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MI: Granholm, GOP still disagree on how to pay for education

By Candice Williams, The Detroit News

CLINTON TOWNSHIP, Mich. -- Gov. Jennifer Granholm said Thursday she'd sign a measure the House passed Thursday that would use stimulus money to help lessen school cuts. But whether it gets past the Senate is uncertain.
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CO: Ritter to propose cuts to K-12 education in 2010-11 budget

By Tim Hoover, The Denver Post

Gov. Bill Ritter is expected to propose cutting state funding to public schools by as much as 6 percent in the 2010-11 budget he rolls out today.
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More Education news

AK: Professor says most Natives supported statehood in 50s

By Klas Stolpe, The Juneau Empire

From the days before statehood, Native elders passed down stories of "being able to walk across rivers on the backs of salmon," which seafood suppliers for large out-of-state companies devastated by using fish traps. Read More

AL: Officers praise new computer programs

By Ashley Boyd, Tuscaloosa News

CAPS, the University of Alabama Center for Advanced Public Safety, has changed law enforcement capabilities through new computerized software programs. Read More

CT: UConn Trustees approve $992.3 million budget

By Kathleen Megan, The Hartford Courant

Delayed by the lack of a state budget until September, the University of Connecticut Board of Trustees approved this year's $992.3 million budget Monday — a 3.8 percent increase over last year — amid warnings from its chief financial officer that while this year's budget is "fine" he has "serious concerns" about 2011 and "great concerns" about 2012. Read More

FL: Air Jordans cost UCF future deal with adidas

By Iliana Limón, The Orlando Sentinel

ORLANDO, Fla. -- Marcus Jordan stuck to his guns and wore his father's iconic Nike Air Jordans, a decision that has cost the University of Central Florida its six-year, $3 million exclusive contract with adidas. Read More

FL: ACLU suit alleges Fla. neglecting schools

By The Associated Press, Tallahassee Democrat

WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. — The American Civil Liberties Union filed a lawsuit Thursday alleging that state officials in Florida are failing to ensure that students in Palm Beach County get a high quality education, as evidenced by their poor graduation rates. Read More

FL: Controversial psychiatrist to head UM medical school department

By John Dorschner, The Miami Herald

MIAMI -- Charles Nemeroff, an Atlanta psychiatrist who was the subject of a Senate investigation concerning huge sums he received from drug companies, is being named chairman of the psychiatry department at the University of Miami medical school. Read More

GA: Virtual schools chart new course

By D. Aileen Dodd, The Atlanta Journal-Constitution

Representatives of five would-be virtual charter schools will file into the administrative towers of the Georgia Department of Education today to pitch their brand of public education, which lets students study at home computers in their pajamas. Read More

HI: Vaccine push

By Helen Altonn, Honolulu Star-Bulletin

About 75,000 children and at least 10,000 staff and faculty members have been vaccinated in this year's seasonal flu school clinics, and state health officials hope to see the turnout repeated in H1N1 school clinics starting next Friday. Read More

HI: 95 Hawaii schools given approval to increase instructional time

By Loren Moreno, The Honolulu Advertiser

The state Board of Education last night approved 95 schools' requests to convert teacher training days into instructional days, an action that restores as many as six classroom days that would have been lost because of staff furloughs. Read More

HI: Lawmakers still cool to session on schools

By B.J. Reyes, Honolulu Star-Bulletin

House leaders again resisted calls for a special legislative session to deal with public schools, asking instead for a reopening of the state teachers' contract to restore classroom time being lost to furloughs. Read More

IA: Politician questions UI Orlando trip

By B.A. Morelli, Iowa City Press-Citizen

University of Iowa officials are showing "arrogance" in pursuing a $130,000 professional development trip to the Disney Institute in Orlando, Fla., a Republican lawmaker said Thursday. Read More

IL: Unsafe school buses still on road

By Ellen Gabler, Chicago Tribune

As many as 2,000 school buses with potentially serious safety problems are still transporting students even though a bus manufacturer and government safety regulators have known about some of the recalled parts for as many as eight years, the Tribune has found. Read More

IN: Indiana public school leaders warned of funding cuts

By Mike Smith, South Bend Tribune

Indiana's school chief warned school superintendents Thursday declining state revenues could force cuts in public education spending, education officials said. Read More

KS: Forecast in -- Recession continues, budget cuts likely

By Scott Rothschild, The Lawrence Journal-World

Kansas' falling tax revenues took another dive Thursday as budget experts met and declared that the state remains mired in an economic recession. Read More

KY: By Ky. military museum set to reopen temporarily

The Associated Press, The Courier-Journal (Louisville)

The Kentucky Military History Museum is scheduled to temporarily reopen this month for public tours. Read More

KY: State gets stimulus money for child care

By Stephenie Steitzer, The Courier-Journal (Louisville)

Gov. Steve Beshear announced Thursday that Kentucky will receive $4 million in federal stimulus funds to pay for training and other resources for child-care providers. Read More

LA: Recovery School District would not be focus of Race to the Top federal grant, Pastorek says

By Robert Travis Scott, The Times-Picayune (New Orleans)

NEW ORLEANS, La. -- The state Department of Education would use a large portion of a potential Race to the Top grant to help pay for a $40 million data management system, a principals training institute and other expanded agency roles in addition to the direct cash that the federal program is targeting at failing schools, Superintendent of Education Paul Pastorek said Thursday. Read More

MA: Report -- Student health plans inefficient

By The Associated Press, Boston Herald

A new report shows that the health insurance plans sold to almost 100,000 college students in Massachusetts result in higher profits for insurance companies than those available to the general public. Read More

MA: Outrage over terror speaker

By Michele McPhee, Boston Herald

Gov. Deval Patrick pulled the plug on a planned UMass speech by a convicted terrorist yesterday after a plea delivered by the Herald from the outraged widow of a gunned-down state trooper -- angering cops who protested the event for weeks. Read More

MD: Montgomery might sue state over school funding law

By Nelson Hernandez, The Washington Post

Top Montgomery County officials threatened Thursday to sue the state and "aggressively pursue" legislation that would change state law after Maryland's attorney general found that the county had failed to meet the state's minimum level of funding for education. The opinion renders it potentially liable for millions of dollars in penalties. Read More

MD: Maryland in-state tuition falls below national average

By Laura Gurfein, The Capital (Annapolis)

WASHINGTON -- It's cheaper to go to college in-state, especially if you live in Maryland. Read More

MD: U-Md. students protest official's firing

By Daniel de Vise, The Washington Post

Several hundred students marched Thursday to the administration building at the University of Maryland to protest the firing of a popular diversity officer in one of the largest demonstrations at the College Park campus since the Vietnam War era. Read More

MD: Young people at center of politics, Steele says

By Jacques Kelly, The Sun (Baltimore)

BALTIMORE -- The Republican National Committee chairman told a Johns Hopkins University student audience Thursday night that they were "not the future" of politics, but were in fact at the center of it today. Read More

ME: H1N1 thriving; absence high in 25 schools State officials get reports of more than 300 cases

By Kelley Bouchard, Kennebec Journal

Twenty-five schools across Maine reported higher-than-normal absentee rates during the last week, probably because of H1N1 influenza, the state's health director said Thursday. Read More

MI: Governor asks Michigan Legislature to pass revenue-raising measures

By Candice Williams, The Detroit News

CLINTON TOWNSHIP, Mich. -- Governor Jennifer Granholm said today she has asked the Legislature to pass three revenue-generating measures that will save $212 million in cuts for Michigan schools. Read More

MI: Michigan warns schools canceling classes for flu they may need to extend school year, cancel vacation days

By Kym Reinstadler, Grand Rapids Press

The Michigan Department of Education has told public school districts they might have to hold classes on scheduled vacation days or extend the school year if flu or other illnesses force them to close too many days. Read More

MI: State aid for schools gets House boost

By Chris Christoff and Lori Higgins, Detroit Free Press

Deep cuts in state aid to schools stirred action Thursday, as the House voted 74-29 to restore $184 million using federal stimulus money set aside for fiscal year 2011. Read More

MI: State aid for schools gets House boos

MI: House aims to aid schools

By Kathy Barks Hoffman, The Associated Press, Lansing State Journal

The Michigan House voted Thursday to tap federal stimulus money set aside for next year to soften a cut in school funding now, but it's unlikely the move is going to win the support of the state Senate. Read More

MI: Granholm says she'll back measure to tap stimulus money for schools

By Lori Higgins, Detroit Free Press

Gov. Jennifer Granholm said she'll support a measure passed by the House today that would use remaining stimulus money to avoid deep cuts to school districts. But she said it's only a temporary solution. Read More

MN: Minnesota's college grant program short $13 million

By Jenna Ross, Minneapolis Star Tribune

MINNEAPOLIS, Minn. -- Higher enrollment drained aid, but "all commitments made to students" for this year will be met, official says. Read More

MO: Radioactive spill termed as 'low risk'

By Janese Heavin, Columbia Daily Tribune

Schlundt Hall Annex on the University of Missouri campus remained roped off today as crews continued to clean up low-risk radioactive material spilled Monday evening. Read More

MS: State to provide funding for online job training

By Carlie Kollath, The Daily Journal (Tupelo)

BELDEN, Miss. - Mississippi was one of four states chosen to participate in a U.S. Department of Labor program that funds 80 percent of costs associated with online job training courses. Read More

NC: State sends 16 to Calif. training

By Lynn Bonner, The News & Observer (Raleigh)

The state is using $140,000 in federal stimulus money to send 16 employees to child development workshops in San Diego while North Carolina has thousands of struggling families seeking subsidized care for their children. Read More

NE: Draft for state graduation requirement changes drops senior math rule

By Margaret Reist, Lincoln Journal Star

Lincoln Public Schools students would need more science, math and English to graduate from high school under proposed changes to state graduation requirements. Read More

NE: Lincoln senator recommends furloughs, not layoffs for workers

By JoAnne Young, Lincoln Journal Star

Senators introduced five bills in special session Thursday, aimed at saving money for the state or saving money for a particular program. Lincoln Sen. Bill Avery introduced a resolution (LR4) that would have agencies use furloughs rather than layoffs of state workers if needed to meet across-the-board budget cuts. Read More

NM: Area groups skipping out on audits

By Kate Nash, Santa Fe New Mexican

Even after state Auditor Hector Balderas warned 71 local agencies including schools and cities that their audits are late, 34 groups haven't turned in audit reports — and haven't explained to his office why not. Read More

NY: Conference emphasizes need for technology in classroom

By Bennett J. Loudon, Democrat and Chronicle (Rochester)

ROCHESTER, N.Y. -- A conference for aspiring teachers Thursday emphasized the need for educators to embrace the use of technology in the classroom. Read More

OH: State auditor wants ethics probe of Dayton charter school

By Anthony Gottschlich, Dayton Daily News

Ohio Auditor Mary Taylor wants the Ohio Ethics Commission to review potential ethics violations at the NuBethel Center of Excellence, a Dayton charter school on Siebenthaler Avenue, her office announced Thursday, Nov. 5 Read More

OK: OU awarded $23M in stimulus money

By James S. Tyree, The Oklahoman (Oklahoma City)

NORMAN, Okla. — The University of Oklahoma's Norman campus was awarded about $10 million in research grants from federal stimulus funds in the first quarter of this fiscal year. Read More

OK: Obama promises U.S. tribal leaders he'll tackle issues

By Chris Casteel, The Oklahoman (Oklahoma City)

WASHINGTON — Greeting the first American Indian conference to be sponsored by the White House in 15 years, President Barack Obama told tribal leaders Thursday he will work with them on problems that have plagued Indians for decades. Read More

TN: Judge declines paper-ballot push

By Richard Locker, The Commercial Appeal (Memphis)

A Nashville judge Thursday turned down a motion to force state election officials to move faster toward installing paper-ballot voting systems across Tennessee in time for the 2010 general election as required by the legislature. Read More

TN: Colleges brace for flu wave

By Joan Garrett, Chattanooga Times Free Press

Colleges in Tennessee and North Georgia are bracing for a second wave of "influenzalike illnesses" just as campuses are recovering from a fall surge in the flu. Read More

TX: Refund policy restored for prepaid tuition plan

By Gary Scharrer, The Houston Chronicle

Responding to tens of thousands of Texans, a state board acted unanimously Thursday to reinstate a former refund policy for prepaid college tuition that reflects the value of tuition — not simply the amount paid into the fund. Read More

TX: The world according to Don

By Abby Rapoport, The Texas Tribune

Don McLeroy recounts the saga of rejecting a math textbook like an old war story. Read More

TX: Student restraints, Day 3 -- Jennifer Howson's story

By Elise Hu and Emily Ramshaw, The Texas Tribune

Jennifer Howson, 21, was restrained dozens of times at her school in the northeast Texas town of Kemp, often sustaining scrapes, bruises and black eyes. Her case is hardly unique; Texas educators pinned down students with disabilities 18,000 times in the 2007-08 school year. Read More

TX: Student Restraints Day 2 -- How Texas school districts compare

By Emily Ramshaw, The Texas Tribune

Texas school districts vary widely in how often they physically restrain students with disabilities – despite a shared state policy on when to use them. Read More

UT: State's top ed official addresses budget

By Lisa Schencker, The Salt Lake Tribune

State Superintendent Larry Shumway urged lawmakers not to cut education dollars further and said he plans to take action to address inappropriate relationships between teachers and students as part of his first State of Education speech Thursday evening. Read More

VA: Kaine headed for U. of Richmond after term ends

By Julian Walker, The Virginian-Pilot (Norfolk)

Gov. Timothy M. Kaine will resume a teaching career when his term expires in January, taking a part-time, nontenured position at the University of Richmond as an instructor in its law and leadership schools, officials announced Thursday. Read More

VT: Vermont panel rejects college merger

By The Associated Press, Burlington Free Press

A panel considering the governor's proposal to consolidate the University of Vermont with the five state colleges has recommended against merging the institutions. Read More

WI: Legislature approves regions for UW regents

By Staff Reports, Wisconsin State Journal (Madison)

At least half of the citizen members on the University of Wisconsin System Board of Regents would have to come from different parts of the state under a bill passed by the Legislature. Read More

WI: Assembly OKs bill requiring teaching birth control

By Scott Bauer, Wisconsin State Journal (Madison)

How to properly use birth control would have to be taught if Wisconsin schools decide to offer sex education under a bill that passed the state Assembly on Thursday. Read More

WI: Education bill ends ban on using test data for scoring teachers

By Amy Hetzner and Patrick Marley, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel

Student test data can be used to evaluate teachers' performances but not to discipline or dismiss them, under a bill passed Thursday by the Senate as part of a package of education-related initiatives. Read More

WV: Morgantown technology businessman named to state school board

By Davin White, Charleston Gazette

Gov. Joe Manchin on Thursday appointed a Morgantown man with decades of experience in private technology companies to a nine-year term on the state Board of Education. Read More

USEFUL LINKS

Achieve
Achieve was formed as a partnership between by governors and business leaders to push for higher academic standards in the states.

Alliance for Excellent Education
Alliance promotes high school reform with the goal of making students more prepared for college or the workforce.

American Federation of Teachers
The AFT is the country’s second-largest teachers’ union. This site is includes education information and resources for members.

Association of Governing Boards of Universities and Colleges
AGB provides information on governance and leadership in higher education to academic governing boards, campus CEOs and other senior-level campus administrators.

Center on Education Policy
The center releases several reports each year detailing the impact of No Child Left Behind.

Children's Defense Fund
CDF is a Washington, D.C.-based advocacy group that conducts research and public education campaigns.

Council of Chief State School Officers
The council is made up of top public officials who lead the departments responsible for elementary and secondary education. The site includes information ranging from early childhood education to higher education.

Council of State Governments
An organization of state leaders who share policy information.

Education Commission of the States
ECS is a nonprofit, nonpartisan organization involving key leaders from all levels of the education system. The site includes background material and updates of what states are doing on a wide range of education topics, including No Child Left Behind.

Education Sector
Ed Sector is a nonprofit and nonpartisan think tank that releases several reports each year about a variety of education issues.

Education Trust
Ed Trust regularly releases reports with the goal of closing the achievement gap between poor, minority students and their white, wealthier counterparts.

Education Week
A resource for recent news and developments affecting K-12 and higher education.

Hechinger Institute on Education and the Media
The Hechinger Institute is dedicated to improving education reporting by conducting seminars nationwide for reporters and providing resources and information on its website.

National Assessment of Educational Progress
Results of the nation's only ongoing survey authorized by Congress and administered by the National Center for Education Statistics.

National Association of State Boards of Education
This non-profit association strives to strengthen state leadership in educational policymaking and advocates for equal access to education.

National Board for Professional Teaching Standards
An independent, nonprofit, nonpartisan organization made up of and geared toward classroom teachers.

National Center for Education Statistics
The primary federal entity for collecting and analyzing data that are related to education in the United States and other nations.

National Conference of State Legislatures Education Page
The education page of the National Conference of State Legislatures.

National Education Association
The nation's largest and oldest teachers' union. The site has information about education issues and legislative developments.

National Education Writers Association
A national organization of education reporters that provides information with the goal of improving reporting on education.

National Governors' Association Education Page
The education page for the National Governors' Association.

National Institute for Early Education Research
The institute supports early childhood education efforts by providing research-based information to policy-makers and journalists.

No Child Left Behind
The U.S. Department of Education's web site of latest developments and policies affecting the federal No Child Left Behind law.

Pre-K Now
A national advocacy group that supports universal access to preschool, Pre-K Now also produces two annual reports, one describing each governor's position on early childhood education, and another showing legislative and funding action on pre-K.

The Rural School and Community Trust
The Rural School and Community Trust is a national non-profit organization focused on helping rural communities produce and operate strong public schools.

Schoolmatters.com
Schoolmatters.com contains the largest collection of public education data on the Web. It includes student achievement information, financial data and demographic breakdowns.

Statescape's BillFinder
BillFinder helps users find any bill eligible for consideration in the current calendar year using either keywords and phrases or bill numbers.

Thomas B. Fordham Foundation
The Fordham Foundation is a conservative-leaning think tank that pushes for higher academic standards, educational choice, and national standards.

U.S. Department of Education
Information from the U.S. Department of Education about K-12, higher education, lifelong learning and state resources.

Read the latest news, analysis and research on the economic crisis in the states in Stateline.org's new Recession and Recovery special section.

The Stimulus and the
States
Follow how states are managing the stimulus money and which programs are receiving funding as part of the recovery effort using Stateline.org's stimulus special section.

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