May 23 2004 Edition

This Week in NCLB:
The usual mix of controversy over the choice provision, how to measure school progress, and adequate funding.
Choice Option of U.S. Law Used, Report Finds (Education Week May 18)
Choosing Better Schools (Citizens' Commission on Civil Rights May 2004) PDF
In failing schools, how real is transfer option? (Christian Science Monitor May 19)
NC Seeks 'No Child' Law Tweaks So Schools Will Pass (Raleigh News and Observer May 18)
No Child Left Behind may not be enforceable, Lautenschlager says (Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel, May 13)
Attorney: Feds can't force education act on states (Associated Press, May 18)

Other News of Note (National):
Confusion Is Rampant With Change in the SAT's (May 23 NYT)
Classical Finally Cracks the Internet (May 23 NYT)
Black flight to private schools is growing, (May 19 NYT)
In School, Latinos Find Fewer Resources, Ethnic Isolation (Boston Globe May 19)

Teachers Union Runoff (Chicago): News came out late Friday that a runoff between Debby Lynch and Marilyn Stewart would be required next month, since no candidate got more than 50 percent of the vote (Lynch got 42 percent, Stewart got 32 percent). Runoff needed in teachers vote (May 23 Chicago Tribune). Three vying to unseat teachers union president (Chicago Sun-Times May 20). Teachers union chief faces runoff (Chicago Tribune May 22). My favorite coverage comes from the Daily Southtown: "There's a small number of union leaders, Lynch among them, who continue to put forth the idea that the union can be a force for improvement," education labor expert Julia Koppich told the Daily Southtown. "And whether that voice can survive is up in the air." Candidate Marilyn Stewart seems committed to proving Koppich right. "It should not be the responsibility of the union to run the schools," she said. "It is the union's job to take care of the teachers."

Other News (Chicago):
City preschool cuts have parents fuming (Chicago Tribune May 23)
Principals group elects president (Chicago Tribune May 21)
School plan stirs fears on both sides of track (May 19 Chicago Tribune)
Program will let teens get diploma, associates degree May 20 Chicago Tribune)