K-12 Education
News releases, reports, statements and associated documents from public policy organizations influencing the debate on education policy.
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National Alliance Statement on Invest in America Act
WASHINGTON, July 3 -- The National Alliance for Public Charter Schools issued the following statement by President and CEO Nina Rees:
"We applaud the U.S. House of Representatives for acknowledging the significant infrastructure needs of the country, including the nation's public schools, by passing the Invest in America Act. In addition to proposing bold measures to ensure the safety of schools as they reopen after the coronavirus pandemic, this bill makes progress towards providing facilities funding and new financing options for charter schools.
Key provisions of the bill include:
* $100
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WASHINGTON, July 3 -- The National Alliance for Public Charter Schools issued the following statement by President and CEO Nina Rees:
"We applaud the U.S. House of Representatives for acknowledging the significant infrastructure needs of the country, including the nation's public schools, by passing the Invest in America Act. In addition to proposing bold measures to ensure the safety of schools as they reopen after the coronavirus pandemic, this bill makes progress towards providing facilities funding and new financing options for charter schools.
Key provisions of the bill include:
* $100billion in direct grants to high-need schools for school facilities improvement, targeting those with the most limited capacity to raise funds for the long-term improvement of school facilities.
* $30 billion in bond provisions for school construction and renovations, including the reauthorization of the Qualified Zone Academy Bonds; and School Infrastructure Bonds.
* Permanent authorization of the New Markets Tax Credit with an increase in its allocation.
* Reinstatement of advance refunding bonds, an important tool for charter schools to reduce the cost of bond financing when interest rates drop. This provision was eliminated in the 2017 Tax Cuts and Jobs Act.
* Broadband infrastructure funding, including a $5 billion appropriation for E-Rate, plus state funding and local grants that total more than $600 million each to provide devices for students and address broadband access. There is also $85 billion to build out broadband networks to underserved areas.
* A $10 billion federal investment to leverage additional state and local funding, address structural challenges, and ensure child-care facilities are safe, appropriate, and able to comply with current and future public health directives.
Charter schools and their students have historically and consistently been shortchanged with respect to facilities funding. The Invest in America Act has potential to provide significant assistance to meet the facility needs of all public schools, including charter schools. We are pleased to see the strong commitment and leadership of the U.S. House of Representatives on this issue."
Mesa Public Schools Will Open August 4 With Remote Learning for All Students
MESA, Arizona, July 3 -- The Mesa Public Schools issued the following news:
In response to Governor Ducey's executive order issued June 29, Mesa Public Schools will begin the school year on August 4 with enhanced, structured remote learning for all students. Remote learning will continue until it is safe to provide modified or in-person instruction.
"This decision was not made lightly, however, we believe it is in the best interest of our students, families and staff," says Dr. Andi Fourlis, superintendent. "Along with the importance of continuing student learning, our community relies upon our
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MESA, Arizona, July 3 -- The Mesa Public Schools issued the following news:
In response to Governor Ducey's executive order issued June 29, Mesa Public Schools will begin the school year on August 4 with enhanced, structured remote learning for all students. Remote learning will continue until it is safe to provide modified or in-person instruction.
"This decision was not made lightly, however, we believe it is in the best interest of our students, families and staff," says Dr. Andi Fourlis, superintendent. "Along with the importance of continuing student learning, our community relies upon ourother services, such as meals and counseling."
The district's Opening of Schools Task Force and staff have devoted countless hours toward improving the remote experience for teachers and families. This includes a new online curriculum for elementary students, and additional training for staff and families.
Remote learning will include daily attendance and schedules for students. Teachers will provide feedback on student work and issue grades. Teachers and staff will be accessible to students in a variety of ways. Students with special needs will receive specially designed instruction and other related services as appropriate.
On July 14, the refined final plan will be released, with details about the following:
* Meal service
* Child enrichment programming for working parents
* Device distribution
* Options for internet access
* Teaching & learning information
* Transition plans to modified in-person and in-person learning models
* And much more
Boston Public Schools Partners With NWEA to Administer Exam School Admissions Test
BOSTON, Massachusetts, July 3 -- Boston Public Schools issued the following news:
On July 2, the Boston Public Schools (BPS) named NWEA as the vendor to administer the assessment for its three high schools that require an exam as one part of admissions criteria.
The "examination schools," Boston Latin Academy, Boston Latin School, and John D. O'Bryant School of Mathematics and Science, all serve students in grades 7-12. In February, BPS issued a Request for Proposals (RFP) for a new examination. The goal of the RFP was to ensure a fair test that is aligned to Massachusetts curriculum standards,
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BOSTON, Massachusetts, July 3 -- Boston Public Schools issued the following news:
On July 2, the Boston Public Schools (BPS) named NWEA as the vendor to administer the assessment for its three high schools that require an exam as one part of admissions criteria.
The "examination schools," Boston Latin Academy, Boston Latin School, and John D. O'Bryant School of Mathematics and Science, all serve students in grades 7-12. In February, BPS issued a Request for Proposals (RFP) for a new examination. The goal of the RFP was to ensure a fair test that is aligned to Massachusetts curriculum standards,is bias-free, and measures student knowledge and readiness for a rigorous high school curriculum.
Following extensive analysis of the proposals, the RFP Review Committee recommended the contract be awarded to NWEA. NWEA's test is an untimed, computer adaptive Measures of Academic Progress (MAP) Growth assessment in math, reading and language usage. Items on MAP Growth are strongly aligned to the Massachusetts Curriculum Framework grade-level standards, with a wide range of cognitive demand. Throughout the review process, NWEA provided compelling evidence that the assessment is valid for use with diverse student populations as evidenced by a breadth of bias reviews and statistical analyses.
"I am excited to partner with NWEA and appreciate their desire to work with BPS on our shared goal of increasing the diversity of our exam schools," said BPS Superintendent Brenda Cassellius. "BPS has identified a fair assessment that is aligned to the Massachusetts state standards, tests students on material they have learned in school, and has been reviewed and validated for bias. Administering this new entrance test is an important step forward in expanding access to the exam schools for all students."
BPS has worked to expand equitable access to the exam schools, particularly for Black and Latinx students who have historically been underrepresented. The MAP Growth assessment provides data during the school year that shows how student learning is progressing, lending the insight educators can trust to meet the needs of learners as they teach. The assessment also includes several built-in accommodations for students with disabilities and English learners. These factors create visibility to critical learning needs of students, so they can get the right degree of support.
As the contract with the previous vendor was set to expire, BPS began the process of developing a new RFP during the 2018-19 school year. To develop the RFP, BPS participated in an extensive process that included input and recommendations from an internal working group. BPS received three proposals.
An RFP is required by law in order to contract with an organization for the admissions exam. The assessment is part of the admissions policy and is available to all Boston residents in grades 6, 8, and 9, including students who are not currently enrolled in a BPS school. All three exam schools accept new students for grades 7 and 9. The O'Bryant School also accepts a limited number of new students for grade 10.
"Our organization is driven by our mission of Partnering to help all kids learn. This begins by making the needs of all students more visible to educators, so they can take action in support of students who have not had the same opportunities as their peers," said Chris Minnich, CEO of NWEA. "We believe that measures like MAP Growth, along with other measures, can help address bias and create a high school system that values diversity and fairness. We are looking forward to supporting Boston Public Schools as they push for greater fairness and equity for the students in the district."
BPS has taken several steps over the years to increase equitable access to the exam schools. For the first time, during the 2019-20 school year, the district administered the entrance exam to BPS sixth-grade students in their home schools. This change allowed students to take the test in a familiar environment and have the test administered by educators they know. Previously, students taking the entrance test had to travel to one of a handful of testing locations on a Saturday morning.
BPS has also addressed equitable access and student representation at the exam schools by creating and expanding the BPS entrance test prep program, Exam School Initiative (ESI), which focuses on serving Black, Latinx, English Learner, and economically disadvantaged students. With the support of Mayor Walsh and the Boston Latin School Association, the ESI program expanded from serving 400 students in 2014 to serving 775 in 2019. In addition, the BPS Office of Opportunity Gaps overhauled the direction of the program in 2017 and made important changes to ESI recruitment that resulted in enrollment shifts. This summer's remote ESI program begins Monday, July 6.
Indian River School District: District Conducting Needs Assessment Survey
SELBYVILLE, Delaware, July 2 -- The Indian River School District issued the following news:
The Indian River School District is seeking to understand how families and staff believe the district should use grant funding.
Therefore, IRSD is conducting a special Needs Assessment survey that enables all stakeholders to give input on how we should be using funds. Your responses to this simple 3-question survey will help us apply for and use funding to support community priorities.
The district has partnered with Hanover Research to administer and analyze this survey.
This study is for research purposes
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SELBYVILLE, Delaware, July 2 -- The Indian River School District issued the following news:
The Indian River School District is seeking to understand how families and staff believe the district should use grant funding.
Therefore, IRSD is conducting a special Needs Assessment survey that enables all stakeholders to give input on how we should be using funds. Your responses to this simple 3-question survey will help us apply for and use funding to support community priorities.
The district has partnered with Hanover Research to administer and analyze this survey.
This study is for research purposesonly. All information you provide will be maintained on a confidential basis by Hanover Research and will only be reported to IRSD in an aggregate form, so please be candid in your responses. The survey will be open through July 9.
Charter School Community Advisory Committee Will Meet Next Week to Discuss Its Recommendation of a New School Name
ALBEMARLE COUNTY, Virginia, July 2 -- Albemarle County Public Schools issued the following news:
The Community Advisory Committee, convened to recommend a name for the new charter school, will meet next Tuesday to reexamine its recommendation to Superintendent Dr. Matthew Haas that the new school should be named Rose Hill Community School.
The committee's decision to meet next week follows reports in the media that the land upon which the school is located once was the site of Rose Hill Plantation, which owned slaves. In fact, the plantation was owned by Thomas Jefferson and sold in 1800 to John
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ALBEMARLE COUNTY, Virginia, July 2 -- Albemarle County Public Schools issued the following news:
The Community Advisory Committee, convened to recommend a name for the new charter school, will meet next Tuesday to reexamine its recommendation to Superintendent Dr. Matthew Haas that the new school should be named Rose Hill Community School.
The committee's decision to meet next week follows reports in the media that the land upon which the school is located once was the site of Rose Hill Plantation, which owned slaves. In fact, the plantation was owned by Thomas Jefferson and sold in 1800 to JohnCraven. Craven died in 1847 and portions of the land subsequently were sold to emancipated former slaves who built private homes on the land. The location eventually became part of the historic Rose Hill Community, home to generations of Black families and businesses.
The committee's facilitator, Stephanie Passman, said this week that the Rose Hill name was selected by advisory committee members to honor the first occupants of a school on the site, which was called Rose Hill Elementary School. The school educated Black students prior to integration. In fact, 16 of the 26 Albemarle County Black students who first integrated public schools once attended Rose Hill Elementary. Several well-known Black teachers taught at the school, including Asalie Preston, for whom both the Minor-Preston Scholarship Fund and nearby Preston Avenue are named.
The committee's recommendation followed two community public opinion surveys and two public meetings to consider more than 100 suggested names. Eventually, the committee narrowed its choices down to three before deciding upon Rose Hill Community School. There were no concerns expressed to the advisory committee about the Rose Hill Community School name during this process.
Passman said in light of the criticism about the land's origin, the advisory committee, which had completed its work, will conduct additional research on the history of the Rose Hill location and neighborhood. "Our committee has said from the beginning that it is important to hear from as many different voices as possible. We believe it is important to reopen our deliberations for that purpose," she said.
The committee said that following its research, it would forward supplemental conclusions to Dr. Haas, who will recommend a name for the new school to the School Board. The Board will make the decision on the school name. "Our goal is to have a name for our new school in place by the time school reopens on Tuesday, September 8," Passman said.
The new school was formed from the merger of the division's former charter high school, Murray, and the former charter middle school, the Community Public Charter School.
The charter high school was founded in 1988 and temporarily housed in Virginia L. Murray Elementary School. The elementary school is named for a prominent Black educator and school administrator who served for several decades beginning prior to World War II. When the high school students in the elementary school were relocated to the site of the former Rose Hill Elementary School, the charter school continued to use its original Murray location name.
During its deliberations, the advisory committee noted that having two schools in the school division with the same name has at times been confusing, especially with respect to making logistical arrangements and in communications with the community.
The community advisory committee included parents of students in the school, school staff, students, parents from feeder schools, and members of the community who do not have children enrolled in the school.
Arlington Public Schools: School Board Selects Monique O'Grady as Chair, Barbara Kanninen as Vice Chair
ARLINGTON, Virginia, July 2 -- The Arlington Public Schools issued the following news release:
At its July 1 organizational meeting, the Arlington School Board selected Monique O'Grady as School Board Chair for the 2020-21 school year. The School Board selected Dr. Barbara Kanninen as Vice Chair.
"Communication and collaboration are setting an important foundation as we prepare to reenter school this fall. We are stronger together, and these two actions will help us serve our students, families, and staff through these challenging times," said new School Board Chair Monique O'Grady.
On collaboration,
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ARLINGTON, Virginia, July 2 -- The Arlington Public Schools issued the following news release:
At its July 1 organizational meeting, the Arlington School Board selected Monique O'Grady as School Board Chair for the 2020-21 school year. The School Board selected Dr. Barbara Kanninen as Vice Chair.
"Communication and collaboration are setting an important foundation as we prepare to reenter school this fall. We are stronger together, and these two actions will help us serve our students, families, and staff through these challenging times," said new School Board Chair Monique O'Grady.
On collaboration,O'Grady had the following message. "We will need to continue to collaborate with the County to maximize success within new fiscal constraints that may get worse before they get better. We will need to lean on our community leaders and partners to support our families in need. We must honor our teachers and staff as they work with students in different ways, and we must be ready to support our students social emotional and learning needs, because they will be on the frontlines of this change."
"I enter this situation ready to lead because of the support of the school board staff and each of my colleagues, who have all been board chairs before. I have learned a lot from you and will continue to treasure your expertise and guidance. I have special gratitude for Ms. Talento who mentored me through the past year as her vice chair. Her intelligence, kindness, wit and compassion are an inspiration to me."
She concluded her remarks by thanking the Executive Leadership Team and those who came before her. "Thank you, Executive Leadership Team, as you work overtime to craft and support a reopening plan that serves our students. Thank you to all the women and people of color who have served on this board before me, including Evelyn Syphax, for whom our offices are named. Thank you to my family for their constant support in my effort to serve our community. And thank you to all those who helped me earn the opportunity to be the first black elected woman in Arlington so I can serve our students and families in this important role."
About Chair Monique O'Grady
O'Grady has been a member of the School Board since 2018 and has been an Arlington resident for nearly 30 years, as well as an APS parent for 23 years. She has been a longtime community advocate, and communications professional.Before being elected to the School Board, O'Grady worked inside schools and across the APS system to bring positive change for students, teachers, and the greater community. She served on the South Arlington Boundary Committee, Early Childhood Advisory Committee, APS South Arlington Working Group, New Elementary School at Thomas Jefferson Building Level Planning Committee, Strategic Planning Committee, and Multi-Site Committee for School Facilities. O'Grady also co-chaired the 2016 School Bond Campaign and was a member of the Arlington Arts Commission.
About Vice Chair Dr. Barbara Kanninen
Kanninen joined the Arlington School Board on January 1, 2015 and this is her second time serving as Vice Chair. She currently serves as Liaison to the Advisory Council on Instruction, Joint Facilities Advisory Commission, and the Legislative Process. Kanninen has served as Chair and Vice Chair of the School Board, as well as Chair of the Audit Committee, and Liaison to the Budget Advisory Committee, South Arlington Working Group, Whole Child Working Group, Arlington Partnership for Children, Youth, and Families, and Student Advisory Board.Kanninen has been honored with a number of awards for her consistent commitment to educators and students, including the Arlington Education Association's "Friend of Education" award and AGLA's Equality award. In 2017, Washingtonian magazine named Barbara one of the Most Powerful Women in Washington.
Neva Coakley-Grice Welcomed as New Chief of Safety Services for Boston Public Schools
BOSTON, Massachusetts, July 1 -- Boston Public Schools issued the following news:
Boston Public Schools (BPS) Superintendent Brenda Cassellius announced the appointment of Neva Coakley-Grice as the new Chief of Safety Services. Chief Coakley-Grice has spent her entire professional career working in Boston, starting as a Boston Police Officer in South Boston where she cherished her time working with students at the former Gavin Middle School and Tynan Elementary School, and has been a leader in community relations.
"Neva Coakley-Grice is a leader in our community who has a history of connecting
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BOSTON, Massachusetts, July 1 -- Boston Public Schools issued the following news:
Boston Public Schools (BPS) Superintendent Brenda Cassellius announced the appointment of Neva Coakley-Grice as the new Chief of Safety Services. Chief Coakley-Grice has spent her entire professional career working in Boston, starting as a Boston Police Officer in South Boston where she cherished her time working with students at the former Gavin Middle School and Tynan Elementary School, and has been a leader in community relations.
"Neva Coakley-Grice is a leader in our community who has a history of connectingwith students and supporting schools," said Mayor Martin J. Walsh. "Chief Coakley-Grice understands the critical importance of this role, and has promised to engage honestly with the community and make necessary public safety adjustments and improvements in order to cultivate trust with families and ensure students thrive in safe, welcoming and culturally affirming learning environments."
Superintendent Cassellius expressed her deep gratitude for retired Chief Eric Weston, who has worked with Boston Public Schools for 34 years.
"I knew last month when Chief Weston told me he was retiring that those were big shoes to fill," said Cassellius. "Chief Weston has served our students and staff for more than 30 years and has done so with distinction. He was a leader in prevention and intervention strategies to keep youth out of the school to prison pipeline and leveraged partnerships from various organizations to support youth in and out of schools. I thank him for his leadership."
Since being appointed as Superintendent, Cassellius has partnered with Mayor Walsh and Boston Police Commissioner William Gross to continuously improve the work of Safety Services team members in schools, as part of a larger strategy to focus on relationship building with students and staff. Superintendent Cassellius has also adjusted BPS policy on information sharing about student incidents and formed a new Student Data Sharing Policy Working Group to gather input from members of the community and advise on other reforms.
"I am thrilled by the appointment of Neva Coakley-Grice to Chief of the Boston Public Schools Safety Services Department," said Boston Police Commissioner William Gross. "Chief Coakley-Grice is deeply committed to the communities of Boston and the students of Boston Public Schools. In her long history with the Boston Police Department, she brought this commitment to every assignment she has had. I am confident that the Boston Public Schools team is in great hands with Chief Coakley-Grice and look forward to working collaboratively with her and her team to support the youth of Boston."
As Chief, Coakley-Grice will oversee the entire department which currently employs nearly 80 professionals in 55 schools and is dedicated to reviewing policies and practices to ensure that students and staff feel safe and supported in Boston schools.
"The safety of our students is our top priority - and when we say safety we mean creating environments where children can come as they are to the school building and feel loved, supported, and safe," said Superintendent Cassellius. "Chief Coakley-Grice brings decades of experience forging relationships with young people and a child-centered disposition that will ensure the entire team is prepared to welcome students and staff into our schools every day."
The BPS Safety Services team assists with greeting students in the morning, provides support throughout the day, and assists with end-of-day procedures, ensuring smooth transitions at critical points. After school, many team members continue to support students by serving as coaches to athletic teams. Members work to maintain safety around entrances to buildings, partner with teachers and administrators to identify challenges and prevent them from escalating, and implement other strategies to quiet situations and resolve them in the school.
Superintendent Cassellius highlighted Chief Coakley-Grice's strong foundations in building relationships with youth, her strong community connections and her experience working with schools and looks forward to her leadership in forging those values throughout our schools.
"BPS Safety Services team members work for the safety and security of all students, staff, and Boston Public Schools facilities," said Chief Coakley-Grice. "We are an integral part of the fabric in the school community's culture and environment; we serve as coaches, mentors, instructors and educators, even while ensuring that all come and go safely."
Chief Coakley-Grice was the only African-American female on the Youth Violence Strike Force and she was one of the only women leaders as part of the nationally-recognized Operation Homefront, as well as Operation Ceasefire, Operation Night Light, and the Department of Youth Services's Re-Entry Program - all key components of the City of Boston's focus on more effectively connecting with children and teenagers. She also led the coordination of the RISE Program and the Camp Frank A. Day Program, and was spokesperson for three Boston Police Commissioners.
"I have known Neva Coakley-Grice for my entire career and watched her stay connected and deeply involved with the community in every role she has had within the Boston Police Department," said Boston Police Superintendent Nora Baston. "Neva understands the value and importance of building relationships and working closely with the community. She has helped this department foster and build trust through her 27 years of service and her experience will help her support the work of the BPS safety team as they work to engage with children and families in positive, meaningful, and supportive ways. She understands that schools cannot be 'policed' and that safety can be enhanced through establishing trust amongst students, families, faculty, staff, and administrators of the Boston Public Schools system. I am excited to work with Chief Coakley-Grice, as we share much of the same vision and goals."
In 2019, Chief Coakley-Grice was awarded the prestigious Spirit of MAWLE (Massachusetts Association of Women in Law Enforcement) Mentoring Award. More recently, Chief Coakley-Grice worked in the newly formulated Bureau of Community Engagement, implementing the Commissioner's vision of community relations. The focus is on ensuring every police district has a dedicated and consistent community policing effort by concentrating on building relationships in the neighborhoods.
