child care, reports the
paper.
Sesame Street PEP was founded in 1991 by the Children's
Televisions Workshop and works in partnership with 90 public
television stations that serve children in 38 states, writes the
release. CTW's "longstanding" mission is to reach preschoolers,
who increasingly are found in child care settings, notes the
release.
===== STATESIDE =====
*2 HOLDING STRONG: GOV ALLEN'S STAND AGAINST GOALS 2000
Va. Gov George Allen (R) charged that the state's Democratic
Congressional delegation is "playing politics" by trying to skirt
his opposition to accept federal Goals 2000 funds (Hardy,
RIchmond TIMES-DISPATCH, 4/26). Proposed Congressional
legislation would allow local school districts to apply for the
federal aid. According to the paper, about two-thirds of Va.'s
134 school districts disagree with Allen that accepting Goals
2000 funds would constitute federal intrusion in public schools,
writes the paper.
"It's just a political game and a political ploy," said
Allen. According to the paper, Allen earlier this month vetoed a
budget provision approved by the assembly that would have forced
his administration to seek federal aid if two-thirds of local
school boards made the request. Allen and N.H. Gov Stephen
Merrill (R) are the only governors who have refused participation
in Goals 2000. However, Calif., Mont., and Ala. intend to reject
second-year funding, reports the paper.
Political analyst Robert Holsworth contends that Allen's
staunch opposition to the program has helped Democrats by
reinforcing Democrats as "the party of education." Holsworth:
"Democrats are loving every minute of this. They are also
enjoying the opportunity to suggest that the governor is not as
supportive of local control and prerogatives" as he often claims,
writes the paper.
The TIMES-DISPATCH reports that twelve of the state's
congressional seats and one Senate post are up for election this
Nov. Next year, the state's voters also will elect a new
governor, attorney general, lieutenant governor and 100 members
of the Virginia House of Delegates, "now narrowly controlled by
Democrats." One Republican aide conceded that "maybe we'll take
a hit politically, but we're right." He added that the federal
money, which amounts to $6.7M the first year, is not significant
compared to the state's contribution to education -- $6B for two
years.
==== CITY HALL ====
*3 CLEVELAND TEACHER LAY-OFFS WERE EXPECTED: BUT NOT MAGNITUDE
Cleveland teachers were caught off guard by the number of
teacher lay-off notices sent by district officials: 451
(Stephens, Cleveland PLAIN DEALER, 4/26). "How can this be
justified?" questioned Richard DeColibus, president of the
Cleveland Teachers Union. DeColibus called the magnitude of the
cuts "morally outrageous," given the city's recent decision to
construct a new football stadium that would cost taxpayers up to
$250M.
The paper explains that the school district, which was
placed under state control over a year ago, faces a $73M budget
shortfall for the 1996-1997 budget cycle and a debt load
anticipated to reach $146M by July. Rick Ellis, the district's
communication director, remarked that while the layoffs are
"harsh steps," they are needed "given our situation right now."
Initially, district officials expected layoff notices to be
sent to 160 teachers. But several factors forced them to
increase the number, including recent data that revealed a drop
in the district's student count from about 73,000 to 67,000 and a
pilot school voucher program that reduced the need for 65
teachers. According to the paper, the district actually intends
to cut 574 teaching positions, with retiring teachers accounting
for most of the difference.
Release of the teacher layoffs comes on the heels of a
district decision to void contracts with all city school
administrators, "leaving the fate of 330 principals, assistant
principals and central office workers in limbo," reports the
paper. It also follows a report released last month by Ohio
Auditor Jim Petro that recommended layoffs, wage freezes and
privatization of certain school services, writes the PLAIN
DEALER.
A seven-week community forum series was launched at the same
time the layoff news reached teachers. The topic of the first
forum was "Transforming the Cleveland Public Schools," notes the
paper. DeColibus quipped that "maybe that's their version of
transforming a school district, no teachers."
===== CHARTING A NEW COURSE =====
*4 CLOSE, BUT NO CIGAR: MINNESOTA'S CHARTER SCHOOL LAW
Charter schools are not blossoming in Minn. due to drawbacks
in the legislation that created the nation's first charter school
experiment, according to a new report by the Center for School
Change at the U of Minnesota's Humphrey Institute of Public
Affairs (Smetanka, Minneapolis STAR TRIBUNE, 7/28). "We can
learn a good deal from other states," conceded Joe Nathan,
director of the Center.
The survey of 50 legislators and policy leaders in Minn. and
six other states with charter schools found "strong agreement" on
the elements required for charter school growth, reports the
paper. They include: give charter schools the same per-pupil
allocation as other public schools; place no limit on the number
of charter schools; provide start-up funds; allow more than one
type of organization to sponsor charter schools; and give charter
schools a lot of independence. According to the study, Minn.
provides only the last two criteria in its charter school
legislation.
"If we're serious about improving education for kids,
particularly kids who are not doing well, we need to strengthen
the law," said Nathan. Currently, Minn. charter schools receive
no start-up funds from the state and receive less per-pupil than
regular public schools, writes the paper. Charter school
advocates claim that the state's weak charter legislation
explains why there are only 17 operating charters, despite a cap
of 40.
Policymakers surveyed also said they viewed charter schools
as an "alternative rather than a prelude to school vouchers,"
reports the paper.
The report was prepared by Nathan and Jennifer Power.
Policymakers were surveyed in Arz., Calif., Colo., Dela., La.,
Mass. and Minn. It was released at an Education Writers
Association meeting held in Minn.
==== PROMISING PRACTICES ====
*5 EDUCATION FOUNDATIONS: PRIVATE FUNDS FOR PUBLIC SCHOOLS
School board members in Princeton, Ill., four years ago
established an education foundation to supplement the district's
school budget, explains Lawrence Mortier, vice president for
advancement and public services at Western Illinois U, and
Lawrence Dennis, professor of education at Southern Illinois U
(THE AMERICAN SCHOOL BOARD JOURNAL, April 1996). "Enhancement is
the key word" for the mission of education foundations, said Gary
Bruce, president of the Princeton Foundation. "We try to take
care of things that are more than just the basics. That's
important to the people who are making the contributions. Their
tax dollars are for the basics."
According to the article, more Ill. school districts are
creating education foundations to "enhance the basics." A survey
conducted last year by the authors revealed that 75% of education
foundations in Ill. emerged since 1988; 51% since 1992. Ill.'s
experience "mirrors a nationwide increase in the establishment of
education foundations over the past few years, documented by
Educational Foundation Consultants, of Williamston, Mich.," notes
the authors.
Princeton, Ill., is a "good" case study for districts
contemplating the creation of an education foundation, according
to the authors. The city is a small, agricultural community,
which also boasts a growing business and industrial center.
Several large estate gifts have been donated to the district over
the years. Seven years ago, when district officials received a
bequest of appreciated stock valued at over $100,000, the school
board targeted some funds for renovating two classrooms into
computer labs and purchasing hardware and software. About
$100,000 in excess funds then were turned over to the foundation
to establish a permanent endowment, creating a permanent funding
base in excess of $120,000, writes Mortier and Dennis. The
authors explain that the foundation board created a perpetual
fund "with the initial balance being this transfer from the
district." Interest from this fund is intended to provide a
funding source for grants made to the district's single high
school.
The "secret" to creating a successful foundation is
volunteerism, notes the authors. A local attorney provided legal
advice pro bono. School board members did their share by
reviewing the bylaws of an education foundation in a nearby
community. Local businesses offered free printing and other
services.
According to the authors, the school superintendent and
school board selected a foundation board that is representative
of the community -- a 15-member board that includes recent high
school graduates, business owners, other professionals and
parents. Members serve two consecutive three-year terms.
Foundation officials hold focus groups among faculty
members, students business leaders and others to help them select
programs to target for funding. Grants range from $3,000 to
$7,000 a year, with "consideration given to initiatives that
generate enthusiasm for learning, include the greatest number of
students, and can be started without much difficulty," writes
Mortier and Dennis. For example, recent grants have been awarded
to purchase state-of-the-art science equipment and send students
studying German to a language immersion camp.
Marketing activities include distribution of a brochure that
describes the foundation throughout the community, an annual
weekend community celebration that draws "more class reunions"
than other activities, and a series of press releases issued
about donors and recipients of grants, according to the authors.
The foundation attracts funds through various activities
that include direct mail, a telethon, and memorial gifts.
Mortier and Dennis observe that the foundation, while mainly
out to raise funds, also has had "intangible" benefits. For
example, attitudes about school have become more positive,
partnerships between the community and the school have increased
and a greater focus on learning among school and community has
emerged.
*6 U.S. DoED: CITED FOR INNOVATIONS IN GOVERNMENT
The William D. Federal Direct Loan program and the Goals
2000 Teacher Forum, both U.S. DoEd programs, have been chosen as
semifinalists in the 1996 Innovations in American Government
Awards program sponsored by the Ford Foundation and the John F.
Kennedy School of Government at Harvard U (DoEd press release,
4/24).
The direct loan program was initiated in 1994 at 104
colleges. According to Ed Sec Richard Riley, it transformed the
process of obtaining loans for post-secondary students from a
complicated, paper-intensive process involving several lenders
and secondary markets to "one-stop shopping." The loans offer
students a flexible repayment plan that is suitable to their
incomes, writes the release. Today the program has expanded to
1,350 colleges and trade schools; it serves approximately 2
million borrowers.
Riley used the announcement as an opportunity to oppose the
Congressional proposal to restrict the availability of direct
loans to students. "The direct loan program has proved its
success, and it would be a travesty to curtail the program for
purely political reasons," Riley said. "Students and schools
should have the right to choose the student loan program that
works for them."
The Goals 2000 Teacher Forum works at building teacher
leadership in order to refocus the education reform movement away
from teachers as objects of reform to teachers as partners in
reform, explains the release. The Forum seeks teacher input on
education reform policies.
Teachers nationwide participate in the Forum's national
conferences held annually in Washington, D.C. Conference issues
focus on upgrading professional skills, effective teaching
strategies, federal and state policy development, and improving
communication with parents as opportunities for teachers to
become local community leaders. Forum participants are
encouraged to communicate through the Internet to share
information and best practices, writes the release.
"It's a novel but obvious approach to involve teachers in
education reform. They are in the classrooms every day, and know
what works best with children to achieve results. They are our
eyes and our ears, and we make it a point to listen and learn."
Riley said.
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